Chapter 1 The Ender Spire Red and green blaster shots filled the skies. Millions of little ships and two larger ones where attacking an orange and white vessel. The single vessel was holding its own, fighting off some of the attack, but soon the numbers game would get the better of it. The vessel was long and large, in the shape of a hammer. Parts were flying off the vessel as the attack by the larger ships continued on. One of the larger ships moved in toward hammer like ship, and slowly extended the loading dock arm. Men is shiny silver armor got ready to discharge and attack the ship from the inside. As the huge vessels come closer and closer, blaster shots rang out, trying to stop the boarding process. The men in the silver raised their blaster rifles and readied themselves. The armor on the men was spectacular. The helmet leaving a black opening, where a voice communicator was stationed, the edge of the helmet came to sharp points. The chest plate shined to perfection. The armor allowed them to move easily, seeming to cause no restraints for them. One man in the same suit walked to the front of the attack line. He was in the same sort of suit, his was red and black. He had seen his share of battles and been victorious to gain those colors. “Men,” The solider in the red said as calmly as if it were a walk in the park. “Energy shield.” All the men, pushed buttons on their wrists and blue energy shield appear, surrounding them in energy, to protect them from blaster fire and melee combat. The blue was incredible, with it flashing in and out with the sliver armor, it made them look invincible. Some of the younger recruits were out of sink with the energy shields but soon enough they will become full fledged soldiers. Others where just to cocky to even push the buttons. As the docking arm hit the docking bay ramp, the door that the men were standing behind opened and all ran out. Five slowed their pace and started to walk. One of the five was carrying a beautiful sword. It had a golden handle and an improved grip, and an inscription on the blade that read “A TRUE SITH WILL NEVER DIE”. He had his blaster rifle holstered, but ready to grab if needed. “Leftovers again.” The man with the sword said to his comrades. “Looks that way.” One replied. “Leftovers suck.” The man with the sword added. As they walked to the loading door, the men that ran ahead of them have slaughtered the men that stood against them and have made their ways in different directions. +++++++++++++++++ Another hard hit from the large black ship made its mark on the side of the ship. The impact shook a new recruit from his dreams. His eyes shot open and the blue of them, stronger then any blue you could imagine. His eyes were the kind that could see right through you, or truly look upon you. His mind was a blur, he had no knowledge of what was happening or where he was for that matter. The only thing that was in his mind was clouds. Dark, gray, evil enough to cloud his thoughts. He was in nothing but a tight top and bottom. The tops arms were orange and stop at the bicep. The bottoms were shorts, with a large stripe down the sides. He sat up and looked around his room, throwing his feet off the bed. The coldness of the floor pulses throw his body. He cracked his neck and stretched. He was overwhelmed, just five minutes ago, he was in a dream, but now, he couldn’t remember a thing about it, or himself. His hands started to shake, maybe for the coldness of the ships floor or maybe it was from something different, something deeper. The room he was in had a footlocker, three windows and a computer console. The young man, had a face as tight as any man that had fought in war, and his muscles around normal size, looking like your average human war veteran. His hair was completely gone, but he had a dirty blonde goatee and bushy eyebrows. His nose was round, and looked like it had been broke once or twice. He slowly stood up, and the ship got rocked with another hard blow, knocking the man off his feet. He fell over the bed and landed on his head. The door to his room opened and a man with a head of short-cropped white hair, and a blaster pistol at his side walked in. He wore the standard orange-and-black uniform of the Republic fleet troopers. A lone short sword also hung at his side, attached to his waist and hip. “What the hell are you doing?” The man exclaimed “Jesus man, get in your gear, and get ready for battle.” “Who are you?” The younger man asked as he stood to his feet. He was feeling shocked that the man had just barged in on him. ’What if I was naked’ The man thought, but he kept his thoughts to just that, thoughts. Maybe it was because he was unarmed or maybe it was because, in someway, he thought this man could help him, or this man looked like he was pretty handy with that blaster. “I‘m Trask Ulgo, with the Republic fleet. I am your bunk-mate here on the Ender Spire. You and I have never met, due to the fact that we are on a different shifts.” The younger man looked Trask up and down, “I‘m Arias Van-Sector. ” “Yeah Yeah, I know who you are. You just arrived on the ship a few of days ago.” Trask gave the young man a look that said it all, they had to hurry. “Where are my clothes?” Arias asked, as he looked around. ‘And what the hell is the rush?’ Arias thought, almost aloud. “They should be in your footlocker, along with some supplies. Now come on.” Trask persuaded. ‘Calm down man, if I got to get ready for battle, I’m not jumping out in front of blaster fire in nothing but my underwear.’ Arias thought and was about to say something but decided against it, ‘Who knows, this guy might be my only hope of getting out of here.’ Arias walked over to the footlocker and knelt beside it, he put in a combination and popped it open. Sure enough there were some clothes. He lifted the clothes out and a blaster pistol and a short sword, attached to a utility belt lay under them. Arias slid the pants on and slipped the short sleeved shirt on. ‘This is really going to protect me. Ha, I should have just went in my underwear. At least I’d blind them’ He chuckled to himself. He stopped thinking about it and started thinking about what the hell was happening. “So Trask, what’s going on here? What’s happening? ” “The Sith fleet came out of no where, and started attacking the republic fleet. We had no warning.” Trask looked down at the floor, somewhat ashamed. “Sith? What are they?” Arias asked, noting his allies embarrassment and somewhat changing the subject to what they were fighting, instead of why. ‘ I’m sure I will find out why and who we are fighting soon enough, but as long as he is giving the information I’m game.’ “I think you mean who. The Sith are elite fighters that are about as evil as they come. They care for nothing but themselves. Hell, a Sith solider would take out his own if it would help him get recognized by someone higher up. Its really quiet sick, taking out your allies just to get noticed. We knew they would attack, we just didn‘t think it would be so soon, or so fast.” Trask shook his head “But you better hurry, the Sith have boarded our ship, and taken out a lot of our men. We must get to Bastila and keep her safe.” Arias looks at Trask, confused “Bastila? Who’s that?” Arias pulled the belt out of the foot locker, he grinned and took notice of the three flag grenades attached to the left side of the belt and the empty slots for a few more. He put it around himself and started to do it up. Trask shook his head again, seeming not in the mood to talk. Arias pulled the belt tight and walked over to Trask. Trask looked at him and smirked “ You ready?” “I was born ready.” Arias said with a grin. ‘Who knows, I might grow to like this guy.’ “I seen your track record kid, you have battled with the best of them. So lets go kick some Sith a..” “Lets get the damn door open first.” “Oh, let me get that. Its locked and I got hack into it.” The door slid open again and the two started out into a tiny corridor. A holograph popped up on Trask arm band. A man with a beard and a raggedy old jacket that looked about the same age as the man started to speak “This is Carth Onasi, The Ender Spire has been attacked by the Sith. Every thing looking pretty bad down here. Get to the bridge and protect Bastila as soon as possible. All units, move now.” “Damn that’s was Carth, if he says things are bad, Then they are. We better get to the bridge as soon as possible. Bastila can use all the help we got.” Arias was stunned in thought ‘Who the hell is this Carth guy? How do we know we can trust him? How do I know that I can trust…’ Trask opened the door just in time, to see a lucky blaster shot take down one of the two republic soldiers, and a huge power blast take out the second. Around the corner stood two Sith soldiers, just waiting to have some more fun. “These Sith stand in our way.” Trask yelled and he pulled his blaster. “For the Republic.” Trask jumped out from behind the wall and started firing. Arias rolled into the corridor and pulled his blaster, as the Sith soldier was baring down on him, Arias pulled the trigger of the blaster, catching the Sith soldier in the chest. The blaster shot went through the man and hit the wall behind him. The Sith soldier made two steps and then dropped to his knees. Arias stared at the mans face, feeling nothing but pure evil, for once, he knew he was fighting for the good side. As the Sith soldier dropped, Trask finished the other Sith soldier off with a blaster shot to the head. Trask helped Arias up and patted his shoulder “That only number one. You can bet we will be seeing more of them.” Arias said nothing, just bushed himself off. ‘I know this guys is crazy now, but he’s crazy in a good way. Hey, as long as he doesn’t do anything stupid, we both might stay alive.’ Arias walked over and grabs a sack of credits from each soldier. “What are they for?” Trask asked. Arias smiled “When we escape this ship, I‘m going to buy you a drink.” “Not until we get off this thing… friend.” ‘Friend!? that’s a word I haven’t heard in a while. So lookie here, I made a friend.’ But Arias knew that if he was in trouble Trask would bail him out, and for some strange reason, he knew that if Trask was in trouble, he would come through on his end as well. Arias smirked and headed to the next door. Arias opened the door and almost got his head taken off with a blaster shot. He fired a couple of shots of his own, missing as he fell to the ground. Trask dropped to the ground and took aim at one soldiers chest. He fired and took the unsuspecting soldier down. The other soldier however has seen Trask hit the deck and had made his way over to hit him with the gun, Arias jumped on his back, tackling him to the ground. Arias was to late though, as the soldier hit Trask before Arias could tackle him. Arias rolled to his feet and the soldier pulled a long sword from his belt and laughed behind the mask. Arias pulled his short sword and the Sith attacked high. Arias blocked the shot and the two start exchanging sword shots. Arias trusted forward, the Sith spun off the attack and swung his sword, almost taking Arias’ head off its shoulders. Arias blocked another high shot and kicked the Sith soldier in the face, knocking him back. Arias lunged forward slammed the blade into the armor, piercing it. The Sith soldier slid down the blade and came to rest at the hilt, leaving the blade of the sword covered in his blood. His helmet fell off and his face was wrinkled and gray from the evil that was inside him. Blood dripped from his lips and Arias fell to a knee, holding the man there with the short sword. As the mans weight finally swayed to one side, the short sword snaps off at the handle. Arias stood from his knee and tossed the handle down. He walked over and kneeled beside his fallen comrade, helping him to his feet. All that’s kept going through his mind is that he had just killed a boy, maybe fifteen at the most. “I‘m fine, leave me alone.” Trask replied pushing Arias away. “Okay, Okay.” Arias walked over and grabbed more credits from the bodies. Taking one last look at the boy with the blade hanging out of his back, he turned and walked over to a near by foot locker. He booted it and the it popped open. Inside there was a long sword, and huge bag of credits, labeled one hundred and a combat suit. Arias walked over to a fallen republic soldier and made a fist, he dropped to a knee and put his elbow on his knee and his fist on his forehead. After a second or two, Arias stood up and grabbed the republicans blaster. As he slid it into the holster, he drew his and placed the long sword where his short sword had been. Arias opened the next door where three republic soldiers were firing at several Sith soldiers. A couple of blaster shots rang out and one Sith soldier screamed. The clang of his armor as it hit the floor told Arias that he was down. Swords hit together, just around the corner in the X shaped room, a Republic soldier with a double bladed sword and a Sith soldier with a double bladed vibroblade battled vigorously . The Sith soldier jumped back, but his Armor gets clipped by the Republicans sword as he spun it around himself, having the blade come to rest on his hip and the others sharp end ready for an attack. The Sith soldier looked down at his armor and charged at the republican, the Sith jumped in the air, spinning. As he came down, he landed with the front of his blade cutting into the republicans helmet, which came around his head and out the back into a point. The helmet fell over the eyes of the man, and the Sith soldier kicked him back against the wall. The man managed to get his helmet off, just in time to get the blade of the Sith soldier in the skull. The republic soldier died immediately. He fell to the ground and blood pooled around him. The Sith man changed at the three republic soldiers who were still exchanging blaster fire. One of the Sith that they where firing at, ceased the opportunity and threw a flag grenade. As it blow up, the three republic soldiers flew backward and hit the wall, the Sith soldier landed in the middle of the corridor’s crossing. ‘These Sith are as evil as I have been told. They care nothing for their own. How can they sleep at night. They all should die. Arias was furious, some of it was from fighting but most of it was at himself. He couldn’t remember what the hell had happened to him, no matter how hard he tried. Why can’t I remember kept going through his mind. But he put his thoughts to rest for a while, this fight was going to be a tough one. The Sith soldier’s knew more would come, and were probably just waiting to throw another grenade. Arias took a deep breath and put his back against the wall. Trask looked at him, and realized that Arias was going to do this on his own. He was waiting for Arias to make the first move. Arias closed his eyes, and crossed his arms in front of him. The guns touched his face and he was off. He ran out, diving almost into the pool of blood surrounding the republic soldier that was struck down. He scrambled to the wall, nearest the Sith. He took aim, and fired, taking one of the four soldiers down. Just as he had suspected, the soldiers hadn’t seen him get in so close. Trask then popped his head out from behind the wall. Arias pulled a grenade from his belt and popped the pin. As Trask distracted them, and held their fire on him, Arias rolled the grenade in between two Soldiers, blowing them apart. The third soldier stood by the only door not damaged but the attack. He had a bead on Arias, and was just ready to shoot when the explosion happened. He fired anyway, hopping to hit something. He did, the blaster shot glanced off Arias’ left arm, Arias fired back, and caught the guy in the chest. Arias, thinking fast, ripped a piece of his right arm clothing, and wrapped his arm. “You alright kid?” Trask asked. “Yeah. Just a nick.” Trask ran out to Arias and nodded “Let move.” Arias dropped the pistol in his left hand and holstered the other. He bent down and grabbed the Sith soldiers blaster rifle. He continued to the next door with Trask ready for anything. “There‘s something behind here.” Trask said. The door opened and behind it a female Jedi and Dark male Jedi where fighting. The male had a single bladed red lightsaber and the woman had a blue light saber, symbol of a jedi guardian. The dark Jedi was in a long black robe, it fluttered as he attacked. A robe like that sets fear into the heart of men. They are evil, and are willing to do anything to win. They twist and use “the force” to inflict harm on others. The woman on the other had is in a light brown robe, something like his. She is a jedi guardian, the light side of the force doesn’t use the force to inflict harm, they use it to heal, and help. Guardians where as skilled in combat as any jedi could be. They consecrated more on perfecting there abilities with a light saber then using the force. She spin kicked the dark Jedi in the head and lunged forward with her saber. It went right throw the man and his lightsaber de-ignites as he dropped to the floor. All of a sudden another hard blaster to the ship sends an electric charge that hit’s the woman. She also fell with a squeal and her lightsaber also de-ignited. “Damn that was one of the Jedi accompanying Bastila. We could have used her help. ” Arias wasn’t listening. He had remembers something from his past. It was still very blurry but he remember being told that a Jedi should never be stripped of their lightsaber. It is a terrible dishonor. Besides, he could never use the damn thing. He might be skilled with a sword, but a lightsaber is totally different. Arias walked up to the fallen woman and picked up her lightsaber. As he rolled her onto her back, he placed the saber in her hands and closed her eyes. He left the Dark Jedi in his fallen position, as he deserved to be dishonored. Two Sith soldiers came out of no were. Arias moved quick enough, narrowly missing the blaster fire. He rolled to a knee and waited for them to come around the corner. As they did, Trask shot one at close range and Arias blasted the others knee out. He then pulled the trigger a second time, taking the Sith soldiers out with a shot to the chest. As the Sith fell the helmet rolled off, and a woman was under the mask. ‘I killed a woman. No, I killed a Sith. It was me or her.’ Arias was having trouble inside and it showed on his face. Trask grabbed him by the shoulder and helped him up. “Kid, they are all the same. If you didn‘t take her, she would have taken you.” “I know. I just…” “Come on Arias, the bridge is just beyond that door up there. You better ready your melee weapon.” “What if they have lightsabers?” Arias asked, a little concerned. “Those two Sith we just took out, one has a vibroblade, they can stand up to even lightsabers. I‘d drop your long sword kid.” “What about you?” “My short sword was made special for me. It can stand against a lightsaber too.” Trask opened the door, inside two republic soldiers and two Sith soldiers where engaged in hard melee combat. Two explosions in the front of the bridge rang out and the four soldiers fell together. They where burned to a crisp or dead from lack of blood or getting cut down or shot. The two surviving Sith soldiers that where standing by the door, attacked Arias and Trask. The first soldier tackled Arias to the ground. The vibroblade he had in his hand fell away and he was forced to punch his way free. He and the Sith soldier rolled a couple of times with Arias coming up on top. Arias punched the soldier several times in the face. He was getting no where, all he was doing was dinting the helmet. Arias ripped the helmet off the soldier and a man with a pale face emerged. Trask reacted faster then Arias, possibly from experience. He and the Sith soldier where dueling back and forth. The Sith took a swing, narrowly missing Trask. Trask pushed forward and slammed the soldier into the wall, he landed a knee into the Sith soldiers stomach. A loud crack was heard and then a squeal from the soldier. Trask quickly ended his pain with the short sword through the back and out the front. The soldier slid off the blade and dropped in a pool of his own blood. The Sith man punched Arias in the face knocking him off. Arias staggers to his feet, just in time to block the kick with his forearms. Arias grabbed the mans leg and booted the other out. The man landed hard on his back. As Arias let the mans leg go, he spun around, and kicked Arias’s legs out. Before Arias could say no, Trask slammed his short sword into the man. “No Trask.” “Kid, he could have killed you.” “I had him under control.” “Not from my point of view.” “I don‘t care. Where the hell is this Bastila?” “She’s not here, she probably went to the escape pods.” “Wait a second here, who the hell is she? ” “Bastila is the commander here on then Ender Spire.” “Who says she not dead?” “The Sith want her alive.” “Why?” “I don‘t know. But as soon as she is off this ship, nothing is going to be stopping them from blowing this place to space dust.” ‘So basically, if she gets off of this ship before us, we die. Good commander. ’ Arias smiled to himself. Trask looked at him. “Look Arias, we have to go, that’s our duty. And I know that you are a better man then me. You show emotion in your fighting. So, if it came down to it, I would die for you. Now lets go, before Bastila does get off this ship and we die. Remember, you said you would buy me a drink.” For some strange reason, Arias knew that Trask wasn’t telling him everything. He knew more about Bastila, he knew more about him. But he didn’t push it. They walked to the command center at the top of the bridge. Trask looked at the man that lie on the floor. “This was my friend, his name was Ryan. He was the best fighter we had, until you came.” Trask picked up the sword of the man and handed it to Arias. “What’s this for?” Arias asked. “Please, take it. I knew him well, and he would want no one else to have it. That’s is the best damn Vibroblade you will even find. It will never break and it will never rust. It is the only thing he had left from his wife. She brought it for him with her life. She became a slave and he went to war with this sword at his side.” “I will wear it with pride.” “I know you will.” Arias slide the sword into the sleeve from the mans belt. He dropped his own belt and took the mans. It was equipped with two flag grenades, two poison grenades and one plasma grenade. The sword dangled freely. Arias quickly realized this and tied it off on his thigh. He grabbed a blaster rifle for the Sith soldier on the floor and headed to the door with Trask. Arias could sense that Trask was uneasy about something, but didn’t ask. Trask knew that Arias could sense it, but he tried to hide his fear the best he could. He knew his destiny would come soon. As the door slide open, the two walked through and a door to the left of them opened. A man with armor as black as his soul stood there. He ignited his double bladed lightsaber and laughed. His face was evil. He had no hair on his head, but had a black goatee going from under his nose around his mouth and onto his chin. A thick bunch ran from his bottom lip into the goatee, and his eyes where black. His skin had really started to wrinkle from the evil in him. “Damn, another Dark Jedi you go, get to the escape pods.” Trask ran towards the Jedi and Arias stood stunned. ‘This guy doesn’t even know me and he is willing to sacrifice himself for me… No, I can’t let that happen, we started this and WE will finish this.’ Arias was in the middle of turning when an invisible wave hit him. The Jedi had his arm raised and Arias flew into the wall, cracking it. Trask readied himself and raised his sword to a defensive position. Arias pushed himself to his feet and ran for the door. The Dark Jedi used his power to seal off the door. Arias hit it at a dead run. “TRASK!!! NO!!!” Arias tried but there was no hope. He punched the door in frustration. Arias then fell to his knees, looking at the floor. He repeated, his companions name. When he stood up, there was something wrong. He seemed more determined to get off the ship. ‘Trask died for me, and I will not let him down. I will avenge his death.’ Arias picked up his blaster rifle and walked to the near by door. Above the door it read the Starboard section. As Arias walked through the doors, Carth Onasi contacted him. “This is Carth Onasi, I am contacting you through your voice communication system. Bastila’s escape pod is away. I am tracking you through you vital signs. You are the soul survivor. Get to the escape pods immediately, I can’t wait long.” Arias never even slowed his pace, the determination on his face and in his mind is the only thing that he cared about. He must get to the escape pods. Trask was dead, he knew that. He also understood that if he had of stayed and fought along side him, he would also be dead. He walked up to the only door on in the room and opened it. The two Sith soldiers where startled by his entry, giving him the edge. He fired two shots, taking both out. As he walked up to one, he stepped on him, opening the second door. These two Sith where ready for him, but he didn’t care. Two blaster shots from his rifle took them both down. He walked by the two bodies and grabbed their credits. As Carth contacted him again. “Be careful, there is a fleet of Sith Soldiers behind this door. They are trying to break through and get to me. You can repair the droid, or use the computer terminal. Their should be some spikes in the footlocker behind you.” Arias turned around and blasted the footlocker with the rifle. He pulled out a data pad and placed it in the terminal. Slicing into the system was easy. He set off the electricity and watched all the Sith but one die. Arias walked into the room, the sole Sith soldier was the commander, dressed in the red armor. He stared at Arias, glaring under the mask. Arias smirked and cracked a joke “Honey, I‘m home.” The Sith Soldier didn’t take to lightly to being made a fool off. He dropped his blaster rifle and pulled his blade. He spun it around, having it come to rest in front of him. ‘Oh shit, look what my big mouth got me into now. This guys a swordsman.’ Arias’s nerves where going wild, but none of it showed as he stood strong. “I have been waiting for you.” Arias looked confused “Waiting for me eh? Hell, if I where you, I wouldn‘t have waited I would have ran.” “Fool, a Sith runs from no one.” “Oh, So that’s why you always lose.” “Lose!? HA, you don‘t know the Sith do you? You don‘t know what’s happening to the galaxy do you?” “Why don‘t you enlighten me.” Arias said with his cocky voice. “The Sith are in control you imbecile. The republic will fall to us. We have already killed so many. I have killed so many Republic soldiers, I don’t even take pride in it now. The Republic is weak, you should become a Sith, join us and rule the galaxy.” “I would sooner help the so called underdogs.” “You are rash. Throwing your life away so foolishly.” “Ha, you think I‘m throwing my life away. You better be the one taking it.” “You can fight, I have seen that. I watched you make your way here. But your skills will never match mine.” “You might think you have the power to stop me, But that’s been tried before. As you can see, It has never worked.” “Fool. You wish to die for these men who can‘t fight. Men that are weaker then you?” “Yes, I do. At least, we don‘t kill our friends and followers just to gain recantation.” “We Sith only do what is right. The strong survive and the weak die.” “So basically, I survive and you die.” “Shut up.” “Come and shut me up.” Arias wanted the man to attack. He was sick of talking. As Arias expected the man attacked. The sound of the swords as they clashed made everything else disappear. The blaster fire from outside, everything was gone. These two warriors knew they would fight to the death. Arias blocked with his sword above his head as the Sith man came down on him with a high shot. Without a second to think Arias blocked a diagonal hit from the high right, then another from the left this time. The Sith man swung his sword attempting to cut Arias in half. Arias blocked the shot with his blade facing downward and the handle above his head. Arias had a smirk on his face as the two broke away. The smirk was washed away as the two attacked each other again. Arias on the offence with slashes. Left, right, up, down and thrust forward. The Sith man matched Arias move for move. As the two slashed at each other, the swords locked in a test of strength. Arias started to over power the Sith man, but the Sith pulled away. Arias lost his balance and staggered to stay on his feet. He fell into a near by wall. Arias ducked just as the blade came at his head. The blade hit the metal of the wall and Arias ducked under the mans arm, coming up and staring at him with his blade in front of him. The Sith turned around and the two squared off again. “You fight good, that is why you should be a Sith.” “Ha, over my dead body.” “If that is how you want it. So be it.” ‘Oh good, here we go again.’ Arias thought. Arias blocked a high shot but was not fast enough to block the straight punch to the face. The armor on the mans fist was shape and sliced Arias’ face open. Arias fell to the ground, holding his face. His sword had been knocked out of his hands and he was defenseless. The Sith man took two steps and was about to swing his sword at Arias but, Arias sprung to his feet and tackled the man at the waist. The sword fell away from the Sith, but the man was ready for it. As he rolled with the attack and sent Arias up and over him, Arias landed upside down back first into the wall he had fallen against. The Sith man scrambled to his feet, grabbing his sword and picking up Arias’. The man swung them both, one in his right hand then other in his left. Arias slowly stood up, wide eyed as the man walked toward him with the two swords. Without thinking, Arias jumped onto a metal square crate, and then sprung over his attacker, spinning in mid air and landing on the Sith shoulders. He grabbed his sword and back flipped off the Sith mans shoulders and the two locked swords again. The test of strength was on again, this time Arias kicked the Sith captain away. “Impressive, but you are still no match for me.” The Sith man said, with a laugh. “Ha, I thought nothing impressed a Sith.” The Sith man lunged at Arias out of nowhere, Arias batted the attack away and slammed his sword into the back of the Sith mans armor. Sparks flew off the attack and Arias looked stunned. “Fool, you can not penetrate this armor.” Laughed the Sith man. “OR so you think.” “You saw it with your own two eyes. This armor was made special, as was this sword.” ‘Great. How do you beat something or someone with impenetrable armor?’ Arias smiled at the man. Then attacked again. The man blocked high, but Arias didn’t relinquish the attack. High to the left, low to the right, slice across the midsection, high straight down. The final shot knocked the man off his feet, Arias jumped into the air, spinning his sword in mid air, reversing the blade, and bringing it down with the tip catching the Sith mans helmet. Unfortunately, he was not in the helmet. Arias had to bring the sword up fast to block a hard swing from the Sith Captain. Arias stood and spun on his toes, swinging his sword at the Sith. The sword caught the armor of the man again, but nothing but sparks. The man swung his sword around in the air bringing to down almost on Arias’ arms. But Arias pulled his hands back just in time. At the two exchanged blows, a Sith Soldier that had been hit by the lightning slowly pushed himself to his elbows. He grabbed his blaster rifle and slowly took aim for Arias. The door to the escape pods opened and Carth Onasi came out. As the Sith man got a bead on Arias, Carth pulled the trigger of his custom blaster, catching the Sith man in the back. Both Arias and the Captain looked over to see Carth with his blaster raised. “No Carth, This is between me and him.” “The Ship is falling apart, if we wait any longer the ship could blow.” “Just give me as much time as you can.” “Bastila’s Escape pod is away, lets go kid.” Arias looked at Carth with a stern look. “Look out Kid.” Carth yelled at the top of his lungs. Arias spun around just in time to see the Sith captains blade mere inches for him face. Arias reacted quickly by grabbing the Sith mans arm. Arias dropped onto his back and twisted the arm, causing the Sith to flip up and over. Before Arias could reverse his blade, the Sith man kicked his foot up and nailed Arias in the face with a steel toe of his armor covering his foot. Arias fell back holding his face. Blood trickled from his mouth as he stood to his feet. The Sith man was also to his feet, the two held their blades in front of them, expecting anything. They circled each other. Arias attacked high and to the right, The Sith man was ready for the attack and blocked it with easy. Although he was ready for the sword attack he was not expecting a punch to the face. The punch knocked the man back against the wall where he was met with a spin kick to the head. “Yeah, get him kid.” ‘I already know I’m not going to like this guy.’ Arias and the captain stared at each other. Blood was coming from the corner of Arias’ mouth, and a cut on his cheek, the Sith man had a cut above his left eye. “You underestimate me.” Arias said, noticing the shock on the mans face. “Maybe. But you have proven nothing to me.” “The only way I am going to prove anything to you is by killing you right?” “Exactly.” “Well, time to die.” Arias charged the man, attacking with all that was left in the tank. He swung hard and fast, not to Hard or fast for the Sith man, but the energy shield on his arm. Arias’ sword severed the mans right hand, and busted the energy shield in half. The Sith man screamed and blood started to pour from the wound. The man dropped to his knees still holding his sword in the left hand. Arias slides the sword into the sheathe attached to his belt. And turn his back to the Sith man. “Finish what you have started.” The Sith man called out. “No.” “Then you are no warrior.” “And you are no man, I guess we are even.” “Damn you, I will hunt you down. I will kill you.” “And I will be waiting.” The Sith man stood up and ran at Arias, screaming in pain or anger, maybe both. Arias ducked and flipped the man over him, the Sith man landed on his back and Arias pulled his blade, reversed it and slammed it down. He stopped himself, the tip of the sword on the mans throat. Beads of sweat had long formed on Arias’s face and his face was flush from the work out. “Finish me.” “No, I will let you live. You go back and tell all your little Sith Buddies that you failed. That’s is a greater punishment.” “Then you shell die.” “At who’s hand?” Arias said with a smile. “Mine.” With that the Sith man plunged his blade into Arias, narrowly missing organs as it came through his back. Blood shot out of Arias’ back and hit the wall. The pain was unbearable. Arias lost consciousness within seconds, falling with all his weight on the blade, driving it through the mans throat. Carth still shocked at what just happened, slowly walked over to Arias. He rolled the young man over and pulled the Sword from his left side. He tossed the sword aside and pulled Arias up, dragging him to the escape pod. He dropped Arias into the only one left and ran back to grab the kids sword. As he did the Dark Jedi that killed Trask walked through the door. Carth locked eyes with the Jedi then quickly ran and jumped into the escape pod. As he punched a couple of buttons on the panel, the escape pod busted lose and shot toward the near by planet of Taris. +++++++++++++++++ “De-attach now.” The captain of the large ship commanded. Three men nodded and started to enter codes into computer consoles. As they entered the codes the long arm that The Sith soldiers who attacked the ship from the inside entered with slowly started to de-attach. The Jedi that killed Trask was standing in the door way of the bridge to the large Sith ship. Two Sith men ran for the Ship but where to late. “Darth Bandon, glad to see you didn‘t die.” “Shut your mouth and fire on the ship.” “Give us a minute to get into position.” “Bastila got away, my master will not be pleased.” “How did she get away from you? We had troops guarding every way out of there.” “She used her stealth, and force powers.” “But how did she get by YOU?” With out a word Bandon moved his hand to the front of him, lighting bolts shot from his fingers and the captain dropped, shacking in shock. Bandon stopped before the man died. “Next time, you will learn to mind your thoughts.” “Yes, I am…” Bandon turned and shot the man with more lighting, this time, with both hands. Then mans death was slow and painful. Bandon looked down at him and right before he died Bandon said “ There is no room for the weak in the Sith.” Bandon shocked him one last time, then looked around the room. He seen a young man the seemed to be enjoying the torture that was in front of him. Bandon pointed at the young man “You.” “Me sir.” “Yes, you. You are the new Captain.” “Thank you sir.” Bandon turned and walked toward the door. A man that was working at a computer stopped him. “Sir, the Leviathan will be arriving soon.” “Come and get me when it arrives, I must talk to my master.” “As you wish sir.” Bandon walked through the doors and the man breathed a sigh of relief that that was over. The new captain gave the order to fire on the republic ship. After two shots from the large ship and the small tie fighters attacking, the republic ship blow apart. +++++++++++++++++ Arias wasn’t fully out of it. He moaned softly and opened his eyes. Carth was staring at him. “Hey, I saved your blade.” Carth’s voice was in no way soothing, but this time Arias felt warm. Maybe from the blood that had pooled around him but still, warm. Arias knew he wasn’t going to end up alone. For the time being, he was fighting to stay conscious. Arias opened his mouth to speak, but nothing but a sickening gurgling sound came out. Carth looked out the window of the escape pod and smiled a fake smile. “W….w…what?” Arias managed to get out. He was trying to resist the pain, and trying to talk wasn’t helping. “Um… This isn‘t going to be a ginger landing.” Carth said. “ Its going to be rough.” “Gr…eat.” Arias choked out. “Hey kid, try to rest. Your going to need your strength.” “Ar…aria…Arias!” “What?” “My…..Name.” “Oh, I‘m Carth Onasi. This isn‘t the way I wanted to meet a fellow Mandalorian War vet .” Arias stared at him. And some how smiled. Carth looked over and smirked. Arias them laughed, a choking laugh. Carth smile faded. “Damn, the atmosphere. Brace yourself.” Arias tried the best he could, but he couldn’t. The shaken of the pod made Arias’ head spin. Everything started to go blurry and then fade to black. Chapter 2 Taris The room was warm and soothing. The blue metal walls so tall, and curved. The room was ovalish, with the ceiling higher that any man, woman or species could reach. Around the room two larger windows that would never be opened reached out and called to you to look through them. Outside the windows lay a city. This planets finest on the upper city, aliens and cast down, the lower city and the Under city. The skies where painted pink and red, the clouds made even the saddest of people feel good. Back inside the room a workbench was placed against a nearby wall, with several parts to a blaster laying on it. Arias was past out on one of the two beds in the room. The beds where rectangular and placed in metal boxes. There where reading on the end of the bed where lights where always flashing. The mattress was designed to read the vital signs of life. But for seeming to have no comfort whatsoever, the beds where softer then anything. It was almost like sleeping on a cloud. There was an blue couch with cushions, the cushions had fancy designs on them but still the couch didn’t look to comfortable. Two tables with chairs across the room. On the far left. The chairs where made of wood but seemed to be floating as they had no legs. Carth was sitting on one examining Arias’ sword. Arias was tossing and turning in his sleep, Carth looked up and sighed seeing as he had been doing it a lot. Maybe it was from the pain or maybe a nightmare who knew. “Come on kid, I need you here more then you know. Without you I won‘t be able to get Bastila back.” Carth sighed again and went back to looking at the sword. The door to the room opened and Carth jumped out of his seat, dropping the sword and pulling his blaster all in one motion. The pistol was beautifully constructed, almost fully upgraded and had most likely pulled his butt out of trouble more then a couple of times. Two aliens walked in, one dressed in a purple uniform and the other in a plain white top and brown bottoms. The one in purple had huge cloudy eyes. Even as Carth stared at them, they seems to flow like oceans. His skin was rough and bumpy, like his uniform his skin was purple as well, but a deeper darker purple. His companions eyes where also clouded, but gray, most likely much older. His skin could have once been a bright green but it was now a very dull colored green. His time was coming soon. He looked at Carth and spoke in a different language. “His wound is healing nicely.” Carth didn’t understand, so he just smiled and nodded, hoping he wasn’t asking a question. The alien spoke again. “You are welcome to use this room, for as long as you would like.” Carth again just nodded and smiled. The alien seemed to understand that Carth had no clue what he was saying so he also smiled and turned to look at his companion. The purple alien walked over to Arias and placed a hand on his exposed chest to calm him. He then pulled a bottle from his belt and poured the liquid onto the wound. He motioned for Carth to help roll Arias over to get the other side. Carth understood his roll for it had not been the first time they had been here. Arias shook a little but the aliens soothing hand helped him fight off the pain. After the alien poured the liquid onto the back of Arias, he stood up and smiled at Carth. The two the walked out of the room with not so much as a good bye. Not that Carth minded, he couldn’t understand them anyway. The door slide closed and Carth padded Arias’ chest. “Your one strong S.O.B. I‘ll give you that.” Carth stood up and walked over to the table he was sitting at. He picked up Arias’ sword and placed it back in the sheath. He then walked over and rested the belt beside Arias’ bed. Carth then took off his shirt and stipped down to his underwear, climbed into the other bed and slowly fell asleep. The edges where clouded but Arias was nothing but a ghost. He was watching a beautiful woman fight for her life. She was in a strange looking Jedi robe one that had long flaps running between hers legs, back and front. She was wearing a skin tight tan undergarment and a belt to hold the top half of the Jedi robe up. Her face was alive and very smooth, her eyes green with passion and love. Her hair, red like the flames of hell. She was beautiful and very much a dream. She was wielding a double bladed lightsaber, yellow was both the beams of light. A man or woman was standing in her way. He or she was also wielding a lightsaber, single bladed and red. The man or woman attacked fast and hard, but the woman batted the attack aside and put the back end of her lightsaber through the man or woman stomach. The lightsaber retracted and he or she fell. The woman then looked straight ahead, seemingly into Arias’ eyes. Arias jumped up, almost out of the bed. He was breathing hard and sweat droplets formed on his forehead. One slid down his cheek and fell on his naked chest. A flood of pain rushed over him but not even as close to as intense as when the blade had gone through him. He looked down at his wound, it had been healing very well. As he looked around the room he started to ask himself stuff. ‘Where the hell am I? How did I get here? He has been treating me? What’s going on?’ Arias still had no clue where he was or anything that had happened. Carth was up again, this time he was looking out the window. He didn’t even see or hear Arias get up. Arias stared at him and finally asked “Who are you?” Carth jumped and turned to face him. “I‘m Carth.” “Oh Yeah, I remember you.” Arias recognized him and rubbed his eyes. “ How did I get here?” “Our escape pod landed here in the upper city. This planet is Taris, and it is under Sith control.” ‘Great, more fun with the Sith.’ Arias thought. Then the memory of Trask flooded back to him and he closed his eyes. He dropped his head into his hands and ran his hands over his bald head. He then turned his head to the right and then to the left, until is cracked. “Arias, he died doing what he loved kid.” Arias shot a look at Carth that made him second guess his words. “Um… I did some scouting around while you where out. I found out that another escape pod landed in the under city. Now the under city is a dangerous place. But my bet is that Bastila is there.” “She’s the commander of the Ender Spire right?” “Damn, your fight with that Sith captain must have knocked some brain cells out. Bastila is a Jedi, A very special one. She has the ability to use something called battle mediation. It can cause whole armies to lose hope and be defeated. Its can also Strengthen opposing armies or opponents and make their movements and attacks precise.” “Seems like a lot of work for a Jedi. I mean who’s to say she’s not dead?” “Bastila can use all the help she can get. ” “Not if she’s dead.” Arias said with a cocky tone. “Look, if she is dead then so are we. Taris is under Sith control remember. IF they find out that we are here, we are dead. But if Bastila is alive, then she may be our only hope.” “Well lets go.” Arias was eager to go and look for her. “We can‘t just yet. We need you at, at least eighty percent or better.” “Shouldn‘t we keep a low profile?” “Just incase.” Carth replied with a smile. “I‘m scouting, with or without you.” “Alright, but if you get hurt, its not my fault.” Arias looked over at him with a smile. “What?” Carth questioned with a puzzling look. “Me, Hurt. Ha.” Arias just started to laugh hysterically. He walked over to the door, and slid on his shirt and buckled his pants. He turned and looked at Carth. “Where‘s my belt?” Carth looked at him and then walked over to the table he was sitting at earlier. He pulled the belt up and tossed it to Arias. “Thanks.” Arias replied catching the belt in mid air and whipping it around himself in one smooth motion. He then buckled it and smiled at Carth. “Lets go.” “I‘m coming.” “Then hurry your old ass up.” “Who are you calling old?” +++++++++++++++++ Above the planet of Taris a large black ship was approaching. Much bigger then the ship that Darth Bandon was now in command of. The Leviathan. Aboard that ship the dark lord of the Sith awaits. He had his back to his apprentice, sitting and staring out at Taris. Darth Bandon looked at his Master. He slowly dropped to a knee and bowed his head. “Master, I have failed you.” Bandon finally said, knowing the punishment was death. “You have not failed me.” The master said, his voice seemingly mechanical and very deadly. “You have chased her into a hole, she is helpless.” “But I did not end it on the Republic vessel. You commanded me to end it there.” “I knew you would not end it there. Bastila is to strong for her to fall without time. But you did make it impossible for her to use her battle meditation.” His master replied, slowly raising his hand. Only reveling a red sleeve and a gray hand. The hand suddenly went tight into a fist and Bandon grasped his midsection and his ribs. “But if you ever do fail me, you will die.” “I… will…” Bandon started. “Never run from a fight. I will… never fail you…Master.” Bandon screamed as two of his ribs broke under the hand of his master. His masters hand opened and pressure was gone. “You better not fail me Darth Bandon. Or this will all seem like a pretty dream.” His master growled. “As you wish master.” Bandon replied, standing to his full height, on hand on his side. “Now leave me.” Bandon turned and slowly walked out of the chamber, his pride and soul damaged, but his life in tacked. As he walked through the doors they slid shut behind him. From the shadows, a woman walked out, her cloak surrounding her and her hood up. She walked with a limp but could hold her own with a lightsaber and was a master of the force. As she approached Bandon’s master she smiled. “That one will be trouble.” “He will die soon enough.” “By who’s hand?” “A Jedi.” “Ah yes.” “What have you found on my old Master. Did the Jedi slay him?” “Darth Revan is dead.” “Good. He died at my hand.” “Yes, you are now the true lord of the Sith.” “Yes. I am pleased with you. But you must still be hidden. If Bandon sees you, all our plans can be destroyed.” “As you wish Lord Malak.” The woman walked off with he head down and disappeared into the shadows again. “Now,” Malak said to himself. “Where are you Bastila?” +++++++++++++++++ Bastila’s head was killing her. She could sense the presents of one person and many aliens standing around. She was a Jedi, but as she slowly reached for the Jedi’s most trusted weapon, she realized that her belt was gone, as was her clothes. She was stripped down to her underwear. A black bra and matching panties. She didn’t opened her eyes. The smell of the place she was in was disgusting. She wished she wouldn’t have woken up after she took a breath. The pain in her head was greater now, she tried to concentrate and will the pain away but it was to great. The floor was wet metal covered with dirt. She had been lying on a hay pile that was placed in the corner of the room. A slam of steel on rock forced her eyes open. A huge pig like creature was standing over her. His snout was pointed and rounded into a square with two nostrils. It was dripping snot, and was yellow at the tip. The creature its self was green and fat. Its clothes where about two sizes to small and its tusks shot up beside its nose. It dropped a plate of food in front of her and snorted. It then turned and walked away. Bastila looked out of the cell. The stupid pig left the gate open. Bastila looked at it and smiled. She slowly stood up and walked to the open cell door. As she walked through it a wave of hurt it her. Standing there was a brown man, wearing all white and laughing. In his hand he held a shock stick. Bastila looked up at him and tried to use her force powers. But he stick her with it again, she soon lost conciseness. “Take her back into her cell.” The man commanded. “Down soon. She will be helpless for several hours.” the man smiled evilly and walked past the pig. Who had gotten his clever, hoping for a fight. He dropped the clever and grabbed Bastila by the leg, dragging her into the cell and dropping her on the hay. The pig walked out again, this time he shut the door. The pig walked around the corner and into a square that was made into a work room. He picked up the light Jedi object and looked at it. Bastila’s robes lay on the table, the same robes Arias had seen her wearing in his dream. The pig creature pushed the red button on the saber and a yellow light shot out. The pig was caught off guard by it and dropped it. It cut a line right through the stone table and it hit the floor. The pig picked it up and the blade disappeared. He looked down the hole of the staff where the blade had come from and pushed the button. The blade shot out, going right through the pure dumb creatures head. It stood there for several second before falling to the ground dead. +++++++++++++++++ Arias and Carth stepped into the hall laughing and carrying on about Arias calling Carth old. As soon as they exited their apartment however, everything changed. Right outside the room was a Sith patrol. Five Sith uniformed and one in a brown shirt, with a hat and several colored strips on his left breast. Carth had his fingers on the blaster trigger within seconds. Arias grabbed his sword hilt and smiled. The patrol was arguing with the two aliens that had been helping Arias. The one in the purple was speaking. It took Arias a few moments, but he could understand most of it. “You this think you can come in here and intimidate us? How dare you? This is a place where we alien’s can be at peace from the humans.” “We are the best thing to happen to this dump.” The Sith man in brown had said. “The Best thing? HA. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR US? Nothing. You have stopped all ships from leaving without access codes and then you don’t even give the codes out. OUR TRADE HAS DIED DOWN ATLEAST SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT. You should leave us and this planet alone.” The Sith man said nothing, he answered in a shot from his blaster rifle. Dropping the young alien where he stood. The Sith man shot a glare at the other alien. “That’s how we Sith deal with smart mouth aliens. Anyone else what to play?” Arias couldn‘t resist himself. “Yeah, I would love to play this game. Only in my version, you’re the one on the ground.” The Sith man spun around, along with the entire patrol. Arias’ blade tip pointing at the nearest Sith man throat and the red dot from Carth’s blaster on the man not in the armor. The alien knew that he must slowly move away. The conversation was about to turn into a very big problem. But he couldn’t just leave the men that might have just saved his life to die. So he stayed where he was. The Sith man had not moved or tried anything until that moment. “Your republic fugitives. You will die.” “You first my good man.” With that Arias quickly shot his foot out, that caught the Sith mans sheathed Sword on his belt. The sword flew gracefully into his hand. Arias quickly spun, and landed one blade high on the soldier and the other low, in the midsection. The man screams turned to gurgles as he fell and the fight was on. Arias still low, landed a double thrust into the next soldier. He was so quick with finishing the five soldiers off, Carth finely had squeezed the trigger on the pistol. The impact of the blow, made the Sith man do a back flip, landing on his stomach. Arias also back-flipped, driving the Sith blade into the back of a still confuse Sith, who was on the floor and bleeding. The alien that had survived walked over to Arias. “ Thank you my friend, it’s a sad thing that pour Groodoo had to die. I will take care of this patrol, do not worry about that…” Arias looked at him and smiled. “Your welcome, and thank you.” Carth looked at Arias confused. “You understand him?” Arias looked at Carth and nodded. The alien spoke again “If you are in need of supplies Zak‘ts is down the hall. He will give you what ever you need and more. I will give you this for you trouble.” The Alien handed Arias a card. Arias looked at it confused. “Show him this and he will not charge you anything. He will give you whatever you can handle and more.” Arias smiled at nodded, “Thank you again.” With that the alien walked off, Arias watched him as a cleaning droid came to clean up the mess of Sith. Arias and Carth slowly walked down the hall. But behind them, someone was lurking, watching them. Arias looked back over his soldier but could see nothing. “What is it kid?” “Nothing. And if you call me Kid one more time…” “Well According to you, I‘m old, so that makes you a kid to me.” “Do you ever shut up or let anything go.” Carth was shocked at the words, but noticed from the smirk on Arias’ face that he was kidding around. ‘There is something back there. Someone is watching us. And I want to know who it is and why they are. If it is a friend, I will welcome it, unless it is as annoying as this one. But if it is foe, I shell slay it. But for now, I must not Show that I know, for if I do, it might throw it into suspicion. And I might scare my new companion. As annoying as he is, I might need him.’ Carth looked at Arias, but for the first time, maybe in his entire life, he held his tongue. +++++++++++++++++ Darth Bandon stood in the training room. Several fake Jedi stood around him. They where simulations. Three stood in front of him, two behind him and four along each wall. Although they where simulations, if he was to be hit by one of the lightsabers that the Jedi held, He would be shocked with a bolt of electricity that hung above the room. The floor of the room was flooded, to increase the shock one-hundred times over. Sith, Dark Jedi and their apprentices watched from the windows above the room. They all stared at Bandon who was punishing himself for failing his master. He had to prefect his ability with a lightsaber. In his battle with the republic soldier that had trapped himself in the room with Bandon to save his partner, Bandon had suffered a slice on his arm. Something that he could not live with. He had killed the man, not by lightsaber, but by his ability to crush every bone in his opponents body. His master didn’t know Bandon possessed the ability for such a deadly attack, but he would soon find out. For as soon as he had grasped the full extant of the ability, he would challenge Lord Malak and take the thrown of Sith Lord. But that could be many more years. In the chamber, Bandon could not use any of his force powers. He had nothing but his saber to protect himself against the thirteen simulated Jedi standing in the room with him. Bandon closed his eyes and smiled. The Jedi from behind changed him, he spun with his double blade lightsaber blocking both attacks. He swung his blade, and the people watching laughed, hoping to see the apprentice of the Darth lord of the Sith fall. Only for their own good, hoping they would take his place. In the shadows a woman could not see with her eyes what was happening but she need not her eyes, when she could seen Bandon’s heart and soul fighting for its life. A smile crept across her face as she watched the fight throw Bandon’s heart. +++++++++++++++++ The dark man stood staring at the corpse of the dead pig like creature. Two aliens and one more pig like creature walked but behind him. “Stupid Gamorrean.” The man said aloud. The aliens smiled as did the other gamorrean, knowing that he would be the second in command now. The gamorrean spoke to the man in a weird voice, but the man seemed to understand it clearly. “Benjik, what of the prisoner now?” “I shell have my way with her of course. And seeing at this idiot is dead. If you get rid of his body you all will rise in the ranks of the Vulkars.” The man said to them all, turning on his heels and looking at them. He smiled and walked past them all towards Bastila’s cell. Benjik had a sick and evil grin on his face as he opened the cell door. Bastila was waiting for him. The gamorreans had her chained to the wall. The last time one of them had come in. Well, lets just say, he didn’t come out. Benjik looked at her and smiled. “Hello my little princess.” Without a thought Bastila spit in his face. Benjik wiped the spit from his face and backhanded her. She took the blow and didn’t even fuss about it. “Your going to pay for that you slimmy…” The backhand came fast again, knocking her head against the wall hard. “And you’re going to learn so respect.” He slowly reached behind her to undo her bra, but her knee came up fast, catching him in the groin. He fell face first into the pile of hay. Bastila stood up to run, but fell from the pain. She tried to use her force power, tried anything but soon she realized it wasn’t pain she had fallen to. She looked up at the form the stood before her. What she was staring at she didn’t know, but for the first time in her life, she was scared. Telepathically, the thing told her something. “HE is coming for you. HE will be here soon. Do not worry about escaping, for HE will come for you. ” “WHO!?” Bastila screamed at the top of her lungs. “Sleep young Bastila.” The thing told her, “Sleep.” Before Bastila had a chance to do or say anything, she was out cold. The Thing then looked at Benjik and pulled its hood off. Under the hood stood a woman. He hair long and blonde her eyes piecing blue. She walked over and grabbed Benjik by the throat, lifting him off the ground. “IF you ever try anything like that again, I will kill you.” She said with a smile. “Her destiny depends on who finds her first. So if you try anything else, you will pay dearly.” She dropped him, and booted him in the face all in one motion. +++++++++++++++++ Zak’ts was standing with a grin on his face and Arias and Carth approached. “Hello my human friend.” He greeted them in his own language. “How can I help you today?” “Hello Zak’ts. I was wondering if you could help me out.” Arais replied. “With what good traveler?” “Where can a man get a good drink around here?” Carth looked at Arias. “You under stand him?” Arias smiled “Of course.” “Do you need any supplies? I have a brand new energy shield that might come in handy if you are planning on doing anything… Stupid.” Zak’ts said with a smile of his green mouth. “Now why would you say that?” “I seen what you did to those Sith, and if the Sith are after you, then this shield will come in handy. It is said to be able to block a grenade blast. But no one has tried.” “Well, I‘ll take four. Two for me and two for my friend here.” The alien grabbed four arm braces from the shelf and handed them to Arias. “Is that all?” Carth tapped Arias on the shoulder to get his attention. “Umm, my pistol is taking a beating Arias. You think I might be able to grab a rifle or another pistol?” “Carth, are you three? You don‘t have to ask me.” “Hey, you can speak to him. I can‘t make heads or tails out of your conversation.” Arias rolled his eyes and smiled. “I need the best blaster rifle you have.” The Alien pulled at the tentacles hanging from his chin. “I got a Sith Blaster rifle and a Bounty Hunters rifle.” Zak’ts said as he crossed his arms, “Hmmm…I got the perfect rifle for your friend, if you wouldn‘t mind giving me a few second to find the janitor to open the storage room.” “Not a problem.” Carth, still puzzled, cocked his head to the side. “What?” “We will have to wait a few minutes Carth.” Arias said, turning to him as Zak’ts walked away to find the janitor. “He‘s getting you the best rifle he has.” “It better be, I have a feeling I‘m going to need it.” With out another word, Arias leaned against the smooth bluish-gray wall and closed his already heavy eyelids. He slowly rested his always ready hand on his sword, a trait from war. His other arm across his chest, grasping his elbow. Carth slide across from him and slinked down on the wall, dropping his head onto his knees. Arias’s muscles tensed and wanted to strike at the person or thing following them in the darkness, but he resisted it, waiting for a better moment. ‘If this thing wishes harm on me or my ally, it will fall to the ground in front of me.’ He thought to himself. ‘But if he…It wishes friendship, it shall have to earn it. I will not open you with welcoming arm thing… you must prove yourself to me. It knows I know. I can sense the fear in its steps now, but if it is friend, what does it have to fear? My other companion, is still oblivious to it. Which is a good thing. But when I was fighting the sith, I felt different… ’ Arias, pushed the feeling aside and now his thoughts brought him back to Carth’s final comment. ‘I hope you are not right my “friend” but I fear you are.’ Arias released his elbow and grasped his sword. Feeling the handle wasn’t enough, knowing that he could wield it better then any man or woman, that was enough for him. Chapter 3 Where Loyalty lies. Darth Bandon sat in his little room on his masters ship. The room was small but very well put together. His bed was attached to the wall with a mattress and a blanket, a hard pillow and a hook to hang his robes. HE was levitating in the middle of his room, he was totally intone with his surroundings. The dripping from his sink, the foot steps of the soldiers echoed in his head. But suddenly his thoughts where cut to the man on the ship that he had been on almost a week ago. Not the man he had killed, and not the man that he had seen when he followed the second man. Both of them had fear in their eyes at the sight of him. No, his thoughts where on the man with the bald head, and eyes that made even he, take a step back and question himself and his loyalty. It was not fear that he seen in that ones eyes, but a determined leader. Bandon, was unlike every other sith. He did not kill for sport or to gain rank. Rank seemed to follow him, no matter what he did, but Bandon wanted to enhance his skill, he wanted more. The dark side made him feed off of it. Feed off of the need for more challenges. Bandon wanted the man that was more like himself then he knew. Bandon wanted the man with no fear in his eyes. Bandon would kill for him. His thoughts where cut short as was his force of levitation as the door to his chambers opened and he uncrossed his legs and landed gently on the floor. A Man about half of Bandon’s own height stood staring at him. “My pardon, Darth Bandon, But I have news from Taris.” “Speak!” Bandon requested in a deep and cracking voice. “I can not.” The man replied. “Then why have you come?” Bandon ordered. “Lord Malak has sent me to tell you to come and see him.” “Why mention Taris then?” “I…” Bandon shot his hand up, reading the mans thoughts. “You weak minded fool. You told my master I asked you to get me information.” Bandon clinched his fist and the man dropped to his knees. “No matter, I should kill you now… But I will not. I must save my energy.” Bandon smiled. “For if my Master wishes a fight, there will be a new lord of the Sith.” Bandon shot his hand to the side and the younger man flew across the room slamming head first into the wall. “Then again…” The door slid shut and a loud scream was heard by the mans patrol group. They did nothing, because they could care less. +++++++++++++++++ Arias walked into the cantina with his hand on the hilt of his sword. A Sith guard was standing outside the door, in case of any trouble. Arias took a quick assessment of his surrounding and was already using his warrior instincts, and had about have a plan down to escape the room in case of a fight. Carth quickly followed him and came up almost right in his ear. “Try to keep a low profile.” “Yeah yeah, I know.” Arias said as he moved further into the cantina. People gave them strange looks, and for good reason. They where not dressed like anyone else. Arias in his combat suit and Carth in that’s old rug he called a jacket. They stood out. As they walked by a monitor screen that was positioned at on the wall, something caught Arias’s eye. Two men where fighting in a battle dome. Then the monitor erupted with a saying. “Want to make some quick and easy credits, think you have the biggest set of blasters. Come on to the battle dome, where the weak need not come.” Arias looked over to the side where an older gentleman was standing. He was probably the only one not giving Them funny looks. He was… seasoned. His hair was grey and his skin drooped. Arias looked at him squarely and noticed the same flare that was in the eye of any warrior. On the outside the man looked like he was about to die, but on the inside the flames of youth stilled burned. The man looked at Arias and smiles. “Can I help you son?” He’s voice was so weak, arias wanted to reach other and help the poor man, but he knew that the man would have none of it. He turned to Arias and seemed to have the wait of a world or two on his shoulders. “Yes you could sir. How do I get to the battle dome? Who do I see?” Arias asked with a smile. “You go though into the main bar and then turn on the first opening to your right. Talk to the hutt.” Arias nodded his head and touched the old man shoulder. “Thank you. Rest good man, you look like a thousand worlds are on your shoulders.” “IF only you knew boy? If only you knew.” Arias nodded and walked past him as Carth seemed to be lost. Arias quickly swept though the people, and Carth fumbled behind, as he desperately tried to keep up. Carth stopped and looked around. He had lost Arias. “Damn.” He scolded himself. “Keep up.” Arias said, into his ear and Carth’s head whipped around to Arias with a smirk on his face. The two walked into the a room with several armed fighters and a hutt in the far back of the room. It was an ugly thing. Arias knew his way around these things but Carth looked degusted that they had to deal with it. It was like a giant snail without a shell. They smelled about as bad as they looked and where not the easiest thing to deal with. But they where damn good at swindling and making profit. Arias walked into the room and all eyes turned to him. An older man with a double bladed sword nodded to arias and he nodded back. A woman looked at him and he stare was as cold as ice. Arias looked at the two other men , the two he had seen on the monitor. He walked without fear between the two, his hand resting on the end of the blade he carried. His palm was sweating but he looked as calm as he had ever looked. Carth looked around and then back to Arias. The Hutt talked in a language Carth couldn’t understand. But Arias caught onto it being a mix of Huttish and another langue he knew. “Ah, fresh blood wants to grace the battle dome?” “Yes I do.” Arias replied. “And what is the name of the newcomer.” “My name is…” Arias thought for a second. “The Mysterious Stranger.” “I like, I like.” The hutt replied tapping his fingers. “You look like a champion.” “Don‘t flatter me. What the rules?” “You see, no one dies. Blasters and Blade, and no one gets hurt.” “How so?” “You see, in the dome the blasters are blank but still have the full impact. And your blades are coated with a shield. So they still feel like they have been cut and will want to stop but really they haven‘t been and the affect wares off after a day or so.” “Hmm.” Arias wasn’t to sure about this. “Who’s the champion.” “Twitch… But don‘t you worry about him, your first opponent will be deadeye Duncan.” Arias looked over his shoulder at the man that had lost on the screen earlier. He was old and looked like he needed to retire. Arias smirked. “How much?” “Ten percent of profit.” “We‘ll see about that.” arias mumbled under his breath. “I‘ll fight now.” “Great. Cut though this door and go straight. You will see the doom entrance. DeadEye will be waiting for you.” Arias breathed out as he seen the light at the end of the tunnel. That’s what it seemed like. A tunnel of darkness. His eyes where fixed on it and from what he had heard in the five minutes he had to prepare is that deadeye is an old man that using a blaster, but he isn’t good at it. Hence the dead eye nickname. Arias just had to be quick. Get it over fast so the poor old guy and go back and rest. ‘Oh my god, I’m going to be shooting a grandfather.’ He thought to himself. As he walked up the three steps to the entrance way Deadeye was standing on the other side of the dome. The fans human and alien alike came out to watch this thing. “Ladies and lizard, looking to climb the ranks once again the ever persistent Deadeye Duncan.” Deadeye pulled his blaster and raises his arm. “And a newcomer to the battle dome the Mysterious Stranger.” Arias smirked and drew a blaster Carth had gave him. If this came down to a blaster fight it was going to be a little tough. The fans went silent and a red buzzer sounded. Deadeye fired, shot after shot running towards arias. Arias levelled the blaster in one hand and pulled the trigger enough to get the laser to aim for deadeyes head. As he took two more steps Arias fired. The blast took Duncan in the forehead and made him do a complete back flip landing face down on the battle dome floor. “And the winner, The Mysterious Stranger. But really is anyone surprised.” Arias looked down at the man and shook his head. He turned and walked calmly but toward the where he had met the hutt.