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Author	Topic: Symbiosis [A/T Japor Challenge Response, Action/Drama]
Artanis Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 6/9/06 9:16pm Subject: Symbiosis [A/T Japor Challenge Response, Action/Drama] - Date Edited: 6/20/06 6:39pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Artanis
	Title: Symbiosis Author: Artanis Timeframe: Post-Myrkr Characters: Anakin, Tahiri, Kyp, Jaina, and others Genre: Drama Keywords: Summary: A fairly extreme AU - what might have taken place if Kyp had gone with the Myrkr strike team, and Jacen had died there? Notes: I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever be totally satisfied with anything I write... Symbiosis Sometimes, when the howling emptiness of the Force and the bleakness of night conspire to magnify her fear and loneliness, Tahiri grasps the snippet of japor in the darkness as if her existence depends on it. In a way, it does. ~~ There had been no end to the amount of speculation as to what Kyp Durron had endured at the hands of Vergere subsequent to the Myrkr mission, during which he had been captured while defending the Solo children. In this heroic endeavor he had been partially unsuccessful, for Jacen Solo died from his wounds sustained at Myrkr. Kyp had returned from his imprisonment quieter, less impulsive; those who knew him best felt uneasy at the sight of him, for something in his character had changed. Only one other Jedi knew what he had done to Vergere – had been informed of the mangled state of the alien’s feathery body...and she didn’t care. A few months with the mysterious Force-sensitive appeared to have broken what years in the blackness of Kessel could not bend. When Luke Skywalker and his wife perished on Mon Calamari in a speeder crash, foul play was instantly suspected. After all, it was whispered, how could arguably the most gifted pilot in the galaxy die at the steering rods of a vehicle without reasonable cause? The holonet played and replayed footage of the crash site (though there was little to see, as the bodies of the Jedi Masters had vanished at death as those of Jedi Masters do), accompanied by endless speculation, for days, until the next big story broke – the release of Alpha Red, a tactic previously unsuspected, but somehow discovered by the press, who indefatigably discussed and dissected what few details they knew. It wasn’t long before someone pieced together a connection between these three seemingly unrelated events. By that time, Anakin Solo had fled. ~~ “What’s going on, Anakin?” she’d cried in confusion as he had torn into her quarters, dazed and bemused. Without a word, he had flicked the holonet on with a careless Force gesture. Chaotic, violent images crowded the screen. “You see?” She did see. And suddenly, the disturbance she had earlier felt in the Force, the void of darkness and pain and loss, made sense. “I have to go – the killers, they saw...he saw, me there, I think they…they planted a bomb or something, and I have to leave.” Anakin had drawn in a breath, steadying himself, and turned toward the door. “Come with me, Tahiri. We’ll find my parents and head to the Maw, because, I don’t know, Ben could be in danger. You...you could be in danger, too.” Tahiri had gasped and taken a step toward the console. The greatest Jedi the galaxy had ever known, along with his wife, had just been confirmed dead. After a few moments of processing and another, clearer explanation from Anakin, she’d made her decision. “Anakin, you need a source of information from Mon Calamari. I can give you that,” she’d insisted, tears filling her eyes. Tahiri had slipped her arms around him and squeezed. “I’m the only one here you can trust right now.” A few days later, the simple japor pendant had arrived. ~~ Tahiri touches the pendant briefly as she makes her way through the crowded hallway toward the makeshift Jedi council meeting room. The insignificant shard of japor rests on the teal material of her tunic, attracting no attention but providing some comfort to her with its miniscule weight. Durron has proven to be a formidable opponent on the exclusively Jedi council he so recently assembled; she has only deflected suspicion thus far by appearing to agree with him and to rest under his thrall, as do Jaina Solo and many others on Mon Calamari. Those openly opposing Kyp’s views have, conspicuously, not been invited to sit on the council. Jedi in the Maw, however, are far removed from the rogue’s influence, and express widespread support for another to lead the order. Anakin Solo – the Jedi Order’s brightest flame of the new generation. Today, Tahiri is going to help Anakin rise to power...and in the process, seek justice for Luke and Mara Skywalker. Ben will never know his parents, she thinks, and pictures the chubby auburn-haired infant. The notion has occurred to her more than once. Entering the council room, Tahiri reminds herself to focus. The others must not be wary; she must distract them until her allies are in place. She takes her seat near the foot of the rectangular table. At the head sits Kyp; to his right, Jaina Solo, and to his left, Alema Rar. Pain laces through Tahiri at the sight of Jaina sitting unknowingly beside a murderer – especially when she considers what side Jaina has chosen by her position, and how that choice could end. Once, after Jacen died on Myrkr, Jaina had confided to Tahiri that she no longer wanted to fight the Yuuzhan Vong. “I just want them dead,” she’d ground out. At that moment, Tahiri had begun to fear for Jaina. A warranted fear, as current circumstances confirm. Having settled into her hard durasteel chair, she unobtrusively reaches up to grasp her japor necklace and gives it a swift pinch. Tahiri then places her hands in her lap while Kyp begins the meeting. “Friends,” he begins, though the statement is dubious in regard to a few of those present, “the threat of the Yuuzhan Vong is all but gone. Our sources suggest Alpha Red is fulfilling its purpose throughout the galaxy. “Soon we can start to reclaim and rebuild our worlds.” Jaina nods once in approval, glassy eyes glistening with emotion. The rest of the Jedi look on with varying amounts of relief and unease. Tahiri clears her throat. “But Master Durron, isn’t there a possibility that the Yuuzhan Vong could still release a toxin deadly to one or more of the species of the New Republic? We know that Emperor Palpatine developed similar plagues. Do you really think we’ve defeated them?” Though her dissension is phrased as an innocent question, Kyp’s eyes light angrily, and suddenly she senses that he knows. Within the space of two seconds, he stands above her, lightsaber activated, and shoves her to the floor. She kneels, gazing up at his face in a kind of fatalistic fascination through the strands of blond hair falling into her eyes. “We have a traitor on this council,” he announces with a cynical sneer. Perhaps, somewhere in his damaged mind, he feels the irony of his statement. Whatever the case, his wrath only grows. A few of the other Jedi, the loyal ones, look as though they want to intervene, but the aspect of Kyp’s raw power in conjunction with the fighting prowess of Jaina, as well as the assistance of Rar, deter them. “Your sedition will not be tolerated, Veila,” he hisses, a sound much like that of the opening doorway a few meters away. He raises his sword, a harnessed bolt of crackling violet lightning and swings downward – - only to meet the blade of Anakin Solo humming a bare centimeter above Tahiri’s neck, nearly singing her hair. Newly-arrived Solo knocks the hungry blade away, flashing a grim smile when Tahiri jumps to her feet and activates her own lightsaber. “What, did you stop off to eat on the way? It’d be like you.” she mock-grumbles, noting with satisfaction the three or so Jedi who activate their own ‘sabers to join Anakin and her. “Sorry.” He winks – even in the midst of a burgeoning battle, with one wink he can invert her stomach – and grins at her, even as he parries Kyp’s second furious blow. “I was gonna bring you some flowers…” he grunts and thrusts, meeting the other man’s lightsaber again, “but I just couldn’t seem to find an arrangement I liked.” Alema and three other rogue Jedi advance on Tahiri and her group; their Jedi blades cast weird shadows on their faces, hollowing their eyes into black pits of twisted determination. Jaina stands, conflicted, her ‘saber shining before her body. “So then I realized that you’d be thrilled just to have the joy of my presence,” Anakin finishes, abruptly intensifying his attack. “That kind of attitude is exactly why you’re a dummy,” she replies, flicking her hair out of her face. Tahiri twirls her lightsaber in anticipation of the coming battle, giddy with the sudden knowledge that they are going to win. Its source, whether it comes from the Force or from the assurance she always feels when Anakin is near, is unimportant. Rar and her companions quickly maneuver the opposing Jedi, save Anakin, away from the door, closer and closer to the back wall of sheer transparisteel, and appear to be gaining the advantage – until several powerful blaster bolts lance through the door and into Rar’s back, courtesy of the most famous smuggler in the galaxy, Han Solo himself. She doesn’t appear to appreciate the honor. With Alema incapacitated, the skirmish ends quickly. Two more rogues are injured, and the last surrenders without stipulation. Han, entering the room with Leia, helps Tahiri to place the rogues in stuncuffs. Cilgal makes her entrance soon after, injecting the fallen ones with Force-blocking serum and treating their wounds. The loyal Jedi – Tresina Lobi and Octa Ramis among them – extinguish their lightsabers and prepare to direct the traitors to secure facilities. All the time, Anakin and Kyp continue their duel throughout the large council room, Anakin growing fiercer, Kyp more desperate. Tahiri will help if Anakin summons her, but she senses that he is fulfilling a need in himself to administer justice – for the deaths of his loved ones, for the fear and anger with which Jedi are now regarded, and even for the cowardly death wreaked indiscriminately on the Yuuzhan Vong. Even the children. Kyp, sweat streaming down his face, leaps back from Anakin for a second to breathe. He sees Jaina, still standing with a faraway, lost expression on her face. Her mother’s eyes flash to her in the same moment, Leia’s countenance simultaneously heartbroken and yet hopeful, for she knows what Kyp is asking Jaina to do, and she sees that Jaina is considering refusal. The moment hangs suspended in time… “Jaina...” Kyp pleads for help, his voice breaking. Anakin seizes the opportunity to knock his enemy’s sword away and holds his own ‘saber at Kyp’s throat in the classic position of victory. “Jaina,” her brother says, and his tone holds no pleading – only boundless love. Jaina tosses her deactivated blade away from herself. She sinks down to her knees, sobbing, wrapping her arms around herself as if to attempt to fill the sucking vacuum of self-loathing and long-repressed pain. Han and Leia are immediately at her sides. Kyp opens his mouth to speak again, his eyes moist and hard with fury, but Han draws his blaster faster than Tahiri can blink – an impressive feat for a non-Jedi – and points it straight at Kyp’s head. Everyone in the room knows he will not miss. “If you want to live another day, and Force knows you don’t have any right to, but if you have any hope of living, you better shut your worthless mouth, you filthy heap of Hutt slime,” Han growls. Kyp shuts his mouth as instructed. Once, Han was his most faithful supporter. Finally, he seems to see through another’s eyes what he has become, and the knowledge is enough to undo him. He sinks to his knees in surrender, Anakin’s blade following his throat like a hungry, restrained carnivore, and does not struggle when Cilgal administers the serum. Her wide, fishy eyes gaze at him in silent accusation and grief. The Jedi have lost much in the past months. Not all of it is Kyp’s fault; nevertheless, he has caused many problems, and much heartache. After Kyp is placed in stuncuffs, the loyal Jedi lead him and his rogues off to holding cells until the best course of action is decided. Anakin lowers his lightsaber wearily, wiping sweat out of his eyes and watching Jaina. She clings to her mother in a way that she never really has before. Tahiri knows the ordeal is far from over for all of them – but she knows Jaina will heal, though the daughter of the Solos will carry the scars of having been in league with, and perhaps having felt affection for, the man who killed her uncle and aunt. She is strong. Thoroughly exhausted, Tahiri steps to Anakin’s side to gauge his mood: tired, somewhat contented, but concerned for his sister. “She’ll be okay,” she assures him. Tahiri leans into his steady frame as he slips his arm around her petite shoulders. “Of course,” he answers, but doesn’t smile. She glimpses a side of him she has rarely seen, a melancholy oldness that is born of having endured too much already in his lifetime. It strongly reminds her of Master Skywalker. “Hey,” she chides lightly, “next time I want those flowers.” Anakin blinks, snaps out of his trancelike state. Grinning at her, he touches the japor pendant that lies on her collarbone. “Well, I did give you this. It’s pretty, isn’t it?” She nods agreement with raised eyebrows. “It’s a good thing you sent the signal out of the thing when you did; a couple more minutes and...” His joking attitude evaporates briefly. With an effort, he redirects his thoughts. “Would’ve been easier for you to reach through the Force, but that would have alerted him too early.” “I could’ve defended myself, you know,” Tahiri teases. “I just wanted you to have the chance to play hero.” “Oh, really?” he laughs. “Maybe next time you shouldn’t tell me so – spoils the illusion.” Anakin nods sagely; mock-arrogance shines from his eyes. Tahiri smacks him lightly, too relieved and fatigued to feign convincing anger. “I’m just glad there weren’t any casualties.” “I guess it depends how you define a casualty.” He saddens again. “Kyp was a hero, you know. It’s this war – it’s the Yuuzhan Vong – that did this to him.” “It doesn’t seem right,” she whispers with her head laid against his shoulder. Through their bond the young Jedi feels Anakin’s silent assent. Nothing is right in their lives anymore. Nothing, that is, but the mutual support they provide for and derive from each other – without it, both would have surrendered long ago to fear and despair. Neither knows if it will be sufficient to carry them through the next uncertain years. But they hope, and they trust to the Force. For now, it is enough. -----signature----- "What do you* want?" "The usual...conversation with a liberal dose of sarcasm."
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Kidan Title: TFN EU Staff Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 6/9/06 9:26pm Subject: RE: Symbiosis [A/T Japor Challenge Response]
	That was a great entry! I really got a kick out of it. Great job! -----signature----- You sadistic Yank!! - McEwok No Krakana - http://nokrakana.wrighton.org Believe in the Constitution? Ron Paul '08
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YodaKenobi Title: TFN EU Staff Registered: May '03	Date Posted: 6/10/06 3:32pm Subject: RE: Symbiosis [A/T Japor Challenge Response]
	Yay, another entry. Thanks for participating, Artanis Only one other Jedi knew what he had done to Vergere – had been informed of the mangled state of the alien’s feathery body...and she didn’t care. Nothing wrong with that Though her dissension is phrased as an innocent question, Kyp’s eyes light angrily, and suddenly she senses that he knows. Within the space of two seconds, he stands above her, lightsaber activated, and shoves her to the floor. She kneels, gazing up at his face in a kind of fatalistic fascination through the strands of blond hair falling into her eyes. “We have a traitor on this council,” Geez, what a psycho! “What, did you stop off to eat on the way? It’d be like you.” she mock-grumbles, “It’s a good thing you sent the signal out of the thing when you did; a couple more minutes and...” His joking attitude evaporates briefly. With an effort, he redirects his thoughts. “Would’ve been easier for you to reach through the Force, but that would have alerted him too early.” Clever Terrific job, Artanis Loved the present tense. Lots of action, was a very exciting read I almost wish you'd made this a full fic instead of a viggie. Lots of potential here. Also very original, I really wasn't expecting anything like this. Was glad that Jaina came to her senses. It's too bad Vergere was able to twist Kyp so She's one creepy chicken. At least Han and Anakin spared his life. Great fic -----signature----- FADA Therapist The Lands of the Dead: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28522077/p1/ Blood Trail: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28636429/p1 "We're Jedi, not assassins."— Anakin Solo
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magehound Registered: Jun '06	Date Posted: 6/10/06 4:56pm Subject: RE: Symbiosis [A/T Japor Challenge Response]
	This was actually much better than I thought it would be. you did a very good job with this. -----signature----- "I choose you, PikIshu!" Knighted by SilSolo. Gracias, senorita. I J/TK! Keywords: Love and Red Hair! Vi veri veniversum vivus vici. "Jaina. Cooked. Dinner. Jace, it's looking at me! It's not dead yet!"-Zekk
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Quiet_Mandalorian Registered: Apr '05	Date Posted: 6/10/06 5:35pm Subject: RE: Symbiosis [A/T Japor Challenge Response]
	It's by Artanis, therefore, it must be reviewed (eventually). Be back soon. -----signature----- The hour when death is like a light and blood is like a rose, You have never loved your friends, my friends, as I shall love my foes. G.K. Chesterton
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Artanis Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 6/19/06 8:08pm Subject: RE: Symbiosis [A/T Japor Challenge Response]
	Kidan posted: That was a great entry! I really got a kick out of it. Great job! Thanks! I'm so glad you stopped by. YodaKenobi posted: Yay, another entry. Thanks for participating, Artanis Thanks for reading, YodaKenobi. YodaKenobi posted: Nothing wrong with that YodaKenobi posted: Geez, what a psycho! Yeah. I wonder...does that say something about me as an author? YodaKenobi posted: Terrific job, Artanis Loved the present tense. Lots of action, was a very exciting read I almost wish you'd made this a full fic instead of a viggie. Lots of potential here. Also very original, I really wasn't expecting anything like this. Thank you! I waffled for a while about how much detail to try to include, considering it was only a vig, and I hope I struck a good balance. Also, I'm glad the action came off fairly well - I was a bit nervous about that aspect of it. YodaKenobi posted: She's one creepy chicken. I fully agree. YodaKenobi posted: Great fic Thanks. magehound posted: This was actually much better than I thought it would be. you did a very good job with this. Thank you, I appreciate that. Quiet_Mandalorian posted: It's by Artanis, therefore, it must be reviewed (eventually). Be back soon. I look forward to seeing your thoughts. And I can understand all too well the demands of RL. -----signature----- "What do you want?" "The usual...conversation with a liberal dose of sarcasm."
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Tahi Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/20/06 5:34pm Subject: RE: Symbiosis [A/T Japor Challenge Response]
	This is great, Artanis. :0 What a cool way to use the challenge idea. He raises his sword, a harnessed bolt of crackling violet lightning and swings downward – - only to meet the blade of Anakin Solo humming a bare centimeter above Tahiri’s neck, nearly singing her hair. Newly-arrived Solo knocks the hungry blade away, flashing a grim smile when Tahiri jumps to her feet and activates her own lightsaber. “What, did you stop off to eat on the way? It’d be like you.” she mock-grumbles, noting with satisfaction the three or so Jedi who activate their own ‘sabers to join Anakin and her. “Sorry.” He winks – even in the midst of a burgeoning battle, with one wink he can invert her stomach – and grins at her, even as he parries Kyp’s second furious blow. “I was gonna bring you some flowers…” he grunts and thrusts, meeting the other man’s lightsaber again, “but I just couldn’t seem to find an arrangement I liked.” That was a wonderful section. Loved the image of the clashing blades just above Tahiri's head, and Anakin and Tahiri's great dialogue. I also liked that little observation about the effect Anakin has on her. several powerful blaster bolts lance through the door and into Rar’s back, courtesy of the most famous smuggler in the galaxy, Han Solo himself. She doesn’t appear to appreciate the honor. LOL Stupid girl. It isn't often one can get blasted by Han. Great idea to have the snippet as a means of sending a signal. I loved the ending, too. -----signature----- Anahiri #6 http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/18446448/p33 The magazine for A/T fans Many Happy Returns http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/11018706/p81/?2011 Master to THE_PIED_PIPER
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Artanis Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 6/24/06 8:39pm Subject: RE: Symbiosis [A/T Japor Challenge Response, Action/Drama]
	Tahi posted: This is great, Artanis. :0 What a cool way to use the challenge idea. Thanks, Tahi! Tahi posted: LOL Stupid girl. It isn't often one can get blasted by Han. Yeah, after DN my estimation of her intelligence dropped significantly. I guess it shows. Tahi posted: Great idea to have the snippet as a means of sending a signal. I loved the ending, too. Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. -----signature----- "What do you want?" "The usual...conversation with a liberal dose of sarcasm."
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