Disclaimer: Most of the characters featured are the property of G. Lucas.
No copyright infringement intended. I am NOT making any money with this.
ONLY TO BE ARCHIVED AT FANFICTION.NET
Timeline: Post- Vision of the Future, replacing Union
To M. For feedback, excellent company, fellowship in SW-madness and fun around the clock ;=) (Especially behind the wheel - I sure would like to see you with an X-wing!)
SPOILER ALERT: Planet of Twilight, Showdown at Centrepoint, Specter of The Past, Vision of The Future, Vector Prime as well as some later New Jedi Orders. (And naturally the Thrawn trilogy, how can anyone possibly avoid that? ;=)
WARPED UNIVERSE ALERT: For the sake of storytelling, Isard's not dead at all. Condolenses to those who get stomach cramps from the woman. I know what you're going through. Just thank the stars of Alderaan I didn't bring Callista back.
Star Wars: The Rising By Heidi Ahlmen (siirma6@surfeu.fi)
Mara grunted. The restraints were too tight.
Isard had taken a seat at her desk, clasping and unclasping her fingers, lost in comtemplation.
Mara racked her brain, trying to find something in the decor of the room that she could use to her advantage. But there was nothing. Stang Isard, she knew her and she knew the Jedi.
But what if she didn't use the Force at all for starters?
Mara's left foot began itching and she cursed again, trying to ease off her loose shoe with her other foot.
Isard looked up. "Excuse me?"
Mara repeated what she'd said. Isard shook her head. "Smuggling's really got to you Jade, hasn' it. Even the Great Jedi Master hasn't cleaned up that mouth of yours."
Mara's rage went over the edge. "Maybe he's as sithspawn bad as I am!" she yelled out.
Isard was startled by her chair-rocking burst, and her patience seemed to run out.
"Take her and prepare my shuttle. She's coming with us to Yaga Minor."
Her attention was in the guards, and Mara knew her moment had come. With all her might, she flung her loose shoe towards the nutrient bar. With no Force to aid in aiming, it missed by a few inches, but it was enough to send the creature running for dear life.
Isard turned, alarmed, and the guards were pulling their blasters, but Mara was too fast.
The Force-free bubble the ysalamiri had created had subsided, and Mara clicked open her restraints with the Force, and flung the lightsabre back to her from the desk.
Soon the first blaster shots evaporated neatly onto the ignited blade. Isard had backed away a few steps, screaming frantically. "Get the rat back! Get her! Blasted, what am I paying you for!"
Mara dipped her former chair over and sent it clattering towards two of the guards, giving her a diversion as she darted for the door.
Isard remained standing, fists tight. "If I won't get you Mondian will!" she yelled after Mara, face red with rage.
Mara skidded to a halt. What had Isard just said? Knowing backup was again on the way and that it would be suicide to go back, she hesitated, put peered back into the room anyway. She had to know if she'd heard correctly.
Two optimistic guards were waiting for her, but two clean sweeps ended their ill intentions.
Isard looked quite pathetic, standing alone in the middle of the floor, aware that her blaster wasn't going to be much of a match to Mara's weapon.
"What did you say just then?"
Isard looked at her, resignation in her eyes. "It doesn't matter, really, if you're not staying. Mondian will see that you, along with the rest of the Jedi are done away with for good. The Judicator's just on its way to the Yavin system."
She she had heard correctly after all.
Lightsabre ready, Mara left the interrogation room, and got ready to battle her way through the headquarters and back to the hangars. She had to reach Luke and Leia. His students were in danger.
CHAPTER IX:
The Rogues jumped out of hyperspace, still in formation. near Ithor. The greenish-brown planet just inside Mid-Rim shone in the light of its suns, the M'lekor Star Cluster.
"All clear," came the reassurance through the comm system to inform that they were all off hyperspace.
Luke slowed down to cruising speed, checking on Artoo. The little droid was latched tight and quite serene. His head still pounded from the unexpected attack of the Dark Side he'd just experienced. He couldn't pinpoint the source, but it had been something powerful enough to knock him out for a few seconds. Afterwards, through the haze, he'd felt Mara's distressed presence. Was she alright?
The comm rattled again. "This is Home base," came General Crix Madine's low tone through the system, "How is it looking in there?"
Corran was the first to answer. "Quiet as a tomb. How're the rest coming?"
"Out of hyperspace in fifteen standard minutes. The Imperial fleet is gathering near Wayland."
"Wayland now, is it," Porkins, also known as Gold four, spat out.
Madine rattled the comm again. "No data as where to destination. Wait for backup and then Red four and five, reconnaissance."
"Copy that, home base," Luke and Wes Janson flying Red five replied.
Fifteen standards was not a long time, but when your friends were in trouble, it felt like eternity. The First Republic Fleet had barely gotten out of hyperspace when he had already locked his S-foils.
Corran Horn, flying Red two, shook his head in amusement. Jedi Master or not, Luke hadn't changed much. If there wasn't anyone holding him back he was as bad as Kyp Durron - plunging head-first into trouble.
"Red four, red five, permission to break off formation." Gold leader Hobbie Klivian was in charge when Red one, also known as Wedge, served as Commander.
"Copy that, Gold leader."
"And Luke -" came from the comm. It was Klivian again.
Luke's hands, reaching for the accelerator latch, paused. "Yes?"
"This is supposed to be a reconnaissance patrol. Try to leave something for us to blast, will you."
Laughing, Luke dropped height towards the planet Ithor and after changing directions via an eighty degrees dipping turn, he checked from the radar that Janson was right behind him.
The two X-wings, foils locked for possible battle, sped off towards Dathomir and the awaiting Imperial fleet.
Amarice's heart twisted. This was too big for her. But she couldn't help her irritation at the fact that this - - Senator had been wasting her time. And if she could at least address that irritation, even if she died for it, she would have at least tried.
"So it is the Jedi that you want." She accused.
Sith Lord Garia Mondian nodded. "You shall all be wiped out. I should thank you, really, for opening my eyes to the true extent of the naivete present amongst the Jedi. You are wise to question their path."
Amarice noticed they'd began circling each other, as if two predators preparing for a kill. As Amarice felt her desire to defend the honour of the Force from these insults her fear began to diminish. She wasn't angry and took great pride in the fact, just determined.
And suddenly the Force strom raging in the hall seemed to pull back, just the tiniest bit.
"And you are unwise to cross it."
Not wanting to become the respondent, Amarice ignited her lightsabre, hoping this would not precede her perish.
Setting into a highly stylized stance, Garia Mondian ignited her own red blade powered by three crystals instead of one.
Their circle became smaller, until the Force cracked with anticipation as they both plunged into attack at the same moment.
Their lightsabres collided with a rattling crash, the energy blades screetching as they met. Mondian quickly pulled off to launch a sideays attack, attempting to cut Amarice's legs in half.
But she'd already danced off, her robes flowing and blade coming into a swift parry. Their sabres formed an x, and separated again, each taking a step back.
Then they moved forwards again, simultaneously, their blades swirling. Their attacks met high above their heads, blades screaming and sending spikes of energy down their arms. Amarice pulled off and quickly sent the tip of her lightsabres towards where she imagined the Sith's midriff to be.
Mondian evaded, causing Amarice to lose balance, which she luckily managed to regain fast. She turned on her heels just in time to fling her sabre into action again.
She began a series of countering sweeps as the Senator-turned Sith Lord attacked her with a quick series of strikes. This was far different from fighting with a remote or even with another student or teacher.
This was for real. There was no mutual agreement on being careful, no rules. Just absolute freedom of movement.
Everything she could do she was allowed to use. She felt her spirit become untethered in the Force, all answers flowing in, connection strenghtening. She could no longer feel herself separately from the Force, but one with it.
And strangely not even the Dark Side that filled the room like thick incense could make her falter.
Somehow Amarice sensed that the Sith was not coming on full. That would have to change.
Amarice leapt forward as the Sith was about to began another attack, aiming for the head with her blade sweeping sideways. Th Sith evaded, locking her blade. Amarice jumped back, making a circle with her blade to counter the Sith as she kept on pushing her to a corner. She danced away, thinking that she could probably lure her counterpart back into the middle of the chamber and use the tables to her advantage.
But the Lord had other plans. Suddenly Amarice felt the Dark Side presence become unbearable, literally filling the Force so that it kicked her out. Energy concentrated in the line the two of them stood. Mondian raised her eyes, staring at her, o strange blue glow emitting from her features.
Then, without a single movement, she sent Amarice flying headfirst towards a wall and she collided some four feet above the floor and fell down. Curling up into a ball to avoid more injuries, she waited for the strike of mercy.
But it never came. The Sith was gone.
Amarice sat up slowly. Her left wrist had taken in most of the impact and hurt like a blast shot. It was probably broken, but as long as she had the use of her lightsabre hand she could cope. She stood up, her head pounding from the collision, nausea just around the corner. Deciding her physical condition was the least of her troubles, she rushed out of the Throne Room in search of High Councilor Organa Solo. She was Jedi as well, wasn't she?
************************************************'
Thank you for reading. Reviews and feedback would be greatly appreciated - they're the fuel that feeds this creative furnace.
Heidi Ahlmen siirma6@surfeu.fi
ONLY TO BE ARCHIVED AT FANFICTION.NET
Timeline: Post- Vision of the Future, replacing Union
To M. For feedback, excellent company, fellowship in SW-madness and fun around the clock ;=) (Especially behind the wheel - I sure would like to see you with an X-wing!)
SPOILER ALERT: Planet of Twilight, Showdown at Centrepoint, Specter of The Past, Vision of The Future, Vector Prime as well as some later New Jedi Orders. (And naturally the Thrawn trilogy, how can anyone possibly avoid that? ;=)
WARPED UNIVERSE ALERT: For the sake of storytelling, Isard's not dead at all. Condolenses to those who get stomach cramps from the woman. I know what you're going through. Just thank the stars of Alderaan I didn't bring Callista back.
Star Wars: The Rising By Heidi Ahlmen (siirma6@surfeu.fi)
Mara grunted. The restraints were too tight.
Isard had taken a seat at her desk, clasping and unclasping her fingers, lost in comtemplation.
Mara racked her brain, trying to find something in the decor of the room that she could use to her advantage. But there was nothing. Stang Isard, she knew her and she knew the Jedi.
But what if she didn't use the Force at all for starters?
Mara's left foot began itching and she cursed again, trying to ease off her loose shoe with her other foot.
Isard looked up. "Excuse me?"
Mara repeated what she'd said. Isard shook her head. "Smuggling's really got to you Jade, hasn' it. Even the Great Jedi Master hasn't cleaned up that mouth of yours."
Mara's rage went over the edge. "Maybe he's as sithspawn bad as I am!" she yelled out.
Isard was startled by her chair-rocking burst, and her patience seemed to run out.
"Take her and prepare my shuttle. She's coming with us to Yaga Minor."
Her attention was in the guards, and Mara knew her moment had come. With all her might, she flung her loose shoe towards the nutrient bar. With no Force to aid in aiming, it missed by a few inches, but it was enough to send the creature running for dear life.
Isard turned, alarmed, and the guards were pulling their blasters, but Mara was too fast.
The Force-free bubble the ysalamiri had created had subsided, and Mara clicked open her restraints with the Force, and flung the lightsabre back to her from the desk.
Soon the first blaster shots evaporated neatly onto the ignited blade. Isard had backed away a few steps, screaming frantically. "Get the rat back! Get her! Blasted, what am I paying you for!"
Mara dipped her former chair over and sent it clattering towards two of the guards, giving her a diversion as she darted for the door.
Isard remained standing, fists tight. "If I won't get you Mondian will!" she yelled after Mara, face red with rage.
Mara skidded to a halt. What had Isard just said? Knowing backup was again on the way and that it would be suicide to go back, she hesitated, put peered back into the room anyway. She had to know if she'd heard correctly.
Two optimistic guards were waiting for her, but two clean sweeps ended their ill intentions.
Isard looked quite pathetic, standing alone in the middle of the floor, aware that her blaster wasn't going to be much of a match to Mara's weapon.
"What did you say just then?"
Isard looked at her, resignation in her eyes. "It doesn't matter, really, if you're not staying. Mondian will see that you, along with the rest of the Jedi are done away with for good. The Judicator's just on its way to the Yavin system."
She she had heard correctly after all.
Lightsabre ready, Mara left the interrogation room, and got ready to battle her way through the headquarters and back to the hangars. She had to reach Luke and Leia. His students were in danger.
CHAPTER IX:
The Rogues jumped out of hyperspace, still in formation. near Ithor. The greenish-brown planet just inside Mid-Rim shone in the light of its suns, the M'lekor Star Cluster.
"All clear," came the reassurance through the comm system to inform that they were all off hyperspace.
Luke slowed down to cruising speed, checking on Artoo. The little droid was latched tight and quite serene. His head still pounded from the unexpected attack of the Dark Side he'd just experienced. He couldn't pinpoint the source, but it had been something powerful enough to knock him out for a few seconds. Afterwards, through the haze, he'd felt Mara's distressed presence. Was she alright?
The comm rattled again. "This is Home base," came General Crix Madine's low tone through the system, "How is it looking in there?"
Corran was the first to answer. "Quiet as a tomb. How're the rest coming?"
"Out of hyperspace in fifteen standard minutes. The Imperial fleet is gathering near Wayland."
"Wayland now, is it," Porkins, also known as Gold four, spat out.
Madine rattled the comm again. "No data as where to destination. Wait for backup and then Red four and five, reconnaissance."
"Copy that, home base," Luke and Wes Janson flying Red five replied.
Fifteen standards was not a long time, but when your friends were in trouble, it felt like eternity. The First Republic Fleet had barely gotten out of hyperspace when he had already locked his S-foils.
Corran Horn, flying Red two, shook his head in amusement. Jedi Master or not, Luke hadn't changed much. If there wasn't anyone holding him back he was as bad as Kyp Durron - plunging head-first into trouble.
"Red four, red five, permission to break off formation." Gold leader Hobbie Klivian was in charge when Red one, also known as Wedge, served as Commander.
"Copy that, Gold leader."
"And Luke -" came from the comm. It was Klivian again.
Luke's hands, reaching for the accelerator latch, paused. "Yes?"
"This is supposed to be a reconnaissance patrol. Try to leave something for us to blast, will you."
Laughing, Luke dropped height towards the planet Ithor and after changing directions via an eighty degrees dipping turn, he checked from the radar that Janson was right behind him.
The two X-wings, foils locked for possible battle, sped off towards Dathomir and the awaiting Imperial fleet.
Amarice's heart twisted. This was too big for her. But she couldn't help her irritation at the fact that this - - Senator had been wasting her time. And if she could at least address that irritation, even if she died for it, she would have at least tried.
"So it is the Jedi that you want." She accused.
Sith Lord Garia Mondian nodded. "You shall all be wiped out. I should thank you, really, for opening my eyes to the true extent of the naivete present amongst the Jedi. You are wise to question their path."
Amarice noticed they'd began circling each other, as if two predators preparing for a kill. As Amarice felt her desire to defend the honour of the Force from these insults her fear began to diminish. She wasn't angry and took great pride in the fact, just determined.
And suddenly the Force strom raging in the hall seemed to pull back, just the tiniest bit.
"And you are unwise to cross it."
Not wanting to become the respondent, Amarice ignited her lightsabre, hoping this would not precede her perish.
Setting into a highly stylized stance, Garia Mondian ignited her own red blade powered by three crystals instead of one.
Their circle became smaller, until the Force cracked with anticipation as they both plunged into attack at the same moment.
Their lightsabres collided with a rattling crash, the energy blades screetching as they met. Mondian quickly pulled off to launch a sideays attack, attempting to cut Amarice's legs in half.
But she'd already danced off, her robes flowing and blade coming into a swift parry. Their sabres formed an x, and separated again, each taking a step back.
Then they moved forwards again, simultaneously, their blades swirling. Their attacks met high above their heads, blades screaming and sending spikes of energy down their arms. Amarice pulled off and quickly sent the tip of her lightsabres towards where she imagined the Sith's midriff to be.
Mondian evaded, causing Amarice to lose balance, which she luckily managed to regain fast. She turned on her heels just in time to fling her sabre into action again.
She began a series of countering sweeps as the Senator-turned Sith Lord attacked her with a quick series of strikes. This was far different from fighting with a remote or even with another student or teacher.
This was for real. There was no mutual agreement on being careful, no rules. Just absolute freedom of movement.
Everything she could do she was allowed to use. She felt her spirit become untethered in the Force, all answers flowing in, connection strenghtening. She could no longer feel herself separately from the Force, but one with it.
And strangely not even the Dark Side that filled the room like thick incense could make her falter.
Somehow Amarice sensed that the Sith was not coming on full. That would have to change.
Amarice leapt forward as the Sith was about to began another attack, aiming for the head with her blade sweeping sideways. Th Sith evaded, locking her blade. Amarice jumped back, making a circle with her blade to counter the Sith as she kept on pushing her to a corner. She danced away, thinking that she could probably lure her counterpart back into the middle of the chamber and use the tables to her advantage.
But the Lord had other plans. Suddenly Amarice felt the Dark Side presence become unbearable, literally filling the Force so that it kicked her out. Energy concentrated in the line the two of them stood. Mondian raised her eyes, staring at her, o strange blue glow emitting from her features.
Then, without a single movement, she sent Amarice flying headfirst towards a wall and she collided some four feet above the floor and fell down. Curling up into a ball to avoid more injuries, she waited for the strike of mercy.
But it never came. The Sith was gone.
Amarice sat up slowly. Her left wrist had taken in most of the impact and hurt like a blast shot. It was probably broken, but as long as she had the use of her lightsabre hand she could cope. She stood up, her head pounding from the collision, nausea just around the corner. Deciding her physical condition was the least of her troubles, she rushed out of the Throne Room in search of High Councilor Organa Solo. She was Jedi as well, wasn't she?
************************************************'
Thank you for reading. Reviews and feedback would be greatly appreciated - they're the fuel that feeds this creative furnace.
Heidi Ahlmen siirma6@surfeu.fi