"A lightsaber—any weapon—only achieves worth in how it is wielded—in the effort, the struggle of one who holds it" ― Kreia

Sith Gothic 2

Dantooine 2

Caves. Dantooine.

"Wait out here" I told the group.

Something was telling me that I needed to enter the caves alone. This place was strong in the Force like the caves I'd once gotten stuck in on Korriban while I'd been training, only in this case the nexus of energy was the Force in its purest form, life itself. Not dark or light, or a shade of grey, it was just life.

While in the game to layout of the caves was so simple a child could navigate them in reality the underground passageways here were a confusing maze, with numerous offshoots and dead ends, all lit by glowing crystals that were too small and fragile for use in lightsabers.

Of course I didn't get lost as I could feel the Force nexus in the main chamber. It was much like the nexus on Nar Shadda only more powerful and more contained. Also the nexus on the Smuggler's Moon was the product of sentient life, this was more animal, more primal.

No wonder the kinrath had been drawn to this place, I was that even those blind to the Force could feel the power here. Plus all the energy that crystals had collected generated light as well as warmth making it an ideal nesting site for the creatures.

I ran into several kinrath in the outer tunnels, but nothing I couldn't handle. The poisonous creatures grew larger and more numerous as I moved deeper underground, but they were a minor threat to a Dark Lord of the Sith. Drawing upon the power of this place I was able to bash the creatures into walls or I just shot them with the powerful blaster pistol I used at times.

The cave was sloping down towards the main chamber but not to the degree that it made it hard to walk. I didn't have to worry about tripping over and rolling into the main chamber. That would certainly not be an entrance worthy of someone with my status.

Before long I was rounding a corner into a much brighter tunnel, and the site made me pause in my breathing and as well as my walking. The nexus chamber was beautiful, there were so many crystals in every imaginable colour and size. No wonder the Jedi came for crystals for their weapons.

A small stream ran through the back of the room, reflecting the light from the crystals, and I could hear a tinkling sound, which only added to be the sheer beauty of this place. Alas I didn't have much time to enjoy the view as soon as I was again under attack.

The kinrath matriarch stepped into view from behind the pillar that was in the center of the room. The beast was huge, over three meters tall, with limbs that look as if they could pierce my armour with ease. As it was with humans, the female of this species was more deadly than the male.

It let out a series of deep, angry squawks, and its children, or mates, or siblings, whatever they were, charged into battle. With a snap hiss noise the silver blade of my lightsaber sprang into existence, and just in time to remove a poison tipped limb that nearly found its way into the flesh of my neck.

The second swing of my saber bisected the creature that had just tried to stab me, and then using the Force, that was so easy to call upon here, I sent several of the creatures flying into the walls. Yet this only thinned out their numbers. I still had more killing to do.

With my deadly weapon I stabbed one of the smaller beasts, well small compared to the female, driving my blade into the ground while feeling the creature die through the Force. It didn't feel wrong as death was a part of life, and I didn't have time to dwell on that as there was more fighting.

The kinrath matriarch tried to return the favour I'd just granted to one of her kind, and impale me through the chest while driving me to the ground, but I dodged out of the way and with a swipe of my sabre I removed the appendiage that had very nearly just ended my life.

One of the remaining smaller kinrath tried to jump me from behind, however I span on the spot, and when the creature hit the ground it did so in two parts rather than a single piece. Amazingly it was still alive so I finished it off by driving my weapon into what passed for the creature's head.

Then I return my attention to the kinrath matriarch, who didn't seemed to be phased much despite her wounds and the loss of her kin. I charged and ended her life with my silver blade, which I used to turn into something very, very dead.

"Force Sensitive locations such as this absorb and reflect Force energy," said Kreia, once the fighting had ended. "The crystals are the catalyst here".

The old witch wasn't actually here. She was talking into my mind, but it felt like she was with me. Which was still a bit creepy.

"I sense that Revan once passed through here, leaving a strong impression behind in the crystals. Perhaps future Jedi who visit this cave will feel your presence, as if seeing footprints preserved in the soil"

Suddenly I reached out, acting purely on instinct. The end of one column broke off and fell into my hand. The crystal felt suddenly warm, and soon changed colour to a brilliant white, it shone brightly with the raw power of the Force. No darkness, no light, nothing that was between, just the energy of life itself.

"The crystal responds to you!" said Kreia through the link, sounding impressed. "This is very rare indeed. The crystal's bond with you is such that the stronger you become in the Force, the more powerful your crystal will grow. This crystal will make an excellent focus for a lightsaber".

Indeed it would and as I held the crystal in my hand I realised that I was going to need to build a new lightsaber, a very special one.

(Line Break)

Ebon Hawke. Dantooine.

The lightsaber was a complex piece of technology, the weapon drew power from an appropriately sized power cell that could fit within the handle, and that was the easiest part to find as power cells were common across the galaxy, coming a wide range of shapes and sizes.

Other parts that would work to make a lightsaber include modulation circuits and an energy gate as well as a blade emitter shroud, the emitter matrix and some type of activator to turn the weapon on and off. The switch was the most simple part of the weapon aside from the casing.

Examples of parts that could be added included handgrip ridges and a blade length adjuster. Some lightsabers also featured a non-lethal low-power setting used for training. Single-bladed lightsabers usually had a belt ring so they could be hung from a belt hook, or a wheel-shaped attachment that slotted into a matching clip on the owner's belt when not in use.

During assembly, it was important to not accidentally invert the emitter matrix otherwise when activated the lightsaber's power grid would backfire. At best this could cause the blade to quickly short out, but if it was left on, the faulty weapon would violently explode, potentially killing those in close proximity. I reminded myself on this several times.

The power of the energy blade was so great that it could cut through almost anything, and an important thing to note about lightsaber wounds was that they rarely bled profusely, even when a limb had been severed. This was because the energy blade cauterized the wound as it passed, and thus even a severe wound did not tend to bleed heavily, and it was possible to survive having a limb removed by a sabre.

All of that and more I knew, yet right none of it actually mattered right now. The different parts of the lightsaber, which were currently floating in the air around me as I sat on the floor of the cargo, weren't anywhere near as important as what they would become when they came together.

I saw the sabre that I was going to build in a vision despite it not existing yet, and I'd never seen one like it before, the crossguard lightsaber, a version of the famous weapon which resembled the standard lightsaber hilt with a second, low-output blade emitters protruding at a 90-degree angle to the axis of the hilt.

The blades of the second emitter were produced by a specialized power modulator that utilized a splitter to produce two very short blades. The purpose of these blades was to shunt power away from the main blade and to block and catch an opponent's blade.

I had seen myself wielding such a weapon, yet mine would be somewhat unlike the sabres that I'd seen in my vision. The two smaller blades weren't at ninety degrees, it was more like forty-five degrees, with the two smaller blades moved closer towards the main blade.

Somehow the Force was showing me how to make this exotic lightsabre, a weapon that didn't exist yet, so I was inventing it, but using I was using knowledge that came from the future. Which was so totally mind blowing that I should have been blown out of my trance.

Also the sabre I saw myself wielding in a possible future was white in colour. The new crystal I'd obtained along with the special lens was going to create a truly unique lightsaber, and I knew that I would have to change my fighting style to adapt to the new weapon.

Which was fine with me as all true wielders of the lightsaber sooner or later began to include their own moves into whatever style of lightsaber combat it was they had chosen to focus on while training. This was a step on the road to mastery of the Force.

The blade of the weapon would be powerful, but also stable, unlike one of crossguard sabers that I'd seen in my vision. A focused blade well suited for a warrior.

Time passed and I build the saber while in a short of trance. I was unaware of the outside world and yet safe from danger as I knew that the Force would warn me if anyone was going to attack me. So I just kept working, and letting the Force guide my actions.

I didn't know for how long I worked, mostly what I saw was in my own mind, and the Force showed me enough that I was certain that I would be able to wield this new weapon.

When I came out of the trace I activated the new sabre and the darkness of the cargo bay was driven away by the sheer brightness of the blade. The gentle hum of the lightsaber was the only sound I could hear other than my own breathing. There was nothing else other than myself and the weapon.

I moved the sabre, getting a feel for the weight of handle, and while the blade itself was weightless that didn't mean it was easy to handle. Wielding a lightsaber wasn't like fighting with a sword, it was more trying to control a energy current. However this weapon was so well made, and so easily to handle that it might as well be a sword made of light.

The handle of this saber was heavier than others I had used, but I was plenty strong enough to wield it even without needing to call upon the Force for extra strength.

"You and I are going to have so much fun" I whispered the weapon.

But that would have to wait I felt hungry and I badly needed to use the fresher. I must have been sitting on the cold floor for quite some time.

(Line Break)

Caves. Dantooine.

Two mercs came out of a side passage directly ahead and before anyone could react my new weapon got to taste blood for the first time. The mercs wore armour, but so powerful was the blade of energy now at my command that they might as well have been suits made of cardboard for all the good it did them.

"Stop right there!" someone yelled.

My comrades and I had just entered the main room, which contained a large groups of mercs who were led by a human woman who was wearing heavy armour. There were some other thugs as well, each ready for the fight. Also the Jedi Master was here, waiting in a cage to be transported to the head of the Exchange. Which was pointless as the bounty had been cancelled by now.

I felt both Visas and Kreia call upon the Force, and I knew they were reaching for their weapons, but I waved them off. I could handle these scumbags by myself, and I would since I wanted to try out my new weapon some more.

Smartly I'd left the others outside of the cave system so that those of who entered these caves were not ambushed on the way out.

"So the Jedi has friends after all" said the merc leader.

I highly doubted that Vrook had ever been friends with anyone, he was very unpleasant man to be around, and I suspected was a made a Jedi Master because only other Jedi Masters had the kind of self control required to spend time with the guy without stabbing him in the eye.

"Drop your weapons and then kick them away" the leader ordered.

The merc gestured with her rifle, and with a flick of finger I turned all the power off. The cave, the cage, and anything else they had plugged in around here had been getting power from a portable generator so when I switched it off the cave went dark.

When my white blade sprang to life it was the only thing the any of the mercs could see so naturally they shot at it. Which was exactly what I wanted them do and possibly the worst thing they could have done as it made deflecting their blaster bolts even easier.

While I was changing my style I still depended greatly on Form V: Shien/Djem So. Classic Form V. Shien was developed before Djem So, which it was partnered with later. Known as the "Perseverance Form", Shien was designed to protect against enemy blaster fire and strikes without compromising one's ability to launch powerful counterattacks.

With its focus against blaster fire, Shien kept in mind that Jedi and sometimes Sith, were often outnumbered by their opponents and needed to defend themselves while retaining offensive capability. However, it lacked effectiveness against single opponents which was why Shien was partnered with the more aggressive Djem So, allowing for strong attacks and formidable defence.

Because of my good defence I was able to batter aside most of the blaster bolts, and send two back at the five attackers, killing two of them, when that happened there was a pause in the fighting. I used this moment of non-action to go on the offensive.

With my movements aided by the power of Force I was able to close the distance between myself and the led merc in the blink of an eye, and while she wore an impressive set of armour it wasn't able to resist my awesome new weapon.

When my blade withdrew from the woman's chest I had to use it to send more blaster bolts back at one of the shooters, who was of an alien race I didn't know anything about, while using the still standing body of the led merc to block blaster bolts that were coming from the weapon of the remaining human merc.

Very soon he was the last man standing and rather than keep shooting, which even he had realised was totally pointless, the man bravely, or foolishly depending on your point of view, pulled out a virbo blade and charged at right at me.

Actually he charged at my weapon, as that was the only thing he could see, and I was able to use that fact to easily avoid his attempt to kill me with his knife. I used my weapon to remove the arm that was holding the knife, then I reached out with Force and sent the man flying into the wall of the cave so hard that he must have cracked his skull open as he soon died. I felt it.

I'd been tempted to rip the life force out of the last merc like I had done to foes in the past, but I preferred to hide that ability from others so that they wouldn't know how powerful I really was.

Once I was done with all the fighting, which hadn't lasted very long, I waved my hand and brought the lights back on. By now Vrook had left his cage and was now ready to start putting others down for doing the things he was incapable of doing.

"How typical of those who use the darkside" said the Jedi Master "Always the rushing into action without thinking of the consequences".

I sighed.

"How typical of those who use the lightside" I replied "Always standing around making judgments while other people do what needs to be done".

We just started at each other for a few moments until the Jedi Master looked away. I would be so glad when Kreia killed him.

"What? You were expecting thanks?" he asked,.

"From you, Vrook? No not really, but it would have been nice," I said.

The Jedi Master crossed his arms.

"Khoonda is in danger, and you've ruined the best chance I had of averting a full-scale conflict" he argued. "Right now Dantooine is at a critical moment. If Khoonda falls, the Republic may lose control of this system".

Which if nothing else it would make Goto unhappy, and since he'd pay me to help stabilize this planet I should help with that. I was running low on funds, even second hand lightsaber parts were not cheap.

"This attack must have been planned for some time, but they've been holding off for the right moment. And now since they lost their captive Jedi, they'll attack" the Jedi Master was now saying "I'm going to try and reach Administrator Adare. Time is of the essence".

Sith didn't normally go around saving Jedi, and while I saw sure that Vrook understood that I was here for an important reason, he clearly had his priorities in order.

"I hid my lightsaber before being captured" Vrook then told me "I need to retrieve it. I will meet you back at Khoonda. Good luck".

With that he turned and dashed out of the room.

"Guess we'll go save Khoonda then" I said to the others.

I didn't exactly have anything better to do today.

(Line Break)

Khoonda. Dantooine.

"So you found the elusive Master Vrook" Administer Adare said to me as I entered her office "He's told me that his 'rescue' complicated our situation to some degree. I can't say that I anticipated that. Still thank you for finding him, though".

Well at least someone around her showed me some bloody gratitude.

"Vrook has also informed me that the mercenaries have devised a plan of attack to take Khoonda itself. I must ask you for your aid, as well of that of your friends" the woman was now saying "Zherron says that even with an attack plan that is ready, the mercenaries will have to gather their forces to coordinate their assault. So we still have a little time. But I'm afraid that the militia has not been adequately trained for the task that befalls them".

Zherron spoke next.

"The mercs could attack in as little as two days, or it could be as much as a week. In any case, we have to be prepared" he said.

Vrook was glaring at me, but I ignored him, right now we had more important things to do than worry about each other.

"My friends and I will help to protect this place" I promised.

Mostly because Goto would pay me for doing so, and because I'd sense a dark presence out there. Azkul, the leader of all the mercs were a darksider, not a Sith Lord or even a Dark Jedi, but he was still a possible threat to me, and needed to purged along with the other Force Users who were destroying civilization with this destructive` conflict.

"Who knows about the attack?" I asked.

I was a little worried about panic spreading, that could be a big problem while trying to put together some sort of effective defence.

"Right now just the people in this room and the militia," Adare said. "I don't want to create a needless panic. But be assured I will make sure that all civilians are warned in time so they can get to safety. Though if we lose this battle, nowhere on Dantooine will be safe".

Civilian losses didn't concern me I just wanted the non-combatants out of the way when the blaster bolts started flying.

"What do you know that needs doing?"

"Our militia is effective when it comes to peace-keeping, but isn't prepared for a full-scale battle," Adare told everyone in the room. "If you can do anything to ready them for the reality of it, that would be helpful".

That wouldn't be possible as I didn't think that there would be enough time.

"Besides from that, look around Khoonda and see what you can do to strengthen our defenses" the lady in charge went on to say "I know that we don't have the perimeter turrets online, and that alone could make a significant difference".

Not my area of expertise, however there were people and droids with the skills to repair such things on my team.

"Zherron says there is a considerable chance that they will enter this building and try to kill me" the Administrator then added "Anything you can do to slow them down could turn the tide of the battle".

I gave the matter some thought.

"My people will need access to your defenses" I said.

The Administrator handed me a plastic card.

"Here is a master card key that will open all of the security doors inside Khoonda. Anything that might aid you in your task, please use" she insisted "Soon all the civilians will be evacuated. So if you have business with any of them, I suggest you take care of it quickly".

I already had a few ideas of how to win this little war.

"Again, I thank you" the woman in charge said "Whenever you are ready to finalize the defenses, talk to Zherron."

I bowed to the Administrator, knowing that there was no reason not to show her due respect, and set off to work.

(Line Break)

Ebon Hawk. Dantooine.

I called a conference the minute I returned to the ship. Everyone knew there was trouble the second I walked in, they didn't need the Force to sense, though some of could do it that way.

"And just what chaos have you stirred up now, Jedi?" Goto asked coldly.

I ignored the machine's tone of voice

"The mercenaries were plotting to attack Khoonda long before we arrived" I said "My presence here had just caused events to be speed up".

"Great," Atton said.

His tone of voice let me know that he didn't think it was great at all.

"Statement: I fail to see the problem, meatbag" was what HK said.

The Handmaiden, ever practical, ignored the banter and cut straight to the chase.

"How much time to we have?" she asked.

I didn't know for certain.

"The captain of the militia, Zherron is his name, says the attack could come day after tomorrow or a week from now" I told her "The mercs have to mobilize a large force, which gives us time to prepare, but we've got a lot of work to do".

Time was good, even a day could be useful.

"The militia here aren't equipped to handle a full-scale invasion," Mandalore said. "I saw them setting traps around Khoonda. If we could strengthen them, it would at least help delay the attackers".

That was a good idea.

"Perhaps there might be settlers some that would be willing to aid the militia in the defense of Khoonda?" Visas suggested.

I was sure that everyone would find ways to help.

"The Administrator also asks all of us who will to aid in the defense," I said "And I agreed".

"Affirmation: I will gladly join the battle and enact assassination protocols upon the mercenary meatbags!"

No surprises there.

"Thank you, HK-47" I told him "So long as you restrict your fire to mercenary meatbags then feel free to go assassinating".

One by one all of the crew volunteered to help as well, save G0-T0, who said instead that he would let things run their course, and Kreia, who remained silent.

"Kreia? Are you with us?" I asked her.

While I sensed she was disturbed by something through our Force bond, that was all I got from her.

"I am not. This battle you fight alone" she said "Let us see what you have learned. I…I need to center myself".

At some point I should check up on the old witch, but that could wait until later. Assuming that I cared enough to remember.

"Tomorrow we'll do what we can to help prepare for the mercenary attack" I said to everyone "Mira you're in charge of improving the traps around Khoonda. Canderous I want you to seek out the Mandos who are working with the mercs and convince them not to take part in the attack".

Mira and Mandalore both nodded.

"Handmaiden, try to help the militia" I ordered "We don't have much time, but any pointers you can give them could make a difference".

Some training was better than none.

"It shall be done," the Handmaiden promised me.

There was more I had to say.

"Atton, go talk to the salvagers" I command "They don't like the mercs, either, and if they take over then their business is going to dry up very quickly. Bribe them if you have to".

Atton agreed immediately.

"I'll take care of it" he said.

Atton would have a much easier time getting through to that kind of people than I ever would.

"T3?" I said,

The droid chirped.

"Your job is do whatever you can to improve the defences of the settlement" I instructed "Fix their perimeter turrets, and see what else you can do".

Once T3 beeped I turned to Visas

"You'll be with me" I told her "We can scout out the enemy and try to do some damage before the attacks even begin".

I then looked around.

"Dismissed," I said finally. "Get some sleep. You're gonna need it".

(Line Break)

Khoonda. Dantooine.

"Thank you so much for your aid" said the Administor "You can be sure that Dantooine will not forget how the Jedi protected us from this threat".

I was about to point out that I wasn't a Jedi, but it didn't really matter and I was tried from the battle. It hadn't been what you'd call one sided, but thanks to the prep work we'd done and the skills of my teammates the mercs had either been killed or sent packing. The losses for the militia had been less than expected. People fighting for their homes and family could be fierce foes in battle.

"Thank you, Administrator" I said.

Adare bowed

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have much work to do" she said "And I believe Master Vrook wishes to speak with you"

With that and Zherron took their leave. With no mention of reward, it was good thing that Goto was paying me for this poodoo.

"Khoonda is safe in no small part due to you" the Master admitted "Now I am free to talk about whatever you wish"

We did have a bit to talk about.

"Do you know what is going on?" I asked.

"We are at war," Vrook answered, "but it is unlike any war we have fought before. We have yet to even meet our attackers in battle".

Well I had.

"Somehow, our enemy is targeting us through the Force, striking, then retreating to the shadows" the Jedi was now saying "The gathering of any Jedi seems to attract them like a beacon. So it was necessary to divide our forces and conceal ourselves for a time until we could learn more of this threat".

The time for concealing was over.

"The Sith have revealed themselves," I said "They attacked me on Peragus. They think the Jedi are defeated and now hunting me because I'm a potential rival".

Vrook listened to me as I told him some of what had happened to me recently and how I was gathering allies to take on the Sith who were hunting me. While I did want to end the fighting so that civilization didn't collapse, this was mostly a matter of survival for me.

"I've already made contact with some of the other Master" I told Vrook "They plan to met to discuss what can be done with the information I provided".

The Jedi Master grunted.

"Work with a Sith to defeat the Sith" he said softly "The Force works in strange ways".

On that at least we could agree.