"My name's Kyp. Kyp Durron," The man said in a
surprisingly calm voice, his eyes flickering with concentration. He was the one
that Brodey had suspected, the one that everybody had been warning him about.
"I'm a jedi master. I came here hoping to get to meet you."
"You only wanted to meet me?" Brodey said with a sneer. "You didn't come here
wanting something from me? I find that hard to believe, given your reputation."
"I was going to propose something to you, if you'd give me the time of day," Kyp
said hesitantly, looking directly into Brodey's eyes but paying more attention
to the claw that was dangerously close to his eye. "When I heard about your
amazing piloting skills I figured you were at least a force adept."
"Let me get this straight," Brodey laughed derisively, dragging his razor sharp
claw down the jedi master's cheek. A bead of blood trickled from the superficial
wound and followed Brodey's finger as it moved further down Kyp's face. "You're
not trying to get me to join your squadron. You've come here looking for a new
apprentice."
"That's correct," Kyp said evenly, not flinching despite the murderous spark in
the younger man's eyes.
"Well, aren't you self-righteous?" Brodey exclaimed. "You think you can pull
that little jedi parlor trick on me and bend me to your will?"
Kyp stared at the youth, still saying nothing as sweat beaded up on his
forehead. If that wasn't enough evidence of his increasing nerves then the
growing tightness in his throat certainly convinced him.
'If nerves are even causing it,' Kyp thought to himself as his throat
constricted rapidly and little black dots appeared in his vision. He utilized
the technique he'd learned from Master Skywalker to block that particular
attack. The air burst back into his lungs with great difficulty and he wondered
if this situation was a little more than he could handle.
"What is he doing now?" Gavin asked as he swiveled around on his barstool to see
where Wes was pointing. "Oh, not again! Lieutenant Narundi, I think that's a
rather bad idea you've got there."
"Yeah Brodey, don't you know who that is?" Wes asked and then added in a very
audible whisper. "Sithin' Durron!"
Kyp's gaze flickered over at the pilot and he narrowed his eyes into slits. Wes
Janson knew a warning when he saw one, and stepped back a bit.
"Come on Brodey, I know you can behave in a more appropriate manner," Gavin
said, ignoring Wes's comment.
"Where does it say that I have to act appropriately?" Brodey challenged, raising
an eyebrow at his commanding officer. "Major Janson has gotten by for years
while acting like an eleven year old."
"Lieutenant, I order you to stand down," Gavin said firmly, his voice taking on
a dangerous tone.
"Fine," Brodey hissed, releasing his hold on the jedi master. "Sorry to
disappoint you, Durron, but I'm unavailable at the moment. Besides, I don't
think you'd want me even if you could have me."
Brodey looked warily at Kyp one last time and then walked slowly back to his
table. His shoulders felt like a slightly heavier weight had been dropped on
them and he suddenly wished he could go back to base and sleep forever. He'd
used the dark side on another living being, albeit an infuriating one, and he
longed for the peace of unconsciousness.
He'd almost reached his seat in the corner of the bar when a hand reached out
and firmly gripped his shoulder. It took every tiny bit of his strength to hold
back the fury that was quickly bubbling over inside of him.
"Dark jedi, huh?" Kyp asked, a hint of arrogance coating his voice. Brodey
closed his eyes, fighting for serenity as his muscles primed themselves for an
attack. "Contrary to what you may believe, there's nothing you could have done
that would make me reject you."
"Leave. Now," Brodey gasped, trembling with wrath as the dark energy curled
around his fingertips.
"Listen kid, I just want to help you," Kyp said softly. "Why don't we go - "
Brodey cut him off by lashing out with icy tendrils of force lightning, which
Kyp effectively dispelled harmlessly to the ground.
"Been there, done that," Kyp muttered. "Is that the best you can do?"
"Well," Brodey said, cracking his neck to the side. "We could always settle
things the simple way."
"FIGHT!" Screamed Wes as Brodey swung a right hook at Kyp's jaw, knocking him
over.
