—/ Chapter 8 /—
Long Ago Junk - Coruscant Space
[The 'Long Ago Junk' floated just beyond Coruscant's atmosphere. Inside, Myles, Arran, and Zanka are seated around a wobbly metal table in a makeshift conference room. H8er stands next to them, inputting the codes he found into a holoterminal, displaying the Union mainframe on the screen.]
Arran: Begin access to the Union Mainframe, H8er.
R5-H8: Yes, Master. Connecting.
Arran: Did Meeka suspect anything, Nk'ik?
Zanka: Any suspicions she had were quickly [he took a pause, choosing his wording carefully, giving the droid a neutral look] averted by H8er.
[The droid said nothing in response. He turns his head and gave the jawa a quick look, before turning back to the holoterminal and gaining access into the Union mainframe. The screen flashed and opened up an interface that Arran recognized all too well. It brought a small smirk on his face.]
Arran: Good. We now have access to the most inclusive security system in the Galaxy. The hard part will be tracking down someone who doesn't want to be found. Ideas?
Myles: Who are we looking for?
Arran: You've met her before Myles. We're looking for Azura Vahn. She's a Sith and at one point a suspected threat to the Union. I was invited to meet with her and we made a truce. The Union wouldn't interfere with her business if she agreed to leave the Jedi alone.
[Myles scoffed at the mention of the Jedi and crossed his arms.]
Zanka: Where did you meet her last?
Arran: She had found refuge in an old Massassi temple on Yavin IV. I doubt she would still be there. That's when I made the truce…[Arran thought about the encounter for a little while. His eyes grew wide when he remembered what he had done before he left.] On the way out I ordered Myles to change the transponder codes on her ship, that way I could track her if I needed to. If she's using the same ship, perhaps we can track her that way.
Zanka: Oh, yeah. That temple. I blew it up.
Arran: Blew it up? Why?
Zanka: Azura took Adem. Jaden went with another Jedi Master to rescue him. I followed in my own ship. She fought with Jaden and a few other Jedi. I thought it'd be a good idea to blow up the temple with her in it.
Arran: [Looks a bit angry and upset.] I'm glad to hear she betrayed our truce then. Well, we can mark that temple off of the possible places she would be at.
Myles: Back on topic—we could try tracking those transponder codes then. They're our best chance.
Arran: [nods] H8er, search for traces for the transponder code: 29872-47-2-244-24824.
Myles: How can you remember that? This was several months ago.
Arran: I remember because I chose the numbers specifically; they have a special meaning.
R5-H8: I know what they mean, Master.
Arran: Say nothing, H8er. That is an order.
R5-H8: Transponder Id: 29872-47-2-244-24824 — Registered Name: Azura Vahn — Ship name: Serpentine — Ship class: Escort Shuttle. Serpentine hasn't been spotted for the last month. Last spotted in the Onderon system at a security checkpoint.
Zanka: Where was the checkpoint?
Arran: In major Union-controlled systems we—there is an orbital station that checks in any incoming and outgoing vessels.
Myles: Check the station's records, see if she made contact with Onderon spaceports to ask permission to land.
R5-H8: Checking...No. Serpentine never entered Onderon space—Or at least there is no record.
Arran: It doesn't make sense. Why would Azura be in the Onderon system anyway?
Myles: Why wouldn't she be?
Arran: Azura doesn't deal with...people.
R5-H8: [makes a happy whirring noise.] I like her already Master.
Arran: You won't like her if she conjures some dark magic and turns you inside out.
R5-H8: [rocks excitedly.] Death might come closer than planned!
Zanka: She entered the Onderon system but not Onderon space. What other places are in the system?
R5-H8: The Onderon system contains the planet of Onderon, and the planet's moon, Dxun. There are three other moons of little significance.
Arran: Of course. Dxun is a planet strong in the Dark Side. The Tomb of Freedon Nadd is told to be there. This doesn't explain why there have been no traces of her for a month though.
Zanka: She could be staying there due to the old temple being destroyed.
Myles: It's our only lead, and our best shot at finding her.
Arran: Nk'ik, set course for Dxun. It's time we find Azura Vahn.
Onderon System - Dxun
[The 'Long Ago Junk' entered Dxun space. Almost immediately they were met with heavy wind resistance and harsh climate change. If they had any speculation as to why Azura Vahn's ship hadn't been seen in a month, they now knew. Zanka Nk'ik gripped hard on the yoke as the ship was thrashed about. Zanka narrowly missed crashing into the treetops of the jungle below them, and jerked hard upward on the wheel when fog cleared and revealed the hull of a crashed capital ship. Arran sat beside Zanka on the couch and gripped the column in front of them. He bounced in his seat at the turbulence. H8er was rolling around behind them, trying to plant himself firmly on the ground.]
R5-H8: Master, the signal is faint, but I am making contact with Serpentine's computer. Sending the coordinates to the main console now.
[The console in front of Zanka lit up, revealing the location of 'Serpentine' only a few klicks northeast of their position.]
Zanka: [muttering] Hold on. I'm going in.
[Zanka steadily flew the ship as best he could near 'Serpentine's' coordinates and landed in a clearing large enough for the ship a quarter of a mile away. The ship landed harshly, one side of the ship sinking several feet before stopping. Arran could feel the Dark Side of the planet already. It was teeming with it, almost like Korriban, but this was more alive. The vast number of creatures on the planet added to it; they feeding off of it and contributed to its strength. He unbuckled himself and head on over to the loading ramp. Arran pushed the button that lowers the ramp with the side of his fist. It lowered and Arran head down. He took a few moments to look around, feeling extensively the area around them. He sensed danger.]
Arran: Nk'ik, H8er, you're with me. Myles, stay here and protect the ship. Shoot anything that comes within eyesight that isn't us.
[Myles nodded and gave Arran a salute before heading inside of his small room to grab the necessary equipment. Arran raised his hood and started to walk towards Azura's ship after Zanka and H8er joined in at the base of the ramp.]
Arran: H8er, keep your scans going. Let me know if you detect any comm interference or electronic signatures. I don't want to step into a trap.
[As Zanka stood waiting for Arran, he noted the familiar lump in his boot. He had missed the feeling of the lightsaber, even if it was only for a brief time. He noted that Dxun felt different from Dathomir and Korriban. It felt like how Dathomir did in that one moment—it felt powerful. Was this what Arran meant by the Dark Side calling out to him? It seemed as though it would be easy to lose oneself in this feeling, make mistakes and get oneself killed.
The trio walked across the jungle floor, passing through a thicket until they could see 'Serpentine' in front of them.]
Arran: Hold. H8er, scan the area thoroughly. Make sure there are no mines or traps we should know about.
R5-H8: Scan complete Master. The ship is in severe damage. There are no mechanical devices around, however the life signatures on this planet are so exuberant, I can't detect if there is anyone or anything on the ship itself.
Zanka: What a waste of a good ship.
Arran: [he trusts H8ers word and starts the small trek toward the ship, walking over a falling log and trudging through a small marsh.] Sadly it still looks more flyable than yours.
R5-H8: The computer is easier to communicate with.
Zanka: Ever thought it might be easier to ram yourself into it?
Arran: [he stops when he hears some movement near them, but continues when it seems to cease.] This isn't the time for small bickering. H8er, is there anything on Serpentine's computer that suggests where Azura might have gone?
R5-H8: Negative. Serpentine crashed a month ago and has been here since. The damage taken is suggestive but it is having troubles reading exactly what's wrong.
Arran: [when the trio approached the ship, Arran lowered his head inside to have a quick look.] Nk'ik, be on your guard. I'm going to need your ship expertise to assess a damage report. Maybe there is something here we can salvage.
R5-H8: [boards the ship and looks around, scanning the area.] Master had better be using the word 'expertise' loosely.
Zanka: Careful H8er, you never know what could be lurking on these crashed ships. There could be a tribe of inbred jawas.
Arran: [he had already left the main area. Even after a month of inservice, sparks flickered out of loose wiring. He entered a storage compartment and searched around durasteel containers.] Maybe the Sith witch has some relics lying around somewhere. [Calls out.] H8er, have you accessed the mainframe yet?
R5-H8: Negative. Mainframe ports are damaged. I'd wager Serpentine has no useful information anyway.
Zanka: I'm going to go check out the engine room. [He walked down a hallway and entered the engine room.]
[The engine room was dark and humid. There was a slight humming sound, but it was dismal and faint. As the jawa entered the room, his feet splashed against a liquid on the metal floor. He went to take a step further but noticed the stickiness of the liquid. He looked down at it and thought it was blood before noticing a large thick vine in front of his foot. His gaze traveled along the vine and noticed there were more and more of varying thickness. They traveled throughout the walls, overlapping one another. The sound of dripping suddenly diverted his attention. A drop hit the floor in front of him, rippling into the already forming pool. Several more dropped in varying spots around him before a large one dropped on top of his head. It was heavy and sticky. He looked up. An enormous plant was attached to the ceiling. It had large colorful petals around what appeared to be a mouth, complete with large pointed teeth and a thick sloshing tongue. A tendril shot out from the depths seen just beyond the tongue and grabbed the jawa by the throat. He attempted to say 'great' but only a gurgling sound erupted from his throat as the tendril rapidly pulled him into the gaping maw.]
Arran: [he was still busy searching the cylinders for any Sith artifacts that he knew Azura would not have left in the Temple. So far, not so good. He heard a sudden sound emanating from the engine room and called out.] Nk'ik? [he peeked out of the room but then searched the crates some more.] H8er, go see if Nk'ik needs help.
R5-H8: [the droid reluctantly followed orders and slowly rolled into the engine room. He turned on his small flashlight and looked around. He saw nothing. He even scanned the area for the jawa but there was no sign of him.] jawa, if you are hiding with your insufferable blaster I will force Master to terminate you. [When there was no response the droid looked around the room again. He turned around to report to Arran when a tendril shot outward and grabbed him. He let out a wailing screech before there was silence.
Zanka looked at H8er as the two were in the confines of the plant.]
Zanka: Nice of you to drop by.
R5-H8: I think this classifies as us 'hanging' around.
Zanka: We should hang out more like this. It's nice. Want to play sabacc?
R5-H8: Species: Crasna, carnivorous plant from Dxun. The plant releases a poisonous gas that puts its prey to sleep for digestion to occur. Use your lightstick soon or you'll slowly die and I'll be trapped in here with your remains forever.
Zanka: Only if you say that the deal regarding the ionization blaster is void.
R5-H8: You would risk your life and important data from female jawa's datapad just so you can ionize me?
Zanka: I don't have to explain myself to you. Agree or be trapped here forever.
R5-H8: I can wait. Master will save me eventually. Sleep tight jawa.
Zanka: That's assuming that you are worth anything to him. Everything eventually dies—except you.
R5-H8: [A small speaker comes from the top of his hull, it starts to quietly play a lullaby.] I'll even help the plant digest you. [Tries to sing with the lullaby.] Sleep tight, say goodnight. Go to sleep little sand dweller
[Fumes had since begun erupting from the walls engulfing the two. Zanka began to feel drowsy.]
Zanka: I'll...cut off your legs later. [He activated his lightsaber and plunged it into the side of the plant and sliced it.]
R5-H8: [the speaker goes back inside of the droid as Zanka starts to cut the plant.] Jawa, you need to cut in key locations or—
[The plant lets out a screech as the two fell to the floor. The two are expelled onto the floor before the plant's remains began to rain on the two. Both are covered in a sticky, dark goop. Zanka hit the ground with a thud, H8er falling on top of him.]
R5-H8: I was worried you would carelessly cut your way through the plant and damage my core from the fall. jawas have a use after all.
Zanka: I am this close to electrocuting you—
[H8er extending himself upright and bounced himself on the jawa's soft body a few times before hopping off and quickly wheeling himself behind Arran.
Zanka uprighted himself and looked at the hyperdrive. Despite being covered in the plant's remains, it was definitely beyond repair. He walked back to Arran, leaving a trail of filth in his wake. There was a constant dripping from his hood and the sleeves of his robe.]
Zanka: I'm done here.
Arran: [doesn't even look at Zanka, he smirks from behind his hood.] Have fun?
R5-H8: My behavior core does not allow me to feel 'fun', but I found myself not counting down to the moment where I wouldn't have to be in the same room as the jawa.
Zanka: Great.
Arran: Next time feel out with the Force or search a room thoroughly before blindly walking in.
[Zanka nods.]
Arran: Just because I'm on the ship, don't assume everything is alright. Every moment there is a chance of dying. People lie and deceive, don't trust people based solely on their presence. Trust only in yourself.
Zanka: Then I'll always act as though I'm on my own.
R5-H8: There is a 99.9% chance you are the only jawa on this planet. You are alone.
Zanka: I was alone on Tatooine too.
Arran: Get used to it. [he finished looking through the containers and looked disappointed.] Anything on this ship that's salvageable for the 'Long Ago Junk'?
Zanka: I already was used to it. There's nothing we can use. The ship should be sold for scrap.
R5-H8: [wheels around Arran, running over the jawa's foot as he does.] The jawa always finds a way to sell something broken.
Arran: [grabs the back of Zanka's collar as he leaves the room.] Let the droid go. We need to find Azura. Come, there's nothing else for us on this ship.
Zanka: I wasn't going after him. He's a lost cause.
[The trio exited the ship and looked every which way for the Tomb of Freedon Nadd. Arran could feel the strong Dark Side presence the temple was releasing several miles away just west of them. He almost took a few steps in the right direction, but he hesitated. This would be another learning experience for Zanka.]
Arran: H8er, scan for the temple. Search for high energy readings.
R5-H8: Master, I've located one—
Arran: No, keep that thought. This is your chance Nk'ik. You've felt the Dark Side, you feel it now inside of you. Reach outward and search for where it is leading you. Feel the power the tomb is releasing, feel it calling out to you.
[Zanka reached out with the Force and searched for the feeling that seemed ever-present on the planet. He assumed that the Temple would be similar but more potent in form. He closed his eyes and focused further.]
Arran: Close your eyes, and when you are ready, point in the right direction. If you choose poorly, H8er will zap you.
[Zanka was close to retorting but thought better of it—the last time had gone poorly. He concentrated a moment before sensing what felt like a large concentration of power. It felt enticing. He pointed in that direction.]
Arran: [nodded and let out a small smile.] Good. You've come a long way since you left the Temple. Let's go.
[Zanka said nothing but nodded his head. He thought on that. Since he had left the Jedi, he had come a long way. Arran had said Jaden's training meant nothing and while he agreed—it was something else to understand it first-hand. Gone were the days of writing pointless essays or running laps. Now it was onto things that actually helped him.
They started walking along a worn path. H8er was disappointed he did not get a chance to zap Zanka. His head was lowered as he followed the two along. He decided to zap Zanka anyway as the jawa stepped over a large jutted root from the ground. Zanka looked behind him and gave H8er a glare but didn't act on it. Arran and Zanka walked in silence while H8er had begun to hum the theme song to 'Hush-A-Bye jawa'. As they walked, one of them occasionally had to deal with the ever-creeping jungle. A branch snagging on Zanka's hood, a vine tripping Arran, H8er's wheels going over a large rock laid into the ground and sending him flying. The jungle was annoying on its best day.
Arran decided to break the silence.]
Arran: How do you think she will be when we find her?
Zanka: I can't see future like the Nightsisters are able to. It's impossible to know. But most likely she's still a twi'lek and still purple.
Arran: If I wanted to talk with a wall I'd have sent a comm message to Myles. You met Azura, do you think she'll be able to be trusted?
Zanka: She likes to worm into people's heads and mess with them. She uses poison. She's a massive bitch, always scheming, always having a motive.
Arran: She is no better of a person than I. Jaden has probably told you a bit about what I've done.
Zanka: Start listing it then, we have a long walk to temple.
Arran: I'm not here to gloat my achievements and tell you how I've defeated the Jedi countless times. Keep your senses about you Nk'ik, Dxun is crawling with creatures that would not think twice to end your life. They feed off of the Dark Side, what does that make us?
Zanka: Food.
Arran: I try not to think on the past and what I've done Nk'ik. I'm not proud of a lot of it. I've done more damage to my brother than he deserves. If you wish to know all the bad I've done, you should have stayed at the Temple and asked Jaden, or read the archives. I'm sure there's an extensive file on me there.
Zanka: I don't have the luxury of going back now. Got a story about you and Jaden at least?
Arran: [sighs and clears his throat.] Let's see...There was once a time where Jaden had found out my secret location. He thought he was clever when he ambushed me. He made the mistake of bringing his love, Callista, with him. I used that against him. Jaden lost that day, carrying Callista in his arms. She left the Jedi shortly after. He's resented me ever since.
Zanka: That explains the lectures he used to give me about you. That, and the other things you did.
Arran: Oh yeah? And what did he say?
Zanka: He said you weren't to be trusted, that you killed lots of people. He said listening to you would bring bad things to me. He was probably upset about use of fire to blow up Azura's temple while he was still inside. I did that right after you told me about usefulness of fire.
Arran: [chuckles.] I take it he wasn't too happy with you after that.
Zanka: No, he said it was irresponsible and could have hurt him and Adem. I figured if they were as good as they thought they would have gotten out. The objective was to take out Azura at the time.
Arran: Your logic wasn't flawed, but your timing and execution perhaps was.
Zanka: What do you think would have been better to do?
Arran: I once conjured a primitive thought bomb outside of the Jedi Temple. It takes skill and an extreme amount of power. It's an old Sith skill that requires the combined minds of several powerful Sith. I was able to do it on my own. It was primitive but it still would have blown the Temple to pieces. I say 'would' because Khaar found a way to disable it before it was ready to be fired. I made careful planning with it though. I attacked the Temple to keep the Jedi busy and I was prepared to blow myself up to kill them—that's how foolish I was. [He snarled thinking about his own idiocracy.]
Zanka: [He nodded as he listened.] I get what you mean about execution. The more experience, the better plans come together.
Long Ago Junk - Dxun
[Myles checked the sensors of the ship for the upteenth time before collapsing on the couch. It didn't make sense—why they were here, why he had to stay behind, any of it. He had always been the one to go with Arran, even in his days as Militus. It seemed as though those days had long since gone, he now paraded about with a Jedi jawa.
He couldn't understand it. They were supposed to kill Jedi, it was what they—the Shadows, had been trained to do, what he had been trained to do. Not only did Arran take a Jedi to train but he ordered the rest of the Shadow to watch over the remaining Jedi. He had to obey orders, it was what had been ingrained in him since the very beginning of his life, to obey the orders of your superior. Arran's orders however...they went against the very fiber of his being. Myles was questioning his place. What was worse, he was now stranded on a jungle planet away from his Shadow, alone with nothing but his thoughts, just to locate a Sith. That didn't sit well with him. The young militant moved away from the cockpit and the couch, placed his helmet on his head and grabbed his rifle. The loading ramp lowered and he stepped out, scanning the area with thermal optics. Clear. Myles plopped himself down on the loading ramp, unsheathing the dormant blade from his back. He traced his hand along the side, feeling the notches from the last lightsaber encounter he had. It felt like ages ago. The Sith had tracked them down on a remote planet, nearly shooting the 'Horizon' out of the sky. Arran led them around whilst Myles and the Shadow set up a trap in several old ruins. The engines took a bit of damage and Arran was forced to land a failing ship. When the ship's ramp came down, the Shadow were quickly upon the Sith. They had not anticipated them. The Shadow's ability to mask themselves in the Force made them undetectable to Force-sensitives. Many had fallen to their assassinations in the past. Myles had thought that those days were all but over, yet Arran was now protecting the Jedi. It showed that he needed Myles less and less. Yet he recruited others to his cause—others that went against everything Arran had taught him. It made him grit his teeth behind his helmet.
Myles stood up from the loading ramp and again scanned the area.]
Jungle Floor - Dxun
[After some more walking the three came across a cave buried deep into a nearby mountain. Inside appeared the remains of an inhabited campground long since used, strewn with the bodies of the once inhabitants around a burnt out fire pit. Close inspection of the corpses reveals scars of seared flesh mimicking lightsaber wounds, no doubt the work of Azura; the camp itself ransacked of all useful supplies.
Arran walked around the campsite and kicked the turned over bodies rightside up with his boot, noticing the lightsaber marks across their chests and throats. They were on the right track.]
Arran: Azura went this way, we will too.
R5-H8: Master, this body has been eaten by something recently, look at the fresh bite marks.
[Arran looked over at the body in front of H8er and nodded.]
Arran: We'll be careful then.
Zanka: I'm not surprised by the body being eaten. The jungle is full of hungry animals.
Arran: It's fresh, which means whatever animal it was is still nearby. We'll be cautious when we continue our way through the cave.
[The trio continued their way through the cave, the light becoming dimmer all the while. There was the constant feeling of being watched, something always just out of the corner of their eye. Even the droid felt it. Arran could have sworn that at one point he saw a pair of luminous eyes to the side but just as quickly as he thought he had seen it, they vanished. It was all the more unnerving as his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, there was nothing there. Zanka had not fared much better. He felt as though he should not have had any problems—his species was able to see in the dark—yet it was as though the cave was playing tricks on them. Just when a sense of normalcy seemed as though it would come, it was replaced by something bizarre.]
Zanka: [mutters] I sense we're surrounded.
Arran: [cautious] I sense it too. [He unclips his lightsaber and holds it tightly in his hand, igniting it and using it as a light source in front of them, the red hue illuminating a small section of the cave, however he still could not see anything past the light his blade was emitting.]
R5-H8: [He bumped into something.] Move out of my way, jawa. [Moving forward, he bumped into again.] jawa, move or I will electrocute you. [He was met with a snarl as a Maalraas materialized in front of him, saliva dripping from its fangs. A small speaker emerged from the top of H8er's head. It played out a sound clip of a young girl screaming. Arran and Zanka turned around to see what was happening. As they did so, several Maalraas appeared behind them, eyes shining from the glow of Arran's lightsaber.]
R5-H8: I am taking no chances on the off-chance that you are as easily electrocuted as a normal organic being. [He extended an arm and sent a shock of electricity towards the maalraas. The maalraas let out a screech and collapsed on the ground whereupon H8er rolled over its thin neck.]
[Arran went to turn around to face the front but found himself face to face with a larger maalraas that had come from behind. Not wasting a split second he grabbed it by the neck and took it in a chokehold, eventually twisting its neck to the point of breaking it.
Zanka had since turned around and quickly pulled the lightsaber from his boot with the Force. He jump off the ground, leaping at two maalraas coming toward him. He ignited his blade mid flight and came down on them, jabbing one through the throat and the other across the stomach. Landing on the ground, the jawa felt the pain in his ribs, but it wasn't as severe due to the wrapping he had done and time spent healing himself.
R5-H8: [had mustered some courage and let a triumphant battle song play through his speaker as he rushed another maalraas, his metal frame crashing against the silhouetted creature. The cat let out a shriek and clenched its jaw around the droids electric arm before he could zap it.] I've made a mistake!
[Arran charged the maalraas and viciously slashed downward on its head, the sheer force of the attack sending the slain animal rolling across the cave floor. The remaining maalraas that remained hidden throughout the conflict had left. The three found the rest of their journey throughout the cave much easier.
The path eventually lead them to a clearing at which stood the massive temple of some forgotten Sith Lord. The presence of the Dark Side was strong here, more-so than when they had landed on the planet.]
Arran: [reaches down and grabs his comm unit] Myles, we've reached the tomb. We've encountered minor resistance from locals.
Myles: Nothing is showing up on the sensors, though I doubt they are functioning properly.
Arran: Defend the ship with your life. I don't want to be stranded here.
Myles: Understood. Myles out.
Arran: [his comm unit turned off with an electronic beeping noise.] The Dark Side is getting stronger. It feels more amplified than it did when we were at Azura's ship.
Zanka: Yeah. It feels powerful. It seems as though it'd be easy to get lost in it.
Arran: You've had experiences getting lost in it already.
Zanka: I know. I meant if I wasn't keeping an eye out for that.
Arran: [pointing at the tomb.] There lies a classic example of a man who got "lost in it." Freedon Nadd was a cocky son of a bitch that believed he was the greatest thing to have ever lived. Look how far it got him.
Zanka: So your point is that everyone dies, and that you shouldn't think you're the greatest thing to have ever walked the Galaxy?
Arran: You were cocky once, and then Myles gave you a beating. Freedon Nadd's legacy was short lived. Most of his great achievements came from after death where he corrupted people with cryptic messages. That's not much of a legacy in my opinion. If he appears to me and gives me a message, I'll tell him where to shove it.
Zanka: What is a good legacy to leave behind then?
Arran: Think for yourself Nk'ik, that's not for me or anyone else to decide. You choose your own legacy. Mine? I don't even care about one anymore. Once we defeat the Sith I'll retire to someplace quiet.
[Zanka nodded. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do after defeating the Sith. Going back to the Jedi seemed out of the question. They clashed too much. He didn't want a quiet life of tinkering on machines or selling them, that was why he left Tatooine.]
R5-H8: Master, I'm detecting life forms outside of the temple, but they are stationary. It seems they are guarding the temple.
[When the trio walked further along the path and came to a stone walkway leading to the Tomb of Freedon Nadd, there was a line of zakkegs. As they came closer, Arran expected them to attack, but they remained still and peaceful in nature. He reached out to the Force and could feel Azura's presence within them, hearing fragments of her thoughts in their minds.]
Arran: [adamant] Azura is here.
Zanka: A row of peaceful zakkegs isn't suspicious at all.
Arran: Reach out with the Force, but try not to anger them. Azura has them under her control.
[Zanka reached out with the Force towards the zakkeg. He felt Azura. It brought back memories of when he was with the Jedi and what he had done to her temple. He gave a snort in amusement. The zakkegs started to shake and become uneasy. Arran tried pulling on Zanka's collar to bring him back but it was too late.]
Arran: Nk'ik, what have you done?
Zanka: I was reaching out to the zakkeg and remembering happier times of blowing up a temple.
Arran: You're doing a hell of a job. [He ignited his lightsaber and plunged it into the head of the zakkeg nearest to them, it snorted and tried shaking Arran's grasp of the lightsaber free, but Arran pushed it in deeper. The zakkeg let out a painful scream before falling over.]
[Another zakkeg charged at Zanka who threw himself flat on the ground to avoid being gorged. The zakkeg stopped as it was on top of Zanka, effectively pinning him under its weight. Zanka looked up as the zakkeg's tried to clamp its jaws on Zanka's head. Zanka reached out for the familiar-becoming feeling of power and anger and channelled it through his hands, sending it into the zakkeg from below. The beast began to furiously stomp in an effort to kill the jawa below it that was causing it pain. Zanka rolled out from underneath it. Standing up, Zanka again channeled lightning through his hands at the zakkeg.
A zakkeg from behind Zanka started to charge him after hearing the painful cries of his electrified ally. Arran had thrust his lightsaber into the neck of a beast that had stood up on its back legs to roar at him and turned to see the charging zakkeg coming to flank Zanka. Arran had reached out with the force and stopped the zakkeg in its place. He lifted the beast off of the ground and sent it flying towards a statue of Freedon Nadd. It crashed into the ancient stone statue and sent it crumbling down. Large pieces of stone had fallen and crushed other zakkegs in the area. The zakkeg under Zanka's lightning continued to howl in pain until it gave a final cry before slumping to the ground, dead. The lightning died down from Zanka's hands.
With the zakkegs dead, H8er wheels from behind a large bounder, looking around and rolling around the dead carcasses.]
R5-H8: [a sigh-like sound emits from him] Once again, I am forced to carry you two useless lumps of carbon-based life. I do all the effort here while you just stay and watch.
Arran: [scoffs and reluctantly follows H8er to the Temple entrance] If you shook any harder behind that rock your bolts would've unscrew themselves.
R5-H8: That would be a dream come true. A shame I can't dream. [The droid's voice carried off albeit with some confusion.]
[Zanka followed the two into the tomb in silence. The inside was old, decaying, and very dark, but the Dark Side energy they felt was severe, enough to bring most untrained users to their knees. Arran stood firmly through the halls, H8er followed without any trouble. Zanka had a brief moment of temptation but pushed the feeling aside. He liked the idea of feeling powerful, he wasn't so keen on losing himself in the process.]
Arran: No sign of Nadd anywhere, that's a good sign.
Zanka: Here I thought I'd get to cut down another obelisk in front of a Force ghost.
Arran: Cut away if you find an obelisk you like. Nadd won't be needing it anymore.
Zanka: I'll get you a matching one for your room. That, or I'll put it next to Tuzmek's dangling leg on the dashboard.
R5-H8: The leg is unsanitary, just like the rest of your ship.
Zanka: The leg is preserved.
[Arran cut them off by giving a slight scowl and raising his hand before anymore chatter could happen as they walked down a flight of steps into the room where Freedon Nadd's final resting place was kept. Here, the trio spotted a purple female twi'lek knelt down on the ground meditating in front of the sarcophagus that had been opened so many times due to grave robbing. The lid was cracked at the center and lay on the floor.
Azura didn't open her eyes as the trio approached her in meditation. She was seemingly deep in concentration. The twi'lek was old, but her physical appearance did not reveal that. Her appearance was that of a young twi'lek. Intricate black tribal tattoos were scattered around her body, prominently displayed around her eyes and forehead but also seen along her thigh and bits on her stomach. She wore a headpiece. It was a black leather headband that encircled her head with a hole on each side, of which each lekku went through. Black sleeves attached to leather pauldrons covered most of her arms, with brown wraps tying them down. On her hands and wrists were armguards with a crescent shape etched in gold on the tops of them. Brown boots covered her legs and stopped midway up her thighs, with a traditional black breechcloth supported by a belt hanging off of her waist. She wore a black sleeveless v-neck with a high-rise collar. There was gold trimming along the collar's edges, adorning a design Arran did not recognize. She reached out with her hand to stroke a tamed Maalraas that lay beside her, before finally breaking the long silence.]
Azura: I did not expect you to come here Arran, I see you brought friends.
Arran: [He finishes walking down the stone steps and stops in front of the meditating twi'lek.] I'm calling upon your assistance. Much has happened in your absence.
Azura: [Opens her eyes looking straight up at Arran engaged with a sly smile] You must be desperate or foolish if you are asking me for help Mr. Zarkaine. You have me intrigued and all ears.
R5-H8: Correction. Female twi'leks do not possess ears. Only the males of your species have anything that remotely resembles them. Your metaphor, just like you having ears, is false.
Azura: [Turns her head scowling while rolling her eyes at the newly seen droid companion accompanying Arran] I am regretting your new companions already.
R5-H8: You could make yourself feel happier by destroying me.
Azura: [Lets out a sarcastic sigh, pouting slightly] Aww, but if I did that I wouldn't hear all of your wonderful comments about me would I.
Arran: Nk'ik, wait with H8er outside. Make contact with Myles, let him know we'll be back soon.
Zanka: I'll stay here.
Azura: I believe you should do as he says Zanka, you always were good at being his little lap dog.
[Arran puts his hand to his face and lets out a groan, shaking his head.
Zanka stopped the insult that was about to spring from his mouth. He was angry at Azura's words, but it wouldn't do to have a repeat of the incident with Myles. There was a time and a place. He opted for a different approach.]
Zanka: We came a long way to find her—we should all walk out with her back to the ship.
Arran: We will, I need you two to secure the area. Do as I say Nk'ik.
Zanka: Everything on this moon attacks us on sight. I don't think the area will ever be secure.
Arran: [glares] I first asked as a friend, then I gave a direct order. Now I am getting angry. Do you wish to have another duel so soon after your fight with Myles?
Azura: I could get my pet to chase your pet out if you want. [Grins deviously]
Zanka: [glares at Azura] Leave it here, I won't allow it on the ship. [He leaves with H8er.]
Arran: [watches H8er and Zanka head back up the stairs and leave them.] He's learning about the Dark Side. It grows in him. But he's becoming blinded like many Sith before him. I'm trying to show him how to not be stupid with it.
Azura: You have a long way to go. [Gestures in front of her for Arran to take a seat]
Arran: [He doesn't take a seat, he crosses his arms.] I've been betrayed by the Union and marked a traitor. I've been betrayed by Liz Anean, my wife; I went to save her and was met with a lightsaber through the chest. There is a new threat in this galaxy. I believe they have insurgents in the Union and are puppeteering what I worked hard to create. The Jedi are safe...for now. I'm assembling a team to help me figure out what the Sith are planning and take them out. I saw a vision in the Force, of me, Nk'ik, H8er, Myles, and you. I'm not leaving this temple without you. It's your choice if you come willingly or not.
Azura: [Is quiet for a few moments, listening to the details given to her and contemplating in stern silence before showing surprise.] You are being serious, you had a vision including me helping you?
Arran: [nods.] I wouldn't be here if I didn't.
Azura: [stands with a nod] Then I will join you but on two conditions. [She pauses, patting the maalraas' head that was still beside her.] First I want my own secluded space on the ship.
Arran: And second?
Azura: [Smiles] Access to the shower.
Arran: Done. I'm the only one that uses it anyway. [Reaches out hand.] Welcome aboard.
Azura: That's disgusting, that jawa never uses it? [Taking his hand she lets him lead her out]
Arran: No, I worry he doesn't know it even exists….[He goes to leave but stops and turns around. Mutters.] There's something I need to do…[He heads over to the sarcophagus of Freedon Nadd and looks inside. The skeletal remains lay largely in tact but all other objects that could have been considered valuable were removed.] What do you think of him? Nadd I mean.
Azura: To witness his power on the world even in death cannot compare to his power when he was alive, back then I sensed so much more in him; it is a shame he never used it well.
Arran: Oh really? So you knew him personally then? I knew you were old but...not that old. [He meanwhile unzips his pants and starts to urinate all over the sarcophagus.] He sounds like a fool and a moron. He's accomplished more as a ghost than he did in life.
Azura:Shall we leave? I have been here long enough and your pet is probably growing impatient.
Arran: [shakes a couple times and finishes urinating.] Dodge the question for another time then. Let's move. [takes out his comm unit] Nk'ik, we're on our way out.
Zanka: [over the comm unit] Great. I got you a present.
Long Ago Junk - Dxun
[H8er barrels through the overgrowth and quickly rolls to the 'Long Ago Junk'. The other party members are not within eyesight.]
R5-H8: [screaming] Start the ship Myles, start the ship!
Myles: [He looked up as the droid appeared out of the undergrowth screaming at him.] What happened? Where are Lord Zarkaine and the jawa?
R5-H8: No time to explain! Start the ship, we need to go! Too big—too ferocious! Go. Now!
Myles: [Following the droid up the boarding ramp he ran to the cockpit and jumped over the back of the couch, beginning the engine startup sequences.] There is nothing on the sensors, what is out there? [He opened a comm channel to Arran.] Sir, what happened?
Arran: [comes through the clearing with Azura and Zanka, he reaches for his comm unit.] What? Nothing. We're in sight of ship now. Get it ready for launch.
Myles: [He could now see the trio approaching the ship and let out an annoyed sigh.] Defective droid is going to get everyone killed someday.
R5-H8: It's not too late Myles. Leave now, you've been out here on Dxun for too long. The natural gasses of the planet are making you hallucinate—
Myles: That's enough of that. [Myles crouched down and flipped the power toggle on the droid]
[With a whir, the droid powered itself back on.]
R5-H8: —we can still make this happen.
Myles: Well if that's the way you want it to go, doesn't take any skin off my back. [Myles grabs the ionization blaster off of it's rack and shoots the droid several times. The droid's core shakes and falls to the ground, a trail of black smoke seeping through a port.]
Arran: [walks up the loading ramp with Zanka and Azura behind him.] Myles, I told you to start the ship. What's the delay? [notices H8er on the ground.] What'd you do?
Myles: Nothing that wasn't necessary. [Offering no further explanation he resumed the startup sequence.]
[Zanka notices H8er on the ground then back at Myles. He could have congratulated the man on figuring out how to handle H8er. He chose to say nothing.]
Arran: [With a quick motion of the hand, Arran sent H8er flying into one of the cargo holds. He landed with a loud crashing sound. He turns to Azura.] H8er has shown you to your room. It should be spacious enough for you.
Zanka: There's an empty one with a tarp. It should suit your needs.
Azura: [Stepping inside she looked around the small compact cargo hold taking a meditative position inside.] This will be just fine.
Zanka: [nods as she leaves. He turns to Myles] You can leave my cockpit now. I'll handle take-off.
[Myles leaves the cockpit, Arran watches him leave to his room as he steps inside of the cockpit.]
Arran: Nk'ik, I'm going to rest. Expect heavy training when I wake up. We've been slacking.
Zanka: Got it. Where are we setting course for?
Arran: [turns to leave but is stopped in the hallway.] Anywhere far away from here. Surprise me.
Zanka: Alright. By the way, enjoy the surprise in your room.
Arran: [scowls as he leaves the area and heads to his room. He sees the obelisk from Korriban, which he was expecting, but there was also a new obelisk from Dxun, showing carved depictions of Freedon Nadd.] This would look better in the bathroom. [He shook his head and threw his robe onto his holoterminal. He took time taking off his armor and placing it securely on a durasteel container. Arran left nothing on but his pants and fell face forward onto his bed, falling asleep moments later.
[Arran found himself deep in a forest. He was in a brown garb, surrounded by thick trees, scattered boulders, and the sounds of trickling water nearby. He knew he was dreaming, but he felt at peace and decided to go along with it. Arran followed the sounds of the trickling water to a small creek. He bent down, took a sip, and heard someone coming up behind him. Arran reached for his lightsaber, but found none, and instead turned with his fists in front of him. There stood his father, putting up an open palm to stop Arran from hitting him.]
Arran: Oh, [scowls.] it's just you.
[Daveth lowered his hood and crossed his arms. Arran knelt back down to drink more from the creek. Even if he was sleeping, the water was refreshing.]
Arran: What do you want now?
Daveth: I want to know what you plan on doing. You've brought your companions together, now what?
Arran: We train and get ready for an attack on the Sith.
Daveth: That's it? That's your plan?
Arran: Do you have a better one? [He got up from the ground now and stood in front of his father. Arran expected to see ridicule on his father's face, but he saw concern instead.]
Daveth: Why do you do this? Why attack the Sith? You already have plan on leaving to a place like this one. You dream about it even. Why not just leave?
Arran: I've thought about it.
Daveth: Then what is holding you back?
Arran: I've done a lot of wrong in my life father. I promised Drasli I would protect the Jedi when I led the Union, and I plan on keeping that promise even now. I'm fueled by rage for what Liz did to me, but I also have a strong feeling that the Force wants me to do this. I have to defeat the Sith. I owe it to my brother.
Daveth: And what of your companions?
Arran: They will aid me when I need them or die fighting.
Daveth: It's not that simple son. You've trained the jawa to fight like you, you've brought in the soldier you trained to kill Jedi, you've harbored an ancient soul act like an advisor, and don't get me started on the droid…
Arran: [chuckles.] We're not the ideal team, but that's why we will work.
Daveth: They'll only work if you lead them. You accepted Militus back into your life. I'm not condoning your usage of the Dark Side but you are still my son. You know how to lead, your companions will need you.
[Arran nodded and kept silent. He has lead before, but those were armies on a grand scale. This was different, and he suspected it would be harder. He meant what he said though. He would keep his promise to Drasli one way or another. Afterward though, he would turn his back on the galaxy and leave.]
Daveth: You will do well Arran. You have strength and courage. Follow the force. There is more at work here than you are seeing. You have your team, but the plan will not be as simple. Be diligent, use your head. [He places his hand on Arran's shoulder as he starts to disappear.] Give the Sith hell.