The Dark Hope - Pre-Prequel Trilogy - Finished!

Bravo! I love it! ( laziness+constructive criticism? Nah [not that there's anything to criticize!])

 

Upping. Will post soon.

 

Updom and Uppery!

 

I got chapter 7 done, so I will be posting chapter 3 very soon. I just got to stop being lazy, like my idol Sudafed.



P.S.-Chapter 7 is a doozy. Can't wait to post that.

 

Can't wait for more!

 

I'll probably post on Christmas night Chapter's 3,4, and maybe even 5.

NOTE: Chapter 8 is shaping to be a doozy too. A original SW character makes a brief, dark side, in mind appearence. Anybody wanta guess?

 

Could it be Goodbuddy Palpy? Can't wait for more, Casper, bring it on!

 

I'm intrigued. This is exceptional, I love the dark aspect to it!

 

Up. Have a Merry Christmas everyone!!!

 

Actually, Palpy shows up a little earlier than that, RJ. Here's a hint: Juna's nightmare in The Guardian.

 

CHAPTER 3.0

CRACK! THUD!!

And with that, Sullustan Dizzy Arnes climbed out of the main engine compartment, ran down the loading ramp, and threw the MILLENIUM FALCON's hyperdrive coupling down the empty bays of Moswal Docking in beautiful Alderaan City.

And luck would have it, he was in the worst place for machinist equipment in the whole universe. The former starshipright had to admit it; he was cheap. Sighing, he walked down the docking bay in which his ship was the only one around and grabbed the coupling. Taking a look at it, he took a stubby finger and moved the hinged locking clasp. Eyes brightening, Dizzy said to himself, "What do you know? It's fixed. Hmmmm>"

It never ceased to amaze him how amazing he was. Sure, two ex-wives and a so-so reputation in the fringe wasn't anything to sneeze at. But everyone talks about his ship, the MILLENIUM FALCON, and the job he has done with her. He turned a piece of junk into a durable flying work horse, like those horses on Pentas V; big, fast, and can withstand the elements.

But that last run to Antera 442 paid to damn little. 3,000 credits to haul mare spice. Chump change. You couldn't buy a decent company of bedriders with that. And have anything left over to keep maintence up on his ship. Especially a YT-1300 stock light freighter that has been illegally modified.

Dizzy reentered the FALCON and reinstalled the coupling. Turning on main power, the whole hyperdrive system hummed with life. Now all he had to do was get airborne and punch it.

But alas, Dizzy wanted it to be worth his while. He wished he could do it while doing a job. When the motivator whined down, his big ears finally heard someone yelling from outside.

".....DIZZY, YOU DEAF PIECE OF GWANO, GET YOUR LITTLE ASS OUT HERE!"

 

Dizzy removed himself from the engine compartment, grabbed his blaster belt, and strapped it on. He knew who it was; Colton Buan, liasion officer on Alderaan for the MerCons. It was a matter of who he brought with him. He walked down the ramp and found the war veteran all alone, but he was packing.

"You wanta run that by me again," said Dizzy, keeping his right hand on his blaster.

"Sorry, Captain, but I was yelling for the last three minutes straight," he said. Colton wasn't impressed with Dizzy's intimidation tactics. "Trouble with your ship?"

"You mind cutting the crap, Buan. If you got a job for me, I would like to hear it."

Buan adjusted his coat. "A rich haul. Pop and Drop. Stabilized Vollex. 50,000 now. Plus 50 more when you reach Vhanba."

Dizzy, for a few moments, loved the deal. A Pop and Drop was simple; you picked up the cargo, you go to the system, you put the cargo in a old style high orbit, and then you leave after receiving a transfer of funds electronically. The cargo, Vollex, was a fueling agent that added hotter burnability to combustionable chemicals. And at 100,000 credits, it was worth the risk to haul. Way worth it.

That is, until Vhanba entered the conversation. Dizzy said, "No thanks. Go find another sucker."

"Dizzy, come on," yelled Buan. "I've tried every other sucker, I mean pilot, in Alderaan City. You're my last ride."

 

Dizzy shook his head. "I know all about Vhanba. The Vhinech are a bunch of kidnappers, enslavers, and rapists on top of being killers. As a former warrior, you and the rest of your vet buddies ought to be ashamed of yourselves." Buan went to deny it, but Dizzy held up a hand. "Givers of Life. Ever hear of that term? It describes a non-Vhinech female who is fertile. You know what they do to those Givers of Life? Hmmmmmmm. Any idea 'businessman'?"

Buan shook his head in disdain. "Where does a smuggler like yourself get a conscious that is so cheap?"

"On Tatooine, last I heard. Keep that money you're offering and buy a dozen." Dizzy turned and walked towards the ship, Buan protesting all the way. The price went up a fraction at a time, but he didn't care.

Suddenly, he did care. A wave of optimism filled his senses. He could go to Vhanba. Hell, even land there. Gee golly gosh, he will do it."

"I will do it!"

The answer stunned Buan. "Really?"

"Yup. 100 now. 100 when I reach Vhanba."

"200,000 credits!! 100,000 is my best offer."

"Oh well. Goodbye."

"Wait!" Buan finally gave up. The sudden recantment on Dizzy Arnes' part threw him in a loop. He guess the Sullustan was right; his conscious was cheap. But damn his needs were rich. "You got a deal. You pick up the Vollex at Ord Mantell." He gave Dizzy two 50,000 credit chits. "You can brag to your friends that you have the richiest haul in history. And it must be there within 3 days."

"3 days? To the Unknown Regions? Easy," said Dizzy, who was just as happy as a little boy who just got his first star ship. "I will get there early and even give it to them personally."

"Just a Pop and Drop, Captain. No landing."

"Right, right. I gotcha!" Dizzy winked at him, turned, and ran up the ship.

"Sometimes, I just don't understand these fringe types," said Buan. He turned to walk away, then heard what sounded like wind behind him blowing. He spun around with blaster out.....nothing. The FALCON's ramp began to raise and the repulsorcoils began to whine. He holstered the blaster and said," Just his ship. That's all it was."

************

 

CHAPTER 3.1

With a wave of his hand, Enothchild changed the young Sullustan's mind about going to Vhanba. If he had another option, he would have entertained it. But there was many on the fringe who would pass up on a run for the Vhinech even if their lives were at stake. And the few who did make the run didn't fair out well afterwards. You survive thr run once, you were lucky. Survived twice and you defied the Force. Reading Dizzy's mind, no one lived or was too smart to do it a third time.

He had dealt with the Sullust species before, so reading his mind and changing it was relativity easy. But he admired this Dizzy's convictions. Granted, he was a criminal, but not a hard core criminal. He had his limits; he wouldn't deal in slavery or run hard spice like glitterstem. And he was brutally honest.

So, in one aspect, Enothchild did feel bad about affecting Dizzy's mind. However, he needed to get to Vhanba. Now, when time was crucial and quietly. As the two males parted, he waited for his oppertunity to board the ship. With Dizzy on board and Buan's attention elsewhere, he ran up the ramp and hid his massive bulk inside the ship's utility junction corridor. Unless the ship had a meltdown, Enothchild was safe. And to keep Dizzy honest and on a straight course, all he need to do was plant a suggestion every few hours or so, since the trip overall was 3 days in length. By the time they picked up the cargo, however, at Ord Mantell, he wouldn't need to apply himself too much, if not at all. For Dizzy would be fully committeed to the task and would have no choice but to finish the quest. Between now and then, Enothchild would prepare himself fot the long journey ahead.

CHAPTER 3.2

6 hours later, Dizzy closed the cargo doors on the MILLENIUM FALCON and got clearence for take off. He fired up the generators and switched over to main engines once he hit the void. He set the coordinates, pulled back on the hyperdrive lever...and came back to his senses.

"What in the Hell am I doing?! Stang!" Dizzy got up, ran to the rear cargo hold. Jumping inside, he saw all the Vollex containers. "Oh no. No. No! NO!" He seem to reach into his pocket and pulled out two empty credit chits. He remembers....100,000. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ****! I deposited the credits. They won't take it back. It will leave a paper trail."

Dizzy walked out of the hold and grumbled. Why did he take this gig? If Sade Sudafed or Djuva ever found out, his partners would remove his malehood. What to do? He had it! Screw the Mersaders. He walked over to the auxiliaty bridge controls, which were across from the game table. He was going to drop out of hyperspace and dump it.

Suddenly, Dizzy had an old memory pop in his head. It wasn't a pleasant memory either. It was 5 years ago, in a Corellian Security Force substation. He was caught and charged with kidnapping because at the time, he wasn't aware of the cargo on board the FALCON that he dumped were deep space hibrenation vessels with living beings in them. They were kidnapped by the Vhinech and were to be used as unwilling concubines. That thought made Dizzy shudder.

But what got him afraid was the Vhinech Giant. He appeared, listened to his tale of running away from Djuva, Sudafed, and Rokangus, and proceeded to choke him without raising a finger. What saved him was Rokangus, the Wookiee-Vhinech warrior he bested in a astroid field. He was given a pardon from the Vhinech and would be spared death.

But the Vhinech Giant, with his black horns threatening Dizzy, told him that if they ever crossed paths again, Dizzy was going to wish his death was quick, for he had said he ****ed people like Dizzy out everyday. Dizzy believed his sincerity, all be it an evil way of expressing it, for the Giant killed every single CorSec officer in the place. Sudafed and Djuva, those two crafty ladies, wiped the records clean. No one else knew who CorSec had in custody, or what ship was involved. He was in the clear.

Sort of. Dizzy planted himself into the chair and sighed, "You're not going to charm your way out of

 

CHAPTER 3.3

Enothchild heard that from his hiding spot and almost laughed. He stifled it, but not necessarily to keep from being discovered. Something about that statement bothered him. It was Force related, but he couldn't pinpoint it. Given the unusual circumstances, he didn't want anything or anyone else complicating matters when he got to Vhanba. Whatever was there, whatever it was, will present itself and hopefully without very little excitement. He would tip toe in and tip toe out, like a purr so to speak. He placed himself into a trance and waited for their arrival.

***************************************

Will hopefully post Chapter 4 later.

 

CHAPTER 4.0

Far away and a few days earlier, Terese Nada-Maltanaw awoke from sleeping in late, the first time she had done so in almost 40 years. She had warned everyone the previous day that she was going to do it. And by the Oceans of Naboo, it was three in the afternoon. In 3 more hours, she will hold a regularly schedule weekly meeting with Naboo's governors and colony leaders over all sorts of affairs. Besides the usual hub bub, she was going to make a very important announcement.

Her husband and Cheif of Security, Captain Eric Maltanaw, walked in right on time. Her protector for 30 years, her husband for 25. He walked up to the bed and stood at attention. "Queen Landana, I hope you are fully rested." He relaxed and smiled. "For today is the day we tell everyone goodbye."

"Indeed it is, Captain," she said in full regal tone. Then she smiled and said normally, "Care to join me?"

"Thought you wouldn't ask," said Eric. He lept onto the large bed and laid beside her. He began to play with her nightgown. "Anyway to accelerate the process?"

"Unless you file a report to the governors that I have been acting mentally unstable, nope."

"I got it! You are a 53 year old woman that paints her face and every hour on the hour changes her clothing, even at diplomatic functions, and thinks she's the leader of a nation of billions."

"And worse," Terese added, "married her protector. Oh, the conflict of interest."

Eric nodded and said, "I'll tell Sele to type it all up." Terese smacked him jokingly after he refered to her bodyguard double of some 40 years. "She will be happy. I'll be happy. I won't get you two confused anymore."

"You creep," she said. Terese held her husband. "Well, let's get it over with. Summon the girls, will you please?"

"Yes ma'am," he said in a funny voice. The husband and wife team laughed.

 

CHAPTER 4.1

Queen Landana arrived in the Royal Throne Room, flanked by her handmaidens and escored in by Captain Maltanaw. She sat down at the head of the crowd on her throne and took an inventory of who was here. Naboo's six governors bowed at her before sitting and several holographic images of colony leaders, not all of them but some, also bowed. Senator Palpatine's transmission finally came on as well. And transmitters turned on with a wave of her white painted hand.

Landana spoke out loud first, flashing her trademark smile. Historians have said the smile had won her the people's admiration, since her mother Queen Tessa pass the crown down to her. "Honorable representitives of Naboo, I would like to begin this meeting with an important annoucement. One in which will most certainly make history. In one years time, the people will elect a new Queen for I am giving my one year notice of resignation."

Everyone stared at her in shock and let out sounds of disbelief. A lot of them could not believe what she just said. She continued, "I remind everyone that all candidates must submit their authorization papers within a month. General elections will be held in ten months."

Landana paused for a moment, charged with emotions, but smiled very widely. "It's time for new leadership. Young leadership. A new vision for the people to follow. For I am, philosophically, hard on the eyes and inspire no imagination."

"Who do you endorse?" Everyone turned towards Iossessa Governor Gur Naceol, who added, "Who would you like to be your successor?"

 

Landana kept her sigh within her. "At this time, such an opinion is not important. And I respectfully ask all here and abroad to understand that at this time such endorsements are premature and clearify no one." She adjusted her robe folds; a sign of clear agitation. "Let's move on to business."

Yes, she did have a favorite. Two in fact. Cessa Evanava, who was currently prime minister of the Nubian planetary colony of Evramora, who once told her that given the oppertunity would consider becoming Queen. And Juna Rapier, junior ranked Republic Ambassador representing Naboo, who Landana admired for her hardwork. But to say who she liked would obiviously reach both young women respectively and the politics would began before Landana told the people later tonight that she is stepping down.

Senator Palpatine was the first to speak. "Your Highness, the independant world of Vhanba and the Vhinech Order have announced that they have 'freed' several hundred Republic citizens that were 'supposely' held captive by the Vhinphyc. The citizens work for the Mersader Conglamerrette. However, they won't release them unless proper Republic representation comes to their world to neogoatiate a resettlement treaty. Chancellor Valoruum has agreed, and is assembling diplomats as we speak. He asked if we will send such representation. And if possible," Palpatine looked both uneasy and embrassed," would it be Ambassador Rapier."

Everyone turned slowly to look at Queen Landana. At age six, Juna Rapier, daughter of former Senator Bendian Rapier, became the youngest Human diplomat in Republic history. At age seven, she co-authored the Shannus Trade Treaty, attended the Centerpoint Conference on Corellia, and was involved in a First Contact scenario with the Mon Calamarian species. And now, at the tender age of eight, Juna was a sought after Republic ambassador and not just another diplomat. People wanted to work with her. They wanted to know her. She is a very capable and careing female.

But Vhanba! Queen Landana, who had last say on all diplomatic representatives from Naboo, said, "No one from our world and our colonies will be allowed within a parsec of Vhanba. Send my apologies to Chancellor Valoruum, Senator, but we will stay out of this one."

"But, your Majesty," Palpatine interjected, "the situation with the Vhinech-."

"Is a mute subject, Senator. I see the Supreme Chancellor's reasons for extending a hand. However, the Vhinech are warmongers and at this time committing unspeakable atrocities. Naboo's hands will not be covered in blood, regardless of whose blood it is."

 

CHAPTER 4.2

A few days later, Queen Landana and Captain Maltanaw were sitting in the Art Room with all her handmaidens, young and old, going over the formalities of retirement. At that moment, she wished that she had eliminated bearucacy in her time. Then again, smiling, the new Queen could use that as a plank in their platform. She looked at Eric; he was always there for her. Once a great pilot in the Republic Navy, he took the job as her Cheif of Security when she was 25. Who knew several years later they would marry. Love was a funny thing sometimes.

A stewart came in with a holodroid and announced, "Yout Highness, you have a transmission from Supreme Chancellor Valoruum."

Landana gave her handmaiden Raina her data pad and said, "Very well. Begin transmission." She felt Eric give her a light squeeze on her shoulder before assuming his position of guard off to her right. The imager came on, and Valoruum appeared before her. He was only 20 years younger than she, but had a very youthful face and very wise eyes. "Chancellor Valoruum. This is a surprise and a honor, sir."

"The pleasure is mine, your Highness," said Valoruum. "First of all, I would like to extend, on behalf of the Republic, our gratitude for your nearly 4 decades of rule on Naboo and your unrelenting loyalty to the Republic. We may have not seen eye to eye on many issues, but I trust we would never hold it against one another."

Landana smiled. "Thank you. And no, nothing I did was ever personal."

"And may I say your change of heart recently is a surprise. Senator Palpatine was sure you wouldn't reconsider."

Landana felt the hairs on her neck stand up. "Forgive me, Chancellor, but what are you referring to?"

Valoruum looked confused, just like everyone else. "To sending Ambassador Rapier with the other diplomats to Vhanba."

 

She stood up in absolute shock. Landana looked at all her handmaidens and saw the same horror. "Chancellor, I did not authorize her going."

"Are you sure? She left the Fondor Conference with authorization."

Landana turned to her husband. Instantly, Captain Maltanaw was on his comlink making personal inquires. She turned back to Valoruum. "Chancellor, do you have a copy of that authorization document?"

"No your Highness. Ambassador Rapier stated that she had received verbal confirmation by you through her father."

Landana's eyes widend in anger. She just about lost her collective, fully trained calm. She heard Eric curse under his breath. She believed Bendian Rapier, if he was still Senator, would stoop so low as to going to Vhanba without her consent, or trick somebody else to go. But his own daughter...

Then she remembered Naceol. Of course, the governor told Rapier about her retirement. This was a political public relations stunt! She said to Chancellor Valoruum, "Chancellor, I assure you that I did not give the ambassador permission to go. I would like her removed from the delegation immediately upon arrival."

"They will have to make a stop at our fleet before heading down to the planet's surface. We can have her removed and sent back to you then."

"Thank you." With that, the transmission ended. Landana grabbed her data pad and threw it across the room in anger. "That did it! Captain Maltanaw, bring me Bendian Rapier! Drag him if you have to!"

"With pleasure," said Eric. He was going to enjoy this.

 

CHAPTER 4.3

A few hours later, Bendian Rapier stood smugly as Queen Landana paced around him in anger. She finally said, "Explain to me, Mister Rapier, why you told your daughter, who then told the Chancellor, that I wanted her to go to Vhanba?"

He shook his head. "I don't know what you are talking about." Bendian then smirked.

That was pushing her buttons. Nobody had ever seen her like this. Landana was never like this. Stepping out of regal form, she shouted, "Bantha ****, you don't know! Up to now, Juna has followed my orders to the letter! TO THE LETTER!! and she up and violates my command. I think you are playing politics, sir, and lying."

"Don't take that tone with me," countered Bendian. "You and your husband can't bully me or my family. And I didn't do anything wrong unless you have proof. Until then, shut the hell up."

Eric took a couple of steps towards Bendian, but Landana held up a hand. He stopped, and she said, "Then you are saying that Juna is the guilty party?"

"If you mean taking up the inititive that you are so afraid of taking, yes," said Bendian.

Landana got into his face. Bendian didn't budge, for he wasn't impressed. "Do you have any idea what they do to women on Vhanba? Any idea?"

"If you believe the allegations, they rape outside MATURE females for provocreation. Last time I checked, my daughter hadn't reached fertility yet."

"That is sick,' said Eric. "Allegations? Are you that stupid, Rapier?"

"No more than you are, Captain. Look who you married."

That was a goad. Landana stepped between both men. She looked at Bendian and said, "Your daughter and her guardian could have been in danger. But as soon as they reach the Republic fleet stationed around Vhanba, they both will come home. From them, we will asscertain the truth."

Suddenly, the stewart ran in, bowed quickly, and said regretfully, "Your Highness, there is word from the Republic fleet around Vhanba. The diplomatic ship carrying Ambassador Rapier is under attack by the Vhinech!"

*********************************************

TO BE CONTINUED..........................

 

Hmm, very good posts....

 

Well thank you, Lady Dark. And welcome to the FanFic boards. If you need help, let me know. And keep checking back. The story is just starting.

And before I forget, thank you Uisceban for reading. I really appreciate anyone who reads what I write.

 

CHAPTER 5.0(IT'S A LONG ONE FOLKS. BARE WITH ME.)

The Republic counselor ship TANTIVE ONE was closing in on it's destination. It traveled thunderously through the blue tunnel of hyperspace. The Corellian Corvette transport was painted red for neutrality and white for peace, was less than a hour away from a potential war zone. Everyone was nervous, but determined to complete the task.

Or that's how Juna Rapier interpeted things through the use of the Force. She would let her thoughts 'drift', and she would get back empathic responses. And she had lots of practice at all the diplomatic functions she had atteneded. She couldn't read minds; not yet anyways. But she had insight that no other had at a barginning table. With it, she made friends really fast and made foes look like fools. She let out a sigh, extended herself........

And a cold touch was felt. Very faint, but it seemed to be coming closer. With every exhale, she felt it grow in size. Disturbed by it, Juna looked back down at her data pad, trying to ignore it. The noise of the lounge where the ambasssadors were all hanging around was not helping matters. But she wanted some time alone from her Political Guardian Muriel Thahada to do some unnecessary reading.

So much for that. The red head said, "There you are, Juna. I thought you took up the Corellian delegation's offer to play sabacc with them." Juna shook her head and rubbed her eyes. The feeling was not going away. Without warning, and with her guard down, Muriel was able to see what Juna was reading. "Flight Operations Manual-Nubian N-1 Royal Starfighter. Juna."

Juna sighed, "Okay, I'm busted. I got it from the shipyards back on Fondor. It's just another book."

Muriel looked at her student, sensing tension. "Maybe after this we will head home." She saw her sigh and misinterpeted it. "You know, the place you haven't seen in three weeks. I think you have parents there. And plans to become the next queen."

Juna cringed at that. She and Muriel heard the Queen was retiring. Juna's mother was right again. "But I love doing this. The places we have visited. The people we have met."

"You can do that as queen, Juna."

"But it won't be as often." Again she sighed and began to rub her temples. The touches were now ripples of unidentifible emotions.

"Are you all right?" Muriel asked. Juna shook her head. "That's it. Juna, we have attended three missions in three weeks and are going to our fourth. You have had enough. When we reach the check point, we're getting off this ship and going home for a while."

 

Juna was going to object, but something told her not to. That Muriel's decision is a good idea. And anyways she was her P.G.;she had just as much pull as the queen at this point. She nodded, and Muriel excused herself to check on their estimated time of arrival. Juna turned off her data pad and sat back in her chair, closing her eyes and began to recite lines in her head from her favorite story 'A Knight Is Born':

"....My Son, thou has ingested evil. It has poisoned thou organs and has soiled thou soil. If thous still has light, than thou shall allow thee to stick pervereral fingers down thou's throat....."

Somehow, that eased the storm in Juna's brain. It was replaced by a warming sensation on her eyes. It meant, through trial and error throughout the years, danger. A threat within visual range. Opening her dark brown eyes, she looked dead ahead.....