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Topic:
Axiom of a Sith --The Apprentice of Darth Caedus (AU, J/OC, J/TK, Ben, Allana)
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ispeaknotruths
Registered:
Apr '04
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Date Posted:
9/30/07 2:36pm
Subject:
RE: Axiom of a Sith --The Apprentice of Darth Caedus (AU, J/OC, J/TK, Ben, Allana)
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AR:
SilSolo: Oh its going to get better now that the Jedi are on Heska IV. Just wait and see what I have in store for her next!!
SithGirl132: Thank you!  I'm glad that you enjoy it and hope that you stick around because its just going to get better and badder!!
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Healer_Leona
Registered:
Jul '00
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Date Posted:
10/1/07 5:09am
Subject:
RE: Axiom of a Sith --The Apprentice of Darth Caedus (AU, J/OC, J/TK, Ben, Allana)
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SHe was such a normal and sweet girl.  But then again so was Jacen.
Superb update.
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I want to swim away but don't know how
Sometimes it feels just like I'm falling in the ocean
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YodaKenobi
Title: TFN EU Staff
Registered:
May '03
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Date Posted:
10/2/07 4:31pm
Subject:
RE: Axiom of a Sith --The Apprentice of Darth Caedus (AU, J/OC, J/TK, Ben, Allana)
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“Tsk tsk. I thought I taught you better than that.” He said in a condensing tone before he dropped his blade low, pulling Aari off balance. She stumbled forward and met Darth Caedus’ knee in the gut. With the low blow, all air left her body and she crumbled to her knees in front of him, her head bent forward as spots swarmed her vision. Darth Caedus sneered at her before grabbing a handful of her hair and yanked her head back painfully. “You fool, you know you could never kill me!” he threw her away from him, using the Force to do so. “I am the only reason you exist!”
I really hate that dude 
It's what I was trained to do, even if I didn't know it at the time. All I knew is that I couldn't stand by and watch people suffer around me and do nothing about it. Something of you, Master, must have rubbed off on me. I took up a weapon, became a weapon in order to survive--to make sure that YOU survived.
Yep, she sounds a lot like Jacen in Traitor.
I loved all the background information on Heska IV and the story of how Aari arrived there 
Yasha, the old Yrashu came from the jungle planet Baskarn from the Outer Rims. The Yrashu were Force sensitive primates that lived in harmony with their environment. Baskarn was left alone and the Yrashu were unaware of anyone living off planet until the Rebellion set up base during the Galactic Civil War decades before. The Empire had discovered the base and started attacking.
Sounds really neat 
"Give them my thanks when you see them again." Yasha said, putting the glass case down and hugged Aari. "Thank you."
"Anything for you Yasha." Aari said against Yasha's fur. "I don't like it when we fight. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Nor do I." Yasha pulled back, running her fingers over Aari's face. "Come now, its time to eat. You must keep up your strength for the ritual tomorrow."
Aari's eye lit up in excitement and a smile bloomed on her lips. "You mean---you're taking me through the momu?!"
Yasha nodded and Aari squealed in delight, throwing her arms around Yasha again.
Yasha soaked up the joy from Aari, knowing that just a few years ago; she would've never shown such blatant emotion or made contact of any kind for any reason.
It's nice to see Aari found some happiness after her Yuuzhan Vong imprisonment, even if it was only for a short time.
Afraid to leave her alone, and unwilling to take her back to the slavers camp, Yasha remained with Aari until she woke up some hours later. Aari had been frightened of Yasha at first and then she became defensive, growling and trying to swipe at her with her nails like a feral animal fighting for survival. Yasha had to watch as Aari fought against her, even with the broken arm before she had enough and knocked Aari out again.
Working quickly, she built a small bed of leaves and branches for Aari and then a brace for her arm and gate for the entrance of the hole for cover. She put Aari inside, left food and water before leaving for the camp. She was whipped soundly when she returned and locked away for two days.
I'm glad there was someone to care for her.
Yasha is like the anti-Vergere.
Yasha growled and pulled herself to her full height, refusing to let another girl suffer under his control. Aari may not be hers, but she still innocent in her eyes and she had to do anything to make sure that Aari was safe. Sending out warning pulses in the Force, she told Aari to run, to hide and forget about her, she had to escape. She launched herself at the guards, not caring what happened to herself so long as Aari escaped.
Aari cried out as Yasha was quickly overcome by the guards, although she did take down a few guards before she had fallen. Small hands had caught her as she fell, feeling a sense of joy in knowing that Aari had made first contact and sorrow that it had to be like this. Distinctly through the Force, she felt a great sadness followed by a pulse of warmth, like receiving a wink and a comforting hug before she felt nothing at all.
Wow, Yasha is so brave I have a feeling Aari is going to make these guards pay for that later 
You sensed the agony of the animals as they ran to escape the fire that was licking their homes. And then you looked around you and saw what I had done in order to save you. The look in your eyes said it all and I knew that I couldn't stay with you.
Not when you saw me as a killer. You were from a peaceful species and even though all you've been through, you still had some naive look on the world. I had cracked that window and I felt so horrible that I did.
Aari always felt like coming home even when she barely remembered what home was like. She could barely remember her Mum, a fact that cut her deep, much less what it was like before the war.
Poor Aari
Aari flushed pink before pushing at the kid. "Shut up! I'm not goin' to kiss Gill." she denied. "Boys are icky you know that."
QFT.
"Don't go there!"
Glad I'm not the only one who still says that.
At once the air became loud as the kids started sprouting off what they knew of Jedi. They flew building to building. They fought against the Yuuzhan Vong. They were heroes and saviors. They had glowing swords that called lightsabers. They had powers unlike anyone has ever seen. They have come to Heska IV to put a stop to the planetary gang war.
[i]“How many times do I have to tell you that I’m Master Horn for this mission?” he asked his son.
Cool Didn't expect to see Corran and Valin in this one 
“They’re not gangs anymore. They’re acting government until a real government can be created.” Corran corrected Valin, though to be truthful; it was just a sugar coating. It still was a criminal organization, only they now had the approval of the Galactic Alliance behind them. Once he made sure that the peace treaty between the acting governments were in place, and that it was being followed, he was going to report back to the Senate about Heska IV and maybe a visit to the Jedi Council to have some Jedi assigned to this area.
I really like this. Very realistic about the sort of governments that emerge on their own after a brutal war.
With a Force push, she brushed aside his lightsaber as he thrust forward, his blade sinking to the stone. He looked up as a loud thundering sound came from the wall. He saw large pieces of stone start falling towards them. He heard Aari’s laughter as the wall collapsed around them.
Wow, awesome  Aari is willing to sacrifice herself in order to make certain Jacen is destroyed. Not exactly a Sith action
Great post, ispeaknotruths This has really taken on a new dimension that I wasn't expecting. It will be interesting to see what the Jedi do on Heska. I have a feeling it will alienate Aari from them and send her into the waiting arms of Darth Caedus 
Can't wait for more
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ispeaknotruths
Registered:
Apr '04
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Date Posted:
10/3/07 4:46pm
Subject:
RE: Axiom of a Sith --The Apprentice of Darth Caedus (AU, J/OC, J/TK, Ben, Allana)
- Date Edited:
10/4/07 3:20pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
ispeaknotruths
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Healer_Leona : Sweet and normal yes. But having a normal life when you're Force talented major no. Plus for Jacen it was impossible for e kid like him to grow up normal at all. So its a wonder he fell. Thnax for the comment!
YodaKenobi : I really hate that dude.
LOL. Well Jacen is a Sith Master, so of course we have to hate him--unless you sided with the Sith or Imperials. Then its okay.
I like putting details into my stories becuz I can't stand not knowing things. Plus it makes it easier for others to understand Aari if they understood the dire and bleak life she's lived thus far.
And I thought having another canon species (and the Yrashu are canon--I looked them up) that was Force talented make an apperance was something that Aari needed. Both to learn of the Force (especially when Vergere was the one teaching her  ) and what it she learned on her own (she needs to label what she's found  ) and then the appearance of Corran Horn, his apprentice and his son .
Everyone will be in for a shocking surprise.
Well thanks for all the nice comments!! I'm glad you like this chapter becuz like I said it was a pain to get out. But I'm glad how it turned out. Another chappie will be out soon!!
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ispeaknotruths
Registered:
Apr '04
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Date Posted:
1/28 3:43pm
Subject:
RE: Axiom of a Sith --The Apprentice of Darth Caedus (AU, J/OC, J/TK, Ben, Allana)
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Chapter Six: The Darkening Skies
= = = = = =
It's silent. It's so black, so cold, and so hard here. Is this the end? Have I finally passed the final border that has kept me trapped for all these years? Can I finally be at peace?
Awareness comes slowly, bringing me back from the edge. I guess I'm not ready yet.
Sithspit.
There's a wet metallic taste in my mouth and something wet is sliding down my face. Breathe slowly, savor every breath and hold it as long as you can because it may be your last. The stones weight so heavily on my body, making it difficult to move. There's a slight shaking from above, or below? Something's collapsed. I better take care; the slightest wrong move could bring the full weight of stones down on my head. Sharp pains jab into my nervous system every time I make a move but I push pass the pain. I have to.
There's a searing anger in the Force.
Master Caedus is still alive and he's not very happy at all.
Focus.
I have to lift the stones off. I have to climb out to finish the job. I can't leave the job half done. It'll be like Heska all over again. A sharp pang hit her chest, sucking what little air she had managed to grab and something other than blood slipped down her face.
That pain, so sharp, so hot---it’s never lost its potency.
Use it.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Preparing for our descent sir." the pilot said over his shoulder. The Jedi Master uncrossed his arms and leaned forward to look out the window to the planet below.
"Good." Corran Horn said with a nod. So far the mission was a success. They've managed to have a treaty signed that enabled for the lead controlling gangs to join together to act as a government through a council. With the treaty, it was hoped to bring some stability for an explosively unstable planet. Corran turned to glance at his son and his apprentice as they watched bright flashes and ships fighting on the dark side of the planet below through the windows of the ship. "Strap in you two. We're going to enter atmosphere soon."
The Council of Heska IV was descending to the planet after their meeting. Holonews were already airing about the creation of the Council with the backing of the Galactic Alliance. And as expected, riots and fierce fighting between bitter rivals were taking place all over the planet.
Raltharan nodded and moved to his seat while Valin remained where he was, his face close to the window and his hands on both sides of his face. He could feel them out there; feel the fear, their anger and the sadness that came with fighting. It was a constant throbbing, like a toothache that couldn't be fixed unless it was pulled out as lives blinked out.
Corran sighed and walked over to his son. He knew what Valin was experiencing because he was going through the same thing. But unlike Valin, Corran had learned how to block it out and to make it seem less painful. After all, he's had a lot of experience in control thanks to the Yuuzhan Vong War while Valin had been hidden away with the rest of the Jedi younglings in the Maw.
"Valin?" Corran placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"It's unfair. The war just ended and yet it continues down there for no reason at all. It's like they're trapped in a loop of tragedy, never ending, never changing." Valin replied, as he watched the bright bursts below. He turned away from the window and looked to his father, his eyes bright. "I really hope this works."
"So do I." Corran said. "But if it doesn't, then we try again. And again. Over and over if we have to. We can't give up on them, not when they're counting on us to bring the much needed peace. That's what we do. Jedi bring about order and peace so that---"
He stopped and quickly looked down towards the planet. Valin and Raltharan did the same as they sensed a disturbance in the Force.
"What is that?" Athenian asked as the disturbance flared then disappeared.
"I don't know." Corran said, shaking his head. "But it’s strong."
"Its like nothing I've ever felt before." Valin breathed out.
"There's someone with amazing Force ability down there." Corran focused on the planet below, hoping to find any more signs of the disturbance but it was gone as if it wasn't even there. "And its right where we're going."
Down below on the planet, Yasha cooed softly as she parted through the long grasses of the jungles, water from the recent rainfall clinging on her fur like jewels. The leaves crunched under her weight and the insects buzzed by her face. The scent of sweet flowers and musk of damp ground and the wet fresh smell of water entered her nostrils as she walked towards the body lying on the ground.
Aari didn't speak as she lay where she was her hands on the sides of her head and her hair sprawled over the ground as she looked up at the sky. She was soaked to the bone; her clothes pulsed gently as it drank in the moisture from around her. She had almost forgotten what it was like, wearing these old skins from a lifetime ago. They were a part of him, that man from her nightmares, the only light in that dark place. But now she had a new light in the darkness.
"Aari? Are you injured?"
She had cut herself on a jagged branch, the skins drinking in her blood as she ran out into the storm to escape from Yasha. She had pressed too hard, tried to dig too deep to make Aari reveal everything about her, using a combination of familiarity and Force nudges. Where did she come from? Where was she going? Why did she hide from those who were close to her? How did she get that strange eye?
As one of the rules of going through the momu, Aari wasn't allowed to withdraw from the Force as she was used to. To do so, would automatically end the momu. Over the week, Yasha had learned how conflicted Aari was at some points and how seriously calm and in control she was at others. Mostly when she progressed forward or when she had to defend herself. Getting personal brought out things she didn't want Yasha to know.
Like a caged animal being prodded and harassed, there was only two choices---fight or flee. She shuddered to think what could happen if she ever fought against Yasha, what she could do to her so fleeing was the most appealing. As she ran, she sensed Yasha tracking her, pinpointing her with the Force so she was never far behind. Every turn was like running into Yasha and another of her questions.
'You say that you've come from the underground to enter hell and then fell from heaven. And you tell me how it is all the same. How is that so?'
Every hiding spot was like Yasha waiting with another observation.
'You're generous as you are cruel. A girl who wraps herself under the cover of a killer. But you're just confused and lost.'
Yasha was everywhere.
And so as Aari slowly discovered, she could be as well.
A subtle change in her presence in the Force, she found that it confused Yasha when she made a connection to the Living Force around her instead of disconnecting. Denying what the Force offered cut her off from what she could achieve if she joined with it. The Force was her strength.
Denying that she was part of it was like denying she could breathe air. She needed to accept it into her life. Maybe in doing so, she could be free of the nightmares that plagued her since she awoke with Yasha looking over her. Going inside to her usual hiding spot, she disappeared but only to unlock the Gift she had kept under chains and in a box, letting it absolutely free instead of releasing it in small bursts as she has for years. She set it free and she realized that she was finally herself again.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
To grasp the full Force again is beyond words that could explain what I felt when I let it envelope me. How can I explain the wonder, the amazement and the pure joy one can feel when its realized that the Force in all its splendor and power is a part of you and part of the world, in fact the whole galaxy? To know that you're not alone, that you're part of something much grander that you thought possible and that you will have a part to play in the grand scheme of the universe.
You can't really.
I denied it once before to forget the pain and loss I felt in it and in doing so I cut myself into pieces, unable to be whole and upset the path that was set before me. I had forgotten and became a blank doll with its programming on the fritz, hearing nothing but static.
Static can be deadly as well.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
The sun was high in the sky, shining warmth and safety down to the planet as the clouds rolled and shifted away. So warm---
Hunger pangs hit her as a nearby beast found it prey and readied for the leap that would feed it for the day---
Still. Remain so still the danger will pass. Quiet---
Seek. Must seek. Sniff the air and follow the trail. Must mate soon---
Feel the ground. Feel the sun. Dig deeper, so deeper and feel---
Cold. So cold. So weary. Can't go---
"Aari?"
Aari gasped and blinked as she came back into herself. Breathing heavily, she looked around and saw Yasha waiting nearby, her head tilt to the side. She could sense Yasha's joy, her relief and her uncertainty. She thought that now Aari could take care of herself completely maybe she wouldn't be wanted anymore.
Foolish ape.
'I'll always want you around.' Aari replied through Force impressions to Yasha. Yasha hooted in surprise at being touched through the Force. Aari reached out through the Force, allowing her to once again immerse herself in it.
A smile grew on her lips that soon became a soft chuckled before evolving into a chest deep laughter that shook her whole body. She could sense Yasha's confusion but she couldn't stop even if she wanted to. She could feel IT...all around her, in her--it was real and it was there.
"We are the one and the same dear. You were born for this forever."
She rolled to her stomach, and grasped the dirt in her fingers, feeling it clump into her fists and slipping through her fingers as she pushed herself up. How queer, she never noticed how alive everything was; this whole world was alive---
"There are no weeds here." Once, a long time ago, in a nightmare a man had told her. He was safe, he was kind, he was conflicted and yet so sure. "Every life is precious and I'll spend the last erg of my strength to save every one of them."
"Aari." Yasha stepped forward, her hands moving in the air in front of her. Making signs. "You've passed the momu."
"Forget your restraints. Remnants of the past dear."
It was alive and it was dying piece by piece. A dragon was coming to eat the planet and it would start back at home with the Orphans. Biting and swallowing, it would consume everything...everyone...no amount of pleads, of crying, no amount of blood would satisfy the beast of destruction. Its hunger, its violence---
"We have to go home." Aari said, all laughter gone from her voice as she looked at her whitening knuckles. Slowly she let go of the dirt, smoothing the clumps back into the earth. "I want to go home and see the Orphans."
If that dragon was coming to eat the world, her world, then she had to stop it. By any means possible. No one else had the power to do so and she doubted they had the will to do so. Grabbing her eye patch from her it’s placed wrapped around her arm, she tied it back on its place, over the sunburst eye and felt a calm come over her.
She will stop that dragon or die trying.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Happiness shift through dust and the lies." Bry sang as he jumped puddle to puddle with both feet. He loved watching the drops sparkle in the sun. "Pretty sparkles, pretty sparkles, pretty sparkles...shining in the air and on the ground."
He jumped into another puddle, making a much bigger splash this time. He giggled as he made the sparkles hang in the air seconds more than they're supposed to, reaching out to touch a sparkle with his finger before Gill grabbed his arm.
The sparkles fell and Bry looked up at Gill with a pout.
"Bry, I've told you not to do that in front of other people." Gill said as he quickly looked around them, switching from Bry's arm to his hand. He led Bry away from the puddles and away from the curious bystanders that had walked by and had noticed that the droplets of water froze in the air for no apparent reason. "It’s dangerous."
"Bye-bye, no more sparkles not here, over there." Bry said, swinging his arm in time with their walking. "In a crooked little town, they were lost and never found. Pretty sparkles, pretty sparkles, pretty sparkles...shining in the air and on the ground."
Gill stopped and knelt down so he could talk Bry face to face. He learned that if you were on the same level as Bry, it was much easier to get him to listen. Even if he didn't know what you were talking about minutes later. "Bry, you have to be careful. There are bad people--"
"Baddie, baddie addie caddie. No treats for you!" Bry scolded, swiping one finger over the other in a sign of disapproval. "Run away before you drown or the streets will beat you down."
"And they could take you away. Far away from all of us." Gill said, bringing Bry's attention back to him with a slight shake. "They'll hurt you. They'll make you do bad things, things that you shouldn't ever have to do. Do you want that?"
"Ummmm. Yes!" Bry said with a large smile.
"No!"
"No!" Bry echoed Gill's cry.
"Bry!" Gill sighed throwing his hands in the air.
Bry tilted his head, his eyes wide and bright and Gill got the distinct feeling that he was being studied before Bry spoke again, reaching up his hands to touch Gill's face, smooshing his cheeks together. "Mommy."
One word summed it all up in his view, in all views, in everything that ever mattered and will matter. Aari was his Mommy. Mommy loves him. Mommy would protect him and come for him always. His Mommy was the bravest, strongest, prettiest, awesome---
Gill didn't say anything as Bry seemed to have gone back into his mind again and pulled his face from Bry's hands. Bry was absolutely convinced that no matter what Aari would always be there to protect him, save him and keep him happy. But the truth was, she wasn't. There were times when she just disappeared, no word from her, no sight of her for days on end. Not even Yasha knew where she disappeared to. And then like magic, she'd appear like no time had passed. And those missions she went on---
No, there was no telling how long Aari would remain. But he stopped counting the days because Aari was around until she left for good. And he was fine with that.
"Mommy!" Bry cried out, his small face brightening instantly with the smile that overtook his face. Gill turned just as Bry ran towards Aari as she appeared in the crowd. She held her arms open for him and he jumped into them, laughing as she twirled them around. Gill sucked in his breathe when he realized that she was laughing as well. She was laughing!
"I'm home! Gods, it feels so great to be home!" Aari sighed as she carried him the rest of the way to Gill. Shifting Bry to the side, she surprised Gill by leaning in giving him a kiss on the cheek, something close friends gave each other after a long absence.
He touched his cheek in awe as she smiled, a bit embarrassed (were her cheeks turning pink?) when Bry demanded her attention. "Pretty sparkles, pretty sparkles, pretty sparkles, in the air and on the ground." he said, pointing to a puddle nearby. Aari set Bry on the ground and they both took off in a run and jumped into the puddle with both feet, creating a large splash.
Small silvery jewels flew into the air and hung for a few seconds before coming down to the ground.
Gill watched as Aari and Bry splashed and played in the puddle. She let out an ear piercing whistle and soon younglings from twlieks to duros and other various alien races joined her and Bry in the puddles. He was so absorbed in the scene that he didn't notice Yasha until she spoke, "It's a wonder isn't it boy?"
"Aari, she's--" amazing "different. So open and--" Gill dropped off before clearing his throat. He turned to Yasha and saw that she was studying him. "What happened out there?"
"I believe she's found her missing piece." Yasha said. She didn't care for Gill that much. True the boy took care of the younglings from the streets, offered them a home of sorts but he was involved in things she rather not have the younglings in. Or Aari.
Aari had been hiding things from her, the true nature of the missions she went on. She played it off because she was afraid that Aari would disappear and never come back in an effort to protect her. Yasha believed that all life had the right to exist and that no one had the right to take it needlessly. Aari knew that and she tried to shelter Yasha.
But Aari cared too much about the younglings to just walk away. She chose to throw herself in with Gill and his lot to keep the younglings protected and safe.
After all, there weren’t many things that Aari cared about that warrented her attention.
"Oh?" Gill looked back at Aari and the Orphans. "Really?"
"Yes." Yasha said. "Aari is once again whole. I trust that you will keep it that way."
Gill let out a choke of sorts. Did Yasha know that he was the link between Aari and the attacks in the city? Or that he often sent the Orphans out at carriers and messengers to the others in his group? If she knew about their plans, then-- "I don't know what you're talkin' bout but I'll never do anything that would break Aari. I care for her."
Yasha studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "I believe you."
"Looks like we have two dry lumps over there guys." Aari pointed to Gill and Yasha as she talked to the younglings. "We can't have that can we? GO GET THEM!" The younglings shouted and laughed as they ran towards Gill and Yasha, surprising them as they were tackled to the ground with wet hugs and equally wet kisses. Aari walked after them, never knowing how dark the shadows were becoming as the sun started on its downward path.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"It feels good to have actual gravity again." Valin said to Raltharan as they walked the streets of the city they were in. His dad had decided to let him and Raltharan go stretch their legs and to get a feeling for the city before nightfall. "I mean, I like flying and all but it's still nice to use something other than your hands."
"I agree. It gets tiresome after a time." Raltharan agreed. "I'd rather---"
He cut off as a young boy with pink hair jumped in a rather large puddle nearby, sending water into the air. He felt a pulse of Force come off of him as the droplets hung the air for a few seconds, as giggles burst from him before they fell to the ground.
"Did you--" he asked Valin.
"Yeah. I did." Valin nodded as they watched the boy being joined by four younglings. They splashed in the water, getting each other wet. "He's Force talented." Another pulse was felt and again droplets hung in the air only long this time as the younglings reached out to touch them.
"Come on, we're getting behind!" a voice called as an older girl jogged up to them. Valin sucked in his breathe when he saw her face. "Home is that way."
"Excuse me--"
"Bry, it's time to go home." the girl was saying as she bent down so he could jump on her back. The other hung onto her arms. "Right everyone?"
A chorus of agreements and denials filled the air as she turned to walk away.
"Excuse me! Please--"
"I'm trying to ignore you." the girl said as she turned to Valin and Raltharan. She glared at them with her uncovered eye. "It's going to be dark soon."
"Yeah!" the chorus joined in. Valin felt his ears burn, he didn't really know how to handle younglings.
"We were just wondering--" Raltharan spoke up. "How did the droplets stop in the air like that?"
"Oh that's Bry--"
"He always does that--"
"He's ours and you can't have him!"
"We'll fight you!"
"Shush." the girl said sharply to the younglings. "Listen, I don't know you, and I don't know what you want so just leave off. You go that way and we'll go this way. Right? Come on loves, we're really behind now."
"Oh Aari--" the younglings complained as they walked away.
Valin and Raltharan stood watching as Aari and the younglings disappeared into the crowd. Raltharan was the first to speak, "Did you feel her? At all?"
"No." Valin replied. "I didn't feel her at all."
"We better go tell Master Horn." Raltharan said. Valin nodded and they started towards the city center where Corran Horn would be waiting. "Her name was Aari."
"I know. It’s the name of the assassin that's said to be killing off the head members of the gangs." Valin said. "But she looks too young to be a cold blooded killer. And those younglings she's with---it doesn't seem possible."
"Looks can be deceiving. I mean, can two handsome looking guys like us be galaxy traveling Jedi warriors?" Raltharan said with a light manner in an attempt to make the worried scowl disappear from Valin's face.
"You're deluding yourself if you think any girl would think that an ugly mug like yours Raltharan is handsome." Valin said half jokingly. They bantered back and forth before reaching Master Corran Horn and told them what they discovered.
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Healer_Leona
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Date Posted:
2/2 4:48pm
Subject:
RE: Axiom of a Sith --The Apprentice of Darth Caedus (AU, J/OC, J/TK, Ben, Allana)
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Superb post.
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I want to swim away but don't know how
Sometimes it feels just like I'm falling in the ocean
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ispeaknotruths
Registered:
Apr '04
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Date Posted:
4/22 2:46pm
Subject:
RE: Axiom of a Sith --The Apprentice of Darth Caedus (AU, J/OC, J/TK, Ben, Allana)
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 Gah!
I hate how this story has come to a complete stop! But it is mainly my fault and I apolgize for it. I will continue posting soon, hopefully a new chapter will be added by the end of this week.
Here's hoping! 
ispeaknotruths
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YodaKenobi
Title: TFN EU Staff
Registered:
May '03
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Date Posted:
5/27 1:45pm
Subject:
RE: Axiom of a Sith --The Apprentice of Darth Caedus (AU, J/OC, J/TK, Ben, Allana)
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k, I'm more than a few months behind on this one  But trying to catch up on things here.
Apologies 
I have to lift the stones off. I have to climb out to finish the job. I can't leave the job half done. It'll be like Heska all over again. A sharp pang hit her chest, sucking what little air she had managed to grab and something other than blood slipped down her face.
That pain, so sharp, so hot---it’s never lost its potency.
Use it.
Loved this whole section. The disjointed thoughts and descriptions of her agony. Great work!
"There's someone with amazing Force ability down there." Corran focused on the planet below, hoping to find any more signs of the disturbance but it was gone as if it wasn't even there. "And its right where we're going."
'You say that you've come from the underground to enter hell and then fell from heaven. And you tell me how it is all the same. How is that so?'
Every hiding spot was like Yasha waiting with another observation.
'You're generous as you are cruel. A girl who wraps herself under the cover of a killer. But you're just confused and lost.'
Yasha was everywhere.
Yasha is starting to remind me of Vergere...
"There are no weeds here." Once, a long time ago, in a nightmare a man had told her. He was safe, he was kind, he was conflicted and yet so sure. "Every life is precious and I'll spend the last erg of my strength to save every one of them."
Okay, maybe the anti-Vergere 
It was alive and it was dying piece by piece. A dragon was coming to eat the planet and it would start back at home with the Orphans. Biting and swallowing, it would consume everything...everyone...no amount of pleads, of crying, no amount of blood would satisfy the beast of destruction. Its hunger, its violence---
"We have to go home." Aari said, all laughter gone from her voice as she looked at her whitening knuckles. Slowly she let go of the dirt, smoothing the clumps back into the earth. "I want to go home and see the Orphans."
If that dragon was coming to eat the world, her world, then she had to stop it. By any means possible. No one else had the power to do so and she doubted they had the will to do so. Grabbing her eye patch from her it’s placed wrapped around her arm, she tied it back on its place, over the sunburst eye and felt a calm come over her.
She will stop that dragon or die trying.
Reminds me a bit of Anakin Skywalker in the RotS novelization. I believe there's some parts about his inner demons or the dark side itself being a "dragon." Or maybe it was just his anger?
Either way, I like the parallels here.
Gill let out a choke of sorts. Did Yasha know that he was the link between Aari and the attacks in the city? Or that he often sent the Orphans out at carriers and messengers to the others in his group? If she knew about their plans, then-- "I don't know what you're talkin' bout but I'll never do anything that would break Aari. I care for her."
Yasha studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "I believe you."
"Looks like we have two dry lumps over there guys." Aari pointed to Gill and Yasha as she talked to the younglings. "We can't have that can we? GO GET THEM!" The younglings shouted and laughed as they ran towards Gill and Yasha, surprising them as they were tackled to the ground with wet hugs and equally wet kisses. Aari walked after them, never knowing how dark the shadows were becoming as the sun started on its downward path.
It's so nice to see that Aari was happy and loved at least once in her life since being taken from her mother, but at the same time, I'm terrified to see how it's all ripped away from her. I have a feeling things aren't going to end well for Yasha and the orphans and their little family is going to be destroyed
"You're deluding yourself if you think any girl would think that an ugly mug like yours Raltharan is handsome." Valin said half jokingly.
I wonder what will happen when Valin and Corran finally come face to face with Aari. From what she's said before... I've got a bad feeling about this.
Great post Really love the way everything is coming to a head and you're working in so many different timelines. You're very talented!
Sorry to see this is on a bit of a hiatus. I hope you can get back to it soon
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ispeaknotruths
Registered:
Apr '04
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Date Posted:
6/3 3:00pm
Subject:
RE: Axiom of a Sith --The Apprentice of Darth Caedus (AU, J/OC, J/TK, Ben, Allana)
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Soooo...I was on a hiatus...a really long one but don't think I forgot about this story, because I haven't.
Plus, really not hard with the Legacy series just being wrapped up. Its funny how much of that and my story are going to have some common arcs in line but not too much. Plus I had to experience the terror of losing my flashdrive  ---this thing has all my stories and plots on it. I almost had a heart attack!! 
Moving on though...
Yoda Kenboi: Thanks for the reply. I know what you mean about the long absence. I've been gone from the Force Net a while too. Yasha is the anti-Vergere, very much so. She's like the cure to a nasty virus.
Reminds me a bit of Anakin Skywalker in the RotS novelization. I believe there's some parts about his inner demons or the dark side itself being a "dragon." Or maybe it was just his anger?
Either way, I like the parallels here.
I have that book and I just love how Strover wrote it. Plus, Traitor is my fave book so there is my nod to his writing. And who doesn't love or fear dragons?
It's so nice to see that Aari was happy and loved at least once in her life since being taken from her mother, but at the same time, I'm terrified to see how it's all ripped away from her. I have a feeling things aren't going to end well for Yasha and the orphans and their little family is going to be destroyed
I have to say that I'm really good at writing tragety than comedy. I can pop out some light moments though. Plus quoting the words of Tyler Durden "It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything."
THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEW!!
And to for you, another chapter coming riiiiiight-----
Now.
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ispeaknotruths
Registered:
Apr '04
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Date Posted:
6/3 3:27pm
Subject:
RE: Axiom of a Sith --The Apprentice of Darth Caedus (AU, J/OC, J/TK, Ben, Allana)
- Date Edited:
6/4 4:20pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
ispeaknotruths
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Chapter Seven: When Darkness Falls
= = = = = =
Aari shifted her body a quarter inch to the left, twisting her body painfully as she forced her still throbbing limbs through a hole just a bit too small. Releasing what air she had, she moved through earning scratches on the skin that was uncovered. Thankfully, she still has her armor on to keep the sharp stones from cutting her up too much.
She tried using the Force to lift the stones off of her but that proved to be too unstable. Every time she shifted the stones, more came rolling down and with it, more pressure against her. She felt an irritated shot of anger through the Force as well when she tried it.
Master Caedus must have been feeling that pressure as well.
She thought of just giving a hard push at the stones in hopes of maybe crushing him but that had a possibility of crushing her as well. This would be fine as long as it took him out. But---what if he somehow survived?
That was a risk too high to take.
She had to be absolutely certain that he was dead.
Absolute.
It's the Sith way.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I hate the dark. Almost as much as I hate the quiet.
For a being that had lived surrounded by bright flashing lights and numerous beings from all over the galaxy all her life, it was a welcome constant. It was a sign of life, a way of living and it kept away the monsters that hid in the dark shadows of every empty crevice and alley way.
To be alone was to be vulnerable and easy prey to be picked off by those hungry predators.
So I joined a group and kept myself immersed in their lives to forget what I lost during the Yuuzhan Vong War and try to move on in order to fill the emptiness that was once my childhood. I enjoyed my time with the Orphans. I enjoyed their unwavering energy, their constant companionship and their ever demanding attention.
I had grown quite attached to them.
Something I later learned was the fatal poison to any relationship I would later form. I would always end up alone.
Which is funny.
Because I hate being alone.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
The Orphan's safe house or Clubhouse as they liked to call it was an abandoned building overgrown with foliage and gutted from an explosion long ago. Many of the levels were gone and others had large holes in the floors. The wrong step could send you tumbling to the floors below or eat your foot to the thigh.
But none of that mattered to the Orphans. This place was theirs, and plus they were nimble enough to instinctively avoid the dangers of the building. They filled the building with their noise and their energy, giving this once cold degrading ruin another life. This was their home.
And the adults of the city understood that. A few times the authorities had tried to snatch the younglings and take them away, but they've stopped once Aari let them know of her displeasure. After a while, everyone knew that Aari was watching over the Orphans and not soon after, the clubhouse was considered a neutral zone by the gangs of the city through Neutral Law. Just one of a few places that weren't to be attacked or bothered during the war by threat of retaliation. The hospitals were some as well as the churches and shrines.
Aari suspected that Gill played a large role in that but she didn't give it much thought. It just meant that she wouldn't have to go out on missions as often. It gave her plenty of time with the Orphans, the regulars and the new ones that were always coming in.
"So, your name is Jassa." Aari asked a purple skinned reptilian. It nodded, its tongue licking the air. It was small, about 3 feet tall with double rowed jagged ridges climbing down its back to its tail. A very unusual creature for sure; its family must have just landed on the planet. "Well Jassa, welcome to the Orphans. You must be going through such a hard time right now, but I'm sure that you will find a place here. Everyone does."
"We'll take care of you." a young furry cub said, standing beside Aari.
"We care for our own." this came from the other side of Aari by an older human youngling, one of their Step-Ups. Step-Ups were older younglings who took it upon themselves to form groups within the Orphans and watched over them while Aari, Gill and Yasha were away. One day, Aari hoped that they could branch out to other cities and other planets and form other Orphan groups as earlier members of the group had done.
A few times, she's received holos from the others who had left, showing her new planets, new cities and the new Orphan groups they've created. Once or twice, a member would come and visit and then leave, taking a few of the Orphans with them. They all received her blessings as Orphan Mother. Not exactly the name she would have ever thought she'd have but one she felt pride in taking.
"Yes we do." Aari agreed with a smile, careful to not bare her teeth. In many cultures, baring ones teeth was a sign of anger, ill intent and hatred. Over time she had to learn to read the hidden signs and body language to keep the peace within the Orphans. "This is Lena," she motioned to the young furry cub. "And this is Vickers." she motioned to the Step-Up. "They will show you around the Clubhouse, get you settled and basically teach you everything you need to know about how to live like an Orphan for the next few weeks--"
"They were blown up. Boom, Boom and--" Jassa spoke up before dropping off. "I didn't get to tell them--"
Aari's smile faded and she bent down. "May I?" she asked before Jassa nodded. She wrapped her arms around Jassa's shoulder and squeezed. "It's not your fault. It's not their fault. If you're angry, be angry. If you're sad, be sad. But don't let it take over. Live--for yourself and for them. It’s the hardest part of being an Orphan, carrying on. But we will because we can."
She felt Jassa nod against her shoulder and the tell tale wetness of tears.
"Come on Jassa." Lena said softly, gently pulling Jassa from Aari’s shoulder. "I want to show you the place we sleep. And then take you to the feeding place. I bet the Feeders grabbed something good today--“ Her voice merged with the others as she and Vickers led Jassa away.
"Another one?" Gill asked coming up from behind her. Aari rose to her feet with a sigh as she watched the trio disappear from view. She pressed the palms of her hands against her eyes to ward away the burning.
"Always." Aari replied turning to face Gill, noticing that he was clean and wearing a green unbuttoned jumpsuit with a black undershirt. “There will always be orphans, on this planet, on another, across the galaxy. Sad fact as it is. But we ease the pain at least a little with this place. Jassa has a good chance of being safe for a long while.”
“Then give us a smile eh?” Gill said, putting an arm around her shoulder and gave her a little shake. “You can’t save the world with such a sad outlook.”
“Who says I want to save the world?” Aari said as she leaned her head against his shoulder. “It’s the stupid people in it who mess it all up in the first place. Why can’t they leave well enough alone? Stupid, greedy---” She continued mumbling as she turned around to bury her face in his chest.
Gill took it all in stride, having gotten over his shock at Aari’s sudden display of affection and wrapped his arms around her. He soaked it all in, practically basking in the warmth Aari was showing him. Every since he first saw Aari standing over him, he had dreams of her. A simple dream, intense dreams, daydreams and waking dreams---he had wanted her, he chased after her and placed himself in her life.
He begged, pleaded and demanded that she notice him. He offered and pushed his affections on her in hopes of receiving a look, a word, a touch---anything was enough and never enough. He practically chained her to himself when he started to bring the Orphans into his dealing with the other gangs.
He knew that she wouldn’t abandon the Orphans to the Rancors that fought for control of the planet. It wasn’t in her to be so cruel, although she was in her own way. All these years and he didn’t have a single real foothold in her life. Oh he was in her life and she always came to him when trouble came calling but he realized one day that she could live without him.
If he died one day, she would pause for moment to consider him but just as quickly move on. He's seen it time and time again whenever someone from the Orphans left. Nell, who he had thought was her best friend, left to join a boy she knew in the armed forces was easily forgotten. Grim, a large tough guy who helped Aari keep order in the group had disappeared without a trace. She replaced him with the Step-Ups. Their long time cook, Conna, had caused some upheaval when she left but only because she took all the cooking supplies when she left. Aari brushed it off and created the Feeders, Orphans who volunteered to go out and gather food to feed the group as a whole.
She adapted with the ease of a stream flowing into a river without looking back. To him, it seemed like her sights were someplace else---maybe on someone else. A few times, he's overheard her talk about some dream man she was supposed to be with. Oh, how he hated hearing her talk about him; it always put him in a sour mood and it didn't help that the Orphans teased him about it.
But he had no regrets.
For now, she was his.
“Gill?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you believe that I can save us?”
Gill’s answer was automatic. “There is nothing that can stop you when you put your mind to it. You are the most stubborn girl I’ve ever known with a strong will to make things go your way. I've seen you cross the lines for us and break all the rules to make sure that we're safe and happy.” He pulled back to see her face and was humbled to see a hint of fear in her eye. This fearless girl, the girl who had stood up against anyone and their armies who threaten the Orphans, was afraid of something and it hurt to see her like this. “You are our salvation. And not to mention-- you are super hot.”
That got her to smile and eased the tension between them.
“You’re just saying that because you want in my pants.” Aari said as she pulled away from him with a roll of her eye. "Perv."
“Points for honesty?” Gill asked as he chased after her. Aari skipped ahead of him and jumped through a large hole in the floor. Gill jumped down after her with a grin, thinking that she was ready for a game of chase.
Aari landed flawlessly, as always, and skipped out of the way of the pursuing Gill with a smile on her face. Without fail, if she ran, he chased after her. An old game that never became boring.
"Mommy!" She turned just as Bry launched all four feet of himself at her. She landed with an oof! as Bry clung to her tightly, missing his shirt and still covered in mud from playing in the street. "Mommy tell Bree no, no I won't go!"
"Listen you lil squirt, you have to get clean." Bree, a young Twliek girl with green colored skin, too tall and too skinny for her age of twelve stomped up to them with a wet rag in hand that was just as dirty as Bry was. Bree was a Step-up and Bry was always with her when he wasn't with Aari. She was born on the neighboring planet Heska II from a single mother in a traveling dancing troupe, she's known the chaos of the warring planets since the day she was born---the horror and sadness that war brings to everyone. And yet she always found a reason to smile, to laugh and to hug those around her.
It was why Bry was so drawn to her.
Bree was good for him. Around her, Bry could find a reason to laugh, to be touched without flinching and most of all, to escape the depressing all consuming emotions around him. She opened herself to everyone; there wasn't a secret about her and for Bry that was like cool water over a searing sunburn. He was calmer, more in control and lighter in spirit when he was with her.
He smiled all the time.
So Bree became high on Aari's list of priorities. Protect Bree to keep Bry in control and happy. Unless of course if it was time for him to get clean and go to bed. Then that was a war into itself.
"No I won't!" he yelled at Bree and hid his head under Aari's chin, pulling her hair over him to better hide.
"Its gettin' late and the firelights will be shootin' off soon." Bree argued against Bry, her hands on her hips. Gill stood behind her, giving her his support because he knew how difficult it was to get Bry to bed. "You know you can't sleep when that happens. Gah, why do we have to fight about this every night lil bro?"
"Because I don't want too!" came Bry's muffled reply. "I'll miss it, I'll miss everything and I can't!"
Aari hugged him to her, rubbing circles on his back. She could sense how conflicted he was, more so than usual. Something set him off and he didn't know how to handle it, so he was being sulky and upset when all he wanted was to give in to Bree and let her take care of him.
"Bry? What happened?" Aari asked him, speaking softly against his ear. "Why are you so upset?"
"I don't want them here. Too many, too many, they come to put an end to everything we know." he whispered against her neck. "I like how it is, because I have you and Daddy and Bree and all my brothers and sisters---but they will take them away. They will take you away!" he whimpered and squeezed tighter. "It's going to eat everything. Swallow us whole and never spit us out. I don't want to be eaten; I don't no, no no---"
Aari frowned at his words, feeling a certain dread growing in her stomach as she recognized what he was saying. Bry sensed it because he started crying. Bree dropped to her knees in front of them, and ran her fingers through Bry's hair, soothing him.
Aari started rocking him as she asked, "You've seen it too, haven't you? The Gift you and I share, it showed the Dragon to you." She felt him nod. "You know its coming and that it’s going to start with us." Again she felt him nod. "Bry, I want you to know that I'm going to stop it. It won't come here. If it does, I will fight it, I won't let it take you."
"It’s so big and it’s so so hungry." Bry pulled away, looking into Aari's eye. "Mommy, I'm scared of it."
"It's okay to be scared. That a smart thing to be against something unknown." Aari said. She cupped his face. "Now let me ask you something. You know what I do; I can't hide it from you so you know what I've done. I can be pretty scary huh?" Bry bit his lower up and nodded. "Yeah, so who do you think is scarier, that dragon or me?"
Bry looked down. He was small, so very small and because of his size and age he was looked to as the weakest of the group but he knew he was the strongest one. He's seen the things everyone else has done, the deep dark secrets they kept and he felt the hurt and anger that lay just beneath surface. Anyone else would have ran and hid or screamed on and on but not him. Not him because he had them. The Orphans and Mommy and Daddy and Bree, they made him brave.
He looked to Bree letting himself feel how concerned and worried she was about him and his mood. Most of her life, she had been surrounded by people who had come and gone from her life and she's never slept in the same place twice. She's never had someone other than her mother who cared for her and who she cared for. She did now and she didn't want to lose it or regret it. So she opened herself up, let everyone know who she was so if something did happen, which was a big possibility, they would remember her and she them.
He turned to Gill, sensing how confused and ill prepared he was about all of this because he didn't share the Gift like Aari and he did. He wasn't as close as he was with Bree. But he did care for him. Gill knew what it was like to be alone and afraid, and he knew what it felt like lose everything. He created the Orphans because he didn't want anyone else to feel what he felt. Gill bargained, bartered, cheated, gambled, and signed his life away for the Orphans. He built up quite a debt and he knew soon that he would have to pay for it.
He didn't have to look at Aari. He knew her. His Mommy was a loving open hearted person who cared for all the Orphans and did everything she could to make them safe. His Mommy was a person who used her Gift to bring about change violently and who could be very cruel. He knew why. When the monsters took her, they changed her and no one changed her more than the Betrayer all in the name of the Dream Man. She was in conflict with herself, always fighting, always on the move; she knew no peace. Bry knew it would only take one small thing to set her off and the Mommy he knew would disappear. In her place, would be someone who could face the Dragon and beat it.
"You." he said quietly.
"Say it louder."
"You are!"
"I am the scariest, meanest and baddest Mommy you know." Aari brushed his tears away and gave him a slight smile. "And I love you so much. When you smile, the sun in brighter, when you're sad I'll do anything to steal those tears away. I'll kiss, hug and tickle you until everything bad fades away."
And she did. Gill and Bree joined in a few seconds later until the four of them were giggling and laughing on the floor. Bry crawled between Aari and Gill, tucking himself under their arms as Bree joined him, siding with Aari and pulled him close.
"This is what I brought you, this you can keep." Bry said, closing his eyes.
"I promise you a heart, you promise to keep." Bree replied, closing her eyes.
"I promise you my heart, just promise to sing." Gill locked eyes with Aari, intertwining their hands.
"Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep." Aari squeezed Gill's hand tightly, keeping his eyes before they succumbed to sleep.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Downtown, Headquarters of the New Government
Valin and Raltharan were in the room of Corran Horn, explaining to him about the run in with some of the locals they've met on their walk. Valin was leaning against the wall near the door, his legs and arms crossed as Raltharan paced from wall to wall, waiting for Corran to response from his stance near the window.
The sun was near the tops of the mountains and the sky taken on a rainbow of violets and oranges. Shadows had already swallowed ground level of the city and a few lights were shining in the darkness.
"Some of the locals are clearly untrusting of the new peace that has been announced over the holo news." Valin said with a shrug. "Not surprising. They've had so many promises broken and lines crossed that they are distrusting of anything out of the norm."
"But constant warring isn't normal. It shouldn't be." Raltharan commented. "It's like they're afraid of peace, of helping others that doesn't give back. Trade this for that, swear loyalty for protection, don't offer anything of value if you want to live to see the next day. It's like this all over the city."
"And no doubt all over the planet." Corran Horn replied, turning away from the window. "You're correct Raltharan that this type of behavior isn't normal--for us. But here? It's as normal as breathing."
"Truth of the matter is the citizens are scared. They have been for a very long time. It probably started during the Yuuzhan Vong War, maybe even before that--they've lived so long in fear that they don't know anything else. It makes them hostile, suspicious and anxious. Any sudden move will frighten them into action."
"So, what do we do?" Valin asked, pushing off the wall. He ran his hand through his hair. "How do we handle something that could burst like a bubble?"
"We have to unite them against a common foe. Bring all together like pieces of a puzzle."
"Okay. But what?"
"Not what. Who?"
"Huh?"
"In every meeting we're had with the new government, even before it was created, there was a mention of this group called the Revs. It’s very small, no larger than a couple of hundred but it has a very large pull on this planet. It was one of the first groups to start up the Neutral Law, giving protection to all hospitals and shrines and the like." Corran explained.
"Oookay. Question." Valin crossed his arms and settled back on his heels. "If it’s so big that it can influence policy when there wasn't one, then why didn't they sign on as government? Why not bring their influence into bringing peace on this planet?"
"Because they have a very black and white view against others and yet break their own rules if it doesn't fit what they want." Corran Horn replied. He sat down on his bed, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin against his knuckles thoughtfully. "There's proof that the Revs purposely created rifts between gangs so that rivals will attack each other until they're dead or weak enough for them to swoop in and finish them off. Any gang they thought was becoming too powerful or controlling were marked as dangerous and attacked from the outside--and inside."
"They are feared and respected but hated just as much."
"We never had a real clue of who was a Rev and who wasn't. There's no true leadership within the group, each member has a word to say in every action taken." Raltharan explained to Valin, stopping in front of him. "Its one of the reasons they weren't at the conference when the treaty was signed. It might be seen as a slight or act of war against them. When word reaches the Revs, and if it hasn't already, they will plan on bringing down the government."
"That's stupid. We're bringing stability to this place. We're trying to stop a war that has been going on for years." Valin pointed out.
"To us, yes. But we have brought together several large gangs and all of them have something against the Revs. This will get worst than it will get better." Corran sighed. "But it seems like the only option we have right now. The treaty is keeping the peace right now, but in its early stages, anything will tear it apart. What did you learn of that girl in the streets? Aari?"
"Which story? Some call her the falling star, said that she fell from heaven to save the souls of the younglings that live on the streets. Others call her the avenging angel, same story different name. Fell from the sky and watches over the younglings that live on the street."
"Orphan Mother. Leader of the street trash." Corran raised his eyebrow at Valin as he shrugged. "Old bitter lady with a wicked aim with her cane. Uh, her and her partner, some guy they don't know the name, have a place near the ruins at the edge of the city and care for the younglings that gather there. Most of them are orphans, a few are runaways---all of them have something against authorities and adults. They aren't touched for the fact that---they are scared of Aari."
Valin pulled out his PDA, pressed some buttons and read the blue screen as a holo popped up. "One year ago, a man working for some off planet private school lost an arm and an eye after grabbing some Orphans and shipped them off against their will. A few returned. A slaver approached her about taking some of the youngling off her hands and when she refused, he attacked her. He uh, has yet to regain consciousness." He looked up from the screen. "The local schools say that Orphans come and go on their own choosing, vendors say that they grab what they want but are always sure to repay them some way or another for what they steal. They run as couriers, scavengers, cleaners, odd jobs here and there, nothing too major or dangerous."
"Anything else?"
"She's dangerous." Raltharan said, crossing his arms and leaned again the wall. "She seems to be everywhere at once and nowhere at the same time. She can disappear without a trace and then pop up when least expected. She's appeared during fighting between rival gangs where the leaders were killed but if confronted has a bunch of alibi's." Raltharan held up a finger to prove a point. "But one thing has remained as constant--she cares deeply for the Orphans and just as protective. Like a mother Ewok with the temperament of a Rancor."
A gentle ping came at the door. Valin moved to answer the door, stepping aside only when he saw that it was the liaison to one of the Council members, a sweet looking human girl who had seen more than her share of war.
"Masters Jedi, I bring news of a War Council that is as of now, created to bring everlasting peace on the planet Heska IV." the Liaison said with a bow. She straighten up. "The Council requests your presence at the Table, in hopes of your lending your experience at this crucial time. Will you comply?"
Corran Horn stood up, folding his hands into his robes. Valin and Raltharan followed his example, moving to stand on both sides so they could face the Liaison as one group. No doubt, she would report their united front to her Masters.
"Tell the Council we will accept their invitation to oversee their plans. But please, remind the Council that the Jedi role is only to watch and prevent, not involve ourselves into local politics." Corran Horn replied calmly.
"I will do as you ask." the Liaison nodded before stepping aside. "Come with me, I will lead you to the Council."
"Thank you." Corran Horn said. He led the way followed by Raltharan then Valin with the Liaison at the end with another guard. Nearby an alien youngling about the age of twelve was seen running a group of little creatures out of the hall. The youngling spotted them and waved.
"Hey, get out of here rat!" the guard boomed at him. The youngling stuck out his long green tongue before running away with a giggle, taking the small creatures with him. "Can you believe them rats, they're everywhere."
"Such pests but useful pests." the Liaison replied looking up at the guard. "Make sure that no more are around. Mother won't like it if they're out so late, she might come after us." The guard nodded and walked away, his huge bulk filling the hallway as he spoke into the comlink. The Liaison spoke over her shoulder. "This way please."
Corran got the uneasy feeling that they were now being watched for some kind of treachery. He wasn't the only one who felt it. Valin grumbled under his breath, "Not even one day of peace and already they're ready for another war."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I had a dream once.
I think it was a dream.
I was running from monsters that loved pain and hated everyone who wasn't them. They lived in a place that had no skies and no machines but yet were surrounded by life even though they worshipped death. They were scary and brutal and unrelenting.
Yes, they were monsters. Very real monsters who took me away from home, stole away me Mum and put me in a prison where pain and terror were constant much like breathing. I wanted to escape but the only escape was to die.
I was running for so long when I tripped and fell. I landed in the dirt and couldn't get up again. I just laid there waiting.
Out of this dream, a man appeared. A beautiful, kind man who picked me up and told me not to worry.
"It'll be alright. I have you now."
He was my savior, my hero, my one true everything all wrapped together in the form of man with warm brown eyes with a hint of sorrow and a lopsided smile that came out a few rare times. When he spoke, the screams faded away; when he was close, I felt accepted; when he held me, I felt safe.
And then the dream faded away and a nightmare took its place. A queer feathered creature with a smile replaced my Dream Man. She brought terror and pain followed with strange conversations about how the strong follow their own course to change the world as they see fit.
"A **** doesn't accept the world as it is."
I found myself changing and unable (unwilling) to stop because it had to be what he wanted. My Dream Man didn't accept the world as it was, so why should I? When I was ready, I went back to him but found that he didn't need me and I was sent away.
It’s said that you wake up when a nightmare becomes too much for the dreamer. If you dream of falling, you wake before you hit the ground. If you're being chased, you will never see your attacker when they finally catch you. If lose the very thing that made you feel special---
"--ake up--"
--you're supposed to wake up surrounded in the warm shelter of his arms.
I think I'm still waiting to--
"Aari!" Gill hissed in her ear, shaking her awake. Aari jerked awake but quickly stopped moving when she saw Bry and Bree sleeping still. Outside the battle of the night had already begun and from the sound of it, it has been going on for a while now.
"Gill? What is it?" Aari whispered quietly.
"Come on, let's get the kids to their beds." he told her, bending down to pick up Bree. Aari followed suit, picking up Bry and followed Gill as they made it to the middle level, the safest place to sleep at night and the most crowded. A few Orphans were still awake, sitting around the fires they made to keep warm or watching the sky glow colorfully from the fighting outside, safe within the wrecked confines of the building. They had to step over and around the Orphans before they made it to the back area of the floor where there was a small mountain of mismatched pillows and blankets.
A few minutes later, they had a bed made for both Bry and Bree set among a group sleeping around a fire with Yasha on watch.
"Thanks for watching them for us Yasha." Gill said as Aari pulled a blanket for the children.
"I welcome any chance to watch over the younglings." Yasha replied. "Enjoy yourselves."
"Huh?" Aari looked to Gill who turned slightly pink. "Gill what--?"
"Come on Aari, I have something to show you." Gill replied, pulling her away from Yasha and towards the ladder that lead to the upper levels and the rooftop. Aari forced him to stop near the top, holding his hand tightly.
"Is it---?" She dropped off, embarrassed after all this time about her fear.
Gill grinned. "It's okay Aari. The clouds are out tonight, you can't see the stars." She let out a relieved sigh and he tugged her up the ladder. Heights didn't bother Aari, nor the fact that a stray cannon shot could veer in her direction or the fact that at night if she wasn't at the clubhouse, she would be killed on sight for her actions in the war.
Aari still had fear of wide open spaces, especially on clear nights where the stars shone. Cloud cover was the only way anyone would get her to the rooftops.
Aari climbed up the ladder and her mouth dropped open as the soft white glow sticks lit up the rooftop in a soothing, romantic way. Gill pulled her further out on to the roof, pass the jungle growth that had started taking over and towards the blanket covered with sweet fruits he had the Orphans set up for him while Aari slept. A holo was playing nearby, a beautiful girl singing a soft melody from Naboo.
"Gill, you--" Aari twirled around with a smile on her face.
"I know it’s not the most expensive or fashionable or awe inspiring of planning--" Gill started, toeing the ground as Aari tilt her head to the side. "But you deserve it. You deserve so much more and I know that I don't have much but---"
Aari grabbed his face between her hands and brought him close, brushing her lips against his in a butterfly kiss. "Don't be sorry. It's the perfect thing from you." she said against his lips before gathering up her nerve, she moved her mouth over Gill's, devouring its softness. Her kiss was slow and thoughtful. Gill responded, lingering, and savoring every moment of the heady sensation.
They pulled back reluctantly, sharing shy smiles.
His fingers crawled up into her hair, tugging gently and stroking through the silky strands before reaching the thin pink band that held the eye patch. With a small tug, he untied the knot. Suddenly brought back, Aari pushed at his shoulders and when that didn't work, grabbed his hands. "Stop."
"It's okay luv." Gill breathed. She shook her head and he cupped her face between his hands. "Aari, it’s me. I want to see you, all of you."
"It’s just---no one has seen---it’s MY mark." she said, looking down. Gill drew her eyes up when he let go of her face and lifted her chin with his finger.
"Do you trust me Aari?" he asked her.
She bit her lower lip, looking into his eyes. Gill was many things, a thief, and a cheat and outright clever but when he accepted someone into his circle; he was honest, generous and understanding. Through the years they've known each other, she's never seen him raise a violent hand against the Orphans, against anyone who hadn't wronged him or his charges. In a lot of ways, he reminded her of that dream---
"Trust me."
She never showed anyone other than Yasha her mark since she put on the eye patch to cover it. Not even Bry had seen her true eye. Partly because she didn't want to frighten him and partly because she wasn't ready to share it with anyone. It was hers---and it belonged to that man in her dreams.
But Gill--he was hers. He cared for her; more so everyday they spent together. And lately, she started caring for him. They were going to leave the planet and find some peaceful place to raise the Orphans, only they weren't going to be orphans anymore. They were going to be a family.
With a nod, she closed her eyes, out of habit as he gently pulled the patch away from her face. For the first time in years, she felt weight fall away with the straps as she opened her eyes again. She saw Gill look at her in awe, focusing on her face.
"Just as I thought." he said quietly. "It's still you."
He stepped back and held out his hand. "May I?"
"You may." she replied, placing her hand in his. He pulled her towards him and they started spinning in circles, dancing around the roof. They didn’t realize they were being watched from afar, that a plan to wipe out those who kept their true plans from coming together.
“Look at the lovers over ‘ere. So pure and true, enough to make me heave.” A large bodied, dirty alien spat on the ground as he looked through his long range visors. He wore a ruined and patched filled green jumpsuit.
“Relax bro, dere time is comin’ up short.” This came from another large bodied alien wearing armor over a green jumpsuit and had a large blaster thrown over his shoulder.
“When do we attack?”
“When the Jedi arrive wit the troops.”
“Good thang we jumped ship earlier eh Locke?”
“You betcha Shock. Dem Revs don’ know what’s gonna hit ‘em tell it’s too late.” Locke grinned, showing sharp, food encrusted teeth as he scratched as his neck, pushing away his armor to show a tattoo of a dragon. ‘That uppity angel will get hers for making a fool of us. I’ll clip her wings myself.’
TBC
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