Star Wars: Heroes Lost

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, sans-serif]Twenty[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Nomac stalked through the halls of the castle, aware of the security cameras following him. He paid them no mind, as he knew they were simply a precautionary method. He'd grown used to them over the years he'd served as a mercenary for the Coalition. He walked on, exuding the confidence he had earned. Though he was curious, if not worried, about the request given to him by Rhett. Usually Rax gave his demands through comm face-to-face. To have a subordinate do so for him was...different, but Nomac didn't want to risk not showing. If he didn't, he would be killed. He knew it with all of his stone-cold heart. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Nomac entered the audience chamber, where he'd been instructed to go, and was a tad surprised that the lights were off. Frowning, he took out his rifle and added the night vision scope.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you,” a quiet voice came from behind him. He whipped his fist around to strike the voice, but he hit only air.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What's going on?” he asked. “Overlord Rax? Rhett?” He put tapped a small button concealed behind his ear, and an infrared visor formed around his head. Just as he did, the lights came on, and he saw all of the Coalition's mercenaries in the castle at the time, circling him so that he had no escape.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What is this?” he asked, fear cracking his voice.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“The Overlord has ordered your death, Nomac,” the Elomin, Rhett said, walking towards him.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Why would Rax do that? I've served him faithfully,” Nomac spat, his befuddlement drowning out his fear for the moment. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You did indeed serve Rax faithfully, I cannot argue that,” Rhett agreed. “But Rax isn't the Overlord anymore.” Rhett clapped his hands, and a light shone on the giant, oozing corpse of Rax the Hutt. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Nomac's eyes widened. “You killed Rax? You're the Overlord?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That would be me, actually,” a voice from behind him said, and he turned to face air. Suddenly, the air shimmered, and one of the soldiers that was in the company of President Haled at the time of her assassination was facing him, his eyes cold. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Nomac bared his yellow teeth in a sneer. “You.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Me,” the blonde soldier said.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“And me,” said another soldier, the loud one who had shot at him after he'd escaped. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Me, too,” a harsh voice said, and Nomac noted in fear as the speaker approached that it was the legendary General Sev Meston. He was in trouble.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Sev?” the blonde said. “Would you like to do the honors?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You deserve it,” the brown haired one said, the eyebrow around his [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]eyepatch raised.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'd love to,” Sev said. He took out a hold-out blaster and held it to Nomac's head. Nomac went to shove it away, but found his hands tied. How had he not noticed that? [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Before you think of resisting,” the blonde said. “Keep in mind that we fed you a drug through the vents when you were being checked for any unusual weapons. Your reflexes will be slowed, and your death that much more painful.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You're a sadist,” Nomac said to him. “You'll do well here.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“A sadist?” Nomac's words hit home, and when Sev fired his blaster into his head, he fell to the ground, a small smile on his face.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colin watched Nomac fall, gaining no satisfaction from the fact. Sev, however, let out a relieved sigh. “It's over. Be at peace, Rona.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colin nodded, and Justin noticed he was somber. “Hey, we won.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“We did,” Colin said hollowly. “But his last words got to me: is my running this organization gonna corrupt me? Am I going to turn into a another Luke, only without the Force powers.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You do have that crazy ability to shoot blaster bolts out of the air,” Justin pointed out.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Not helping.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It won't corrupt you,” Rhett said, appearing from nowhere. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Believe it or not, the Coalition was once a Jedi-like organization, employing skilled people to help those in need. It was the predecessor of Rax's predecessor that warped it into the crime syndicate. You could change it back.” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colin thought about it. “Well then. From this point forward, we're allied with the Galactic Union. Any orders from General Meston on the battlefield, you can consider coming from my own mouth.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'll spread the word,” Rhett said, inclining his head and leaving.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colin sighed and stared at Sev, who was staring at Nomac's slumped corpse. “What about you, sir? Are you all right?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“No,” Sev admitted. “I'm angry. At myself. I was so focused on vengeance that I forgot our primary mission: destroy the Super [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Soldier plants.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colin froze. He'd also forgotten about those. From the look on Justin's face, he had too. Then he had a realization. “You forget, sir, that we didn't have authorization from President Haled when she was assassinated. And going after Nomac was within our mandate, as he was working with the Sith.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“True,” Sev said thoughtfully. “But I don't think the Senate would approve the assault, not with the President's death so recent.” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“If I may interrupt,” Rhett said, returning. “We have a few assault fighters, as well as one large attack craft, similar to your Warhammer. If you wished, Colin, you could lead an assault on one of the ships containing these Super Soldiers, but only one.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It'd be one less armada to deal with,” Justin said, clearly eager for a fight.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Just before Sev could reply in agreement, Colin's and Justin's wrist comm's beeped. They answered it, and Jimmy's head appeared. He tried to say something, but his words were interrupted by static, and his head was becoming fuzzy.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hold on, Jim, we'll patch you through to the main computer,” Colin said, noting the look of confusion on his face. Within minutes, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy's face appeared on the giant Coalition computer, still looking confused.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Where are you guys?” he asked.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“The Coalition Castle,” Justin said.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy's eyes widened. “What're you doing there?!”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Well...I'm kinda the head of the Coalition now,” Colin explained. Jimmy's eyes widened even more. “I'll explain later. What's up?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy's face grew serious. “Tom and I were on Forshran, training, when the Sith attacked. A Sith woman named Eva captured him, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]and he's being held on Ziost. I need your help.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Why weren't you captured?” Justin asked suspiciously.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy's expression became red, and looked guilty. “Me and Tom temporarily had a...falling out, of sorts. It doesn't matter, I'm going to go save him. The only question is...will you help me?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colin noted the maturity that Jimmy now possessed, the one he'd lacked months ago. He turned to the others and said, “If we go after one of the War Spire's now, we wipe out a major source of the Sith armada. By doing that, we would doom Tom and Jimmy to death, since Ziost is a Sith stronghold. But if we go and help Tom and Jimmy, then we give the Sith time to either move the locations of the Super Soldiers or deploy them.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It's a touch choice,” Justin said. “I do think we should go after Tom and Jimmy though.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Out of friendship or a desire for better action?” Colin asked.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Bit of both,” he admitted.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Uh...still here,” Jimmy said on the screen.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colin turned to Sev, who shrugged. “You're providing the ships. I won't order you to do anything with your organization.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colin nodded, then turned to Rhett. “Ready those fighters. Jimmy, forward the Ziost coordinates to my wristband. We'll be there as fast as possible.” [/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, sans-serif]Twenty-One[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]In the nothingness that was hyperspace, Darth Brutos meditated. Like a bolt of lightning, a vision appeared to him, one showing his transformation from Luke Allen to the Sith he currently was, albeit an abridged version. Still, he was curious as to why the Force had given him such a vision. He'd gone over his transformation during his early days as a Sith, but now all but refused to acknowledge them. This was strange, but distracting. He mentally cataloged that to think about later, and focused on sensing Tom. He found his Force presence on Ziost, still, though dramatically weakened and...sad, for some reason. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Curious,” Brutos muttered. “Very curious.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He went back to his meditations, a small bit of worry for his old friend present, though he believed that to be due to the fact that he didn't want Eva stealing his glory. Yes, that was it.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Over Ziost, Jimmy and Seras looked at the planet through the cockpit. The planet looked arid and icy even from up here, and it radiated the dark side. Jimmy felt sick in his stomach.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What is it?” Seras asked, noticing his skin turning slightly green.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“The dark side is strong in this place,” Jimmy said, feeling sicker with each word. “I'll need to stay in control here, otherwise it'll probably consume me. If it does...”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Got it,” Seras finished, motioning to the pistol on her hip. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy shook his head. “Use the grenade launcher.” It took Seras a moment to realize he was joking. Kind of. “You ready?” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Pushing away the nausea of the darkness, Jimmy focused on the light and, with the utter confidence of a Jedi, enveloped the starfighter with the Force.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What are you doing?” Seras asked, bewildered.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Using the Force to make the ship, and us, invisible to any sensors [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]or onlookers. We're staging a rescue on a Sith planet, stealth is helpful.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Of course.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The landing on the planet was tense, as Seras worried that Jimmy's Force technique wouldn't work. However, they arrived on the icy surface with no problems. Jimmy ensured that Master Danvek's lightsaber was working, opened the cockpit, and stood. An incredibly cold wind passed over them, leaving Seras freezing. Jimmy didn't seem to notice. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You're not going to wear anything warmer?” Seras asked, taking out her Wampa fur cloak.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I've got my robe on,” Jimmy asked, clearly believing there was no problem. Seras shook her head, but followed him as he got out. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The wind continued to blow strongly as the two trekked across the icy terrain. Seras was shivering loudly, and eventually fell over from the cold. Jimmy stopped and turned, sensing her pain. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I...can't...do it...,” she shivered.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yes you can,” Jimmy said quietly, placing a hand on her forehead. Breathing slowly, he let the Force flow through him into her, warming her considerably. “Better?” he asked. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Ye-yeah,” she said. “Much. Thanks.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Don't mention it. Now let's keep moving.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Despite the fact that there was no snow or rain, Seras found it almost impossible to see anything that wasn't in front of her, the sky was that dark, so she was stuck following Jimmy. “How do you know where we're going?” she called out over the loud wind. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I can sense Tom's presence,” he called back. “It's weak, but there. We have to hurry.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]She nodded, not having to be told twice. They continued to run at a brisk pace, but suddenly Jimmy froze and held up a hand. Seras froze in place, the second time having had that done to her by a Jedi. It was annoying.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What is it?” she nearly snapped.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“We're being watched.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Seras looked around. “I don't see anyone.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I never said we were being watched by a [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]person.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]”[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy held out his hand, and over the sound of the wind Seras somehow heard what sounded like static, followed by a loud thud. She followed Jimmy as he examined its source: a round black droid a little larger than her head.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Sith Probe Droid,” Jimmy said. “I learned about them during my training: they can either follow a specific target or be sent on a [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]patrol.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Was this one following us specifically?” Seras asked, worried.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I doubt it,” Jimmy said. “I only sensed its danger a minute ago. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Anyway, the droid transmits everything it sees to a main terminal observed by a Sith, along with a warning signal should it see anything it considers a threat, or at least not supposed to be there.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Did it see us?” Seras asked, not worried for herself, but for Tom. If he died because they'd been seen...[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I don't know,” Jimmy said. “I sent a pulse out that disabled it, but I don't know what it saw before I did that.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Seras bit her lip and, repeating Jimmy's earlier words. “We should hurry. Just in case.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom, wincing in pain, scowled at Eva as she approached him, for once not holding any tools of torture. “Today we're going to try something a little different.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Letting the Jedi Knight leave?” Tom asked, faking hope.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Eva smiled that smile of hers, the one Tom wanted to destroy with one stroke of his lightsaber or a bolt of lightning. Unfortunately, his lightsaber had been destroyed, and his ability to use the Force at the moment was tenuous at best. His healing trance hadn't done the job he'd wanted it to, possibly because of the vision of the past he'd had, the one he'd tried to block out in the hours since but couldn't. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]In response to his quip, Eva said, “You wish, young Jedi. No, right now we're going to play with mental torture. You see, I really want to break you before you die, because that will be so much fun.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]When Tom just glared, she continued. “I learned this from my master, long before Brutos appeared: I'm going to penetrate your mind, find your greatest fears, and the worst moments of your past, and play them for you, over and over again, until you finally snap!” [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]She leaned in close to him, giggled, and whispered excitedly, like a small child, “Won't that be fun?”[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]For the first time since she began tormenting him, Tom felt a chill overtake him. He knew what he feared most, what he dreaded about his past. They were bad enough the first time, but to relive them over and over again, he just might break. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Eva's eyes glinted, and Tom used every bit of strength he had to try and resist it, but it wasn't enough. Memories of pain, of loss, of failure raced across Tom's mind, and those hurt more than any bit of torture that had yet been inflicted upon him.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Then, graciously, the attack subsided. Through tear-blurred eyes, Tom saw Eva looking angry and afraid, yelling into a comlink. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Destroy him!” She put her comlink away and turned to Tom. “Well well, it appears that two of your friends have decided to stage a rescue. Touching, yet pointless, since you'll be lost before they can reach you.” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom attempted to sense who was trying to save him, but his senses couldn't reach past Eva. He let out a defeated sigh, and then, when the memories, the feelings, of how he'd failed Luke played over and over again in his mind, he wished the end would hurry up and take him.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Stand firm! Bale's voice rang in his mind, but by then Tom couldn't hear him.[/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As Jimmy deflected blaster bolts with his viridian blade, he sensed Tom's will coming close to the breaking point. He and Seras had entered the Sith Temple through the use of what Anakin Skywalker had once referred to as “aggressive negotiations,” and their body count was rising close to fifty. The floor surrounding them was littered with the bodies of Sith soldiers.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Seras, using her rifle on automatic fire, was able to take out the last five Sith soldiers in a single clip. She smiled, relishing the death of the schutta. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Good,” Jimmy said approvingly. “Now let's go.” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]They walked through the temple, Jimmy using his Force sense to hone in on Tom's location. When they got to what seemed to be a medical theater, they were surrounded by an entire battalion of soldiers, all with their blaster rifles aimed at them. Jimmy really hated how the Sith artificial intelligence made them so coordinated. Seras reached for her blaster, but Jimmy stopped her. He walked towards the group facing him, lightsaber still attached to his belt, and said merely, “Fire.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The soldiers had no reason not to, so blaster bolts struck Jimmy's entire body. Seras gasped, wondering why he had a death wish. When the commander of the unit told them to cease fire, Seras prepared for a last stand, to take as many of them down with her. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As the smoke cleared, however, she saw Jimmy still standing, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]unharmed. “My turn,” he said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Reaching out with both hands, he let out a massive telekinetic surge of energy, one threw all of the Sith into the wall. The power of that surge was such that they were all dead. Jimmy could sense it. He turned to Seras, who was wide-eyed. “How did...?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“How did I survive?” Jimmy finished. He shrugged. “Master [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Danvek taught me to absorb energy through my body, which could give a boost to my abilities. I wasn't sure if I would have been able to hold all the energy I took in though.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So you could have died?” Seras asked.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It was possible, yes.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]She shook her head. Jedi. Jimmy smiled, as if knowing what she was thinking. He probably did, now that she thought about it. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Tom's in this room here,” Jimmy said, pointing to a door. “He's fading fast.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]She tried opening the door. “It's locked.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Where's Colin when you need him?” Jimmy muttered. “Stand [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]back.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Feeling the door in the Force, he wrapped his mind around it, and ripped it out of its frame. He dropped it once it was out of the way, and when he saw Tom hanging from force cuffs. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He and Seras ran inside, and both were appalled at what they saw: [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom hanging shirtless, his torso bruised. His face was covered in dry blood and tears. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Are we too late?” Seras asked, worried. Tom looked dead.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“No, he's just unconscious,” Jimmy said. He touched Tom's head, sending healing energies flowing into him, and a minute later he opened his eyes.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Jim...,” he said painfully. “Seras...you came...”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Seras seemed to be shaken. “Oh, Tom, I'm so sorry.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom chuckled weakly, then closed his eyes, his expression weary. Jimmy waved his hands over the force cuffs, deactivating them, and [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom fell limply. Jimmy caught him, using the extra energy he [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]absorbed to give him strength. “Easy there, big guy.” Jimmy gave him another wave of healing energy, enough for Tom stand, albeit with assistance. “He needs bacta,” Jimmy said. “I can't treat him anymore.” He keyed Colin on his armband. “Please tell me you're nearby.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“We're just entering the atmosphere,” Colin's voice said. “We'll hone in on your position and pick you up. See you soon.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy nodded, satisfied. He looked at Seras. “Would you mind helping me with him?” She nodded at once, and went to Tom's left side and lifted while Jimmy hefted his right side. “Come on, Tom, a little help here.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Sorry,” Tom gasped. “I'm a little out of it.” Jimmy did note that, despite this statement, Tom was able to form complete sentences. That was good.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Just a little while more,” Jimmy said. “Hang on.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]They walked through the halls of the fortress for a while, when Tom suddenly grew alert.[/FONT]“Eva...where's Eva?!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“The Sith woman?” Seras asked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom nodded. “She knew you guys were here. When you were fighting she tortured me, and then disappeared, leaving me alone in my pain. I thought she was going after you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“We didn't run into her,” Seras asked, her voice strained. She was clearly having difficulty holding on to Tom, even with Jimmy's help.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hopefully we won't,” Jimmy said darkly. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Your hopes are wasted, Jedi,” a female voice said, and Tom's eyes widened. A woman wearing the robes of a Sith leaped from the rafters, blocking the doorway. “You're probably wondering why you didn't sense me? Well, I'm a master at hiding myself in the Force, a gift learned from Lord Drakos, one that not even Darth Brutos knows.” [/FONT]Tom flinched at Luke's Sith name, Jimmy noticed. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Let us pass,” Seras growled, even though she knew the Sith [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]wouldn't.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Eva cocked her head. “Didn't I tell you that if we ever met again I'd kill you?” Seras glared at her in response. Eva turned to Jimmy. “And you must be the other Jedi, Jimmy. I'm honored.” She lowered her head in a mock bow.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Teach her a lesson, Jimmy,” Seras said. “I can take care of Tom.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh I want to,” Jimmy said. “I can feel the Dark Side burning inside of her, but we need to get outside to the others. It's the only way Tom will survive.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I do love how you think you're going to get past me,” Eva laughed. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You're outnumbered,” Seras pointed out.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“True,” Eva said. “But...one of you has no Force powers, and another is in no shape for a fight. So I think it'd be a pretty even fight.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'd agree,” Tom rasped. “But you're wrong...I'm in good enough shape for a fight.” With that said, he reached out with his hand and hurled lightning at her. She screamed in pain as the lightning took hold of her. Still shooting it from his fingertips, Tom grabbed her and threw her into the wall behind them. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy and Seras looked at Tom, surprised. “Bale taught it to me,” he said in response to Jimmy's unasked question. “Now can we move? I was kind of lying about being ready for a fight. That usage of lightning took what was left out of me.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy could sense this, so he and Seras tried to double their pace. When they got to the exit, they were stopped short by an armored black figure, one who radiated with hatred. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Darth Brutos. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The Sith Lord stared at his old friends (and Seras') faces, and Jimmy couldn't get a reading off of him. He let his free hand drift to his lightsaber and looked at Tom, who looked stricken with grief. Brutos looked at him last, and then said, with disgust, one simple word.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Go.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He walked past them and into the room where Tom had shocked Eva. Seras looked at Tom, who wore the most melancholy expression the woman had ever seen. “You all right?” she asked. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I was just tortured, Seras,” Tom said, looking at him, now wearing a smirk on his face, though it looked forced. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Right,” she said, dropping it. Clearly, something bothered him, but he wasn't in the mood to talk about it. She looked at Jimmy, whose expression mirrored her own. Clearly he sensed the same thing. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The walk outside was a silent one, and they were stuck waiting with [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]icy winds blowing in their faces. This didn't bother any of them. Finally, the roar of engines came from overhead, and they saw what looked like a large fist coming towards them. Jimmy sensed that [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colin was aboard, and he expressed this to Tom and Seras. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]When the ship landed, the port opened, and Colin walked out. “Need a lift?” [/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, sans-serif]Twenty-Two[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Darth Brutos stalked through the halls of the Ziost fortress, barely noticing the corpses of Sith soldiers and Acolytes that adorned the floors. He did make a mental note, though, that it was just Jimmy and the girl who had done this. Most impressive. But besides that, his mind was focused on a single task: Eva. He had seen the state [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom had been in, and sensed Eva's handiwork involved. She was, after all, involved in his torture in this very place. He also couldn't help noticing the look on his face, one of pure grief. Very curious.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]These thoughts plagued him until he found Eva, smoke rising from her body, struggling to stand up. “Eva,” he said coldly.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]She looked up, and her face was a mixture of emotions: anger and begrudging gratitude being the most prominent. “Lord Brutos! We must hurry, the two Jedi are escaping.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I am more than aware of that fact, Eva, seeing as I let them go,” Brutos said, his tone indifferent. Though his Force aura would betray his rage, his voice would not.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You...what?” Eva sputtered. “That's [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]treason[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]!”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Treason?” Brutos asked. “No. Treason is plotting to kill the quarry that Lord Drakos specifically stated he wanted alive. Quarry that you knew was valuable to me personally.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“But they were dangerous!” Eva exclaimed, her face growing red. “I was doing Lord Drakos a favor!”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I do not believe the Dark Lord needs favors,” Brutos said coldly. He removed his lightsaber from his belt and ignited it. “Draw your weapon.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Why don't you just kill me before I can?” Eva asked incredulously. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I will not kill an unarmed opponent.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Eva stood, and Brutos sensed her disbelief. Nonetheless, she took out her lightsaber and activated it. As soon as she had done so, she leaped at him, screaming like a madwoman. Brutos, holding his blade in a one-handed style, blocked every one of her strikes casually, as if he was swatting flies. As he did so, Eva's attacks became much more wild, much more desperate, and that is where she would fail, Brutos knew.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The Sith woman slashed downwards at his head, which he countered with a horizontal parry. He threw her off of him and waited for her to attack again. This time she aimed a stab at his stomach, which he sidestepped and retaliated with a strike to [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]her [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]stomach with his saber hilt. She choked, but otherwise kept attacking. Brutos had to admire her tenacity. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Now her attacks became much more wild, chaotic, and unpredictable. Still, Brutos held onto his saber one-handed, and easily blocked her slashes, which had lost most of their strength, which had been Brutos' plan the whole time: let her vent and tire herself out, and then strike. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Which he did. He Force pushed her away from him, and then began his own assault. He leaped overhead and struck at her neck, which she barely managed to dodge. Then he continuously started striking her from all directions, controlling the forward line. Now it was she who was in retreat, and Brutos was the dominator. He battered at her defenses, using all of the strength afforded to him by the Dark Side to do so. He thought of all that angered him, and that was what gave him the strength to knock Eva's saber out of her hand. It clattered to the ground. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Brutos held his blade to Eva's neck, who gulped but closed her eyes. Then, to her surprise, he deactivated the blade. “What is this?” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“The Sith need any person they can get to help them,” Brutos explained, turning his back to her. “Get up, but always remember that [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]you [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]serve [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]me[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif].”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Eva panted. “Yes...Lord Brutos.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The Dark Lord strode away, but Eva stopped him. “My lord...if I may ask, what is it that you hate so much that gives you such strength?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Stopping in the doorway, Brutos turned his head halfway so that she could see his face, and she saw only weariness, not the usual arrogance that had defined him to her. “Myself.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Aboard the ship that Colin had procured, Jimmy, Justin, and Colin had just finished explaining everything that they had done, respectively, since they had parted ways. Seras was in the medical bay, staying with Tom as he floated in the bacta tank, healing. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So you're now the head of the Coalition?” Jimmy said. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Interesting.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You should have seen his face when found out,” Justin replied. “It [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]was hilarious.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah,” Colin said. “It's pretty big, but Rhett the Elomin is gonna be helping me run it, since I'm still part of Katana Team. But enough about me. I still don't exactly understand who that Seras girl is.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“She's pretty cute,” Justin said. “And she seems pretty attached to Tom. Did he...?” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Not that I'm aware of,” Jimmy said. “But I'm pretty sure she's at least attracted to him, seeing as how she was willing to die to rescue him.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Interesting,” Justin muttered. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Speaking of interesting, that eye patch works for you,” Jimmy said.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“To be fair, everything works for me,” Justin replied. “But thank [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]you.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The three sat in silence for a moment, then Jimmy asked, “Hey, where's Sev?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He went back to Coruscant to file a report with the Senate,” Colin explained. “And, hopefully, getting some rest. He's been pretty stressed lately.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Ah,” Jimmy said, checking the chrono. “Well, I'm going to go to bed now. Exhausting day. Wake me when we're out of hyperspace.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“See you,” Colin and Justin said. Bowing dramatically, Jimmy left, leaving Colin and Justin alone.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He seems different,” Justin said. “Not as depressed. I like it.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah, it's weird. There's no way Jedi training would do that,” Colin snorted. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Ugh, don't complain,” Justin chided while leaning back. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm not,” Colin said. “I'm happy about that. Though now from what Jimmy' said, Tom's depressed.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He's got good reason,” Justin said. “He was tortured, after all.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“True,” Colin conceded. “Still...I don't know.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]It was with that said that the two sat in their chairs and stared out at [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]hyperspace, silent in contemplation.[/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, sans-serif]Twenty-Three[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]Drying himself with a towel, Tom looked and saw Seras sleeping at the table, curious as to why she was there. He considered entering her subconscious mind to find out, but then decided against it, because he knew that would lead him to the dark side, and turn him into Darth Brutos. With his power, he couldn't let that happen. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He sensed Jimmy coming, much on his mind, so he used the Force to ensure that Seras wouldn't wake up and interrupt them. They had much to discuss. “Jimmy,” he said as his friend entered.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Tom,” Jimmy replied. “How do you feel?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Better, thanks,” Tom answered, sitting down. “Sit. You can probably sense I have much to talk over with you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I can,” Jimmy said. “And I imagine you can sense that I need to talk to you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Indeed.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Quite.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The two friends sat staring at each other for a little while, waiting for the other to begin talking. Finally, Tom sighed. “We need to talk about the same thing, I imagine: why I've been different.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You know me too well,” Jimmy said, inclining his head. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Fine.” Tom took a deep breath and began. “When I was...being tortured by Eva, I experienced a vision. One of Luke. I'm guessing it occurred at the same time we came here, because he looked the same age as he had right before we were brought to Shavaar. Anyway, he was in a similar situation I was, only Darth Drakos himself was handling his torture. Drakos manipulated him in such a way that believes that we knew he was on the planet, and deliberately left him there because we didn't care. That, coupled with the months of torture, drove him to the dark side.” Tom shivered. “What I saw...what I felt...it taught me that Luke is dead. I can't believe I was blind to it before. But Darth Brutos is the only one left now.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What about the fact that he let us go?” Jimmy asked. “He could [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]have killed us right then and there, if he'd wanted to.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm just guessing at this point, but I'm thinking he wanted to fight me at full strength.” Tom stroked his chin, noting that he needed to shave. “He wants me dead, I'm certain of that much.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy nodded. “That explains a lot. I did sense pure hatred when I read him, and now we know why.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He needs to be stopped,” Tom said. “I don't think redemption or atonement is an option for him. I sense none of our old friend in him.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy sat quietly for moment, thinking on his friends words. “We'll get to that point when we need to. Right now, you need to rest.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom smiled. “I do.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Sleep well, my friend. May the Force be with you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah, you too,” Tom said, waving good-bye to his friend. He sat there, looking at Seras. When you got past the battle-hardiness, she was pretty. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You're trying to distract yourself,” the voice of Bale Danvek said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah,” Tom said, not surprised to see his Master's spirit appear before him.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“How are you, apprentice?” he asked. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Cold,” Tom replied. He made no mention of Bale being a Force spirit; deep down, he'd known his Master would die as soon as he departed, though he didn't realize that until now. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You're sad because your old friend is a monster,” Bale said, nodding in sympathy. “I'm sorry.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Don't apologize,” Tom said quickly. “Nothing you could do. It's just...sad, you know?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“My wife was murdered, if you remember?” Bale said, smiling gently. “I know sadness, and I empathize.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom nodded. “But...,” Bale added. “I can also sense you want to kill him, and not just for the good of the galaxy. You want him dead because he's a perversion of your best friend, and you can't stand seeing that staring back at you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom said nothing, and Bale stared at him. “Remember, Tom, Jedi are keepers of the peace, not soldiers. The only reason they entered the war was because the Sith themselves posed a threat that the [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Union could not handle on their own.” He let out a sad sigh. “This war...has changed many things, Tom. Don't let it change you, too.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]And his master faded away into the Force, where he could still feel his presence. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy walked back to his quarters, disturbed. Not by Tom himself, but his words. If Luke Allen was dead, and Darth Brutos was the dominant force, then that made the situation absolutely clear: he had to either be taken into custody or killed, with the latter being the more likely possibility. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]These thoughts occupied Jimmy until he got into his room, where he found Kala standing beside his bed. “You look tired,” she said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“More than you know,” Jimmy said. “I'm hoping there's some time for all of us to relax, before the fighting begins again.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“There will be,” Kala said. “I've foreseen it. Take small comfort in that, my love.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I do,” Jimmy said, flopping down on the bed. “I wish you could lay [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]here with me,” he added sadly.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Me too, Jimmy,” Kala said. “Though in a way, I am.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]A small smile touched his lips. “Point.” He sat up. “I've been thinking, Kala. Tom's reaction to Luke sounds more like a soldiers than a Jedi's. Granted, we were trained as a mixture of the two, but still.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I know what you mean,” Kala said. “It was a necessary evil to train you more in the ways of combat rather than peace, though you learned that on your own. But...” Her voice trailed off.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What is it?” Jimmy asked sharply. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I've seen many futures, Jimmy, and they're always different. As Yoda once stated, 'Always in motion, the future is.' In some that I've seen, you live. In others, you die. In all of them, the war ends. I have one wish, assuming you live, and I have every faith that you will. When this is over, rebuild the Jedi Order.” Her voice was [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]pleading.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jimmy didn't have to think about it. “I will,” he said solemnly. The Jedi would rise again, there was no doubt in his heart. [/FONT][/FONT]

​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, sans-serif]Twenty-Four[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]On Korriban, in the Sith Palace, Darth Brutos stood in front of the entrance to his Master's audience chamber, his mind filled with clashing ideas and thoughts. Though he hated to admit it, what he had told Eva on Ziost, that he hated himself, was a revelation to him as well as to her. He thought it was he who might have been more surprised. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Brutos heard a shuffling, felt Eva's presence approach him, and observed her as she exited the door. Smoke rose off of her robes. She couldn't meet his eyes as she said, “Lord Drakos wants a word with you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Of course he does, Brutos mused as he entered his Master's chambers, using the same confident stride as he had every time he'd been summoned there in the past. Part of him made note of the smirk on Eva's face, but he didn't care. He'd shown her who was superior. He approached his Master's throne, as he had many times before, and kneeled. “My Master.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Rise, Lord Brutos,” Darth Drakos sneered, the disgust evident. Brutos did so and stared into Drakos' eyes unflinchingly. “You've done well exposing Eva's treachery. You saw what I did to her?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm assuming you used Sith lightning on her,” Brutos said in a [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]monotone.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yes, because traitor's must be punished,” Drakos drawled. “But I must ask...why did you let Tom and his friends live?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He was injured,” Brutos explained. “I wanted to fight him at his fullest.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You realize that is treason, letting known enemies to the Sith walk free?” Drakos asked, his suspicion and bemusement leaking into the Force.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Brutos' lip twitched slightly, but otherwise his face betrayed no [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]emotion. “I do not understand, Lord Drakos.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I think you do, Brutos. Eva told me that, when you revealed to her that the person you hated most was yourself, some guilt radiated into the Force, which she sensed. Between that and your actions, I can only assume that your devotion to the Sith is faltering I cannot have a weak apprentice, which is why I let Eva live.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Brutos' eyes widened. “You're making Eva your apprentice,” he said, his voice even. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yes,” Drakos said. “You see, I've grown tired of you. Your seeming self-doubt and strange morals make you unqualified to be a Sith, let alone my apprentice.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Why are you telling me this?” Brutos asked, eyes narrowed, his mind alert.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So that you understand why you had to die as you become one with the Force,” Drakos said simply. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Brutos saw what Darth Drakos was going to before he did it, and so was prepared when Sith lightning was hurled at him. Hands outstretched, he absorbed the lightning, and, satisfactorily noting the sudden surprise and fear his Master radiated, shot it back at him, knocking him off of his throne. As the Sith Lord rose, Brutos called his lightsaber to his hand, activated it while leaping, and dove it into Darth Drakos' heart as he landed. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The two Sith stood there, eyes locked for what seemed to be a long while. The attack had knocked off Drakos' hood, and for the first time Brutos saw his dying Master's face. Like all Chiss, it was a deep blue, and his short-cropped hair was an even darker, almost black, blue. His glowing red eyes began to dim, and a large smile was plastered on his face. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I guess I was wrong about you after all,” were his dying words. Brutos withdrew his blade, deactivated it, and clipped the saber on his belt, never taking his eyes off of Drakos' corpse. He was surprised at what he had done, but not repentant. Not at all.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]You've damned yourself, the small voice of Luke Allen said in his mind. He ignored it, and approached the throne upon which his Master had tormented him so many times. Now he was the master.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He. Darth Brutos. Dark Lord of the Sith.[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom's eyes snapped open, and as they did Jimmy practically ran in. “Did you feel that?” he asked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“There's been a significant change in the dark side,” Tom replied. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“A powerful dark force was exterminated, but minutes later it was replaced by a larger one.”
[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That's..exactly what I felt,” Jimmy said, clearly surprised by Tom's wording. “What do you think it was?” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm not sure,” Tom said, though his voice betrayed that he had an idea. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You think it involves Luke,” Jimmy said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Darth Brutos,” Tom corrected.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Right. But you do. I can sense it.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Let me meditate,” Tom said sharply, and so Jimmy obliged him, sensing the sharp pain he felt in his heart, the one he shared. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]In his room, Tom closed his eyes, emptied his mind of all thoughts, and allowed the Force to fill him. His consciousness seemed to be taken to a place where time and space didn't matter. It was a white void. Standing in front of him was Darth Brutos, giving him a sneer. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Tom,” he said coldly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Brutos,” Tom said, equally coldly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So you've accepted that I'm no longer Luke Allen,” Brutos said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Good.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I've accepted the fact that the good man who was once my best friend is dead, and that there's no saving him.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]When Brutos only nodded, Tom said, in a sad tone, “I saw what happened to you on Ziost. I know you were tortured, and I know Drakos lied to you about us. And I know that your hatred has warped you into the Sith standing in front of me. I only wish I could have saved you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Brutos didn't waver. “I don't. I'm more powerful than I've ever been. If you want proof, look no further than Darth Drakos' body.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]This shocked Tom. “He's dead?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Killed by my own hand,” Brutos said with pride. “I am now the only Dark Lord of the Sith.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]That explained the surge in the Dark Side Tom had sensed. He frowned, but his voice was firm. “I'm going to take you down, Brutos. You're a monster.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]That visibly affected Brutos, who smiled without humor. “I look forward to the next time we meet, Tom. I assure you, I won't let you go without a fight this time.” With those words said, he faded away.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom looked down at the white nothingness. “I can't wait,” he said grimly, willing himself to return to his physical body. When he'd done so, he let out a breath, a single tear falling down his cheek.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Are you all right?” a soft female voice asked from beside him. He [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]turned to find Seras sitting beside him.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“No,” he admitted. “No I'm not.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What is it?” she asked. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I don't want to trouble you,” Tom said, really just wanting to left alone.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It's not a problem at all.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom was growing irritated. “Fine, you want to know why I'm upset?” he snapped. “My best friend is pretty much dead, replaced by a Sith Lord who is now in control of the Sith army. Furthermore, he wants me dead. Does that answer your question?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Seras stared at Tom, speechless. When she regained the ability to do so, she gulped and said, “Sorry I asked.” Tom sensed the sadness inside of her, and realized he'd taken his anger out on you. As she got ready to go, he said, “No, I'm sorry. Stay for a little while.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm not spending the night here,” she said, in a tone that suggested that was the last thing she'd want to do. Although, Tom noted with some surprise and amusement, her thoughts said otherwise. She sat beside him.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I uh, just wanted to thank you for coming to save me,” Tom said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm usually the one who does the saving, and...well, thanks.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Don't mention it,” Seras replied.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Why'd you do it? I kinda thought you hated me,” Tom said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I did, for a while. Then I saw what you did on Forshran, protecting the village like that, and saving that little girl. It...showed me I was wrong. So I guess my helping save you was me trying to make up [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]for it.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You didn't need to,” Tom said quietly. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]She looked at him, her affection that had developed when seeing his heroism overwhelming her. She leaned in, about to kiss him, when an excited beeping was heard by both. R6-D4 rolled in, bumping into [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tom affectionately. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hey R6,” Tom said, laughing and smiling. “Yeah, I'm glad I'm all right, too.” He looked over at Seras, smiled, and placed his hand on hers, knowing that she wouldn't mind.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]She didn't. [/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, sans-serif]Twenty-Five[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Inside the command deck of the Warhammer, Justin, Sev, and Colin were talking while looking out at the emptiness of space. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Tom's told me that Darth Brutos now controls the Sith Army,” Sev said, his hands folded. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He told us, too,” Colin said. “I've heard from my agents that, under his command, the Sith are preparing for a massive strike.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“We'll need to be prepared,” Sev said. “By the way, I'm proud of you boys. You...pulled me from the brink, and I want to thank you for that.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Don't mention it,” Justin said, grinning. “It's our job.” Colin nodded his agreement. [/FONT]“Do you think the Coalition will be able to help?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Rhett's told me much about the organization. Let's just say it won't [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]hurt us,” he explained with a wink.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Sev nodded. “You're both promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, by the way. For your actions.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Justin grinned, but Colin turned sober. “We still didn't get any of the [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]War Spires with the Super Soldiers. By the time we got there, the ships had changed location.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I wonder if it was Brutos or Drakos who did that,” Justin asked gravely. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Sev turned to him. “It doesn't matter who leads it. In fact, this is a lesson. Killing the Sith leader wouldn't end this, as the Sith would just appoint a new one. In that, I suppose we can be grateful.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colin and Justin nodded, and continued to stare out at the stars, oblivious to the crewmen surrounding them. They both knew one thing: [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The war continued.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Inside his chambers, Jimmy sat on his bed, thinking on the past, the present, and the future, seemingly alone. But the lesson he'd learned was that he was never alone, and he could have sworn he felt a hugging sensation surround his body, and smiled. He knew everything would be all right.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]On Korriban, Darth Brutos stood on the deck that overlooked the dock, making note of all of his soldiers marching onward into ships, prepared to fight for him, and to die for him. Beside him, his apprentice, Eva, stood, her anger at him for Drakos' death quelled by her fear of Brutos. He smiled in silent approval as he continued to watch, arms folded across his chest, his thoughts focused on one thing: victory.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]On Forshran, Seras stared out the window, watching Tom get into his starfighter. Before he closed the cockpit, he smiled at her and gave her a thumbs up. She smiled back and copied his gesture. No words were exchanged, but both knew what the other felt, all too well. Activating the ignition, Tom began to hover, and Seras watched him fly off into the stars.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]In his starfighter, above Forshran, Tom looked down at the planet one last time before signaling R6 to activate the hyperdrive. His mind was focused: he would win the war, no matter what it took. For Jimmy. For Colin. For Sev. For Seras. For Justin, even. For the memory of Luke.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]And, above all, for the twinkling stars that could only exist in a galaxy far, far away. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]​