Changing Destinies (Finished)

[Morris Cutler]

*Far across the galaxy, Andrew stood alone in the meditation pod.* "It has begun mi'lord. Though you aren't here to witness it, it has begun. Your bloodline will be reestablished and power will flow from beneath the depths of the galaxy. Soon all they know will come to an end, and my sister will come face to face with what I am capable of. Ariel has fallen, tied to a Sith trap. One down, two to go."

*Across the galaxy Aidan's features had become resolved into stone. This unknown attack on his sister could only be by one person. Andrew. He was torn between his loyalties now. Did he go after Andrew, or stay and raise his children with Ayla. That question now burned like flame in the back of his mind.*

"The Force be with you Alyssa, find him and finish him at all costs."

*They both sat in the cockpit and Caeden programmed in the jump for Vjun. Shortly thereafter the ship entered hyperspace again, Kalit closing in on them pressed on the hyperdrive but to his chagrin found out he was unable to make the jump.*

"Utinni" (F..K) he muttered and went to his hyperdrive core to see if he could fix it.

*The other unknown ship entered hyperspace also, well outside of Kalit's range, following the two lightsiders, both now in way over their head.*

*Moments after the departure of Caeden and Jenna, the ship carrying Alyssa, Astrid, Jeff, and Dika exited hyperspace over Darunia.*

*Back on the ship, sleep eluded Caeden again as his mind began to wander yet again. Then the vision replayed itself in his mind, the crimson hue of the blade seemed to penetrate the darkness of the cockpit as he struggled to sleep. Finally not able to take the visions anymore he walked out of the cockpit and into the lounge area. *

*Brewing a strong pot of coffee he allowed the warmth of it to penetrate the ice that seemed to be forming in his veins. Something was clearly in motion some plot to further destroy the Jensaarai and Jedi Orders. This plot would go through him though and die. He was going to find the plotters and in the end he would find the victory.*

*After a few hours of travel he entered the cockpit again and brought the ship out of hyperspace. The world of Vjun sprawled beneath them and his research had located Chateau Malreaux. Setting the ship down he stepped off the ramp, Jenna close behind. The presence of darkness was powerful here, it's wiles calling out to both of them to embrace it.*

*Shunting it aside he led her into the chateau and began his search. He delved beneath the surface of the force and sought out an impression of Gaeriel's presence.*

*It came to him in a magnified sense, he saw the approach of the man and the eerie willingness of Gaeri to allow him to lead her. They headed down a tunnel that in the end led to a landing pad well below the surface of the planet. Then he saw a firespray shoot up from the ground and disappear into the night sky,*

"Found it..." he exclaimed "There is a tunnel, Master Gaeriel took it when she came here, lets go."

*The tunnel was pitch-black and Caeden ignited his lightsaber to light the way. He found the Jenna had taken his hand and they walked very close together, a effort to protect each other. After miles of walking, the tunnel materialized into a large chamber, where they were both suddenly suspended by a web of dark energy.*

*A shadowy figure emerged from the backside of the chamber and spoke*

"Welcome Caeden Storm, Welcome Jenna Mothma. What you seek here you cannot find. I will help you find what you are looking for however, if you are willing to be led."

*Calmly he heard a voice in his head.* -What you choose to do here will ultimately shape your destiny for years to come, be wise. Trust in yourself, you will have to make a choice.-

[Morris Cutler]

The dark one following them paused, and then cursed. Finished, she sent off a stealthy message capsule. She detailed what she had done, and where she was, and finished,"Master and Father, I am going to have to rescue the two Brightside fools. They have become entangled in Lord Zarok's web, and they are powerful enough to make a difference. Karnelia, out.

Walking to her weapons locker, she donned her power armor, Dark enameling over Cortosis weave. Her lightsaber went on her left hip and her mother's saber on her right. over this went a cloak, dappled in night's dark grays and blacks. The visor was still up, showing a deceptively innocent face.

Finished, she took her ship down, and landed it next to Caeden's ship. She followed them and was in time to hear the dark one's words.

"Why should we believe you?" Caeden called

"Because boy I hold the keys to this" as he spoke he brought forth a cube. As Caeden peered into the cube he saw the spirit of his Aunt Ariel alone in a dark place, crying.*

"YOU...You did this, you imprisoned my aunt."

"Hardly, Lord Zarok wastes little time with subtle things, as do I. You may call me Lord Drako. I can take you to your aunt, help you find Romana. She's dying." he said mischievously.

*Then he turned his attention to Jenna* "And you darling, I hold the keys to what you want as well. You want answers to your parents death."

The cube took on the form of Jenna's mother and father, holding the package. Seconds later it detonated and Jenna could see the pain on their face, the anguish as they realized their time was now. "I hold all the answers" he began to laugh deeply.

*Caeden could take it no more, reaching deep beneath the surface of the force he tapped into the Dark power that was Vjun and it sliced through the dark web holding both he and Jenna in place.*

"You've dawdled long enough Drako, Come Jenna lets finish this."

*he used his aunt’s pain and grief to fuel him and he deftly closed the gap between him and Drako, lightsaber shimmering on. His eyes had taken on a pallor of flame and he lashed out with a wave of darkness, channeling the grief his aunt was in, at Drako. Taken off guard Drako dropped to his knees and desperately tried to shunt away the pain Caeden had manifested. He broke through the haze and his blade snapped on, waiting in a vertical guard. Jenna could feel the pain of her parents also, not from Caeden, but from the foul manifestation hidden within the cube. It was a pain that would be difficult to resist, one that could stain the very essence of the one who felt it. IF channeled properly it would be a gateway to a quick victory and they could walk away."

She stepped from the shadows. "All except why you want to show them Romana, Drako. Tell them the truth. You wish to send them against Andrew, don't you?"

Twin lightsabers snapped on, dark red on the left, blue-white on the right. "Don't take the cube's offer," she said to the two.

"If you do, he will own your Jedi and Jensaarai souls."

She set herself in an offensive posture, one saber high, one low.

Jenna spun to face the newcomer. "Who are you?"

"Not his friend," the other answered. "Not part of his trap."

*Caeden had become hard as Mandalorian steel, his presence sealed into the force like a beacon. As Drako rose to his feet he looked at the boy.*

"You are of his flesh and blood, that power within you, use it and save her, save the one you love."

*He reached out with the force, a vice-grip of pure darkside energy that overwhelmed Jenna's defenses and tightened to a strangle hold on her throat. Caeden's eyes flashed again, remnants of Gavin Spry's own death stare and when Jenna was threatened he engaged Drako. He was waiting and deftly defended Caeden's blade, but what he didn't realize was that Caeden was ahead of the curve. Jenna's lightsaber flew across the cavern and into his left hand. It slid through the small opening and came on, against the stomach of Drako and the blade disappeared and reappeared out the back of Drako.*

Drako's grip was broken, as he felt a greater strength than his engage him, choking him also.

"Do not threaten my family, the one I love, or me. I cannot let you survive this. You wanted to destroy me, and I take that very personally. Think about things in the last agonizing and cold moments of your life Drako, enjoy your pain. I will find her, that you can count on."

"You indeed are of his blood boy, the blood of greatness, well...played" and then he died.

*Caeden now swung about to face the new supposed threat* "What do you want from me"

*what he didn't know what that he had vocalized his statement about love, and Jenna likely heard it.*

"Only to bring you to my Master and Father, Jensaarai Caeden. Only to take you to Romana, Jedi Mothma. There you will learn the truth. What you do with it from there is up to you."

The twin sabers swung up in a crossed defensive guard.

"Whom do you serve, and who are you. If he wanted to take us to Romana to lead us into a trap, how do I know you aren't trying to lead us into a trap? How do I know you don't ultimately want to hurt my family, or Jenna? I need answers."

"I have answered you, Jensaarai Caeden Storm. One of the answers you will get at Romana concerns your Father. And he did not intend to lead you to Romana. Not immediately. Not until he had turned your love for each other into loathing, and you were fit weapons to turn against my Master and Father."

"My father, my father has never been to Romana. What answers would he give me. Who is your Master, your father. Someone we know, or should know. You know an awful lot about me, but we know nothing about you. That I do not like." He kept his lightsaber in a shielded guard, the dark energies inside of him starting to recede.

This earned him a short, barked laugh. The lightsabers were extinguished, and rehung on the hips of her armor. "It is the way of the Light to be open, to be free with its information. It is the way of the Dark to be secretive, Jensaarai Caeden Storm. But even the Dark cannot exist without the Light to give it contrast. I am your cousin, Caeden. I am Andrew's daughter, Karnelia."

*His eyes took on a darkening hue once again.*

"So you want to take me to Romana and make me a puppet to be in the service of your father. I will NOT serve him, just as I would NOT serve Lord Zarok and his minions. I serve the Jensaarai Order. If you can assure me you intend us no harm then so be it, but if I have to die fighting to protect her then I will. So what do you want with me?"

Her chuckle this time was sly, malicious. "Watch yourself, Jensaarai, lest you do what Gaeriel Ordo and Anakin Skywalker did."

She shifted, looking at Jenna. "And would you kill for him, die for him, Miss oh-so-virginal Jedi Jenna Mothma?"

"Yes," said Jenna quietly, the bruises purpling her throat. "But I would not Turn for him."

"You speak words of poison Sith, you're just like him, just like his predecessor, you seek to divide us as did they. What an opportunity. The daughter of the great Andrew Calor, standing before me. Yet something strikes me as odd, somehow there is a feeling of kinship, like something stirs from ages past. So now I pose to you this question, are you taking us hostage and bringing us to Romana, or are we free to go along with our search? I will not serve you or him, or Zarok. I cannot serve the darkness." "You are born with it child, it is your destiny." a female voice echoed in his head.

"I would take you freely. And why would I seek to increase my rivals, Jensaarai? Only I stand in my Master and Father's favor now, and I intend that it should stay that way."

"Allies I would take, when you Turn. So why should I damage you before that?" she seemed amused by the question."

"Answer me this, was your father responsible for the trap that ensnared my Aunt, or was that your dead buddy over there's master. Vincent said he found a miniscule trail that led to Zarok, but a bigger trail of unknown origin. One he deduced to be Lord Calor. All I want is my aunt free, and safe passage for Jenna. Can you provide me with the means to that end or is it all a farce? Unless I am fooling myself I don't intend to turn either.

Her face turned cold, became an uncaring mask. "Ask him yourself, Caeden. 'Do, or do not', I believe the saying is. And all of you can potentially Turn, just as we can Fall. Ask yourself this, Why did I protect Jenna? And follow or not. Risk Zarok, or follow me. I care not." she turned, her visor going down, and walked out of the cavern.

*Caeden remained standing in place for a few moments before turning to Jenna.* "You have any ideas as to what we should do. Follow her and face off with the avatar himself, or follow Zarok and take our chances with the lessor of the Sith. I am open to suggestions."

Jenna walked over to him, and put her hands on his shoulders. "She also mentioned Falling, Caeden. I believe she could be Turned back to the light, or be a potential, if treacherous, ally. I think we can go, just this once, and get back out."

"Very well we will go then. I am going to leave a beacon here, my mother will probably be close behind us as we travel. It will inform her of our intentions and she'll at least know where we are going. We have to stay really close now, I read that Romana drains the force affinity of anyone who serves the light. It was in Master Spry's journal. We will have to tread cautiously, I will protect you if it is the last thing I can do, of this you can be sure. I guess though we had better get moving, before she leaves us." *he took Jenna's hand and walked back towards the chateau trying to catch up with their newfound ally/enemy. Once back inside the house he released an impression of himself in the force that his mother would be able to pick up on, then approached the landing pad.*

They did not sense her, but they saw the dark one carefully checking her ship. She looked up as they entered. "I disabled Zarok's tracers on your ship, and am doing so on mine," she said. "You will have to link your nav-comp to mine. and I'll Jump us both."

"Very well." Once onboard his ship he received the nav-comp request and linked his system to her mainframe. Conditionally they would be on auto-pilot now and heading for the virtual unknowns. Caeden could only hope they had made the right choice."

Karnelia set the coordinates, jumping both ships as one. She made sure it was not a direct path, as she had some mischief to do.


*Kalit arrived moments after they had left and silently cursed to himself, he was too late again. He could sense a worried Caeden somewhere out there, but could not find the emissions trail or pick up on Caeden's actual directed presence. This he decided was not a good day for him. Alyssa was going to have his head for this, but then he picked up a different sense, another dark presence hastily leaving. He caught up to a hidden ship and fired off a tracker. Little did he know he was now in pursuit of Lord Zarok himself.*

*Caeden finally stopped pacing and sat down in the lounge, worry lines had become etched in his features and he could really use a hug at this point. He thought of the lost kiss the other night and wished that he had gotten to kiss her, but that only compounded the problem. He was perfectly willing to lay down his life for her. See in their short time together he realized, he did love her, and that scared him.*

Jenna fell asleep after a shower.

*Caeden crept into the room where Jenna was sleeping and planted himself on the floor. Sleep eluded him however as he continued to think about the events of the day, and the road they had now taken. They were in over their head, he realized this now. Mom was right, perhaps staying at Haven would have been best. He sat up and glanced over to the sleeping Jenna. He stood up and kissed her on the forehead whispering a soft I love you before dropping back to the floor, laying on his back staring at the ceiling, feigning sleep.*

Eventually, this deepened into a real sleep, wrapped in warm blankets. He was firmly into his dreams, when the warmth against his back suddenly increased.
Matt: *Thankfully as he slept he didn't have any dreams, just warm comfort. His slow rhythmic breathing was a sign that at last he slept.*

His dreams were pleasant, but he found himself with the blanket shifted off him when he woke in the morning. Looking at the still-sleeping Jenna, he realized that she was sleeping unclothed.

*Caeden quickly slid out from under the shifted blanket and hurriedly left the room and into the refresher, as soon as she woke up he knew she was coming for him, but he didn't do anything. Whatever had happened had caught him totally off guard. He quickly turned on the shower and let it wash over him praying that she didn't kill him when she woke up, he kept the water slow and steady. Damn she was hot.*

Jenna woke up slowly, feeling warm under the blanket. The outside, she noticed, was a bit chilly. As she came fully awake, she realized she was cold because she was nude under the blankets. She blushed red. A quick glance showed her that Caeden was not in his bundle of blankets on the floor. TKing her pajamas off the floor, where they had somehow landed, she dressed under the blankets and pretended to be back asleep when Caeden came out of the shower.

*Caeden finally left the shower and entered back into the room where she was sleeping. He noticed that she had once again become clothed, seeing the outline of her sleeve hanging beneath the blanket. He pulled a chair up and sat down next to her bed, and began to caress her cheek gently, brushing a strand of hair back behind her ears.*

She had fallen almost back to sleep, and she woke with a strange tingling in her body. She leaned her cheek into the caress, enjoying it, until she came fully awake and realized what she was doing, sitting upright abruptly.

*Caeden smiled and spoke softly.* "I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you. You looked so peaceful too. I guess I am still kind of bad at this stuff. Did you sleep well, and before you kill me, I swear on my life that I had nothing to do with your disrobement and as soon as I noticed it, I left quickly so you could have your dignity. Please don't hate me"

She stared at him, slowly flaming red with embarrassment. "I don't remember doing it, either," she said. "I guess I was so tired I just didn't put on my Pajamas when I went to bed."

Her face was almost the scarlet of a bad sunburn.

"You know for once I actually slept soundly. No dreams, no visions, nothing but a warm peaceful sensation, which for me in this day and age is very rare. Don't worry though you're beautiful regardless. I didn't mean to embarrass you either." his hand reached out to take hers

Her blush slowly fading, she took his hand

[Morris Cutler]

*Caeden relaxed for a moment and centered his focus on the present, not allowing the future to dictate his choices for now.* "I have no idea how long this is going to take, and I am not sure what we will face, but this will take both of us."

"I hope that where it takes us is where we want to go, Caeden," said Jenna soberly. "As it is, we've put our destination in the hands of a darksider."

"I know, and that worries me. The only person we know that has seen Romana is Gaeriel. I don't know that I necessarily feel "honored" to be the first of our group to be there. Whatever happens I am going to make sure you're alright."

She patted him on the hand. "That's Anakin's Mistake, Caeden. You can't guarantee that I'll be all right no matter what, any more than I can guarantee that you'll be all right. We just need to be mutually supportive as a team, and not allow our emotions to cloud our judgment - especially when dealing with darksiders." "They make an art of verbally manipulating people, you know. Just as Karnelia manipulated us."

Jenna sounded like she was having second thoughts about the whole thing.

"I wish I could be certain that we were in the right here. That going after Zarok would not have been the better course. I think that if we had gone after Zarok we would have additional support. Going into this means it is just us, and while we are capable of handling this, I do wish we had some support. I want you to know though before we go, that regardless of whether or not you reciprocate is that I love you. Maybe I am fooling myself, but I wanted you to know it."

Jenna looked at him shyly. "Jedi aren't supposed to admit things like this, but Yes - I think I love you also. I'm not sure, though, because I'm not sure what love exactly is. But if It means I'm interested in seeing more of you and being around you, then - yes - I'm in love with you."

*Caeden smiled, and squeezed her hand.* "Then lets take extra care that we come back from this together, so we can explore these things. I wonder if there is a way to disengage our hyperdrive from hers and turn around before it's too late." A spirit resolved into the room moments later. -Children of the light, my name is John Harkness. I am not here to necessarily deter you from this, but to give you insight on the planet Romana. You see, I too once set foot on the planet.*

Karnelia shrieked with rage as her link to the two innocents was broken. She sat done, seething and waited for the interference to be gone.

"Didn't you die there, master Harkness?" said Jenna.

"Yes, at the hands of my nephew, Gavin Spry. Whatever happens do no allow yourselves to enter the tower he constructed. It was the root of his consolidated power, and now it serves as the same conduit for Andrew's power. The tower was built with the blood of 4 Sith, Gavin Spry, Algon Jerjerrod, Sargon Mazzic, and Andrew Calor. Shortly after he was taken Jerjerrod sealed off the tower with Andrew's blood. As blood remains built into the tower, so he can draw not only from his own power, but the combined power of the other three dead Sith Lords also. It makes him nearly invincible inside that tower. The tower is also imbued with the very root of the force, there is no way to destroy it from orbit."

"Make no mistakes though either, even separated from the tower, Andrew wields a power greater than that of Gavin Spry. The planet Romana has thoroughly bonded itself to his essence and feeds into his desires as a Sith Lord. Had I come sooner I could have at least slowed you down in time for your mother to accompany you. The Jawa was trailing you but a hyperdrive mishap slowed him down. Survey the planet, together the two of you can return, but only together."

"We will, master Harkness," said Jenna quietly, "and we thank you for your help and advice."

"Goodbye children of the light, may the force be with you. If not for a dark origin I could cover you on Romana, but it negates my power. I leave you in the knowledge and grace that you can do all things, if you believe. When all else fails, remember that you love each other, and that love binds everything. It was a concept I myself failed to grasp, but I believe in you, we all do." then his image was gone leaving an unbelievably peaceful Caeden and Jenna standing there.

Without a word, she walked to him and allowed herself to be quietly held, feeling peace and calm in the circle of his arms.

Watching them with her mind's eye, Karnelia felt almost envious.....but in the next second she felt RAGE.

*He stood silently, holding her there allowing the force to wash over him with its distinct touch. Across the galaxy he saw his mother in his minds eye, and knew even now she was at Darunia searching the archives left by Master Spry-Ordo. He could feel his father standing on the bridge of his Star Destroyer engrossed in deep thought about something. It was in the peaceful moment that Caeden felt alive, and somewhere below the surface the rising darkness found itself repressed by the lightside. Caeden when at peace was much attuned to the lightside of the force. He gently buried his head in the crook between her shoulder and neck, and then rose back up.* "I think we are ready to face this now."

"Yes," said Jenna calmly. "I wonder how much longer it will be?"

Karnelia, in her RAGE, began laughing to herself. Her lines to the two innocents were still there! Now to do something, before they reached Romana........Now to break them, and destroy their faith in each other.
*In the deepening rift Vincent suddenly awoke in a cold sweat. More of their own were in a great peril. This time he knew who it was though. He reached out with a pulse that seemed to energize Caeden even more. -Hold Fast son, Stay the course.- *As his resolved deepened Caeden gripped Jenna just a little tighter and kept his mind clear. It would be soon he thought, soon they would arrive, soon they would face a trial the rivaled Master Spry-Ordo's, soon enough.* *And somewhere across the galaxy another presence was watching events closely. What would happen in the coming days would shape the destiny of many. Darth Ultor knew a front row seat was needed for this.*

After a while, Jenna yawned. "Caeden, I'm sleepy, dear. I've been up since last night. You'll excuse me, I'm going to go to bed."

"very well, I'll plant myself on the floor again. I think I may actually sleep well tonight." *He opened the door for her and then the refresher* "That way you can change in private" he smiled "But if I am out before you are done, then forgive me."

"OK," she said, smiling.

[erickson]

Caeden woke in his own bed, to the feel of stickyness, to the copper smell of blood in the air, to the sound of quiet sobbing.

He lay there quietly for a moment, confused. He had been dreaming, confusing but pleasant dreams. There had warmth in it, he was certain, warmth that had centered itself first on his back and chest, then moved lower to his groin, centering on it, bringing a certain full feeling, a feeling of moving, a feeling of entering into and being surrounded by warmth, being stroked by it - to the point of almost pain - , and finally emptying into it and collapsing, replete, spent, satisfied.

Had there been noise? There was noise now, an irritating soft crying sound, stifled. He tried to turn toward the sound, to open his eyes, and gasped as he felt himself tear away from the blanket covering him, raw flesh having the scab ripped from his penis, too painful to scream, paralyzing his vocal cords as he curled around that fundamental part of himself.

The sobbing stopped, and there was a listening, watchful silence as his eyes opened. He was looking at a naked back turned to him. Jenna's back, from the color of the hair sweeping down from the shoulders. He reached out to touch one bare shoulder. She flinched away from him, and he asked plaintively, "Jenna, what's wrong?"

She flung herself away from him, turning to face him with blazing eyes. "You.....assaulted....me," she choked out. Her hands, now in front of her, were tied tightly with bloodied ropes, the fingers bluish-purple with impaired circulation. Her lips were bruised and split, and blood trailed down her face from a broken nose. Bite marks marred her breasts. She was covered from the waist downward with the blanket, which had large unpleasant blotches of brown-red and bright crimson, and she moved as if she was in pain. Tears streamed down from her eyes.

"You assaulted me," she repeated."Caeden.......WHY?"

[Morris Cutler]

"How is that possible, I was asleep. It must have been that Sith woman. I would never do something like that. I slept straight through, how...how could something like that have happened. Dammit I love you, why would I want to hurt you."

*He reached out sensing the sinister presence lurking, seemingly attached to his mind. His response was calm and measured.*

-I am going to kill you for this Karnelia- he sent.

*The he turned to Jenna*

"it's a ploy, the Sith did this to you, perhaps through me, but I remember nothing. If you honestly think I did this of my own free will then you know so little about me. If you honestly think I could do this, then there is nothing for me to live for. I love you, and I always will."

*His lightsaber came on with a resounding snap-hiss and he poised it directly at his heart.*

"If the Sith are exploiting me to break your heart then I am sorry for whatever they did. If you believe me and know that I wouldn't do something like this on my own free will then I will shut this blade off, but if you think I did this on purpose then my reason for living is dead and I will plunge it deep into my heart, because to think I could cause you pain is the LAST thing I would ever do."

*He relayed his image in the force, brightly, centering it into Alyssa's presence, he was leaving her a clear impression, he was killing himself and his location would be a direct bearing towards Romana. In his death, if it must come, that bitch would pay for hurting her. They would all PAY.*

[erickson]

Before she could reply, he felt a deep, telepathic growl, sarcastic in tone.

"I knew you Jedi were weak. Go ahead and kill yourself, she'll die slowly and in agony. She can't untie herself, you made sure of that. So her hands will die and rot off, slowly poisoning her. An invention worthy of a Sith Lord - I applaud you!"

"And I only let loose what you were thinking about, BOY. I only loosened your inhibitions."

"Go ahead and kill yourself, it'll be interesting to watch. And after you're gone, she'll be EASY to turn. She's half unbalanced right now. Only her love for you has her hanging on to her sanity."

"Did I say love? OOPS....shouldn't have said it. That gives you your puny bit of hope." And her mental voice was gone from his head.

The voice gone, he finally heard what Jenna had been saying to him.

"Caeden, we can work out why this happened. Untie me, please, love?" He voice had a thin rim of panic, and of hysteria barely under control.

[Morris Cutler]

*Caeden found his voice again and shut-off his lightsaber. The time to make her pay would come soon enough.*

*Reaching into the force Caeden followed his instincts and delved his way into the current. He reached out against the grain and located the source of the bondage and began to meticolously untie her. The process took close to an hour before it was finally done and the ropes dropped from her wrists.*

*His face was twisted in a deep remorseful look and his heart bled pain at what had happened.*

"It was her...she took me in my sleep. The next time I see her I am going to plant her head on a pike for this. We should not have come I am now throughly convinced of this. I am sorry for what happened here, I love you and that won't change. Though I am undeserving of any love you may still hold for me. I will make this up to you...somehow."

[erickson]

Jenna said faintly, "Caeden, I need your help. I've lost....so much blood I'm dizzy. Help me....please, get to the fresher, so I can wash?" There was terror of him in her beautiful eyes. He could see her fighting it with her trust of him, and he knew by her words which way she had decided.

Caeden dared not too but knew he had to. His own mistrust in himself was evident in his own features. Cautiously he approached, and helped her to the refresher. He checked, and rechecked the water before letting her in. He then stood back against the doorway to allow her the freedom she needed, but he was clearly terrified now.*

She stood only briefly, then collapsed to the floor. Sprawled there, she looked up at him. "Caeden, I need your help.....to stand," she said, as the water washed over her, gathering in a bloody pool beneath her. "I need... to wash. And I'm weak, I can't stand. I'm slowing the internal bleeding, but I need you help to clean myself so it doesn't .... infect. Please?"

"O...ok" *very cautiously, very timidly he approached her and helped her stand to her feet, and hop into the shower. He stabilized his hands in the force as they shook with a fury borne of true fear, and grabbed a mild disinfectant from the shelf. Dabbing it into a cloth he started with her lips, slowly and carefully. If she looked into his eyes she could see his deep-rooted fear. He quickly cleaned her face and handed her another cloth so she could clean her lower areas. After her face had been cleaned he reached into the force and used the light healing energy he had been taught and closed off the bite marks on her breasts, removing them completely.*

Her eyes were closed, and he could feel her doing some deep healing on herself. The blood flow down her legs slowed and finally stopped. Cautiously she placed a hand on his arm to stabilize herself as she washed, then opened her eyes with a gasp. "YOU'RE hurt, TOO," she said, almost accusingly.

"Only in the knowledge that I hurt you. I deserve to die for this. Whatever that wench did I am going to make sure she pays for it in full. My physical pain I will deal with, I am concerned about you right now, I care little for myself." his eyes carried every bit of pain she knew she could see. It was eating at him, destroying him from the inside out.*

"You're physically injured, too," she insisted stubbornly, and he felt her, healer-stubborn, extend herself and heal his skinned and injured groin. It was too much for her, and he saw her start to fall, exhausted.

He stabilized her with the force, and kept her from falling, lending her a little of his energy. His remaining ounces of it. He dropped to his knees to keep himself focused and finished the flow of energy, enough to keep her moving.* "It's too much, too much for us to have to bear. I led us into hell. I am truly sorry for everything, truly sorry. I've sent a beacon to my mother, she will be along behind us soon enough to clean up my mess."

"Her .... and....others" she said slowly. "My bed....please. It's.....clean." and leaned against him."Both...of...us," she added.

"Are you sure, I don't want to hurt you again. I can't bear to hurt you again." *He stabilized her and carried her into the bed setting her down gently before grabbing a tranquilizer from the cabinet and priming it to knock himself out.* "This might help me."

"Both....of....us" she said. "20 ccs - do it, Caeden. Please. She can't control....an....unresponsive....body."

"O..o...ok" *he portioned off 20CC's and injected them directly into her bloodstream before following suit and injecting himself. Within minutes they were both out like a light as the ship continued to barrel its way through hyperspace.* *Alyssa received the beacon sense from her son and left her spot on Kakariko along with Astrid, Jeff, Dika, and Callista.*

Karnelia raged, aware that the two Brightsiders had slipped her control, lying comatose, dangerously close to death. She dared not touch them, not wanting to kill such potentially useful ones. And so she raged, as things shattered on her ship.

[Morris Cutler]

Checking the cloaking device on the Sith Infiltrator, Darth Ultor brought their ship off of the pad on the world where their base of operations was located.

Completely shut off from the force, Ultor was a complete stealth monster and one with a purpose. Help shape events to come in the near future. Their power of the force was pure and unbridled. Striking a balance within themself they had found the pure power that came from total knowledge of the force.

Ultor was decidedly Dark, but their motivation was pure. Events were shaping up to be something cataclysmic, and Ultor would be there. Clearing the gravity of the planet the Sith Infilitrator programmed in the coordinates to Romana and entered hyperspace. The unknown menace was coming.

There was a convergence of three distinct parties coming to Romana, Ultor, the Light, and the dark. Power would shift greatly in the coming days.

[erickson]

The ship lifted off from Darunia moments after Caeden beacon-ed his presence into the force. Alyssa sat very determined now at the helm of the ship. He was hurting, she could feel it. Somehow he had done something, she could sense his essence wavering weakly on the line of falling to the Darkside. A desperate sense of guilt and grief she felt, and then her own heart stop, his presence suddenly going comatose. Her mental scream echoed across the cockpit of her ship CAEDEN... and trailed off.*

Astrid reached across, touching her hand. "Alyssa, what is it?" she said, concern in her voice

"It's Caeden...I still feel his beacon, but he..he's gone comatose. It goes beyond the normal realm of sleep too. Something happened, I can't feel him..just his beacon sense. He's not dead, I'd feel that, but...I don't know. I don't know if I am ready for this. All my life I have trained for this pivotal moment in the balance of the force and now...now I have doubts about this. Can I really be the avatar of light, am I the one to destroy the shroud of the Darkside. It was a dream, but now...now it is fast becoming a reality."

Astrid sat back, a grave look on her face. It was very odd on such a youthful visage. She was evidently thinking, considering her words. Finally, she nodded, looking at Alyssa. "Yes you are, dear," she said softly. " This moment approaching, is why I allowed us all to live - myself, you, Andrew, and the other two. You see, I knew before you were all born that I carried the future Dark Lord of the Sith in my womb. I almost walked out the airlock of the flagship when I realized that. Only Gaeri, rest her soul, persuaded me otherwise. She said that you would triumph over him, although it would be a long and painful process. Gaeri rarely predicted, but where I was concerned she was right."

Having been granted a special dispensation the cockpit filled with a new presence, one that was seemingly projected by the very Gods of the universe. He appeared strong and vibrant, and confident in his visage. Avion Calor stood in the cockpit with Astrid and Alyssa.* "Hello baby, Hello Astrid. I don't have long, but I needed to come." he turned to Alyssa. "Baby, you were born for this very purpose. You are more than a conqueror, and you know this. Long have I watched you from afar, praying and hoping. I know you child..and I am so proud of what you have become."

"Andrew must die," said Astrid quietly. "If he kills her, I kill him."

"Daddy...Oh daddy I've missed you, I love you soo much."

"As I love you my angel. I am in your corner one hundred percent. I believe in you, I always have. You were meant to do great things, and what you are about to face is everything you were meant to be coming to a head. Stay true to yourself, stay the course and you will find the strength within you to overcome this challenge. Never forget that I love you, and that I always will. Goodbye my child. Go in the grace and mercy of all that you are." and then the visage dissolved. Tears filled Alyssa's eyes as she gazed on her father one last time. "I..Love...You..Too Daddy."

Astrid had withdrawn into herself, searching, while Avion talked to Alyssa. After he had gone, she said, "Alyssa, dear? Give me your hand, please. I'm going to see if I can reach Caeden."

She slid her hand into her mother's and allowed herself to be a vessel. Elsewhere in the ship Dika had tapped into the force reaching for his partner, using their link he probed out and found his body. Using techniques that he had learned from Diem Dhiel he discovered that Caeden was in a self-induced state of sleep and that he wasn't alone. He sent a pulse that wound it's way back to Dalton and received a reply, moments later his 12 ship task force jumped into hyperspace.

Using Alyssa's link, and her own body and Jeff's as anchors, Astrid stretched further and further. On the edge of sense, in a deep pool of darkness, she found Caeden. A line she understood only too well stretched from him to another Bright focus. Both hovered, from abuse and drugging, nearly on the line between being and non-being - and the Darkness and a Darkling brooded, gloated over the two? of them.

She sent the two all the energy she could and came back weary, but hopeful. "He'll survive, honey." she reassured Alyssa, not sure what else was safe to say to a woman facing such a trial.

Dika knew how dark Caeden's presence had become and resolved in himself not to speak of it. He would personally deal with his friend if the need arose. Then the Ewok fell to the floor doubled-over in pain as he caught a sense of Caeden's own pain. Whatever had happened it had caused Dika great pain to feel it. He reached for the current of the force making an effort to sustain his presence.*

Alyssa turned to her mother* "I will trust your word on this. I don't know where we are going, but at least we have a trajectory on Romana now. It's finally upon us. Everything the order has built to defend against is all resting on our shoulders...on my shoulders. One thing I am making perfectly clear, Callista is NOT to set foot on Romana. I will not make the same mistake Gaeriel made. I won't lie though, I am scared. I don't know what to expect."

Astrid looked at Alyssa. "I will back you up. If you fall, I will kill Andrew. But Caeden will need our help afterward, he and another Brightsider who is with him." Just then Callista dashed in. "Ditka's got a problem," she said curtly.

Astrid rose.Swinging from her hip, she brought up her heavy blaster, and fired it on stun, hitting Callista. "I'll do the same for Ditka," she said abruptly. "I don't want ANYONE below the lever of Master down on Romana."

When Astrid saw Dika on the floor he was sprawled out fighting the deep pain that had washed over him that he had picked up from Caeden, as he turned to Astrid he spoke "Cae...den..Pain...help me"

She knelt down. "We will help him, little friend. I'm going to put you to sleep, however, so the Dark cannot manipulate you, however. OK?"

"Sed...ative...10CC's..help..."

She nodded. "After you are asleep," she said, and fired the stunner. Carefully injecting him, she picked him up and laid him on a bunk.

She did the same to Callista, increasing the dosage to 18 CCs for her larger size, and lifting HER onto a bunk. Then she walked back to her daughter and Jef. "They're ready," she said.

Elsewhere the Sith Infiltrator belonging to Darth Ultor slid effortlessly out of hyperspace over Romana and made sure the cloaking device was active. Slowly they inched the ship forward, their presence completely dead in the force.

Alyssa smiled grimly "Well I guess we'll take it in stride, I am still unsure when we will get there?"

Astrid spoke briefly to Tee. "He says, two days," she said. As she spoke she wondered how to tell Alyssa that it was possible that she might be a grandmother, when she didn't know who the mother was. That Caeden would protect the woman with his life, if necessary, she already knew from his linkage.

"I know we are on a heading towards the Unknown, it's the only place Gavin would have hidden back during the height of his power. I almost wish we still had Gaeriel if just to find this place quicker. I also wonder what happened to Kalit, he was supposed to be tracking Caeden also. It's unlike him to lose his quarry. What is it you need to tell me though, I see it in your eyes. What's wrong?"

"Nothing wrong, my dear," Temporized Astrid. "Tell me, does Caeden have a girlfriend?"


"Not as far as I know..He went on that mission to get a Jedi named Jenna and came back with her. I figured he was acquainting her with the area when he left. He may have taken her with him though? Why do you ask?"

"Because of what I sensed when I reached for him. He is with a female Brightsider. He has formed a linkage with her nearly as deep as Jef and and I or you and Dalton have, and...I'm not sure about this....but she may be pregnant. If so, it's very early." Astrid looked at Alyssa. "And we had best be going after those two when you finish THIS problem, because they're both in deadly danger."

She looked at her daughter. "I wasn't sure whether to tell you or not," she added. "I had forgotten how easily you always read me."

Alyssa blinked, taken aback. "Of all the irresponsible things..he's as bad as Aidan..wait your saying my son is in love with a girl. That I do not like" then her panicky mother mode took over. "DANGER!!! what kind are we talking about. We have got to find them quickly now. We have to get to Romana with all haste. I have already lost one child. I will NOT lose my other on." *what had been a calm demeanor was suddenly replaced by an icy hard resolve. Alyssa shifted from worrisome mother, to defender like that, a deadly transformation that spelled certain trouble for any Darksiders who crossed her path. The true essence of a Warrior of the Light.* "There is only so far the darkness will carry us, and it's time that hold is broken."

"Yes," said her mother. "And when it threatens my grandchild , and future GREAT-grandchild, that is quite far enough." What she had become seemed at first to be merely a cuddly concerned grandmother. But only if your grandmother is a nuclear reactor.

The cockpit had suddenly become deadly, and were Callista and Dika awake they would only wish to be asleep like they were now. Dalton could now feel that deadly resolved emanating from his wife, and the person with her. The beautiful rose had transformed into the deadly viper that Dalton had only seen twice. It was the Sith he felt, they brought out the warrior in her. His fleet was now zeroing in on the beacon Dika had given him to Caeden's position and his Rodian counterpart stood on the bridge next to him. Calm steady Dalton slowly transformed into his own deadly viper and began to steel within himself the resolve needed to defeat the Serpent Fleet once and for all. A Fleet he knew had to be waiting for him.*

"DALTON" suddenly rumbled through his mind.

Across the galaxy Vincent felt it too, the subtle changing of the tide of the Force. He disappeared and reappeared on his ship, moments later blasting off towards the final domino at the end of the chain. Events were moving swiftly towards a great encounter and he would protect his cubs with every..last fiber of his being, giving his life to do so if he must. He had seen this day coming for forty years and he would be there to make his own final stand...whether in life or death, Jensaarai Master Vincent Spry would be there.

"DALTON....LISTEN" Like an earthquake, full of the power of the Force, Brightside and Darkside, hammered together into a cord and a sword.

His mind became open and alert as the voice echoed in his mind* "WHAT...WHAT IS IT?"

"DO NOT BE AFRAID OF YOUR FATHER"S HERITAGE, DALTON. IT IS THE PURPOSE, NOT THE SKILL, THAT DETERMINES THE SIDE OF IT."

[Morris Cutler]

"DALTON, YOUR MOTHER TOLD ME. YOUR FATHER WAS GAVIN SPRY." The telepathy was dying to a less thunderous level.

On his ship, Dalton dropped his coffee when that last announcement was made -WHO ARE YOU!!!!!-

"And now, the Serpent's bite can no longer harm you." The voice was now recognizable as Astrid's. "Dalton, you're what he would have been, had he chose to stay with the Bright side of the Force."

"He was a good man - initially." Her mental voice was regretful.

-Why would you choose to hide something of that magnitude from me for 45 years. I am not him, I am the antithesis of all that he stood for. You're right though..I guess I am his polar opposite. Just because I am of his blood doesn't mean I am invincible either. Does my wife know this?- he paused for a moment to assure Liis that he was ok before resuming his thought process.- "Is he the reason why I can conjure and break illusions. I do not want to become what he was. I accept what you are telling me, but I choose to be of the light.-

"I will tell her - privately and only if you wish it. And I hid it at your mother's request. She asked that I disclose it only if - in my judgment - it was needed. I am sure someone on the enemy side knows this - better to give it to you so that they cannot use it as a weapon."

-It would surprise me little if he already knows. I will tell my wife at a later time, she doesn't need this on her plate right now. Everyone's destiny is changing before our eyes. I will rest in the knowledge that I am of the light regardless of my heritage and that is all I can do at this point. I don't know when we will arrive, I sense my son's beacon. Hopefully we can finish the job this time.-

"One can only hope," and with that she opened her eyes. "Dalton is coming," she told Jeff and Alyssa.

It was at this point Jeff felt an impression of the force on his mind, that of Vincent

"Good, he can join the party." Jeff said sarcastically. "Looks like this is gonna be the showdown anyway."

"For this time, anyway," said Astrid,looking tired of the whole sordid mess.

"There's just no pleasing the Force, you know that." Jeff said to his wife. "It always wants something more. Give a grox a cookie..."

As Vincent opened himself up to the force he communicated to Jeff -They need you, I know what you are, you are a protector. I am coming, but there is little I can do until I get there. I know that it is within you to protect them, please for the hope of everything good protect them. I intend to sacrifice myself to the greater good if I must, I've already settled it into my spirit that this could be the end for me, do not tell them of my belief. Hold fast.- and then he was gone

"...... and he wants another," Astrid chuckled, recalling the children's story they had both read, over and over, to their children.

"Doesn't even let ME get a word in edgewise. Not a single thing, not even 'Hey Jeff, how' re the kids?'. No, it's 'PROTECT THEM FOR THE FATE OF THE FORCE' or some crap like that." Jeff said, his voice going low and mystic on the bit about the fate of the Force. "No one is polite these days, not even to their elders!"

Alyssa had stood now and the defiance of a warrior was etched on her features. She stared straight ahead into the void of hyperspace,. extended her senses, strengthening her awareness, steeling herself to what must be done. "My husband brings the fleet, I know him. He intends to trap Crassius if he is there. Are you alright Jeff, you act like you've seen a ghost"

"Who? Who was so 'rude'? " said Astrid, still chuckling at the grox remark

"Vincent." Jeff muttered.

Alyssa said, "He's not right anymore. When he last saw his sister it changed him, he mutters on about the higher calling, the "saving grace" now. His heart is still pure, but something in that encounter scarred him. He doesn't even speak with me anymore. I'm sorry though, I can't keep making up excuses for him."

"No, but he can be polite at least." Jeff muttered.

"Well, you know him," said Astrid sympathetically. "Doom and gloom, bless him! The poor man's been through the sawmill backwards, several times." She was actually DEFENDING Vincent.

"Like he was the only one." Jeff muttered darkly.

"I think we've all walked through our own personal hells. All we can do is move on the best we can" spoke Alyssa


"Alyssa, try to be prophetic with me and I promise you will not do so again." Jeff said, narrowing his eyes at her.

"A little touch of cabin fever there Jeff. Don't threaten me, there is more at stake her than any petty quarrel we derive. We've been over this road before, let's not rehash what we already walked. I am going to find my son, and kill my brother. A lack of focus will be costly, you of all people know that." her voice was icy steel.

"Come on, you two......" said Astrid. "I think we ALL need something to eat." There was worry in her voice now.

"No one has ANY sense of humor here at all!" Jeff threw his hands up in the air, and walked out of the cabin.

she turned to her mother "Even after 25 years of relative peace I still don't understand his sense of humor. I think we were put in the galaxy to irritate each other." she allowed just the slightest trace of humor into her voice.

Astrid turned to her daughter. "20 years of sharpening my wits on him did bad things to his sense of humor, I'm afraid," she said apologetically, then yelled,"Jeff, I'm fixing Nerfburgers, want one?"

"Sure, if Miss High-And-Mighty doesn't mind them!" he called back.

"PAD-WAN!" Astrid yelled in an admonishing tone.

"NERF BURGER SIDE OF BUGS FOR ME!!!" Alyssa retorted back "That's Mrs. High-and-mighty to you pops. I am married now."

"And I thought you liked calling me Master? Oops, don't think I was supposed to mention that..." he called back.

"smart ass kid," Astrid muttered, as her face flamed.

Alyssa snickered "The things children hear these days" she said to herself, then she lost it, laughing cheerfully for the first time on this whole voyage.

Astrid glared impartially and theatrically in both their directions, then headed to the galley
There she cooked up big juicy nerfburgers - sans bugs - for everyone.

There was a sound of "DAAAAAAAD!!!! WE DIDN'T NEED TO HEAR THAT!" from Krystal somewhere on the ship.

Alyssa followed Astrid to the galley, pausing in front of Jeff for a moment, nearly losing it again. Then she froze "Um...Jeff is she supposed to be here?"

<do you get to stun her or do I> said Astrid mentally to her husband

"You kidding? She's always with us. Well, me at least." Jeff shrugged. "I don't try and stop her these days."

"No, she isn't," said Astrid to Alyssa.

Alyssa took her nerf burger and took a bite from it, savoring it's flavor. "Poor Ragen, now I gotta tell her that she doesn't have the best nerf-burger."

"KRYSTAL! Get in here, young lady!" Astrid.s bellow took her by surprise.

"Dear, you don't have to stun her each time she comes along with us." Jeff sipped a glass of water.

"I wouldn't if she'd stay out of things," she said quietly,"or stay on the Horus"

"Neither of us told her to stay behind, so she went with us. Our fault this time dear." Jeff pointed out.

"If my sons vision has any merit you might have to put her under armed guard. Where's your old buddy Raven. I haven't seen him in years, this seems like his type of duty." Alyssa's voice carried a faint trace of intrigue.

Astrid muttered to herself for a few minutes, then said resignedly, "Better than her bugging Tomas."

"Raven does what Raven does." Jeff shrugged.

Astrid looked at Jeff. "I don't know - where IS Raven?"

"Hiding over there" Alyssa joked "He used to pop out of nowhere when I knew him"

"He's nowhere near, I know that much. But I don't care where he is, nor do I want to care." Jeff muttered, taking another drink of water.

"Nerfburger, dear?" Astrid said politely, sliding his in front of him. "Where IS that girl - KRYSTAL!"

Alyssa took another bite and poured herself a glass of wine, taking a seat at the table

Krystal walked in, her wings down a little and looked at Astrid sorrowfully. "Yes mom?"

"Sit down and eat. And you're NOT going down to the surface of Romana!" Astrid seemed tense, suddenly.

"Why would I want to?" she asked quizzically, and Jeff swooped in at that moment.

"We need a pilot to remain behind on the ship, and you're the second best pilot on this ship." Jeff explained, and Krystal shrugged. "Okay Dad."

Alyssa almost felt pity for Krystal, but was definitely in agreement with Astrid, however she kept quiet allowing her family to do what they needed to do.

Astrid looked at her plate, flushing. She had never been particularly good with children, and her own were no exception.

Alyssa rose to her feet again and looked to each one of them before walking towards the cockpit. "I sense we are getting near. I must prepare myself."

Astrid finished her mouthful, and set the burger down half-eaten. "As do I," she said. She bent over, kissed Jeff, hugged Krystal, and also left.Settling the cockpit, she told the 'Bird, "Any other ships?"
"Two just in front of us," she was told. "Linked response - wanna bet it's Caeden in one of them?"

Jeff sighed, and began cleaning the dishes while Krystal got herself fed. "Dad, does mom not like me for some reason?" she asked tentatively.

"She loves you dear, you know that." Jeff told her, then looked at Krystal. "What makes you think she doesn't like you?"

"Just the way she talks to me. Always seems to order me around or talk sternly to me most of the time." she said quietly. "I don't remember the last time she told me that she loved me..." Krystal looked down at her food, which she had not touched.

Alyssa had disappeared into the force, bonding herself to the hope and dreams of the Light side. She embraced her calling to it;s fullest, that fiery Erickson spirit making itself manifest. Her face took on the features of a true warrior. If Astrid reached out she would not be able to feel Alyssa on the normal level, only by digging deeper. Alyssa had now completely fused herself to the light and was ready to face the challenge. "Soon my brother, soon this will all end. If I can save you I will...but do not hesitate to think that for an instant I will not kill you." she intoned, to a level Astrid could hear.

Jeff sat down next to her, drying his hands with a towel. "I'm sure she loves you, and always has ever since she carried you. I think she just..."

"Just what dad?" Krystal asked, in that infuriating curious voice.

Astrid, hearing both daughters at once, found herself sitting and quietly crying. She loved her children, all of them. And now, one of them would die, and there was nothing she could do about it.

"She doesn't raise kids too easily is what I think. And there's more of herself she sees in you than she likes as well." Jeff sat back, and Krystal instinctively leaned against his side, her head on his chest, her wings covering them both.

"I am ready Admiral...I will do what I must. If it does not go well remember your promise. Take care of my family..my friends." said Alyssa. She spoke as if to thin air. "All that is within you was put there for a purpose child. This is your time, go in peace" the voice echoed in her head

"Then why doesn't she say so?" Krystal asked. Jeff shook his head. "I don't know baby, I don't know."

Standing up, Astrid moved to the lounge. Seeing Krystal drooping against Jeff's shoulder, she sighed sadly. She'd messed up - as usual. Jeff looked at Astrid, his eyebrow raised. <Yes dear?> he asked telepathically. Walking across, she said quietly, "Krystal...." and knelt down next to the two of them. "Krystal, I'm sorry I haven't been a very good mother to you. I'm not very good at it. I may die down there, and so I want you to know - I love you, honey. Always have, always will...."

Jeff's eyes narrowed. <How did you hear us?> he asked sharply.

Astrid looked at him, surprised. <Just my own thoughts, Jeff> she replied.

"Bird, were you relaying our conversation?" Jeff asked out loud in a suspicious tone, and Krystal gasped.

"Yes." said the "Bird. "Boss is probably gonna get herself killed again, so I thought she'd better know some things first."

Krystal slowly lowered her wing from covering her face to look at her mother with glaring eyes, matched by Jeff's. "You can't have any privacy here, can I?" as she abruptly walked off towards her room.

Astrid sagged. The slowly she stood up, her face going to ice. She looked at her husband, then after her daughter. The she turned without saying a word, and re-entered the cockpit. "Astrid?" Jeff called after her, as she left for the cockpit, noting that she didn't turn around. "Great..." he muttered, standing and putting Krystal's burger into the refrigerator for her. His movements were clear and precise.

Alyssa took her seat and made ready to land the ship as soon as they popped out. It was time...destiny was calling "Are you going to be alright mom. Do you want to go after your daughter?"

Astrid sat, watching the swirl of hyperspace, her feet on the panel in front of her. "I told her, now I'm gonna tell you. I love you, honey," she said in an eerily calm voice, as she turned and hugged Alyssa.

"I love you too mom, I don't sense my brother coming, for that I am thankful. He has his own family to attend to, but I also can't sense Ariel either, which makes me wonder. No need to focus on that though, we're standing on the edge of the future now. Let's finish this!"

Astrid merely nodded, hands on the controls once again as they reverted to hyperspace. Romana lay before them, and she burst-transmitted, "Caeden, Caeden Storm. This is Master Astrid Erickson, respond please."

-Storm here, indications are that we are dealing not only with your son, but his spawn also. There may be others we do not know of yet, I am heading in towards the planet now. Advise you to keep distance I will handle her.

"BIRD - Tractor the vessel that transmitted that," cried Astrid.

Jeff appeared behind the two, eyes growing flinty at what Astrid ID'd herself by. Fortunately, neither woman heard him come up behind them, his feet making almost no sound on the deck. Both only saw him when his reflection was cast in the viewport.

She looked at him, then at Alyssa. "Call him back, or they die!" she said desperately."Caeden - this is a matter for Masters, TURN BACK!"

-Caeden..Caeden stop..get back now. Come in with us. Don't go down there.-

he replied back -No, this is a matter for us. She crossed a line and I am going to end this..period with or without you she is mine.- and his ship accelerated to full evasion. -Come in on your own, I have my agenda.-

-CAEDEN JACOB STORM, TURN BACK NOW!!!!!-
-No mom, nothing anyone can say will change this, you deal with your brother. I will take care of her.-

Caeden nosed the ship into the atmosphere of Romana, bringing it onto a direct course to land outside the entrance to the tower. On the planet Darth Ultor exited her ship and activated her stealth field, slipping into the mined out tunnel she built on her last visit that led into the backside of the tower

In his head, Karnelia taunted him. <You're now one of us, Caeden, come land and receive your welcome> He could not see her ship.

Caeden Storm, This is Master Astrid. Stay up here, this is Master's business."

Jeff looked at the back of Astrid, his eyes still flinty.

"Alyssa, please let Jeff have his seat - we may need to tractor Caeden," said Astrid softly. The microphone was OFF.

-Negative, grandma the ship we came in with has a friend onboard that needs attention. You can follow me down if you must, but keep your distance I don't need you in the line of fire. This is personal, surely you can understand that." the ship began to dive into the atmosphere and Caeden steered it towards his landing zone, moving quickly away from the "Bird"

Alyssa said as she moved, "Very well, but his ship is built against a tractor lock, our best bet is to rally up speed and get ourselves on planet within a few seconds of him, his "target" isn't even landing yet."

Jeff eased into his usual seat next the the pilot, and started operating the systems as usual. "How long has the ship been bugged?" he asked Astrid.

She looked at him, surprised. "She's always listened, Jeff." Busying herself with the board she added - "She doesn't always tell me what she hears, though."

"Astrid, Krystal values her privacy. I thought you knew that. Adjusting engine output..." Jeff slowly tapped on a screen.

Caeden continued to bring the ship through the atmosphere, nearing the exit point from atmosphere and into open air. He locked in the landing target and continued to dive through it. The power of the planet called out to him, lending way to his steeled resolve to kill Karnelia. He responded in kind to her telepathic taunt also -I am not one of you, but soon enough you will be dead anyways.- he turned to Jenna "We will be on the ground momentarily, stay close to me, I don't want you to be hurt again. My life for you if I must."

"Now that, I cannot permit," said Jenna as she hit him with a stun beam. Grabbing the controls, she fought against the planet's gravitational pull, the ship slowing but not stopping.

The small craft impacted. slamming and skipping up again several times. There was silence from the cockpit.

"They're down," said Astrid dully. "a crash, I'm afraid, Alyssa. I don't know what happened, but they crashed."

Caeden absorbed some of the impact, rolling a piece of the stun beam off of him, but he was still paralyzed. Anger filled his being and the Darkside rocketed through him, his conscious mind was almost feral, he wanted Karnelia, and yet he would get fucked. When this was over he thought I am going to kill myself, then again, I guess revenge motivated Jenna, I wish it was a kill blast though. Ah fuck he thought as the ship crashed jolting him hard, skipping him out of his seat and onto the floor

"Oh shit, they're going in way too fast. The nose just rose up by forty-five degrees." Jeff winced. "But Astrid, you can't just solve everything with a blaster. Use your diplomatic instincts and apply them to your children."

"Shit, he has better control of his ship, that girl must've affected him. I know my son, he wouldn't crash like that, something interfered. We had better get down there now before it's too late," said Alyssa.

The voice called to Caeden, supercede who you are, draw from the energy of the planet, it will empower you and allow you to save the one you love. Weakly he reached out with the Force, allowing the power of Romana to fill him, he stumbled to his feet still without use of his upper body and stumbled out of the ship dropping into the grass outside, using the force to telekinetically suspend his blade, looking for the threat to Jenna"

Karnelia's first reaction to the crash was shock. "My Master and Father will NOT like this," she muttered. Her ship stooped on the crash site like a predatory vulture. She could only read two unconscious people.
She landed, and stepped out of her ship, about the time the Firebird also landed. She did not see and could not sense Jenna, huddled against the exit with her blaster ready.

"Opening fire." Jeff said, almost computer-like as the pair of quad guns tracked on Karnelia's ship and spat laser bolts on rapid fire at her engines.

Caeden continued to allow Romana's power to strengthen him as he slowly regained use of his right arm, his lightsaber stopped hovering and came to rest within his hand as he sent out a wave of dark energy directed at Karnelia with the intent to shove her out of hiding "Come on out duckie...You've got a date with death."

He saw a quick blur as her ship exploded behind her. She dived, rolling, away from the blast, coning to rest where he could not see her. <Nobody's dying today, Apprentice> she sent confidently. Jenna gritted her teeth as she tried to track the woman.

Jeff set the ship down, and stood up from his seat. "Stay here, I got this. And keep Krystal inside!"

"Jeff - take her alive," said Astrid.

Caeden mentally snarled <Apprentice, you are sorely mistaken bitch..I am no one's apprentice, only the hand of your impending death, but again you fear to come out and fight. Now it gets complicated, the reinforcements are here which means trouble.> he pulsed darkness probing for her and finally regained control of his functions, he ran towards the general direction of where he expected her lashing out with another dark energy wave, Romana's power bonding itself to his essence. Inside the tower Andrew remained encased in the meditation pod surveying the ground telepathically. Ultor now entered the tower and allowed herself to be carried to the top floor, remaining stealthed and cut off from the force. She moved to a position near one of the windows to observe.

Jeff stepped off the craft, looking up to the tower in the distance. His katana and twin lightsabers floated to his outstretched hand, and he buckled them on. The katana across his back and the two lightsabers on his belt. "Alright Archangel, you wanted me to have a test. I think this is it." Jeff muttered as he ran in the direction of the tower that they flew over, his Force signature disappearing, along with his life energy.

Astrid paused only for long enough to politely request Krystal to stay on the ship, before she and Alyssa issued from the Firebird. She was immediately confronted by a surprised Karnelia. Drawing her lightsaber, Astrid engaged her, saying to Alyssa,"You take care of Caeden, dear." Her casualness was infuriating to Karnelia, who immediately attacked her with her lightsaber, only to take an old Corellian boot in her solar plexus, folding her, gasping.

Caeden snarled as Astrid engaged Karnelia "GET OFF HER SHE IS MINE, SHE CAUSED ME TO ASSAULT AND RAPE JENNA, LET ME HAVE MY VENGEANCE!!!!!" his fingertips crackled as blue bolts of force lightning came forth from them centered on the engaged Astrid and Karnelia, only to be caught and absorbed by the shimmering blade of his mother. Caeden's face took on a darkened look of rage, unbridled fueled by the power of Romana. "SHE IS MINE, STAY OUT OF THIS!!!!!

"Caeden, baby she is baiting you..don't you see it..she wants to turn you to the Darkside, to make you her servant. She caused that pain because she found your trigger..let it go."

"Let it go, do you hear yourself, you want me to let it go, just like it took you years to let go of you hate at Jeff"

It was a heartless stab at her and still his words struck home. "Caeden don't make the same mistakes I did, my hate and unforgivingness cost me my daughter...your sister. If you give in now you will become just like my brother..Do you want that...do you really want that."

"No, I want Jenna to be saved, I want her pain to be avenged."

"You can't carry that load, it's of the Darkside. Listen to me dammit, I love you. I know what it's like to be manipulated. FOR GOD"S SAKE LET IT GO!!!!! PLEASE!!!!

Just like every fortress, you never go in at the ground level. But all the same, you should still be careful. Jeff used the Force as his ally, and he jumped two stories up to use his lightsaber on an arrow slit, to land inside carefully and quietly. He shut down his lightsaber, kept his Force signature off the 'map', and crept forward.

Jenna stood up from her position at their ship's lock, and walked to Caeden. "I don't want to be avenged, Caeden. I only want you. Please," she said as she leaned against his right side wearily, "Just, lets quit fighting, dear." Alyssa realized that Caeden had two choices - injure Jenna further, or stop fighting. As she saw that, Jenna quietly wrapped her arms around Caeden, and kissed him.

Karnelia, seeing Jenna's ploy, screamed RAGE, and attempted to come up with her blaster, only to meet her grandmother's kick. Right on the chin. She folded again, this time out for good, and Astrid switched to protecting her.

Caeden had prepped another bolt to strike out but stopped it as Jenna leaned against him, then kissed him. Abruptly he released the energy and allowed her to kiss him, drinking it in. He shut off his lightsaber and dropped it at Alyssa's feet, supporting himself against Jenna. "Wha...what's happened..how could I have let it go so far. If the Sith is to live then please break her control of me. I don't want to hurt her again. Jenna I can't bear to hurt you again."

"I'll take care of her," said Astrid mildly, and she bent over and touched the unconscious Karnelia's head."That will keep her out for a day or so, until we have time to deal with her."

[Morris Cutler]

Crisis passed, Alyssa picked up Caeden's blade and attached it to her own belt and walked over to the tower. Drawing into the Force she did the same maneuver as Jeff, jumping through an open window two floors up on the opposite side of the tower. She could feel a menacing evil emanating from the spire and her gut became steel, knowing that destiny was upon them. She cut off her force presence and chose a hall to the left to start her climb. Above the planet a lone custom-freighter exited out of hyperspace and Vincent quickly located Astrid's force presence, and a weary Caeden. Sliding through the atmosphere he landed next to the other ships and disembarked. "What's our situation?" he asked Astrid. "I need to talk to you about her," she said, waving at the unconscious Darksider.

By the time Vincent had landed, Jeff had penetrated almost to the deepest part of the tower. There was just one more door left, the double-oak doors. From long experience, Jeff had learned not to actually open them with his hands, and instead concentrated, and blew them open. The explosion sent splinters for several feet, and he walked into a large chamber.

Alyssa reached the shaft leading up to the spire and hopped into the flow of force energy. She came to rest seconds after the doors splintered open admitting Jeff into the room. At the end of the chamber sat a lone Sith Meditation Pod that remained closed. Inside "Andrew" felt the arrival of their guests and surfaced deep into the darkness. A pair of live illusions appeared inside the chamber now. Twisted by the darkness Astrid and Dalton stood before them red lightsabers coming to life with a snap-hiss. Likewise suddenly a twisted version of Alyssa and Jeff appeared before Astrid and Dalton, also bearing red blades.


Astrid looked at the dark one, an expression of weary disgust on her face. "Not again," she muttered. "Vincent - Force Doubles - AGAIN." Knowing Jeff's fighting weaknesses, she battled until she was inside the Dark One's guard, careful not to injure him. Then, she severed him from the Force.........and he vanished, without damaging Jeff.

A voice echoed somewhere in the Dark "Play Time"

[Morris Cutler]

*Dalton penetrated into the force, drawing on his powers. He kept a high guard and parried his wifes thrusts.*

It was an illusion, and it was a trick he had seen countless times at the height of Gavin's War. Reaching into the force he formed a sphere of light and sent it spiralling into the heart of the dark illusion.

The dark illusion shattered, the sphere of light passing through Alyssa and fusing itself to her presence, giving her added strength which she allowed to roll off into Jeff also who was now free of his own battle. She pointed at the pod*

"We cant open that, only a Sith can. We can only trust he will come out on his own."

[erickson]

A small fighter craft quietly settled down to the ground outside the tower. The woman inside glanced toward Astrid's ship, then away, masking her presence. Weaving an illusion, and using old commands never changed, she quietly reached the level where Jeff and Alyssa waited.

"I can open it," she said grimly. "Darksib knew how to do it, so I can also."

[Morris Cutler]

Timothy entered behind them all, and glared daggers at Kathryn. Every Force Sensitive in the room was suddenly deprived of the Force as he entered, his anti-Force aura filling the room and surrounding everyone. "My dear, you and I will have to talk later." he said calmly.

Shards of granite rained down around everyone when timothey stepped into the room.

Alyssa quickly moved our of Timothy's range. "THANKS, Uncle Timothy," she said sarcastically.

"And maybe if you all had told me where you were going, this wouldn't have happened." he said calmly, pulling out his old DL-44.

"Timothy, they didn't know," said Kathryn.

Vincent remained outside of the bubble and began to rotate the shards of marble into a tight rapid circle which engulfed the twelve bolts of hatred and acting as a repellant against the flow of Andrew's direct attacks. He approached the images of the Sith lord shifting the points outward that created a force-imbued cocoon around him and turned them into daggers of sheer death. He kept his focus tightly on his force cocoon as Alyssa stepped into the circle timing her entry to avoid the shards and ignited her lightsaber* "Time to finish this"

"Then why didn't you?" Timothy took careful aim at the Sith Lord, and fired off a few shots. "I thought you trusted me dear. So why sneak out?"

"I wanted you to keep an eye on Kate," she said, ignigting her lightsaber and walking slowly forward.

*One of the Andrew's deflected the bolts harmlessly into the wall and then they all came at the cocooned Jensaarai'. Vincent kept his focus tightly wrapped in his force essence, not breaking any concentration as he methodically advanced.* *Lightsabers came in from twelve different directions as he shifted his shielding to counter their assualts. Alyssa zeroed in on the real Andrew and her blade came to rest against his with a sharp discharge of ozone. She timed her strokes to where they were spaced between Vincent's rotating shards and poured herself into the lightside of the force.*

*Above planet Astrid would suddenly see hyperspace flashes of nearly a dozen ships that marked the arrival of the Serpent Fleet. Standing on the foward bridge Crassius moved his ships into a tight orbit and hundreds of bolts of orange plasma suddenly tracked the surface of Romana, methodically hitting areas around the outside of the tower. Caeden was barely in time as his lightsaber caught the brunt of one of the plasma bolts and threw him with jarring impact into a nearby tree. Seconds after their exit though Dalton timed his jump precedingly bringing his task force to bear on the serpentine ships clustered around the planet. Turbolaser Bolts lanced out and began to find targets creating black scoring streaks along the serpent ships. Crassius shifted from his orbital bombardment
His cannons now finding targets across Dalton's fleet, several of his ships centering their fire on the lead ship. Thrusting himself into the force Dalton created an illusion of another task force coming out of hyperspace and left the bridge in Liis' capabale hands. He threw everything he had into the battle, the young Rodian picking targets and tracking. Hordes of Pinooks engaged the FX-4 escorts causing an eruption of battle. The fate of the galaxy could well be decided today.*

On Romana the fight reached it’s climax as Vincent continued to mobilize himself in the force. Kathryn, and Timothy continued to discuss Kathryn’s mentality while Jeff did whatever Jeff does.

*Alyssa parried every stroke from her brother’s doppelganger continually driving him back. The shards of Force-Imbued marble found homes within the hearts of Andrew’s illusions and they disappeared into the void. Finally he dropped his concentration and fell to the ground completely exhausted of all force energy.*

*Alyssa was left fighting Andrew and their blades continued to meet and counter-meet in a powerful display of dancing.*

*Off to the side Darth Ultor’s face became a sneer as she watched from her hidden position when Vincent fell to the ground. She removed a poison dart from her belt and walked across the room tossing it deep into Vincent’s leg. It was slow acting and completely uncounterable, but he felt nothing but a sharp sting, assuming it was from the chunks of marble strewn around the floor where he laid. The poison began to seep into his bloodstream slowly.*

*Alyssa dropped into a tight defensive crouch and came up with a high blow that was meant to sever Andrew in half, but the Sith Lord countered and the force of the blow was violent and deadly, sending both of them sprawling.*

*In orbit the ships continued to trade barrages and after an hour of fighting there remained nothing but the flagships. Suddenly the barrage of the Serpent ship ceased and Dalton received a taunt from Crassius urging him to come to planet and settle this the real way. His ships ceased fire and both flagships deployed their commanders to the planet. Once engaged Dalton used his force illusions to throw Crassius off finally succeeding in killing the Sith Lord as his lightsaber carved a huge hole in his heart. He reached into the force and bound Crassius spirit to death before the Sith Lord could detach it and walked back to his ship ordering them to kill the Serpent ship. They did successfully and Vincent flew his ship to the fleet and rendezvoused with it, still not knowing of his poisoning.*

*Back in the tower Andrew had unleashed a barrage of Darkside thought bombs which Alyssa countered with a sphere of light. As she closed the distance to him countering his attacks she severed the head of the Doppleganger from it’s body and the Sith image dissolved, leaving her exhausted in the tower. She notifed the others she was leaving and made sure Caeden was alright before boarding her ship and docking with Dalton’s own. The fleet entered hyperspace and returned to Chiss Space.*

*Caeden was left in the hands of Jenna since she was a healer and waved his mother off settling instead to travel with Jenna and the others.*

*Ultor smiled and boarded her infiltrator disappearing into hyperspace moments after clearing the gravity well.*

OOC: You have my permission to take Caeden with you, or if you feel you must , then leave him on Romana, but he isn’t to be killed.