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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Saga -Shadow of Deceit- A Star Wars Short Story

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction- Before, Saga, and Beyond' started by SW is TC1, Jan 1, 2022.

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Would you like to read chapter 2?

  1. Yes, loved it!

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  2. No, you suck!

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  3. Meh, maybe.

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  1. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    -Shadow of Deceit-
    A Star Wars Short Story




    Chapter 1: The Pilot


    Through the darkness of space, an Imperial TIE Fighter sparked and sputtered toward the brightly-lit planet of Coruscant. Having sustained heavy combat damage, the fighter repeatedly altered its trajectory.


    From within a nearby Star Destroyer, an Imperial gasped at his control station. “Sir, I’m picking something up on radar!” His eyes widened as he turned to look at the ship’s captain. “And it appears to be one of ours!”


    The captain looked out the front viewing port in disbelief. “It can’t be…” he quietly stated. He then pointed to the young Imperial while still looking toward the viewing port. “Lock on to him!”


    Green tractor beams immediately shot out from the Star Destroyer. But the severely-damaged, errant aircraft’s movements were too unpredictable.


    “We can’t lock on to him sir!” An Imperial stated in panic to his superior. “One of the fighter’s solar panels is completely missing…it’s not even possible he made it this far!”


    When it passed by the Star Destroyer, the Captain looked at the fighter in complete shock. “What is he doing?!”


    Beside him, another astonished officer chimed in, “It would appear he’s attempting to enter Coruscant’s atmosphere.”


    The Captain solemnly replied, “He’ll never make it…”


    The beams continually failed to grasp the fighter until it disappeared into the planet’s atmosphere.


    __


    The calm sunset and busy skies of Coruscant were suddenly interrupted when a ball of fire burst through the sky. With only a single quadanium solar panel remaining, the fighter descended erratically into the capitol’s central skyline.


    From within the fighter’s cockpit, a transmission was received from the tower, “Sir, all stations have been alerted. You may land at any...” The pilot ignored the notification, switched off the receiver, and focused on his controls. Despite the damage to the fighter, and the surrounding fire, the black-masked pilot remained calm.


    Barely capable of flying, the fighter narrowly avoided various aircraft, high-rise buildings and gaudy monuments. When the pilot finally saw his desired landing site, tucked deep within Imperial Headquarters, he maneuvered toward the small hangar.


    Just as he approached the bay, the engines faltered completely. After a brief free-fall, the second solar panel sprang away when the cockpit smashed onto the surface of the hangar. Catching fire, the burning ship rolled through the bay, destroying numerous TIE Fighters in its path. Caught off guard, Imperials scattered to avoid the incoming wreckage. Just before it veered into a bulkhead, the pilot dove from the cockpit and dashed away from the fiery crash. After a second and final explosion, the spraying debris struck the fleeing pilot, engulfing his black armor in flames. Without panic, he patted-out the fire and removed his still-burning mask.


    Even before his face was revealed, the Imperials stationed at the hangar knew exactly who to expect. There was only one fighter pilot who possessed the necessary skills to fly such a damaged ship, or the prestige to have been permitted unrestricted access to all landing sites.


    After extinguishing the remaining flames, his triumphant arrival was met with cheers of celebration from the astonished Imperials. Although his face shown signs of scaring from war, his dark brown hair remained neatly groomed due to a short, tapered cut. As was typical in seeing his face, one officer remarked to another, “He’s younger than I imagined.”


    As if the grand welcome did not exist, the pilot proceeded through the hangar and departed without pause.





    Indifferent to the respect received from each passing Clonetrooper, the pilot marched through the vast corridors of central Coruscant. With his black mask carried to his side, the pilot broke protocol with each step. His confident appearance and determined demeanor nearly hid the fact that he was the sole survivor of yet another victory in aerial combat. While an unmasked trooper would typically result in expulsion, when he passed Imperial Officers, even they did not dare questioned him. Each time he returned victorious, tales of his adventures were spread throughout the Empire. For the moment, he had an entirely different mission.


    Having ascended a long, metal staircase, he arrived at his destination.


    Facing a guarded entryway, a single-file line of Imperial officers anxiously awaited their opportunity to be summoned inside. Perplexed, they looked-on as the pilot brushed past them to move to the front. While making a quick input on his wrist-com, he gave a slight nod, signaling to the Clonetroopers on guard to allow him to pass.


    __


    When the doors closed behind him, the pilot maintained his pace as if to intentionally interrupt the already-in-progress hearing. While sitting at a U-shaped table, his sudden arrival seemed to startle and irritate the high-ranking Imperial Officers. When reaching the center of the room, he assumed a rigid standing position. With his mask under his right arm, his suit still steamed from the aftermath of his crash landing.


    Governor Tarkin, who sat as chairman of the preceding, was mildly caught off guard, but with a hint of intrigue. The other members did not share in Tarkin's interest. They looked at the pilot in surprise, then to Tarkin to gauge his reaction.


    "Captain Tavnaar, so nice of you to join us, but you do of course realize this is highly inappropriate.” Remarked Tarkin. "Unless the other members are in need of a combat report,” he motioned to the surrounding officers, “I suggest you turn-about and depart immediately."


    Captain Tavnaar did not feel the need to reply, but continued to look Tarkin dead-in-the-eye.


    "Not so fast," snapped Admiral Rengous, who stood fast enough to nearly tumble over.


    Tavnaar slowly looked to his right. In seeing the Admiral’s sloppy appearance, he held back a grin.


    Having noticed the arrogance, Rengous futilely attempted to gather his dignity. After a few tugs and adjustments to his uniform, Rengous sat, leaned forward and extended a pudgy finger toward Tavnaar. “Put your mask back on. Not only have you disrespected this council with your unwarranted arrival, but you defy the standard protocols of your own armor. Troopers don't have faces—you have duties, nothing m...”


    Moving fast enough to startle the entire room, Tavnaar lurched forward and slammed his mask on the table within inches of Rengous. While maintaining his grasp on the helmet, he glared at the Admiral. Rengous looked back with fear in his eyes.


    After a long pause, with calm certainty, Tavnaar finally spoke, "Your words are of little concern to me. I decided the outcome of this little gathering six months ago, and when it's over, I'll never be told to wear a mask again.”


    Slowly and deliberately, Tavnaar turned his mask to face the Admiral, then concluded, “But you might."


    Rengous stood and backed away. Before he was able to respond, the council was disrupted by the panicked footsteps of someone approaching.


    “Governor, I'm so sorry!” Yelled a panicked assistant while motioning to his keypad. Tarkin furrowed his brow and glared with his deep-set eyes. The nervous assistant then leaned over to Tarkin and whispered, “You’ve received an urgent, confidential message.”


    While unclear to anyone else in the room, a distinct rasp could be heard from the handheld intercom. Upon hearing the secret message, Tarkin’s expression completely changed. The panel of officers shifted uncomfortably in their seats.


    Tavnaar moved back to the center of the room while allowing a shrewd smirk in the direction of Rengous.


    When the message concluded, and the assistant was out of the room, Tarkin remarked with slight agitation, “Lieutenant-Commander Wently, you are dismissed."


    Wently, who was never even acknowledged by Tavnaar, meagerly exited from the center of the room.


    When the doors closed behind Wently, Tarkin resumed, “This council is now in session." He then turned his attention toward Admiral Rengous.


    Reluctantly, Rengous took his seat.





    As he continued to question Tavnaar, Tarkin seemed to find amusement with the impromptu hearing.


    “As we are all aware, you were the top graduate of the human/clone integration experiment. You are the only human not yet killed in battle, and you are the first trooper of any kind to successfully certify as both a trooper and a pilot. Tell me, what made you decide to join the Empire?"


    ~~~

    Surrounded in a gray fog, Tavnaar's oldest surviving memory vaguely came to his mind: As a teenager, he told the distorted image of an unrecognizable elder that the only thing he was good at, was evil. He exclaimed that he'd heard of a place where he might finally fit in. Startled, he and the elder both looked behind him to see the faint outline of a smaller figure. As it always did, his memory dissipated before its conclusion.

    ~~~


    "I am an adept killer." He frankly responded.


    Tarkin scoffed, “Certainly you have more to offer than just killing?"


    "That wasn't the question, Governor.”


    “Indeed, Captain,” Tarkin scowled at Tavnaar. “Would you care to elaborate?”


    “I didn’t join because I needed the Empire, I joined because the Empire needed me. From the very beginning, I easily rose to the top of my class with precision planning and detailed execution.”


    ~~~

    Tavnaar recalled his time at the Imperial Academy: In a life-or-death, urban-battlefield scenario, he and his fellow troopers were attacked from the outside of their small bunker. He responded by taking command and shouting orders. As he leaped from his covered position, he dodged lasers and destroyed numerous battle droids—each with a single shot. Within minutes, he began to outmaneuver and outwit the robotic enemy. With mechanical precision, he and his followers executed his plans until the battle was won. Then finally, the graduation ceremony where he donned the white mask for the first time.

    ~~~


    "You may think that I should be content with my current position; after all, I command most of the Clone Army, but nothing I do is unplanned or by chance. My being here today is only a small step toward my ultimate goal. I will not be satisfied until I have the ability to assemble the most elite fighting force the galaxy has ever seen. My will to enforce the Empire's strength is unyielding."


    Intrigued, Tarkin pressed on. "You have indeed proven this to be true. Your successes in combat have made you somewhat of a legend to your peers have they not?"


    "I have no peers. Perhaps this is the reason I have risen to the highest rank a Clonetrooper can attain…but I am not a clone.”


    “What is your point, Captain?”


    “As the only human in my ranks, I stand apart. Quite frankly, we need more like me."


    ~~~

    He instantly remembered several battles which gained his infamy as a ruthless killing machine. From day-one upon wearing the white armor, he did indeed stand apart. The clones were disciplined, but they lacked certain elements that only he possessed. His ability to react to any situation and accurately predict battlefield encounters quickly gained him a level of celebrity never before seen from a trooper. When he emerged to lead an attack in ground combat, the Clonetroopers were instantly assured that victory was near. When he piloted a TIE fighter in air or space, his fellow pilots felt invincible.

    ~~~


    "'Stand apart' Captain?" Tarkin looked uncommonly confused. "I've seen nothing but respect and unquestioning loyalty to your orders."


    "Is that so different from the respect given to an Imperial Officer?"


    Tarkin was too intrigued to notice a buzzing sound emitted from the entrance.


    "One final question, Captain. At the beginning of his hearing you claimed that Admiral Regnous might be the one wearing a mask. That is an abnormal allegation. In respect of his superior status, he deserves to know why."


    Confident, Tavnaar simply replied, “Because he is a criminal, and a traitor."


    "A traitor?" Tarkin placed his elbows on the table, clenched his hands, and glared at Tavnaar.


    Rengous stood in anger, causing his seat to fall behind him.


    Another buzz from the entrance.


    Tavnaar retained his poise. "I also stated that I determined the fate of this board six months ago. It was at that time when I deduced that Admiral Rengous had been leaking classified information to our adversaries."


    Recalling his investigation and the pursuit of Rengous, Tavnaar thought of the many Imperial and civilian lives lost as a direct result of Rengous’ treachery.


    "These accusations are outrageous!" Exclaimed Rengous. "What evidence do..."


    With the fierce turn of his head, Tavnaar once again cut him off. "The evidence was sent as I entered these chambers. Now, Governor Tarkin, would you be kind enough to acknowledge that?"


    Tarkin, who had finally begun to understand, allowed the entryway to open.


    A confident young officer with an entourage of armed Clonetroopers rapidly spilled into the room.


    “Admiral Rengous, you are under arrest for delivering information that lead to the Empire's defeat in the battle of Denarki. Your mind is to be examined to ascertain the full extent of your treachery, followed by your immediate execution."


    As the troopers began to bind and submit Rengous, the look of dread covered his face.


    The Lieutenant then looked to Tavnaar with a cheerful glow. "Captain, will you be taking command of the firing squad?"


    While blankly looking at him, Tavnaar replied, “My team has already been briefed. Bring him to our bay when your interrogation is complete."


    "Of course, sir."


    "Lieutenant, one more thing.” Tavnaar shifted his attention toward Rengous. “Don't put the extractor on too tight. I prefer to deliver justice to conscious traitors."


    "Yes sir, I have an extractor mask just his size." He said with a smile.


    After a subtle nod from Tavnaar, the clones whisked Rengous away just as rapidly as they entered. The panel of officers were in silence; their mouths hung open in disbelief.


    With his mask already back in his hand, Tavnaar circled the room. From one officer to the next, he extended his helmet forward as if he were offering it to them.


    “Does anyone else have a comment?” He said with a half-grin.


    When reaching them, the look of panic engulfed their expression.


    “Surely you aren’t worried that I have more security escorts waiting outside do you?” He asked them rhetorically. “No one?”


    When they remained silent, he once again placed his helmet where Rengous once sat.


    “We’ll just leave this here as a reminder. Who knows, perhaps one day it will be of use again.”


    Tarkin found himself fully amused with his own frustration "That was a bit theatrical for my ta..."


    "I do not tolerate treachery. I demand uncompromising loyalty to the Empire. No one has earned more credibility than I. This you have heard of, and now you have seen. The purpose of this hearing was to determine advancements to commander.” He looked to where Rengous once sat. “I now see a different vacancy."


    Tarkin took in a deep breath, looked him in the eye, and finally conceded, "As do I, Captain,” He paused as if to contemplate the possibilities, “as do I.”


    Leaning back in his seat, Tarkin concluded, “You are dismissed...Admiral."
     
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  2. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    That bad huh?
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2022
  3. Kato Sai

    Kato Sai Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Apr 27, 2014
    Its actually very well written. Keep at it, I am enjoying it. :)
     
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  4. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Chapter 2: Collateral Damage


    Some time later...

    On a battle-scorned, desolate world called Yendari, Admiral Tavnaar examined the aftermath of a gruesome battle. Dead Clonetroopers and aliens were scattered in every direction, the planet’s red ground smoldered, and the black, leafless trees smelt of decay.

    Although Tavnaar’s gray officer’s uniform set him apart from the dozen Clonetroopers at his side, he maintained the same level of respect and camaraderie. When Tavnaar knelt to examine a dead clone and to pay his respect, the care he took was observed by his entourage. Their loyalty to his orders was not only due to his fierce combat leadership, but also the compassion he showed towards his Clonetroopers. They could ever forget how he forged the clones into becoming known as more than that of a mere copy.

    While searching for survivors, the troopers raised their weapons as a blue-skinned, humanoid female approached. Distraught with sadness, she cried to them, “Please help!”

    Tavnaar calmly signaled for the troopers to lower their weapons.

    “What do you require?” He replied with mild concern.

    She fell to her knees and gathered her breath. “When fight happen, we run. My child…gone!”

    “Corporal Kelisch, take her to your short-range shuttle.” Tavnaar said with more urgency. “Do not stop until you’ve found her youngling.”

    “Yes sir, right away sir.” Replied the clone as he helped her to her feet.

    Creating a positive image of the Empire was Tavnaar’s first step toward his ultimate goal. The importance of compliance could not rely on fear alone. The galaxy’s dependency on Imperial control could transfer more seamlessly with fewer reluctant star systems.

    As the Corporal escorted the mother to his shuttle, Tavnaar looked to another clone. “Sergeant Daviid, have we rationed-out all the supplies?”

    “We only have two of each remaining, sir.”

    Tavnaar yelled to the Corporal, “And give her the remaining food and medical capsules!”



    As Tavnaar resumed his investigation into the surrounding battlefield, he payed especially close attention to the dead Clonetroopers—most of them were sliced into pieces. Also known as a gifted detective, Tavnaar traced the enemy’s footprints to the locations of the fallen troopers. A most shocking revelation came to him when he realized that the elegant cauterizations suggested the use of a lightsaber blade. This caused the images of battle to reach his mind: He could almost picture the image of a robed, female Jedi wielding a white-bladed lightsaber. She dashed in every angle, killing clones and bounty hunters with each strike. She seemed more powerful than anything he had ever encountered. When she knelt to gather her strength, not a single laser could touch her, but when she stood...

    "Admiral, you'll want to see this.” Sergeant Daviid motioned towards a decapitated, robed figure. "Is that..."

    "Yes, Sergeant, an Inquisitor. Pathetic, he had one mission. Even with the help of my troopers, he failed." Agitated with the death of his men, Tavnaar’s voice grew louder, "Destroy the body. His death will not contaminate the passing of my loyal comrades. In fact, I want my men pieced back together and given a dignified send-off."

    Clonetroopers were typically seen no differently than droids. Captain Tavnaar's attempts to bridge the perceived gap between human and clone, and to legitimize their status as living beings was often met with criticism. Admiral Tavnaar saw no such resistance.

    "Of course Admiral. We'll leave no one behind." Respectfully replied the sergeant. “What of the remains of the bounty hunters?”

    Tavnaar did not hear the last question as something else had caught his attention.

    “Admiral...” quietly groaned a nearby voice. Tavnaar rushed to the location of the plea, followed by a squad of troopers.

    With his helmet mostly destroyed and his legs completely missing, a Clonetrooper laid dying on the ground.

    “Admiral,” he pleaded again, “...please listen.”

    Tavnaar knelt to his side to gently removed the clone’s mask. “Of course my friend. Tell us...what happened here?”

    The fallen trooper began to tell his story.

    ~~~ TC-254 stood in a flying troop carrier with fifty other Clonetroopers. From a small port, he looked to the surface of the red planet as they prepared to land. Through a smokey haze, he could see a white light moving about. Clonetroopers were either tossed away from the blade or chopped to pieces.

    Although Clonetroopers were engineered to fear almost nothing, TC-254’s heart raced through his chest. He could feel the apprehension from his companions as well.

    “Do not fear death.” He said to his brothers, trying to ease the tension.

    “How could we fear death when we were never even born?” Joked another. A soft chuckle spread throughout the troopers.

    Having lost track of the saber’s location, he looked around the fog until he saw it glowing in the hand of a female Jedi. Somehow, the fog cleared just enough for him to view her face—she slowly turned her head toward him. As if she felt his presence, it almost seemed that she were looking directly at him!

    Suddenly, she reached out her hand toward his aircraft. Frozen in fear, he awaited the inevitable.

    TC-254 and the other clones felt as if they were raised into the air, then slammed to the ceiling as the ship careened downwards. While pinned to the ceiling, he could still see the Jedi with her hand outreached towards them. Even with her invisible grip on the aircraft, she still managed to slaughter the few remaining attackers.

    When the ship hit the surface, the doors flew open as he and the other clones spilled out.

    Already waiting for them outside, the Jedi madly chopped her way through the piles of Clonetroopers with the terrible sound of her buzzing saber. She was ruthless and gave them no chance to fight back.

    Somehow, TC-254 managed to momentarily escape her wrath as he rolled from underneath a decapitated clone. When he stumbled and ran away from the mayhem, from all sides of him, he could see the other fleeing troopers falling one after another.

    When only he remained, the intense quiet was interrupted by the horrible sounds of the Jedi’s spinning saber. He instantly fell forward. Dazed and unable to move, his ears began to ring. Rolling to his back, he looked down to see the blurry image of two stumps where his legs once were. His heart pounded and his breathing quickened. When he looked up, he could barely see the angry Jedi wreaking havoc in the distance. Her outbursts of power seemed endless. When she finally knelt, he raised his weapon and prepared to open fire. He hoped his laser would somehow make it to her. ~~~

    TC-254 could not finish his account. His eyes closed as he uttered his last words, “...when she...looked up...”

    Tavnaar and the clones remained silent next to him as he drifted into darkness.

    Hatred and anger boiled inside Tavnaar. “Ready my personal ship and set destination to Coruscant!" He said with agitation, still looking at the corpse of TC-254.

    "Admiral?" The sergeant was audibly concerned.

    While listening intently to TC-254’s tale, Tavnaar had already begun to map-out his plan. He reached to secure the severed arm of the fallen trooper and simply stated, "I'm going after her."

    "Forgive me Admiral,” The Sergeant said in a humble tone, “but I speak for everyone when I say we want to go with you." The other clones nodded in agreement. "You've avenged the death of every fallen trooper you've ever encountered, you've assembled the most elite fighting unit in the Empire. Where you go, we go."

    "Not this time Sergeant. Did you hear nothing he said? Look around...you would all perish. I've already sought enough revenge. Now it's time to prevent it."

    "Of course. As you wish, Admiral. We'll stand by for your orders. Good luck sir."

    Tavnaar placed the arm at the fallen trooper’s side, turned, and headed toward his arriving ship.

    The clones studied his every movement until the small aircraft entered light speed.

    "He'll be back in no time." A trooper remarked. “He's never failed at anything."

    "I hope so." Replied the heavy minded Sergeant. "Or we're reduced to mindless droids again."

    The sergeant took in a deep breath and lowered his chin. "Alert all trooper commands to keep a wary eye on all emergency frequencies." Then looked to the skies. "I have a feeling that he might need our assistance after all."

    The clones resumed their duties in solemn silence.


    ***


    After landing on a high rise landing platform on Coruscant, Tavnaar was angrily greeted by General Hollguff—a giant of a man. A legend in his own right, Hollguff was known throughout the Empire to have been a fierce killer. His war-torn face and mechanical leg gave insight to his many wartime encounters. When Order-66 was given, he quickly pledged to hunt down the defected Jedi. Once a great bounty hunter himself, he took great offense when they were hired by the Empire to kill the Jedi.

    "Admiral Tavnaar." Hollguff spoke with a rough outer-rim accent. "I know why you are here. You think the deaths of an Inquisitor and your clones gives you enough leverage to seek out the missing Jedi."

    With his one mechanical leg causing a slight limp, Hollguff circled Tavnaar as if preparing to attack. "But it is I, who will be doing scalping."

    Hollguff was known to scalp the heads of defeated Jedi. He bragged that he had killed at least a dozen, claiming to loose count after so many. Imperial logs maintained no such records.

    He moved closer to Tavnaar. "If you're not careful, maybe I'll collect your scalp too."

    Tavnaar smiled. "I'm flattered to hear that you hold my fighting skills in the same regard as that of a Jedi."

    Hollguff stopped all movement to look Tavnaar in the eye. "How many Jedi have you killed, Admiral?"

    Unflinching, Tavnaar replied, "When it comes to one-on-one combat, you are second to none. However, you require an enemy to be right in front of you. This Jedi is hidden for a reason, she is cunning and nearly impossible to track. The time you would waste in trying to find her would almost certainly lead to embarrassment for the Empire. Unlike your simpleton brain, mine has instincts and the ability to predict the actions of others. In fact, I already know where she is. My arrival to Coruscant is a mere formality. But don't worry, when I return, you can keep the scalp. The only trophies I keep are victories for the Empire and the tears of my enemies."

    Hollguff lunged at Tavnaar, but this was predicted if not purposefully instigated. Tavnaar immediately circled around the giant, instantaneously attaching a single fluorescent cuff around Hollguff’s arms and legs, followed by a knee to his back. Hollguff fell helplessly forward to the ground.

    As he dug his knee into Hollguff's back, Tavnaar continued, “Careful General, I might be tempted to add another trophy of my own." He leaned in closer. "That is, if your geriatric-barely-living-one-legged-carcass is capable of producing anything other than empty threats."

    Tavnaar had never been keen to the idea of mechanical enhancements. He viewed them as embarrassing evidence of ones defeat in battle.

    As he departed, he casually remarked to the still-struggling General. "I stand corrected. It would seem that it is my fighting skills that are second to none.”


    ***


    What seemed like only a short time later, Tavnaar departed Coruscant with a different mission: He must locate and commission the most elite assassin to hunt down and destroy the missing Jedi.

    As he settled at the controls of his personal ship, he found it odd that he barely even remembered the task being assigned. He deduced that his rage at not being authorized to seek out the Jedi himself caused this temporary lapse.

    As he contemplated his mission, only one assassin came to mind.
     
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  5. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Thank you, that means a lot to me! I am certainly not a writer and am not college educated. It’s just a story I’ve had rolling around in my head for a while, so I wouldn’t be too surprised if no one cared for it.

    Chapter two gives a better idea of where I’m taking the story.
     
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  6. Kato Sai

    Kato Sai Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Apr 27, 2014
    Your very talented. I could picture everything, I even got some ROTS vibs from that landing. ;)

    I’d love to read chapter two when or if you are ready to share it. :)
     
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  7. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Thank you! I try to play it like a movie in my mind as I map it out. I just posted Chapter 2, so here is Chapter 3…hope you like it
     
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  8. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Chapter 3: Hidden Truths


    A black masked and armored figure, vaguely reminiscent of a Clonetrooper, burst through the door of a small cargo jet. Startled, the female Jedi jumped up and could only manage to ask, “Impossible, how did you find me?"

    The assassin replied with the staticky, mechanical voice enhancements of the black mask. "It's quite simple. I couldn't find you, which meant you had to be here."

    The Jedi ignited her white-bladed lightsaber and assumed a fighting stance. Fear was in her eyes, yet ready to fight.

    "Don't waste my time with that." The assassin said in a dismissive tone. "You took a risk in coming here. While this planet masks your Force abilities, it also cripples them. We are on equal footing, which gives me the overwhelming advantage. You can either fight to your death, or put down your weapon—it makes little difference to me."

    In her eyes, the look of fear turned to puzzlement as she slowly backed away.





    Attached to a thick power cable by a familiar fluorescent cuff, the Jedi wearily watched the assassin at the control panel of her stolen ship.

    "What are you doing?" She said with annoyance.

    In deep concentration, he ignored her question, then continued to detach and reattach electrical components.

    "You destroyed your ship, didn't you?" Replying to her own question with sarcasm. "Admiral Tavnaar, the planetary butcher, the renowned combat pilot, can't even make a simple landing!”

    This planet was unlike any other. Cursed with frightful evenings and a haunting half-moon; it was void of modern civilization. The deep forests echoed with the flutter of viscous creatures and the sway of an unstable gravitational pull. Although daylight was rare, it brought intolerable heat when the duel suns would appear. The planet had been known to suck in passing ships, similar to that of a tractor beam; or crush them with an unpredictable, orbiting asteroid. More importantly, the Force was not present. Perhaps that was the reason for the feeling of emptiness.

    Knowing very well that her insult was only to provoke a reaction, Admiral Tavnaar did not entertain the temptation. Instead, he recalled his crash landing, when he jumped from his ship the moment before it slid into a ravine; and the grand journey he embarked to find the missing Jedi.

    "Yeah, I know who you are." She attempted to draw his attention with her serious glare, but was only met with indifference.

    “You can't get away with this merciless killing spree forever you know? Your evil deeds will eventually catch up with you. Perhaps sooner than you think. That's a promise!"

    It was at that moment when Tavnaar realized her youth. Her demeanor was not that of a Jedi, but of an insubordinate, scared youngling. In fact, she wasn’t a Jedi at all. He deduced that she was still a padawan learner when Order-66 was executed, which only brought-on more questions: How did she avoid the inquisitors and bounty hunters for so long? How did she manage to kill so many of his men? Most puzzling, why was her image beginning to give him migraines and dizzy spells?

    The duel-suns appeared and quickly set, causing a powerful gravitational disturbance. The ship buckled and creaked as if to call out in pain.

    Tavnaar knelt close to the Jedi, with his black helmet only inches from her face. "Things are not always as they seem." He said while imagining the blue-skinned mother reuniting with her youngling.





    With her wrists still bound together, the Jedi reluctantly assisted Tavnaar in his repairs to the ship, offering sarcastic quips whenever possible. He reached an uncommon level of annoyance with her, but only spoke when to give concise instructions. He flipped a switch as if to expect his desired outcome, but there was no response.

    "Secure yourself to the power cable, Jedi." He barked in frustration.

    She reluctantly complied.

    Tavnaar lowered himself to sit across from her. His discipline and black helmet could no longer mask his exhaustion. The journey to find the missing Jedi had finally caught up with him. It had been days since he slept for more than an hour. Accustomed to briefly dozing off in the tall branches of a tree or a the hole inside a steep cliff, he felt relief inside the metal confines of a ship.

    As he looked at the Jedi, he couldn’t help but wish that she fought for the Empire...for the people. She was a master at her craft, but her skills were wasted by fighting for no apparent cause. Was her own life truly worth the terror she inflicted?

    The point of mental and physical exhaustion climaxed with his drifting off to sleep. As his eyes closed, it almost seemed that the Jedi was smirking at him...as if she knew something he didn’t. This was immediately followed by his consciousness fading to black...and then gray.

    He once again dreamt of his oldest surviving memory: When speaking to the elder, they were interrupted, but by whom? He tried to remember more, but there was nothing. This caused his subconscious mind to feel unsatisfied, empty, and devoid of real purpose. Even then, with all his accomplishments, he felt nothing but failure and regret.

    The increasingly powerful bumps to the ship would not disturb his slumber.
     
  9. Kato Sai

    Kato Sai Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Apr 27, 2014
    Chapter Two comments:

    Woah, that Jedi is an image of fear; a bice twist, turning The Guardians of Peace who say “fear leads to the dark side,” being the one to instill fear.
    I have my suspicions this Jedi is beloved Togruta. ;)
     
    SW is TC1 likes this.
  10. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Have a chance to check out chapter 3? Sorry no Togruta. A new character I made up. Hopefully you’ll like her.
     
    Kato Sai likes this.
  11. Kato Sai

    Kato Sai Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Apr 27, 2014
    I’ll read it soon and give you feedback. :)
     
    SW is TC1 likes this.
  12. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Chapter 4: Ignorance


    Many hours later, Tavnaar began to awaken from his deep slumber. Taking a moment to establish his whereabouts, he looked around the cabin until he saw the young Jedi, still glaring at him.

    “Feeling better?" She snapped in an immature tone.

    "I'm not sure." He cautiously replied. His head straightened the moment he realized that he actually replied to her. Typically he did not answer questions from anyone. It was HE who asked the questions.

    "He speaks!" Exclaimed the Jedi with mocking enthusiasm.

    Still looking at the ship, he slowly rose to his feet. Realizing that he had exhausted all means to repair the damage, he decided a new plan must be made. The ship wasn’t going anywhere—all power cells had been lost or destroyed. Returning to his own ship was the only option. It was doubtful that anything would be salvageable, but it was their only hope.

    "Get up girl.” He was only partially successful in returning to his previous demeanor. Turning from her, he reached for a wall in attempt to hide his off-balance stagger. From behind his mask, his eyes widened…

    A crackle-hiss and steady flashes of light ignited the small cargo bay!

    Feeling a sudden sense of dread, his mind panicked. He was certain that the lightsaber was secured to his belt when he drifted to sleep. She couldn't possibly reach it. It must have been the planet and its gravitational inconsistencies, he thought to himself. After all, his senses had been consistently failing him since the moment he arrived, and even more-so since he found the missing Jedi. He wondered, was this even happening?

    When he slowly turned to face the Jedi, he saw that his worst fear was realized. Standing tall was a fearsome Jedi—a side of her she had kept from him! While holding her white saber with conviction, she stepped toward him. He reached for his blasters, but only found empty holsters. As he looked up to see her piercing eyes, which looked as if they could cut right through his thick mask, he quietly asked, “How is this possible?"

    She gave him a confident, sharp, half-smile. "The same way I've dealt your monsters all this time." She proudly exclaimed. "I have the unique ability to mask my Force powers. Best part? The longer I bury them, the stronger they return. I've been keeping them at-bay for weeks.”

    The Jedi recalled listening-in to Tavnaar’s conversation on Yendari. She secretly left a hidden transmitter in the carcass of the Inquisitor for that purpose. Although she could not see his face, she could easily sense the presence of Admiral Tavnaar through the Force.

    After allowing the information to sink in, she continued in her boast, “You think you were so clever to come here? I only landed a day ago. While you thought you were following me, it was I who was following you. I watched you scurry about this hell-scape for weeks, getting weaker by the day. I intentionally crashed my ship in the direction you were traveling.”

    She then remembered her secret quest in following Tavnaar. As taught by her Jedi Master, she hunted the hunter. After Yendari, she followed him to Coruscant and waited for nearly three weeks. For several days she lost track of his whereabouts, long enough to wonder if he somehow left the planet undetected. When he finally emerged, she followed him to Outer-Rim 42 where she found humor in his failures while she safely orbited the planet.

    The Jedi finished by touting, “I knew you'd assume my Force abilities were completely gone after so much time. You've been outwitted since the moment you left Yendari.”

    As Tavnaar stood in front of her, completely outmatched, he pondered his unanswered question: 'How is this possible?' He didn't want to know how she maintained her Force abilities, he wanted to know how he recognized her. He knew that face...those piercing eyes, but from where? He considered revealing his face to better negotiate, but somehow he felt afraid…even embarrassed. Usually he could simply put aside unwanted feelings, but in her presence, he could not. There must be more to her, he thought to himself. If she only knew what he knew.

    Tavnaar straightened his stance and plainly asked, “I suppose you’ll be killing me now?”

    The Jedi laughed, "I won't kill you. Unlike you, I only kill when absolutely necessary. Although it's certainly what you deserve!”

    “You only ‘kill when necessary?’” Replied Tavnaar in disbelief. “Did you not see what you did to the Yendarians?”

    She looked back at him with restrained embarrassment.

    “That’s right, Jedi. So, what it is that YOU deserve?”

    With her anger returning, she shouted, “I’ve never tried to hurt anyone who didn’t have it coming!”

    “That may be true.” Tavnaar moved closer to whisper, “But when does your need to survive no longer outweigh the collateral damage you create?”

    Her face turned red with hatred. “Arrrahhh!” she screamed with vengeance while rushing forward…

    Tavnaar fell to the floor.

    “That is nothing compared to what you have done!” She stood over him, pointing her finger at his mask. “You are a mindless monster ignorantly fulfilling the will of that, that Sith...beast! I hate everything the Empire stands for, but most of all, I hate YOU!”

    When Tavnaar said nothing, she looked down to realize why he fell. In her abrupt attack and following tirade, she hadn’t realized that in her anger, she sliced both of his legs. Not deep enough to guarantee amputation, but deep enough...

    Tavnaar looked down at his legs, then back up at her. “You see, Jedi? Although you might have been ignorant to the fall-out of your merciless actions....YOU were still responsible.”

    The Jedi was enraged! Her breathing deepened as she looked down upon him with hatred. When she raised her blade to finish him off, she suddenly felt the conflict within herself. Knowing that her vengeance would only further prove him right, she knelt down to him and conceded, “It seems we’ve both been ignorant. Someday, maybe you’ll see that phony peace enforced by hostile tyranny never lasts.”

    Tavnaar scoffed. “My foolish little Jedi, peace is not a journey, but a destination. You have already chosen a path of destruction, but to what end? Our methods are more similar than you realize. The only difference is that I know where I’m going…and have shown mercy in the process.”

    “You should consider it mercy that you still have your legs.” She retaliated in disgust. She again moved closer to warningly whisper, "But know this, if you do try to follow me, for any reason, I WILL kill you."

    As his headache returned, he felt paralyzed from dizziness, and slouched to his side. When he looked back up, his vision blurred, and he could only see the distorted image of the Jedi departing the ship.



    Several hours later, Tavnaar pulled himself to the medical supplies and was surprised to find an unused kit. He utilized it to its fullest capabilities. “Two days”, he thought to himself, “Two days and I'll be well enough to go after her.”
     
  13. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Chapter 5: Mercy


    Two days later...

    Tavnaar limped down from the ship with a make-shift crutch, which could also serve as his only weapon. As he felt the pain in his legs and confusion in his mind, he realized that he still did not know what to do or where to go. She could have been anywhere, and without the full use of his legs, he could never track her down. Even worse, his instincts were almost completely missing, which would be necessary to thwart any other schemes she had for him. The original plan of returning to his ship seemed to be his only option.

    Slowly trekking through the wilderness, his strength declined rapidly as he once again stumbled about the haunted forest. During his journey, he continuously heard her words over and over in his mind:

    “You are a mindless monster!”

    “...but most of all, I hate YOU!”

    “...I hate YOU!”

    “...I hate YOU!”

    “I HATE YOU!!!”

    The memories of her face combined with the fury of her words stayed with him at all times. They weakened him far worse than his injuries ever could.

    ***

    Days later, in the distance below, he finally found his ship. With his vision beginning to fade in-and-out, he prepared for the long descent.

    When his attention was caught by something in the distance, he came to a stop. From the other side of a nearby hillside, he could barely make-out a faint shriek. Unsure as to why, he followed it.

    As he closed-in, the shrieking grew louder and louder. He peered over a dead tree and saw that it was the young Jedi! Bound by primitive, vine-like ropes, an indigenous tribe of humanoid lizards was torturing the whimpering Jedi. He wondered why she didn't destroy them.

    Too weak to intervene, Tavnaar chose to let her die. In any case, her death would only complete his mission. And yet, this gave him no satisfaction. His vision narrowed again as he attempted to remain conscious.



    The indigenous chief waved the Jedi’s lightsaber handle in celebration, then fell to the ground, impaled by Tavnaar's spear.

    Surprised by his own actions, Tavnaar quickly grabbed the fallen lightsaber and ignited its white blade. The creatures attacked both him and the still-bound Jedi.

    Although he was not as skilled as a Jedi, Tavnaar made great use of the lightsaber. Waving the saber repeatedly, he improved his accuracy with each slice. Despite his newly-found skills, he would not go to scathed. His armor and helmet were pierced time and time again by their long claws and razor sharp teeth. Being overwhelmed, they knocked him to the ground and piled on top of him. Somehow, he managed to kick and slice them off, giving him just enough time to pick himself back up. Having no time to acknowledge his injuries, he continued to fight them off until they were all dead or running away.

    Catching his breath, he turned his mask toward the Jedi, who looked back at him in both shock and disbelief. As he began to carefully remove her bonds, she cried out in pain, “My leg!”

    Tavnaar looked down to see that one of the dying creatures managed to attach its mouth to her calf. With a quick slice of the blade, he chopped off its head.

    Her eyes turned empty. “Puh...puh...poison”, she stuttered the moment before passing out completely.

    Still hobbled from her lightsaber blows and at least a dozen new wounds, Tavnaar picked her up and slowly limped through the night.

    The Jedi regained consciousness from time to time, but only long enough for her to see dark sky up above the tree line; or the moons’ reflection on Tavnaar's recently damaged mask.

    When they were nearly at his ship, Tavnaar mistakenly looked down to see her face.

    “I HATE YOU!” He heard again, causing him to drop to his knees.

    The combination of muscle fatigue and dizzying migraines was too much. He fell to the ground as the Jedi rolled beside him. As he laid next to her, panting for air, he attempted to fight off the darkness.

    ***

    When the Jedi eventually awoke, she was astonished to see that she was alone in Tavnaar's ship, and that a medical capsule had been placed in a satchel next to her. She was further surprised to find that her saber was clipped to her belt. Tavnaar was nowhere to be seen; drops of blood led to the exit.

    Without stopping to mend her wounds, she limped out of the ship and followed the trail.

    Within minutes, she could see Tavnaar in the distance. He was bleeding badly and barely able to stand at the edge of a cliff. Not knowing what to expect, she cautiously approached from behind. When she was within a few steps of him, she ignited her blade.

    “I’m ready,” he quietly said to her as he tossed his spear over the cliff. “Do what you must.”

    When she said nothing, he fell to his knees. Still breathing heavily, he lowered his head in defeat, and placed his hands on his knees—ready for what was to come.

    She hesitated.

    "DO IT!" His sudden, fierce growl startled her. She stood motionless behind him, frozen in shock.

    "I...I can't." She whispered.

    Exhaling in disappointment, he removed his still-sparking mask. For the first time in his memory, someone outside the Empire would be allowed to see his face.

    Without the assistance of the mask’s mechanical voice enhancements, he spoke to her in a somber tone. "It's what I deserve. You said so yourself. I've done terrible things, unforgivable acts of violence. I tried to make myself believe that what I was doing was right. That what I stood for was piece and prosperity for all, but it wasn’t true. I am nothing more than an unnatural clone, blindly enforcing the will of the Dark Side. You were right about everything.” His words became quiet. “Please, release me...before it’s too late...for both of us.”

    With her saber raised and poised to slice downward, she slowly moved to his side. When her blade brought enough light to reveal his shamed and defeated face, she let out a barely-audible gasp. Her movements became less crisp as she tentatively lowered her blade to her side, and finally switched it off.

    She too wondered...how was this possible?

    Tears began to pool in her eyes.
     
  14. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Chapter 6: Forgiveness

    As they limped together, it was clear that the Jedi’s one unharmed leg was more useful than Tavnaar's bilateral damage. Hobbling along side the Jedi, Tavnaar still wished for death. Somehow, he knew that if he was unable to stop himself, he might return to his normal form and attempt to kill the Jedi. At the same time, he couldn’t bring himself to instigate an attack from her. Feeling increasingly weak, he stumbled and began to fall.


    The Jedi steadied him. “Come on Admiral, you did the same for me.” She grunted as she pulled him to his feet. “Now’s not the time to give up.”

    Even with all her strength, and ruthless attack of his men, feelings of protectiveness for the Jedi engulfed his entire being. He feared for her safety.

    When they reached Tavnaar’s ship, they stepped through the hatch and fell to the deck, side by side.

    The young Jedi could no longer burry her emotions as she broke down in tears. For the second time on the planet, Tavnaar did not know what to do. When he saw tears dripping down her cheeks, he again felt lightheaded from a powerful migraine.

    ***

    As they tended to their wounds in silence, Tavnaar slowly removed his armor to assess his damage. His black body suit was ripped and covered in blood, with the few remaining pieces of body armor barely attached. Wondering if he would ever wear it again, he watched as the Jedi carefully removed what was left of her shredded cloak. Underneath, she too wore an all-black body suit, but without armor. Damp from blood and sweat, it clung to her skin, revealing the silhouette of her distinctly-feminine proportions.

    She gently rubbed her wrists, they were cut deep from jungle twine. When she brushed her dark, shoulder-length hair away from her face, it caused him an even more intense headache. Despite his pain, he continued to look…then cursed himself. He was a tyrant, she was a Jedi...it was forbidden.

    Delicately moving to sit directly in front of him, the Jedi purposely made eye contact. He quickly looked away. Not due to his pain, but due to his shame. He hoped she didn’t know the truth. In reality, he wasn’t even sure if he knew.

    The Jedi cautiously moved even closer to Tavnaar and looked him in the eye. Not glaring this time—wondering. She quietly broke the silence. "I have to ask you something, why did you rescue me?"

    Pondering her question for a moment, he wondered, why did he rescue...

    Suddenly, he remembered her shrieks in the woods, and the spear impaling the chief. But, something caused him to do that. Something else happened. What was it? He recalled traveling through the woods while he followed her cries. When he stumbled up the hill, for unknown reasons his distant memories returned to him in a sea of gray:

    ~~~He told the elder what he always did. Something caught their attention. They turned, and for the first time, his memory did not fail him! He saw a girl, a girl crying!

    As the cries began to fade away, he tried to keep the memories alive. But when he opened his eyes, the same cries returned! That time it wasn't a memory, it was the Jedi, bound and tortured!

    Without time to plan his actions, he grabbed the spear and thrust it at the chief while running to grab the fallen saber. ~~~

    "Please, I must know." She gently persisted while breaking his concentration.

    He remained quietly confused.

    When realizing she may not get any answers, she let out a soft sigh. "You could have taken the power cells back to my ship by now. You could be off this planet with me left for dead. This is what you've been planning for all along. That was your mission; you would have avenged your men and killed the missing Jedi. You had everything, and gave it all up...then left me everything, hoping I would kill you! None of this makes any sense. Now, please tell me, something, anything!" Tears were rolling down her cheeks. "I know something changed in you. I feel it too. Something about this planet. I feel weak, yet strong. Blind, but hopeful. What happened to you? And who..." She took in a deep breath before having the courage to ask. "...who are you?"

    Frozen in confusion, he still said nothing.

    In her desperation she persisted, "Why won't you even look at me? Is this some kind of trick?”

    Still facing the ground, he took in a few deep breaths to gathered his strength. They both rose to their feet as he took her by the hands. Then, looking her in the eye, with repressed emotion, he finally replied, "I'm, having some trouble...remembering."

    He staggered a bit, but she held him steady by the arms.

    “I...I didn't want you to know the terrible things I've done."

    In a clear amount of pain and loosing balance he attempted to continue. "You've been hidden from me. I fear, something terrible has happened." His words were getting quieter. “Please forgive me. It was better to die without you knowing."

    As he began to fall to the ground, she tried to steady him. “Stay with me!" she cried, hoping to keep him awake.

    As the room went dark, he could barely eek out, "Fenicia...please forgi..."

    Her eyes widened in her revelation. She tried to keep him from falling, but his entire body had given out.

    “No!" She cried out.

    His crumbled up body shook and convulsed as if electrical currents flowed through him.

    “I do, I do forgive you! Please wake up, so I can tell you I forgive you!"

    Tavnaar was unresponsive.

    Fenicia continued to sob as she held him tight.
     
  15. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Chapter 7: Forbidden Love


    ~~~ “The only thing I’m good at, is evil.” He told the elder…just like he always did.

    A smaller figure tentatively entered the room.

    “Can you hear me?” She asked cautiously.

    “Yes of course.” He replied in concern.

    “Hello…anybody in there?”

    “I’m right here, don’t you see me?” He began to panic as he wondered why she couldn’t see him.

    "Tavnaar?" ~~~

    Jolting awake and panting for air, he could only see the terrified face of a young, beautiful woman.

    Fenicia quickly stood and grasped for her lightsaber handle.

    Blinking rapidly, he looked around the room with a drastically altered expression. "Fenicia? What are you doing here?" A puzzled look covered his face as he sat upright. "What's going on? Where are we? Why do you look afraid?”

    Fenicia looked at him curiously and asked, “Jayzihk? You know who I am now?"

    Seeing that she appeared more hopeful than alarmed, he furrowed his brow and simply stated, "Of course I do, Princess.”

    She had not been called by her nickname in many years. Only a select few were ever aware of its meaning. Upon hearing it, she too remembered who she once was, and released the handle of her Jedi weapon.

    “What’s happened to you?” He continued. “Why were you bleeding? And you look...different."

    "You don't remember?” She smiled from ear to ear, but with concern. “You saved me."

    "Oh, that's good.” He started to get up. “Well, we should probably be getting back now."

    "Back to where?" Fenicia asked in confusion.

    “To the temple of course, before they start to wonder."

    Beginning to fully realize what had happened, she softly told him, "Jayzihk, you left the academy a long time ago. I tried to stop you...don’t you remember?"

    Unsure of what was to come, Fenicia slowly leaned away.

    "You came after me." He lovingly smiled. "I'm so glad you did. I've missed you so much.” He paused with concern. "They didn't find out about us did they? Were you banished?"

    Fenicia looked down and sighed. While she was happy to have him back, she felt inner turmoil as she knew this might not last. When he remembered all the terrible things he had done, it could all come crashing down again. How would she handle this? She had lost him once already, the thought of losing him again was too hard to bear.

    She gathered her thoughts and explained, "Things are different now. You've been gone for many years. I was going to go after you, I wanted to so badly...” Tears began to pool in her eyes. “But the Jedi wouldn’t let me. They said that you were dead.”

    With his confusion mounting, he continued, "No Fenny, that's not possible. I wouldn't leave you, that's not me." Tears flowed down his face as well. "This doesn't make any sense. Is this a test? Is Yoda here? Where's Anakin? Is he trying to make me stay again?"

    When Fenicia heard that name, the reality of the situation truly set in: He was sixteen again and thought she was two years his junior. He was the most loyal and kind friend she ever had. But he had a deep inner rage, a rage that set him at odds with the academy, causing him to want out. But he couldn't be without her. He thought she was the most beautiful, amazing girl in the galaxy. He needed her as much as she needed him. There wasn't anything they wouldn't do for each other. When they were eight and ten, he once Force-choked a classmate for teasing her. She used to calm him when he was in a fit of rage, a rage that NEVER feasted upon her. She was the only person that made him feel secure. In the following years at the academy, they began to love one another, but it was unspoken, and un-acted upon—a love that was forbidden. They often spoke about leaving the academy so they could be together…how she wished they did.

    She didn’t think he was ready to hear the truth about Anakin, and she didn’t even know what happened to Yoda. What could she tell him?

    Seeing her inner struggle, he attempted to settle her. "Hey, it's ok. Whatever happened, we're here now, together. That's all I ever wanted. I am at piece."

    When she stood motionless with her arms hanging to her sides, he gently pulled her in for an embrace, their first embrace in a very long time. For many years, she had longed for this—they both had. But the bittersweet of it was too much. She broke down in tears of joy...and of heartache.

    ***

    "Why did you call me that name?" He asked earnestly several hours later.

    She felt foolish, she should have known better. Even though his facial scars and short hair drastically changed his appearance, she knew who he was the moment he revealed his face. Why did she lie to herself? Why call him by THAT name anyway? She gathered her thoughts. How best to put this?

    Seeing her inner conflict, he gave a light chuckle. "Hey, don't even worry about it. I probably put you up to it anyway."

    Keeping the mood light, he went on, “You going to tell me where we are, or what?"

    Feeling more at ease, she told him, "We're on Outer-Rim 42."

    Sarcastically widening his eyes, he chuckled, "Seriously? Ha! No wonder I can't remember anything!" He gently touched her chin. "Explains why you're acting all weird too." They both laughed.

    "That's what you gotta start off with next time. 'Hey Jayzihk, we're on Outer-Rim 42 and your mind is mush.'"

    They enjoyed another nice laugh together, just like they did so many other times.

    ***

    Later that day, sitting shoulder to shoulder while enjoying a simple meal, Fenicia turned to Jayzihk and declared, "Now it's my turn."

    "Alright, shoot." He replied with a grin.

    "What did you mean when you said I look different?" Looking him dead in the eye. “You don’t exactly look the same either you know.”

    While smiling, he nervously replied, “Well, you may not have noticed, but..." His nervous smile turned into an even more embarrassed laugh. "You've turned into quite a woman. I mean...wow!"

    She looked back at him with playful skepticism.

    Knowing he'd better explain himself, he continued, "While it may have taken a few years to you, I'm seeing you blossom overnight." Having a hard time keeping his nervous laughs at-bay. "I mean, how did you even get yourself into that thing?"

    "Ah!" She laughed, blushed and playfully pushed him away.

    Feeling comical, he went on, "I should have listened to Yoda and done more meditations. If I had known THIS was going to happen," Motioning towards her with both hands, “I would have NEVER left!"

    They laughed together—nudging and prodding each other like teenagers would do.

    More serious, she looked at him and said, "Let's just say you never did."

    Mirroring her serious tone, he smiled and replied, “I'd like that very much."

    They leaned in together and savored their first kiss, both hoping it would last for eternity.

    As the night grew cold, they settled down for bed.

    ***

    ~~~“When does your need to survive no longer outweigh the collateral damage you create?”

    “...I hate YOU!”

    “...I WILL kill you!”

    Fenicia stepped outside of her crashed shuttle. Before she closed the hatch, she could see the masked Admiral Tavnaar still inside and slouched to his side, with deep gashes on both thighs.

    After a few somber steps, she fell to her knees and began to sob. She asked herself, “What have I done?” She imagined all the times she evaded the Empire; all the times she ensured HER survival over all others. She wondered who she had become...and if Tavnaar was right.

    ***

    Days later, when she arrived at Tavnaar’s crashed ship, she realized that while she was distracted by her regret, she left the hidden power cells back at her shuttle! With no time to lament on her failure, the chief reptilian-humanoid suddenly appeared from the shadows, accompanied by his tribe of warriors. Her first instinct was to ignite her blade, but when she reached for it, she again remembered his words:

    “Although you might have been ignorant to the fall-out of your actions....YOU were still responsible.”

    Trembling, with tears in her eyes, she tossed the saber away from her. She could no longer justify her survival over anyone else’s. She dropped to her knees and prepared her mind for the inevitable. “Finally,” she thought to herself, “I am merciful.”

    The creatures attacked without hesitation. ~~~

    ***

    Fenicia abruptly sat upright! Profusely sweating and breathing heavily, she was relieved to see that Jayzihk was still asleep beside her. After calming her mind, she wondered if HE knew all the terrible things SHE had done.

    ***

    The following morning, as they laid next to each other, Jayzihk's eyes turned bright. "You know, there's plenty of food and water here."

    Fenicia turned to him and curiously asked, "What are you trying to say?"

    Sitting upright, he smiled while caressing her face. "You're everything to me, you always have been. What if we, just...stayed here? Without the burden of the Force or the Jedi. You know, like, forever?"

    She smiled with relief. “I've been wondering and wanting the same thing. I don’t want to be a Jedi anymore. That life...no longer has any meaning to me.” Looking more serious. "I’m not proud of my abilities. If I could, I would just bury them forever and live a normal life...with you by my side.”

    “You are the best Jedi whoever lived, Princess!” Replied Jayzihk in confusion. “What do you mean you aren’t proud?”

    She sighed. “It’s just something, that someone said to me. It made me realize that the Jedi may not have been what they seemed. And that I too have made many, terrible mistakes that I fear I can never atone for.”

    Looking back at her with sorrow and conviction, he replied, “If there is one thing I know about you, you always look at the greater good. No matter the personal loss. You always do what is right for others. This is what it means to be a Jedi. Do not doubt yourself. The Jedi may have lost their way, but you never did, and never would.”

    “I hope you’re right.” She replied with a sad smile.

    Jayzihk looked more confident. “Then it’s settled.”

    “Yes, but you don't know if you told anyone where you were going, do you?" She gently replied.

    Looking down in sorrow, he realized that he didn’t even know who he was before yesterday.

    Seeing his inner confusion, she eased his concerns. "Not to worry, I didn't tell anyone, and that's good enough for me."

    Still unsure, he asked, "Who are we hiding from anyway? The Jedi?"

    How quickly she forgot where his mind was still at. He deserved some answers. “Well, the Republic is now the Empire, controlled by Emperor Palpatine, and I have a feeling he has something to do with all this."

    Looking even more confused he asked, "Behind all of what? What is it you're not telling me? I know you're protecting me, and I love you for that, but..." He stopped his words, realizing what he had said. He had never said that before, not to anyone.

    Taken aback with hopefulness, she asked, "Is that ALL you love me for?"

    He warmly smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "No, Fenny, it isn't."

    Finding courage, he leaned-in and released his heart. "I love you more than anyone has ever been loved. Even the power of the Force is nothing in comparison. Just look at this planet, it's devoid of the Force. But my love for you is everlasting, it goes where you go, to the end of the galaxy, to the end of life itself."

    Fenicia laughed and cried with joy. “Since I was a little girl, that's all I've ever wanted to hear. I've always loved you, and I knew you loved me too. I hated that it was forbidden."

    "Well, it's not anymore."

    They laughed, they cried, they reminisced.

    Elated with their long awaited reunion, they spent the following weeks enjoying the warmth and safety of each other's' company.
     
  16. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Chapter 8: Darkness


    Walking hand in hand while enjoying a playful conversation, Fenicia and Jayzihk strolled back to the ship having collected their evening meal.

    In mid conversation Jayzihk stopped, turned, looked to Fenicia and casually remarked, "You look so familiar."

    Fenicia halted her movement to look at him, terrified of what might have been happening.

    Suddenly, for Jayzihk, everything went dark…and he fell to the ground. Fenicia tried to settle him, but he was unresponsive as his body convulsed uncontrollably. She eventually gave up and cried over him while hugging his shaking body.

    Startled, she looked up to realize they were surrounded by the sounds of approaching creatures in the distance.

    ***

    By now the entire Empire must be looking everywhere for them, Fenicia thought as she watched Jayzihk sleep. For the moment, they were both back within the confines of his wrecked ship. She wished they could have stayed there forever. That place was hell—an unstable time bomb. But with him, no place was better. While their time together had been the best of her life, she knew that when he woke, HE might be back. He wouldn’t try to kill or hurt her, she knew this. But, he might know what he had done. More worrisome...he would know that SHE knew. That would be the hardest part for him to overcome. Could he do it? She wasn’t sure. She only knew that he couldn’t do it alone. She would bring him back from the darkness, just like she had so many other times. When no one else understood him, or loved him enough to bring him back...she always did, and she would do it again.

    She finally finished tending to her fresh cuts. The fight to keep the creatures away from Jayzihk left her badly wounded.

    She remembered the attack:

    ~~~Seeing him on the ground they kept coming after him, one after another. These creatures were smaller than the humanoid lizards, but more cunning and tenacious. Her sadness in seeing him in such a state quickly transformed to anger and vengeance as the attack ensued. Even with their snake-like tails whipping at her, and their vast numbers, she never faltered to protect him. Not one blow landed on his body. While dragging him to the ship she continued to fight them off until the hatched finally closed behind them. ~~~

    She slowly began to doze off as her memories concluded. Still with tears in her eyes, she held him tight, as if it was the last time.

    ***

    The following day, when he finally came-to, the worry on Fenicia's face told him all he needed to know: He wasn’t doing well.

    Finding it difficult to speak, he could only manage to say, "Don't worry my love, its al..." He knelt over in pain, with both hands over his head.

    "Leave me, save yourse..." He desperately told her.

    “I’ll never leave you...you can’t ask me to do that...I won’t!” She pleaded to him.

    “You must, they’re coming for us!” He urgently insisted. “I’m so sorry...”

    She took both hands and held his face close to hers. “I don’t want to hear that! You have nothing to be sorry for! We’re in this together!”

    Tears began to pool in his eyes. “I don’t even know who you are. All I know is that he’ll never stop, he’s coming...you have to get...”

    And just like that, he fell over limp. No convulsions, just...nothing...a lifeless body.

    She cried for hours, and then...days.

    She waited and waited for him to return, but he never did.

    ***

    “Who the hell are you?” Tavnaar angrily asked as he squirmed in his binds. “Release me, girl!”

    “Are you sure you want me to do that, Tavnaar?” Fenicia replied sarcastically.

    This was not the first time Tavnaar appeared...nor the second. Fenicia had grown tired of his empty rants, but soaked-up any new information. She confirmed that “Tavnaar” did not even have clearance to go after her, which explained Jayzihk’s warnings.

    “Go to sleep now, I’ll see you in the morning.” She said to him with a sad smile.

    Tavnaar looked at her in utter confusion. He didn’t know why, but he allowed Fenicia to place her hands on his cheeks. She looked at him in the eye, until her image caused him to begin to fall back asleep.

    In reality, Fenicia had no intentions of seeing him in the morning. It pained her too much to see her love in such a state.

    She longed for their love to remain for eternity, but she feared it was already too late. Too much had happened and the galaxy was not what it once was. The Jedi were gone, the Empire loomed over everything, and they were caught right in the middle.

    In her sorrow, she prepared herself for her final task. She knew the Empire was coming for them—coming for her. She sensed all along that “Tavnaar” disobeyed orders in coming here. She also knew who’s orders he disobeyed. She needed to be ready. There was only one thing left to be done.

    As his eyes closed, Tavnaar grimly told her, “I know what you did on Yendari.”

    This caught her off guard as she had almost forgotten herself. While watching him sleep, she was tormented with the devastating outcome of her actions:

    ~~~ When Fenicia knelt to gather her strength, the surrounding Clonetroopers prepared to open fire. But, they suddenly stopped. Without moving their feet, each one began to twist and rotate to face one another.

    When Fenicia looked up, she threw her arms outwards, causing each Imperial to fire a single shot into the other. Simultaneously, they all fell to the ground.

    But...

    By complete accident, the friendly blue-skinned aliens also killed one another. It was shockingly gruesome. Even if they didn’t have a weapon, they didn’t have a choice…but to find a way. ~~~

    In the moment, she wanted to believe it wasn’t true; that is was a false vision. The guilt of her actions was almost too much to bear…she wished for redemption.

    ***

    Lying on the opposite side of the ship, Tavnaar was in a deep sleep that seemed to never end. Just as it always did, his oldest surviving memory repeatedly plagued his mind.

    “The only thing I’m good at…is evil.”

    Wasn’t there more to this story? He wondered, as the same words continued over and over in his head. This slumber was unlike anything he had ever felt. The repeating memory, without a conclusion, seemed to go on forever.
     
  17. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Chapter 9: Reality


    “Sir…sir?” Cautiously asked an unfamiliar, unseen male voice. “Sir? Admiral Tavnaar, can you hear me?”

    With his vision clouded, the great Admiral Tavnaar was regaining consciousness. As he blinked and looked around, he was alarmed, yet relieved, to find himself in an Imperial medical facility. The Imperials standing around his bedside also seemed to feel relief when they saw his eyes finally opened.

    Back in his familiar grey officer’s uniform, Admiral Tavnaar tentatively sat upright. Recognizing the room as one from an Imperial Class Star Destroyer, he soon felt confusion and apprehension. He wondered why he couldn’t seem to remember…

    “Admiral, it’s better for you to rest. Everything has been taken care of,” sternly said the eldest officer in the room as he pressed his hand against Tavnaar’s shoulder. “We’ll be returning to Coruscant shortly. The Emperor is expecting you.”

    “Here, this will help.” Chimed-in the medical attendant, who then swiftly pressed a previously-concealed needle into Tavnaar’s neck.

    By the time Tavnaar realized what had happened, he gave one, futile attempted to fight off the serum, but it was too late. He once again, drifted off…into darkness.

    ~~~A fog of grey covered his mind as his visions of the past clouded his thoughts. He and the elder were startled to see a smaller figure enter the room. She looked to him, “…but most of all.” She stopped her words, then looked at him with sudden anger. “I hate YOU!” She shouted while lunging at him.

    When the nightmare ended, Tavnaar realized something in his vision had changed. As his dream state remained, he wondered if he could trust any of his visions from his past. A startling revelation hit him…were they even his memories at all? ~~~

    ***

    He awoke!

    Panicked, Jayzihk looked around the empty room. Having trouble establishing his whereabouts, he was deeply troubled to see that he was alone. Where was he? Where was…she?! But, who was he even looking for…he wondered. The unknown was making his head spin. He leaned down to place his head to his knees, and calmed his mind.

    Like a flood gate overwhelmed, flashes of his time on Outer-Rim 42 rushed through his mind…but it was too much for him. He grabbed his head and fell forward, yelling out in agony until the painful memories finally came to an end.



    When he felt well enough to stand, Jayzihk looked at the sparse room. A small amount of unfamiliar medical equipment stood next to an uninviting bed. The room itself appeared to be of Imperial origins.

    Cautiously opening the door, Jayzihk looked to his left and right. Just like his room, the hallways were completely empty. As he made his way down the long tunnels, he could hear the sound of faint explosions in the distance.

    Finally, he heard the the steady footsteps of a small formation. At the end of the hall, a squad of white armored troopers passed by without looking in his direction. Another squad quickly approached from his rear. In attempt to not draw attention to himself, Jayzihk maintained a steady position and moved to his side to allow them to pass. The lead trooper seemed caugh off guard by Jayzihk’s movements; even more-so when he saw Jayzihk’s face. The trooper immediately stopped and turned to his side. “Admiral, we weren’t expecting you. Do you require assistance?”

    Shocked by the trooper mistaking his identity, Jayzihk could only shake his head slowly, side to side, with his eyes bulging in fear.

    The trooper paused in confusion, then looked to another trooper, who responded with a slight shoulder shrug. After an awkward silence, the troopers instantly bolted away and ran down the smokey corridor.

    Jayzihk exhaled in relief.



    After securing a blaster from a small, hidden armory, Jayzihk continued to tip-toe through the deserted Star Destroyer. He thought that the Force had deserted him completely, but when he found the armory by chance, he knew it was still with him.

    While the faint explosions began to grow louder, he caught his reflection on a transparent surface on the wall. He could barely recognize himself, clean shaven, in, what appeared to be, a stolen Imperial Officer’s uniform. It was wise to have purposely killed an officer who looked just like him.

    When a larger explosion rocked the ship and sent him crashing into a wall, he decided it was time to leave. As he entered a small hangar, the bay’s opening finally allowed him to see the outside of the ship…

    The ship was on a dim, yet somehow bright planet…and the outside was complete Armageddon. Numerous other Star Destroyers were crashed in the distance. Explosions and fire from up above illuminated the otherwise dimly lit sky. TIE Fighters were burning and falling from every direction. A nearby Clonetrooper panicked to fight off a creature as it bit off his arm.

    As Jayzihk exited to the planet surface, another desperate Clonetrooper ran up to him. “Sir, you have to get out of here! All communications have been…”

    Jayzihk casually shot the trooper, looking annoyed and dumbfounded that the trooper didn’t know what was coming to him.

    Not realizing he wasn’t alone, when Jayzihk turned to his side, he saw an entire platoon of Clonetroopers approaching.

    “Sir, you’re supposed to be asleep!” Said the lead clone.

    Realizing there were too many troopers to fight off, Jayzihk looked down at his stolen uniform and decided upon a different strategy. In an attempt to look more official, he adjusted his uniform, lifted his chin, then touted, “I’ll take command,” with an, almost too high, swagger of confidence. He looked mildly embarrassed at his foolish attempt. Even still, he continued, “The hell are we doing here anyway…uh…trooper?”

    The Clone tilted his head in confusion, then reached out his hand. A miniature, holographic image of a female Jedi fighting Clones was shown to him.

    Jayzihk’s vision narrowed…the quick glance of her face caused his memories with Fenicia to once again come crashing through his mind.

    The Clone continued, “Its over, Admiral. She’s dead.”

    While Jayzihk was still recuperating from his relived memories, he could only say, “How do you know?”

    “We shot down her ship before she could escape the planet. We should try and do the same.”

    Jayzihk looked back in horror.

    ***

    Some time earlier…

    Fenicia looked at a computer monitor on Tavnaar’s ship, sighed, then switched it off. She then removed the last of the ship’s power cells, kissed Jayzihk on the head, and made her way for the exit.

    As she left Tavnaar’s ship, she looked up to see Imperial Star Destroyers lining the sky. Swarms of TIE Fighters flew in all directions, most of which crashed into the aggressive planet or into each other. She was unfazed by the Imperials’ arrival.



    Days later, she arrived at her shuttle. To no surprise, it was already being investigated by a small crew of Clonetroopers and an Imperial Officer. She completely understood that they greatly outnumbered her. But she knew something that they did not…

    One by one, Fenicia picked off the surrounding troops with ease. Before they had a chance to react, they were beheaded from behind.

    Fenicia hoped that this would be the last time she would need to act in such a manner. Each time she decapitated an Imperial, she grimaced in sorrow. Even still, she pressed on, knowing that her love awaited her, and that if she did not save him, he would be forced to return to the Emperor to enact his evil will.

    Finally, they all lied dead around her. It took minimal physical effort, but her face said otherwise. Just when she had placed the power cells in their places, she looked up to see that she was completely surrounded! A single row of Clonetroopers stood shoulder to shoulder around her ship.

    “Give it up, Jedi!” Called out the lead Clonetrooper. “We know you are without the Force.”

    She looked down in regret…she had hoped it wouldn’t come to this. The clones first mistake was coming to Outer-Rim 42. Their second mistake was a false assumption.

    “I mean you no harm.” She calmly told them. “I know you are under orders, but please, put down your weapons. I don’t want to kill you.”

    “Your Jedi tricks will not work today.” Replied the clone.

    Looking frightened, she pleaded with them, “I don’t need the Force! Don’t make me do it!”

    The clone ignored her and looked over his shoulder, “Open fire!”

    The moment the first laser was fired, they knew they would not survive. Fenicia ignited her blade and deflected each laser away from herself. Although they did not ricochet towards a Clone, it was enough to send them into a frenzy.

    ***

    Through his electrobinoculars, a distant clone watched the Jedi defeating the platoon of Clonetroopers.

    “They are defeated.” He stated to an Imperial Officer.

    “Do not let that ship exit the atmosphere!” The officer shouted all around him.

    Green lasers shot out from all directions toward the ship as it raised from the ground. Due to the harshness of the planet, most of the lasers missed, causing havoc all around the lifting ship. Eventually, the lasers would strike their target, one after another.

    The Imperials raised their arms in victory.

    ***

    Like she did so many times before, Fenicia sat alone in the dark. In the distance, she too could hear massive explosions and the shrieks of creatures. She wondered if her plan was working. During the many times when Tavnaar was asleep, she had already prepared her hidden location for what was to come. She also created a device to temporarily fly her aircraft from a safe distance. Each step had been carefully planned and executed. By now, Admiral Tavnaar should be long gone with her assumed dead. She decided to wait a day or two to ensure that she was alone on the planet before salvaging a ship. One day, she thought to herself, one day I will find him again…and save him. No matter the cost.

    But not today…

    ***

    That same day, Fenicia was startled to hear the sound of timid footsteps from the entrance of the cave. It wasn’t the sound of an Imperial Clonetrooper, it was something else.

    “No. It can’t be.” She quietly stated in despair. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

    “Fenny it’s me. I’m not really an Imperial.” Jayzihk quietly responded.

    “But, didn’t you…” Fenicia stopped her words, realizing it was already too late, so it no longer mattered.

    “Why did you leave me?" Jayzihk asked in earnest, still at the entrance of the cave.

    She looked at him with sadness and love. "I didn't leave you. I went to take the power cells to my ship. Didn't you see my transmission?"

    "What transmi..." His words were suddenly interrupted by a Clonetrooper from the outside. “Sir, do you require assistance?”

    Jayzihk looked down in failure. “I lead them here…didn’t I?”

    He turned to Fenicia, who looked back at him with tears in her eyes. “It’s not your fault. Tavnaar followed me because of my wickedness towards others. If I had simply disappeared, things could have been different. We are here now because of me. It was my failure. I was supposed to save you. Instead, you’ll be forced to serve…”

    Blasts erupted behind Jayzihk and the instantly recognizable sound of Imperial Clonetroopers filled the cave.

    "I’ll stay here." She warningly said to him. "They don't know we're together. Tell them I’m not here. Tell them I’m dead. This will give you time to take charge and call off the attack."

    He nodded and he rushed toward the entrance. As he prepared to take command, a trooper gravely said to him, “I’m sorry sir. We’ve been given new orders.”

    When Fenicia was out of sight, the troopers began to open fire. It was at that moment when Fenicia realized the troopers were not firing at her, HE was their target! Distraught, she attempted to go back to him...but it was too late.

    Without hesitation, Jayzihk was fired upon. His right arm was instantly vaporized, causing his body to jolt to the side from the impact. In desperation he stumbled towards Fenicia. Somehow he continued to brace himself until his left leg was completely blown off, sending him crashing to the ground. With tears running down his face and blood dripping down his body, he crawled towards her and yelled, "Run Fenny, save yourself!"

    Fenicia ignored the plea as she had already ran toward him. At that very moment, a bolt to his left eye finally slammed him completely to the ground. Fenicia valiantly jumped in front of him, but it was far too late. In her futile attempt to protect him, she only managed to deflect some of the laser fire—not nearly enough.

    Barely alive, Jayzihk helplessly watched as Fenicia screamed in pain as the constant laser fire eventually overcame her Forceless lightsaber skills. She too was pelted repeatedly while still attempting to deflect the incoming fire. Finally, a direct blast to the abdomen sent her spinning to the ground.



    Dying, they slowly inched towards each other, longing for a final embrace. Jayzihk tried to summon the Force to call for help, but there was nothing. Their fingertips managed to interlock just as they looked upon each other for the last time...

    Fenicia whispered to him, “I’ll always…be...”
     
  18. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Chapter 9: Reality (2139)


    “Sir…sir?” Cautiously asked an unfamiliar, unseen male voice. “Sir? Admiral Tavnaar, can you hear me?”


    With his vision clouded, the great Admiral Tavnaar was regaining consciousness. As he blinked and looked around, he was alarmed, yet relieved, to find himself in an Imperial medical facility. The Imperials standing around his bedside also seemed to feel relief when they saw his eyes finally opened.


    Back in his familiar grey officer’s uniform, Admiral Tavnaar tentatively sat upright. Recognizing the room as one from an Imperial Class Star Destroyer, he soon felt confusion and apprehension. He wondered why he couldn’t seem to remember…


    “Admiral, it’s better for you to rest. Everything has been taken care of,” sternly said the eldest officer in the room as he pressed his hand against Tavnaar’s shoulder. “We’ll be returning to Coruscant shortly. The Emperor is expecting you.”


    “Here, this will help.” Chimed-in the medical attendant, who then swiftly pressed a previously-concealed needle into Tavnaar’s neck.


    By the time Tavnaar realized what had happened, he gave one, futile attempted to fight off the serum, but it was too late. He once again, drifted off…into darkness.


    ~~~A fog of grey covered his mind as his visions of the past clouded his thoughts. He and the elder were startled to see a smaller figure enter the room. She looked to him,

    “…but most of all.” She stopped her words, then looked at him with sudden anger. “I hate YOU!” She shouted while lunging at him.


    When the nightmare ended, Tavnaar realized something in his vision had changed. As his dream state remained, he wondered if he could trust any of his visions from his past. A startling revelation hit him…were they even his memories at all? ~~~


    ***


    He awoke!


    Panicked, Jayzihk looked around the empty room. Having trouble establishing his whereabouts, he was deeply troubled to see that he was alone. Where was he? Where was…she?! But, who was he even looking for…he wondered. The unknown was making his head spin. He leaned down to place his head to his knees, and calmed his mind.


    Like a flood gate overwhelmed, flashes of his time on Outer-Rim 42 rushed through his mind…but it was too much for him. He grabbed his head and fell forward, yelling out in agony until the painful memories finally came to an end.





    When he felt well enough to stand, Jayzihk looked at the sparse room. A small amount of unfamiliar medical equipment stood next to an uninviting bed. The room itself appeared to be of Imperial origins.


    Cautiously opening the door, Jayzihk looked to his left and right. Just like his room, the hallways were completely empty. As he made his way down the long tunnels, he could hear the sound of faint explosions in the distance.


    Finally, he heard the the steady footsteps of a small formation. At the end of the hall, a squad of white armored troopers passed by without looking in his direction. Another squad quickly approached from his rear. In attempt to not draw attention to himself, Jayzihk maintained a steady position and moved to his side to allow them to pass. The lead trooper seemed caugh off guard by Jayzihk’s movements; even more-so when he saw Jayzihk’s face. The trooper immediately stopped and turned to his side. “Admiral, we weren’t expecting you. Do you require assistance?”


    Shocked by the trooper mistaking his identity, Jayzihk could only shake his head slowly, side to side, with his eyes bulging in fear.


    The trooper paused in confusion, then looked to another trooper, who responded with a slight shoulder shrug. After an awkward silence, the troopers instantly bolted away and ran down the smokey corridor.


    Jayzihk exhaled in relief.





    After securing a blaster from a small, hidden armory, Jayzihk continued to tip-toe through the deserted Star Destroyer. He thought that the Force had deserted him completely, but when he found the armory by chance, he knew it was still with him.


    While the faint explosions began to grow louder, he caught his reflection on a transparent surface on the wall. He could barely recognize himself, clean shaven, in, what appeared to be, a stolen Imperial Officer’s uniform. It was wise to have purposely killed an officer who looked just like him.


    When a larger explosion rocked the ship and sent him crashing into a wall, he decided it was time to leave. As he entered a small hangar, the bay’s opening finally allowed him to see the outside of the ship…


    The ship was on a dim, yet somehow bright planet…and the outside was complete Armageddon. Numerous other Star Destroyers were crashed in the distance. Explosions and fire from up above illuminated the otherwise dimly lit sky. TIE Fighters were burning and falling from every direction. A nearby Clonetrooper panicked to fight off a creature as it bit off his arm.


    As Jayzihk exited to the planet surface, another desperate Clonetrooper ran up to him. “Sir, you have to get out of here! All communications have been…”


    Jayzihk casually shot the trooper, looking annoyed and dumbfounded that the trooper didn’t know what was coming to him.


    Not realizing he wasn’t alone, when Jayzihk turned to his side, he saw an entire platoon of Clonetroopers approaching.


    “Sir, you’re supposed to be asleep!” Said the lead clone.


    Realizing there were too many troopers to fight off, Jayzihk looked down at his stolen uniform and decided upon a different strategy. In an attempt to look more official, he adjusted his uniform, lifted his chin, then touted, “I’ll take command,” with an, almost too high, swagger of confidence. He looked mildly embarrassed at his foolish attempt. Even still, he continued, “The hell are we doing here anyway…uh…trooper?”


    The Clone tilted his head in confusion, then reached out his hand. A miniature, holographic image of a female Jedi fighting Clones was shown to him.


    Jayzihk’s vision narrowed…the quick glance of her face caused his memories with Fenicia to once again come crashing through his mind.


    The Clone continued, “Its over, Admiral. She’s dead.”


    While Jayzihk was still recuperating from his relived memories, he could only say, “How do you know?”


    “We shot down her ship before she could escape the planet. We should try and do the same.”


    Jayzihk looked back in horror.


    ***


    Some time earlier…


    Fenicia looked at a computer monitor on Tavnaar’s ship, sighed, then switched it off. She then removed the last of the ship’s power cells, kissed Jayzihk on the head, and made her way for the exit.


    As she left Tavnaar’s ship, she looked up to see Imperial Star Destroyers lining the sky. Swarms of TIE Fighters flew in all directions, most of which crashed into the aggressive planet or into each other. She was unfazed by the Imperials’ arrival.





    Days later, she arrived at her shuttle. To no surprise, it was already being investigated by a small crew of Clonetroopers and an Imperial Officer. She completely understood that they greatly outnumbered her. But she knew something that they did not…


    One by one, Fenicia picked off the surrounding troops with ease. Before they had a chance to react, they were beheaded from behind.


    Fenicia hoped that this would be the last time she would need to act in such a manner. Each time she decapitated an Imperial, she grimaced in sorrow. Even still, she pressed on, knowing that her love awaited her, and that if she did not save him, he would be forced to return to the Emperor to enact his evil will.


    Finally, they all lied dead around her. It took minimal physical effort, but her face said otherwise. Just when she had placed the power cells in their places, she looked up to see that she was completely surrounded! A single row of Clonetroopers stood shoulder to shoulder around her ship.


    “Give it up, Jedi!” Called out the lead Clonetrooper. “We know you are without the Force.”


    She looked down in regret…she had hoped it wouldn’t come to this. The clones first mistake was coming to Outer-Rim 42. Their second mistake was a false assumption.


    “I mean you no harm.” She calmly told them. “I know you are under orders, but please, put down your weapons. I don’t want to kill you.”


    “Your Jedi tricks will not work today.” Replied the clone.


    Looking frightened, she pleaded with them, “I don’t need the Force! Don’t make me do it!”


    The clone ignored her and looked over his shoulder, “Open fire!”


    The moment the first laser was fired, they knew they would not survive. Fenicia ignited her blade and deflected each laser away from herself. Although they did not ricochet towards a Clone, it was enough to send them into a frenzy.


    ***


    Through his electrobinoculars, a distant clone watched the Jedi defeating the platoon of Clonetroopers.


    “They are defeated.” He stated to an Imperial Officer.


    “Do not let that ship exit the atmosphere!” The officer shouted all around him.


    Green lasers shot out from all directions toward the ship as it raised from the ground. Due to the harshness of the planet, most of the lasers missed, causing havoc all around the lifting ship. Eventually, the lasers would strike their target, one after another.


    The Imperials raised their arms in victory.


    ***


    Like she did so many times before, Fenicia sat alone in the dark. In the distance, she too could hear massive explosions and the shrieks of creatures. She wondered if her plan was working. During the many times when Tavnaar was asleep, she had already prepared her hidden location for what was to come. She also created a device to temporarily fly her aircraft from a safe distance. Each step had been carefully planned and executed. By now, Admiral Tavnaar should be long gone with her assumed dead. She decided to wait a day or two to ensure that she was alone on the planet before salvaging a ship. One day, she thought to herself, one day I will find him again…and save him. No matter the cost.


    But not today…


    ***


    That same day, Fenicia was startled to hear the sound of timid footsteps from the entrance of the cave. It wasn’t the sound of an Imperial Clonetrooper, it was something else.


    “No. It can’t be.” She quietly stated in despair. “You’re not supposed to be here.”


    “Fenny it’s me. I’m not really an Imperial.” Jayzihk quietly responded.


    “But, didn’t you…” Fenicia stopped her words, realizing it was already too late, so it no longer mattered.


    “Why did you leave me?" Jayzihk asked in earnest, still at the entrance of the cave.


    She looked at him with sadness and love. "I didn't leave you. I went to take the power cells to my ship. Didn't you see my transmission?"


    "What transmi..." His words were suddenly interrupted by a Clonetrooper from the outside. “Sir, do you require assistance?”


    Jayzihk looked down in failure. “I lead them here…didn’t I?”


    He turned to Fenicia.


    Fenicia looked back at him with tears in her eyes. “It’s not your fault. Tavnaar followed me because of my wickedness towards others. If I had simply disappeared, things could have been different. We are here now because of me. It was my failure. I was supposed to save you. Instead, you’ll be forced to serve…”


    Blasts erupted behind Jayzihk and the instantly recognizable sound of Imperial Clonetroopers filled the cave.


    "I’ll stay here." She warningly said to him. "They don't know we're together. Tell them I’m not here. Tell them I’m dead. This will give you time to take charge and call off the attack."


    He nodded and he rushed toward the entrance. As he prepared to take command, a trooper gravely said to him, “I’m sorry sir. We’ve been given new orders.”


    When Fenicia was out of sight, the troopers began to open fire. It was at that moment when Fenicia realized the troopers were not firing at her, HE was their target! Distraught, she attempted to go back to him...but it was too late.


    Without hesitation, Jayzihk was fired upon. His right arm was instantly vaporized, causing his body to jolt to the side from the impact. In desperation he stumbled towards Fenicia. Somehow he continued to brace himself until his left leg was completely blown off, sending him crashing to the ground. With tears running down his face and blood dripping down his body, he crawled towards her and yelled, "Run Fenny, save yourself!"


    Fenicia ignored the plea as she had already ran toward him. At that very moment, a bolt to his left eye finally slammed him completely to the ground. Fenicia valiantly jumped in front of him, but it was far too late. In her futile attempt to protect him, she only managed to deflect some of the laser fire—not nearly enough.


    Barely alive, Jayzihk helplessly watched as Fenicia screamed in pain as the constant laser fire eventually overcame her Forceless lightsaber skills. She too was pelted repeatedly while still attempting to deflect the incoming fire. Finally, a direct blast to the abdomen sent her spinning to the ground.





    Dying, they slowly inched towards each other, longing for a final embrace. Jayzihk tried to summon the Force to call for help, but there was nothing. Their fingertips managed to interlock just as they looked upon each other for the last time...


    Fenicia whispered to him, “I’ll always…be...”
     
  19. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Chapter 10: Identity Crisis


    In a dimly-lit medical chamber, various medical droids scurried about in all directions. The gruesome sight of their only patient lied lifelessly on a cold, metal table. A heinous device protruding from an outreached mechanism began to buzz and rotate. When it sawed into the patient’s arm, just below the shoulder, blood splattered everywhere. Skin grafts, tightly clasped by the edges, were already prepared for their application. Much care was needed to ensure that the robotic appendages were completely concealed. When a prothsetic arm was placed against the bone, a swarm of droids proceeded to connect and splice each tendon and nerve ending to their electrical counterpart, causing a hazy cloud to disperse from the bloody intersection. When all was in place, the artificial skin was then placed on top and stitched to the human tissue. The left leg would follow the same process. The procedures to the patient’s face, however, would not be so simple.



    Looming from up above, the black-masked, Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader observed the sadistic process with great interest. It was not long ago when he was on a similar table. Although it was not as severe as his own suffering, he was intrigued to see similar torture inflicted on another. His only regret was that the patient remained asleep. When he heard the sounds of his own mechanical breathing, he was reminded of just how horrific it was during his own mechanical transformation. Even still, he took pride in the fact that he remained aware of everything, from beginning to end. But, unlike Tavnaar, he had reasons to live and endure. The agonizing pain of the procedures was nothing compared to the fear for his wife and unborn child. Even when that monstrous mask was fitted over his face, all he could think of...was her. In the end, it was false-hope that kept Vader alive; Padme and their unborn child were dead. So it would seem, they were both responsible for their lovers’ deaths. It was for that reason, Vader felt connected to Tavnaar, while also despising him—for he no longer had any memory of the one he loved. Ignorance came easy for Tavnaar, it was forced upon him. Vader envied the fact that Tavnaar would never be burdened with the knowledge of his failures. It was for that reason, when Darth Vader rose from the ashes, he could no longer remain...Anakin Skywalker.

    Feeling the presence of his master beside him, Vader cut short his conflicted thoughts. Instead, he let the hate flow through him. Vader despised the defected Jedi. There was only room for one Force user at the Emperor’s court. He turned to his side and asked, “Why not just let him die?" While waiting for a response, Vader looked back at the deformed patient. "He has served his purpose,” he raised his chin, “we should dispose of him."

    Standing to Vader’s side, with both hands extended and hovering above Admiral Tavnaar, Darth Sideous broke his deep concentration to coldly reply, “I sense..." A grim smile eerily crept across his face. "...more is needed of him."

    In clear disagreement with the great Sith Lord’s decision, Vader sharply turned and walked away.

    As he departed, Vader recalled the voice of Yoda telling Anakin, "Always two there are, no more, no less."



    While still facing down upon Tavnaar, Sideous turned his yellow eyes toward the departing Vader. Knowing that his scheme to manipulate Vader through jealousy had only just begun, Sideous allowed a deceitful grin.




    -Shadow of Deceit-

    A Star Wars Short Story
     
  20. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    That’s it for the first short story. Some parts are more polished than others. If anyone is interested in the second story, I can post that as well. It has more Vader and Sideous with a few other fan services.

    Since I really haven’t had many readers, to say the least, I am open to suggestions or improvements.
     
  21. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Here’s to hoping that someday, someone will come across my Star Wars story and find enjoyment. I’ll go ahead and post the first chapter of the second story.
     
  22. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    -Haunted Pasts-
    A Star Wars Short Story



    Chapter 1: Emergence

    Escorted by a fleet of TIE Fighters, an Imperial shuttle departed the underbelly of the Star Destroyer Vindicator. Descending upon the skyline of Coruscant, it’s two lower wings retracted as the shuttle lowered into an enormous, open landing bay. Multiple rows of Clonetroopers and officers lined to face the walkway to their front.

    Having persevered to kill the missing Jedi, Lord Tavnaar was poised to re-emerge as a living legend. Life threatening injuries could not stop his relentless pursuit to eradicate the traitor. Imperial records stated that in his hard fought victory, an eye was lost in combat. It had since been replaced with a red, lifeless lens, surrounded by a permanently-grafted cybernetic plate. The same records also stated that he was the only survivor, with the entirety of his ground forces killed in battle. His accomplishments were widely known throughout the Empire and the galaxy. Even still, his standing with the Emperor was second to that of the mysterious Darth Vader.

    The ship's entry platform released a cloud of white smoke as it was lowered to the deck. Donning an all-white officers uniform in tribute to his newly christened rank of Grand Admiral, Tavnaar exited the ship…escorted by none-other-than Darth Vader himself.

    It was said within the Empire that Vader reluctantly saved Tavnaar from certain death, but their perceived partnership would not last. With mounting tensions due to their competitive ties with the Emperor, the two were rumored to have become rivals. Most imperials sided with the Grand Admiral since he maintained a firm grasp on the Clonetroopers’ loyalty while simultaneously rising to the highest echelon of Imperial ranks. Darth Vader was viewed as an outsider and a mystery. It was easily speculated that he rose to prominence as the Emperor's enforcer due to his unique ability to wipe out the treasonous Jedi. With the traitors nearly eradicated, his abilities were seen as unnatural, unpredictable and unnecessary.

    Vader towered over Tavnaar as they quickly marched between the legions of Clonetroopers and officers. The empty stare of Tavnaar's one eye gave as much insight to his thoughts as that of Vader's chilling mask. When a lead officer began to greet them, they passed him by without acknowledgement. The officer proceeded to bow his head as he cowered away.

    Upon reaching the entrance of the bay, they disappeared inside the Imperial facility.



    Having yet to exchange a word, Tavnaar and Vader made their way through the Imperial corridors until they were approached by two officers. The leader portrayed an immature swagger of arrogance. The accompanying officer appeared defeated and docile.

    "Lord Vader, we were not..."

    From all sides of Vader and Tavnaar, the doors and hatches suddenly slammed shut. Tavnaar could see the two officers invisibly-pushed away just before the hatch blocked them off from above.

    The infamous duo were alone, in dark silence. The only illumination came from the sparking of damaged wall units; the only sound was that of Vader's eerily-artificial respirator.

    Having not realize that Vader stopped just before sealing them off, the shadowy outline of Vader faintly appeared from the far side of the room. As he slowly turned towards Tavnaar, the faint flickering of light made Vader's movements appear sudden and abrupt.

    Ignoring the less-than-subtle threat, Tavnaar scowled at the Dark Lord and casually asked, “Indeed, why are you here Lord Vader?"

    Motionless, Vader's hollow mask hauntingly glared back at him. After a brief pause, Vader took a single, deliberate step closer to Tavnaar. Just then, the room went completely dark, then slowly, but ever-increasingly, began to rattle and tremor.

    Not one to be intimidated, Tavnaar continued, "You have no interest in the Death Star. We don't need...intervene..."

    The tremors' instantly intensified, causing his words to trail off. With Vader nowhere to be seen, Tavnaar’s could feel his heart pounding through his chest. Always dreaded this day might come, he attempted to calm his breathing.

    When the flickering of light began again, Vader was directly in front of him! Tavnaar grasped for the blaster at his hip, but Vader Force-ripped it away with the flick of his hand.

    With the floor quaking with ferocious vigor, the walls began to close-in. The room was engulfed with the terrible sounds of breaking machinery and bending steel.

    Loosing balance and finding it difficult to breath, Tavnaar reached for his neck and fell to his knees. In his futile attempt to inhale oxygen, Tavnaar looked up at Vader in agony. Lowering his mask to better view the horror, the Dark Lord ignored Tavnaar’s silent plea. Vader was known to act out in random acts of violence, Tavnaar wondered if this was the end.

    Just as all the lights flickered back on, the quaking suddenly stopped. In deafening-silence with ringing in his ears, Tavnaar helplessly squirmed in panic as he was slowly lifted into the air while grabbing at his neck. He could barely make-out Vader’s closely-looming mask as he continued to enjoy Tavnaar’s struggle.

    With one arm outreached toward Tavnaar, Vader finally spoke, “Do not forget...who I am."

    The lights again turned off with Tavnaar instantaneously slammed to the floor. Lying on his side and panting for air, he could barely make-out the image of Vader departing in a cloud of smoke.



    When Tavnaar came-to in the same room, Vader was gone. Just as his vision began to clear, a shadowy glimpse of a female figure faintly appeared where Vader once stood. When his eyesight fully returned, she was nowhere to be seen.

    Still trying to catch his breath, he rose to his feet and prepared to discuss the progress of the super weapon with Director Krennic and Lieutenant Erso.
     
  23. SW is TC1

    SW is TC1 Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2021
    If you ever get the chance. I’d love to hear what you about the rest of my story. Thanks