Hey Force Fans,

Welcome back. My apologies for the cliffhanger last week, but...sorry I'm not too sorry.

This should tie things up nicely.

I do very much hope you enjoy it sincerely.

Chapter Nine

Two shots rang out.

Aedan heard two bodies falling to the ground behind him. He was still alive. He opened his eyes and saw smoke curling from the blaster's muzzle. He also noticed that it was no longer pointed at him, but past him.

He turned and saw two troopers on the ground.

"Hoppie?" Aedan asked.

The trooper nodded towards Kyra, "Is she okay?"

"I—I don't know. She just started convulsing one moment, and saying 'they're dying.' And now she's been like this ever since."

Hoppie nodded, "Sounds about right." He then scooped her up and began walking the way he had come from.

"So, you know what's going on?"

The trooper walked on cradling Kyra in his arms.

"Hoppie, what is going on?"

"Order sixty-six."

Aedan blinked, "And what exactly is Order sixty-six?"

Hoppie stopped and faced Aedan. "The Chancellor's order for all the clones to turn on all the Jedi."

"Impossible," Aedan said sharply.

"And yet, you just had an entire platoon try to take you out," Hoppie said. "Why do you think she's in this state?"

It was so obvious now. "She can sense it. All their deaths," Aedan said.

The commando nodded, and then continued walking, "Come on. We're close to the hangar."

"And you, Hoppie, why aren't you turning on us?" Aedan asked, hand gripping his saber tightly. "Or are you just leading us into a trap?"

Hoppie stopped, and slowly turned around. "If I was going to kill you, you'd already be dead. I had the drop on you remember?"

"Then why didn't you?"

Once more the trooper continued walking, "Remember on Sarrish when that RPG took out my entire squad, and Drix died shielding me?"

"Yea, what about it?"

"Remember when the shrapnel hit me in the back of my head?"

"Yes."

"When I was in the medbay, they said my behavioral modification chip may have been damaged, but other than that I was unharmed."

"Behavioral modification chip?"

Hoppie nodded, "Yep. We all have one, and that's why every clone is following that order whether they want to or not. Our wants do not matter. Only our orders do, and that chip ensures that we follow every single order."

"Except you."

"I hope I'm not the only one,"

Aedan shook his head, not wanting to believe that everything he had ever known had been destroyed. "What do we do now?"

"We hop on a ship and get the hell out of here."

"Where?"

Hoppie shrugged, "I don't know, she always talked about going to—"

"Stop," Aedan said, and then turned around.

Approaching them from the far end of the corridor was Salas Sa'kard.

"This guy again?"

The black armored Gen'Dai walked towards them.

Aedan took a deep breath.

"Get her out of here."

"What? What about you?"

"I'm going to deal with him."

Hoppie looked back at the approaching monster, and shook his head doubtfully. "You are in no condition to fight."

"Oh, I'm sorry, did you want to fight him?"

The commando tilted his head, "Fair point. Okay, you fight him and then in the off chance you survive, then what?"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I'll figure it out," he said, "How are you going to get her out of here?"

He shrugged, "The prisoners haven't left yet, figured I'd shed this armor, find some new clothes, and somehow sneak in and hide amongst them. There were a few dozen humans among those rescued."

Aedan nodded, still eying the approaching demon. "Good plan. Find Ackbar, he should be able to help you."

"Copy that," he said. "Where do we meet up?"

Aedan shook his head, "It won't be for a while. If the jedi are being hunted, I have to get back to the temple."

"What? The temple? Back to the Nexu's lair?"

"If the order is compromised and they're hunting Jedi then Kyra and I will be running for our lives. But if they have her information, they'll be able to track us and probably use her family against us. Plus, if what you're telling me is true, then I want to find answers, and maybe there's other Jedi that could use some help."

"They have her information, all of the jedi's information, in the archives, not to mention thousands of younglings that we've been keeping our eyes on. I have to erase that."

Hoppie stared for a long time at Aedan, then finally nodded.

Aedan continued, "Then I'll find you. Lay low and stay out of sight. And if you need any help, contact SecOps Agent Quix Caladan on Agora with this," he said handing Hoppie the personal comlink. "It's a secure line."

"Well, I won't forget that name. You got it, General," he said, and put his hand on the Jedi's shoulder. "Good luck."

"You too," he said. "And Hoppie…please take care of her."

"You know I will," he said.

Aedan eyed him, and searched the trooper's feelings, seeing exactly what he had surmised. He was in love with her. He nodded, "Yea," he said, sorrowfully, "I do."

"I'm sorry," the trooper shrugged, "Then again, I'm sorry I'm not too sorry."

Aedan laughed. "I don't blame you. Just keep her safe."

Hoppie nodded, "You have my word." He turned and left, carrying Kyra down the corridor.

Aedan watched them for a moment and then turned around to face his demon.

"Not too happy with me, are you?" Aedan asked.

Salas stopped ten meters away, his staff in one hand. "I'll build another foundry. Design an even better droid. My destiny is inexorable."

Aedan smiled, "No. You're finished, and you know it, don't you?"

"Human, I've lived for thousands of years, this is nothing but a blip in the road."

The Jedi Master shook his head, "No. This is the end for you, Sa'kard. All that's left for you is ashes."

The Gen'Dai charged, his electrostaff spinning into a blurred circle. Aedan met the magenta energy tip with equal force, and the battle began. Aedan knew that without Kyra on his side they were evenly matched. Salas' incredible speed, power and regeneration against Aedan's technique, skill and the force.

The big, armored demon once again used his imposing size to batter Aedan's defenses, taking vicious swings and brutal cuts. Aedan knew head-on blocking was out of the question, and that superior footwork would save him. He let himself be backed down the long corridor as Salas poured on the offense, slashing swiftly and violently.

"Your previous strategy won't work this time, Jedi," Sa'kard said between slashes. "I've conditioned my muscles, and have cybernetic implants that feed my entire body for sustained physical stress. You don't stand a chance."

Aedan tilted his head to the side, "More than one way to skin a womp rat."

Sa'kard chuckled, "That first requires getting to said skin. I'm encased in pure beskar steel, so you can't touch me."

"Yea, but there's always this," Aedan said while picking up Salas with the force, and flinging him as hard as he could into the corridor wall. He smashed through the half meter thick rock, and landed in a heap in the new room.

Aedan swiftly followed him through the hole in the wall and slashed at the humanoid's torso. Sure enough, the blade just sparked right off the armor. Sa'kard shook his head to clear it, seemingly recovering within seconds, and then attacking once more.

Aedan became aware of their surroundings. They were in a massive arena, where row upon row of odd-looking seats were lined above the walled-in, round battle pit.

How fitting.

Blue blade met purple energy tip once more, Sa'kard still attempting to overpower the smaller human. He spun his staff swiftly, striking at Aedan from all angles, never letting up on the strength of his strikes. Aedan remained poised as ever, fighting defensively, using his Formless technique, flowing through every one of the attacks, and doing his best to find an opening or weakness he could capitalize on. He could not meet Sa'kard blade to blade for too long, the Gen'Dai just brought too much power to bear in his cuts and slashes, so he focused on redirecting Sa'kards attacks, channeling the energy, absorbing it, and then rerouting it. And force was he good at that. However, he could not keep this up forever.

He picked the massive foe up again with the force, lifting him off the ground, and then shooting him straight up where he smashed into the ceiling a hundred meters above them. Then he brought the Gen'Dai down with all the Force he could muster, and slammed him into the arena floor, creating a slight crater in the ground. That one attack took a lot out of Aedan. The previous battles were clearly taking their toll on him.

Nevertheless, he capitalized on the downed Gen'Dai and slashed at his prone form. He struck all over the massive humanoid, but every inch of his body was covered in impenetrable armor. He began tugging at the back of Sa'kards breast plate, but there was no give. He reached for the helmet, but Sa'kard shifted quickly, and a massive backhand cracked Aedan across the jaw, sending him flying backwards. He lost consciousness in mid-air, his face colliding with the ground seemed to wake him back up, even though his vision was still mostly blurred, and he couldn't seem to get his legs to work.

He saw Sa'kard approaching and raised his saber to block, only realizing all too late that it had fallen from his fingers. Sa'kard's energy staff struck Aedan's shoulder, the impact sending him stumbling, still on shaky legs, and now he was zapped with electricity. Sa'kard moved forward swiftly and struck wildly at Aedan who just barely ducked under the whirring energy tip, but Sa'kard followed the attack up with a front kick that landed flush on Aedan's sternum sending him five meters backwards to the ground once more.

Had Sa'kard went for Aedan's already bell-rung head, he would be finished, but while the kick to the chest was devastating, it gave him a chance to gather his senses. He was struggling, and doing his best to draw from the force as much as he could, but the vicious blows had been damaging. His sternum felt like it had been cracked in half.

Salas followed up after the kick, and rushed the downed Jedi, who in a last-ditch effort, raised both hands and sent the biggest force push he'd ever summoned into Sa'kard. The wave of energy knocked the Gen'Dai clear to the other side of the room, sending him once more into the hard rock wall.

Aedan slumped to the ground. That was all he could muster. He had nothing left after that force push. And he knew it wouldnt be enough to stop him. He reached out for the force, but he was just so tired. His head hurt. His chest burned. And his bones ached. And as Sa'kard climbed to his feet, and once again stalked towards him, he knew this was it. Eventually, the Force pushes and throws would incapacitate Sa'kard, but he didn't have the deep reserves of Force power for a prolonged attack.

"You are strong, Jedi, I'll give you that." Sa'kard sneered, "But you can't keep that up forever. I heal faster than you can recover your force energy." Aedan coughed out blood, the bright red fluid mixing with the orange dirt arena floor. "In fact, it appears you are the one that is finished."

Sa'kard tossed his electrostaff to the side, and slowly drew his silver and black sword. He was savoring this, relishing the kill.

His helmet.

Kyra?

The latch. It's weakened.

I…I can't

You must. I love you. Please, come back to me.

Sa'kard was nearly on him when the connection ended. How could he do this? He had nothing left?

Salas flourished his long sword. The same silver and black sword that killed his parents. That killed Orrick, and that had killed countless others. How many more would die if he didn't stop him here and now?

With far too much effort, he climbed to his, he refrained from recalling his saber knowing he only had so much force energy left. He had to conserve as much as he could.

Sa'kard swept his blade forward. Aedan rolled under the wild slash, and then came up behind Sa'kard and climbed up his back and blasted away at his helmet with a force push.

The helmet and long neck guard popped off.

Good Force, Kyra was right.

Instantly, Aedan's vision went blurry, and his legs weakened. He didn't have time for any other thoughts but reacted on instinct as Sa'kards right elbow whipped around, heading right for Aedan's head, but he was already back flipping off the huge Gen'Dai after the force attack. He landed a few meters behind Salas, and then collapsed back down to the ground, his body giving out again. From there, he watched as Sa'kard slowly turned around.

He had seen holovids of Gen'Dai but they didn't seem to do them justice. He had thought the colicoids looked malevolent. But this monster with a face like a flattened rancor's-long teeth, rough furrowed facial ridges, and a big, pronounced jaw was only overshadowed by long odd looking ears that stuck out at downward forty-five degree angles from his head.

Aedan pursed his lips and bobbed his head, "No wonder you keep the helmet on." He coughed again, more blood splattering below him. He let out a deep breath.

Is that all you've got, warrior of the light?A voice asked him, one he didn't exactly recognize, but one that he had heard before. Does your long journey end today?

He answered, even though he didn't know who he was talking to. "I can barely lift my arms, let alone stand. I've got nothing left."

There is always something more

Aedan let out a long breath and closed his eyes. He rested both hands on the ground below him and bowed his head. "Force, help me," he whispered. "Give me strength. I am weak but you are strong. I am one with you and you are with me."

Aedan stood up and recalled his saber to his hand, igniting it, the snap-hiss echoing throughout the grand arena. Sa'kard, clearly affronted by this, growled, and charged forward.

"And with you," Aedan said under his breath. "I can do anything."

Instead of falling back on the defensive, Aedan ran straight for the big Gen'Dai, and tossed his lit lightsaber straight up into the air and then reached back with one hand and grabbed the last remaining thermal detonator in his pouch. Sa'kard stabbed forward with his cortosis sword, but Aedan dove forward, spinning in midair over the blade. While still in midair, he called Sa'kard's discarded helmet to his hand and at the same time he sent his lightsaber zipping down into Sa'kard's exposed collar, causing the Gen'Dai to roar in pain. Using the force, he manipulated the blade around in a small circle and then pulled the blade out right as he collided into Sa'kard.

He activated the thermal detonator and shoved it into the hole the lightsaber had just made, which was already starting to heal, the odd red and pink muscle fibers knitting back together quickly. They could still hear the explosive's rapid beeping noise. Then he slammed Sa'kards helmet back on top and hung on for dear life. He poured every iota of Force energy he had into holding that helmet down on Sa'kard's head, essentially wrapping it up tight in Force bind. Aedan grit his teeth and gave everything he had to the hold. The big Gen'Dai bucked and thrashed and flailed about. The beeping increased in frequency.

"Like I said, Salas," Aedan whispered, "Ashes…"

Sa'kard froze for a second, then realization dawned on him. He clawed at his helmet, at Aedan, grunting and growling. Blows landed on the Jedi Master but he was held in place, the force shielding him and keeping him locked into position. The beeping now solidified into a long, continuous hum signifying the detonation point.

Sa'kard began to scream, "Noo—"

There was a brief, muffled explosion, and Aedan felt the helmet jerk violently against his hold. But high explosives are insignificant to the power of the force, and the helmet stayed locked down tight. The blast of the explosive inside the perfect combustion chamber of beskar steel with no weak points incinerated everything inside.

Giving the explosion a second for good measure, Aedan carefully let go of the helmet. It clattered to the ground and rolled a few meters until settling on its side. Black dust and tiny particles fell out of the armor and onto the dirt floor of the arena.

Aedan breathed in deeply, and then exhaled, the exhalation releasing decades of pent-up rage and regret into the nether. He let the body fall to the ground. Salas Sa'kard was no more.

Aedan took a few steps away, then knelt down, and sank into the force. "Mom, Dad, Orrick, that was for you," he said. Then he said to the quantum, celestial entity that had always been there for him. "Thank you."