Star Wars Infinities: The Master

Chapter 12

By: Christopher W. Blaine

e-mail: darth_yoshi@yahoo.com

DISCLAIMER: All of the characters and situations contained in this story are ©2003 by LucasFilm Ltd. They are used here without permission for fan-related entertainment purposes only. This original story is ©2003 by Christopher W. Blaine.

"What the hell?" Kyp shook his head and then took another look down the long passageway that led from the general area of the spaceport towards the set of landing platforms that held his vessel. He used the Force to confirm what his eyes were telling him and ignited his lightsaber. Imperials were in the hanger bay!

Calling the Force to him, he used it to increase his speed so that he essentially flew down the long corridor towards the scene of battle. In the few seconds that it took him, his mind shifted from planning-mode to attack-mode. During his time fighting the Yuzheen Vong, his father had taught him that there were two ways for a Jedi to think.

In "planning-mode" the Jedi looked at what his role in the Force was and what the role of the Force was to the galaxy. It was the Jedi's duty to plan to be where he or she could best do to further the goals of the Force. In "attack-mode" the Jedi used the Force in any way they could to protect those who could not defend themselves for whatever reason. Defenseless people, persons in need and the destitute weighed heavily upon the Force. By protecting the weak, the Jedi helped to strengthen the Force through good thoughts and action.

Ferrin Durron had explained to Kyp that the Jedi of the Old Republic had managed to keep the planning-mode going, but they had forgotten their roots. The lightsaber had not been developed simply as a work of art or as an extension of the Force; the Jedi had started as warriors. A true warrior did not seek war, but hoped to avoid it. However, the true warrior was always ready to put his skills to the test.

Kyp exploded onto the landing pad, taking down a stormtrooper that turned to face him without hesitation. Through the Force, Kyp had already singled out the Imperials from the others. The Force had come up blank for two of the combatants. As he deflected some stray blaster bolts, he saw a Wookie tearing into a screaming man. That explained one thing to him because he had found it very difficult to understand the thoughts of non-humans since his return to this universe.

There were two remaining attackers and one of them was racing towards what Kyp took to be the Wookie's vessel. It was an older vehicle, Kyp was sure, and it didn't look like it had been well taken care of from the dents, dirt and blaster burns on the hull. But then he decided that the Millennium Falcon wasn't all that great to gaze upon either. Kyp raced after the fleeing man as his eyes caught a glimpse of someone in armor flying by him in pursuit of the last man standing.

Kyp's quarry skidded to a stop and seemed to sag a little. Kyp noted the blood that was all over the area to the rear of the other vessel. The man turned at once with his blaster up and fired two shots. They were well aimed as Kyp had to slow down to block them. Normally, his Force-enhanced reflexes were more than a match for even the best gunslinger. The person he faced was filled with grief, disgust and a need for revenge. In most sentients, this caused them to become sloppy, but Kyp had noted over the years that many Imperial Special Forces and the like actually got better at what they did the angrier they got.

The man cursed at Kyp and went to fire again. "I don't think so," Kyp muttered as he stuck his hand out. The weapon flew out of the man's hand even as Kyp threw his lightsaber, sending it spinning towards the man. He caught the blaster as the man was severe in two and waited as the Force brought his own weapon back to him. He caught it and turned to see of there were any more enemies and he was surprised to see the Wookie, covered in blood and some smoky patches of fur, and a man in armor he just now recognized.

He did not bother to deactivate his lightsaber. "Stand back, Jedi hunter," Kyp warned. Through the Force he got a sense of general malice towards him from the Mandalorian, but nothing concrete. The man did not like Jedi, that much was evident from his body language, but Kyp could get nothing more than that from the man no matter how hard he tried to read the man's emotions. He avoided anything more intrusive; Mandalorians were trained, it was rumored, to resist such attempts. "I have no quarrel with you," Kyp added.

Jango sighed and Chewbacca visibly relaxed. "I don't have one with you either, kid, but it appears we have the same enemies."

Kyp shook his head. "The Empire has many enemies; just because we are both possibly wanted by them does not mean we are allies."

Jango realized that Kyp was probably not as dumb as he looked. In fact, he noted that there was a familiar look to the Jedi, the look of a professional killer. He had heard stories that Kyp Durron was everything from the messiah of the Ithorians to the incarnate of evil. Some reports he had intercepted on the Imperial and Confederate holonets indicated he was a fierce fighter that did not subscribe to the more pacifistic ideals of the past Jedi. "I've never seen a Jedi kill so coldly," Jango commented.

Kyp wasn't baited. "Once combat is joined, your enemy suffers only from their arrogance. Had that man surrendered, I would have accepted it without question. Clearly he did not realize he was outmatched." Kyp swallowed hard; it was difficult trying to sound like one of the masters. He just wanted to tell the Mandalorian to take a flying leap so he could get on with his mission. The battle with the Imperials was sure to draw attention and while that did not bother Kyp too much, he preferred to be safely inside his ship when the rest of the New Order's operatives showed up. "I'm sure that you have better things to do than trade insults with a sworn enemy."

The bounty hunter laughed. "'Sworn enemy'? I guess that title about fits, but the fact of the matter is that I'm here to speak with all of you magicians."

"I don't have the time, so if you will excuse me…"

Chewbacca roared and started a long speech in his native tongue. His arms flew in circles and his long fingers pointed here and there and at everything as the Wookie did everything in his power to explain. Kyp concentrated on the Force and he picked Chewbacca out of it; his glow was warm and friendly and the Jedi found himself puzzled. Mandalorian warriors had once been hired to hunt down Jedi knights, but Wookies, he had read, were for the most part a peaceful race. Certainly that did not mean pacifistic but Wookies did not normally become bounty hunters and Kyp knew for a fact that was what he faced.

Jango Fett was required reading for up and coming Jedi Knights. General Xizor had an extensive file on the best bounty hunters in the galaxy and when Luke Skywalker put a price on the young Jedi's heads, Kyp had put the file to memory. The shock of seeing an actual Mandalorian in full armor had thrown him off but now it was apparent whom he was facing.

Xizor's file had indicated that there were two Mandalorians, but that information was over six years old. There had been some notes in he file about an appended report added by Talon Karrde, but Kyp had not been given access to it. "I don't understand your language," Kyp finally said. The Wookie threw his arms in the air and stomped away.

"He assumed you would use the Force to read his mind," Jango said. "Old myth I suppose."

"So what is it that you want, Fett?" Kyp asked. Jango showed no surprise. With over four decades of experience behind him, he wasn't surprised when people recognized him. In fact, he had to admit, it was when people did not immediately call him by his name that he had a problem.

"The same thing you want…to rid the universe of scum…Sith scum." Jango took a step forward and Kyp made no move. It was a trick, of course; the Jedi could call his weapon to his hand without moving at any time, but Jango was trying to use the set of skill he had the least experience in using. Dealing with people on a friendly level, seeking alliances, things like that were not the norm for him. He and Boba, later Chewbacca, had lived a good life in the Corporate Sector, but that had been a business relationship. He had not needed to negotiate. He simply offered his services for a fee; the CSA had agreed. Very little talk had been required.

"I think Imperial Center is a couple of systems over," Kyp said with a slight smile. "I would be very grateful if you deposed the Emperor."

Jango shook his head. "Not the same Sith I'm talking about, kid. If you're half the Jedi your reputation says you are then you know who I'm referring to."

Kyp put on his best sabbac face. Jango had information about the other Dark Lords! Surely the Force had guided him here at this time. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't…"

"Then tell me where Corran Horn is at. At least I can talk to a Corellian Jedi," Jango ordered. Kyp's eyes narrowed. "I do not have time to play games with you." Another step. "The Imperials are here, Jedi Durron. The New Order and every bounty hunter in the galaxy know about the three of you because Booster Terrik has done everything but gotten Lord Ravage to issue a royal decree about where you are!" Step. "I know for a fact that there are other Dark Lords of the Sith out there getting ready to do something and one of them is named Malakie." The final step put his helmeted head directly in front of Kyp's dark eyes. "He is the son of Darth Maul. He's working for Exar Kunn."

Kyp swallowed hard and looked away. It was a lot worse than he had thought. "I need to…"

Jango grabbed him by the arm. "Listen to me! I'm willing to put aside my differences with your kind in order to pursue this bastard. He killed my son. He'll kill a lot more if we don't…don't…don't…"

Kyp felt the grip tighten and then slowly fade away and he suddenly sensed the pain coming off of the bounty hunter. "Master Jango!" Threepio called out as he came walking down the access ramp for Slave 1. Chewbacca roared and came running back over even as Jango started to slump to the ferrocrete of the landing pad. Kyp tried to hold him up but the pain was almost overwhelming because of their closeness.

"What is it?" Kyp asked as he tried to pull of Jango's helmet. Chewbacca batted his hands away, not in anger but out of necessity. Jango's helmet had explosives lined in it to keep people from stealing it. Kyp was awed by how quickly the big Wookie's fingers worked around the armor, hitting the proper releases that would allow them to remove the helmet.

Threepio was beside them and Kyp remembered I-PO. He pulled out his communicator. "Ippy, I need the Vong medical kit outside now!"

Jango's face was much different than Kyp had expected. The image of a scowling, red eyed Mandalorian devil was wiped away as the young Jedi looked down upon a sweating old man. Jango's hair was gray, maybe even white, and his eyes were filled with a pain beyond the physical assault he was feeling at that moment. "My heart…"

Chewbacca started barking and from his tone, Kyp could tell he was concerned. He turned to Threepio and practically screeched orders. I-PO was already next to them, holding a plain wooden box. It had to be wood because the creature inside would die if it were placed in contact with anything inorganic. "Master Chewbacca wishes to know if you have any Jedi healing ability."

"Actually, he said 'ask the damn spoon bender if his stupid ass can help'" I-PO corrected.

"There is no need to be rude," Threepio responded. "I was able to get the message across perfectly."

"Priss," was the reply as Kyp's co-pilot handed him the box.

Kyp looked down at Jango. "I don't think I know anything that can help, but I have something that can help take away the pain."

"Don't let the Wookie give me mouth-to-mouth," Jango joked. Chewbacca said something in reply and Jango clenched his teeth. Kyp hurried and set the box down, carefully unlatching it. He reached inside and gently pulled out what looked like a ball of fur.

Slowly he took the ball and moved it over Jango, who was near passing out. "This is going to feel funny," Kyp offered and Jango's face indicated he was beyond such concerns. His skin had taken on a deathly white coloring and he was getting cooler to the touch. Again Chewbacca started talking quickly.

"Master Chewbacca thinks we should contact medical personnel," Threepio translated.

"No time," Kyp quipped as he placed the ball on Jango's forehead. The Mandalorian made to shout out, to complain, to be defiant once more even in the face of death. The ball of fur uncurled to reveal something that looked like a hairy snail with eight small stubby legs. The legs had little pads on them that the creature stuck to different points along Jango's sweaty head.

Chewbacca watched in fascination as Jango's condition seemed to almost immediately improve. His color began to change and his face relaxed. Kyp watched as the creature settled in like it was forming a nest on the bounty hunter's head. "I can't give you its name, as I never learned it," Kyp explained to the Wookie. "The creature feeds off of the bio-fields generated by creatures when they are in distress. It can store the energy for years if necessary."

The Wookie only nodded and suppressed an urge to pet the thing. Kyp stood up and looked around at the landing bay. It was complete carnage with eight dead Imperials and a Mandalorian lying on the ground. I-PO came over and stood next to him. "The ship is prepared, of course, and we can leave at any time. I took the liberty of monitoring your conversation out here…"

"We can't leave Fett here to die or wait for more Imperials," Kyp said, cutting him off.

"Of course," the droid said. Then he turned towards the fallen Mandalorian and Chewbacca. "Why don't you get the Wookie and put him in the hold? I'll get the priss."

Kyp did not appreciate the humor but realized they had a problem. He turned back to speak with Chewbacca when he suddenly had a thought. "Where's the security?" he wondered out loud.

"Pardon me," Threepio said. "But I believe I can answer that. An order has come down from the Corporate Sector military commander for this area. It appears he has relieved the security chief and ordered the arrest of the Baron-Administrator."

Things were occurring quicker than Kyp had thought possible. Lucky they had split up when they did and again Kyp had to believe the Force was guiding their actions. He changed the frequency on his communicator and ordered Ippy back into the ship. "Warm up the engines and plot a course or Korriban."

"Lovely," the droid replied, slowly making his way back to the Falcon.

Kyp tried raising Leia but there was nothing but static. By itself it wasn't sinister, but combined with everything else it made him worry. He had to try reaching her through the Force. Closing his eyes, he pictured her in his mind, his heartbeat skipping slightly when he did so. He couldn't help it; he still cared very much for her.

He knew her mind almost as well as he knew his own. Up until very recently, the three Jedi had been very liberal with their telepathic abilities. Kyp did not like keeping secrets and he had tried to pass that on to his friends. It was how Leia had first come to learn of Kyp's true feelings for her.

There was a red fog surrounding the city, but only perceptible through the Force. Kyp realized that he was in the middle of a coming storm by the name of Luke Skywalker and for the moment he was torn. He had a responsibility to his charges, but he also had a duty to obey his masters.

Kyp had to trust in his charges and he now understood how hard it must have been for his father to let him out on his own. Surely Ferrin Durron would have liked to have a few more years to train Kyp, but the necessity to restart the Jedi order took precedence.

Corran was by no means helpless; and Leia was with Dash. Of course it appeared now that both Dash and Lando, the two men Kyp had trusted to get his padawans back to Republic space, were in as deep as the Jedi. The universe was closing in on them and Kyp suddenly got the impression he was standing on the precipice of history. Here, at this moment, the galaxy was about to change.

He looked back at the still form of Jango Fett and saw the irony as a Jedi saved a Mandalorian. "Mr. Chewbacca," Kyp finally said. The Wookie looked at him with soft blue eyes. "I don't know what sort of medical facilities you have in the craft, but I'm willing to be mine are better. If you carry your partner onto the Millennium Falcon, I can treat him while we get away."

The Wookie did not act convinced of the wisdom of doing such a thing and Kyp tried again. "The Imperials are here and obviously are complicit with the CSA military in the area. All of us are in danger. I know why the Imperials want me and it is obvious," he spread his arms to encompass the destruction they had wrought, "that they want you as well." He then pointed to his ship. "She may not look like much, but I assure you the Falcon is the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy."

Chewbacca applied all of the wisdom he had garnered in his two centuries of life and decided that since they had come to ally with some Jedi, it would not hurt to travel in his ship. Besides, Jango was in bad shape and it didn't look like they would get good medical treatment here on Cloud City despite their official CSA status. He barked some orders to Threepio. "Master Chewbacca, you do realize that I am not programmed for piloting…"

Chewbacca shook his head and pointed a hairy finger at Slave 1. He became even more agitated as Threepio continued to argue. Kyp realized they did not have time. "Does that ship have slaving capability?"

Threepio turned to Kyp. "Of course, sir; Slave 1 has been modified to be the premiere tracking vehicle…"

"Good!" Kyp said, cutting the droid off. He had to agree with Ippy; Threepio was a priss. "I'll have my co-pilot send establish a slaving link with you and you will be able to follow us without touching the controls."

"Oh, very good, sir," the golden droid said with enthusiasm. "But might I suggest that I accompany you in your ship?" Chewbacca, with Jango in his arms, passed by and grunted at the droid. Kyp got the idea that it would not be a good idea to have the droid on his ship.

"I think your master would appreciate it more if you were to clean up the ship while he was being treated," Kyp said, pointing to the blood-splattered rear gangway. He did not want to know what had done that.

"Ah, of course," Threepio responded as he turned to regard his mess. "However, if you require the services of a translator…"

"I have my co-pilot," Kyp reminded him.

"But, sir, the military protocol series lacks…"

Kyp suppressed the urge to shove the droid into the side of Slave 1. "Just go, okay?" he finally said before turning around and running to his own vessel. He was in the cockpit in his seat in seconds. "Mister Chewbacca, we'll be taking off momentarily. I strongly recommend that you ensure Fett is strapped down. Things might get bumpy."

I-PO hit the switches that would seal the ship for space flight. "Want me to open the dovin basal canopies?" Then the droid turned his head and changed his voice to match Threepio's. "Oh please, sir, may I suck up some more?"

"You could learn some manners from that one," Kyp said. "And no, do not open the canopies unless we come up against some real trouble. Without Leia and Corran, we'll have to operate the guns from up here."

"You mean I will," Ippy told him, his voice back to its normal mechanical sarcastic tone. " After all, you are only human. One function at a time, slow reflexes."

Kyp ignored the jibe and activated the repulsor coils. Ippy, in turn, started the communications link between the Millennium Falcon and Slave 1. After a few seconds he grumbled. "That little priss will not shut up! Can I blast him when we reach Korriban?"

"Be careful," Kyp started with a smile, "he might be your father."

The tint of Ippy's eyes changed from green to a shade of red.

"Sector Admiral, sir," the tactical officer called out. "We have two vessels coming up from Bespin at a high rate of speed. Neither ship can be positively identified though the computer suggests one of them is the personal vessel of Jango Fett."

The Admiral rubbed his chin. He knew that Fett was on Bespin and down on Cloud City, but a check of official communications indicated that the bounty hunter/security specialist was on a leave of absence. That did not negate the status that Fett had within the Corporate Sector. "One of our technicians has managed to get a visual with the long range camera's, sir, and reports that Fett's vessel appears to be in pursuit of a YT-1300 series freighter."

"That matches the description of the Jedi vessel in the area," the ship's captain whispered into his ear. The Sector-Admiral nodded and shifted in his seat, watching the computer simulation on one of his screens of the other ships. They would be leaving the Bespin area of jurisdiction in seconds and would, officially, be in his patrol zone. He would then be obligated to do something if only to cover his own ass.

He had no plans to return to the CSA proper; the bribes he had received from Luke Skywalker was his key to a perfect retirement. He could not allow anything to screw it up and he could see something of a small smirk on the captain's face. The ship's master probably suspected the true events that were occurring but he was career-minded enough not to accuse a superior without actual proof.

"If the bounty hunter is in pursuit, then by his contract with the Board of Directors, we cannot act," the ship's legal officer announced. The man was on the bridge qualifying for his space combat badge and had taken an interest in the events.

"True," the Sector-Admiral replied, "but this could be a crime in progress as well. Tell me, has the freighter filed a flight plan out of the system?"

There was a pause as someone checked. The captain shrugged. "It could be simple lag in the system."

"Perhaps…"

"Should we launch fighters to pursue?" the captain asked, wondering what the response would be.

"Yes," was the response. The Corporate Sector Victory-class star destroyer they were one had several different fighter and utility craft for a variety of missions. He looked down at the status board and saw that the secondary alert craft were Y-wing fighters. He gave the order to launch them and the captain complied though the tone of his voice indicated he was not satisfied.

In such a situation, where the true identity could not be verified, any vessel suspected of being involved in a crime was to be immediately stopped and boarded. Of all of the offenses that were intolerable in the Corporate Sector, smuggling was the worst because it took profits directly from investors. While the Sector-Admiral was complying with the letter of his orders, he was not adhering to the spirit.

Their vessel and its escorts were situated in the center of the system near most of the hyperspace entry and exit points. This would allow them to examine at least 75% of the vessels entering the Bespin system at any time. There were always two sets of alert craft, plus the combat space patrol. Even the captain would not pull off his patrols to investigate something that could be a diversion. Launching the alerts made the most sense in this situation.

The Y-wings were slow craft, though tough. They were most useful against slower, capital ships. The other alert fighters, a pair of Z-95 Headhunters, were better suited for intercept duty. Throwing the Y-wings at the problem was akin to doing nothing because they would never be able to keep up with the other vessels.

Then the Sector-Admiral did something that was odd but certainly wasn't illegal. He ordered the communications officer to open a hailing channel to the Imperial flotilla that was sitting parked at the very edge of the system. They were there because, they claimed, several of their officers were vacationing on Cloud City. They had paid the appropriate fees and had also allowed CSA representatives to remain on their ships for the duration of their officer's stay on Bespin.

The main viewer switched from a tactical view to the portrait of a man wearing the black uniform of the Armed Forces of the New Order. His rank insignia showed him to be a captain. "Ah, Captain Reyjak," the Sector-Admiral stated almost warmly.

"Admiral," the Imperial replied. Behind him the view showed a Corporate Sector officer monitoring the conversation with a black-armored stormtrooper next to him. "Our long range sensors have shown some activity around the planet. Should I be concerned about my men on your planet?"

The Sector-Admiral shook his head. "Just some minor trouble with a Jedi or two. It appears they are heading in your direction. We are trying to stop him but it does not look like we will be able to catch up. Regardless, we do not wish to have any interference in CSA business."

There was almost a twinkle in the Imperial's eye. "Of course, Admiral. Revjak out."

The screen went blank and the Sector-Admiral sat back, continuing to watch the tactical view. The escaping ships blew past the Corporate Sector fleet, narrowly "missing" it by a thousand kilometers. The Y-Wings took off in pursuit, but by the data next to their icons, it was obvious they would never even get into firing range before the other ships made their jump into hyperspace.

"Admiral! The Imperials are launching fighters!" came a cry from the sensor station.