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Author Topic: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (OCs); UPDATED 3/18/07
jedimasterbac  6373 posts
Title: CT and Fan Design Manager
 Registered: Jun '04
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Date Posted: 4/12/06 6:13pm Subject: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (OCs); UPDATED 3/18/07 - Date Edited: 3/18/07 8:37pm (13 edits total) Edited By: jedimasterbac
Title: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac
Section: Chapter One - Echoes of the Past
Authors: Brandon Rhea, Kevin Arthur, Other
Characters: Ussej Padric Bac, Laili Jeyna Rendar, Estamme Eerar.
Timeframe: The Great Territorial War (Created at SWRP.Com; 3,921 BBY - 3,918 BBY)
Author Notes: This first chapter takes place just months the Sith Lordess Darth Viea became Empress of the Sith Empire, taking over Coruscant. You will see many things mentioned that were originally created on TheStarWarsRP.Com, so if you have any questions feel free to ask. Also, this first chapter was RPd while my writing skills were not so great, so don't judge the entire novel by this first chapter.
Prologue Note: The prologue is based off of part of "The Journal of the Whills" written by Brendan Whalberg.
Author's Other Writings: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Beginning (AU, some OCs)

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Prologue:
THE PROPHECY

Thousands of years ago, there lived a holy man named The Skywalker. He was not an ordinary holy man, however. The discovery he made would affect trillions of lives for thousands of years after his death. But, this is the story of just a few of those lives, the most notable being Ussej Padric Bac. But, to truly understand Ussej’s story, one must understand the story of The Skywalker.

The Skywalker was born on the planet Ashlan Three seventy-five thousand years before the Galactic Republic came to be. He discovered what would come to be known as the Force of Others, an energy radiated by all living beings. Even as living beings died, the Force they generated remained intact. And so, the Force of Others grew to become the living essence of the galaxy itself. Being a part of the great cycle of life, the Force of Others had two aspects: creation and destruction. Each of the parts balanced against the other, and the Force of Others came to know itself.

The Skywalker had traveled for years, searching for a purpose in life while praying to whatever God he heard mentioning of. However, none of them responded. Finally, he received a response from what sound like millions of voices speaking to him in unison. He studied for years, coming to see in a new way. His aura and his powers grew stronger day by day. The Force of Others spoke to The Skywalker and he came to know the life-giving aspect of the Force of Others. He named it ‘Ashla’, a word meaning ‘bringer of hope’ in the ancient Ashlan language.

However, the life-taking aspect of the Force of Others quickly responded to what the Ashla had done. It too spoke to The Skywalker, and he named it ‘Bogan’, a word meaning ‘bringer of death’ in the ancient Ashlan language. The Bogan sought out the holy one in an effort to twist his mind into doing its evil deeds, increasing the energy of death in the galaxy. But, the Bogan had not yet learned the way of seduction so it could only try to compel The Skywalker to comply.

“I fear you not,” The Skywalker proclaimed. “I shalt not betray my people to thy temptations. You have failed, dark one.”

The Bogan tempted him for years, but The Skywalker’s strength prevailed. Realizing that it had failed, the Bogan quickly diminished itself, thus bringing balance to the Force and giving the Ashla its rightful title as the true way.

The Skywalker knew that if the Way of the Ashla was taught to others, those with little strength would awaken the Bogan and bring great suffering to the galaxy. Thus, the secrets of the Force of Others were entrusted only to The Skywalker’s twelve children. The Family of The Skywalker brought knew life to the people of the Ashlan Expanse, bringing many a blessing upon them. The time came when The Skywalker’s children had children of their own and they too learned the secrets of the Way. The Skywalker proclaimed them to be the Jedi Bendu of the Ashla, servants of the Force of Others and guardians of peace and justice in the Ashlan Expanse. The Skywalker, becoming content with his life in the Ashlan Expanse, wished for more. He traveled far into the galaxy, happening upon a planet called Alderaan. With the help of the Organa and Antilles households, he formed what would later be known as the Organian Empire, the monarchial government of Alderaan that would last for millennia to come.

When The Skywalker’s work was done, he had grown very old. On his final day, he gathered his children and his children’s children around him. It was here that he laid out his final prophecy.

“The Force of Others has been a secret among us, so that no one will use it to bring great pain to others,” The Skywalker told them. “But, one day our story will be told in full and the Force of Others will be known to all. A Republic will be formed, encompassing all of the planets in the galactic core and beyond. It will grow very large, and it will be the duty of the Jedi Bendu to be the guardians of peace and justice within it. However, our family will not be enough to safeguard all of it. The many races of this Republic will provide servants of the Force of Others and the Jedi Bendu will be numerous enough to oppose the servants of the Bogan where they arise.”

He grew sicker as the day went on, but his family remained by his side to nurse him through his final moments. “Your descendants will go out among the stars and find a race of great wisdom called the Whills. They will accept their destiny and follow the Jedi Bendu here and dwell in the light of the Ashlan Nebula. On the fourth planet, they will record our continuing story. The Whills shall tell the story of the Jedi Bendu and the Republic which shall last for thousands of generations. All the races of the Republic shall share its story. It’s their common heritage. The Whills shall be sustained by their task, but when the shadow of the Bogan falls upon them, the Ashla will not desert them. And, in the time of greatest despair there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.”

With those final words, The Skywalker passed on. To his family’s surprise, his physical body disappeared and his soul became one with the Ashla. To them, it seemed as if he had abandoned them. However, he was always watching over them, just as he would forever.

Hundreds of years later, it was discovered by the descendants of The Skywalker that along with the prophecy of the Son of the Suns, he wrote of the coming of yet another savior. The explanation that he left was that there would be a man born into royalty but thrust into poverty. He would be put through numerous trials, including becoming one with the Bogan itself. The writings continued, saying that one day the man, referred to only as “The Voyager”, would be lead to Kal’Shabbol, the Planet of Life, which was located farther away of the center of the galaxy than any other planet in the galactic expanse. It was there that he would sacrifice himself upon pulling the Sword of The Skywalker, Excelsior, from it’s resting place upon the highest ridge of the largest mountain range. The Voyager would become one with the Force of Others, leading his family into greatness from his heavenly domain. The prophecy, though seemingly straightforward, was vague enough to confuse most Jedi Bendu. But, it was always written in anything referring to The Skywalker, as the Jedi Bendu knew that one day it would come to pass.

In a time of great darkness
The laborer’s task will be o’er;
The battle day will pass;
Then upon the farther shore
Will land The Voyager at last.

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Chapter One
ECHOES OF THE PAST

Written By
BRANDON RHEA, KEVIN ARTHUR and
OTHER MEMBERS OF SWRP.COM

Coruscant, long known by the citizens of the galaxy to be the central system of the legendary Galactic Republic. The planet had been one of prosperity, one of poverty, one of freedom and one of corruption. The rich prospered largely in thanks to their friends in the Galactic Senate, and the poor became poor also in thanks to the Galactic Senate ignoring their cries. The cries of the people demanding freedom and justice had died out when The Mandalorian War ended, and after thirty years the situation had only become worse.

Once the Mandalorians surrendered unconditionally after the devastation that was brought to both sides at the Battle of Malachor V, the citizens of the Galactic Republic assumed that the Senate and the Jedi Order, with the Jedi heroes Revan and Malak at the forefront, would restore the Republic to her days of glory. However, that was not the case.

Few ships from either side survived the Battle of Malachor V. Even though the Mandalorian fleet had been severely crippled, one should not have assumed that the Republic fleet met a kinder fate. The Galactic Republic seemed beyond repair to those on the inside, and the Jedi Order had seen a terrible rift in their ranks. Revan and Malak had disappeared, along with many other Jedi Knights.

When The Mandalorian War began, the Jedi Council chose not to intervene. However, many Jedi did not agree with the passive approach that their masters were leading them in. Under the leadership of Revan and Malak, hundreds of Jedi Knights defied the Jedi Council’s orders and joined in the fight, Revan and Malak taking command of the Republic fleet.

Throughout the years, there were heavy causalities on both sides of the war. Millions of people throughout Republic and Outer Rim worlds had been killed, and it seemed as if there would be no end to the bloodshed and hardship that had plagued the galaxy. However, that solution came when a Republic scientist named Bao-Dur, a Zabrak from Iridonia, constructed a weapon known as the Mass Shadow Generator which was placed under the command of Jedi General Jaxia Veers. During the Battle of Malachor V, General Veers ordered its activation and she watched in horror as the majority of both fleets were suddenly drawn from orbit into a vast gravity vortex powerful enough to crush hundreds of vessels into the planets crust, fracturing the world to its very core.

When the war ended, it should have brought an era of peace....it didn’t. Revan and Malak disappeared, along with hundreds of other Jedi Knights, and General Veers was exiled from the Jedi Order. One year later, Revan and Malak returned. However, they were now the Sith Lords Darth Revan and Darth Malak: the Dark Lord of the Sith and the Apprentice to the Dark Lord of the Sith, respectively. It was then that they launched what would go down in history as The Jedi Civil War, a conflict that lasted for three years until a redeemed Revan destroyed Darth Malak and saved the Republic from the brink of extinction.

The Jedi Order was reduced in number to less than half a dozen: Jaxia Veers and the Jedi Council that had exiled her. Together, they helped rebuild the destroyed Jedi Enclave on Dantooine and vanquished the threat of the trinity of Sith Lords: Darth Traya, Darth Nihilus and Darth Sion. When the death of the trinity had been sensed through the Force, hundreds of Jedi who had left the Order returned to help rebuild and, at that point, the Sith united behind a new Dark Lord: Darth Ominous. From there, the two great Orders began their respective rebuilding processes until the day that the Dark Lordess Viea began taking over Republic worlds in what was known as The Great Territorial War.

The galaxy, now plunged into The Great Territorial Wars, had seen many betrayals. However, one of the greatest betrayals came when Jedi Master Kit Corwin Rendar slaughtered his own crew at Pho’Pheah and revealed himself as Darth Ravinos, the Apprentice of Darth Viea, leaving behind and betraying everything he had ever known, including grandparents and, unbeknownst to him, a sister on Corellia.

That long lost-sibling had vowed when she heard the news of her brother’s betrayal to seek him out and turn him back to the Light Side of the Force. Laili Jeyna Rendar promised her grandparents at her death that she would do everything in her power to save Kit, and for months she had tried to uphold that promise without the help of the Jedi Order. But, she soon found that it was too great of a task to accomplish without their help so she set her sites on Coruscant.

Piloting her smuggling vessel The Golden Way into Coruscant’s atmosphere, she dropped into the nighttime traffic and cruised slowly through the buildings, their lights bright enough to where she did not even need to engage the cruisers headlights. Laili, a smuggler at heart, was born early as a result of a speeder accident that killed both of her parents, Corwin and Jeyna Rendar. Though her mother lay dead at the scene, the unborn child somehow survived the accident. Medical personal had arrived quickly on the site and were able to save the infant from death’s door. Because of this, Laili had been born an orphan. Her grandparents, who had been watching her brother at the time of the accident, did not know Laili’s fate and assumed her to be dead along with Jeyna.

Kit had run away from home before the news of Laili’s survival reached her grandparents. Laili remained on Corellia with her grandparents and never set off of its soil until her eighteenth birthday. Though she had secretly longed to seek out her brother, her destiny took her elsewhere. She became a smuggler, making valuable contacts and managing to commandeer almost ever landing and docking code in the galaxy to easier help the Republic’s efforts to rebuild after The Jedi Civil War, as well as during the current war.

When news of Kit’s fall to the Dark Side of the Force reached her ears, Laili became enraged. Her grandparents died soon after and she refused, for their sake, to sit by and let him fall further into the dark abyss of his mind. Her soul purpose in life had become bringing Kit back into the light.

Now, she was on Coruscant, The Golden Way landing safely in a starpad a kilometer away from the Jedi Temple. Stepping off of the vessel, she started to make her way towards the legendary Jedi Temple, long home to the brave guardians of peace and justice in the Galactic Republic. Though the halls of the Jedi Temple were certainly emptier than they had been three decades ago, the citizens of the Republic still took comfort in the fact that the Jedi had returned to protect them.

Her cloak wrapped tightly around her form, Laili attempted to shut out the stares of the men as she passed. Their looks of awe at her slim and beautiful features disgusted her. She threw her long, golden hair back, attempting to distract them from staring at her chest. Without realizing where the time had gone by trying to distract the men from her midsection, she reached the Jedi Temple.

However, Laili wasn’t the only one who had reached the Jedi Temple. A bounty hunter called Chiroke spotted the young beauty, recognizing her as the one who destroyed his ship on Nar Shadaa two years prior. He followed behind her, yet far enough to where he was not overly obvious. Though his main goal was to sneak into the Jedi Temple and kidnap and murder a Jedi Knight for a bounty, he vowed to kill Laili as well in revenge. With all of the anger the bounty hunter could see in her eyes when she approached minutes before, it was safe to assume that he would not notice her, even though he was closing in on the young beauty fast. Yet, all had not gone as he planned. Out of the corner of her eye, Laili noticed that the bounty hunter had followed her, though she played along with his game. There was nothing about him that made her think he was a Jedi or Sith, so she chose to ignore him. Though there was something familiar about him, she would wait until her approached her before moving again.

The bounty hunter stayed a safe distance away, though he was unsure if he had remained far enough to where his presence would not be noticed. Fearing the idea of being found out, he rounded a corner and activated his stealth suit before continuing the pursuit.

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Jedi Knight Estamme Eerar had long been a respected member of the Jedi Order, leading legions of Jedi Knights in countless battles during the ongoing war. Estamme had once been a Sith Lord but was redeemed by his fellow Jedi and reinstated as a Jedi Knight once he passed a short training cycle. He would still train under Jedi Master Lance Al’Kan, from time to time, though as he attempted to become a great Jedi Master like his friends.

Estamme began his descent down the grand staircase away from the Jedi Temple, noticing Laili standing at the bottom. He thought nothing of her, as he knew not who she was, but he soon felt the presence of the bounty hunter following her. He threw his hood over his head to masking his face and as he quickened his pace his cloaked billowed outward in the evening breeze.

“Stay calm,” he told her while grabbing her arm, taking her completely be surprise. “Follow me. You’re being followed.”

-----------------------------------

As they quickly moved away, the bounty hunter ran to a nearby security room with a different approach in mind. After disposing of the guards that were operating the controls, he removed a computer chip from his belt pocket and placed it inside the computer. An image of Laili and Estamme moving through the streets flashed to life on the viewscreen.

“It seems I’ll be collecting my bounty after all,” Chiroke noted, grinning at the image of the Jedi Knight before him.

-----------------------------------

Fearing that the man who grabbed her was an attacker or a rapist, Laili threw her arm around his neck and quickly pulled it back, cutting off the flow of oxygen to Estamme’s lungs. She pulled harder and harder in an attempt to knock him out, but she spotted the lightsaber on his belt. Not sensing any reason to be suspicious of the hilt, she let him go. He fell to the ground, his face purple, and held his throat as the pain subsided.

“Sorry, but I had to be sure,” she said, her words sincere. “But, I don’t think it’s me he’s after. You’re the one in danger here, Jedi. You had better watch out or he might just collect that bounty that’s on your head.”

“He’s after anyone with Force Sensitivity, miss,” he said, smiling at her naivety through his hood. “Even if you are just aiding a Jedi or are simply with a Jedi, the Sith will consider you an enemy. So, if you would please follow me, we can get out of this mess.”

He placed his hand out and Laili took it. Her eyes quickly glanced in the direction of where the would-be assassin had last been seen before turning back to the young Jedi Knight, making no further remarks as she followed him. Without warning, he jerked her closer to him and wrapped his arm around her. Drawing the powers of the Force into him like a waterfall flowing freely into a deep pool, he suddenly unleashed its power and launched himself supernaturally high into the sky, landing on the roof of a nearby building. He repeated the skill over and over as he leaped from rooftop to rooftop, cognizant of the fact that Laili was still hanging onto him. As they moved closer to the Jedi Temple, he set her down on a small air vent as a bench.

“Now,” he said, throwing back his hood. “What’s a nice young girl like you doing wandering the nighttime streets of Coruscant by herself?”

“You could have warned me before grabbing me like that,” she said, almost angrily as she smoothed her hair back, a bit taken aback at what had just occurred. Her eyes met his as she stood, glaring at him. She turned, takeing a deep breath. Right now, anger would not solve anything or make anything better. She had a job to do and she wasn’t about to risk failing her task.

“I didn’t come here to be hit on by Jedi, that’s for damn sure,” she snapped. “I want information on Kit Corwin Rendar, a one-time Jedi Master.” She quickly turned to face him, her resolve as firm as her gaze upon him. The Jedi would certainly have trouble getting rid of her before her questions were asked.

“Hitting on you,” he asked as he looked at her, not sure what to make of all that was happening. “I’m sorry, miss, but although many Jedi have defied the Jedi Code recently and fallen in love, I am not one of those people. As far as Master Rendar goes....yes, he was once a Jedi Master. He was a very calm, peaceful and trustworthy man. But, something went wrong in his mind. He fell to the Dark Side of the Force and became Darth Ravinos, the Apprentice and trusted right arm of the Dark Lordess Viea.”

Before he could continue with the story any further, the two were blasted away from one another. Thrown into separate buildings, they looked up only to see Chiroke hovering above them, a rocket launcher resting in his arms.

“Just thought I might drop in,” she said sarcastically. “I always like starting parties with a bang, don’t you?”

Another rocket from the arms of the bounty hunter landed just near Estamme, sending him through the air to land head first on the hard surface. A large gash opened on his head, blood streaming outwards. A third rocket flew out towards Laili, but with his last ounce of strength Estamme called upon the Force to throw a large metal object into its path, destroying the rocket before it had a chance to hit her. Laili jumped up and ran around a corner for cover, hoping that the bounty hunter who had flown away to reload would not see her.

Another Jedi, a Zabrak named Matchek Al-Dubrir, jumped down from a higher rooftop to survey what had happened. Matchek had just recently become a Jedi Knight, and he was not about to let anything happen to anyone on his watch. If he was truly to be a guardian of peace and justice in the galaxy, he couldn’t let anything happen on his doorstep.

“What’s going on,” he asked before spotting Estamme on the ground, unconscious. He turned in the other direction to see Laili in the corner, hiding with a blaster in her hands. He threw Estamme over his shoulder before running to pick up Laili as well. They jumped to further rooftops, hoping to avoid the bounty hunter that was stalking them.

“How exciting your life must be,” Laili said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. “However, jumping from rooftop to rooftop isn’t exactly my idea of fun.”

Ignoring her, Matchek set both of his companions down on the surface below. He settled next to Estamme, calling upon the powers of the Light Side of the Force. The world about him swirled into pools of white light and with cupped hands he took from the pools, allowing the light to fall freely from his palms and unto the young Jedi Knight’s wound.

“What,” Estamme asked groggily, regaining consciousness as his memories flooded back into his mind. “I thought....I thought I was....”

“It’s okay,” Matchek told him, smiling. “I’ve healed you. You’ll be fine now.”

The group looked up to see the bounty hunter aiming his disrupter towards them. Estamme leaped in front of Laili, blocking the bounty hunter’s view of the young girl.

“Get away, now,” Estamme yelled as he manipulated the Force to send Chiroke flying backwards into the surrounding buildings. “Run, as fast as you can. Don’t worry about us, we can handle a lowly bounty hunter.”

Though she feared for her two companions, Laili quickly ran off to the side and slid under a dumpster. She would rather be fighting with them, but she saw no use in arguing with them now. However, if she was to die tonight, it would be with her blaster in her hand. She had vowed long ago that she would go out in a blaze of glory, whatever the reason may be, and she didn’t intend on giving up on that vow now. At least, not here....not when she was so close.

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From the great halls of the Jedi Temple emerged another young, cloaked figure named Ussej Padric Bac, one of the greatest Jedi Padawans currently serving in the Jedi Order. He had been born into the prestigious Bac Family of Alderaan twenty-four years prior. His father was the honorable, non-corrupted Senator Padric Curtis Bac and his mother, Talia, was a homemaker who never truly felt comfortable being a politician’s wife. Ussej’s grandfather, Curtis Padric Bac, had been an old, freeloading Senator who ushered in a new era of corruption on Alderaan. However, Ussej’s father challenged him for re-election and, in a rarely seen father vs. son campaign, the son won out. However, just weeks after Ussej had been born, Padric and Talia were killed by an assassins bullet during a healthcare seminar on Coruscant. The case was never solved.

Having no family left, Ussej was taken in by the Jedi Order. During his early years as a Jedi Padawan, the Jedi Council took notice of his potential. For months they believe him to be the “Chosen One” who would “bring balance to the Force” spoken of in an ancient Jedi Prophecy until they found out who his parents were. They soon changed their theory, as the “Chosen One” was to have been born to a virgin mother, yet Ussej had a father.

Ussej studied for years under Jedi Master Brarh Kefle and became good friends with Damien Nightblade and Remer Ather, though both were five years older than him. When he was twenty-one years old, the forces of Darth Sin and Darth Midknight attacked the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine. To the surprise of many who doubted Ussej’s potential, he emerged as one of the sole surviving padawans of the brutal onslaught. The Jedi emerged victorious and Ussej took great pride in himself, knowing that he made Master Kefle and his friends proud that day.

This night posed another challenge in the life of the young Jedi, though it obviously paled in comparison to an onslaught by Darth Sin and Darth Midknight. As he headed down the grand staircase, he could not help but notice the rocket and laser fire coming from half a kilometer away. He motioned for his lightsaber, but halted in taking it as he would rather find a diplomatic solution rather than fighting for what he wanted.

“Bounty hunter scum,” he muttered under his breath as he ran down to the bottom of the staircase, bolting through the door of a nearby building. He stepped into a turboshaft, anxiously awaiting it’s arrival at the roof of the building. When he arrived, he used the Force to propel himself upward and landed on the next building. He leaped from rooftop to rooftop until he finally landed on a small roof, the other Jedi and the bounty hunter not yet sensing his arrival.

As he jumped off of the small rooftop, he landed just next to the dumpster and leaned over to see Laili hiding underneath. Her beauty was like nothing he had ever seen in his lifetime, a face that could launch a thousand warships. She was small and slender with long, golden hair, blue eyes and a face so beautiful that he had nothing to which he could compare it. She was dressed in a ratty uniform of which he had never seen, though that did not take away from her beauty. At least, not in his mind it didn’t. It was as if she was an angel, legendary creatures said to live on the moons of Iago. At least, that’s what some deep space pilot had once told him. However, there were times when you never knew if you could trust them or not.

“Are you alright,” he asked her, not taking his eyes off of her. “I saw laser fire.”

She nodded, shell-shocked at what was going on around her. Ussej turned to see Estamme, one of his great many friends within the Jedi Order, deflect one final laser blast back towards the bounty hunter who quickly flew away, looking to reload.

“Master Eerar,” Ussej shouted. “Might I suggest putting away your lightsaber, as there are alternatives to fighting.”

“Sorry,” he quickly replied. “Not today, my friend.”

“Then I’m sorry too,” Ussej told him, his words sincere. “My mission now is to bring this woman to safety, and I’m not about to risk that by fighting some bounty hunter that’s not worth the effort I would have to put into it.” Ussej threw his hood over his head, taking Laili’s hand.

“You’re coming with me,” he told her as he once more leaped into the air. He jumped to the next rooftop, continuing to run through the Coruscant nightlife, desperate to safe the girl. She screamed out in shock, her small hands beating his back. Insults were hurled at him as he carried her away.

“Unhand me,” Laili demanded. “Never in my life have I been this manhandled.”

“Obviously you’ve never been to Nar Shadaa,” he joked as he set her down in an abandoned apartment, blocks away from where the fight had taken place. He took off his cloak, revealing his Jedi Robes and his lightsaber hanging from his belt. He threw the cloak onto the ground pulled up a chair, sitting next to the bed that Laili had found her way to and was now sitting upon. Her beauty continued to overtake his senses, but he quickly remembered his loyalty to the Jedi Code.

“I was quite capable of saving myself,” Laili told him in disgust, though she carefully studied his handsome features. There was something about him that she liked, though she would not admit it. “Well, at least I was until more Jedi showed up for target practice, but thanks all the same. The name’s Rendar, Laili Rendar.”

“Rendar,” Ussej asked, stunned at the mentioning of the name. He moved back for a moment before regaining his composure. “As in....Kit Rendar?”

“Yes,” she told him, nodding. “I need to know what happened to him. Why he left the Jedi Order....everything, everything that you people keep locked up in your pretty little tower.”
Ussej thought for a moment of the right words to say, as it was a terrible story to tell especially if one had to tell it to a relative of Kit. He gathered what courage he could and sat next to her on the bed.

“The shock of it was....was great to all of the Jedi Order,” he told her. “He was one of our greatest Jedi Masters. But, one day he disobeyed orders and attacked Pho’Pheah, claiming that there were Sith on the surface. There were not, and he laid waste to the planet. He assumed command of the ships that followed him into battle and left the crew for dead. After that, he disappeared for weeks. But, after his apparent exile had ended, he returned as Darth Ravinos, the Apprentice to the Dark Lordess Viea.”

“He cou....he couldn’t have....,” she muttered to herself as she put her hand over her mouth in shock. She had heard about the attack on Pho’Pheah, but never would she have thought that her own brother was responsible for such a catastrophe. She stood up and backed away, not wanting the handsome Jedi rescuer to see the tears in her eyes. “The man my grandparents told me about....”

“Kit Rendar was twisted by the Dark Side of the Force,” Ussej told her, putting his gentle hand onto her shoulder. “The man you heard of no longer exists. He was consumed by Darth Ravinos. The Dark Side has a way of corrupting all sense of good in a man, and now he is the right hand of Empress Viea. The fact that she could manipulate one as strong as him attests to her ability to corrupt anything she wises. We do not know the exact reason for Kit’s turning, though. However, the Jedi Council has assumed it was for a good cause. But, however noble ones intentions are for turning to the Dark Side, you cannot escape the corruption that it brings with it. As a practical matter, Kit Rendar is dead.”

Ussej sighed, standing back up only to pace back and forth before her. The idea that this one was related to that monster worried him, as she too could fall prey to the seduction of the Dark Side of the Force.

“How are you related to Kit,” Ussej asked. “Are you his cousin?”

“He’s my brother,” she shouted, brushing the tears away from her eyes. “And I refused to believe that he is dead. This Darth Ravinos isn’t really him. Kit’s still there....there is good in him. I know there is good in him. If he is just taken away from the Sith, he’ll return to us. Please, you have to help him. You have to help my brother.”

“There is not much I can do,” he told her as he sat down with her, taking her hand. “I am but a Padawan Learner, awaiting my Jedi Trials. There may come a point in time when you will have to accept that your brother is dead. I know it is not fair, but it has happened and I am so sorry that it had to happen to someone as....someone as beautiful as yourself.”

Her tears still came as she looked into his eyes, not ignoring his charming words. Kit was the only family she had left now, and she could not give up on him so easily. If she couldn’t get the Jedi Order to help her, then she would face him herself, albeit reluctantly.

“As long as I live, I will not believe that he is not,” she told him, her words filled with resolve and confidence. “I can’t lose him. I have nothing else to hold onto. He’s all that’s left of my family, other than me. There’s no way you could understand.”

“Going after him yourself will solve nothing,” he told her, gazing deep into her beautiful light blue eyes for half a second before turning back. “He is a Sith Lord and you are but a mere mortal who grew up on Corellia. Ravinos would have no idea of your existence, so why should he believe that what you say is true? It is good to have hope, Laili. Just, for your own sake, do not lose that hope. A lack of hope can drive a person down a terrible path, even if that person is but a mere mortal from Corellia.”

“Those words are no comfort to me,” she told him. “I thought that the Jedi believe that no one is beyond redemption? If the Jedi refused to help me then I will face him myself. If it means my death then so be it. There is no other reason for my existence.

“I don’t believe that,” he told her. “We all have a destiny, and I can’t imagine yours being to die a senseless death at the hands of a Sith Lord. And, yes, no one is beyond redemption, but it all depends on whether or not the person in question chooses redemption. I may be able to help you. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday when I am a full-fledged Jedi Knight it might be possible. I want to help you, Laili, truly I do. But, now is just not the time.”

“What if Kit doesn’t have much longer,” she asked, moving closer to meet his gaze. Ussej’s words were so sincere, and she could tell he spoke the truth. But, she couldn’t wait forever. She touched his hand, a spark of emotion flying through her mind. His touch forced her to look into his eyes. Her head bowed in shame as she nodded her head in acceptance.

“I’m sorry,” she admitted. “You’re right. I can wait a few weeks.”

Her head rose back up at him as a faint smile came over her lips. There was something calming about this man's presence. She felt ashamed at what had happened, but his presence comforted her.

“Forgive me,” she asked him. “The last few days have been....difficult.”

“These last few years have been difficult for all of us,” he told her. There was a silence for a moment before Ussej took her hands again. He had never felt anything so soft and smooth before in his entire life. He stared at her for moments before he finally cracked a smile.

“You are so....beautiful,” he admitted. “Unlike anything I’ve seen before.”

He moved in closer and kissed her. For the first time in his life, he felt alive. He felt as if the bonds of the Jedi had just broken inside of him and that anything was possible. Laili smiled as he pulled away. The kiss was like nothing she had ever felt. She too felt alive for the first time in her life, but the kiss did not seem right.

“I thought Jedi weren’t supposed to love,” she told him.

She was right. He suddenly remembered how sacred the Jedi Code was to him. He thought for a moment about what he could do, as he desperately wanted to be with this woman. Many Jedi Knights had fallen to the Dark Side recently due to a secret love, though he was willing to take that risk. There was something about this woman that made him want to take that risk.

“We could keep it a secret,” he suggested. “The Jedi have been known to let their knights have....consensual activities with others, at least from a certain point of view.”

Ussej leaned in and kissed her once more, passion swelling throughout his body and sparks flying between them. Laili was taken aback by his forwardness at first. Yet, her heart pounded beneath her breast. She was able to feel again in that moment. The part of her she thought dead was suddenly brought to life. When he ended the kiss, her eyes were closed and she was breathless. His words came to her like a slap in the face. Her mouth was open, about to respond as her head began to clear when he kissed her again. The passion behind his kiss made her weak kneed. Her arms wrap around him holding him close. She felt her body responding to him. Never had she felt this way towards any man before. When the kiss ended, her glazed over eyes looked into his ocean blue eyes.

“One night,” she said, noting his confused expression. “Please, don’t leave me alone tonight.”

She still felt the passion from the kiss and felt lightheaded. She fixated her gaze upon him and never wanted to take it off. Ussej stood up from the bed, extended a hand towards her and smiled. Their hands touched and the fireworks of their passion exploded throughout their minds. He looks at her with a boyish charm.

“I will personally see to it that you are kept safe tonight, m’lady,” he said sarcastically, a smile forming across his lips. To many, a situation like this would have seemed awkward. But, to them it was if they were meant to be with one another.

She smiled back at him, standing close as her hand pulled out a transceiver. A request for a taxi was sent and her gaze turned back to him once again. Her hand fumbled putting the transceiver back into her pocket as she rose up on her tiptoes to meet his lips in a passionate kiss. He made all the cares of life disappear for a single second while he was near. Her right hand moved out of her pocket and up his chest, caressing it. Slowly, she pulled away from him again.

“It’s a long ride back to where I am staying,” she told him smiling seductively, tracing her finger across his lips. His lips tingled as a bright light started to overtake them, a taxi landing on the roof above. Ussej threw on his cloak and grabbed her by the waist, jumping out the window and onto the roof.

“Sorry,” he laughed as she caught her playful dissatisfaction with being “manhandled” once again. They stepped into the air speeder, quickly speeding off into the nighttime skyline of Coruscant, the sight second only to Laili in beauty. Ussej felt alive for the first time in his life, and never did he want to let go of that feeling.

NOTE: Chapter Re-Written and Updated on August 27, 2006

 

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jedimasterbac  6373 posts
Title: CT and Fan Design Manager
 Registered: Jun '04
24180_Obi-Wan Art
Date Posted: 4/12/06 6:15pm Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
Title: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac
Section: Chapter Two - Trials of a Jedi
Authors: Brandon Rhea
Characters: Ussej Padric Bac
Timeframe: The Great Territorial War (Created at SWRP.Com; 3,921 BBY - 3,918 BBY)

--------------------------------------

Chapter Two:
TRIALS OF A JEDI

Written By
BRANDON RHEA

Ussej Padric Bac was on Telos, a planet that had seen a fair amount of death and destruction over the latter half of the past century. He sat on the ground, taking in the air and the very feeling of the Force itself, at the base of the temple of fallen Jedi Master Adena Qel-Droma, now Empress Viea, a name hardly uttered during this time of turmoil. The Great Territorial War, as this terrible conflict was now being called, escalated when she, with help from Supreme Chancellor Stavan Jetzt who, in reality, was Darth Myst, managed to infiltrate the Republic and throw it into complete and utter turmoil, now based off of Onderon and other Jedi worlds. There was the Sith Empire now. But, this was merely for gaining control. Empress Viea was not interested in suppressing her people. In fact, many citizens said that she was less harsh than the Galactic Senate ever was. But, she was still only interested in territorial advantage, something that the Jedi Order would not allow her to gain.

This Telosian Temple was like nothing he had ever seen. But, its beauty was cast aside by the power of the Dark Side that lingered here to this day. His task this day seemed simple enough: retrieve the holocron of the Ivory Matron which contains all the secrets and knowledge she knew prior to her turn to the Dark Side. The Jedi believed that the information stored within would be a valuable tool in the war against the Empress and her new Empire. He agreed. The knowledge of Empress Viea being used against Empress Viea was a powerful tool, one that could potentially decide the outcome of this war.

The deep, low rumbling of thunder was heard far in the distance. Lightning strikes the ground in a spectacle of white light, but it was far enough away to where it would not harm the Jedi Padawan. He sat, collecting himself, waiting for the Force to tell him that he that he was at peace enough to successfully complete the trials. He knew nothing of what he would find, only of what he needed to do in order to achieve his goal. And, that was being at peace with the Force and with himself. He can remember back weeks ago to when he was informed of his assignment for the trials. He asked his Jedi Master, Brarh Kefle, what he would find in the trials. Master Kefle replied simply, “Only what you need to take with you...” There were many points during his training that Master Kefle spoke in riddles, but this one was one that he would not be able to fully grasp the magnitude of until he finished his task.

He took in the sensation of the air and life around him before standing up, looking up to the blue sky above him. It would soon be covered in the darkness of the incoming clouds, much like the events happening all around the galactic spectrum. But, he knew not to dwell on these things, especially the future. That was not what Master Kefle taught him to do. The words of his Jedi Master sprung forth in his head, telling him not to “center on his anxieties” and to “be mindful of the living Force” and to keep his concentration “here and now where it belongs”. This was the most important day of his young life, and he was finally ready to break through the gates of apprenticeship and move into the great field of Jedi Knighthood. He could almost touch his destiny. He knew it was right in front of him. A path was now before him, forked into two directions. One was the path of Knighthood, and the other was the path of retreat back into the comfort zone of Apprenticeship. He knew what road he had to take. He was finally, after all of these years, ready to do what he thought he could not do.

“It is time...”

It was time to face the beginning of the rest of his life. The city on the edge of forever was directly before him, and now he had to take that first step into it. He knew that there was the possibility of facing his greatest fear, but he felt that he did not have any fears. Perhaps that was just the nativity of inexperience. Or, perhaps he truly did not have anything to fear in this fearful time. He would soon find out. But, knowing the Jedi, they would find something, anything, which he was afraid of to confront him with. But, he had proved time and time again that he could overcome any and all obstacles thrown in his path. Fear was just an emotion, one that could be controlled or cast aside for the good of the many, or the good of the one.

The young Jedi gently tapped the hilt of the lightsaber hanging from is belt, now holding it firm as if it was the key to his entire life, and even life itself. The Jedi drilled into his head the idea that a lightsaber was his entire life, though not everything had to be solved with a lightsaber. That was something that many Jedi in this day could not see. He wished that people could just sit down, talk and decide what was best for everyone, but there were always those greedy ones that would ruin it all, much like Empress Viea and Darth Ravinos.

The large, intimidating steps to the temple stood directly before him and he knew what he had to do now. Slowly but surely, he paced the steps that would decide the future. I could fail, he thought to himself. What happens if something goes wrong and these past twenty four years have just been a waste? I cannot...I will not fail. My thoughts are already betraying me. I must stay calm, at peace, passive and I must always remember that the Force is with me. I am a servant of the Force, a guardian of the Light Side, and I intend on continuing to play that role in my life. Reaching the top of the stairs, his right hand flicked ever-so-slightly and the doors began to open, revealing the path to his destiny.

“This is where the fun begins...” he said, laughing as he entered the Temple. Walking past the doors, his thoughts were betraying him once again. He tried to cast them aside, but the thought of failing burned within his mind. Is this worth it? What if I die and the last twenty-four years have been a complete waste of my time and the time of those around me? Can I really let myself do that? He remembered yet again the words of Master Kefle: “Death is a natural part of life. Do not fear death, for death can fear you if used correctly. Do not dwell on the future. The fear of loss is a path to the Dark Side.” He slammed his foot on the ground, sending rocks scattering around the walls, falling to the ground. A loud rumbling is heard as he looks to see a large boulder falling directly above him. This is it. This is the end. I’m going to...no...NO! His hands thrust above his head, quickly letting out a small burst of the Force. The rock floated just meters above his head until he threw it to the side, sending it crashing down the stairs to the grass below. I am going to die here...no, I must stop this foolish nonsense. The code...remember the code...

“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 only the Force.”

He paced through the temple halls, reciting the code to himself over and over, giving him comfort to the point where he could finally be at peace once again. The sensations emanating from the walls were strange...almost unnatural. But, the Dark Side of the Force is indeed a pathway to many things and abilities that some consider to be unnatural. The Dark Side certainly was strong within these walls, no doubt left here by the temple’s former owner.

Turning a corner, a large throne room caught his attention. In the center was a small orb, hovering above a platform of light. The sight was more magnificent than anything he had ever seen. The holocron was in the center of the orb, slowly spinning like the orbit of a planet. He briskly moved towards the room but stopped suddenly.

“There’s no way that this could be that easy.” The idea of a trap sprung into his mind. He removed his lightsaber from his belt, firmly grasping it in his hands. He moved into the room, sweat falling from his head at the mere thought of this being a trap. He reached out, grabbing the holocron. The orb’s light went out and the platform moved into the floor.

“Thank the Force...” A snapping sound is heard behind him. He turned to see a group of machine gun turrets rotating to face him. “I guess I spoke too early...” Suddenly, a new creation was born into his hands. From the Jedi that had secretly bonded themselves over the last millennia, a green blade, the color of life itself, was formed. He raised it above his head in the stance of Soresu as the door slammed shut.

The first blast made its way towards him. He snapped his wrists, easily deflecting the energy back towards it’s parent turret, destroying it. Another turns towards him, but he deflected it just the same. Master Kefle trained me well, he thought. Failing to defeat these man-made machines would be not only a failure on my part, but a failure on the part of Master Kefle and Master Damien Nightblade. Master Nightblade had become a close friend of Ussej. Hell, there are times he thought that Damien was the only reason he had made it this far. Damien was by far the youngest member ever to be on the Jedi Council, being only twenty seven years of age.

He called upon the grace and harmony of the Light Side of the Force and unleashed his hand towards the sealed door that stood meters away. Slowly but surely, the door opens. As slow as it is, it provides enough cover for the young Jedi-to-be. The blasts deflect off of the door, hitting the roof of the temple. When the door was open far enough, he quickly dove out as far as he could to avoid being hit by the quickly closing door. As it closed gently behind him, the sound of the energy bolts could still be heard, ricocheting off the walls. He quickly made his way round the corner, down the steps and back out to the grass that surrounded the temple.

He stood there fore a moment, taking in all that had just happened. He thought back on all of his memories in the Jedi Order; from his days as a youngling up until now. It was all so clear to him. He never thought that he had anything to fear until now. The one thing he feared was right their in front of him. Not just this day, but his entire life. He didn’t know why he couldn’t see it sooner. It had all been right there in front of him. It was so simple to see, yet he could not see it. He smiled his legendary smile. It was a smile that could topple governments. It was a smile that made woman melt away in front of him. It was a smile that some considered more valuable than millions of words, like his new friend Laili Rendar whom he cared for deeply. It was all worth it, though.

He laughed to himself. “Who knew that the one thing I feared was the fear of loss itself. I was afraid that I would be afraid of these trials.” And, he was. Seeing that door close in front of him and the guns turning themselves was one of the worst experiences in his life because...because he thought he would fail. “I cannot be afraid of failure or loss anymore. It is part of life. Everyone will make mistakes, but to be a Jedi is to learn from them and grow from the experience.” That is what he could not see before, but it was all so clear to him now. He had accomplished what he had come here to do and was finally able to say that he was proud of himself.

He looked down on the sacred holocron, knowing that perhaps something of value in it could be used in the war. It was quite possible, thought, that the Jedi already knew what was contained inside of it but did not want any other power-seekers to find it. It was a wise move, if you had asked Ussej Padric Bac. He hid the relic under his cloak, the cloak of destiny and success. He stood at the edge of the cliff, looking out at the new clear sky as the sun set below the horizon. He smiled, embracing his destiny, ready to face the judgment of the Jedi Council.

“Even if I do not become a night today, I still feel like one. I feel as if this accomplishment outweighs all others and that this was the only thing that mattered. The Force is truly with me, and that is one of the greatest things any man could ever ask for.”

He turned to his ship and stepped inside. He gently stroked his hand over the controls as the engines roared to life. The ship rose into the air and blasted into space, heading towards that city on the edge of forever....

 

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jedimasterbac  6373 posts
Title: CT and Fan Design Manager
 Registered: Jun '04
24180_Obi-Wan Art
Date Posted: 4/12/06 6:19pm Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters) - Date Edited: 4/13/06 9:37am (2 edits total) Edited By: jedimasterbac
Title: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac
Section: Chapter Three - Harsh Reunion
Authors: Brandon Rhea, Kevin Arthur and I.J. Dixon
Characters: Ussej Padric Bac, Laili Jeyna Rendar and Darth Ravinos
Timeframe: The Great Territorial War (Created at SWRP.Com; 3,921 BBY - 3,918 BBY)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Laili Jeyna Rendar moved through the streets of Corellia towards the home she had once known. She felt the need to visit the resting place of her parents and her grandparents once more. Overhead, Sith ships flew about making their patrol rounds. She raised her head looking at them and muttered curses under her breath. Things had changed on Corellia since Centerpoint was taken. Many of the people were scared and even wary at what was to come next. She moved over to the memorial of her parents and knelt down at their graves. She owed it to them to try and save her brother from the Dark Side.

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High above the skies of Coruscant, the Droma Armada flagship Equinox made its way out of orbit. Darth Ravinos sat in his command chair, waiting to give the hyperspace order. A lowly ensign, no more than twenty one years of age, approached him. “My...my Lord.”

Ravinos turned his striking glaze and met his, letting him know who’s in charge on this ship. “What is it, Ensign?”

“Our spies on Corellia have sent a message that someone bearing a striking resemblance to yourself has just visited the grave of your family on Corellia,” he told him nervously. “She has been identified as a person who earlier helped two Jedi escape from Bespin. They thought you would like to read this report on what they saw.”

The ensign handed the Sith the datapad, who studied it carefully. After reading it over, Ravinos crushed it in hand. There was something suspicious about this person. Though, he could not trust something like this to a subordinate. “Commander, have the Outrider ready to lave by the time I reach the bay or I will begin searching for your replacement.”

The officer snapped to attention. “Yes, milord.”

Ravinos turned and stalked out of the bridge and headed towards his personal docking bay holding the Outrider. Finding it ready to go on arrival, he boarded and flew out into space. Upon reaching a safe distance away from Coruscant, he activated the hyperdrive and set off for Corellia.

-----------------------------------

She laid the roses down upon their graves and put her hand upon them. Never had she seen her parents. All she had to go on were their pictures in the locket her grandmother gave her. When opened, a hologram of them showed the two embracing. It brought a smile to her face as the love the two of them had for each other was shining through. A tear fell down her cheeks as the picture changed to that of her grandparents smiling back at her. She had promised them on their deathbed to seek her brother out and bring him home. Her hands moved towards her cheek brushing the tears away as she slowly got to her feet. She paused before leaving to look at their graves.

“I haven’t forgotten my promise. I will find him and bring him back.”

-----------------------------------

Darth Ravinos sat in his quarters aboard the Outrider thinking about the datapad the ensign had handed him. What would someone who had just aided and harbored two Jedi be doing at the grave of his family. The only conclusion he could come up with was that it had been a friend of the family. However, the report that the person, a woman, bared a strikingly similar resemblance was another matter. Perhaps she was a cousin or a distant relative. There was no way that he could have a sibling, so it’s the only conclusion he could come up with.

He was interrupted from his thoughts by the ship's warning system telling him he was about to exit hyperspace over his homeworld. So much had happened since that day he had gone to Empress Viea and became one of her subjects to save the little ball that was his destination from destruction. He had destroyed planets, killed countless innocents...and it gave him pleasure. The Kit Rendar that had given in to the Dark Lordess was no longer the same person. He was now twisted with hatred and 'evilness' as the Jedi would say. He had never felt better in his life. No longer did he have to follow a code or orders from others. He obeyed his master only because she had spared one of the few things he cherished in this universe: Corellia. As he settled into his familiar seat at the controls of the Corellian freighter, the ship dropped out of hyperspace into Corellian space. No ship dared challenge the Outrider, for all on Corellia knew who the ship held. He landed the ship in the main space port and went to the port authority.

He slammed his hand on the desk, alerting the dock master. “I need the fastest speeder you have in two minutes or you will no longer walk among the living.”

A worried sensation went up the spine of the dock master who shook in fear. “Y...yes...Lord Ravinos. At once...”

The two minutes he had allowed the man came and went, yet the speeder had yet to arrive. “Where is my speeder? It should have been here by now. You have failed me and I do not tolerate failure.”

The dock master backed away, trying to reach for a blaster. “No, Lord Ravinos. I’m...I’m so...”

Ravinos had had enough of the stammering fool. He began to slowly choke the dock master. While the fool tried to break the grasp, he could not come close to touching the hold Ravinos had on him through the Force. After gasping for his last breaths, the dock master finally succumbed to asphyxiation. Ironically, the moment the dock master passed, the speeder arrived. “Driver, take me to Ilksaha Cemetery.” As the speeder jetted off into the distance, a Jedi Transport flew overhead in the direction they were heading. “Ah...the more the merrier.”

-----------------------------------

In the Jedi Transport, Ussej Padric Bac played with the controls and softly landed the ship in the port next to the Outrider. Pulling out credits to pay the dock master, he saw the crumbled body and checked on it only to find that it had no pulse. He hopped into a speeder and sped off into the distance, despite the owners protest. “Sorry, Jedi business.”

-----------------------------------

Laili kissed her fingers and bent down to touch the graves of her loved ones before turning and heading back to her speeder. Her steps were slow as her head remained bowed. It gave her comfort to come here again. Some were spooked to visit the graves of their loved ones. Laili found their strength filling her even as she returned here. It was, after all, the eve of the death of her grandparents. She had returned here every year as she was able to pay her respects. It helped keep her focused and reminded her where she started. She was about to reach the speeder when a coldness seemed to take her body. She turned around looking back through the cemetery and beyond as the chill grew more. Something wasn't right.

"I've got a very bad feeling about this."

Her mind wondered over what course of action she should take. It could be anyone coming for her. Her name was well known in the smuggling routes. Yet, the Sith found an interest in her as well. She didn't plan on sticking around though. Her footsteps quickened as she rushed for her speeder, but it was too late.

Ravinos’ speeder pulled up right in front of Laili. Ravinos could feel the dread surging through her body. However, he senses something strangely familiar about this person. “Right here, driver. Your speed was greatly appreciated.”

He stepped out of the enclosed speeder and turned to face the girl who stood before him. The reports had been right: she looked very much like him. He could not deny the deep family resemblance between the two of them. “Who are you? What business do you have at the grave of my family, Jedi Supporter?”

Laili stopped dead in her tracks as she saw him get out of the speeder. The coldness with which his eyes stared at her and the anger in his voice sent shivers up her spine. Her eyes were wide with shock and...fear. Her eyes searched his featured as she saw the resemblance to that of her parents, especially her father. This was unexpected. She hadn’t planned them to meet like this. It seemed she was in too much shock to speak to him directly.

“You will speak,” the Sith Lord said coldly. He could feel the Force around this woman, yet it was wild and untamed. However, it strangely reminded him of when he was a smuggler. He searched the mind of the young woman and was startled to find images of his mother and father and then...himself. “I will ask you again. Who are you?”

Her blue eyes glittered back at him as she answered him and sought for him to recognize anything. While he was a Jedi, she had heard great stories of his acts of heroism and bravery. Even as a smuggler he had made his name known to the galaxy. She finally was able to find her voice, though she was still nervous at what might happen.

“Laili...Laili Rendar. I was visiting the graves of my parents and grandparents. You may dispense with the pleasantries, for I know who you are. You go by another name now but I still know you to be Kit Rendar, hero of the Republic.”

“Kit Rendar no longer exists,” he shouted. “I left that name behind me when I destroyed the surface of Pho Ph’eah. And...how can you be a Rendar? That is impossible. I am the last of the Rendar Family. There was no other child by my mother and father, yet...there is something odd about you. Your aura...your appearance. Tell me, what was the name of your mother and father?”

Hearing her brother speak gave Laili the courage to go further. She took a step towards him, pulling the locket over her head and opening it. The hologram activated and showed the faces of their parents and then grandparents.

“Corwin and Jeyna Rendar were my parents,” she said. “They died in a horrible speeder accident when you were a young boy. I was born that day. You’ve got to remember, Kit. Think back, Our mother was pregnant with me. You’re my brother. You’ve got to remember...”

The tears had filled her face as she kept contact with his eyes. Her hands reached out trying to take his. Her actions were very bold but she was not afraid...not right now. He had to know the truth, and she had to know if what Ussej Bac said was true. She knew that, deep down, her brother was still inside of Darth Ravinos. She would not give up.

Ravinos was taken aback with the audacity this woman had. “Sister? I never had a sister...I never remember my mother being pregnant. How do you know so much about my family? Why do you call me Kit? The last person who did that wound up dead. Yet, for some reason...I cannot bring myself to harm you.” He took a step back to avoid her hands.

Laili pressed on. He had to have seen something there. The fact that he didn’t want to hurt her showed Laili that he knew what she said was right.

“It is true. I am your sister. You ran away before Grandma and Grandpa got news of them saving me from mother’s womb after the crash. If they hadn't gotten to the scene so quickly, I would have died along with mother. They kept searching for you after you ran away. I've searched for a long time to find you. I promised them on their deathbeds that I would find you and bring you back home. You are my brother, a Jedi and servant of the light. I don't know what happened that made you join the Sith, but it isn't you. This isn't you. Kit is still alive inside you. I know it to be true. You can leave all of this behind...stay with me. Don't return to the Sith. Kit, please. Search your heart. You know I speak the truth.”

“You know nothing of my reasons for joining the Sith,” he shouted angrily. “If you think it was because I was power hungry then you are so far from the truth. I made a deal with Empress Viea. If I joined her...Corellia would not be destroyed by the Sith. The Jedi Council is filled with foolish weaklings. They could not see the trouble brewing ahead and did nothing to prepare themselves for the coming storm. And, for the last time...do not call me Kit. He is nothing now. I am Ravinos. What you see is what I am.”

He looked inside the mind of Laili and saw how much she cared for him. It was odd...was she truly the sister of Kit Rendar? It seemed impossible. His grandparents never told him that his mother was pregnant.

Laili blinked her eyes and took a step back out his outburst. Her heart beat widely against her breast as she shook her head no.

“Your words prove that there is still good in you,” she told him lovingly. “You sacrificed yourself for the good of Corellia; you risked it all to save the innocent. That wasn’t the act of a Sith Lord, it was the act of a Jedi! The Empress has been feeding you lies and manipulating your mind. I don’t blame you. Your heart was broken too. I know of Eliatra Sabre and how you thought she was dead for all of those years. I know of your apprentice Kyra Maans falling to the Sith. You gave everyone your best. You loved with all your heart and kept on giving. Don’t turn away from the good man that you are.”

“How dare you speak to me of Eliatra and Kyra,” he screamed. “You know nothing of what happened with them. What I am, Laili, is a Sith Lord...the apprentice to the Dark Lordess herself, and one of the most powerful and feared people in the galaxy. I may have done that act as a Jedi, but things have happened since then. I slaughtered millions of innocent lives on Pho Ph’eah. I skinned my fleet commander in front of my command crew because he did not show my loyalty. I killed countless others in the attack over Coruscant. I have driven the Jedi out of their lofty perch...I even killed a man for not obeying me as I was on my way here. You have no idea what it feels like to be free like I am, unless...unless you wish to join me, Laili.”

“I’ll never join you,” she told him. “But, I will never give up on you either, even if it means my own death. Do you hear me? I will never give up on you, Kit Rendar.”

She brought her hands up to her chest and sinks to her knees, looking up at him.

“Grandma and Grandpa were so proud of you. They said it numerous times. They were so, so proud...mother and father would have been too.” Her expression changed to one of hatred and disgust. “And you call yourself free. You’re a slave of that...that woman you call Empress Viea. She uses you as a lap dog. Can’t you see past the lies of the Sith? Past the deception?”

“My dear, sweet baby sister...yes, sister...I am not a slave of the Empress. I follow her willingly. The only deception I have ever followed was that of the Jedi. They know nothing of the Force. They limit those of the order from exploring all facets off it. What they fail to realize is that if one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all of its aspects. Not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the Jedi. I have learned more about the Force now than I ever could have as a Jedi.”

He stretched a seemingly loving yet somewhat deceitful hand towards her. “With proper training, you can harness your untapped potential. Join me. Do not follow the Jedi. They know nothing of the true nature of the Force. They will blind you and hinder your ability to learn.”

Laili got to her feet and backed away from him. Again he said that she had great potential and a gift, just as the Jedi had said. She had always thought of it as luck. “I said that I will never join you. I won’t follow the way of the Dark Side and allow their lies to penetrate my mind. But, you won’t win this. The Republic will be restored, as will the peace on Corellia.”

Her heart was breaking from seeing how far the corruption had penetrated him. It was almost unbearable. She looked over at her speeder and then back to him. She had to get away from this place.

“I would rather die than join the Empress.” She pulled out a concussion grenade, throwing it towards her brother. She desperately tried to make a run for her speeder.

Ravinos barely had any time to act before the grenade went off. He quickly called upon the Force and knocked it far out of the way. After dealing with that, he turned his attention to his fleeing younger sister.

“You’re staying here.” With a flick of his wrist, Laili suddenly found herself unable to move. She was telling her brain that she wanted to run, but her body did not respond to her commands. “You’ll leave when I am ready to let you go.”

Laili tried to break free, but she soon found those efforts to be useless. Fear and dread filled her as her heart beat faster. Never had anyone made her feel as afraid as her brother did at this moment. Many thoughts ran through her mind as she is helplessly frozen.

What is he going to do with me? She thought to herself. How do I get out of this? I should have listened to Ussej Bac and not faced Kit alone...Ussej Bac was right...he was right all along...

“Fear,” Ravinos taunted. “I don’t even need the Force to see that you are petrified right now. It is all over your face. Join me and I will release you. Otherwise...you may be standing here for a very long time. However, I am not one to take prisoners. You are lucky that you are family, Laili. Anyone else would be dead were you stand.”

He began to circle his frozen sister. He had allowed her head to move so she could talk and breathe, though her extremities could not move.

Laili watched him as she tried to calm her nerves. Her eyes closed as she tried to steady her breathing. Once the blue eyes flashed open again, she waited for him to stand in front of her before answering with conviction.

“Do what you must, but I will not join you. Nothing you say or do will make me join you and the Empress. You don’t have to do this, you know. You can still leave all of this behind. You try to hide your past but deep down inside of you good remains still. If there wasn’t, you would have struck me down already. Break free of your chains.”

A shadowy figure made his way into the cemetery. A cloak covered his face and he masked his presence in the Force to the best of his abilities. The figure raised his head. to reveal Ussej Bac, now a Jedi Knight. He knew it was dangerous to have followed Darth Ravinos, but he felt that something was wrong with Laili. He hadn’t seen her in weeks and was starting to get worried. He looked around the tree he stood behind and saw the Apprentice to the Dark Lordess of the Sith circling Laili who appeared to be caught in stasis.

“Oh no,” he whispered worriedly. He walked behind them, keeping his distance. He kept a hand on his lightsaber. He was expecting a fight.

Ravinos stopped where he was, sensing the presence of a nearby Jedi. “Ah, so that was a Jedi ship I saw earlier.” He turned to see the shadowy figure standing behind him. The figure ignited his blue lightsaber. “Reveal yourself, Jedi.”

The figure threw back his hood, revealing Ussej Bac to his enemy. Laili was stunned to see that Ussej had known to come to her rescue. She immediately felt the relief of his wellbeing. “Ussej, help me!”

Ravinos smiled. He recognized this man. The Jedi was a padawan when he last saw him, but he still recognized his presence and demeanor. “Ussej Bac. My, my...you’ve grown up. How wonderful of you to join my sister and me for our little chat. But, the party is over here.” He reached through the Force, attempting to pull Ussej towards Laili and put him into the stasis field as well.

Laili turned her head to see Ussej in a struggle to resist the Sith Lord’s pull. She had to break free. Fearing for his life, she concentrated with all of her might on trying to break free. Unknowingly, she used the Force to aid her in this effort. “Leave him alone!” She managed to break free and ran towards Ussej to block Kit’s attack. She knew the risk of getting hit by another stasis was great, but she could not lose Ussej.

“Laili, what are you doing?” Ravinos was shocked to see his sister break free of his stasis. She was powerful with the Force indeed. However, she has now jumped in the way of a stasis intended for Ussej. She turned to him with fury in her eyes.

“Why should I believe anything you say,” she screamed. “You are so twisted by the lies of Viea that you no longer know right from wrong.” Continuing to stand in front of Ussej, she looked back at her speeder knowing that Ravinos was not going to allow them to easily leave.

Ussej was still in shock at what had just taken place. Laili had almost sacrificed herself for him. But, he knew that this had to end now. He walked up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder.

“I’d tell you that I told you so, but I’m not in the mood to be rude right now.” He turned and looked Ravinos square in the eye. “I hate to run out on you like this, Ravinos, but we have a ride to catch.”

He pulled Laili back towards him. He called upon the power of the Force, extended his hand, and sent the surprised Sith Lord flying through the headstones behind him. He grabbed Laili by the hand and they ran towards the speeder, not even looking back to see if Ravinos was following. The speeder roared to life and blasted into the distance.

Ravinos stood up with a large gash on his forehead. He saw the speeder heading off into the distance. “Run, Jedi...run. You’re only prolonging the inevitable. You will turn to the Dark Side, Laili. I promise you that.”

Laili said nothing during their escape. At first, she looked back to see if they were being followed. Slowly, though, she turned back around and was silent. Her eyes were downcast as the reality of it all hit her. Her brother was no longer the same man. She still didn’t believe that he could not be saved. Her eyes rose once to look at Ussej, only to see him focusing on their escape. Looking back to the floor, she can tell that he isn’t pleased.

He has no reason to be mad at me, she thought. I didn’t break any promises I made to him. He said not to go after him for a few weeks and I complied. It wasn’t like I hunted him down. Her mood changed from one of hurt and disappointment to one of anger. She didn’t want to her it.

Ussej sped the vehicle out of the city and stopped it where no one could see them. He sat there for a moment, trying to figure out what exactly he would say to her. This is going to be harder than I thought, he mentioned to himself. He looked at her for a moment, letting her know just how annoyed he is.

“Anything you would like to say to me?”

She could tell from the tone of his voice that things were not going to go well. “Okay, I admit it. You were right, but I won’t give up on him. You saw it. If he was truly gone, he would have struck both of us down. There is still good in him. I felt it.”

“Laili,” he said calmly. “He would have killed us both. I realize that he told you he wouldn’t, but you must understand that lies and deceit are the ways of the Sith. Yes, no one is beyond redemption, but there are circumstances revolving around that. Redemption is a choice, and I do not see Ravinos choosing to be redeemed anytime soon. He seems almost...happy...where he is right now. He has unlimited power as the apprentice to Empress Viea. What you will one day learn is that all who gain power are afraid to loose it. If Ravinos was redeemed, he lose all of that power.”

She looked at him incredulously. How could he even say such a thing? She turns in her seat to face him fully as her temper flares.

“He will change his mind,” she insinuated. “He make the choice to be redeemed. How dare you insinuated that he is a lost cause! His mind has been warped by the lies of the Empress. If he is taken away from her hand he will see the truth again. He will be able to think for himself once more. I don’t believe that he is happy now. It’s all a façade. He was a Jedi for so long...a good Jedi. He joined the Sith to save Corellia. Tell me that is from a man that is too far gone!”

The look Ussej gave her was one of shock at her statements, but also a way of showing her that she truly knew nothing about the nature of the Dark Side of the Force.

“He saved Corellia because he was afraid to lose it, Laili. The fear of loss is a path to the Dark Side. Remember that after saving Corellia he killed his entire crew...his crew that had sworn their loyalty to him. Is that the act of a good man? Kit Rendar was a good Jedi, yes, but the Jedi inside of Darth Ravinos is next to non-existent. If he is to be pulled from the Empress, she will simply pull him right back. Hell, he may even crawl back. Because, like I told you, all who gain power are afraid to lose it. Right now, he has all the power in the universe. Sad to say, he is just as powerful, if not more powerful, than the most powerful of the Jedi Order. Only, his views have been twisted by the Dark Side. The man who was your brother is gone, consumed by Darth Ravinos. That consumption has lead to his unlimited power. Your brother is dead, Laili, accept it.”

Tears well up in Laili’s eyes as she slaps him across the face. “He isn’t dead! He’s still inside of the shell called Ravinos! I can’t...no...I won’t believe he’s gone!” She climbs out of the speeder and glares at Ussej. “I won’t give up on him. He’s my brother. I promised my family that I would bring him back home. I promised them, Ussej! Even if it kills me, I will do it. If you won’t help me, then I’ll just have to find someone who will!”

He placed an arm on her shoulder. “You still have much to learn.” He thought for a moment before deciding upon something that neither he nor she ever expected him to say. Sweat dripped from his face has he became nervous as to what her answer could me. Oh boy...here we go..., he thought to himself.

“Breaking out of that stasis back there...,” he said. “I’ve never seen a non-Jedi do something like that before. You did that out of compassion, something every Jedi comes to know and trust. What I am trying to say is...a promise is something that a Jedi knows to honor until said promise has been fulfilled. I will help you free Kit Rendar, for you will not be able to do it yourself. Laili...the Force is strong with you, as it is with your brother. I’m offering you a chance to make yourself more than just a normal human being. If you come with me, I can show you things that no regular man could ever show you. I can walk you down the path of the Way...the Way of the Jedi. Come with me...come with me and I can train you to fight another day.”

Laili brushed his hand off of her shoulder and tried to walk away, but she turned to face him. Fury was in her blue eyes as they regarded him coldly. His previous words were still stinging in her mind.

“What you saw back there was fear and instincts of survival,” she told him coldly. “It was sheer luck that I was able to pull out of whatever sorcery he used on me. I’m a smuggler. Comparing you and I together...it’s like apples and oranges. I can’t do what you do. I got lucky. That promise was made out of love for my parent’s memory and my grandparent’s last wishes. Anyone that respects their family would have done the same.”

He stopped for a moment, realizing that his offer did not go over as he expected it to. His thoughts swirled, trying to grasp the realization that she may not go willingly. But, he was still confused as to why someone so strong in the Force would have rejected the chance of a lifetime.

“I never knew my family,” he told her. “I wouldn’t know what you’re going through. If you want to help your family then come with me. It is the only way to save Kit Rendar. I want to help you and I’m sorry if I have upset you in anyway. But, becoming a Jedi is the only way that you could possibly save him. The power of love can have a strong influence on even the most corrupted minds, if used correctly. I can teach you things about love that no one else could even dream of learning. I find myself loving you more and more every time I see you. I don’t know if it’s the chase that keep me going or the fact that I don’t want to see you hurt. Hell, maybe it’s both. You may have gotten lucky today, but luck runs out eventually...for everybody. Please, for the safety of you and your family, accept my apology and come with me.”

She looked deep in the deep blue eyes of the Jedi Knight whom she also had come to care for as if she was searching them to see if he spoke the truth. It was one of the few times she was ever truly speechless. She thought about his words for a long while before nodding her head.

“Alright...alright, I’ll come with you.” She felt the anger leaving her soul, but the hurt was still there. Deep down she knew he was right. She couldn’t face Kit alone again.

For the first time in a long while, Ussej smiled at something that Laili had said. He took his hand off of her shoulder and placed them onto the controls of the speeder. “Well then...welcome to the first day of the rest of your life.” The speeder sped off into the distance, heading to the ship that would take them to Onderon.


To Be Continued in Chapter Four - The Taming of the Shrew

 

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jedimasterbac  6373 posts
Title: CT and Fan Design Manager
 Registered: Jun '04
24180_Obi-Wan Art
Date Posted: 4/13/06 9:37am Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
Anyone?

 

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jedimasterbac  6373 posts
Title: CT and Fan Design Manager
 Registered: Jun '04
24180_Obi-Wan Art
Date Posted: 4/14/06 9:40am Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
I guess the Fan Fiction forum is a place to put your work if you just want it to be burried under vignettes and other stories rolling_eyes

 

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WANNA-BE-JEDI-KNIGHT  920 posts
Title: Activities Coordinator, Maryland FanForce
 Registered: Feb '06
6103_Anakin Skywalker
Date Posted: 4/15/06 5:05am Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
My oh my! Ok so I am a little confused as to exactly what point in time this begins. You say the Great Territorial War but I am not familiar with much of the 'history.' I do like the way you have written these chapters, even though I haven't heard these names before I can still follow along with it.

As for Laili and Ussej, What are their ages, you mention Ussej is 24. How much time has passed between these chapters?

It certainly would be interesting to see if Kit can be turned back to the Light. I do wonder since Laili seems to be Force-sensitive what her specialities might be. I look forward to finding out more. Keep posting! You've got a fan!

 

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"As you enter this life, I pray you depart with a wrinkled face and a brand new heart." -- U2
"You are in my very soul, tormenting me." -- Anakin
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jedimasterbac  6373 posts
Title: CT and Fan Design Manager
 Registered: Jun '04
24180_Obi-Wan Art
Date Posted: 4/15/06 8:45am Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
The Great Territorial War is a war made up on SWRP.Com and the name of that war was given by me. Ask any questions you may have in regards to history and I'll answer for you.

Ussej and Laili are both 24. About a month passes between Chapter One and Chapter Two, and then I'd say about a week or two between Chapter Two and Chapter Three.

Chapter Four is written, I just have to format it and everything. Most of the story, as a matter of fact, is written. I just need to format and re-write some of it.

 

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Amidala66  1514 posts
Registered: Jul '05
24200_Anakin and Padme
Date Posted: 4/15/06 6:31pm Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
I don't usually read fics on this board. I have enough trouble staying on top of the ones on the Saga board. This story looks quite interesting. I am not familiar with the time period of this story so I am pretty lost. However, you seem to have a good start on this story.
Let me know when you update. I might not post a comment but I will be reading it.
happy

 

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I am Angel #2 of "Anakin's Angels" The Practical One
It's baseball season: time for all good Jedi to use a bat and not a saber
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jedimasterbac  6373 posts
Title: CT and Fan Design Manager
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24180_Obi-Wan Art
Date Posted: 4/15/06 6:35pm Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
It's about thirty five years after Knights of the Old Republic and it was basically unexplored until SWRP.Com decided to RP in it.

 

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jedimasterbac  6373 posts
Title: CT and Fan Design Manager
 Registered: Jun '04
24180_Obi-Wan Art
Date Posted: 4/15/06 10:56pm Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
Here is who I picture "playing" these parts:

Ussej Padric Bac - Paul Walker
Kit Rendar/Darth Ravinos - Martin Henderson
Laili Jeyna Rendar - Diane Kruger

And a few new characters to come....

Damien Nightblade - Barry Watson
Empress Viea - Kristanna Lokken
Ussej Padric Bac II - Joaquin Phoenix
Bara ErMez - Katie Holmes

 

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VaderLVR64  31285 posts
Title: Manager Emeritus
 Registered: Feb '04
48874_Anakin Vader (71809)
Date Posted: 4/22/06 5:56am Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
I've only read the first post so far (weekends are hard to get good reading time in!) but I like what I see so far. Please PM when you update.

applause

 

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jedimasterbac  6373 posts
Title: CT and Fan Design Manager
 Registered: Jun '04
24180_Obi-Wan Art
Date Posted: 4/22/06 11:07am Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
Thanks, will do.

 

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samrosenbaum  166 posts
Registered: Jul '05
6642_42
Date Posted: 4/22/06 9:41pm Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
I'm not very familiar with the EU, but this story is getting good, especially Chapter 3. Regarding your disclaimer about the first chapter, perhaps you ought to go back and polish it up to your current writing standards. This way, it could attract more readers.

On the title for your next chapter, I should warn you that when I saw the movie of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," I was rooting for the shrew to win. grin

 

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jedimasterbac  6373 posts
Title: CT and Fan Design Manager
 Registered: Jun '04
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Date Posted: 4/23/06 10:09am Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
tongue

I also tried to spruce up Chapter One the best I could but, honestly, I was having difficulty with it.

 

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WANNA-BE-JEDI-KNIGHT  920 posts
Title: Activities Coordinator, Maryland FanForce
 Registered: Feb '06
6103_Anakin Skywalker
Date Posted: 5/14/06 12:39pm Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Characters)
Any chance you might be updating soon? I don't want to forget this story.

 

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"As you enter this life, I pray you depart with a wrinkled face and a brand new heart." -- U2
"You are in my very soul, tormenting me." -- Anakin
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jedimasterbac  6373 posts
Title: CT and Fan Design Manager
 Registered: Jun '04
24180_Obi-Wan Art
Date Posted: 6/18/06 1:09pm Subject: RE: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac (Original Chttp://boards.theforce.haracters) - Date Edited: 6/18/06 1:14pm (2 edits total) Edited By: jedimasterbac
Title: Shadows of the Jedi: The Legend of Ussej Padric Bac
Section: Chapter Four - The Taming of the Shrew
Authors: Brandon Rhea and Kevin Arthur
Characters: Ussej Padric Bac and Laili Jeyna Rendar
Timeframe: The Great Territorial War (Created at SWRP.Com; 3,921 BBY - 3,918 BBY)
Authors Note: You will notice that in this chapter Ussej preaches many Jedi teachings in training. Those of you who have read The Dharma of Star Wars will recognize them, as that is where they come from. For those of you who have not read The Dharma of Star Wars, I suggest doing so.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Four
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

Written By
BRANDON RHEA and
KEVIN ARTHUR

The Onderon breeze was coarse and hot, not to mention that the sand blowing around Iziz was never his favorite part of the day. Ussej Padric Bac sat in a training chamber on Onderon, homeworld of some of the galaxy’s most feared women such as Adena Qel-Droma, Shara Qel-Droma and Kyra Maans.

The sand blew through the window, forcing him to turn his face. He was never fond of sand. It was hot, rough irritating...and it got everywhere. Not like Alderaan, his homeworld. It had been some time since he had last visited the luscious planet. How he missed its cool, gentle breeze. There was only one feeling greater...the touch of his new apprentice.

It was then that he remembered why he was even in this room. He awaited the arrival of his new Apprentice, Laili Rendar, who was also the woman he secretly loved. Though, he was becoming increasingly agitated. She was late...he hated it when people were late. It was then that he smelled the scent of alcohol in the hallway. He turned his head to see Laili standing in the doorway.

Laili entered the room rubbing her temples with her brows furrowed as the bright light of the morning caused her head to pound harder and harder. Ever since facing her brother on Corellia and almost falling into his grip, things weren't the same for her. Not knowing what to expect, she hoped the day wasn't long so she could lie down again. "Sorry about the delay. I'm here so let's get started."

A quizzical look furrowed his brow as he turned to her, cocking an eyebrow. Her smartass routine would have no place in Jedi Training...not this training at least...not when the teacher is Ussej Padric Bac. "You're late, Miss Rendar...."

Her blue, bloodshot eyes moved to look at him for a minute giving him a keep your voice down look. "A little formal today aren't we? The important thing is that I'm here is it not? Asking a smuggler to meet you so early in the morning is never a good idea. My day never starts before 11am."

She rubs her temples again and sits down in the middle of the floor.

"You're day will begin when I say it begins, Laili. You are no longer a smuggler. You have accepted the path of a Jedi and I swear on my life that you will be a Jedi." He turned to face her, sitting in a meditation stance. "Close your eyes and picture yourself in a quiet place...a place that makes you feel calm, at peace...passive."

"Ussej, I'm not a child. Don't speak to me as one. I'm here because you said you could help me save Kit."

She sits down on the floor and closes her eyes. He wasn't being the same ol' Ussej that she had met back on Coruscant and back on Corellia. Yet, her frustration at him was so that it was hard to concentrate. She wasn't used to just sitting down and being still once awake. As soon as her eyes opened, it was time to check the ship and cargo and then be on her way. Life here with the Jedi was too slow. Only her nights drinking in the cantina brought back any of the old habits.

"Laili, this is not a time to argue. This is a time to listen. Please, close your eyes and do what I asked of you."

"They're closed, Ussej."

She said nothing else as she took a deep breath and tried to picture the dawning of the Corellian morn. She always loved staying up through the night to make sure she could catch it when she was younger. Slightly, smiling, she began to relax as the headache's pounding seemed to lessen.

"Do you see anything else other than darkness? If not, you will in time. Always remember, the eyes are the tools of deception that conjure the illusion of death. Look! See! There is no death, Laili, except that which exists in the mind shrouded by the Dark Side of the Force. Remember: death lurks around every corner, and it cannot be bargained with. Knowing this, if you are wise, you will put aside all quarrels. Life is precious to all beings. All beings fear death. Knowing this, my young apprentice, and caring for others as you care for yourself, do not be eager to deal out death.”

He paused for a moment, taking another moment to collect his thoughts once more. “You cannot escape death, Laili. Death, not just of the corporeal body, but of all manifestations of the mind, it is inevitable. It is the way of all things...the way of the Force. When someone is dying of thirst it is too late to dig a well. If you wait until you are upon your deathbed to practice the Way it will be too late. Death will not wait a moment longer than it is ready. Do not be lazy, Laili, be steadfast as a serious, deeply committed Jedi is steadfast. Life is impermanence. All things are subject to change, and nothing can last forever. Look at your hand, young one, and ask yourself, "Whose hand is this?" Can your hand correctly be called yours? Or is it the hand of your mother...the hand of your father...the hand of your brother. Reflect on the impermanent nature of your, the hand that you once sucked in your mothers womb. That is the finitude of life, young one. Do not forget it."

Her eyes flash open as she turns her head to look at him. Pain was within the depths of her eyes as she glared at him and then looked away. Her jaw clenched and tears threatened to fall down her face.

"As committed as Kit to the Jedi only to turn to the Dark Side? Is that what you're saying?"

Not only had he gone so low as to bring up her brother's fall into the darkness in this first lesson, but he brought up her mother...the mother she never knew who died in a tragic accident...the day she had lost her family and lost Kit forever. Turning her face from him, she got to her feet and turned around to walk to the end of the room. Her face turned as her voice was pained as it spoke. "Kit won't face death. I don't believe he's completely evil. There's good in him still...I know it! You yourself once said no one is beyond redemption."

"I also said redemption was a choice, a choice only he can make. It is up to Kit Rendar to destroy Darth Ravinos, but you have seen first hand that he is thoroughly enjoying himself. Redemption comes from the release of self, not the exaltation of self. It comes through compassion, not greed. One lone candle is enough to fight the darkness. But love...love is more than a candle. Love is the answer to the darkness. Love can ignite the stars."

"He has to make that choice! I won't let him continue down this path. He'll see in time. I can make him see in time. Yet, you're so quick to write him off. Why?" She moved toward him until she stood before him meeting his gaze and searching his eyes. Her anger shot towards him, sending a flush of red to her cheeks. "I'd rather die than see him lost forever. I promised my parents on their grave I would save him and I will. Now teach me what I need to do to bring him back to us?"

"I am not here to teach you how to bring him back. I am here to teach you how to survive. Only you can learn the power to bring him back....through compassion. Compassion and selflessness lead to redemption, not cheap parlor tricks. Before he makes a choice, you must make a choice. Are you to sit here and learn what you need to survive, all while teaching yourself compassion? Or, will you choose the quick and easy path, as Ravinos did, and become an agent of evil?"
"You promised me when we were last on Coruscant that you would help me bring him back. Were you lying just to get me in your bed or did you mean it? Because the man I see before me now isn't the same man I met that day outside the Temple."

The remark was meant to sting as much as his own words stung her. Part of it was frustration and the lingering hangover as the rest was how he seemed to completely disregard that day back on Coruscant. She had to know the truth.

He whirled around, facing her in almost anger. "I grew up, Laili. I saw the truth! My becoming a Jedi Knight as well as seeing Darth Ravinos face-to-face changed my opinion on a few things. Now, you're ignorance is not help the situation. You're being blinded by a promise. You're parents would not want to see you in this situation, Laili. Now that I can promise you!"

Tears blinded her vision as she dropped her voice and spoke softly, slowly and vehemously. "Don't you dare presume to know what my parents want or don't want! You know nothing about my family!"

"It's amazing, really. I usually have good eyesight. Strange, considering I could not see that the most beautiful woman could be the most stubborn, self-centered, idealistic whore that would sleep with a man simply to get him to rush into some damned fool's idealistic crusade. It seems I was the fool to sleep with you..."

She brought her hand up and slapped him as hard as she could for his remark. All of it had been a lie on Coruscant. His seeming to care...the fire between them. She finally saw it and she despised him for it. "You bastard!" She brought her hand up again to slap him again or pummel his chest for. "You selfish, inconsiderate bastard!" Tears of anger and hurt poured from her eyes as she just wailed on him for his comment.

He was angry, something unusual for him. It shot through his body and, for a moment, he felt empowered. She continued beating him, but he threw her to the ground like a rag doll.

"Do you see what this is doing to you? This fool's journey will destroy you if you don't follow my lead." He smiled, hoping to lighten this tense situation. "This concludes today's lesson on anger management. Shall we move on or are you just going to hit the bar again?"

Her hands braced herself upright on the floor as she sat there and looked at him with disgust. Her mind was reeling at his turn in moods. "Maybe I should have gone with Kit back on Corellia. At least he wouldn't humiliate me and lie to me as you have done. You know Coruscant meant something! Admit it! There was something there that you can't deny. No matter how hard you try, it's still there."

Her words sent a crushing blow through his thoughts. He did feel something, but attachment leads to jealousy. That is the shadow of greed. Above this, he could not...he would not allow himself to be overcome by his feelings. His status within the Jedi Order was too important to be blown apart by this.

"Loving another leads to attachment, which is a luxury a Jedi cannot afford. You must beware the binding tractor beam of attachment. For a being who is attached to his body, his thoughts, his feelings, beliefs, perceptions, or consciousness is imprisoned and can never know true freedom. To commit to the way is to give up selfish desires and to live for the benefit of all beings whether they be Gungan, Jedi or Sith.”

The night on Coruscant flowed through his mind, remembering the feelings of happiness and comfort that arose from it. He wanted to tell her, but he couldn’t. He had to be the Jedi he wanted to be. “The joy that arises with bodily pleasure offers fleeting benefits and little sweetness. It is fruit that quickly becomes bitter and over time poisons the one who eats it. The joy that arises with equanimity, that is free from attachment to sensual desires, is sweet and nourishing. Its benefits are profound and ever present. Look carefully at the object you desire. Is it truly what you believe it to be? What resides in it that does not reside everywhere? What do they hold that cannot be found in every element of the galaxy? Ambition and desire lead to the Dark Side of the Force. Be wise, Laili. There is no happiness like the happiness of having few desires. Though, always remember that compassion is central to a Jedi's life. A Jedi who is worthy keeps compassion foremost in his thoughts. His compassion extends to all beings in the galaxy. With an open and loving heart he directs these thoughts for their universal benefit.”

The tears continued to stream down her face as he said these words. It was like he had taken a dagger and thrust it deep into her breast only to twist it more and make the wound deeper. "Compassion? You have no compassion except for the precious ideals your Jedi hold." She lashed out at him with her words just as a wounded animal lashes out at it's rescuer. It knows no better and a smuggler can't understand the ways of the Jedi. All she knew were the way she felt toward him and he was turning her away.

"You need rest, Laili. You're not well. Please, for your own sake, leave and come back tomorrow..."

She didn't question him or say anything else. What she wanted more than anything was to get away from him. Hearing his words of how their one night together on Coruscant meant nothing to him was more than she could possibly bear. Rising to her feet, she turned her back to him and walked out of the room quietly. She felt sick to her stomach after this day of training. Ignoring the other padawans and Jedi in the halls, she went straight for her room that had been set up on Onderon for her. Securing the door and locking it, she leaned against it and closed her eyes as the tears and sobs racked her body and she slid down the door.

-----------------------------------

The next day he was much more calm. He regretted almost everything he had said to Laili and prayed to the Force to take it all back. Though, he knew that would not happen. It was funny thing being a Bac. Honor was always a great thing. His great grandfather was a corrupt senator from Alderaan, but when his grandfather Senator Curtis Padric Bac took over his duties he ushered in a new era of ethics reform, which his father Senator Padric Curtis Bac continued. He signaled Laili to come to the chambers, hoping to make ends meet and apologize. That was where his honor as a Bac would arise once more.

Somberly, Laili left her quarters taking extra care of her appearance. No sleep had come to her the previous night. Though her eyes ached with tiredness, she found no comfort in sleep. Only the words Bac spoke to her the previous day were in her thoughts. Saying nothing and refusing to look him in the eyes, she enters the training room without saying a word. Whatever he asked her to do today, she would do without pushing him. He had made himself very clear the previous day...all she had now was her brother.

He watched her enter as the grief of the previous day and the anxiety of the present swelled through him like a waterfall on a cool Naboo day. Watching her sit down, he could not help but wonder if they would be able to amend their non-existent relationship. Sitting down, he looked into her beautiful blue eyes and could only wonder and hope.

"Laili, I...I'm sorry. If there is one thing a Jedi must always remember it is worthy conduct, and in no way did I conduct myself in a worthy manner. This brings me to my lesson for today." He stood up, pacing the room.

"The path we walk is a difficult one, as is the way of mindfulness. Commit yourself completely. Always remain diligent because the path of practice is narrow and continuously assailed by the energies of the Dark Side. Consider this: who is better protected, a Jedi with a legion of his fellow Knights at his side or...or..."

He tried to speak, but the words could no longer come out. All he could think of was how much of a fool he came across as yesterday. He wanted to just blurt out the truth, and it was at that moment that he realized he was.

"Laili, I was an idiot yesterday. I do not know what came over me. The truth is...the truth is that the night on Coruscant was the greatest night of my life. Never had a felt so...whole. Laili, you complete me. I don't know what I would do without you. Please...accept my apology. I beg you to accept my apology."

Her eyes which had avoided his own since coming into the room turned to meet them now. Her lips parted as her eyebrows furrowed as she didn't quite understand. "The horrible things you said to me I've never had any man say before...why did you tell me you had no feelings for me?"

What he was saying was hard to believe after the way he had treated her. All through the night she replayed the events on Coruscant and the events that happened in her training over and over again. Her heart was wrenched in two and there was nothing but pain inside her. Unable to sleep, eat or do anything, she had secluded herself to her room. Only her desire to see him again and know if he truly meant it brought her out of her room this morn.

He moved closer to her, and took her hands into his. Though he was smiling, he was truly more nervous than he ever had been in the past. "Because I was too afraid to tell you that I had all the feelings in the galaxy for you..."

Her eyes gazed into his deeply seeing his nervousness and the truth behind his words. Her heart was aflutter as the pain that was there was overshadowed by something else...joy. She smiled as tears began to fall from her eyes like tiny streams. Her heart beat wildly in her chest as she couldn't say anything. Leaning into him and wrapping her arms around him, she buried her head in his chest and let the tears out...tears of which she thought she had no more after last night. Yet, with each teardrop that fell, some of the pain went with it.

He felt her in his embrace and felt warm and whole for the first time in his life. He gently kissed her lips, touching her soft face with his cold, frightened fingertips. He truly now realized that love can hurt, but after you get through the pain it is the most amazing thing you have. He stepped back, looking into her gaze. It was a fine, yet troubled, thing. He faced her, though he had no idea what to do or say. He had already said so much, for better and for worse, in the past two days to just dismiss her or continue with training as if nothing had happened. He had to face their destiny, the same destiny all humans face, being complicated further. He suddenly found himself on one knee, though he had no memory of placing it to the floor. He took her hands, still staring into her ocean blue eyes.

"Laili, I love you more than anything in the world. I can't let you be, because your beauty won't allow me to. I can’t imagine not spending the rest of my life with you. You complete me, and...oh, hell. I’ll just say it. I don’t want to hide it. I want to blurt it out for all to hear. Laili, I love you. Marry me, and no harm will ever come to you. Marry me, and we can finally be whole. The absence of the other will no longer affect our lives. Please, Laili, marry me.”

Laili looked down upon his face...the beautiful smile that warmed her heart whenever she saw it. She did love him. She had loved him since the first time they had met on Coruscant. Yet, she also knew of his love for the Jedi. She closed her eyes not wanting to see his look of love for her now. It was too much to bear to even say what she had to.

"What of the Jedi? You know they won't approve of this...," the words made her sick to her stomach to even say. She remembered hearing of Kit and his Padawans love for each other and how she had fallen into darkness just as he had. Just yesterday he had warned her of the dangers of holding any connections. Yet, Laili couldn't bear and didn't know if she could even survive another night without him. Being around him in training just made the ache worse. "I can't let what happened to Kit happen to you. I can't lose you too."

"Laili, not being with you would drive me crazy. I can't lose you, Laili. You mean everything to me. The thought of not being with you....I can't breathe. Besides, it's not like the other Jedi listen to the code. Look at Damien Nightblade. He's madly in love with Queen Arael. And, I'm madly in love with you. Why should we have to bury our feelings every time we come into contact with another Jedi?"

He sighed, walking over to the window and placing his hands on his waist. He watched as the citizens of Iziz walked through their daily routine, taking everything that had for granted. There were young couples everywhere, in love with each other. All he could wonder at this moment was why they couldn't be like everyone else.

"Last night was the most painful night I've ever experienced. The thought of having to hide my feelings for you and not have them returned....the thought of losing you forever...I can't bear it and I won't do it. I won't live a lie. I don't want to be separated from you again..." She let her voice fade and lowered her gaze. Laili moved closer to him and put her hand gently on his back as she looked out the window too. She too saw the people walking hand in hand down the streets....husbands and wives, lovers....she wanted that too. Yet, they didn't face the dangers that Ussej would face...they didn't face the Sith. Pulling her gaze from the scene, she stepped to his side and looked into his eyes. She brought her hands up to rest against his chest. She knew the path they were about to undertake would be a hard road, but it was worth it in her mind's eye. She could help him stay true to the Jedi. "Whatever may come, we'll face together."

"So...is that...is that a yes?"

The smile slowly spread across her face as she blinked the tears away that had started forming in her eyes. Nodding her head, she spoke finally. "Yes. Yes, Ussej, I'll marry you."

He pulled her in close, hugging her tightly. He stroked her hair back, kissing her forehead. "I won't let anything bad happen to Laili, I promise. I'd do anything to protect you....anything. I’ even turn to the Dark Side for you...."

She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him while nestling her head against him. She let the tears of joy continue to fall as her heart beat wildly in her chest. How she had longed to be held in his arms like this again. Everything had felt right at that moment as the worries and troubles they would face seemed so very distant. "Just hold me right now."

He held her tightly, taking in her beauty as the gentle breeze rushed against his face. He looked down at her, showing the smile that made her fall in love with him. "What now? I've never been engaged before."

She laughed at his question and pulled her head back to look him in the eyes. "Well, Ussej, usually there's a wedding to plan...at least that is what is insinuating. Yet, when is going to be difficult. The Jedi still are in exile and Kit...." Her voice dropped off and she cast her eyes downward. "I want my brother to be there if possible."

Laili knew exactly what she was asking of him and knew he would combat her saying again how unlikely it was to turn Ravinos back to the man he once was. Yet, even now in her mind, she knew it would happen.

He kissed her softly, smiling. "I guess we'll be waiting a while for our wedding then..."

His response was not what she had expected, yet her confusion melted away with his kiss. This was the man she had met on Coruscant and fell in love with. She looked at him with so much love and smiled. "Thank you for understanding, Ussej. Oh, how I love you."

She rose on her tip toes and kissed him tenderly but with urgency. It didn't matter that others may pass by and see them. Laili was filled only with the love and want of this man in her arms again. "Don't make me spend another night alone, Ussej..."

"Never, Laili. Never will you have to be alone again. No harm can ever come to you, as I will never leave you. I'd do anything for you." His voice was soft and calm, yet awkwardly disturbing.

A cold chill moved across her body as the hairs on the back of her neck and her arms stood on their end. Words that should have been calming and even soothing for her to hear instead filled the back of her mind with dread. Her deep blue eyes studied his, yet all she found within them were the love for her. She moved back, looking up into his eyes. "There's rumor of an apartment that's been abandoned nearby....I had thought of taking it for myself after agreeing to smuggle some things for the queen and Jedi..."

He gently moved his hands off of her waist and placed his hand in hers. He brought her closer, kissing her once more. "Well...shall we?"

Having him so close to her made her breaths catch as her heart fluttered in her chest and her cheeks flooded with pink. Lowering her eyes from his own, she so wanted to be in his arms again as they had on Coruscant. The want was strong now as she found it hard to concentrate with him so close. Yet, the amount of time she had before she had to go on a smuggling run for the queen was short. Simply nodding her head, she raised her eyes to meet his again looking into their depths and seeing the passion he held for her as well.

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To Be Continued in Chapter Four: The Taming of the Shrew

 

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