Jedi Council Forums - The Sandtrooper's Story

Poof has a love-hate relationship with the Saga. On the one hand, it’s where he has his shinning moments as a Jedi Knight on the Jedi Council. On the other hand, he dies during the Saga era, and that wasn’t much fun at all.

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Author	Topic: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
Jade_Pilot Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 1/18 7:57am Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! I've fallen behind! School is just kicking my bahookie! As always your descriptions are exquisite! Well done! -----signature----- "A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have." ~ Gerald Ford
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Terek_Deckard Registered: May '06	Date Posted: 2/1 1:59pm Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Here's a little more: Luke was amazingly relaxed after coming out of his Force vision, and sat motionless as he studied the cube, running his index finger over the detailed surface etchings. Suddenly and silently, a bright light flashed out from inside. As quickly as it had appeared it was gone, and then he could feel something moving, shifting within the box. The etchings were sliding, rearranging, realigning. As the movement stopped there was a barely audible click, like a delicate locking mechanism releasing . . . surrendering its protected wealth. A flickering recording opened, projected upward from the cube, about a half meter into the air. He set the cube on the table beside the statues as the image of a young Obi-Wan Kenobi, standing on a Tatooine ridge top appeared and began to speak: [img]http://propaholics.wolfchasers.com/uploader/users/tyranus2/Ben%20at%20the%20site%20of%20his%20new%20home.jpg[/img] “Hello Luke. If you are viewing this message, I am already gone, and unable to pass on this information to you in person. There is much to be covered, and I know you have questions of me, young one. I will reveal the answers to you in time as your destiny unfolds.” Luke sat mesmerized by the youthful image of his mentor. “First, the most obvious question I’m sure you have is regarding why you were raised by your Aunt and Uncle and what happened to your parents. Tragically, they both died on the same day and never knew you either. Your mother died in childbirth, shortly after you were delivered. Your father, my Padawaan, or Jedi learner, grew into a Jedi Knight just as I was . . . am. He was an amazing pilot and a good friend who found himself in the Jedi Temple when it was gutted by the Emperor’s troops in what later became known as the Great Purge. He was betrayed and destroyed, as we all were . . . by a Jedi that had fallen victim to the trappings of the Sith’s lust for power. Tragically this fallen Jedi, Darth Vader, betrayed and murdered your father on the day of your birth. Anakin’s life was cut short that day, and he was unable to be with his wife when you were born. He wanted children and would have loved you and spent the time with you that I know you craved from a father. After your mother’s passing, I brought you here to live with your Aunt and Uncle. I tried to watch over you as best I could, but your uncle allowed me little contact which was ultimately cut off entirely. He felt if he could keep you sheltered from the past, he could keep you safe from the forces that took your parents. His methods may have been hard to swallow, but his intentions were always for your safety and well-being. Your father was a great Jedi. I knew it would be my final assignment to stand guard over you until you could reach an age where with a free will, you might be trained as he was. Anakin was strong in the Force, as are you. It is you and your untapped abilities and skills that are the best hope this galaxy has of ever reversing the malignancy of the Empire. You are the last hope of restoring the freedoms of the Old Republic that were taken from us all.” Luke was staring, eyes wide, at the recording as Ben continued. “I know this a lot to take in all at once, but the training that I had anticipated for you was never allowed. You must be strong and trust that I will lead you on a responsible training path. I know your instinct is to be angry at Darth Vader and want revenge for what he took from you. I can not stress this enough, young one; you must let go of those feelings altogether. Anger and fear are the first steps on the path to the Dark side. Release them and it will make you stronger than he could ever hope to be. The next piece to reveal is a bit of history. I’ll begin with the military forces which were used to implement the Emperor’s twisted power play. In a period of unrest, when many in the temple felt that such a coup might someday transpire, a Jedimaster set out on his own to put in motion a protective measure which ultimately was our undoing. Master Sifo Dyas, seen here in an archival holo, solicited the creation of a Clone Army which he felt would be a way of assisting the Jedi in protecting the Republic during a struggle for control.” [img]http://propaholics.wolfchasers.com/uploader/users/tyranus/Sifo%20Dyas%20Sepia%20SMALL.jpg[/img] Unfortunately, his vision of a protective presence was distorted by the Emperor and used to implement martial law throughout the galaxy as his plans to seize control of the Republic were put into motion. The new Emperor’s strike team, led by Darth Vader and his 501st Legion, stormed the temple killing everyone in their path. It was their intention to completely extinguish the flame of the Jedi Order forever, so that the Sith might rule the galaxy unopposed. As part of their scheme, they sent a beacon from the Temple, recalling all Jedi assigned elsewhere to return to the Temple and their deaths. My master’s master and I discovered this signal, and returned to the Temple to alter it, warning other Jedi to stay away and hide. It was on my way to do this that I carefully made my way to the surface of Coruscant, to the only person I knew I could trust. He told me troops had already been in his diner looking for me, and that it wasn’t safe to be there. I said goodbye to him, knowing I would never see him again. I was working my way through the surface streets on my way to the temple when I came upon the broken and bloodied body of a Jedimaster who lay dying in an alley. He was near death when I came upon him. His arm had been severed by a lightsaber, and the ravages of the Emperor’s Force lightning had robbed him of all but the smallest traces of life, to which he clung fiercely. In his dying breath he told me of several small statues in his private chambers which held embedded information about the Jedi Order. He made me swear to take them when I reached the Temple. He said it was information he had compiled for just such a catastrophic event that could help rebuild the Order someday. I kept that promise, and if you are viewing this message, you already have the statues. When the time is right, I will reveal to you how to retrieve the information in them.” Luke glanced from the holo image to the three statues on the table. “Now I will guide you to my first Tatooine home, a cave among the cliffs where there is still more information hidden there for you . . .” * * * -----signature----- Terek Deckard TD-2187 Sandtrooper, 104th Moisture Farm Patrol Check out "The Sandtrooper's Story" http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=24597606&brd=10476&replies=30
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Jade_Pilot Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 2/2 6:59pm Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Wow! What a shocker for Luke! I can't wait to see what happens next! Well done! -----signature----- "A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have." ~ Gerald Ford
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Terek_Deckard Registered: May '06	Date Posted: 2/2 10:10pm Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Thanks Jade! -----signature----- Terek Deckard TD-2187 Sandtrooper, 104th Moisture Farm Patrol Check out "The Sandtrooper's Story" http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=24597606&brd=10476&replies=30
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Ocelotl_Nesto Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 2/4 9:08am Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Nice description... Still sad to see Obi-Wan preaching his point of view on the death of Anakin. I guess the troops will encounter a young Luke soon eh?
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THE_PIED_PIPER Title: Chapter Rep Knoxville, TN Registered: Jun '06	Date Posted: 2/6 5:58pm Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Nice update Terek! We'll see what POV Obi has waiting in the cave. -----signature----- Jagged Fel I Ganner Krieg
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Terek_Deckard Registered: May '06	Date Posted: 2/23 1:15pm Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Thanks everyone. I'm glad you are still enjoying the story. Here is some more: As the Wookiee descended the lowered entry ramp from within the ‘Falcon, both he and Captain Solo now felt the chest-pounding concussive sound of the twin waterfalls they had seen on approach to the shipping terminal. They had been directed to set down in the center of the huge terminal yard’s landing platform, which was situated at the base of an enormous cliff, over which these twin falls coursed. [image] http://propaholics.wolfchasers.com/uploader/users/tyranus2/FALCON%20ON%20NABOO%20adjusted.jpg The domed buildings of the Royal Palace could be seen through the mist atop the cliffs. Theed, the capitol city of Naboo, was located far above them, on the stony banks of the river which fed the waterfall to their West. Solo slapped a fully charged erg clip into his blaster and shoved it back in his holster. He walked away from the Wook to speak to the nearest port officer about securing a personal transport to the city above. Chewbacca stood transfixed, staring at the raw power of the incredible falls. He breathed in the smell of the mist that hung in the air and was momentarily reminded of the similar intense beauty of his homeworld, Kashyyyk. Solo walked up behind, and tapped his co-pilot on the shoulder, “Chewie, I’ve set up a transport that’ll take me up there.” he said pointing to the top of the Western Falls. “There’s a small waterfront area there where I can get a water taxi out to the royal lake house, so I can deliver this.” He opened his palm, revealing the pendant. The necklace was wrapped around his open hand twice. “I need you to stay here, pal.” He looked away scanning the cliffs above as clouds floated through the expansive, blue afternoon sky. Chewie barked a short response. “I don’t know why. There’s no reason. I’ve just got a bad feeling about it.” The Wook growled a bit in response, raising his furry arms. “I know nobody knows we were coming here, but I want to be ready to get outta here fast if we have to.” Chewie whined softly as he looked back to the powerful waterfalls, then turned to re-enter the ship as he watched Solo walk off toward the small transport. He knew there would be no time for him to make any real repairs, but he could keep busy running diagnostic scans on the ship. The idea of Solo without someone watching his back was not a comforting one. Chewbacca took his life-debt to the Corellian pilot very seriously. As the huge Wookiee entered the cockpit, he watched as Solo’s transport lifted away. Turning his attention back to his tasks, his fingers moved quickly across the instruments as he initiated a deep system scan. * Solo watched the familiar shape of his ship grow smaller in the distance as the transport rose up the steep cliff, headed toward Theed. The transport finally emerged above the stone wall only to find the waterfront area empty and no water taxis in sight. “I’ll take you passengers over closer to the palace. I forgot. The waterfront area is closed this afternoon in observation of our fallen past queens.” The transport pilot maneuvered the small craft into the courtyard outside the palace grounds, where many had gathered to pay their respects to the lost monarchs. For a place of such amazing beauty, and such a sizeable gathering, there was the inescapable crushing weight of silent reverence, sorrowful reflection and genuine mourning from the masses as they lay wreaths and flowers at the base of the monuments here. The small transport vehicle continued well past the solemn gathering and beyond more official Royal buildings that encircled the palace before it eventually came to a stop, touching down on the stone street of the lakeside walk and landing. Even here there was a sizable gathering of people, watching the beauty of the lake and reflecting on those they had lost. Han stepped out quickly, eyes moving across the crowd, one hand hovering above his sidearm as he made his way through the masses toward the stone railing on the far side of the expansive courtyard. He placed a hand on the smooth stone rail that overlooked the magnificent lake and leaned over, peering down to the water’s edge below. Several water taxis stood ready for their next fare. A slight grin crept over his face as he looked left and right, searching for a way down to the lower level. He moved right, following the gently curving stairs down to the walkway that skirted the water’s edge. As he approached the first taxi, he looked the old oarsman in the eyes, “I need to go to the royal lake house. I have a delivery for one of the royal haindmaidens.” The old man shook his head and blocked Solo from entering his tiny craft. A younger oarsman called to him, and waved him over. “Sorry about that. Some of the old timers take todays’ meaning a bit to extremes. Where did you say you needed to go?” Solo eyed the younger man carefully as he stepped down into the small boat and sat down, “The Royal lake house.” “Sorry mate, they’re closed to the public.” Han grinned, “That’s good to know, but I’m not going as a tourist. I’m making a personal delivery to one of the retired Royal Handmaidens that lives there now. Her name is Yane, and the delivery is from her niece.” The boy looked up sharply at the name. “If my history is correct, she was handmaiden to Queen Amidala, one of the queens we’re honoring here today. I’ll take you over and announce you. It will be up to the handmaiden whether or not she receives you, today of all days.” Han nodded as he settled back against the seat, “Fair enough.” * Yane’s thick hair blew back away from the dark features of her face as she hurried across the veranda. Her feet noiselessly padded along the footpath of half-buried stone slabs as she circled around to the stairs which lazily wound down to the water’s edge. [image] http://propaholics.wolfchasers.com/uploader/users/tyranus3/Lakehouse%20steps%2060pct.jpg The delivery announcement was unexpected, but when the voice on the intercom mentioned her niece, Bria, she dropped everything. The warm lake waters lapped rhythmically at the stone retaining walls as she came around the final turn and could see the oarsman standing in the water taxi. She slowed her pace a bit as she closed the remaining gap between herself and the bottom of the landing, “It’s all right. Let him pass.” The oarsman dropped the arm that held Solo back. Han stepped out of the small boat onto the stone step, eyeing the woman, “Yane?” She nodded slowly,her eyes locked on his, “Yes, I am Yane. Who are you?” “Renn Tharen sent me to deliver this to you.” He extended his hand as Yane opened hers. The necklace and pendant slid from his hand into her palm. The metal was still warm from his grip, but a chill went through her as she realized what it was. Her eyes flew open wide as her gaze darted from the pendant back to Han’s eyes, “Where is she? Is she all right?” She frantically looked to him for an answer as he searched for a delicate, but elusive way to word his devastating message. In the end, he could find no easy way, “I’m sorry . . . Bria is dead.” A curtain of white, sparkling points of shimmering light abruptly lowered before her eyes, and she almost passed out completely as her legs buckled beneath her at the news. She recovered quickly as Han reached out and grabbed her, steadying her and lowering her slowly to the stone steps. The oarsman jumped over to help, fanning her face a bit. “How . . . did this happen?” was all she could manage, tears welling in her dark brown eyes as a breeze caught the delicate strands of hair that now fell across her face. Han raised her back to her feet slowly, “Let’s get you to a seat, and I’ll tell you all I know.” Shem nodded slowly and steadied herself as they turned to ascend the steps toward the courtyard and veranda above. “Let’s go out over there, under the trees.” She said as they passed beneath the courtyard veranda. [image] http://propaholics.wolfchasers.com/uploader/users/tyranus3/naboo%20dock4%2075pct.jpg “There’s a nice breeze coming off the water this afternoon. We can talk there.” Tears slid down her strikingly beautiful face as the impact of the loss ripped through her again. There was ample shade beneath the canopy of trees, and the veranda sat in a perfect spot overlooking the lake. [image] http://propaholics.wolfchasers.com/uploader/users/tyranus3/naboo%20dock%2011%2075pct.jpg Yane stepped away from Han, her feet crunching in the bed of small stones as they approached the intricately carved railing. She reached out, clasping the stone rail with her right hand as her left held up the necklace. She brushed her thumb over it as flashes and images from the day she had placed it around her young niece’s neck surfaced in her thoughts: “Whenever you wear this, Bria, think of me and how much I love you. You’re the daughter I could never have, sweetie. I love you as if you were my own.” The mental images and memories of the smiling child faded away and the biting pain of reality came crashing down on the royal handmaiden once again. She cupped a hand across her mouth, and tears fell freely as spasms of grief tore through her again and again, shaking her. “How did it happen?” The sweet smell of the flowers along the rail wafted across them as Han stared out across the laker at the distorted, rippled reflections in the waters. “Have you ever heard of the Red Hand?” * * * The small flashing beacon illuminated the tech’s face as he searched the database to identify the origin of the beacon. The search results splashed across the screen and his eyes grew wide as he reached to depress the comm key, “Lord Vader! Lord Vader!” * The comm channel opened and a tone sounded as Vader sat in his private chambers, “Lord Vader! Lord Vader!” [image] http://propaholics.wolfchasers.com/uploader/users/tyranus3/vaders%20chamber.jpg The dark Lord motioned briefly, channeling the Force to press the comm key, “Yes? What is it?” The tech on the other end of the line cleared his throat and spoke up, “We’re picking up a transponder signal, sir. We have identified the signal as the one assigned to the Millennium Falcon, milord.” Vader thought a moment, “The strike team on Yavin IV recovered that transponder already. Captain Solo discovered it and left it behind in the Massassi temple. This isn’t news.” The line went silent for a moment before the reply came, “MiLord, the transponder on the Millennium Falcon was a dual-core twin transponder. Captain Solo may have found the first transmitter, but the secondary unit’s timer mechanism was tripped when the first was removed. It has waited the programmed amount of time to avoid detection, and is now signaling. The scrambled beacon we’re receiving is definitely that of the second twin, planted on the Millennium Falcon. It’s a strong signal, and it’s coming from Naboo.” Vader leaned close to the comm and replied, “Have the crew of the Intruder prepped. I’m on my way and will be on their bridge within the hour.” “Yes, milord.” * * * -----signature----- Terek Deckard TD-2187 Sandtrooper, 104th Moisture Farm Patrol Check out "The Sandtrooper's Story" http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=24597606&brd=10476&replies=30
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Jade_Pilot Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 2/23 4:42pm Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Yay, an update! And I loved the images that went along perfectly with your fic. Well done! -----signature----- "A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have." ~ Gerald Ford
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Ocelotl_Nesto Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 2/25 8:39am Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Nice twist... did you go on tour to see those sites in the picture links? Obviously not Naboo, but the ones at the water looked like they were straight out of Italy. Thanks for the PM... I was expecting more on Luke, but the bit with Han was fun too.
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Terek_Deckard Registered: May '06	Date Posted: 2/25 7:58pm Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Thanks! No, the pics of Italy are not mine, they are taken from a travel blog . . . someone else's trip to Italy and specifically Lake Como, where the Naboo Lakehouse scenes were shot. Here's a little more: My arm was buried up to the elbow, and the part in question was well out of sight. I closed my eyes, heightening the awareness of all sensations in my fingertips. I was absolutely focused on feeling the rotation of the fuel line coupler until the threads on the small part finally caught. The swoop bike I had picked up at the parts store wasn’t that old, but had been treated roughly and had been in dire need of some basic repairs and maintenance. I tightened the piece down by hand and then reached for the coupler wrench to finish the job. When it was firmly in place, I pulled my arm out of the small space in the engine compartment. As I wiped off the thick, black lubricants that were smeared across my forearm, Holder came running into the courtyard, closely followed by Falker and Topolev. All three crossed behind the Sentinel and looped back around to the loading dock where I was working. Winded, and barely able to form the words to speak, Topolev leaned against the dock with his head hung low, gasping in breaths, “Not bad, Holder. You’re showing some improvement.” “Improvement my ass.” said Holder. “I ran both of you guys until you could barely keep up. I’m fine. I haven’t felt better than this in a long time.” “Yeah.” wheezed Topolev, “Me too. Never better.” Falker laughed, his chest heaving also, “I don’t think there’s much more we can do to help you, Holder. It looks like you’re back in pretty decent shape now.” His last words were strained and forced out as his breath ran out. The astromech that had been assisting me with the swoop bike beeped and whistled as it completed the system sweep on the swoop’s electronic systems. “Deck, how much more do you have to do to this thing before It’ll work? asked Holder. I disconnected one end of the data cable from the ‘droid and the other from the bike. “There are still some minor adjustments needed on the thrust bias to smooth it out some, but it should run now. Actually, I guess it’s ready for a test.” The ‘droid moved away as I stood up and rolled one leg over the saddle. I silently mouthed a phrase about breaking someone’s knees if this didn’t work, and switched the power on with the grip activator. As I did, the displays winked on showing thrust sequencing and power cell readings. The engines stuttered once as the air bubbles in the repaired fuel line worked their way through. When the engine finally kicked in, it kicked in strong and then calmed to a steady and constant whine. Holder nodded his head approvingly, “Sounds good, man. You going for a test ride?” I suddenly remembered that I still had the coded directions to Kenobi’s home in the tracking device in my belt pouch. It had been a couple of weeks since I had found the site, but had not been fortunate enough to have the time to return. “Yeah, I might take it out of the city and run it out into the Dune Sea. I can really open it up and see what she’ll do out there.” “Sounds good. I’ll tell Rogue you’re gone for a while.” I reached over to the loading dock and grabbed the tools and an extra power cell, tossing them into one of the saddlebags just in case I might need them. I clipped my forearm and hand armor back on and pulled my bucket securely down on my head. With everything in place, I rolled the bike into a slow turn out through the narrow alley into the street out front. Dust and sand sprayed up as I stepped down on the accelerator pedal and headed out across the city in the direction of the Dune Sea. The little ‘droid had rolled up the loading dock ramp and through the open bay door. Holder grabbed Topolev’s hand and pulled him to a standing position, C’mon, brother, let’s go.” * The sand and stone on the floor of the canyon I was in streaked by as I opened up the throttle. I had been able to breathe life back into the damaged bike, and it felt good to get more life out of it. I noted a tall spire of stone atop the right cliff face. I knew I was close to the right area as I approached where it opened out to the edge of the Dunes. The tracking unit had me located almost on top of the mapped coordinates. I noticed something ahead, so I cut back on my speed, and slowed down considerably. As I drew closer I could see it was a ship draped in very effective sand-colored camouflaging nets. The swoop slid up alongside it as I cut the engines off. The bike coasted to a stop and I dismounted, pulling off my helmet. The ship had a long, narrow fuselage whose nose protruded from beneath the netting, rolled back by the dry gusting winds. There was a quad-pack of engines clustered in the rear; two on either side of the cockpit. It had a broad wingspan with wingtip cannon armaments. I glanced around quickly as I recognized the fighter. It was one of two preferred fighter craft currently in service by the Alliance. It was the lethal T-65 X-wing fighter, but its pilot was nowhere to be found. * * * -----signature----- Terek Deckard TD-2187 Sandtrooper, 104th Moisture Farm Patrol Check out "The Sandtrooper's Story" http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=24597606&brd=10476&replies=30
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Ocelotl_Nesto Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 2/26 8:31am Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Uh oh... I hope Luke doesnt chop him in half... Nor do I want him to Narc out Luke.... Your muse has been busy... better yet your storytelling is very pleasant to read.
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Jade_Pilot Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 2/26 12:00pm Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	I second O.N. you have been busy and continue to add to this great story! -----signature----- "A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have." ~ Gerald Ford
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Terek_Deckard Registered: May '06	Date Posted: 3/5 2:35pm Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Thanks guys! Here's some more: The golden metallic chance cubes dangled at the end of a delicate chain firmly gripped in the Wook’s left hand. He wasn’t sure about Solo’s reasons for not wanting them in the 'Falcon’s cockpit. Maybe the cocky Corellian had a hidden superstitious streak in him. Whatever the reason, he had a definite disliking for them. Chewie draped them over the control lever that jutted from the overhanging bulkhead and grinned with a mischievous woof-woofing that could only have been the Wookiee equivalent of laughter. He reached back in the leather pouch at his waist pulling out a rag and some small tools for cleaning the bowcaster that lay across the console in front of him. Gripping it underneath and holding it up, he carefully wiped it down and was preparing a small tool for cleaning out the firing mechanism when a warning indicator flashed on the wall panel beside his head. The system scan had uncovered something. He set the bowcaster down and flipped off the warning. Then he turned, shaking his head, toward the system monitoring display to see what had been detected. The ‘Falcon had so many custom upgrades and modifications that system scan “anomalies” were not always a bad thing. The data on the screen scrolled past at a dizzying rate until the screen locked onto a highlighted row showing a slight electrical pulse wave in the hyperdrive motivator core. He had spent more than his fair share of time down in the drive pit working on the engines on this ship, and had run countless monitoring sweeps on the drive system until it was tuned to near perfection. This pulse wave didn’t belong. He stood up sharply and stepped out of the cockpit headed to the rear and the drive engines. The air in the ship was still and quiet. All the systems except the scan had been shut down. The large, furry Wookiee hands gripped the gridded deck plate as strong arms lifted the panel aside, exposing the heart of the ‘Falcon. Chewie placed his hands on both edges of the pit and suspended himself as he swung his long legs over the edge, groaning slightly. Gently he lowered himself down to the pit floor and let go. The crisscrossed metal rods of the alluvial dampers, hydrospanners and the lower central core of the motivator cluster were still and lifeless and quiet. As he visually scanned the pit, looking over the parts, peering back into the shadowy recesses, he reached into his leather pouch again and withdrew a small handheld sweep scanner. The tiny screen winked on as he calibrated it for a specific search. Then he initiated the device, which began emitting a popping ping sound as it searched for a detectable electrical pulse pattern. Almost immediately the display indicated a yellow triangle to his right. He moved the scanner in that direction and the yellow triangle centered itself on the screen as he brought it around to the power cable bundles that fed the motivator cluster stack. Leaning closer, he realized that it wasn’t coming from the stack, as the triangle moved off-center. He pulled back a bit and moved the scanner up a bit to a panel that covered the branching wiring harnesses. He pressed the flush release latch, opening the small durasteel hatch. Inside was a rat’s nest of wires, and nestled in the center, bolted to the bulkhead at the back of the panel was a silver device about the size of a thermal detonator. Chewie’s eyes narrowed. It was definitely not part of the ship. Solo had removed a device similar to this back in the temple hangar on Yavin IV. He had only heard of twin-core transponders, but had never seen one until now. The Empire was playing for keeps this time, and this was a little too close to home for his liking. The Wookiee's furry lip curled back and Chewbacca growled angrily as his incredibly strong right hand ripped the device from the bulkhead. With it firmly in his grip, he climbed out of the pit and raced off to the boarding ramp. He was about halfway down to the landing pad when he threw the transponder out to the duracrete and drew his bowcaster up to fire. A double-tap of crimson flashed from the weapon, disintegrating the Imperial tracking device as it tumbled over the ground. A small curl of smoke rose up from what was left of it. Chewie lowered the bowcaster as he turned to head back to the cockpit, not seeing the smoking trails streaking across the sky as Imperial landing craft and deployment pods made their way to the Naboo surface. He slipped into Solo’s chair and held down the comm key, barking into the microphone in a series of angry howls and throaty hollers. * One of the devices clamped onto Solo’s belt buzzed as he looked out over the water from beneath the trees that shaded the courtyard. He put down his drink and reached for it, pulling the comm from its holder and flicking it on. Wookiee howls and barks spewed out as soon as the channel opened. He looked up into the sky noticing rolling clouds as he responded, “Calm down Chewie, slow down. Start over, pal. You know I can’t follow you when you get all worked up talking fast like that.” The Wook began again, trying to control himself as he relayed his discovery to Solo. Concern washed over the Corellian’s face as his copilot continued. Then as he continued to listen to the howls and groans, his eyes darted back up toward the sky as a chest-crushing, rumbling sound rained from above. The ground was shaking, and across the lake, the rapidly gathering clouds seemed to be spontaneously forming across the skies above Theed. Yane came running from the lake house across the courtyard toward him “What’s going on? What’s happening?” She ran up to the stone railing beside Solo, looking out across the water as small dark shapes began to emerge, falling out of the rumbling clouds. A few seconds later, the unmistakable scream from the twin ion engines of Imperial TIE fighters reached them. As it did, the frothy clouds parted, revealing the sloping bow of an Imperial Star Destroyer emerging from concealment with another behind it. IMAGE: http://propaholics.wolfchasers.com/uploader/users/tyranus3/destroyer%20on%20Naboo%2080pct.jpg As they watched, Imperial all terrain walkers advanced down the main boulevard, terrorizing the masses gathered there to honor their royal dead. Han’s eyes were wide and his mind raced trying to figure a way out of this one, “Chewie, get her fired up and hidden somewhere nearby. Don’t try to get to me. It’s too much of a risk to try and get away twice. You can’t afford to be seen until we’re ready to go. I’m already on my way back.” He turned to Yane as he secured the comm back on his belt, “I’ve gotta get back to the shipping terminal, what’s the most hidden way?” She was still staring across the water at the horror unfolding before them. “Yane!” She jumped and turned to him, as if startled from a dream, “What do they want?” Solo stared back at her, “They want me and my ship, for helping the cause that Bria gave her life to support. Right now, I need you to focus and honor her memory. What’s the best way back to the terminal?” “I . . . I know a way that will hide you from these searching eyes.” she stammered, and began to run toward the upper terrace, Han running after her. “Hurry, I have an airspeeder. We need to make it to the royal hangar before the troops get there. Beneath it are water tunnels that were once used for power generation. They should be deserted.” * * * -----signature----- Terek Deckard TD-2187 Sandtrooper, 104th Moisture Farm Patrol Check out "The Sandtrooper's Story" http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=24597606&brd=10476&replies=30
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Jade_Pilot Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 3/5 3:12pm Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	Oooooooooooh they're in trouble now! What a great pic to go with your fic! I'd drop to my knees if I saw that approaching me. Woof-woof-woofity-woof! -----signature----- "A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have." ~ Gerald Ford
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Ocelotl_Nesto Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 3/6 8:04am Subject: RE: The Sandtrooper's Story - Installment 2
	OOH Nice picture... Chewie should have fastened the transponder to another vehicle instead...
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