Authors notes: Thank you all so much for waiting patiently, I just want to say I really appreciate all the kind words. Hopefully, you will continue to read my story and find it mildly entertaining. Stay tuned for the next installment scheduled for next monthish. Feel free to favorite, follow and review, if you enjoyed it. (It really encourages me to continue writing)

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Lost In A Nightmare -AU

Chapter 2 Whispers in the dark

Day 68 of active service

Ryloth

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Aayla's heels clicked against the metallic floors as she strode across it, counting her steps.

One, two, three four…

She stopped and sighed loudly her hands going to her hips "He should've been back by now."

"Did you say something sir?" probed the nosy lieutenant, still fixated on scrubbing the invisible grime from his already gleaming blaster. "It was nothing Jynx, I'm just worried that's all." Jynx looked up from the task at hand, giving her a dubious look. CT-7247, better known as Jynx is the single most obnoxious clone you will ever meet in the 327th. As well as one of her closest friends. "He," questioned Jynx as he tilted his head slightly, "Don't you mean they?" "That's what I said," replied Aayla as she twirled her lekku around her fingers. "Right," Jynx exclaims theatrically, that famous grin of his plastered along his face.

That smug bastard.

Aayla sighed in annoyance "Just go and prep the search team. We're heading down, planetside. I want the men ready to head out by oh eight hundred."

"You got it boss," said Jynx grinning somewhat childishly. As Jynx made his way towards the doorway, Aayla added: "Your insufferable y'know that right?" Jynx merely responds with that usual indolent grin of his.

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1 hour later…

"We hit the LZ in five. Our primary objective is simple, locate and extract the missing troopers. And keep an eye out for any separatists. Do I make myself clear?"

"Sir, yes sir," chorused the troopers in perfect unison. "Scrapping clankers is my forte," adds Jynx. His messy blond hair hidden beneath his gold and white helmet.

Smug bastards' gonna get himself and that ego of his killed some day.

"Zip it, lieutenant, strictly business talk from here on out," declares Aayla, clearly unamused with his usual shenanigans. "You're the boss," replies Jynx nonchalantly, as he attaches a scope to his DC-15 blaster rifle. Aayla shakes her head "never change Blondie." "Wasn't planning on it boss," responds Jynx. Underneath that bucket of his, she's sure he's smiling.

The gunship hit the ground with an unholy thump, as the blast doors slide open. Troopers poured out of the vessel, weapons at the ready. Ryloth was a dustbowl of a planet, located in the Outer Rim, with near sweltering temperatures. It was also her home, at least home to her species. Dense jungle foliage made it hard to maneuver but it also shielded them from the scorching heat. Aayla welcomed the cool shade, it provided temporary relief from the harsh rays of Ryloth's sun. "Fan out troopers. I want this entire region secured," barks Aayla, her normally gentle voice replaced with one of authority. Without a second thought, the soldiers began to scan the thick vegetation for any signs of separatist droids. Silhouettes and shadows danced along the path as birds sung in the canopies. It was strange to Aayla, a world seemingly untouched by the war. Still beautiful and blossoming with life, with happiness. While the rest of the galaxy is plunged into chaos, evil festers effortlessly shrouded by the hellfires of war.

Amidst all the violence and pain, it is nice to be reminded of the good things in life. Nowadays, daydreaming was one of the few things that still brought her happiness. Aayla closed her eyes, taking advantage of this precious moment. The instant was brief but it couldn't have been any clearer. She saw herself standing next to him, smiles and all, as well as two little girls underfoot. When she opened her eyes, the feelings she fought so hard to suppress, all but left her. Aayla was alone, and this family she so desperately wanted, was the imaginings of a naïve fool. A single tear droplet glided down her cheek ever so gracefully, leaving a touch of dampness in its path.

Every sleepless night, I lay awake just thinking about what a life with him would be like. These poisonous thoughts won't leave me. They plague my very soul and instill in me with emotions meant to be chained away and forgotten. Get out of my head…get out. Please.

"You all right their boss? You ain't looking to hot," poked Jynx as they trekked through the lush undergrowth. "I'm alright," states Aayla rather meekly. Jynx raised his eyebrow skeptically but says nothing; clearly, this was something personal, so he didn't pry. Both of them continued through the jungle in comfortable silence, but every now and then Jynx would take small glances in her direction. He could see the pain in her eyes, the confusion that plagued her mind and the cold emptiness that anguished her very heart. Aayla's sapphire-blue eyes had lost their luster and the burning fire of determination that had once burned so brightly. Gone, and all that remained was the dark embers of tormented ire. Aayla was lost, she didn't know what to, or what to feel.

In an attempt to bring her some sort of comfort Jynx rather lamely but with passionate fervor declares to her, "You know I got your back right. Always and always will, until the very end." While not the most thought driven statement, it was genuine and from the heart. Truer words could not have been spoken from the likes of any man. At any given moment Jynx would undoubtedly be willing to lay down his own life if it meant saving hers. Aayla turned to face her faithful friend and exclaims with an ascetically childish grin "Of course I know Blondie. Did you really have to say it?" "Just felt like sayin it," he said with a shrug, he was just happy he could bring back that notorious sense of humor. "Honestly, I do appreciate it," says Aayla, her celestial eyes once again ignited with the fire of determination. "Bah, don't mention it, all in a day's work," adds Jynx rather haughtily. Aayla rolls her eyes at him, then continues along the rugged path.

The group walked in silence, listening and watching for any signs of hostiles. Occasionally there was the call of an indigenous bird to shake the boys up. But other than that, complete and utter silence. It was unnerving, this place didn't feel right. Aayla could feel the force reaching for her, warning her. Someone or something was messing with her head. After some more walking, the group eventually came upon an abandoned village. This place felt off, Aayla could hear whispers of darkness etching towards her mind.

"Did you hear that," questioned Aayla, turning to Jynx. "Hear what?" said Jynx. "Never mind." "You look like you saw a ghost," said Jynx with a chuckle. "My mind must be playing tricks on me, nothing more," replied Aayla still a bit shook by the whole experience. Something wasn't right, she was sure she heard a voice. "Are you sure, I thought I heard it too. That nightmarish whisper, I'll never forget it," sniggered the clone amused with the whole situation. "Oh ha-ha, are you looking for a court-martial, lieutenant? Or can you contain yourself," questioned Aayla playing along light-heartedly. Jynx barely holding in his laughter, was able responded with a crisp salute, "That won't be necessary General Secura."

"I'll hold you to that."

The village was in a sad state of decay. Singed remnants of building on the verge of collapsing in on themselves, were all that remained of the quaint little farming community. Blackened remains of those who might have once lived here, were sprawled out in the most ungodly ways. Scorch marks marred the sides of the mud huts leaving them with the scars of war. The inhumanity of it all, it was sickening. This place might have once been the home to hundreds, now it is just another graveyard. "What the hell happened here?" asked Jynx horrified by the gruesome sight. "War," responded Aayla quietly; her voice was distant and not quite here.

Aayla held up her ruddy-gloved hand, clenching it into a tight fist. Numbness fell upon the entirety of her arm as a result from clenching her knuckles so tightly. The numbness she felt contrasted the turmoil of emotions she felt inside. "I'll make them pay for what they've done here. I swear it. They're all going to suffer," snarled Aayla, with an unusual animalistic ferocity. Jynx and the one they called Razor exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what to do. Slowly her hands inched towards the clasp of her belt in which the hilt of her lightsaber protruded. It was almost as if the saber was calling to her, beckoning her to ignite it so that it may carve through those who intend harm. Aayla always had problems dealing with her emotions. Ever since the loss of her parents, controlling the anger that festered in her has been a struggle. It felt good to let it all out, relieving really, but it was so very wrong. This raw rage she felt was a path towards the dark side, a path in which she won't dare to ever walk once more. Her master, Quinlan Vos, has battled with the dark side of the force as well.

Most of the time she could keep her emotions in check, but on rare occasion such as this, she let the rage in her bleed. Swiftly Igniting her lightsaber, she wildly hacked apart a crumbling wooden beam, in a quick succession of brilliant blue. She continued to savagely swing her lightsaber at the crumbling structures, embracing the raw emotions she felt. Deadly arcs of blue smashed into the wood, singeing and shattering it.

There is no emotion, there is peace.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

There is no chaos, there is harmony.

There is no death, there is the Force

I am one with the force…

After what seemed like hours, the anger subsided and Aayla collapsed to her knees, powering off her saber and sobbing into the palms of her hands. Immediately Jynx was by her side speaking words of compassion, yet his reassurance went unheard. Aayla couldn't acknowledge any attempts of solace, she lost it, she didn't deserve his pity. The tears just kept falling down her bright cerulean cheeks. They fell for all the people of the village, her fellow fallen Jedi and brothers in white who died defending the Republic.

I'm a bad Jedi. Why can't I control myself, my emotions?

So much death, the village she stood in being just one example of it.

"Uhh… boss you alright," asked Jynx.

Aayla shook her head. "My emotions I… I can't control them."

"Why, why is there so much suffering in the galaxy. So much war and the fighting it's never-ending. How are we supposed to fix all this? It's hopeless," cried Aayla.

Jynx looked at her with a fire in his eyes. "There is always hope. As long as there are people willing to stand against the darkness. People like you."

"And you," remarked Aayla, as she wiped away the tear with the back of her hand.

Aayla and Jynx made their way towards the rest of the squad. They were examining what looked to be a holopad of sorts.

"General, I think you might want to check this out."

"What did you find Razor," replied Aayla.

"A holopad, military grade. I think it's CIS but I'm not too sure."

"See if you can find out anything useful, sergeant," responded Aayla.

"Yes, sir."

Razor was a loyal member of the 327th and a friend as well. He was also no shiny and has participated in numerous battles alongside Aayla Secura. What made the sergeant stand out was the distinctive scar that ran along the majority of his face, as well as the vicious vibroblade he carried.

"Jynx, Tank and I are going to scout ahead, scan for any Seppies, said Aayla.

"Good luck general, and may the force be with you," said Razor as he saluted her.

"And to you," replied Aayla, with a bow.

A few moments later…

Aayla, Tank, and Jynx walked through the small opening, which must have been its excuse for a door. The pair examined the interior carefully, giving it a full visual sweep.

The hut was on the smaller scale of homes, but cozy, you know if it weren't for the giant holes that covered most of the structure. Despite it's poor condition it was in far better shape than most of the other buildings in the village. While it wasn't the most lavish Coruscanti penthouse, it had its quirks.

"A bit shabby eh boss. Could use a renovation, maybe something edgy. Y'know something the kids can get into," commented Jynx.

"Is the giant hole in the ceiling that obvious, or is it just me," replied Aayla, as she rolled her eyes.

Tank sniggered beneath his helmet. The banter between the two was nothing short of amusing.

He's such a moron sometimes. Actually, what am I saying he's always a moron.

Jynx smiled lazily at her. "Nothing a little synth tape and elbow grease can't fix. That kriff can fix anything."

"It's true," chimed in Tank.

Aayla merely sighed in response. "Let's just continue ahead, we're losing daylight. Bly and the rest of the scouting party are still out there."

Tank nodded in agreement as he slung his Z-6 rotary cannon over his shoulder.

"Whatever you say, boss," said the irksome clone. (Jynx AKA: smug bastard)

Unexpectedly the com on Aayla's belt went on.

"General Secura I was able to crack the holopad open, it has some pretty interesting data logs regarding the whereabouts of the missing troopers," informed Razor.

"Understood sergeant, we're on our way."

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Thanks for reading~ SpeedMasterDash

PS. Next installment won't take as long.