Chapter 1
Location: FCF Governor’s Mansion, Private Chambers
Incoming Transmission:
Message #1
Begin Transmission:
Governor Chad, Orbital Shipyards were penetrated this morning by what appears to be two Jedi. Origins unknown. Were driven off by local security and harassed by FCF fighters. Our pursuing fighters managed to take down fleeing star vessel. Authorities believe the vessel has been destroyed when it crashed landed on the planet surface of Felucia. Initial scans report that there are no survivors. No landing party on the planet has been order at this time, due to the violent nature of the planets natural
inhabitants. Lt Commander Neo feels even if there were survivors they will not last long on the planet surface. It seems storage facility was primary target of their intrusion. No transmissions were made from the intruders; therefore Lt Commander Neo feels that any information that the Jedi obtained was lost with them in their deaths. Report one FCF casualty due to strangulation. Will report back once we have more. Shipyard Authority, out.
End Transmission
Message #2
Begin Transmission.
FCF Governor Chad, the time has come to move to our next phase. Begin shipments to outer rim region in this sector. The JSM and AFH System will fall. Your presence is called for on Nal Hutta in 2 days. Make preparations to attend. Success to the Syndicate.
End Transmission.
Sitting in his dimly lit chambers in the Governors Mansion on the FCF moon, Governor Chad reviewed the recorded transmissions to his private line. Cunning and vile, the man had become a powerful underworld warlord in the chaos that was the FCF system. Second perhaps only to the Syndicate himself, Chad had rose to power in the revolution that had swept the moon some time ago. A relative unknown before the upheaval, Chad had managed to merge several organizations to come out on top when the bloodshed had
ended. The terrorist organizations, URA, Raptor and DOD, being chief among those that had merged with his movement.
Alliances, that was the key to the sector, and one day the galaxy.
He focused once again to the second message. The Syndicate, his newest ally. The Syndicate was the most influential underworld organization in the sector. The head of the Syndicate, Zorba the Hutt had managed to impact almost every system of the galaxy, supplanting operatives everywhere. Perhaps even in his own FCF organization. But such was the way of the underworld. Information was power. Therefore Governor Chad needed the Syndicate leader . . . for now.
He would continue their alliance as planned, helping the Syndicate spread its toxins into system after system. Creating chaos and panic everywhere. Allowing the Syndicate, and those allied with the Syndicate to move in and entrench themselves into each system.
It was only a matter of time now. Soon he would be rightly placed to head the underground Syndicate after Zorba the Hutts untimely demise. But patience was a virtue, and he and his agents would not strike until the right time.
However it wasn’t as simple as it seemed. There were . . . other factors. There were even more powerful figures in the galaxy. The likes that even he, Governor Chad would not overcome. However within those factors, Governor Chad had once again forged an alliance.
Time to report in.
He punched up his holo imager and the encrypted code that allowed him to speak to the real master of the galaxy.
The holo imager flip on and before him a dark hooded image appeared before him, “Master,” he began, “ may your will be implemented throughout the galaxy. Reporting in as order my lord.”
The shadowy figure crackled a reply, “ Begin your report, Governor.”
The Governor quickly spoke, “ the Syndicate has ordered that the shipments began in the JSM and AFH systems my lord. With your approval I will commence with the order. I have also been summoned to a meeting on Nal Hutta in 2 days time. I feel from this I will learn of the next phase of the Syndicates plans.”
The figure stood in silence as if digesting the information, then spoke once again, “ So the time has come.” The governor sat up a bit more as if his master knew something more. “ Governor Chad, in this meeting you will be introduced to a new possible
ally in the Syndicates cause. Support the initiative. It will serve our purposes well.”
The governor was bewildered on how his master always was one step ahead of everyone else in the galaxy. But as a shrewd man, he did not give away his surprise.
His Master continued. “ Continue to follow orders from the Syndicate, soon they will allow our purposes to be fulfilled. You will soon be head of the underworld, and sit at my side as I rule the galaxy. Begin shipments.”
With that the transmission ended leaving Governor Chad alone with his thoughts. With the thought of the power that would soon control, he began implementing his master’s plan.
Chapter 2
Location: Surface of planet Felucia, crash site of the star vessel Rai
Felucia, known as the fungal play ground this side of hell by most space travelers. A planet filled with every imaginable horror that one could think of. Covered with translucent and almost rubber like plants, which on a good day would not try to eat you. Chief among them was the carnivorous Pincher Plant.
However if the plant life didn’t kill you, the local animal life would. Swarming with all manners of wild beasts, most notably the Acklay. Swarming in packs, not much stood a chance of living once they had found their prey. But as for the top of the food chain, the monstrous Rancor, one the most deadly beast in the galaxy, had its way with the land. Running into one of them was always a fatal move.
To make matters worse, while one sat and waited for either the animal life, or plant life to eat you, one had to endure some of the most humid whether in the galaxy.
All of which made surviving a crash landing on the planet a very unfavorable option. Unfortunately for Orion and Dam U Died that option was their reality.
Situated in broken and smoke filled cockpit, Dam U Died was the first to awake form the impact. Slowly opening his eyes to the disbelief that he had survive the crash it took a second for him to realize exactly where he was. With the sun shinnying the environment before his eyes glittered like multicolored glass. His ears finally caught up with his eyes as sound crept up on him with the loud screeching of several native beasts.
As his senses started to fully come back to him he began to take inventory of the situation around him. The cockpit window was completely shattered. Shards of glass were strung about the cockpit itself and on his lap. Luckily none were protruding from his body. The interior of the cockpit was scorched by what look like small blaster fire. Smoke filled almost every corner of their cockpit.
He slowly unbuckled his safety harness and began to slowly move his body out of his chair. Stumbling a bit he rose on his one good leg as he supported his other leg with the seat itself. That’s when he noticed his master.
Situated in his pilots seat, Master Orion had yet to awaken. However sticking out of the right upper chest was a shard of the broken glass from the cockpit window. As quickly as the young man could he scrambled over to the Jedi Master.
Upon reaching him he cried out, “ Master . . . master.” Checking his master’s pulse he realize he was not dead. “ Thank the force.”
However, now came the problem, getting the shard of glass out. It would not be easy. And the working space in the burnout cockpit was not helping matters at all. Moving him was the only option.
After 10 minutes of pure pain, the young padawan managed to move his master from the cockpit to the out side of the ship. Getting to the outside of the ship was not as difficult as it could have been however. Being that the midsection of the Rai was now completely missing.
Laying his master on the muddy Felucian floor, Dam U Died began to pry the shard out of Orion’s body. The problem with the extraction however came when a small piece become lodge with in the Jedi Master’s chest. “ Shit,” Dam U died muttered to himself. Shaking his head he knew there was only one thing he could do. He activated his lightsaber.
Dam U Died thought to himself, “ this should work.” Scorching the wound with the saber would destroy the glass and stop the bleeding he told himself. He wondered if any one in the history of the galaxy had ever been operated on with the end of a lightsaber. The thought somewhat amused him as he begun to insert the blade into his master’s upper chest.
The sizzle of the flesh was the first thing Dam U Died heard as the saber impacted the wound. The next thing he heard was nothing more than the loudest yelling he had ever heard in his life.
“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING,” Orion screamed out. Immediately Dam U Died deactivated his saber.
“ Sorry Master, I was . . . operating.” The young padawan said. “ You had a shard of glass that didn’t completely come out, so to melt it and to stop the bleeding I felt the saber was the best tool for the job.” He smiled a bit as he said it.
Grabbing his wound, Orion realized that the padawan had done the right thing. But still . . . “ wake me up next time or something.” Orion began to sit up, and found that his head was severely aching. “ Ahhhhh,” he moaned. He glanced to the padawans injured leg and pointed out, “ tear a piece off your robe and wrap that up. That way it won’t get infected.”
Dam U Died did as instructed.
As Orion slowly started to stand the pain of the burn in his chest returned in full force. He tried not to show it to his padawan. Instead looking at his padawan up and down he realized the young mans nose was still broken from his battle with Wooooooooo.
“ Let me set that nose for you,” he said with a small smile on his face.
“ Huh,” the padawan replied in a startled voice. But before he could make another sound Orion snapped the bone back in place. “ SHHHHHHIIIIIIIITTTTTTT!!!!!” he screamed.
Chapter 3
Location: Hutt World of Nal Hutta
Time: 2 Days Later
Seated at the conference table with his top aides, FCF’s Governor Chad awaited the arrival for the Syndicate leader Zorba the Hutt. Seated at the table along with him sat some of the most vile entities in the galaxy. Representatives from Esh, Raptor, URA, and DOD were among the most notable. He had had dealings with each and every one of them before, and most had helped him in the past, making it all the more reasonable that when Zorba died, he would stand a great chance in consolidating his takeover with minimal loss of life. Secretly he relished the possibility. In time, in time he continued to tell himself.
However at the table there were two individuals he was not at all familiar with. Two members that apparently were representatives of the SWA Empire. Their appearance at the table was if anything a bit odd. They would have to be the ones his Master had spoke of. He shyly eyed them as he continued glance elsewhere in the room.
The conference room was in itself something to be marveled at. The Syndicates wealth was defiantly on display. Obviously a show of their power and what each and every ally to their cause could look forward too. A very smart tactic the Governor made a note of. Make the allies too greedy to actually even consider betraying them. Zorba was very shrewd in deed. Of course none of it mattered to Chad. He would take it all anyways.
A few minutes later, Zorba the Hutt finally made his appearance. Seated at the head of the table on a large repulsor lift, he burped a hello.
“ Disgusting creatures,” Chad thought to himself. When he was in power he would do his best to eradicate the species.
“ Honored friends, the time has come to begin planning our next stage of takeover of this sector,” Zorba opened up in his native tongue of Huttese. “ For many months now, we have been shipping our drugs into every system in the galaxy to give the appearance that the sector as a whole was dealing with a small drug issue. We have made a substantial amount of money in the process, however as you are all aware of, this was only a tip of the iceberg. Our real goal of total dominance of this sector is ready to commence. I have initiated our friends in the FCF government to begin concentrated shipments into the JSM and AFH Systems.”
This was the Governors que to speak, “ as always we are ready to serve the Syndicate. Ordered by Zorba the shipments went out as of two days ago. Our friends and notorious pirate clan of Raptor has done much of the grunt work in dropping the shipments off where our local dealers have already begun distributing the drug.”
“ Of course as you all know, Zorba butted in rudely, “ this particular variation of the Death Stick drug is even more potent, and more addicting. And with the ability to mix with local water supplies, it shall not take long for the drug to take effect. Soon these two systems will erupt into civil chaos, as they will be easily susepatable to our persuasion. Our friends in the URA organization has already set up its organization to spread the fires of civil discontent.”
Governor Chad looked at all the faces in the room, and he saw many smiles. Time to get to the point of our new allies he thought to himself.
Zorba continued, “ As this phase of our plan has begun, it is time for the next phase to be planned.” Zorba punched up a monitor that displayed a holo image of the entire sector of space. “ As you can see, the next portion of the plan deals with the rather large system of BOJ. For months we have ran the system to the ground. The local governments have descended into chaos, however a rebellion to our presence has popped up. Making it very difficult for our organization to really become entrenched in the system. The rebellion known as SOR has defiantly become something of a nuisance . . .the time has come to eradicate it.”
Zorba slowly motioned to the two members of the SWA Empire. “ Several years ago the BOJ system belonged to the SWA Empire. Unfortunately in a battle with the Nation of JOG, they lost the system. The Jedi were foolish in not taking complete control of the system afterwards however, in which eventually was settled by the BOJians. Our friends of the SWA Empire of course would like it back.”
The two SWA Members nodded in approval.
Zorba continued, “ in a deal struck by the Syndicate and the SWA Empire, we have come to terms on the situation of the BOJ system. SWA has pledge their armies to help us eradicate the local rebellions and for there actions will gain them control of the system itself. I believe we can commence the attack in less than two standard months.”
It was the DOD representative that spoke up, “ my lord, what does the Syndicate get out of this, if I may ask?”
Zorba once again let out a burp. “ The Syndicate will have exclusive rights in the system to all underground activities, that SWA has promised to allow to an certain extent. The deal itself is worth billions of untaxed credits, the likes will fund our organization for years to come.”
That was met by a small murmur among the representatives. They were defiantly all for making more money.
One of the SWA members stood up. “ My name is General Mace Windu, my associate JM Slabs represent our government in all affairs with the Syndicate. Our Empire has pledged our armies in what will constitute a cleansing of the BOJ system. In two months time we will deploy our forces. Leading our attack will a device that has come to be known to the galaxy as our World Devastators.” As he said this a projection of the large rectangular device appeared before them. Supported by massive engines located at the bottom of the craft to keep the massive machine hovering above the land. Also locate on the bottom of the giant ship were large sucking devices that were meant to suck up the life below it.
Governor Chad looked on in mild amusement. He had heard of the devices used long ago in an ethnic cleansing war that had gone on in the SWA Empire as the government removed some unwanted citizens form their society. Truly remarkable machine he thought to himself.
The SWA General continued on, “ Destruction of all life that is against us will be complete. After they suck up all hot beds of rebellious activity, our military units will move in and sweep away any resistance that remains. Total victory will be swift, and will be complete.”
Zorba chuckled at the very thought of his problems being sucked away. “ But there is more to this than just credits for our Syndicate and territory for the SWA Empire.” He choked down a small lizard like creature than continued the point, “ For too long now we have all suffered in this sector under the rule of one nation. With the BOJ system completely under the control of our allies, we will be ideally placed for our invasion of our main nemesis and soon to be last hope for this sector . . .the Nation of JOG. Once they fall, this sector will be ours.”
Chapter 4
Location: Surface of planet Felucia, crash site of the star vessel Rai
It had taken Dam U Died two days to come to the realization that the planet of Felucia deserved its reputation of an alien hellhole. Not that creatures or the local plant life was trying to eat them, but more so the fact that the humidity was causing Dam U Died to waste away. By the fourth day, with he and his Master running low on food, the planet became even more of a nightmare. Something was clearly going to have to be done.
“ Are you sure Master,” the young padawan said as he sat on the broken wing of the broken star vessel, “ going out into the jungle away from the Rai doesn’t seem like such a good idea to me.”
Orion looked at his young friend and replied, “ it’s a perfect time to leave camp.” He came over and clamped his hand on the young man’s back. “ One, your leg has healed up enough for you to travel. Two, we haven’t seen any food sources or any real water source in the close vicinity of the camp in our scouting trips. And three, our transceiver is completely busted, for us to call for help, will require us to find something else.”
Dam U Died shook his head. “ That’s just it master there isn’t too many settlements on the planet, and the possibility of us finding one are slim to none, therefore, where are we going to find one in the middle of nowhere.”
Orion was first to move away from the camp, then beckoned the padawan to follow. “ First things first, lets find a water source. Then we will worry about the transceiver.”
“ Alright Master, I hope you know what you are doing,” Dam U Died said sarcastically, “ I just have a bad feeling about this.”
The immediate terrain of the jungle was not all that bad at first. There were some thick foliage here and there, but nothing that a lightsaber couldn’t cut threw. They had a little trouble however with the mud, as each step sunk their boot about 10 inches under the ground. But it was manageable. And with nothing trying to eat them, the only real thing the Jedi had to contend with was once again the humid whether.
Of course. . . . the weather was winning. So much so that the two Jedi had to remove much of their clothing. Down to just basic fatigues, the Jedi found that even that was not really helping matters too much. Dripping with sweet, the two looked like some one had just thrown them overboard into a Nabooian lakebed. But they were Jedi, and would not complain about it, at least not openly.
After four hours worth of hiking, the pair of Jedi finally found a fresh water supply in the form of about a foot deep river. To them, water had never tasted so good.
After a few minutes of refreshing themselves, it was Orion that snapped back into survival mode, “ I am going to take a look around, see what’s here, this might be a good place to set up camp. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Dam U Died took the opportunity to lay completely submerged in the river itself.
A few minutes late he heard his Master calling him, “ Dam, come here.” The young padawan collected his utility belt and lightsaber and followed his Master’s call. When he got to his Master, he was greeted by a sight that he thought he would never see in a place like this.”
“ What the hell is it Master,” he asked.
Orion smiled and replied, “ it’s a clone war era, AT- TE my young friend. Obviously you never studied all that hard back at the temple.”
“ Sorry master,” as a small smile came to his face. “ Does it have a working transceiver?”
“ No, this one looks to have been destroyed during a battle. However where there is one, there is sure to be more. We just need to find them.” He began a quick visual search to see if he could find one from where he stood but saw nothing. However he did manage to catch two very large winged creatures moved off a high tree in what looked as if they were fleeing the scene of a crime. “Interesting,” he thought to himself. “ I wonder what startled them.” He quickly came back to the moment.
“ It doesn’t look like it was destroyed in any firefight Master. Look at these markings,” Dam U Died said as he pointed to what looked like puncher holes.
“ Hmm,” Orion replied as he looked at the holes. “ I wonder. . . “
“You wonder what Master?”
“ It’s probably nothing, lets take a look up river a bit more, perhaps we can find a tank with a working transceiver.”
About 40 feet past the next bend stood an up right AT-TE that sat in the middle of the river. 20 feet away from that laid another fallen tank with the same marking s as the first tank that they had encountered.
“ This is strange,” Orion said while walking back from the furthest AT-TE. “ That fallen TE has the same markings as the first one.” Nodded towards the upright tank and said, “ Lets go take a look inside the standing tank, see what we can find.”
What they found chilled them to their very bones. The top of the tank had been shredded apart as the interior of the armored vehicle lay in shambles. However seeing pieces of the crew rotting inside made even Master Orion a bit squeamish.
“ I don’t think any battle droids did this Master, “ Dam U Died started to say, “ it seems like they were killed by something else.”
In the far distance multiple shrieks went off as several more birds flew off their perches.
“ What was that,” the young padawan said out loud.
Then it all came to Orion. “ Damn, this has to be a local watering hole . . .for all life in this jungle.” He turned to his padawan as his danger senses began to rise. “ This convoy tracked right through here . . . what fools.” The distant shrieking became louder.
“ Master what ever that is, it’s coming this way and its getting closer.” As he Dam said the words an alien beast turned the corner of the riverbank and stared directly at the Jedi. Armed with six sharp claws, three eyes and what looked to be razor sharp teeth all of which heighten its aggressive attitude. The young padawan almost fell off the tank in shock, “ what the hell is that?”
“ACKLAY,” Orion screamed as the beast charged at them. “UNDER THE TANK NOW!!!!!”
Both scrambled from the top of the ship. As they reached the riverbed, they dove under the tank as the acklay attacked. The predator missed the two Jedi by barely a foot and instead slammed into the tank itself, lifting the armored vehicle a few feet of the ground.
“ You okay, “ Orion asked his padawan as they both splashed into the water below the tank.
“ Yea, it missed me, but ahhhhh, I think we need to come up with a plan and fast?” As he said the words, three more Acklays turned the riverbank corner shrieking as they came charging at their new food source. “ Ahhh shit.”
“ Don’t panic,” Orion said as the original Acklay slashed as far as it could reach towards the Jedi. The tank continued to rattle and leap up with each push and strain of the beast.
Orion thumbed on his lightsaber in response. The green blade hummed to life as he said, “ stay close.” Dam U Died had no problem doing as ordered. The acklay continued to inched closer with each swipe as the others stood to the side waiting for their prey to make a run for it.
Again and again straining its body it stretched out towards the Jedi. When its claw reached the closest to Orion’s leg, the Jedi Master acted. With a small downward thrust, the lightsaber severed the beast claw like leg. The acklay plummeted to the ground where it was able to look eye to eye with the Jedi for one final second. It screamed as it flashed its teeth towards the two as if to show one last sign of total fearlessness. And with that Orion ended its life with a saber toss.
The savage animals blood pour into the water where the Jedi sat crouched, staining their fatigues from a light brown to a dark red.
“ One down,” Orion said.
“Yeah but look at the other three, they are exactly following their brother’s path over here. They are keeping their distance.”
“They are doing more than just that, they are surrounding us.” The three remaining acklays shrieked at the Jedi as they encircled the vehicle.
“Man what I would give for a blaster right now,” Dam U cried out, as he stayed crouched under the tank.
Orion looked at the situation at hand and was not pleased. “What to do, what to do,” he thought himself. The acklays continued to cry out towards them. Sensing death, Orion closed his eyes to focus on the force to give him guidance as it had so many times in his life. And as always it showed him . . . possibilities.
Opening his eyes he took a look at the terrain around the river itself. Then it came to him.“ See the embankment on the far side of the river?”
“ Yeah.”
“ That’s our way out.”
“ And how do you suppose we do that? We leave this tank they will track us down in no time flat,” Dam U said in a very serious voice. “ I am not all for that idea. “
“ Listen, we use the force to throw the tank at this acklay there,” Orion explained as he pointed to the far side predator. “ The moment we lift the vehicle, we throw it, taking out the animal. From there we spring up the embankment and into that thick foliage there.” He pointed out to an area about 20 feet up the embankment. The area was dense in translucent plants and trees. “Hopefully with limited area to move in there we can take their agility away from them and cut down the last two remaining acklays down. Sound good?”
The young padawan gave a look towards his Master that suggested he master had lost all common sense. But with out any other alternative, it was the best plan that he could see. “Alright, but if it doesn’t work and we get killed, let me say this now, this was a bad idea!!!”
“ I’m good with that,” Orion replied back as he quickly summed up the scene that laid before him. “ Alright on the count of three, hover the tank with me, when I say throw it, throw it, ok?”
The padawan nodded in approval. Both grabbing their sabers in anticipation for the events that would soon unfold, Orion began the countdown.
“1”
The three acklays began a song of vocal calls, as if speaking to one another, preparing for the mass attack.
“2”
Slashing at the water, the beast flashed their teeth as the underground vibrated from their stomping. The splashing of the river created a small tidal effect upon the two Jedi as they sat crouched under the tank, soaking them in the red water that floated about.
“3”
The tank hovered for just a moment, and all went eerily quiet. The acklays and for that matter the surrounding jungle seemed almost puzzled by the floating tank.
“NOW”
The tank flew up and smashed the closest beast. The weight of the crash crushed the animal. It cried out once more before it succumbed to the weight of the tank. As the two Jedi bounded up the embankment, they could almost here the acklays bones crunching.
Stunned for a split second the remaining two acklays bounded after their fleeing prey, not just wanting a meal for the day, but now it was almost personal for the savage predators.
Chapter 5
As the Jedi made their way up the embankment the Felucian planets weather once again proved to be a brutal adversary. For thousands of years the humid climate had made the terrain as muddy and unstable as it could. As if knowing that one-day four lives would depend on secure footing, and it apparently had ruled in favor of the acklays.
Dam U Died struggled as climb the embankment. The loose soil gave way almost with every step he made. Somewhere in front of him, Orion made better progress. But making matters worse for the padawan, being stabbed by a lightsaber through the leg just a few days prior didn’t make his job any easier. One of the pursuing acklays took this chance to strike at him. As it came up on him it swung viscously with one of its deadly razor sharp legs but at the last second he managed rolled out of the way.
Sliding a few feet down the embankment, he tired frantically to kick the muddy soil under him. Slowly he caught his footing and began to climb the titled terrain one again. However the acklay was right on top of him. Somewhere in the slide however, he lost his grip on his lightsaber.
Seeing what seemed like his only chance of survival slip away, his fear of losing his life kicked in as it had just a few days prior in the cargo storage facility in the FCF shipyard. The acklay continued its attack. It snapped its jaws down on the padawan trying to end the contest with one quick bite. But again, Dam U Died rolled out of the way.
As if infuriated by the miss, the acklay tried once again to stomp on the young man. But as before it missed.
Seeing the legs of the beast come up and down around him, Dam U Died saw his opportunity to escape the acklay and move up the embankment faster. Grabbing on to one of the stomping legs, the upward thrust of the acklays movement propelled the young padawan up off his back and flung the padawan a few feet further up the embankment.
However the move did cost him. Only after grabbing the leg of the acklay did he realize it was covered in tiny spikes. As he hit the ground he could sense the blood oozing from the open wounds of his one real hand. But he gained equal value. The move did buy him a moment to finish the climb.
As he made it to the top, the predator was on him again. The acklay took another swipe. Only a quick duck from a swinging claw saved Dam U Died’s head from departing his body. He followed the duck with a tight roll, which sprung into a jump into the dense foliage of translucent plants and trees. Somehow against all odds, he had reached the safety point.
His pursuing acklay tried in vain to attack once again. It strained to move through the plants, but could not find a path large enough for it to pass. The acklay shrieked in dismay.
“ Thank the force,” Dam U Died muttered under his breath.
Looking back at the beast as it backed off a bit, he could see it through the translucent plants in which served only to magnified the gnarling teeth of the creature as it cried out towards the padawan. Safe for the moment, Dam U Died stood up and began to look around for his master.
But in a cruel twist of fate, as one threat had ended for the time being, another began. Somewhere in the packed fungal foliage in front of him he heard his master scream a blood curling “AAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!”
Fighting his way through think foliage he moved as fast as he could to the location of the cry. Only then did he realize the predators outside the secluded grove were no longer his biggest concern.
He came to a sudden stop as he saw his master, reviving in pain, with his arm severed at the elbow and blood spewing out. Three feet in front of him, Dam U Died saw his master’s lost appendage still clutching a deactivated lightsaber. A few feet in front of that, he gazed upon a giant pincher plant as it snapped back and forth, as vine tentacles stretched as far as they could trying to claim his masters lost appendage as for its very own.
In what he had only seen in holo horrors back at the Jedi Temple when he was younger, the plants vines twist and turned to grabbed the arm. Finally in what seemed like a lifetime to Dam U Died plant won the struggle and began to pull in the arm towards what appeared to be the plants mouth. Lost in the horror of the act, Dam U Died stood motionless.
Only the screams of his master brought him back to reality.
“Master, “ He cried out as he dragged him as far away from the plant as possible, “ Master, what . . . what can I do? ” There was blood everywhere. Reviving in pain Orion was going into shock. Only then did it come to him. He was losing too much blood and it needed to be stopped. It became clear that he needed, he did not have any longer, a lightsaber.
Then the realization of what he had to do became clear to him. He glanced at the vines of the plant as it slowly brought in the arm holding Master Orion’s saber. As he size up his odds for surviving the confrontation with the plant to retrieve the lost saber, Dam U Died did not like his chances. “Shit,” he muttered under his breath.
However if he failed to get the saber, his master would die from blood loss. He slowly stood up from his fallen master to begin the contest of retrieval for the lost saber.
Snapping above the vines, about 15 feet up, the pincher plants snapping appendages almost could sense the on coming struggle.
Taking in a deep breath and exhaling Dam U Died began to move forward.
Dashing towards the plant, Dam U Died went straight in towards the vines. Simultaneously the plant attacked. From above one of the plants snapping appendages came in for a hit. It snapped at the padawan’s body but missed as the young man rolled under the attack. It struck again and again, but barely missed each time as Dam U Died’s jedi quickness prevailed.
As he got closer to the arm, the vines came in for attack. The vines were more successful.
They attacked in unison as one grabbed the padawan’s leg, another his left arm and hauled the padawan down. Down and on the ground, the giant pinchers came in for an easy kill. However seeing the attack come down upon him, Dam U Died rolled as hard as he could once again. Luckily the attack missed and instead struck and snapped one of the plants own vines.
The plant recoiled as if in pain, letting loose of the vine that still held him down. Taking advantage of the situation, he leapt closer to the arm that was being devoured by the plant. But as he got closer, several other vine like tentacles came to life, grabbing the padawan as he moved in.
Knocking him to the ground once again, it seemed the plant had finally won the battle. But as he had learn from battling Lord Wooooooooo a few days prior, letting one’s adversary think it had the upper hand was a great opportunity to strike yourself.
As the plants vines slowly wrapped themselves around the padawans legs and midsection, the plant had failed to recognize that Dam U Died had the force as his ally. With his last ditched effort to get as close to the plants mouth as he could, he had gotten close he enough to sense his master’s lightsaber in the force. And with that contact, he activated it. The snap hiss of the green blade immediately made an impact. It severed the closet vine to it. Luckily it was one of the ones holding the young padawan down. From there Dam U Died flung the saber to his hand.
Grasping it, he began hacking at the giant plant. Slashing the vines that held him came first. As he broke free, the plants giant pinchers moved in to attack once again. . Jumping back and forth then slashing here and there, he was able to evade the plants death stroke and managed to slash off each pincher that came his way. As the last snapping appendage feel to the Felucian floor, Dam U Died made his way back to his fallen master.
Against all odds, he had survived and won the battle.
As he moved back towards his master, he could see that his master had looking on.
Laying on his side and still reviving in pain, Orion did manage a nod of approval. “ Nicely. . . don. .e, my young. . . padawan.”
“ Save your strength master,” Dam U Died said as he stood over him with the saber in hand. Looking down on his master he began to sum up in his mind what he had to do to save his master’s life, “ this is going to hurt.”
“DO. . . IT,” Orion cried out, as he understood what was about to happen. And with that Dam U Died slice an inch higher than where the arm had been amputated a few minutes prior. The sizzle of the saber sliced off the flesh and boned, but the ensuing heat acted as a cauterizer stopping the flow of blood. However the in suing pain knocked the Jedi Master into complete unconsciousness.
Surveying the scene and all that had just transpired, Dam U Died mutter under his breath, “ I told you this was a bad idea master.”
Chapter 6
When Master Orion awoke later he realized the brightness of the day had turned to the darkness of the night. At first he could not make out where he was or what had happen to him. Only that he was lying on his back and his arm ached like never before. Then it came rushing back to him. He had lost his arm to a native pincher plant, and Dam U Died had saved his life. The boy was becoming a Jedi he thought to himself.
As his eyes refocused he started to make out pinpoints of light in the far distance. As he began to focus harder he realized that the lights were indeed the stars from the heavens above.
At the same time he was able to make out the stars a cool breeze blew in from a northwest direction as some of the tops of the tall fungal trees swayed back and forth. If it weren’t for the fact that predators in the jungle and plants were trying to eat him, it was almost a pleasant night.
Then he realized, that Dam U Died was nowhere to be found.
He slowly tried to prop himself up as he strain to locate his padawan learner. “Dam U . .” he whispered into the darkness. But there was no reply. “ Dam U . . he cried again.
Slowly he tried to stand on his feet, but as he fell back to planets muddy floor he realized that it just wasn’t going to happen. He had lost too much blood, and he would have to take time to go into a Jedi hibernation trance to repair what blood he had lost. But that would take time, and a secure place to do so.
As he slowly began to fade back to unconsciousness, he heard Dam U Died approaching.
“ Master, that you,” the padawan whispered back.
“I’m here,” Orion struggled to say.
Crouching to his side, Dam U Died held his masters neck up. “ Master can you stand, I have found something.”
Orion shook his head in the hands of his padawan, “ Tried that already. . . didn’t really work. I need time to heal.”
“ Fine, then I will carry you, “ Dam U Died said as he began to pick up his fallen master.
“ What. . “ Orion cried out in a puzzled tone.” What . . why are you carrying me, where are you taking me?”
“I told you I found something,” Dam U replied back.
“ What happen to the remaining acklays, “ Orion said as he was carried in the darkness of night. It was an odd sensation being carried in a young padawan whom he had watched over for years now like a younger brother. Shouldn’t this be the other way around he thought to himself?
“ They moved off, after they could not reach us, they gave up,” Dam U said,” I guess they didn’t feel like working too hard for their meal.”
“ That’s good, I just don’t think I have it in me at this time for another round.”
“ You and me both.”
As they got close to their destination, the starlight from the sky above barely lit up the object in which the padawan had found. As they got closer and closer however, Orion realized what it was. It was a downed Clone War Era Republic Gunship.
“ Please tell me this thing has a working transceiver, “ Orion said in a hopeful plea to the force.
Dam U smiled as he place his master down on the dry surface of the hold of the ship. The ship itself was in pretty bad shape. It would defiantly not fly again. The right side of the ship had smashed into the surface of the planet and the front half of the ship titled in the mud. However the body of the vessel remained up right.
“Despite a pretty mess up cockpit, the ship still has power,” Dam U said as he moved towards a half title and sunken in cockpit. “ and as for a working transmitter, you got your wish. I just need the coordinates from you to transmit our signal to. Good thing you didn’t die back there. I would be stuck here with no one to call.” He said this with a small chuckle.
As Orion gave the military coordinates for the signal as he began to lean back against a cargo net that was located in the rear of the ship. As his padawan began transmitting a smile crept over.
Soon he would rest he thought to himself and began a healing process for his wounded body. Soon he and his padawan would be off planet, off this hellhole that he and his padawan had come to hate. For finally this Felucian nightmare that they had endured would be over as something had finally gone right this day.
Chapter 7
Location: FCF Orbital Station, FCF’s Moon
In his private office aboard the orbital station hovering over the tiny FCF moon of Felucia, Lt Commander Neo of the FCF guard sipped his caf in silence. He gazed out his only window towards the busy space in surrounding the orbital station. Not too far in the distance, FCF’s shipyards were abuzz with life. Two days ago, the order has been issued that shipments of the drug contraband was to commence. Now day and night Raptor pirates made run after run into the JSM and AFH systems without incident.
Well almost without incident. There was the matter of the two Jedi that had broken into the storage facility a few days prior. However a thorough investigation had led him and his team that even though it was a serious breach in security, any thing the Jedi may have obtained, died with them.
And after carefully inspection of each cargocrate, his agents had come to the conclusion that the drugs had not been tampered with. Nor that the computer hacked in the storage facility had led to any major disclosure of private FCF intelligence. Which in his case was a good thing. To put it nicely the Governor would have had his head if anything had leaked. Luckily no transmissions were made and the Jedi were now dead.
He finally could relax.
Just as he leaned back in his chair his secretary chimed in on his message screen ruining the peace and quiet of the room. “ Sir, priority message from Orbital communications platform 2613118.”
“ Lets hear it,” he replied as he continued his lax position. There was nothing that they could say that would ruin this day for him.
“Lt Commander Neo, Communications Master June here, sir we have intercepted a transmission from off the Felucian planet”
Sitting a bit more upright now the Lt Commander’s attention was fixed on his communicator display, “ and have we decoded it.”
“ Sir its been broadcasted by the Jedi, they must have survived sir. They asked for immediate retrieval off the planet.”
Now standing at attention Neo’s worst fears were developing before his eyes. “ tell me we jam it at the source, before it left the system,” he screamed.
A brief pause on the communicator was followed by a shaky reply. “ . . . No sir, it got through . . .”
In fury meant never to be seen and for that matter heard, the Lt Commander curse aloud as he flipped from one communication to another to call into his secretary and screamed “ GET ME THE GOVERNOR ON A SECURE CHANNEL . . . NOW!”
The Jedi could not be allowed to live . . .
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