Anguirus111 Note: I think I already mention this but Neva Kee's ship is just a larger version of his podracer. And I hope you all realize that Neva Kee is not an OC and if you did think that go look him up at the Star Wars databanks. Granted I am taking liberties with him but he'll still wind up being that podracer who vanishes midway through the Boonta Eve Classic. And I mentioned this in my first story, but I'll reiterate it here. Yoda is Zoda's uncle and both despise each other and Zoda has a speech impediment hence his straightforward speak.
Bothawui: In the infamous city of Drev'starn, many Bothan Spies congregated sharing information that they had stolen from other planets and civilizations. In their safe city filled with nothing but backstabbers and information thieves, they felt they knew everything and that nothing could surprise them. That all changed moments later when two small objects rapidly descended from the heavens trailing fire and streaked by over the city only to plow into the mountainside around a secret base that Bothans thought no one knew about and cause dust and smoke to go rising into the horizon. For the first time in their life the Bothans panicked as this was the first time in a long time that they had ever come under attack without them ever being away of it. In the spaceport of the city, a blue Y-Shaped spacecraft hastily landed in one of the docking bays before the two occupants inside of it, heavily disguised in robes tore out of the craft, and ran to the nearest hovercar rental place, which was deserted thanks to the mass panic and 'obtained' a hovercar and took off in it towards the mountains. As soon as they left the city the two occupants removed their robes.
"Damn Bothans," said Zoda as he looked at the city behind him. "They can never take anything in stride can they?"
"No," said Neva Kee sighing as he piloted the craft. "No they can't. It would be funny if our balls weren't on the line."
Zoda laughed.
"That's not meant as an innuendo you lazy Hutt," said Neva Kee admonishing him. "Those Bothans are likely to take them and dissect them for information and then we'll be out of a job.
"Then why the hell did we come here?" demanded the Jedi before adding sarcastically. "Could it be you finally made a mistake? I never thought I'd see the day!"
"Oy Pah Nagoya," said Neva Kee holding his head with his left hand as the craft zoomed onwards towards the hidden base.
Drev'starn: A passenger craft landed in the Galactic Cruises docking bay as Keira grabbed her bag and tore off through customs. As soon as she emerged from customs she noted the general disarray of the place as well as the smoke rising from the distant mountain range.
"They're here alright," thought Keira with a small laugh. She ran to the speeder rental area but found the place deserted save for a familiar looking chit on the counter.
"Well I'll be damned," Keira thought with another laugh. She looked around before sighing and grabbing a key that was on the other side before throwing down a chit as well. She ran out into the speeder bay as she saw the nervous Bothans all standing around a platform as an angry Bothan began commenting on how they were going to get to the bottom of this and punish whoever was responsible. Keira laughed at the prospects of that before getting in the speeder and taking off towards the freeway.
Freeway: Neva Kee shifted gears and the car raced between a pair of other slower moving ones on the freeway as in the distance the Debate/Retreat Center was visible and even farther back the mountain range.
"I don't suppose you have something to give this vehicle a little bit more kick," said Neva Kee reluctantly. Zoda looked at him surprised.
"Maybe," he said. "This vehicle wouldn't happen to have a combustion engine would it?"
"I think so," said Neva Kee. "Otherwise why bother having gears on it?"
"Then maybe we are in luck," said Zoda as he produced a metal cylindrical tank from out of his robe.
"What the hell are you doing with that?" demanded Neva Kee.
"I don't know," said Zoda utterly confused by that question. "I kind of forgot I had it until just now."
"And yet somehow you manage to produce it at the right time. How bizarre is that?" asked Neva Kee.
"Maybe it's the will of the Force," said Zoda trying to explain it.
"Or the author," said Neva Kee absently.
"Huh?" asked Zoda.
"Forget it," said the diplomat. "So pop it in."
"Now?" demanded Zoda. "At well over a hundred miles an hour you want me to plug this in?"
"Yeah," said Neva Kee. "Just use the Force."
Zoda grumbled a retort before climbing over the windshield and onto the hood of the vehicle.
"I hope you can see with no forward vision for a few moments," he said.
"Just do it," said Neva Kee annoyed. Zoda sighed and popped open the hood as Neva Kee leaned over the side of the car to see what was in front of him. Zoda meanwhile activated one of his dueling sabers as began making precise cuts in the engine block before jamming a tube extending from the cylinder as he made a place for it by melting some nearby metal bars before using the Force to cool the air around them causing them to freeze around the cylinder. Zoda then leapt over the open hood as he used the Force to close it and came down back in the passenger seat.
"We're in business," he said wiping his dirty hands along the outside of the car.
"Good, activate it," said Neva Kee as an empty stretch of road appeared ahead of them.
"You sure you can handle the sudden boost of acceleration this nitrous oxide can produce?" said Zoda unconvinced.
"We'll find out. Now gun it!" said Neva Kee. Zoda sighed as he used the Force to turn the handle on the cylinder in the engine and the car rocketing forward with intense speed.
"We're all gonna die!" shouted Zoda as he held onto the dash for dear life.
"Oh shut up," Neva Kee shot back. The car continued on down the roadway.
Behind them, Keira was traveling as quickly as she could down the roadway when an entire squad of aerial transports appeared from behind her. As she looked at the passing convoy she noticed dozens of angry Bothans onboard equipped with all types of weaponry. They raced past her apparently headed for the mountain range. Keira scowled knowing that Zoda and Neva Kee shouldn't be completely to blame for what their game was doing to the galaxy, but ultimately she was out of options. It was only when she pressed a button causing a map to pop up and it then that she noticed a shortcut around a massive lake that might get her to here quarry with little time to spare.
Roadway: "Ummm…Neva," said Zoda looking back into the distance.
"Yeah," said the diplomat. The nitrous oxide speed boost have given out several miles back but there had finally reached the Debate/Retreat Center, the halfway point between Drev'starn and the military base.
"I haven't been here in awhile so I don't know, but do the Bothans have an air force?" asked Zoda confused.
"No, why?" asked Neva Kee a little bit worried.
"No reason," said Zoda settling back into his seat. "But uh, you might want to squeeze down on the accelerator a little bit more."
Neva looked at him extremely worried before adjusting the center rearview mirror to see the oncoming airborne posse.
"Oh hell," he said in shock.
"Well at least they're not after us," said Zoda. "They just want to destroy the game we hold dear."
"We've got to do something," said Neva Kee looking around for an answer.
"Don't look at me, I've got nothing," said Zoda holding up his hands. As he did so, his blastech rifle slipped out of his robe and clattered to the floor.
"Oh yeah I forgot about that," said Zoda picking up the weapon. "Damn Bothans. I'll shoot them in the back before they even think about shooting me."
"Zoda," said Neva Kee gently. "What is your reputation on this planet?"
"They hate me, why?" asked the Jedi confused.
"So if you were to…shall we say open fire on that fleet with this blaster, they'd probably naturally assume that you were responsible for what happened to that mountain range and they'd want to avenge their lack of knowledge," Neva Kee reasoned.
"Why am I always the one who gets the blame in these types of situation?" Zoda demanded. "Why don't you take the fall for once?"
"I'll tell you what," said Neva Kee as the car roared down a curve in the road. "If we somehow survive this round of gold and we're caught right after sinking our final putts then I will confess that this was my entire doing and that you aren't to blame for this."
"Really?" said Zoda hopeful.
"Really," said Neva Kee nodding. "Course then we'll probably have to run like hell from whoever's after us at that point in time but it'll be entirely my fault."
"Cool," said Zoda rubbing his hands together. "So when am I going to have to defend the car?"
Neva Kee grabbed the blastech, swung his arm around, aimed the blaster at the nearest hovercar and fired. The blast smacked into the front fender and the car dropped like a rock before slamming into the ground plowing dust into the air.
"Now," he said simply. Zoda scowled and leapt onto the back trunk as both his dueling sabers extended as laser blasts chewed up the area all around them.
Dirt Road: Keira raced down the dirt path as several flying rals flew out of her way. As she drew closer and closer to the freeway again she noticed the whole armada firing at a spot on the ground with several shots flying straight back at them. One particular craft spun out of control backwards and slammed into the Debate/Retreat Center blowing it up.
"Way to go guys more property damage for Bernadelli to insure," she said to no on in particular as more laser blasts flew all over the place. Sighing, Keira gunned the engine even harder as she tried desperately to get to the action before it was too late.
Highway: "Way to go Zoda!" said Neva Kee shaking his head at the destruction of the Debate/Retreat Center.
"They occupants of that vehicle are still alive," said Zoda flinging back another pair of blaster bolts. "And besides, that building was an eyesore anyway."
"It was also the newest hope for peace in the galaxy as it was to be an open forum for opposing sides to get their feelings out without the need for weapons and violence," said Neva Kee as he roared across the lanes as more laser bolts chewed up the road all around them.
"Yeah right," said Zoda not believing him. "The Bothans were planning to use that building to blackmail anybody who had a conflict in the galaxy into submitting to them. And if you believe that peace crap then I have a bridge to sell you."
"Only if you buy the one I already offered you," said Neva Kee with a brief grin before laser bolts slammed down onto various pieces of the car.
"What the hell are you doing back there?" demanded the diplomat. "You're supposed to be defending this vehicle."
"It's 50 to 1 back here, no Jedi is that good," said Zoda as he roared and swung his dueling lightsabers barely deflecting a massive energy bolt fired from one of the few vehicles with heavy weaponry back at the armada.
"Ah sithspit that hurt," he said dropping his lightsabers and holding his wrists in pain. More laser fire chewed up the car as Neva Kee tried to avoid it.
"Here take this," he said handing Zoda the blastech rifle. Zoda shook his head.
"No," he said adamantly. "A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack."
"What?" said Neva Kee disbelieving him. "You've used a blaster before."
"But never for attack," said Zoda adamantly. "If I use that blaster against them it would go against the Jedi Code and I won't do that. I may bend the rules of the Jedi Order, but I don't break them."
"Fine," said Neva Kee letting that go. "So what do you propose we do?"
"Something will come up," said Zoda lying down across the backseat. "It always does."
"You'd better be right about this. Because this engine is shot and isn't going to take us much further," said Neva Kee as the car slowed down and the fleet closed in on them.
"I always am," said Zoda simply. Then just when it seemed all was lost as the Bothans aimed their weapons at them, laser blasts flew out of nowhere and slammed into the nearest ships. Neva Kee looked at Zoda bewildered as he sat up as Keira's speeder roared up from the dirt road and onto the freeway.
"Hi guys," she said with a grin as the two aliens looked at her wide-eyed.
"Well don't just stand there, come on!" she said waving them over to her car as more laser blasts flew down from above. Zoda and Neva Kee looked at each other before both leapt over from the one car to the next.
"Do you have a plan to stop them?" Keira asked as she shifted into a higher gear and the car leapt forward. Zoda nodded as he laid down exhausted on the backseat. The car they had just vacated suddenly found itself flung into the air by an invisible Force and Zoda called his blaster from Neva Kee's hand to his own and without looking he fired a blast over the back of the car which smacked into the fuel tank of the airborne vehicle and it exploded in a gigantic fireball as the pursuing Bothans all leapt from their vehicles and into the lake below them.
"Unbelievable," said Keira shaking her head.
"I'm a Jedi I don't kill unless I have to," said Zoda simply before he closed his eyes and entered into a Jedi Healing Trance.
"So what the hell are you doing here?" asked Neva Kee from the passenger seat. "I thought you were going back home to Coruscant?"
"I was," Keira admitted. "But my plans changed."
"Ah," said Neva Kee understanding. "So Bernadelli sent you after us, did he?"
Keira nearly lost control of the wheel at that statement. "How did you know that?"
"He had to send somebody," said Neva Kee shrugging. "And since I'm pretty sure you're the one who was tailing us on Nar Shadaa that means you've been following us. You'd only do that if you had to because nobody goes to Nar Shadaa unless they have no other alternative. But please don't let me steal your thunder go ahead and make your official statement; we've got plenty of time now."
The diplomat laid back in his seat and steeped his hands in front of his face as he entered deep into thought. Keira sighed and readied her herself for her coming speech knowing her two occupants wouldn't appreciate what she had to say.
"Right," she said finally. "Okay here goes. It has come to the attention of the Bernadelli Insurance Company, that although we would like you and your companion to be happy playing your game, it is ultimately causing too much property damage and is considered an insurance risk bordering on a natural disaster. By order of the Bernadelli Insurance Society we hereby order you to cease your game at once or we will be forced to take action."
Silence descended on the car following that statement.
"Uh-huh," said Neva Kee unconvinced. "Well tell your boss Mr. Bernadelli, very respectfully, that he can shove it."
Zoda began laughing in the back seat despite his healing trance.
"Wait," Keira protested. "Hear me out!"
"There's nothing to hear," said Neva Kee angrily. "Bernadelli is a bitter old man who cannot stand the fact that we are doing things beyond his control. He wants control over everything his company insures and will do everything in his power to ensure peace and stability. He's afraid of us, of what we are, of what we're doing. He doesn't understand Golf and he wants to destroy it."
"Are you sure about that?" Keira asked before reminding them. "I mean fear is the most powerful of the emotions but is it really that strong?"
"You forget the number one rule," said Neva Kee sadly.
"And that is?" asked Keira.
"That fear is the path to the dark side," said Zoda in the back. "Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate…leads to suffering."
"So what, my boss is a Dark Jedi?" asked Keira incredulously before beginning to laugh.
"That rule applies to everyone not just the Jedi," said Neva Kee even more saddened. "After all it is said that fear is my ally. Fear attracts the weak, the powerful, the innocent, the corrupt, fear."
"That is why there is so much property damage," said Zoda. "It's not because of this game of ours, but because people fear the great unknown. If there was no fear than we would've been done with this little game of ours, not by being hunted by every manner of creature everywhere we go."
"So you're saying you're blameless," said Keira.
"No, part of the blame does indeed fall on us. All I'm really trying to say is that in this crazy galaxy, this is your only real friend," said Neva Kee pulling out a golf ball. "If you screw up with this it's your fault and nobody else's. That is why we play the game. It's us against ourselves and nobody else."
The ball suddenly lifted up from his hand and hovered in the air.
"Wait, you're a Jedi?" asked Keira surprised. Neva Kee scowled as he grabbed the ball from out of the air. He then stood up and glared at the passenger in the back.
"Would you stop that!" he shouted. Zoda laughed as Keira did a little bit too.
"So the ball's in your court, what do you plan on doing?" asked Neva Kee settling back into his seat.
"First I need some more information," said Keira. Neva Kee shrugged.
"So long as we continue heading for that base, shoot," said the smaller creature.
"Where did you first learn about this game?" asked Keira. "Because I looked it up and there wasn't any record of it under anything anywhere. So where did you learn about it?"
"I learned about it on a planet called Earth," said Neva Kee simply.
"When?" asked Keira.
"I can't tell you that, but sufficed to say Zoda and I started playing it 75 years ago after I introduced him to the sport and both agreed it was worth pursuing," said Neva Kee.
"Why did you graduate from the greens to the city?" asked Keira as the mountain range loomed closer and closer.
"It's because as much fun as golf is, playing the game for nearly 30 years straight on the same greens meant that we both already knew every course inside and out. The game was no longer a challenge," said Neva Kee.
"Why didn't you find new greens?" asked Keira.
"Most planets simply cannot support a golf course, nor were most of the local governments enthused about giving us land just for the two of us to use. So we had to come up with a better solution," said the diplomat.
"So whose idea was it to use Coruscant?" asked Keira.
"Not sure," said the diplomat before calling to the backseat. "Zoda do you remember which one of us had the idea to use Coruscant as a golf course?"
"It was sort of a mutual agreement," said the Jedi. "We were standing on top of the base of the Jedi Temple with our clubs and our balls coming to the realization that there was nowhere left we could go to play. We both looked at each other in frustration and took out our frustration on our balls and launched them off the roof with our clubs. That was how it started."
"That's right," said the diplomat, having only asked the question for Keira's sake, he hadn't forgotten. "So there you go. After driving a few, I quickly modified a couple of balls for long range travel and then we decided to play it for real the next day and just went with it for the next 24 hours."
"And what a game it was," said Zoda from the back with a grin. "The best we'd ever played."
"Then that idiot Bernadelli got on our backs because he couldn't understand why we'd play a game that caused so much property damage," the diplomat picked up again.
"And then had our clubs confiscated," Zoda grumbled. "A man does not touch another man's clubs!"
"Like you care," said Neva Kee disbelieving him. "But it had been too much of a rush to ignore it so we did it again two more times. Then we set our sights on something much bigger for an even greater rush."
"And did it work out that way?" asked Keira as the mountain range was nearly in front of them.
"Well it wasn't quite like I expected, but it's still been quite a ride," said Neva Kee.
"I agree," said Zoda. "To see it is not the same as to live it."
"Pull over here," said Neva Kee at a small dirt road next to a large chain link fence.
"What're you going to do?" demanded Keira as the car traveled along the fence.
"Stop here," said Neva Kee as Zoda got up. They both leapt over the side of the car and ran up to the fence. Zoda immediately pulled out his lightsaber and began cutting a hole through the fence.
"I don't think Bernadelli insures these buildings, we'll see you around Keira," said Neva Kee as Zoda forced push the fence hole he'd just made inward and both took off through the wooded area ahead of them. Keira scowled.
"You're not leaving without me," she said chasing after them. The two aliens meanwhile had already advanced far down the path ahead of her as they ran up the mountain with superhuman speed before vanishing down a large bay built into the side of the mountain. When she finally reached the bay she noticed several destroyed battledroids while in the background she saw a flash of a lightsaber and laser blasts flying all over the place. Grabbing her blastech, Keira calmed herself down and went in after them.
Elsewhere: A group of Bothans were hurriedly sending every droid they could after the two intruders from the control room of the base.
"Have you had any luck fixing the communications array?" asked the lead Bothan, Korth Melan.
"No sir," said a technician. "Those two objects that soared in from the heavens completely took it out."
"And our attackers?" asked Korth. The technician showed a camera shot of the two aliens battling their way through the droids.
"Clearly the same ones who brought down that fleet of vehicles from Drev'starn," said the worker. "Tentative identification has revealed the one with the lightsabers to be Jedi Knight Zoda."
Silence descended at that statement.
"Madre de dios," said Korth. "Prepare the evacuation order and set the autodestruct."
"Sir we can't just abandon and then blow up this base, it has too much sensitive information!" said the worker. "We can defend it!"
"No, we can't," said Korth with certainty. "Besides, he's not here for the information he's clearly here for something else."
"What makes you say that?" asked the worker.
"Because if he was here on official Jedi business he'd have killed somebody by now," said Korth with certainty. At that exact moment two lightsabers emerged from the blast door and began cutting it open. Several soldiers ran over to the door and aimed their blasters at it.
"Lower your weapons and arm it now. Set for ten minute interval," said Korth with certainty. The guards looked at him uncertainly. The worker pressed the corresponding buttons on his panel and the autodestruct timer turned on counting down from ten minutes.
"Do it or you'll die," Korth ordered to the guards. The guards slowly lowered their weapon as the door fell inward and through the smoke beyond it emerged a small creature with two dueling sabers held at the ready.
"Korth," said the Jedi.
"Zoda," acknowledged the Bothan. The two dueling sabers shut off and the small alien stood to the side of the doorway and pointed his hand towards the opening. Korth lightly bowed and headed out.
"You don't mind if I erase some select files while I'm here do you?" asked Zoda.
"Course not," said Korth. "Just leave the place somewhat intact. And please be out of here when whatever we have for a military decides to show up."
"Will do," said Zoda. The other prepared to leave.
"Why are you here?" asked the worker helplessly. Zoda's pulled out his grip and the club shot out the end of it.
"For the love of the game," he said. The worker looked at him confused and wanted to ask more questions but was quickly pushed out by the other guards. After they left, Neva Kee sauntered in from his hiding spot.
"Such restraint," he said with mock amazement while laughing.
"Shut up!" said Zoda as he walked around the room trying to locate a monitor indicating where the golf balls had landed. A couple moments later Keira appeared in shock at it all.
"Is this how it always is with you two?" she said in shock.
"Yeah," agreed Neva Kee nodding his head. He hopped onto a chair and began pressing various buttons as a multitude of screens.
"Looks like we hit the honeypot Neva," said Zoda. "They have a substantial amount of listening devices on a multitude of planets keyed into this room. And if there's one thing I can't stand its spies."
One of Zoda's lightsabers shot out and he looked like he was going to cut the place in half but reluctantly shut it off due to his promise to Korth.
"Well, well, well," said Neva Kee shaking his head while looking at a screen.
"What?" asked Keira.
"Seems the Bothans are tapping some very influential people," said the diplomat pressing a button. In the middle of the room a real time holographic display popped up of the Jedi Council in session.
"They're tapping the Council unawares?" said Zoda. "Oh that's just too much!"
"Yeah, apparently there's an audio feed too," said Neva Kee looking back at the console. "But since you took out the dish we can only receive images."
"That sucks," said Zoda. "So where's our quarry?"
"I think we have bigger things to worry about, they've set the auto-destruct sequence for the base," said Neva Kee looking at the timer. Keira nearly fainted at that.
"How much time?" asked Zoda.
"Seven minutes," said Neva Kee pressing another button and bringing up another security camera.
"Plenty of time," said the Jedi crossing his arms. "Where's our quarry?"
"Found it," said Neva Kee looking through a monitor. "Let's roll."
Both immediately proceeded to one of the exits in the room.
"Wait!" said Keira. "You're supposed to cease and desist! And what about the bomb?"
"And I told you to go and tell Bernadelli to shove it," said Neva Kee as they headed down another passageway.
"I can't tell him that, you know that," said Keira disappointed in him as she hurriedly followed them. "And I have to prevent you from causing more property damage."
"What if I promise we'll never go near another civilized star system again, would that put your mind at ease," said Neva Kee beginning to get annoyed.
"Where are we going next anyway?" asked Zoda.
"Tatooine," said Neva Kee simply. Zoda instantly stopped in his tracks.
"No! No way! I'm not going there, you can't make me!" said the Jedi stubbornly.
"I though you loved Tatooine!" said Neva Kee.
"Hello! Death threat on my head anyone?" said Zoda amazed at Neva's lack of knowledge. "Jabba lives on Tatooine! If I go there he'll kill me!"
"Well too bad we're going anyway," said Neva Kee as they emerged into the daytime sky from yet another bay. The diplomat slid down ten feet along the mountain before coming to a rest on a small ledge that the two golf balls had plowed up upon landing. Neva Kee took out his sunglasses and slipped them on, which indicated where Tatooine was in the daytime sky.
"Ah crap," said the diplomat as he pressed a small button just to the right of his right lens and it zoomed in on the spot.
"What's up?" asked Zoda hopeful.
"This is not going to be an easy shot," said Neva Kee simply.
"So let's go somewhere else!" said Zoda happily as Keira appeared and watched over them from the bay.
"There's nowhere else to go!" said Neva Kee. "I planned this route out to get us to that black hole and we can't divert from it now! No, we can make this shot we'll just have to intentionally slice it to get it over the mountain and still go on course."
"I don't intentionally screw up in golf under any circumstances!" said Zoda. "You know that!"
"Nor do I," said Neva as he practiced a couple of swings. "But we already screwed up when the balls landed here so by slicing it we'll simply be correcting that mistake."
"I'm not going to Tatooine!" Zoda reiterated. Neva Kee sighed as he turned around to face him.
"Well I'm not changing my mind," said the diplomat looking at him frankly.
"Well then I guess there's only one way to settle this," said the Jedi. The diplomat nodded as both climbed back up to the bay.
"Thank you for stopping your game," said Keira misunderstanding their conflict.
"Oh we're still going," said Neva Kee assuredly as he hoisted himself up.
"Yeah, it's just a matter of whether or not we're going to Tatooine," said Zoda as he took climbed into the bay.
"So what're you two gonna do?" asked Keira confused. Neva Kee pulled out a pair of blasters from underneath his jacket and held them pointed upwards.
"What we always do in these sorts of situations," he explained as Zoda pulled out his two dueling sabers and aimed them upwards as well and both stood back to back.
"You two can't be serious!" said Keira. The two looked at her like she was the one who was crazy before looking at each other and shrugging.
"Yes we are," said the diplomat and the Jedi at the same time.
"He'll mop the floor with you, he's a Jedi!" said Keira to Neva Kee.
"He's also an idiot and I've known him for so long his fighting style is second nature to me by now," said Neva Kee as he double checked the charges on his blasters.
"How many paces?" asked Zoda.
"In the interest of time is none okay?" asked the diplomat.
"Works for me," said Zoda.
"Cue?" asked the diplomat.
"We'll know," said the Jedi simply.
"Keira there's a transport over there, take it and leave now otherwise the autodestruct will take you out," said the diplomat.
"I can't just leave you," Keira protested.
"We'll be fine, now go!" ordered the diplomat. Keira looked at them like they were both crazy before running to the speeder and taking off. The diplomat accepted this and looked ahead solemnly. Back in the control room the auto-destruct sequence reached zero and at that exact moment Neva Kee and Zoda leapt forward before spinning around. Neva Kee began firing his blasters, set to stun, at Zoda who deflected the shots with his lightsabers while explosions rocked the entire facility. The two promptly ran off in different directions as explosion tore up the spot where they had started their duel as more explosions began taking out the walls and ceiling. The aliens began snaking their way through the debris as both continued their assault on the other. Neva Kee had finally managed to line up a winning shot only when he fired it struck a piece of debris blowing it all over the Jedi and obscuring him. Neva Kee fired more laser blasts into the smoke as a single lightsaber deflected them.
"…A single saber?" thought the diplomat confused before he realized what was going on. He dove to the side of a piece of debris as a second lightsaber went flying over his head propelled by an invisible force. Neva Kee proceeded to continue firing into the smoke as the ground continued shaking and more and more debris began raining down. The lightsaber went rocketing back the way it came through the dirt and debris and then it all cleared away suddenly to reveal Zoda who came flying towards Neva Kee with both sabers angled behind him. Neva Kee stood his ground and right before Zoda reached him he gave the Jedi a spinning heel kick that knocked him to the side and against a piece of debris while at the same time Zoda punched the diplomat causing him to crash into another piece of debris as well as both dropped their weapons in the impact. More debris rained down and soon smoke filled the entire area blinding the two aliens. They both fumbled around for their lost weaponry eventually they both grasped onto a pair of handles and stood up. Zoda knocked the dust away and the two emerged from it dirty but both holding onto a pair of weapons. Of course as luck would have it, Zoda was holding Neva Kee's blasters and Neva Kee was holding Zoda's hilts. Both looked at each other and shrugged as Neva Kee snapped the lightsabers on and Zoda began firing at him with the blasters. Although not trained in the Force, Neva Kee had extensive swordplay knowledge and managed to deflect some of the bolts back at Zoda who leapt avoid them. After a couple moments of this, yet another explosion tore out a chunk of the roof and debris rained down. A piece smacked into Neva Kee's right wrist and he dropped the saber in pain which Zoda promptly called to his hand.
"Here, it's only fair," he said throwing the two blasters to Neva Kee as he twirled his lightsaber around before entering into a fighting stance. Neva Kee quickly holstered the two weapons before swinging the lightsaber he had also into a fighting stance.
"Let's rock," they both said at the same time. Both ran straight at each other and instantly began combating each other with their lightsabers. Even without the aid of the Force, Neva Kee was still a formidable opponent and since Zoda was not one to resort to acrobatics in a straight up sword fight, both were evenly matched. Eventually the dust clouded the entire area to the point that all the other could see was the other saber burning brightly through the dark. They continued clashing on top of the rubble as more pieces of dirt and soot fell from above, both beginning to become exhausted from the strenuous fighting.
"How long can you keep this up?" asked Zoda covered in sweat with a grin as both briefly stopped their clash and caught their breath.
"As long as you can chach," said Neva Kee breathing heavily. Both looked at each, nodded, and their lightsabers slammed against each other again. But through luck or extreme skill, Zoda made a lunge that connected with nothing and Neva Kee used it to drive his lightsaber away from the Jedi. Before Zoda could call it back, Neva Kee dove towards the Jedi and tackled him, bringing the lightsaber right across his neck.
"Gamer over," said the diplomat darkly as he hovered over him anger in his eyes and completely covered in dirt. "You loose!"
"Uh, uh, stalemate" said the blackened Jedi below him.
Neva Kee looked to see a blaster pressed against his stomach before he looked at the Jedi and began laughing.
"That blaster is drained," he said with a big grin the lightsaber still across the Jedi's throat.
"I don't believe you," said the Jedi unsure.
"Then fire it," said the diplomat smugly. The Jedi pulled back on the trigger but nothing happened. He then tried it a few more times but still nothing.
"Hmmm," said the Jedi regarding it with annoyance before looking at the diplomat still pressing the lightsaber against him. "Tatooine was it?"
"Yep," said Neva Kee standing up and brushing himself off acting as though the last few minutes hadn't happened as helped hoist Zoda to his feet. "Jabba probably won't even think you'll even think about going there. And even if he does I'm still a negotiator I'll get us out of any bind he puts us in."
"Still," said the Jedi as he traded Neva's blaster for his lightsaber and called the other lightsaber back to his hand. "I think we should still be prepared."
"Oh, absolutely," agreed the diplomat. "But let's tee off first before this whole base goes down."
"Yeah they're need one hell of a maid to clean all this up," said Zoda as the two advanced through the debris that Zoda pushed apart with the Force. They reached the edge of the bay and hopped back down to the ledge.
"How much of a slice do we need?" asked Zoda as he practiced the swings he knew resulted in a slice on his part. Neva Kee meanwhile pulled out a scanner and held it to the sky.
"Looks like 30 degrees to the left," said Neva Kee closing the thing and putting it away.
"Check, got it," said Zoda as he aimed it up one last time and swung as the ball curved to the left and escaped over the mountain. Neva Kee quickly swung as well and both balls took off on their course.
"Now to get out of here," said Neva Kee worriedly. Suddenly a tremendous explosion blew out a whole chunk of the mountain directly above them and huge boulders began raining down. Zoda's lightsabers snapped on as Neva Kee loaded a fresh charge into his two blasters.
"I don't know how long I'll be able to protect us from a collapsing mountain, call that ship of yours," said Zoda as he began swiping at a group of falling stones.
"There's too much interference up here," said Neva Kee shaking his watch furiously. "I can't call it."
"Great," said Zoda annoyed. "So now we bite the proverbial and literal dust."
"There are worse ways to go out in life," said Neva Kee blasting various bits of rock.
"Yeah, we could've died in our sleep," said Zoda shuddering. But as the rocks and boulders began to close in on them, they both heard a beeping noise.
"You forget to set the alarm on something?" asked Zoda confused as Keira's speeder roared in from nowhere.
"Get in!" she yelled.
"This is occurring way too frequently these days," said Zoda as both leapt into the vehicle.
"Yeah, lazy writer," Neva Kee griped.
"Who?" asked Keira. Neva Kee groaned.
"Just forget it," he said as the car roared off and the whole side of the mountain collapsed.
"Thanks for the assist Insurance Girl," said Zoda as he put away his club.
"I can't believe that you two are on speaking terms," said Keira surprised.
"Why's that?" asked Neva Kee confused.
"You two practically fought to the death in there it looks like, how can you still be so amicable towards the other?" she asked as the car roared high over the road. Zoda and Neva Kee looked at their various nicks and cuts they had received but not noticed until now.
"These fights allow us to blow off the steam both of us build up towards the others that if not otherwise treated would cause us to go insane," said Zoda.
"Yeah, and it's the only real gauge we have these days as to who is really better among us," said Neva Kee.
"And I must admit this was one of the best fights we've had recently," said Zoda. "It's good to get a genuine workout these days, those stupid Jedi are too passive for any real challenge."
Neva Kee leaned back in his chair and stretched his muscles.
"And sometimes negotiations call for action and I don't nearly get enough of a workout as I should," said the diplomat cracking his knuckles.
"So who won?" asked Keira as Drev'starn appeared in the distance.
"Zoda," said Neva Kee quickly.
"Me," said the Jedi at the same instant. Keira looked at them confused before shrugging.
"So then where're you going besides Tatooine?" she asked.
"Oh we're still going to Tatooine no doubt about that," said Neva Kee.
"Why? I thought if Zoda won you were going somewhere else," said Keira.
"He's still under my jurisdiction for my tour around the galaxy and as such he has to obey my orders," said the diplomat simply. Zoda grumbled something but kept quiet.
"So what now?" asked Keira as the car arrived at the capital much faster than the landlocked hovercraft they had both taken to the base.
"We're going to Tatooine," said Neva Kee simply as he opened his comm. device and wired the money for the lost hovercar directly to the rental agency as well as a note explaining where to pick up Keira's hovercar.
"And you can go wherever you want Keira," said Neva Kee as Zoda looked around suddenly with suspicion before leaning over the side of the car and looking down. Keira was about to protest when Zoda cut in.
"Excuse me guys, but we have bigger problems at the moment," said Zoda as both his sabers shot on. Neva Kee looked at him confused when suddenly the Bothan Posse from earlier appeared all around them and began firing.
"Oh great not again," said Neva Kee as he began firing on the group as Keira alternated between firing and driving the vehicle.
"Looks like you guys aren't getting rid of me that easily," said Keira with a small grin as Zoda put away his sabers and began tossing vehicles left and right with the Force.
"Neva, kick her on and let's go," said Zoda over the laser blasts. Neva Kee nodded and pressed a button on his watch. As they flew over the city towards the landing bay, Neva Kee's ship lifted up into the air Keira wanted to stop but Zoda used the Force to press down on the accelerator and turned the wheel so they flew away from it.
"What was that for?" Keira said.
"It'll catch up with us," said Neva Kee. "I don't want them blasting it right now anyway."
The speeder flew on as potshots hit at it all over the place and smoke began pouring from the engine.
"So much for that," said Keira throwing down the controls in disgust. As the enemy group closed in, they were all blown aside by Neva Kee's massive ship that entered into a flanking position to the right of the speeder. Neva Kee and Zoda leapt into the open side hatch as they'd done numerous times before and stood there as Keira looked at them upset.
"What about me?" she shouted angrily as laser blasts flew all over the place. Neva Kee raised an eyebrow at Zoda who rolled his eyes.
"Fine," he said finally. He used the Force to yank Keira out of the vehicle and into the ship as the speeder spun out of control and exploded. Zoda shut the hatch and both left for the cockpit. As they entered, the thing powered up and Neva Kee got into the pilots seat as Zoda sat at the navigators console.
"You ever run from Bothawui to Tatooine before?" Neva Kee asked as Keira sat in the gunner's seat.
"You got that right," said Zoda with a grin as he began feeding the coordinates into the navicomputer. Keira sighed and turned around to look at the gunner's console, which had various buttons and a 3-D image of the ship was projected in front of her showing it in relation to its pursuers. Sighing again she rested her elbows and on the console and held her head in her hands wondering how she could've gotten herself into this situation.
"Point Defense Weaponry Activated," said an automated voice suddenly. Keira looked at the console wide-eyed as on the 3-D image as various weapons popped up all over the ship and began firing small objects to intercept each and every laser shot directed at it.
"Wow," she said amazed before the weaponry suddenly shutdown.
"Please don't do touch anything," said Neva Kee from the pilots seat. "There's a lot on this ship you don't understand that could get you or a multitude of people killed."
The ship broke through the atmosphere and headed into deep space.
"Strap yourselves in we're jumping," said Neva Kee reaching for the hyperspace lever. The others strapped themselves in and Neva Kee threw the switch and the vessel roared off into the blue tunnel in the sky headed for Tatooine.