Excerpt from Sitrep, Signal Intelligence Division to Fleet Operations, Republic Fleet
5. Intercept transcript as follows: "<unreadible> are being boarded! Drive offline and venting atmosphere <unreadible> repeat we are transport Azure Sun en route <unreadible>" Transmission ends.
6. IO notes side-band general distress beacon terminates 18 minutes after voice transmission is lost.
7. None.
8. Recommendation(s): Search and Rescue not warrented. Likely all hands lost, ship destroyed.
9. Additional information: Passenger and crew manifest for Azure Sun has been forwarded to Republic District Office for notifications. Recommend additional copy of passenger manifest forwarded to Jedi Authority on Tython concerning one adult and one child listed as Jedi Order. //Captain Arkada sends//
Two years later...
Tal'yn hit the ground hard and rolled into the back of the cell with a thud. She wiggled around as best she could with her hands and feet both shackled to look up at her tormentor. Her mud stained twelve-year-old face calmly defiant.
A torch sconce in the outside hallway began to tremble and strain against its fastening behind the man framing the cell's door. The man looked over his shoulder and sighed heavily, "This is why you and I have a problem you little witch." He raised his hand and pressed the button on his hand-held remote and Tal'yn screamed out in pain.
Darkness.
Tal'yn was having the dream again. She was running down a grassy hill with her arms spread wide and the laughter of other children all around her. She laughed, closed her eyes and quickened her pace.
She let go of her worries. The world fell away and she soared... Suddenly, her body urged her to jump and she did without hesitation. Curiousity got the better and she looked behind her. She saw then the large rock she had jumped over without ever seeing it. At that moment, too late, she sensed something ahead. Her head whipped back forward and she ran straight in to Master Ferenge. Only the corners of his eyes betrayed the stern frown upon his face.
Tal'yn awoke with a start. Was it just a dream? Her mind began to assemble itself from the cloudy embrace of sleep. I am a padawan. I must not forget. She crawled off her mat and knelt.
She laid her hands gently onto her lap, closed her eyes and began her morning ritual. "There is no emotion, there is peace..."
******
Today was a good day. She had behaved well enough that the shackles were off again. Of course, the pain collar was still in place. She missed her old job in the kitchens but they were not about to let her back. She checked that the mining droid near her was functioning properly and picked up her shovel. Moggu flashed her a toothy grin. Tal'yn did not know what species Moggu was, but she considered the gentle giant her only friend. Together they decended for another day's work.
Days later...
Tal'yn walked straight to the water trough the Blurgg used and plunged her head in. She pulled up and wiped a dirty sleeve across her face. Being outside the mine was a blessing and she savored every moment. Tal'yn had just come back from the mines carrying up buckets of filth. Life was these moments.
As water dripped from her hair, down her cheeks, she blinked her eyes and wiped them again. Trying to focus on the figure walking next to the camp's chief just a short distance away. Her heart nearly stopped when she noticed the lightsaber at this man's hip.
Their path would bring them right past the stables. And this man was no Jedi.
****
Excerpt from the personal journal of Quin Ash'ta, Jedi Knight
"...Day 162..
My interrogation of the Rodian revealed results. Although I'm not proud of my actions. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. I comfort myself but will seek guidence. I am in conflict. The Azure Sun was boarded. For that I am sure. I believe the Void Hawk Cartel is responsible. I will pursue this lead."
****
Once. Just once had Tal'yn tried to force pull a weapon. She learned two things: 1) Blasters hurt and 2) She had a lot to learn.
That was two years ago.
Today needed to be different.
The Sith apprentice was moving closer. She assumed he was an apprentice because of his demeanor. Even at twelve-years-old she saw minute ways he differed to the camp's chief. An edge and twitch while trying to conceal lack of confidence. That was no Sith. Two years of suffering boiled down to one moment of clarity. Be calm, she warned herself.
The Sith passed her and Tal'yn reached out her arm and applied the Force in a way she never had. She let the world fall away...distanlty she heard the laughing of her youth...The lightsaber resisted against his belt for a fraction of a moment then sailed across the space between her target and her hand.
****
Excerpt from the personal journal of Quin Ash'ta, Jedi Knight
"...day 528...
I have been recalled and ordered to cease my search. I believe Master Ye Ferenge and padawan Tal'yn Zyn are alive. I have uncovered evidence that proves the Void Hawk's have illegal mining operations and use slaves at these operations. I will continue my search."
****
A moment in time. In that moment coexisted both triumph and pain. As the lightsaber traveled between Sith and slave, the Sith noticed. And with his awareness came pain. Reaching out, his fury extended and Ta'lyn burned on the end of lightning.
Writhing in pain Tal'yn found no solace. Life as a slave would continue. Then, inexplicably, the pain ended. The Sith dropped to the ground and Tal'yn looked up squinting between pain and tears, and there was Moggu. That beautiful giant had crushed the Sith's head in with a shovel.
Tal'yn stood and the lightsaber flared.
****
"Hey El-Tee what's this all about?"
The lieutenant walked up and looked over her assembled troops. A small cargo ship was dropping toward the landing pad ringed by her squad.
"Ready Arms!", she cried and her sergeant echoed the command. Troopers lowered weapons and stood ready. Quietly she said to the sergeant next to her, "Unauthorized ship, f*** if I know more than than that."
The imperial cargo ship's ramp descended and a large humaniod trotted down and waved happily to the ring of death-dealing Republic troops. Behind him a waif walked down, barely clad in patches of dirty clothes. The little dirty thing walked straight to the lieutenant and said, "I'd like to report an abduction." All the lieutenant could do was stare at the lightsaber at the girl's hip in disbelief.
****
Excerpt from the personal journal of Quin Ash'ta, Jedi Knight
"In cooperation with 114th Squadron "Razor's Edge", 4th Wing, Republic Fleet we have destroyed Cartel Void Hawk's mining interest at {classified}. We have liberated 276 prisoners."
****
It's not widely known but when Quin Ash'ta and Tal'yn Zyn met, they embraced. "I'd like to thank you Master Ash'ta. I am told you never gave up looking for us."
Quin shook his head, "I did not find you padawan, you rescued yourself."
"During your investigation you uncovered layers of the Void Hawk's illegal networks. Arrests and military strikes have all but shut them down." Tal'yn smiled and added, "I always believed someone was out there looking, it gave me hope."
Quin Ash'ta bowed.
Excerpt from the personal journal of Quin Ash'ta, Jedi Knight
To say I am impressed is an understatement. Perhaps "relieved" is appropriate. These people have come together and made a beautiful world. I have had no part. I am glad to be here. I am lucky to sit back and watch enemies come together on their own terms to work together.
Years before...
Ye offered the two girls a treat. Both treats were gobbled up. Talyn kicked her legs up. The girl across her slapped her legs down, knocking Talyn's legs off the imaginary goal line. Laughing, Talyn thrust her legs back up and fought for position. The other girl stuck her legs out defiantly, unaware the force-sensetive child was giving her "a break". They kicked at each others legs and laughed.
Ye Ferege, Jedi Master, surpressed a smile. Too short was the childhood of a Jedi...Then the ship's alarm wailed.
Ye Ferege whirled. The invaders where not expecting Jedi resisitance. The initial assault was cut down and the Jedi advanced. Meanwhile, Talyn, grabbed her newfound friend by the the color and dived under the drink dispenser into a small cupboard. Sounds of blaster against saber clapped.
"Keep breathing", was what he thought. He had his lightsaber, and that would serve. Ye Ferege calmed himself and assessd the fight. Cut...breath....cut....
Ye dropped himself into a classic stance and let his lightsaber find it's mark. Attackers faced him. Ye lashed out and his enemies fell back. However, a horde of invaders breached the command section and placed exposives. Master Ferenge dropped back deflecting blaster bolts knowing time would defeat him.
Excerpt from the personal journal of Talyn Zyn, Jedi.
I have often thought about those days. My master died defending our ship. My friend and I were found on the ship. I...<corrupted data>...never will stop. I will always fight this. Revenge is not the Jedi way. I do not feel the need for revenge, however, I will not let slavery exist.
Ye had no time. Dropping back had only one reason: inform his padawan of the situation.
"Talyn!", Ye waved his hand and the cupboard opened. The two scared girls looked up hopefully. "Surrender," Ye said.
"Master!", cried Talyn. Master Ferenge looked at his young apprentice and, unexpectantly, smiled. "The ship is lost. Surrender yourselves." Then Master Ferenge dropped to his knees, his wounds becoming obvious.
Calmly, "Master, give me your lightsaber." Talyn emerged from the hiding place and held out her hand.
"Today is not your fight," Ye smiled and lit his saber. "Surrender and live my dear Tal." With that, Master Ferenge raced back to the fight, blood flowing from his wounds. Tears stained Talyn's cheeks.
At the Academy, only a couple of monthes after her escape...
Talyn retreated. Her attacker whirled his training saber expertly. Talyn was confused and had no answer. In desperation Talyn reached out and hurled a nearby weapon box at her opponent. With a "thud" he dropped.
The Jedi instructor failed to appreciate her ingenuity and expressed his dismay accordingly. Talyn smiled dispite the verbal onslaught and her opponent's outcry...
Sleep was seldome peacefull, Talyn cried in her sleep. Memories of that day came to her. She cut through the slavers towards the landing pad. Blasters fired at her from all directions but she deflected them easily. She simply let the Force direct her motions.. Two years of captivity had not dulled her understanding of the Force and swordsmanship, Master Ferege was ever with her. Another blast reflected and she nodded to Moggu, "Let's go!". It was a good day but why did it haunt her so much?
Four years at the Academy...
The Jedi Head Master was displeased. He put the holo-pad down and sighed. Wearily he asked, "Where is she now?"
"Umm."
"Umm?"
"Master...", consulting his notes the assistant stated, "Nar Shaddaa it seems." then gulped slightly, unbecomingly of a Jedi, and asked "Should we follow, err, send a Jedi or somesuch?"
"No."
"Master, a force weilder this powerful cannot be allowed to be on her own. We need to bring her back or risk her crossing over."
With a sigh the head master replied, "This is not a thing we can force. Trust, trust is all we need."
Gasping the assistant said, "Master...that is blind devotion..."
Talyn surveyed the surroundings and was happy. Nar Shaddaa was every bit exciting and vibrant as she heard. Life would be fun, with exception of lack of funds. If a poet could describe Nar Shaddaa she would like to hear it, because every poet she ever heard of that reached planetside was dead and bleeding in an alley, therefore made that wish distant.
Beyond that, Nar Shaddaa was simply the secret desire most people held but were afraid to admit.
She walked a little admiring the glow and allure of Nar Shaddaa. Eventually, maybe inevitalby, a death-stick merchant approached her and offered his wares. With a wave of her hand the man released his credits to Talyn. Feeling somewhat dishonest yet satisfied a drug dealer was "sent home packing". Talyn walked into a nearby cantina.
Dispite her youth many men of all races "hit" on her. Talyn ignored these types and ordered and drank a few drinks. While drinking and on her way to percieved "bliss" Talyn cataloged, as her training encouraged, the patrons. This knowledge did little as she passed out.
Talyn walked out of her apartment and witnessed a wrong thing at the right time. She was on her way back to the bar with anticipation to see a young man that turned her head the night before. The Force told her, quite literaly, a mugging was happening nearby. Talyn raced to the spot while all thoughts of liason were forgotten.
The young mother cried and wapped her arms around her child. The mugger was "un-moved" and repeated his demand for money. Nar Shaddaa is filled with back alleys and shadows but this day one shadow spoke, "Leave," was all it uttered. The criminal raised his blade. The shadow gained it's own form. Talyn flicked a blade backward against her wist and dropped into a fighting stance. Against his young attacker the thief laughed and struck out.
Lying awake at night, holding herself against the coming darkness. Talyn was so cold. How many deaths, she asked herself...
Another night at the cantina saw Talyn drunk again. She enjoyed a drink or ... many. She danced and accepted drinks. Why was fun so discouraged at the Temple she wondered. Something about discipline or restraint she forgot and let her mind wash away.
Hands washed over her and she lost herself.
Eventually, she decided home was a good course of action. On her way home Talyn thought about her Jedi training and why she left. She missed her master. She wondered what he would have done to rescue her.
Yes, a Jedi was dispatched and looked for her but her master woud have actually rescued her. Two years she was a slave. Two years! The Jedi abandoned her. Would it be so hard to rule these criminals? She would be safe and powerfull while "betters" would rule. Morally she struggled. In the past, her dreams reminded her of running down the hill in her youth. Now all she saw was darkness.
Defending herself from drunk-boy advances and drug dealers was a simple affair of Force persuation, however the temptation to do more was edging up. Her skin crawled yet she resisted. A simple word here and there. Very easily Talyn could rule the district. The Force was a double-edged sword and in the wrong hands..well...Talyn looked across the cantina, people progressed with their lives oblivious. With each step she wondered...
Meanwhile...
Master Quin Ash'ta was a little tired. The Council had given him "free action" to fight criminal activity with all their support. The task: Republic in Nar Shaddaa was to be upheld. Quin often thought this an impossible goal but chastised his thoughts and bent to the task. He arranged a meeting with a minor thug and hopefully he could sway him to the Republic's side.
The gangster's guards were so startled they let the Jedi Master walk right through.
What Master Ash'ta was not preparred for was meeting the minor criminal lord. Not because she was young. Not because she was a Jedi. But, because she was Talyn Zyn.
Lazily Talyn said, "I'm on my second drink... best tell me what you want before my third."
Quin Ash'ta had never boasted about his Force afinity nor displayed any hint. Today was different. Touching the floor with his fist the ground rumbled, then broke violently.
Guards dropped around him confused and in agonizing pain. Additional guards rushed in and found their legs knocked out crying in pain. Quin looked up and Talyn was equally off-balance. Focusing his power, Quin reached with the Force and pulled Talyn to him. Quin did not wait, he simply Force stunned Talyn with a gesture and looked around while her confusion allowed it. Heaving her over his shoulder, they escaped.
*****
"Not all that wander are lost."
Talyn knelt. Honestly it was difficult to remind herself that evil was so close. With rest her mind resolved itslef of difficuty. Talyn walked the halls of her recovery and wished her memories were not her own. Entering the Council Temple Talyn was humbled. Her life was full of pain and regret. A little sigh and she looked up with a composed face. Quin Ash'ta approached the council and said simply, "I will take Talyn Zyn as my padawan learner." The council looked amongst each other and noded. Talyn lowered her head and felt purpose. She knew a long road was before her.
Talyn's sister, Talya enjoyed another life...
Talya Zyn, Commando, Sergeant, Special Forces
H.A.L.O.
High-Altitude, Low-Opening. Hoo, f***ing, raa.
Talya dropped through the atmosphere burning like a meteor and laughing like a mad-woman through her comm to the echoing shrill laughter of her squadmates.
Excerpt from Signal Intelligence Division to Command and Control, Republic Forces
...limited window of opportunity. Off-world intelligence confirms Cartel assets mobilized to evacuate assets of interest off-planet. IO notes: Limited encryption denotes either haste or tactical deception.
Team Two, "Ghost Blade", Squadron 1, Special Operations Command, Republic Forces
The high orbit stealth-ships that dropped her squad were sneaking away. Meanwhile, mere meters from the ground...Suit comptronics fired reactive thrusters in conjunction perfectly as Talya extended her legs towards the ground to result in a smooth yet heavy landing. If she carried massive weapons the planetary grid would detect it.
Bio-feedback systems alerted her instantly that her suit and body were undamaged and combat ready. Small vents in her suit opened as the atmosphere was deemed suitable, ready to clap shut to "closed-system" at the first threat. Squad information flowed over her stand-off optical display. A quick read and she knew the squad had landed safely and was ready to deploy. "Advance and cover." The team moved silently towards it's objective.
Sergeant Talya Zyn advanced. Her squad followed.
{Classified} Excerpt from Republic vs. Void Hawk Cartel (dba Hawk's, Voidz, Void's, Hawk-heads, and Fluffy Puffys), Case #11-1406-N, Coruscant Circuit Prime
Rebublic Witness A1 (11-1406-N) "...yes, I told you it was a simple affair. We disguised ship movements after the discovery of our stash at {classified}. Using multiple transponders on just a few ships we created the impression of a multitude of ships were moving towards our interest."
State: "Under who's order and for what purpose?"
Witness: "For what purpose? *laughs*"
State: "Sir?"
Witness: *laughs again*
State: "Is this funny?"
Witness: "Yes. Why is it funny? Let me tell you the joke."
The court leaned in.
Witness: "f*** you."
Planetside, A few weeks ago
Once upon a time Talya believed in living ever happily after. Now she believed in tactics and the careful application of firepower---how cliche yet accurate.
Some missions required finesse, and some required brute. She liked to believe her and her squad could do both, but brute was what she prefered. Advancing on the building she regretted that tonight was "finesse". "Two-two, two-three enter, two-four, five cover, seven with me." Already planned but her shadows crawled.
A few minutes later comms went crazy. Her entry team was pinned down. Her orders were to extract any key personel found and destroy any found illegal substanses. Intelligence indicated minimal resistance and that surprise was on their side. She never relied on the inteligence briefs, a soldier's caution. Keying her mic...
"Ghost ghost, execute execute".
In mid-orbit, Ghost 2-8 and Ghost 2-9 held themselves in neutral boyancy flipped planetside and burned.
Her infiltration team getting pinned down told her resistance was not minimal and furthermore, the plan was f***ed. Talya did not need to debate every nuance of every tactical moment, infact, she excelled because she didn't.
A nod and smile to 2-7 and they launched themselves on ion-jets over the bases' perimeter fence, destroying sentry guns mid-air with their blasts. Landing a few meters on the roof behind the infiltration team, Ghost Blade Two-Seven unshouldered a slim, yet oddly destructive looking device and pointed it at the rooftop. Talya, Ghost Blade Six, turned away.
2-4 and 2-5 began overtly destroying every peripheral item in sight and lit their transponders.
Falling back 2-2 and 2-3 ignored the fact the building was in chaos and crumbling the direction they were retreating. They were trained since the beginning to find chaos in the face of danger. It was the Ghost Blade creed.
Two-Six and Seven let their suits do most of the work and extended their arms. Suit comptronics linked the racing squad mates and fired out metal cords accurately. Retracting simultaneously, both suits (with grunting and leaning back heavily) hauled up each squad mate safely.
"Thanks sergeant!"
"2-8 and 9 are inbound, let's roll!", Talya exclaimed.
"Copy", all said professionally and raced after their squad leader.
Ghost Blade Two-Eight and Two-Nine reached perigee, just under the Cartel's detection network, and released their payload. "Brute". Yup, "brute". Expending the last of their suit propellant upward they floated away waiting.
The "trap" was sprung and Cartel forces were scrambling to react. Senior members of the Cartel were smug that in no way would a Republic team arrest them. They were simply too valuable to kill and thus this simple commando team would be made an example. Then the Early-Warning sats screamed.
Across the skyline the previously indistinct cargo ship raced. All the commandos lit their personal transponders and knelt for what was coming. Talya said over the comm, "Ghost One, Ghost One, Extract extract!" Calmly, "Yeah...what the-f***-ever boss, on my way". Ghost Blade 2-1 (pilot) was already on the way and raced over the terrain to his squad.
Roughly was the word. Then the ship shot upward orbit-side while the Cartel base died explosivly. Picking up 2-8 and 2-9 was simple then the team turned toward the Republic Fleet.
"I thought we were supposed to make some arrests...", Seven said.
Looking at Arthur and Blix, Ghost Blade Two and Three, rubbing their wounds, Talya said, "Well....sh*t...."
At Republic Fleet
Talya sat down with the major and prepared to debrief. Shuffling her report papers she looked up when the major said nothing.
The major looked at her and said, "Your sister is here."
Talya Zyn sagged and said, "Well....Sh*t..."
The music was loud. Carrick Station was many things but less known among them was a "good bar". Well, those serving there knew...
Talya sat down across her sister, Talyn. Talyn smiled and said simply, "Hi."
"You disappeared. Thiner and thiner until you disappeared. You are gone now." Talya, as suddenly as she sat shot back up.
"Wait!," Talyn pleaded.
"No, you choose an easy life of praying and mumble-jumble! I took care of mother!", she screamed. Talya stormed up the stairs out of the bar.
*****
Talya sat down at the briefing and waited. It seemed like every other military briefing she had ever been in with a few exceptions. One, she was the only one there being "briefed". Two, it was in a secure level of Carrick she didn't know even existed, and three, the man that walked in to brief her had no rank.
The "man" sat down and greeted Talya simply, "Sergeant.". Talya noted two staff officers on either side of the table and no one else. It was her nature to take these things in. "Sir?". she replied.
"Sergeant, we have a mission for you. A difficult one. Are you up for it?"
"Well...", Talya let the word hang then continued, "I do difficult easily and impossible by appointment only."
The man leaned back and laughed, "Well we should make an appointment then."
*****
Talya rode the elevator back up to the main level with a shopping list in mind. Walking directly to the GTN she stumbled directly in to a wookie. The wookie cried his dismay, and Talya lept aside all limbs intact and continued on her way. Damn, that wookie seems to be everywhere she thought.
Excerpt from Diplomatic Transaction AQ-2307
"In referance to your inquiry to hostile action with Republic held planets QTY-4, QTY-5, and QUS-3 {names in dispute}, the Empire has not initiated nor condoned any direct action against these planets, even though they are sovereignly ours. Your accusations of an Imperial fleet are unfounded. We suggest you deal with pirates in your space without involving us."
Galactic News Network
Millions panic as a rogue pirate fleet attacks outpost planets. Imperials deny involvement, we go to our own Flygee S'mon, Flygee?"
Talya met with her team planetside. It was a fairly harsh desert planet that had only one distinction, it had the necessary minerals for a traveling fleet. "No weapons, no radios, and no implants", no fun she thought. The six of them knelt in the wind of the shuttle departing. "We are no longer part of team two, squadron one", she looked at each. They all noded professionally. Talya lingered with "two-one". "What!?" Why do you f*cks give us pilots so much grief? I'm in sarge, f*ck..." The squad all chuckled and Talya gave Sid, "two-one", a solid nod.
"Alright" Talya said, "No more callsigns from here out. We are radio-free, weapons-free, and luck to the wind buck-O's". They all chuckled again and Blix added, "May the Force be with us." Everyone but Talya mumbled their agreement.
The strike team moved off a small distance to a friendly tribe that was waiting for them. Special Operations had already set this small comfort up among other aspects of the mission. The planet was mostly settled by a nomadic people of high values and little tolerance. Tread lightly was all they were told. They settled in for a good night's sleep.
*****
Talya tossed in her bunk, "I believe in the Force because I've seen sh*t fly around the room, but that does not mean I think it guides my life nor should it." Her mother sat back and held out her arms. Talya moved to her but couldn't make her legs move. Of what was and what will be.
Talya's dream continued and she was falling. She panicked and looked down and saw an ocean. Crossing her arms against her chest she held her breath, straightened her legs and body and waited...
*****
The wind whipped around them as the tribe prepared their four-legged draft animals (the name escaped her). The six of them took their mounts and the three tribe elders stood across their path and raised their hands. Only one spoke, "Seek your way, the world is patient."
Wrapped in desert clothes and disguised as a small water caravan and music group, the team moved off across the sand. In four days the rogue Imperial fleet would be in orbit and would need to replenish it's supplies. Talya meant to be there to greet that shuttle.
*****
Felix Wells. As once he was known. Felix was on the edge of failure in the Sith Academy (which had one outcome) until through a freak occurance the Empire learned of his Battle Meditation. Felix could destroy a fleet with a fleet. Cool. Rapidly they stuck him on a fleet, gave him mentors and apprentices, and begrudgingly allowed him to call himself Darth Felze. Destroy was the only expectation.
*****
"There it is," Talya said looking at their destination. A few days of riding and they were here at last. The team all had their game-faces on. The Imperials doubled all the guards with their own troops during fleet replenisment. Spec Ops had warned them of this and they were prepared.
Ar-kut, a near humanoid (indistinguishable) and most gifted linguist in the team, raised his hand at the gate and gave a tribal greeting. The natives nodded and the Imperials waved their hands to inspect the pacts. Tugging and searching the Imps seemed confident the "troop" was fine with its water cargo and few musical intruments. As they were waved past, Talya waved her tamborine in an Imperial gaurd's face with a florish and a smile.
*****
Taking over the resupply shuttle was easy. What was not easy was finding out their short "hop" to a weapon cache was blown by a random local tribe finding it. Flight authorizations were specific within the Empire and no floundering around for weapons could be risked thus a direct flight to the command ship was on the schedule.
They would need to meet the enemy without weapons. Arthur stood up, "Well I guess I better limber up then." They all laughed and began stretching.
Talyn sat across her master. It was rare she could spend time with him these days. She accepted his decision she needed to spend time finding balance and welcomed the peace it brought to her life. Carrick Station was a quiet and peaceful place to gain her focus.
However she confesed to her master, "Each step I take the shadows grow longer."
"Take smaller steps," he said. They both laughed.
The strike team gained the shuttle bay when they landed on the command ship and secured the weapons off two guards but that was not enough. Without weapons it was only a matter of time and they were captured and brought to the ship's brig.
Meanwhile, a small cargo ship launched from a planetside port despite a scuffle with local authorites and brief blaster exchange with Imperial troops. The ship nearly escaped but an attending cruiser assigned to the command ship intercepted it. The rogue ship was about to be handled by the cruiser until a lone Sith captive aboard reached out to Darth Felze. Felze then directs the cargo ship to be brought to his command ship. He would rescue this Sith and gain praise for doing so. Life was always going his way he thought.
The "Sith" is disembarked and promptly asked the guard captain to bring her to the Republic strike team. The escort is uncertain until each receives a wave of a hand, then all are happy. Along the way the Sith collects their weapons and chit-chats about security within the ship.
*****
Talya sat in her cell, her mission blown. This rogue fleet rampages across the galaxy. The Republic cannot seem to stop it and the Imperials deny it. Intelligence tells us it is a Sith with incredible Battle Meditation. Why the Empire did not reserve him for an official fleet is beyond everyone, however, this was her mission and she failed. Right about then, a knock came at her door. "Hi", came a somewhat familiar voice. Then the cell door opened.
Talya looked out directly at her sister, Talyn, surrounded by four un-armed Imperial troopers. Talyn held up four assault rifles and offered them to Talya, "You know more about these than I do." Talya grabbed the belts in disbelief as Talyn told the four troopers to step into the cell. She then calmly locked the cell and looked to her sister. "Shall we get your troops and finish this then?"
*****
After the Zyn sisters rescued the remaining strike team they stopped, oddly enough, in a break lounge to discuss their next move. Sid helped himself to a pastry. With six rifle blasters and a Jedi they felt the mission was achievable. Arthur held out a rifle to Talyn. Talyn glanced at it and seemed a little distracted. Talyn looked down at her lightsaber then looked back at Arthur, "Seriously?" Arthur chuckled and tossed the weapon to another. Talya looked at her sister and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I feel the Sith here may be a problem. Let me go another way and deal with things as they come."
Talya seemed puzzeled, "Ok then, what's your plan exactly?"
"I'm going to take smaller steps," Talyn smiled and moved off.
*****
Darth Felze was in his meditation chamber. Normally he did not go there until battle but he liked the feel anyway. All his handlers jumped back and gave him a wide hand when he went there. Suddenly alerts came across the comms. There was a ship-wide intruder alert! Without warning his chamber pod opened and Felix was staring down the barrel of six rifles. Darth Felze raised his arms...
Fryd Gher was an elite pilot. Among his peers he was known as "Stoney". He received this nickname because of his serious nature. Rumor in the squadron was that his mother had a picture of him smiling but that was unconfirmed. Gher's squadron was elite. This was not cocky blustering among pilots that is normally expected. This was an honor sadly gained and seldom talked about. Gher and his squadron beared this distinction quietly. They stood ready when the Republic needed them, and those days came more and more. In place and ready to go, Gher launched his squadron from the covert operations ship Warden's Path.
"Pather Flight, launch", he quietly ordered. Four fighters lept out and immediatly went "cold" as their stealth cruiser and waited.
*****
The plan had always been to kill the Battle Meditation Sith. The secondary objective was to escape. Talya figured the best chance of that was to punch out on an escape shuttle. Finding those was easy. Getting not destroyed after launch was not. That's where Fryd "Stoney" Gher and his squadron came in. They would intercept enemy fighters and their stealth carrier would electronically harrass the fleet's gunnery captains. In theory. Talya never expected to get so far so never worried that four fighters was possibly not up to the task.
Fryd Gher was not an idiot either. When presented with the plan, he simply noted that four fighters were not enough to engage and/or distract fighters and gun batteries from a command ship and her cruiser escorts. The "unranked" man assured him the Imperial fleet would have more to worry about. Gher's mission was specific, protect any escape pod that launced.
*****
Talya rushed her team and captive to the escape pods. She had no idea where her sister was but had a mission. As they funneled into one of the escape corridors it became darkened with two Sith. Talya raised her weapon and fired. All her shots were deflected easily by the advancing Sith. As she screamed into the pod for her team to come out and support, the Sith whipped around and defended against another. Talya knew. She screamed outloud "Talyn"!
Talyn advanced slowely. The Sith flanked her and she adopted a stance ready to fight. She thought, this just might be just a tad above me. Either way, she would fight and get her sister and her team away.
Talyn whirrled between both attackers, light on her feet, grace in motion, her lightsaber met everything thrown at her with ease. Her two attackers rushed past her and resumed their attack stances. Talyn quipped, "Is that all fellas?" Talyn reached down and tore the floor of the ship up in bits and flung them at one of the Sith. As the victum wiggled in agony his partner tried to counter Talyn's attack. Talyn glared at him and focused the force in to a interrupting move and stoped his counter. The Sith stared at her in disbelief and cringed.
Talyn had one attacker on his knees bleeding and the other begging for mercy, before she could make a decision about their fate, Talya and her team leaped past and blasted both into silence.
*****
As they all cramed into escape pods Talya got ready to hit the launch and said, "You know this is a short trip right?" Talyn responded, "I hope not. I sliced the command structer to launch all the escape pods after we go."
Talya laughed, "Well that's good but you do know there are four cruisers, one battleship, and one command ship that can pick us out eventually. Just saying."
"You forget our faith. Our faith would never let you do this alone," Talyn said.
"Jedi Faith? Huh?"
"Our faith consists of the 7th Fleet," Talyn laughed then hit the emergency launch button.
*****
Republic Fleet had lost enough ships againts this "rogue" fleet of Imperial ships. This time they had intelligence the factor that hurt them was "removed" and that was good enough for Admiral Kata. Too many of her peers were cautious with intel, Kata held sacred the belief in all her people. Kata ordered the 7th Fleet to jump. May the Force be with them.
The "rogue" Imperial fleet was somewhat leaderless but ready nonetheless. Main batteries focused on the Republic ships that emerged. Fighters were directed to destroy escape pods. Clearly, those needed to die. Whatever the Empire wanted it was in them.
Both fleets began firing on each other. 7th Fleet Command and Control launched fighters immediately. Too late to intercept Imp fighters thrusting down to kill the escape pods. This is where the stealth ship Warden's Path chimed in, "7th, 7th, redirect your fighters, we got this." Authentication confirmed and the 7th's fighters joined another fight.
Through the escape pod's small viewport space and world tumbled. The pod's systems kept them steady but the fear was still there. Talya and Talyn held hands. Talya finally asked as they were hurtling towards the planet, "How did you get on board the command ship?" Talyn answered, "Praying and mumble-jumble ya know!" They both laughed and Talyn added, "I'll tell you more later, I was practically a Sith ya know...."
*****
"Pather Flight, Warden. You are weapon's free. Destroy any and all Imp fighters intercepting escaping pods. Good hunting."
"Stoney" Gher ignored the fight above him and his flight. The 7th jumped in with a fury and that was, well, awesome. His job was elsewhere. There were roughly twenty escape pods and sixteen fighters pursuing them and only four of his guys. He liked these odds, in a perfect world, not one where lives depended on him. Time to go to work. Stoney keyed his mic to the flight and said one thing only, "Make every shot count."
The fight was brutal. He and his wingman split with the other 2-ship "element". With precision they drew the attention from the enemy fighters away from the pods hurling planetside. Pather Four was destroyed trying to draw fire off his lead and Stoney brought Pather Three into his flight and adjusted their tactics. Six of the sixteen enemy fighters were left. The Imperial fighters had ignored pursuing the pods and focused on Stoney's group. Stoney flipped his fighter upside down to the planet and pulled hard on his control stick, diving his fighter planetside. His two wingmen copied the manuever. Stoney keyed his mic, "Let's see how these space-jockies match up against real dogfighters."
Pather flight burned through the atmosphere. Orange contrails turned brilliant red. Pulling back Stoney leveled out and considered his plan. Pather Two keyed his mic, "Stoney, let's kick it around and engage boss."
Stoney replied, "Negative. You two keep straight on and over extend them if they follow. If they do not pursue you and engage me then turn back for an easy shot." "Stoney, they may just spilt up". "Good for us, good luck Two". Pather Two and Three held their course and flew straight while Pather One, Stoney, banked around to the enemy six fighters.
Three Imperial fighters pursued Pather Two and Three and three engaged Stoney. Executing a low-gee-yo-yo Stoney rolled his fighter toward the ground then rolled back while pulling his stick back and tugged his fighter tight behind the over shooting trio of fighters. Weapon locks illuminated all over his HUD and he fired carefully, in sequence. "Splash...splash...splash...", Gher watched the debris of his three enemies fall planetside. Just then he heard Pather Two over the radio, "Splash...splash" followed a few monets later with Pather Three chiming in, "Splash!". Gher pulled up and jerked his stick in a Victory Roll. Command and Control on Warden's Path errupted in cheers.
"Warden, Pather One, package is secure, repeat, package is secure." Pather Two and Three reformed on his wing. Gher watched the pod carrying the survivors safely drop planetside. He knew it was them, a Jedi was there and thanked him. Stoney could feel her mind reaching out. He shook his head and nodded, reaching back he welcomed her and whispered a silent word for the wingman they lost today.
Stoney Gher eased his fighter at speed around the planet. The planet's star was just cresting into view and any other day it would be beautiful. Flipping upside down to the planet, because he still had low-orbit atmo-gee concerns and wanted positive gees during the burn, Gher kicked in the speed and left the Imperial cruisers behind. Stoney hated losing people but the mission was succesfull, in the end that had to matter. Meanwhile the 7th Fleet jumped away. Warden's Path scooped the three of them up and they left as well. The rest of the operation would be handled by others.
Felix Wells was captured and brought to Tython. Master jedi believe he has embraced the light. His insight to battle meditation has already helped the Republic beyond measure.
Talya Zyn has been promoted to lieutenant. She maintains a "non-attachment" relationship with her sister.
Padawan Talyn Zyn left her duties as an adminstrative assistant to the Office of Jedi Liason, Republic Fleet (OJR). She has been recalled to Tython. Rumor has it her master Quin Ash'ta has recommended her for the Jedi trials.