Star Wars: The Shadow War

[Imperial Overlord]

Ars Ungal picked up the distraught woman with one arm and sped across the bay towards the A-18 recon fighter/bombers. They were bulky ships, with a long fuselage mated to a large engine section. The engine section sprouted stubby wings tipped with heavy laser cannons. It was not a graceful flier in atmosphere, but it was a swift ship with built in hyperdrive and excellent shields.

With a wave of his other hand the Jedi Master opened the cockpit. He leapt from the bay floor to the A-18's nose and ran up on it. He dropped the Secondus in the rear seat without much regard for her dignity. "Strap in," he told her. "This is going to be a rough ride." The Jedi Master slid down into the front seat and flicked switches. The canopy clamped down and sealed with a his. The power plant hummed to life. He switched on the shields as group of HK-55's entered the hanger.

Blaster bolts splattered harmlessly off the fighter's shields. The HK's continued firing as Ungal powered up the A-18's engines and sensors. He eyed the shields. Down to 80% standard. He looked back up at the assassin droids and drew upon the Force. His fist clenched. One by one they spasmed and fell as he systematically crushed their main processors.

"Master Jedi," said Dartala, wiping tears from her eyes, "the hanger door is still closed."

"That's correct," he said as he engaged the fighter's repulsors and moved it into the main space of the bay. "There is, however, a solution to that." He raised the craft and dropped the nose so the wing mounted cannons were pointing down. He pressed the trigger.

Streams of bolts flew from the heavy wing cannons, tearing into the hanger door. White hot pieces of metal and clouds of hot vapor blasted away from the impact points as Ars Ungal made his own exit. The straps slid forward and locked themselves into place around the Jedi with a simple touch of the Force. "Hold on," he said and the fighter swooped through the hole he had made in the hanger door.

The A-18 fell into open space. Ars Ungal engaged the engines at maximum thrust and the ship raced away from the beseiged war barge. Another touch of the controls angled the deflector shields to withstand attacks from behind. Four of the dart fighters sheparding the war barge broke off and began pursuit.

"Master Ungal," said Dartala. "We are being pursued." Blaster bolts flashed by the cockpit, adding further emphasis to her words.

"Indeed," said Ars Ungal as he jerked the fighter to the right to avoid a flurry of blaster bolts. "They want their prize." The fighter shuddered as several green bolts smashed into its shields.

"We're hit!"

Ungal's eyes flickered to the shield readings. The shields had been near one hundred percent when they had hit space, now they were hovering near seventy. "They're firing at low power," he said as he put the ship through another evasive move. "They want to knock down the shields and cripple us, not destroy us."

"What can we do?" she asked.

"Why did we stop in this system?"

"There is a Lyenne mining facility on the second planet and in the asteroid belt."

"Pull up the coordinate of the whichever is closest to our position," he said.

"The belt mining facility is closer. Sending a flight path to your console."

Reachable, but not close enough. That meant he would have to improvise. He checked the scanner. Two of the attack ships had joined the pursuit. The probably had tractor beam projectors and would be able to quickly end the flight. He cut thrust and yanked back on the control yoke.

"Angle deflectors forward!" he said as the A-18 looped up and around to go head on against the droid fighters. The dart ships fired quick bursts at the oncoming craft and then broke to either side away from the A-18. The fighter shook with the impact of several bolts, but the shields held. The targeting computer strained to lock on to one as Ungal turned the A-18 towards one on the left. He felt the Force flow through him. The moment was right. He pulled the trigger. Cyan bolts flashed from the wing guns and blew the droid fighter to scrap.

The A-18 wasn't a good dog fighter, but it performed well enough with Ungal at the controls. He continued to turn and the targeting computer got a lock on the second droid fighter. A flurry of blaster bolts and it two vanished in white hot explosion. The A-18 plunged through the cloud and chunks of hot metal bounced off of its particle shields. "Reangle shields aft," he said calmly. He poured on the engine power.

Dartala readjusted the shields. They were just below half strength. "The fighters are regrouping to continue pursuit."

"That is to be expected," said the olive skinned Cerean. "They will, however, be more cautious in their pursuit. And there are now only two of them."

"There are still the attack ships."

"Which are not fast enough to catch us without aid. Try signaling the asteroid base."

"They're jamming."

"As expected. That does, however, have consequences of its own."

"What would those consequences be?"

Ars Ungal glanced at his sensor screen. "That the asteroid base will notice the jamming and send a patrol out to investigate. A heavily armed patrol."

Six A-18's rushed towards them. Wing cannons flashed as they opened fire on the dart fighters. Two new explosions blossomed in the void of space.

"The attack ships are retreating," Dartala exclaimed.

"Of course they are. Without the fighters to slow us down, they aren't fast enough to catch us. Their master, whoever that might be, won't throw good money after bad."

"What now?" she asked.

"Now we meet up with your liegemen and plot your next move. Someone was willing to go to a great deal of trouble to kidnap you Secondus and they knew exactly where to ambush you. I doubt this incident is unrelated to the troubles currently afflicting this sector."

[LadyTevar]

About time you started this one up again.

[Imperial Overlord]

Sulos Retan touched the controls of the Wise Dancer, feeding power to the engines. "Thank you Coruscant Control, we are proceeding." Below them the capital of the Republic was a glittering jewel, a dark opal crisscrossed with gold.

Retan turned in his chair. "We should be touching down at the Jedi Temple in a couple of minutes."

"Yes," said Vann.

"There's the small matter of payment."

"Of course," said the Jedi Master. "This matter has stretched on longer than originally envisioned."

"You can say that again sister."

"You will be compensated for your time and efforts when we land."

"That's what I needed to hear," said Retan and turned his attention fully to the controls. The Wise Dancer plunged into Coruscant's atmosphere and through the upper layers of clouds. Sulos banked the ship to the left as Coruscant's towers came into view and headed through the night sky towards the Jedi Temple.

The Wise Dancer hovered for a moment over a landing pad and then gently descended. "You'll have your credit transfer in a few hours," said Vann and she got up from the seat. "Are you still open to an offer of employment?"

"Yeah, but my rates went up. You're not exactly taking a trip down the Hydrian Way."

"Granted," said Vann. "I will be in touch."

"I'll be waiting."

The two Jedi walked down the Dancer's ramp towards the temple. Waiting for them were a red haired man with a short beard and a female rodian. "Master Selloc," the man, "welcome home."

"Thank you Master Mordeen, Mater Naar." The Jedi matched each other's pace and headed inside, Sithe taking up the rear.

Naar spoke. "There have been developments regarding your mission. The Jedi Council wishes to speak with you immediately."

They walked down a softly lit cavernous hallway. "What has happened?" Vann asked.

"Master Ungal has returned with Dartala Lyenne."

"A Lyenne Secondus? Has Lyenne been attacked?"

"Her barge was boarded and her escorts and bodyguards were killed. The barge was destroyed after she escaped."

"Were assassin droids used in the attack?"

"Yes," said Mordeen. "Droids of an unusual make. They could pass as protocol droids and we can't match the model."

"You haven't gone back far enough in the records. If they are what I think they are, the droids haven't been in production since the time of Revan and the Exile."

"Then I must speak with Master Ungal immediately."

"You will. The Jedi Council is waiting for you." The doors in front of them opened and entered a lift. The ascended to the Council Chamber. The Jedi Council was seated in a circle around the edge of the Chamber. Master Ungal was standing in the center, obviously waiting for them.

"Master Selloc," said Master Trenn, the head of the Jedi Council. She was a woman with light brown skin and almond shaped eyes. Her long black hair was marked with white streaks. "The Council is eager to hear your report."

"Of course," said Vann. "I engaged covert transport to Barona where I was attacked by models of the HK series assassin droids. In the course of the attack I was separated from my padawan who was attacked by a member of the K'llan Merkash, a small order of Force using warriors. We were then pursued by fighter craft, which we eluded. We then traveled to Merkash where we were able to track down the order to an apparently abandoned mountain-fortress. There we were attacked by a large number of Merkash adepts, lead by a kalresh. We overcame them, but found no evidence of the whereabouts of the rest of their order or the assassin droids. We then returned to Coruscant."

"Computer," said Ars Ungal, "display image of HK series assassin droids." A holographic image appeared in the middle of the room. "Yes," said the Cerean, "this is the kind of droid that attacked us."

"Master Ungal," said Cassana Trenn, "if you could repeat your account for the benefit of Master Selloc?"

"Of course Master Trenn. I was seeking an audience with Dartala Lyenne in order to get Lyenne's assistance in helping maintain the peace during this time of crisis. In the middle of our discussion we were attacked by fighters and attack ships that destroyed the escort vessels and boarded the war barge. Internal sabotage had crippled our vessel, but I was able to escape in a fighter with the Secondus. We managed to escape pursuit and head to Coruscant."

"The attacks are clearly related," said Vann. "They have the net effect with increasing the dissatisfaction in the Mid and Outer Rim as well as destroying any effort to bring peace. The K'llan Merkash were armed with lightsabers and wore armour plates of Phrik alloy. They could have adopted such changes to fight Sith or more recently to fight Jedi."

"The Council will have to consider this matter carefully," said Master Grenn, a lean albino human male.

"Of course," said Vann. "With the Council's permission, I will continue to investigate this matter."

"We will discuss it and let you know our ruling," said Master Trenn.

"There is one more matter," said Vann. "It is time for my padawan to take the trials and be elevated to the rank of Jedi Knight. He has more than proved himself ready in the time he has spent with me."

Looks were exchanged by the members of the Council. "We will discuss your padawan's status later. The political crisis take precedent."

That meant 'no'. Vann realized it would be futile to argue at this point. "I know many of you have reservations regarding my padawan, but they are misplaced. Your emotional reactions are clouding your judgment."

"That is enough Master Selloc."

"I suppose it is. We will be at the Council's disposal." She turned and left, Sithe trailing after.

"The boy was dismayed," said Grenn. "He feels too strongly. He is not ready. I fear he will never be ready."

"That may be for the best," said Master Trenn. Heads nodded in quiet agreement.

[Imperial Overlord]

"It is alright to be disappointed," said Vann as they road the lift down.

"I'm alright master. This way I can spend more time with you. I feel I still have much to learn."

Vann smiled. "And that is why you are ready to be a Jedi Knight. You understand how much more there is to learn, that your skills are the beginning not the end of knowledge. Know this Sithe, that the only thing that was decided in that chamber was if the galaxy perceives you to be a Jedi Knight. Perception is not the same thing as being."

She tapped his chest. "Be a Jedi Knight in here and no one can take it away from you. Live and act as one and you will be one in reality, no matter what anyone else says. To truly be Jedi is not about titles or honours, but about actions and responsibility. Be the man I know you to be."

Sithe smiled. "Thank you master, but I'm worried about this crisis. It becomes more serious by the day. It could be catastrophic."

Vann nodded. "Good. Keep your mind on the matter at hand. I'm going to speak with Master Ungal and see if he found any usable leads. I expect the Council will have him join us."

"What about the Lyenne?"

"Lyenne will take care of its own. They will come for their Secondus in do time and they will assist us in any way possible. One does not attack Lyenne without paying the consequences."

The Jedi stepped out of the lift and walked down another vast corridor. "I've been thinking about the attack upon Lyenne," said Sithe.

"Share your thoughts," said Vann.

"The purpose of the attack was not to kill her, that they could have managed easily by destroying the barge. It had to be to kidnap her, perhaps clandestinely, perhaps not."

"That appears to be correct. Go on."

"I've been trying to think what they could gain from that and I think I have figured it out."

"Do tell."

"They intend to leave clues or a ransom demand that implicates someone else, either a staunch Republic loyalist or a disaffected faction. Lyenne will then pursue them in order to seek justice, becoming not a trusted party that operates in the middle ground but a force that exacerbates the crisis."

"That makes sense. What do you suggest?"

"That we not make that mistake. We must investigate closely and carefully before we make our findings public or significantly increase our forces committed. If we don't we could fall right into the trap they intend for Lyenne."

"You are wise, my padawan. I must consider this. I will speak with you later."

----------------------------------------------------

Sithe whirled and spun in the center of the practice chamber, a green bladed practice saber with a curved handle in each hand. Above him a pair of remotes circled while three droids with practice sabers surrounded him, barely kept at bay.

Then he attacked. Sithe closed with one droid, using the others as temporary cover against the remotes. He parried its saber and slashed it across the hips. The spun, bringing up his left saber in time to reflect a remote's bolt into the face of the droid on his left. The droid jerked from the shot and Sithe parried the blow from the droid on the right with his other saber.

The Jedi then circled the droid on the right, using it as cover and stabbed it in the chest with his light saber. The droid fell, exposing him to the fire of both remotes. He fell back from the advancing dueling droid, sending the remotes bolts back at them and neutralizing them before engaging the last droid. A flurry of saber blows and it to was deactivated.

The sound of a single pair of hands clapping echoed through the practice room. Sithe turned towards the sound. A dark haired young woman with olive skin and flashing eyes was watching him. She wore a simple tunic and pants. "I did not sense your presence," said Sithe. "You are very good."

"I am good at that when I need to be," she replied. "And I meant you no harm. I suspect it would have been more difficult if I had. That was a very impressive display."

"Thank you," said Sithe as he walked across the room and opened the cabinet. He placed the practice sabers inside.

"I've never heard of curved lightsabers before."

"They are rare," Sithe admitted. "The curved shape is quite useful for making certain motions, most of which are associated with the Makashi style."

"You seem quite proficient with them."

"I am," he said as he took back his own lightsabers from the cabinet. "Who are you?"

"Who are you?" she replied.

"I asked first."

"Indeed you did. I am Dartala Lyenne."

"You don't look like a princess."

"I do when I need to. You haven't answered me."

"I am Sithe Jendar, a Jedi padawan."

"You're only a student? You seemed quite proficient with the blade."

"I am more than proficient," he said as he hung the sabers on his belt. "I am a master of Makashi, Jar'Kai, Shien, and Djem So. There are maybe ten Jedi on this planet who are better duelists than I am. Skill with a lightsaber is useful, but not the heart of what it means to be a Jedi."

"And what is the heart of what it means to be a Jedi?"

"Peace. Compassion. Knowledge. Self-sacrifice. To be a Jedi is to walk with the Force and use its power to aid those in need. In the ways of wisdom and the Force, I still have much to learn."

"And you are just a padawan?"

"Yes."

"You are a very impressive man Sithe Jendar. It pleases me to know that you will be assisting Lyenne." She turned and walked from the room. Sithe couldn't help but watch her go.

"I really need to learn how to understand women," he whispered.

[Imperial Overlord]

Vann sat crosslegged on the floor of her chamber. The door buzzer rang. "Enter," she said.

Ars Ungal entered the spartan room. "Master Selloc."

"Master Ungal," she replied as she unfolded her legs and stood up. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"The Council has come to a decision."

"And that is?"

"They wish us to investigate this matter jointly."

"I suspected as much. And Lyenne?"

"They will be kept informed, but out of the investigation."

"You seem confident of that," Vann Des Sellock said skeptically.

"You are not?" asked Ars Ungal.

"Lyenne will regard this as a matter of honour. They will not be easy dissuaded from action."

"In this matter they will follow the instruction of the Jedi Council."

"Do you wish to place any money on that?"

-------------------------------------------------

"Absolutely not!" shouted Dartala Lyenne. "Lyenne has been attacked, members of her house slain, all to manipulate us into a dishonourable course of action! It will not stand! I am Secondus! It is my duty to see justice is done!"

The fierce young woman resumed her seat. The Jedi Masters had come to the apartments set aside for her in the Jedi Temple. With them were Sithe and Sulos Retan. "This is not a mission where formal diplomatic presentations are likely to occur," said Ars Ungal. "It will, in fact, be quite dangerous. The Jedi Order cannot guarantee your safety if you join us. As such, it is out of the question."

"Many of the roles of a Secondus are ceremonial in nature," said Dartala Lyenne, "but that is not the primary roll of a Secondus. It is of an emergency crisis manager, one who can oversee an evacuation, negotiate a treaty, or launch an invasion. The Republic has made many of those functions unnecessary, but it was no so long ago that the Sith were a terrible threat. Secondii are still chosen based on the traditional skills. I was chosen based on the traditional skills. Out of thousands who trained since childhood and aspired to that position, I was chosen. Lyenne has been attacked and endangered, our people killed. I have a responsibility. I will not put it aside."

"You're not going to win this one," said Retan from where he lounged on a chair. "Give it up."

"The smuggler and the young lady are right," said Vann. "If she insists we cannot stop her. She has skills that could be helpful and our only chance of protecting her lies in her being with us instead of investigated on her own."

"This decision is not wise," said Ars Ungal. Unspoken were the words, your judgement has been unsound of late.

Vann caught his look and understood what was unsaid. "It is the best choice available to us." She then changed the subject. "The attack ships and fighters have been identified. They are Meerlight Void Darters and Saber Class Assault Gunboats. Meerlight has a long history of selling to anyone who can afford them and is technically a legal customer. The vessels could have been purchased by the K'llan Merkash in their role as Merkashi defenders or by a Hutt clan and then resold to some other buyers."

"Why would the K'llan Merkash participate in such dishonourable activities anyway?" Dartala asked.

"Fear," said Vann, "fear has lead them into the darkness. More than anger or hatred, fear is the most frequently traveled path to the Darkside. Imagine them, contemplating their future. The Sith are gone, the Republic triumphant. The Jedi Order in the midst of reformations and an even longer reach. The galaxy is coming together again. And what of the K'llan Merkash? What of their future? They will not be needed. They fear the extinction of their order. And so their leaders are manipulated and prodded into this course of action and only now that they are committed to this path does the truth begin to sink in."

"That supposes someone else is behind all of this," said Ars Ungal.

"Someone else is," replied Vann. "Someone who wants to tear the Republic apart, who has access to the plans for obscure and deadly assassin droids, the resources to buy and equip at least a small fleet and a droid army. Someone who wants to smash the Republic and pick up the pieces. Not a Sith Lord or Mandalorians but someone subtle."

"So where do we start looking?" asked Ars Ungal. "Our enemy is striking from hiding and his true location is unknown."

"Actually," said Sulos Retan, "I know a guy who might be able to help with that."

[Imperial Overlord]

Sulos Retan lead the two Jedi Masters through the smog shrouded lower levels of Coruscant. Precipitation dripped down on them from above and some clusters of beings eyed them suspiciously. Goods of dubious providence and legality, as well as those that were most definitely banned, were hawked by various vendors.

"This place does not decrease my reticence," said Master Ungal.

"Just keep up the confident act and we won't have trouble," whispered Retan.

"It's not an act," said the Jedi Master. Vann was moving next to him silently. She scanned the streets with a hard gaze. To appear as a potential predator in this place deterred trouble. Weakness would only court the worst of fates.

"There," said Retan with a dip of his blond head. His hand didn't stray to far from the belt where his heavy blaster pistol was prominently displayed in a holster cut for a speed draw. He indicated an establishment with a sputtering blood red holo sign.

"That place does not appear promising," said Ungal.

"That is intentional," said Vann. "Lead the way Master Retan." The walked into the bar. The place was dark, illuminated by dim red lights. At the center of it was a U-shaped bar tended by a Devaronian and Kel Dorian. Private booths and tables lined the sides. There was a modest crowd of non-human sapients.

Retan lead them passed a group of Gand enclosed in sealed suits. He lead them to a table near the back. It was occupied.

The Trandoshan was at least ten centimeters over two meters. He wore a suit of multilayered dark blue armour cloth reinforced with metal plates. His scales were dark green and his eyes were blood red. He hissed in Dosh.

"Ssressk, these are the clients I was speaking of. This is Ssressk, one of the best bounty hunters in the galaxy."

"Ssit down Jedi," the Trandoshan said in Basic. "We are to discuss business, yess?"

"Yes," said Vann. She sat down beside Retan on the opposite side of the booth. "I need some very dangerous people found who are very good at hiding." Ars Ungal reluctantly sat down beside her.

"Good enough to escape from Jedi is trouble," said Ssressk. "The cost will be high."

"It can be paid. If you deliver."

"Tell me about your prey Jedi."

"I need them found. Found only," said Vann.

"As you wish. The prey."

"The K'llan Merkash and their employers," said Vann. "They are using HK model assassin droids as well as Meerlight attack craft and fighters. They've left their homeworld and gone into hiding."

"Who are their employers?" asked Ssressk.

"We were hoping you would be able to find that out." She slid a slim cylinder across the table. "All our relevant data is in here."

The Trandoshan picked up the cylinder and placed it within a pocket. Then he stood up. In the tight confines of the booth, the sheer mass of the reptilian bounty hunter was intimidating. A long barreled blaster pistol and a short sword hung from his belt. "I will find your prey," he hissed. "Have the payment ready for when I ssignal. It should not be long." He walked out of the bar.

"I do not think that overconfident brute will deliver," said Ars Ungal. "We should pursue our own investigations." He stood up.

Vann and Sulos followed suit. "I concur on the second, but not on the first," said Vann. "I doubt Master Retan suggested his services lightly."

"Ssressk will get it done," said Retan. "He doesn't boast. He just delivers."

"How do you know him?" asked Vann.

"Long story. Another place, another time. Let's blow this dive."

[Feil]

Hum. Nice title .





The story is good, too.

[Imperial Overlord]

Hum. Nice title .

Why thank you Great minds and all that . . .

[Imperial Overlord]

The problem with Jedi, Ssressk thought to himself, was that they were investigators not hunters. Hunters were what was needed to catch these ones. A hunter knew when to pursue his prey and when to trap it.

Ssressk knew where to lay the trap. The Jedi had told him, but lacked the hunter's cunning to know what to do with the information. So Ssressk had returned to his ship and lifted off.

The Stiletto broke out of hyperspace above Merkash. The bounty hunter's ship had a lean fuselage with a beak like nose and a pair of heavy engine pods at the rear. She wasn't very maneuverable, but she could over haul almost any ship in real space and bring down almost any sub capital ship.

The ship dropped down into planet's atmosphere as the Trandoshan descended to the fortress that the Jedi had visited. He circled the dead mountain top three times, subjecting it to an intensive scan. It was quiet. Then the Trandoshan touched a button on his control panel. A hatch on Stiletto's belly opened and a small spherical device about a meter across dropped out. It flew into the fortress.

The bounty hunter dropped his ship down through the clouds to the inhospitable jungle floor. A few bursts of blue-white energy from the belly cannons blasted a hole in the tree canopy and then the tractor beam moved shattered tree trunks out of the way. The Stiletto grounded in soft earth.

Ssressk shut down most of the ship systems and then touched another control. A pillar of fire rose from the crown of the fortress and into the sky. The bounty hunter settled down to wait.

The ship came three hours later, an oval shaped courier or shuttle design. It wasn't broadcasting a Merkashi government ID. It landed on one of the landing pads. Ssressk continued to wait.

After a while they sent out a subspace transmission. Ssressk had Stiletto's computer monitor it as he powered up all systems. The Stiletto roared off the surface and up into the air. The shuttle was just powering up its engines when the Trandoshan laid the cross hairs of his ion cannons. Red light flashed from his gun pods and lightning arced over the hull of the ship.

Ssressk landed next to the downed ship and walked out of the Stiletto, a his rifle in hand and rebreather mask around his muzzle. He switched the power selector to full power and then shouldered the weapon. The Trandoshan fired a burst of scarlet bolts into the hatch, blowing it apart and then another series of blasts at the inner door, cratering it and then blasting it open.

The bounty hunter dropped his rifle and raised the stubby barreled grenade launcher. He fired gas grenades into the hatch, emptying the six round magazine. Then he drew his crowd control stunner and covered the hatch. There was no response. He waited a minute and then entered the ship.

Soporific mist clung to the deck plates of the small ship. Two humans were slumped on the floor, blasters clutched in the their hands. He kicked their weapons away. Nothing.

Ssressk picked up his comlink. "Five-Ar, come to the shuttle. Repair and restore all computer and communications systems. Copy communication and navigation log."

His ion cannon blasts might have done enough damage to the ship's systems that the data would be hard to come by, but that wasn't likely. Five-Arwould find a way. And if he didn't, well Ssressk had a lot of different ways of making humanoids talk. Or scream. One way or the other the Jedi would get what they wanted and he would get his credits.

[LadyTevar]

This is why I respect the Trannys.
They're really hard to like at times, but you really gotta admit they get things done.

Oh... typos:

5R would find away.

[Raj Ahten]

Ah, Bounty Hunters. Few other characters n Star Wars can be as much fun when they are well handled

[Crazedwraith]

Wow... I only just really caught up with this fic. Tres Awesome fight scenes. Though I'm hoping for more and Sithe's apparent (child?) soldiering.

What sort of time period does this occupy in the SW timeline? It's obviously post KotOR but by how far?

[Imperial Overlord]

Wow... I only just really caught up with this fic. Tres Awesome fight scenes. Though I'm hoping for more and Sithe's apparent (child?) soldiering.

You will.

What sort of time period does this occupy in the SW timeline? It's obviously post KotOR but by how far?

Around the Ruusan Reformation, just after the apparent final defeat of the Sith when the Jedi Order undergoes a major change towards its prequel trilogy form and the political structure of the Republic changes.

[Imperial Overlord]

"Do Jedi Padawans often draw bodyguard detail?" Dartala asked.

"It depends if their masters want them out of the way while they discuss matters in private," Sithe answered. It was a gorgeous day. Sunlight streamed through the enormous bay windows of the Jedi Temple, providing glorious natural illumination. The sound of falling water did nothing to hamper their conversation while drowning out background noises, making conversation easy and private.

Dartala smiled. "You are pleasant company, so if your master needs to find an errand for you, your presence is always welcome."

"My thanks," replied Sithe. "May I be bold enough to say the Secundus of Lyenne is very pleasant company?"

"You may," she said with false hauteur. She maintained her icy demeanor for a moment and then they both were laughing. She was dressed very plainly for a princess, wearing Jedi robes identical to Sithe's. Shopping for clothes had not been a priority. "Do you think this bounty hunter will succeed?"

"Where Jedi have failed?" said Sithe. "I do not believe so, but Sulos knows his business and recommended him highly."

"So you think there is a chance," she said.

"Yes."

They began to ascend the staircase. "I have made myself clear, have I not? This assault against Lyenne cannot be borne. We must be involved in the resolution of this matter."

"You have made yourself perfectly clear, but not even Lyenne dictates the actions of the Jedi Order."

"So your masters intend to leave me out of this."

"I cannot speak for them," said Sithe, "but I believe Vann does not oppose your presence on this mission."

"That much I gathered," she replied, "but she is not the Jedi Council."

"The Council gave her this mission. She will conduct it her way. I understand what it is you feel."

"Do you?" she said, stopping to stare at him intently. Sithe turned and met her gaze. "When did the Jedi come for you? Five? Six?"

"Sixteen," he said. "And already a murderer many times over. I took my first life at fourteen, that of girl not much older than me. Our clans were enemies for as long back as we cared to remember. I knew a hundred infamous deeds that had been perpetrated against those of my blood and a hundred glorious victories won against the foul scum. Of course the only difference between them was the identities of the perpetrators and the victims."

"You were sent to war at fourteen?"

"The clan was everything," he said. "Even the children of the ruling families who had been raised in wealth fought. I was taught hate at a very young age. Then came anger and fear."

"I thought Jedi avoided such emotions."

"We do," he replied. He resumed walking and she joined him. Before them was a doorway to the a roof landing pad.

"Then why did they pick you?"

"They didn't pick me. Vann did. She thought she could save me. And she did."

A dark craft, too small to be a tramp freighter and too large to be a fighter was parked on the roof. It was matte black, with forward swept wings and two long tusk-like laser cannons protruding past it's cockpit. A pair of men wearing matte black body armour were waiting. Ruby lenses surveyed the Jedi and the secundus. They saluted, fists to heart.

Dartala returned the salute. "Thank you for coming so swiftly. This is Sithe. He will be part of the mission." Both men bowed fractionally.

"Who are they?" he asked.

"There are those who excel at the combat training, but who do not score as well on the academic pursuits or the social disciplines. They serve Lyenne in their way during times of crisis."

"Death commandos," said Sithe.

"We prefer that they live," she said. "They are Lyenne."

[Kartr_Kana]

How have I missed this!! Excellent story!! The pre-prequel Old Republic and are always favorites of mine.

[Imperial Overlord]

A flickering blue image was standing on the holo emitter as Vann and Ars Ungal entered the communications room. "Hello Ssressk," said Vann. "What do you have to report."

"I have captured ssome ssmall fry," said the Trandoshan bounty hunter. "Their sship's computer indicatess that they have received many communicationss from a long range ssatellite transmitter over Nar Sshaddaa."

"Nar Shaddaa," said Vann.

"That is in Hutt Space," said Ars Ungal. "Outside Republic jurisdiction. We have no authority there."

"Undoubtedly why they chose it. Under different circumstances the Republic could bring pressure to bear on this subject, but in the current political climate it would be viewed by many reform minded senators as an attempt to engineer a crisis to preserve to the status quo."

"We must act," said Ars Ungal. "Even without Republic support. Our enemies are directly targeting the fault lines in a society that is already shaky. They intend nothing less than the destruction of the Republic by increasing regional tensions and fomenting civil war. This cannot be allowed."

"Agreed," said Vann. "Thank you for your assistance Sressk. The balance of your payment will be deposited in your account."

"Good doing business with you Jedi."

Vann cut the connection. "We must act now, before they realize they are compromised and cover their tracks."

"We should inform the Jedi Council," said Ars Ungal.

"Why?" asked Vann. "So they can remove me from the case?"

"They may not do that," said Ars Ungal soothingly.

"I was given this assignment because the Council needed it done and there was no one better to do it even though they think I and my padawan are tainted. The assignment is not finished."

"This discovery is too important to not report to the Council."

"Then report it," said Vann.

"You're being unreasonable," said Ars Ungal. "Your disagreements with the Council aside, you are clearly one of the most capable master's alive and your padawan is quite capable. Your earlier . . . entanglements and your padawan's age and history are causes for concern, but no one doubts your loyalty to the order or your effectiveness."

"On that score you are wrong Master Ungal. You are, however, correct in that this matter is more important than our lives. I will inform the Council before I leave for Nar Shadda."

"Before we leave for Nar Shaddaa."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This is a grave matter," said Cassana Trenn. She and Vann Des Selloc were walking along a corridor leading to the landing pad where the Wise Dancer waited. "The Republic and the Council cannot intervene directly. If something goes wrong, we can offer you little assistance."

"That is understood," said Vann. "The political situation being what it is these days. We'll manage."

"I'm sure you will," said Cassana. "I have great faith in your abilities."

"If not my commitment to the Order."

"The Order does not encourage attachment," said Cassana. "You and Genar Graves were most definitely attached."

"We were not attached," said Vann. "We were in love. I regret that he resigned from the Jedi Order and left me, I do not regret loving him. Dispassion is a poor goal for a Jedi."

"Passion is the way of the Sith."

"Callousness is part of their journey from the beginning," said Vann, "and dispassion breeds callousness likes decay breeds maggots. One who turns her heart to ice has no business judging love, for she has spent a lifetime killing it within her."

"I sense much anger within you. Within you and your padawan."

"Those who know their emotions can protect themselves from their extremes. Those who deny them are their slaves when their emotions surge."

"So you say. The Council disagrees."

"And you'll train generations of emotional cripples, ripe for seduction by anyone who can get their emotions surging. Jedi alienated from their true selves. In your fear you will make them weak and flawed and vulnerable to the Dark Side. And what of men like Sithe? You would let him be, a child soldier strong in the Force with blood on his hands. How much damage would he do before you decided to stop him and add him to the pile of bodies. You would take the Jedi on the wrong path. There are many who confuse purity and virtue."

"You are entitled to your opinions Master Des Selloc and to train your padawan as you see fit. The Council simply does not agree."

The door at the end of the corridor slid open, revealing the Wise Dancer and Sithe. With him were the two black garbed Lyenne commandos.

"Masters," he said inclining his head. "We are prepared to leave."

"Good," said Vann. She turned back towards Master Trenn.

"May the Force be with you," said Cassana Trenn.

[Kartr_Kana]

It's nice to hear a Jedi who understands that emotion is not wrong, misusing it is. Keep up this most excellent writing!

[Crazedwraith]

Although I like the story, It always annoys me slightly when characters end up making amazingly accurate predictions about the future.

[Imperial Overlord]

Although I like the story, It always annoys me slightly when characters end up making amazingly accurate predictions about the future.

She is a Jedi Master who is extremely skilled in the use of the Force and has a huge personal stake in supporting this point of view.

[Jaevric]

Although I like the story, It always annoys me slightly when characters end up making amazingly accurate predictions about the future.

She is a Jedi Master who is extremely skilled in the use of the Force and has a huge personal stake in supporting this point of view.

At risk of "me-too"-ing, it's also not that big a stretch to see how the Jedi are causing potential problems with their "no emotions" policy. You don't need the Force to see how raising a bunch of people to deny their emotions might cause problems. Her prediction was also relatively vague; generations of emotional cripples versus a single Jedi sociopath (Anakin).

This is also good foreshadowing of where the Jedi Order is going; the Council appears to be weeding out members who won't toe the official line. Sithe is seemingly a well-balanced individual who is being denied Knighthood because he makes the Masters nervous due to his past -- and the Jedi Council doesn't see how their actions might serve to alienate a powerful Jedi by showing him he isn't appreciated or desired as a part of the Order. They don't want people who disagree with the status quo, which means that they don't get opposing viewpoints or outright disagreement with the official policy. This is a recipe for disaster in any organization, much less one with the kind of power the Jedi have.

[Imperial Overlord]

Streaks of light dissolved back into stars as the Wise Dancer emerged back into normal space. In front of the tramp freighter loomed a grey world sprinkled with glittering lights. "Nar Shaddaa," said Sulos Retan, "The Vertical City."

"You have the coordinates for the satellite in question?" asked Vann.

"Sure," said Retan, "for all the good that will do us. The signal could have been bounced through a dozen systems before it being sent from here."

"Perhaps," said Vann, "but perhaps not. Our enemy with the assassin droids is very careful about covering his tracks. The K'llan Merkash have demonstrated less care. They are used to operating with unquestioned impunity on their home sector and their participation in this scheme would never have been discovered if they had followed their orders. I suspect that their security measures with their communications are equally lax."

"Let's hope so," said Retan as he adjusted his ship's course. "We're coming up on the satellite in question." A slowly revolving cylinder topped with a dish appeared in the cockpit window. "It will have anti tamper systems," said Retan. "Any of you slicers?"

"My men can handle it, if it becomes necessary," said Dartala. "We do, however, have other options." She pointed to a corner of the cockpit window. A slender ship with two huge engine pods mounted at the rear closed on them.

"The Stiletto," said Retan. "What is Ssressk doing here?"

"I hired him," said Dartala. "I felt that Lyenne had a continuing need for his services." The bounty hunter's ship pulled up alongside the satellite and cycled and airlock near the rear. A stout red and grey painted astromech droid drifted out towards the satellite.

The little droid fired a counter jet to kill his velocity just before he touched the satellite. A slim probe extended from his body and into a maintenance port.

"Ssressk to Retan," came a voice over the com.

"Retan here. Nice surprise seeing you again."

"Likewisze," hissed the Trandoshan. "Five-Ar hass penetrated their ssecurity ssysstem and iss downloading their transsmission logzs. Prepair to resceive data sstream."

Retan punched several keys on a panel near the piloting controls. "Ready."

"Transsmiting." Lines of phosphorescent blue characters tumbled down the screen.

"That's a lot of data," said Retan.

Vann swung around to seat herself in front of the console. "Yes," she said, "but only a small part of it is relevant to our search. A few refinements of the sorting parameters should allow us to find the data we need. Ahh. Here it is. A direct transmission from Nar Shaddaa itself." She examined the coordinates. "Does this location mean anything to you?" she asked Retan.

"Smuggler Canyons," said Retan. "The area is mostly lawless. Perfect place to get some real estate under a false identity as long as the money is good. No one will care what they are up to."

"No one on Nar Shaddaa," Vann corrected gently. "Can you find us a secluded landing spot in the vicinity of this building?"

"Are you kidding?" asked Retan. "Might as well ask if Wookies have fur. Of course I can find a secluded landing spot in the Smuggler Canyons." His hands reached out for the controls and jammed throttles forward. Wise Dancer's engines roared and the tramp freighter rushed towards the grey and desolate looking moon. Before them the surface of the world resolved itself from a formless mass of grey to thousands of grey specks, a few shining with light. Those specks became enormous towers, packed in tightly next to each other. Ships and skimmers flitted through the air, flying in the space between buildings.

Retan leveled the Wise Dancer out and headed towards an area where the towers were more distantly spaced and decrepit. "Not exactly a big call for keeping up appearances in Smugglers Canyons," said Retan. The buildings were marked with only a few lights and most of them were dim. "No one gets in anyone else's business. Unless their business is robbing someone else."

The Stiletto followed them in. Retan dropped the Wise Dancer lower, through a layer of smog and into the darkness created by the shadow of Nar Shaddaa's towers. "Should we be going this low?" asked Vann.

"Trust me," said Sulos. He typed a code into his controls. A huge door opened near the base of a tower ahead of them. An atmospheric shield kept the foul air out. A quad laser was mounted on either side of the docking bay.

"Someone doesn't like uninvited guests," said Dartala.

"Hey, this is the Smuggler Canyons," said Retan with a smile. "The mynocks get pretty big here."

"Right," said Vann.

"Master," said Sithe as he entered the rear of the cockpit, "I sense danger."

"So do I," said Vann. "Be mindful of the present."

"Trust me," said Retan. "Ceesix is solid. As long as we make him money, we have a berth."

"Nice of you to mention that now," said Vann.

"Carrying you around, I was going to buy better shields anyway. Might as well kill two birds with one stone. Besides, Ssressk is always in the market for new heat. Ceesix will be happy to see us." The Wise Dancer touched down. "Trust me."

[Crazedwraith]

This cannot end well. Nothing following 'Trust me' ever does.

[Kartr_Kana]

I have to agree with CW this sounds like a blaster fight in the making Which is totally cool by me Excellent read like always Overlord

[Imperial Overlord]

"Listen Cee," said Sulos, backing away with his hands up, "there's no reason to be angry about that. "We can smooth that all out."

"Really," said the thin, two meter tall droid. All four arms, each holding a sinister, matte black Zarnaiyad Gunwerks XZ-290 blaster pistol continued to track the smuggler. "Business with you lead to considerable costs on my part."

"Hey, hey, hey. That was not my fault. None of it. The timing is a little coincidental, but I had nothing to do with it."

"It was just coincident my depot was raiding just after you left. The odds of that being true are-"

"So you're willing to consider that I'm telling the truth. Excellent. Look, why would I bring down trouble on the best outlaw tech in the galaxy? Especially one who's rates are so reasonable due to controllable overhead? It doesn't make sense. It's illogical. You and me, we just got jammed up in a bad situation."

"You're trying to trick me."

"No, I'm trying to do business with you. What kind of business would I do with a bunch of pirates? They're the kind of scum who are constantly trying to jack my cargo and take my ship. I wouldn't betray the contents of a Hutt's outhouse to those scum."

The droid's hands spun, panels opened on his legs and lower torso, and then the guns were slammed back into their concealed positions. "Analysis indicates a greater than ninety percent chance of veracity," Ceesix said. "State your proposition."

"I need the best damn deflector shield you can install in the Dancer," said Retan. "I can pay you immediately. With a bonus for fast installment. Say ten percent."

"Fifteen."

"Done."

The smuggler turned around and waved at his passengers who were waiting inside the Dancer's cockpit. "See? I told you it would be alright."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The battered air car rose alongside the soot stained tower and into the dark sky of Nar Shaddaa. Their was very little traffic in this part of the moon spanning city. "Not a popular place," said Vann.

"No," said Retan, "most people have good enough sense to stay away unless they have business. Perfect for our friends." He slid the throttle forward and the air car accelerated into the gap between towers. A low flying space ship passed over head. Retan dropped the air car down twenty meters. He pointed at the a building looming in the distance, lights blinking around it's spire. "That's where the transmissions came from."

"Can you bring us up for a low pass just over the transmission horn?" asked Vann.

"Sure," said Retan, angling the air car's nose up. "What for? You have a spy bot that you want to deliver."

"No," said Vann as the smuggler brought the air car nearer. "Something a little more direct than that. Ready?"

"Ready," said Sithe. The air car passed over the top of the tower. The Jedi opened the side doors and jumped.

"Crazy Jedi," said Retan. "Well you highness, I guess that leaves just you, me, Ssressk, and your death commandos."

"Indeed," said Dartala. She eyed the surrounding territory. "I believe I know exactly what we should be doing next."

[Kartr_Kana]

well almost a blaster fight Can't wait to see what the death commando's are up to. Keep up the great story writing IO!