Lost Knight (OC, Ep 2)

I hadn't read them, thanks for the PM. I really like your story, keep it up. And thanks again for wishing me luck.

lordmaul13

 

Sorry for the long wait, but I didn't want to get too far ahead of you. But then again, I'm entire stories ahead of myself on posting stuff...

******

Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray leaned over the balcony anxiously. The
streets of Rimmvre's capital city. Rimmvre ranged in environment from mountainous to
swampy. Most of its population lived in the foothills of the major ranges, among the
forests of tall yeartrees that didn't lose their color for the cold season. The cities
sprinkled throughout were architectually very similar. White buildings rose up like on any other planet, but then rounded off into domes at the top. Gunray was standing on one of many balconies jutting out from the city's huge trade building.

But Gunray's concern was fixated on one point, the city's west gate. Soon the
work of City-master Fi and Doctor Poalt would appear. The Neimoidian was still
skeptical of the project, especially the funds to drive it; funds taken from other pursuits such as the Trade Federation's needs. Gunray gave a quick harumph and sat back down. Then the show began.

The robed figure from the Rimmvre hangar apeared at the city's edge, emerging
from a forested slope. Gunray tapped his index finger impatiently. Then the subject
started to sprint forward, removing the heavy robe. It was green-skinned and reptilian in nature. A scaly blue and red spine ran along the humanoid's back. The green coloration of its skin spread down into a triangle shape on its face. The rest of the lizard-like face was covered in a creamy color that continued on down the neck.

"What is it?" Gunray mused to himself as he watched the jumpsuited being run into the city, half-cape flowing in the wind.

"He is a Sarkan, subspecies Che of the planet Lor'dalleia II called Ner-ki Greefaon. Loosely translated into Basic, it means 'Invisible Warrior,'" said a tall man
from behind the viceroy.

Gunray turned around slowly. "And you claim to be whom?"

"Sir Mothal, Viceroy Gunray," the tall goateed human introduced himself while
bowing. He wrapped his tunic back around himself with flourish, standing in the
process. "I worked with City-master Fi and the deceased Doctor Poalt. I... obtained information from our subjects' minds. Acolyte Delta there was a very difficult objective to reach. Greefaon has not reacted well to the clash of light and dark. His teachings have always sent him down the path of what the loyalist dogs think is 'righteousness;' he was a Force-wielding protector for his village on Lor'dellia II."

"And that clash has resulted in what, exactly, sir?" Gunray questioned.

"Insanity."

Nute said nothing else. He merely turned back to the Sarkan as he approached.

Ner-ki came to the city's gate and came to a sudden halt, crouching down. An E-web class was set up inside one of the buildings. Its fire tracked right over the acrobatic humanoid. Ner-ki lept back into a standing position, unholstering a heavy blaster and unloading its own lasers into the droid at the E-web. Droids poured out into the streets, running toward the threat at the gate. Ner-ki ran to meet the droids, heavy blaster in right claw, force pike in left. The first wave fell in seconds, followed by the super battle droids in the second being destroyed within minutes' time. Then, the Sarkan met the final challenge. A group of specially trained Separatists ran into the city courtyard that Ner-ki had come to a halt in.

The team consisted of two Trandoshans, creatures shorter and bulkier than a Sarkan, two humans, a hovering Geonosian warrior, and a Rodian carrying a vibroaxe. They surrounded Acolyte Delta and moved in slowly, deliberately. Ner-ki dropped the spent blaster pistol and reached to a pouch on the back of his battle armor. From the pouch came a long black staff. Ner-ki allowed the opposition to move in closer.

"This is an elite team called the Blazehammers. If Greefaon can conquer them in close combat..." Mothal mused.

Suddenly, Ner-ki jumped up in what appeared to be a mad

 

That Ner-ki fella is one bad dude.

lordmaul13

 

Shut yo' mouth!

I was just talkin' 'bout Ner-ki!

We can dig it.

Ahem. Now that that's out of my system, here's a post.

******

His eyes opened slowly, adapting to his body's surroundings, then fluttered. The
vision cleared. Aerrcho flailed around, surprised by the liquid that was all about him. A dozen worries came to Aerrcho's mind. Then, he looked up and saw a way out. He kicked up and managed to surface.

"Aerrcho, you should have seen your eyes there. Like dinner plates," Blenn said
from the other end of the medical ward.

Aerrcho smiled as the Nautolon did an exaggerated impression of Aerrcho
realizing that he was underwater. "Am I allowed out now?"

"Yes, you can come out. The doctors say that your Force abilities sped the
healing up to five days."

Aerrcho nearly fell back into the bacta. "I've been in here a week?"

The Nautolon Jedi shrugged. "You got beat up pretty bad, buddy. Broken hand, two broken ribs, two bruised ribs, slashes to your face were very close to causing serious damage. So, the med droids have you here on Defender."

Aerrcho swung himself over the lip of the large cylinder of bacta and pulled his
Jedi robes on. "Where is Defender right now, exactly?"

"The commando unit we met on Tatooine had split into two squads looking for
us. One squad found us at Core Oasis and the other found a lead. According to an
easily frightened information broker with a Wookie at his throat, there are two more of
these Force-enhanced acolytes in addition to Rrok and you. They're somewhere on the Rimma Trade Route, anywhere from Sullust to Kiffex and Kiffu. Then a Kaminoan
saber dart went in his neck," Blenn explained.

Aerrcho nodded as he checked his lightsaber. It snap-hissed and a blue beam of light extended. He waved it around in the air cautiously. The lightsaber's blade retreated into the hilt again and Aerrcho clipped it at his side.

Blenn was lost in thought. She started to speak, then stopped. Aerrcho sensed
her anxiety and prompted her to go ahead, "Blenn, there something you need to say?"

Blenn still looked hesitant but she vocalized what was bothering her. "Aerrcho,
what do you remember of Fate Exotics when you went a little crazy?" Aerrcho stared
back sadly. He remained silent for a handful of moments. "If you don't want to talk about it..." Blenn began.

"In Fireweaver's casino and at Fate, I started to get really angry. To the point
where I couldn't hold it in. I... I fought to stop my hand from killing Fireweaver and I
could feel a wave of pain as I tried to halt the dark side from manipulating me, especially when I succeeded. At Fate, I eventually slipped into a haze. Like falling into sleep but still remaining a vague sense of what's around me. It's all a blur of emotions. So, I can hear lightsabers dueling and see you speaking but all kinds of key information is
unaccessable," Aerrcho finished, the weary pain in his eyes only strenghening.

Can't remember anything I said... Blenn thought, returning to the assault
ship's bridge.

******

Takt bounced into the bridge just ahead of a downcast Blenn. "What's happenin' cap'n?!?" Takt shouted joyously.

Captain Zettos Jii leaned back on his command chair. "What's happenin' is that
we're about to come out of hyperspace. Try not to distract the crew members. They're all very serious about their jobs."

Zettos leaned forward and added quietly, "Especially the rookie weapons officer over there. Wink wink."

Takt gave a toothy smile and wordlessly went to his work. Zettos grinned and sat
down while the Devaronian proceeded stealthily to the weapons officer's station. Blenn walked past Zettos to another part of the ship.

"Hey, Blenn. What's wrong?"

Blenn looked up wearily and mumbled, "Oh nothing,"

Zettos stared back skeptically. "The Force begs to differ. What's wrong?"

She sighed. "You don't want to know."

Zettos let her go but told himself that he would have to figure this out. In the
meantime

 

And my most precious prize of all, Yoda," the captain explained happily. He displayed a holo of a shocked Jedi Master
Yoda, with stuffed Yodas raining in the background.

"You suckered Yoda?" Takt asked, his admiration for Captain Jii growing.



This isn't Wes Janson's dad is it?

Macro uncharacteristically gulped.

Forget the gulping, just be ready to fly.

lordmaul13

 

If they were in the same era, I'm sure Zettos and Wes would be great pals... or perhaps the worst of enemies in an all-out prank war![face_shocked]

Today's post: comin' right up!

******

A knock came at the door to Aerrcho's quarters on Defender. He had been
examining his wounds. All that was left of his fight with Ertopp was soreness and three
ragged scars running across his otherwise very youthful face. He stood and walked to the entrance. "Door." At his command, the visitor was visible.

The unremarkable commando leader stood there, dressed in what seemed to be his version of casual; not wearing full body armor. "Mister Pelc," Vyc acknowledged his
new host.

Aerrcho felt disappointment in his own mind and wondered who he had been hoping for to answer the door. He left it to another time and tried to read Vyc's emotions, but was careful not to look into his thoughts. Vyc didn't seem to be concerned nor happy, only a controlled neutral. Even his eyes seemed blank, with their gray color. "What is it, lieutenant?"

"Our forensics team has reported on the Saddoul... event," Vyc said, after
searching thoughtfully for the correct word. "I thought you would like to know the
results."

"Go on."

"A Sarkan was identified as the one warrior to slaughter the Confederacy team.
We have to assume that it was a Force-user, from logic and evidence. Also, with some
work, we now know where those Confederates were heading from Rimmvre."

Aerrcho straightened. "Really..."

******

Blenn was bumped up out of her seat by turbulence, her headtails flying straight
up. She landed along with Aerrcho and the clones and commandos of Unit 181. They all
grunted in unison upon contact. Aerrcho steadied himself. He hated flying and the old shuttle's uncontrollable jumping and juking was not helping. The Alderaanian
subconsciously used the Force to prevent sickness.

Vyc glanced out at the surface of the planet that their shuttle was bouncing over. Thyferra. They were above the jungle, a sea of green with a few lone emergent giants. He put a power pack into his blaster rifle and wished that he could visit a planet and not kill anything.

A particularly large bump came. Blenn braced herself this time. Kallasnurra,
who had been calm throughout the trip, raised his voice in a roar.

"What's up, furry buddy?" Takt asked.

The voice of Graviteer came from the cockpit. "That was a laser! Our shields
held, but I'm starting to read multiple targets in the air, sir."

Vyc ran to where Graviteer was wrestling with the controls. "How many is multiple?"

Graviteer looked back, his teeth gritting against each other in effort. "Fifty-two droid starfighters, sir. Looks like an air blockade."

Vyc slammed a fist on the unoccupied copilot's chair. "I hate those." The shuttle shook violently once more. "We need to land this thing," Vyc said, picking up his comm. "Living Force, traditional Confederate air blockade at 61 West, meet us at 47-02 on the ground."

With that, the lieutenant sprinted back into the passenger hold. "We are no longer defending Thyferra!" he shouted. He prepared another blaster rifle. "We're taking it back."

******

Zettos pulled himself out of the wrecked shuttle that used to be Living Force. He surveyed his surroundings. Vegetation of Thyferra rose all around him,
save the crushed trees where Living Force had crash-landed. Its starboard wing was crumpled under its own weight and the whole ship was covered in the scores of
Separatist lasers. The red-haired Jedi felt inside with the Force. The pilots were dead, as were most of the clones. He peered in to see the med droid's upper half on the new bottom of the shuttle. Clone bodies were strewn about. Two moaned.

Zettos dropped down into the destroyed vessel and helped both of the troopers to their feet. Once they were out in the shuttle-made clearing, Zettos asked, "Where is Hael? Lieutenant Rrok, the Werriss Jedi?"

The clones looked at each other and Zettos had

 

Then Blade fell in pain, a shadow hunched over him.

Uh oh. How will our heros get out of this one...

lordmaul13

 

Bwahaha... postin' time!

******

Thyferran security officer Kalegg Fevsad bit contently into a layered red fruit. He enjoyed his job as a sentry post for the tranquility of it. Just him, nature, and the crunch of his snack.

He stood and looked out over the field that his tower was assigned to watch. A flash of darkness caught his eye. He leaned forward. Unable to identify it, Kalegg grabbed a pair of macrobinoculars. The flash moved again, from one end of the field to Kalegg's. He reached for the alarm button. Suddenly, the dark intruder appeared in front of Kalegg.

The officer screamed in shock. A cloaked human levitated just outside the tower's insufficient railing. The human hovered higher and came to ground in the tower with the Thyferran.

The human wrapped itself in its black cloak with glimpses of red when light hit the fabric correctly. Then the intruder leaned in so only his smile showed.

"You really have no idea, Thyferra." The officer was straightened by forces not under his own control, then brought close enough for the other's gloved hand could reach up in front of his heart. A snap-hiss, a red glow, and agony were the last things Kalegg Fevsad experienced.

The cloaked human stood up and deactivated the saber. "No idea at all. Pity."

******

At Blade's fall, four lightsabers came to life, two green and two differing shades of blue. The Jedi counterattacked first. The shadow came into Hael's view. A Sarkan wielding a force pike. The reptilian humanoid took Hael's saber to the hip, then knocked her away with his tail. Hael rolled over the makeshift table that she had just been sitting at and hit a tree with incredible velocity. Either the tree or Hael's body, perhaps both, made a cracking noise that split through the silence.

Aerrcho was next to charge the Sarkan. Aerrcho's thrust was dodged and his enemy put a stunning pike to his gut. The Alderaanian fell to the ground. The Sarkan
scratched at him with his clawed foot to ensure that Aerrcho wouldn't fight more. He
pulled out a vibrodagger and ducked under three blaster shots.

The lasers had come from Dewback. The Sarkan Force-user launched two
vibrodaggers at the clone. Dewback jumped away, but was caught in the left by one,
spinning him around. The Sarkan blocked a lightsaber with force pike. The pike
snapped under Blenn's force and the aggressor was left weaponless. But not for long, as he pulled two lightsabers from a pouch on his back. One glowed red and the other silver.

Zettos joined Blenn to overwhelm the reptilian. Though the Sarkan was occupied
for a while, he eventually managed to kick Zettos away. He grazed Blenn's strong arm,
causing her to drop her saber. Then the humanoid turned and used the Force to pull
Zettos back. Once the Jedi was in close enough proximity for a strike, the Sarkan flung him in a new direction, allowing him to hit ground this time.

Kallasnurra, Vyc, Graviteer, and Takt fired on the mad Force adept. All their lasers were deflected into the Thyferran jungle. Just as the commandos regrouped for
another barrage, the Sarkan deactivated his lightsabers and threw them away. He pulled
every weapon from his body and heaved them into a pile. Then, Ner-ki Greefaon fell to
his knees.

Forgiveness...

******

Sev'rance Tann looked up from her datapad. She turned around slowly. A black-
cloaked man strolled through the ranks of droids, casually waving his hands, causing the droids to either malfunction or go flying. The human wore a grim smile.

Sev'rance shook her head. "Thanatov, was that really necessary?"

"Absolutely not," the other replied, his mouth still curled in his twisted smile that made just being near him unpleasant. Of course, being near Thanatov probably meant
coming to an unpleasant end like the droids he had just disassembled.

"Beta, try to keep your violence focused on the enemy," Sev'rance said as she finished reading the datapad in her hand. She floated it back to a table.

"Very well, madame," Thanatov

 

"You really have no idea, Thyferra." The officer was straightened by forces not under his own control, then brought close enough for the other's gloved hand could reach up in front of his heart. A snap-hiss, a red glow, and agony were the last things Kalegg Fevsad experienced.

Gruesome.

Uh oh is right. Looks like things could get hairy for our heros.

lordmaul13

 

Yes. Very hairy. Like a buffalo. Or something.

Without further ado...

******

Half of the Republic commando unit 181 circled Ner-ki, keeping the insane Sarkan at bay. Ner-ki was silent, but his mad ravings were broadcast into the
commandos' minds.

No... The master is everywhere... must... no... The Water is above master... Nothing is above master! No, you're wrong...

Ner-ki let out a mental shriek, much worse than any vocal scream, that caused his
captors' blood to go cold. Vyc took a step forward, but signaled for Kallasnurra, Takt,
and Graviteer to stay in position.

No more fighting The Water's servants... Master greater than Water! No... no... NO!!

Ner-ki's lightsabers flickered on from their position across the clearing, then went off again. Vyc stepped forward again and spoke. "Sarkan, I don't think you want to hurt us. In fact, I'm guessing that you would rather help us."

Ner-ki nodded, breathing heavily. Vyc continued. "Okay, what is The Water?"

Ner-ki said his first words since he had entered the Thyferra clearing. "The Water... is everywhere, giving its servants the power to do good." The Water is
deceit! Ner-ki's growling voice interrupted into their minds. The Sarkan grimaced and reached out a clawed hand. His silver lightsaber started to hover. It snap-hissed on.

"The Water is my master." Water is not master!

Takt looked disbelievingly at Kallasnurra, who barked nervously. The rest of the group was slowly waking up.

Ner-ki started to shake in what seemed to be Sarkan crying. "Help me. Help Ner-ki Greefaon... Please..."

Zettos managed to stand up. "Aerrcho, Vyc, Blenn." He signaled for them to come. The four gathered in a circle away from Ner-ki.

"He's insane. We can't put our trust in such an uncertainty," Aerrcho said firmly.

"I think he's being pulled by outside forces, just like every other one of these acolytes that the Separatists made," provided Vyc.

"... Agreed," Blenn said.

Zettos held his side. "We can give him a chance. But if he goes off again, we may have to... to... We'll think of something. But hopefully it won't be any more of a problem than you, Aerrcho, or Hael."

Aerrcho looked unsure, but murmured agreement.

And Ner-ki unofficially joined the Republic.

******

That night was the evening of the battle for Thyferra. The Confederacy had moved in and conquered much of the eastern hemisphere. Meanwhile, the Republic already had the rest, but its troops were moving east. The two forces were about to collide over Refdin City.

The Jedi and commandos sat around a fire. Aerrcho watched Ner-ki in the corner
with a hard glare. Blenn sat next to him. And slapped him.

"What the-... ?" he asked, rubbing his cheek.

"You realize why you don't like the idea of having Ner-ki here?"

"I..." Aerrcho started, still in shock.

"It's because you're worried that that's the way you'll end up," she answered her own question softly. "Don't worry, Aerrcho. I promise to always catch you if you fall."

Aerrcho's cold expression softened. "I promise, Blenn, that I won't fall." They looked into each other's faces, firelight flickering on the moment.

"Fate Exotics."

Blenn's expression turned surprised and her headtails twitched. "Huh?"

"I love you too."

"Oh, really creative response."

"Try and do better."

The two Jedi leaned into each other.

"It's forbidden, you know," Blenn reminded him.

"I know. Here's hoping for hero status to be enough to slip past that rule," Aerrcho said, a grin on his face.

"Here's hoping," she said, the grin spreading. What both left unsaid was their fifty percent chance of surviving the next day. It didn't need saying.

******

Okay, no new posts next week due to band camp. The finale will begin the following week.

 

I'd have a tough time trusting him.

"Here's hoping," she said, the grin spreading. What both left unsaid was their fifty percent chance of surviving the next day. It didn't need saying.

If you write like me then she's a goner.

Have fun at band camp.

lordmaul13

 

Back from band camp! You're reading the words of our band's best(only) xylophonist.

The Battle of Refdin City will break up like this: posts on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, followed by aftermath sometime next week.

******

Seven thousand clonetroopers stood across from the army of battle droids that
outnumbered them by nine hundred droids in a quiet standoff. Two clones in the front
row jostled each other uneasily. The mechs, however, belonged to the Republic for once.
Dwarf spider droids were in good number but the larger droids had been whittled away
by the battles leading up to Refdin City.

A heavily-armed skiff rose up two feet above the Confederate forces. Sev'rance
Tann stood at full height on the floating platform. She affixed a deep midnight blue tunic to her Jedi robes with a glowing yellow jewel that allowed the tunic to dangle down to the small of her back.

"Mace Windu," she called with a power to her voice that pierced the morning mist.

Clonetroopers in the center of the Republic formation stepped aside in one fluid
motion, allowing Jedi Master Mace Windu to march up to face the Separatists.
"Sev'rance Tann."

"Surrender Thyferra to the Confederacy of Independent Systems and save the bloodshed. What have I to lose; droids can be replaced. But you, your troopers are
considerably more human, are they not?

"Even better, master Windu. Join the revolution. The Republic is corrupt and
even the Jedi Council knows it. The Dark Side is spreading, a cancer through the Senate and it's taking over faster than you can pen it in."

"Sev'rance, the Dark Side already controls the actions of the Confederacy. Your 'right cause' is treachery."

"Open fire." At Sev'rance's command, the droids let laserfire rip into the clone army. All of the troopers in the front row fell dead. Mace ducked, deflecting lasers into a super battle droid's weapon barrels and setting off an explosion that sent droid limbs flying. He didn't have to give any orders. Everyone knew that the Battle of Refdin City began, its stakes an entire planet.

******

Vyc peered around the corner of a bacta plant. Ten super battle droids guarded its entrance proper. Vyc pulled his head back out of sight. "Sithspawn," he muttered.

The comm in his ear crackled. "Fourteen degrees north, Gray," Macro's voice came across the short-range device. Vyc gave this information to the other commandos, who sprinted to their positions.

On the other end of the signal, Macro switched frequencies. "Attention, Holos. The willow is rooting at seven degrees northeast."

"We read you," Zettos answered. Hael, Blenn, Ner-ki, and Aerrcho followed him
northeast toward a small unsuspecting building. The five Jedi made quick work of the guard droids at the building's front. Just as Hael was about to make a hole in the door, a stomping sound shook the earth under their feet. More rumbling came and then an
enormous spider droid came around the corner. It searched the area with laserfire.

The Jedi ducked under the mech's deadly gaze and then a clone gunship swept down and unloaded a missile into the droid. The Force-users continued to dodge,
escaping from the falling droid's shadow. Blenn crawled over it and made an entrance in
the building's door. Inside, automated turrets were paired with mirrors and walls that would send any blaster bolts bouncing around the room until blocked by flesh.

This made for a particularly nasty guantlet, but all five came out only grazed. The rest of the progress in the building depended on avoiding battle droids placed on sentry duty. Ner-ki lept up onto the wall and crawled along, leaving the others to jog to keep up. The Sarkan peered around a corner and was greeted with a triple burst from a blaster. Zettos jumped out and assisted the super battle droid in shooting itself.

A fork in the hall came after that droid. Zettos consulted Macro.

"I can't tell from here; you're too deep into the building. You're on your own, Jedi sirs and madames."

"Wonderf

 

"Time to do what we do best," Vyc said.

"Even if what we do isn't very nice or possible," added Takt.

"We're all going to die," Dewback predicted.

Kallasnurra moaned.

I love those guys, they're like Rogue & Wraith squadrons.

It's shaping up to be a heck of a good battle.

Looking forward to more.

lordmaul13

 

Yeah, kind of ironic that a group that acts like the Rebel X-wing squadrons eventually morphs into the dreaded 181st. What a legacy to leave, eh?

******

The Jedi split up, Aerrcho and Blenn going one way, Zettos, Hael, and Ner-ki going the other. Each group faced a hard path to traverse.

Zettos led his group on and took the first step. The third step triggered something in the walls. A creaking sound rose from soft to unbearable. Suddenly, the trap finished its preparation. Two brown and silver wheels rolled out of the wall and unfurled.

Destroyer droids. The droidekas didn't even aim before firing their double weapons. Zettos took two lasers just to the upper left of his heart as his strong arm raised to block too late. Two more caught his right leg, dropping the Jedi knight to the floor.

Hael screamed in terror at the sight of her friend shot so viciously. Ner-ki, however, jumped at the destroyers immediately. When he landed, Ner-ki activated both of his lightsabers, each one piercing a droid before their personal shields could raise. He jumped up onto the ceiling to avoid the burning red darts of energy coming from the next turn in the hall.

Ner-ki dropped next to Hael as she turned Zettos over. He winced in pain. Hael
searched the pockets of her vest for a bandage. "Zettos. Zettos, you're going to live."

"Yeah, probably so," Zettos moaned. "Maybe not pleasantly..."

"Zettos, please shut up and let me bandage your wounds."

"Hael..." Zettos said weakly. She looked at him while she stopped the bleeding near his shoulder. "...go find the one who did this to you and Aerrcho. Find him," he told her, "and give him the most fantastic beatdown that you can imagine."

"You have my word," Hael managed a slight grin as she replied.

Ner-ki gestured for Hael to follow him onward, deeper into the cavernous building. She lept to her feet and did so. The droid guards thinned out in numbers as they progressed until a wide hangar opened up in front of them. Across it stood Teer Fi.

******

"On three," Vyc commanded. "One..."

His unit launched its offensive. Takt heaved an explosive designed to eliminate underground shelters into the crowd of droids. Nine were disentegrated and twenty-one more would never again raise arms against the Republic. Simultaneously, Macro and Padenm picked off important targets such as dwarf spider droids and STAPs. Kallasnurra and Blade sliced into the nearest droids. The others provided general fire.

In the chaos, the commandos became separated. Blade yanked his vibroaxe out
of an eliminated droid and saw Vyc pushing onward with Dewback at his side. He joined
them as Dewback was asking a question.

"He's a Wookiee. He's half a meter taller than every battle droid here and you lost
him?" Vyc answered. All three glanced around. In the sea of droids, a STAP flew up and threw its rider into the crowd.

"There," they shouted in unison. Macro, Padenm, and Takt were still missing, but when Graviteer joined the other four, they had to press on.

******

Teer Fi looked away from the shuttle's boarding ramp for the first time since the battle had begun. A Werriss woman and a Sarkan Che male stood across the hangar with
lightsabers in their hands.

He whispered to himself, "Acolytes Tri and Delta."

In the seconds it took for Fi to process the information, Ner-ki had crossed the
floor of the hangar. Hael ran behind him, shouting for him to stop. When she caught up, Ner-ki had the Kaminoan by the front of his robe and his silver lightsaber at the ready.

"Ner-ki, don't! That's a Kaminoan. Allies of... the... Republic." Hael noticed Fi's undeserved prime minister robe. "Ner-ki, that's a Kaminoan traitor to the Republic who stuck the Dark Side in us. You can kill him now."

"Please no! I'm too valuable alive!" Fi protested.

"How?" Hael challenged.

"I worked on the Acolyte Project. I can reverse its effects."

"Ner-ki, kill him after he's talked," Hael advised. She turned to Fi. "Let's hear it, wor

 

Jumping right in...

******

Fi glanced at Ner-ki's saber. "I'd prefer to speak with my feet on the ground, please."

Ner-ki lowered Fi and ignited his other weapon, pointing the blades on either side of Fi's neck. Fi cleared his throat. "We used the technology of your own precious clones to 'teach' the subjects the dark influence. I have a program that I can use to restore you to before you were tainted. I cannot guarantee that you may not fall back into the Dark Side through normal means of moral choices..."

"Will it work for other techs?" Ner-ki hissed.

"Of course not! The results of anyone else trying this process could be disastrous. If I would be given a spot on the Outer Rim somewhere to be safe from any..."

Ner-ki put his red saber through the alien's heart. Teer Fi fell dead on the cold hangar floor. "I'm willing to risk disastrous," Ner-ki growled.

They moved on to the next bay.

******

Takt and Macro flew up alongside the other commandos on a STAP. Vyc welcomed the grim pair.

"Lieutenant, Padenm is dead."

Vyc and the others suppressed their shock. "Sithspawn!" Dewback cursed.
Kallasnurra gave a mournful roar. Vyc tossed Takt a battle droid's blaster.

"The mission goes on. No more in the galaxy should have to take this."

With that, Unit 181 charged the droid control sphere. Inside the sphere, alarms were waning and droids faced the commandos at every turn. Finally, they came to the
center of the facility. Six droidekas guarded the power core.

"There's one for everyone but Takt. Dryogen will set the detonator," Vyc said. Blade took the closest destroyer droid and Kallasnurra the next one. The others picked
their targets and fired.

Kallasnurra dismantled his droid first. Macro hit one in its shield generator, then
in each of its blaster chargers, rendering it weaponless and defenseless. Vyc set his
repeater on one spot in a destroyer's shielding and the bombardment of lasers cut through to the droid. Blade's and Dewback's droidekas fell next. Finally, Graviteer managed to eliminate the last of them.

While Unit 181 battled, Takt rushed forward and slid the large platter of a bomb into a small opening in the power core. He ran away, holding the rod that would activate
it.

"If I don't press this button in seven minutes, the sphere goes up!" he warned his
comrades.

"You could have told us earlier! When we had a chance of getting out in that time limit!" Dewback shouted back.

"And you could be more positive, but you're not!" Takt returned.

Thus began a seven-minute run for their lives.

******

Ner-ki and Hael searched the next bay and found but one shuttle and a Geonosian
fighter. A tall man of Mid-rim origin walked out of the shuttle, wearing a tunic around his body. The goateed man introduced himself.

"Hello, Hael Rrok and Ner-ki Greefaon. I am Sir Mothal."

"So, Mothal, you're the one who scoured through our minds. Who challenged the Water," Ner-ki said, bearing his teeth.

"Yes, the foolish Sarkan premise of the Water. It must anger you to have others
knowing every moment and idea recorded in your subconscious. In fact, I know it does,
Knoxiod," Mothal said with a smile.

Ner-ki's rage bubbled out. He ran at Mothal, bringing a force pike to bear down
on the calm human. Suddenly, Hael's saber stopped the pike. She slashed at Ner-ki's
vitals mercilessly.

"Your every action, friends, is affected by a few little things that strangers inserted into your mind. Terrible to be controlled, isn't it Hael? Controlled, like dearest sister?" Sir Mothal continued as he strolled back to the shuttle's boarding ramp.

Hael and Ner-ki's Dark Side seeds were just encouraged by the normal anger that
Mothal was causing. They struck at each other even more fiercely. Then, Hael broke off and recovered her senses. "Ner-ki, he think's he's greater than the Water and Okari," she referred to Werriss religion. "We have to disprove him."

Ner-ki also managed to break off from the darkness. Hael ran up and

 

They're dropping like flies.

lordmaul13

 

Yep, that they are.

******

Through this entire period of time, Aerrcho and Blenn had been making their way into
the deepest halls of the building. As the droid control sphere exploded, they saw their
adversary.

A human hovered there with a red lightsaber in his left hand and a flowing cape protectively wrapping him. Thanatov, Acolyte Beta.

"So, Acolyte Prime with another Jedi in tow. I also was in the Acolyte program.
Allow me to enlighten you."

"Enlighten?" Blenn asked skeptically.

"Why yes. You see, the Confederacy launched the Acolyte program not long after
its formation. The concept was simple; to enlist Dark Jedi... such a close-minded name. Force-users willing to fight for the Separatists have been scarce. So, they made their own. You, Acolyte Prime, were the first captured and tested upon. Meanwhile, on a'Ranti, Hael Rrok and Ner-ki Greefaon were put through similar processes. And I was made of an undiscovered Force-user. My name is of little importance, since my power
has made me no longer that individual.

"Sir Olensu Mothal harvested our minds for information. City-master Teer Fi and the late Doctor Poalt inserted a Dark Side influence. This seed activated in times of great stress and anger, such as battle situations. So, the Republic's Jedi would, in theory, turn over to the dark. Then you escaped, Prime, and a'Ranti was taken.

"You used your newly learned Force powers for good, or so you tried. Hael Rrok
went the same way. Greefaon was driven to insanity. And I embraced my newly found
power, rather than suppress it. And that is how you can never defeat me, Prime."

"I wouldn't be a Jedi if I didn't try to anyway," Aerrcho replied. Blenn and
Aerrcho brought their lightsabers to life. Aerrcho charged Thanatov with Blenn
following. Then, Aerrcho's arm wavered and changed directions. His wrist flicked
involuntarily. No, not now!

Aerrcho's lightsaber flew from his outstretched hand and hit Blenn straight in the shoulder, pinning her to a wall. They both stood in shock as Thanatov chuckled grimly. "Give up, Prime. You are one of us."

"Yeah, yeah," came from the weak Blenn. "Come and join the Sith, blah blah
blah. Every single one of 'em tries that, Aerrcho. Kick his butt."

Thanatov aimed a hand at Blenn. "Silence!" Aerrcho also sent his arm out to his side, but Blenn's saber flew into his hand. He swung the green blade around to bear on Thanatov. A flash of red deflected Aerrcho's blow. The duel began.

Before Aerrcho could bring his lightsaber back for another blow, Thanatov charged. The red blade crackled with energy, grazing Aerrcho's left. Thanatov's left hand delivered a sharp jab to Aerrcho's stomach. A flash of shadows erupted from the
Dark Jedi's gloved fingers. Aerrcho screamed and fell to the ground, his lightsaber clattering there as well, useless.

Thanatov paused. For a few heartbeats, he stood over his Jedi opponent. With his hand bathed in lightning-like shadow, he said, "Get up, Prime. You have the power to
slay me right here. Use it! Challenge me!" With that, Thanatov kicked the recoiling Alderaanian. Aerrcho coughed up a considerable amount of blood.

"Become my better!" Thanatov kicked again, causing Aerrcho to slide across the
bloody steel floor. "Tap your potential and rid the galaxy of darkness."

"Can it, crazy," Blenn commanded with all the authority she could manage. Thanatov turned to see Aerrcho's blue lightsaber dislodge itself from Blenn and the wall behind her, flip through the air, and stick its fatal beam in his stomach. The beam burnt through him, passing the spine by a tiny margin. The weapon came to a stop several meters beyond Aerrcho's fallen form.

Thanatov looked down slowly at the bloodless hole in his body. His gaze turned back to Blenn, who was attempting to remain in a standing position. "Jedi never learn,"
he muttered. Blenn fell back from Thanatov's Force push.

As Thanatov turned back to Aerrcho, the Alderaanian pulled himself back up to
his

 

Whew! I was afraid I'd missed a lot but it was just one post. Sorry I'm always so late.

And I embraced my newly found
power, rather than suppress it. And that is how you can never defeat me, Prime.

Embracing power doesn't make you invincible. Your overconfidence is your weakness.

Get up, Prime. You have the power to
slay me right here. Use it! Challenge me!"

Why is it the bad guys always beg to be killed? I don't get it. If I were him I'd kill all threats to me.

"That's right, Thanatov. I beat you and never resorted to the Dark Side. The Dark Side doesn't empower you. It binds you to doom."

You said it better than I did.

lordmaul13

 

Yeah, Thanatov was a pretty-screwed up guy. And he was full of crap too. Here's our wrap-up.

******

Blenn tried to look calm as she stood at a door in Refdin City's largest medical
center. Suddenly, it flew open and Zettos stepped out wearily. Blenn caught him as well as she could with the bandage on her shoulder when he fell in exhaustion. She placed him in a chair.

"Zettos, what happened?"

He looked back and rubbed at the rings under his eyes. "Hael was blinded by a laser blast from Ner-ki to Sir Mothal. She may never see again. The medics used the
process that Hael got from Teer Fi's mind to expose the acolyte seed in Aerrcho and Hael.
Then I used all my Force power to pull the weakened Dark Side out of 'em," said the
wounded captain. "Ner-ki, however, is stuck with the darkness. The insanity has laced it
into his cells."

"So you, me, and Aerrcho are about the only ones who got off okay, huh?" Blenn concluded.

"Even then, we're all out of commission for a while," Zettos mused. He tapped
the bandaged area of his chest between shoulder and heart. A metallic echo resounded through the stark white room.

"What happened to Unit 181, our heros of the hour?"

"All of them but the sniper lived."

Blenn sighed. "What about our forces?"

"Lost four thousand clonetroopers, one thousand two hundred more are injured."

"I hate war."

"Ever hear of someone who liked it?"

"Actually..."

******

Hael activated her Jedi starfighter's astromech. She turned back to her friends,
even though she still wouldn't be able to see them. She locked a silver visor over her
eyes.

"Should you be flying that thing?" Zettos asked.

"With the Force, I can detect things if not appreciate what they actually look like.
And the R2 will be doing most of the work anyway. Master Windu tells me there's a
doctor in the Miinal system who can help me more than the more general doctors on
Coruscant can," Hael responded.

"May the Force be with you," Aerrcho said with a wave.

"It's all I have," Hael pulled the cockpit over her head and floated out of the
hangar.

"So tell me, Aerrcho," Blenn put her arm around his shoulder. "Now that answers
have been found, what is next for Mr. Pelc?"

"Answers are still lost, love. I'm missing a year of my life." Aerrcho turned to
Zettos. "What say you, old friend, to helping me out?"

Zettos smiled and did his best to shrug. "Fearless Leader will have my Force-
sensitive head for this, but my second-in-command could use some time in the captain's
chair and I could use a break from said chair."

Aerrcho, Blenn, and Zettos walked into a shuttle. The three Jedi made a silent
promise to never be lost again.

***The End***

Well, there you have it, folks.

Now, we look to the future. I have quite a bit to post here:

Old Wounds - Prequel to Lost Knight starring Unit 181, writing finished

Adventures of a Motley Assortment of Auxillary Star Wars Characters Whose Adventures, No Matter How Interesting, Have No Serious Effect on Star Wars Continuity - A humorous jaunt through the Classic Trilogy with Wuher, Ody Mandrell, Aurra Sing, and Momaw Nadon, writing finished

Lost Knight II: The Storm's Eye - Sequel to Lost Knight with Aerrcho searching for his missing life, trailer finished

Galaxy Noir - Detectives Jav Yonx and Remy Diabet try to solve the death of a Senator just before A New Hope, writing in progress

I figure I'll post Adventures of... next. I'll let you know via PM when I begin posting.

Yub, yub, commander.

 

Awww. It's over. Good job. Lemme know when you get the next one ready.

lordmaul13