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Author	Topic: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - author's notes and apology
G__Anakin Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 5/8/07 3:48pm Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story - update 5/6/07
	Great job! This is cool! Can you PM me with updates? -----signature----- Knighted by Courtney_Solo - - - My fanfic - - - Jedi Sith - http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=26751105&brd=10476&start=26759554
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MirandaFair Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 5/9/07 1:18pm Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story - update 5/6/07
	Just wanted to send a post out, that I am catching up. My computer hasn't been working and saving up for a new one has taken a little longer than I had hoped. Thankfully for the kindness of others and their allowing me to use their computer. I'll post again when I'm up to speed. -----signature----- May the Muse be with you.
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Blue_Milkshake Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 5/9/07 1:57pm Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story - update 5/6/07
	Shrugging off the attempt at reconciliation, Jacen seemed to be caught up in some agenda of his own. As another meteor streaked past, lighting the sky in red flame, he nodded out toward the smoky landscape. "Do you know where you are?" Oooooo, that gave me the jibbly-jibblies! -----signature----- Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything. --Muhammad Ali
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leiamoody Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 5/10/07 8:06am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story - update 5/6/07
	Despite the fact this isn't my territory, I still find this tale intriguing. I like the fact you're actually making Luke sound more like himself, unlike the profic. Like a few others have commented, it makes perfect sense that he would try to save not only his son, but also his nephew. The guy is family-oriented after all. -----signature----- Gadewch i'r grym fod gennych Apollo, with lightsaber: FRAKTASTIC
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Luna_Nightshade Registered: Jan '06	Date Posted: 5/14/07 10:29am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story - update 5/6/07
	Aheeee! The last line was chill-worthy. Your exploration of Jacen's thought process and reaction to incredible grief, just like Anakin's, is splendid. I really like how you're helping me understand what he is doing, and why. You've also managed to walk the fine line of Luke's idealism and compassion coupled with the calm almost-detachment he's acquired since becoming a Master. It is really, really enjoyable to read. And Hell's Gate? If only Jacen truly understood why Anakin would rename Mustafar... (if that is where we are). But right now Jacen can't understand Anakin's true plight. And now? A showdown like I haven't seen since RotS is brewing. I can't wait to find out what happens! Much , dianethx--I absolutely can't wait for more. -----signature----- You can learn a lot about things if you just step back and look. Catching up. Please be patient.
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Tahi Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 5/18/07 4:11am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - short story - update 5/6/07
	Marking my spot so I can catch up soon. Just responding to Betrayal. -----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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azizah Registered: Sep '06	Date Posted: 5/22/07 11:59am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - AU, short story - update 5/6/07
	What am I doing over here in beyond?! Catching up, that’s what. (I followed the link in your signature or I would never be here). Wow, what a well written piece. I loved that Mara was ready to shoot her son to get him home. And Luke always looking for that hidden goodness in people. Perfect. And now, after you drag me over here, you leave me hanging. Great story. azizah
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furrylittlebantha Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 5/29/07 10:45pm Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - AU, short story - update 5/6/07
	Ack! So intense! I don't even know what to say. You've numbed and traumatized me, dianethx. In a good way, of course. Fantastic update. This is a truly unique story, not just for the plot, but for the writing. You're on a plane above. -----signature----- Master of tjace and bi0nic. Old Hutt proverb: Never look a gift Sarlaac in the mouth. All hail the Lazer Jar-Jar!
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Tahi Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 7/11/07 3:23am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - AU, short story - update 5/6/07
	Spellbinding - wonderful story. Mara snapped abruptly into battle stance, her blaster tracking to Jacen's position, her eyes glittering with grim intent - a sandpanther, all sleek, deadly lines and immense power, ready to spring when one of her own was threatened. Even from his position, Luke could see her evaluating exit strategies and the odds of survival in a firefight. Although Luke was prepared for an attack, he was more willing to listen to what Jacen had to say first. His nephew had made choices that stank of corruption, had aligned himself with the forces of darkness, had become increasingly hungry for power at any cost, but there was also the possibility, however unlikely, that he might return to the Jedi and purge himself of the Dark. If only Luke could find the way to help him. There are a lot of other examples like this of the way you show the differences between Mara and Luke. Of course they complement each other well, but then there's that underlying tension between them, and I think you capture that. Aie! What an ending. Is Mara going to appear to save her silly husband? I'm chewing my nails. You make Jacen truly scary - a real psychological case. That calm shell he inposes on himself is SO fascist isn't it? Chills me to the bone. -----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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DarthRaptor82 Registered: Jun '07	Date Posted: 7/11/07 3:35am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - AU, short story - update 5/6/07
	Christ what a Cliffie please Pm me when you update -----signature----- "No Jacen you killed my Mother there is no light or dark only me and may the force give me the leave to kill you before I die" What I envision n my lil ol head for a ben and jacen fight
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pinkpenguin Registered: Jul '07	Date Posted: 7/11/07 5:15am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - AU, short story - update 5/6/07
	ooooh im thoroughly enjoying it the stlye kills that of the profic - its evenly paced, with no rushed action and with a TRUE representation of the characters involved! Bravo!! could you PM me an update??
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MaraJade001 Registered: Jun '07	Date Posted: 7/11/07 7:03am Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - AU, short story - update 5/6/07
	Just discovered this story. Great job! PLEASE PM me when you update. I'm hoping this ends better than Sacrifice... then it can become MY canon. -----signature----- ~Mary~ "Hi, I'm Mary, and I'm a Mara addict."
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kayladie97 Registered: Jun '03	Date Posted: 7/11/07 7:39pm Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - AU, short story - update 5/6/07
	Whoa, what an incredibly powerful story! I love the way Luke and Mara know each other so well here. And your Jacen truly scares me, he really does. I can only hope that Mara didn't listen to Luke and she comes back to help him. How far is Ben in Jacen's thrall? Would he be able to accept Jacen killing his father? I am wondering about Ben's odd comment to Luke not to do anything. I can't wait to read more of this! Can you add me to your PM list please? -----signature----- My new philosophy of life (borrowed from Elvis Presley) "The sun's down and the moon is pretty. It's time to ramble."
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 7/23/07 5:39pm Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - AU, short story - update 5/6/07
	Okay, my muse died. I've been trying to write the next post for ages but my muse decided that I needed to write something else. Something I couldn't even post on the boards. Darn muse. But now that's done and I'm determined to finish this one. First of all, my thanks to whoever nominated this story for Best AU. I was highly surprised and quite pleased. Even though it didn't make the final grade, the thought that someone liked it enough to nominate it was reward enough! Now to replies…. iamobiwan1970 – Jacen unleashed is coming up. Hope you enjoy it! Luke will be Luke, not Obi-Wan. LOL. Thanks about the favorite lines. I was happy with that one myself. I thought that Anakin's death would be the thing that really made Jacen start to go dark and Vergere's torture of him just made things worse. I think Luke has finally realized who he is dealing with. LOL. Jacen can be passionless but also can let go if necessary. As for Ben and Mara, they aren't in this post but the next one. Hope you enjoy it. obsessedwithSW – I like to build up slowly but I'm so glad it worked. I wanted you to be holding your breath when you were reading this! I hope the Sacrifice book was what you expected. It was certainly what I expected… divapilot – Thanks. I really think that Luke would always have this idea of trying to save Jacen, or anyone who had fallen. Even Lumiya, until he thought she'd killed Mara. He's just got such an optimistic personality even in the darkest of times. LOL on splitting up Mara and Luke so that Jacen could get to Luke. Yep, that's what he was thinking. As for Jacen's fall, I really do think that it started with Anakin. He was always arguing with his little brother but it was sibling rivalry. I could imagine that he never thought he'd lose Anakin that way. And so the battle begins. I hop you enjoy it! Jade_Pilot - If you think that was painful to read, you might want to brace yourself. It's not going to be pretty. Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Healer_Leona – Mara is never far away. But not in this post! Thanks for reading. Flowerlady – I also think Jacen's fall is very believable. He's accepting things that a normal person wouldn't accept but I think also he's a bit insane. He needed help, he needed love and understanding and by going off and trying to find himself, he lost himself. Luke is his choice of sacrifice but I don't think Luke would go down easily, do you? Thanks. Glad you are enjoying it so much. verybusy – I'm glad that Jacen makes sense here. I tried very hard to keep him consistent, even though he's a bit insane. Thanks about the characterization. I really try! Thanks. Happy that you liked it. ginchy – LOL on the willies scaring thing. Sometimes I'm a wimp as well. Is it wrong for you to wish Luke wipes the floor with Jacen and then redeems him? We can only hope. Glad you enjoyed it! VaderLVR64 – I was aiming for Jacen to be a lot like Anakin, especially in the sacrifices that they both make. Jacen is choosing his sacrifice. Anakin never knew until it was too late. I liked that part you quoted as well. It's really the heart of the post. Thanks so much for reading. Jade_eyes – Farmboy Luke. He's such a great character! My first SW love! Zonoma – Thanks. I loved the interplay between Mara and Ben. I always thought Mara would be a no-nonsense take-charge sort of mother, not really like in the earlier books but more direct. LOL. You smell a trap, indeed. That's because it is a trap. Jacen has been using his powers and his persuasion to bend Ben to his way of thinking. As for another sacrifice, you may be right. Thanks. I'm really enjoying writing Jacen. He's such an interesting character. Thanks for reading. Jedi-2B – No, I was building up to a cliffhanger. Can the old guy win? Perhaps but it might not be easy. Will Ben side with Luke or Jacen? A question that won't be answered this post but eventually yes. On your further reflection, I think that Luke is at a disadvantage. He doesn't really want to kill Jacen but redeem him. I know that Obi was resigned to killing Anakin but he fought hard against it, giving Anakin every opportunity to turn back. The tragedy was that Anakin never did until much, much later. G_Anakin – Sure. You're on my PM list. MirandaFair – Don't worry about catching up. I'm a very slow writer and sometimes my muse makes me write other things. Thanks for reading. Blue_Milkshake – LOL. Glad to be of help! leiamoody – Heck, this isn't my territory, either. I tried really hard to make Luke more like the movies. The guy is just so wonderful that I would always think the best of him. Thanks for reading. Luna_Nightshade – Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I really wanted Jacen to seem real, that he had real choices and made bad ones but ones that were appropriate to what he'd been going through. As for the showdown, I hope it doesn't disappoint! Thanks. Tahi – Thanks. Will Mara save her silly husband? I'm not sure. You'll have to wait and see on that one. I did try to make Jacen more understandable, even while he's being bad. He's really quite insane but in a cold way. Glad you liked it. azizah – LOL. See, signature work sometimes. Thanks. I always thought Mara would be ready with the blaster, especially protecting her family. Luke is also a great character. Sorry about leaving you hanging. I left myself hanging as well. Those darn muses. furrylittlebantha – Ohhh, I traumatized you. That must be good, right? LOL. Thanks so much for reading. DarthRaptor82 – Be glad to. You're on my PM list. pinkpeguin – Thanks. So glad you enjoyed it. I tried to make the characters as realistic as possible. Sure, be glad to PM you with an update. MaraJade001 – Be glad to PM you. As for the ending, well, you'll just have to see. Thanks for reading. kayladie97 – Thanks. I love all the characters in this story, especially Luke and Jacen. LOL on Jacen being so scary. He is a bit insane, you know. LOL. Mara isn't going to listen to Luke… LOL. Ben may be under Jacen's spell or not. You'll just have to see. The odd comment was on purpose… Thanks for reading. You're on my PM list. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/08 Fragments of Illusion- http://boards.theforce.net/bts/b10475/28456473 updated 8/16/08 Freeze frame - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b10476/27820434 Master to jedidas3 Impeach Bush!
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 7/23/07 5:44pm Subject: RE: For the love of a son (Jacen, Luke, Mara, Ben) - AU, short story - update 5/6/07 - Date Edited: 7/23/07 7:07pm (1 edits total) Edited By: dianethx
	Just to warn you once more. I'm a very slow writer. That's just the way I write. Sorry about the update taking so long. I don't expect the next one will take as much time. Keeping my fingers crossed. Luke never moved so fast. Without thought, the Force guiding his hand, he jumped back, his bright blade already alive and thrumming wildly. Catching at Jacen's lightsaber, he pushed hard and the locked sabers began to move down toward the gritty floor. But Jacen would not be defeated so easily. Staring at Luke, his face durasteel rigid, his shadow-red eyes glazed with resolve, Jacen began to thrust more and more power into the struggle. And it was working. He was able to summon strength enough to gain some advantage, forcing his saber back toward Luke, back toward triumph and the sacrifice he demanded. Luke could not let him win, not this time. Focusing all his energy on his blade, ignoring the small part of him that was still grieving for the bright-eyed jokester, the thoughtful and generous boy that Jacen had been, Luke lunged forward. His arms were shuddering in effort as the two sabers shifted back and forth in a frenzied battle for domination. Luke tried desperately to gain control. The blinding color, the dissonant whine of clashing lightsabers, the searing heat, and the crippling sorrow were all distractions that Luke could ill afford. He shoved them aside and focused on surviving his nephew's attack. As he gathered in the Force, hoping to overpower Jacen's strength with his own, both blades dipped low. Brilliant green light scoured across the floor, melting sun-hot trails in the surface and peppering the air with sparks and burning metal. Acrid vapor billowed out. Luke blinked away the stinging smoke but he did not hesitate, instead pushing his advantage as Jacen's lightsaber sank further into the flooring. His nephew scowled, glaring at him, seemingly furious at the impending defeat and then his face smoothed into calm decision. Letting his lightsaber slip lower, Luke's blade following the movement, Jacen did something unbelievably stupid... or brilliant. He turned his saber off. It was madness but it worked. Caught off-guard, Luke shifted forward, startled, his lightsaber scoring along the floor, sending molten sparks flying. It also put him squarely into Jacen's path. As the Force screamed a warning, time seemed to liquefy and it was all Luke could do to twist away, to keep from being skewered as Jacen turned his saber back on. Even at that, there was a small blossom of pain across one arm. Luke hadn't been quite fast enough. Ignoring the burn, he flipped backward, kicking at the ceiling as he spun around. With perfect form, he pushed off in a different direction, using the momentum to escape his nephew's unrelenting attack. Luke landed some distance away and he retreated as quickly as he could, down toward the far end of the balcony. Jacen followed, droid-stubborn, deliberate, seemingly determined to murder one of his own blood. The man was relentless, his blade whirling faster than the eye could follow - an infinity loop of deadly green light. And behind it all, his face was set into a feral mask, his eyes glowing molten-red in the shadows. Luke couldn't believe that this was happening. He knew that his nephew had fallen deeper and deeper into an abyss of hungry control, wanting to dominate everything and everyone around him but this was breathtakingly bad. It had all the marks of a surreal holovid, the glowing lava, the heat, the shadows torn by bars of green light. A madman hungry for power. That Jacen was willing to sacrifice his own family was horror enough but that he deliberately chose to become a Sith, knowing their history of endless wars, their passion for relentless devastation, was appalling. Jacen, the child he'd watched grow into manhood, had plunged into insanity. Shaking his head to clear the doubts from his mind, hoping to center himself enough to survive this, Luke backpedaled furiously. The floor was slippery with coarse rock, and uneven - as if the ground beneath them had buckled in the heat. As he moved, he could feel the sway of rotting metal under his feet. Frantically, he searched for escape routes but there were none. The building was surrounded by rivers of lava and cooling rock and the balcony was a precarious extension of it, jutting out over the molten heat. There was no exit behind him and no way up or down, only the one doorway they had walked through earlier. Jacen was blocking his only way out - and coming toward him fast. Leaping back once again, far enough that it gave him time to try and reason with his nephew, Luke shouted across the distance, "Jacen, please listen to me." "I've had enough talk." His nephew kept coming, his lightsaber dragging against the flooring, throwing metal sparks into the murky air, leaving a trail of molten destruction behind him. Desperately, Luke said, "That isn't the Jacen I know. That Jacen would never align himself with the Sith. He would listen to all sides, be compassionate. You..." "I've told you. He's dead." Jacen stopped a few meters away, close to the balcony's edge. Beside him, the railing was half-melted, rough and falling to pieces and Jacen's hand was busy there, pulling at it, savaging the metal under his fingers as if his anger could somehow shatter it into ash. "I'm finally doing the right thing, the only thing. You've brought us to war and I'm going to bring us back to peace. At any cost." "Jacen..." One final plea. But his nephew only shook his head, snarling, "Enough!" In the Force, there was sudden frenzy as corruption poured into the currents, a roiling mixture of black desperation and filth. Poisonous shadow-clouds billowed, obscuring everything. Although he could not feel Jacen in the Force, Luke could almost see the power twisting around him - a noxious whirlpool of slime and gelled blood, shrouding him in darkness. Danger shivered down his back. The Force was telling him to flee but there was nowhere to go. Instead, taking a deep, cleansing breath, centering himself, Luke waited for Jacen's final choice. It didn't take long. His nephew lifted his chin, and with one hand, thrust the Force outward - but not toward Luke. Instead, the air was filled with metallic moans. The railing next to Jacen began to fall apart and then shatter into slivers as sharp as broken glass. The fragments hovered above the ground for a moment as Jacen gathered them up with the Force and then he hurled them straight at Luke. A storm of cutting shards. In an instant, Luke's blade was a globe of light, a shield to protect him from the carnage. The smaller pieces vaporized; the rest, half-melted wreckage, ricocheted, hitting the floor with chaotic clatter. The sudden prickle of pain as he moved away told him that some had gotten through. Jacen's gaze turned savage. A slight flicker of his eyes downward, he brushed his hand against his sleeve, triggering something. The Force was screaming danger again but there was no time to react. Suddenly, from behind Luke, the balcony exploded into gouts of flaming debris. His back a blaze of agony, he was flying through the air, pushed high and fast on the shockwave, moving toward Jacen's waiting saber. He only had enough time to send a short pulse of the Force outward, pushing his nephew backward a step, before the blades connected. Luke's saber slid down along the other lightsaber, and he shoved it aside, trying desperately to keep from being cut into pieces. He tucked in and rolled past Jacen toward the exit, hoping to gain some distance before his nephew could take advantage of the situation. That was a mistake. Pain sheeted across his back, agony-pathways sluicing straight up into his brain. His vision reddened and then greyed as he slid across the floor, his throat abruptly raw as he tried not to scream. One part of him knew that he had left behind a trail of blood and bubbled skin from his burned back; one part was trying not to collapse into unconsciousness. As he stumbled up, he could feel the chunks of grit and metal shards digging in, a collection of shrapnel and floor litter imbedded in his skin. He hurt - everywhere. But he had no time. Gathering in the Force, trying to smother the pain under a blanket of will-power, Luke straightened, only to have to fend off another attack. His saber a strobe-flash of blinding light, Jacen moved first low then high, stabbing, twisting at him, trying to find holes in Luke's defensive stance. Trying to kill him. Jacen was pressing his advantage. And it looked like he was winning. As Luke blocked each move, he could feel his abused body protesting, his reactions slowing. His back was still a map of agony and it was distracting him from Jacen's onslaught. He knew that he had to gain some control if he was going to survive this. And it didn't look like his nephew was going to make it easy. Eyes hardening into durasteel, pushing past the pain, Luke fought back, matching every strike with his own. But he was also giving way, moving warily toward the only exit. Another flurry of saber thrusts and Luke backed up further, trying to gather distance between them again. He needed time to think, time to regain his balance. Time. Jacen's face was a mask of frowns, decided and very focused. He slid a little of the uneven pavement, and stopped, staring at Luke. No smile of triumph there, no gloating on how he'd injured the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, just business and a dogged determination that was more chilling than any madman's laughter. "Jacen, think about what you are doing." Shaking his head, his nephew said flatly, "I've thought about nothing else for months. Your sacrifice will ensure peace in the galaxy and security for all. It's the only way." That he had been persuaded into this course of action was obvious and Luke had to wonder, not for the first time, if he was under some kind of mind-control. Sith were known to project hallucinations and warp perceptions over long distances. Lumiya, that dark Lady, was adept at mind tricks and lies, casting her net of deceit far and wide. If she had caught Jacen, twisted him somehow, it would explain this madness. Whatever the reason, it would be highly unlikely that Luke could talk him out of it in the heat of battle. He needed time, more than just to survive. He needed time to figure out how to reach Jacen and turn him back to the Light. Somehow. But before that could happen, he needed to escape. "There's always another way, Jacen." As he spoke, Luke glanced back toward the exit. "The Sith have twisted your mind. Deep down, you know that this is wrong." "I know what you are doing, Luke. Hoping to distract me and make your escape." Jacen thrust his chin in the direction of the doorway. "You can certainly try." Luke would do more than try. But there was only one way out and it lay past that door and the room beyond. Yet he hesitated. He had thought the balcony was safe enough. That Jacen had booby-trapped it was a devious, brilliant stroke. Luke was sure that there were more traps waiting for just the right moment. Although he had been in the same room just a few minutes ago, it was likely that it was more than just a half-decaying chamber with old bones, droid parts, and antiquated equipment. Very likely, a death-trap. Mara had been right. Fool that he was, he had walked right into it. Now, he had to extricate himself and run like hell before it snapped shut. Drawing a deep breath, trying to ignore the knife-edged pain that pulsed along nerve-endings and slowed his movements, Luke began to edge his way free. There was only a few feet between him and the door. With some luck, he might actually make it into the chamber before Jacen caught up with him. Watching him, his nephew smiled slightly, looking well-satisfied as he swept his saber back and forth, creating luminous designs in the murky air. "It's a trap, Uncle. You know it is. Accept your fate and I'll make it quick." Luke was about to reply when overhead he could hear the rumble of something coming fast, not ship engines but more organic. The scream of superheated air and the sudden clatter of rock on the balcony roof made them both flinch - for good reason. A meteor ripped past, all eye-scorching light, spewing stones and heat, and plunged into the lava river below. Instantly, a geyser of molten rock sprayed skyward and there was a tremendous roar. Gouts of boiling liquid splatted against the balcony's faltering shields but they held, for the most part. The heat was tremendous but they were still alive. For the briefest of moments, Luke hoped that Mara and Ben were safe in the ship and then he ran into the darkened room, Jacen hard on his heels. Lights blazed on but Luke was ready for it. He turned left toward the corridor leading out to the landing platform and then swung hard right, avoiding another sweep of Jacen's blade. That fleeting glance had told him enough. He was trapped. The door leading to the rest of the complex was shut, probably locked. The balcony they had just left was now engulfed in flame; Luke wasn't sure if it was from Jacen's own hand or because of the meteor strike but the cause was irrelevant - that path was now closed to them both. More importantly, the way toward his ship was sealed tight. But, to his great relief, the center of the landing platform's door was glowing red and gold - no lightsaber blade cutting through but he could hear concentrated blaster fire pinging against the metal. Mara to the rescue. He jumped over the central podium, hoping to keep Jacen at arm's length a little longer. As he did, he could almost feel the buzz of danger grinding against his connection with the Force. In the electronic equipment lining the wall behind his back, the potential threat felt strong, and seemed to be the centerpoint of menace in the room. Jacen couldn't get to him easily without leaping across the console and that would leave his nephew vulnerable. He looked furious, a blaze in his red-yellow eyes. He kept slashing at equipment, trying to reach Luke by hacking away at the barriers, and then flinging the pieces at him with the Force. The broil of melted fiberplast filled the air and there were sparks and growing smoke everywhere. The ache of his injuries started to edge into agony again. But Luke wasn't about to be overcome so easily. With a great effort, he shoved the pain aside, concentrating instead on Jacen's actions. He backed up slowly, moving toward the exit, keeping an eye on the glowing doorway, ready to escape as soon as there was an opening. As one large piece of machinery skidded past and crashed to the floor, Luke said, "Jacen, it doesn't have to be this way. You're ill. You've been blinded by Sith lies. They've twisted your mind..." Jacen's laugh was harsh, rasping, "Blinded? I don't think so. You are the one who has been blinded. By weakness." "Compassion isn't weakness, Jacen, but strength." He eased back, keeping distance between them. "But it's not too late. Come back with me. Together we can figure out how to end this war without...." He knew that his nephew wasn't listening, that he was likely too far gone with blood-lust at the moment to listen to him. But until there was no hope, he had to try. "Jacen, please.." Shaking his head, Jacen fingered his sleeve again. From behind Luke, cracking energy spat out, loops of electrical charges snaking across the equipment panels. He could feel faint traces of the current skittering across his skin, even at a distance, and his mechanical hand tingled. He knew that if he touched the surface, it could prove deadly. It was obvious that his nephew had some type of device on his arm, one that controlled the traps. A vulnerable point. Jacen would have to protect it, whatever it was, if he wanted to control the fight. Of course, if Luke hit it, theoretically, the whole place could go up in a fireball to rival that last meteor strike. It was time to fight back - carefully. As another piece of equipment sailed toward him, Luke caught it and shoved it back, aiming for Jacen's arm. A heated glare and, frowning, realizing that Luke was no longer defending but attacking, his nephew increased the barrage, picking up bones and leathery skin, droid parts as well as fragments of mechanical scrap. And in that hailstorm of debris, Jacen made his move, leaping across the central console, slashing downward toward Luke's head. Luke pushed back, a Force shove that sent his nephew careening into the control center. With a harsh growl, Jacen was off-balance, blood blossoming on one arm as fiberplast stabbed into him. Starting forward, Luke hoped to reach his nephew and force him to surrender without further bloodshed. But instead, Jacen flung out his hand, using all of his strength to try to drive Luke back toward the electrical chaos behind him. Luke had anticipated it. With a great effort, he met power for power. For a few moments, they were equally matched - hands raised, almost touching. But he wasn't Grandmaster for nothing. Letting go of restraint, letting go of redemption, letting go of everything except the will to survive this, he poured all his remaining strength into beating back the attack. He could feel Jacen faltering. A step back and his nephew was hard against the central console and still Luke pushed. He could feel Jacen's fury rising, see his bloodied eyes filled with malice. But he would not relent. With one final thrust, Luke broke through, and slashing down at Jacen's saber, cut the hilt into pieces. Standing there, his blade at the ready, Luke said, finally, "Yield." Blinking down at his useless lightsaber, and then at Luke, Jacen straightened, "You think you've won but the Sith will rise again." "Perhaps but not today." He pointed toward Jacen's sleeve. A black band was just visible beneath his tunic. "Take it off. Now." His nephew's face hardened into stone. As he reached for it, Luke's lightsaber, steady and sure, followed the movement. "Carefully." With exaggerated care, Jacen loosened the band and placed it onto the console. It seemed an intricate piece of jewelry, black jewels set into some type of metal. Even from a distance, it felt unclean. "How do I shut it off?" "Afraid I might have set another trap?" His mouth flattened in distaste, fury and determination in his eyes. "I won't help you, Uncle. Every moment you live is a moment deeper in chaos. Your sacrifice would have brought peace to the galaxy. The Sith prophesies foretold it long ago." Luke sighed. It was clear that Jacen was insane, even more so than when he was fighting him. At least, there he could almost understand the blood-lust. His nephew's recovery looked to be long and difficult but Luke was sure he would be reclaimed by the Jedi eventually. But first he needed to shut down the remaining traps. One hand steady on his lightsaber, he used the Force to pull the black band into his flesh hand. The darkness was even more pronounced as he fingered it, almost slimy in its slick metallic whorls and black stones. Taking a deep breath, centering himself, ignoring the pain and sharp reminder of blood and shredded skin, of the aching need for bacta and soon, he felt along the surface. A small nudge from the Force, he pressed against one stone and the electronic chaos behind him died away. And Mara raced into the room, Ben hard on her heels. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/08 Fragments of Illusion- http://boards.theforce.net/bts/b10475/28456473 updated 8/16/08 Freeze frame - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b10476/27820434 Master to jedidas3 Impeach Bush!
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