Chapter 7: Once a Rebel, always a Rebel

Cloud walked through the large doorway into the library. The room smelled of running computers and old paper. This was a perfect time to look up information due to the fact that everyone was in the mess hall at this moment busy with breakfast. He knew he probably should have stayed but he had the ill fortune of Serek Untel glaring at him from across the table. Cloud knew that man hated him and decided right now would be a perfect time to go to the empty library, and not to mention he could avoid ticking off a high-ranking officer.

Cloud realized that he was in a civil war of a very advanced civilization, so he needed a weapon to protect himself. He walked up to the librarian. "Where may I find books on weapons and war?"

The librarian quickly went through the library and handed him old books and then showed him to a computer consul. She hit a few buttons and up popped a title The Clone Wars: A History.

Cloud began to flip through the older texts voraciously, reading of men like Ulec Qel Droma, Darth Bane, and Count Dooku. Combining the reading, he figured out that their had been two side vying for control of the galaxy, the Sith and the Jedi. Both called on the power of something called the Force to accomplish amazing feats. He figured out that at one point the Sith were thought to be extinct but recently recovered documents spoke of Darth Bane who had kept two Sith underground at all times until they reemerged with the discovery of Darth Maul. The Sith began to wipe out the Jedi in a war led by a former Jedi named Count Dooku.

Cloud looked up from his reading. He had been reading for four hours. It was time to decide on a good weapon. He found a good variety, but he wanted to somehow utilize a large sword as he was used to wielding. He found two possibilities: he could either create a large lightsaber, a Jedi's weapon, or he could create an electro-weapon from his shattered sword, much like electro-staffs used by specialized robots in the Clone Wars.

Cloud looked up once more. The bright sun outside of the temple windows indicated it was mid-afternoon. His eyes were strained from taking in so many words, he decided to go back to his quarters and rest. He stepped out of the library and turned towards the dormitories. He strolled calmly down the hallway but stopped after a time in front of the doors to the large room he had met Dodonna in. The door was open a crack and something was not right.

"Sir, I have grave news sir!" said a panicked voice from inside the room.

"What is it, captain?" asked Dodonna with barely a hint of panic.

"Sir, our spies among the empire have reported a new powerful officer, his name is Brigadier-General Sephiroth..."

Clouds heart stopped briefly. He leaned into the door and listened closer.

"Rumor has it that this man burst in on the Emperor's heavily guarded room and proceeded to fight Darth Vader and held his own and..."

Cloud couldn't contain himself. "Sephiroth!?! Here?" he shouted. Oh great, he thought. He realized he shouldn't have shouted so loud, but if Sephiroth was here he now he was in a position of power, he would be extremely dangerous.

The men inside grew quiet for a few seconds. "Enter Cloud." Dodonna finally ordered. Cloud stepped into the room. "Sephiroth was your enemy, was he not Cloud?"

Cloud nodded, "Sir, he is very dangerous. If he has the power that has been claimed, he certainly will abuse every bit of it and make the lives of people in this galaxy a hell. As you may recall, he brought down a meteor on my planet."

Dodonna nodded. "Thank you Cloud." He was beginning to look a bit nervous.

Cloud had intended to get off the planet but wasn't so sure now. He had a common enemy with these people. He walked closer to Dodonna. "Sir I would like to join your alliance."

Dodonna smiled slightly amidst his nerves. "It will be welcome. We can begin to prepare you for combat tomorrow. Untel informed me that your weapon needs repair. You should go see the alliance weapon smiths. Perhaps he can help you with your needs."

"Thank you." Cloud turned and left the room wondering what tomorrow would hold.

Note: I promise the next chapters will have more action. You guys are probably wishing for more.