Kuat Drive Yard: Bridge onboard Echuu's Venator-class Star Destroyer the Jedi's Resolve
"Its been a whole year," said Echuu, "Finally the CIS forces have left the Krant system unguarded, now the council has ordered us to assault the planet itself," he sighed, "For one year we've avoided that system at all coasts – we've been spending our time in neighboring systems but the CIS thinks that we don't know where Krant is so they've left it unguarded,"
"What about the Decimators?" asked Rahn, "How many have they built?"
"According to our spies twenty," said Echuu, "More than enough to conquer any of the backwoods worlds in the outer rim,"
"Only twenty?" asked Rahn cocking an eyebrow, "Why only twenty?"
"The Decimator is highly volatile, extremely dangerous and slow to build," said Echuu, "They are literally giant Lightsabers, shields can barely stop them and no weapon can penetrate their armor,"
Rahns eyes nearly snapped out of his head, "Then what the spast are we doing leading an assault strike?" he shook his head, "Sounds like suicide,"
Echuu grinned, "They have a weakness though," he pointed to the specs, "They are controlled much like the B-1 Battle droids were originally," he nodded, "That's right, knock out the main signal device and the Decimators – all of them – will shut down,"
"And that's where we come in?" asked Rahn with a tired laugh
"Exactly," said Echuu with a nod, "You, Naat and I are to sneak in there, take out the Decimators and wait for extraction from the Resolve"
"Sneak in, sneak out eh?" asked Rahn grinning
"A covert op." said Echuu nodding, "That's what your best as isn't it?" he said with a grin
"No one coverts like me," he said to his old friend, sighing he lost his smile, "Echuu… we need to talk,"
"About?" asked Echuu
"This mission," Rahn sighed, "Sev'Rance Tann is on this planet… our orders say nothing of eliminating her,"
"They should be," said Echuu, "And it's about time they were,"
"Why?" asked Rahn worriedly, "For Revenge?"
Echuu looked hurt, "No," he said – though Rahn could tell he wasn't being completely honest, "This is about removing a potential threat to the Republic,"
"Echuu…" Rahn began
"I'm calm Rahn," said Echuu sternly, "I'm prepared for whatever the force can throw at me," he stared at the younger Jedi, "Alright?"
Rahn stared at Echuu worriedly; he could sense that his friend wasn't being completely honest with him – but then again – if Echuu didn't go further with this plan his anger would consume him, just as Master Windu had predicted. "Alright,"
Kuat Drive Yard: Hanger onboard Echuu's Venator-class Star Destroyer the Jedi's Resolve
"I missed you," said Eli as he wrapped his arms around Naat, "It's been too long,"
"I know," said Naat returning the embrace, "Ten months is an awfully long time,"
"How are you?" asked Eli letting go of her and sitting down on the bench, picking up his DC-17 he began cleaning the cartridge.
Naat sighed, "Eli… why do you always do that?"
"Do what?" said Eli pretending he didn't understand
"Every time I get near you, you start cleaning a weapon or polishing your helmet," she shrugged, "I've been away from you and my master for the past ten months, I've missed Echuu… but I've really missed you," she smiled sadly.
"I… I'm sorry Naat," said Eli laying the weapon down, "Its just… I'm not even a real person… Its… wrong for me to even consider…"
"Not a real person?" asked Naat crossing her arms defiantly, "And what requirements do you fail to fulfill?" she smiled as she sat down next to him, "You look like a human to me,"
"But that's just it!" he insisted, "I'm a clone, one out of a trillion… what are the odds that I'd feel this way about…" he looked at her and groaned, "About a Jedi,"
"One in a trillion I'd say," she said with an impish smile
"Well what about you?" he asked tiredly, "Don't you see?! Jedi aren't even allowed to love!"
Naat blushed, "Love?" she smiled, "When did love enter this conversation?" she asked as she slid closer to him – only to be interrupted by the entrance of her master, "Naat!" called Echuu across the hanger as he approached the young woman, "Its been to long Padawan,"
"And to awkward," she said bowing to her master, "It was hard telling the archeology team that I was Padawan," she shrugged, "But Master Yoda chose me because of my ability to sense waves in the force and to find things that are hidden,"
Eli nodded to Master Echuu and picked up his helmet, "Its good to have you back Na- Ma'am,"
Naat glowered at the clone, "It was good to see you too, commander," she said
Rahn cocked an eyebrow as Eli looked genuinely hurt at what she'd just said, bowed to her and headed towards the barracks, "I wonder," he thought with a small smile
Hyperspace: Naat's quarters onboard Echuu's Venator-class Star Destroyer the Jedi's Resolve
"So what's the story Padawan?" asked Rahn grinning, "What have you and Eli been up to?"
"I don't understand Mas-" she started
"Now don't you lie to me youngster," said Rahn grinning, "I know love when I see it, you and Eli have formed a… spark between each other,"
"I…" Naat sighed, "I'm sorry Master,"
"Sorry?" asked Rahn in surprise, "For what? That the greatest thing that can happen between man and woman has sparked between you and Eli? What's there to be sorry about?"
"I'm a Jedi," she said bowing her head, "I'm not supposed to become attached to anything, its against the Jedi code,"
"No," said Rahn, "Attachment is forbidden. Possession is also forbidden. Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life. So you might say Jedi are encouraged to love," he tried to keep a straight face as he said this, the captain of the freighter that had taken Padme and Anakin to Naboo had been a friend of his – and as a Jedi Shadow it was his job to know everything about every Jedi, senator and droid. Even if the council never heard of it.
Naat shook her head, "What your saying is against the Jedi code, against everything I've been taught," she sighed, "I tried to tell Eli how he was wrong but… but the more I think about it… the more I find he's right,"
"What I'm saying is from my own personal beliefs," Rahn smiled, "I am a Jedi Shadow after all," he placed his hand on her shoulder, "I know how it started, a casual glance, a small conversation that turned into a full blown discussion that lasted for weeks, a surprised share in interests," he grinned, "I'll bet you've even spared once our twice,"
Naat turned away, "Please leave master Rahn," she said softly
Rahn shook his head, "Think about it Naat," he said quietly, "I've been around a long time, I can't be all wrong," turning around Rahn quietly left her quarters and headed towards the bridge.
Naat sighed as the door slid shut, "Master Rahn, is wrong," she said, "Isn't he?" Naat sighed, "He has to be, one thousand years of law and rules set down by our ancestors can't be wrong," she headed towards the fresher, "They can't be,"
Stepping into the fresher Naat tried to clear her mind as the water slid down her back. Rahn was right about the time she and Eli had spent together. The two months before she'd gone on her trip they'd spent a lot of time together, just talking – but the more they talked the more dangerous it got – and even Eli could sense that.
During her assignment to the archeology team Naat had been surprised to find that she was constantly oversleeping – mostly due to the fact that her morning calisthenics involved a two-person workout with Eli. This caused her to have a hard time getting started in the morning and in turn a hard time getting to sleep at night.
Shaking her head Naat continued to scrub down as these thoughts buzzed through her head.
Hyperspace: De-Briefing Room aboard Echuu's Venator-class Star Destroyer the Jedi's Resolve
"So how do you like it Sir?" asked Eli
"It is certainly a marvel," said Echuu running his hand along the computer console. Echuu, Rahn and Eli had gathered for pre-mission… consorting and at the moment Echuu and Rahn were overlooking the design of the new Venator class Star Destroyers.
"Its certainly much more aesthetic then the specs for those Imperator Class Star Destroyers that they were trying to get funding for," said Echuu with a laugh, "Never before have I seen such a hideous un-artistic design for a Ship. The Republic is supposed to be about art and centuries of history that created that art, the Venator is one such piece of art – but the Imperator class is just… well it looks like the CIS designed it to tell the truth,"
Rahn nodded, "I've begun to notice that lately. A lot of our ships and walkers have started to look like they were designed by computers for their functions alone – take the Juggernaut tanks for instance, they look like boxes with wheels glued to the side and what about that walker that scientist tried to convince them to use… the AT-AT was it? That thing looked more terrifying than powerful,"
Eli shook his head, "As interesting as this is," he said with a laugh, "Don't you think we should get back to the matter at hand?"
Rahn nodded, "Good point," activating the scanner device that took up most of the room Rahn took a seat and began the briefing – just as Naat came running in.
"I know," she said trying to zip up her form-fitting blue jumpsuit, "I'm sorry I'm late masters,"
Echuu glanced disapprovingly at his Padawan while Rahn sniggered at her bra strap, which was jammed in her zipper on the disheveled jumpsuit, "Maybe we should hold off on the briefing until my Padawan finishes dressing herself," said Echuu.
Blushing profusely she excused herself and headed into the ladies room,.. A few moments latter the red-cheeked girl returned and nodded for Rahn to begin.
"Now that your all here," said Rahn trying not to laugh at Echuu who was glaring at Naat. Eli – Rahn suspected - was not at all upset about seeing Naat only half-dressed, but being Eli; the clone was wisely wearing his Arc-Trooper helmet and his facial expressions couldn't be seen, "I'd like to begin with the layout of the base," calling up the image of the 3-D specs gathered from the CIS Fortress on Krant by the new Probe Droids developed a year and a half ago Rahn continued, "The fortress itself is barely guarded," said Rahn, "Two thousand Battledroids are all that protect it and the only Providence-class carrier/destroyer inside the system is currently being prepared to transport the Decimators. A single well protected ship will easily manage to slip past the unassuming Providence-class carrier/destroyer on the assumed excuse of a 'late delivery' and that is already being drummed up by our tech squad right now,"
"Question," said Naat crossing her arms
"What might that be?" asked Rahn with a raised eyebrow
"What's the bad news?" asked Eli anticipating the girls question; Naat blushed, "What he said,"
A small smile crossed Rahns face as he noticed Echuu cock an eyebrow at what had just happened and then dismiss it as a system the girl and the clone had worked up, "The bad news," said Rahn, "As you two most kindly put it, is that all twenty of the Decimators are currently set up in a circle around the fortress. They are to be dispersed across the galaxy in the next twenty four hours,"
"Meaning we need to get in, blow up the transmission unit and get out," said Echuu, "If we don't then the Decimator project will be a success and they will be able to build them in mass quantities using the twenty prototypes as a base,"
"And there's an even greater danger," said Eli, "The Decimator can target ships as far out as two hundred clicks from the planet they are stationed on – and the beam they fire doesn't lose its potency due to distance, one hit and the shields go down, then they can slowing cut the ships into pieces in under twenty minutes,"
"What if our 'plan' – so called - doesn't work?" asked Naat, "What if they see past our ruse and open fire on the ship?"
Echuu glanced at Rahn, "Then we'll get to find out just how fast you can pilot,"
Eli nodded, "No pressure," he said
Naat sighed solemnly, "Yeah, no pressure,"
Edge of the Krant System: Hanger Bay aboard Echuu's Venator-class Star Destroyer the Jedi's Resolve
"Lady, gentleman and clone," said Rahn dramatically, "I give you, the Moldy Crow," switching on the lights Rahn grinned as he pointed to the brand new HWK-290 Corellian Engineering Corporation's Hawk Series Light freighter, "I've been using her for a few covert operations lately and two weeks from now I'm selling her to some smuggler named Roark Garnet," he shrugged, "I figured she could use one last go around with her first captain, shall we board?" he asked his three companions with a laugh as he grabbed the bags they'd need and headed towards the ship.
"It looks fast enough," said Eli, "Though the paint job sort of… stands out,"
"So does master Rahn," whispered Naat
Krant: Orbit Rahns HWK-290 Corellian Engineering Corporation's Hawk Series Light freighter Moldy Crow
"I really hate this armor," said Naat as she piled her long golden hair on top of her head and used a hair net as well as a few bobby pins to secure it, "This helmet keeps snagging on my hair," grumbling some more she pulled the blue Arc Trooper helmet on.
"They aren't supposed to know where Jedi," said Rahn pulling on the Green helmet, "The last thing we need is for them to figure out that 'Jedi' are invading, they'll call in reinforcements for sure if the find that out,"
Echuu nodded, "He's right," he said as he threw Naat her modified chest-plate, "I know this armor isn't comfortable…"
Naat cut him of, "It certainly wasn't made for overly tall people such a Rahn and yourself," she laughed as Echuu tried to secure the lower half of his armor which kept snapping loose at the knees, "And it definitely wasn't made for women,"
Eli shrugged, "Better to be a clone trooper with breasts then a dead Jedi," he said with a laugh, Naat slapped him in the back of the head, "Very funny," she said, Eli shrugged again and tried not to laugh, "You stopped complaining didn't you? And at least your armors on now," Naat just scowled
"Be that as it may," sighed Rahn as he began to open communications with the Providence-class carrier/destroyer, "What's say you two shut the spast up," he shook his head, "Its hard to lie with all these distractions,"
Sending the information over to the ship sitting in orbit a few clicks from them, Rahn grinned as he thought about the 'completely automated responses of the ship as it scanned their I.D signal and began to verify it with its commanding officer. Nothing could go wrong.
Krant: Orbit Providence -class carrier/destroyer"And what of this freighter?" asked Sev'Rance Tann as the Hologram glowered at the droids in front of her
"Its code and I.D check out my lady," said 88-9-21, "With that in mind it would seem prudent to…"
"Don't tell me what's 'prudent' and what's not," shouted the Dark Jedi viciously, lifting her head she seemed to stare right out of the hologram into the void of space, as if making a decision she nodded, "Let them pass,"
"My lady?" asked the droid
"Let them pass," she repeated, "Open communications with Darth Tyranus, beam the transmission down to the surface,"
Krant: Tanns Fortress
"So," said the life-size hologram of Darth Tyranus, dark lord of the Sith, "That Jedi master of yours is on the shuttle bound for Krant eh?"
"Indeed my master," said Sev'Rance, she was bowed before the dark lord, her face almost to the ground while her master was seated at the opposite side of the room on a chair that seemed to be holding a living being though it actually wasn't, "The one who's apprentice I killed is bound for this fortress,"
"And what is this to me?" asked Tyranus, "Kill him, if he intends to damage our true objective when we're so close to completion than he must be stopped,"
"But Master," she said, "I can sense the darkness within him, he lies too the council, too the comrades that go with him just so that he can extract revenge for his last Padawan," she smirked, "The information I implanted in his mind is doing well,"
Tyranus coked an eyebrow, "His 'last' apprentice?" he asked, showing interest for perhaps the first time in this conversation, "The last apprentice a Jedi ever takes is often very special to them… he is a council member then?"
"No my lord," she said, "From what I have gathered he has put that position on hold to remain at the front and complete his apprentices sisters training,"
"Interesting… and you believe that he can be turned?" asked Tyranus smirking
"Yes master," said Sev'Rance in awe of his power, "If he could be turned…"
"Yes I know," said Tyranus with a nod, "A Jedi such as Echuu would be very… profitable to our cause,"
"I have your permission then my lord?" asked Sev'Rance with a grin on her cold blue face
Tyranus smirked, "Indeed young one," he grinned even wider as he saw the vision of where this would lead her, for to long Tann had been in his circle… she had become powerful… according to the force this would be her end – and Dooku welcomed it, "Indeed,"
Krant: The outskirts of Tanns Fortress"I've got a bad feeling about this," said Naat looking at the huge Decimators circling the base, "Those things can disintegrate a living being in under one minute,"
"True," said Echuu, "But then again they were never tested on Jedi Knights… or Lightsabers,"
Eli shook his head, "Yes they were sir," he grimaced, "The backwash forced the Lightsaber crystal out through the side of the hilt and into the chest of the dummy holding it – then the power supply exploded and…"
"I get the picture," said Naat grimly, "I still say Rahn should have come with us," she looked over the side of the bush they were hiding behind, "I count two hundred Battledroids a few assorted Droidekas not to mention plenty of SBD's,"
"Its Rahns ship," said Echuu sternly, "He's going to provide the distraction and then pick us up when we need to get out of here," he looked away, "And besides, right now the last thing I need is the councils watch dog looking over my shoulder,"
"Master?" asked Naat confused
"Nothing," said Echuu, "Lets go," grabbing the DC-17 that matched the one Eli and Naat were holding he jumped over the bush and opened fire on the Battledroids. True to his word, Rahn came soaring over the heads of the Jedi Knights and opened fire on a few SBD's and Droidekas all the while avoiding the incoming vaporizing blasts of the Decimators.
"Move!" shouted Eli slamming his Vibro-Blade into the chassis of the nearest SBD, spinning around he shot a round of Blue blaster fire into the frame of the door blocking his entrance – only to have it bounced back at him.
Shaking her head Naat ducked under the fire the Battledroids shot at her and began slicing into the doors entry pad, "Come on!" she shouted hitting the control panel, suddenly a blaster bolt ricochet off the wall a few inches from her face, "A little cover would be nice!" shouted Naat.
Wincing as Naat avoided the shot Eli backed towards her, "Glad to see me?" he asked as he switched his empty DC-17 out for his DC-15S blaster.
"Always," said Naat warmly, "Lets finish this, I think Master Echuu is getting tired," she said nodding her head at the Jedi Master who was flipping around the droids and firing shot after shot into their heads.
"Sure you're not the one getting tired?" asked Eli with a grin, even though Naat couldn't see it she knew it was there.
"Maybe," said Naat, with a 'click' the door slid open, "I've got it master…" suddenly a blast from one of the Droideka smashed into Eli's chest plate and sent him sprawling through the door behind him. Letting out a scream Naats mind lost all focus as she grabbed her Lightsaber and ignited it. Spinning around she plunged the weapon into the droid that had shot Eli and began chopping droids left and right – only to be pushed back by Echuu who shoved her through the door and wielded it shut behind them.
"Are you crazy?!" shouted Rahn over the com unit, "The idea was stealth! Not extermination!"
Eli grimaced as Naat bent over him and gently began removing his armor, "The CIS is sure to call in reinforcements now," said Echuu crossly, "What were you thinking Naat!" but to his surprise Naat didn't even reply, she was bent over the injured Clone and trying to heal him, "Naat!" shouted Echuu, "You can't do that here! Sev'Rance will sense us!" still she ignored him, "Naat he's just a clone! Get up, we don't have time,"
"I'm sorry master," said Naat, "I know I should have a more casual disregard for life but I just can't manage it right now,"
Echuu looked stricken, had he really lost sight of life in his quest for Stam's revenge? "Naat… look, I'm going on ahead… catch up when you're finished,"
She didn't turn, Echuu strode towards the door, "Might as well use this now," he said as he activated his Lightsaber, "Thank you," came a soft voice, turning Echuu smiled at Naat and walked through the door.
Krant: Main Entry Way"Ugh!" groaned Eli, "That was somewhat less then pleasant,"
Naat gave a small laugh as she saw him open his eyes, wrapping her arms around him she kissed his cheeks and hugged him again and again, "I thought I'd lost you," she said softly, "By the force I thought I'd lost you,"
"GENTLY!" shouted Eli, "Spast! Naat not so hard,"
Naat continued to kiss him, "Your alive and all you can think to say is gently? Where's your sense of romance?"
"I think I lost it when that bolt struck me," he said with a laugh, "Hey, I'm okay,"
"Good" said Naat
Eli smiled weakly, "Go on," grunting he sat up and grabbed the med-pack from her, "I'll be fine, save that master of yours already,"
"I'll be back," said Naat
Eli looked her in the eye and smiled, "Of course you will," he brought his face close to hers, "Now get going,"
Krant: Transmission room"Alright Rahn," said Echuu into the comlink on his helmet, "The last bombs been set,"
"Good," said Rahn as he dodged another blast from the Decimator, "Now get yourself to the roof and prepare for extraction, I'll be detonating the transmitters bombs in ten minutes,"
"That's a negative Rahn," said Echuu as he rounded another corner, "I still have one more objective to complete,"
"Echuu," Rahn said disapprovingly, "Now is not the time…"
Suddenly the line went dead – mostly due to the burst of static that Echuu sent through the com in his helmet, "Sorry Rahn," he said, "But I'm not leaving here without Stam's peace," he could feel it! The fear and dark energy sat coiled at the base of his spine – as if afraid to challenge him… or perhaps waiting for a chance to strike… it didn't matter. For the first time since becoming a Jedi Echuu's head was clear, the dark side of the force - which had been causing a disturbing lack of focus by the Jedi for the last fifty years - had left him. The force was his and he could feel the strength flood his consciousness as he came closer to the aura surrounding Sev'Rance Tann.
"Tann!" he shouted, "Show yourself!" there was a clatter from the dark shadow at the other end of the room, the ticking from the computers and transmitters all seemed to suddenly silence themselves as the room darkened.
Suddenly a form could be seen, it stumbled and fell out of the darkness, falling upon the floor Naat Reath seemed to be disoriented – her hair all stood straight up and her eyes seemed glazed, she'd been hit by a blast from a Disruptive Electromagnetic Pulse 2 Gun. The two Battledroids that had shot her stepped forward – followed shortly by Tann herself.
The Dark Acolyte wore a black version of Chiss battle armor, the top was covered in a thick piece of durasteel and the lower half had patches her and there as well, but the top stopped short of the lower half and as a result the armor gave Tann a sort of midriff that she used to display the markings of the Sith tattoos that she was allowed to wear by Darth Tyranus. They designated her as a Sith Hopeful – neither an apprentice nor an outsider.
"Ah General Shen-John!" she said with a laugh, "Its good to see you,"
"Master," croaked Naat, "I'm… sorry,"
Tann knelt next to her, "Be silent little one," she said, "Or I'll kill that little clone toy of yours,"
"Don't… you… touch…" she coughed violently as her lungs struggled to refill themselves after nearly shutting down from the blast, "Him,"
"We'll see," said Tann as she kicked the girl in the stomach, "Tann!" shouted Echuu, "Leave her alone! She's may not be a child, after all she's over eighteen years old and well on her way to Knighthood," he glowered at Tann, "But she is still a student and you dishonor yourself by attacking an unarmed student,"
Tann sneered, "What do you know of honor Echuu?" she laughed contemptuously, "You've lied to the council, to your friend and to your student… all for a chance to have a go at me!"
"You are a danger to the galaxy," Echuu ignited his viridian Lightsaber, "And I will not stand idly by while you wreak your horror upon every living creature in this or any other star system,"
"And what of you?" asked Tann, "You seek vengeance on me because I killed your Padawan," she smirked, "Vengeance… that's not very Jedi like… we aren't as different as you may think 'master' Echuu,"
Echuu took a step forward, "I am NOTHING like you,"
"Indeed," said Tann, suddenly her yellow Lightsaber was activated – followed shortly by the cyan blade she'd stolen from Stam, Tann spun the two blades in unison and circled the defensively standing Jedi Master, "Your move… Echuu,"
To Be Continued…