- For the next few chapters, I was not able to find a lot of lore/information for certain species/planets, so if there is any that I was unaware of, feel free to PM me.

"Remember," ordered Bariq, and carved his name onto a weathered, stooped tree, "we meet back here. And I better not catch you pocketing any treasure you may find for yourselves. That's my job."

The other Talons grumbled irritably, but they nodded, and they all went off in different directions at the fork in what was once a busy market road. There was barely any of the road left, most of the rock tiles had been buried by mud or flora, and the buildings that had once sat alongside it had long since crumbled into slimy debris. Thankfully, they hadn't run into any of the valley's predators yet, but that could change all too soon.

Bariq walked towards the direction of his temple. According to Kebro, the fangs had said they would 'sink' into certain spots in the valley, and reveal the location of the hidden city. How…they didn't manage to figure out. Hopefully luck would smile on them again for that part.

After a while, Bariq's temple came into view at last, and he saw what might have been market stalls and stores lining the walls and the road outside it. Less welcome was the temple's first inhabitant lying in front of the open gateway…its torso and front arms resembled a primate's, but with three claws like a bird's, its smaller legs and feet also resembled a bird of prey's, and its head was reptilian with a triangular snout and teeth pouring out it. It had what looked like a Yucabra in its claws and it sank its teeth into it with gusto.

Bariq shot behind one of the crumbling buildings and rummaged in his pockets. He drew out an Umbaran Millicreep Droid, one of his favorites. It was small, hard to hit, and had all sorts of useful features. Perfect for a distraction. He was about to set it on the ground when the beast's head poked around the corner.

His breath deserted him. He pushed himself as far back into the wall as possible as the animal lumbered around, its yellow eyes fixed on Bariq's. What was left of the Yucraba was in its jaws, and it snatched up the rest with one big gulp. It lowered its head to Bariq's, and its foul breath pummeled Bariq as it licked its razor sharp teeth as it came closer. Bariq swallowed. Not the ending he had hoped for.

And then it stopped. It quickly lifted its head back up, as if it sensed something. The ferocious look on its terrifying face was gone, replaced with neutral docility. It gave one last look at Bariq and then stalked off into the jungle.

After a minute, Bariq began to breathe normally again. He had no idea what had happened, nor did he care, he was just happy he wasn't inside that thing's stomach. He scampered into the temple grounds and looked around. There were no hungry animals, only more stalls and small squat buildings. He took out his fang to see if there was anywhere he could put it and gave a start. The symbols on the fang were glowing again, pulsing slowly. Bariq grinned. Luck hadn't abandoned them after all.

He stalked around, in an attempt to see if he could stumble closer to where the fang needed to go. A few minutes later, he struck gold, and the fang began to pulse faster. Bariq looked up and saw a building with an open counter in front of him. The door to the back had long since disintegrated, so he walked behind the counter, and looked around with the fang. As he lowered the fang, it was now one steady stream of light, and it illuminated an outline of an Ahmuzen on the floor, with a round hole in the middle of it. Bariq glanced at the root of the fang to see the matching insect symbol. He hooted with glee and sank it into the hole.

The symbol flared with blinding light and Bariq shielded his eyes. Despite that, his eyes still burned, every part of him began to ache, and he couldn't even feel the ground he was standing on anymore. But then it was over, and Bariq began to regain his senses. He gave a start as he saw his new surroundings.

He was in a desert…his desert. He didn't know how this was possible, but even in the dark of night under the star-stricken sky, he recognized it immediately. Everything was as he remembered; the dunes were massive, and stretched on endlessly, ever ready to punish the foolish soul who dared travel across them unprepared. Bariq turned around, and saw the mountains that towered over the sand, and the lights that dotted them in the distance.

Before he could even begin to recover from this shock, he saw a speeder dart out from a gap in the mountains…his old personal speeder. It blew past him, scattering sand, and Bariq shielded his eyes as best he could. As his vision cleared, he saw that the mountains were gone, replaced with the humble worn buildings of Mos Eisley. A purple Togruta waited at the edge of the city, flanked by her faithful R5 unit. She checked her blaster to make sure it was in top condition, but glanced up as she noticed the sand kicking up in the distance. A smile that made Bariq's heart ache formed on her divine face, and then she patted her astromech and said, "See? I told you he'd show up."

R5-C7 bleeped irritably. She ignored him as the speeder swerved to a halt in front of them. The young Jawa that leapt out scurried over, as the Togruta covered herself from the sand. "Sorry!" a young Bariq half shouted, and fell at her feet. "Please, Captain Ashula Basu, forgive this careless Womp rat!"

Ashula helped him to his feet while the actual Bariq took in her features again for the first time in years. She still had the same black flightsuit and jacket, the same helmet customized to fit over her montrals and lekku, and she lifted the visor up to reassure the Jawa with those calming purple eyes. "It's ok," she laughed, "I once survived a sandstorm out in the Dune Sea…somehow. This was nothing. So, my eager young recruit," she said, in a humorously serious tone, "are you ready to be the greatest Jawa pilot to ever come out of Tatooine?!"

The actual Bariq slapped a hand to his face as he saw how stupid his younger self looked nodding his head furiously. He wondered to himself how Ashula put up with him. "That's the enthusiasm I want to see from all members of my crew!" the Togruta grinned, and hugged him. As she got, she took a slightly more serious look as she added, "We'll have to sell the speeder though, we don't have enough room to bring it with us. But if it's really important to you, I can see if this Rodian I know can keep an eye on it, the old reptile still owes me after that podrace."

"No, it's alright!" said the young Bariq, as he entered the speeder, and R5 irritably bleeped his annoyance as Ashula prepared to lift him onto the back. "I'm amazed it even got off the ground, had to put the whole thing together from scratch…"

The surroundings suddenly shone with a strange white light so intense it hurt Bariq's eyes. Before he could cover them, the light was gone, and he was back where he'd never thought he'd be again. Ashula's old AA-9 Coruscant Freighter, the Red Eclipse, and the only ship that he felt could rival the Shyyyo Talon. He looked around, desperately taking in every detail. It was exactly as he remembered it; the interior of the ship was weathered, but still well maintained, and covered in artwork and souvenirs from the Togruta homeworld, Shili. The crew mostly consisted of Togrutas, but there were a few members of different species that Ashula recruited over the years, and they all considered each other family.

Bariq saw his younger self walking with Ashula and her Weequay first mate, Wortaz, towards the cockpit. Fear spiked in his guts; this all seemed familiar…too familiar…he hurried after them as the door slid open for them.

"Thank you, lady and gentle Togruta," Ashula grinned at the Togrutas currently piloting the ship. "We'll take it from here."

They grinned back as they left, and both clapped young Bariq and Wortaz on the back as they got in the pilot seats. The actual Bariq started to take deep frantic breaths. As he feared, this was the day…the worst day of his life.

"So where to after this?" yawned young Bariq, as he lazily glanced out at the blue-white stream of hyperspace.

"I was thinking of going back to Shili," noted Ashula. "If our cargo is worth what I think it is, we'll all be able to enjoy some well needed rest and relaxation. But if not, I know some people on Kiros who have more work for us."

"What sort of work?" asked Wortaz, as he scratched his leathery face. "Something new or similar to our current job?"

Ashula started gently massaging their shoulders. "Thankfully Wortaz, something new. I know jobs like this one pay well, but I'm ready to take on a normal, quiet job again—"

A light on the control panel began blinking frantically. The actual Bariq moaned. He was about to relive the nightmare all over again.

"Something's on the scanner," said young Bariq, his tired attitude now gone, and his hands a blur over the controls. "Dropping out of hyperspace now."

A moment later, they dropped back into realspace where their destination, Jedha, hung in orbit around the planet NaJedha…along with a Star Destroyer and an armada of TIE Fighters. Ashula took charge immediately and switched on the comm. "Star Destroyer," she began in an uncharacteristically serious tone, "this is the supply vessel the Red Eclipse, we were hired to deliver supplies to Jedha—"

"Spare us," replied a harsh voice. "We have received intel that you are carrying illegal cargo. Surrender now, or Lord Vader will show even less mercy than he normally does."

Ashula flipped off the comm and sounded the alarm. A wailing siren echoed throughout the ship. "Bariq, get us out of here! Wortaz, come with me!"

The duo rushed out, leaving Bariq alone with his younger self. He shook his head as he saw how panicked his younger self was behaving, his hands shooting across the controls, and muttering curses non-stop. Little did he know it was about to get a lot worse. To his younger self's credit, he had turned the ship around and was only seconds away from lightspeed…he just wasn't fast enough. An explosion shuddered the whole ship and young Bariq slammed the controls in rage. The Imperials had shot out the engines. There was no escape now.

Once more, the surroundings grew painfully bright, and then Bariq was with his younger self in a hallway further down the ship. Blasterfire and screams filled the ship. Young Bariq was trembling from head to toe, a blaster pistol gripped in his shaking hands. He turned around the corner and gave a pathetic yelp of fright. Thankfully, he had run straight into Ashula and R5. "Bariq!" she exclaimed, and she grabbed his hand and tugged him towards the door.

The actual Bariq hurried behind them as the door opened and closed behind them. They were in a living quarters, customized to be a research area, with various crates, tables, and devices everywhere. On one of the tables was their cargo, a mysterious relic covered in symbols. Several members of the crew were huddled in tense conversations. Young Bariq's eyes however were fixed on Ashula. Her helmet was gone, she had a blaster injury on one arm, and she was bleeding from a cut on her face. "I'm fine," she lied, and gripped both of his shoulders. "Listen to me, Bariq. Find a place to hide and stay down. Let us do the fighting. But if the worst happens, get to an escape pod, hide on the Imps' ship, do anything to get off the Eclipse and get to Shili. My family will look after you. Do you understand?"

The young Bariq's yellow eyes were a maelstrom of fear, panic, and confusion, but he nodded. Ashula hugged him tightly, which he returned. After the embrace was broken, he hid in one of the crates, and the crew took up defensive positions. For a long time, they waited, and there was nothing now but the sound of the siren. Everyone was sweating. More than one rifle trembled. The young Bariq cracked the lid open to see what was happening.

And then he fell from a hole he cut in the ceiling.

With his terrible red lightsaber in hand, he lunged with stunning speed on the crew, that red stream of light carving through flesh like lava through snow. Everyone fired at him, but it was no use, he either dodged them, or sent the laser bolts flying back at his attackers. With a wave of his hand, the tables, crates, items, and even R5 flew at the crew, and there was a sickening sound of tearing flesh and cracking bones. Both Bariqs howled in grief as they saw him lop off Wortaz's head. Ashula was the only one left at that point, and with a rifle in both hands, she opened fire. Unfortunately, he had lost what little patience he had, so he ripped the rifles out of her hands with the Force, and threw his lightsaber. It buried itself in her stomach and she fell to her knees painfully grasping for breath. The young Bariq had no breath left to scream, so the actual Bariq did it for him, and collapsed on the floor as the lightsaber returned to that horror's hand. Bariq still couldn't tell how long it all lasted; it was like his own personal, timeless hell, with that nightmarish breathing echoing throughout the room all the while. By the time Bariq looked up, he saw him make another small motion, and young Bariq's crate was pulled to him. The young Jawa tumbled out in a heap at the monster's feet.

"You still have enough life left to make a difference," said Vader, in a flat unbothered tone, and he pointed his lightsaber at young Bariq. "Tell me the names of your allies and this disgusting creature will die painlessly."

The young Bariq tried to lunge at Vader. He might as well have been a Nuna attacking a Rancor. Vader didn't even use the Force, his boot connected with Bariq's face, and sent him sprawling into a crushed desk. Ashula looked up at her sole surviving crew member, fear and pain in her eyes, blood trickling from her mouth, and she choked out, "No…no allies…just us…but…please…don't kill him."

Vader fixed his soulless gaze upon her. "The galaxy will not miss one worthless Jawa."

Desperation now entered her purple eyes. "He…he knows…the texts…he learned them…helped us so…many times."

The actual Bariq felt the tears flow thick and fast down his face. That one act saved his life that day. He would never forget her for that. Vader slowly turned to face the young Jawa crawling towards his captain. "Perhaps I was wrong," he said slowly. "The Empire could use such a servant…Commander," Vader added, likely into a built in comm, "bring restraints and a slave collar. We will be bringing the items and a prisoner back to Coruscant. Inform Governor Tarkin that he will have a new servant to aid him with his projects."

Young Bariq reached Ashula and took her outstretched hand with both of his. Tears fell from both their eyes as they looked at each other for the last time. "Bariq…" said Ashula Basu, "…stay alive…thank you for…being part of…my crew…may the Force…be with…you…"

Her eyes closed and she moved no more. Young Bariq turned to stare at the being he hated more than any other. Bariq remembered the same loathing that pumped through his veins that day like it did now, so strong he couldn't speak. As the Stormtroopers finally arrived, Vader told young Bariq, "Such hatred in you. You should be thankful. Not everyone gets to see the ones they love die."

And then without any warning, Vader, the Stormtroopers, Ashula, and the Red Eclipse crew, were gone. Bariq was back at Yuca, the same stalls and buildings all around him, the temple looming over him, and the rain continued to fall. With a tremendous effort, Bariq rolled onto his back, and stared at the sky. It was dark apart from the occasional glimmer of lightning, but at least it wasn't trying to kill him…not yet anyway. He felt his face get soaked from the rain. He found that he didn't care. He found himself thinking about the things he did care about that day…Ashula, the crew of the Eclipse…and then he thought about Zar and the others. He hoped that they weren't going through the same thing he had endured. And then Bariq closed his eyes and blacked out.

At the top of the road, Ru glared at the temple below him. It was one of the stranger temples, a small one on an island in the middle of a lagoon, and pillars and stepping stones sprouted out of the water like reeds and water lilies on his homeworld Pipada. Bizarre stout bird-like creatures covered in scales and feathers waddled along the shore or tore through the water like torpedoes. He saw them snatch up fish, but they also scooped up some strange weed from the bottom of the lagoon, and ate some plants and berries along the shore. After mulling it over, Ru decided not to attack them, unless they attacked first. He didn't need to aggravate the local fauna if he could help it.

He strolled down the hill with calm confidence down to the first stepping stone. Since he was in the mood for it, Ru leapt from the shore to the stone, then vaulted up onto the nearest pillar with a flip. He continued to perform athletic jumps from the stones to the pillars, each one more daring and complex than the last. In no time at all, he landed on the shore of the temple. As he straightened up, he glanced behind him. At first it was clear, and then several birds shot out of the water onto the shore. They stared at him with curiosity in their beady black eyes. Ru glared back resolutely. And then they dove back into the water, probably in search for more food. Ru shook his head. This was one of the strangest planets they had ever visited. He would be glad to leave it far behind them.

The temple was small, but it still towered over him, and many ponds, fountains, and other bizarre water features surrounded it. Ru took out his fang and blinked in surprise to see it was glowing in a pulse-like rhythm. He grunted; at least finding out where it needed to go wouldn't be too hard.

In no time at all, he found a symbol in a fountain with a big crack in its bowl. It couldn't contain water, so it all sloshed out the side. In its basin, was an outline that looked like that scaly frilled monkey that they had seen on their muddy journey with Nailah and Kashvi, with a hole in its center. Ru felt his lip curl. How typical that this would be his fang's symbol. With a flourish, he sank the fang into it.

And then his world exploded in light. Even with his eyes closed, it still seared his eyes, and he felt every fiber of his body burning. Thankfully, it ended as quickly as it began, and he tried to regain his bearings. Ru's mouth fell open as his vision returned.

He was on a ship sailing across the water on a pitch black and stormy night. He could barely see his own hand in front of his face, but then lightning flashed, and he could make out his surroundings for a brief moment. He saw two Drabatans walk to a door on the side of the ship and opened it. He quickly walked in after them. "I'm telling you, Ru," grunted the taller one, as he shut the door. "This Jedi sounds like he's all talk. I'll be amazed if he survives a few more rotations here."

Ru felt utterly numb as he saw his younger self nod back at his comrade. "You're probably right, Ko," young Ru replied. "But as long as he gets enough Drabatans ready to fight the Empire before he dies, I don't care."

Ko gave a dry tch as he opened the other door into the ship. They all walked through it into a brightly lit corridor. As they made their way through the halls, they greeted the other Drabatans on board, each looking tense yet eager for rebellion. They finally reached the door to the command center, but before they went in, Ko turned to Ru and asked, "Suppose the Jedi does get enough of us to start taking on the Empire…if we do manage to get rid of those parasites, what are you going to do afterwards?"

Young Ru shrugged. "I don't know, maybe go back to traveling. Pipada's nice, but I'd like to see some of the other worlds out there."

"You wouldn't go back to Sa'Kalla?"

The actual Ru felt his insides tighten. He realized what day this was…these fools had no idea about the carnage that was coming for them. The young Ru looked away as he replied, "I don't know…maybe. The pay was good being her bodyguard, don't get me wrong, and Sa'Kalla herself was a good friend, she helped give me some singing lessons after all. But…I can't stay in one place too long, I need to keep moving. Too restless, I guess."

"You think she'll be alright without you?"

"Of course, I made sure that her new bodyguards are the best. The Empire hasn't got a chance in hell of getting to her while they're around."

Ko grinned and thumped him on the back. "You always were thorough, Ru," he grinned, and he opened the door.

Inside, dozens of Drabatans were huddled around their ships' captain, Tau. The actual Ru felt his fists clench tightly. Tau looked a heroic figure in his all white uniform, colorful medals, and reed armor. He stared solemnly at his crew, as he waited for Ru and Ko to take their seats, and then he began. "My friends," he began, and folded his arms behind him. "Thank you all for being here tonight. These have been rough times. Rougher times are undoubtedly ahead of us all. But we will persevere. We are Drabatans. There's no storm too big, no hardship too overwhelming, and no evil too great, that we cannot overcome."

The crew all cheered at their leader's speech, Ru and Ko being too of the loudest. Tau smiled. "Please. There's no need to clap for me. Please save your applause for the real hero tonight. He has a message not only for us, but for all of the other cells on Pipada."

He pressed a few buttons on the holotable. The lights dimmed and a hologram of a robed and hooded figure flickered into existence. "If you are hearing this message," said the Jedi in a somber voice, "it means you have decided to take up arms against the Empire. If so, you have taken your first step towards a greater tomorrow for us all. But take care not to follow in the footsteps of the Jedi." The crew turned to mutter to each other in bewilderment, even Tau looked surprised. "Yes, I know, many of you look up to us. But in many ways, the Empire is our fault. We were blind to the evil that gnawed away at our Republic like a cancer. Too late we realized our mistakes, and it cost us not only our Order, but the galaxy itself. But do not forget; it is never too late to learn, to grow from our mistakes. Now we are ready, now we know who are true enemy is!" The crew roared their approval. "Now we will fight back against Palpatine! One day soon, we will overthrow his Empire, and our Republic will return—!"

And then it all went to hell.

The ship buckled from an explosion and alarms roared throughout the ship. The hologram had been cut, and red emergency lighting flooded the space. "The Imps are here!" roared Tau. "Get to your stations, do not let them take this ship!"

Without warning, the surroundings flashed again, and by the time Ru's vision returned, they were now at the bridge of the ship. Stormtroopers were trying to get past the ruined doors, but Ru and his comrades were well trained, and each Imp fell to the ground with several holes in their armor. "Ko!" shouted young Ru, as he took out another trooper. "If you don't get that signal out, we're all done for!"

Ko smashed a button on the control panel and whooped. "Already taken care of, Ru! Emergency signal has been sent to the other cells! They'll be here soon!"

"Good work, Ko!" thundered Tau, his lips cracked in a grin. "Same goes for the rest of you, especially you, Ru! Your teacher will be proud!"

The actual Ru glanced at the doorway. The Imps had fallen back. A groan of despair escaped him. He knew what was coming…he only wished he knew why he was reliving this again.

Ru's old crew looked at each other in confusion, save for Tau, who kept his blaster fixed on the doorway, and held up a hand to order them to wait. All too soon, that dreaded eternal breathing reached them, and then Vader strode through the doorway. He glared out at the Drabatans who gasped and aimed their weapons at them. Vader hooked his hands into his belt and stared at Tau. "Captain Tau," he said irritably. "I have been told that the signal has only just been transmitted. Why did it take so long?"

Young Ru and the others glanced back at their captain in bewilderment. Tau shrugged. "My apologies, Lord Vader. I overestimated these fellows. Thought they were better than they actually were."

Hatred beat a steady rhythm in Ru's head. He still remembered how their so called Captain had sold them out that day, how he had snatched their hope away from them. The crew started to roar accusations at Tau, until Vader pulled Ko towards him with the Force. It took the Sith mere seconds to carve Ko into pieces with that red lightsaber. The actual Ru looked away and barely held in his rage, but young Ru screamed Ko's name and charged. A stun blast from Tau dropped him to the floor.

Once more the surroundings brightened and changed. The bodies of the rest of the crew were thrown overboard into the sea, and the Imperials began to set up explosives all over the ship. Vader waited outside his shuttle as Tau and young Ru knelt before him, the latter with his hands cuffed. Even though Ru knew it was useless, he ignited his lightsaber, and slashed through his traitorous captain. As expected, it did nothing whatsoever. "Consider yourself fortunate," boomed Vader, and pointed at Tau. "The signal may have been late, but the Jedi is coming to the rescue…or so he thinks." He glanced at Ru. "Enlighten me though. Why spare this one?"

Tau bowed his head lower. "His teacher is one of the greatest fighters Pipada has ever produced. With his most prized student as a slave of the Empire, he won't dare raise a hand against me in retribution."

"Pathetic," replied Vader, and Ru felt the sneer that must have been behind that mask. Tau flinched, but didn't say anything. "If it weren't for the Emperor's orders, I'd have you join your former crew…but for now, have your unearned victory. With any luck, it will be your last. Now get out of my sight!"

Tau rose, but before he walked away, he added, "Be sure to give my regards to Governor Tarkin for coming up with this plan. Couldn't have done it without him."

"Indeed. If nothing else, you've more than proven yourself incapable of that today."

Tau blanched and decided not to press his luck any further. He clapped young Ru on the shoulder, who tried to sink his teeth into the bastard's hand. But Vader raised a hand, and Ru was held in place by an unseen force, gasping for breath. "Sorry, Ru," Tau said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Perhaps you could have been one of my crew for real one day…but for now, try to enjoy slavery."

Young Ru choked out Tau's name as best he could, but it was no use, and Vader flung him to the shuttle's ramp. "Come, Drabatan," said Vader. "You failed your planet, but perhaps you will be more useful to the Empire on Coruscant."

Just as abruptly as it began, Pipada vanished, and Ru was back on Yuca. He shakily fell against the temple for support and closed his eyes. What had happened? Why did he revisit that terrible day? Were more unnatural things like this standing in the way of them and the treasure? Was now the time to quit?

That last thought caused him to regain his strength. No. Ru had a lot of flaws, but one thing he was not, was a quitter. They'd get the treasure. And one day, he'd get back at Vader and Tau.

Ru glanced out at the lagoon. The birds were attacking a giant beast with a triangular snout; their cheeks swelled out frog-like, and they spat what must have been poison or acid at the beast. It roared in pain and fled into the jungle. "Huh," grunted Ru, and he straightened. "Not the biggest creatures, but still one of the toughest…just like me."