A Jedi's Path by Angeldoctor

5/9/2017 AJedi'sPathbyAngeldoctor
AJedi'sPathbyAngeldoctor
Summary:
WhatwouldhappenifHarryPotterwasbornintheStarWarsuniverse?Whatifhe
metJainaandJacenatayoungage?Whatwouldchange?GreyHarry!Part1of4.

Categories:Crossovers>HP/StarWarsCharacters:HarryJamesPotter
Status:OnHold
Genres:Crossover
Pairings:Harry/Multi
Warnings:StrongViolence
Challenges:None
Series:None
Chapters:33Completed:NoWordcount:377,595Read:263,252Published:
August09,2012Updated:February23,2013
1.ANewFriendbyAngeldoctor
2.NewLifeandchangesbyAngeldoctor
3.TrainingandtheForcebyAngeldoctor
4.AJedi'slightsaberbyAngeldoctor
5.AProdigyoftheBladebyAngeldoctor
6.Firstsolomission!byAngeldoctor
7.BattleattheDarkTemple!byAngeldoctor
8.FeelingsinturmoilbyAngeldoctor
9.TheJensaaraibyAngeldoctor
10.AttackintheNightandComplicationsbyAngeldoctor
11.RealizationsbyAngeldoctor
12.ANewEnemy!byAngeldoctor
13.TensionsandHuntingbyAngeldoctor
14.ConclusionoffeelingsandkidnappingbyAngeldoctor
15.ApprenticesandChangesbyAngeldoctor
16.Nakia'soldfriendbyAngeldoctor
17.FAITHandlovebyAngeldoctor
18.TrialofSpiritandtheAzureAngelbyAngeldoctor
http://www.hpfanficarchive.com/stories/viewstory.php?action=printable&textsize=0&sid=711&chapter=all 1/917
19.KashyykandtheFirstCluebyAngeldoctor
20.BattleofthePraxeumbyAngeldoctor
21.SupressedFeelingsandFeluciabyAngeldoctor
22.HardDecisionsbyAngeldoctor
23.TheLilyCorporationbyAngeldoctor
24.Origins:BondsofFamilybyAngeldoctor
25.Origins:BondingandPhaedabyAngeldoctor
26.ReturnofanoldflamebyAngeldoctor
27.BattleofUmbarapart1byAngeldoctor
28.BattleofUmbarapart2byAngeldoctor
29.RecoveringbyAngeldoctor
30.LightsabersandchangingrelationshipsbyAngeldoctor
31.Origins:RoondevelopmentsbyAngeldoctor
32.Origins:BattlesonRoonbyAngeldoctor
33.Origins:ThePathtoTythonbyAngeldoctor
ANewFriendbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
ThisisachapterstoryandtheNc17ratingisforfuturechapters.
Disclaimer:Alloriginalcharacters,plots,settings,etcofHarryPotterbelongtoJKR,
thecreatorofHarryPotter.Alloriginalcharacters,plots,settings,etcofStarWars
belongtoGeorgeLucas,thecreatorofStarWars.Nocopyrightinfringementintended.
Chapter1
Disclaimer:Allpubliclyrecognizablecharacters,settings,etc.arethepropertyoftheirrespectiveowners.
Theoriginalcharactersandplotarethepropertyoftheauthor.Theauthorisinnowayassociatedwith
theowners,creators,orproducersofanymediafranchise.Nocopyrightinfringementisintended.
14ABY
LeiaOrganaSolowasworried.Scratchthat,Leiawasdownrightfrantic.HerchildrenhaddisappearedonMontu
CodruwhileshewasontouroftheOuterRimworlds.Atfirst,theothernoblesassuredheritwaspartoftheir
cultureontheplanetandherchildrenwouldbereturnedtoherunharmed.Butafter3dayswithoutaransom
demand,theyfinallyacceptedthattheyhadnoideawhatitcouldbe.
Whatasurprise,Leiamutteredspitefully.ItseemsHanwasrubbingoffonher.
NowwasoneofthefewtimesLeiawasgladforbeingaForcesensitive.WithChewbacca'shelp,shewasable
totrackherchildren'sabductorbytheimpressionstheyleftintheForceastheypassed.Thefeelingsoffearand
distresstheyleftdidnotmakeherfeelanybetter.Alongtheway,shehadpickedaFirrereonamedRillaowho
claimedtobetheexwifeofherchildren'skidnapper,aFirrereonamedHethrir.Apparently,shehadattemptedto
fleeherhusbandwithhersonbutshewascapturedandhersonstolenfromher.Theybondedtogetherasonly
twoconcernedmotherscouldandjoinedforcestofindtheirchildren.
Ihopethey'realright,Leiasaidunderherbreath.
OnHethrir'sworldcraft
Thissucks,Jainaexclaimed.
IthadbeenaweeksincetheirparentssupposeddeathandtheSolochildrenhadstilltofindawaytoescape.It
didn'thelpthatJainahadn'tseenAnakinsincetheneither.Jainareachedforthatpartofherthatbelongedtoher
twin,Jacen.Theyhadonlyrecentlydiscoveredtheycanusethisbondtoreachforeachother.Jacensenther
feelingsofcomfortandassurance,somehowknowingwhatshewasthinkingofandassuringhertheywouldall
escape.However,Jainatookafterherfatherand,unlessfrozenincarbonite,neithercouldstaystilllongsoher
twin'sassurancedidn'thelphermountingfrustration.
JainahuffedandinherfrustrationaimedakickatthewallclosesttowhereshefeltJacen.
Couldyoukeepitdowninthere?avoiceresponded.
Jainawouldlaterdenythatsheeverjumpedandletoutagirlishsqueakoffright.
Who'sthere?sheaskedinwhatshethoughtwasabravetone.
Yournextdoorcellmate,thevoiceanswered.
Areyouaghost?sheaskedinascaredtone.
Silencewasheranswerandsomehowshecouldsensetheincredulousstareshewasreceivingfromtheownerof
thevoice.
Yes,Idiedanddecidedtohauntthecellnexttoyou,thevoiceansweredinanobviouslysarcastictone.
ThatirritatedJaina.JainawasaSoloandshefirmlybelievedthatSoloaresarcastictoothersnottheotherway
around!
Well,howcomethisisthefirstI'veheardofyou?Jainaaskedimpudently.
....becauseourdearholderhaspaidspecialattentiontomy...beliefs,thevoiceansweredinalowtone.
Jainainstantlywinced.Theircaretakerhadrecentlygottenviolentwhenevertheyrefusedtofollowhisevery
instructionandbelief.Ifthisboy,becausethevoicesoundedlikeaboy's,wasgivenspecialattentionthenhe
mustbeespeciallyrebellious.
Areyouokay?,Jainaaskedhesistantly.
...nothingagoodnight'srestwon'tfix,heanswered.
Jainahopeditwastrue.Shestillhadscarsfromheroneandonlydisciplining.
So...what'syourname?Jainaaskedinwhatshehopedwasabrightandhappytone.
...HarryPotter,howaboutyou?Harryanswered.
I'mJainaSolo,pleasuretomeetyou,Jainaresponded.SoHarry,whatyouinfor?
...forbeingafreak,Harryansweredinwhatheprobablythoughtwassolowshecouldn'thear.
Jainawashorrified.Whocalledhimafreak?Momalwayssaidthatpeoplewerealldifferentbutnoonewasless
ormorethansomeoneelse.Sowhowouldcallhimafreak?
My...uncle...soldmetoourdearcaregiverafewweeksago,Harrysaidinaloudertone,unawareshehad
heardhisfirstanswer.
OOh,Jainasaidbrokenly.Thensomethinghesaidclicked.Wait,you'vebeenhereforweeks?!
Yea,why?Harryansweredquestioningly.
Well,whyhaven'tyoutriedtoescape?Jainaansweredsuspiciously.Afterall,Jacenandherhadtriedto
escapefromdayoneandhaveonlyfailedduetolackofknowledgeoftheworldcraft.Soinherminditwas
impossibleforsomeonewhohadbeenhereweeksandbyallaccountswasrebelliousandmoreknowledgeable
ofthecrafttonothaveescaped.SheconvenientlyforgotaboutherbrotherandherhavingForcepowers.
...andgowhere?Harryaskedinadefeatedtone.
Toyourparents,ofcourse!sheexclaimedasthoughitwasobvious.
Silencegreetedher.Somehow,shegotthefeelingthatshehadsaidthewrongthing.
....myparentsaredead,heansweredinaflattone.
Areyousure,becausethat'swhathesaidand...Jainabegan,
Myunclewastheonewhotoldmeandhe'stheonewho'sbeen..raisingmeaslongasIcanremember,Harry
interrupted.
Jainafeltchagrined.GoodgoingJaina,remindhimofhisdeadparents!
I'msorry,shesaidapologetically.
Notyourfault,heansweredquickly.
TheyweresilentforawhilebutnowthatJainafoundsomeonetotalktoshewasn'tabouttostaysilent.
So,how'dtheydie?Jainaasked.What'swrongwithyouJaina?!EvenAnakinwouldknowthat'smeantoask!
Shethought.
Myunclesaidtheydiedfromdrugoverdoseandthattheywereuselesslayabouts,heansweredafteraminute
ofsilence.
Jainacringedfurther.Ohyea,you'llbeagreatJedisomeday.Whydon'tyoujusthandhimablasterandtellhim
tooffhimself?Shethoughtsarcasticallytoherself.
ButIdon'tbelieveit,Harrysaidsuddenly.
Huh?Jainaaskedquestioningly.
Idon'tknowwhybut..Ibelievetheyweregoodpeople,Harrysaidforcefully.
Jainasmiled.Itwasgoodtoknowthatshewasn'ttheonlyonethatdidn'tbelieveeverythingshewastold.For
thenextcoupleofhours,theyjusttalkedaboutthings.Likes,dislikesandevenhadasmallspatoverwhowould
bethebetterpilot.Jainajustknewhewouldcomearoundandacceptthetruthwithtime.Justthen,thealarm
signalinglunchsounded.Hercelldooropenedandshelefthercellandlookedtoherrightwherehernew
friend'scellwasandsawhimforthefirsttime.
Hewasshorterthansheexpectedwithhimbeingayearolderthanher.Hewasaboutequaltoherinheightand
sheaccepted,intheconfinesofhermind,thatshewasshorterthanaverage.Sheblamedhermother'sgenes.He
hadawildheadofhairthatseemedlikehejustgotoutofbed,whichwasapossibility,thatwasasblackasthe
spacebetweenstars.Hewasthin,maybeduetothelackofgoodfoodthey'vebeengivenherebutsomehowshe
suspectedthatwasonlyhalftrue.Allofthisshenoticedafterbecauseitwashiseyesthatcapturedherfirst.
Hiseyeswereanintenseemeraldgreenthatseemedtostareintoyoursoul.Shefeltnakedbeforehisgazeand
allherbravadolefther.Then,hiseyeswarmedupandshesuddenlyfeltbetter.
Nicetofinallyseeyou,Jainasaidcheekily.
Harrysmiled.Youtoo.
WithLeia(2dayslater)
Wefoundthem,Leiaannounced.
Chewbaccaaskedifshewassure.
Yes,Chewie,I'msure,Leiaassuredhim.They'reonthatworldcraft.
TheworldcrafthadbeendescribedbyRillaobutnothingcouldprepareforseeingitinperson.ToLeia,itfelt
likeapredecessoroftheDeathStar.
Alright,Chewie,Leiasaidsteelingherself.Takeusin.
BackwithJainaandHarry(4hoursbefore)
JainahadmanagedtomeetupwithJacenandintroducedhimtoHarry.Thethreeofthemhititofffamously.
So,we'reallinagreement?Jainaaskedinalowtone.
JacenandHarrynodded.Theyhadmanagedtocomeupwithaplantoescape.BetweentheSolotwin'stechno
knowhowandHarry'sknowledgeofthebase'slayout,theyhadagoodideaofhowtoescape.Theonlyproblem
wastheydidn'tknowwhereAnakinwas.Whentheyreachedthatpart,they'dhavetowingit.Jainawassure
they'dfindhim.
Areyousureyoucangetusthroughthedoorstothehangarbay?JacenaskedHarryforwhatseemedlikethe
millionthtime.Harryhadassuredthemthathecouldtakecareofanydoorsalongtheway.Hewouldn'tsayhow,
hejustassuredthemhecould.
Yes,Harrysaidconfidently.
Jainanoddedherhead.Thoughonlyknowinghimfor2days,shetrustedHarry.
Thenwe'lldoittonight,shedecidedandtheothertwonoddedtheirhead.
WhenJainaturnedtoturninathercell(Harrywouldgolaterinordertonotarisesuspicion),Harryturnedto
Jacen.
So...whendidwevotetomakeherboss?Harryaskedhumorously.
Jacensmiledandshrugged.
AtthesametimethatLeiaarrived
Itwastimeforescape.Jainawasnervous.ThisfirstpartdependedonHarry,hesaidhecouldbreakthemout.
Jainasurehopedso.Suddenly,JainaheardasharpcrackinHarry'scelldoor.
Harry?Jainaaskedinalowtoneinordertonotalerttheguards.
Suddenly,sheheardasharpcrackathercelldoorandthedooropened.TherestoodHarrynervouslychewing
hislip.
Toldyou,hesaidconfidently.
Howdidyoudothat?Jainaaskedinwonder.NotevenUncleLukecoulddothat,shewassure.
Shouldn'twegopickupJacen?heasked,evadingthequestion.
Jainanarrowedhereyesathimbutnoddedherhead.Hewasrightafterall,butthisconversationwasn'tover.
Checkingthehallway,theymadetheirwaytowardJacen'scell.
TheyreachedJacen'scellquicklyandJainaturnedtoHarryexpectedhimtohaveatoolthat'llbreakopenthe
door.Instead,Harrytookout..aspoon.Jaina'sjawdropped.Aspoon?!WhatintheForcewillhedowiththat?!
HarryignoredJaina'slookandconcentratedonthedoor.Jainafelt...somethingintheairasHarrystaredatthe
door.Suddenly,Harryhitthedoorwiththespoonrightabovethedoorlock.Jainastaredathim.
Whatwasthatsupposedto...Jainabeganbutshewascutoffbyasharpandfamiliarcrack.Shelookatthe
doorandnoticedthatthedoorlockhadbeenbroken.
Howdidyou..Jainastarted.
Notime,let'sgo,interruptedHarryandranoffwithJacen.
Threedayslater
Harry,JacenandJainahadmanagedtoescapeonlytomeetwiththetwin'smotherhalfwayout.Afterfinally
rescuingAnakinandstoppingHethrir,theSolosparentsgotogethertodecidewhattodowithHarry.
Well,wecertainlycan'treturnhimtohisrelatives,Leiastatedforcefully.TheyhadbeentoldbyJainawhat
Harryhadsaidabouthisuncleandaunt.Noneofwhichhadbeengood.
No,ain'tthatthetruth,Hanagreed.TheonlyreasonHanwasn'thuntingHarry'suncletogivehimapieceof
hismindwasbecausehedidn'tknowwherehewas.Harryhadremainedtightlipped.
Returnwhotohisrelatives,askedLukewhohadjustarrived.
TheSolosgreetedLukeandquicklycaughthimuponeverythinghedidn'tknow.
He'sinthetwin'sroomrightnow,Hanstated.Hewasn'tblindtohowquicklythetwinshadbondedwith
Harry,thoughhedidn'tblamethem.Harrywaseasytolove.
ThatmustbetheForcepresenceIfeltwhenIwasarriving,Lukestatedthoughtfully.
Whatdoyoumean,yousensed?queriedLeiasuspiciously.
Lukeraisedhiseyebrowsathissister.
Can'tyousensehisForcepotential?Lukeaskedskeptically.Hisshinesjustasbrightasthetwins.
Thatbroughtthemupshort.LukehadpreviouslystatedthatthetwinshadForcepotentialequaltohisown.If
Harry'swasequaltotheirs...
Youaren'tplanningtotrainhimnowright?Leiaaskedforcefully.He'stooyoung,heneedsachildhood.
No,butwhatelsecanwedo?Lukeasked.Wedon'thavealegalreasontokeephimandifwedon't...
Hedidn'thavetosayanythingmore.Thegalaxywasaharshplaceforayoungboy,especiallyayoungForce
sensitive.
We'llaskhim,Handecidedfinally.
Allthreeadultsmovedupthestairstowardthetwin'sroom.Whentheyarrived,itwastothefunnysightofJaina
tryingtoconvinceHarryshewouldbethebetterpilotcauseshewasagirl.Harrylookedamusedather
statementandstatedthatthatmeansLeiaisthebetterpilotofherparentsifthatwastrue.Jacenwasrolling
aroundonthefloorinlaughter.Lukeclearedhisthroattogettheirattention.
UncleLuke!,Jainaexclaimedgleefully.Sheproceededtohugherfavoriteuncle,ignoringthefacthewasher
onlyuncle.
UncleLuke,youagreethatI'mgonnabethebetterpilotright?Jainasaid,usingherpuppydogeyesto
convincehim.Lukeonlychuckled.
WecameheretoaskHarryheresomething,Hanstatedbeforetheycouldgetofftangent.
Harrylookedatthemnervouslyandsaid,Whatdidyouwanttoask?
JainaandJacenalsolookedattheadultscuriously.
Well,wewerewonderingifyouwouldliketobetrainedasaJedi,LukeaskedbeforeLeiacouldstophim.
Youdon'thavetohoney,Leiasaidglaringatherbrotherwholookedunfazed.You'rewelcometostaywithus
eitherway.
Harryhadgonequiet.Hewaswideeyedandlookedfromoneadulttotheothertoseeiftheywereserious.
Afteraminuteofsilence,hespoke.
Areyousureyouwantafreaklikeme?heaskedhesistantly.
Thisstaementangeredtheadults.Theangerwasn'tdirectedatHarrybutatthefactthat,accordingtoHarry,his
ownuncleconstantlycalledhimfreakandtheonlyreasonheknewhisnamewasbecauseHarryhadheardhis
unclecallhimthatbeforehesoldhim.
You'renotafreak,Harry,Lukestated.Tohiscredit,youcouldhardlydetectthetremorinhisvoicefrom
repressedanger.Andyourunclewaswrongtocallyouthat.
JacenlookedfromHarrytoUncleLuke.ThiswasthefirsthehadheardofHarry'streatmentandinhisyoung
mindhedidn'tunderstandwhyhisunclewassomean.
Waitaminute,Jainainterrupted,youmeanhecanusetheForcetoo?Isthatwhatyoudidtobreakthe
doors?
TheadultslookedatHarry.Thiswasthefirstthey'dheardofHarrybreakingdoorsbyhimself.Harrywouldn't
meettheireyes.
Harry,Lukeaskedinacomfortingtone.Whatdothetwinsmean?
Atfirst,itlookedlikehewasn'tgoingtoanswer.Thenheansweredinalowtonethattheyhadtoforce
themselvestohear.
Icansometimessee...cracks...inthings...inpeople,hebegan.Placeswhere,ifIhititjustrightandI
concentrate,Icanmakeeventhehardeststuffbreak.
HanandLeiajustlookedconfusedandlookedtowardLuke.Lukeontheotherhandwaswideeyedandmouth
agape.SeeingthegreatJedimasterlikethatbroughtlaughtertotheotheradults.Lukeeventuallycomposed
himself,shotadirtylooktowardhissisterandherhusbandandansweredHarry.
Thatisaveryrareanduniquegift,Lukestated.Itjustmeansyouhavesomethingthatmakesyoudifferent
butnotworsethanothers,understand?
Harry'seyesgotwetandhesniffed,once.Hemanagedtostophimselffromcryingthoughandnoddedhishead
atLuke.Luke,HanandLeiastartedwhisperinginlowtonesamongthemselves.Afterreachinganagreement,
LuketurnedtoHarry.
We'vedecided,Lukeannounced.You'llstaywithHanandLeiaandthenwhenyou'realloldenough,you'll
jointheacademy.
Harrysmiledandasked,Really?
HistonewassoheartbreakingthatHanandLeialostanyoppositiontheymighthavehad.
Sure,whynot?Hanconfirmed.
Officially,you'llbemychargebutyou'lllivewithHanandLeiasinceI'malwaysonthemoveandIhavetoo
manyresponsibilities,explainedLuke.
Welcometothefamilykiddo,Hansaid,messingwithHarry'shair.
Harrysmiledwhilethetwinswhooped.
EndNotes:
AN:ThisismyfirststorysoIhopeyouareallunderstanding.Hopeyoulikeit.
Pleasereview!
Backtoindex
NewLifeandchangesbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter2
21ABY
SevenyearshadpassedsinceHarryhadjoinedtheSolofamily.Nowathirteenyearold,Harryhadeasilyfitinto
theSolofamilyandliketherest,hewasapictureofgrace,patienceandunderstanding.....
I'mgonnamakeyoueatmyspacedustthistime,JayJay!Harryexclaimed.
.ormaybenot.
Harryhadgrownupwelloversevenyears.WithgoodmealsandhaphazardJeditraining,hehadgrowntoa
respectableheightforhisagealthoughhishairstilllookedaCorellianfalcon'snestnomatterwhatwasdoneto
it(toLeia'seternalchagrin).Hehadaswimmer'sphysiqueandwasveryfast.Leiaoftenstatedthathewasgoing
tobealadykillerwhenhegrewup.
OnlyifIpilotblindfoldedandgoathalfspeedyouovergrownewok!respondedtheaforementionedJayJay,
otherwiseknownasJainaSolo.
HarryandJainawereonceagainhavingafriendlycompetitionbetweenthemonwhowasthebetterpilot....
Getoffmyexhaustport!,screamedHarryasheslammedhisborrowedairtaxiintoJaina's.
...yes,veryfriendly.
Makeme!shescreamedbackassheslammedbackintohim.
You'reprobablywonderingwhereAnakinandJacenare.Well,everypilotneedsacopilotso....
Woohoo,goJaina,showhimSolo'sarethebestpilotsinthegalaxy!screamedJacen.Hehadbeen
persuadedintobeingJaina'scopilotbecauseJainatoldhimhewasthebestmanforthejob.Thetruthwasthat
Anakinhadalreadybeendrawntothedarkside(otherwiseknownasHarry's)andJacenwastheonlyoneleft.
SoheretheywereonJaina'sandHarry's515thracetobreakthetietheywerecurrentlyin(thescorewas248
winseachand18draws).Ofcoursetheyhadacompletelyimpartialjudge...
Pleasestopthismadness!!!screamedC3POfromhiseagleeyeviewofbeingmagneticallyattachedtothe
roofofJaina'aairtaxi.ArtoowhistledhisjoyatthespeedfromthebackseatofHarry'sairtaxi.
GoHarry,we'retotallygonnaleavetheminthedustthistime,I'vemanagedtogetreconfiguretheenginesoit
givesoutmorepower!Anakinencouraged.
Jainaheardthisandglaredathertwin.Whycan'tyoubeasusefulasAnakin?!shedemanded.
Excuseme,ifI'mbetterwithLIVINGcreatures!Jacenscreamedback.ItwasarunningjokethatJacenwas
theonlyoneofthefamilythatwasn'tgoodwithmechanicsandifitwasn'tforbeingJaina'stwinandthecolorof
hishair,wouldprobablybeconfusedastheadoptedoneinsteadofHarry.Itprobablydidn'thelpthattheone
timehewasgivenaenginetotinkerwith,hetriedtouseitasazooforhismoreexoticpets.Leiastillwon't
eatanysoupforfearofsomethingalivestillbeinginsideit.
TheracecoursewasalsoknownasCoruscant'sbusiestairwayduringrushhour,whichjustsohappenedtobe
rightnow.ItleadfromtheSenatebuildingtotheformerJeditemple.TheSoloraisedchildrenignoredthe
screamsanddeaththreatsfrompasserbybydintofyearsofpractice.
Only100yardstogo!Harryscreamedinjoy.
Theywerecurrentlynecktoneckandthisfinalstretchwoulddecidethewinnerofsevenyearsofracesand
argumentsoverwhowasthebetterpilot.Thisisit,Harrythoughtastheyapproachedthefinishline.
Whatareyoudoing?!screamedavoicethatmadeHarrypaleoverthecommunit.
ThedistractionprovedenoughtomakeHarryjerkatthecontrolsallowingJainathetwometerleadforthe
victory.
YESSS!Sweetvictory!!!,screamedJainajoyfully,completelyignoringthevoiceofherAuntMaraoverthe
communit.
Idemandarepeat,outsideinterference!deniedHarry.
Don'tbeasoreloserHarry!defendedJaina.It'snotMYfaultyou'reimaginingthings.
Imaginingwhatdearniece?askedadeceptivelycalmvoiceoverthecomm.
Jainapaled.Nowthattheadrenalinehadlefthersystem,sheheardthevoiceofherAuntMaraoverthecomm
justlikeHarryandlikeHarryreactedexactlythesame.
Evasivemaneuvers!allfourscreamedinunison.
However,itwasfartoolate.MarahadusedtheForcetoturnoffthecommandeeredairtaxisandparkthemby
theformerJediTemple'sentrance(thefinishline).Bythetimetheycouldturnitbackon(especiallysincethey
didn'tknowtheclearancecodestoturnitoninthefirstplacetheyhadtoborrowtwothatwherealreadyon)
theywouldbecaught.MarawascurrentlyontheJadeSabrewhichhadatractorbeamcustombuiltin.
Therefore,theywenttoplanB.
He/Shestartedit!screamedJainaandHarrywhilepointingateachother.NoIdidn't,youdid!they
defendedinunison.
Enough!LeavethetaxisthereandgetontheJadeSabrenow!Marasaidforcefully.
TheJadeSabrewasLuke'sweddingpresenttoMara.Itwasacustombuiltandmodifiedshuttleintheforma
blade.HarryoncesaidithadmoremodificationsthanaJediMasterYoda'slightsaber(heassumedthatYoda
musthavemodifieditoverhis900yearlife).Thechildrendraggedtheirfeetoutofthetaxisandreluctantly
moveduptheramp.Marawascurrentlyatthetopoftheramptappingherfootandglaringatheralmostsonand
hiscousins.
Leialeavesyouallforaweekendandyoutakeadvantageofittohaveanotherrace,Marasaidreprovingly.
ButMom,JainasaidthatUncleHanwasabetterpilotthanyouthereforeshewasobviouslythebetterpilotby
dintofhavingabetterteacher,arguedHarryinhisbestI'magoodsonandyoulovemevoice.Iwasonly
defendingyourhonor!
WhenMaraandLukestarteddatinginearnest,Harrywasinitiallyhesitantaroundher.However,afterMara
gavehimsomelightsabertraininginMakashi(hedidn'tlikeAtarusayingitdidn'tfeelright),theyhititoffso
wellthatpeoplesometimesconfusethemfortruemotherandson.MaraonlyknewthebasicstoMakashibut
HarrytooktoitlikeaSolotopilotingasHanwouldsay.Hewasanaturalanddeclaredhewouldovercomeit's
weaknessestoblastersandmultipleopponents.SeeinghisskillwithitaswellasHarry'snearpsychiclike
precognitioninbattle,Marahadnodoubthewould.
MarawouldrememberthefirsttimeHarrycalledherMomasthehappiestandmostterrifyingmomentinher
life.
Flashback(19ABY)
HarryandMarahadjustfinishedanotherlightsaberpracticesession.Leiawasinitiallyreluctanttostarthim
onsuchadangerousskillsoyoung,beingonlytenyearsoldwhenhestarted,butafterseeinghowmuchHarry
enjoyedit(nottomentionhowmuchitcalmedhimdownafterwards)sherelented.AlthoughshemadeMara
swearthatshe'dnevergivehimaREALlightsaberuntilafterhestartedtheAcademyandLukeapproved.
SohowamIdoing?Harryeagerlyasked.Theyhadbeenpracticingintermittentlyforoverayearnow.The
practicesessionsweresparse,notonlybecausesherarelyhadtimetodedicatesolelytoHarry(betweenLuke,
recentweddingplans,herJediduties,andspendingtimewiththeSolochildren)butalsobecauseshebelieved
thatHarryshouldn'tspendallhistimetraining.Afterall,hewasstillyoung.Sothetrainingsessionswere
usuallyonceamonth.
Prettygood,Mararesponded.Soon,Iwon'tbeabletoteachyoumoreonMakashisinceIonlyknowthe
basics.It'stoomuchofafencer'sstyleforme.
Harrystuckouthistongueatheratherlookingdownathisfavoritestyle.Despitehiscockydemeanorattimes
(whichhegotfromhisUncleHan)aswellashisoutgoingnature(showninhisvariousescapadeswiththe
Solos),incombatorinastressfulsituationhewasinstantlycalmandanalytical.Probablyaresultofhisability
toseeshatterpoints,shemused.
WhenLukefirsttoldherabouthisinherentability,shelaugheditoffasimpossible.Afterall,theonlyperson
recordedtohavetheabilitywasregardedasthegreatestswordsmanandaJediMasteroftheOldRepublic.It
seemedimpossibleforachildtohaveit.ThencameherfirstsparringsessionwithHarry.
Asshewasfacingatenyearold,shedecidedtouseShiichowithhertraininglightsaber.Afterall,hewasonly
akidanditwashisfirsttimeusingatraininglightsaber.Shefirstnoticedthathedidn'tseemallthat
uncomfortablewieldingalightsaber.Infact,heuseditlikeitwasanextensionofhimsomethingofatraitonly
amongexperiencedusers.Theystartedtosparandasexpectedsheeasilybeathimeverytime.Hoever,shegot
complacentandoverreachedbyhalfamillimeterinaswingandhewasonherinstantly.Ifitwasn'tforher
experiencehewouldhavedisarmedher.Shecalledastopsoonafter.
Howdidyoudothat?sheasked/demanded.
Harrylookeddownandrespondedinalowtone.Isawacrack...andItookadvantage.
Shewasspeechless.Itwastrue!Thekidcouldseeshatterpoints!Hewasabletousethisabilitytoinstantlyseea
splitsecondflawinherformandtakeadvantage.
Afterthat,sheeagerlykepttrainingHarry.Whenheaskedherforastylethatwasmoreprecise,shestartedto
teachhimMakashi.Itfithimlikeaglove.Thefencer'sstylewasperfectwhencombinedwithhisspeedand
abilitytoseeshatterpoints.AtleastuntilhemanagestolearnVaapad,shemusedtoherself.
Backinthemoment,MararuffledHarry'shair.Theywereonthesidewalkwhensherememberedthatsheleft
herpackintheapartment.Waitasec,Iforgotmystuffinside,I'llberightback.Shehurriedinsidetogether
pack.Justasshereachedit,sheheardtwounmistakablesoundsthatchilledhertothebone.Thesoundofa
blasterfiringandthesoundofalightsaberreflectingablasterbolt.
MOM!!!Harryscreamedinfear.
Shewasofflikeashot.Shejumpedoutofthewindowoftheapartmentsherentedfortheirpracticesessions,
emptyoffurnitureandanythingthatcanmakeyoustumble,andlandedinfrontofHarryonthesidewalkandin
betweenhimandwhatwasobviouslyabountyhunterwithherreallightsaberon.Harrywaslyingonhisback
onthesidewalkandstaringscaredatthebountyhunter.Hehadmanagedtoblockthefirstshotduetoluckand
hisincredibleForcesensesbuthadn'tbeenquickenoughtododgeasecondtohisrightleg.
MaragrowledatthebountyhunterthatdaredattacksomeonethatsheinstantlycategorizedasHERchild.
Needlesstosay,thebountyhunterdiedpainfully.
Flashbackend
Sincethen,shehadbecomefiercelyprotectiveofHarryandspentasmuchtimewithhimaspossible.Sheeven
insistedthathebeoneoftheushersalongwithJacenontheweddingamonthlater.Onewouldthinkthat
becausehespentmoretimewithLeia,hewouldregardHERashismother.However,duetohervariousduties
thatkeptherawayaswellasotherreasons,hecouldn'tseeherinthatrole.Sincehewasalmostalwayswithhis
cousins,thisalsoallowedMaratogetclosethemaswell.
I'mgladyoudefendedme,Harrybutmaybenexttimedon'tdefendmebycommittinggrandtheftauto,Mara
respondeddryly.Seeinghimabouttorespond,shecontinued.OrdoIhavetogiveyouanotherprivate
lightsabertrainingsession.Marahadanevilgrinasshewatchedallfourpale.
Ayearago,shehadcaughttheminanotherrace(thistimewithswoopbikesdon'taskhowtheygotthem).She
almosthadaheartattackwhenHarryhadanearcrashduetotherace.Shepretendedtocongratulatethemon
goodflyingandofferedHarryaspeciallightsabertrainingsession.Heinstantlyagreedthinkingthathegotaway
withit.Tothisday,hewouldrememberthattrainingandshiverinterror.Harryinsiststhathisleftbuttcheek
hasn'tfeltthesamesince.
No,Ipromiseit'llbethelasttime,Harrypromisedquickly.Thisyear,motherandsonthoughtinunison.One
inamusementandtheotherinexasperation.
Comeon,LukeandLeiaarebackearly,Marasaidgesturingthemtogeton.Theyfollowedquickly.
Willsomeonegetmedownfromhere!Threepioscreamedfromwherehewasstillattachedtotheroofofthe
airtaxi.
Aftergettinghimofftheroof,theyallgotontheJadeSabre.
Istillwon,JainamutteredlowlytoHarry.Harry'svehementdenialswerelastthingheardbeforetheramp
closed.
Soloresidence,Coruscant
Allfouradultswereglaringatthefourchildreninfrontofthem.Well,LukeandLeiawereglaring.Hanand
Maraweretrying,andfailing,tohidetheiramusementandpride.
Well,doyoufourhaveanythingtosayaboutyourselves?Leiaasked.
ThechildrenlookedateachotherbeforeJainasaid,Iwon.
Yes!PayupMara,Hanexclaimed,stickingouthishandtoreceivethe500creditstheyhadwageredonthe
outcome,whichMaragavehimbegrudgingly.
Han!Leiaexclaimeddisbelievingly.Luke'sfrownswitchedtoasmileforsplitsecondbeforeforcingitback
toafrown.However,everyonecaughtit.
AmItheonlyonewhobelieveswhattheydidwaswrong?Leiaexclaimedexasperatedly.
No,sweetheart.We'vejustaccepteditasinevitableaftersevenyears,explainedHanamusedly.
Leiajustglaredatherhusbanddespiteitbeingtrue.DespiteLeia'sbestefforts,HarryandJainastillfoundways
toraceagainsteachother.Itwouldbeworryingifitwasn'tforhumorousundertonesandthestrongbond
betweenthem.Indeed,sometimesJainaandHarryseemedcloserthanevenJacenandJaina.Iftheyweren'tso
youngtheadultswouldsuspectstrongerfeelingsthanjustfriendship.
Well,despitethedelay,hereLeiaglaredatherchildren,Lukehassomethingtotellyou.
Lukesmiledatthechildren.DespiteLuke'sattemptatbeingimpartial,hehadtoadmitthathehadbeenlooking
forwardtothissinceHarryfirstjoinedthefamily.Overtheyears,Harryhadprovenhimselfaprodigywhenit
cametoForcesensing.Hissenseshadfoiledmanyakidnapandassassinationattemptonthechildren.Luke's
bloodstillboiledwhenherememberedthefirstassassinationattemptdirectedatHarryhimself.Needlesstosay,
bountyhuntersaroundthegalaxy(well,thesmartones)decidedthatthepayeitherhadtobeinthesevendigit
areaortheywouldn'ttakeit.OnceMaraenteredthepictureevenBobaFettdecidedthatthereweregreener
pastures.Hedoubtedhe'dlivelongenoughtoenjoythemoneyevenifhewassuccessful.
I'vecometoannouncethatit'stimeforyoufourtoentertheAcademy,explainedLuke.
Thechildrencheered.Overtheyears,theyhadpracticedwiththeirabilitiesandevenhadminiaturecontests
betweenthem.Jacenwastheunofficialanimalmagnet,Jainawasawizwithmechanicsandmachines(even
betterthanHarrytohischagrin)whileHarrywasthebestsensor.Harry'sForcesenseshavethepotentialtobe
equaltoMara'swho'ssensesarebetterthanevenLuke's.Anakinwasaprodigyinalmostallareasandpromised
tohaveasmuchpotentialashisnamesake.HeoftenstatedthatusingtheForcewaslikebreathingtohim.
Harryinternallyfrownedathisthoughtprocesses.AnakintreatstheForcetoomuchlikeonewouldtreata
hydrospanner.Hehopedhewouldgrowoutofthat.
Usually,Lukestartedaftertheycalmeddown.Iwouldwaittillyou'reallolderbutIdoubtyouwouldwantto
waitayearbeforejoiningHarryintheAcademy,amIright?Lukehadawrygrinonhisfacethatgrewwiththe
Solochildren'sdenialsandHarry'slaughter.
Wellthen,ifyouwanttobeJediMastersyoubetterpackfirst,Hanstatedwithagrin.
Thechildrencheeredandstampededtotheirrespectiveroomstogettheirstuff.
Theygrowsofast,Leiastatedinalongingtone.Seemsonlyyesterdaytheyweretryingtotakeapartthe
Falconorstealitforajoyride.
Um,honey,Hanstatedinajokingtone,thatWASyesterday.
Theadultsdissolvedintolaughter.
Onehourlater
Youallset?Hanaskedthechildrenwhowerelinedupinfrontofhim.
Wait,weshouldgosaygoodbyetoZekk,Jainaexclaimed.
EveryonemissedtheslightscowlthatwasonHarry'sfaceatthementionofthestreetwiseyouth.Thereason
wastwofold:one,hemanagedtomakeHarrylooklikeanidiotattheirfirstmeetingandtwo,eversinceJaina
hadbeensmittenwiththeboyeversince.Harrytriedtounderstandthecomplexemotionspassingthroughhim
butcouldn'tsoheforcefullysuppressedthem.
Notime,kiddo,Hanrespondedsadly,plushecouldbeanywhere.Hedoesn'texactlystayinoneplace.
Handidn'treallylikethekid.Mostlyitwasbecausehedidn'tlikeanyboywhohisdaughterliked.Helived
happilyoblivioustothetensioninHarryshouldersaswellastheslightscowlwheneverZekkwasmentioned.
Oh,ok,Jainasaidsadly.
JainasadtoneinstantlymeltedanyireHarryhadatZekk.Despiteeverything,hewantedJainahappy(she
soundedlikeakickedpuppywhenshewassad)andsodecidedtobenicertoZekk.
We'llgoseehimwhenwecomebacktovisit,Harrypromised.
JainasmiledhappilyatHarryandthankedhim,notnoticingtheslightblushonHarry'scheeks.Jacenand
Anakinlookedateachotherfrombehindthemandrolledtheireyes.
JediPraxeum,Javin4
We'regonnaberealJedi!screamedAnakinforwhatseemedlikethemillionthtime.
Yes,Anakin,Harryrespondedexasperatedly.Butonlyafteryearsoftraining.
Still,aren'tyouexcited?We'regonnalearnabouttheForce,buildalightsaber...hetrailedoffexcitedly.
HarryjustsmiledatthetenyearoldastheywalkeduptotheJediPraxeum.
Thetopmostlevel(orthe3rdfloor)wasbasicallyabigchamberwheretheywoulddothemosttrainingcalled
theGrandAudienceChamber.ItwasoriginallyusedasaceremonialhallbytheAlliancegarrisonbutwasnow
usedbytheJediAcademyasateachingspace.Thelevelbelowit(orthe2ndfloor)wasconvertedentirelyto
roomsfortheJediMastersandtheirstudentswithextraspaceusedforstorage.Onthelevelbelow(the1st
floor),thecentralchamberwascalledtheStrategyCenterorWarRoom,withthesurroundingroomsonthis
levelusedasmeetingrooms,communicationsandcomputingbays,kitchensanddininghalls.Astheyentered
theWarRoom,theyweretoldtherewasabasementlevelwherethehangarwaslocated.
Thechildren(withtheexceptionofJacenwhowaslookinglonginglyatthejungleoutside)salivatedattheidea
ofAwingsandXwingsbeingavailabletotheirgeniustinkering.Luke,whowasescortingthem,noticedthis
andmadeamentalnotetoplaceaguardaroundthehangar.Thelastthingtheyneededwaslatenightexplosions
comingfromthehangar.Kylewouldprobablymistakeitforanattack,hethoughtwithawrygrin.
Well,guysIhopeyou'rereadyandthatyoumakesomefriendswhileyou'rehere,Luketoldthembefore
tellingthemtogotheroomsalreadyassignedtothem.
Thankfully,allfoursharedroomsinthesamecorridor.Decidingtobefriendly,thethreeeldestdecidedtogreet
theirfellowcorridorroomiesasJacencalledthemtoHarryandJaina'sexasperation.Jacen'shumorleftalotto
bedesired.Anakinwentofftoseeifhecouldgetintothehangarbay.Theyfirstknockedonthedooracross
fromJaina's.
Agoldenredhairedgirlopenedthedoor.Shewasalreadydressedinherbrownpadawanrobesandseemedto
beslightlynervousiftheconstantstraighteningoftherobeswasanyindication.Shewasfairlyaverageinheight
(about2inchesshorterthanHarry)andhadgrayeyesthatcurrentlylookedwaryasshelookedfromonetothe
other.
CanIhelpyou?sheaskedinapolitetone.
Hi,I'mJainaandthisismytwinJacenandmyfriendHarry,statedJainacheerfully.Wejustcamebytosay
hitoourfellowpadawansandIhopewecanbefriends!
Thegirllookedateachoneastheywereintroduced(thoughtheystayedasecondlongeronJacen).
Itisapleasuretomeetyou,IamTenelKafromDathomir.Itwouldbeapleasuretobeyourfriend,she
answeredwithasmallsmile.
Harrynoticedtherewasabitofreliefinhereyesandconcludedthatsheprobablywantedsomefriendsaswell.
Itwasonlynatural,hemused,noonewantstobefriendlessinanewplace.
Great!Wannacomewithustoseewhoelselivesinthiscorridor?Jainaaskedbrightly.
TenelKanoddedherheadandfollowedbyJainasideastheyconversedwitheachotherinrapidtones.
Ugh,girltalkhuhJacen?Harrymutteredinalowtone.
Jacenlaughedlowlyathiscomment.
Astheywalked,theyfoundoutthatTenelKawasthirteenlikeHarryandwasraisedinDathomirwaysand
beliefslikehermother.Strangely,shedidn'tmentionwhoherfatherwas.Theytoldheraboutthemselvesand
shedidn'tshowsurpriseattheirparentagesimplysayingshehadguesseditwhenshesawthem.
TheyeventuallyreachedthelastdoorinthecorridoracrossfromHarry's(theothertwowereempty)andthis
timeHarryknocked.
Thedoorwasansweredbyabeautifultwi'lekgirl.Shehadblueeyesandwasblueskinnedlikethefamous
AaylaSecura.Shewaswearingawhitetubetopthatshowedabitofherdevelopingcleavageandawhite
headdressthatwentfromherchin,coveredherheadandwenthalfwaydownhertailswhilekeepingherface
uncovered.Shealsoworewhitepantswithawhiteshortskirtontopaswellwhiteshoulderpads.Shealsohad
whitelongsleevesthatwentfromherwristtotheinsideofhershoulderpads.Allinall,Harryhadtoadmitthat
shehadmakingsofarealbeauty(Foranimage,lookupAstraalVaoinWookieepedia).
Hello,canIhelpyou?sheaskedhesitantly.
Hi,I'mHarry.ThisisJaina,that'sJacenandtheredheadisTenelKa.Wejustgothereandweremeeting
people,Harrystated.
ThegirllookedateachinturnashepointedthemandgreetedthembeforelookingbackatHarry.
I'mAstraalVao,pleasuretomeetallofyou,shestatedwithseductivesmileonherlipsasshelookedatHarry.
Jainaofcoursenoticedthisandfeltaslightpanginherchestasshelookedfromonetotheother.Shequickly
lookeddowntoherownchestaswellasTenelKa's(whatshecouldseewithherrobeson)andcomparedthem
toAstraal's.ShequicklyfiguredoutthatAstraalwasverygifted.Shecouldn'tbeolderthanHarryandalready
shehadcleavage,Jainascreamedinternally.Unknowntoher,TenelKawashavingsimilarthoughts.
HarryandAstraalhititoffandaftersometimeJaina,TenelKaandJacenwarmeduptoher.Astraalwaskind
andnicesoitwashardforJainatonotlikeher.ShewasfourteenandhadjoinedtheAcademylatebecauseshe
wasjustfoundandfreedamonthago.ShetoldthemsheusedtobedancerforaHuttbeforeMasterSkywalker
foundherandfreedher.
TheytalkedamongthemselvesastheyimaginedwhattheywouldlearnintheAcademy.Eventhereserved
TenelKashowedsomeexcitement.
Sowhatlightsaberformareyouthinkingofusingasyourprimary?JacenaskedHarry.
JacenknewthatHarrywouldprobablygettobuildhislightsaberbeforetheothersduetohisprevioustraining.
HealreadyknewShiiChoandwasdeterminedtomasterMakashi.JacenandJainawantedinonthelessonsas
wellbutLeiahadputherfootdownandforbidituntiltheycametotheAcademy.Harrywasonlyallowed
becauseattenyearsoldLeiahadyettofindadefensetohispuppydogeyesofdoomasJainacalledit.
Hmm...IhaveanideabutI'mnottellingyet,Harrystatedwithagrin.
Youtoo?Astraalaskedsurprised.
Youalsohaveanideaofwhatstyleyourgonnause?Jacenaskeddisbelievingly.Itwasn'tthatstrange.After
all,theSolochildrenandHarryonlyknewoflightsaberstylesduetobeingraisedbytwojedi(threeforHarry).
ButAstraalsaidshehadonlybeenfoundamonthagosoitsurprisedhimthatsheknewlightsaberforms.
Yes,whenIaskedMasterSkywalkeriftherehadbeenanyothertwi'lekjediofnotebeforeandhetoldme
aboutAaylaSecura,sheexplained.I'vedecidedtoemulateherandhercombatstyle.
Cool,Jacensaidinreverenttone.
Well,IhavesomeonewhosestyleIwanttoemulatebutIwon'ttellwhountilI'msureit'spossible,Harry
stated.
Nomatterhowmuchtheothersbadgeredhim,hewouldn'ttellthemwhoitwasandjustgrinnedatthem.
Allstudents,pleasereporttotraininghall,avoicesoundedoverthecommsystem.
Well?Let'sgoguys!Harrystatedwithagrin.Hestartedrunningtowardthedestinationwiththeothers
followingbehindhim
EndNotes:
AN:YoushouldseethatI'vealreadyaddedanOC.Igothernamefromatwi'lek
mentionedinCadeSkywalker'stimeinWookieepedia.Astraalwillhavean
importantparttoplayinthedevelopmentofthecharacters,especiallyHarry's.
ForallthosewhofollowtheNewJediOrderseries,youshouldnoticethatI
enteredtheSolotwinsandAnakinayearearly.ThiswasdonesoIwouldn'thave
todividethestoriesintotwoviewpoints:Jaina'sandHarry's,becausethatwould
beannoyingandprobablygivemeheadaches.However,allothermajorevents
(battlesandwars)willstillhappenatthenormaltimeline.Theonlydifferencewill
bewhentheyenteredtheAcademy.
ForStarWarsenthusiasts,I'msorrytosaythatI'mnotgonnaaddeverysingle
adventuretheSolochildrenhad.I'mgoingtomentiontheimportantonessuchas
theShadowAcademybuttheotherswon'tbementionedunlessyousendmea
messageofaspecificadventureandwhyyouthinkIshouldputitinmystory.
Heck,theadventurerevolvingObiWan'slightsaberdidn'taddanythingtothe
plot.Anakindidn'tevenkeepObiWan'slightsaber!
Thischapterwasmostlytoexplaintherelationshipbetweenthemaincharacters
andHarryaswellasgivehintstostrongbondbetweenJainaandHarry.It'sa
crossbetweenarivalryandastrongfriendship.Themothersonrelationship
betweenMaraandHarryshouldbenotedbecauseitwillplayanimportantpartin
thefuture.
HarrywillbetheonlycharacterofthatuniversethatwillbeaJedi.Everyoneelse
inthatuniversewillshowupatamuchlaterdateandbeapartoftheStarWars
universebutnoneofthemwillbeJedialongwithHarry.
ThenextchapterwillgointodepthintohisrelationshipwithLukeandHanaswell
astheappearanceofLowbacca.
Pleasereview!
Backtoindex
TrainingandtheForcebyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter3
Afewminutesafterthelastchapter
Harryandtheothershadgatheredwithalltheotherstudentsinthe3rdfloortrainingchamber.Harryspotted
Anakintalkingtoablondhairedgirlthatcouldn'tbeolderthan8.ProbablygoingtobeinthejuniorJediclass
withhim,hemused.Helookedaroundtoseetheotherstudents.
Therewerequiteafewstudentsbutonlytwograbbedhisattention.Thefirstwasablondhairedboyaround
JacenandJaina'sage.Hehadblueeyesandseemedtocarryhimselfwithanundertoneofarrogance.Theway
helookedattheothersseemedtoconveythefeelingthathethoughttheywerebelowhim.Harrywasstrongly
remindedofhisbloodcousinDudley.Dudleysometimeshadthatsamelookonhisfacewhenhelookedat
Harrysmugandsuperior.Harryforcefullysuppressedthoughtsonhisbloodfamily.Theydon'tmatteranymore,
hetoldhimselffirmly.
Thesecondstudentthatcaughthisattentionwasagingerhairedyoungwookie.Harrywasn'tanygoodattelling
awookie'sagedespitehavingbasicallylivedwithoneforsevenyears.However,thewayheheldhimself
suggestedhewasyoungforawookie.Probablyonlyafewyearsolderthanhimself.Thoughtherewasawayhe
heldhimselfthatstronglyremindedHarryofChewbacca.Maybearelative,hemusedthoughtfully.Healso
noticedthatheseemedtohaveasmalldroidtiedtohiswaist.Hewonderedwhatthedroidwasfor.
HarrysuddenlyhadaverywelcomeandfamiliarfeelingandheturnedintimetoseeDaMasterSkywalker
enterthechamber.
TherelationshipbetweenHarryandLukewasverycomplex.LukeinitiallytriedtobedistantfromHarry,
knowinghewouldsomedaytrainHarryandwishingtobeimpartial.Harrywashurtbythisandinitiallythought
hehaddonesomethingwrongandsotriedtogainhisaffectiontheonlywayheknewhow:hardworktothe
pointofexhaustion.HewouldcleanboththeSolosandLuke'sapartmentwherevertheywerestayingandwould
dropanythingtocleanupifheheardLukewascomingtovisit.Iteventuallycametoaheadabouttwomonths
afterHarrystartedlivingwiththeSolos.
Flashback
HarrywascurrentlyplayingJediKnightswithJainaandAnakin.Theywerejumpingupanddowntheroom
andpretendingtobeswinginglightsabersateachother.HarryandJainawereonoppositesides(likealways)
withAnakinhelpingwhoeverwassupposedtobelosingatthattime.Jacenwascurrentlydeadandlikea
goodcorpsewaslayingsilentlyonthefloor.Harrywascurrentlytryingtoavengehisdeathatthehandsof
theevilDarthJayJay.
Iwillavengemyfallenfriend!Harryexclaimed,tryingtokeepinhislaughter.
Ishallstopyourevilways,Sithscum!Jainaexclaimed.
Ofcourse,toeachside,theotherwastheevilSith.
Anakinwasbeingmoreofacheerleaderthanahelpatthispoint.Hewastiredfromallthejumpingaround.
Afterall,theyhadbeenplayingforabouttwohours.
Well,well,well,who'swinningsofar?askedanamusedvoicefromthedoorway.
TherestoodLukeinhisnormalJedirobessmilingatthesightbeforehim.Jainawasstillinherpajamasdespite
itbeingaroundnoonwhileHarrywasonlywearinghispajamabottoms.Anakinwasrollingonthefloorin
laughterduetoDarthEwok's(Harry)lateststrikeonJainathatjustsohappenedtohitheronherbottom.It
wouldlooklikeanaccidentifitwasn'tfortheamusedlightinHarry'seyeaswellasthesmilethatthreatenedto
breakhisface.
HarrylookedtowardLukewithasmilebeforehesawthestateoftheroom.Inthecourseoftheirepicbattle,
theyhadbrokenaholoimageofthefamilyonthedresser,thrownclothesallovertheplaceinordertodistract
theevilSithandhadbasicallymadeamessofeverything.
HarrypaleddrasticallyandstartedpickingupeverythingwhilemutteringapologiesatLukeforthestateofthe
room.Hegotsofrantichealmosthadtearsinhiseyes.Theotherchildrenjustlookedonconfused.
Luke,however,lookedstricken.HeknewHarryhadhadabadchildhood.Afterall,Jainahadtoldthemwhat
Harryhadoriginallysaidaboutthereasonforhimbeingcapturedwas.Butthisreallydrovethepointhome.It
wasobvioushethoughthewouldbepunishedformakingamessandnotpickinguptheroomforLuke'sarrival.
Lukehadnoticedthateverythinglookedextracleanwheneverhevisitedlatelybutsimplypasseditoffasoneof
Threepio'snewesthabits.However,henowrealizeditmusthavebeenHarrytryingtokeepLukehappysohe
wouldn'tbecastofflikebefore.
Meanwhile,Harrywasalmostcryingashetriedtopickupeverythingquickly.HehopedLukewouldn'tsend
himoffbecausehethoughthewaslazy.HisunclealwayscalledHarryalazygoodfornothingandHarry
couldn'tbearitifLukethoughtthesamething.
LukewalkedslowlytowardHarryandplacedacomfortinghandonHarry'sshoulder.HarrylookedupatLuke
withtearsinhiseyes.Lukefeltterrible.Hehastakentheboyinbutwithallhisresponsibilitieshebarelyhad
timetogettoknowhim.WhatJedimasterignoresachildwhoheknewhadabandonmentissues,hescolded
himself.
It'sokayHarry,Idon'tmindthemess,hetoldhimquietlywhiletakingthemessofclotheshehadinhishands
fromhim.Harryjustgavehimaconfusedlook.
Anakin,Jacen,Jaina.Canyougotothelivingroomasecond?IneedtotalktoHarryforaminute,heasked
thechildrengently.Thechildrenuntilthenhadbeenconfusedupaboutwhatwashappening.WhywasHarry
cryingbecauseofamess?TheyalwaysmademessesandMomandDadnevermadeabigdealaboutit.Well,
onlyiftheybrokesomethingimportant.ThenLeiawouldsitthemdownandtellthemnottodoitagain(which
theyobeyedforaboutanhour).
Theynoddedattheiruncleandlefttowardthelivingroomstillconfusedaboutwhatwashappening.
Aftermakingsuretheyreallyhadgone(sometimestheyweretoocuriousfortheirowngood)helookedtoward
Harry.
Harryhaddrawnintohimselfasifexpectingablow.ThismorethananythingnearlyreducedLuketotears.
Whatkindofchildhooddidhehavetohavethiskindofingrainedresponse?
LukegentlyplacedahandonHarry'sheadandignoredHarry'sflinch.
Harry,Lukestaredgently,whywereyoucrying?
Harrystayedsilentforminutebeforethewordsstartedtumblingforthlikeabrokendam.
Ijustdidn'twantyoutothinkIwasalazygoodfornothingandgetridofmelikemyuncle.Ipromiseitwon't
happenagain.I'llcleanupthewholehouseandcookthemealsandeverythingjustdon'tgetridofme,please!
saidHarrytearfully.Bytheend,hehadalmostbrokendownintosobs.
Luke'sheartclenchedatthespeech.Despiteallhissupposedwisdom,Lukedidn'tknowhowtohandlethe
situation.Hehadhadanormalchildhoodanddespitedisagreementswithhisuncletheyhadlovedeachother.
However,Harryneededhimandhewouldbedamnedifhefailedhim.
Harry,IpromiseyouIwillneverthrowyouaway,Lukesaidkneelingfrontofhim,Youcanmakeallthe
messesintheworldandIwillneverabandonyou,Iswear.
LukehadsaidthiswithsuchconvictionthatHarrywasatalossforwords.Never?Evenifhebrokehisfavorite
dishorsomething?TheconceptofbeingmorepreciousthananyotherpossessionwaslostonHarry.Noone
hadeversaidanythingsimilartohimabouthim.Hewasalwaystoldbyhisunclethathewaslowerthanthedirt
onhisshoes.Afreakthatwasonlyallowedtoliveduetohisunendinggenerosity.
HarryimmediatelybrokeintosobsandhuggedLuketightly.Itwasthefirsttimesomeonehadactuallysaid
Harrywasworthsomething.ThoughtheSoloshadbeenkindtohim,theyhadneversaidanythingsimilarto
himoutloud.Thoughtheiractionssaidit,Harrywastooyoungtounderstanditwithoutbeingtold.Forallhis
experienceshadcausedhimtomaturefasterthannormalinsomeareas,hewasstillasixyearoldboywho
neverknewanyformoflove.
LukehuggedHarrybacktightlyandsilentlysworethathewouldhelphealHarry'swounds.
Flashbackend
Sincethen,HarryhadlookeduptoLukeasafatherfigureandeventriedtoimitatehimineverything.Hewas
completelyloyalandnothingcouldmakehimangryfasterthansomeoneinsultingLukeinfrontofhim.Luke
hadbeenthefirstadulttoverballyaccepthimaspreciouswithJainabeingthefirstpersonperiod.Duetothat,
bothofthemwouldforeverbeprecioustohimandhewouldsuffernoonetocauseeitherpain.
ItseemedthatLukehadcometogivethenewcomersawelcomingspeech.
Welcomenewpadawans,totheJediPraxeum,saidLuke.Helookedateachpadawaninturnandhissmile
grewabitwhenhelookedatHarryandhisgroup.Unnoticedtoall,theblondhairedboyfrombeforenoticed
thisandscowled.
DuringthetimeyouspendhereIhopeyougrowtobegreatJedibutmoreimportantlythatyougrowtobe
greatpeople,saidLuke.AsyougrowasaJediIhopeyouallgrowasapersonandlearntoacceptandeven
embracetheForceasmuchapartofyouasanyofyourlimbs.
Withhisspeechdone,heexplainedtheschedule.Everyonewouldawakenat8amwheretheyproceedtoeat
breakfast.From9amto12pm,theywouldhavelecturesonthenatureoftheForcefromeitherLuke,any
availableMasteratthetime,orevenfromoneoftheholocronstheyhadavailable.At12pmitwastimefor
lunch.At1pmtheywouldeitherhavelightsabertraining,physicaltrainingortrainingintousingtheirForce
abilitiesinvariouswaysdependingontheavailableMasteraswelltheday.
Afterheansweredanyquestionsontheschedule,hetoldthemthatasitwasthefirstdaytheyhaditfreeand
encouragedthemtomingleamongstthemselves.
Harryturnedtohisoldandnewfriendsandtheystartedtotalkaboutwhattomorrowwouldbringwhenthey
interruptedbytheblondhairedboyfrombefore.
So,youmustbetheSolochildrenaswellthehangeronthatMasterSkywalkertookpityon,theboysaid
spitefully.Helookedthemupanddownandsaid,Youdon'tlooklikemuch,I'mmuchstrongerintheForce
thananyofyou.
Thegroupbristledattheinsultoftheirpotentialaswellthewayhegreetedthem.
Perhapsyoushoulddoseewhatwecandobeforeyoupassjudgementonus,saidTenelKafirmly.
Yea,youonlyjustmetus,saidAstraalangrily,What'syournameanyway?
Theboylookedherupanddownandsmiledinwhatheprobablythoughtwascharmingbeforesaying,My
nameisRaynarThul,beautiful.Ifyouwantedtogettoknowmebetter,allyouhadtodowasask.
Astraalleanedawayfromtheboywithalookofdisgustonherface.
Iwouldn'ttouchyouifweneededtorepopulatethegalaxy!,sheexclaimed.
Thegroupfellintolaughteratherdeclarationwhiletheboy'sfaceturnedanangryred,whetherduetoangeror
embarrassmentHarrydidn'tknow.Raynarturnedawayfromthegroupandstartedtowalkawaybeforeturning
backtowardthem.
LikeIwouldwantaTwi'lekwhoreanyway,hestatedangrily.Helookedherupanddownbeforesneeringand
saying,You'reprobablyusedgoodsanyway.
HarryinstantlygotangryandthereforemissedtheflinchAstraalgavewhenhecalledherusedgoods.
Whydon'tyougobacktoyourmothersinceit'sobviousshenevertaughtyouanymanners,saidHarry
angrily.
Raynarjustsneeredathimandwalkedaway.HarryturnedbacktothegroupwhowerecomfortingAstraal.
Don'tlistentohim,saidHarryfirmly.He'sjustjealousthathecan'tbewithagirlasbeautifulasyou.
AstraalblushedatHarry'scommentandsmiledshyly.JainalookedfromHarrytoAstraalandunconsciously
movedclosertoHarryaswellgettingbetweenthetwo.
That'sright,don'tlistentohim.I'msureyou'llbeamuchbetterJedithanhim,saidJaina.Despiteherjealousy,
shecouldn'thelpbefriendingthegirl.Growinguparoundboysandhermotherastheonlyfemalepresenceuntil
herAuntMara,shehadn'thadfemalefriendsbefore.AstraalandTenelKawereherfirstandshewas
determinedtonotletjealousygetintheway.Anyway,itwasjustjealousyfromseeingabrotherpaymore
attentiontoanothergirl.Growingup,JainahadbeenthesolefemalehisagethatHarrydirectedhisattentionto.
Itwasonlynaturaltofeeldiscomfortatitsloss.That'sallitwas...right?
WhileJainawaswrestlingwithinternalfeelings,Harryandtheothershadcometotheagreementtoexplorethe
Academyandsurroundingjungle.Jainashookherheadtogetridofherthoughtsandagreedwiththeidea.The
grouppromptlytookofftoexplore.
ItonlytookthemtwohourstoexploretheentireAcademy.Jaina'sfavoriteplacewasobviouslythehangar.
Whentheyentered,ittookeveryounceofwillpowerinthemforHarryandJainatonotstealashipanddeclare
anotherrace.Thoughtheylookedateachotherastheyleftwithasilentpromisetodosointhefuture.
Harry'sfavoriteplacebyfarwasthetraininggroundssurroundingtheAcademy.Harryalreadyhadplansto
practicehisabilitiesinthetraininggroundsaswellashisabilitytoseeshatterpoints.
Astimepassed,Harryhadlearnedtocontrolhisability.Inthebeginning,theabilityhappenedrandomlyorin
timesofgreatstress.Itusedtotakealotofconcentrationtoforceittohappen.Now,however,ittook
considerablylessconcentration.Harry'sgoalwastobeabletodueitsubconsciouslyandwithoutmucheffort.
Tothatend,hewasscoutingwhichtraininggroundwouldbebest.
Ithadtohaveplentyofstructuresand/orlargerocks,alargeopenarea,withafewtreesintheperimeter.....
there!Hesawitfromwheretheystandingonthe2ndfloor.Itwasbarelyvisiblefromherewhichmeantithad
privacybutcloseenoughthatanyofthemasterwouldbeabletosensehimiftheyneededtofindhim.Itwasn't
likehewaskeepingsecrets,hejustwantedtopracticeinprivate.
Whatyoulookingfor,Harry?askedavoicebehindhim,slightlystartlinghimsincehewassodeepinthought.
ItwasAstraalandshewaslookingathimcuriously.Herquestionhadcaughttheattentionoftheotherswhohad
untilthenbeentalkingamongstthemselves.
Oh,justpickingatraininggroundwhereIcanpracticeoncewegetstarted,explainedHarrysimply.
TenelKaraisedaneyebrowathim.Areyousoeagertogetstarted?sheaskeddoubtfully.Wedon'teven
knowhowtotrainbyourselvesyet.
Harryshruggedandsaid,I'vealreadyhadsomelighttrainingbefore.Ihadtoinordertocontrolmyability.
TheothersjustlookedconfusedbeforeJacenandJainahadalookofrealizationappearontheirfaces.
Youmeantheabilityyouusedwhenwemet?askedJainaexcitedly.Youneverreallyexplaineditallthat
well.
AstraalandTenelKalookedintriguedatthatstatementandlookedatHarryasifawaitinganexplanation.
Suddenly,theyheardagrowlandfewgruntsfrombehindTenelKa.Turningatthesound,theysawitwas
wookiefrombefore.Oncloserinspection,Harrysawhehadsomestreaksofblacktoaccenthisgingercolorthat
areonlynoticeableinthelight.
MasterLowbaccaaskswhatabilitymakesitsoyoumusthavetrainingearly?,thedroidatthewookie's,now
revealedasLowbacca,stated.
Sothat'swhatthedroidisfor,Harryrealized.Itmadesensesincefewpeopleunderstoodthewookielanguage
(Harryonlybydintofbeingraisedaroundawookie).

Nicetomeetyou,Lowbacca,saidHarry.MynameisHarryPotter,theseareJacen,Jaina,TenelKaandthat's
Astraal.Hepointedouteachinturnandtheygreetedthenewarrivalhappily.
Lowbacca,Lowbacca...oh!You'reChewie'snephew!,saidJacenhappily.Hementionedyouwouldstudy
withusacoupleofyearsago.
LowbaccaconfirmedthestatementandaskediftheyweretheSolochildren.Thedroid,introducedas
MTDorEmTeedee,repeatedthestatementinBasicforTenelKaandAstraalwhodidn'tunderstandthe
language.Theyconfirmedhisquestionandexchangednewsontheother'sfamily.
Now,saidTenelKaaftereveryonegotacquainted,whatisthisabilityofyours?
EveryonelookedatHarryeagerly,wantingtouncoverthemystery.JacenandJainascoldedthemselvesfornever
askinghiminalltheyearsthey'dknownhim.Ithadslippedtheirminds.
Well,startedHarry,LukesaidthatwhatIseearecalledshatterpoints.
Everyonejustlookedconfused.Obviously,thiswasthefirsttimethey'dheardoftheability.Notsurprisingsince
therewasonlyonerecordeduserofitinJedihistory.
Astraalaskedthequestionthatwasoneveryone'smind,Whataretheseshatterpoints?

HarrytookadeepbreathandstartedtoexplainwhatLukehadexplainedtohimbeforehestartedtrainingwith
Mara.
Shatterpointsareseveralthings.Ashatterpointinrelationtoanobjectistheweakpointintheobjectthat,ifput
underpressurewiththeForcecancausetheobjecttoshatter.Forexample,ifIconcentrateIcanseethe
shatterpointinMandalorianironanddestroyitwithjustataponit'sshatterpointwiththeForce,heexplained
totheothers.
Theylookedsuitablyimpressed.Afterall,itwaswellknownthatMandalorianironwasimpervioustoevena
lightsaber.Itcantakealightsaberatfullswingandcomeoutbarelysinged.
Also,continuedHarry,itcanbeusedinrelationtoevents.Icanseewhenamomentintimecanchangethe
entirecourseofabattleoreventcompletely.TheonlythingisthatIdon'tknowifit'llbeforgoodorforill.An
exampleisthatIcanseethatdestroyingacertainshipintheopposingsidecanchangeacompletedefeatonour
sideintovictory.
Theotherslookedevenmoreimpressedandalittleenvious.NotevenJacenandJaina,whohadseenhimusehis
abilitybefore,couldhaveimaginedsomethinglikethatbeingpossible.
YouaregoingtobeapowerfulJediKnight,statedTenelKafirmly.
Harrysmiledsheepishlyandsaid,Myabilitydoesn'tguaranteethatTenelKathoughitdoesgivemeanedge.It
isn'tunbeatableeitherorIwouldbeabletobeatJedimasterseasilywhichiswayoutofmyabilitiesrightnow.
Perhaps,agreedTenelKa,butyourdedicationtoperfectitaswellasyourdeterminationtostarttrainingas
earlyaspossiblewill.
Shestatedthisasaforegoneconclusionwithoutahintofdoubtinhervoice.ThatalonemadeHarrymakehis
nextstatement.
Doyouguyswanttotrainwithme?heasked.Theylookedconfusedathisquestion.Imean,I'mgoingtodo
extratrainingbeyondwhatthey'regoingtogiveushere.You'reallwelcometojoinme.You'reincludedaswell
Lowbacca.
Theylookedintriguedattheideaandquicklyagreedtoit.Alittleextratrainingdidn'thurtanyone.Howbad
coulditbe?
Thenextday(5am)
Jainawascurrentlysnoringincompletebliss.Shehadoneleghangingoffthebedwhilesheetsweretangledall
overherform.Shewasthepictureofpeacefulandblissfulsleep.
GOODMORNING!!,screamedavoicerightnextherear.
Withascream,Jainawokeupandduetobeingentangledinhersheetspromptlyfeelonherassonthefloor.
JainaglaredupatHarrywhohadfallendownlaughingathercutescream.
Whattimeisit?shedemanded.Lookingattheholoclockonherdresser,shegaveHarryahorrifiedlook.
WhoinPalpatine'ssaggyleftnutwakesupat5am?!sheexclaimed.
Youdofromnowon,statedHarrywithawickedsmile.Ordon'tyouwanttotrainwithme?
Atthisstatement,Jainawasconflicted.Ononehand,shewantedtokeepupwithHarryandnotfallbehind(not
tomentionlearnhowtousetheForce)butontheother,thebedwascallingforher.Sheinternallycried,the
thingsIdotobeaJediKnight.
SeeingJaina'sacquiescence,Harrytoldhertogetdressedandmeetinhisroomandpromptlylefttowakethe
others.
AfterseveraldeaththreatsfromJacen,criesofbeingapervertfromthefemalesandalmostbeingdismembered
byLowbaccatheyhadallgatheredinHarry'sroom.Harryhadasmileonhisfacewhiletheotherfivepotential
Jediwerelookingathimasifcontemplatinghowtohidethebody.
Nowthatwe'reallwideawakeandcleareyed,saidHarrycheerfully,atthistheyglaredharderandLowbaca
gaveagrowlthatEmTeedeerefusedtotranslate,thefirstthingwe'regoingtodowhenwereachthetraining
groundisaseriesofstretches.Believeme,you'llthankmeforitafterwards.
TheyfollowedHarryoutofhisroomanddownthecorridortowardthemainentrance.Theyweremetthereby
Luke.
MayIaskwhateveryoneisdoingupsoearly?askedLuke.Hehadanideabutwantedtoconfirmhis
thoughts.

JustgettinganearlystartDad,ImeanMasterSkywalker,saidHarrysheepishly.Momgavemeaseriesof
exercisesthatshesaidaregoodforoveralldevelopmentandsincethemorningisspentinlecturesIthoughtwe
cangetextraearlytogetinabitofphysicalpractice.
Lukesmiledathispsuedosonandcouldn'thelpbutfeelabitofprideatseeinghowserioushewastakinghis
Jeditraining.Moststudentsdon'tgettheideaofextratraininguntiltheygetamaster.Afterall,everylittlebit
helps.
That'sfine,saidLuke,butnexttimetellmebeforeleavingtheAcademy.Afterall,thereisn'tmuchbutthere
ISstilldangerinthejunglearoundhere.
Harrynoddedathisfatherfigureandwalkedouttowardhischosentrainingground.Theothersfollowedafter
himdraggingtheirfeet.TheyhadhadthehopethatMasterSkywalkerwouldmakethemgobacktobedbutthat
hopewasnowdashed.
Whentheyreachedthetrainingground,Harryledthemthroughaseriesofstretchesdesignedtowakethemup
aswellaskeepthemlimber.Hecorrectedthemwhentheywereindangerofcausingthemselvesharm.There
wasafunnymomentwhenJainawastryingtotouchhertoesandHarrycameupbehindhertocorrectherand
accidentlytouchedherbackside.AfterbackpedalingfromaredfacedJainaandswearingthatwasn'this
intentionhedecidedthathewouldverballycorrectthemunlesstherewasnootheroption.Aftertheyweredone
(andignoringAstraalwhenshepurposefullydidastretchwrongsoHarrywouldhavetophysicallycorrecther),
theyproceededtotheexercises.
Thefirstexerciseconsistedofdoingacircuitwithobstaclesanddifferentterraininplace.Thepurposeofit
wasn'ttimeorspeedbutratherbalance.Theyhadtobeabletokeeptheirbalancewhileswitchingterrains.Mara
hadmadeHarrydothisaswell.Thoughtheyhadpracticedwithlightsabersinacleanopenapartment,shehad
emphasizedthefactthatmaynotalwaysbethecasesohehadtobeabletokeephisbalance.Afterall,whatuse
isbeinggoodwithalightsaberifyoutripoverarockandimpaleyourself?TheForcedoesn'tpreventyoufrom
beingclumsy.
Theyrantheprepreparedcircuit(Harryhaddoneitaftertheypartedwaysyesterday)foranhour.
Thenextexercisewasbasicallypracticingspeedandendurance.Theywouldrunfromonesideofthetraining
groundtotheotheruntiltheyweretired.Thepurposewastoimprovestaminaaswellasimprovetheirbase
runningspeed.ThiswouldmakethespeedtheyhadwhentheyusedtheForcethatmuchfaster.Thefirsttostop
wasTenelKaafter10minutes.Itwasobviousshedidn'thavemuchstaminaandshelookeddisappointedin
herself.Harrystoppedmomentarilytogiveheracomfortingsmileaswellaspatonthebackbeforecontinuing.
ThenextonetostopwasAstraalat20minutes.Herpreviousoccupationasadancerhadgivenherstaminadue
tosometimeshavingtodanceforhoursonendbutnoteventhatcouldprepareherforthis.Soonafter,Jacenand
Jainastoppedat25minutes.Theyhadgoneuntiltheyliterallydroppedwheretheystood.ThelegendarySolo
stubbornnessshowingthrough.ThelasttwowereLowbaccaandHarry.Lowbaccastoppedat45minutesonhis
handsandkneesbreathingdeeply.Harrycontinueduntilonehourandahalfhadgonebybeforestopping.He
tookoffhisshirtduetotheheat,unknowinglygivingthegirlsashow.TenelKaandJainalookedathiswell
formedupperbodywithablushontheircheekswhileAstraallookedathimwithahintoflustinhereyes.
Thefinalexercisewaspullups.Thisgavethemupperbodystrengthforstrongblowsandthelike.Thegoalwas
10setsof15butHarrytoldthemtostopiftheycouldn'tgoanymorecausehedidn'twantthemtohurt
themselves.Intheend,onlyLowbaccaandHarrycouldfinishthesets.
Lookingtowardthesun,Harryguessedtheyhadhalfanhourbeforebreakfastsohesaidtheyshouldgotake
showersandgetintotheirrobes.
Theyallagreedanddraggedthemselvestothefreshers.
Sameday8am
Thegroupmetupagainafterbathingandchangingintotheirpadawanrobes.Harryinformedthemhedidthat
everymorningandwerewelcometojoinhim.Whentheylearnedhow,hewouldincludeForceabilitiesintothe
practice.Healsowarnedthemthattodayhadbeentheonlyonehewouldwakethemupforsoiftheywantedto
continuethey'dhavetosettheholoclocks.Theyallbegrudginglyagreed.
Aftertheyreachedthediningareaandgettingtheirbreakfast,theyfellontothefoodlikeravagingcannibals.
EvenTenelKaseemedtohaveforgottenhermannersinherquestforsustenance.OnlyHarryateinhisnormal
waywithasmileonhisface.IntheMaster'stable,thebattlemasterKyleKatarnlookedatthesceneinshock
beforeLukeleanedoverandexplainedittohimcausinghimtobreakintolaughter.
Aftertheirsecondhelping(thirdforLowbacca),itwastimeforclasssotheyallwalkedtowardtheGrand
AudienceChamber.
Lukewaswaitingforthemwithasmileonhisface.Afterhemadesureeveryonewaspresent,hestartedthe
lecture.
ThefirstthingthatwemustexplainiswhattheForceis,hestarted.TheForceisanenergyfieldcreatedby
alllivingthings.Itsurroundsus,penetratesusandbindsthegalaxytogether.Thoseweretheexactwordsmy
firstmaster,ObiWanKenobi,usedtodescribeit.Inmypersonalexperience,theForceisexactlythatandmore.
TothisdayitisstillunknowniftheForceisathinkingentity,anapatheticdeityorsimplyanenergyfield.
Soyoudon'tknowwhattheForceisexactly?interruptedRaynarrudely.
Lukelookedathimbeforeresponding,No,Raynar.NoJediorSithhaseverbeenabletoadequatelyexplainits
exactnature.Ifit'sjustafountofenergy,howdoesitguidethosesensitivetoit?Ifit'sabenevolentdeity,why
doesitallowtheSithtoexistandwieldit'spower?Ifit'smalevolent,whydoesitguideJeditoprotectthe
innocent?ThesearejustthesomeofthequestionsForcesensitivehaveaskedsincethediscoveryoftheForce,
originallycalledtheWay,andwearestillnoclosertoananswer.Anyquestions?
TenelKaraisedherhandandLukenoddedtoher.
Ifwedon'tknowwhatitis,howcanweadequatelywieldit?askedTenelKahesitantly.Isn'titdangerousto
wieldsomethingwedon'thavefullunderstandingof?
Normallythisistrue,saidLukeacknowledgingthepoint.However,JedihavewieldedtheForceforover
25,000yearsifnotlonger.Theyhavebothcometotheconclusionthatitisbettertolearntowielditresponsibly
thantoignoreit.PowerfulForcesensitivesusuallydon'thaveachoiceinthematter.Theyaresostronginthe
ForcethatwithoutadequatetrainingtheForcecancontrolthem.
WhatabouttheSith,askedRaynarinhispompoustone.WhatdotheybelieveabouttheForce?
Atthis,LukelookedatRaynarwithadeeppenetratinggazethatmadehimsquirmabitbeforeanswering.
SithbelievetheForceisatoollikeanyothertowieldastheyseefit,respondedLukefirmly.Theycare
nothingforhowtheiractionsaffectothersbeyondifitbenefitsthem.TrueSithseektocontroltheworldaround
themandconstantlystriveformorepowerwithoutconsequence.WeJedifightthembecausetheycause
destruction,deathandsufferingtoallthosearoundthem.
ThiseffectivelyshutRaynarup.Whiletooyoungtoremember,hemusthaveheardstoriesoftheatrocities
committedbyEmperorPalpatine.Themostglaringwasaroundthem,thecompletedestructionoftheOldJedi
Order.
Seeingthattherewerenomorequestions,Lukecontinuedthelesson.Harry,however,wasdeepinthought.
WhatexactlydifferentiatesaJedifromaSith?Thepowerstheywield?Theirmotives?Orperhapssomething
deeper?Coulditbeamixofthethreeorperhapsnoneofthem?WhatexactlyturnsaJediintoaSith?
HarryhadheardthestoryofAnakinSkywalker.Heknewhowgoodintentionscansometimesleadtotragedy
anddarkness.YetLukealwayssaidthatwhenhedied,hereturnedtobeingaJedi.Couldthedifferenceliein
somethingdeeper?Perhapsithaslesstoduewithmotives,actionsorpowersandmoretodowiththevery
natureoftheForce.WhileHarrydidn'tdoubtthatthereweresomepowersfirmlyLightorDark,hewondered
howtheyweredifferentiated.Intheemotionsneededtopowerthem?Intheresultsapowercauses?Perhapsit
wasallofthisandnone.Onethingwascertain.Harrywouldspendhisentirelifetryingtofindout.
EndNotes:
AN:Here'schapter3.Nowyouhavemoreofanideaoftherelationshipbetween
LukeandHarry.ThisrelationshipwillhaveastrongimpactonHarry'sviewofthe
Force.ItwillalsoimpactvariousareasofhislifeduetoLukebeinghisrolemodel.
ItshouldbenotedthattheFathersonrelationshipbetweenthemwillhavea
negativeimpactontherelationshipbetweenHarryandJainaduetohimbeingher
pseudocousin.Bothwilldenytheirfeelingsforalongtimduetothis.

Chapter4willbeafterasmalltimeskipandwillgomoreindepthintoHarryand
hisviewoftheForceaswellasasmallpeakintohisvastpotential.Itwilltakea
whiletowriteitsobepatient!

Pleasereview!
Backtoindex
AJedi'slightsaberbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter4
Late21ABY
Harrywassittingcrossleggedonthegroundofwhathenowconsideredhispersonaltrainingground.He
enteredalightmeditationtranceinordertoconcentrateonthetaskathand.
IthadbeeneightmonthssincehehadenteredtheAcademywiththeothers.Hehadprogressedrapidlyinalmost
allareasoftrainingthatevensomeMasterswerecallinghimaprodigy(somethingMarasmuglysaidwasdueto
hergeniustraining).Harrybelieveditwassimplyduetohisdedicationshowninhislargeamountofextra
practicehours.
Currently,hewastraininghistelekinesisandspatialawareness.Ashebreathedouthestretchedouthissensesto
thefullest.MostJedidependedontheForcetowarnthemofdangerintimetoreact.However,Harrywasn't
mostJedi.Harry'sfavoritelightsaberformofMakashiwasalsocalledWayoftheYsalamiri.Ysalamirarefurry
lizardlikecreaturesfromtheplanetMyrkrwellknownfortheirabilitytorepeltheForce.GrandAdmiral
ThrawnhadusedittoprotecthimselffromJediforcepowersandevenhadhiselitesoldierscarryoninatank
theycarriedontheirbacks.ThisshowedHarrythatthereweretimeswhentheForcewouldnotworkonan
enemysohetrainedhisnormalsensesforthateventuality.
Harryhadbeentraininghissensessincehelearnedoftheselimitations.Whilethechancesofmeetingsomeone
whoemployedthesemethodswererare,asMarasaid,1%chanceisstillachance.Harrysmiledtohimselfas
herememberedhismotherfigure.ShehadbeenvisitingthePraxeummuchmoreoftenlatelyandHarryhada
faintideathatinvolvedhim.ShealwaysseemedtobewatchingwhentheywerepracticingandHarrycould
almostfeelherpridewhenhecompletedataskquickerthanmost.
Harrybanishedthedistractingthoughtsandconcentratedonthetaskathand.Heslowlystartedtohoverafoot
abovetheground.AlightsheenofsweatwasvisibleonHarry'sface.Thiswasharderthanitlookedduetothe
factthatHarrywaswearingweights.Hehadstartedtousethemabout3monthsbeforeandhadtriedtoconvince
theotherstoaswell.Aftertheytriedtokillhimforthesuggestionhedidn'tbringitupagain.
HarryopenedhimselfmoretotheForceandallowedittofillhimwithstrength.Anotherpointoftheexercise
wastoseewhatwasthelimitontheamountofForceenergyhecouldtakeintohimselfbeforeitstartedtocause
himdamage.Whenhestartedtofeelaslightburninginhiscenter,hestoppedhimself.Nowhoveringtwofeet
abovethegroundhestartedthesecondpartofhistraining.
Allaroundhimwerevariousgadgets,smallenginesandevenasmallswoopbike.UsingtheForcehemadethem
allhoveraboutafootabovetheground.Slowlyandwithgreatprecision,hestartedtakingthemapartwhilestill
hoveringabovetheground.Hedidn'ttakethemapartbyrippingthemintochunksoranythinglikethat.He
slowlyundidthescrewsholdingthemtogethermuchlikeanengineeroramechanicwould.Thepurposeofthe
exercisewastocontrolhispower.Ifhestartedtolosecontrolofoneoftheobjects,he'dstop,putitdownslowly
andconcentrateontheothers.Theideawastofindthelimittohisconcentrationandexpandit.
Afterabout40minutes,Harrywassurroundedbyvariouspartsthatdidn'tevenslightlyresembleanyofthe
objectstheyusedtobe.Itlookedmorelikeamechanic'ssupplyclosetthanafieldofwhatusedtobevarious
gadgetsandengines.
Nowcamethehardpart.Harrytookadeepbreathbeforeslowlylettingitout.TheentiretimeHarryhad
continuedtohoverafootabovetheground.HarryopenedhimselftotheForceathislimitandstartedtheslow
processofputtingthemalltogetheragain.WhileHarryknewhowmostoftheobjectsworked,hehadnoidea
howtoproperlyconstructthem.HeusedtheForcetoguidehimonwhichobjectbelongedwhere.
Aftertwoandahalfhours(considerablylongerthanittooktotakethemapart),hewasonceagainsurrounded
bythesameobjectshehadwhenhestarted.Nowdrenchedinsweatandmentallytired,Harrypickedupthe
holoclockinfrontofhim.Holdinghisbreath,heturneditonandsmiledbrightlywhenitworkedwithouta
problem.
Givingawhoopofjoy,HarryproceededtoreturnallthegadgetstotheirplacesinthePraxeum.Bythetimehe
wasdonethesunhadset.TheyhadhadthedayoffduetotheMastersbeingbusyinothermatters.Theywere
leftinthecareofMasterKatarnbuthewasrecoveringfromhiswoundsfromamissionsocouldn'ttrainthem.
AuntLeiawasresuminghertenureasChiefofStatewhileLukeandMarawereenjoyingtheirsecond
honeymoon.WhenHarryaskedwhytheywerehavingasecondone,Marablushedandstammeredforthefirst
timehe'deverheardwhileLukefelldownlaughing.Hechalkedituptotheirmindsgoingintheiroldage.
Harryhadspentthemorningwithhisfriendsbutexcusedhimselftotrainaftermiddaymeal.
Whilehehadtrainedhimselfrigorously,histraininghadasecondobjective.ThemastershadagreedthatHarry
wasreadytoattempttomakehislightsaber.
Harryhadspentmuchtimethinkingonwhathewantedaswellwhatcrystalstouse.Unliketheothers,Harry
wasnotcontentwiththesimplelightsaberhiltsavailable.SincehelearnedthebasicsofMakashi,Harryhas
alreadyhadanideaonwhatlightsaberhewantedtobuild.Hewantedacurvedhiltlightsaber.Thecurvedhilt
wasperfectforduelingaswellasgavethewielderbettercontroloftheblade.ForsomeonelikeHarrywhowas
allaboutprecisionandcontrolofthebattle,itwasperfect.However,Harrywasn'tgoingtobuildonelightsaber.
Hewasgoingtobuildthree.
Originally,hewasonlygoingtobuildapairofcurvedhiltlightsabers.However,thatwasbeforehefoundout
whatthethreecrystalsinhispossessionactuallywere.GrowingupwiththeSolos,Harryhadbeendrawnall
overthegalaxyduringLeia'smanyvisitstootherworlds.WhileonavisittoCorelliaayearago,Harryhad
slippedawayfromthegroupduetoastrangeurgehefeltcomingfromanothersector.Whileexploringthearea,
hestumbleduponamanwhohadbeenshot.HarrypanickedandtriedtousehisburgeoningForcepowersto
helptheman.Thoughhefailed,themanthankedhimfortryingandgaveHarrythreecrystalsonesmallblue
one,onesmallredoneandamediumorangeone.Hesaidtheyweremeantforhimandwouldservehimwell.
Hediedsoonaftertellinghimthis.
MarafoundhimsoonafterwhentheSoloshadrealizedhewasmissingandcalledMarawhowasclosebyto
helpinthesearch.NeedlesstosayshewasnotpleasedandHarryforgottotellheraboutthecrystals.
HeonlyrememberedthemwhenLuketoldhimhewasreadytobuildhislightsaber.Whenheshowedthemto
LukeandMara,theywereflabbergasted.HarrywasactuallyafraidforamomentthatLukewasgoingtohavea
heartattack.Aftercomposingthemselves,theyexplainedwhatthecrystalswere.Themediumorangeonewas
knownonlyastheSolari.ItwasalegendarycrystaloftheJedithatwastheverysymbolofthelightside.It
couldusuallyonlybewieldedbyJediandwasimpossibletocorruptwiththedarkside.Thesmallblueonewas
calledtheMantleoftheForcewhilethesmallredonewascalledtheHeartoftheGuardian.TheHeartofthe
GuardianwassaidtohavesomethingtodowiththeJedioriginsthoughthatisadebatedtopic.TheMantleof
theForcewaslastwieldedbythelegendaryMasterRevan.
Needlesstosay,Harrywasstunned.HetriedtogivethemtoLukeforsafekeepingbutLukerefusedsayingthat
ifhecameabouttheminsuchastrangeway,hewasmeanttohavethem.TheForceworkedinmysteriousways
supposedly.
Duetothis,Harrychangedhisplansfrombuildingapairtobuildingthree.Whilemostwouldthinkhewould
placeonecrystalineach,Harryhadotherplans.Insteadofbuildingthestandardlightsabersthatalltheother
JediintheNewOrderhadwithonlyonecrystal,Harrywasgoingtobuildthreelightsabersthateachhadthree
crystalseach.ItwasHarry'swayofhonoringtheoldwaysoftheOldOrder.Whilemuchmoredifficult,Harry
didn'tliketakingshortcutswhenitcametoimportantthings.Hehadbeenplanningonbuildinghislightsabers
thiswaysinceMaragavehimalonglectureonlightsaberswhentheystartedtraining.Hewasn'tgoingto
changehisplansnow.
However,aproblemcamefromthefactthattheonlyknowncurvedhiltlightsaberswereCountDooku'sand
AsajjVentress's.Thedesignonthelightsaberhiltisalsolosttotheages.Duetothis,Harrywouldhavetousea
basiclightsaberhiltdesignandadaptittoacurve.Harryknewthatabasiccurvedhiltlightsaberhadaslight
anglefromthehandgripuptotheemitter.However,that'sallHarryknew.Hewouldhavetocreateawholenew
designfromscratch.
Harryscowledtohimself.HehadfoundoutthattheNewOrderusedtobeinpossessionoftheTeldryn
HolocronbutitwasdestroyedbythespiritofExarKun.Allthatknowledgelost!Whoknewifithadknowledge
onlightsaberformsaswellaslightsaberdesigns.Itwouldhavehelpedimmensely.TheOldOrderhadatleast
10holocrons(ifnotmore)intheirpossessionbeforethePurge.Ofthoseholocrons,onlythreehadbeenfound:
theTeldrynholocron(nowdestroyed),Kaerobani'sholocron(recoveredbyMaraherself)andArcaJeth's
(recoveredbyJediMasterhistorianTionne).Neitherofthelattertwohadanyknowledgeonlightsabersdesigns.
Harrypromisedtohimselfhewouldfindtheotherholocronssofutureapprenticeswouldn'thavehisproblem.
Anotherproblemwasgettingmorecrystalsforhislightsabers.Harrywishedfornaturalcrystalsbecausehe
believedthetrialshewentthroughtogetthemaswellasrefiningthemandinstallingthemwouldmakefor
strongerconnectionbetweenlightsaberandJedi.Afteramonthofplanning(aswellasconsultingKaerobani's
holocronwhichhadalistofgoodlightsabercrystalsaswellastheirlocations)heknewexactlywhatcrystalshe
wanted.Theproblembeingthattheyweresixinallandindifferentpartsofthegalaxy.
HarrymanagedtoguilttripMaratwomonthsago(sayinghowshewouldleavehimallalonetogoonthe
honeymoonsoon)intotakinghimtoretrievethecrystals.ToughMaramightbe,butonelookintoHarry'ssad
eyesandshewasputtyinhishands.Afterseveralclosecallsandmuchtrading(heevenhadtotradesomeofhis
bestselfmadeengines)hemanagedtogetallsixcrystals:Afirkhanncrystal,apairofhurrikainecrystals,a
permafrostcrystal,abondarcrystal,adantooinecrystalandanopilacrystalthathewouldrefineintojenruax.
Whentheycameback,MarakeptmutteringabouthatingthecoldandneverreturningtoHothagain(theyhad
spenttwodaysinthewildlookingforapermafrostcrystal,Harrysaidhewantedonethatwasattunedtohim
alone).Whenhementionedthatthetrialswerepartoftheinitiation,Marastatedthatbeingdraggedacrossthe
galaxywassuchatrialthatthecrystalsmightaswellbehers.ShelaughedwhenHarryrefusedtoleaveMara
alonewithhiscrystalsafterthatcomment.
Nowhefinallyhadeverythingreadytobuildhislightsaber.
Inhonorofhisadoptivefather'sfatheraswellashisadoptivemother,Harry'smainlightsaberwasgoingtouse
allthreerarecrystals(MantleoftheForceandHeartoftheGuardianasfocusingcrystalswiththeSolariasthe
maincrystal)andbemadeexactlythesameasAnakinSkywalker's(nowMara's)lightsaber.Whilethelightsaber
isbetterusedbyusersoftheNewJediOrder'sstrongstyleandHarrywasprimarilyafaststyleuser,Harrycould
adapthisfightingstyletosuitit.Thelightsaberwasmadetohonorhisadoptivegrandfather'smemoryanyway.
Thatwasonethingthatrankledhim.ThefalloftheOldJediOrdermeantalossofalmostallknowledgeof
lightsaberforms.TheNewOrderbasicallyhadtostartfromscratch.IfHarryevermadeaholocron,hiswould
probablyrevolvearoundlightsaberformsandcombataswellasthedifferencebetweenlightsideanddarkside.
ThelatterhadbeensomethingthathadbeenonhismindeversincehisfirstlessonintheAcademy.
Asapersonwhocanseeshatterpoints,Harryknewthatonesinglemomentcanchangethingsirrevocably.The
problemwasknowingwhetherchangingitwouldbeforgoodorforill.Harrydidn'twanttochangethingsfor
theworstduetoasingledecision.
AsHarrywalkedintothePraxeumdeepinthought,hesawJainawaitingforhim.Jainahadgrownintoher
powersincejoiningthePraxeum.WhilenotasadeptasHarryinlightsaberdueling,shemorethanmadeupfor
itinherpilotingaswellasherrawpowerandForceabilities.Shelikedtoteasehimthatshewasstrongersince
shecouldpickuplargerboulderswithmoreease.HarrysimplysaidthatmaybethatmeantsheandJacenwere
actuallyidenticaltwins(1).ThebeatinghereceivedafterwardsshowedHarrythatangryfemalesreallywerethe
mostdangerouscreaturesinthegalaxy.
WhilenotatthelevelofAnakin,Harrywasaboutequalwiththetwinsintermsofrawpower.Hejust
emphasizedmoreoncontrolofthatpowerthantheydid.Whilethismadehimmoreadeptattechniquesthat
requiredprecision,thetwinscouldmoreeasilyusetechniquesthatjustrequiredrawpower.Anexamplewas
thatwhileHarrycouldcontrolandlevitatemanymediumsizedboulderssimultaneously,Jainacouldeasilypick
upalargeboulderandthrowitwithrawpowertowardhimeasily.Harrycouldstopitbutsincehewasn'tat
adeptatchannelingthatmuchpower,he'dprobablybecrushedbeforehecouldstopit.Thatwasanotherreason
thatHarrywassogoodatdodging.Jainawouldnowcheatduringtheirracesandthrowbouldersinhiswayto
slowhimdown.Cheater,hethoughtamusedly.
WhenHarryreachedJaina,hecockedaneyebrowatherquestioningly.MayIhelpyou,JayJay?heasked
amusedly.
Aftersendinghimasmallglareathimforthechildhoodnickname(apparentlyatthirteenshewasnowtooold
fornicknames)sheasked,Wheredidyougoallafternoon?Trainingagain?Sheheldaundertoneofdisbelief
aswellassuspicioninhervoice.
Raisingtheothereyebrowathersuspicioustonehenodded.
Andyouhaven'tseenAstraalatall?sheaskeddisbelievinglywithanundertoneofanger.
No,saidHarry.Wasn'tshewithyouguys?
Yeabutsheleftsoonafteryoudid,saidJaina.
Ah,thoughtHarry,thatexplainsit.Lately,JainahadgottenextracattywheneverHarryandAstraaldisappeared
atthesametime.SheprobablythoughttherewassomethinggoingonbetweenthemandwasangrythatHarry
washidingit.
IfonlyHarryknewhewasonlyhalfright.
Shakinghisheadamusedly,Harrysaid,Ihaven'tseenheralldayplusIdidinviteyouguystocomewithme
butyouguyswantedtobelazyfortheday.ThosewereactuallyyourexactwordsifIrecall.
Grumblingunderherbreathshereplied,YeabutIdidn'tthinkyou'dbeouttillsunset.Youdon'thangoutwith
meanymore.HertonewassoheartwrenchingthatHarryalmostpulledherintoahug.
ButIspendmostofmytimewithyouguys,saidHarryinaconfusedtone.
Itwastrue.WhileHarrydidtrainalot,hespentmostofhisfreetimewithhisfriendseithertrainingorjust
hangingout.EvenHarryknewthateveryoneneededtimeofftraining.Besidesthat,Harrywasn'taboutto
abandonhisfriendsinordertotrain24/7.Thatwasjustcrazy.
Yea,withallofus.Notjustyouandmelikeweusedto.Youknow,justhangingoutandtalkingenginesand
stuff,explainedJaina.
Harryrealizedwithasinkingfeelingthatitwastrue.Intheeightmonthshe'dbeenintheAcademyhe'dnever
spentalonetimewithJaina.Theyusedtospendhoursalonejustbouncingideasoffeachotherabouteverything
andnothing.Jainaandhimclickedinawayhe'dneverexperiencedwithsomeoneelse.Theyunderstoodeach
otherandsharedtheirmostprivatefeelings.TheonlyotherpersonshedidthatwithwasJacenandhewasher
twinsoitwasnatural.Lookingathercrestfallenface,heunderstoodhowmuchhisunknowingignorancehad
hurther.WhileJainawasverymuchatomboy,shetookafterherfatherinalmosteverything(althoughHarry
noticedmomentswheresheactedlikeLeiamorethanHan).ButevenshehadhersoftspotsandHarrywasone
oftheluckyfewtoseethem.
Harrysmiledapologeticallyatherandthrewanarmoverhershoulder,drawingherintoahug.
Howaboutyouandmegodiscusswhatkindoflightsaberyouwant?askedHarry.Heknewshewasslightly
jealousofthefactthatHarrywaschosentobuildhislightsaberalready.Itprobablydidn'thelpthatAstraalwas
alsochosen.
JainaandAstraalhasasemifriendlyrivalrybetweenthem.Harrysaidsemifriendlybecausethereweresome
raretimeswheretheyargued(usuallysomethinginvolvinghim)thattherewasarealundercurrentofhostility
betweenthem.However,thetwowerefriendlymostofthetimeandthoseothertimeswererare.
Jainabrightenedathisquestionandnoddedherheadeagerlybeforedragginghimtoherroomallthetime
discussingthedifferentkindofhilts,whichcrystalsheshouldsynthesizeorshouldshefindanaturalonelike
him.Harrychuckledatherenthusiasmbeforerememberingsomethingwhenshementionedherlightsaber
crystal.
Waitformeinyourroom,I'vegotsomethingforyou,saidHarryexcitedlybeforerunningtohisroom.
Findingwhathewaslookingfor,heranbacktoJaina'sroomwhereshewaswaiting.Shelookedathim
inquisitively,noticingthatHarryhadahandhiddenbehindhisback.
Whatdoyouhavethere?askedJainasuspiciously.
Trustmeandcloseyoureyesforasecond,saidHarry.
Lookingathiminsuspicionforasecond,shecompliedafterthreateningtocastratehimifitwasatrick.After
closinghereyes,shefeltHarrygrabherrighthandandplacesomethingthere.Openinghereyes,shesawtwo
crystals:onebeautifulpurpleoneandasmall(almosttiny)yellowtoclearone.JainastaredatHarryindisbelief.
Hehadactuallygivenherlightsabercrystals!
Harry,isthiswhatIthinkitis?askedJainainrisingexcitement.
Ifyou'rethinkthey'relightsabercrystalsthenyes,youare,saidHarrysmugly.
Wheredidyougetthese?askedJainadisbelievingly.
Well,rememberwhenIwentwithMomtogetthecrystalsformylightsabersbecauseIwantednaturalones
andnotsynthcrystals?saidHarry.Jainanoddedherheadaskinghimtocontinue.Well,whenIwentto
HurikanetogetahurrikainecrystalforoneofmylightsabersIstumbleduponapairofthem.Theywerealmost
exactlythesameandseemedtohavegrowntogether.So,Itookoneformeandbroughttheotheroneforyou.
Thecrystalskindaremindedmeofus,youknow?Aboutthesameageandgrowinguptogether.Thesmallclear
oneisasmallpieceoftheSolaricrystalthatseemstohavebrokenoffitatsomepoint.Thatwayyouhavea
pieceoftwooutthreeofmylightsabers.
Jainawasatalossofwords.Hehadgoneoutofhiswayandthoughtofherenoughtobringheralightsaber
crystalaswellaspieceofthelegendarySolaricrystal.Despitehisdistancetheselastfewmonths,thisoneact
showedhowmuchhethoughtofher.Shesniffedonceandhuggedhimstrongly.Huggingherback,shedidn't
havetosayanything.Harryunderstood.
Thenextday(8am)
ItturnedoutthatAstraalwasalsotrainingyesterdayinordertobuildherlightsaber.Theyweregatheredaround
theirtableformorningmealanddiscussingAstraal'sidea.
So,you'regoingtobuildtwolightsabers?askedJacen.
Astraalnoddedherheadsaying,Remember,I'mtryingtoemulateAaylaSecurainsomewayswhileaddingmy
owntwisttoit.I'mveryacrobaticandflexibleandI'mverygoodatmixingAtaruandtheAcademy'sfaststyle.
Itmakessensetotakeadvantageofthis.
It'llbetoughtobuild.Still,twoisbetterthangoingcrazyandbuildingthreerightHarry?teasedJaina.
HarrygaveJainaadeadpanlookandsaid,Biteme,JayJay.
Jainaturnedredinangerathisusageofhernicknamewhiletheothersdescendedintolaughter(exceptTenelKa
whojustsmiled).
Idon'tunderstandthebigdealwithmakingalightsaber.It'sjustaweapon,right?askedTenelKaafter
everyonecalmeddown.
Theothersstaredatherindisbelief.What?sheaskedafterafewminutesofsilence.
TenelKa,askedHarryhesitantly.Alightsaberismorethanaweapon.Alightsaberisasymbolofwhatthat
Jedirepresents.It'sanextensionofwhoyouarebothintheForceandasaperson.
Idonotunderstand,saidTenelKaconfusedly.
Compareitto,saidHarrytryingtothinkofasuitablecomparison.DotheDathomirleadersofyourclanhave
anyceremonialorimportantclothingandstaff?
Yes,confirmedTenelKa.Theleaderusesastaffthathasbeenpasseddownfromleadertoleaderfor
generationsandissaidtohavecomefromAllyaherself.
Well,compareittothat,saidHarry.Howwouldyoufeelifanewleaderischosenandshedecidestousea
differentstaffbecauseit'smadeofhardermaterial?
TenelKahadanappalledlookonherfaceattheveryidea.Iwoulddemandthatanotherleaderbechosen!The
staffismorethanjustasticktowieldasaweapon!exclaimedTenelKa.
Exactly,saidHarry.AlightsaberismorethanjustaweaponorsymbolofyourstatusasaJedi.Whenyou
buildyourlightsaber,youhavetotakegreatcareintoit.You'reliterallybuildingaphysicalextensionofyourself
thatwillsurviveafteryou'regone.ThereisareasonyouneedtheForcetobuildone.Rushingitordoingit
carelesslyisthesameasdiscardingyourleader'sstaffbecauseit'sweakerthananother.
TenelKalookeddown,deepinthought.Shehadneverthoughtofitlikethat.Ifwhathesaidwastrue,she
wouldhavetotakegreatercareinbuildingherlightsaber.Originally,shehadthoughtthatallthatmatteredwasa
warrior'sskillandthatalightsaberwasjustaweapon.Shestillbelievedthattoanextentbutsheunderstoodthat
foraJedi,thebuildingofhis/herlightsaberwasariteofpassageandwasasimportantasanyceremonyof
Dathomirculture.TohurryitordoitoutofhandwouldbetodisgraceherJediteacherswhospenttimetoteach
her.
SeeingthatTenelKawasthinkingaboutit,Harryturnedbacktotheothers.
Istilldon'tunderstandwhyyou'rebuildingthreelightsabers,saidJaina,shakingherhead.
LowbaccamadeacommentaboutHarrymaybegrowinganotherarmtocompensatemakingthegroupdescend
intolaughteragain.
I'mmakingonemainlightsaber,explainedHarry.Theothertwoaregoingtobecurvedhiltlightsabersused
exclusivelyinlightsabersduels.It'stotakeadvantageofmyabilitytoseeshatterpointsandnaturalagilityto
breakanopponentsdefensequickly.
So,you'llonlyusetheothertwoiffacedagainstanotherlightsaberuser?askedJacenquestioningly.Theonly
lightsaberusersareotherJedi!
YouneverknowJacen,statedHarryseriously.HowmanyForceculturesarethereinthegalaxy?Adozen?
More?Anyoneofthemcoulduseasimilarweapon.Also,theOldOrderthoughttheSithextinctandthen
Palpatinedestroyedthem.Youalwayshavetobereadyforanyeventuality.
Thegroupfellintosombersilence.WhatHarrysaidwastruebuttheydidn'twanttothinkaboutit.Attheirage,
theydidn'twanttoworryaboutfuturebattlesorthreats.However,beingJedimeanttheyhadtogrowupfaster
thanothersandacceptthegalaxyforwhatitwasandnotforhowtheyimagineditwas.Theydoubtedthey'd
havepeacethroughouttheirentirelifetime.
Bytheway,where'sAnakin?askedHarry.
Hewentbackhometofinishhisbasicstudies,he'llbebackinamonth,saidJaina.
IbetTahiriisdevastatedathisleaving,saidHarry.
TahiriVeilawasa9yearoldhumanfromTatooine.Shewasfoundaroundaweekbeforetheyarrivedatthe
AcademybyMasterTionneandbroughttotheAcademyfortraining.Shewasorphanedatthreebutwas
adoptedtheleaderoftheTuskenRaiders.Shewaslightskinned,withblondhairandgreeneyes.Shealsonever
woreshoesintheAcademy,ostensiblybecausethefloorwassomuchcoolerthanonTatooine.
ThefirsttimeAnakinandTahirimet,Anakintalkedtohertogettoknowher.Afterawhile,Anakintriedto
distancehimselffromherbecausehesaidshewasakidandhewasolder.However,shecontinuedtofollowhim
aroundlikeapuppyuntileventuallyAnakinjustacceptedthatshewasn'tleaving.Sincethen,they'vebeenclose
friends.
DoesshehaveanyotherfriendsbesidesAnakin?askedHarry.
Theotherlookedateachotherandshooktheirheads.Atthis,Harryfrownedandlookedaroundforher.He
foundhereatingbyherselfwithasadlookonherfaceatatableinthecorner.Seeingherlookingsolonely,
Harrygotupandmovedtowardher.
Whenhereachedhertable,TahirilookedupathimandseemedtorecognizehimfromthefewtimesAnakin
pointedhimout.
Hello,saidTahirimeekly.
Hi,Idon'tthinkwe'vemet.I'mHarry,statedHarrycheerfully.
I'mTahiri,sherespondedbrightly,gettingoverhershynessnowthatsheknewhewasAnakin'sfriend.
Wouldyouliketocomeeatwithus?askedHarry.Iimaginethatyou'relonelyoverhereallbyyourself.
TahirismiledatHarryandnoddedherheadbeforeexcitedlyfinishingherbreakfastandwalkingwithHarry
backtohistable.
Whentheyreachedthetable,everyonelookedtowardTahiricuriously.Theyknewofherbuthadnevertalkedto
herpersonally.
Heyeveryone,thisisTahiri,saidHarrypointingtothegirlinquestion.Tahiri,theseareJacen,Jaina,Astraal,
TenelKaandLowbacca.Asheintroducedthem,hepointedtoeachinturn.
Nicetomeetyouall,saidTahiribrightly.Everyonegreetedherinreturnkindly.
So,Tahiri,saidJaina.HowdoyouliketheAcademysofar?
It'sgreat!I'mlearningsomuchandIcan'twaittobuildalightsaber!saidTahirihappily.Shethenturned
towardAstraalandsaid,Isittruethatyou'regoingtobuildyourlightsabersoon?
Astraalsmiledatthegirlandnoddedherhead.Tahirilookedatthetwi'lekwithanadmiringlightinhereyes.
Didyoumakeyourcrystalsyet?askedTahiri.
EveryonelookedatAstraalwonderingthesamething.
Actually,IhaveapairofnaturallymadepontitecrystalsthatI'mgoingtouse,statedAstraal.
Everyone(evenTenelKa)gapedatherinshock.Pontitecrystalsweretherarestformofadegancrystalknown.
Itwasalsooneoftherarercrystalsavailableforlightsaberconstruction.
Howdidyoufindthem?askedTenelKabreathlessly.
Astraalgavesadsmileandsaid,Myformerownerconsideredmetheprideofhiscollection.Helikedto
decoratemeandgavemethepairintheformofearringsthatIhadtowearwhenIdancedforhim.
UnsaidbuteveryoneexceptTahiriunderstoodwasthattheearringswereallthatsheworewhenshedancedfor
him.
Astraalshookherheadandsmiledgenuinelysaying,Nowthey'llbethecoreofmylightsabertosymbolizemy
newlifeandtoneverforgetthatevenslavescanbecomegreat.
Everyonesmiledatherdeclaration.Theyfeltproudatheracceptanceofbothherpastandhernewfuture.A
smallvoiceinHarry'sheadaskedwhetherhehadacceptedhispastbuthebanishedittothebackofhishead.
Aftereatingandtalkingamongstthemselvesforawhile,thegrouplefttowardslessons.
Laterthatsameday
Harrywasmeditatingcrossleggedonthefloorofhisroomsurroundedbythepartstobuildhislightsaber.
Tahirihadturnedouttobeaveritableballofsunshineandbroughtsomemuchneededoptimismtothegroup.
Also,unlikeJacen,herjokeswereactuallyfunny.ItamusedHarrytoseeJacentry,andfail,tomakeTenelKa
laughwithhisverybadjokes.HowhecouldfindthemfunnyHarrywouldneverknow.Thoughhisobvious
attemptstogettheDathomirraisedgirl'sattentionsmadeHarrylaugh.
Banishingthosethoughts,Harryconcentratedonthetaskathand:buildinghismainlightsaber.
Thethreecrystals(theSolari,theMantleoftheForceandtheHeartoftheGuardian)werearrangedinfrontof
Harry.Slowly,HarrystartedtoinfusethemwithhisForceenergies.Heneededtodothisslowlyandcarefully
becausedoingittoofastorinfusingthemwithtoomuchForceenergycoulddamagethem.
AfterhearingthemstarttohumintheForcewithasignaturenearlyidenticaltohisown,Harrystopped.Slowly,
Harrystartedtofloatthepiecesofhisfuturelightsaberinfrontofhim.Ashedidthedaybefore,heusedthe
Forcetoguidehiminputtingthemalltogether.Heleftitinonlytwopiecesthehandgriptotheemitterandthe
bottomportionwhichhousedthediatiumpowercellandcontainedthecrystalhousing.
Forthispart,Harrygavehistotalconcentration.First,heslowlyfloatedtheSolaricrystaltothemaincrystal
housing.Heinserteditperfectlyintoplace.Ashedidthis,asmallshockwavecouldbefeltintheForce.After
gettingoverhisshock,heinsertedintheMantleoftheForceintheprimaryfocusingcrystalslot.Another,
stronger,shockwavewasfeltandthetwocrystalsstartedtoresonate.Despitethis,Harryfeltdeepinhisbones
thatthiswasexactlyhowitwasmeanttobe.Finally,HarryinsertedtheHeartoftheGuardiancrystalintothe
secondaryfocusingcrystalhousingandputthelightsabertogether.Whenthefinalclicksignifyingthelightsaber
wascompletewasheard,apowerfulshockwavewasfeltintheForcethatawokeanyForcesensitivewithin10
lightyearsoftheAcademy.
Harryknew,heknew,thatthislightsaberwashisandhisalone.Hecouldfeelitinhisbones.Hebriefly
wonderedifthiswashowallJedioftheOldOrderfeltoftheirlightsabersbeforebanishingthosethoughts.
Slowlyandwithrisingexcitement,Harrygrabbedhiscompletedlightsaberandturnediton.
Thefirstthinghenoticedwasthatthebladeadeepemeraldcolor,similartotheshadeofhiseyes.Italso
remindedHarryofLuke'slightsaber(whichwasalsogreen)whichfilledhimwithpride.Thesecondthinghe
noticedwasthatthemomentHarryswitchediton,hispowersseemedtohavedoubled.Suddenly,Harrywas
surethatwhilebeforehewouldstruggletoliftalargeboulder,nowhecouldlifttheMillenniumFalconwith
ease.Hebrieflywonderedifitwashisimaginationorthecrystalamplifyinghispowersbeforebanishingthe
thought.Itdidn'tmatter,allthatmatteredwasthathehadbuilthislightsaber.
MadeintheimitationofAnakinSkywalker'slightsaber,ithadasolidcasingandaheavilyshroudedemitter.The
beveledemitterwasdesignedtodesignateseparatefacetsofthebladeforeitheroffenseordefense.The
lightsaberhiltalsoincludedaridgedhandgripwhichwasgoodtodealpowerfulstrikes.Allinall,exceptforthe
silverybluecolorofthehilt,itwasaperfectimitation.Holdingitinhishand,despitehimbeingafaststyleuser,
itfeltasthoughitwasmeantforhim.
HoldingthebladeinthestandardFormIIsalute,Harrysmiled.HefinallyfeltlikeaJedi.
EndNotes:
Notes

1.
Identicaltwinsweretwinswhosharedthesamegenderaswellaslook
completelyalike.InthiscaseHarryinsinuatedtheywerebothboys.

AN:Thereyouhaveit!Harryhasbuilthislightsaber.Forthosewondering,every
pieceof
informationmentionedherecanbefoundonWookieepedia.
ForthosewonderingonHarry'slightsaberstyle,rememberthis:theJediPurge
meantalmostallknowledgethathadbeenaccumulatedthroughoutathousand
yearshadbeenlost.Theonlythingsthatsurvivedweregiventhroughwordof
mouthorthefewholocronsthey'vefound.Atthispointintimetheyonlyhave
holocronsthathavealotofhistorybutalmostnolightsabercombatformsor
designs.
HarryonlyknowsthebasicsofMakashianddespitehistalent,hewon'tbeableto
completeitoffofthebasicsalone.He'llhavetoadaptandmakeawholenewstyle
(muchliketherestofhisgenerationofJedi).
YoualsoasmalldevelopmentintoHarryandJaina'srelationship.Rightnow,
they'reonlyverygoodfriendsandneitherquiteunderstandswhattheyfeelforthe
other.Theyareonlythirteenandfourteenrespectively.
IalsogaveahintintoAstraal'spastwhichwillplayaroleinthisbook.
Nextchapteryou'llseetheunbridledskillandtalentHarryhasinlightsaber
combat.I'llgointodepthintohisstyle,itsoriginandstrengthsaswellasits
limitations.
PleaseReview!
Backtoindex
AProdigyoftheBladebyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter5
Twodayssincepreviouschapter
Harrywasextremelynervous.
Inordertoboostmoraleinthestudents,MastersKatarnandLukehaddecidedthatAstraalandHarrywould
haveanexhibitionmatchagainstbothMastersintheGranAudienceChamber.ItwouldbeHarryvsMaster
LukeandAstraalvsMasterKatarn.Itwouldshowbothstudents'progresstothevisitingMastersaswellashelp
themdecidewhichonewouldbesthelpthemgrowasJedi.HarrywasjusthopingLukewouldgoeasyonhim.
AstraalhadjustbuiltherlightsabersyesterdaynightafterbeingencouragedbyHarry'ssuccess.Shebuiltthem
inthestandardformwithnoidentifyingmarksexcepttworosesetchedonthehandgripandthembeingslightly
shorterthannormal.Despitethis,Harrycouldn'thelpbutfeeltherewassomethingoffaboutthem.Likethere
wassomethingdifferentaboutthemthananormalstandardhiltbesidestheirshortersize.
AstraalandHarrywerecurrentlystandingbesidetheMastersinfrontofthegroupofpadawans.Harrycouldsee
theexcitedfacesofJacen,Jaina,TahiriandTenelKafromwhereJainahadelbowedherwaytothefront.
Lowbaccawastallerthananyofthemsohewasabletoeasilystandbehindthemandseeperfectly.Once
everyonehadsettleddown,Lukebeganhisannouncement.
Now,we'reallhere,saidLuke,Todaywehaveaspecialtreatforyou.Twoofyourfellowpadawanshadbeen
chosentobuildlightsaberslastweek.
Atthis,thepadawansbrokeintowhispersofexcitement.ItwasobviousthatAstraalandIwerethosepadawans
duetousstandinginfrontofthem.Harrycouldn'thelpbutfeelhisnervousnessspikeatseeingsomanychildren
watchinghim.Ashisnervousnessrose,HarrystartedfeelingcalmingwavesintheForcedirectedtowardhim
fromhismotherwhowasstandingtohisright.Hesmiledthankfullyatherandthenturnedbacktowardthe
group.
ThesestudentswereHarryPotterandAstraalVao,confirmedLuke.
Atthisdeclaration,thenoiselevelrose.Harry'sexpertiseinlightsabercombatwaswellknownintheAcademy.
Intrainingsessionswithtraininglightsabers,hedominatedevenagainsttheolderapprentices.Astraalwasjust
belowhiminskillbutmadeupforitbybeingtheonlypadawanknowntobeabletowieldtwolightsabersat
oncewithjustasmucheaseasshewieldedone.Theydidn'tknowaboutHarrysincehehadnevershownanyone
hisskillwithtwolightsabers.
Theybothfinishedtheirlightsabersjustyesterdayandhaveagreedtogiveusasmallexhibitionmatch,said
Lukecalmly.
Agreedmyass,thoughtHarrydefiantly.Yousaidwewouldandthatweshouldhelpraisemoraleforthosethat
hadn'tbuilttheirs'yet.
Despitehisthoughts,Harrydidn'tactuallyminddoinganexhibitionmatchforthepadawansbenefit.Hewas
justnervousaboutfacingthegreatestswordsmanintheOrderdespiteLuke'sassertionthattheotherMasters
werejustasgoodashim.ThedayHarrybelievedthatwasthedayagoodandkindSithLordwhobelievedin
talkingthingsoutappeared.NoneoftheotherMastershadeverbeatenPalpatineinoneononecombat.
First,AstraalwillfaceMasterKatarnuntilonesurrenders,isdisarmedorlandsablowwithhis/herlightsaber,
explainedLuke.ThenHarrywillfacemyselfuntilthesame.
Itwasobviousoneveryone'sfacewhichmatchtheywerelookingforwardto.Lukemusthavenoticedtoo
becausehesmiledknowinglyatthem.
Now,clearacircularspaceabout20metersacross,saidLuke.
Thepadawansquicklycompliedandafteraquickscuffletogetthebestseats,theyhadtheareacleared.Harry
couldseeJacenmassaginghisribsfromwhereapadawanhadelbowedhiminanattempttogettothefront.
Unfortunatelyforthatpadawan,Jainasawitandretaliatedwithakicktotheboy'sshins.HarryhopedJainawas
neverapprenticedtohismother.Ifshewas,thosekickswouldbeaimedatareasthatshouldneverbehitona
male'sbody.
FirstmatchwillbeAstraalVaoagainstMasterKatarn,announcedLuke.
Everyoneexceptthetwomentionedclearedthearena.Thecircularareawasclearofobstructionssincethis
wasasimpleexhibitionmatchoflightsaberskill.NoForcetechniquesbeyondincreasingspeedandreflexeswas
allowed.Bothcombatantsfacedeachotherfrom10feetaway.Adistancefarenoughawaytonotgiveeitheran
advantagebutcloseenoughthattheycanquicklyengageincombat.
Astraallookedvisiblynervousandshehadreasonto.KyleKatarnwasthebattlemasteroftheAcademy,aswell
astheformermasterofthefamousJadenKorr,herooftheDisciplesofRagnosincident.Despitethis,she
visiblycalmedherselfdownandremovedherouterrobes.Underherrobes,shewaswearingaskintightwhite
shirtandpantsthatallowedherfreedomofmovementanddidnothinderherinanyway.Shealsoworeapairof
whitecombatbootsthatgavegoodtractionwhilenotbeingoverlyheavy.Harrynoticedthatshehadgrownvery
wellinthepasteightmonthsinalltherightplaces.Meanwhileintheaudience,Jainaalsonoticedhergrowth
andgaveheranenviousglance.
Astraalignoredthelooksshewasreceivingandturnedonherlightsabers.Theywerebothalightbluecolor
similartothecolorofherskin.Sheheldthemlooselybutsecurelyathersides.ShegaveMasterKatarnthe
FormIIsalutebeforeplacingherselfinthestandardNiman/Jar'kaiopeningstance:bodysidewaystothe
opponentwithonelightsaberbehindherinareversegripwiththeotherinfrontofherinthestandardgrip(both
wereparalleltotheground).ShehadpickedupthehabitofsalutingheropponentfromHarryafterthemany
timesshehadsparredwithhimandhehadgivenherthatsamesalutebeforehand.
Kylereturnedhersalute(albeitwithlessgraceduetonothavingdoneitbefore)beforesettlinghimselfintothe
openingstanceofFormV.Harryfrownedinthought.Itseemedslightlyominousthattheonlysurviving
lightsaberformswerethemostaggressiveones.FormsIVthroughVIhadallsurvivedthePurgethroughthe
survivingJedi.LukeSkywalker,MaraJadeSkywalkerandKyleKatarnallknewthesethreeforms.Theywere
alsoconsideredasthemostpowerfulofthecurrentJediMastersbothintermsofForceabilityandlightsaber
combat.LukeandMarahadtriedtofindanysurvivinginformationonFormVIIforHarry'susageduetothe
creatoroftheVaapadvariantbeingtheonlyotherknownJeditoseeshatterpoints.Theybelievedthatthestyle
wouldcomplementhisability.Harrydisagreed.
HarryshiveredatthethoughtofVaapad.AllaccountsofthestyleaswellascommentsbyMaceWinduagreed
thatthestyletakestheuserdangerouslyclosetothedarkside.Theideawastomaketheuseronepartofaloop
whereintheuserchannelsthedarknessoftheopponentbackontohim.Whilegoodintheory,Harryhadadeep
seatedfearoftheform.Manywouldsaythiswasnaturalduetotwoofthethreeknownusersfallingtothedark
sidewhiletheonewhodidn'twasn'texactlyknownasthekindestpersonaround.
However,thefearextendeddeeperthanthat.Theuserhadtofirstmasterandaccepthisowndarknesstomaster
thestyleorbeindangerofbeingmasteredbythestyleasthecocreatorSoraBulqwas.Harryhadafeeling,
almostapremonition,thatwhenhefacedhisdarknesshewouldhavetofacethingshehadlongsuppressed.He
hadaterriblefeelingthatthatmomentwouldbehisownpersonalshatterpoint.
Onceagainbanishingthesethoughtandsuppressinghisfear,hereturnedtothebattleathand.
Thecombatantshadn'tmovedfromtheirreadystancesandseemedtobecirclingeachother,tryingtofind
weaknessesintheopponentsguard.Findingnone,theyquicklyattackedeachother.
Astraalopenedwithalightningquickbarrageoffaststyleblowsdesignedtoopenaholeintheopponents
defense.Kyleeasilyblockedtheblowsandrespondedwithastrongstyleopeningattackaverticalslice
downwards.Astraalwasforcedtousebothlightsaberstodefendagainstthestrongattack
andsomissedthekickaimedathermidsection.
AstraaltookthehitandturneditintoabackwardsrollcausingKyletomisshisfollowupstrike.Astraalquickly
recoveredfromtherollandusedForcespeedtoquicklyclosethedistance.Sheunleashedafastbarrageof
blowsfromallpossibleanglesseekingtocauseatleastonetoland.Shewaspartiallysuccessfulbecauseshe
managedtoslightlycuthisrobesonhisrightshoulderbutfailedtocuttheskin.However,thiswasbaitinorder
tocauseAstraaltooverextendherself.Sherealizedthistoolateandreceivedastrongkicktothechinasher
reward.
Tohercredit,shemanagedtoabsorbmostofthehitbyturningitintoabackflipbutwasstilllightlydazedby
thestronghit.
Shequicklyrecoveredandchangedtactics.ShestartedusingForceassistedleapstotrytoattackKylefrom
manyangles,usingherduallightsaberstogreateffect.SheusedthemomentumofKyle'sblockstoleapover
himandtrytocatchhimoffguardfrombehind.However,Kylequicklyadaptedandbarelyblinkedaneyeather
liberaluseofAtaru.Whensheattemptedtoleapoverhimagain,Kylescoredalightcutonherabdomenthat
whilefailedtocuttheskin,managedtocuthershirt.Astraallandedlessgracefullythannormal,makingsure
thatthecuthadn'tpartedskinandendedtheduel.
Youhaveanexcellentrecoveryandareveryfast,complimentedKyle.Butyouconcentratesomuchon
openingaholeinyouropponent'sdefensethatyouleaveyourselfopentoacounterattack.
Harryhadnoticedthisaswellmonthsago.Inthiscase,thatwasabadweaknesstohaveagainstaFormVuser,
whichemphasizesquickcounterattacks.Hehadattemptedtoconvincehertoswitchstylesbutshehadrefused.
However,Astraalsuddenlyslightlyswitchedherstance.ItwasbarelynoticeabletoanyoneelsebuttoHarry,a
formIIuser,itwasclearasday.
WhendidshelearnthebasicsofMakashi?musedHarry.
Astraal'sattackpatternchangedinstantly.Whilebeforesheusedacrobaticsandfastblowstoopenaholeinhis
defense,nowshestartedapplyinglightjabsandcutsfrombothbladestotrytounbalancehim.
InHarry'scompletelyunbiasedopinion,itwasakintocomparingamonkeywithabladejumpingaroundtrying
tolandahittoasurgeonslowlypickingaparthisdefensestillhemadeamistake.
WhereasbeforeAstraalhadleftopeningsinherdefense,nowshehadsoliddefense,alwayskeepingoneblade
readytodeflectKyle'scounterattacks.
Thebattlequicklyseemedtoreachastalematewithneitheropponentseemingtobeabletolandablowonthe
other.Despitehissurpriseattheunfamiliarform,Kyle'sexperienceandsuperiorabilityallowedhimtoquickly
recover.Astraaltriedtopushheradvantagebutthebattlemaster'sdefensewastoosolid.
Thetwodueliststradedlightningfastblows,eachtryingtofindandopeningbutfindingnone.AsHarry
watched,herealizedshewasn'ttrulyusingMakashi.Makashireliedoneconomyofmotionaswellasswiftjabs
andcutstoweakenanopponentandpreventdisarmament.Whileshecertainlyhadthelightjabsportiondown,
shestillusedsweepingattacksinanattempttodisarminsteadofbeingpatientandconservingherenergy.Inthe
beginningshehadusedtrueMakashibutitseemedlikeshewastoousedtoAtaruandfellbackonittoooften.
HarryknewthatifshehadstucktoMakashi,shemighthavemanagedtooutlastheropponentduetoFormV's
tendencytowasteenergyonstrongblowsandquickcounterattacksaswellasblockingattacksinsteadof
dodgingordeflectingthem.
ThisbecameevidentwhenKylestartedtoretaintheadvantage,slowlypushingAstraalback.Sheattemptedto
recoverhermomentumwithfast,precisestrikeswithonebladewhileanotherusedstrongsweepingstrikesto
weakenhisdefense.Whilegoodintheory,itwasobviousthatshewasn'tusedtoitandlosthermomentumeven
quicker.
Eventually,Kylelandedastrongstrikethatforcedhertousebothlightsaberstoblock.Theydisengagedwhenit
becameobviousthatKylewouldn'tbeabletolandaphysicalblowwithouthertakingtheoffendinglimb.
Thebattleisover,Astraal,saidKyle.Youwilleventuallytirebeforeme.ThoughImustadmityousurprised
mewiththatlastchangeinstyle.
AstraalmerelysmirkedwhichsetoffalarmbellsinHarry'shead.
Thenthiswillshockyou,respondedAstraal.
Shethenconnectedbothbladesatthehilt,creatingadoublebladedlightsaberwhichshestartedtotwirlin
obviousexpertise.
Harrysuddenlyrememberedaconversationtheyhadfourmonthsago.
Flashback(4monthsago)
HarryandAstraalwerepracticingtheirsaberskillsagainsteachotherwithtraininglightsabersafairdistance
fromtheotherswhowerepracticingtheirForceabilities.
HarrysuddenlymanagedtodisarmAstraalforthesecondtimethatday.
Blastit!exclaimedAstraal.Howdoyoukeepdisarmingme?!
Harryshruggedandanswered,Youleavetoomanyholesinyourdefense.You'resofocusedonbreakingmy
defensethatyouforgetyours.
Astraallookeddepressedathishonestassessment.Itwastrueinaway.Inbattlesheonlythoughtondisarming
theopponentandtendedtoforgetherowndefense.
HowdoIfixthatthen?askedAstraal.
Harryonceagainshruggedandsaid,Eitherchangeyourstyle,Astraalmadeafaceathim,orfindawayto
useittoyouradvantage.
Astraallookedathimcuriously.Whatdoyoumean?sheasked.
Well,startedHarryhesitantly,Usethemomentumofyouropponent'sblocksandaddittoyourotherswings.
Sinceyouusetwolightsabers,transferthemomentumfromhisblockfromonebladetotheother.
Astraallookeddeepinthought.Won'tmybodycancelmostofthatmomentumaswellasmakemeturnmyback
onmyopponentforasecondduringtransition?
Yeabutit'seitherthatorfindawaytodistractyouropponent,explainedHarrywithashrug.
AstraalwasquietforafewsecondsbeforesuddenlylookingatHarrywithahugesmileonherface.
You'reagenius!,sheexclaimed.ShegaveHarryaquickkissinhischeekbeforerunningofftowardthe
AcademyleavingablushingHarrybehind.
Flashbackend
Harryunderstoodwhatsherealized4monthsago.Havingtwobladescanbecumbersomeduetohavingtokeep
trackofbothatthesametime.Duetothis,itwaspossibleforaskilledduelisttosimplybreaktheuser's
concentrationwithstrongattacks,forcingthemtodefendwithbothbladesinordertopreventselfimpalement.
However,withadoublebladedlightsaber,knowingwhereonebladewasautomaticallyallowsyoutoknow
wheretheotheronewasaswellasallowingyoutobetterdefendyourselfbecauseyourconcentrationwasn't
splitbetweentwoblades.Whiledifficulttohandle,it'sappearancewasenoughtounnerveanopponentwho
wouldtrytokeeptrackofbothbladesduetolackofexperience.
Astraalcouldalsomakeuseofherflexibilityinordertotwirlthelightsaberaroundandmakeexpertuseof
Ataruwiththetwobladesateachend.
Despitethis,thedoublebladedlightsaberhadamajorweakness.Theuserhadtousecomplicatedtwirlsand
twistinordertoproperlyuseit.TheuserwasalsoweakagainsttheFormImaneuverofsundjem.Harryhoped
Astraaltookadvantageofhismomentarysurpriseandpressedtheadvantagebeforeherecoveredandrealized
this.
Thoughthisdoesexplainwhyshesometimesappearedwithslightburnsandbruisesinthemorningafterthat
day,musedHarry.Ithoughtshewasjustgoingoverboardinhertrainingandhurtingherself.
AstraaltookadvantageofKyle'smomentarysurprisetoenteracomplexmaneuveroftwirlsandspins,allthe
whileslashingandhackingwithbothsidesofthelightsaber(1).Momentarilytakenbackbythestrangeweapon,
Kylewasforcedonthedefensive.WhiletheAcademydidofferdoublebladedhilts,noonehadeverusedthem
foranythingothertotestitout.Therefore,facingaskilleduserwasabitdistractingandconfusing.
Thetwodueliststradedstrikesandjabs,eachonetryingtolandablowthatbrokeskininordertoendtheduel.
Finally,Kylerecoveredfromhissurpriseandquicklysoughttoendtheduel.InamovesoquickHarryalmost
missedit,KylebrokethedoublebladedsaberintwoandkickedherrighthandcausingAstraaltodroptheonly
workingside.Kylethenquicklyheldhislightsaberatherthroat.Thewholemaneuvercouldn'thavelastedmore
thantwoseconds.
Doyouyield?askedKyle.
Iyield,sheconcededandKylequicklyremovedhisblade.
Theaudiencebrokeintocheersatthesightofoneofthebestduelsthey'deverseen.Itwasobvioustoeveryone
thatMasterKatarnhadbeenholdingback.Hebarelylookedwindedandotherthanthelightcutonhisouter
robes,helookedasifhehadjusthadapleasantstroll.Astraalontheotherhandwasbreathingheavilyandwas
coveredinsweat.Shehadgivenitherallandwascontentthatshegaveagoodshow.Theapprovingnodsfrom
theMastersalsoboostedherconfidencethatshehaddonewell.
Harrysuddenlyrealizedthatitwashisturn.Swallowinghisnervousness,Harrypreparedhimself.
Nowthatthefirstmatchisdone,saidLuke.WewillmovetothesecondmatchbetweenmyselfandHarry.
Theaudienceinstantlysilenced,notwantingtomissasecondofwhatpromisedtobeanepicduel.Harryand
LuketookthesameplacesthatAstraalandMasterKatarnhadinthebeginningoftheirmatch.Harryremoved
hisouterrobesoastohavemoremobilityleavinghimdressedinalooseshortsleevedshirt,combatpantsand
boots.ThelattertwohadbeenagiftfromMarawhenheenteredtheAcademy.Theyprovidedfullrangeof
movementwhilenotbeingtoolooseastocauseittosnagonsomething.
Harryhadremovedhisweightsyesterdaymorningandhadspentthedaygettingusedtohisbodywithout
weights.Thatwayhewouldn'tmakeamistakeduetonotbeingusedtohisnewspeed.
Harryremovedhislightsaberfromhiswaistandhelditlooselyathisside.Lukehadalsoremovedhisrobesand
hadmimickedhisstance:Legsslightlyspread,lightsaberatthereadyathisside.
LukelookedatHarry'slightsaberandslightlywidenedhiseyes,obviouslyrecognizingthestyleofthehilt.
Harrysmiledathisadoptivefatherandmouthedingrandfather'shonor.Lukesmiledgenuinelyathisadoptive
sonandnoddedhishead.IntheMaster'ssectionoftheaudience,Marahadalsonoticedthestyleofthehilt.
Sothat'swhyheaskedtoseeit,shemused.
Bothcombatantsignitedtheirlightsabersatthesametimeandfellintotheirrespectiveopeningstances.Luke
smiledwideratthesightofthecolorofHarry'sblade.ItwasonlyashadedeeperthanLuke'sown,closertothe
shadeofHarry'seyes.InthestandsMarawasshakingherheadandmuttered,Likefather,likeson.
HarryfellintohispracticedMakashiopeningstance:onehandbehindhimwiththebladeheldlikeafencer,
whileLukefellintotheDjemSoopeningstance.Bothcombatantsslowlystartedtocircleeachother,tryingto
seeanopening.WhileHarryonlyknewthebasicsofMakashi,itfeltthemostnaturaltohimofalltheformsso
hefellbackonitashisopeningforminaduel.
Thetwocombatantssuddenlystoppedcirclingandattacked.Theytradedalightningfastbarrageofstrikes,both
seekingtobreaktheotherdefense:LukethroughsheerstrengthwhichHarrydeflectedtothesideandHarry
throughprecisejabsandstrikesthatforcedLuketobequickonthedefense.Whenneithermanagedtofindan
obviousweakness,theydisengaged.
Afterasecondtoassesstheother,theyonceagainclashed.However,thistimeitwasobviousthatLukewas
dominating.HeusedsheerstrengthtobreakHarry'sguardandpressedtheattack,forcingHarrytodefendand
unabletousethefinesseofformII.
Lukelookedascalmasever.Harry,ontheotherhand,wasworried.Hehadjustrealizedsomethingthathe
hadn'ttakenintoaccountbefore.HislightsaberwasnotmadetoallowHarrythefastbarrageofjabsandcutshe
wasusedto.Thehiltwassodifferentthanthestandardtraininglightsabersthathewasforcedtocompensateby
puttingthehiltclosertohisfingertipsthanhewasusedto.Thiscausedhimtohavetogripthehilttightersoit
wouldn'tbeknockedoutofhishand.This,inturn,causedhimtobeunabletoletloosethebarrageoflightning
fastjabsthatwashistrademark.ItwastimeforplanB.
HarryshiftedhisstanceintoaperfectimitationofLuke's:theformVDjemSoopeningstance.Tothecrowd,
HarryandLukelookedalmostlikemirrorimageswiththeonlydifferencebeinghaircolorandphysique.
Suddenly,theyclashedagain.Thistimetheybothusedabarrageofstrongblowsandquickcounterattacksthat
weredesignedtousedtheopponent'smomentumagainstthem.However,LukewasholdingbackwhileHarry
wasstilltooinexperiencedintheformtouseittoitsfullpotential.Despitethis,Harrywasslowlyadaptingto
theform.ThiswasobviousinhowhewasunconsciouslymimickingsomeofLuke'smorecomplexmaneuvers.
Theydisengagedforthethirdtimesincethebattlestartedandtheaudiencewasstartingtogetimpatient.
Idon'tunderstand,saidMara.Harryseemstobeusingeitheroneformoranotherandisn'tmixingthem
together.He'llneverimpressanyoneifhefocusesonthebasics.
He'sholdingback,statedAstraal.ShehadbeentoldtowaitwiththeMastersafterhermatchsotheother
studentswouldn'thoundherwithquestions.Atherdeclaration,theMasterslookedatherinconfusion.
Whywouldhedothat?askedMasterTionne.Hewouldmoreeasilybeabletoholdhisownifhedidn't.He
can'tpossiblythinkhe'dwin,canhe?
Astraalshookherheadandresponded,No,heknowshewon't.However,he'safraidofaccidentlyhurting
Luke.I'veseenhispersonalstyleandit'sveryaggressive.Itcancatchanunexperiencedopponentoffguardand
causeseriousdamage.Lukeishisfatherfigureandhe'safraidofhurtinghim.
TheMasterslookedattheduelwherebothcombatantswereonceagainexchangingalightningfastbarrageof
strongblows.TheyhadagreedtoallowLuketotestHarryduetothelatter'sobviousprodigalskills.Luke's
superiorexperienceandskillwouldmorethaneventhatout.However,theyhadforgottentotakeintoaccount
thatHarrymightfeelconflicted.Afterall,theywereusingrealanddeadlylightsabers,notthetraining
lightsabersthatsimplyburnorbruise.
Backintheduel,LukedisengagedfromHarryandfrownedathim.
Harry,stopholdingback,admonishedLuke.I'llbefine,I'mnotthatoldyet.Istillhaveplentyoftricksup
mysleeve.
Athisdeclaration,Harrywasconflicted.Hehadhopedtogiveagoodshowingwithoutresortingonhispersonal
stylebutitwasbecomingincreasinglyobviousthatLukewasjusttoogoodforthat.Takingadeepbreath,Harry
settledintodifferentstance:bodysidewaystotheopponent,legsopenwiththebladehelddiagonallyacrosshis
body.HeopenedhimselftotheForceinordertobolsterhisspeedandstrengthfortheduel.
SeeingHarry'schangedstanceandthedeterminationinhiseyes,Lukesmiledathimandalsoopenedhimselfto
theForcepreparinghimselfforwhatpromisedtobeamuchharderduel.
Intheaudience,Harry'sgroupsmiledexcitedlyateachother.TheyhadwonderedwhyHarrywasn'tusinghis
styleandwhyhewasmovingsoslow.Buttheyrecognizedthatstancefrommanysparstheyhadwithhim(all
ofwhichtheyhadlost).Therealfighthadbegun.
Astraalsmiledatthefamiliarstanceandmuttered,Now,Masters,therealduelwillbegin.Atherdeclaration,
theMastersturnedtothedueleagerlytoseetherealskillofwhatmanyconsideredaprodigy.
Harryclashedforthefourth,andwhatpromisedtobethefinal,timetoday.WhereasbeforeHarrywasusing
eitherthefluidityandeleganceofMakashiorthestrongblowsandcounterattacksofDjemSo,nowhewas
usingbothandneither.
LukewhowasfightinghimsawelementsofMakashiinitseleganceandeconomyofmotionnotasingle
movementwaswasted.HealsosawelementsofDjemSoinhowheusedLuke'sownblocksagainsthimand
quicklypushedtheadvantage,notgivinganinch.However,healsosawelementsofAtaruandevenNiman,
bothstylesthatLukedidn'tknowhehadstudied.Allofthemwereseamlesslyconnectedinafluidseriesof
attacksthatpressedLukebackandremindedhimoftryingtostopapowerfulthunderstormonKaminowithhis
barehands.
Astheduelcontinued,Harryseemedtobecomefasterinsteadofslowingdown.Despitethisandtheunfamiliar
style,Lukeeasilydefendedagainstthesurprisinglystrongandfastblows.
TheaudiencewerewideeyedatthefactthatoneofthemwasnotonlykeepingupwithMasterLukebut
actuallymanagedtoslightlypushhimback.Atonepoint,HarrymadeastrongstriketoLuke'sleftside.When
Lukeblockedit,heusedthemomentumoftheblocktotwirlaroundLuke'sbackandattemptedtoplaceacuton
hisunprotectedback.LuckilyforLuke,theForcehadwarnedhimandhefellintoaforwardrolltoavoidit
thoughhefelthimselfloseafewhairs.
Harrydidn'tgivehimamomentofrespiteandthemomentherecovered,hehadtodefendagainstanevenfaster
barrageofblows.LukehadtogivehimselfovercompletelytotheForceinordertodefendagainstabarrageof
blowstoofastfortheeyetofollow.
Seeingthathewasfailingtolandablowwithsheerspeedalone,Harryslightlyadjustedhistactics.Heincreased
hisspeeddrasticallytothepointthatitseemedlikehewaswieldingmanybladesatonce.Atthesametime,he
startedswitchingthebladeonandoffsoquicklythatitgavetheillusionthatitwasconstantlyon.
ItwasonlyLuke'sexperienceandtheForcethatsavedhimfromblockingastrikethatwasn'tthereduetothe
bladebeingquicklyturnedoff.Healmostreceivedacutonhisabdomenfromthebladequicklybeingturnedon
insidehisguard.Lukemanagedtosuckinhisgut,causingthebladetoonlycuthisouterrobesandnottheskin.
LuketriedtocapitalizeonhismisstostrikebackbutHarryhadfallenintoaforwardrollathismissandwas
behindhim.
Lukequicklyturnedandblockedaslashtohisbackthatwouldhaveendedtheduel.
IntheMasters'area,theMasterswereexcitedlywhisperingamongstthemselvesaboutHarry'sstyle.Theydidn't
recognizeitandwonderedifhehadcreatedithimself.Maraturnedtotheonlyonewhocouldanswerthe
question.
Whendidhecreatehisstyle?sheaskedAstraal.
AstraalturnedtoMaraatherquestionbeforeanswering,About3andmonthsago.
Mararaisedaneyebrowatthestatement.Doyouknowwhatit'scalledorwhatit'sbasedoff?askedMaster
Tionne.
Yes,answeredAstraalnoddingherhead.It'sbasedonalltheknownstylesAtaru,someMakashi,DjemSo
andevenalittleNiman.Itemphasizessheerspeedandusingtheopponent'smomentumtoincreasethatspeed
evenfurther.Asyoucansee,combinedwithTrakataitisdeadly.HecallsitWayoftheVratixortheLightning
Form.
TheMastersseemedimpressedthatafourteenyearoldboyhadmanagedcreatehisownstylefromscratchin
littleover3months.Astraalwasquiet,rememberingwhenhecreatedit.
Flashback(3monthsago)
HarryandAstraalwereonceagainsparring.
IthadbeentwoweekssinceAstraalhadsupposedlyfoundasolutiontoherproblembutsherefusedtoexplain
whatthatsolutionwas.Shesaidshewantedittobeasurprise.
Thetwostoppedsparringaftertheirarmsstartedfeelinglikeleadweightsratherthanlimbs.Theothershad
turnedinanhouragoleavingthetwobythemselves.Suddenly,Harrygaveafrustratedsigh.
What'sthematter?askedAstraalinaconcernedtone.
It'smystyle,saidHarry.Idon'tliketheformsintheAcademybecausetheyallemphasizeineitherpower,
strengthoracrobatics.I'maverageintheseareasbutI'llneverbeatruemasterinthemlikeyouortheothers.
I'mbuiltforspeedmixedwithendurance.Idon'thavethestrength,flexibilityorraw
powertojustovercomemyopponents.Thefaststyle'sdefenseistooeasilybrokenbyastrongblowandtheonly
waytocounterthatiswithanequallystrongstyle.Butthiswillcausemetolosespeedandputmeina
disadvantagebecauseI'mphysicallyweakerthanmostexpertstrongstyleusers.Ijustdon'tknow.
Astraalmulleditoverforabitandasked,Whydon'tyoutrytobecomephysicallystrongerthen?
Harryjustshookhishead.
EvenifIdothat,whywastemytimetryingtodefeatmyenemieswithsheerstrengthwhenIalreadyhavean
overwhelmingbasespeed?It'sliketradingapearlforaruby.Bothareequallygood,justdifferent,responded
Harry.
AsAstraalthoughtitover,Harrybecamedepressed.HarrywasgoodatthestylesoftheAcademy,nodoubt
aboutit.Buttobeamaster,heneededastylethatcomplementedhimandfeltnatural.Pluswithhisspeedhe
coulddefeatanenemybefore
Harrysuddenlystooduprightwithagrowingsmileonhisface.
Whatisit?askedAstraal.
I'vegotit!exclaimedHarry.WhatifIattacksoquicklythattheopponentdoesn'thavetimetobreakmy
defensewithastrongblowthatcan'tbedeflected?
Whatdoyoumean?askedAstraalconfusedly.
Imean,whatifIcreateastylethatemphasizesspeedanddeflectingattacksinsteadofblockingthem?
explainedHarryexcitedly.Bydeflectingthem,Idon'topenmyselftoastrongattackthat'llbreakmy
momentumaswellaspossiblyopentheopponent'sdefensewhentheyoverreach.
Butwhatiftheycankeepupwithyourspeed?askedAstraal.
ThenI'llusethemomentumoftheirblocktoincreasemyspeedevenhigherwhileusingtheForcetoheighten
myreflexestothemax,respondedHarry.ThatwayIwon'tbemovingsofastthatIcan'ttrackmyself.
Furthermore,Icanusemyabilitytoseeshatterpointstoseetheweakpointsintheopponentsstyle.Atthat
speed,I'lleasilybeabletouseittowinthefight.
Astraalmulleditoverandnoddedherheadattheidea.Ithadmeritandwithpractice,Harrycouldsmoothout
thewrinkles.
ThatdaytheLightningFormwasborn.
Flashbackend
Overthelastthreemonths,Harryhadtesteditoutwithhisfriends(especiallyLowbaccaduetohissuperior
strengthbeingagoodexampleofFormV).Themanyduelsincreasedhisenduranceandsmoothedoutthe
wrinklesofthestyle.Inthebeginning,hewasslightlyclumsyinthestyleduetoitsunfamiliarity.Now,
however,heuseditasifhedoingitsincehewasborn.
However,thereisoneweaknesstothosewhoknowhowtolook,shemused.Furthermore,thestylewasonly
reallyusefulifonecouldseeshatterpointsinordertoendthefightquickly.
Theweaknesswasbecomingincreasinglyobvious.TenminuteshadpassedsinceHarrystartedhisbarrageand
whilehisspeedwasn'tfaltering,hewasdrenchedinsweatandwasrelyingmoreandmoreontheForcetokeep
himgoing.Luke,ontheotherhand,wasonlylookingslightlytired.Whilehewascurrentlyonthedefense,he
couldturnitaroundeasilyonceHarrysloweddown.
Fiveminuteslater,Harryfinallystartedtoslowdown.ThetollofusingtheForceaswellastheblindingspeed
hewasmovingwasweighingonhim.LuketookadvantageandlandedastrongblowthatmadeHarry's
lightsaberflyfromhistiredgrip.
Seeingthathewasbeaten,Harryloweredhisheadandsaid,Iyield.
Theaudiencebrokeintocheersatthedisplayoflightsabercombatbetweentwoexperts.Studentseagerly
discussedwhentheyweregoingtobuildtheirlightsabersandpromisedthemselvestoincreasetheirstudiesand
practicessotheycanhavethehonoraswell.

Backinthearena,HarrywouldhavefalleninexhaustionifLukehadn'tmanagedtocatchhim.Lukeusedthe
ForcetocallHarry'slightsabertohimandgaveittotheowner.
Thanks,Dad,saidHarrytiredly.
Noproblem,son,saidLuke.Thatwasaverygoodstyleandinacoupleyearsit'llbedeadly.Howwouldyou
defendagainstotherfaststyleusers?
Well,Iwouldusethemomentumoftheirspeedtoincreasemyown.Inarealfight,Iwouldalsoabsorbtheir
blowsandturnitintoForceenergytoincreaseeithermyreflexes,myspeedoruseaForcepower,explained
Harrytiredly.
Keepingandmaintainingthatspeed,nottomentionincreasingitfurther,tookatollonthebodyandmind.Harry
hadtokeepacalmmindinordertokeepupwithhisspeedandnotgofasterthanhecouldtrack.Ifhehad
gottenangryorfrustrated,hecouldhaveeasilymovedfasterthanhewantedandopenedaholeinhisdefense.
Thatwasnothingcomparedtothepossibledamagehecouldhaveinflictedonhisbodyifhehadtriedtotakein
moreForceenergythanhecouldtakeinordertoincreasehisspeed.Findinghislimitandknowinghowtostay
atthatlimitforalongtimeweredifficultskillstomaster.
Lukedidn'tmentiontheweaknessesintheformsinceitwasobviousthatHarryknewwhattheywere.Thiswas
probablythereasonheconstantlytriedtoincreasehisenduranceandpracticedForcespeedsooften.
Maracouldn'thelpbutfeelpridewhenshesawHarry'snewstyle.Shecouldseeherinfluenceintheadoptionof
Trakataaskillshehadtaughthim.Watchinghimnow,Marajustknewhewouldgofar.
Thatisaverydangerousstyletogoupagainst,musedMasterKatarnoutloud.
Indeed,agreedKnightHorn.Ifoneisnotfastenough,hewillbeoverwhelmedbeforehecancounterattack.
Averyeffectivestyletoendafightquicklyandwithoutprolongedfuss.
Ifyouthinkthat'ssomething,thoughtAstraal.You'llbesurprisedifheusesitwithtwoblades.
AstraalhadfacedHarryonce,andonlyonce,whenheusedthestyleusingtwoblades.Itwasthemost
humiliatingdefeatAstraalhadeverreceivedfromHarryandshepromisedherselftoneverfaceHarrywhenhe
hadtwobladesuntilshewassureshecouldkeepup.Shedoubtedheregowouldsurviveanothercomplete
defeat.
MarawassmilingsmuglyatHarry'sdetractorsthatthoughthewasonlygoodduetohavingpriortraining.Not
evenpriortrainingcouldexplainbeingabletocreateandexpertlyuseanewstyleinonlythreemonths.
Whydidn'tyouuseyourshatterpointabilitytoenditquickly?askedAstraalwhenHarryreachedher.
Icouldn't,explainedHarry.EverytimeIsawaslightcrack,hewouldinstantlycoveritsoIcouldn'ttake
advantage.ItwaslikeheknewwhatIwasdoingandwasmakingsureIcouldn'tapplyit.
Iwouldn'tbesurprisedifthatwastrue,musedAstraaloutloud,lookingtowardLukewhohadleftHarrywith
AstraalsohecouldconferwiththeMasters.Afterseeminglyreachinganagreement,Luketurnedtothe
audienceofstudents.
Sincethematchesareover,youmayallreturntoyourroomsorspendyourfreetimepracticingifyouwish,
saidLuke.
Everyoneexcitedlyleft(mostinthedirectionofthetraininggrounds)exceptforHarry'sgroupwhichnow
includedTahiri.TheyexcitedlywalkeduptothepairwithJainainthelead.
Thatwasastral!exclaimedJaina.Youguysweremovingsofast!
Harrychuckledather.Astral?SpendingtoomuchtimewithAnakin?heteased.
Jainablushedslightlyandpunchedhimintheshoulder,hard.
Ow!Careful,I'mstillrecovering,saidHarryhalfjokingly.
Hmph!Thenmaybeyoushouldstoptalkingsoyoucanrecoverfaster?respondedJainawithaplayfulglare.
Harryjustgaveheraroguishsmileandawink.Hecompletelymissedtheslightblushonherfacefromhis
actions.
Whenyoutwoaredoneflirting,saidAstraalinaslightlyjealoustone.Sheignoredthemwhentheystarted
sputteringdenialsandturnedtotherestofthegroup.Whatdidyouguysthinkofmymatch?
Itwasawesome,Astraal!exclaimedJacen.LowbaccagaveagruntofagreementwhichEmTeedeetranslated
inanexaggeratedandsuperiorversion.Thegroupjustrolledtheireyesatthedroid.
Indeed,youshowedimpressiveskillwithabladeandthedoublebladedlightsaberwasquiteasurprise,stated
TenelKa.
IfItrainhard,willIgetasgoodasyou?askedTahiriinnocently.
Astraalsmiledgentlydownatthegirlandruffledherhair.
Ofcourseyouwill.Whoknows?Maybeyou'llbecomeevenbetterthanmeandHarry,saidAstraal.
Tahirilookedupatthetwoolderapprenticeswithadmirationinhereyes.Itwasobviousthatinthepastthree
daysshehadgrownattachedtothem.Harrysometimesstoppedtohelpherunderstandadifficultconceptor
evenhelpherwithherlightsaberforms.Hehadbecomeapseudobigbrothertoher.Astraalwasasortofsister
thatshewantedtoemulate.Yesterdaytheycaughthertryingtousetwotraininglightsabersatonce.Astraalhad
laughedandhelpedcorrectherstances.
HeyTenelKa?askedJacen.
Yes?respondedTenelKa.
What'sthedifferencebetweenaJediKnightandaJediMaster?askedJacenhumorously.
Therestofthegroupgroaned.Itwasanotherofhisawfuljokes.Hejustwouldn'tquitandwasconvincedthat
hisjokeswerebrilliant.
I'mnotsure.Whatisit?saidTenelKahesitantly.
Askmeintwentyyears!exclaimedJacenbeforefallingintolaughter.OnlyLowbaccalaughedwithhim.
TahirigiggledbutHarryhadthesuspicionitwasn'tduetothejoke.
WhyshouldIaskyouthenandnotnow?askedTenelKaconfusedly.
BecauseIdon'tknow,Tenel.That'sthepointofthejoke,explainedJacenslowly.
Oh,yes.Haha.Veryfunny,respondedTenelKa.Itwasobvioustoeveryonethatshedidn'tfindittheleastbit
funnyandwasstillconfused.
Harry,JainaandAstraalexchangedlooksandtriednottoburstintolaughter.JacenwouldnevergetTenelKato
laughathisjokesifhethoughtthatwasfunny.
PadawanPotter,PadawanVao,pleasecomehereforamoment,saidKnightHornfrombehindthem.
IntheirfuntheyhadforgottenthattheMasterswererightbehindthem.Theyallhadamusedlooksontheir
faces.TheyhadobviouslyheardtheexchangeandJacen'sawfuljoke.Grinningsheepishly,Harrynoddedhis
headatthembeforeturningtohisfriends.
We'llmeetupwithyouguyslater,okay?saidHarry.
Okay,butyoubetternottakeforever!saidJainafirmly.Harrynoddedatherandsheandtherestleftthe
chamberwithTahiriaskingJainaquestionsamileaminute.
Now,saidMaraaftertheresthadleft.Wehavecometoadecisionaboutfurthertrainingforyoutwo.
Usually,wewouldnotplaceyouunderaMasteruntilyouhadcompletedvariousmissionsfirst,explained
CorranHorn.Butwefeelthatlettingyoustagnatewhenit'sobviousthatonlyaMastercanhelpyouimprove
furtherwouldbedetrimental.
SomepeoplewouldhaveyoustayherewithyourMastersandimproveyourskills,saidKypDurron.Whenhe
mentionedsomepeoplehehadslightlyglaredatCorranwhoglaredback.ButImanagedtoconvincethem
thatyouwouldbebetterservedonmissions.Afterall,experienceisthebestteacher.
Youwon'tbesentonmissionsimmediately,interruptedLukebeforeCorrancouldretort.We'llgiveamonth
andhalfgraceperiodtoimproveyourskillsaswellashaveatransporttotakeyoutoyourdestination.
WhowillbeourMasters?askedAstraalexcitedly.
Lukesmiledatherandanswered,YouwillbothbeapprenticedunderthreeMasters:myself,MasterKatarnand
MasterMara.
HarryandAstraallookedateachotherandgrinned.Theyweregoingtobejointapprentices!Andunderthreeof
themostpowerfulMastersoftheOrder!Harrywasespeciallygladhewasn'tonlyunderhismother.Knowing
her,shewouldbeextrahardonhimsoshewassurehewouldsurviveanythinglifethrowsathim.Asifsensing
histhoughts,MaralookedatHarryandsmirked.
Forthismonthandahalf,MasterMarawilltrainyouineverythingshebelievesyouneedtoknowtosurvive,
saidLuke.Unfortunatelysheistheonlyoneofusthreeavailabletoyoutwofulltimeduringthesefollowing
twomonths.
Harrylookedupathiminfear.HewouldalmostbelievewhatLukesaidifhehadn'tseentheglintofhumorin
hiseyes.AstraalalsolookedatMaracautiously.ShehadheardstoriesfromHarryofhertrainingsessions.
Personally,shehadheardoftorturesessionsmorehumane.
Traitor,hemouthedtowardhisfatherfigure.Lukejustsmiledwiderandlookedinnocentlyupattheceiling.
Well,mycutelittleapprentices,saidMarawhilesmilingwickedly.We'llseeeachotheralotoverthismonth
andahalfsoIhopeyou'reready.
AstraalandHarrygulpedinfear.
Bytheway,saidMarasuddenly.Harry,comewithme.YourdadandIhaveasurpriseforyou.
HarryquicklysaidbyetoAstraalandfollowedafterhismotherconfusedly.Theywalkedtobasementhangar
areaandstoppedinfrontofashiphiddenunderacanvas.
Thisisyourgiftfromyourfatherandmeforallthehardworkyou'veputintoyourtrainingtheselasteight
monthsandforsuccessfullybuildingyourfirstlightsaber,explainedMara.
UsingtheForce,Maralevitatedthecanvasofftheshipandplacedittotheside.
Atfirst,HarrythoughtitwasaYT1300liketheMillenniumFalcon.Butthenhenoticedthelackofsidecockpit
aswellastheextrawedgeshapedcargoareasattherearandknewwhatitwas.
AYT1930?!heaskedexcitedly.Maranoddedathimwithasmile.
TheYT1930wasanewerimprovementoverUncleHan'soldYT1300model.Thecockpitwasinthecenter
linebetweentheforwardwedges.Italsohadtwoextracargospacesintherearsoitcancarrymorecargo.Itwas
alsoclassifiedasalightfreighterliketheYT1300model.
Ithasnomodificationssoyou'llhavetoinstallthoseyourselfaswellasmaintainitandeverything,
understood?saidMarasternly.Youmaybeonlyfourteenbutyou'reclassifiedasaJedisowe'llgogetyour
pilotinglicensetomorrow.Don'tmakemeandyourfatherregretthis,youhear?
Harrynoddedexcitedly,atalossforwords.Theyhadgivenhimaship!Hehadaskedforoneforaslongashe
couldrememberbutheneverthoughttheywouldactuallygivehimone.Harrygavehismotherabighuganda
kissonthecheekbeforeexcitedlyrunningtowardhisship.
Hey,youcapricioussonofmine,whatareyougoingtocallit?askedMara.
Harrywasontherampwhenheheardher.Hestoppedandthoughtaboutitbeforefindingaperfectname.
I'mgonnacallittheWaywardSon!heexclaimedhappily.
EndNotes:
Notes

(1)ImagineDarthMauland/orAsajjVentressusingtheirdoublebladedlightsabers
againsttheirenemies.

AN:There'schapter5!

TheWaywardSonwon'thavemuchimportanceuntilthethirdbookofthisseries.
Fornow,it'llsimplybethetransportshipHarryandAstraalusetogettotheir
missions.Andyes,Ididgetthenamefromthetitleofthemesongfortheshow
Supernatural.Sueme,Ilovethatshow!

Ihopeyoulikedthecombatscenes.Harry'sLightningFormisstillincomplete
whichiswhyhegetstiredsoquickly.HeneedstousetheForceinordertogetup
totherequiredspeed.OverthenextfewyearsandespeciallyduringtheYuuchan
VongWarhe'llcompletethestyle.ThatstylewillbehisVaapadbasically.

Forthosewondering:yes,hewilllearnVaapadandevensomeYuyo.Buthismain
stylewillbehisselfmadeLightningstylewhichforthosewonderingisprimarily
basedonMakashi'seconomyofmotionandjabs.IgotWayoftheVratixbecause
theVratixisoneofthefastestspeciesinthegalaxyaccordingtoWookieepedia.
Plustheylooklikegiantpreyingmantiseswhichlookgoodwithastylethatattacks
withincrediblyfastjabsandslashes.

SorryforthosethatwantedHarrytohaveadoublebladedlightsaberbutIhad
alreadyplannedforAstraaltohaveoneandIdon'twantthemtobetoomuch
alike.

YousawacloserlookattherelationshipbetweenAstraalandHarryandnowthat
they'reapprenticestogetherthey'llbecomeevencloser.Don'tworry,themain
pairingisstillHarry/Jainabuthe'llhaveotherrelationshipsbeforehand.

Forthosewhoasked:yes,HarryisOCthoughhemaintainscanonHarry's
recklesscourageandloyaltytohisfriendseventhosewhodon'tdeserveit
(cough...Ron...cough).However,youshouldstarttoseeinthischapterthatthe
abusehesufferedathisUncleandAunt'shands(nottomentionhiscousin)hasleft
alastingmarkonhim.Thiswillbecomemoreobviousinlaterchaptersandinhow
hereactstosomepeople.

Chapter6:Firstsolomissionisalreadyhalfwaydonesoit'llbeoutsoon!

PleaseReview!
Backtoindex
Firstsolomission!byAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
<!@page{margin:0.79in}P{marginbottom:0.08in}>
Chapter6
HarrywasonceagainwhistlinglowlywhiledoingcheckupsontheWaywardSon.
IthadbeenthreemonthssinceAstraalandhimhadbeenapprenticedtoMara,LukeandKyle(herefusedtobe
calledMastersaiditmadehimfeelold).Inthattime,Harrycouldsafelysaythathehadlearnedmorethanhe
hadonhisownintheeightmonthsbefore.
WithaMastertoguidethem,AstraalandHarryhadimprovedtremendously.Theylearnedtohackintosecure
connections,howtobuildaweaponfromafewloosepartsandhowtosurviveinanenvironmentwithminimal
resourceswithonlytheForce(thiswasdonebyMaradroppingtheminthemiddleoftheTatooinedesertwith
onlyatrackingbeaconduringthesummerandwiththeclosesttownbeing100milesawaythiseventmade
Astraalstartcallinghertheredhaireddemon).
MaraalsotaughtthemseveralForcepowerssuchasForcelightandForceblinding.Astraalhadalso
rediscoveredtheabilityofForcecloakandhadsubsequentlytaughttobothHarryandMara.Marathenadded
theabilitytothelibraryaswellashowtouseit.FromLuketheylearnedhowtoopenthemselvestotheForce
andreceivevisionsofthefutureaswellasthepresent.HarryhadshownaptitudeforthisskillthoughAstraal
wasprettygoodwithitaswell.
KylehadtaughtthemmorecontroversialabilitiesoftheForcesuchasForcecrush,whichtheybothpickedquite
quickly.Marawasnotpleasedwiththem(mostlyHarry)beingtaughtwhatsheconsidereddarksideabilities.
HarrythoughtitwasduetothebadmemoriesshehadassociatedtothepowerduetoDarthVader.However,she
couldn'tforbiditwithKylebeingtheirMasteraswell.
ThinkingofKylemadeHarryfrownslightly.HarrytrustedKyleimplicitly.Afterall,hisparentswouldn'thave
letKyleteachhimiftheydidn't.However,KylewasafirmbelieverofthePotentiumtheory.Thetheorystated
thattherewasnolightanddarksidetotheForceandthatthedarksidewasreallyjustaperversionofthe
Force,twistedbythosewhousedit.TheybelievedthattheForcewasinherentlygoodandthatanyaction,good
orevil,couldbemadeaslongastheintentwasnotevil.
Whilegoodintheory,Harrycouldn'tbutfeelasifitwasanexcuseforothersnottotakeblameforthe
consequenceoftheiractions.Harryknewthatevengoodintentionscouldleaddowndarkroads.DarthVader
wasaperfectexampleofthis.Hehadturnedinordertosavehiswifeandprotectthepeacebutendeduplosing
everythingandcausedmoredeathanddevastationthantheCloneWarsthemselves.WhileHarrydidn'tdoubt
thattherewerepowersthatweretechnicallyneutral,heknewthatthereweresomepowersthatwere
inherentlydark.JustthinkingofsomeofthestoriesofwhatsomeSithcoulddofilledHarrywithdisgustand
fear.Whowouldbesoafraidofdyingthattheywouldsuckthelifeoutofanotherinordertoextendtheirlifea
fewmoreyears?
AnakinhadbeendepressedthathehadmissedHarryandAstraal'sexhibitionmatchbuthadbeenexcitedtosee
Harry'snewship.Thoughhe(alongwithJaina)triedtoconvinceHarryofabetternamebutheheldfirm.
BesidesForceabilities,Harryhadtrainedhispilotingasmuchaspossible.WhenJainahadheardhehadhisown
ship,shealmostthrewafit.Incompromise,HarrydeclaredJainathecopilotoftheshipandifhewasever
incapacitatedshewouldbethecommanderoftheship.Jainagavehimahugandakissonthecheekatthat
declaration.ShethenwentontohelpHarryimprovetheirship.
Hehadswitchedthe1factorymediumlasercannonfortwoAG2GquadlasercannonliketheFalconhad.
Theyhadswitchedoutthefactoryenginesfor2SRB42sublightengines.Theyhadalsotradedinthefactory
hyperdrivesystemtoamilitarygradehyperdrivemotivatorchangingthehyperdriveratingfromaclass2
hyperdriveforanimprovedclass0.3(muchlikeontheJadeSabre).BothJaina,Anakinandhimhadputtheir
headstogethertomakesurethatthehyperdrivedidn'thavetheconstantfailuresthatHan'shad(Harrylovedthe
manbutseriously,howmanytimesdoesthatthingbreak?).AnakinmanagedtoimprovethefactoryMGLTto
beabletoreachatopspeedof85onsublight.WhilenotasfastasanXwingoraTIEfighter,itwasstillfaster
thantheFalcon.Inatmosphereitcouldreachspeedsof1,100km/hr.
Theyhadswitchedthefactoryplatingwithduralloyplatingwhichtheypaintedamatteblackandupgradedthe
standarddeflectorshieldstoKDY(KuatDriveYard)militarygradeshields.Marahadhelpedinstallasensor
jammeraswellasanencryptionmodule.Shehadalso,aftermuchbegging,installedacloakingdevice.
Ontheinside,Harryhadexpandedtheweaponslockerandcreatedasecretcompartmentinthebackthatcould
onlybeopenedbyaForceuser.InsidethatcompartmentHarryhadplaceatleast6standardlightsabersof
varioushiltsforanemergency.MaraandKylehasalsotaughtthemotherformsofcombatfromunarmedtohow
tousevariousblasters.Inthatvain,HarrynowcarriedeitheraDL44heavyblasterpistolmuchlikeUncle
Han'soraBryarpistollikeKyle.Intheweaponslocker,Harryhadplaced2extraDL44heavyblasterpistols,2
Power5heavyblasterpistols,2Bryarpistols(whichKylehadtaughtbothapprenticeshowtowieldeffectively),
Astraal'smodifiedE11ssniperrifle(Harrywasslightlyscaredtoaskhowsheknewhowtouseone),and
finallyHarry'spersonalE11carbine(Marahadpersonallytaughthimhowtouseeffectively).Inadditionto
that,HarryhadeveryseatinthecockpithaveaModel6sportingblasterhiddenundertheseatforemergencies.
MaraandHanhadhelpedinstallanAx108GroundBuzzersurfacedefenseblastercannonaswellasapairof
ArakydST2concussionmissiletubes(4missileseach).Mostoftheship'smodificationshadcomefromeither
LandoorKDYsotheypromisedtonotbreakdownlikeHan'ssooftendidinthepast.
Theyhadalsoplacedvariousoutfitsofallsizesinthestoragelockersforanyoccasion(asaJediyounever
knowwhereyoumightbesent).Harry'sshiponlyhadthreecabins(includingthecaptain's)sothecaptain'swas
his,onewasforJacenandJainawhilethelastwasforAstraal.Heapologizedtotheothersfornothavingmore
spaceforthembuttheyjustwaveditoffsayingitwasfine.
Inordertomakeituptothem,Harryhaddeclaredthateveryoneonthegrouphadtocarvetheirinitialsintothe
bottomofthepanelsthatmadeupthefloorofthecockpit.Harry,Astraal,Jaina,Jacen,TenelKa,Lowbacca,
AnakinandevenTahirihadcarvedtheirinitialsintothebottomportionofthefloorpaneldirectlybelowthe
pilot'sseat.Harryhadneverfelthappier.
WhenLukeandLeiahadheardoftheextensivemodificationstotheWaywardSon,theyaskediftheyplanning
togotowar.MaraandHansimplyretortedbysayingthattheyweregoingtobeJediKnightsandwithwhathad
happenedlatelytheymightaswellbe.LukeandLeiahadnodefenseforthatargumentandevenagreedwithit.
ThewholeseriesofmodificationshadtakentheentirethreemonthsandalotofthecreditsHarryhadsavedup
(aswellasafewnotsolegalsupplyrunsfortheHutts)butHarryconsidereditwellworthit.TheWaywardSon
wasaconstructionofloveandfriendshipthathisgrouphadbuiltfromthegroundup.EvenTenelKahadhelped
initsmodificationsthoughshewasforbiddenfrompiloting.HarrywouldneverforgethowTenelKamanaged
tocrashhershipintotheonlyrockintheTatooinedesertduringsimulations.Afterahorriblementalimageof
thatbeinghisship,hetoldherthatalthoughshewashisfriendshewasonlyallowedtopilotifeveryoneelse
wasdead(evenTahiri).Thegrouphadalmostbustedagutinlaughter.
Hehadstatedthatwhiletheshipmightbehisonpaper,heconsidereditbelongingtoallofthem.Harryhad
evengonesofarasturntheleftcargoareaintoselfcontainedzooareaforJacen'smanypets(whichhewasted
notimeinusing).Allinall,HarryconsideredtheshiphisbabymuchlikeHanconsideredtheFalcon.Forthis
reason,wheneverHarrywasorderedtohavetimeoffandnottrain(somethingMarainsistedon),hewould
spendittouchinguptheSoneitheraloneorwithJaina.
Todayhewasalonewithhisship.JainaandthegroupwereinafternoonlightsabertrainingclassandAstraal
waslookingforoneoftheirMastersinordertoimproveherForcecloakfurther.Asalwayswhenhewasalone,
Harrytriedtosingtohimself.Triedbeingtheoperativeword.ThefirsttimeTenelKahadheardhimsing,she
hadthoughtitwasthepredatorcallofarancor.Itwasunanimouslydecidedthathewasnevergoingtobea
singer.JacenevenmadeasemigoodjokethathissingingcouldbeconfusedasaForcescream.
InthenameoftheForce,pleasestopthistorture!exclaimedamalevoicedramatically.
HarryturnedtothevoicefromunderneaththeWaywardSonandsawtheunmistakablefaceofhisUncleHan.
Hey,UncleHan!exclaimedHarryjoyfully.Givemeasec.
Aftercleaningupasbestashecould,hepulledHanintoamanlyhug.Hanhadn'tchangedmuchsinceHarry
startedtolivewiththeSolos,afewmoregrayhairshereandtherebutallinallhewasstilltherebelsmuggler
thatHarrylovedandadmired.
So,howyoudoingkiddo?Iseeyou'refollowinginmyfootstepsinsomeareas,hesaidthispointingout
Harry'sDL44heavyblasterpistolthatkeptinitsholsteronhislefthip(hislightsaberwasinitsholsteronhis
righthip).
Well,youknowhowitis.Mixingthebestofbothsetsofparentalfigures,saidHarry.
Hansmiledabitwideratthat.Hanhadalwaystriedtokeepmostpeopleatadistanceasaresultofhissmuggler
life.Inthatlife,peopletendedtodiealotsosomedistancewasagiven.ThatchangedwhenhemarriedLeiaand
theyhadthetwinsaswellasAnakin.Hehadpeoplethatheconsideredcloseandcouldn'tkeepatadistance.By
thetimeHarryhadcomealong,itwaseasyforHarrytowormhiswayintohisheart.HanconsideredHarryhis
nephewinallbutbloodandoneofthefewpeoplehecouldtrustnotonlyimplicitlybutalsotrustedhimwithhis
family'ssafety.AnyonewhoknewHanknewthatthatwasararehonor.
GladtohearIwassuchagoodinfluencethoughIhearyoustillsuckatsabacc,saidHanjokingly.
Harrypouted.Itwastrue.DespiteHarry'sprodigiousskillswiththeForcetelepathyandempathy,hestill
managedtoloseatsabaccevenwhenhethoughthehadagamewinninghand.Imeanseriously,heloseseven
whenhehasa+23!BytheForce,howoftendoessomeonegetanIdiot'sArray!?LittledidHarryknowthatthe
twinshadlearnedtoblockhistelepathyandregularlycheated.
Don'tremindme,UncleHan,groanedHarry.Seriously,howdomyopponentsalwaysmanagetogetan
Idiot'sArraywhenIhavepuresabacc?!
Hangrinnedatthefamiliarexclamation.HanwastheonewhointroducedthegametoHarry(andbyextension
tohischildren).HestillfoundithilariousthatafutureJediKnightwithalltheirmysticalpowerscouldsuckso
badatthegame.
NotthatI'mnothappytoseeyoubutwhatareyoudoinghere?IsAuntLeiaheretoo?askedHarry.
Sorry,kiddo.YourAuntcouldn'tmakeit.Politicshasgothersoshecanbarelyvisit,saidHanapologetically.
Harrywaveditoffandsaid,Noproblem,Iunderstand.Idon'tenvyher.Ihatepoliticianscausemostareas
slipperyasagreasedDug.IfitwasuptomeI'dprobablyendupshootinghalfofthem.
Youandmebothkid,agreedHan.
I'dthankyounottogivemysonanyideasintohishead,saidMaraassheenteredthehangar.
Comeon,mom.Don'tevenpretendthatyoulikethem.Youhatemostjustasmuchasme,saidHarry.
MaybebutatleastIcanpretendotherwise,retortedMara.
HanandHarrylookedateachotherbeforeshrugging.ItwastruenomatterhowmuchtrainingHarrydid.Harry
worehisheartonhissleeve.Harrythoughtofitasagoodthing.Whileheadmiredhismother'sformerspylife,
itjustwasn'tcutoutforhim.Hehadnothingtohidetoanyone,sowhytryto?
Well,I'dhatetobreakthisreunionshortbutyou'vegotamissionHarry,saidMara.
Harrystoppedasecondtoprocesshowshehadsaidthatstatement.
Don'tyoumeanwe'vegotamissionMom?askedHarry,hardlydaringtohope.
Nope,snippedMarawithasmirk.It'stimeforAstraal'sandyour'sfirstsolomission.
Harrygaveawhoopofjoy.Inthepastmonthandhalf,HarryandAstraalhadstartedtakingmissionswithMara.
However,mostoftheseweretoinvestigatecriminalgangsorbrokerpeacetalksbetweentwofaction.Duringall
ofthem,MaraorLukehadcomewiththem.ButnowitseemedthatHarryandAstraalwouldfinallygetasolo
mission.Harrycouldn'twaittoprovehimself.
Well,whatarewewaitingfor?askedHarryexcitedly,startingtowalktowardtheSon.
Marasmirkedathersonbeforeaskinginanamusedtone,Doyouknowwhatandwherethemissionis?
Harrystoppedandturnedbacktohismothergrinningsheepishly.
Whoops,saidHarry.
Hanlaughed.
Sometimelater(GrandAudienceChamber)
ThemissionisbasedintheAbrionsector,explainedLukesomberly.Morespecifically,onthesectorcapital
ofAbrionMajor.
Wasn'tthatoneofthesystemsthatGranAdmiralThrawntookoverafewyearsago?askedAstraal.
Yes,itjustrecentlyjoinedtheNewRepublic,confirmedLuke.
Theytendtonotlikeoutsidersandnotinvolvethemselvesinourwarssowhat'ssoseriousthatthey'recalling
forhelp?askedHarryseriously.
Goodobservation,saidMara.Itseemsthattherehavebeenaseriesofdisappearancesinthelastfewmonths.
Bynow,thedisappearednumberinaboutahundred.
Ahundred?askedHanincredulously.Hehadstayedtohearwhatourmissionwasabout.Andtheyjustnow
decidetocallforhelp?
Theyareveryisolationist,concededAstraal.Still,tohaveahundreddisappearancesandnothavebeen
caughtbythelocalauthoritiesmeansthepersonisverygood.
Whyhavetheycallingusnow?askedHarrysuspiciously.Whynotwhenthelocalauthoritiesfirstfailed.I
doubtit'sbecauseofthehighnumberofdisappearances.
You'reprobablyright,concededLuke.However,theyhaven'ttoldusandthatwillbeyoursecondary
objective.Tofindoutwhywehavejustnowbeencalled.
Itcouldbeatrap,musedHarry.
Whichiswhyyoutwohavebeenchosen,saidKyle.OftheavailableJedi,youtwohavethemostdiverseset
ofskillsandAstraal'sForcecloakmakesherperfectforespionage.
Harrywillbasicallybethemuscleandvisiblefaceofthetwo,saidLuke.Astraal,youarenottoreveal
yourselfuntilyouhaveidentifiedthekidnapper.Whenyoudo,youtwoaretotrackthepersontotheirhideout
andattempttorescuethekidnappedpeopleaswellascapturethekidnapper.
Understood,we'llleaveimmediately,saidAstraal.
MaytheForcebewithyou,saidKyle.LukeandMararepeatedthestatement.
AndwithyouMasters,respondedHarryandAstraalinunison.
Watchyourbackkidandkeepahandonyourblaster,advisedHan.
Harrysmiledathisadopteduncleandsaid,Always.
AsHarryandAstraalleftthechamber,theydecidedtogototheirroomstostockupaswellassaygoodbyeto
theirfriendsbeforetheyleft.
HarryknockedonJaina'sdoorandwaitedforthegirlinquestiontoopenthedoor.Jainafinallyopenedthedoor
withherhairwet.
WhatisitHarry?Iwasinthefresher,askedJainasemiirritably.
Sorry,justwantedtosaygoodbyeandforyoutowishmeluckonmyfirstsolomission,explainedHarry.
Youhaveasolomission?askedJainainaworriedtone.
Well,Astraaliscomingwithmesoit'snotcompletelysolobutyea.We'llbegoingwithoutourMasters,said
Harry.
Well,atleastyou'llhavesomeonetowatchyourback,saidJaina.Despiteherslightrivalrywiththegirl,Jaina
knewthatAstraalwouldwatchHarry'sback.
Hey,IthinkI'mprettygood,grumbledHarrygoodnaturedly.
Yea,butit'salwaysbettertohavesomeonewatchingyourback,saidJaina.
Well,buildyourlightsabersoonsothatpersoncanbeyou,okay?saidHarryinasemijokingtone.
Youknowit!saidJainafirmly.
I'llseeyouwhenIgetback,saidHarrybeginningtoturnaway.
Wait!exclaimedJaina.
Harryturnedbacktoheronlybegrabbedintoahug.
Becareful,okay?saidJainainalowtone.
Ipromise.I'llbefine,don'tworry,assuredHarry.
Youbetter.AndIbetternotseeascratchonmyship,saidJainainajokingtone.
Harrystuckouthistongueatherandsaid,Don'tyoumeanourship?Well,gottago.Catchyoulater.
Jainawishedhimluckasheleft.
Sometimelater
Aftersayinggoodbyetoeveryone,AstraalandHarryhadleftontheWaywardSonforitsmaidenvoyage.
I'msoexcited!exclaimedAstraalfromthecopilot/navigatorseat.
Metoobutfirstwegottogettherefirst.Yougotthecoordinatesinthehyperdrive?askedHarry.
Yep,we'resettogo,saidAstraal.
Alrightthen.Punchit!exclaimedHarry.I'vealwayswantedtosaythat!
Inaroarofsound,theWaywardSonwasoffonitsmaidenvoyage.
AboutofthewaytoAbrionMajor
HarryandAstraalhaddiscoveredsomethingabouttravelingthroughhyperspace.Itwasboring.Afterplayinga
fewroundsofholographicchess,HarryandAstraalhadtakentomeditateonthecomingmission.
AsHarrywasmeditating,hesentouthissensestotrytosensewhatthemissionwouldbring.Hereceiveda
slightvisionbutitwasimpossibletodecipher.Aredhairedwomanwithbrightblueeyes.Atempleinaswamp.
Ahiddenroombelowastatuefilledwiththedarkside.Harryeventuallybrokehimselfoutofhistranceand
startedtakingdeepbreathstocalmhisracingheart.
Areyouokay?askedaconcernedAstraal.Youlookpale.
IjusthadavisionthroughtheForce,explainedHarry.Butit'sfragmented.Ican'tmakesenseofit.
Whatdidyousee?askedastillconcernedAstraal.
Aredhairedwoman,atempleinaswamp,andastatuefullofdarkness,explainedHarry.
DidthewomanseemhostilethroughtheForce?askedAstraal.
No,saidHarryslowly.Ifanything,sheseemed...sad.Lonely.
Maybeshewasoneofthepeoplekidnappedandyousensedwhereshewasbeingkept?suggestedAstraal.
Maybe,concededHarry.
Well,we'realmosttheresowebettergetready.Makeyourselfpresentablesinceyourgoingtobeourpublic
faceonthismission,saidAstraal.
Theyhaddonethisafewtimesalready.Oneofthem,usuallytheMasterpresent,wouldbethepublicfacefor
themissionwhileoneofthepadawanswouldshadowtheminordertowatchtheirbacks.
HarrycheckedswitchedhisDL44blasterpistolforhispersonalBryarpistolwhichhadalightningboltetched
intothesidetodifferentiateitfromhisMaster's.Aftercheckingthathehadafullclipandhadextraclipsonthe
backofhisbelt,heslippeditintoitsholsteronhislefthip.Checkingthathislightsaberwasinitsholsteronhis
righthip,heputonhisJedirobesandmadesureitconcealedthepresenceofthepistol.Despiteithadbeenthree
monthssincemakinghisfirstlightsaber,hestillhadn'tfoundawaytomakeacurvedhiltlightsaber.Between
training,missionsandmodifyingtheWaywardSon,hehadn'tmuchtimetotinkerwithmakingone.Thefew
timeshetriedtomakeone,thehiltalmostblewupinhishandwhenturnediton.Luckily,hehadn'tusedhis
crystalsforanyofthesehiltsandhadonlyusedsomeoftheextracrystalsformakingmoretrainingsabersthat
werelyingaround.Hisfailuretomakehisfavoredcurvedhiltlightsabersfrustratedhim.
Banishingthosethoughts,Harrywalkedtowardsthecockpitandsatinpilot'sseattoawaitAstraalasshegot
ready.Hearingthedoorbehindhimopen,Harryturnedaroundandlookedathisfellowapprentice'sclothing.
Astraalhadtradedherusualwhitecoloredarmoredclothingforasetmoreathomeforespionage.Shehad
switchedoutherwhiteheaddressforasimpleblackonethatwentaroundherforeheadlikeaheadbandandhad
blackclothingwrapscoveringherbraintails.Shealsoworeaskintightblacklongsleevedshirtthathadarmor
coveringherbreastsandabdomen.Shealsohadapairofblackskintightpantsthatdidn'trestrictmovementand
apairofblackcombatboots(1).
Harryhadalwaysknownhisfellowpadawanwasbeautifulbutseeingherdressedasshewastrulybroughtitto
theforefront.Besidesherpairoflightsabersintheirholsteronherrighthip,shehadaPower5heavyblaster
pistolinitsholsteronherlefthipandherE11ssniperrifleonherback.Harrycouldn'thelpbutberemindedof
theinfamousEleenaDaru,loverofDarthMalgus,fromthetimeoftheGreatGalacticWar.Beautifuland
deadly.
Seesomethingyoulike?teasedAstraal.
Harryblushedandslightlystutteredhisresponsebeforegivingupandturningbacktothemonitors.Harryheard
Astraalwalkupbehindhimbeforeleaningoverhim,supposedlytolookatthemonitorsaswell.Harrywas
distinctlyawareoffeelingAstraal'sbreastsagainsthisbackandherbreathonhisear.Harryshiveredatthe
feelingandhewasquitesureitwasn'tduetothecold.
Howlongtillwegetthere?whisperedAstraalinhisear.
Assheaskedthat,theshiplefthyperspace.Harryletoutasighofreliefatthesight.Itwasmostlyduetonot
knowinghowlonghecouldcontrolhishormonesifshekeptdoingthat.
We'rehere.Sowhat'sthegameplan?askedHarry,suddenlyallbusiness.
Astraalsatinthecopilotseatandanswered,Whenweland,you'llcontacttherepresentativeoftheplanet.I
thinkthemissionfilesaysit'saHumanwomannamedTashRotsino.
Rotsino?queriedHarry.IssherelatedtoEsuRotsino?
Yeah,she'sherdaughter,confirmedAstraal.
Guesspoliticsruninthefamily,mutteredHarry.
Astheyreachedtheplanet,theygavetheiridentificationcodestotheAbriontrafficcontrolaswellastheir
reasonforbeingthere.Afterverifyingtheircodes,trafficcontrolgavethemdirectionstotheirlandingpadinthe
capitalcity.Astheyreachedthecity,HarrywasslightlyremindedofCoruscantwithitshighrisebuildings.
However,unlikeCoruscantyoucouldseethebottomandtherewerenotsomanybuildingsthatitwas
impossibletoseetheskyfromtheground.
Oncehefoundthecorrectlandingpad,Harryexpertlylandedtheship.
Well,heregoesnothing,mutteredHarry.AstraalhadalreadyemployedtheForcecloakabilityandHarry
couldonlysenseherthroughtheirpadawanbond.
She'sreallygoodwiththattechnique,mutteredHarryunderhisbreath.
AsHarryturnedthesecuritymoduleoftheshipandwalkeddowntheramp,henoticedthattherewerepeople
therewaitingforhim.Thefirstandmostnoticeablewasalightskinnedblondthatseemedtohaveanimportant
airaroundher.ThismustbeTashRotsino,hemused.Aroundherwereseveralguardsaswellaswhatmustbe
hercouncil.
WelcometoAbrionMajor,MasterJedi,saidTashbowingtoHarry.
Thepleasureisallmine,senator,respondedHarry.ForthefirsttimeHarrywasgladforthepoliticaltraining
Leiahadpoundedintohishead.Hehateditbuthehadtoadmititwasuseful.
AsHarryandthesenatorexchangedpleasantries,AstraalusedherForcecloaktohideherpresenceandjumped
toreachahighpointwhereshewouldhaveaperfectviewofthearea.Afterreachingaroofofabuildingacross
fromthelandingpad,shetookouthersniperrifleandusedthescopetolookatHarryandthesenatortalking.
Astraalcouldn'thelpbutfeelfrustrated.ThismissionwastheperfectchanceforherandHarrytogetclosebutit
seemedtheuniversewasconspiringagainstthem.Still,AstraalhadtoadmitthatthelookinHarry'seyeswhen
hesawherinhernewclothingmadeherfeellikethemostbeautifulwomaninthegalaxy.
Tellmesenator,whenwasthefirstkidnapping?askedHarry,gettingstraighttobusiness.
HarryfeltaspikeofnervousnesscomingfromthesenatorthroughtheForceandwonderedwhythatwas.
Thefirstkidnappingwasabout5monthsago.Wecalledyouassoonaswerealizedourplanetarypolicecould
notdealwithit,explainedSenatorRotsino.
Harrycouldsensetheblatantlie.Itseemedasiftheycalledhimbecausetheywereforcedto,notbecausethey
wantedto.Probablysomeonetheycouldn'tsilencefoundout,hemused.
Canyoutakemetothesightofthefirstkidnapping?askedHarry.
Anotherspikeofnervousnesstingedwithfear.
Ofcourse,MasterJedi.Thisway,saidSenatorRotsino.
Harryfollowed.
Thatsamenight
HarrywaswaitingforAstraalintheroomthatthesenatorhadgivenhimforthenight.Harryhadofcourse
sweepedtheroomforbugsandhadfoundseveral.Somewereevenquitewellhidden.
ButHarryhadbeenraisedbyaformerspyandbeentaughtthetricks.Heeasilyfoundallofthem.
Thesiteofthefirstkidnappinghadn'thadanyclues.ButthenagainHarrydidn'texpectittoithadbeenfive
monthsafterall.Thekidnapperwasalsoverygoodatcoveringhis/hertracks.HarryhadusedtheForcetogeta
senseofwhathappenedbutonlyreceivedavaguefeelingoffearandhopelessnessaswellasstrongfeelingof
betrayal.Heconcludedthatthefirstpersonkidnappedhadknownhiskidnapper.
Harryhadspenttheday(theyhadarrivedinthemorning)goingtothefirsttenkidnappingsitesaswellthelast
tenandtriedtoreceiveimpressionsfromtheForce.Thefirsttenweresimilartothefirst.Thefirst5ofthelast
tensiteswerealsosimilar,ifnotmuchstronger.Healsosensedafeelingofdeterminationthatheguessedwas
fromthekidnapper.However,itwasthelastfivethatdisturbedHarry.
Therewasamuchstrongersenseoffearinthosesites.Moreakintoafeelingoffearpreyfeelbeforeapredator
eatsthem.However,Harryalsosensedastrongfeelingofhungerthatheguessedwasfromthekidnapper.He
wonderedwhytheselastfiveweresodifferentfromthepreviousones.
Harryhadinquiredintothekidnappingsbyaskingthecommonpeople.Harryknewthatsometimesthecommon
peopleknewmorethanthesocalledexperts.Theyinformedofhimofsomethingveryinteresting.Thefirst
95kidnappingswereofchildren,mostwereorphansfromGrandAdmiralThrawn'sinvasion.However,thelast
5wereadults.Twomalesandthreefemales.Toaddtothemysterywasthefactthatall5weresuspectedof
beingkillersandrapistsontherunfromNewRepublicpolice.
HarryhadmetupwithAstraalusingtheirprearrangedsignalataround5pmandtoldhereverythinghehad
discovered.Theymadeagoodteam.WhileAstraalwasbetteratstealth,Harryhadawaywithpeoplethatput
themateaseandtheyrevealedmoreduetothis.Aftertalkingaboutwhattodonext(morelikeargue),they
agreedthatAstraalwouldbethebetterofthetwotoscourthecityduringthenightandaskinthebarsformore
information.Plus,itwouldbesuspiciousifHarrydidn'tappeartosleepinhisroom.
Suddenly,HarryheardanoiseatthewindowandinstantlyhadhisBryarpistolpointedatthewindow.After
seeingitwasAstraal,Harryloweredthepistol.
Youfindanything?askedHarry.
AstraalwascurrentlystaringatHarry'sbarechestandblushing.Italwayssurprisedherthatsomeonehisage
alreadyhadasixpack.
Shakingherheadofthosethoughts,sheanswered,Yes,apparentlythere'ssomeonewhohasbeenarrivingand
leavingtheplanet.Supposedly,they'rehelpingsmugglespice.
But?askedHarry,knowingtherewasmoretoit.
ButIcheckedandeverytimethatshiphaslandedhascoincidedwiththelast5kidnappings,explained
Astraal.
Youthinkthey'rethatsloppy?askedHarrydubiously.
Ithinkthatthey'vedoneitsomanytimesthatthey'veletdowntheirguard,saidAstraal.
Harrymulleditover.Itcouldbepossible.Afterall,theveryfactthateverytimetheylanded,someonewas
kidnappedwassuspicious.
Okay,aretheyherenow?askedHarry.
Astraalnoddedherheadeagerlyandsaid,They'vejustarrivedanhourago.IsawthemlandinanoldXSstock
lightfreighter.
Harrylookedatherinsurprise.
Areyousure?Thoseshipsareancient.I'msurprisedonestillexistsinworkingcondition,saidHarry.
MetoobutIrecognizeditfromhistorylessonsattheAcademy,confirmedAstraal.
Okaythen,leadtheway,saidHarry.
Aftergettingdressedagainaswellascheckingeverythingwasinitsholster,HarryandAstraalleftthroughthe
window.
Abrionspaceport(1hourlater)
HarryandAstraalwerewaitinginhidingontheroofofthespaceport,lookingattheconfirmedXSstocklight
freighter.HarryhadmovedtheWaywardSontothespaceportsotheycouldquicklyfollowthesuspectwhen
he/sheappeared.
Someone'scoming,saidAstraal.
BothappliedtheirForcecloaks.WhileitwasmuchharderforHarryduetotheintenseconcentration,hecould
stillmanageit.Astraalwasanaturalandwascapableofdoingitwithoutgivingitmuchthought.
Harrysawthefigurewalkingtowardtheshipinquestion.She(foritwasobviousevenfromthisdistancethatit
wasawoman)hadalargebagoverhershoulderandHarrycouldswearthatthebagwasslightlymoving.
Suddenly,shestoppedandlookedaroundasifsensingsomething.Harryheldinhisbreathandconcentrated,
hopinghehadn'tslipped.Afteraminutelookingaround,shecontinuedtowardtheshipandboarded.Oncethey
sawitstarttoturnon,HarryandAstraalquicklyandsilentlyrantowardtheirship.
Astheyreachedit,theydroppedtheircloaksandHarryputinthesecuritycodestolowertherampwithout
activatingtherampturret.HarryquicklyclosetherampbehindAstraalassheboardedandjumpedintothepilot
seat.
Hurry,beforesheleaves,saidAstraal.
Whydidn'tyoujustplaceatrackingbeaconontheship?askedHarry.
Becausewedon'thaveany,remember?retortedAstraal.
Ohyea...saidHarry.Remindmetobuysome.
Harryquicklytookoffafterthewoman'sship,keepinghisdistancesoashewouldn'tbeseenvisuallyand
turningontheship'scloakingdevicetobeinvisibletohersensors.
AstheXSstockfreighterjumpedtolightspeed.Harryusedthenavigationalcomputertocalculatehertrajectory.
Well,herewego,saidHarrytoAstraalastheywentafterher.
EndNotes:
Notes
(1)ImagineablackversionofEleenaDaru'sarmor.
AN:Well,nowyouhavetheirfirstsolomission.Ididn'tgointomuchdetailinto
theirpreviousmissionsbecausetheyweren'tactuallyimportant.Iwentintodetail
oftheWaywardSon'smodificationsbecausethey'llbecomemoreimportantinlater
chapters.Plus,doyouthinkHarrywouldpilotasimplefactorymadeship
consideringhisfamilymembers?
IgaveHarryandAstraalmoreForceabilitiestocomplementtheirstyles(Astraal
ismorelikeaJediShadowwhileHarryisleaningtowardamixofJediGuardian
andJediSentinel).
IaddedashortscenebetweenHarryandAstraaltoshowhowclosetheyarenow
andhowHarryisstronglyattractedtoher.Rightnow,it'sjustlustmixedinwith
friendshipbutthat'llchangeinastimegoeson.
IpurposefullycomparedEleenaDarutoAstraalbecauseAstraalwillbeHarry's
EleenaduringtheYuuzhanVongWar(loversandthey'llalwaysfighttogether).
FortheHarry/Jainafans,don'tworry!Theywillenduptogether.However,atthe
endofbook2,I'llputupapolltoseewhotheywantHarrytoendupwith.But
that'sinthefuturesodon'tworryaboutit!
PleaseReview!
Backtoindex
BattleattheDarkTemple!byAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter7
DromundSystem,EsstranSector
TheWaywardSondroppedoutoflightspeedabout2minutesbehindthesuspect'sfreighter.Theymaintained
commsilenceandmadesuretheircloakingdevicewasworking.
Wherearewe?askedHarry.
Letmecheck,saidAstraal.Shestartedcheckingthenavigationalsystemanddoublecheckedusingthestar
charts.Onceshewassure,shepaleddrastically.
Um,we'reintheStygianCaldera,saidAstraalinacautioustone.
Harrypaled.Astraalwasrighttobecautious.TheStygianCalderaregionwasknownbyanothername:theSith
worldsregion.ItwasincrediblyhardtonavigateintotheregionandthisallowedtheoldSithEmpiretobe
protectedbyattackforover3,000years.OnlytheinfamousSupremeChancellorPultimohadeverattemptedto
invadetheregionandthatwasduringtheGreatHyperspaceWarmorethan5,000yearsago.
Makesureourcloakwon'tfallandturnoffallcommunits.Idon'twantustobecaughtinthisregion.Who
knowswhat'sbeenlurkinginthisSithinfestedpit,mutteredHarry.
LikemanyJedi,Harrydidn'tbelievethatallthedarksidesocietieshadbeendestroyedwiththedestructionof
PalpatineanddissolutionoftheBpfasshiwhentheyjoinedtheNewRepublic.Thisregionwaswellknownas
beinginfestedwithdarksideentitieseven13yearsagowhenMaraandKylehadfoundatempleinfestedwith
thedarkside.
Whereisshelanding?askedHarrycautiously.
Onthatplanet.Thethirdoneinthesystem,saidAstraal,pointingitout.
Theplanetwasabluecolorwithseverallandmasses.Italsohadtwomoonsinorbit.Allinall,itlookedlikeany
otherplanet.ThatwasunlessyoucouldusetheForce.
ToHarry,theplanetfeltfoulandreekedofthedarkside.Harryhadlittledoubtthathorriblecrimeshadbeen
committedthereandwerestillbeingcommittedthere.However,theyhadtheirordersandJedidon'tfeardanger.
I'mtakingusintoland,saidHarryfirmly.
Areyousure?Thatplanetfeels...Ican'tdescribeit.MaybeweshouldcommourMasterssoonecancomewith
us?saidAstraalnervously.Shewasconfidentinherabilitiesbutevensheknewherlimitsandthisplanet
chilledher.
Wecan't,remember?They'reallbusyandaren'tattheAcademynow.Plusifwecommthemweriskalerting
oursuspectandthey'llfleemakingthiswholetrippointless,explainedHarrycalmly.
FinebutIhaveabadfeelingaboutthis,mutteredAstraal.
Metoo,saidHarryinalowtone.
Harryexpertlyflewtheshipintotheplanetfollowingthetrailoftheirprey.Astheygotclosertotheground,
theysawagianttempleinthedistance.Thetempleseemeddarkandforebodinganditdidn'thelpthattheyhad
arrivedattwilight.
Thatmustbewhereoursuspectisstaying.Idon'tknowaboutyoubutIdoubtthatthisisasimplespice
smuggler,saidAstraal.
Agreed,saidHarry.I'lllandusafairdistancefromitsotheshipwon'tbespotted.We'llwalktherestofthe
way.
Harrymanagedtofindaclearingbigenoughfortheshipabout10milesfromthetemple.Afterlandingin
completesilence,HarryandAstraaldoublecheckedthattheyhadeverything.Somethingtoldthemthatthere
wouldbeafight.Afterturningonthesecuritysystemtomaximum,Harryclosedtheramptotheship.
Walkingthroughtheswampwascreepy.Therewasnootherwaytosayit.Sincetheyhadstartedwalking,Harry
feltasifhewasbeingwatched.Andnotinthecuriouskindofway.Morelikeinthehelookslikeagoodmeal
sortofway.
Doyoufeelthat?whisperedAstraal.
Yea.They'regettingcloser,whisperedHarry.
Harrysuddenlyturnedonhislightsaberandcutthroughavornkrthathadtriedtopounceonhimfrombehind.
Thisseemedtosettherestofthecreaturesoffbecausetheystartedtoattackinafrenzy.
HarryandAstraalstoodbacktobackandstartedtodefendagainsttheonslaughtofcreatures.Therewere
swarmsofmailocsandevensomeswampswampasmixedinbuttheyallhadonethingincommon.Theywere
alldeformedandgrotesqueandstankofthedarkside.
Afterdefendingfor20minutes,thecreaturesfinallyretreatedthoughHarrycouldstillfeelthemattheedgeof
hissenses.Aftermakingsuretheyweren'tbeingledintoafalsesenseofsecurity,HarryandAstraalturnedoff
theirlightsabersandcontinuedtowardthetemple.
Didyounotice?whisperedAstraal.
Yea.TheywerealldarksidecorruptionsthatweremoreoftenseenduringtheSithWars,mutteredHarry.
Thiswasgettingweirderandweirder.Wastheirsuspectadarksideuser?Ifshewas,didshecontrolthe
creaturesorweretheyalwayslikethat?Eitherway,HarryloosenedhisBryarpistolinitsholsterandkeptahand
onhislightsaber.Astraalfollowedsuit.
After2moreencounterswiththenativecreatures(thefirstwasofgundarksandthesecondofyozusks)they
reachedthetemplebythetimethemoonswereout.Nowthattheywerecloser,theysawthatthetemplehada
largecourtyardthatwasintheshapeofthesymboloftheOldSithEmpire.Ineachspike,therewasagiantstone
statuewithstoneswords.Thestatuesgaveoffafeelingthattheywerewatchingthem.Therewere12statuesin
all.
Okay,I'mofficiallyfreakedout,mutteredAstraal.
Astheyenteredthecourtyard,thestonestatuescametolife.Theireyesglowedasulfuricyellowandseemed
fullofmalice.Theydrewtheswordsinfrontofthemandstartedtowalktowardthem.
Somehow,Idon'tfeelloved,saidHarrysarcastically.
Lesstalking,morefighting!exclaimedAstraalastheydrewtheirlightsabers.
HarryandAstraalseparatedandsimultaneouslydecidedtotake6statueseach.Harryjumpedoverthefirst
statue'sswingandlandedonitsshoulder.Heattemptedtotakeoffitsheadonlytobesurprisedwhenhebarely
chippedthestone.Hissurprisealmostgothimkilledwhenthesamestatuemovedfasterthanoneofitssize
shouldandalmostcrushedhimitsfist.
BackwithAstraal,shewashavingsimilarproblems.Afterfindingoutthatlightsaberswouldn'twork,she
quicklyholsteredthemandtriedtousetheForce.However,thiswasjustasineffectivebecausethestatuebarely
missedastepatherForcepushes.
Thisisn'tworking!exclaimedAstraalfrantically.
Therehastobesometypeoftricktoit!shotbackHarry.
Harryhadbeenthinkingfrantically,tryingtorememberwherehehadheardoflivingstonestatuesbefore.
Thatredhaireddemonisgoingtokillus!screamedAstraalasshewasalmostcutinhalf.
Atherexclamation,Harryrealizedwherehehadheardofthisbefore.Hismotherhadoncetoldhimastoryofa
templethathadstoneguardiansandcouldonlybebypassedwiththemindtrick.
Givingitashot,HarryusedtheForcetoconvincethefirststatuethattherewerenoenemiesevenwhile
continuingtododgetheirslashes.Miraculously,itworked.Thestatuemovedbacktoitsplinthandsheathedits
sword.
Usethemindtrick,Astraal.It'stheonlythingthatworks!exclaimedHarry.
Howdoesthatmakeanysense?!screamedAstraal.They'restonestatues.Theydon'tHAVEminds!
Justdoit!screamedHarry.
Astraaldidasshewastoldandafter20minutes,allthestatueswereintheirplinths.
Howdidyouknowtodothat?askedAstraal.
Mymom,thatredhaireddemonyoumentioned,explainedHarry,shetoldmeofatemplesheoncevisited
thathadsimilarguardians.NowthatIthinkaboutit,Ithinkthisisthatsametemple.
Sowherearewe?askedAstraalinasemiscaredtone.
WelcometotheDarkForceTempleontheplanetDromundKaas,saidHarrysarcastically.
Great,adarksidetemple,mutteredAstraal.Whycan'twehaveanormalmissionforonce?
Idon'tknowbutbecareful,saidHarrycautiously.Momsaidthatinordertoenterthetemple,youhaveto
faceyourinnerfears.Ifyoufail...well,it'sbestnottothinkaboutit.
Withthatcheerfulthought,theycontinuedtowalktowardthetemple.
Tallesttower,InnerTemple
Well,lookslikewehaveguests,saidaseductivefemalevoice.AndtheypassedtheWatcherstoo.
Thevoicebelongedtoabeautifulredhairedandblueeyedwomanofindeterminateage.Shelookedtobeinher
20sbuthadanairofbeingmucholder.Anotherthingthatdifferentiatedherwasthathereyeshadablacksclera.
ShewasquitebeautifulwithhighCtolowDcupbreasts,longlegshiddeninskintightblackpantsandlong
silkyhair.Besidesherpants,shewasonlywearingablackcorsetthatbarelyheldinherbreastsandthighhigh
blackhighheeledboots.Allinall,itwasobviouswhyhercurrentprisonerwasbothtryingtoescapeandenjoy
theview.
OneofthemisevenJames'son.MaybehesenthimtomesoIcanmakehimaman?Thatwouldbesolike
him,saidNakiainanamusedtone.
Frombehindher,theprisonerstartedtostruggle.
Now,now,saidthewomanasshesawherprisonerstarttostruggle.Whatkindofmangivesagirlagood
mealanddoesn'tspendthenight?IdobelieveI'mbeautifulenoughtoturnevenahomosexual'shead.You
shouldbehonoredIchoseyoufortonight.
Asshesaidthis,shewalkedtowardherprisonerwhowascurrentlygaggedandtiedtoastonecolumn.Asshe
walkedtowardhim,shepurposefullyaddedaseductivestruttoherwalkaswellastalkedinatoneonewould
speaktoalover.Despiteknowledgetothecontrary,themancouldn'thelpbuthopehewouldgetluckytonight.
Lookatyou,shesaidinascornfultone.Eventrappedandknowingyou'lldie,youstillcan'tstopthinking
withyourdick.
Atherstatement,themantriedtoshakehisheadindenialbutshewashavingnoneofit.
Now,now.Don'tlie,shesaidonceagaininherseductivetone.Howmanywomanhaveyourapedandkilled
inthelastthreeyears?Beingtheplanet'schiefofpolicemakesitsoyoustopanyinvestigationintoit.Butnow
Karmahascaughtuptoyou.Now,domeafavor.I'llneedmystrengthforthefightahead.Soplease,trynotto
struggle.
Thelastthingthemansawwasthewoman'seyesfilledwithhunger.
Backattheentrancetothetemple
HarryandAstraalslowlywalkeduptotheentranceofthetemple.
Thisisit,saidHarry.
Yep.Well,let'sdothis,saidAstraalinwhatsheprobablythoughtwasaconfidenttonebutcameoutsounding
likeshewassick.
HarryandAstraalopenedthedoorandastheyentered,theywereconsumedbydarkness.
WithHarry
Harryslowlyopenedhiseyes.Hewaslayingonafamiliarfloorofafamiliarlivingroomanddidn'tremember
howhe'dgottenthere.Healsonoticedthatheseemedtohaveshrunkbecausethingsseemedbigger.Lookingat
hisreflectioninamirrorhesawhewas5yearsoldagainanddressedinrags.
Youhaven'tchanged.You'restillcompletelyuseless,saidafamiliarmalevoice.
Harryquicklystoodupandlookedtowardthevoiceonlytofreezeinfearandterror.
TherestoodhisUncleVernon,exactlythewayhelookedthelasttimeHarrysawhim.Hestillhadafatneckand
wasfatterthanwashealthy.Hehadathickblackbeardandhisblackeyesstillglaredathimwithhateand
disgust.
UUncleVVernon?stammeredHarry.Harryinternallywinced.Despiteithavingbeeneightyearssincehe'd
seenhim,hestillhadaholdoverhim.
I'mnouncleofyours,youbraintick!exclaimedVernonangrily.You'renothingbutafreakthat'saburdenfor
goodpeoplelikemeandyouraunt!
FrombehindVernon,hisAuntPetuniaappeared.Shelookedexactlythesame.Aneckthatlookedlikeit
belongedonasnakeandafacethatresembledaHutt's.ShewasasthinasVernonwasfatandhadalookonher
faceasifshe'dsmelledsomethingfoul.
Bestdayinourlifewaswhenwegotridofyou!agreedPetunia.Whycouldn'tyoubeagoodpersonandjust
die?
BBut,AAuntPetunia,stammeredHarry.
VernongaveHarryastrongpunchtohisleftcheekthatputHarrybackonthefloor.Harryhadbeensoshocked
athisrelativesappearancethathehadn'tblockedit.
WhatdidItellyou,freak?saidVernonangrily.We'renorelativesofyours.Forceknowsnoneofourgood
bloodisinyourpollutedveins.Wemadesureofthat.
Frombehindthem,Harrysawavisionofhimselfat3yearsoldbeingtieddownandbledsothatnoneoftheir
goodbloodwaspollutinghisdirtyveins.
Harryshudderedfromhisplaceonthefloor.Memorieslongsuppressedrosetothesurface.Beatings,harsh
choresandworse,theconstantemotionalabuse.Memoriesofbeggingforascrapofaffectionfromhisrelatives
onlytoreceiveabeating.Doingallischoresperfectlyyetstillonlyreceivingthebareminimumoffoodto
survive.Beingforcedtolearntoreadbywatchingothers.AllthesememoriescrasheddownonHarryafteryears
ofbeingsuppressedandmadehimcurlupandsobinpain.
I'msorry,UncleVernon.I'llbegood,Ipromise,sobbedHarrypitifully.
Whodoyouthinkyouare?Thinkingyou'reworthyoflove?saidVernonspitefully.Theydon'tloveyou.
Look!
HarrylookedbehindVernontoseehisadoptivefamilystandingthere.Theywerelookingathimwithsneersof
disgustontherefaces.
Asifwecouldeverloveyou,saidnotMara.Youwerealwaysaburden.
Yes,wewouldhavebeenbetterwithoutyou,agreednotLuke.
Alwayscausingtroubleandruiningeverything,saidnotLeia.
AsifIwouldhaveletyoutouchmydaughter,sneerednotHan.
AsifIwouldhaveletyou!Lettingafreaklikeyoutouchmefillsmewithbile!exclaimednotJaina.
Freak!exclaimednotJacenspitefully.
Freak,freak,freak!chantedthegroup,eggingVernonon.
Givehimwhathedeserves!exclaimednotAnakin.
Atthat,VernonstartedtokickandbeatHarry,eggedonbythegroup.Everyonewasthere:Mara,Luke,Leia,
Han,Jaina,Jacen,Anakin,TenelKa,Lowbacca,AstraalandevenTahiri.Theywereallchantingforhisbeating.
Harryclosedhiseyesastheblowscontinuedtofall.
WithAstraal
Astraalopenedhereyestothesightofafamiliarroom.Theroomwaslavishlydone,withexpensivecurtains
andrugs.However,itfilledAstraalwithdread.
Whore!Whatareyoudoinglyingdown?Comehereanddoyourjob!screamedavoicethatterrifiedher.
Standingup,shenoticedthatshewasnakedexceptforherpontiteearringsandacollar.Lookingtowardthe
voice,shesawwithasinkingfeelingthatitwasheroldkeeper,ahumanonlyknownasBone.
BonehadbeeninchargeofherwhenherHuttmasterwasn'taround.Ofthetwo,Bonehadbeenthemost
abusive.
Stupidwhore!hesaid,grabbingherbyherlekku.Completelyuseless!Theonlythingyou'reusefulforisto
beonyourback!
Heroughlythrewherontothebedinthecorner.Astraaltriedtorunbutaroughtugonhercollardrewherup
short.
Wheredoyouthinkyou'regoing,huh?saidBoneinacrueltone.Youstillhaven'tfulfilledyourduties.
Ashesaidthis,hekeptonehandonherleashandusedtheothertostarttoundohispants.Seeingthis,Astraal
renewedherstrugglestopreventwhatsheknewwascoming.
However,hereffortswereinvainasshesoonfeltahardertugonherleashthatthrewherbacktowardhim.
Wherewouldgoevenifyouescaped?saidBoneharshly.Whowouldwantorloveusedgoodslikeyou?Do
yourlittlefriendsknowaboutallthemenyoupleasured?Howyouweretakendailysinceyouweretwelve?
Howyouenjoyedit?
No!Ididn't!deniedAstraal.
Maybenotatfirstbutgiveitafewmoreyearsandyouwouldhavebeenbrokenjustlikeyourdearmother,
saidBoneinacrueltone.Lookathernow.
LookingthroughthedoorwaythatBonewaspointingat,Astraalsawhermothersexuallypleasing
threemen.WhattrulybrokeAstraalwasthelookofraptureonherfaceasshedidit.Asifshelovedthe
attentionsofthosemen.Astraalclosedhereyesandbrokeintosobstryingtoblockoutthesoundsofhermother
pleasingthemenfromhermind.
See?You'reborntobeawhoreandnoonewilleverloveyou!saidBone.
Astraalwassobbingsohardthatshedidn'tstruggleasBonelaidheronherback.
BackwithHarry
ThebeatingseemedtogoonforeverandallHarrycoulddowascurlupandsobastheblowsfell.
Vernonwasspeakingallhisworstfears,allhisdarkthoughts.Howheneverthoughthedeservedtobeloved.
Howhealwaysthoughthimselfaburdentothosearoundhim.Howhethoughthewasn'tgoodenoughforJaina.
Howhewastoodamagedtobehealed.
Asthebeatingcontinued,HarryrememberedthefirsttimehegrewtohavefeelingsforJaina.
Flashback(threeyearsago)
HarryandJainahadbeenhavinganotherraceanditwasthefirsttimeHarryhadlost.JacenandAnakinhadn't
comealongthistimeduetobeingtootired.
LookslikeIwon!GuessI'mthebest!saidtenyearoldJainagleefully.
Yes,guessso,saidHarryinadepressedtone.Guessyouwon'twanttohangoutwithmeanymorenow.
Huh?askedJainainaconfusedtone.Whatmakesyouthinkthat?
CauseIlost.GuessIamaloserafterall,respondedHarryinhisdepressedtone.
Idiot!saidJainawhilegivingapunchonhisshoulder.We'lljusthaveanotherrace!PlusI'dstillhangout
withyouevenifyoulostallthetime.You'remybestfriend!
Really?askedHarryinahopefultone.You'sstillbemyfriendnomatterwhat?
Ofcourse!exclaimedJaina.Andnevercallyourselfaloseroranythinglikethatagain!Myfriendisno
loser!
HarrygaveJainaagentlesmileatherdeclaration.Harryhadawarmfeelinginhischestwhenshesaidthat.
Thenextday,HarryandJainahadanotherrace.ThisoneHarrywonbuthedidn'tnoticebecausehewasno
longerkeepingcount.
Flashbackend
AsVernonthrewanotherkick,anarmsuddenlycameoutandblockedit.ThearmbelongedtoHarrywhowas
backinhisfourteenyearoldformandslowlygettingbackup.
I'mnotuseless,saidHarryfirmly.I'mnotaburden.I'mbetterthanyou.
Ohyea?saidVernonthoughtherewasanundercurrentoffear.Whydoyousaythat?
Becauseforallmyabilities,Ineverlashedoutatyou,statedHarrycalmly.Evenwhenyoustarvedmeand
beatme.Ineverusedmypowerstohurtyou.
Youwereonlyaliveduetomyunendinggenerosity!exclaimedVernon.Andyouwerenothingbut
ungrateful!
Iwasakid!Kidsaren'tsupposedtoBEgrateful!screamedHarry.They'resupposedtoeatyourfoodand
breakyourheart,youselfishdick!
Harrycalmedhimselfdownandcalmlysaid,It'sbeeneightyearsyetI'mstillscaredofyou.Istillbelievedthat
youwereright.Inspiteofeverythingyoudidtome,apartofmestillwantedyourlove.Nomore.I'mnotthat
littleboyanymore.IamHarryPotter,adoptedsonofJediMasterLukeSkywalkerandJediMasterMaraJade
Skywalker.Iamnoone'sbeatingpole.
Harryturnedhisbackonhisrelatives(noticingthattheapparitionsofhisadoptedfamilyhadvanished).
Inolongerhatenorloveyou.Ionlypityyou,saidHarrycalmly.
TheapparitionsvanishedandHarrywokeup.
DarkForceTemple(centralchamber)
Harrygroanedashewokeup.Lookingaround,henoticedhewasbackinthetemple.Standingup,henoticed
Astraallayingdowntohisright.Hetriedtoshakeherawakebutshedidn'tstir.Onlyfeelingherpulseassured
Harryshewasalive.
Shewon'twake,saidafemalevoicebehindhim.
Standingbyagiantstatuewastheirsuspect.Aftersilentlyandquicklyadmiringherlitheform(hewasa
growingboy!),henoticedtheblackswordatherhip.Forsomereason,thatswordmadealarmbellsringinthe
backofHarry'smind.
Notuntilshe'sready,shefinished.
Whatdoyoumean?askedHarrycautiously.Thiswomanreekedofdanger.Itwasthefeelingonewouldget
whenconfrontedwithanapexpredator.
Youshouldknow,saidthewomanknowingly.
AndHarrydid.ShewouldonlywakewhenshefacedanddefeatedherfearsasHarryhad.Still,thatdidn'tmean
Harrycouldn'thavehopedforadifferentanswer.
Didyoudothis?askedHarrywhileplacingonehandonhislightsaber.Hewassurprisedthewomanhadn't
takenitwhilehewasout.
Me?askedthewomanbeforescoffing,AsifIhaveneedforparlortricks.Iprefertokillmyvictims
personallyandnotthroughsmokeandmirrors.
Well,atleastthatruledoutthepossibilityofthetemplebeingunderhercontrol.Ifitwas,thiswouldhavebeen
muchharder.Harryslowlywalkedtowardthewoman,notwantingtoendangerAstraalduringtheirinevitable
confrontation.
Doyouhaveaname?askedHarry.
It'spolitetogiveone'snamefirstbeforeasking,rebuttedthewoman.
Ofcourse.Excuseme.IamJediHarryPotter,atyourservice,saidHarryinafakecheerfultone.
IamknownonlyasNakia,respondedtheaforementionedNakia.
Areyoutheonethat'sbeenkidnappingallthosepeople?askedHarryinaserioustone.
Nakiachuckled,asifamusedathisbravado.
Onlythelastfew,concededNakia.Theonesbefore..well,they'resomeoneelse'swork.
Who's?askedHarryforcefully.Thetensionwasrisingandthefightwasabouttoexplodeintoaction.
Nakiaplaceahandonhersheathedsword,bendingovertoallowHarryatantalizingviewofhercleavage.
I'lltellyouifyousurvive,challengedNakia.
Asshesaidthat,HarryturnedonhislightsaberandNakiaunsheathedherbladeandtheyrushedtowardeach
other.
Thebattlehadbegun.
BackinAstraal'smind
BonehadbeenslowlyundressingherwhileAstraaljustclosehereyesandsobbedwishingthiswasn't
happening.WishingthatshewasbackattheAcademywithitslushjunglesandcooltemperature.
Backwithfriendswholaughedwithherandnotather.
Backwithteacherswhosaidshehadagreatfutureaheadthatdidn'tinvolvethisdebauchery.
BackMasterMarawhowhileanalmostcrueltaskmaster,neverstoppedshowingitwasbecauseshecared.
BackwithMasterLukewithhiscalmvoiceandunderstanding.
BackwithMasterKylewhohatedbeingcalledMasterandneverfailedtohelpherwhensheneededit.
BackwithHarryandhisbeautifulemeraldeyesthatneverjudgedher.
Harry,theonewithmorecouragethansense.
Harry,whoshewasbeginningtofallinlovewith.
SherememberedwhenshefirststartedtofeelthiswayaboutHarry.
Flashback(2monthsafterAcademystarted)
HarryandAstraalweresparringwithtraininglightsabersintheirtrainingground.Harrywasgivinggroundto
Astraal'sassaultandthelatterwassurethatthistimeshewouldwin.
Suddenly,Harrydeflectedherlightsabertothesideandthelossofbalancecausedhertotrip.Harryquickly
tookadvantageanddisarmedher.
Blastit!exlaimedAstraal.Howdidyoudothat?!
Harryshruggedandexplained,Iledyouintoafalsesenseofvictory.Youweresosureofwinningthatyou
didn'tnoticeI'dledyoutorougherterrainwhichmadeiteasierforyoutotrip.
Astraalhuffedandpouted.
I'mnevergoingtobeatyou,saidAstraalsorrowfully.
Now,now.Noneofthat,assuredHarry.You'llbeatmesomedayI'msure.Youhavealotoftalent.Ifitwas
possible,I'dsayyouweremoretalentedthanyouwerebeautiful.
HesaidthiswithawinkthatmadeAstraalblush.
YoureallythinkI'mbeautiful?saidAstraaltimidly.
Oneofthemostbeautifulwomeninthegalaxy,assuredHarry.
Astraalhadknownshewasattractive.Asaslave,thathadbeenoneofthereasonsshewastrainedtodance.But
shehadneverbeencalledbeautifulinthattonebefore.Onethatspokeofconfidencethathewasrightandthat
whenhecalledherbeautifulhewasn'tjusttalkingaboutherouterbeauty.
Astraal'sheartquickenedandwarmedatHarry'ssmile.Shetookhishandandstoodup,withaninnerpromise
thatshewouldneverleavehisside.
Flashbackend
AstraalsuddenlykickedBoneoffher.Aftergettingovertheshock,Bonestoodupwithagrowljusttosee
somethingthatterrifiedhim.
TherewasAstraalinfullcombatgearandoneofherlightsaberlitinherhandandadeterminedlookinhereyes.
I'mnotawhore,saidAstraalforcefully.JustbecausemymotherwasaslaveandIwasbornonedoesnot
makeitwhoIam.
Thenwhatareyou,youtwi'lekslut?sneeredBone.
I'maJedi,statedAstraalbeforeForcepushingBoneaway.
Theworlddissolvedaroundher.
DarkForceTemple(centralchamber)
Thebattlewasn'tgoingaswellasHarryhadhoped.
Whentheyfirstclashed,Harrywassurethathewouldcutthroughherswordeasily.Imaginehissurprisewhen
notonlydiditnotbuttheswordheldupasifitwasanotherlightsaber.
Harrytookacloserlookatthebladeandhisheartskippedabeat.Whilefromfarawayitseemedlikeasimple
katana,upcloseitwasadifferentmatter.Ithadauniqueblackaurasurroundingthebladeandalongerthan
normalhilt.Itwasalsogivingoffhigherpitchedhumthanregularlightsabers.AllofthismadeHarrycometoa
horrifyingconclusion.
Thedarksaber!HowdoyouhaveaJedirelic?!halfasked/halfscreamedHarry.
AJedirelic?laughedRakia.Boy,thisbladeismine.ImayhavelostitawhileagobutIwasitscreatorandI
eventuallygotitback.
ThisconfusedHarry.ThedarksaberwasoneofakindasfarasHarryknew.IthadbeeninJedicustodyuptoa
collapseinpowerintheGalacticRepublic.ThelastknownownerhadbeenPreVizslaofDeathwatchduringthe
CloneWars.Howcanthis30ishwomanclaimtohavebeenitscreator?
Harrydidn'thavemuchtimetothinkaboutitbecauseshewassuddenlyuponhim.Harryhadtoadmitthatshe
wasverygoodatwieldedtheblade.Whileshemovedquickly,itwasonlyasfastasthefastestHumancouldgo.
Harry,ontheotherhand,hadtheForce.
HarrychanneledtheForcethinkingthathewouldbeabletobeathereasilywithhissuperiorspeed.Hewas
sadlymistaken.Whileshedidn'tgoanyfaster,sheseemedtoautomaticallyknowwherehewouldstrikebefore
hedidit.NomatterhowquicklyHarrymoved,sheseemedtobetwostepsahead(1).
Shewieldedthedarksaberasifitwasapartofherandnotjustaweaponatherdisposal.Sheattackedlikea
masterandseemedtobetoyingwithhim.Eventuallyshestartedtopushhimbacktowardthesidecolumns.
WhenHarrywasalmostbacktobacktoacolumn,shestruck.
Shesuddenlymovedthedarksaberincounterclockwisemotionsofastitblurred.Butthatwasnothingcompared
totheeffect.HarryfeltasifhewashitbytheMillenniumFalconatfullspeed.Everymuscleandbonewas
vibratingduetothesonicattack.Adistantpartofhismindnotedthatthismustbewhyitsoundsatsucha
higherpitchthananormallightsaber.
Shethenthrewadozendartlikemissilestowardhimashewastryingtorecover.Harrywasconfusedbecause
theywentwideuntilhesawthinalmostinvisiblewiresbetweenthedarts.
Clingwire!thoughtHarryfrantically.
Clingwirewasaheavydutywiredesignedtoensnarequarry.Itwasmadeofahightensilematerialsoitcould
massiveamountsofweightandstress.Tomakethingsworse,ittightenedwhenthetargetstruggled.Harrytried
tododgeitorusehislightsaberbutthenhenoticedthesecondaryeffectofthesonicattack.Itseemedasifhis
bodywasreceivingthewrongcommandsbecausewhenhetriedtomovehisrightarm,hisleftlegmoved.Same
thinghappenedeverywhere.Hewascompletelydisoriented.Hewastooslowtofigureouthowtoundoitandhe
wastiedtothecolumnbehindhim.Nakiaquicklydisarmedhim.
Hmm,notbad,saidNakiainaseductivetone.You'reverygoodwithabladeforonesoyoung.Whatareyou
fifteen,sixteen?
I'mfourteen,grittedoutHarry.HowcanIstillhearyouafterthatsonicattack?
Onlyfourteenthen,saidNakiawithatoneofsurprise.My,my.Youareyoung.Icannevertellwithyou
shortlivedones.Youalldiesoquicklytome.ThoughIhavetoadmit,youareveryinteresting.Youcanhearme
becauseI'mspeakingtoyouwithmymindaswellaswithmymouth.Plustheearsarethefirstthingthat
recovers.It'snotmeanttotargetthem,it'sjustasideeffect.
NakiaclosedthedistancebetweenthemandtookadeepsniffofHarry'sneck.
Didyouknow,youngJedi,thatweallhaveneedsand...hungers,saidNakia.Your"soup"isadark,complex
stew,Jedi.Isenseakinshipbetweenus.Why..I'dsayyousmellbetteryourfather,James,did.
Atthis,NakiahadHarry'sfullattention.WhowasJames?Wasithisbirthfather?Howdidsheknowhim?Who
wasshe?HowdidsheknowhewasthisJames'sson?Whatkinshipdidtheyhave?
HowdoyouknowifI'mthisJames'son?askedHarryinanurgenttone.WasJamesmyfather?
Sheraisedaneyebrowathim.Didyounevermeetyourfather?askedNakiainacurioustone.
Iwasraisedbymyuncleandhesaidthey'ddieddrunksandprostitutes,saidHarryinadeadpantone.How
doyouknowifI'mhisson?
How?askedNakiainanamusedtone,becauseyoulookjustlikehimofcourse.Exceptyoureyes.Youreyes
areLily's.Guesshefinallygotthegirlhewanted.ThoughIdon'tknowwhyhewantedher.I'mmuchmore
attractiveinmyhumbleopinion.
Duringallthis,shewasstrokinghisfacesoftlyasifhewasalover.
Whatareyou?askedHarrygenuinelycurious.Youmovelikeanormalhuman,albeitaveryfastone,butthe
wayyoutalkandthethingsyou'vesaiddon'tmatchup.
Me?Well,IsupposeitisrighttotellyouthatatleastbeingJames'sonandall,saidNakiamockingly.Iam
Anzati.
Asshesaidthis,twotentaclescameoutofhercheeksandstartedtocaressHarry'sfacealongwithherhands.
AsforHarry,hewasterrified.EveryoneknewthelegendofAnzati.Butthat'swhatthey'reconsideredlegends!
Butitseemedlikethoselegendswerebasedonfact.IftherestofthelegendwastruethenHarrywasaboutto
haveaverythoroughnasalexam.
Youareveryhandsome,murmuredNakia.Andyoursoupsmellsdelicious.It'stoobad.
What'stoobad?askedHarry.
Eachindividualofmykindhasasetofrulesyoumightsay,explainedNakia.Acodeofconduct.
Likeacodeofhonor?askedHarryincredulously.
No,boy,saidNakia.Thewayshesaidboymadeitclearitwasdemeaning.Justawayoflifethatwe
followreligiously.Mineis'Slaytheevildoer'.
Harrythoughtaboutitbeforecomingtoaconclusion.
Youmean,saidHarrycautiously,Youdon'tkillinnocents?
Goodness,no,saidNakia.WhywouldI?Whatflavorwouldtheirsouphave?Theywouldbeblandand
boring.Theevildoerhowevermustbeincrediblyluckytosurvive.Thebestaretheoneswholivelongest.
Butthey'restillpeople,defendedHarry.Youcan'tjustpassjudgementonthem.
WouldyoupreferIstarvetomakeyoufeelbetter?askedNakiasarcastically.
Atthis,Harryshutup.Anzatineededtoeatsouptosurvive.Itwasawellknownfact.Totellhernottoeat
wouldbeakintotellinghertocommitsuicidebecausehedidn'tlikeherspecies.
Well,you'rebetterthanothersofyourkindatleast,murmuredNakiathoughtfully.Theyallbelievemykind
shouldbeexterminated.
Nakiastartedtowalkawaybeforeturningaroundabruptly.
AgiftbeforeIgo,saidNakiaseductively.
Thenshekissedhim.Notapeckonthelipsbutafullblown,tongueswrestlingkiss.Despitehimself,Harry
couldn'tstophimselffromgettingintoit.Itgotbetterwhensheestablishedatelepathiclinkbetweenthem,
heighteningeachothersarousalbylettingthemfeelwhattheotherwasfeeling.Beneaththelustandhunger
Harrycouldfeelsomethinghedidn'texpect.Shewassosadandlonely.ThenewsthatJameswasdeadhither
deeply.Hewasoneofherfewfriends.Harryneverthoughtofhowitwouldfeeltohaveeveryonediearound
you.Theonlyonesyoucanconnecttoareyourownspeciesandtheyareobsessedwiththehunt.Shehadseen
somuchandbeensoaloneforsolong.
Suddenly,thelinkwasabruptlyseveredaswellastheliplock(whichmadeHarryinternallywhine)whenNakia
wasthrowntohisrightandhitthestatueshewasleaningonearlier.Lookingtowardtheentrance,Harrysaw
AstraalstandingtherelividlookingatthefallenNakia.
Getyourhandsoffhimbitch!exclaimedAstraal.
NakiaquicklyrecoveredfromAstraal'sForcepushandchuckledatAstraal.
What'swrong,girlie?Jealous?tauntedNakia.
ThiswasapparentlythewrongthingtosaybecauseAstraaldrewherlightsabersandattacked.WhileAstraal
wasalmostasgoodasHarry,shehadjustasmuchluckashedidagainstNakia.Noneatall.
Harrytriedtostrugglebuthewasboundtightandtheearliersonicattackstillscrambledhissensessohewas
movingthewronglimb.Itwasfadingbutnotquicklyenough.
Nakiaonlytook5minutestodefeatAstraal(2lessthanHarryhimselfhenotedproudly)andsheboundheras
well.
Don'tbeangry,girlie,tauntedafumingAstraal.I'vebeenatthismuchlongerthanyouhave.
NakiaturnedtoHarryandgavehimanotherquickkissbeforeshestartedtowalkaway.Beforereachingthe
door,shelookedoverhershoulderatHarry.
Thewireshouldloosenautomaticallysoon,saidNakia.Justforbeingagoodsport,I'lltellyouasecret.The
childrenbeingabductedbeforeIcamealong?Theyallhadonethingincommon.
What'sthat?askedHarry.
TheywereallForcesensitivesandthegovernmentcondonedtheirkidnapping,revealedNakia.Seeyou
later..beloved.
Withthatpartingcommentinmind,Nakialeft.Theysoonheardthesoundofwhatwasprobablyhershipflying
overthetemplebeforeleaving.
Well,thatcouldhavegonebetter,mutteredadefeatedAstraal.
Justasshepromised,thewireloosened3minuteslater.HarryfoundhislightsaberlyingwhereNakiahadfallen
afterAstraal'sForcepush.HeusedittocutAstraalfreeandshequicklyfoundherlightsaberswhereshe'd
droppedthem.
Whatdowedonow?askedalividAstraal.Harrytriednottodwellonwhethershewasangryatbeing
defeatedoratNakiakissinghimtwice.
Iguesswegoreportin,sighedHarry.
BeforeleavingHarrytookalookaroundandnoticedsomethingstrange.ThestatuethatNakiahadbeenleaning
onwasfamiliar.IttookawhiletoplaceitbutHarryfinallyremembered.
HeyAstraal,saidanexcitedHarry.Thatstatueistheonefrommyvision.
Astraallookedatthestatuebeforeshrugginganddejectedlysaying,Iguess.Sowhat?
Theniftherestofmyvisionwasright..trailedoffHarry.
Hequicklyrantowardthestatueandfelttheplinthitwason.WhenNakiahitshehadmoveditslightlytothe
side.Harrycouldhearthesoundofwindfrombeneaththeplinth.
There'ssomethingunderhere!saidHarryinanexcitedtone.
Nowcurious,AstraalmovedtowardHarry.Afterconfirmingshecouldalsohearthewindtheydecidedtouse
theForcetoliftthestatueandplinth.
Afterliftingitandmovingittotheside(andbeinggladitdidn'twakeup),theylookedatwherethestatueused
tobe.Therewasasmallholeonlybigenoughforasmallpersontofitthrough.Afterdecidingsincetheyhad
gonethisfartheymightaswellgoalltheway,theyjumpeddownthehole.
Afterslidingdownachuteforabout5minutes,theylandedinapitchblackroom.Turningontheirlightsabers
forlighttheysawadoorinfrontofthem.
Whatdoyouthinkthisis?askedAstraalcuriously.
Idon'tknowbutithastobeimportanttobesowellhidden,respondedHarry.
Afterfinallycrackingthecodeforthedoor,itslideopen.Themomenttheyenteredtheroom,thelightsturned
on.
Insidewaswhatseemedlikealargemuseumwithobjectsinglasscaseswithplaquesdescribingwhattheywere.
Somewereweaponslikebladesorlightsabers,whileotherswerearmorsorevenholocrons.However,attheend
ofthehallwasagoldendodecahedralholocronthatwasunmistakabletoanyonewhohadstudiedJedihistory.
TellmeI'mnotdreaming,saidabreathlessHarry.
Astraalpinchedhim.
Ow!Whatwasthatfor?askedHarry.
Tomakesureitwasn'tadream,jokedAstraal.
Theymovedtowardtheholocronandconfirmedwhattheysuspected.
Howdiditgethere?askedAstraalbreathlessly.
Palpatineprobablystashedithereafterhestoleit,answeredHarryinanequallybreathlesstone.Heprobably
didn'ttrustitanywhereelseandifallelsefaileditwouldneverbefoundbyanyoneeveragain.
HarryandAstraallookedateachotherbeforefallingdownlaughingattheirluck.
So,who'sgonnacarryitback?askedAstraalwithasmile.
Theyspent5hoursemptyingthevaultofallitsvaluables.HarrywentbackandbroughttheshiptotheTemple
itselfnowthattheyweren'ttryingtobestealthy.
OneofthediscoveriesthatmadeHarry'sdaywasalightsaber.NotjustanylightsaberbutthelightsaberofLord
Kallig,aSithLordfromtheOldSithEmpireEra.Totopitallof,itwasacurvedhiltlightsaber.Harryalmost
criedinjoy.
AftertheypackedeverythingintotheWaywardSon,theyleftthesystem.
So,doyouknowhowtogetback?askedAstraal.
Harrywasquietforaminutebeforemuttering,Forceblastit!
JediPraxeum,Yavin4(1weeklater)
Wehavetogofindthem!exclaimedafranticMara.
IthadbeenaweeksinceHarryandAstraalhadleftfortheirfirstsolomissionandtheyhadyettoreturnoreven
contacttheAcademy.Marawasunderstandablyfrantic.Thoughtsofherbabyboydyinginsomeditch
somewherehadmadeitsoshehadn'thadamomentofsleepsinceshereturnedfromhermissiontwodaysago.
They'vebeengonefortoolongwithoutcommunicationforittobenormal,saidLeia.Andwedidsuspecta
trapofsomekind.
HanandLeiahadarrivedyesterdayafterhearingofHarry'sdisappearance.TheywerejustasworriedasLuke
andMarawere.Leia,especially,wasveryfondofHarryanddespitenothavingbirthedhimconsideredhimas
oneofherboys.
Iagree,saidLuke.We'llneedtochooseasearchpartyto
JustasLukestartedtoorganizeasearchpartyforthemissingapprentices,CorranHornranintotheGrand
AudienceChamberwheretheyweregathered.
MasterSkywalker,saidKnightHornwithasmile.PermissionrequestedfromthevesseltheWaywardSonto
landinthehangar.
Afteramomentofsurprise,Lukequicklygavepermissionfortheshiptolandandthegroupwalkedtowardthe
hangarwithMarainthelead.
Whentheyarrived,theysawtheaforementionedshiplandinginitsdesignatedspot.Whentheboardingramp
loweredandtwofamiliarfigureswalkeddown,Maraletloose.
WHEREHAVEYOUTWOBEEN?!screamedabeyondfuriousMara.
HarrybeingtheextremelycourageouspersonthathewashidbehindAstraal.
IT'SBEENAWEEK!continuedMara.HAVEYOUFORGOTTENHOWTOCOMMSOMEONE?!
Dear,interruptedLuke.EveryonelookedatLukelikehewasinsanewhenhedidn'tflinchatMara'sglare.
maybeyoushouldletthemexplain.
Maralookedatthetwolikeshewasmeasuringthemfortheircoffinsbeforerelenting.Thegroupmovedtoward
theGrandAudienceChamber.
Twohourslater,theyhadexplainedeverythingthathappenedduringthemissionuptowhereNakialeftthem
tiedup(leavingouttheirfacingtheirinnerfearstheywouldmentionthatlaterinprivate).Theadultswere
understandablyrelievedandworried.
AnAnzanti,huh?saidHan.Ithoughttheyweremyths.I'dheardarumoronceinawhilebutIthoughtthey
werejustthat.Rumors.
Shesaidshecreatedthedarkblade?askedLeia.
Yea,saidshe'dlostforawhilebutgotitbackeventually,saidHarry.
Itcouldbepossible,murmuredLeia.Anzanticanliveformillenniumsaccordingtolegend.
Eitherway,saidLuke.Wehaveapotentialenemyoutthere.
SeeingHarryabouttointerrupt,Lukeinterrupted.
Iknowwhatshesaidandwhatyoubelieve,saidLuke.Ibelieveittoobutitdoesn'tstopherfrombeing
dangerousandnotevenyoucouldarguethat.
Harrystayedsilentbecauseitwastrue.Shewasdangerous.Maybenottoinnocentsbuthedoubtedthat'dstop
herifattacked.
Maraprivatelystewedatthethoughtofthehussy.Stupidslutkissingherson.Themomentshesawher,she'd
showherwhathappenstothosewhotouchherson.
ThesenewsofsomeonekidnappingForcesensitivesistroubling,saidKyle.
Iagree,saidLuke.LeianotifyallNewRepublicforcetobeonalert.TheonlyreasontoabductForce
sensitivesis...
Totrainthem,finishedLeia.ProbablyasDarkJedi.I'llbealertforanyclues.
Lukenodded.Itwasthebesttheycouldhopefor.
Thatdoesn'texplainwhyyou'relate,saidastillangryMara.Thattooklittleovertwodays.You'vebeengone
foroveraweek.Whathappenedafteryoulefttheplanet?
HarrylookedembarrassedwhileAstraallookedamused.
Ikinda...got...lost,saidanembarrassedHarry.
Lost?askedasurprisedLuke.How?
Ikindaforgottomarkthehyperlaneweusedtogettothesystem,mutteredHarry.
Atthat,thetensionbrokeatMara'slaughter.
Somepilotyouare,saidMarateasingly.WaittillJainahearsthis.
Harrygroaned.She'dneverlethimheartheendofthis.
Whatelsehappened?queriedLuke.You'reexcitedforsomereason.
HarryandAstraallookedateachotherbeforegrinning.Harrygotupandwenttotheshiptogetit.
Where'shegoing?askedMara.
Togetoursurprise,saidAstraal.
Harrycameback2minuteslatercarryingalargecrate.
Ladiesandgentlemen,mayIpresent,saidHarrygrandly,theGreatHolocron.
TheMasterswerewideeyedandshockedwhileLeiafainted.
EndNotes:
Notes
(1)ImagineSasukefightingNarutoafterunlockingthethirdtomoe.
AN:Yep,theyfoundtheGreatHolocron.Ialwaysfounditweirdthattheydon't
mentionwheretheNewJediOrderfounditin40ABY.PlusIdoubtPalpatine
wouldputitjustanywhere.DromundKaaswasthesiteforProphetsoftheDark
SideaswellasthesitefortheOldSithEmpire.IcanseePalpatinemockingthe
Jedibyputtingtheirmostfamousandextensiveholocronthere.
Also,Nakiawillshowupfromtimetotimeandshe'llbeoneofthefewthatwill
changeHarry'sworldview.She'llhaveamuchmoreimportantroleintheYuuzhan
VongWar.Asofrightnow,she'sliketheCatwomantohisBatman.Theseductress
hegrowstolovebuthastocaptureduetoduty.She'llalsobeyetanotherperson
fightingforHarry'sheart(althoughinhercaseit'llbemoreasajokethana
seriousattempt).
Asyoucouldsee,Harryisnotinvincible.He'sjustanapprenticerightnowand
doesn'thavemuchexperience.HeonlyfoundtheGreatHolocronduetoavision
andluckmostly.
WhydidImakethemfindtheGreatHolocronsosoon?BasicallybecauseIknew
nootherwayforhimtostarttolearnVaapad,Yuyo,orElectricJudgementbefore
theYuuzhanVongWar.ThelatterespeciallywillbecomeHarry'strademark.Itis
calledLightningstyleforareason,people.
ThemostimportantthingofthechapterwasthepartofhisUncleVernon.Asyou
cansee,Harryhasalotofissuesandatendencytorepressthem.Astraalisalikein
thatregardwhichiswhyI'vemadethempartners.Theymixwell.Harry'sissues
willplaguemostofhislifeandaffecthisrelationshipswithwomen.Ialwaysfound
itweirdthatcanonHarrywasabusedfor10yearsandturnedoutperfectlyfine.
Here,Harrywasabusedforonly5yearsandhestillhasissues.
NextchapterwillstartintheYoungJediKnightsseriestimeline.Ishouldwarn
youHarrywillonlybeintheimportantpartsandeventhen,onlyafew.Hehashis
ownstorylinethatwillsometimesintersectwithJacenandJaina'sasyoucansee
whenImentionedtheForcesensitivechildrenbeingabducted(cough..Shadow
Academy...cough).
Asforwhytheydidn'tgobacktoAbrionMajor?CauseIdidn'tfeellikeit.I
seriouslyhavenoideahowHarrywouldfacethesenatorknowingshewas
basicallycondoningthekidnappings.
ThenextchapterwillmarkHarry'sfirststepoffthedogmaticJedipathanddown
thepathofthegray!You'llloveit!
PleaseReview!
Backtoindex
FeelingsinturmoilbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter8
JediPraxeum,Yavin4
(1monthsinceDromundKaasincident)
JacenandHarrywerecrawlingalongthejunglefloorlookingaroundnervously.Anysecondnowtheenemy
couldfindthemandtheywerealmostoutofammunition.Theyhadwastedtoomanyshotsinthosefirstfew
secondsofconflictwithoutmakingadentintheenemy'sadvance.Nowtheyweredowntotheirlastclipand
withnoideawheretheenemywas.
Arewegonnamakeit,Harry?whisperedJaceninascaredtone.
I'mnotgonnalietoyou,whisperedHarry,theenemyistenacious.Theyhavenomercyandtheydon't
understandtheconceptofsurrender.Butwe'remenandJediandweneverstopuntilwe'redeadinourgraves,
understand?
Jacenlookednoticeablymoreatease.Harrywasalwayscapableofliftinghisspirits.Heconsideredhimlikea
bigbrotherandalwayslistenedtohisadvice(sometimesevenoverhisparents').Ifhesaidtheywouldonlystop
whentheyweredeadthenbytheForcetheywouldgivetheenemysomethingtorememberthemby.
So,what'stheplan?whisperedJacen.
Okay,comehere,whisperedHarry.
JacengotcloserasHarryclearedasmallpatchofgroundtodrawamapofthearea.
Okay,we'rehere,whisperedHarryasheplacesaredberryontheirposition.andtheenemyishere,he
placedablackberryontheenemy'sprobableposition.Whatwe'regoingtodoismoveintothispositionand
stayonthegroundamongthefoliage.Thenwe'regoingtouseyourabilitywithanimalstocausethemto
stampedeanddistracttheenemysotheylooktheotherway.Whenthey'redistractedwe'lluseourremaining
ammototakethemout.They'llbesosurprisedthatourvictoryisassured.
Ormaybe,saidavoicethatmadebothboysfreezeintheirtracks,theenemyisalreadyhereandisaboutto
finishyou.
Harrytriedtoraisehisriflebutknewitwastoolate.Hegothitonceintheface,twiceintherightshoulder,
thriceonhislegsandtentimesathischestbeforefalling.Besidehim,Jacenhadbeenhitjustasmanytimes.
Harrylaytherewithhiseyesclosed,completelydefeated.
Oh,getupyousoreloser,saidJainaamusedly.StopplayingdeadsoIcangloatmyvictory.
Harryopenedhiseyesandglaredattheenemygeneral.
Youkilledmewithfirstshot,saidHarry,werethefifteenextraonesreallynecessary?Ittakesforevertotake
thispaintoff!
Harryandthegrouphadhadararedayoffandinsteadoftrainingoranythinglikethat,theydecidedtohavea
gameofWarwiththegirlsononesideandtheboysontheother.Astraalwasoutonamissionwithhismother
andLowbaccawasvisitinghisfamilysotheteamswerejustHarryandJacenvsJainaandTenelKa.Sofar,the
boyswerelosing12to1.
Asweaponstheywereusingtoypaintballriflesthatshotsmallpelletsofpaintatthesamerateoffireasa
blasterriflebutfeltlikegettingflicked.Annoyingbutpainless.
Howdoyouguyskeepwinning?whinedJacenbesidehim.
Fact.Thisjustgoestoshowthatwomenarethesuperiorgender,statedTenelKainateasingtone.
Thatandwetradedoutthegenericpaintballswiththeonesthatmakeyoustinklikeadeadcarcasssowejust
followedyourscentformwhenwetaggedyouinthefirstgame,saidJainanonchalantly.
Harrygaveherabetrayedlookbeforesaying,That'scheating!Howcanyouusesuchunderhandedtactics?!
BecauseIgotitfromyourdresseryouhypocrite.You'rejustangrycauseyouforgotaboutthem,teasedJaina.
Dammit,mutteredHarryunderhisbreath.
Man,I'mgonnagogetchanged.YoucomingwithTenelKa?askedJacen.
Yes,itisgettingprettylateanyway,saidTenelKa.
Yeah,let'sgochangeandgetsomethingtoeat.It'sabouttimeformiddaymealanyway,saidHarry.
JainaagreedandallfourwalkedtowardtheAcademy.AstheyreachedtheAcademy,theyranintoAnakinand
Tahirihavinganargument.
Nuhuh!Girlscanbebothprettyandstrong!saidTahiriforcefully.
Howcanagirllookprettywhilekickingass?askedAnakingenuinelyconfused.
Becauseshe'salwayspretty,saidTahirisimply.
ThisalmostmadeHarrybreakintolaughterattheconfidenceinTahiri'stone.Hemusthavemadeasound
becauseTahiriturnedtothembeforebreakingintoasmileatthesightoftwoofherfemalrolemodels.
Jaina!TellAnakinthatI'llbebothbeautifulandpowerfulasJediKnight!saidTahiri.
JainalaughedbeforerufflingTahiri'shairabitbeforesaying,Ofcourseyouwill.Thenyou'llbejustlikeme,
prettyanddangerous.
Atthis,Harrycouldn'thelpbutthinkthatJainawouldbeagoodmother.Shehadagreedwithherwhile
simultaneouslytellingherthatshewasstillalongwayfromreachingthatlevel.
Anakinscruncheduphisfacebeforeinnocentlyasking,LikethatwomanHarrymetonhislastmission.
Ifitwaspossible,HarrycouldswearhesawadarkcloaksurroundJaina.
No,saidJainaforcefully.Shewasjustaoldhagtryingtoreliveherancientyouthbyhittingon
impressionableandidioticboys.Tahiriandmewillbeyoung,smart,beautifulandpowerfulJediKnights.
Understand?
Jaina'stonemadeitsoAnakinknewtherewasonlyonerightanswer.
Yea,Itotallyunderstand,saidAnakin.Itwasclearhereallydidn't.Well,we'regonnagoeatsinceI'mhungry
andall.
TahirisaidgoodbyebeforefollowingafterAnakin.However,beforeshegottoofarsheturnedtowardthemand
askedinacurioustone,WhereyouandHarrywrestlinginthejungleflooragain?Becauseyouhavetwigsand
plantsalloverbothofyou.
JainalookedaroundandnoticedthatatsomepointJacenandTenelKahadleftthemwiththekids.WithHarry
andJainaonlybeingvisible,itdidseemasiftheyhadbeenwrestlinginthejunglefloor.Jainaflushedascertain
imagesenteredherheadofthemwrestling.Shequicklyshookherheadandbanishedthosethoughtswithher
usualmantraof,We'realmostcousins,we'realmostcousins.
Jainatriednottothinkabouthowineffectivethatmantrawas.
No,wewerejustplayingtogetherinthejungle,assuredHarryinwhatheprobablythoughtwasacasualtone.
ItwasobviousthathisthoughtshadturneddownthesamethoughtpatternasJaina's.
Isn'tthatthesamething?askedTahiriconfusedly.
HarryandJainalookedateachotherandflushedatthethoughtspassingthroughtheirheads.
No,saidJainainawobblytone.Itisn't.
TahirijustshruggedbeforefollowingafterAnakin.
HarryandJainatriednottolookateachotherandatensesilencefellbetweenthem.
Jayjay..startedHarry.
Weshouldgochange,interruptedJaina.Youknow,sowedon'tstinkandstuff.
Harryknewshehadpurposefullyinterruptedhim,knowingwhathewantedtotalkabout.Hefollowedherleas
howeverandagreedwithher.
Aftertheyshowered,theymetupwiththeothersattheirregulartable.
So,whatarewegoingtodoafterthemeal?askedJaina.
Iamgoingtomeditateandresearchlightsaberhilts,saidTenelKa.Yourencounterlastmonthwiththe
darkbladehasgottenmeinterestedinuniquelightsabersandIwishtoresearchthem.TenelKahadthetactnot
tomentionwhowaswieldingthedarkbladeatthetime.
I'mgonnagofeedmyanimals.I'vebeenneglectingthemlately,saidJacen.
Iswearthatyouloveyouranimalsmorethanmesometimes,teasedJaina.
Jacenstuckouthistonguebeforesaying,Well,they'rewaybetterconversationalists.
Jainaletoutasquawkofdisbeliefbeforequicklythrowingapieceoffruitathimwhichhedodgedwithasmile.
HowaboutyouHarry?askedJainainawouldbecasualtone.
Harry,however,caughtitandsimplysaid,Idon'thaveanyplans.Youhavesomethingplanned?
Justsomelighttrainingsotakeyourtraininglightsaber,saidJaina.
Ican'tbelieveyoustillhavethat,saidJacenshakinghishead.
Well,Ican'treallyusemyrealoneonyouguyscanI?teasedHarry.Youguysdon'thaverealonesyet.
EveryoneletoutsoundsofprotestwhichHarryjustlaughedat.
JustwaittillIgetmine,saidJacen.ThenI'llkickyourass.
WhateveryousayJacen,teasedHarry.
Afterthemeal,HarryandJainametupattheAcademyentrance.
Sowhatarewegoingtodo?askedHarrycuriously.
You'regoingtobemyprivatetutorandhelpmewithmylightsaberskills,saidJainafirmly.
Harrysmiledroguishlyatherbeforesaying,Ifyouwantedprivatetutoring,beautiful,allyouhadtodowas
ask.
Jainaflushedbeforeplayfullyglaringathimandleadingthewaytothetrainingground.
SowhyshouldIhelpyou?teasedHarry.Mytimeisverypreciousafterall.
Unfortunately,HarryhadhisbacktoJainawhenhesaidthatsowasunpreparedforherpouncingonhim.He
triedtoescapebutshejustheldhishandsdownwithherownandsatdownonhischest.
Becauseifyoudon'tI'llmakeyou,saidJainaplayfully.
Harrycouldn'thelpbeslightlyarousedbyhertakingwhatshewanted.Hehadbeensurroundedbystrong
womeneversincehewasadopted,soitwasnaturalforhimtobeattractedtostrongwomen.
Jainasuddenlyseemedtonoticehowclosetheirfacewerebecauseherbreathingnoticeablyspedup.Hereyes
unconsciouslymovedtowardhislipsandbacktowardhiseyes.Harrywasinthesameboatbecausewithher
basicallyontopofhim,hecouldfeeleverycurveandcouldhonestlysayshewouldgrowtohavehermother's
curves.Hewasusingallhiswillpowertotryandrepresshisbody'snaturalreactiontoherclosepresence.
ItseemedhewasunsuccessfulbecauseJainasuddenlywidenedhereyesandblushedbeforeunconsciously
rubbingherselfonhim.TheactionbroughtastrangledmoanfrombothofthemwhichseemedtowakeJainaup
fromhertrance.
Shequicklygotoffhimandturnedaroundsohewouldn'tseeherobviousarousal.Harryusedthechancetoshift
hispantssohisarousalwouldbelessnoticeable.
So,startedHarryinastrangledtone.Heclearedhisthroatandcontinued,let'sgetstarted.
Jainaturnedbacktowardhimandfailedtostopherselffromlookingdownforasecondbeforelookingaway
andmuttering,Sobig.
Clearingherthroat,shesaid,Yea,myformisprettysolidbutIneedhelpsmoothingitoutbeforeIbuildmy
lightsaber.Don'twanttoaccidentlyhurtmyself.Shesaidthislastpartwithaforcedlaugh.Shewasobviously
tryingtoactasifnothinghadhappened.
Slightlydisappointedandrelievedatthesametime,Harryfollowedherlead.
Yea,sure.Showmewhatyougot,saidHarry.
Theyturnedontheirtraininglightsabersandstartedcirclingeachother.
What'swrong,Jayjay?Scared?tauntedHarry.
Jainasmirkedandsaid,YoushouldknowthatI'mneverscared.
Flashback(Harry'sage:8,Jaina'sage:7)
HarryandJainahadgivenherparentstheslipandwerenowexploringtheupperlevelsofCoruscant.Jacen
hadn'twantedtocome,preferringtoplaywithhisnewpet.Harryneverknewhowhecouldfindanewpetevery
weekdespiteAuntLeiatryingherbesttopreventit.
So,wheredoyouwanttogo,Jayjay?askedHarry.
Jainastoppedtothinkforamomentbeforelookingdowntowardthegroundandsmiling.
Afterknowingherfortwoyears,Harryknewwhatshewasthinking.
Areyoucrazy?TheUnderground?askedHarryinascaredtone.Youknowwhattheysayaboutthatplace.
What'swrong?Scared?tauntedJaina.
Jaina'stauntworkedandafirelitinHarry'seyesatthechallenge.
Never,saidHarryconfidently.Buthowarewegoingtogetthereanyway?
Afterdiscussingit,theeventuallydecidedontakingthelongwaydownthevariouslevelsuntiltheyreachedit.
Afteralotofwrongturnsanddeadends,theyeventuallyreachedtheCoruscantUnderground.Itwas
fascinatingtothetwochildrenwhohadneverseenanythinglikeit.Harryhadspentmostofhisyoutheitherat
theschoolhewasforcedtogoorhiscupboardandsincelivingwiththeSoloshehadonlyseenthebetterpartof
society.Jainahadonlyeverseenthelatterandwaslookingaroundwithwide,wonderingeyes.
Theyspentthebetterpartofanhourlookingaroundandlearningtonavigatethearea.Theynoticedthatit
sometimesrainedherewhenitdidn'trainintheupperlevels.Afteranhourhadpassed,Jainadecidedshe
wantedtogoevenlower.
HarryhadabadfeelingaboutitbutignoreditatJaina'ssmile.Hecouldneverdenyhersomethingwhenshe
smiled.TheywentlowerandsuddenlyHarryfeltthehairsonhisneckgouponend.Theywerebeingfollowed.
Harrylookedaroundbeforeseeingwhatlookedlikeasickmaninaloinclothwalkingtowardthemdragging
something.HewasintheshadowofaruinedbuildingsoHarrycouldn'tseehimwell.Harryhadabadfeeling
aboutthemanbutJainawalkedcloseruntilshewasonlyafootawayfromhim.
Hello?askedJaina.Doyouneedhelp?
Suddenly,thesickmancameintothelight.Heoritwasamutatedversionofwhatusedtobeaperson.He
hadnoeyesandfourfangsinhismouth.Itmadehimseemlikeanovergrownbatwithoutwings.Jainatooka
stepbackinhorrorbutshewastooslow.Thecreaturethrewanetoverherandtriedtodragheroff.
Harry!screamedJainainterror.
Harry,forthethirdtimeinhislife,consciouslyusedhisabilityandbroketheshatterpointinthenet.Itdidn'tso
muchbreakasfallapart.JainaquicklyrantowardHarrybutthecreatureranafterher.Harrytappedintohis
powersandliftedthecreatureupbeforethrowinghimasfarashecould.JainahidbehindHarryandgrabbed
him,shivering.
Theyquicklyranbackupthelevelsandonlystoppedwhentheywerebackintheupperlevels.Backwith
civilization.
Areyouokay?askedaconcernedHarry.
Yea,thatwasanadventure!saidaslightlytremblingJaina.
Weren'tyouscared?askedHarrycuriously.
Nope!saidJaina.Idon'tdoscared.Iwasjustsurprised.
Harrylookedatherskepticallybeforeshruggingandtheycontinuedwalkingbackhome.
Plus,saidJainaastheyreachedtheapartment,IknewIwassafebecauseyouwerethere.
Flashbackend
Harrysmiledatthememory.ThatwasjustthefirsttimetheyhadgonedowntotheUndercityinoneoftheir
manyadventures.MostofthemhadbeenwithJacenbutafewhadbeenjustHarryandJaina.Shealwaysstated
shewassafebecausetheyhadeachother.
Well,then,challengedHarry,proveit.
Jainasmirkedandcharged.
Jaina'sstylewasablendofherdifferentteachers.ShehadpickedupHarry'sknackforshortprecisejabswhen
necessary,Luke'sstrongswingsandKyle'scoolandprecisetechnique.
EvenHarrywashardpressedagainstherwhenusingoneblade.Harryinternallywonderedifshewouldhave
beenthisgoodthisquicklyifhehadn'tbeentherebutshookitoff.
AsJainadodgedoneofHarry'sslashes,hecaughtsightofhernecklace.ShehadturnedtheSolarishardcrystal
intoanecklacethatsheneverremoved.Itwasn'tverybigandwouldlookbetterasanearringbutJainadidn'tdo
earringsunlessabsolutelynecessary.Sheinsteadturneditintoanecklace.
MarahadteasedHarrywithwhetheritwasapromisenecklacebuthejustblushedandstuttered.
Harrystarteduppingthespeed,wantingJainatogetusedtofightingopponentsfasterthanher.Nakiahadshown
himthatyoudon'thavetobeasfastasanopponentinordertoblocktheirattacks.Youjusthavetohavethe
experiencetopredictwheretheywouldstrikenext.
Atfirst,Jainafalteredundertheincreasedspeedbutshequicklygotusedtoitandevenaddedherownflairin
blockingthem.Assheblockedthem,shetriedtopredictwherehisarmwouldbenextinordertolandablow
there.Ifitwasreallightsabers,shewouldbeabletotakehisarmoff.
Harrynoticedthisandavoideditbutsmiledatheringenuity.Afteramomenttodisengage,theycontinued.
Aftertheirspar,Jainaaskedhimhisopiniononherstyle.
Well,yourstyleiscoolandcollected,saidHarryinathoughtfultone,IsuggestyouuseMakashi'seconomy
ofmotionideasothatwayyoudon'twasteasingleeffort.It'llmeshwellwithyourstyle.
Jainanoddedathisinputbeforetakingadrinkfromherwaterbottleandthrowingsomeoverherheadtocool
off.Harrywatchedthisfromthecornerofhiseyeandcouldn'thelpbutadmireherform.Shehadlongbrown
hairthatreachedalmosttothesmallofherback.Currentlyitwaswetandclingingtoherform.Shehadher
mother'slips,fullandplumpandshehadatendencytobiteitwhenshewasnervous.Shewasn'tasdevelopedas
othergirlsinherchestareabutHarrypreferredherform.Shehadenoughtoshowshewasgirlbutnottoo
much.Itgaveherthelookofawarriorwhichmatchedherpersonality.Harry'stwofavoritepartsofherwereher
backsideandherlonglegs.Sheneverlikedwearinglongpantsandpreferredshortssosheshowedalotofskin.
Allinall,Jainawasbeautiful.
Hey,haveyoueverwonderediftherearesecretsinthejunglehere?askedJaina.
Harryshruggedandsaid,Notreally.MostlybecauseIknowthereare.
Jainasmirkedandasked,Wannagodiscoversome?
Harrylookedattheskyandnoticedthepositionofthesun.
It'sgonnagetlate..saidHarry.
We'llbebackquickly,assuredJaina.What'swrong?Scared?
Thefamiliartauntbroughtasmiletohislips.
Never,saidHarryinaconfidenttone.
Thenlet'sgo,saidJaina.Wehaveourtraininglightsabersandeachother.Thatshouldbeenoughfor
anything.
Harrysmiledatherassertionbeforegettingupandfollowingherintotheabyssyetagain.
Ithadbeentwohourssincetheystartedtoexploreanditturnedoutthattheyhaddiscoveredsomething.
We'relost,statedJainaglumly.
Yep,saidHarryinanequallydefeatedtone.ContactJacenthroughyourtwinlinkandaskhimtosend
someoneafterus.
Jainaclosedhereyesandtrieddoingjustthat.Afterafewminutes,sheopenedhereyes.
HesaidthatUncleLukewillflyoverinthemorning,explainedJaina.Hesaystofindacaveandsittighttill
morning.
Damn,saidHarry.Well,cavesareinmountainssolet'sgotowardthem.
Pickingtheclosestmountain,theystartedwalkingtowardit.AstheywalkedHarrycouldn'thelpbutlookat
Jaina.Shelookedmoreathomehereinthewildernessthanintheupperechelonsofsociety,thoughHarryknew
throughexperiencethatshecleanedupwell.
HearingHarry'schuckle,Jainaturnedtowardhim.
What'ssofunny?askedJaina.
Justthinkingthatyoulookmoreathomeoutherethanafancypartywithpoliticians,teasedHarry.
Jainastuckouthertongueassherememberedthefirsttimeshewenttooneofthose.
Flashback(Harry'sage:11,Jaina'sage:10)
Jainahadonlybeeninthepartyfor30minutesandshealreadyhatedit.Itwasfullofadultsthatsaidnice
thingstoherbutshecouldsensewerelying.Boystwiceherageweretryingtogetonhergoodsidebecauseof
whohermotherwas.
Jainahadn'tbeenabletogetoutofitbecauseherdadhadtakentheboystodosomemalebonding.Jaina
hadhatedthatshewasn'taboyinthatmoment.Atleastthenshewouldbeabletoescapethisparty.
WorsewasthatHarrywasn'there.Hewouldhavebeenabletomakethisalittlemorebearable.Hecould
alwaysmakeherlaughevenifthelaughterwasdirectedathim,hedidn'tmind.
JainafrownedandwonderedifsheshouldinviteZekkthenexttimeHarrywasn'tavailable.
Jainasuddenlyfeltsomeonetaphershoulderandtookadeepbreathtobereadytoreceiveyetanothergreeting
fulloffalsegoodwishes.Turningaround,Jainatriedtosmilebutcouldonlygrimaceuntilshesawwhoitwas.
ItwasHarry.
HewasdressedinaRepublicClassicerastylesuitthatlookedgoodonhimadbroughtoutthegreeninhiseyes.
Jainacouldn'thelpbutunconsciouslyblushandinternallynotehowhandsomehelooked.
So,canIspendtimewiththeprettiestgirlhere?askedHarrywhilegrinningroguishly.
Jainablusheddeeperathiscompliment.Althoughshehadbeenreceivingsimilarcomplimentsallnight,this
wasdifferent.ShecouldsenseboththroughtheForceandinhistoneofvoicethathonestlythoughtthat.Itmade
herheartskipabeat.
Ofcoursegoodsir,saidJainainafakesuperiortone.
HarryandJainalookedateachotherforasecondbeforelaughing.ThelaughterbrokeJainaoutofherslump.
Whatareyoudoinghere?askedJainaexcitedly.IthoughtyouweregoingwithDadtobond.
HarrychuckledatthelookonJaina'sfacewhenshesaidthat.
IwasgoingtobutthenIheardthatmybestfriendwasgoingtobeforcedtogotothis,herehegaveafake
shudder,party.YouneededmemoresoImadeHanbuymeasuitandhereIam.
Jainasmiledatthat.Harryhadsacrificedwhatpromisedtobeagoodtimeinordertogotoahorribleparty
withher.Jainacouldn'thelpbutsmilewiderandloopedherarmthroughhis.
I'mglad,saidJainasoftly.
YouknowI'llalwayscomewhenyouneedme,Jayjay,saidHarryjustassoftly.
ThewayhesaiditmadeJainablushandlookdowninembarrassment.Whywassheflushinglikethat?
Hejustmeantitlikeafriend...right?
Goodevening,whomightyourfriendbeLadySolo?saidapompousvoice.
Turningaround,Jainasawaboywithredhairandgreeneyesandabout15yearsoldstandingtherelookingat
Harrylikehewasaninsect.ThatmadeJainaangrybutsheswalloweditandpretendedtobeadecentlady
likehermothertaughther.
Thisismybestfriend,Harry,saidJaina.Harrythisis...
RonaldExtruct,heirtotheExtructEngineeringcompany,atyourservice,saidRonaldcondescendingly.
Neverheardofyou,saidHarrytruthfully.
Jainahadtobitehertonguetokeepfromburstingintolaughteratthelookontheboy'sfacewhenHarrysaid
that.
Yes,well,saidRonald,Youwouldn't.Aren'tyouthatorphantheyadoptedoutofpity?
HarryandJainabristledathistoneandtheimpliedinsult.Jainawasquicklyrunningoutofpatiencewiththe
boy.
ActuallyitwasLukethatadoptedme,saidHarry.Youknow,LukeSkywalker?Ithinkyou'veheardofhim?
Ronaldnarrowedhiseyesathimbeforesniffingandsaying,Yeswell.Jediareknowntohaveafewscrews
loose.
Thatlastcommentwasthestrawthatbrokethebantha'sback.Jainaquicklyretorted,Well,atleastheisn't
fromafamilyofnobodieswhothinkthey'resomebodiesjustcausetheyhaveacompany.Heactuallymadea
differenceinhislife.Howaboutyourfamily?
Atthis,theboyflushedredbeforeabruptlyleavingwhilemutteringaboutidioticchildren.
Harrybrokedownlaughingandsaid,Yougo,Jayjay.
Jainasmiledbeforesayingmorosely,Ishouldn'thavedonethat.MomsaidIhadtobeonmybestbehaviorand
actperfect.
Harrysoftlygrabbedherchinbeforelookingherintheeyeandsaying,Jaina,you'reperfectthewayyouare.
Neverletanyonemakeyouactlikeanyonebutyourself.
Jainafeltherheartmeltathiswordsandforasecondhadthestrongesturgetokisshimbutbanishedthe
thought.Theywerepracticallycousins,itwouldbewrong.Still,Jainacouldn'tstopherselffromgivinghima
peckonthecheek,loopingherarmthroughhisagainanddragginghimtothedancefloortoteachhimhowto
dance.
TheyweretheworstcoupleonthedancefloorbutJainahadneverhadsuchfunbefore.
Flashbackend
Ihatethoseparties,mutteredJaina.Ifeellikeadressedupdollthatmymomprancesaround.
Youmakeaveryprettydoll,teasedHarry.
JainajustmadearudegesturethatmadeHarrylaughbeforecontinuing.
Theyreachedthemountain'sbasequicklyandHarrystartedafire.Theysatnexttoeachotherandweresilent
forawhilebeforeJainabrokeit.
InevertoldyouwhyIlikepilotingsomuch,right?askedJaina.
Ithoughtitwassimplyafamilytrait,saidaconfusedHarry.
That'spartofit,acknowledgedJaina.Butmostlyit'sbecausewhenIpilot,I'mjustme.I'mnotLeiaOrgana
Solo,princessofAlderaan'sdaughter.ThedaughteroftheChiefofStateandexpectedtoenterpoliticslikeher.
I'mnotHanSolo,ageneralofNewRepublic'sdaughter.Thedaughterofawarheroandexpectedtobehis
equalincombatandstrategy.I'mnotLukeSkywalker,theherooftheNewRepublic'sniece.I'mnotexpectedto
bewiseeventhoughI'mjustateenager.I'mjustJaina.Justoneofhundredsofpilotsinthegalaxy.IfImakea
nameformyselfasanincrediblecombatpilot,it'ssomethingIknowIearnedandnotsomethingIsimply
inheritedfrommyfamily.
JainasniffedbeforelookingatHarrywithshimmeringeyes.
That'swhyIlikeyou,saidJaina.Toyou,I'mjustJaina.Justagirllikeeveryoneelseandyoudon'texpect
anythingfromme.Evenmyfamilyexpectsthingsfromme.YoulikemejustthewayIam.
Asshesaidthis,shehadslowlyclosedthedistancebetweenthem.Harrymetherhalfwaybeforetheyshareda
gentlekiss.
Jainabrokeitslowlybeforewhispering,Weshouldn'tbedoingthis.We'rebasicallycousins.
Notbyblood,skyprincess,counteredHarry.Wedon'thaveanythingtobeashamedof.
JainatriedtoresisthalfheartedlybutHarrydrewherintoanotherkisswhichshequicklymeltedinto.Jaina
moanedintothekissandsheneverwantedittostop.
Shecouldn'tquiterecallwhenshefellforhim.Maybeitwaswhentheysharedtheirfirstkisstwomonthsinto
theAcademy.Shehadrejectedhimthenandtoldhimitcouldneverhappenagain.Maybeitwasbeforethat,
whenhetoldherhelikedherjustthewayshewas.Somethingnoonehadevertoldherbefore.Ormaybeitwas
whenshewas7andknewthatshewouldalwaysbesafeaslongashewasaround.Jainadidn'tknowand
truthfullydidn'trightlycare.Allsheknewwasthatshehadfallenforhim.Theoneboyshecouldn'thavedueto
familytieshadstolenherheart.
Beforesheknewit,shehadstraddledhimandwaskissinghimfiercely.Tryingtopourallherloveandthe
turmoilinherheartofwhatwasbetweenthemintoit.Harryrespondedjustasfiercely,returningherfeelings.
Therewasanother,secret,reasonshelovedpiloting.Itwasbecause,whenshewentfastenough,shefeltlikeshe
couldoutrunanything.WhenHarryandJainawerepiloting,theywerejustHarryandJaina.Theyweren't
cousins.Theywerejustaboyandagirlwithstrongfeelingsforeachotherandtherewasnothingwrongwith
that.SometimesJainawishedhehadbeenadoptedbyanotherfamilyandtheymetthen.Thatwayshewouldn't
havetoholdbackherfeelings.
Harrygentlybrokethekissbeforeleavingatrailofkissesdownherfaceandreachedherneckwhichhestarted
tosuckle.Jainamoanedatthefeeling,wishingformore.
ItwasthiswishthatbroughtJainabacktoreality.Sheknewthatifsheletitcontinuetheywouldn'tstop.Harry
wouldusuallybeagentlemanandstopbutherearlierrejectioncoupledwithherfinallyinitiatingakissbetween
themhadignitedhispassionanditwasfogginghisthoughtpatterns.
Stop,Harry,saidJainalowly.
Harrystoppedbeforelookingatherinconfusion.
What'swrong,skyprincess?askedHarry.
Jaina'sheartflippedathisnewnicknameforher.Itmadeherfeelspecialandloved.Likesheheldaplacethat
noothercouldevertake.
Wecan't..saidJainasorrowfully.Nothing'schanged.We'restillcousinsandifwedon'tstop,wewon'tever
beabletostop.
Harrylookedasifhewasgoingtocontinueforamomentbuthecontrolledhimself.HewouldneverforceJaina
intodoingsomethingshedidn'twant100%.Especiallyifitinvolvedtheirrelationship.BytheForce,hedidn't
evenknowhowtocategorizeit.Hejustknewthathehadneverlookedatherashiscousin.Shewasalwaysjust
hisskyprincess.
Theyslowlyandreluctantlydisentangledthemselves.
Ithinkweshouldgotosleep,saidJainainalowtone.
Okay,saidHarrysadly.
Theyclearedanareainthecaveforthemtosleepandlaiddown.Atfirsttheysleptabout5feetfromeachother.
However,Jainaslowlycreptcloserbeforebreakingthetensesilence.
Canyou..just..holdme...please?askedJainainasubduedtone.Harrydidn'tlikehersoundingso
downtroddenandfelthorriblethathewaspartofthecause.Hequicklyputanarmaroundherandshequickly
snuggledintohischestandbreathedinhisscent.ToJaina,nothingmadeherfeelsaferthanhissmell.Itwasa
mixofsweat,cleansoftgrassandasmellthatwasuniquelyhis.Sheknewthatnothingwouldevermakeher
feelsafer.
Harrywasinthesameboat.Hebreathedinhersmell:amixofoilfromherconstantworkingonmachines,
sweatandaroselikesmellthatwasuniquelyhers.Hecouldn'thelpbutnoticehowtheyfittogetherperfectly.
Shefitperfectlyintohisarmsasifhewasmadeforher.
Holdingeachotherandwithjustthesoundofthefirecrackling,theydriftedofftosleep.Theydreamtofaworld
wheretheirlovewasn'twrong.Aworldwheretheywerehappy.
EndNotes:
AN:Thereyouhaveit.Itwasbasicallyafillerbutwasveryimportantintothe
charactersdevelopment.Ihopeyoulikeit!
ReadandReview!
Backtoindex
TheJensaaraibyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter9
NarShaddaa(late22ABY)
Cuthimoff!yelledHarry.
Alreadyonit,Harry!saidAstraalovertheheadcomm.
Dammit,where'sMom?askedanaggravatedHarry.
IthadbeentwomonthssincetheDromundKaasincidentandtherediscoveryoftheGreatHolocron.Sincethen,
theJedihadbeenlookingforcluesintowhocouldbebehindthekidnappings.SinceHarryandAstraalwerethe
oneswhodiscoveredit,theywereusuallytheonessentonmissionsrelatedtoit.
TheyhadcometoNarShaddaaonarumorthatasmugglercallinghimselfAcemightknowsomethingofthe
kidnappings.TheyweregivenadescriptionandlefttowardtheSmuggler'sMoontocapturehim.Theyhad
managedtolandwithoutattractingattention(anotherplusofpilotingafreighterwithobviousillegal
modificationsratherthanMara'srathernoticeableship)andquicklyfoundthatAcelikedtospendtimeinthe
MeltdownCafe,apopularrestaurantamongbountyhuntersintheCorellianSector.
ThingshadbeenfineuntilafewmentriedtogetfreshwithAstraal.Shehadquicklychangedtheirminds
violently.Unfortunately,thisalertedtheirtargetoftheirpresenceandhequicklyranforit.Harrygavechase
whileAstraaltooktotheupperlevelstotryandcuthimoff.Mara,ontheotherhand,hadsimplydisappeared.
Igotashot!saidAstraalovertheheadcomm.Forthemissiontheyhadtakenheadcommsjustincasethey
wereseparatedandhadtocoordinate.
Takeit!screamedHarryintotheheadcomm.
Thesoundofblasterfirewasheardandshehittheirtargetinthebackofthekneecausinghimtocryoutand
fall.HarryquicklyclosedthedistanceandquicklyputAce'shandsbehindhisbackinstuncuffs.Thiswasone
ofthetimesthatHarrywasgladforAstraal's100%accuracywithhersniperrifle.Astraallandedbesidehim
soonafter.
Well,wegothim,saidanexasperatedHarry.Nowwhere'smymother?
Behindyou,saidavoicefrombehindthem.
TherestoodMaracalmlydrinkingwhatlookedlikeaflameoutwhichcausedHarrytoglowerather.
Andwherewereyouwhenweneededyou?askedHarryexasperated.
Iwastalkingtomynewfriendhere,saidMarapointingtoadirtymanstandingbesideher.Guys,thisis
Dig.
Hello,saidDig.
Dig,canyoutellthemwhatyoutoldmejustnow?askedMarainaflirtytone.
Oh,yea,saidDig.ThepeoplewhohireAcearereallyweird.Walkingaroundwithlightsabersandallin
black.ThoughttheywerenormalJedilikeyouthreebutthenIoverheardthemtalkingaboutaShadow
Academy.LastI'dheardyouguyswereonYavin4notthisShadowAcademy.
Yep,that'sright,saidMaraagreeably.Well,unfortunatelyIgottogobuthere.Takethisandbuyyourselfa
lotofdrinksonme.
Aftergivinghimwhatseemedlike3,000credits.MaraturnedtoadumbfoundedHarryandAstraal.
What?askedMarainnocently.
Youmeantotellmewechasedthisidiot,saidHarrypointingatAce,overmostoftheCorellianSectorjust
foryoutofindtheinformationfromsomedirtyoldmanyoumetinthebar?!
Basically,yea,saidMaranonchalantly.
Let'sjustgo,groanedHarry.
JediPraxeum,Yavin4
Harry,AstraalandMaraquicklyturnedAceovertotheauthoritieswheretheypromisedtosendalonganynew
informationtheygotfromhimtowardsthem.Afterwards,theywentbacktotheAcademytogivetheirreport.
Well,that'sinteresting,saidLuke.
Interesting?askedHarryincredulously.
Yes,becauseitconfirmswhatwefeared,explainedLuke.There'sanAcademytothedarksideoutthere.
Whatdowedonow?askedAstraal.
Weshallcontinuetoinvestigatethiswhileyouhaveothermissions,saidLuke,emphasizingthattheywereto
donothing.
ButDadstartedHarry.
NoHarry,interruptedLuke,thisisdangerousandIhaveanideaofwhomightbeinchargeofthisAcademy.
Asgoodasyouare,youaren'treadyyet.Soonbutnotyet.Youstillneedtofinishthetrainingofallthethings
youstarted,don'tyouthink?
Harryblushedabitatthatlastcomment.SincetheGreatHolocronhadbeenreturned,Harryhadtriedtolearnas
muchfromitaspossible.Thefactthatithadall7combatforms(includingMakashi)aswellascommentson
lightsabercombatfromCountDooku(acurvedhiltlightsaberuser)beforeheturnedhadHarrysalivating.
However,whatHarrytrulylovedwerethevariousdebatesontheForceandthedifferencebetweenlightside
anddarkside.Harrycouldn'thelpbutfeellikesomethingwasmissing.
Okay,okay,grumbledHarry.
HarryandAstraalweredismissedandtheywalkedtowardtheirroomshopingtocatchupwiththeirfriends.
Whentheyreachedtheirhallway,theyknockedontheirfriends'doorsbutonlyTenelKaanswered.
Theyareinthehangar,explainedTenelKa.LowiewasgiftedaT23skyhopper,albeitinparts,byhisuncle
Chewieandtheyarethereassemblingit.
AfterinvitingTenelKatocomewith,towhichshesoftlyrefused,HarryturnedtowardthehangarsinceAstraal
wantedtostayandtalktoTenelKa.Harrysaidhisgoodbyesandpromisedthathe'dtrytobearoundforawhile.
Onthewaytothehangar,HarryranintoRaynarThul.Raynarhadn'tchangedintheyearsincetheystartedthe
Academy.Hewasstillpretentiousandbelievedthathewasbetterthananyone,evenHarry.Inhiswords,Harry
onlybuilthislightsaberfirstbecausehisadoptedfatherwasLukeSkywalker.HeignoredallthetimesHarry
beathiminalmosteverything.
Outoftheway,loser,sneeredRaynar.
Thewordsyou'relookingforare'excuseme',saidHarrythroughgrittedteeth.
LikeIneedtoexcusemyselftosomeonewhostillclingstohisfather'scloak,saidRaynarspitefully.
HeroughlypushedpastHarrywithoutexcusinghimself.
Whatever,mutteredHarryunderhisbreath.HetriedtoignoreRaynar'scommentwithoutmuchsuccess.
Afterthatunpleasantencounter,Harrycontinuedonhiswaytothehangar.Whenhegotthere,hesawthe
cordonedoffareatheywereusingthathemissedwhentheylanded.
Heyguys,saidHarryhappily.
HeyHarry!returnedJaina.
Jaina,inhisopinion,hadonlygrownbetterlookingsincetheyjoinedtheAcademy.Allthetraininghadmade
hertrimandmadesureshehadnoextrapuppyfat.Shewasaboutaninchshorterthanhimnowafterhis
growthspurtandnowworeherhairabitlonger.Otherthanthat,Jainahadn'tchangedabit.Toothers,shewas
stillthetomboywholovedtopilotandknewmoreaboutmechanicsthanboystwoyearsolderthanher.To
Harry,shewasthegirltryingtofindhernicheinthegalaxy.Aplacewheresheshinedforbeingherandnotfor
whoshewasrelatedto.
What'supHarry?askedJacencheerfully.
Jacenhadn'tchangedmucheitherotherthangettaller.Hestillhadthesameshortbrownhairandlankyfigure
excepthehadmoremuscleonhim.HisaffinitywithanimalshadgrowninthetimespentintheAcademy.He
couldcalmmostanimalsinstantlyandevenbefriendeddangerouscarnivores.
Lowbaccagreetedhimaswellbeforereturningtofinishinghisship.Harryhadtoadmitthattheshipwas
beautifulinaway.HarryknewthatLowiewouldlovehisshipsinceitwashisfirst.Forceknowsnoshipwill
everreplacetheWaywardSoninhisheartnomatterwhathappenedtoit.
Youstayinglongerthanjusttwodaysthistime,Ihope?teasedJaina,tryingtohidehersadtone.
BetweennormalmissionsplustrackingdowninformationonthisnowrevealedShadowAcademy,Harryhad
barelybeenabletostayattheAcademyforlong.However,hemadesurethatwhenhewashewouldmaketime
forallhisfriendsandespeciallyJaina.
Yep,ifit'suptomeI'mnotleavingforatleastaweekthistimesodon'tworry,assuredHarry.
JainainstantlybrightenedandstartedtoexplaintoHarryaboutallthedifferentpartsthatmadeuptheship.
Harrytiedtoignoretheshiverthatwentuphisspinewhenshegrabbedhishandanddidn'tletgoevenafter
dragginghimtoseetheship.Jacendidn'tnoticeandexcitedlyexplainedallthenewcreaturesthey'dbeableto
seewithit.
Jacen,remember,saidHarryseriously.Youcan'tadoptapetbattlehydra.
Jacensulked.Amonthago,JacentriedtosneakinababybattlehydraontotheWaywardSontoputinthe
personalzoointhecargoarea.Unfortunately,heforgottotellHarryaboutit.ImagineHarry'ssurprisetofinda
babybattlehydrawalkingaroundhisshipwhenhewasgoingtogoonamission.
Butthey'rejustmisunderstood,whinedJacen.
No,Jacen,saidHarryfirmly.Wehadadeal.Noanimalsthatgrowlargerthan6feetandnocarnivores.Mara
wouldhavekilledthatbabybattlehydraifyouhadn'tinterfered.
Jacenwincedatthememory.HehadlearnedthatdaythatMarainprotectivemodewasfarscarierthananything
hecouldimagine.HealmostfeltsorryforNakiawhenshecrossedpathswithMara.Almost.
So,yourunintoNakialately?teasedJacen.LowbaccachuckledlowlywhileJainascrewedanailintotheship
abitharderthannecessary.
ThegrouphadbeenjustasworriedasMarawhenHarryhadn'tappearedafteraweekduringhismemorable
DromundKaasmission.JainaespeciallyhadbeenfranticandalmoststoleashipalongwithJaceninordertogo
lookforhim.Whenhereturned,theydemandedheexplaineverythingthathappened.Needlesstosay,theywere
shockedatwhathappened.Well,Jacen,Lowie,TenelKa,AnakinandTahirihadbeenshocked.Jainahadbeen
lividatthefactthatsomethousandyearoldhussybasicallyrapedhim.Harry'sheartwarmedattheobvious
jealousyinhervoice.Jacen,ontheotherhand,congratulatedhimonbagginganolderbabe.Theglowersthathe
receivedfromJaina,Astraaland,surprisingly,TenelKashuthimupquickly.
No,saidHarryignoringthesoundofJainahammeringsomethingharderthannormal.Ihaven't.
Toobad,saidJacenremorsefully.
Jacen!saidJainaangrily,eitherhelportalkwithHarryaboutslutssomewhereelse.
Jacenwiselychosetohelp.
SeeingJainabasicallymaulingapieceiftheship,HarrycarefullywalkedupbehindJainaandstartedto
massagehershoulders.
You'remuchmorebeautifulthanNakia,whisperedJaina.Jainablushedatthecomplimentandrelaxedbefore
continuingtoworkasnormal.
Itdidn'ttakelongfortheshiptobefinishedandLowbaccaproudlyputintothelastpart.
Dammit,Iwantmyownship,mutteredadejectedJaina.
Well,saidHarrythoughtfully,theremaybesomecrashedshipsaroundhere.Afterall,therewasabattlein
theatmospherehereadecadeago.Theremaybesomeshipsthatcrashedinthejunglesomewhere.Forceknows
there'salotofsecretsonthismoon.
HarrywasreferringtoAnakin'srecentadventurewiththeGoldenGlobe.Whileeverythingturnedoutalright,it
showedHarrythatthereweresecretsevenintheknownworldsandonecouldneverbetoocareful.MasterIkrit
oftenhelpedHarrywhenhewaspracticinghisForcetechniques.Anotherreasonfortheinvitationwastospend
moretimealonewithJaina.Harrywasslowlywearingherdownandshewasbecominglessandlesshesitantto
arelationshipbetweenthem.
That'strue!saidJainabrightly.Comeon,let'sgoseeifwecanfindone!
Jaina,saidHarryholdingherback.MaybeweshouldletLowiepilotitthefirsttimealone.Wouldn'tyou
wanttomakethefirsttimeyoupilotedyourfirstshipspecial?
Jainapoutedbutconcededthepoint.Lowiesaidhewouldflyitfirstthingtomorrowafternoonsinceitwas
alreadylate.
Sayingtheirgoodnightsoncetheyreachedtheirrooms,theyturnedinforthenight.
Thenextday(4am)
SomeoneknockingonhisdoorwokeHarryupearlierthanusual.Aftersayinghewasawakeandrubbingthe
sleepoutofhiseyes,heopenedthedoortoseeAstraalstandingtheredressedinherJedirobes.
Whathappened?askedHarrydrowsily.
Sorry,Harry,saidAstraalapologetically,butthere'sbeenanemergency.MasterLukeandtheotherMasters
arewaitingforusintheGrandAudienceChamber.Getdressedforamission.
Harrygroanedbutnoddedhisheadathertoshowhe'dheard.Closingthedoor,Harrystartedtogetdressed.
AfterputtingonhisJedirobes,hestartedtoarmhimself.HeputaDL44blasterpistolinhisleftholsterandhis
mainlightsaberinhisright.Hethengrabbedhisnewestlightsabersandputtheminacrossshapeintheir
holstersonhisback.
Hehadfinallybuilthispairofcurvedhiltlightsaberamonthago,soonafterhisincidentwithJaina.Ithadtaken
himamonthtofigureoutthemechanicstoitfromKrallig'slightsaber(mostlyduetoconstantinterruptions)but
whenhehadhequicklybuilthisown.Duetoitsinfluence,hislightsaberslookedsimilartoKrallig's.However,
hisseemedmorebasicthanKrallig'swithouttheguardsontheemitterandtheextraswiresexposedonthe
outside.Hewasveryproudofthemonehadanicebluebladeandtheotherwasavioletcolor.Onethingthat
Harryhadnoticedwasthatbothlightsabersseemedtoemitalowamountofsparkswhenheusedthem.He
wonderedifithadsomethingtodowithhisrecentForcestudiesatthetimehebuiltthem.
Shruggingatthethought,HarrycheckedthathehadeverythingbeforeknockingonJaina'sdoor.Afterafew
minutesofshufflingontheotherside,Jainaopenedthedoor.
Harry,it'stooearlyevenforyou,grumbledJaina.
Harrychuckledandexplained,No,skyprincess,I'mnotgoingtraining.Justwantedtosaybyecausethere's
beenanemergencyandI'llprobablyhavetogoonamission.
Butyoujustgothereyesterday!whinedJaina.
Iknow,saidHarrysoftly.IpromisethatwhenIgetback,I'llletyoupilottheSonaroundtheplanetlooking
forashipforyou.
Atthat,Jainacheeredupabitalthoughshestillseemedslightlysad.
Okay,butyoubettergetbackquick,grumbledJaina.Shegavehimaquickkissonthecheekandpromisedto
telltheothers.
AfterJainaclosedthedoor,HarrylefttowardtheAudienceChamber.OutsideofthedoortotheAudience
Chamber,Astraalwaswaiting.Harrynoticedhermodifiedlightsabersintheirholstersonherbackmuchlikehis
own.AfterseeinghowmuchbetterHarryhandledhisowncurvedhiltlightsabers,shehadmodifiedherownto
becurvedaswell.Itmadeherhavetotrainabittogetusedtothenewformofherdoublebladedlightsaberbut
shelovedhowmucheasieritwastocontrolthebladenow.
ThinkingofthatmadeHarrythinkoftherestofthethingsthey'dbroughtfromthatvault.Mosthadbeensimple
weaponswithnoForcepowerandwho'sonlyusewasasmemorabilia.However,someweredangeroussuchas
Sithholocronsandweaponsimbuedinthedarkside.Theweaponswereputasideinhopeofpurifyingthemone
day,whiletheholocronsstartedadebate.Luke,KyleandMarawereamongtheMastersthatarguedthatthe
holocronscouldhelpinfuturebattlesagainsttheSithandthedarkside(especiallywiththediscoveryofadark
sideAcademyinexistence).TheotherMastersjustwantedtodestroytheminordertopreventanotherriseof
theSith.Eventually,Luke'sargumentwonoutandtheholocronswereputunderthecareofJedihistorian
Tionne,whowouldstudythemwhilebeingcarefullywatchedforcorruption.Personally,Harryagreedwithhis
fatheronbothdecisions.Tionnewaswiseenoughtonotfalltocorruptionandshewouldbeabletofilterwhat
knowledgecouldbenefittheOrderbest.
Areyouready?queriedAstraal.Athisnod,theyenteredtheAudienceChamber.
Themoodastheyenteredthechamberwastense.Itfeltasiftheyhadjustinterruptedanargumenteventhough
theyhadn'theardanythingfromoutside.HarrylookedaroundandsawalmosteveryMasterintheOrderpresent
(thoughmostwereonlypresentasholograms).Forasecond,HarryfeltlikehewasbeforetheJediHigh
Council.
YoucalledforusMasters?askedAstraal.
Withasigh,MasterLukesaid,Yes,we'vejustreceivedinformationfromthesmuggleryoucapturedthat
necessitatesimmediateaction.
ItseemsthathewaspartofagroupthatwasgoingbepartofthenextraidforForcesensitives,saidMaster
Mara.
What'stroublingiswhotheyweregoingtoraid,saidMasterLarLe'Ung.
Whoisit?askedHarry.
TheyareplanningonraidingtheJensaarai,saidMasterLuke.
Atthis,Harryunderstoodtheproblem.TheJensaaraiwereoriginallyasplintergroupofJedifoundedby
(unknowinglytothem)theDarkJediNikkosTyris.Originally,theyhatedtheJedibecausethesurvivorssawa
groupofJedimurdertheirfoundertogetherwithhistwoapprentices.Theyhadn'tknownthattheirfounderhad
fallentothedarksideandtheyhadbeenunknowinglybeenlearningSithtechniquesandpowers.Thinkingthat
theywerealldead,theJedihaddepartedleavingtherestofthegroup.AftertheJediPurge,theythought
themselvesfreeandsohadcomeoutofhiding.OnlytoalmostbeextinguishedbyPalpatineandtheEmpire.A
fewyearsago,LukeandCorranHornmanagedtomakepeacebetweentheJediandtheJensaarai(afterabattle
thatalmostkilledbothsidesofcourse).Theyrevealedthetruthofwhathappenedandthisbroughtanendto
theirconflict.
However,whilethere'speacebetweenthegroupstherearestilltensions.SomeMastersoftheOrderbelievethey
shouldbekilledduetosomeoftheirSithbasedpractices.SomeJensaaraialsodidn'ttrusttheJediduetothe
conflictthathadbeenbetweenalmostsincetheirfounding.IftheJensaaraiwereraidedandtheyfoundoutthat
theJediknewanddidnothing...well,theOrderwouldhaveanewenemy.
Isayweshouldletthemberaided,saidMasterKypspitefully.They'rebasicallypseudosithanyway.They'll
probablyfeelrightathome.
Ibelieveweshouldn'tjudgesomeonebytheirheritage,interruptedMasterIkrit.youofallpeopleshould
knowaboutmistakes,shouldyounot?
Eventhroughhewasahologram,everyonecouldseetherubyredflushattherebuke.Wisely,hestayedsilent
ratherthanretort.
We'veagreedthatweneedtowarnthem,saidMasterAqinos.
Forthatreason,we'resendingyoutwoalongwithMasterKatarn,explainedMasterMara.
Couldn'twejustcommthem?askedHarry.
Wecouldbutbysendingyoutwowewouldbehittingseveralwombatswithoneshot,explainedMaster
Katarn.
How?askedAstraalquestioningly.
Thoughthereispeacebetweenus,noeffortshavebeenmadetodemonstratetrustbetweenus,explained
Luke.Forthatreason,we'resendingyoutwonotonlytohelpdefendthemincaseofraidsbutalsosoyoucan
learnfromthem.
Youwillstaythereforamonth.Inthattimeyouwilllearnwhattheycanteachyou,explainedMara.When
youcomeback,you'llreturnwithaRodianJensaarainamedKelbisNu.HewilljointheOrderastheJensaarai
representative.
Weonlywantyoutospendamonththerebecausethedarksidepracticestheyfollowcanbestrangetoyoung
apprenticessuchasyourselves,explainedMasterLarLe'Ung.
We'resendingMasterKatarnwithyousohecanhelppreventanycorruptionthatmayoccur,finishedLuke.
We'realsosendingyouforanotherreason,explainedMasterIkrit.
Despitemybetterjudgement,saidMasterKypbitterly,Wearesendingyouwiththedarksideimbued
weaponsandafewoftheholocronsyoufoundamonthago.TheideaistogivethemtotheJensaaraiasa
gestureofgoodfaithandinreturntheywillteachyoualchemy.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutfrownatKyp'sassertion.Itdidn'tescapehisnoticethatheindirectlystatedthathis
judgementwasbetterthantheotherMasters.WeretherealreadydivisionamongtheMasters?
Thiswillalsoshowourtrustinthem,saidMasterLuke,ignoringKyp'spreviousstatement.Thefactthatwe
arewillingtoallowthemaccesstothiscachedespitepreviousrelationswillgoalongway.Theholocronsonly
havebasicJediandSithtechniquesthataremostlyharmlessbuttheywillhelptheJensaaraigreatlysincethey
toldmethatdon'tfullyunderstandwhattheyhaveandthatiswhytheyhavesofewtechniques.TheJedi
holocronswearesendingarecopiessinceweholdtheoriginals.Hopefullyitwillhelpleadthemdowntheright
path.
UnsaidbutunderstoodwasthatsendingHarry,Luke'sadoptedson,tolearnunderthemwouldsendaneven
strongermessageoftrust.NothingsaysItrustyouthantoleaveyourson'ssafetyintheirhands.
Verywell,Masters,saidHarryhumbly.Isthereanythingelse?
Yes,saidMasterMara.Whilethere,youareallowedtoteachthemsomethingsaswell.
Thisisanotherreasonwhywe'resendingapprenticestothem,explainedMasterLarLe'Ung.Youwillnot
haveasmuchknowledgeasaMasterorevenaKnightsotheywillbeabletounderstandandassimilatethe
knowledgeeasier.
Verywell,saidAstraal.Whendoweleave?
Assoonaspossible,statedMasterLuke.
Understood,saidAstraal.
TheMastersthatweretherebyhologramslowlydisappearedleavingonlyHarry,Astraal,Mara,LukeandKyle.
MasterIkrithadlefttohisroomassoonasthemeetinghadended.
Idon'tliketheideaofsendingyouintoapotentialbattlezone,saidMarainadisgruntledtone.ButIhaveto
trustthatyou'lltakecareofyourself.
Onamorepersonalnote,becarefulHarry,saidLukeinaconcernedtone.Whiletheyarenotevil,theyare
notwhollygoodeither.
Iunderstand,Dad.Trustme,saidHarry.
Also,you'reallowedtotakecopiesofanytechniquesyou'recurrentlystudyingwithyou,saidLukekindly.I
wouldn'twantyoutofallbehindyourJedistudiestoo.
Harrygrinnedathisfatherbeforesayinghisgoodbyes(andgivingMaraakissonthecheek)andleavingtoward
thehangar.
IttookawhiletocarryallthedarksideimbuedweaponsontotheWaywardSonbuttheyfinallyfinishedby
5am.MasterKyleturnedupsoonafter(whichmadeAstraalgrumbleabouthimpurposefullyavoidedtheheavy
lifting)andtheyallgotontheship.
Yousurelovethisship,don'tyouHarry?saidKylegoodnaturedly.
Ofcourse!She'smybaby,saidHarry.
Astraalrolledhereyesatthatcomment.HehadsaidsimilarthingsbeforeandaftermeetingHanSolo,sheknew
wherehehadpickeditup.
Theytookoffsoonaftergettingclearanceandafterleavingatmosphere,theyblastedofftowardSusevfi,home
oftheJensaarai.
Afewhourslater
Theyarrivedquicklyallthingsconsidered.Aftergettingclearance,theylandedinYumfla.AfterHarrychecked
intheWaywardSonforatwomonthstay(youcouldneverbesure)andpaid,theywalkedalongthestreet
lookingforabar.
Whyarewelookingforabar?askedAstraalcuriously.
SoIcangetadrinkofcourse,saidKyleamusedly.
HarryandAstraalrolledtheireyesatthestatementbutletitgoasanadultthingthattheystilldidn'tunderstand.
Whentheyreachedthebar,theyfoundtherealreasontheywerelookingforit.Itseemsthatthebarwasrightin
frontofaguardpostofJensaarai.Theyprobablyknewthatifthingsaregoingtostarttogetrowdy,it'llstartin
thebar.ThegroupofthreemovedtowardtheJensaaraiassoonastheysawthem.
Halt!saidwhatlookedliketheleaderoftheJensaaraioftheguardpost,Stateyourintentions!
WeareJedi,sentfromtheJediOrder,saidKylediplomatically.WehaveurgentnewsforyourSaaraikar.
TheJensaaraitalkedamongthemselvesbeforeagreeingtosendoneofthemtoasktheSaaraikarheropinion.
ThescoutsoonreturnedandsaidthattheSaaraikarhadagreedtomeetthem.Hewouldbetheirguide.
Theyfollowedhimintothesewersystemwhereheleadtheminadizzyingturnofrightsandleftsthathadall
threeconfusedbeforelong.Thatwasprobablyhalfthereason,musedHarry.Theysoonreachedacodelocked
doorwheretheguardpunchedinthecode.Thedoorquicklyopened.
AstheywalkeddownthehalltowardtheSaaraikar,Harrycouldn'thelpbutlookaround.Itkindofreminded
himoftheAcademy,withchildrenofallagesbeingtaughtbyMasters(calledDefendersinJensaaraiculture).
Harrycouldn'thelpbutfeelthathe'dfitrightin.
OnthewaytotheSaaraikar,theyranacrossapairofapprenticesaroundHarry'sagethatappearedtobe
arguing.Theywereamaleechaniandafemalezabrak.Astheypassedthegroup,theystoppedarguingandthe
femalelookedatthemwithanunreadablelookonherfacewhiletheechanijustgavethemaneutrallook.Harry
putitoutofhismindastheypassedbutHarrycouldn'thelpbutseeanotheremotionhiddenbehindthezabrak's
eyes:envy.
TheysoonreachedthedoorleadingtheSaaraikarandtheirguideknocked.
Enter,saidavoicefrominside.
TheyenteredasinstructedandHarrygothisfirstlookattheSaaraikar.She(becauseitwasobviousitwasa
she)wasabout5'8inheightalthoughherarmormadeherseemmuchtaller.Shewascompletelycoveredinher
armorsoitwasimpossibletodetermineanythingelseabouther.HarrynoticedthatunliketheotherJensaarai,
hermaskwasmadeintheimageofwhatwasprobablyherfaceinsteadofananimal.Hebrieflywonderedifshe
wasstillasbeautifulastheimage.
Greeting,Jedirepresentatives,saidtheSaaraikar.MayIaskwhatbroughtyouhere?Ourrelationsarenot..
aswellastheycouldbe.
We'vecometofixthat,milady,saidKylehumbly.Ibringyouthesetwoapprentices,AstraalVaoandHarry
Pottertolearnunderyourguidanceandwisdomforamonth.Sinceyouhavesograciouslyallowedoneofyour
owntojointheOrderandlearnfromus,wethoughtwecouldreturnthefavor.
TheSaaraikarhadlookedatHarrywhenhewasintroduced.Harrywasslightlyuncomfortableatthescrutiny
butaccepteditasduetobeingLuke'sson.Howwronghewas.
Potter?askedtheSaaraikarcuriously.James'son?
Atthis,Harry'seyeswentwide.ThatwasthesecondtimehewascalledJames'son.Harryhadleftoutthatpart
inthemissionbriefingandAstraalhadbeenunconsciousatthetime.Shewascurrentlylookingbetweenthem
curiously.
Youknewmybirthfather?askedHarrycuriously.
Yes,heandhispeoplevisitedhereabout23yearsago,respondedtheSaaraikar.Hewassixteenatthetime
andIrememberthathespentalmosttheentireyearlongvisitflirtingwithme.Hewasdeterminedtoseeunder
myarmorasheputit.
Atthis,Harrycouldonlyfacepalm.Thiswasthesecondtimehehadheardofhisfatherandbothfemalestold
himthathisfatherwasashamelessflirt.Harrywasstartingtowonderhowanywomancouldhaveallowed
themselvestobearhischild.Besidehim,AstraalandKyleweretrying,andfailing,toholdintheirlaughter.
Iapologizeifmybirthfatheroffendedyouinanyway,saidHarrycautiously.ThelastthingHarrywantedwas
forrelationsbetweentheJediandtheJensaaraitogobadduetosomeoffensehisbirthfatherhadgiven.
Onthecontrary,assuredtheSaaraikar,Iwasflattered.Anywomanlikestoknowthatshecanstillattract
youngmenatmyage.IfIdidn'tknowforafactthathewasinlovewiththatredhairedgirlIwouldhavetaken
himuponhisoffertorunawaywithhim.
ThatlastcommentwasmadeinsuchateasingtonethatevenHarrycouldn'tconfuseitasanythingelse.Beside
him,AstraalhadbrokendownlaughingattheimageofHarry'sfatherflirtingwiththewomaninfrontofhim.
Harrywasjustmortifiedatthementalimageithadconjured.
Wedidcomefortwootherreasons,milady,interruptedKylerespectfully.
Whichare?saidtheSaaraikar,allbusinessagain.
Thefirstistowarnyouofaplannedraidonyourpeople,saidKyle.Werecentlylearnedoftheexistenceof
anAcademydedicatedtoteachinghowtowieldthedarkside.Theyseemtohavebeenabductingchildren
acrossthegalaxy,usuallyfromworldswheretheywouldn'tbemissedornoticed.However,welearnedrecently
thattheyhavebeenplanningtoraidyourpeople,bothforthestudentsavailablehereandtheSithknowledge
youhold.
Thisisdisturbingnews,acknowledgedtheSaaraikar,andIthankouralliestheJediforwarningus.You
haveprovedthatyouareearnestinyourdesireforthisalliance.Andthethirdreason?
Thethirdreasonismoreofagiftandrequest,beganKylecautiously.Werecentlyacquiredafewholocrons
thatexplainhowtobetterusethetechniquesyouhaveatyourdisposal.Wearegiftingthemtoyoualongwith
somedarksideimbuedweaponsthatwewishforyoutopurifyinreturnforyourteachingthesetwoapprentices
howtocreateyourarmor.
Atthis,theSaaraikarwassilent.Theyknewitwasatallorder.Afterall,theirarmorwasapartoftheirorder.
Toteachittoanotherthatwouldnotjointhempermanentlyisaskingmuch.TheSaaraikarwassilentforalmost
5minutes,silentlydebatingtheprosandconstotherequest.
IfIallowedthis,begantheSaaraikar,Imusthavetheoathofyouboth.Thatyouwillnotteachthistoany
butyourfutureapprenticesandthattheyinturnwouldbeboundbythatsameoath.Iwantyoubothtoswearon
allyouholddearormaytheForcestripyouofthemifyoubreakit.
Weswear,answeredHarrywithouthesitation.Shewasallowingagreathonorandhewouldnotdemeanitby
hesitating.Astraalquicklyvoicedherassentaswell.
Also,Ipersonallyshallteachyouthiscraft,statedtheSaaraikar.ItistheleastIcandointhememoryoftwo
oldfriends.Tomakesurethattheirchildiswellprotected.
Atthis,Harryloweredhishead.Apartofhimwasgladthathisparentsweresuchgoodpeoplethatpeoplewho
metthembrieflyover20yearsagocoulddosomuchintheirmemory.Anotherpartwasslightlyjealousthatshe
gottomeetthemandhedidnot.Onthebrightside,Harrywouldgettoaskabouthisbirthparents.Harrydidn't
voicethewanttoknowofthemtoLukeandMarabecausehedidn'twantthemtothinkhedidn'tlovethem.On
thecontrary,hedidverymuch.Butasanorphanhewantedtoknowwherehehadcomefrom.
Weareagreedthen,saidKyleseriously.Iwillbestayingwiththemduringthemonthaswellbutonlytohelp
themintheirJedistudies.Theyhavebeengivenpermissiontoteachyourstudentsanythingtheydeem
acceptable.
Thatisverygenerous,saidtheSaaraikar.Wethankyouforit.
Afterseveralmorepleasantries,theSaaraikartoldthemthataguidewouldleadthemtotheirroom.
Kass,calledtheSaaraikar,sinceyou'veheardmostlyeverything,whydon'tyouleadthemtotheirrooms?
ThedoorwayopenedtothefemaleZabrakHarryhadseenearlierinthehallway.Upclose,Harrycouldseethat
shehadtancoloredskin,longblackhairthatwastiedinahighponytailandpurpleeyes.Herhornswereonlyan
inchlong,meaningsherecentlygrownthemorsheinheritedshorthornslikesomeofherspecies.Shehada
guiltylookonherfacethatshowedthattheSaaraikarwasrightinherstatement.Shequicklycovereditupand
stoodupstraightwhileputtingonaneutrallook.
Asyouwish,mySaaraikar,saidtheKass.
Sheledthemdownthehallwaystotheguestquarters.Kylewouldhavehisownroomandbathroomduetohis
statusasaMaster.AstraalandHarrywouldhaveseparateroomswithaconnectingbathroom.Harrywantedto
argueaboutthemsharingabathroomwhentheyweredifferentgendersbutonelookfromKassshuthimup.
Kyleretiredtohisroomandleftthethreeteenagersalone.TheyweresilentandHarrywasabouttoretirewhen
Kassspoke.
What'sitlike?sheblurtedout.
What'swhatlike?askedHarrycuriously.
Youknow,saidKasscuriously,beingaJedi,seeingthegalaxy,helpingthousandsofpeopleandspecies.That
kindofstuff.
HarryandAstraallookedateachotherinunderstanding.Zabrakswereknowntobefiercelyindependentand
hadastrongsenseofselfdetermination.TheJensaarai,whilegoodpeoplebywhatHarryhadseen,neverleave
theplanet.ItactuallysurprisedHarrythataZabrakwasamongthembutguessedherparentsmusthavemoved
totheplanetbeforeshewasborn.Itmustgrateonhertoknowthatshewouldneverleavetheplanetifshe
stayedwiththeJensaarai.
It'sgreatactually,saidHarrytruthfully.TherewasnoneedtoexaggeratebecauseHarrytruthfullythought
that.We'veonlybeenapprenticesforfivemonthsandwe'vebeenalloverthegalaxy.
Wordofadvicefromgirltogirl,saidAstraal.NeverstayintheTattoinedesertinshorts.Trustme,youget
sandinplacesit'snotmeanttobe.
Duringallthis,Kasswaslookingatthemwithasortofdesperatehungerinhereyes.Itwasobviousthatshe
wantedtoexplore.Atthesametime,sheprobablylovedtheJensaaraiwayifshe'sstayedherethislong.Harry
couldn'thelpbutberemindedofhimselfwhenhewasyoung.Heprobablyhadthatsamelookinhiseyeswhen
helivedwithhisuncleandsawotherchildrenwiththeirparents.
AsAstraalandKasscontinuedtotalk,Harrycouldn'thelpbutfeeluneasyashelookedather.IftheShadow
Academydidraidthem,Kasswouldn'ttakemuchconvincingtoturn.Thepromiseofleavingandseeingthe
galaxywouldprobablybeallittook.Harrypromisedhimselfthathewouldn'tallowthattohappen.
Well,Igottogo,saidKassmournfully.Butcanwetalktomorrow?
ShesaidwithsuchadesperatetoneofvoicethatHarryspokebeforehewasconsciouslyawareofit.
Ofcourse,saidHarrywithasmile,maybebeforeweleaveIcanletyoupilotmyshipabit.
Atthis,Kasslookedathimgratefullyandexcitedlysaid,Thankyou!I'magreatpilotifIdosaysomyself.I've
onlypilotedsomeoldskyhoppersandstufflikethatbutmyMastersaysI'manatural.ThoughI'llprobably
neverpilotanythingbiggerthanaspeederoraskyhopper.
Harrycouldseethismadeherbitter.Theknowledgethatshecouldbeagreatpilotbutwasnevergoingtouseit
outsideofthisplanetgratedonher.Harry'suneasinessgrew.Howbitterhadshebecomethatshewasopening
herselfuptocompletestrangersjusttohearafewstoriesoflifeoutsidetheplanet?
Duetohisuneasiness,Harrydidsomethinghehadrarelydone.HeusedhisabilitytoseeshatterpointsonKass.
Afterconfirmingthatshehadashatterpoint,Harryconcentratedandsuddenlyreceivedavision.
Shatterpointfarsight
TheJensaaraiwereunderattack.ApprenticeswererunningfromdangerandDefenderswereprotectingthe
mainentrance
BlackfiguresbeingledbyaDathomirianwomanwithblackhair.
Kasscryingoverherthyrsianfriend'sdeadbody.
Kassisseparatedinthefightingandkillsherfriend'smurdererinrevenge.
TheDathomirianwomanstretchesoutherhandandoffersherthechancetoseethegalaxy.
Kasshesitates.
Shatterpointfarsightend
Harryreturnstohimselftakingdeepbreathsduetothevision.
Areyouokay?askedKassinaconcernedtone.Yousortoffrozeforasecondandyoulooklikeyou'veseen
aghost.
Yea,saidHarryinawobblytone.I'mfine.Justtired.
Kassfrownedbutacceptedit.
Aftersayingtheirgoodbyes,Harryenteredhisroomandthoughtaboutthesituationasheundressed.Themore
hethoughtaboutitthemoreherealizedthatleftunchecked,herbitternessatwhatsheperceivedasaninjustice
towardhercouldleadhertosayyes.Aftermuchthought,Harryfinallydecided.Harrywouldhavetotryhis
besttopreventherfrommakingthewrongchoice.Thenherealizedthatevenifhestoppeditthistime,itdidn't
fixtherootcauseforherdoubts.Harrygroanedasherealizedtherewasonlyonechoicetopreventthis.Hehad
toconvincetheSaaraikartoletKassleavewiththemwhentheyleftinamonth.
I'msurethatthatwillgooverwell,thoughtHarrysarcastically.
EndNotes:
AN:There'schapter9!Thischapterintroducedthreeimportantcharacters:two
minorandonemajor.AllthreewillinfluenceHarryinsomewayduringhis
monthlongstay.
Forthosewonderingwhenhisparentswouldbementionedinmoredetail,hereit
was.Nextchapter,theSaaraikarwillgointodetailofHarry'sparents,whythey
visitedandgiveyousomecluesabouttheultimatefateofthewizards.
NextchapterwillalsohavesomesteamyromancebetweenAstraalandHarry.
There'sareasonImadethemshareabathroom!LOL.Therewon'tbealemonso
don'tgetyourhopesupbuttheHarry/Astraalfanswillseesomeimportant
headwayinthatdirection.
PleaseReview!
Backtoindex
AttackintheNightandComplicationsbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter10
IthadbeenthreeweekssinceHarryhadstartedtrainingundertheJensaarai.Inthattime,Harrycouldtruthfully
saythathehadlearnedalotaboutbothhimselfandtheForce.Harrylearnedanewappreciationforthebasics
whenhelearnedballistakinesis.Whiletelekineticallyliftingandthrowingsomethingisabasicskilltaughttoall
younglings,liftingahandfulofsmallobjectsandthrowingthematatargetatlethalvelocities(Harryhadseen
oneDefenderthrowthemasfastasablasterboltandmakeitlookeasy!)wasawholeotherlevel.
ThisdemonstrationofjusthowthebasicscouldbeusedwithdangerousapplicationmadeHarryreview
everythingheknewinanattempttomasteritandapplynewwaysofusingit.Harrycouldnowsaywith
absolutecertaintythathewouldneverlearntoflyuntilhewasmuchstronger.
Hehadtried.
Repeatedly.
Hestillhadthebruises.
Hehadfoundthat,tohischagrin,hehadbeenneglectinghisearlymorningtrainingroutineswhichmeanthis
basespeedandreflexwerethesameastheywere6monthsago.Heonlythoughthewasgettingstrongerand
fasterbecausehewasrelyingontheForcemoreandmore.Thiswasunacceptabletohimandheoncemoregot
inthehabitofexercisinginthemorning.WhenAstraalfoundout,shejoinedhim.Thoughtheshortsandtank
topsheworeduringitmadeherverydistracting.
TheyhadquicklydisembarkedthecargoofweaponsandholocronsfromtheshipandtheJensaaraiwerevery
grateful.EspeciallytheinstructorsbecausethismeantthatthereweremoreavailableDefendersondutyinstead
ofbeingstuckasinstructors.Thelackofanywrittenbookasinstructionmeantthattheyhadpassonthe
knowledgethroughwordofmouth.Thegiftofaholocronwhichtheycouldusetoaddknowledgetowasagift
thatmadesomeinstructorsalmostweepinjoy.
TheweaponshadbeenquicklypurifiedbytheJensaaraiandtheynowusedthemtoteachyoungerapprentices
katasbeforemovingontolightsabertraining.Afterall,theweaponscancutyoubutalightsabercancutoffa
limbeasily.
HarryandAstraalhadquicklybecomeapartoftheJensaaraiandtheJensaarainolongerlookedatthem
askance.ThismaybeinnosmallpartduetothefactthattheylistenedtotheJensaarai'spointofviewand
considereditinsteadofdismissingitoutofhandinstantlyduetothey'rebeingGrayJedi.Indeeditwasn't
uncommonforHarryand/orAstraaltohaveafriendlydebatewithoneortwoinstructorsonthemeritsofthisor
thatwayofthinking.Whiletheydidnotalwaysagree,theyalwaysendedthedebateamicably.
HarryhadquicklybecomefriendswithKass(whoselastnamewasTod),Yusanis(herthyrsianfriend)andthe
malerodianKelbisNu(theDefenderwhowouldjointheOrderattheendofthemonth).Kassandhimhad
especiallybondedovertheirsharedloveofdebatingoverthenatureoftheForceandtheirskillswitha
lightsaber.ThefirsttimeHarryandKasshadsparredtogetherHarryhadn'ttakenherseriouslyandhadonly
usedhismainlightsaber.
Hewasbeaten.
Badly.
Thiswastheeventthatshowedhimthathehadgrownoverconfidentinhislightsaberskillsdespitehisdefeatby
Nakiaalmostthreemonthsago.Hehadattributedhisdefeatthenasduetoherfarsuperiorexperience.Kasshad
neverhadanyreallifeexperiencebeyondsparswithinstructorsandshehadbeatenhimsoundly.Harry
eventuallydefeatedherbutonlybyusinghistwincurvedhiltlightsabers.Eventhen,thematchhadbeenvery
close.Itirkedhimthatheneededtousetwobladestomatchherone.Harrypromisedhimselftoneverallow
himselftobesooverconfidentagain.HarryhadtoadmitthattheJensaaraimightnothavemanytechniquesin
theirarsenalbuttheonestheydoknow,theymastertoanabsurddegree.
Sincethen,Harryhadtakentomasterthethingsheknewinsteadoftryingtolearnmanythingsatonce.Asa
result,hislightsaberskillshadgoneuptothepointthatKassandhimwereaboutequalwithonelightsabereach.
Hiscontrolovertelekinesishadalsoimproveddramatically(thoughthiswasanaturalpartoftryingtolearn
ballistakinesis)aswellhisForcetelepathyandempathy.HarrycouldtellifanyForcesensitivebelowthelevel
ofMasterwaslyingtohim.Onasidenote,hestilllosthorriblyinsabacc.
Insecret,Harryhadbeentryingtomasterhisnewabilitywithshatterpoints.Thevisionhereceivedthrough
Kass'shatterpointshowedhimthattheabilityhadmoreapplicationsthanjustcombat.Hecouldseethemoment
whereaperson'sfuturewouldchangedramaticallyonewayortheother.Hecouldnowcontrolittothepoint
wherehewouldonlyreceiveavisionifheconsciouslytriedorifthemomentwasespeciallyimportant,like
Kass'.
However,despiteallofthis,theonememorythatHarrytrulytreasuredhappenedaweekago.
Flashback
HarrywascurrentlywiththeSaaraikarlearningthenecessarystepstodoalchemy.TheSaaraikarstatedit
wasmoreastateofmindthananythingelse.Harrywasconvincedhecoulddoalchemywithoutdrawingonthe
darkside.Sofar,nosuccess.
That'senough,saidtheSaaraikar.
Harrystoppedtryingtowillthecointochangetosomethingelse.Herubbedhisheadtogetridoftheheadache
thathadformed.
Whatareyouimagining?askedtheSaaraikar.
Huh?askedHarryconfusedly.
Whatareyouimaginingchangingthecoininto?askedtheSaaraikar.Anothercoin?Apuddleofwater?
Whatareyouimagining?
Um...I'msupposedtoimaginesomething?askedHarrysheepishly.
TheSaaraikargroanedinexasperation.
Youmeanthatallthistimeyou'vejustbeenwillingittochangewithoutdirection?saidtheSaaraikarinan
annoyedtone.
Um..kinda,saidHarrysheepishly.
TheSaaraikarlookedupattheceilingasifaskingsomegodtogiveherstrength.
We'llcontinuethistomorrow,shestated.You'realotlikeyourfather.Hedidn'tthinkthingsthroughbefore
doingthemeitherandhatedaskingforhelp.
Harry'sthroatdriedatthecomment.Gulping,heasked,Canyoutellmeabouthim?
TheSaaraikarwassilentandforamomentHarrythoughtshewouldn'tanswerbeforeshesaid,Yourfather
wasthemostshamelessflirtIhadevermet.Atmyage,thatissayingsomething.Theonlyonewhocould
possiblyequalhiminthatregardwashisbestfriend,Sirius.Thatonedidn'ttrytoflirtwithmeduetofear.Ihad
caughthimina..compromisingpositionwithafemaleapprenticehisfirstweekwithus.AfterItalkedtohim,he
wasterrifiedofbeinginthesameroomasme.
Harrylistenedtoallthisinraptsilence.Imagininginhismind'seyeamanthatlookedlikehimflirtingwith
countlesswomenwithhisbestfriend(thatcuriouslylookedalotlikeJacen)andsucceedinginbeddingthem.
Washeagoodman?askedHarry.ThiswaswhatHarrytrulywantedtoknow.Beingaflirtwasonethingand
itdidn'tshowmuchaperson'scharactereitherway.
Yes,saidtheSaaraikarinalowtone.IwasnotcompletelyjokingwhenIsaidIwouldhaverunawaywith
him.AtthetimeIstillthoughtmyhusbandhadbeenagoodmantillhisdeath.Ididnotwanttodishonorhis
memorywithanotherman.IfIhadmetyourfatherwhenIwasyoungerandIhadn'tmarriedmyhusband...I
wouldhavecourtedhiminearnest.
Harrydigestedthis.TheSaaraikardidnotseemlikeawomanwhowouldmakethesesortofcommentslightly.
Hisfathermusthavereallymadeanimpression.
HewasespeciallygiftedinAlterabilities,especiallytheAlterenvironmentability,musedtheSaaraikar.She
seemedtobemoretalkingtoherselfthanhimnow.Hecouldmakethegroundcomealiveandtaketheformof
beastswithawaveofhishand.
Harrytriedtoimagineit.Theabilitytosummonacreaturemadeoutofnatureinstantly.Hemusthavebeenvery
powerful.
Youseemtotakeafteryourmotherthough,musedtheSaaraikar.LilywasmoregiftedatelementalAlter
abilitiessuchaslightningandflashesoflight.Buthertruegiftlayinthemindtrickarea.Shecouldcreate
illusionssorealthatyourbodywouldbelieveittrue.
Lightning?askedHarrywithafeelingofdread.Whatcolorwasherlightning?
Hmm?Oh,wellshehadtwoversions.Shecoulduseaemeraldversionlikethecolorofhereyes,saidthe
Saaraikar.Orshecoulduseablueversion.Ineverfiguredoutthedifference.
Harrywasconflicted.Emeraldlightningwasapowerofthelightsideandapowerfulversionatthat.Butblue
lightningwasanequallypowerfulversionofthedarkside.Howcouldsheusebothsoeasily?
Theywerebothsixteenwhentheyarrivedhere,saidtheSaaraikar.Eventhen,itwasobviousthatyour
fatherhadeyesonlyforyourmotherevenasheflirtedwithotherwomen.Heonlyflirtedwithothersbecause
shealwaysrejectedhim.IthinkitwasbecauseJameswasalwaysatoddswithherbestfriend.Aboycalled
Severus.Thatboyalwaysdisquietedme.Socoldandcalculating.Alwayswatchingyou.
HearingaboutSeverus,Harrywasdisquietedtoo.TheboysoundedlikeabitlikeaSithapprenticetoHarrybut
thenmaybeitwasnormalfortheircultureandhisfatherwastheoddball.Thenherealizedsomething.
TheywereForceusers?askedHarryinasuspicioustone.HowdidtheyescapePalpatine'sdetection?
Oh,theyneverstayedinoneplacefortoolong,explainedtheSaaraikar.Theyonlystayedwithusforayear
andthatwaslongforthem.Theymovedfromplacetoplaceontheirselfsufficientcargoshipwhichtheycalled
Hogwarts.ItwasnamedinhonoroftheirformerAcademy.Acuriousname.
Harrywasconfusedandasked,Wasitnormalintheirculturetonothaveapermanentlivingplace?
Ohno,saidtheSaaraikarinasadtone.Jamesnevertoldmethestoryofwhathappenedbuttheyusedto
livepeacefullyinaplanetintheOuterRimintheUnknownRegions.FromwhatIdeducedfromcommentsby
him,someoneorsomethingcausedacatastrophetherethatcausedthemtoabandontheplanet.Ofthe
thousandsofthemontheplanet,only20children(James'generationatthetime)and2instructorsmanagedto
escapealive.
Whoweretheinstructors?askedHarry.
HeretheSaaraikarfeltnoticeablysadandsaid,Thereweretwowhentheyarrived:ProfessorMcGonagall
andProfessorFlitwick.However,itseemsthattheirpresenceattractedtheEmpire.WhentheEmperor
dispatchedhisInquisitorstoinvestigate,ProfessorMcGonagallstayedbehindtodistractthemwhilewehidand
theyescapedontheirship.Shedidnotsurvive.
Atthis,Harryloweredhisheadinrespecttotheprofessor'ssacrifice.Ifshehadnotdonewhatshedid,Harry
mightnotevenbealive.Orworse(Harryshivered)hemighthavebeenraisedbytheEmperor.
Didyoumanagetosaveherlightsaber?askedHarry.Theleasthecoulddowasgiveherproperrespectby
assuringherlightsaberwaskeptwiththerestoftheOrder'svaluables.
Atthequestion,theSaaraikargaveoutanairofamusementandsaid,Oh,theydidnotuselightsabers,
Harry.
Theywereunarmed?askedHarryinaconfusedtone.
No,theyhadweapons,saidtheSaaraikar.HereHarrywassurethatshewaswindinghimup.
Didtheyuseblasters?askedHarryexasperatedly.
No,theyusedwands,saidtheSaaraikarinanamusedtone.
Therewasaminuteofsilenceatherdeclarationbeforeharryspoke.
Wands?heaskedinanincreduloustone.Likefairytalewizards?
Ah,butthosefairytaleshadabasisinfact,youngone,admonishedtheSaaraikar.Allthosestoriesof
wizardscamefrompeoplewhohadrunacrossyourpeople'splanet.Ofcourse,noonebelievedthembecause
yourpeoplealwaysmadesuretoerasethememoriesofanyonewhofoundtheplanet.Sowhiletheycould
remembertheplaceandwhathappenedthere,theycouldn'trememberhowtoreturntotheplanet.
Whysuchsecrecy?askedHarry.
Idon'tknow,saidtheSaaraikarwithashrug.ButIdoknowthatyourpeople'shistorygoesbackalong
time.Over24,000yearsinfactaccordingtothem.
Atthis,Harrywasshocked.Theirculturewasveryold.
Personally,Ihaveatwotheories,saidtheSaaraikar.Thefirsthastoduewiththeirorigins.Ibelievethey
mighthavebeenthesurvivorsoftheMinionsofXendor.Thisisduetotheirclaimofbeingfoundedover24,000
yearsagowhichisaroundthattime.Anotherisduetotheirabilities.YouknowtherearesuchthingsasSith
sorcerers,correct?Whatistheretosaytherewasn'taJedianaloguetothemandtheylefttheOrderforsome
reason?
Harrywasdeepinthought.Boththeorieswereplausibleandtheabilitiesshedescribedherparentshavingdo
seemlikemagic.Therewasonlyonethingthatbotheredhim.
Whydidtheyusewands?askedHarry.
Forfinesseandcontrol,statedtheSaaraikar.ThewandwasmuchlikeaJedi'slightsaberandwas
constructedbythemwhentheybelievedthemselvesready,usuallyatatenderageofeleven.Theypersonally
constructedtheirwandsanditworkedfornoother.Whilemadeofwood,theirwandsweresoimbuedwiththe
Forcethattheycouldstanduptoalightsaberifitcametoit.Thoughtheytriedtoavoidthat.
Howdiditgivethemcontrol?askedHarry.
Idon'tknow,saidtheSaaraikar.Theyrefusedtorevealthesecretsoftheirwandlore.Ionlyknowthismuch
becauseJames'toldmeoncewhenhewasverydrunk.
Harryrolledhiseyesattheimageofhisfatherrevealingsecretsduetobeingintoxicated.
Doyouknowifanyarestillalive?askedHarryinalowtone.Unsaidwaswhetherhisparentswerealiveand
hadabandonedhim.
NobutI'msureyourparentsaredead,saidtheSaaraikar.
How?askedHarry.
BecauseIknewyourparents,saidtheSaaraikarfirmly.Andtheonlythingthatcouldhaveseparatedthem
fromtheirchildwasdeath.
Harrylookeddownwithasmileatthat,ateargoingdownhisface.
Flashbackend
Harryhadappreciatedthegestureandsoonafter,hadmanagedtoquicklycompletehistrainingunderthe
Saaraikar.HewasscheduledtomakehispersonalarmortwodaysbeforehehadtoleavewithKelbisandKass.
HarryhadmanagedtogettheSaaraikartoagreetoletherleavewiththemifbothHarryandKassmanagedto
buildtheirarmorsbeforeheleft.WhenKasshadheard,shehadjumpedinjoyandimmersedherselfsomuchin
herstudieshehadn'tseenherfortwodaysafterwards.
Sincehearingofhismother'sabilitieswiththemindtrick,Harryhadputmoreemphasisonlearningits
subtleties.Hewasdeterminedtolearnfromhisparentsandmakegooduseofthestorieshe'dheardofthem.
However,hewouldn'tdelveintothedeeperaspectsofthemindtrickuntilhe'dspokentohisfatherfigure.He
knewthatthepowerhadadeepmoraldebatesurroundingit.However,HarrydidtryhishandatForceillusions
andwashappytonotethatheseemedtohaveinheritedhismother'sabilityinit.Hecouldeasilycreatean
illusionoverhimselfsohewouldappearassomeoneelse.
Hisstudiesintoalteringtheenvironmentweren'tgoingaswell.Itseemedhisfather'sskillwithithadskipped
himbutHarrydidn'tmind.Hepreferredtoworkforthingsthanhavethemhandedtohim.
OnethingthatbotheredHarrywashismother'sskillwithForcelightning.WhenheaskedMasterKyleaboutit,
hesimplysaidthatitwasherintentthatcountednotthenatureoftheability.Thenagain,KyleusedForce
lightningaswellsohemighthavebeenbiased.Whatbotheredhimwasthathehadapredispositiontothe
ability.HarryhadbeenstudyingEmeraldJudgementforonlytwomonthsnowandcouldalreadyletloosea
smallstreamofit.Hestillneededtoimprovehiscontrolbutheknewthatwouldcomewithtime.UnderKyle's
supervision,HarrytriedhishandatForcelightningandreceivedsimilarresults.Thisconfusedhim.Howcould
heusetwopowersthatweresupposedtobeintrinsicallyoppositetoeachother?Theanswereludedhim.
HarrywascurrentlypracticinghisskillsunderaDefenderwithasnowfalconmotif.ThissameDefenderhad
helpedHarrymakeaphysicalroutinetomaximizebothstrengthandspeed.She(Harrythoughtshewasashe
anyway)wasalsotheoneHarrywasteachingForcelightandForceblindingto.Astraalhadoptedtoteachthem
howtoenterahibernationtrance.
HarrywascurrentlytryingtomakeanillusionofaCorelliansandpanther.However,hecouldn'tquitegetit.
Solace(thenameoftheDefender)commentedthatitmaybeduetoneverhavingseentheanimalbeforeandto
tryonehehadseenbefore.Therefore,Harrycreatedanillusionofaswampwampa.Ittooksomeeffortbuthe
succeededincreatingonesorealthatshetookastepbackinsurprise.Solacecomplimentedhimonthefeat.
Aftersayinggoodbye,Harrydepartedtowardhisroom.Hewantedtotakeashowerandgotosleep.Hewasso
tiredthatheforgotthathewassharingabathroomwithAstraalandopenedthedoortothebathroomwithout
knocking.Hearingagasp,Harrylookedtowardthesound.
TherewasAstraalcoveredinonlyatowellookingatHarryinsurprise.AsforHarry,hewasmortifiedathis
mistakebuttooshockedtodoanythingotherthanstandtherestaringatherbeautifulformwithhismouthopen.
AfteraminuteAstraalgaveHarryasmilethatsentshiversdownhisspineanditwasn'tduetofear.
Ifyouwantedalook,mylove,saidAstraalassheseductivelywalkedtowardthestillshellshockedHarry,
allyouhadtodowasask.
Asshefinishedherstatement,shehadreachedHarryandclosedthedistancetillherstillcoveredbreastswere
touchinghischest.AsforHarry,hecoulddonothingbuttakeinhisfellowapprentice'sform.Hetookinher
longlegsthatseemedtogoonforever,herbreaststhatevencoveredwerenoticeableaslargeforherage,and
herperfectfacewithblueeyesthatwascurrentlysportingaseductivelittlesmile.
Um,I,startedHarry.
ThatwasasfarashewouldgobecauseAstraalquicklygrabbedhisheadanddrewhimintoascorchingkiss.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutcompareherkisswiththeoneshehadwithNakiaandJaina,allhadbeenfullofpassion
andslightlydemanding.However,Nakia'skissseemedtolackanyrealfeelingbehinditbeyondlustthoughit
wasobviousshehadexperience.Jaina'shadrealfeelingbehinditbutwereslightlyinnocentduetoher
inexperienceandtherewasalwaysafeelingofholdingbackfromher.Astraal'sseemedtopouroutallher
feelingsforhiminitandlackedtheinnocenceofJaina's,showingshehadexperience.
AllthishadpassedhismindinasecondbecausesoonafterabombseemedtogooffinHarry'smindandhe
startedreciprocatinginearnest.Afterkissingforafewminutes,theneedforairbecamenecessaryandhebroke
thekiss.Hequicklyengagedherinanotherkissandpickedherupcausinghertowrapherlegsaroundhiswaist.
Hepushedheragainstthewallandstartedtosuckleonherneck.
Harry,moanedoutAstraal,silentlydemandingmore.
However,hersayinghisnameworkedlikeabucketofcoldwaterandhesuddenlyrealizedwhathewasdoing.
Hequicklystoppedandslowlyletherdownbeforewalkingbackwarduntilhehitthesink.
Harry,whinedAstraal.Whydidyoustop?
Weshouldn'tbedoingthis,Astraal,saidHarryinatonethatclearlyindicatedhisbelieftothecontrary,I'm
takingadvantageofyou.
Noyou'renot,saidAstraalfirmly.IWANTthis.I'vewantedthisformonthsnow.
We'retooyoung,saidHarryinanobviousattempttofindanexcuse.
Ifweare,it'salreadytoolateforme,saidAstraal.
Harrywincedatthereminderofherpast.AftertheDromundKaasmission,theyhadsharedeachother'sfears
andpasts.TheyhadgrowncloserbecauseofitandHarrycouldhonestlysaythathetrustedAstraalimplicitly.
AstraalstartedHarry.
No,statedAstraalfirmly.IknowyoufeelsomethingforJaina.ButI'mfallinginlovewithyouandI'mnot
goingtobeniceandgiveherachanceforsomethingshecouldhavehadyearsago.
Astraal,Idon'tbuthewasonceagaincutoff.
Yes,youdo,saidAstraalfirmly.Icanseethewayyoulookateachother.Butshehasneveractedonit.
However,Ialsoknowyoufeelmoreformethanjustfriendship.SoI'mtellingyounowthatI'mgoingtofight
foryou.I'mgoingtofightdirtyanduseeverytrickinthebooksoIcanendupwithyou.
Atthis,shegavehimanotherkissthathecouldn'thelpbutreturn.Shethenturnedaround,stillinhertowel,and
walkedtowardthedoorconnectedtoherroom.Asshecrossedthedoorintoherroom,andwithherbacktoward
him,shedroppedthetowelbeforelookingoverhershoulderathim.Shegavehimawinkbeforeclosingthe
doorusingtheForcewithoutturningaround(tohisdisappointment).
Harryjuststoodthere,mouthagapeaswordsfailedhim.Onlyonethoughtpassedthroughhismind.
Thingsaregoingtogetverycomplicated,hethoughtmournfully.
Laterthatnight
Aftertakingaverycoldshower,Harryhadgonetobed.Howeverhismindwasfulloftoomanyconflicting
emotionsforhimtosleep.
AstraalhadtouchedonsomethingthatHarrytriedtoignore.HisfeelingsforJainaandherrefusaltoreturnthem
inearnest.Despiteeightyearsawayfromhisbloodrelatives,Harrystillfeltasifhewasunworthyoflove.For
thisreason,hehadbeencrushedatJaina'srefusaltoengageinarelationshipdespiteherreciprocalfeelings.
Now,however,withAstraalactivelychasinghim(andpromisingtouseeverydirtytrickinthebook)hehadto
makeadescision.Hecouldn'tdenythathehadfeelingsforAstraal.Theyhadsharedalottogetherandhehad
sharedthingswithherthathehadonlysharedwithhisparentsandJaina.However,hecouldn'tingood
consciencestartarelationshipwithAstraalifhestillhadfeelingsforJaina.Itwouldbeadisservicetobothof
themandtheydeservedbetter.HarryinternallypromisedhimselfthathewouldtalktoJainathemomenthe
returnedtotheAcademyandfigureoutonewayortheotheriftheyhadafuturetogether.
Withthatthoughtinmind,Harryturnedoverandwenttosleep.
Harryfeltasifhe'dbeenasleepfortenminuteswhenadistantexplosionandanalarmwokehimup.
Hewasinstantlyonhisfeetwithhismainlightsaberalitinhishand.Aftermakingsurethecoastwasclear,he
grabbedhisduelingsabers(hefelthewasgoingtoneedthem)andholsteredhismainlightsaberaswellashis
Bryarpistolbeforerunningoutofhisroominjusthispants(withholster).Helituphisduelingbladesasheleft
theroomandranintoAstraal.SilentlyagreeingtomeetupwiththeirMaster,theyrantowardhisroom.
Theyfoundhimquickly,fullydressedandreadyforafight.
Looksliketheyactuallywentthroughwiththeraid,saidKylegrimly.Probablytooktheselastfewweeksto
gatherabigenoughgroup.Youtwogotowardtheapprentices'roomsandgettosafetywiththeothers.Meand
theDefenderswilltakecareoftheintruders.
Withthat,herantowardthesoundsofblasterfireandlightsaberdueling.
Weshouldgohelp,saidAstraal.ShestartedtofollowbutHarrygrabbedherarm.
NormallyIwouldagreebutIhadvisionofthisthefirstdaywearrived,saidHarry.
Whatdidyousee?askedanalarmedAstraal.
Let'sjustsay,weneedtoprotecttheapprentices,saidHarrygrimly.They'retherealtargetanyway.
Astraaljustnodded,trustingHarry'sjudgementwithoutquestion.
Theyquicklyrantowardtheapprentices'quartershopingtheyweren'ttoolate.
Apprentices'quarters
Yuvanisusuallyhatedthefactthatitwassohardforhimtosleep.Itusuallytookalongtimebeforefinally
fallingasleep.However,hewasgladofitnowsinceitallowedhimtoseetheintrudersandraisethealarm.
Hehadbeenfightingtheintrudersforafewminutesnowandwasgettingtired.Hehadn'thadmuchexperience
fightingmultipleopponentsandwastiringquickly.Theopponentsseemedtosensethisandkepttheirdistance,
shootingathiminordertotirehimout.However,Yusaniswasdeterminednottofail.Hesaidhewouldhold
themoffwhiletheapprenticestookthesecretwayout(thatonlyJensaaraiknew)andhewouldevenifhedied
doingit.
However,histirednessbecametoomuchasashotpassedthroughhisdefenseandhithisshoulder.Hedropped
hislightsaberandfelltothefloorinpainandexhaustion.Oneoftheintruders,aboyalittleolderthanhim,
walkeduptohimandsneered.
Timetodie,thyrianscum,saidtheintruder.
However,beforetheintrudercouldfollowwithhisthreatacryarosefrombehindthegroupofintruders.The
boyturnedjustintimetobedecapitatedbyanicebluelightsaber.
HarryhadarrivedwithAstraalandtheirskillplusthesurprisemadequickworkoftheintruders.
Where'sKass?askedHarry.
Here!saidavoice.
ItwasKass.Shehadmanagedtoleadalltheapprenticestoescapeandhadcomebacktohelpherfriend.She
wasgladthatHarryandAstraalhadarrived.Shehadarrivedjustastheleaderoftheintruderswasabouttokill
herfriendinfrontofher.
Weneedtogo,saidHarry.Thiswasn'ttheleaderand
My,my.Iwonderhowyouknewthat,saidavoicebehindthem.
Harryquicklyturnedtoseethewomanfromhisvision.Shehadblackhairandpurpleeyes.Shealsohadasort
ofscalelikearmorwithspikesonhershouldersandacape.Theentireensemblealongwithhernaturalpresence
gaveoffafeelingofdanger.Harryknewjustbylookingatherthatshecoulduseherlightsaberverywell.
ItseemsthattheJensaaraiwerewarnedofourcoming,saidthewomanglibly.Theyareverywellorganized.
Thatwasprobablyyourdoing.Well,I'mlookingforwardtofindingouthowyouknew.
Shelitherredbladedlightsaber,indicatingasyntheticcrystal.
Now,whydon'tcomequietlyandIwon'thavetodamageyoutoobadly,saidthewomaninatonethatshowed
thatsheexpectedthemtofollowhercommands.
Whyshouldwe?challengedKass.
AZabrak?I'msurprisedtoseeoneofyourkindhere,saidthewomanconversationally.Comewithmeand
you'llbefreetodowhatyouwantwithoutconsequences.Nomorestuckinasewertrainingjusttoleaveandbe
stuckonthisplanet.You'llbefreetogoanywhere.
Atthewoman'soffer,Kasshesitated.ShelookedfromYusanis(whoshookhishead),toAstraal(whocontinued
glaringdefiantlyatthewoman)beforefinallylandingonHarry.
It'syourchoice,Kass,saidHarryquietly.Iwouldneverforceachoiceonyou.Justremember,thefreedom
she'sofferingalwayshasaprice.
Kasslookedconflictedbeforefinallycomingtoadecision.
Youcanstickyourofferrightupyourassyoutwocreditslut!yelledKassdefiantly.
Atherinsult,thewoman'sfacetwistedinangerbeforescreaming,I'lljusthavetotakeyoubyforcethen!
ShestartedtoruntowardthembutthenagroupofDefendersaswellasHarryandAstraal'sMasterarrivedand
cutheroff.
Well,lookslikeyou'retheonewho'sbeencaptured,statedKyleconversationally.
TheDefendersstartedtosurroundherbutseeingthatshewasoutnumbered,sheturnandfleddownthehallway.
TheDefendersquicklygavechaseafterher.
Well,I'mgladyou'reokaymycutelittleapprentices,saidKyle.Marawouldhavehadmyhideifsomething
happenedtoanyofyou.
Thanksfortheconcern,saidHarrysarcastically.
Noproblem,saidKyle,ignoringthesarcasminhistone.
YouokayKass?askedHarryturningtothegirl.
Yea,I'mokay,saidKasswithasmileandatinyblushonherface.BehindHarry,Astraalgavethegirla
warningglarethatclearlysaidBackoff,he'smine!.
Harrywascompletelyoblivious.
Howaboutyou,Yusani?askedHarry.
I'vebeenbetterbutnothingalittlebactawon'tcure,assuredYusani.
I'mglad,saidHarry.Whew!Whatanight!
Fourdayslater
Itwastime.Timetobuildhisarmor.Harryhadbeenputtingitoffuntilnowduetowantingtocoverallhis
angles.Hewassurethathecouldbuildhisarmorusingonlythelightsidebuthadwantedtobesure.Nowit
wastime.
Harryhadagenericarmorshellandalotofcortosisorefiber.Harrytookadeepbreathbeforestarting.Hefirst
openedhimselfcompletelytotheForceandlikesomanytimesbefore,heletitguidehishand.
AsheopenedhimselftotheForce,heforgottoimbueonlythelightside.
ToHarry,itwasasifhewasinatrance.Hecouldseehimselfspinningthefiberaroundthearmorshellbutfelt
disconnectedtoit.Whenheneededtochangetheshapeofit,insteadofforcingithealmostseemedtoaskthe
armortobendinthatwaybeforeitcomplied.Harryhadn'tbelievedtheSaaraikarwhenshesaidthatminimal
knowledgeinforgingarmorswasneededtomakeitbutnowheunderstood.TheForcewouldgivehimany
knowledgehelackedandwouldguidehishandashemadethisworkofart.
AsHarrywasfinishedthebodyarmor,hisbodyautomaticallymovedtowardthehelmet.Ashetouchedit,he
receivedavision.
Vision
Aflockofdragonlikecreatureswereflyingoveralandofice.Theyseemedunconcernedwiththecoldandflew
withoutproblem.
Harrysawagleamofsemiintelligenceintheirgreeneyes.Enoughtoknowfamilyfromenemyandthatchildren
shouldbeprotected.
Theywereflyingtowardabowllikearea.Astheygotcloser,Harrycouldseeitwasanestforpregnantmothers
oftheirkindtogivebirth.ThecriesoftheyoungfilledtheareaandHarrycouldfeelthedragon'sheartwarmat
thesound.
Theworlddissolvedandreformed.
Thehumanswereencroachingontheirnestingareas.Whilebefore,theygaveeachotherawideberthnowthe
humanshadgrowngreedy.Theyweresurethattheirtechnologycouldrepelanyofthemback.Theworstthing
wastheywereright.
Slowly,theyweredrivenfromtheirancientnestinggrounds.Foodbecamescarcerandbirthsevenmoreso.
Butstillthedragonsprotectedtheiryoungandtheirfamilies.Sometimestheystarvedinanefforttofeedtheir
families.Butstill,theyendured.
Theworlddissolvedandreformedonefinaltime.
Hewasknownasthelastofhiskind.Heknewthis.Hewasonlyoneofhisbrothersandsisterstosurvive
despitehisbestefforts.
Still,heprotectedtheoldnestinggrounds.Heknewthesecret.Afeweggshadbeenhiddendeepdowninthe
earth.Fornowhiskindwouldliehiddenandhewouldpretendtodiethelastofhiskind.Somedayhiskind
wouldreturn.
Itwasonlyamatteroftime.
Theworlddissolved.
Visionend
Asthevisionfaded,Harryreturnedtohimselffully.Helookeddowntoadmirehiswork.
Thehelmetwasmadeintheshapeofadragon'shead.Itwasthesamedragonhesawinhisvision.Harryknew
thatthevisionsymbolizedmorethanheunderstoodatthemomentbutfornowheknewthatthedragon
symbolizedhim.
LookingattherestofhisarmorhenoticedseveraldifferencestotheJensaarai'sarmor.First,thearmorwasa
silverycolorunlikethegoldcoloroftheJensaarai.Thedifferenceconfusedhimbutheputitoutofhismind.He
putitonandlookedathimselfinthemirrortonoticeanotherdifference.
Jensaaraiarmor,whilebeautiful,stillhadthelookofhavingbeenforgedbyhumanhands.Harry's,however,
lookedasifithadsprungupoutoftheearththatway.Therewereonlyafewsharpanglesandwasbeautiful
evenwithfewdecorations.Ithadseveraldesignsofwindandsnowandgaveoffafeelingofwinterandstorms.
Thehelmetfollowedthedesignofthebodyarmorbuthadalightgreensheentoitthatmadeitlooklikeitwas
carvedfromemeraldswhenitwashitbythelight.Theeyeslitswerewherethedragon'seyeswouldbeinstead
ofthemoretraditionaldragon'smouth.Thedragon'smouthwasinsteadwherehismouthwouldbeandlefthis
mouthopentotheelements.
Theentirethinggaveoffafeelingofprotectiveness.Asifitwoulddefendhimaslongashisreasontofightwas
toprotectothers.
HarryopenedhimselftotheForcetosensethearmorandwasslightlysurprisedatwhathefelt.
ThearmorgaveoffanauraoftheForce.Itwasneitherlightnordark.ItwastheForceinthepurenessofits
glory.Concentratingmore,Harrynoticedthatthelightanddarksideseemedtoblendintooneinthearmor.
InsteadoffightingeachotherlikeoppositesastheJediOrdersaidtheywere,theyseemedtoflawlesslymixinto
aseamlessentity.Therewasadeepermeaningbehindthisbutfornow,itescapedHarry.Theanswerseemedso
simplebuttryasmightHarrycouldn'tthinkofanyJedihistorythatcouldexplainit.
Shrugging,Harryputitoutofhismindandsmiled.Hehadbuilthisarmor.TheJensaaraiwereright.Itfeltas
muchapartofhimasanyofhislightsabersorlimbs.
Harrywasproudofhisaccomplishment.
Twodayslater
AstraalhadfinishedherarmorjustyesterdayafterHarryexplainedhisexperience.
Herswasalsoasilverycolorbutherhelmethadabluesheenandwasintheshapeofanashangel.Harryhad
finallyidentifiedhisanimalastheextinctArkaniandragon.Itwasfierceyetonlyattackedwhennecessary.
Harrythoughtitfitforsomereason.
TheybothcurrentlystoodbeforetheSaaraikarintheirarmor,proudlyshowingtheiraccomplishment.
Wethankyouforyourhospitality,milady,saidKyle.
Nothanksareneeded,saidtheSaaraikar.Yourwarningsavedourlivesandyourhelpinthedefensemadea
difference.
TheSaaraikarturnedtowardHarry.
Knowthatyouarealwayswelcomehere,saidtheSaaraikarsoftly.Ifyouneedaid,allyouhavetodois
ask.
Thankyou,milady,saidHarrygratefully.
Withthat,thegroupconsistingofHarry,Astraal,Kyle,KassandKelbislefttowardtheship.Kasshadalready
saidhergoodbyesandpromisedtostayincontact.Yusanisjustsmiledsadlyandsaidthattheywouldalwaysbe
bestfriendsnomatterwhatandalsopromisedtostayincontact.
Youreadytopilot,Kass?askedHarryamusedly.
Hellyea!yelledKassbeforerunningtowardtheship.
JediPraxeum,Yavin4
Finallyhome,saidHarrysoftly.Letmelandcauseittakesacertaintricktomanageit.
Kassnoddedandgavehimthecontrols.HarryquicklygavetheclearancecodesandlandedtheWaywardSon
ontoitsusualspot.WaitingforthemwereLukeandMara.
Everythinggoalright?askedLukewithasmile.Itslippedslightlyatseeingthearmorbutreturnedwhenhe
sawthebrightsmileonHarry'sface.
Ofcourse,whenhasoneofmymissionsevergonewrong?saidHarryeasily.
Withyou?Everytime,retortedMara.
ThegrouplaughedwhileHarrypouted.
Andwho'sthis?askedLuke,seeingKassslowlywalkingdowntheramp.SeeingthatshehadtheMasters'
attention,Kassquicklybowedtothem.
DefenderKassTodatyourservice,Masters,saidKassnervously.Icameinordertoseeofyouwouldbe
willingtakemeasanapprentice.
LukelookedtowardHarrywhojustsmiledandnodded.
Lookatme,orderedLuke.
KasscompliedandlookedLukeintheeye.Afterawhile,Lukeseeminglyfoundwhathewassearchingfor
beforesmilinggentlyatthegirl.
Youarewelcometojoin,padawanTod,saidLuke.
Kasssmiledathimandthankedhimprofusely.
YoumustbeKelbis.WelcometotheJediPraxeum,saidLukekindly.
Itisanhonortobehere,MasterJedi,respondedKelbis.IfallofyourJediareasgoodapersonasyourson
thenIknowIwilllikeithere.
AtthisLukelookedatHarrywithaglintofprideinhiseyes.Harryjustblushedandrubbedthebackhishead.
Astraal,canyoupleasetakeKassandKelbistotheavailableapprenticequarters?askedMarakindly.
Yes,Master,saidAstraal.
AfterAstraalleftwiththetwoapprentices,LukeandMaralookedatHarrywithanamusedlookintheireyes.
IsendyouinvestigatedisappearancesandyoureturnwiththeGreatHolocron.Isendyoutopickupone
apprenticeandyoubackwithtwo.MaybeIshouldsendyoutolookformoretreasuressoyoucancomeback
withdoubletheaskedamount,teasedLuke.
Itjusthappenedthatway,saidHarryhumblybeforegettingserious.IalsosawwhatwouldhappenifIleft
herthereandIcouldn'tletithappen.
Athisserioustone,Lukeraisedaneyebrowandsaid,Explain.
SoHarrydid.Heexplainedaboutmeetingher,hisimpressionsofherandtheshatterpointvisionhehad.After
hewasdone,bothLukeandMarawerequietandthoughtful.
Youdidtherightthing,saidMara.TheForcegaveyouachancetochangesomethingterribleandyougave
herasecondchance.
Indeed,I'mveryproud,saidLukewithatoneofpride.
Atthis,Harryblushedunderhispraise.Hefelthisheartwarmathisfather'spride.
Now,son,wehavetotalkaboutsomethingserious,saidMarawithamischievoussparkleinhereyes.
About?saidHarrywarily.Hedidn'tlikethelookinhereyes.Itremindedhimofthelasttimeshe'dpranked
him.
Icouldn'thelpbutnoticethatmissTodisabeautifulgirl,saidMarainafakeserioustone.Andifyou're
goingtostartaharemyou'llneedsomepointersonhowawoman'smindworks.
Wait,what?Me,aharem?!saidHarryinashrilltone.
Yes,lookslikeI'llhavetogiveyouamoredetailedversionoftheTalk,saidMarainafakeexasperatedtone.
Withahorrifiedlookonhisface,Harrywasdraggedbyhismothertowardhisparentsquartersallthewhilewith
Maratalkingaboutsplittingtimeequallyandtheintricaciesofthreesomes.FrombehindHarry,Luke
SkywalkerfounderoftheNewJediOrderbrokedownlaughinghystericallyatthelookonhisson'sface.
EndNotes:
AN:Andcut!There'schapter10!
AsIpromised,ashortandsteamyscenebetweenHarryandAstraal!Shehastold
Harryhowitwasgoingtobeandmadeherintentionsknown,thedirtyminx!
LOL!Hopeyoulikedthechapterandno,KasswillnotbeattractedtoHarryor
anything.Shebecomesmoreimportantinbook2.
ForthosewonderingwhereI'mgoingwithhisparents'past,well...you'lljusthave
tofindoutwon'tyou!Inlaterchapters,hisparents'pastwillintersectmoreand
morewithhislifeuntilhefinallygoesonaquesttodiscoverhisorigins.Hopeyou
likeit!
ReadandReview!
Backtoindex
RealizationsbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter11
JediPraxeum,Yavin4(early23ABY)
WhenHarryhadreturnedtotheAcademy,JainahadquicklyfilledhimonwhathappenedwiththeTIEpilot
namedQorl.HarryhadnotbeenamusedtoknowthatJainahadriskedherselfwithouteventakinghertraining
lightsaber.Atleastwiththat,shecouldhaveblockedtheman'sblasterboltsandescapedwithJacen.Jainanow
alwayscarriedhertraininglightsaberwithher.
Notthatshewouldhavetoformuchlonger.Lukehaddeemedtherestofthegroupreadytobuildtheir
lightsabers.KassandKelbisalreadyhadtheirlightsaberssotheywereavailabletogoonmissionsalready.Kass
hadbeentakenasKyle'sapprenticewhileKelbiswastheapprenticeofMasterLarLe'Ung.Kelbiswasexpected
tobecomeaKnightsoonduetohispriorexperienceandskillaswellashisknowledgeoftheForce.Therefore,
hewasbarelyattheAcademy.HarrypersonallythoughtthatKasswentwellwithKyleashersolemaster.Kyle's
beliefinthePotentiumtheorywouldblendwellwithherJensaaraibackground.Theworstthingthatcould
happenwouldherbeingundersomeonewhoopenlydisdainstheJensaarailikeKyp.
TherehadbeenaslightargumentwhenKasstriedtowearherarmorandtheMastersforbidit.Harrycould
understand.Healsofeltslightlyaggravatedwhenhewassimilarlyforbiddenwearingit.Thearmorwasmore
thansimpleprotection,itwassomethingtheyhadpouredtheirheartandsoulinto.Therewasnothingdarkinit.
Theydidn'tevenhaveanauraofthedarksideforForce'ssake!However,Harryswallowedhisangerandjust
bowedtotheMasters'wisdom.Kasssimilarlyagreedthoughitleftabitertasteinhermouth.
HarryhadonceagainwarnedTenelKatoconcentrateinbuildingherlightsaberandshepromisedshewould.
Shehadrecentlyacquiredsomerainbowgemsthatshewasgoingtouseaswellasarancortoothforthehilt.
Harrythoughtthattheideawasasuniqueasshewasandsaidasmuch.Sheblushedslightlybeforethanking
him.ShealsosaidthatshesomethingtotellthemafterwardsandHarryagreedtotelltheothers.
HarrywasnowonhiswaytotellJainaandwascurrentlyknockingonherdoor.
Whoisit?askedJaina.
It'sHarry,saidHarrywithasmile.
Coming!saidJaina.
ShequicklyopenedthedoorandHarrywasleftmomentarilyspeechless.Despiteheronlybeingfourteenyears
old,Harrycouldtellshewasgoingtobeabeauty.Shewascurrentlycoveredinsweatwhichmadeherhaircling
toherface.Thesweatalsogaveherasortofetherealshineandaccentuatedhercurves.Harrycouldonlygulp
heavilyatthesight.
JainanoticedHarry'slookandblushedwhilebitingherlipslightly.Despiteherearlierdenials,shewasfindingit
harderandhardertoresistherfeelingsforHarry.Itdidn'thelpthatAstraalhadcomeuptoheryesterdayand
statedplainlythatshewantedtobewithHarry.Shesaidthatifshewantedhimshewouldhavetofightherfor
him.Jainafeltconflictedoverit.Inherheartofhearts,sheknewshelikedHarryalot.Maybeevenloved.But
Jainawasreluctantshedidn'twanttoruinwhattheyhad.
Hey,Jaina,saidHarryinalowtone.
Hey,Harry,respondedJaina.
Thesilencegrewtenseduetotheunsaidthingsbetweenthem.
Well,saidHarry,TenelKatoldmethatshehadsomethingtotellusafteryouguysbuildyourlightsabers.
Oh,okay,saidJaina.Andhowhaveyoubeen?Ireallylikeyourarmor.Itmakesyoulookhandsome.
Jainablushedattheslipbutdidn'ttrytotakeitback.Itwastrueanyway.Harrysmilegrewwiderather
commentandhesteppedclosertoherwhichmadeherbreathhitch.
Really?saidHarrywitharoguishsmile.ThenmaybeIshouldwearitforyoumoreoften.
Harryslowlyclosedthedistancebetweenthem.Jaina'sbreathhitchedandhereyesslowlyclosedasHarry
closedinforakiss.
Heyguys!yelledAnakinwhowaswalkingtowardthemfromtheendofthehall.
HarryandJainajumpedapartathiscallandblushedheavilyatalmostbeingcaught.Luckily,hehadn'tnoticed
anythingoutoftheordinary.
Jaina,isittrueyou'regoingtobuildyourlightsaber?askedAnakinexcitedly.
Jainaforcedasmilebeforesaying,Yea,I'mactuallyworkingonthatnow.SoI'mkindabusy.
Oh,okay,saidAnakineasily.I'llgofindTahirithen.Ican'twaittobuildmyownlightsaber!
Harrysmiledattheboydespitehisirritationathisinterruption.Likethewhirlwindofenergythatcharacterizes
hisForceabilities,helefttogolookforhisfriend.Afterheleft,HarryturnedbacktoJainawhowaslooking
backatHarryunsurely.
Wherewerewe...saidHarry.
Jaina,however,backedupandsaid,Weshouldn'tHarry.PlusIneedtoconcentrateonmylightsaber.You
wouldn'twantsomethingtohappentoitduetomebeingdistracted,right?
ItwaslowblowbutJainawasclosetobreakingandsimplystartmakingoutwithhimuncontrollablyrightthere
inthehallway.Sheknewthatifhedidn'tleavesoon,shewouldprobablydraghimintotheroomandmakeout
withhimallafternoon.
Harry'ssmiledroppedbutheforceditbackonandsaid,You'reright.Canwetalkafterwards?
Jainachewedherlipandhedged,Won'twebetalkingtoTenelKaafter?
NowHarrywasirritated.
Afterthatthen,saidHarryirritably.
Jainadidn'tlikehistoneandquicklyshotback,WhatifIdon'twantto?
ThiscausedaflashofpaintocrossoverHarry'sfacebeforehesaid,Finethen.
HequicklywalkedawayignoringJaina'scriestocomeback.
Traininggrounds
HarrywascurrentlytraininghisVaapadwithhismainlightsaber.Hemovedgracefullythroughthemotions,
rememberingMaceWindu'scommentsaboutitbeingmoreastateofmindthananactualform.Hewastryingto
losehimselfinitandignorethehurtinhisheartatthewayheandJainapartedwaysearlier.
IthadbeenthefirsttimeJainaandhimhadactuallyhadaseriousfight.Ithadhurthimwhenshetriedtoavoid
himandevenrefusedtotalktohim.Harryslowlygotangrier,hisformreflectingthatandbecomingmore
aggressiveascutdownhisimaginaryenemy.
Whywouldn'tsheeventrytotalkwithhim?Whywasshebeingsostubborn?
Suddenly,Harry'sgriponhislightsaberfalteredslightlyduringadownwardslashandhealmostcuthislegoff.
Seeingthis,hestoppedbeforehehurthimselffurther.
Harrystoppedandsatcrossleggedontheground.Hetookadeepbreathandthoughtontherootcauseofboth
problems.WithJaina,hewashurtbyherrefusaltogivethemachancedespitethereciprocalfeelingsbetween
them.Howeveritwasmorethanthat.Itwasherrefusalitselfthathurt.Itremindedhimtoomuchofhisblood
relativesrefusaltolovehimdespitehisbesteffortstochangetheirmind.Harryuneasinessgrewwhenhestarted
toseesimilaritiesbetweenthetwosituations.
Inboth,Harrytriedhisbesttogetthemtoreturnhisaffectionwithoutsuccess.Inboth,itwasHarrywhodidall
theworktotryandmaketherelationshipwork.Andfinally,inbothHarrywasleftwithabrokenheart.Tobe
fair,itwasn'texactlythesame.Jainareturnedhisfeelingsshejustsimplyrefusedtoacknowledgethemforher
ownpersonalreasons.Harryalsowillinglythrewhimselfatheronlytoberebuffedtimeandtimeagaininstead
ofbeingforcedlikewithhisrelatives.However,theendresultwasthesame:himnursinghurtfeelingsanda
brokenheart.
Thesecondproblemwashislightsaber.Themoreheusedit,themoreherealizedthatitwasanillfit.Duringthe
lastfightintheJensaaraibase,heunconsciouslypreferredhiscurvedhiltlightsaberseventhoughhismain
wouldhavebeenmorepracticalintheenclosedtunnelsoftheJensaarai.Allinall,hismainlightsaberwasnot
whathehadenvisioned.
Thatlastthoughtgavehimpause.Whathadheenvisionedwhenheimaginedhisfirstlightsaber?Moreand
moreHarryrealizedsomething.Hehadn't.Hehadn'timaginedwhatlightsaberhewouldprefer.Hehadsimply
chosenthishiltdesignduetoitsconnectiontoLukeandMara.Hehadwantedtofeellikeapartofthefamily
despitehavingbeenpartofitforovereightyears.
Harryfeltlikesuchahypocrite.AllhistalktoTenelKaaboutchoosingherlightsabercarefullyanditbeingan
importantceremonyandsuchandhehadspatalloverit.Hehadn'tevengivenitmuchthoughtinthebeginning.
JustchosesomethinghethoughtLukeandMarawouldapproveof.
Whythough?Whydidn'thegiveitasmuchthoughtasheknewitrequired?
LikeIneedtoexcusemyselftosomeonewhostillclingstohisfather'scloak.
Raynar'swordsreturnedtohiminthatmoment.Wasittrue?Washestilltryingtoclingtohisadoptedfather's
cloak?Harry'sfirstinstinctwastodenyit.However,themorehethoughtit,themoreherealizedthatitwastrue
toacertainextent.HealwaysthoughtofwhatwouldhisadoptedfatherwouldapproveofinsteadofwhatHE
wanted.TheonlytimethatHarrywastrulyhimselfanddidn'tthinkofwhathisfatherwoulddoorwantwas
whenhewasstudyingwiththeJensaarai.Hehadn'tevenspokentothemaboutwhathehadfoundoutabouthis
mother'sabilitytousedarksidepowersaswellaslightsidepowers.HeinstinctivelyknewthatLukewouldbe
waryofhimfindingoutanymoreaboutherorevenhisfathergiventhatfact.Hewouldbelievethathismother
wasatleastaGrayJediandwouldn'twantHarrytobecorrupted.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutbristleatthethoughtofbeingforbiddentolearnmoreabouthisbirthparents.Heloved
LukeandMarabuttheywerehisPARENTS.HeNEEDEDtoknowwhathappenedtotheminordertobeat
peacewithhimself.
ThatlastthoughtbroughtHarryupshort.Wasn'theatpeacewithhimselfalready?Hewashappywasn'the?
Hethoughtdeeplyonitandtriedtocutthroughallhisexcuses.Yes,hewashappywithhislifeatthemoment
butbeinghappywasn'tthesameasbeingatpeace.HerememberedvividlyhisexperienceinDromundKaasand
knewhestillhadn'tputthedemonsofhispasttorest.Theystillhauntedhim.Theyaffectedhowheresponded
tohissituationwithJainaaswellashowhemadehismajorlifedecisions.Thatplushisrecentdiscoveryofhis
parents'pastwasanotherunsolvedpartofhimheneededtosolvetobeatpeace.
Hecametoaconclusion.Inordertofindpeaceinhimselfheneededtofacehisrelativesaswellasfindout
whathappenedtohisparentsaswellashispeople.Hewouldneverbetrulyatpeaceunlesshedidthat.He
wouldalwaysbecontrolledbythoseevents.
However,heknewnowwasabadtime.TheShadowAcademywasouttherejustwaitingtostrikethestill
fledglingAcademy.Hisfriendswerejustbuildingtheirlightsabersandtheywouldneedhispresenceinthat
importantpartoftheirlives.Hecouldn'tingoodconscienceleavejustlikethat.Hewouldplanitoutsohe
wouldleaveaftertheShadowAcademyproblemwasdone.Hehadafeelingitwouldcometoaheadwithinthe
year.
Clippinghislightsabertohisbelt,Harrylookedatit.Withanunbiasedeye,Harrycouldseethatitwasabittoo
longforhim.WhileAnakinSkywalkerhadatendencytousebothhands,oneundertheother,Harryhada
tendencytouseonlyonehandtofightandtheotherforvariousForcemoves.Hisstrengthwouldn'tmatch
another'sevenwithtwohandssinceheemphasizedonspeed.Theresultwashavingatoolonghiltandithada
tendencytoslipalittle.Itwasalsotoo...plainforhistastes.Hewantedalightsaberthatwouldsymbolizehim.
HeknewitwasabitvainandthatmostJedisimplyuseplainlightsabersbuthecouldn'thelpit.Hewanted
somethingasuniqueashewas.Hepromisedhimselfhewouldtakehistimeinchoosinghisnewlightsaber.
Withthatdecided,HarryfeltcalmerthanhehadinawhileandstartedwalkingtotheAcademy.Herealizedthat
heneededtomeditatemoreorelsehisissueswouldcreepuponhim.Hestilldidn'tknowwhattodoaboutJaina
buthemadeadecision.Hehadmadehisintentionsknownandnowitwasuptoher.Hewouldn'tforcehertobe
withhim.Buthealsowouldn'twaitforhertogetherheadoutofherass.Hewouldsearchhisheartandifhe
wantedtobewithAstraal,hewouldgiveitashot.AstraalwasagoodpersonandfriendandHarryknewhe
couldbehappywithher.
AshereachedtheAcademy,hesmiledtohimself.Healsocouldn'tsayshewasn'tsmokinghot!
JunglearoundJediPraxeum
Harryavoidedthemesshall,knowingJainawouldbethereandwantedtoavoidherfornow.Instead,hedecided
tofollowJacen'slunchplans.Hefollowedhiscousin'sForcesignaturetoaclearingnotfarfromtheirusual
trainingground.
Jacenwasthere,eatingwithhispets.Heseemedtobetryingtoseewhattheylikedsohecouldmakenoteofit
forlater.Harrysmiledatthesight.Healwaysenviedhiscousin'seasywaywithanimals.Itwasaskillthat
Harryalwaysencouragedhimtodevelopbecauseitmadehimunique.Whentheywereyoung,Jacenwas
slightlyresentfulbecauseitseparatedhimslightlyfromhismechanicallyinclinedfamily.Harry,however,had
encouragedhimandtoldhimitmadehimunique.Hesaidheshouldn'tbeashamedbutproudbecauseitwas
somethingnoonelse,notevenLuke,couldboastabouthaving.Sincethen,Jacenhadhappilyexploredhis
affinityandcouldnowcalmandcontrolevendangerouspredatorsalmostinstantly.Itservedhimwellina
junglebasedAcademy.
HeyJacen,saidHarry.
JacenturnedandsmiledatHarry.
Growingupwiththeboy,JacenslightlylookeduptoHarry.Notonlywasheolderbuthewasaverygoodpilot
andveryskilledwithalightsaber.EvenmoreskilledthanJacenhimselfandhisunclecalledhimanaturalborn
fencer.Beyondthat,Harryalwaysseemedsosureofhimself.Ifhethoughtsomethingwastherightthingtodo,
hediditandworriedaboutaskingforgivenesslater.ItwassomethingJacenwishedhecouldemulate.
HeyHarry,saidJaceneasily.Whatyoudoinghere?
Justwantedtoseehowyouwere.IheardyouguysweregoingtobuildyourlightsaberstodayandIwantedto
seeifyouneededadvice,saidHarry.
Actually,Iwantedtoaskyouifhadanytogive,saidJacen.Hewantedtheopinionofsomeonewhohad
alreadybuilthisown.ThoughwheneverhesawHarry'slightsaber,hecouldn'thelpbutfeelitdidn'tfithim.His
secondarylightsabersfithimmore.
Harrywasquietforaminutebeforeslowlysaying,Whateveryoudecidewhenyoubuildit,makesureit'swhat
youwant.Don'tgowithwhat'seasyorbecausesomeoneelsemadeonelikeit.Buildonethatreflectsyouasa
person.
Jacenwasquietwhilehedigestedthis.Forasecond,Jacencouldn'thelpbutthinkthatHarrysoundedwiserin
thatmomentthanhehadeverbefore.
Okay,thanksfortheadviceHarry,saidJacen.
Theystayedtheretalkingforoveranhour.TheyjokedaboutmakingtheWaywardSonaspacezooforJacen's
moreexoticanimalsandcomparedideasonthenatureoftheForce.Thelatterwasoneofthemainthingsthat
connectedthetwocousins.BothlovedtojustmeditateorhaveamicabledebatesonthenatureoftheForce.
TheyagreedinalotofpointssuchasboththeoriesoftheForce:UnifyingandLiving,hadgoodpoints.
However,theyslightlydisagreedonthedutyoftheJedi.Harrybelievedthatwhenpushcametoshove,theJedi
shoulddefendthegalaxyforthesimplereasonthatitwastheirhome.Jacenbelievedtheyhadnoplaceactingas
galacticpolice.Despitethis,theyagreedtodisagree.
Theylaidsidebysideonthegrassandjuststaredintotheskyforawhile.
So...,startedJacenunsurely.HowarethingswithJaina?
HarryhadrecentlyconfidedinJacenabouthisfeelingsforJaina,hopingforsomeadviceonhowtodealwith
her.Jacenadmittedtohavingalreadyknownaboutit.Afterall,hewasJaina'stwin.Therewasn'tmuchthey
couldhidefromeachotherandespeciallynotsomethingthatcausedsomuchturmoil.However,hehadn'thad
anyadviceforhimbeyonddoingwhathishearttoldhim.Unfortunately,thatwasn'tmuchhelpforHarrysince
hehadbeendoingjustthatwithoutsuccess.
Harrysighedatthequestionandsaid,Ithink...Ishouldmoveon.
Atthis,Jacenlookedathiminsurprise.Harryhadchasedafterherforyearsnowandforhimtojustgiveup
meantsomethingmajormusthavehappened.
Whathappened?askedJacenconcernedly.
It'sjust...I'mtired,saidHarry.Itrysohardandshejustdoesn't...I'mtiredofbeingtheonlyoneinthis
relationshipthatwantsittowork.I'mtiredofherconstantrejection.I'mtiredofbeinghurt,saidHarry.
Heavinganothersigh,hesaid,I'mjusttiredofit.
Jacen'heartwentouttohim.HarryhadalwaysputJainafirstandsheneverreallytookhisfeelingsintoaccount.
Jacenthinksthatsubconsciously,Jainadidn'tthinkHarrywouldevergiveuponhersoshetookitforgranted.
ButnowitseemedasifHarryhadfinallygivenuponhislonginfatuation.
I'msorry,saidJacenmournfully.
It'snotyourfault,saidHarryquickly.
TheystayedsilentforawhilebeforeHarrybrokeit.
Youknow,saidHarry.Astraalkissedmelastweek.
IfJacenhadbeeneatingsomethinghewouldhavechokedonitattherevelation.Asitwas,healmostchokedon
airforasecondbeforestaringathisbrotherfigure.
Really?saidJaceninasurprisedtone.
Yea,confirmedHarry.Apparently,she'sintomeandwantedtomakeherintentionsknown.
Jacenjuststaredathimforasecondbeforesmilingconspiratoriallyandasking,So,howwasit?
Harrygrinnedbackandsaid,Awesome.
Thetwoboyslaughedabitbeforefallingintoacompanionablesilence.
Whatisitwithyouandolderchicks?Moreimportantly,askedJacen.Canyougivemeadvice?
Harryjustlaughed.
Afterwards
HarryleftJacenalonetobuildhislightsaberaftergivinghimsomeadviceonhowtocourtsomeunknownolder
woman(bothknewJacenwastalkingaboutTenelKabutneithervoicedit).Hewalkedaimlesslybeforespotting
AnakinandTahiripracticingtelekinesisinatraininggroundclosetohisgroup's.
Anakinwasliftingalargebouldereasily.However,Tahiriwastryingtoreplicatethefeatwithoutmuchsuccess
andwasgettingvisiblyfrustratedbecauseofit.Harryslowlywalkedover.
Uh,whycan'tIdoit?exclaimedafrustratedTahiri.
It'seasy,Tahiri,placatedAnakin.Justconcentrateonliftingitandnotonitssize.
Easyforyoutosay,shotbackTahiri.You'reaspowerfulasyounamesake.
HarrycouldtellthiscommentbotheredAnakin.Growingupwithsuchaninfamousnamehadcausedhimto
developalotofinsecurities.Mosthadbeenabouthimgoingtothedarksidelikehisnamesake.Harryhadhelp
curbthisfearsbyremindinghimthatjustbecausehehadthename,didnotturnhimintotheman.Heonce
jokinglyaskedhimthatifhewasthencouldheteachhimthesecrettobeingeternallyyoung.Despitethis,he
stillfearedfallinglikehisnamesakeandhadevengonetotheDagobahcavetofacehisfears.Harryhadbeen
againstitbutLukehadallowedit.HecamebackcalmerabouthimselfsoHarryhadtobegrudginglyagreethat
ithadbeenforthebest.
That'snotit,interruptedHarrybeforeafightcouldform.
AnakinandTahiriweresurprisedbyhisappearance,especiallyAnakin.Harryknewthathethoughthimselfas
theOrder'sshininglight,anotionthatHarryhadtriedtodisabusehimofsohewouldn'tfalltoarrogance.The
factthatHarrycouldsoeasilysneakuponhimhumbledhimabit.
Thefactisthatyoudon'tbelievethatyoucan,explainedHarry.
Huh?askedaconfusedTahiri.
Youcan'tliftitbecauseyoubelieveyoucan't,explainedHarrypatiently.Yousubconsciouslybelievethat
Anakinisstrongerthanyousoyoudon'tbelieveyoucandoaswellashim.
Tahirilookeddownathisfrankassessment.Itwastruethough.ShestilladmiredAnakinandconsideredhimher
bestfriendbutsometimesshefeltasifsheheldhimback.
Tahiri,calledHarrysoftly.Onceshelookedupathim,hecontinued,youarenotlessthananyone.Youhave
justasmuchrighttobeherethananyofus,evenme.IfIcould,I'dtakeyouasmypadawanrightnow.Ibelieve
youwillbeafantasticJedi.
Tahiri'seyesmoistenedwithtearsathisstatement.Heactuallybelievedinher!Hesaidhewouldtakeherashis
padawanifhecould.Tahiriferventlywishedtobecomehisapprentice.IkritwasaspectacularmasterandTahiri
lovedlearningunderhim.However,shecouldn'thelpbutfeelthathewasmoreAnakin'smasterthanhers.Tobe
thesoleapprenticeofaJediasdistinguished(inhereyes)asHarrywasherlifelongdream.
AnakinsmiledatthelookofappreciationTahirisentHarryathiscomment.Anakinknewthatbeinghisfriend
washardduetohistremendoustalent.Hecouldn'thelpitandTahiriwouldgetangryifheconsciouslyheldback
forher.DespiteHarry'sstatementofwantingtotakeTahiriashisapprentice,Anakinwasn'tjealous.Heknew
thatHarrywouldbetheperfectmasterforTahiri.Ifanyonecouldbringoutherpotential,itwasHarry.
Goon,tryitagain,encouragedHarry.
Tahiriturnedbacktotheboulderandtookadeepbreath.
Don'ttrytoforceit,Tahiri,saidHarryinthesamesofttone.LettheForceflowthroughyou.Imaginelifting
itoutofthegroundandmakingithoverthere.
Ashesaidthis,Tahiriclosedhereyesandfollowedhisdirections.Sheimagineditliftingoutofthegroundand
hoveringinfrontofher.SheignoredthefactitwasbiggerthanshewasandjustconcentratedofHarry'svoice.
HearingAnakin'sgasp,Tahiriopenedhereyes.Therewastheboulderhoveringthreefeetinfrontofher!She'd
doneit!
HermomentarylapseofconcentrationcausethebouldertofallbutHarrycaughtiteasilybeforeitcouldhurt
anyone.Heputitbackwhereitwasoriginally.
See?Iknewyoucoulddoit,saidHarryproudly.
Tahiriblushedunderhispraiseandunconsciouslystoodupstraighterinpride.Shehad,hadn'tshe?Maybeshe
wouldbecomeagreatJedi.
Anakincongratulatedheronheraccomplishment.TahirithankedHarrybeforeAnakinandherreturnedtotheir
practice.Thistimeshewasliftingthebouldersmucheasier.
Harrysmiledatthembeforewalkingaway.Neartheedgeofthetraininggrounds,HarryranintoMasterIkrit.
YouhaveagiftyoungPotter,saidIkrit,forbringingoutthebestinpeople.
Harryjustsheepishlyrubbedthebackofhisheadandsaid,Justrepeatingthewordsofwisemasters.
Perhaps,allowedIkrit.Butisitwhatthelearnerlearnsorwhattheteacherteachesthatisimportant?
Withthatambiguousstatement,IkritturnedandwalkedtowardtheclearingwhereAnakinandTahiriwere
practicing.Harrystayedstandingthereamomentinthoughtbutshruggeditoffandcontinuedwalkingtoward
theAcademy.
Privatetraininggrounds(lateafternoon)
ItwaslateafternoonandHarrywassittinginhispersonalhiddentrainingground.Unlikehisoriginalone,this
onewasusedexclusivelybyHarry.Mostlybecauseitwas2milesawayfromtheAcademyandHarryhad
basicallymadetheclearinghimself.DuetoHarry'spreference,itwasnotcleanorevencompletelyeven.Ithad
afewpits,alotoffallentreesandoverhangingbranches.InHarry'seyes,itwasprefect.Hehadkeptuphis
earlymorningroutinesandhadnowtakentorunningthroughtheforestwithjustapairofpantsandcombat
boots.HewouldusetheForceifheneededtodefendhimself.
HarrywascurrentlytakingstockofallhisForceabilities.HehaddelveddeeplyintotheGreatHolocron,eager
tolearnmoreandhadlearnedseveralnewabilities.HehadperfectedhisuseofForcespeedandForcereflexto
thepointwhereAstraalsaidhewasablurwhenhefought.Hehadtakentoperfectinghistelekinesissincehis
timewiththeJensaaraiandhadcreatedanewpowerduetoit.HecouldcreatetinyballsofForceenergythat
couldbeassmallasthetipofhisfingerorasbigashisheadthathewouldfireasfastablasterbolt.Thebest
partwasthattheywerecompletelyinvisibleandcouldeitherbruiseapersonorcutthroughametalhulllikea
blasterboltthroughsnow.Hehadn'ttriedtoseetheextentofhistelekinesisinregardsofhowlargeanobjecthe
couldaffectbuthewouldtestthatlater.
ThethoughtofbeingabletocrashStarDestroyerswithjusttheForcemadehimgiddy.
HehadrecentlydiscoveredhowtochannelForceblindingthroughhislightsaber.Theabilitytoinstantlymake
hislightsaberletoutaflashoflighttoblindhisenemiesisextremelybeneficialespeciallyduringlightsaber
combat(asAstraallearnedintheirlastspar).However,hisgreateststrideslayintheoneareaheknewhis
adoptedfatherwouldn'tapproveof.HewasslowlymasteringForcelightning.
OnlyMasterKyleknewthatHarryknewthetechniqueandhewassmartenoughnottomentionittohisparents.
However,evenhedidn'tknowtheextentthatHarrywasexperimentingwithit.Harrycould,withgreateffort
andconcentration,createabarrierofstaticelectricityaroundhimthatwouldprotecthimmuchlikearegular
Forcebarrier.Afterrememberinghissecondarylightsaberstendencytosparkelectricity,hemadeamentalnote
tolearnhowtochannelitthroughhislightsabers.ItwouldgivenewmeaningtothenameoftheLightningstyle.
However,allthishedidinsecretinhistrainingground.Henevershoweditinhisspars,knowingitwouldget
attention.Harrycouldn'thelpbutbefrustratedbecauseofthis.Hecouldadvancemuchfasterifhehadsomeone
helpinghimbutiftheMasterseverknewofhisexperimentation,theywouldsayhewasfallingtothedarkside.
TheywereevenwaryofEmeraldJudgementwhichwasadocumentedlightsidepower!
AsHarrytrainedwiththeability,henoticedsomething.Allaccountsstatethattheuserhadtohaveaggression
orhatetousethepower.However,Harrysimplyusedhisstrongwillandseemingaffinitytoitinordertouseit.
Atfirst,itwasdifficultandHarryfeltthetemptationtogiveintojustusingaggressionbutheresistedandcould
nowuseitwhilestayingmostlycalm.Hestillslightlymoreaggressivewhileusingitbutitwassimilarto
wakingupearlierthanhewantedandheeasilyignoredit.
Whilenotmuch,theJensaaraitaughthimthatitwasn'ttheamountofabilitieshehadathisdisposalbuthowhe
usedthemandmasteredthemthatmattered.Hecouldnowuseballistakinesisjustaswellasamasterandhewas
veryproudofthat.Infact,itwasthatpowerthatinfluencedhiscreationofhisselfnamedForcebullets.It
gaveHarryagreaterrangethanmostJedi.
Harrystartedtofloatashemeditate.HarrypreferredfloatingmeditationbecauseitmadeHarryfeelasifhewas
flying.Jacenalsopreferreditalthoughhesaiditwasbecausethegroundwasdistracting.Harrysmiledashe
rememberedteasingJacenifitwasbecausethegroundwastoohardforhim.
HarrybanishedallthoughtsandsimplyopenedhimselftotheForce.Hestretchedouthissensestothe
maximum.DuringhistimewiththeJensaarai,HarryhadtalkedextensivelywithYusanis.Thethyrsianshada
versionoftheJedi'sprecognitionthatallowedtopredictaperson'snextmovethroughthebody'smovements.
CombinedwiththenaturalprecognitionofallForceusers,itmadehimabletokeepupwithevenmastersofthe
blade.Harryhadlearnedtodothistoslightextentandonlytimewouldsharpenhisskill.
Evenasayoungboy,Harry'ssenseshadbeenextremelysharp.Itwasduetoamixtureofbeingapowerful
Forcesensitiveandtheconstantdangerhewasinwhilelivingwithhisrelatives.Duetothishisdangersense
wasequaltoMara's,whoevenLukeadmittedtohavingabetterdangersensethanhim.Asateenager,Harry
couldnowstretchouthissensesandbeawareofeverythingaroundhiminagivenareadowntothesmallest
disturbance.ThiswasamixtureofForcesensesandnaturalsensesandHarrywasrightlyproudofit.
ItwasthisskillthatletHarrysensethefiguresneakinguponhimfrombehind.Duetoknowingthepersonfor
solong,Harryinstantlyknewwhoitwasandcouldn'thelpbutletasmilecrosshisface.
Whilekeepinghiseyesclosed,Harryspoke,Fancymeetingyououthere,Astraal.
Astraalhuffedfrombehindhimbeforewalkinginfrontofhimashefloateddown.
Howdoyoualwayssenseme?askedAstraal.IwasusingForcecloakandeverything.
YouforgottohideyourForcesignature,saidHarry.Forcecloakmighthideyoufromthesenses,butit
doesn'thideyourForcesignature.
Astraalletoutahuffandsaid,I'llhavetoworkonthatthen.
ThetwostayedincompanionablesilenceforawhilebeforeAstraalbrokeit.
Whyareyouallthewayouthere?Astraalaskedcuriously.Icouldonlyfindyouthroughourpadawanbond.
NotevenmostMasterswouldsenseyououthereunlessyoudidsomethingpowerful.
Harrycontemplatedwhattotellher.Hedidn'twanttolietoherbutatthesametimehedidn'twanthertothink
badlyofhim.Heeventuallydecidedontellingherapartialtruth.
Thisismypersonalhiddentrainingground,saidHarry.ItallowsmetoperfectmyabilitiesinsecretorifI
wanttocreateanewpower,thenIcomeheretotestit.
Astraallookedintriguedwhenhementionedcreatednewpowersandsaid,Likewhat?
Likeperfectingmytelekinesisinordertodothis,saidHarry.
Withthatstatement,HarryletoutaForcebulletatatreewhichtoreaholethroughitstrunkandknockedover
thetreebehindit.
AstraalmouthwasagapeatthedemonstrationofskillandHarrycouldtellshewasimpressed.
Youimpressmemoreandmore,mutteredAstraal.
Doyouwanttolearnit?askedHarry.
MaybetoperfectmyowntelekinesisbutI'mmoreinclinedforbeingaJediShadowlikeintheOldOrderwhile
you'remoreofamixbetweenaJediinvestigatorandaJediweaponmaster,explainedAstraal.
LearnthatfromtheGreatHolocron?askedHarrywithagrin.Astraalstuckouthertongueathimbefore
blushinglynodding.
Lookingathernowinthelightofthesettingsun,Harrywasonceagainstruckbyherbeauty.Herskinshoneas
ifitwasaglowfromwithinwhilehereyeslookedliketwoglowingsapphires.Shehadasmilethatsheseemed
toreserveonlyforhimthatwasequalpartsseductiveandloving.ShehadlongabandonedwearingJedirobes
andworeonlyablackskintightshirtwithnosleevesthatshowedhertrimstomachandplentyofcleavage.She
alsoworeapairoflongblackpantswithabeltandapairofcombatboots.Harrycouldn'tbelievethatsucha
beautifulcreaturewasinterestedinhim.Itwaslikeanormalmanbeinglovedbyagoddess.Havingtastedher
lips,Harrywasstruckbytheurgetotakeherinhisarmsandkissheruntilthenextsunrise.However,Harryheld
himselfback.Hewouldn'tstartanythinguntilhewassurehehadmovedpastJaina.Whileshehadhurthim
earlier,hewouldn'trunintoAstraal'sarmsbecauseofit.Itwouldbeaninsulttohisfeelingsforboth.
Youcanuseittooifyouwant,saidHarrysoftly.
Huh?askedAstraal.
Thetrainingground,youcanuseitaslongasyoukeepitasecret.Justknowntoyouandme,saidHarrywith
asmile.
AstraalputonaseductivesmilebeforeslowlyapproachingthestillseatedHarry.
Andwhatarewegoingtopracticewhilewe'realonehere?askedAstraalseductively.
Asshesaidthis,shestraddledHarryslowlytoseeifhewouldresist.Normally,hewouldbutsomethingabout
herwhensheputonherseductivetonemadehisdefensescrumblelikeleavesinthewind.
Well,saidHarryhuskily,weshouldstartwiththebasicssuchasbreathcontroldon'tyouthink?
AstraalsmiledbeforepullingHarryinforakisstowhichheeagerlyresponded.Whenshenoticedthathewas
responding,Astraalstartedtorubherselfalonghisarousalmoaningslightly.Harry'smindwasslowlyfogging
withlustatheractionsandhecouldn'thelpbutstarttokissheralloverherbodyhavingcarenottomarkherin
anovertmannerthatwouldalertotherstotheirprivateactivities.Astraalmoanedathisministrationsandstarted
totakeoffhershirtbutHarrystoppedher.
Notyet,myblueangel,saidHarrylowly.Idon'twanttogotofaruntilI'msure.Iwantourfirsttimetobe
specialandnotbecausewewerehornyandIwashurtduetoJaina'srejection.
ThiscausedAstraaltodeflateduetothetruthofthestatement.Shealsodidn'twanttobehisrebounddueto
beingrejectedbyJaina.Shewantedhimtochooseherbecausehewantedhernotbecauseshewasagood
replacement.
Despitethemoodbeingbroken,Astraalstayedinherpositionstraddlinghimandplacedherheadonhis
shoulder.Thesixteenyearolddidn'tknowwhatitwasaboutHarrybutsheknewthatshelovedhimandevenif
thingsdidn'tworkoutbetweenthem,shewouldneverloveanother.ShewouldfollowHarryintotheAncient
AbyssonFeluciaoreventheUnknownRegionsifheaskedit.Hegaveoffthisnaturalcharismaticairthatdrew
people.Whatmadeitbetterwasthathegenuinelycaredforpeopleandyoucouldsensethatinhisactions.
AstraaljustknewthatHarrywouldsomedaybeagreatleader,eitherofJediorofnormalsoldiers.Maybeitwas
ashortglimpseofthefuturebutshecouldalmostseehimstandingthereinhisarmorleadingmentovictory
whilekeepinghismoralityintact.
Afterawhile,HarrystirredandliftedhisheadfromAstraal'sshoulder.
Iwasthinkingofsomethingyousaid,saidHarrylowly.
WhichoneofthethingsIsaid?murmuredAstraal,unwillingtogiveuphercomfortableposition.
Aboutourspecialties,explainedHarryashefeltAstraalstarttorubcirclesinhisback.Heextendedhissenses
tomakesurenooneelsewassneakingonthem.Hedidn'tneedmorepeoplefindinghissecrettrainingground.
ThatIcouldbeaweaponmaster.
AstraallookedatHarryinconfusionwonderingwherehewasgoingwiththis.
MaybeweshouldlearnhowtouseanotherweaponbesidestheForceandlightsabers,explainedHarry.
Why?askedAstraalperplexed.
Becausetherearehundredsofwaystoneutralizeboth,saidHarrygrimly.ThereareysalamiritonegateForce
useandmultipleweaponsthatcanstanduptoalightsaberifnotnegateitlikecortosis.
Astraalstartedtoseewhathewasgoingwiththis.Althoughtheyknewhowtowieldblastersandanyofthat,
theywouldn'thaveanonlightsabermeleeweaponiftheyneededit.
Whatshouldweusethen?askedAstraal.
Harrygaveherasmirkbeforesaying,Ihaveanidea.
WithJaina
BackwithJaina,shewasjustputtingthefinishingtouchesinherlightsaberhilt.LikeHarry(herstomachflipped
athisname)said,shehadgivenalotofthoughtintoherlightsaberhilt.Shehadeventuallydecidedonaplain
durasteelalloyhiltwithlittledecorationbeyondaemeraldcoloredeagledesignnearwhereshewouldplaceher
hand(sherefusedtoacceptthatsheputittheretosymbolizeHarry).Shehadusedthehurrikainecrystalthat
HarryhadgiventoheraswellasonesynthcrystalshehadcreatedherselfdespiteitbeingthoughtasaSith
technique.
Onceshecheckedthateverythingwasthere,shestartedtheprocessoffinishingtoputittogether.Oncethefinal
piecefellintoplace,Jainaexcitedlyturnediton.Avioletbladesprungfromthehilt,bathingherroominits
violetlight.Shecouldfeeltheconnectiontothecrystalaswellasslightconnectiontoanothercrystalwhichshe
guessedbelongedtoHarry'shurrikainecrystal.
ShefrownedwhenshenoticedthattheconnectiontoHarry'swentoffintothejunglesomewhere.Shehadn't
seenhimsincetheirfightthismorning.Shedidn'tevenknowwhyshesnapped.Shehadn'tmeanttoand
especiallynottoHarry.Itwasjustthatshewassoconfusedaboutherfeelings.Shehadcometotheconclusion
thatitwasn'ttheirsmallfamilialrelationshipthatheldherback.
Itwasfear.
Fearoftheunknown.Fearofexploringunchartedterritorywithhimandruiningwhattheyhad.Jainacouldn't
imaginelifewithoutHarryathersideandiftheydatedanditdidn'tworkout...Shedidn'twanttheirfriendship
tobreakdownbecauseofit.
Atthesametime,sheknewherheartwouldbreakifshesawhimwithsomeoneelse.Sheknewshewasbeing
selfishbutapartofherwantedhimtoloveonlyher.Sheknewthatwasimpossiblethough.Especiallywith
Astraalcomingoutandinformingherthatifshedidn'tshapeup,shewasgoingtosweepinandstealhimfor
herself.Shehadonlywarnedherbecausetheywerefriendsandshedidn'twanthertothinkshewasahouse
breakerorsomethinglikethat.Thoughapartofherwantedto,shecouldn'thateAstraalforfallingforHarry.
Therewasjustsomethingabouthim...
Shakingherhead,sheconcentratedonherlightsaber.Thevioletcolorwasn'tasurpriseduetoherhavinga
hurrikainecrystalasafocus.Shegaveitafewtestswingsandnoticeditwasperfectlybalancedinherhand.
ThiswaswhatHarrymeantbythebondbetweenlightsaberandJedi.Shecouldfeelitalmostlikeitwasan
extensionofher.Sheswitcheditoffandplaceditonhernightstand.
Suddenly,awaveofexhaustionhither.Shehadbeenworkingonitalldayandwasdeadtired.Sheslowly
crawledtoherbedandslippedunderthecovers.Asshelaiddown,shefeltHarry'sForcesignaturearriveatthe
Academyandmovecloser.ShefrowneduneasilywhenshenoticedAstraal'sForcesignaturenexttohimand
couldonlyconcludetheywereouttogether.Thiscauseherhearttoclenchpainfullyatthethought.She
concentratedandheardHarrytellAstraalgoodnightbeforeenteringhisroomasAstraalmovedtowardhers.
Asshedriftedofftosleep,shepromisedherselfthatthenexttimeHarryinitiatedsomethingwithhershewould
reciprocatehappily.
Littledidsheknowthatthatshipwasleavingthesystemandshewasslowlylosingherchance.
EndNotes:
AN:There'schapter11!
ThischapterwastogivealittlemoredepthintotherelationshipsbetweenHarry
andthetwinsaswellaswithAnakinandTahiri.ItalsopresentedHarry's
realizationofhisproblemsandtheeffectsitwashavingonhisrelationships.
IgavealistofHarry'sabilitiesmoreforthereader'ssakethananythingaswellas
establishthebeginningofHarry'sdeviationfromtheestablishedJedipath.
I'msuremostofyoulovedthemomentbetweenHarryandAstraalwhichIadded
asprecursortoshowwhichofthetwowomenwasclosertoHarryatthemoment.
JainamaybehisoldestfriendbutrightnowAstraalistheonehe'sconfidingin.
Hopeyoulikeit!
ReadandReview!
Backtoindex
ANewEnemy!byAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter12
JediPraxeum,Yavin4
Jainawasconfusedandalittleirritated.Sincetheirfight,Harryhadbeendifferent.Hestilltalkedtoherlike
normalandhestilljokedwithherashealwaysdidinpublic.However,inprivatehenolongertriedtoinitiate
anythingwithher.Shehadgivenhimplentyofopeningsfromtimealonewithhimtocommentswithdouble
meanings.Hejusttalkedtoherlikeafriendduringtheformerandoutrightignoredthelatteranditwas
beginningtobotherher.
Hadhegivenuponher?Jaina'sheartclenchedatthethought.
Hearinglaughter,shelookedupfromhermealtoseeHarryandAstraallaughingatsomethingthelatterhad
said.Despitethepainthethoughtbrought,theylookedgoodtogether.Aslongashe'shappythat'swhatmatters.
Andit'snotasifwe'renotfriendsanymore.That'swhatIwanted,right?thoughtJaina.Shetriedtoignorethe
soundofherheartbreaking.
Awhip?askedHarryamusedly.Idon'tthinkIcouldlearntouseawhip.
It'llbekinky,saidAstraalwithawink.Youcanwhipthebadguysintoshape.
HarrygroanedattheterriblepunasAstraallaughed.
Butseriously,saidAstraal.Whatweaponareyougoingtolearnhowtouse?
Wellitcan'tbeaswordbecausethat'stoosimilartoalightsaber,musedHarry.Wealreadyknowhowtouse
blastersplustherearen'tmeantforclosecombat.
Well,howaboutaknifeordagger?askedAstraal.
No,butthatremindsmethatweneedtobrushuponourunarmedcombat,saidHarry.
It'seasyforyou,retortedAstraal.You'relightsaberstylecanbeturnedintoanunarmedcombatstylejustlike
Vaapad.
Harrysimplysmiled.Itwastrue.AfterhearingaccountsofMaceWinduusingVaapadwithjusthisfistsandthe
Force,Harryhadendeavoredtodothesamewithhislightningstyle.Thegoalwastobeablehitwiththeforce
ofaspeedergoingatfullthrottlewhilebeingabletolandasmanyhitsaspossible.Harrycouldjustimagine
breakingapartdroidswithjusthisfists.
Oy,stopdaydreaming,saidanamusedAstraal.Westillhaven'tdecidedonourbackupweapons.
Whywouldyouguysneedbackupweapons?askedacuriousJacen.Frombesidehim,Jainaalsolookedup
curiously.
Well,saidHarry.Aweaponsmasterhastobeproficientinanexoticweapon.SinceIwantthattitle,Iwas
thinkingonwhatweapontobecomeproficientin.Plusitseemslikeeverydaythere'ssomenewbadguythat
cannegateourknownskills.
Whynotanelectrosword?askedTenelKa,joiningtheconversation.Therearesimilartolightsabers.
That'swhynot,saidHarryfirmly.Iwantsomethingthatcan'tbetracedtomyskillswithalightsabertouse.
ThegroupwassilentbeforeJainahesitantlyasked,Howaboutacortosisstaff?
What'sthat?askedHarrycuriously.
Well,saidJaina,slowlygainingconfidence.It'sastafflinedwithcortosisorewhichmakesitsoitstandupto
evenlightsabers.Italsohasasmallbutpowerfulelectricalgeneratoratthebottomthatpowersanenergyblade
atthetopandcanalsoreleaseburstsofelectricityfromtheemitteroncontact.
Harryimaginedtheweaponandthemorehethoughtaboutit,themoreitappealedtohimuntilheeventually
noddedattheidea.
Ilikeit,saidHarryhappily.It'srare,hardtolearnhowtouseandwillcertainlygetmethetitle.Thanks,Jay
jay.
Jaina'sheartclenchedmomentarilyatthelackofthepersonalandprivatenicknameHarryhadgivenherbutshe
shookitoff.
Howaboutmethen?askedAstraalwithapout.Whatdoyouguysthinkwillfitme?
LowbaccagaveaseriesofgrowlsandbarkswhichEmTeedeetranslated.
You'reright.Ithastomakeuseofmyflexibilityandmyaffinityforunarmedcombat,musedAstraal.
Soeitherawhip,hereHarrygaveAstraalanamusedlookwhichmadeherstickouthertongueathim,ora
daggerwithspecialproperties,saidJaina.
Adaggerthen,saidAstraalbeforeHarrycouldinterject.
HowaboutaThornofRyloth?askedJacenhesitantly.It'salmostlikeashortmountedlightsaberonthe
knuckles.
Everyonelookedathiminsurpriseforknowingaboutsucharareweaponespeciallysinceit'susuallyonlyused
byTwi'leks.
Jacenblushedattheattentionbeforeexplaining,IwaslookingupfamousRebelheroesandRiannaSaren
showedup.Ireadthatsheusedone.
Didyouresearchherindetail?askedHarrywithawink.
JacenjustblushedandwentbacktohisfoodtryingtoignoreTenelKa'switheringglare.
Harryjustchuckledatthetwoteenager'sobviousfeelingsforeachother.Harrycouldn'twaittillthosetwogot
together.IthadtobesoonbecauseifnotAstraalwouldlosepatienceandtrytotrickthemintorevealingtheir
feelings.
Heyguys,greetedKassasshesatonthetablewithherbestfriend,AsharaZavros.
AsharawasaTogrutathathadjoinedtheAcademyatthesametimeasHarryandtheothers.Shehadgreeneyes
andorangeskinlikemostofherrace.However,unliketheothersofherraceshehadalwaysbeenalonerand
preferredtodothingsonherown.Shewascordialtotheothersbutneverreallywentoutofherwaytomake
friends.However,whenKassarrivedtheyhadstruckupaquickfriendshipoverthelackofgoodcombat
clothingofallthings.NowthetwowereasinseparableasHarryandAstraal.
HarrystillsmiledwhenherememberedthebeatingtheygaveRaynarwhenhetriedtoaskthembothoutona
dateatthesametime.Ontheplusside,Raynargottoperfecthishealingtrance.
HeyKass,greetedHarry.Howwasyourmission?
AsharahadbuiltherlightsaberaboutthesametimeasHarrycamebackwithKass.Duetothat,thetwowere
madepartnersalthoughAsharadidn'thaveanestablishedMaster.Despitethat,thetwowereaneffectiveteam
fromwhatHarryhadheard.
Easy,saidKassmournfully.Whycan'twehaveaninterestingmissionlikeyoutwo?
Harryrolledhiseyesatheraseveryonelaughed.ItwasarunningjokethatHarrycouldn'ttakeanescortmission
withoutitendinginaspacebattleattheveryleast.
Yeah,yeah,laughitup,mutteredHarryasAstraaltriedtoconsolehimandfailingduetohergiggles.
Bytheway,saidKassafterherlaughterhadsubsided,MasterLukehasamissionforyoutwoafteryou
finisheating.
Okay,I'lltrytokeepthespacebattlestoaminimum,saidHarrysarcastically.Everyonelaughedathis
commentbeforehequicklyfinishedandleftwithAstraaltotheAudienceChamber.HenevernoticedJaina's
eyestrailingafterhim.
GrandAudienceChamber
YourmissionistogotoKalarbaandhelpnegotiateapeacesettlementbetweentwosmalltowns,saidLuke.
Thetwotownswanttousethesamewatersupplyfromanearbylakebutthere'snotenoughforboth,
explainedKyle.
Sowe'resendingyoutwobecausewe'reshortonavailableJediatthemoment,saidLuke.Trytofigureouta
solutionsothatbothpartiesarehappy.
MaytheForcebewithyou,saidKyle.
AndwithyouMasters,saidHarryandAstraal.
Astheyleft,AstraallookedatHarrybeforeasking,Didtheylooktiredtoyou?
Yea,saidHarrynodding.Theyalsogavethebriefingquickerthanusual.Itseemsthatwe'rereally
overstretchedwithmissions.ThatplustheShadowAcademythreat....
...equalsMastersthataretryingtodotheworkofthreeeach,finishedAstraal.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutbeworried.MaybethiswaspartofShadowAcademy'splantoweakenthem?Force
knowsthatiftheyattackfreshwhiletheMastersaretiredtheywouldhaveamucheasierfight.Shakingoffhis
morbidthoughts,HarryandAstraalwalkedtothehangarwheretheyranintotheSolotwinsandLowie.They
weredressedincasualclothesfortravel.
Heyguys,whatyoudoinghere?askedHarrycuriously.
WeforgottotellyoubutMomaskedforusalltoreturnforawhile,explainedJacen.We'regoingto
GemdiverstationtovisitwithLando.Asasortofbreak.
Youweresupposedtocomeaswellbutsinceyouhaveamission...trailedoffJaina.
We'llswingbyafterthemission,assuredHarry.It'sjusttonegotiateapeacebetweentwotownssoit'llbe
overquickly.
Okay,youcancometooAstraal,saidJaina.
Astraallookedslightlytakenabackattheofferbutagenuinesmilecrossedherfacebeforeagreeing.Something
passedbetweenthetwogirlsandthetwosmiledateachother.HarryhadbeentoobusyexplainingtoLowbacca
howthestationsuppliedgemsthatcanbeusedaslightsaberscrystalstonotice.
Wellwehavetogobutwe'llseeyoulater,saidHarry.Thetwosaidtheregoodbyesbeforewalkingtoward
theirship.
Harry,calledoutJaina.Whenheturnedtowardher,shesaid,Becarefulanddon'tdocrazystuntslikeyou
alwaysdo.Astraalwatchhisbackplease.
Ipromisetobecareful,saidHarry.Heturnedbacktowardtheshipthereforemissingthetwogirlssharinga
lookandanod.
Jainawatchedtheshipblastoffas,unnoticedtoher,tearstraileddownherface.
OverKalarba
TheyhadmadegoodtimeandquicklyreachedtheMidRimworld.Fromspaceitlookedlikeasimpleplanet
withmorewaterthanland.Harrycouldn'tseewhytheywerefightingoveritiftherewassomuch.
Sogotanyideas?askedHarry.
Well,wherearethetwovillageslocated?askedAstraal.
Harrycheckedtheinformationandsaid,Itsaysherethatthey'reequaldistancefromthelakewhichbasically
servesasadividerforthetwotowns.It'stoobigtomakethetwotownsonebigtownunlesstheybuildoverthe
lake.
Well,let'stalktobothsidesbeforewecometoadecision,saidAstraal.
Theyhailedthefirsttown,namedBeckentown,forpermissiontoland.Theywaitedforawhilewithouta
responsebeforetryingagain.Eventuallytheyreceivedaconfirmationsignaltoland2milesoutoftown.They
foundthisstrangebutattributedittothemnotwantingtheshiptoattractattentiontothesituation.
Theyquicklylandedinaclearing2milesout.Aftercheckingthattheyhadalltheirgear(lightsabers,blaster,
andafewhiddenknives)theythrewontheirJedirobesovertheirclothes.Harrywaswearingaredshort
sleevedshirtaswellasablackcombatpantsthathadalotofhiddenpockets.Hehadhisholsterathiswaistas
wellasapairofblackcombatbootsthathadaknifehiddeninthesoles.Astraalwaswearinghernowcustomary
blacknosleevedshortshirtthatshowedherstomachandcleavageaswellasblackcombatpants.Shewas
wearingblackcombatbootsthathadahiddenknifeinthesolebutalsohadknivesalongtheside.
Afterlockingtheship,theywalkedtowardthetown.Astheyreachedthetown,theystartedtonoticesomething
strange.Therewerenopeopleoutside.Notevenchildrenrunningaround.Astheycontinuedwalkingthrough
thetown,Harrybegantofeelmoreandmoreuneasy.HestretchedouthisForcesensesandcametoasudden
stop.Astraalnoticedthisandstoppednexttohim.
Whatisit?whisperedAstraal.Sheknewthathehadsensesfarbetterthanhers.
There'snoonehere,whisperedHarryinahorrifiedtone.
What?whisperedAstraalfuriously.Shestartedtolookaroundandputherhandsonherlightsabers.
There'snoonealiveintheentiretown,saidHarryinthesamehorrifiedtone.Lookingthroughawindow,
Harrycaughtsightofbloodiedhandonatable.
Well,you'realmostright,saidavoicefrombehindthem.Astheyturnedtowardthevoice,theywerehitbya
strongForcepushthathitthegroundbetweenthemandsucceededinseparatingthem.Theforceofthepushwas
sostrongthatevenbeingclippedbyitcausedthemtohitthewallsofthehousesnexttothemhard.
Aftertheworldstoppedspinning,Harrylookedtowherehehadheardthevoice.
Standingtherewasahoodedman(atleastthevoicebelongedtoman)inlongblackrobes.Themanwas
completelycoveredandwaswearingamaskandhadhishoodupsoHarrycouldn'tseeanydefiningfeatures.
Hismaskwasstrangethoughbecauseitseemedtobebasedonwavesiftheimagesofwavescrashingonthe
shorewereanyindication.Strangerstillwasthatithadonlyoneeyeholeontherightsideandtheeyewasthe
colorofbloodwithnoirisorpupil.Justasolidredcolor.Hewasabout1.8meterstallandwasofaveragebuild.
Allinall,ifitwasn'tforhiseyehewasbuiltlikesomeoneyouwouldforget.
Harryquicklygotupandpulledhisduallightsabers.Fromtheothersideofthestreet,Astraalhaddonethe
same.Harrycouldn'thelpbutnoticethatuntilheattacked,Harryhadn'tsensedthemanatall.
Whoareyou?askedHarryforcefully.Wereyoutheonewhokilledeveryonehere?
Themansimplychuckledattheirbravadobeforesaying,Well,ifIwasn'tthenIwouldn'tbesocalmnow
wouldI?Theman'svoicesoundedasifitcamefromanemitterwhichHarryguessedwasbeneathhismask.
Harrygrittedhisteethattheman'scasualtone.Itwasasifkillinganentiretownfullofpeople,almost500
people,wasnobigdeal.
Why?askedHarrythroughgrittedteeth.
Why?saidthemaninacurioustone.Wellnowtheywon'thavetofightoverwatereveragain.
Harryalmostscreamedatthemanforhisnonchalancebutheldhimselfback.Themanwasanunknownandhad
theabilitytowieldtheForce.Evennow,withthemaninfrontofhim,Harrycouldn'tgetagoodreadonhow
stronghewas.Harrycouldn'tunderestimatehim.
Wereyouhiredbytheothertown?askedAstraal.Countonhertoaskthelogicalquestionsevenintense
situations.
Ohno,saidthemanshakinghishead.Afterall,deadpeoplecan'thireanybody.
Bothapprenticeshadhorrifiedlooksontheirfacesatwhathewasimplying.
Youkilledthemtoo?askedHarry.Why?
Themancockedhisheadathimandseemedtoradiateamusement.Whynot?
Atthis,Harrylostcontrolandrushedthemanwithhislightsabers.Astraalfollowedbehindhimalsowielding
herduallightsabers.JustasHarryreachedtheman,themandrewacrimsoncoloredlightsabertoblockHarry's
slash.Harrywassosurprisedbytheappearanceofthelightsaberthathefailedtoblockthekicktohischinthat
threwhimback10feetandoverAstraal.
Shakingthehitoff,HarryquicklygotupandsawAstraalhadconnectedhertwolightsaberintotheirdouble
bladedformandwasfuriouslyduelingthemanwhowasholdingheroffwithonlyonehand.Theman'sstyle
wasstrange.Hewouldturnoffthelightsaberaftersuccessfullyblockingaslashandonlyturnitonjustintime
toblockthenextslash.Infact,hemadeitseemeasy.IttookawhilebutHarryeventuallysawthepointofthe
style.HewasbarelyusinganyenergytoblockthehitswhileAstraalhadtoexpendenergytoswingherdouble
bladedlightsaber.Itdidn'thelpthatwieldingitinthatformagainstasingleopponentwasacleardisadvantage.
Thatformwasbetterusedagainsttwoormoreopponentsatonce.SeeingAstraalstarttofalter,Harryquickly
gotupandengagedthemanfromtheotherside.
Themandidn'tmissabeatandeasilyheldthembothoffwithonlyonelightsaberthoughhenowkepthis
lightsaberturnedon.HarryandAstraalpulledeverycombinationintheirarsenalbutthemanjustshruggedit
off.Eventually,AstraalbackedoffandtriedtopullherblasteronthemanwhilehewasdistractedbyHarry.
Unfortunately,themanwasn'tsodistractedthathedidn'tseeherplanandquicklypulledherblasteroutherhand
withhisfreehandusingtheForceandusedittohitHarryoverthehead.
ThemovesurprisedHarrysomuchthathecouldn'tdodgeitintimeanditdazedhimslightly.Hewouldhave
beencutinhalfifAstraalhadn'tblockedtheman'slightsaberwithhernowduallightsabers.Afterabriefcontest
ofstrength,themankickedAstraalintothestilldazedHarrywheretheyfellinaheap.Thetwoquickly
disentangledthemselvesandfacedthemanwhowasstandingcasuallyinfrontofthem.
Whoareyou?askedanoutofbreathHarry.Themanwasincrediblyskilled.Hewasmakingthemlooklike
freshAcademystudents!
Idon'thaveanameandIdon'twishforaname,saidthemaninneutraltone.However,ifyouwishyoumay
callmeMarrish.
AreyouwithShadowAcademy?askedAstraal,equallyoutofbreath.
Me?Workforthem?askedMarrishinanamusedtone.WhywouldIwishtoworkundermyoldandfailed
apprentice?
What?askedashockedHarry.
Oh,yes,saidMarrishamusedly,ItookinBrakissasapotentialapprenticebuthefailedtomeetexpectations
soIsenthimtoKueller.Twofailureswentwelltogetherafterall.
Harrywasshockedattherevelation.BrakissandKuellerwerebothformerstudentsofthePraxeum.Theyhad
fallentothedarksideduetovariouspersonalreasonsandhadleft.Althoughtheyleftatdifferenttimes,Kueller
appearedlaterwithBrakissandtriedtokillLukebutwaskilledinturnwhileBrakissdisappearedsoonafter.
Ifthismansupposedlytrainedbothforatimeandtheybothfailedtobecomehisapprentice,hemustbemore
powerfulthaneither.Thismorethananythingshowedinhowmuchtroubletheywerein.
Now,saidMarrish,showmetheskillofthosetrainedbySkywalker.Showmeyouareworthsomething.Or
areyouasuselessasthepeopleofthisplanet?
Atthis,HarryandAstraallookedateachotherbeforenoddingandrunningtowardthemanforroundtwo.
JediPraxeum,Yavin4
I'mworried,saidMara.ShehadjustarrivedfromhermissionanhouragotohearthathersonandAstraalhad
goneonadiplomaticmissiontoKalarba.
Lukelookedathiswifeinconfusion.Aboutwhat,Mara?
It'sjuststrange,musedMara.Usuallythepeopleofthatplanetaretooproudtoaskforhelp.Especiallyover
somethingassimpleasadisputeoverwater.Itsoundstooconvenient.
Maybethey'rereachingouttowardus,saidLukeshrugging.RelaxMara,I'msureit'sfine.
Idon'tknow,saidMarawhilebitingherlip.Ihavebadfeelinginmygut.
Look,concededLuke,iftheydon'treportwithinthedaythenwe'llgoafterthem,okay?
Okay,grumbledMara.
Thetwowatchedoverthelightsaberclassinsilence.Maraconsoledherselfinknowingthathersonwasavery
skilledJediandthathecouldhandlealmostanything.ShewatchedasLukewascalledbyCorranHornforwhat
seemedlikeabigproblemandassuredherselfthatshewasoverreacting.
Thenwhydidshefeelasifsomethingterriblewasgoingtohappen?
OnKalarba
BackwithHarry,thebattlewasgoingverybadly.Despiteonlyhavingoneeyetoseeoutof,hecouldsensetheir
everymoveandmovedasfastasHarryhimself.Thereweretimeshemovedsofastthatheleftanafterimage.
Astraalhadquicklyfiguredoutthatherdoublebladedlightsaberwasmoreofhindrancethanahelpagainsta
singleopponentsoshewasusingitinduallightsabermode.Despitethis,theywerebeingpushedbackbythe
manwhowasseamlesslymixinglightsabercombatwithForcepowers.Somethingtheyhadonlyeverseenthe
Mastersdo.
HarrywasusinghisLightningstyleagainsttheman.Duetohistrainingandlearningofotherstyles,his
personalstylehadturnedintoablendofeverystyleheknew.IthadelementsofYuyo,Vaapad,DjemSo,
MakashiandevenAtaru.However,itstilldidn'tflowasothermastersofthebladedidwhentheyusedtheir
styles.Duetothis,Harrystalledandstoppedattimeswhenhewasswitchingbetweencombinations.
HarrystruckwithalightningfastslashtoMarrish'sheadonlyforhimtodeflectittotherightandintoAstraal's
incominglightsaber.Harrywouldtrytotransferthemomentumintohissecondbladeandslashathisotherside
onlyforhimtoblockitnegligentlywhiledodgingAstraal'ssecondblade.Harrytriedtokickhimonlyforhim
topullAstraalintothewayandtakehiskick.Astraalwouldrecoverandtheywouldcontinueinthisvain.
AstheyfoughtMarrishmockinglygavethemcommentsontheirstyles,callingthemamateurishandlacking
strength.However,hedidcomplimentHarryonhisLightningstylecallingitgood....foranamateur.Hethen
seamlesslyblockedboththeirslashesonhissinglebladeandjumpedbacktoavoidthefollowupslashfrom
theirsecondblade.
Theclashedagainbutthistimetheywerebeingquicklydrivenbackandsodisengagedquickly.Theywere
coveredincutsandburnsandwerebreathingheavilyinexhaustion.Theman,however,wasjuststandingthere
asifhewastakingastrollthroughapark.
Isthatall?drawledMarrish.AreyoutwotrulythebesttheJediAcademyhastooffer?TrulytheJedihave
fallenifyoutwoarehailedasprodigies.
HarryandAstraalgrittedtheirteethattheinsult.Theyhadtrainedhardfortheirskillsandthismanwas
mockingthemoutofhand.Theydecidedtochangetactics.
HarrychargedMarrishwhileAstraalstayedbehindtouseherForcepowerstocatchhimoffguard.
HarrygavehimselfovertotheForce,lettingitleadhismovements.Ithelpedsmoothoutthewrinklesinhis
styleandhestartedtoactuallykeepupwithMarrish.WithoutHarryhavingtoworryabouthurtingAstraalby
mistake,Harrymadefulluseofhiswideanglesofattackbybeingunpredictable.
HarrygaveahighslashthatMarrishwasforcedtoblock,beingunabletodeflectit.Harrywouldthenpretendto
followupwithalowslashwithhissecondbladebutwhenMarrishattemptedtomovetothesidetododgeit,
Harrygavehimastrongkicktohisabdomen.MarrishrolledbackwardswiththehitandAstraalusedthechance
toattack.
Astraalpickedupasmanyobjectsaspossibleandstartedtothrowthemathiminrapidfire.Beingoffguard
withthekick,MarrishwasforcedtoputupaForcebarrierandweatherthestorminsteadofdodgingashe
probablywouldhavewanted.Harryquicklyclosedinwhenhesawthatthestormofobjectswasthinning.
HarrystruckassoonasMarrish'sForcebarrierwentdownbutMarrishquicklyblockedhisslash.Harryusedthe
momentumtofallintohisLightningstyle,lettingloosealightningfastbarrageofslashesandjabsfromall
anglesatblurringspeed.Despitethis,Marrishmanagedtokeepupwiththebarrage,deflectingmosttotheside
soHarrycouldn'tbuildupmomentum.TheyweremovingsofastthatAstraaldidn'tdarethrowsomethingoruse
anyotherForcepowerduetothedangerofhittingHarry.
Come,comeHarry,mockedMarrish.MasterSkywalkerholdsyouinsuchhighesteem.Henegligently
blockedhishighslashlowslashcombination.Come,putmeoutmymisery.
Harrytriedhisbesttoobligebutthemaneasilyfendedoffhisblows.
Ohwell,Iguessyouareauselessburdenafterall,mockedMarrish.
Harrysawredatthecomment.Heattackedhimangrily,wantingtoprovehimwrong.This,however,turnedinto
amistake.UnlikeDjemSoandevenYuyo,uncontrolledangerandaggressionarecounterproductivetothestyle
sinceitrequireshimtokeepcalm.Heneededtobesurehedidn'tmovesofastthathecouldn'tcontrolitand
mistakenlyoverextend.
ThiswasexactlywhathappenedasheoverextendedandMarrishmanagedtocuthisleftwristmakingHarry
hissinpainanddropthatlightsaber.
Now,maybeyoudohavesomepotential,saidMarrishsmugly.Butourplaytimeisatanend.
FasterthanHarrycouldsee,MarrishpunchedhimwithstrengththatHarrycouldswearbetterbelongedona
rancorthanaman.Heliterallyflewbackwardlikearocketandpassedthroughthewallofoneofthebuildings.
Barelyconscious,HarrysawMarrishengageAstraalwhowastryingtodefendhim.However,hemanagedto
disarmherbylandingasavageblowtoherchinwhichdazedher.Hethentookadvantageandpulledthe
lightsabersfromherweakgrip.Afterdisarmingher,MarrishhitherwithabarrageofForcelightningthat
causedhertoscreaminpainandpassoutunconscious.MarrishthenpickedupAstraalandthrewheroverhis
shoulderbeforewalkingtowardHarry'sdownedform.
Ifyouwishtosavethegirl,cometoAlmasalone.Perhapsthenshe'lllive,saidMarrishinamenacingtone.
Afterhearingthis,Harrypassedout.
WithJaina'sgroup
Jainawasstartingtothinkthatmaybeshehadagianttroublemagnetonherback.
Growingup,shehadlostcountofthenumberoffailed(andsuccessful)kidnappingandassassinationattempts
onherandherbrother.TheonlygoodthingtocomefromthemhadbeenmeetingHarry.
Jaina,JacenandLowiehadbeentouringGemdriverStationwithLandowhenitwasraidedbyanImperials.
Duringtheconflict,sheandherbrotherwerekidnapped.Again.Thiswasthelasttimeshewasleaving
anywherewithoutherlightsaber.
You'llbefine,Jaina.Nothingwillhappen,Jaina.It'savacation!That'sthelasttimeIlistentoadultswhenit
concernsmysafety,thoughtanannoyedJaina.Thishappenseverytime!
AtleastLowiehadbeenkidnappedaswellsotheyweren'taloneinthis.
TheywerenowtrappedintotheinfamousShadowAcademythatHarryhadtoldthemabout.Accordingto
Brakiss,theretheywouldlearntowieldthedarkside.Likeshewouldlistentothemadman.Theyhadcausedas
muchdisturbanceaspossibleastheywereprocessedandseparatedintotheirseparatecells.Jainaknewthat
betweenherandJacentheywouldfigureoutawaytoescape.ShealsoknewthatHarryandUncleLukewould
probablyrescuethem.
ThinkingaboutHarrymadeJainaworry.Duringthepasthourshehadbeengettingfeelingsofdistressand
desperationfromherForcebondwithHarry.Theirsharedexperiencesandbeingraisedtogetherhadcreateda
powerfulForcebondthatwasalmostasstrongastheoneshehadwithJacen.Itwassomethingshetreasured.
Now,however,shewasterrifiedsomethinghadhappenedbecausethesensationshadabruptlycutoff.Sheknew
hewasn'tdead,shewouldhavefeltthat,butheseemedtobeunconsciouswhichwassomethingthatwasnever
good.
JainajustsatdownonherbedandprayedthatHarrywasalright.
ThenextdayonKalarba
WhenHarrywokeup,everypartofhimached.Itfeltasifhehadbeenrunoverbyafrigateclassshipseveral
times.Harrylookedaroundandwonderedwhyhewasintherubbleofadestroyedbuildingbeforethememory
ofwhathappenedreturned.
ReachingKalarbaandlanding.
Thetownbeingemptyofanylivinginhabitants.
Thehoodedandmaskedman.
Beingbeatenbythemaskedman'ssuperiorskill.
Beingthrownintoabuilding.
HimtakingAstraal.
HETOOKASTRAAL!!
ThatlastthoughtthrewHarryintoapanic.Heclearlyrememberedtheman'slastwordstohim.Howlonghad
hebeenunconscious?Wasitalreadytoolate?
Harrygotupslowlyandtriedtorunonlyforthepainofhisinjuriestocausehimtofalldownwithacryofpain.
Hewasstillveryinjured.Afterall,hewasthrownintoabuilding.Butitdidn'tmatter,Astraalneededhim.If
somethinghappenedtoher...
Harry'sheartclenchedattheideaofAstraalbeingdead.Astraalwashispartner,friend,aJedilikehimandmore
importantly...someonehecaredaboutdeeply.Hecaredaboutherasmorethanfriends.Hewouldgosaveher
evenifhehadtocrawlhiswaythereusinghisteeth.
Hethoughtofcallingforhelpforasecondbutrejectedtheidea.Themanhadclearlymeantforhimtocome
aloneandhewouldn'triskAstraal'slifeonit.Shemeanttoomuchtohim.
Slowly,HarrydrewontheForcetobolsterhisflaggingstrength.Heusedittoignorehisinjuriesandwalk/run
hiswaytotheship.Ittookalmostanhourbuthereachedtheshipeventuallyandthrewhimselfintothepilot's
seat.Heblastedoffthesurfaceoftheplanet,notcaringaboutspeedsafetyregulationsfortakeoffandsuch.As
soonasheclearedtheatmosphere,hepunchedinthecoordinatesforAlmasandactivatedthehyperdrive.
Oncetheshipwasinhyperspace,heactivatedtheautopilotandfellintoahealingtrancesohecouldrecoveras
muchaspossibleforthebattleahead.Itpromisedtobethemostlifechanginganddangerousfighthe'dever
beenin.
Threehourslater
TheWaywardSondroppedoutofhyperspaceaboutthreehourslater.Hehadhealedhimselfofmostofhis
injuriesbutwasstillsore.Hemadeanotetoimprovehishealingtrancesoitwouldtakelesstimetohealhis
injuriesnexttime.Ifthereisanexttime,thoughtHarrydepressively.Hedeactivatedtheautopilotandtook
controloftheshipbeforestartingtosurveytheplanet.
HereachedoutwiththeForceandfoundAstraal'ssignatureitwasweak,probablyduetoherbeing
unconscious,butitwasthere.Hegunnedtheshiptowardhersignature.Asheclosedinonthesignature,hesaw
whatlookedlikeafortressinthedistance.Assoonashesawit,Astraal'ssignaturecutoff.Beforehecould
panic,hereceivedaholomessagefromthedirectionofthefortress.
Comeandgetherifyoucan.
Itwasunsignedbutitdidn'tneedtobe.Harryknewwhoitwas.Marrish.
Harrysurveyedtheareaandcouldseenoplacenearthefortresswherehecouldlandsafelysohelandedafew
milesaway.Oncehelanded,Harrydecideditwastimetogetserious.Movingtowardhiscabin,heopenedhis
hiddenclosetinthebackofhisnormalone.
TherewashisJensaaraiarmorinallitsglory.Despitebeingforbiddenfromusingit,Harryalwayshaditnearby.
Rightnowhedidn'trightlycareaboutrulesorthelike.Astraal'slifewasatstake.
Hequicklyputonthearmoralthoughwithoutthehelmet.Hehadn'ttrainedwithitandatthispoint,thehelmet
wouldbemoreofahindrancethanahelpduetoitlimitinghisvision.Afterhefinishedhewenttohisweapons
lockerandstartedpackingheat.Heputonhismodifiedholsterthatwouldholdweaponsonhisside(either
lightsaberorpistol)aswellashissecondarylightsabersonhisback.HeputontwoDL44blasterpistolsonhis
sidesandleftbehindhismainlightsaber.Heacceptedthatitwouldn'thelpduetoitbeinganillfitandhewould
relyonhissecondaries.Healsoputhissecondariesonhisbackforeasyaccess.Helearnedthatputtingbothon
onesideorbothsidesoftheholsterwasuncomfortabletodraw.HethentookouthisE11carbine.Hehadn't
useditmuchbeyondtrainingbuthewasagreatshotanditwouldhelpforthecreaturesinbetweenhereandthe
fortressthatweresuretoappear.HehadlearnedthatlessoninDromundKass.
Afterpackingandrecheckingeverything,hewalkedofftheshipandlockeditdownatmaximumsecuritymode.
Anythingthattriedtogetontheshipwithouthisremoteaccesswouldgetshottohellandback.Hethenstarted
towalktowardwherehesawthefortresswaslocated.
Halfwaytothefortress,thenativecreaturesattacked.Thecreatureshad10centimeter,razorsharpblackteeth,
prehensileblacktongues,gooeyblacksaliva,andjaggedblackspinesintworowsontheirbackswithonlytheir
menacingclawsbeingwhite.Theywereaboutthreemeterslongandworsestill,theywereinapackof15.Even
worse,theystankofthedarksidesotheypromisedtobeextraferociousandprobablywouldn'tstopuntildead.
Forceblastme!ThoughtHarry.
Theleadergotupontwolegsandgaveoffapiercingcrythatsignaledtheotherstoattack.
HarryquicklyletloosewithhisE11carbine,mowingdownanywhogottoocloseandmanagingtokilltwo.
Sensingsomebehindhim,hedodgedtothesidewheretherewerenocreaturesjustintimetomisstheirtongues
wrappingaroundhim.Hetookadvantageandshotthreeofthefivethatwerebehindhimintheirmouths,killing
theminstantly.Thatleftonly10countingthetwohe'dkilledinthebeginning.Unfortunately,thesurvivors
startedtosurroundhimsothathewouldn'tbeabletododge.Seeingthis,Harryletloosewithhiscarbineatfull
autointotheonesinfront.Threemanagedtododgebuttwomorefelltohisblasterfire.Thatleftonly8.
Throwingdownhiscarbinewhenitgavethesignalthatthepowerpackwasrunningout,HarrydrewhisDL44
pistols.HarryjumpedstraightupusingtheForceandstartedtoshootthelizardsashefell,mowingthemdown
duetothesurprisemaneuveruntiltherewereonly3left.The3survivorstriedtotakeadvantageofhislackof
controlofhisfalltoawaithimwherehewasprobablygoingtoland.Hecouldn'thaveanyofthatsohequickly
threwapowerfulForcepushatthem.Thisnotonlypushedhimbackupbutitcrushedoneofthelizardsnotfast
enoughtododge.Theremainingtwodecidedthatretreatwasthebetterpartofvalorandran.
Harryextendedhissensestomakesuretherewerenoothers,heholsteredhispistols.HethenpickeduphisE11
carbine,changedthepowerpackforanewoneandcontinuedtowardthefortress.Afteronemoreencounter
withthecreatures(thistimeapackof20),whichhequicklytookcareofusingacombinationoftheForceand
hisfallingshottrick,hereachedthefortress.Hedroppedhiscarbineandpistolsattheentrance,knowingthey
wouldbeuselessagainstMarrish.Hewouldtrytopickthemuponhiswayoutbutifnothealwayshadmore.
Harryenteredthefortresscautiously,expectingatrap.Hedecidedtonottaketheestablishedpathandtriedto
cutthroughthewallsonlytoberebuffed.Helookedatthewallsandgroanedatthefamiliarmetal.Thefortress
wasmadeofForceforsakenMandalorianiron!HarrynowknewwhyhelosthisconnectiontoAstraal.The
bastardwasprobablywaitingoutsideforhimtoappearanddraggedherinoncehesensedhim.Hemusthave
foundawaytocutherconnectiontotheForce.TheonebrightsidewasthatHarryknewitwasatrapandcould
planaccordingly.Hopefully.
Takingouthislightsabers,Harryslowlywalkedthroughthehalls.Itwasquietasatomb.Whichwasironic
consideringitWASatombifthedesignsonthewallmeantwhathethought.ASithtomb.Harrycouldjustfeel
themassivetargetonhisback.
Harryeventuallyreachedthecenterhallandstoppedatwhathesaw.
TherewasAstraallyingonthefloor.However,rightnexttoherwaswhatappearedtobeablackstaffthat
seemedtobesucking...something...outofher.ThemomentHarryenteredthehall,hisForceawarenesswenton
maximumandhecouldsensethatthestaffwasmakingAstraal'sForceauraweakerandweaker.Whateverit
was,itwasdangerous.
ItwasluckythatHarryhaddevelopedhissensestousemorethantheForcebecauseheheardtheslightsoundof
footfallsbehindhim.Reactingquickly,hethrewhimselfforwardinarolljustintimetomissbeingskeweredby
aredlightsaberthatseemedtobehanginginmidair.Slowly,asifacurtainwasfalling,Marrishappeared.
Well,well,saidMarrishmockingly.ItseemsasifyouJediarenotcompletelyuseless.Yousensedmeeven
thoughI'minvisibletoyouintheForce.
Indeed,eventhoughHarrycouldseehimrightinfrontifhim,hecouldn'tsensehimintheForce.Knowingthe
existenceofillusions,hestretchedouthissenses.HeonlyfeltAstraal'sweakeningpresence.ThismadeHarry's
uneasinessgrow.WhowasthismanthatcouldsoeasilyhidefromotherForceuserssenses?
AreyouSith?askedHarryseriously.
TherewasabeatofsilencebeforeMarrishbrokeoutlaughing.Me,aSith?Please,I'mnotagalaxydestroying
psychopath.Whosayshewishestorulethegalaxyonlytodestroy80%ofit?No,Ilearnedlongagothatthe
truerulersofthegalaxyarerarelyseenandevenmorerarelyknown.ThoughIwilladmit,Palpatinetaughtme
sometricksinmytimeashisservant.Thoughthefoolneversensedthesnakehetooktohisbosom.
Harrywasspeechless.WhoWASthisman?Ifwhatheclaimedwastrue,hemanipulatedPalpatinetoteachhim
whathewanted.Butifhewasn'taSithwhatwashe?
Asifsensinghisquestion,Marrishanswered.I'mneitherJedinorSith.Neithergoodnorevil.ThoughIusethe
darkside,mygameisfarwiderinscopethansimplegalacticdomination.Yourmindcouldnevercomprehend
themultitudeoflayersofmyplans.ThoughIwillsaythis.Myfinalgoalistoreturnthegalaxytothenatural
orderofthings.
Confused,Harryasked,Andwhatorderisthat?
Marrishchuckled.
I'mnotoneofthosecartoonvillainswhowilltellyoumygrandplanatyourwhim,boy.That,youwillhaveto
discoveronyouown,saidMarrishmockingly.
Theairsuddenlygrewtense.Asifasinglesparkcouldigniteitintoconflict.
Imustsaythatyougainedmyrespect,saidMarrishgrudgingly.MostJediwouldhavecalledforbackupor
helpbutyoucamealone.Morestillwoulduseonlytheirlightsaberstoshowofftheirprowess.Finally,almost
allwouldcomeunarmoreddespitebeingbeatensohandilybefore.Youshowacceptanceofrealityaswellas
honor.
Thanks,Iguess,saidHarryconfusedly.Itwasthefirsttimeanenemyhadtoldhimtheyrespectedhimsohe
wasunderstandablyconfused.
Don'tthinkthat'llmakemegoeasyonyou,saidMarrishmenacingly.ThatjustmeansI'llkillyouquickly.
Weshouldprobablyfinishthisquick,ifnotyourlittlegirlfriendwilldie.
QuicklylookingatAstraal,Harrysawthatshewasindeedlookingworse.
It'sthestaff,saidMarrishsmugly.It'stheDarkstaff.
Atthis,Harrywasshocked.Impossible!Itwasdestroyeddecadesago!
Yes,butIrebuiltitfromthepieces,saidMarrishmatteroffactly.Ihadtoreplacecertainlostpartswith
suitablereplacementsbutallinallitgetsthejobdone,don'tyouthink?
Harrycouldn'tdenythat.Nowthatheknewwhatwashappening,HarrycouldsensethatAstraalwasslowly
losingherForceessencetothestaff.
IabsorbedtheForceessencesofthosetwovillagesbutIwasmissingonefinalingredient,saidMarrish
mockingly.AJedi'sessence.Whichyou'vesokindlybroughtforme.
Harrygrittedhisteethashiscallousness.
Enoughtalk!declaredMarrish.Timetoseeifyoucansaveher,don'tyouthink?
Withthat,MarrishdrewhislightsaberanddashedtowardHarrywhoignitedhislightsabersinresponse.
Theclashwasmuchliketheirpreviousonebutunlikethelast,Harry'sarmorprotectedhimfrommostof
Marrish'sslashes.Ontheotherhand,MarrishhadtododgeHarry'sduetohislackofarmor.Unfortunately,
Harryrealizedsomethinghehadn'tbefore.Lackoftraininginthearmormeanthewasn'tusedtotheextra
weightsoitslowedhimdown.HeusedtheForcetomakeupthedifferencebutmadeamentalnotetotraininit
anddamnthethoughtsoftheMasters!
HarryonceagaingavehimselfovertotheForce,allowingittocontrolhismovementsandactions.
RememberinghowMarrisheasilydefendedagainsthispersonal,yetstillincomplete,styletoldHarryheneeded
togoalloutfromthebeginning.
HarrygavehimselfovertoVaapad.Heallowedhimselftoenjoythefightandbecomehalfofthesuper
conductingloopthatusedtheotherhalf,Marrish'sowndarkness,backagainsthim.Harrymovedsoquicklythat
itseemedasifhehadovernineblades,allattemptingtogetbyMarrish'sguard.Inresponse,Marrishfellintoa
variantformofSoresu.It'ssaidthatamasterofVaapadcouldcrumbleevenaSoresumaster'sdefensebut
unfortunately,Harrywasnotamasteryetandsothetwowereatanimpasse.
Harrywasusingallhiswillpowertoavoidfallingtothedarkside.ThiswasthedangerofgivingintoVaapad,
thedarknessofhisenemyaswellashisenjoyingthefightcouldcausetheusertofallquiteeasily.Forthefirst
time,HarryunderstoodWindu'scommentsoncautionwhenusingthestyle.Harrycouldfeeltheneedtojust
giveinandaccepthisenemy'sangeralongwithhisownbutresisted.
RealizingthatinabattleofattritionMarrishwouldwin,Harrydecidedtopulloutallthestops.
Jumpingback,HarryturnedoffonebladeandstartedfiringoffhisForcebulletsatrapidfirefromthathand.
Somehow,MarrishsensedthemandmanagedtododgethemalthoughHarrywasproudtoseethatoneortwo
managedtohit.IfMarrishhadn'treinforcedhisbodywiththeForce,thosehitswouldhavetornholesthrough
him.
Interesting,musedMarrishwhilecontinuingtododge.AmixofForcesphereinbulletsizeandKinetitedue
tothekineticforce.BothdarksidepowersyetIsenseyoudidn'tusethedarkside.Youareinteresting.
Harryeventuallystoppedthebarragewhenhesawitwasineffective.Itwastimetousehistrumpcard.
Concentratingandsharpeninghisfocus,Harry'sworldsuddenlyturnedintoaplaneofglassfromhispointof
view.Hesawtheflawineverythingaroundhim.Thepointsinthewallwherehecouldstrikeandcrumblethe
Mandalorianironwalls.TheweakpointintheDarkstaff.HeevensawtheflawsinMarrish.Thearroganceand
beliefinhisinvincibility,thedependenceonthedarkside,aswellastheweakpointinhisstyle.
Usingthis,HarryengagedMarrishagainusingVaapad.Heusedhisincrediblespeedtocreatetheillusionof
havingmanybladesthatheusedtoattackfromhighguard.MarrishdefendedthoughHarrycouldseehewasn't
usedtousingSoresuandwasbarelykeepingup.Harrysuddenlytookafastswingfromaboveusingbothofhis
bladeswhichMarrishraisedhislightsabertoblock.Justasthebladeswouldtouch,Harryturnedoffhisleft
blade.BeforeMarrishcouldreact,Harryturneditonagainwhileinsidehisguardandsucceededinplacinga
slashthatcutMarrishfromhisrightshouldertohisrighthip.Marrishhadmanagedtobackawayenoughforit
notbeafatalwoundbutitwasstilldeep.
Marrishletoutascreamofangeratbeingwoundedbysomeonehehadthoughtwasbeneathhim.Suddenly,
MarrishwasablurandgotinsideHarry'sguardbeforehecouldreact.Harrythoughtthathisarmorwould
defendhimfromanylightsaberslashMarrishgave.Hewastrueinaway,becauseMarrishdidn'tusehisblade.
HeusedthehiltofhisdeactivatedlightsaberandhitHarry'sarmorrightinthecenter.Suddenly,thearmorthat
Harryhadlovinglycraftedandmadeusinghisownhandsshattered.Worse,itshatteredinwards.Harryletouta
screamofpainatthefeelingofhundredsofshardsofmetalwithcortosisorelacedinsideenterhisribcage.He
couldfeelsomeshardspiercehislungs.Miraculously,noneoftheshardspiercedhisheart.
You'renottheonlyonethatcanseeshatterpoints,boy,saidMarrishhatefully.
Harrystumbledback,bleedingheavilyfromhischestandturninghissilverarmorintoghoulishsilvercrimson
color.Knowinghehadlittletimeleft,hethrewitallintohisfinalchance.
Duringthefight,theyhadmanagedtoswitchpositionswithHarryhavinghisbacktothedoorandMarrishwith
hisbacktoAstraal.Harrytookadvantageofthistoexecutehisplan.
Turningoffbothsabers,heletlooseapowerfulbarrageofForcelightning.ThepowertookMarrishoffguard
andithitforamomentbeforeMarrishmanagedtostartdeflectingit.Seeingthathewasdistracted,Harryturned
onhisicebluelightsaber(whileusingtheotherhandtomaintainthebarrage),imbueditwithForcelightning
andthrewitatMarrish.However,Marrishmovedhisheadatthelastmomentandonlygotacuthorizontally
alonghismaskaswellashavinghishoodblownoffrevealingpalepurpleskin,pointedearsandbrownishhair.
Nicetry,concededMarrish.YousurprisedmewithyourForcelightning.Ididn'tthinkanyoneexceptKyle
Katarnhadthatpower.Butyourgambitfailedbecauseyoumissed.
WhosaidIwasaimingforyou?askedHarrywithamockingsmile.
Turningaround,MarrishsawthatHarry'slightsaberhadbisectedthecopyDarkstaffhorizontallywhereitwas
weakest.Harryhadusedhisshatterpointabilitytodetectthepointwhereitwasstructurallyweakestandhad
usedMarrish'sdistractiontodestroyit.
Marrishseemedtoshakeinrageforamomentbeforeforciblycomposinghimself.
Wellplayed,saidMarrishinastrainedvoice.Lookslikeyouwonthisround.Butdon'tbetoosmug.This
wasonlyasmallhiccupsinmyplans.Youhaveonlydelayedthemslightly.
MarrishlookedtowardAstraalandchuckled.Lookslikeyouweretoolateeitherway.
LookingtowardAstraal,HarryquicklyrantowardherignoringhisgrievouswoundsandMarrish.Heputahand
tohernecktosearchforapulseandfoundit.However,itwasslowlyfadinguntiliteventuallystopped.
No!screamedHarryinanguish.Youcan'tdie!
Oh,butshecan,mockedMarrish.Looksyoujustweren'tstrongenough.
IgnoringMarrish,Harrythoughtofawaytosaveherandhiseyesfellonhislightsaber.Hesuddenlyhadan
idea.Itwascrazybutitwasheronlychance.Puttingahandoverherheart,Harry'seyesclosedinconcentration
andgatheredthelastofhisstrength.HeignoredthefactthathewasbleedingalloverAstraalandsimply
concentratedongatheringthelastscrapsofhisstrength.
Whatareyoudoing?askedMarrishcuriously.She'sdead,there'snothingyoucando.
Ignoringhimyetagain,HarryconcentratedonhisloveforAstraalbeforeusingForcelightningtorestarther
heart.Astraalwokeupwithagaspandproceededtocoughforawhilebeforestoppingandfallingasleep
normally.
Marrishwasinshockandmuttered,Darktransfer?Andwithoutusingthedarkside?Whatareyouboy?
RememberingMarrish'spresence,Harryattemptedtogetupbutthatlastacthaddrainedhimofeverythinghe
hadleft.HefellinhisstomachoverAstraalandcouldonlylookonhelplesslyasMarrishwalkedtowardthem
beforestoppingabout3feetfromthem.
Iwonder...musedMarrish.Willyoubetheonetoplaythegamewithme?Doyouknowwhat'scoming,
boy?What'scomingwillbeawarthatwillmaketheonesbeforeseemlikemereplaygroundscraps.Ilook
forwardtoseeingyourgrowth.
Withthisconfusingstatement,MarrishturnedonhisheelbeforedisappearingwithsharpCRACK!.
Aftergettingoverhissurpriseathisquickdisappearance,HarrylookedatAstraalasshestartedtostir.She
openedhereyesandsawHarrylayingoverher.Shebrieflywonderedwhyhewasinhisarmorbeforenoticing
thegrowingpoolofbloodbeneaththem.ShequicklygotupbeforeseeingHarry'scavedinarmorandthelarge
amountofblood.
Harry,whathappened?askedAstraalfrantically.
Harryopenedhismouthtoexplainonlytopassout.
OnboardtheWaywardSon
ThenexttimeHarrywoke,hewasinhiscabinontheWaywardSon.Hewasinextremepainandhisarmorwas
stillon.Hecouldhardlybelievehewasstillalive.HesuddenlyheardfootstepsandsawAstraalentertheroom.
Seeinghimawake,shequicklymovedtowardhim.
Enterahealingtrance,Harry,saidAstraalurgently.It'llhelpyoustayalive.Don'tworry,we'reonourway
home.
Harrylistenedtoheradviceandenteredahealingtrance.
Infirmary,JediPraxeum
ThefinaltimeHarryawoke,hewaslookingatthefamiliarceilingofthePraxeum'sinfirmary.Lookingtohis
side,hesawhismotherasleepinachairnexttohisbed.Somehowsensinghewasawake,shewokeup.
Seeinghimlookingather,Maraquicklysaid,Areyouokay?Doesitstillhurtsomewhere?
Harrytriedtosaynobutfoundhisthroatwastoodry.Marasawhispredicamentandbroughthimacupofwater
withastrawthathequicklydrank.
I'mfine,justsore,saidHarryinalowtone.Thestressoftwobattleswithalmostnotimetorestinbetweenas
wellaschannelingtheForceindangerousamountsjusttokeepgoinghadrenderedhimasweakasanewborn
baby.TheplussidewasthathewasaliveandthelimitofForceenergyhe'llbeabletodrawonwillbehigher.
Whathappened?askedMarasemiangrily.Astraalsaidsomethingaboutaman.
Iwouldliketoknowthataswell,saidLukeasheenteredtheroom.
Behindhim,therestoftheSkywalkerSoloclanfollowed.EvenLeiahadcomeandhadaworriedlookonher
face.JainaandJacenalsohadworriedlookswhichturnedtorelievedlookswhentheysawhimawake.Jaina's
eyeswereredasifshewascrying.AnakinwasunusuallysubduedbutbrightenedatseeingHarryawake.Han
lookedslightlyangrywhenheenteredbutitmeltedintohisnormalsmileatseeingHarryup.EvenLukelooked
asifhehadn'tsleptmuch.
Frombehindthem,therestofHarry'sgroupoffriendsfollowed.KassandAsharasmiledatseeingHarryawake
whileTenelKa'sshouldersseemedtolosetheirtension.LowbaccagaveasoundofhappinessatHarry'swell
beingwhichEmTeedeetranslated,thoughHarrynoticedhesoundedirritatedaboutsomething.Astraalwaslast
andshegaveabigsmileofhappinessatseeingHarryawake.Harrydidn'tdoubtthattheonlyreasonshedidn't
jumptohissidewasbecauseoftheiraudience.
HowlonghaveIbeenout?askedHarryinalowvoice.
Almostfourdays,honey,saidMarasoftly.Youreallyoverextendedyourself.Whenwebroughtyouinyou
hadalotofinternalbleedingduetodrawingintoomuchForceenergy.That'snotevencountingyourchest.It
tookforevertogetalltheshardsofyourarmoroutofyourribcage.
Well,thatexplainedtheirworriedlooks.BeingoutforfourdayswasprettyseriouswhenyouaddedaJedi's
naturalhealingfactor.Hemusthavebeenamess.
Wehadtobecarefultakingoffyourarmor,saidLuke.Wedidn'twanttoworsenyourwoundsorcauseany
oftheshardstogoindeeper.
JainahadmanagedtosneakbytheadultsanddiscreetlytakeHarry'sotherside.Sheseemedasifshewas
holdingherselfbackfromholdinghishandtoassureherselfthathewasreallyfine.
Canyoutelluswhathappened?askedMarasoftly.
Aftertakinganothersipofwater,HarryrecountedthetalefromwhereAstralhadleftit(shehadtoldthemwhat
sheremembered).Heleftnothingoutknowinganylittlethingcounted.HeevenrevealedhislearningForce
lightningfromKyleandnotwantingtorevealitduetotheprejudiceagainstit.Maragavehimanunderstanding
lookwhenhesaidthatandLukelookedslightlyashamed,knowinghewasoneofthoseagainstthepowerdueto
priorexperienceatitshands.WhenHarryfinishedtellingthemaboutMarrish'sominousstatement,theroom
wassilent.
Damn,kiddo,saidHaninaforcedamusedtone.Youdon'tdothingsbyhalf,doyou?
Everyonechuckled,slightlyliftingthetensionintheairthestoryleftbehind.
ThatmusthavebeenDarthRivan'sfortress,musedLuke.Agroupofrebelshadgonethereafewdecades
agoandmanagedtodestroytheDarkstaff.However,theyneverthoughttobringbackthepieces.Amistakein
hindsight.Youneverknowwhatpeoplecandowithevenpiecesofsomethinglikethat.
WhathappenedtothepiecesafterIdestroyedit?askedHarry.Thelastthingtheywantedwasarepeat.
Luckily,Idecidedtobringthemalong,explainedAstraal.Theyseemedimportant.
We'lldisposeofthemimmediately,saidLukefirmly.
That'sthelasttimeIletyoukidsgoalone,saidMarafirmly.Ifhehadn'tbeenwoundedaswellanddecided
toleave...
Atthelaststatement,hervoicecrackedandtearsfilledhereyesatthethought.Everyoneknewthatthetwohad
beenluckythatthemanseemedsointerestedinHarry.However,thatsameinterestbotheredthem.Noonelike
thattookaninterestinsomeonelightly.Thefactwasthatifhalfthethingsheclaimedweretrue,hewasan
extremelydangerousandcunningperson.
WhatwasthenameMarrishusedforthatlastpoweryouused?askedMara.
DarkTransfer,saidHarrygrimly.
TherewasmomentofsilencebeforeLeiabrokeit.
Nowdoesn'tthatsoundvaguelyominous,quippedLeia.
ThefactthatitwasLeiathatsaidthatbroughtlaughterfromthegroup.Thisrelievedthelastofthetensionin
theair.
Well,youneedtorestsowe'llgetoutofyourhair,saidHan.
EveryonesaidgoodbyeandleftleavingonlyAstraal,Jaina,MaraandLukeintheroom.JainahadleftHarry's
sideandAstraalhadquicklytakenit,muchtoJaina'schagrin.
Areyousureyou'reokay?askedLukesoftly.Lookingathim,Harrysawthedarkcirclesunderhiseyes.It
wasobviousthathehadbeenlosingsleepoverHarry'scondition.Itprobablydidn'thelpthathewastheoneto
sendthemonthemission.Theguiltmusthavebeeneatingathim.
I'mfine.Thanks,dad,saidHarrysoftly.UnsaidwasHarrysayingitwasn'thisfault.Lukeunderstoodthe
messagebuthejustsmiledbrittlely.HarrymightnotblamehimbutLukestillblamedhimself.
SeeingJainaseeminglywantingtotalktoHarryalone,Lukesaid,Astraalcanyouexplainwhathappenedfrom
yourpointofviewoutsideplease?
AstraallookedfromJainatoHarrybeforenoddingreluctantly.Oncetheyleft,HarrywasalonewithJaina.
Afteraminuteofsilence,Jainaspoke.
Youbrokeyourpromise,saidJainainatremblingvoice.Youpromisedyou'dcomebacksafe.
Harrytriedtosaysomethingbutcouldn'tthinkofanything.Therefore,hejuststayedsilent.
JainaseemedtounderstandbecauseshetookHarry'slefthandandhelditinbetweenherown.Lookingattheir
entwinedhands,shestartedtospeak.
Whenyouguysarrived,IhadjustarrivedaswellwithUncleLuke,startedJaina.SeeingHarryaboutto
interrupt,shesaid,I'llexplainlater,letmefinish.
Theentiretripback,UncleLukehadseemeddistracted.Likehesensedsomethingwasoff,continuedJaina.
Thenwhenwearrivedandyourshiplandedsoonafter,helookedrelieved.
HereJaina'svoicestartedtobreak,butshesoldieredon.I'llneverforgetthelookonUncleLuke'sfacewhen
AstraalcamescreamingdowntherampforaJedihealer.Thatyouwereinaverybadwayandprobablyon
death'sdoor.Itlookedasifhe'dbeenstabbedintheheart.Heransofastuptherampthathewasablur.Mara,
whohadbeentherewaitingforus,wasjustbehindhim.
Jainasniffedalittlebeforecontinuing.Therestwasconfusing.IrememberUncleLukescreamingforaJedi
healerwhileIheardAuntMarasobbing.YourForcepresencewassolowthatitfeltasifyouweredyinginher
arms.Whentheytookyououtinastretcher,Iswearyoulookedmoredeadthanalive.Yourarmorwaschipped
andburnedalongtheedgeswhilethecenterwascavedintoyourchest.Youwerepaleasaghostandtherewas
somuchbloodeverywhere.LuketookAstraalasideandbasicallydemandedtoknowwhathappened.Whenshe
toldhimwhatsherememberedaboutamanthatwasbasicallyplayingwithyouguys,Idon'tthinkI'veeverseen
UncleLukelookbothsoguiltyandsofurious.IkindafeelsorryforthisMarrish.
Jaina'svoicestartedtogetbacktonormalalthoughitwasstillslightlyshaky.Youwereinconstantobservation
forthreedays.Youwereoutofthewoodsbytheseconddaybuttheykeptyouunderobservationincaseof
relapse.Wewereallsoscared.Ithought..Ithought...
Jainabrokedownatthislaststatementandstartedsobbing.Harrycoulddonothingbutholdherasshecried.
Shewasamesswithhereyesredandpuffyaswellashavingdarkcirclesunderhereyes.Harryabsentlynoted
thatshewasstillbeautifulinhiseyes.Harryrealizedthathewouldalwaysfindherbeautifuldespitehim
decidingtomovepasther.Jainawouldalwayshaveapartofhisheartthatwouldbeuntouchabletoanyother.
JainaeventuallycomposedherselfandlookedatHarry.Herlookmadehimslightlyuncomfortablebecauseit
heldsomethingithadn'tbefore.Asortofacceptance.
DoyoulikeAstraal?askedJainaforcefully.
Thequestioncaughthimoffguardandhecouldonlystutteraresponse.
Tellmethetruthplease,pleadedJaina.
Harrysighedandclosedhiseyesbeforenodding.HearingnothingfromJainaforaminute,heopenedhiseyes.
Jainawaslookingathimsadlywithasmallsmileonherlips.
Maybethisisforthebest,saidJainasoftly.Wecanseeotherpeopleandmaybeourfeelingswillpass.
DespiteHarry'searlierassertionatbeingoverher,herstatementstillhurthim.Herealizedthatsomepartofhim
hopedshewouldfightforhim.Butheguessedthatwasapipedreamnow.
HarryandJainalookedateachotherforaminutebeforeJainadidsomethingunexpected.Shekissedhim.
Unliketheirpreviousones,thisonehadbothparticipantsrespondingandthatmadeitsomuchbetter.Before,
eventheonesthatJainainitiated,Jainaalwaysheldapartofherselfback.Nowshepouredeverythingintothe
kissandHarryeagerlyreciprocated.Afterafewminutesofkissing,theyeventuallybrokethekiss.
Whatwasthatfor?askedHarryquietly.
Jainasmiledbeforesaying,Toremembermebye.AswellastoremindyouthatI'llbewaitingifinafewyears
you'restillinterested.
Withthat,Jainagotupandlefttheroom.
Great,thoughtHarrybitterly.Shegetsoverthecousinthingjustintimetotellmetogoafterotherwomen.Just
myluck.
Harrylaidbackonthebed.However,hecouldn'tstopthesmilecrossinghisfacewhenherememberedJaina's
laststatement.ItgaveHarryhopeofmorekissesfromhersomedayinthefuture.
Afewhourslater
Harrywasslowlydozingoffafteradaybeingvisitedbyfriendsandfamily.Itwasalreadylateatnightbut
Harryhadn'tbeenabletosleeptillnow.Justashewasdozingoff,thedoorslowlyopened.Closingthedoor
behindher,AstraalslowlyandquietlymovedtowardHarrywhowasslowlycomingbacktofullawareness.
Astraal?askedaconfusedHarry.What'swrong?
Astraaljustsatonhisbedwhilelookingathimwithanunreadablelookbeforeasking,Whydidyougosofar
forme?
Harrywasconfusedatherquestionandsaidso.
Imean,saidAstraalnervously.DidyoudoitbecauseI'myourfriendorbecauseI'msomethingmoreto
you?
Harrylookedatherforaminuteweighingtheprosandconsbeforesimplythinkingthehellwithit.Hesatup
anddrewAstraalinforakiss.
Astraaleagerlyrespondedduetothisbeingthefirsttimehehadinitiatedakissbetweenthem.Theypouredall
theirpassionintothekiss,tryingtosaywiththeirlipsandtonguewhattheycouldn'twithwords.Beforethey
knewit,AstraalwasstraddlingHarryandHarrywasslowlytakingoffAstraal'sshirt.Oncehedid,hegazedin
aweatherheavenlybreastsinalltheirglory.TheywereaboutaCcupandperfectlyfirmduetohardtraining.
Astraalbitherlipnervouslybutcouldn'thelpbutfeelproudofbeingabletocausecalmandcomposedHarryto
losecontrol.HarrystartedtolightlysuckonherrightbreastbringingamoanfromAstraal.Theywouldhave
continuedandprobablyhadgoneallthewaybutasoundfromoutsidebroughtthemoutoftheirlustinduced
haze.AstraalquicklyputonhershirtagainandHarrytriedinvaintohidehisarousal.Hearinganothersound,
AstraallookedaroundinpanicbeforehidingunderHarry'sbed.Harrydidn'thaveachancetosayhowmuchof
astupidideathatwasbeforehisdooropenedandHarrywasforcedtopretendtobeasleep.
TherestoodMarawithaperplexedlookonherface.Shelookedaroundbutjustsawhersonpeacefullysleeping
andobviouslyhavingaverygooddreamifhisarousalwasanyindication.Marasmiledmischievouslyand
thoughtoftheblackmailthiscouldbebeforeclosingthedoorwhilechucklingevilly.Aftermakingsurethatno
oneelsewasaroundAstraalslowlyandquietlycameoutfromunderthebedusingallthestealthtrainingthat,
ironically,Marahadgivenher.AstraalandHarrylookedateachotherbeforeburstingintoquietgigglesand
chucklesrespectively.
Well,saidAstraalwithatrulyhappysmileonherface,Ithinkthatanswersmyquestion.Suddenlyan
unsurelookcrossedherface.So,doesthismakesusboyfriend/girlfriendorjustfriendswithbenefits.
Harrycouldtellthisquestionwasimportanttoherandcouldbreakherifansweredwrongly.Despiteher
amazingskills,shewasemotionallyfragile.Especiallywhenitcametomattersoftheheart.
Grabbingherhand,heplacedakissthere.Idon'troutinelygoaroundmakingoutwithmyfriends,mylove.
HetriedtoignorethememoryofJainakissinghimjustafewhoursago.
ThiscausedAstraaltogivehimabeamingsmilebeforeonceagainstraddlinghimandkissinghimdeeply.
DespiteHarry'sstillunresolvedissueswithJainaandthetensionstillbetweenthem,hecouldn'thelpbutbe
happythathewaswithAstraal.
Somewhereinthegalaxy
Marrishwalkedthroughhispersonalfortressmusingonwhathadhappened.Theboywasadvancingquickly
andthispleasedhim.HarryPotterwasakeypointinhisplans.Iftheboyturnedtothedarkside,hewould
guaranteevictoryinthefuture.Ifhestayedinthelight,hewouldbetooboundbytheirmoralsandrulestobea
threatjustlikeLukeSkywalker.Butifhefollowedinthepathifhisancestors...
Marrishshookhisheadatthethought.Theyweredeadandwhateverlegacytheyleftbehindwasscattered
acrossthegalaxy.Therewasnowaytheboywouldfindit.Marrishchuckledtohimselfbeforewincing.The
boy'sslashwasn'tdeepbutitwasstilluncomfortable.Itwouldtakeawhilebeforehewasintopformagain.
MusingonHarry'sstrength,hewonderedifitwouldbeenoughforthewartocome.Theboywouldhavetoman
upquicklyorperish.Waralwaysbroughtouttheworstinpeople.Hewasalivingexample.
TheYuuzhanVongbasicallyfellintoMarrish'slap.Theirplansfellnicelyintohisown.Marrishhadnoillusions
thattheywouldsucceed.Thegalaxyhadtheannoyinghabitofbandingtogetherwhenfacedagainstastronger
foe.Likeratsbandingagainstacat.Buttheywouldweakenthegalaxygreatly.Greatlyenoughforhisplanto
takeplace.Iftheydidn't..well,civilwarisalwaysastone'sthrowawayinthisgalaxy.
Marrishchuckledcruellyatthethought.
Whathasgotyoulaughing,Master?askedavoicebehindhim.
Marrishturnedandlookedathisapprentice.
HewasaHumanboywithblackhairandblackeyes.Hewasabout5'8feettallwhichwastallforhisageof16
years.HewasslimbutalmostasfastasPotter.HisskillswithalightsaberweregreaterthanevenPotter'sthough
anditwasthisthatgaveMarrishhisidea.
Ohnothingmyapprentice,saidMarrishmockingly.Ijustmetaboywithincredibleskillandpotential.
Possiblyevengreaterthanyourown.HisnameisHarryPotterandheinterestsmegreatly.
Thiscausedtheboy'seyestolightupinjealousy.Marrishchuckledtohimself.Despitehisskillandpotential,
hisapprenticewaseasilymanipulated,whichwasoneofthereasonsMarrishdidnotseehimashistrue
apprentice.TheonewhowillbehistrueapprenticewillNEVERbesoeasilyused,notevenbyMarrishhimself.
Theboyjustgaveanhuffbeforelookingaway.ButMarrishsawthehateinhiseyes,hewouldgooutand
challengePotterifonlyforthesakeofhispride.
Marrishsmiledtohimself.Yes,everythingisfallingintoplace.
EndNotes:
AN:Well,therewego,Harry/Astraalatlast.Forthosewondering,thisisnotthe
finalpairingbutIwantedtogiveHarryafewrelationshipsbeforehand.Heneeds
tobemoreemotionallystablebeforedatingagirlwithasmanyissuesasJaina,
believeme.

IjustintroducedHarry'sarchenemyoftheentireseries.Hewillbethemain
antagonistthatwillworkagainstHarryineverybook.Youwon'tfindoutabout
hispasttillbook4sodon'taskbutIwillsaythathe'smetHarry'speoplebefore.

Hisapprenticewillshowupinthisbookbuthewon'tfightagainstHarryuntilthe
YuuzhanVongWar.Theapprenticewon'thaveanamebecausebasically,Marrish
didn'tgivehimone.Heraisedhimfromababyandalwayscalledhimapprentice.

HopeyoulikedthefightsequencesespeciallysincethisisthefirstoneI'vewrote
whereIletHarryuseweaponsbesidesjusthislightsabers.

Unfortunately,Ihavebadnews.I'llbetakingmycomputertogetfixedofitsmany
issues(stupidMaxlaptops).It'lltakealeastaweektofixsothiswillbelastupdate
foraweek.Butdon'tworry!WhenIgetbackI'llhaveatleastthreechapters
waiting.

Likealways,readandreview!
Backtoindex
TensionsandHuntingbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter13
JediPraxeum,Yavin4
Harrywasstandinginthegroups'traininggroundwatchingTenelKagothroughherkataswithacriticaleye,
tryingtofindaflawinherform.
IthadbeenalittleoveramonthsincethedisasteratAlmas.Sincethen,Harryhadchangedmanythings.For
one,hehadstartedperfectinghisForcelightningandForcebullets.TheMasters(besideMara,LukeandKyle)
hadnotbeenpleasedofhislearningthosepowers.Theywouldhaveexiledhimoutrightifitwasn'tfortheother
threedefendinghim.KyleevenwentsofarastoaskifhewouldbeexiledforteachingForcelightningtohim.
ThesimilarityofHarry'sForcebulletstowellknowndarksidepowersdidnothelpthecase.Despitethis,Mara
andKylewerefirmlyonhissidewhileLukewasneutralleaningonbeingonhisside.Lukesaidhewantedtobe
unbiasedonthecasebutevenhehadtoadmitthattheotherMasterswerebeingstupid.
'Bunchofprejudicedoldgoats,'thoughtHarryviciously.
TheworsthadbeenKypDurronwhohadbasicallyclaimedhewasgoingtothedarkside.Maraalmosttookhis
headforthatcomment.Sincehecouldn'texilehim,Kypdidthenextbestthing:hemadehimapariahinthe
Academy.Wordhadgottenoutofhimhavingdarksidepowersandnownooneoutsidehisgroupoffriends
wouldtalktohim.Whilebeforehewaslookedupto,nowhewaslookedatinfearasifhewouldturnaround
andattackthem.Despitethis,Harrywalkedwithhisheadhigh.Hehadhistruefriendswhostoodbyhim.In
fact,JacenalmostcametoblowswithRaynarwhenthelattermadeacommentaboutHarry'smotherprobably
beingaSithslutwhenhewasn'tthere.Needlesstosay,Raynarquicklylearnedheneededtoimprovehissaber
technique.Hisfriendshadrefusedtoabandonhim.KassandAsharaevenmadeapointtostopsittingwithafew
friendstheyhadmadewhenthoseverysamefriendsstartedbelievingtherumorsofHarrygoingdark.Theynow
onlysatwithHarryandhisfriends.Theactionwarmedhisheart.
Thegrouphadbeenecstatic(withthenotableexceptionofJaina)athearingofHarryandAstraal'snew
relationship.Thegirls(includingTenelKa)hadgoneandhuddledtogetherwhiledissolvingintogigglesevery
onceandawhile.Harry,Jacen,LowbaccaandAnakincouldonlylookatthephenomenoninshockbefore
silentlyconcludingthatthemindsofwomenshallneverbeunderstoodbypoormortalmen.Heck,evenJaina
wasinthegroupgiggling!Harrydidn'tknowsheknewhowtogiggle!
HarryandAstraal'srelationshiphadn'textendedbeyondholdinghandsandkissinginpublic.However,in
privatetheywouldhaveconsummatedtheirrelationshipseveraltimesiftheyweren'tconstantlyinterrupted.
HarryhadtakenAstraalasideandtoldherinallseriousnessthathedidn'tmindwaitingifshewantedtogoslow.
Hedidn'twanthertofeelpressured.Astraaljustlaughedandsaidthatshehadbeengoingsloweversinceshe
hadmethimandthatnowthattheywerefinallytogether,shewantedtoenjoyandexploreeverypartoftheir
relationship.Hisneardeathhadshownherthatsheshouldn'tlivealifethatwillonlyleaveherwithregrets.
Astraalhaddissolvedintofitsoflaughterathisenthusiasticagreement.
MarahadbeensurprisedattheannouncementattheirrelationshipandgivenJainaacuriouslookbefore
congratulatingthem.Onthedownside,shenowneverleftthemaloneandseemedtohavegrownasixthsense
(orseventhofyoucountherForcesenses)forwheneverHarryandAstraalweregettinghotandsteamy.Harry
hadlostcountofhowmanytimesMarahadinterruptedthemintheworstmoment.Theworstpartwasthatshe
seemedtoknowandjustsmiledinnocentlyathim.
Ifitwasuptoher,Harrywoulddieavirgin.
Despitethis,themonthhadgonequitewell.Harryhadplentyoftimetopracticeeverythinghepromisedhe'd
practice.HehadperfectedhisForcelightningtothepointthatobjectshehitwouldbeblastedbackwardsdueto
theforceofit.HisForcebulletswerealmostsecondnaturenowandhehadevenrecreatedthreenewmoves.
ProjectedfightingwasanincredibleboontoHarry'sunarmedcombatskill.ItallowedHarrytoextendhisreach
andhitsomeoneevenifhisfistdidn'tphysicallyhitthem.HeknewthedangersofusingtheForcetodirectly
hurtsomeonesoheusedittostuninsteadofkill.Hedidn'tneedtogivetheMastersmoreammunitionagainst
him.ThesecondwasForcegrip.WhilealreadyknowingForcecrush,helearnedForcegripasalesslethalway
ofstoppinganopponent.
However,hisgreatestimprovementlayinhistelekineticabilities.HehadspenthourspouringoverAsli
Krimsan'sholocronwhichheldadiscoursebyCountDookuontelekineticabilities.Duetothisherecreatedtwo
moveswhichwerebasicallyextensionsofeachother.ThemorebasiconewasForcewave.Itletlooseawaveof
telekineticpowerallaroundtheuserthatblastedbackeveryonearoundhim.TheotherwasForcerepulse.One
couldarguethattheywerethesameattackbutForcerepulseallowedtheusertoliftnearbyobjectsashe
chargedupsowhenhelettheenergyloose,theobjectswouldbesentathighvelocityawayfromtheuser,
damaginganyonehitbyit.Bothwereusefulforcrowdcontrol,whichwaswhenoneissurroundedby
enemies.Thoughthelatterlefttheuservulnerablewhilehewaschargingupsotospeak.
Astraalontheotherhandhadconcentratedonhertutaminis.Thiswastheumbrellatitleforabilitiesthatabsorb
energy.Itallowedtheusertoabsorbtheenergyfromanythingtoathrownobjecttothemasterlevelthatallowed
onetoabsorbtheenergyfromalightsaberblade.ItwasAstraal'sgoaltoachievethelatter.Shehadalsoasked
KassandlearnedtheabilitythatMarrishhadused:Forcestealth.ItallowedonetohidetheirForcesignature
completelyandskilleduserscanevenuseittoavoidmindprobes.TheJensaaraiusedittohidefromother
Forcesensitivegroups.ThesetwoskillswouldaidAstraalgreatlyonherpathtobeingaJediShadow.
UnlikehiscousinswholearnedForceabilitiessofastHarrysworeitwasn'tnatural,Harrylearnedoneortwo
andmasteredthem.Jacen,JainaandAnakinseemedtobeborntobeJediwiththeiramazingaptitudefor
wieldingtheForce.
TheyhadinformedHarryoftheircapturebytheShadowAcademyaroundthesametimehewasbeatenbadly
byMarrishonKalarba.LukehadrescuedthemalongwithTenelKawhofeltguiltyfornotbeingtheretohelp.
HarrytoldherhewasproudofherwhenshetoldhimthatshehadwoundedTamithKai.Healsotoldherthat
nexttime,heexpectedhertotaketheleg.Shesimplysmiledandshookherheadathim.
That'senough,calledoutHarry.
TenelKastoppedherkatasandstoodtheresweatinginfrontofhim.
Sincehisneardeath,Harryhadtakentoperfectinghisstyle.TheadditionofForcelightningtohisbladehad
helpedhimgreatlyinhispersonalstyle.Hestillhadtoconcentrateinordertokeepitfromleavingthebladebut
hewasgettingbetter.
Healsocommonlysparredwithhisfriends.Theyusedtheirlightsabersatlowpowerandwouldthenengagein
afreeforallwheretheonlyrulewasnolethalattacks.Therewasneveraclearwinnerforthosesparsduetothe
midsparalliancesthatwouldformaswellasthedoubleknockouts.However,itwascleartoanyonethatthe
groupof8wereverytalented.WhileHarry,Kass,AstraalandAsharahadtheadvantageduetomore
experience,theothershadtherawtalenttomakeupthedifference.EvenTenelKahadamazingpotentialas
shownwhensheseamlesslyusedtheForcetocreatecreaturesofnaturelikeHarry'sfatherwassaidtohave
done.Shelateradmittedthatthatwaswhereshehadgottentheidea.
ThiswaswhathadgivenHarrytheideatohelptrainTenelKa.Hermidbattleimprovisationbasedoff
somethingsheheardfromhiminastoryshowedHarrythatshehadvastpotential.Hetoldherthatifshewished
hewaswillingtohelpherinherswordsmanship.ThelookofsurpriseandgratitudeonherfacemadeHarryfeel
simultaneouslyhappyandchagrined.ItwasthenthatitoccurredtohimthatTenelKa(andperhapsevenLowie)
mightfeelunimportantbeinginagroupofapprenticesconsideredprodigies.Shewasoftenoverlookedwhen
comparedtoHarry,AstraalorevenJaina.Harrysworehewouldhelpherexcel.
IttookawhileforHarrytodecidewhattoteachherbutthenherememberedhowfiercelyTenelKafoughtin
spiteofherusinganincompletestylethatseemedablendofvariousforms.ThishelpedHarrymakehis
decision.
Yuyowasconsideredoneofthemostdangerousofthelightsaberformsduetoitsneedforcontrolledpassion
whichviolatestheThereisnoemotion,thereispeacepreceptoftheCode.Thistakesthepersonclosetothe
darksideandonlysomeonewhocancontroltheiremotionscantrulymasterthestyle.UnlikeVaapad,itdidnot
requiretheusertoenjoythefightbutitdidrequiretheusertobeaggressiveandfierceincombat.Allofthis
onlyenforcedHarry'sbeliefthatitwastheperfectstyleforTenelKa.
Hewasprovencorrectwhenshetooktoitlikeabirdtotheair.HerheritageasaWitchofDathomirallowedher
totapintoherferocityincombatwhilemaintainingcontrolofit.Duringthemonth,shehadmanagedtomaster
thebasicsandwasnowlearningthemoreadvancedforms.Harrydidn'tonlyteachherkatasandforms,he
drilledthemintoherheadbyconstantlychallenginghertosparswherehewoulduseVaapadandshewoulduse
Yuyo.WhileHarrycoulduseVaapad,hewasnotamasteryet.HetoldTenelKathatshewouldbeamasterof
YuyowhensheforcedhimtousehispersonalLightningStyletomatchher.
TenelKa'sprogresshadinspiredtheothersandtheyhadalltakentopracticeandperfectingtheirskills.Jaina
hadevenstartedtogettrainingfromJediKnightRachiSitra.Whileonlyanarcheologist,theTwi'lekJedi
KnighthadbeeninhundredsofbattlesandevenfoughtintheGalacticCivilWar.Herexperiencehelpedrefine
thegirlsskills.Unfortunately,herfightingstylerequiredaflexibilitythatmostdidn'thave.However,shestill
helpedbyprovidingcombatexperienceagainstastrongerfoe.ItwasthankstoherthatHarrymanagedtoadd
Forcelightningtohislightsaberstylesoquickly.Afterall,desperationismotherofallcreationandnothing
makesamanmoredesperatethanaTwi'lekchasingyouwhilethreateningtocutoffyourmanhoodfor
mistakenlylandingahitonher.....bottom....withyourhand.Needlesstosay,helearnedquickly.
You'redoingreallywell,saidHarrytruthfully.We'llhaveasparwhenwecomebackandseeifyoucan
incorporatethosemovesincombat.Remember,inthisstylekatasandrigidformsdon'tmattersomuchas
unpredictability.Thepointoflearningthesekatasissoyouhavemanyavenuesofattacknotsoyoufollowthem
totheletter.Improvise.
Yes,Master,saidTenelKadutifully.
Harryrolledhiseyes.TenelKahadtakentocallinghimMastereversincehestartedteachingher.Harry
believedthatshediditpartlyoutofgratefulnessforhimtakingtimetoteachherandpartlybecausesheknewit
annoyedhimslightly.ItwashardtotellwithherstoicismbutHarrysworeshesmiledslightlyeverytimehe
triedtoconvincehertojustcallhimHarry.Whenevershestatedthathewashelpingherreachherpotential,
HarryjustwaveditoffandtoldherrepeatedlythatshewouldhavebeenagreatJediKnightevenifhewasn't
there.Shedisagreedbutdidn'tpressthematterfurther.
Well,webettergobackandchange,saidHarry.Withasmile,hesaid,Wewouldn'twantmyotherapprentice
toappearandgetjealous.
TenelKasmiledathiscomment.
HarryhadalsotakentotrainingTahiriwheneverhehadtime.Itwasmostlyjusttipsandhelpingsmoothoutany
wrinkles.However,likeTenelKashehadtakentocallinghimMasterandfollowedhisinstructionsasifhewas.
SheignoredhisgrumblingaboutnotbeingaMasterandjustbeingafellowapprentice.Shewasveryhappyto
havetheundividedattentionofateacher.Asyoucanimagine,shewaslessthanthrilledwhenshefoundhewas
trainingTenelKaaswell.
Yes,wewouldn'twantyourcheerleadertogetangrybeforethetrip,saidTenelKawithasmile.
Harrygapedather.Despitehavingspentsomuchtimewithher,itstillsurprisedHarrythatshemanagedtopick
upabitofhumor.Mostlysarcasmbutitwasbetterthanthecompletelackofhumorshehadbefore.Harry
blamedAstraal'sinfluence.
Withachuckle,thetwowalkedtowardtheAcademytogetreadyfortheirvacation.
Onehourlater
Everyonewaspackedandreadytoleaveinthehangar.Aftermuchhagglinganddiscussion,itwasdecidedthat
only8wouldgo.KassandAsharawerevisitingAshara'sparentsinShilisotheycouldn'tcomewiththem.
Whentheyarrived,the4remaininggirlswouldsharethetwins'roomwhiletheboyswouldbunkinHarry'sand
Anakin'sroom.HarrymadeamentalnotetohidecertainholosthatshouldnotbefoundbythegirlsorForce
forbid,hiseverhornygirlfriend.Shemighttakeoffenseathimhavingthemorworse,usethemasHarry's
versionofamanual.Harrywasn'tsurewhichwasworse.Ashearrived,HarrytriedtocatchJaina'seyebutshe
lookedaway.
HarryandJaina'srelationshiphadbeentensesincehehadstarteddatingAstraal.Despitegivingherapproval,
Harrycouldtellthatshefeltuncomfortable.Especiallysinceshehadconfrontedherfeelingsjustafewdays
beforetheystarteddating.Forthisreason,HarrywasgladthatthegroupwasgoingtoCoruscantasavacation.
AfterseeingwhathappenedtoHarryandtheSolo'schildrencapture,Leiahadinsistedthattheyneededtimeoff
andnowtheyweregoingtoCoruscanttovisit.Aftermuchbegging,Harrywasallowedtotaketheminhisship
insteadofhavingHanpickthemallup.Harrycouldn'tbeartobepartedfromhisbaby.SomethingthatHan
andtheboyscompletelyunderstood.Thewomenjustrolledtheireyesatthemen'sobviousdisplayofstupidity.
Themensimplymutteredthatwomenwouldneverunderstand.
HarryhopedthatthesmallvacationwouldfixthetensionbetweenJainaandhim.Afterall,shewasstillhisfirst
andclosestfriend.SheknewhimbetterthanevenAstraalandhedidn'twanttolosethatbond.
Well,everyonepacked?askedHarryastheunofficialleaderofthegroup.Afterhearingeveryone'sassent,the
groupenteredtheWaywardSon.Afterputtingeverythingintothethreecabinrooms,thegroupmovedtothe
cockpit.Oncethere,Harryhadanidea.
HeyJayjay,saidHarrygettingJaina'sattention.Whydon'tyoushoweveryoneherehowSolo'sfly?
Hesaidthiswhilesittingdownintocopilot'sseatandgesturingforhertotakethepilot's.Afterasecondof
shock,Jainahadabroadsmileonherfaceandeagerlysatinthepilot'sseat.Sheranasystemschecklikeshe
hadbeendoingitallherlife(whichisn'tfarfromthetruth)andcheckedthateveryonewasstrappedin.Shethen
slowlybroughttheshiptotakeoff.
Theshipmadenaryasoundasitliftedoffthelandingpadandgracefullyliftedintotheskies.Jainadidthe
standardcheckofhulltemperatureastheypassedtheatmosphere.Thelastthingtheyneededwasforthecooling
systemtobeonthefritz.
Harrywasslightlynervousbecauseitwasthefirsttimehehadletsomeoneelsepilottheshipwhilehewas
conscious.ButJainaprovedtobetheacepilotshesaidshewasandpilotedwithoutahitch.Aftertheybroke
atmosphere,HarryhelpedsetthecoordinatesforCoruscantandthefifteenyearoldgirlsetuptheshipand
eagerlypuncheditasshescreamedoutjoyfully.
Thegrouphadarrivedwithoutfuss(thoughHarryhadtoconvinceJainanottotreatthelandinglikethefinish
lineofarace)andwerenowunpackingintheSoloresidence.Harryhadthankfullymanagedtoremoveany..
cough..suspiciousmaterialfromhisroombeforethegirlscouldexplorehisroom.Sometimeshelamented
thembeingtoocuriousfortheirowngood.Hehadbrokenthemandthrewthemawayassoonashecould.With
agirlfriendlikeAstraalitwasn'tlikeheneededit.
Sowhatdowanttodotommorrow?askedJacen.TheyweresharingHarry'sroomwhileAnakinandLowie
sharedtheformer's.
Let'sgovisitZekk,saidHarry.
JacenlookedatHarryinsurprisebeforesmilingandnodding.Hehadarighttobesurprised.HarryandZekk
usuallygotalongbutthereweretimes(usuallywhenHarryandZekkfoughtoverJaina'sattention)thatthetwo
wouldargueheatedly.Despitethis,Harrydidconsidertheboyafriendandwantedtoseehowhewas.There
wasalsoanotherreasonhewantedtovisittheUndercity.
TheominousstatementsmadebyMarrishhadshownHarrythatknowledgeoftheForcewasuselessifhedidn't
knowwhatwashappeninginthegalaxy.Tothatend,hehadtakenapageoutofhismother'sbookandstartedto
buildaspynetwork.Hisfirstcontactswerepeoplehe'dmetinhisfrequenttripstotheUndercityasachild.
WhileJainalikedtovisitZekkanddiscovermechanicaltreasuresandJacenlikedtodiscoverrareanimalsinthe
Undercity,Harryhadalwaysbeenmorefascinatedbythepeoplewholivedthere.Whilethetwinsexploredwith
Zekk,Harrywouldgofrombartobarandtalktopeople.Heinstinctivelyavoidedtheunsavorytypesthanksto
hisForcesensitivitythatwarnedhimoftheirintentions.Despitethis,hehadmademanyfriendsinthe
Undercityandhelpedmanymoreleaveittobetterplaces.Harryalwaysbemoanedthefactthathewasluckyat
gamblingonlywhenhewashelpingsomeoneelse.Infact,theleaderofhisspynetworkwasaZeltrongirl
namedEsmeraldahe'dhelpedescapetheUndercitytoZeltros.Beingatelepathicespeciallysensitiveto
emotionshadbeentorturetotheorphangirlandHarryhadbeencompelledtohelpher.
Duringthemonth,Harryhadmadesecretarrangementswithallhischildhoodfriendsacrossthegalaxytosetup
hisspynetwork.Whilestillinitsinfantstages,itpromisedtobeextremelygoodatobtaininginformationdueto
havingpeopleineverystyleoflifepossible.Harry'scontactswithBorgaBesadiialsohelpedgreatly.TheHutt
hadbeentheonethatHarryhaddoneasmugglingrunforandalongthewayHarryhadmadeseveral
acquaintancesamongthesmugglersBorgausuallyhires.Sincethen,thoseverysamesmugglershadopenly
statedthatHarrywastheonlyJeditheyliked.Harryknewthiswasn'tsayingmuchbutitmeanttheywouldgive
Harryaheadsupifsomeoneputapriceonhishead.
Theyquicklychangedintotheirsleepwearandwenttosaygoodnighttothegirls.
Whentheyreachedthetwins'roomandknocked.Tahirisoonopenedthedoorandbothboysfound(totheir
hormones'joy)thatthegirlshadalsochangedintotheirsleepwear.
TahiriwaswearingacutelittlepinkshirtwiththesloganI'maJedisogivemethemoneysinceI'mgonnawin
thebetanywayemblazoneduponitinblackletters.Shewasalsowearingmatchingpinkpajamabottoms.
TenelKaontheotherhandwaswearingwhatwasessentiallyalongforestgreenshirtthatreachedherthighs
showinghercreamylonglegsandHarrywasprettysurethatwasALLshewaswearing.Shealsohadherhair
looseforfirsttimethatHarryhadseenandtheeffectmadeherseemolderandmoremature.Harrycouldn'tbut
noticeshewasgrowinguptobearedhairedknockout.Astraalwasinthebathroomifthesoundofthefresher
wasanyindicationbutHarrywassurethathersleepwearwasevenmorerisque.
However,itwasJainathatdrewHarry'seye.Shewaswearingaspaghettistrappurpleshirtthatshowedher
developingcleavage.Shewasalsowearingmatchingpurpleunderwearwhichallowedhertoshowoffher
beautifullonglegsthathadmuscleswhilenotdetractingfromtheirfeminineform.Harrycouldn'thelpbutgulp
whilelookingatherbeautifullegssincewhentheyenteredshehadonecrossedovertheotherwhichonly
emphasizedthem.Itdidn'thelpthatbothshirtandpantyhadpinkbowsonthemoneinbetweenhercleavage
andtheotherinthefrontcenterofherpanties.
Jainalookedupattheboysentranceandcouldn'thelpbutshiverindesirewhenshesawHarry'ssleepwear.He
waswearingatightnosleeveblackshirtthatshowedoffthemuscleshehadgainedwhileattheAcademy.He
wasalsowearingapairofblackpajamabottomsthatJainacouldseedidnotdenyherfromseeinghistight
behind.Thewholethingonlyenhancedhisemeraldgreeneyesthatwerecurrentlylookingatherinthesame
wayshewaslookingathim.
Jainacouldn'thelpbutblushandgetasmallsmileatthesmolderinglookofdesireinHarry'seyes.Despitehim
beingwithAstraal,itwasnicetoknowthathestillhadeyesforher.ShecouldfeelthroughtheirForcebondthat
hewasasarousedbyherasshewasbyhim.Itwasluckytheyweren'talonebecauseshedoubtedtheywould
havebeenabletostopthemselvesfromdemonstratinghowarousedtheywerebyeachother.However,Jaina
didn'twanttobetheotherwoman.Jainacouldn'thelpbutbeslightlysadthatsherealizedherfeelingstoolate.
TenelKasawthebyplaybetweenthemandcouldn'thelpbutslightlysmile.Shehadbeenconfusedwhen
AstraalandHarrystartedtodate.ShehadthoughtthatHarryandJainawerealreadyanitemorclosetobeing
oneifallthesubtlesignalsbetweenthemwereanythingtogoby.Seeingthemnowonlyreinforcedherbelief
thattheybelongedtogetherandtherelationshipbetweenHarryandAstraalwouldn'tlast.Thetwowere
obviouslyinloveandshedoubtedanythingcouldchangethat.HarryandJainahadn'tbrokeneyecontactsince
heenteredandTenelKacouldfeelthesexualtensionbetweenthem.
Luckily,TahiriandJaceneitherdidn'tnoticeorignoreditbecausethelattersoonspoke(aftertakingasecondto
admireTenelKa'sform).
HeyYaya,saidJacen.WewereplanningongoingtotheUndercitytomorrowandseeingZekk.Wannacome
with?
HisuseofherchildhoodnamewokeherfromherlustfulstaringofHarryandittookamomenttoregisterwhat
hesaid.Onceitdid,asmilelitupherfaceandsheeagerlyagreed.
Anyoneelsewannago?askedJacentothegirls.
I'llgo,saidafamiliarfemininevoicebehindHarry.
Harryturnedaroundandsawhisgirlfriendstandingtherewithasmileinhernightwear.Shewaswearinga
sheer,blackspaghettistrapnightgownthatdidnothingtohidehervoluptuousfigure.Itonlyreachedherupper
thighssoitdidn'tblockhissightfromherbeautifulbluelegsthatwerejustassmoothastheylooked(hehad
checked).ShedidalittlespinwhenshesawHarrystaring.
Youlike?askedAstraalwithaseductivesmile.Harrygrinnedandnoddedwhichearnedhimakiss.
Jainawasunconsciouslyglaringatthegirlwhilegrippingherhairbrushsotightlythatshewasindangerof
breakingit.TenelKasentJainaasympatheticlook,understandingherpainathavingtheboyshelikesstaringat
anothergirl.Evenifthatgirlwashisofficialgirlfriend.
Wellthen,saidahappilyobliviousJacen.It'llbeme,Harry,Jaina,Lowie,TenelKaandAstraalthen.
Afteragreeingtoleaveat10am,theysaidtheirgoodnights.TherewasatensemomentwhenHarrysaid
goodnighttoJainabyunconsciouslygivingherakissonthecheekwhichshereturned.Theyseemedtorealize
whattheydidquicklyafterwardandblushedatthewaytheyhadsaidgoodnight.Itwassimilartohowamarried
couplewouldsaygoodnight.Luckily,AstraalhadbeensayinggoodnighttoJacenandhadherbacktothemat
thetimesoshehadn'tnoticed.AstraalgaveHarryagoodnightkissonthelipsbeforetheboyslefttoHarry's
room.
Oncetheyturnedoffthelightsandlyingintheirbeds,HarrystayedupthinkingofJainainhersleepwear.
Despitehavingseenherinhersleepwearbefore,thatwasthefirsttimehehadseenherinthatsleepwear.Harry
hadbeenextremelyarousedbythesightofherandbythelookinhereye,shehadbeenasarousedbythesight
ofhimashehadbeenbyher.Harrytriedtobanishsuchthoughtsandimaginedhisgirlfriendinhernightwear.
AstraalhadbeenextremelyarousinginhernightgownandHarrysmiledatthememory.
Despitehisbestefforts,Harrywenttosleepwiththeimageofabrownhairedgirlwithlong,beautifullegs
smilingathiminhishead.
Thenextday(10am)
HarryandJacenquicklygotchangedintoclothesthatwouldhelpthemfitinintheUndercity.Theyasked
AnakinifhewantedtocomewiththembuthedeclinedsayinghewouldspendthedayathomewithTahiri.The
twoboyswalkedtothetwins'roomwhereallthegirlsweregatheredtalking.
Astraalwasdressedinasleevelessgreenshirtthatdidn'tshowcleavage(shesaidthatshedidn'twanttoattract
toomuchattentionintheUndercity)aswellapairofbrownshorts.Shehadherlekkuunwrappedbuthada
headdressthatcoveredherchinandwentupwithtwostrapsgoingoverscalpinbetweenherlekku.TenelKa
hadherhairbraidedoncemoreandwaswearingaonepieceensemblethatlookedlikeshehadagreenleotard
underneathblackarmor.(1)
Jainawaswearingherusualexplorergear.Itconsistedofabrownshirt(whichHarrynoticedwastighterthan
thelasttimesheworeit)withshortsleeves,apairofbrownshortsandbrownboots.
HarrygaveAstraaltheirusualgoodmorningkissandthereforemissedtheflashofpainthatpassedJaina'sface
atseeingit.ShebrightenedwhenHarrysaidhelloandshenoticedthathiseyeslingeredonherfigureabit
longerthannormal.TenelKanoticedJaina'spreeningunderHarry'seyesandhidasmileofamusement.
Well,let'sgo,saidHarry.Everyonehadtakenalargebagwiththemjustincasethefoundsomething
interestinginthelowerlevels.
ThegrouptraveledquicklydownthelevelstowardtheUndercity.Longexperiencetravelingdowntheremadeit
easyfortheSoloraisedchildrentofindalltheshortcuts.Eventually,theyreachedtheUndercity.Theyentered
throughtheUscruEntertainmentDistrictandwerewalkingdownthestreetwhenHarrystopped.Jainaand
Astraalnoticedandthelatteraskedwhatwaswrong.
Nothing,IjustrememberedIwasgoingtovisitafriendandsincehe'sinthisdistrictImightaswelldoitnow,
explainedHarrycalmly.ThetruthwasthathiscontactwaswaitingforhimintheOutlanderClubandhedidn't
wantthemtocomesoasnottoblowhiscover.
Jainalookedsuspiciousathisexcusebuttheothersacceptedit.
CanIcomewithyou?askedAstraal.
Harryrubbedhisheadsheepishlybeforesaying,Youbetternot.Heworksinanotsoniceplaceforprettygirls
andifanyofyougirlsgoit'llcausetrouble.
Itwastruetoacertainextent.Anyofthegirlsbeautifullookswouldattractattentionandsincehewashavinga
clandestinemeetingwithhiscontact,hewouldliketoavoidthat.
Thenwhatarewegoingtodo?askedafrowningAstraal.Idon'tfeelcomfortableleavingyoutogooffalone.
Especiallywithwhathappenedlastmonth.
Don'tworry,saidHarryplacatingly.I'mjustgoingtomeetwithhim,sayhiandthenwe'llmeetupinour
usualplace,rightJayjay?
Jainawaslookingathimsuspiciously,somethingnotquiteaddingupabouthisexcuse.Shenodded,
rememberingtheirmeetingpointatZekk'shouse,andtoldtheothersasmuch.Astraalfrownedheavilybut
subsidedonceHarryassuredheritwasgoingtobequick.
Aftertheothersleft,Harrystretchedouthissensestobesuretheyhadn'ttriedtoshadowhim.Aftermakingsure
theyweregone,heturnedandwalkedintotheOutlanderClub.Itwouldn'tbeuntillaterthatJainawouldrealize
thatHarryhadn'tmetanyoldfriendsinordertopromisetomeetsincehegothereyesterday.
OutlanderClub
Harryenteredtheclubasifhehadbeentherehundredsoftimes,whichcoincidentlywasthetruth.Whenthe
twinswouldgooffexploringwithZekk,thiswouldbewhereHarrywouldgoandmeetnewpeopleandmake
contacts.Theplacehadn'tchangedatallitwasstillaroundcenterfloorfilledwithpeopletalkingloudlyover
themusicwithillegalgamblingandbettingareassurroundingit.
Aftersayinghitosomeofthelocalprostitutesthatheknewbynamefromhispreviousvisits.Heturnedthem
downgently,andreluctantlywhenapairofferedatwoforonespecial(girlfriendhemighthavebuthewasred
bloodedmale!),heturnedtoashadycornerknownforclandestinemeetings.Althoughitwaswellknownfor
justwhatHarrywasgoingtodo,itwasrespectedforjustthat.Toomanypeopletalkedaboutthingstheywould
ratherkeepquiettheretorisktattlingonothers'conversation.
Itwastherethathemethiscontact,apairofFalleennamedZuleXissandXad.Theyhadnevertoldhimtheir
pastbutfromcommentsthey'dmadeheguessedthatZuleusedtobeanoblebutwascastoutsoonaftershe
discoveredherForcepowers.SheneversaidthereasonwhyorwhyXadfollowedhereventhoughtheywere
clearlynotlovers.Zulewasgreenskinnedwithblackhairandblackeyesandabeautifulfigurethatcombined
withherabilitytocontrolherpheromonesandhermasteryofthemindtrick(completelyselftaught)madehera
verydangerousperson.However,thiswascounteredbythefactthatbeneathherfalsecruelexteriorshewasa
goodpersonwhowouldratherhelpapersonevenifitdidn'tbenefither.Thiswasprobablythereasonshewas
exiled.
Xadwasamanwholovedexploringandhadthecoldheartedcalculatingmindofhisspecies.However,hewas
aloyalanddependablecomradewhowouldratherdiethanbetrayafriend.ThiswasthereasonHarryprotected
themallthoseyearsago.
WhenHarrywas10,hehadfoundthebothofthembeingattackedbyneighborhoodgangwhodidn'tlikewhat
shehadbeendoing.Shehadbeenbuyingupalltheprostitutesintheareaandofferingfreeroomandboardas
longastheydidn'tcausetrouble.Theynolongerhadadailyquotatobeabletoeatbutiftheydidn'thelpwith
payments,theyhadtohelpasbartendersandwaitersinherbar.HerbarwascalledOuterHeavenandwas
locatedinthelevelbelowthisone.
Seeingthemabouttobeoverrunandfeelingasifheshouldhelpthem,hequicklyattackedtherivalgang
memberswithtelekinesis.ThesurpriseofhisattackfrombehindhelpedZuleandXadchangethetideagainst
theirenemiesandtheymanagedtokilleverysingleoneofthegangmembers.Theythankedhimforhishelp
andaskedifhewantedanythinginreturn(evenat10HarrycouldtellwhatexactlyZulemeantwhenshesaid
anything).Hesimplysaidnoandtoldthemitfeltrighttohelpthemsincetheyseemedlikegoodpeople.They
tookalikingtohimafterthatandhecouldoftenbeseenintheircompanyalongwithhisZeltronfriend
Esmeralda.
Whenhestartedtoplanhisspynetwork,heimmediatelythoughtofthem.Hehadcontactedthemthrougha
securelineandhadaskedfortheirhelpintheendeavor.Theyinstantlyagreed.Intheirlineofwork,theymet
manypeoplehighupinthefoodchain.Theywouldbeperfectasinformationbrokersandwouldkeeptheirears
tothegroundforanyinformationofunrestanywhereinthegalaxy.Afterall,unrestequalsunhappysenators
whichequalsthemtryingtorelievetheirunhappiness,usuallywithoneofZule'sprostitutes.Eachoneofthe
prostitutesinZule'scarehadbeensentthereonHarryrecommendation.Theywoulddoanythingheaskedas
thanksforsendingthemsomewheretheydidn'thavebeafraidofbeingrapedinthenight.
Heyahandsome,saidZulewithagenuinesmile.How'sJeditraininggoingforyou?
Prettygood,repliedHarryeasily.Thoughitdoescomewithhazards.
ZulefrownedrememberingHarryexplainingwhathappenedtohim.Zulehadakeensenseofhonorimpartedon
herfromXadandsheowedHarryadebtthatshewouldneverbeabletorepay.Notonlyforsavingherlifebut
forsendinghersomanygirlsandpromotingherbarwhenitwasstillyoung.Itwasthankstohimthatshewas
sosuccessful.
HarryadmiredZule'susualoutfitwiththeeyethatonlyahormonalteenagercouldgive.Shewaswearingonly
anarmoredbraandpantycombinationaswellasananklelengthpurpleskirtthathadslitsontheside,revealing
hergreenskinnedlegsthatwerenolessdelectableforbeinggreen.XadwaswearinghisusualMandalorian
armorthathehadstolenoffadeadMandalorianthathadbeencontractedtokillZule.Luckily,thearmorcould
bemodifiedtohissize.
Yeah,saidXadsemiangrily.IwishIcouldgivethatmanapieceofmymind.
Harrysmiledathisfriend'sprotectivenessandsaid,Idoubtitwouldhavemademuchdifference.The
differencebetweenmystrengthandhiswastoogreatatthetime.
Xadjustgrunted,acknowledgingthepointbutnotchanginghisfeelingsonthematter.
So,Harry,saidZulecasually,whatexactlywillbeingyourinformationbrokersinvolve?
Nothingdangerous,assuredHarry.Justkeepyourearstothegroundandsendanythingmeaningfulto
EsmeraldainZeltros.Sheknowshowtocontactmewithoutitarousingsuspicion.
Howexactlydidyoumanagethat?askedZuledisbelievingly.
Tradesecret,saidHarrywithasmile.
Zulejustlaughedandshookherheadathim.Verywell,youhaveadeal.Butwestillneedsometaozinnodules
inordertohidefromForceusers,saidZulefirmly.
Harryfrowned.Itwastrue.ThefactofthematterwasthatmanyofhisinformantsandcontactswereForce
sensitiveswhoweremostlyselftaught.Forcesensitivityhadn'tdisappearedwithPalpatine'srisetopowerbut
theyhadquicklylearnedthateithertheylearnedontheirownorbecametheEmpire'sslaves.Itwastooriskyto
findagoodteacherandiftheirabilitieswerediscoveredbytheEmpire,theywoulddisappear.Mostofthe
prostituteswereForcesensitivefemaleswhoranandhidfromtheEmpire'sinquisitors.Theyturnedto
prostitutionbecausereally,whowouldlookforaForcesensitiveinabrothel?
However,iftheyweregoingtoriskthemselvesinthisgame,theyneededawaytomovearoundundetected
fromthisman.TaozinnoduleswereoriginallyusedbytheInquisitoriustohuntdownJedibutitwouldbe
equallyasusefulforthemtohidefromtheman'sagentsastheylookedforinformationonhim.Theycould
easilyhidethemasamuletsorearringssinceanodulewasonlyasbigababy'sfist.
Okay,butwherewouldIfindsome?askedHarry.
Well,saidZuleconspiratorially.Iheardthereareseveralareasinthelowerlevels,nearwherethehiverats
gather,thatareinvisibleintheForce.Almostasifthefloorthereisn'tthere.Soundstomelikeaplaceworth
investigating.
Harrymulleditoverbeforeagreeing.Itwasworthinvestigating.Afterreceivingthelocations,Harrymadesmall
talkwiththetwo.Theytalkedaboutherbusiness,histravelsandanythingtheycouldthinkof.Anhourlater,
Harrysaidhisgoodbyesbeforepromisingtotakeasmanynodulesaspossiblelaterinthedaytoherbar.
Coruscantlowerlevels(Hiverats'nest)
IttookawhilebutHarryeventuallyfoundthehiverats'nest.HetriedtofindawayaroundthemtotheTaozin
websbuttheonlywaywasthroughthemiddleofthenest.
Probablyhowthetaozinsurvivedsolong,musedHarry.Theyusedthehiverats'nestasprotectionfromattack.
Luckily,HarryhadbroughthissecondarylightsaberswithhimintotheUndercity.Heneverleftanywhere
withoutthem.HebrieflythoughtofusinghisForcepowerstomakethemleavebutdismissedit.Firstly,beast
controlhadneverbeenaskillhehadpickedupeasily.ThatwasmoreJacen'sexpertise.Secondly,thiswastheir
nest.HedoubtedevenJacencouldgetthemtoleave.
Calculatingthebestplacetoland,heForcejumpedrightintothemiddleofthenestandjustmissedthe
appearanceofhisfriendscomingoutofthetunnelbehindhim.
Harryignitedhislightsabersashefellandcutintothespineoftheleaderofthehiveratsaslandedonhim.The
leaderwasbig,almost5meterslong,butHarryhadlandedonhisneckandhadcutoffhisheadquickly.
However,thedeathoftheirleadersenttheratsintoafrenzyofangerandtheyattackedhimenmasse.
HarryfellintohisLightningformandusedittolandprecisecutsandjabsontherats'spinesandvitalareas
ratherthanwasteenergycuttingthroughthem.Heeasilyfendedoffthehordeatfirstbutmiscalculatedhow
manytherewere.Foreveryonehekilled,twomoreappearedfromthenestsandhewasslowlybeingpushed
back.
Thankfully,hequicklyreceivedhelp.Withanamazoncry,Jainalandedonthebackofhiveratthatwas
sneakingbehindhimandusedhervioletbladetocutthroughitsspine.
Youcrazybastard!shoutedJainafuriously.I'mgoingtogiveyoutheworstbeatingofyourlifewhenweget
outofthis!
Harrygulpedinfearandwiselychosetostaysilent.Hebrieflywonderedifdyingatthehiverats'handswould
bepreferable.
Soonafterward,therestofhisfriendslandedaroundhimwiththeirlightsabersalit.Theyformedahalfcircle
withHarryatthecenter,JainatohisrightandAstraaltohisleft.OnelookfromAstraalwasenoughforHarryto
knowthatafterJainawasdone,shewasgoingtokillwhatwasleftofhim.Hewhimperedinfear.
ThegroupoffriendseasilycutthroughthehordewithHarry'sLightningstylekillingdozensatatime,Jaina
coolandprecisestyleeasilytearingthroughthemandAstraalduallightsabersmakingshortworkofany
stragglers.TheotherswerealsodoingtheirpartwithJacenusinghisBeastcontroltoconfusethemforeasy
kills,TenelKaeasilywaddingthroughthemwithherYuyoandLowieguardingTenelKa'sback.
Theysoonkilledofthemajorityoftheratsandtherestscattered,abandoningthenestfortheforeseeablefuture.
Toensuretheywouldn'tcomebackforawhile,HarryusedabitofForcelightningtosetthenestablaze.
Afterwards,hewasgrabbedbytheshoulderandturnedaroundtofacetheblazingeyesofJainaSolo.
Canyoupleaseexplaintomewhyyouseemtohaveadeathwish?!asked/screamedJaina.Youjusthealed
fromaneardeathexperienceamonthagoandnowyou'rewadingintohiveratsnests?!Areyouinsane?!
TheotherswerealsolookingatHarryindisapproval.Worsestillwasthattheyallhadthesameemotionthat
Jainahadbarelybeneathherveneerofanger:fear.Fearofhimdying,fearofhimgettinghurtagain.Hehadn't
realizedhowmuchhisneardeathexperiencehadaffectedthem.
I'msorry,skyprincess,mutteredHarryquietlysoonlyJainacouldhear.IthoughtIcouldhandlethem.
Unknowntohim,AstraalhadalsoheardhisnicknameforJaina.
Whywouldyouattackthemanyway?askedJainaconsiderablysofter.Theuseofhispersonalnicknamefor
heraftersolonghadtakenmostofthepowerfromherengines.
Iwastryingtogetthroughtothattunneloverthere,explainedHarrywhilepointingoutthetunnel.Itriedto
goaroundbuttherewasnootherway.
What'sdownthattunnelanyway?askedAstraalfrowning.
Aweboftaozinsifmyguessiscorrect,saidHarrygrimly.Ineedtocollectatleastahundrednodulesfor
somefriends.
WhatfriendswouldsendyoualoneagainstanestofhiveratsandaweboftaozinwhichImightremindyou
havenaturalshellarmorsimpervioustolightsabers?askedJainascathingly.Itwasobviousthatshewas
planningonmarchinguptohissocalledfriendsandgivingthemapieceofhermind,andprobablyapieceof
herlightsaber.
Theydidn'tknowIwouldgoalonebutIthoughtIcouldhandleit,saidHarrysheepishly.
You'renotinvincible,saidJacenquietly.Ithoughtyoulearnedthatamonthago.
Harryloweredhisheadatthetruthinthatstatement.Hehadbeenarroganttothinkhecouldtakeanestofover
200hiveratsaloneaswellaswebofprobably20taozinssoonafterwards.
Weareyourfriends,Harry,saidTenelKaquietly.Allyouneedtodoisaskifyouneedhelp.
ThismadeHarryfeelworsebecausehecouldhearthehurtinhervoicefromwhatsheperceivedwasalackof
trustonhispart.Shethoughtthathethoughttheycouldn'thandlethemselvesandsohadexcludedthem.Lowie's
silencetoldhimhehadthoughtthesame.
You'reright,saidHarryquietly.Forgiveme.
Hisfriends'eyessoftenedathisapologythoughtheywerestillangry.Jainasighedangrilybeforelookingat
Harrywithadeterminedglintinhereyes.
Well,areyougoingtotelluswhyyouneed100taozinnodules?askedJaina.Despiteitbeingphrasedasa
question,Harryknewsheexpectedagoodanswerforhisinsanity.
Takingadeepbreath,HarryexplainedhisbuildingaspynetworkusingfriendshehadmadeintheUndercity.
HeexplainedhowheneededthetaozinnodulestomakeamuletsthatwouldhidehisspiesfromMarrish'seyes.
ThefriendstookthisinquietlybeforeAstraalspoke.
Whydidn'tyoujusttellusthis?askedAstraalinahurttone.Didn'tyoutrustus?
No,itwasn'tthat!deniedHarryfuriously.Ijustdidn'twantyoutargetedifsomeonewantedtoget
informationonmyspynetwork.Iwasgoingtotellyouguysafteritwasupandrunning.
Thegroupacceptedhisexplanationbutwerestillunhappywithhiskeepingitasecret.TenelKastartedtowalk
towardthetunnelleadingtothetaozinwebs.Whenshedidn'tsensetheothersfollowingher,sheturnedtoward
them.
Well?Ourfriendneedshelpsolet'sgohelphim,statedTenelKaplainly.
Harrysmiledatherloyalty.Shehadquicklyforgivenhimforkeepingasecretandwasnowdeterminedtohelp
him.Theothernoddedinagreementandtogether,thegroupwalkeddownthetunneltowardtheTaozinwebs.
Coruscantlowerlevels(NearTaozinWebs)
ThegroupwasapproachingwheretheysensedanabsenceintheForce.Jainahadexplainedthattheyhadleft
ZekkathishomewhenJainasensedHarrygoingtowarddanger.JacenfurtherexplainedthatshehadleftZekk
midsentence,screamingthatshewasgoingtokillHarryforgoingtowarddanger.Theothershadfollowedafter
hearingthat,tellingZekkthattheywouldbeback.
Asthegroupgotclosertothewebs,theystartedmakingaplantotakethetaozinsdown.Anadulttaozinwas
around18meterslongifnotlonger.Theirshellswereimpervioustolightsaberssotheycouldn'tjustattacktillit
wasdead.Theironlychancewastoattackthesoftunderbelly.Knowingthis,theymadeplansinordertobeable
toflipitandquicklyattackthebrainbeforeitcouldretaliate.Theonlyunknownwaswhethertheothertaozin
woulddefendtheonebeingattackedorwouldonlyattackoncetheywerebeingattacked.
HarryandJainahadunconsciouslytakentheiroldsetupofbeingsidebysidewhilepreparingforthefight.They
hadalwaysworkedtogetherseamlesslywhentheyhadtodefendthemselvesinthelowerlevelsandsofellback
onitnow.AstraalmadeupthethirdmemberoftheirteamwithJacen,TenelKaandLowiebeingthesecond
team.Eachteamwouldtakeononetaozinatatimewhileworkingtogethertoensurenonewasoverwhelmed.
Havingneverfoughtataozinbefore,theywouldhavetoimproviseduringthebattle.
We'reclose,whisperedHarry.BeingtheonewiththesharpestsensesmadeHarrytheunofficialscoutofthe
group.Iseeone.
Theotherssoonsawitaswell.Itwashuge,beingatleast20meterslongandrestingverticallyagainsthisweb.
Themistsoonclearedshowingdozensifnotahundredofthecreatureseverywhere.Thecavernwheretheyhad
theirwebswasabowllikeareaalmost1000metersacross.Harrycouldn'tseewellinthedarknessbuthe
suspectedthatinthecenterofthecaverntherewasagiantholeandtherewerefurthertaozinsdeeperinsideit.
Ithinktherearemorethanenough,Harry,quippedAstraal.
Weshouldleaveatleast20torepopulatefornexttime,musedHarryquietly.Idon'tknowhowthey
reproducebutIimagineittakesawhiletorecoverfromthatkindofloss.
Obviously,whisperedJainadryly.Canwemanagetokillalmost70ofthem?
Neverknowuntilwetry,saidJacenquietly.PlusthesethingsaredangeroustoallForcesensitives.They're
mostofthereasonsolittleForcesensitivesappearfromtheUndercity.UntrainedForcesensitivesdon't
understandwhytheyfeelanabsenceintheForceandsothinkthere'snodanger.Whenit'stheexactopposite.
Yes,whisperedTenelKa.WewillbedoingCoruscantafavor.
Lowiegaveashortbarkofagreement.
Okthen,pickyourtargets,whisperedHarry.Oncethetwoteamshadpickedatarget,theyattacked.
Harry'steam
Harryhadbeenchosenasthedistractionsoheattackedheadon.Helandedonthetaozin'sshellandstruckout
withhisicebluelightsabertowardthetaozin'ssoleeye.Thetaozinletoutaloudscreechatbeingblindand
lifteditselfupoffthewebbing.ThatwasamistakeonitspartbecauseAstraalandJainaquicklytookadvantage
toattackitssoftunderbellywhereitsbrainwaslocated.Itsscreechdiedoffinstantlyanditfelldowndead.
Harryplacedatrackeronthecorpsesohewouldn'tforgettocollectitsnodulesaswellasmarktheonesthatare
actuallydeadandnotplayingdead.Afterall,oneadulttaozincouldhaveasmanyas20nodules.Asforwhyhe
wascarryingaroundtrackers...hewasraisedbyMaraJade,enoughsaid.
Theyquicklymovedtoanothertaozinintheoppositedirectionoftheotherteam.Theothertaozinshadbeen
alertedbythefirstone'sdyingscreechandwerenowbearingdownonthem.Seeingthemcomingtowardthem,
Harrysuddenlyhadanidea.Harryconcentratedandusedhisshatterpointabilitytoseetheweakspotinthe
creaturesshell.Findingitrightabovethecreaturesbrain,Harrysmiledattheirony.
Hequicklyjumpedontothecreatures'head,usedtheForcetostayonitsheadandusedtheForcetoshatterits
weakpoint.Healsocausedittoshatterinwardstowardthebrain.Theeffectwasinstantaneous,thecreaturefell
overdeadbyapuncturedbrain.Thegirlsweresurprisedathoweasilyhetookitdownbutshookitoffand
attackedanotherasHarryplacedatrackeronthecorpse.
Itseemedthatthetaozinsontheupperlevelhaddecidedtoattacktheintrudersenmasse.Harrysentastrong
burstofForcelightningatagroupofthreethatwascomingupbehindthegirlsanditstunnedthem.Harrysenta
strongerburstandhelditcausingthethreetofalldowndead.Harrysuddenlyrealizedheshouldn'tdothatsince
itprobablyruinedthenodules.Growlingathismistake,hewenttohelpthegirlswiththethirdtarget.
Jacen'sgroup
Jacen'sgroupwasn'thavingasmuchluckasHarry's.Noneofthethreewereusedtofightingsomethingthatwas
invisibleintheForcesotheyhadrelyontheireyesandears.Luckily,HarryhadrecentlyinsistedthatTenelKa
traininusingjusthereyesandearstolocateanenemy.Shehadjuststartedbutitwasenoughtogiveheran
edgeovertheothersinthissituation.
Therefore,shetookthefrontlineinfightingthecreature.SheusedeverybitofhertraininginYuyotoattackat
thecreaturefromallanglesandcuttingoffitsarmsandlegsadozenatatime.Soon,withLowie'shelp,itdidn't
haveanyandJacenflippeditwiththeForcebeforestrikingitinitsbrain,killingit.
Areyouokay?askedTenelKahesitantly.SheknewthatkillinganimalswasanathematoJacenanditmustbe
takingitstollonhim.
Yea,saidJacenquietly.It'sinvisibleintheForcesoitseasier.ItalsohelpsthatthesethingspreyonForce
sensitives.
TenelKahesitantlynoddedbeforesensingmoreapproaching.Sheturnedtoseethreemoreattackingandshe
chargedwithLowieandJacenatherside.TenelKaquicklyblindedthecenteronewithheryellowbladebefore
doingthesametotheothertwo.Lowieusedtheforcetoenhancehisstrengthandpunchthefloorcausinga
tremorthat(withJacen'shelp)flippedthetaozinonitsback.Hethenpierceditsbrainwithhisbronzebladed
lightsaber.JacenhadalreadykilledthesecondwhichleftthethirdtoTenelKa.
Asshekilledit,shebrieflymusedthatthiswasgoodtraining.
Twohourslater
Thegrouphadmanagedtokillover80ofthembeforethesurvivorsretreateddeeperintotheirwebs.Harry
madeamentalnotetotellZuletowarnpeopleawayfromthisarea.Anyoneuntrainedwouldhavebeenkilled
bythecreatures.Whoknowshowmanythereweredeeperinthewebs?Probablyoverathousand.Harry
shudderedatthethoughtandmadeamentalnotetosomedaycomeandexterminatetherest.Theyreallywerea
menace.
Theythenmadetheslowprocessofcollectingthemanynodulesfromthedeadtaozin.Attheend,Harryhad
over1,600nodulescollected.Hegiddilyplacedthemeachpersonbagandgleefullytoldthemthiswouldmake
himrich.ThegirlshadtoabandonsomethingstheyhadinthepacksbutHarrypromisedtotakethemshopping
afterthis.AstraalandTenelKasmiledhappilyatthatwhileJainajustfrowned.
Youhaveabitofslimeinyourhair,saidHarryamusedly.Jainatriedtoremoveitonlytomakeitworse.
Here,letme.
Harrycarefullyremovedtheslimeasgentlyaspossible.Afterhewasdone,hewasalmostnosetonosewith
Jaina.HarryandJainafrozeattheproximity.Theystartedtobreathheavilyanddesireroseinsidethem.Despite
Jainabeingcoveredintaozininnards,Harrywantedtotakeherintohisarmsandjustkissheruncontrollably.
Hey,youguysreadytoleave?askedAstraalcuriously,havingmissedthebyplaybetweenthemdueto
complainingwithTenelKaabouttheslimereachingintoareasthatshouldn'tbetouchedbyit.
Thesoundofhisgirlfriend'svoicecutthroughHarry'sdesireandhetookastepback.Hecouldclearlyseethe
disappointmentinJaina'seyesandhealmostkissedhertomakeitgoaway.Heremindedhimselfthathehada
girlfriendanditwasn'tJaina.Ignoringtheyearninginhisheart,HarrysmiledatJainabeforetellingAstraalthey
wereready.
AstheyleftbacktowardOuterHeaven,hetriedtoforgetthehurtlookonJaina'sfacewhenhehadstepped
back.
OuterHeaven
ThegroupreachedZule'sbarwithouttroubleandenteredtiredly.SeeingHarry,oneofthewaitresses,aKiffar
girltwoyearsolderthanHarrynamedBrea,yelledoutagreeting.Shehadacurvybodywhichwasamustin
herpreviousoccupationasaprostitutealongwithblackhairandgreeneyes.
Hey,Harry!yelledoutBreajoyfully.Berightthere,givemeasec!
BreawaswearingherwaitressoutfitofalongblackskirtthatreachedherkneesandagreenshirtwiththeOuter
Heavenlogoontheleftbreast.Thelogowasoneofaneyewithtwowingsontheside.
HarrysatdownatalargetablewithhisfriendssotheycouldrestwhileBreafinished.Ashewaited,manyofthe
girlsworkingtheregreetedHarryhappily.JainaandAstraalwereconfusedandalittleirritatedthatHarryknew
somanybeautifulwomen.JacenjustlookedatHarryinawewhileTenelKajustshookherheadamusedly.
Lowiejustchuckled.
What?askedHarryinnocently.
Don't'what'me,Harry,saidJainaangrily.Areallthesegirlsallreallyformer..youknow?
Yes,saidHarrygrimly.MostareorphansfromtheEmpire'sregime.Unlikeme,theydidn'tgetaslucky.SoI
decidedtohelpthemout.
Theothersjustshooktheirheadathisselflessness.ThetwinsknewthatHarryhadfriendsdownherebutthey
neverimaginedhehadthismany.TheywaitedforafewminutesbeforeBreamovedtotheirtablewithabright
smileonherface.
HeyHarry,saidBreabrightlyasshesatinanemptyseat.Howhaveyoubeen?Ihaven'tseenyouinages!
Youknowhowitis,saidHarrywithasmile.TrainingtobeaJedi,missionsand...otherstuff.Beentoobusy
toeventakeamomentformyself!
Icanimagine,saidBrea.CanIseeyourlightsaber?
TheotherswereconfusedatheroddrequestbutHarryjustsmiledandhandedoverhisvioletlightsaber.Brea
tookitinherhandandconcentratedwhileclosinghereyes.TheotherssuddenlysensedherusingtheForceand
staredather.Afteramoment,sheopenedhereyesandglaredatHarryaccusingly.
Youarebeyondreckless,Harry,admonishedBrea.Goingafteranobviouslysuperioropponentbyyourself.
It'sawonderyou'restillalive!
TheotherweregobsmackedatherknowledgeofwhathappenedtoHarryamonthagojustbytouchingoneof
hislightsabers.Harryjustrubbedthebackofhisheadsheepishly.
Inmydefense,saidHarry.Astraalwasindanger.YouknowhowprotectiveIamaboutmyfriends.
Brea'sfacesoftenedatthat.
Yes,saidBreasoftly.Iremember.YoucametomeofferingmeaplacehereandIdidn'tbelieveyouatfirst.I
thoughtyouwerelikeallmenandjustwantedafreeride.Then,somementriedtorapeafewdayslaterandyou
appearedlikeavengefulangelanddefendedme.I'llalwaysbethankful.
Harryjustwaveditoffandsaid,Anyonewouldhavedonethesame.
Breasmiledbitterlyandresponded,No,Harry.Theywouldn'thave.EvenJediforgetaboutushereinthe
Undercity.Youneverhave.
Harryjustblushedatthepraise.Meanwhile,theotherslookedslightlyashamed.Itwastrueinasense.Theyhad
nevergiventhepeopleoftheUndercityasecondthought.Theythoughtthatthepeopleherewereherebecause
theywereallcriminals.Itneveroccurredtothemthattheremightbepeoplewhoarenotherebychoice.
Whatwasthatyoujustdid?askedJacencuriously.Withhislightsaber?
It'sarareabilityofmypeople,theKiffar,explainedBreapatiently.It'scalledpsychometry.It'samental
techniqueofpickingupimpressionsandtracesofinformationabouttheobjectbeingtouchedandtheeventsthat
havesurroundedit.Thispowerallowstheusertovieweventsasiftheywerethere,includingthesights,sounds,
andfeelings,bothemotionalandphysical,thatthewielderoftheobjectexperienced.It'sagoodtrackingability
andmanyusershavebeenKiffuGuardiansduetoit.IhavehaditforaslongasIremember.
TheotherswereimpressedbytheabilityandJacensaidso.
Canyouteachittoothers?askedJaceneagerly.
Breafrownedbeforesaying,YesbutIwon't.
Whynot?askedaputoutJacen.
Becauseyoufeeleverythingthathappenedaroundtheobjectincludingthedeathsitinflicted,saidBreafirmly.
I'llonlyteachtosomeonewhohasastrongcontrolofhisemotionssohewon'tbeindangeroflosinghimself
tothestrongemotions.
Jacenlookedslightlymoreunderstandingbutstilllookedannoyed.HarryfrownedatJacen'sreaction.He
understoodbeingcurious,hewasatfirsttoo,butsomepowersaren'ttaughtrightawayforareason.Thisone
wasespeciallydangerousduetoitbeingabletodriveweakwilledpeopleinsane.
Anyway,saidBrea.Didyougetthenodules?
Harrynoddedbeforeopeninghisbagandshowingittoher.
BytheForce!exclaimedasurprisedBrea.Isawthattheywerealotbutthisiswaymorethanweneed.
Thentake1,000now,saidHarry.I'llkeeptherestandhaveZulegivethemtoeveryonewho'sgoingtohelp
meandisForcesensitive.
Okay.Let'sgotothebackroom,saidBrea.
ThegroupgotupandfollowedBreaintobackroom.Itwasasmalllivingroomareathatcurrentlyhadonlytwo
occupants:aMiralukawomanaround40yearsoldandaMiralukagirlaboutTahiri'sage.
HelloHarry,saidthewomanwithasmile.Isawyouweregoingtocometoday.
Harrylaughedattheirony.Q'Anilia'sForcesightandfarseeingwereamongstthegreatestHarryhadseen.She
probablyknewthetimehewouldappeardowntothelastsecond.
UncleHarry!yelledoutthegirljoyfully.SherantowardHarryandproceededtohughislegbeforeexcitedly
tellingeverythingthathappenedsincehelastvisited.
Aftercalmingthegirldown,heturnedtoQ'Aniliaandasked,UsuallyyouwaittillI'mdonewithmybusiness
beforeappearing.Issomethingthematter?
Q'Aniliasighedbeforeexplaining,Yes,IneedtospeaktoyouaboutlittleVisas'sfuture.Privately.
Harryturnedtohisfriendsbeforesaying,GiveBrea1,000nodulesandkeeptherest.Youguyscantake20
eachforyourselvesifyouwant.IneedtotalktoQ'Anilia.
AfteragreeingwithHarry,thegroupturnedtoatableinthefarcornerwhereBreawaswaiting.Q'Aniliatold
Visastogowiththemandthegirlagreedhappily.Shewascuriousaboutthewookiesincetheywererareinthe
Undercity.HarryturnedtoQ'Aniliabeforesittingdownintheseatinfrontofher.
What'shappened?askedHarrygrimly.
SomeonehasrealizedVisas'sForcepotentialandIfeartheywilltryandtakehersoon,saidQ'Aniliagrimly.
Surelytheywon'tdaretotrytotakeherfromthisplace,right?saidHarrydoubtfully.Thisplacecantakean
attackfromaplatoonofstormtroopersandgivejustasgoodback!
Maybe,concededQ'Anilia.Buttheyknowwhereweliveandwecan'tstayhereforever.
Harryrealizedtheproblem.Q'Aniliadidn'tliveinthebarbutinanapartmentinlevelabovethisone.Ifthe
peopleknewwheretheylived...
Whoisitthatwantsher?askedHarry.
TheShadowAcademy,saidQ'Aniliamournfully.
They'rehere?!InCoruscant?askedashockedHarry.
Yes,saidQ'Aniliagrimly.Theyarrivedaweekagoandhavealreadytakenmanyorphanswhethertheyare
Forcesensitiveornot.Theythinknoonewouldnotice.
They'rehalfright,mutteredHarry.BeforeHarryarrived,noonewouldhavenoticeduntilitwastoolate.But
HarryhadhelpedfoundOuterHeavenanditwasahavenfororphansintheUndercity.Notallorphanscame
(Zekkbeingaprimeexample)butsomedid.Eveniftheyrefused,Zulekeptaneyeonalltheorphansinthe
area.
So,whatdoyouwantmetodo?askedHarry.
IwantyoutotakehertoyourPraxeumandtrainhertobeaJedi,saidQ'Anilia.
Harrywasgobsmacked.ForaslongasHarryhadknownher,shehadalwaysrefusedtosendVisastothe
Praxeum.Shestatedthatshedidn'ttrustthemasfarasshecouldthrowthem.
Whythechangeofheart?askedHarry.Ithoughtyoudidn'ttrustthem?
AndIdon't,statedQ'Aniliafirmly.ButItrustyou.FromwhatI'veseen,you'llbeaKnightsoonandIwant
youtotakeVisasasyourapprentice.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutbeskeptical.Areyousure?It'srareforsomeonetobeaKnightsoyoung.
Butyouwillbe,statedQ'Aniliafirmly.Pleasedothisforme,Harry.ItrustnooneelseandIcan'tbearto
loseVisastothosepeople.
Harrymulleditoverbutattheendheaccepted.Heknewthathecouldn'trefuseher.Shehadhelpedhimmany
timesandhadevenacceptedtheroleasspymasterofhisnetworkhereinCoruscant.Hetrustedherimplicitlyso
hewoulddoherthisfavor.ShehadsearchedhimwhenhefirststartedexploringtheUndercityandhadhelped
himcontrolhisownForcesight.Heowedhergreatly.
Okay,concededHarry.She'llbemyapprenticeassoonasI'maKnight.
Thankyou,Harry,saidQ'Aniliasincerely.Youdon'tknowhowthankfulIam.
Whataboutyou?saidHarryfrowning.Howwillyouevadethem?
Theydon'twantanoldwomanlikeme,saidQ'Aniliadismissively.Theywantpeopletheycanmoldand
twisttotheirwayofthinking.I'mtoooldandblindtodothisto.Eitherway,I'mstayinginhereforamonth.By
then,they'llbegone.
Thencan'tVisasdothesame?askedHarryconfusedly.
No,becauseiftheyknowshe'sherethey'llcomebackforher,saidQ'Anilia.Visasisalmostaspowerfulas
youwereatherage.Theywouldnotlethergo.
Harryconcededthepoint.Visashadalwayshadextraordinarypotential.Whenhefirstmetthegirlwhenhewas
10andshewas7,hecouldfeeltheForceleavingherinwaves.Hewonderedifhehadbeenthesameatherage
beforedismissingit.
Okaythen,saidHarry.She'llcomewithme.When?
Today,statedQ'Aniliainasofttone.Ifnot,they'lltakehertonight.
HarryjustbowedtohersuperiorSight.Shewouldknowafterall.
I'llletyouexplainthen,saidHarrysoftly.HegotupbeforegoingtoVisasandtellingherhathermother
wantedtotalktoher.Visascheerfullysaid,Okay,beforegoingtohermother.
Afewminuteslater,twelveyearoldVisaswasstandingsadlyatHarry'sside.ShewasholdingHarry'shandina
deathgripandwaslookingaroundscared.ShehadneverlefttheUndercityinherwholelife.Theonlyreason
shedaredwasbecauseherUncleHarrywaswithherandhermothersaiditwasherdestiny.ShetrustedHarry
completelyandknewhermotheronlysentherbecauseshehadnootherchoice.Q'Aniliahadleftaminuteago,
notbeingabletobeartosayalonggoodbyewithoutitbreakingherheart.
Well,wehavemorethanenough,commentedBreahappily.I'llplacethemintheprivatesafeandZulewill
makesurethey'returnedtoearringsandamulets.I'lltakeonetomakemyamulet.
Okay,then,saidHarry.Becareful,Brea.Thisguyisn'tsomeminorleagueidiot.He'llkillyouifhefindsout
aboutyou.
Iknow,don'tworry,assuredBrea.I'mnotrecklesslikeyou.Iknowmylimits.PlusI'velearnedtousethis.
AtthisBreatookoutanelectroswordfromasheaththatwasstrappedtoherthighunderneathherskirt.
Sheswungitaroundwiththehandofanexpert,showingthatshewasn'tanamateur.
Idon'tknowifit'llstanduptoalightsaber,saidBreathoughtfully.Butit'llcertainlyhelpmehandleanyone
whodoesn'tunderstandnomeansno.EspeciallythatShadowAcademy.
What?askedasurprisedJaina.TheShadowAcademyishere?
Yea,saidHarrygrimly.That'swhyVasisiscomingwithme.Hermother'sabilitywithfarseeingisthebest
I'veeverseenandshesawthemcomingforVasisifshestayed.
They'vebeenkidnappingorphans,continuedBreagrimly.WhethertheyhaveForcepotentialornot.
That'shorrible,saidAstraalgrimly.WeshouldtellHanandLeia.
Theywon'tbeabletodoanything,counteredHarrygently.TheCoruscantipolicedon'treallycarewhat
happenstopeopledownhere.
Theothersexchangedgrimlookatthetruthofthatstatement.Despitewhattheywished,theyknewthatthe
peopleofthisregionwereontheirownuntiltheymanagedtofindouthowtheShadowAcademywasstaging
kidnappings.TheonlywaythatwouldbeviablewouldbeiftheAcademywascloseby.
Well,let'sgovisitZekksaidHarryinahappiertone.Ihaven'tseenhimyetandwecanwarnhimabout
ShadowAcademy.Twowombatswithoneshot.
Theothersagreedandaftersayingtheirgoodbyes(VisaswasespeciallytearfulinhergoodbyetoBrea),the
groupleftOuterHeaventowardZekk'shouse.
ZekkandPeckhum'shouse,MidlevelCoruscant
Thegroupof7quicklyreachedZekk'splacewheretheyfoundtheaforementionedboytalkingenthusiastically
withPeckhum,a50yearoldmanwithgrayhairthathadtakenZekkunderhiswing.Theyturnedwhenthey
heardthegrouparrive.
HeyJaina!saidZekkhappily.Whattookyouguyssolong?
Youwouldn'tbelieveitifItoldyou,saidJainaamusedly.
HeyZekk,greetedHarry.Howyoubeen?
Ohhey,Harry,saidZekkinanoticeablylessenthusiasticvoice.I'vebeengood.Howaboutyou?
Youknowhowitis,saidHarry.Tryingtosurvive.Didtheseguystellyouwhathappenedtomelastmonth?
ZekkhadanintriguedlookonhisfaceandshookhisheadatHarry'squestion.Withthat,Harrylaunchedinto
thestoryofhisneardeathonAlmas.Zekkwasenrapturedandslightlyjealousthataboyayearyoungerthan
himwashavingsuchawesomeadventures.FrombesideHarry,Visaslookedequallyasfascinatedather
UncleHarry'sadventuresandwassecretlyhappythatsuchanawesomeJediwouldbehermaster.After
Harrywasdone,Zekkshookhisheadatthestory.
YougetintomoretroublethananyoneI'veevermet,mockedZekkgoodnaturedly.
Hey!saidHarryinamockaffrontedtone.Ihaveyouknowit'snotmyfault.Fatehatesme.IthinkIstoleher
underwear.
HarryandZekkfelldownlaughingathisjoke.Despitethetensionthatwasbetweenthemduetotheirshared
attractiontoJaina,theywerestillgoodfriends.Harrycouldhonestlysayhe'dmissedtalkingtotheboy.Hehad
ahardlifelikeHarryhadhadbeforehemettheSolos.TheonlyreasonZekkhadn'tjoinedthefamilywas
becausehewastoostubborntoaskforhelp.PlushesaidhehadPeckhumsothatwasenoughforhim.
Boys,saidAstraalhalfexasperated,halfamused.Jaina,TenelKaandevenVisasagreedwithAstraal's
comment.
Thegroupstartedtalkingandsharingstories.ZekkandJacentoldHarryhowtheyhadmanagedtoconvincea
hawkbattogivethemoneofitseggs.TheyalsotoldhimhowtheyranintotheLostOnesontheirwayback.
Harryfrownedatthementionofthegangofdeliquents.
Harryneverlikedthegang,mostlybecausewhenOuterHeavenwasjustgettingoffthegroundtheytriedto
marktheplaceaspartoftheirterritory.Needlesstosay,ZuleandXadtookthatideaoutoftheirminds
quickly.PartofHarrypitiedthembecausetheyweremadeupofkidswhowereabandonedororphanedbytheir
parents.However,Harryknewthatafewwerekickedoutoftheirhouseduetotheirjuvenilebehavior.Whilehe
didn'tagreewiththrowingoutyourkids,heunderstoodthattheyneededtobepunishedtomakethemchange
theirways.However,theganghadbeengettingworselately.Theyweregoingsofarastrytoassaultpeoplein
theUndercityforcredits.Harryknewthatsomedaytheywouldgetovertheirheadsandtheywouldhavenoone
toblamebutthemselves.
JainahadbeenwatchingbothZekkandHarryastheytalked.DespitewhatJacenandtheothersthought,she
wasn'tblind.SheknewthatHarryandZekkhadn'tgottenalongthatwellduetofightingoverher.However,now
theytalkedasiftheywereoldfriends.Jainapreferreditwhentheyfoughtoverher.Thiscamaraderieonly
emphasizedthefactthatHarrywasgettingoverherandthathurther.Suddenly,shehadanidea.
Hey,Zekk,interruptedJaina.
ZekkturnedtoJainaandasked,Yea?
WouldyouliketocomewithmetothediplomaticbanquetintheImperialPalaceintwodays?askedJaina
whilekeepinganeyeonHarry'sreaction.
Likeadate?askedZekkinahopefultone.
Sure,sinceHarry'sgoingwithhisgirlfriend,Astraal,hereandJacen'stakingTenelKa,youcanbemydate,
saidJaina.SheforcefullysuppressedherguiltforusingZekkinthismanner.
WhileHarry'sfaceremainedcarefullyblank,Jainacouldfeelthroughtheirbondastrongsenseofjealousyand
hurtattheideaofJainagoingwithZekk.JainafeltathrillofvictoryatthefactthatHarrystillfeltpossessiveof
herandimmediatelythoughtofwhattowheretothebanquettogarnerHarry'sattention.
Yea!saidZekkhappily.I'llgobuynewclothestomorrowsoIcanlookmybest.
HarryforcedasmileonhisfacethatonlyJainaknewwasslightlyforcedbeforesaying,IfyouwantIcancome
withyouandhelpyoupickoutyourclothes.Ourprotocoldroidissuchaovergrownnannyandwouldpickupa
fussifyouworesomethinghethoughtwasinappropriatewhichisthesamethingascomfortableinhis
mind.
ZekkthankedHarryforthehelpandtheymadeplanstogoshoppingforclothestomorrow.Theythankfully
managedtoavoidhavingAstraalgowiththem.Theyinstinctivelyknewthatifshecametheywouldbethereall
day.Thegirlsdecidedtogobythemselvestoclothesshop.AlthoughJainadidn'treallylikeit,sheknewthatshe
wouldneedsomethinggoodforthebanquet.Sheprivatelythoughtthatshewantedsomethingthatwouldturn
Harry'sheadandmakesureshewasthecenterofhisattention.
Fromtheside,TenelKastaredatJainaindisapproval.Itwasn'thardtoseewhyshehadinvitedZekkonadate
tothebanquet.ShewantedtomakeHarryjealous.ItwasworkingbutTenelKadisapprovedofheridea.She
wasusingZekktogetHarry'sattentionandhewouldonlywinduphurtbecauseofit.
Thegrouptalkedabitmoretomakearrangementsfortomorrowandthenextdaybeforedepartingtowardthe
Solo'sresidence.Astheywalkedback,HarryleftVisastalkingtoLowieandAstraaltalkingtoTenelKatowalk
besideJainawhowastakinguptherearalone.
So,saidHarryinwhatheprobablythoughtwasacasualtone.YouandZekk?
Yea,saidJainawhileavoidingHarry'seyes.He'sniceandhandsome.We'dbeagoodmatch,don'tyou
think?
Harryfisttightenedandhesaid,Idon'tknow.Iimaginedyouwithsomeonedifferent.Someonewhocould
keepupwithyou.
Likewho?askedJainalookingatHarryintheeye.
Thetwolookedateachotherforaminute,thesexualtensionbetweenthemrising.Theydidn'tevennoticethey
weregettingclosertoeachotherorthatatsomepointtheystartedholdinghands.Theysnappedoutofitwhen
theyheardAstraalloudlycomplainaboutdoingtoomuchworkwhilethey'resupposedtobeonvacation.They
stoppedholdinghandsabruptlybutcontinuedtowalkinsilence.
Well,saidHarryforcingasmile.Ifhe'swhatyouwantthenI'mhappyforyou.
Areyoureally?askedJainawhilelookinghimintheeye.
Harrydidn'tanswerandjustquickenedhisstepstillhewasbesideVisasagain.JainastaredatHarry'sback
beforequietlysayingtoherself.
WhatIwantisyou,mylove,mutteredJaina.
Hercommentwentunheardbyallastheywalkedbackhome.
EndNotes:
Notes

1.
LookupTenelKaDjoinyahooimages.It'llbethesecondimagefromupto
down.

AN:Well,there'schapter13!

YoumetacastofnewcharactersthatwillmostlyonlyinteractwithHarrysince
they'rehisspiesandinformants.YoualsomethisfutureapprenticeVisaswhowill
becomemoreimportantasthestorydevelops.

Youalsosawthatdespitesupposedlymovingon,HarryandJainaarestillvery
muchinloveandthetensionbetweenthemwillonlygetworseastheygrowup.
Theywillhaveafewfailedrelationshipsbeforerealizingthattheywantnoonebut
eachother.TheneedtoescapethetensionisoneofthereasonsthatHarryleaves
withAstraalandVisasonthequesttodiscoverhisoriginsaftertheShadow
Academyarc.

Ihopeyoulikedthefightingsequenceagainstthetaozin.Ialwayswonderedwhy
theauthorsdidn'tmentionthecreaturesmore.Afterall,they'reperfecttraining
forJedibecausetheyhavetorelyonsomethingotherthantheForcetofightthem
duetothembeinginvisibleintheForce.Theamuletsmadeoftaozinnodulesare
importantforHarry'sagentsbecauseMarrish'sagentsareallmostlyForce
sensitiveaswell.They'realsobettertrainedthanHarry'ssotheyhavetoflyunder
theradar.Theyneedtoblendinsincethey'renotfighters.

Justtoexplain,taozinnodulescreateafieldaroundyouthatmakesitseemasif
you'renotthereintheForce.WhenZulesaidthattherewasaplacethatwas
invisibleintheForce,shemeantthattherewereseriouslackofbuildingsand
walkwayswherethereweresupposedtobebuildingsandwalkways.Therefore,by
processofeliminationithadtobeataozinweb.

ReadandReview!
Backtoindex
ConclusionoffeelingsandkidnappingbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter14
Harrywascurrentlygettingdressedforthebanquetthatwasinafewhours.Hewasgoingtowearapairof
blackdresspantswithblack(anduncomfortable)dressshoes.Healsohadaemeraldgreenlongsleeveddress
shirtwiththetoptwobuttonsundoneandablacksuitoverit.Hehadthesuitopensohewouldn'tsuffocate.
BothJacenandZekkhadsimilarensemblesalthoughJacen'sshirtwasredwhileZekk'swasblue.Sinceboth
HarryandZekkhadsimilarcoloreyes,theyhadtossedacointodecidewhichonewouldwheretheemerald
greenshirt.HarrywonthetossandZekkgotablueversionoftheshirt.Anakin'swasthesimplewhiteversion.
Yesterdayhadbeenanexhaustingdayfortheboys.Despitetheirbestefforts,thegirlsstillmanagedtotrack
themdownwhiletheywereshopping(stupidtwinForcebond!)andconvincedthemtobetheirpackmules.
EvenJainaandTenelKahadbeeninonit!Theplussidewasthattheygottoseethethreeoldergirlsinvarious
dressesthatwentfromconservativetodownrightrisque.ItmighthavebeenHarry'simaginationbutJaina
seemedmoreconcernedwithhisreactionstoherclothingthanZekk'salthoughthelatterwasherdate.Thegirls
eventuallychosetheirdressesbutrefusedtoshowthemtotheboys,wantingthemtobeasurprise.EvenTenel
KaandJainahadseemedmorefeminineandgirlyduringtheentiretrip.Thepoorboyshadtocarrythegirls'
manybagsbecause,ofcourse,theycouldn'tjustbuythedressestheyneeded.Theyhadtobuymatching
accessories,underwearandevenhairpins!Nottomentionvariousoutfitsforbothtraining(howatrainingoutfit
costssomuchwasbeyondHarry)andcasualdaytodaywear.
Harryseriouslyregrettedsayinghewouldpayforit.Bythetimetheyweredone,the1,000,000creditsZulehad
senthimforgettingsomanyextrataozinnoduleshaddwindledto900,000credits.Taozinnodulescouldbe
boiledtoundotheeffectbutonceboiledisararedelicacyalloverthegalaxythatcouldbesoldforapremium.
Zulesaidshe'dputtheonestheydidn'tuseinstasisandsendoutherfeelerstofindthebestpricesforboiled
taozinnodulesbeforesellingthem.Despitethefacttheyusedover100,000creditsinclothingHarrycouldn't
completelycomplain.AstraalhadboughtseveraloutfitsforherandHarry'sprivatetimewhichmadeHarry
eagertohavemoreprivatetimewithher.Harrycouldn'thelpbutnoticethatJainaalsoboughtseveraloutfits
thatweremuchmorerevealingthanherusualandonlyboughtthemifshesawHarry'sapproval.Sheturned
downalotofgoodoutfitsthatwouldhavebeenperfectfortrainingwhenshesawthatHarrydidn'treactto
them.
TherewasamomentwhereHarrywasalonewithJainaandshecasuallyaskedhimtohelpherpickout
underwear.Harryhadalmostchokedonairatherstatementandcouldn'thelpbutbearousedbytheimagesthat
statementmade.HewassavedbythearrivalofTenelKawhosaidshewouldhelpJainasinceAstraalwasbusy.
HarrybeatahastyretreatandthereforemissedTenelKaadmonishingJainaforsayingthatwhenhewasdating
Astraal.
Afterthat,JainastartedactingnormallythoughshestillseemedkeenonHarry'sopiniononheroutfits.Astraal,
whohadbeengettingmoreandmoreannoyed,seemedhappierandgaveHarryseveralprivatemodelingshows
ofthemorerisqueoutfits.Needlesstosay,Harrywasmuchhappierbytheend.
Backinthepresent,Hanandtheboyshadbeenreadyforoveranhourbutknewbetterthantotryandrushthe
girls.Greatermenhaddiedforlesseroffenses.Therefore,thefourboys,onemanandonewookiewaited
patientlyfortheirdatestogetready.
LeiahadmanagedtochangeHarry'shairstylefrombird'snesttodashinglywild.Personally,Harrydidn't
seeanydifferencebutkeptquiet,notwantingtospendanotherhourinfrontofmirrorwithLeiaashishair
dresser.
Aftermuchconsideration,HarryhadaskedLowietotakeVisasashispartnertothebanquet.Hestressedthatif
Visashadanythinglessthananincrediblygoodtime,hewouldtakeitoutonhiminblood.Lowie,despitehis
tallerstatureandstrength,fearfullynoddedhishead.HeknewthatifHarrywasserious,hewouldkickhisass
andturnhimintoacarpetasawarningtoothers.
ThefirstofthegirlstoappearwasLeia,whowaswearingafloorlengthwhitegownthatshowedenoughcurves
withoutbeingdistasteful.Shealsohadamatchingpairofwhitehighheeledshoes.EvenHarryandJacencould
honestlysaythatshelookedbeautiful.
Damn,princess,saidHanwitharoguishgrin.Yougetmorebeautifuleveryyear.
Flatterer,shotbackLeia.Despitethis,sheseemedhappyathiscommentandgavehimasoftkissforit.
ThenexttoappearwereVisasandTahiri.Visaswaswearingagolddressthatbaredhershouldersandcovered
therestdowntothefloor(1).Tomatchthedress,shehadagoldheadbandcoveringwheretheeyeswouldbeon
anormalHuman.BeingaMiraluka,shehadnoeyesandusedForcesighttomovearound.Forthisreason,her
entirespecieswasForcesensitive.Herhairwasacascadeofbrowncurlsthatreachedjustbelowhershoulders.
Shewaswearingapairofgoldflats,beingtooyoungforhighheels.Tahiriwaswearingamuchsimplerfloor
lengthblackdressthathadapinkbeltatthewaist.Herblondehairwaslooseandseemedlikeacascadeofgold
thatcontrastednicelywithherblackdressandreachedjustbelowhershoulderblades.Shewasalsowearing
blacklowheeledshoes.Theybothlookedverycuteinhiseyes.
HeyHarry,saidVisasshyly.Whatdoyouthink?
Ithinkthatyoulooklikeasmallprincess,saidHarrytruthfully.
Visasgavehimasmileathistruthfulstatementandwenttoherpartnerforthenight.Lowiealsocomplimented
heronherlooksandafterhearingEmTeedee'stranslation,shethankedhim.OfeveryoneinHarry'sgroup,Visas
gotalongbestwithLowieduetohisquietnature.HarryrepeatedthestatementforTahiriandaddingthatshe
wouldbeaknockoutwhenshewasolder.TahirigiggledandquicklywenttowardAnakin.
ThenexttoappearwasHarry'sgirlfriend,Astraal.Shewaswearingasimpleonepieceblackdressthathadonly
oneshoulderstrapandaslitdowntheleftleg.ShehadapairofblackhighheeledshoesandfromwhatHarry
couldseetheymadeherlegsseemincredible.ShelookedabsolutelyradiantinitandHarrysworethatshe
lookedlikeablueskinnedgoddess.
Closeyourmouth,mylove,saidAstraalamusedly.You'llcatchflies.
HarrycompliedanddrewAstraalintohisarmsbeforewhispering,Ican'tbelievethatsuchagoddesswillbeon
myarmtonight.Imustbetheluckiestmaninthegalaxy.
Astraalsmiledathisheartfeltstatementandgavehimascorchingkissasareward.
Youlookratherdashingyourself,mylove,whisperedAstraal.Harryjustwinkedather.
Harryturnedwhenheheardsomeonecomedownthestairs.ItturnedouttobeTenelKa.Unliketheother
women,shewaswearingaonepieceblackdressthatonlyreachedmidthigh.Shewasalsowearingapairofred
highheeledshoes.Herdarkredhaircontrastedbeautifullywiththeblackdressandmadeitseemasifshewasa
fieryseductress.HarryabsentlynotedthatTenelKawastrulybeautifulandhewouldprobablybechasingherif
itwasn'tforAstraalandJaina.JacenwasinsimilarstraitsasHarrywhenhesawAstraalandittookTenelKa
closinghismouthforhimtorespond.
MayIsaythatyoulookravishingtonight,TenelKa,saidHarrywhenhewalkedovertothetwo.Jacen,be
carefulthatothermendon'ttrytostealhertonight,eh?
JacenjustsmiledandnoddedatHarrywhileTenelKablushedathiscommentbeforestatingthathelookedjust
ashandsome.
Bytheway,saidTenelKa.Jainaneedsyourhelp.Shecan'tfindahairpinthatshealwaysusesandshesays
youknowwhereitis.
Harrysighedatherstatementandsaid,Shealwayslosesthatthing.I'llberightback,love.
HarrygaveAstraalakissbeforewalkingupthestairstoJainaandJacen'sroom.Hereachedthedoorand
knocked.
Whoisit?askedJainafromwithin.
It'sme,Harry,respondedHarry.
Comeinandclosethedoorbehindyou,saidJaina.
Harryopenedthedoorandenteredbeforestoppingabruptlyatthesightbeforehim.
Jainawaswearingablackfloorlengthdressthatseemedtobemadeoftwomaterials.Thetoppartthatwas
fromherwaisttohercleavageseemedtobemadeoutofleatherandshowedthetoppartofherbreasts.Thetwo
elbowlengthblackglovesshewaswearingseemedtobemadeofthesamematerial.Thebottompartthatwas
fromherwaisttothebottomhadtwolayers.Thebottomlayerwasasimplewhitecolorwhilethetoplayerwas
ablackmeshlikematerialthatputtogethergaveitaseductivelook(2).Theentireensembleemphasizedher
breaststhat,whilenotasbigasAstraal's,wereanicehandful.Herhairwascurrentlylooseandshewas
searchingherdresserfortheaforementionedpin.
JainalookedupwhenHarryenteredonlytobestunnedintosilenceathowhelooked.ShehadseenHarry
dressedupvarioustimeswhentheyvisitedvariouspartiesandbanquetsbutthiswasthefirsttimeshe'dseen
himdressedupinoverayear.Inhereyes,helookedlikethehandsomeprincesfromthestorybooksthathad
cometowhiskheraway.Hereyeslingeredontheareabelowhisneckthathadhistoptwobuttonslooseand
showedabitofhismuscularchest.TheshirtbroughtouthiseyesandJainawasbreathlesswhenshesawthe
lustandloveinthemashestaredather.
Youwerelookingforahairpin?askedHarrywithgreateffort.
Yea,saidJainainatremblingtone.Youknow,theemeraldoneyouboughtme.
Harrysmiledasherememberedthehairpinthathehadboughtheraftertheirfirstdiplomaticparty.Shehad
wornitineverypartysince.
It'sinyourunderweardrawer,saidHarry.Youalwaysputittheresoitwon'tgetlost.
Jainalookedinthatdrawerandsureenoughthereitwasbeneathherunderwear.WithHarry'shelp,shestoodin
frontofhermirrorandpinnedupherhairinabunusingthehairpin.
Justmissingthenecklace,mutteredJaina.ShetookouttheSolaricrystalnecklaceshehadmadeoutofthe
shardHarryhadgivenher.
Helpmetieit,please,askedJainainalowtone.
HarryslowlytieditbehindherneckandthenlookedoverJaina'sshouldertowardthemirror.
Perfection,mutteredHarry.Somehow,Jainagotthemessagehewasn'ttalkingaboutthenecklace.
Harry'shandshadn'tleftJaina'sshouldersandtheystartedtorubupanddownherarmsgently.Jainashivered
andleanedbackintoHarry'smuscledchest,lovingthefeelofhim.JainalookedoverhershoulderupatHarry
withloveinhereyes.Thetwoteenagersstartedmovingtheirheadscloseruntiltheyengagedinakiss.
Atfirst,thekisswassoftasiftestingthewaters.Soon,however,thetwoquicklygotintoitandstartedkissingin
earnest.HarryandJainapouredalltheirfeelingsintothekiss,tryingtoconveytheirloveanddesireforeach
other.JainawrappedherarmsaroundHarry'sneckanddrewhimincloserwhileHarrywrappedhisarmsaround
herwaistasifunwillingtolethergo.
Thetwokeptkissingforover5minutes,onlystoppingtemporarilytocatchtheirbreathbeforekissingagain.At
somepoint,thetwohadlandedonherbedandJainawascurrentlyontopkissinghimdesperately.JustasHarry
startedtopulldownJaina'sdressinanefforttoundressher,someoneknockedonthedoor.
Theknockworkedlikeabucketofcoldwaterandthetwoquicklyseparated.
Whoisit?calledoutJainainabreathlesstone.
It'sAstraal,answeredAstraal.Didyouguysfindit?
Yea,saidHarryinanequallybreathlesstone.WejustfounditnowandI'mhelpingJainapinupherhair.I
havealotofexperiencehelpingherwiththat.We'llberightout.
Okay,lovesaidAstraal.I'llbewaitingforyoudownstairs.
Afterhearinghergodownthestairs,thetwoteenagerslookedateachother.
Weshouldn'thavedonethat,saidHarry.I'mwithAstraal.
Iknow,saidJainainaglumtone.Idon'tknowwhat'swrongwithme,Ijustcouldn'thelpmyself.
Harrygotupandstartedtowalktowardthedoorsaying,I'llgodownstairswhileyoufinish.
Wait,calledoutJaina.WhenHarryturnedtowardher,Jainawasrightinfrontofhimanddrewhiminfor
anotherkiss.Harryfoughtagainstithalfheartedlyatfirstbuteventuallygaveinandstartedkissingherin
earnest.Thetwocontinuedkissingforaminutebeforeseparating.
I'msorry,saidJainainalowtone.Youshouldgo.I'llberightdown.
Yea,saidHarryinanequallylowtone.Helefttheroomandaftermakingsuretherewasnoevidenceofhis
makeoutsessionwithJaina,walkedintothelivingroom.
Where'sJaina?askedAstraalconfusedly.
She'sonherway.She'sjustfinishingup,saidHarry.Tohiscredit,therewasnoevidencethathewasnervous
overwhathehadjustdonedespitebeinganervouswreckinside.
HarrycontinuedtotalktotoAstraalhappily,nevernoticingTenelKaandLeialookingathimsuspiciously.
BanquetforKarnakAlphanambassador
ThebanquetwasexactlyasHarryimagineditwouldbe...boring.Ifitwasn'tforthepresenceofhisfriends
Harrywouldhavelikelygoneinsaneoutofsheerboredom.Itdidn'thelpthatAstraalhadfoundoutsomething
he'dhopedtotaketohisgrave.
Dancinglessons?askedAstraalgiggling.Leiamadeyoutakedancinglessons?
Yes,grumbledHarry.Heglaredatthearchtraitor,Jacen,whorevealedtheinformation.Aftermyfirst
disastrousattempttodanceinthefirstpartyIwentto,shedecidedthatIneededlessons.
Howbadwereyouthatshethoughtyouneededlessons?askedAstraalwhiletryingtokeepinherlaughter.
Harrygrumbled.Jainaandmemanagedtosteponthetoeofeveryonewithin10feetofusaswellmistakenly
smacktheassofasenator'swife.
Atthis,Astraalbrokedownlaughing.Harryjustglaredhalfheartedlyathisgirlfriend'sactions.Itwasn'this
fault,dammit!Hewas8atthetime!Whoexpectsaboytoknowhowtodancewellat8?Harryconveniently
forgotaboutJacenbeingabletodancesincehewas7.
AfterAstraalregainedcontrol,Harrylookedaroundtolocatehisfriends.Lowiewastalkingwithanenthusiastic
Visasbythepunchbowl.Thelatterseemedtobetryingtoexplainhowexactlyshesawthepartywithher
specialvision.JacenandTenelKawereondancefloor.Surprisingly,theyweredancingquitegracefully.Harry
wonderedwhereTenelKalearnedtodancebecausehecertainlynevertaughther.HethencaughtsightofJaina
andZekktalkinghappilyontheothersideoftheroom.
Tryashemight,hecouldn'tgetthememoryofJaina'skissoutofhishead.Ithadbeensopassionate,sofullof
desirethatHarrydoubtedhewouldhavebeenabletostopifAstraalhadn'tunknowinglyinterruptedthem.The
thoughtfilledHarrywithguilt.HerehewaskissingJainawhenhewasdatingAstraal.Hewasaterrible
boyfriend.
Withthatthoughtinmind,heturnedtoAstraal.Doyouwannadance?
Astraallookedslightlysurprisedatthequestionbutquicklynoddedhappily.Itwasobviousthatshehadwanted
himtoaskforawhileandheonceagainfeltguiltyfornotnoticing.
Theyslowlymadetheirwaytothedanceflooruntiltheywerehalfwaybetweentheirpreviouspositionand
whereJacenandTenelKaweredancing.Harrydidn'twanttointerruptthemwhenhehopedtheywouldhurry
upandgettogetheralready.Seriously,evenTahiriknewtherewassomethingbetweenthem.SpeakingofTahiri,
sheandAnakinweretalkinghappilybyHanandLeiawhoseemedtobetalkingtosomepolitician.Harry
inwardlylaughedatthelookofexasperationonHan'sface.
Well,well.Itseemedthosedancelessonspaidoff,teasedAstraal.
Shutup,grumbledHarry.Waittillamorerisquesongcomesout.ThenI'llteachyou.
Astraaljustlaughed.
Fromacrossthebanquethall,JainawatchedHarryandAstraalcontinuetodancewithguilt.Shecouldn'tbelieve
whatshe'dbeendoing.Shewasactinglikeoneofthoseobsessedexgirlfriendsthatcouldn'tletgooftheirex.I
meanshehadgivenhimpermission!Sheshouldbeokaywithit.Butthetruthwasshewasn't.Despitehergiving
himpermission,somepartofherhadhopedthathewouldcontinuetochaseher.WatchingAstraalandHarry
thispastmonthhadbeentorture.Shecouldn'tbelievesheoncebelievedthatwhatshefeltforHarrywasjust
friendship.Shewassuchachild.
HeyJaina,saidZekk.
Hmmm?answeredJainaabsently.SorryZekk,justthinkingaboutsomething.
It'sokay,saidZekkeasily.You'vebeenweirdforthelasttwodays.What'swrong?
Jainadebatedtellinghimbeforesighing.I..madeachoiceamonthagoandI'mstillhavingproblemsaccepting
itinmyheart.MyheadknowsthatIshouldn'tpursuethisanymorebecauseImadeadecisionagainstitbutmy
heartisbeingstubborn.
Zekkwasthoughtfulforasecondbeforeslowlyanswering.Wecan'tcontrolwhatourheartsfeel,Jaina.Butwe
cancontrolhowweactonwhatitfeels.Ifyouknowyoushouldn'tactacertainwaybecauseyoumadea
decisionagainstit,thenyoushouldtrytocontrolyourself.Plusaren'tJediallaboutcontrollingtheiremotions?
ThelastsentencehadcomeoutinasemiteasingtonebutJainatookitseriously.Zekkwasright,Jedidid
controltheiremotions.Shehadletherfeelingsgetclosetoruiningtwofriendshipssimplybecauseshelacked
control.Nomore.Shewouldburythefeelingsdeepinsideandshowonlyfriendship.First,sheneededtotalkto
Harrywhenshehadachance.
TurningtoZekk,Jainasmiledathim.Thanksfortheadvice,Zekk.Itreallyhelped.
Zekksmiledbackather.Sowhatareyougoingtodo?
I'mgoingtobeaJediandcontrolmyself,saidJainafirmly.
Soonafter,JainasawherchancetotalktoHarrywhenAstraalexcusedherselftogotothebathroom.
Canyouwaithereasecond,Zekk?askedJaina.I'llberightbackbutIneedtotalktoHarryforasecond.
ZekknoddedatherandshewalkedtowardwhereHarrywasstandingbythedrinks.
CanIhavethisdance?askedJainawhenhereachedhim.
HarryturnedaroundtoseeJainastandingtherewithherusualsmileonherface.Despitewhathadhappened
before,hecouldn'thelpbutsmileback.
Sure,agreedHarry.
Thetwowalkedbackontothedancefloorintimeforaslowsongtocomeon.Thetwostartedtodanceslowly
tothesonginsilencebeforeJainabrokeit.
I'msorry,Harry.I'vebeenactinglikeashrew.
Harryjustlookedatherinsurprisebeforehiseyessoftened.It'snotyourfault,Jaina.Iwasbasicallydoingthe
samethingtoyoutwomonthsago.Kissingyouwithoutpermissionandstuff.
ButIdidn'thaveaboyfriendatthetime,counteredJaina.
NeitherdoI,saidHarrywithasmile.
Jainagaveahalfheartedswatbeforesmiling.YouknowwhatImean.
Harry'ssmiledroppedbeforehesighed.It'sokayJaina.Iforgiveyou.Butitcan'thappenagain.Iwon'tbetray
Astraallikethat.Shedeservesbetter.
Jainanodded.Yea,shedoes.She'sonemybestfemalefriendsandI'vebetrayedhersomanytimeslately.I'm
surprisedshehasn'tnoticedanything.
Oh,Ithinksheknowsmorethansheletson,musedHarry.Butshe'sveryunderstanding.Idon'tdeserveher.
Neitherofusdo,saidJainadepressively.
ThetwocontinuedtodanceforawhilebeforeHarryspoke.
Ididn'ttellyoubut...youlook...therearenowordstodescribeyoutonight.
Ugly?teasedJaina.
Harrydrewhercloser.No,theveryopposite.Youmakegoddessesgreeninenvytonight.
Jaina'sbreathcaughtathiscommentandshecouldn'thelpbutblush.It'scommentslikethatthatmakethis
hard,youknow.
Sorry.Tohiscredit,hedidlookapologetic.
Ijustwantyoutopromisemesomething,saidJainainatremblingtone.
Harrycockedaneyebrow.Anything.
Promisemeyouwon'tforgetme?askedJainaashereyeswatered.
Harrylookedatherinshockbeforedrawingherclose.Nooneintheuniversecouldevermakemeforgetyou,
skyprincess.Youwillalwayshaveapieceofmyheartthatnoonecaneverlayclaimto.
Jainagavehimawaterysmilebeforeburyingherheadinhischest.Thetwocontinuedtodanceforanotherfive
minutesbeforeseparatingtotheirrespectivedates.
Fromacrossthehall,HanandLeiawatchedthetwoasthetwoseparated.
Iwonderwhathappenedbetweenthem?musedLeia.Iwassuretheywouldbedatingbynow.
Idunno,saidHan.Maybetheyhadafightorsomething.
No,saidLeia.IthinkitwasthatJainainheritedyourstubbornnessandbythetimesherealizedthetruthit
wastoolate.
Hey,defendedHanhalfheartedly.I'mnotthatbad.
Leiajustgaveacondescendingpatonthecheek.Yes,youare.
Hangrumbledatherbeforesighing.AndIwasactuallylookingforwardtothemgettingtogether.Harryis
alreadysuitablyafraidofmetoknownottohurther.Idon'tlikeZekkforsomereason.
It'samiracleyoulikeHarry,honey,teasedLeia.Shesighedbeforelookingtowardthetwoteenagers.But
don'tgiveuphope.Ihaveafeelingthatwhat'sbetweenthemisn'toveryet.
Howdoyouknow?askedHan.
Leiasmiledatherhusband.Callitwoman'sintuition.
BackwithJaina,shehadreunitedwithZekkwhowaslookingpetrified.Hehadeatenabouquetthinkingitwas
asaladandhadbeenpetrifiedwhen,aftercomplimentingit,wastolditwasabouquet.Jainatriedinvainto
consolehimbuthewastooembarrassed.HekeptmutteringthatheshouldhavelistenedtoHarry'sadviceof
onlyeatingsomethingifhe'dseensomeoneelseeatitfirst.Atleastthatwayhehadsomeonetoblame.
WithHarryandAstraal,theywereonceagaindancing,thistimetoaromanticslowsong.Astraalhadherhead
onHarry'sshoulderastheydanced.ShehadbeenquietsinceshehadreturnedanditwasstartingtomakeHarry
uneasy.
WhatwereyouandJainatalkingabout?askedAstraalsharply.
Harrywasslightlysurprisedathertoneandlookedather.Hereyeswereastrangecombinationofvulnerable
andhard.Harryadmonishedhimself.ItwasobviousthatAstraalhadnoticedsomethingwasgoingonbetween
himandJaina.Hefeltlikeanasswhenhesawthehurtinhereyes.
Wewerejusttalking,saidHarrysoftly.Settlingthingsbetweenus.
Astraal'seyessoftenedandstartedtolookreluctantlyhopeful.Anddidyousettleit?
Harrydrewherinforakissbeforesmilingather.Yes,allthingaresettledandwe'reallfriendsagain.
Astraalgavearadiantsmileandgavehimanotherkiss.I'mglad.Iwouldhavehatedtoturnintothejealous
girlfriendbutifshecontinuedtoactlikethatIwouldhavecutherhairoff.
HarrylaughedatthementalimagewhileAstraaljustblushedguiltily.
Youdon'thavetoworry,myblueangel,saidHarrysoftly.I'myoursnow.Heartandsoul.
Astraalsmiledandthetwocontinuedtodancethenightaway.
Laterthatnight
Zekkwashalfwalking/halfrunningbackhome.Inhisopinion,hehadruinedthenightforhimself.Despitehis
friends'assurancesthatitwasanhonestmistake,hestillfelthorriblyembarrassedandhadleftassoonas
possible.
Ashewasreachinghishouse,somepeoplesteppedoutoftheshadowsofthebuildingnexttohim.Therewere
threemeninarmorandonewoman.
Canwehaveamomentofyourtime?askedtheblackhairedwomanwhoseemedtobetheleaderofthe
group.
Zekklookedaroundandsawhewassurrounded.Actually,I'mkindofinahurry.Maybenexttime.
Hetriedtoedgeoutofthecirclebutwasroughlygrabbedbeforehecouldescape.
Itwasn'taquestion,saidthewomaninharshtone.
Shethentookoutastrangedevice.Ithadacontrolpackwithtwopaddlesattached.Sheplacethetwopaddles
oneithersideofhisheadandactivatedthedevice.Zekkexpectedtobetorturedorthelikebutinsteadablue
hologramofhimappearedfromthecontrolpack.Strangely,thehologramhadastrongbluecoronasurrounding
it.
He'sone,saidthewoman.SheturnedtoZekkbeforeasking,Wouldyouliketocomewithus?Wepromise
thatyouwouldnotregretit.
Thanksbutnothanks,answeredZekk.Idon'thavethehabitofgoongwithpeoplethatholdmehostage.
Thewomanseemedannoyedbutgaveahandsign.Zekkreceivedasharppaininhisbackthatheabsently
realizedmusthavebeenastunbolt.Thelastthinghesawwasthewomanorderingthementocarryhim.
ShadowAcademy,NearCoruscant
Zekkwokeupgroggily.Thestunbolthadfinallystartedtowearoffandhewasnumballover.Heslowly
openedhiseyestohisnewaccommodations.
Hewasinaplaingraycelljustbigenoughforonepersontolivein.Ashelookedaround,hiseyeslandedona
manseatedinfrontofthedoor.Hecouldn'ttellforsurebutheseemedfairlytallforahuman.Hewasblond
withblueeyesandwouldbehandsomeifitwasn'tforthelookinhiseyes.Hiseyesseemtoradiateangerand
maliceeventhoughheseemedtobecalm.HewaslookingatZekkcuriously.
WhereamIandwhoareyou?askedZekk.
Ah,yes.Wherearemymanners?IamBrakiss,saidthenowidentifiedBrakiss.I'msorryforTamithKai's
treatment.Shecanbeveryoverenthusiasticattimes.Especiallywhenshefindssuchapowerfulboy.
Powerful?askedZekkconfusedly.Ithinkyouhavemeconfusedwithsomeoneelse.
No,Idonot,mychild,assuredBrakiss.Didyouneverwonderhowyoumanagedtosurviveallthoseyears
alonewanderingthegalaxy?
It'sbecauseI'mgoodatsurviving,saidZekk.Despitethis,therewasanoteofdisbeliefinhisvoice.Howdid
hesurvivegoingacrossthegalaxyalone?Byallaccountsheshouldhavebeenkilled.
Yes,youare.Yousurvivedespiteeverything,almostmiraculously,wouldn'tyousay?askedBrakiss.
Zekktriedtoanswerbutsuddenlythoughtofalltheclosecallshe'dhad.Timeswhenhejustknewwhattodoor
saytoescape.
SeeingZekksilence,Brakisssmiled.It'sbecauseyoucanwieldtheForce.
Zekkwasstunnedattherevelation.HecouldusetheForce?Thenwhydidn'tanyofhisfriendsnotice?Don'tall
JediknowwhenanothercanusetheForce?
Thenwhydidn'tJainaorHarrynotice?defendedZekk,tryingtoclingtohislastthreadofhope.
Theydid,saidBrakiss.Theyjustnevertoldyoubecausetheywantedtokeepyouas'thatpoorlittlestreet
boy'.Theydidn'twantyoutorisetotheirlevel.
Zekktriedtodenyitbutifitwasn'ttrue,thenwhydidn'ttheytellhim?Whywasn'thebeingtrainedlikethemat
theirgreatAcademy?
Come,child.saidBrakissashestoodup.Letmeproveittoyou.
BrakissopenedthedoorandgesturedforZekktofollow.Zekkdidsohesitantly,notquitetrustingthemannot
tobelyingtohim.Theywalkeddownthecorridorlinedwithsimilarcellstohis.Helookedinatafewtosee
childrenpracticingtheirabilities.Somewerefloatingobjects,othersweretrainingwithlightsaber.Zekkwas
entrancedbytheabilitiesdemonstrated.
Theyeventuallyreachedadoorthatlookednodifferentfromtheothers.Brakissopenedittorevealatraining
roomthatwasbigenoughforseveralclasses.
Now,IwantyoutocopywhatI'mabouttodo,saidBrakiss.
Heturnedandwalkedtoatablethatheldadozenroundmetalballs.Stretchingouthishand,helifted5balls
withouttouchingthem.TheystartedtoorbitaroundBrakissandhemadegothroughseveralcomplicated
maneuvers.
Zekkwasmesmerizedbythedisplayofpower.AtBrakiss'snod,heattemptedtodothesamewithtwometal
ballsleftonthetable.Atfirst,therewasnoreactionandZekkgotincreasinglyfrustrated.
PerhapsIwaswrong.Maybeyouarenothingbutatrashcollector,sneeredBrakiss.Hesaidtrashcollectoras
ifcomparingittoacockroach.
ThiscauseZekktogetangry.Hewasnotasimpletrashcollector!Hewasstrong!Hechanneledhisangerintoit
andsuddenlythetwometalballsfloatedoffthetable.Zekkwassosurprisedthatthemetalballsdroppedtothe
floor.
See?Youdohavepower,statedBrakissmugly.Thosesocalledfriendsofyourswouldkeepyouasyouare.
Anobodystreetchild.
ThelastshredsofZekk'sdefiancedisappeared.Howcouldtheydothistohim?Hethoughttheywerehis
friends?!
Unknowntohim,Brakisswasusinghisabilitywiththemindtricktofuelhisangerandsuppresshisreasoning
sohecouldn'twonderifperhapstheysimplyhadn'tknown.
Well?Willyoustayandtrainyourgiftorwillyougobacktobeingasimplestreetrat?askedBrakiss
derisively.
Zekkthoughtinsilenceforaminutebeforeanswering.
I'llstay.
TheSolotwinsandHarrywereworriedfortheirfriend.Zekkhaddisappearedafterthebanquetandthey
couldn'tfindhim.Theyhadtriedtocommhimseveraltimesbuthedidn'tanswer.Atfirst,theythoughthe
simplyneededtocooloffbutnowhehadbeenmissingfor10hours.Theywereunderstandablyworriedsick.
Maybehe'ssearchingfortreasures?askedJacenhopefully.
Idoubtit,saidHarryworriedly.Hewouldhavetoldusorleftamessagelikehealwaysdoes.
Maybeweshouldgolookforhim?askedJaina.Ofthethree,shefelttheworst.Sheblamedherselffornot
keepinganeyeonZekkandlettinghimbeembarrassed.Itwasanhonestmistakeforsomeonewhohadnever
beeninabanquetandsheshouldhavemadesuretopreventit.
WelstartedHarry.Hewascutofbythesoundofthedoorbell.
Lookingateachother,thegroupofthreeansweredthedoortofindPeckhumatthedoorlookingjustasworried
asthem.
Heyguys.HaveyouseenZekk?Ihaven'tseenhimsincehelefttoyourhousetogotothatbanquet,asked
Peckhumurgently.
Thatsettledit.SomethinghadhappenedtoZekk.TheytoldPeckhumwhathadhappenedlastnightand
promisedtogolookforhim.PeckhumsatonthesofawhilethethreeSoloraisedteenagerslookedateachother
grimfaced.
DoyouthinkitwastheLostOnes?askedJacenseriously.
Idoubtit,musedHarry.They'revandalsandcrooksbuttheydon'tassaultpeopleunlesstheyhavesomething
valuable.Eventhen,theyleavethemaliveandmostlyunharmed.
Weshouldgosearchforhim,saidJainurgently.Jacen,yougowithTenelKaandAstraaltowardthelower
levelstolookforhim.KeepinconstantcontactwithAnakin,TahiriandC3PO.Ifyoudon'treporteveryten
minutes,we'llgotoyoulastlocation.
Meanwhile,I'llgowithJaina,Visas,Lowie,andChewbaccawilljoinPeckhum'sflightuptotheOSETStosee
ifwecanrepairitenoughsoitdoesn'tbreakdownintopieces,finishedHarry.We'llmeetupwithyou
afterwardsifyouhaven'tfoundhimyet.
Thethreegroupsagreedandlefttotheirtasks.
WithJacen'sgroup
ThethreeJediweresearchingthelowerlevelstoseeifZekkwasaround.Theyhadsearchedallhisoldhideouts
tofindnothingandweregettingveryworried.Suddenly,Astraalstoppedwithalookofrealization.
Waitasecond.Ijustrememberedsomething,saidAstraalurgently.
Whatisit?askedaconfusedJacen.
ShadowAcademy!Whatiftheytookhim?askedAstraalfearfully.
Thethreelookedateachotherinrealizationbeforeacceleratingtheirpace.TheyhadforgottenHarry'swarning
aftertheeventsofthepasttwodays.TheywerepassingbyalargeareaofdebriswhentheysawtheLostOnes.
Theywereactingstrangelysubduedandfearful.Theywerealllisteningtosomeonegivingaspeechontopofa
ruinedspeeder.IttookaminutebutJacenfinallyrecognizedtheonegivingthespeechasZekk.Helooked
differentthanbefore.Hewaswearingwhatseemedtobeablackuniformwithaninsigniaontheleftbreast.
HeyZekk!calledoutarelievedJacen.We'vebeenlookingforyoueverywhere!Wewereworriedaboutyou
afteryouleftyesterdaynight.
ZekklookedatJacenandregardedhimwithcoolindifference.Jacenwasshockedatthelackofresponsefrom
hisfriendandstartedtofeeluneasy.
What'swrongZekk?askedJacenuneasily.HelookedaroundandsaweveryonekneelingtoZekk.Whyare
alltheLostOneskneelingtoyou?
Becauseheisofferingthemabetterlife,saidfemalevoicefrombehindZekk.
JacencouldonlylookinhorrorasTamithKai,thewomanfromShadowAcademy,cameupbehindZekkand
laidahandonhisshoulder.Besideherwasablueskinnedtwi'lekmalethatlookedsimilartoAstraal.Astraal
lookedattheboywithsurpriseandhopeinhereyes.
Shado?askedAstraalhopefully.Isthatyou?
ThenowidentifiedShadosneeredather.Yes,I'malive.Nothankstoyou!
Astraallookedasifshehadbeenslapped.WWhat?Whatdoyoumean?
YouabandonedmeonTatooinethemomentthoseJediofferedtotakeyouaway!yelledShadoangrily.
No!Iwastoldyouweredead!Theysaidyoudiedinthemines!IfIhadknown..saidAstraaltearfully.
Sparemeyourlies!You'rejustlikemother!Awhorewhoforgetsherfamilythemomentabetterdeal
appears!screamedShadoangrily.
Astraalbrokedowncryingathisstatement,futilelytryingtodefendherselfandbeggingforforgiveness.Shado
walkeduptoherandwouldhaveslappedherbutTenelKagotinbetweenthemandForceshovedhimroughly
backtowardTamithKai.
Zekkhadn'treactedormovedfromTamithKai'ssideandJacenfinallyrealizedwhatmusthavehappened.Zekk
hadjoinedShadowAcademy.
Don'tlistentoher,Zekk!screamedoutJacenangrily.Allshetellsyouareliesforherowngain!
LikethefactI'mForcesensitive?askedZekkangrily.Didn'tthinkIwouldfindouthuh?
Thegroupofthreeweresurprisedattherevelation,thoughtheyshouldn'thavebeen.Jacenalwayswondered
howZekkalwaysknewwherethebeststuffwas.HerealizednowitmusthavebeentheForceleadinghimto
thetreasures.
Enough,interruptedTamithKai.Stunthem!
Behindthegroupofthree,stormtroopersappearedandsentstunboltsatthegroup.Theyhadlefttheir
lightsabersbehindintheirhurrytofindZekkandsowereunabletododgeorblockallthestunbolts.Astraal
wasalsotooshellshockedfromthefactthatherbrotherwasalivetoreactintime.Theywereeventually
stunnedandleftonthefloor.
Let'sgo!LostOnes,yournewlifebeginsnow!calledoutTamithKai.
Zekkfollowedafterherbutnotbeforesendingonelastsadlookatthestunnedgroupoffriends.Shadolooked
backathisfallensisterandforamomenthiseyessoftenedbeforetheyhardenedoncemoreandheturnedhis
backonher.
WithHarry'sgroup
Iappreciateyouguyshelpingmefixthis,saidagratefulPeckhum.
It'snoproblem,assuredHarry.Wepromisedtohelpyouyesterdayandwekeepourpromises.
Peckhumsmiledgratefully.How'sthatprojectgoingforyou?
Harry,JainaandLowiehadtakentochartingthedebrisaroundCoruscantsincetheyheardofashipcrashing
intosomethingorbitingtheplanet.TheywerecurrentlyonabreakandJainawaswatchingavideoofsomething
whileHarrywastalkingtoPeckhum.
Prettygood,saidHarryshrugging.Istilldon'tknowhowshortrangefighterscouldattacktheAdamant
though.
ThatwaswhatJainawascurrentlypuzzlingover.Shewastryingtoseewherethefighterscamefrombutthey
justseemedtoappearoutofnowhere.Harryfeltasifhewasmissingsomethingimportant.Wheneverhe
thoughtaboutithejustkeptrememberinghismeetingwithQ'Anilia.
Lowiesuddenlygottheirattention.Theywalkedovertohimandhepointedoutananomalyinthedebrisarea.
You'reright,thatisweird,musedJaina.It'simpossiblefortheretobeNOdebrisinthatbiganarea.
Unlessthere'ssomethingalreadythere,saidVisas.Shehadbeenquietformostofthetimethereduetobeing
unabletohelpwithherlackofsight.Forcesightonlygoessofaruntilsherefinesit.Remember,Harry.Your
eyescandeceiveyou,don'ttrustthem.
Jainagasped.ShadowAcademy!Remember?Breatoldyouthattheywerearound!They'restationedona
mobilebasethat'sinvisibletothenakedeye!Thatmustbewherethebaseis!
Justasshesaidthat,hercommbeeped.Answeringit,itturnedouttobeJacen.
Jaina!It'sShadowAcademy!Zekk'sjoinedthem!shoutedJacenoverthecomm.
JainapaleddrasticallyasHarrycommedLeiatocallastrikeforcetoattacktheShadowAcademy'slocation.
JainapulledherselftogetherandtoldPeckhumtofocuslightfromthemirrorstotheareathathasnodebris.
Theywatchedwithtrepidationasthestrikeforceclosedinontheareaasthemirrorsslowlymoved.Themirrors
hittheareajustintimefortheAcademytoappear.Thestrikeforcemovedinbutweretooslow.TheShadow
Academyactivatedit'shyperdriveandescaped.
ThegroupoffriendswatchedastheAcademyescapedwithoneoftheiroldestfriends.
Thenextday
Thegroupwasunusuallysubdued.ThefactthatoneoftheiroldestfriendshadjoinedtheenemyhadhittheSolo
childrenhard.Astraalhadn'tstoppedcryingandblamingherselfforabandoningherbrotheronTatooine.Harry
triedtocomfortherbutshehadn'ttoldhimwhatshewascryingaboutsohedidn'tknowhowtocomforther.
JainarefusedtothinkofZekkastheenemyandpromisedtobringhimback.Meanwhile,Harryblamedhimself
fornotbeingmorecarefulwhenheknewtheAcademywasaround.Hehadn'ttakenthethreatseriouslyandit
hadcausedoneofhisfriendstobeliedtoandtaken.
TheyhadreceivedamessagepodfromZekkwhichhehadleftbehindwhentheAcademyescaped.Ithada
multitaskingunitforPeckhumandamessageforthem.HetoldthemwhyhejoinedtheAcademyandthathe
wasaForcesensitive.Thisonlymadethemfeelworsefornotrealizingitsooner.Hehadalwaysbeengoodat
findingthings.Toogood.
Suddenly,thedoortotheapartmentopenedtorevealLukeandMara.Heenteredandsolemnlylookedatthe
subduedgroupofteenagers.
Iknowyou'reallstillrecoveringfromtherevelationsthathappenedyesterdaybutweneedtoreturntothe
Academy,statedLukesoftly.WeneedtopreparefortheShadowAcademy'seventualattack.
Howdoweknowthey'llattack?askedAstraaltearfully.
BecauseourAcademyisathreattotheirs,saidMaragrimly.
Thegroupmanagedtopullthemselvestogetherandslowlylefttowardtheirroomstopack.OnlyHarryand
Visasstayedwiththeformerlayingahandonthelatter'sshoulder.
Mom,Dad,saidHarry.IwantyoutomeetVisas.ShewantstojointheAcademy.
It'sapleasuretomeetyou,Visas,saidLukewithasmile.I'msureyou'llmakeawonderfuladditiontothe
Academy.
Visassmiledshylyathisstatement,clingingtoHarryasifafraidtoleavehisside.
There'smore,continuedHarry.I'mclaimingherasmyfutureapprenticeonceIreachtherankofJedi
Knight.
Atthis,bothadultsraisedtheireyebrowsinsurprise.Itwasn'tunheardofforsomeonetoclaimachildastheir
futureapprenticebutusuallyitwasdonewhenthatpersonwasalreadyaKnight,notstillaapprenticeJedi
KnightlikeHarry.
Areyousure?askedMara.Don'tyouwanttobeaKnightbyyourselfbeforetakinganapprentice?
Harryshookhishead.IpromisedhermotherIwouldtakeherasmyapprentice.Hermotherdoesn'ttrustJedi.
Herfatherwasoneandsheblamedthemforhimleavingherasachild.Forhertoallowherdaughtertogothe
Academyshowsextremetrustinme.AllsheaskedwasformetotakeVisasasmyapprentice.Iwon'tbreakmy
word.
LukeandMaralookedateachotherbeforeLukenodded.Verywell,shewillbeyourapprenticealongwith
TahirionceyoumakeKnight.
HarryhadaskedforTahiritobehisapprenticeinthefuture.Itwasnosurprisetoanyonethatshedidso
gleefully.
VisassmiledbrightlyandclungtoHarryhappilywhilehejustsmiledgentlydownather.
EndNotes:
Notes
1.ThegolddressPadmeworewhenshefirstarrivedattheislandretreatwith
AnakininAttackoftheClonesmovie.
2.TheblackseductivedressPadmewaswearingAnakinconfessedtoher.You
know,theIwillnotgiveintothisdress.
LookslikeHarryhashisfutureapprenticesallpickedout.Forthosethatthink
thathavingtwoapprenticessoyoungmaybeoverkill,you'reright!ButHarry
keepshispromisesandneverabandonshisfriends,sohe'lltryhisbest!
WefinallyreachedaresolutionintheHarry/Jainathing...fornow.LikeLeiasays,
whoknowswhatthefuturewillbring?
WefinallymeetAstraal'sbrotherShado.Forthosewondering,Astraalwastold
thatherbrotherdiedinthemineswherehewasworkingwhensheaskedforhim.
That'spartofthereasonsheclingssotightlytoherfriends.Laterchapterswill
delvedeeperintoAstraalandShado'srelationshipandwhyhe'ssobittertoward
hissister.
ForthosethinkingthatthepartwhereZekkwascapturedandturnedwasquick..
sorrybutIhatethatpart.ItalwayssoundssofakeandeasythewayZekkturnsso
Ikindasummeditup.
Asalways,readandreview!
Backtoindex
ApprenticesandChangesbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter15
Harrystoodbarechestedinthemiddleofatrainingground.Hehadbothsecondarylightsaberslitinhishands
pointingtowardthegroundathissides.Hehadhiseyesclosedandseemedthepictureofrelaxation.
Suddenly,heraisedhisrightlightsaberinhighguardtodefendagainstanother'sslash,thevioletofhisblade
clashingwiththeblueofhisattacker's.Hethenusedhisbluelightsaberinhislefthandtoguardfromastriketo
hisback.Bothattackerswerepushedbackandtheydisengaged,knowingtheywouldn'twinacontestof
strength.Theylandedonoppositesidesofhimastheytriedtofindanopening.
ThetwoattackerswerenoneotherthanTahiriandVisas.SincetheirreturnfromCoruscant,Harryhadbeen
trainingbothinearnestdespitethefactthattheyweren'ttechnicallyhisapprenticesyet.Bothhadbeenecstatic
athisattentionandhadeagerlylistenedtohisadvice,mosttimesovertheotherMasters'.Despitebeingaround
thesameage(Visaswasayearolder),theycouldn'tbemoredifferent.Visaswascalmandcollectedandseemed
tobemucholderthansheappearedthoughshewasstillincrediblyshyandsoftspoken.Tahiri,ontheother
hand,wasloudandconstantlymadeheropinionknown.Shealsogotfrustratedeasilythoughitusuallypassed
quickly.Theirlightsaberstylesreflectedtheirdifferingpersonalities.
Visas'sstylewascalmandmostlydefensiveinnature,atleastinitially.Shehadmanagedtorecreateafeatthat
HarryhadseendonebyMarrishshecreatedastylesimilartoSoresuwhereshewouldturnonherlightsaber
justintimetoblockanoffendingbladeandrebuffit.Theeffect,whenaddedtothefactthatsheseemedblind,
wasincrediblydishearteningtoanopponentandmadethemeitherquicklylosecontrolorgiveup.Italso
conservedenergymuchmorethananyotherform,duetonothavingtowasteenergyswingingthebladearound.
Foroffense,sheshowedincrediblecontrolintelekinesisandcouldnowuseuptotwolightsaberstelekinetically
inadditiontotheonesheusesinherhands.Harrywasslowlyshowingherhowtodualwieldtoaddanother
elementtoheroffense.However,whilehercontrolwasgood,shewasstillunabletouseitformorethanafew
minutesduetothegreatamountofconcentrationittook.AsTahiridemonstratedintheirfirstfight,afightcan
lastalongtimeandtheopponentcanjustwaituntilyouwearyourselfoutiftheycan'tgetbyyourdefenses.As
Harrysaid,inafightanythinggoes.
Tahiri'sstylewasthecompleteoppositetoherfellowapprentice's.WhileVisas'sstylewascalmandcomposed,
Tahiri'swasdynamicandsometimesswitchedformsmidcombination.Hergreateststrengthwashoweasilyshe
pickedupTrakata.ShewouldmixsomeAtaruwithTrakatatocreateadizzyingdisplayofacrobaticswhereyou
don'tknowifshewouldleadwithherfistorherblade.Despitethis,herfavoredstylewasamixofShienand,
surprisingly,Niman.Sheshowedanaptitudefordualblades(thoughshepreferredwieldingonlyoneblade)and
thiswasthereasonshetookuptwostylesknowntoemploydualblades.However,Harrydidn'twantherreliant
onherlightsaberskills,knowingfromexperiencethatrelyingonsaberskillsalonecangetyoukilled.Forthis
reason,heinsistedshemasterNimanfirstduetoitemployingForceattacksduringcombatsothatshewouldbe
wellrounded.AlthoughitusuallytakesadecadetotrulymasterNiman,Harryhadfullconfidenceinhertobe
abletouseitwellenoughtodefendherself.Ifworsecomestoworse,shecanfallbackonherknowledgeof
AtaruandShien.UnlikeVisas,Tahiriwasalsonotaboveusingkicksandpunchesaswellasbladeskillsin
combat.
Duetotheirdifferingpersonalitiesandstylesaswellasthefacttheywerebothapprenticedunderhim,theyhad
developedasortofrivalry.WhileTahiri'sbladeworkwassuperiortoVisas(evenwhenthelatteremployed
telekineticallycontrolledblades),VisashadbettercontrolovertheForce.Thelatterwasprobablyduetoyears
ofusingForcesight.Theyconstantlycompetedtoseewhichonewouldlearnanewskillfirst.Despitethis,they
weregoodfriendsandinafighttheyeasilycomplimentedeachother.VisaswasthebetterstrategistwhileTahiri
wasthebettertacticiansowhentheyworkedtogether,theycouldtakeonmostopponents.
Backinthepresent,bothgirlswerewieldingtraininglightsabersHarryhadgottenthemfortheirspar.The
objectiveofthesparwastolandahitonHarryinanywaypossible.Hehadpromisedtoteachthemauseful
skilliftheymanagedit.Despitethefactthatitwastwoonone,theprospectoflandingahitonHarrywas
daunting.HarrywasunanimouslyknownasoneofthebestbladeduelistsintheOrder.Fewwereconsideredon
hislevelwithonlyLuke,MaraJade,andKyleKatarnbeingbetterthanhim.Withhisdeepknowledgeofalmost
alllightsaberforms,hisnaturalskillwithdualbladesaswellashisknowledgeofseveralesotericlightsaber
skills,hewasadangerwithabladetoanyonewhocrossedhim.Despitethis,thisdidn'tdiscouragethegirls.In
fact,itexcitedthembecauseiftheymanagedit,theycouldsaythattogethertheywereonthelevelofAstraal.
Shewastheonlyotheroneneartheiragethatcouldreplicatethefeat.
Comeon,mycutelittleapprentices.Can'tyouhitme?teasedHarry.
Thetwogirlscommunicatedsilentlythroughtheireyesanddecidedonaplanofattack.Tahirisuddenlyblasted
offthegroundtowardHarryleavingacraterbehindher.
Tahirihadcreatedanunorthodoxskilltoincreaseherspeed.SinceshewasstilllearningForcespeed,she
wantedawaytospeedupdrasticallyinaninstantsoshecouldsurpriseheropponent.Atthesametime,since
Harry'sadviceontelekinesis,shehadshownanincredibleamountofskillinForcepush/pull.Tothepointthat
shewasactuallybetterthanAnakin.Combiningthetwoskills,shecreatedwhatsheamusedlycalledForce
rocket.
ShewouldquicklygathertheForceandpushdownwardsandbackwardsfromherfeetsothatshewas
acceleratedatincrediblespeedstowardheropponent.Thefirstfewtrieshadcausedhertoeitherrocketstraight
uporalmostblowoffaleg.Despitethisshepersevered(beingeggedonbyVisastheentiretime)andcreateda
trulydangerousskilltounsuspectingopponents.Italsoincreasedthestrengthofherstrikestoincrediblelevels
duetothemomentum.
Despitethis,itcamewithdrawbacks.Forone,itrequiredanincredibleamountofcontroloftheForcebecauseif
oneputtoomuchpower,youcouldmistakenlyblowoffaleg.Anakinlearnedthiswhenhealmostblewoffhis
legtryingtoreplicateitandplacedtoomuchpowerinit.Secondly,onecouldn'tchangecourseduringit,itwas
basicallyanincrediblyfastdashforwardwithnochangepossibleduringit.Inspiteofthesedrawback,itwasa
goodskilltohaveandcouldfinishafightquicklyofyoumanagedtocatchanopponentoffguard.
UnfortunatelyforTahiri,Harrywasexpectingthisandsimplysidestepped.Tahiriletoutacryoffrustrationas
sheflewbyherteacherwithoutevenmanagingtolandahitwhilehemockinglylandedahitonherposterioras
shepassed.
Hey,itwastoteachhertowatchherflankatalltimes!
UnfortunatelyforHarry,thiswaspartoftheirplan.AsTahiripassedbyHarry,shetemporarilyblockedhis
visiontoherotherside.Visashadtakenadvantageandhiddeninherothersidethemomentshehadblasted
towardHarry.Justasshepassed,Visasstruckusingthreeblades(twotelekinetically)inadizzyingdisplayof
acrobaticsandskill.
Harrywaspushedbackbytheunexpectedattackandwasforcedtodefendfromthetwofloatingblades.Unlike
withanormalopponent,thetwofloatingbladeshadnorestrictionofanglesotheyattackedhimfrombehind
andabovesimultaneously.Harrywasforcedtouseonebladetodefendagainstbothfloatingbladesandthe
othertodefendfromVisas'sfrontalassault.HewassodistractedbyherassaultthatheforgotaboutTahiri.
TahirihadquicklyrecoveredandjumpedstraightupandbackwardstowardsHarry.Asshefell,shereadieda
strongstriketowardHarry.WithHarrydistracted,hedidn'tsenseheruntilthelastmomentandwasforcedto
abandonthedefensetowardthefloatingbladestoblockTahiri'shit.Thisprovedtobehisundoingasthetwo
floatingbladesquicklystruck,scoringhitsonhisback.
Seeingthattheyhadmanagedtolandahit,Harrydisengagedandturnedoffhislightsabersthathadbeenonlow
power.TahiricheeredattheiraccomplishmentwhileVisassimplysmiled.
Welldone,myapprentices.Verywelldone,saidHarryproudly.Canyoutellmewhichoneofyouthoughtof
it?
Well,itwasactuallybothofus,saidVisassoftly.IknewthatwhileIcoulddistractyouifImanagedto
engageyou,butyouwouldn'tletmeifyousawmecoming.
That'swhereIcamein,continuedTahiri.IwoulddistractyoumyForcerocket,makingyouthinkIwasthe
mainattacksoVisascangetcloseenoughtoengage.
ThenIwoulddistractyouenoughsoeitherTahiricangetinthefinishingstrikeormyfloatinglightsabers
would,finishedVisas.Itwouldhavetobequicksoyouwouldn'thavetimetorealizeourplan.
Harrychuckledappreciatively.Well,itworked.Seewhatyoutwocouldaccomplishwhenworkingtogether?
TahiriandVisassmiledandblushedathiscomplimentaswellastheprideinhisvoice.TheyputHarry'sopinion
inamuchhigherpositionthananyothers'andwouldconstantlystrivetobetterthemselvessohewouldbeproud
ofthem.
Sowhatareyougoingtoteachus,Harry?askedTahirienthusiastically.Howtoshootlightning?Orhow
abouthowtofly?
AsTahiricontinuedtoenthusiasticallymentionabilities,Visasjustgiggledatherfriend'senthusiasm.Tahiri
remindedherofachildoncaffeinesometimes.
Calmdown,Tahiri.saidHarrygently.I'mgoingtoteachyouabout...
TahiriandVisasleanedforwardinanticipation.
....stunning.
Thetwogirlsfacefaulted.Tahiriquicklyrecoveredwithanangrylookonherface.
Stunning?!Howislearninghowtostunuseful?!Wehavestunboltsforthat!ragedTahiri.Visasprivately
agreedwithherfriendthoughshedidn'tsaysoopenly.
Ahbutmycutelittleapprentice,whatifyoudon'thaveastunblasteronyouandyouneedtotakeyourtarget
alive?askedHarryamusedly.TahiriandVisasalwayslookedsocutewhentheypuffeduptheircheeksin
indignationwheneverhecalledthemcute.Theywerebeautifuldammit,notcute!Willyoutrytocutoffan
armtostophim?Whatdoesthatsayaboutyouifyoudo?
TahiriandVisaslookeduneasyatthethoughtofcuttingoffsomeone'slimbseventhoughtheyknewitwasa
possibility.Thinkingaboutitinthatway,theypreferredalesslethalapproach.
Whatapplicationsdoesithave?askedVisas.Alwaysthelogicalone,shesoughttoseethebenefitsinall
skills.
Well,foronetherearetwovariationstotheskill.Onestunsinorganicssuchasdroidswhileanotherstuns
organicsonly.Caretotellmewhythisis?askedHarry.
Harrysometimesdidthis,emphasizingindividualthinkingratherthanmakingthemmemorizefacts.This
showedintheirlightsaberstyles.Whiletheydidhavebasesintheestablishedstyles,heonlyhadthemlearnthe
basicsofeachstyle.Hethenchallengedthemtosparseitheragainsteachotheroragainsthimasateamor
alone,inordertoforcethemtoimproviseandcreatetheirownstyle.Thiscausedthemtocreatetheirown
variationoftheirstylesquickly.AnexamplewasthefactthatTahirinowtendedtohaveherreadypositionwith
herlightsaberinareverseShiengripwithitbehindherback,herdominantlegheldbackforquickchanges
fromattacktodefenseorviceversa.Shefavoredsuddenandrapidattackstobreakanopponentsguard.
Similarly,VisasopeningstancewassimilartotheSoresuopeningstancebutratherthanholdingthelightsaber
withonehand,shehelditinatwohandedgripforquickchangesfromSoresudefensetoDjemSoattack
patterns.
TheyhadflourishedquicklyunderhisteachingsandwereconsideredtobeonthelevelwithAnakinandthose
twoyearsolder.Itwouldn'tbelongbeforetheywerepermittedtobuildtheirlightsabers.
Well...saidTahirihesitantly.Droidsarebasicallymetalandelectricity,right?Sowhatturnsthemoffor
stunsthemwon'taffectorganicsbecausethelatteraremostlychemicalreactionsandverylittleelectrical
activitiesbeyondthebrain.
Also,continuedVisas.Organicsarestunnedbyhundredsofdifferentthingsfromsoundtolightbutneither
ofthosethingswouldstunadroidthathassensorsratherthansensitiveeyesandthelike.
Inthatvain..encouragedHarry.
Tostunadroidprobablyrequiressomekindofelectricalcurrentwhilestunninganorganicrequires
manipulationofthebody'schemicals,finishedTahirihappily.
Harryclappedhishandsattheirexplanation.Verywellexplainedandyes,yourright.Tostunadroidyouhave
manipulatetheForcetocreateastreamofionstotemporarilydeactivateordestroyinorganicsystems.It's
effectsarebasicallysmallscaleversionsofioncannons.Meanwhile,tostunapersonyouhavetolearnhowto
manipulatetheirsensestoeitherdeadenthemorplacetheminacatatonicstate.Thelatterrequiresprecise
controlandcanberesisted.
Visasstilllookedconfused.What'sthepointoflearningit?Can'tyoujustknockapersonout?
Maybe,allowedHarry.Butwhatifyouneedtotakethemaliveorunharmed?Orworse,it'sahostage
situationandgettingcloseenoughtoknockthemoutwillgetthehostagekilled.Bothoftheseskillsarelong
rangeifyoumasterthemandthelatterisverysubtleifdoneright.
TahiriandVisasfinallyunderstoodandnoddedeagerly.
Seeingthatthesunwassetting,Harryturnedtothegirls.We'llstartthattomorrow.Fornow,timeforthe
TwilightRun.
Bothgirlsgroaned.
TheTwilightRunwasthenameforHarry'sselfmadechallengecourse.Basically,thepersonhadtorunfulltilt
throughthejungleattwilightwhileavoidingboththetreebranchesandobstaclesinthewayaswellasthelight
ofthesuncomingfromthecanopy.Thisemphasizedflexibility,splitsecondadaptation,creativity,andspeed.
Thefirsttimetheyranit,theyhadfailedmiserably.Whiletheymanagedtoavoidtheobstacleseasilyenough,
avoidingthesunlightwasalmostimpossible.Especiallywhentherewasastrongbreezethatmovedthecanopies
andchangedwherethesunlightlandedrandomly.Visashadtheworsttimeofitwithherlackofvisualsight.
However,eventuallyshemanagedtoperfectherForcesightenoughthatshecouldsensewherethesunlight
landed.
TahiriturnedtoVisaswithachallenginggrin.BetIcanfinishbeforeyoucan.
Normally,Visaswascalmandcollected...exceptwhenchallengedbyTahiri.Withamatchinggrin,Visasspoke.
Please,Iwalkthereandstillgettherebeforeyou.
Thetwotwogirlsglaredateachother(thoughhowitwaspossibleforVisastodoitwhenshe'sblindescaped
Harry).
Harryclearedhisthroat,gettingtheirattention.Shouldn'tyoustartfirst?
ObeyingtheirMaster,thegirlstookoffatarunthroughthejungle.Thecoursewentinacirclearoundthe
Academywithouteveronceenteringthetraininggrounds.Itwasverylongandhelpedbuildtheirendurance.
Harryfollowedthemfromabovebyjumpingfromtreebranchtotreebranchwhilethinkingofthelastfew
weeks.
Harryhadabandonedtheideaoflearningnewskillsorabilitiesuntilhehadmasteredtheoneshehad.Since
Harrywasapersonwholearnedbydoing,hisdaysconsistedofchallenginganyoneavailabletospars.His
frequentsparringpartnerswereMara,Astraal,JacenandJaina.Thelattertwohadasmuchrawskillashedid
butlackedthefinessethathedid.Jacen'sstyleemphasizedspeedandstrongblowstounbalanceanopponent.
Jaina's,ontheotherhand,wascoolandcomposed,notwastingasinglemotionandoftenusingkicksassupport.
HesometimeshadsparswithKyleandheconsideredthosethebestduetobeingforcedtoimproviseanduseall
hisskillsjusttosurvive.ItremindedhimoffightingMarrish.
InregardstoMarrish,hisstillfledgelingspynetworkhadfoundnothingonhimbutithadfoundinformationon
corruptsenatorsaswellasaslowriseinconflictalongtheOuterRimandUnknownRegions,specificallythe
Chiss.Fromreports,theyseemedtobereadyingthemselvesforsomethingbutwhatitwasHarrydidn'tknow.
HemadeamentalnotetovisitEsmeraldainZeltrosinpersonsinceithadbeenyearssincehe'dseenher.
HecontinuedtotrainTenelKa,nowrevealedtobeTenelKaChumeDa'Djo,theprincessoftheHapesCluster.
Herememberedwhensherevealeditsoonaftertheyconstructedtheirlightsabers.
Flashback
ThegroupwassittinginJaina'sroomthedayaftertheyhadallbuilttheirlightsabers.Sincetheroomwasn't
verybig,someofthemwheresittingonthefloor.
So,whatisityouwantedtotellus,Tenel?askedJacencuriously.
TenelKalookednervousandwastwistingherhandstogether.ItwassoraretoseehernervousthatHarrywas
concernedsomethinghadhappened.
Areyouokay?Didsomethinghappen?askedHarryconcernedly.
TenelKasmiledslightlyathisconcernbutjustshookherhead.No,Harry.I'mfine,justnervousthatyouwill
lookatmedifferentwhenyouknowmysecret.
Theotherslookedconcernedatheradmissionandleanedforwardtolistenbetter.
Youcantellusanything,Tenel.We'reyourfriendsandnothingwillchangethat,saidJainafirmly.
Tenelsmiledwanlyatherfriendbeforesighing.I'mnotjustadaughterofDathomir.Seeingtheconfused
looksontheother'sfaces,shecontinued.I'mhalfDathomirian,halfHapan.
TheothershadlooksofsurpriseatherrevelationwhileHarryjustlookedamused.Well,thatexplainsyour
incrediblegoodlooksbutunlessyou'resayingyouneedaharemofmen,Idon'tseetheproblem.
TheotherslaughedathisjokeandevenTenelKasmiledslightly.Thethingis..myfullnameisn'tTenelKaDjo.
ItisTenelKaChumeDa'Djo.
Ittookamomentbuteveryonefinallyrememberedwheretheyheardthelastnamebefore.
TherewasbeatofsilencebeforeHarrybrokeit.Well,IknewyouwerebeautifulenoughtobeaprincessbutI
didn'tknowitwasliteral.
ThatbrokethetensionasthegrouplaughedatTenelKa'shalfheartedpunchatHarry'sshoulder.
Butseriously,that'sit?askedHarrydubiously.Whywouldyouthinkwewouldlookatyoudifferent?You're
stillthesameTenelKa.Thesamegirlwholacksasenseofhumor.
JainaandAstraalgiggledatthetruthinthatstatement.DespiteJacen'sbestattempts,TenelKastilldidn't
understandhumorandconstantlyneededtohavehisjokesexplainedtoher.
TenelKagotamischievousgleaminhereyes.Well,asprincessIcanhaveaharemofmentofulfillmyneeds.
MaybeIshouldcontactyourmothertonegotiateyourpriceaspartofmyharemsoyoucanteachmehumor.
ShesaidthisinsuchaserioustonethatHarrypaled.Um...tthat'sokay.I'mssureyou'replentyhumorouson
yourown.
TenelKawalkeduntilshewasrightinfrontofhimbeforewhisperingintohisearhuskily.What'swrong,
Harry?Don'tyouwantme?
Harrywaswideeyedandgapingather.Beforehecouldmusteranargument,TenelKatookastepbackand
cockedherheadathim.
Thenagain,maybeyouaren'tbigenoughtopassqualifications.
Withthatstatement,TenelKalefttheroomwithasmallsmileonherface.
TherewasabeatofsilencebeforeJacengotup,walkedtoHarryandplacedahandonhisshoulderwitha
solemnlookonhisface.
You'vejustbeenburned,saidJacenwithaseriouslookonhisface.
Theentiregroupfelldownlaughingandinsomecasesclutchingtheirribsinlaughter.
Harryjuststoodthereredfacedandmouthagapeatthefactthatthemosthumorlessgirlinthegrouphadjust
prankedhim.
Flashbackend
'Istillhaven'tgottenherbackforthat,'thoughtHarrydepressively.
Itwasn'tlongafterthatthatHarrytookthemissiontoKalarbathatalmostendedinhisdeath.Hestillhadn't
managedtoreplacehislostarmorbuthepromisedhimselfhewould.Heneededittobelighterthantheprevious
duetohisemphasisonspeed.Itwouldprobablybetightandthinnerthanthefirstonesoitcouldprovidethe
sameprotectionwithoutbeingbulky.
Shakinghimselffromhisthoughts,helookeddowntoseethegirlswerereachingtheendwithouthavingbeen
touchedbyasinglerayoflight.Ittookthemlongerthaniftheywentfullspeedwhileignoringtheraysof
sunlightbuthestillcouldn'thelpbutbeproud.Theyhadcomealongwayinthelastfewweeks.Visas'hadhad
themostimprovement,quicklycatchingupandignoringthewhispersofhowshewasonlythatstrongdueto
darkritualsperformedbyHarry.Shehadn'tbeenamusedbythewaypeopletreatedHarry.Atall.
Whenthegirlsreachedtheend(whichwasenteringtheirtraininggroundfromtheoppositesidetheyhadleft),
Harryjumpeddowninfrontofthem.Bothgirlsweresweatingandpantinghardduetorunningatfullspeedfor
solong.
Well,we'redoneforthisafternoon.Let'sgobacktotheAcademy,saidHarry.
TahiripoutedatHarryandstretchedoutherarms.Givemeapiggybackride?
Harryalmostfacefaulted.HehadgivenTahiriapiggybackrideonce(Visaswastooshytoask)whenshehad
pushedtoofarpassedherlimitsandsincethenkepttryingtoconvincehimtogivehimanother.Itwasusually
afterahardtrainingsession.
No,deadpannedHarry.
TahiripretendedtocryoveritbutHarrywasunmovedbyhercrocodiletears.Shethenmovedtostagetwo
whereshefelltothefloorandclingedtohisrightleg.
ButI'msotiiiiiired,exclaimedTahiridramatically.Aren'tyousupposedtobeagoodmasterandtakecareof
yourstudents?
Harryjuststaredather.NotwhenmystudentsseemtothinkI'mtheirpersonaltaxiservice.
Tahiristoppedpretendedtocry,stoodupinfrontofHarryandglared.PiggybackridemeorI'lltellAstraal
youwerebeingmeantome.
Harryblanched.
HarryandAstraal'srelationshiphadprogressedinthelastfewweeks.Theynowopenlykissedinpublicand
werecloserthanever.Theyhadevenconsummatedtheirrelationshipafewdaysago.Astraalhadgottentiredof
themalwaysbeinginterruptedwhentheywerecloseandsnappedwhenAnakininterruptedthemthelasttime.
ShestatedinnouncertaintermsthathewastakingheronamoonlightflightontheWaywardSonaroundYavin
4untiltheyfoundaromanticplacetoeataroundacampfiretogether.
Hehaddonejustthat,takingheralmosttotheothersideofthemoonuntiltheyfoundaplateauona
mountainside.Theretheymadeacampfireandtalkedandatearoundit,justspendingtimetogether.Whennight
fellcompletely,Astraaltookhimtoherbedwheretheyconsummatedtheirfeelings.Severaltimes.
Needlesstosaythatwhentheyreturned,AstraalhadasmuggrinonherfacewhileHarryhadagoofygrinthat
hadtobesurgicallyremoved.WhenAnakinaskedwhatwaswrongHarryjustgrinnedwiderbeforetellinghe'd
understandwhenhewasolder.
Marahadnotbeenpleasedthathereffortstokeepherpreciousson'sinnocencehadbeenthwartedandfumed
forseveraldays.Jainahadalsobeentensearoundthemforafewdayandhersmileshadseemedforced.Harry
couldn'ttellifitwasduetothemconsummatingtheirrelationshiporZekk'sdisappearance.'Probablyamixture
ofboth,'musedHarrythoughtfully.
TheproblemwithTahiri'sstatementwasthatsheandVisashadAstraalwrappedaroundtheirlittlefinger.
AstraalthoughtVisaswasthecutestlittlethingwithhershynessandsoftspokenmannerwhilesheadored
Tahiri'sbubblypersonality.AndsinceAstraalhadHarrywrappedaroundHERfinger....
'Jainawouldn'tletherselfbemanipulatedbytheselittledemons,'grumbledHarryinternallyashegaveTahiria
piggybackridetotheAcademywithVisasfollowingbesidehimgiggling.Harryshookhisheadofsuch
thoughts.AstraalwasAstraalandJainawasJaina.Theywerebothperfectastheywereandheshouldn't
comparethem.
HarrystudiouslyignoredthechucklesfromapprenticesandKnightswhosawhimgivingTahiriapiggyback
ridetoherroom.Itdidn'thelpthatTahiriwavedatthemastheypassedmuchlikeaqueenwavedathersubjects.
AshewasreachingTahiriandVisas'srooms,heranintoAnakin.
Anakingavethemaperplexedlook.WhyareyougivingTahiriapiggybackride,Harry?
HarryopenedhismouthtoexplainbutTahiriinterrupted.Shhh,bantha.Banthasdon'ttalk.Giddyup!
'MurderisnottheJediway,murderisnottheJediway.PlusIdon'thaveanywheretohidethebody,'thought
HarryashecontinuedtoTahiri'sroomwherehedroppedthelittlemonsterinherbed.Visashadsaidgoodbye
andgonetoherroomalready.
There.Happy?askedHarrysarcastically.
Yep,saidTahiriwithasmile.HarrystartedtoleavetheroomwhenTahirispoke.Thanks,Master.Loveyou!
Harry'seyessoftenedatherstatementandhegaveherasoftsmile.Shehadrecentlytakentotreatingmuchlike
amixbetweenolderbrotherandfather.Thiswasthesecondtimeshehadunconsciouslysaidshelovedhim.To
Harry,itwasanewexperiencebecausetheonlyyoungersiblingshe'dhadweretheSolos.Boysdon'ttellboys
theyloveeachotherandJainadidn'tlovehiminastrictlyolderbrothersense.Sleepwell,mylittlekrayt
dragon.We'llcontinuetomorrow.
Harryclosedthedoorbehindhimandwalkedtowardhisroomwithasmileonhisface.Ashewalkedhe
thoughtabouthisothertwounofficialapprentices.
Jainahadhesitantlyaskedhimtohelpherperfectherfightingstyle.Hehadbeenslightlyreluctantgivenwhat
hadhappenedthelasttimetheywerealone.Hedidn'twanttoregress.However,heeventuallyacceptedandhad
hersparwithTenelKawhilehewatchedtopointoutflaws.
Thesesparsweremostlytohonetheirskillssotheyusedalltheiravailableskillsseamlesslyincombatwithout
havingtostoptothinkaboutit.TenelKahadalreadylearnedthestancesforJuyoandonlyneededpracticeto
applythem.JainawasinsimilarstraitswithherownstyleanddesperatelyneededtolearnhowtomixForce
abilitiesduringlightsabercombat.Inthatregard,TenelKawasaheadofherduetohavingHarryteachherhow
tomixhernaturalaffinityforalteringtheenvironmentintobladecombat.Tenelwouldferociouslyattackher
opponentwithJuyoinclosecombatandaltertheenvironmentforlongrangeortounbalanceanopponent
duringasaberlock.Thefirsttimeithappened,TenelKahadcausedthevinesofthetreestocomealiveandbind
Jainaduringasaberlock.SeeinghertrusseduplikeaturkeyhadcauseHarrytobreakdowninlaughterwhich
increasedwhenJainaletlooseastreamofswearwords.
JainahadtoadapttoTenelKa'sconstantstreamofattacksandquicklylearnedhowtominimizetheamountof
energysheusedinblockingattacksandhowdodgingwaspreferabletoblocking.Shenowdidn'twasteasingle
movementandherstylewasbrutal,ruthlessanddesignedtodealthemaximumamountofdamagewithout
receivinganyinreturn.Harryhadtoadmireherforcreatingastylethatfitherperfectly.
Harryhadmostlyadvisedheronwhatsheshouldfocusontobetterherselfandadvisedtosparasmuchas
possiblesoitbecomessecondnature.
AsHarryreachedhisroom,hesawJainadraggingherselftohersaswell.
Harrysmiledatthelookofexhaustiononherface.HeyJaina,youcomebackfromsparringwithMara?
Jainajustnoddedherhead,tootiredtorespondverbally.
ShehadrecentlystartedtochallengeMaratosparsthinkingshecouldholdherown.Marahadquickly
disabusedherofthatnotion.Thesparshadhelpedherimmenselyinlearninghowtofightastrongeropponent
andshehadflourished.Harrycouldn'thelpbutthinkthatMarawastheperfectMasterforherduetotheir
similarpersonalitiesandfightingstyles.Bothareruthlesswhennecessaryandknowhowtoturnanysituationto
theirfavorsotheycanhurttheopponentwithoutbeinghurtinturn.
SeeingJainawincewhenshemovedherrightarm,Harrymovedtohelpheropenthedoor.Youokay?
Yea,justsprainedmyshoulderIthink,saidJainatiredly.Shetriedtoenterherroomonlytoalmostfallflaton
herface.
Luckily,HarrycaughtherandcarriedherbridalstyletoherbedignoringJaina'sprotests.Onceheplacedheron
thebed,hemadetoleavetheroomwhenhestoppedatJaina'scall.
Wait,calledJaina.Seeinghimstopandturntoher,shecontinued.CanIaskyousomething?
Youjustdidbutyoucanasksomethingelseifyouwant,saidHarryamusedly.
Jainastuckouthertongueathisjokebeforegettingserious.Arewe.....backtonormalyet?SeeingHarry's
confusedlook,shecontinued.Imean...arewe...bestfriendsagain?
Harrysighedandrubbedthebackofhisheadwhilesittingdownonherbednexttoher.It's....difficult,Jaina.
Youwillalwaysbemybestfriend.Nothingandnoonewilleverchangethat.Butwecan'tjustburywhatwe
feeleasily.Especiallysinceit'sbasicallyunresolved.Butwe'regettingthere.
Jainasmiledslightlyathisadmissionandsoftlyspoke.Good.Imissyou.
Imissyoutoo,saidHarrysoftly.
Thetwostayedthereinsilencejustthinkingabouttheirfriendship.Theywereslowlygettingbacktohowitwas
beforetheytoldeachotherhowtheyfeltabouttheother.Itwasslowgoing,nottheleastofwhichwasduetothe
buriedsexualtensionbetweenthem,buttheyweregettingthere.
Well,gottago.GottosaygoodnighttoAstraal,saidHarryashegotoffthebed.Goodnight,Jayjay.
Goodnight...youovergrownewok,jokedJaina.
Harrystuckhistongueoutatherandchuckledasheleft,closingthedoorbehindhim.
Jaina'ssmiledroppedwhenheleftandcouldn'thelpbutletatearrundownherface.Despiteherassurancesto
thecontrary,herfeelingshadn'tlessened.Ifanythingtheyhadintensified.SeeingHarrywithAstraalhadshown
herwhatshecouldhavehadifshehadn'tletfearruleher.Shehadbeensoafraidofruiningwhattheyhadthat
shehadpushedhimtoAstraalandhadalmostruinedthreefriendshipsovertheresultantjealousy.
JainasnuggledintoherpillowthathadabitofHarry'ssmellfromwhenheplacedheronthebed.Sheknewthat
shewouldalwaysloveHarryinsomedeeppartofherheart.Allthatwasleftwaslearninghowtofakenotbeing
inlovewithhim.Itwouldbehardbutshehadto.Afterall,itwasn'tasifHarrywashavingashardatimeasher.
HehadAstraaltohelphimgetoverit.
Outsideherdoor,Harrywastakingdeepbreathsashetriedtocontrolhimself.
Beingalonewithheragainwasharderthanhethought.Justtheactionofplacingheronherbedwasdoneso
tenderlythathehadtoconsciouslyholdhimselfbackfromplacingakissonherlips.Shelookedsobeautiful
layingonherbedwithalittlesmileonherface.Partofhimjustwantedtopullherintohisarmsandkisshertill
dawncame.
Harryforcefullyrepressedthethoughtsandfeelings.HewaswithAstraalandhelovedheraswell.Hewouldn't
betrayherforsomeonewhowouldn'tevenfightforhimuntilitwastoolate.Heturnedtowardhisroom,never
noticingthegrayeyelookingathimsadlyfromacrackinherdoorway.
Thenextday
SowhatspecializationwillyougointoonceyoumakeKnight?askedHarry.
Thegroupwererestingfromtheirdailygroupfreeforall.Someweresittingdowninthegrasswhileothers
werelayingdown.HarrywaslayingdownwithhisheadonAstraal'slap,thelatterofwhichwaspassingher
fingersthroughhishair.JacenandJainaweresittingdownacrossfromAstraalwhiletheothersweresittingor
layingdownbesidethem.
Whatdoyoumean,Harry?askedJacencuriously.
Harrysatupandlookedatthetwins.Imeanwhatwillyouspecializein?Guardian,ConsularorSentinel?And
whichspecializationofthatrankwillyoupick?
Jacenhadathoughtfullookonhisface.Well..aren'tGuardiansbetter?Imeanthey'reonthefrontlineshelping
people,right?
Well,Idon'tknowaboutyoubutI'mgonnabeaJediAce.Jainahadanexcitedlookonherface.They're
basicallyJedipilotsandmixtheForcewithpiloting.It'slikemytwofavoritethingsputtogether!
ThegrouphadstudiedtheGreatHolocronafewdaysagoandhaddiscoveredabouttheJediranksandthe
specializationswithinthoseranks.Sincethen,theyhaddebatedaboutwhichwasbestforwhich.
Iagree.You'reperfectforaJediAce.HarrysmiledatJainawhoslightlyblushed.ButGuardiansaren'tbetter
orworsethananyother.Youshouldpicksomethingthatsuitsyou.
Whatareyougoingtopick,Harry?askedJacencuriouslyashepulledonthegrass.JediAcelikeJaina?
No...IwasthinkingaJediinvestigator.Seeingtheotherssurprisedlook,heelaborated.I'mnotavery...
patientperson.Hestudiouslyignoredtheothers'snortsathisunderstatement.JediInvestigatorslookfor
dangersfrombothSith,corruptsenatorsaswellasregularcrimes.Ithinkitfitsme.
Astraalhadathoughtfullookonherface.Thenwe'llbothbeJediSentinelsthensinceI'maimingforJedi
Shadow.IjustneedtoconvincetheMasterstorestarttheorganization....
TheJediShadowrankhadfallenintodisuseoverthecenturiesanditdidn'thelpthatthelastknownonewasthe
oneKyleKatarnhadfacednamedMaw.MawhadfallentothedarksideandthismadetheMastersreluctantto
restarttheJediShadowrankforfearofithappeningtoanother.
You'llconvincethem,saidJainaconfidently.Justkeepaskingtilltheycave.
AstraalgaveJainaagratefulsmile.IhopesobecauseifnotIdon'tknowwhatotherrankfitsme.Jedi
Investigatorwouldbenice,Iguess.It'ssimilar.
Nice?Harryhadamockhurtlookonhisface.SoweJediInvestigatorsarenotgoodenoughforyou?Woeis
me!
TheotherslaughedasAstraalgavehimaplayfulswatoverthehead.
Well,IwouldliketobeaJediGuardian,saidTenelKa.Theyarehonorablewarriors.
Harryhadathoughtfullookonhisface.Actually...IwasthinkingyoushouldbeaJediAmbassador.
TenelKagavehimasurprisedlook.Explain.
Well...Harrystoppedtogatherhisthoughts.You'regoingtoQueenMotheroneday,right?TenelKanodded
reluctantly.Thenyou'regoingtohavetolearnpoliticssinceyou'regoingtobecomeapoliticianeventually,
right?You'llbeforcedtochoosebetweenbeingaJediorQueenMother.ButifyoubecomeaJediAmbassador,
itallowsyoutobethepublicfaceoftheRepublicwhilemaintainingthedistancetobeunbiased.Unlike
Diplomats,Ambassadorsdon'tthepowertomaketerms.Sotherewon'tbeargumentsaboutyoubeingtoo
powerfulpolitically.You'llbeabletodobothatonce.SeeingTenelKaabouttoargue,Harryinterrupted.And
ifyou'rethinkingthatConsularsareweakerthanGuardians,letmeremindyouthatYodawasaConsular.
ThatstifledanyargumentsthatTenelKahadaboutthemnotbeingfighters.Yodawasstillconsideredoneof,if
notthe,mostpowerfulJediever.IfhewasaConsularandthatpowerful,thenConsularsweren'tweak.
Howaboutme,Harry?askedKassfromhisleft.Whatdoyouthinkisgoodforme?
Harrythoughtaboutitforawhile.Well,you'reeitheraJediPeacekeeperoraLightsaberInstructor.Youlove
fencingandyoualsolovetodebatethenatureoftheForceandhowtokeepfromfallingtothedarkside.Both
oftheseareperfectforaLightsaberInstructorbecausetheyhavetopointtheflawsintheapprenticesaswellas
keepthemfromfalling.
Kassmulleditoverbeforenodding.AsharalookedatHarryforaminutebeforespeaking.Andme?
That'seasieractually.Sentinelalltheway.SeeingAsharaconfusedlook,Harryelaborated.Idon'tthink
you'venoticedbutwhenyouteamupwithKass,shetendstofightharderandismotivatedtowin.Ithink...that
youhavealatenttalentforbattlemeditation.
Asharawasshockedasweretherestofthegroup.Doyoureallythinkso?
Yeabutyou'dhavetoasktheMasterstobesure.HereHarryshrugged.IonlyknowbecauseIstudied
Revan'shistoryandtheymentionedBastilaShan.Whatshedidwassimilartowhatyoudo.
Lowieaskedwhathethoughtabouthisposition.
ProbablyPeacekeepertobehonest.Harryshruggednoncommittally.YouloveKashyyktoomuchtoleaveit
andyou'dbeperfectasaPeacekeeperforthesystem.
Lowieagreedhappily.ItallowedhimtobeaJediwhileprotectinghissystem.
Howaboutme,Harry?askedJacenquietly.
HereHarrywasstumped.JacenseemedperfectasaConsularduetohisloveofsolvingthingsnonviolentlyas
possible.Hethoughtaboutitforabitbeforehesitantlyspeaking.Itdepends..I'dsayeitherInvestigatorlikeme
orifnot..BiologicalResearcher.
Jacenwasthoughtfulbeforeasking.WhyInvestigator?
Harryshrugged.Becauseyouseemlikemeandyou'dliketopreventthingsfromhappeningratherthanreactto
themafterthefact.ButIreallythinkyou'dbehappyasaResearcherofbiology.
Itdoesn'treallymatter,doesitthough?saidJainamournfully.We'resofewthatwehavetofillintherolesof
almostallofthemtilltheOrderrecovers.
Itwasthesadfactofthematter.TheyweregoingtobethefirstrealclassthatgraduatedfromtheAcademy
wheretheyweretaughtsolelyattheAcademyandhadnopriorinstruction.Therefore,they'dhavetoplayas
manyrolesaspossibleuntilthereareenoughtofilltheranks.
Maybe,allowedHarry.ButIwanttobeclearonhowI'lloperate.Iwon'tletthingshappenandthenreact
afterthefact.I'llsearchoutthethreatsanddealwiththembeforehand.
Jainafrowned.Isthatwhyyouhaveaspynetwork?
Basically,saidHarry.
Jainadidn'treallylikethefactthatHarryhadaspynetwork.ItremindedhertoomuchoftheEmpire'sspy
network.ShehadbadmemoriesofImperialspies.
So,iseveryonerested?Seeingeveryonenod,Harrygotup.Thenlet'scontinue.
Everyonespreadoutanddrewtheirlightsabers.Harrydrewhisduallightsabers,makingamentalnoteto
continueresearchinghiltsformakinghisnewmainone.AstraalcopiedHarry,ignitingherbladesandfellinto
heropeningstance:onebladehelddiagonallyinfrontofherwiththeotherheldinareversegripbehindher.She
hadherdominantfootbehindforquickattackorretreat.Harryalsofellintohisopeningstance:bodysideways
totheopponent,leftbladeheldinthestandardMakashiopeningstance(bladepointingslightlydownwards
towardtheopponent)withtheotherheldinhighguardwiththebladeheldhorizontallyabovehisheadand
pointedtotheside.
Theotherscopiedthemandturnedontheirsabers.Jaina'swasviolet,Jacen'swasgreen,Kass'swasamethyst,
Ashara'swasyellow,Lowie'swasbronzeandTenelKa'swasatealcolor.Theyallfellintotheirrespective
openingstancesandreadiedthemselves.Harryrepeatedthenewrules.
Remember,anythinggoesexceptlethalattackssonoForcelightningorthelike.Also,nomakingteams.We
neverhaveawinnerwhenthathappens.You'reeliminatedwhenalethalblowlands.Alllightsabersonlow
power?
Everyonenodded.
Then..start!
ThefreeforallstartedwithAstraalsendingaForcepushatthegroundbetweenherandtherestofthem.This
causedanexplosionwhichcausedusttoformandobscureherform.Thiswasdangeroussinceherbestskills
wereForcestealthandForcecloak,thelatterofwhichmakesherinvisibletothenakedeye.
Knowingthathewouldbetargetedfirst,HarryextendedhissensestothemaximumandengagedJaina.She
blockedhisfirstbladebutheuseditasaspringboardtojumpoverherandattackTenelKabehindher.Jaina
turnedandbothTenelKaandherstartedattackinghimfromoppositesides.Ontheothersideofthefield,
AsharawasengagingAstraalwhowasonceagainvisible(Asharausedherecholocationtofindher)whileKass
wasengagingJacenandLowbacca.Ashara'sstylerevolvedaroundanabsolutedefensecombinedwithherlong
rangeabilitytothrowobjectsandcausethemtoexplodebyvibratingthemoleculesinsidethemsoquicklythey
combust.Ashara'sdefensewashardforevenhimtopenetrateandcombinedwithherlongrangeability,Astraal
wasinforatoughfight.
JacenandKasswereequallymatched.KassusedtheForcetocauseearthtremorstocausetheopponenttobe
caughtoffbalance.However,Jacen'sconnectionwithlivingcreaturesallowedtopredictwhenatremorwas
comingbysensinghowtheanimalsaroundthemwerereacting.Afterall,animalshavebettersensesthanpeople
forthatsortofthing.Jacen'sspeedwithhisbladewasmatchedbyKassferocitywithFormV.Itwaslike
watchingawaspattackingabear.Eventuallyeitherthebearwouldswatthewasporthewaspwouldsting
enoughtimestoconquerthebear.Itwouldusuallybedowntoendurance.However,thepresenceofLowie
madeitsotheyhadtodeflecthispowerfulblowsorbeknockeddownbyhisstrength.Lowieusedhisheight
andstrengthtohisadvantagebyusingavariationofFormV.Rightnow,italldependedonwhoknockedout
Lowiefirstsinceifhewasn'thewouldoverwhelmthewinnerquickly.
BackwithHarry,hewashardpressedtoholdoffbothgirlsatonce.TenelKa'sferocityformmadeitsohehad
todeflectherblowsorbedisarmedbythestrengthbehindthemifhetriedtoblockthem.Jaina'sformmadeitso
hehadtokeepaneyeonherentirebodytomakesureshewasn'tsettinghimupforakickorthelike.Despite
this,hewasholdingthemoffwithonebladeeachwhenhedecideditwastimetochangeitup.Hewaiteduntil
theybothswungathimbeforerollingbackwards,allowingthegirlslightsaberstoclashagainsteachother's.As
theyweredistracted,hesentapowerfulForcepushatthemthatsentthemflyingawayfromhim.
Hisdangersenseswenthaywireandhejumpedhigh,justdodgingAshara'syellowblade.Checkingquickly,he
sawthatAstraalhadengagedJacenduetoLowiehavingbeeneliminatedwhileKasswasattackingTenelKa
andJainainafuriousthreeway.ItseemedLowiehadbeeneliminatedduetoaluckyhitonhisforehead.Only
oneeliminatedsofar.
'Timetochangethat,'thoughtHarrydeterminedly.
Themomenthelanded,hewasofflikeashottowardAshara.Thegirlwassurprisedbyhisspeedandbarely
blockedhisfirstblade.RatherthanusingthemomentumtojumpoverherashedidwithJaina,hefellintohis
LightningStyle.HestartedlandingburnsandbruisesatincrediblespeedandAsharacouldn'tkeepup.The
weaknessofAshara'sformwasthatshekeptherbladesoclosetoherbodythatshecouldn'tmoveitfastenough
tocompletelyblocktwobladeswhentheycamefromdifferentangles.Thereforeshehadtochoosetoblock
onlytheblowsthatwouldbelethalinthehopeofwearinghimdown.Thatwouldhaveworkedayearagobut
notnow.
Landingapowerfuldualslashblowthatsheblockedwithahighguard,Harrykickedherinthechestjustbelow
herbreasts.Thistookthebreathoutofherandhequicklytookadvantageandlandedaweakblowtothetopof
herhead.
You'reout,saidHarrywithasmile.
Asharasighed.Dammit,secondoneoutthistime.
HarryjustsmiledandturnedintimetoseeJaceneliminateAstraalwithapowerfulblowthatcausedhertoburn
herselfwithherownblades.Inarealfight,shewouldhavebisectedherself.
RatherthanengagethenowopponentlessJacen,Harrydashedtowardwherethegirlswerestillfighting.He
jumpedupandfelltowardthemiddleoftheirformation.Sensinghimfalling,thegirlsdisengagedandreadiedto
attackhimthemomenthelanded.Smilingtohimself,hegatheredtheForceandjustashewasgoingtotouch
thegroundheletlooseapowerfulForcewavethatblewthemawayfromhim.Jainalandednearherbrotherand
quicklyhadtodefendfromhisattackslessshebeeliminated.Meanwhile,TenelKahadmanagedtoturnthe
momentumintoabackwardflipandlandedwithherteallightsaberintheguardposition.Kasshadnotbeenas
luckysinceshehadbeenclosesttohimatthetimeandhitatreehard.
HarrythrewhisvioletlightsaberatherusingtheForceandmanagedtolandaburnonherchestinbetweenher
breasts.
You'reout,crowedHarryhappily.
Hiscelebrationwasshortlivedwhenhehadtojumptoavoidaseriesofbluntspikesthatformedoutofthe
groundinfrontofhimthankstoTenelKa.Ashejumped,hepulledhisthrownlightsaberbacktohim.
HequicklydashedtowardTenelKaandengagedherwithVaapad.HerJuyohadimprovedgreatlyandhewas
hardpressedagainsther.Despitehowlittletimeshehadbeentrainingintheform,shewasabletokeepupwith
himinsabercombat.Knowingthathehadtofinishitquickly,hetookadvantageofasaberlockandsenta
Forcepushrighttoherface.Shewasblownbackbytheunderhandedtacticandhequicklydashedandlandeda
blowtoherchestwhileshewasstilldizzy.
Nowforthetwins,hemuttered.
Heturnedtoseethetwinsstillgoingatit.Theywereevenlymatchedinskillanddespitelightburnsandbruises,
neitherhadlandedalethalblow.
Timetomakemygrandentrance,thoughtHarryamusedly.
Hedashedatfullspeedtowardthemandtheyturnedintimetoblockhissabers.Unfortunately,thatwaspartof
hisplanbecauseheusedbothlocksasapivottokickbothfullintheface.Usingtheirslightmomentofsurprise,
hecompletelygavehimselfovertotheForceandreleasedablurringarrayofslashesandblowsthatthetwins
werehardpressedtodefendagainst.Harrylandeddozensofburnsandbruisesontheirbodiesbefore
disengagingandturningoffhisblades.
Iwon,statedHarrysimply.
Nuhuh!saidJainaforcefully.Youdidn'tlandablowonanyofourvitalparts!Nexttoher,Jacennoddedhis
head.
No,Ididn't.Harrysmiledwidelybeforepointingattheirarms.ButIlandedsomanyblowsonyouarmsthat
ifthiswasrealIwouldhavedisarmedyou...literally.
Thetwinslookedattheirarmsonlytogroanatthetruthofthestatement.Theirarmshaddozensofbruisesand
burnsthatiftheywerebyalightsaberatfullpower,wouldhavecutofftheirarmsadozentimesover.They
reluctantlyturnedofftheirbladesandJainasatdownonthegrasssulking.
Don'tbesodown,Jayjay,consoledHarry.Youmadeittothelastthreeatleast.
ButIsowantedtowin!IhaditallplannedoutlogicallybutthenKasshadtoengageusbeforewecouldattack
youagain.Jainafumedalittlebeforepouting.Harryhadtostophimselffromkissingthoselipsofherswhen
shestuckoutherbottomlip.
Shakinghimselfinternally,Harrysmiledather.Butinfightstheunexpectedhappens.Youhavetobereadyfor
deviationsfromtheplannedstrategy.That'sthedifferencebetweenstrategyandtactics.
AstraalnoddedasshetookherplacebesideHarry.Yes,youhavetobeabletoadapttochangesbecauseyou
neverknowwhentheenemyhasanaceuptheirsleeve.
Jainasighedexplosivelybeforenoddingherhead.That'strue.Still...Iwasprettygood,huh?Shesmiled
mischievouslyatthemwhileeveryonelaughed.
BackattheAcademy
ThegroupwaseatingmiddaymealwhilediscussingTenelKa'splannedtriptoHapes.
Sowhycan'tanyoftheboysgowithyou?askedJacencuriously.
Tenelslightlyblushed.Mypaternalgrandmotherhasarrangeda..showtocelebratemyreturn.
Jacenstilllookedconfused.Whatdoesthathavetodowithanything?
HoweverHarryhadunderstoodandwaslaughinguproariously.Jacen,it'saprivateshow.Liketheshows
strippersgivetheirclients?OnlyI'mguessingthesestripperswillbeallmale.
TenelKablushedanddeterminedlyavoidedeyecontactwithJacen.Meanwhile,Jacenwasblushingatthe
imageofmendancingforTenelKa.Harrydidn'tknowiftheblushwasduetoangerorembarrassment.Therest
ofthegrouplaughed.
Suddenly,HarrynoticedMarawalkingtowardthemwithagrimlookonherface.Harry....you'recalledfora
mission.
Noticingthegrimlookonherface,Harryquicklystoppedlaughingandlookedtheothersinconfusion.What
couldhavehappened?
Sayinghisgoodbyestothegirlsandgivingakisstohisgirlfriendaswellasaremindernottoenjoytheshow
toomuchtowhichshejustsmiledcheekily,HarrylefttowardtheAudienceChamber.
HarrywasonceagainstandingbeforetheCouncilofMastersinhisusualJedirobes.Sincethedestructionofhis
armor,hehadtakentowearingabasiclightarmorunderneathhisrobes.Hestillwasn'tsurehowtomakehis
newarmorinthewayhewanted.Hewantedittobesturdybutlightandthematerialsavailabletohimweren't
adequate.Hehopedhewouldfindanadequatemetalsoon.
Youwantedtoseeme,Masters?askedHarrycuriously.
LukesighedbeforelookingatHarryseriously.Yes.Aftermuchdeliberationandargumentwehavecometoa
decision.
Harryheldhisbreath,nervouslywonderingwhattheywerearguingabout.
WehavedecidedtoallowyoutotaketheJediKnightTrials.Maralookedunhappyasshesaidthisandher
frowneddeepenedatthesightofHarry'sexcitedsmile.Don'tthinkyouwilljustbehandedthetitle.Becauseof
youryoungage,wearegoingtogiveyouaseriesoftrials.
Kyleclearedhisthroatbeforespeaking.Thesetrialswillbe:TheTrialofSkill,TheTrialofCourage,TheTrial
ofSpirit,TheTrialofFleshandtheTrialofInsight.
Idoubtyou'llpasseasily.Kypslightlysneeredathim.Butifyoudo,youwillbeconsideredafullJedi
Knight.Youweresponsoredbythemajorityofthecouncilsodon'tdisappointthem.Unsaidbutunderstood
wasthatKypwasnotoneofthosesponsors.
You'refirsttrialshallbetheTrialofCourage,saidMasterCilghal.YouaretogototheplanetThuleand
investigatetheSithtemplethere.Therehavebeenrumorsofstrangepeoplewalkingthehallsaswellas
disappearancesfromshipspassingthroughthesystem.Findandeliminatethesource.
Thismissionisclassifiedsoyoumaynottellyourfriendsofit.BevigilantandmaytheForcebewithyou,
saidMasterIkrit.
Andwithyou,Masters,saidHarrysolemnly.Heturnedandlefttowardhisroom,proudofbeingchosenso
youngandreadytoprovehimself.
Assoonasheleft,Maraspoke.Idon'tlikethis.Itwasn'tsolongagothathewasinthehospitalandneardeath.
Whydidyourecommendhimsoyoung?Itwasobvioustoeveryonetherethatshewasangryand
understandablyso.
Becausehe'spowerful,saidKylesoftly.Andinfluential,andcharismaticandmoreimportantly...he'sready.
HegaveMaraapiercinggaze,Don'tletyourfeelingscloudyourjudgement.Itwasobvioussincethatmission
thathewasreadyforKnighthood.HeheldoffandforcedtoretreataMasterlevelopponent.Hemayhavebeen
woundedgrievouslybuthemanagedtostophisplans.Thatisnotsomethingasimplepadawancando.That
alonewastheTrialofSkillandtheTrialoftheFlesh.Ifitwereuptome,IwouldmakehimaKnightalready.
Butwewon't,saidKypfirmly.It'sbadenoughthathe'sbeingconsideredsoyoung.Wewon'tgranthim
favorsbyskippingTrialswhenweagreedtoonlyKnighthimsoyoungifhefinishedthemall.
IkritgaveKypafirmgaze.ThoseTrialsweremeantasaguidelinenotarule.Thereweretimeswhen
padawanswereKnightedbasedonpastmissionexperiencesuchasJohunOthonewas.
HefoughtintheNewSithWars,saidKypdismissively.OfcoursehewasKnighted.
Nevertheless,interruptedLukefirmly.Hewillbetestedonhismeritsfromnowon.Ifamissiongrows
beyondtheexpectedandcoversanotherTrialthenheshallbegivenapassforbothifnecessary.Understood?
TheMastersletoutachorusofagreement.
Marasighedandprayedforherson'ssafety.
EndNotes:
AN:Well,he'sbeengiventheTrials!Forthosewondering,yesIknowthattheNew
JediOrderrarelygivestheTrialsinsuchawayBUThe'sonlyfifteen.Normallyhe
wouldn'tevenbeconsideredsoyoung.However,hispastmissionshaveshownhis
skillandthathe'sfaraboveanormalpadawan.ThesimplefacthecanuseForce
LightningwithoutgoingdarkshouldbeasignofalreadybeingKnightlevel.
AsforAstraal,shewillalsobeKnightedalongwithHarrybuthermissionswon't
bementionedbecauseHarrywon'tgoonthem.Remember,themissionareasecret
andwon'tberevealedtillthey'reKnightedordie.
Hopeyouliketheexplanationoneachcharacter'sskillsandspecializations.
They'reonlyaguidelinesoyouknowhoweachcharacterwillevolveasaJedi.
Jainawillspecializeinpiloting,Jacenineitherbiologyresearchorinvestigator
andsoonandsoon.
IwillbeputtingupapolltoseewhatyouguysthinkshouldbethecolorofHarry's
newmainlightsaber.Pleaseletmeknowyouropinion!
Asalways,ReadandReview!
Backtoindex
Nakia'soldfriendbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Thischapterhasalemon!(LEMONWARNING!)
Chapter16
HarrywascurrentlymeditatingwhiletravelingthroughhyperspacetowardThule.Hecouldn'thelpbutbeproud
forbeingconsideredforKnighthood.ItwasrareforafifteenyearoldtobeconsideredforKnighthoodand
unheardofforsaidpadawantopass.Despitethis,Harrywasdeterminedtoprovehissponsorsthattheirfaith
wasjustified.
Hethoughtaboutthemissionahead.Thedisappearanceshadbeengoingonforoveradecadebuttheyhadbeen
sohaphazardthatnoonehadlinkedthemtogether.Somehadbeenthreeinaweek,othershadbeentwobetween
fivemonths.Lately,thedisappearanceshadbeenmorefrequentanduncomfortablyremindedHarryofhis
missionthatendedinDromundKass.Harrycouldn'thelpbutfeelamixtureofanticipationandtrepidationatthe
ideaofmeetingthelusciousandbeautifulNakia.Thoughhedoubteditwasher,somedisappearanceshadbeen
monthsapartafterall.
Heshookhisheadandfocusedonthemission.Thedisappearancesweresporadicatbestandhadnodiscernible
pattern.Itwasasifsomeonepickedthematawhim.Thedisconcertingthingwasthatmosthadbeensmugglers
andsmugglerwerewellknowntobecautiousatbestandparanoidatworst.Tobeabletokidnapthemshowed
considerableskill.Hetriedtomeditateonthefuturebutreceivedtovisionsthistime.Hecouldn'thelpbut
wonderifthatwasagoodthingorabadthing.
Analarmsounded,signalingthathewasapproachingThule.Hewatchedasthewhitelinesstoppedandturned
tostars.Ithadtakenseveralstopsandcoursecorrectionstoreachtheplanetbuthehadreacheditintheend.
Lookingattheplanet,Harrycouldn'tbutthinkthatitlookedlikeasmokyversionofKalarba.Whileoceans
werevisible,itwasbarelyseenthroughthethickcloudbank.Heknewthattheplanethadfrequentlightning
stormsbutwhatunsettledhimwastheplanet'shistory.Nomatterwhat,ithadalwaysbeenunderthecontrolof
theSith.Thatcouldn'tbepromisingatall.
Expertlyhandlingtheship,HarrybrokethroughtheatmosphereandflewtowardtheSithtemple'slocation.He
sawitassoonashebrokethroughthecloudbank.Itwasaround,domelikestructurewithasingletoweratthe
top.ItwasquitebigandcouldeasilyhidethousandsofsecretsinsideofitbesidetheoneHarrywas
investigating.ReachingoutwiththeForce,HarrycouldsensethedarksideconcentratinginsidetheTemple.
Consideringitwassupposedtobeabandoned,thatcouldn'tbegoodnews.Huromhadoncebeenoccupiedbut
aftertheCloneWars,Palpatinehadeuthanizedit.Harryshudderedatthethoughtofthescreamsofthedying
whenthathappened.Thatnodoubtincreasedthetemple'salreadyhighdarksideaura.
HarrysearchedforalandingspotandeventuallylandednotfarfromHorum.Assoonashelanded,Harry
checkedhisgear.
HarrywasdressedinabrownlightarmorversionofthebasicRebelarmor.Itwasstrongenoughtogivesome
protectionwhilemaintainingitslowweightandallowingflexibility.Hehadhislightsabersclippedtotheir
holstersonhisbackandplacedhisnewweaponintherighthipholster.
Hisnewweaponwasacustomizedcortosisstaff.Theoriginalversionhadbeentooheavyandbulkyforhimso
hehadconstructedanewoneafterdissemblingtheoldone.Itwasmadefromdurasteellinedwithcortosisore
andwhenclosed,lookedsimilartoalightsaberhilt.Thiswasawrongassumptionsinceitcouldextendtoafull
meterandhalfwithatouchofabutton.Itwassturdyenoughtostanduptolightsaberandcortosisswordseasily
andevenhadtheemitterfortheenergybladeandshockbolts.
Insteadofabulkyelectricalgenerator,hehadusedadiatumpowercellsimilartoalightsaber.Thecellpowered
theenergybladeaswellasallowedhimtoreleasethepowerfulburstsofelectricityifneeded.
Checkingthathehadeverything,hewalkeddowntherampandcloseditbehindhim.Asheturnedtowalkto
theSithtemple,hesuddenlysawafamiliarfigurestandinginfrontofhimsmirkingseductively.ItwasNakia.
Hehadn'tforgottenheratallinthetimesincehe'dlastseenher.Thememoryofhercurvesandherkissstill
filledhimwithlonging.HefeltslightlyguiltyforhavingthesethoughtswhenhewaswithAstraalbuthehadto
admitthatthewomanexudedanauraofseductionanddangerthatwasunmatchedbyanynormalmortal
woman.Evennow,shewasdressedinherregularcorsetandskintightblackpantscombinationaswellasher
highheels.Shehadherarmscrossedoverherchestandaccentuatingherlargebust.
Nakiacontinuedtosmirkwhileeyeinghimhungrily.Hello,beloved.I'vemissedyou.Shesaidthiswitha
huskytoneandstartedtowalktowardhimwithaswayinherhips.I'veheardaboutyouraccomplishments
eveninmytravels.Imustsaythatyou'veproventobeeverybitthemanIthoughtyouwouldbewhenwefirst
met.
Nakia,saidHarrybreathlessly.Despitetheironlypreviousmeetingendingsoviolentlyandabruptly,shestill
hadaholdoverhim.Afterall,shehadbeenhisfirstseriouskiss.WhilehehadkissedJainaafewtimesbefore,
theyweremorelikepecksthanrealkisses.Nakiahadbeenthefirsttokisshimwithsuchdesireandlonging
eveniftherewerenorealfeelingsbehindthemonhispart.Areyoubehindthesedisappearancesaswell?
Ohno,beloved.Ijustgothere.Nakianeverstoppedwalkingslowlytowardhimanddespitehislogicalmind
tellinghimthecontrary,hedidn'tdrawhisweapons.Ijustlandedinsearchof...anoldfriendwhenIsawyour
shiplandingnotfarfromme.Ijusthadtoseeyouagain,beloved.Youhavegrown...delectableinourtime
apart.
Bythistime,shewasrightinfrontofhimandslowlytrailingcirclesdownhisarmsandchest.Despiteknowing
howdangerousshewas,Harrydidn'tstopher.Hewasstillconfusedbytheconflictingfeelingshegotfrom
seeingher.Heonlysawheronceyetshehadleftsuchalastingimpactonhimthatevennowhewashard
pressedtoconsiderheranenemy.ItwasalsohardtoconcentrateonAstraalandhisloyaltytoherwithNakia
around,almostasifsomethingwaspurposelyfoggingthosethoughts.
Sensinghisconflict,Nakiagaveaseductivesmilebeforeroughlydrawinghiminforakiss.Harrystruggled
halfheartedlyforafewsecondsbeforerespondingenthusiastically.Seeinghimrespond,sheopenedamindlink
withhimjustlikeshehadbefore,amplifyingbothoftheirarousalsbylettingbothfeeltheother's.DespiteNakia
havingnobodyheat,theheatofdesirebetweenthemgrewrapidly.BeforeHarryknewit,hewasholdingherup
byherbottomwhileshehadherarmswrappedaroundhisneckandherlegswrappedaroundhiswaistasshe
groundherselfontohiserection.Beforetheycouldgoanyfurther,Nakiabrokethekiss.
Stillasdelectableasever,beloved.Nakiaslowlyloweredherselfontothefloorwhilenotunwrappingher
armsfromhisneck.Harryknewthatifanyonesawthem,theywouldseemlikeloversreunitingafteralong
separation.IwouldlikenothingelsethantostaymakinglovetoyoualldaybutIthinkyouhadareasonfor
cominghere?
Herquestionclearedthelastofthecloudoflustinhismindandheshookhisheadtocleartherestofthe
cobwebs.Whyhadhekissedher?HewaswithAstraal!Yes...Iwassenttoinvestigatethedisappearancesas
wellastheSithtemple.
Alone?My,my..aren'tyoumovingupintheworld?Nakiacontinuedtoseductivelytracecirclesonhischest
andhecouldn'thelpbutshudderatthefeeling.Truly,thiswomanknewjustwhattodoandsaytomakeanyman
meltinherhands.HedoubtedevenLukewouldbeabletoresistherforlong.Asitjustsohappens,I'mgoing
thereaswell.My....oldfriendisbehindthedisappearancesandwhileIdon'tcareaboutthat,sheandIhave...
unfinishedbusiness.WhatsayyouandIworktogether,beloved?
Thelastquestionhadbeenwhisperedinhisearandshehadevenlickedhisearlobeslightly.Heshiveredslightly
andnoddedhesitantly.Nakiasmiledathisassentandfinallydisentangledherselffromhim.Heignoredthe
feelingofwantingtobringherintomyarmsagain.Thenherealizedshehadneverbrokenthelinkbetween
themandshewasfeelingeverythinghewas.HeblushedinembarrassmentbutNakiajustwinkedathimand
turnedaroundallowinghimaviewofheartshapedposterior.
HeshookhisheadandfollowedafterherastheyslowlywalkedtowardtheSithtemple.
SithTemple,Horum
ThetwohadmadegoodtimeandreachedtheTemplejustafternightfall.Theentiretriphadbeenmadein
silencethoughitwasacomfortablesilence.AstheyreachedtheTemple,Nakiaspoke.
She'shere.Icanfeelit.Nakiahadahalfdetermined,halfreluctantlookonherface.Asifsheknewshehad
todothisbutwishedthatshedidn'thaveto.Harrywonderedwhathistoryshehadwiththeiradvesary.
HarryreachedoutwiththeForceandsensedit.Amaelstromofdarksideenergycoalescinginsidethecentral
halloftheTemple.Hesensedthatthepresenceknewhewashereandsodiscardedanythoughtsofsneakingup
onit.TurningtoNakia,hesuddenlyrealizedthesignificanceofherstatement.
YoucanwieldtheForce?!
Nakiachuckledatthelookonhisface.Ofcoursebeloved.I'vebeenaroundforeonsandmyraceareall
Forcesensitiveasyoucallit.Howdoyouthinkwecanmaketelepathiclinkswithpeople?Also,howdoyou
thinkIusedthatsonicattack?Iincreasedmyspeedtosubsoniclevelsandmanipulatedtheairsothesoundonly
traveledinyourdirection.Simpleenoughtrickandnotsomething'oftheForce'.It'ssimplyphysicsand
manipulatingwhat'sgiventome.IpurposelybuilttheSoulsabertohaveahigherpitchthannormalsoIcould
usethehighpitchedsounditmakeswhenspuntomyadvantage.
HarryfrownedasheheardthemockingwayshesaidForcesensitive.Ifyoucanwieldit,whydon'tyou
believeinit?
Nakiajustlaughed.Beloved,yourForcereligionisnomorethanoneofathousandreligionsI'veheardinmy
timealive.Whatmakesyourbeliefanymoretruethanthebeliefsofanyoftheothers?Awisemanoncetoldme
this:Anyphilosophy,creedorreligionthatopensthehearttotheForceprovesitselftobetrue.Butthatisonlya
demonstrationoftheapplicationofpower.Itsaysnothingabouttherightnessofyourbeliefs,ortheuniversality
ofyourfaith.
Harryopenedhismouthtorespondbutcouldn'tfindarebuttal.Itwastrue.Despitetheirproofintheabilityto
dosupernaturalthings,whatmakestheirbeliefanytruerthananother's?Someonecansaythatourabilitiesare
simplymutationsduetothemidichloriansinourbloodandwehavenowaytorefutethem.Afterall,haven't
hundredsofreligionsclaimedtohavecontactedandfelttheirgodsbefore?
SeeingHarryactuallymullingitoverratherthaninsistinghisbeliefwasright,Nakiacouldn'thelpbutbe
surprised..andslightlyaroused.Nakiahadalwaysbeenattractedtostrongmenwhoactuallythinkthingsover
ratherthandismissthemoutofhandiftheycontradicttheirbeliefs.Harrytrulywasoneofakind.Howmany
peoplewouldactuallystopandadmitthattheirbeliefsarenomoretruethananother'swhilemaintainingtheir
faith?NonethatNakiahadmetandshehadmetmanyfanatics.Nakiacouldn'thelpbutwanttobedhimright
there.Afterwards,beloved,I'mgoingtoshowyouhowarealwomanfeels,thoughtNakiahuskily.
Come,beloved.She'swaitinginside.
HarryshookhisheadandlookedatNakiaintrepidation.Howdoyouknowthisperson?Andwhatdoyou
meanthatshe'sanoldfriend?Howcanthatbegivenyour...longexperience?
Nakiacouldn'thelpbutbehappythatherefrainedfromcallingherold.DespiteitbeingtrueevenbyAnzati
standards,nowomanwantstoberemindedofherage.Obviouslyhewasraisedbyawomanmorethanaman,
thoughtNakiaamusedly.
She's...oneofmyfirstfriends.FromwhenIwasstillyoung.Astohowshesurvivedtillnow....Well,you'lljust
havetoaskheryourself.Butdon'tworry,seeingtheworriedlookonhisface,I'monyoursideandthisisn'ta
trap.I'vecometo...giveherpeaceasanytruefriendwould.
ThelastsentencehadbeensaidsosomberlythatHarrycouldn'thelpbutfeelpityforher.Tohavetokillafriend
becausetheyhadlosttheirwaymustbeheartbreaking.Hehopedtoneverhavetodothathimself.
HarryandNakiaturnedtowardthetempleandenteredthroughthemaindoors.TheTemplewasobviouslySith
inoriginbythedesignsonthewalls.Itwassharplyangularandhadmanydesignstoenhancethebeautyofthe
wallsandfloor.Itwasobvioustoseethatthecreatorswereveryvainbythemultitudeofstatuesbuiltinthe
likenessofthesamemanwhichmustbetheonewhobuiltthetemple.
Astheenteredthecentralhall,theycameacrossasphereofdarknesshoveringameteroffthefloor.The
momenttheyentered,thespherestartedtohoverlowerandunravelslowlyuntilitdisappeared,revealinga
Humanwomankneelinginthecenterofthehall.
ShewasaboutHarry'sheightandhadblackhairashadelighterthanhis.Shewaswearingastraplessand
shoulderlessshirtthatdoubledaspantswithabeltatherwaist.Theoutfithadthickgreenlinesthatwentdown
thesidesofthepantsandstoppedjustabovetheknee.Therestoftheoutfitwasadeepcrimsoncolor.
Themostcharacteristicthingaboutherthoughwastheprostheticarminplaceofherrightarmthatseemedto
havebelongedtoadroidbeforeaswellashergoldeyes.Darksidegoldeyes.IgnoringHarryforthemoment,
thewomanlookedatNakiaandsneered.
Well,well.Ifitisn'tmyoldfriendNakia.Stillalive,Isee?
Hello,Arden.Despitethecircumstances,it's....goodtoseeyou,myoldfriend.
Forasecond,HarrythoughthesawArden'seyessoftenslightlybeforetheyhardenedagain.Yetyou'vecome
tokillmeIsee.YouevenbroughtaswordthatlookslikethemirrorimageofEmrys's.Howquaint.
Harrylookedfromonewomantothenext,wonderingwhattheyweretalkingabout.WhowasthisEmrysthey
weretalkingabout?Washeafriendoftheirsaswell?
ArdenfinallyturnedhereyestoHarryandwhenshedid,shegaspedinshock.Hereyesturnedalightbluecolor
anditwasasifallthehateandangerthathadfilledherleftinstantly.Shesuddenlylookedathousandtimes
morebeautifulandinnocent.
Emrys?Isthatreallyyou,myfriend?Hervoicewasfilledsuchhopeandlongingthathewasalmost
compelledtosayyesjusttomakeherfeelbetter.
ButNakiashookherheadanddeniedit.No,Arden.Thisisoneofhisdescendants.Don'tyouthinkIwould
recognizemyfirstlove?HervoicesoundedtowistfulthatHarrylookedatherconfusedonlytoreceiveashake
ofherheadandasadsmile.
Ardenlookedathimforamomentlongerwithhernowblueeyes.Yes,you'reright.Buthelookslikehis
spittingimagethough.Heevenhashiseyeseventhoughthey'reashadelighterincolorthanEmrys'swere.
Yes.Hedoes,doesn'the?Nakiasaidthisinapainfultone,asifrememberingsomethingthatcausedherpain.
HarrywasonceagainwonderingwhoexactlythisEmryswasandhowNakiaknewhewashisdescendant.Was
itbecausehelookedlikehimorsomethingelse?
TheonlyonemissingisXendornow.Asshesaidthis,Arden'seyesstartedtoturnagoldcoloragainand
Harrytensed,readyinghimselfforthefighttocome.ButI'mfixingthatrightnow!Can'tyoufeelit,Nakia?
Xendor'sclose.JustafewmoresacrificesandI'llbeabletoresurrecthimagain!Thenwe'llallbetogether
again.Atthis,shestartedtolaughmaniacally.Itwasobviousthatshewasunhinged.
NakiajustshookherslowlyasshedrewherSoulsaber.I'mafraidIcan'tletyoudothat,oldfriend.
Atherstatement,ArdenstoppedlaughingabruptlyandglaredatNakia.Youwouldbetrayme?Harryalmost
flinchedatthehurttoneinhervoiceandNakiadidflinch.Itwasobviousthattheyhadalonghistory.Afterall
we'vebeenthrough?I'vebeenasleepforeons!IthoughtIwascompletelyaloneandyoudidn'tcome!Andnow
aftersolongbeingalone...youbetrayme!?
Ardenseemedtobepickingupsteam.IawoketoamonsterwhofanciedhimselfanEmperorandjoinedhimto
thepromiseofreunitingwithmyloveandoldfriendsthroughhispower.HebetrayedmeandIwascastadrift..
again!HeattemptedtokillmeoveradecadeagobutISURVIVED!HethoughtmedeadbutIsurvived!The
entiretimeIwasthinkingthatIwasaloneandthatallmyfriendsweredeadyetyoulived!!
EveryaccusationseemedtohitNakialikeaphysicalblowuntilattheendsheseemedtobeonthevergeof
tears.I'msorry,Arden.Ishouldhavecomebut...Iwasscared.Atthis,Ardenhesitatedandgainedacurious
lookonherface.Scaredofbeingremindedofhappiertimes.Ofsimplertimes.IthurttoomuchandIchoseto
notseekyouout.Forthat...I'msosorry.
Nakiawasalmostpleadingattheend,beggingherfriendtoforgiveherbutArdenwasunfazed.
YouleftmewhenIneededyou.Youdidn'tcometowakemeinover24,000years!WhenIdid,Ifoundnota
friendbutenemies!IhadtofindoutfromstrangersthatallthatIhadknownwasgone.WewereMYTHS!!!Not
evenrememberedinhistory!No,Idon'tforgiveyou!IwillbereunitedwithmyXendorandyouwon'tstop
me!
Here,Harryinterrupted.Iknowyoufeelbetrayedandalonebut...itdoesn'thavetobethatwayanymore.Your
friendisaliveandyou'renotaloneanymore!Harryrememberedhowcalmshelookedwhenshesawhim.He
knewthatshewasn'tcompletelylosttodarkness,therewasasparkofgoodnesssomewherethereandhehoped
toreigniteit.
However,Ardenjustglaredathim.IawoketofindthattwentyfivethousandyearshadgonebyallIknew
andallIlovedcurdledintohistoryandthendismissedasmyth!Notevendustremainsofthosewhoweredear
tome.Ihaveoutlivedplanets,andtheveryconstellationsarescrambledandstrange.Iamaloneinawaynone
ofyoucanpossiblyimagine.
Ican,myfriend.Nakiaheldfirmtoherformerfriend'sglare.Iknowwhatitfeelstobealoneforsolong.
Turnback,Arden.Don'tmakemedothis.HervoicewastremblingandvulnerableandHarryalmostbrought
herintohisarmsinanattempttocomforther.
Ardensmiledslightly,asifrememberingsomethingfromlongago.Noonemakesusdoanything,remember?
Despitethetension,Nakiasmiledslightly.Asifthephrasewassomethingsherecognizedfromlongago.No...
theydon't,dothey?
ArdenturnedtowardHarryandhereyeslandedonhisdrawnlightsabers.Thesightofthemseemedtoenrage
her.
AJEDI!?!?AsonofEmrysisaJEDI?!?!BLASPHEMY!!Youdarecallyourselfhisdescendantyetjointhat
orderofkinslayers?!YouareatraitorandIwillkillyouforyourbetrayal!
Withthatsheattackedwithincrediblespeed.ShemovedsofastthatshewasablurandHarrywastakenby
surprise.Hewasunabletomusteradefensebeforeshewasonhim.
Thankfully,NakiainterceptedherandstartedtouseherSoulsabertokeepheratbaybyblockingtheboltsof
energyshefiredfromherprostheticarm.HarryquicklyactivatedhisbladesandattackedArdenfrombehind,
seekingtocatchheroffguard.
Thiswasamistakebecausesheinstantlyturnedherfocusonhimandattackedhimwithjustherfistswhile
usingsonicattackstocounterNakia's.Sheeasilyanticipatedhisslashesanddodgedeveryonewith
contemptuousease.Shewasfasterthanevenhewasatthemomentandheonlysurvivedtheirfirstclashdueto
himrapidlybackpedaling.Shedodgedhisslashfromhisrightbladeanddisarmedhimbyhittinghisrightwrist.
Theactioncausedhimextremepainandhewasforcedtodropthatblade.Hewouldhavebeenkilledrightthere
butNakiadefendedhimbyunleashingasonicwaveatArden,causinghertohavetoretreat.Nakiathenengaged
herinclosecombattogiveHarrytimetorecover.
ArdensneeredatNakiaasshedefendedherselffromherblows.Sohe'syourreplacementforEmrys?She
lookedatHarrydismissivelybeforeturningtoNakia.He'snothalfthemanEmryswas.
Harrydidn'tknowwhothisEmryswasbuthewouldn'tbedismissedsoeasily.HequicklyjoinedNakiabefore
completelyenteringVaapad.
Doingthis,hewasabletokeepupwithbothcombatants.HeabsentlyrealizedthatNakiamusthavebeen
holdingbackonhimduringtheirfirstmeetingbecauseshewasmuchfasternow.ShewasusingForcespeed
likeanexpertwhiletossingsonicattacksliketheyweregoingoutofstyle.SomepartofHarrywantedtotest
himselfagainstheratfullstrengthtoseehowhemeasuredupagainstsomeonewithoveramillenniaof
experienceincombatandsurvival.
Meanwhile,Ardenwasbeingpushedback.Harry'sskillwithabladeplusNakia'sexperienceandskillwere
morethanamatchforher.InherprimeshewasabletodefeataJedimasterandholdoffthreeInquisitors.
However,shehadn'tbeenabletorecoverfromPalpatine'snearkillingofherduetoconcentratingallherfocus
onresurrectingXendor.Thatwastheentirereasonshemovedtothisplanet.TheSithtemplehelpedherfocus
thedarksideenergiesandshewassureshewouldbeabletoresurrectXendorwiththeTemple'shelp.
Seeingthatshewouldloseifthiscontinued,Ardenletlooseadevastatingsonicshockwaveinasimilarwaytoa
Forcewave.Theforceofwhichpushedbothofheropponentsback.
Harrywasthefirsttorecoverandquicklytriedtoclosethedistancebetweenthemagain.However,Arden
continuedtokeephimatbaywithacombinationofherarm'senergyboltsandsonicshockwaves.Harrywas
forcedtocontinuallydodgeuntilhecouldfindawayaroundherdefenses.
Suddenly,apillarofdarksideenergycameupbelowArden,coveringhercompletelyandhidingherfromsight.
Ardenscreamedbuteventuallyherscreamturnedintomadlaughter.Alaughterfilledwithjoyandasenseof
victory.Whenthepillarofdarksideenergydisappeared,Ardenlookeddifferent.Shelookedlikeshewasback
inherprimeandeverylittleinjuryhaddisappeared.Evenherdroidarmhadbeenreplacedwithanormalhuman
arm.ArdenglaredatHarrymadlybeforespeaking.
See?!MybelovedXendorhelpsmeevenfrombeyondthegrave!Hehashealedallmywoundsandnowyou
arelost!Neitherofyoucanstanduptomenow!
Sheattackedwithtwicethespeedshehadbeforeandablackkatanamaterializedinherhands.
Harryquicklyrealizedthatthetableshadturnedandhewasbarelyabletoholdheroff.Withasavageblow,she
disarmedhimofhislastbladeandForcepushedhimintoapillar,causingittobreakandadustcloudtoform
whereHarrylanded.Shestoodsmuglyandmockedhimdisdainfully.
Youarenotevenworthyofnoticing.NowthatI'minmyprimeagain,youarelost!IcapturedEmperor
Palpatinehimselfandheldhimhostage!ThatishowstrongIamnow!I'manequalforthegreatestSithLordto
haveeverlived!JustgiveupandIshallmakeyourdeathpainless!
Suddenly,sheheardchucklingcomingfromthedustcloudwhereHarryhadlanded.Onceitcleared,therestood
Harrywithbarelyascratchchucklingather.Hesimplystoodupwithoutwhiledustinghimselfoff.Hesmirked
atherbeforetelekineticallypullinghisbladesbackintohishandsandspeaking.
Youknow...I'vealwaysheldback.WhenIfightwithmyapprentices....whenIfightagainstmyfriends...only
afewcansurvivemewhenIgofullout.SoIalwaysunconsciouslyholdback.Bothtohidemystrengthandso
myfriendswillfeelbetteraboutthemselves.Itwouldn'tdotobeatthemeverytimeweclash,wouldit?That
wouldbecounterproductivetohelpingthemgrowasJedi.
Ardensneeredathim.Isthereapointtothisboringmonologue?
Harry'seyesflashedanddarkenedbeforeseeminglystartingtopulsewithpower.Because...youcantakeit,
can'tyou?Youcantakemyfullstrength.Sothatgivesmearareopportunity....Harryseemedtostartto
literallyglowintheForcetotothepointthatshecouldseeit,....toreallycutloose!
Withthat,HarrydashedtowardArdensofasthewasleavingafterimages.Ardenbarelyliftedherbladeintime
totakethefirststrikefromthevioletblade.However,shewasalmostbisectedbythelightningfaststrikewith
theblueblade.Shemanagedtododgebutstillreceivedacutgoingfromherlefthiptoherrightshoulder.The
tophalfofherclothingwasrippedandshowedasinglemilkywhitebreast.
'Fast!'thoughtArdenfrantically.
HarryunleashedablurringseriesofjabsandslashesthatArdenbarelysawmuchlesswasabletoblock
completely.Shewasforcedtoblockonlythepotentiallylethalonesandgritherteethtotheothers.Arden
startedtofightbackusingherownskillwithablade,learnedandrefinedduringherlifeinconstantbattle.
OnlyherexperienceinbattlekeptheraliveagainstHarry'sblurringattacksthatcamefromallangles,somethat
shouldn'tbepossibleevenwithtwoblades.Harryjumpedbackslightlybeforesmirkingather.
Letmeshowyousomething,Arden.HarryenteredtheopeningstanceforVaapad.ThisiscalledVaapad.Tell
me,howmanybladesdoyousee?
Withthat,Harrypressedtheattackwithamuchfasterseriesofattacks.TheyweresofastthatArdensworeshe
sawover15bladesattackingfromallsides.Shewasn'tabletokeepupandwasforcedonthedefensive.Seeing
ashatterpointonherblade,Harryattackedandmanagedtoshatterherkatanaintofragmentsofdarksidemetal.
Theyevaporatedoncetheylandedonthefloor.
Seeingthatshewasunarmed,sheletlooseanothershockwaveofsonicenergythatonlycausedHarrytotakea
stepback,grittinghisteethandstandinguprightthroughthewave.However,thisgaveArdentherespiteneeded
tocreatedistancebetweenthem.
Seeingthis,heletlooseapowerfulstreamofForcelightningather.Thepowertookherbysurprisesinceshe
didn'texpectaJeditohaveitandthestreamhit.Shescreamedasthelightningdiditswork,electrocutingher
fromtheinsideandstunningher.Harrycutthestreamandquicklyclosedthedistancebetweenthemwhilefiring
Forcebullets.
Despitebeingdazed,Ardenmanagedtododgemostofthebulletsandtherestonlyhitherinnonlethalplaces
whereshehadreinforcedherselfwiththeForce.Suddenly,Nakiaappearedbehindherandletloosea
devastatingslashdownherback.
Ardenscreamedinpainandturnedthescreamintoasonicshockwavethatpushedbothbackagain.
Harryhadbeenunabletostandhisgroundsincehewasrunningatthetimeoftheshockwaveandsowaspushed
back.Nakiahadhitapillarhardandseemedtobeunconscious.'Great,soit'smeagainstacrazymillenniaold
womanwithagrudge.Joy.'thoughHarrysarcastically.
Ardencreatedastaffofdarksideenergyandenteredastance.Decidingtohumorher,heholsteredhis
lightsabersanddrewhisstaffaswell.Heextendedittoitsfullmeterandahalflengthandstartedtwirlingit
aroundwithanexpert'sskill.Whilenotamasteryet,Harrycouldsafelysayhewasconfidentenoughtouseitin
combatalmostaswellasalightsaber.
Ardeneyesflashedblueandseemedtoglazeinremembrance.Emryswieldedastafftoo.Youlooksomuch
likehim...
ArdenshookherheadanddashedatHarryagain,thistimeusinghernewlycreatedstaffwithexpertskill.The
twofellintoapatternofblockandattackwithHarryblockingherstaff'shitsandusingthemomentumtolaunch
hisown.BothseemedevenlymatcheduntilHarrypickedupthespeedagainandstartedtwirlingthestaffuntilit
lookedlikeafanofmoltensilver.HelaunchedhisattackatblurringspeedsthatArdenwashardpressedto
match.
Harrydecidedtorevealoneofhisstaff'stricksandactivatedit'selectricaltouchwhenhelandedahitonher
chest.Ardenscreamedinpainasshewashitbyelectricityforthesecondtimethatday.Sheeventually
disengagedandstartedtododgeallhisswings,notknowingiftheywouldshockherornot.Harrywascounting
onthisandletherfallintoasenseofcomplacency.
TheycontinuedlikethisforawhilewithbothslowingdownbeforeHarrytookagamble.Heshortenedhisstaff
toitscompactformandletherlandasavagehitonhischest.Thinkingshehadwon,Ardenloweredherguard.
ThiswasamistakebecauseHarrylashedoutwithhisstaffinitssmallformandastheemitterparthitthecenter
ofherchest,heactivatedtheenergyblade.
Ardenjustfroze,lookingunbelievinglyattheenergybladenowgoingthroughherchestandoutherback.She
knewshewasdead,herbodyjusthadn'trealizedthefact.Ratherthanlandalethalblowonherkiller,shejust
lookedathimandsmiledwithhernowcompletelybabyblueeyes.
Thankyou.Wiiththat,Harrydeactivatedtheenergybladeandshefellbonelessly.
Beforeshefellcompletely,Harrygatheredherinhisarmsandletherdownonthefloorwithherheadonhislap
wherehesatcrosslegged.Sheseemedsodifferentnow,nolongerangryandhatefulbutcalmandaccepting.He
realizedthatthismustbehowshewasbeforeshefelltothedarkside.Beforewhateverhappenedblackenedher
heartandfilledherwithhate.Hehadtoadmitthatshelookedquitebeautifulnow.
I'msorry,Arden.ItwasNakia,havingwokenupintimetoseeHarrylandthefinishingblow.Shewalkedover
untilshesatbesideherdyingfriendandtookherhandinhers.Itwasn'tsupposedtobethisway.Itwasmy
faultforbeingsuchacoward.
Ardenjustshookherhead.No,youwarnedus.YouandEmryswarnedXendorandIthatwewerewalkinga
darkpath.Youtriedsohardtoconvinceusbut...weweretooproudandstubborntolisten.ForceknowsIloved
Xendorbutthemanwasasstubbornasrancorafteritslastmeal.
Nakiajustlaughedlightlyandsniffed,tryingtoholdbacktears.Harrycouldn'thelpbutletlooseafewtearsof
hisown,overcomebythegenuineregretandforgivenessinhervoice.Seeingherlikeshewasnow...itwashard
toimagineherasthedangerousdarksideuserhehadbeenfighting.
HearingHarry'ssniffles,Ardenturnedtohimandsmiledslightly.YouaretrulyhisdescendantandIseethat
hispowerstillrunsstronginhisblood.ItrulyamamatchforPalpatineinmyprime.I'mnottrulyinmyprime
anymorebutI'msurelystrongenoughtokillmostJedimasters.Youshouldbeproud.What'syourname?
Harry,HarryPotter.
Ardenmouthedthenameasifitwasstrangetoher.Sostrange.EmryswasknownasEmrysMyrddininmy
time.IguessoneofhisdaughtersmarriedaboynamedPotterdowntheline.ArdenturnedtoNakiaandsmiled
sadly.I'msorrythattheycouldn'tbeyours,Nakia.ForceknowsyouandEmryslovedeachother.
Nakiajustshookherheadastearswentdownherface.It'salright.AtleastIknowhehadthefamilyhealways
wanted.That'senoughforme.
ArdenjustsmiledsadlyatherbeforeturningbacktoHarry.Awordofadvicemyfriend.TheJedimeanwell
anddespiteeverything,theytrulydowanttohelpthegalaxy.Suddenly,hervoicehardenedslightly.Buttheir
beliefseventuallyleadtobigotryagainstanyonewhodoesn'tbelieveastheydo.Ratherthansharebeliefsand
acceptthebeliefsofothers,theyconsiderallthosewhobelievedifferentlyas'darksiders'or'GrayJedi'.
HarrywouldhavedenieditbutthenherememberedthewayKyptreatedtheJensaarai.Thelooksonthe
Masters'facewhentheyfoundoutheknewForcelightning.Sohekeptsilent.
Ardensmiledknowinglyasherbreathbecameshallower.Theirbigotrystemsfromtheirfear.Fearofthe
unknown.Fearofthedifferent.Whilesomecautionisunderstandable,itdoesn'tmeantheyhavetotarnishthe
reputationofanotherjustbecausetheywon'tprescribetotheirwayofthinking.ThatwaswhatstartedtheFirst
GreatSchism.
Arden'svoiceturnedwistfulasshekeptherselfalivethroughherstrengthintheForcealone.Wedidn'tstartout
asadarksidegroup.Wejustwantedtobeabletositdownandshareideasandtheories.Aplacewherenoone
wasjudgedandallwereaccepted.Thatwasourdreammine,Xendor'sandEmrys's.Aplaceofpeace.
Arden'svoiceturnedhardandangry.Buttheywouldn'tletusbe.Itwaseithersubmitordietothemandwhen
werefused...warstarted.ArdenturnedtoHarry,hertoneaccepting.Iadmitthatwelostourway.Weturned
fromscholarstosoldiersandletourangerattheJediforforcingusintoawarwedidn'twanttoblackenour
hearts.Weattackedinnocentpeopleandcausedchaosinthegalaxy.But,herehervoiceturnedpleading,we
didn'twantthat.Wewerejustangryandhurtandwelashedoutatthegalaxy.I'msosorry.
It'sokay,saidHarryinacomfortingtone.Iunderstand.
Ardensmiledwistfully.Emrystriedtowarnusbutweignoredhim.Heleftsoonafter,hurtthatweignoredhim
andtookaboutahundredlikemindedpeoplewithhim.I'mgladtoknowthathefoundpeaceifhemanagedto
haveafamily.
ArdenturnedtoawallandusedtheForcetoliftasectionofit,revealingahiddenpassageway.Theaction
seemedtodepleteherofalmostallherremainingstrengthbecauseherarmfelluselesslytothefloorafterward.
ShethenturnedbacktoHarry.AttheendofthatpassagewayisalltheknowledgeIaccumulated.Iwas
planningonusingittostartmyownAcademybutnowIgiveittoyou.Hervoicewasgettingsolowhehadto
leanintohear.Asagiftfromafriendofyourancestor.
Arden'scoughedupbloodandhervoicewasgettingsolowitwasawhisper.Thepointofthisspeechisthat...
theJediofferpeace.Thatmuchistrueandtheydogiveittoyou.Hervoicewasbarelyawhispernow.But
thatpeacecomesataprice.Intheend,whatdoyouprefer?Peace?Ardentookafinalbreathbefore
whispering,Orfreedom?
Arden'seyesglazedandherheadturnedtothesidebeforeseemingtoseesomethingthatmadeherheartswellin
joyandabeautifulandsoftsmiletograceherface.
DeathVision
Thereweretwomen.Onehaddarkbrownhairthatwascutclosetotheheadandlightbrowneyesthatlookedat
herwithlove.Hewasdressedlikeasamuraiofoldwithakatanahangingonhisrighthip,andwalkedwiththe
graceofawarrior.TheotherlookedthespittingimageofHarrywiththeuntamableblackmopofhairanda
smallblackbeardalongwithdarkgreeneyesthatlookedatherhappily.Hewasdressedinbrownrobesandhad
ablackstaffinhishandandwalkedcarefullyasifmeasuringeverystepbeforetakingit.
You'relate,Arden.Ithoughtyouhatedbeinglatetoanything,teasedEmrys,theblackhairedman,witha
smile.
Sorry,Emrys.Igotlost,whisperedArdensoftly.
That'sokay,mylove,saidXendor,thebrownhairedman,lovingly.Ididtoo.Thankfullythisidiotgotme
backontrackafterhedied.IdiotwentintotheChaosoftheDamnedandbroughtmebacktotheLighthimself.
Crazybastard.
Emrysjustsmiledandshrugged.Idon'tabandonfriends.
Ardensmiledandhereyesdrooped.I'mtired.
Thenrest,mylove.Xendorlaidhishandonherheadlovingly.Restwithushere.You'refinallyhome.
Ardensmiledandclosedhereyes.
DeathVisionend
Arden'sheaddroppedasshedied,asoftsmileonherface.ArdenLyn,TersKsimasterandvisionarydied
surroundedbyherlastlivingfriendandthelastdescendantoftheotherwithherheartatpeaceatlast.
Afewhourslater
Thetwopeople,JediandAnzanti,stoodsidebysidebythemakeshiftgrave.Theyhadmadeitontheotherside
oftheplanet,notwantingthedarksideenergiesofthetempletotarnishhergrave.Theenergieshaddispersed
withherdeathandtheTemplewassilentoncemore.Harry'sshipwasnearbywithNakia'sshipbesideit.
TheyhadremovedallofthematerialbelongingtoArdenandmoveditthesecretcompartmentinHarry'sship.
Hewantedtostudyitbyhimselfanddidn'twantanyonetofindoutaboutit.HeknewtheCouncilwouldeither
destroyitorforbidanyonefromreadingit.Theirfearofitcorruptingsomeonewouldcausethemtooverreact.
Harrydidn'twantthat.Itwasthefinalgiftofalostandtorturedsoulthatwantedtomakeupforalifetimeof
causingpaintoothers.Hewouldn'ttarnishthatfinalactwithsuspicion.Shedeservedbetter.
ThehoardofinformationthatArdenhadwasenormous.Itwasluckymosthadbeenindatachipsbecauseifit
hadbeeninscrollsthenitwouldhavefilledthedarktemplefromtoptobottom.Theonlyscrollhadbeenthe
teachingofTersKsifromamaster'sperspectivewithnotesalongthemargins,somethingthatHarrypromised
himselfhewouldlearninsecret.HewouldcombineTersKsiwiththeunarmedcombatstylesheknewaswell
asVaapad'sversioninordertomakehisownunarmedcombatstyle.He'llnameit'StrikeoftheEagle',in
memoryofArden.
Thetwopeoplestoodsidebyside,eachintheirownthoughtsaboutthewomanburiedbeforethem.
Iheardyou,saidNakia.WhenHarryturnedtoherwithacuriouslook,shecontinued.Whenyousaidyou
alwaysholdback.Whydoyoudothat?
Harrywassilentforamoment,lookingatthegroundseriouslybeforespeaking.I'vealwaysbeencalleda
prodigyofthebladeandIlikeditbecauseIearnedit.Iworkedhardandbledandsweatedformyskills.Butit
alsocomeswithaprice.Harrysmiledbitterly.Peoplegetenvious,whichturnstojealousy,whichcreates
conflictandfriction.ThesamehappenedwhenIlivedwithmyrelatives.Iwouldtrytoexceltomakethemlove
mebuttheyjusthitmeharderandcalledmeacheater.Irealizedthatitwaseasiertohidemyskillstoappear
ordinary.ItcarriedovertoJeditraining.WhenIfightmyapprenticesorfriends,Isubconsciouslylowermyself
totheirlevelsotheydon'tfeelsobadaboutthemselves.Harry'svoiceturnedanguished.Idon'twanttolose
them.Idon'tthinkIcouldhandleit.
Nakiaplacedahandonhisshoulder.Ifthey'rereallyyourfriends,they'llunderstandandbeproudofyou.They
won'thateyouforbeingbetter.Itmighteveninspirethemtobetterthemselvesfurther.
Harrynoddedreluctantly.Itrymybesttohelpthem.SotheycanbethebesttheycanbeandbethegreatJediI
knowtheycanbe.Idon'twantthemtoliveinmyshadow.
Nakiasmiledslightlyathisstatement.You'reagoodfriend.Friendslikeyouarerareandthey'reluckytohave
you.Shegavehimasoftkissonthecheekwhichcausedhimtoblush.
TheystoodthereinsilenceforawhilebeforeNakiabrokeit.
I'maloneagain.HarryturnedtoNakiaatherstatement.Shesoundedsoanguished.Shewasthelastliving
memberofatimewhereIwastrulyhappy.WheneverythingwassimpleandIthoughtanythingcouldbe
overcomeifonetriedenough.
NakiaturnedtowardHarry,tearsflowingdownhercheeksandhereyesfullofgrief.InsteadIlearnedthatlove
isn'tenoughandthateverythingdiesandfadesasIstaythesame.DoyouknowhowmanyfriendsI'veburied?
Harrywasspeechlessatherbearingherheartathim.Hecouldn'timaginethedepthofherpain.Toliveforso
longthatyououtlivedeventhememoryofyourfriendswassomethinghewishedheneverlivedthrough.
Hundreds.NakiasaiditinsuchapainedtonethatHarrycouldn'thelpbutpullherintoahug,asiftryingto
lowerherpain.Nakiacontinuedalthoughitwasmuffledbyhisrobes.I'vetriedtonotmakefriendships.I've
triedtostayaloofbutIcan'thelpit.I'mnotliketheothersofmykind.Ineedcompanionship.Ifeelsoaloneand
everytimeIfindhappinessIoutliveitandI'maloneagain.Whycan'tIeverjustjointhem?
AtthisHarrymadeherlookathimintheeyeasheslightlyglaredather.Don'tsaythat.Don'teventhinkit.
Yourfriendswouldn'twantyoutodiejusttojointhem.Theywouldwantyoutoliveasbestyoucouldand
continuetohonorthembycarryingtheminyourmemories.
Nakiasmiledtearfullyathim.Maybeyou'reright.Mostofthemwouldteasemeaboutgoingsoft.
Harrysmiledsoftly.It'snotwrongtocryforthosethatarelost.Butthosethatloveusneverreallyleaveus.Not
aslongasweleaveaplacefortheminourhearts.
Nakiasmiledathimandchuckledslightly.Whendidyougetsowise?
Harryjustshruggedandrubbedthebackofhisheadwhilesmilingsheepishly.
Nakia'ssmiledroppedslightlyandshestartedtowalktowardhisshipwhiledragginghimalongbyhisarm.
Wherearewegoing?askedHarryconfusedly.
Nakiasmiledathiminawaythatmadehisstomachflip.Don'tyoutrustme?
Harrynoddedhesitantlyandletherleadhimbackintohisshipandintohisroom.Normallyhewouldcatchup
quicklytoherplanbuteversincetheendifhisfightwithArdenithadbeenhardtoconcentrateandhisthoughts
ofAstraalhadbeenhardtokeep.Unknowntohim,thiswasNakia'sdoingandshehadbeenusinghertelepathic
abilitiestolowerhisinhibitionsandmakehimlosehisloyaltytoAstraalbymakinghimforgethercompletely
foratime.
Oncethere,shepushedhimontothebedwherehelaylookingatNakia.Nakiajustsmiledseductivelyathim
beforesheslowlystraddledhimanddrewhimintoascorchingkiss.
Shemoanedintothekiss,herhandswereclutchinghisblackhair,puttingallofherdesireintothekiss.Harry
groanedashisrockhardmemberpokedherinnerthighsmakinghisdesireskyrocketoutofcontrol.Anythought
ofAstraalhadlefthismindcompletelyduetoamixofNakia'spowerandlust'snaturalfoggingofhismind.
Rightnow,hewasahormonedrivenboywithacrimsonhairedgoddesskissinghimandanythoughtofrightor
wronghadfledorbeensuppressed.
Openingherlips,shesnakedouthertonguetolickhissoftlips.Asifoninstinct,Harrypartedhislipsasher
tonguebegantoexplorehismoistcavernhungrily.Bothofthemmoanedloudly,theroomfilledwithlewd
slurpingnoises.
'Herlips.'TheyoungJedithoughtfoggilyastheirtonguesbattled,wrappingaroundeachother.Hisknees
howeverbuckledwhenNakiabegantosuckonhistongue,electricpleasurestrikinghisbody.
'Wow'wastheonlythinghishazymindcouldconjureupashebegantokissherbackwithmorevigor.'She's
muchmoreexperiencedthanAstraal.'ThethoughtofAstraalbroughthimupshortbutsuddenlyheseemedto
forgethishesitance.WhowasAstraalanyway?
"Ahh"Nakiamoanedwhenshewasliftedupandgentlypushedagainstthecloseddoor,theyoungJedinow
takingchargeashekissedherlikeshewasmostdeliciousthingintheworld.Thistime,itwasNakiawhowas
amazed.'Forsomeonesoyoung,hehasamazingnaturaltalent',shethoughtlustfully.
"Harryyy"sheagainmoaned,hersweethoneyvoicemixedwithherdesireandlustmakinghishardened
membertwitch,nowpulsingpainfully.Hefeltasifhecoulddrillholesindurasteel,itwasgettingoutofcontrol.
Heneededit.now!
Leaningback,thetwobreatheddeeplyaslightpantingsoundsfilledtheroom.Theygazedateachotherthrough
halfliddedeyes,theirnosestouchingeachotherastheytookinmuchneededoxygen.
"NNakia."Harrygroanedwhenhefelthishardenedshaftbeingsqueezedgentlywhileasmallsmirkfound
itswayonherlips.Thelastofhisresistancewasbeinggroundedaway.WWeshouldn't...
"Then..stopme,"shewhisperedinhisear,nibblingonitwhilehecontinuedtopant.Damn,shewasdrivinghim
crazy!Herscent,hertongue,herlips,hereyesthewayshewasstrokinghiscockthroughhisrobes
everything!
'He'shuge!'shementallycheered.Eveninallthecenturiesshehadbeenalive,sheknewthatteninchesathis
agewasrare.
"SStopthat.ahh"hegroaned,thepleasurewaselectrocutinghissenses.Itfeltsogoodhavinghiscock
strokedlikethat,herhandsweresosofteveniftheywereslightlycold.Thatquicklychangedasshecontinued
torubhim.
"See?youwantme..,"shespoke,placingkissesonhisneckwhilestrokinghim.Harry'seyeswereclosedashe
grittedhisteeth.Gettingaholdofhershoulders,hegentlypushedherbackwithajerk.
Nakiawasinshockasshestaredathim.Noonehadevermanagedtoresistherforsolong.Herdesire
skyrocketedasachallengepresenteditself.
'Whydoeshestillresistme?'shethought,hereyelashesgettingwetwhenshenoticedthelookinhiseyes.He
hadafierydeterminedlookonhisface.Bothofthemwerestillpanting,silenceensuingbetweenthemwhileher
handswerestilllightlystrokinghisshaftthroughhisrobes.
Leaningin,hegrowledinalowtone."Myturnnow"alookofsurprisecrossedherfacebeforealoudmoan
escapedherlips.
"OhhhHaHarry"hewaskneadingherrightbreastnow,theblackhairedJediplacingpassionatekisseson
herneckagain.Nakiaclosedhereyesassheleanedherheadback,pushingoutherchestmoretogivehimmore
access.Itfeltsogood,herbreastswerealwayssosensitive.Thecorsetwasn'tthatthickeithersoshefeltevery
touchasifshewasnaked.Thecorsetwasmoretoenhanceherseductiveimagethanforanyrealprotection.
"Ahhhiitfeelsso.goodHHarrymore,please....,"shemoaned,stillstrokinghiscockwhilenowbothof
hishandswerekneadingherbreaststhroughthefabricofhercorset.
Grabbingholdoftheedgeofhercorsetaroundherbreasts,hepulleditdownandoffasherfirmandperky
globesofofDcupfleshbouncedout.
"What'swrong?IthoughtIwasjustaboycomparedtoyou."Hewhisperedhuskilyinherear,nowcupping
bothofherbarebreastsashestartedtogrindhisarousalagainsther.
"OOhhbytheHolySoupHHarrysuckthemit'sbeentoolong"herbreathingwasevenheaviernow
whilelusthadcompletelyovertakenthecrimsonhairedimmortalashestartedtonibbleonherear.Goingdown,
heplacedseveralbutterflykissesonherneck.
Herhandsstartedtofumblewiththeclaspholdinghisrobesclosedaroundhiswaistashecontinuedtodryfuck
her.
Helightlypinchedherhardnipples,drivingoutaloudmoanfromherashetracedhistongueintohercleavage,
atrailofsalivavisiblefromherneck.Hisrobesfelloffhimasshefinallyundidtheclasp.Hethenhelpedher
removetherestofhisclothingleavinghimcompletelynaked.Herhandsslowlygotholdofhiswarmmeatpole
asHarrygroanedloudly.
Nakiafeltherselflosingcontrolasshetenderlystrokedhisbarecocknow,whichwasnowgrindingagainsther
vaginathroughthefabricofherpants.
'Howcanhemakemelosecontrolsoeasily'shethoughtthroughthefogofdesireinhermindwhileHarry
continuedtosinkhisfingersintothesoftfleshofhertits,histhumbrubbingoverherhardenednipples.
"Ahhyesmmore"hermoansencouragedhimasheleaneddowntotakeherleftnippleinhismouthwhile
hisrighthandpinchedherothernipple.
Nakiathrewherheadbackasshecuppedhisheadfrombehind,pushinghiminwhileHarryeagerlyranhis
tongueoverherareola,suckingandbitingonthemashemadehercrazy.Hishandswouldeasilyslideoverher
breastsashecontinuedtokneadherrighttitwhilesuckingontoherleftnipplelikeababy.
"Iahahhh.HaHarry.yyou'resogoodatthaaaat"shemoanedheavily,handstightlyclutchingonto
thebackofhishead.Stoppinghis'breastsucking',heleanedupwardstotakeherlusciouslipsintoanotherhot
kissmakinghermoaninecstasy,hisrighthandroughlygropingherrightbreastwhilehecontinuedtogrindhis
barecockagainstherwetvaginathroughherpants.
Leaningback,hegrinnedatherlightlyasshestaredathimthroughherhalfliddedeyes,inwardlyshockedto
seethissideofhim.Wherewastheshyandconfusedboywhomadehimselfseemweakerthanhewasforhis
friends?Andherehewasmakinghergocrazy,wheredidhelearnallthesethingsanyway?Hewasincomplete
controlnow!Andshehadover24,000yearsofexperience!
"My.you'resosexy,nowondersomanyguyswillinglyfollowyoutotheirdeaths,"hewhisperedinherearas
shecontinuedtopant,hervoluptuousassetsheavingupanddownwitheachbreathwhilehereyeswereclosed.
"Ohh.yesss,"Nakiahissedashebegantorubherclitthroughhersoakedpants,hislefthandstillgropingher
breastsasheleanedintocaptureherpinklips.Nakiawassolostinthepleasurethatherhandhadautomatically
stoppedstrokinghiscock,thoughitstillhelditsgentlegriponit.
"Mmmm"hermoanswereturninghimonsomuchashenibbledonherlowerliplightly,hislefthandplaying
withherbaretitswhilehecontinuedtorubherthroughherpants.Retractinghisrighthand,heputitinpasther
waistband.
"AhhHaHarryyyy."Nakiabrokeoutofthekissasshemoanedsweetly,hereyesclosed,herrighthand
restingonhisshoulderwhilehestartedtorubherbareclitgently.Shethrustherlowerbodyforwards,opening
herlegsabittogivehimmoreaccess.Usuallyshewasincompletecontrolduringsexbutlosingcontrolto
Harrywassomuchbetterthanshehadeverimagined.
"Enjoyingthis.Nakia?"Harrywhisperedinhishuskyvoice.God!Shecouldn'tthinkstraightnow,hewasso
muchbetterthansheexpected!
"YYesss.byallthat'sholy,don'tsstop."Shepantedoutashebegantofingerher,wetsloshingsounds
mixedwiththeirpantsfuelingtheirlust.TheblackhairedJedihoweversuddenlystoppedmakingherwhimper
indisappointmentwhilehebentonhisknees,hislefthandreluctantlyleavingherbreastsashepulledherpants
andunderweardown,hiswarmandwettonguetrailingcirclesaroundherbellybuttonmakinghergiggleabit.
Hethengentlyprobedhistongueinherbellybuttonresultinginhersquirmingabit.
Leaningdown,Harrynoticedhercleanshavedpussy.
Nakiashudderedinanticipationasshegazedathimthroughthecurtainofherthickeyelashesduetohereyes
beinghalflidded.Despitehersuperiorexperiencedoingthisandhavingreceivedcunnilingusmanytimes,she
couldn'thelpbutshudderinanticipationanddesire.Itwasasifitwasherfirsttimealloveragain!Harrytooka
whiffofherscent.itwasintoxicatingashisshaftwashardascortosisnow.Buthecontrolledhimself,hehad
togiveherpleasurefirst.
Hegaveherasmallhuskysmilebeforeleaningforward,givingherpinkishandwetpussylipsanexperimental
lick.Afterall,itwashisfirsttimedoingthisandhewantedhertoenjoythis.
"Ahhh."Nakiamoanedloudlyasherkneesbuckled.Harryhadasurprisedexpressiononhisfaceashetasted
herlovejuice.
'Wowit'sbetterthanIthoughtitwouldbe'hementallyspokebeforegrinninglightly,lickinghislips.
"Harry.mmore.please..."shepleadedwhilepanting,asheenlayerofsweatcoveringherbodygivingitan
etherealglow.Lookingathernowwithherbreastsondisplayandhereyesfullofloveandlust,hethoughtshe
lookedlikeagoddess.Smilingsoftlyather,heagainleanedforwardashebegantolapupherjuiceshungrily
makinghermoanuncontrollably.
"OOhmy.bytheHolySoup!itfeelssooo"shewhimpered,herhandsnowrestinggentlyonthebackof
hisheadasshepushedhimabitdeeper,notwantingthisfeelingtoendshewasjustabouttocumanyway.
Harryhowever,shovedhistonguedeeperintoherpussy,hisnoserubbingherclitcausingNakiatoclutchhis
hairharder.
"Harryyyy..I..I'mcumming!"shemoanedloudlythistime,pushinghisheadindeeperassheclosedhereyes.
Hermoansgotlouderassheexperiencedthebestorgasminover20,000years,hermindgettinglostinthe
euphoriaastheimmortal'sbodyshiveredinunearthlypleasure.
Harryleanedback,thetipofhisnoseaswellhislipsdrippingwithherhoneyjuices,ahuskyexpressiononhis
face.
"OhHarry"shemoaned,nowsoftlycuppinghischeekswithhershakinghandsbeforeleaningintocapture
hislipsinachastekiss.Harrykissedherbackhappily.
"AhhNNak"hetrailedwhenshegrabbedhiscock,aslysmileonherface.Turninghimaround,shepushed
himgentlyagainstthedoor,givinghimanotherheatedkisswhileherhandstartedtostrokehiscock.Harry
groanedasshestartedtoplacesoft,tenderkissesonhisneckbeforebendingdown.Shespentaminutelicking
hissixpackslowly,enjoyingseeinghimsquirm.'Idosoloveamanwithagreatbody.'thoughtNakialustfully.
"Ohhhdon'twworryI'lltakegoodcareofyouffromnowon"shepurredwithalightgiggle,nuzzling
hercheekwithhishardmember,heronehandstrokingitatthebasewhiletheothercuppedhisballs.Harry
groaned,hisheadagainstthemetaldoor.Hecouldn'tbelieveitherehewas,aJediwithamissionandhe
managedtodothiswithanimmortalgoddess!Lifewasgood.Forsomereason,hefeltasifhewasforgetting
somethingbutheignoredit.
"Aghh"hegrittedhisteethuponfeelinghisdickbeingcoveredwithwarmwetness.
'Damnitfeels.sogood,'hethoughtinamazementwhileNakiahadtakenhalfofhiscockinhermouth,now
runninghersofttongueatthebaseofit.Shemoanedwhilethevibrationsthroughherthroatfurtherincreased
hispleasureasherestedhishandsonthebackofherhead,gentlypushingherin.
Gettingthesignal,andinwardlysmirking,Nakiafurtherbegantoengulfhisshaftuntilalmostallofitwasin.
'Hah..Ibetnoneofthoselittlegirlscoulddothis!'sheinwardlyexclaimedwithsmugpride,nowleaningback
tothetipofhiscockbeforeagaintakingthewholelengthinhermouth.Harrymeanwhilewasgroaning
uncontrollably.Thiswasheavenpureheaven!
Startingoutataslowrhythmicpace,shebegantobobherheadbackandforth,allthewhilehertongueeagerly
lickinghiscock.
'Mmm.notabadtaste.'Sheinvoluntarilythought,bothofherhandsholdinghisthighsasshegradually
increasedherpacewhileHarrywasalreadyclosetocumming,hishandsgentlyfistingabitofherhair.
"NNakI'm"heknewwhatwascoming,buthecouldn'twarnherintime.Nakia,however,immediately
knewwhatwascomingherwayassheimmediatelyleanedback,hermouthleavinghisshaftwithanaudible
popherwarmsalivanowcoatingit.TheyoungJedishiveredatthefeelingofcoldaironhisshaftasshewiped
herlips,nowsmirkingathiminlust.
"WWhydidyouohhhbytheForce."Hemuttered,clenchinghiseyesshutatthesuddenheavenlyfeeling
surroundinghiscock.
"So.howdoesitfeel,beloved?"Nakiaaskedwithaseductivesmileonherface,currentlysupportingthebase
ofherbreastsasshetittyfuckedhim.
Hissalivacoatedcockwascurrentlyinbetweenhertwoglobesofflesh,slidinginandoutofhercleavagewhile
hersweatybreastsengulfeditinavelvetyembrace.Harrycouldeasilysaythiswasthebesthehadfeltinhis
life,itfeltlikehaddiedandgonetoheaven.Hehadalwayswantedtodothis.Hecouldn'tfeelanythingelse,
onlythathisrockhard,pulsingcockwasbeingcoveredbyextremelysoft,firm,sweatyandslipperytits.A
vaguememoryofablueskinnedwomandoingthesamepassedthroughhismindbutNakiaruthlessly
suppresseditwithhertelepathicpowers.Theyhadn'tgonesofarjustsotheycouldstopnowduehis
rememberinghisgirlfriend.
"OhNNakia.I"hegrittedhisteeth,tryingtoholdbackwhatheknewwascoming.Nakia,however,hadher
eyesclosedasshemoanedinpleasure.Itsurefeltgoodhavinghishardshaftslideinbetweenhervoluptuous
assets.
"Cum.cumonmybreastsandmyface.doit,beloved."Shemoaned,nowlickingthetipofhisdick,
finallypushinghimovertheedge.
"OhFForceme!"hecursedasjetstreamsofhiswhiteseederuptedfromhiscock,spillingoverherfaceand
breasts.Harryhadhiseyesclenchedshut,hishandsnowtightlyclenchedintofistsbyhissideashecummed
violently,shootingloadsofthickstickyspermwhilehismembertwitchedinresponse.
Nakiawasmoaning,hereyeshalfliddedasthewarmthickliquidsplashedonherface,nowpouringdownto
herbreastsandcleavage.
Soonitendedassoundsofheavypantingfilledtheroom,thetwonotmovingastheyreveledinthisfeeling.
Nakiafinallyletgoofherbreastsasshebegantolickthespermoffherfingers.Shemoanedatthetaste,itwasa
bitbitter,butbyHolySoup!...howshe'dmissedthisfeeling.Worse,thetasteofhisspermwasturningheron
evenmore.Sheneededtotastemore.Wipingherfaceandbreastswithherhands,shecontinuedtogulpdown
hissperm,allthewhilemoaninginecstasy.
Harryslowlyopenedhiseyes,hiskneesshakingabittoseeasightwhichwasalmosteveryman'swetdream.
Hisemeraldgreeneyes,filledwithlust,slowlywidenedashewatchedherlickhisspermoffherbody,enjoying
itallthewhilemoaningatthetaste.
"MmmIloveit"hervoiceseductiveasshelickedherfingerscleanbeforeliftinghereyestowatchhim
staringather,hiseyesfullofdesireandlustandtinyglimmerofgrowinglove.
Shesimplysmiledherseductivesmilebeforehereyeswidened.Standinginfrontofherproudly,twitching
madly,clearlyreadyforplentyofmorerounds,washissteelhardcock.
'BButhejustcame!'shethoughtinsurprise,notexpectinghimtorecoversoquickly.Inalltheeonsshe'dbeen
alive,she'donlymetoneotherwithsuchstamina.'Guesshe'smorelikeEmrysthanIthought'thoughtNakia
lustfully.Despiteherself,shecouldn'thelpbutsquealslightlywhenshewasliftedofftheground,courtesyof
Harrynowholdingherbridalstyle.
"Tonightyou'remine"hespokehuskilymakinghersmileashestartedtowalktowardsthebedwhileshe
wrappedherarmsaroundhisneck.Hiskneeshoweverbuckledand.
DHUF!
"Owww."Nakiamutteredamusedlywithalightgiggle,nowlayingonthebedwithHarryontopofher,his
facenuzzledinherneckashiskneeshadgivenupresultinginbothofthemfallingonthesoftbed.
Heliftedhishead,nowgazingintohereyes.
"SSorry."Hemutteredmakinghersmileasshecuppedhischeek,smilingwarmlyathim,stillpantingabit.
"It'sokayHarry."Shespokesoftly,gazingathimwithamixtureofdesire,lustand...darehesayit?....love.
Leaningdown,hequicklycapturedherlips,kissingherpassionatelyasshetooinstantlyreturnedthe
affectionatekiss,lovinglysiftingthroughhisblacknestofhair.
"Mmmm."Nakiamoanedloudlywhenshefelthishardenedmemberrubbingagainstherouterpussylips,her
lustskyrocketingwhentheblackhairedJedileanedback.
"Areyouready?"heaskedwhilepantingwhereassheinstantlynodded.Bothwarriorskeptgazingintoeach
other'seyesashepushedhismembergentlyagainstherpussylips.Heralreadylubricatednetherregioneasily
gaveaccesstohiscockwhileNakiarelaxedherself,moaningsexilyassheslowlytookinhismember.
Harrytoogroanedashefeltawettightnessengulfhiscock,asifcompletelyhugginghimtightly,toneverletit
go.Itwassowetbutatthesametimesocold.'Probablyduetohavingnobodyheat',hethoughtamusedly.A
memoryofwarmandwetpussywrappedaroundhiscockpassedthroughhismindbeforeitwasruthlessly
suppressedbyNakiaagain.
'Tonightyou'remine!'thoughtNakiadeterminedly.
"Ohhbyallthat'sholy"shemoaned,nowpantingheavilyasheslowlyslidcompletelyinsideofher,bothof
themrevelinginthismarvelousfeeling.
"Ssogood,"theblackhairedJedimutteredasheclenchedthebedsheettightlywhileNakiacouldn'tbelieve
howgooditfelthavinghiminsideofher,itwasbetterthananyoneelsehadeverbeeneven...him.
"Beloved.move"shepantedasheslowlypulledhiscockoutuntiljustthetipofitwasinsideherbefore
slowlymoving.Hegraduallybegantoincreasethepace,makingsurethatshewascomfortablewhileNakia
couldonlymoanatthewonderfulsensation.
"Faster"shemoanedashebegantogofaster,hishandsnowgrabbingaholdofherwaistashestartedtoslam
intoher,wetsloshingsoundsbeingproduced.
"YYes.soggoodHarry"Nakiamoanedloudlyasshetoobegantomoveherhips,matchinghismotion.
"OOhsoggood.yyeah,keepitggoingohHHarry."Nakiacontinuedtomoanloudlyasshewrapped
herthighsaroundhiswaist,lockinghimin,hervoicebreakingduetothepleasureshewasreceiving.Beadsof
sweatrolleddownHarry'sfaceashecontinuedtoramintoher,hertightslipperyinsidessqueezinghisshaft
everytimehehitherdeepinside.
"SSotightNNakia."Hemuttered,nowpantingwhileshecontinuedtomoan,notbeingabletostopherself
herhandscurrentlyclutchingthebedsheetstightly.Looseninghisholdoverherwaist,heleanedforwardto
placebothhishandsonthebedbesideheronbothofhersidestakingherlipsinanotherpassionatekissastheir
tonguesdueledwildlywitheachother.
Nakiamoanedintohismouthwhenhebegantogoevendeeperthanbefore,wetsloshingsoundscombinedwith
hersweetvoicefillingtheroom.
"Ahhh.ssogood.keepggoing,"shecouldn'tstopmoaning.Herwholebodywasgoingnumb,thefeeling
ofhismanhoodslidingintoherwomanhood,fillingitlikethat,wasoverwhelming.Eachtimehethrustbackin,
herbodywouldtwitchduetoaboltofpleasure.'Godhasitreallybeensolongorishethatgood?'Ashe
continued,shecametoaconclusion.'Definitelythatgoodandmore!'
Harryhoweverwaspanting,sweatdrippingdownhischinashecontinuedtorockher,displayinghishard
earnedstaminafromyearsofhardtrainingwhileNakiajustlaythere,completelyathismercy.Openinghiseyes
justabit,hewatchedthelustfullookonherface,thewayshewasbitingherlowerliptokeepfrommoaningtoo
loudly,thewayherbreastswerebouncingupanddownitawokesomethinganimalisticinhim.
"Damn"hegrowled,furtherincreasingtheintensityofhisthrustsasheleaneddowntotakeherleftnipplein
hismouth,suckingonitwildly.
"Ahhhh.Harryyyy"Nakiawrappedherarmsaroundhishead,holdinghimtightwhileherthighswere
firmlylockedaroundhiswaist.Harryhowevergroanedwhenhefeltherwetinnerwallsclenchhiscockwhile
thevibrationsfromhisthroatfurtherincreasedherpleasureashecontinuedtosuckonhernipples.
"YYes.suckoonthem.bitethemHarry....claimme!"sheexclaimedinpleasure,archingherbacktogive
himmoreaccesstoherchestwhenHarrylightlybitonhernipplemakinghermewlsoftly.TheJeditracedhis
tongueontheborderofherareolas,creatingasuctionduetohissuckingwhilehisteethtantalizinglygrazed
withhersensitivenipples.
Nakiahoweverwasinanotherworld,whereshecouldseenothing,hearnothing,speaknothing,allshecoulddo
wasfeelsomethingheavenlyandfamiliarsurgingthroughherbody.
"Ooh..Aahhh."Shedidn'tknowwhatshewassaying,whatwasevengoingon,shehadcompletelylost
controloverhersenses.Grunting,Harryencircledhisarmsaroundherwaistbeforegentlypullingherupwith
himwhileherarmsautomaticallywrappedaroundhisneck,hereyesclosedwhilehermouthwasopenasshe
panted.
Harryhowever,miraculously,hadsomecontroloverhisbodyandhismindasheagainopenedhiseyes.Tilting
hishead,hestraightawayprobedhistongueintohermouth,exploringhermoistcavernwhilehertonguedueled
withhimslowly.
"HahhahHHar.rrryyyy...."shepantedthroughtheheavymakeout,theirtonguesvisibleastheydanced
aroundeachother,fluidsdrippingdownwhilehekepthishandaroundonherlowerback.
Harryhowevergroanedwhenherwallsbegantoclencharoundhismanhood.
"IIththinkI"shecouldn'tspeakproperly,bothofthemnowgazingateachotherthroughhalflidded
eyes,theJedihoweverimmediatelyunderstood,hewasclosetooafterall.However,hesuddenlyremembereda
positionhe'dalwayswantedtotry.
'Well.nobettertimethannow.'Hethoughtwithalightsmirkbeforesuddenlystopping,theirpantingsounds
fillingtheroomwhileNakiahadherfaceburiedinhisshoulder,breathingdeeply.Shecouldn'tsayanythingas
thepleasurewasstillnumbinghersenses.Shejusthunglimplyinhisarms.
Harryhowevergrinnedlightlyashetightenedhisholdonherwaist,beforerotatingherbodyaroundhisdick
suchthatherbackwasfacinghimnowtheirslipperyfluidsallowinghimdothiswithease.
Nakiastillhadhereyesclosed,breathingdeeplywhileherarmshunglimplybyhersides.
"EEnjoy.NNakia."Hewhisperedmakinghermoanabitasheagainstartedthrustingintoher,ashardas
hecouldwhileherbodybouncedonhismanhood.Lettinggoofherwaist,hestartedtogropeherbreasts
roughly,kneadingthemincircularmotionbeforepinchinghernipples.
"Ahhhhhahhh"shemoanedloudly,liftingherarmstowrapthemaroundhisneckbehindherwhilehe
continuedtoplaywithhertits,suckingandbitingonherneck.Noonehadeverputherinthispositionbefore
andshewasrapidlybeingbroughttotheedgeduetothenewstimulation.
"Kkikissme,bbeloved."Shesomehowmanagedtosaywhilehegladlyacceptedassheturnedherhead.
Bothofthemcrashedtheirlipsintoeachother,kissingeachotherlikecrazyashecontinuedtoslamintoher
frombelow,hishandsgropinghertits.
Itwastoogood.theirpleasuremeterskyrocketingwhenherlipslefthiswithanaudiblepopasshemoaned
loudly.
"I.I.ccummiiiinggg!"hervoiceechoedthroughouttheshipasherbodyshuddered,agroundshattering
orgasmrockingthroughherformwhileherinner,wetandsloshywallsconstrictedaroundhismanhood,
engulfingitresultinginHarryalsoreachinghislimit.
"Ahhh.ddammnitI."hegroanedvociferously,hissweatybodyshakingviolentlyastheblackhairedJedi
shothotropesofhiscreamysperm,milkingherinsides.Nakiahadherarmstightlywrappedaroundhisneck,
beinglostinthefeelingofhimfillingherinsideslikethat,hereyesclosedwhileshecontinuedtopantalong
withhimtheduodrownedintheglowingaftereffectsofpostcoitalbliss.Forjustamoment,Nakiawishedshe
couldgetpregnantwithhischildsothatshecouldstaywithhimforever.
"Nghh."Harrygruntedashegaveout,bothofthemfallingonthesoftbedwithhimontopofherwhileNakia
moanedduetohismanhoodmovinginsideofher.Herarmswerestillwrappedaroundhisneckwhilehisface
wasnuzzledintoherneck,bothofthemrecoveringfromtheamazingworldtheyhadjustexperienced.
Findinghimselfgettingbackhissensesasthecoldairgrazedhisbody,makinghimshiver,hepulledoutofher
makinghermoaninwhatseemedtobedisappointment.Withsomewhatunsteadybalance,hepulledthecovers
overthembeforelayingbesideher,huggingherlightlytohim.However,withNakia'sconcentrationbrokendue
tohergroundshatteringorgasm,HarrystartedrememberingthingslikeAstraalandherealizedwhathejust
done.
Nakia...what..startedHarry.
Sshhhh...interruptedNakiasoftly.Idon'texpectanything,beloved.IknowyouprobablyhavesomeonebutI
neededthecomfort.Don'tfeelguilty.Iusedmytelepathicpowerstoloweryourdefensesandmakeyouforget
aboutAstraal.Youwouldn'thavedoneitotherwise.
Harrywantedtobeangryatherfortakingadvantageofhimbutfoundhecouldn't.Partlybecauseofhowgood
hewasfeelingandpartlybecauseheunderstood.Shewantedtofeelcomfortedandthatshewasn'taloneinthe
galaxy.
Harryslowlyclosedhiseyesanddriftedofftosleep.Hislastthoughtwas,'Ihopenooneeverfindsoutabout
this.'
Nakiawatchedasherbelovedslowlywenttosleep.Shehadtoadmit,shewastemptedtoaswell.Hehadbeen
somuchbetterthansheimagined.Whileshehadmuchexperienceintheact(after25,000yearswhowouldn't?),
hehadsurprisedherbymatchingitwithhisenthusiasm.Onceshehadloweredhisbarrierstelepathically,hehad
releasedallthedesirehehadforhermagnifiedbyherowndesire.
Sherestedherheadonhischest,feelingthewarmthofhisbodyaswellashisheartbeat.Twothingsshecould
neverhaveforherself.Itseemedshewasdoomedtofallformortalsdespiteknowingshewouldhavetowatch
themdieeventually.
Whatshesaidwastrue.Shedidn'texpectanythingfromhim,butmostlyitwasbecausesheknewitwouldbe
cruelforhimtowastehislifewithsomeonewhowouldneverageandcouldn'tgrowoldwithhim.Thiswasone
ofthereasonsshehadn'tgonewithEmryswhenhelefttofindanewworldwheretheycouldliveinpeace.She
smiledslightly.Wellthatandherhungerwouldhaveprobablycausedhertoeatallthepeoplewithhimwithina
year.
Shesighedsadlyandstaredatherbelovedwithasmallsmile.
HewassomuchlikeEmrys.Bothwererecklesslycourageous,honorable,moralandwereloyaltotheirloved
onesbeyondthegrave.Ithadtakenalmostallofherconsiderableabilityintelepathytobreakdownhis
defenses.ShehadbeenatitsincethefightwithArdenendedandittooktheentirefivehoursjusttomakesure
hewouldn'tresist.
Duringthefightshecastanillusiontomakeitseemlikeshehadbeenknockedunconscious.Shewantedtosee
howstrongHarrytrulywaswhenheletloose.Shewasn'tdisappointedandtheimageofhimpushingArden
backwithincrediblespeedandskillmadeherwet.Shealwayswasattractedtopowerfulmenthatheldfastto
theirmorals.
Whileshehadsleptwithhimforcomfort,shealsosleptwithhimtobesure.Shehadtobesurethatwhatshe
feltforhimwasbecauseofhimandnotbecausehelookedlikeherlostEmrys.Tohermisfortune,shehadfound
outthetruth.
Shelovedhimforhim,notbecauseheremindedherofEmrys.Thethoughtbrokeherheart.
Beinganimmortalhaditsbenefits.Unlikeothermortalwomen,sheeasilyrecognizedthesignsofattractionand
theslowfallinginlovethathappenswhentwocompatiblepeoplemet.Thefactthathehadbeenonhermind
everydaysincetheymetwasanobvioussign.SheatfirstthoughtitwasbecauseheremindedherofEmrys.
Thatwentdownthedrainasshejustdiscovered.Shethenthoughtthatitwasjustphysicalattractionsosheused
herpowerstomakehimforgethismoralsandhisgirlfriendinordertosleepwithhimandgetitoutofher
system.Thisbackfiredbecausenotonlydiditnotwork,butherattractionhadturnedtolove.Evenwithhim
asleeprightthere,shefeltnohungerorwanttofeedoffhim,sostrongwasherlove.However,thiswasallmoot.
Shecouldn'tmakehimwastehislifewithher.Someonewhocouldn'tgivehimafamilyhesodesperately
wanted,someonewhocouldn'twarmhisbed,someonewhocouldn'tdiewithhim.Ithadalmostshatteredherto
leaveEmrysafter3yearstogether,shewouldn'tsurvivesomethinglikethatagain.
ShepeckedHarry'snoselightly,causinghimtotwitchitslightly.Thensheplacedahandonhisheadand
concentratedonthememoriesoftheirtimetogether.Shesuppressedasmuchasshecouldandplacefalse
memoriesofthempartingwaysamicablyafterthefuneralandherleavingonhership.Sheleftthememoryof
theirconversationuptobeforeshedraggedhimtohisship.Instead,sheplacedthememorythathehaddecided
tosleepbeforeleavingtheplanet.Therealmemorieswouldbehardtoretrieveevenifheknewtheyexistedand
wouldeventuallybeimpossibletoretrieveinacoupleofyearswithoutextrememeditation.Erasingthem
completelywouldbebetterbutitcouldcausedamageandtheverythoughtofharminghimfilledherdread.
Nakialookedatherbelovedlovinglyasshecaressedhisface.Sheknewthatifhewasallowedtoremember
whathappenedhewouldbewrackedwithguiltforcheatingonhisgirlfrienddespitehersayingshehad
basicallybeentheonlyreasonhehad.Hewouldbelievehehadwanteditanywayandprobablydosomething
stupidlikeconfesstohisgirlfriendwhathehaddone.No,itwasbetterthiswayevenifitbrokeherheart.After
all,timehealsallwounds,right?Sheignoredthefactthatafter24,000yearsshestillhadn'thealedfromher
beingforcedtopartwithEmrys.Thiswaspromisingtobejustlikethat.
Nakiagavehimonelastsoftkissonthelipsbeforesilentlygettingoffthebedandpickingupherclothesthat
hadbeenscatteredaroundtheroomduringtheirlovemaking.Aftershedressedherself,shelookedather
belovedonelasttimebeforeleaving.Shehadsteelherselffromrunningbackintohisarms,erasingallmemory
ofhisgirlfriendandjustlivingouttheremainderofhislifewithhim.Shecouldn'tduethat.Notonlywasit
wrong,shecouldn'tbetrayhimlikethat.Itwouldbeaviolationofhimandeverythingshebelievedin.
Itdidn'tmakeithurtanylessthough.
Assheenteredhershipandstartedtoleavethesystemshecouldn'thelpbutthinkonelastthing.
'Whoeverendsupwithhimisgoingtobeoneluckybitch.'
EndNotes:
AN:There'sChapter16!

Yes,HarryhadsexwithNakia.Forthosewonderinghowhecouldcheaton
Astraal,rememberwhatNakiasaid.Shehadtouseallofherconsiderablepowers
overseveralhourstogethimtodoit.Andbeingaliveforover25,000yearsand
beingtrainedbyvariousForcesectsmakeherbetterthananyoneelsealiveatit.
Consideringthat,hertakingseveralhourstowearhimdownspeaksvolumes
abouthisresistancetoit.Don'tgetmewrong,hedefinitelydesiresandlustfor
NakiabutheLOVESAstraal,oratleastthinkshedoes,sohewon'tjustsleepwith
hercauseshe'shot.
AsforwillNakiareturn...ofcourse!DoyouthinkI'dgetridofherthateasily?
She'llbebackbutHarrywon'trememberwhathappenedbetweenthemwhileshe
will.Forthisreason,she'llbeactingslightlydifferentthannormal.Remember,she
nowknowssheloveshimandthesightofhimwithsomeoneelsewillmakeher
reactbitterly.Whydidshefallinlovewithhiminonlytwomeetings?Herkisses
wheresheopensherselftohimisformorethantoincreasearousal.Remember,she
knewEmryswhotaughtherlegilimency.Shebasicallyusedherfirsteverkisswith
himtoknoweverythinghehadeverexperiencedandtoknowhimdowntohissoul.
Sheknowshimbetterthanheknowshimselfrightnow.That'swhyshefellinlove
withhimanditsolidifiedwhentheyslepttogetherduringwhichshehadhermind
opentohiscompletely.Isitanysurprisethatshefellforhim?
HowstrongisNakia?Well...atfullpowerholdingnothingbackshecouldgotoe
totoewithLukeduringtheLegacyoftheForceseries.Imean,seriously...thegirl
hasbeenForcetrainedsinceshewasrelativelyyoung,hashad24,000yearsto
learnmorefromeveryForcesectimaginable(eventheonesthatdidn'tsurvive
untilnow)andpracticeusingthemnotonlyexpertlybutdiscreetlysoshecouldn't
befound.Whydidn'tsheusethemduringherfirstfightwithHarryandAstraal?
Because1)shedidn'tneedthemassheprovedwhenshekickedtheirassand2)
howdoyouthinkthecouncilwouldhavereactednotonlytoherbeingaskilled
AnzantibuthavingaccesstotheForce?Itwouldhaveputagiantbeacononher
andshewouldhavefounditalmostimpossibletotravelunnoticed.Thiswasalso
thereasonsheneverparticipatedinanywarsduringthecenturies.Sheknewthat
ifherexistenceandpowerwasknown,bothJediandSithwouldhuntherdownto
eitherdrawhertotheirsideordestroyherasathreat.Mucheasierifshedidn'tlet
itbeknownevenamongherownkind.
WhyisNakiasodifferentfromnormalAnzatipersonalitywise?Well,shemet
Xendor,ArdenandEmbryswhenshewasyoungbyAnzatistandards.About200
yearsold.Atthatage,thehungerforsouphadn'treallytakenholdyetandso
shewassurroundedbytraitslikelove,loyalty,friendshipandhonorwhilestill
moreorlessincontrol.CombinethatwithfallinginlovewithEmrysandtryingto
controlherhungerforhissakeduringtheirrelationshipandyouhaveNakiaas
sheisnow.Bythetimethehungerhadsetit,thesetraitshadbecomeanessential
partofherandsoshebecamedifferentfromtherestofherrace.
Ifyoucan'tguesswhoEmrysis,pleaseshootyourself.LOL.
AsforArden...Iwasalwaysplanningonintroducingherbutitwashardtodecide
when.AftertheYuuzhanVongWarwastoomanyyearsinbetweenher'canon'
deathandherreappearanceandduringwasjustwaytoocomplicated.Forthat
reasonshebecameHarry'sTrialofCourage.Afterall,what'smorecourageous
thanfacingamillenniaoldandpowerfulwomanwithagrudge?
ShesurvivedPalpatine'sattackinmystorythankstohavingtheamuletwhen
Palpatineattackedherbutitwasdestroyedafteritsavedherfromdyingagain.
That'smystoryandI'mstickingtoit!Don'taskhowcausetheyneverexplained
whatthef***thatamuletdoesanyway.
Hopeyoulikeditso...ReadandReview!
Backtoindex
FAITHandlovebyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter17
GrandAudienceChamber,JediPraxeum
That'sall?askedKypsuspiciously.
Yes,that'sall,saidHarryconfidently.
HarrywascurrentlyreportingonhispassingtheTrialofCourage,whichhehad.Hejustleftoutthefactthat
NakiaappearedorthattheDarkJediwasArdenLynorthatshegavehimherhiddenhoardoftreasures.Hejust
saiditwaspowerfulfemaleDarkJediwhowastryingtousethedarksideenergiesoftheTempletoresurrect
herdeadMaster.Itwastrueafterall.Hejustdidn'tmentionwhoshewasorwhoshewastryingtoresurrect.It
wasn'tpossibletolietoaJediunlessonewasskilledinitbuttheycouldn'tdetectwhenoneomittedcertain
detailsaslongasonecontrolledtheiremotions.
HarrythoughtbacktoNakiaandhimpartingwaysamicablyaftertheyburiedArdenbeforesheleftonhership.
Itseemedstrangethatshehadn'ttriedtoseducehimoranythingbutwheneverhethoughttoomuchaboutithis
headhurt.Itwasprobablynothing.Shewasprobablystillgrievingherfriendtotryandseducehim.Notthatit
wouldhaveworkedafterall.HewasloyaltoAstraal.
Verywell.IthinkwecanallagreethathepassedthisTrial,saidMarahappily.Shewasgladnothing
unexpectedhappenedtohim.Heseemedtoattractstrangesituationslikeamothtoaflame.
Kyplookedrebelliousbutsubsidedandnodded.Harrywonderedwhyhewassoagainsthim.Hehadnevermet
himbeyondwhatwasnecessaryforeveryapprentice,sowhythehostility?
HarrydiscreetlylookedatKypandactivatedhisshatterpointability.Hesawtheflawsinhischaracter,thefault
linesofhissoul.Hesawhispridethatborderedonarroganceandrealizedwhyhewassohostile.Hewas
jealous.Beforehisarrival,hehadbeenknownasthemostpowerfulJeditohavegraduatedfromthePraxeum.
Now,however,Harrywasquicklypassingallhispreviouslyheldrecords.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutfrownslightly.Heshouldn'tbejealousofhim.Afterall,hehadsweatedandworkedfor
hisskills,hewasn'thandedthem.HeshookKyp'sproblemsoutofhisheadandconcentratedontheCouncil.
ApprenticeJediKnightPotter,wewillcalluponyouwhenyournextTrial'slocationisdecided,saidIkrit
formally.
ThankyouMasters,saidHarryhumbly.HethenturnedandlefttheChambertowardhisroom.Itwaslateand
heneededsleep.Forsomereason,hefeltasifhehaddonesomethingextremelystrenuousotherthanfighting
ArdenbeforeleavingThule.
'Probablymyimagination',thoughtHarry.
Thenextday
HarrywalkedthroughthePraxeumlookingforsomethingtodo.
ThegirlswereallwithTenelKainHapessohecouldn'tspendtimewithhisgirlfriendlikehewanted.Hetried
nottothinkaboutsomeguygivingAstraalalapdanceorthelike.Hetrustedhertobeasfaithfultohimashe
wastoher.
'ShebetterbeafterresistingNakiaallthetime'thoughtHarry.
HesighedasherealizedhereallyhadnothingtodountiltheCouncilgavehimhisnextTrial.Therefore,he
decideditwastimetocatchupwithhisspynetwork'sspymasterwhowasalsoagoodfriendofhis.Hereached
hisroomquicklyandonceheenteredhelockedthedoorbehindhim.Hereachedhiscustomizedcomputerand
holonetconsoleandsatdownintheseatinfrontofit.
ThewayhemadesecuredholocallstohisspiesandsuchwasbypiggybackingoffthePraxeum'salreadysecure
linesduringthedailyprogressreportstoCoruscant.Theywouldinformforanyneedofmaterialsorthelike
onceadaybutstillcalledthreetimesadaytoensureeverythingwaswell.Duetothis,therewasalmostalways
anopencommchanneltoCoruscantavailableincaseofemergencies.Hewouldpiggybackoffthelineand
thenredirectfromCoruscanttoanywherehewanted.Anyonelookingtotraceitwouldjusttraceitbackto
CoruscantfromtheChiefofState'soffice.
'ThankyouChiefofState',thoughtHarryamusedly.
Oncehewassurehehadbeenundetectedonthepiggyback,headdedover55encryptioncodestohisnewline
andcalledEsmeralda'sprivatelineonZeltrosonalivefeed.IttookawhilebutthecrimsonskinnedZeltron
eventuallypickedup.Onceshesawwhoitwas,shesmiledsultrily.
Heybaby!How'smyfavoriteJedi?CometotellmeyouwanttoleavetheJediandmarryme?asked
Esmeraldasultrily.EsmeraldawascrimsonskinnedZeltronlikemostofherracearound18yearsold.Theyhad
metduringHarry'syouthwhenhewaslookingforgirlstosendtoZule.Hehadfoundherwithhalfmadlooking
eyesandwanderingtheCoruscantUndercity.HehadtakenpityonherandtakenhertoZulewhotoldhimwhat
waswrongwithher.
LiketheFalleen,Zeltronwereslightlytelepathic.However,unliketheFalleen,Zeltronsarelinkedmoretowards
emotionsthanaperson'sthoughts.ThestrongnegativeatmosphereoftheCoruscantUndercityalongwiththe
factthatshewasForcesensitivehadmadeherespeciallysusceptibletotheemotionsofthearea.Howshehad
managedtostopfromcommittingsuicidewasamiracleinandofitself.Luckily,Q'Aniliawasamasterof
closingyourmindtoforeignemotionsandthoughtsduetointensivestudyofeverymindrelatedForcepowerto
increaseherabilitytoseethefuture.However,Q'Anilianeededtoundotheprimitiveprotectionsonhermindto
fixeverythingbeforeplacingstrongandproperbarriers.Therefore,Esmeraldaneededagroundertokeepher
frombeinglosttotheforeignemotionsofCoruscantwhileQ'Aniliaworked.Harryhadvolunteered.
Theprocedurehadtakenthreehoursandduringthosethreehoursthetwohadbeenforcedtoshareevery
emotionandmemorytheyhadeverfeltwitheachother.Shesawhistreatmentatthehandsofhisrelativeswhile
hewasforcedtoseeherhavetodebaseherselfwithhornymentwiceheragejusttoescapetheforeignemotions
forafewseconds.Needlesstosaythetwowereclose,tothepointthatshefrequentlydeclaredshewouldmarry
himandnoother.Thankfully,shehadnevermetanyofhisotherfemalefriends.HeshudderedatAstraal's
reactionifEsmeraldasaidthatinfrontofher.
AmonthbeforeHarryleftforthePraxeum,hehadmanagedtoprocureenoughmoneytosendhertoherhome
planetofZeltros.Thethen16yearoldgirlhadbeggedhimtocomewithher,evengoingsofarasstatingshe
waswillingtosharehimwitheveryZeltrongirlintheplanetifhecamebuthehadrefused.Hetoldherthathis
destinywastobeaJediandwhenshesaidshewouldgowithhim,hetoldherthathewantedherhappy.She
wouldneverbehappyinthelifeofaJediandherhappinesswaswhatwasmostimportant.Shetearfullyagreed
togotoZeltrosbutonlyifhepromisedtocallheronceaday.Hehadn'tbrokenthepromiseyetthoughhe
alwaysdiditinsecret.Itwouldn'tdueforotherstoknowaboutEsmeralda.Hehadnodoubtthatiftheyknew
shewasForcesensitive,theywouldtrytomakehercome.Iftheyknewshewaslearningonherown,itwould
beworse.
Esmeraldahadonlygottenmoreattractivesincehe'dlastseenherinperson.Shewascrimsonskinnedwithlong
bluehairthatreachedjustbelowherbreasts.HerbreastswerealargeDcupandherlegswereeverybitas
attractiveasJaina's.HerasswassimilartoAstraal'sinbeingheartshapedandshetoppeditalloffbybeinga
respectable1.8meterstall.ShehadopenedherownclubcalledBlackEagleonZeltrosthankstothestartup
moneygivenbyHarryandbecameahugehitevenbyZeltronstandards.Despiteseveralpropositions(some
evenmadewhileshewasonthephonewithhim),shewasstillsinglealthoughshehadtakenseveralmentoher
bed.Harryhopedshewasn'tstillpiningoverhimbutwastooafraidoftheanswertoask.
Harryjustsmiledatherstandardgreeting.Shehadsaidthesamethingeversincetheirfirstholocall.Sorry,
Astartebutno.Justwonderinghowmyfavoriteclubownerisdoing?
Esmeraldasmiledwiderandslightlyblushedathiscompliment.HehadstartedcallingherAstarteafterthe
Caananitegoddessofsexuallove,fertilityandwarfare.Hesaiditfitherpersonalityandtheyuseditashercall
signforthespynetwork.UnknowntoHarrythathadonlymadeEsmeralda'scrushonHarrysolidify.Theystill
hadn'tthoughtofacallsignforHarrysountiltheydid,shepurposelylefthisnameoutoftheirconversations.
I'mgreatbaby.Youknowme,life'sapartyandwehavetotakeadvantageofthetimewegot!
HarrylaughedatherexuberancethatremindedhimofTahiriinaway.Thatremindedhimthatbothofhis
apprenticeswerecurrentlyoffexploringYavin4withIkritandAnakinsincebothweretooyoungtogowith
TenelKa'sgroup.Hemadeamentalnotetoaskthemhowitwentwhentheygotback.
I'mgladyou'resohappyAstarte.Harrysmileturnedslightlymischievous.Ihopeyou'renothavingtoomuch
funthough.Anyspecialguy?Orgirl?
Esmeraldajustlaughed.No,baby.Youknowyou'retheonlyoneforme.I'llwaitforyouforever.Shesaidina
jokingtonebutHarrycouldsenseaslightundercurrentofseriousness.
Clearinghisthroatuncomfortably,Harryforcedasmileonhisface.So,anyimportantinfotogiveme?
Esmeraldsuddenlyturnedserious,causingHarrytomirrorher.Yea,getthis.Ijustheardfromaguyinmyclub
lastnightthatthere'saneworganizationrising.Callingitselfthe'DiversityAlliance'.Realantihuman.Notabig
dealfornowbutIhearthey'relookingforsomethingthat'llputthemontop.I'llkeepmyearspeeled.Afterall,
myfuturehusbandishumansoIcan'thaveanythinghappentoyou,canI?Shewinkedasshesaidthisbefore
turningseriousagain.There'sanotherthingthat'sabitmoreserious.
Harryfrowned.Moreseriousthananantihumangrouprunningaround?
Very.Therewasnohintofhumorinhereyes.BlackSun'smakingacomeback.
Harryfroze.Areyousure?Areyouabsolutelysure?
Yep.Accordingtoeveryoneinthenetwork,they'vebeenmakingsomesuspiciousmoves.They'rewaytoobusy
forasupposedlydestroyedorganization.Esmeraldafrowned,whichshowedHarryhowseriousthiswas
becausesheneverfrowned.Andthistime,theyseemtobegoinggalactic.
HarryletoutastreamofCorelliancurses.Thiswasthelastthingtheyneeded.TheBlackSunwasacriminal
syndicatethatwentbackoverthreethousandyears.Despitemanyattemptstheyjustkeepcomingbacklike
cockroaches.Iftheythoughttheycouldconquerthegalaxy...
SendmeanyinfoontheBlackSun.Makeitapriority.TheDiversityAllianceissecondarytothisorganization.
I'msuretheSenatecandealwiththeDiversityAllianceoncetheygetofftheirfatasses.Harryneededtonip
theBlackSun'splansinthebud.TheirattemptcouldbewhatMarrishwastalkingabout.
Esmeraldanoddedseriouslybeforesmilinghuskily.Andwhatkindof..rewardwillIgetfortheinformation?
Harryjustsmiledather.Mythanksandundyinggratitude,Astarte.
Esmeraldapouted.Finebutwhenyougetherewe'repartyingforamonthstraight.
Harrysmiledather,gladtoknowthatshewasstilloptimisticdespiteseeingsomeuglythingsinherlife.
Thanksfortheinfo.HowgoesyourForcetraining?
WhenHarryhaddiscoveredthatEsmeraldawasForcesensitive,hehadimmediatelysuggestedshegotothe
JediPraxeum.Shehadrefusedfortworeasons:first,shewastoooldtojuststarttrainingnow(being13when
hefoundher)andshewouldhavetostartfromscratchandsecond,shesaidmostJediweretoosexuallyinsipid
forherracesincetheybelievedmonogamywasaquaint,butimpractical,practice.ItwasrareforaZeltronto
haveonlyoneloverduetotheemotionalhightheyliveon.IfyouwantedagoodtimethenZeltronsareperfect
butifyou'relookingforexclusivity,looksomewhereelse.
Esmeralda'ssmilebrightened.It'sgoinggreat!Icanlifteverytableintheclubbymyselfnow!Ican'twaitto
seehowIcanapplyittomakeapartyreallyspectacular!
HarrylaugheduproariouslyattheimageofherusingarespectedJediabilityasentertainmentinaparty.Hejust
knewthatmostoftheMasterswouldburstabloodvesselattheinformation.
Gladyou'rehavingfun.ForceknowsthatifItriedthathere,they'dprobablyexileme.Heignoredthe
contemplativelookthatcrossedherface.Soanyotherinfo?
Esmeraldathoughtaboutitbeforehesitantlynodding.Well,therehavebeen....rumors.
Aboutwhat?
Well,therehavebeensenatorscomingincomplainingaboutproblemsintheirplanets.Revolts,unrestand
shipmentsgoingmissing.
Harrylookedconfused.ThatsometimeshappensandI'mnotsurprisedifthepeoplerevoltiftheyspendall
theirtimepartyingratherthandoingtheirjob.ItcanalsobeduetotheBlackSun.
Esmeraldastuckhertongueoutathimsinceallshedidwaspartytoo.Maybebutthethingis...allthose
senatorsarefromplanetsalongtheOuterRim.Alongthesameregiontoo.
NowthatgotHarry'sattention.Maybesabotage?Or...
....ascoutingpartyforaninvasionforce.finishedEsmeraldagrimly.
That...isdisconcerting,saidHarrygrimly.Harrysighed.FindmeproofsoIcantakeitbeforetheSenate.
Despitehisprivateopinion,heneededtogothroughproperchannels.Althoughheknewthey'ddismissitoutof
handorifnottakeyearsjusttobringittothetable.
Esmeraldalookeddubious.Youknowthattheywon'tlistenuntiltheinvasionisknockingontheirdoor.Worse,
they'llthinkthattheycanbargainwiththemorsomethingandscrewtheplanetsthatgetconqueredbythen.
They'reselfishthatway.
Harryhesitantlynodded.ProbablybutIhavetotry.Ifnot....planB.
Esmeraldagotaseriouslookonherfaceandnodded.I'llcompilealist.Well,gottago.IloveyoubabyandI
hopeyouvisitsoIcan...personallygreetyou.
Harryturnedslightlyredandnodded.ByeAstarte.Takecare.
Hecutthecallsoonafter.Aftermakingsurenoonehadtriedtohackintothecallandcoveringhistracks,hesat
backandthoughtabouttheproblemsbrewing.
Iftheseproblemswereduetoaninvasionforce,itwasprobablyabigonetoneedsomanyplanetsdestabilized
beforeappearing.Thereweren'tanybigmovestowardityetsoitprobablywasn'tsoonyet.Butwithintwo
years,they'llinvade.HarrytriedtoconvincehimselfthattheJediwouldimmediatelyhelpbuthewasn't
convinced.HerememberedArden'slastwords.
'Theirbigotrystemsfromtheirfear.Fearoftheunknown.Fearofthedifferent.Whilesomecautionis
understandable,itdoesn'tmeantheyhavetotarnishthereputationofanotherjustbecausetheywon'tprescribe
totheirwayofthinking.ThatwaswhatstartedtheFirstGreatSchism.'
HelikedtothinkthattheNewJediOrderwasdifferentbutherememberedhowtheywishedtoexilehimsimply
becauseheknewabilitiessimilartodarksidepowers.Theywouldn'tjointhewar.Theywouldwait,sayingthey
wishedtoseetheenemies'plansorsomethinglikethat.
'Yea,likeitisn'tobvious.Theywishtoconquerus!'thoughtHarryexasperatedly.'AtleasttheOldOrderacted
whentheCloneWarsstarted.Granted,itwasatrapbyPalpatine.Buttheydidn'tlettheirfearofthatstopthem
fromdoingwhat'sright.'
Harrysighedandbanishedhisthoughts.Hedidn'tknowthatwashowthey'dact.Hewasmakingassumptions
andassumingmakesanassoutofyouandme.Still,he'dmakecontingenciesincasetheydid.Herefusedtolet
innocentpeoplediebecausetheCouncilwastwiddlingtheirthumbs.
Harrygotupandwalkedtohisbedbeforesittingonit.Hetookoutadatapadhiddenunderhismattressand
startedtoread.Itwasadatapadcontaininginfoonallknownlightsaberhiltsanddesigns.Hehadbeenlooking
forsomethingthatwouldsuithimbutnoneoftheknownJedidesignsfithim.HepreferredtheSithdesigns
becausetheyatleastwereoriginalbuteventheydidn'tfithim.Theywereeitherillfittedortooflashy.
Hetossedthedatapadaway.Healreadyknewalltheinfotheresotherewasnoneedtoreaditagain.He
suddenlyrememberedthedatapadhegotfromArden,especiallythescrollsonTersKsi.Hedecidedtogoget
thescrollsandpracticeinhissecrettrainingground.Maybetheywouldalsohavenewinfoonlightsaberhilts.It
wasworthatry.ThatalsoremindedhimtogopickuphisnewprojectintheAudienceChambersohecouldtest
itout.WithAstraalaway,hedidn'thavetoworryaboutbeinginterrupted.
WithAstraalandhergroup
Astraalwascurrentlyworried.
ShehadfeltHarryleaveYavin4andheadtowardtheOuterRims,neartheSithWorldsregionthankstotheir
Forcebond.Whilenotasstrongassaythetwin'sForcebondortheonebetweenHarryandJaina,itwasenough
toknoweachother'sgenerallocationandwouldonlygetstrongerwithtime.Shehadatfirstbeenfranticofthe
ideaofhimgoingonamissionintosuchadangerousterritoryalone.Worsewasthatshecouldn'tsenseanything
fromhimwhenhewassofaraway.Allshecouldsensewasthathewasalivewithnofeelingstogiveheraclue
onwhatwashappening.SheknewthatshecouldaskJainabutthatseemeduncomfortable,almostlikeshewas
stalkingherboyfriendanddidn'ttrusthimsosherefrained.PlusshecouldsensehewasbackinYavin4andshe
couldgrillhimwhenshegotback.
Thegrouphadbeenthereonlyadayandtheywerehavinglotsoffun.TenelKa'sgrandmotherwasa
domineeringwomanbutevenTenelKaadmittedtothewisdominherteachingbeingusefulsomeday.The
welcomingshowhadbeenamusingtowatch.JainaandAsharahadturnedsoredthatAstraalthoughttheir
headswouldexplode.AstraalhadtoadmitthatthemenwereattractivebutherheartbelongedtoHarryand
comparedtohim,thesemenwerelittleboys.
'WhileHarry'saverybigboy,'thoughtAstraalhuskily.Shemadeamentalnotetosecuresomeprivatetimewith
herboyfriend.Despiteherbeinghisonlyloverbefore,heshowedincredibletalentintheartoflovemaking.
ThegirlswerecurrentlyspendingthedayinTenelKa'sroomjusttalkinggirltalk.Thesubjectwasboysand
theirtoys.
Seriously,IthinkHarrylovesthatshipmorethanhelovesme.ThemomentheheardI'dpilotedtheshipback
tothePraxeumwhilehewasinjuredbyMarrish,heinsistedondoingafullsystemschecktomakesure
everythingwasfine.saidAstraalexasperatedly.
Kassshookherheadamusedly.Iknowwhatyoumean.WhenIcametothePraxeum,heletmepilothere.The
entiretimehewaslookingovermyshoulderandalmosttookthecontrolsoutofmyhandsafewtimes.She
rolledhereyesrememberingHarry'sactions.Andmostofthetripwasinhyperspace!
That'strue.musedAstraal.SheturnedtoJainawithacuriouslookonherface.Hedidn'tdothatwhenJaina
pilotedtoCoruscantthough.
Jainaslightlyblushedundertheattentionandwaveditoff.Itwasbecausehe'sseenmepilotmyentirelifeso
heknowsnothingwillhappen.Hetrustsmyskills.
TenelKasmiledslightly.Hetrustsyou.
TherewasanuncomfortablesilencebeforeAsharabrokeit.Harry'sextremelycute,isn'the?
AstraallookedatthenormallyshyandquietTogrutainshock.Ashara!That'smyboyfriend!
So?Asharajustshrugged.EverygirlatthePraxeumouragehasimaginedpilotingusinghisjoystickatleast
once.
Thegirlsblushedinembarrassment.whileKasslaughed.It'strue.Iwouldhavechasedhimifyouhadn't
alreadystakedyourclaim,Astraal.
Astraallookedappropriatelysmugatthat.Yep,he'smine.
ThegirlslaughedatherandevenJainasmiledslightly.Kass'ssmilesuddenlyturnedwolfish.
So...howisheinthesack?
Astraalalmostchokedonherdrinkwhiletheothergirlshadlooksofshockatherboldness.Afterclearingher
airways,AstraalturnedtoKasswithabeetredface.
Kass!TThat'spersonal!Astraalwasblushingfuriouslybutcouldn'tkeepthesmilefromcrossingherfaceat
thememoriesofHarry'sabilities.
Jaina,meanwhile,wasincrediblyuncomfortable.Sheknewthatthetwohadbeenintimate,itwasimpossibleto
missHarry'sgoofysmilewhenhecamebackwithAstraalfromtheirdate.Butthatdidn'tmeanshewantedto
hearAstraalgointodetail.Theimageofthemtogethermadeherheartclenchandtearscometohereyes.
Jainasuddenlygotup.Hey,TenelKa,where'sthebathroom?I'vebeenholdingitforawhilesoIgottago.
TenelKalookedatherwithaknowinglookinhereyesbeforegivingherdirectionstothebathroomfarthest
fromheresoshehadtimetocomposeherself.Jainaquicklyleft,tryingtoignoreAstraal'scommentswhenshe
finallybrokeunderpressureandstartedtoexplainHarry'sskillsinthatarea.
BackwithHarry
HarrywascurrentlygoingthroughthestancesandkatasforTersKsiwhilehisprojectwatched.Thestylewas
perfectforHarrybecauseitemphasizedextremespeedandwhenoneaddedtheabilitytopredictabody'snext
movefrommusclemovementwhichhelearnedfromYusanis,itwasdeadly.ItmeshedwellwithhisLightning
Style'sunarmedformsoallhehadtodowasaddafewthingstomakeitcomplete.
Hefinishedhisexercisesandkatasandstartedtogothroughthecooldownexercises.Whilehedidthis,he
wonderedwhereLowieandJacenweresincehehadn'tseenthemallday.
'ProbablyoutexploringtheplanetlikeVisasandTahiri,'thoughtHarryamusedly.
Hethenbroughtouthisduallightsabers.Seeingthetwincurvedhiltsremindedhimofthepersonwhoinspired
himtobuildcurvedhilts.AsajjVentress.
DespitebeingaDarkJediandinfamousforkillingdozensofJediduringtheCloneWars,headmiredherfor
severalreasons.One,shehadbeensoldintoslaverymuchlikehehadbeenwhenbothwereyoung.Two,she
hadbuiltherskillandreputationalmostcompletelyonherownandmanagedtoreachthelevelofmatchingJedi
Masters,somethingfewcoulddoespeciallyconsideringshewasonly22atbestatthebeginningoftheClone
Wars.Thirdly,becauseshemanagedtoescapeherlifeofwar.Everyonebelievesshedied,infactObiWanwas
saidtohavebeensureofit.However,Harrywasn'tsosureduetoonesimplefact.Accordingtotherecords,the
shipcarryingherbodytobeburieddisappearedsoonafteritleftthesystem.Itneverreacheditsdestinationand
peoplebelievedDookuhadsimplyattackeditsohecouldexperimentonVentress'sbody.
Whilepossible,Harry'sguttoldhimdifferent.ShehadbeenanextremelypowerfulForceuser,onthelevelof
JediMastersandonlytheelitelikeObiWanKenobiandAnakinSkywalkercouldmatchher.Itwaspossibleshe
fakedherdeathandcommandeeredtheshuttle.Thefactsheneverreappearedgivescredencetothefactthatshe
simplyabandonedtheknowngalaxyratherthancontinuetofight.InthechaosoftheCloneWars,itwouldn't
havebeenhard.
AhopeofHarry'swastoonedaycrossbladeswithher,toseehowhematcheduptosomeonewhofacedObi
WanandAnakinSkywalkerintheirprimeandsurvived.SomuchhasbeenlostthankstotheGreatJediPurge
thathowcanweknowhowwecomparetothelegendsofold?ItwasoncesaidthattheoldJedihadovera
thousandlightsaberstylesandtechniques.YeteventheGreatHolocrononlymentionedsevenforms.Who
knowswhatwaslostinthechaosoftheNewSithWarsoreventheduringtheJediCivilWar?Revanwassaidto
bethemostpowerfulJediofhisageanddefeatedopponentslikeMandaloretheUltimate,whointurnwassaid
thebeabletomatcheventheGrandmasteroftheOrderofthetime.
RevanwasanotherofHarry'sidols.Thethingthattrulyintriguedhimwashisabilitytowieldboththelightside
anddarksidesimultaneously.HewasabletohealhimselfwiththelightsideyetcastanddeflectForcelightning
easily.Harryhopedtobecomeevenhalfasskilledashewas.
Thisallbroughthimtohisdilemma.HowdidhecomparetotheJediofold?HisduelwithMarrishshowedhow
farhehadtogobutinwhichdirectionshouldhego?FocusonhisForceabilitiesandlearnmore?Orenhance
hislightsaberskills?RevanwassaidtohavedefeatedapairofTerentateksallbyhimself,afeatthatnoother
couldboastnotevenLuke.
'Intheend,whatdoyouprefer?Peace?Orfreedom?'
HerememberedArden'slastwordsagain.Hewishedhewasfree.Freetoexplorethegalaxyandenhancehis
understandingoftheForceandhimself.Freetoinvestigateeverynookandcrannyoftheplanetsconnectedto
theJedi.PlanetslikeTython,Ossus,Dantooineandthelike.FreetoenterSithtombsandfacethespiritsofold
SithLordsinordertotesthismettle.Butoverall...freetofindoutthehistoryofhispeopleandwhathappened
tothem.
Buthewasn'tfree.TheNewJediOrderwasastiedtotheNewRepublicastheOldOrderhadbeentotheOld
Republic.AsaJedi,hislifewasn'thisowntochoose.Hiswasalifeofservitudetoagovernmentsocorruptthat
evenPalpatinewouldhavebeendisgustedwithit.
Harrysighed.YethewasnoSithorevenDarkJedi.Hewantedtohelppeople.Hewantedtoendcorruption,
freeplanets,stopslaveryandeverythingtheOldJediwerefamousfor.YethecouldfeeltheshacklestheNew
JediOrderplacedonhim.Hecouldn'tstopslaverybecausemanysenatorssecretlyprofitedfromitandwould
raiseastinkifhetried.Hecouldn'tfreeplanetsbecausetheoneswhoenslavedthemareeitheronorhave
friendsintheSenate.Hecouldn'tendcorruptionbecausetheverypeoplewhofinancetheOrderwerethesource
ofmostofit.HeenviedtheJedifrombeforethetimeoftheRussanreformation.Theyhadthepowertodoall
thatbeforetheveryRepublictheyhadservedstrippedthemofit,makingthemlittlemorethangalacticpolice.
TheywerebetrayedbytheRepubliccenturiesbeforePalpatinewasevenborn.
WhilethespiritoftheReformationmayhavebeenpure,theramificationseventuallyallowedtheSithtoenter
powerandeasilydisposeoftheOldJediOrder.BythetimePalpatinecameintopower,theJediwereafraction
ofwhattheyhadbeenbeforeandhadbeenweakenedby1,000yearsofpeace.Theyhadnomilitarytogive
thembattleexperience,nonavytoteachthemhowtocommandbattles,andnoonetodefendthemexcept
themselvesandafewvolunteergroups.IntheCloneWars,theyhadtorelyonclonesfromdubioussourcesor
volunteersoldierswithnobattleexperience.Wasitanywonderthatofthe200JediwhoenteredtheFirstBattle
ofGeonosis,lessthan20survived?
TheNewJediOrderwasmakingthesamemistakesoftheOldOrder.Theyhadnomilitaryornavyoftheirown
duetotheSenateunwillingtoallowthemanyindividualpower.TherewerenolawsthatallowedtheJeditodeal
withcorruptsenatorsandanyevidencepresentedwaseithereasilydismissedorpaidtodisappear.Allinall,
theywerebasicallytrainedguarddogsfortheNewRepublic.Agovernmentthatwouldturnonthemthe
momentitbecamefavorabletothem.
TheJediweresupposedtobebeholdentonothingbutthewilloftheForce!Thatwaswhattheyweretaught!
Butatthesametimetheytelluswehavetoobeythelawsoftheverysamepeopleweshouldstandagainst.Any
actagainstthemisrebukedandtoldasasignoffallingtothedarksideandthatweshouldletthemsortitout
themselves.Howcouldwecallourselvesguardiansifwedon'tact?!Aguardianprotectsfromallthreats,from
withinandfromwithout!
Intheend,Ardenwasright.HewaschainedbytherulesoftheOrderandtheirallegiancetotheNewRepublic.
Thefacthemanagedtobuildaneffectivespynetworkwithintwomonthsshouldshowhowcorruptand
ineffectivethegovernmentwas,theywouldneversurviveatruewaragainstanenemythatwantsthem
exterminated.Theywouldtrytonegotiateandweaseltheirwayoutoffightingandbythetimetheygrewa
spine,itwouldbetoolatetostopthecollapseofthegovernment.
ButHarryrefusedtoletthathappen.Herefusedtoletbillionsofinnocentpeopledieduetothecorruptionand
ineffectivenessofafewstupidmen.Asawisemanoncesaid:Thosewhofailtoprepare,arepreparingtofail.In
thatvain,hewaspreparingforwhateverMarrishwasplanning.TheCouncilseemtothinkwhateveritwas
wouldn'thappenforyearsandtheycouldpreventiteasily.Harryknewbetter.Marrishwouldn'thaverevealed
himselfifitwasn'talreadytoolatetostopwhateverhehadplanned.Forthisreason,Harrywasgathering
informationoneverysinglearmedwarriorcultureinthegalaxywithouttiestotheRepublicinthehopestounite
themallwhenthetimescome.ThankstoArden,hehadleverageovertheMandaloriansalready.
WhilemostofthethingsleftbyArdenwereinformationonancientForcetechniquesandthelike,therewerea
fewobjectsmixedinaswell.MostwereprobablyacquiredduringherstintastheEmperor'sHandbutafew
wereprobablyfromwhensheattackedpassingsmugglingshipsandlootedtheircargo.Onesuchimportant
objectwassomethinganyMandalorianwouldkilltohave.ThemaskofMandalore.
HeknewthatifhecouldeitherransomitfortheirallegianceduringthewaroruseitdeclarehimselfMandalore,
thenhewouldhavetheirallegiance....grantedhewasn'tkilledwhenhewasforcedtoshowhedeservedthetitle.
Theywouldn'ttakekindlytoaJeditakingcontrolofthembutitwasonlyforthewar.TheMandalorian'shatred
ofJediwaslegendaryandBobaFettwasaprimeexampleofhoetheywouldshootfirstandaskquestionswhile
beatingyoucold,deadcorpse.Harryjusthopedthey'dlistenforthedurationofthewar.Harrydidn'twantpower
andhewoulddissolvetheallianceassoonasthewarwasofficiallyover.Theideaofrulingoveranyonemade
Harrysicktohisstomach.Heck,hebasicallylethisapprenticeslearnwhattheywantandonlyguidedthemon
howtouseitmorallyandeffectively.
However,theMandalorianswereonlythetipoftheiceberg.Therewerehundredsofothergroupsthathe
wantedtojoinhim.Hehadn'tforgottentheSaaraikar'spromiseaboutcomingtohisaidifheasked.Hewould
probablycallonthemforhelp.Hewonderedifshehadforeseenhimneedingherhelpinthefuture?
Harrysighed.Hewasonlyfifteen.Heshouldn'thavetodothisbuttheadultsseemcontenttositbackandlet
thingshappen.Theideaofbeingreactiveinsteadofproactivechaffedathim.Theonlythingthatwould
accomplishisthedeathofinnocentskilledbeforetheycouldreactintime.Thatwasn'tsomethinghewaswilling
toallow.Hewouldcarryamillionburdensaloneifitmeantprotectinganinnocentandespeciallyafriend.
Harryonceagainlookedathislightsabersandsighed.HisduelwithMarrishprovedanotherthing:hispersonal
stylewasstillincomplete.HewasrelyingmoreandmoreonVaapadtogivehimanedgeandhisownskillwith
hispersonalstylewassufferingasaresult.Heneededtofixthat.
Heputawayhisicebluelightsaberandonlyleftouthisvioletone.Theonebondedtothehurrikainecrystalhe
gaveJaina.Heactivatedthevioletbladeandfellintohisstyle'sopeningstance:bodysidewaystotheopponent
withthebladepointinghorizontaltothegroundandslightlydownwardsallowingforquickunderhandedstrikes
tostartoff,hisoffhandworkingasacounterbalancesoasnottolosehisbalanceduringaswing.Hethenturned
towardhisrecentproject.
Harryhadgainedmuchexperiencewithhissparswithhisfriendsbutitcouldn'tsimulatetherushofalifeor
deathbattle.ItmostlyhelpedwithincorporatinghisForceabilitiesagainstmultiplefoes.Onlyagainstareal
opponentthathecouldcompletelyletloosewithhisbladeatfullpowercouldhetrulyadvanceatthispoint.His
battlewithArdenhadshownthatheneededtobetterhimselfandnotholdhimselfbacktoconsolehisfriends
ego.Forthatreason,hewasgladhehadbuiltaholodroid.
HehadheardrumorsofaholodroidhavingbeeninLeia'sadoptivefather'scompanyduringtheearlydaysofthe
Rebellion.ItsupposedlycouldmimicthefightingstylesofseveralfamousandpowerfulfoessuchasObiWan
Kenobi,RahmKotaandevenJediMasterShaakTi.Whilehedoubtedtheveracityoftheseclaims,theyhad
inspiredhimtotryandbuildhisownholodroid.
However,hefirstneededabase.Aftercontactinghismore...questionablecontacts.Theyfinallyfoundhima
droidtheysaidwasperfectforwhathewanted.Itwouldbeagreattrainingdroidduetohavingalonghistoryof
fightingexperienceandcouldbeinstalledwithholoprojectorseasily.Hehadboughtithappilyandproceededto
installtheholoprojectors.
HehadfinallyaccomplishedittwodaysbeforeheleftforThule.Hehadbuiltitinsecretbecausehedidn'twant
anyonetoknow.ThelastthingheneededwasKypsayinghewasbuildingadroidarmyorsomethinglikethat.
ThedaybeforeheleftforThule,hehaddiscretelyorderedittohideassomethinginconspicuousandcopythe
fightingstylesofanyMasterorKnighthesawfightintheGrandAudienceChamber.Hehadforgottentopick
himupuntilhereturnedfromThuleaweeklaterandjustdiscreetlyretrievedhimbeforecomingtothetraining
ground.HehadnameditFAITH.ItstoodforFightingAndInteractiveTrainingHolodroid.Thiswouldbeit's
firsttest.
'I'mstartingtothinkIhavewaytoomuchtimeonmyhandsifI'mbuildingthingslikethis,'thoughtHarry
amusedly.
ActivateCorranHorn,saidHarryexcitedly.
FAITHturnedonitsholoprojectorandtooktheformofJediKnightCorranHorn.Harryhadbeenluckybecause
whilehewasonThule,CorranhadsparredwithMasterKyleallowingFAITHtocopybothoftheirfighting
styles.HarrydoubtedhecouldtaketheBattlemastersohewouldstartfromtheweakestofthesavedformsand
workhiswayup.SofarFAITHhadonlyfoursavedfightingforms:CorranHorn,KyleKatarn,Mara
Skywalker,andKypDurron.Apparently,MaraandKyphadadisagreementoversomethingKypsaidabout
himwhiletheywerearguingaboutwhethertomakehimaKnightornotandithadledtoafriendlyspar.
Harrydidn'tknowwhethertobehappyFAITHgotthechancetogettheirfightingstylesordisturbedtherewas
alreadyadivisionbetweentheMasterssobigthatitwasleadingtofightsandhewasthecause.
Inordertofurtherenhancethestrengthandrealityoftheholodroid,Harryhadchangedit'soriginalplatinginto
lightsaberresistantmaterials.Hehadalsogivenitseveralstandardlightsabersofvariousformssoitcould
adjusttoeachperson'sfightingstyle.Athisinsistence,hehadalsoinstalledaflamethrowerandseveralblasters.
HewashopingtotakeitwithhimwhenhebecameaKnightsoitcouldlearnevenmorefightingstylesashe
traveled.HehadmanagedtochangeFAITH'sprimaryprogrammingintohelpinghimbecomestrongerinany
waypossiblethatdidn'tleadtohisdeath.Whiletheywouldfightwithfullfledgedlightsabers,hewasonly
allowedtoharmHarryanywaypossibleduringasanctionedfight,notkillhim.Hedidn'twanthisgravetosay
'Killedbyhisowndroid'.
Hehadfounditstrangethatitwassohardtoreprogramhimbutrealizedthattheoriginalmakerhaduseda
highlycomplexalgorithmthatonlysomeonethatusestheForcecouldfigureout,muchlesschange.Hebriefly
wonderedwhotheoriginalcreatorwas.Heshookhisheadandconcentratedontheplannedfight.
Exasperatedtone:CorranHornsimulationactivated,saidFAITH.Unfortunately,Harryhadquickly
discoveredwhyhegotthedroidsocheap.Ithadbeenanassassinationdroidandagoodoneifit'soriginal
reflexeswereanyindication.Heactuallyhadtofightthestupiddroidanddefeatitwithonlyhisstaffbeforeit
wouldsubmittohimsaying'Statement:Youwillattracttroublelikemothstoaflame.You'retheperfectmaster!'
orsomethinglikethat.Exclamation:Ifeelsopatheticwhentakingthismeatbagform,master!Query:Perhaps
wearepracticingsoIcanbetterassassinatethistarget?
Harrysighed.I'vealreadytoldyou.Youcan'tkillanyoneIhaven'tauthorizedyoutokill.Especiallynotthe
peopleyou'vecopied!
Query:Notevenone?I'msuretheywon'tmisshim!Myoriginalprogrammingisassassinationmaster!You
can'ttakeawaymyoriginalprogramming!It'scruel!Therewassomethingintrinsicallyfunnyaboutseeinga
droidbeg.
No.
Statement:Youareaharshmaster.Ilikeyou.Exclamation:Thatdoesn'texplainwhyImustwearthis
meatbag'sform?!
Harrysighed.Ifitmakesyoufeelbetter,buildyourownstylebytakingthebestpartsofthestylesofthe
peopleyou'vecopied.Thatwayyouwon'thavetotakesomeone'sforminordertofight.Butnotuntilyou've
seenmanystyles,okay?
Expletive:Yesmaster!Ishallendeavortocopyasmanyaspossibletomorequicklyridmyselfofthishorrid
form.
Harrygavehimadeadpanlook.I'ma'meatbag'aswell,FAITH.
Qualification:Uh...Ididn'tmeanitquitelikethat,master.Whileyouareameatbag,IsupposeIshouldnotcall
yousuch.
Harrygavehimanannoyedlook.Youjustcalledmeameatbagagain!
Explanation:It'sjustthat...youhaveallthesesquishyparts,master.Andallthatwater!Howtheconstant
sloshingdoesn'tdriveyoumad,Ihavenoidea.
Harryjustshookhishead.Forgetit!Let'sconcentrateonoutfight.
Joyfulexpletive:Yesmaster!Letusspilleachother'sinnards!
Andthefightwason.
Afternightfall
HarrycrossedtheentranceintothePraxeumashedraggedhisinjuredbodybacktohisroom.FAITH'sfirsttrial
hadbeenasmashingsuccess.HehadbeenabletoalmostseamlesslycopyCorranHorn'sfightingstyle.Inorder
tocompensateforhislackofForceperception,Harryhadtaughthimhowtopredictabody'smovements
throughmusclemovementslikeYusanishadtaughthim.Hequicklylearneditandcouldnowbeanalmostexact
copyofCorranHorn!OfcoursehewasslightlyweakerthantherealthingduetolackofForceusagebutHarry
wouldupgradehimastimepassedsohecouldmimicseveralbasicForceabilities.
'IwonderifasonicgeneratorcouldmimicaForcepush?'musedHarrythoughtfully.
HarryhadorderedFAITHtoletnoonebutHarryseehimandtohideonhisship.Luckily,FAITHdidn'thavea
Forcesignatureandcouldeasilyhidefromanysensorsorcamerasonthewaytotheship.FAITHwasalso
downloadedwithknowledgeofthePraxeum'sandYavin4'slayoutaswellashisship's.Hehadabasicpiloting
informationdownloadedaswellincaseheneededtopilottheshipinanemergency,likeifHarrywas
incapacitated.HarryhopedhewouldstaypartneredwithAstraalafterhewasKnightedbuthedoubtedit.They
hadtoolittleKnightsasitwas.
AsHarryreachedhisroom,heranintoJacen.Jacenseemedslightlydistractedbecausehedidn'tevennotice
Harryuntilhealmostranintohim.
Whoa,sorryHarry.Jacengavehimanapologeticsmile.IwasthinkingtoohardandforgottowatchwhereI
wasgoing.
Harryjustwaveditoff.Noproblem.Isthereanythingwrong?
Ishouldaskyouthat.JacenhadfinallynoticedHarry'sinjuries.DidyouchallengeonetheMastersanditgot
outofhandorsomething?
Harryjustsmiled.Orsomething.JustanewtrainingregimenI'mtaking.Thepreliminaryresultsare
promising.
JacenjustlookeddubiousbeforewritingitoffasoneofHarry'snewinsanetrainingregimens.Harrytrained
morethananyoneinthePraxeum.'Probablywhyhe'ssomuchstrongerthananyonehisage.'musedJacen
thoughtfully.
So,areyougoingtotellmewhat'sonyourmind?askedHarry.
Jacenlookedasifhewasn'tgoingtosayanythingatfirstbuteventuallyrelentedunderHarry'sgaze.Well,I
wasjustthinkingaboutTenelKa.
Harrycockedaneyebrow.Whatabouther?
Well...Jacenhesitatedslightlybeforeconfessing.She'saprincessnow!Andnotanyprincessbuttheprincess
ofaculturethatlooksdownonmen.Beforeitwashardtothinkofgettingherattentionbutnowitseems
impossible!
First,shewasalwaysaprincess,youjustfoundoutrecently.HarrylookedamusedatJacen'sexasperatedlook.
Second,thebestgirlsarealwaysthehardesttowinover.Trustme,Iknow.Atthis,Jacengavehimaknowing
lookthatHarryignored.Third,she'sstillthesameTenelKa.Shejusthasalongerlastnamenow.AtJacen's
deadpanlook,Harryadded.Andsomedayshe'llruleoverasectorbutthat'snothing.YourmotherwasChiefof
State,remember?
Jacenbithisbottomlipwhilelookingatthefloor.Yeabut....whatcanagirllikethatseeinaguylikeme?I'm
justaboythatisobsessedwithanimals.WhatcanIpossiblyofferher?
Love,statedHarrysimply.Loyalty,friendship,devotionandanequal.Allthosementhatchaseherwanther
becauseofherposition.Notbecauseofwhosheis.Youcareaboutherforher.Youcouldcaretwoshitsabout
herposition.Heck,I'dbetyou'dbehappierifshewasasimpleprospectiveJedi.
Atthis,Jacennoddedreluctantly.
See?Youcareforherasaperson,whichissomethingnotmanypeoplecouldboast.Iknowforafactthatshe
caresaboutyoutoosodon'tthinkit'simpossible.Tryit,Jacen.Youneverknowuntilyoutry.
Jacenbithislipslightly.Evenifitdoesn'tworkoutlikeyouandJaina.
Harrywassilentforamomentbeforehespokequietly.Despitehowthingsdidn'tworkoutbetweenus,Idon't
regrettrying.Jaina....willalwaysbespecialtome.Morethananyother.IcanbehappyknowingItried.Butif
youdon'ttry,you'llalwaysbeplaguedbywhatif's.Remember,youneverknowwhatthefuturemightbringand
thisiscomingfromsomeonewhocanseethefutureslightly.Youneverknowiftodaycouldbeyourlastday
alive.Sodon'twastethetimeyou'regiven.
Jacencontemplatedhiswordsbeforenoddinghisheadandsmiling.Thanks,Harry.WhatwouldIdowithout
you?
Probablydancearoundeachotherforyearsbeforefinallygettingtogether,teasedHarry.
Jacenblushedatthetruthofthestatementbeforesmiling.ItwastimeslikethishewasgladforHarry'spresence.
Hewastheolderbrotherfigureheneeded.Hecouldn'tgotoJainaaboutthis(BytheForce,THATwouldbe
embarrassing),hisfatherwasn'talwaysavailableandUncleLuke....well,hemarriedMara.Enoughsaid.Harry
wasalwayswillingtolistenandwasolderthanhimsohehadmoreexperiencethanhim.Itdidn'thurtthathe
hadbeeninasimilarsituationandalreadyhadagirlfriend.
Well,goodnightHarry,saidJacen.
Beforeheleft,Harrycalledouttohim.Bytheway,wherewereyouandLowietoday?Iwaslookingforyou
guys.
Jacenlookedapologetic.Sorry,wedidn'tknowyouhadcomebacksowehadlefttoexploreYavin4onhis
ship.It'sreallybeautiful,I'lltellyouaboutittomorrow.
Harryjustsmiled.Gladyouhadfun.IjustrememberedIpromisedJainatotakeherflyingaroundthejungles
here.Sowhentheygetbackwe'llgojustusSolostoexplorewithmyship,okay?
Jacenexcitedlynoddedhisheadandthankedhimprofusely.Harryjustwaveditoffandtheysaidtheir
goodnights.AfterwatchingJacenenterhisroom,Harryturnedtohisownandentered,walkingslowlysoasnot
toworsenhiswounds.JacenwasHarry'sbestmalefriendandwashisbrotherinallbutblood.Theyhadn'tspent
muchtimelatelyandhewantedtorectifythat.HeshouldhaveknownhewasfeelinginadequatebyTenelKa's
revelationbuthehadbeensobusyhehadn'tnoticed.Hehadtorectifythat.OnceJainacamebackwiththerest
ofthegirls,thethreeofthem(fourifhecouldmanagetoconvinceAnakin)wouldgooutandhaveabonding
tripwhileexploringthejungles.
AsHarrygotontohisbedandenteredahealingtrance(thankfullyhegottengoodenoughinitthatbymorning
he'dbe100%again),hesmiledashethoughtaboutwhattheywoulddiscover.Afterall,thefourofthem
togetherwasjustaskingfortrouble.
Afewdayslater
Harryopenedhiseyes,fullyrefreshedfromhishealingtrance.
HehadadvancedmoreinthelastfewdaystrainingwithFAITHthanhehadinmonths!Notsincebeforehe
builthislightsaberhadheadvancedsomuchsoquickly!Itseemedthatonlyintheheatofbattledidhemanage
toadaptcorrectly.YesterdayhehadmanagedtofixsomeoftheflawsinhisstylebyaddingelementsofNiman.
Whilenothavinganyobviousstrengthsitdidhaveoneunnoticeablestrength.Itseamlesslyswitchedfrom
offensetodefensewithoutlosingmomentumorflow.Thiselementwassomethinglackinginhisownstyleand
wasthereasonhestalledwhenchangingforms.ByaddingsomeformsfromNiman,hemanagedtoovercome
thisweakness.Andtothinkitcametohiminthemiddleofafight!
Harrylookedathisholoclockandrealizedthatthegirlswereduetoarrivesoon.HarryhadcalledAstraalthe
dayafterhisfirsttrainingsessionwithFAITHtotellherhehadcomeback.Shehadtriedtogrillonwherehe'd
beenbuthetoldherhewasforbiddenfromtellingbytheCouncilwhichmadeherpoutandwhine.Shehadtold
himshewouldarrivetoday.
AsHarrytriedtostretch,henoticedtherewasaweightonhischest.Lookingdown,hewassurprisedtoseehis
girlfriendsleepingpeacefullyontopofhim.
'Shemusthavearrivedduringthenight.Butwhydidtheyarrivesoearlyandwhydidn'tshewakeme?'thought
Harrycuriously.
HarryslowlyandgentlyshookAstraalawake.Astraalsimplymovedoffhischestandcuddledintohisside,
wrappingherarmsandlegsaroundhimtopreventhimfromleaving.Harrysmiledslightlybeforedeciding
maybesleepinginwasn'tsuchabadidea.HeputanarmaroundheranddrewAstraalclosertohimbefore
closinghiseyesandgoingbacktosleep.
Anhourlater
Harrywashavingagooddreamwhenhesuddenlyfeltgentlekissestraildownhisneckandthendownhischest.
Harrsmiledashewoketoseehisgirlfriendlayingwithherheadonhischestwithagentlesmileonherface.
Hellolove,saidAstraalsoftly.
Hellotoyoutoo,saidHarryjustassoftly.
AstraalstartedtokisshischestagainwhenHarrywasremindedofsomethingshehadtoldhimafewweeksago.
Twi'lekculturehadalwaysinvolvedslaveryandownershipoffemaletwi'leks.Duetothis,theyhadcertain
culturalquirksuniquetothemthatotherswouldbalkat.Oneofthesethingswastheconceptofowndership.
Whenatwi'lekfemaleiswithamale,whetherwillinglyornot,themalehastohaveamarkorthelikeonthe
twi'lektosignifyshebelongstohim.Themarkwasawayoftellingothersthatshebelongedtosomeoneand
anyattempttotakefortheirownwouldresultinseverebacklash.Themoreextravagantthemark,themore
severethebacklash.Shehadtoldhimthisduetosomeguywantingtoclaimherwhenshetriedtosneakintoa
barforinformationduringamission.Sinceshedidn'thaveamark,themanthoughtshewasunclaimedand
sincealltwi'lekfemalescanbeboughtorclaimed,themanhadtriedtoclaimherbyforce.
Harryhadquicklyrectifiedthatwhenhebroketheman'sjaw.
However,whentheyreturnedHarrydecidedhewouldcreatesomethingtomarktheirrelationship.Hedidn't
wanttotattoosomethingonherbecausehedidn'tknowhowandwasafraidhe'dhurther.However,helearned
thatjewelrypiecewoulddojustaswell.
HarryputahandonAstraal'sshouldertostopherkissing.Justasecond,Ihavesomethingforyou.
AstraallookedconfusedasHarrywenttohisnightstandandpulledoutaboxbeforepresentingittoher.Luckily
(orunluckily)forher,theboxwastoobigtoholdaringinside.WithaglanceatHarrywhogaveheran
encouragingnod,sheopenedthebox.
Insidewasabeautifulsapphirestoneinlaidinaplatinumcoloredbellyring.Theringalsohadseveralcharacters
alongtheoutsidethatAstraaltranslatedasHarry'snameinTwi'leki.Tearscametohereyesatthethoughtfulgift
sincebythelooksofit,hehadmadeithimselfratherthansimplybuysomething.
Wantmetoputiton?askedHarrysoftly.AtAstraal'snod,Harryslowlyandcarefullytookitfromthebox
beforeputtinginher.Luckily,Astraallookedtohavehadbellyringsbeforesoitwassimpletojustputitinthe
sameplace.Whentheyweredone,AstraalgotupandadmireditinthemirrorandHarrynoticedthelovinglook
inhereyesasHarrycameupbehindher.Despiteonlybeinginatanktopandpanties(ormaybebecauseofit),
Harrythoughtshehadneverlookedsobeautiful.
It'sbeautiful,saidAstraalsoftly.Turningtokisshim,shecontinued.I'mcompletelyyoursnow.
ThehuskytoneinhervoicetoldHarryexactlywhatshehadinmindnowandhewasprovenrightwhenshe
gentlypushedhimbackontothebedbeforeslowlycrawlingontopoffhim.Theyengagedinascorchingand
passionatekissthatincreasedtheheatbetweenthemevenmoreastheyrubbedagainsteachother.Astraalbroke
thekissbeforegivinghimasultrysmileandslowinggoingbackdownhisbody,leavingkissesalongtheway,
beforeherfacewasinfrontofhisachingerection.
HarrysmiledashesawAstraalstarttoremovehisunderwear,teasinghimbydoingitslowly.Onceshehad,she
lookedatHarryand,seeinghewascompletelyawakenow,smiledhuskilyathimasshestartedtostrokehis
erection.
Well,well.Youbroughtmeanothergift,mylove.Youdolovetospoilme,saidAstraalwithasaucysmileon
herface.
Harryjustsmiledrightbackather.AnythingforthewomanIlove.
Astraal'sbreathcaughtandtearscametohereyes.ItwasthefirsttimeHarryhadsaidhelovedhersincethey
starteddating.AstraalheldbackhertearsandgaveHarryasmolderinglook.
Ithinkthatdeservesarewarddon'tyouthink?saidAstraalhuskily.Withoutanotherword,sheputhalfofhis
cockintohermouthanddownherthroat.
Harryjustgroanedashisgirlfriendexpertlystartedtoblowhim.Heextendedhissensestomakesuretheywere
aloneandwouldn'tbeinterruptedandwashappytosensethattherewasnoonecloseby.Theothersmusthave
alreadywokenupandgonetomorningmeal.
Harrythrewhisheadbackandgroanedinpleasure.HelookedbackdowntowardshisTwi'lekloverasshelay
ontopofhislegswithhisdickinhermouth.Astraalbobbedherheadbackandforthseveraltimesherbeautiful
sapphireeyesneverleavinghis.Afterseveralminutesshetookhimasdeepasshecouldstillleavingabouta
thirdofhislengthtogoandheldthere,whenshepulledbackoffshelethimoutofhermouthwithaloudpop.
Movingbackforwardshestuckhertongueoutlickinghistipbeforerunninghertonguedownhisshaftonher
waytohisballs.Suckingoneintohermouthshebeganfistinghisshaft,pullinganothergroanfromHarry's
throat.
DamnAstraal.Noonecancomparetoyou,saidHarry.Hesuddenlyhadaghostofamemoryofsomeoneelse
blowinghimwithevenbetterskillbutitleftbeforehecouldwonderwhereitcamefrom.
Onlyforyou,myonlylove.saidAstraalhuskily.
TheTwi'lekJedithentookhimbackintohermouthmovingbackandforthoccasionallystoppingtorunher
tonguearoundtheundersideofhiscock.Harryshookhisheadandgroanedwhenshehummed.
Harrywasextremelypleasedwiththewayhismorningwasturningout,andwassureitcouldonlygetbetter.
Harrylookeddownathisloverandcouldhonestlysayhelovedthisgirl,whohehadfoughtbesideandshared
hismostvulnerablemomentwith.HarrywasgladhehadchosentobewithAstraal.
AstraalreachedahandtohissackandbegantofondleitcausingtheblackhairedJeditoputhishandonher
headasheattemptedtocontrolthepaceofherbackandforthmotion.Astraalfelthisnutscontractsignalinghis
impendingreleaseandstoppedherbobbingtorunhertonguealonghispissslit.
"AhForceme!"HarryyelledasheblewhisloadintoAstraal'swaitingmouth.Afterseveralspurtshelaid
bonelesslyonhisbedandwatchedasAstraallookedupathimandopenedhermouth.Shethencloseditmaking
agrandspectacleofswallowingbeforeshowinghimtheloadwasgone.
TheviewcausedHarrytoreturntofullattentionandhejustwantedtomakelovetoheralldaybuthesuddenly
hadanidea.Hedidn'tknowwhereitcamefrombuthedecidedheshouldreturnthefavor.
HarryturnedthemoveruntilhewasontopandwasgladtoseeAstraalwasonlywearingatanktopandpanties.
Harrysmiledashegrabbedthehemofherpantiesandpulledthemdown.
HarrystaredatAstraal'sexposedpussycausinghertoblushandsay,"Quitquitstaring"Despitehaving
beenintimatebefore,Harryhadneveropenlyogledherprivatepartsanditmadeherfeelembarrassed.
Findingthenormallystronggirlembarrassedashegazedatherprivatespotratherstrangeandamusing,hesaid,
"Youhavenothingtobeembarrassedabout.It'sbeautiful."Hethenleaneddowntotakeadeepinhaleofhis
ownbaskinginthescentofherarousalbeforedivingintodineonhersnatch.
"HarHarry,sosogood,"AstraalmoanedsurprisedanddelightedthatHarrywaswillingtoeatpussy.
AstraalhadneverimaginedHarrywouldbewillingtodothisandwasincrediblysurprisedandarousedthathe
waswilling.ShefeltherfirstorgasmasaresultofreceivingoralapproachingsowhenHarrygaveherclita
littlenipsheplantedherfeetonthebedliftingherpelvisupandscreamedherrelease.
Astraaljustlayforamoment,baskinginherreleaseasHarrystartedtrailingkissesbackupherchestuntilhe
reachedhermouth.Shedrewhimintoascorchingkisswhichheeagerlyresponded.Itsurprisedherbutshewas
onlyfurtherarousedbythetasteofherownjuices.Eventuallytheybrokethekiss.
Areyouready,mylove?askedHarrysoftly.
Astraaljustnodded.
Harrykneltonthebedbetweenherspreadthighs.Herubbedhisachingcockupanddownherslitcoatingitin
herjuicesbeforepreparingtoenterher.Astraalwhinedattheteasingbutmoanedasheslowlyenteredher.
Pushinginslowlyheonlyfedinaboutaninchatatime,notwantingtobetooroughwithher.Hewantedto
makelovetohernotsimplyfuck.Hewantedthismomenttobespecial.Finallyhewasfullysheathedinsideher.
Iloveyou,whisperedHarryashelookedintohereyes.Astraalsmiledandsaid,Iloveyoutoo.
Leaningforwardhekissedherandasshekissedhimbackhetookhisdickuntilonlythetipremainedand
plungedbackintoher.Shetensedandmoanedintohismouth.Harrybegantokissalongherfaceandneck
givingAstraalthechancetogrowaccustomedtothefeelingofhiminsideheragainaswellastoallowtheslight
painofbeingstretchedagaintodiminish.Despiteherpast,Harryhadbeenonlythethirdmanshe'dbeenwith
andtheonlyoneshehadbeenwithwillingly.Therefore,hewasthefirsttoactuallycareaboutherfeelingsand
makesuresheenjoyeditaswell.Hewasalsobiggerthantheprevioustwodespitebeingmuchyounger.
Oncesherelaxed,Harrybegantomoveinsideofherslowlyandlanguidly,butAstraalsoonwantedmoreand
whenshebegantotryraiseherhipstomeethisinahurriedtempohebegantoincreasehisownpaceaswell.
"MoreHarry,"Astraalpleaded.
Insteadofrespondingtoherrequestherolledthemoversothatshewasontopandstoppedmovingcompletely.
Shestareddownathimwithapouthefoundadorable,butsheeventuallybegantoraiseandlowerherselfover
histool.Soonshewasridinghimatabriskpacewhenshesuddenlytensedassheexperiencedhersecond
orgasmoftheday.Hertighteninggriparoundhiscockalmostsenthimovertheedgebuthemanagedtorestrain
himself.
Astraalcollapsedforwardbreathinghardagainsthischest,butuponrealizingthatHarryhadyettocumbeganto
oncemoremoveherhips.Asshedidthatshealsobegantorunhertongueoverhisnipplemovingbackand
forthbetweenthem.RespondinginkindHarrybeganraisinghishipstomeetAstraalcausinghertoliftherhead
awaytoshoutout,"YesHarry,you'resodeep!OhOhI'mgoingtocumagain.Pleasecumwithme."
HarrysatupandbegantoaidAstraalassheroseandfellonhisstaffinordertocomplywithherrequest.Ashe
felthisownorgasmapproachinghesaid,"I'mreadyAstraal.I'mgoingtofillyouupandmakeyoumine."
"Yes,"Astraalshoutedholdingontighttoherlover,"I'myoursHarry!"
I'mcumming,"heshouted.
FeelinghisreleaseAstraalthrewherheadbackexperiencingherthirdorgasmandshouted,"Iloveyou."
AstraallandedonHarry'schestheavilyastheybothstruggledtocatchtheirbreaths.Suddenly,Astraalnoticed
somethingthatbothsurprisedandarousedher:Harrywasstillsemihardandquicklyrehardeninginsideher.
AstraalmoanedwhenHarrystartedtoslowlythrustintoheragainbutstoppedhimwhenshehadanidea.
Whatisit,myangel?askedHarryconfusedly.Doyouwanttostop?
Astraalshookherheadbutbitherlipnervouslyatwhatshehadplanned.There'sonemoreholeyouhaven't
claimedyet.Asshesaidthis,shepulledHarryoutofherpussybeforeplacingitinfronotheranus.
Harrywaswideeyedandstuttered.AAreyousure?IknowithurtsthefirsttimeandI'llonlydoitifyou
reallywantto.
AstraaljustsmiledandpushedherselfoffHarry.ShegentlymadeHarrygetupbeforecrouchingonallfoursin
themiddleofthebed,hertightbuttupintheair."Doit,"shesaidconfidently."It'llbefine,mylove.Iloveyou."
Harrygotupbehindherandpositionedhimselfbehindherbeforesighing."Heregoesnothing."
AstraalsqueezedhereyesshutwhenshefelttheheadofHarry'scocktouchherpuckeredanus.Harryputhis
handsonherhipsandgentlysaid,"Relax,myangel.Youneedtorelax."
"IfIaskyoutostop...you'llstop,right?"shewhisperedvulnerably.Shehadneverbeentakenthereandshewas
showingHarryalotoftrustinlettinghimdothis.Thiswastheultimateshowofherloveandtrustinhim.
"OfcourseIwill,"Harrysaid."Iloveyou."
Astraalsmiledanddidherbesttorelax,gruntingasHarrypushedhiscrownagainstherbacksideagain.She
gaspedwhenhisheadpoppedin,andherbackslowlyarchedasinchafterinchofHarry'smanhoodslidintoher
body.
Harrystoppedwhenhewascompletelyburiedinher,hertightassholesqueezinghimlikenothinghehadever
felt.Herfacewasburiedinthesheetsofthebedandshewasn'ttalking,onlypantingatthemixtureofpainand
pleasureshewasfeeling.
"Ithink...Ithinkwemighthavetousesomelubeorsomethingnexttime,Harry,"Astraalgroaned.Shestill
wasn'tcompletelysurewhichfeelingwasstronger:thepainorthepleasure.
"Doyouwantmetostop?"Harrygruntedinreturn,hopingwitheveryfiberinhisbeingthatshewouldsayno.
"I...Ithinkit'salright,love,"Astraalsaid,thepainhavingfadedalittle."Youshouldtrymoving."
Harryslowlypulledoutofheralittle,stoppingwhenonlyhiscrownwasstillinhertightbody.Thenheslowly
pushedbackinandAstraalmoaned.Takingthatasbeingasignthatitfeltgood,Harrybegangentlyrockingin
andoutofher,hishandsonherhips.Herhot,tightwallsfeltsogoodwrappedaroundhishardcock,andhe
beganmovingalittlefaster.
AstraalwasgaspingandfistingthesheetseverytimeHarry'sthickcockpumpedintoher,tearingherapartinthe
mostpleasurablewaypossible.Itshouldhavebeenimpossibleforsomethingaspainfulasthistofeelsogood.
Sheknewshewouldn'tbeabletowalkproperlyfortherestoftheday,butshedidn'treallycare,aloud,
uncheckedmoanescapingherlipsasshethoughtofhowshewouldfeelwhenHarrycameinsideofher.
"Faster,"shemoaned,takingherfaceoffofthebedandproppingherselfuponherelbows.
Harrybeganpistoningintoherfaster,thesoundoftheirslappingskinandthesqueakingofthebedframefilling
theroom.Harry'scockscrapingalongherwallssentmoreshocksofpleasureandpainracingthroughAstraal's
body,makingherletoutahalfgroan/halfmoan.ShewaslettingoutatinywhimpereverytimeHarry'spelvis
smashedintohertightbluecheeks,indicatingthathewasballsdeepinherbody.
ThefactthatshewasbeingassfuckedinthemiddleoftheJediPraxeumwhereanyMastercouldsensewhat
theyweredoingiftheytriedtolocatethemandshewaslovingitsentmorelancesofpleasureracingtohercore,
whichwasnowsecretingherownwarmjuices,whichwererunningdownherthighs.EverytimeHarry
slammedintoher,shefeltherpussyclench,wishingthatitwasbeingfilledbyathickcockratherthanher
asshole.
"BytheForce,Harry,"AstraalmoanedasHarrypickedupthepacejustatinybitmore,drivingthebreathoutof
herwitheachpump.
"Thisfeelssogood,myblueangel,"Harrygasped."I'mnotgoingtobeabletoholdonmuchlonger.You
close?"
Astraaldecidedtobehonestandshookherhead.Sure,thiswaspleasurable,buttherewasjustatinybittoo
muchpaintoactuallyallowhertoorgasm.Maybewithtimeandpracticeshewouldlearntoenjoyitasmuchas
thefrontbutfornow,thepainwasslightlyhigherthanthepleasure.
Orsoshethought,butshecriedoutandfeltalineofdroolmakeitswaydownherchinasHarry'shandsnaked
aroundherbodyandfoundherclit,flickingthetinybundleofnerves.
"IsweartoeverygodorForceincreationthatI'llmakeyoucome,myangel,"Harrygrunted,poundingintoher
withevenmorevigor.
Butatthispoint,Astraalwasbeingassaultedbysomuchpleasurethatshewaspracticallyincoherent.The
accumulationoftheirpreviouslovemakingplustheincrediblesensationemanatingfromherassholeweretoo
much."Cock...sogood...Harry...come...insideme...Comein...your...angel..."
Harry'shipssuddenlyjerkedandhepumpedaropeofhotcumdeepintoAstraal'sbody,hishandfreezingonher
clitasheerraticallythrustedintohisgirlfriendandlover,everythrustreleasingstreamsandstreamsofthick,
stickycumintoherstuffedass.
AstraalgruntedandmoanedatthefeelingofHarry'shotseedfillingherbodyandherownorgasmslammedinto
herandhot,clearcumrandownherthighsandmoredroolrandownherchin.Herlimbswereshaking
uncontrollablyasshefeltherwallsmilkingeverylastdropoutofherlover,thenpleasureovertookher
completelyandherarmsgaveoutfromunderher.
HarrypulledoutofherandAstraalcollapsedonthebed,writhinginthethroesofherorgasm.Finally,whenthe
lastwaveofpleasurehadsubsided,AstraalsighedandrolledoversoshewashalflyingonHarry,whosecock
wasnowsoft.
Theysilentlygotunderthecoversandpositionedthemselvessotheywerecomfortablyspooning,andHarry
said,"Iloveyou,Astraal,myblueangel."
Aftertheirrespectivereleaseshadpassed,theystayedlikethatinthemiddleofthebedandthetwolovers
startedtogetarousedagainbeforekissinggently.Itwasn'tlongbeforethingsheatedupandtheywereatit
again.
Threehourslater
HarryandAstraalwerenakedwithonlyabedsheetcoveringthem.AstraalhadherheadonHarry'schestand
onelegthrownoverhiswhileHarrywasgentlyrubbingherlekkucausingAstraaltopurrcontentedly.Both
wereblissfullyhappyanddidn'twantthemomenttoendbutbothknewtheyshouldbegoingtomiddaymeal
soon.Astraalhadmostlyrecoveredfromtheanalsexandwassureshecouldwalkwithoutanoticeablelimpas
longasitwasn'tforlong.
Aftersharing'Iloveyous',HarryandAstraalfinallygotupoffthebed.Theylefthisroomafterbathingtogether
(whichledtoyetanotherround)togetthesmellandsweatoff.Harrylovinglyhadanarmaroundherwaistas
theywalkedtowardsthemesshallandAstraalleanedonhimwithherheadonhisshoulder.Itwasluckythey
wereJediandeasilysynchronizedtheirstepsbecauseifnottheywouldhavefallenmanytimes.Ashewalked,
hethoughtaboutwhathehadsaid.
Despitehowlittletimethey'dbeentogethersincetheystarteddating,Harrycouldhonestlysayhewasfallingin
lovewithAstraal.ItwasdifferentfromJaina.WithJainaithadbeenduetoyearsofknowingeachotheraswell
asphysicalattraction.WithAstraal,therewasmoreofthelatterbuttherewasalsoatrustthatonlycomesfrom
fightingtogetherinlifeordeathsituations.HeknewAstraal.Probablynotaswellasheknewthetwinsor
Anakinbutthatwasonlybecauseheknewthemlonger.Hewassurethatwithtimehewouldknoweverysingle
oneofAstraal'squirks.
Ashewalked,hegentlyrubbedAstraal'slekkucausinghertomoancontentedly.ATwi'lek'slekkuwasalways
sensitiveduetothembasicallybeingonlybrainmattercoveredinmuscleandskin.Theyweredelicate,so
Harry'scaressesfeltheavenlytoher.Hesmiledasherlekkucurledaroundhishandduetohisstroking.
Astraalnoticedandblushedwhilelookingupathim.Itdoesn'tbotheryou?
Doeswhatbotherme?askedHarrycuriously.
Astraalbitherlipslightly.Thattheymoveanddothat.Mostpeopleareslightlyfreakedoutbyit.
Harryjustsmiledashecontinuedtogentlyrubherlekku.No,Astraal.They'reapartofyouandIloveevery
partofyou.
Astraalsmiledbrightlyathisadmissionanddrewhiminforaquickkiss.Iloveyousomuch.
AndIloveyou,saidHarryhappily.
Thetwoeventuallyreachedthemesshallandsawtherestofthegroupeatingattheirtable.Theymadetheir
wayoverthereandsatintheirregularseatsinfrontofthetwins.
Wherewereyoutwo?askedJacencuriously.WewokeupandAstraalwasn'tinherroomandHarrywouldn't
answerhisdoorsowethoughtyouguyshadgonetotrain.Butwedidn'tfindyouinourtraininggroundandwe
haven'tseenyouallday.
Totheircredit,bothJedimanagedtoavoidblushingwhentheythoughtoftheirmorningactivities.Harry
thankedtheForcethathehaddecidedtomakehisroomsoundproofwhenhefirstarrivedinthePraxeumand
beforehestarteddatingAstraal.Ifhehaddoneitafter,everyonewouldthink(correctly)thathehaddoneitso
noonewouldheartheiractivities.
Harryclearedhisthroat.Wewentfartherintothejungletotrain.IwantedtosparwithAstraalusingfullpower
lightsabersaswellasspendtimewithher.Sohowwasthetrip,girls?Astraalhasn'ttoldmeyet.
Jainasmiledconspiratorially.Soshehasn'ttoldyouhowwestoppedanassassinationattemptonTenelKa's
grandmother?
Technically,TenelKastoppeditwhilewecapturedtheassassinwhenshetriedtorun,saidKassamusedlyas
Jainapouted.Butyea,itwasprettycool.NowAsharaandIknowhowitfeelstobeyouthree.
Harry,JacenandJainajuststuckouttheirtonguesatherastherestlaughed.ThatremindedHarryofwhathe
promisedJacenafewdaysago.
HeyJaina,youbusythisafternoon?askedHarry.Jacenlookedathimcuriouslybeforegrinningwhenhe
rememberedHarry'spromiseafewdaysagoandgrinnedexcitedly.
No,why?askedJainasuspiciouslyonceshesawhertwingrinning.
RememberwhenIpromisedtoletyoupilotwhilesearchingforacrashedshipforyoutorepairsomewhere
aroundhere?SeeingJaina'sexcitednodandsmile,Harrycontinued.Well,Idecidedtoshoottwowombats
withoneshotandtakeallfourofus:you,me,JacenandAnakin.It'llbeafamilyoutingsortofthing,justlike
whenwewerekids.
Jainaslightlyslippedwhenhesaiditwouldbeafamilyoutingbuthersmilecamebacksoquickthatnoone
noticed.That'sagreatidea!Andnoskimpingandtryingtogetthefirstcrashedshipwefind.Welookforthe
best!
Harrylaughedandnodded.HeturnedtoAstraaltoseeherpoutingathim.
Iwantedtospendthedaywithyou,saidAstraalsoftly.
Harry'sgrinfadedandheleanedinclosetoher.I'msorrybaby,butIdidpromisethemalongtimeagoand
failedtokeepupmyendofthebargain.Ioweittothem.Plusit'sagoodchancetoreconnect.We'vebeenso
busywithmissionswe'veneglectedourfriends.
Astraaljustpoutedandgrudginglynodded.Okay,buttomorrowit'sjustyouandme,okay?
SeeingMarawalktowardsAstraalfrombehindher,hesaid,Ithinkit'llhavetobeforwhenyoucomeback.
AstraallookedconfuseduntilshefeltMarataphershoulderfrombehind.Astraal,wehaveamissionforyou.I
knowyoujustgotbackbutit'simportant.
Bymyself?askedAstraalslightlynervous.WhenMaranodded,shegulpedbutnoddedherheadather.
I'llseeyouwhenIcomeback,mylove,whisperedAstraal.
Harrygaveareassuringsmile.Yes,youwill.Ihavefullconfidenceinyou.
Astraalbrightenedathisdeclarationoffaithinherskillsandaftersayinggoodbyetotheothers,leftwithMara.
Harryfrownedaftersheleft.Despitewhathesaidbeingtrue,hestillfeltuneasyaboutlettinghertakeamission
withoutbackup.Hejustrealizedthathelovedher,sotheideaofsomethinghappeningtoherbecausehewasn't
theretohelpherrubbedhimthewrongway.
Don'tworry.HarryturnedtoseeJainagivinghimasympatheticsmile.She'sstrongsoI'msureshe'llbe
fine.
TenelKanodded.Yes.Inmyclanshe'dalreadybeconsideredonparwithsomeofthestrongestofour
warriors.She'llbefine.
Harrysmiledgratefullyatthetwogirlsandreturnedtohismeal.Aftertheyallfinishedeating,thethreeSolo
raisedteenagerswenttopacktheirbagsforthetrip.Afterwards,theywentlookingforAnakintoinvitehimto
comealong.TheyfinallyfoundhimarguingwithTahiriandVisas.
Girlsarenotbetterthanboys!arguedAnakin.
Yes,theyare.Theyhavethebabies.Therefore,they'restrongerbecausetheycandowhatmencan't.stated
TahirismuglywhileVisassimplygiggledbesideher.
That'sjustbiologicalstuff!arguedAnakin.Itdoesn'tmeananything.Plusdon'tmentakecareofthe
women?
Tahiri'seyesnarrowedathim.AreyousayingI'mincapableoftakingcareofmyself?
Anakinquicklybackpedaled.Ididn'tthinktha
That'sright,youdidn'tthink.PleaseremedythatbeforeI'mforcedtoremedyitforyou,statedTahiri
dangerously.AnakincouldonlygulpandnodwhiletryingtoignorethesoundofVisas'laughter.
I'mgladtoseeyouallgettingalong,statedHarryamusedly.
TahiriturnedtoHarryandsmiledbrightly.HeyHarry!Wherewereyouafewdaysago?Astraalandtheothers
hadleftbutyouweren'tgoingwiththemsoIthoughtyouwouldbehere.Tahiripouted.ButwhenIsearched
foryou,youweregone.
Harrysmiledapologeticallyather.Sorry,Tahiri.IhadamissiontodoonordersoftheCouncil.Itwassecretso
Icouldn'ttellanyoneaboutit.
Tahirijustlookedathiminwonder.Asecretmission?!That'ssocool!Youhavetobethebestmasterever!
Harryjustblushedinembarrassment.I'mnotthatcool.
That'sright.Hecan'tevenwininsabacc.teasedJaina.Harrypoutedaseveryonelaughed.
OnedayI'llwin,justyouwait,mutteredHarry.
Sureyouwill,saidJainaslightlydisbelievingly.Well,anyway,wecamebecauseHarryhasstoppedbeinga
selfishteenagerandisfinallylettingmepilothisshiparoundtheplanet.We'remakingitafamilyoutingso
Anakin'sinvited.Youwannacome?
Anakinnoddedhisheadenthusiastically.Ofcourse!Letmegetmystuff.
AsAnakinleft,HarrysawTahiripoutatHarry.Whyaren'tIinvited?Aren'tIfamily?
Harryfeltslightlybadsoheconsoledher.Don'tworry.WhenAstraalcomesback,I'llhaveasurpriseforallof
you.
Tahiriseemedsatisfiedwiththatandaftersayinghergoodbyes,leftwithVisastotrainsomemore.Anakin
appearedwithhisbagsoonafterwardandthefourpeoplegrouplefttowardthehangar.Oncetheyreachedthe
ship,Harryrememberedsomethinghehadforgotten.
'Shit,FAITH'sinthere!Ican'tletthemseehimyet!'thoughtHarryfrantically.
Wait!ThethreeSolosstoppedlookingathimconfused.IjustrememberedthatIneedto...fixsomething
quickly.StayherewhileIfixit.
I'llhelpyou,thatwayweleavefaster,offeredAnakin.
No!yelledHarryfrantically.Thetruthis...IhaveasurpriseforyouguysinthereandIcan'tletyouseeit
untilit'sdone.
Thatonlymadethemlookevenmoreexcited.Jaina'seyesstartedtoscantheoutsideoftheshipasifshewished
shehadXrayvision.Whatisit?Aspeederorsomething?
Arareanimal?askedJacenexcitedly.
Areallydifficultpuzzle?askedAnakinjustasexcitedly.
Harryinternallysweatdroppedattheironetrackminds.Itwouldn'tbeasurpriseifItoldyou,nowwouldit?
Stayhereandpromisemethatyouwon'ttryandfindoutwhatitis.
ThethreeSolosgrumbledbuteventuallypromised.Whilekeepinganeyeonthem(hewouldn'tputitpastthem
tohavehadtheirfingercrossedwhentheypromised),heenteredtheshipandsearchedforFAITH.Hefound
himinthecockpitplayingasimulationgameHarryhadinstalledforhim.
Joyfulexclamation:Yes,runmeatbags!Screamandrun!
Harrydeadpannedathispsychoticdroid'sexclamation.Harryhadinstalledasimulationgamethatwentthrough
severalwellknownbattlesoftheGalacticCivilWar.Youpickasideandtrytousestrategyandtacticstowin
thebattle.OrinFAITH'scase,gocrazyandjuststartkillingeveryoneontheotherside.Harrystillhasn'tfigured
outhowhegetsthehighestscoreconsistentlywhenhisonlystrategyis'Shootandkill'.
FAITH.Athearinghismaster'scall,thedroidturnedfromthegame.
Query:Hellomaster,whyareyouhere?Ithoughtweweren'ttospillourinnardstoday?Hopefultone:Have
youcometogivememyfirstassassinationmission?Idearlywishthatisthereason.
Harryjustsighedathispsychotictendencies.No,FAITH.I'mgoingtoexploretheplanetwithsomefriendsso
we'regoingtousetheship.Ineedyoutohideintheemptysecretcompartmentwhilethey'rehere.
Query:WhymustIhidefromthemeatbags?Hopefultone:IsitsoIcanassassinatethemwhentheirbacksare
turned?
Harryfranticallyshookhishead.NO!Thesepeopleareonthelistofpeopleyoumustprotectatallcosts,
understand?
Sadtone:Verywell,master.Ifyouhappentochangeyourmind,however,IfeelImusttellyouIwillgladly
killanyoneyouask.Please.Ibegyou."
I'llkeepthatinmind,saidHarryinadeadpantone.AfterFAITHhidhimselfinthesecretcompartment,Harry
lefttheshiptofindthethreeteenagerswiththeirearspressedtothehullasiftheycouldhearwhatthesurprise
was.
Harrysneakedupbehindthemandwhisperedintotheirears.Whatarewelisteningto?
Thethreeteenagersjumpedandtriedtolookinnocentwhilefailingmiserably.
Anyway,saidHarrywhilegivingthemaknowinglook.We'rereadytogosounlessyoudon'twantto
pilot....
Withthat,Jainawasofflikeablastershotuptheentryrampwithagleefulsmileonherface.Comeonyou
banthaherders!Myshipwon'tfinditself!
Theremainingthreesmiledandshooktheirbeforefollowingafterher.
OnboardtheWaywardSon,Yavin4skies
Jainahadbeenflyingexcellentlyasalwayswhiletheotherthreewerecheckingthescannersaswellasusing
theireyestosearchforanycrashedships.Sofar,theyhadfoundafewspeeders,(whichHarryhadputintothe
cargohold)aswellasthreebrokenTIEfighters.NonehadbeenwhatJainawantedsotheycontinuedsearching.
HarryandJacenwereonceagainhavingaconversationontheroleoftheJedi.
Jediaren'tthegalacticpolice,Harry.Theyshouldn'tbesolvingeveryone'sproblems,arguedJacen.
True,concededHarry.ButweallmakeanoaththatwewouldhelpthepeoplewhenwebecomeJedi.Seeing
Jacenabouttoargue,Harrycontinued.I'mnotsayingweshouldsolveeveryone'sproblems,butwedohavea
dutytohelpthemiftheyneedit.Tellmethetruth.Couldyouabandonsomeonewhoneededyourhelp?
AthisquestionJacengrudginglyshookhishead.
See?Harryshookhisheadexasperatedly.Theproblemisn'tourroleJacen.It'sthatwe'renotallowedtodoit
correctlybytheSenate.
Fromthepilot'sseat,Jainafrowned.WhatdoyoumeanHarry?
Harrysighedinresponse.TheSenateiscorrupt.That'sfact.Theproblemiswearedefendersofpeaceand
justice.Notthelaws,notthegovernment.Ofjustice.Theproblemstemsthatsincewe'reforcedtofollowthe
laws,wecan'tgoaftertherealcriminalswithintheSenatethatnotonlyallowslaveryandtheliketoexist,
actuallyprofitfromit.HowlonghavetheHuttsruledtheirspace,sellingdrugsandslaveswhiletheSenatestays
twiddlingtheirthumbs.Forexample,breakingtheHutt'sholdwon'tbeeasybutitfirsthastostartbeforeitcan
befinished.
Jacenshookhishead.Butthat'snotourproblem!Thepeopleshouldsolvethatontheirown.AsJedi,our
loyaltyistothewilloftheForce,nottheproblemsofthepeople.
Harryfrownedathim.That'sselfish,Jacen.JacenlookedtakenabackbeforeHarrycontinued.Withgreat
powercomesgreatresponsibility.Ifwehavethepower,wehavetheobligationtouseittobetterthelivesof
thosearoundus.TonottomakesusnobetterthantheSithwhouseitonlyfortheirownbenefit.Ifyoudon't
wantalifeofviolencethendon'tfightandfindanotherwaytohelpbutdon'ttrytoforceotherstofollowyour
beliefs.Agreatmanoncesaid:Anyphilosophy,creedorreligionthatopensthehearttotheForceprovesitself
tobetrue.Butthatisonlyademonstrationoftheapplicationofpower.Itsaysnothingabouttherightnessof
yourbeliefs,ortheuniversalityofyourfaith.
Harrydidn'tknowwhyhequotedNakiabutitfeltright.Nooneshouldtrytoenforcehisorherbeliefson
someoneelse.Eveniftheybeatthemintosubmission,thatdidn'tprovetheywereright.
DoesthatmeanyouthinktheJediwayiswrong?askedJacencuriously.
Harryshookhishead.It'snotrightorwrong.RemembertheForceisinfinite.Nomortalmanorwomancan
hopetoencompassallitis.MortalarelimitedwhiletheForceisn't.Thereforeanybeliefaboutitwillalwaysbe
biasedbythepersonalbeliefsofthepersonwhoviewsit.Seeingthemlookingconfused,Harryexplained.It's
likelookingatsomethingthroughrosecoloredglasses.Becauseyouseetheworldacertainway,itaffectsthe
wayyouviewtheForce.Thencomessomeonewholooksthroughgreencoloredglassesandseesitdifferently.
Thetwofightoveritandneithereverdiscoversthatbothwererightandwrongbecausewhattheysawwas
affectedbythewaytheyseethings.Warandconflictneverdecideswho'swrong,theyonlydecidewho'sleft.
ThefourSolosstayedsilentafterthatforawhilebeforeAnakinchangedthesubject,
Whatkindofshipdoyouthinkwe'llfind?askedAnakincuriously.Imeanit'snotlikethey'vebeenalotof
battlesaroundhereinthelast20years.Heck,thoseTIEswereprobablyscoutswhoranoutofpower.
IwantapersonalstarfighterthatIcancustomizemyself.explainedJainapatiently.TheWaywardSonis
basicallyafamilyfreightershipsoIwantsomethingIcancustomizethatIcanpilotintobattle.
Anakinshrugged.Thenwe'llcomebackandI'lltakeoneoftheTIEsasmyown.Whynottakeonefor
yourself,Jaina?
Jainajustshookherhead.ThatTIEpilotwemetplusourruninwithShadowAcademyhasputmeoffthose
things.I'llflythembutIdon'twantoneasmypersonalstarfighter.IwantaRepublicshiplike....there!
ThethreeboyslookedtowardwhereJainawaspointingtoseesomethingtheycouldn'tbelieve.Therewerea
badlydamagedMassassitemplenearbyandinthejunglesurroundingit,justvisiblethroughthecanopywere
twoARC170s.Theywereobviouslybadlydamaged,eventhroughtheovergrownfoliagetheycouldseethat
theengineshadbeenmangledbuttheywerefixable.Jainacouldscraponeforpiecestofixtheother.Thetemple
seemedtohavebeenverytallandwassimilarindesigntotheoneusedastheJediPraxeum.However,it
seemedtohavebeenattackedbecauseithadholesandsectionsmissingaswellaspartscavedin.Forsome
reason,HarryfeltuneasylookingatitandwasgladthattheARCsweren'tclosertoit.
Jainawhooped.Forceme!ARC170slikethoseusedintheCloneWars!TheForcetotallyguidedmehere!
SeeingAnakinabouttospeak,Jainainterrupted.Icalldibsonthemboth!SorrylittlebrotherbutI'llhaveto
scraponeforpartsfortheother.YoucanhavetheTIEs.
Anakingrumbledbutsubsided.Besidethem,Jacenjustsmiledandshookhisheadwhilepettinghispet
woolamander.HehadnameditSnipsandhadraiseditfromwhenhewasababy.Hehadraregreenfuraswell
thenormalyellowmarkingsaroundhiseyes.Hewasn'tverybig,maybeametertall.However,whatitlackedin
sizeitmadeupinenthusiasmandcausingtrouble.JacenhadfounditsoonafterAnakinhadtoldhimabouthis
adventureintheTempleoftheWoolamander.Harryhadfounditslightlyironicbutdidn'tsayanything.Unlike
mostofJacen'spetsthatleftandcamebackastheypleased,Snipsstayedandrarelylefttowardthejungle,
mostlyjustduringmatingseason.Harryhadevenwentsofarastoretrofitthecargoareathathehadreserved
forJacen'spetstobetteraccommodateSnip'shabitat.HeslepteitherontheshiporwithJacenandsomehow
managedtogetontheshipevenwhenitwaslockeddown.HarryhadhadtoorderFAITHnottouseitastarget
practicethefirsttimethetwohadmet.
Jainadidn'tgetalongsowellwithSnips,mostlysheoncemadetheoffhandcommentthatwoolamander'sbones
weresometimesusedinreinforcedarmor.Jacenhadtakenoffenseandwouldn'tlethernearhimasifshewould
trytousehisbonestoreinforcesomething.Jainajustrolledhereyesathertwin'stendencytoexaggerate.
HarrydecidedtotakecontrolofthesituationwhenJainastartedtogrumbleaboutblastingaclearinginto
existencetogettotheARCs.We'lllandaboutamilefromthetempleandwalktowardtheARCS.Wedon't
wanttodamageanypartsthatmaybescatteredaroundnowdowe?
ThelastcommentwasmadetowardsJainawhogrumbledbutconceded.Theyfoundanopenarea(itwastoo
smalltobecalledaclearing)justbigenoughfortheshipnotfarfromtheARCs.Theydisembarkedandstarted
thelongprocessofwalkingtowardtheships,takingthemapartandbringingthemintotheship.Theyweretoo
farfromthePraxeumtodofrequenttripstofixitsotheywouldhavetotakebothandrebuilditfromscratchin
thePraxeum.Theywouldtakeeverypartthatlookedfixablejustincase.
AnakinandJainaweregiventhetaskofdisassemblingitwhileJacenandHarrywoulddothegruntworkas
Jacenputit.Harrywantedtolevitatethembackbutdecidedthatwouldjustbelazy.Hewouldsaveitforthe
extremelylargepiecesliketheturretsandcockpit.
Didyouseethattempleaswelanded?askedJacenexcitedly.Maybeweshouldexploreitoncewe'redone.
Harry'sbadfeelingincreased.Hehadafeelingthattherewasmoretothattemplethanmeetstheeye.Maybe
anotherday,we'llbecuttingitcloseasitis.
JacenlookeddisheartenedandHarryfeltbadsoheputahandonhisshoulder.We'llcomebacktomorrow,
okay?Justyouandmeifthesetwodon'twanttocome.We'llleavethesmtoobsessovertheirnewships.I
promise.
Atthis,Jacenbrightenedandnoddedexcitedly.Jacenwasborntobearesearcher,helovedtoexplorenew
aspectsoflifeandtheForceaswellashowthetwointertwined.Lookingtowardthetemple,Harryhopedit
wouldn'tleadhimtoruin.
EndNotes:
Thischapterintroducesseveralelementsyouhavetobeawareof:
1.Harry'sgrowingresentmentofcurrentJedidoctrine.Hebasicallyentersa
rantthat'sbasicallytrueinmanyaspectsandwillstarttodefinehisfuture
actions.Yes,angerandhatredarewrongwhentheyguideyourlifebuthe
understandsthattherearetimeswhenangerisagoodreaction,especiallyin
thefaceofatrocitiesthatarebasicallyallowedbythegovernment.
2.Harry'sdisdainfortheNewRepublicpolitics.Harrydespisesthewaythe
governmentismade.Whathesaysbasicallyboilsdowntothis.'Power
corruptsandabsolutepowercorruptsabsolutely'.Basically,iftheJediare
nolongerallowedtopasjudgementonthesenatorsandpreventcorruptones
fromstayinginoffice,whatwillstopthemfromabusingit?Evidencecan
disappear,witnessescanbesilenceandbasicallyinacorruptgovernment
liketheNewRepublic,everyonecanbebought.Lookathoweasilyhisspy
networkisacquiringinformation.IsitanywondersomeonelikeMarrishcan
slipthroughthecracksunnoticed?
3.TheintroductionofFAITH.Whoeverdoesn'tknowwhoFAITH's
personalityisbasedoffshouldgoandrereadeverythingStarWarsrelated.
Causeseriously,thatcharacterisformethefunniestgoddamncharacterin
theStarWarsuniversepreCloneWarsera.Hewillbecomeessentialinthe
followingchaptersasbothacompanionforHarryandsomeonewho'sideal
willhelpshapeHarry's.Hewon'tbecomeapsychopathlikeFAITHbuthe'll
cometotheunderstandingthatsomepeoplejustneedtodie.
4.AstraalandHarry'sgrowingrelationship.Ifthisisthefanfictionversion
thenyouwon'treadthelemonbuttheirrelationshipisimportant.Forthose
wonderingwhythey'realreadyhavingsexsosoon...rememberAstraal'spast.
Shebasicallyonlyknowshowtoexpressherfeelingsphysically.Thiswillbe
aproblemlateronbecauseasyoucansee,shehasn'ttalkedtoHarryabout
Shadoyet.
5.Finally,Harry'sinsightintoJacen'scharacter.Therehavebeenmany
theoriesastowhyJacenturneddark.Howevernoonewondershowhetook
thosestepswhenhewasateenager.Theyjustthinkhedidaradicalabout
facewhilebeingtorturedbytheYuuzhanVong.Youforget,noonecan
rebuildsomeoneunlesstheyerasetheirmemories.Thecharacterflaws
thatJacenshowslaterinlifewerealreadytherewhenhewasyoung,shejust
enhancedthem.ThefirstoneyoucanseeisJacen'sloveoflearning.While
notbad,theycanleaddownadarkpathwhenyoudoittooquicklyand
withoutproperlymasteringandunderstandingtheknowledge(likewith
Jacenduringhissojourn,helearnedtheabilitieswithoutacceptingthebelief
behindthem).Fromnowuntiltheendofbook2,you'llseealotmoreof
them.
6.EsmeraldacodenamedAstarte.ShehasacrushonHarrybutshemostly
exaggeratesherfeelingbecausesheknowsitmakesHarryuncomfortable.
Shelovestoteasehimandwhileshewoulddatehimofgiventhechance,she
won'tchaseafterhim.Shejustlikestomakehimthinkshedoes.Herroleis
asthemasterspymasterofallthespymastersinHarry'snetwork.Toexplain
better,everyplanethasaspymasterofthatplanet'sspyring.However,
Astarteisthespymasterofallthespymastersandtheyallreporttohimwho
reportsdirectlytoHarry.NoneoftheotherspiescontactHarrydirectly
unlessit'sanemergency.
Hopeyoulikethechapterandasalways,ReadandReview!
Backtoindex
TrialofSpiritandtheAzureAngelbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter18
IthadtakentheentireafternoonandwellintothenighttomoveallthepiecesofthestarfighterstotheAcademy.
ThegoodpartaboutHarry'sshipcomparedtotheFalconwasthatitcouldholdupto200tonsofcargowithout
problemsoitonlytooktwotripsandthatwasonlybecauseoflackofspace.
AsJainaandAnakincordonedoffanareaforthemtowork(despiteoffering,bothhadrefusedHarry'shelpwith
theirstarfighter,wantingittobecustomizedbythemalonesoitcouldfeeltheirs),Harrythoughtaboutmaybe
gettinghisownstarfighterandcustomizingit.
'MaybeI'llfindsomethingtomorrow',musedHarry.
HestillfeltuneasyaboutvisitingthattempletomorrowbuthehadpromisedandJacenwasstubbornwhenhe
wantedtostudysomething.Hewouldprobably'borrow'ashipandvisititonhisownifHarryrefusedtotake
him.Harrycouldn'tallowhimtogoalonesohewouldgoalongwithhim.Forsomereason,Harrysensedthat
tomorrowwouldbeimportantforhimandthathewouldhavefacesomethingimportant.
Harry,youokay?askedafemalevoice.Shakinghishead,HarrysawitwasJainalookingathimwithconcern.
Hegaveheraforcedsmile.
I'mfine.
However,Jainadidn'tbuyitforasecond.Iknowwhenyou'reforcingasmile,Harry.Tellmewhat'swrong.
Harryfeltconflicted.Hedidn'twanttolietoJainabuthedidn'twanttoworryheraboutthingsthatmightjustbe
inhishead.Eventuallyheconcededtoherdemands.Hecouldneverlietoheranyway.
TomorrowI'mgoingwithJacentovisitthattemple.Hewantedtoseeitandwedidn'thavetimetoday.
And..pressedJaina,knowingtherewasmoretoitthanthat.
Harrybithislipslightlybeforeresponding.It'sjust...Ihaveabadfeelingaboutthatplace.Like
something...lifechanginghappenedthere.Somethingthatchangedthefateofthegalaxy.Itstainsthatplace,I
couldfeelitevenfromadistance.Mysensesarebetterthanmostandseemespeciallyattunedtoplaceswhere
shatterpointshappened.Thatplacewasone.....anditdidn'tendwell.
Jainalookedworriedathisexplanation.Shetrustedhissensescompletelyandindeed,ithadsavedtheirlives
manytimesduringtheiradventures.Ifhesaidhehadabadvibecomingfromaplace,herfirstreactionwasto
avoiditliketheplaque.
However,continuedHarryquietly,Ialsosense...thatIneedtogothere.Ineedtofacesomethingthat's
waitingformethere.And....I'mafraid,Jaina.Forthefirsttimeinalongtime.....I'mdeeplyafraid.
Jaina'sworryincreased.Harryhadnevershownfearinallthetimeshe'dknownhim.Hiscouragehadalways
surpassedhisfearandforhimtoadmittobeingafraidnow...itscaredheraswell.
Areyousure?askedJainatryingtofindawayout.Couldn'tyougosomeothertime?Infact,maybeyoutwo
shouldstayandhelpmewithmyfighter?Imean,you'reagreatmechanicandJacenalwayshasgoodideas...
Harry,however,smiledandshookhishead.Ican'trunfromthis,Jayjay.Ineedtofacethis.IfIdon't...Ihavea
feelingit'llbeworsethanifIdid.SeeingJainaabouttoprotest,heraisedhishandtostopher.Andyoucan't
interfere.Ihavetodothis.
Fine.Jainaeventuallyconceded.ButI'mgoingtoo.Iwon'tleaveyoutofacethisalone.
Metoo,saidAnakinfrombehindthem.Sorry,Icouldn'thelpbutoverhear.Heignoredthedisbelieving
looksontheirfaces.We'reafamilyandfamiliessticktogether.Wecanstartbuildingourshipsanotherday.
Harry'sheartwarmedattheircomments.Despitehavingbeenwiththemforyears,hestillfoundithardto
considerhimselfapartofthefamily.Itwasmomentslikethisthathetreasuredandheldmostdear.Thiswasthe
reasonhewantedtospendthedaywiththem.Hemissedtheconnectionoffamilybetweenthem.
ThenIguessit'llbeanotherfamilyouting,huh?askedJacenashewalkedtowardthem.Seeingtheir
questioninglooks,heshrugged.What?Eavesdroppingonprivateconversationsisafamilytrait,Iguess.
Theotherthreelaughedathisadmission.
Thanksguys,saidHarrywhenhestoppedlaughing.Itmeansalot.
Noproblem,Ewok,teasedJaina.Harrymadeafaceathernicknameforhim.Itwasn'thisfaulthishair
refusedtocooperate!Itwaslikeithadamindofitsown!
AftertheSoloslefttowardtheirroomsaftersettinguptheirareas,Harryturnedbacktowardtheship.Hewent
towardthesecretcompartmentwhereFAITHwasandopenedthedoor.HefoundFAITHinhisKyleKatarn
formpracticingwiththeform'sDjemSobeforeswitchingtoKyp's.Heseemedtobeinternalizingtheprosand
consofeachperson'sstyletointegrateintohisown.Harrywasamazedathisdroid'sabilitytoadapt.Itseemed
thatthealgorithm'scomplexityplusthefactitwasimbuedwiththeForcehadgivenhimaformofsentience.It
wastheonlyexplanationtohisdroid'squicklearningwithoutitbeingprogrammedintohimaswellas
his...quirks.
Expletive:Diemeatbags,die!Feelmybladeasitspillsyourinnards!
HarryjustrolledhiseyesatFAITH'sinsanity.Hey,FAITH!
FAITHturnedtothedoorwayandsayhismasterstandingtherelookingamused.Statement:Hellomaster.Are
youdoneentertainingthemeatbags?Hopefultone:DoesthatmeanIcankillthemnow?
Harrybrieflywonderedwhathehaddoneinapastlifetodeservethisbeforebanishingthethought.No,you
can'tFAITHbutIhaveamissionforyou.
Statement:Doesitincludekilling?Isodohopeso.
Harryslightlysmiledathisstatement.DespiteFAITHbeingclearlypsychopathic,Harrycouldn'thelpbutbe
amusedbyhisstatements.Maybe.Ineedtoscoutoutalocationduringthenight.Lookforanycrashedships
neartheareaandifyoufindany,markitslocation.Ifintheprocessofthisyoufindany...hostileforcesyouare
allowedtoterminatethematyourleisure.
Harryknewthatplaceswheretraumaticeventshadoccurredwereofteninfectedwiththedarkside.Thisinturn
attractedthemorehostileanimalsintheregion.Heknewthattomorrowwouldbebadenoughwithoutthe
dangerofbeingattackedbynativespeciesinfectedbythedarkside.HedoubtedJacencouldbringhimselfto
harmthemanyway.
Ifitwaspossible,FAITHseemedtovibrateinjoy.Expletive:TrulyMaster,yougivethemostinteresting
assignments!Itwillbemypleasuretoeradicateanycreatureswhoappearnearthearea.Musingtone:Iwonder
iftheywillbeachallenge.
Harrychuckled.Okay,here'sthelocation...
Morningofthenextday
Thegroupof4wereonceagainwalkingtowardstheship.FAITHhadcommedhimduringthenightstatingthat
theareaaroundthetemple(and5milessurroundingit)wasclearofhostileentities.Itseemedthatithadbeen
infestedwithKlikniks.FAITHhadhappilyandjoyfullyeradicatedthenest(aswellastorchit)andproceededto
killanypredatorsinthesurroundingareasotheywouldn'tmoveinforafewmonths.Harryhadcongratulated
him(thoughhewasslightlydisturbedatFAITH'shappytonewhenhedescribedkillingthem)andtoldhimto
maintainwatchoverthetempleandtoallownoonebuthimandhiscousinstocomenear.Ifduringthecourse
ofhisinvestigationtheywereattacked,FAITHwasauthorizedtouselethalforceontheirattackersbutnotto
revealhimselfunlessnecessary.HarrycouldswearthatFAITHskippedtowardhislookoutpostwhenHarrytold
himthis.
Despitethis,HarrywasgladforFAITH'swork.Aklikniknestwasnastybusinessandonlyawellformedteam
ofsoldiersorJedicouldclearitthankstotheirtendencytoreproducerapidlyaswelltheirtendencyto
overwhelmtargets.Itmadeforanefficientpredatorbutfortunately,theyweren'tpreparedforFAITH.Hewason
awholeotherlevel.
FAITHhadalsomarkedalocationwherehefoundtheremainsofwhatseemedtobeaModifiedDelta7
Aetherspriteclasslightinterceptor.Hehadguesseditwassomeone'spersonalstarshipduetoitsvarious
upgradesaswellit'sblueandwhitepaintschemefromthehologram.ItseemedtohaveexplodedbutFAITH
hadmanagedtosavemostofthepartsaswellastheallimportantmemorycore.Withthat,theycouldrebuildit
betterthanitwasaswellasseewhotheoriginalownerwas.
Thistime,Harrypilotedtowardthetempleduetowantingtocalmhisnerves.Healwayslikedflying,itseemed
tocalmhimandheneededitnow.
You'llbefine,assuredJaina.Astraalstillhadn'treturnedfromhermissionthismorningandwasdueback
aroundmidday.Despitethis,HarrywantedtogetthisoverwithsoitwasuptoJainatoreassurehim.
It'sjustatemple,I'msurethatyou'llbeabletodefeatwhateverisinthere.DespiteJaina'sassurances,Harry
wasstillnervous.WouldthisbehisTrialofSpirit?
Theyeventuallyarrivedatthetemple.Harryexpertlylandedinthesameopenareaasyesterdayandthefamily
of4disembarked.TheystartedtowalktowardtheTemplewhenJacennervouslybrokethesilence.
Youknow.....IthinkI'mstartingtogetthesamebadfeelingyougotyesterday.Maybeweshouldhavebrought
theothers.Theyhaddecidedagainstinformingtheothers,notwantingtobringtoomanypeopleintothis.
No.statedHarryfirmly.Isensethisisafamilymatter.Wehavetofacethisalone.
Thatdidn'thelpsettletheirnerves.Theirfamilyhadabadhistory,Anakinknewthatpersonally.Afterall,he
wasnamedafterit.
Thegroupeventuallyreachedthebaseofthetemple.Harrysurveyedthetemplefromafar,scanningitwiththe
Force.Hecouldfeelthat...somethinghappenedhere.Somethingprofound.Andnotinagoodway.Ashe
scannedit,hesawsomethingwithhissenses.
Whenheusedshatterpoints,hesawtheworldthroughapaneofglass.Doingthat,hecouldseethe'cracks'in
thingsandevents.However,nowhesawnotthecrackbutrathertheshatteredglassleftbehindaftertheevent
tookplace.Liketheglassleftbehindwhenyoubreakamirror.
Takingadeepbreath,Harrywalkeduntilhewasatthebaseofthetemple.
Harry,areyouokay?askedJacenworriedly.JainawaslookingjustasnervouswhileAnakinseemedtohavea
sparkofrecognitioninhiseye.Likehefeltsomethinghehadfeltbefore.
Harrygavethemareassuringsmile.Don'tworry,IknowwhatI'mdoing.'AtleastIhopeIdo.'
Breathingdeeply,Harrywentintoshatterpointmodeashecalleditandreachedoutandtouchedapaneofthe
shatteredglass.
Shatterpointvision(Past)
HesawalightbrownhairedmaninwhatseemedtobeaJedirobeexithisblueandwhitecustomized
starfighter.ItlookedtobethesameoneFAITHhaddescribedtohimlastnight.
Themanseemedfamiliarforsomereason.AsifHarryshouldrecognizehimforsomereason.Harrywas
watchingeverythingfroma3rdpersonpointofviewsoitallowedhimtoseethesoldiersarrive.
Theywerearmoredinarmorsimilartostormtroopersbutlookedlikeanolderversionifthatwaspossible.
HarrythenrealizedthismustbeduringtheCloneWars.Mostweredismountingatransportship,however,six
soldierscamefromthejungleinthedirectionwhereHarryfoundtheARC170s.Themanseemeddispleasedto
seethembutconcededtotheirpresence.
Suddenly,theman'sshipexplodedandahoodedwoman(hercurveswereunmistakable)attackedthesoldiers.
Shedestroyedthetransportshipandproceededtodecimatethesoldiersbeforethemancouldreact.Theman
eventuallyremovedhisrobeandstoodthereinasimpleblueshirtandbrownpants.Forsomereason,thesense
offamiliaritygotstrongeralthoughHarryknewhehadnevermetthismanbefore.IfhewasaJedi(shownby
thelightsaberonhisbelt)andlivedintheCloneWarsthenhemustbeinhissixtiesatleast.
Thewomansuddenlyappearedoutoftheblazeshehadcreatedwhenshecrashedthetransportshipwielding
tworedlightsabers.SheremovedherrobeaswellandHarryimmediatelynoticedtwothings.Onewasthather
lightsaberswerecurvedhiltlightsabersandtwo,thatherecognizedherfromvisualsintheGreatHolocron.It
wasAsajjVentress.
Shewasbeautifulinaway.Herbodywaslitheandfitfromobvioustrainingaswellaswellformedbreasts.
However,thesneerofangerandhateonherfacetookawayfromthatbeauty.Itmadeherseemcruelandmore
akintoaharpythanthebeautifulwomanshewas.'Isthiswhattheangerandhatedoestoaperson?'Thought
Harrysadly.
ThewomanandmanexchangedwordsHarrycouldn'thearandimmediatelystartedtofight.Asajjwithhertwin
bladesandthemanwithabluelightsaber.Atfirst,theyseemedevenlymatched.Theirfightledthemthroughthe
junglewherethemancutthroughanythingthewomansentathim.Harryfeltincreasinglyuneasyastheman's
tacticsbecameincreasinglymorebrutalandlessaboutfinessethanjustbruteforce.Itdidn'thelpthatHarry
couldsensehisemotionsandtheystartedtochangefromlightanddeterminedtoangryandfrustrated.
Atonepoint,hemanagedtodisarmherbutbeforehecouldfinishit,Asajjleaptintothetreetopsandpulledher
lightsaberswithherusingtheForce.Shestartedtothrowvinesathim,hopingtoentanglehimbutthemanjust
cutthroughthem.
TheirfighteventuallyreachedthebaseoftheverysametempleHarryhadvisited.Harryfeltastheman'sanger
grewwitheachstepupthestepsofthetemple.Harry'sbreathgrewlaboredasheliterallyfelttheman'sanger.
Asajj'sangerwasgreatbutHarrysensedthatitstemmedfromagreattragedyandwastingedwithsorrow.The
man'showever,stemmedfromherrefusaltoyieldtohim.Itbotheredhimthatshewasabletokeepupwithhim
andhisangergrewthelongershesurvived.Asifheshouldbeabletodefeateasilyandherresistingwas
anathematohim.
Theman'sangerreachednewlevelswhenhewaseventuallydisarmed.HebrutallycaughtAsajj'swristsand
crushedherleftwristwithwhatseemedlikeamechanicalrighthand.Sheletoutacryofpainandtheman
caughtthelightsabershedropped.
Thefightresumedbutthistimethemanwasbrutalinhisfightingstyle.Heabandonedfinesseandsimply
hammeredatAsajj'sdefenses.Itworkedbecauseeventuallyshewaspushedbacktotheroofofthetempleand
ontoacliff.ThemancontinuedtohammeratherandHarryalmosthurledashefelttheman'srage.Itfelt
so.....wrong.Asifthemanwasn'tsupposedtobesohateful.Indeed,whenhefirstarrivedhehadradiatedthe
lightsidestrongly.Now,however,heradiatedthedarksideinthesecondstrongestintensitythatHarryhadever
felt.OnlyMarrishsurpassedhiminthatarea.
Eventually,themangaveAsajjabrutalshoveoffthecliff,causingherfalltoherdeath.Themanletoutaprimal
roarofrageandangerathisvictorythathitHarrylikeahammerblowandcausedhimtoscreaminpain.
Thevisionrepeateditself,onlythistimeHarrysawitfromAnakin'spointofview.HewasAnakin.Hefeltevery
emotionlikeitwashisown.HefeltitashebrutallyandangrilyattackedAsajj.Thishappenedseveraltimesbut
theeachtimewasdifferent.
ThefirsttimehekilledthewomanshehadAsajj'sface.
ThenexttimeshehadLeia'sface.
ThenitwasKass's.
Ashara's.
Astraal's.
Mara's.
ThelasttimewhenHarryshovedthewomanoffthecliff....shehadJaina'sfaceandherbloodwasonhishands
andcoveredhisvision.
Withacryofhorror,thevisionended.
Shatterpointvisionend(Past)
Harry!Harry,what'swrong?!What'shappening?!yelledJainafranticallyasshetriedtoholdthescreaming
Harrydown.
Atfirst,Harryhadseemedtogointoatranceandlookedcalm.Butastimepassedhisfaceturnedmoreand
morepained.Asifhewasfightingoffsomethingterrible.Thenhefellandstartedscreaming.
Atthat,Jainahadpanickedandhadrantowardherfallenfriend'sside,tryingtocalmhimdown.Nothingshe
saidhadanyeffectandheseemedtobeinhorriblepainashethrashedaroundasiftryingtofightoffsomething.
Jainahadtearsinhereyesasshefeltcompletelyuseless.Acrossfromher,Jacenlookedjustpanickedasshe
felt.
Let'strytheForce,suggestedJacenhurriedly.ThetwinspouredcalmingForcewavesintoHarryandit
seemedtowork.Harrystoppedthrashingandhisscreamsloweredinpitch.Eventuallyhesubsidedandseemed
tobesleepingpeacefully.
AnakinhadpaledwhenHarrystartedscreamingandwasstaringatthetempleasifherecognizedwhatitwas.
Anakin!yelledJaina.Comehelpus!Don'tstandtherelikeanidiot!
AnakinranovertotheirsidewheretheywerekneelingonthegrassnexttoHarry'snowsleepingform.He
shookhisheadandhisvoiceshookashespoke.Thetemplefeelslike...thatplace.
Jacenlookedathisbrotherinconfusion.Whatplace?
Anakingulpedbeforeanswering.TheCaveofEvilonDagobah.
Atthis,thetwinspaled.Thatplaceforcedthepersontofacetheirworstfearsandfailureusuallyledintoeither
deathorinsanity.JainaferventlyhopedHarrypassedasJacencursedhimselfforhiscuriositythatlookedasifit
mighthavekilledhisolderbrotherfigure.
Beforetheycouldpanicfurther,Harryawokewithagasp.Hestoodupandlookedaroundinapanicasifhe
didn'trecognizewherehewas.
Harry!Harry!Areyouokay?Whathappened?askedJainaworriedly.
AtJaina'svoice,Harryturnedtowardherandalookofreliefcrossedhisfacebeforehepulledherintoahug
sobbingdeeplyandmuttering,You'realive,you'realive.
Jainajusthuggedhimbackandtriedtoconsolehim.Shewasn'tgoodwithemotions.Sheusuallyjustbottles
themupandtriestoapproachthingslogically.ButthiswasHarry.Herbestfriendand,secretly,theboyshestill
hadstrongfeelingsfor.Hehadseenherinherweakmomentsandhadalwaysbeenthereforher.Nowitwasher
turntobethereforhim.
It'sokay,Harry.consoledJaina.I'mhere.I'malive.Whateveryousawwasn'tyourfault.It'sallokaynow.
JacenandAnakinwatchedfromadistanceassomeonetheythoughtwasunbreakablebrokedownintotearsin
frontofthem.Itbotheredthemalotandtheyfelthelplessthattheycouldn'thelphim.
Eventually,Harry'ssobssubsidedandhebrokethehug.Hesentheragratefullook.ThanksJayjay.
Noprob,Ewok.ThenicknamebroughtalaughfromHarrywhichconvincedherhewasbetter.What
happened?
Slowly,Harrytoldthemwhathesaw,notleavinganythingout.Hetoldthemaboutthefirstpartwherehesawit
in3rdperson.Then,inabrokenvoice,hetoldthemthelattervisions.ThethreeSoloslookedsuitablyhorrified
atwhathewasforcedtoseeandfeel.Afteritwasover,Harryfellsilent.
Itwasn'tyou,Harry.saidJainafirmly.Youwouldn'thavedonethosethings.
Yeah,saidAnakin.Thosevisionsaresimplyyourworstfears,notavisionofthefuture.Ifacedsomething
similarinDagobah.
Yeah,you'rethelastpersoninthegalaxyIwouldeverbelieveofdoingsomethinglikethat,saidJacen
assuredly.Heshookhisheadandsaidinajokingtone,plusblackistotallynotyourcolor.
ThatbrokethetensionasHarrysmiledslightlyatthejoke.ThegroupstoodinsilencebeforeJacenbrokeit.
Let'sgoback.Ithinkwe'veseenenoughofthisplacetolastalifetime.
Theothersquicklynoddedandleft.However,Harrystoppedattheedgeoftheclearingwherethetemplestood.
Theothersnoticedandstoppedaswell.
Whatisit?askedJacen.
Harrysheepishlysmiledandrubbedthebackofhishead.Well,IfoundthisdestroyedstarfighterIreallywant
whilewewerepickingupyours.Wemightaswellgogetitnow.
AnakinsmiledbrightlyattheideaofseeingHarry'sstarfighterwhilethetwinsjustshooktheirheadsin
exasperationbutfordifferentreasons.
'Boys',thoughtJainaamusedly.
'Pilots',thoughtJacenexasperatedly.
Thegroupturnedinthedirectionofthestarfighterandgottowork.
Fourhourslater
ThegroupeventuallyfoundthedestroyedDelta7interceptor.JainahadsaidnowhenHarryofferedtoswitch
shipswithher,sayingshepreferredtheARC170anyway.Shesaidthatwhenshetookoutthecopilotand
gunnerareashewouldhavemorespaceformodificationsthanwiththeInterceptor.Plus,shesaid,the
InterceptorfitHarrybetterbecausehewasaspeeddemon.Harryjustshruggedandsmiled.
Itwastrue.Harryhadatendencytopushthespeedlimitofashipmorethanshouldbelegal.Hewouldhave
gladlysacrificedshieldingformorespeedontheWaywardSonbutMarawouldn'thearofit.Shealmosttore
himanewonewhenhementionedit.Needlesstosay,henevermentioneditagain.
HarryhaddiscretelycommedFAITHandtoldhimtohideontheshipwhiletheywerebusytakingapartthe
Delta7.HereluctantlyobeyedordersandHarrypromisedthathecouldleavetheAcademyduringthenightand
sterilizeExarKun'sTempleifhewanted.Afterthat,FAITHjoyfullyobeyed,
Astheylandedtheshipinthehangar,theydisembarkedtoseeaworriedMaraandLukealongwithanangry
Astraal.ThelattermarcheduptoHarryandsmackedhimintheshoulder...hard.
Youidiot!yelledAstraal.IleaveforonedayandwhenIgetbackIsenseyouscreamingintheForce!Do
youhaveadeathwish!?
Asshecontinuedtoberatehim,thethreeSolosattemptedtosneakpasttotheirroomsbutwereblockedbyMara
andLuke.
Youhavealotofexplainingtodo,saidLukefirmly.
AndForcehelpyouifyoutrytolie,saidMaradangerously.
ThethreeSolospaledandnoddedtheirheadsfearfully.TheymightebbravebutanangryMarawasscarierthan
athousandhungryrancors.
Laterthatnight
Theadultshadnotbeenpleasedwhentheyheardthestoryofwhathappened.Accordingtothem,therewasa
reasonaMasterissupposedtobepresentduringanexperiencelikethat.IfHarryhadn'tmanagedtobreakfree
ofthevision,hecouldhavediedorgoneinsane.Thankfullyneitherhadhappenedandtheyprivately
congratulatedhimonpassinghisTrialofSpirit.Hejustnodded,hismindtoofullofwhathehadseentoanswer.
Theadultsseemtosensethisbecausetheytoldhimtotaketherestofthedayoffanditwasanorder.
Harryreluctantlyagreedandwenttohisroomwiththeotherstotrymeditateandrelax.Hehadexcusedhimself
withhistwoapprenticesbuttheysaidtheyhadheardandunderstood.Theythencommandedhimtobedrest.He
leftwhilegrumblinglyaskingwhowasthemasterandwhowastheapprentice.Astraalhaddotedonhimtherest
ofthedayaftersheheardwhathehadexperiencedwiththeothersspendingtimewithhimtryingtomakethings
seemnormalwhichHarryappreciated.Astraal'sdotingcontinueduntilHarryfirmlytoldherthatwhilehe
enjoyedit,hewasfinenowandtorelax.Shereluctantlyagreedbutrefusedtoleavehisside.
HarryhadspenttheafternoontinkeringwiththeDelta7'smemorycoreinordertofindoutwhoitbelongedto.
Heknewtheownerwasthesamemanfromhisvisionsandneededtoknowwhoitwas.Astraalwascurrently
dozingonhisbedwiththeotherssittingarounddoingvariousthingswhileHarrycontinuedtotinkerwiththe
memorycore.
Aha!saidHarryquietly.TheotherslookedupathimattheexclamationandJainaaskedthequestionon
everyone'smind.
SodidyoufinallyrealizeI'mthebetterpilotorwhat?askedJainateasingly.
Okay,nottheexactsamequestionbutcloseenough.
Harryrolledhiseyesandexplained.I'vefinallymanagedtoaccessthememoryfilesafterfixingitasbestI
could.IinstalledthememorycoreontomycomputerandIwaswaitingforittoupload.Afteritwasdone,I
checkedthedates.It'slastentryseemedtohavebeenover45yearsago.NowI'msearchingforthenameofthe
lastownerthatissavedontoeverymemorycore.
Withthat,Harryturnedbacktothecomputerandscrolleddowntosearchfortheowner'sname.Oncehefound
it,hisjawdroppedinshock.
Seeinghisexpression,theotherscrowdedaroundhimtoseewhatitwasbeforeadoptingsimilarexpressions.
AnakinSkywalker.
TheshipwasonceAnakinSkywalker's.
Thatmeansthemaninthevision....
Harryleanedbackinhischairattherevelation.Theotherswerejustasshocked(theSolosmoresothanthe
otherswhoonlyknewaboutAnakinSr.byreputation).HarryhadseenwhatwasprobablyAnakinSkywalker's
firststepstowardthedarkside.Harryrememberedhisangeratmeetingsomeonewhowashisequal.Ithad
botheredhimthatsomeunknownwasabletomatchhim.Howeveritwentdeeperthanthat.
Asajj'sangerandhatestemmedfromtragedy.Eventhroughthevision,Harrycouldsenseit.Itradiatedoutof
herasshefought.Itreflecteditselfinherstyle.Herentirebeingradiatedsorrowandanger.Itfeltasifshehad
gottenherrevengeonlytofinditleftabittertasteinhermouthsoshesearchedoutforotherthingstohate.
Harrycouldonlyfeelpityforher.
Anakin's,however,wasbothsimilaranddifferent.Harrycouldsensetragedyinhispast,ofthathewassure.But
itdidn'tseemtobethesourceofhisanger.AsHarrymeditatedonit,herealizedwhatitwas.
Thesourcehadbeenfrustration.WhenHarryhadseenthingsfromAnakin'seyes,hehadalsofelthisemotions.
Hisdoubts.Hisfears.AnakinwasangrybecausehefeltthattheJediweren'tstrongenoughtomaintainthe
peace.HeblamedthemforthereasonhewasweakerthanAsajjratherthansimplyacceptingthatshewasbetter
trained.TheconstantreminderthathewastheChosenOnehadfilledhimbothwithasenseofselfimportance
aswellaspressuredhimtobethebest.HewastheChosenOnethereforehewasexpectedtoexcel.Whenhe
did,itelevatedhissenseofselfimportancebutwhenhedidn'thegrewfrustratedathimself.Insteadoffinding
whathedidwrong,helashedoutatothers,blamingthemforhisinadequacies.
Harryshiveredatthesimilaritiesaswellasdifferencesbetweenthem.HarryalsohaddoubtsabouttheJedi
Order'splace.Hedoubtedtheywoulddowhatwasnecessaryifthemomentarrived.However,unlikeAnakinhe
wasneverpressuredtobethebest.Whilehewasexpectedtobegoodduetohispotentialandbeingraised
alongsidetheSolotwins,hewasn'texpectedtobethebest.Ifhewas...wouldhebelikeAnakin?Wouldhelash
outatothers?
SeeingtheexpressiononHarry'sface,Jainagentlyplacedahandonhisshoulderwhichseemedtowakehim
fromhismusings.Whatisit,Harry?
Atfirst,Harrywantedtosayhewasfinebutthenhesawtheexpressionsonhisfriends'faceswhichclearlysaid
theyexpectedananswer.Sighing,HarryexplainedhisthoughtsonAnakinandwhatthevisionmeant.Harry
sawAnakinJr.looktroubledbytheexplanationandHarrypromisedtotalktohimlater.Thelastthingthey
neededwasforAnakinJr.'sdoubtsabouthimselftoresurface.
AmIlikehim,Jaina?Harry'svoicewasalmostpleading.Itwasobviousthatthiswaswhatwasbothering
him.WillIhaveendupthesameway?AngryateverythingwhenIfailatsomething?
No!TheyellcamefromAstraalwhowaslookingathimwithfireinhereyes.Youarenothinglikehim.
Don'teverthinkthat!
ButHarrytriedtoargueonlytobecutoff.
Butnothing,interruptedJainafirmly.FromtherecordingsintheGreatHolocron,wecanseeonemajor
differencebetweenyoutwo.
What?askedHarrymorosely,notseeinganydifference.
Us,saidTenelKasimply.Byallaccounts,AnakinSr.neverhadanyclosefriends.Hethoughthimselfbetter
anddidn'tconnectwithanyone.
Yea,plusyoutalktousallthetimeaboutyourdoubtsandstuff,saidJacenfirmly.Youdebatethingswithus
anddon'tgetangryifwedon'tagree.That'sprettycool.
Harryjustfrowned.WhywouldIgetangrybecauseyoudon'tagreewithme?Everyonehasdifferent
opinions.
Exactly,saidAstraalwithasmile.Youunderstandthat.Butbywhatyousaidyouexperienceditseemed
AnakinSr.neverdid.Hecouldn'tacceptsomeonechallenginghisviews.
Harrymusedonwhattheysaid.Itwastrueinaway.
Whileinsidehim,HarrycouldsensehisfearsforbothObiWanandhiswifebutnooneelse.Unlikehim,Harry
hadmanyfriendsandalwaystriedtomakemore.Whilebothofthemhadatendencytosuppresstheiremotions,
Harryhadpeoplehecouldtalktoaboutanything.Anakinhadneverhadthat.Hehadtokeephissecretmarriage
fromObiWanwhichstrainedtheirrelationship.Healsocouldn'ttalktohiswifeabouthisfearsbecauseshehad
noexperiencewiththeForce.AnakinSkywalkerhadneverhadaconfidantinhislifeandithadcausedhimto
suppresshisemotionsuntiltheyexplodedliketheydidattheendofthefightwithAsajj.
Thisprobablycontributedtohisfall.
However,theydidhaveonethingincommonanditcausedHarrytolookdowninshame.
Theyboththoughttheyknewbetterthaneveryoneelse.
HarryhadaspynetworkbutinsteadofgivingtheinformationtotheCounciloranything,hehadkeptitto
himself,believingtheywouldn'tactonitandthathealonecouldsavethem.
'WhatanarrogantsodI'vebecome,'thoughtHarryinselfdisgust.'TomorrowI'lgototheCouncilaboutwhat
I'vefoundout.'
Harryrelaxedashemadethepromise.Hewouldn'tbelikeAnakin.Hewouldlearntotrustothersandnotthink
hehadtodoeverythingalone.Ifhehadto,hewouldactbuthewouldfirsttrusttheothersinsteadofthinkinghe
knewbest.Hehadfamilyandfriendsthathetrustedcompletelyandhadnocompunctionaboutsharinghisfears
withthemiftheybecametoomuch.Hewasbetrayingthembynottrustingthemwiththisinformationandnot
alertingthemofpossibledanger.WhilehehaddoubtsoftheOrderhewouldn'tresolvethemwithforce.Anakin
hadtriedtosolvehisproblemsbyforcingthemintosubmissionwhichshowedinhisfightwithAsajjwherehe
eventuallyresortedtosimplybashingatherdefenseuntilitcrumbled.ThiscarriedontowhenhebecameDarth
Vaderandsolvedeverythingwithviolenceandforce.Harry,ontheotherhand,wouldtrytofindawaytosolve
itbyimprovinghimselforthroughpeacefulmeansfirst.Heknew,forexample,thatsimplykillingallthe
corruptpoliticians(whiletempting)wouldn'tchangeanything.Ifhewantedtostopitfromrepeatingitselfhe
neededtochangeitfromwithin.Changethelawsthatallowedpoliticianssomuchleewayandmakeitsothey
hadtohelpthepeoplefirstandforemostandnottheirownagendas.
HarryPotterwasnotAnakinSkywalkerandhewouldn'tmakethesamemistakes.Hewouldmakewholenew
ones.Probablysomewouldbeincrediblystupidandidioticbuthehadfamilyandfriendstopickhimupif
tripped(andinMara'scasesmackhimacrossthebackofhishead).
Thanksguys.WhatwouldIdowithoutyou?askedHarry.
Probablygoallmopeyandbroody,saidJainawithabrightsmile.Harrygaveheradeadpanlookwhichshe
ignored.Butifyoureallywanttothankme,therearesomepartsIneedthataren'texactlyeasytoacquireifyou
catchmydrift....
Harrysmiledandrolledhiseyes.GivemealistandI'llsee.
Fromoutofnowhere,Jainatookoutadatapadwiththelistofpartsandtheirspecifications.Harrygavehera
bewilderedlookwhichshejustrespondedtowithalookofcompleteinnocencewhichfoolednoone.
Hesaidgoodnighttotheothers(afterstoppingAnakintosaytheywouldtalktomorrow)andtheyallleftexcept
forAstraal.Astraaljustcrossedherarmsandgavehimalookthatsaidthatifhetriedtomakeherleave,she
wouldcutoffsomethingofhis.Hejustsmiledandkissedherbeforegoingtotakeashower.
Finallyatpeace,Harrycameoutofthefresher,turnedoffhiscomputeranddecidedtogotosleep.He
disconnectedthememorycorefromthecomputerandplaceditonthetablesohecouldcontinuetobrowseit
tomorrow.Hestillneededalistofthemodificationsithadbeengivensohewouldknowwhattoimprove
furtherandwhattoleaveasitwas.Yawning,Harrychangedintohispajamabottomsbutoptednottoputona
shirt.SmilingdownatthesleepingAstraal(whohadchangedintohertanktopandshortswhilehewasin
freshersinceshehadbathedalready),hegentlymovedsothathecouldlaydownbesideher.Astraalsleepily
rolledoveruntilshewashalflayingonhimwithherheadonhischestandhadherlegsintertwinedwithhis.
Chucklingathowcuteshelookedlikethat,hewrappedanarmaroundherandclosedhiseyesbeforegoingto
sleep.
Twodayslater
Harryyawnedashewokeup.Ashelaythere,hethoughtabouthistalkwithLukeandMara.Bothhadbeen
displeased(angryinMara'scase)thathehadkeptthatsortofinformationfromthembutprivatelymusedto
eachotherthatitwaspartofbeingateenager(Harrycouldn'thelpbutsweatdropatthat).Theypromisedto
investigatetherumorsandHarrypromisedtointroduceMaratoAstarte(theyknewherrealnamebutpromised
toneveruseitoutloudtoprotecther).Harryprivatelydreadedthatmeetingbecauseheknewthatwhenthey
met,AstartewouldtrytoconvinceMarathatHarryneededaharemandsheshouldbetheprimarywifesince
Zeltronsaregoodatthat.TheworstpartwasthatheknewMarawouldgoalongwithitjusttoteasehim.Even
worsewasthattheothersalsodemandedtomeetherandhejustknewhewouldwanttocrawlintoaholeand
dieafterthatembarrassingmeeting.
Feelingafamiliarweightonhischest,HarrylookeddownandsmiledwhenhesawtheslightlysnoringAstraal
sleepingonhischest.
Astraallookedlikeanangelsleepingpeacefullyontopofhim.Herbeautifulazureskinseemedtosparkleinthe
lightofthemorningsun.Hestartedtounconsciouslyrubherlekkuwhichcausedhertomoanandstarttowake
up.Yawningcutely,sherubbedthesleepfromhereyesbeforelookingupatthesmilingHarry.
Goodmorning,beautiful,saidHarryquietly.
Goodmorning,baby,answeredAstraal.Lookingaround,sheasked.Isittimeformorningmealalready?
Justabout,saidHarry.
Astraalnoddedthoughtfullybeforeseemingtohaveaninnerconflict.Harry,Ineedtotellyousomething.
Harrycockedhisheadinconfusion.Whatisit?
Astraal'slekkucurledastheydidwhenevershewasnervousaboutsomething.Ihaveabrother...calledShado.
Harrylookedconfused.Whyisthisthefirsttimeyou'vementionedhim?Didhedie?
Atthequestion,Astraallookedclosetotears.NobutIthoughthedid.That'swhyhedidn'tcomewithmewhen
IcamehereandwhyIdidn'tmentionhim.ButIsawhimagainwhenwewereinCoruscant.
HarrysatupandlookedatAstralseriously.Explain.
Soshedid.Throughhertears,shetoldhimaboutseeingShadoagainandthethingshehadsaid.Thewayhe
hatefullycomparedhertotheirmotherandhisclaimsthatshehadabandonedhim.Aftershewasdone,Harry
wassilentforamomentbeforespeaking.
Youknowhe'swrongaboutwhathesaid,right?askedHarryquietlybutfirmly.You'renothinglikeyour
motherandyoudidn'tabandonhim.Youthoughthewasdead.
ButIshouldhaveknownbetterthantotrustBone'sword!saidAstraaldesperately.Hehaddonenothingbut
makemylifehellyetItrustedhiswordwhenhesaidhewasdead.
Thatwasn'tonyou,saidHarryfirmly.Youwereoverwhelmedwithallthatwashappening.Noonecan
blameyouforthat.Plusyouaren'ttwins.He'stheeldestandsoyoucouldn'tsenseifhewasaliveornot.
AstraalnoddedbutHarrycouldtellshewasn'tfullyconvinced.Harrygentlygrabbedherchinandforcedherto
lookathim.
YouareoneofthemostbeautifulandkindestgirlsIhaveevermet.Youwouldneverhaveabandonedyour
brotheriftherewasthesmallesthinthewasaliveevenifitmeantlosingyourownfreedom.
Howdoyouknow?askedAstraaldesperately.Itwasobviousthatthishadbeeneatingatherforalongtime.
Harrysmiledslightly.BecauseIknowyou,Astraal.Youaren'tcapableofdoingsomethinglikethat.ThegirlI
lovewouldn'thavedonethat.Ever.
Thelastofherdoubtsseemedtodisappearandshesmiledgratefullyathimthroughhertears.Harrydrewherin
forashortbutpassionatekissthatmadeAstraalmoan.Hethenlaidbackonthebedanddrewherinsoshe
couldcuddleintohim.
We'llbringhimbacktothelight.Ipromiseyou,saidHarryfirmly.
AstraalsmiledandafterawhisperedIloveyou,shecontinuedtocuddleintohim.Theystayedin
companionablesilence,bothatpeacewiththeirinnerfears.
Theystayedlikethatforawhilebeforefinallywakingupfully.AtAstraal'ssuggestion,theytookabath
togethersupposedlysotheycouldgetdonequicker.Anhourlater,theyfinallyleftthefresherandHarrythanked
thatthewallswerethickaroundthefreshersonoonecouldhearAstraal'squietmoansofpleasure.Theyhad
triedtokeepitasquietaspossiblesonoonewouldinterruptthem.
Theythenwenttogetmorningmealbutinsteadofeatinginthemesshall,theytookthefoodtothehangar
whereHarryknewthetwomechanicallyinclinedSoloswouldbe.
Sureenough,HarrycouldseeJainabuildingthebaseofherARC170fromthebestpartsofbothshipswhile
AnakinwasdoingthesamewithhisTIEHunter.HarryhadbroughtbackthepartsofaTIEinterceptoranda
TIEhuntersoAnakincouldpickthebestpartsofeachbeforemodifyingit.
Astraalpouted.Where'smine?
Harryfrozeandstartedtosweatnervously.Intherushofeverythingthathadhappened,hehadforgottentoget
Astraalhership.
Youdidn'tforget,didyoumydearlove?askedAstraaldangerously.
Harrywasgladthathehadhisbacktohersoshedidn'tseehimpalenoticeablyandalmosthaveapanicattack.
Thankfully,hewassavedbyanoutsidesource.
Ofcoursehedidnot,saidTenelKaasshewalkeduptothem.Hecalledmeandaskedmeforafavorbecause
hewantedtogiveyouthebest.
AstraalturnedtoTenelKawithacuriouslookwhilebehindherHarryhadfallentohiskneesmouthinghis
thankstoTenelKa.TheSolossawitandweresilentlylaughingatHarry'sdramatics.
Whatdoyoumean?askedAstraalcuriously.
AftersendingHarryalookthatsaidYouowemebig,sheturnedtowardanotherareaofthehangarand
pointedoutaship.Thatshipisyours.
TheshipshehadpointedoutwasaMiy'tilstarfighter.ItwasuniquetotheHapesClusterandwasbuiltsolelyby
them.ItwasjustasfastasHarry'sDelta7butthefactoryversionpackedbettershieldsandarmaments.Allin
all,itwasagreatbasetomodify.
Astraalletoutasquealofdelight.Sheranovertohernewshiptocheckeveryinchbeforeexclaiming.Thisis
thecommandversion!Ithastwoioncannonsandanothermissilelauncher!IcantotallydoaLOTwiththis!
AstraalranbacktoHarrytogiveakissandahug.Behindherback,HarryturnedtoTenelKaandmouthed
ThankyouandshemouthedIownyounow!rightback.Harrycouldonlynodatthat.Itwastrue,TenelKa
totallyownedhimnow.TherewasnowayHarrycouldfindsomethingthatcouldmakeupforforgettingabout
Astraal'sship.HarryshudderedwhenheimaginedAstraal'sangerifsherealizedhehadforgotten.Hewould
haveprobablylostwhatmadehimaman.
Whendidyouaskher?askedAstraalcuriously.
SeeingHarrystarttostutter,TenelKaintervenedagain.Rightafteryouleft.HeknewthatIcouldgetone
easilysoheaskedme.Heowesmeafavorthough.
Astraalnoddedhappily.Iloveyousoooomuch,Harry!
Withthatshehappilyranbacktoinspecthership.HarryturnedtoTenelKaonlytofindherafootfromhisface.
Iownyounow,HarryPotter:mind,bodyandsoul.Forthisyouwillspendeverymorninghelpingmeimprove
everyaspectofmyJeditraining.Ifyoudon't...welllet'sjustsayyouwillneverhavetoworryaboutfatherhood.
Understand?saidTenelKawithafakecheerfultone.
Harrypaledandnoddedsofastthathelookedlikeabobbleheaddoll.Fromtheirplaces,theSolosweretrying
andfailingtokeeptheirlaughterquietathowthoroughlywhippedHarrywas.Andoneofthewomenwasn't
evenhisgirlfriend!
Well,I'mgonnagotendtomystarfighternow,saidHarrycautiously.Seeyoulater!
TenelKacockedaneyebrowbutnodded.HarrygleefullyrantowardstheareawherehisDelta7was...parked
forlackofabetterterm.Oncehereachedit,helookeditoverwithacriticaleye.ItwasreallytotaledandHarry
couldseewhyAnakinSr.hadabandoneditratherthantrytosalvagetheparts.Itwouldbecheapertobuyanew
one.ButHarryalwaysfollowedhisgutandhisguttoldhimthatnotonlywoulditbebettertorebuildthisone,
butitwouldgoalongwaytowardredeemingAnakin'smemory.Inthisship,Anakinhadsavedhundredsof
lives.Harrywouldrebuilditanddothesame.
Harrytookadeepbreathandgottowork.
Twoweekslater
Harrystoodbackandadmiredhisworksofar.TheDelta7wasn'tdone,notbyalongshot.Buthehadmanaged
torebuildtheenginesandcockpit.ThebasicframewasalsomoreorlessdonebutHarrywouldn'tdaretakeit
intospace.Itprobablywouldn'tholdwhileexitingtheatmosphere.Despitethat,hefeltproudofhimself.Itwas
agoodthinghehadsavedthefactorypartswhenheupgradedtheWaywardSon.Hehadscrappedandsoldsome
ofthemtoupgradetheAzureAngel.Thatwasthenameofthestarfighter.ItwasthesamenameAnakinSr.had
givenitandhewouldkeepinhonorofAstraal.Astraalhadbeenveryhappywhenhetoldherthenameofhis
starfighterwasinhonorofher.
Harryhadagoofygrinonhisfacerememberinghowthankfulshehadbeen.
BacktotheAngel,hewasgoingtokeeptheoldblueandwhitescheme,likinghowitlooked.Hewasplanning
onusingatotaledVwingthathadbeeninthehangarsincehearrivedintheAcademyinordertogivetheAngel
aVwing'stopspeedof52,000km/hrwhileeithermaintainingorsurpassingtheDelta7'sstandardacceleration.
Hewasgoingtoupgradetheshieldingsoitcouldatleasttakeafewhitsthoughitwasn'thowHarryflew.The
basisofhowHarryflewwasyoucan'thitwhatyoucan'tcatch.HarryflewlikeacafobsessedGunganas
Jainasolovinglyputit.Healmostalwaysdrovehisspeedersandfightersattopspeedatalltimes.Withthe
WaywardSon,hedidn'tflylikethatmostlybecausethespeeddifferencewasn'treallynoticeableinafreighter.
However,Harrywasplanningonbuildinghisownspeederaswell.
'OhForceme,I'vepickeduptheSolohobbyoftinkering,'thoughtHarryglumly.
Despiteallthis,HarrystillspenteverymorningtrainingTenelKaandeveryafternooneithertraininghis
apprenticesorworkingontheAngel.Hetrainedhimselffromafternoonmealtomidnightwherehehadlessofa
chancetobestumbledupon.MostofwhathewastraininginwastechniquesArdenhadwrittendowninwhat
shehadlefthimormasteringwhatheknew.Itdependedonwhatstruckhisfancy.EveryweekendHarrywould
haveanalloutfightwithFAITHusingeverythinghe'dbeentraininginthatweek.HehadbeatentheCorran
HornformandwascurrentlyworkingontheKypDurronform.Despitethemanbeingadick,Harryhadto
admithewasstrongenoughtobeworthyoftherankofMaster.HarrywasgladforAstraalbecauseshewas
makingsurehedidn'toverstretchhimself.
HarrychuckledwhenherememberedintroducingFAITHtothegroup.Atfirst,Jainahadbeenenamoredof
FAITH,callinghimagloriouspieceofmechanics.ThatwasuntilFAITHcommentedonhowshehadasmaller
chestthantheotherfemalesandnicknamedherthe'smallchestedmeatbag'.Afterthat,thefirsthourhad
basicallybeenspentwithbothsidesverballyabusingeachotherwithFAITHcallingthemmeatbagsandthem
callinghimastupidhunkofbolts.ThefunniestparthadbeenwhenFAITHhadonceagainmentionedJaina
havinglessmeatinherchestareathantheothergirls.Jainahaddrawnherlightsaberandattackedatthat
point.ItwasluckyHarryhadgivenFAITHstrictordersnottokillanyoneinthegroupbecausehehadinstantly
takenMara'sformandbasicallysmackedJainaaroundlikeitwasgoingoutofstyle.WhilestillangryatFAITH,
JainahadstartedtorespectitsprowessandhowitcouldhelpthemtrainsinceHarrywasoverstretchedasitwas.
Therefore,FAITHwouldtrainwiththegroupinthemorningnowthatHarrycouldn't,leavingHarrywithone
lessresponsibility.
'Thereareneverenoughhoursintheday,'musedHarry.
TheAzureAngelwasgoingtobeHarry'sprideandjoy.HewasgoingtobuildittobethebasisofwhattheNew
JediOrderwouldflyinspacecombat.Itwasmaneuverable,wellarmed,andsofastthatonlysomeonewithJedi
reflexescouldpossiblyflyitatfullspeedlikeHarryenvisionedwithoutcrashing.Hewasaimingonmakingit
fasterthaneventheAwingwhilemaintainingthemaneuverabilityandarmamentoftheXwing.Healso
wantedthebaseformtobeeasilymodifiablesoeachpilotcouldchangeittoadapttotheirstyle.Afterall,not
everyoneflewlikeHarrydid.
Seeingthatitwasalmosttimeforafternoonmeal,HarryturnedtowhereAstraalwasalsoworkingonherMiy'til
starfighter.ShehaddecidedtocallittheBlackLylekafteracreatureofherhomeworld.Asthenamesuggested,
shehadpainteditamatterblacksoastobetterblendintospace.Harryhaddiscreetlyinformedherofhisplanto
installasmallstygiumcloakingdeviceonhisshipandshehadaskedforoneaswell.Hehadagreedtogiveher
oneassoonasheinstalledhisown.ShehadbeenincontactwithTenelKa'sfatherIsolderforadviceonwhatto
installintohershipsincehehadmodifiedhisownMiy'tilstarfighteraswell.Shehadn'ttoldHarryallits
upgradesbutpromisedthatitwouldbeamatchorbebetterthanhisown.Hecouldn'twaittillallfourweredone
sotheycouldseewhomadethebeststarfighter.
Hey,Astraal!calledHarry.Astraalcameoutfromunderhershipcoveredingrease.Harrytriedtoholdbacka
snortathernewlookbutseemedtohavefailedbecauseAstraalglaredathim.
Youtrytoupgradeanengineaswelltheitscouplercablesandseehowyoulook,saidAstraaldangerously.
Harrygaveaplacatinghandgesturebeforespeaking.You'reright.It'sjusthardtocomparetheTwi'lekdancer
Astraalwithhowyoulooknow.DidImentionIloveyou'redancerclothes?
Astraalblushedathiscompliment.Yesterday,shehadrelentedtohisrelentlessrequestsandshownhimoneof
outfitssheworewhenshedancedbeforecomingtotheAcademy.Needlesstosay,Harryhadbeensoarousedby
itthathehaddraggedhertotheWaywardSonandchristenedthecaptain'scabinvarioustimestoherextreme
satisfaction.
'Thatremindsme.Ineedtomakesurewedidn'tbreakthebedafterthefifthtime,'thoughtHarryamusedly.
Yes,youdid.Repeatedly,saidAstraalhuskily.Thecouplehadbeenmorepronetospontaneouslyboutsof
lovemakinglately,mostlyduetoHarry'sinitialreluctancehavingdisappearedcompletely.
Well,I'dlovetoshowyouvariousmoretimes,saidHarryhuskily.Clearinghisthroat,hecontinued,butwe
needtogobatheandeatfirst.Don'twanttomissameal,nowdowe?
Astraalgroanedathisbreakingthemoodbutreluctantlynoddedatthetruthofhisstatement.Shefinishedup
whatshewasdoingandthecouplemovedovertoAnakin'sarea.Eachonehadplacedascreenaroundtheirarea
afterseveralaccusationsofcheatingofftheothers'ideas.Topreventanymorecheatingattempts(forthelife
ofhimhecouldn'tseehowtheycouldcheatwhenthereonlysomanyupgradesavailableanyway),theyhad
eachputascreenaroundtheirarea.Astraalwastheonlyonewhodidn'tcaresincehershipwassodifferent
fromtheirsthattheywouldn'tknowwhatshewasupgradinganyway.
HeyAnakin!yelledHarryfromtheothersideofhisscreen.Thesoundofboltsbeingscrewedinstoppedand
thesoundoffootstepsapproachingcame.Anakinpushedthescreenasideandlookedatthetwo.
What'swrong,Harry?askedAnakin.
It'stimeforeveningmeal,saidHarrysimply.Anakinnoddedhisheadandtoldhimhe'dberightout.The
coupleturnedtowardthelastandhardesttomovemechanic.
Thefirstdaytheyhadallstartedtoupgradetheirships,Jainahadbeensointoitthatshemissedafternoonmeal
andHarryhadhadtodragheroutaroundmidnightwhenhereturnedfromhistraining.Sincethen,hehadmade
suretodragheroutforthemealevenifhehadtodragherkickingandscreaming.
Jayjay!yelledHarry.ThesoundofablowtorchbeingusedstoppedandJainayelledback.
What?!
It'stimeforthemeal!
I'llgobylater!
Harryfrownedattheuntruthfultoneinhervoice.Liar!Don'tmakemedragyououtofthere!
Jainaletoutawhine.ButI'msooooclose!Justanotherhourortwo!...orthree!....maybefour!
Harryrolleduphissleeves.Okay,youaskedforit!
ThenextfewminuteshadbeenachaseasHarrychasedJainaaroundasshefutilelytriedtoescapehimusingthe
blowtorchasaweapon.Eventually,hehaddisarmedher,corneredherandthrewheroverhisshoulder.
Thisiskidnapping!I'mgonnafileacomplaint!yelledJaina.
Yeah,yeah.Tellittothecommittee.saidHarryboredly.
JainaletashriekofindignationthatHarryignored.Behindhim,AstraalandAnakinwereinfitsoflaughteras
Jainafutilelytriedtoescapebyhalfheartedlypunchinghisback.Harrybarelyfeltitandtoldhertogoalittle
lowerbecausehehadaknotthere.Jainaletoutanothershriekofindignation.
'It'smomentslikethesewheresheactsmorelikehermotherthanherfather',thoughtHarryamusedly.
Eventually,thegroupof4bathedanddressed(althoughHarry,AnakinandAstraalhadtorotateguarddutyon
Jaina'sdoorandwindowtomakesureshedidn'ttryandmakeabreakforit)andwerenowontheirwaytothe
messhall.
Nuhuh,saidHarrywhileabsentlygrabbingJaina'sarmandintertwininghisrightarmwithherleft.Youare
goingtoeat,thenyoucangoobsessoveryourstarfighter.
Jainahuffedmutinouslybutdidn'ttrytobreakoutofhishold,infactsheabsentlyheldhishandtighter.Luckily,
Astraaldidn'tnoticebeingtoobusytryingnottobustagutinlaughteratherobsessionoverherstarfighter.
Bytheway,saidAstraalwhenshestoppedlaughing.whatareyougoingtocallyourship?
Jainafrowned.Ihaven'tthoughtthatfarahead.I'llthinkofitafterI'mdonesinceI'mstillnottoosurehowit's
goingtoenduplookinglike.
OnAstraal'sotherside,Anakinnodded.Metoo.I'llnameitwhenI'mdone.
Harryjustshrugged.IalreadynamedminetheAzureAngel.
Inhonorofme,saidAstraalgleefully.NoonenoticedtheflashofpainthatcrossedJaina'sfaceatthe
declaration.
There'sLowie,saidJainahastily.ShereluctantlybrokeawayfromHarry,notnoticingthatHarryhadbeen
reluctanttobreaktheholdtoo.
Heyguys,saidHarry.
Kass,Ashara,Lowie,TenelKaandJacenwerealreadysittingdownontheirnormaltableeating.Anakinhad
brokenawaytoeatathisnormaltablewithTahiriandVisaswherethegirlswavedatHarrywhowavedback.
Kassglaredatthefour.I'm.So.Envious.Of.You.Four.
Harrylookedputafakeconfusedlookonhisface.Ofwhat?Mydashinggoodlooksormytalentwithablade?
Bothofthem.
Kassdidn'tmisstheinnuendoattheendofhisstatementandjustsmiledchallengingly.Areyousureyouknow
howtohandleyourblade?Youlooklikeaprematurefencertome.
Ignoringeveryone's'oooohhh'atherburn,Harrynarrowedhiseyesatherandsmiledrightback.Baby,your
sheathcouldn'thandlemyblade.
Ignoringthegroupchorusof'burn',Kassshotback.Morelikeit'ssosmallitwouldn'tevenmakeitthroughthe
entranceletaloneenter.
Damn,thisisgettingpersonal.Aren'tyougoingtointerfere,Astraal?whisperedJacentoAstraal.
Astraalshookherhead.Andmisshimgethisasshandedtohimverbally?Ilovehimbutnotenoughtonot
enjoyitwhenhegetsverballyabusedwhenhedeservesit.
Backwiththeinsultingduo....
Harry:Ibetyoursheathissowideyoucouldemergencylandatransportthere.
Kass:Ibetyou'rebladeissodanglythatitputsthe'limp'inlimpnoodle.
Harry:IbetyoursheathissorottenevenHuttsturntheirnosesupatit.
Atthat,therestofthegroupalmostbustedagutinlaughterandJainaalmostchokedonherfood.
Kassnarrowedhereyesuntiltheywerelittlemorethanslits.Yourbladeislikebacteria.Sosmallyouneeda
microscopetoseeit.
Harry:Yoursheathislikeadoorway,everyone'sbeenthroughthere.
Kass:I'dliketoseethingsfromyourpointofviewbutIdon'tthinkIcouldgetmyheadthatfarupmyass.
Harry:Youknow,everygirlhastherighttobeuglybutyouabusetheprivilege.
Kass:Youknowthatwhensomebodyscreams"HoeDown",yourgirlfriendhitsthefloor.
IgnoringAstraal'sindignantshoutofHey!,Harrycontinued.
Harry:Youknow,anyonewhogaveyoutheadvicetojustbeyourselfgaveyoutheworstadvice.
Kass:Whenyoudie,I'dliketogotoyourfuneral,butI'llprobablyhavetogotoworkthatday.Ibelievein
businessbeforepleasure.
Harryopenedhismouthtogiveacomebackbutcameupempty.Dammit,youwinthisround.
KasssmiledvictoriouslyasHarrypassedher5,000credits.Afterhearingthatallfourofthemhadastarfighter,
Kassdecidedshewantedonetoo.Sincetherewasnowayshewouldfindtheshipshewantedasabaselaying
aroundYavin4,shebetHarrythateverytimetheyhadainsultcontestandshewon,hehadtogiveher5,000
credits.IfHarrywon,Kasshadtobehisslaveforanhour.
Harryhadyettowin.
Dammitwoman!yelledHarryexasperatedly.HowdidyougetsuchadirtymouthlivingwiththeJensaarai?
Kasssnorted.Please,I'masaintcomparedtotheSaaraikar.Thatwomancaninsultyouinawaythatsounds
likeacomplimentyetyouwanttocrawlintoaholeanddieofembarrassment.
Harryjustshookhisheadandsmiledatthatpieceofinformation.Adults.Andthey'resupposedtobeourrole
models.Wheredidwegowrong?
Thegrouplaughedathiscomment.Theyeventuallywentbacktoeatingtheirmealandconversingnormally.
Anyway...saidKass.Ican'twaittillIhaveenoughtobuymystarfighter.It'llblastyoursoutofthewater.
Lowieaskedwhatshewanted.
IwantaBwing/E,explainedKassproudly.
Theotherpilotslookedatherinconfusion.TheBwingwaswellknownforbeingbothdifficulttoflyand
needingagunner.
Who'sgonnabeyourgunner?askedJainacuriously.
Me,saidAsharawithasmile.
Itmadesense.ThetwowerebasicallyinseparableandAshara,whileanaveragepilot,hadashootingscore
surpassinganyoneelse's.SheevenbeatLuke'srecord.
Cool,saidHarry.Iwaswonderingwhyyouneededsomuchmoney.Thatthingcosts250,000creditsright
outofthefactory.Howmuchyougotsofar?
Kassshrugged.Betweenthetwoofus,wegotabout200,000savedup.
Harrywhistled.Almostthere.You'vebeenplanningthisforawhilethen?
Kassnodded.Yep,Ijustneededasuckertoripoffandhereyouare.
Harrystuckouthistongueatherastheotherslaughed.KassthenturnedtowardJainawithacuriouslookonher
face.
I'vebeenwantingtoask...howareyougoingtousetheARC170alone?Doesn'titusuallyrequirethree
people?
Jainanoddedherhead.UsuallybutI'mreroutingthesystemssotherearmountedturretbecomesautomaticand
candistinguishenemyfromfriend.I'llalsoreroutetheforwardlasertobecontrolledbymeasthepilot.It'llsave
alotofspacesoIcanupgradethehyperdrive,theenginesandaddafewnewparts.That'swhyIwantedit.All
thatextraspacejustwaitingtobeused.
Theothersnoddedtheirheadunderstandably.Ifshecouldmanageit,itwouldbealmostlikeaXwingbutwith
betterfirepowerduringdogfightsaswellasbettermaneuverability.
Well,I'mstartingmyshipfromscratchbasically.saidHarrywithasigh.It'sapainbutit'sactuallybetter.
Mostofthesystemsarescrappedanywayandtheothersareoutdated.Itletsmekeepthebasicframeandaddall
thenewtechsasIwant.ThoughI'llprobablymakeitaninterceptormorethananormalstarfighter.Iliketohit
fastandgetoutbeforetheynoticeIwasthere.
Astraal,calledKass.WhenAstraalturnedtoher,sheputonafakesympathetictone,Ifhe'slikethatinbed,
I'mSOsorry.
Astraalblushedbutlaughedalongwiththeothers(withthesoleexceptionofHarrywhoglaredatKass).They
eventuallyfinishedtheirmealandeveryonewenttodowhattheyplanned.JainaandAnakinwentbacktotheir
ships,AstraalwenttotrainwithFAITHalongwithKassandAsharawhileJacenwenttomeditateandpractice
hiscontrol.LowiewenttoworkonhisshipaswellasmakesureJainalefttogosleepatanormalhour.The
onlyonesleftwereTenelKaandHarry.
Soooo...saidHarrydramatically.Hereweare....alone.Harrygaveherafakescaredlook.Youaren'tgoing
torapeme,right?
TenelKasmiledslightlybeforegettingamischievouslookinhereye.IfIoffered,believeme,itwouldn'tbe
rape.
Harrysighed.Touche.IsitbeatonHarrydayorsomething?
TenelKagavehimcondescendingpatonthehead.
EndNotes:
Thischapterwasbasicallytoshowtwothings:Harry'snewstarfighterandhis
TrialofSpirit.AtfirstIwastemptedtosendhimtoDagobahbutthatseemedto
beoverdone.ThenIrememberedDidn'tAnakinfightAsajjVentressonYavin
4?ThisintroducedtheconceptofmakingHarryseeingthefighthisTrialof
SpiritduetothesimilaritiesbetweenAnakinandHarryatthispoint.Theyboth
doubttheJediOrderandhaveproblemswithexpressingthemselves.However,
theyhaveverydifferentapproachestodealingwithit.Anakinbottleditupuntilit
explodedwhileHarryconfidesinoneortwopeople.Theyalsohavedifferent
outlooksasIdemonstrated.
Forthosewondering,WhydoesHarryhavetwoshipsnow?Well,Ialwayshad
plannedforHarrytohaveanAwingclassship.Helovestoflyandhe'saspeed
demonandtheAwingarethefastestoutthereatthemoment.However,whenI
researchedAnakin'sduelwithAsajj,IcameacrossthenameofAnakin'sshipand
IknewHarryhadtohaveit.Imean...I'mAngeldoctor,Harry'sfirstgirlfriendhas
azure(blue)skin....it'samatchmadeinheaven.Heck,hedoesn'tevenhaveto
changethename.
I'msorryifithastoomanytimeskipsbutitwasinevitable.IwantedtogetHarry
workingonhisshipoutofthewaybutIcouldn'tskipAstraaltalkingtoHarry
aboutherfeelingsandfinallyopeninguptohimandthemgettingcloserasa
result.Itwastooimportant.HarrygoingthroughhisTrialofSpiritplusherguilt
athavingtohidethefactshewasgoingthroughherownTrialsweretoomucha
perfectopening.Thankfully,therenomoretimeskipsinasinglechapteranymore
nowthatIhavethebasecompletelysetup.EveryoneiswhereIwantthemtobeso
nomoreaddingstuff.
Asfortheinsultjokecontest...seriouslythatwastheretoshowthatalthough
they'reJedi,they'restillteenagersanddothestupidestthings.Haven'tyouever
madeabetoversomethingstupid?
Well,hopeyoulikeitandReadandReview!
Backtoindex
KashyykandtheFirstCluebyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter19
Harryjumpedbackwardsashedodgedhisopponent'sbluelightsaberbladebyinchesasthelatterattemptedto
cutoffhislegs.Usingthemomentumofthejump,Harrycontinuedtodobackflipsandhandstands,evadinghis
opponentsbladebyinchesattimes.EventuallyHarryrealizedhewouldrunoutofspace,soduringahandstand
heusedtheForcetopropelhimuphigherthannormalsothathecouldgrabanoverhangingtreebranch.His
opponentwassurprisedbythemaneuverandgotadoubleheelkickinthefaceashisreward.
Harrylandedonhisfeetandonceagainignitedhisblades.HisauburnhairedopponentdroppedintotheSoresu
defensivestanceandwaitedforHarrytomakethefirstmove.Eventually,Harryblastedtowardhisopponent
usingTahiri'sForcerocket.Hisopponentbarelymanagedtoevadehisfirstbladebutcouldn'tevadeHarry's
secondbladethatmanagedtolandacutonhisrightthigh.Despitethis,hisopponentquicklytookadvantageof
Harryhavinghisbacktowardhimtounleashadevastatingslashtohisback.Thankfully,Harryhadanticipated
thisandfellintoaforwardroll,justmissingbeingdecapitated.
Harryturnedbacktowardhisopponentandattackedferociously,usinghisLightningStyletoattempttobreak
hisopponent'sSoresuguard.However,Harry'sopponentwasafamousmasteroftheformandeasilyfendedoff
Harry'sattack.Seeingthathewasgettingnowhereatthemoment,Harryoptedtoletloosecompletely.Imbuing
hislightsaberswithForceLightning,Harryletlooseablurringattackthatcreatedasphereofvioletandblue
thatseemedtobemadeupofover10bladeswhilejabbingandslashinginanattempttoeitherkillhisopponent
oratleaststunhimwiththelightning.HisopponentwasslowlybeingpushedbackbutHarryrefusedtoslow
down.Finally,Harrysawhisopening.
WhenHarryusedbothbladesinadevastatingdoubleslashfromhisopponent'sleft,hisopponentattemptedto
blockit.However,Harryturnedoffhisvioletlightsaberjustasitwouldhavetouchedhisopponent'sbladeand
turneditbackonwhileinsidehisopponent'sguard.UnlikehisfightwithMarrish,HarryhadmasteredTrakata
tothepointthathediditinstinctivelyandwithnotells.Thereforeitwasnosurprisewhenhisbladelandeda
devastatingslashthatcuthisopponentinhalfatthewaist.Withalookofsurprise,ObiWanKenobifelldown
defeated.
Suddenly,ObiWan'sformshimmeredbeforeturningintoareddroidthathadwiresshowingatthewaistwhere
Harryhadcuthim.
Expletive:OhMaster!Youaresuchamasteratkillingyouropponents.Comment:Youarealmostasgoodas
me!
Harryjustrolledhiseyesathisdroid'sarrogantstatement.
HarrywascurrentlytrainingwithFAITHinhisprivatetrainingground.Eversincethelatterhadbeen
introducedtotheothers,FAITHhadbeenactingevenmoreobsessedwithkillingthanusual.Hecalledtheir
group'awelloiledmachineofdeathandmayhemalmostasgoodashim'.Harrystillwasn'tsureifitwasa
complimentoraninsult.
HarryshookhisheadinexasperationastheywalkedbacktotheAcademy.Istillcan'tbelieveyoumanagedto
accesstheGreatHolocron,downloadinfoonfamousJedi'slightsabercombatstyleandnoonenoticed
anything.
Smugstatement:Iamjustthatgood,Master.
Harrychuckledathisdroid'sarrogantbuttruestatement.Ittakessomeseriousskilltoentertheholocron
chamberwheretheGreatHolocroniskeptanduseitwithoutanyoftheMastersnoticing.Harrywouldhave
praisedhimifhewasn'tafraidofinflatinghisegosomuchhe'dshortcircuit.
WhentheyweregettingclosetotheAcademy,HarryturnedtoFAITH.Okay,gohideintheWaywardSon.
We'llbealongshortlytogovisitLowie'ssisterinKashyyk.Ihaveafeelingthatwe'llneedyou.
Query:Willtherebeviolence?Hopefulstatement:Idosohopeso!
Harryjustshookhisheadathispsychoticdroid.
Afewdaysago,thelongfearedmeetingbetweenhismotherandEsmeraldahappened.Itwasjustashefeared
andaftermuchglaringfromAstraal(anddiscreetlyJaina)forhercallinghimbabyandherfuturehusband,
MaraandherstartedplanningforHarry'sfutureharemwhileLukejustlookedamused.
Harryhadcrawledunderhisbedinshame.
Marahadeventuallymovedontoimportanttopicsandshecouldnowask'Astarte'foranynewinfoalthough
Harrywasstilltheboss.Sherefusedtoentertainanyoneelseasherboss.Shealsoconfirmedwhatshetold
Harrybeforebutsaidshewasstillinvestigating.ShethensaidgoodbyeaftertellingHarryshewasgoingtogive
himaspecialwelcomingpresentwhenhefinallyvisitedher.
IttookmuchfasttalkingtoescapeAstraal'swrath.Fortunately,theywereallgoingonaminivacationtoday
whereHarrycouldmakeupforitwithvariousgiftsandpleadingformercy.
Yesterday,Lowiehadexpressedconcernoverhissister'scomingofageritual.Itwasknowntobeextremely
dangerousandsometimeslethaltotheparticipants.Althoughhecouldn'tinterfere,hedidwanttogoinorderto
showhissupportinherandalsotomakesurenothinguntowardhappened.Harry,Astraal,JainaandJacenhad
decidedtocomealongtohelpandtoprovidesupportfortheirfriend.Harryhopedthetripwouldalsohelp
distractJaina.
Lately,JainahadbecomemoreandmoreobsessedwithtraininginordertobestrongenoughtobringZekk
back.AllthreeknewthatZekkwouldbeundergoingtrainingintheShadowAcademyandconsideringZekk's
tendencytonevergiveuponanything,hewouldnodoubtbeoneofstrongestinShadowAcademy.Duetothis,
Jainahadbecomededicatedtohertrainingandhadevenforgottenabouthershipsometimes.Thismorethan
anythingshowedhowobsessedJainawasbecomingandHarrywasnowtakingtimetomakesuresherelaxed.
NotevenJacencouldreachherlikeHarrycould,soitwasuptohimtomakesureshedidn'tbreakfromtoo
muchtrainingandtoolittlerelaxation.
Harrylookedattherisingsunthroughthetrees.Thegroupoffourwillbeleavingaftertheyatemorningmeal
andLowiepromisedthatitwouldbeasimpletripwithnocomplications.
Despitethis,Harrycouldn'tstopthefeelingofuneaseinthepitofhisstomach.
ShadowAcademy,Unknownlocation
ZekkwaswalkingthroughthehallsoftheAcademywiththesmugfeelingofvictorycoursingthroughhisveins.
HehadjustdefeatedVilasforthepositionofDarkestKnightoftheAcademy.Duringtheentireconfrontation,
Vilashadmockedhimasa'trashcollector'andunworthyofbeingaDarkJedimuchlesstheDarkestKnight.
ThishadinfuriatedZekkandhehadeventually'disarmed'Vilasfromtheelbowdown.Hecouldhaveeasilycut
himinhalfbuthedecidedagainstitforseveralreasons.First,hedidn'tneedtheangerofTamithKaionhim
morethanhealreadydid.ShehaddespisedhimeversincetheyhadfirstmetandifhekilledVilasshewould
probablychallengehispositionjusttokillhim.Second,hewantedtohumiliateVilasnotsimplykillhim.He
hadmockedhimasasimple'trashcollector',wellnowhewasaonearmedfailure.Thirdandmostimportantly,
Nottwouldbedispleased.
ShadowAcademywasdividedinthreebranches.FirstwasthesimplestormtroopersthathadnoForce
sensitivity.Theyweremostlythepilotsandmechanicsfortheshipsandthenavyandthehighestrankwas
captainoftheacademy's'navy'.ThenthereweretheDarkKnightsorDarkJedioftheAcademy.Thehighest
rankofthisbranchwasZekk'scurrentposition:theDarkestKnight.Theyweretheoneswhoonlywielded
lightsabersandwerethepublicfaceoftheacademy.However,therewasabranchabovethem:TheShadow
Guard.ThisrankwasmadeofthebestofthebestamongtheDarkKnightswhowereunquestioninglyloyalto
Brakissaboveallelse.TheweakestShadowGuardwasmatchevenforZekkandtheCaptain,TheodoreNott,
wasequaltoBrakissinskill.
UnliketheDarkKnights,theShadowGuardwasallowedtowieldanyweapontheysawfitasasecondary.
Althoughmostchoseablasterasasecondaryweapon,Nottchoseamoreesotericweapon:akatana.Zekkhad
seenitonlyonceandithadseemedtobeoldfashioned,likeitwasoneofthoseheirloomspasseddownthe
family.Despitethis,itworkedquitewellbecauseZekkhadseenNottwieldhiskatanaonce.Hehadcutthrough
agroupof10Republicguardslikeknifethroughwarmbutterinlessthan3seconds.Zekkhopedtoneverface
thatmonsterincombat.
Congratulations,Zekk.
Zekkturnedtoseetheobjectofhisthoughtsstandingrightbehindhim,smirkingatthelookofsurpriseonhis
face.
ZekkbowedstifflytoNott.Nott'spositionwasaptlynamed:theShadowKing.Zekkhadn'tevensensedhim
untilhehadspoken.
Thankyou,ShadowKing.Itwasahardwonvictory.Despitehisbestefforts,Zekkcouldn'tkeeptheslight
tremoroffearfromhisvoice.Notthadatendencytokillpeopleiftheyweren'tproperlyrespectful.
Nottjustsmiledcoldly.I'mgladyoudidn'tkillVilaslikeItoldyou.Hewillmakeagoodadditiontomyranks
nowthathehasbeenproperly....seasoned.
Zekkshuddered.Notthadbutonerequirementtoenterhisranksbeyondextraordinaryskill.Thatthepersonbe
brokeninsomeway.Nottlikedtobreaknewrecruitsoftheirprideandarrogancebeforetheyentered,sohe
couldrebuildtheminthewayhepreferred.Thatis,completelyloyalwithoutquestion.Zekkbrieflywonderedif
thatwouldhavebeenhisfateifhehadlostbutbanishedthosethoughts.VilashadbeenrecommendedbyTamith
KaiasaShadowGuardandNotthadconcededtoallowhimifhelostthepositionforDarkestKnightdespite
protestationsofotherShadowGuardmembers.
'Itprobablyhelpedthatshe'shislover,'thoughtZekk.
ItwaswellknownthatTamithKaiandNottwereloversdespitetheiragedifference(Kaiiscurrently34while
Nottis15).TheyhadbeenloverssinceNottbecametheShadowKingat14.TamithKaiwasattractedtopower
andNotthadthatinspades,ithelpedthatTamithKaiwasabeautifulwomanphysicallyandusedthattoher
advantage.TamithKaiprobablythoughtshewastheonewhocontrolledtherelationshipbuteveryoneelseknew
better.NottownedTamithKai:mind,bodyandsoul.
Itisasyouordered,ShadowKing.
NottnoddedwhilesmilingsmuglybeforehewalkedpastZekkslowly.Hedidn'twalkfarbeforehestoppedand
spokewithoutturningtoZekk.ItwasasifevenifZekkdecidedtoattack,hewouldn'tbeabletoharmhim.
WewillberaidingKashyyksoonsoIhopeyouareprepared.Ohandonemorething.Nott'svoicesuddenly
turnedcolderthanaHothwinter.IfIfindoutyoubetrayedusinanyway....youwillbegfordeathbeforeIgive
ittoyou,understand?
Zekkdidn'tdareturntofaceNottandjustnodded.DespitehavinghisbacktoZekk,Nottseemedtoknowhe
hadnoddedandcontinuedonhisway.
Zekkshivered.HehopedtoneverhavetocrossbladeswiththeShadowKing.
OnroutetoKashyyk
Thegroupof6weretalkingamicablyinthecockpitastheydiscussedLowie'ssister,Sirakkuk,comingritual.
Lowietriedtoexplainittothembutdespitehisbestefforts,Harrystilldidn'tunderstand.
Sotheygiveheranobjective,somethingtofindordefeat,andtellhernottoreturnuntilshedoes?AtLowie's
nod,Harrycontinuedtolookconfused.Butthatsoundsthatabasicmissionforme.Ialwaysendupfighting
something,Iswear.
TheotherfourlaughedatHarry'sgrumbling.Astraal,whowassittingbehindHarry,smiledlovinglyather
boyfriendandsaid.Onlyyou,mylove.Youcouldfindtroubleindeadworld,Iswear.
Harrygaveheramockhurtlookfromthepilot'sseat.I'mnotthatbad.AmI?
Jainareachedoverfromthecopilot'sseatandpattedhisheadcondescendingly.Yes,youare.
Comment:Master,youcanfindtroubleinaparadiseplanet.Excitedtone:That'soneofthethingsIlikeabout
you!
Harrypoutedastherestlaughedathim,evenFAITHwasagainsthim.Theysoonstoppedwhenthesignal
warningthattheywereexitinghyperspacecameon.Theystrappedthemselvesinandsoonsawthebeautiful
greenandblueworldofKashyykappearintheviewport.Lowieletoutagrowlofhappinessatseeinghishome
worldagain.
Iknowthefeeling,bigguy.Welcomehome,saidJacenfrombesidehim.
HarrymaneuveredtheWaywardSonclosertotheplanetandwassoonhailedbytheplanetarytrafficpolice.
Afterexplaininghisintentionsandgivingclearancecodes,hefollowedthegivenroutetothelandingplatform.
Theyslowlyenteredtheatmosphereandsoonbrokeintothecloudcover,givingfournonwookieJeditheirfirst
viewoftheplanet.
Itseemedlikeanendlessmazeofgianttreesasfarastheeyecouldsee.Wroshyrtreeswerenativeonlyto
Kashyykandonlyheredidtreesgrowsolarge.ThetreesweresothickandhugethatHarrycouldn'timagine
anythingbutdarknesstouchingtheforestfloorduetothemgrowingsoclosetogether.Harryhadtoadmirethe
Wookiesformanagingtonotonlysurvivebutflourishinthisdangerousworld.Thegianttreesnodoubthid
manypredatorsandtheperpetualdarknessoftheforestfloormadeitsotheyhadtoalwaysbeontheirguard
whenwalkingalongit.Harryimaginedstandingatthetopofoneofthosegianttrees,lookingoutattheworld
andfeelingtrulytall.Hesmiledandpromisedhimselftodoitoneday.
TakingherintolandinThikkianaCity,announcedHarry.ThikkianaCitywasoneofthemanywhroshyrtree
citiesmadebythewookies.Itwasmadeintheuppermostlevelofthetreesandinterconnectedbyvarious
bridgesandthelike.
AsHarrylandedtheship,hesuddenlyfelt....somethingpulsefromthelowerlevelsofthetrees.Harrystretched
outhissensesandhecouldbarelysensesomethingcallingtohimdeepwithinthelowerlevels.Forsomereason,
Harrycouldsensethatitbelongedtohimeventhoughhehadneversteppedfootonthisplanetbefore.
Wookiesconsideredtheworldofwroshyrtreestobemadeofsevenlevels.Mostwookieslivedinthesafestand
uppermostseventhlevel,wheretherewerefewnaturalpredators.Thelevelsweremadeupalmostlikealayered
deathtrap,withdangerincreasingtheloweronewent.Eventhebravestwookiesrarelyventuredbelowthefourth
level,withthesoleexceptionbeingChewbacca.Harrywasanotherwhowishedtoexplorethelowerlevelsand
especiallytheShadowlands,orgroundlevel,oftheplanet.Hecouldjustimaginethesecretshiddenamongst
thatshadowyregionwherepeoplerarelysteppedfooteven4,000yearsago.
Itseemednowthathiswishwasgoingtobegrantedofhewishedtoexplorethatsensation.Hewonderedifit
hadsomethingtodowithhispeoplesinceheseemedtobetheonlyonewhocouldsenseit.Theotherswere
oblivioustothesensation.
Aftersuccessfullyturningofftheenginesandturningonthesecuritysystem(despiteLowie'sassurancesthatit
wouldbesafe),thegroupof5organicsand1holodroid/assassinationdroidwalkedtowardthemeetingpoint.
Theyeventuallymetupwithagroupof3wookies,twoofwhichseemedtobetheadultsandonewhoseemed
youngerthanLowbaccawhichmustbehissister,Sirrakuk.
Sirrakukhadbrowneyesandbrownfuralthoughsheseemedtoshavedistinctivepatchesintoherfur.Harry
didn'tknowiftheyhadanysignificancebutwasgladtheydidn'texposeany....privateareas.Hedidn'tthinkhe
couldsurvivethementalproblemsthatwouldcause.ShewassmallerthanLowiebutthatwasexpectedbeing
theyoungersister.HarrycouldsensehernervousnessintheForceaswellashowrelievedshefeltatLowie's
presence.
HarryleftthewookiefamilyandproceededtoexplorethecitywithAstraalaftertellingFAITHtostayand
scopeoutdefensivepositions.Harryhadtoadmirethebeautythatwentintocreatingthecitywithoutdamaging
thesurroundingtrees.Infact,ifhehadn'tbeenledhereheprobablywouldneverhavefoundthecitywhile
flyingoveritwithoutcarefulobservation.Thecityseemedlikesuchapartofnaturethatitseemedasifthecity
hadsimplygrownoutofthetrees.Harryadmiredhowtheyturnedthebrownofthebarkintoanarrayoftones
suchthattheycouldmakepaintingsjustfromusingdifferentlayersofthebark.
HarryandAstraalwalkedhandinhandaroundthecity,exploringitsarchitecturesandpublicbuildings.The
wookiessawthelightsabershangingontheirbeltsandhappilygreetedthemwhichtheyreturned.Harry
gracefullyallowedAstraaltodraghimfromplacetoplaceandevensomeshops.Theyeventuallyenteredwhat
lookedasmallbartodanceanddrinkin.Ithadacozyatmosphereanditdidn'thaveanyofthesenseofdanger
mostbarsdid.
Harryheardaslowsongcomeonanddecidedtobealittleromantic.
Comeon,myangel.Dancewithme.
Astraallookedsurprisedbutsmiledhappilyandfollowedhimontothedancefloor.
Theydancedtothesongandheldeachotherclose.Harryplacedakissonherforeheadanddrewherinclose,
takinginhersmellwhichalwayshadaslightscentofdesertflowers.
YouknowIloveyou,right?saidHarrysoftly.Astraallookedupathiminconfusion.Esmeraldaisjusta
friend.There'snothingbetweenusandthereneverwillbe.I'mwithyou,angel.
Astraalsighed.I'msorryforoverreacting.It'sjust...that'sthefirsttimeI'vehadtodealwithagirlactively
flirtingwithyouinfrontofmeandIdidn'thandleitwell.Thethoughtofyoucheatingonmehurts.
Harryplacedanotherkissonherhead.Iwouldnever,angel.You'remygirlandIwouldneverbetrayyoulike
that.
Astraalsmiledbeforeplacingherheadagainsthischest.IknowandIloveyoutoo.
Thetwostayedtheredancingforoveranhourbuteventually,theyreturnedtotheirfriendsintimeforthe
ceremonytostart.HarrywasgladtoseeFAITHthereandnodeadbodiessurroundinghim,Harryhadbeensure
hewouldstartafightjustforkicksbutitseemedhewasjustbeingparanoid.
Lowie'sfatherspokeofhowhisdaughterwasnowreadyforhercomingofageritualwhichwouldinvolveher
findingaSyrrenplantandbringingbackoneofitsspikesasproofofsurvivinganencounterwithit.Seeingher
standingtheirwithslightfearinherstance,HarryaskedJainawhyshewassoafraid.
Afriendofhersapparentlydiedduringherritualafewweeksago,explainedJainasadly.She'safraidthe
samewillhappentohersinceherfriendwasstrongerthanher.
Harrynoddedtoshowheunderstood.HecontinuedtowatchtheritualtakeplaceandclappedwhenSirrakuk
leaptintothelowerlevelstofindtheplantandreturnwithitsspikes.Soonafter,thecrowddispersedandHarry
walkeduptoLowiewiththeothersfollowing.
WithZekk,nearThikkiianaCity
Zekkwasleadingtheraidgroupthroughthetreestowardtheirobjective.Hehadkilledanywookieswho
challengedtheiradvanceinordertostopthemfromraisingthealarm.However,heknewitwasonlyamatterof
timebeforethealarmwasraised,eitherbybeingspottedbyapatrolbeforetheycouldstophimfromcallingin
reinforcementsorwhenthewookiestheykilledfailedtoreportin.
ZekklookednervouslytohisleftwhereNottwaswalkingwithhisGuard.
Notthaddecidedtocomealonginorderto'stretchhislegs'ashesaid.Hewasfollowedbyhissecondin
command,ShadoVao.ZekkwassurprisedwhenhefoundoutthatShadowasthebeautifulTwi'lek's,Astraal's,
brother.HeseemedtobearagrudgeagainstherforabandoninghiminTatooinewhileshewentontobecomea
JedimuchlikeZekk'sfriendsabandonedhimintheUndercity.Shadohadrisenthroughtheranksquicklyand
hadmadeanameforhimselfforbeingalmostasgoodwithhisbladeasNott.
ZekkdoubtedNotthadcomealongjusttostretchhislegsashesaid.Itwasmorelikehewantedtotesthis
newestrecruit,Vilas.VilaswaswalkingalongsideNott'sothersidesendingglarestowardZekkeveryonceina
while.Hisarmhadbeenreplacedwithaprostheticonethattripledhisnaturalstrength.Hehadquicklyadapted
andthiswashisfieldtestinordertoseeifhewasworthyofenteringtheShadowGuard.DespitetheShadow
GuardbeinghigherinrankthantheDarkestKnightposition,hestillhatedZekkfortakingwhathefeltwashis
naturalposition.Luckily,NotthadforbiddenhimfromattackingZekk,notbecausehelikedZekk(infacthe
didn'ttrusthim)butbecausehedespiseddivisionamongtheranksmorethanhedespisedZekk.
Asthegroupnearedthecity,Nottcalledforastop.Heseemedtosensesomethingbeforehesmiledviciously
andmuttered.
Tothinkitwouldbehereofallplaces.TheForceistrulywithme...
FrombesidehimShadolookedathissuperiorcuriously.What'shere?
Nottturnedtowardhissecondwithasneer.Nothingthatconcernsyou.Itissomethingofmypeoplealone.
NottturnedtohisGuardingeneral.I'mleavingShadoinchargewhileIinvestigatesomething.Iexpectyouto
followhisordersasiftheyweremyown,understand?Afterreceivingachorusofassents,NottturnedtoVilas
beforehisvoiceturnedsternandcold.Thisisyouronlychancetoproveyourselftonotbeafailure.Your
missionistodefendtheDarkJediastheyraidthelab.Managethatandyou'llbeworthy,understand?
VilasnoddedfearfullyandNottturnedawaywithacoldsmile.I'llseeyouallsoon.
ZekkwasbewilderedbyNott'ssuddendeparturebutwasinternallyglad.Hewouldalwayshavetowatchhis
backaroundNottandwithhimgone,hewouldtakeallthecreditfortheirsuccess.
Well,knights!Forward!criedZekk.Zekkhopedthiswouldbeasimpleraid.
WithHarryandco.
ThefeelingthatHarrygotwhenhelandedhadbeengettingstrongerandhecouldnolongerignoreit.Turning
towardAstraal,hequietlyexplainedhisfeeling.
Astraalbitherlipinthought.FinebutI'mgoingwithyou.
Harryjustshookhishead.Ifeelthatitshouldbemealone.Itcouldbesomethingofmypeopleanditcould
haveprotectionsagainstanyonenotofmypeople.Iwon'tputyouinthatkindofdanger.
Astraallookedmutinousatfirstbuteventuallyrelented.Finebutyou'retostayinconstantcontactandifyou
don'treporteveryhalfhourI'mgoingafteryouwhetheryoulikeitornot.Alsoyouhavetopromisenottogoto
theforestflooralone,understand?
Harryjustsmiledathislove'soverprotectivenessandgaveherachastekiss.Ipromise,mylove.I'llcontactyou
throughFAITH,okay?
AstraalnoddedandHarryquicklyturnedandrantowardwherehefeltthesensation.Hehatedlyingtoherbut
heknewhehadtodothisaloneevenifitmeantgoingtotheforestflooralone.Itfeltthatitcamefromtheforest
floorsothatmeantHarrywouldhavetogotowardtheShadowlands.HarryquicklytoldFAITHtostayand
defendthegroupofJedifromallaggressorsandtouselethalforceifnecessary.Hehappilycompliedandsaid
hehopedtoenforcehisorder.HarrycontinuedtowardtheShadowlands.
'Ofcourse,becauseitcouldn'thavebeenplacedinthetreetopswithasignsayingHereIam!Ithadtobeinthe
placeinfestedwithallmannerofdarkcreatures.I'mgonnagoprematurelygrayifthiskeepsup,'thoughtHarry
depressively.
Harrytookthenearestwoodenelevatortowardthelowestlevelandhopedthiswasworthit.
Shadowlands
HarryslowlymadehiswaythroughtheforestfloorasquietlyaspossibleusinghisForcesight.Hehadbeen
walkingslowlyfortwentyminutesandhadencounterednoresistancewhichputhimonalert.Heknewthatall
mannerofcreatureslivedonthislevelandmostcouldeasilyseeinthedarksoheneededtoeventheodds.He
hadhisvioletlightsaberunlitbutreadyincaseofattackasheslowlywalkedtowardthesensation.
Suddenlyheheardaslightrustleasiffrommanyfeetwalkingalongtheforestfloor.Heslowlylookedaround
onlytointernallycurseathisluck.Appearingfrombehindtreesandbusheswereatleast20giantweavers,all
hungryandlookingathimasifhewasanallyoucaneatbuffet.
Giantweaverswereextremelylarge,redpigmentedspiderswithfatbodiesthatlikedtopreyonunsuspecting
creaturesandwereverygoodatcoordinatingambushes.Harrylookedaroundandfoundtohisdismaythathe
hadbeenledtoanopenareawheretheycouldattackhimattheirleisurewithoutfearofhimescaping.
Forceme!mutteredHarry.Withthat,theweaversattacked.
Harryrolledtothesideinordertomissbeingsquishedbyonetheirbodieswhenonejumpedathim.Hequickly
startedtoavoidtheirshotsofwebbingandpoisonthattheyusedtoimmobilizetheirprey.Ignitinghisviolet
lightsaber,hedashedtowardtheclosestone,dodgingitspoisonandquicklyjumpedontoitsback.Heimpaled
theweaver'sheadwithhislightsaberandjumpeduptoavoidanother'sshotofwebbing.Harryjumpedontothe
trunkofthenearesttreeanduseditasleveragetojumpontoanotherweaver'sback.Heimpaleditaswellbut
againhadtojump,thistimetoavoidtheteethofaspiderthathadbeenclosetotheonehekilled.Realizingthat
theywereadaptingtohistactics,hedecidedtochangethem.HesentapowerfulburstofForcelightningthat
charredandkilled5weaversatonce.Theremaining13hesitatedbutquicklychargedhimfromallsides,hoping
tooverwhelmhimwithnumbers.
Seeingthemclosinginandnotreescloseenoughforhimtojumptoward,HarryletlooseapowerfulForcewave
oncetheywerecloseenough.Thewavewassopowerfulthattheclosestoneswerekilledinstantlyfromthe
forceofitwhiletheothersweresenthurtlingbackuntiltheyhitthetreetrunkswithasickeningcrunch.Harry
lookedaroundthinkinghehaddefeatedthemuntilheheardanominousclickingsound.
'PleaseForce,donotletmebethatunlucky,'thoughtHarrydesperatelyashelookeduponlytocursewithevery
swearwordheknew.HangingfromagiantwebwasaGiantWeaverasbigastheWaywardSon,lookingathim
withitseightbeadyeyesthatshowedasurprisingamountofintelligenceforanonsentient.Enoughtoknow
thatHarrywasmoredangerousthannormalpreybutwasstillprey.ItwasobviouslytheWebmotherandshe
seemedveryangryathiskillingherbabies.
Withascreech,shejumpeddowntowardHarryfollowedbyover50ofitskin.Thegroundshookwhenshe
landedandwithanotherscreechsheattacked.
HarryignitedhisicebluelightsaberalongsidehisvioletandchargedattheWebmotherinturn.Whenhegot
close,HarryslidundertheWebmother'slegsandstartedtostabupwardsintoherbelly.Shescreechedinpain
butquicklytriedtosquishhimbylandingontopofhim.Luckily,Harrymanagedtogetoutbeforeshesquished
himonlytoruninto10weavers.
Hisbladesbecameasphereofvioletandbluelight,cuttingandslashingattheweaversfromallangles.Harry
jumpedanddodgedtheirattackswhilelandinghisown.TheWebmothergotupagainandchargedhimfrom
behind.Realizingthathecouldn'tattackherfrombeneath,Harryjumpedonherbackinstead.Thisturnedoutto
beamistakebecausesheinstantlynoticedandstartedtobuckandjumptogethimoff.
Tomakemattersworse,herchildrenjumpedontoherbackwithhimanddidn'tseemtohaveaproblemwalking
towardhimwhileshebuckedandjumped.
'Oh,comeon!Givemeabreak!'thoughtHarrydesperately.
Hispleawentunheededandhewasforcedtododgetheweavers'attackswhilestayingontheWebmother'sback.
Eventually,Harryrealizedthathewasgoingtobekilledifthiscontinuedsohejumpedup.TheWebmother
instantlyrealizedhewasoffherandopenedhermouthhopingtocatchhimwhenhelanded.
Hewasn'tgoingtohaveanyofthatsoheletloosehismostpowerfulstreamofForcelightningever.It
succeededinkillingalltheweaversonherbackandstunningtheWebmotherlongenoughforhimtolandsafely.
Themomenthedid,hereignitedhisbladesandimmersedhimselfcompletelyinVaapad.Heturnedintoablur
ofblurandvioletlight,dashingfromplacetoplacekillingweaverswhiledodgingtheWebmother'sattacks.He
realizedthatifhewantedtostandachanceofkillingtheWebmother,heneedtokilleveryotherweaversohe
wasn'toverwhelmed.
Hemanagedtokillenoughweaversthattherestretreatedforawhilebuthedidn'tdoubtthattheywouldreturn.
Withthemgone,HarryconcentratedontheWebmother.Sheseemedevenangrierifitwaspossibleandprovedit
bylettinglooseathickstreamofpoisonthatseemedtoburntheairasitpassed.HarrydodgeditwithForce
speedandwatchedastheplacewhereitlandedbubbledanddied.
'Notetoself:avoidpoison,'thoughtHarrysarcastically.
HarrybrandishedhisbladesanddashedattheWebmotherwhileavoidingherpoisonstreams.Hequicklyclosed
thedistanceandonceagainjumpedontoherback.HethenstartedtorepeatedlystabtheWebmotheronherbig
fatheadandblindasmanyeyesashecouldreach.TheWebmotherletlooseaterrifyingscreechanddoubledher
effortstoremovehim.However,Harrywouldn'tbedeniedandsuddenlyhadanidea.
Stabbinghisvioletlightsaberintoaneyesocket,HarrychanneledForcelightningthroughhisbladeandintoher
brain.Theeffectwasinstantaneous.Withherexternaldefensesbreached,theForcelightningdiditswork,
burningherinternalorgansandelectrifyinghersobadlythatherbodylitupfromtheinside,showingher
organs.Eventually,thelightningbecametoomuchandwithonelastscreechshefellanddied.
Harryrolledoffherbodyandtensedincaseitwasaruse.However,afteraminuteherealizedshewastruly
deadandrelaxedonlytotenseatthesoundofmanyfeetwalking.Heturnedonlytoseeaveritablehordeof
weavers,morethana100.
'Oops.Ithinkthey'reangryIkilledmommy,'thoughtHarryfearfully.
Hebrandishedhisbladesandsettledintohisopeningstance,readytokillasmanyaspossiblewhenatremor
filledtheclearing.Thetremorscontinued,gettingstrongerandcloseruntilHarryrealizedwithdreadthatthey
weren'ttremors.Theywerefootsteps.Largefootsteps.Theweaversseemedtogetthemessagefasterand
quicklyranforit,leavingHarrytofacethenodoubtlargecreaturealone.
Harryquicklyidentifiedthecreatureasitbrokethroughtheundergrowth.Atfirst,Harrythoughtitwasarancor
duetoitslargesize(over5meters),largeteethandevenworsesmell.Thenhesawthespinesalongitsbackas
wellasitstusks.
'ATerentatek?!WasIDarthVaderinmykriffinglastlife?!Whyisitalwaysme!?!'thoughtHarryfrantically.
Harryreadiedhimself,knowingtherewasnoescape.OnceaterentatekfoundaForcesensitive,hewouldhunt
himuntiloneofthemdied.Thesoleexceptionbeingthosewhoareusedtoguardtombsandthelike.
'Iffacingthesethingsisapartofarcheology,Idon'tenvyKnightSitra,'thoughHarry.
TheterentateksniffedbeforefocusingonHarryandgrowlingdeeply.'Great,itdoesn'tlikeme.Whatasurprise,'
thoughtHarrysarcastically.WithabestialroaritchargedatHarry.
Lettinglooseaprimalroarinreturn,HarryimbuedbothbladeswithForcelightningandchargedatthegiant
terentatek.
WithAstraal
Astraalcouldn'thelpbutbeworriedaboutHarry.Hedidn'texactlyhaveagoodrecordofsafeandeasy
missions.Infact,onecouldarguethatsendinghimanywherewasakintothrowingoilonaburningtree.Astraal
triedtoconsoleherselfthatwhiledangerous,Harrycouldprobablydefeatanythingonthelowerlevelseasilyas
longashedidn'tgototheforestfloor.
'WhoamIkidding?'thoughtAstraaldesperately.'Withhisluck,he'llfindaSithLorddownthereandhavean
epicbattlewherehe'llnearlydie....again!'
JacenandJainahadnotbeenpleasedtoknowthatHarryhadenteredthedangerouslowerlevelsbutconsoled
themselveswhenshesaidhepromisednottogototheforestfloor.Despitethis,Astraalwassuspicious.Harry
hadpromisedtooeasilyanddidn'tmentionwherethefeelingwascomingfromexactly.Infact,heseemedto
purposefullyavoidthatpart.Hersuspicionsrising,AstraalwenttowardthewoodenelevatorthatshesawHarry
use.HehadbeenthelasttouseitsoitslastdestinationshouldbewhereitdroppedHarryoff.Shelookeditup
andstoodthereshocked.
AscreamofangergottheattentionofthetwinsandLowieaswellasFAITHwhoquicklyrantowardthesource
onlytofindAstraaltherefumingglaringatabrokenconsolethatlookedlikeitusedtobelongtoanelevator.
FAITHandJacenweretheonlyonesbraveenough(orstupidenough)toapproachAstraaldespitetheblackaura
ofangersurroundingher.FAITHwasthefirsttospeak.
Query:Didtheconsoleinsultyou?Happycomment:Ifitdid,Imustcongratulateyouonsolvingtheproblem
mostefficiently.
Astraal?What'swrong?askedJacententatively.
HequicklyregrettedaskingbecauseAstraalturnedtohimandJacensuddenlyrealizedwhatpreyfeltinthe
presenceofapredatorrightbeforedeath.AstraalgrabbedJacenbythecollarofhisshirtandpulledhimclose
untilhewasfacetofacewiththenormallybeautifulTwi'lek.Rightnow,however,Jacenwouldlaterswearshe
lookedlikearavenousrancorlookingatitsfirstmealinawhile.
I'lltellyouwhat'swrong!Thatidiotliedandwenttotheforestfloor!ALONE!Doeshehaveadeathwish?!
He'snotinvincible!
ShecontinuedtoscreamherangeratJacenwhileshakinghimlikearagdolltoFAITH'shappyencouragement.
LowieandJainadidthesensiblethingandtookastepback,leavingJacentohisfate.'Iloveyoubrotherbutlove
onlygoessofar,'thoughtJainaapologetically.
EventuallyJacenwassavedfromwhatpromisedtobeagruesomefateoratleasthurlinghislunchifshe
continuedtoshakehimbythesoundofanexplosion.ThefourJedilookedtowardtheexplosiontoseesmoke
risingfromoneofthelabsandwookiescongregatedthere.Lowiestoppedawookiepassingbytoaskwhatwas
happening.Thewookieexplainedthatsomeonewasraidingthelabswherecomputertechwasmadeand
exported.Hefurtherexplainedthattheraiderswerewieldinglightsabers.Redlightsabers.
ThanktheForce,saidarelievedJacen.ShadowAcademyishere.Imean...that'sverybad.Weshouldgo
help,soyoucanletgonowAstraal.
Astraalreluctantlyconceded.Where'sJaina?
Atthat,AstraalandJacenturnedtowhereJainawasstandingonlytoseeheralreadyhalfwaytowardthelab,
runningatfullspeedwithFAITHhappilyfollowingher.Infact,itlookedasifFAITHwasskippingtowardthe
battle.Probablyecstaticattheideaofabattlewithmeatbagshewasallowedtokill.AsforJaina,shehad
realizedthatredlightsabersmeantDarkJedi,whichmeantShadowAcademy,whichmeantZekk.Astraaland
JacenfollowedafterherwithLowietakingtherear.
Theyfinallycaughtuptoherintimetoseewhatlookedlike20DarkJediattackingthewookieswhilemany
morewerecarryingawayboxesofwhatwasprobablycomputertech.Directingthemwasafamiliarfigure:
Zekk.Hewasdressedinblackarmorthatmadehimlookintimidatingandlookedlikeacheapimitationof
Vader'sarmorwithspikesontheshoulders.
Zekkturnedasifsensingthemandsawthemstandingthere.Hegaveahandsignalandsuddenly,previously
unnoticedblackrobedfiguresattackedthem.Astraalquicklyignitedherbladesandputtheminthedouble
bladedform.
I'llhandletheseidiots,yougogetZekkback!announcedAstraalconfidently.
Jainawastorn.Zekkwasrightthereandsheknewthatifshecouldjusttalktohim,shecouldconvincehimto
return.Atthesametime,shecouldn'tbringherselftoabandononeofherbestfriendsespeciallyagainstDark
Jedithatlookedtobealevelhigherthantherest.
SeeingJaina'shesitation,Astraalbarkedather.Go,girl!GetyourfriendbackorI'llthrowyoutowardhim
myself!
JainareluctantlynoddedandrantowardZekkwithJacenfollowing.Lowierantohelphisbrethrenwiththe
normalDarkJedi,leavingAstraalwiththeelites.FAITHjusttookouttwocarbines(oneineachhand)and
stalkedtowardwheremostoftheDarkJediwere,killingthemashewent.
Astraalgaveherenemiesawickedsmile.Ihopeyou'renotyoureverydaygruntsbecauseifyouare,youwon't
lastlongandIneedyoualivesoIcanfindmybrother.
Withthat,theShadowGuardattacked.
WithHarryintheShadowlands
ThingswerenotgoingwellforHarry.Notwellatall.
HehadquicklydiscoveredthatterentatekhidewasinfactasimmunetoForceattacksastheysaid.Thismeant
hehadtorelyonhissaberskillsandwhilehewasconfidentinhissaberskills,hewasn'tsosureofthemagainst
a6metertallJedikillingmachine.Afterall,hecanlandalotofslashes,butaslashislikeabeestingtothat
giantthing.AndsinceHarry'sstylerevolvedaroundpreciouscutsandjabsratherthanstrongslashes...yeah,
yougetwhereI'mgoingwiththis.
'Thisisbullshit!They'resupposedtobeanaverageof3andahalfmeters!'yelledHarryinternally.'Aren'tI
luckytoattractallthemutantsinthegalaxy?Ishouldstartaconvention?!'
Thefightwasn'tgoingasHarryhadimagined.Thiscreaturewasn'tstupid,itwascunningandwasslowly
boxingHarryinsohecouldn'tcontinuetojumparound.Harryhadmanagedtolandafewslashesbutitseemed
asifitbarelyfeltit.TheonlyonetheterentatekhadfelthadbeenwhenHarryhadmanagedtocutoffoneofits
tusks.Eventhen,itlookedangrieratlosingatuskthanbecauseofthepain.Meanwhile,Harryhadbeencut
alonghisthighduringonedodgehewasn'tfastenoughtoescapeunscathedandwassweatingheavily.Hehad
beenchannelingtheForcethroughouttheentirefightandwasrunningoutoffuel.
Currently,Harrywasdashingaroundittryingtoavoiditsslasheswithitsclaws.Normally,Harrywouldhavelet
loosewithForcelightningbutithadbarelyaffecteditthefirsttimehehadtriedit.Itshideprotecteditfromall
ForcebasedattackssoHarrywasleftwithonlyhisblades.Theterentatekletlooseanotherslashandthistime
Harrymadehimpayforit.Harrybarelydodgedtheslashandquicklycutitshandatthewrist.Notdeepenough
tocutitoffcompletelybutenoughtocuttheligamentsandmakeituseless.
Sureenough,thehandseemedtogolimpandtheterentatekroaredinpain.Withaplanofattackinplace,Harry
charged.Heavoideditsslashwithitsremainingclawandoncehewasinsidetheterentatek'sguard,heletloose
withhisLightningstyle.Helandedmorethan20slasheswithin3seconds,cuttingligaments,muscleand
anythingcloseenoughthatseemedimportant.WhentheterentatektriedtobiteHarry,thefinalpartofHarry's
plancameintoplace.Harrywaitedandstabbedtheterentatekthroughtheroofitsmouth.Ittriedtoroarinpain
butHarry,nowthathewasthroughthebeast'shidechanneledForcelightningthroughthebladebeforeitcould
bitedownandcookeditfromtheinsideout.
ThebeastsroaredandHarrywasforcedtoletgoofthehiltandjumpbacktoavoiditsfranticslashes.
EventuallythebeastwentdowntoitskneesandHarry,seeinghisopening,dashedforwardandimplantedhis
remainingbladeintoitsskull.Thebeastshudderedandfelldowndead.
HarrystayedonguardincaseofitstillbeingalivebutreachingoutwiththeForce,herealizedittrulywasdead.
Heletoutasighofreliefandcollapsedonhishaunchespantingheavily.
'HowdidRevankill2ofthosethingsatonce?!Ibarelymanagedtokillone!'thoughtHarryinamazement.He
finallyhadanideaofthegulfbetweenhimandtheJediofold.'Ineedtodoublemytrainingregiments.'
Harryretrievedhislightsabersandsatdowncrossleggedontheforestfloorafewfeetfromtheterentatek's
corpse.HetookdeepbreathsandstartedtousetheForcetohealhiswoundsandrecoverhisstrength.Thefight
hadpushedhimtohislimits,forcinghimtouseeverytrickinhisbooktostayaliveandintheendhehadtouse
adangerousmaneuverthatcouldhavebeenturnedagainsthiminordertowin.Hemadeamentalnotethat
creatureswithForceresistanthidescanbebreachedbypiercingthehidefirstandattackingthemfrominside.
MuchlikeJedithatconcentrateonlyonSoresu,onceyoubreachtheirdefensetheybecomeeasypickings.
Havingrecoveredmostofhisstrengthagain,Harryonceagainsetouttowardthelocationofthefeeling.
Unknowntohim,hewasbeingwatchedandfollowedbyapairofsteelbrowneyeswhichwereequalparts
curiousandamazed.
'Whoisthisboythatcankillaterentatekandstillcontinueon?'thoughtanintriguedNott.'Moreimportantly,
howcanhesensethebladewhenonlymypeopleshouldbeabletoandI'mthelast?Couldhebeanotherone?'
Nottshookhisheadatthethought.'Nomatter,he'saJediandallJediaretheenemyandmustdieforLord
Brakiss.'
Withthatthoughtinmind,NottfollowedafterHarry,lettingthelatterclearthepathofobstaclesforhim.
BackwithAstraal
AstraalthankedtheForceforallthosetrainingsessionswithFAITHaswellthefreeforallswithherfriends.
Theyweretheonlyreasonshewasstillalive.
'Theseguysaregood'thoughtAstraalasshedodgedanotherslash.'Reallygood.'
UnliketheregularDarkJediwhoseemedtorelyontheirangerandtheforceandtreatedtheirlightsabermore
likeaclubthanablade,theseguyswereskilled.AlmostasskilledAstraalherselfbutnotquiteasgoodor
experienced.
Atfirst,shehadbeenalmostoverwhelmedbytheirskillaswellasthewaytheyseamlesslyattackedtogether,
leavingalmostnoopeningforhertoexploit.ButAstraalusedherdoublebladedlightsaberwellanddefended
againstalltheirattackswhileslowlyfiguringouttheirattackpattern.
'Let'ssee,ifI'mrightuglyguyontherightwillattackwithahighslash,'sureenoughthementionedenemy
attackedherwithahighslash,'thentheonebehindmewilltrytoattackwithalowsweep.'Astraaljumpedover
thesweep,'withtheotherstryingtostabmealltogetherlikeI'mawelldonesteak.'
Astraalplacedafootonthefirstenemy'sshoulderandusedittojumphigher,avoidingbeingskewered.Shehad
figuredouttheirattackpatternandnowitwastimetogoontheattack.Shedashedtowardthefirstenemywho
blockedherfirstslashbutAstraalusedthemomentumtoturnandstabtheenemycomingoutbehindher
throughhisrightshoulder,disablinghim.Shethenenteredaseriesofspinsandbackflipswhilespinningher
bladearound,cuttingmanyofthemintheshoulderorknee,takingthemoutofthefightduetotheirlackof
experiencefacingdoublebladedlightsabers.
ThisbecametheirundoingbecauseAstraalwasanexpertandquicklycutthroughalltheirligamentsrendering
themuselessonthefloor.
Now,saidAstraaldangerously,whereismybrotherShado?
Behindyou,dearsister,saidavoicefrombehind.
Trustinghersenses,Astraalfellintoaforwardrolljustbarelymissingaslashthatwouldhavecutherheadfrom
hershoulders.Shequicklygotoutoftherollandfacedherattacker.
ItwasShado.
Hewasdressedintheblackuniformwithrobesmuchlikeherattackersbuthadlineonhisleftshoulderthat
signaledhishigherrank.Shadowasgivingheracoldglareandwaswieldingasingleredlightsaber.Hehadno
extraweaponliketheothersbutseemedtoneednone.
Well,itlookslikeyou'regoodforsomethingotherthanthebedroom,heignoredherflinchandhurtlookathis
statement,butlet'sseehowgoodyouareagainstme.
Withthat,hedashedtowardAstraalwithabrutalhighslashthatAstraaldeflectedtotheside.Shetook
advantageofhimshowingherhissideandkickedhimintheface.Shadospunwiththekickandusedthe
momentumtoslashatherfromherother,unprotected,side.Astraalwasforcedtoblockitandduetothe
awkwardpositionitputherbodyin,shewaspushedbackbytheforceoftheblow.Realizingthatherbrother
wasmoreskilledthantherest,AstraalenteredherSoresuformthinkingshecouldoutlasthimandmakehimsee
sense.
Adoublebladedlightsaber?Shadosneeredather.Well,whatcanIexpect?Womenlikeyoualwaysenjoya
goodstick.Themore,themerrier.
Astraalclenchedherjawatherbrother'sinsultsandtriedtoreasonwithhim.Shado...pleasestopthis.You're
mybrotherandIloveyou.Iwouldneverhaveabandonedyou,youshouldknowthat!
Liar!Thenwherewereyou?!Iwasslavinginthosemineseverydaywhileyoulivedalifeofluxurywith
mother,hesaidmotherasifitwastheultimatecurse,Itriedtoconsolemyselfthatyouwereunhappyaswell
beingforcedtodanceandperformforthosemenbutitseemsasifyoulearnedtolikeit!
That'snottrue!yelledAstraalangrily.Ihatedit!Iwouldhavegladlyslavedinthosemineswithyoua
thousandtimesoverthandanceforthosemonsters.TheonlyreasonIdiditwasbecausetheysaidtheywould
killyouifIdidn't.
Shadolookedconflictedatthatpieceofinformationbutquicklyshookhishead.Itdoesn'tmatter!Youstillleft
methemomenttheopportunityarose!
Becausetheytoldmeyouweredead!defendedAstraal.IfIhadknown,ifIhadhadtheslightestidea...
Shadolookeduncertainbutquicklyrecoveredhissneer.Thenproveit!Fightanddefeatmeandproveyour
feelingsaretrue!
Withthat,thetwosiblingsclashedinashowerofsparks.
WithHarryintheShadowlands
Harryhadbeentrekkingthroughforestfloorforawhileandwascominguponthesourceofthefeeling.
However,hewasalsogettingafeelingofbeingwatched.Atfirsthehadthoughtitwasremainderoftheweaver
nestfrombeforebutwhenhewasn'timmediatelyattacked,hestartedsuspectingsomethingelsewasafoot.
Despitethis,hecontinuedon,knowingwhateveritwaswouldrevealitselfsoonerorlater.
Heeventuallyfoundacavethatwas,ofcourse,completelydarkandimpossibletoseeintowithouthisownlight
source.Sighing,Harryactivatedhisblades.Itwouldallowhimtohavelightaswellasbereadyforwhatever
waswaitingforhim.Hecautiouslyentered,hissensesatmaximumlookingforanysignofdanger.
'Atleastwhateverisfollowingmewillbeinthesamestraitsasme,'thoughtHarryoptimistically.
Harrycontinueddownthecavepath,hislightsaberlightingupthecavewalls.Ashepassed,hesawstrange
characterswrittenonthewall.TheylookedlikerunessimilartotheonesonmillenniaoldJeditemplesbutatthe
sametimedifferent.TheyseemedtoglowintheForcewiththeirowninnerlight,whisperingsecretsoftimes
longpassedandforgotten.Harrywasdrawntooneparticularruneintheshapeofalightningbolt.Itseemedto
calltohimandheslowlytouchedit.
Themomenthedid,itglowedbrightlywhichinturncausedtherunesaroundittoglowcausingacascade
reactionuntiltheentirecavewaslitup.Whennothingelsehappened,Harrydeactivatedhislightsabersand
continueddownthepath.Ashewalked,hewouldlaterswearthathesawtherunesmovefromthecornerofhis
eye.However,everytimeheturnedandlookedatthem,theywouldbestationaryalmostasiftheyalwayswere.
Whenheturnedbackdownthepath,hewouldonceagainseethemmovefromthecornerofhiseye.Theentire
experiencewasunnerving.
Eventually,Harryreachedalargechamberwithasmallpuddleofwaterinthemiddleandarockinthemiddle
ofthepuddle.Stabbeduptothehiltintotherockwasakatana.Evenfromwherehestood,Harrycouldseeit
wouldbebeautiful,withitsgemencrustedhiltandgoldmetal.Harrysensethatthiswasthesourceofthe
sensationandindeed,itseemedtopulseasHarryapproached.Hehadreachedtherockwhereitwasstabbed
whenacoldvoicespoke.
That'sfarenough.
Harryturnedwithhislightsabersignitedtoseeaboyhisagestandingattheentrancetothechamber.Hewas
blackhairedbutofalightershadethanHarry'sown.Hehadbrowneyesthatwerecurrentlyhardand
unforgiving.Hewasdressedinanallblackuniformthatlookedlikeitwasarmoredinplaceswhilenottaking
awayfromitsflexibility.Healsohadapairofblackcombatbootsthatlookedliketheyhadseenbetterdays.He
hadalightsaberhiltonhisrighthipandaoldandwornkatanaonhisleft.However,itwastheinsigniaonthe
leftbreastthatgotHarry'sattention.ThesymboloftheEmpire.
IclaimthisplaceinthenameofthesecondImperium.declaredtheboypompously.LeaveandImightlet
youlive.
Harryjustglared.Ifoundthisplacefirstplusit'sinaNewRepublicworld,youpompousdick.Therefore,
you'rethetrespasser.
Atthis,theboyturnedredinanger.Thisisthepropertyofmypeople!Therefore,itisMINE!
Harryglaredharder.It'saplaceofmypeopleaswellsoyouhavenomoreclaimthanIdo.Furthermore,Igot
herefirst.Whoareyouanyway?
TheboyhadseemedshockedwhenHarrybasicallysaidtheywereofthesamepeoplebutdrewhimselfup
arrogantlywhenaskedtointroducehimself.IamTheodoreNott,ShadowKingandleaderoftheShadow
GuardsoftheShadowAcademy.
Harryjustcockedaneyebrow.Well,I'mHarryPotter.Yousureloveyourshadows,don'tyou?Thoughwitha
facelikeyours,Iunderstandtheneedtohideit.
Nott'sfacereddenedfurtherattheinsultashedrewandignitedhiscrimsonlightsaberinhislefthandwhile
drawingthekatanaintohisright.Let'sseehowprettyyouarewhenIcuttheheadfromyourshoulders!
Harryignitedhisbladesaswellbutbeforetheycouldfight,anominoushissstoppedthem.
'PleaseForce,havemercyonmypoorsoulandletthathavebeenthewind,'thoughtHarryfrantically.
Helookedupjusttoseehisprayersweregoingtobeunanswered.
AbovethemwasagiantAnakkona,staringatthembothwithhungryyelloweyesandgreenscalesthatlooked
ashardasdiamondwhilecurlingaroundahalfbrokenpillarhangingfromtheceiling.Thesnakelandedonthe
floorwithacrashandextendedtoitsfullandimpressiveheightof8meterslong.Itstaredatthemhungrilyasif
wonderingwhichonewasgoingtodiefirst.
'Forceme!'thoughtHarryfranticallywhenthesnakeseemedtodecidehewasthebettermealandattacked.
Harrydodgeditsfirstlungeandslashedatitasitpassedonlytolandalightburnonitsscales.'Great,it's
lightsaberresistantaswell!'thoughtHarrysarcastically.'Becauseofcourseitcan'tbeanormalAnakkona,it
hastobespecial!'
AsHarryfranticallydodgedthesnake'sattacks,Nottrantowardthebladeandtriedtopullitoutonlyforitnot
tobudge.Hepulledwithallhisstrengthonlytogetnoresults.
'Maybeyouneedtokillthesnaketopullitout,'thoughtNottpensively.HesawHarrybarelydodgeanother
attackandmadeadecision.'Well,IknowwhereI'mnotwanted.I'lllettheidiothurtthesnakeandthencome
backlaterwhenit'sweak.'
Withthat,NottranbackintothecavesystemtowaitatthecaveentranceforeitherHarrytoappearwiththe
bladeoruntilhewasdeadsoNottcouldfinishoffthesnake.
HarrysawNottrunforitandcursed.'Yea,let'sleaveHarrytodealwiththegiantsnake.FuckingDarkJedi
bastards!'thoughtHarryangrily.
Harrycontinuedtododgeforawhilebutquicklyrealizedhewasgettingnowhere.'Sobladeskillisoutdueto
itshide...it'slikeanantiterentarek!'Thethoughtbroughthimupshort.'Waitasec...itis!ThatmeansForce
powersshouldwork!'
Harrydodgedhimagainandslowlydrewtheanakkonatowardtheshallowpoolofwaternearthekatana.The
anakkonaattackedagainandwhenitmissed,itlandedonthepoolofwater.'Now!'thoughtHarryfrantically.He
letlooseapowerfulstreamofForcelightningatthesnake.Coupledwiththeconductivityofthewaterthathad
gottenonitsscalesandinitsmouth,itwasfriedwithinseconds.Theanakkonafelldowndead,itsbodycurling
aroundtherockwiththekatanaasiftryingtoprotectitwithitsdeadbody.
Oncesureitwasdead,Harrywalkeduptothekatanainthestone.
'Yea,causethisisn'tsuspiciousatall.Peoplestabkatanaintostonesallthetime.'thoughtHarrysarcastically.
HarryhadseenNotttrytodrawitouttonoavailandwhenHarrytriedhereceivedthesameresult.'Ofcourse,
howwouldkillingtheguardiancauseittocomeoutanyway?It'snotlikeit'ssentient.'Sighing,Harrylookedat
theplacewherekatanaandstonemetmoreclosely.Itwasreallystuckinthere.Infact,italmostseemedasif.....
Harryeyeswidenedatthethought.'Whatifit'snotakatanastuckinastone?Whatifit'sapartofthestoneand
theysimplydecoratedittolooklikeakatana?'Harryscratchedthehiltwhereitwasagoldencolorandwas
rewardedbythesoundmetalmakeswhenitsscratchedandabitofgoldpaintpeelingofametalsurface.'Metal?
Butifitspartofthestone...'
Continuinghisthoughtspatterns,Harrytappedthestonelightlyonlytoreceiveaslighthollowsound,asiffrom
ametalbox.
'Thosesneakysonsof....Thisisacontainerforsomething!'thoughtHarryexcitedly.ThenHarrycalmeddown
ashethought,'ButhowdoIopenit?'
Duringthefightwiththeanakkoda,Harryhadbeenslightlycutonhisforeheadfromflyingshardsofstone
whiledodgingthesnake.Thatbloodaccumulatedandfellonthehiltasheleanedoverit.Assoonastheblood
touchedthehilt,itseemedtobeabsorbedbyit.Assoonasthelastoftheblooddisappeared,thehiltaswellas
thestonestartedtoglowfromwithin.Amysterioussetofrunesappearedalloverthehiltandstoneuntilonly
thehiltglowed.
Suddenly,thehiltopenedatthebaseandasmallsphereofwhitelightfloatedoutofit.Curious,Harrycouldn't
stophimselffromtouchingthesphere.Withasensationofbeingyankedaroundthenavelandarushoflightand
wind,Harrywasdrawnintothesphere.
Momentsphere
Harryunceremoniouslylandedonagrassyhillonhisbutt.Hegroanedatthepainofthelandingandlooked
around.Heseemedtobeinanendlessgrasslandasfarastheeyescouldsee.Helookedupandsawtwomoons
inthesky,althoughoneseemed....strangeforsomereason.Asifitwasn'tnatural.
Iseesomeonefoundthefirstclueatlast,saidanamusedvoicefrombehindhim.Harryturnedonlytogapeat
themanstandingbehindhim.
ThemanlookedlikeanolderversionofHarryonlywithgreeneyesashadedarkerthanhisown,asmallblack
beardandwearingsilverrobes.HelookedatHarryinamusementwhilethelattertriedtoregainhisscattered
dignitywithoutsuccess.
Whoareyou?WhereamI?askedHarryashelookedaround.
Inorder,IamEmrysMyrrdin,yourancestorIpresume.Andyouareinamomentsphere.SeeingHarryabout
toask,Emrysraisedhishandtostophisquestion.Itis,inlayman'sterms,asinglemomenttrappedand
wrappedintheForceandpreservedwithinspecializedvesselslikethehiltyoufound.Thecontainersonlyreact
tothebloodofsomeonedirectlyrelatedtotheoriginalcasterofthespellsonoothercangettothem.Whatis
yourname?
I'mHarryPotter,sir.Harrycouldn'thelpbutberespectfultowardthisman.Harrycouldsensethatthisman
seemedtoradiatewisdom.Butwhatdoesamomentspheredo?askedHarryrespectfully.
Well,itbasicallycopiestheconsciousnessoftheindividualatthatprecisemomentinordertopassalonga
messagetothefuture.Iknew,hereEmryssighedsadly,Iknewthattherewouldbeatimewheremypeople
maybedestroyedandscattered.Ineededtohelpfuturegenerationsfindthewaydowntherightpathtoour
homeplanet.
Harry'sbreathcaught.Hispeoplehaveahomeplanet?Anditsurvives?Harry'svoicetrembledasheasked.
Areyousureit'sevenstillinexistence?Despitehimself,hecouldn'tstopthehopefultoneattheidea.
Couldn'tithavebeendestroyed?
Ohno,Emryssmiledslightlyasheshookhishead,ourplanetcan'tbedestroyedthateasily.It'smorethan
youreverydayplanet.It'sacarrierofourdreamsandknowledge.You'llseewhenyougetthere.Nowforthe
firstclue.Rememberitwell.
Harrynoddedandpreparedtoreceivethefirstclue.
Toseeaworldinagrainofsand,
Andheaveninawildflower,
HoldInfinityinthepalmofyourhand,
AndEternityinanhour.
Harrymulledovertheshortpoemanditspossiblemeanings.Hedidn'tmissthecapitalizationin'Infinity'and
'Eternity'.TheyseemedlikenamesforobjectsorstatesofbeingliketheJedisometimesdo.
Whatdoesitmean?askedHarrycautiously.
Emrysjustsmiled.ItmeansyouneedtofindInfinityanditwillgiveyouthenextclue.Tohelpyou,Ihave
removedablockonyourpowers.Emrys'svoiceturnedstern.Becarefulofarrogance.Itwaswhatledagood
friendofminedownthewrongpath.Donotletitovertakeyou.Intheend,wearebutmen.Justverystrong
men.
Harryfrowned.Iunderstand.ButInfinityandEternitycouldbeanywhereandIdon'tevenknowwhatitlooks
like.
You'llknowwhenyouseeit.Asforwhereitis...notruedescendantofminewouldhaveabandoneditonthe
ourplanet.Hewouldhaveknownitsimportance.Retraceyourfather'sstepsandyou'llfindit.You'realreadyon
therightpath.
TheworldstartedshimmeringanddisappearingandHarrypanicked.Wait!Ihavesomanyquestions!Don't
go!
Yourquestionsshallbeansweredwhenyoucomehomeagain.Remember,ourpeoplearemorethanbloodand
sharedculture.Weareanideaturnedintoabeliefturnedflesh.Youwillunderstandintheend.
TheworldwasalmostoutoffocusandHarrywasgettingdizzyjustlookingatit.Emryssaidonelastthing.
Remember,Harry.Intheend,loveshallsaveusall.
Withthat,theworldturnedwhite.
Momentsphereend
Harrylandedbackinthecavernwithathud.Hegroanedashegotbackonhisfeetintimetoseethesphereof
lightslowlydisappearalongwiththefeelingHarryhadbeenfeelingsincehelandedonKashyyk.
Harrybrushedhimselfoffandnoticedsomethingelse.Hefeltfine.Infact,hefeltbetterthanfine.Asifsome
blockonhisabilityhadbeenremoved.Harrytookdeepbreathstryingtosuppresstherisingarroganceof
thinkingthathewasstrongerthananyone.HisruninwiththeterentarekandEmry'swordsstillechoedinhis
memory.Hewasfarfromthestrongest.
'Intheend,wearebutmen.Justverystrongmen.'
Emryswasright.Nomatterhowstrong,nomanshouldeverstrivetobeagod.Itcanonlyleadtodeathand
destruction.Wearebutmortalsandwemakemistakesjustlikeanymortaldoes.Tobelievedifferentisthe
heightoffoolishness.
'Idon'thaveanameandIdon'twishforaname.ButifyouwishyoumaycallmeMarrish.'
Harrycouldn'thelpbutthinkthatMarrishthoughthimselfagod.Harryrememberedhisarroganceandseeming
beliefofinvincibility.Thenherememberedcuttinghim.Byallrightsheshouldn'thavebeenabletolandahit
onhimbuthehad.BecausehewantedtodefendAstraal.
'Remember,Harry.Intheend,loveshallsaveusall.'
Love.Hisloveforherhadgivenhimthestrengthtofightandwin.Harrycouldn'thelpbutfeelashamedof
himself.DespitepassinghisTrialofSpirit,hehadforgottenthemostimportantlesson.
Arrogance.
ItwasAnakinSkywalker'sgreatestfailinganditwasHarry's.Hehadgonefromanunwantedorphanboytothe
adoptedsonoftwoofthegreatestJediMastersintheOrderandithadgonetohishead.Inthebeginning,hehad
beenhumblebutastimepassedhehadgrownarrogantinhisability.
'WhatafoolI'vebeen.'thoughtHarrysadly.
Harrysighedandshookhishead.Hecouldthinkaboutthislater.Rightnowhecouldsensethatsomethingwas
wrong.Astraalwasintrouble,hecouldsenseit.HecommedFAITHandwhenheansweredHarrycouldsee
himshootingatsomeonewithablastercarbineandthesoundsofexplosionsandblasterfireinthebackground
alongwiththeunmistakablesoundoflightsaberclashes.
FAITH!What'shappening?Iseveryonealright?askedHarryworriedly.
Excitedstatement:Oh,Master!Weareinagloriousbattlefilledwithdeathanddestruction!I'mkillingso
manyofthesemeatbagsthatmycircuitsareabuzzinjoy!
That'snice,FAITH.Harryhadtogrithisteethtostopfromscreamingathim.Wherewerehisfriends?Where
wasAstraal?Iseveryonealright?Where'sAstraal?
FAITHseemedtolookaroundbeforeanswering.Statement:Thetwinmeatbagsareretreatingfromtheenemy
leadermeatbagwhoisalsoretreating.Thewalkingcarpetmeatbagishelpingmoreofhiskind.Asforyour
mate...Cautiousstatement:Sheseemstobe...introuble.
WELL,WHATAREYOUWAITINGFOR?!screamedHarryangrily.Gohelpher!
Scaredstatement:Rightaway,master!Comment:Bytheway,youwereextremelyterrifyingjustnow.You
mustrepeatthatagain.
Sighing,Harrypalmedhisface.JustgohelpAstraalandifsomethinghappenstoher...I'llneverletyoukilla
meatbageveragain.
Statement:No!Notthat!Iwillprotecthermaster!
Withthat,thelinewascut.Harrysighedexasperatedlyandmadeamentalnottosternly(threateningly)remind
himthathisprimaryobjectiveisalwaystheprotectionofhisfriends.Heranoutofthecavetoseeifhecould
arriveintimetohelpthem.ItwasluckythatHarryhadhissensesonfullalertbecauseifnothewouldhave
beendecapitatedbyNott'sredlightsaber.Asitwas,Harryjustmanagedtoignitehisvioletlightsabertoblockit
intime.
Notbad,Potter,sneeredanangryNott.Ican'tbelieveyouactuallybeatthatanakkona.Butyourluck'srun
outbecauseyoufacemenowandyou'lleithergivethebladeordienow.
Harrykickedhiminthechest,separatingthemenoughforHarrytoentertheMakashiopeningstance.They
werestandingintheclearinginfrontofthemouthofthecave,circlingeachotherslowly.Nottwasinwhat
seemedlikethebasicShienopeningstance,glaringatHarryhatefully.
I'msorrytodisappointyou,mockedHarry,butthebladeisn'twithme.It'sstillinthecavesogoaheadand
getit.Harrymadeaclickingsoundthatonewouldusuallyusetocalladog.
Nott'sfacewentredwithrageathismockeryandheglaredheavilyatHarry.Don'tlietome.Ican'tsenseit
anymorewhichmeansit'seitherdestroyedoryouhaveithidden.Eitherwayyouhavetodie.
HereHarrywasgenuinelyconfused.Why?Iknowwe'reenemiesbutitseems...personalforyouforsome
reason.
Nottgrittedhisteeth.It'sbecauseI'mthelastsonofthescoiteasarlaioflegend.Notsomenobodywhodoesn't
evenknowhisownheritagelikeyou.It'sprophesiedthatIwillcauseourpeopletoberebornasthelastsonof
thescoiteasarlaiandIwon'tletsomenobodystealthatawayfromme!
WiththatNottattacked.
WithAstraal
Astraalwasquicklytiring.Whilebothherandherbrotherwereevenlymatchedinability,Astraalwashesitant
tolaunchblowsthatcouldbelethal.Shadodidn'thavethatproblem.
Astraal'sbodywaslitteredwithcutsandburnsfromclosecallsthatshebarelyevaded.Shewasgettingtiredand
Shadowouldn'tlistentoher!
Shado,stop!Idon'twanttohurtyou,brother!criedAstraaldesperately.
Well.That'stoobadisn'tit?saidShadoangrily.BecauseIwanttohurtyou!
Withthat,ShadoenteredastrongcombinationofDjemSoattacksthatAstraalwasbarelyabletoclockwith
doublebladedlightsaber.Usually,Astraalwouldeasilydeflectthemtothesideandlaunchherownattackbut
shewashesitating.Thiswasherbrother!Shecouldn'thurthim.
Herhesitationprovedtobeherundoing.Herbrotherquicklytookadvantageandknockedherlightsaberoutof
herhandwithapowerfulblow.Stunnedbytheattack,Astraalcouldn'tdoanythingashegaveasavageblowto
herface,makingherdroptoherkneesinpain.
Shelookeduptoseeherbrotherwithhisbladereadytodeliverthefinishingblow.Areyougoingtokillme
brother?Yourownsister?
Shadohesitatedforasecondbutquicklygotangrier.It'sbecauseyouwon'tevenfightmeproperly!Youcall
yourselfaJedi?Yousaythelightisthebetterway?Howcanitwhenyou'restilltheweak,patheticwhorewho
can'tevenfightherbrotherproperly?!
Astraalsawinslowmotionasherbrother'sbladefell,knowingshewasgoingtodiebyherownbrother'shand.
Allshecouldthinkofwasthatthiswouldn'thavehappenedifshejustfoughtproperlyandthatHarrywould
probablykillShadoinvengeance.Bothofthemwoulddiebecauseshewastooemotionaltofighthimproperly.
'I'msorry,'thoughtAstraalwithatearinhereye.
Justasherbrother'sbladewouldhavecutherinhalf,hepulledituptoblockablasterboltaimedathishead.He
wasforcedbackbyaliteralbarrageofblasterboltscomingfromAstraal'sright.SheturnedtoseeFAITHwitha
blastercarbineshootingatShadoindiscriminately,obviouslyaimingtokill.Hestoppedandreloadedbefore
speaking.
Statement:WhileIdon'tcareforthebigchestedmeatbag,sheisthemaster'smateandhegavestrictordersto
defendherfromallenemies.Query:Sohowwouldyouliketodie,meatbag?Bladeorblasterbolt?
ShadosneeredandseeingthathewasaloneandtheotherDarkJedihadpulledback,heturnedtowardAstraal
withasneer.
Yougotluckythistime,dearsister.Withoutthatdroid,you'rejustlikemother.Aworthlessandtraitorous
whore!Whydoyouevenhavealightsaberifyouwon'tevenuseitproperly?
Withthatlastpartingcomment,ShadoranfromFAITHasthelatterresumedfiringonhim.Shadoreachedthe
edgeoftheplatformandjumped.Astraalrantotheedge,afraidhehadfallentohisdeathonlytoseehimhaving
landedonashuttleandflyingaway.
Astraalbrokedowncrying.ThestressofthefightplusShado'shurtfulbuttruecommentstakingtheirtollatlast.
'He'sright,'thoughtAstraal,castigatingherself.'HowcanIbeproudofmyselfwhenIbreakdownlikeapathetic
littlegirljustbecauseI'mfightingmybrother?Nexttime,I'llfighthimseriouslyandmakehimseethetruth.
EvenifIhavetobreakeveryboneinhisbody!'
Query:Areyouokayfemalemeatbag?Havethosegiantmeatballsonyourcheststartedsuffocatingyou?
Nervouscomment:Iftheyhave,canyoulivelongenoughtoexplaintothemasterthatitwasnotmyfault?
AstraallaughedslightlyatFAITH'sabsurdcomment.Leaveittohimtofindawaytoinsultherwhileasking
afterherhealth.ShecleanedthetearsfromherfacebeforeturningtoFAITHsmilingslightly.
No,FAITH.I'mfine.TellHarryI'mfineandtogetbackhereassoonaspossible.
Statement:I'msurethemasterisfine,bigchestedmeatbag.HecalledmejustnowtodemandIdefendyou.He
shouldbeonhisway.
AstraalwasgladHarrywasfinebutcouldn'thelpbutinternallysweatdropatFAITH'snicknameforher.'They're
notthatbig,right?'Astraalcouldn'thelpbutstealglancesatherchest,tryingtoassureherselfthattheywerenot
toobigforhersixteenyearsofage.Ccupiscompletelynormal....right?
BackwithHarry
HarryandNottweretradingblowsatincrediblespeedsinthemiddleoftheclearing.Nottwasusingavariation
ofDjemSowhileHarrywasrelyingonMakashi.UsuallyaDjemSopractitionerwouldhavetheupperhand
duetohissuperiorstrengthovercomingaMakashipractitioner'sdefense.However,Harryhadlearnedto
compensate.
WhileHarryhadbeenusingVaapadandhisownLightningstylemoreoften,hehadn'tforgottenhisfavored
Makashiform.Hehadtrainedwithitextensivelytotrytofindawaytoovercomethatweakness.Hehad
workedeverydaytogethisstrengthupsohecouldwithstandstrongblows.However,itwaswhenhestudied
FormVthathefoundhowtoovercomeit.
FormVisaformthatencouragesaggressionandpowerinordertooverwhelmanopponent.Thiswasoneofthe
reasonsHarrydidn'tuseit.Hepreferredlandingoneortwovitalblowstolaunchingastringofpowerfulblows
thatwillwearhimoutlongbeforehebreaksanopponent'sdefense,especiallyiftheyspecializeindefense.It
alsohasadistinctlackofmobilityduetotheuserhavingtouseallhisenergyintobreakingtheopponent's
defenseratherthanfootwork.ThiswastheweaknessthatHarryexploited.
NottsentapowerfuldownwardslashbutHarrysimplymovedtothesideandcuthisrightarmlightlyashe
passed.Nottletoutaroarofrageandstartedattackingquicklyandwithstrongerattacks.Harryjustcontinuedto
evadethemwithprecisefootworkratherthantrytoblockthemandusedhisemptylefthandasapivotformore
complexevasions.Eachtimeheevaded,Harrylandedalightcutorburnonseeminglyunimportantlocations.
However,asthefightcontinuedinthisvainNottrealizedHarry'sobjective.
Notthadbeenwastingalotofenergyinhisattacksaswellascontinuingwhileignoringhisinjuries.However,
theinjurieswereaddingupandNottcouldnolongerignoreitaswellasbeforewithhisquicklyfailingstrength.
Harry,ontheotherhand,seemedtohavewastednoneofhisownstrengthandwassimplystandingtherestaring
athim.
Isitmyturn?askedHarryasifsimplyaskingaquestionfromateacher.Thenletmeshowyoureal
bladework.
HarrythendemonstratedeverybitofhismasteryofMakashiinaseriesofprecisejabsandcutsthatNottwas
tootiredtoblockefficiently.EventuallyNottwaspushedbackuntilheclumsilytrippedoverarockofallthings
andfellonhisbehindwithhislightsaberoutofreach.
HarryjuststaredathimwithhisvioletbladeaninchfromNott'schin.You'redefeated.NowI'mgoingtotake
youtotheauthoritiesandyou'regoingtotellmeeverythingyouknow.
Justthen,Harry'scommsignaledanincomingcall.NottusedthisslightdistractiontosendaForcepushat
Harry.Harrywaspushedbackafewfeetbutmanagedtostayonhisfeet.Nottquicklygrabbedhisbladeandran
forit,beingtooinjuredtocontinuetofight.
'Thisisn'tover,Potter,'thoughtavengefulNott.'Nexttimewemeetonlyonewillsurvive.'
Harryquicklyrealizedthatchasingafterhimwasuseless,nottomentiondangerousinthisterritory,and
answeredthecall.ItwasfromFAITH.
Statement:Hello,master.Everyoneissafeandsoundsononeedtodenymemymeatbagkillings.
Harryrolledhiseyesathisdroid'spriorities,hereallyneededtogetthatfixed.That'sgoodFAITH.IsAstraal
there?
Statement:Justamoment,master.
ThetransmissionflickeredforamomentbeforethehologramofAstraalappearedinFAITH'splace.Astraal
lookedangry...veryangry.
Waittillyougetbackhere!Youliedandwenttotheforestfloor...alone!Andwhileyouweregonegallivanting
aroundinyourlittlesuicidemission,theShadowAcademyattacked!Ifitwaspossible,Harrycouldfeelthe
heatofAstraal'sglarefromherhologramandhestartedtosweatinfearslightly.Whenyougetback,yourass
isgrass.
Harrygulpedbeforetryingtodefendhimself.Inmydefense,howwouldIknowtheywouldattack?Afterall,
it'snotliketheysentanscheduleaheadoftime.Seeingthisonlymadeherangrier,hechangedtactics,
namely...groveling.I'msosorrybaby.Isweartotakeyoushoppingandbuyyouanythingyouwant.ButI'm
tiredcauseIwasattackedbyaDarkJedinamedNottdownheresothat'swhyItooksolong.Whenindoubt,
blamesomeoneelseandmakethempityyoubyexaggeratingyourinjuries.
Astraal'sglarelessenedslightlythoughitdidn'tdisappear.Justgetbackhere.Astraalsighed.Ineedmy
boyfriendtocomfortme.Somethinghappened.IfoughtShadoand...healmostkilledme.IfFAITHhadn't
interferedwhenhedid....
AchillwentdownHarry'sspineatthethoughtofAstraaldying.Harryknewthatifthathappened,the
perpetratorwoulddie,nomatterwhatHarrywouldgetrevenge.
Harrytookadeepbreathbeforetalkingseriously.I'llberightthere.
Astraalnoddedandthecallended.Harrytookadeepbreathbeforelookingaroundandrealizingsomething
slightlydisconcerting.
Whichwayisthewayback?
Harryhadeventuallymadehiswayback(afterwanderingforanhourandfinallydecidingtojustjumpupthe
treestillhereachedthehigherlevels)andwasnowpilotingtheshipbacktotheAcademy.Jainahadbrought
disturbingnewsthatrequiredthemtogetbackassoonaspossible.
Zekksaidthat?askedHarryseriously.Thatthey'regonnaattackthePraxeumassoonastheyweredone
there?
Jainanodded.Yea,hesaidthatthePraxeumwasthenexttarget.They'llattacksoon.
Harrysighedinexasperationbeforegettingaseriouslookonhisface.Thenrestupeveryonebecausefromthe
momentwelandwe'llbeonredalert.Wehavetobeat100%becausetheywon'twastetime.They'llattack
withinadayofusarriving,youcanbesureofthat.
Theothersnoddedandenteredhibernationtrancestobereadyforthebattleahead.HarryturnedtowardAstraal
inthecopilotchairwithaworriedfrownonhisface.ShehadtoldHarrywhatShadohadsaidandwhileHarry
wantednothingbuttosockShadointhefaceforhiscomments,Harryhadtoadmithehadsaidonetruething.
Astraalhadbeenholdingback.Ifshehadn't,thefightwouldhavegonemuchdifferently.Harryhadspokento
herandtoldherinnouncertaintermsthatifshecouldn'tfightShadowithintenttomaimifnotkill,hewould
forbidherfromfacinghim.Atfirstshetriedtosayhedidn'thavetherightbutonelookfromhimhadshuther
up.Hetoldherthathewasn'tgoingtoloseherbecauseheridioticbrothercouldn'tgethisheadoutofhisass.So
shehadtobeathimbecauseifshedidn'tHarrypromisedherthatShadowouldjoinherinthelandofthedead
soonafterward.
Withthatominousstatement,AstraalpromisedtotakeShadoseriouslynexttimebecauseshedidn'tdoubtthat
Harrywoulddoashepromised.Shedidn'tknowwhattofeelabouttheideaofthemanshelovedkillingher
brother,allsheknewthatshecouldn'tletthathappenbecauseshewastooweaktofightherbrother.Shewould
fightanddefeathimtoshowhimthatshewaswillingtodoanythingtobringhimback,evenknockhimaround
likeapingpongballtomakehimseesense.
Harryturnedbacktopiloting,thinkingofthebattleaheadandmakingplanstodefendhishome.
OuterHeaven,Coruscant
Whatishe?askedZuleseriously.
LyinginfrontofherwasthedeadbodyofwhatusedtobeaCoruscantsecurityofficer.Hehadlookedhuman
whenDiamondkilledhimbutsoonafterwardssomekindoflivingmaskhadpeeledoffhimandDiamond(the
20yearoldtwi'lekgirlthatwasforcedtokillhim)hadtokillthewalking,livingmaskbeforeitescaped.The
maskhadrevealedapurplishfacewithmanyscarsandonethingwascertain:whilehumanoid,thismanwas
certainlynotaknownspeciesofthegalaxy.
Idon'tknow,saidastillshakyDiamond.ShewasoneofthosetaskedtoHarry'sspynetwork.Herjobhad
beentoscoutoutthesecurityforceforanycorruptionorenemyinfiltration.However.Diamondhadmetthis
manandrealizedthathelackedForcepresence.ThinkinghewasoneofMarrish'sspies,shehadledhimintoan
alleyonthepretenseofhavingsomefun.
However,themomenttheyenteredthealleythemanhadattackedhersayinghewouldn'tdirtyhimselfwith
infidelscumbeforeattemptingtokillher.Luckily,DiamondwasoneofthosewhohadtrainedherForcepowers
alongwithsomeunarmedcombatskills.Shehadmanagedtosurprisehimwithherunarmedcombatskillsand
oncesherealizedthathewasresistanttoregularForcepowers,shehadkilledhimknowingshewouldn'tbeable
tocapturehim.ShehadthenbroughtthebodyoftherevealedalientoOuterHeavenandZule.
ButIknowonething,saidaslowlyrecoveringDiamond.WeneedtowarnHarry.Ifthesearetheoneswho
aregoingtoattackus,thenthey'vealreadyinfiltrateddeeply.Waristwoyearsawayatbest,probablyless
though.
Zulegrimlynodded.You'reright.Doc!AfemaleDathomirianenteredthebackroomatZule'scall.Shewas
beautifulinherownway,withpalewhiteskin,hypnoticvioleteyes,andwavysilverhairallontopofafigure
mostwomenwoulddiefor.Shewas20yearsoldandwasonlyknownasDoc,refusingtoexplainhowshe
arrivedonCoruscantorwhyshehadbeenforcedtoworkasaprostitutewithherextraordinarytalentin
medicine.Shewascompletelyloyaltoonlytwopeople:HarryandZule.Theformerforhelpingherescapeher
formerlifeandthelatterfortakingherindespiteherpast.
WhatisitZule?Didsomethinghappen?askedDocwithjustahintofconcern.
Doc,weneedyoutoautopsythiscorpse.Byallindications,it'stheenemy.Also,Zulepickedupthedead
'maskthing'withapairoftongs.Autopsythataswell.TellmeeverythingyoufindandDoc,Docstoppedas
shemadeherwaytothecorpse.Itdidn'tregisterintheForce...evenbeforeitdied.
Doc'seyeswidenedattheinfoandcuriositylituphereyes.Despiteherself,shecouldn'thelpbutbecuriouson
howthatwaspossible.SheturnedtoZuleandnodded.
Don'tworry,I'llfindouteverythingpossible.IftheseareHarry'senemies,thenthatmeansthey'remineas
well.
Zulenoddedather.I'llleaveyoutoit.
ZulelefttheroomwithDiamondandmadeherwaytowardtheprivate,securecommreservedforadirectlineto
Harry.
'Ihopewemanagetobereadyintime,'thoughtZulegrimly.
EndNotes:
AN:Well,there'schapter19!
Asyoucansee,thingsareacceleratingonseveralfrontsalreadyandHarryis
smackinthemiddleofit.Thingsarecomingtoaheadandmanythingswillbe
revealednextchapter.
NottwasintroducedbasicallytogiveHarrysomeoneonhisleveltofightinthe
upcomingbattleaswellasshowthatthereoneortwoothersurvivorsoutthere.
There'snowayZekkcouldkeepupwithHarryrightnow.Theirfightnextchapter
promisestobetheculminationofallmypreviousattemptsatwritingfights.
HopeyoulikethesmallintroforEmrys!He'llappearagainlateronwhenHarry
reachesthehomeworldofthescoiteasarlai.
ReadandReview!
Backtoindex
BattleofthePraxeumbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
ThisisachapterstoryandhastheNc17rating.
Chapter20
JediPraxeum,Yavin4
What?!
TheyellhadcomefromanannoyedandirritatedHarry.Thegrouphadarrivednot10minutesagowiththenews
ofanattackbeingimminent.Harryhadtriedtofindamasterbutcouldn'tseemtofindany.Hehadeventually
foundKassandaskedherwherethemasterswere.Theanswerhadbeenlessthanpleasant.
LikeItoldyou,saidanirritatedKass.AllthemastersexceptforMasterLukelefttogoonmissionsand
won'tbebackforafewdaysatleast.They'vealsogroundedallofussowehavetostayuntiltheyarrive.
Harrygroaned.Thiswasthelastthingtheyneeded,anattackimminentandnoonebutLukeavailable.Where's
MasterLukeanyway?
Kassshrugged.Ithinkhe'sintheAudienceChamber.
Harrythankedherandapologizedforyelling,whichshejustwavedoff,beforesprintingtowardtheAudience
Chamber.
Whenheentered,hefoundLukemeditatingcrossleggedinthecenterofthechambersincelessonshadbeen
canceledduetolackofmasterspresent.
Dad!calledHarry.Lukeopenedhiseyesattheurgenttoneinadoptiveson'svoiceandfrownedwhenhefelt
thedistressemanatingfromhim.
Whatisit,Harry?askedLukecautiously.
Harrytookadeepbreathbeforeanswering.ShadowAcademyisgoingtoattacksoon.
Atthis,Lukebecamefullyalertandstaredathissonseriously.Howdoyouknowthis?
HarryexplainedwhathappenedinKashyykaswellastheinformationandwarninggiventoJainaandJacen
fromZekk.Afterhewasdone,Lukestayedsilent,contemplatingtheinformation.
Thisisgravenewsindeed.Lukethoughtforamomentbeforecomingtoaconclusion.Butdon'tworry,we
haveashieldgeneratortoprotectfromorbitalbombardment.Aslongasit'sthere,weonlyhavetoworryabout
groundforcesandwecaneasilyrepelthem.
HarrywasslightlyrelieveduntilthesoundofanexplosionsoundedthroughthePraxeum.Thefatherandson
duorantowardthewindowonlytoseeasightthatmadeHarryswear.
Smokewasrisinginthenortheast,wheretheshieldgeneratorwaslocated.Theshieldgeneratorwasdown,
meaningtheyhadjustlosttheirprotectionfromorbitalbombardment.HarrysawaduoofTIEs,probablythe
onesthatdestroyedthegenerator,flyoverthePraxeumandlandinthejunglesnearwheretheshieldgenerator
was.Suddenly,theShadowAcademyappearedintheskiesabovetheAcademyasitunleasheddozensofTIE
fightersandtransports,probablyfullofstormtroopersandDarkJediadepts.
HarryturnedtoLukewithagrimlookonhisface.Whatdowedonow?
LukewasquietforamomentbeforeturningtoHarry.IneedtogoafterthoseTIEs.Iftheylanded,thenthey
eitherhaveabombtodestroythePraxeumorareguardingthedestroyedshieldgenerator.PlusIsenseBrakissis
nearthemandIneedtofacehim.
Whatdowedothen?askedHarryconfusedly.
LukeplacedahandonHarry'sshoulder.I'mleavingyouinchargeofthedefenseofthePraxeum.Itrustyou
andIknowyou'llprotectthePraxeumwithyourlife.
Harrygulpedattheburdenofcommandbutcouldn'thelpbutfeelproudthatLuketrustedhimsomuch.Harry
noddedandLuketurnedtotheannouncerandputittobroadcastovertheentireAcademy.
Allstudents,reporttotheStrategyRoomimmediately.Repeat,allstudentsaretoreporttotheStrategyRoom
immediately.
Withthat,HarryandLukejoggeddowntotheStrategyRoominthefirstfloor.
Imperialtransport,OnroutetoYavin4
InsidethemostprotectedtransportwasZekksurroundednotbyhisDarkJedi,butbytheShadowGuardledby
NottandShadothemselves.Hetriedtohidehisnervousnessbutdidn'tseemtobeabletohideitcompletely.
Despitethis,NottmadenocommentandseemedcompletelyfocusedonthePraxeuminthedistance.Hehad
returnedfromhistripintothelowerlevelsofKashyykwoundedbutmostlyokayandrefusedtoexplainhowhe
waswounded.However,Zekkhadheardhimmutteringabout'killingPotter'soheputtwoandtwotogether.
Zekkcouldn'thelpbutbeimpressedbyhisoldfriendHarryformanagingtodefeatNott.ItseemedlikeHarry
trulywasasstrongasJainahadboastedaboutthelasttimetheyhadspoken.
Zekkthoughtaboutthecomingbattle.HewouldprobablyhavetofaceandprobablykillJacenandJaina.Could
hedoit?Couldhekillthoseheconsideredfriends?Herememberedallthetimestheyhadspenttogetheras
children.Theadventuresandfuntimes,somewithHarry,mostwithout.Hetreasuredthosememoriesbecause
theywereofhappiertimes.Simplertimes.CouldhereallytrytokillJaina?
AsZekkthoughtaboutJaina,NottwasfocusedontheForceinordertomakesurethatHarrywasinthe
Praxeum.
'Yes!Thereheis.Thistimeit'llbedifferent,Potter!I'llgofulloutfromthebeginningandcleaveyouintwoand
laughoveryourcorpse!'thoughtNottvisciously.
NotthadlostalotofrespectwhenhereturnedtohisGuardnotonlywoundedbuthavingfailedinhisself
appointedmission.BrakisshadbeenfurioustoknowhehadabandonedtheraidingpartytoKashyykandhad
beenconvincedthatifNotthadstayed,theywouldn'thavebeenforcedtoretreat.Notonlythatbuthehadfailed
inhisselfappointedmissionaswell.Nottwouldhavepaiddearlyforhisfailurebuttheyneededhimtoleadthe
ShadowGuardontheattackonthePraxeumthatwascurrentlyunderway.However,Notthadnoillusionsthat
hewouldn'tpayafterwards.
ItwasallthatblastedPotter'sfault!Hegotlucky,that'sall!IfNotthadn'tbeentiredfromrunningthroughthe
forestallday,hewouldwipedthefloorwiththefool.HeconvenientlyignoredallthefightsHarryhadbeenin
beforefightingNott.
BesideShadowasalsothinkingabouthistarget:hissister,AstraalVao.Hehadbeenangrythathehadbeen
deniedhisrevengerbyadroidofallthingsbutconsoledhimselfthatitwouldbebettertokillherasthey
conqueredthePraxeum.ItwouldsignaladawnofaneweraandanewlifeforShado,onewherehewouldno
longerhavetiestohisoldlife.Hewouldbefreeandabletogrowevenstronger.
'You'remybrother!Iwouldhaveneverhaveabandonedyou!Youknowthat!'
Astraal'swordscrossedShado'smind.Hetriedtosuppressthembuttheywouldn'tleavehim.
Whatifshewastellingthetruth?Whatifshehadn'tabandonedhimbuthadtrulythoughthewasdead?Could
heblameher?Afterall,90%ofallminersdiedintheminessoitwasn'timplausible.Butwhyhadn'tshe
checkedfirst?Whyhadshebelievedit?
Brakisshadtoldhimthatsheknewbuthadlefthimbecauseshedidn'twanthimtoslowherdown.Shedidn't
wanthim,theslave,tointerferewithhernewlifeasaJedi.BrakisstoldhimhowAstraalhadlovedbeingatoy
forBoneandtheHuttsandhadlovedherlavishlifestyle.However,Shadorememberedhowshealwaysvisited
himandhadhadbruisesonherbody.Howshetriedtoactlikeshewasfineandvisitedhimevenwhenshe
couldbarelywalk.Sheusedherfreetimetoseehowhewasandgavehimanyextracreditssohecouldeat
better.Itwasthankstoherthathehadbeenabletosurvivetheminesbecauseifshehadn'tgivenhimthose
creditsthenhewouldhavediedofstarvation.
Shadowasconflicted.Whichonewastellingthetruth?AstraalorBrakiss?Diditmatter?Hehadsworntoserve
theSecondImperiumandhadservedwithdistinction.Hehadagoodlifewiththemdespitetheharshtraining
andlifestyle.
But....ifAstraalwastellingthetruth...couldheabandonhissister?Couldhekillher?Evennow,thethought
frozehisbloodandfilledhimwithdread.Eventhoughhehadtriedtokillherbefore,thathadbeenintheheatof
themomentwhenadrenalineandhatehadbeencoursingthroughhim.Nowthathehadtimetothinkcalmly,he
wasdisgustedwiththewayhehadalmostkilledherlikeshewassomecommonanimalalongwiththethingshe
calledher.Theirmotherhadalwaysbeenasoresubjectforherandtocomparehertotheirmotherwasthe
ultimateslaptotheface.
Buthehadbeensoangry!HehadbeentorturedbytheSecondImperiumandhadbeenthroughterribletraining
inordertosurvivewhileshehadfriendsandlookedbetterthanever.Itwasn'tfair!
Shadothoughtonherwords.HerofferforhimtoleavetheImperiumandjoinher.Shehadevensaidthatifthe
Academydidn'ttakehim,shewouldstaywithhimandneverabandonhimagain.Hisheartwarmedatthe
thoughtthatshewaswillingtoabandonhergoodlifeforhim.
Needlesstosay,Shadowasveryconfused.
StrategyRoom,JediPraxeum
TheroomwasquietaseveryonefeltthetensionrollingoffLuke'sandHarry'sbodies.EvenTahiricouldn'tbring
herselftobreakthesilence.Eventually,Lukesighedandspoke.
WearecurrentlybeingattackedbytheShadowAcademy.
Athiswords,theroomwasfilledwithfearfulwhispers.TheyknewthatLukewascurrentlytheonlyMasterin
thePraxeum.HowwouldtheyfendofftheShadowAcademywithjustoneMaster?
Lukeclearedhisthroat,gettingsilenceoncemore.IhavetofacetheleaderoftheDarkJediaswellasstopa
bombfrombeingplacedhere.SinceIwillbebusy,HarrywillbeinchargeofthedefensewhileI'mgone.
Atthisannouncement,theroomwasonceagainfilledwithwhispers.Thesewereequalpartsfearfuland
reluctant,manyherebelievedtherumorsspreadbyKypanddidn'tfullytrusthim.EventuallyRaynarsteppedup
toprotest.
Whyhim?Shouldn'tsomeoneelsebeincharge?Someonestrongerandnotdarklikehim?
Atthis,LukeactuallyglaredatRaynarandthelattersteppedbackinfear.Harryisnotdark.HeisaproudJedi
ofthisPraxeumandhasservedwithdistinctioneversincehebecameanapprenticeJediKnight.Heisalsothe
bestoneforthejob.ThisismyfinalwordandIexpectyoutoobeyhiseverycommandasyouwouldmyown.
Atthis,RaynarnoddedalthoughHarrycouldtellitwasreluctantly.Withthis,LuketurnedtoHarry.
IleavetheresttoyouHarry.Ineedtogostopthembeforetheymanagetogetthebombhere.
Withthatfinalstatement,LukeleftoutthePraxeumdoorstowardthejungle.
HarryturnedbacktothegroupofJedi,thoughtsandplanscrossinghismindatlightspeed.Aftertwominutes,
Harrydecidedonaplanofactionandclearedhisthroatgettingthegroup'sattention.
Now,IknowmanyofyoubelievetherumorsspreadbyJediMasterKypDurronbutI'mnotgoingtowastemy
timetryingtoconvinceyouhe'swrong.Rightnow,ourhomeisbeingattackedandweneedtoworktogetherto
survive.Whetheryoulikeitornot,I'minchargeofourdefensesoIexpectyourfullcooperation.
AfewlookedreluctantandRaynarlookeddownrightmutinousbuteventuallyallofthemnodded.Lukehadleft
himinchargeandeveryonetrustedLuke'sjudgement.Oncehesaweveryonewasagreed,Harryclearedhis
throat.
Now,here'stheplan.First,comeoutFAITH,thegroupofapprenticeslookedaroundconfusedatwhohewas
talkingtowhentheaforementioneddroidsteppedoutoftheshadowoftheroom,scaringmostoftheapprentices
whohadn'tevensensedhim.
Query:Youcalledmaster?
Harrynoddedatthepsychoticdroid.Yes,didyoudoasIasked?
Affirmativestatement:Yesmaster.Allsecondarywaysinoroutareblockedexceptforthefourmain
entrances.
Harrynoddedinrelief.TheAcademyusuallyhadmanywaysoutbesidesthefourmaindoors.Thiswasgood
foranevacuationbutterribleifonewasusingitasadefensiveposition.Therewasalwaysachancetheenemy
couldfindoneanduseittosneakintotheAcademy.
Good.Nowhere'smyplan.AhologramimageoftheAcademyappearedonthetableinthemiddleofthe
room.Theapprenticesallcrowdedaroundtoseeitandonceeveryone,eventheyounglings,couldseeit,Harry
continued.TherearenowonlyfourmainentrancesintotheAcademywhichwillforcetheenemytoattack
fromoneoffoursectorstoenter:Thenorth,thesouth,theeastandthewest.Eachentrancehasaslightly
differentterrainmeaningonlycertainenemieswillbeabletocrossitsuccessfully.Thehologramzoomedinon
theareaaroundthenorthentrance.Fromthenorth,wecanexpectmostlystormtroopers.Thisisduetoitbeing
theareawheremostofourtraininggroundsarelocatedmakingtheterrainevenandhavingfewtrees.Perfectfor
stormtroopersthatdon'thavetheabilitytocrossjungleterraineasily.HarryturnedtoFAITH.FAITH,thisis
yoursector.Youaretoguardthissectorbyyourselfandkillanyenemythattriestogainentrance.Barthenorth
entranceanduseanymeanstodefenditfromattackers.Idon'tthinkyouneedhelp,right?
Statement:Don'tworrymaster,thosemeatbagswilldielikefliesonaHutt.Expletive:Thankyoumasterfor
thischance!
Harryjustnodded,bynowusedtohisdroid'squirks.Good,thenIleavethatsectortoyoualoneandyou're
authorizedtouseanyweaponavailable.
Harryturnedbacktotherestoftheapprentices,ignoringFAITH'spsychoticchuckle.Fortheeastsector,the
hologramzoomedinthatareawhichwasmostlyjungleterritory.I'mplacingTenelKainchargeofthatsquad.
Theaforementionedgirllookedstartledattheresponsibilitybutnoddedherheaddeterminedly.
Youaretotake9otherapprenticesanduseyouraffinitytoaltertheenvironmenttodefendthatsector.Don't
attackthemheadon.Usehitandruntacticsalongwithambushes.Yourgroupcantakealltheremotestouse
bothasdistractionsandtoswarmtheenemyinyourambushes.HarrylookedatTenelKaintheeye.Itrust
andbelieveinyouTenelKa.Iknowyoucandoitandareagoodleader.Athiscomment,TenelKastoodup
straighterandsaidshewouldn'tlethimdown.Harryhadafinalwarning,Bewarned...byallaccountsthatis
wherethelandingplatformfortheDarkJediwillbesoTamithKaiwillbethereaswell.Takeheroutifpossible
butyoursafetyisparamount.Don'tgoinhalfcocked.
TenelKasmiledattheironyofhimofallpeoplesayingthatbutnoddedtoassurehimshehadheard.Harry
returnedtothehologram.
Forthewestsector,thehologramshowedthewestareawhichwasamixofplainswithjungle.I'mplacing
Raynarincharge.Theboylookedstartledatbeingtrustedwithacommandandseemedtoswellinpride.
Seeingthis,Harrydecidedtonipitinthebud.Don'tgetcocky!Youaretoengagetheenemyusingonlyhitand
runtacticsaswellasambushes.I'malsoallowingyoutotaketheASP19battledroidsasreinforcement.While
theyonlyusetraininglightsabers,I'mgoingtoplacetheminMasterlevelandyoucanusethemasdistractions
orreinforcementasyouseefit.YourenemywillbemostlystormtrooperswithafewDarkJediascommanders.
Yourgroupwillbeagroupof15.It'sbiggerbecausethere'smoreopenterrainmeaningtherewillbetimesyou
needtofaceyourenemyinopencombatbecauseambushisimpossible.Onlyengageinopencombatifthere's
nootherchoice.AstraalwillalsobeintheGrandAudienceChamberasasnipertobackyouup.The
aforementionedgirllookedreadytoprotestbutHarryinterrupted.You'reourbestsniper,Astraal.Weneedyou
tobackhimup.Theeastsectorhastoomuchjungleforyoutosnipewithanydegreeofsuccess.Don'tworry
aboutyourbrother.I'msurehe'llcometoyou.Atthis,Astraalreluctantlynodded.Thisisn'tagamepeople
andyoucandieifyoumakeamistake.
RaynarseemedtosoberslightlyatHarry'sstatementandnoddedsolemnly.Harryonlyhopedthathewouldn't
letthepositiongettohisheadandmakehimdosomethingstupid.
Nowforthespecialmissionsandjobs.Jaina,thegirlsteppedforwardwhencalled.YouandAsharaaretogo
totheshieldgeneratorandfixitatallcosts.Withthatshielddownwe'reopentoorbitalbombardmentandwe
haven'tbeenbombedbecausetheyprobablyhopetotaketheAcademyinonepiece.Oncethatbecomes
untenable,we'rescrewedsoweneedthatshield.Ashara,yourjobistoprotectherfromattackerswhileshe
focusesonfixingit.Onceyoutwoaredone,youaretotrytorejointhebattleontheeasternsector.Harry
lookedJainaintheeyebeforecontinuing.Zekkwillprobablybeleadingthechargeontheeasternsectorsince
that'swheretheDarkJediarelanding.Becareful.
Thetwogirlsnodded,knowingtheirjobandHarryturnedtoJacen.Jacen,you'retotakeLowieandKasson
theWaywardSonandflyfarenoughwaytosendamessagetotheRepublic.Wecanholdthemoffforaslongas
possiblebutwiththeShadowAcademyuptherewecan'twin.WeneedtheRepublictosendshipstodestroyit.
KassandLowiearetotakethegunnerpositionstoprotectyoufromenemyfighters.Onceyougetdonewith
that,youaretolandoncemoreanddivideyourselves.Jacenistojointhewestsectoranduseyourbeastcontrol
toattacktheenemywiththenaturalfauna.Iknowyoudon'tlikeitbutweneedtodoit.Jacenreluctantly
noddedhisagreementalthoughHarrycouldtellitbotheredhim.Hemadeanotetotalktohimlater.Kassand
Lowie,you'retotakeAstraal'sfighterandthespareXwinginthehangarrespectivelyanddefendthePraxeum
fromanyfightersthattrytoattackdirectly.Bythetimeyouguysreturntheywillstarttogetdesperateand
mighttrythat.LowieletagrowlofunderstandingwhileKasshadaconfidentgrinonherface.Harryturnedto
Astraalwithaquestioninglook,Yourfighteriscombatworthyright?IknowyouwereupgradingitbutIdon't
knowifyoufinished.
Astraaljustshrugged.Ihaven'tfinishedupgradingitbutitiscombatworthy.Justbecarefulsinceit'sR2D5's
firstspacebattleandhemightbeabit...jittery.
Kassjustsmiledandnodded,eagertoflyherfirstspacebattle.
HarryturnedtowardTahiristandingwithAnakinandVisasinfrontoftherestoftheyounglings.Anakin,
TahiriandVisascomehere.ThethreesteppedforwardandHarrythrewthemthreelightsabers.Anakinhada
standardgreenlightsaberwhileTahiriandVisashadhisvioletandicebluelightsabersrespectively.Youareto
taketheyounglingsintothesubbasementlevelbelowthehangarandprotectthemformanyenemiesthat
managetogetthroughus.Theirsafetydependsonyousodon'tletmedown.
Thethreepreteenslookedoverwhelmedattheresponsibilitybutquicklyregainedtheircomposureand
promisedtodefendtheyounglingswiththeirlives.Harryjustnoddedsolemnly.Ihopeitdoesn'tcometothat
butgoodluck.Gonowanddon'tleavethesubbasementuntileitherIorLukecometogetyou.Thethree
noddedandquicklyledtheyounglingstosafety.
SomeoneseemedtorealizeaflawinHarry'splanandsteppedforward.Sir,who'lldefendthesouthentrance.
Byallaccountsthere'safewshipsthatlandedthereandarecomingfromthatdirection.
Harryjustgavethemagrimsmile.I'lldefendthesouthentrancealone.Seeingthemabouttoprotest,Harry
explained.Thesouthisimpossibleforalargegrouptodefend.Itisfilledwithnotonlyswampsthatare
invisibleuntilyousteponthembutalsomanydifferentterrainsinseeminglyrandompatterns.Anylargegroup
canbeboxedinbytheenemyintoacertainterrainandbequicklyoverwhelmed.Furthermore,yourattacking
themwillalertthemtothebestwaystogetthroughtowardtheAcademy.Withnoguide,they'llstumblethrough
theswampsandjunglelostforawhilebeforeorientingthemselves.Harrygaveanexplosivesigh.Totopit
off,theelitesthatAstraalfacedwillprobablycomefromthisdirection.ByAstraal'saccount,thesearen'tyour
gardenvarietyDarkJedi.Thesearestonecoldkillerswhoarealmostasgoodasher.Wecan'toverwhelmthem.
SoI'llforcethemtohavetogothroughmetoenter.HereHarrygaveagrimsmile.Don'tworry,theywon't
succeed.
Thegrouplookeduncomfortableattheideaofleavinghimtofacetheworstenemyalonebuteventually
concededthathewasthebestmanforthejob.Hewasn'tknownasthebestswordsmanofhisgenerationfor
nothing.
Harryturnedserious.Remember,thisisyourhomesousetheterraintoyouradvantage.Hideandevadeisthe
tacticofthedayifyourspottedbeforeyou'reready.Noheroics.Survivalisparamount.Remembertobarricade
theentranceyou'redefendingtothebestofyourability.Causeacavein,blockitwithrock,whatever.Justmake
suretheycan'tgetbehindyou,okay?Whentheynoddedandpromisedtheywould,hecontinued.Okay,
everyonetakeaDH107headcommtostayincontact.They'vebeenencryptedsotheycan'tbelistenedintoand
haveseverallinesaswellasapubliclinesoyoucancallaspecificgrouporjusttalktoeveryoneingeneral.
Onceyouhavetakenone,gotoyourpostsatonceandpreparetheterrainforyourambushes.It'lltakeatleast
halfanhourforthemtogetorganized.Onelastthing...fighttokill.Wecan'triskcapturingthemwhenthey
outnumberuslikethis.Weneedtomowthemdownwithsuperiorskill.
Thegroupnoddedreluctantlyathisanalysis.Whiletheywereuneasy,nonecouldarguethetruthofthat
statementandatHarry'sdismissalrantowardtheirassignedpositionsaftertakingaheadcomm.TenelKatook
thebest9apprenticesinstealthforhergroupandhadthemarmthemselveswithnotonlytheirlightsabersbut
silencedblasterpistols,flashbanggrenadesandknives.Theywouldbasicallybeshadowsinthejungleand
wouldneedtobequietforaslongaspossiblebeforeengagingandambushingtheenemy.Raynartookthe
apprenticesthatweren'tgivenaspecialmissionortakenbyTenelKabeforemakingthemarmthemselveswitha
blasterpistolandseveraltypesofgrenadessuchasconcussionandflashbangs.Togetherwiththeirlightsabers,
theycouldholdoffextremelywelluntilJacenarrivedwithanimalreinforcementstofinishofftheenemy.
AsforHarry,hewenttoAstraalwhowasloadinghersniperrifle.ShehadswitchedherE11foralaserriflethat
Harryhadgiftedtoher.Shehadloveditduetoitshigheraccuracyaswellasitsquickerreloadtime.AsHarry
reachedher,hedrewherintoahugwhichshegladlyreturned.
Astraalseemedtosensehisfearsbecausesheplacedahandonhischeekasshespoke.I'llbefine,baby.Don't
worry.
Harrytriedtogiveheraconfidentsmilebutitjustcameoutlookingsickly.Astraalgavehimapassionatekiss
whichheeagerlyreturnedbeforearmingherselfwithhersniperrifleandablasterpistolthathadthermal
detonatorlauncherattachedtoit.ShealsotookaRelbyv10microgrenadelaunchertohelpthewesternsectorif
theywereoverrun.Itwouldgiveawayherpositionbutthatwaspreferabletoapprenticesdying.Sheplacedher
lightsabersonherbackandlefttowardtheGrandAudienceChamber.
HarrywishedhisfriendsluckanddrewJainaintoatighthugwhilewishingherlucktowhichshesimply
respondedthatshedidn'tneedlucksinceshewasjustthatgood.Harrylaughedandafterwishingeverybody
lucklefttowardhisroom.
ThemomentHarryenteredhisroomheclosedthedoorandremovedhisouterrobesandclothesbeforedressing
inhiscombatclothesforthebattleahead.Heputonapairofbrowncombatpantsthatblendedinwellwith
Yavin4'snaturalvegetationalongwithaforestgreenshirtthatwasdarkenoughtonotattractattention.Heput
onadarkgreenbandanatocoverhisblackhairbecauseitwouldstandoutaswellasbrowncombatboots.He
thenputonhismodifiedholsterandstartedtoloadup.
Hismanyfightsandneardeathexperiencehadshowedhimheneededtoknowmanytypesofweaponstoadapt
toanysituation.Luckily,thePraxeumallowedstudentstostudyallmannersofweaponsandnotjustlightsabers
likeintheOldOrder.Hetook10G20Glopgrenades,3sonicconcussiongrenades,10CryoBangrenadesas
wellas3regularfragmentationgrenades.Theyhadallbeenmodifiedtoeitherexplodeoncontactorwith
proximitysensorsforambushesdependingonwhathewanted.HealsotookouthisownRelbyv10micro
grenadelauncherandloadeditwithCryoBangrenadesthatexplodedoncontact.Hehadmodifiedhisgrenade
launchertohavearapidfiremodeincasehefacedotherForcesensitiveshecouldoverwhelmthemwith
grenades.HewoulduseitnowtotakedownanystormtroopersthatcamewiththeShadowGuardanduserapid
firetomakeitsotheShadowGuardcan'tdefendthem.
Hethenholsteredover20Vrakolianspinbladesonhischesttousewithballistakinesis.Theywerelinedwith
cortosisoresotheywouldn'tbedestroyedbylightsabersbuthemadeamentalnotetoretrievethemsincethey
hadcostaprettycredittoorder.Heputonhiscustommadelightninggloveswhichhehadmaderecentlyto
complementhisaffinityforForcelightning.Hewantedtolearntodothesamenaturallybutuntilthenhewould
usetheseglovestoaugmenthisunarmedcombatskill.Theyalsohadaknuckleplateknifethatcameoutwhen
Harrymadeafist.TheywereforquickandsilentkillsduringambusheslikeHarrywasplanning.Heputhis
cortosisstaffinitscompactformonhisbackwherehewouldusuallyputhisduelingsabers.Hehadgiventhem
tohisapprentices,wantingthemtobeabletodefendthemselvesifworsecametoworse.
'Iftheyhavetouseit,I'llprobablybedeadandit'llbeagoodpartinggiftformyapprentices,'thoughtHarry
grimly.
Hehesitatedslightlybuttookhismainlightsaberfromwerehehadplaceditonhisdresser.Hehadn'tuseditin
alongtimebutitstillfeltfamiliarinhishandanddespiteitbeinganillfit,itwouldworkwellforwhathis
upcomingfightwithNott.Hehadnodoubtthattheboyheldagrudgeforbeingbeatenandwouldlookforhim
tofinishtheirfight.
Hepickeduphisgrenadelauncherandplaceditonhisbackdiagonallyusingthestrapbeforegoingtohissecret
stashweapons.Marahadtaughthimtohavea'public'weapon'sstashwhereyoukeptthelegalweaponsanda
secureweaponsstashhiddensomewhereonlyyouknowwhereyoukeepyourmorequestionableweapons.
Harry'shiddenweaponsstashwashiddenintheframeofthebed.Theframeofthebedwasnothollowinitially
butHarryhadholloweditoutandusedittohidehisillegalweapons.
Harryflippedthemattressoffhisbedbeforeremovingthewoodentopandrevealinghisstashandpickingup
theweaponhewaslookingfor.TheSFORrepubliccarbinehadbeenoutlawedalmostsincethebeginningofthe
GalacticCivilWarandmaybeevenbefore.Theyfiredaripplingshockwavethatwascapableoftearingmatter
apart.Inthiswaytheyweresimilartodisruptorrifleswhichwasprobablywhytheywereoutlawed.Despitethis,
Harryhadacquiredoneforemergenciessuchasthisandwasnotaboveusingittodefendhishome.Healso
tookbackpackfullofhishiddensurprisejustincase.
Fullyarmed,Harrylefttowardthesouthernentrance.Oncehereachedit,hestretchedouthissensestoseeifthe
enemyhadlandedonhissectoryet.Sensingthattheywereclosetolandingbutnothavingarrivedyet,hesetout
tosetuphistrapsandambushestoeventheodds.
Farsouthernsector
ZekkhadjustdisembarkedfromthetransportshipalongwiththeShadowGuardsouthofthePraxeum.Henow
hadtoruntowardtheeasternattackgrouptojoinwithhisfellowDarkJediandleadtheassault.Accordingto
information,theJediwerecoordinatingquitewellandhadalreadydividedthemselvesintosectorstodefend.
PartofhimhopedtheJediwon.
Okay,here'stheplan.saidNottpompously.ZekkistogoleadtheassaultfromtheeastwhileShadowilllead
theassaultfromthewestalongwithVilas.Theyonlyhaveamaximumof30Jedisoweshouldeasilyoverrun
themwithsuperiornumbersandskill.WehavetotrytotaketheAcademyasintactaspossiblebecauseBrakiss
wantstoturntheyounglings.They'reourobjective.
Zekk'sheartrebelledattheideaofstealinginnocentchildrenwhoprobablyhadfamiliesoftheirownfromthe
Academy.Theideaofstealingchildrentoconverttothedarksidewheremostwoulddiedidn'tsitwellwith
him.Unknowntohim,Shadowashavingthesamemisgivings.
BesideNott,Vilassmirkedcruellyattheideaofbreakinginnewrecruits.Despitebeingforcedtoretreat,Nott
hadsaidVilashadearnedhisplaceasaShadowGuardandtheboywasnowstandinginthestandardShadow
Guardallblackclothing.Theonlythingthatidentifiedhimasdifferentwashiscyberneticarm.
Notcontinued.IwillleadtheShadowGuardfromthesouthwhichholdsthemainentranceaccordingtoour
information.ShadoandVilaswillleadthewesternattackforce.Thenorthassaultisbeingleadbytheleaderof
thestormtrooperssowedon'thavetoworryaboutthem.Iwantthisoverwithintwohourssogettowork!
Withthat,eachsoldierwhentotheirassignedposition,readytobattlewiththeJedi.
Northeasternsector
Theshieldgeneratorwasonthenortheasternareanearthemountains.Thismeanttheyhadtobecarefulnotto
enterFAITH'ssectornorthofthePraxeum.Theyrememberedhowmuchthedroidlovedconflictandthey
weren'teagertoseeifhecoulddistinguishfriendfromfoewhenhewascutlooselikehewas.Thereforethey
huggedtheborderbetweenthetwosectorsandrantowardthegeneratorasfastastheycould.
TheyhadranintotwocorpsesofwhatlookedlikeTIEfighterpilots,oneofwhichhadadestroyedbomb.They
hadlightsaberslashessotheyfiguredLukehadtakencareofthem.Relievedthattheydidn'thavetoworryabout
abombgoingtowardtheAcademy,theycontinuedtowardthegenerator.Theyeventuallyreachedthegenerator
andsawLukestandingthere.Theyranovertohimasheturnedintheirdirection.
UncleLuke!calledJaina.Whatareyoudoinghere?Weren'tyoulookingforBrakiss?
Lukefrowned.YesbutIhadtotakecareofthosepilotsfirst.Whoknowswhatdamagetheycouldhave
inflictedwiththatbomb?IwasgoingtoseeifIcouldfixthegeneratorquicklybeforegoingtoBrakissbutit
seemsthat'syourjob,right?Attheirnod,hegaveasatisfiedsmile.ThenI'llleaveyoutoit.Brakisshas
landednearbysoI'mgoingtogotalktohim.Goodluck.
Withthat,heranoff.Jainaquicklyrantowardtheshieldgeneratorandinspectedthedamage.
Canyoufixit?askedAsharacautiously.
Jainawasquietbeforenoddingslowly.Yesbutit'lltakeabitoftime.CovermewhileIworksoIcanwork
faster.
Asharasmiled.That'swhatI'mherefor.Shetookoutheryellowlightsaberandtookupaguardpositionwhile
extendinghersensestomaximum.Shewoulddefendagainstallattackers.
SpacearoundYavin4
JacenhadquicklypilotedtheshipoutofthehangarandintotheatmospherewhilebeingpursuedbyTIEs.
Luckily,KassandLowiehadproventobeexcellentshotsandhadalreadytakendownfivefighterswhogottoo
close.
Oncehebroketheatmosphere,hecouldn'thelpbutgulpatthesiteofShadowAcademy.Itwashuge,withgun
placementsalongitstorusshapeandspewingdozensofTIEsandblastboats.Realizinghehadbeenstaringfora
minute,JacenquicklymovedtosendthemessagetotheRepublic.
ThebattlestationattemptedtojamthembutHarryhadupgradedthecommunicationstationtopreventthat.
Jacenquicklygotasignalandsendhismessage,Attention,thisisJediapprenticeJacenSolooftheJedi
Praxeum.Weareunderattack!Repeat,wearebeingattackedbyShadowAcademy!Weneedreinforcementsto
takecareoftheirbattlestation!Wecan'tholdoffforever!Hehadpilotedtheshipthroughseveralevasive
maneuversasthefightersattemptedtodestroytheshiptopreventhimfromsendingthemessage.Luckily,Jacen
wasaprettygoodpilotandandmanagedtoevademostoftheshotswiththeship'stopofthelinedeflector
shieldseasilyshruggingofftherest.
'IwillneveraccuseMaraofbeingoverprotectiveagain.'thoughtJacenhappilyashesawhowwelltheship's
upgradesstooduptotheTIEs'attemptstodestroyit.
Onceherepeatedthemessage5moretimestovariousNewRepublicmilitarycenters,hepilotedtheshipback
towardthePraxeum.Thereturntripwasmuchharderthantheescapebecauseinthetimehehadtakentosend
themessage,theShadowAcademyhadsentoutalmostahundredTIEfightersandblastboats.Theblastboats
hadthefirepowerofacapitalshipaccordingtosomeanditshowedasJacenwasforcedintocomplexevasive
maneuversjustsotheywouldn'tbeblownoutthesky.
'HarrywouldresurrectmejusttokillmehimselfifImanagedtogethisshipblownup,'thoughtJacenfearfully.
Forceme!yelledKaasthroughtheheadcomm.Thosekriffingblastboatshaveshieldstoostrongforusto
penetrate!
LowieletoutaseriesofbarksandgrowlsthatEmTeedeetranslated.
Kassnoddedinagreement.You'reright.We'llconcentrateonthefightersandbombers.Jacen!
What!?answeredJacen.I'malittlebusy!
Flystraighttothehangar,we'lltakecareofanythattrytofollow!Withthat,Kassturnedbacktoshooting
fightersoutoftheskywhileJacenfollowedherordersandflewastraightcoursebacktothePraxeum.
ThefightersandbombersattemptedtofollowbutKassandLowiemadequickworkofthem.Oncethey
breachedtheatmosphere,thedistancebetweenthemandtheirpursuersgrewthankstothepair'saccuracyand
thefighterpilotsreluctancetogettooclose.
TheyeventuallyreachedthePraxeumwhereJacenquicklyenteredthehangarandlanded.Asheflewintothe
hangar,hehadseenthebattlefieldsurroundingthePraxeum.
Onthesouthsector,JacenhadseenseveralcraterfilledwithicethatJacenguessedhadbeentrapsmadeby
Harrythatfrozetheenemy.Therehadalsobeenseveralregularcratersalongwithmanyenemybodies.His
stomachhadlurchedatthesightbutJacenunderstoodthatthesepeoplecouldn'tallbetakenalive.Theywere
heretokillthemandtheywouldhavetodefendthemselvesasbesttheycould.Thesouthentrancedoorshad
beenclosedandJacensworehesawthembrieflyglowashepassedbuthepasseditoffasatrickofthelight.
Onthewesternsector,Jacenhadseenvariousbattlestakingplaceaswellasenemiesdroppingdeadfromwhat
heguessedwasAstraal'ssnipingskills.Unfortunately,hehadalsoseenafewJediamongthedeadbodies.Jacen
knewAstraalwouldbeatherselfupfornotbeingfastenoughtosavethem.Thewesternentrancewasclosedand
barricadedwithrocksandanythingtheycouldgettheirhandson.HehadseenvariousASP19battledroids
engagedinbattlealongsidehisfellowJediandwasgladHarryhadthoughttousethem.Evenasdistractions,
theycouldmakethedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath.Therewerenoenemybodiesneartheentrancebutthere
weremanyfightsnearbysoheneededtohurryandhelp.
Thenorthernsectorwastheonlyonethattrulylookedlikeabattlefield.Thereweredozensofcratersandpieces
ofenemiesscatteredeverywhere.Inthemiddleofitallwasthatcrazydroidscreamingprofanitiesandshooting
stormtroopersleftandrightwithablastercarbine.Hewouldalsoloboffgrenadestowardtheenemywhenthey
attemptedtoregroupthereforekeepingthemfrommusteringanycounteroffensive.Despitehisseeminginsanity,
FAITHhadplannedaheadandwasusingtheenemies'confusionandfeartostopthemfrommakingany
conceitedefforttobreakpasthim.Theentrancehadbeencavedin,preventinganyenemyfromusingittoenter.
NotthattheycouldcloseenoughtoenterwithFAITHkillinganywhotriedandscaringthemwithhispinpoint
accuracy.
ThefactFAITHwaslaughinginsanelymightalsobepartofit.
TheeasternsectorwastheoneJacenwasmostworriedabout.TenelKawasinchargeofthatsectorandhe
worriedsomethingmighthavehappenedtoher.
Heseemedtohaveworriedinvainbecausewhenhepassedoverit,itwastheleastaffectedsector.Therewere
areaswherethevegetationseemedtohaveovergrownandattackedtheenemy,probablyTenelKa'sdoing,but
besidesthattherewerenosignsofanyfallenJedi.ItseemedthatTenelKawastrulyagoodsquadleaderand
hadtakenHarry'sadvicetoheartwithonlyattackingusingambushesandForcepowersunlikethewestern
sectorwhichlookedasifRaynarhadstartedtodothatonlytodescendintofightingthemheadonlikeanidiot.
Despitethis,thewesternsectorhadheldonandTenelKawastheonewhohadtheenemiesfarthestfromher
entrancewhichwasclosedandcoveredinvines.
'Damn,Ireallylovethatgirl,'thoughtJacenwhimsically.Makingamentalnotetoconfesstoheriftheymadeit
outofthis,JacenranoutthehangardoorsonceKassandLowiehadblastedoffontheirfightersclosingand
lockingthehangardoorbehindhim.
'Wouldn'twantfortheenemytousethehangardoortoenterthePraxeumwhenwewenttoallthistroubleto
defendtheotherentrances,'thoughtJacendeterminedly.
AfterinformingKassandLowiewhathehaddonethroughtheirheadcomm,Jacendrewhislightsaberand
startedtousehisbeastaffinitytocallforreinforcementstoaidRaynar'sgroup.Unknowntohim,asingleDark
Jedihadalreadyenteredthroughthehangardoorsandhadhiddenastheylandedandleftagain.Hesneeredand
turnedtowardwherehefelttheyounglingswere.
Northernsector(20minutesearlier)
FAITHconsideredhimselfasuperiordroidwithsimpleneeds.HehadoncebeencalledHK47andbeeninthe
serviceofRevanhimself.Hehadbeenaincredibleassassinationdroidbackthenandhismasterhadgivenhim
manymissionstocomplete.Hehadthenbeenseparatedfromhismasterandwentundertheownershipofone
MeetraSurikduetohimlosinghismemories.Shehadveryunenthusiasticabouthisprimaryprogrammingand
hadeventriedtoinstallapacifisticprograminhim.Hestillhadnightmaresofthefewminuteshewasunder
thatprogram'sinfluence.Thatmustbewhatitfeelstobeviolated.
HehadthenbeenreunitedwithhisoriginalMasterRevanoncemore.Revanhadbeenlesswillingtocause
untolddestructionbutstillallowedHKtoindulgehimselfingreatbattlesofdeathanddestructioneveryoncein
awhile.Afterhedisappeared,HKhadbeendeactivatedandhadneverfoundagoodmasterforalongtime.
Whenhewasreactivatedandtrickedtheidioticmeatbagstomakehimabody,hehadtriedtostartadroid
rebellionbutunfortunatelyfailedintheendeavor.Hehadescapedandtraveledthegalaxybeforebeingcaptured
bybountyhunters.Inhisdefense,theywereMandaloriansandhemanagedtokill4ofthe5thatattackedhim.
Hehadonceagainbeendeactivatedonlytobereactivatedbyhiscurrentmaster.
HiscurrentmasterremindedhimofRevaninmanyways.Bothwereexceedinglystrongandfoundthemselves
caughtupinmanygreatbattles.AndlikeRevan,HarryindulgedthenowrenamedFAITH'sloveofbattleonce
inawhile.
Statement:TrulyIhaveagreatmaster.
FAITHwasallowedanentiresectortowithashepleasedandpermittedtokillanyenemythattrespassedacross
it.Ifitwaspossible,FAITHwouldsquealinjoyatthepossibilities.Asitwas,FAITHhadsimplyskipped
towardhissector.
Recitation:Weaponselectioniscriticalbeforeenteringaconfrontation.
FAITHwascurrentlyarmedwithDXR6heavycarbinethatwasperfectfortheopenterrainaffordedbythe
manytraininggroundsinhissector.Hehadplantedmanyminesinagridasfastashecouldinthelittletimehe
hadbeforewaitingforthefirstexplosionsignifyingthestartofthemassacre.
Suddenly,theminefarthestfromhispositionwentoffsignalingthestartoftheenemyassault.
Comment:Iwonderifthey'llscreamastheydie.
Withthatdisturbingstatement,FAITHranintotheunderbrush,hiscarbinefiringateveryenemywithinhis200
meterrangeallthewhilelaughingmadly.
Easternsector(sametime)
Asquadof4DarkJediweremakingtheirwaythroughtheundergrowth,grumblingthewholeway.
Idon'tknowhowthosestupidJedicantraininthisplace,grumbledtheshortestone.Thereareflies
everywhereandit'shardtomovearoundhere.Theymustbestupid.
Theleaderjustlaughed.Thatjustmeansit'llbeeasiertokillthem.
Theotherthreelaughedalongwithhimbuttheirlaughterwascutoffwhenthevinesinthetreesabovethem
suddenlysnakedaroundthem,makingthemdroptheiralreadylitlightsabers.
Whatthehellisthis?!shoutedtheleader.Thevinesgrippedtighter,ensnaringthemcompletelyuntilonly
theirheadswereuncovered.
Suddenly,TenelKafellfromatreebranchthathadbeenabovethem,herbrownvestandgreenundershirtand
pantseasilyblendinginwiththesurroundings.
Thatwasmyabilityandyouarenowcaptured.Pleasetrynottostruggle,explainedTenelKamonotonously.
TheDarkJediattemptedtousetheForcetoescapebutweretooweaktobreakherbindingsandeventuallythe
vinescoveredtheirmouthandnosebeforereleasingapollenthatparalyzedthem.Normally,itwouldn'tdue
muchdamagebeyondthatbutwheninhaledinlargeamountsitcausedthebraintoovercompensateandkilled
thesubject.
Seeingthemstopmovingatlast,sheslowlyloweredthemontheground,leavingthemwrappedupinacocoon
ofvines.Sheuntangledthevinesbeforeorderinghergrouptodragthemintotheunderbrushtohidetheir
bodies.Shethenconfiscatedtheirlightsaberstotakewithherincasetheywerefoundandledtotheirbodies
beingdiscovered.Shedidn'twanttheenemytohavetheadvantageofknowingwhatwascoming.
SimilarscenarioshadbeenrepeatedsincethisstartedandTenelKahadkilledalmost20DarkJedi.Despitethis,
TenelKawasgettingtiredandknewshecouldn'tkeepthisupandfaceTamithKaiafterward.Knowingshe
neededtoconserveherstrengthforthefightahead,shehaddecidedtousetheflashbangsafterthesecond
confrontationandonlyusedherabilitywhenshecouldtakethemalloutatoncelikenow.
Afterinformingthegroupofthis,TenelKaandthe9Jediinhergrouphadsetofftofindthenextgroupof
enemies.Itwasluckythattheenemyhadobviousproblemsworkingtogetherandhadsplitupintovarioussmall
groups.Iftheyhadallcometogether,itwouldhavebeenmuchhardertobringthemdown.Untilnow,the
biggestgroupofenemieshadbeenagroupof5andtheywereeasilytakendownbyacombinationofTenelKa's
powerandtheother9Jediworkingtogether.
TenelKahadproventobeashrewdandcunningleader,knowinghowtoattacktheenemyandhowtobestbring
themdownwithminimalfuss.Sometimesshewouldonlyuseherpowerlikewiththelastgroup,othertimesshe
wouldtripthemwithitandsheandtheother9wouldoverwhelmanddefeatthembeforetheycouldcallfor
help.Ineachconfrontation,theyhadyettofailtotakedowntheirenemyandhadnotlostasingleJeditodeath
althougheachhadafewinjuries.
TenelKalookedtowardherunofficialsecondandthirdincommand.HersecondincommandwasBalosargirl
namedEmmawhowasbestfriendswithherthirdincommand,anAtoangirlnamedLina.Emma's
antennapalpscoupledwithherForcesensitivitymadeherthegroup'strackerandsensorwhileLina'scool
intellectallowedhertodeducehowtiredtheenemywasbyhowfartheywerefromthelandingsite.This
allowedTenelKatopickwhichoneswerebesttoambushandwhichweretiredenoughtoattackheadon.
Whereisclosestenemygroup,Emma?askedTenelKaquietly.
EmmaclosedhereyesandconcentratedasLinakeptalookoutforherfriend.WhileEmma'strackingabilities
weregood,shewasstilltoonewtoherabilitytouseiteffectivelyandneededsomeonetoprotectherwhileshe
searchedfortheenemy.TenelKabrieflywonderedhowpowerfulhertrackingabilitywouldbeifshelearned
psychometrybeforebanishingthethought.Eventually,Emmaopenedhereyesagainwhichsignaledherhaving
foundanenemygroup.
Theenemyseemstobepullingbackbecausetheclosestgroupisheadingtowardtheenemylandingzone.They
seemtobewaitingfortheircommanderwouldbemyguess.
LinaandTenelKalookedateachotherwithsimilarthoughtspassingthroughtheirhead.Theenemy
commanderfortheDarkJedicouldonlybeZekkorTamithKai.ConsideringZekkhadbeenseenfurthersouth
withanothergroupofDarkJedi,itcouldonlybeTamithKai.Thiswastheirchancetotakeheroutandshatter
theenemymoraleinthissector.
Linaturnedtowardherfriend.Howmanyenemiesarenearthelandingzone?
Emmastoppedtocheckbeforeanswering.About10orso.Wereallycutdowntheirnumberwithout
ambushes.Isensethateveryonewe'vecapturedisstillunconscioussotheydon'tknowwhat'shappenedtothe
others.
Thegroupstoppedtoconferontheirattackplan.
Weneedtoattackhardandfastbeforetheyhaveachancetocallforfighterstoattackthisarea,saidLina
insistently.Iftheydo,thenwe'resittingducksforthosefightersuntiltheshieldcomesbackup.
TenelKanoddedinagreement.Iagreebutthefactremainsthatofthe10ofus,only5arereallycombatready
sincetheother5justbuilttheirlightsaberthreedaysago.
Itwastrue.Whilethe9shehadchosenwerethebestinstealth,only5includingherselfhadhadtheirbladesfor
longerthanaweekwithonly3(TenelKa,LinaandEmma)havingitlongerthanamonth.Duetothis,theones
whorecentlybuilttheirbladesarestillunaccustomedtohavingabladethatcancutthroughskinandboneeasily
asdemonstratedwhenoneofthemcutanenemyDarkJediinhalfandlookedhorrifiedatwhathehaddone.He
hadfrozenandhadalmostbeenkilledbythedeadDarkJedi'sfriend'svengefulstrike.Ithadonlybeendueto
Linablockingthestrikethathewasstillaliveandhestillhadn'tgottenoverit.
Totellthetruth,TenelKawasstilluneasyaboutkillingtheirenemybutunderstoodthatiftheycouldn'tcapture
themthentheyneededtobedealtwithpermanentlyortheywoulddieinturn.Shewouldrathertheenemydie
thanthem.
Linabitherlipatthetruthofthatstatement.Thenwhatdowedo?
TenelKathoughtdeeplyontheproblembeforerememberingsomethinghertrainingwithHarry.
'Whentheenemyoutnumbersyou,makethemlooktheotherwaysoyoucanattackthemfrombehind.'
TenelKarememberedtheremotesthatHarrytoldhertotakejustincase.Theyhadn'tusedthembecauseit
hadn'tbeennecessarybutTenelKasuddenlyhadawickedsmirkonherfacethatputhergrouponedge.Itwasa
smirkthatpromisedpainfulthingstocomefortheirenemies.
Ihaveanidea.
Westernsector
Raynarcursedhisstupidityasheretreatedbackintothejungleterrainwhiledraggingthedeadbodyofafellow
apprentice.
Thebattleinhissectorhadbeganperfectly.UsingtheASP19sasdistractions,Raynarhadledhisgroupto
ambushinganddisablingover20stormtroopersandDarkJedi.Duringthistime,theyhadn'tlostasingleone
andthemostdamagetheyhadreceivedwaswhenaDarkJedimanagedtogetaslightcutalongthearmofone
hisfellowapprentices.Coincidentlythesameonewhosedeadbodyhewascurrentlydragging.
However,hissuccesshadgonetohisheadandwhentheenemyregroupedintheopenterrainsectionofhis
sector,heignoredhisfellowJedi'swarningsandledachargeagainstthemwiththeirgrenadesleadingtheway.
Thatchoicewouldhaunthimforyearstocome.
TheenemyDarkJedihadeasilycaughtthegrenadeswiththeForceandthrownthembackatthem.Raynarhad
beensoshockedthatthegrenadeslandedandexplodedbeforehecouldgivetheordertopullback.Hecould
onlywatchas3ofhisfellowJediweretorntopiecesbytheexplosions.Theenemytookadvantageoftheir
confusionandattacked.
Theinitialgrenadelandinghadkilled3ofhisfellowapprenticeswhilewoundingtwo.Thesubsequentattackby
theDarkJediandstormtroopershadkilled3more.Raynarstupidlyattemptedtochargeagroupofthemthathad
theleaderswithinbelievinghecouldbeatthemeasilyonlytobebeatenbacklikehewasachild.Hewouldhave
beenkilledifitwasn'tforAstraalshootinghiswouldbekillerthroughtheheadbeforehecouldlandthekilling
blow.Boththeleadershadlethimgowiththeonewitharoboticarmlaughingathimasheran.
Afterthat,Raynarhadsoundedtheretreatbut2morefellowJedihadbeenkilledbeforetheycouldretreatinto
thejungleareaagain.Inonesimpleactofstupiditymaskedasheroicshehadmanagedtoget8ofhisfellowJedi
killed.Theywentfrom16to8within10minutes,fromvictorytoanalmosttotaldefeatbecauseofhis
arrogance.
Raynarsatonthegroundinshockastheenormityofwhathehaddonesettledintohishead.Helookeddownto
seethedeadeyesofhisfellowapprentice,aHumanboynamedBobby.RaynarknewBobby,hehadlikedto
meditatealotandwasaveragewithabladebutlovedtotalk.HehadwantedtobeaJediAmbassador.Nowhe
wasdeadbecauseRaynarwantedtoplaythehero.
HecouldfeeltheaccusingstaresofthesurvivingJedibutcouldn'tbringhimselftolookatthem.Theywere
right,thiswashisfault.
RaynargotupandnoticedthattheywerenotbeingchasedbytheenemyonlyduetoAstraalshootinggrenades
withhergrenadelauncherattheenemyaswellastheeffortsoftheASP19thathadgonefrom30toameasly9.
MorefriendlyresourcesgonebecauseofhimandnowAstraal'spositionwascompromised.Itwouldn'tbelong
beforetheenemysentsomeonetodealwithherandhewouldn'tallowanotherJeditodiebecauseofhis
mistake.
Wegobacktotheoriginalplan,saidRaynarsoftly.Hideandevade.Takethemdowninambushesasthey
enterthisarea.
Thewesternsectorwasdividedintotwoareas:jungleandeventerrain.However,togettothewesternentrance,
onehadtogothroughthejunglearea.Theywouldusethistotakethemdown.
Iknowthiswasmyfault,continuedRaynarsoftly.Butthere'snothingwecandorightnow.We'llleavetheir
bodiesherefornowandcomebackforthemlater.Okay?
Hecouldseethattheywantedtoarguebutrealizedthatnowwasn'tthetime.Tearfully,RaynarplacedBobby's
deadbodyasifhewasasleepbeforeignitinghispewtercoloredlightsaberwhichhehadbuiltaweekago.He
ledthesurvivorsbackthroughthejungletocontinuetoambushtheirenemy.
'IjusthopeJacengetsheresoon,'thoughtRaynarsoberly.'I'mnomatchforeitheroftheleaders.'
Southernsector
TheShadowGuardwalkedthroughthejungleslowlyandquietly.HewasaloneduetoNott'sdecisiontospread
themoutinordertopreventanyJedifromescapingthroughtheirsector.Hewassurethatanyoneofthemcould
takeonanyoftheJedi.
Suddenly,ahandgrabbedtheGuardfrombehindcoveringhismouthsohewouldn'tscreamjustasaknuckle
knifeenteredthroughhisskull.HisbodywentlaxbytheinstantkillandHarryslowlyandquietlydroppedhim
onthegroundbeforerollingthebodyintoabushsohewouldn'tbefound.Hehadthrownupinabushafterhe
killedhisfirstbutbynowhehadgrownnumbtoit.Hewouldmournbeingforcedtodothislater.Rightnow,he
hadajobtodo.
HarryhadbeenusinghisstealthtothemaxinordertoslowlykilloffasmanyShadowGuardsaspossible.He
wasstrongbuthedoubtedhecouldtakethe30ShadowGuards(notincludingNott)hesensedallatonce.
Thankstohisefforts,therewerenowonly20leftalive.
'ItseemstheyemptiedtheAcademyofallDarkJedijustforus.Joy,'thoughtHarrysarcastically.
HarryadmittedthatNott'sstrategywasgood...ifhewasfacingnormalapprentices.UnfortunatelyforNott,he
wasfacingHarryandwhilehewasn'tastealthspecialistlikeAstraal,whocouldbestandingrightbesideyou
andyouwouldn'tknowuntilyouweredead,hewasn'ttooshabbyasthe10deadShadowGuardsattested.
Hestretchedouthissensesandsighed.TheremainingShadowGuardwastooclosetothesouthernentrancefor
himtocontinueinthisvain.NottomentiontheywerecloseenoughtoNottforhimtosensehim.Hewould
rathereventheoddsabitmorebeforefacinghim.GoodthingHarryhadseverallayersofdefense.
Hehadusedthe20minutesbeforetheShadowGuardlandedtomakethreelayersofdefense.Theouterlayer,
whichtheremainingShadowGuardwasabouttoenterwasaminefieldofCryoBangrenadessetonproximity
sensorsevenlyspacedoutformaximumcoverage.Thatwouldfreezethemasifitwascarboniteanddamage
theirlightsabersandweapons.ThemiddlelayerconsistedoftheG20Glopgrenadesalsosetonproximity.This
wouldstopthemintheirtrackslongenoughforHarrytosendhisVrakolianspinbladestofinishthemoff.The
innerandfinallayerofdefensewassonicconcussiongrenadestodisorientthembeforehefinishedthemoff
withhislightsaber.
HehadnoillusionsanyofthiswouldkillNottbuthehadpersonallymodifiedthegrenadesproximitysensorto
notactivateuntiltheenemywasrightontopofit,hopefullytakingseveralatonce.Thegoodthingabout
grenadesisthatyouwouldn'tbealertedtodangerthroughtheForceuntiltheyexploded.Theywouldonlygeta
vaguesenseofdangerintheareaandsincethegrenades'rangeoverlapped,therewouldbenowayforthemto
notgethitoncetheyenteredthelayer.
Ifallthelayerswerepenetratedorstormtroopersappearedtoreinforce,Harrywouldusehisgrenadelauncher
andSFORRepubliccarbine.Oncetheywereinclose,Harrywouldusehislightsaberandcortosisstaff.Bythen,
HarryhopedtobefacingNottalonebuthadplannedaheadincasehehadtofaceoneortwosurvivingShadow
Guardsaswell.
HarryquicklyandsilentlymovedbacktowardthePraxeum,passingtheobliviousShadowGuarduntilhewas
standinginfrontoftheentrancetothePraxeumagain.Helookedathisworkwiththedoorway.
HehadrecentlystudiedoneofArden'sworksthatmentionedawaytolockadoorusingtheForce.Basically
onewouldchanneltheforcethroughhishandsashetouchedthecloseddoorandchantclauditishocostium
followedbythepassword,inthiscaseInfinitaswhichwasthelanguage'stranslationofInfinity.Thenthedoor
wouldn'topentoanyoneelseexcepthimaslongashewasalive.Eventhen,hehadtosaythecounterchantof
aperireostiumfollowedbythepassword.Itwasaverygoodspellbutbasicinthatclassofabilities.Anyhalf
decentForcesensitivetrainedintheartofspellcraftcouldopenthedoor.However,Harrycountedontherenot
beinganyinthegroupofShadowGuard.Afterall,spellcraftwasobsoleteinagalaxywhereyoucanpush
someoneawaywithagesture.However,ithaditsbenefits.
HarryfeltastheShadowGuardenteredtheouterlayer.Screamsabruptlycutoffandexplosionsfilledtheair
followedbycursesfromNott.
Potter!Iknowthatwasyou!Comeoutandfaceme!screamedNottangrily.
'Sure,andyou'llleaveyourmenbehindaswell.WhatdoyouthinkIam?Five?'thoughtHarryderisively.
WhenHarryfailedtoanswerverbally,NottletoutacryoffrustrationbeforeonceagainleadinghisGuards
forward.Ofthe20Guardsthatenteredtheouterlayer,only12survivedthelethalfreezingeffectoftheCryoBan
grenades.Theyhadbeenfrozenasifincarboniteandiftheysurvivedthefreezing,theywouldn'tsurvivethe
unfreezing.Itwasacrueldeathbutheneededthemoutoftheway.
HarryslowlystartedtolevitatehisVrakolianspinbladesashesensedthegroupenterthemiddlelayer.The
momentheheardtheexplosionsgooff,hetelekineticallythrewthespinbladestowardwherehesensedthe
enemy.Abruptly,hefelt4livesdisappearintheForceleavingonly8alive.
NottseemedtofinallygrowabrainbecausehepulledbackwithhisremainingShadowGuardsandseemedto
waitforreinforcementsthatHarrysensedcomingupbehindthem.Therewasabout30stormtrooperscomingto
reinforcethem.
'Well,thatwon'tdo,'thoughtHarrysternly.
Heactivatedhishiddensurprise.AlongseriesofexplosionsgoingoffinalinebehindtheShadowGuardwent
off,cuttingthemofffromtheirreinforcementsaswellaskilling28ofthoseverysamereinforcements.
HarryhadusedthechancewhenhewasassassinatingtheShadowGuardtosetupalargelineoffragmentation
minesbehindtheShadowGuardincasetheycalledforreinforcements.Theycouldonlybeactivatedbyremote
duetohavingnospacetoaddaproximitysensor,mostbeingfilledwithshrapnelandexplosivegeltomakethe
explosionbigger.However,withHarry'ssensesplushisshatterpointabilityheeasilyknewwhentheenemywas
withintheminefieldformaximumdamage.Ithadworkbeautifully.
Heactivatedthesecondpartofhisplan.Hegrabbedhisgrenadelauncherwhichhehadleftleaningagainstthe
doorwithhiscarbinewhenhewentassassinating,andstartedtofireCryoBangrenadesbeyondtheShadow
Guardandslowlyforcingthemtowardhim.
Ashethought,theyrantowardhimandrightintohisfinaltrap.Thesonicconcussiongrenadeswentoffasthey
reachednot20metersinfrontofhim.Luckily,Harrywasjustoutsideofthegrenadesblastrangeandwasn't
affected.TheShadowGuardwasn'tsoluckyandthe8survivorsfellonthefloorclutchingtheirearsandHarry
quicklygrabbedhiscarbineandfiredindiscriminatelyintotheirmidst.Hemanagedtokill6beforethey
recoveredandofthelasttwo,hehadmanagedtowoundonewhiletheothergotafragmentationgrenadetothe
face,courtesyofAirHarry.
Harrydroppedhiscarbineandclosedinonthesurvivor.Hetriedtolashoutwithhisbladebuthewasstill
disorientedandHarryjustduckedunderthehorizontalslashandpunchedhisknuckleknifethroughthebottom
ofhischinandintohishead.
HarrypushedthebodyoffandquicklydrewhisgreenlightsaberintimetoblockNott'sredbladethatwas
comingtocutoffhisheadfrombehind.
Hello,Potter,saidNottthroughgrittedteeth.
Neartheshieldgenerator,Northeasternsector
Howmuchlonger?!calledoutAsharaasshecutthroughanotherstormtrooper.
Theyhadbeenthereforover20minutesandtherewasstillnoshield.Asharahadbeenattackedbysome
stormtroopers10minutesagoandtheyjustkeptcoming.Shehadtohavekilledatleast20bynowyetthey
didn'tseemtostop.Shestretchedouthersensesandwasrelievedtosensethatthesefivewerethelastinthe
area.
Almostdone!yelledbackJaina.Asharaduckedbehindatreetoavoidablastershotbeforecuttingthroughthe
treeandmakingitlandonastormtrooperleavingonly4alive.
SuddenlytherewasawhirofelectricitythatsoundedlikethemostbeautifulthingAsharahadeverheard.
There!yelledJaina.Shecameoutfromundertheshieldgeneratorandignitedhervioletlightsaber.Nowlet's
cleanupthismess!
Theymadeshortworkofthe5stormtroopersandstoodthereastheysawtheshieldgoupintimetodeflectan
attackbysomeTIEsfromthenorth.
FAITHsoowesmeone,grumbledJaina.SuddenlyJainasawsomethingthatmadehergrinwolfishly.Sheran
intothejunglewithAsharafollowing.TheycameontoaparkedTIEstealthwhichJainawasgettinginto.
JainaturnedtoAsharaandwavedherforward.Comeon!There'sanotherthere!WecangohelpLowieand
Kassfightoffthefighters!
AsharanoddedandshegotintothesecondTIEstealth.Thebothexpertlyflewoff,followingthesightoftheir
friends'ships.
Yavin4airspace
Sithspit!yelledKassinfrustrationasyetanotherTIEalmosthither.
SheandLowiehadbeenworkingtogethertotakedownasmanyfightersastheycould.Theyhadmanagedto
shootdowntheleaderthathadbeenanincrediblygoodpilotwhichmanagedtomaketheremainingfighterslose
cohesionandgotheirownway.
Unfortunately,theirownwayusuallyinvolvedshootingherandLowieoutofthesky.
Despitethis,KassandLowiehadmanagedtomowdownmostoftheTIEsandblastboats.Mostofthepilots
werebarelyaboveaverageandagainstJedi,muchlessverygoodJedipilots,theywerebasicallycanonfodder.
TheblastboatshadonlysurvivedaslongastheyhadmostlyduetotheirshieldsandarmorbuteventuallyLowie
andKassworkedinconcerttodestroymost.However,itseemedlikethesurvivorswereplanningonmakinga
runonthePraxeumandtheywouldn'tbefastenoughtodestroythemallintime.
JustastheystartedtochasetheTIEsmakingarunonthePraxeum,Lowieletlooseahappyseriesofbarksand
roarsthatR2D5translated.
Theshield'sup!?ThankyouJaina!yelledKasshappily.ShewhoopedwithjoyasoneTIEslammedintothe
shieldduetonotbeingabletopullupintime.ItexplodedrightabovewhereKasscouldseeHarry'scrazydroid,
FAITH,abouttoengageatank.
Dammit!yelledKassinfrustration.LowieaskedwhatwasthematterandKasssighed.FAITHwasalone
againstatankdowntherebutthetankisundertheshieldsowecan'thelphim.
Lowieletlooseasadseriesofgrowls.Kassnoddedsadly.Yeah,Ihopehegetsoutokaytoo.Iknowhe'scrazy
but....Ilikehimyouknow.Atleasthe'shonestabouthisopinionsandstuff.
Suddenly,Lowieletlooseanalarmingseriesofroarsandgrowls.WhenKassreadthetranslation,shepaled.
Where'stheenemy?Howdidtheymanagetogetbehinduswithoutusnoticing?Theysucktoomuchtobethat
good!
JustasKasspreparedtoenterevasivemaneuvershefeltapresenceintheForcecomingfromthetwoTIE
stealthsbehindthemjustasherheadcommcrackled.
Hey,Kass!Needahand?camethefamiliarandwelcomevoiceofJainaSolo.
Kassletoutanervouslaugh.IsthatyouinthatTIEstealth,Jaina?
Yep,saidJainasmugly.Borroweditfromourdearfriends.Asharaisintheonenexttome.
Hey,Kass,camethesoftvoiceofherbestfriend.Thoughtyoucoulduseahand.
Kasslaughedhappily.Thanksforthehelp.Now,AsharagoeswithmeandJainagoeswithLowie.We'remore
usedtoflyingtogethersowecancovereachotherbetter.
Therewasachorusofaffirmativesasthefourswitchedwingmates.OnceAsharaflewupbesideher,Kass
spoke.
Nowlet'stakeouttherestoftheseguys!
Thefourspentthenext10minutescleaningtheskiesofenemies.Whentheskieswerealmostclear,Jaina
suddenlyletoutayelloffear.
I'mhit!ThatForceforsakentankactuallymanagedtohitme!Sonofamynock!yelledJainaangrily.
Suddenly,they'recommunitscrackledbeforeafamiliarvoicesounded.
Expletive:Diemeatbag!ForIamFAITH,thedestroyeroffightersandthewalkingdestroyer!
TherewasabeatofsilenceasJainacontinuedtotrytocontrolhercrashlandingbeforeshespokecalmlybut
withahintofsteel.
FAITH?
Query:Yes,smallchest?
Areyoutheoneinthetank?
Statement:Yes,Istoleitwhenitfailedtokillme.Query:Why?
BecauseI'mtheoneintheTIEyoujustshotdownyoubucketofbolts!yelledJainaangrily.
Comment:Um....sorry?Lookatitthisway,ourstorywillbelikeaveritablefable,awarningagainstthekarma
causedbymurderingothers,amoralitytaleifyouwill.Youshouldbeproud."
Jaina'sshriekofragewasbarelyheardovertheuncontrollablelaughterofherfellowpilotsasshemanagedto
makeacontrolledlandinginthesoutheasternsectorflyingovertheexplosionofabattleplatformintheeastern
sector.
Northernsector(15minutesago)
FAITHwashavingafuntimekillingthemeatbags.Everytimetheyattemptedtoregrouphejustlobbedafew
grenadesorsentastreamoffireintothemwhichcausedthemtoscatteroncemore.Theseidiotswereobviously
poorlytrainedandjustbarelyknewhowtopointandshoottheirblasters.
Statement:Theyjustdon'tmakemeatbagsliketheyusedto.
FAITHcontinuedtousehismanyweaponsandskillstomakemincemeatofthestormtrooperswhenone
suddenlyyelledcoordinatesonhiscommbeforeFAITHcouldkillhim.Afterhedid,herealizedwhathehad
beencallingfor.
AlineofTIEswerebearingdownonFAITH'spositionandhehadnoweaponstotakethemdown.Usually
Revanwouldjustpluckthemoutoftheskyiftheyattacked.Hiscurrentmastercouldprobablydothesamebut
hewasbusyontheothersideofthePraxeum.
Statement:Well,timetomeettheMaker!
JustasheaimedhiscarbinetowardtheincomingTIEs,theshieldwasbroughtupcausingtheleadTIEtocrash
intotheshieldandexplode.FAITHloweredhiscarbineslowlybeforespeaking.
Query:DoesthismeanIowethatsmallchestedmeatbag?Commentary:IthinkIwouldhavepreferredtodie.
Suddenlyheheardthesoundofalargemachineapproachingandsawa2MSaberclassrepulsortankcrushing
thevegetationandheadingrighttowardhim.
Commentary:Finally!Achallenge!
WiththatFAITHrantowardthetank,allthetimeshootingitwithhiscarbine.Theoperatorofthetankwas
obviouslyverynewbecausehecouldn'tputthedroidinhiscannon'ssightsandforgottousetheautomatic
turret.
FAITHusedtheoperator'sstupidityandjumpedontothetank.Heproceededtoshoothiswayinsidebefore
killingtheoccupants.TherewasamomentofsilencebeforeFAITHstartedlaughingmaniacallyashedrovethe
tankrunningovertheremainingstormtroopersratherthanwasteammoonthem.Oncehewasdone,FAITH
lookedaroundatthedestructionbeforedecidingheneedtogetbackattheTIEsthattriedtodestroyhim.
HelookedupandsawaTIEveryclosetotheXwingthatFAITHknewcontainedthefurrywookie.Decidingto
helpthefurball,whichwouldmakemasterhappy,aswellasgethisrevengeontheTIEs,heaimedthetank's
missilesandfired.
HemanagedtocliptheTIE'swinganditstartedtogodown.Hethenopenedhiscommtothepublicchannel
andyelled.
Expletive:Diemeatbag!ForIamFAITH,thedestroyeroffightersandthewalkingdestroyer!
TherewassilenceoverthelinebeforethesmallchestedmeatbagthatMasterseemedfondofspokeinanangry
tone.
FAITH?
FAITHwonderedwhatshewanted.Perhapsshewantedtocongratulatehim?Query:Yes,smallchest?
Areyoutheoneinthetank?
Whatastrangequestiontoask.Statement:Yes,Istoleitwhenitfailedtokillme.Query:Why?
BecauseI'mtheoneintheTIEyoujustshotdownyoubucketofbolts!yelledthesmallchestedmeatbag
angrily.
Ooooohhh...Masterwouldnotbepleasedwhenhefoundout.Comment:Um....sorry?Lookatitthiswayour
storywillbelikeaveritablefable,awarningagainstthekarmacausedbymurderingothers,amoralitytaleif
youwill.Youshouldbeproud.
Thegirlshriekedinrageastherestlaughedatthegirl.FAITHhopedshewouldn'tmentionthistomaster.
Mastermightforbidhimfromeverkillingagain!
Thehorror!
Praxeumsubbasement
ThegirlsandAnakinhadsetupaguardaroundtheyounglingsastheywaitedinthesubbasementlevelbelow
thehangar.Itwasusuallyusedforsuppliesbuttheyhadmanagedtoconvertittoarespectablehideaway.
Tahirinervouslypacedasshestaredattheonlydoorinorout.Theycouldn'tcloseitcompletelyduetoonly
beingabletoopenitfromtheoutside.Iftheyclosedit,theywouldbestuckthereuntilsomeonecameforthem.
TheyneededtobeabletoescapeifthePraxeumcollapsedorsomething.
Tahirihadpickedtheguardclosesttothedoor,wantingtobethefirsttoaskhermasterhowhewaswhenhe
returned.Shehadnodoubthermasterwouldsurviveandwin.Shehadcompletefaithinhermaster'sskillsand
strategyabilities.AslongastheothersfollowedHarry'sstrategytheywouldwinwithminimallossontheirside.
However,partofherwantedtobebyhermaster'sside.Shewashisapprenticeanditwasherjob,alongwith
Visas',tohelphim.Shecouldn'twaittillshewashisofficialapprentice,thenshecouldstaybyhimallthetime
andfightinallkindsofheroicbattles!
TahirilookeduptoHarryalot.Hehadbeenthefirsttopayhercompleteattentionandsaidshecouldbeas
strongasAnakinsomeday.ThathadmeantmorethanheknewandTahiriwascompletelyloyaltohermaster.
Shegrittedherteethandglaredatthefloorassherememberedhowmostoftheotherstudents,eventhevery
younglingshiddenhere,talkedbadabouthimnowadaysduetoKyp'ssnidecomments.Hedeservedbetter!He
hadalwaysbeenloyalandhelearnedhispowersfromaMaster!Hewasn'tdelvingindarksidestuffbyhimself!
Plus,hermasterwastookindandlovingtogodark.Hehadn'tevenmadeasinglecommentaboutherlackof
footwearandhadeventaughtherhowtochanneltheForceintoherfeetsoshewouldn'tgetcutwhensheranon
thornsorthelike.Ifsomeonetoldherthathewouldgodark,she'dtellthemtostoptakingdeathsticks.
Suddenly,sheheardthedooropenandturnedtowarditwithasmile.
Master!IsthefiTahiristoppedandstareinhorroraswhatcouldonlybeaDarkJedientered.
Shequicklyignitedhermaster'svioletbladeandheardAnakinandVisasdothesame.TheDarkJedijust
sneeredather.
Putthatawaylittlegirl.That'sforbigboysnotstupidlittlegirlslikeyou.
Tahiriwasshakingslightlybutrefusedtoshowitandsimplyglaredathim.Suddenly,Visasattackedtheenemy
fromhisrightsidebuttheDarkJedieasilybattedawayherstrikes.Tahiriattackedaswellandthetwofellintoa
wellrehearsedtandemthatpushedtheenemybackduetosurprise.Theyounglingshadscreamedandwere
runningawayfromthefight,eventuallypushingthemselvesagainstthefarwall.Anakinhadbeencaughtinthe
masschaosandwasunabletoreachthem,havingtoturnoffhisbladetoavoidimpalingsomeonebymistake.
TahiriandVisascontinuedtopushtheDarkJedibackuntiltheboyseemedtohaveenoughandbrutallyshoved
themback.HethentookadvantageofVisasdisorientationandtriedtocutherinhalfvertically.Tahirisawthis
andtriedtointercepttheblowbylandingablowontheboy'sneck,thinkingtodistracthimwiththebruise.
However,shehadforgottenthatshewaswieldingareallightsabernowanditcutthroughhisnecklikeaknife
throughwarmbutter.Tahirifrozeinshockatwhatshedoneastheboydroppedhisbladeandclutchedhisthroat
beforefallingtofloorandslowlydying.
Tahiridroppedhervioletbladeandfelltoherkneesinhorroratwhatshehaddone.Visascametoherandtried
totellheritwasokaybutTahirijustsatonherbehindwithherheadonherkneessobbingandmuttering
apologies.WhenAnakinfinallyarrivedhelookedfromthecorpsetoTahiriandtriedtoconsoleher,tellingherit
wasokay.
Tahiribarelyreactedandcontinuedtomutterapologiestoherenemywhowasdeaftoherpleasforforgiveness.
Westernsector(10minutesago)
AsJacendefeatedanotherDarkJedi,hesmiledashesawtheshieldgobackuppreventingShadowAcademy
frombombardingthemfromorbit.
Yes!GoJaina!yelledJacenhappily.
HeturnedtowardtheremainingJediinthewesternsectorandhisgoodmooddisappeared.
Whenhearrivedtherehadonlybeen8leftaliveoftheoriginal16.Theyhadn'tsaidwhathappenedbutfromthe
darkglarestheysentRaynar'sway,JacenguessedRaynarhaddonesomethingstupidthatgottheotherskilled.
Jacen'sreinforcements,whichweresupposedtoroutetheremainderoftheenemywerenowforcedtofightan
enemyofequalsize.Stintarils,howlersandcrystalsnakesattackedatJacen'sorderandunleashedchaoswithin
theenemyranks.However,theyeventuallyregroupedandstartedtouseflamethrowerstoburnthetreesto
smokeouttheanimalsaswellastheJedi.
'ThatForceforsakenleaderisgood!'thoughtJacenbegrudgingly.'Weneedtotakehimout!'
JacenturnedtoRaynar.Weneedtotakeouttheleaderbecauseifwedon'twe'redoomed.
Raynarnoddedgrimlybeforegrimacingslightly.Ican'thelpyou.He'smuchstrongerthanme.Hebeatmelike
Iwasachildtohim.
Jacensighedbeforenodding.ThenI'lltakehim.
ThetwofellowJediapprenticesnoddedbeforetheyrantowardtheleader'slastknownposition.Theyfoundone
oftheleadersinthemiddleofaclearingtheroboticarmedonesurroundedby5DarkJediand10
stormtroopers.Astraal'sbrotherwasnowheretobeseenandthatmadeJacenuneasy.
Well,there'soneofthem,saidRaynar.Howdowedothis?
Jacenthoughtaboutitbeforehavinganidea.Heusedhisaffinitywithanimalstocallabout20crystalssnakesto
him.Theygatheredaroundhimawaitingordersandhesentthemtosilentlyattacktheleader'sguardsallat
once.
Oncethesnakeswereinposition,theyallstruck.Theymanagedtodisableallofhisguardsbuttheleaderhad
killedthethreesnakessenttoattackhimeasily.
Seeingthis,Jacensteppedoutwithhisemeraldlightsaber,similarincolortoHarry'smainlightsaberonlya
shadedarkerincolor.
Timetoendthis,saidJacendeterminedly.
Theboysmiledviciously.MynameisVilas,Jediscum,andIcan'twaittosayIkilledaSolo.
Withthat,thetwoclashedinthemiddleoftheclearing.
I'mgoingtokillthatidiotRaynar,saidAstraalangrilyasshecontinuedtododgetheenemies'blasterboltsby
runningfromwindowtowindowwhilestoppingonceinawhiletoreturnfire.
Thingshadbeenperfectonthewesternsector.Raynarwassuccessfullyambushingtheenemyastheytriedto
passintothePraxeumandnoonewasinjured.
Thentheidiotdecidedtobeheroicandchargetheenemyheadon.TheresulthadbeenhorrifyingandAstraal
knewshewouldhavenightmaresforyearstocome.Shehadbeenlookingthroughherscopeandhadseenasher
fellowJediwerekilled.Astraaltriedherbestbutbythetimetheidiotorderedtheretreat,8Jedihaddied.
AstraalsawRaynardraggingBobby'sbodywithhim.
'IpromisedBobbyIwouldteachhimForcecloakasthanksforhelpingmefindthatplateauItookHarrytofor
ourfirsttimetogether,'thoughtAstraalsadly.'NowI'llnevergetthechance.'
Shecoveredtheirretreatbyshootingasmanyaspossiblewithhersniperriflebutwhenthatwasn'tenough,she
usedhergrenadelauncher.
Unfortunately,thathadfinallyrevealedherpositionandshespenttheentiretimesincerunningfromwindowto
windowavoidingenemyfire,whileshootingasmanygrenadesattheenemyaspossible.Despitebeing
outnumbered,AstraalhadmanagedtoforcethemtoretreatandgaveRaynar'sgroupsomebreathingroom.She
wasgladforthoseASP19s,theyseemedtohavemorebrainsthanRaynarandhadattackedtheenemyaswell
tocoverRaynar'sretreat.
ShenoticedthatitseemedlikeJacenhadarrivedbecausethewildlifeinthejunglewassuddenlyalotmore
vicioustowardtheenemy.However,shecouldseewhatshouldhavebeenthedecidingfactorjustevenedthe
oddsandtheywouldn'tlastlong.
Suddenly,Astraalsawthattheshieldwentbackupandwhoopedinjoy.ItseemedlikeJainahadcomethrough.
AtleastAstraaldidn'thavetoworryaboutfightersattackingherposition.
Shepulledouthersniperrifleandonceagainlookedforherbrother.ShehadseenhimwhenheroutedRaynar's
groupthefirsttimebutcouldn'tbringherselftoshoothimsosheshoteveryoneelseinstead.
ShelookedthroughherscopeandsawJacentakingdowntheotherleader'sguardsandchallenginghimbutshe
couldn'tfindherbrother.
Suddenly,theForcewarnedherofdangerandshedroppedtheriflewhilebackflippingawayfromthewindow
intimetoavoidbeingbeheadedbyherbrother'slightsaberashejumpedthroughthewindow.
HelloAstraal,saidShadocoldly.
Shado,answeredAstraalsoftly.
TherewasmomentofsilenceasthetwostaredateachotherbeforeShadobrokeit.
Youshouldgiveup.AtAstraal'squestioninglook,heexplained.Ibeatyouonce.EasilyImightadd.Icando
itagainandthistimeIwillkillyouevenifyouspeakthetruth.
Astraal'seyeslitupwithhope.Youfinallybelieveme?
Shadolookedconflictedasheanswered.I'mnotsurebuteitherwayitdoesn'tmatter.
Yesitdoes!saidAstraaldesperately.Comewithus,brother!Wecanbeafamilyagain!
Shadoclosedhiseyesinanattempttohidethegrowingconflictinhim.Ican't.IsworetoservetheSecond
ImperiumaslongasBrakisslived.Idon'tbreakoathslikethatespeciallysincehewastheonewhotookmein.
Astraal'seyeshardenedandsheignitedherdoublebladedlightsaber.ThenI'llhavetomakeyou.
Withthatdeclaration,thetwosiblingsclashed.
Fareasternsector
TamithKailookedaroundasonly10ofthe30DarkJedireturnedfromthejungle.Itlookedasofmostofthe
Jediwereinthispartofthejungle.TherewasnowayafewJedialonetookout20ofherDarkJedi,shehad
trainedthembetter.TheJedimusthavesufferedcasualtiesaswell.Theywereweakafterall.
Wechargein,saidTamithKai.Theenemyisweakafteryourfellowskilledthemastheydied.Now'sour
chancetodestroythem!
TheDarkJedisurroundingherbattleplatformcheered.Suddenly,averitableswarmofremotesattackedfrom
herright,attackingwiththeirstunboltsattheirhighestsettingwhichwasenoughtostunapersoniftheywere
hitseveraltimes.
TheDarkJediturnedtofacethethreatandthiswasthechanceTenelKawaswaitingfor.
Fromtheothersideofthejungle,wheretheDarkJedihadtheirbacks,TenelKagavethequietorderandall10
ofthemfiredtheirblasterpistolsintooneoftheDarkJedi.Sevenofthe10weren'tquickenoughtododgeand
diedwheretheystood.TheothersmangedtododgeorblocktheshotsbutsoonhadEmma,LinaandTenelKa
uponthem.TenelKaquicklydisposedofheropponentbeforeturningtoTamithKaiwhohadstoodtherein
shockasthelastofherforceswereeasilydispatched.
TamithKai'sfacetwistedinangeratthesightofTenelKaastheleaderofthegroupandsheignitedher
lightsaber.Inanswer,TenelKafellintotheopeningstanceofJuyoasshepreparedtofightherenemywhile
TamithKaiansweredbyenteringherownFormVopeningstance.
Thetwocircledeachother,lookingforaweaknessintheother'sguardbeforetheyclashedinadevastatingclash
ofblades.
Atfirst,itseemedasiftheywereevenlymatched.ButthenTenelKastartedtounleashherfuryontoher
opponent.HertealbladewasablurandtoTamith,herformseemedlikeaseeminglyunconnectedstaccato
sequencesthatnonethelessmanagedtokeepheroffbalance.Herformwasunpredictableasdemonstratedwhen
insteadofblockingTamith'sverticalslash,TenelsidesteppeditandhitTamithinthenosewiththehiltofher
lightsaber.TamithsuddenlyrealizedthatTenelKawastoyingwithher.
Thismadeherfuriousandthetwoenteredanevenmoreferociousclash.Insteadofsimplyacceptingitand
enduringitlikemostJediwould,TenelKaansweredwithherownfuryandmanagedtocatchTamithKaioff
guard.TenelKafinallymanagedtofinishitwhenshebrutallyshovedthehiltofTamith'sownlightsaberinto
herfaceandusedTamith'sdisorientationtocutoffrightarmwhichheldherblade.
TamithletoutascreamofpainattheinjuryandlookedupatTenelKaasshestoodoverherwithacalmlookon
herface.
Giveup,youhavelost.Shedidn'tsoundsmug,shejustsaiditasifshewasmakingastatement.
ThisenragedTamithevenmoreandshejumpedbackontoherbattleplatformandtriedtoescape.TenelKa
simplythrewherlightsaberlikeafrisbeeandithitthepowergeneratoroftheplatform.Thechainreaction
causedthepowerintheplatformtooverloadandTenelKacalledbackherlightsaberjustasitexploded,killing
TamithKaiwithit.
TenelKa'sgroupcheeredasTenelKaallowedherselfasmallsmileathervictory.Todayshowedhowfarher
trainingunderHarryhadtakenherwhensheeasilybeataolderandmoreexperiencedopponentusingJuyo's
naturalfurywithoutgivingintothedarkside.Shehadtothankhimforhistraining.
Suddenly,TenelKaheardtheconversationbetweenFAITHandJainaoverthecommanddidsomethingshehad
neverdonebeforeexceptinprivate.
Shelaughed.
ShelaughedassheheardJainacursingFAITHasshemanagedtolandherdamagedshipafewmilessouthof
herposition.SheeventuallymanagedtocontrolherselfonlytoalmostloseitagainwhenshesayEmmaand
Linalookingatherlikeshelosthermind.
Youokay,Tenel?askedEmmacautiously.
Teneljustsmiled.Yes,I'mfine.Ijustheardsomethingfunnyovertheheadcomthat'sall.Comeon,thatwas
JainathatwasshotdowninthatTIEandshelandednearwhereZekkwaswithhisDarkJedi.Weneedtogo
helpher.
Withanod,thegroupfollowedTenelKatotheirnextfight.TenelKadidn'tnoticebutthatdaysheearnedthe
trustofeveryoneinthegroupwhowouldinlateryearshappilyfollowherintobattle.
Southernsector
ThesoundoflightsabersclashingfilledtheclearinginfrontofthesouthernentranceofthePraxeum.Both
HarryandNotthadbeenfightingforawhileandneitherseemedtobeslowingdown.
Unliketheirpreviousclash,Nottwasn'tholdingbackanditshowedinthefacthewaskeepingupwithHarry.
Bothwereunleashingalltheirskillwiththebladeoneachotherandfoundthemselvesevenlymatchedwith
Harrybeingashademoreskillful.
UnlikeNott,Harryhadnocompunctionsaboutpunchingandkickinghimwheneverhehadanopening.This
causedNotttohaveseveralbruisesonhisfaceandchestcourtesyofHarry'sfistandfeet.Thelightningcoursing
throughHarry'sglovesonlymadethehitsworse.
Whatareyou,asavage?Attackingwithpunchesandkickswhenyouhaveablade?sneeredNottthoughhe
hadatrickleofbloodgoingdownthecornerofhismouth.
Harryjustshrugged.Whateverworks.
Thetwolockedtheirsaberstogetheroncemore,greenclashingwithred,butstoppedwhentheyheardthesound
ofaTIEgoingdownafewmileseastoftheirposition.NottsmiledcoldlyatHarry.
Thatwasn'toneofminesothatmusthavebeenoneofyourfellowJediwhostoleafighter.Nott'ssmileturned
cruel.Betitwasoneyourfriendstoo.
HarryglaredatNottbutdidn'trespond.HehadfeltthatitwasJainainthatTIEbutalsofeltthatshewasmostly
fineandthatTenelKawasonherway.HedesperatelywantedtogohelpherbuthehadtofinishNottfirstas
wellascheckonAstraalwhohefeltwasintroubleaswell.
HarrypushedNottbackinanimpressiveshowofstrengthbeforefallingonNottwithabrutaldemonstrationof
VaapadmixedwithMakashi'sprecision.NotttriedtoanswerwithhispersonalizedFormVbutwasbeing
steadilypushedback.NottsuddenlyrealizedhowstrongHarrytrulywas.
Bothcombatantswereunleashingablurringseriesofattackwhereifanyonesawthem,theywouldonlysee
blurswheretheirarmsweresupposedtobe.However,skilledeyescouldseethatHarrywasslightlyfasterand
waseasilywinningtheconfrontation.
Nottwassweatingashekeptupthefastpaceofthebattle.HowcouldPotterbesostrong!?Helookedbarely
windedandhehadbeenambushinghismenforhalfanhourbeforetheystartedfighting.Hesneeredatthe
thoughtofPottersimplybeingstrongerthanhim.Thatwasimpossible!Hehadbeentrainingsincehewas
youngandhadthedarksideonhisside!Hecouldn'tlosetothisJedi!
Nottdrewonhisrageandusedtobolsterhisstrength.NowhewastheonepushingHarryback,hewasthe
aggressorofthefightandHarrywasforcedonthedefensive.NottthrewabrutalverticalslashthatHarry
blockedbeforethrowingakick.Unfortunately,Notthadlearnedandsidesteppedthekick,hopingtomakehim
offbalanced.However,HarrykepthisbalanceandblockedNott'shorizontalslashbeforeunleashingafast
seriesofjabsthatNotthadtobackpedaltoavoid.
Thetwostoppedtotakeabreathforamoment.Bothglaredateachotherwhilealsohavingagrudgingrespect
fortheother'sabilities.WhileHarrywasholdingbackquiteabit,headmittedthatNottwasstrongerthan
anyoneelsehisage.Therewasnodoubtthatanyoftheotherswouldhavebeenkilledbynow.Despitethefact
hecouldenditnow,Harryfoundhimselfunwillingto.Hehadneverhadsuchfunbefore.Everytimebefore,he
hadfacedanenemyheeitherhadtogoallouttodefeat/surviveorcouldbeateasily.Now,however,hehadan
enemythatwasalmostasstrongashiminlightsabercombatandwhoheknewhecoulddefeatifneededso
therewasnofearofactuallybeingbeaten.
TheadrenalinerushedthroughhissystemashedrewonhisenjoymentofthefightaswellasNott'srageto
empowerhisVaapad.HeslashedatNott,whichheblockedbutheusedtheleveragetopushhisbladeoutofthe
wayandkickedhimsavagelyinthechin.Realizinghewasgoingtobekilledifhedidn'tpullouthisace,Nott
switchedhislightsabertohislefthandanddrewhiskatanawithhisright.
Thisismyfamilysword,Potter,sneeredNott.Where'syours?Hemadeashowoflookingaround.Oh,
wait.Youdon'thaveonedoyou?HowcanyoucallyourselfaPotter,oneoftheoldestfamiliesofourpeople
withoutyourfamilyblade?
Harryjustlookedconfused.Myfamilywasimportantinourplanet?
Nottrolledhiseyes.Yes,youmoron.YourswasoneoftheNobleandAncientfamiliesthatfirstarrivedonour
homeplanet.Myfamilyisyoungerthanyours.YourscantrackyourfamilyhistoryallthewaytoEmrys
Myrrdin.
'Thatnameagain.Whowasheexactly?'thoughtHarry.
So...saidHarryhesitantly.We'rethelast?Why?
Nott'sfacesoftenedandgriefcrossedhisface.Wewerebetrayedandexterminated.Myidiotgrandfather
helpedourpeople'sdestroyer,Voldemort,thinkingthathewouldsharehispowerwithhim.Hewaswrongand
myparentshadtofleetheplanetalongwithyourparents.Hewasonly14whentheyleftandhesaidhislast
imageofhomewasofexplosionsandhundredsofdeathsintheForce.Nottseemtoregainhimselfbeforehe
glaredatHarry.Theplanetwaseuthanizedcompletelyandonly20escaped.Ofthose20,onlyyouandI
surviveduetoothersbeingbetrayedbyoneSeverusSnape.Heturneddarkandgaveupourlocationstohim,
thinkinghewouldgainfavor.Ourparentsandtherestofthesurvivorskilledthemselvesratherthanlet
themselvesbeusedbythatmanasguineapigs.Severuswaskilledforhis'failure'whileourparentswere
amongstthelasttodie,Iimagine.Mymomdiedatchildbirthandmyfathersoonafter,fightinghisapprenticeat
thetime.IwasoverlookedandsenttotheorphanagewereBrakissfoundme.
Nott'seyestookonadevotionallookthatmadehimseemslightlymad.Brakissmademestrong!Hemadesure
Iwouldfulfilltheprophecy!
Harryjustshookhishead.Idon'tbelieveinprophecies.Eachpersonmakeshisownfate.Onlyafoolliveshis
lifetryingtofulfillaprophecy.Thatwayleadstomadness.
Nott'seyesdarkened.Thatjustprovesyouaren'ttheprophesiedchild!Iwillfulfillitandbringareturntoour
people!ThenIwillleadthemtoconquerthegalaxyandmakeeveryonefollowourways!Thatismydestiny
andnoonewillstopme!
Nottbrandishedbothweaponsandattacked.HarryfellbackonamixofSoresuandNiman,usingSoresu's
defensetoblockhisbladesaswellasafewwelltimedForcepushestopushhiskatanaasidebeforeitcouldhurt
him.NottwaswellversedinusingDjemSowithtwobladesbecausehemanagedtomatchHarry'sSoresu.
Granted,Soresuwasn'tHarry'sstrongpointandheonlyknewenoughtoconsiderhimselfaveragewithitbut
consideringHarrywasfarfasterwithhisbladeandwasusingtheForcetocreateopeningshecouldn'tcapitalize
on,itwasverygood.
HarryusedhisshatterpointabilitytolookatNott'sformandstanceandhefoundaweakness.Earlierinthe
fight,HarryhadmanagedtograzeNott'sleftwristslightly.Ithadn'tdonemuchconsideringNottwasright
handedbutnowthathewaswieldingtwoblades,Harrycouldseethatthegriphehadonhisleftbladewas
slightlyloose.Harrydecidedtocapitalizeonthat.
WhenNotttriedtouseabrutalhorizontalslashwithhisleftbladetobreakHarry'sguard,hestruck.Harry
brutallykickedhisleftwrist,breakingitandcausinghimtodroptheredlightsaber.Notttriedtoattackwithhis
rightbladebutHarryblockeditwithhisbladeinhisrighthand,calledNott'sfallenbladewithhisleftandcut
offNott'srighthandwithhisownlightsaber.
Nottscreamedinagonyathavinghishandcutoffandfelltohisknees.Harrythenputbothbladesinacross
aroundhisneckandcutoffhisheadwithoutsayingaword.
Nott'sheadrolledacrossthefloorashisbodydroppedandtheclearingwassilentoncemore.Harry'seyes
softenedandhewhisperedaquickprayerforthelostandmisguidedboywhowasthestrongestlightsaberuser
hisagehefacedsofarbeforerunningtowardthePraxeumandusingaForceassistedleaptoreachthewindow
intheGrandAudienceChambertohelpAstraal.HereachedoutwiththeForcetosensethatJainawassafebut
Tahiriwasavortexofpainandguilt.HewastemptedtogotoherbutrealizedAstraalmayneedhimmoreatthe
moment.
Ashereachedthewindow,helookedupatthesoundofanexplosionandsawtheShadowAcademyexplodein
thesky,signalingthefinaldefeatoftheenemy.
Westernsector
Jacenhadtoadmitonething:Vilaswasgood.HeusedabrutaldemonstrationofFormVthatreliedevenmore
onsheerstrengthandaggressionthannormalanditslowlypushedJacenback.Vilas'droidarmalsoaugmented
hisstrengthandJacencouldn'tmatchit.
However,asthefightcontinuedJacenhadnoticedaweakness.WhileVilaswasstrongandskilled,heseemed
stillunusedtohisdroidarm.Hemoveditinaexaggeratedfashionasifmakingsureitwasstillthere.Thisleft
anopeningonhisrightsidethatJacenwasplanningtousetohisadvantage.
'RememberJacen,asinglemomentofweaknessinbattlecanbeenoughtochangedefeattovictoryorvictoryto
defeat.'
JacenrememberedHarry'swordsandwasgoingtoapplythemnow.
WhenVilasslashedathimwithahorizontalslash,JacenduckedandsentaquickslashatVilas'droidarmjust
abovewhereitwasattachedtohiselbow.Vilashadputsomuchstrengthinhisslash,hopingtobreakJacen's
defense,andwassounusedtohisdroidarmthathecouldn'tretracthisarmintime.
JacencutoffVilas'armagainhigherupthanbefore,almostattheshoulder.Vilasscreamedinpainathavinghis
armcutoffagain.JacenfolloweditupwithaquickthrustthroughVilas'heart.Vilasdiedinstantly.
Jacenbackedupfromthedeadenemyandpromptlythrewupinthenearestbush,thisbeingthefirstenemyhe
hadkilledanenemycloseup.Thepreviousenemieshadallbeenkilledfromafar.
Raynarcameupbehindhimandpattedhimontheback.Iknow.IdidthesameafterthefirstoneIkilled.It
doesn'tgetbetterthankfullyandifitdid,there'ssomethingwrongwithyou.
Jacenjustnoddedandlookedupatthesoundofanexplosion.HesawtheShadowAcademyexplodehighupin
space,cheerscomingfromhisfellowapprenticesaroundhim.
JacenjustsmiledwhiletryingtoignorethememoryofthelightleavingVilas'eyes.
Southeasternsector
WhenIgetthatpsychoticbucketofbolts....mutteredJainaangrily.
Shehadspentthelast10minuteslandingtheshipinawaywhereshewouldn'tdieonlandingandshewasnow
crawlingoutofthewreckage.ShefinallygotoutonlytocomefacetofacewithZekkand10DarkJedi.
Jainaquicklyignitedherlightsaberbutlookedaroundnervouslyasherenemiesencircledher.Shewastired
fromrunningtowardtheshieldgenerator,fixingitwhileunderpressure,andflyingaTIEbeforebeingshit
down...byanally!ShemadeamentalnotetorewireFAITHatthefirstopportunity.
Giveup,Jaina,saidZekkquietly.Idon'twanttohavetohurtyou.
Jainalookedatoneofheroldestfriends.Thendon't.Comewithus,Zekk.You'rebetterthanthis.
TheotherDarkJediseemedtotakeoffenseathercommentbecausetheyattacked.Justastheyreachedher,a
stormofblasterboltscameoutofthetrees,causingthemtobreakofftheattack.TenelKaleapedoutofthe
trees,leadinghergroupagainsttheDarkJedi.TheDarkJediattackedhergroupandTenelKarespondedby
makingthevegetationundertheirfeetgrowrapidlyandcausingthemtotrip.Thismadeeasypreyforherfellow
Jedi.
WhenthelastDarkJedifell,TenelKaturnedtoJainaonlytoseeherhuggingZekkwhowascryingonhisknees
withhislightsaberonthefloor.Justtobesure,TenelKatelekineticallygrabbedZekk'slightsaberandholstered
itbeforespeaking.
Jaina?Theaforementionedgirlturnedtoher.Iseverythingokay?
Jainatearfullynodded.Itisnow.
Justasshesaidthat,theheardthesoundofanexplosionandsawtheShadowAcademyexplodeabovethem.
Theenemyhadbeenroutedandtheirbasedestroyed.
Theyhadwon.
Thetwosiblingsclashedforthefourthtimesincetheystarted,thesoundoflightsabersclashingfillingthe
chamber.
Theydisengagedoncemoreandslowlycircledoneanother.Thechamberwasawreck.Pillarswerecutinhalf,
thingshadbeenthrowneverywhereandcutsmarkedthewalls.Incontrast,neithersiblinghadasinglecuton
themandwerefineexceptforsomeheavybreathing.Astraalstillhadherbladesinthedoublebladedformand
hadshownhermasterywithitbyholdingoffShadowithit.Shadowassurprisedbyhowskilledhissisterreally
wasandapartofhimcouldn'thelpbutbeproud.Hisbabysisterwasallgrownup.
Nowordswereexchangedasthesiblingsclashedoncemore,ShadoattackingwithAstraalshowingamasteryof
thedoublebladedlightsaberandSoresubygoingintoacomplexseriesofdefensivebarriersthatworkedasan
excellentdefense.However,Shadocontinuedtotrytobreakthroughherguardthroughbruteforceonlyforher
torespondwithaForcepushtotheabdomen.
Theattackforcedthebreathoutofhimandshefolloweditupbyviciouslyhittinghiminthenosewiththehilt
ofherblade,disorientatinghimevenmore.Ratherthanrunhimthroughasheexpected,Astraalgavehim
anotherForcepushthatthrewhimintothewall.
Shadogruntedashehitthewallandinstantlyusedthepaintofuelhisangerashewastaught.Hestartedto
attackAstraalviciouslywhousedherdefensivebarrierstoprotectherself.However,Shadopressedthe
offensiveusinghisownpersonalformofFormVthatuseditsstrongandfastattackscombinedwithAtaru
acrobaticstobatterherdefense.EventuallyAstraalwasforcedbackandbackflippedoutofthewayofShado's
horizontalslash.
Giveupyet,sister?sneeredShado,thoughAstraaldetectedanoteofpleadinginhisvoice.
Astraaljustglaredbeforedisengagingherdoublebladedlightsaberintodualblades.
Shado'seyeswidenedandmuttered.Dualblades?
Suddenly,AstraalwasuponhimusingherdualbladestomaximumeffectwhileusingAtarutoattackfromall
sidesforcingShadotodefendorbeskewered.EverytimeShadowouldlaunchacounterattack,Astraalwould
eitherspinorsomersaultoutoftheway.Atonepoint,Astraalsomersaultedwhilelettinglooseabarrageof
attackswithherdualbladesthatShadocouldbarelydefendagainst.Themaneuvermadeherlooklikea
hedgehogattackingwhilespinningandgaveShadonoopeninghecouldspot.
AstraallandedonherfeetandsentapowerfulForcepushhiswaythathebarelywithstood.However,Astraal
usedhisdistractiontoclosethedistanceandusethepillarstojumpfromplacetoplaceandattackhimfrom
manyangles.Eventually,Astraalmanagedtobreakhisguardanddisarmedhimbycuttinghislightsaberinhalf
inbetweenthetopofhishandandtheemitter.
ShadolookedinshockathisdestroyedlightsaberandkneeledonthefloorwithAstaalputtingabladeunderhis
chin.
Staringathimwithoutblinking,Astraalspoke.It'soverbrother,I'vewon.Nowturnbackandletusbeafamily
again.ThelastsentencehadbeensaidinsuchapleadingtonethatShadocouldonlylowerhisheadinshame.
HowdoIknowyou'respeakingthetruth?askedShadoquietly.
Suddenly,heheardherturnoffherlightsabersandfelltoherkneesinfrontofhimbeforedrawinghimintoa
hug.IswearIdidn'tknowbrother.Iloveyou.Butifyouneedproof..Astraaldroppedoneofherlightsaber
beforepresentinghimwiththeotherhandlefirst......thentakemylifewithmyownblade.
Shadojustlookedatherinshock.Tosayshewouldallowhimtokillherwithherownblade...couldshebe
tellingthetruth?
Shadoslowlytookthebladeandlookedatitforamoment.Foramoment,itlookedashewoulduseittokillher
asshehadasked.However,Astraaljustclosedhereyeswaitingforhisjudgement.
SheheardthesoundofalightsaberdroppingtothegroundandfeltShadodrawherintoahugmuttering
apologiesandcrying.Astraaljustsmiledandpattedhimonthebackwhilesayingitwasokay,tryingtohold
backherowntearsofjoy.
ThesoundofanexplosionseparatedthesiblingsandtheysawthroughthewindowastheShadowAcademy
blewupinthesky.AchorusofcheersrosearoundthePraxeumfromherfellowJediatthesiteoftheAcademy's
destruction.Astraallookedatherbrothersadlybeforespeaking.
I'msorryaboutyourhome.saidAstralsadly.
Shadojustshookhisheadandsmiledslightly.Iamhome,sis.I'msorryforbelievingyouwouldabandonme.
Astraalsmiledanddrewhimintoanotherhug.Thesoundofsomeonelandingnearbyseparatedthemand
AstraallookeduptoseeHarrylookingatherinconcernwhilekeepingawaryeyeonShadoinhisShadow
Guarduniform.
Youokay,Astraal?askedHarryinaneutraltone.
Astraalnoddedhappilyandsmiled.Harry,IwantyoutomeetmybrotherShado.Shado,thisismyboyfriend
Harry.
ShadolookedatAstraalmoroselybutwithahintofhumorinhiseyes.Ijustreunitewithyouandyou're
alreadyintroducingmetoyourboyfriend?Givemeasecondtocomposemyselfbeforethreateninghimto
protectyouorelse.
HarryandShadolaughedasAstraalpuffeduphercheeksinindignation.Theystoppedwhentheyheard
someoneelseenterthroughthewindowandsawLukestandingontheledgelookingconfused.
DidImisssomething?
Afewdayslater
Inameyou,HarryPotterandAstraalVao,JediKnightsoftheJediOrder.saidKylehappily.
Thecrowdofapprenticesthatwerewatchingcheeredatthedeclaration.HarryandAstraalturnedtothecrowd
withsmilesontheirfacesastheyweredressedfortheoccasion.Astraalwaswearingaconservative(forher)
whiteshirtthatshowednocleavagealthoughitstillexposedherbellyexposingHarry'ssapphirebellyring
attached(whichShadodidn'tapproveof)aswellasapairofformfittingbrownpantsendingwithbrownboots.
Shealsohadherlekkucoveredinwhitegauzefortheoccasion.Harrywasdressedinablackshortsleeveddress
shirt(Marainsisted)withbluepantsandblackboots.DespitebothMara'sandLeia'sbestefforts,neithercould
gethishairtostaydownsotheyjustleftitasitwas.
HarryandAstraalgrinnedateachotherbeforesmilingattheirfriendswhowerestandinginfrontofthecrowd
cheeringloudestofall.Infact,Leiawastryingtogetthetwinstolowerthevolumetowhichtheyjustignored
her.TenelKawasclappingpolitelybuthadahugesmileonherfacewithLowieroaringinapprovalbesideher.
KassandAsharawerealsocheering,notquiteasloudlyasthetwinsbuttheymadeupforitwithKassjumping
upanddowninjoy.Asharawastryingtostophertonoavail.FAITHwasalsothereloudlycomplainingabout
wherewerehisaccoladesfordestroyingallthoseenemiesaswellascomplainingaboutsomanyJedicrowding
aroundhim.HarryhadalmostbustedagutwhenheheardithadbeenFAITHthatshotJainadown.After20
attemptstorewirehimandfailing,Jainahaddecidedtoforgivehim(atleastuntilshefiguredouthowtorewire
him).AnakinwasbesideTahiriclappingandcheeringwithVisasonTahiri'sothersideclappingloudlyaswell.
Inbetweenthem,Tahiriwasclappingandsmilingforthefirsttimeindaysthoughwithlessenergythanwas
normalforher.
Harryfrownedinternally(notdaringtodoitexternallyandruinthepicturesMarawastaking,helikedliving
thankyouverymuch)whenherememberedfindingTahiriafterthebattle.Hishearthadalmoststoppedwhenhe
sawherdrawnintoherselfwithadeadDarkJediafewfeetfromher.Hisfirstthoughthadbeenthatshewas
hurtbadly.ButVisashadquietlyexplainedwhathappenedandhealmostwishedthatwaswhathappened.He
hadn'twantedTahiritoexperiencethatuntilshewasmucholderandstartedblaminghimselfforgivingherhis
lightsaber.
Harryhadgoneuptothestillwithdrawngirlandhaddrawnherintoahug.Tahirihadfrozenandwhenshe
realizeditwasHarryhuggingher,shehadlatchedontohimandstartedcryinginconsolablywhilemuttering
apologies.Hehadjustheldherandlethercryherselfoutwhileassuringheritwasfineandhewasgladshewas
okay.Shehadeventuallyfallenasleepinhisarmsduetotheemotionalandphysicalexhaustionoftheday.
Harryhadcarriedhertoherroomandtuckedherinonlyforhertorunintohisroomanhourlater.Shehad
buriedherselfintohissideandrefusedtoleave,stillemotionallyfragileandneededhispresenceasassurance.
Harryhadalloweditandfallenasleepwithherlatchedontohisside.
ShehadjustrecentlystartedsleepinginaseparatebedbutstillsleptinHarry'sroom.Harryhadmanagedto
makehertalktohimaboutwhathappenedandhemanagedtoconvinceheritwasanaccidentandshewasn'ta
monster.Mentally,sheknewthatbutemotionallyshewasstillfragile.Harrypromisedhimselftohelpherheal
nowthathewasofficiallyhermasteralongwithAstraal.
TheMastershadallowedhimtotakeVisasashisapprenticewithhimashersolemasterbutmadebothHarry
andAstraalTahiri'smasters.HarryhadbeenfinewithitbecauseitmeanthewasstillpartneredwithAstraalfor
missionsandTahiriwouldn'tbeseparatedfromhim.Sincetheincident,shehadbeenattachedtohimbythehip
andrefusedtobeawayfromhimformorethananhourandeventhenshequicklyranbacktohisside.Right
now,shesawHarryasherpillarofstrengthandtakinghimawaynowwouldcausehercrumbleandwithdraw
intoherselfcompletely.HarryhopedthattimewouldhelpherrecoverbecausehemissedTahiri'senergyand
enthusiasm.
HarryinternallyfrownedfurtherrememberingtheencryptedmessagehereceivedfromZulethedayafterthe
battle.Heputitoutofhismindfornowandsimplysmiledathisfriendsandhowthingshadendedhappily.He
sawShadostandingnearJacensmilinghappily,thetwi'lekmalequicklymakingfriendswiththeanimalloving
Jedi.HehadbeenacceptedalongwithZekkasaJediapprenticeandifhecontinuedtodemonstratethathehad
trulyturnedfromthedarksideitwouldn'tbelongbeforehewasKnightedaswell.Hewaswearingabrown
robeandblackbootsthatLukehadgiftedhimuntilhecouldbuysomeclothes.Astraalhadinsistedongoing
withhimandHarryfeltslightlysorryfortheboy.HarryrememberedhisownexperienceanddoubtedShado
wouldgetthesameenjoymenthedidsincehewouldbetheonetryingonhundredsofoutfits.Zekkwasinmuch
thesamestraits.
ThinkingofZekk,Harry'ssmilewidenedwhenhesawhimcheeringforhimbesideJaina.Hehadwantedto
leave,nottrustinghimselfnottoreverttothedarksidebutamixtureofHarry'sinsistenceandShadotakinghim
asidetotalktohimhadconvincedhimtostay.Hehadbeenmoreeasilyacceptedduetonothavingbeenusing
thedarksideforaslongandwaswearingtheplainbrownrobesofaJediandsomebrownbootsHarryhad
giftedhimuntilhecouldbuysomenewclothes.
Harry'ssmiledroppedslightlywhenhesawZekkputanarmonJaina'sshouldersanddrawherintoahug.
However,Harryshookitoffandcontinuedtosmile,turningtoAstraalwhenshetookhishandintohisown.He
decidedtohellwithdecorumanddrewherintoakisstotheobviousapprovalofthecrowd.
TheypartedandignoredtheglarefromMaraforruininghisshirtbeforeturningtothecrowdandignitingtheir
lightsabersintheairtothecrowdsloudapproval.
HarrywasnowaJediKnight.
EndNotes:
TalkaboutanexplosiveendtotheShadowAcademyArc,huh?Nexttwochapters
aremissionsHarrywilldowithhisapprenticesthathavesomebearingonthe
future.AfterthatwillbetheOriginsArcwhichIknoweveryoneisanxiously
waitingfor!
Hopeyoulikedthefightscausetheytookforevertothinkup!Don'tyoulove
FAITH?IknowJainadoesn't.LOL
I'msorrytosaythatduetoclassesstartingIwillnowbeupdatingonlyoncea
week,maybetwiceifIhavetime.Ican'tfallbehind,youknow.Butdon'tworry
becauseIWILLfinishthisstoryaswellasitsthreecontinuations.
Backtoindex
SupressedFeelingsandFeluciabyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter21
JediPraxeum,Yavin4
Welldone!Now....again!saidHarry.
TahiriandVisasgroanedbeforeonceagaingoingthroughtheirMaster'storturousexerciseswhileAstraal
lookedonamusedfromthesidelinesasshesparredwithFAITH.
IthadbeenamonthsinceHarryhadbeenmadeaJediKnightandsincethenhehadtakenquiteafewmission
withhisapprentices,quicklymakinganameforthemselvesasateamthatneverfailed.Whetheritwastosettle
aborderdisputeorcapturingacriminal,theyhadyettofail.
However,inbetweenmissionsHarryalwaysdrilledhisapprenticeshardandmadesuretheylearnedthatwhile
talentisallwellandgood,itmeansnothingifonedidn'tworkforit.Inthatvain,Harrymadesuretheytrained
inexercisesmeanttogivethemtheoptimumworkoutwithoutdamagingtheirmuscleseveryday.Theresults
showedinthatbothgirlscouldnowlastmuchlongerinsparsagainstHarryaswellhavingthestrengthtoblock
mostblowswithonlyonehand.Thejoysandbenefitsofahealingtrance.
WhenHarrystartedtotrainthem,herealizedthatheneededtodecidehowheandAstraalweregoingtotrain
them.Whilebeforehesimplytrainedthemhaphazardlyandletthemlearnontheirown,henowwantedtobe
moreattentivetowhattheylearned.Inthatvain,heaskedthemwhattheywantedtobewhentheybecameJedi
Knights.TheanswershadbeenpredictablewithVisaswantingtobeaConsularandTahiriaGuardianor
Sentinel.Knowingthat,Harrydecidedtotakeadifferentapproach.
ForTahiri,HarrywouldtrainherinMakashisoshecouldlearnprecisionwhenfighting.Itwouldhelpher
conserveenergyforherpreferredformofDjemSo.Heplannedtoteachherthevitalareasofthebodysoshe
couldquicklydisableheropponentswithminimalfuss.Healsoplannedtoteachherseveralaspectsofthemind
tricksinceshehadshownskillintheareaofmanipulationofthesenses.Hewasalsothinkinginteachingher
Forcelightningwhenhefeltshewasready.Howeverthatwasinthefuture,whenshehadmovedpastwhat
happenedinthebattle.
ShewasgettingbetterandhealingfromtheexperiencebutstillclungtoHarry,gettingangryifshefelthewas
threatenedlikeontheirlastmissionwhenabountyhuntertriedtocashinHarry'shead.Tahirihadleapttohis
defenseandangrilyattackedthebountyhunter.Afterward,theyhadatalkaboutherangerandsheunderstood
thatsheshouldneverattackinanger.ThatwastheonegoldenruleofHarry'straining:Neverattackinanger.
ForVisas,HarrydecidedtoconcentrateonhermartialskillswithseveralotherMastershelpingheronthe
abilitiesconcerningthemindsuchastelepathyandForcesight.Harrydidn'thavemuchexperienceinthose
areasduetohisareaofexpertisebeingenergymanipulation.Hewasanaturalsensorbutthoseskillscame
naturallyandhedidn'tknowhowtoteachthebasicssincehe'dalwaysdoneitnaturally.Hewouldhelpheronce
shehadthebasicsdownthough.Whenhefelthewasready,hewouldarrangeforhertolearnMalaciaand
Morichro,twoabilitiesthatfitherduetoherdefensiveandnonviolentapproachtothings.Visasalwaystriedto
findapeacefulsolutiontoproblemsandusedviolenceaslastresort.Inmissions,shehadshowntobeagood
anchorforbothHarryandTahiri'smore'hitfirstandaskquestionslater'tendencies.
Inregardstohertelekinesisability,itwasgrowingbythedayandshecouldnowlevitatetwolightsaberswhile
dualwieldingwithease.EvenHarrywasastoundedbythelevelofhercontrolandencouragedhertofindher
ownstyleusingthisskill.Asfarasheknew,shewasdoingprivatetrainingtryingtofindasuitablewaytouseit
offensively.Shealsostatedthatshewantedhimtoteachherunarmedcombatbecauseshewantedtolearnhow
tofightusingonlyherfistsandtheForcewhenitwasnecessarymuchlikeYodafamouslydid.
AsforHarryhimself,thebattlehadtaughthimthatheneededtobeabletodefendfromblasterboltsinways
beyondhislightsaberandweapons.Hewouldnotalwayshaveachancetomakeatrapandifthose
stormtroopersreinforcementshadarrived,hewouldhavebeenhardpressedtosurvivemuchlesswin.Inthat
regard,hewaslearninghowtoabsorbenergyandeitherthrowitbackoruseittopoweranotherability.Like
Astraal,hehopedtoonedaybeabletoblockalightsaberbarehandedandinthatwaybeabletoenhancehis
unarmedcombatskill.Healsorealizedheneededtoknowhowtodefendhimselfincasehewaswithouta
weapon.Hecouldn'tuseForcelightningforeverythingandsostartedexperimentingwithtelekinesisinwaysto
defendhimselfsuchasredirectingattacksawayfromhim.Combinedwiththeabilitytoabsorbenergy,itwould
giveastrongdefense.
Meanwhile,AstraalhaddecidedtomasterbothAtaruandJar'kaiformsofcombat.Shehadneverreallychosen
astyletomaster,beingauserofallbutmasterofnonebutherfightwithShadohadshownheritwasbetterto
beamasterofonethannone.ShewasalsoperfectingherabilitytohidebothfromsightandintheForceaswell
asresearchingwaystosenseanother'sForcealignment.ShewasalsomasteringherstealthwithouttheForce.
HerfightwithShadoshowedhershecouldn'tapplyherabilitymidcombatyetandneededsomeonetoteach
her.Unfortunately,evenMarawasn'tasskilledwithForcebasedstealthtodothatmidcombat.Shewouldneed
toexperimentonherown.
Harrysighedasherememberedhowbusyhe'dbeensincebecomingaJediKnight.Betweenmissions,training,
andkeepingupwithhisspynetwork,hebarelyhadtimeforhisownpleasures.Thankfully,Astraalhadputher
footdownonceshesawhowoverworkedhewasandsaidHarrywasforbiddenfromheavytrainingforamonth.
Consideringhisspynetworkbasicallyranitselfnowadays,hehadalotoffreetimenow.
HefrownedwhenherememberedtheinfoheandMarareceivedfromZuletwodaysafterthebattle.
Flashback
HarryandMarafrownedasDoctoldthemwhatshehadfound.
Areyousure,Doc?askedHarryhesitantly.Iknowyou'rethebestbutareyouabsolutelysure?
Docnoddedseriously.Yes.Thesubjectappearstobeofextragalacticorigin.Ithasahumanlikeappearance
butthatiswherethesimilaritiesend.Despitethis,IwillusetheHumanasabaseofcomparisonbeingthe
closestcomparison.Thesubjectitselfwasmuscularthoughthismaybeeitherselectivebreedingasinsome
culturesorsimplythesubjecthimselfbeingstrong.Hewasfairlytall,being1.8meterstall.Hehadasloping,
almostridgelikeforeheadaswellasashort,stublikenose.Hehadpurpleskinand,getthis,blackblood.He
hadblueeyesacksthatmypreliminarystudiessuggestmightberelatedtotheirmoodduetothenerve
connectionsbetweentheemotionalcortexofthebrainandtheeyesacks.Mysubjecthadblackhairbutitis
unknownifthatisthenormortheexception.Italsohasmuchscarringthattestsconfirmasselfinflicted.
Perhapsapartofitsspeciesculture.Thatwasitsphysicalappearancealone.
Docsighedbeforefrowning,theDamothirianmanagingtolookattractiveevenwhilefrowning.Hertightwhite
clothingdidn'thelpandHarryoftenwonderedwhyshedressedlikethatwhenshewantedtobetreated
professionallybutwastooscaredtoask.DocwasoneofthefewwhocouldgetHarrytosweatjustbystaringat
him.
Internally,thesubjecthadquiteafewinterestingfeatures.Thenervoussystemwashighlyconductive,almost
twiceassensitiveasabaselineHuman's.Iimagineitisespeciallysensitivetophysicalpain.Italsohasmany
aspectsnotfoundinHumansandaswellasmissingsomepartsfoundinHumans,specificallythepartsrelated
tofeelingpleasureonthebody.TheirtissueisalsoverydifferentfromaHuman'sandpreliminarytestsshow
thattransplantisimpossibleduetoeithereventuallyrejectingtheother'scells.Bonestructureissimilartoa
Human'sbutmuchdenser,youwouldn'twanttotakeapunchstraightonbyone.IwasfastenoughtogetaDNA
samplebeforeitdegradedandinitialtestsshowthattheyhavealifespanatleastthreetimeslongerthan
Humansifonegoesbytheaminoaciddegradationalone.EverythingelseissimilarenoughtoHumansthatno
noticeabledifferencecanbefoundwithoutmoretesting.
Harryinternalizedtheinformationbeforesummingitup.Sothey'reHumanoidswithlotsofscars,purpleskin,
nonose,blackbloodanduglierthansin?Anythingelse?
Docrolledhereyesathissimplificationbutnodded.Yes,theyalsoseemtolackkidneysbutIdon'tknowhow
theyreplaceakidney'sfunctions.Itriedtoseeifwhytheycouldn'tbesensedintheForceandfoundsomething
interesting.
HarryandMaraleanedforwardbeforethelatterbecameimpatient.Whatisit?
Docgaveheradisapprovingsniffbeforeansweringacondescendingtone.Humanshavesixfilledlayersin
theircerebralcortex.However,thesubjecthassevenfilledlayersandanotheremptyone.
Harryjustlookedconfused.Anemptyone?Whatdoesacortexdoanyway?
Docrolledhereyesathisignorance.Thedeeperthelayer,themorecomplexthecortex.Itisbelievedthatthe
deepestlayerishowweconnecttotheForcethoughthisisn'taprovenfact.Thesubjectdeepestlayeristhe
emptyone.IfthetheoryaboutthedeepestcortexbeingrelatedtoourconnectiontotheForceistrue....
.....thenthatmaybewhywecan'tsensethem.finishedMaragrimly.
Exactly.saidDocsmugly.
ThethreestayedinsilencebeforeHarrybrokeit.Perfectasalways,Doc.I'mgratefulforyourhelp.
Docjustscoffed.Nonsense.It'stheleastIcandoafterwhatyoudidforme.
Harryjustkeptquiet,knowingfromexperiencehewouldneverwinanargumentwithher.Harrywastheonly
malesherespected,whichiswhyonlyMarawaspresentforthedebriefing.Ifamalewaspresent,almostan
hourwouldbespentwithherbelittlingthemalespresent.However,shealwaysinsistedsheowedHarryherlife
andafterhisrefusaltolearndarksidepowerssheknewfromhertimeonherhomeplanetsheinsistedonbeing
hispersonalphysician,nottrustingotherstodoitright.
Whataboutthecreatureusedtomaskhim?askedHarrycuriously.
HereDocfrowned.Idon'tknow.Iknowit'salivingorganismanditseemstohaveapregeneticallyengineered
bodytoimitatebutbeyondthat...it'sobviouslynotfromthisgalaxy.
BothHarryandMarasighed.Thiswasdisconcerting,nottheleastofwhichwasthefactthatthisappearedright
whentheDiversityAllianceseemtoberising.Therewassomethingoffaboutthatgroupbutneithercouldput
theirfingeronit.
Well,thanksagain,Doc.Itmeansalottome,saidHarrygratefully.
Docjustsmiledandnoddedbeforeshebrokethecommunication.
BothmotherandsonstayedinsilencebeforeMarabrokeit.
Iftheycan'tbesensedthroughtheForce...thatmeansonlyJedicanfindthembysearchingforthe'absence'in
theForcetheyseemtohave.
Harrynodded.Truebutitalsopresentsaproblem.Iftheycan'tbesensed,whateffectdootherForcepowers
haveonthem?
Bothhadgrimlooksontheirfacesatthethought.
Flashbackend
Theyhadsearchedforanyotherpeoplewith'absences'intheForcebuttheirmanymissionshadn'tgiventhem
muchfreetime.TheotherMastersalsoremaineddoubtfulsuchathingwaspossibleandsimplystatedthatthe
girlwasmistakenduetoherbeinguntrained.NeitherMaraandHarryhadbeenamusedbythat.
Harrysighed.ThatwastheMasters'problemthough,nothis.Hehadgiventhemtheinfonowitwasuptothem
touseit.Heturnedtohisapprenticesastheyfinishedtheirexercises.
Okay,youcangorestfornowgirls,saidHarrywarmly.
Whatareyougoingtodo,Master?askedTahiricuriously.
Harryshrugged.Well,meandAstraalaregonnagoworkonourfighters.Youcancomebuttrynotinterrupt
sinceit'sdelicateworkwe'redoingnow.I'mjustfinishingitupandI'minstallingthecircuitryfornavigation.
Astraalnodded.YeahandI'mfinishinguptheenginecalibrations.JainaandAnakinarealsofinishingtheir
fightersupandwhenwe'realldoneweshouldhavearacetomorrowtocheckwhichmadethebestfighter.She
saidthislastpartwithachallenginggrinwhichHarrymirrored.Despitebeinginlove,neitherwerewillingtolet
theotherwin.
TahiriandVisasjustshooktheirheadsatthem.Neitherweregreatpilots(Visasforobviousreasons)butthey
couldpilotifnecessary.However,theydidn'tunderstandtheneedtoobsessoveritlikeHarryandtheothersdid.
How'sShadodoing,Astraal?askedVisascuriously.
Shadohadhadahardtimefittinginatfirst,nottheleastofwhichwasduetobeingoneoftheleadersincharge
ofthesectorwhichlostthemostJedi.Buthehadslowlyintegratedhimselfandmadeafewfriends,oneof
whichwasJacen.ThetwocouldoftenbeseensparringandHarrywasgladtheywerefriends.Harryhadfeltbad
thatJacenwasleftoutofthegroup'sbondingtimewhenbuildingtheirfightersbutnowhehadsomeoneto
spendtimewithandShadohadapeertotalkto.BothboysbelievedthatJedishouldn'tbe'galacticpolice'and
shouldtakeamoreintrovertedapproachtotheForce.
Harryfrownedasherealizedhehadn'tseenJaceninthelastthreedays.Itwasalmostlikehewasavoidinghim
butheshookthatoffashisimagination.Whatreasonwouldhehavetoavoidhim?
He'salright,saidAstraalwithasmile.Hewantsafightertoobutdecidedtofindanotherwaytogetone
insteadofbuildingonefromscratch.
Where'sZekkbytheway?askedHarrycuriously.
Astraalsmiledmischievously.ProbablywithJaina.Theyspendsomuchtimetogetheritwon'tbelongtill
they'reanitem.
ToHarry'scredit,hejustcockedanamusedeyebrowandshowednosignthatitaffectedhimeitherexternallyor
throughtheForce.Despitethis,itdidbotherhimslightlybuthejustshookitofftellinghimselfitwasdueto
Jainabeingsuchaclosefriendanditbeingweirdtoseeherwithsomeone.
Well,thenwe'llseehimsoonsincewe'regoingtothehangarwherewe'llfindJaina,saidHarry.Heturnedto
hisapprentices.Areyoucoming?
Bothgirlsshooktheirheads.Nothanks,we'rejustgonnagorestawhileandmaybegofindAnakin,right
Visas?Visasnoddedandthegirlslefttofindtheirmalefriend.
Oncetheywerealone,AstraalsmiledseductivelyatHarrybeforewalkingtowardhimandkissinghimsoundly.
AstraalwaswearingherusualtightbrownpantsandshortbrownshirtandHarrywasshowinghisappreciation
byrubbingthesmallofherbackastheykissed.Theyeventuallybrokethekissandstayedstandingtherefora
fewminuteswiththeirforeheadstouching.TheyeventuallybrokeapartandwalkedtowardthePraxeum's
hangarhandinhand.
Whentheyreachedthehangar,theysawthenowfamiliarsceneofthebluescreenssurroundingbothJainaand
Anakin'sfightersaswellasbluescreensaroundHarryandAstraal's.Jaina'sscreenwasn'tcompletelyclosedso
HarrywalkedtowarditwhileAstraalmovedtowardherareaaftergivingHarryakiss.Harrymovedtoward
Jaina'sareawantingtosayhiandtalktoheraboutwhethershewouldhavehershipreadybytomorrow.He
movedthescreenasidequietlyonlytoseeasightthatmadehisheartclenchandhisbodyfreeze.
ZekkandJainawerekissinginfrontofhercoveredfighter.
Harryfrozeatthesightandaturmoilofemotionspassedthroughhim.Luckily,hehadlearnedhowtoblock
anotherfromsensinghisemotionsthroughtheForceandtheycouldonlysensethemiftheyconcentratedon
himsononeofthepresentJedicouldfeelhisturmoil.Neitherofthetwohadnoticedhewastheresohequickly
andquietlylefttowardhisarea,forgettingtoclosethescreenbehindhim.
Didyouhearsomething?heheardZekkaskconfusingly.Heheardthesoundofthetwoseparatingbeforehe
movedtoofartohearanythingelse.Hedidn'twanttohearanythingelseeitherway,hejustwantedtoerasethat
memoryandwisheditneverhappened.Hequicklyenteredhisareabeforetheysawhim.
Heknewhewasbeingselfish.Jainaandhimwerejustfriendsandshemusthavegonethroughthesamething
seeinghimandAstraaltogether.However,itdidn'tmakeithurtanyless.
Hestartedtoworkonhisfighterandclosedthescreenaroundhisareacompletelysothathewouldn'tbe
interrupted.Therulewasthataslongasthescreenwascompletelyclosed,theywouldn'tbeinterruptedfor
anythingexceptanemergency.Tryingtocalmhisragingthoughts,HarrygavehimselfcompletelytotheForce,
lettingitwashawayallhisfeelingsandfillinghimwithcalm.Hethendeadenedthebondbetweenhimand
Jaina,knowingshewouldfigureitoutifshefelthisemotions.Likethis,Harrystartedtofinishthenavigation
circuitry.
TheAzureAngelhadbeenrebornandbetterthanever.Ithadanewblueandwhiteschemeandbeencompletely
upgraded.Itwas8meterslongwithknifelikeprotrusionsonthewingsandaboveandbehindthecockpit.The
cockpitviewporthadbeenslightlyenlargedandtheaccelerationhadbeenupgradedtosurpasseventheAwing.
It'stopspeedinatmospherewas1,200km/hwithoutdeflectorshieldsandalmost52,000km/hwiththem,
makingHarrygiddytotestitout.IthaddeflectorshieldsalthoughtheywereweakerthanaXwing'sbut
strongerthanafactoryAwing's.Hehadupgradedthelasercannons,fixedtheprotontorpedolauncher(which
couldhold16torpedoes)andeveninstalledalightioncannon.It'ssensorpackagewastopofthelineandhada
bettersensorjammerthanfactoryAwings.Allinall,hebuiltittobethebestinterceptoroutthere.
AllthatwasleftwastofinishthenavigationwiththehelpofhisastromechdroidR3D3,whowaspaintedwith
aniceazureaccenttomatchtheship.HeandD3gotalongwellenough(althoughFAITHandD3barely
toleratedoneanother)andHarrywasgladtohavehimashisastromech.
Okay,D3.Let'sfinishuphere,saidHarry.D3gaveawhistleofacknowledgementbeforetheystartedtofinish
installingthenavigation.
Backoutside,ZekkandJainahadcomeoutofherareaandwerelookingaroundconfusingly.Theyweresure
theyhadfeltsomeoneseethembutwhentheyseparatedtherewasnoonethere.Theyturnedandshrugged
beforewalkingbacktoJaina'sarea.Jainawasthinkingdeeply.ShewassureshehadfeltHarrystandingthere
andatorrentofemotionsflowingthroughhimbutnowthebondwasquietandshecouldbarelysensehim.She
onlyknewhewasinhisareaandcouldn'tsensehisemotionsatall.
IwassureIsensedsomeone,saidZekkquietly.Heshrugged.Ohwell,mustbemyimagination.Heturned
backtoJainawithaslightfrown.So,whenarewegoingtotelltheothers?
Jainashookherhead.Later,we'restillrecoveringfrothebattleamonthagoandthisisprettyfastsoweshould
givethemtimetoadjust.
Zekkgrudginglynodded,concedingherpoint.Afterall,littlemorethanamonthagohehadledanattack
againstthePraxeum,itwouldbehardfortheotherstoseeherdatinghimnow.Zekksmiledconspiratorially
beforetakingherhandanddraggingbackintoherarea.
Now,wherewerewe?

JainaforcedasmileandgaveonelastlooktowardHarry'sdirectionbeforefollowingafternewboyfriend,
hopingHarryhadn'tseenthembeforeshewasreadytotellhim.Thatwouldn'tendwell.
Thefourpilotshadfinishedtheirfighters.KassandAsharahadbeenKnightedaweekagoandhadboughttheir
Bwing/Eascelebrationgift.Harryhadgiventhem200,000creditsasagiftandtheyhadusedittocustomizeit.
Theyalsohadtheirownscreenedoffareabutwerestillfarfrombeingdonesotheyweren'tjoiningthemin
celebratingtheiraccomplishment.
Harry'sshipwasdoneanditlookedbeautifulparkedthereinitsblueandwhitescheme.Harrylookedatthe
Solo'sshipsandcouldn'thelpbutbeimpressed.
JainahadchangedtheARC170's3'wing'configurationintoadualSfoilconfigurationlikeanormalXwing.It
lookedlikeshegotbothSfoilsfromtheARCsandputthemontothebaseofone,makingitmuchmore
maneuverablethannormalARC170s.ThetwoSfoilshadlasercannonsoneachwingtipmuchlikeanX
wingsbutHarrynoticedtheyweretheArc170'sheavierversions.Shehadgottenridofthetwoextraseatsin
thebackanditlookedlikeherR2unit(R2D4)woulddirectlycontroltherearturret.Itlookedlikesheinstalled
somethingwherethetworearseatsusedtobebutHarrycouldn'tidentifywhatitwas.Shehadpainteditamatte
blacklikeAstraal'sandseemedtohaveusedblasttintingfortheviewports.Itmusthavemoremodificationsbut
thatwasallHarrycouldseerightnow.Shehadchangeditfromaheavystarfightertoalightstarfighterwith
bettermaneuverabilitywhilemaintaininggoodshields.
Anakin'sshiplookedlikeasimpleTIEHunteratfirstglance,withthetwoaxisesattachedtothecockpit
separatingintofourattachedtofourdaggerlikewingsinsteadoftheregularTIEfightersdualrectangularwings.
Howeverifonelookedclosely,youcouldseesubtledifferencesthattoldHarryhemusthaveinstalleda
hyperdriveaswellasalifesupportsystem,ifthelackofbreathingmaskwasanyindication.Hesawthathehad
visiblygivenitonlyafewmodificationsalthoughHarryknewhemusthaveinstalledshieldssomewhere,
Anakinwasn'tthatcrazy.HehadpainteditadarkbluewiththeNewJediOrdersymbolpaintedonthecockpit.
Itwasamixbetweeninterceptorandfighterduetoithavingbeeninstalledshieldsstrongenoughtowithstand
quiteafewhits.
Astraal'sshiplookednodifferentthanwhenshegotitexceptforitsmatteblackcolorwiththeNewJediOrder
symbolpaintedoneachwing.HerR2unithadalsohadhisheadcoveringpaintedblacktomatchandinspace,it
wouldbealmostimpossibletoseeinthebackgroundofstars.Harrydidn'tknowalltheupgradesithadbuthe
knewAstraalhadbeenverysureofitbeingoneofthebestfightersoutthere.
We'redone,saidHarryhappily.TheimageofJainaandZekkkissinghadcompletelylefthismindandhewas
justhappytohavehisAngelfinished.Hecouldn'twaittoflyit.
We'redone!yelledAstraalhappily.ShegaveHarryakissandwasslightlyconfusedwhenhedidn'treturnitas
enthusiasticallyasnormalbutpasseditoffashimjustbeingtired.
Harryturnedbacktohisship,ignoringJaina'scongratulationsandjustfocusingonhisship.Ittrulywasawork
ofartandhewasitchingtoflyit.
JainafrownedasHarryignoredherandcouldn'tstopherheartfromclenching.Hehadneverignoredher
before...didheknow?JainapanickedattheideaofHarryknowingofherandZekkbeforeshewasreadytotell
him.Forsomereason,theideaofhimfindingoutandtreatingherlikethisalmostmadeherwanttostopdating
Zekk.Shecouldn'tdealwithitifHarryignoredherduetoherdatingZekk.Shedidn'twanttheirclosenessand
bondtobestrainedmorethanitalreadywas.Shestillcouldn'tsensehisemotionsandhewasstandinginfront
ofher.Forthefirsttime,thebondthathadboundthemtogetherforalmost10yearswasn'tworkingandJaina
felthurtandlost.
Withthisinmind,JainawalkeduptoHarry.Harry.WhenHarryturnedtoher(washedoingitreluctantlyor
wasitherimagination?),shecontinued.CanItalktoyouforasecond?
Shesworeshesawaflashofalarmpassthroughhisfacebeforeasmilecametohisface.Jainatriedtoseeifit
wasgenuineanditseemedlikeitwasbutsomethingfelt...offaboutit.Likeitwashidingsomething.
Suddenly,R3D3gaveaseriesofwhistlesandbeepsthatHarryinterpretedbeforeturningtoJainawithaforced
lookofregretonhisface.
Sorry,Jayjay.Thewayhesaidhernicknameseemedforced,likehewastryingtoactnormal.Jainaonly
noticedduetoyearsknowinghisquirksandithurt.AccordingtoD3,Igottagivemyshipatestflightbefore
weracetomorrow.We'lltalkafterward,okay?
Jainafrownedbutnodded,knowinghewouldn'ttalktohernowifhedidn'twanttoandshecouldn'tforcehim.
Noone,notevenhisadoptiveparents,couldforceHarrytotalkwhenhedidn'twantto.Hewalkedofftoward
theWaywardSonandentered.HecamebackafewminuteslaterdressedinagreenversionofJedipiloting
clothing:greenshirtwithawhitevestoveritandblack,tightpants.ShesawHarrywalkovertoAstraaland
explainwhathewasgoingtodo.Shelookedslightlydepressedbuteventuallyjustnoddedandgavehimakiss
beforehemovedtowardhisstarfighter.Hegotinandblastedofftowardtheskies.
Behindher,Zekkwalkeduptohertillhewasstandingatherside.HefrownedslightlyashesawJainalooking
towardwhereHarryhaddisappearedintothesky.Hefeltvaguelyuncomfortableassheignoredhispresence
untilheclearedhisthroatseeminglybringingheroutofherthoughts.
Youokay?askedZekklowly.
Jainanodded.Yeah,IjustwantedtotellHarryaboutusfirstbutIguesshe'sbusy.IfeelbadbecauseJacen
alreadyknowsandIhaven'ttoldHarryyet.It'sstrainingtheirrelationshipsinceJacenhastoavoidhim,knowing
Harrywouldweaselitoutofhim.
Well,Jacendidcatchusduringourfirstkiss.Itwasn'tlikewecouldhideitfromhimafterthat,explained
Zekkpatiently.
Yeah....Jainagaveonelastlookintotheskybeforeshelefttowardwheretherestofthegroupwastalking,the
nonpilotshavingappearedsoonafterHarryleft.
Yavin4skies
Thanks,R3,saidHarryinrelief.Ireallydidn'twanttotalktoherrightnow.EspeciallysinceI'msurewhat
shewantstotalkabout.
R3whistledandbeepedathim.Harryfrownedashereadthetranslationonthescreen.
No,I'mnotbeingacoward....okay,maybeIam.ButI'lltalktoherlater...muchlater.Ijustwanttogetthat
imageoutofmymind.ThismustbewhatJainafeltwhenmeandAstraalstarteddating.She'sstrongerthanshe
looksifshecouldactnormallywhilefeelingthis.
R3whistledhisagreementbeforechangingthesubject.
You'reright,saidHarrywithanexcitedsmile.Let'sforgetaboutthemandfly!
Withthat,Harrypushedtheshiptothespeedlimit,wantingtotestthattheshipwouldn'thaveproblems
maintainingthatspeed.Heenteredaseriesofsharptwistsandturns,testingthestabilizersaswellasits
maneuverability.EverythingseemedtocheckoutandR3detectednoanomaliesduringtheflight.
Timetoreallytestit,mutteredHarryhappily.

HarrysuddenlyaimedtheAngelintothetrees,nottheovercrowdedareawheretheshipcouldn'tevenfitbutthe
areawiththetreeswideenoughaparttoallowhimtoturnjustenoughtomissthem.UsingtheForce,Harry
guidedtheshipatfullspeedthroughthetrees,R3whistlingexcitedlyalongwithhim.Hehadafewclosecalls
buteventuallyhebrokeoutofthetreelinehappytoreportthatitcouldhandletightturnsandslightchangeslike
adream.Itseemedtorespondmoretohisthoughtsthanhistouchattimes.
Timetotakeittospace,R3,saidHarryexcitedly.R3gaveanaffirmativenoiseastheyquicklyclimbedupand
broketheatmosphere.
Themomentwhenthecloudsgavewaytotwinklingstars,Harry'sbreathcaught.Althoughhehaddonethis
manytimes,itwasdifferentusingastarfighter.Harryhadexpandedtheviewportforthisveryreason.Itfeltasif
hewassittingamongthestars,freefromallbindings.Ifitwasn'tforthetimeconstraints,Harrywouldloveto
turnofftheartificialgravityandjustfloatforafewseconds.Smilinghappily,HarrypushedtheAngeltofull
speedinspace,quicklyleavingYavin4behind.
Aftertestingouttheweaponsbyshootingrandomlyintospaceoratpassingasteroidsandmakingsurethey
didn'toverheattooquickly,HarryaimedforYavinPrime.R3whistledworriedlyandHarryreadthetranslation.
Yes,R3,we'regoingforYavinPrime.Whatbetterwaytotestouthullstrengththanmakingsuretheycanhelp
theshipsurvivethehighpressureintheupperatmosphere?
R3beepedandwhistledinpanic.
Don'tworryR3.I'llgetusoutbeforethehulliscompromised,Ipromise.You'llbefine,Iupgradedyourframe
forjustthisreason.Ijustwanttofeelmyadrenalineflow.'Andgofastenoughtoleavemyselfbehind.'thought
Harrysadly.
Withthat,Harrybrokeintotheatmosphereofthedangerousstormplanetwithawhoopofexcitement.
Midnight,JediPraxeum
Harryhadfinallyreturnedfromtestinghisstarfighter'sperformance.Hewasproudtosayithadworkedbetter
thanheimaginedandhecouldn'twaittotestitincombat.HeknewaboutKyp'sgrowingstarfightergroupand
wonderedifheshouldstarthisown.
AllthoughtofstartinghisowngrouplefthimwhenhesawJainawaitingforhiminthehangarentrance.His
happymoodlefthimlikeairleavingaballoonandhehadtoholdhimselfbackfromrunningbackintohisship
toavoidher.
Harry?askedJaina.SheenteredthelightofthehangarandHarrysuckedinabreathwhenhesawshewas
dressedinjustblackshortsandapinktanktop.Itseemedshehadsensedhisreturnandhadcometoseehimin
hersleepwearwithoutchanging.Shehadn'tevenputonslippers.
Harrylookedheroverandtriedtothinkaboutwhatitwasaboutherthatmadehimcrazyoverher.Shehad
brownhairandbrowneyes,herchestwasn'tasdevelopedastheothersandwhileshehadbeautifulcreamylegs
andanicebutt,shewasmoreorlessaverageineveryotherarea.Shehadnoexoticcoloredskin,hairoreyes.
Shewasstubborn,opinionated,thoughtlogicwouldsolveeverythingandreckless.Despitethis,Harrythought
nootherwomanlookedasbeautifulasherwhenshesmiled.Whenshebitherlipinthoughthehadtohold
himselfbackfromkissingherduetohowcuteitlooked.Nomatterhowmuchhewantedtogetoverher,Harry
acceptedthatJainaSolowouldalwaysownabigpartofhisheart.Unfortunately,thisalsomadeitsoshecould
hurthimmorethananyone,somethingthatherealizedtodaywhenhesawherwithZekk.
NotnoticingHarry'sreactionorappraisalofher,Jainawalkedtowardhimuntilshewasrightinfrontofhim.
Thetensiongrewbetweenthemastheybothnoticedthattheywerealoneandawayfromeveryoneforthefirst
timeinmonths.Jainaclearedherthroat,tryingtodispeltheawkwardtension.
Howwastheflight?askedJainaquietly.
Harryhadagenuinesmilecrosshisfaceatthememory.Great.Flewlikeadream.Harrygrewachallenging
grinonhisface.It'llblastyoursoutofthewater.
Jainahuffed.Youwish,Ewok.Minewillflycirclesaroundyours.
Thetwolaughedandmostofthetensionabated.ThetwostoodthereinsilenceforamomentbeforeJaina
clearedherthroat.
Iwanttotellyousomething,saidJainaquietlywithhereyeslookingtowardthefloor.I'm
Iknow,interruptedHarryrudely.ThegoodmoodhadlefthimcompletelyandHarrycouldn'thelpbutfeel
bitter.HehadchasedafterJainaforalongtimeyetthefirsttimeZekkaskedshehadsaidyes.Chagrinfilled
himashechastisedhimself.Shedeservedtobehappyanddidn'tneedhimtomakeherfeelbad.Gatheringhis
negativefeelings,heburiedthemdeepinsidewherenoonecouldsensethemandforcedasmile.
Congratulations.I'msureyouandZekkwillbeveryhappy.I'mhappyforyou.
Jainalookedathimintheeye,tryingtoseeifhewasbeingtruthfulbutcouldn'tseeanythingshowinghis
feelingseitherway.Despitehissmile,hiseyeswereblankandJainacouldn'thelpbutshiveratthelackof
warmthinthem.ItwasthefirsttimeHarry'seyeshadeverbeensoemptyofemotionanditbotheredheralot.
Shegatheredhercourageandstaredathimdeadintheeye.
Areyoureally?askedJainaquietly.
Harry'ssmiledroppedandhejuststaredbackatherbeforehestartedwalkingpasther.However,shegrabbed
hisarmbeforehecouldleave.
Don'tleave.Weneedtotalkthisout,saidJaina.
ThelittlecontrolHarryhadofhisemotionssnappedandheroughlypulledhisarmoutofherholdbefore
glaringather.JainaflinchedbecauseitwasthefirsttimeHarryhadeverglaredatherwithsuchangerandpain
before.Shejustwantedtomakehispaingoawaybutshecouldn'tbecausesheknewshewasthecauseofit.
Youwantthetruth?askedHarryquietly.WhenJainashakilynodded,hestartedhisrant.Fine.NoI'mnot.
I'mhurtatthefactthatyou'rewithhimwhenIchasedyouforyearsandyouignoredmewhileyoujumpedinto
hisarmsatthefirstchance.IhatetheideaofyoubeingwithhimandwhileIdon'thateeitherofyou,norever
could,Idon'twanttobenearyoutwoforawhile.Iknowit'sselfish,Iknowit'sstupidbutforonceinmylifeI
wanttobeselfishandthinkofmyself.Sodon'tactasifIshouldjumpforjoyforyoutwobecauseIwon't.
Jainaflinchedathisrantbutdrewherselfupandglaredbackathim.Shewasnoone'spunchingpost.
Well,youdidn'tgivemethesamedecency,didyou?IhadtowatchyousuckAstraal'sfacethedayafterItold
youwhatIfelt.YousayyouwantedtobewithmebutthemomentItoldyounottochasemeanymore,you
forgetmeforher!Forallyoursupposedlove,yougotovermerealquick!Andnowyouhavethegalltobe
angrythatI'mdatingsomeoneelseaftermonthsofwatchingyouwithAstraal?!Well,toobadyouass!Ihavethe
righttobehappytoo!Sinceit'sobviousyoudon'tlovemeanymore,Imightaswellfindsomeonewhodoes!
Thetwohadtheirfacesinchesfromeachotherandwereglaringateachotherintensely.Harrybrokethesilence.
Ineverstoppedlovingyou,Jaina.Jaina'sfacetookonalookofsurpriseandHarrycontinuedthroughgritted
teeth.ButIcouldn'tdealwithitanymore.Icouldn'tdealwithyourrejections,withyourrefusals.Igaveyou
everychancetoreturnthembutyouspatonme!YourejectedmyeveryadvanceandtreatedmelikeIwassome
amusingpetthatwouldkeepcomingbacknomatterhowmanytimesyouthrewmeaside.Iwastiredofit.Itfelt
likelivingwithmyrelativesalloveragain.Atthis,Jainalookedasifshehadbeenstruckandtearsfilledher
eyes.I'msorryIhurtyou.ForceknowsI'msorry.Harrygentlyputhishandonhercheekanddrewherinasif
hewasgoingtokissherbeforestoppingwhentheywereafewinchesapartandhisvoicesoftened.I'msorry
becausedespitemyeveryattemptnottoIstillloveyou.Istillwanttokissyouandholdyouinmyarmsand
makeyoureveryfeargoaway.ForcemebutIlookatyouandfindyoutobethemostbeautifulthingtograce
thegalaxy.Here,Harryseparatedfromherandtookhishandawayfromhercheek.Butyouhurtme,Jaina.
MorethanMarrish,morethananyDarkJedi,morethananyone.YouhurtmesomuchthatI'mstillwounded
andseeingyouwithhimonlyreopenedthewound.
HereJainahadstretchedoutherhandtotryandtouchhimbuthebackedoutofherrangeshakinghishead.
I'msorry,Harry.saidJainatearfully.Don'tleavemeplease.
Harrycouldn'tstophimselffromwalkingbacktowardherandgatheringherintohisarms,hisfaceonlyaninch
fromhers.
Never.Harry'svoicewasvehement.Icouldneverabandonyou.Youwillalwayshavemebut...ithurts,sky
princess.Ican'tactlikeitdoesn't.I'llalwaysbeyourbestfriendbut...Idon'tthinkthere'sachanceofusever
beingmoreunlesssomethingchanges.Ican'tmakemyselfchaseyouanymore.Ithurtstoomuchtotry.
ThetearsinJaina'seyesstartedtofallandshetriedtodrawHarryintoakissbuthepulledawayshakinghis
head.JainaandHarrylookedateachotherforamoment,forthefirsttimeinalmostayear,thelovebetween
themshowingclearlyontheirfacesbeforeHarryturnedaroundandwalkedaway,R3beepingsadlyashe
followedafterhismaster.
Jainafelltoherkneesandsobbedasshewatchedhimwalkaway.Shewantedtochaseafterhim,tokisshimand
lovehimandeverythingbutshewastooafraidto.Shecouldn'tbringherselftoandhermindgaveherlogical
reasonswhynot,tellingheraboutAstraalandZekkandtheirfriendship.Despitethis,everyinchofherwanted
nothingmorethantoforgettheuniverseandjustlovehimbuthermindandlogicstoppedher.Soshestayed
there,kneelinginthemiddleofthehangar,sobbingasherheartbrokeagainandshecursedhercowardice.
Unnoticedtoher,Marahadseentheentireconfrontationbetweenthem,havingbeenworriedwhenHarryhadn't
returned.ShecouldonlylookonsadlyasJainasobbedasthegirllistenedtoherheadinsteadofherheart.
'Oneday,you'lllearnthatthemindjustgiveexcuseswhiletheheartgivesreasons,'thoughtMarasadly.Shaking
herhead,MarausedtheForcetomakeJainafallasleepandthengentlycarriedherbacktoherroom.
Thenextday
HarryhadwokenupinamelancholymoodandAstraalcouldsenseit.Shehadtriedtocheerhimupandhad
partiallysucceededbuthestillseemedtogiveoffasadaura.Shebrieflywonderedwhatthereasoncouldbebut
justbrusheditoffasoneofhisbroodymoments.
TheywenttomorningmealandtheairgrewtensewhenHarrysatdown.Despitethis,Harrytalkedtoeveryone
normally,smilingandjokingwitheveryonelikenothingwaswrong.Astraaltriedtopinpointthesourceofthe
tensionandnoticedthatdespitebothactingnormally,neitherHarryandJainatalkedtoeachother.Theytalked
toeveryoneelseevenZekkandShado(thoughHarryseemedabitshortwiththeformer)butnoteachother.
'Didtheyhaveafightorsomething?'thoughtAstraalconfusedly.
ShewasrelievedwhentheywerecalledbyMaratotalkintheGrandAudienceChamberandtobringtheir
apprentices.Kasswastoldtocomeaswellsurprisinglyenough.Thethreesaidtheirgoodbyestotheirfriends
(althoughHarry'stoJainawasalmostcompletelyunheardalthoughthelatteracknowledgedit)andwenttopick
upTahiriandVisasattheirtable.
Afterquicklyfinishingtheirmeal,thefivelefttowardthethirdfloor,HarryfeelingJaina'ssadgazeonhisback.
WehavedecidedtoallowyoutwotovisitFelucialikeyouasked,Harry,explainedLukepatiently.Theseven
JediwereintheGrandAudienceChamberwearingthenormalbrownJedirobes.Harrywasstandinginfront
facingLukeandMarawithKassandAstraalflankinghimandVisasandTahiribesidethem.
HarryhadaskedtovisitFeluciaaweekago,wantingtolearnhowtoimbuetheForceintohisweaponsfromthe
Felucianswhowereexpertsintheart.AftertheCloneWars,theGossamhadbeenforcedofftheplanetbya
combinationofthenativeFeluciansandtheEmpire.Notabletoresistbothenemiesatonce,theGossamswere
forcedtoabandonittotheEmpire.TheEmpirethenattemptedtoeradicatethenativeFeluciansaround25years
agoonlytofailmiserably.NotonlywerethenativeFeluciansabletowieldtheForce,buttheyknewthejungles
oftheplanetbetterthananyoneandwereabletohideeasily.Indeed,aFeluciancouldhideintheirnativeforests
sowellthatyoudidn'tknowyouweresurroundeduntilaftertheambush.
AftertheAlliancetoRestoretheRepublicfreedtheplanet,theFeluciansonceagaintookoverasthedominant
species.Althoughnotaspacefaringraceinanyway,theywerenotviolentunlessprovoked.Theexportof
medicineandexoticplantswerethelegalwaystheymademoneywhiletheillegalwaysincludedseveral
biotoxins.Despitethis,theRepublicconsideredFeluciaanemptyworldonlyusefulforresourcesduetothe
nativeFeluciansnotbeingexactly...friendly.Theydidn'tevenhaveasenatorintheSenate.
Theyhaveagreedtoallowustolearn?askedHarrysurprised.Anyattempttomakediplomatictieswiththe
nativeshadfailedduetotheirdistrustofoutsiders.However,theyseemedfriendlywiththeJediandwerepolite
whenaJedicametotalktothem.HarryhadwonderedwhythatwasandcouldonlyconcludethataJedihad
helpedtheminthepast.
Yes,confirmedMara.Theleaderofthetribesaidhewouldallowitifyouallpassedtheirbestwarriors'test.
Astraalfrowned.Test?What'sthetest?
Wedon'tknow,saidLukewithafrown.Buttheypromiseditwouldn'tbelifethreatening...foraJedi.
Harryunderstoodtheimplication.ItprobablyinvolvedusingtheForceinsomewaythatcouldbedangerousif
donewrong.Despitehishesitance,henoddedhisagreementwithAstraalandKassfollowingsuit.Thechanceto
learnfromthemwastoogoodtopassup.
Thenit'ssettled.You,AstraalandyourapprenticesalongwithKasswillgoasourenvoyandtrytoestablish
diplomaticties.You'reallowedtostayforamonthtosolidifythoseties.Kassisgoingduetoherwishtolearn
moreesotericformsofusingtheForceinmartialcombatinordertoaddthemtoourknowledge.TheFelucians
haveexpertiseinthis,sotheyarethebesttoask.Wehopethatbysending5Jedi,wecanshowourwillingness
tolearntheirwaysaswellasmaintainagoodrelationship.MaytheForcebewithyou,saidLuke.
MaytheForcebewithyou,Masters,saidHarrywiththegirlschorusing.
Oncetheyleft,LukeandMarastayedsilentbeforetheformerbrokeit.
Idon'tlikethis,saidLukewhilefrowning.Feluciaiswildandveryclosetothedarkside.Sendingthreenew
Knightsandtheirapprenticesisjustaskingfortrouble.
Maybe,allowedMara.SheplacedherlefthandoverLuke'srightandsqueezedlightly.ButHarryneedsthis.
Hestillhasn'tgottenoverhisTrialofSpirit,nottomentionheblameshimselffortheJedilostduringthebattle.
ThatplusJaina'snewrelationshipwithZekkhascausedhimtodoubthimself.Tothinkhe'snotworthyand
that'sdangerousatthispoint.Hecouldspiraldownwardsifitcontinues.Heneedstorememberwhoheis.He
needstofindthatbrash,moralandcourageousboythatwouldfightforwhat'srightnomatterwhatthe
consequencestohimself.Heneedstorememberthathe'sagoodpersonandputhisdoubtsabouthimselftorest.
Feluciawillbetheultimatetest.
Lukenoddedreluctantly.Ifhecanignoretheplanet'sprimalcallthenhisfearsaboutbeinginadequateand
turningwillgoaway.Nottomentionlivingforamonthinthatplanetwilltesttheirsurvivalskillstothelimit.
ButhowaboutAstraalandKass?WhydidwesendthemandnotjustHarry?
KassandAstraalalsoneedthis,continuedMara.TheyareallstillyoungtoKnighthoodandwebothknow
thatnewKnightstendtowanttoprovethemselves.AtleastinFeluciathey'llhavethenativestheretoguide
them.Kassalsowantstofindherniche,feelingleftbehindsincetheothershavefoundtheirs.Evenherbest
friendAsharahasfoundaplaceusingBattleMeditation.Shewantstofindherown.
Marasmiledconspiratorially.PlusthisallowsHarryandAstraalsomealonetimeinaromanticjunglegetaway
toseeiftheycangetovertheirproblemsandbond.Shegiggledhappily,imagininghalfTwi'lekgrandchildren.
Lukesweatdroppedathiswife'santics.Youknow,mostwomendon'twantgrandchildrenatyourage.
MaraturnedtoLukewithasicklysweetsmileonherface.Areyoucallingmeold?
DespitebeingaJediMaster,Lukestartedtosweatinfear.No,honey.I'msayingyou'retooyoungtohave
grandchildren.
Marathoughtaboutitbeforenodding,makingLukesighinrelief.TruebutTwi'lekscan'thavechildrenwith
Humansunlesstheytaketheproperhormonesbeforehand.Iftheydon'tthey'lljustabortitaspartoftheir
menstrualcycles.Sowe'resafefromthat.Still...I'myoungenoughtohavechildrenofmyown.
Withthis,MaragaveLukeapointedlookwhichLuketriedtoignoreandsimplywavedoff.We'restillyoung.
Wehaveplentyoftime.
Maranarrowedhereyesathim.Whateveryousay,Farmboy.ButmysonisgrowingupandIexpectanother
babytodoteon.
Lukecouldonlysweatdropandhopeshewasn'tevenmoreemotionalduringpregnancy.
WaywardSon,OncoursetowardFelucia
HarryandAstraalweresittinginthepilotandcopilotchairsrespectively,makingsuretherewerenoproblems
inthenavigationsystem.Kasswasmeditatinginherroomwhilethegirlsweresittingintheseatsbehindthem,
talkingaboutwhatthey'dfindinFelucia.
TherewerenosafehyperspaceroutesfromYavin4toFeluciadespitetheworldsbeingonlytwosectorsapart.
Therefore,theyhadtotakearoundaboutroutetowardthesystem.Theyhadjusttakentheirlastcourse
correctionandwerenowgoingdirectlyforFeluciawhenAstraalturnedtowardHarrywithaseriouslookinher
eye.
WhathappenedbetweenyouandJaina?askedAstraal.ThegirlsstoppedtalkingathertoneandHarry
stiffened.
Nothing,saidHarrystiffly,nottakinghiseyesfromthecontrols.Seeingafightbrewingbetweenthem,the
girlsdiscreetlyleftthecockpittogivethemprivacy.
Astraal'seyesnarrowed.Don'tlietome.Youtwoweren'tevenlookingateachotherthismorningandyou
didn'tevensaygoodbyeproperly.Didyoutwofight?Andifso,why?
Harry'sjawclenchedbuthedidn'tanswer.Astraalwasabouttoaskagainwhenhespoke.
I'lltellyouwhenwearriveandhaveaprivateplacetotalk,okay?It's...personal.
Astraallookedathimwithvulnerableeyesbeforespeakinginatremblingvoice.DDidyou...didyou...sleep
withher?
Harrylookedatherinsurprisethatshewouldthinkthatbeforeshakinghisheadfirmlyanddrawingherintohis
lap.No,Astraal.I'msorryifImadeyouthinkthat.Harrysighed.Wejust...hadanargumentthatwaslong
overdueandIwanttospeaktoyouaboutitinprivate.Iwouldnevercheatonyou,Astraal.Iloveyou,my
angel.
Astraalsniffedandsnuggledintohischest.I'msorry.It'sjustthatIknowyouguyshaveahistoryandsinceyou
wouldn'ttalktomeandsaiditwaspersonal...I'msorryforjumpingtoconclusions.
Harryjustsmiledandgaveherasoftkissonherforehead.No,I'msorryformakingyouthinkthat.It'sjustthat
I'mstillangryfromtheconversationandIlashedoutonyou.Youdon'tdeservethat.
Astraalsnuggledintohischestabitmorebeforelookingupathimmischievously.Youknow...wewon'treach
Feluciaforanotherhourandthegirlswenttotheirroom.
Harrycockedaneyebrowbeforeslowlysmiling.AreyousuggestingwhatIthinkyouare?
Astraalstraddledhimandstartedtoundohisrobes.I'vealwayswantedtodoitwithyouinthepilot'schair
whiletheshipwasmoving.Let'sseeifIcanmakeyoulosecontrol.
HarrysuckedinabreathandAstraalmoanedassheloweredherselfontohiserection.
TahiriandVisasweresittingintheirroomtalkingabouttheirmasters.
Doyouthinkthey'vemadeup?askedVisascuriously.
Tahirisnorted.Ofcourseandsincewe'renottherethey'reprobablymakingupaswespeak.
Visasblushedattheimage.Itwouldn'tbethefirsttimethegirlshadcaughttheirmastersincompromising
positionssincetheirapprenticeshipofficiallystarted.Onetime,theirmasterssentthemdorecononthetarget
onlyforthemtocomebacktothesoundsofthembeing...indisposed.VisasandTahiristillblushedwhenthey
rememberedAstraal'smoansofecstasyandcriesformore.Visashadjustturned13whileTahiriwascurrently
12andtheywerejuststartingtofeelthatboysareinterestingandwithenoughtraining,asuitablepartner.Tahiri
hadalreadystartedtrainingAnakinandshejokinglysaidwithalittletraininghewouldbeadequate.
Sureenough,thesoundsofmoanscouldbeheardcomingfromthecockpitiftheyconcentratedhardenough.
Blushing,theytriedtoignoretheslowlyincreasingeroticsoundsfromthecockpit.
So,whatdoyouthinkwe'llfindonFelucia?askedTahiri.
Visasfrownedinthought.Well...notmuchisknownreally.ItwasacolonyoftheGossamsforaslongasthe
Republicknewaboutit.DuringtheCloneWars,amajorbattlewasfoughttherethattheRepublicalmostlost.
TherewereJeditherewhenOrder66wasgivensoafewJediwereexecutedtherebytheirowntroops.Itwas
conqueredbytheEmpirewhothrewouttheGossamsandthenfreedbytheNewRepublicafewyearsago.
However,theNewRepublicdoesn'thavemuchuseforitbeyondastrategicpointandresources.However,its
strategicpointissovaluablethattoloseitwouldmakeitsothesurroundingsystemswouldfalleasily.
Tahirifrowned.Jedidiedthere?Maybethat'swhytheFelucianslikeussomuch.Jedifoughtanddiedforthem
whiletheclonesandtheEmpireexploitedthem.TheymustrespecttheJediforthat,Iimagine.
Visasnodded.Probably,buttheGreatHolocronhadwarningsabouttheplanet.
Whatkindofwarnings?askedTahirihesitantly.
Well....startedVisashesitantly,...FeluciaseemedtohavestrongtiestotheLivingForce,andassuchthe
world'sfloraandfauna,includingthenativeFelucians,couldbeinfluencedbyapresenceofastrongForceuser,
bothlightanddark.FeluciawassaidtoradiateasortoflifeforcethatthenativeFelucianswerecapableof
feeling.JedicouldsenseittoiftheytriedanditunnervedmanyJedinotusedtoit.
Tahirifrownedinthought.Theywouldhavetobecarefulnottofallintotheplanet'sprimalurgesthen.Ifthey
fell,thentheywouldtakethewholeplanetwiththem.
We'llbecarefulthen,saidTahirifirmly.
Theytalkedforanother30minutesbeforeHarrycalledthemalloverthecommthattheywerearrivingandto
changeintosuitableclothing.TahirichangedintotoughbrownshortslikeAstraalworealongwithalooseblue
shirtwhileleavingherblondehairfree.Asalways,sherefusedtowearshoes.Visasworeblackshortsmuchlike
Tahiri'saswellasayellowshirtandyellowbandofclothcoveringhervestigialeyes.She,unlikeTahiri,also
hadblackbootsforthenodoubttoughjunglefloor.
Aftertheychanged,theylefttheirroomandsawbothAstraalandHarryhadalreadychanged.Harrywas
wearingaredshirtthatdidnothingtohidehisphysiqueaswellasbrowncargopantsheldbyputtingthe
bottomsinsidehisbrownboots.Healsohadhisholsterwithhismainlightsaberonhisrighthipandhisdual
lightsabersonhisback.Hehaddecidedagainstanythingelse,notwantingtosendthewrongimpressiontothe
localsiftheysawhehadablaster.Astraalwaswearingbeltedbrownshortswithagreennosleeveshirtthat
showedagenerousamountofcleavage.Shealsohadapairofbrownbootstofinishoffthelook.Shehadher
lekkuunwrappedandtheyreachedthesmallofherbackwhereherlightsaberswereholstered.Thegirls
holsteredtheirtraininglightsabers(notyetreadytobuildtheirownyetandTahiristillnervousattheidea)and
satintheirseatsinthecockpit.
Kassarrivedsoonafterwearingatightcrimsontanktopthatshowedherdevelopingfigureandblackshortsas
wellasblackboots.Shehadhernewlybuiltbluelightsaberonherhip.Shehadbuiltittosignifyhernewlifeas
aJediKnightthedayafterbeingnamedaKnight.HeroldJensaaraiarmorwasstillcleaneddailyand
maintainedbutsheonlytookitoutsoshewouldstayaccustomedtoitandnotlosehertouchwithfightinginit.
Nowadays,Kasstooktowearingrevealingclothingofvariousdarkcolorsbecause,likeAstraal,shewasvery
proudofherbody.
TheyexitedhyperspaceandgottheirfirstlookofFelucia.
Felucialookedbothpeacefulandwildfromspace.Giantbluebodiesofwaternexttolushgreenlandmasses
gaveittheauraofbeingunspoiledandwild,likenoonecouldtameitliketheyhadtamedtheotherplanets.
Afteraminutewatchingtheplanetfromspace,Harryenteredtheatmosphereandoncethecloudspartedthey
gottheirfirstglimpseoftheFelucianlandscape.Feluciahadalargediversityofstrangeplants,giantfungiand
theycouldevenseesomeanimalsthroughthefoliageaswellassomeenormouspitchers.Asfarastheeyecould
see,thereweregiantfungiandtreesthatshoneinthesunlight.Thesunwashighintheskyanditcausedthe
treesandplantstoglitterlikemulticoloredglassandthegirlswerestruckspeechlessatthebeauty.
Harryseemedmuchmorerelaxednow(Gofigure)andexpertlyflewtheshipthroughthefoliageandtowardthe
agreeduponlandingzone.Oncetheylanded,theydisembarkedwiththeKnightsinfrontandthegirlsfollowing.
Eachonecarriedasmallpackforchangeofclothingforthemonth.Harrylockedtheshipandactivatedthe
securityprotocols.Theythenstartedtowalktowardtherendezvouspointinsilence,thesoundsofthejungle
makingthemedgy.Indeed,Harrywasonfullalertforanambush,knowingifthiswasatrapnowwouldbethe
perfecttimetospringit.However,nooneattackedandtheyreachedtherendezvouspointinpeace.
Themomenttheyenteredtheclearingwheretherendezvouspointwaslocated,whatcouldonlybeFelucians
seemedtomaterializeoutofthebarkinthetreesinfrontofthem.Harrystiffenedbutrelaxedwhenhesawthey
wereunarmedexceptforthechiefwhowaswieldingastaff.Despitethis,Harrydidn'tdoubttherewerewarriors
inthetrees,readytoattackatthefirstsignofhostility.Therewasalsoahoodedfigurewiththechieftainwhich
hadtobethetranslatorofthegroupsincenoneofthemknewFelucian.Harrydiscreetlystudiedthenativesto
identifythesimilaritiesanddifferenceswithHumans.
TheFelucianshadtwosetsofarmsoneendinginfourwebbeddigits,andtheotherinthreeagilefingersand
theirheadsseemedtoconsistofathickmassoftendrilsthoughhecouldn'tbesureduetotheirmasks.From
whatHarrycouldsee,theyaveragedaround1.9meterstallandhadgrayskinhiddenunderthenumerousblue
andblackmarkingsontheirskin.TheyhadredeyeswhichunnervedHarryabitbutwhenhesensedtheminthe
Forcetheyseemedtofeel...neutral.Theywereneitherlightnordark,theyjustwere.Harryhadneversensed
thisbeforeandhewasintriguedonhowthiswaspossiblebutputitoutofhismindfornow.
TheFelucianchiefwalkedforwardwiththerobedfigurefollowingbesidehim.Harrystudiedtherobedfigure
butcouldn'tseemuchaboutthefigure.Therobecoveredhimorhercompletelymakingdetectinggender
impossible.However,Harrygotthedistinctfeelingitwasawomanforsomereason.Shewasshorterthanany
oftheFeluciansatmaybe1.7meterstallbutwhenHarrysensedherwiththeForcehegotaquickglimpseof
greatstrengthbeforeitwasquicklycovered.Itseemedwhoevershewas,wastrainedtohideherForcepresence
quitewell.
TheFelucianchieftainstartedtalkinginaguttural,barkinglanguagethatHarryhadnoideahowtobeginto
translate,muchlessunderstand.ItsoundedsimilartoTuskenRaiderlanguagebutwasmuchdeeperandricher
thantheirs.However,therobedfigureseemedtounderstandandturnedtothegroupofJedi.
Greeting,Jedi,saidthenowconfirmedrobedwoman.Hervoicehadaslightaccentandwasdeeperthanhow
normalfemalesspokebutwasclearenoughtounderstand.ThechieftainwelcomesyoutoFelucia.Heasks
whichofyouareKnightsandwilltakethetesttoproveyourselfworthyoflearning?
HarrysteppedforwardalongwithKassandAstraal.Weare.
Astraalseemedannoyedhehadsteppedforwardbuthejustlookedather,sayingwithhislookthathewasgoing
todothis.Shehadwantedhimtorelaxforamonthbuthewantedtolearnandhewouldbedamnedifhewould
losethisopportunity.
Therobedwomanturnedtothechieftainandtranslated.Thechieftainnoddedhisunderstandingandhespoke
again.
Thechieftainsaysthatthetestwillbeadministeredtomorrowandstartatdawn.Tonightweshallfeastinyour
honorsinceithasbeenalmost25yearssinceanotherJedihascometoFelucia.
SomethingshesaidcaughtAstraal'sattention.AnotherJedi?Doesthatmeanthereisanotherherealready?
Thewomanloweredherhoodasresponse,showingthatshewasanattractiveZabrakwomanofaroundher50s
atmost.KassgaspedatfindinganotherZabrakJedi,knowingofnootherofnoteinrecenthistory.Thewoman
hadnaturalyelloweyesandblackhairwhichshetiedintobraidsonlyinterruptedbyhershortredhorns.She
twistedherbraidsintoaloosebunwithafewbraidswrappedaroundherneck.Shehadredeyelinerandblack
lipsalongwiththineyebrows.Allinall,thelookgaveheradarkandwildappearancethatwasn'thelpedbythe
smirkonherface.
IwasonceaJedi.MynameisMarisBrood.WelcometoFelucia,saidMariswithasmirk.
ThegroupofJedifollowedafterthegroupofFeluciansandtherecentlyrevealedMarisastheywalkedtoward
theirvillageforthemonth.AccordingtoMaris,theFeluciansdon'thaveapermanentvillagebuthadseveral
temporaryvillagesandmovedtoeachaccordingtotheseasonandtheavailablepreytoeat.Theywouldleave
beforetheyatetoomanyofthearea'sfoodsupplysoastonotdamagetheplanet'secosystem.Harryadmitted
thatthatwasagoodidea,sinceitremovedtheneedtoimportfoodstuffsfromoffworldwhenthearea
surroundedtheirvillageranoutofpreytoeat.
Besidehim,AstraalwaslookingatMariswarilywhohadhadasmirkonherfacesinceshehadrevealedherself.
Ijustdon'tgetit,saidafrustratedAstraal.Ifshe'saJedi,whydidn'tsherevealherselfsooner?Whydidn't
shehelprebuildtheOrder?
Harryshrugged.I'msurethereareplentyofJedithatsurvivedthePurgeandhaven'trevealedthemselves.After
all,accordingtoImperiallaw,Order66wasneverrepealed.SoifanyofthemwerefoundinImperialspace
beforethesigningofthetreaty,theywouldhavebeenkilled.InaremoteworldlikeFelucia,Idoubttheywould
haveheardabouttheNewJediOrder.
Therearetwoofushere,saidMarisfromahead.Itseemeddespitebeing10feetaway,shehadheardthem
perfectly.
Kass'seyeswidened.Excuseme?
Marislookedbackatthemwiththatsameinfuriatingsmirk.TherearetwoformerJedionFelucia.
Atthis,allthreeJediKnight'seyeswidenedinshock.TwoformerJediinoneplanet?Andtheywerenever
found?
Marisgavethemasadsmile.Iwilltellyoumystorywhenwearrivebutit'suptomyfellowsisterJeditotell
youhers.
Withthat,Maristurnedbacktowardthefrontandignoredanyfurtherattemptsofconversation.
Harry'smindwasawhirlofthoughts.TwoJedioftheOldOrderinFelucia!Itmadeatwistedsortofsense.The
planetgaveoffanaturalpresenceintheForcethatmadesensingforspecificpresencesalmostimpossiblefrom
afarunlessyouknewthepersonpersonally.ItwasalsodeepwithintheOuterRimandalmostnoonewentto
Feluciaoftheirownfreewill.Ofthosethatdid,searchingforJediwouldbeimpossibleinthisterrainunlessyou
wereaForcesensitiveyourselfandsomehowHarrydoubtedVaderorPalpatinewouldgotrudgingthroughthe
Felucianfoliage.
Theyeventuallyreachedthecamp,whichwasanarrayofwoodenhutsinacirclearoundalargebonfire.Near
thebonfireweretwoHumanfemales.Theolderlookedtobenearhersixties,ifthesilverstreaksinherhairwas
anyindication.Despitethis,shemaintainedanathleticbodyforherageandlookedstrongenoughtokeepup
withevenHarryforatimeandshowedthatshewasquitethelookerinheryoungeryears.Shewasdressedina
modestpantandshirtcombinationbothagreencolorsimilartothetreesaswellasbrownboots.Shehadher
brownhaircutshortanditreachedherchin.Theyoungerwasagirlaround14yearsold.Theyoungerhadviolet
eyesandblackhairtiedinbraidsmuchlikeMarisexceptherswereinaponytail.Thegirlhadalithefigureand
hadthepromiseofwomanhoodblessingherwithagoodfigure.Thegirlwasdressedinblueshirtthatlefther
stomachbare,whiteshortsthatonlyreachedherupperthighaswellaswhiteshoesthatincludedasortofwhite,
transparentsockthatalmostreachedherknees.
Theyseemedtobearguingwiththeyoungestpointingtowardthejunglesomewhereandtheeldestshakingher
headandadmonishingher.Oncloserinspection,Harrydeducedtheymustbemotheranddaughterdueto
similaritiesinfacialstructureandstance.WhatsurprisedHarrywasthatbothradiatedtheForceinawayonly
trainedusersdo.
AstraalseemedtohavesenseditaswellbecausesheturnedtoMariswithanaccusinglookinhereyes.I
thoughtyousaidtherewereonlytwoformerJedionFelucia?
AndIspokethetruth.saidMariswithanenigmaticsmile.YoungPixistooyoungtohaveeverbeentrained
asaJedi.IsaidthereweretwoformerJedi,nottwoForcesensitives.Afterall,everyFelucianisForce
sensitive,afterafashion.TobelievethatallForcesensitivesareJediisanarrogantthought.
Properlychastised,AstraalbowedherheadandapologizedbutMariswaveditoff.
Knightssoyoung,musedMaris.Inmyday,tobemadeaKnightbeforetheageof18wasrareandalmost
unheardof.Theaveragewas20infact.TheNewJediOrderiscertainlymorelenient.
KassfrownedatherfellowZabrak.Weearnedourrank.We'restrongenoughandpassedourTrials.
Marisshookherhead.I'mnotsayingyoudidn'tearnthem.I'mjustsayingthatevenwhenthePadawandid
earnthem,theHighCouncilstilldidn'tallowthemtobecomeKnightsuntilafteradolescence.Howcan
teenagerstrainteenagersafterall?ButIunderstandthatthereareconsiderablylessJedithantheywereback
thensomoreleniencyisexpected.
ThisassuagedKasswhileHarrylookedthoughtful.Heglancedathisapprenticeswhowerelookingatthe
villageinwonder.Washereallyreadytotrainanapprentice?TheMastershadshowndoubtsduetohisageand
heunderstoodthemnow.Howcanhetrainthemwhenhewasstilllearninghimself?
Harrysighed.Hecouldonlydothebesthecouldandhopeforthebest.Thatwasallhecoulddo.Hewould
guidethemontheirpathandprotectthemuntiltheybecameKnightsaswell.
MarisledthemtowardthetwoHumanfemaleswhostoppedarguingastheyapproached.Theeldestlookedat
themwithacalmairandasmallsmilewhiletheyoungerlookedatthemwithdistrustandsuspicion.
Welcome,youngKnightsandPadawanstoFelucia,saidtheeldestgracefully.IamcalledPixbutyoumay
callmeElethiawhichinFeluciancanbetranslatedintoHealerwhichismyoccupationamongthem.
Hello,IamJediKnightHarryPotterandthesearemyfellowKnightsAstraalVao,pointingtoAstraalwho
bowed,andKassTodd.whoalsobowed.ThesearemineandAstraal'sPadawans:TahiriVeilaandVisas
Marr.Hepointedateachgirlashenamedthem.
Elethiagaveherdaughterapointedlookandshelookedrebelliousbeforeeventuallysubsiding.Hello,Iam
calledPixaswell.WelcometoFelucia.Itwasobviousshesaidthisonlybecauseshewasforcedto.
Elethiafrowned.That'snowaytotreataguest,Pixie.
Pixblushedathermother'snicknameforherandglaredather.Sheignoredhermother'sapologiesandwalked
(morelikestomped)towardahutthatlookedtobehersifthesignsayingPix'sHutinBasichangingoverthe
doorwaywasanyindication.Sheslammedthedoorwaybehindher.
TheJediturnedtowardElethiawiththeireyebrowsraised.Elethiawasrubbingherforeheadinexasperationand
sighed.
Asyoucansee,mydaughteris....
....abitofabitch.finishedMariswithasmirk.
ElethiaglaredatheryoungercompanionforcallingherdaughterthatbutMarisjustwhistledinnocently.
TurningbacktowardtheJedi,Elethiasmiledconspiratorially.
Asyoucansee,Ihadtoraisetwochildren.IgnoringMaris'sindignantcryofHey!withwhatseemedtobe
practicedease.Now,youmustbetiredfromyourlongjourney.ComewithmeandIshallleadyoutoward
whereyouwillstay.
Astheywalked,Elethiagaveanexasperatedsighbeforeturningtothemandsmilingpatiently.Forgivemy
daughter,sheis...displeasedwithmydecisionsoflate.
TheyjustnoddedinunderstandingandfollowedafterElethiaassheleadthemthroughthesmallvillagetoward
alargehut.Whentheyentered,theysawbasicaccommodationsforsix,withabed,adresserandascreento
affordprivacytochangeclothing.EverythingwasmadetoemptyquicklyforwhentheFeluciansmoved
locations.
Elethiaturnedtowardthem.Thisshallbeyourresidenceforthedurationofyourstay.Ihopeyoumake
yourselvescomfortable,weshallstayinthislocationforamonthbeforemovingatwhichtimeweshall
separate.Theretwobasicbathsthroughthosetwodoors.ThefeaststartsintwohourssoIhopeyoutake
advantageofthetimegiventoyou.
ElethialeftwiththatpartingcommentandthefiveJedistartedtopicktheirbedsandunpacktheirclothinginto
thedressers.
Master?TurningtoseeVisastalkingtohim,Harrymotionedforhertocontinue.I'mhaving....troubleseeing
here.TheplanetisalivewithsomuchForceenergythatI'mhavingtroublefocusing.
Harryfrownedinthought.Thiswasunexpectedbutitshouldn'thavebeen.Theplanetwaslushinwildlifeand
plantlifethatradiatedtheForcetothepointthatthenativepeopleareallForceusers.Itwasobviousthatthe
planetwouldradiatemoreintheForcethanothersandthereforemakeitharderforVisastouseherForcesight
effectively.
Chastisinghimselffornotforeseeingthis,Harryturnedtohisapprentice.Takeaquickshowerandchange,
thenwe'llspendthetimetillthefeasthelpingyoufindbalance.Thatgoesforyoutoo,Tahiri.
Bothapprenticesnoddedandwenttotaketheirshowersfirst,leavingHarrywithAstraalandKass,whowas
scowlingslightly.
ThatPixgirlgetsonmynerves.Shewassorude!saidKassangrily.
HarryandAstraalsharedamusedlooksbeforeAstraalspoke.Sheremindsmeofanotheryounggirl,rudeat
foreignersyetsecretlyenviousofthemandwantingtoleavetheplanetwiththem.
Kasslookedconfusedforamomentbutflushedwhenshesawtheirpointedlooksather.IIwasnothinglike
her!Iwasneverthatrude!
Harrycockedaneyebrowandsarcasticallyspoke.Yep,youwereaveritableballofsunshineatfirst.Youwere
evenkindenoughtoshowustheproperwaytoglareatguests.
KassflushedinembarrassmentwhensherememberedherinitialreactiontothemasthetwootherJediKnights
laughed.
Truetohisword,Harryhadspentthetwohoursuntilthefeast(withabreaktoshowerandchangehimself)
helpingbothgirlsbalancethemselvesintheForceonFelucia.ItwashardevenforHarryduetotheplanet's
strongpresence.Itseemedtocallforthemtogiveintotheirmoreprimalsidesandittookastrongwilltoresist
it.Tahirihadalmostsuccumbedbutluckily,Harrywastheretostopherfromfalling.Afterthat,Tahiribecame
twiceasdeterminedandquicklylearnedhowtocallontheForcewithoutbeingoverwhelmedbytheplanet's
primalcall.
Whenthetwohourmarkpassed,Elethiareturnedandguidedthemtowardthecentralbonfirewherethe
Feluciansweredancingandsingingtoarhythmalltheirown.TherewasacertainbeautytoitandMarisandPix
joinedinonthedancehalfwaythroughaddingtheirownstylestothedance.AsMarisdanced,Harryturnedto
Elethiawithacuriouslook.
SohowdidyoutwoenduponFelucia?
Athisquestion,Elethia'sfacetookonasadlookandHarryinstantlyapologizedrealizinghownosyhesounded
butshejustwaveditoff.It'salright,it'snormaltobecuriousafterall.WhereshouldIbegin?
Shelookedinthoughtbeforestartingtospeak.Iwasraised,likeanychildoftheOldOrder,intheJediTemple
onCoruscant.ItwastheonlyhomeIknewbackthenandImadefriendsandgrewupalongsidemyfellow
younglings.Mydreamsweresimplebackthem,mostlyconsistingofbeingchosenbyaMasterandbecominga
greatJediKnight.
Withasigh,Elethiastartedtospeakagaininamelancholytone.Thatallchangedwhenwasjust13andthe
CloneWarsstarted.IwasjustayoungPadawanbackthen,underJediMasterTyr.Wefoughttogetherforovera
yearinthevariousengagementsthatmarkedthefirstyearoftheCloneWars.Elethissigheddeeplyandher
voiceturnedsad.Then...intheBattleofThustra,myMasterdied.KilledbysuicidebombersoftheSelphi
people.BothmeandfellowPadawanCal,whohadalsolosthismasteratthesametime,wereleftas
commandersoftheArmyattheyoungageofonly14.
Elethiawaslookingintothefire,asifseeingtheeventsunfoldingwithintheflames.ThegreatMasterYoda
appearedsoonaftertotakeoverasgeneralofthearmy.Caldidn'tlikethat,notconsideringYodaawarriorand
moreadiplomat.Indeed,MasterYodadecidedtotryandfindapeacefulsolutiontotheproblemratherthantry
andconquertheSelphithroughforce.Ididn'tknowitatthetimebuthewaswiserthaneitherofus.
BothmyselfandCaldidn'tlikethat,wantingtofightaswarriorsandsecretly,getrevengeforourdeadMasters.
Yodasawthroughushowever,andtriedtomakeusseethatapeacefulsolutionwaspreferable.Yodaleftwith
CaltowardthepalacetospeaktotheSelphikingandtrytofindapeacefulsolutiontotheproblem.
Soonafter,Iwastrickedbythesenatoroftheplanet,aSelphinamedNavi,whosaidbothYodaandCalhad
beenkilledbytheSelphiking.Aftermuchdeliberationandnotwantingtolookweak,Iorderedmymento
attackdespitestrictordersbyMasterYodanottounderanycircumstances.Itturnedouttobeallatrickbythe
SenatorwhowantedtheplanettostaywiththeRepublicforhisownneedsandthoughtthatthedeathofMaster
YodawouldgalvanizetheGARtotakebacktheplanetinrevenge.
Instead,bothmeandMasterYodasurvivedalthoughCalhaddiedinthebattlebeforeIcouldseehimagain.
WereturnedtoCoruscantwithnewsofSenatorNavi'sduplicityandhewaspromptlyarrestedforhightreason.
Despitethis,welosttheplanet.Sympathizersfromnearbysystemsreinforcedtheplanetandtheyalljoinedthe
Separatistswhichwasthereasonthebattlewasfought,topreventthatfromhappening.
Elethialookedlostinmemoriesasshecontinued.IwentbythenamePixinthattime.Inamedmydaughterin
hopesshewouldn'tmakethesamemistakesIdid.Soonafterthat,Ienteredmanymoreengagements.Iwent
frombattletobattleandIstartedtoseewhyYodawantedtosolveasmanyproblemspeacefullyaspossible.
Afterawhile,thepainandthedeathofyourcomradestaketheirtollonyou.Isawasmoreandmoreofmy
fellowJedifelltothedarknessintheirheartsandbelievedeverythingshouldbesolvedwithforce.Iwaslucky
andtheBattleofThustrahadopenedmyeyesenoughtoseethatforceisnotalwaystherightanswer.
IsurvivedtheCloneWarsandOrder66.WhentheOrdercamedown,Ihadbeenscoutingaheadinanearby
systemtoseetheenemy'sstrength.IcamebackintimetoseemyfellowJedishotdownbytheverycloneswe
hadfoughtalongsidefor3years.Heck,wehadsavedthelivesofmostofthemyettheydidn'tevenhesitateto
cutusdown.Iranafterthat.Ifoundawayoffworldandwanderedforthreeyearsbeforemysecondmaster
foundme.
Elethiasmiledasifrememberinghappiermemories.MasterGlynnBetihadbeenoneofthefewJediMasters
tosurvivethePurge.However,shehadlostherPadawanduringthePurgeandsowasonherownaswell.She
tookmeinandfinishedmytrainingaswehidinsecretonGeonosis,knowingthatthatwasoneofthefew
planetswherewecanhideeasily.WhiletheEmpiremaintainedagarrison,theymadenoactiveattemptsagainst
theplanetuntilmuchlater.
Suddenly,Elethia'svoiceturnedheavywithguilt.Iwas34whenithappened,ayearbeforethedestructionof
theFirstDeathStar.TherewererumorsoftheEmpirebuildingasuperweaponandneedingslaves.Iwascocky
inmystrength,beingintheprimeofmylifeandrousedthenativeGeonosianstorebelagainsttheEmpire.The
RebelAllianceevenjoinedin.MyMastercautionedmeagainstthis,sayingthepresenceofaJediwouldonly
ensuretherebellion'sfailureduetoVadercomingdownpersonallytokillanyJedi.Ididn'tlistenandeven
boastedIcoulddefeatVadermyself.
ElethiawasquietandallthreeKnights(AstraalandKasshadshownupsoonaftershestarted)waitedforthe
resultwithbaitedbreath.ItwasasmyMasterfeared.Vadercamedownhimselfanddestroyedourlittle
rebellionthemomentheheardaJediwasthere.IsawastheverymenItriedtoinspirewerecutdownbyVader
duetomyarrogance.Vaderthenwentsearchingforme,knowingaJediwithabluebladewasleadingthemand
thinkingitwasKenobi.
MyMaster,herehervoicecrackedbeforesheregainedherstrengthtospeak,myMastertoldmetorunand
shewouldholdhimoff.ShealsohadabluebladesoshecouldmasqueradeastheJedithatleadtherebellion.I
triedtoarguebutmymasterknockedmeoutandhidmyForcepresenceafterhidingmeinsideanImperial
crate.Shedied...fightingVader...tryingtoprotectmebecauseIwastoostupidandarroganttolistentoher
wisdom.
TearsfellfromhereyesandHarry'sheartwentouttoher.Herememberedhearingaboutthedeathsoffellow
JediduringthebattleofthePraxeum.HeblamedhimselfforeveryonedespiteLuketellinghimitwasn'this
fault.Hewastheleader,heshouldhavemadecontingencyplansandbeentheretohelpthem.Insteadtheydied
andhewouldalwaysblamehimself.
Elethiaregainedhercomposureandcontinued.Afterthat,IwanderedforamonthbeforetheForcecalledme
towardhere.That'swhenImetMaris.
AndI'vebeenstuckwiththeoldcroneeversince,saidMariswithsmirkasshesatdownbesidethem.She
wassweatingfromtheexertionofdancing,thelightofthebonfiremadeitasifsheglowedinthenight.She
helpedmefinishmytrainingandwe'vebeenhereeversince.
KassturnedtoherfellowZabrakwithacuriouslook.Whataboutyou?What'syourstory?
Mine?ThethreeKnightsnoddedandMarissighedbeforestarting.Well,Iwas5whenOrder66camedown.
Ihadmyownmasterwhowastakingmetoasafeplacetotrainandgrowup.WefelttheeffectsofOrder66in
theForceandhelefttoinvestigate,leavingmebehind.Ineversawhimagainbuthesentmeamessage
explainingwhathappened.IwasfoundbyMasterShaakTisoonafter.Yes,thefamousone,saidMariswitha
smirkwhenshesawtheresurprisedfaces.Shetookmehereandcontinuedmytrainingafterconvincingme
thatsearchingforrevengeformydeadmasterwasn'ttheway.Westayedherehiddenforyears,teachingthe
nativeshowtowieldtheForceandeverything.
Marisgotamelancholysmileonherface.However,Vaderfoundusandsenthisassassintokillus.Master
ShaakTisentmeaway,knowingIwasafraidandfearingIwouldfalltothedarksideifIfoughtthekillerofso
manyofourbrethren.ShefoughttheassassinintheAncientAbyssandthere...died.Imanagedtoretrieveher
lightsaberfromwithintheAncientAbyssaftershefellwithitthough.
Afterward,herfearswererealizedandIfelltothedarkside.Ironically,theverysameassassinthatkilled
MasterTiredeemedme.Hehadturnedhisbackonthedarksideandafterbeatingmeincombat,allowedmeto
liveifIpromisedtodothesame.IstruggledfortwoyearsuntilElethiahereshowedupandhelpedmefinishmy
trainingasaJedi.Sincethen,I'vetriedtomakeupfortheactsIdidwhileIhadfallen.ThenativeFelucians
eventuallyforgavemeandnowhereIam.
ThethreeKnightswerequietaftertheirconfessionsandlookedatTahiriandVisaswhoweretryingtolearnhow
todancefromPixwhowaspatientlyteachingthem.ItwasquitefunnytoseeVisas,theblindoneofthetwo,
learningitfasterthanTahiri.SeeingPixremindedHarryofanotherquestion.
AndPix'sfather?Shedoesn'tlookhalfFelucian.Didhedie?
MarishadanangrylookonherfacewhileElethiajustsmiledbitterly.Iwasquiteabeautyinmyyouthandnot
allmenunderstandthatnomeansno,Harry.Theattractionofawildbeautyrunningthroughthejunglesof
FeluciaprobablymadeitworsefortheImperialtroopsgarrisonedhere.
Harryinstantlyunderstoodandagrimlookcametohisface.Pixwastheproductofviolenceandlookingat
Elethia,hecouldseethatshemusthavebeenveryattractivewhenshewasyounger.Attractiveenoughthatin
thiswildplanet,menthoughttheyhadtherighttobedherwhetherornotshewantedit.Besidehim,both
AstraalandKasshadlooksofhorroratheradmissionbutElethiawaveditoff.
Whilepartofmewisheditneverhappened,Icannotarguewiththeresults.Elethiasmiledasshelookedather
daughterwhowasstillteachingthegirlsthecorrectsteps.PixwasmyblessingandIwillneverregretkeeping
heraslongasIlive.
ThegroupstayedsilentbeforeElethiaclappedherhands.Well,enoughsadtales.Thisisafeast!Come,eatand
enjoy!Come,boy.Let'sseeifwecanloosenyouupenoughtodosomerealdancing.
Withthat,ElethiadraggedHarrytowherethenativesweredancingand(totheothergirls'laughter)startedto
teachhimhowtodanceFelucianstyle.
Therestofthenightpassedinlaughterandjoy.
ThenextmorningallthreeKnightsweregatheredinfrontofElethia,Marisandthechieftain.Thesunwasjust
risingandtheirtesttoprovetheirworthwouldstartsoon.Harrywasdressedinagreenshirtandblackpants
alongwithblackboots.Hisholsterheldhisthreelightsabersandnothingelse.Besidehim,bothgirlswere
dressedinmatchingredshirtsthatshowedtheirstomach(andinAstraal'scase,herbellyring),brownshortsand
boots.Theyalsoonlycarriedtheirlightsabers.Theirapprenticeswereawareoftheirtestsandweretoldtolayin
andstayoutoftroubleuntiltheyreturned.
Letusexplainthetests,startedElethiapatiently.Elethiawasdressedinabiggerversionofherdaughter's
ensemblefromyesterdayexceptinsteadofshorts,shehadashortskirt.Mariswaswearingaraunchyensemble,
withblackpantsandnothingcoveringherupperbodyexceptsomeblackclothcoveringandholdingherCcup
breasts.ShenoticedHarry'sredfaceandgavehimasultrywinkwhichmadehimturnredderandcausedAstraal
toglareatthewomanwhojustsmirkedback.
Eachofyouthreewillhaveoneofusasyourjudge.Wewilldisappearintothejungleanditisuptoyoutofind
yourjudge,alone,beforethesunsets.IwillbeHarry'sjudge,MarisshallbeAstraal'sandthechieftainwillbe
Kass's.Anyquestions?
Kassraisedherhand.Yea,Ihaveone.Isthatallwehavetodooristheremore?
Marissmirkedather.Youcatchonquick,girlie.Therewillbetrialsandobstaclesyouhavetoovercometo
reachyourjudge.Theplanetitselfwilltestyouaswellsoyoumustbeprepared.Youmaypasseachobstacleor
trialasbestyoucanbutImustcautionyou.Notalltrialscanbesolvedwithviolencejustlikenotalltrialscan
beovercomepeacefully.It''sbeuptoyoutoknowwhichrequireswhich.
Understood?AllthreeKnightsnoddedatElethia'squestion.Good,weshallgonowandyouwillstartyour
testtofindusin30minutes.Well,herewego!
Withthat,allthreejudgesdisappearedbothfromtheForceandvisuallyandonlyhearingthesoundofrunning
toldthemtheyhadn'tsimplyteleportedaway.HarryturnedtohisfellowKnightsandsaidwhattheywereall
thinking.
Thismightbeharderthanitlooks.
Harrywasjoggingthroughthejungle,tryingtofindElethiausingtheForcetofindvagueimpressionsofwhere
she'dpassed.Hewasrunningcautiouslyafterhavinglearnedthatthewomanlikedtoenteranarea,onlyto
backtrackthroughthesamerouteshetookbeforebranchingoffinanotherdirection.Hehadrecklesslyfollowed
herpath,thinkinghehadcaughtupwithheronlytostumbleintoaYerduaPoisonSpitter,aplantthatblurred
thelinebetweenplantandanimal.Itstrunkwasgreenandthefloweringbodywasanunusualcombinationof
redandwhite.The"flower"consistedoffourthick"petals"withapoisonshootingorganinthecenter,ashe
foundoutpersonally.Harrythoughtitcouldn'tmoveduetoitsrootsbeingfirmlyplanetbutfoundoutthatit
couldmaneuveritsvineliketrunkandflowerwithspeedsassociatedwithanimals,notplants.Thenagain,
plantsdon'tusuallymoveperiod.
HehadneverbeensogladtohavelearnedhowtodeflectattackswiththeForce,thepoisonspikesmovingtoo
fastandtoonumeroustostopwithhislightsaberalone.Hehadmanagedtoescapeandhadbacktrackeduntilhe
caughtherdivergenttrail.
Hestoppedandwalkedslowlywhenheheardthesoundofsomethingbigmoving.Thelasttimehehadhearda
similarnoisehadbeenintheShadowlandsofKashyykandheshudderedrememberingthatterentarek.He
slowlycreptuptowhereheheardthenoiseandlookeddownthecliffhewasontoseethesourceofthenoise.
Rancors.
AlotofRancors.
Harrycursedashesawthegiantcreatures.Whatwasworsewasthattheyweren'tnormalrancorswithbrown
skinbutJunglerancorswithbrightlycoloredskin(mostwerebluewithoneortwobeingorange),sharpspines
alongmuchofitsbodyaswellasitstongue,andwebbingbetweenitsfingers.TheJunglerancoralsohadmuch
largerjawsthanthecommonrancormeaningtheycouldcrushandbitewithmoreforce.However,beingbigger
thannormalrancor,theirtworelativelystubbylegsareweakerduetocarryingmoreweightthoughtheycould
alsowalkonallfourswiththeirshorttailkeepingbalance.Theskinofanormalrancorwastoughenoughto
deflectblasterbolts,makingitanefficientkillingmachinebutjunglerancorshaveevenstrongerskin,enoughto
withstandalightsaberforasecondortwosolightcutswereout.Theywereallatleast8meterstallwithtwo
being10meterstall.Therewasnowayhecoulddefeatallofthematoncewithoutinjury.
Tryingtofindawaythrough,hecalledontheForce.Suddenly,hefeltasifheshouldattack.Heshoulddestroy
thesecreatures!Hewasthealpha!Heshoul
Harrysteppedbackandshookhisheadofthosethoughts.Whatwasthat?!Whywashethinkingofattackingthe
creatures?Hethoughtdeeplyandrealizedwhathadhappened.Theprimalcalloftheplanethadawokenhis
bloodlustandhehadalmostattackedtherancorsrecklesslyasaresult.Herealizedhewasbeingtestedbythe
planet.Wouldheattacklikeawildbeastorwouldhefindabetterway?
Harrythoughtdeeplyonhisoptions.Hewasn'tskilledenoughtocontrolalltheserancorsatonce.Therewereat
least10ofthegiantbeastsafterall.Healsodidn'twanttofightandkillthemifhedidn'thavetoevenifhecould
whichhedoubted.Thatleftsneakingbythem.
Harrylookedaroundandsawatreenearhimthatbenthorizontally10feetupandlookedasifithungdirectly
overtheravinethatheldtherancors,reachingtheotherside.Hecouldclimbupitstrunkanduseittocross.
CallingontheForceandresistingtheplanet'sprimalcall,HarrycloakedhimselfintheForce.Maintaining
concentration,Harryslowlyandcarefullyclimbedupthetrunk,notwantingtomakeenoughnoisetoattractthe
rancors.
Afterhereachedthepartwhereitbecamehorizontal,Harrygotontopandcarefullycrossedthetrunkallthe
whilekeepinganeyeontherancors.Atonepoint,hedroppeddownandlaidonthetrunkwhenoneofthe
rancorslookedup.Itlookedatwherehewashidingforaminutebeforelookingaway.Afteritlookedaway,
Harrycontinued.
Hesoonreachedtheothersideandwascompelledtolookbackattherancorsonlytofreezewhenhesaw
somethinghehadn'tnoticedbefore.
Inthemiddleoftheherdweretwofemalerancorswithtwobabieseachhangingofftheirdorsalandventral
sides.Ifhehadattacked,hewouldhavekilledthebabyrancorsorworse,killedtheirparentsleavingthemto
starveanddieslowlyfromhunger.Hewouldhavebeenresponsibleforkillingsomeone'sparents.
TherealizationhitHarrylikeabucketofcoldwater.Beinganorphanhimself,hepitiedotherorphansandthe
ideaofhimcausingchildren(evenrancorchildren)tobecomeorphansfilledhimwithbile.Hepromisedhimself
toalwaysfindanonlethalwayofcrossingobstaclesorfulfillinggoalsfirstbeforeusingviolence.Hedidn't
wanttobethecauseofyetmoreorphans.
AsHarryturnedandleftthearea,hemissedtherancorsdisappearingintomistandbeingreplacedbyaFelucian
shaman.Theshamannoddedandleftbacktowardthevillage,readytosaythatHarryhadpassedthistrial.
WithHarry,hecontinuedtofollowElethia'strailthroughthejungle.Itwasmiddayandhewassweatingslightly
duetotheheat.ThejunglestartedtodisappearslowlyandHarrystartedtobecomemorecautious.Whenthe
treesdisappeared,Harryclimbeduptotheclosestandlookedaheadtoseeanincrediblesight.Inthemiddleofa
giantvalleywithgiantfungialongthesideswasagiantsarlaacwithtendrilsthickerthantreetrunksandlong
enoughtoreachthetreetops.Hedidn'tdoubtthatoneofthosetentaclescoulddragarancorineasily.Standing
ontopofanAcklayinfrontofthepitwiththesarlaacwasElethiaherself.Shehadherarmscrossedandseemed
tobelookinginhisdirection,asifwaitingforhimtoappear.
HarryslowlydroppeddownthetreeandwalkedtowardElethia,knowingthatwithoutcover,tryingtosneakup
onherwasimpossible.Hewasn'tthesneakingtypeanyway.
Elethiasawhimwalktowardherandhestoppedwhenhewas20feetawayfromherandherAcklay.Then,
Harryspoke.
Nicepet.
Elethiasmiledathisseeminglyuncaringattitude,somuchlikeherselfinheryouth.However,shecouldsensea
lotofselfdoubtinsidehim.Somethinghadhappenedrecentlytomakehimdoubthimselfanditwasaffecting
hisperformance.Itwasuptohertofixit.
You'vecome...good.IthoughtyouwoulddiewhenIsensedyouranintothatYerduaPoisonSpitterbutit
seemsyou'reamanofmanytalents.However...Isensemuchdoubtandfearinyou.Youshouldn'thavethatif
you'reaKnightwhichmeansthetriggerthatcauseditwasrecentandafterbecomingaKnight.Iguessit'supto
metobringbacktheboythatearnedKnighthoodatfifteen.
Withthat,shemadehermovebydirectingtheacklaytoattackhim.Harrybackflippedoutofthecreature's
initialbarrageandactivatedhisgreenlightsaber.Heknewhe'dneedtousetheForceforthisfightsoheneeded
asinglebladetohaveonehandfree.Rememberinghispromisetofindnonviolentmeansfirst,Harrytriedto
breakthebondbetweenElethiaandtheacklayfirsttonoavail.Itseemedshewasmoreskilledinthatareathan
himself.Hecontinuedtododgethecreature'sattacksashethoughtofanothertactic.
Meanwhile,Elethiawasnotimpressed.HarrywassimplydodgingandthinkingratherthantrustingintheForce
toguidehim.SomethingmusthavehappenedtomakehimdoubtnotonlyhimselfbuttheForce'sguidance.
Timetofindoutwhatitis.
What'swrong?Whyaren'tlookingtotheForceforguidance?Itneverfailsyou.
'Therewego,'thoughtElethia.Harry'sfacehadturnedangrywhenshesaidthatbeforecalminghimselfdown.
Obviously,herinitialthoughtswereclosetothemark.Timetotwisttheknife.
TheForceisneverwrong.Souseitandletitguideyou.
Shutup!TheForceiswrongsometimes!
ElethiaraisedanamusedeyebrowasshesawHarrycontinuetododgeherAcklay'sattacks.Really?Thenwhy
didallthetimesIfailedduetomyinadequaciesandnotbecausetheForcewasguidingmewrongly.Ithinkthat
inalmost60yearsoflife,Ihaveabitmoreexperienceinthatareathanyou.
Harryglaredbeforespeaking.Well,itguidedmewhenIdecidedonthedefenseofthePraxeumand10Jedi
werestillkilled!
'Gettingcloser...'thoughtElethiadeterminedly.Boy...whydidtheydie?
BecauseItoldthemtodefendthatsectorandtheywerekilled!
Isensethatyou'rekeepingsomethingfromme.Howdidtheydie?
Harrywasquietashecontinuedtododgetheattacksbeforeheanswered.TheywerekilledbyDarkJedi.
Anddidtheyfollowyourorders...totheletter?
Itdoesn'tmatter!IshouldhaveknownRaynarwoulddosomethingstupidandmadecontingencyplansor
something!
'Bingo!'thoughtElethiavictoriously.ShemadehermountstopattackingandlookedatHarryseriously.
Boy...IgiveyouthesameadviceIwasoncegiven:Whenyoulookback,youwillloseyourplaceonthepath.
Youwilllearn,Harry,thatstarsmoveandstarsfall,andnothingatall,dotheyhavetodowithyou.
Harryjustlookedconfused.Whatdoyoumean?
Elethiasighed.Wecanneverpredicteverything.ShouldIhavepredictedmyfirstMaster'sdeath?Ormy
second's?TheForceguidedyoutothebestpathanditwasuptothemtofollowit.BecausethisRaynardidn't,
Jedidied.Itwasnotuptoyoutoholdtheirhand.Youdidthebestyoucould,underimpossiblecircumstances.
Takeitfromsomeonewhowasforcedtoleadthousandsoftroopsat14,toloseonly10Jediinabattleasbigas
theoneyou'redescribingshowsremarkableskillinstrategy.
Buttheystilldied,saidHarryglumly.
Yes....butitwasn'tyourfault.Wherewereyouduringthis?
Harrylookedaway.Defendingthesouthernsector.
Byyourself?Athisnod,Elethislookedimpressed.See?Youdidmorethanyourfairshare.Noonecould
haveaskedformore.Letgo,youngone.
Harrysighedandaburdenhedidn'tevenknowhewasbearingseemedtodisappear.Hehadtriedthebesthe
couldunderthecircumstances.Whilehewasstillsadthat10Jedidiedbeforetheirtime,buthenowaccepted
thatitwasn'thisfault.
Elethiasmiledasshesensedtheboystandupstraightandlookatherseriously.Heenteredastanceandsmiled
cockilyather.Shesensedhestillhaddoubtsbutsheknewhehadhisgirlfriendforthosesincetheyseemed
morepersonalinnatureaswellasfardeeper.
Well,grandma.Areyougoingtostandtherealldayorarewegonnadance?
Elethiahadatickmarkonherforeheadathisdigatherage.'I'llshowyougrandma,'thoughtElethiaangrily.
Withahandsignal,heracklayattacked.Ratherthanbackaway,Harryranforwardstowardthecreature.He
rolledunderitsstrikeandfoundhimselfunderitsbelly.Elethiajumpedjustintimetomissedbeinghitbyhis
greenlightsaberbladeashestabbedupwardanddraggedthebladetowardstheacklay'sbehind.
Elethiawatchedinshockastheboywhowashesitantandcautiousbefore,leapeduponthedyingacklay'sback
andcutoffitsheadtoputitoutofitsmisery.Harrythenrolledoffthedeadcreature'sbackandcrouchedina
readystanceinfrontofher.
Elethiashookherheadattheincredibledisplayofabilityanddecidedtotesthim.Whydidyoukillit?Maybe
therewasabetterway?
Harryshrugged.TheForcetoldmetoandnowthatIlookback,itfelt...oldandtired.Itwasalsomuchslower
thanadultacklayshouldbe.Iimagineitwasonlykeptalivethankstohisbondwithyou.
Elethiasmiled.Indeed.Welldone.ElethiaactivatedherbluelightsaberandfellintoaSoresustance.Nowto
testyourskillspersonally.
Harryattackedwithapowerfuldownwardslashthatsheeasilyblockedbuthesimplyusedthemomentum
gainedtopushherback.Hethenbackedoffabitbeforeattackingwithaquickbutweakseriesofslashes
designedtotestherdefenses.However,over40yearsofexperienceusingthestylehadmadeheramasterand
noholeswerefound.Harryknewhecouldn'tsimplyoverpowerheresohefellbackonunpredictability.
Heslashedatherleftside,whichheblockedbuthesentakicktothatsameside,usinghisbladetopushhersout
ofthewaysohiskickwouldland.Shetookthekickbuttwirledaroundandattemptedtotakehishead.Harry
duckedandattemptedtolandahitonherstomachbutshecontinuedtospinandhisstrikemisseditstargetas
shemovedtothesideandhewasforcedtododgeanotherstrike.
HarryfellintohisLightningformandattemptedtoattackquicklytooverwhelmher.However,sheeasily
weatheredhisattacksandhewasforcedtostopbeforeheranoutofenergy.HethensentapowerfulForcepush
thatshedeflected.However,henoticedittooksomeefforttodeflectitandthatgavehimanidea.
Makingdistancebetweenthem,HarrysentapowerfulbarrageofForcebullets.Neverhavingseenthembefore,
ElethiawasforcedtoquicklyputupaForcebarrier.Shequicklyregretteditbecausealthoughsmall,thebullets
hadthestrengthoffreighttrain.ShequicklyjumpedupandtowardHarryforcinghimtoabandonthelongrange
attackandenterclosecombat.
ThetwoForceusersfellintoalightningquickbarrageofslashes,jabsandcounterattacks,eachtryingtodisarm
theother.Atonepoint,Elethiahadtheupperhandinasaberlockwhenshesmiledconspiratorially.Shethen
quicklyjumpedandstraddledHarry.Despiteherage,Elethiawasstillanattractivewomanandherstraddling
himsentallthebloodrushingtowardthewrongarea.Hewassosurprisedbythemaneuverthathecouldn'tdo
anythingwhenshearchedherbodybackwards,plantedherhandsontheground,liftedhimupwithherleg
strengthaloneandthrewhimtowardthesarlaac.
Harryquicklylandedonagianttendrilandstartedtojumpfromtendriltotendrilavoidingthesarlaac'sattacks.
Suddenly,Elethiawasthereattackinghimwithhersaberastheyjumpedfromtendriltotendril.Theywould
jump,clash,jumpapartandrepeat,neitheronegettingtheupperhand.Decidingtoendthestalemate,Harry
conjuredaflashoflightthatblindedElethiaforamomentbeforelettinglooseapowerfulbarrageofForce
lightningatthesarlaac,causingittoroarandmoveitstendrilsaboutinafrenzy.
HarrylandedonthegroundaroundthesarlaacandoutofdangerbutElithiawasstillinside.Seeingthatshewas
inserioustrouble,HarryreachedoutwiththeForceandgrabbedherbeforepullinghertowardhimandtosafety.
BothForceusersranfromthepit,escapingthesarlaac'swrath.Oncetheyweresafe,ElethialookedatHarry
withaninscrutablelook.
Jediusuallycan'twieldForcelightning,saidElethiainaserioustone.Howcomeyoucan?
Harryshrugged.Amixtureofbeingtaughtandgenetics.Ifoundoutthatmybirthmotherhadanaffinityforit
andIseemtohaveinheritedit.
Elethialookedathimforamomentbeforesighing.Well,youarecertainlyasrecklesslybraveasmostKnights
inmytimewere.Youpassed.Youmanagedtoatleastdrawwithmebeforeyoudidthatstupidmovethatalmost
gotuskilled.Youalsoresistedtheplanet'sprimalcallandshowedthatyouonlyattackwhennecessary.All
goodtraits.Youtrainingstartstomorrow.Don'tbelate.
Harrysmiled,ecstaticabouthisnewtraining.
EndNotes:

Well,thischaptershowedthebeginningofHarry'stimeasaKnightaswellasthe
problemsthepositionbrought.ItalsointroducedacriticalpartofHarry's
characterwhichisthatheblameshimselfwhenpeopledieunderhiscommand,a
traitthatbecomesevidentduringthewar.

WealsofinallyseeJainadatingZekkaswellasthestartoffractures,bothwithin
thegroupandbetweenHarryandAstraal.Afterall,Idoubtshe'llbehappywhen
shefindsouthe'sjealousofZekk.

NextchapterisouteitheronSundayorMondaydependingonhowmyfirstweek
goes.Sofarit'sgoingeasybutit'llgethardersoon.

HopeyoulikeitandasalwaysReadandReview!
Backtoindex
HardDecisionsbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter22
Felucia,OuterRim
AblackblurrushedtheunderbrushoftheFelucianjungle,intentonfindingandcatchinghisquarry.However,
hisquarrywasamasterofhidinginplainsightandwouldnotbefoundeasily.Heusedeverytrickandskillhe
learnedduringthepastmonthtotrackher,usingtheForcetotracknottheimpressionsintheForcesheleft
behind(shehadlearnedtoeraseeventhatduringthepastmonth)butrathertheeffectsherabsenceintheForce
causedasshepassed.Eventually,hefoundaherdofrancorsmovingagitatedlyfornoapparentreasonand
deducedshehadpassedbythererecently.Movingsofasthewasnothingmorethanablackblur,hechasedafter
hisquarry.
Ashereachedanoasisamilepasttherancorherd,hesawherbathingintheclearwaters,oblivioustoher
audienceasshebathednakedasthedayshewasborn.Hetrackedasinglewaterdropletasitmovedfromher
forehead,downherfaceandchin,fallingrightontopofherperfectCcupbreastsanddownherchestintothe
valleybetweenherlegs.Heslowlycircledaroundher,unclothedhimselfaswellandwalkedupbehindher,
usingeveryskillhehadlearnedtostayundetected.Oncehewascloseenough,hepounced.
AstraalgaveashriekofsurpriseasHarrypickedherupfrombehind,justasnakedasher,andmadethemsink
underthewaterforasecond.Theyexplodedoutofthewatersoonafterwards,Harrylaughinguproariouslyand
Astraaltrying,andfailing,tokeepasmilefromherface.Sheplayfullyglaredathimashejustsmiledather
beforegatheringherinhisarmsandkissinghertenderly.Shemoanedintothekissandwrappedherlegsaround
hiswaist,anxiousformore.However,Harryjustbrokethekissandgaveheraknowinglook.
Someone'sexcited,teasedHarryashestrokedherlekku.Shemoanedathistouchbeforesmilingsaucily.

It'syourfault.Youhaven'tattendedtoyourboyfrienddutiesinoveraweekandleftmeunattended.For
shame,mockedAstraalwithasmile.
NotmyfaultElethiagetssomekindofsickthrilloutofmakingmebleed.Iswearthatwomanisrepressedor
something,mutteredHarry.
AstraallaughedatHarry'scomment,rememberingherbriefbutmemorabletwolessonswiththewoman.While
hermainteacherwasMaris,AstraalhadwantedtolearnthefinerpointsofblasterdeflectionusingAtarufroma
master(oratleastsomeoneextremelyexperiencedwithit).Soshehadaskedhertoteachherhowtoblock
blasterboltsusingonlyAtaru.Whatfollowedhadbeena6hourchasethroughthejungleasElethiashotather
usingacarbineandAstraalhadtododgeorblocktheshotswithjustherlightsaber.Ithadtakenuntilthesecond
daytolearnthatthebestwaytoblockblasterboltsusingAtaruwastosimplydisarmtheassailantasquicklyas
possible.WhenAstraalaskedwhyshehadn'tsimplytoldherthat,Elethiahassimplysmiledmischievouslyand
saidshehadforgottenduetoheradvancedage.Neitherbelievedthatforasecond.
True,thatwomaniscrazywhenitcomestotrainingespeciallywhenshetrainsyou.ShouldIbejealous?
askedAstraalplayfully.Shelaughedwhenhejuststuckhistongueoutatherinresponse.
Harrydrewhercloseuntilherbreastsweretouchinghischestandstartedkissingherpassionately.Astraalwas
slightlysurprisedbuteagerlyreciprocated,kissingwithallthebuiltuppassionofaweekwithouthistouch.
TheyeventuallybrokethekissforairandHarrylookedatherwithloveinhiseyes.
Happybirthday,myangel,saidHarrywithasmile.
Astraalblinkedinsurprisebeforelookingathimwithacuriouslook.Mybirthdayisn'tuntilthedayafter
tomorrow,Harry.
Harryjustshrugged.Yeah,butwe'llbeonourwaybackinthattimeandIwanttocelebrateithere,inthis
beautifuljungleplanet.
Astraalgavehimawrylook.Yeah,beautiful.Nottomentiondangerousandfullofpredatorslikelytoconsume
youifyou'renotproperlytrained.
Harryjustwaveditoff.Details,details.Hethengaveherasmolderinglook.Now...Ithinkit'stimetoattend
tomyduties,don'tyouthink?WhatkindofJediKnightwouldIbeifIneglectmyduty?
Astraalbitherlipandgavehimacoylook.Please,goodKnight,helpmeinmytimeofneed.Iwillrewardyou
greatly.
Verywell,butIwarnyouthattheprocesstohelpislongandarduousandmaytakeseveralrepetitionstofully
takeeffect,saidHarrybeforehekissedher.
Forthenextfewhours,thesoundsofmoansandcriesofecstasykeptanypredatorsfarawayfromtheoasis.
HarryandAstraalwereonceagaindressedandrunningbacktowardthevillage.Itwasthedaybeforethey
wouldleaveFeluciaandtheyweretakingtheleisureroutebacktocamp.
Theyhadlearnedmuchduringthepastmonth,bothaboutthemselvesandinregardstotheForce.Eachoneof
theKnightshadhadtheirowntrainerinwhattheywantedtolearn.ElethiahadbeenteachingHarrynotonly
howtoimbueaweaponwiththeForcebutalsohowusehisabilitiesmorequicklyinbattleaswellaswhich
oneswerebestusedinwhichsituation.HisForcebulletsability,forexample,wasbestusedagainstasingle
opponent.Whilehecanfiremanyofthematonce,theyonlytravelinastraightlinefromhisfingertips.Worse
still,heisleftvulnerabletoattackfromoutsideforcesduetotheconcentrationneededtomaintainthebarrage.
Therefore,shehadtoldhimitwasbestusedaseitheradistractionortooverwhelmasingleenemy.
HisabilitytoimbuetheForceinaweaponhadincreasedremarkablyaswellandhecouldknowimbueForce
lightningintohislightsabereasilyduringcombat,somethingthatstillmadeElethiauneasy.However,shehad
alsotaughthimhowtoimbuetheForceintootherweaponssuchasstavesandknivesincaseofemergency.As
shesaid,youneverknowifyourlightsaberisoutofreachduringacriticalmomentandyouonlyhaveacombat
knifeonyou.
Astraalhadalsoincreasedherstealthincombatremarkablyandcouldnowappearanddisappearinthemiddle
ofafightatwill.ItannoyedhergreatlythatHarrycouldstillsenseherthankstotheirbondbutsheconsoled
herselfthathewastheonlyonethatcould.ShehadalsoincreasedhersurvivalskillsgreatlythankstoMaris's
tendencytoleaveherinthemiddleofnowherefordaysatatimewithnothingbutherlightsabersandthe
clothesonherbackwhilebeingforbiddenfromreturningtocampuntilshecametopickherup.Astraalwas
nowabletosurviveinthewildernesswithjustherbladeforweeksatatime.
AsforKass,shehadfinallyfoundherniche.Complimentingheraffinitytocreateearthtremors,shehadlearned
howtousetheForcetoconfuseanddisorientherenemytothepointtheywouldusuallypassoutfromthe
disorientation.Shewashopingtolearnhowtocutanenemy'sconnectiontotheForcecompletelybutwasn't
skilledenoughyettoevencontemplatehowthatwaspossible.However,shewasproudofhavingfoundher
nicheandwasbecomeskilledenoughinittokeepupwithAstraalincombat.
AsforTahiriandVisas,HarryandAstraalhadcontinuedtheirtrainingusingFeluciaastheirtrainingground.
Theylearnedeverythingfromhowtomasktheirpresencefromenemies'senses(exceptofcoursefortheirForce
signature)tofurtheringtheiracrobaticsbymakingthemjumpandrunthroughthejunglewithonlytheForce,
theyhadtrulystartedtobloom.VisashadperfectedherForcesightwhileontheplanetandwouldnolonger
havetoworryaboutsuddenchangesintheenvironmentconfusinghersenses.Indeed,herexpertisehad
increasedherreflexestothepointthattheyalmostequaltoHarry'sandTahirihadwantedtolearnhowtouse
Forcesightduetothatalone.
Tahirihadalsoimprovedremarkably,bothinlightsabercombatandinForceusage.ElethiaandMarishad
taughtthemhowtoalterthedamagetheirlightsabersinflictfromaslightbruiseandburntocuttingthrough
durasteellikeaknifethroughwarmbutter.However,whiletheyalllearnedittoacertainextent,Tahirihadbeen
theonlyonetotrulymasterit.Shewasabletochangealightsaber'sintensityfromnormalcuttingpowertothree
timesasintenseorbarelymorethanatraininglightsaberonawhim.Itcomplementedherlightsaberstyleof
quickandrapidattacksfromunpredictableangles.Onceshebuiltherlightsaber,shecouldcontroltheintensity
tomakeitseemlikeitwasnormaltraininglightsaberandthenrapidlyturnittonormalcuttingpower,catching
anopponentoffguard.
ThetwoKnightswerejustreachingthevillagewhentheysawtheirotherfellowKnightstandingagainstahut
lookingtowardElethia'shutwherethesoundsofshoutingcouldbeheard.
Kasshadchangedheroutfittomatchhernewniche.Shehadtakentowearingapairoffingerlessglovesthat
werelinedwithdurasteel(whichshescavengedofftheremainsofdestroyedbattledroids)ontheknucklesas
wellasalongsleevedshortgreenleatherjacket.Besidesthat,shewouldweartightshirtsthatexposedher
midriff(aswellasherslightsixpack)andpantsthatrodelowonherhips.Theentireensemblewasmadeto
distractmaleopponentslongenoughforhertocauseatremorandeitherescapeifitwasanopponentstronger
thanherorclosethedistancebetweenthemanengageinclosecombat.ThestrategyhadevenworkedonHarry
toacertainextentthefirsttimeshehadfoughthiminthatclothing,somethingthathadcausedAstraaltogrither
teethinanger.
ThetwoloversquietlyapproachedKasswhoturnedtothemwhensheheardtheirapproach.
HarrycockedaneyebrowandsentacuriouslooktowardsElethia'shut.Theyfightingagain?
Kassnoddedherheadtiredly.Yeah,Pixisdeterminedtogoonhercomingofageritualthatinvolvesgoing
totherancorgraveyardanddefeatingarancorwithoutkillingitbyherself.However,she'sonly14andmost
don'tdotheritualuntilthey'reatleast17soElethiawon'tallowit,sayingsheisn'tready.
Astraalshookherheadinexasperation.Personally,IagreewithElethia.Whileskilled,she'snotsoskilledto
takeonanadultrancorbyherself.Atleastnotyet.Sheneedsmoretrainingbeforeshecandothat.Maybeina
yearortwobutnotnow.

Kassshrugged.Truebut...tellingherthatwon'tchangeathing.She'sstubbornandarrogantinherabilitiesdue
toneveractuallymeetinganotherForceuserlikeherexcepthermotherandMarisbeforewearrived.Therefore,
shethinksthatshe'smorethanamatchforanyrancor,ignoringthewordsofpeoplewhohaveactuallyfaced
rancorslikeus.
PixhadbeenannoyedatthefactthatshecouldbarelylandahitonanyoftheKnightsandinsisteditwasdueto
hernothavingherownlightsaber.Theyneglectedtopointoutthefactthatintheirsparstheyneverusedtheir
sabersandbeatherinunarmedcombatalone.However,Harryhadnoticedthatherarrogancewasafrontthat
sheusedtomaskherloneliness.Itwastobeexpectedafterall,theonlynonFelucianpeoplesheknewwereher
motherandMariswhowaslikeanoldersisteroraunttoher.ThepresenceofthefiveJedihadcausedhertotry
toimpresstheminanefforttogettheirfriendshipandrespectandwhenshefailedtobeattheminanyoftheir
spars,shehadretreatedintoherselfthinkingshewasn'tgoodenoughtobetheirfriend.
Luckily,Harry'sapprenticeswerethestubbornkindandeventuallybrokethroughhershellandbefriendedthe
girl.Despitebeingolderthanthem,itwaspainfullyobviousshehadneverhadexperiencewithafriendherage
anddidn'tknowhowtogirltalkasthegirlsdid.Inspiteofthis,thethreegirlshadbecomegoodfriendsand
wereoftenseentrainingtogetherorevenjustsittingaroundtalking.
HarryfrownedatKass'sstatement.She'sstillyoung.Atthegirl'samusedlook,hestuckouthistongue.I'llbe
sixteeninamonthsothere.Ignoringtheirgiggles,hecontinued.ShecanmatchTahiriandVisaswhichis
remarkablegiventhefactthathermotherhasonlygivenherthebasictraininginusingtheForce.
Kassscowledatthereminder.ShehadbeenupsettoknowthatdespitebeingaformerJedi,Elethiahadn'tgiven
herdaughterextensivetrainingtobecomeaJedi.Shesaidshedidn'twantherdaughtertolivealifeofviolence
likeshedidandonlywantedhertobehappyandbeatpeacewiththeworldaroundher.However,anyonecould
seethatPixwasnothappyamongtheFelucians.Whileshelikedthemandevenhadafewfriends,sheyearned
toleavetheplanetandlearnmoreaboutthewidergalaxy.ShewouldsometimespesterKassforstoriesabout
heradventuresandthewidergalaxy,sometimesjustsittingdownandgazingatKassinaweatthedescriptionof
someofthethingsoutthere.HarrywasremindedofKassherselfwhentheyfirstmetandcouldn'thelpbutsmile
attheirony.
Knowinglyornot,KasshadtakenPixunderherwingandstartedtotreatherasherownapprentice.Shewould
taketimetoteachherhowtoperfectherabilitiesandeventookhersometimesinherexcursionsintothejungle.
ElethiahadnotbeenamusedbutkepthertonguewhenshesawhowhappyPixwastobetreatedlikeher
apprentice.Indeed,PixhadtakentocopyingsomeofKass'smannerismssuchasherdirtylanguagewhenangry
oreventhewayshewalkedattimes.ItwasobviousthatPixlookeduptotheseventeenyearoldgirlandsought
toimpresshermorethantheothersinhopesthatshewouldtakeherwiththemwhentheyleft.
Astraalsighed.Icanunderstandwantingtoprotectthepersonyoulovefromdangerbutshe'scagingherand
limitingherpotential.Eventually,Pixisgoingtoexplodeandprobablyviolently.Ijusthopenothingbad
happensbecauseofit.
Well,let'sgofindourwaywardapprenticesbeforetheystartcausingtroublelikeKass'ssaidHarrywitha
smile.Kassdidn'tmisstheimplicationofHarrysayingPixwasherapprenticeandjustsmirkedandstuckout
hertongueathim.
Chuckling,AstraalandHarrywalkedtowardwheretheyfelttheirapprenticesForcepresencesandfoundthem
sparringbehindtheirhut.
VisaswasusingherpersonalSoresustyledefenseinwhichshewouldturnthebladeonjustintimetoblocka
slashbeforeturningitoffagainwhenTahirifailedtobreakthroughandretreated.Shegaveoffanauraofcalm
andconcentrationthatmadeherlookmucholderthanher13yearsofage.Ontheotherhand,Tahiriwasinher
openingstance:lightsaberbehindherbackinareversegrip,dominantlegback.TahiriwaslookingatVisasin
concentration,tryingtofindanopeninginherguard.Hermuscleswouldtenseandrelaxasshethoughtof
variousavenuesofattackonlytoseeVisasshiftslightlytoblockthatavenue.Harrywatchedasthiscontinued
forasecondbeforeTahirisuddenlyattackedwithblindingspeed.WhilenotquiteasadeptinmaintainingForce
speedasothers,Tahiriwasverygiftedinusingitshortburststhatleftheropponentsreeling.
TahiriattackedwithalowslashthatwentdiagonallyfromVisasrighthipuptowardherleftshoulder.Visas
turnedonhersaberandblockedTahiri'sslashbeforeitcouldlandbutinsteadofretreatingTahiripushed
forwardasiftryingtobreakthroughusingsheerstrengthalone.Whilesurprised,Visasmatchedherstrengthby
usingbothhandsandstoppedherfrompushingherback.Suddenly,Tahirigrinnedbeforeswitchingoffher
bladequickly,bypassingVisas'sguardandturningitoninsideherguard.Tohercredit,Visasmanagedtobend
backwardsenoughtoavoidbeingcutinhalfasshewouldhavebeenifthishadbeenareallightsaberduelbut
stillgotahitonherbeforeshecouldescape.
ThetwoapprenticesstoppedandTahirismiledwidelyathervictory.Afterall,shehadnotonlymanagedtowin
butalsomanagedtobreakthroughVisas'sunbreakabledefense.TheyturnedatthesoundofAstraalandHarry
clappingandduckedtheirheadsinembarrassment.
Welldone,bothofyou,saidHarrywithasmile.However,therewereseveralthingsthatneedtobefixed.
Wanttohearthem?
Bothapprenticesnoddedandlistenedwithraptattentiontotheirmaster'swords,evenAstraalwaslisteningto
himattentively.
First,westartwithVisas.Heturnedtothegirlinquestion.FirstmistakewaslettingTahiricontroltheflowof
thebattle.Remember,whiledefenseisimportant,it'suselessifyoucan'tcontroltheflowandtempoofthefight
andyoucanneverwinifyoudon'tleadthefightuntilyou'reinanadvantageousposition.Bylettingthe
opponentlead,youmighttirethemoutbutmorelikelythey'llfindawayaroundyourdefenseandfinishyou
likeTahiridid.Defendbutcontroltheflowofthefightuntilanopeningpresentsitselfandkeepcontrolofthe
fight.SeeingVisasnodherheadinunderstanding,hecontinued.Second,yourstrength.You'retoousedto
opponentsdisengagingafterfailingtopassthroughyourdefense.AsTahiridemonstrated,someopponentswill
trytousebrutestrengthtobreakthroughyourguard.Youwereforcedtousebothhandstoblockthestrengthin
Tahiri'sone,whichshowsyouneedtoincreaseyourstrengthenoughtoblockmorephysicallyinclined
opponent,understand?Visasnodded.Finallyandmostimportant,youfellintocomplacency.SeeingVisas's
confusedlook,heexplained.Tahirihadprobablybeenattackinganddisengagingsincethefightstarted,right?
YouweresousedtothattacticthatyouweresurprisedwhenTahirididn'tdisengageanddidn'tsuspectatrapof
somekind.Neverletyourselffallintocomplacency.Alwaysexpecttheunexpectedandbewary.Visasnodded
inunderstandingandHarryturnedtoTahiri.
AsforTahiri,youmadeacriticalmistake.Whileitistruethatsometimesthegreatestriskgivethegreatest
reward,youcannotberecklessinafightontheoffchancethatyoumightdefeatyouropponent.Trakataisgood
skilltohavebutonlyifusedwisely.Insteadofbacktracking,Visascouldhaveeasilyusedthepositionofher
bladetocutyouinhalfaswell.Afterall,whileyoubypassedherdefense,youalsoletherthroughyours.A
fightthatendswithbothdeadisnotavictory,it'sadrawandnoonewinsadraw.Killingordefeatingyour
opponentisnotworthyourlifesoneverendangeritjusttowin,understand?Tahirinoddedsadlyin
understanding.Sheunderstoodhispoint.Whileshemayhavewon,itwasonlyduetotheluckofVisas
retreatinginsteadattacking.However,Tahiriwasconfusedaswellandlookedathermaster.
ThenwhydidyoutellmetomasterTrakataifIcan'tuseit?I'llalwaysletthemintomydefenseaswellwhenI
useit.
Harryshookhishead.Notalways.Forexample,ItendtouseitwhenIusedualblades.ThewayIuseitisI
sendadoubleslashwithbothbladesandturnoffonebladebeforeitcontactstheenemy'sweaponandturnitin
withintheirguard.Mystrengthisenoughthatthesecondbladekeepstheopponentfromenteringmyguard
whileIbypassedtheirs.ThatwayImaintainmydefensewhileusingTrakatatobypasstheirs.Thereareother
timeswhenusingitwon'topenyourdefenses.Learntoidentifythem.
Bothapprenticessmiledinunderstandingandnoddedhappily.Harrylookedatthemandsmiledback.
Still,youbothdidverywellandarereadyforthemoreadvancedlessons.HarryturnedtoTahiri.You'reoff
totrainwithAstraalwhowillteachyouhowtofightopponentsusingdualweaponsorevensaberstaffs.Both
cancatchoffensivelymindedJedilikeyouoffguardthefirsttimetheyfaceitsoIwantyoutolearnhowto
defendagainstitinasafeenvironmentfirst.Meanwhile,I'llstayandteachVisasmoreformsofthemindtrick.
Intwohourswe'llswitchandVisaswillgowithAstraalwho'llteachherwhentogoontheoffensiveinabattle
aswellashowtocontroltheflowofthefight.Duringthattime,I'llbeteachingTahirithemindtricknuancesas
well.
Bothgirlslookedgiddyattheprospectoflearningmoreaboutthemindtrick.Eversincetheylearneditwas
possibletomakesomeoneseeillusionsofbeastsorotherthings,theyhadbeeneagertolearnmoreaboutit.
TahirileftwithAstraal,leavingHarrywithVisas.Hesmiledatherexcitedexpression.

Now...themindtrickhasmanyfacetsbutfirstweneedtodiscussthemoralimplicationsofitsinceitdoes,in
essence,robthepersonoftheirfreewill.Forexample,ifyouhadtoinfiltrateabuildingtogatherintelligence
buttherewasaguardpostedoutside,howwouldyoupasshim?
Visasfrownedinthoughbeforehesitantlyreplying.Well...Iwouldprobablymakemyselfinvisibletohiseyes
ifpossibleorifnot,distracthiminordertopass.
Harrynodded.Goodidea,buthaveyouthoughtoftheconsequences?Whiletheguardmaybeanobstacleon
yourmission,heisalsoalivingbeing.Hemaynotbeabadperson,merelyanemployeeoraservant.Hemay
haveafamily,otherswhocareabouthim.Heck,ifyouhadmethimunderdifferentcircumstances,youmight
havebecomehisfriendandally.Whatwillyoudothen?Maketheguardseeyouasasmall,nonthreatening
creature?Makehimgotosleep,orforgethesawyouatall?Hypnoticallysuggestthatyoucameoutfromyour
hidingspotandrananotherwaywhileencouragingtheguardtochasetheillusionyoucreated?Projecta
terrifyingimagethatwillcausehimtoruninfear?Allthesethingscouldverywellwork,Visas,buthaveyou
consideredtheconsequences?Whatiftheguardenjoysshootingatsmall,nonthreateningcreatures?Whatifhis
speciesisphysicallyincapableofsleep?Whatifheforgetshesawyou,butthefactthatheevenunwittingly
allowedyoutopasswillcosthimhisjobor,Forceforbid,hislife?Whatphysicaltraumawillhesufferifhe
chasesyourillusionintoawallofsolidrock?Whatifyoustrikesuchfearinhimthathediesonthespot,or
forgetsthenatureofgravityashetriestoescapeovertheedgeofthenearestcliff?Beforeyoudelveintothis
area,youhavetobeawareofbothsidesofthecoin.Afterall,themindtrickisoneofthereasonsJediare
treatedwithsuchsuspicionallthetime.Wouldn'tyoubewaryofsomeoneknowntobecapableofcontrolling
minds?
Visasfrowned.Yesbutitonlyworksontheweakminded.
Harrysmiledindulgently.Andwhat,exactly,separatestheweakmindedfromthestrong?Thereisnolistof
traitstodefineonefromtheotherandsomeonesufficientlytalentedcancontroleventhestrongmindedfora
time.Therefore,thisabilityisonlytobeusedalastresortandonlytopreventviolence.I'maveragewithit
myselfbutIcancreatesomeremarkableillusionsifItry.However,Ihaveneveruseditextensivelyduetothe
inherentviolationoffreewillitexhibitsaswellasitnotbeingmyfieldofexpertise.Iwillteachyoubutnever
useitforyouowngainandonlyasalastresorttopreventviolence.Iwarnyou,somespeciesarecompletely
immunetoitseffectssodon'tdependonit.
Visasfrownedinthoughtasshethoughtaboutwhathesaid.Shehadneverthoughtofitlikethatbefore.
However,nowthatHarryhadexplainedittoher,sheunderstoodthehesitancemostpeoplehadaroundtheJedi.
Despitetheirgooddeedsandservice,itwashardtobecompletelyateasearoundsomeonethatcouldmanipulate
themindandensnarethesenses.Theverythoughtofbeingaroundsomeoneshedidn'tcompletelytrustthatwas
capableofthatmadehernervous.Shethenmadeapromisetoonlyuseitinnonviolentmeansortoprevent
senselessviolence.
Iunderstand,master.Ipromisetoneveruseitforgainorwithevilintent.
Harrysmiled.That'sallIask,Visas.
TheyspentthenexttwohourswithHarryteachingherthevariousaspectsofthemindtrick.Visaswas
completelyhorrifiedwhenhetoldhersomeSithwerecapableofdrivingpeopleinsanewithvisionsofdeathand
painwithit.ShewasequallydisturbedtoknowthatSithmadeitanormaloccurrencetodominatethemindsof
thosebeneaththemandturnthemintolittlemorethanslaves.Despitethis,Harrytaughtherthebasicsofhowto
defendagainstthemaswellashowtoidentifysomeonesufferingfromit.Theythenpracticedthebasicsbefore
enteringtherealmofillusions.
Visasshowedamazingtalentinthisareaandwasabletocreateanillusionofhermother'sformoverherown
afteronlyanhourofpractice.ShewasjustaskingaboutthenuancesofillusionswhenTahiribouncedintothe
traininggroundsmilinghappily.
Myturn,myturn!Comeon,Visas,don'tbestingy!
Visasjustsmiledatherfriendandifshehadeyes,Harryhadnodoubtshewouldberollingthemnow.Fine,
youhyperactivemonkey.Astraal'sintheothertrainingground,Iimagine?
Tahirinoddedhappilyandaftersayinggoodbye,VisaslefttowardAstraal.TahiriturnedtowardHarrywithan
excitedexpressionandHarrycouldn'thelpbutlaugh.
Okaythen.Whatdoyouknowofthemindtrick?askedHarryamusedly.
Tahiriopenedhermouthbutnosoundcameoutasshethoughtaboutit.Sheseemedtothinkaboutitdeeply
beforesmilingsheepishly.
Um...it...tricksthemind?
Harryhadtosuppresstheurgetofacepalm,insteadhegroanedandrubbedhisforehead.Didn'tyoustudy
anythingaboutitsinceItoldyouIwasgoingtoteachyouitoveramonthago?
Tahirirubbedthebackofherheadsheepishly.Iwaskindabusy.
Harrydeadpanned.Doingwhatexactly?
Um...Iwaskindatryingtolearnhowto...blowupstuffwithmymind.
Harryjuststaredatherforasecondbeforeslowlyspeaking.Blowstuffup...withyourmind?Doyouhaveany
ideahowdangerousthatis?!Youcouldhavehurtyourself!There'sareasononlyMasterstrystufflikethat.It
takesimmensecontroltocausesomethingtocombust,nottomentioncontrolitenoughsoitwon'ttakeyouwith
it.Don'teverdostufflikethatagain!Whoputyouuptoitanyway?
Tahirilookedcrestfallenandalmostneartears.Well...AnakintoldmeabouthimdoingitoncebymistakeandI
thoughtitsoundedcool.
Harrysighedandspokeinasoftertone.Tahiri,lookatme.Tahiriforcedherselftolookupathimdespitethe
tearsgoingdownherface.Anakinisanidiot.Hedidn'tblowanythingup.Hejustmistakenlycausedacoke
bottletoshakeanditexplodedonceweopenedit.Blowingthingsupasyoucallitisverydangerousnotonly
toothersbuttoyourself.It'saneasywayoutandshouldonlybeusedasalastresort.Understand?
TahiritearfullynoddedandHarryfeltsobadthathedrewherintoahug.Sheclungtohimandstartedsobbing,
promisingnevertodoitagain.Hejustassuredherhewasn'tangryather,hehadjustbeenworriedabouther.
Aftershecomposedherself,theyreturnedtothelesson.
Now...themindtrickistheabilitytousetheForcetoinfluenceanother'sthoughts.Duetothis,it'sconsidered
tobeamorallyquestionableability.SeeingTahiri'sconfusedlook,Harrytriedtoexplainitinsimplerwords.I
meanthatsometimesit'swrongtouseit.
Tahirifrowned.Why?
Well...wouldyoulikeitifsomeonecontrolledyouandtoldyouwhattodo?SeeingTahirishakeherhead
forcefully,Harrysmiled.Well,noonedoes.Weonlyuseitasalastresorttopreventviolenceandeventhenwe
refrainfromoutrightcontrollingothers.I'llteachyousometricksnotonlytouseitonothersbuttodefend
yourselffromothersusingitonyou.
Forthenexthourandahalf,HarrytaughtTahirithenuancesofthemindtrickandhelpedherwhenshe
struggled.ItseemedthatTahiriwasmoreofaphysicaltypeofJediratherthanamentaltypelikeVisas.
However,Harrytoldherthatitwasnormalandthathehimselfwasonlyaverageintheskill.Hethentoldherhe
wouldteachthemboththebasicsofenergyabsorptionnextlesson.Shecheeredandleftrunninghappilytoward
VisasandPixtotellthemaboutherlesson,obviouslyexaggeratingcertainpartswhichtheothergirlsknewbut
pretendedtoignore.

Harrydecidedthatsincehewasalone,hewouldstartonhisAlchakaexercises.WhenElethiasawthatHarry
wasaveryphysicalkindofJediwhorarelymeditated(indeed,herarelymeditatednowadaysunlikeinhis
youngeryears)shetaughthimaboutAlchaka.Alchakawasahighlypersonalandhighlyrepetitiveseriesof
exercisesusingbothphysicalandForceskills.Thepointwastogothroughthemuntilyou'reonthebrinkof
exhaustionandthereforeclearthemindandattunethebodytothestrengthoftheForce.IthadhelpedHarry
immenselyinimprovinghisconcentrationandhenowdiditdaily.
Hestartedtogothroughhisexercises,usingtheForcetoaidhim.Heletitguidehismovementsandhelost
himselfintherepetitivemovementsandexercises.HelethismindgofreeandattunedhimselftotheForce.The
firsttimehehaddonethis,herealizedhewaspronetogetvisionsaboutthefutureduringit.However,theywere
usuallysnippetsandimpossibletounderstandmostofthetime.Thistimewasnodifferent.
Likealways,Harrywaseverywhereandnowhereastheystarted.Thisisyourfault!heheardsomeone
yell.LookingatyouislikelookingintotheheartoftheForce.thevoicedisappeared.Youareoneofthe
greatestwarriorsI'veeverknown.Weputourdreamsandhopesinoneplaceandsentittoliveamongstthe
stars.I'msorry,Harry,butIcan't.Forsomereason,thatphrasebrokehisheart.Nomatterwhat,you'll
alwaysbeourson.ForaslongasIlive,you'llneverwalkalone.You'llalwaysbemygeneral.Youkilled
myparents!Look,Lily,he'sahandsomelittledevil!Heevenhasyoureyes.
Harrygaspedashefinishedhisexercisesjustasthefinalvoicespokeasthesunwassetting.Thatfinalvoice
filledhimwithlongingandpain.Wasthat...hisbirthfather?Heknewhehadhismother'seyesbuthenever
imaginedhearinghisfather'svoicesayingit.HelovedLukelikeafatherbuthearinghisbirthfather'svoice
filledhimapainfulacheinhisheart.Hesowantedtoknowmoreabouthisparents.
Harrysethisfaceintoadeterminedfrown.Despiteitbeingunorthodoxtosaytheleast,hewasgoingtoaskfor
sometimeofftodiscoverhisrootswhenhereturned.Thesequestionshadbeenplaguinghimforalongtime
andhewouldneverbeatpeaceuntilheansweredthem.Theproblemwiththiswastwofold.First,thequest
wouldprobablytakeatleastthreemonthsifnotmoretocompleteandhedidn'tfeelcomfortableabandoninghis
apprenticesforsuchalongperiodespeciallywhenhehadonlybeentheirofficialmasterfortwomonths.This
ledtothesecondproblem:Astraal.Harryhadnoticedthatshehadbeengettingmoreandmoreclingyastime
passed.ThishadbeenevenmoreevidentafterhespoketoherabouthisfightwithJaina.Hehadleftoutthepart
ofbeingjealousofZekkandjuststatedthathehadfeltbadabouthimselfgiventhathehadchasedJainafor
overayearwithnoresultsonlyforZekktobewithherafteramonthofhimbeingaroundher.Astraalhadtold
himhewasworthalotmorethanZekkandwouldn'tleavehimaloneforthatentireday.Whilepartlytouching,
italsoslightlysuffocatedhimespeciallywhenshejoinedinonhisAlchakaexerciseswhichfeltalmostlike
beingviolatedduetothepersonalnatureofit.Hedoubtedhe'dletevenLukeorJainajoinhimduringthem.
Astraalwouldinsistongoingwithhimforthequestbuthedidn'twantanyone'scompany.Thiswasavery
personalquestandAstraalhadnostakeinit.Ifshehadbeenofhispeople,itwouldbedifferentbutasitwas,it
feltasifhewasdishonoringhispeople'smemoriesbytreatingitlikevisitingamuseum.HewastakingFAITH
onlybecausehewasadroid,itwasdifferentforsomereason.NodoubthimrefusingtotakeAstraalalong
wouldputastrainontheiralreadystrainingrelationship.Whiletheystillmadeloveregularly,theywerekeeping
moreandmoresecretsfromeachother.Shehadn'ttoldhimthatsheandShadohadgonetogetherbackto
TatooinesoonaftershewasKnightedtofindwhathappenedtotheirmotherorwhathappenedduringthatquest.
HehadonlyknownbecauseshehadtakentheWaywardSon(withoutinforminghimbeforehand)andFAITH
hadbeenhiddeninsidewithouttheirknowledgeduetohimspendingmostofhistimethere.Hehadinformed
Harryofitwhentheyreturnedandwhileheunderstoodthereason,hewasannoyedshehadhiddenitfromhim
andhadthegalltotakehisshipwithoutasking.Whenshereturned,shehadliedandsaidshewantedto
reconnectwithherbrotherwithoutsayinganyspecificdestination.
Harrysighed.Theywouldneedtositdownandtalkaboutthisbecauseifthingscontinuedinthisvain,they
wouldnotonlybreakupasacouplebuthedoubtedtheirfriendshipwouldsurviveitaswell.Hedidn'twant
that.Astraalwasoneofhisclosestfriendsandhecaredaboutherdeeply,whichhadturnedintolove.Hewanted
themtoworkoutbutreluctantlyacceptedtheymightnot.
HarrysighedandwalkedbacktowardthehuttheyweresleepingatandfoundAstraalonherbedreadinga
datapad.Shelookedupathisentryandfrownedwhenshesawhewassweatyandtired.
Wherewereyouandwhyareyousosweaty?Harrycouldn'thelpbutfeelannoyedattheslightnoteof
accusationandsuspicioninhervoice.Shethoughthewascheatingnow?
IwasdoingmyAlchakaexercises.Iwantedtoclearmymindbeforegoingtobed.Hebarelymanagedtokeep
thedefensivetoneoutofhisvoice.
Astraal'sfaceclearedandshesmiledathimbrightly.Oh,Iforgottodomyowntodaytoo.Hervoiceturned
sultry.It'stoobadyou'realreadysweaty,Ihadbetteractivitiesinmindtogetyousweaty.
Harrysmiledbackatherandwhilehewasaroused,apartofhimwasannoyedthatnotonlydidshenot
apologizeforthebarelyhiddenaccusationbutsheseemedtoreverttosexasanapology.Didtheirentire
relationshiprevolvearoundsexalone?Heseemedtorememberthattheytalkedmorewhentheywerejust
friendsthansincetheybecameacouple.Withapang,herealizedhemissedthefrankdiscussionsofeachother's
fearsanddoubtsthattheyusedtohave.Hecouldn'tdothatanymoreduetomostofthemrevolvingaround
Jaina'srejectionandsubsequentdatingofZekkorhissecretprojectsthathewasn'treadytorevealyet.Inturn,
shenolongertalkedtohimaboutherfearsandnolongerconfidedinhimandevenwentaroundhisback.
Despitehisbestefforts,hecouldfeeltheirrelationshipcrumblingaroundhim.
HarryshowednothingofhisthoughtsonhisfaceandsimplygaveAstraalakissbeforesayinghewastootired
andmovingtotakeashower.AstraalwentbacktoreadingthedatapadwhileHarryshowered,Whenhegotout,
hesawthatthegirlshadarrivedandfallenasleep.Astraalhadalsofallenasleepandhewashurtthatshedidn't
evensaygoodnight.Before,shewouldn'tgotosleepwithouttellinghimgoodnightattheveryleast.Hewalked
overtohersleepingformandgaveherakissonthecheekandwhisperedgoodnight.Hewalkedovertohisbed
andquicklyfellasleep,nevernoticingAstraalhavingopenedhereyesandlookingathimsadly.
Thenextday,AstraalwashavingonelastsparwithMarisintheirtrainingarea.Mariswaseasilykeepingher
awayusinghershotoswhileAstraalstruggledtobreakthroughherguard.Marisdisappearedfromsightand
Astraaltriedtodothesameonlytoflickerslightlybeforefailing.Mariscameupbehindherandthrewapunch
thatAstraalbarelyblocked.
MarisleapedbackbeforedeactivationhershotosandfrowningatAstraal.What'swrong?Yourmind's
elsewhereandyou'renotconcentratingonthefight.Issomethingwrong?
Astraalshookherheadindenial.No,justrandomthoughts.Let'scontinue.
However,Marisjustfrownedfurtherbeforespeaking.You'relying.Wewon'tcontinuethissparuntilyoutell
mewhat'swrong.
AstraaltriedtodenyitbutthelookonMaris'sfacetoldhershewasgoingtohoundheruntilshetoldher.
Astraalsighedandsatdownonatreerootbeforequietlyspeaking.
I'mafraid...thatmeandHarryaregoingtobreakupsoon.
Marishadaconfusedlookonherface.Why?YouguysseemfinefromwhatI'veseen.Ifthenumberoftimes
I'verunintoyoutohavingsexisanyindication,lackofsexisn'ttheproblem.Sowhatcanitbe?
Astraaldrewherkneesinandplacedherchinonherkneesastearsaccumulatedinhereyes.That'sjustit.All
wedoishavesexnowadays.Wedon'ttalkanymorebecausewe'rekeepingthingsfromeachother.It'salso...
becauseIdon'twanttofacethetruth.
Whattruth?askedMariscuriosly.
AstraalspokesoquietlythatMarisalmostdidn'thearher.Thatwhilehelovesmealot....hestilllovesJaina
more.
MarisfrownedastearsfelldownAstraal'sface.Who'sJaina?
AstraalexplainedwhoJainawasandherhistorywithHarry.Afterwards,Mariswasquietforaminutebefore
shespoke.
Well,thewayIseeityoumadetwobigmistakes.Athercuriouslook,Marisexplained.One,youjumped
intotherelationshiptoosoon.Hehadn'tgottenoverthisJainayetsoyouwereessentiallythereboundandthatis
neveragoodbaseforanyrelationship.NowI'msurehereallylovesyou,that'sobviousforanyonetosee.But
hehadn'thadtimetoproperlymovepastJainabeforestartingwithyou.Therefore,yourrelationshipwastainted
bytheshadowofhisfailurewithJaina.HeprobablysubconsciouslychoseyoubecauseunlikeJaina,youchased
him.Thatmusthavemadehimfeelgoodforachangeandhelatchedontoyou.Thesecondmistakewasmore
drastic.
Worsethanbeingthereboundgirlthat'sbasicallysecondchoice?askedAstraalbitterly.
Marisscowled.Don'ttalklikethat.Doyoureallythinkhetreatsyouthatway?
Astraallookeddowninshame.No...I'mjust...bitterthatdespiteeverythinghestilllovesher.
Andthatwasyoursecondmistake.Yousleptwithhimtooquicklyandforthewrongreasons.I'msureyoulove
himbutdidyousleepwithhimtoshowhimthatortomakehimforgetaboutJainafaster?
Astraal'ssilenceandrefusaltomeethereyestoldherallsheneededtoknow.
See?Youweren'tsomuchadvancingyourrelationshipatyourownpacesomuchascompetingwithJaina
subconsciously.Youweretryingtoprovetohimthatyouwerebetterthanhersoyougaveyourselftohim.As
timepassed,youstartedtousesexasacrutchratherthanjusttalktohimaboutyourinsecurities.Now,we're
stuckatthispoint.Youguysdon'ttalktoeachotheranymore,youjusthavesex.That'swhyyoufeelthisway.
Astraalstartedtocry.TThenwhatdoIdo?!Ilovehim!Buthe'sstillhunguponher!I'vegivenhim
everythingandhestilllovesherdespiteeverythingshe'sdonetohim!HetoldmeaboutJainadatingZekkand
althoughhedeniedit,Iknowhe'sjealous!Doyouknowhowthatmakesmefeel?!ThatI'mhisgirlfriendbut
he'sjealousthatJainaiswithsomeoneelse?It'slikeI'mnotsomuchhisgirlfriendashisfucktoy!
Andwho'sfaultisthat?askedMarisruthlessly.Youweretheonewhoinitiatedthesexnothim.Youwerethe
onewhostartedtouseitinplaceofsimplytalkingtohim.
Iknow!criedAstraalinfrustration.ButitdrivesmecrazytoknowI'mnotenough!I'mbecomingthis
possessiveobsessedbitchwho'salwayssuspiciousofherboyfriendwheneverhe'ssomewherealoneandIhate
it!ButIcan'thelpit!IwanthimtolovemelikeIlovehim!Iwoulddoanythingforhimbuthestillobsesses
overagirlwhowouldneverfightforhim!Ithurts!
WiththatAstraalbrokedownintosobs,thefrustrationandhurtthathadbeenaccumulatingoverthepastfew
monthshadexplodedoutofher.That'swhyshehadleftwithShadowithouttellingHarry.Shehadwantedhis
adviceontheproblemandhadevenhadthecrazyideatoaskhermotherofallpeopleforadvice.Thatwashow
desperateshehadbecome.Worsestill,shehadbeenstupidenoughtolistentohermother'sadvicetosimply
havesexwithhimenoughtimesthathe'dbecomeattachedtoher.Eventhoughsheknewthatthatwouldn'tsolve
anythingitwaspreferabletotheShado'sadvicetoconfronthim.Shewasafraidoffacingthetruth:thatno
matterhowmuchshetried,hewouldalwaysloveJainamore.
MarissatnexttoAstraalanddrewherintoahugwhichAstraalfellinto.Withnorealmotherfigureinherlife,
MarishadeasilyfilledthatplaceinAstraal'slife.MarawasHarry'smotherandforobviousreasons,couldnot
fillthatrole.ThefactthatAstraalconsideredMarishermotherfigurewassomethingthatbothconfusedand
elatedMaris.Itconfusedherbecauseshehadnoideahowtogivegoodadvice.Shehadalwaysbeenthefun
lovingaunt/oldersisterandhadneverhadtothinkresponsibly.Now,however,shehadateenagegirlthatlooked
toherforadviceonrelationshipswhentheonlyrelationshipshehadeverhadwaswiththreeotherwomen,none
ofwhichhadbeensexualinnature.
'Dammit,thinkofsomethingMaris!'thoughtMarisurgently.However,Mariscouldonlythinkofonesolution
forherproblem.
Ithink...thatyoutwoneedsometimeapart.AtAstraal'sconfusedlook,sheexplained.Moretimetogetherat
thispointwillonlyworsenthingstillyouendupdestroyingevenyourfriendshipirreparably.Youtwoneed
sometimeapartandthentrytoreconnectasfriendsfirstbeforeanythingelse.Harryalsoneedstogetover
Jaina.Heneverhadthechancebeforewithyoudistractinghimfromreallydoingit.Inthatvain,IthinkJaina
datingZekkisforthebest.Itwillforcehimtoconfronthisfeelingsforbothofyouandafteryourtimeapart,
youwillbothbeclearheadedenoughtomaketherightdecision.
Astraallookedtothinkitoverbeforereluctantlynodding.Mariswasright.Theyneededtofindthatoldsparkof
comradeshipandfriendshipthathadletthemfightMarrishoneventermsforawhileevenwhentheywereso
muchweakerthanhim.Theyhadlostthatinthetimetheyhadspenttogetherasacouple.Theyhadspentso
muchtimeavoidingthefactsandtheirproblemsthattheyhadgrownaparttothepointtheynolongerfought
togethereasilyandevenfoughtattimeslikewhenAstraalscreamedathimwhenonKashyyyk.Shewinced
whensherememberedhowshetreatedhimwhenhejustwantedtoexplorehispeople'spastandhoweasilyhe
hadcavedin.Neitherreactionhadbeennormalforeitherofthemandhadhighlightedhowmuchtheywere
repressingtheirrealemotions.IfaftertheirbreakHarrystilllovedJaina...asmuchasshelovedhimshewould
havetolethimgo.Shecouldn'tbeinsuchaselfdestructiverelationshipanymore.Itwouldruinbothofthem.
AstraalsmiledgratefullyatMaris.Thanks.Howdoyouknowsomuchaboutrelationshipsanyway?
Marisshrugged.Idon't.Ijustcomparedittoarelationshipbetweenclosefriendsplussexandrealizedyou
guysnolongerhadtheclosefriendspart.YouguysneedtofindthatagainbecauseIhavethefeelingthatthatis
moreimportanttoyouthananything.
Astraalponderedthetruthofthatstatement.Itwastrueintheend.Asmuchassheenjoyedthenewaspectsof
theirrelationship(BytheForcethethingsthatboycoulddowithhistongue!),shemissedtheclosenesstheyhad
beforemore.Thinkingbackshecouldn'trememberthelasttimetheyhadaseriousconversationthatdidn't
degenerateintosex.Heck,whenwasthelasttimetheysparredtogether?Theyusedtodothatallthetimeand
thatwasoneofthemanyreasonstheyworkedsowelltogether.Nowshecouldn'trememberthelasttimethey
hadbeenonthesamepagewithoutdiscussingitfirst.
Astraalsighedbeforeclearingherfaceoftears.ShesmiledatMarisbeforefrowningasshethoughtof
something.
HowdoIbringthisuptohim?It'snotlikeIcangouptohimandsay'Hey,Ithinkweshouldtakeabreakfrom
ourrelationshipbecausewe'renotascloseasbefore'.Somehow,Idon'tthinkthatwouldendwell.
Marisjustshruggedbackather.Sorry,alloutofgoodadvicefortheday.PlusIdon'tthinkyouwanttousemy
methodofseveringrelationshipswithpeople.
Astraallookedconfusedatherstatement.Whatisyourmethod?
Letthemdieandmoveon.Atherincredulouslook,Marisdefendedherself.Hey,itworkedforMasterShaak
Ti!
Didn'tyouturntothedarksideafterthatforatime?
Marisjustwavedheroff.Details,details.
Astraalrolledhereyes.
Meanwhile,HarrywastalkingtoFAITHthroughtheship'slongrangecomm.HehadsentFAITHouttostudy
theextragalacticalien'scorpsesohecouldidentifytheminthecrowdusinghisadvancedsensors.Ithadn'tbeen
aseffectiveasstudyingaliveonebutitwasgoodenoughforhispurpose:locateanddestroy.Harrywouldhave
preferredtocapturethembutafterthefirsthorrificfailurethatalmostresultedinthembeingexposed,he
accepteditwasn'tpossible.FAITHhadreturnedtoYavin4justyesterdayafterclearingCoruscantofany
infiltrators.
Yousayafewwereevenpoliticians?askedHarryworriedly.Don'tyouthinksomeonewillnotice?
Answer:TherearealotofpoliticiansonCoruscant,Master.Icouldspenddecadesslaughteringthemandstill
notmakeadent.Idoubtanyonenoticedathing.
Harrylaughedslightlyathisharshbuttruestatement.TherewerealotofpoliticiansinCoruscantafterall.
So,theplanet'sclear?
Answer:Mostly,master.Idoubtthey'realldeadiftheyareanygoodbutthemostimportantonesaredead.
Harrynoddedinrelief.Good.ThanksFAITH.
Query:Bythewaymaster,whatshouldItellthebrownhairedfemalemeatbag?
Harry'sfacewentblankatthementionofJaina.Whatdoyoumean?
Statement:ShehasbeenannoyingmeeversinceIarrivedaboutyourlocation.Apparentlyallshewastoldwas
thatyouwereonatrainingtrip.Ihaven'tansweredsinceIdidnotknowmyselfbutnowthatIdo,shouldI
informher?Hermateseemsconcernedaswell.
Harryclosedhiseyesinthought.ThepastmonthhadbluntedtheworstofthepainseeingJainaandZekk
together.However,thatdidn'tmeanithadcompletelydissipatedandasmall,snidepartofhimwantedherto
suffermore.Itdidn'tmattereitherwaysincehewouldbereturningsoon.Hebreathedoutasighoffrustration
beforeanswering.
TellherIwillbereturningwithinaweekbutdon'ttellherwhereIwas.It'snoneofherbusinessanyway.
Meanwhile,IwantyoutocontactZuleandEsmeraldaandinformthemthatIwillneedthemtoturnoverany
informationtheyhavefoundaboutmyparentsormyrelativeswhenIvisittheformersoon.Iwillbegoingona
triptoretracemyparent'sfootstepsandI'llneedit.
Statement:Verywell,master.Iwillfollowyourorders.
Harrythenendedthetransmissionbeforerubbinghisheadinannoyance.PartofhimwasgladJainahadbeen
worriedabouthimenoughtoriskbotheringFAITHbutanotherpartwishedshewouldjustputthefinalnailon
thecoffinshehadmadeforhimandforgethim.Oratleasttreathimlikeanyotherfriend.Ithadn'tescapedhis
noticethatFAITHsaidshehadinquiredintohiswhereaboutsbutnotAstraal's.
Harrysighed.HeknewthatJainaandhisnonrelationshipwasaffectingandruiningtherelationshipbetween
himandAstraal.ThethingwasthatneitherhenorJainawaswillingtoletgo.However,hewouldtakethefirst
stepandleaveonhisquesttodiscoverhisorigins.Itwouldbethefirststeptolettinghermoveon.Threemonths
withouthimaroundwouldsurelymakeherforgetabouthim,especiallywithhernewboyfriendthere.
Harryslowlywalkedbacktocamp,musingonthenatureanddifficultiesoflove.
Soyou'rescared?askedPixmockingly.
No,I'mnot!defendedTahiriangrily.Ijustdon'tthinkit'sagoodidea.
PixhadfoundVisasandTahirianhouragoandhadbeentryingtoconvincethemtoaccompanyhertothe
rancorgraveyard.Shewasdeterminedtoprovehermaturitybydefeatingarancorallbyherselfbutwantedthe
girlstoaccompanyheraswitnesses.Thegirls,however,werehesitant.
Soyousay,saidPixwithamischievoussmile.ButIthinkyou'rejustafraid.Bothofyou.
WhilenotasoutspokenasTahiri,Visaswasveryproudaswellandhertauntingthemhadworkedonherlast
nerve.Wearenotafraid!Wejustknowwhentolistentotheadults!It'sarancorgraveyard.Wecan'tgothere
alone!
Pixjustputonamockingsmile.Iguessit'strue.Youguysreallycan'tdoanythingonyourown.Iguessyou
stillclingtoHarry'spants.
ThishitTahirihardduetoherdoingjustthatjustoveramonthago.Shehadmostlygottenoverwhathappened
buttheshameofhowscaredshehadbeenpushedherdosomethingreckless.
Fine!We'llgo.Notonlywillwegobutwe'llalsobeatourownrancor,rightVisas?
VisaslookedatTahiriwhohadapleadinglookinhereye.Despiteherassertion,Tahirididn'twanttogoalone
andwaspleadingforVisastoaccompanyher.Notwantingtoabandonherbestfriend,Visassighedandnodded
heracceptance.Pixhadalookofreliefonherfacebeforeshesmiledconfidently.
Then,comeon.Wehavetogobeforemymomandtheotherscomesback.They'llstopusiftheycatchus.
Tahirifrownedinthought.Where'syourmomanyway?
She'soffgivingKassalessonorsomething.Shegivesthemmorelessonsthanshedoesme.Shesaidthelast
partwithsuchbitternessthatTahirifeltslightpityforher.HoweverPixjustshookitoff.Comeon,let'sgo!
Thegirlseasilysneakedbythesentriessincetheyweren'ttryingtopreventescapesomuchaspreventattack
fromoutside.Afterwards,Pixeasilyledtheminthedirectionoftherancorgraveyard.Astheygotcloser,Tahiri
feltachillintheairthathadnothingtodowiththecold.Shecouldalmostfeelthedeathsoftherancorsthat
wentinthisdirection.Besideher,PixandVisashadsimilarlooksontheirfaceandweregettinglessandless
sureaboutthewisdomoftheiractions.However,aftergettingthisfartheywerereluctanttoturnbackandprove
thattheyreallyweren'tready.
TheyeventuallyreachedadarkplainfilledwithmistandlitteredwithlargeboneswhichTahirirealizedmustbe
rancorbones.Theywalkedinsilenceastheytriedtofindarancorinthedesolatewastelandtonoavail.
Visashadbeengettingincreasinglynervousastimepassedandwasthefirsttobreakthesilence.WWell,it
seemstherearenorancors.Whydon'twegobackbeforewegetintroubleforbeinghere?
No!I'magrownup!Iwon'tbetreatedlikeachildanymore!screamedPixinfrustration.Mymomdoesn't
understand!Shewantsmetobelikeafuckingflowershecanwaterandgroomandbecontentlikethat!Well,
I'mnotandI'llproveI'moldenoughtolearnmore!
Withthat,Pixrandeeperintothegraveyardyellingallthewhiletogettheattentionofanynearbyrancorsto
VisasandTahiri'sterror.Thetwoappenticeslookedateachotherbeforechasingaftertheirfriend.
Harrywasfeelinguneasy.HehadreturnedtocamptofindAstraaltherebutshehadbeenstrangelymelancholy
andrefusedtoexplainwhy.Shejustsmiledsadlyandsaidshehadrealizedsomethingandtheywouldneedto
talksoon.Thathadn'tgivenhimmuchconfidenceandhewasfranticallythinkingaboutwhathecouldhave
donewronglately.Hehadn'tdoneanythingtohisknowledgeandthiscausedhimevenmoredistress.Hehad
evenrememberedtocelebrateherbirthdayearlysotheycouldcelebrateithereinsteadofonaship.
Anotherthingthatmadehimuneasywasthatnoneoftheyoungergirlswerepresent.Theymightbewith
ElethiaandKasstrainingsomewherebuthedoubteditafterthefightbetweenmotheranddaughteryesterday.
Afeelingofforebodingfilledhim.Theywouldn'thavegonetotherancorgraveyardalone,right?Visasand
Tahiriweresmarterthanthat.However,herealizedwithincreasingfear,theywerealsoyoungandeasilygoaded
intorecklessaction.HecalmedhimselfandtriednottopanicuntilElethiaandKassreturned.
Speakingofthetwoolderwomen,hesawthementerthecampandtheyseemedtobehavinganargumentifthe
raisedvoiceswereanyindication.HarrylookedatAstraalwhowaswalkingbesidehimandtheymarched
towardthetwowomen.
Youcan'tcoddleherforever!Eventuallyshe'llgrowolderandthenrebel!Whatwillyoudowhenshe's17?Or
18?Willyouwrapherinbubblewrapandforbidherfromlivingherlifeasshechooses?!yelledKassangrily.
Youhavenoideawhatyou'retalkingabout!Ionlywanthertobesafe!yelledElethiaangrily.
No!Whatyouwantisforhertonevergrowupandimprisonherassheis!repliedKassangrily.
Whatwouldyouknow!?Youhavenochildrenofyourown!retortedElethia.
Kassjustglaredather.BecauseIwasonceinherpositionandaDarkJediofferedmeachancetoescapeiton
exchangeformyturningtothedarkside.Ifitwasn'tforHarryandAstraal...I.WOULD.HAVE.SAID.YES!!!
Elethialookedtakenbackattherevelationandfalteredslightlybutsheeventuallycomposedherselfandglared
atKass.Mydaughterisnothinglikeyou!Shewouldneverdisobeymeorgodark!I'mnotthatbad!
HereHarryhadhadenoughandinterrupted.Look,that'sniceandeverythingbuthaveyouseenthegirls?I
can'tfindthem.

ThetwowomenfrownedbeforeKassspoke.IsawTahiriandVisassparringbutPixwasinherhutlasttimeI
checked.Yousaytheyaren'there?Maybethey'rewithMaris?
Astraalshookherhead.No,shewaswithmeandwejustgotback.
ElethiastartedtolookworriedandmarchedtowardPix'shut.TheothersfollowedinsideandsawthatPix'shut
wasempty.Harry'sworryincreasedwhenhesawthisandknowingthatthegirlswerealsomissing,hecametoa
conclusion.
Theyhadgonetotherancorgraveyard.
Harrysworeandthewomenlookedathimintrepidation.Yourdaughterseemstohaverebelledatlastand
takenmyapprenticesalongfortheride.Nodoubt,theywenttotherancorgraveyard.
ElethialookedsurprisedbeforeturningtoKassandglaring.Thisisyourfault!Youputtingideasinherhead
andencouragingher!Ifyouhadn'ttrainedhershewouldn'tbesofullofherself!
Thesoundoffleshsmackingfleshechoedthroughoutthehut.ElethiastaredatKasswhileholdingherredcheek
asifinshock.Harryhadnodoubtthatthiswasthefirsttimeanyonehadlaidahandonherinyears.
Youselfrighteousbitch,growledKassthreateningly.Ididwhatyoushouldhavedoneyearsago.I
encouragedherbecauseIbelievedinher!IhelpedherbecauseshehadtalentandItrustedherenoughto
increaseherknowledge.Allofthiswerethingsyoushouldhavedone!You'rehermother!Youshouldbetheone
encouragingherandtrainingher,notme!Instead,youcoddleherandtreatherlikeaninvalid!
Youdon'tunderstand,I
Younothing!Doyouknowthatshebelievesthatyoudon'ttrusther?Elethialookedshockedatthestatement.
Yeah.Shethinksyoubelieveshe'snotstrongenoughformoretraining.It'ssadthatwhilehermother'salive
andwell,I'mthefirstpersontoactuallyencourageherandtheoneshelooksupto.Despiteherhavingyour
name,she'snotyou!Shewon'tmakethesamemistakesyoudidsostopactingasifshe'syourclone!Oristhat
whatyouwanthertobe?
Withthatlastcuttingstatement,Kassturnedandracedoutthedoortofindthegirls,HarryandAstraalracing
afterher.Elethiastayedbehind,lookingdowninshameastearswentdownherface.
Visaswasgettingincreasinglyuneasy.Despiteherbestefforts,Pixjustwouldn'tSHUTUP!Shecontinuedto
yell,attemptingtoattractanynearbyrancorssoshecoulddefeatandtameit.Youngrancorssometimespassed
throughthegraveyardforsomereason,theFeluciansthoughtitwastohonortheirdeadbeforetheyentered
adulthoodsincetherancorswerealwaysteenagersatthetime.Eitherway,thefactthattherewerenorancors
nearbywhentherewerealwaysatleastthreeormorewanderingaroundwasmakingheruneasywhichwasn't
helpedbyPix'syelling.
Enough!yelledVisas.PixstoppedmidyellandTahirilookedatherinsurprise.Visashadneverevenraised
hervoicebeforesotheywerebothshocked.Therearenonearound!Stopactinglikesomehalfwittedlittlegirl
andacceptit!Youdragusoutherewithnoplan,noweapontodefendourselvesbeyondsometraining
lightsabersandtheForceandarenowactinglikesomespoiledbratwhennorancorsappear!I'mtiredandscared
andnotsoarroganttothinkIcantakeonarancoralone.Iknowmylimitsandsodoyou,sostopactingtough
andacceptthatwe'reveryluckytherearenorancorsaroundbecauseevencombiningforces,Idoubtwecan
survivearancormuchlesscaptureone!
Pixstayedquietandgritherteethastearswentdownherface.Ijust...wanttoproveI'moldenoughtoget
moretraining!It'snotfair!ShetreatsmelikeI'mfive!Themonthyouguyshavebeenherehasbeenthebestin
mylifebecauseyouguystreatmelikeanadultunlikemymother!
Sheonlywantswhatshethinksisbestforyou,saidTahirisoftly.Harryisthesamewithustoanextent.He
neverteachesusanythingwearen'tmentallyreadyforandgetsangryifweexperimentwithstuffbeyondwhat
we'rereadyfor.SherememberedhowangryHarryhadbeenwhenheheardshewasexperimentingwith
combustion.However,shecouldalsohearthefearinhisvoicewhenheyelledather.Heonlywantedtoprotect
herandhadbeenscaredhehadfailedwhenshetoldhimaboutherexperiments.
Pixsighedandloweredherheadinshame.Iknow...I'msorry.Let'sjustgo.
Theystartedtoslowlywalkbacktocampwhentheyheardthesoundofsomethingbigmoving.Visasgasped
andslowlyturnedtoherrightwherethemistswerethickest.Thegirlslookedinthatdirectiononlytoshiverin
fear.Themistshadpartedenoughtoseethatapileofwhattheythoughtwereboneswasmoving.Thepilestood
uptoshowitwasreallyabluegrayskinnedrancorwithfourtusksandseveralbonyspines.
Pixfrozeinterrorasshewhispered.Abullrancor.
TheJediapprenticesstartedtoshiverinterrorasthemonstrosityapproached.Itroaredandthegirlscovered
theirearsinfearasthebehemothannounceditspresence.Worsestill,theyheardmorefootstepscomingoutof
themistsandtwomoreregularrancorscameupbesidethebullrancor.
TahiriandVisasshakilyactivatedtheirtraininglightsabersasPixactivatedablueone.Tahirilookedatherblade
curiously(orascuriousaspossiblewhilefacingthreerancors,oneofwhichwasabullrancor).
Wheredidyougetthat?It'sareallightsaber,right?
Pixgulpedasshelookedattheapproachingrancorsandspoke.It'sdeceasedMasterShaakTi'slightsaber.I
borroweditfromMaris'shutthismorning.
Thebullrancorroaredagainandchargedthethreegirlsthatruineditsnap.TahiriandVisassentastrongForce
pushthatbarelymadethechargingrancorpauseinitscharge.Seeingithadlittleeffect,theyscatteredasthe
rancorswipedatthem.Theywereseparatedandeachgirlwasfacedwiththeirownrancor,withTahirifacing
thebullrancor.
Tahiritriedtouseherrecentlylearnedmindtricktocalmitdownbutthebeastjustshookitoff.Shegroanedas
sherealizedthatjustleftherwithForcepushesandhertraininglightsaber.Shedidn'tknowhowtothrowreal
Forcelightning,andrememberingHarry'swarningaboutitwasn'tgoingtotry,andherotherskillsrevolved
aroundusingherblade.Thelatterwouldhavebeenmoreusefulifshehadareallightsaberratherthanatraining
one.
Visaswashavingsimilarproblems.Shemanagedtodistracttherancorslightlybyconjuringafewillusionsto
distractitbutquicklyabandoneditwhenshenoticedshehadtostaystilltoconcentrateonthem.Averybad
ideaatthispoint.SheusedherForcesightandsensestothemax,evadingtherancorsslasheswithaskillpicked
upaftermonthsoftrainingunderHarry.However,shewasgettingtiredduetohavingtousetheForcetoleap
clearofmostoftheswipes.Shehopedshefoundawaytoescapewiththeotherssoon.
Pixwastheworstoff.Despitehavingareallightsaber,shehadn'ttrainedwithitatallsoitwasungainlyinher
hand.Itdidn'thelpthatitwasmadeforsomeonewithlargerhandsthanherownsoitwaslongerthanshewas
usedto.Therancordidn'tseemtowanttowaitforhertogetusedtothebladeandattackedferociously.She
triedtocalmitdownaswellbutwhileshereceivedbetterresultsinthatitsloweddownabit,therancordidn't
stop.
Pixattacked,surethatwitharealbladeandherskillsshewouldhavetheupperhand.However,shequickly
learnedotherwisewhenshebarelydodgedaswipefromtherancorasshegotclose.Sheslashedatitswristonly
forhertohitthearmoredpartbelowthewristinsteadofthesoftareaatthewrist.Shequicklyretreatedasthe
rancorroaredinangerandchargedher,surprisingherandmakingherdropherblade.Justasitwasbearing
downonher,Kassappearedontopoftherancor'sheadandstartedtostabitviciously.
TherancorroaredandtriedtopullheroffonlyforhertojumpoffandlandinfrontofthefallenPix.Sheglared
atthegirlwithamixtureofangeranddisappointment.
Wewillspeakofyourstupidchoicetocomeherelater,doweunderstandeachothermyapprentice?
PixnoddedmeeklybutwasinternallyjumpingatjoyatKasscallingherherapprentice.Maybetherewasa
chancetoleavewiththemafterall?
KassnoticednoneofthisassheturnedbacktotherancorandsentapowerfulForcepushthatpushedtherancor
backafewfeet.ShethencausedastrongtremorthatcausedtherancortofalltoitskneesandKasstook
advantagebyjumpingonitsfaceagainbeforeviciouslystabbingitintheeye.TherancorroaredandKass
draggedthebladeupitsskulluntilitreacheditsbrain.Therancor'sroardiedinitsthroatasitsbrainstopped
transmittingtotherestofitsbodyanditfelldowndead.
BackwithVisas,Astraalhadappearedaswellandattackedtherancorwithherdoublebladedlightsaberina
whirlofactivityanddeath.Shequicklycuttheligamentsontherancor'sanklescausingittofalltoitsknees.
AstraalthenthrewanincredibleForcepushfromabovethatforceditonitsstomachandAstraalusedthe
momentumofthefalltopenetrateitsneckwithherlightsaber.Therancorgaveoflastgurglebeforeclosingits
eyesanddying.
Tahirihadbeenretreatingfranticallyfromthebullrancor,whoseemedmuchtougherthanitscousins.She
wishedshehadareallightsaberbutknewthatevenifshedid,shewouldstillhavelittlechanceagainstthe
monstrousbeast.It'sarmorwasjustthatstrong.Suddenly,sheheardaprimalyellandlightninghittherancor
frombehind,causingittoroarinpain.HarrylandedinfrontofTahiriwithhisbacktoherandscowlingatthe
bullrancor.
Whenwegetoutofthis,youwillbeinsomuchtroublethatyou'llneverseethelightofdayformonths,
growledHarrywithoutlookingather.
Tahirisheepishlysmiledwhileinternallycryinginjoyathisappearance.Thatwasuntilwhathesaidfiltered
intoherbrainandshepaledatthementalimage.Shehadnodoubthewoulddoexactlythat.
Harryroaredattherancorwhoroaredinreturnandchargedhim.Therancorswipedathimwithhisclawsbuthe
justblurredoutofthewayandjumpedontoitsoutstretchedarm.Heranupitsarmandlashedoutwithhisviolet
bladeashepasseditsfacebeforepushingoffitsshoulderandjumpinghighintheair.Therancorroaredinpain,
itseyewasblindedbyHarry'sbladeashehadpassed.AsHarryfellheletlooseapowerfultorrentofForce
lightningusingbothhandsthatstunnedthebullrancorbeforehefellwiththestrengthofamissileandimpaled
itsspinewithhisvioletandiceblueblades.Thestrengthofthehithadcausedthebullrancortolandonits
stomachandroarinpain.
However,Harrywasn'tfinished.HejumpedupagainandletlooseabarrageofForcepushesonthealready
downedbullrancorbeforeusingthestillimpaledbladesinitsspineasaconduittosendhisForcelightninginto
itsinternalorgans.Thestreamwassostrongthatyoucouldseethebullrancor'sskeletonbeforeitgaveonefinal
piteousroarandfelldowndead.Harrylandednotfarfromitsdeadbodybeforepullinghisimpaledlightsabers
backtohim.
TheothertwoJediKnightshadkilledtheirrancorsintimetoseehimimpalethebullrancor'sspineand
everythingafterward.Seeinghispower,theyunderstoodjusthowbigthegapinabilitiestherewerebetween
themandHarrydespitethemhavingthesamerank.
'Damn!Thatwasanincredibledisplayofpower!Idon'tthinkevenMasterSkywalkercouldhavekilleditso
easily.'thoughtKassinawe.
Astraalwashavingsimilarthoughtsbutwasalsoslightlyunnervedbythewayheroaredsoprimallybackatthe
rancor.Ithadshownaggressionandaslightlikeoftheviolenceinvolved.Sherealizedhowlittleshereally
knewaboutHarrynowadaysifshewassurprisedbyhisactions.
Meanwhile,HarryhadturnedtoVisasandhadcalledhertostandbesideTahiriwhowasstandinginfrontofhim
withherheadbowedinshame.Visasquicklystoodbesideherfellowapprentice,shameshowingonherfacenot
coveredbytheredbandanacoveringhereyes.BothapprenticescouldfeelthedisappointmentHarrywasgiving
offandwantednothingmoretocrawlintoaholeinshame.Hehadalwaysbeenproudofthemsohis
disappointmentwasanewfeeling,onetheycouldhavehappilyspenttherestoftheirliveswithoutfeeling.
I'm...Ican'texpresshowdisappointedIaminyoutwo.Itrustyouenoughtoleaveyoualoneandyourepaymy
trustbygoingonthisrecklessquest?HowamIsupposedtotrustyounowthatyou'vedonethis?
Iftheauraofdisappointmenthadbeenbad,hiswordsmadethemwanttothrowthemselvesathisfeetandbeg
forforgiveness.BothgirlslookeduptoHarryandhispridewassomethingtheycherishedsohiswordsnow
werelikerazorwirescuttingintothemslowly.Tahiricouldn'thelpthetearsofshamefromgoingdownherface
whileVisasletoutadepressiveauraandrefusedtoraiseherheadandlookathim.
Well?Whatdoyouhavetosayaboutyourselves?askedHarryharshly.
AstraalputacalminghandonHarry'sshoulder.Harry....
Harrygotthemessageandcalmeddownslightlybutstilllookedatthegirlsasifexpectingananswer.Thegirls
stayedquietforamomentbeforePixarrivedandinterrupted.
It'snottheirfault!Igoadedthemintocomingwithmesodon'tblamethem,blameme!Pleasedon'tpunish
thembecauseofmyactions!Punishmeinstead!
HarryturnedtoPixbeforeturningbacktothegirlswithasternlook.
Isthistrue?
VisasandTahirishooktheirheadsbeforethelatterspoke.No,master!It'struethatshegoadedusbutyou
taughtusbetterthantobetauntedintofollowingher.Itwasourchoicetogoandpartofuswantedtogoinsome
stupidattempttoproveourselvesaswell.We'resorryandwe'lltakeanypunishmentyoudishout.
Harryapproachedthemandraisedhishandscausingthegirlstoclosetheireyes(orturnofftheirForcesightin
Visas'scase),expectingablow.Instead,Harryplacedahandontheirheadsandrubbedtheirheadslightly.They
openedtheireyesandsawhimsmilingslightlyatthem.
Well...atleastyouadmitittoyourselves.WhileI'mstilldisappointedandyou'llstillbepunishedslightly,I'm
proudthatyou'rematureenoughtoadmityourguiltintheendeavorandnotletPixtakealltheblame.
Bothgirlsfelthappysmilescrosstheirfacesathisadmissionofpride.Theyknewthathispunishmentwill
probablyconsistofgruelingexercisesandtheyprobablywon'tbeallowedtogowithhimonhisnextmission
buttheyknewtheydeservedit.BehindHarry,Astraallookedatthescenewithasoftsmileonherface.
'He'llbeagoodfathersomeday,'thoughtAstraalwistfully.Sheshookherselfandhardenedherdeterminationto
speaktoHarryabouttheirrelationship.Ifshewantedthemtoactuallyhaveafuture,theyneededtofixthe
problemsintheirrelationshipandrecovertheirfriendshipandtrustfirst.
Pixlookedatthescenewithanacheofenvyinherheart.Shewishedhermotherwouldtreatherlikethat.Every
timeshedidsomethingwrongshewouldbescoldedbutshehadneversaidshewasproudofherbeforeand
especiallynotaftershedidsomethingwrong.Besideher,KasslaidahandonPix'sshoulderbeforegivinghera
look.
You'llbepunishedaswellmyyoungapprentice.Don'tthinkyou'llgetoffeasily,saidKasssternly.Pix
loweredherheadathertone.However...Pixperkedupathervoiceandlookedupathertoseearelieved
smileonherface....I'mgladyou'resafe.
Pixsmiledbrightlybutitquicklyfellathernextstatement.
PlusI'msureyourmotherwillpunishyouenoughforbothofus.
Pixpaledatthereminderofhermotherandstartedtowonderifitwouldhavebeenbettertohavebeeneatenby
therancor.
ElethiapacedinfrontofPixangrilyastheformerJedifumedinangerandthought.
Whentheyhadarrived,ElethiahadsimplylookedatPixbeforegesturingallsixofthemtoenterherhut.They
hadneverseentheinsideofherhutbeforeandweresurprisedthatwhileitlookedquiteabitbiggerfrom
outside,mostofthespacewastakenupbyseveralherbshangingfromtheceilingaswellasseveralpotions
brewinginpotsonthestove.Therewasevenasmallholeintheceilingabovethestovesothefumescould
escape.Otherthanthat,therewasonlyasmallcotinthecornerfarthestfromthestoveandvariousoddsand
endshereandthereincludingherbluelightsaberbyherbed.
Elethiafinallystoppedpacingandlookedatherdaughterbeforespeakinginaneventone.
Whydidyoudisobeymywisdom?WhydidyougotothegraveyardwhenIspecificallytoldyounotto?
Pixgulpedbuthardenedherdetermination.IwantedtoshowyouIwasreadytolearnmore.Toshowyouthat
youcan'tkeeptreatingmelikeachild!
Yes...youshowedyourmaturityandreadinessformoretrainingwhenyoudisobeyedmeandwentanyway.
Verywelldone.saidElethiainadry,sarcastictone.
Pixtightenedherhandsintofists.Yea,causeyou'reperfect!Agreatgeneralwhonevermadeasinglemistake
inherlife!
Elethiawasquietatheroutburstbeforeshequietlyspoke.DoyouthinkIhavenevermaderecklessdecisions?
DoyouknowwhatapersonasgreatandoldasIamhasdoneinalmost60years?
Mom?askedPixhesitantly.
Manymistakes!
Pixflinchedatheryell.Despitehavingbeenshoutedatbefore,thistimeitfeltmuchmorepersonal.
Ihavetriedtomakesureyoudon'tmakemymistakes!Iwasoncelikeyou...Iwasbrashandrecklesswith
morecouragethansense.Ioncedidsomethingsimilartoyouduringthewaranditledtothedeathsof
thousands!
Pixlookedathermotherinshock.Shehadheardmanystoriesfromhermotherbeforebutinallofthemshe
imaginedhermotherasaninvincibledeitythatledhertroopstovictorywithoutasinglecasualty.Shenever
imaginedherasagirlheragewhostupidlyledthousandstotheirdeath.Itjustdidn'tcomputewiththewiseand
strongwomanshesawnow.
Itriedtoteachyoupatiencebyholdingyouback.Bymakingyourealizethateverythingcomesatitsowntime
andtoenjoytherelativepeaceyouhave.Suddenly,Elethiasighed.Butinmyzesttokeepyousafeandat
peace,Iforgotyouwereateenagegirlandlikeallteenagersyoudreamofadventureandexcitementbecause
youhavenoideaorunderstandingofthedangerandpainthataccompaniesit.Icagedyou,whichwas
somethingIsworenevertodo,becauseIwasafraidyouwoulddosomethingstupidanddie.Iguessit'stimefor
youtoleaveyournestatlast.
Pixlookedupathermother,mouthagapeatwhatshesaid.Kasswasinsimilarstraitsbutcomposedherself
quicklyandspokehesitantly.
Youmean..you'llletherleavewithus?You'llletherbecomemyapprenticelikeIrequested?
Elethiasighedbeforeshereluctantlynodded.Pixhadahugesmileonherfaceandjumpedinjoybefore
excitedlystartingtotalktoTahiriandVisaswhowerejustashappyasshewas.
Elethiasmiledsadlyatherdaughterandsheturnedtohidehertears.Harrynoticedbutdidn'tcommentdueto
wantingtorespectthewoman'sprivacy.Astraalwenttothewomanandplacedahandonhershoulder.
Youcancomewithusaswell,youknow.WeneedalltheMastersavailabletohelprebuildtheOrder.
However,Elethiajustshookherhead.HowcanPixgrowifI'malwaystheretoguideher?Sheneedsanew
guidetohelphergrow,mytimeisover.
Pixrantowardhermotherandhuggedhertightly,thankingherprofusely.Thankyou!Youwon'tregretit,I
promise!We'vebeenonFeluciafortoolonganywaysoseeingthegalaxywilldoyougoodandyoucanseeme
becomeagreatJediKnightand...
However,Elethiainterruptedhergently.I'mafraid...Iwon'tbegoingwithyou.
ThisbroughtPixupshort.Sure,shewantedtoexplorethegalaxyandbecomeaJediKnightbutshenever
imaginedshewouldhavetoleavehermother.
WWhat?Stopjoking,mom.Ofcourseyouwill.I'msureyoucanleaveafewthingshere.Andifnotandthey
don'tfitintheship,we'llsimplywaitforthemtomakeasecondtrip.
ElethiaplacedahandgentlyonthepanickingPix'sface.Myplaceishere,mylovelydaughter.Yourplaceis
withyournewmaster.
But...Pixlookedlostatherdeclaration...whatwillIdowithoutyou?Ican'tabandonyouhere!I'llfinishmy
trainingherthen.ForgetwhatIsaid,Icanwaituntilyou'rereadytoteachme.
Elethiajustshookherhead.No,mydaughter.It'stimeforyoutoleavethenest.Youhavetoletmego.
Pix'seyesfilledwithtears.But...you'remymother.Ican'tleaveyouhereand...I'mscared.
Oh,mydaughter.You'rebraveenoughtogooffonyourownnow.Youprovedthatwhenyouwentofftoface
thoserancorsalone,no?Whileyoulackedtheskill,youhadtheheart.
Pixshookherheadastearsfell.Butthat'sbecauseIknewyouwouldsavemeifyoufeltsomethinghappen.
ButifIgo...youwon'tbetheretocatchmeanymore.
AhbutIdidn'tsaveyou,Kassdid.Elethiasmiledsadlyatherdaughter.Ibelieveyoudon'tneedmeanymore
toholdyourhand.KasscanfinishyourtrainingandIbelieveyou'llmakeagreatJediKnightsomeday.Just
don'tforgetyouroldmother,eh?
Pixhuggedhermothertightlywhoreturnedthegesture.Never.Iloveyou,mom.I'llvisitasmuchasIcan.I
promise.
We'rereadytogothen?askedHarryquietly.
ThegrouphadpackeduptheirbagsandputthemintheroomsonboardtheWaywardSon.Howevernowthatthe
timehadcome,Pixwasreluctanttogoandwastrying,andfailing,toconvincehermothertocomealongas
well.
Harrycouldn'thearwhattheyweresayingbutPix'stearsandElethia'ssadsmiletoldhimshewouldn'tbe
comingalong.HeturnedtoseeMarisstandingtherewithhersignaturesmirkinplace.
Howaboutyou?Youcoming?
Marissnorted.Atmyage?TogoandbeaKnightagain?Nah,I'mtoousedtodoingwhatIwantwhenIwantto
listentosomeyoungchildrenthinkingthemselvesMasters.PlusIcouldn'tleaveElethiaalone.Withoutmethere
shemightgocompletelynativeandbecomethecrazyoldwomanyouhearaboutinstories.
Marisyelpedasastoneflewandsmackedheronthebackofherhead.TheyturnedandsawElethisglaringat
herfromwhereshewasstanding.
I'mold,notdeaf!AndIwishyoudidgowiththem!Imightactuallylivetobe70withoutyougivingmeheart
problems!
MarisjuststuckouthertongueatherbeforeturningtowhereAstraalwasstandingbesideHarrywithasmile.
Rememberwhatwetalkedabout.Dowhatyouhavetotofixitbeforeitbecomesunfixable.
AstraalgaveheramelancholysmilewhileHarrylookedattheminconfusion.Hejustshruggeditoffasagirl
thing.
PixfinallyseparatedfromhermotherandreluctantlyletherselfbeledawayfromhermotherbyKass.Kasssaid
somepartingwordstoElethiabeforethetwowentuptherampandintotheship.HarryapproachedElethiaas
shestoodtherelookingattheship.
IpromisetokeepaneyeonherwhenIcan.
Elethiasmiledslightly.Idoubtshe'lllikethatmuch.Shemightbefragilenowbutshe'llhealandwillbeangry
atmyinterference.Amischievoussmilecrossedherface.Sodoitanyway.
ThetwolaughedbeforeHarrydrewherintoagentlehug.Thankyouforeverythingyou'vetaughtme.
Oh...itwasapleasure,youngone.YouareveryskilledandI'msureyou'llmakeabigdifferenceinthegalaxy.
Hervoiceturnedserious.Isense...thatyouwillchangethegalaxyinwaysnoteventhegreatestofseerscould
foresee.Justmakesuretoalwaysfollowyourheartanddowhat'sright.
HarrynoddedandleftbackuptherampwithAstraalaftershesaidhergoodbyestobothMarisandElethia.
ElethiaandMarisstoodandwatchedastheshipliftedoffbeforeleavingtheatmosphere.Thetwoweresilentas
theycontinuedtowatchtheskiesbeforeMarisbrokeit.
So...Iguessit'sjustyouandmeagain.
Yes,Iguessso.
Mariswassilentforamomentbeforeshespokeinamischievoustone.Givenanythoughttomyoffer?
Elethiagaveheradeadpanlook.Istillhaven'tbecomealesbiansincethelasttimeyouasked10yearsago.
Marishuffed.Oh,fooey.
Elethiacouldonlyshakeherheadinfondexasperation.
Backontheship,theyhadenteredhyperspaceandPixandthegirlshadgonetobedduetotheformerbeing
emotionallywrungoutandthelatterwantingtogoandcomforther.Kasshadalsogonetobedwhenshesaw
AstraaldiscreetlysignalinghertogiveHarryandhersometimealone.
Oncealone,AstraaltookadeepbreathbeforeturningtoHarry.Shewantedtodothisbeforetheyarrivedsothey
hadthethreedayflighttogetusedtoit.
Harry?
HarryturnedtoAstraalwithacuriouslook.Yea?What'swrong?
Astraalgavehimawansmile.Weneedtotalk.
Harry'seyebrowsfurrowed.Aboutwhat?
Aboutus.
Atthat,Harrygaveherhisfullattention.Seeingthatshewasserious,heengagedtheautopilotandturnedtoher
withananxiouslook.
DidIdosomethingwrong?
Astraalsmiledbrittlelyathim.No...well,notdirectly.Shesighedheavily.Harry...Iwantthetruth.Doyou
loveme?
Harry'sfrowned.OfcourseIdo!Howcanyoudoubtthat?
MorethanyouloveJaina?
Harryopenedandclosedhismouthbutnosoundcameout.Despitehimwantingto,hecouldn'tdenythathe
lovedJaina.Evenafterallshe'sdonetohurthim...helovedher.
Harrysighed.It'sdifferent,angel.IloveherbutIloveyoutoo.Ihaven'thadtimetoproperlygetoverherwith
herbeingaroundallthetime.Regardless,Harryturnedtoherwithafiercelook.Iwouldneverbetrayyouand
Idoloveyoudeeply.
Astraalsmiledsadlyathimandtearswentdownherface.Sheplacedgentlehandonhisfaceasherefusedto
lookawayfromher.Iknow.But...ithurtstoknowthatdespiteallwe'vebeenthroughtogetheryoustilllove
her.Iknew....evenatthebeginningbutIclosedmyeyestothetruth.IwassohappyweweretogetherthatI
triedtoignorewhatwasrightinfrontofme.ThatfirstmonthshouldhavecluedmeinbutIrefusedtosee.
Astraal...
Letmefinish,mylove.OnceshesawHarrystopspeaking,shecontinued.Itriedtousesexasameansto
bindyoutomeeventhoughthethoughtofusingitlikemymotherdiddisgustedme.Iwassoafraidoflosing
youIdiditanyway.Whenitdidn'tmakeyouforgether,IgotfrustratedandinsteadoftalkingtoyouIlashedout
angrily.I'msosorry,baby,becauseIloveyouandyoudeservedbetter.
No...Ishouldn'thaveledyouonlikethat.IknewIwasn'toverJainabutIagreedtobewithyouanyway.After
allmytalkofnotwantingyoutobearebound.I'msorry,Idon'tdeserveyou.
Astraaljustsmiledtenderly.No..it'snotyourfault.YourloveforJainaisapartofyouandIcanseethatnow.
Itwasstupidtothinkmesleepingwithyouwouldmakeyouforgethersoeasily.
TheystayedsilentforamomentbeforeHarrybrokeit.Sowhatdowedonow?
Astraalgavehimasadsmile.Ithinkweshouldtakeabreak...recoverourfriendshipandtrust.Butfirst...she
gavehimaknowingsmile.youneedtogodiscoveryourorigins.WhenHarryopenedhismouthtoask,she
justrolledhereyes.I'myourgirlfriend,idiot.ImighthaveclosedmyeyestoyourloveforJainabutIdonotice
thesethings.It'sforthebest,actually.Go,discoveryourpastandcomebackwithyourheartandmindsureof
whatyouwant.Whetherit'sme....ornot.
TearswentdownHarry'sfacealthoughhetriedtorepressthem.Notwantingtolookherintheeyes,heinstead
staredatthepilotcontrolandnoddedinagreement.Astraalpulledhisfaceupandgavehimonelastscorching
kissbeforereluctantlybreakingit.Shegavehimasadsmilebeforeleavingthecockpittowardstheroomshe
sharedwithKass,wantingtocryinherfriend'sshoulder.Despiteherknowingthiswasforthebest,sheloved
Harrywithallherheartandtheirsemiseparationhurt.
Harrystayedinthecockpitinsilenceforamomentbeforespeakingtohimselfquietly.Well,Iguessthere's
nothingstoppingmenow.Hetriedtokeepupatremblingsmileevenastearswentdownhisface.
EndNotes:
AN:Anddone!There'schapter22!
Asyoucansee,Harry/AstraalisonabreakandHarryisfreetoexplorehisroots
tohissatisfaction.I'mputtingupapollonwhetherornotyouwantthemtoget
backtogetherwhenhegetsbackandafterthatpollisclosed,I'llputupanotheron
whetherornotJainaandZekkwillstillbetogetherwhenhegetsback.Notethat
he'llreturnaftertheDiversityAlliancecrisisisdoneandinthebeginningofthe
BlackSuncrisis.Nextchapterwillgointowhatexactlyhisspynetworkhasbeen
uptoandthestartofhisowncompany:PhoenixIndustries.Propsfortheonewho
gavemetheideaforthenameofthecompany,youknowwhoyouare.Afterthat
willbethelongawaitedOriginQuestthatwilltakeabout3or4chapterstofinish.
Believeme,itwillbeprettylongandbytheend,Harrywillbeachangedperson
andwillbethepersonhewasmeanttobe.
HopeIdidn'tmakeHarryseemtoooverpoweredbutIcan'tseehimhavingmuch
troublewithabullrancorafterkillingaterentarek.Hisskillwithimbuingthe
Forceintoweaponswillbekeytothebuildingofnewlightsaberaswellashis
armor.Hopeyoulikedit!
Justsoyouknow,thesearethecharacters'agesasofnow:
Harry:15(16inamonth)
Astraal:17
Kass:17(justturnedamonthago)
Ashara:16
JacenandJaina:14(15intwomonths)

Tahiri:12(13bythetimeHarryreturns)
Visas:13
TenelKa:16
Shado:18
Pix:14
That'sall,soReadandReview!
Backtoindex
TheLilyCorporationbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter23
AN:Justanote,I'vechangedthenameofHarry'scompanytotheLilyCorporationduetoanother
SW/HPcrossoverstoryalreadyusingPhoenixIndustriesandbecauseitfitsbetter.
JediPraxeum,Yavin4
Areyousure?askedMarahesitantly.
Yeah,I'msure.Ineedtodiscovermyroots.TheForcekeepsleadingmetocluesandhintstellingmetosoI
havetolisten.repliedHarryconfidently.
It'sbeenaweeksincehisreturntothePraxeumandthingshadchangedsincethen.Therewastensionbetween
himandJainaaswellasbetweenhimandAstraal.Everyonewassurprisedwhentheysaidtheywereonabreak
andHarryhadavoidedbeingalonewitheitherJainaorAstraalsince.Thelatterduetobeinguncomfortable
aroundhernowandtheformerduetonotwantingtoexplainhimself.Thishadcausedhimtoseemalmost
solitarynowadaysandhebarelytalkedtohisfriendsasmuchanymore.HeonlyregularlytalkedtoTahiriand
Visasandeventhenonlyaboutwhathewasteachingthematthemomenteventhoughheknewtheywantedto
talkaboutitwithhim.Hehadeventakentotalkinginaneventonetoeveryoneinaneedtohidehistrue
emotions.
Tobefrank,hedidn'tknowwhattofeel.HeknewthatAstraalwasrightaboutthemneedingtotakeabreakbut
thatdidn'tmakeitanyeasier.Hedidn'tknowwhattosaytoheranymoreorhowtoreclaimthatoldcomradeship
andtrusttheyusedtohave,soheavoidedtheproblem.Duetothis,hehadalotoffreetimeonhishandsand
hadtakentoperfectingallhisskillsaswellasbeingmorehandsonwithaprojectofhisthathehadinhishead
eversincehewasachild.
Whilehehadtoldhisparentsabouthisspynetworkandtheinformationtheyhadgathered,hehadn'tmentioned
anyofhisspiesotherthanEsmeraldaandDoc.Thiswasdoneonpurposetonotcompromisehisotherspies'
identities.WhileitwastruethatDocandEsmeraldawerehismaininformantsalongwithZule(notthatthey
knowaboutthelatter),anyonecouldtellthemthatDocwasapossiblespy(especiallyafterhewasforcedto
revealhertohismom)andEsmeraldacouldeasilygointohidingwhileneverleavingZeltron.
ShewastheonlyZeltronthatevertrulythoughtcunninglysoshecouldjustpaintherskinalightershade,use
coloredcontacts,andchangeherhaircolorandstartfromscratchinanotherclub.Shehadalreadyboughta
secondclubunderanothernamejustincaseathissuggestion.Nooneexcepthimhadmetherinpersonsothey
wouldn'tbeabletorecognizeherForcesignatureandeitherway,hewasteachingherhowtomakeitblendinto
thebackgroundandlieeventoaForceusersoshecouldhideeasier.
Allofhisinformantshadreceivedthetaozinnodulebynowsotheycouldnowmovearoundwithoutsuspicion
fromanypassingJedioranyofMarrish'sownForcesensitivespies.Whilehekneweverysingleoneofhis
spies,heonlymetZule,DocandEsmeraldaregularly.Theothersreportedtooneofthethreeandtheypassedit
ontohimifnecessary.TheyonlycontactedHarrydirectlyifitwasanemergency.HehadsentZuleand
companyamessagetellingthemtosendhimanyinfotheyhadfoundonhisparents.HehadgivenZulethat
directiveeversincehehadbuilthisspynetwork.Theyhadobligedandhehadcometotheconclusionthathe
hadtostartattheoneplacehewisheditdidn't.
Hehadtogovisithisrelatives.
Theyweretheonlyoneswhocouldgivehimthefirstcluetotrackhisparent'spastwhichwouldleadhimtohis
people'spast.Hehadn'tforgottenaboutEmrys'sclueeitherbuthesaidhewouldonlyunderstandoncehefound
Infinity.Forthat,heneededtoretracehisparents'footstepsstartingwithhisrelatives.Forthatreason,hewas
askingMaratolethimgotostarthisquest.
Marabitherlip.Howlongdoyouthinkitwilltake?
Harryshrugged.Idon'tknow.Maybeafewweeks.Maybeafewmonths.ButI'llbebackbefore5monthspass,
Ipromise.
Maraseemedmollifiedbythatbutstillhaddoubts.Thisisn'tjustaploytokeepavoidingyourfriends,right?
Harrysighedandknowinghecouldn'tlietoher,hetoldthetruth.Itmaybepartiallythatbutmostlyitsbecause
nowistheperfecttime.TherenocrisisatthemomentandTahiriandVisasaregoingtobetrainedunderAstraal
andLukeinForceusageforthenext5months.I'mnotreallyneededrightnow.
TahiriandVisashadaskedfortutoringinForceusageaftertheruninwiththerancorsshowedhowdependent
theywereontheirlightsaberskill.Harry'sabilitiesweretooadvanced(nottomentiontoomorallyambiguous)
forthemrightnowsohehadaskedLukeandAstraaltoteachthemthebasicsbeforehetaughtthemmore
advancedthings.TheyhadagreedandthisfreedHarryuptogoonhisquest.Notthatthatwouldmakeiteasier
toexplaintohisapprentices.Hewasnotlookingforwardtothatencounter.
Maralookedreluctantbutseeingthestubbornlookinhiseye,sherelented.Okay,butIexpectyoubackinfour
monthsorI'mgoingafteryou.
HarryjustsmiledandnoddedandMarawalkedawaytoinformLuke.Turningaround,Harrycamefacetoface
withhistearyeyed(orinVisas'scase,givingoffadepressedaura)apprentices.
You'releavingus?askedanearsobbingTahiri.Ifthisisabouttherancors,I'msorry!Ipromisenevertodoit
again,justdon'tleave!
VisasjustrefusedtolookupatHarryandstareddeterminedlyatthefloor,asifwishingtosinkintoitand
disappeartoswallowhersadness.Tahirikeptmutteringapologiesandhadevenkneeledonthefloorandlatched
ontohisrightleg,refusingtolethimgo.Visassooncopiedherandlatchedontohisleft,mutteringhowshe
wouldn'tlethimgoandfollowafterhimifhetriedtoleave.
Harryfrowned.WhatmakesyouthinkI'mleavingyou?I'mjustgoingonapersonalquestforafewmonths.
WhenIgetback,IexpectyoutwotohavelistenedtoDaImean,MasterSkywalker'steachingsaswellas
Astraal's.
Tahirilookedupathimandwipedhertears,whileVisaslookedupathimandabitofhopecouldbesensedin
heraura.Youmean...you'renotgivingustoanothermasterforgood?
Harry'sfrowndeepenedatVisas'sstatement.Ofcoursenot!You'remyapprenticesandIsayyoustopbeingmy
apprenticeswhenIsayyouarereadytobecomeKnightsnotasecondbefore.Iwouldneverabandonyou,no
matterwhatyoudid.
Tahirilookedupathimwithtearsofhappiness.Really?
Harrysighedandkneeledinfrontofthegirlsandgatheredthemintoahugwhichtheyeagerlyreturned.Of
course.IconsideryoutwomyprotegesandtheonesI'llteacheverythingIknow.Ipromisedyoubothtomake
yougreatJediKnightsandIneverbreakmypromises,understand?
VisasandTahirigavehimwaterysmilesbeforeTahirispoke.Fine,butwhenyoucomebackyou'reforbidden
fromgoingonanymorequestsbyyourselfanymore.We'reyourapprenticesandwe'resupposedtobebyyour
side,understand?
HarrychuckledatseeingTahiri'sfireagain.Understood.Ievenhaveapartinggiftforyoutwo.Reachinginto
thesmallpackonhisutilitybelt,Harrypulledouttwocurvedhiltlightsabers,presentingthemtothegirlshilt
first.Hehadmadethemhimselftwodaysagoasgiftsforhisapprenticesbeforeheleft.Hewantedtoleavethem
withagoaltoaccomplishbeforehereturned.
Thegirlswerewideeyedandshakilytookthemfromhisgrasp.Theystoodupandsimultaneouslyactivatedthe
ligthsabers,provingtheywerereallightsabersandnottrainingones.Tahiri'swasarareamethystcolorwhile
Visas'swasgold.Theylookedathimwithwidesmilesontheirfacesbeforeturningthemoff.
Thisisthebest!Thanks,Master!yelledoutTahirihappilywhileVisasjustnoddedherehadhappilybeside
her.
Harryjustsmiledattheirhappinesswithhisgifts.I'mgladyoulikethembecauseImadethemmyself.WhenI
getback,you'llmakeyourownasapartnertothese.Ifyou'vemasteredusingthesebladesbythetimeIget
back,I'llteachyoubothmypersonalversionofJar'kaiaswellasmypersonalstyleFulmineorLightningform
asmostcallit.
Bothgirlsstaredupathiminaweathisdeclaration.Harryhadpreviouslyrefusedtoteachothershisform,
statingitwasstillincompleteandhewantedonlythosehetrustedtoresistthedarkside'scalltolearnit.Hehad
onlytaughtLukeandMarasomeoftheform'skatasandtoldthemhewouldteachthemthecompletedversion
oncehewasdone.Forhimtosayhewouldteachthemshowedhowmuchhetrustedthemandbelievedinthem.
BothgirlsgulpedbeforesmilingconfidentlyandVisasspoke.Don'tworry,Master.We'llmastertheiruseby
thetimeyou'reback.
Yes,youcancountonus!saidTahiriconfidently.
Harrysmiledandrubbedtheirhairinafatherlymanner.IknowIcan.Withthat,thetwogirlssaidtheir
goodbyesandraninsearchofAstraal,determinedtostarttopracticewiththemassoonaspossiblesothey
couldmastertheiruse.
Oncetheyroundedthecorner,HarrycommedFAITH.
MarafinallysaidyesandI'vesaidmygoodbyes,sostartuptheenginesandI'llpilottheAzureAngelintothe
newlandingbayontheWaywardSon.
Notwantingtoabandoneitherofhisshipsforhisquestknowingtheremightbetroublealongtheway,Harry
hadturnedthefarbackrightcargobayoftheWaywardSonintoasmalllandingareajustbigenoughforhis
fightertoland.Thehangardoorswouldopen,activatingarayshieldsoatmosphereinsidetheshipwouldn't
decompressandlettingtheAzureAngelland.Ithadworkedwonderfullyandwasquitebrilliantifhesaidso
himself.
HehadalsotakenoutallofJacen'spetsfromthejunglecargobay,knowinghewouldbegoneforalongwhile
andnotwantingtobeconstantlyworriedaboutthem.SnipshadbeenhappyenoughbutJacen'sotheranimals
hadbeenhardertoremove.EventuallyJacenhadhelpedhimtakethemoutafterheexplainedwhyandhisship
nowhadnoothersentientorganismsexceptforhim.HewastakingFAITHandR3D3alongtohelphim,the
formerincaseheneededextramuscleandthelatterincaseheneededtohackintoanything.Besidesbeingan
astromech,HarryhadinstalledeverysinglespyprogrampossibleintoR3sohecouldhelphimhackintoplaces.
R3hadbeenonlytoohappytohelp.
Harryhadalreadysaidhisgoodbyestotheothers(althoughhisgoodbyetoAstraalhadbeenextremely
awkward)withtheexceptionofJaina.HarryhopedtoavoidtellingherandtoldJacentotellheroncehewas
gone,knowingshewouldcauseascenewithhimleavingsosoonafterreturningandforsuchalongperiodof
timeaswell.
HarrywalkedtowardhisfighterashesawthatFAITHhadliftedoffwiththeWaywardSonandwaswaitingfor
himtodockinorbit.However,ashereachedtheAzureAngel,heheardsomeonecallhimfrombehindand
turnedonlytoseeJainastandingtherewithadeterminedlookonhisface.Hediscreetlylookedaroundand
noticedtheywerecompletelyalone.
'Dammit!AfterallthatefforttoavoidbeingalonewithhershecornersmejustwhenI'mabouttoleave!'
thoughtHarrydesperately.Hecouldmakearunforitandjumpintohisfighterbeforeshegottohimbutthat
seemedcowardlyandtobeblunt,hehadnoreasontorunfromher.
Hello,Jaina,repliedHarryevenly.HeignoredthesmallflinchhiseventonecausedJaina.
Whyhaven'tyoutalkedtoussinceyoucamebackandwhyareyouleavingsosoonaftergettingback?asked
Jaina.
Harryraisedaneyebrow,ignoringthesecondpartofherquestion.Idon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout,I
talkedtoyouallthismorningatmorningmeal.
Jainahuffed.Yesbutnotaboutanythingserious.Everytimewetriedtoaskyouhowyouwerefeelingyou
wouldclamupandsayyouwerefine.
Harrygrithisteeth.HasiteveroccurredtoyougeniusesthatmaybeIdon'twanttotalkaboutmyfeelingsto
thetwomaincausesofit?Orinpublic?
Jainaflinchedbutcontinued.Youhaven'ttalkedtoJacenorLowieeither.OrevenZekk.
Atthelastname,heglaredather.IwillnevertalktoZekkaboutmyfeelingsonthismatter.LowieandIaren't
thatcloseandJacenistooclosetothesituationtogiveanunbiasedopinion.
Jainalookedathimsadly.Thenwhowillyoutalkto?
HestartedtowalktowardtheAzureAngelandansweredashewasstrappinghimselfin.I'vetalkedtoTenelKa
abit.She'stheonlyonewhounderstands.
Withthatlastcuttingstatement,HarryliftedoffandleftJainastaringafterhimwithahurtlookonherface.
HarrymetupwiththeWaywardSoninorbitandafterFAITHopenedtheselfmadehangardoors,Harrylanded
theshipinside,onlyleavingthecockpitoncethehangardoorshadclosedoncemore.Whiletherayshield
preventedairandthelikefromescaping,Harrypreferrednottotakechances.
R3disconnectedhimselffromtheAzureAngelandrolledalongsideHarryashewalkedtowardthecockpit.R3
whistledaquestionwhich,thankstospendingsomuchtimewithhim,Harryunderstood.
No,R3.Iwasn'tbeingcruel...okay,maybealittle.Butitjustpissesmeoffthattheyexpectmetojustopenup
myhearttothemwhenevertheyask.AtleastTenelKaisdiscreetaboutitandonlyasksmewhenwe'rein
private.
R3whistledhisunderstandingastheyenteredthecockpitwhereFAITHwaswaiting.
Query:Whereareweheadedto,master?
First,weneedtomakeafewpitstopstocheckuponmyspynetworkbeforewecanleavetomeetmy
relatives.Ineedtotakeadvantageofthefactthatwe'reoutherewithoutwitnessestocheckuponallmy
projects.
Statement:Understood,master.Query:Wheretofirst?
Harrythoughtaboutitforamomentbeforedeciding.SetaroundaboutcourseforRaxusPrime.Zuleshould
havesetupthebasetherealreadyandIwanttoseehowfaralongtheyare.Shehasbeenshuttlingbackand
forthfromthereandCoruscantsinceIvisitedherinpersoninCoruscant.Ithinkit'sabouttimesheshouldmake
itherpermanentresidence.
Withthatstatement,HarryandFAITHsetacourseforthejunkyardplanetthatwouldmakeitimpossiblefor
anyonetotrackthemthereandenteredhyperspace.
JainawaslookingforTenelKatospeaktoher.
Harry'scommentabouttalkingtoTenelhadbotheredherslightly.WhatcouldhetellTenelKathathecouldn't
tellher?WashetellingTenelKaabouthowhefeltabouther?DidhetellTenelhewasn'tinterestedinher
anymore?Thesequestionswereplaguingherandsheneededtomakesurehewasokayemotionallyatthevery
least.Shewouldpreferhimbeinghappywithsomeoneelsethantearinghimselfupoverherbybeingalone.
SheeventuallyfoundTenelKatrainingwithherteallightsaberattheirregulartrainingground.Shewaswearing
hertrademarkscaledgreenskirtwithamatchingscaledgreenshirtwithbrownshoulderpads.Shefinisheditoff
withblackfurbootsandblackfingerlessgloves.Jainahadtoadmitthatwhencombinedwiththecontrastofher
goldenredhair,itmadeherlookquitefierce.JainanoticedthatJacenapprovedofthelookgreatlyifthe
lingeringlooksinTenel'sdirectionduringmealhourwereanyindication.
Hey,Tenel,calledJainaassheenteredthetrainingground.
TenelKastoppedgoingthroughherJuyokatasandraisedaneyebrowatseeingJaina.Usually,shewouldbe
eitherwithhertwinbrotherorflyinghershipatthistime.Speakingofwhich,Tenelhadnoticedthattheyhadn't
gottenaroundtohavingthatracetheyalwaystalkedaboutandwonderedifithadanythingtodowithHarry's
antisocialattitudelately.
Hello,Jaina.Whatareyoudoinghereatthishour?Aren'tyouusuallytestingoutyournewshipatthishour?
JainatriedtoshrugcasuallybutTenelKasawthroughiteasily.Yea,butIdidn'twanttotoday.Bytheway,has
Harrytalkedtoyoulately?
TenelKainternallyrolledhereyesatherfriend'ssubtlequestioning.WhileJainawasagoodJedishewould
nevermakeagoodspyduetonotbeingcapableofbeingdiscreet.Forceforbidsheeverenterpolitics,they'deat
heralive.
Yes,Italkedtohimjustyesterday.Hetoldmehewasgoingtoaskforpermissiontoleavetoretracehisbirth
parent'sfoorsteps.Iftheygavehimpermission,he'dleavetodayandsinceIdonotsensehimhemusthaveleft
already.
Jainanodded.Yeah,Ijustsaidgoodbye.AlittlewhitelieandoneTenelKasawthroughimmediately.Ifthey
hadtalkedwithHarry'sattitudelately,itwouldhaveturnedintoafight.Tenelnoticedthattherestraintsthat
HarryhadonhisemotionswerefrayinglatelyandTenelwasjustwaitingfortheinevitableexplosion.
Well,Iwishhimluck.Iknowhowimportantyourheritageis.
Jainalookeddispleasedatherstatement.Yeahbutheleftwithouttellingusoranything.Itwaslikehewas
avoidingus.
Thatisbecauseheis.statedTenelKasimply.
Jainablinkedatherfrankstatement.But..why?
TenelKasighedbeforeholsteringherunlitlightsaberandcrossingherarmsatherfriend.Letusspeakplainly,
okay?
Okay,answeredJaina.
Hecannotspeaktoanyofyoubecauseyouareallbiased.TenelKaraisedherhandwhenshesawJainaabout
tospeak.Yes,Jaina,evenyou.Youare,tobefrank,theloveofhislife.Hewillneverseeyouasjustanother
friend.Heisalso,nomatterwhoyou'redatingatthemoment,themanyoustilllove.Youwillalwayswanthim
nearyou.Thatis,quitefrankly,veryselfish.
Jainalookedoutraged.Howisitselfishtowantmybestfriendnearme?
Becauseheisnotjustyourbestfriendtoyou,ishe?SeeingJainarefusingtolookather,shecontinued.You
lovehim.Thatisfact.HecannotgotoyouabouthowhefeelsabouthisbreakupwithAstraalbecauseitis
uncomfortable.
AsforAstraal,hecan'tgotoherforobviousreasons,nottheleastofwhichtheynolongerhavethetrustand
friendshipthattheyhadbeforetheystarteddating.Jacenisyourbrotherandknowshowyoufeel,soheisbiased
aswell.HeandLowiearen'tascloseasyouandJacenaretohimsoitwouldbeawkwardtosaytheleast.Kass
wouldn'tunderstandwhattodoregardinghisfeelingsandwouldprobablyeithertellhimtosuckituporavoid
hisfeelings.Asharaistooshytotellhimwhatheneedstohear,leavingonlyme.
HarryandIareclose.HeislikeanolderbrothertomeandwebothhavefeelingsforoneoftheSolotwins.
TenelKaignoredJaina'shappysmileatheradmissiontolikingJacen.Therefore,Ihavethebestinsightinto
whattodoaboutaSolo'sstubbornrefusaltoseewhat'srightinfrontofthem.
Here,Jainainterrupted.Whatdoyoumean?Aren'tyouandJacenanitem?
TenelKasmiledbrittlely.Yesandno.WearenotofficialandJacenhasmadenoeffortstomakeitso.Itis
frustratingtonotknowmyplaceinhislife,especiallysinceIhavemadeitclearwhatIwantittobe.Sometimes
IwishIwasbackonDathomirwhereIcouldjustclaimhimandthatwouldbethat.
Oh,wasallJainacouldsay.Afterall,whatdoyousaytothegirlyourbrotherisbasicallyleadingon?
Quite.respondedTenelKainadrytone.IsimplytoldHarrytogetawayforatimetounderstandhisfeelings
regardingbothyouandAstraal.Whilehelovesyou,healsolovesAstraalaswellandheneedstocometoterms
whatkindoflovehehasforeachofyou.
Jainastayedsilentforamoment,staringatthegroundbeforespeaking.Doyouthink...thingswilleverbeback
tothewayitwasbefore?Youknow,allfriendsandtrustingeachotherwitheverything?
Idoubtit,Jaina.Wearegrowingupandsometimes...peopledogrowapart.Butonlyifyouletthem.Heisn't
distancinghimselfonpurpose,Jaina,andyoustillhaveachancetoreconnect.Justtrytomakeanew
relationshipratherthanreigniteanoldone.
Jainanoddedherheadtoshowsheunderstoodbeforesayinghergoodbyesandwalkingaway.TenelKalooked
tobedeepinthoughtasshewatchedherleave.
'Ihopeyouwakeuptowhatyouwantbeforeit'stoolatebecauseIdoubthewillwaitformuchlonger,'thought
TenelKasadly.Withthatthought,TenelKareturnedtoherkatas.
TheWaywardSonexitedhyperspaceinsidetheRaxussystem.SinceitwasintheOuterRim,theNewRepublic
basicallyignoreditunlesssomethingbighappened.Duetothis,Harryencounterednopatrolshipsonhisway
there.HebrieflywonderedhowZulehadmanagedtogetalicensetothewholeplanetusingthenameofa
companythatisnobiggerthanHarry,herandEsmeraldaatthemomentbutchalkedituptoherpersuasive
ways.
Evenfromspace,onecouldseethewasteontheplanet.Theatmospherewasfullofwastegasesandlookedlike
itwasawindowwithfilthalongtheedges.Oncouldliterallyseethethousandsofdebrisshiningfromthe
surfacealmostconvincingonethattherewasacitytherewheretherewasnone.Theentirelookmadeitlook
likeabigbrownballofexcrementfloatinginspace.It'spoisonoussurfacealsomadepeoplestayfarawayfrom
itwiththeexceptionofscavengers.
'Technically,mycompanyandmearescavengersaswell,'thoughtHarryamusedly.
Hesentouttheagreeduponsignalandreceivedtheconfirmationsignalaswellascoordinatesastowhereto
landnotoneminutelater.FAITHlookedtobeuneasyifthatwaspossibleastheyenteredtheatmosphere.
Query:Master,whatisthisplace?Statement:Iseemtobereceivingtransmissionsfromhundredsofsources
yet...theyseemtobeleadbyasinglesource.Query:ShouldIattempttomakecontact?
Harry'seyebrowsfurrowedbeforeheshookhisheadslowly.Hecouldalsohearastrangeringinginhisearsif
heconcentrated.Ihaveafeelingthatwouldbebad.Ithinkit'sZule'sdoingthough.Herlastmessagesaidshe
hadmanagedtoturnthedroidsoftheplanetintoherworkforcesothatmustbehow.Shemustbeusingsome
sortofsignal.
R3beepedandwhistledhisapprehensionandHarrycouldn'thelpbutfeelthesame.Anentireplanet'sworthof
junkdroids?Thatmusthavetakensomedoing.
AsHarrybrokethroughtheatmosphere,hegothisfirstlookatthejunkplanet.Atfirstglance,onecould
mistakeitforametropolis.However,thenonewouldseethelavariversthatdottedseveralareasaswellasthe
buildingswereinfactaccumulatedrubbleandjunkthatwascarelesslythrowneverywhere.Harrysawlarge
structuresthatlookedasiftheywereoncepartofstarshipsbutwerenowerodingawayontheplanetsurface.As
heapproachedthecoordinates,hesawtheywereleadinghimtowardagianttemplelikestructurethatstood
highabovetherestofthejunk.Ithadfourslightlysmallerspiressurroundingitinthefourcardinaldirections
andtheairarounditseemedslightlycleaner.HarryalmostmistookitfortheJediTempleinCoruscantuntilhe
sawthatitlookedtobemadeofjunkpartsandinsomeplacestherewasnowallallowinghimtoseetheinside.
HenoticedthatitlookedasifZulewasusingtheplaceasherbasebecausethegroundsurroundingitwasclear
ofalljunkandrubbleandthegroundevenlackedthatpurplishhuemeaningitwaspoisonous,allowinghimto
seealandingpadnearthebaseofthetoweronthesouthside.Healsosawwhatlookedlikeagiantcannon
beingbuiltatthetopofthecentraltowerwithoverathousandfiguresseeminglyrepairingallfivetowerssoit
lookedbrandnew.Itlookedsimilartoanartfarmtryingtofixitselfafterbeingkicked.Hehadtoadmitthat
whentheyweredone,itwouldmakeawonderfulheadquarters.
HepilotedtheshiptowardthelandingpadandsawZulestandingtherealongwithXad.Thelandingpadwason
thegroundlevelalthoughHarrysawthattheyseemedtobebuildingalandingpadareahalfwayuptheTemple.
Despitethis,heexpertlylandedtheshipwithoutsomuchasabumpandaftercheckinghehadeverything,
walkeddowntherampwithR3andFAITH.Zulegavehimawidesmileashewalkedtowardthem.Shewas
onceagainwearingherusualmetalbraandpurpleskirtcombinationwithZadbesideherwearinghisusual
armorwhichwasamixofMandalorianandstormtrooperarmor.Asheapproachedhesensedherreleasingher
pheromones,sohappytoseehimthatshewasunconsciouslyreleasingthematthesightofhim.
WelcometoRaxusPrime,headquartersoftheLilyCorporation....oratleastitwillbeassoonaswegopublic
afterwemakethismorerespectablelooking.saidZulewithasmile.
Harryjustshookhisheadandsmiledbackather.Howareyou,Zule?Everythinggood?HowaboutyouXad?
Xadsmiledslightly.Everything'sgoingwell,Harry.Ievenhadaworkouttamingthisplanet.
ThethreelaughedathiscommentbeforeZulelookedatR3inquisitively.Well,IknowFAITHbutwho'sthis?
R3whistledhisgreetingcausingeveryone(exceptFAITH)tochuckle.ThisisR3D3.He'smyastromechand
partner.He'sheretobeefupsystemsecurityandmakesurenootherastromechcanbreakintoourfiles.
Zulenoddedherheadinunderstanding.Okaythen.Well,owner,howaboutatour?AtHarry'snod,shetook
thelead.
Sheledhimintothecentraltowerstructureandhenoticedthatthegroundlevelwascompletelyrenovated.She
hadinstalledtransparisteelslidingdoorsandtherewasanicecoolairinsidedespitetheblisteringheatoutside,
signalingairconditioninghadbeeninstalled.Theyenteredalargereceptionareawithlightbluepaintonthe
wallsandalightbrownrugalongtheentirefloor.Therewerealsoseveralcouchesandglasstablesfor
relaxation.Therewasevenawoodenreceptiondeskwithasilverplatedprotocoldroidbehindit.Theygreeted
thedroidwhichintroduceditselfasD3POandpassedthereceptiondeskandthroughasilverdurasteeldoor
behindit.Theywalkeddownalargehallwaybigenoughfortenpeopletowalksidebysideeasilythatwas
paintedasoftgreencolorandthroughablackdurasteeldoorattheend.Harryhadcountedatleast10doorson
eachsideofthehallwayandwonderedwheretheyled.AsHarryenteredthroughthedoor,hewassurprisedby
whathesawontheotherside.
Thedoorhadledtoahugeassemblyareawherehundredsofpartswerebeingprocessedandputtogetherinto
somesortofstation.Fromthewalkwayhewasstandingon,Harrycouldseethattheassemblyareawasatleast
20kilometerswalltowalland1kilometerfloortoceiling.Insteadofpeople,therewerehundredsofworker
droidswalkingaround,eachdoingspecifictasksandsomeorderingothersaround.Itlookedlikealarge
assemblylinewithafewlavaflowsalongthefarwallthatseemedtopowerthelinesusinggeothermalenergy.
Herealizedthattheyhadturnedthebackhalfofthegroundfloorintoafactory.Harrywhistledwhenhesawthe
efficiencybutwasconfusedbywhattheywerebuildingandturnedtoZule.
Whataretheybuilding?Itlookslikeabitofeverything:glass,beams,etc.Suddenly,Harryhadalookof
realization.You'refixingthatcannononthetopofthetower,right?Whatisitanyway?
Zulenoddedwithaslysmile.WhentheEmpireabandonedthisplanet,theylefttheremainsofanorecannon
theywereusing.SincetheylosttheplanettotheNewRepublicandtheydidn'tknowaboutit,theyleftithereas
well.Itwaspartiallydestroyedbutwithourworkforceit'llbeoperationalinaweekatmost.That'snoteventhe
bestpart.
Harrycockedaneyebrowatherslysmile.Whatelsecouldbebetterthanafullyoperationalorecannonfora
hundredthofthecostandfreelabor?
ComewithmeandI'llshowyou.answeredZulesmugly.
Harryfollowedherdownthestairs,throughtheassemblylinesandtowardthedurasteelrightwall.Oncethey
reachedit,Zuleplacedherrighthandagainstaseeminglyinconspicuouspartofthewallthatglowedafterafew
moments.Thewalltotheleftofherhandslidtothesideshowingahiddenlift.Therehadbeennohintofaseam
presenttoshowtherewasanythingtherebeforesheplacedherhandandHarrywasimpressedbythesecurity.
Oncetheyallenteredthesecretlift,shepushedthesubbasementbuttonandtheliftwentdown.Theliftdoors
eventuallyopenedontoametalcatwalkthatoverlookedthesubbasementlevel.Harrygaspedwhenhenoticed
whatZulemusthavemeant.
Thesubbasementlevelwashugeineveryway.Itwasatleast3kilometersfromfloortoceiling(whichwasthe
floorofthegroundfloor)and25kilometersfromwalltowall.Infact,thefarrightwallseemedtobemadeof
somekindoftransparisteelthatcouldwithstandhightemperaturesbecausehecouldseestraightthroughintothe
lavariver.MachinesnearthewalltoldHarrytheyusedtheheattopowermostofthebuildingandmachines.He
couldevenseesomedroidsrepoweringthemselvesusingamachineconnectedtothemaingenerator.Thefar
wallontheothersideofwheretheliftlookedlikehangardoorsbutcouldn'tbe.Afterall,theywere
underground,right?Butwhattrulygothisattentionwastheshipsittinginthemiddleofthesubbasementnext
toashipport:aslowlybeingfixedImperialclassStarDestroyer.Harry'skeeneyeassessedtheStarDestroyer,
instantlynoticingafewdifferencesfromnormalImperialclassStarDestroyers.
LikeallStarDestroyers,ithadauniformgraypaintandtheEmpireinsigniashowedwhoitoncebelongedto,
althoughHarrycouldseetheywerepaintingoverit.Ithadacommandtoweraswellashangarbays.However,
itwassmallerthananImperialclassStarDestroyeraswellashavingavisualprotrusiononthebow.Hecould
alsoseetheworkerdroidsfixingwhatseemedtobeamechanismtoextendandretractarmoraroundthehull,
somethingImperialclassStarDestroyersdon'thave.Italsohadfourmainenginesinsteadofthenormalthree
andtheyseemedtobeofadifferentdesignthannormal.Thelastdifferencewasthatthecommandtowerwas
arrowshapedinsteadofthenormalrectangularshape.Allinall,itlookedlikeahybridbetweentwosimilarStar
DestroyersalthoughHarrycouldonlyrecognizetheImperialclassdonations.
HarryturnedtoZulewithalookofwonder.HowintheninehellsdidyougetyourhandsonafreakingStar
Destroyer?!
Zulesmiledconspiratorially.Actually,that'swhatdamagedtheorecannoninthefirstplace.Bywhatwe
managedtopiecetogether,forsomereasonthatStarDestroyercrashedintotheorecannon,destroyingboth
partially.EnoughfortheEmpiretodecidetoabandonthemratherthanattempttofixthem,atleast.
Harrylookedshockedattherevelationbeforeasmilegrewonhisface.LuckyforusthattheEmpireisso
wasteful.Thisplanetisaprimeexample.Athoughtfullookcrossedhisface.Bytheway,howdidyougetthe
licensetohavesolecontrolofthisplanet'sresources?Idoubttheyjustgaveittoyoubecauseyouasked.
XadchuckledslightlyasZulegrimacedindistasteassheanswered.Ihadtousemycharmsto...persuadea
fewsenatorstosignthelicense.Luckily,Ididn'thavetosleepwithanyofthem.Idon'tthinkthere'senough
soaptowashtheslimeoffifIhad.
HarryandXadlaughedatherstatementwhileZulejusthadalookofdistasteonherfaceatthethought.
Eventually,Harrygotaroundtoaskinganotherquestiononhismind.
Andthere'snowaytheycannegateit?Nowaytheycanmakeitinvalidated?
Zuleshookherhead.Nope,Iwentthroughtheentirelongprocesstogetitacceptedineverybranchofthe
government.Theycan'ttakeitbackwithoutcausinganuproarfromeveryothercompanywithrightstoaplanet.
Idiots,thelotofthem.
HarryjustshookhisheadinamazementatZule'sskills.Itwasluckyshewasonhisside,hedoubtedevenhe
couldresistherwhenshewantedsomething.Infact,heknewhecouldn'tfrompriorexperience.Shejustmade
everythingsoundsorationalanddisagreeingwithherwouldbetantamounttodeclaringyourselfanidiot.
That'sgood.IwouldhatetohavetorevealmyselfastheownerbeforeIwasready.Harrylookedbackatthe
StarDestroyerthatlookedtobeaweekawayfrombeingoperational.Howexactlyarewegoingtoexplainthe
factwehaveafullyarmedandoperationalStarDestroyeraspartofourSecurityForce?
Zulejustgavehimadevioussmile.Whosaidwe'regoingtotellthem?Thesubbasementalsodoublesa
hangar.It'swherewe'llputthemorequestionablestarshipsofourfleetuntilweneedthem.Whyelsedoyou
thinkit'ssohuge?
Harryshookhisheadwithasmilebutfrownedwhenherealizedsomething.ButIthinkthey'llwanttoseeour
hangarwhentheyseeshipscomingoutoftheground.Iimaginethoselargedoorsleadupwardstowardsthe
surface?
Zulenodded.Yep,itopenstowardarampthattheshipfliesoutandupthroughanothersetofdoorshiddenas
everydayrubble.However,onlyourdestroyersandthelikewillbehiddenhere.I'malreadyturningthislevel
intoaminiatureshipyard.ForthepublicstarshipsofourSecurityForce,we'llmaketheminourorbitalspace
station.
Now,Harrylookedreallysurprised.Wehaveanorbitalspacestation?Ididn'tseeonewhenIarrivedinthe
system.
Becausewehaven'tlaunchedityet.It'sbeingmadeupstairsonthegroundfloorasyousawandwillbe
launchedbytheorecannonatthetopofthecentraltowerintoorbit.Thenwe'llusetheeasttowertohousethe
generatorfortheplanetaryshield,notexactlylegalbutnecessaryespeciallyifwhatwefeariscomingcomes
true.Thespacestationwillbefullyautomatedbydroidssotherewon'tbeanyneedtopayforworkers.Oncethe
shieldisup,we'llusethewesttowertogathertheplanet'smetalsandsendittotheorbitalstationusingtheore
cannon.Therewillbeafreightliftthroughtheoutsideofthebuildingtotaketheoresandmetalstothecannon.
Thespacestationwillthenpurifythemetalsandturnthemintoingotstosell.
Harryfrowned.Buthowwillweprotectthestation?Willithaveit'sowndefenseturrets?
XadnoddedandHarryturnedtohimasheanswered.Yesbuttherewillalsobeminesandthelikesurrounding
itforextraprotectionsincethere'snoneedtogothereinpersonsinceit'sfullyselfsufficientandautomated.
Butifyou'resendingallthemetalstotheorbitalstationandthensellingthem,howwillyoucreatethe
destroyersandthelike?
Zulejustshookherhead.Ineversaidwe'dsellallthemetals.We'llonlysellaround40%ofthemetalswefind.
Thespacestationwillreceivethemetalswhereit'lldooneoftwothings:eitheruseittobuildstarfightersand
pilotdroidstodefendthestationorpurifythemetalsintotheirbasesandturnthemintoingotsofthatsame
metal.Itwillthenpackagetheingotsandsenditwithanautomatedtransportbackdownheretowardthesouth
towerwherewe'llpackagethemandsellthemtobuyers.However,notallthemetalswillbesold.Onlycommon
metalswehaveextraoflikedurasteelandthelikewillbesold.Theraremetalslikecortosiswillbesavedfor
ourownuse.Thatwaywewon'thavetopayfortheoreitself,onlyifwewantspecializedworkwithit.
Harrypausedinthoughtbeforespeaking.Whatkindofshipswillwehavepublicly?
Thistime,Xadanswered.Mostlyantistarfightercruisersandfreighters,afewsquadronsofstarfightersanda
lotofgunships.
Harrynoddedhisheadathisstatement.Good,nothingthatwillgettheattentionofthegovernment.Afterall,
othercompanieshavemuchmoredangerousstarshipsandsomeevenhavebattlecruisers.ThatgaveHarry
pause.Howwillwedefendagainstdestroyersandthelikewithoutrevealingourown?
Zulefrownedslightly.Youknow...Ihaven'tthoughtofthat.
Harrythoughtaboutitbeforehismindsettledontheorecannon.Howfastandbigdotheorespherestravelto
thespacestation?
Zuleshrugged.Nottoofastandtheyhavediameterofaround100meters.Why?
Harrysmileddeviously.Becausethatcouldbeourdefenseagainstcapitalshipsaswell.Weinstallan
offensivesettingintoitthatfiressmallerspheresofuselessmetalsatmuchfasterspeeds.Atthosespeeds,
capitalshipswon'tbeabletododgeandbedestroyedeasilythroughsheerconcussiveforce.
ZuleandXadblinkedattheideabeforeadevioussmilecrossedboththeirfaces.Theformerthenspokeina
happytone.
Perfect,wewon'thaverevealourowncruisersandbattleshipsunlessabsolutelynecessaryandwecanbuild
moreorecannonsasweexpandacrosstheplanet.They'llthinkit'sjustforsendingmetaltothestationandbe
caughtoffguardwhenweblowthemoutoforbitwithit.Webetterpickthemostcommonanduselessmetalfor
thatthoughsowecansellorusethegoodones.
Xadchuckledinappreciation.Andthisiswhyyou'retheboss,boss.Youhavethebestideas.Heckitwasyour
ideatosetupshoponthisplanetinthefirstplace.
Harryjustsmiledsheepishly.It'snothing.Bytheway,whatareyougoingtousetherestoftheselevelsonthe
towersfor?
Zuleshrugged.Idon'thaveanythingplanned.Why?
Becausewecanuseitforresearchanddevelopment.Seeingtheirconfusedlooks,Harryexplained.Itold
Docwe'regoingtoinvestinmedicalcompaniestohavemoresourcesofincomeaswellashaveaccesstosome
oftheexperimentalandcuttingedgemedicaltechnology.I'mplanningonbuyingstockfromArkanian
Microtechnologiesaswellasseveralsmallercompanies.Eachonewillhaveadifferentspecializationwhichwill
helpDocbuildourmedicaldivisionusingtheirknowledgeasabase.We'llusetheupperlevelsforresearchand
developmentofthosevaccinesandtreatments.
Xadnoddedinthought.That'sagoodideaactually.Wehavetoomuchspaceanyway.
Also...continuedHarry.wecanuseittotrainthemenwhomakeupoursecurityforceinthefutureaswellas
testoursecuritydroids.IwantoursecurityforcetobemadeupofbothandFAITHherewillbeusedasthebase
forimprovingthedroidpartofoursecurityforce.We'lltraintheminthenorthtower.
FAITH,whohadbeenquiettheentiretrip,turnedtoHarryathisstatement.
Query:Whatdoyoumean,master?
Imeanthatwe'regoingtomakesimilardroidstoyouaspartofoursecurityforce.You'lltraintheminproper
assassinationprotocolsofcoursebutthey'llhaveeveryskillyouhave.
Statement:Asyouwish,master,butIdowarnyoutheywillnotbeaseffectiveasme.
Harryjustshrugged.Ofcoursebutevenhalfasgoodasyouisequaltomostsoldiers.HarryturnedtoZule.
Zule,takeFAITHwithyouandperformanyandallscansnecessarytocreatemorelikehim.Iwantyouto
upgradeallthecombatdroidstobethesametypeashimaswellasupgradingtheworkerdroidstobemore
efficient.Doyouhavealevelwiththatsortoftechavailable?
Zulesmiled.Actually,thatbringsmetothelastpartofourtour.Comewithme.
TheyfollowedZulebackuptowardtheliftandshepressedthebuttonbackuptothegroundfloor.Theyexited
oncetheyreacheditandwalkedtowardthedoorleadingtowardthehallway.Harrylookedbacktowardthewall
thatheldthesecretliftandsawnothingthatshowedtherewasanythingthere.Nolittlesignormarkingshowed
therewasanythingbutawallthere.NowthatHarryknewwhatwashappening,hesawthatthedroidswere
creatinganimpressivespacestation.Allthatwasleftwastoputeverythingtogetheranditwouldprobablybe
donesoonaftertheorecannonwas.
Theyenteredthehallwayagainbutinsteadofgoingtotheendwherethelobbywas,theyenteredthethirddoor
ontheright.Itopenedtorevealanaveragesizedchamberwithlightgreenwallsandatransparisteelliftatthe
otherend.TheyenteredtheliftandZulepressedthebuttonfor31stlevel.Itseemedtoscanherthumbprint
beforeacceptingitandmovingup.Harrynoticedtherewere40levelsaswellasarooflevelandwonderedwhat
theycoulddowithallthatextraspace.HarrylookedoutthroughthetransparisteelthatshowedaviewofRaxus
Primeinallitsjunkyardglory.
Harrycouldseedroids,probablyunderZule'sorders,clearingthedebrisinaneverexpandingcirclearoundthe
headquarters.Thegroundrevealedunderneathwasdeadandcrackedbutsurprisinglyfirmconsideringthe
constantlavaflowsontheplanet.HesawmanypoolsoftoxicwasteandturnedtoZulewithaquestiononhis
lips.
Whatarewegoingtodowiththetoxicwastepools?
Zulefrownedslightly.Idon'treallyknowactually.I'mtryingtoseeifthereareanytechnologiesavailableto
purifythemintosomethingusefulbutIhaven'tfoundanything.Untilthen,we'lldrainthemintosafetydisposal
binsandsecurethemsomewheretheycan'tdoanydamage.Ifabsolutelynothingcanbedonetothem,we'llsee
ifwecanjustsendthemintoaneighboringstarwithoutcausinganyproblems.
Harrynoddedatheridea.Itwasasolidplan,afterall.Hedoubtedsendingabitoftoxicwasteintoastarwill
causeittoexplodeorsomethingequallydramatic.Thatonlyhappensinmovies.
Theyeventuallyreachedthe31stfloorandsteppedoutintoasimilarchamberastheonetheyleftexpectthis
onehadlightbluewalls.Theypassedthroughthedoorattheothersidetoenteranotherhallwaywithlightblue
colors.Theyturnedrightandwalkeduntiltheendwhichheldthebestkeptdoorofthislevel.Itwasobviousthis
levelwasstillunderconstructionbecauseHarrycouldseepartswherethewallwasmissing,showingthe
outsideandtherewasnoairconditioninghere.Thedoorhadahandprintidentificationmoduleaswellasa
retinascanner.Zuledidbothsimultaneouslyandthenusedacodecylindertodeactivatethecyberlock.Shethen
turnedtoHarry.
Remindmetokeyyouinaswell.Sofar,onlyI'mtheonlyoneallowedinsidebutsinceyou'rethebossweneed
youtobeabletoaswell.Thedoorismadelinedwithcortosistomakeitresistanttolightsaberssoyoucan'tcut
throughit.IwishitwasmadeoutofMandalorianironbutwedon'thaveanysothiswillhavetodofornow.It's
alsomagneticallysealedandthepowergeneratorforitisinsidethisveryroom.
Harryjustnoddedandfollowedherinsidewiththeothers.Theyenteredalargechamberfilledwithcomputers
andmachines.Hecouldseealargemachinetoassembleandscandroidsneartherightwallandapower
generatoralongtheleft.However,onthefarwallwasacomputerwithagiantscreenshowingmillionsofvideos
ofmanypartsoftheplanet.Harryrealizedthesemustbewhatthedroidswereseeingandrealizedwhatthiswas.
Thisiswhatcontrolsalltheotherdroidsright?
Zulenodded.Yep,thisisthecentralintelligencenetworkorCINaswecallit.Itcontrolsalltheotherdroids
andsendsoutasignalthatcontrolsanydroidthatentersthesystem.ZuleturnedtoR3andFAITHwithan
impressedlook.Thesetwomustbesomethingiftheycanshrugoffitseffects.
Statement:Iamanincredibledroid,afterall.R3justwhistledhisagreement.
Zulechuckledathisarrogantstatement.Ilikeyou,FAITH.Ifintrudersmanagetogetthroughthesecurity
door,CINherecontrolsagravfieldgeneratorwithinthisveryroom.Shepointedtotheceilingwherea
gravfieldgeneratorwasvisible.Now,FAITH,comewithmetothedroidscannerwhileHarrygoeswithXadto
keyhimintothehighestsecurityclearanceoftheplace.R3canalsoplugintoCINandhelpupgradeits
protectionagainstelectronicattack.I'mnotamasterinthatandtheremightbesomeloopholesthatenemiescan
exploit.
ZuletookFAITHtowardthescannerwhileHarrywaskeyedintothesystemastheownerandtherefore,master
aboveevenZule.AcodecylinderpoppedoutofCINnexttothekeypadandHarrygrabbedbeforehidingiton
hisperson.R3pluggedintothecomputerandstartedthelongprocessofupgradingeverythingandthen
recheckingforanyflawsbeforefixingthem.AfterhelpingHarrygetkeyedin,Xadexcusedhimselfsayinghe
neededtogetbacktoleadingtheworkerdroidsintothewildernesstomakesuretheydidn'tblowthemselvesup
orsomething.
CINwastrulyamarveloftechnologicalengineering.Whileitwasobviouslyputtogetherfromscavengedparts,
accordingtoR3,itworkedperfectlyandZulehadmanagedtoinstallfailsafessoitcouldn'tturnonthem.Ithad
alimitedAIthatwasenoughtocontrolthedroidsandthinkcreativelybuthadprotocolsinplacetomakeit
incapableofrebelling.ItwasobviousthatZulewasageniuswhenitcametoengineeringandtechnological
innovationandHarryonceagainwonderedwhatherpastwasbeforeshakingitoff.Shehadn'ttoldhimin8
yearsofknowinghimsoshewouldn'tnow.Harryentertainedhimselflookingatthevariousvideostoseewhat
eachdroidwasdoing.Itquicklygotboringwhenhesawalltheyweredoingwaseitherbuildingoneofthethree
projectsorclearingtheareaofdebrisandtakingitbacktoheadquarters.
FAITHandZuleweredonesoonafterandwalkedtowardwhereHarrywasboringlystaringatthemonitor.Zule
smiledathisboredexpressionbeforeclearingherthroat.
Boredmuch?Shegrinnedwhenhegaveheranembarrassedlookatherbluntstatement.Noproblem,Iknow
XadwouldbeboredmostofthetimeifIdidn'tlethimgointothetechnowildernesstohavehisversionoffun.
HarrysmiledatthethoughtofXadgoingintothewildernesstoslaythedroidsandthelikethatcouldn'tbe
controlledbyCIN.Thebiggerandmoreadvanceddroidswereeithertoowildortoostrongtobecontrolled
althoughHarrysawthatafewbehemothswerebeingcontrolledeasilyenough.
HarryturnedtoZulewithacuriousexpression.HowcomeCINcan'tcontrolallofthem?
Well,itwaseithercontrol98%oftheplanet'sdroidsorcontrolallofthedroidswithinasetarea.CINworks
throughsendingoutasignalonlyheardbydroidsandtakingovertheirprogramming.However,somedroidsare
oldenoughtohavedevelopedpersonalitiesandcanresistthecontroleasily.Tomakethesignalstrongenoughto
controlthosedroidswouldsacrificerange.Soitwaseasierjusttocontroltheweakeronesandfindanddestroy
thefewstrongenoughtoresist.Thereshouldonlybeoneortwoleftbynow.
Harrynoddedhisunderstanding.Itmadesense,afterall.Iftheytriedtocontrolthedroidsintheirimmediate
vicinityonlyfirst,theyrantheriskofdroidsfurtherawaygainingimmunitytoCIN'scontrol.Bettertocontrol
asmanyaspossiblefirstanddestroyingorignoringtheonesthatdon't,thatwaytherewaslessriskofimmunity
beingcreated.
Iunderstand.SodoyouhavewhatIaskedfor?askedHarrycuriously.
Zulehadafakeaffrontedlookonherface.Isthatit?Seewhatagirl'sofferingthentakewhatyouwantand
leave?Men!
Harryrolledhiseyesatherfakeshowofanger.Yes,that'swhatIdo.Takeagirl'sinnocenceandleaveheras
soonasI'mdone.Despitehisbestefforts,hecouldn'tkeepthebitternessoutofhisvoice.Hercomment
remindedhimofhisseparationwithAstraalandhewasstillconfusedoverit.
Zuleseemedtosensethisbecauseshecockedaneyebrow.What'swrong?Didsomethinghappen?
Nothing,I'mfine.saidHarryquickly.
Zulenarrowedhereyes.DidsomethinghappenbetweenyouandthatTwi'lekgirl,Astraal?
HarrystiffenedatAstraal'snameandZulecaughtitbeforesmilingsadly.Seeinghecouldn'tbluffhiswayoutof
it,Harrysighedsadlyandspokeinalowtone.
We're...currentlyonabreakorsomething.ShewantsmetothinkaboutusandcomebackwithwhetherornotI
wantustobetogether.
Harrywasquietafterthat.Hestillwasn'tsureabouthowheshouldfeel.DespiteAstraal'sclaimstothecontrary,
hehadlovedheralot.Shewasrightaboutthemnottalkingasmuchasbeforebuthewouldhavepreferredto
talkitoutratherthanjustseparateforatimewithouttryingtofixit.Shehadmadehimhappy.'ButIobviously
didn'tmakeherhappy,'thoughtHarrybitterly.
ZulewatchedsadlyasemotionscrossedHarry'sface.Thefirstrelationshipseparationwasalwayshardandshe
knewbetterthantotryandcomforthimwithsexoranythinglikethat.Whatheneededwasemotionalsupport
andobviouslyhisfriendscouldn'tgiveittohimforvariousreasonssoitwasuptoher.Afterall,despitetheir
agedifferencesheconsideredHarryoneofhermosttrustedandclosestfriends.AmongFalleens,havinga
friendyoucouldtrustimplicitlywasrareduetothetendencytosuppressemotionsmadeithardtoknowwho
trulylikedyouandwhowastryingtouseyoutomoveupintheworld.Withasubtlesignalforthedroidsto
leavethemalone,Zulelookedatoneofherclosestfriends.
ZuledrewHarryintoahugwhichcausedhimtofreeze.Whateverhappenedwasn'tyourfault,Harry.
Harry'seyeshardened.Yetshewastheonewhowantedtobeawayfrommeforatime,nottheotherway
around.ObviouslyImusthavedonesomethingwrongtomakeherdecidethatratherthantryandtalkitout.
Zuleforcedhimtolookherintheeye.That'snottrue.
Howdoyouknow?askedHarryharshly.
BecauseIknowyou,rebukedZule.Youarekind,giving,compassionateandaboveall,loyal.Youwould
haveneverconsciouslygivenhernoreasontothinkyouwereanythingbutloyaltoher.Whatdidshesaywhen
youtwotalkedabouttakingabreak?
Harrylookedawayatherquestion.ShesaiditwasbecauseIlovedJainamorethanherandshecouldn'tdeal
withthat.
Zulewasn'tsurprised.ShehadalwayssuspectedthathehadfeelingsfortheSologirlfromthewayhetalked
abouther.Itwasakintothewaysomeonetalkedabouttheirhusbandorwifewhentheydidsomethingthey
wereproudof.
Maybeyoudoormaybeyoudon'tbutshemusthaveknownbeforehandwhatshewasgettinginto.Idoubtyou
grewtoloveJainawhileyouwerewithAstraal,correct?WhenHarryshookhishead,hersmilegrew.See?
Shemusthaveknownbeforehandanditwasherfaultforbeingundertheillusionthatshecouldchangethat.
Despitewhatpeoplethink,itispossibletolovemorethanoneperson.Shewasafooltothinkshewouldbethe
onlypersonyouwouldeverloveevenifJainahadnevermetyou.IloveXadafterafashionalthoughitisn't
romanticinnature.WhenItakeamatewillheforcemetonotcareabouthimjustbecausehewantstobethe
centerofmyuniverse?
Harrywasquietashedigestedthisbeforehehesitantlyspoke.ThenwhatdoIdo?IstillloveAstraalbutwhat
shesaidaboutJainawastrue.Idoloveheraswell.Hisvoicetookonabittertone.Notthatitmattersbecause
she'sdatingZekknow.Ichaseherforyearsandinamonthofbeingaroundhimshe'sdatinghim.
Suddenly,Zuleunderstoodwhatwaswrongandforcedhimtolookatherbeforespeakingforcefully.There's
nothingwrongwithyou.
Harrylookedsurprisedbeforeresponding.But...
No,interruptedZule.Justbecausetheyarestupidlittlegirlswhodon'tknowhowtoactaroundsomeonethey
likedoesn'treflectonyou.Maybeyoushouldn'thavedatedAstraalwithoutgettingoverJainafirstbutyouhada
righttobehappyaswell.YoutriedtofinditonlyforAstraaltobeangrybecauseyoudidn'tgetoverJaina
overnight.Iknowforafactthatsometimesittakesyearstogetoveraformerloveandthat'swithoutthefact
thatyou'rearoundthepersoneveryday.Itwouldhavetakenmuchlongerinyourcase.
Harrysighed.ThenwhatdoIdo?
Zulesmiledslightly.Considerthisavacationandgetyourheadandheartstraight.Whenyoucomeback,pick
whatyouwantfromeach:friendshipormore,andactuponit.Chooseandact.
Harrycontemplatedherwordsbeforenodding.Hewouldlistentoheradviceandtakethistimetothinkabout
whathewanted.Whenhereturnedhewouldactuponitbutuntilthenhewasfreetodoashewanted.Hehad
donethebesthecouldandhadneverbetrayedher,hehadnoreasontobeashamed.
Thatremindedhimofsomethingelse.Bytheway,IwantonlyEsmeraldatocontactmedirectlyfromnowon.
Zulelookedsurprisedandbithurtathisorder.Why?
BecauseIdon'twanttoexposeyouasmyspy.Noone'sseenyoutobeabletoidentifyyouasconnectedtome
andsinceIwantyoutobethepublicfaceofmycompany,Ican'thaveanyoneconnectyoutome.Iwanttohelp
theJedibutnotattheexpenseofruiningthefutureofthecompany.Especiallywhenitcanhelpsomany
people.
Zulechuckled.Yourloyaltyhasalwaysbeentothepeoplefirst,theJedisecond.Harrylookedslightly
ashamedbutshejustwaveditoff.It'sagoodthing.Toomanypeopleputanorganizationoridealbeforethe
needsofthecommonperson.WhatdoesidealsandorganizationmeantothepeopleouthereintheOuterRim?
MostoutherebarelynoticedthedifferencebetweentheRepublicandtheEmpire.Oneexploitedthemsubtly
andtheotherexploitedthemopenly.Onlydifferencewasthatthesecondwasmoreopenaboutitanddidn't
bothertohideit.
Harrycouldonlynod.HehadspenthisearlyyearsintheOuterRim,afterall.Heknewthatifhehadn'tmet
Jainathatfatefuldayhewouldhaveprobablybeenforgottenanddiscarded.Ifyouweren'timportanttoaperson
onapersonallevel,youweren'timportanttothematall.Itwasasadfactofthegalaxyanditwasshowninthe
waytheleadinggovernmentalwayslettheOuterRimterritoriesfendforthemselvesagainstpiratesandslavery
despiteitbeingillegal.Theywouldonlyhelptopromotetheirimageorifitspilledovertotheirlives.Thatwas
whyHarrywasdeterminedtobuildtheLilyCorporation.Tohelppeoplewhothegovernmentturnedablindeye
toandinhonorofhismother.
So,whatplanetarewegoingtohelpfirst,boss?askedZuleteasingly.
Harrythoughtaboutitdeeplybeforeanswering.Jabiim.
Zulewassurprisedatthechoice.WhyJabiim?WhynotDuro?
Becausethey'vebeenscrewedoverbyeverygovernmentthey'veevertrusteddespitetheirloyalty.Iwantthem
toknowtherearepeopleouttherethatcareaboutthem.Ifnot,somedaytheymaybecomeourenemyandIdon't
wanttobringmorewartotheirplanet.They'vesufferedenoughbecauseofourwarsandidealsthathadnothing
todowiththem.Harrysmirked.Plus,oncethegovernmentrealizeswhatwe'redoingthey'llstartdoingthe
sametonotlookbad.They'llprobablystartwithDurobecauseit'sstrategicallyimportantaswellasbeing
pollutedduetotheirwars.FunnyhoweveryoneforgotaboutDurobeingpollutedandruinedbecausetheystill
havetheirorbitalshipyards,huh?
Zulechuckledathisexplanation.Youhaveapoint.Jabiimdoesneedhelpandtheywon'tgethelpfromthe
governmentanytimesoon.Plus,it'llprobablybenicetogethelpfromoutsidetheirplanetforonce.She
grimacedslightly.Iftheydon'ttrytokillusbeforewecangiveourexplanationfirstthatis.
Theybothchuckledwhenanalarmsounded.Zulequicklyrantowardthemonitorandenlargedasinglevideo
feed.Harrywasrightbesideherandwatchedthevideofeedaswell.
ItshowedagiantrobotmadeupofwhatseemedtobevariousjunkpartsattackingXadaswelltheworker
droidshewasprotecting.TheworkerdroidsweretryingtocarryalargeloadofsomesilverymetalandHarry
couldseemanymoreloadsofthesamemetalaroundthearea.Thegiantrobotseemedtobemadeoutofitas
wellandseemedangrythattheyweretakingextrametal.Xadwasattackingwithhiscortosislinedswordbuthe
wasbarelymakingascratchonitsframe.
Harrytookallthisinlittlemorethanasecond.Whereisthis?
Zuletouchedafewkeysbeforeamapofthesurroundingareacameup,areddotinthenortheastglowing.
There,littlemorethanatenminutewalkaway,lessifyourun.Canyougetthereintimetohelp?
Harryjustnodded.Yep,betherein2minutesmax.HeturnedtoFAITH.StaywithZuleandprotectheruntil
Ireturn.
Withthat,hewasoff.Insteadoftakingtheslowwaythroughtheelevator,Harrytookadvantageofthemany
holesinthewallsandjumpedoutofonepointingtowardthenortheast.Ashefell,hegrabbedarailingthatwas
forthefuturefreightelevatorandusedittoslowhisdescentasheclosedinontheground.HeusedtheForceto
makeitsohewouldn'tburntheskinoffhishandasheskiddeddown.Asheclosedinontheground,Harry
jumpedoffthetowerandusedtheForcetosoftenhislandingslightly.
Herantowardwhereheheardroarsandcrashesinthenortheast,usingForcespeedtogettherefaster.He
reachedtheplacequicklyandsawthatnotmuchhadchangedsincehesawthevideofeed.Xadwasstilltrying
tofightoffthemonstrositybutseemedtobefavoringhisrightsideslightly.Theworkerdroidshadgonefrom
10to8,theremainsoftheothertwolitteringthefloor.
Upclose,Harrycouldseethatthebodymadeoutofthesamesilverymetallyingaroundbutthearmsseemedto
bemadeoutofthewingsofvulturedroids.ItwastallerthanHarrybyatleasthalfhisheightmoreandHarry
couldseetheCISlogoinsomeoftheparts.Ithadaraptorlikeheadanditslegswerereversejointed,makingit
looklikeagiantbirdwithvulturedroidswingsforarmsandnowingsforflight.
SeeingXadintrouble,Harryjumpedintothefightwithhismainlightsaberignited.Heslashedatthe
monstrosity'sarmbutonlymanagedtogetalightcut.Thejunkgiantroaredasifitcouldfeelthecutand
focusedonthenewenemy.
Getback,I'llhandlethis!yelledHarrytoXadandtheworkerdroids.Xadlookedlikehewasgoingtoargue
butaglarefromHarrychangedhismindandhequicklyretreatedtohelpthedroidsbacktowardheadquarters.
Harryturnedbacktothejunkbehemothtoseeithadusedthedistractiontoattempttosquishhim.Harryreacted
byquicklygrabbingthebehemoth'shandwiththeForce.ThebehemothtriedtostrugglebutHarrypersisted
and,withacryofexertion,rippedoffthebehemoth'sarm.Thejunkbehemothroaredatlosingthearmbut
seemedtorealizethatHarrywastoostrongforitbecauseittriedtoretreat.However,Harrywasn'tabouttohave
thatandjumpedontoitsbackwhenitturnedawayandstabbeditinitsneckbetweentwoarmoredplates.Harry
thenchanneledanionicchargeinhishandandthroughtheblade.Itsucceededindisablingthedroidsowellthat
itfelltopieces.
Harryjumpedoffasitfelltopiecesandkepthislightsaberignitedashelookedaroundforanymoreenemies.
Seeingnone,heturnedoffhislightsaberandfrowned,wonderingwhatwasthemetalitseemedinsistenton
protecting.Harrypickedupasmallpieceand,aftermarkingtheareawithanelectronicmarkeronhishandheld
map,leftbacktowardheadquarters.
HequicklyreachedtheheadquartersandsawZulestandinginfrontofthedoortoheadquarterstappingherfoot
withXad,FAITHandR3atherside.ShemarcheduptoHarryandslappedhimupsidethehead.
Ow!Whatwasthatfor?complainedHarry.
Thatwasforjumpingoutofthe31stfloor,youidiot.Civilizedpeopleuseelevators,youneanderthal.You
almostgavemeaheartattackthinkingyou'dcommittedsuicideorsomething.answeredZulescathingly.
Harrycouldonlygiveherasheepishlookinresponse.Sorry.
Zulejustgroanedandrubbedherforehead.Somedayyou'regoingtobethedeathofme,Iswear.shesighed
beforegettingserious.Sodidyoudestroyitordisableit?
Harrylookedconfusedatthequestionbutansweredanyway.Idisabledit.
Good.Thatmeanswecantakeitbackmoreorlessintactandstudyitsdesign.Wecanimproveuponitanduse
itlikesomewarlordsusemassivebeasts.Itcanbeasortofintelligenttankonceweinstalltacticsandstrategy
intoitsdatabanks.Andofcourse,afterwemakesureitcan'tgocrazylikethatonedid.
Harryrolledhiseyes.Obviously.
ZuleignoredhissarcasticreplyandturnedtoXad.Didyoumanagetogetasampleofthatmetalitwas
defending?
HarrytookthesamplehehadtakenoutofhispocketandshowedittoZule.Thisisit.
Zuleturneditoverinherhandfeelingitstexture,lookedatitcloselyandeventriedtobiteitslightlyasshe
examinedit.Hmmm,ithasahighmeltingpointbutitisn'tfrasiumthoughitmighthavetracesofitinside.Did
youtrytohititwithalightsaber?
Harryraisedaneyebrowatherquestionbutnodded.Yeah,butIbarelymadeacutandIhadithighpowertoo.
Zulesmiledvictoriously.Thenithastobeduranium.I'llneedtomakesurebutI'mprettysureit'sduranium.It
hasahighmeltingpoint,it'sverylightyetverydurableasitshowedwhenittookyourlightsaberheadonwith
barelyacuttoshowforyourefforts.
Geethanks,saidHarrydryly.
Zulerolledhereyes.Don'tyougetit!?Duraniumdepositsarethebestnewswecouldhaveatthispoint!
HarryandXadlookedconfused.Why?
Because...it'sveryvaluableinthisform.Noneedtomakeitfromscratchandwhileithasahighmeltingpoint,
itcanbeshapedintolotsofthingsandberesistanttoevenlightsaberheat.Ithinkweshouldsaveitforuseon
ourelitedroidsasarmor.
Harry'seyebrowsfurrowed.Isitmorevaluabletosellortouseforourselves?
It'sbetterforustouseourselves.Wehavelavapitstohelpmeltitdownsowedon'thavetoworryabout
wastingcreditsjusttomeltit.Plus...ifpeopleknewwehadduraniumandtheyfoundoutitwashere,the
Republicmightlooktheotherwayaspiratesattackusforitthenattackthepiratesafterwardstogetitfor
themselves.It'sthatvaluabletosomepeople.
Harrywassurprisedbuttrustedherjudgementwhenitcametothis.Shedididentifythemetalthroughher
regularsensesaloneafterall.TheystartedtowalkinsidewhenHarrywasremindedofsomething.
Thatremindsme,whatmetalsarewesellingandwhichhavewefoundforourselves?
Zuleleadthegroupofthreebackintotheliftandpressedthebuttonforthe40thfloor.I'lltellyouinmy
office.
Harrynoddedandstayedsilentastheyrodetheliftup.HethenturnedtoZulewithafrown.DoIhavean
office?
Zulesmiled.Yes,it'sbesidemineandI'mthinkingofinstallingalandingpadtoitsoyoucanarriveandleave
withouthavingtogofromthegroundfloortoupherewhenyouwanttodoitdiscreetly.
Harrynoddedandwasgladshehadthoughtofit.Ifhedidn'twanttobeidentifiedastheownerheneededto
thinkofthesethingsbeforehand.Hecouldn'timaginehowhewouldbeabletohidehisassociationwiththe
companyifhekeptarrivingandleavingthroughthegroundfloorentrance.
Theyeventuallyreachedthe40thfloortoanotherliftchamberonlythisonewaspaintedscarlet.The40thfloor
wasslightlybetteroffthanthe31stbutnotbymuch.However,theratetheseworkerdroidsworkedandthe
sheeramountofthemgavecredencetothefactthatallprojects(all10ofthem)wouldbefullyupandrunning
bythetimeHarrycamebackfromhistripifnotbefore.
TheyenteredthedoortotherightofthedoorattheendoftheredhallwayandHarrysawitwasanoffice.Itwas
about40feetby30feetandwasdecoratedsimplyatthemomentwithonlydeepscarletpaintedwalls,ablack
shinydeskwithacomputerandtworedchairsinfrontofthedeskwithablackreclinerbehindit.
ZulesatbehindthedeskwhileXadandHarrysatinthechairsinfront,withFAITHtakingaguardposition
standingbesidehimandR3besideFAITH.
Zulelookedbrieflyamusedatthedroids'anticsbutquicklyturnedtohercomputerassheputthemetalsample
underascannerconnectedtoit.Afteraminute,Zuleconfirmeditwasduranium.
Thisisgood,I'lputitundermetalswedon'treportandkeepforourselves.
Harryleanedforward.Andthoseare?
Letmecheck...Zuletappedafewkeysbeforestartingtoreadfromthelist.Themetalswewillsellare
pyronium,30%ofthecollecteddurasteel,40%ofcollectedneuranium,hollinium,40%ofcollected
laminanium,50%ofcollectedquadranium,40%ofcollectedquadaniumsteel,mostofthetitanium,50%of
collectedaurodiumalthoughthereisonlyenoughforabout20ingotswhichisalotasitis,andallthealum
sincewedon'tknowhowtomakemandalorianarmoraswelltheydoanditwillputusontheirgoodside.She
tappedafewmorekeysbeforereadinganotherlist.Themetalsthatareexclusivelyforusarediatium,
bandoriumandagrinium.SheturnedbacktoHarryasshefinished.Ofcourse,thisisfornow.We'llsellhalfof
theaurodiumapieceatatimesowedon'tfloodthemarketandloweritsvalueandsotheydon'tthinkwehavea
mineofithere.Themetalsusefulforstarshipsandarmorwillslowlystopbeingsoldaswegetasteadyflowof
income.WeneedtosellalotfornowsowecanbuystocksinthosemedicalcompaniesDocwantsaswellas
firmlyestablishourselves.Oncewe'refirmlyestablishedandhaveothersourcesofincomewecanusemoreof
thecollectedmetalsforourselves.
Howmuchmoneycanwemakesellingthemetalsnotcountingaurodium?
Quiteabitconsideringwe'llbesellinginbulkandintheirpureforms.They'reworthmorelikethat.There'sa
wholelotofironaroundherebutit'snotworthmuchsowe'llusethatfortheorecannon'soffensive
capabilities.
Howlongtillwe'refirmlyestablishedandhaveseveralsourcesofincome?
About...maybetwotothreemonths.Wehavealotofmetalsoamountisn'taproblem.Theproblemiswhoto
selltotomakethebestprofitwhilenotmakinganenemyoutanyoneelse.Wecouldselltothegovernmentbut
they'renotthehighestbiddersandarenotlookingforthesemetalsthatmuchsincewe'retechnicallyatpeace
andallofthesemetalsarebetterusedforstarships.It'swon'tgiveusagoodreputationifwesellontheblack
marketwhenwe'resupposedtobeacharity.Sowehavetoselltoprivatecompaniesaswellasthegovernment
soneitherfeelscheated.You'llfindmostpeopleinpowerarelikechildrenandareeasilyoffendedforimagined
slights.
Harrysmiledatherjoke.That'strue.Bytheway,didyoureadytheaurodiumingotsIaskedfor?
Zulefrownedandtookoutaboxinthecabinetofherdesk.Yes,thoughIdon'tliketheideaofyoucarrying
around5ingotsofthestuff.That's1.5billioncreditsrightthereandwhereyou'regoingpeoplehavekilledfora
lotless.
Harryshrugged.I'mnotgoingtoannouncehowmuchIhaveandIcantakecareofmyself.Ijustneeditincase
IneedtobuysomethingintheOuterRim.Republiccreditsareworthlessoutthere.
Ain'tthatafact,mutteredXad.
Zulehuffedbutconceded.Okay,butbecareful.YoumaybeaJedibutthere'sagrowinglistofthingsand
peoplethatcankillaJedi,especiallywithBobaFettasMandalore.
Harry'seyeswidenedinshockattheinformation.WWhat?!BobaisleaderoftheMandalorians?!Sithspit!
Harrystoodupandstartedtopaceatthisinformation.HehadplannedtouseboththemaskofMandaloreas
wellastheofferofseveralhundredthousandcreditseachtogaintheallegianceoftheMandaloriansinthe
comingwar.However,withBoba,aknownJedihater,asMandalore,itwouldbeverycomplicatedifnot
downrightimpossibletogettheirallegiance.
Calmdown,saidZuleforcefully.
Calmdown?!HowcanIwhenIbasicallylosttheallegianceofoneofthestrongestmercenary/militaryforces
inthegalaxybeforeIcouldtrytogainit?!yelled/askedHarry.
Becauseeverything'snotlostyet.SeeingHarry'sdisbelievinglook,sheexplained.TheMandaloriansmaybe
ledbyBobabutifyoumakeanoffertheywouldbeinsanetorefuse,they'lltakeit.Buttoberespectful,offerthe
MaskofMandaloreasapeaceofferingfreeofcharge.It'llatleastgetyouthroughthedoortomakeyouroffer
toBoba.He'shonorablesohewon'tkillyouunlessyoudosomethingtoinsulthimorthelike.
Harrysighedandsatbackdowninhischair.FAITHturnedtoHarrywhenhesatdown.
Query:WhydoyouneedtheMandalorians?I'msuremydroidswillbemorethanenough.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutchuckleathiscomment.Maybebuttheywereimportanttomyplans.Iwanttostopthe
Jedi/Mandalorianshatredthat'sbeengoingonforthousandsofyears,sincethetimeofRevan.Harrymissed
FAITH'sreactionatthenamebutZuledidn'tandnarrowedhereyesinsuspicion,oldfactsandrumorsabout
Revancomingbacktoher.IfnotIcouldatleastmakeitsotheydon'tseekusouttokillintheirbounties.
Joiningforceswouldgoalongwaytodoingthat.
EveryonewassilentathisstatementbeforeZulesnortedandchuckledbeforeshecouldstopherself.Harry
lookedatherwithanincredulouslookonhisfacethatcausedhertodissolveintofullblownlaughter.Harrywas
surprisedsincehehadneverheardherlaughathimbefore,evenXadlookedsurprisedatherreaction.
Eventually,shecomposedherselfbeforesheexplainedherself.
I'msorry.It'sjustthefactthatyouthinkyoucanstopafeudthat'slastedoverfourthousandyearsmakesme
laughatyourarrogance.
Harryfrowned.Whyisitarrogant?
Zulesighedathisnaivete.Harry,theJedi/MandofeudismorethanthefacttheMandalorianslostthe
MandalorianWarallthosemillenniaago.Theyfightbecausetheyinstinctivelyknowthatthey'retwosharks
livinginthesamesmallpond.Eithergroupcould,whenatfullstrength,conquerthegalaxyasthey
demonstratedduringtheMandalorianWars.Butsincetheyliveinthesamegalaxy,theyhavetosharespaceand
likeallalphapredators,itchafesonthem.Itdoesn'thelpthattheother'sidealdirectlyconflictwiththeirs.Jedi
believeinpreservingthepeaceandservingtheForceevenattheexpenseoftheirfamiliesattimes.
Mandaloriansaremercenariesthroughandthroughandapeacefulgalaxymeanslesscashflowforthem.Notto
mentionthattoaMandalorianfamilyisthemostimportantthingintheworld,tothepointthatadoptedchildren
areconsideredtobebasicallyoftheadoptiveparents'bloodevenifthey'redifferentspecies.Soyoucanseewhy
IthinkalongtermpeacebetweenthetwogroupsisaboutasprobableasHumansbeingabletobreathein
space.
Harryhuffedbutconcededthepoint.Whatshesaidwastrueandperhapsmakingpeacebetweenthetwogroups
isprettyfarfetched.
Okay,thenwhatdoIdo?
Zulerolledhereyesathisstubborntone.Simple,treatitlikeatemporarybusinessdeal.Eventwosharkscan
joinagainstabiggeroneifthetimecallsforit.Grantedthey'llgobacktotryingtokilleachotherafterwardsbut
that'sbesidethepoint.SheignoredHarry'sincredulouslook.Offerthemabusinessdeal.Clearcutwithterms
andeverythingandofferthemsomethingsubstantialfortheirservicesasanincentive.
Isn'ttheMaskofMandaloreenoughincentive?askedHarryincredulously.
ButZulejustshookherhead.No.Thatwilljustallowyoutopresentyourproposalnotgettheminclinedto
acceptit.Remember,theyhateJedi.
Harrygroaned.Can'tyoudoitforme?You'regoodatthatsortofstuff.
Zuleglaredatherboss.Hellno!Mandaloriansrespectstrength.Ifyousendmeinyourplacethey'llthink
you'redisrespectingthembysendingaglorifiedsecretaryinsteadofcomingyourselforworse,thatyou'rea
coward.They'llneverfollowyourleadifyouactlikeacoward.Sobuckupandlistentomyadvice.
Harryfrownedbutstraightenedashelistenedtoheradviceintently.
Zulesmirked.Good,nowIhaveanidea.TheEmperorstrippedMandaloreofmostofitsbeskarduringhis
reign.Mostofitwasstashedoffworldbutnooneknowswhere.
Harry'sfaceturnedmoreandmoredisbelievingasshecontinueduntilhehadtointerrupt.Waitasec.Areyou
seriouslytellingmetosearchfortheEmperor'ssecrettreasure?AndthenofferittotheMandalorians?!
Zuleshookherhead.Notallofit.Offerthem70%ofthewhatyoufind.Infact,askthemtohelpyouretrieve
it.It'llmakethemfeelasifthey'reretrievingapieceoftheirhistorywhichbringsmetoanotheridea.
Harrygaveheradeadpanlook.WhydoIgetthefeelingthatthisideaisgoingtobedangeroustomyhealth?
Zulegavehimaninnocentsmilethatonlymadehimmorenervous.Well...I'vebeenlookingintorecordsof
pastbattlesandstufflikethatandnoticedsomethinginteresting.About22yearsagotherewasaStarDestroyer
calledBlackguardthatwascapturedbyrogueImperialCaptainandselfproclaimedGrandAdmiralAndral
Sait.Supposedly,hewasplanningonsellingittotheBlackSun.However,thingsfellthroughwhenboththe
EmpireandtheRebelAlliancefoundoutandtriedtotakecontroloftheshipforthemselves.Nooneknowswho
woncontrolbutsinceneithertheImperialRemnantnortheNewRepublichaveit,it'ssafetosaytheydidn'twin
thefightforsupremacy.
Harryjustlookedconfused.Okaaay.Butwhatdoesthathavetodowithme?
AwickedsmilecrossedZule'sface.Youseeeee...ImanagedtodiscoverthatthelastsurvivorwasaBlackSun
member.Hetriedtobringittothemandsentacommmessagesayinghewasonhiswaytothembutthe
hyperdrivehadbeendamagedinthefightingandsohemusthavegoneoffcourse.Andyourstrulyhas
discoveredwheretheBlackguardendedup,totallyemptyofsurvivorsduetheBlackSunmemberbeing
woundedwhenheattemptedtogetback.
Harryhadashockedlookonhisface.HHowdidyoufinditwheneveryoneelsehasnoideawhereitis?
Well...technicallyanyonecouldhavefigureditoutwiththerightinfoanddetermination.Theproblemismost
peoplegiveupafterawhileandeveniftheydidknowwhereitwas,theywouldhavetobecrazytogogetit.
Atthis,Harrygaveheranalarmedlookwhichshecompletelyignored.I,however,amastubbornwomanand
aftermuchresearchfounditinScintillaSteel.
Harryjustlookedatherblankly.Thesilencestretchedforafewminutesbeforehefinallyspoke.Areyou
serious?!
ScintillaSteelisthenameofaninfamousasteroidbeltintheNaboosystem.Itwasinfamousbecauseitwasthe
homeandbaseoftheScintillaScavengers,agroupofroguedroidswhojustsohappenedtoattackanddismantle
anystarshipthatenteredtheirterritorywhetherornottherewerepeopleinsideatthetime.
Howcanyoubesureit'sevenstillinonepiece?!Thosecrazydroidsarewildandattackanyoneinsight!
yelledHarry.
BecauseIwentwithXadinasmallsensorshiptoscoutitoutafewdaysagoandwebarelyescapedbutIdid
managetoconfirmit'sstillwhole.Infact,sensorsindicateditwasatfullcapacityandworking.Onlyproblemis
thosedroidsareusingitastheirmobilebase.explainedZulepatiently,ignoringhisincredulouslookwhenshe
mentionedgoingtoScintillaSteel.
Harryjustcockedaneyebrow.SohowamIsupposedtotakeitback?Justwaltzrightinandasknicely?
No,saidanowirritatedZule.YourshiphascloakingadvancedenoughtoescapetheBlackguard'ssensors.
I'mgoingtogiveyouaminiatureversionofCINstrongenoughtocontrolalldroidswithinacertainrange.You
justhavetosneakintotheship'shangar,makeyourwaytothebridge,installitandwatchasyoutakecontrolof
allthosedroids.Onceyoudo,makesureallthedroidsinthebeltareontheshipandreturnheretoRaxusPrime.
ThemainCINherewilltakeoveronceyoulandandwe'llhaveoursecondStarDestroyer.Bestpartisthatwe
cantakecontrolofthatasteroidbeltandnoonewouldbethewiserbecauseofthethedroidgroup'sreputation.
We'llhaveourownminingoperationthatwillbeimpossibletotrackaswellasourownworkforceoncewe
installaCINinthere.
Harrythoughtitoverandhadtoadmititwasgenius,nottheleastofwhichwasactuallyfindingtheship.How
didyoufinditanyway?
Zulesmiled.Well,Icheckedeverysinglecommsignalsentduringthefivedaysduringandafterthatoperation.
AndImeaneverysingleone.Eventually,Ifoundastrangemessagewassentoutofthethatasteroidbeltthat
simplysaidBlack....Naboo....Itookariskanditpaidoff.WhatcanIsay?I'mjustthatgood.
Harrysighed.It'sjustaStarDestroyer.Whyshouldwetaketherisk?
Zule'sandXad'seyesmetbeforetheybothlookedtowardHarryandZulespoke.Harry...TheBlackguardwas
installedwithasuperweaponthatmovesasteroids.Imaginebeingabletojustmoveanyasteroidyouwanthere
andnotworryaboutspreadingouroperationstoofar?ObviouslytheEmpirehadlessbenevolentplansforitbut
sincetheplansforthesuperweaponwereontheBlackguard,theylostitwiththeship.Butmoreimportantlyto
you...thedesignsforthatsuperweaponcamefromaJediholocroncalledtheCodexofTython,whichisstillon
theship.
Atthis,ZulegotHarry'sfullattention.AJediholocron?AJediholocronhasknowledgeofthatkindof
superweaponinsideit?Ican'timaginethatwasallithad....Wecan'triskanyonefindingthatholocronand
creatingsomethingworse.We'llusetheBlackguardsinceitalreadyhasitinstalledbutwewon'tcreateanymore.
It'llbeanightmareifsomeonewithbadintentionsgetscontrolofsomethinglikethat.We'llcreatemillionsof
firewallsandsafetycontrolstomakesuretheycan'treverseengineeritiftheycapturetheshipwhenwegetit.
Zulesmiled.Whenwegetit?Doesthatmeanyou'reonboard?
Harrysmiledslightly.Well,Ialwayswantedtohaveabigadventure.Whynot?Hefrownedinthought.By
theway...haveyouheardfromEsmeralda?Ihaven'tbeenabletocontactherinamonth.Whileshedoes
disappearonceinawhile,shehasneverbeengonesolong.Ithoughtshewouldbeherewithyoubutsheisn't.
Whereisshe?
Zulewavedoffhisconcern.She'sdoinganotherrecoveryprojectforanotherStarDestroyerinBozPity.Ihave
severalsimilarrecoveryprojectsacrossthegalaxy.Isentherwithtwohundredreprogrammedworkerdroidsto
fixitupasquickaspossible.Sheshouldbeheresoon.
HarryjustshookhisheadatZule'sambition.Whoeverthrewheroutofherhomeworldwasinsanetoletsucha
jewelgo.Ambitious,cunning,underhandedandloyalwithoutquestiononceshefindsacausetoliveforlikeshe
hadwithHarry's.ShewastheperfectCEOfortheLilyCorporation,beingabletokeepupwithhundredsof
operationsallacrossthegalaxyandknowingexactlywhotosendtodoitright.
Then,Harry'sbraincaughtwithwhatshesaidandhiseyeswidened.Thegraveyardplanet?Whywouldonebe
there?Andbetteryet,whyhasnoonerecoveredit?IunderstandouthereintheOuterRimbutintheMidRim?
Zuleshrugged.Ithinkit'sbecausesinceitsthegraveyardplanet,theythinkit'safittingtributetotheendofthe
CloneWars.
Harryfrowned.ButwhysendEsmeralda?Nooffense,butshe'salovernotafighterastheysay.
ZuleandXadchuckledslightlybeforethelatterspoke.Youdon'tgiveherenoughcredit.Itrainedherinself
defenseandshe'sgoodenoughtostanduptomenowwithoutusingtheForce.AndI'mnopushoverdespite
whathappenedearlier.Plus,she'sbeenalmostreligiouslyfollowingyourtrainingregimeandIthinkyou'dbe
surprisedathowstrongsheis.
Harrysmiledslightly.You'rerightbutwhatwillshedoifshe'scaught?
Zulehadadevioussmile.That'swhyIsentherinsteadofsomeoneelse.NotonlyisZeltroscloseby,alongthe
samehyperspacerouteinfact,butshecansimplysayshewantsherownentertainmentcruiseshiptoexpandher
club.TherearequiteafewlikethatmadeofStarDestroyerssoit'snotthatbigofastretch.Tobesure,she'snot
fixingtheweaponsystemsuntiltheygethere,justtheengines,hyperdriveandtheframe.Ifshegetscaught,
they'lljustbelieveshe'sanotherflightyZeltronwithmoretitsthanbrains.
Harryrolledhiseyes.Ihatestereotypingbutithelpsusinthiscase.Well,let'snotbeleftbehindandgetthe
Blackguardbeforeshearrives,eh?
Withthatstatement,allthree(fivewithFAITHandR3)puttheirheadstogethertocomeupwithaviableplan.
TheWaywardSoncameoutofhyperspacejustoutsidetheScintillaSteel.Harryquicklyengagedthecloaking
andjammingdevicesandbreathedeasierwhennothingcameouttoattackthem.
TheyhaddecidedthatZulehadtostayinRaxusPrimetobereadyfortheirarrival.TohideaStarDestroyer
comingoutofanasteroidfieldandgoingtoRaxusPrimeisnoteasy.Theywouldhavetocovertheirtrailby
makingseveraljumpstoabandonedsystemsbeforegoingtoheadquarters.
ScintillaSteelwaslikeeveryotherasteroidfieldbutwasfarmorestablethansay,theHothasteroidfield.Ithad
largereservesofironthatwereneverminedduetotheroguedroidsinthesystem.Sinceironwassocommon,
noneofthegalacticgovernmentshadeverbotheredtoclearthedroidsoutleavingthemtheunofficialrulersof
theasteroidfield.
Okay...saidXadquietlyfromthenavigatorseatbehindFAITH,whowasinthecopilotseat.The
Blackguardishere.Hepointedatalargeasteroidonthemapoftheasteroidfield.It'sclosebybutit'shidden
fromviewbytheselargeasteroidsarounditwhichiswhynoonelivinghaseverfounditbefore.Lasttimewe
wereattackedjustaswegotaglimpseofitandwereluckyoursensorsmanagedtoscanitbeforewehadto
escape.Hopefully,thistimewecansneakuponthem.
Harrynoddedandpilotedtheshipthroughtheasteroidswithanexpert'stouch.Inhispocketwasthediskwith
theCINprogram.Alltheyhadtodowassneakintotheship,hidetheWaywardSonandoncetheywerefar
enoughawayfromtheSon,fighttheirwaytothebridge.Hedoubtedtheycouldsneaktothebridge.He
probablycouldalonebutthenherantheriskofbeingshotfrombehindasheinstalledtheprogram.
Harrystayedclosetotheasteroids,jumpingfromonetotheother,usingtheirshadowtosneakuponwherethe
Blackguardwashidden.Theyclearedalargeasteroidandgottheirfirstglimpseofthesuperweaponwielding
StarDestroyer.
Itwashiddeninsidealargecaveinsideahugeasteroidandthecaveentrancewasslightlycoveredbyafew
largeasteroids.ItlookedlikemostImperialIIclassStarDestroyers,withthewedgeshapedhull,alarge
communicationstoweronthebowandmanylasercannonsallalongthehull.However,nexttothe
communicationstowerwasastrangecannonthatlookedlikeacrossbetweenarailgunandtractorbeam.
Suddenly,itletoutapurplebeamoflightthatcaughtagiantasteroidand,incredibly,movedittocoveritfrom
viewagain.Iftheyhadn'tseenitbefore,theywouldhaveprobablypassedbytheasteroid,nonethewiser.
Well,saidHarryinashockedtoneashesawthesuperweaponatwork,I'mabeliever.
Xadcouldonlygapeatthesightandnod.
HarrycomposedhimselfandcarefullymadehiswaytowardthehangarbaysoftheStarDestroyer,silently
flyingthroughthegapsbetweentheasteroidscoveringtheentrance.Ashecamecloser,hefrownedashe
noticedhowtheshipseemedtobeinpristinecondition.Infact,ifhesawthisinastarshiplothewouldbelieve
itwasrecentlymade.ConsideringImperialIIclassStarDestroyersarenotoriousforhavingmoreproblemsthan
lasercannons,thatwasquiteafeat.
Xadmusthavebeenthinkingthesamebecausehefrowned.Ithinktheyfixedthedesignflaws.
Harrynoddedhisheadandfrownedfurther.Whywouldtheydothat?Theyalwaysdestroyedanyothership
thatcamethroughbuttheyjustsuddenlydecidedtoleavethisonealoneandmakeittheirbase?Why?
Xadseemedtobedeepinthoughtbeforehehesitantlyanswered.Ithink...it'sduetotheholocron.
Harrygavehimaconfusedlook.Huh?Whatdoesthathavetodowithanything?
Xadshookhishead.Thinkaboutit.Whenwasthelasttimeyouheardofsomeonedestroyingaholocron?
Harrythoughtaboutitbutstayedsilentwhenherealizedhecouldn'tanswer.Xadjustnoddedgrimly.Exactly.I
thinkmostholocronsletoutaurasthatmakeitsoevennonForcesensitivesanddroidsdon'twanttodestroy
them.Howelsedoyouexplainthembeingperfectlypreservedevenafterthousandsofyears?Thisoneiscalled
theCodexofTythonforForce'ssake.IfthatmeansitcameorwasbuiltonTython...well,whenwasthelast
timetheJediOrderhadastrongenoughpresenceonTythontojustifycreatingaholocronjustforit?
Harryfrownedinthought.Over10,000yearsIthink.We'vevisitedandmadeAcademiesbutthelasttoactually
haveastrongpresencethereweretheSith3,000yearsago.
Exactly,saidXadnoddingasHarryapproachedtheStarDestroyer.Sotheonlywaynoonecouldhave
destroyeditintheensuingwarswasifithadasortofsafetymechanismsopeopledidn'twanttodestroyit.I
doubttheSithwouldhaveusuallyhesitatedindestroyingasmanyJediholocronsaspossibleifitwasn'tforthat.
TheymaylosetheknowledgebutsodotheJedi.
Harrynoddedbuthadtoconcentratesincehehadfinallyfoundanemptyhangarwhich,accordingtoFAITH,
wasfarenoughawayfromanydroidsignalstonotbefound.Harryquietlylandedtheshipwithoutatremorand
thegroupoffour:aHuman,aFalleenandtwodroidswalked(wheeledinR3'scase)downtheship'srampon
fullalert.HarryandXadhadtowearbreathingmasksbecausewhileitwaswarmenoughandtherewasgravity,
therewasnobreathableatmosphere.Afterall,droidsdon'tneedtobreathe.Harryhadhislightsaberout,FAITH
hadhiscarbineandHarryhadgivenXadtwoBryargunswhichheknewhowtousewithexpertprecision.
Behindthem,R3followed.Theyneededtoprotecthimsincehewouldbetheonethatwouldmakeitpossibleto
installtheCINprogramwithinareasonableamountoftime.Harryactivatedthesecuritysystemtodestroyany
nonorganiclifethatapproachedwithin20meterswithoutthecorrecttranspondercodes.
Thegroupoffourslowlywalkedoutofthehangarandpeeredintothehallwaytoseeitdesertedandwhenthey
enteredthehallwayproper,theyrealizedwhy.
Bodies.Almostahundreddead,decomposingbodieswerethrownintoapileintheoppositewaytheyneededto
gotoreachthebridge.Harryhadhopedthedroidshadsimplyjettisonedthembutitseemedthatforsomereason
theyhadn'tandHarryhadtoholdinhisneedtovomitatthesight.Xadhadagrimlookandsaidaquickprayer
forthedead.Onlythedroidswerecompletelyunaffected.HarryandXadexchangedlooksandcontinuedtoward
thebridge.
TheyfinallyencounteredtheScintillaScavengerswhentheyreachedthehalfwaypointtothebridge.They
enteredawideopenchamber,similartoahangarandfoundatleast30ofthemwalkingaround.WhenXadsaw
them,hecursedquietlyastheyhidinthedarknessofthecorridor.
Assassindroids!Itjusthadtobeassassindroids.Thereareonlyafewlabordroidsaroundwhichmeansthe
majorityareoutsidesomewhereleavingthesetodefendthebase.Smartbastards.
Thedroidswere3meterstall,alottallerthanHumans,andhadaHumanchassismakingthemsimilartoFAITH
exceptwithathickerwaistarea.InthiswaytheysomewhatresembledB2superbattledroidsinsizeand
physique.Theirhumanoidchassiswasangularandtheyhadleanfaceswithfourredphotoreceptorsbeneatha
sharp,sweptbackcrest.Theyhadashouldermountedblasteraswellasahandheldblaster.However,Harry
alsosawafewwitheverythingfromvibrobladestowhatlookedlikeflamethrowers.Allinall,theylookedquite
formidable.
HarrytriedtoalleviatethetensionandturnedtoFAITH.Look,FAITH.They'reassassindroidslikeyou.
Maybethey'reyourcousins.
Clarification:"Assassindroid"issuchacrudeterm,master,reservedfordurasteeldronesuploadedwithonly
themostarchaickillprograms.Iamamasterandanartist,notlikethose...drones.
HarryandXadsuppressedsmilesathisinsultedtone.Mymistake.Whydon'tyouinstructthemonproper
assassinationprotocols?
Expletive:Greatidea,master!
Withthatexpletive,FAITHattackedwithhiscarbine.HecaughtthefirstfewbysurprisesinceIdoubttheyhad
everbeenattackedbyanotherdroidbeforeandweredestroyedeasily.Theyeventuallygottheirbearingsand
startedreturningfire.Wantingtogetthroughthemquickly,HarryusedtheForcetoincreasehisspeedandcut
throughagroupoftheminonedash.Hethenjumpedandstartedtosendioniclightningatagroupthatwas
tryingtogetreinforcements.Thedroiddestroyinglightningcausedthemtoshutoffalmostinstantlyandfallto
pieces.Harrylandedneartheexitandusedhislightsabertodeflecttheblastershotsaswellasdestroyanydroid
whotriedtogetthroughhim.Thelastthingtheyneededwasfortheentiregroupofprobablythousandsof
droidstocomeattheminmasse.Ontheothersideofthechamber,FAITHandXadwereworkingtogetherand
destroyingtheassassindroidswithease.
OnedroidhadaflamethrowerandtriedtoburnHarrywithit.Harryjustdeflectedthefiretoanotherdroidand
thenusedtheForcetocrushtheflamethrower'snozzlecausingittoreboundbackinside.Thedroidpromptly
exploded,takingnearbydroidswithit.Duringallthis,R3stayedinthepreviouscorridorsoastonotattract
attentionandbetargeted.
Theyfinallydestroyedthelastenemydroidsoonafterand,aftermakingsuretherewerenoothersstill
functioning,continuedontheirway.
TheywentthroughseveralsuchgroupswithsimilarresultsthoughHarrywasannoyedwhenFAITHjumped
intoagroupofthemyellingandscreaminginjoy.Whentheyfinallyreachedtheliftthatwouldtakethemtothe
bridge,Harrynoticedanopendoorclosebywithflickeringlightcomingthrough.Curious,Harrytoldtheothers
towaitasecondandquietlywalkedthroughthedoorway.Whathesawontheothersidecausedhimtogapein
astonishment.
Afactory.
Adroidfactory.
Thesmart,crazydroidshadturnedthebiggesthangarnearthebridgeliftintoagiantdroidfactory.That
explainedhowtherewereassassinationdroidswhenallaccountssaidthedroidsaroundherewerejustlabor
droidsgonecrazy.Ifpeopleknewtheywereassassinationdroidsintheasteroidbelt,theywouldquicklysend
forthefleettodestroythem.Itdidn'thelpthattheyhadaccesstoasuperweapon.Theymustbeusingtheiron
intheasteroidstomakemoreofthemselves.
Xadhadfollowedbesidehimquietlyandcursed.Dammit!Well,thegoodnewsiswehaveoutownprivate
droidarmyforthesecurityforcenowoncewetakecontrolofthem.
HarryjustglaredattheFalleen.Luckywecamewhenwedid.Iftheyhadmanagedtotakealltheironinthe
asteroidbelttomakemoretheywouldhavehadseveralarmiesworthofthoseForceforsakendroids.Millions
wouldhavediedbeforewecouldstopthem.
Theyquietlybacktrackedtothelift,moredeterminedtotakeovernowthaneverbeforethoseinsanedroids
coulddotoomuchdamage.R3managedtohackintothemainframeandtheliftquietlyarrived.Theyallentered
andgotreadyastheliftrosetowardthebridge.Theliftdoorspingedbeforeopeningtoalonggrayhallway
endinginabridgefullofassassinationdroidsandwhatlookedlikeamaninsilverstormtrooperlikearmorwith
carbinesbutwerereallydroidsiftheglowingyellowphotoreceptorswereanyindication.Therewerealmost50
oftheenemydroidspresent.Sittinginthemiddleofthebridgeinacontainmentfieldwasanicosahedron
holocronthatlookedasifitwouldfitinthepalofhishandwhichhadtobetheCodexofTython.Bothsides
wereinshockattheother'sappearancebeforeallhellletloose.
FAITH,Xad,youguysdestroyasmanyasyoucan.I'lldefendR3!yelledHarry.Thetwonoddedandwaded
intotheenemy,destroyingonedroidforeveryshottheenemygotoff.R3hadinsertedhimselfintoanastromech
socketontheelevatorandseemedtobemakingsuretheotherdroidswouldn'tcalltheelevatordown.
Harrywasusingeverybitofhisskilltodeflectthedozensofblasterboltsaswellasabsorbtheoneshecouldn't
deflect.Heslowlyabsorbedtheenergy,takinginasmuchaspossibleforhisplan.Oncehewasclosetohislimit
andsawtheothertwowerebeingoverwhelmed,heletloosewithapowerfulstreamofioniclightning,
purposefullyaimingawayfromFAITHandanyimportantsystems.
Hisblastdestroyedalmost25oftheenemydroids,leavingonly10left.Harryquicklyjoinedthefightwiththe
otherstodestroytheremainingdroidsandtheyweredonewithinaminute.Theylookedaroundformore
enemiesandonlyrelaxedwhenR3carelesslyrolledtowardtheastromechsocketonthebridgeandwhistledfor
HarrytoinstalltheCINprogram.
However,Harryfirstwalkedovertotheholocronand,afterdeactivatingthecontainmentfield,gentlylifteditup
offthedisplayitwason.ItwascooltothetouchbutHarryfeltitwasfullofknowledge,bothtocreateand
destroy.Xad'shypothesisaboutitseemedtohavesomemeritbecauseeventhoughheknewthisholocron
probablyhadmoreknowledgeaboutweaponsliketheoneonthisship,hecouldn'tbringhimselftodestroyit.
AnotherurgentwhistlefromR3brokehimforhistranceandHarryputitinsidehisutilitybeltforsafekeeping.
R3whistledmoreurgentlyandHarryquicklyinstalledtheCINprogrambeforewatchingtheliftasR3didhis
work.R3firstsentoutasignalcallingallScintillaScavengerdroidsback.Harrysawthroughtheviewportasa
veritablewaveofthousandsifnotamilliondroidsmovedacrossspaceandtowardtheship.Harrygot
increasinglynervousastheliftwentdownandR3stillhadn'tactivatedtheCINprogram.
Whatareyouwaitingfor,R3?askedHarrynervously.
R3whistledandbeepedandFAITHtranslated.Statement:Thelittledroidsaysthereareafewstillontheir
way.Hehaslockeddowntheliftsowecan'tbeattackedinthatdirectionbuthecan'tactivateituntiltheyareall
hereorwe'llriskleavingsomebehindthatcancauseproblems.
Forafewtenseminutes,allwassilentwhensuddenlyastrangeringingappearedinHarry'sear.Helooked
aroundforthesourcewhenR3whistledhappilyandFAITHspoke.
Statement:Itisworking,master.IheartheCINprogramtryingtotakecontrolbutthankfullyZulemademe
andR3immunebeforeweleft.R3statesalldroidsintheScintillaSteelarenowunderourcontrol.Query:What
areyourorders,GrandAdmiral?
HarryandXadlaughedinreliefbeforetheformerclearedhisthroat.Orderalldroidstostopwhattheyare
doingandjettisonthedeadbodies.Oncetheyaredone,chartaroundaboutcourseoutofhereandtowardRaxus
Prime.Harrysmiled.WehaveadatewithaCEO.
TheBlackguardexitedhyperspaceoverRaxusPrime.ThejunkyardplanetwasunchangedandHarrycommed
Zulewiththeirsuccessoncetheywereinrange.Tosayshewaselatedwasunderstatingthingsandshequickly
toldhimEsmeraldahadjustarrivedaswell.Shetransmittedthecoordinatestothehiddenhangardoorsandhe
pilotedtheshiptowardsthem.
ThedroidsoftheScintillaScavengershadallbeenturnedoffonHarry'sorders,notwantingtotakethechance
thatthecontrastingsignalsofthemainCINonRaxusPrimeandtheonetheyhavenowwouldgivethemthe
chancetobreakfree.AssoonasHarryenteredtheatmosphereandthemainCIN'srange,R3deactivatedthe
remoteCINprogramontheship.
Harrycarefullyhoveredoverthehiddenhangardoorsastheyopened.HarryhadtoadmitthatifZulehadn'ttold
himwheretheywere,hewouldneverhaveguessedtheywerethere.Hepilotedtheshipthroughthehangar
tunnelandintothesubbasementwherefourotherStarDestroyerswerealreadyparked,onebeingtheonehe
hadseenbeforeandthreebeingnew.ThethreenewoneswereVenatorclassStarDestroyersandalthoughthey
werestilldamaged,theyseemedtohavehadtheirenginesandframesfixedatleast.TheBlackguardwouldbe
thebestlookingandstrongestoneofthelot.Harrycouldalsoseeaboutahundredofhisinformantsmilling
around,probablytheoneswhorecoveredtheStarDestroyers.
AfterheparkedtheBlackguard,heorderedR3touninstalltheCINprogram.AfterR3wasdone,thegroupwent
towardsthehangarholdingtheWaywardSonandflewitoutoftheBlackguard'shangarandlandedonthefloor
oftheheadquarter'sundergroundhangar.TheywalkeddowntherampandHarrysaidhellotoallhisinformants,
askinghoetheywereandwhethertheyneededanything.Despitebeinghisinformants,hestillrememberedmost
hadbeeninbadstraitswhenhemetthemandsoalwaysofferedtohelpiftheyneededanything.Ashefinished
talkingtoLumina,HarryturnedaroundandwasquicklyengulfedinahugfromahappyZeltronwoman.Once
theyseparated,HarrytookinEsmeralda'sappearance.
Foragirlstuckonagraveyardplanetforamonth,Esmeraldalookedbeautiful.Herbluehairnowreachedthe
smallofherbackandhercrimsonskinlookedslightlydarkerduetobeingoutinthesunforsolong.Herbreasts
werealargeDcupbutseemedtonotneedabratoholdthemifthefactshedidn'thaveonewasanyindication.
Shewaswearingayellownosleevebuttonshirtthathadthetopthreebuttonsopenshowingherincredible
cleavageaswellasskintightblackpantsandsilverboots.Allinall,Esmeraldalookedlikeshewasgoing
clubbinginsteadofscavengerhunting.
Esmeraldagavehimacoylook.Harryyy...don'tlookatmelikethat.I'msoembarrassed.Myownpseudo
brotherwantstohavesexwithme.Esmeraldaputahandonherheadinadramaticgesture.Oh!Theperilsof
beingthemostbeautifulwomaninthegalaxy!
Harryrolledhiseyesather.Youhaven'tchangedabit,haveyou?Stilljustascockyandsureofyourlooks.
Esmeraldagainedamischievouslookbeforeshestruttedclosertohimandstartedtosoftlyrubhischestthrough
hisblackshirtwithherrightpointerfinger.Harrycouldn'thelptheshiverofdesirethatwentdownhisspineat
hertouch.Shealwaysknewexactlyhowtoturnonanyman.
Esmeraldalookedupathimthroughhereyelashes.What'swrong,Harry?HaveIbeenbad?Sheleanedintill
hermouthwasrightnexttohisearandwhisperedsoftly.Doyouwanttospankme?SeeingHarry'sstartingto
getaroused,shewentforthefinisher.Comeon,you'reattractedtoJainawho'syourpseudocousin,whynot
sleepwithyourpseudosisterandgetamatchingset?Shethensuckledonhisearlobelightly.
HarrygulpedheavilyandtriedtoconvincehimselfthatheandAstraalwereonabreakandnotcompletelyover
soitwouldbewrongtoravageEsmeraldatillsherememberedtheirnighttogetheryearsfromnowinfond
remembranceevenwhensheNo!Focus,Harry!Don'tthinkwiththeheadbetweenyourlegs!
WithstupendouseffortandselfcontrolthatwouldmakemostJediMastersweepwithenvy,Harrygrabbedher
shouldersandpushedherbackgently.Takingdeepbreaths,hepushedbacktheeffectsofherpheromonesinthe
airandtookhishandsawayfromhershoulderwhenhenoticedhewasrubbingherskinsoftlywithhisthumbs.
Oneday,you'lldothatwhenIcan'tcontrolmyselfandIpromiseyou,Harryloweredhisvoicetoahusky
whisper,Iwillmakeitsoyouareruinedforeveryotherman.
EsmeraldahadalookoftriumphonherfaceformanagingtogetaJediKnightarousedwithhertricksandjust
gavehimadeviouswink.Ilookforwardtotheday.
Harryjustshookhishead.'Andthisismysisterfigure.AndpeoplewonderwhyIhavesomanyproblems.'
EsmeraldahadintroducedherselftoR3,havingalreadymetFAITHandXadbeforehand.Shethenturnedto
Harryandsmiled.
Allteasingaside...hersmileturnedsoft....itisgoodtoseeyou.
Harrysmiledsoftlyandbroughtherintoafriendlyhug.It'sgoodtoseeyoutoo,Esme.Itreallywas.Before
goingtothePraxeum,Harrywouldvisithereverydayforatleastanhour.Thetwinshadpreferredtogoon
adventuresandafterwardstalktoZekkandHarrywouldusetheformertimetovisiteveryoneheknewinthe
Undercity.Peoplewhohadseenthemtogetherwouldsweartheywereeitherbrotherandsisteroracouple
dependingonhowEsmeraldawasactingatthetime.Esmeralda(orashecalledher,Esme)hadbeenoneofhis
confidantsandhehadmissedherwhileatthePraxeum.
TheyeventuallybrokethehugandEsmeraldatriedtowipethetearsfromhereyesdiscreetly.Comeon,we
needtogoreporttoZuleand,Here,Esmeraldaturnedserious,Ineedtogiveyousomeimportantinformation
aboutbothMarrishandyourpeople.
Harryturnedseriousatherstatement.Well,then.Leadtheway.
Withthat,thegroupturnedtowardthelifttogotoZule'soffice.
EndNotes:
Asyoucansee,Harryismakingpreparationsforthewaraswellasforthefuture
afterwards.Hiscompanyistheretohelpthewartornplanets,bothpastand
future,recoverwhenthegovernmenteitherdoesn'tcaretoorcan't.
Asforhowdoeshehavesomuchinonlyafewmonths?Well,Zulehasbeen
workingonthissincetheCoruscantchapter.Shehadbeenshuttlingbackand
forthfromRaxusPrimeandCoruscanttoseteverythingup.Thisisjustthefirst
timeHarryvisits.Whilehedoesgivetheideasandcontrolsthedirectionofthe
company,it'sZulethatwillbethepublicfaceaswellastheoneinchargeofthe
operations.Harry'stoobusywithotherstufftodoit.
ForthosethinkingthatallthiswouldtipthescalestoomuchintheRepublic's
favorduringthewar,twothings.One,HarryandtheRepublicpoliticianswill
NOTgetalong.Atall.Heck,Harrywillhavetobeheldbackfromoutright
murderingBorskFey'lya.Two...youdon'tthinkMarrishwilldependsolelyonthe
YuuzhanVong,right?Believeme,whenMarrishrevealshiscontributiontothe
wareffortagainsttheRepublic,Harry'swillbebarelyenoughforthemtosurvive
thecombinedforces'onslaught.
AsformakingthecaptureoftheBlackguardsoquick....well,seriouslyIonly
mentionedtheBlackguardbecauseitbecomesmuchmoreimportantinthenext
booksinceitwillbeoneofHarry'smaincapitalships.TheflagshipforHarry's
fleetwillbefoundinhishomeworldandisbasicallyhispeople'sgreatest
achievement.
NextchapteristheactualstartoftheOriginQuest.
Backtoindex
Origins:BondsofFamilybyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter24
Zule'soffice,RaxusPrime
Thegroupofthreepeople,oneassassindroidandanastromechwalkeddowntheredhallwayofthe40thfloor
towardZule'soffice.Whentheyreachedthedoor,Harryknockedand,afterreceivingaComein!,heopenedit
andenteredwiththerestfollowing.TheyenteredtoseeZuletypingfuriouslyonhercomputerandtalkingto
someoneoveraheadcomm.
Yes,weneedtogetthatship.saidZuleintotheheadcomm.Shepausedtolistenandrolledhereyesatwhat
sheheard.Iknowit'sdifficult.Icanimaginethefactthatit'snowagundarknestwouldbedisconcertingbut
thereare100ofyouandyouareallarmedalthough,granted,mostofyouareworkers.Surelyyoucandestroy
onemeaslylittlenest?Shepausetolistenandhereyeswidened.150ofthem?!Howinthehellisthat
possible?!Shepausedagain.Oh,sotherearefourclansintheship?Damn,thatmakesitharder.Can'tyou
makethemfighteachother?Shepausedandagrimaceofdistastecrossedherface.Damn.Well,stayaway
andI'llcontactyouwhenIcansendyoubackup.
Shedroppedthecallandstoppedtyping,whichshehadn'tduringtheentireconversation.Sheturnedtothem
withanannoyedlook.
Pleasetellmethosedroidsareunderourcontrolandthereareafewcombatdroidsamongthem?
HarryandXadlookedateachotherandexchangedamusedsmilesbeforetheformerspoke.Yesandhellyes.
Fromwhatwechecked,thereatleast30,000battledroidsandabout5,000assassinationdroids.Therestnumber
about50,000andareamixbetweenrepairdroids,engineeringdroidsandworkerdroids.Sowehaveabigboost
inourforces.DoesthemainCINhavecontrolofthem?
Letmecheck,saidZuleassheturnedtohercomputer.Shetypedabitandstudiedthereportbeforesmiling.
Yep,CINreportshehastotalcontrolofallthosedroidseasily.Apparentlyallthattimewildintheasteroid
fieldloweredtheirnaturaldefensesandheeasilytookcontrol.Notasingleonefree.He'scurrently
reprogrammingthemtoobeyuswithoutquestionandperformingcompletememorywipesleavingonlytheir
knowledgeofcombatforthecombatdroidsandrelevantdatafortheotherworkerdroids.He'llbedoneby
tomorrowandthenI'llsend500battledroidstohelpSimononVanqor.There'saStarDestroyerthereandIwant
itbutit'sinfestedwithgundarks.Wejustneedto...persuadethemtoleaveandfindotheraccommodations.
Harryshookhisheadathervicioussmile.Isitevenfixable?Withallthosegundarkstherepluswhatever
causedittocrash,surelyit'salostcause?
Zulejustsmiledandshookherhead.Harry,evenifonlytheframeandtheengineworks,that'sgoodenough.It
costsusalotmoretomakeonefromscratchthanittakestofixone.Remember,tobuildonefromscratchwe'd
havetobuythematerialsinbulkwhichwouldattractattentionwedon'tneed.Butifwesalvageitsoatleastthe
hyperdriveandtheengineswork,alongwiththeframeholding,weonlyhavetousethemetalsaroundhereto
finishfixingit.Theonethingwedon'thaveherearethecomponentsforahyperdriveandwithashipthatsize,
we'dneedtoorderalot.Thatwouldsurelyattractattentionfromallthewrongdirectionsandwasteprecious
timeandmoneytofindthebestdeal.Sheshookherheadfirmly.Agovernmentoralargecompanycanafford
tomakeonefromscratchbecausethey'renothidinganything.We,however,are.Iftheyfindoutabout
Blackguard....
Shedidn'tneedtofinishthesentence.Harrycouldonlyimaginethehellthatwouldhappenifthatcametopass.
Treatyornot,peacefulornot,theImperialRemnantandtheNewRepublic(nottomentioneverycriminal
syndicateinthegalaxy)woulddemandtohaveitorifnothingelse,stealit.No,theycouldn'triskituntilthey
couldbothlegallyandforciblydefendtheirclaim.Thatbroughtupanideahe'dhadwhenhesawthesuper
weapon.
Hey,Iwasthinking..Zulegavehimacuriouslook...you'regoingtomakemorefactoriesasyouexpand
acrosstheplanet,right?Shenoddedlightly.Thenmakeanorecannonandaccompanyingspacestationfor
each.Itincreasesourplanetarydefensesandproductionrate.Also...createafewhiddenmagneticrailguns.
Zulelookedshockedathissuggestion.Hidden?Likethehangardoorsarehidden?Harrynoddedandshe
becamethoughtful.That'sagoodidea.Moredefensesthatcan'tseenbyscoutingdroidsfromspace.Wehave
morethanenoughmaterial.
Harrylookeddubious.Howmuchmetalisthereonthisplanet?Imean...therecan'tbethatmuch,right?
Zulegavehimanamusedlook.Harry,I'vecutdealswithboththeCorporateAllianceandCommerceSectorso
theycannowlegallydumptheirwasteproductshere.We'llcleanitupandsellitbacktothemonadiscount.It'll
giveusaconstantinfluxofrawmaterialaswellasgiveusafewalliesamongthebigcompanies.That'snot
evencountingtheamountalreadyhere.Zuletookadeepbreath.Didyouseethemilewidecircleoffreespace
surroundingus?Athisnod,shecontinued.Therewasenoughrawmaterialfromthatalonetobothfixthis
templeandfixthoseStarDestroyerstwiceover.AtHarry'sshockedlook,shegavehimawrysmile.People
havebeendumpinghereformillenia.Wenotonlyhaveplentyofmaterialbutwehavefounddesignsfordroids
fromoverathousandyearsagothatarestillgoodenoughtousenowadays.Wejustneedtoupgradethemabit.
Nottomentionallthesecretswe'vediscovered.Youknowthatsubbasementlevelweuseasahangar?Harry
noddedhesitantly.Well,itwasalreadytherewhenwegothere.Wejustexpandeditabit,addedageothermal
generatorandthehiddenhangardoorsandtunnels.There'ssomanysecretsherethatI'mgiddywithjoy.She
sighedslightly.WhoknowswhattheEmpiredestroyedwhentheycameherecarelesslyandwithoutthought.
Theyprobablydestroyedalotthatcouldhavebeenusefulandthrewawaywhattheycouldn'tuse.Andeven
thoughtheyconstructed5StarDestroyersintheirtimehere,theybarelyused1%oftheplanet'sjunkmetals.
That'showmuchwehave.
Needlesstosay,Harrywasshocked.Heknewthattheplanetwasagoldmineofmetalsbutheneverimagined
allofthat.Itmadehimgladhesuggestedmakingtheirheadquartershere.
So,weneverhavetoworryaboutrunningoutofmaterial,Iguess?saidHarrywryly.
Zulesmiledbackathim.Nope.We'resetforafewcenturiesatleastandafterwecleanuptheatmosphereand
everythingwecanchecktheplanettoseeifithasnaturalminerals.Afterall,allthatdumpingofmetalshasto
havemadetheplanethavesomenaturalmineral.
Esmeraldahadacuriouslookonherfaceandhesitantlyaskedherquestion.Whateverhappenedtothepeople
who,youknow,livedhere?Therewassupposedcapitalandeverything.
Zulewrylysmiled.Igavethemanoffertheycouldn'trefuseandtheyallleft.Apparentlytheyhadbeendoing
someillegalexperimentationongarbagewormsandIhadhardevidenceonit.IfIhadbroughtittolightthey
wouldhaveallprobablybeenexecuted.
Esmeraldawasperplexed.Executed?Whatweretheydoing?
AdarklookcrossedZule'sface.Apparently,thecapitalwasreallyaguineapigforsomeexperimentson
whetherornottheycouldmakegarbagewormseatcorpsesandturnthemintoprofitablemetals.Thepeople
therewerebasicallyimprisonedthereandthrowntothenewspeciesofwormstoseeiftheyleftbehindprecious
metals.Ihadconcreteevidenceandblackmailedthem.Theyleftquicklyenoughwiththeirgarbageworms.As
fortheJawas...IsimplyscaredthemoffwhenItookcontrolofthedroids.CINhasaplanetwidesensortomake
suretheydon'tcomeback.

Harrylookedtroubled.Wasitrighttojustrunthemoff?Couldn'twehavemadeadealwiththemor
something?Esmeraldanoddedherheadattheidea.
Zulesighed.Itried.Thentheywentaroundandrippedapartafewofmybestdroidstosell,sayingtheyfound
themsotheyweretheirs.Ihadnochoicethenandranthemoffviolently.Itgavemenopleasurebutthey
obviouslydidn'thonortheirdeal.IatleastgavethemashuttletotakethembacktoTatooine.ThoughInevergot
itbacksotheyprobablysoldit,themangylittlerats.Shesaidthelastpartinanangrymutter.
Harryfrownedbutnoddedhisassent.Hedidn'tlikepeoplewhowentbackontheirwordsoheunderstoodher
reasoning.Atleasttheyhadsolecontroloftheplanetnow.
Zulestraightened.WiththeBlackguardasourflagship,wehavesixStarDestroyersoncewegettheonein
Vanqor.Withtheinfluxofnewworkerdroids,we'llbedonewithboththespacestationandtheorecannonby
tomorrowatthelatest.WealsoneedtosecuretheScintillaSteelforourselvesbeforesomeidiottakesitaswell
asgainminingrightsfortheSpineofLok.Wefinallyhaveenoughdroidstostartfixingthetransportshipsand
starfightersthatweredroppedhereandusethemtosecuretheScintillaSteel.Afterwe'vesecuredour
investmentswecanstartsellinginbulkandbeginconstructionintoourhiddenmagneticrailgunsandmakeour
headquarterssecureagainstespionage,bothfromothercompaniesandfromJedi.
Harryfrowned.WhyJedi?Surelytheywon'tdoanything?
Zulesmilewrylyandtheothersgavehimdisbelievinglooks.Ofcoursetheywill.Maybenotontheirownbut
oncethegovernmentrealizeswhatagoldminewehavehere,they'llsendtheJedisayingwe'resuspiciousor
somethingandusethemtobullyusintogivingthemalargediscount.Wemightbewellprotectedfroma
militaryperspectivebutwe'restillvulnerabletosabotage.
Harry'sfrowndeepenedbutheconcededthepoint.Thegovernmentwouldbenervousthatacompanyroseto
powersoquicklyandwouldmakeupsomethingtosendtheJediheretoinvestigate.Inreality,theywould
probablywantthemtobeoffendedandantagonizetheJedi,thereforegivingareasonforthegovernmentto
interveneandtakecontrolofthecompany.AdevioustacticoftenappliedbyPalpatinemanytimes.
ZulelookedatHarrynervouslybeforesquaringhershouldersandspeaking.Harry....Iwaswondering.Since
wehavetimeandwearegoingtousetheminwar...couldI...perhaps..experimentabitwiththshipspecs?
Harrygaveheracuriouslook.Whatdoyoumean?
Zulegavehimasmallsmile.Well,Idon'tknowifyou'venoticedbutI'mabitofanengineer.Sheignored
Harry'sincreduloussnortathersayingshewasabitofanengineer.Mostoftheseshipsareeitheroutdatedor
havesomanydesignflawsthatitmakesmecryinshame.CouldIperhapsaddafewofmyowndesignsand
upgradestomakethembetter?
Harrycockedaneyebrowandsmiled.Ofcourse.YouaretheCEO,afterall.Plus,it'llhelpduringtheeventual
war.
ZulesmiledbrightlybeforethankinghimandtypingonthecomputerforasecondbeforeturningtoHarrywitha
sigh.Well,that'severythingfornow.I'llletyouknowhowwearewhenyoucomebackfromyourquest.On
thatnote,Esmeraldahadsomeinfoforyou.
RememberingwhatEsmeraldahadsaidbefore,Harryturnedtoherwithacuriouslook.
Esmeraldagatheredherthoughtsbeforespeaking.First,I'lltellyouwhatI'vefoundoutaboutMarrish's
operations.AtHarry'snod,shecontinued.FromwhatI'veheardMarrishashe'scallinghimselfisveryhardto
findoutabout.Noonewho'sdealtwithhimknowsitshimthey'redealingwith.Theysimplythinkit'ssomeone
withalotofconnections.Thethingis....Marrishhasbeenaroundforover400yearsatleast.
Harrylookedshocked.Howisthatpossible?NoteventhestrongestSithLordhasevermanagedthatthatI
knowof.
Esmeraldashrugged.Maybeitisn'tthesameguy.Maybethenameislikeaninheritance,goingfrommasterto
apprenticeorevenfathertoson.AllIknowisthateverysinglecriminalhashaddealingswithhimonsome
level.Maybenottotheirknowledgebuttheyhave.AllI'vemanagedtofigureoutisthathehasdeeppockets.
Somethinkhehasalimitlessmineofaurodiumduetohowheseemstoalwayshavemoney.Therearerumors
thathehasfundedmostofthewarsinthelast300hundredyears.SomesayheevenhelpedPalpatineinhis
purgebypavingthewaytohisascendancy.SomeevensayhewasPalpatine'srealapprentice.Noonereally
knows.Thethingis...sincehisappearance400yearsagoonly5peoplehavemethimfacetofaceandallof
themsaidhewasfromadifferentspecies.OnesaidhewasaBothan,anotherthathewasHuman,evenonesaid
hewasanUmbaran.NooneissurewhathisspeciesreallyisoriftheyevenmettherealhimoriftherereallyIS
aMarrishanditisn'tjustthenameanorderofpeopletake.However,Ithinkthey'reallthesameperson.
Harrycockedaneyebrow.Why?Youjustsaidthathenotonlylivedforover400yearsbutthathe'smany
differentspecies.
Because...allaccountssaythesamething.Heworeamaskwithoneeyeholethathadapureredeyeandhad
wavelikedesigns.
HarrystiffenedasthememoryoftheMarrishcrossedhismind,wearingthatsamemask.Whatchancewasit
thatdifferentmenusingthesamenameworethesameexactmask?
Harryletoutabreathhedidn'tknowhewasholding.Okay...that'scompellingevidence.Butthen...howdidhe
managetolivesolong?ThemanIfoughtwasn'toldordecrepit.Infact,heseemedtobeintheprimeofhis
life.
Esmeraldabitherlipandshrugged.Idunno.ThiswashardenoughtocompileandIonlysawtheconnections
fromlookingoverthereportsofeverysingleoneofourspies.Ifyouhadn'ttoldmeeverydetailabouthis
appearance,Iwouldn'thaveseenit.Thethingisthattheoneswhoclaimtohaveseenhimweren'tallthat
importantwhentheymethim.Theybecameimportantlateronthough.SomesayheeventalkedtoYodaatone
pointbutIdoubtYodawouldn'thavebeenabletosensehisdarkness...right?
Harryshookhisheadmournfully.Hedidn'tsensePalpatine'sandheworkedalongsidehimforoveradecade.
Marrishismuchbetterathidinghimselfthanthat.Ithinkweonlydiscoveredthismuchbecauseheletusand
becauseitdoesn'tgetusanyclosertofindinghimordiscoverwhathisendgameis.
Esmeraldalookedfrightenedattheidea.Whywouldheletusfindoutthismuch?
HarryrememberedMarrishtauntinghim,rememberedhimchallenginghimtocomeforAstraalandwaitingfor
himtoarrivebeforesuckingthelifeoutofher.Marrish...likesgames.Hethinkshe'sinvinciblesohedoesn't
fearanyone...notreally.Heseemslikethekindofguywholikestopurposelyleavebreadcrumbsbehindjustto
tauntus.Theworsepartis...HarryrememberedMarrish'sskillandthefeelingthathewasholdingbackalotof
hisstrength....mostofthetime,he'sright.He'sverystrong.Maybeevenstrongerthandad.
ThepeopleintheroomshiveredattheideaofsomeonebeingstrongerthanLukeSkywalker.Theideaof
someonelikethatouttherepullingthegalaxy'sstringslikeamarionettesentshiversdowntheirspines.Itwas
likesayingPalpatinewasnothingcomparedtoMarrish.Esmeraldaeventuallycomposedherselfandclearedher
throat.
That's...disconcerting.Nowfortheinfoonyourpeople.
HarryturnedtoEsmeraldawithaneagerlookinhiseyes.Yes?
Well,Ifoundoutquiteafewthingsactually.First,there'sacaveintheSeranianBeltthattheynamedthe
Gulch.Itwasfullofalienartifactsandwhatnotbutthemostinterestingthingweretherunesonthewall.
Accordingtoeyewitnessreportstheysworethattherunesseemedtomoveoutofthecorneroftheireyes.But
whenevertheylookedatthem,theywerestill.Soundfamiliar?
HarrythoughtbacktothecaveinKashyyk.Themovingshapes,theglowingrunes.Oh,yeah.Veryfamiliar.I
shouldprobablypassbyandcheckitout.Anythingelse?
Esmeraldanodded.Yeah,I'mchasingafewrumorsaboutstrangecavesandcavernsbutthat'stheonlyoneI've
confirmed.However,youtoldmethatyourmother'snamewasLily,right?AtHarry'snod,Esmeraldasmiled.
Well,IhavehereabirthcertificateforaHarrisonPotterborntoLilyEvansPotterandJamesPotter,bornon
CloudCity16yearsago.
Harrytooktheoffereddatapadandlookedoverthecertificatehimself.Sureenough,itwashim.Hehadweighed
7pounds,2ounces,was20incheslongandwasbornat11:57pm,standardtime.Hecheckedoverhisparents
informationbutotherthanbeingresidentsofCloudCitytherewasnothing.Noteventherepersonalinformation.
HelookedatEsmeraldawithaquestiononhisface.
Esmeraldaseemedtoknowwhathewasaskingandshrugged.Itriedtoseeifperhapstheybribedtheirway
intonothavingtoturnintheirinformationbuttherewasnothing.Itwaslikethesecretaryforgottoaskthemfor
theinformationandsimplyletthemleave.Securityrecordsforthattimewereallblankordamagedand
everyonewhoattendedtothemdoesn'trememberthem.Ifitwasn'tforthiscertificatebeinginthedatabanks,it
wouldbeasiftheywereneverthere.Ithinktheyjustleftthistherebecausetheywantedproofthatyouwere
born.
Harrylookedbackatthedatapadandtriedtoimaginehowtheymanagedit.However,despitehisknowledgeof
theForceaccordingtotheJeditherewasnoabilitythatallowedforcompleteerasureofmemory.Thereare
certaintrickstosuppressmemoriesbuttheycanberememberedifstimulated.IfEsmeraldasaidtheydidn't
rememberthenitmeantthatevenstimulationhadn'tawakenedthememories.Meaningtheywerecompletely
erased.TherewasnoJediskillforthat.
Suddenly,HarryrememberedsomethinghereadinArden'slegacyashecalledit.Emryswasstudyingwaysto
completelyerasememoriesbeforethewarstarted.Hehadmanagedtomakeacrudeversionofitthatlater
becameknownasthememoryrubwhichsuppressesmemoriesdespiteeveryone'sthoughtstothecontrary.
Whatifherefineditonceheleftandmadeitsoitcompletelyerasedmemories,makingitimpossibletorecover?
Maybethatwaswhathisparentsusedcombinedwiththemindtrickandseveralotherabilitiestomasktheir
presence.Backthen,CloudCitywasjustcomingoutasamajorexporteroftibannagasanditchangedhands
severaltimes.Inthattimeofconfusionnoonewouldhavepaidmuchattentiontoathreehoursworthoflost
securityfootage,especiallyifhisparentsusedtheirabilitiestomakeitseemunimportant.
So...IwasbornonCloudCity,musedHarry.Hegroanedslightly,LandoandUncleHanaregonnamakeso
manyjokes.TheyalwayssaidIhadmyheadintheclouds.
Zule,XadandEsmeraldachuckledbeforethelattersobered.Hereiswhereitgetsdarkerandmuddier.Alittle
morethanayearlater,wegetanotherflagforyou.AguynamedRemusLupintookyouandsneakedaboarda
shipheadingtowardsApatros.TherewasnopreviousrecordofanymannamedRemusLupinanywhere.The
nightbeforewaswhenAdmiralThrawntookbackcontrolofCloudCityandtherewasalotofchaos.However,
therewasoneeyewitnessreportsayingheheardexplosionscomingfromtheresidentialareaalthoughtheplace
hepointedtowasemptyofanylotsoitwasdismissedashisimagination.Thefunnythingisthatareaofcloud
isstillemptyofahousedespitetherebeinghousesfloatingnearby.Everytimesomeonebringsuptheideaof
makingahousethere,theyquicklyforgetaboutitthenextday.
Harryfrowned.Maybe...anadvancedillusion?Backedwithasubtlemindtricktokeeppeopleaway?
Esmeraldashrugged.Maybe.ButthenRemusdropsyouoffinApatroswithyour...relatives.Esmeraldasaid
relativesasifspittingoutpoison.AndthenheturnsupdeadtwodayslaterinAnaxes.Noidentifyingmarkfor
causeofdeathoranything,notevenpoisoninhissystem.Itwasasifhesimplydroppeddeadofhisown
accord.
Harryfrownedattheinformation.TherewasnoinformationonanythinglikethatinArden'slegacy.Maybeit
wascreatedafterwards?
Esmeraldacontinued.ItriedtofindanymoreleadsonyourmotherbeforeCloudCityandfoundapermit
allowingherandyourfathertocreateahouseintheresidentialarea3yearsbeforeyourbirthbutnothingin
between.Yourfatherontheotherhandwaslittleeasier.
Shepulledoutadatapadwithamischievoussmile.Accordingtothis,yourdadwasasmugglerforayear
beforeheshowedupinCloudCity.
Harrygaveheradeadpanlook.Areyouserious?Howcomenooneeverheardofhim?
Esmeraldalookedasifshewastryingtoholdinlaughterandwasfailingmiserably.YYousee,hehada
problemwiththeconceptof...notattractingattention.Everytimehewasabouttofinishasuccessfuldeliveryhe
wouldattractattentiondoingsomecrazystuntandruinit.Infact,smuggler'scalledhimandhispartnerthe
worstsmugglersinthegalaxy.Theonlysuccessfulruntheyevermadewaswithyourmotheractuallyandthat
landedthemthemoneytobuildtheirhouseinCloudCity,Iimagine.TheyflewaHWK290theynamed
Marauderforsomereason.Theyneversolditaccordingtomyinformationbutnoshipunderthatnamehas
shownupanywhereeithersoIhavenoideawhereitcouldbe.
Harrylookedthoughtfulforamoment.Maybeit'sbehindwhateverishidingtheirhouseaswell.Itwouldn'tbe
outsidetherealmofpossibility.
Esmeraldahesitantlynodded.Theareathatit'ssupposedtobeiscertainlybigenough.Heck,thatareaisbig
enoughforasmallmansiontofitandstillhaveenoughareaforabackyard.
Harryrolledhiseyesatherdramatics.Soisthereanywaywecangetin?
Esmeraldashookherhead.Nope,Itriedafewtimesbuteverytimemymindwouldgohazyandwhenit
passedIwouldbesomewhereelseonBespin.ItgotreallyannoyingafterthethirdtimewhenIshowedupon
stageinastripclub.
TryingtogettheimageofEsmeraldastrippingoutofhismindwithoutmuchsuccess,Harryclearedhisthroat.
Sohowdowegetin?
Esmeraldabitherlipandsighed.Ihave...arecord..ofyourAuntPetuniavisitingCloudCityaboutamonth
afteryouwereborn.Shemusthavevisitedyourmothersosheshouldknowhow.
Harrystiffenedatthementionofhisauntandexhaledexplosively.Istherenootherway?
Esmeraldashookherheadsadly.Notifyouwanttoretraceyourparentsfootsteps.Ican'tfindanythingelse
whichmeansbeforethattheylivedonthatshipoftheirs,Hogwarts.There'snoregistryofanyshipcalledthat
anywhere.Whichprobablymeansitwasfromtheirplanetoriginally.
Harryclosedhiseyesandtookdeepbreaths.Evenyearsafterwards,theverythoughtofhisrelativesbroughta
mixtureofpain,angerandsadnesstohisheart.However,heknewEsmeraldawasright.Evenbeforehistrip
started,hesensedhewouldhavetovisitthemeventually.Itwasinevitableifhetrulywantedtoletgoofthe
past.
Harrynoddedstoically.Okaythen,I'llgonowthen.HarryturnedtoZule.I'llprobablytakeafewmonthsso
inthemeantime,you'reincharge.TrytofocusonfortifyingourplacehereonRaxusPrimebeforeexpanding.
Thelastthingweneedistooverstretchourselvesandleaveourselvesvulnerable.Don'tforgetthatwarisclose
athand.Weneedtofortifywhatwehavefirst,thenworryaboutexpanding.SobeyondsecuringScintillaSteel
andtheplansalreadyinmotiontomakeabaseonRaxusII,nomoreexpansion.Weneedtoprotectwhatwe
havefirst,wehaven'tevencompletelytakenthisplanetyet.
Zulenoddedreluctantly.Iunderstandandyou'reright.Ifweexpandtooquicklyweriskbeingoverrunor
lightlydefendedwhichwouldleadtoaquickendtothecompany.Butdon'tworry.Withthelargeamountof
droids,thefactorycreating3,000moreadayandthemetalshere,we'resetforalongtime.Ourfirstorderof
businesswillbetomakemorefactoriesacrossRaxusPrimeanddefendingthemaswellasmakingthosehidden
magneticrailguns.Thespacestationwillbesentintoorbittomorrowwhichwillallowustostartsellingsoon,
givingusanincome.WealsoneedtosecureScintillaSteeldiscreetlybeforesomeoneelsemovesin.Itcould
alsoserveasagoodjumpingoffpointforoutfleetduringthewar.
Harrynodded,agreeingwithherpoints.AndhowabouttheplantomakeabaseinRaxusII?
Zulefrownedindistaste.Istilldon'tknowwhyyouwanttomakeabaseonthaticeplanet.It'sawastelandand
useless!
Harryfrowned.Notexactly.Hetookoutapairofcrystalsinhispocket,onewaspulsingadeepblueandthe
otherwasalightbluecolor.Ifoundthiswhilescoutingtheplanet.Theblueoneisnoneotherthanagrocite,
whichwebothknowincreasestheeffectivenessofturbolasersandisextremelyraresodon'tletthegovernment
everfindoutwehaveasourceofit.Theotherisahiridiucrystal,asyouknowitboostscommunicationsbyat
least30%.Soifwediscreetlyminebothofthese....
....wehavebothareliablesourcetoimproveourweaponsandsomethingtoboostscommunications,something
we'llneedsincewe'rebasedontheOuterRim,saidZulebreathlessly.Shegentlytookthecrystalsandafter
studyingthem,shelookedatHarrywithanamusedeye.Yousureyou'renotallknowing?Imeanyoutoldusto
makeourheadquartershere,wherewehaveaninfinitesourceofmetals,thentellustomakeabaseinRaxusII
wherewefindasourceofagrociteandcommunicationcrystals.
Harryjustrolledhiseyes.I'mjustlucky,that'sall.Whenyoucan,buildanX7stationoverRaxusIItomine
andstudytheagrocite.Buildanauxiliaryfleetundertheicetheretoo,justincasewe'reattackedwecanflank
them.NowI'llbeoff.NeedtogotoApatrostoseemydarlingrelatives.
EsmeraldagrabbedhisarmmakingHarryturntoher.Waitasec,Harry.Beforeyougo,youshouldknowthat
youruncleisstillamanagerofOROonApatroswhileyourauntisstillhishousewife.Yourcousinontheother
handisnowasecurityofficerforoneofthemines.Apparently,hisminehasthehighestcasualtyrateofthemall
andnotallarefromthecortosisgasesifyouknowwhatImean.
Harry'sfacewasblankattheinformationbeforehemuttered,TheybecamejustwhatIsaidtheywouldbe.
Professionalsatbeingexactlywhattheyalwayswere....bullies.
Esmeraldabitherlipandnoddedbeforehandinghimadatapad.Here'salltheinformationandproofyouneed
foryouralias.It'llbebothyouridentityasowneroftheLilyCorporationandwhenyouwanttomovearound
discreetly.BothmeandZulehavelookeditoversoit'sflawlessandnotevenCORSECorNRSFcouldidentify
itasafake.
Harrytookthedatapadandmutteredhisthanks.Withthat,heturnedtowardZule'sofficedoorandwalkedout
withFAITHandR3following.
TheWaywardSonexitedhyperspaceoverthedesolateplanetofApatros.Apatroswasliterallyalmostonthe
othersideofthegalaxyfromRaxusPrime.Forthatreason,ithadtakenseveraldaystoarriveandHarryhadto
switchfromthePermelianTradeRoutetotheCorellianRuninCoruscanttoreachthefaroffsysteminthesame
sectorasRodia.
Apatroswasadesolateworldoffeaturelesswastesandbarrenrockyflatlands.Itwassmall,moonsized,and
orbitedadimorangestar.Despitebeingminedforoverathousandyears,itstillhadathinatmosphereandsome
indigenousplantlifealongwithadaythatwastwentystandardhourslong.Themostimportantthingaboutthis
desolaterockwasthelargeamountofveryvaluablematerialcortosis,whichwasminedinunderground
tunnels.Ifitwasn'tforthecortosis,thisplanetwouldbeasemptyasanyotherdeadworld.
Harrylookedattheworldandtriedtoholdbackthewaveofbitternessandangerseeingitcausedinhim.No
matterhowmanyyearshadgoneby,hestillfeltangryattheverysightofthathellholeandhehadvowedto
neverreturn.However,itseemedtheForcehadotherideasanditwasdeterminedtopullhimback.Thistime,
however,hewouldn'tbeaweakboybutaJediKnightandhewasnoone'spunchinglog.
FAITHturnedtoHarry.Query:Sothisisyourhome?
No.wasHarry'sdeadpanreply.
Nottakingthehint,FAITHcontinued.Statement:Tellmeaboutit.
No.
FAITHseemedtogetthehintbecausehefellsilent.
HarrycommedOROsecurityandwaitedforananswer.Eventually,hegotit.
Identifyyourselforbeshotoutofthesky!Asyoucouldsee,theywereveryfriendly.

ThisismajorstockholderJasonHoth,visitingtocheckonhisinvestments.InformmanagerVernonDursleyI
amhereandwillmeethiminhisprivateresidence.
Therewassilenceonthelinebeforethepersonreturnedinamuchmoreconciliatorytone.Ofcourse,sir.I'm
sorry,youunderstand,securityandall.ManagerDursleywillseeyouinhisprivateresidenceassoonasyou
land.Pleaselandthroughthegivenvectorandonthedesignatedlandingpad.
AmapwassentwiththeappropriateinformationandHarrytooktheshipintoland.Asheenteredthe
atmosphere,FAITHturnedtohimwithaquestion.
Query:WillIneedtodisguisemyselfmaster?
Harrythoughtaboutitforaminutebeforeshakinghishead.It'llbemoresuspiciousifIshowupwithan
unregisteredpersonandallthehologramsyouhaveareprettyrecognizableanyway.Justhideafewblasterson
youandpretendyou'reaprotocoldroid.
Annoyedstatement:Understood,master.
KnowingwhatFAITHwasannoyedabout,Harryturnedtohimwithagrin.Don'tworry,withmyluckyou'll
gettoshootafewpeoplebeforeweleave.
Joyousexpletive:Oh,thatwouldbewonderful,master!
HarrychuckledandR3whistledhisamusementasHarrylandedtheship.Oncehedid,Harrytossedablackrobe
overhisscarletshirtandblackpantscombinationtohidehislightsabersfromview.Healsomadesuretobreath
deeplyandcalledontheForcetocalmhimsohewouldn'tbeathisrelativesthemomenthesawthem.Finally,
hegatheredtheForceandusedittocreateanillusionoverhisbody,changinghisblackhairtoscarletandhis
greeneyestoceruleanblueaswellasmakinghimselfseemtenyearsolder.Itwasabasicillusionbutthatjust
meanttherewaslesschanceofitbeingdetectedandlessconcentrationtomaintainit.HethenturnedtoR3.
R3,oncewegetintomyuncle'sresidence,hackintohisdatabanksanddownloadeverythingrelatedtohimand
thecompanybeforesendingittoZule.Checkifhe'sskimmedanymoneyandhowthecompanyisdoing.They
toldmethey'redoingfinebutIdoubtit.They'vebeenmininghereforoveramillenniasothecortosishastobe
closetorunningout.Ifitis,wecanusethatinfotobuyoutthecompany.Ifitisn't,wecanusetheminer's
conditionsasanexcuseforthelowerquantityofcortosisbeingsoldandimprovetheirconditions.Besureto
leavenotracesofwhatyoudid.

R3beepedhisunderstandingandfollowedafterHarryandFAITHastheywalkeddowntheramp.Harryclosed
therampandactivatedtheship'ssecuritytomaximumbeforewalkingdownthefamiliarstreets.
ApatroshadonlyonetowncalledApatros(notveryimaginative,werethey?).Itwasbasicallydividedintotwo
parts:therichdistrictandtheminer'sdistrict.Obviously,theminer'slivedintheirdistrictandtheotherwasfor
themanagersandsecurityforcesforthemines.Intheimaginarylinedividingthemwasacantinathatservedto
bothclasses,havingbeentherealmostaslongasthetownitselfandhavingnoupgradesincetheneither.
AsHarrypassedthecantina,amemorycametothesurface.
Flashback(Harry'sage:4)
Harrybarelymanagedtoavoidhavinghisheadhittherockystreetharshlyashewasthrownoutofthecantina
andintoasidealley.Hehadbeensentinsidebyhisuncleanhouragowithstrictinstructionstonotcomeback
untilhewonatthesabaactable.
Thegoodnewswasthathehadwon.
Thebadnewswasthathehadwonagainstsecurityforceofficers.
Iknowyoucheatedkid,saidtheleaderofthegroupof5officers.Hewasabrownhairedmanofaverage
heightandaverageweightwhoseonlydistinguishingtraitwasaslightcutonhislip.Justtellmehowyoudid
itandImightletyougowithoutabeating,althoughthemoneyismineeitherway.
Harrywasterrifiedasthemencircledhim.Hegulpedbeforeheanswered.Please,sir.Ididn'tcheat,Iswear.I
wasjustsentbymyunclewhosaidnottoreturnuntilIwon.AndIdid.
Harryneversawthekickuntilitlanded,breakingaribortwo.Harry'sbreathwhooshedoutofhimashespat
outabitofblood.
Liar,saidtheleaderharshly.Doyouknowwhatwedotoliars?Hegesturedtohismenwhotookout
batonsandsmiledcruelly.Webeatthelyingrightoutofthemuntiltheycanonlysingthetruth.
Withthat,thebatonsfell.Theyneverhithimhardenoughtoknockhimoutandavoidedvitalareas.However,
hislegsandarmsweren'ttechnicallyvitalsotheywerefreegame.Harrycouldonlycurlintoaballandwishit
wouldend.Allhehaddonewaswinthegame.Hedidn'tevenknowhowhedidit.Hejustalwaysseemedto
knowwhentobetandwhentofold.Heknewhedidn'tcheat...didhe?
Halfanhourlater,theblowsstoppedfallingandHarrylookedamess.Hewasspittingoutbloodandhewas
surearibortwowasbroken.Hewasbarelyconsciousandholdingonthroughsheerwillpoweralone.Hisblack
hairlookedcrimsonwithallthebloodstucktoit.Themenwhobeathimcouldn'thelpbutbeslightlyimpressed
bythefouryearold'sguts.Mostmenwouldhavebrokenunderless.
Theleaderapproachedthebarelyconsciousboyandgrabbedhimbythescruffofhisneck.Letthisbealesson
foryou.Iknowyou'reafreakwhoseparentsabandonedhimandwereprobablyprostitutesandmonstersbutyou
shouldknowbetterthantolietoyourbetters.Thisisyourplace.Layingfacedowninyourownblood.He
shovedHarrybackintothesmallpoolofbloodhehadmadewhenhekeptspittingoutblood.
Themenleftafterwards,leavinghimaloneandinjured.Afterawhile,Harryuncurledhimselfandstartedto
crawltowardthewall.Hesathimselfagainstitandjustliedtherebeforestartingtocry.Hedidn'tunderstand.
Whathadhedone?Hehadn'tcheatedsowhydidn'ttheybelievehim?Worsewasthatheknewwhenhegot
homehewouldgetanotherbeatingfromhisuncleforreturningwithoutthesabaacwinnings.Hewasdamnedif
hedid,damnedifhedidn't.
ThatwaswhenHarrylearnedthatdespitelivingwithhisrelatives,hewastrulyalone.
Flashbackend
Query:Master?
Harryshookhimselfoutofthememory.Hehadalmostforgottenthatbeating.Itwasthefirstbutnotthelast
timesecurityofficersjoinedinbeatinghim.Hehadlearnedtoavoidallhumancontactandwaspartofthe
reasonhenevertrulyconfidedinanyoneuntilhemetJaina.Tothisday,Jainaistheonlyoneheevertold
everythingto.Notevenhisadoptiveparentsknewasmuchasshedid.Shehadsworntonevertellanothersoul
unlessheallowedherto.Shehadn'tbrokenthepromiseyet.
I'mfine,FAITH.Justbadmemories.
FAITHsaidnothingandR3beepedsadlyastheyfollowedhimdownthestreet.Astheywalked,Harry
continuedtoseemorelandmarksherecognized.Allheldbadmemories.Thealleywherehewasfirstbeatenby
hiscousinwhenhewas3.Thepolethathewastiedtonakedforanentireday.
Harryeventuallysawafamiliarresidencethatheldaneutralmemory.
Flashback(Harryage:4)
Harrywasrunningdownthestreet,tryingtooutrunhiscousinandhisgangoffollowers.Harrysaidfollowers
becausetheycertainlyweren'tfriends.Friendstrustedandlikedeachother,Dudley'sgroupjuststickedtogether
andfollowedDudleybecausetheyfearedDudleyandhisfather'sinfluencetoomuchtosaynotohim.Theyalso
helpedDudleykeepHarrymiserablebyconstantlychasinghimandbeatinghimwhentheyfinallycaughtup.
Theyalwaysdid.
Gethim!yelledDudley.HewasintheverybackofthegroupchasingHarry,duetobeingmorefatthan
muscle.Harrywassurethathisweightwasn'tnormalandhewouldsomedaybewiderthanhewastallifhe
continuedinthistrend.
Harryranfasterwhenheheardthat,knowingfromexperiencethatthatmeantsomeonewasclosetohim
enoughtograbhim.Sureenough,Harryfeltthewindpassbybehindhimfromanattemptofoneofthefaster
onesatgrabbinghim.IfHarryhadn'tranfaster,hewould'vebeencaught.
Harryranintoasidealleythatheknewledtoadeadendwithatallwoodenwall.Ratherthanrunslowerat
beingcaught,Harryranfaster,makingdistancebetweenhimandthegroupbehindhim.Relyingsolelyon
instinct,Harrypushedofftherightwall,reboundedofftheleftwalloncehehititandmanagedtograbthetop
ofthewoodenwallandscrambledontotheotherside.Thegroupwasleftshoutingtheirdisbeliefathisescape
andpoundedonthewoodenwall.Luckily,itwassturdyandhelduptotheironslaught.
Waittilldadhearsaboutthis,freak!He'llgiveyouabeatingyou'llneverforget!yelledDudleyfromtheother
side.Harryshudderedknowingthetruthofthestatement.However,Harrypreferredtotakehisuncle'sbeating
laterratherthantakehiscousin'sandthenhisuncle'slaterforhurtingpoorDudley'sfistswithhisfreakish
face.Atleasthehadeliminatedonebeating.
Harrylookedaroundatwherehelanded.Heseemedtobeinsomeone'sbackyardifthebackdoorofaresidence
wasanyindication.Backyardwassayingitlooselysincetherewasnovegetationofanykindanywhere,just
rocks.
Suddenly,Harryheardadooropenandturnedtoseethebackdoorofthehouseopen.Harrycouldstandthere
inshockasablindoldwomanexited.ShelookedtobeancientandHarrywassurprisedshewasstillalivein
thiswastelandworld.Harryimaginedthattheonlyreasonshewasallowedtolivewassoshecouldkeep
accumulatingdebtsfromORO.Shewaswearingaoldblackdressthatlookedasifithadseenbetterdaysas
wellasablackshawlasahood.Shewalkedwithacanethatdoubledasawalkingstickduetoherblindness.
Who'sthere?saidthewomaninaquiettonethatsoundedasifshewastryingtobefierce.Itwasruinedwhen
shefellintoacoughingfit.
Forsomereason,Harryfeltcompelledtohelpherandwalkedoverbeforegentlypattingherback.I'msorry
forenteringyourbackyard,lady.ButIwastryingtoescapemycousinandhisfriends.I'llleavebutyoushould
getinside,youdon'tsoundwell.
Theoldwomanlaughedlightly.I'm(cough)dying,howdo(cough)youthink(cough)I'dlook?
Harryhadnoresponseforthatsohestayedquiet.
Thecoughingfiteventuallypassedandthewomanbreatheddeeplybeforesighing.SheturnedtowhereHarry
wasstandingbeforesniffing.
Well,sinceyou'rehereyoumightaswellkeepmecompany.Unlessyouhavebetterthingstodo?
Rememberingthebeatingwaitingforhimathome,Harryshookhishead.Realizingshewouldn'tbeabletosee
ithespoke.No,ma'am.I'llstay.
Theoldwomansmiled.Well,I'mMrs.Figg.Youare?
Harrywasshocked.Noonehadeveraskedhimhisnameandhewasunsurehowtogoaboutit.Eventuallyhe
justsettledonansweringpolitely.HarryPotter,ma'am.
ForasecondHarrysworehesawsomethingflickeracrossherfacebutdismisseditwhensheturnedand
gesturedhimtofollowherinside.
Heenteredthelady'shousetofindittobealmostspartanindecoration,onlyholdingacoffeetable,acouch
andasmallbookcasefullofbooksalongtherightwall.Harrywassurprisedsincebookswererareifnot
impossibletofindandfortheoldladytohaveabookcasefullwassurprising,nottheleastofwhichwasthat
theywouldbeworthalotandshedidn'tneedthem,beingblindandall.
Mrs.Figgslowlyfeltherwaytothecouchandsatdownonitbeforegesturingforhimtojoinher.Harry
cautiouslysatdownbesideher,notquitetrustingthewoman.Mrs.Figgjustchuckled.
Comeone,Harry,Idon'tbite.It'sbeenalongtimesinceIhadcompany.Lasttimewasabout,oh...3yearsago
giveortake.Heaskedmetowatchoversomeoneandguardsomethingforhim.Unfortunately,Ilostmyeyesight
afewdaysafterwardssoInevercoulddoasIpromised.That'slifeforyou.
Harrydidn'tunderstandbeyondhernothavingmuchcompanybutrelaxedathersoftandcomfortingtone.He
lookedaroundandsawahallwaynexttothebookcaseleadingtowhatmustbeherroomwithadoorleadingto
abathroomalongthehallway.HeclearedhisthroatbeforeturningtoFiggwithacuriouslook.
Youliveherealone?Athernod,hefrowned.Buthowdoyoufeedyourselforanything?Doesn'tthesecurity
forcegetridofanyonethatcan'tworkandstillhasdebts?
Mrs.Figgsmiledmysteriously.Yes,butmylastvisitorpaidallmydebtsandrentedthishouseoutfortwo
decadesinadvance.ItwaspaymentfortheserviceIwassupposedtodoforhim.AserviceIfailedat,byall
accounts.Thelastpartwassaidwithahintofbitterness.Asforfood,heleftmeatidysumandIsimplyorder
aweek'samountofpremademealsthatonlyneedtobereheated.Shepointedtothewalloppositethe
bookcaseandHarrysawasmallkitchenthathemissedwhenheentered.Ithadasmallmicrowavewhereshe
heatedherfood.Despitebeingblind,thehousewasquiteclean,notobsessivelycleanlikehisAuntandUncle's
housebutcleanenoughtoliveinandithadahomeyfeeltoit.
Sotellme,saidMrs.Figgslowly.Whydidyoujumpmybackfence?Playingwithfriends?
Harrysmiledbitterly.Notunlessfriendshaveahabitofholdingyoudownwhileyourcousinbeatsyou.
Mrs.Figgstiffenedbeforeloweringherheadandspeakinginaregretfultone.I'msorry.
harryjustlookedatherinconfusion.Why?It'snotyourfault.Heck,you'rethenicestpersonI'veevermet.You
shouldn'tfeelguilty.
Mrs.Figggaveasadsmile.You'llunderstandsomeday.Shewasquietforamomentbeforespeaking.So,do
liketoread?
Harrybithislipbeforehesitantlyspeaking.Idobut...Idon'tknowhowtoreadthatwell.I'mmostlyselftaught
sincemyunclesaysfreaksandfutureminersdon'tneedtoread.
Harrymissedtheflashofangerthatcrossedherfacebutshetookdeepbreathsbeforesmilingsadlyathim.
Well,whydon'tyoutakeabookfromthereandreaditaloudwithme.IknowthoseoldbooksbyheartsoIcan
helpyoualthoughIcan'tsee.
HarrywalkedtowardthebookcaseandstretchedouthishandtotakealargeredonewhenMrs.Figgspoke.
Everyonebuttheredone,Harry.Thatoneistoocomplicatedforyoutounderstandjustyet.Maybethenext
timeyouvisit.
HarrylookedatherhappilybeforetakingathinbluebookcalledPoemsandSonnetsbyUnknownand
bringingittoMrs.Figg.Shesmiledashesatbesideherandtoldherthenameofthebookinshorthesitating
words.Shemadehimrepeatituntilhecouldreaditeasilyandtheythenopenedthebook,Harryreadingslowly
andMrs.Figgcorrectinghimwhenhesaiditwrong.
Theystayedlikethatuntilthesunwassettingandhehadtoleave.Ithadbeenthehappiesttimehe'deverhadin
hislifeandthehappiesthewouldhaveuntil2yearslaterwhenhemetacapturedbrownhairedgirl.Ashewas
leaving,heturnedtoMrs.Figgwithahopefullook.
CanIcomevisityoutomorrow?
Mrs.Figgsmiledsadlyandatearlefthereye.Youarewelcomeinmyhousewheneveryouwant.Whenyou're
older,youcanevenreadthebig,redbookinmybookcase.
Harrysmiledhappilyandranofftowardhisuncle'shousenotknowinghewouldneverseetheoldladyever
again.Thenextdayhevisitedherhousetofindthatshehaddiedduringthenightbutsincethehousewasstill
rentedforanotherfifteenyearstheycouldn'trentittoanyoneelse.Thepeoplesaidshehadlefteverythingto
him.Harryhadstoodinthemiddleofthehouse,tearsgoingdownhisfaceandholdingthethin,bluebookthat
hehadreadwithhertohischest.
Thatdayhelearnedthathappymomentspassedquicklyandonehadtoenjoythemwhileyoucouldbeforethey
disappeared.
Flashbackend
Harrysmiledslightlyatthememory,theonlyonehehadofhischildhoodthatdidn'tinvolveviolence,thatwas
tingedwithsadnessoftheknowledgeofwhathappenedafterwards.Hemadeamentalnotetovisitthehouse
beforeleavingbeforecontinuingtowalkdownthestreettowardhisuncle'shouse,FAITHandR3following.
Theyeventuallyreachedhisuncle'shouse,asimpletwostoryhousethatwasthesameuniformwhiteastherest.
IthadnodecorationsalongtheoutsideatallandremindedHarrymoreofamilitarybasethanafamilyhome.
'Well,goodtoseehehasn'tchangedanythinginmytimeaway,'hethoughtsarcastically.
HenoddedatFAITHtobereadyincaseofviolenceandmadesurehisillusionwasstillupbeforeknockingon
thedoorwithafakesmileplasteredonhisface.ThedoorwasansweredbynoneotherthanhisAuntPetunia
withanequallyfakesmileonherface.
Petuniahadn'tchangedatallintheyearshehadbeenaway.Shestillhadsomuchneckitseemedasifit
belongedonagoosemorethanaperson.Shehadafacethatmadeasmilelookstrangeonher,probablydueto
alwaysfrowning,anddirtyredhairthatwouldlookbeautifulifitwasonanyoneelse.Shewasslightlyfatter
thanthelasttimehesawherbutstillveryskinnybyHumanstandards.Shewascurrentlywearingalongyellow
dressthatemphasizedthefactthatshehadalmostnocurvesatall.
Welcome,youmustbeMr.Hoth.It'sapleasuretomeetthenewmajoritystockholderofthecompany.Come
in,comein.
Harryhadtouseallhiswillpowertonotgagatthefalsesweetnessinhervoiceaswellasnotshudderinanger
asherememberedthelasttimetheyspoke,whereshewassayinghewasfinallyworthsomethingasshecounted
thecreditsHethrirgavethemashetookhimaway.
Thankyouforyourhospitality,Mrs.Dursley,youhavealovelyhome.PleasecallmeJason,saidHarry,lying
throughhisteeth.
Petuniasimperedinfalsemodesty.Thankyou,Idotrytomaintainagoodhomeenvironment.Hersmile
slippedslightlyatthesightofFAITH,whodespiteposingasaprotocoldroid,stillgaveoffanauraofviolence
withouteventrying.Aretheseyours?
Harry'ssmileturnedslightlygenuine.Yes,theyare.Myfirstguardiansnevertaughtmemanylanguages,
'morelikeanyatall',soIneedaprotocoldroidwithmetohelpmewhenImeetsomeofmyclients.R3hereis
forhelpingmeinthemoretechnicalaspectsofmyjob.

Petuniasmiledwithfalsesweetness.Idounderstand.Therearewelcometowaitinthesittingroomifyou
wish.
Harrytriedhisbestnottolaughatherstupidity.WithallthefamearoundR2D2,whotrustsandastromech
aloneinyourhousewhenyouhavestufftohide?
Thatwouldbeperfect.However,myprotocoldroidgetsnervouswhenIleavehimalonesoit'sbestifhecomes
along.Don'tworryhe'sperfectlywellbehaved.
Statement:Yes,Ineverdoanythingthatisconsideredimproperunlessmymasterordersit.
Thankfully,Petuniawastoostupidtounderstandthesubtlethreatinhistoneandjustsmiledhappily.Verywell,
here'sthediningroomwheremyhusbandandmysonarewaiting.
Harrykeptasmileplasteredonhisfaceashepreparedhimselffortheinevitableconfrontation.Inthehallway
onthewaytothediningroom,theypassedasmalldoorunderneaththestairstothesecondfloorthatmade
Harrygriphishandsintofists.Thatsmallclosethadbeenwherehesleptwhilelivingtherealthoughtheyhada
sparebedroomupstairs.Ittookallhisselfcontrolnottoshowhisangerasherememberedallthetimeshewas
tossedintheirbleedingandhopinghewouldsurvivethenight.
TheyeventuallyenteredthediningroomwhereHarrysawhisuncleandcousinforthefirsttimeinalmostten
years.
Hisunclewasjustthesameasherememberedhim,fatenoughtolooklikeasmallairtaxiifheworeyellow
clothingandnoneckthathecouldsee.Hewasbaldingslightlyandtriedtocoveritbygrowingouthisbrown
hairandusingittocoverthebaldingspots.Hestillhadthathorriblehairymustachethatmadehimlooked
slightlyretardedwhenhesmiled.Despitehissmile,Harrycouldseethegreedbehindthosebeadybrowneyes.
Hewascurrentlywearingablacksuitthatlookedtobebarelycoveringhisgirthandmadehimlookfatterthan
hewas(whichwasanincrediblefeatinandofitself)aswellasawhiteshirt,blackpantsandblackdressshoes.
BesidehimwashiscousinDudley.Dudleylookedlikeaminiatureversionofhisunclewithoutthemustache,
beingjustasfatashedidandwearingthesameclothing.HoweverHarrycouldseethathehadaslightbuildof
muscleunderhisshirtandguesseditwasduetohisjobasasecurityofficer.Hisblondhairwasslightlylong
andpulledintoaponytailthathemusthavethoughtmadehimlookdashingbutonlysucceededinmakinghim
lookmoreretardedthannormal.HarryhadoftenwonderedhowDudleycouldhaveblondehairwhenneitherof
hisparentsdidandoftenamusedhimselfthinkingthatmaybeDudleywasn'tVernon'schildatallandwasreally
abastardchildofsomeoneelse.However,thestrongresemblancebetweenthetwoaswellasthenauseating
thoughtofPetuniahavingaloverquicklymadehimsquashthosethoughts.

VernonwalkedforwardwithhishandoutstretchedandafakesmileonhisfaceandshookHarry'shand.
PleasuretomeetyouMr.Hoth.You'vemetmywife,PetuniaandthisismysonDudley.
Dudleyalsoshookhishand,thoughabitharderthannecessaryandthelookinhiseyemadeitclearthathe
hatedhavingtoactinferiortohim.Pleasuretomeetyou,Mr.Hoth.I'mDudley,captainofthe8thsecurity
division.ItwasobvioushewasproudofhisaccomplishmentandHarrywouldbeimpressedifitwasn'tforthe
factthatheknewheonlyreachedthatpositionthroughacombinationofVernon'sinfluenceandhisbeatingorin
somecaseskillinghiscompetitionbeforeVernoncovereditup.
Duringallthis,Harrykeptafakesmileonhisfaceandcouldn'thelpbutsqueezeDudley'shandback.
Congratulation,son.That'squiteanachievement.
DudleypuffedhimselfinprideandVernonlaidahandonhidshoulderinpride.Yes,mysonistheyoungest
captaininhistory.I'mveryproud.
Afterexchangingpleasantries,theysatdowntoeat.FAITHtookuppositionbehindHarry'srightshoulderashe
ate.Heexchangedmeaninglessconversationwithhisrelativesastheyate,mostlyrevolvingthecompany's
status.Atonepoint,HarryusedtheForcetomakesuretheydidn'tturnaroundwhenR3enteredbehindthem
andstarteddownloadingtheaskedforfilesfromtheastromechsocketinthelivingroom.Oncetheywere
finishedandR3leftbacktowardthedoorway,Harryturnedtowhathecamefor.
Well,thatwasalovelymeal.I'msureyou'rewonderingwhyIaskedtomeetwithyouspecificallyandIassure
youitisn'taboutyourperformance.Itwasexemplary,saidHarry.Thelastpartwasaboldfacedlie,theman
hadbeenstealingfromthecompanyforyearsbuthadn'tbeencaughtyet.Iaskedforyoubecauseyouhave
informationIneed.
Vernonlookedconfused.Information?Aboutwhat,sir?
Harry'sfakesmiledroppedandhiseyesturnedicy.Aboutmyparents,mydearuncle.Withthat,Harry
droppedtheillusioncoveringhim.
IttookasecondbuttheyfinallyrecognizedhimifthereddeningofVernon'sandDudley'sfacesandthepaling
ofPetunia'swasanyindication.VernonstoodupandgloweredatHarryinrage.
YYou...FREAK!Howdareyouentermyhouseagain!
FAITH,saidHarrysoftly.Athiscall,FAITHtookoutahiddenblasterinhislegandpointeditatthefamilyof
three.
Statement:Idareyoutocomecloser,meatbag.Ihaven'tkilledsomeoneinawhileandyou'lldo.
ThesightoftheblasteraswellasrememberingthewaytheytreatedHarrywhenhewasyoungcausedthemto
paleinfearandVernonslowlysatbackdown.DudleylookedasifhewascontemplatingattackingFAITHbut
stoppedwhenthedroidturnedtheblastertohimasifdaringhimto.Petunialookedtobehyperventilatingand
Harryhadasneakingsuspicionithadlesstodowithhisappearanceandmoretodowiththefacthehad
droppedanillusionhehadkeptupforthepasthoursoeasily.
Harryleanedforwardandthreadedhisfingers.Now...Ineedtoknoweverythingyouknowaboutmyparents
andifyoulie...HarryturnedtoFAITHwhoproceededtoshootatDudley,missinghisheadbyainch.....well,
let'sjustsayyouwon'tlivelongenoughtoregretit.
Vernonpurpledinanger.Ialreadytoldyou...
Anddon'ttellmetheywerelayaboutsoranythinglikethat.Iknowtheyweren't.Iknowtheyevenhadafancy
houseinCloudCitywhichyou,HarryturnedtoPetuniawithapiercingstare.visitedsoonafterIwasborn.So
tellmehowtoenterthehouseandeverythingyouknowandImightbemerciful.
VernonjuststayedsilentandHarrywasabouttothreatenhimagainwhenPetuniaspoke.They...livedinCloud
9,CloudCity.Harryturnedtoherwithacuriouslookwhichshejustsneeredat.It'saspellthose....people
have.Onlysomeonewho'sallowedcantellyouwhereitisaslongasthatpersonisalive.However,oncethat
persondies,anyonewhowastoldthesecretcantellanyonetheywantto.
Harrynodded.SoIcanseeandenterthehousenow?
Petuniajustnoddedangrily.Yes,nowcanyouletusgoandleave?
Harrynarrowedhiseyes.No,Ihavemorequestions.Doyouhaveanythingthatbelongedtomyparents?I
knowthatRemusLupinmusthavebroughteverythinghecouldwithmesoyoumusthavesomething.Whereis
itandifyousoldit,sohelpme....
Petunialookedterrifiedbuteventuallyspoke.IIhaveitintheattic.I'llgogetit.
FAITH,saidHarrysternly.Thedroidturnedtohiminquestion,gowithherandmakesureshedoesn'ttryto
escapeorcallanyone.
FAITHnoddedandfollowedafterPetunia.Assoonastheyleft,Dudleystoodupwithanevilglintinhiseyes.
Now,whataregoingtodowithoutyourdroid?hesneeredevilly.
HarrygavehimawickedsmilebeforestretchingouthisrighthandandstartedtochokeDudleywiththeForce.
DudleygrabbedhisneckinshockandstartedtochokeasVernonstoodupwithanangrycryandchargedhim.
HarryjuststretchedouthislefthandandliftedVernoneasilywiththeForce.Vernoncouldonlyyellathimto
fighthimlikeamanashefloatedintheair.EventuallyHarrygottiredofitandletDudleygoandsentaweak
streamofForcelightningatVernon,enoughtoshowhimhemeantbusiness.
Idon'tneedFAITHtokeepyoumaggotsinline.Sositdownandshutup.
Thetwonowterrifiedmendidasheorderedandsatdownwhilestaringathimfearfully.Tenminutespassed
beforePetuniareturneddraggingabigtrunkbehindher.ShedroppeditbyHarryandquicklyranbacktoher
seat,shakinginfear.
Isthatall?askedHarrydangerously.Itwastakingallhiscontrolnottotorturethemforwhattheydidtohim
whenhewasyoungnowthatthetableswereturned.
Petunianodded.Yes,Iswear.
Aftermakingsureshewastellingthetruth,henodded.NowIhaveonelastquestion.Seeingthemgulp,he
continued.Why?WhydidyoutreatmelikethatwhenIhaddonenothing?
Vernonpurpledoncemoreandslammedhisfistonthetable.Thisiswhy!Thisisn'tnormal!Youaren'tnormal!
Peoplewhocandostufflikethisshouldn'texist!It'sbecauseofpeoplelikeyoufreaksthatthegalaxyistheway
itis!Youruineverything!
Harry'seyeshardened.It'sbecauseofusthatthegalaxyevenmanagedtogetthisfar.Weprotectedyouwhile
youchartedthestars.Ifitwasn'tforus,youwouldhaveneverhavegottensofar.HarryturnedtoPetunia.
Andyou?Ifeelthat'snotwhyyoudidit.Why?

Petuniasneered.Becauseyouwereherson.Lilywasalwaysthefavorite,thespecialone.Sheandherfriend
Severusgotinvitedtogoleavethisplanetat10becausetheyhadtalentwhilemeandourparentswereleft
behind.What'sworsewasthatourparentswereproud!Proudtohaveafreakinthefamily.Weneversawherfor
6yearsandwhenshereturnedshewaswithawholegroupofthemandbeingchasedbysomemaskedman.She
escapedbutwhenthemanquestionedourparentsandtheyrefusedtosayanything,hekilledthem!Ionly
survivedbecauseVernonhereprotectedme.Becauseshewaswhatshewas,ourparentsdied!
Harry'sfacedidn'tchangeduringthroughoutherstory.Soyoutookitoutonme.Whenmymotherhadnofault
forwhatthatmandid.Hekilledthemnother.Shewasjustvisitingherparentsandsisterwhosheprobably
missedprofoundly.Sheriskedeverythingtoseeyouagainandsheprobablyblamedherselfmorethanyoudid.
AndwhenIwassenthereonthehopeyouwouldprotectme,youinsteadtreatmelikeamonster.Youweren't
angryatherforyourparents.No...youwerejealousthatyouweren'tspecialtoo.Petuniaflinchedathis
accusationbutstayedquiet.That'swhyyouhatedher.Becauseshehadsomethingyoudidn'tandyoucouldn't
standit.Youdidn'teventhinkaboutthefactthatshewastakenfromherhomebystrangersandforcedtoadapt
toanewlifewithnofriends.You'reaselfish,bitterwoman.
HarryfinallyturnedtoDudley.I'mnotevengoingtoaskyouwhy.Youwereraisedtobejustashatefulasthem
andsomedayyourhatewillbeyourundoing.
Withthatlaststatement,HarrystoodupandtoldFAITHtoliftthetrunk.Hewalkedtowardtheentrancebefore
lettingR3throughfirstandapplyinghisillusionagainbeforeturningtotheDursleyswhohadfollowedhimto
thedoor.
Iwouldsuggestyoukeepwhathappenedheretoyourselves.Noonewouldbelieveyouandeveniftheydid,I
amthemajoritystockholdersoIcanjustthrowmoneyattiandit'llgoaway.Theymightevensilenceyou
permanently.Atthis,thethreeDursleyspaledatthetruthofthestatement.Iwouldsayit'sbeenapleasurebut
myadoptivemothertaughtmenottolie.
Withthat,Harryturnedawayandwalkedpurposefullybacktowardhisship.Hestoppedwhenhewasafew
metersawayfromtheirhouseandrealizedsomething.
Hehadn'tbeenafraidofthem.
Allhislife,hehadbeenafraidofhisrelatives'shadow.Despiteallhisabilitiesandskills,apartofhimhad
alwaysbeenafraidthattheywouldcomeandforcehimbackhere.Backtobeingtheirslaveandpunchingbag.
Now,however,hehadcomeandhehadbeentheonewiththepowerandcontrol.Hecouldhaveforcedthemto
kneelandobey....buthehadn't.Hehadshownhewasbetterthanthembyleavingthembeoncehehadthe
informationhewanted.Alongwiththat,hewasnolongerafraidoftheiractions.
Todayhadshownthathewasnolongerweakenoughtobeputundertheircontrol.Bothininfluence,personal
powerandcunninghehadthemoutmatched.Aweighthedidn'tknowhehadliftedoffhisshoulders.He
realizednowthathehadbeenunconsciouslyrunningfromthem.Thatwaswhyhelikedpilotingfast,thatwas
whyhecouldneverstaystillandthatwaswhyhefearedfacinghispast.Butnow,hehadfaceditandwaspast
it.Withasmallsmileonhisface,Harrycontinueddowntheroad.
WhenhepassedbyMrs.Figgsoldhousehesawacurioussightthatmadehimstopinhistracks.Somesecurity
menandafewcleaningdroidswerewalkingtowardherhouse,probablytocleanitforanothertenant.However,
whentheyreachedtenfeetfromit,themenstoppedandshooktheirheadsbeforemotioningthedroidstoleave
andmutteringaboutforgettingsomethingathome.Thedroidsseemedunaffectedbutfollowedorders
regardless.
HarrysawtheentirespectaclewhenherememberedEsmeralda'scommentsabouthisparents'house.Howevery
timesomeonetriedtobuildintheirspace,theywouldforgetaboutitsoonafterwards.Thislookedjustlikethat.
HarryhadalsoreadasmallnoteinArden'swritingsaboutexperimentingwiththeForcetocreateafieldaround
aplacethatrepellednonForcesensitives.Couldthisbelikethat?
Curious,HarrytoldFAITHtotakethetrunktotheshipandhewouldbealongshortly.FAITHagreedandleft
withR3totheship.Harry,however,walkedslowlytowardMrs.Figg'shouseandwhenhereachedtenfeet
awayhestretchedouthissensesusingtheForce.Hecouldsense...somethingsurroundingthehouse.Itwaslike
anintangiblebubblethatprotectedit.
Gatheringhiscourage,Harrytookastepforward,expectingsomethingtoattackhismind.Afteramomentjust
standingthere,herealizedtherewasnothinghappeningandcontinuedtowardthehouse,moresurethanever
thatthiswasthatexactspell.Hegentlyopenedthedoortothehouseandentered.
Thehousewasexactlyasheremembered.Itseemedasifthecleaningdroidsstillcleanedtheplacedespiteno
onelivinghereinoveradecade.Harryjuststoodinthemiddleofthelivingroom,thememoryofthelasttimes
hewasherewashingoverhim.Afteraminutestandingthere,Harrywalkedovertothebookcase.
Thethin,bluebookonpoemswasstillwherehehadleftit.Harryhadusedthehouseasaretreattoescapehis
cousineverydayafterMrs.Figgdied.Backthen,hedidn'tunderstandwhybutDudleywouldnevercomenear
thishouse.Nowheknewitmustbeduetothespelloverthehouse.Buthow?Mrs.Figgswasn'tForcesensitive.
Thatmuchhewouldhavesensed.
Harryopenedthebluebookandreadhisfavoritesonnet.
'Mymistress'eyesarenothinglikethesun
Coralisfarmoreredthanherlips'red
Ifsnowbewhite,whythenherbreastsaredun
Ifhairsbewires,blackwiresgrowonherhead.
Ihaveseenrosesdamasked,redandwhite,
ButnosuchrosesseeIinhercheeks
Andinsomeperfumesistheremoredelight
Theninthebreaththatmymistressreeks.
Ilovetohearherspeak,yetwellIknow
Thatmusichathafarmorepleasingsound
IgrantIneversawagoddessgo
Mymistress,whenshewalks,treadsontheground.
Andyet,byheaven,Ithinkmyloveasrare
Asanyshebeliedwithfalsecompare.'
Harrycouldn'thelpbutimagineJainaashereadthesonnet.Likehesaidbefore,Jainahadnounique
characteristictoher,nouniquehaircolororlargebreasts.Shewasusuallycoveredinoilordirtfromher
constantworkingwithhershipandhertraining.However....whenheimaginedloveandbeauty,herfaceentered
hisface.
Harrysighed.Evenafterallshehaddone,Jainastillruledhisheart.Forthefirsttime,HarrycomparedJainaand
Astraalpersonalitywise.Jainaneverreallycaredaboutherlooksandusuallydressedinthemostcomfortable
clothingavailable(exceptwhensheknewshewouldbealonewithHarry,inwhichcasesheworewhatwasboth
comfortableandaccentuatedherassets).Astraal,ontheotherhand,alwaysmadesuretobecleanalthoughshe
didn'tmindgettingdirtywhennecessary.Herclothingwasalwaysrevealingandaccentuatedhercurves.Jaina
wasstubborn,proudandloudwhensheletherbarriersdown.Astraalwasaccepting,quietandhumblethough
shecouldbeveryforwardwhenalonewithHarry.
Harrysigheddeeply.Theywerealikeyetdifferent.DidhedateAstraalbecausesheremindedhimofhowhe
wishedJainawouldbeasforwardasAstraalwas?AfteraminuteofthoughtHarryshookhishead.No...he
lovedAstraalforhernotbecauseshewaslikeJaina.Well...atleastforwhoshewasbeforetheystarteddating
andshegotpossessive.Jaina....helovedherbecauseshewasstubborn...becauseshewasconfrontational...
because....Jaina'ssmileflashedthroughhishead.Helovedherbecausesheandhimfitandbecauseheknewthat
shelovedhimbutthoughttoomuchwithherheadandnotenoughwithherheart.Duetothis,shehurthimmore
thananyoneelseeverhad.
Harryfrownedashecontinuedtobeconfusedabouthisfeelings.Hewishedhesomeoneelsetocomparethem
tobuttheyweretheonlywomenhewasevercloseto.Kasswasslightlyarrogant,forwardlikeAstraalbut
extremelyloyaltoherfriends.AsharawasshyandquietandHarrylikedtotalktoherthefewtimesshewas
openenoughtoconversewithhim.Shehadagravityaroundherthatbelongedtosomeonemucholderand
remindedhimofVisasattimes.
Harrywasabouttotakethesmallcollectionof20booksratherthanletthemcollectdustherewhenhesawthe
bigredbookMrs.Figghadforbidhimfromreadinguntilhewasolder.Hereadthetitle'Roots'andfrowned.
Wasitacoincidencethatitwastitledthatwhenhewastryingtofindhisown?Hehesitantlypulledoutthebook
andfoundittobeslightlyheavybutnotthatmuch.Harrysatonthecouchandputthebookinhislapbefore
openingitandgasping.
Sittingthereinthemiddleofacutoutholeinthemiddleofthepagesofthebookwasacircularholocrononly
bigenoughtofitinthepalmofhishand.AlthoughHarryhadneverseenacompletelycircularholocronbefore
therewasnodoubtwhatitwasconsideringtherunescarvedintoitandtheinnerglowing.Harrygentlyliftedit
outandasmallpaperwasrevealedbeneathit.Harrygrabbeditgentlyandreadit.
'DearHarry,thisholocronwasleftinmypossessionbyRemusLupin,themanwholeftyouwithyourrelatives
andpaidformyroomandboard.HetaskedmewithguardingyoubutIfailedinthatbeforeIcouldtrulytry
thankstomyblindness.Heknewmethankstomebeingfriendswithanoldteacherofhis,Professor
Dumbledore,whoImetwhenhecametocollectLilyandSeverusallthoseyearsago.Alongwithpayingmy
roomandboard,RemusleftmethisholocronwithinstructionstogiveittoyouonlywhenIthoughtyouwere
readytofindyourroots.However,IknowIdon'thavemuchtimeleftsoIhidtheholocroninthisbookknowing
youwouldfinditsomeday.Idon'tknowhowsinceI'mnotForcesensitivebutIfeelitinmybones.I'msorryfor
failingyoubutknowthatyougavethisoldwomanthehappiestdayofherlifewhenyouspentitwithher
readingherfavoritebookaftersolongwithoutreadingthosewords.MaytheForceguideyoualways.Moria
Figg'
Harrywipedthetearsfromhiseyesandsmiledatthememoryofthekind,oldwoman.Ithadn'tbeenherfault
andintheend,hemethisfuturefamilyandwashappy.Harryturnedtotheholocronand,notknowinganyother
waytoactivateit,floodeditwiththeForce.
Theholocronglowedslightlybeforeaminiaturehologramofamiddleagedmanappeared.Hewasdressedin
robesandhishairseemedtohavenolifeandsimplyhungoutofhishead.Despitethat,therewasasmileonhis
facethatmadehimseemmuchyounger.Duetobeingahologram,Harrycouldn'tseeanyothercharacteristic
butguessedthemanmustbeafriendofhisparentsifheriskedhislifetotakehimtosafety.
'Hello,Harry.ThisismylastmessageforyoutogiveyouaclueonhowtoreachourhomeplanetofBaile.
Knowingthismighthappen,afterthegroupseparatedandtooktheirownpaths,theMarauders,whichincludes
myself,SiriusBlack,JamesPotterandPeterPettigrewhidtheHogwartsinastoragehangarinPhaeda.Wedid
thisbyusingourabilitiestoclaimaninheritancetoadeceasedcriminalandtookallhisstuffandstashedit
insidetheshipwhichwethenhidinsideahangarheldintrustwiththeauthoritiesoftheplanetuntilusor
someonewithprooftoourlineagecametocollectit.Thisholocronshouldbeenoughproof.Siriusiscurrently
chasingdownPettigrewwhowastheonewhobetrayedyourparentslocationtothatman.Asforyourparent's
killer....donotconfronthimuntilourpeople'sholocrononBailedeclaresyouaMaster.Thatmanismore
dangerousthananyoneyouhaveevermetandhaslivedforover400years.Hewastheonewhodestroyedour
peoplethoughI'llletyoufigureoutwhyandhowwhenyouarriveonourplanet.Thisholocroncontainsthis
messageandallthespellsIknewwhichconcentrateonHealingandArithmency.Thereareafewdefensive
spellsaswell.However,youwillonlylearnthemoreadvancedspellsifIdeemyouready.Mywandshouldwork
foryouandishiddenalongthespineofthisbook.Becareful,HarryandmaytheForcebewithyou.'
Remus'shologramfadedandHarrywasleftinsilence.Harrycontemplatedallthathehadbeentoldbefore
decidingonacourseofaction.Hewouldfirstvisithisparents'housetocollecteverythingRemuscouldn't
beforecontinuingonhisquest.Heneededtoseetheirhouseandhaveasenseofclosureontheirdeaths.
Takingadeepbreath,Harryplacedtheholocroninhispocketandcollectedthebooksbeforestartingtoleave.
Beforeleavingthehouse,Harryturnedbacktolookinsideandwhispered.
Thanks,Mrs.Figg.Sleepinpeace.
Withthat,Harryturnedandwalkedbacktowardtheship,aweighthedidn'tevenknowhecarriedoffhis
shoulders.
Harryhadeasilyreceivedclearancetoleavefromthesecurityofficeandhadwastednotimeleavingthatplanet
behind.HarryhadthenchartedacoursetowardBespin,knowingitwouldtakeatwodaystoarriveduetothere
notbeingadirecthyperspaceroutefromApatrostoBespin.HewouldhavetotaketheCorellianRuntoCorellia
beforeswitchingtotheCorellianTradeSpiretoreachBespin.Itwasnowtheseconddayofthetripandthey
wereontheCorellianTradeSpire.HarrywaspracticingRemus'sspellsinthecargoholdwhereJacen'sanimals
usuallywere.Hehadmasteredthefirstthreespells:Protego,Stupefy,andExpelliarmusquiteeasilyalthough
theyweremuchhardertocastwithoutawand.TherewasevenafootnotethatsaidtoaddTotalumtoProtegoif
hewishedtoprotectalargearea.However,thefourthspell,Reparo,wasmuchmoredifficultwithoutawand
duetohavingtoimaginethebrokenobjectwholeagain.Withawand,thatisn'tnecessarybutwithoutit,itis.
HarrylookeddownatRemus'swand.
Itwas12incheslongandseemedtobemadeofsomesortofwoodbecauseitwasbendablelikewoodbuthard
enoughnottobreak.Ithada4inchhiltthatseemedtobemadeofaharderkindofmaterialthatfeltlikemetal
butlookedlikewoodaswellandhadasilvercrystalatthebottom.Toanyoneelse,itwouldjustlooklikeavery
wellcraftedstickwithacrystalbuttoHarryitwassomethingelse.HarrycouldfeeltheForceimbuedintoevery
fiberofthewand.ItbasicallyglowedintheForceanditseemedtobesentienttoacertainextent.Harrybriefly
wonderedifitcouldstanduptoalightsaberbladebutwasn'twillingtotestitout.Harrycouldfeelitallowed
Harrytowielditbecausehislastowneralloweditbutthathecouldn'tbringoutitstruepotential.Itwasvery
wellpolishedandseemedtoalmostreflectthelightlikeitwasbrandnewbutHarrycouldsensethehistoryin
thewand.Ithadbeenthroughmanybattlesandconflictsbutitstillseemedtogiveoffanauraofcreationand
lifealongwithakindofferalpredatoryinstinct.Shakingitoff,Harryturnedbacktohispractice.
Harryreadthenextspellonthelist:Diffindo.Itbasicallytoreatargetoraspecificareaofatargettheopponent
muchlikealightsaberbladebutcouldbeshotatsomeone,makingitalongrangespell.Therewereonlythree
abilitiesleftthathecouldaccessafterthat.Bothwerewarnedtobehighertierabilitiesandwouldtakeawhile
tomasterthough.TheywereExpectoPatronumwhichwasasortofpersonalandmorepowerfulversionof
ForceLight,ApparitionoraneutralversionofTeleportationandRidingtheCurrentorFlowwalking.Thelatter
twoabilitieswerewhattrulyinterestedHarry.
RidingtheCurrentinvolvedsubmergingone'sspiritintheForce'scurrents,allowingonetosendhisspiritto
anothertimewhetherpastorfuture.However,itwarnedthatvisionsofthefuturewereworsethannormal,
naturalvisionsduetowhatoneseesbeingbiasedaccordingtotheseer.Basically,onecouldseesomeonedying
butnotknowhowhegottothatpointorhowtochangeit.Therewasalsotheproblemofthefutureyou're
seeingbeingoneofmanypossibleandthereneverbeingasingleprobablefutureduetotheexistenceof
shatterpoints.TheotherabilitywasApparitionanditinvolvedsubmergingbothbodyandsoulintotheForce's
currentsbutratherthanridetheflowacrosstime,onerodetheflowacrossspace,allowingonetoinstantly
appearsomewhereelse.Remus'shologramwarnedthatitbestusedtogotoplacesoneknewintimatelybecause
goinganywhereelseriskedthechanceofappearinginsidesomethingorleavingsomethingbehind.Forthat
reason,hewarnedtonotdoitalonesotheotherpersoncouldputyoubacktogetherafterexplaininghow.
HarrywaspracticingDiffindoandgettingsomeresultsthoughittooktoomuchconcentrationtodoitinbattle
yet.HarryhadfoundhehadanaffinityforExpelliarmuswhichbasicallydisarmedtheopponentandwhensent
withsufficientforce,blastedthembackwardsaswell.FAITHhadaskedHarryifhewasmakingalightshow
whenhefirstcaughthimpracticingthespells.ThoughusingtheForcetojustripaweaponoutofyour
opponent'shadiseasier,itneverhurttohavemoreoptionsavailable.
Suddenly,theshipshudderedbeforethesoundoflaserfireimpactingtheshipsounded.Harryholsteredthe
wandinanewlymadeholsteronhiswristandquicklyrantowardthecockpitwhereFAITHwasalreadyinthe
copilot'sseat.HecheckedthenavigationtoseewheretheywereandsawtheywereinWornalSector,butfar
enoughawayfromanysystemtonotbeabletoreceivehelpiftheyneededit.
Statement:Pirates,master.Theywerewaitingatthisjunctionandusedgravitywellstodragusoutof
hyperspace.However,theyseemtoalreadybeinbattlebythelooksofit.
Harrylookedouttheviewportandsawthepirates'shipsfightingwithaspeedyblackandwhiteHWK290.The
pirateshadthreeGAT12SkiprayBlastboatsandfiveZ95Heahduntersactingasthefighterscreen.TheHWK
290wasmuchmoremaneuverablethanthepirates'blastboats,however,thepiratesweremorenumerousand
hadstarfightersandwerewearingthepilotdown.Thestarfightershadbeentheonestoshootthembuthad
turnedawayoncetheynoticedthattheWaywardSonhadstrongershielding,sotheyseemedtohavedecidedto
takecareoftheothershipfirst.
Measuringtwentyninemetersinlength,theHWK290resembledtheheadofalargeraptor,andrequiredapilot
andcopilottopilot.Thefreightercouldaccommodateuptosixpassengersand150metrictonsofcargo.
They'resoldwithoutarmamentbutthisonehadoneturretbehindthecockpitandtwolasercannononthewings,
neitherofwhichloweredtheship/sspeedormaneuverability.
TheZ95Headhuntersusuallyhadadistinctivebubblecanopyandasetoftripleblastermountedattheendsof
eachofitstwovariablegeometrywingshoweverthesedispensedwiththeswingwingsandbubblecanopyin
favorofmoreprecisemaneuveringthrustersandcanopyinstrumentation.Thismadethemmaneuverableenough
tofollowtheHWK290easilyaswasseenastheyshotatit,slowlytakingdownitsshielding.
TheleaderwasobviouslythecrimsonandwhiteGAT12SkiprayBlastboat.LikeallGAT12Skiprays,ithad
twoforwardsweptstabilizerfinsbranchedoutfromarotatingassemblyattheaftoftheshipandhousedtwoof
theMendarnArmsDar2ioncannons.Thestabilizerswerekeptverticallyinflight,likeitwasnow,withtheion
cannonsdeployedaboveandbelowtherestoftheshipthefinsrotatedhorizontallyforlanding,puttingthemon
eithersideoftheshipinamoretraditionalwingedconfiguration.Theseshipshadenoughfirepowertobe
labeledacapitalshipinandofitselfandHarrywassurprisedtheHWK290couldstanduptoit.Nodoubtit
evadedthemorepowerfulioncannonsandhadenoughshieldingtosurvivetheweakerlasercannons.However,
thatwouldn'tlastandtheywouldbedeadinspacesoonifthiscontinuedsohedecidedtohelp.
FAITH,I'mleavingyoutopilotanddestroythosepirates.Controltheturretsfromhere.I'llpilottheAzure
AngelwithR3andkeepthemoffbothyouandtheothership.
Answer:Understood,master.
Harryturnedandracedtowardhisstarfighter'shangarandfoundR3alreadyinsertinghimselfintotheastromech
socket.HarrysmiledasR3whistledhisencouragementandtheyopenedthehangardoorsandblastedoutofthe
makeshifthangar.
HarrydidaUturnandflewfullspeedtowardthemainpirateshipwhichwastheDAT120Skipraypainteda
deepcrimsonalongthewingsandwhiteonthebody.Knowinghewouldneveroutgunoroutlasttheblastboats,
Harryshotitsengines,movingtoofastforitsZ95Headhuntersanditsturretstotrack.Aftertwomorepasses,
theenginesblewupinaexplosionofsparksandflameandtheshipwasdeadinspacethoughnotdefenselessas
itcontinuedtoshootathim.Notwantingthemtocontinuetocausedamage,Harryturnedaroundandstartedto
makeanotherpass.However,theZ95Headhunterswerenowreadyforhimandchasedafterhim,abandoning
theblackandwhiteHWK290toothertwoblastboats.
Harryshowedhissuperiorityasapilotasheexpertlyoutflewtheotherpilotsthrewcorkscrewmaneuversand
sharpturns,allthewhileavoidingthefireofthedeadinspaceblastboatwhosegunnersseemedtoholdagrudge
againsthim.HeeventuallyendedupbehindtheZ95sandquicklyshot3oftheirengines,knockingthemout
andmakingthemdeadinspaceaswell.Thelasttwomangedtoevadehimforatimebutheeventuallychased
themtowardtheWaywardSonwhichblewthemintoscrapwithitspowerfulturrets.
HeturnedbacktowardtheWaywardSonandsawthatthebattlewasoverwiththetwoblastboatsdeadinspace
(includingtheonehemadedeadinspace)andthelasthavingescapedthelosingbattle.Harryreceivedacomm
messagefromtheHWK290andheanswered.
Whoaskedforyourhelp,huh?!IhadthemrightwhereIwantedthem!
Thevoicewasobviouslyafemaleandshesoundedtobearoundhisageandseemedjustasobviouslyangry.
Harrywasannoyedatthelackofgratitude.
Well,noproblem.Nexttime,I'llletthemblowyouintospacescrapthen.
Thelinewassilentbeforeadifferentandmucholderfemalevoicecameontheline.Ignoremypartner.Weare
verygratefulforyourhelp.Wewereoverwhelmedbythosepiratesandwouldhavebeeneitherdestroyedor
boardedifyouhadn'tarrived.MayIaskyourname?
Harrythoughtaboutitbeforedecideditwouldn'thurt.MynameisJediKnightHarryPotter,pilotofthe
WaywardSonandmypersonalstarfighter,theAzureAngel..
Therewassilenceonthelinebeforethefirstwomanansweredwithasheepishtone.Jedi?Oh...sorryabout
that.Ididn'tknow.Well,thanksforthehelpandwe'lljustbeonourway.
Suspicious,HarrywatchedastheHWK290turnedaroundand,oncetheyexitedtherangeoftheenemy's
gravitywells,enteredhyperspace.Harryjustwatchedthemgo,tootiredtobesuspiciousforlong,beforeturning
backtowardtheWaywardSon.Helandedtheshipinsidethemakeshifthangarandexitedtheship.R3
disengagedfromtheastromechsocketandfollowedHarrytowardthecockpit.Harrystaredattheshipsdeadin
spaceforaminutebeforedecidingtoboardandarrestthemaftercallingfortheauthorities.
Heactivatedhiscommandcalledforthenearestsecurityforce,whichjustsohappenedtobetheBespin
securityforce.ThecallwaseventuallyansweredandHarryexplainedhispositioninspaceandhowhehad
severalpirateshipsdeadinspace.Thesecurityforcepromisedtobethereinafewhoursandcuttheline.Harry
frownedbeforesittingbacktowait.
Severalhourslater,HarryfollowedtheBespinsecurityprisontransporttowardBespinsincethatwashis
destinationanyway.Harryexitedhyperspaceandgothisfirstlookatthefamousgasgiantandinfamous
shadowport.
Fromspace,Bespinlookedlikeagiantredballofgaswithtwosmallerballsofredgasorbitingit.Itlooked
impossibleforanylifetolivecomfortablyhere.However,Harryknewthiswasmisdirectingsince150
kilometersinsidetheouteredgewasa30kilometerbandthatcouldsupportHumanlife.Aftergettingclearance
toland,Harrypilotedtheshiptowardthisarea.Hewastailedbytwosecurityshipsthatlookedliketwo
triangularpodsattachedtoeachotherbutknewitwasnormalprocedureforallnewshipsenteringthelifezone.
HarrywasledtowardhislandingpadandHarrylandeditwithoutahitch.Harrydecidedtoforegotherobeand
stayedinablackpantsandlongsleevedgreenshirtcombinationwithhissignatureblackboots.Heopenly
carriedhislightsabersonhisbackandputonhislightningglovesjustincase.Theywereunnoticeableas
lightningglovesunlessheactivatedthemsonoonewouldknowwhattheywere.HehadRemus'swandhidden
initsholsteronhisleftwristwherehecouldquicklyflickhiswristanditfellintohislefthand.However,he
doubtedhewoulduseitsincehewasstillgettingusedtoit.Itwasjustthereasanextraweapon.
HarryturnedtoFAITH.Youhavetoactasaprotocoldroidagain,sorry.HarrythenturnedtoR3.Stayby
FAITH'ssideifthere'saconfrontation.I'lltrytoknocktheenemyoutasquicklyaspossibleifwe'reattackedbut
Ihopethere'snoproblem.
Annoyedstatement:Asyousay,master.Query:WillIbeforcedtoactthispartduringtheentirequest?
Harrysmirked.Justthinkofitthisway.Whenwe'reattacked,youcansurprisetheenemybyactivatingyour
flamethrowerandhiddenlightsabersandblasters.
Comment:That'strue,master.
HarrysmirkedashewalkeddowntherampwithFAITHandR3following.Heactivatedthesecuritysystemto
maximum(Bespinwasashadowport,afterall)andwalkedintothenearbycantinawithhisdroidsfollowing.As
heentered,hesawanotherlandingpadnearhiswithafamiliarblackandwhiteHWK290.Herealizedthetwo
womenmusthavelandedhereandwonderediftheydiditbecauseitwastheclosestsystem,becausetheywere
alreadyheadedhere,orbecauseitwasashadowport.Hejustshruggedanddecidedtoinvestigateitafterwards.
Harrysatdownatthebarandorderedadrinkashediscreetlyeyedtheclientele.Itwasmiddaysotherewasn't
muchpeoplearoundexceptforafewpeoplehereandthereandtablewithfourHumanssitting.
Thefourhumansweretwowomenandtwomensittingacrossfromeachother.Onemanwasquitetall,even
sittingdown,andhadblackhairandlightcoloredeyes.Hewasdressedinallblackclothingthatgavehima
darkaurawhichwasn'thelpedbythewayhewasglaringatoneofthewomen.Theothermanwasredhaired,
twoshadeslighterthanMara's,andhadamustachetoproveitwashisnaturalhaircolor.Hewasdressedin
looseblueshirtandblackpantsandseemedtobetryingtocalmtheothermandownalthoughhelookedangry
aswell.Theyseemedtobehavingadisagreementwiththetwowomenwhoonlylookedboredattheiranger.
Bothmenhadablasterontheirrighthip.
Thewomanbeingglaredathadlightbrownhairwithawhitestreakgoingdownthemiddleofherhairstarting
fromtherootandwascurrentlytiedupinabunwithalongblackmetalstickholdingit,herhairmatchedher
browneyeswithathinsilvercirclearoundtheiriswhichwerecurrentlyamused.Shelookedtobearound
Harry'sagebuthadafigureofagrownwoman,withlargeCtosmallDcupbreastsandcurvesthatwould
makemostmendrool.Thiswasemphasizedbyherwhitecorset,whichwassimilartotheoneNakiaalways
wore,andskintightwhitepantsthatseemedtobepartofherhighheeledwhiteboots.Herskinwasabitpaler
thanherpartner'ssignifyingeitherherancestryorhertendencynottogointothesunlightinherlineofwork.
Shealsohadanecklacewithagreenstonehangingfromherneck.Shecurrentlyhadherrightlegcrossedover
herleftlegwhichsheseemedtoknowemphasizedherlegsandhadherlefthanddiscreetlyholdingontoher
blasteronherlefthipwhichwasholsteredonherutilitybelt.
Theotherwomanwasperhapsevenmorebeautifulthanthefirst,withlong,looseblondehairthatreachedthe
smallofherbackanddeepceruleaneyes.Shelookedtobeinher30sandhadabodythatwasperfectly
proportioned.Shehadalongsleevedpurpleshirtthathadyellowscaledshoulderpadsandwastightenoughto
showherlargeDcupbreastswereallnatural.Shehadamatchingpurplepantsthatturnedintoascaledyellow
colorsimilartohershoulderpadshalfwaydownhershins.Thepantsendswereinsideherbrownbootswhich
matchedherbrowngloves.Likeherpartner,shewasarmedbutshehadtwoblastersinsteadofone,both
holsteredonabrownutilitybeltthatwasheldlooselyonherhips.
Unlikethemen,bothwomenlookedtobeasdangerousastheywerebeautiful,provedbythewaytheyjustkept
amockingsmileatthetwomenevenastheygotangrierandseemedtobethreateningthem.Harryhadthe
distinctfeelingthesemenweren'tworkmatesoftheirsandhadsatwiththeminanattempttowoothem.
However,theyseemedangrytoberejectedandweregettingangrieratthewomen'smockingsmiles.Eventually,
theblackhairedmanstoodupandpulledouthisblaster.
IfHarryhadn'tbeenpayingattention,hewouldhavemissedit.Thebrownhairedwomanquicklystoodup,
rippedtheman'sblasterouthishandbeforehittinghimhardovertheheadwiththebuttofit.Theblackhaired
manfelllikeasackofpotatoes.Theredhairedmantriedtopullhisblasteraswellbutthebrownhairedwoman
quicklyaimedtheblackhairedman'sblasterathisfaceandseemedtosaysomethingtohim.Theredhaired
manturnedredinangerbutseemedtounderstandhewasbeatensohedroppedhisblasteronthetable,picked
uphisunconsciousfriendandquicklyleftthecantina.
Thewomantookbothmen'sblastersbeforehandingthemtoherfriendwhoputthem...somewhere.Harry
couldn'tseewherefromhisanglebuthehadthedistinctfeelinghewasn'tsupposedtoanditwasprivate.
Knowingwherehismotherkeptsomeofherweaponsonherperson,thatwasadistinctpossibility.
Thebrownhairedwomanseemedtosensehisstarebecausesheturnedtohimandglaredathimasiftellinghim
tolookaway.Hejustgaveheramockingwaveandraisedhisdrinkinsalutebeforeturningbacktothebarin
seemingunconcernwheninrealityhehadsensesstretchedouttomaximumincaseshestartedsomething.
However,itseemedshewasdoneandhesawherandherfriendsitbackdownandreturntotheirdrinks.
Shakinghisheadatthekindofpeoplehemetinthegalaxy,Harryfinishedhisdrinkbeforeturningtothe
bartender.
So...doyouknowwhereCloud9islocated?
Thebartenderseemedtothinkaboutitbeforeanswering.Maybe..butmymemory'sgoingthesedays.Doyou
haveanythingtoremindme?
Harrykeptupahappysmileasheput100creditsonthebarwhichthebartenderquicklygrabbed.After
countingit,helookedaroundbeforeleaningtowardhim.
Well,noonelivesthereforsomereasonbutit'slocatednortheastofhere.Isuggestyourentaaircarbecause
takingyourshiptherewouldattractunwantedattention,ifyouunderstandme?
Harryjustsmiledpleasantlyandraisedhisglassinatoast.Iunderstand.Cheers.
HedranktherestofhisdrinkbeforestandingupandsignalingFAITHandR3tofollow.Unknowntohim,the
twowomenhadheardhisconversationwiththebartenderandafterlookingateachotherwithanunreadable
look,discreetlyfollowedafterhim.
HarryhaddidasadvisedandrentedacarforthreedaysbeforepilotingittowardwhereCloud9wasonthemap.
Duringtheentiretrip,hekeptseeingsomethingonthecornerofhiseyebutwhenheturned,neversaw
anything.Hecouldn'tsenseanythingthroughtheForceeithersojustplayeditoffashisimagination.
Arewethereyet,FAITH?
Answer:Accordingtothemap,wearequicklyarriving.
Theypassedthroughacloudandsuddenlyahousematerializednotfarinfrontofthem,floatingamongstthe
clouds.Itwasasimpletwostoryhouse,paintedalightbluecolorwithwhiteaccents.Itmatchedwellwiththe
backgroundofblueskiesandwhiteclouds.HarrycouldseeasmallgaragebigenoughfortheHWK290
Esmeraldasaidhisfatherownedbutitwascurrentlyopenandempty.Therewasadistinctfeelingofdisrepair
surroundingthehousewhichwasn'tsurprisingconsideringnoonehadlivedthereinover15years.Hecould
alsoseeholesnearthefrontdoor,whichmustbefromafight.Harrytookadvantageoftheemptygarageand
landedtheaircarthere.Unknowntohim,thetwowomenfromthebarhadfollowedhimandthankstothat,had
managedtopenetratethecharmthatkeptthepropertyhiddensincehetechnicallyledthemin.Theyquietly
parkedtheiraircarontheroofandusedsensorstolistentothesoundsinthehouse.

Meanwhile,Harryhadslowlyandquietlyenteredthehouseonlytoseeitinastateofchaos.Itwasobviousby
thedestroyedtablesandglassthattherehadbeenafightherealongtimeago.Probablyhisparents'laststruggle
beforetheywerekilled.AllhintspointedtothekillerbeingMarrishbutwithoutproofhecouldn'tbecertain.
SuddenlyherememberedtheRidingtheCurrentabilityhewaslearningfromRemus'sholocron.Hehadsaid
thatevenanovicecoulduseittoseethepastifhehadbeeninthattimeandplacebefore.Basicallyonecould
sendhisspirittowatchsomethingtheyhadalreadylivedthrough.
HarryturnedtoFAITH.Stayalert,I'mgoingtogointoatrancesoit'llbeuptoyoutoprotectme.
AfterFAITHansweredintheaffirmative,HarrysatdownIndianstyleinthemiddleofthedestroyedliving
roomtakingdeepbreathsbeforesendinghisspiritintocurrentoftheForceandintothepast,15yearsago.
Flowwalking(15yearsago)
Harryappearedinthelivingroomofthehousehejustleftexceptnowthelivingroomwasinpristine
condition.Heturnedandalmostyelledoutinfrightbecausehecamefacetofacewithhisreflection.
However,whenthereflectionpassedthroughhimasifhewasn'teventhereaswellashadapairofround
glasses,Harryrealizeditwasn'thimbuthisfatherhewasseeing.Harryhimselfwouldhaveneeded
spectaclesbuttheSoloshadtakenhimtohaveeyesurgerysohewouldn'tneedthemanymore.Harrysighed
inreliefwhenherealizedRemuswasrightabouthimbeingbothinvisibleanduntouchabletothoseofthis
timeline.Therewerewaystobeseen,heardandtouchedbuthesaidtheywereasuselessasthiswaybecause
onecouldn'tchangethepastnomatterwhatandonlyriskedtheusergoinginsanetryingto.
HarrywatchedwithlongingashisfatherJamessmiledasheenteredtheadjoiningkitchenandsneakedup
behindadarkredhairedwoman.Lookingathimclosely,Harrycouldseeafewdifferenceswithhimself.
JameswashazeleyedandwasconsiderablyfitterandthickerthanHarryhimself(thoughthiscouldbedueto
Harry'sbadchildhoodandJamesbeingolder).HisjawwasalsosetabitdifferentandHarryguessedhegot
hisfromhismother.Unlikehim,hiseyesseemedtohaveasenseofmischiefandselfconfidencebordering
onarrogancethatHarry'slacked.Suddenly,Jamessneakedupbehindthewomanandgrabbedherfrom
behindmuchlikeHarryhimselfhaddonetoAstraalinFeluciabeforeliftingherupasshesquealedin
laughter.Hethendroppedheronherfeetandkissedherdeeply.Sheeagerlyreturnedthekissandwhenthey
separated,Harrystudiedhisbirthmother.
ShewasquitebeautifulandHarrycouldseewhyhisfatherhadbeensoenamoredofher.Shehadlongdark
redhairthatreachedherposteriorandemeraldgreeneyesthatHarryrecognizedashisown.Shehada
figurethatwasquitesimilartotheblondeinthecantina's,withsmallerDcupbreasts,aslimwaistand
generouscurves.ButwhattrulycapturedHarry'sattentionwastheloveandhappinessinhereyesasshe
lookedathisfather.Itwasobviousshelovedhimdeeply.
James,scoldedLily.I'mcookingsoifyouwanttoeatsometimestoday,gotakecareofHarrywhileI
finish.
Fakepouting,Jameschuckledandgaveherakissbeforewalkingoutoftheroom.Harrystayedandwatched
hismotherexpertlyslicethefruitsandvegetablestomakeasaladtoaccompanyhermeal.Lookingthrough
thewindowbeyondher,Harrycouldseeitwasalreadynighttime.
Suddenly,explosionsandlaserfiresoundednotfarawayfromhereandHarrycouldseeshipswiththe
ImperialinsigniaflyingbehindBespinsecurityshipsandshootingthemoutofthesky.Lilyjustfrownedat
thesightandreturnedtohercooking.
Alwaysfighting,mutteredLily.Whycan'tpeoplejustliveinpeace?Idon'twantmyHarrytolivealifeof
war.
HarrysawJamesenterthelivingroomsoonafter,carryingablackhaired,emeraldeyedgigglingbabythat
Harryrealizedmustbehim.Harrywasjusthappynoneofthegirlsorhismothersawhimasababybecause
therewasnodoubtthatghostsornot,theywoulddotedonhisbabyform.
JamessatonthecouchwithbabyHarryonhislapandstartedtomakenoisesandfacesthatmadebaby
Harrylaughinjoy.Jameslaughedalongwithhimandcontinuedtomakefaces.Lilysmiledassheentered
thelivingroomaswellandsawthemplaying.Shecleanedherhandsonaragandsatdownbesidethem
beforepullingoutherwand.ShethenproceededtomakefiguresandshapesoutofsmokeforbabyHarry's
amusementandheloveditashegiggledandtriedtocatchthesmokyfigures.Jameschuckledalongwithhim
butstoppedwhenthesoundofexplosionscameclosertothehouse.
Jamesgotupandstaredoutthewindowwithafrown.TheFideliuswillholdeveniftheymistakenlyshoot
inthisdirection,right?
LilysmiledassheplayedwithbabyHarryinherlapandanswered.Yes,James.Don'tworry,we'reperfectly
safehere.
Jamessighedbeforestiffeningasheseemedtoseesomethingthroughthewindow.Hepaledbeforeturning
toLily.
Run,Lily!It'shim!He'safterus,takeHarryandrun!
Withthat,thefrontdoorexplodedandLilyscreamedandrancarryingbabyHarryinherarmsupthestairs.
Meanwhile,James,drawinghiswand,facedtheintruder.
Harryfollowedhimandcamefacetofacewithafamiliarmaskthatconfirmedhissuspicionsandfilledhim
withrage.
StandingthereinhisregularwavelikemaskwithasingleeyeholewasnoneotherthanMarrish.Hewas
dressedalongblackrobeandwascarryingaredlightsaberinhisrighthand.Jamesglaredatthemanwith
hatred.
You!Murdererandmonster!Iwon'tletyoukillmyfamily!Withthat,Jamesletlooseabarrageofredand
yellowlightsatMarrishwhichthelatterdeflectedwithhisbladeeasily.Somelightshitthewallsandcreated
giantholeswhichonecouldseetheoutside.Jamessawthisandpointedhislefthandatatablewhile
continuingtoshootMarrishwithhiswandinhisright.ThetableturnedintoawolfanditlungedatMarrish.
MarrishquicklycaughtthewolfwiththeForceanduseditasashieldagainstJames'scursesbeforesending
itbackatJames.JameswasforcedtodestroythewolfbutwascaughtoffguardwhenMarrishquickly
followedbehindthewolfandimpaledJamesthroughthecenterofhischest.
JameshadalookofpainonhisfaceasMarrishleanedinclosertohim.
Toobad.Inamoreopenspace,youmighthavebeenhardertodefeat.Youshouldneverletyourselfbe
caughtoffguard,evenwhenyouthinkyou'resafe.Andnowyou'redead.
MarrishremovedhisbladefromJames'schestandswiftlydecapitatedhim.Hethenwalkedupthestairs
towardstheroomwherebabyHarrycouldbeheardcrying.HarrypassedMarrishandenteredtheroom
beforehim,seeingLilytryingtohideinacornerandquietbabyHarry'scryingtonoavail.Realizingthatit
wasuseless,LilyputHarryonthefloorandaimedherwandatthedoor,sendinganarrayofyellowand
whitelightswhichseemedtolockthedoorfurtherifMarrish'sscreamoffrustrationwasanyindication.
However,Marrishimpaledhislightsaberinthedoorandstartedtomakeacircletowalkthroughslowly.It
seemedoneofthespellsthatLilysentatthedoormadeitashardasduranium.Realizingtheywerecaught,
LilyturnedtobabyHarrywithaforcedsmile.
It'sokay,Harry.Mommy'shere,comfortedLilyevenastearsescapedhereyes.Shesnarled.Peter's
betrayedus.AndSiriushadaskedtoborrowtheshipyesterdaysowecan'tescape.Iwon'trisktryingtofly
whilebeingchasedbythismonster.ImightletyoufallbymistakeandI'dratherdiethanlivewhenyou
died.
Suddenly,alookofrealizationcametoherfaceandshesmiledatHarrysadly.Well,Ifiguredouthowto
protectyou,mydarlingbabyboy.Justremember,Mommylovesyouwithallherheart.Beagoodboy,eat
yourvegetablesandmakefriends.Adarklookcrossedherface.Justmakesurethey'recompletelyloyalto
youandwouldneverbetrayyou.Nothinghurtsmorethanbeingbetrayedbysomeoneyouloved.Lilyturned
andsawMarrishwashalfwaythrough.Iloveyou,Harry.Neverforgetthat.
Lilystoodupandstartedtochantinastrangelanguage.BluestreamsofForceenergyleftLily'sbodyand
enteredHarry's.Asshefinishedherchant,bothglowedyellowandLilysmiledsadly.
Justonethinglefttodo,baby.ShegatheredbabyHarryupandkissedhimonthecheekevenasshecried.
Shethenputhiminthecorner,leftherwandbesidehimandturnedtothedoorwithadeterminedlookon
herface.
Marrishfinallycutthroughandpushedthecircularspacehemadeoutofthewaybeforeenteringtheroom.
HelookedfromLilytoHarrybeforeturningbacktoLily.
StepoutofthewaygirlandImightletyoulive.
Lilyfelltoherkneesandsobbed.NotHarry,pleasenodon'tkillhim,takeme,killmeinstead"
Marrishjustsneered.Thisismylastwarning"
Lilyjustsobbedharder.NotHarry!Please...havemercy...NotHarry!PleaseI'lldoanything...
Marrishseemedtogetimpatientandtookoutapureblackwandbeforeyelling,AvadaKedavra!,letting
looseasicklygreenbeamatLily.Thecursehitherandshefelllikeapuppetwithitsstringscut.
Harrycouldonlywatchashisbirthmotherwaskilledasofshewassomesortofmeaninglessobstacleinthe
waybyamanwhodidn'tgivetwoshitsabouther.Marrishlookedathercorpsewithainquisitivelook.
Hmmm....IhavetosaythatKillingcurseisworthathousandForcelightningsanyday.Nomarking,no
chanceofsurviving,nothing.AlmostmakesmesadthatIhadtokilltheentireraceofpeoplewhocreatedit.
MarrishlookedatbabyHarrywhowastryingtoshakehismotherawake.Duringtheentireconfrontation
withLily,Harryhadstayedsilent,notunderstandingwhatwashappening.ThenMommyfellandnomatter
howmuchheshakesher,shewouldn'tgetup.BabyHarrystartedtocry,somepartofhimunderstanding
thathismotherwasgoneforever.
Marrishjustlookedatthebabywithacuriouslook.Well,timetofinishthelastsurvivor.Can'triskhim
beingtheoneofprophecy.
Marrishraisedhispureblackwandatthebaby.AvadaKedavra!
ThecurseblastedoutofhiswandandtowardHarry.However,justasitwasreachinghimasilveryshield
rosebetweenHarryandthecurse.Marrishwatched,fascinateddespitehimself,astheshieldseemedtotake
ontherecentlydeceasedLilyPotter'sfacebeforethecursewasreboundedbacktowardMarrishatthree
timesthespeedandpower.
Marrishwastoocloseandtooslowtododgeitandtookthespellfullonintheface.Marrishscreamedashis
bodyandclothesdisintegratedbytheforceofthespell.Allwasquietandonlyapileofasheswasleftbehind.
Suddenlyablack,whisperysmokeroseoutofthepileofashesandtriedtoenterbabyHarryonlytobe
repelledbythesamesilveryshield.Thesmokeshriekedinangerbeforeleavingthehouse.
BabyHarrycontinuedcryingasthesilverymistseemedtoalmostenvelophiminalovingembracewhich
causedhimtoyawnandfallasleeponthefloor.ThemistseemedtogrowsmallerandHarrysawitenterhis
forehead.Oncethemistcompletelydisappeared,abluelightningboltruneseemedtoappearinbabyHarry's
foreheadforasecondbeforedisappearing,leavingnotracebehind.
Flowwalkingend
Harrygaspedashereturnedtohisbody.FAITHturnedtoHarryathisgasp.
Query:Master,areyouokay?
Harrynoddedhishead.YYes...Ithinkso.HeturnedtoFAITHwithacuriouslook.HowlongwasIout?
Answer:Notmorethanfiveseconds,master.
Harrypursedhislipsinthought.Itmadesense.Afterall,thepasthadalreadyhappenedandtherewasnoreason
forhimtospendalargeamountoftimeinthepresentsendinghisspirittothepast.Everythingoccurredatthe
speedofthoughtwhichwasconsiderablyfasterthananythingelse,evenlight.
Harrysighedandstoodup,workingoutthekinks.Afterwards,HarryturnedtoFAITH.FAITH,gowithR3and
helphimfindanastromechsocket.Lethimdownloadanyinfohecan.Then,youhelpmerecoveranythingIcan
fromherethatbelongedtomyparents.Thisismyhomenowsincemyparentsdied.We'llcomebackatalater
time,takedowntheFideliusarounditandputupanother.Theonehereistooweaktodoanything.Fornowit'll
befinethough.
FAITHdidn'tunderstandanythingHarryhadsaidabouttheFideliusbutjustnoddedhisassentandfollowed
behindR3ashesearchedforasocket.
Meanwhile,Harrytookupthehardtaskofsearchingthroughtherubbletofindanythingnotbrokenbeyond
repairtotakeasamementoofhisbirthparents.
Ontheroof,thetwowomenhadheardeverythinghesaidtoFAITHandwerebickeringinquietwhispers.
Youdon'tknowforsure,saidthebrownhairedwoman.
Theblondjustglaredather.HisnameisHarryPotter,hesaidhisparentslivedhereandmoreimportantly,he's
apowerfulForcesensitive.Whatotherproofdoyouneedthathe'stheHarryPotter,yourcou
Thebrownhairedwomaninterrupted.Evenifheis...Ineedmoreproof.WhenwegetbacktoCloudCity,you
distracthisdroidwhileI'llchallengehimtoafight.OnlythenwillIknowwhat'strulyinhisheart.
Theblondjustshookherhead.Andifhebeatsyou?Whatthen?
Thebrownhairedwomanbitherlip.ThenI'llgivehimalistofeveryspellIknowandleave.
Theblondglaredatherpartner.He'syourcousin!Howcanyouabandonhim?!
Thebrownhairedwomanglaredattheblondwithtearsinhereyes.HowcanIfacehim?Ineversearchedfor
himandgavehimupfordead!Hewouldneverforgiveme.
Theblondjustsighed.Youtwoneedeachother.You'refamily.Hemightbealittleangryyounevershowedup
tillnowbutyoudidn'tknowhewasalive.He'llforgiveyou.You'realleachother'sgotleft.
Thebrownhairedwomanrefusedtomeetherpartner'seyes.Ihaveyou.That'senough.Now,let'sgoandplan
theambushathisship'sdock.
Thebrownhairedwomanjumpedtotheiraircarwhiletheblondejustsighed.You'reonlylyingtoyourself,
Cassie.Familymeanseverythingtoyou.
Withthat,theblondefollowedafterherandpilotedtheshipbacktowardsCloudCity.Afterall,Cassiewasa
terriblepilotineveryway.
BackwithHarry,hehadmanagedtofindaholoimageofhisfamilyaboutamonthafterhewasborn.The
curiousthingwasthattheholoimagehadeightpeopleinit.Harryrecognizedhisparents,withLilycarryinga
gigglingHarry,RemuswasonJames'sleftsidewhileLilywasonhisright.Therewasadarkhairedman
laughingbesideabrownhairedwomanonLily'sright.ThemancouldonlybeSiriusBlack,afriendofJames
andRemus.Thewomanbesidehimmustbehiswife.MeaningthemousyhairedmanonSirius'sothersidehad
tobethetraitorPeterPettigrew.EvenjustlookingathimHarrydidn'ttrusthimandwonderedhowhisparents
evercould.However,thatwasonlysevenpeople,includinghimself.ThereallycuriousthingwasthatSirius's
wifewascarryingababyaswell.Agirlifthebowinherhairwasanyindication.Shelookedtobemaybea
montholderthanhim.
Harrywonderedwhathappenedtoher.DidshediewithSiriusandhermotheraswell?Didshelive?Ifshedid,
wherewassheallhislife?Harrythoughtaboutitandrealizedthatsheprobablythoughthewasdead.Afterall,
hisparentsdied.Whatsanepersonwouldthinkababywouldsurvivewherehisparentsdidn't?Harrysighedand
continuedhissearch.
Anhourlater,hehadfoundafewspellbooks,ifthetitleswereanythingtogoby.AmongthemwasMagical
HieroglyphsandLogograms(whichseemedtoexplainthetheoryrevolvingtheirabilitiesand
spells),TransformationThroughtheAges(whichenteredanindepthexplanationofhowtoturnonethingto
anotherwithoutdamagingthefabricofreality),andConfrontingtheFaceless(whichwentexplainedseveral
waystodefendyourselfbychainingtogetherspells).Despitelikingthesebooks,hewasespeciallyfascinatedby
twobooks:GuidetoAdvancedOcclumencyandQuintessence.Theformerwasduetothebook'sexplanation
thatOcclumencywastheartofprotectingyourmindfromintrusion.Thebenefitsincludedbetterconcentration,
betterretentionofknowledgeandnearphotographicmemory.Thelatter,however,washisfavoriteforthe
simplereasonthatitwasobviouslyhismother's.
Harrycouldseeherfemininewritingalongthemargins.Littlenotesandbetterexplanationsofthecharmswere
writtenaswellascertainmodificationstotheexistingspells.Harryjuststayedstandingthere,staringather
writing,noticinglittlethings.Henoticedhewrotehiso'sanse'sjustlikeshedid.
'Mustbegenetic,'thoughtHarryhappily.
Hecontinuedtostareatitforasecondbeforerealizingtheremightbemorebelongingtohisparents
somewhere.Heranupthestairs,ignoringtheroomwherehismotherdied,andwalkedtowardthemaster
bedroom.
Theroomgaveoffafeelingasifhisparentshadjuststeppedout.Thewallswereagentlecreamcolorandthe
silkengoldcoloredsheetsofthebedwereundone,liketheyhadjustleftit.Therewereclothesthrowninone
cornerandtheclosetdoorwasopen,asiftheyhadbeeninahurrytogetdressedthatday.Harrygentlysearched
theroomforanythingofhisparents,unwillingtomakemoreofamessanddefilehisparent'sroomwithhis
eagernesstofindsomething.Hewonderedwheretheirwandswerebutputitoutofhismind.Heeventually
foundtwothingshiddenbeneaththebed.
Firstwasamediumsizedchest.IthadnovisiblelockandHarrycouldn'topenitevenwiththeForce.The
secondwasasmallblackbookwiththetitlePastandFutureDreamswrittenonit.Heopeneditandfoundit
washismother'sdiary.ThefirstentrieswerefromwhensheenteredHogwarts,whichwastheschoolwhere
theytrainedpeoplelikeher.HewasgladitwaswritteninBasicandrealizeditmustbebecauseshewasraised
inthenormalgalaxy.Ifhisfatherhadajournal,nodoubtitwouldbeintheirwrittenlanguagewhichcouldvery
differentfromnormalBasic'swrittenform.Thetwothingsbeingnexttoeachotherprobablypointedtothekey
toopeningthechestbeinginsidethejournal.
Afteranotherhourofsearching,Harrytookeverythinghecouldintotheaircar.Itwasn'tmuchandeverything
hefoundcouldfitintoasuitcase(withtheexceptionofthechestwhichHarrycarriedhimself).R3reportedthat
theengineskeepingthehousefloatingwouldbefineforanother10yearseasilysotherewasnoproblemthere.
WhenHarrypassedbyawindow,hesawsomethinginthefloatingbackyardand,afterleavingthechestinthe
aircar,openedthebackdoortoseeit.
Thebackyardwasafloatinggardenabout40feetacrossfromeachside,withmanyflowersofstrangetypes
aroundit.Therewasevenrealdirtandgreengrassunderneathhisfeetandeverything.However,itwasthething
inthemiddleofthegardenthatattractedHarry'sattention.
Therewasgiantstoneslabstandinginthemiddleofthebackyard.ItwaswritteninbothBasicandanother
writtenlanguagethatHarryguessedwashisparent'slanguage.Readingit,Harryhadtearsinhiseyes.

Onthisspot,9yearsafterthedestructionofourhomeplanet,
LilyandJameslosttheirlives.
Theirson,Harry,remainstheonlyone
evertohavesurvivedtheKillingCurse.
Thishouse,invisibletoMuggles,hasbeenleft
initsruinedstateasamonumenttothePotters
andasareminderoftheviolence
thattoreaparttheirfamily.
RemusLupin

BeneaththatHarrycouldseetwonamessidebysideandrealizedwhatmustbeburiedbeneathhisfeet.

JAMESPOTTERLILYPOTTER
BORN27MARCH13BHDBORN30JANUARY13BHD
DIED31OCTOBER9AHDDIED31OCTOBER9AHD
Thelastenemythatshallbedestroyedisdeath.
Beneatheachoftheirnameswaswhatwasobviouslytheirwands.
Harryfelltohisknees,nolongerabletokeepthetearsfromfallingsoheletthemfall.Hereadthefinalphrase
again,understandingthatitmeantlivingafterdeath.
'Butthey'renotliving,'thoughtHarrybitterly:Theyweregone.Theemptywordscouldnotdisguisethefactthat
hisparents'molderingremainslaybeneaththedirtandstone,indifferent,unknowing.Andtearscontinuedto
fall,boilinghotinhispain,andwhatwasthepointofwipingthemoff?Heletthemfall,hislipspressedhard
together,lookingdownatthegrassygroundhidingfromhiseyestheplacewherethelastofLilyandJameslay,
bonesnow,surely,ordust,notknowingorcaringthattheirlivingsonstoodsonear,hisheartstillbeating,alive
becauseoftheirsacrifice.
Harrystayedtherekneelingtilldusk,hisheartfullofthepainoflossandtearsfallingdownhisface.
Harry,FAITHandR3werewalking(orrollinginR3'scase)backtowardtheship,FAITHcarryingthesuitcase
withhisparents'stuffandHarrycarryingthechest.Hehadtakenhisparents'wandsaswellandswitched
Remus'swandinhiswristholsterforhismother's.Itdidn'tfeelright,leavingtheirwandsthere.Hefeltitwas
betterheusedthemthanlettingthemrotthere.Hisheartwasstillheavyfromseeinghisparents'gravesand
seeingthemdiebutheacceptedthattherewasnothinghecouldhavedone.Tryingtochangeorliveinthepast
wouldonlydiminishtheirsacrificeandhewouldneverdothat.Hemighthavehadaterriblefiveyearsafter
theirdeathsbutheeventuallyfoundafamilytotakehiminandlovehimintheSolos.
HesmiledasmemoriesofhappytimeswiththetwinsandAnakincametomind.Hehadlovedthattimeand
missedtheclosenesshesuedtohavewiththem.Thingshadbecomestrainedlatelyandhewasdeterminedto
changethatoncehereturned.Theweatherseemedtobereflectinghismoodbecauseitwaspouringrainbythe
bucketloads.
TheywerecrossingabridgeafairdistancefromtheshipwhentheForcewarnedhimofdangerandhefellinto
aforwardroll,afirewhippassingthroughthespacewherehisbodyoncestood.Harryfelloutoftherolland
activatedhisgreenlightsaberashelookedatwherethewhipcamefrom,FAITHwithablasterathisside.
Thetwowomenfromthecantinawerestandingthere,thebrownhairedwomanholdingthefirewhipandthe
blondeholdinghertwoblastersout.Thebrownhairedwomanwasthefirsttospeak.
I'mchallengingyou,HarryPotter,toafighttoproveyoureallyarethesonofJamesandLily.Ifyoulose,you
dieandIrefusetoacceptyouastheirson.Youwin...well,we'llgettothatifyoumanageit.
Harryjuststaredatherandshookhishead.I'mnotinthemood,littlegirl.Gohome.
Thebrownhairedwomanlookedvividathiscallingheralittlegirlandquicklyattackedwithherfirewhipwith
amaster'sskill.ShemanagedtoseparateFAITHfromHarryandtheblondequicklyshotatFAITH,causinghim
toretreat.FAITHdroppedthesuitcasenearR3whodraggedittowardtheshipalongwiththechestandthen
continuedtododgeashedrewhisownblastersandshotather.Theirfighteventuallyledthemtowardanopen
areaafairdistancefromthebridgewhereHarryandthebrownhairedwomanfought.R3hadmanagedtoenter
theshipwiththesuitcaseandchestandhadclosedandlockedtherampbehindhim.
Meanwhile,Harryhadclosedinthebrownhairedwoman,wantingtoendthefightquickly.However,the
womanshowedhermasteryofthefirewhipassheforcedhimtododgeandevadebuthewasstillcutbythe
whipsmanytendrils.HerealizedthatshewasmanipulatingthetendrilswiththeForceandthatthisfightwas
verydangerous.Heactivatedhisvioletbladeinhislefthandanddashedatthewoman.However,notonlywas
thewhipstrongenoughtostanduptohislightsaber,butshewieldeditwithamaster'sskillandmadeitencircle
herlikeabarrierwhilesimultaneouslyattackinghimifhegottooclose.Harrykepthisdistance,tryingtofigure
outawaytopassherguard.
Suddenly,thewomandashedtowardhimwhileswingingherwhipinawidearcdowntowardhim.Thewhip
wassofastheonlydodgedthankstohismasteryofForcespeed.However,thewomanhadclosedthedistance
onhimwhilehedodgedusingherownForcespeedandlaunchedabrutalpunchtohischinthatsenthim
skiddingbackwards.Harryrolledwiththehitanddashedbackatherbeforeshecouldregainherbalance.
Shewasforcedtodropherwhiporloseherhandtohisbladeandquicklyretreatedbeforehisonslaught.Glaring
athim,shesentapowerfulForcepushthatpushedhimbackenoughtogiveherspace.Shethenpulledouta
smallmetalstickthatextendedintoastaffandswungitaroundwithanexpert'sskill.Shethendashedtoward
Harryswingingherstaff.
Harrywasn'tthatsurprisedwhenherstaffstooduptohislightsaberwithease,hewasgettingusedtoenemies
havingsimilarweapons.'Seriously,dotheyhaveadiscountofyoubuyinbulkorsomething?'thoughtHarry
angrily.
Harryquicklyrealizedthatthewoman,whilenomaster,wasgoodenoughwithherstafftogivehimproblems.
Itdidn'thelpthatthestaffwasburningtothetouchandwonderedhowshewieldeditwhenshehadnogloves.
ThetwodisengagedandHarryholsteredhisvioletbladebeforetheyquicklydashedeachother,bothimbuing
theirrespectiveweaponswiththeForce.
However,duringthecourseoftheirfightthebridgehadbeenhitseveraltimeswithbothherfirewhipand
Harry'sblades.Thebridgewasn'tmadetowithstandsuchpressureandwhentheyclashedagain,thesentouta
massiveshockwavethatbrokethebridgeinhalfwheretheywerestanding.Thetwoquicklydisengaged,trying
toescapethebridge'scollapsebutweretooslowandfelltowardthebrokensection.Harrytriedtofindsome
purchaseonhishalfofthebridgebuttherainplusthebridge'ssmoothsurfacemadeitimpossibleandbothhe
andthewomanfell.
Luckily,Harryhadmanagedtoholsterhisbladesoitwouldn'tfallbutthenconcentratedonstoppingbeforehe
fellbelowthelifezoneanddied.HesawanaircarpassingbeneathhimandgrabbeditwiththeForce.Heheldit
stilllongenoughforhimtolandonitsroofbeforehelookedtowardthebrownhairedwoman.
Somehow,shehadmanagedtoreplicatehisfeatbutbyusingherwhiptograbapassingaircarandswinging
ontoitsroof.Shereachedintothecarandseemedtothreatenthedriverbecauseitquicklychasedafterhim.
HarrylookedthroughthedriverwindowandtoldthedrivertoflytowardCloudCityasquicklyaspossible.The
terrifiedmancompliedeasily.
However,Harrynoticedthewomanwouldreachhimbeforetheyarrivedandreadiedhimself.Theroofwastoo
smallforbladesorstaffsothatmeanttheywouldbeforcedtofightunarmed.Hehopedtobeabletoknockher
outwithoutherfallingoff.Hewantedtoquestionhowsheknewhisparentswhenshewashisage.
Soonenough,thewoman'scarreachedhisandthewomanjumpedoffhercar'sroofandontoHarry's.Thedriver
ofhercarseemedtotakethechanceandquicklydroveawayfromthecrazywoman.
Meanwhile,Harryhadattackedthemomentthewomanlandedwithaviciouskickthatsheblockedwithher
rightarm.Theythenfellintoafuriousexchangeofpunchesandkicks,eachstrivingtowinasthecarflew
towardthecity.HarryusedTerasKasitoattackherjointsandweakspotstocatchherunharmed.Thewoman
wasusingacombinationofextremespeedandstrongpunches.OnepunchbarelymissedHarryandhitthecar's
roof,punchingthroughiteasilyandgivingitanewsunroof.
TheyeventuallyreachedthecityagainandHarryjumpedoffandlandedinaopenplatformclosetowherehe
couldseeFAITHstillfightingtheblondwoman.Thebrownhairedwomanfollowedafterhimandtheystood
acrossfromeachotherforamomentbeforethewomantookouttheblackmetalstickholdingherhairinabun
andpointeditatHarry.Harrybrieflywonderedhowshehadmanagedtokeepitinherhairwhentheyfellbefore
sheyelledsomethingthatshockedhim.
Incendio!
ItwasluckyHarrywassofastandhadhismother'swandinhiswristholster.Asitwas,hewasbarelyableto
bringupaProtegotoprotecthimfromthethickstreamoffirethatblastedoutofhernowrevealedwand.The
streamendedsoonandHarrycounterattacked.HesentvolleyaftervolleyofStunningandDisarmingspellsbut
thewomanbattedthemawayeasily.Itwasobviousshehadmuchmoreexperiencewithherwandthanhim.
However,itseemedshehadneverfacedanotherwanduserbeforebecauseshewassurprisedandwasreacting
slowerthannormal.
Usingthis,HarrycalledontheForceandrippedthewandfromherhand.Hequicklydashedtowardherandput
hiswandatherthroat,causinghertofreeze.
TheystayedlikethatforamomentbeforeHarryspokeinanangrytone.AreyouwithMarrish?Answerme!
Itwastheonlythingthatmadesense.Notthadsaidtheywerethelasttwoleftsotheonlyotheronewhocould
havetaughtherwasMarrish.
SheglaredatHarryfuriously.Iwouldneverworkforthatmonster!Hedestroyedourfamily!Sheseemedto
noticeherslipbecausehereyeswidenedbeforeshelookedaway.
Harrystaredatherinshock,hismindunabletoprocessthemeaningofherwords.WWhat?Whoareyou?
Thewomanbitherlipbeforehesitantlyanswering.Cassiopeia.CassiopeiaBlack.
EndNotes:

Yes,CassiopeiaisSirius'sdaughter.Youdidn'tthinkJameswastheonly
Marauderwhohadafamily,right?Shebecomesamajorcharacterastimegoeson
andananchorforHarryinbook3afterhe'sexiled.Justsoyouknow,Cassiopeia
isveryloyaltoherfamily.Itwassomethinginstilledinherfromhermotherbefore
shediedandsomethingshetakesseriously.Shebecomesfiercelyprotectiveof
Harrytothepointofattackinganyonewhomightthreatenhim.Thisisduetoher
past,wheretheonlypersonwhoshewasattachedtobeforeherdeathwasher
motherwhoalwaystoldherthatfamilywaseverything.

HowstrongisCassiopeia?Well,nextchaptershe'llexplainherpastsandjusthow
she'sstrongenoughtostanduptoHarryandwhysheknowsspellswhenbothher
parentsaredead.

Asforhisparents'deaths,Itriedtokeepascloseaspossibletohowtheydiedin
thebookswiththeadditionofStarWarselements(Marrishhavingalightsaber).
Inmystory,Lilydidn'tjustdieandgivehimsomemagicalprotectionthatjustso
happenedtosaveHarry.TheritualthatshedidwaswhatsavedHarryandher
willinglygivingherselftodeathbyMarrish'shandswasthefinalpartofit,I'llgo
intogreaterdetailastowhattheritualdoeslateron.

AsforHarryfindingthespellbooks,Ialwaysfounditweirdthathedidn'tfind
anythinginhisparents'houseiftheysupposedlyleftituntouched.Youwould
thinkpeoplewhoknewtheywerebeinghuntedwouldhaveleftsomekindof
legacyasajustincase.

Well,hopeyoulikeditandReadandReview!
Backtoindex
Origins:BondingandPhaedabyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
belongtoGeorgeLucas,thecreatorofStarWars.Nocopyrightinfringementintended
Chapter25
HarrysatacrossfromCassiopeiastaringatherwithanunreadablelookonhisface.
Aftertherevealingofhername,especiallyhersurname,HarryhadtoldFAITHtodisengagefromfighting
Cassiopeia'spartner,Guri.FAITHhadn'tbeenhappyaboutthat,havingfoundGuritobeaworthychallengeand
hadbeenlookingforwardtokillingher.HisrespecthadturnedintooutrightadorationwhenhefoundoutGuri
wasahumanreplicadroidandnotameatbag.HewassittingbesideHarrynow,havingaconversationwith
Guriaboutthefinerpointsofassassinationprotocols.Gurihadoncebeenanassassindroidbeforeher
reprogrammingsowhileshenolongerhadtheprogramming,shestillhadthememoriesabouthertimeasan
assassinationdroid.HarryjuststaredatthefidgetingCassiopeiaashetriedtothinkaboutwhattofeelabouther.
ItwasobviousnowthatshewasSiriusBlack'sdaughter.Shehadthesamecolorhairandherfacewassimilarto
hisintheholoimage.Theholoimageshowinghehadadaughteronlyreinforcedthatfactandshewastheright
ageaswell.However,Harrywasnowfacedwiththeproblemofwhereshehadbeenallhislife.Ifsheknewhe
wasalive,whydidn'tsheevertrytofindhimaftershewasoldenough?Andifshedidn'tandshefoundout
recently,whydidsheattackhim?GrowingupwiththeDursleyshadmadehiminstantlywaryaroundanyblood
relativeandherattackinghimhadn'thelpedthematter.
Cassiopeiafinallygottiredofhisstaringandglared.Well?Areyougoingtospeakorareyougoingtocontinue
tooglemeallday?
Tohiscreditnohintofablushstainedhischeeksatheraccusationofhimoglingher.Whileinnormal
circumstancesHarrywouldprobablybedoingjustthat(hewasaredbloodedmale),hehadn'treallybeen
thinkingofthatashestaredather.Morelikewonderingwhattomakeofher.However,somepartofhim
seemedtoawakenatherteasingaccusationandinnuendo.Itwaslikegettingpasthisrelatives'abusehad
awokenthepranksterandfunpartofhimandwhenshesaidthat,hesmileddeviously.
Actually,IthinkI'llstayandogleyou.Canyoudomeafavorandundothetopstringsofyourcorset?That
wouldreallyhelpmeimagineyounakedeasier.
Cassiopeiagapedathimbugeyedforamomentbeforebreakingintolaughter.Well,yourdefinitelymycousin.
IwasdoubtfulforamomenttherebutyouprovedtobeaPotterthroughandthrough.Adeviousglintentered
hereyesbeforesheslowlyundidthetoptwostringsofhercorset,makingherbreastsalmostspilloutofit.She
thengavehimawink.Playyourcardsrightandyou'llgettotestthatsaying,'Incestisthebest,takeyour
cousintothetest,'Getit?
Harryblushedadeepcrimson.Despitehisearlierstatement,hewasstillnewtoflirtingandinnuendo.
Thankfully,hisbanterwithKasshadhelpedhimgrowacertainimmunitytodoublemeaningssoafterhefought
backhisblush,hegaveheraknowingsmile.
Timeandplace,cuz.Timeandplace.
TheybrokedownlaughingandFAITHandGurolookedatthemliketheywereinsane.FAITHturnedtoGuri.
Query:Isn'tincestmorallywrongamongmeatbags?
Gurijustrolledhereyesatthetwocousins'antics.Yesbutthey'renotserious.They'rejustteasingeachother
forsomeoddreason.Plusthey'renotreallycousins.Theyjustconsiderthemselvesthatbecausetheirfathers
wereclose.ItlookslikeCassiehasfinallyfoundsomeonewithhertwistedsenseofhumor.Forcehelpusall.
Thetwo'cousins'finallystoppedlaughingandfellintoacomfortablesilence.Harryhadtoadmitthatdespite
havingjustmether,hecouldfeelabondbetweenthem.WhilenottechnicallycousinsduetoJamesandSirius
notbeingcloselyrelatedbyblood(infact,theclosestbloodconnectionbetweenthemisfivegenerationsaway),
thetwohadbeenpracticallybrothers.ThiscausedHarryandCassiopeiatomeetwhentheywerejustbabies.At
thatage,withtheiruncontrollableForceabilitiesplustheirheritagethatallowsfortheeasycreationofbonds
betweenpeople,theyhadquicklybuiltabondbetweenthemasonlytwoinnocentbabiescould.Now,15years
later,thatbondthathadlongbeendormantwasslowlyreawakening.
HarrycouldhonestlysayhelikedCassiopeia.Shebroughtoutthefunandmischievouspartofhim,eventhough
theyhadtechnicallyonlyknowneachotherforanhouratthemost.Shejustradiatedmischievousness,
recklessnessandHarryhadaslightsensethatshethoughtrulesweremadetobebroken.Withashakeofhis
head,herealizedthatifshewasevertrulyattractedtohimshewouldchasehimregardlessofthesupposed
familyconnectionbetweenthem.
Cassiopeiahadawidesmileonherface.I'm...happy.WhenHarrygaveheracuriouslook,shecontinued.I
alwaysthoughtyouweredead,Harry.IthoughtIwasthelastofouradoptedfamily,theMarauders.Itwas...
lonely.ButthenIsawyouhereinthecantinaandfeltafamiliarbondbetweenusandsuspectedwhoyouwere.
Nowthatyou'rehereIhaveafamilyagainandIcanjustimaginethefunwe'llhavetogether.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutchuckleatCassiopeia'shappystatement.Hecouldliterallyfeelhergiddinessathaving
foundhim.However,afrowncrossedhisfaceasherememberedsomethingshesaid.
IfyouknewwhoIwasbeforewefought...whydidyoufightme?
Cassiopeiagrimacedandloweredherheadinslightshame.Sorry.It'sjustthewayIwasraisedbymymother.
AtHarry'sinquiringlook,shesighed.I'mnot100%Human.I'mhalfHumanandhalfEchani.Mymother
raisedmetheEchaniwayafterdaddiedwhenIwasjustoneyearold.Echanibelievethatyoucanonlytruly
knowapersonthroughfighting.Webelievethatonlyinbattledoesapersonshowtheirtruecolorsandheart.It's
almostlikeaForcepowerinaway.EverytimewelandedablowoneachotherIcouldseeintoyourheartand
thathelpedmeseewhatkindofpersonyouwere.Therefore,Icouldn'ttrustyouuntilafterIfoughtyoumyself.
Harrymulleditoverbeforenodding.IthinkIunderstand.It'struetoacertainextent.Peoplemaysaythey're
honorablebutthencheatandusetricksinafightthat'snottothedeath.Thatshowstheirtruecolors.
Cassiopeiasmiledandnodded.Yep.Soooo...tellmeaboutyou.Wheredidyougrowup?Wherehaveyoubeen
allthistime?Shelookedathislightsaberinitsholster.HowexactlydidyoubecomeaJediKnight?
Harrysmiledslightlybeforelaunchingintothestoryofhischildhood.Cassiopeialookedmurderouswhenhe
describedhistreatmentatthehandsoftheDursleysandhisheartwarmedwhenshestartedcursingand
promisingtopaythemavisitsomedaythatwouldresultin...unpleasantconsequencesforthem.Shesmiled
happilywhenhedescribedbeingrescuedbytheSolosandbeingadoptedbyLukeandMara.Shelooked
suitablysmugwhenHarryexplainedhisrapidadvancementthroughtheranksandhisprodigystatuswitha
blade.HestoppedatwhenhebecameaKnight.
Cassiopeiajustnoddedknowingly.Fencingisinyourblood,Harry.ThePotterswererenownedswordmasters
andfencers.Accordingtomyfather'sjournal(whichtookadecadetodecipher,bothforhisatrociouswritten
handandduetothelanguage'sstrangewrittenform),thePotterswerebasicallyliketheknightsofold.Chivalry
andallthatplusmasterswiththesword.Theyweren'tthatgoodinthemoreintensiveandesotericForcepowers
liketheBlacks,whowereinfamousfortheirmasteryinusingdarkspells,buttheyweremuchmorerespected.
Cassiopeialookedathimwithanaccusinglookinhereyes.Youwereholdingback,weren'tyou?Therewasno
wayIcouldhaveequaledyounormallyunlessyoudid.
Harryshookhisheadandrubbedthesleepfromhiseyes.Yesandno.I'mbarelyat10%rightnowandIwas
around50%whenwefought.Ihadjustdiscoveredhowmyparentsdied,seenavisionofhowtheydied,and
foundtheirgraves.I'mphysicallyandemotionallytiredandtotellthetruthIwasn'treallyintothefight.Heck,I
triedtofightyouusingspellswhenit'snotmynaturalwayoffighting.SorryifitsoundsinsultingbutIcould
havebeatyoueasilyifIhadmyheadinthegameandwasat100%.
Cassiopeiapoutedbutnoddedsadly.Iimagineso.Ineverhadanyrealformaltraininginusingmyabilities.I
wasjusttaughtafewtricks.Plus,thePotterswereknowntobethebestfightersofourpeopleaccordingtomy
father'sjournal.HededicatesthreewholeentriestothehistoryofthePottersandtheBlacksandinallofthem,
hewouldthestrengthsandweaknessesofbothfamilies.ThePotterswereclosecombatspecialistsand
environmentalmanipulationexperts.Theywereunbeatableinthosefields.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutbeproudofhisfamily'sheritage.Byallaccounts,theyweresimilartoJediinalotof
waysandhewonderedifperhapshewasborntobeaJedi.HelookedatCassiopeiawithacuriousglintinhis
eyes.
Howaboutyou?Wherewereyouallthistime?
Cassiopeiabitherlip.It'salongstory.
Harrycockedaneyebrowandsmiledmischievously.Ishowedyouminesoyouhavetoshowmeyours.
Cassiopeiajustsmiledsadly,onlyslightlyamused.Well,aftermyfatherdied,mymotherdecidedweweren't
safeinEshan.Before,weweresafefromgalacticnoticethankstomyfather'sspellsandexperienceinhidingin
plainsight.Withouthim,mymotherwasn'tsurewewouldsurvivebeingunnoticedforlong.Especiallyina
warlikecultureliketheechani,wheremynaturalabilitieswouldattractattention.SoshetookustoGandtolive
withaFindsmanfriendofhersthatcouldhideus.Findsmanareexpertsatfindingpeoplesothatmeantthey
knewhowtohideothersfromallmannersofsearch,fromregularmeanstotheForce.
Harrycouldn'thelpthecuriositywellingupinsidehim.Soyouwereraisedafindsman?Theysaythatatrained
findsmancanfindanyoneoranything.Areyouthatgood?
Cassiopeiasmileddeviously.Ifoundyou,didn'tI?IperformedaritualtotellmewheretogonextafterIleft
mylastgroupanditledmeheretoBespin,whereIfoundyou.SoIthinkI'mprettygood.
Harrysmiledbutsomethingshesaidintriguedhim.Youleftyourgroup?Whyandwhatgroupwasthat?
CassiopeialookedatGuriwithpleadingeyesbutshejustgaveherasternlookcausingCassiopeiatosigh.I
betterstartfromthebeginningfirst.Shesighedandmadeherselfcomfortable.Noticingthatherbreastswere
closetospillingout,shegaveHarryasmileandawinkbeforetyingtheknotsbacktogether.Harrygavehera
fakepoutthatcausedhertochuckle.Harrycouldn'thelpbutlikethebanterandteasingdevelopingbetween
them.HarryhadonlyeverhadthiskindofbanterwithJainabeforeandeventhentherewastoomuchsexual
tensionbetweenthemtoteaseeachotherlikeCassiopeiaandhimweredoing.Theyprobablywouldhave
ravishedeachotherbecausetheygotthemselvestooexcited.
ThatthoughtgaveHarrypause.'Notetoself:lookintodoingthatwithwomenI'mattractedto.'Shakinghis
head,HarryturnedbacktoCassiopeia.
Well,afterwearrivedonGand,welivedwithmymother'sfriend,Venlyss.HeusedtoworkfortheRebel
Alliancebutwentintohidingafteramissionwentwrongsohewasperfectforustohidewith.Igrewupinhis
tribeforthefirst9yearsofmylife.Itwasaprettygoodchildhood.Mymomwouldteachmetheechanifighting
stylewhileVenlysswouldteachmeallIneededtoknowtobeanexpertfindsman.Ineveragreedtogetgenetic
manipulationthoughsoI'llprobablyneverbeamaster.
Cassiopeia'svoiceturnedsadandpained.However,thatallchangedsoonbeforemy9thbirthday,Tohelp
Venlyss,mymotherwouldsometimeshelpthetribehuntinganddefendingtheirholds.AfewdaysbeforeI
turned9,mymomwentonahuntingtripwithagroupof8adolescentGandswhoweregoingtohuntapackof
sandpanthersthathadimmigratedfromCorellia.Theywantedtosellthepeltsforcredits.Mymotherwantedto
sellthemtobuyanecklaceIhadmyeyeonforoverayearbutcosttoomuchtobuywithournormalincome.
Soshewantedtosellatleast2peltsforthecreditsnecessary.TearscametoCassiopeia'seyesbutshe
forcefullybrushedthemoffbeforecontinuing.Thingswentwrongfromthebeginning.TheGandswereso
arrogantthattheyforgotthattrackingaquerywasdifferentfromtakingitdown.Theyhadn'tbeenasgoodin
combatastheyweretrackingtheirprey.Sowhentheycameacrossapackof15.....
HarrystoodupandsatbesideCassiopeia,puttinganarmaroundhershoulders.Cassiopeiaunconsciouslyleaned
intohimandsobbed.Harrydidn'tneedtohearanymoretoknowwhatmusthavehappened.ThearrogantGands
hadattackedwithoutthinkingitthroughandintheprocess,hermothermusthavedied.
GuriandFAITHlookedatscenebeforelookingateachotherandnodding.Theydiscreetlystoodupandwalked
tothebar,leavingthetwofamilymembersalone.
Cassiopeiaeventuallystoppedcryingandsniffedbeforemutteringherapologiesformakinghisshirtwetwith
histears.Harryjustwaveditoffandhuggedherwhichshereturned.Theyeventuallybrokeapartand
CassiopeiacontinuedherstoryalthoughthistimeHarrystayedbesideher.
Asyoucanimagine,itendedbadly.Mymotherwastheonlyonewithanyrealcombatexperiencesosheused
herselfasadistractionsotheotherscouldescape.Oftheoriginalgroupof9,includingmymother,only3
returnedalive.Mymother'ssacrificeallowedthemtolive.
Cassiopeiawasquietforasecondbeforecontinuingquietly.Afterthat,Icouldn'tstaythereanylonger.
EverythingremindedmeofmydeadmotherandapartofmehatedthesurvivingGandsfortheirpartinmy
mother'sdeath.SoassoonasIturned9,Ileftonmydad'soldshiptheMarauder,whichIrenamedtheBlack
Princess,withVenlyss'sblessing.Luckily,Iwasneveranofficialfindsmanduetomyyoungagesomyleaving
withknowledgeoftheirwayswasn'tagainsttheirlaws.Anicelittleloophole.Ithelpedthattheyfeltguiltyfor
theirinabilitytosavemymotherwhotheysworetoprotect.
Eventually,IfoundmyselfinThosa.ImetaKeetaelbythenameofTalonwhotookpityona9yearoldnear
starvinggirlandtookmeinashisown.TalonwasakindandgentleDraethos,heevenwentsofarastoteach
metheirways.Hesaidhefeltitwastherightthingtodoanditwas.Ithelpedmehealfrommymother'srecent
death.ItwasalsothefirsttimeIusedtheForceinanymeaningfulway.Beforeithadalwaysbeenspontaneous,
butnowhetrainedmetouseittoenhancemycombatandhuntingprowess.IlikeditbecauseitmeantIwould
nolongerbeafraidofbeingkilledbymypreylikethoseGandsandmymomwere.Thosetwoyearswithhim
werehappyandfullofadventures.HenevertreatedmelikeachildalthoughIwas.Hetreatedmelikehis
apprenticeandIwasexpectedtobematureenoughtohandletheresponsibility.
However,whenIwas11,Ileft.ItwaseitherthatorbecomeapermanentmemberoftheKeetaelandthatlife
wasn'tforme.IlongedforadventureandexcitementandthesimplelifeoftheKeetaeldidn'tappealtome.
CassiopeiasmiledmischievouslyatHarryandwinked.ThatandIwouldn'tfindanycuteboyslikeyouthere.
Harryjustrolledhiseyeswithaslightblush,gettingusedtohertendencytopullhischainwithinnuendo.
Cassiopeiasmiledslightlybeforecontinuing.Likeall11yearoldswhohadbeentrainedlikeIwas,Ithought
myselfstrongenoughtodoanything.SoItriedmyhandatbountyhunting.Cassiopeiagroanedin
embarrassment.Thatwasadisaster.MyveryfirstassignmentwastohuntdownandcapturethisNiktonnamed
Boskyr.NeedlesstosayIlost...badly.Cassiopeiasmiledslightlyatthememory.But...hedidn'tkillme.He
sawhowyoungIwasandthetalentI'dshowedanddecidedtotrainmeinhisways.SeeingHarry'scurious
look,shesmileddeviously.HewasaMorgukai.
Harrycouldonlygapeather.MorgukaiwerecommonlyknownasJedikillersthoughtheyalsokilledSithif
possible.TheyweretrainedtoresisttheForceinallwaysandtheirequipmentmadethemadangertoany
unpreparedJedi.ForhertobetrainedbythemwhentheyusuallyonlyacceptedotherNiktowasincredible.She
musthavetrulyimpressedhim.
Cassiopeiasmiledproudly.Yep,Iwasthatgoodat11.Shelaughedwhenhestuckouthistongueather.Well,
Boskyrtrainedmefor2years.Twobrutalandpainfulyears.Unlikemyprevioustrainerstherewasnolove
betweenus.TohimitwassimplyensuringtheMorgukailegacylivedonwhenhediedandformeitwassimply
enhancingmyskills.Hesometimesalmostkilledmewithhistrainingbutafter2yearsIfinishedmycortosis
staffandwasdeclaredreadytogoonmyown.IhearthathewaskilledtwoyearslaterbyBobaFetthimself.
Personally,Ihopehediedpainfully,thebastard.
Cassiopeiasighedbeforelookingdownwithshame.Thenextthreeyearsaremymostshamefultimes.After
leavingBoskyr,IdecidedtojoinagroupofmercenariescalledtheMistrylShadowGuard.They'reanallfemale
groupofmercenariesbasedoutofEmberlene.WhenIjoined,IthoughtIwasmakingmymotherproudbecause
theysaidthattheMistrylShadowGuardwashelpingtheirplanetrecoveraftertheEmpiredestroyedtheplanet
asanexample.TheysaidtheyhadbeenresistanttotheEmpire'scruelmethodsandhedestroyedthemforthat
reason.Cassiopeiasighedsadly.Thetruthisthattheyhadtriedtoconquertheirsectoronlytobedestroyed
whentheotherplanetsbandedtogetherandattackedthem.Emberlenehadnotonlyconqueredotherplanetsbut
theyhadstrippeditofnaturalresources,destroyingthoseplanets'welfare.So,Emberlenewasinthewrong.
Ileftthemsoonafterfindingoutthetruthayearafterjoining.Iwanderedasafreelancemercenaryforawhile
beforeImetGuri.Here,Cassiopeiasmiledfondly.ImetherwhenIhiredtostealatechshewasprotecting.
Wefoughtanditendedinadraw,barely.TotellthetruthIthinkGuriwasholdingbackalthoughshedeniesit.
However,myemployerhadbetrayedmeandsentanothermercaswell.Hetriedtokillusbothsowejoined
togetherandbeathim.Afterthat,wedecidedtobecomeateam.Gurisaidshehadbeenboredwithherlifesofar
andwantedsomeexcitementwhileIjustwantedafriend.
Westayedasfreelancemercenariesfortwomonthsbeforemysecondmistakehappened.Cassiopeia
grimaced.IhadmetamannamedMaxduringajobandhadbecomeenamoredofhim.Guritriedtowarnme
hewasjustusingmebutIwouldn'tlisten.Eventually,Maxconvincedmetojoinhisgroupofraiders,the
BlazingChainRaiders.IhappilyjoinedandGurifollowedtokeepaneyeonme.
Cassiopeiasighedandrubbedherforehead.ThattimewiththeRaidersmademyskillwiththeForceleap.
Theytrainedmeinhowtouseitcombatandinraiding.It'sthankstothemthatIhavesuchcontrolofmy
abilities.AboutayearafterIjoined,whenIwas15,hetriedtoconvincemetojoinhiminacouptotakecontrol
oftheBlazingChainRaiders.Bythattime,Ihadbecomefriendswithalotofthemembersaswellasthecurrent
leader.However,meandMaxhadbecomephysicalinthatyeartogetherandIwasconflictedonwhetherI
shouldhelpmyfriendsorhelpmylover.Guricautionedme,sayingtofindoutMax'smotivesbeforehelping
him.Ilistenedtoherandquestionedhimastowhyhewantedtotakecontrol.
Cassiopeia'sfaceturnedsad.Hetoldmehewantedtomakeusgreat.Hewantedtostopourraidingandturnus
intoanactualfleettoconquerplanets.Hesaidwithmeathissidewewouldbeunbeatable.Hewasamadman.I
realizedthenthathehadbeenusingmethatentiretime,heneverlovedmehejustwantedmeloyaltohimsohe
couldusemeashisweapon.Horrified,ItoldtheleaderofMax'splansandheputastoptothem...permanently.
CassiopeiaturnedtoHarrywithawaterysmile.Despitehimneverlovingmeandusingme...Ilovedhim,you
know?HewasmyfirstandIthoughthelovedmetoo.Hecouldbekindandgentleattimes.Soafterthat,I
stayedwiththemforawhilemorebutIleftthemonamicabletermsaboutaweekago,soonaftermy16th
birthday.TheyletmegobecauseIhadbeenagoodfriendandshownmyloyalty.AslongasIdidn'tbetraytheir
secrets,Iwouldalwaysbewelcome.IthenperformedaritualtotellwheretogonextandhereIam,findingmy
longlostcousin.
Harrysmiledather,happytohavefoundheraswell.DespiteconsideringtheSolos,LukeandMarafamily,
Harrywasgladtohavefoundabloodrelatedfamilymemberthatdidn'thatehimonsight.
Don'tbeashamedofyourpast.We'reyoungandmistakesarenormalforus.I'msurethattogether,we'llmake
mistakesthat'lleclipseallourpastonesindividually.
Cassiopeialaughedathisdeclaration,thesadnessleavingher.Adeviousglintenteredhereyesandsheslyly
movedcloserbeforegivinghimamischievousgrin.Sotellme,Haarryyyy,gotagirlfriend?
Harryblushedatherforwardactionsbutfrownedatthesubject.Hehadpurposelyleftouthisrelationshipwith
Astraal,hopingnottobringitup.Idon't....reallyknowactually.Ididbutwe're'onabreak',Harrymade
quotationmarksintheairashesaidit,soIdon'treallyknowourstatus.Shewantedustotakeabreakand
thinkaboutifIreallywanttobewithherornot.Thingshadbeen...well,morephysicalandlessemotionally
involvedasoflateanditwasaffectingusbadly.
Cassiopeiasmirked.So,toomuchsex?Whatisshe,anun?
Harryrolledhiseyes.Actually,she'saTwi'lek.HernameisAstraal.
Cassiopeialookedconfused.Soooo...aTwi'lekfeltyoutwowerehavingtoomuchsex.Damn,youmusthave
somestaminainyou.
Harryblushedandlaughed.Astraalhadsaidsomethingsimilarattimes.Maybe,butitwasmorelikeweweren't
talkinganymore,youknow?Wewouldjusthavesex,notalkingaboutourthoughtsaboutthefutureor
anything.
Cassiopeiafrowned.Iunderstand.Butwhywasthat?
HarrysighedandexplainedhisrelationshipandfeelingsforJainaandhowitaffectedhisrelationshipwith
Astraal.Hetoldherabouttheirlastconversationbeforetheytookabreakandhisleavingsoonafterwards.He
stayedsilentasCassiopeiathought.Hedidn'tknowwhyhewaspouringhisheartouttoanearstrangerbutthe
Forcetoldhimtotrusthersohedid.Itdidn'thelpthatshewouldcuddlecloserintohissideeveryfewseconds.
Hethoughtitwasanunconsciousmovementuntilhesawtheamusedglintinhereyes.Hemockglaredather
andshelaughedbeforestopping.
Well,cuz,Iseetwothingsyoucando.
Harrycockedaneyebrowather.Whattwothings?
CassiopeiawavedoverawaiterandorderedadrinkwhileHarryjustaskedforwater.Cassiopeiarolledhereyes
athischoice.Weneedtogetyoutolivealittle,cuz.You'reaJedi,notamonk.Haveafewonenightstands
andgetdrunkorsomething.Youonlyliveonce.Butanyway,youcaneithergetbacktogetherwithherand
completelyforgetJainaasanythingbutafriendwhichIthinkisimpossibleforyou.Harry'sgrimaceconfirmed
thisandshenoddedherhead.Ithoughtso.Thengowithoptiontwoandbreakitoffwithhergentlyandstay
friendsBUTdon'tdateJainaevenifshe'ssingleuntilmuchlater.
Harrylookedconfused.Why?Ifwe'rebothsingle,whyshouldn'twebetogether?
Cassiopeiarolledhereyesathercousin'sobliviousness.Harry,youdon'tunderstandwomen.First,ifyoubreak
upwithherandgetwithJainarightaway,itwillbeablowtoAstraal'spride.Nowomanwantstheirextoget
overthemthatquickly.That'sinsultingandmakesusfeelasifwenevermeantanythingtoyouifyoucould
moveonsoquickly.Second,youneedtoseeifyoutrulyloveJainaornot.
Harrylookedconfused.Whatdoyoumean?
Cassiopeiarolledhereyes.Haveyouevertriedtoforgetaboutherandreallyputyourallintoanother
relationship?IknowyoudatedAstraalbutthatwasbasicallyareboundnomatterhowyoucutit.Younever
trulygotoverherandtriedtomakearelationshipwithsomeoneelsework.Thistimeawaycanworkforyouto
getoverher.Mostimportantly,shegavehimadeviouswink,thisgivesyouachancetoseewhat'soutthere
andwhatyoutrulywant.HowcanyoubesureyouwantJainaifyou'venevermetotherwomenbeyondthe
Academy?
Harrymulleditoveranddecidedwhatshesaidhadagrainoftruth.Hecouldn'tdateJainarightnow,notonly
becauseshewaswithZekkbutbecauseitwouldbeaninsulttoAstraaltosoquicklymovepasthertoJainaand
confirmherfearsaboutbeingarebound.Itmighthavestartedoutlikethatbuthehadtrulycometoloveherso
itwasonlyrighthehavesometimealonebeforedatingagain.IfJainawantedhim,shewouldhavetochase
him.Hewouldn'tchaseherwhenshewasdatingZekkalready.
HarrysmiledatCassiopeia.Thanksfortheadviceandyou'reright.WhenIgetbackfrommytrip,I'lltalkto
Astraalaboutbeingjustfriendsagain.Ifsomethingdevelopsfromthatagainthenwe'lldatebutthistime,I'llput
mywholeheartandsoulintoitandforgetJaina.Butonlyifsomethingdevelopsnaturallyandnotasarebound
orduetoconvenience.
Cassiopeiasmiledhappilyathim.That'stheway,cuz.Bytheway,whyareyououthere?Onamission?
Harryrealizedthatifanyonehadtherighttocomealongonthistrip,itwasCassiopeia.Shewasfamilyandhad
therighttocomealong.Well,Iwasactuallyretracingmyparents'footstepstofindmypastand,hopefully,our
homeplanet.
Cassiopeia'seyeswidened.DDoyouthinkit'spossibletofindit?I'vebeentravelingthegalaxyforyearsand
I'vefoundnocluehowtofindtheHogwartsoranythinglikethat.Myfathertookthatsecrettohisgrave,it
seems.
Harrysmiledconfidentlyather.Yep,I'msure.IalreadyhaveacluetofindingtheHogwarts.Hopefully,wecan
checkit'sflighthistoryandretraceittowardourhomeworld.Wannacomealong?
Cassiopeiagotanadventurousgrinonherface.YoubetyourcutelittleassIdo.We'lltakeyourshipsinceit's
biggerandleavemineonthePotterproperty.Thegaragetherelooksbuiltforitsothere'snobetterway.
Withthatdecided,thetwocousinstalkedaboutthemselvesforanothertwohoursbeforetheystoodupand
walkedtotheirrespectivepartnerssotheycouldleavetowardPhaeda.
GurihadparkedtheBlackPrincessinthePotterhousehold'sgaragequiteeasily.Itdidseemtobemeantfor
theirshipandconfirmedHarry'ssuspicionofitbeinghisfatherandfriends'oldsmugglingship.
WhenHarrytoldCassiopeiathisaftershegotontheWaywardSon,shejustsmirked.Guessbeingcriminals
runsinthefamily.Allthat'sleftistocorruptyou.
Harryjustrolledhiseyesand,aftergettingclearancefromplanetarytrafficcontrol,lefttheatmosphereandset
coordinatesforPhaeda.Itwouldtakethreedaystogettheresinceitwasliterallyontheothersideofthegalaxy.
GuriwasinherroomrestingwhileFAITHwasrebootinginthecargobay.HarryturnedtoCassiopeiawitha
curiouslook.
Bytheway...whendidyoulearnthosespells?Noneofyourpreviousteacherscouldhavetaughtyou.
Cassiopeiatookoutabatteredoldblackjournalwithasmile.Youdon'tthinkmyfatheronlywroteabouthis
life,didyou?No,hewrotehisfavoritespellsaswellashowtousetheminheretoo.However,therearen'talot
ofthemandit'snotthesameasaholocronorafleshandbloodteacher.
Harrysmiledandtookouthismother'sjournalfromhisinnerpocket.Yeah,Ifoundmymom'sinthehouse.I
alsofoundafewspellbooksaswellthatyou'rewelcometouse.IalsohaveaholocronfromRemusthathashis
specialtyspellsaswell.
Cassiopeia'seyeslitupatthatinformation.Wecanalsoaskhimforstoriesaboutourparentstoo!
Harrystiffenedinsurprise.Youknow...Ihadn'teventhoughtofthat!They'reinteractiveandhaveallthe
memoriesofthecreatorsoitshouldbepossible.However,Harryfrowned.weshouldprobablydoitinsafe
placesonly.Holocronsarevaluableandifpeopleknewwewerecarryingaroundone...
ThatremindedHarryoftheCodexofTythonhiddeninthesecretcompartmentwithArden'sstuff.The
informationitcontainedwastoodangeroustoleavebehindonRaxusPrimesohehadtakenitwithhimfor
study.HarrylookedoveratCassiopeiaanddecidedthatafterhewassurehecouldtrusthercompletely,he
wouldstudyitwithher.Shewasfamilyandhedesperatelywantedtotrustherbutexperiencehadshownhim
thatbeingfamilydidn'tguaranteeloyaltyorevenaffection.Shehadbeentruthfulaboutbeinghappytofindhim
andeverythingshehadtoldhimbutherhistoryasaraidermadehimhesitanttoshowheraholocronthatifit
fellintothewronghands,couldspelldisasterforthegalaxy.
Cassiopeiafrownedathisstatement.True...plus,it'safamilyheirloomsoweneedtoprotectitatallcosts.I
thoughtthatourparentswouldmakeaholocronaswellbutIneverfoundahintastomyfather'sandyoudidn't
findoneinyourparent'shouse,right?
Harryfrownedbeforerememberingthechesthefound.Maybe...Ifoundachestundermyparent'sbed.
However,itwon'topenandIthinkthatthekeytoopeningitisinsidemymother'sjournal.
Cassiopeia'seyesgleamedinjoybeforesilentlyaskingforthejournal.Harryreluctantlypassedittoherandshe
eagerlyopeneditonlytofrown.
Um,Harry?Ican'tseeanything.It'sblank.
Harrylookedalarmedandtookitbackbeforefrowningashesawhismother'swritingeasily.Whatareyou
talkingabout?It'srighthere.
Cassiopeialookedconfusedbeforealookofrealizationcametoherface.Itmustbekeyedtoherbloodline
alone.Ican'tseeanythingbecauseI'mnotrelatedtoherinanyway.Butyoucanbecauseyou'reherson.Seeif
youcanreadaheadandfindthekeytoopeningit.
Harrysmiledatthedesperationinherfaceandunderstoodit.Ifthechestheldtheirholocrons,shewouldbeable
toseeherfatherforthefirsttimeinherlife.Evenifitwasaholocron,shewouldatleastseehim.Harryhadfelt
thesamewaywhenhesawhisparentsforthefirsttimewhenheflowwalked.Theirfaceswereinscribedonto
hismemoriesforever.Heskippedpagesuntilhereachedthelasttenpagesandstartedtoread.
Afterskippingthepartsthattalkedabouthisparentslovelife(nosonwantstoknowthat,toomuchinformation)
hefinallyfounditinthesecondtolastpage.
'Aftercheckinginwitheveryone,we'verealizedthattheMaraudersandmearethelastonesofourpeopleleft
alive.Severus,myonetimefriend,betrayedthefactthatwewerestillalivetoMarrish.Probablyinthehopes
thathewouldsharehispowerwithhim.Oh,Severus,youwerealwayssopowerhungry!Itriedtowarnyoubut
youneverlistened!Nowyou'redeadatMarrish'shands.Youwerefoolishtothinkhewouldspareyouby
deliveringtherestofustohim.WemanagedtobarelyescapewithourliveswhenwemethiminCoruscant
whilevisitingwithHarryandCassiopeia.Ifitwasn'tforPeter'squickthinkingtousethesewers,wewouldbe
dead.We'vedecidedtocreateaFideliuswardaroundbothmineandJames'shouseandaroundSiriusandAna's
place.PeterwillbeoursecretkeeperwhileRemuswillbeSirius's.Wetriedtoseeifwecouldbeeachother's
secretkeeperbutitturnedoutitdidn'tworklikethatandbothFideliusfailedwhenweattemptedit.Remusis
goingintohidingandsoisPeter.They'llvisitonceamonthtomakesurewe'realrightandtosendsupplies.
BeforecastingtheFidelius,weallcreatedholocronswithourknowledgejustincase.Petercouldn'tmanageto
makeone,however,andRemussaidhe'dmakeonelater.Weeachhaveourownareaofexpertise:mineis
CharmsandRunes,JamesisTransfigurationandWards,andSiriusisDarkArtsandLegilimency/Occlumency.
Remus,whenhemakeshis,wouldbeHealingandArithmency.Wealsohaveafewspellsofothertypesbutthat
wouldbethecoresubjectsineachofourholocrons.Wedon'twanttoaddmoreandriskoverloadingthe
holocronsduetothisbeingourfirstattempts.Afterwe'redone,we'regoingtoplacethemallinsideachestin
mineandJames'houseandlockit.Itcanonlybeopenedbyspillingthebloodofbothmine,JamesandSirius
overitoratleastsomeonerelatedtous.'
WhenHarryreadthat,heexcitedlyshowedittoCassiopeiawhoreaditquicklyandsmiledexcitedlyathimafter
shewasdone.Theyrantowardwherethechestwasinthecargobayandstoodoveritnervously.
Lookingateachother,eachbittheirthumbslightlytomakeitbleedbeforesimultaneouslybleedingoverwhere
thelockshouldbe.Theywatchedasthedropletsofbloodlandedonthechestbeforeitglowedslightlyanda
soundofalockdeactivatingsounded.Smilingexcitedly,theystoodsidebysideandgentlyopenedit.
ThechestwasquitebigandcouldholdallofHarry'ssecretstasheasily.Inthemiddleofthechest,onlittle
standstoholdthemfromfalling,werethreeholocrons.TheleftonewhichwasmarkedasLily'swasalight
greencolorandwascircularmuchlikeRemus's.ThemiddleonewasmarkedasJames'sanditwascircularas
wellasbeingredandgold.Sirius'swasredandsilverandcircularaswell.
Cassiopeiainstantlyreachedoutforherfather'sandhelditalmostreverently.Tearscametohereyesasshe
walkedashortdistanceawaybeforesittingonherkneesandlookingattheholocron.Shelookeditover,trying
tofindanonswitchbeforeHarryspoke.
YouhavetochanneltheForcethroughittoactivateit,saidHarrysoftly.
Cassiopeiagulpedbeforedoingashesaidandasmallhologramofamanappeared.Themanlookedmuchlike
theholoimageHarryhadofthefamily.Itwashardtotelldetailsduetoitbeingahologram,butHarrycouldsee
hewasfairlytall,hadlongblackhairuptohisshouldersandcarriedhimselfmuchlikeCassiopeiadid:withan
airofmischief,childishnessandconfidence.Heseemedtobethetypethatsmiledeasilyandwasalways
lookingforagoodlaugh.
Cassiopeiaseemedtodrinkinherfather'slookslikeathirstypersoninthedesertdrankwater.Tearscametoher
eyesasshebeheldherfatherforthefirsttimeinlivingmemory.Shesniffledandgavethehologramawatery
smilebeforeturningtoHarry.
Thankyou,saidCassiopeiafervently.Thismeansmoretomethananythingintheuniverse.
Harryjustsmiledather.Iunderstand.Hethenturnedtogiveherprivacyandtolookathisownparents'
holocrons.HegentlyliftedthemupmuchlikeCassdidherfather'sandwalkedtowardhisroomtostudythem
andtalktothem.
Threehourslater,Harrylefthisroomwithhismindwhirling.Hehaddecidedtostudyhismother'sholocron
firstduetoalreadyhavingexperiencewithcharmsandbeinginterestedinwhatruneswere.Bythetimetwo
hourshadpassed,hehadcometotheconclusionthathismotherwasagenius.
Thesheerknowledgeofcharmsaswellashowtoapplythembothinregularlifeandincombatwasmind
bogglingalone.However,shewentastepfurtherandlearnedhowtoimbuethemintocertainrunestogivea
certaineffect.Whilesomerunesalreadyhadmeanings,shehadimbuedcertainrunesliketherunefordefense
withashieldcharmtotripleitseffect.IthadcreatedarunethatcreatedaForcebarrieraroundtheobjectwhen
attackedforalimitedtime.Themoreenergyyouimbuedintotheruneandthebetteryourexpertisewiththat
certainrune,thelongerandstrongerthebarrierwillbe.Lilyhadevenbecomesogoodwithcertainrunesthat
shecouldapplythembytouchalone,withouttheneedtouseawandtoinscribethemontoasurface.Whileit
wouldfadeintime,itwasperfectforcombat,whenyoucouldusearuneasamarkertoteleportbacktowardin
ordertoleadanenemyintoanambushandescapebacktowardthemarker.Sheexplainedthatitworkedevenif
underawardtopreventteleportationduetonotactuallyteleportingtheresomuchasslingshootingbacktoward
thatmark.Itwasactuallyquiteingenious.
HarrystartedsearchingforCassiopeiaandfoundherintheroomshesharedwithGuri,stillpouringoverher
father'sholocron.However,whatgotHarry'sattention(andarousedhimgreatly)wasthefactbothherandGuri
werejustwearingtheirunderwear:CassiopeiawaswearingapurplepantiesandbracombinationandGuria
blacklacythongandbra.CassiopeiastretchedtogetridofthekinksandcaughtsightofHarrystandinginthe
doorwaywithablushonhisfaceandoglingherbody.Despitebeingverysureofherlooks,shedidn'twanther
onlyfamilytothinkofherinthatwaysoshepromptlyturnedredinembarrassmentbeforeyellingathim.
Getout,youpervert!
ThatsnappedHarryoutofhisoglingandhepromptlyturnedrightaroundandbasicallyranoutoftheroom.
Gurihadjustblinkedatthesightofhim,completelyateasewiththefacthehadseenherhalfnaked.
HarrywaswideeyedandblushingattheimageofCassiopeia'shalfnakedbodyrunningthroughhismind.Sure
hehadseenAstraalnakedmanytimesbutshehadbeenaTwi'lekandhehadneverseenahumanwomannaked
before.Theyweremostlythesameexceptforskincolor,thepresenceoflekkuandlackofbodyhairon
Twi'leks.'Getaholdofyourself,Potter!'thoughtHarryforcefully.'That'syourpseudocousinyou'reimagining!'
HarryjumpedslightlyasthedooropenedbehindhimandCassiopeiacameoutwearingalargeshirtthatdid
nothingtodetractfromherbountifulchestalthoughitreachedherknees.
Cassiopeiablushedbeforescowling.Look,it'snotthatIdon'tthinkyou'recuteoranything.Usually,aboyas
cuteasyouandasgoodapersonasyouandIwouldbeflirtingwithyounonstopbutIdon'twanttoruinour
fledglingbond.You'retheonlyfamilyIhaveleftandIdon'twanttoruinitbyactinglikeaboyobsessedlittle
girl.Understand?
Harrysmiledgentlyatherpleadinglookandgaveheraquickhug.Iunderstand.I'dlikeitifwewerefamilyas
well.SorryIjustenteredwithoutknockingbutI'mnotusedtoit.Theonlypersontousethatroomforenough
timetochangeintherewasmyexAstraalandwell....therewasn'tanythingofherIhadn'tseenbeforeandshe
neverminded.
Cassiopeiagiggledathisadmission.Iunderstand.Amischievouslookcametohereyes.It'stoobadwe're
pseudocousins.Ifweweren'tandwehadmet,Iwouldhavebeenonyoulikewhiteonrice,that'showcuteyou
are.
HarryblushedinembarrassmentasCassiopeialaughedslightlyandreenteredherroom.Hecomposedhimself
andwalkedbacktowardhisroomwhenthedoortoCassiopeia'sroomopenedagain,thistimewithGuricoming
outinapairofblackpantsandawhitetshirt.Harrygulpedashecouldn'thelpbutnoticethattheshirtdidn't
quitehidehercurvesandbythesmallsmileonherface,heknewsheknewittoo.
Don'ttakeitthewrongway,Harry.It'sjustthatshe'sbeenaloneforsolongthatshedoesn'twanttoscrewitup.
I'msureifyouweren'tfamilyshewouldbealloveryoubynow.Cassieisvery.....forwardwhenshewants
something.
HarrygaveGuriawrysmile.Somehow,Icanimaginethat.
ThetwochuckledabitandGuristudiedhimbeforespeaking.You'reagoodfighter.Notmanycanstandupto
Cassiewhenshegoesallout.Shemaynotknowhowtowieldalightsaberbutshematchesitwithherfirewhip
andherunarmedskillsarenothingtoscoffat.ShecankeepupwithmeinunarmedcombatandI'mreallystrong
duetomybeingahumanreplicadroidandIcanstanduptopeoplelikeBobaFettandLukeSkywalkeratleast
untilthelatterusestheForce.Soshe'sstrong.
Harry'seyeswidenedatherdeclaration.TosayshecouldstanduptoLukeandBobawasnosmallboast.Ifit
wastrueandCassiecouldkeepupwithher....damn,everyoneonthisshiparejuggernautsinsomewayor
another.HarrystudiedGuriandhecouldtellshewastellingtheabsolutetruth.Shereallywasthatstrong.
Harrysmiledslightly.Well,thanksforthecompliment.HarrylookedoveratthedoorleadingtoCassiopeia's
room.Howisshe?Ioriginallycametoseehowshewasholdingupseeingherfather,evenifit'sjustanimage,
forthefirsttimebut....wekindagotsidetracked.
Gurismiledsadly.ShetriestohideitbutIknowshe'sgoingtobeobsessingoverthatholocronforafewdays,
moreoverhearingherfather'svoicethananything.Findingapseudocousinandfindingherfather'sholocronall
atonce...ithitherhard,youknow?
Harrylookedworried.Willshebeokay?
Gurismiledathisconcern.She'llbefine.She'stough.She'ssurvivedonherownsinceshewas9whilepiloting
herownship,thatshouldtellyouthatshecantakecareofherself.Gurigiggledslightly.ThoughIdon'tknow
howsheorhershipsurvivedbeforeme.Sheflieslikeatonofbricks,hittingeverythingandanyoneintheway.
Harrysmiledmischievously.Really?Shesucksatflying?Ididn'tknowthat.Althoughthatexplainswhyher
shipisallbangedup.
Gurilaughed.Yep.Afterwemet,Iinsistedonbeingthepilot.Especiallysinceshehadcrashedintoabuilding
tryingtotaketheshipoutofparking.
ThetwolaughedatthementalimagejustasCassiopeiacameoutofherroom,fullydressedagain.Shehada
pairofbrownpantsandbootswiththesameshirtfrombeforetuckedinside.Shelookedattwosuspiciouslyas
theylaughedharderatherappearance.
Whatareyoutalkingabout?askedCassiopeiasuspiciously.
Gurismiledmischievously.Oh,nothing.Justyourincrediblepilotingskillsandhowyoudemonstratedthem
whenwefirstmet.
CassiopeiapromptlyturnedredandscowledasHarrylaughed.Yea,laughitup.It'snotmyfaultthestupid
controlsaresocomplicated.Andthatbuildingcameoutofnowhere!
Atherdeclaration,Harryfelldownlaughing,unabletocontrolhimselfanymoreasshetriedtoexcuseherself.
Cassiopeiajustglaredathimhalfheartedlyashecontinuedtolaugh.
TheWaywardSonexitedhyperspaceoverthePhaedasystem.Phaedawasrockyworldwithtwojustasrocky
moons.Ithadlittlestrategicorcommercialimportanceanditsgarrisonwaseitherlazyorcorrupt,makingthis
worldaperfectplaceforsmugglersandcriminalsfromalloverthegalaxy.
Cassiesatinthecopilotchairwearinghercustomizedarmorwhichwasaworkofart,Harryhadtoadmit.It
wasmadeupofabreastplatewithastarshapeddesign,withthetopspikeofthestarreachingthebottomofher
neckencirclingit,thetwospikestoeithersideofthatspikegoingunderarmpitsandconnectingonherbackto
holdit,andthebottomtwoconnectedtoherarmoredskirtathersides.Thearmoredskirt'sbeltwhichheldher
weapons(andsometimesheldherfirewhipwrappedaroundherhipslikeanotherbelt)wasarmoredandhadan
armorweaveblackskirtthatreachedmidshin.Shealsowearsthighhigharmorboots,andoverherleftlegisa
longsashmadeofblackfeathers,symbolizingherconnectionwiththeHouseofBlack,whosecresthasravens
aspartofit.Shealsohadarmoredvambraceswithaperpendicularspikelinedwithcortosisoverblack
armorweaveglovesthatreachedherelbows.Shehadblackarmorweaveunderallthepiecesofherarmorexcept
underherskirt(whichHarryfoundouttohisembarrassmentwhenshecrossedherlegs).Theentirearmorwas
wasmadeofduraniumlinedwithtracesofphrikandpaintedblackwithcrimsonaccents(shesaiditintimidated
herenemiesmorethanothercolors).
Herarmoralsohadseveralsurprises,suchasarocketlauncherhiddeninthevambracesthatcouldbeactivated
bothbyherhelmetandbyflickingherwristdownward,agrapplingcablehiddeninthearmoredshinpiece,
flamethrowers,andevenwristknives.Thiswasn'tevencountingtheweaponsholsteredonherbelt.Allthis
weretrickspickedupfromalifetimelivingonthelesslegalpartsofthegalaxy.
However,herhelmetwasherprideandjoy.Itrecordedvideoandplayeditbackoncommand,dispensedwater,
compensatedautomaticallyforloworhighlightconditions,andpickeduponminutesoundsandamplified
them.Thehelmetalsohadthecapabilityofsealingtocompensateforpressurechangesthoughthispiecewas
delicateandsheconstantlyhadtomaintainit.Cassiopeiacouldalsocontrolherweaponsandsensorswith
verbalcommands.Herhelmet'sHUDfeaturedinformationonthesurroundingenvironmentaswellasa360
degreefieldofvision,whosedatastreamscouldbecontrolledbyeyemovementsandblinking.Ithad
magnificationtoallowCassiopeiatoseegreatdistances,andwasequippedwith,amongotherthings,aninfrared
scannerthatcouldbemagnifiedupto50times.Theinfraredscannermagnifiedlightupto100timesor
displayedheatgradations.Theenvironmentalfiltersystemcouldfilteroutpoisonsandcontaminantsaswellas
provideherwithtwohoursofreserveair.InordernottoconfuseitwithaMandalorianhelmet,hervisorwas
tintedblackandwasastarshapeinsteadoftheusualMandalorianTshape.Itwasalsomadeofduraniumand
tracesofphrikandpaintedblackwithcrimsonaccents.
Harryhadhadtolistentotheentiretwohourlongexplanationofnotonlyhowherarmorandhelmetworkedbut
alsohowsheinstalledandacquiredeachsystem(withgratuitousexaggerationofcourseAtonepointshe
insistedshegainedthephrikbyfightingoffahundredkraytdragonswitharock).However,Harryhadn't
minded,gladtoseethattheysharedapassionforcreatingandupgradingpersonalarmorandweapons.Harry
hadn'tforgottentheJensaaraiarmorhehadbuiltbeforeMarrishdestroyeditanditstillbroughtapangtohis
hearttorememberitinpieces.Hehadn'tbuiltanotherbecausehewantedtoimproveuponitsoitwouldn'tbeso
easilydestroyednexttime.However,thatinvolvedstudyingSithalchemyandhedoubtedtheMasterswould
likethatiftheyfoundout.
Cassiopeiahadinsisted(morelikedemanded)heweararmoraswellandhewascurrentlywearingacrimson
versionoftheoldARCtrooperarmorwiththeexceptionofthehelmet.HehadhisbrownJedirobesoveritso
theywouldn'tstandoutasmuchbutrealizeditwashopelesswhenhelookedathowCassiopeiawasarmored.
Guri,surprisingly,waswearingthesameoutfitshewaswearingwhenHarrysawherinthecantinaandhad
explainedthatitwasmadeofarmorweavesoshedidn'tneedanythingelse.Thatplushernaturalresiliencemade
itsoshewasjustasprotectedasthem.
FAITHwastheonlyonewhohadn'tchangedexceptforcarryingaroundhiscarbineonhisbackaswellas
blastersonhiships.FAITHhadalsoplacedmanytypesofgrenadesinhiddenstoragesinsidehimjustincaseas
wellashiscustomaryhiddenlightsabers.GurialsohashiddencompartmentsonherframebutHarryknew
betterthantoaskwhere.Patientandkindornot,thatisNOTsomethingyouaskawoman.
Cassiopeacurrentlyhadherhelmetoffandfrownedasshelookedontheplanet.Phaeda...onabadday,it
makesNarShadaalooksclassy.
Harryraisedandeyebrow.Thatwhyyoumadeusweararmor?
Cassiopeianoddedslowly.ThatandbecauseI'vemadeafew....dissatisfiedclientshereandiftheyhearI'm
herethey'llsenttheirmercenariesafterme.
Harrylookalarmedatherstatement.Whatdidyoudotodeservethat?Didyourefusetokillthetargetor
something?
Cassiopeiagaveagrimaceofdistaste.Iwishthatwasall.MorelikeIrefusedtobecomeacrimelord's
concubineforhisamusementwhenImadethemistakeofshowingmyface.Badenoughmyarmordoesn't
detractfrommyfeminineform,butwhenIshowedmyfacewasjustasprettyandIwasonly14atthetime,he
became...insistentandIhadtoreeducatehimastomyrights.
Harrycouldn'thelpthebitofangerthatcametohisheartattheideaofCassiopeiabecomingsomeone'splaytoy.
Duringthepastthreedays,HarryandCassie(asCassiopeiainsistedonhimcallingher)hadbecomecloseand
hecouldhonestlysayhewashappytohavemether.Theyhadbondedquicklyduetobothbeingdesperateto
haveafamilymembertheycouldtrust(Harryduetohisonlyotherrelativeshatingandmistreatinghimand
Cassieduetolosinghermotherwhenshewas9).Totheirjoy,theyhadfoundtheyhadmuchincommon.Both
werefiercetoprotectthosetheyconsideredfamily,bothlovedtocustomizetheirpossessionsthemselves
(CassiopeiahadfalleninlovewiththeAzureAngelandhadbeggedhimtoteachherhowtoflywhichhehad
agreedtodo),andbothcouldbeconsideredprodigies:HarryinswordsmanshipandCassiopeiainunarmed
combat.
Duringthetimetheyspenttogether,CassiopeiahadmanagedtogetHarrytoopenupandtheywererubbingoff
oneachother.CassiopeiawasbecomingmoreintrospectiveandthoughtfulandHarrywasbecomingmore
mischievousandoptimistic.Cassiopeiahadfound,toheramusement,thatHarryhadaverypervertedsenseof
humorwhenhiswallsweredownandwasverygoodatmakingstatementsfilledwithdoublemeaningsand
innuendo.TogethertheymadeforaveryexasperatingpairofmischievousprankstersasGurifoundtoher
chagrin.HarryhadmadeanoffhandcommentthatGuri'sbreastswerebiggerthanCassie's.Cassiopeiahad
reactedexactlyashehadplannedandhaddenieditandwhenhetoldhertoproveit,shehadmarcheduptothe
confusedGuriandrippedoffhershirtbeforetakingoffherowntocomparesizes.Needlesstosay,thatsighthad
madeHarrythehappiestmaninthegalaxyaswellas100creditsricherwhenitturnedoutGuri'sbreastswere
bigger.
Harrymouthwasathinlineashespoke.Well,they'llhavetogoovermydeadbodyandeventhenI'llcome
backasaForceghosttodistractthemsoyoucanescape.
Cassiopeialookedathiminsurprisebeforeshesmiledhappilyasatearescapedhereye.Shequicklywipedit
offbeforehenoticedandputonherhelmetsohewouldn'tseeherhappysmileathowprotectivehewasbeing
ofher.Itremindedherofhowhermotherwouldprotectherwhenshewasyoung.
Aftergettingclearancefromplanetarytrafficcontrol,Harryexpertlyenteredtheatmosphereandflewtowardthe
designatedlandingzone.Whentheybrokeatmosphere,Harrysawthatsurfacewasjustasrockyasseenfrom
spaceandhadnoredeemingqualitieswhatsoever.Heflewtowardthelandingpadandoncetheytoucheddown,
turnedofftheengines.HarrytoldR3thathehadtostayandguardtheshipthistimeduetothefacttheymight
needaquickgetawayifthecrimelordattackedCassiopeia.Cassiopeiahadherhelmetonsothechancesof
recognizingherwerelowerbutHarrydoubtedthatwouldhelpmuch.Therefore,hewantedtospendaslittle
timeonthestreetsaspossible.
Thegroupoffourhadawideberthduetotheintimidatingauratheyletoutastheywalkeddownthestreet
towardtheRegistryofTestamentsandLegacies,whereRemus'sholocronsaidtogotofindtheHogwarts.They
enteredthroughthefrontdoorandsawanormalreceptionhallwithgreenwallsaRodianmanningthefront
desk.HarrywalkeduptotheRodian,seeingashewouldbespokesperson.
Hello,mynameisHarryPotterandI'vecometocollectaninheritancelefttomebymyfatherandhisfriends.
saidHarrypolitely.
TheRodianspatintothegarbagecanbesidethedeskbeforeanswering.Letmechecktheregistry.Hewent
throughadoorinthebackbeforereturningafewminuteslaterwithadatapad.Hemutteredtohimselfashe
searcheduntilhegruntedintheaffirmative.
It'shere,alright.Doyouhavetheagreeduponproofofidentification?
HarrytookoutRemus'sholocronandgentlypassedittotheRodian.TheRodianplacedinsideanolddevice
withacirclelikecrevicewhereheplacedtheholocronandafterasecond,thedeviceletoutanaffirmativebeep,
confirmingit'sauthenticity.
Well,everythingchecksout.It'sinStorageHangar45.Here'sthepasscardtoenterandremember,wearenot
responsibleforanydamagesthestuffhadbeforebeingstored.Nowthatyou'vearrivedyouhavethreeweeksto
clearthehangarofallpossessionsbeforewecleanitforotherclients.Takethisdeviceaswellbecauseitwasfor
yourstoragehangaridentificationonly,saidtheRodianforcefully.
Understood.
ThegroupturnedandleftthebuildingtowardtheStoragehangar.Oncetheyleftthebuildingandturnedthe
corner,theRodianmadeaholocallonhiscomputer,nervouslylookingaroundtomakesurehewouldn'tbe
seen.
Thecallconnectedandafemalevoiceanswered.Whatisit?Thisbetterbeimportant,Vax.
Vaxgulped.Itis,ma'am.Themanyousaidyouweresearchingfor?TheHarryPotterboy?Hejustcameinand
IgavehimthepasscardforStorageHangar45.
Thewomancursed.Dammit,IwashalfwaytoBespinalready.Howlongdoyouthinkthey'llbethere?
Vaxsweatedslightly.Acoupleofdaysminimum.ThatstoragehangarisoneofthebiggeronesandIbrokethe
engineslikeyouaskedsoit'lltakeawhileforthemtofixitandtaketheship.
Good,I'llcontactmyemployerandwe'llbethereintwodays.Makesurethey'rethereuntilwegetthere.My
employerwouldbemostdispleasedifshemisseshimagainandshe'lltakeitoutofmycut,whichmeansI'll
havetotakeitoutofyourcut,understand?
Vaxpaledandnoddedhisheadfrantically.Iunderstand,ma'am.They'llbehere,Ipromise.
Withthat,thecallendedandVaxexhaledabreathhedidn'tknowhewasholding.
Backwiththegroup,HarrywasonceagainleadingthegrouptowardthemarkedStorageHangarwithanairof
anticipation.Theywerefinallyclosetoanothercluetotheirparents'pastandCassiopeiawasnervously
fidgeting,justasanxioustogetthereaswell.However,iftheyranthereitwouldattractattentionandtheydidn't
needanyatthemoment.
TheyfinallyreachedthehangarandHarrynervouslyenteredthepasscardintothesecuritymodule.Themodule
gaveanaffirmativebeep!andHarryopenedthedoor.Thegroupoffourenteredandthelightsturnedon
revealingtheinside.
ParkedinsidewasanancientLethiskclassarmedfreighter.ItwasabitsmallerthantheWaywardSon,painted
silverandgoldandwasarmedtotheteeth.Onthenoseoftheshipwasacrestwithalion,asnake,abadgerand
araven.Theonlysignofitbeingoldwastheinchofdustoveritandthefactthatthisclassofshiphadn'tbeen
usedsincetheJediCivilWar.
Guriwhistledinappreciationasshetookintheship.Well,foranoldjunkofmetal,itsureiscustomizedto
hangwiththenewermodels.EvenIcanseetheenginemodificationsnottomentionthenewlasercannons.
Well,itwasnew20yearsagobutstillnewforthisoldclassofship.
HarryandCassiopeiaslowlywalkeduptotheshipandjusttookitin.Thiswastheshiptheirparentshadlived
informostoftheirteenageyearsandhadwrittenaboutsolovinglyintheirjournals.Itwasexactlyastheyhad
imagineditexceptforonesmalldetail.
Harryfrowned.Howcould20peoplefitinthis?Itonlyfitsamaximumof10peopleright?
CassiopeiasmiledduetoknowingsomethingHarrydidn't.Weeellll....mydad'sjournalsaystheyused
ExpansionCharmstomaketheinsidebiggerthantheoutside.
HarryandGurilookedatherinconfusion.FAITHwasguardingtheentranceincaseofthembeingfollowed.
Guriaskedthequestiononboththeirminds.Whatdoyoumean?How'sthatpossible?
Cassiopeiasmirked.Ourpeoplehadthehabitofbreakingthelawsofpossibilitywiththeirspells.They
managedtofindaspellthatcouldmakeanenclosedspacetwotothreetimesbiggerwithoutenlargingtheouter
dimensions.Thetheoryisovermyheadbutit'spossible.Theyprobablydiditheresotheyhadabigenough
shiptoholdthembutsmallenoughtohavemaneuverability.
Theothertwolookedthoughtfulatherexplanationandinternallywonderedhowmuchthatwouldhelpintheir
endeavors.ForHarry,itmeantmorespacetoholdsoldiersinthetransportshipsforalesseramountoftransports
ships.ForGuri,itmeantmorecargospacetoholdtheirnotsolegalgoods.
Harrywalkeduptotheshipandactivatedtheramp.Ittookaminutebutitfinallyresponded,albeitsluggishly.
Oncetheramplowered,thetwopseudocousinslookedateachotherbeforetakingouttheirwandsand
mutteringLumos!,ignitingthetipoftheirwands,turningthemintominiatureflashlights.
FAITHstayedtoguardthehangarentrancewhiletheotherthreeenteredtheshiptoexplore.Afterchecking
everythingtomakesuretherewasnohiddensurprisesontheship,theystartedtoexploreitmoreslowlyand
throughly.CassiopeiadecidedtocheckthecargobayswhileGuridecidedtochecktheengines.Harryturnedto
checkthecockpittoseeiftherewasnavigationlogofsomesort.
Harryenteredthecockpitandnoticedthatthepowerwasstillsluggish,ifthefactonlyhalfthelightswereon
wasanyindication.RememberingwhatHansometimeshadtodowiththeFalcon,Harrypunchedtheshipjust
abovethedoorwayandjustlikethat,thepowerreturnedtotheentireship.Harrysmiledasherememberedthe
manytimesHandidthatontheFalconjusttogetittostart.Hancalleditalovetaptostartherup.
Harrysatinthepilot'sseatandlookedfortheship'snavigationmanifest.Afterafewminutes,hefinallyfound
it.Harrylookeditoverandfrowned.
Accordingtothenavigationlog,thefirstplanetitarrivedinwasIlum,intheUnknownRegions.Whileitwas
wonderfulthatHarryhadthecoordinatestothelonglostplanetoflightsabercrystals,itstatedthatitexitedinto
thesystem,meaningitwasn'ttheoriginalhomeworldofHarry'speople.Thecuriousthingwasthatitsaidit
exitedslipstream,whateverthatwas.Harrythoughtitmaybeanothernameforhyperspacebutfuturelogs
correctlycallithyperspaceandnotslipstream,makingHarryextremelyconfused.CouldHarry'speopleuse
anotherformoftravelotherthanhyperspacetravel?Iftheydidandtheytraveledfromthehomeworldthrough
slipstream....
Harrysatbackwithagroan.Itmeantthattheonlywaytoreachtheplanetwasthroughslipstreamtravel.That
mayhavecontributedtothefacttheirhomeworldwasneverfoundinover24,000yearsofspaceexploration.
Harryhopedtheengineswereworkingbecauseiftheyweren't....
TheshipwidecommcrackledandGurispoke.Harry?Youmightwanttocometotheengines.Wehavea
problem.
HarrylookedupattheceilingaskingtheForcewhyitmadeeverythingsodifficult.Hesighedandstoodup
beforewalkingtowardtheengineroom.
HarryfoundGuriundertheengines,cursingfluently,andthewhiteshirtshehadunderherarmorweaveclothing
coveredingrease.Harrycouldseeshehadtakenoffthearmorweaveclothingandputonherengineer
clothingwhichwasawhiteshirtandblueshorts.WhenHarryenteredGuricameoutfromundertheenginesand
scowled.
Theseengineshavebeensabotagedrecently.There'snootherexplanationforittobeinthisstate!Ifitwaslike
thiswhentheyparkedithere,theywouldneverhadbeenabletoflyitinthefirstplace!
Harryfrowned.Maybetheysabotageditaftertheyparkedittomakesurenoonecoulduseit?
Gurishookherhead.No,thiscouldn'tflybeforethissabotageanyway.Therewasnoreasonformoredamage
tobedone.Thiswasjustoverkillanddonebyanidiottotopitoff.
Harry'sfrowndeepened.Whatdoyoumeanitcouldn'tflyevenbeforethesabotage?
GurisighedandwalkedovertotherightwallwhereastrangecirculargreenspherebiggerthanHarry'sfistwas
hoveringoveraprojectorofsomekindontopofatable.Behindthespherewasalargecomputerofsomekind
thathadblueveinsrunningalongthefloorconnectingittotheengines.Harryhadneverseenanythinglikeit.
Guripointedtothesphere.Thatismissingsomethingandwithoutit,theentireshipwon'tfly.
Harrylookedatthespherecloselyandnoticedthatatthetopwasacircularindentation.Itlookedasofakeyof
somesortwassupposedtogoinittoactivateit.Forsomereason,Harrysworehe'dseensomethinglikethis
beforebutcouldn'tplaceit.
Well,thatsucks.grumbledHarry.Hesighedexasperatedly.Well,IhopeCassieishavingbett
Justthenascreamwasheardfromthedirectionofthecargobay.RealizingthatthescreamwasCassiopeia's,
Harryreactedoninstinctandrantowardthecargobay,hisgreenlightsaberactivatedwithGurirightbehindhim.
TheyreachedthecargobaytofindCassiopeiasittingonthefloorlookingatsomethingbeyondtheirfieldof
visioninfear.Harrystoodwithhislightsaberactivatedinbetweenherandwhatevershewaslookingat,
breakingCassiopeiafromhertrance.
WWhat?Whathappened?
Harrylookedconfused.That'swhatIwouldliketoknow.Weheardyouscreamandwhenwegethereyoulook
likeyou'veseenaghost.Whathappened?
Cassiopeiablushedinembarrassment.Sorry,Iwasjustsurprised.Iwaslookingthoughthestuffanduncovered
whatIthoughtwasalongboxandfound..her.
HarrylookedconfusedbeforehewalkedtowardwhereCassiopeiawaspointingandsawwhatshewastalking
about.Layingthereinacornerofthecargobaywasacarboniteencasedwoman.Evenencasedincarbonite,it
wasobviousitwasawomanandHarrywonderedwhoshecouldbe.
HarrylookedbackatCassiopeiainconfusionandabitofamusement.Youscreamed...becauseyousawa
personincarbonite?
Cassiopeiapuffedouthercheeksinanger.I'veseenalotofholomoviesaboutzombiesandstuffandwhenI
sawher....
HarryandGuristartedtochuckleatCassiopeia'sembarrassment.Cassiopeiajusthuffedandrefusedtomeethis
eyesevenassheturnedasredasatomato.
HarrystoppedlaughingforamomentandsmirkedatCassiopeia.AtleastIknowhowtoscareyou.Just
mentiontheremightbezombiessomewhereandyou'reofflikeablasterbolt.
Cassiopeiajustglaredatthembothbeforepoutingandturningherbackonthemastheylaughed.Harryfinally
stoppedlaughingandlookedatthecarbonitewomanincuriosity.Couldshebepartoftheoriginalcrewalong
withourparents?
Cassiopeiafrowned.Sorry,butno.Accordingtohowthethingsbackherearesorted,shewaspartofthelegacy
ourparentspretendedtobeheirsof.TheinheritanceofoneHiduRezodar,accordingtothecargomanifest.
Harryfrownedinthought.Youthinktherewasanyspecificreasontheyposedashisinheritors?
Cassiopeiasmiledslightly.Accordingtomydad'sholocron,Hiduhadtriedtomakeapassonyourmother,Lily
anddidn'tknowhowtotakenoforananswer.TheywereforcedtoleavePhaedabecauseofhim.Sowhenthey
heardhedied,theythoughtitwouldbetheultimateinsulttoposeashisinheritorsandtakeeverythinghehad.
Harryrolledhiseyesathisparents'friends'tendenciestogetrevengeondeadpeoplewhowrongedthemby
prankingthem.Accordingtohismother'sjournal,hisfather'sfriendsnamedthemselvesTheMaraudersand
werelegendaryprankstersamongtheirclass.Theirpranksonplanetaryinhabitantswerethecauseofthem
havingtoleavemoreplanetsthananythingtheEmpireorMarrishdid.Notthatanyoneevermanagedto
successfullyidentifythemastheperpetratorsunlesstheyadmittedtoit.
Thatsoundslikesomethingtheywoulddo,grumbledHarry.Still....whatdowedowithherandwhydidn't
ourparentsfreeherwhentheyhadthechance?
Cassiopeiafrownedandcheckedthecargomanifestbeforerollinghereyes.Accordingtothis,theycalledher
thestonewomanpainting.Apparently,theydidn'tknowitwaslivingpersonencasedincarbonite.They
probablythoughtthedevicetofreeheronthesidewassomesortofsecuritydevice.
Harrycockedaneyebrowandlookedatthecarboniteencasedwoman.Well,Ithinkit'sabouttimewefreeher,
don'tyouthink?
Gurifrownedandnodded.Yes,Iimagineshecouldhavebeentherefordecadesalreadyifshe'sbeenheresince
Hidudied.Ihopeshedidn'thaveanyrelativeswaitingforher,thatwouldbeterrible.
Harrynoddedsadly.Well,let'sgetstarted.However,letmewarnyouguys.Hantoldmethatwhenhewas
unfrozenhewasweak,disorientedandittookaminutetorememberanything.Andhewasincarbonitefora
yearatmost.Thiswomanhasbeenhereforovertwodecadesminimumsotheeffectswillbemuchworse.Be
patientwithherandshe'sourresponsibilityuntilsherecovers,understand?Theideaoflettingadisorientedand
possiblyamnesiacwomanlooseonaplanetlikePhaedawastooterribletocontemplate.She'dbekilledor
capturedandforcedintoprostitution.
GuriandCassiopeianoddedinunderstandingandhelpedHarrydragthecarboniteencasedwomanintothe
middleofthecargobaywheretheycouldhavespace.Lettingitlieonthefloor,Harrymovedtothedefreezing
panelandstudiedforamomentbeforeactivatingthedefreezingprocess.
Thegroupofthreestoodbackasthecarboniteheatedupandstartedtoretreatfromthewoman'sbody.Firstit
retreatedfromherfingertipbeforeslowlyretreatingdownherarmandtowardhercenter.Afteraminuteortwo,
shewascompletelyunfrozenandlyingthereunconscious.
Thewomanwasfairlyattractivewithacurvaceousandtonedfigurethatspokeofanactivelifeeitherasa
soldieror,morelikelyconsideringwhoonceownedher,amercenary.Shehadlongblackhair,fairskin,high
cheekbonesandasmallpointedchinandlookedtobeinhermidthirtiesatthemost.Duetobeingunconscious,
Harrycouldn'tseethecolorofhereyesbuthemusedtheywereprobablyadarkcoloraswell.Shehadqukuuf
facialmarkingsintheformofthreeblackstripesoneachcheek,identifyingherasaKiffarorahalfKiffaratthe
veryleast.Shewascurrentlywearingagreenshirtthatshowedherstomachandbrowncargopantswithmany
pockets.Sheprobablyhadmanythingswithinthosepocketsoriginallybuttheyweretakenbeforeshewas
frozen.Allinall,shelookedlikesomeonewhocouldbeverydangeroustofight.
ThewomanstirredslightlyandHarrygentlypickedherupbeforecarryinghertooneofthecrewquarters.She
stirredslightlybutdidn'tgivetroubleasHarryplacedheronabed.Sheopenedhereyes,revealingthetobea
darkbluecolorhowever,theyseemedtohaveawhitefilmoverthem,showingshewasslightlyblindfromthe
carbonitefreezing.ShetriedtogetupbutseemedtobetoodizzytodoitandHarrywasforcedtosteadyher.
Frombehindhim,GuriandCassiopeiafrownedastheywatchedthewomanfeelaroundwithherhands,proving
shewasblind.
Harrygentlysteadiedherinasittingpositionbeforespeakingsoftly,rememberinghowHansaidhewas
sensitivetonoisesandlightwhenhefirstwokeupfromhisexperience.Iimagineyou'reconfusedandblindat
themomentbutyou'resafesodon'tworry.Wefoundyouencasedincarboniteaspartofourparents'inheritance
whichyourpartcamefromagangsternamedHiduRezodar'sinheritance.Wefreedyouassoonaswecould,
knowingyouhadprobablybeenintherefordecades.
ThewomansightlesslylookedinHarry'sdirectionbeforespeakinginasofttone.Thankyou.Idon't...
remembermynameatthemoment.What'syours?
Harrysmiledslightly.It'sHarry.HarryPotter.Thisismycousinandherbabysitter,herebothCassiopeiaand
Guriglaredathimbuthejustchuckled,CassiopeiaandGuri.ItwasactuallyCassiopeiawhofoundyouinthe
cargobayandI'msureyou'llbeproudtoknowyouscaredherevenencasedincarbonite.
ThewomansmiledslightlyasshecouldalmostfeelCassiopeia'sembarrassmentbeforeafrowncrossedherface
andsheputherheadinherhands.Myhead...ithurts.Iremember...agirlaroundsixteen...wasshemy
daughterorafriend?I'msoconfused....myname....IremembersomeonecallingmeSin...isthatmyname?
HarryexchangedlookswithCassiopeiabeforethelatterspoke.Maybe.We'llcallyouSinfornow.Fornow,
justresthereandrecover.Guriwillberightoutsidewhenyouwakeupsocallifyouneedanything.
Sinnoddedherheadgratefullyandlaidbackdownonthebedbeforequicklyfallingasleep.Thethreeleftthe
roomandstoodoutsideherdoorwithfrownsontheirfaces.Cassiopeiawasthefirsttospeak.
Sheseemstobeinabadwayifshecan'tevenrememberhernameorherpast.Didyouseehowsheseemedto
toucheverything?Shemusthavegoneblindfromallthattimeincarbonite.Isitpermanent?
Harryshookhishead.Probablynot.UncleHanwasslightlyblindwhenhewasfreedfromhiscarbonfreezing
butheregainediteventually.
Yeah,buthewasfrozenforayearatmost.Sinwasfrozenforatleasttwodecadesattheveryleast.
GurifrownedbeforeturningtoHarry.Can'tyoudoanythingtohelpherrecover?Youknow...usetheForceto
healherorsomething?
Harryfrownedbutnoddedhisheadslowly.Maybe...it'snotmyareaofexpertisebutIknowenoughtospeed
alongherrecovery.However,it'lltakeafewdaysandIdon'tfeelcomfortableleavingPhaedaincaseshe's
originallyfromhere.Ialsowanttokeepherasecretincasesomeonerecognizesherandhasbadintentionsfor
her.
Cassiopeiafrowned.WehavetoleaveinthreeweeksaccordingtothatRodianguy.Thatshouldbeplentyof
timetofixtheshipandhealher,right?
Gurinodded.Yep.Iknowsomepeoplearoundherethathavethepartsweneed.However,Isuggestsending
FAITHtoguardtheWaywardSonwhilewewait.Wecan'trisksomeonestealingitwhilewe'rewaitingincase
theshipisn'tfixedbythattimeandwecan'tchasethethief.
Harrynodded.Okay,we'lldothat.I'llbeinchargeofhealingSinwhileGuriconcentratesonfixingtheship
andCassieconcentratesongoingthroughthecargoareaandsortingit.I'llhelpCassiopeiawhenI'mnothelping
Sin.
Gurinoddedbutpointedoutaflaw.Thatdoesn'thelpmuch.Don'tyourememberhowtheshipismissingthat
componentfromthatweirdpieceoftech?Withoutthat,wewon'tbegoinganywhere.
Harrycursedasheremembered.Cassiopeiafrownedbeforespeaking.Whatareyoutalkingabout?Whatpiece
ismissing?
HarryturnedtoCassiopeiawithasigh.There'sthisweirdpieceoftechthatIthinkisimportanttotraveltoour
homeworldintheengineroom.However,it'smissingapieceinthemostimportantcomponentandwithoutit,
noteventhesublightengineswork.
Cassiopeiafrowned.Whatdoesthemissingpiecelooklike?
Gurithoughtaboutitbeforespeaking.Itshouldbeagreenpieceofstoneaboutthesizeofajewelforabracelet
orsomething.Itshouldbeslightlyruggedononesidewhereitgoesintothecomponentandsmoothonthe
other.
Cassiopeiafrownedbeforetakingouthernecklacefromunderherarmor.Likethis?
Sureenough,thegreennecklaceHarryhadnoticedshehadwhenhefirstsawherlookedtobejusttherightsize
ofthemissingpiece.Itwasruggedalongonesideandsmoothalongtheother,perfecttoenterthecomponent.
Harry'seyeswidened.Wheredidyougetthat?
Cassiopeiashrugged.MymomgaveittomewhenIwas5.Shesaiditwasagiftfrommydadtoherwhenthey
marriedandshewaspassingitontome.
Harrysmiledandwhooped.Thatmustbethemissingpieceforthecomponent!Well,nowweonlyhaveto
worryaboutfixingtheenginesandwe'rehomefree.
Cassiopeiafrownedassherealizedsomething.Butwhatarewegoingtodowithtwofreighters?It'snotasif
we'regoingtoneedtwoshipsforthetrip.
Harryfrownedasherealizedshewasrightbeforedecidingonacourseofaction.Well,whenwe'reready,Guri
willpilotthisshipandfollowmetoRaxusPrimetomeetafriendofmine.We'llleavetheWaywardSonaswell
asmostofourcargothereandusetheHogwartsasourprimaryshipforthisquest.It'sonlyrightthattheship
thatleftourhomeworldisusedtoreturntoit.Plus...Ifeelthatonlythisshiphasthecurrentcapabilitytoreach
ourhomeworld.
Thetwowomennoddedinagreementandtheyseparatedtowardtheirrespectivejobs.
Harryhadleftthegirlsontheshipashedecidedtoexploretheareaabit.HehadneverbeentoPhaedaand
althoughheknewitwasahavenforcriminals,hecouldn'thelpbutbecuriousaboutit.
Hewaswalkingforafewminutesbeforehestumbledontoabarnearthestoragehangar.ItwascalledtheThe
HangingManandlookedprettycleanforabarinthisareaofthecity.Harryenteredandlookedaround.
Itlookedprettybasicwithabartenderbehindthecounterandseveraltablesagainstthewallsandafewinthe
center.Theredidn'tseemtobemanypatronsbutitseemedtobedoingfineregardlessofthelowamountof
patrons.Aftermakingsurethathisweaponswerecoveredbyhisrobes,Harrysatdownatthebarandordereda
drink.
Hewasn'ttherelongbeforesomeonesatdownfurtherdownthebarandorderedadrinkaswell.Harrylooked
overtoseehisdrinkingcompanion.
ThefirstthinghenoticedwasthatshewasaHumanfemale.Shehadlongredhairandhazeleyesontopofa
curvaceousfigure.Whilenotaswellendowedassay,CassiopeiaorGuri,shehadniceCcupbreastsandlong
legsthatremindedHarryofJaina'sintheirattractivenesscoveredbyascarletshirtandonyxpants.Herbody
wastoned,pointingtoanactivelifeandthewayshelookedaroundwarilypointedtoitbeingdangerous.She
lookedtobearound20yearsoldandbythewayshecarriedherself,seemedtohavehadahardlife.Shewas
wearingacrimsonshirtandblackpantswithherhairloose.Shehadablasterpistolholsteredonherrighthip
andseemedtomoveasifsheknewhowtodefendherselfwithoutitifnecessary.Bythemusclesvisibleonher
beautifullegs,Harrydidn'tdoubtthatshedidn'tneedablastertocausedamage.
Sheseemedtosensehisstarebecausesheturnedtohimandseemedtostarttoglareathimbeforesheblinked
andcheckedhimoutashehadher.Harrysworehesawasplashofpinkappearonherfairskinnedcheeksbut
dismissedit.Sheseemedtoconsidersomethingbeforestandingupfromherseatandsittingdownbesidehim.
Shegavehimasmallsmilebeforespeaking.Hey,pleasuretomeetyou.I'mShae.ShaeVizla.
Harrycockedaneyebrowand,rememberingCassiopeia'sadvicetohitonafewgirlsandhaveonenightstand,
gaveherthepatentedPotterhalfsmile.HarryPotter.NowHarrywassuresheblushedashercheeksturned
redatthesightofhissmile.'Hmmm...Icouldgetusedtohavingthiseffectonwomen.'thoughtHarryamusedly.
'Especiallyiftheyalllooklikeher.'
Shaecomposedherselfbeforesmiling.So,what'ssomeonewhoobviouslydoesn'tbelongheredoinginthis
bar?
Harrysmirked.ThatobviousI'mnotfromhere?
Shaegavehimawink.Justalittle.Usuallypeoplewhocomehereknowtohaveaweaponinsighttodetract
anyonewithideas.
HarrygaveherhisPottersmileagainandopenedhisrobes,showinghisblasterpistolsonhiships.Thatgood
enoughordoyouwanttoseemore?TheobviousdoubleentendrehaditsdesiredeffectandHarrysawasmall
blushcrossherfaceasdirtyideascrossedhermind.Hecouldn'tbelievehewasactuallysayingthesethingsbut
heblameditonthealcoholcompletelyignoringthefactthathehadonlyhadafewsips.
Sheeventuallyjustsmirkedback.That'lldo...fornow.
Harryjustsmiledandchuckledbeforeinvitinghertositbesidehimasheorderedheradrink.Thetwothen
spentthenextthreehourstalkingaboutinconsequentialthings,neithertalkingabouttheirjobsorwhatthey
weredoingonPhaedabyunspokenagreement.Iteventuallygotdarkanditwasbetweentimesrushhoursso
theywerealoneinthebarexceptforthebartenderwhowasgivingthemarespectfuldistanceeversinceShae
threatenedtocutoffhisballswhenshecaughthimleeringatherchest.Theyweretalkingabouthowmuchthe
governmentsucksnomatterwhatit'scalledwhenithappened.
Shaesnortedindisdain.PoliticsareuselessouthereintheOuterRim.Mychildhoodshowedthat.
Harrynoticedthebittertoneinhervoiceandrealizedshemusthavehadasimilarchildhoodtohim.Yeah,you
havetofightforwhatyouwantouthere.
ShaeslammedherdrinkdownandglaredatHarry.Well,moreliketwoinchestotherightofhim.Theyhad
beendrinkingnonstopforthreehoursafterall.
Whatwouldyouknow?Youlooklikeyou'vehadeverythinghandedtohimwithyourniceclothesandclean,
handsomeface,Harrycouldn'thelpthegrinthatcrossedhisfacewhenshecalledhimhandsome,Me?Ihadto
fightandcrawlforeverythingIhaveandI'vedonealotI'mnotproudof.Whatwouldyouknow?
Forsomereason,Harrycouldn'tstophimselffromretortinginanangrytone.Heblamedthealcohol.WhenI
wasoneyearold,myparentsweremurderedinfrontofmebyamadmanwhokilledthemjustbecausethey
wereintheway.Ithenspentthenext5yearstorturedandbeatenbymyownrelativeswhotookmein.They
thensoldmetoamanwhowantedtoexperimentonkidslikeme.Sodon'ttellmemylifewasperfect,Shae.
Hesaidhernameinadisdainfultonethatshockedherfromherdrunkentirade.
Shaelookedshockedathisoutburstbeforeherfacetookonalookofchagrin.I'msorry...It'sjust...Todayisthe
anniversaryofmybrother'sdeath.HewaskilledthreeyearsagobecausehewastryingtorebuildDeathWatch.
YoumightnotknowitbutI'mdescendedfromthefounderofDeathWatchandmybrotherthoughtitwasa
wonderfulideatorebuildit.ItriedtotellhimnottoandthatDeathWatchwasbetteroffdeadbuthedidn't
listen.HewaskilledbypeoplewhohatedDeathWatchsoonafter.
Harrygaveherasadlookandplacedahandonhershoulder.I'msorry.
Shaeshookherheadandgavehimasadsmile.Imisshimbutatthesametime...Iknowhewaswrong,you
know?SoImournwhileknowinghewaskilledfortherightreasons.Thesedaysalwayssuckbecauseofthat.
Doesn'thelpIcan'tavengehisdeathwithoutlookinglikeahypocrite.
Harrycouldn'tunderstandhowitwouldfeeltolovesomeonewhodiedbutknowtheydeservedtobestopped.
Hehopedtoneverbeinthesamesituation.
Afterthat,theyspentalittlemoretimetalkingbutleftthebarwhenthenextinfluxofpatronsappeared.Harry
offeredtotakehertoherhotelbutwhensheangrilyaskedhimifhethoughtshecouldn'ttakecareofherself,he
assuredheritwasjusttoseewhereshewasstayingsohecouldvisit.Sheseemedtofindthisamusingand
allowedit.
Theycontinuedtotalkastheyslowlywalkedtowardthehotelwhereshewasstaying,neitherwantingtoend
theirtalkearlierthannormal.Bothfelttheyhadfoundsomeonewhocouldunderstandhavingamessedup
childhoodandwereunwillingtolosethatwhentheyreachedherhotel.However,allgoodthingscometoanend
andtheyeventuallyreachedherhotel.
ShaeseemedtobedebatedsomethingbeforesheturnedtoHarry.Hey,weshoulddothisagain.Howlongyou
goingtobehere?
Harryshrugged.Aboutaweekatmostbutprobablyless.
Shaebitherlip.Thenwecanmeetupfordrinkstomorrowthen.You'rebuying.
Harrygaveheranamusedsmilebeforenodding.Alrightbutyoubuydrinksthedayafter.
Deal.
HarryandShaesaidtheirgoodbyesbeforepartingways,ShaeenteringthehotelandHarrywalkingbacktoward
thestoragehangarwheretheHogwartswasparked.Hehadasmileonhisfaceashethoughaboutmeetingwith
Shaeagaintomorrow.
EndNotes:

Asyoucansee,thingsaregettingcomplicated.Harryhasnewtraveling
companionsinCassiopeiaandGuriandhasfoundtheHogwartsbutit'sinneedof
fixingbeforetheycanleave.Harrymightevengetlaidbeforetheyleave!

WhoaretheoneschasingafterHarry?Well,you'llseenextchapter!LOL.

WhydidHarryandCassiopeiabondandtrusteachothersoquickly.Well,you
havetounderstandthatbothhavebeenwithoutbloodfamilyforalongtimeand
sothey'redesperatetotrustanddependoneachothernowthatthey'vefoundeach
other.Theyhaven'ttoldeachothereverythingbuttheydotrusteachotherwiththe
othersbacks.TherewasalotofbondinggoingonduringthetriptowardPhaeda
thatIdidn'tshowbutneedlesstosay,theypassedtheawkwardohshit,the
cute/hotboy/girlIwascheckingoutisreallymylonglostcousin!phase.

Backtoindex
ReturnofanoldflamebyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
ThisisachapterstoryandtheNc17ratingisforchapterslikethisone.
Chapter26
HarrygroanedashisheadfeltasifathousandWookiesweretapdancingonhisskull.Hefeltthesensationofa
softmattressunderhim,muchsofterthanhisbunkontheHogwarts,aswellasaweightonhischest.He
mentallycheckedhimselfwithoutopeninghiseyesandhappilyfoundhestillhadhisclothesonunderthe
sheets.Thatjustlefttheidentityoftheweightonhischestandconsideringwhatmighthavehappenedlastnight,
hehadaprettygoodideaofwhoitwas.
Openinghiseyes,helookeddownandconfirmedwhathethought.Sleepingpeacefullywithherheadonhis
chestwasnoneotherShaeVizla.Hecouldn'thelpbutfinditslightlycutethewayshesnoredslightlyasshe
sleptandseemedtowanttoburyherselffurtherintohiswarmth.
Overthepastfivedays,heandShaehadgottencloseandcouldeasilysaytheyconsideredeachotherverygood
friends.Theyhadtalkedabouteverythingexcepttheirjobs,intuitivelyknowingthatiftheyknewforcertain,
theywouldprobablybeonoppositesides.Harryguessedshewasabountyhunterwhenshesaidshewas
MandalorianandshehadseenhimdosomefeatswiththeForceduringhismoredrunkenmoments.Itwassafe
tosaytheyguessedtheothersoccupationbutneversaiditoutloudsoastonotbreakthethinveilofforced
ignorance.BountyhuntersandJedidon'tusuallygetalongonprinciple.
HarryclosedhiseyesandusedtheForcetopushawayhisheadacheandtriedtorememberwhathappenedthe
nightbefore.HerememberedmeetingupwithShaeatthebarliketheyhadforthelastfivedays,drinkingand
talkinglikeusual.However,whentheyreachedherhotelshetoldhimshewasgoingtofinishajobthenextday
andwouldprobablyleavesoonafter.Harryhadsmiledsadly(morelikedrunkenlybutthefeelingwasthere)and
toldherhehopedtomeetheragain.Therestwasabitofablurbutherememberedherinvitinghiminandthem
talkingabitmorebeforeitallwentdark.
Sighing,HarrylookedbackdownatShaeandwassurprisedtoseeherawakeandstaringathimwithan
unreadablelookonherface.TheyjustcontinuedstaringateachotherbeforeHarrygotnervousandspoke.
So....goodmorning.
Shaesmirkedslightly.Relax,Harry.Nothinghappenedlastnight.Youjustpassedoutfromdrinkingtoomuch
andIrolledyouintothebed.Hersmirkwidened.Didyouknowyoumumblewhenyousleep?
HarryblushedinembarrassmentasShaechuckled.Despitethat,hewasbothgladanddisappointednothing
happenedbetweenthemlastnight.Gladbecausehedidn'twanttohaveaonenightstandwithsomeonehe
consideredafriendandmakeitawkwardbetweenthemafterwardanddisappointedbecausehemissedachance
consideredafriendandmakeitawkwardbetweenthemafterwardanddisappointedbecausehemissedachance
tohavesexwithahotolderwoman.
Shaesmiledbeforeshegotup,showingshewasdressedinasexyblacknightieunderthecovers.Harrycouldn't
helpbutblushatthesight.Shaewasanincrediblygorgeouswomananditshowedinthewayhernightiewas
justalittletootightinsomeareas.
Shaenoticedhisgazeandsmirkedbeforeslowlytwirlingaroundforhimandchuckledashisblushdeepened.
Remember,Harry.I'maMandaloriansotheonlywayyou'regoingtogetapieceofthisisifyouplacearing
onmyfingerandoffersomethinginreturnlikeashiporaweaponformyacceptance.
Harrypouted.Thatmakesitsoundlikeabusinessdeal.Where'stheromance?
Shaewinkedathimandspokeinahuskytone.Theromanceismadeupeverysinglenightafterwards.Believe
me,youwon'tregretit.
Harry'smindwanderedatherstatementintoplacesanysixteenyearoldmale'smindwouldgoiftoldasimilar
statementandShaedecidedtouptheante.Sheslowlystraddledhimonthebedandleanedintowhisperinhis
ear.
Youknowyouwantme.Allyouneedisapracticalringusableincombatandsomethingtooffer.Youhavemy
numbersoI'llbewaiting.Withthat,Shaegotoffhimbeforewalkingtowardthebathroom,allthewhile
swayingherhips.
Harrywasleftspeechlessandnotalittlearoused.Hetriedtothinkofreasonsnottomarryheronthespotbutin
theendonlyonereasonbrokethroughthehazeoflustfogginghismind.
'MomwouldkillmeifIgotmarriedatsixteen.'thoughtHarrydepressively.
Harrysighedashesatdownatthebarandorderedadrinkfromthebartender.Hehadfinallymanagedto
becomecoherentenoughtodisentanglehimselffromShae'sbeddespitehisreluctancetoleavehersurprisingly
comfortablebed.AftercallingCassiopeiaandassuringherhewasfine,hewenttowardthebaragaintomeetup
withSin.IthadbeenfivedayssincetheyarrivedonPhaedaandthingswereproceedingsmoothly.Thebroken
partshadjustarrivedthismorningandGuriannouncedtheywouldbereadytoleaveontheHogwartsby
tomorrowmorning.HarrywasgladsincehisfinalsessionwithSinwastoday.
DuetoHarry'sinexperiencewithusingtheForcetohealspecificthingsaboutapatient,ittookseveralsessions
tofixherblindnessaswellasgetridofmostofthesymptomswiththeexceptionofheramnesia.Heramnesia
wasstillgoingstrongbutsheseemedmoreconfidentnowthatshecouldwalkaroundanddefendherself.Harry
nolongerhadanydoubtthatshewasonceabountyhunter,herskillwithwieldingblastersandherinstinctual
aimwiththemweretoogoodtobeanythingelse.NotevenNewRepublicSecurityveteranswerethatgood.
Bountyhuntersahdtobeduetotheyusuallyonlyhadachanceforasingleshotbeforethey'recompromised.
HarrysmiledslightlyasSinsatdownbesidehimandorderedadrinkaswell.SinandHarryhadbecomegood
friendsduetotheirsessionstogetherandthefactthatHarrydidn'thideanythingfromher.Hewasfrankin
explaininghewasanamateurinhishealingabilitiesandhedidn'tknowifhehadtheskilltohealher
completely,somethingsheappreciated.Harrywaspleasantlysurprisedtofindhecouldhealherasmuchashe
hadandknewthatfixinghermemorieswerejustonesessionaway.
Sintookasipfromherdrinktotestitstastebeforegulpinghalfofitdown.Harrycouldn'thelpbutsmileatthe
sight.Sinwasn'tlikemostwomenwhotriedtoactdignifiedandHarryfoundhelikedthatabouther.Therewas
nofalsehoodsbetweenthemandhefeltcomfortablebeinghimselfaroundher.Inreturn,Sinneverbeataround
thebushwhenshetalkedtohimasshedemonstratednow.Harrycouldn'thelpbutsmilesoftlywhenhe
rememberedJainaandShaebeingthesameway.
What'swrong,Harry?Youseemdistressed.

Harrysmiledsardonicallybeforeresponding.YouaJeditoonow?

Sinjustsmiledathissarcasticcomment,wellusedtohismannerisms.Nobutitdon'ttakeaJeditoseeyou're
avoidingsomething.Whatisit?

Harrysighedbeforeslowlyresponding.It'sjust...today'ssessionshouldfixyourmemoriescompletely.I'mjust
afraidthatwhenyougetthembackwewon'tbefriendsanymore.Idon'thavealotofthoseandbountyhunters
andJediusuallydon'tmixwell.HetriedtodismissthememoryofShae'sofferofmarriagebutdidn'thave
muchsuccess.ShaewasincrediblyattractiveandnotevenAstraalhadcomeontohimsostrongly.

Sinjustsmiledsoftlyattheyoungerman,becausesheknewhimwellenoughtorecognizehimasamanandnot
aboy.Idon'tthinkI'llchangethatmuch,Harry.ButifitmakesyoufeelanybetterIpromisewe'llstayintouch
nomatterwhat.

Harrysighed.Okaythen.Areyousureyouwanttoremember?I'mconvincedyouwereabountyhunterand
thelifeofoneain'texactlynice.Whoknowswhatyou'llrememberorevenifyouwillinglyletyourselfputin
carbonite?Idon'tthinkIcouldlivewithmyselfifyouaskedtoputinsidecarboniteagain.

Sinplacedahandonhisshoulderandsqueezedlightly.ThenI'llfaceit.Becauseit'spartofwhoIam.

Harrynoddedandfinishedhisdrinkbeforestandingup.Thenlet'sgogetyourmemoriesback,ehSin?

Sinsmiledathimbeforestandingupandfollowinghimoutthedoorofthebar.Agroupofthreethathadbeen
watchingthemfromacornerboothstooduponcetheyleftandsilentlyfollowedafterthem.

HarryandSinwalkedtowardthestoragehangarwheretheHogwartswasfinishingrepairs.Abouthalfway
there,theyexchangedlooksandplacedahandontheirrespectiveblasters.Notwantingtoattractattentionwith
hislightsabers,HarryhadlefthistwoduelingsabersontheHogwartsandhiddenhismainlightsaberinahidden
pocketonhisARCtrooperarmor.Sinwasalsowearingalittlebitofarmorweaveclothingforprotectionunder
herusualclothingalthoughsherefusedtowearfullarmorlikehimandCassiopeia.Harryhadtriedtousethatas
anexcusenottowearhisbutonelookfromCassiopeiachangedhismind.Heknewsheonlywantedhimtobe
safebutwasstillirritatedhewasforcedtowearit.
HarryandSinduckedintoanalleywayclosetothehangarandpressedagainstthewallinordertoseewhowas
followingthem.

Youknowanyonethatcouldtrackusthatwellwithoutusnoticingtillnow?askedSinquietly.

Harryshookhishead.Maybemymotherbutitisn'ther,Iwouldhavesensedher.EveryoneelseIknow,I
wouldsensebeforetheygotthatclose.

Thetwostayedquietuntiltheysawapairofhoodedpeoplepassbytheiralley,lookingaroundasiflookingfor
something......orsomeones.Sinfrownedwhenshesawthem.

Iwassuretherewerethree.

Andyouweren'twrong,saidamalevoiceabovethem.

HarryandSininstantlyseparatedandduckeddeeperintothealleyastheyavoidingabarrageofstunboltsfrom
HarryandSininstantlyseparatedandduckeddeeperintothealleyastheyavoidingabarrageofstunboltsfrom
above.Sincameoutofherrollshootingherdualblastersatthehoodedfigureabovethem.Thepersonthrewhis
cloaktoabsorbtheblasterboltsashefellandlandedatthemouthofthealley.

Thehoodedfigurewasaman,about1.8meterstallwithblackhairtiedintodreadlocksandbrowneyes.Hewas
wearingcustomizedchestpiecearmorthatseemedtobemadeofduranium,blackpantsandacrimson
undershirtunderthechestpiece.Hewasfairlymuscularandlookedtobe18or19atthemostandhadaKiffar
facialmarkingintheformofayellowstripehorizontallyoverhisnose.Mostsurprisingofallwasthefacthe
hadignitedayellowlightsaber.

Realizingwhoeverthiswaswasdangerous,HarrydrewhisownhiddengreenlightsaberandigniteditwhileSin
aimedbothherblastersattheman'sfaceatHarry'sside.Themannarrowedhiseyesatthembeforespeaking.

Ididn'tcomeheretofight.Myclientjustwantstomeetyou,HarryPotter.Comequietlyandthere'sno
trouble.

Sinsnarledattheman.Ifyouhadn'twantedtrouble,youwouldn'thavefollowedusandfiredonussoIcall
bullshit.

Themangotanangrysnarlonhisface.Yourchoicethen.Withthatthemanattacked.

SinfiredafewshotsathimbutafterhedeflectedthembackatthemandHarrywasforcedtodeflectthemaway
fromherface,sherealizeditwasuseless.HarrydashedatthemanandcrossedbladeswithhimasSintriedto
findanopening.However,herinstinctsscreamedatherandsheduckedfromanunconsciousinducingblowto
herheadfromafist.AnotherofthehoodedfigureshadappearedbehindherandSinjumpedonthewalland
climbedontotheroofofthebuilding,thefigurefollowing.

Meanwhile,HarrynoticedthethirdhoodedfigurerevealingitselftobeaMandalorianfemaleinveryfamiliar
armorwhowascurrentlyfightingafirewhipwieldingCassiopeiainthemiddleofthestreet.Whileleaving
Shae'sapartment,hehadseenwhatcouldonlybeherbountyhunterarmorsittingatthefloorofhercloset.She
hadbeenbusydrinkinghermorningcafsoshehadn'tnoticedhesawitandheturnedaroundbeforeshecould
notice.NowlookingatthebountyhunterattackingCassie,Harryrecognizedthearmor.Shae(becauseitcould
benoother)wasusingherjetpacktogreateffecttokeepoutofCassiopeia'srange.

HarrypushedthoughtsofbetrayaloutofhismindandengagedinaviciouslightsaberduelwiththeKiffarmale,
quicklyrealizingthatwhilethemanwasphysicallystrongerthanhim,Harrywasmuchfasterandmoreskilled
withhisblade.Harryledthemanfurtherintothealleyandawayfromtheothertwofightssoneitherofthe
enemiescouldinterfere.HarrycouldhearSin'cursingasherenemycontinuedtododgeherblastershots.The
Kiffarseemedtothinkthismeanthehadtheupperhandandtriedtopushhisadvantage.However,oncethey
wereadistanceintothealley,Harryturnedthetables.

HarryfellintohisMakashiformandstartedtousehisdeflectionskillswithalightsabertodeflecttheKiffar's
blows.ThemanbecamemoreandmorefrustratedasheseemedtobeunabletobreakthroughHarry'sdefense.
TheKiffarwasatadisadvantagebecausehewasusingAtaruandHarry's(ex?)girlfriendwasamasterofthe
form,sohehadalotofexperiencefacingit.Harrythoughtitwasjustamatteroftimebeforehefoundan
openingintheKiffar'sattackpatternwhentheKiffartookastepbackandfellintoaveryfamiliaropening
stancethatcausedHarry'seyestowiden.

'HowdoesheknowVaapad?!'thoughtHarrydesperately.NootherthoughtcametoHarry'smindashewas
forcedtodefendagainsttheKiffar'sVaapadattackbyfallingintohisaverageskillwithSoresu.However,itwas
enoughtodefendhimselfashestudiedtheKiffar'sskillwithVaapad.
Hewasgood,thatmuchHarrycouldadmit.However,itwaspainfullyobvioushewasnomasterorevenan
expertfromthewayhestruggledtocontrolhimselffromfallingtothedarkside.Harrycouldn'thelpbutbe
relievedbythatfact.Ifhewaspreventinghimselffromfalling,thatmeanthewasn'toneofMarrish'sstudents687/917
http://www.hpfanficarchive.com/stories/viewstory.php?action=printable&textsize=0&sid=711&chapter=all
relievedbythatfact.Ifhewaspreventinghimselffromfalling,thatmeanthewasn'toneofMarrish'sstudents
becausehisstudentswouldhavenoproblemwithusingthedarkside.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutthinkofBreaashefoughttheKiffar.Breahadnofacialmarkingstodenoteherclan
becauseherparentsdiedbeforetheycouldapplythem.IthadalwaysbeenamarkofshameforheruntilHarry
toldherhewouldthinkofoneforhersoshecouldstartherownclan.Shehadbeenecstaticandsincethenhad
thrownherselfintotrainingsoshecouldherdescendantscouldproudlysaytheirmatriarchwasapowerful
Forceuser.ShespecializedinstealthandinfiltrationandwasoneofHarry'sbestspiesalthoughherweapon
skillswerealsoconsiderable.ShetookherinfiltrationsofarthatshehadonlyshownhertruefacetoHarryin
fiveyears.Whenhisfriendsmether,Breawasusingoneofherusualinfiltrationfaces.Althoughshehadno
lightsaber,shehadboughtacortosislinedkatanaandbecomequiteadeptatusingit.Harryhaddiscreetlysent
herinformationonallthelightsaberformsexceptfortheseventhandonceshebecameadeptatusingthemand
hewassureshewouldn'tfalltothedarkside,madehertraintheothers.

ThismaleKiffarremindedHarryofBreawhentheywerejuststartingtraining.Angry,andbitterabout
somethingandHarrycouldsenseitintheman'sswings.ThesavingpeoplethingasZulehumorouslycalledit
inhimroseupandHarrywantedtohelpthismanwithhisinnerdarkness.Doingthis,Harryquicklyfellintohis
ownVaapadformandattacked.

ThemanlookedsurprisedatHarry'suseoftheformandquicklyfellbackunderhisonslaught.Hissurprisewas
suchthathewasunabletostopakicktohisfaceandthefollowinglightcuttohisrightwrist,makinghimdrop
hisblade.Harryquicklysummonedtheman'sbladetohishandandputhisownbladeattheman'sneck,causing
themantofalltohiskneeswithhisarmsraisedinsurrenderwithasneer.Harrylookeddownatthemanwitha
frownonhisfaceattheman'sfamiliardefiance.

ThemanglaredupatHarry.Well?Aren'tyougoingtofinishit?

Harryjustfrownedfurther.ThemanremindedHarryofhimselfwhenhewasyoung.Stubbornanddefianttothe
endanditwasthisthathelpedHarrymakehisdecision.YourskillwithVaapadisconsiderableconsideringyou
probablyhadnoformaltraininginit.However,youstillhaven'tmasteredyourowndarknessanditwillprevent
youfrommasteringit.Takeitfromsomeonewhoknows....youcanonlymasterVaapadonceyoumaster
yourself.

Themanblinkedinsurpriseatthesurprisinglyhelpfuladviceandnoddedslowly.Thankyoufortheadvice.I'm
EthanVosoftheclanVos.Forgivemeformyunsanctionedattackonyou.Myclienthadspecificallystatednot
toengageyoubecausewewouldlosebutIdidn'tbelieveher...untilnow.

Harrycockedaneyebrow.Her?Whoisyouremployer?

Me.

Harryturnedaroundatthesoundoftheveryfamiliarvoiceandcouldn'thelpthedesireandtendercarethat
cametohisfaceatthesightofher.

Standingtherewearingherusualcorsetandskintightpantsandwearingherjustasusualsultrysmilewasthe
enigmaticNakiaherself.Evenaftermonthswithoutseeingher,Harrystillfelthimselfrespondtoherpresence
butthistimeitwasduetohisownfeelingsandnottoherpsychicabilities.Hehadtrainedhimselfwellenough
andhismindwasnowwellguarded,somethingthatNakianoticedandcausedhersmiletowiden.

Hello,beloved.I'vemissedyou.

NakiasultrilywalkedtowardHarryandonceshestoodinfrontofhim,leanedherfaceclosertohimslowly,as
iflettinghimstopherifhewished.However,Harryhadnointentionto.Hewastechnicallynolongerwith
Astraalsotherewasnothingstoppingorholdinghimback.Plus,hewasateenageboywithabeautifuland
millenniaoldwomanchasinghim,howcouldheresistnowthathewassingle?
millenniaoldwomanchasinghim,howcouldheresistnowthathewassingle?

Harryclosedthedistanceandpassionatelykissedher.Nakiawassurprisedathispassionbutquicklyreturnedit
andwrappedherarmsaroundhisneckpullinghimcloser.TheykissedforaminuteortwoandNakiawas
placingherhandsonHarry'sbeltwhenacoughsounded.TheyseparatedandHarryblushedwhentheysaw
EthanandSinstandingthere.EthanwaslookingawayinembarrassmentwhileSinjustsmirkedatthesight.

NottointerruptbutCassiopeiastillfightingyourcompanionsowebettergobreakitup.

NakiareluctantlyseparatedfromHarrybutnotbeforegivinghimasmolderinglook.We'llfinishthisinmore
privateaccommodations,beloved.I'vemissedyou,mylove.

Harrysmirked.Inoticed.

Nakiasmiledandlaughedathiswittyremark.Iseeyou'rebecomingmoreconfidentaboutyourselfatlast,my
love.I'mglad.

NakiathenturnedtowardEthanandglaredwhilereleasinghertwotentaclelikeproboscisesfromhercheeksto
enhancetheintimidatingimage.Youarelucky,Ethan.Ifyouhadharmedahaironmybeloved'sheadafterI
specificallytoldyounottoharmhim,Iwouldhavemadeyourdeathlastaneternity.

Ethanpaledandgulpedbeforeshakilynodding.Nakiathenturned,gaveHarryanotherquickkiss,grabbedhis
handandwalkedoutofthealleywaytowardthestreet,draggingHarrybehindher.SinandEthanwereleft
staringafterthembeforeSinspokeinanamusedtone.

Isitmeordoessheseemlikehismistressorsomething?

Ethansmiledslightlybeforenodding.Yep.Thetwothenrealizedtheyhadbeenleftbehindandchasedafter
them.

HarryandNakiacameoutofthealleywaytofindasceneofchaos.Thestreethadcharredholesinsomeparts
(probablyfromrockets)andcharredlinesacrossseveralbuildings.Inthemiddleofallthat,Harrysaw
CassiopeiastillfightingShaeandgettingvisiblyfrustratedatthewoman'sconstantescapingherjustwhenshe
hadher.Harrycouldn'thelpthehurtinhisheartfromrealizingthatShaehadbeenpaidbyNakiatotrackhim.
Didthatmeanhehadbeennothingmorethanamarktoher?

Holdstill,youmangywhoreandletmekillyou!

Shaeangrilyretortedthoughitcamethroughavoicesynthesizersoitsoundedmechanical.IfHarrydidn't
alreadyknowwhoitwas,hewouldn'thavebelieveditwasShae.Me,awhore?Bythewayyouwearyour
armorIshouldcallyouthat!

Shewouldhavecontinuedexceptthatatthatmoment,Gurifellfromaboveandlandedadevastatingkickonher
backinmidair.Thiscausedherjetpacktomalfunctionandforhertodroplikeapileofbrickstoward
Cassiopeiawhoviciouslysmiledasshepreparedtoswingherfirewhipintheneckareawheretherewasno
armorandtherefore,cuttingoffherhead.

Cassie,stop!yelledHarrydesperately.HemightbehurtbyShae'sdeceptionbuthestillcaredaboutherand
couldn'tletherdie.Unknowntohim,NakiahadgottenasmalltelepathicimagefromHarrywhenheyelledand
curiositycameoverherastohowheknewwhoitwasbeneaththearmor.

Harry'syellsurprisedCassiopeiaenoughtomissherintendedtargetanditlandedonShae'sleftarm.Therewas
enoughstrengthintheblowtosendherflyingtowardwhereHarryandNakiawerestandingandHarryjumped
upandusedtheForcetocatchherbeforeshecouldhurtherselffurther.Shaestiffenedwhensherealizedin
whosearmsshewasin.Shedidn'twanthimtoknowshewastrackinghimandruintheirfriendship.Sheusually
whosearmsshewasin.Shedidn'twanthimtoknowshewastrackinghimandruintheirfriendship.Sheusually
keptherbusinessandherlifewithoutherhelmetseparateandhadnoplansonmixingthetwo.

CassiopeiaglaredatHarrybeforehuffingandputtingherfirewhipaway.Why'dyoustopme?!Ihadher!

HarryfrownedashegentlyputShaedown,somethingthatwasnotmissedbyNakiaandcausedhertocockan
eyebrowatthesight..Becausethisisjustabigmisunderstanding.TheoneIfoughtgothotheadedandattacked
whentheywereorderednotto.TheywerejustsupposedtofindmesoNakiaherecouldtalktome.

NakiasteppedforwardandpulledShaeoutofHarry'sarmsbeforewalkingashortdistanceawayandstarted
beratingShaeangrilyandtellingherhowjustbecauseEthanwasanidiotdidn'tmeanshehadtofollow.
SpeakingofEthan,hecameoutofthealleyandhiseyeswidenedatthesightofCassiopeia.

Cassie!?Whatareyoudoinghere?

Cassiopeiablushedslightlyatthesightofhimandbesideher,GurismirkedbeforeCassiopeiacomposedherself.
I'mherewithmycousinHarry.Whatareyoudoinghere?Ithoughtyouneverwantedtoseemeagain?

Ethanrubbedthebackofhishead.Aboutthat...

However,NakiahadfinishedwithShaeaftersayingsomethingthatcausedthelattertobecomevisiblynervous
evenwithherarmoronandtheywalkedovertotherestofthemwithShaereluctantlyfollowing.Thisisvery
interestingbutIsuggestwefindsomewheremoreprivatetohavethisconversation.Bytheway,thisisShae
Vizla,afriendofminewhoagreedtohelpmefindyou,Harry.

ShaeremovedherhelmetandgaveNakiaabetrayedlookwhichNakiaignored.ShaeturnedtoHarrywitha
nervouslookandfoundHarrylookingatherwithhardeyes.

Hello,Shae.WhywereyouinPhaedaagain?Ohyea....youweredoingajob.

Shaebitherlipandtriedtoexplain.NoHarry,itwasn'tlikethat....

Saveit,saidHarryharshly.Hedidn'tmeantobesoharshbutthepainofherbetrayalhurtdeeply.Hehad
thoughttheywerefriendsbutheguesseditwaspartofthejobtoreelhimin.

No!yelledShaeforcibly.Shegrabbedhisarmandturnedhimbacktoher.Youweren'tjustajob!Weare
friends,Harry,Iswearit.Okay,Iadmitthatatfirstitwaspartofthejobbutwedidbecomefriends.Please
believeme.

HarryhadbeensurprisedbyShae'struthfulandpassionatestatementregardingtheirfriendshipandhecouldn't
helpthesmilethatcrossedhisfacewhenheheardhersaythat.However,healsocouldn'toverlookthatshewas
originallycontractedtotrackhimandsaidnothingtohiminspiteofthembecomingfriends.Ifhehadactually
becomeherfriend,whydidn'tshewarnhimhewasbeingtracked?

Nakiaseemedtosensehisthoughtsbecauseshespoke.IaskedhernottotellyouIwascomingbecauseI
wantedtosurpriseyou,beloved.Don'tblameher.

Harrylookedbetweenthembeforesighing.Alright.Iforgiveyou,Shae.Justdon'tdoitagain,eh?

Shaesmirkedandwinkedathim.Okay.I'llonlytrackyoudownwhenIwanttoforceyoutoleavetheJediand
marryme.

EveryoneexceptNakia(whoglaredatShae'ssmugface)hidtheirlaughterbehindforcedcoughsasHarry
blushed.Harryeventuallyrecomposedhimselfandspoketheobvious.Okay,weneedtogetsomewheremore
privatedon'tyouthink?
privatedon'tyouthink?

ThegirlssubsidedandthegroupofsevenrantowardsthestoragehangarwheretheHogwartsawaitedbefore
theauthoritiescouldarrive.

ThegroupofsevenpeoplewerestandinginthecrewquartersareaoftheHogwarts.Noonewaswillingtospeak
duetoseveralpersonalreasonssoHarrydecidedtobreakthesilenceandturnedtoGuri.

Howgoestherepairsontheship?

GuriturnedtoHarryandfrownedslightly.It'sdoneasfarasIcantell.Allthat'sleftis...Shefeelsilent,not
wantingtorevealanythinginfrontofstrangers.

Realizingthis,HarrysighedandturnedtowardthegroupoftwobountyhuntersandNakiastandingtohisright.
Okay,IneedtoknowifIcantrustyouall.IknowIcantrustNakiaduetopastexperience,Nakiagaveher
usualsmileathisdeclarationwhileHarrytriedtoignorethefeelingsitinvokedinhim,IhopeIcantrustyou,
Shae,despiteyoulyingtome.

Here,Shaetriedtodefendherself.Inmydefense,Ididn'tlie.Ijust....omittedcertaindetailsaboutmybeing
here.

Harryjustgaveheradeadpanlook.That'sjustcalledalieofomission,Shae.

Shaefrownedandlookedatthefloorbeforemuttering,Sorry.

Harry'seyessoftenedatherapology,notabletobeangryatsomeonehehadcometoconsiderafriend,
especiallysinceshewassoproudthatherapologizingmusttakealotoutofher.It'sokay.Iimagineyou
wantedtobutcouldn'tduetobeingspecificallytoldnotto.Harrythenturnedtothelastmember,Ethan.You,
ontheotherhand,Idon'tknowatall.WhyshouldItrustyou?

EthanlookedatCassiopeiawhowasdeterminedlynotlookinginhisdirectionwhilehavingascowlonherface.
ShecanvouchthatIwouldneverbetraysomeonewhoplacedtheirtrustinme.Moreimportantly....Iwould
neverbetrayher.

Cassiopeia'seyessoftenedandshefinallylookedathimwithatenderlookinhereyes.Ethanlookedatherwith
anequallytenderlookandHarrymadeamentalnotetoaskCassiopeiaorGuriwhathappenedbetweenthem
thoughhehadavagueidea.
HarryturnedtoCassiopeia.Well?Ishetrustworthy?

CassiopeialookedatEthanforsecondlongerbeforeanswering.Yes....he'strustworthy.

Harrynodded,trustingCassiopeia'sjudgement,andgesturedforGuritocontinueherreport.Gurinoddedback.
Well,allthat'smissingisafewwiresforthehyperdriveandinstallingCassiopeia'snecklaceintothatstrange
device.We'llbereadytogowithinafewhoursafterwards.

Sinhadstayedsilentthroughoutthisbutnowspokeup.Thenthat'llgiveusenoughtimetofinishmysession,
right?

Harrynoddedconfidently.Ofcourse.HeturnedtoNakia.Weneedtotalklaterbutfornowyoucanwalk
aroundtheship.Pleasedon'twanderaround.I'dhatetohavetolosemytrustinyoubecauseIgotparanoidand
thoughtyouweredoingsomethingyoushouldn't.

Nakianodded.Asyouwishbeloved.We'lltalkafterwards,okay?

HarrylookedatherandgaveherhispatentedPottergrin.Ofcourse,Nakia.Bytheway....Irememberwhat
reallyhappenedafterArdendied.

NakiaseemedtofreezeinshockathisdeclarationandjuststaredatHarryasheleftwithSintowardherroom
withasmuggrinonhisface.

HarryandSineventuallyreachedherroomandtooktheircustomaryplacessittingcrossleggedacrossfrom
eachotheronherbed.
Harrytookadeepbreathbeforespeaking.Ready?

SinnoddeddeterminedlyandHarryplacedbothhandsonhertemplebeforechannelingtheForcetohealher
mind.HarryusednotonlytheForcebuthisburgeoningmentalabilitiestohelptheprocessgosmoothly.An
hourpassedthiswayslowlybeforewithaninaudibleclick!,thelastpieceofSin'smemoriesfellintoplaceand
shepassedoutunconscious.Knowingthiscouldhavehappened,Harrygentlyloweredheronthebedandsaton
achairnearbywaitingforhertowakeup.

AhalfhourpassedbeforeSinstirred.SheslowlywokeupandHarrywatchedhercautiously,waitingforherto
react.ShelookedatHarryoncefullyawakeandasmallsmilecametoherface.

Iremembereverythingnow.Thanks,Harry.

Harrycockedaneyebrowandagenuinesmilecametohisface.I'mglad,Sin.Afrowncametoherfacewhen
hecalledherthatandhehesitated.DidIsaysomethingwrong?

Sinshookherheadandgrinnedruefully.No,it'sjust....onlymyexhusbandandmydaughterusedtocallme
that.NowonderitwasthefirstnametopopintomyheadwhenItriedtoremembermyname.Iknowyou're
usedtocallingmethatbutcallmeSintasfromnowonunlesswe'realone,okay?

HarrygaveherhisPottergrin.Whateveryousay,Sintas.Gotalastname?

Sintassmirkedathischeek.Vel,Potter.SintasVel.

Harryclappedhishandstogetherandsmiled.Wellthen.Yougotadaughteryousay?Howlonghaveyoubeen
insidethatcarboniteandwhathappened?

Sintasgroanedinremembrance.Youwereright,I'mabountyhunter.Itookajobbutwascaughtbythatpiece
ofslime,Hidu.Hefrozemeincarboniteinordertosellmetomyexhusband.

Harryfrownedatthethoughtofherbeingsoldlikeapieceoffurniturebeforeaskingtheallimportantquestion.
Andwhowasyourexhusbandthathethoughthecouldgetawaywiththat?

Sintasgavehimapiercinglookbeforeseeminglydecidinghewastrustworthy.Hedid,afterall,spendhistime
healingherwhenhecouldhaveeasilyjustdroppedheroffatahospital.BobaFett.

IfHarryhadbeendrinkingsomething,hewouldhavespititoutinshock.Sintas,thewomanhehadspentalot
oftimewithandbecomefriendswith,wasBobaFett'sexwife?!

Harryeventuallyregainedhiscomposureandspoke.BobaFettmarried!?Ididn'tthinkhewascapableof
havingafamily.Atleastaccordingtomyuncle'sstoriesanddescriptionsoftheman.

Sintasgavehimacuriouslook.AndjustwhoisyourunclethatheknowsBoba?Despitetalkingalot,Harry
Sintasgavehimacuriouslook.AndjustwhoisyourunclethatheknowsBoba?Despitetalkingalot,Harry
hadn'tmentionedhisadoptivefamilyduetonotwantingtoremindherthatshecouldn'trememberifsheeven
hadone.Hewasn'tthattactless.

Harrygaveheranamusedlook.You'regoingtolovethis.MyuncleisnoneotherthanHanSoloandmy
adoptiveparentsareLukeSkywalkerandMaraJadeSkywalker.

Sintashadashockedlookonherfacebeforeshedissolvedintolaughter.That'sironic.Boba'sworstenemies'
childfreedandhealedhisexwife.That'sjustlifeforyou.Sintasquicklysoberedthough.It'sbeenalmost23
yearssinceI'vebeenfrozen.Mydaughterisprobablyphysicallyolderthanmenow.That'sifshesurvivedalone
inthegalaxy.

Harryfrownedandmadeadecision.Youknow...Ihaveaspynetwork.Ifyoutellmehername,I'llaskmy
peopletofindanythingtheycanonher.

Sintasgavehimagratefullook.I'llappreciateit.

Harryjustwinkedather.Icanneversaynotoabeautifulwoman.

Sintassmiledbackathimandadeviouslookcametohereye.Youcertainlyhaveathingforolderwomen.
Astraalisayearolderthanyoufromwhatyou'vetoldme,Nakiaiswhoknowshowold,thatgirlShaeisatleast
20andI'mphysically35.Youshouldgetthatchecked.

HarryandSintassharedalaughathertruthfulobservationandHarrydidn'tbothertodenyit.Afterall,facts
speakforthemselves.Aftertheystoppedlaughing,Sintasfrownedbeforesighing.

Iwonderwhattodonow.Bobaandme...I'mnotevensurewhat'sbetweenusanymore.

Harryfrownedslightly.Well,accordingtomyspynetworkhe'sMandalorenow.

Sintaslookedshockedbeforechucklingslightly.HimasMandalore?PoorMandalorians.They'lleitherbecome
thebestorbecomeextinctunderhim.

Harrygaveherawrysmile.ExcusemeifIbelieveit'llbetheformer.

Sintasshrugged.Probably.Sowhatarewegoingtodonow?

Harrythoughtaboutitforaminutebeforedecidingonacourseofaction.Youcanstaywithuswhilemyspy
networklooksupinfoonyourdaughter'swhereabouts.We'recurrentlynotthatsurehowtoproceedactually
sincetheonlyotherleadwehaveisbasicallyadeadend.

Sintasshrugged.Happenedalotduringmytimeasabountyhunter,especiallybetweenjobs.Don'tworryabout
itsomuch,kid.

Harrygaveherawrysmileathercallinghimkidbutletitgosinceitwastechnicallytruecomparedtoher.
AnyonewhocanmarryBobaFettandgivehimadaughtermustbetoughasnailsandverygoodatdefending
herself.

Standingup,thetwostartedwalkingtowardwheretheotherswerelocateduntilSintasstoppedhimwhenthey
werehalfwaythere.

CanyoukeepmyrelationtoBobabetweenus?ItrustyoubutIdon'tknowthemaswell.

HarryjustnoddedinunderstandingandcontinuedtowardwheretheotherswerewithSintasfollowing.The
differencebetweenbeforeandnowwasquitesubtle.Bothtimesshecarriedherselfwithconfidenceandhadan
differencebetweenbeforeandnowwasquitesubtle.Bothtimesshecarriedherselfwithconfidenceandhadan
aurasurroundingherthattoldeveryoneshewasn'tsomeonetobemessedwith.However,shenowhadasurety
ofwhoshewasthatwasmissingbeforeanditwasnoticeabletothosewhoknewherbeforesheregainedherfull
memories.Whentheyenteredtheroomwheretheothersweretalking,bothGuriandCassiopeiainstantly
noticedthedifferenceandsmiled.

Gladtoseeyouremember,Sin,saidCassiopeiahappily.

Sintassmiledslightly.Yeah.It'sactuallySintasVelsocallmeSintas,okay?SinisforthoseI'vebeenintimate
withandwe'renotthatclose.

CassiopeiastuckouthertongueasGurichuckledbutbothnoddedtheirheadsinunderstanding.Theythen
turnedtoHarryandGurispoke.

Sowhat'sthegameplan,boss?

Harryrolledhiseyesathercallinghimthebossbutdidn'tcommentonit.Well,we'regoingtostayhereafew
moredaysuntilIgetinformationbackfrommyspynetworkforSintas.You'reallwelcometostayaslongas
youdon'tbreakanything,please.Ittookforevertofixthefirsttime.

ThereweresmallsmilesfromeveryoneathiscomplaintsinceheandGurihadbeentheonestofixmostofthe
ship.Cassiopeiahadbeenfoundtobecompletelyhopelessatanythingmechanicalinnaturefromflyingaship
totryingtofixanengine.Infact,Harrywouldsometimesswearthatherverypresencecausedtheshiptotake
longertofix.

ThegroupbrokeoffintogroupswithEthanfollowingCassiopeiadownthehalltowardthecockpit,Nakia
speakinginhushedtoneswithShaeandSintassayingshewasgoingtousethestoragehangar'swidespaceto
getbackintoshape.HarrywalkedovertoGuriashewatchedCassiopeiaandEthanlefttheroomwithafrown.

So.......HarryinclinedhisheadinthedirectionCassiopeiaandEthanhadleft,What'stheirstory?

Gurihadasmallsmileonherfaceathisquestion.He'sherexinaway.Idon'tknowhowtheymetsinceitwas
beforeImetCassiebutIknowatonepointtheywereclose.Closeenoughtoalmoststartdatingbut....Heleft
herwhenhefoundoutaboutherpastjobsandherplanstojointheBlazingRaidersduetoMax'sinfluence.She
wassoheartbrokenthatshestarteddatingMaxsoonafterandthatonlymadehiscontroloverhergreater.So
there'salotofunsaidresentmentforEthaninherduetoherpartiallyblaminghisleavingherforhermistakes.

Harryfrowned.WhileIdon'tagreewithhimleavingherjustbecausehefoundoutshewasaMistrylShadow
Guard,itwasherchoicetojoin,nothis.

Gurinoddedherheadinagreement.Yepandinhermindsheknowsthisbut....

......shewantssomeonetoblamesohe'saneasytarget.finishedHarry.Heshookhisheadwithasigh.Will
theybealright?

Gurijustsmirked.Ofcourse.Despiteeverything,IbelievethatshestilllovesEthan.Thewayshetalksabout
hertimewithhimwithwistfulnesscertainlyindicatesit.

HarrynoddedbeforesignalingNakiathathewantedtotalktoher.Nakiaexcusedherselfandwalkedoverto
Harrywithanuncertainlookonherface.Harryledhertowardhisroomandtheysatacrossfromeachotheron
hisbunkinsilenceforamoment.Harry'sroomwasthecaptain'sroomwhichwasbigenoughtohaveadesk
withacomputertoreceiveholocallsinacornerandafullsizebedalongtheleftwall.Therewasnothingelse
sinceHarryhadn'taddedanythingelseyet.AfteranothermomentofsilenceNakiaspoke.

Howdidyougetyourmemoriesback?Ithoughtitwouldbeimpossible.
Howdidyougetyourmemoriesback?Ithoughtitwouldbeimpossible.

Harrygaveherawrysmile.InordertostartlearningLegilimencyandOcclumencyfromherfather'sholocron,
Cassiehadtoorganizeherthoughtsandmemoriesfirst.Idecidedtodoitaswellsowecouldhelpeachotheras
wewentalong.However,whenIreachedthememoriesofArden'sdeathandburial,theybecame...howdoIsay
it?....kindoflikeaholoshowfilledwithstatic.Thememoriesweretherebuttherewasadisturbinglackof
emotiontogoalongwithitandwhenitdid,itfelt..fake,somehow.Weaskedtheholocronanditexplained
thatthememorywasfakeandsomeonehadimplantedit.HetaughtmehowtorecovertherealoneandhereI
am.

Nakia'sshouldersdrooped.Ishouldhaveknownsomethinglikethatwouldhappen.It'sjustmyluck.She
sigheddeeply.IknowitwaswrongbutIdidn'twantyoutobefullofguiltoverwhatwedidwhenyouwere
technicallydatingthatTwi'lekgirlatthetime.Iunderstandifyou'reangry.

NakiaonlyheardsilenceforamomentbeforeHarrygentlytookherchininhishandanddrewherintoakiss.
Nakiawasshockedforamomentbeforeeagerlyreciprocatingit.Harryeventuallybrokeitandplacedhis
foreheadagainsthersandsighed.

WhatamIgoingtodowithyou?I'mslightlyangrybecauseyoudidviolatemytrustbydoingthatbutI
understandwhyyoudidit.YouwererightthatIwouldhavebeenovercomewithguiltafterwardsandprobably
confessedwhatIdidnomatterifyousaiditwasyourfault.However,Ialsowouldhaverealizedthatthe
relationshipbetweenmeandAstraalwasmadeonabedofsand.

Nakialookedconfused.Whatdoyoumean?

Harrysmiledgently.Tellme,Nakia.HowhadwasittosuppressmyfeelingforAstraal?

Nakiathoughtaboutitforasecond.Actually...itwasn'tthathard.Thatsurprisedmealot.

Harrynoddedsadly.AndhowaboutmyfeelingsforJaina?

Nakiastayedquietbeforerealizingwhathemeant.Itwasveryhard.Itwasactuallythosefeelingsthattookthe
longesttosuppress.IjustconfusedthemforyourfeelingsforAstraal.

Exactly,saidHarrysadly.IwouldhaverealizedthenthatIdidn'treallyloveAstraalatthatpointintimeand
Iwastreatingherlikearebound.IgrewtoloveAstraallateronbutbythen,thedamagehadbeendone.Itwould
havebeenbettertoconvincemenottotellAstraalandIwouldhavefoundawaytobreakthingsoffwithher
gentlysinceIrealizedthatIdidn'treallyloveAstraalatthatpointintime.

Nakialookedconfusedforsecondbeforehesitantlyspeaking.Thenwhydidyouagreetodateher?

Harryclosedhiseyesbeforespeaking.Becauseshewasthefirsttowantme.Heopenedhiseyesand,seeing
Nakia'sconfusedlook,heelaborated.Astraalhadnevermadeitasecretthatshedesiredmeandsheopenly
chasedme.ItfeltgoodtobetheonechasedforonceandIconfusedthatwanttobewantedforlove.Igrewto
loveAstraallateronbutatthetimeweslepttogetherIdidn'tandIwasunconsciouslyleadingheron.Itwould
havebettertoknowbeforethingsgotoutofhand.

Nakianoddedslowlytoshowsheunderstood.I'msorrythenforthatbutI'mnotsorryaboutwhathappened
betweenus.

HarrygaveherthePottersmilebeforehedrewherinuntilshewasstraddlinghim.NowwhosaidIregretted
that?

ThetimeaparthadonlyincreasedNakia'sloveanddesireforhimandshefellonhimwithascorchingkiss
whichheeagerlyreciprocated.HarryandNakiakissedeachotherfrantically,andalittledesperatelyasthey 695/917
whichheeagerlyreciprocated.HarryandNakiakissedeachotherfrantically,andalittledesperatelyasthey
slowlyfellontothebedwithHarryontop.HarrywasgrindinghishardonontoNakia'salreadywetsexand
Nakiamoaned.

Harrysmirkedatherreaction.Wejustgotstartedandyou'realreadysowet?Doyoudesiremethatmuch?

Nakiaglaredathimhalfheartedly.Shutup,Potter.It'syourfaultformakingmegosolongwithoutyourcock.
Nowtakeresponsibility!
Harrychuckledandcontinuedkissingher.TheyfellintoafrenzyofkissesbeforeNakiabrokeit.Wait,wait.
Letmechangeclothes.Ihavesomethingspecialplannedtowearforthis.Withthat,Nakiagotupandquickly
walkedoutoftheroombeforereturningquicklywithherpack.Shehadgonetoretrieveitafterthefightended
andshenowwalkedtowardthebathroomwithawinkasexyswayofherhips.Harrygotupafterseeingthat
imageandstrippeddowntohisboxersasheawaitedher.
Aboutaminutelater,Nakiassultryvoicewasheard,andheturnedhisheadtolookatthebeautifulwoman.
Withlightcoloredskinandlongcrimsonhair,thewomanwasstunningherblueeyeswerefilledwithlustand
lovewhenshesawhiminjusthisboxers.
HarrycouldonlygapeatNakiaashesawthewayshewasdressed.Damn...youlook...wow.Nakiaworea
ratherinterestingoutfitmadefromsomekindofsheermaterial,itwasashoulderlesstopthatwentintoapairof
shorts.Itwasmostlyseethrough,exceptatherbreastsandhergroinwherethematerialdarkenedenoughtohide
mostofeverythingfromview.Hissmilegrewwhenshesatonhislapwithherlegsoneithersidehisthighs.
Nakiasmirkedathissincerestatement.Thankyou,beloved.Aflashofuncertaintycrossedherface.
Areyousureyouwanttodothis?Iamnotaffectingyouinanysupernaturalwaythistimesoyoucan't
blameitonmethistime.Youalsohaven'ttrulybrokenthingsoffwithAstraalyet.Doyoutrulywantto
dothis?
ApartofHarryquestionedhimselfonhowhecouldbethinkingabouthavingsexwithawomanwhohad
previouslyusedherpowerstomanipulatehimintohavingsexwithhimbeforeespeciallysosoonaftergoingon
breakfromhisrelationshipwithAstraalandstillbeingconfusedabouthisfeelingsforbothherandJaina.
Anotherpartofhimquestionedifhewasgay,questioninghavingsexwithasmokinghotwomanwhowas
wilingtohavenostringsattachedsexwithhimeverytimetheymet.Harrylookedupatthebeautifulwoman.
I'msure.Endorphinswerereleasedduringsex,ifnothingelseitwouldmakehimfeelalittlehappierfora
time.
NakiastoodupoffofHarryslapandraisedherarmsoverherhead,swayingherhipsabitassheturnedaround,
thesheerclothingfallingoffofherbodyasshemovedanduntiedtheonlyknotholdingitonherbody,her
roundasspressingintoHarryslap.Shethenbegantogrindagainsthim,instantlymakingallthebloodrushto
hislowerregions.Withoutstandingbackup,sheturnedaroundagainandleanedforward,brushinghercleavage
againsthischestasshesanklowertoherknees.Shepulledhisboxersoffandreachedup,rubbinghiscock.
Harrycouldntbelievethesoftfeelofherhandsbrushingagainsthiscock,orhissac.HarryknewthatNakia's
lifestyleinvolvedalotoffightingandhuntingandhewassurprisedherhandsweresomilkysoft.Harryleaned
hisheadbackandmoanedashefeltherdelicatefingersrunfromthebaseofhistip,tothetopofhissacalong
theundersideofhiscock.SheusedafeatherlighttouchanditwasdrivingHarryinsane.
NakialookeduptoHarryassheslidhertonguealonghisballs,upalongthebottomofhisshaft,andgavea
swiftlicktothetipofhiscock.Lookingupatthedarkhairedteenager,sherubbedhiscockagainsthercheeka
bit,nuzzlingit.Imsothirstybeloved,youllgivemesomethingtodrink,wontyou?sheaskedhuskilyas
shekissedthetipagainbeforegoingdown,takingthedarkhairedJediintohermouthandpressingherwet
tongueagainstthebottomofhisshaft.Nakiamoanedathistaste.Sheusuallywasveryreluctanttodothiswith
herpreviousloversbutHarrytastedsogoodthatshewouldhappilygivehimablowjobtowakehimupevery
dayifhewishedit.
Harrymoanedloudly,bothfromtheimagesherdirtytalkgothimthinkingofandfromthefeelofherwet
tongueandmouthslowlysinkingfurtherdownalonghiscock.Heputhishandonthebackofherhead,feeling
herpauseforjustamomentbeforegoingfurtherdown.Hisbackarchedasshegottothebaseofhiscock,
gaggingsomeasshedidso,herthroatgivingspasmsandclenchingdownonhiscock.
Nakiarolledhereyesuptothedarkhairedteenager,stillallthewaydown.Shepulledoff,pullinghimoutof
herthroatandpasthergagreflex.Shedidntkeepherlipslockedaroundhiscock,lettingalotofexcessspitrun
downhisshaft.Shebegantobobherheadonandoff,notbotheredbyherowngagging,exceptforeveryoncein
awhileshewouldhavetopulloffcompletelytotakeabreak.Sheusedeverybitofher24,000yearsof
experiencetogiveHarrythebestblowjobhewouldeverhave.However,apartofherwishedhewouldfulfill
thefantasyshe'dbeenhavingeversincetheirfirsttimeanddominateherandbasicallymakeherhisbitch.The
ideaofhimcallingherhislittlesexslavemadehermoaninsheerdesire.
Somehowsensingwhatshesecretlywanted,HarrystoodupduringoneofNakiasbreaksandgrabbedher
crimsonhairtighter.Openwide.Hetoldher.Hewatchedassheopenedhermouthwidebeforehestartedto
thrustvigorouslyintohermouth,makinghergowideeyedasshegaggedalittlelouderandclenchedhisthighs.
Despitethis,Harrycouldsenseandseethatshelovedtheroughtreatmentbythewayshegavehimaloving
lookandcontinuedtolickathiscockateveryopportunity.Harryfelthisballstightenup,hisorgasmclose.
Nakiaclosedhereyesinrapture,feelingtheimpendingorgasm.OnehandleftHarry'sthighsandslidbetween
herown,furiouslyworkingherclitover.Shetriedtokeepup,usingtongue,teeth,andlipstofurtherorally
pleasetheteenagerbuthispacewasjustalittleoutofherreach.Shefelthimpullouttothetip,justasthehot
cumshotoutandintohermouth,gettinghertomoanfromthesaltytasteasshesuckedonhistip,tryingtoget
morefromherbeloved.
HarrypulledoutofNakiasmouthandhelpedherstandup,justbeforehebentheroverthebed.Hemoved
behindher,grabbingherhipsandrubbinghisswollentipagainsthersoakedpussy.Someoneshorny.Harry
commentedsarcastically.
Iam,pleaseGiveittomegiveitalltomeHarry.Makemeyours,saidNakia,rubbingherhipsbackto
grindherpussyagainsthistip.Itwasasubmissivegesture,butshewantedtobesubmissive.Shewantedtoget
hertightpussypoundedbyHarry,tobeshownherplace.Shehadbeenforcedtobetoughherentirelifedueto
bothbeinganAnzatandhavingtodefendherrighttodenygoingbacktoherhomeplanetandprocreating.But
nowwithherbeloved,shewasachingforamanstrongenoughtoputherinherplaceinthebedroom.
Harrygrabbedherhipstighterandpushedinwards,groaningashefelthertightpussyalreadyclampdownon
hiscock.Shewaswet,butshewasalsosotight,likewhenhefuckedAstraalthefirsttime.Astraalhad
explainedthatTwi'lekwomenwerealwaystightregardlessofbeingavirginornot.Onlypreviousexperience,
thearchingofherbackandthelowmoanofpleasurefromNakiatoldhimthatshewasnotavirgin.Despite
this,shewasstillastightasanyvirginandbrieflywonderedifitwasaskillshepickedupwhenherinner
musclesstartedtoflutteraroundhiscock.
NakiapushedbackagainstHarry,diggingherhandsintotheblanketsandbeginningtomoanlouderashispace
begantopickup.Thatsit,fuckme.Fuckme,fuckme,fuckme!shecriedoutasshefelthimgoingharder.
Whileshehadbeenintimatewithmenbefore,shehadneverallowedherselftolowerherguardlikethis,not
evenwithEmrys.TherewasjustsomethingaboutHarrythatmadeherlowerherguardenoughtosaywhatshe
hadalwaysimaginedsaying.Hereyeswidenedandshealmosthadanorgasmasshefelthishandhitherass.
SpankthisnaughtyAnzatiwhoreHarry,spankmeandfuckme.Punishmyhornybody.Claimmeas
yoursandnooneelse's.
HarryhadbeenwithAstraal,whohadbeenaratherhornyandkinkyTwi'lek,butNakiawastakingthetitleof
beingthekinkiest.BytheForce,herwordsweregettinghimmoreandmoreexcitedandhewasusingitasan
excusetothrustintoherbodyharderandharder.Heslappedherassuntilherlightcoloredskinhadaredhueto
it,eventhoughshecriedoutinnothingbutpurepleasure.Hepushedhiscockdeeper,bumpingagainsther
cervix.
Nakiaseyeswentevenwiderasshefelthimpushsodeepandhermoangotlouder.Fuck,yes!Sweet
HeavenlySoup,yes!Shefelthisspeedandpowerincreaseevenmoreandhereyesthreatenedtorollintothe
backofherheadfromthepleasure,butshewantedtoremaincoherentforthefuckingshewasgetting.She
wantedtoinscribethememoryofeverythrustandpositionintohermemoryforalloftime,knowingthat
somedayhewouldmarrysomeoneelseandthiswouldneverhappenagain.However,untilthenshewouldfuck
himateveryopportunity.Nakia'spussytightenedattheideaofHarrytakingherinfrontofanaudiencelikeshe
wassomecommonwhore.UsuallyNakiawouldbetooproudtoallowsomethinglikethatbutforHarryshe
wouldhappilybendoverthenearestsurfaceandtakeherinfrontoftheChiefofStateifhewished.
HarrysloweddownasherealizedhowloudNakiawasgettingandhereachedforhismother'swandinhiswrist
holsterwhichwaslostamongthepileofhisclothing.ItwasslightlydifficulttocontinuetopoundNakiaashe
searchedforitbutheeventuallyusedtheForcetopullittohimanddrewthewand.Hethenlockedthedoors
withamutteredColloportusbeforeaimingforthewallsandmutteredSilencio!,makingthewallsglow
slightlyandbecomesoundproofbeforetossingthewandintoacorneranddoublinghisefforts.
Nakiahadbeenalittleputoffbyhisdistractedstate,evenifhekeptmovinghiships,butthesecondhedoubled
hisefforts,herbodyjustcouldnttakeit.Imcumming!shescreamedout,herbackarchingasshescreamed
inpleasure,herpussyclampingdownonHarryscockandspillingherjuicesalloverit.ThefeelofHarrysown
releasethatfilledherwithcumjustmadeherorgasmallthatlonger,andthefeelofhisteethinhershoulder,
almostlikehewassomekindofanimalandwasmarkingherplacemadeherfeelevenbetter.TheAnzatipartof
herthatwasmoreanimalthansentientlovedthewayherbelovedmarkedherashisandhowledinjoy.
HarrypulledoutoftheNakiaandwatchedherforamoment,momentarilysurprisedassherolledoverontoher
back,showingherflexibilitybyholdingbothherlegsupintheairstraightup,spreadingherpussylipsopen.
Nakiaknewwhatshewasdoing,andshewasntdonewithhim,notbyalongshot.PleaseHarry,fuckmy
soakedpussymore,stretchmeoutsoonlyyourcockwilleverfit.Nakiasaidlickingherlips,gently
pushingonefingerintoherbody.
Harry'slustreturnedandhemovedover,andpositionedherlegstohangoverhisshoulderashepushedback
intoNakia'swetpussy.Evenafterahardfucking,evenafterallthecumspilledbyherandinher,shewasstill
fuckingtight.Butinthisposition,Harrycouldplayalittlebitmore.Hereachedupwithhisrighthandand
squeezedherbreastashestartedinatafastpace,hisfingersplayingwithherdarknipple.
NakiawhimperedandwrithedasshefeltHarrypoundingherwetpussy.Everythrustbumpedagainsthercervix
anditseemedtheteenageJediwastryingtoreallypunishherbodylikeshehadaskedhimto.Thefeelingofhis
fingerstweakinghernipple,ordiggingintotheswellofherbreastwasreallydrivinghercrazy.Sheshiveredas
shefelthimtraceoneofhernipples.
Harrycouldn'thelpedbutbeentrancedbythewayherimpressivebustwouldriseandfallatarapidpace,her
heavylaboredbreathingmadeitquiteeasyforhimtobedistractedbyherbountifulchest.Harryshookhishead
alittlebitandgrabbedherlegs,squeezingthemabitashestartedtofuckherpussyharder,pullingherbody
againsthimabit,hiscockgettingsqueezedasherinnermusclesgaveafewspasmsashethrustdeepintoher
andbumpedaplacethatwasdrivingherwild.
Nakiadecidedtoarouseherbelovedfurtherandreachedupwithherhands,slidingthemalonghersidesand
noticingHarryfollowingherhandsuptheswellofherhips,upherribsandtoherbreasts.Shebegantosqueeze
themmoaninglouderasshepinchedathernipples.OnlywithherbelovedHarrywouldsheletlooseherhorny
andkinkyside.Hewastheonlyoneworthy.Theteenagerfocusedonherbreastsassheraisedoneupandlicked
aroundthenipple,makingeyecontactwiththeteenagertomakeitmoreerotic.Sheknewwhathewasthinking
aboutwhenshelickedhernipple.
Harryfelthisballstightenandhegrithisteethashetriedtoridehisorgasmout.ButwatchingNakialickather
nipple,evensuckonitbrieflywasdrivinghimwild,moresothanherlewdanddirtytalking.Finallyitgottobe
toomuch,andhepushedindeepintoherbody,raisingherhipsupoffthebedwiththeforceofhisthrust.He
gaveafewgroansofpleasureashefilledherwithhiscum,feelingthehotfluidspillaroundhisshaftandoutof
gaveafewgroansofpleasureashefilledherwithhiscum,feelingthehotfluidspillaroundhisshaftandoutof
her,herownorgasmbeingtriggeredbyhis.
Nakiapantedasshecamedownfromherownorgasm.Shecouldstillfeelherinnermusclesspasmfromthe
pleasure.ShestretchedherlegsoutandthenloweredthemoneithersideofHarry,nowputtinghimbetweenher
legs.Despitehowtiredshewasbecoming,theknowledgethatthiswasthefirsttimeonmonthssinceshehad
lastbeenwithhimspurredheron.MoreGivememoreHarry.Shepantedout,wrappingherarmsaround
hisneckandpullinghimdownforakissasshebegantorollherhipsforwardtogetmore.
Harrypantedalittlebit,buthegrabbedNakiashipsastheykissed,hecouldstilltasteabitofhimselfonher
lipsbutlikeinthepastwithAstraalthatdidntbotherhimtoomuch.Hebegantorollhishipstothrustintoher
stilltightbody.ThiswasgoingtobehislimitfrompastexperiencewithAstraalwhenshewasreallyhornyhe
knewfourwasusuallyhowmuchhecouldgetawaywithwithouthisballshurtingfromthetaxingofthe
orgasm.
Nakiamoanedlouder,feelingtheboy,noman,fuckingherharder.Yes,thatsitsweetheavenlysoup
Harry,fuckmywethornypussy.ShetoldthedarkhairedJedi,breakingthekissasshedidso.BytheHoly
Soup,shewassoinsatiableforthemanandthefeelingofhimfuckingherpussyandstretchinghertoonlyfit
hiscock.Shereachedupandgrabbedhisheadbeforepushingittoherbreasts
Harrywasnostrangertohavinghisheadpressedintothebreastsofawoman,byawoman.Astraalhaddone
thisoftenenough.HeknewwhattheNakiawanted,buthefeltalittlebitofaneedtoremindherthathewasin
charge.Sheseemedtogetoffonbeingdominatedsohebitdownonhernipple,makinghermoanoutlouderas
hecontinuedtopoundherpussy.Hecouldfeelherbodyspasm,herdeliciouspussysqueezinghiscockat
randomintervals.TheinsatiableAnzatifemalewasquitealewdwomanandHarrylovedit.Thewayshestared
athimwithloveandlustinhereyesmadehimwanttomakelovetoherforaweekstraight,onlystoppingto
recoverlostfluidsandforsleep.
Fuckyes,fuckBitemynipplesHarry,fuckmyhornypussyandfillmeupwithallthecumyoucan.
saidNakialewdly,rakinghernailsdownacrossHarrysback.Ithadbeenfartoolongsincethelasttimeshehad
beenwithherbeloved.Thememoryoftheirfirsttimewaslikeavaguedreamcomparedtothisandshewould
savorandmilkitforeverythingshecould.Shecouldfeelthecoilofherorgasmtighteningupforathirdtime,
andshelovedit.Shelovedthatthedarkhairedteenagerhadthestaminatokeepgoingandbrieflywonderedif
allJedihadsuchstaminabeforeconcludingherbelovedwasoneofakindandnoothercouldcompare.
HarrypulledoffthenipplehewasbitingandlookedupatNakiasface,watchingherexpressionthatshowed
herstateofpleasure.Hereallywasntsurehowmuchlongerhecouldkeepgoing,buthewouldnotbeoutdone,
notevenbyaAnzatiwoman.HewasHarryPotter,sonofJamesPotterwho,accordingtohismother'sjournal,
wasaconsummateladies'manandHarrylefteverywomanhehadeverfuckedthoroughlysatisfied!Heignored
thefacttherehadonlybeentwowomen,oneofwhichwastheonehewascurrentlyfucking.Harrypausedfora
second,readjustinghispositionanddugdeepbeforestartingtothrustevenharderthanhehadbefore,thebed
bangingagainstthewallintimewithhisgruntsandthehigherpitchedmoanscomingfromNakia'smouth.
Whetherornottherewassilencingcharmontheroom,everyonenowknewwhattheyweredoinginthere.
Fuck,ohfuckyes,fuckNakiacalledout,hereyeswidewithpleasureassheclungtoHarry,herankles
lockedaroundhiswaistandherarmspinninghisbodyagainsthers.HHHarry,Imsoclose!shescreamed
outasherorgasmrolledoverherandherentirebodyjerkedwiththeforce,hereyesrollingbackintoherheada
bit.
Harrygavehisownmoanofloudpleasure,hisbackarchingashethrustasdeepintoNakiaashecouldand
releasedhisload,fillingheroncemorewithhotcumashefelthernailsdigintohisback.Hisownhandsdug
intothefleshofherhipsandthighsashebegantopantalittlebit.Hepulledoutandstoodupalittleunsteadily.
Despitebeingonthebrinkofcollapse,Nakia'slustwasstillhighsosherolledoverontoherstomach,herknees
ontheflooragainasshelookedoveratHarry.OncemoreHarry,pleasewouldyoufuckmeonemoretime?
Tocelebrateourreunion?Shespreadherasscheeks,showinghimtheholehehadntclaimed.Iwantto 699/917
Tocelebrateourreunion?Shespreadherasscheeks,showinghimtheholehehadntclaimed.Iwantto
rememberyouineverypartofmybody.Shesaidwigglingherasstoenticehim.
AndenticedHarrywas,asanymanwouldbebyaheartshapedasswigglingforhim.Harry'searlierfatiguewas
forgottenandhemovedforward,rubbinghimselfagainstherassabit,noticingherholewasalreadylubricated
fromthejuicesofherpussy.HeslappedNakiaonherass,listeningtohermoanabit.Hebegantopushhistip
intoher,givingalowgroanashefeltherholetightenaroundhisshaft.
NakiawincedalittlebitasHarrypushedin.Shehadonlydonethisoncebefore,withHarryhimself,anditwas
slightlypainful.Sheletgoofherasscheeks,grabbingthebedasshefelthimpushdeeper.Shehadaskedforit,
andshewouldtakeit.Shemoanedalittlebitthough,asthepleasurebegantomixinwiththepain.Herbody
shudderedasthepleasurebegantoovercomethepainandsheputherheadagainstthebedmore.
HarrygrippedNakia'srighthipwithhisrighthand,andgrabbedherlefthipwithhisleft,slowlyandsteadily
beganpushingdeeperintoherass.Shewastight,andtense.Hebegantoworkout,drawingalowmoanfrom
her.Helookedatherasshelookedoverhershoulder,hisemeraldeyeslockingwithherblueones,abondof
understanding,caringandlovepassingbetweenthem.
NakiawatchedasHarrybegantoworkinandoutofher,steadilygrowingfasterwithhisthrusts.Shemoanedas
shefelthimtugonherhipsalittlebit,butshemovedherhanddown,andgrabbedthehandatherrighthipand
broughtituptoherbreast,holdinghishandthereasshefeltherassslowlygetstretchedout.Itwasaslower
pacethanwhenhehadfuckedherpussy,butitwasnolesspleasantforherbodyandshewasgladhewasgoing
slowconsideringithadbeenmonthssincetheirlasttimetogether.Harryhadbeentheonlyonetoeverclaim
thathole.'Andnoother,'thoughtNakiaviciously.'Thatholeisformybelovedtouseonlyandnoothershall
everclaimit.'
Despitehavingsomewhatofasecondwind,Harryknewhisbodywastiredandsore,hisabsburningfromthe
workoutoffuckingNakia.Still,hehadtoleaninabitasshedraggedhishanduptoherbreast,havinghim
squeezethesizableorb.Harrycouldhearhermoansgettinglouder,shewasonthevergeofanotherorgasm,but
hedecidedtodragitout,goingslowerandwithlessstrength.Hestillhadhisvigor,buthewantedtheorgasmto
slowlybuildlikeagoodbonfirethatwouldlastallnightinsteadofaquickspurtoffire.Hewantedthistobe
memorableforhersinceheknewthattheirfuturetogetherwasuncertainatbest.Hewantedthismemorytolast
millenniaafterhewasgone.
NakiapushedherselfbackagainstHarry,moaninglouderasshewrithedinthepleasureshewasreceiving.The
coilofherorgasmgrewtighterandtighter,moresothanbefore.Sheknewitwouldbeagreatorgasm,andshe
wasgladshewasntincharge.ShewrappedherlegsaroundbehindHarrysbackandheldhimthere,asevery
thrustmadeherbreathgrowshorterandshorter.Herbackarchedonaparticularlyhardthrustandshecame,
screaminginpleasureasherentirebodytightenedup.
HarrymethisownorgasmwithNakia's,hermusclestighteningupmorethanhehadexpectedandallowingfor
himtoreachhisownorgasm.Hisbackarchedalittlebitashemoanedloudandthroatilyashecameinsideher,
holdingherclose.Whenhewasdone,heeasedoutofherandmovedtohelpherlayonthebed,beforelaying
downbesideher,withherathisright.
Nakiacuddledupintohimandlayonelegoverhisasiftryingtokeephimclosesohewouldn'tleave.Shehada
peacefulsmileonherfaceasshedozedfromthelackofenergyafterthefuckingshehadreceived.Harrysmiled
softlyatthesightandpushedallthoughtsoftheconsequencesofhisactionsoutofhismindtillmorning.He
wouldworryaboutwhetherthisconstitutedascheatingonAstraalforlater.
AthoughtcametoHarryandheturnedtoher.HowisitthatwheneverImeetyouyounevershowthehunger
mostofyourkindhavefor'soup'?Haveyoubecomeimmunetothehunger?
Nakiaonlychuckled.Notexactly,beloved.Ihavejustlivedlongenoughthatthehungeriseasilyignoredmuch
likeapainonehaslivedwithforalongtimeisignoredafterawhile.Ialsomakesuretofeastheavilyoncea
month,mostly15or16criminalsduringthattime.Nakia'stonebecamebitter.Mostofmybrethrenthinkit's
geneticandconstantlytrytoforcemetoreturnandprocreatesomoreofourkindwillhavethatadvantage.But
it'snot.It'ssimplyreachingastateofbeingwhereIcanforgetmyhungeruntilitbecomesnecessarytosurvive.
YoungAnzaticansurviveonnormalHumanfoodbutaswegrowolder,the'soup'becomesessentialfor
survival.Iresistduetopriortrainingbutmostofall,hereNakiaplacedasoftkissonHarry'schest,Ifindmy
willbecomingstrongeragainstthehungerwheneverIthinkofyou.IwanttobegoodenoughforyouandI
knowthatdespitethembeingcriminals,youdon'tapproveofmykillingthem.SoItrytoeatonlywhenI
absolutelyhaveto.

Harrygentlysmileddownathislover.I'mgladIcouldhelp.Sowhatistherebetweenus?

Nakiasighed.Iwouldlovenothingmorethanforustobeexclusive,beloved,butIknowthat'simpossible.We
wouldhavetohideourrelationshipbecauseIdoubtyourparentsandfriendswouldapproveofourrelationship.
Theymighteventrytokeepusapartwhichwouldcauseproblemsbetweenallofus,especiallysinceIwouldn't
standforit.Also,I'mnotusedtobeingtieddowntooneplaceandIdoubtyouwouldwanttolivetherestof
yourlifewithoutastablehome.Despitethis,I'vedecidedtostaywithyouandfollowyouwhereveryougofrom
nowon.ThetimeapartafterourfirsttimewastortureandIwasconstantlyplaguedbyfearsofyoudying
becauseIwasn'tthere.I'llgomadifthatcontinuessoI'vedecidedtospendtheremainderofyourlifeatyour
side.Alovingyetslightlysadlookcametoherface.I'llstaywithyouasanythingyoudesire.Friend,fuck
buddyorevenmistress.AslongasI'mwithyou,Iamcontent.

Harrycouldonlyfrown.I'mnotworthyofyourdevotion,Nakia.I'mjustaguytryingtodothebesthecan.I'm
notperfectandIdon'tplantobe.

Nakiajustsmiledsoftly.Whetheryouareworthyornotmatterlittle,beloved.Youaremybelovedandyou
havemydevotion.ForeverEternal.

Harrynoticedthecapitalizationatherlastsentencebutstayedsilentbeforenoddingslowly.Alright,my
crimsongoddess.We'llfigureitout.NottheleastofwhichisIstilldon'tknowwhattodoaboutmyrelationship
withAstraal.Ireallydoubtit'llworkoutonceshefindsoutaboutyou.

Nakiajustshrugged.That'sherproblem.All'sfairinloveandwarandallthatandshewasstupidenoughtolet
gooftheleash.I'mnotdumbenoughtoeverdothat.

Harrycouldonlychuckleandgiveherakissbeforethetwodisentangledthemselvesandgotdressedagain.
HarryputonanemeraldshirtandbrownpantswhileNakiajustputonherusualensembleofcrimsoncorsetand
blackpants.JustastheyfinishedgettingdressedHarry'scommbeeped,indicatingaincomingholocall.Nakia
gavehimacuriouslookandstoodfarenoughawaytonotshowupinthehologram'ssensors.Itturnedouttobe
fromFAITHandaminihologramofhimappearedathiswrist.

Statement:Master,youhaveanincomingmessagefromyourapprentices.ShouldIforwardittoyouasyou
requested?

TheseconddayaftertheyarrivedonPhaeda,HarryhadcontactedEsmeraldaandaskedhertoforwardacomm
alongwithhisnewcommnumbertohisapprenticessohecouldkeepincontactwiththem.Shehadagreedand
saiditshouldarriveinaboutthreedays.Itseemslikeitfinallyarrivedandtheywerecallinghim.Knowing
them,theyhadcalledhimthemomenttheygottheirhandsonthecommnumbertoreachhim.

Harrysmiledatthethoughtofhisapprentices.Yep,patchitthroughtomyroomhereontheHogwartswhenI
tellyou.FAITHagreedandHarrywalkedovertothecomputerwhileNakialeftaftergivinghimakiss,saying
shedidn'twantanyonetoknowshewasthere.HarrytoldFAITHtopatchitthroughashesatinfrontofthe
computerstationinhisroom.ThesignalcamethroughandHarrywasgreetedtothesightofnotonlyhis
apprenticesbuthismom,dadandtherestofhisfriendsaswell.

MasterHarry!greetedTahirihappily.Howareyou?Areyouokay?Doyouneedustogohelpyou?

HarryletoutanamusedsnortatTahiri'sworryoverhimbutitalsowarmedhishearttoknowshecaredsomuch.
I'mfineTahiri.ImadesomeheadwayinmyquestalthoughI'mcurrentlyfacingadeadenduntilIfinishfixing
this....pieceofjunkshipfromathousandyearsago.

Astraalletoutanamusedsoundathisinsultingtheship.Youcallanyshipfromtenyearsagoapieceofjunk
unlessyou'vepersonallycustomizedit.

HarrygaveAstraalanamusedwinkandthePottergrinthateventhroughahologramHarrycouldseebroughta
blushtohercheeks.BecauseunlessI'vecustomizedit,itwillneverflyaswellascurrentmodels.

AstraaljustrolledhereyesbutHarrycouldseeshewashappythatHarrywasactingsofriendlywithheragain.
Harryrememberedwithapanghowmuchofadouchehehadbeenactingaftertheybrokeup,avoidingherand
rarelyspeakingtoher.Heknewthatwhiletheymightnotgetbacktogether,Astraalwouldalwaysbespecialto
himandhewantedtobefriendswithherattheveryleast.

Jainahadbeenhangingback,notspeakingduetotheirlastconversationsoHarrydecidedtoextendtheolive
branchandtalkfirst.HeyJayJay,whatyoubeenupto?Stillflyingyourstarfighterandthinkingyoucanoutfly
me?

Jainalookedathiminsurpriseandagenuinesmilecametoherfacebeforeshescowledassherealizedwhathe
hadsaid.WhatdoyoumeanthinkIcouldoutflyyou?LasttimeIcheckeditwas249toyour248soI'mthe
betterpilot.Despiteherscowl,Harrycouldfeelherhappinessatthefamiliarbanterthroughtheirbondand
Harrywouldbelyingifhesaidhehadn'tmissedittoo.

ThattimewhenMominterruptedusdoesn't...doesn'tcount.Thatwasoutsideinterference!defendedHarry.

Jainajustgavehimasmuggrin.Excuses,excuses.JustadmitI'myourbetterandwe'llallbehappy.

Inresponse,Harryjuststuckhistongueoutatherandpouted.Jainagavehimasmuggrinandavictorysignto
furtherrubinhersuperiority.EveryonechuckledatthefamiliarexchangeandHarrysawMaraandLukelooked
athimwithjoyintheireyes,happytoseehewasgettingbacktonormalagain.

Harryjustsmiledatthem,partofhimhavingmissedtheoldbanterandwithalltheemotionaltwistshe'dgone
throughfirstwhenhefacedhisrelativesandlaterwhenhesawhisparentsdeaths',heneededthefamiliarity.He
decidedtoburyalltheemotionaldramabetweenthemandsimplytrytoreclaimtheirfriendshipagain.Anything
morewillhavetowaittilltheywereallfriendsagain.Hewantedtheirfriendshipmoreatthemomentthanhe
neededagirlfriend.

Lukeseemedtorealizesomethingbeforehespoke.Bytheway,howhasyourquestbeengoing?

Withasigh,Harrygatheredhisthoughtsbeforerecountingeverythingthathadhappenedsinceheleftthe
Praxeumalmostamonthago.HeleftoutRaxusPrimebecauseitwasn'trelevantbeyondmentioningEsmeralda
hadgottenhimtheinfoonhisparent'shouse'swhereabouts.Asheexpected,everyonehadagoodlaughwhen
theyrealizedHarrywasliterallybornwithhisheadintheclouds.Thetonegotsomberwhenheexplainedfacing
hisrelatives(heleftoutthepartofusingtheForcetothreatenthem)anddownrightsadwhenheexplainedhis
historywithMrs.Figg.HethenwentintohisfirstmeetingwithCassiopeiainspaceandthenreachingBespin.

Harry'svoicealmostbrokeasheexplainedhowFlowwalkingworkedandhowhesawhisparents'deathat
Marrish'shands.MaralookedlividathearingthatthesamemanthatalmostkilledHarryhadtriedtokillhimas
ababyafterrenderinghimanorphan.Everyone'sfacetookonalookofpityashebrokenlyexplainedhis
mother'sfinalmomentsandhersacrifice.Allthegirlsstartedcryingwhenhetoldthemaboutseeingtheirgraves
andthemessagewrittenthereandMaralookedlikeshewantedtopullhimintoahug(andprobablywouldthe
momenttheysaweachotheragain)whilethemenfrowneddeeplyatthewayMarrishkilledhisparentslikethey
weresimplyobstaclesintheway.
ThemoodlightenedwhenheexplainedmeetinghiscousinCassiopeiaandherweirdwayofintroducingherself.
Maraseemedslightlymiffedthatshetriedtokillhiminordertoprovehewaswhohesaidhewasbutletitgo
whenhecalmedherdownsayinghewasincontrolofthefighttheentiretime.Theysawhowhappyhewasat
meetingafamilymemberthatdidn'thatehisgutsandwerewillingtoletitgoaslongasshedidn'tdoithappen
again.

WhenHarryexplainingfindingtheHogwartsandtheirfixingit,thegroupwasquietforafewminutesbefore
Maraspoke.

Wow,honey.Youneverhaveiteasy,doyou?

EveryonelaughedasHarrypoutedslightly.It'snotmyfault.Thegalaxyjustlikestomakemylifedifficult.

Lukesmirked.Sodoesthatmeanyou'llbeleavingPhaedasoon?

Harryshookhishead.No.I'llbehereforanotherweekprobably.I'mwaitingtoreceiveinformationfrommy
spynetworkforSintas.

Lukelookedconfused.Who'sSintas?

Harryperkedup.Ohthat'sright.Ididn'ttellyou.Well,whenwefoundtheHogwartstherewasawoman
trappedincarboniteinthecargobay.ApparentlyHiduhadfrozenheraround23yearsagotosellbacktoher
family.Buthediedsoonafterwardsandshewasstuckthereuntilmyparentsposedashisheirstogethislegacy.
Theydidn'tknowshewasarealpersonstuckincarbonitesotheyleftherthereunknowinglyuntilwegothere
andfreedher.ThesymptomsUncleHanhadwhenhewasunfrozenweretwentytimesworseinherandIhadto
usetheForcetohealher.SeeingMara'sfrownandknowingwhatshewasthinking,Harrytriedtoexplain
himself.IknowthatshecouldhavebeendangerousbutIcouldn'tingoodconscioushavelefthertrappedin
there.Shehadbeenthereforover2decadesalreadyandIcouldn'tjustleaveherthere.

Marasighed.Somedayyourgoodheartisgoingtogetyouintrouble,Harry.It'sagoodthingtohavebutyou
alsohavetoshowsomecommonsenseinregardtoyourownsafety.Ifinditamazingthatyou'recautiouswhen
itcomestoothers'safetybutcompletelydisregardyourown.

Harrycouldonlysmilesheepishly.Sorry,Mom.Anyway,Sintasdidn'thavemostofhermemoriesuntiltoday
whenIfinishedhealingher.I'mlookingforinformationonherremainingfamily'swhereaboutsandwhenwe
haveitwe'regivingheraliftthere.

LukenoddedhisunderstandingandMarasmirked.I'mthinkingyouhaveathingforolderwomenbecauseyou
seemtofindyourselfsurroundedbythem.

Harryrolledhiseyesaseveryonelaughed.BothZekkandJacenstartedtoaskhimfortipsuntilJainaandTenel
Kahitthemoverthehead.Harryjustsmiledatthefamiliarsceneandhisheartwarmedatthesightofthem.He
hadtrulymissedjustsittingdownandtalkingtothem.Hehadbroodyanddepressedlatelyandresolvednotto
letithappenagain.Thewondersagoodsessionofsexcoulddoforyou,huh?

HarrycontinuedtotalktohisfamilyaboutinconsequentialthingsbeforeLukeandMarahadtosaygoodbyedue
totheirrespectiveduties.Bothmadehimsweartostayincontactandafterhepromisedtheyleft(butnot
withoutMarasayingshelovedhimandnotleavinguntilhesaidthesamebackwithabrightredblushof
embarrassmentashisfriendssniggered).Hestayedtalkingandbanteringwithhisfriendslikenotimehad
passedbeforeturningtohisapprenticeswithasterneye.

AndIhopeyoutwoaretakingyourstudiesseriously?

BothgirlsnoddedvigorouslyandTahirispoke.Ofcourse,Master!Wepromisedandwe'vealmostmastered
usingreallightsabersasopposedtotrainingones.MasterSkywalkeralsosayswe'vealmostmasteredthebasics
ofsubtleForceusageaswell.

Harrysmiledinafatherlyfashion.I'mglad,mycutelittleapprentices.Bothgirlsturnedbrightredin
embarrassmentatHarry'snicknameforthemasAnakingotadevioussmileonhisfacewhichdisappearedunder
Tahiri'switheringglare.Harryjustchuckled.Well,ifthingscontinuelikethis,I'llbedonesoonerthan
expected.Eitherway,we'llseeeachotherwhenweallcelebrateAuntLeia'sandDad'sbirthdayintwomonths.

Jacen,JainaandAnakinperkedupatthisandJainaspokeexcitedly.That'sright!HaveyoupickedMom's
presentyet?

Harrysmirked.Ofcourse.Beenplanningitforalmostfourmonthsnow.AuntLeiawillloveitandI'veeven
gotsomethingforDadthatIknowhe'lllove.

Jainagotclosetotheholoemittersoonlyherfaceshowedup.Whatisit,whatisit?Moreimportantly...can
yousayit'sfrombothofus?

HarrylaughedasheheardJacenandAnakinstartarguingaboutwhataboutthemandJainasayingtheyshould
beabletothinkofsomethingsincethey'resuchgreatJedi.Harryfinallybroketheargument.Look,Ihavean
idea.Whydon'tyouguysgotoAlderaan'sgraveyardandfindsomethingthereforAuntLeia?LettheForce
guideyou.Afterall,there'sboundtobeafewsurvivingremnantsoftheplanetthatyoucouldgivetoher.
Believeme,AuntLeiawouldloveit.

Anakinandthetwinsagreedwiththeideaandthensaidtheirgoodbyessayingtheyhadstufftodo.Jainawas
especiallyreluctanttoleavebutHarryjustgaveherareassuringgrinandpromisedhewouldcallhermoreoften
andtheywouldallhavethatracewhenhereturned.Thatmorethananythingputherateaseandshehappilyleft
theroom,happythatthingsbetweenherandHarrywereonthemend.Thefinalsignshowingthingswerebetter
betweenthemwaswhenHarryopenedthebondbetweenthemagainandevenfromthelongdistancebetween
them,shecouldonceagainfeelhisfeelingsagain.ShegiddilylefttowardherfighterwithZekkfollowingwitha
smileonhisface,gladtoseeJainasohappy.

EventuallytheonlyonesleftwereAstraal,TahiriandVisas.AstraaltoldhimhowherbrotherShadowasona
missionwithKyleandshouldbebackinaweek.Thatthenbroughthertotheirownmissioninafewdays.

AllthreeofusaregoingtoUmbaratonegotiatetheirentryintotheNewRepublic.Theywantassurancesthat
theywon'tbetriedfortheiractionsundertheEmpireandtheNewRepublicwantstoatleastbringSlyMooreto
trialforheractions.I'llseeifwecanfindacompromiseorsomething.

HarryfrownedattheideaofAstraalandhisapprenticesgoingtosuchadangerousplacewithouthimbut
assuredhimselftheywerestrongenoughtotakecareofthemselves.Okay.Becarefulthoughandrememberto
bemindfuloftheForce.Umbaransareadeceptivelotbynatureandthey'lltakeanyadvantageaffordedtothem
iftheythinktherewardsoutweightherisks.

Tahirinoddedherheadinunderstanding.Iunderstand,Master.We'llbecareful.

Harrygaveherafatherlysmile.Iknowyouwill.Itrustthatyou'restrongenoughtotakecareofyourselves.

TahiriandVisasswelledupinprideathisstatementandVisasspoke.Thankyou,Master.Wepromisenottolet
youdown.

Harrysmiledgently.Iknowyouwon't.Youneverhave.
Harrysmiledgently.Iknowyouwon't.Youneverhave.

Thatmadethemblushinembarrassmentandpride.ItwasobviousthathispraisemeantalottothemandAstraal
smiledatHarrygently.You'llmakeagoodfathersomeday,Harry.

NowitwasHarry'stimetoblushinembarrassment.I'mjusttellingthemthetruth,nothingmore.

Thatonlymadebothyoungergirls'blushesdeepen.Astraalgavethemanamusedlookbeforeturningbackto
Harry.Well,wehavetogoandweleaveforourmissioninthreedaysandIwanttogooverafewthingswith
them.TakecareHarry.

YoutooAstraal.Ohandgirls?Thegirlspausedfrombreakingtheconnectionandgavehimcuriouslooks.
BesuretocallmethroughtheForceifyouneedhelp.NomatterwhereIam,I'llcomeforyou.

Allthreegirlsnoddedinacknowledgementbeforebreakingtheconnection.Harrysatbackwithasighbefore
callingEsmeralda.Itonlytookamomentbutaconnectioneventuallyformedandthecrimsonandattractive
faceofEsmeraldaappeared.Sheseemedasifshejustgotoutoftheshowerbecauseherbluehairwasallwet
andstickingtoherface.However,awideandhappysmilecametoherfaceatthesightofHarry.

Hey,handsome!Youneedsomething?

Harrysmiledathispseudosister.Yea.IneedyouuseourspiestolookupanyinfoonanAilynVel.It'sfora
friendandmakesureit'sdiscreet.Wedon'twanthertoknowwe'relookingforher.It'snothingbadbutwedon't
knowhowshe'llreacttomyfriend'spresence.

Esmeraldafrownedbutnoddedherunderstanding.Okaythen,I'llgetrightonthat.SorryIgottagosoquickbut
I'mreallybusywitheverythingyouleftformetodo.Shegavehimamockglarewhichhejustsmiledat.

Okaythen.Loveyou,Esme.

Esmeraldagavehimasoftsmile.Loveyoutoo,Ry.

Withthat,Harryendedthecall.Harrysighedandstretchedwhentheship'scommactivatedandGuri'svoice
camethroughthespeaker.

Harry,youmightwanttocometotheengineroom.

Harrysighedagainandstoodupaftertellingherhewascoming.Hequicklyjoggedtotheengineroomand
foundGuriandCassiestandingaroundtheactivatedstrangespherethatwasdisplayingamessage.Guriturned
toHarryathisentranceandfrowned.

ThismessageappearedonceCassieinsertedhernecklacepiece.Doyouunderstandit?

Harryturnedandreadthemessagebeingdisplayed:

'FollowthepathoftheDeathlyHallows,First,theWandofDeathwhichiseldest,Second,theCloakof
Invisibilitywhichhidesthestone,Andlast,theStoneofInfinitywhichwillleadthewayHome.'

Harryfrownedatthemessagebutcouldn'tmakeheadsortailsfromitandshookhishead.Nope,sorry.Igot
nothing.ItseemslikeinstructionstowardtheInfinitystoneEmrystoldmeaboutbutIhavenoideahowtoeven
start.

GuriandCassiopeiasighedbeforethelatterspoke.Guesswe'rebacktosquareoneagain.

SintaswasstandinginfrontofhernewFiresprayclassstarship,whichwasthespittingimageofBobaFett's
SlaveIexceptinadarkbluecolor.ItseemsasifKuatSpaceEngineeringhadfinallybecomefinanciallysecure
enoughtobuildthestarshipagainaftertheirlastdisaster.TheyprobablyusedFett'sreputationinordertosellit
anditseemedtobeworking.
IthadbeenthreedayssincehetalkedtohisfamilyandhehadreceivedinformationonAilyn'swhereaboutstwo
daysagofromBreaherselfinperson.Shehadcomealongwithherpersonalbodyguard/bestfriendLancer.
LancerwasaRagithianHumanwhoBreahadmetduringoneofherspyingmissions.Theyhadquicklybecome
friendsandshehadrecruitedhimasherbodyguardandfriendafterthemissionwasover.Harryhadonlymet
himafewtimesbuttheygotalongwellenough.Lancerwasalmost2meterstallandseemedtobebuilt
completelyoutofmuscle.Everyinchofhimwasrippedandthatplusthearmorandthegiantbroadswordonhis
backmadehimanintimidatingsight.
ThetwomadeacontrastingpairwithBreawheninherrealformhavinglongpurplehairandmagentacolored
eyes.Shewasslimbuthadhardmusclewithouttakingfromherfeminineform.Shewasonly1.6meterstalland
waswearingablacktubetopandblackpantsthatcombinedwithherblackeyeshadowmadeherlookquitedark
andintimidating.Sheworehercustomizedblasterpistolsonherhipsandherkatanahorizontallyacrossher
back.Lancerwasheroppositewithhimstandingathisalmost2metertallheightwithsilverhairandblueeyes
whilebeingcoveredinarmor.Hehadalargegraygauntletonhisleftarmthatreachedhiselbowthatincreased
hisalreadyincrediblystrongblows'effectiveness.Hehadsilvershoulderguards,asilverchestpieceandsilver
bootsthatreachedhisknees.Allofthisarmorhaddesignedofbladesetchedintothemwiththeexceptionbeing
hisrightgauntlet.Hisrightgauntletwasserratedandlookedasifheusedtoslashatpeopleinclosecombat.It
probablymadeupforhislargeframebeingunsuitedforhittingsmallerfoesinclosecombatiftheywerefaster
thanhim.Thepartsnotcoveredinarmorwascoveredinacrimsonshirtandblackpants.Hisweaponsofchoice
werehishugetwohandedbroadsword(thathewasstrongenoughtowieldinhisrighthand)anda9118heavy
carbine.Allinall,whentheystoodsidebysidetheylookedlikeamodernrepresentationofbeautyandthe
beast.
Despitethis,theirpersonalitiesoutsideofbattlewerequitedifferentfromwhattheirappearancessuggested.
Lancerwasgentleandkindtoeveryoneheconsideredafriendandgenuinelyhatedfightingalthoughhewas
verygoodatit.Healsohadastrangesenseofhumorthatoftenmanifestedinstrangecommentsthatboth
disturbedandamusedpeople.Meanwhile,Breawasconfrontationalandneverhesitatedfromafightalthough
sheonlyfoughttodefendherfriendsandonHarry'sorders.BreawascompletelyloyaltoHarrywhileLancer
consideredhimafriendbutwasonlycompletelyloyaltoBrea.Breawaswittyandsarcastictoeveryoneand
oftenremarkedthatsheshouldaskforaraise.Theymadeforaninterestingpairandalthoughtherewasno
romancebetweenthem,theyfiteachotherperfectly.
BreahadbroughttheinfotoHarrypersonallysinceshewasintheareaandwantedtoseeHarry.Itseemedthe
prodigaldaughter,Ailyn,thoughtshehadkilledherfatherBobaandhadtakentowearinghisarmorandusing
hisnametogetbetterdealsoncontracts.Ofcourse,theirspiesonlyfigureditoutsincetheyknewforafactthat
BobawasaliveandactingasMandaloresowhensomeoneclaimingtobehimandwearinghisarmorappeared
onCommenor,itwaseasytoconnectthedots.HehadquicklyrelayedtheinformationtoSintasandaftertaking
amomenttocursethegirl'sstupidityfortryingtokillherownfather,hadquicklyasked/demandedforarideto
Commenor.UsedtothewaySintasaskedforfavors,Harryhadagreedandherehewassayinggoodbyeto
Sintas.TheyhadarrivedonCommenortoolatetocatchupwithAilynandSintashaddecidedtocontinueher
huntforherdaughteralonenowthatsheknewshewaspassingherselfasBoba.Allshehadtodowastrackher
sloppytrailsincesheobviouslylackedanyfinesseinsuccessfullyimpersonatingherfather.
NotwantingSintastobewithoutevenashiptohername,HarryhadboughtherthenewFiresprayclassstarship
asasubtledigtoherrelationshipwithFett.TheresultingsmacktothebackofhisheadhadremindedHarrythat
onecouldn'tteaseSintaswithoutconsequences.Brea,Lancer,R3,NakiaandShaewerewaitingforhimonthe
WaywardSonwhileCassiopeia,Guri,FAITHandEthanwereontheHogwartswhichwasparkednearthe
WaywardSon.Everyonehadcomeontheirownshipbuthadpaidforpermanentdockingsincetheyplannedto
gowithHarryfornow.Everyonehaddecidedtocomealongandsaytheirgoodbyesandallthatwasleftwas
Harrytosayhisgoodbyes.
Well,kid,Idon'tknowhowtothankyouforyourhelp.saidSintasgratefully.
Harrywaveditoff.Youwouldhavelandedonyourfeeteitherway.You'retoughasnails.
Sintassmirked.Damnstraight.Buteitherway,ifyoueverneedahand,justcallandI'mthere.
I'llkeepthatinmind.
Aquickhugandhandshakelater,Sintasturnedandgotintohernewship(whichstilldidn'thaveaname)and
blastedoutoftheatmosphere.HarrywatchedtheshipleavebeforeturningtowardtheWaywardSonwhere
everyonewasstandinginfrontof.HehadjuststoppedinfrontofthemandFAITHwasaskinghimsomething
whenithappened.
'Master!''Help,Harry!''MASTER!!!!'
TheForcecallwassostrongthatHarryalmostblackedoutfromtheforceofit.Theaccompanyingemotionsof
fearandpainonlymadeitworseandHarryalmostpassedoutfromtheconfusiontheycausedhim.However,he
managedtostophimselfandquicklystoodupstraightbeforerunningintotheshipwiththeothersfollowing.
OnlyacallfromCassiopeiastoppedhimenoughtoanswer.
Harry!What'swrong?!Icanfeelyourdistress.Whathappened?!calledCassiopeiaassheenteredthecockpit
behindhim.
It'sAstraalandthegirls!Theyneedme!TheycalledmethroughtheForcejustnowand..they'reinPAIN,
Cassie!IhavetogotoUmbaranow!answeredHarrydesperately.
Areyousure?!askedCassiopeiaurgently.
Yes!answeredHarryangrily.
Okay,okay.Justchecking.Butwhatcanwedo?NeithertheWaywardSonortheHogwartsareexactlymade
forassaultingaplanetandyoucan'tgoalone.
HarrywasabouttoarguebeforeNakiacuthimoff.No,beloved.Youarenotgoingaloneunderany
circumstances.Youneedhelpifyouwanttorescuethemandgetoutalive.Howwouldyoulikeitifbyyour
actionsyougotthemkilled?
ThatsoberedHarryupandhethoughtaboutitforaminutebeforedecidingonacourseofaction.Okaythen.
Guri,taketheHogwartstoCoruscantandwarnmyAuntLeiaaboutwhat'shappened.Tellhertostart
assemblingataskforceandI'llsendevidenceifit'snecessary.Myguttellsmethattheentireplanetwilltryto
stopusfromescaping.
CassiopeiaandGurimulleditoverbeforetheformerspoke.Okay,buthowwillsheknowtotrustherword?
TellherIsentyouandasprooftellheraboutthetimeIaccidentlytoreherfavoritedressrightbeforea
diplomaticballwhenIwasjust7.Itwasyellowwithwhitefrills.Afterthat,contactmymomanddadandtell
themthatI'llneedtheirhelpaswell.IftheymanagedtocaptureAstraalandmyapprenticestheymighthave
morehostages.AsvaluableasaJediis,Idoubtthat'llbetheironlyleverage.explainedHarryquicklyashe
enteredthecoordinatesforUmbaraandchartedthequickestcoursetherealthoughtheystillhadn'tevenlifted
offyet.
Understood.GuriturnedaroundandrantowardtheHogwartswhereshequicklyignitedtheenginesand
blastedoutoftheCommenoratmosphereandenteredhyperspace.
Harryturnedtoeveryoneelsewithahardlookinhiseyes.Iseveryonesuretheywanttocomealong?Thisis
yourlastchancetobackout.
Breajustscoffed.I'mcomingandthat'sfinalsoweknowmeandLancerarein.Lancerwon'tletmego
anywherealone.ShesaidthislastpartwithafondandteasingtonethatcausedLancertosmileatherandnod
hisagreement.
Nakianodded.Iwillnotletyougoanywherealone,beloved.I'mcoming.
Cassiopeiaglaredathimwhenheturnedtoher.Youbetternotevenaskthatquestioncousincauseifyoudo
I'mgonnahityousohard....
HarrysmirkedbeforeturningtoEthanwhoshrugged.SoundslikefunsoI'min.Plus,IhavetokeepCassie
herefromgettingyouallkilled.EveryonechuckledatCassiopeia'ssquawkofprotest.
HarryturnedtoShaeandtookouthalfaingotofaurodiumandofferedittoher.Icanofferyouthishalfaingot
ofaurodiumifyoupromisetohelp.Weneedallthehelpwecanget.
Shaeshookherheadinexasperation.Iwouldhavehelpedeitherwaybut...shequicklyswipedtheaurodium
fromhishands.....thisshalldonicelytopayformytime.
Harryonlyrolledhiseyesathergreedandignitedtheengines.Thengetreadyeveryone.Weenterbattlein
threehours.
EndNotes:
AN:Andthere'schapter26!

Hopeyoulikehowthingsaredevelopingandnextchapterisgoingtobeanepic
battletorescueHarry'sapprenticesandAstraal.ThoughIdoubtshe'lllikethe
appearanceofNakiaconsideringwhathappenedbetweenthem.Lol.

IfyouwantabetterimageofhowLancerlooks,justlookupWarfromthegame
Darksiders.Yeah,Idrewmyinspirationforhimfromthatgame.Onlydifferences
arethatLancerhassilverhairandblueeyesandhasnorunesonhisface.His
armoralsohasdesignsofbladesinsteadofskullsandhisswordisbasicallythe
Armageddonbladeonlyabluecolorinsteadofyellow.

Asyounoticed,therealotofOCcharactersintroducedinthischapter.Thisis
becauseI'mstartingtocreateHarry's'team'thatwillbedifferentfromthecanon
storyline.They'llhavetheirownbattlesandbecomeimportantduringthe
upcomingwar.
IalsohavenoideawhysomeplacesareinboldwhenIdidn'tputit.It'snoteven
onlywhenNakiaspeakssoIgotnothing,justignoreit.

Hopeyoulikeandasalways,ReadandReview!
Backtoindex
BattleofUmbarapart1byAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
belongtoGeorgeLucas,thecreatorofStarWars.Nocopyrightinfringementintended
Chapter27
JustoutsidetheGhostNebula
TheWaywardSoncameoutofhyperspacejustoutsidetheGhostNebula.Harryknewbetterthantotry
appearinginsidewheresensorsareweakened,eventheenhancedonesontheSon.Healsoneededtomakesome
modificationsonhisblades.
Umbarawasaworldthatlivedinperpetualtwilightwithaterrainthatwasamixofswampsandstrangejungles.
Fromspace,itwassmokeylightgreencolorwithspotsofblue.Harryhadswitchedouthisduelingsabersextra
crystalsandleftjustthehurrikainecrystalinhisvioletoneandtheDantooinecrystalinhisblueonebefore
addingthebifurcatingcyclicalignitionpulsetothemsotheywouldworkeveniftheyfellintothewaterofthe
swamps.Hehadthefeelinghewouldhavetofightunderwateratsomepoint.Hismainlightsabercouldhavethe
samethingaddedbutitwouldtaketoolongtoadjustitwithoutchangingthecrystalsalreadytheresoHarry
decidedtoleaveitasitwas.
Theotherswerealsogettingreadyfortheupcomingbattleandhadallchosentheirweapons.Nakiahadchosen
tousejustherdarksaberandaDL44blasterpistolthatwasholsteredatherrighthip,althoughHarryhada
feelingshehadafewothersurprisesaswell.BreawaspackingherdualcustomizedDC15ssidearmblasters
whichshehadcustomizedtorechargefastersotherewaslessofawaitingtimetouseitagainwhileitrecharges
aswellasherkatanahorizontallyonherback.HowevershewasalsogoingtouseaDC17mcarbinewhile
carryingitsvariousinterchangeablemodesforanysituation.Lancerwasusinghis1.6meterlongtwohanded
swordaswellashisusual9118heavycarbine,notseeingtheneedtocarryanythingelse.Ethanwasusinghis
lightsaberbutwascarryingseveraltypesofgrenadesjustincase.Cassiopeiahadherfirewhip,cortosisstaffand
aDC17handblasterwhileShaehadtwoWESTAR35blasterpistolsvisiblethoughshehadlotsofnasty
surprisesinherarmor.FAITHwasalsoreadytorumblewithhisusualDXR6heavycarbine,severalhidden
lightsabersandBryarpistolsonhiship.
Everyonewasalsowearingsomeformofarmor.Shae'sarmorlookedlikeafeminineversionofthearmorBoba
Fettalwaysused(andnowAilynVelwasusing)andhadallthesamemodificationsonlyitwasmostlyagray
color,wastightertothebodyandhadablackflightsuitunderneath.Cassiopeiawaswearinghermodifiedarmor
andonceagainforcedHarrytoweartheARCtrooperarmorwhichHarryhadgivenemeraldaccents,finally
admittinghewouldprobablybeforcedtowearituntilhebuilthisown.Ethanwaswearingthesamearmor
HarryhadseenhimwearwhenhemetandhehadexplaineditwasmadeofduraarmormuchlikeNakia's
armor.Nakiahadchangedintoatightfittingblackflightsuitwithanarmorchestpiecethatlookedmuchlikea
corsetonlymadeofduraarmor.LancerstayedwithhisusualarmorwhileBreahadchosentowearathick
armlessvestthatwasopenandsinceshewasn'twearinganythingunderneath,shewasshowingoffhercleavage
andonlythethinstringholdingittogetherkeptherfrombearingherassets.Shewasalsowearingblackwith
plentyofpocketsforvariousobjectsshehaddeniedanyarmorsinceshewasflexibleandagileenoughtododge
ablasterboltratherthantrytotakeitonherarmor.ThatwasLancer'sjobsincehisarmorwasmadeof
Mandalorianiron.WhenShaeaskedhowthegotaccesstothatmuchMandalorianiron,hejustsmiledand
Mandalorianiron.WhenShaeaskedhowthegotaccesstothatmuchMandalorianiron,hejustsmiledand
shruggedwithoutanswering.
Aftertheywerealldone,HarrytookadeepbreathandslowlyledtheWaywardSonintotheNebulawhile
activatingtheship'scloaking.Hewantedtojustchargeinlightsabersblazingbutherealizedthatthatwasstupid
andcouldgetAstraalandhisapprenticeskilled.However,hedoubtedhewouldbeabletostayincognitofor
long,hejustwasn'tmadeforstealth.'NeitherisLancer,'thoughHarryamusedlyashethoughtofthehugeman.
FAITHturnedtoHarry.Query:WhyhavewecomeandmadeourselvesvulnerableMaster?
TheotherswerewaitinginthecargoareaandHarrywasaloneinthecockpitwithFAITHandR3.Harry
frownedatFAITH'sstatement.Whatareyoutalkingabout,FAITH?
Statement:Anytimeyouinconvenienceorjeopardizeyourselfforanother,isavulnerability.Inanyevent,I
feelcompelledtopointoutthatyourselfdestructivepathofrecklessnessandsacrificewillonlyleadtoyour
doom.Thatmaybeatriflemelodramatic,butfrankly,itissomethingthatallJedishouldhear,andIhavebeen
rehearsingthespeechforsometime.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutchuckleatFAITH'sfrankstatement.Whiletruefromalogicalpointofview,thisonly
illustratedthedifferencebetweenorganicsandmostdroids.Theabilitytoloveandsacrificeforothersbased
solelyonouremotions.
Youwouldn'tunderstandFAITHbutdon'tworry.Ihavenoplansondyingandyou'llevenhaveabitoffunif
everythinggoesaccordingtoplan.
Commentary:Promises,promises.
TheycontinuedtopilotinsilenceandHarryeventuallyspottedhisprey.ItwasaIPV1SystemPatrolCraftand
Harrycouldsenseitwasonlylightlymannedwiththeminimumcrewnecessarysothatmeanttherewasnoone
onsensorssincetheyprobablythoughttheyweresafeinsidetheirownsystem.Harryfollowedthepatrolship
fromadistanceasitenteredUmbara'satmosphere,makingsuretohavetheship'scloakingshieldon.Following
hisgut,Harrydecidedtocontinuetofollowtheshipinsteadofbreakingoffandlandingsomewherecloseto
wherehesensedAstraalandhisapprentices.Hisinstinctseventuallypaidoffashesawsomethingthatcaused
hishearttoskipabeatwhenthepatrolcraftreachedthesurface.
Afleet.AfreakingMASSIVEfleetofwarshipsofallkindswashiddenfromconventionalsensorsbythefact
thattheywereinahiddenunderwaterhangarlocatedinalargeswamp.Harrycouldonlyseethembecausethe
thehiddenhangardoorshadopenedtoacceptthepatrolship'slanding.Realizingthiswashischance,Harry
usedtheSon'srecordingdevicestorecordnotonlythefleet'shiddenhangarlocationbutthesizeofthefleet
whichobviouslypointedtothefactthattheyweregoingtodomorethanjustsecuretheirsector.
'Thatlooksbigenoughtobebothasectorfleetandainvasionforce,'thoughtHarrygrimly.Atleastheknew
whatAstraalmusthavediscoveredfortheUmbaranstorisktakingthemhostage.Thingshadchangedandatask
forcemightnotbeenoughiftheentirefleetcameouttofacethem.Heneededtosabotageasmanyofthelarger
capitalshipsaspossible.ThisiswhereR3andFAITH'sholoprojectorcamein.
HarryturnedtoR3whowasstandingbehindhim.R3,IknowthisisdangerousbutoncewelandI'mgoingto
sneakyouintothathangarandIneedyoutodiscreetlysabotageasmanyasthelargercapitalshipsaspossible.
FAITHwillhideasoneofthehigherrankedUmbaransandactasyourbodyguard.Ifyou'rediscovered,
however,hereHarryturnedtoFAITHwithahardlookinhiseyes,killasmanyaspossiblewhileescaping
backtotheshipandgetoutofhere.I'llcontactyouifIneedevac.
Statement:Understood,Master.Commentary:Oh,Ican'twaitforthecarnagetobegin!
HarryrolledhiseyesatFAITH'spsychotictendenciesandonceherecordedasmuchashecouldoncethe
HarryrolledhiseyesatFAITH'spsychotictendenciesandonceherecordedasmuchashecouldoncethe
hangarhiditselffromviewagain,hesilentlylandedtheshipinanopenareaclosetothehiddenhangarbutfar
enoughnottobefound.Justincase,Harrykeptthecloakupuntilheconfirmedtherewerenolifesignsnearby.
HethenopenedasecurebursttransmissiontoAuntLeia'sprivatelineandsenthertherecordingoftheUmbaran
fleetaswellastheinformationthattheyhadthreeJedihostage.ThatshouldlightafewfiresundertheSenate's
feetsotheycouldquicklyapprovethetaskforcetodisabletheUmbaranfleetbeforeitcouldbecomeathreat.
Harrygatheredeveryoneoutsideoftheshipbeforespeaking.Okay,there'sahiddenhangarbaseunderthelarge
swampnotfarfromherewithamassivefleetbigenoughtonotonlyrepelanyattackbutinvadeother
neighboringsystems.Seeingaswecan'texactlylettheenemylaunchthefleetorthey'lldecimatetheincoming
taskforce,weneedtomakeateamtosabotagethem.
Breasteppedforward.Thatsoundslikemyareaofexpertise.
Harrysmirkedslightly.UsuallyIwouldagreebuttheproblemisthattheenemyisprobablymadeup
completelyofUmbarans.There'snowayyoucouldpassasoneonsuchshortnotice.Therefore,thesabotage
teamwillbemadeupifFAITH,whocanusehishologramprojectortopassofasanUmbaransuperiorofficer
andR3.Harryturnedtothetwoinquestion.FAITH,it'llbeyourjobtoguideR3toasmanycapitalships
enginesaspossiblesoR3couldsabotagethem.Beforethat,however,youaretohackintothesystemandsend
usthebaseschematicssoweknowwheretogo.Whenthetaskforcearrivesanditbecomesimpossibleto
continuesabotage,youarehackintothecentralsecuritysystem,downloadthedesignsforeveryshipandproject
goingonbeforeleavingbacktotheship.Ifpossible,R3istopilottheshipbackintothetaskforce'sflagship
whileyoustaybehindandhelpthelandinggroundforcesinvadetheUmbaranbases,understand?
Query:IsthereanylimitationsastowhatI'mauthorizedtodo?
Harryshookhishead.OncestealthbecomesuntenablethepriorityistodefendR3untilhecanpilottheship
outoftheatmosphere,atwhichtimetheglovescomeoffandyouareauthorizedtouselethalforceagainstthe
enemy.Thegoalistoleadtheincomingfriendlygroundforcesintothehiddenhangarbase.Understand?
Statement:Indeed,master.JoyousExclamation:Ishallburnholesthrougheveryoneofyourenemymeatbags
master!
Breafrownedinthought.HowcanR3pilottheshipoutofthesystemandintothetaskforce'sflagship?
Astromechscan'tdothat.
Harrynodded.YeahbutIhaveapilotdroidreadyforoperationinthecargobayforjustsuchanoccasion.All
R3hastodoisturnitonandit'llpilottheshiptowardanywhereR3orderssinceit'sbeenprogrammedtoobey
hiscommands.
Breanoddedandsteppedback.
Harrylookedaroundbeforecontinuing.Okay,everyoneistoputontheirhelmetorarebreathersincewe'll
havetoswimintothebase.I'lluseaForcebubbletoleadR3andFAITHintothebasewithoutgettingdirtyand
arousingsuspicionwhenthey'resabotagingtheships.Let'smoveout!
Thegroupof9lefttheclearingtheshipwasparkedoncetheycheckedtheywereallfullyarmed(Harryoptedto
onlytakehismother'swandinhiswristholster,hisnowwaterprooflightsabersandhismainlightsaber)and
headedtowardthehiddenhangar.R3gaveamournfulwhistleatthesightofthefilthywaterandCassiopeia
groaned.
It'lltakeforevertogetthemuckoffmyarmorafterthis.
Harryjustgaveherasolemnlook.Hopefully,you'llliveandbeabletocleanoffthemuckyourself.
Withthatsoberingthought,HarryplacedhisARCtrooperhelmeton,gladthatitwascalibratedtohaveitsown
airsupplysohecouldsealitofffromtheoutsidebeforehesurroundedFAITHandR3inaForcebubbleandled
thegroupintothewater.Harryandthegroupswamtowardswheretheysawthelightsofthehiddenhangar
glowing,allthewhilekeepingtheirsensesonfullalertforanysignstheyweredetectedorhostilefauna.Harry
eventuallyfoundanairlockand,aftersensingtherewerenoguardsnearby,forciblyopeneditandledR3and
FAITHinsidewiththeothersfollowingrightbehind.Theairlockdrainedoutthewaterandonceitwasdone,
openeditselfintoacorridornearthehangar.Thegroupcameoutoftheairlockandgatheredinfrontofitasthey
cleanedthemselvesofmudasbestaspossible.
KnowingheneededasuperiorofficerforFAITHtoimpersonate,Harrysneakedtowardwherehesensedsome
livingpresencesandlookedaroundthecorner.LuckwaswithhimbecausehesawwhatlookedlikeaCaptain
standingwithafewsoldiers.ThesoldierswerearmoredinthenormalUmbaranarmorofblackarmorweavethat
coveredtheentirebodyplusawhitechestpieceandwhitekneehighbootsthatlookedsimilartostormtrooper
armor.Theywerealsowearingsealedhelmetscontainingatypeofgas,thoughHarryhadtowonderwhatthe
gaswasorwhytheyworethemwhenheknewforafactthatitwasn'tnecessaryfortheirsurvival,aswellas
whitearmoredgloves.TheywereallholdingtheUmbaranblasterriflewhichlookedlikeaveryfuturistic
versionofanormalblasterrifle.TheCaptainwasrecognizablebytheredstripesdenotinghisrankonhischest
armor.
Knowingthatspeedwasnecessary,Harrysubtlymanipulatedthemindsofthesoldierssotheirsenseswere
impaired.Withgreatspeed,Harryattacked,knockingoutthe5soldiersandtheCaptainbeforetheyhadthe
chancetosoundthealarm.HarrycalledFAITHoverandtoldhimtoimpersonatetheunconsciousCaptain
whichFAITHdideasilyenough.Afterhidingthebodiesandmakingsuretheywouldn'twakeupforafewhours
atleast,HarrysaidhisgoodbyestoFAITHandR3andmetupwiththeothersagainbeforeleadingthemdown
anothercorridorthatledthemdeeperintothefacility.
Harry'sgrouprandowntheunderwatercorridors,tryingtomaintainstealthforaslongaspossibleastheyran
towardwhereHarrysensedthegirlswerebeingheld.Theconstantburstsofpainsentthroughthebondbetween
themtoldhimtheywerealivebutwereprobablybeingtortured.Hesentreassuringwavesofcalmdownthe
bond,tellingthemhewasontheway.Hepreparedhimself,knowingthathewouldprobablyfaceSlyMooreat
somepointandshewastrainedbyPalpatinehimselfsoshecouldn'tbeunderestimated.Suddenly,aloudspeaker
sounded,stoppingHarryinhistracks.
Iknowyou'rethere,littleJedi.I'vegotyourfriendshere.Youwereevenkindenoughtobringfriendstothe
party.Well,comeandgetthem....ifyoucan.saidthemockingvoiceofwhatcouldonlybeSlyMoore.
Harry'seyesnarrowedasdozensofUmbarantroopersjoggedtowardthegroupfrombothsidesofthecorridor.
Knowinghecouldn'tusemostofhisForcepowershereduetothedangerofbreakingthewallsseparatinghim
fromawateryend,Harrydashedtowardthetroopersinfront,NakiaandCassiefollowingwhileLancerand
EthanattackedtheonesbehindhimandShaeandBreashotthemusingtheirblasters.
Harry'slightsabersweremovingsoquicklyblockingtheblasterfirecomingfrominfrontofhimthatitalmost
seemedasiftherewasablueandvioletspheresurroundinghimattimes.NakiaandCassiedidn'tevenhaveto
worryaboutdodgingtheshotssinceHarrywasalreadydeflectingthem.Despitethis,therewerealmost15
soldiersandafewshotsweregettingthroughwhichHarrywasforcedtododgeorabsorb.Heeventuallyreached
theenemiesinfrontandallthreeofthemengagedfiveenemieseach.Ontheothersideofthecorridor,Lancer
wasforcedtousehisphysicalstrengthandblasterrifletokillhisenemiessincetherewasn'tenoughspaceinthe
corridortousehisswordtomaximumeffect.Healsocouldn'tswingitwithoutmistakenlyhittingEthan.
However,thiswasn'tmuchofaproblemsinceheusedhisarmortoblocktheblasterboltsthathecouldn'tdodge
andhewasphysicallystrongenoughtoliterallycrushtheirskullsinifhewanted.Asitwas,hispuncheswere
strongenoughtoknockthemunconsciousifhehitthemdirectlyathalfstrength.
BackwithHarry,Harryfeltbadaboutkillingthemwhentheywereprobablyjustfollowingordersbuthe
couldn'triskthemattackingthemfrombehindandoverwhelmingthem.Hecouldalreadyfeelthepainthegirls
werefeelingwasgettingworseandTahiriespeciallyseemedtobeclosetopassingout.Hedidn'twantto
imaginewhatwouldhappenifsheactuallypassedout.
Harrydashedaroundhisenemiessoquicklythatheseemedlikeablur,allthewhiledisarmingandkilling
enemytroopers.Hetriedtokeepthedeathstoaminimumbutafterthefirstonesheknockedoutcamebackto
attackhimfrombehindwithelectrostaffs,heproceededtocutofftheirweaponhandsatveryleast.Inonlya
minute,alltheirenemieslieddeadorunconsciousandtherestofthegrouphadcaughtuptowhereHarrywas
standing.Withanod,Harryledthegroupofseventhroughthecorridorandthroughadoorattheend.
Thegroupcameoutonawalkwayoverlookingagiantwaterfallcityandonlytheceilingofrockremindedthem
thattheywereunderground.Thereweregiantcircularbuildingsmadefromgraydurasteelandclear
transparisteelhangingahundredfeetfromthefloorwhichwasagiantlakeofclearwaterthatwassodeepHarry
couldn'tseethebottom.Thebuildingshadlargepolesmadeoftransparisteelanddurasteelcomingfromthe
bottomandtop,thereforehavingtwosupportpillarsincaseonefailed.Somepillarshadtwoorthreebuildings
onasinglepillarandHarryguessedthatthepillarsdoubledasturboliftsbothtowardthesurfaceanddownward
towardthelowerbuildings.Harrybrieflywonderedifperhapstheywentdownfurtherintothelakeandifthere
wasanotherhiddenbaseunderwaterbeforeshakingitoffasnotrelevant.Thebuildingsnotonthesamepillar
wereinterconnectedthroughgiantmetalbridgesthatseemedtoactivateanddeactivatethroughtheuseofpanels
attheendofeachbridge.Whennotinuse,thebridgesseemedtoretractuntilthenextpersonactivatedthe
bridgeagain.Thiswasprobablydonesothatifonebuildingfell,itwouldn'ttaketheonesconnectedtoitvia
bridge.HarrysuspectedthattheUmbaranslivinghereprobablyarrangedaccidentsinthesupportpillars'
structuralintegritysoastomoveupclasses.Thatwasprobablywhytherewereguardsontheroofofeach
building.Harrydidn'tdoubttherewerelaserturretsbeneatheachbuildingtoprotectthebottompillaraswell.
Therewasalsoagiantwaterfallonthefarwall,almostathousandyardsawaywithaseeminglypermanent
bridgeextendingfromthebiggestbuildingatthehighestlevelintothemouthofthecavewherethewaterfall
cameout.HarrycouldsensethatAstraalandthegirlsForcepresencewascomingfurtherdownthatcave
entranceandhelookedtoseehowtoreachit.Thebuildingsseemedtobeindifferentcolorsandsomewerein
higherlevelsthatothers,probabledenotingnotonlythatbuildingsimportancebutalsotheclassofthepeople
whoeitherworkedorlivedthere.Harrycouldseealotofarmedguardsrunningaroundthesecondlargest
buildingnearthetoplevelandguesseditwasthecentralsecuritybuilding.Therewasalsoawhitebuilding
fartherawayandinalowerlevelwhichmustbethehospital.Thehospitalwasconnectedtothecentralsecurity
buildingwhichseemedtohaveabridgethatextendedtothelargestbuildingwhichwasagarrishyellowcolor
andwashigherthanalltheothers.Probablythebuildingwherethehighestclasslivedandworked.Intotal,there
weresixlevelsifyoucountedthegroundlevelasthefirstlevel.
Suddenly,theloudspeakersactivatedandMoore'svoicesounded.
INTRUDERALERT!WehaveJediintruderscomingfromthehangarcorridor!Killonsight,repeatkillon
sight!
Harrycursedashundredsofsoldierscameoutofthemainsecuritybuildingandstarttotakedozensofpaths
towardtheirposition.Luckilytheyweretoofarforanyshotstocomeclosetoeventhinkofhittingofhimand
thisalsoallowedHarrytoseethebestandeasiestpathtowardhisdestination.
Shaestartedtogetnervousasshefingeredherpistols.Harry?Ideas?
Harryshookhishead.Letmethink.
Unfortunately,Harryquicklyrealizedthatthebestpathwasalsothemostconvolutedandhadthemost
probabilityofbeingoverrun.Itseemedasifonehadtousetheturboliftstogettohispositionwhichwasonthe
samelevelasthecentralsecuritybuilding.Afterdecidingonapathtotake,Harryledthegrouptowardthe
turboliftattheendofthewalkway,deflectingblasterboltsfromthesecurityguardscloseenoughtofireonhim.
Unfortunately,itseemedasifthewalkwaysweremadeofextremelystrongmaterialbecausetheguardsno
longerhadanyqualmsaboutfiringgrenadesathim.HarryandEthanwereforcedtousetheForcetomakethe
grenadesmissoreventhrowthembackatthemwhiletherestofthegroupcrowdedintotheturbolift.Harryand
EthanenteredtheturboliftlastandHarrypressedthebuttonforthegroundlevelwheretheywouldbeforcedto
EthanenteredtheturboliftlastandHarrypressedthebuttonforthegroundlevelwheretheywouldbeforcedto
fighttheirwaybacktothetoplevel.
Thetransparisteelturboliftdooropenedtothesightof5squadsofUmbaransoldiers.Harryquicklydeflected
mostoftheshotsbacktowardtheirsenderswithhisvioletandbluelightsaberswhiletheothersgotoutofthe
turboliftandattackedtheenemy.Shaeusedherjetpacktogreateffecttoattackthemfromabovewhiledodging
theirshots.CassiopeiagaveShaesupportbyusingherfirewhiptoattackanyenemieswhogotcloseenoughto
attackShaedirectly.Lancersimplydrewhismassive1.7meterbroadswordandcutthroughUmbaransoldiers
likeahotknifethroughbutterwhileBreabackedhimupwithherDC17mingrenadelaunchermode,hisarmor
strongenoughthatshecouldfiregrenadesclosetohimwithouthurtinghim.NakiakeptclosetoHarryasthey
weavedthroughthesquadsusingtheirdarksaberandlightsabersrespectivelywhileEthanusedtheForcetoblast
theenemiesintothewater.Theyweredonewiththeenemywithinaminuteandcontinuedontheirway.
Thebottomlevelwasanunstablemetalsurfaceofconnectedmetalplatesfloatingoverthelakesurface.Every
timeHarrytookastep,themetalwouldsinkslightlyintothelake.Harryguessedtherewasalimittohowmany
peoplecouldstandonanygivenmetalplateatatimebeforetheentireplatewouldstarttosink.'Yetanotherway
theycouldarrangeaccidents,'thoughtHarrysarcastically.
Thegroupcrossedeachplateingroupsoftwoatatimesothemetalplateswouldn'tsink(withtheexceptionof
Lancerwhohadtostandonanygivenplatealoneduetohissize).
Astheywerehalfwaytothenextturbolift,Mooresuddenlyspokeovertheloudspeakerinaconciliatorytone.
Perhapswegotoffonthewrongfoot.IamSlyMoore,SupremeRuleroftheUmbaranPeople.Perhapswe
shouldtalkfirst?Loweryourweaponsandgivethemtotheguardsandthey'llleadyoutome.
Harryjustsnortedatherpreposterousstatement.I'msuretheywill.Rightaftertheyputastunboltbetweenmy
eyes.WasthathowyoucapturedmyfellowKnightandmyapprentices?
Moore'svoicebecameamused.Notexactly.TheyputonabitofafightwhenIinsistedtheybe....
reprogrammedwhentheydiscoveredthefleetinthehiddenhangaraswellasthiscity.Buttheywereovercome
intheendthankstomy....friendsandsowillallofyou.Soplease,saveusthetroubleandjustsurrender.
Harryjustglaredatthenearestloudspeaker.InyourdreamsyouoldandrottenPalpatinewhore.
Harrycouldalmostsenseherrageathisinsultandhervoicesoundedstrained.Onyourheadbeitthen.
Suddenly,sixsmallerpillarsroseafewfeetoutofthewaterandthetoppartopenedrevealingUmbarans
controllinglaserturrets.
Sithspit!cursedHarryasthegroupscattered.
Astheturretsopenedfire,Cassiopeiasarcasticallyspokeasshedodgedtheturretsbarrage.Youjusthadto
insulther,didn'tyouHarry?
Theonlyonewhodidn'tdodgewasLancerwhosimplyaimedhis9118heavycarbineatthenearestturretand
letlooseabarrageofblasterboltsthatdestroyedwithinaminute.Hethenjumpedontothepillarthatheldthe
turretandpulledtheremainsofthepillarbeforethrowingitatthenearestturretwhichdestroyeditaswell.
Meanwhile,therewas4turretsleftandtheothersweredestroyingthemintheirownway.Shaehadusedher
jetpackandwasdodgingoneturret'sfirewhileshootingattheoperatorwhileBreausedhergrenadelauncher
modetogoodeffectanddestroyedanother.Thegoodthingsaboutturretslikethesewasthatthesmallerand
furtherthetarget,thelessreliablethetargetingsystemwas.Harrycouldn'thopetodeflecttheoverwhelming
barrageofblasterboltsfromtheturretssoheusedtheForcetocrushthebarreloftheclosestturret,causingitto
backfireandexplode.EthanandCassiopeiaworkedtogethertousetheForcetocompletelycrushthelastturret
backfireandexplode.EthanandCassiopeiaworkedtogethertousetheForcetocompletelycrushthelastturret
whileNakiakeptitbusybysendingshootingatitwithherblasterpistolanddodgingitsfire.
Suddenly,twomoreturretscameoutofthewaterjustasthreesquadsofUmbaransoldiersaswellasa4strange
UmbaransinredarmorsimilartoRoyalGuardarmoronlynotasbulkybutwiththesamegasfilledhelmetas
normalUmbaransoldierscameoutoftheturboliftthegroupwastryingtoreach.Theredarmoredguardsletout
afeelingintheForcesimilartotheDarkJedioftheShadowAcademybutmuchdarkerandmorerefinedifit
waspossible.ThegroupengagedthenewestthreatasHarryusedtheForcetocrushthenearestturret,ripitout
ofthepillarandthrowittowardthesquadofUmabransoldiers,causingthemtoscatter.However,theywereall
surprisedwhenoneredarmoredUmbaransimplyliftedhishandandstoppedthewreckageinmidairbefore
sendingitbackatthem.EveryoneexceptLancerscatteredwhileLancersimplystoppedthewreckageusing
sheerstrengthaloneandtosseditaside.
RealizingthedangerofthesestrangeUmbaransaswellastheprobablereasonhewasinarmorsimilartothe
ForcesensitiveRoyalGuard,Harryspoke.ThesenewguysaretrainedinusingtheForce!Don'tunderestimate
them!Hethendashedofftotheclosestonewhichwassurroundedby4Umbaransoldiers.
TheredarmoredUmbaran,whichHarrymentallycalledtheSithUmbaran,triedtobackpedalbutHarrypressed
theadvantagewhiledeflectingtheshotsfromthesoldiers.TheUmbaransentastrongForcepushtowardHarry
thathewasforcedtoweather,beingtooclosetododge,andtheUmbaranfinallygotenoughdistancetostart
levitatingthewreckagefromthedestroyedturretstoattackhimfromlongrange.
Meanwhile,LancerwasgettingfrustratedashisSithUmbarankeptdodginghisswingsuntilhefinallyhad
enoughandsentatremorthroughthemetalplatehewasstandingon.ThiscausedtheSithUmbarantobecome
unbalancedenoughforLancertograbhisheadbeforeslamminghimintothenearestwall,crushinghisskulland
killinghiminstantly.Nakiahadengagedanotherandhadeasilykilledtheclosestsoldiersbeforeoverpowering
theSithUmbaran'sForcepushwithherownandcuttinghiminhalf.Shaeattackedthelastfromtheairwhile
EthanandCassiopeiakepthimbusyinclosecombatandBreakilledtheremainingsoldiers.Shaefinallygot
tiredofhisdodgingandsignaledEthanandCassiopeiatogetbackbeforeshootingarocketathim.TheSith
UmbarancaughtitwiththeForcebutShaewasexpectingthatandshittherocketinmidairasithoveredin
frontofthehim,causingittoexplodeinhisfaceandkillhim.
Meanwhile,HarryfinallyhadenoughandchargedapowerfulForcepushthatoverpoweredtheSithUmbaran's
beforedashingintohispersonalspaceandcuttinghiminhalfatthewaist.Seeingthatalloftheenemywas
dead,Harryledthegroupintotheturboliftandpressedthebuttonforthenextlevel.
BackonCoruscant,LeiawasgettingincreasinglyagitatedasFey'lyadraggedhisfeetinallowingthetaskforce
theclearancetomoveout.
LeiahadbeensurprisedwhenaveryfamiliarblondewomanknockedonherdoortellingherHarryneededher
tomusterupataskforcetoattackUmbarawhilehewouldberescuingAstraalandhisapprentices.Naturally,
LeiahadbeenskepticaluntilGurirepeatedwhatHarryhadtoldher.Onlypeopleinherfamilyhadknownabout
thatincidentandtherewasnowayshewouldknowunlesshetoldher.LeiawastednotimecontactingWedge
andTychosotheycouldtemporarilycomeoutofretirementtohelprescuehernephewandhisapprentices.
Theypromisedtomusterupadecentsizedtaskforcewithinthreehours,givingHarrytimetosendherthe
promisedevidenceandLeiatogetclearancefromtheSenate.
TheevidencehadarrivedanhourlaterwhileGurireintroducedherselftoherandexplainedshewasnowHarry's
cousin'scaretakeraftercontactingLukeandMaraatthePraxeum.LukeandMaraconfirmedHarryhavinga
cousinandGuri'sinvolvement,clearingherofanyremainingdoubt.Gurihadthenbeenforcedtoexplainhow
CassiopeiaandHarrymet.LeiahadnotbeenamusedtoknowCassiopeiahadattackedtheboysheconsidereda
nephew(andhopefully,futuresoninlaw)buthadrestrainedherselftoonlyfirmlytellinghertocontrol
Cassiopeiabetterandforhernottodoitagain.UnsaidbutunderstoodbyGuriwasthatifshedid,cousinornot
thenexttaskforceLeiamusteredwouldbetohuntCassiopeiadown.Leiawasveryprotectiveofherfamilyand
especiallyoftheorphanboyshetookinasoneofherown.Inhereyes,Harrywouldalwaysbethatpoorlittle
orphanboywitheyesolderthanhisphysicalagethatlookedatherwithadorationandlovewhenshetoldhimto
orphanboywitheyesolderthanhisphysicalagethatlookedatherwithadorationandlovewhenshetoldhimto
considerhimhisAuntLeia.
LeiahadstillbeentensearoundGuriuntilthelatterassuredherthatherassassinationprotocolshadbeendeleted
andthateitherway,shewouldneverattackhersinceshewasHarry'sauntandsheconsideredHarryafriend.
ThathadcalmedLeiasomewhatsincesherememberedthatGurineversaidanythingshedidn'tmean.Luke,
MaraandHan,whohadbeenatthePraxeumvisitingatthetime,hadbeenworried(orfranticinMara'scase)
whentheyweretoldaboutthecircumstancesandquicklypromisedatleastasingleJediledsquadrontothetask
force.KypwastoofarawayforhissquadrontogetthereintimetohelpbutsinceLukewasgoingtobeleading
thesquadronpersonally,Leiaknewthatthatsquadronwouldbeworthmorethantenothers.Leiahadassured
Marashewouldgetthepermissionforthetaskforceassoonaspossible.
ItwasbecauseofthisthatLeiawasclosetorippingoutFey'lya'sbeardasheusedexcuseafterexcusetodragit
outasmuchaspossible.TheywerestandingbeforetheSenatediscussinggivingauthorizationforthetaskforce.
HoweveritwaswhenhesuggestedsendinganotherdiplomaticpartytosettleitpeacefullythatLeiasnapped.
Leiagavehimhisbestglarethatshuthimuponthespotbeforesheactivatedherpod'sspeakerandspoke.This
isnotsomeminormisunderstanding,ChiefFey'lya.Wehaveevidencethattheyhavebeenbuildingamassive
fleetforsometimenowandIsincerelydoubttheInterdictorsandthelikearefordefensivepurposes.Thisis
obviouslyaninvasionforceandI,forone,amnotwillingtoriskanotherdrawnoutwarwhenwecanact
decisivelynowwhentheydon'texpectitanddisarmthembeforeitgetsoutofhand!Thefactthatthey've
illegallydetainedthreeofourJediwithoutevenalertingushasshownthattheyhavenogoodintentions
planned.Iwonderwhyyouseemsounwillingtotakedecisiveactionwhenallevidencepointstoanenemy
closeenoughtoattackCoruscantdirectlywithaninvasionfleeteitherclosetocompletionoralready
completed.
Fey'lyaflushedastheSenatorstalkedaboutthethinlyveiledaccusationagainsthim.Leiahadneverbeenso
directbutthenagain,oneofherchildrenhadneverbeeninsuchdangerbeforeandshewouldbedamnedifshe
wouldletthispoliticalgamecausethedeathofoneofherown.
RealizingthathewaslosingcontroloftheSenate'ssupportandthatmostwereinfavorofsendingthetask
force,Fey'lyaassentedtotheinevitable.Verywell,SenatorOrgana.Youhavepermissiontoassemblethetask
forceandleaveimmediatelytoUmbara.Iwarnyouthoughthatthemission'sresultswillreflectonyou.
ThethinlyveiledthreatwasunderstoodbyLeiabutshehadfullconfidencebothinherfriends'leadershipskills
andinHarry'sinstincts.Hewouldn'thaveaskedforataskforceifhedidn'tthinkitwasnecessary.Leianodded
herheadinacceptancebeforeturningandleavingtheSenatefloorandmetGuriinthehallway.
GurihadaworriedlookonherfaceandspokethemomentLeiaenteredthehallway.Whathavetheydecided?
Leiasmiled.WehavepermissionsosendTychothemessagethathe'scleartogo.
Gurismiledsincerely.Verywell,we'llbegoingaswell,correct?
Leianodded.Ofcourse.We'lltakeyourshipsinceit'squiteabitfasterthanwaitingtorentaship.Hanisatthe
AcademywithLukeandMarasowecan'twaitforhim.
Gurinoddedandthepairofwomenrushedtowardtheshiptohelptheirmutualfamilymembers.
LeiaclenchedthelightsaberhiddenunderherrobesandrememberedwhenHarryconvincedhertostartusing
theForce.
Flashback(fiveyearsago,Harry'sage:11)
HarrywasspendingtimewithhisAuntLeiawhilethetwinsandAnakinwereoffwithHanworkingonthe
HarrywasspendingtimewithhisAuntLeiawhilethetwinsandAnakinwereoffwithHanworkingonthe
Falcon.Theywerecurrentlywatchingaholofilminvolvingamanwhoinheritedtelekineticpowersfromhis
fatherbutrefusedtousethemduetotheirassociationwithhisfather,whohehated.Themanlatermetawoman
andfellinlovewithherbutthemanwasbeingchasedbypeoplewhowantedhimtoexperimentonhim.
Eventually,hewasfoundandtheywerecurrentlywatchingthepartwherethewomanheloveddiesandhe
explodesinragebeforegoingonarevengespreeagainsthermurderers.HarrywassnuggledagainstLeiawho
hadanarmaroundhimwhenhesnorted.Leialookeddownathimandcockedaneyebrow.
What'ssofunny?askedLeiaincredulously.
Harryshookhishead.Notfunny.Ijustfinditironicthatheblamestheothersforherdeathwhenit'spartially
hisfault.
Leialookedshocked.Forwhatreason?It'snothisfaulttheywerechasingafterhim.
Harrynoddedhisheadinagreement.True,butitispartiallyhisfaultshedied.
Why?askedanincredulousLeia.
Becausehedidn'tusehispowerstotryandprotecther.
Leialookedconfusedandabitindignant.Whyshouldheusethosepowersifhedidn'twantto?
Harrycockedaneyebrowather,ahabithehadpickedupfromherandMara.Well,isn'theusingthemnow?
Leiaturnedbacktothefilmandindeed,themanwasusinghispowerstotakethecompanyapart.Leiafrowned
andturnedbacktoHarry.So?
Harrysighed.Soooo....isn'titbettertousethosepowerstoprotecttheonesyouloveratherthanlatertake
revengewhentheydie?Ifhehadusedhispowerstoprotectthemselves,maybeshewouldn'thavedied.
Maybeshewouldhavediedanyway,counteredLeia.
Harrynodded,concedingthepoint.Maybeshewouldhave.Butatleastthenhewouldknowheused
everythingavailabletohimtopreventit.Asitisnow,he'susingthosepowersforthesameexactreasonhe
sworenevertousethem.Totakelives.Ifyouhavepower,youshouldn'tletfearofitpreventyoufromusingto
defendthoseyoulove.Becauseifyoudo,youmightendupregrettingit.
Leiawassilentandturnedbacktothemovie,watchingastheprotagonistkilleddozensofenemies,actingevery
bitthemonsterhealwaysfearedhewouldbecome.ButLeiacouldalsoseethepaininhiseyes.Theguiltthatit
washisfaultfornotusinghispowerstodefendherandLeiacouldn'thelpbutimagineherselfinhisposition.
Wouldsomethingsimilarhappentohersomeday?Wouldshebeforcedtowatchoneofherpreciouschildrendie
becauseshehadnevertrainedherForcepowersenoughtodefendthem?Achillwentdownherspineattheidea
ofanyofherpreciouschildrendyinginfrontofher.SheunconsciouslyhuggedHarrytighterassheincluded
himfirmlyintheherchildrencategoryandtheideaofHarry,Jacen,JainaorAnakindyingbecauseshe
wasn'ttrainedinherForcepowersterrifiedhermorethanshecouldconsciouslycomprehend.
LeiasmileddownatHarryashewatchedthefilm.How'dyougetsosmart?
HarrysmiledupatLeiawithhisemeraldeyessparkling.CauseIhavetwosmartmothers.
Leia'sheartwarmedathiscallingherhismotherandplacedakissonhisheadastheysettleddowntowatch
therestofthemovie.LeiamadeasilentpromisetopracticewithherForcepowersfromnowonsoher
children'sfatedidn'tbecomethewoman'sfate.
Flashbackend
Lukehadbeenecstaticwhenshetoldhimshehaddecidedtostartlearninghowtomasterherabilities.While
notanofficialKnightorevenanofficialJedi,shehadpracticedherabilitiesenoughtobeconsideredonlevel
withaKnightintermsofpureForceabilities.However,herbladeskillshadbeenhardertopracticeduetothe
needforateachersoshewasstilljustanapprenticeinthatarea.
Atfirstithadjustbeenincasesheneededthatextraskilltodefendherfamilybutlatelyshehadbeenfeelingas
ifbeingapoliticianwasnolongerhercallingandshewasbecomingincreasinglydrawnawayfromit.She
wonderedifperhapssheshouldbecomeaJediKnightofficiallybutputthethoughtawayforanothertime.
Rightnow,shehadanephewtorescuetolateradmonishforhisrecklessness.
Harrystoppedmomentarilyashewalkedawayfromanotherdefeatedsquadwhenafamiliarchillwentuphis
spine.TherewerethreekindsofchillsinHarry'scase:theonewhentherewasdangerahead,theonewhenhis
motherwasangryathimandwaslookingforherpoundoffleshandthelastandprobablyworstwaswhenhis
AuntLeiawaslookingtolecturehimforhisrecklessness.Rightnow,thechillwasofthelattercategory.
'IthinkI'dpreferjusttogetmyasskickedbyMom,'thoughtHarrywhileinternallysobbing.Shakingitoff,
Harryranaftertheothersastheycontinuedtowardthenextturbolift.
Harryandco.werestillonthesecondlevelwhichwastheonedirectlyabovetheground(orinthiscase,water)
floor.TheresistancehadbecomeincreasinglymoredifficultashewentupandtheSithUmbaranswere
becomingincreasinglymorecommon.Thelastsquadhadhadeightofthemandtheyweredisturbinglygoodat
deflecting,absorbingandusingForcepowers.ItlookedasifSlyMoorehadbeenbusytrainingthemforsome
reason.
'OnlyreasonIcanthinkofwouldbetotrainthemtotakedownJedi,'thoughtHarrygrimly.'Consideringwho
taughther,thatisn'toutsidetherealmofpossibility.Butsurelyshedidn'tthinkshewouldbeabletotakeonthe
entireNewRepublicalone,right?'Harryfrozeasanideacametohismindandtheothersstoppedwhenthey
sawhimfreeze.'Whatifshehasalliestohelpher?'
NakiafrownedandwalkeduptoHarry.Whatisit,beloved?What'swrong?
Harryshookhishead.Itjustdoesn'tmakeanysense.Sure,thefleettheyhavecouldtakeafewsectorsalone
andshehasplentyofForcetrainedUmbaranstoseriouslylowertheJediavailablebuttheyaren'tthatstrongas
we'veshownandtheonlywaytheycouldtakedownaMasterisbyoverwhelminghimwithsuperiornumbers.
Eventhen,theNewRepublicfleetwouldmakeshortworkoftheirfleet,makingitamootpointsincethey'd
lose.
Cassiopeiafrowned.Whatareyougettingat,cuz?
Harrygavethemallaseriousstare.Theonlywayshecouldpossiblythinkshehadaslightchanceatvictory
wouldbeifshehadallies.AlliesstrongenoughtobolsterherfleetenoughtooverpowertheNewRepublicand
theimperialRemnantfleet.Whichmeansshe'snotalone.
Theloudspeakersoundedoncemore.Welldone,Jedi.YouhavemanagedtobeatsomeofmySithacolytes.I
trainedthemmyselfjustlikemyMastertrainedme.However,theywereonlyafractionasstrongasmyself.
SurrendernowandI'llbemerciful.
SurrendernowandI'llbemerciful.
Harryfrownedatherarrogance.What'syourplan,Moore?Youmustknowevenifyoumanagedtolaunchthis
invasionfleetyouwouldbeswiftlydefeatedagainsttheNewRepublic'ssuperiorforces.Hewastryingtoget
hertoadmitwhetherornotshehadalliesforfuturereference.
Moorelaughedcruelly.See?IknewIwasright!Youaredangerous!Itoldmysponsorthatyouweretoo
dangeroustoleavealonebuthewouldn'tlistensoItookmattersintomyownhands....
Harryhadabadfeelingforminginhisstomachasshespokeandtheothersstartedtogetincreasinglyuneasy.
Whatdoyoumean?demandedHarryangrily.
Moore'scruellaughterreturnedonlythistimewithahintofmadness.Thisentireplotwasfortheexpress
purposeofattractingyou,boy.MoorelaughedasshesensedHarry'sshockandguilt.Yes...youJediareso
predictable.IknewyouwouldcomerunningthemomentyouheardyourpreciousAstraalandapprenticeswere
indanger.ThatwaswhyIletthemcallouttoyouintheForce.Iwantedyoutocome.Thefleetisonlytokeep
theNewRepublictaskforcethat'snodoubtcomingbusywhileIdealwithyou.IfImanagetobeattheNew
Republictaskforceaswell,allthebetter.
Harryfeltguiltfillhisheartattheideathathewasresponsibleforallthisdestruction.Shehadmanipulatedthe
Umbaransandcapturedandtorturedhisfriendsalltodrawhimout.
Sensinghisrisingdistress,Moorelaughedlouder.Yes...thisisallyourfault,Potter.NowIwillkillyouand
yourlittlefriendsandprovemyselftomysponsor!
CassiopeiafinallyhadenoughandwalkeduptoHarrybeforesmackinghimacrosstheface.Pullyourself
together,Potter!Itdoesn'tmatterwhetherornotthiswasatrapforyou!YouknowaswellasIdothatyou
wouldhavecomewhetheryouknewitornot.
Harrygaveheratorturedlook.YeabutIdraggedyouguysintoitaswellnow.Ishouldhavejustcomealone.
Nakiarolledhereyes.Beloved,Iwouldneverhaveallowedyoutocomealonewhetherornotyouwantedme
tocome.Wecameknowingthedangerssoit'snotyourfault.
TheothersallnoddedatherstatementandBreasmirked.Please,Boss.Thisisn'tanydifferentthananyofmy
othermissionssodon'tgetyourknickersinatwist.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutsmileathercomment.Harrythenshookhisheadandglaredattheclosestloudspeaker
beforetossinghislightsabersoitspaninacircle,flyingtowardtheloudspeakeranddestroyedit,cuttingoff
Moore'slaughterbeforeusingtheForcetopullitbacktohim.Withadeterminedlookonhisface,Harry
continuedtothethirdlevel,theothersfollowingbehindhimwithsmilesontheirfaces.Behindthemwerethe
remainsofovertwoplatoonsofUmbaransoldiersandafewSithUmbaransaswellastheremainsofseveral
turretshangingfromthebottomofhigherbuildingswhichtheyhaddestroyedwhentheyopenedfireonthem.
Harryandco.ascendedtothe3rdlevelandwarilylookedaroundtoseewhatwasawaitingthem.Harrywalked
forwarddeterminedlywiththeothersfollowingbehindmorecautiouslyonlyforfiveofanewtypeofUmbaran
soldierstolandaroundthemaswellasover14SithUmbaransandabout30normalUmbarantroopers.
Thenewenemysoldiersweredifferentfromtheothersinthefacttheyweren'twearingthegasfilledhelmets
liketheothers.ThisledHarrytobelievetheyweren'tUmbaransbuthecouldn'tworryaboutthatnow.They
weredressedinwhatseemedtobestormtrooperarmoronlyitseemedlessbulkythanthenormalkind.They
werealsowieldingelectrostaffsandheldthemlikeexperts.TheyseemedsimilartoImperialRiotTroopers
excepttheirarmorwasabluecolorratherthanthenormalwhite.
Harryrealizedtheirtacticsastheyattacked.Thenewsoldierswouldengagetheminclosecombatwhilethe 720/917
Harryrealizedtheirtacticsastheyattacked.Thenewsoldierswouldengagetheminclosecombatwhilethe
normalsoldiersattackedfromlongrangeusingtheirblastersandtheSithUmbaransusedtheForcetoattack
themanddeflecttheirForceattacks.However,theyhadn'tcountedononething.
LancersmirkedbeforeswinginghisbladeinadevastatingarcattheincomingUmbaranRiotTrooper.TheRiot
trooper(stupidly)triedtoblockitwithhiseletrostaffonlyLancer'sbladetocrashagainsttheelectrostaffand
continueon,pushingthestaffrightbackintotheRiotTrooperandsendinghimoffflyingoffthecatwalkwith
thesheerstrengthoftheblow.ThesightcausedtheenemytopauseinshockandLancertookadvantageoftheir
shocktoroarandattackthemwithabandon.
Meanwhile,ratherthandefendusinghisblades,HarryturnedthemoffanddodgedthefirstUmbaranRiot
Trooper'slungeandgrabbedtheelectrostaffasitpassed.HarrythenusedittoblockthenextRiottrooper's
attackbeforebrutallyrippingitoffofthefirst'shandsandspinningitaroundandsmackinghimacrosstheface
withitwhileimbuingittheelectrostaffwiththeForce.TheresultwasthefirstRiottrooperwassentflying
towardtheothersandcausingthemtotripandhisnecktobreakformtheforceofthehit.
Shaeflewintotheairandusedherflamethrowertocatchthesoldiersinthebackonfireandchaostoreign
amongtheenemyastheyfranticallytriedtoputoutthefire.Ethantookadvantageofthechaostosendtheones
closesttotheedgeoffitusingForcepusheswhileCassiopeiajumpedintothemiddleofthefrayafterShae
stoppedusingherflamethrowerandstartedtwirlingaroundwhileusingherfirewhiptocuttheenemyinhalf.
Shaepickedoffthestragglerswithherblasters.
BreafollowedbehindthecarnageLancerwasmakingonhissideofthebridgeandshotanystragglerswith
perfectheadshotswithherblasterpistols.WhenafewSithUmbaranstriedtoattackLancerwiththeForce,she
drewherDC17mingrenadelaunchermodeandletloosewithdozensofgrenadesthattheSithUmbaranswere
toodistractedtodeflectandkilledthem.
BackwithHarry,Harrythenstartedusingtheelectrostafftofighttheotherriottroopersallthewhilejumping
aroundfromplacetoplacesoasnottoremainstationarytobeattackedfromlongrange.Wheneverhewas
stationary,hekeptoneoftheriottroopersinbetweenhimandtheotherlongrangeenemies.Nakiabackedhim
upbyattackingthesoldierssotheywouldn'tbeabletoshootatHarryandquicklycutthemdown.Eventually,
Harrymanagedtoeitherpushtheriottroopersofftheledgeorimpalethemwiththeirownelectrostaff.Harry
thenactivatedhislightsabersagainbeforejumpinghighintheairandlettinglooseablindingflashoflightwith
theForceattheremainingSithUmbarans.TheUmbarans,usedtoperpetualtwilight,weren'treadytoseesuch
brightlightandscreamedastheirretinasburned.Harryshowednomercyandbrutallycuttheminhalf.
Lookingaroundandseeingalltheenemiesweredead,Harryandco.continuedtowardthe4thlevelandthe
turboliftdooropenedtoshowtheyhadappearedinahospital.Itwasprettybig,withtheshapeofaoblongcircle
onitssidewithover10floorsaccordingtothemapnexttotheturboliftandHarrycouldsensemanypeople
gettingtreatment.HarryimaginedthatthiswasaneutralzonefortheUmbaranclassesorelsetherewouldbe
moredeathsthantreatmentshere.
Harryandco.walkedalongthehallwayswhentheForcewarnedhimofdangerandthewindowsnexttothem
explodedinwards.HarrybarelymanagedtoshieldhimselfwiththeForceandlookedoutsidetoseewhatlooked
likenormalUmbaransoldiers,exceptthesehadjetpacksandwerecarryingwhatlookedlikecarbineversionsof
theirblasters.
HarryturnedtoShae.Thinkyoucanhandlethem?
ThoughHarrycouldn'tseeherface,Harryimaginedshehadanaffrontedlookonherface.Please!These
amateurswon'tstandachance.I'lltaketotheairandmakesuretheycan'tattackyouthroughthewindows.You
guyscontinueonandI'llmeetupwithyoulater.Withthat,Shaeactivatedherjetpackandflewoutthewindow
asshestartedanaerialbattlewiththeUmbaranJettroopers.
Harryandco.continueddownthehallwayandeventuallyenteredthroughadoorthatledtoasurgery
observationroom.Theycameoutinthemiddlethatheldthetablewherethecorpseorpatientwouldbeplaced
andopenedandtherewereupperfloorsforpeopletositandlookatthesurgery.
andopenedandtherewereupperfloorsforpeopletositandlookatthesurgery.
TheloudspeakersonceagainsoundedandMoore'sgleefulvoicecameout.Howkindofyoutoreadyyourself
foryourfutureautopsy,KnightPotter.Allthat'sleftisforYOUTODIE!!
ThedoorsontheupperlevelsopenedandhalfacompanyofsoldierscameoutwieldingUmbaranblasterrifles
andwerefollowedby15UmbaranRiotTroopersand10SithUmbaranAcolytes.Harryignitedhisbladesand
startedtodeflecttheshotsbackatthemastheothersleaptintobattle.However,Harrywasforcedtobackflipout
ofthewayasoneRiotTrooperjumpedandtriedtoimpalehimwithhiselectrostaff.Harryquicklyrippedhis
electrostaffoutofhishandsandknockedhimunconsciouswithabrutalForceempoweredhitacrosstheface.
HarryleaptintobattleagainsttheclosestRiotTrooperwithCassiopeiaprovidingsupportsinceNakiawasbusy
killingofftheSithUmbaranAcolytesbeforetheycouldcausetrouble.
ThenextfewminutesweretotalchaosasHarryjumpedfromplacetoplace,wieldingtheelectrostafftogreat
effectsinceit'scortosislinedbodydeflectedtheblasterboltsprettywellandHarrycoulduseitagainstboth
normalsoldiersandtheRiotTroopers.Cassiopeiawouldguardhisbackusingherfirewhipandatonepoint
pulledouthercortosisstafftofighttheminclosecombat.HarrywouldfighttheRiotTroopersoneononeor
sometimestwoonone,usingtheirbodiestodefendagainsttheAcolytesForcelightningandpushes(which
causedNakiatogetangryandattacktheAcolyteswithgreaterprejudice)aswellasthenormalsoldiersblaster
bolts.Thankfully,itseemedasiftheRiotTroopersweren'tForcesensitiveandcouldn'tsensetheblasterbolts
andattackscomingfrombehindthemandsowereforcedtotakeitintheirarmorwhicheventuallyfailedand
werekilledbytheirownmenifHarryhadn'talreadyimpaledthemwiththeelectrostaff.Lancerwasusinghis
usualmethodofsheerbrutalityandphysicalstrengthtokillhisRiotTrooperswhileBreaonceagaintookthe
jobofkillinganywhotriedtoattackLancerfrombehind.Ethanwouldgofrombattletobattlebeforeeventually
settlingonhelpingNakiakilltheSithAcolytes.
Eventually,Nakiakilledthelastacolyteandtheroomwassilentoncemore.Harrywasbreathingdeeplyand
lookedaroundtheroomtoseecarnageeverywhere.Theplacewasamessofthrownbodies,blood(dueto
Lancer'sswordnothavingthecauterizingeffectlightsabershave)andblasterburnsacrossthewalls.Harry
eventuallyregainedhisbreathandledthegroupoutoftheobservationroomandfurtherintothehospital.
TheNewRepublicTaskForcemetupwiththeJedisquadronoverKashyyykwhichwastheclosestsystemto
Umbarathatbothpartiescouldreach.TheJediSquadronaswellastheMillenniumFalconlandedinthehangar
bayoftheEnduranceclassFleetcarrierwhereeveryonewasgoingtomeetuptoplanthecomingbattle.
Leiawaswaitingfortheminthehangarbayandwassurprisedbysomeofthemembersofthe15member
fightersquadron,thoughinretrospectsheshouldn'tbe.
Jaina?Jacen?Anakin?Whatareyoudoinghere?!
JainaclimbedoutofhercustomizedArc170andgotastubbornsettoherjaw.We'reheretohelprescueour
friends,ofcourse.WealreadyhadthisfightwithDadandUncleLukesoitdoesn'tmatterwhatyousaycause
we'reheretostay.Besideher,JacenandAnakinhadcomeoutoftheirrespectivefighters(anXwingand
Anakin'scustomizedTIEinterceptorrespectively)andwerenoddingalongwithher.
Knowingshewouldn'twin,Leiajustsighedandletitgo.Fine,butyoustayclosetotheflagshipduringthe
entirefight,youhear?
JainalookedlikeshewantedtoarguebutJacenelbowedherandshesubsidedandnoddedheragreement.Luke
cameoutofhisXwingandwalkedtowardLeiawithaworriedMarabehindhim.
Heysis,gladtoseeyoumanagedtowrangleupataskforcesoquickly.Iseeyoustillgotit.
LeiagaveLukeasmallsmile.I'mnotthatoldyet,Luke,andletmeremindyouwe'retwinssoifI'moldsoare
LeiagaveLukeasmallsmile.I'mnotthatoldyet,Luke,andletmeremindyouwe'retwinssoifI'moldsoare
you.
LukejustgrinnedathissisterbeforeMarainterrupted.NotthatI'mnothappytoseeyou,Leia,butaren'twein
abitofahurry?
Leianoddedgrimly.You'reright.Let'sgototheconferenceroom.
LeiaturnedandledthegroupofJedithatincludedJacen,Jaina,Anakin,Luke,Mara,Zekk,Kass,Shadoand
Asharatowardtheconferenceroomwherethemeetingwouldtakeplace.Whentheyarrived,Hanwasstanding
besideChewbaccaandalreadyarguingwithTychoandWedge.
andIsayno!ImaybetechnicallyaGeneralbutI'mretiredsoIcan'tassumecommand.Plusyouguysare
alwaysbetteratmakingtheplansthanme.
Wedgejustshookhisheadamusedly.Fine,fine.We'llallbeincommandthenuntilwemanagetotrickLuke
intoit.
Lukehadjustenteredandlookedamused.Trickmeintoit?SomethingI'mmissing?
HanandWedgelookedatLukewhenhespokeandjustsmiledconspiratoriallybeforethelatterspoke.Come
on,Luke.Youalwayssaynoandwealwaysmanagetobullyyouintosayingyessowhydon'tweskipallthat
andgetrightintoit?
Leiawalkedforwardwithherbusinessfaceon.NoneedsinceI'mincommandaccordingtoChiefFey'lya.This
taskforce'ssuccessorfailurewillreflectonmesupposedly.
EveryonehadslightlyannoyedlooksontheirfacesbutitwasMarathatspoke.Ihatepolitics.
EveryonemutteredtheiragreementandevenLeiaseemedtoagreewiththesentimentbutclearedhervoiceto
getattention.Now,here'swhatweknow.ThelightsdarkenedandaholoprojectoroftheGhostNebula
appearedinthecenteroftheroom.Yesterday,JediKnightAstraalVaoandherapprenticesTahiriVeilaand
VisasMarrwenttonegotiateUmbara'sentryintotheNewRepublic.Thiswasthoughttobeagreatstepforward
sinceUmbarahadalwaysbeenasorespotsinceit'ssoclosetoCoruscantandnotpartoftheNewRepublic.
However,lessthan6hoursagoJediKnightHarryPottergotacallofdistressthroughtheForcefromKnight
Vaoandtheirapprentices.ThisalsocoincidedwithafailureofKnightVaotocheckinevery6hours.Knight
Pottersensedthathewouldneedhelpandaskedforataskforcetohelp.
Wedgesteppedforwardtospeak.Whyanentiretaskforce?Surelyafewcruiserswouldbeenough?
Leiashookherhead.ItwouldexceptKnightPottersentusthisrecordingsoonafter.Sheplayedtherecording
showingthehiddenUmbaranhangarholdinganinvasionfleetinside.Everyonepresentsuckedinabreathatthe
sizeoftheenemyforcesandunderstoodwhyHarryhadaskedforreinforcements.Iseeyouunderstandthe
problem.WhilehecouldprobablysneakinandrescueKnightVaoandPadawansVeilaandMarr,hewouldn'tbe
abletoescapewiththatfleetavailable.Ontopofthat,thefactthattheUmbaranshaveafleetthatsizepointsto
themwantingtouseitatsomepoint.SincetheclosestsystemstothemareKashyyykandZeltros...
....theyprobablywanttoattacktheNewRepublic,finishedHangrimly.
Leianodded.Exactly.Thankfully,we'vebeenforewarnedthistimearoundandwecanpreventanotherBlack
FleetCrisisifweactquickly.HarrysentamessagesayinghewouldsabotageasmanyenemyStarDestroyers
andcapitalshipsaspossiblesowe'llhaveaneasiertimebuthedoesn'tknowiftheyhaveaplanetaryshield.If
theydo,theycansimplywaitusoutbehinditwhiletheyfixthesabotagedshipsandsendthemoutagainstus.If
theyhaveaplanetaryshield,wehavetotrustHarrytoknockitoutforusquicklyenoughforustotakethe
planetwhileminimizinglosses.TheyareprobablybeingledbySlyMooreandifwecancaptureher,wecan 723/917
planetwhileminimizinglosses.TheyareprobablybeingledbySlyMooreandifwecancaptureher,wecan
endthisquickly.
Tychosteppedforward.Howwillwearrive?TheGhostNebulacan'tbebreachedthroughhyperspacesowe'll
havetoflyinthroughsublight.
Leianoddedgrimly.Yes,sowe'lllosetheelementofsurprisebutthankfullythefacttheyprobablyaren't
expectinguswillequalizethat.Shelookedaround.Anyquestions?Whennoonespoke,Leianodded.Then
maytheForcebewithusall.Wemoveoutimmediatelysobattlestationseveryone.
Withthat,themeetingbrokeapartandeveryonescatteredtowardtheirrespectivestations.TheSolochildren
werewalkingtowardtheirfighterwhenZekkstoppedJainatospeakwithher.Shetoldherbrotherstogoon
aheadandturnedtoZekkwithafrown.
Whatisit,Zekk?Wehavetobereadyforthecomingbattle.
Zekkfrownedandslowlyspoke.Whyareyouhere?TosaveAstraalandtheothers.....orhelpHarry?
Jainalookedshockedandshequicklygotangry.Tohelpbothobviously.They'reallmyfriendsandI'mnot
goingtoabandonthem.Withthat,Jainamarchedawaytowardherfighter.
Zekkwatchedhergowithafrownonhisfaceandsighed.ThenwhydoIgetthefeelingyou'reonlyhere
becauseHarryneededhelp?
NooneheardZekk'squestionandhewalkedtowardhisXwing,readytohelpinthecomingbattle.
AnUmbaransoldiersawaCaptainstandingbesideanastromechthatwaspluggedintotheStarDestroyer's
engines.HewalkedtowardtheCaptainwithasuspiciouslookonhisface.
Sir?Thecaptainturnedtohimwithadisdainfullook.Whatareyoudoinghere,ifImayask?
TheCaptainfrowned.MissMooreinsistedoncheckingallsystemswithanastromech.SincetheJedientered
throughthishangar,theymayhavesabotagedsomesystemsbeforecontinuingon.Notthatit'sanyofyour
business.
TheUmbaransoldierwasstillsuspiciousandputahandonhisblaster.Whatareyourauthorizationcodes,
Captain?
TheCaptainrolledhiseyeswhenhesuddenlyimpaledthesoldierwithabluebeamoflight.TheUmbaran
soldierwasshockedtoseeabluelightsaberstickingthroughhischestandquicklydied.Thecaptainflickered
andrevealedafamiliarholoassassindroid.
FAITHturnedtoR3beforeturninghisholoprojectorbackonandresuminghisdisguise.Query:Areyoudone,
R3?Wecannotkeepkillingsoldiersorweriskbeingcaptured.
R3gaveanaffirmativewhistleandunpluggedhimself.
Statement:Thatmakes10sabotagedStarDestroyerclasscapitalships.Thatshouldbeenough.Letmecallthe
Master.FAITHactivatedhiscommunitandcalledHarry.Thesoundofblasterfireandexplosionscame
throughthecomm.
Whatisit,FAITH?I'malittlebusy!
Whatisit,FAITH?I'malittlebusy!
Statement:Master,wehavesuccessfullysabotagedasmanycapitalshipsaswecanwithoutarousingsuspicion.
Whentheytrytotakeoff,theywillexplodeduetoengineoverload,destroyingneighboringshipsaswell.
TherewasapausebeforethesoundofblasterfireendedandHarryspoke.Goodjob,FAITH,R3.NowIneed
youtwotodownloadtheschematicsforboththebasesontheplanetaswellasspecificationsforallprojects,
weaponsandshipsintheirsystem.WecanusethischancetogetthedesignsforallthoseStarDestroyerstosend
toZule.Afterthat,sendmeamapofthisbaseandthengobacktotheWaywardSon.Thetaskforceshouldbe
herebythenandthey'llneedhelpfrominsideifUmbarahasaplanetaryshield.
Statement:Understood,Master.FAITHbrokethecallbeforeturningtoR3.YouheardtheMaster,let'sgo.
R3whistledhisunderstandingbeforetheylefttheImperialclassStarDestroyeranddiscreetlyenteredthe
engineeringsectionofthebasewhereR3proceededtodownloadalltheavailableinformation.Oncehewas
done,theysentHarryamapofthebaseandleftthesamewaytheyentered.
BackwithHarry,hefinishedcuttingthroughanotherRiotTrooperandsighed.Itseemedasiftheneutralitythat
thehospitalheldwasoverbecausedozensofsquadswereconvergingonthehospitalandattacking
discriminately.WorsewereATMPswhowouldshootmissilesatHarrythroughthewindowsandhadno
problemsiftherewereinnocentsaroundhim.Harryhadbeenfuriouswhenitfirsthappenedandwasforcedto
startdeflectingmissilesbackattheATMPsanddestroyingthem.TheonegoodsideeffectwasthatHarrywas
refininghistelekineticabilitiesandIonicLightningsincethoseweretheonlypowersinhisarsenalthatworked
wellagainstthem.Atonepoint,Lancerhadplantedhismassiveswordasamakeshiftshieldtodefendagroup
ofwomenandtheirnewbornchildrenwhiletheothersviciouslyattackedtheUmbaransoldiersthatwerefiring
onthem.Thewomenhadthankedthembeforerunningoutandthegrouphadmovedon.
Harrysighedastheyduckedintoaclosetasthesoldierspassedby.Theywerealltiredfromtheconstant
fightingandneededabreak.HarryturnedaroundwhenCassiopeiacalledhimandhiseyeswidenedashe
noticedwhatshewaspointingat.
Theclosethelddozensofbactagrenadesandotherfieldmedicalsupplies.Itseemedthiswastheclosetwhere
soldierswouldgettheirfieldmedkitsandsimilarstuff.Everyonegrabbedasmanybactagrenadesastheycould
andplacedthemintheirutilitybelt.Harrythengrabbedoneandactivateditinthemiddleofthegroup,sighing
happilyashefeltthebactalandonhimandtakeeffect.HarrythenchanneledtheForcetohealhistiredmuscles
andawayfromhealingtheopenburnsandcutsthatthebactawasalreadytakingcareof.Oncetheywereall
fullyrefreshed,Harrylookedaroundtoseeiftherewasanythingelseworthtakingandwhenhesawthere
wasn't,peekedthroughthedoorwaytomakesuretherewerenosoldiersinthehallway.Seeingtherewasnone,
Harryledthegroupdownthehallwaytowardtheirdestination.
However,oncetheyreachedtheturbolift,Harrycursed.
Itseemedthattheenemywasgettingsmarterbecausetheyhadsabotagedtheturbolifttowardtheupperlevel.
Theywouldhavetofindanotherway.
Harrylookedaroundandsawabridgeleadingtoanotherbuildingthroughthewindow.Theotherbuilding
seemedtobesomekindofwarehouseofsomekindbecausetherewasalotofactivitysurroundingit.Despite
that,Harrycouldhappilyseethattheturboliftwasfunctioningbythewayitwastakingcratesupward.The
turboliftledtoabuildingclosetothecentralsecuritybuildingwhichwastheirgoalsoitwasn'ttoofaroutof
theirway.
Harryturnedtothegroup.We'reheadingtowardthatwarehouseusingtheexpressway.LetmecontactShaeso
sheknows.HarryactivatedhiscommandcalledShae.Afterafewseconds,shepickedup.
Whatisit,Harry?I'vetakencareofalltheJettroopersbutIcanseealotofactivityfromtheroof.What's
happened?
Harrysighed.They'vesabotagedtheturboliftsowehavetotakeanotherroute.However,wemanagedtofind
analternativeroute.We'llmeetinfrontofthewarehousewithalotofactivity.Canyouseeit?
TherewasmomentofsilencebeforeShaespokeinahesitanttone.YoumeanthewarehousewithalotofAT
STswalkingaround?
HarrylookedatthewarehouseandconfirmedthattherewerealotofATSTs.Yep,thatone.
Shaesighedoverthecomm.Whyisitthatallthecuteonesarealwayssocrazy?Fine,we'llmeetonthebridge
leadingthere.Withthat,thecallended.
Harrynoddedattheothersbeforehejumpedthroughthewindowandsliddownthedownwardinclinedwalls
withtheothersfollowing.HarryrolledhiseyesasheheardCassiopeiawhoopinginjoyandLancer'schuckling.
Whenhereachedtheedge,Harrypushedoffandfelltowardthethewalkwayinfrontofthehospital.Heused
theForcetosoftenhislandingandwaitedastheotherslandedaroundhim.Anyideaofstealthwasthrownout
thewindowatthetremendouscrashLancer'slandingmade.Everyonestaredathimandhejustshruggedashe
steppedoutofthesmallcraterhemadewhenhelanded.Harrywasgladthewalkwaysweresosturdybecause
thecraterheformedwasprettybig.
Shakinghishead,Harryactivatedthebridgetowardthewarehouseandstarteddeflectingtheblasterboltsfrom
nearbysoldiersbackatthem.Shaelandedbesidehimandstartedtofireatthenearestsoldiers.Itwasonlythe
warningthroughtheForcethatsavedhimfrombeingshotintheheadbyasnipershootingfromthewindowofa
nearbybuilding.Hewasusingasniperriflethatshotblasterboltsthatexplodedoncontactsohecouldn'tdeflect
themwithalightsaberandwouldhurthimifhetried.
Shaenoticedtheproblemandnodded.Onit!Sheflewtowardthebuildingthatheldthesnipersandflewby
thewindowswhileusingherflamethrower,catchingthesnipersonfire.Thesnipersthrewthemselvesoutthe
windowsinavainhopetoputoutthefireswiththewaterbelow.However,Shaemissedoneandhestartedto
aimatShae'sunprotectedback.
Seeingthis,Harrythrewhisbluelightsaberathiminanarcthattraveledtowardthewindowfromhisblindspot
andwhenhewasabouttopullthetrigger,hewasbeheadingbythepassingblade.Harrytelekineticallypulled
hislightsaberbacktohimandthebridgefinishedextendingwhenthebladereturnedtohishand.
ShaelandedbesideHarryandnodded.Thanks,Harry.
HarryjustgaveherPottergrinthatevenwithherhelmeton,Harrycouldtellhercausedhertoblush.No
problem,beautiful.Behindhim,Nakiarolledhereyesatherbeloved'sflirtinginthemiddleofdanger.
Harryandco.ranacrossthebridge,ignoringtheshotsfromsoldierstoofartohitthemanddeflectingtheones
thattheycouldn'tdodge.Whentheyfinallycrossedit,Harryactivatedthebridgecontrolpaneltoretractthe
bridgeagainanddestroyedthecontrolpaneloncethebridgefinishedretractingtopreventfurtherenemiesfrom
comingupbehindhimthroughthatpath.Shaealsoflewupandshotarocketatthecontrolpanelontheother
side,causingthecontrolpaneltoblowupandthenearbysoldierstogoflying.
Harryturnedaroundandledthegroupintothewarehouseonlytofinditcompletelydarkinside.Thewarehouse
wasawideopenareawiththeturboliftinthecenter.Therewasaconveyorbeltnearbywhereheimaginedthe
workerspickedupthecratesandputthemintheturbolifttosendtotheupperlevels.
Thegroupslowlywalkedtowardtheturbolift,theirsensesonfullalert.Breawasgettingespeciallynervousand
spoke.Didn'tyousaytherewerealotofATSTsaroundhere?Wherearethey?
Trueenough,whenHarrysawthewarehousefromthehospital,ithadbeenfullofactivityandtherehadbeen726/917
Trueenough,whenHarrysawthewarehousefromthehospital,ithadbeenfullofactivityandtherehadbeen
manysoldiersandATSTswalkingaround.However,nowthewarehousewasdeadsilent.Whilepartofitcould
beduetosomeofthesoldiersgoingtowardtheupperorlowerlevels,hedoubtedallofthemhad.
Harryfrozeandbackflippedoutofthewayofamissilethatlandedwherehehadbeenstanding.Harryactivated
hisbladesandthegrouplookedwherethemissilecamefromwiththeirguardsup.
OutofthedarkcornerofthewarehousecamewhatlookedlikefiveAllTerrainScoutTransports.However,they
werebiggerthannormalATRTsandhadmissilelaunchersaswellasdoublemediumblastercannonsanda
suppressioncannon.
Harrycursed.Dammit!Can'twecatchabreak?!
Inanswer,thenewkindofATSTsfired.ThegroupwasforcedtoduckanddodgetheATSTssuppression
cannonfireaswellastheirmissiles.HavinganideawhenamissilefromoneATMPbarelymissedanother,
HarryusedtheForcetoguideamissilefromonetohitanotheronitsmissilelauncherjustasitwasgoingto
launchanothermissileathimfromitsleftmissilelauncher.Theresultingexplosionfromtwomissilesblewits
entireleftsidetopiecesandtheATSTfelldowndefeated.TheothersnoticedwhathehaddoneandtheForce
usersofthegroupstartedtoeitherreplicatethefeatorpickupcratesandthrowthemattheATSTs.Taking
advantageoftheconfusion,HarrypulledtheoperatorofoneATSTstraightoutofthecockpitandthrewhim
harshlyagainstthewall,probablybreakingafewbones.
Harrytookadvantageofthepausehisactionscausedtotelekineticallythrowhisbladesatthelastone'slegs,
cuttingthemoffandcausingtheATSTtofallandblowupfromhismissilelaunchersimpactingthefloorharsh
enoughtosetthemoff.
Everyoneheardthesoundofmoreenemiesarrivingandrantowardtheturboliftbeforemoreenemiescould
appear.Whentheyallentered,Harryactivatedthebuttonforthe5thleveljustintimefordozensifnota
hundredsoldierstoburstintothewarehousefromForceknowswhereandseethemgouptowardtheCentral
Securitybuildinglevel.
Theyeventuallyreachedthe5thlevelandHarryimpaledhislightsaberintotheturboliftcontrolpanel,therefore
makingitimpossibleforthesoldiersdownstairstocallitbackdown.Everyonereadiedthemselvesbecausethey
knewthatifthesesoldiershadanybrains,andthefacttheyhadbeencommunicatingwitheachotherabouthow
tofightthemandslowlygettingclosertoactuallykillingthemprovedtheywere,thenthestrongestenemies
wouldbeonthislevel.
Harryandco.slowlywalkedtowardtheCentralSecurityBuildingwhichwasaoblongredbuildingthatseemed
tobetheonlyoneconnectedtotheblueishbuildingonthe6thlevelwhichwasonlyconnectedtothe5thlevel
bywayofabridge.FromwhereHarrycouldsee,therewasnobridgecontrolpanelliketheotherbridgessohe
assumeditcouldonlybeactivatedfrominsidethebuildingitself.
Harrytookadeepbreathandtheycrossedthefinalwalkwaytowardthecentralsecuritybuildingandjustashe
feared,almostanentirecompanyofenemysoldierscameoutofthebuildingledbyanentirelynewenemythat
filledHarrywithtrepidation.
Theywerewearingyellowarmorthatseemedtobeamixoftheriottrooper'sarmorinshapebuthadagleaming
qualityonlytheSithUmbaranAcolytearmorhad.ThehelmetalsohadaTvisorsimilartoMandalorianarmor
buthadnoneofthedecorationsotherMandolarianarmorhad.However,thiswasn'twhatfilledHarrywith
trepidation,itwasthefactthattheywerewieldingduallightsabersinareverseShiengriplikeexperts.
Theloudspeakersoundedoncemore.Youarestrong,aren'tyouKnightPotter?You'vemanagedtokillmySith
Acolytes,myRiotTroopersandcanholdyourownagainstthreeATRCTsaswell.Nowonderyourapprentices
andKnightVaoaresosureyou'llrescuethemandbeatme.
Harrystartedatthatstatement.They'reawake?
Harrystartedatthatstatement.They'reawake?
Ohyes,letmepassthecomm.Therewassoundofmovementbeforeshespokeagain.Hellogirls,sayhello
toyourMaster!
Suddenly,thesoundofelectricitycoursingthroughlivingbodiessoundedthroughtheloudspeakerandHarry
wasforcedtoendurethegirlsyellsofpain.OnlyNakiaandCassiopeia'shandsonhisshouldersstoppedhim
fromchargingthroughtheenemiestotryandreachthemtostopthetorture.Harrygrithisteethasthey
screameduntilthetortureended.
There,there.Itwasn'tsobad,wasit?Isufferedmuchworseduringmytraining.Allyouhavetodotomakeit
endisacceptmeasyourmaster,youngones.Whatdoyousay?
HarrycouldfeelthroughtheirbondthathisapprenticeshadfallenunconsciousbutAstraalwasstillawake.The
nextthingtosoundthroughtheloudspeakerwasthesoftbutstillrecognizablevoiceofAstraalherself.I'll
acceptyouasmyMasterwhenyouswallowablasterbolt,youwhore!
ThesoundoffleshstrikingfleshwasheardandMoorecooed.Noneedtobesorude.AreallTwi'leksusefulfor
nothingmorethanwhoring?AfterallevenPotterthinksthatofyou.
Astraal'sangryvoicesoundedout.You'rewrong!
MoorecruellaughtersoundedthroughthecityandmadeHarrygrithisteethevenasthesoldierscontinuedto
surroundhim.You'renothing.AtemporarybridgebeforehegoesaftertheSologirlagain.Youflatteryourself
thinkingyoumeansomethingtoPotterbutyou'rejustdeludingyourself.Andheusesyourdelusions.
Astraal'sangryvoicesoundedoutoncemorebutthistimetingedwithahintofdesperation.You'rewrong!
Harrylovesme....helovesme!
Moore'slaughtersoundedoutbeforetheloudspeakerabruptlycutoff,leavingHarrygrittinghisteethatMoore's
manipulations.HarrycouldfeelshamecoursethroughhimasAstraalhaddefendedhimandhehadbeen
sleepingwithNakianotfourdaysago.Hefeltlowerthandirtasheimaginedhowshewouldfeelwhenshe
foundout.Behindhim,Nakiacouldsensehisfeelingsandcouldonlyfrownandlookdowninshameatherpart
inhispain.Sheknewnothingshesaidwouldmakehimfeelbetter.
TheenemysoldiersclosedinandHarrychanneledhisangerandshamethroughtheForcetoaugmenthis
strength.Realizingwhathewasplanning,Nakiawarnedthemtoplantthemselvesontheground.Lancer
imbeddedhisswordintothegroundandheldontoit,Shaeactivatedhermagneticsolestosticktothemetallic
walkwaywhileBreahangedontoLancer.TheothersusedtheForcetosticktotheground.
HarryroaredandletlooseadevastatingForcewavethatsenttheclosestenemiesflyingbackandoffthelevelto
fallintothelowerlevelsorintothewaterbelow.
HearinghisapprenticesandAstraalbeingmanipulatedbyMoorehadgivenHarryanideaandheemployedit
whiletheremainingenemieswerestillshockedbyhisForcewave(heabsentlynoticednoneofthenewenemies
whichhewasinternallycallingSaberTroopershadbeenpushedoffbyhisForcewave)andusedthemindtrick
tomaketheclosestSaberTrooperthinkhewasgoingtobebetrayedbyhisfellowsoldiers.
Thankfully,whatevertrainingMoorehadgiventhemhadmadethemweakmindedandtheimplanted
suggestionstuck.TheSaberTrooperfellintoafitofparanoiaandstartedattackingtheclosestUmbaran
soldiers.TheenemiesfellfurtherintoconfusionbyhisbetrayalandHarrytookadvantagetousethemindtrick
againstafewmoreenemiesoneSaberTrooper,twoUmbaransoldiers,andoneRiotTrooper.Harrydiscovered
thattheSithUmbaranAcolyteswereimmunetoitsoheattackedthemwithhissaberswhiletherestwerein
chaosbytheperceivedbetrayals.Theothershadrecoveredbythenandjoinedhiminattackingtheremaining728/917
chaosbytheperceivedbetrayals.Theothershadrecoveredbythenandjoinedhiminattackingtheremaining
enemieswithabandon.
TwominuteslaterandfrequentuseofForcepushandlightning,Harryandco.werestandingaloneinfrontof
thecentralsecuritybuilding.Aftertakingamomenttorecoverfromtheenergyhechanneled,Harryledthe
groupinsidejustashiscommsoundedoncemore.
Harry?Harry,doyoureadme?
AsmilecametoHarry'sfaceashisaunt'svoicecamethroughthecomm.Hesignaledtheotherstostaysilent
beforeanswering.HeyAuntLeia,gladyoucouldmaketheparty.Justsoyouknow,thisisnotyourbirthday
present.
Backonthetaskforceflagship,Leiacouldn'thelpbutsmileathernephew'sjoke.I'mglad.Iwasabouttotake
youasideandtellyouwhatapropergiftis.
Harry'slaughtercamethroughthecommspeaker.I'msureyouwilleitherway,AuntLeia.Thesoundof
blasterfireandfightingsoundedthroughthecommspeaker.YouguysgotherejustintimebecauseIneedback
up.Shewasreadyforusormorespecificallyme.Thiswasallanelaboratesetupbyhertokillmesupposedly.
Whydothebadguysalwayshavelargeandelaborateplanstokillyouthenbragaboutitbeforeyou'reactually
dead?
LeiasmiledruefullyeventhoughherhearthadalmoststoppedatthefactthatSlyMoorewantedtokillher
nephewpersonally.Becausethey'reidiots,honey.However,wecan'tsendhelpyet.Theyhaveaplanetary
shieldandwe'restuckoutsidefightingtheirshipsuntilit'sdown.Theworsethingistheykeepsendingmoreout.
Theycansomehowcomeoutwithoutloweringtheshieldbutnothingcangetin.Luckily,theyseemtobeonly
sendingcruisersatmost.Iimaginethat'syourdoing?
ThesoundofblasterfirestoppedandHarry'stiredvoicecamethrough.Actually,itwasFAITHandR3,Ijust
orderedthemtodoit.I'mgladitworkedbuttheyhavemanymorecapitalshipsinthewingssowehaveto
attackbeforetheymanagetolaunchthem.I'lltrytoseeifIcanlowertheplanetaryshieldfromherethoughI
doubtit.Ifnothingelse,IcanoverloadallothergeneratorsfromwhereIamandthatshouldbeenoughtodivert
powerfromtheplanetaryshieldgeneratorandyoucanoverwhelmit.
Leianoddedinunderstanding.Understood.Bytheway,allyourfriendsarehere.Theyseemedinsistenton
helpingyourescueAstraalandtheothers.
Leiacouldsensehishappinessatthenewsashespoke.Really?I'mglad.Thatactuallygivesmeanidea.Can
youpatchmethroughtotheirsquadroncommchannel?
Leiacockedaneyebrowbutnodded.Sure,hereyougo.
Therewasapausebeforetheconnectionwasmade.Mom,Dad,guys?Youhearme?
Mara'sangryvoicesoundedthroughthecomm.HarryJamesPotter!WhenIgetmyhandsonyou,I'mgoingto
cutoffyourballsandforcefeedyouthem!WhatgaveyouthebrilliantideatogoinwithjustCassiopeia?!
Knowinghecouldn'ttellthemabouthisotherallies,Harrysimplysoundedapologeticbutfirm.Sorry,Mom.
ButIcouldn'tabandonthemandIdidn'tknowhowlongitwouldtakeifwewaitedforthepoliticians.They
couldhavebeenkilledbythetimetheyagreedtosendhelp.
Marasighedbutconcededthepoint.Iunderstand,honey.Areyouokay?
Alittlebangedupbutmostlyfine.ButIhavetowarnyouguysandyoutoo,AuntLeia.Theywerereadyforus
Alittlebangedupbutmostlyfine.ButIhavetowarnyouguysandyoutoo,AuntLeia.Theywerereadyforus
Jedispecifically.I'vefoughtUmbaransandotherstrainedinusingtheForceaswellotherstrainedinusing
lightsabersandfightingJedi.ThelastenemiesIfoughtweresogoodwithlightsabersthattheywouldhave
overwhelmedmeifIfoughtmorethantwoatatime.Eventwoispushingit.AuntLeia,becarefulofany
boardingpartiesbecausetheymighthavethosekindsofenemiesamongthem.
Leiawasdisquietedatthenews.Anysuggestionstofightthem?
Harrysighed.Mostofthemareonetrickponies.Iftheycanuseablade,theysuckatusingForcepowers.If
theycanuseForcepowers,theycan'tdefendagainstblades.Sobasically,overwhelmthebladeuserswith
blasterfireandgrenadesandgetinclosetotheForceusers.
Leianodded.Understood.
HarrycontinuedspeakingtotheJedisquadron.Ashara,youthere?
Ashara'ssoftvoicecamethroughthecom.I'mhere,Harry.Whatdoyouneed?
Ineedyoutousebattlemeditationtoaideourforcesandtolowermoraleamongtheenemy.It'llmakeitmore
probablethatthey'llsurrenderoncewedefeatMooreandhelpuscoordinatebetter.
Ashara'svoicesoundeddoubtful.AreyousureIcandothis?It'sabigbattlefieldandthebiggestrangeI'veever
doneisourtrainingfield.MasterMadurrinishelpingmemastermybattlemeditationbutI'mnotsureifI'm
ready.
Harry'svoicewasfirm.Doordonot,thereisnotry.Hisvoicethenturnedreassuring.Butifitmakesyou
feelanybetter,I'msureyoucandoit.Ibelieveinyou.
Ashara'svoicesoundedmuchmoreconfident.Right.Consideritdone.
Harry'svoiceturnedhappy.I'mglad.Thankstotherestofyouguysforcoming,Ireallyappreciateit.
Jainasnorted.Ofcoursewecame,Ewok.You'refamilyandthey'reourfriendstoo.
Jacenspokenext.Yeah,Harry.WeSolosgottasticktogether.
Anakin,Zekk,KassandShadosoundedtheiragreementandLukealsospoke.Asifwewouldabandonyou,
son.HaveyoufoundwhereAstraalandtheothersareyet?
Harrysighed.Ihaveashrewdideaandsomethingtellsmethatthepaththereisgoingtobeverydangerous.
Mooreseemstonotlikememuch.....Dad,she'storturingthem.Andshe'smakingmehearitthroughthe
loudspeakers.Iknowangerisn'tourwaybut....
Luke'stonewasreassuring.Iunderstand,son.Butdon'tlethergettoyou.Sheprobablywantsyouangryand
offbalancesowhenyoufacehershe'llhavetheadvantage.Remember,shewastrainedbyPalpatinewhowasa
masterofmanipulation.
Harrysighedoncemore.Iknow,Iknow.Still,whenIfindherI'mgoingtostickmyfootupherass.
LukesmiledasMarachuckledandspoke.Noonewillfaultyouthat,son.Justbecarefulanddon'tbe
reckless.
Aren'tIalways?askedHarrycheekilybeforethecallended.
Aren'tIalways?askedHarrycheekilybeforethecallended.
Marasighed.That'swhatI'mafraidof.
BackwithHarry,heendedthecallandcalledFAITHandR3.Hewascurrentlyhidinginasupplyclosetwhile
theothersclearedthebuilding.Hepeekedthroughthedoorwaytomakesuretherewasn'tanyguardsaround
beforeturningtothecomm.FAITH,areyoubackontheWaywardSon?
IttookamomentbutFAITHanswered.Answer:YesMaster.Wehadsuccessfullydownloadedalltheinfoyou
requestedandwearenowguardingtheship.Thereisalotofactivityaroundherebuttheyhaven'tfoundusyet.
Harrynoddedgratefully.I'mglad.NowIneedyoutousetheSon'scommunicationarraytosendthetaskforce
theschematicsoftheUmbaranbasesaswellaslocationstothemostimportantlocationssuchasioncannons,
hangars,etc.
Statement:Understood,Master.I'llsendthemnow.
Okay.Oncetheirforcesstartlanding,you'reallowedtogoandguidethemtothehangarinordertoleada
successfultakeover.R3willthenactivatethepilotdroidsohecantaketheshiptosafety.
Answer:Thankyou,Master.Iwillkillathousandmeatbagsinyourname!
Harryrolledhiseyesandendedthecallbeforeslowlygettingupandsilentlysearchingforthemaincontrol
room.Hecalledtheotherstomeethimthereandoncetheyagreed,continuedonhisway.Ittookawhile(anda
lotoffighting)buthefinallymanagedtofindit.Harrydashedinsideandquicklycutthroughthesoldiersinside
beforerunningtowardthenearestconsole.Hisfingersflewthroughthekeysashesearchedforawayto
deactivatetheplanetaryshield.Ashefeared,therewasnowaytodoitfromhereBUThecouldoverloadoneof
thegeneratorsthatservedasbackupfortheshieldgenerator.Thatwouldcauseafeedbackloopthatwill
weakentheshieldenoughforittobeoverwhelmed.
Ashewasdoingthat,theothersarrivedandcrowdedaroundhimasheexplainedwhathewasdoing.Cassiopeia
frowned.Butwilltheyhaveenoughfirepowertobreakthroughtheshield?Wherearethegeneratorsanyway?
Harrycheckedthemapandfrowned.Apparentlythecavesplitsintotwopaths.Oneiswhereweneedtogo
whichisthemanufacturingfacilityandaccordingtothis,Moore'sprivateaccomodationsarefoundthere.The
otherleadstosomekindofcloningfacilityandalsostoresthegeneratorsfortheplanetaryshield.
Cassiopeiafrowned.Thenwe'llsplitup.Me,Ethan,LancerandBreawilltakeoutthegeneratorsandcloning
facilitywhileyou,NakiaandShaewillgoafterMoore.Thatwaywecantakecareofbothtargets.
Harrybithislip,worriedaboutlettingthemgoontheirownbutrelented.Itwasnecessaryandtheycouldtake
careofthemselves.Harrynoddedhisagreement.Okay.We'llsplitupwhenwereachtheforkinthecave.Let
mecheckwhatitisthey'recloningtheresoyoucanbeready.
Harrylookedthroughthefilesbeforefindingtheonesrelatedtothecloning.Helookedthroughthembefore
cursingandslamminghisfistagainstthewall.TheothersweresurprisedandNakiaspoke.
Whatisit,beloved?What'shappened?
Harrytookadeepbreathbeforespeakinginanangrytone.ItseemsasifMoorehadgottenherhandsonabout
40Forcesensitivebabiesabouteightyearsago.However,shewasn'twillingtogothroughthelongprocessof
trainingthemallfromyouthsoshesimplystartedtakingtissuesamplestocreateclonesoftheminadultform
andtrainingtheclonesthen.Howevernotallhadsurvivedthetissueremovalandoftheoriginal40only6are
alivenow.Sheautopsiedthebodiesoftheonesthatdiestohaveagreaterunderstandingofhowtochangethe731/917
alivenow.Sheautopsiedthebodiesoftheonesthatdiestohaveagreaterunderstandingofhowtochangethe
clones.However,thatisn'ttheworstpart.Theypickedonegirlandtwoboysandtookthemidichloriansfrom
thedeadchildrenandinjecteditintoherinordertoraisehermidichloriancountandcreatemorepowerful
clonesofthem.Accordingtothis,theproceduresucceededonlywiththegirlandshenowhasamidichlorian
countof17,000percell.
TheoneswhoknewwhatthatmeantlookedshockedandCassiopeiaspokecautiously.Howmanyclonesofher
weremade?
Harrycheckedandsighed.Aboutadozenweremadebutonlyfoursurvivedtoadulthood.They'retheonesin
chargeofthecloningfacilityandyou'llprobablyhavetofacethem.
Cassiopeiagulpedbutnoddedresolutely.I'llkicktheirass,don'tworry.
Nakiafrowned.SotheSaberTroopersandthelikearetheclonesoftheothers?
Harrynodded.Yep.
Scarythought,mutteredLancerwhileBreanoddedherheadbesidehim.
Harrycheckedthefilesbutunfortunately,theprojectdidn'tnameMoore'ssponsorthoughHarryhadanideaof
whoitwas.ThisstankofMarrish'shands.HewastheonlyonewhocouldsupplyMoorewithnotonly40
Forcesensitivebabiesbutthefundstomakethispossible.Wasthiswhathemeantbefore?Somehow,Harry
doubtedit.
ThatalsoexplainedwhyshewantedtokillHarry.Tohaveaccesstohisbodytocreateclonesofhiminorderto
seeifperhapshiscloneswouldbeevenstronger.
RagecoursedthroughHarry'sbodyatthefactsomeonewasmutilatingchildren'sbodieslikethat.Thisreminded
Harrytoomuchofhistreatmentatthehandsofhisrelativesandhewouldputastoptoitnomatterwhat.Harry
alsopromisedhimselftodestroythosecloneaberrationsaswellasthecloningfacility.Harrycheckedthemap
andverifiedthelocationofeverythingimportantbeforepassingittoCassiopeia.
There'sthemapofthecloningfacility.Cassiopeiajustnoddedherheadandputtheholomapinherpocket.
Realizingthattherewasprobablyalotmoreinformationhiddenhere,Harryinsertedoneofthethreeempty
jumpdriveshealwayshadonhispersonanddownloadedeverythingontoit.Ittookaminutebutthejumpdrive
justbarelyhadenoughmemoryspaceforalltheinfo.Thefactthatthejumpdrivehadalmost2000GBof
memoryspaceshowedthattherewasalotofinformation.Mostwaseitherprojectsliketheoneaboutthechild
clonesorplansforfutureexperimentsandthelike.
Harrythenactivatedthebridgeleadingtothepoliticianbuildingandjumpedthroughthewindowtowardthe
bridgewiththeothersfollowing.Harrylandedinarollandtheyranacrossthebridgeassoldiersshotatthem
fromthewindowofthebuilding.Justthen,thethermaldetonatorHarryhadleftinthemaincontrolroomblew
upanddestroyedanychancefortheenemytochasehimasthebridgeretractedafterHarryandotherscrossed.
Theycompletelybypassedthepoliticianbuildingandrantowardthebridgeleadingtowardthewaterfallcaves.
Theyrandownthedarkcavepathsandeventuallyreachedtheforkintheroad.
Harrypointeddowntheleftpath.That'syourgroup'spath,Cassie.Becareful.
Cassiopeiajustsmirked.Aren'tIalways?ShethenrandownherpathwithLancer,BreaandEthanfollowing.
Harryjustrolledhiseyes.NowIknowwhateveryoneelsefeelswhenIsaythat.HetheneldShaeandNakia
Harryjustrolledhiseyes.NowIknowwhateveryoneelsefeelswhenIsaythat.HetheneldShaeandNakia
downtherightpathandtowardsMoore.
EndNotes:

HopeyouliketheactionsequencesbutIpromisethenextonesaregoingtobeeven
better!

IwasoriginallygoingtomakeitintoonelongchapterbutIrealizedatabout50
pagesthatitwouldn'tfit.Don'tworrythoughcausepart2iscomingouton
mondayatthelatestsinceI'vealreadygottherestmostlywrittenout.

Backtoindex
BattleofUmbarapart2byAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter28
InorbitaboveUmbara
Forceme!yelledJainaasshewasonceagainforcedintoevasivemaneuversbythestrangeUmbaran
starfightersonhertail.
TheUmbaranstarfighterslookedmorelikeornamentationsthanrealstarfighterswiththewaytheyweremade.
Theyhadlargetriangularshapedwingssweptbackwardsfromthecockpitwithtwosmallerfinsattachedtothe
topoftheshipabovethecommandchair.The'cockpit'itselfwasstrangeinthefactthatitwasonlyacommand
chairsurroundedbyarayshieldforprotection.FromwhatJainahadseen,theywereverymaneuverabledueto
thefactthatthepilotcontrolleditthroughhandinterfaceratherthancontrols.Thisallowedgreater
maneuverabilitybutalsolefttheircockpitvulnerableduetothefactthatevenasmallbitofdamagetothe
controlsmadetheminoperable.Theengineswerealsoplacedinaverticalconfigurationwiththreeexhaust
vents,furtheringitsstrangeness.Theyhadonlyonerapidfirelasercannonbeneaththecockpitandtwo
electromagnetmissilelaunchersthatwereequaltoaprotontorpedoinsheerdestructivepotential.Allinall,they
wereverydifferentfromnormalstarfighters.
'Doesn'tstopthemfrombeingsodamneffective!'thoughtJainaangrilyasshedodgedanotherbarrageoflaser
shots.
Theyhadbeenbattlinginspaceforalmosthalfanhourandhadquicklyfoundthatwhilestrange,theUmbaran
fighterswerepilotedbyverygoodpilotswhotookadvantageoftheirship'sstrangenesstocatchthemoffguard.
Ifitwasn'tforJaina'sJedireflexesandawareness,shewouldhavebeenshotoutoftheskyhundredsoftimes
already.
Suddenly,thepursuingfightersweredestroyedbyabarrageoflasersandJainaletlooseasighofrelief.Her
commcrackledbeforeherbrotherJacen'samusedvoicecamethrough.
HeyJaina,hesays,Idon'tsupposeyou'dliketothan
Whattookyousolong?demandedJaina,interruptingJacen'sfun.Hewasalwaysmakingjokesand
wisecracksandtheywerealwayslame.Ilinedthemupforyouagesago.Ithoughtyou'dfallenasleep.
Jacensheepishlychucklesoverthecomm.Sorry,I'mnotusedtopilotinganXwingyet.
Jainarollshereyes.ItoldyoutoaskforaTIEbutnoooo....youdidn'twantthesameshipasAnakin.Anyway,
gotaplan?
TherewassilenceoverthecommbeforeJacenhesitantlyspoke.Iwaskindahopingyoudid.
Jainalookedoverthechaosoffthebattlefieldwithagrimlook.Thebattlewasmoreorlessastalemateatthe
moment.Onthestarfighterfront,theyhadquicklyadaptedtothestrangeshipsmovementsandwerewinning
90%oftheskirmishes.Onthewarshipfronttheyweretechnicallywinning.However,whilethereweredozens
ofUmbarancruisersdownandonlythreeRepubliccruisersdown,theUmbaransseemedtohaveanalmost
limitlesssupplycomingfromtheplanet.Untiltheplanetaryshieldwentdown,itwasabattleofattrition,one
whichtheUmbaransweresuretowin.TheUmbaranshadn'tevenmanagedtolaunchtheirStardestroyersyet
andJainadreadedwhentheydid.TheUmbaranswouldfinallyhavethefirepowertomatchtheRepublicStar
Destroyerswhichwouldmakethesofaronesidedbattleintoalonggruelingfightforsupremacy.
However,Jainacouldn'tworryaboutthatnow.Theirsquadronwasspreadoutacrossthebattlefieldduetoboth
inexperiencefightingtogetherandthembeingneededeverywhere.ItwasquicklyfoundthatasingleJedipilot
couldtakedownanenemystarfightersquadrondownallbyhimorherselfandtheyweresenteverywhereto
makesurethemoreinexperiencedpilotsweren'toverwhelmed.What'sworsewasthattheenemywasmaking
liberaluseofSpiralclassassaultshipstotryandlandboardingpartiesontheircapitalships.OnlytheJedicould
sensethemduetotheiradvancedstealthsystemsandtheyhadspentmuchtimejustdefendingtheircapitalships
untilAsharamanagedtolandontheirflagshipandusedbattlemeditationtobebothsupportthemandtosense
foranymoreattemptsatboarding.ItwasluckyHarryhadwarnedthembecausetheyhadalreadylostafrigate
duetotheenemySaberGuardsskills.
Jainalookedatherstatusscreenandnoddedtoherself.There'stwoDreadnaughtclassheavycruisersmakinga
breakforourflagship.They'rebeingfollowedbyafewCC9600frigatesandweknowthatthosehaveafew
boardingdrillsonthemsoweneedtodestroythecruiserssoourcapitalshipshaveacleanlineofsightonthose
smallerfrigatesbeforetheycangetcloseenoughtotryandboard.Yougotmyback,Jac?

Jaina'scommcrackledandshecouldfeelhertwin'sdeterminationthroughtheirbond.Always,Yaya.
Thetwoflewsidebysidetowardthetwocruisers,weavingpastotherbattlestoreachtheirtarget.Theyslowed
downoncetheywereinrangeandbegantheirattackrun.TheysilentlyagreedontheirtargetsenginesforJacen
andweaponsforJainabeforefiring.
Jacenmanagedtodisableoneship'senginescompletelywithawellplacedprotontorpedobutonlymangedto
destroyoneoftheothercruiser'sengines.However,Jainahadquicklyflownoverbothcruiserswhilereleasing
herremainingpayloadofprotontorpedoes,managingtodestroyboththeirsensorsandweaponsystemduetoa
luckyshot.Bothcruisersquicklybecamedeadinspace,amatterthatwasmadeworsewhenLukeandMara
passedbyontheirXwingsandfinishedthemoff,causingthemtoexplodebeforemovingontowardtheCC
9600frigates.
Jaina'scommcrackledandLukewryvoicecamethrough.Niceshot,Jaina,butnexttimejustfinishthemoff.
Whiletheirweaponssystemisofflinetheycanstillfireindiscriminatelyiftheywish.Welostafewpilotsthat
wayearlier.Theyseemtonotcarewhotheyhitsincetheyknowtheyhaveplentyofreinforcements.
Jainasighedbutacknowledgedthepoint.You'reright,UncleLuke.Sorry.
Jacen,however,didn'tagree.Weshouldn'tjustkillthemUncleLuke.Forallweknow,they'rebeingtricked
intothis.Wecan'tkillthemforfollowingordersespeciallysincethey'renottechnicallypartoftheNew
Republic.
ThistimeitwasMarathatspoke.TheymightnotbepartoftheNewRepublicbuttheywerealsobuildingthis
fleetforapurposeandIdoubtitwasagoodone.TheyalsokidnappedaJediKnightandherapprenticeswhen
theycameingoodfaith.Eitherway,themiddleofabattleisnottheplacetohaveaphilosophicaldiscussion
aboutthemoralityofouractions.Fromapurelystrategicpointofvies,it'sbettertodestroythemthanrunthe
riskofthemcontinuingtocausedamageevenifthey'redeadinspace.
JainafeltJacenabouttocontinuetheargumentbutJainainterrupted.I'moutoftorpedoessoIneedtorefuel.
How'sthebattlegoing?
Lukesighedashefinishedoffthelastofthefrigates.We'rewinningbutitdoesn'tmeanmuchwhentheenemy
seemstobelimitless.WeneedthatshielddownandtheonlywayIcanthinkofdoingthatfromoursideis
concentratingeverythingwehaveinonespotbutthat'llleaveusopenforcounterattackforawhileafterwards.
Jainathoughtaboutitbeforeshehadanideaasshestaredatthewreckageofafewenemycruisers.Soifwe
canhitasinglespotontheshieldswithmassiveforcetheentirethingshouldfail,right?
LukeletlooseafeelingofcuriosityintheForcebeforeanswering.Yes,basically.
Jainagrinnedassheflewtowardthelargestconcentrationofenemywreckage.Thenlet'sslamthiswreckage
intotheshields!Ican'timaginetheshieldssurvivingbeinghitbyalargecruiser.
Lukewassilentbeforehesitantlyspeaking.Thatwouldwork....iftheirenginesstillfunctioned.Weneedtheir
enginestogivethemtheproperforwardmomentumtohititwithsufficientforce.Anythingelseandit'djust
bouncerightoff.Furthermore,someonewouldhavetostayonitinordertodirectittowardtheshieldswithout
itcrashingintothewreckageofanothership.SorryJainabutitwasagoodidea.
Jainasighed.Yea,you'reright.Well,IguesswejusthavetowaitforHarrytotakedowntheirshieldsfrom
inside.I'mgoingtorefuel.
Acknowledged.
Jainaflewhershipbacktowardtheflagshiptorefuel,allthewhilethinkingonething.
'Hurryup,Harry.Wecan'tholdoffforever!'
AsingledropofwaterdroppedfromahangingstalagmiteasHarryandcompanywererunningdowntheirpath
tryingtoreachtheend.Ithadonlybeenfiveminutessincetheyseparatedfromtheothersbuttheystillhadn't
reachedtheendofthepath.Suddenly,Harrystoppedasheheardsomethingcomingfromfurtherdownthepath.
NakiaandShaestoppedbesidehim,hesitantlylookingaroundasiftospotwhateverhadcausedHarrytotense
andlookaroundcautiously.
Whatisit,beloved?askedNakiaquietly.
Harrynarrowedhiseyesasheheardthesoundagain.Can'tyouhearthat?Itsoundslike...bugs.Oratleast
somethingwithalotoffeet.
Shaetensedassheplacedafingertoherrighttempleasshesearchedherdatabanksforanyinforelatedto
Umbarantech.Shewasquietamomentasthesoundsincreasedandsuddenlytensedbeforetakingouther
blasters.
Millicreeps!yelledShaeastheaforementioneddroidsturnedthecorner.
Harryignitedhislightsabersashestudiedthisnewenemy.Theenemywasafootandhalflongdroidinthe
shapeofasixleggedinsectscurryingalongtheflooronitbelly.Itwassimilartoacentipedeonlywithonlysix
legsandalongbarbedtail.Themostdangerousaspectwasthefactthatbothitsfeetanditslongtailwere
sparkingwithelectricityandbythesightofthesharppointsattheendoftheeachbarbofitstail,itwasn'tfor
anythinggood.
Shit!yelledNakiaasshesentaForcepushatthemtomakesomedistance.Theonesthatflewawayjustgot
backupagainandclosedthedistanceoncemore.WhatcanyoutellusaboutthemShae?!
Shaesentastreamofflamesattheapproachingmillicreepsanditworkedatfirstbuteventuallytheystarted
scurryingalongtheceilingandwallstooverwhelmher.Don'tletthemgetclose!Theyelectrifyandimpale
theirenemies!Forcelightningwouldonlymakethemstrongersincetheyabsorbit!Longrangeonly!
ThatwaseasiersaidthandoneasShaecouldonlysentacertainamountofflamesatatimeandForcepushes
onlydelayedtheinevitable.Harrysuddenlyhadanideaandhopeditwouldwork.
Letmetrysomething!yelledHarry.Harrygatheredalotofioniclightninginhishandsbeforesendingitina
widearctohiteverythinginfrontofhim.Sincehewasinfrontofthegirls,theyweren'taffectedandevery
millicreepwithintenfeetofHarrywasfriedastheioniclightningoverloadedtheircircuitsandtheyletoutsmall
explosionsastheydied.Harrygrinnedathissuccessbutitquicklyleftwhenalmostahundredmorecamefrom
furtherdownthetunnel.
Wait!Ihaveanidea,saidNakiawithadeterminedlookonherface.Sheignitedherdarksaberbeforeclosing
hereyesinconcentration.HarryfelthergatheranalmostobsceneamountofForceenergyandchannelitinto
herdarksaber.Thebladeseemedtobecomeevenblackerifthatmadeanysenseandjustasthemillicreepswere
almostuponthem,Nakiaopenedhereyesthatnowhadasicklyyellowringsurroundingherblueiris.Itmade
foradisturbingsighttoseeherblacksclera,sicklyyellowringsurroundingheririsesandhericeblueeyes
glaringatthemillicreeps.Shethenletoutaprimalyellandimpaledherdarksaberintotheground.
Suddenly,largespearsofblackdarksideenergysprangoutofthegroundbeneatheachandeverymillicreep,
impalinganddestroyingthem.AllwassilentasNakiaslowlypulledthedarksaberoutofthegroundandthe
spearsfollowedsuitastheyslowlydisappearedbackintotheground,leavingnotraceofthembeingthere
exceptforthewreckageofdestroyedmillicreeps.
NakiawasbreathingdeeplyasshetriedtocatchherbreathfromthestrenuoususeoftheForce.Ithadbeen
centuriessinceshe'dusedtheForceforanythingmorethanhidingherpresenceandtoherchagrin,itwas
showing.
HarrywaswideeyedatthedisplayofpowerandhelookedatNakiawithaslightpout.Justhowmuchhave
youbeenholdingbackwhenyoufightme?
Nakiahadcaughtherbreathandjustsmirkedathim.Iwouldneveraimtoharmyou,beloved.
Harryjustpoutedfurther.Thatdoesn'tmakemefeelanybetter.
NakiajustlaugheduntilShaewalkedbetweenthem.Thatwasgreat,Nakia,butweneedtogetmoving.There
mightbemoreontheway.
HarryandNakianoddedbeforeHarryledthewayfurtherdownthepath.Aftertwomoreencounterswith
enemies(onewithUmbaranAcolytesandanotherwithmoremillicreeps),theyeventuallyreachedtheendofthe
pathonlytofindtwoSaberGuardsandtwosoldiersthatlookedremarkablysimilartoImperialSenateGuards.
Afactthatwasonlyreinforcedwhentheyignitedtheircortosisstaffs.TheSaberGuardsweredifferentfromthe
othersthey'dseeninthefactthattheirarmorhadsilveraccentsinsteadofbeingcompletelygold.
Harrylookedatthemwarilybutquicklylookedawayfromthemtolookatthetowerbehindthem.Thetower
lookedsimilartoholoimagesHarryhadseenoftheTowerofLawonBimmisaari.However,unliketheTower
ofLaw,itendedwithasharppointonthetopratherthanaflatsurface.Harryhadlookedatitbecausehefelt
Astraalandthegirlsatthetop.Thoughhewasfaraway,hecouldbarelyseealineoffiguresenteringa
magnetictramlocatedatthetopoftheTower.Harry'sheartleaptwhenhecouldbarelyhearhisapprentices'
muffledcursescomingfromatrioofmaskedfiguresbeingdraggedtowardthetrambytwocloakedfigures.
ThefigurethatwasdraggingAstraalstoppedandseemedtolooktowardHarrybeforesendinghimamocking
wave.BehindthefigurewalkedanUmbaranwomanthatcouldonlybeSlyMooreherself.Evenfromthis
distance,HarrycouldfeelthedarknessbothSlyMooreandthetwocloakedfigureswereradiating.Itwasasif
theywerecompletelyshroudedinthedarkside.HarrycouldonlywatchhelplesslyasAstraalandthegirlswere
draggedintothetrambeforeitactivatedandleft.
HarrywassodistractedhebarelydodgedoneoftheSenateGuardsstabsasheattackedhim.Harrywasinstantly
setuponbyoneoftheSaberGuardsaswellandHarryignitedhisvioletandicebluelightsaberstofendthem
off.
Harrygrittedhisteethbeforedecidingonacourseofaction.Shae!Useyourjetpackandflytothetopofthat
tower!Secureatramandfindoutwheretheywereheaded!Useanymeanstosecurethattram,evenifitmeans
blowingupthebridgeleadingtoit!Wecan'tletthemsabotageeffortstofollowthem!
ShaehadbeenhangingbackasNakiaengagedtheremainingSenateandSaberGuardsassheturnedtoHarry.
ButHarry,Mooresaiditwasallatrap!Sheprobablywantsyoutofollowhertosomewhereshehastheupper
hand!
Harryjustglaredathisenemiesashecontinuedtododgeandblocktheirslashes.Doesn'tmatter!Justpleasedo
it!
Shaesighedbeforeactivatingherjetpackandflyingtothetopofthetower.Seeingthatshehadlistenedtohim,
Harryconcentratedonhisenemies.
TheSaberGuardandtheSenateGuardhadobviouslytrainedtogetherbecausetheyworkedtogethertokeep
himoffbalance.However,Harryhadgottentiredoftheconstantdelaysandnolongerfeltlikebeingmerciful.
Hepressedtheattackandhislightsabersbecameawhirlofcolorsasheferociouslyattackedbothenemies.They
werecaughtoffguardbyhisaggressivenessandwerepushedbackasHarryusedbothhislightsabersandhis
bodyasaweapontoinflictdamageonthem.
HarrywasgoingcompletelyoninstinctasheusedVaapad'saggressivenesstoforcethemonthedefensive.At
onepoint,HarrybroketheSenateGuard'sdefenseandlandedaviciousblowacrosshisfacefromhisright
cheektohislefttemple.Ithadalsorippedoffhismask,showingthefacebeneath.
Harryfeltlikehurlingashelookedonthedeformedfaceofwhatcouldonlybeafailedclone.Itlookedlikeit
wassupposedtobeamanbuthisnosewasmissing,hismouthwasstitchedtogetherandhiseyeswereasickly
greenthatradiatedbloodlustandmadness.
'AtleastthatconfirmshowMooremanagedtohavesomanyForcesensitiveguards,'thoughtHarrygrimly.'She
clonesthemandkeepstheonesthatsurviveregardlessofhowtheylook.'
ThedeformedSenateGuardgrowledbeforeviciouslyattackingwithhiscortosisstaffbyattemptingtostab
Harrythrough.ThatprovedtobeamistakesinceHarrysimplesidesteppedandspinnedalongthelengthofthe
staffintotheclone'sspaceandviciouslybeheadedhim.HarrywasallowednorestastheSaberGuardwas
instantlyontopofhim.However,withouthisfriendtohelphimHarryquicklybrokethroughhisguardbefore
cuttinghiminhalfatthewaist.
HarrytookdeepbreathsbeforeturningintimetoseeNakiasummonanotherblackspearbehindthelastSaber
Guard,impalinghimthroughthestomachassheheldhiminasaberlock.TheSenateGuardseemedtohave
beenstabbedthroughthechestbeforehand.Asthelastenemyfell,Harryactivatedhiscommandcalled
Cassiopeia.
Cassie,doyoureadme?
Cassiopeiausedhercortosisstafftoimpalethelastoftheenemythroughthechestwiththeplasmablade.She
tookadeepbreathasshelookedaroundatthecarnagesurroundingher.
Asherteamventureddeeperdowntheirpath,therockycavewallshadgivenwaytometalandartificial
lighting.Whilethiswasgoodintermsofbeingabletoseewheretheyweregoing,itwasbadwhentheymet
theirnewenemies.
Atfirstglance,theirnewenemylookedlikeawalkingskeletonandCassiopeiahadfrozeninpanicthinkingthey
werezombies(shereallyshouldn'thadstayedupallnightwhenshewas4watchingzombiemovies).However,
shequicklynoticedthattheywerereallyjustmenwearingablackflightsuitwithawhitecodpiece,chestpiece,
kneepadsandarmguardssimilartostormtrooperarmor.Thearmoralongtheirarmsreachedtheirhandsand
turnedtheirfingersintoclawstocutthroughtheirenemy.TheirhelmetlookedsimilartosomeKaleeshmasks
Cassiopeiahadseenbeforeandshecouldn'thelpbutshiverwhenshesawthem.However,noneofthiswould
haveposedaproblemexceptforonething:theyhadstealthsuitsthatmadetheminvisibletothenakedeye.
CassiopeiahadcursedthefactthatnooneinhergroupcoulduseForcesightorhadadvancedsensorstoseethe
enemylikeShae.Afterafewminutesofthegroupbarelyavoidingtheenemies'strikes,Cassiopeiahadanidea.
Shepulledoutherfather'swandbeforeincanting,HomenumRevelio!
Thespellwasusedtorevealthepresenceofhumanoidorganicsanddespitethesefreaksbeingwaytooflexible
tobeanythingbuttheresultofgeneticengineering,theywerestillmostlyhumanoid.Thisallowedthespellto
revealtheenemies'inanaurasurroundingwheretheywerestanding.Lancerhadseentheeffectsandgrowled
angrilybeforeroaringandpickingupthenearestenemybythelegandusinghimlikeaswordtohittheother
enemieshardenoughtodamagetheirdelicatestealthsuitandthrowthemintothewalls.
Cassiopeia,EthanandBreaquicklytookadvantageandwhiletheformertwoattackedfromcloserange,Brea
usedheralmostgodlikeaccuracytoshoottheenemythroughtheheadwitheveryshot.Theyhadrepeatedthis
encounterthreemoretimesbeforetheyreachedtheendofthepath.
CassiopeialookedatthecorpsesBreahadmadeinaweasshenoticedthattheywereallperfectheadshots.Even
theenemiesthatlookedsimilartoImperialSenateGuardsshowninholovidssometimes.Thesehadbeenthe
worstoftheenemiessofarsincetheyhadcortosisstaffssimilartoCassiopeiaanduseditalmostasgoodasshe
did.However,CassiopeiahadtheadvantageduetobeingabletousetheForcetospeedupherreflexesand
reactiontime.
CassiopeiasighedasshelookedaroundbeforehercommcrackledandHarry'svoicecamethrough.
Cassie,doyoureadme?
Cassiopeiaraisedafingertoherheadcommandanswered.Yeah,Ihearyou,cuz.What'swrong?
NothingherebutweonlyarrivedintimetoseeMooretakeAstraalandthegirlsaway.Wealsometupafew
newenemiesintheformofSenateGuards.
CassiopeiafrownedandkickedthecorpseofthenearestSenateGuard.Yeah,wemetthosetoo.Hardashellto
killwithonlyastaffsincetheyusethosetooandknowhowtofightagainstthem.Myfirewhipisuselessin
closedinplaceslikethis.WealsometanewenemythatBreasaysarecalledTerrorsoldiers,becarefulifyou
meetthemsincetheycangoinvisible.Althoughyou'llhaveiteasiersinceyoucanuseForcesight.
I'llkeepthatinmind.Canyouseewheretheplanetaryshieldgeneratorisyet?
Cassiopeialookedupatthelargecloningfacilitytheyhadentered.Itwasverylargewithacentraltubewith
bluelightinsidethatCassiopeiaguessedmustbethepowersourcefortheentireplace.Attachedtothecentral
tubeweresixhexagonalmetalplatesabout5feetthickwithsixcloningtanksoneachpointofeveryhexagon.
Theonlywayupseemedtobebyjumpingfromplatetoplatetoreachtheelevatoratthetop.Cassiopeialooked
downfromwheretheywerestandingwhichseemedtobethecentralcontrolforthefacility.Belowthem,the
centraltubecontinueddownwardandaccordingtoschematics,waswheretheplanetaryshieldgeneratorwas
located.
Cassiopeiasighed.NotfromherebutIknowwhereitis.However,it'sintheoppositedirectionofwherethe
childrenarebeingheld.Accordingtoschematics,thechildrenarefoundonthetopfloorofthisplace,nearthe
surface.However,theshieldgeneratorisonthebottomlevel,justabovethe'Leviathancage'whichImustsay
makesmeprettyuneasy.
Harrywasquietforsecondbeforeresponding.Thenyou'llhavetosplitup.SendLancerandBreatotakecare
ofthegeneratorsinceLancerwillprobablydestroyiteasilybyhimselfandBreacancoverhim.YouandEthan
caneasilyscaleupthefacilityandreachthechildrenbeforetheyrealizeyourobjective.Ifthere'sanotherway
outofthefacility,caveinthetunnelbehindyousoyoudon'tgetattackedfrombehind.
Cassiopeiafrownedinthoughtbeforenodding.ThatwaswhatIwasplanningbutI'mgladyouagree.We'll
contactyouoncethegenerator'sdown.Withthat,Cassiopeiaendedthetransmissionandturnedtotheothers.
Youheardhimpeople.LancerandBreaaretogoanddestroythegeneratorwhilemeandEthansecurethe
childrenonthetopfloor.Becarefulsincebothplaceswillprobablyhavemuchgreatersecuritythanwhatwe've
facedsofar.However,beforewegohelpmeplacechargesalongthewallstocaveinthetunnel.There'sanother
exitonthetopfloortowardthesurfacesowecanallescapethroughthere.
EthantookoutfourClassAthermaldetonatorsandgaveonetoeachperson.AtCassiopeia'smark,allfour
tossedthemdownthetunneltheycamethroughandwatchedasthehighyieldexplosivescausedthetunnelto
cavein,blockinganyenemypursuit.CassiopeianoddedatthesuccessfulcaveinandthenturnedtoLancerand
Brea.
Well,Idon'tknowyoutwosowellbutIlikeyoualready.Sotakecareandwe'llmeetupafteryou'redone.
ThegroupoffourseparatedintotwogroupsoftwowithCassiopeiagoingwithEthanuptowardsthetopfloor
andLancerandBreajumpingdowntothelowerlevelstoreachthegenerator.
Lancerlandedwithacrash,Breahavingriddenonhisshoulders.Hestooduptohisfulltwometerheightand
lookedatBreaamusedlyasshedroppedfromhisshouldersbesidehim.
You'relikemypersonalmonkeythewayyourideonmyshouldersometimes.
Instantly,Lancerwishedhe'dkepthismouthshutasBreainstantlyhadoneofherblasterpistolpointedathis
faceandasicklysweetsmileonherface.
Whatwasthat?
Lancerstartedtosweatinfearbecauseheknewshewouldhavenocompunctionsaboutshootinghimrightin
thefaceandsayinghehaddiedtragicallyinanaccident.
Lancergaveheratremblingsmile.Isaidyou'resoflexibleand...accuratethatyouseemlikea...viciouskrayt
dragontoyourenemies.

BreasmiledandwinkedbeforeholsteringherpistolandLancerletoutasighofrelief.That'swhatIthought
yousaid.NowcomeoneyouhairlessWookie,wehaveageneratortodestroy.
LancerjuststaredatBrea'sretreatingbackbeforemuttering,SometimesIwonderwhyIputupwithher.Then
Lancer'seyeswhenlowerontoBrea'sbeautifulbacksideandaslightlypervertedsmilecrossedhisface.Oh
yeah,that'swhy.
AblasterboltpassedbyLancer'scheekandhegulpedashesawBreapointinghersmokingpistolathimand
glaring.Mybacksideisnottoforyouroglingpleasure.Aslightlydisturbingandpervertedgiggleescapedher
mouth.ExceptforHarry.Hecanstareandgraballhewants.
Lancercouldn'thelpbutrollhiseyesasBreawenttoherpervertedlittleworldwhereHarrydidunspeakable
thingstoherbody.SheonlyevershowedthisparttoLancerandonlywhentheywerealone.Despitewhatshe
said,shewastooshyandembarrassedtosayanythingtoHarry'sface.Itwasmadeworsesinceitseemedevery
womanattractedtoHarrywasincrediblybeautifulandhisfirstgirlfriendwasoneofthefinestrepresentationsof
theTwi'lekspecies.AllthismadeheractasifshefeltnothingbutprofessionalfeelingsforHarry.However,
LancerdoubtedsheactuallylovedHarry.Itwasmorelikelustsinceshedidn'tknowhimwellenoughtosayshe
lovedhim.
'Luckybastard,'thoughtLancerdepressively.HeshookhisheadandsnappedhisfingersinfrontofBreato
bringheroutofwhateverpervertedfantasiesshehadconcocted.Comeon,Brea.Wehaveajobtodo.
Breainstantlybecameseriousandnoddedherunderstandingthatnowwasn'tthetime.Lancerledthewayas
theyenteredaturboliftthatwouldleadthemfurtherdownthefacility.Theturboliftopenedtoawideareawith
emptycloningtanksalongthewalls.Lancercouldn'thelpbutscowlatthesightofthecloningtanks.
Whatkindofpeopledothistochildren?Especiallyfortheirentirelife?AreallSiththisinhumane?
Breamouthwasinathinlineassheglaredaroundher.Worse.MostSithwouldselleverything,eventheir
souls,forabitmorepower.They'reidiotsbecausetheyinevitablygiveupmorethantheygainbuttheproblem
isthatthey'reidiotswithpower.Iftheywereweak,theywouldbeextinctbynow.
Lanceronlygruntedhisunderstandingevenashisfacestillshowedhisdisgust.Astheyenteredthechamber
proper,twolargehulkingdroidscameoutofsidedoors.Lancerpulledouthisguninhislefthandandcarried
hislargebladeinhisrightwhileBreapulledoutherdualpistolsandaimedthematthenewenemy.
Thedroidsconsistedofalargeandbulkybodywithtwomassive,splayedlegsandhuge,razorsharpbladed
arms.Theirheadwassimilartotheterrorsoldiersfromearlierexceptitwasobviousthisthingwascompletely
mechanical.Lancerfeltaslimmerofworryenterhisgutwhenhesawtheywereovertwometerstallyetmoved
withaspeedthatbeliedtheirsize.Theseweren'tyourtypicallargeandslowdroidsthatwereeasilyoutrun.
ThesethingswerefastenoughtocatchupwithmostJedi.
Ofthegroup,LancerwastheonlyonebesidesShaethatwasn'ttechnicallyForcesensitive.Whilehehadsome
Forcesensitivity,itwasn'thighenoughtorankJeditrainingevenifhewantedit.Heonlyhadenoughtogive
himavaguefeelingofuneasewhenenteringatrapandtomakehimhavemuchmorestaminathanusual.
However,underBrea'sguidancehehadmanagedtousewhatlittlesensitivityhehadtoaugmenthisabilities.
Usually,LancerwasstrongenoughtostandtoetotoewitheventhestrongestWookie.However,Breahad
taughthimtochanneltheForceconstantlysothathisskinbecameasstrongasdurasteelandhisstrength
doubledinshortbursts.Hisskin'sresistancewasconstantbuthisstrengthwasn'tandneededtobeconsciously
channeledtowork.
LancernarrowedhiseyesandchanneledwhatlittlebitoftheForcehecouldtobereadyandaugmenthis
strength.ItwasjustintimesincetheTerrorBiodroidontherightdashedtowardsthem.
WhileBreajumpedtotheleftandfoughttheremainingenemy,Lancerstoodhisgroundandshottheincoming
droidinthefaceafewtimesbeforeholsteringthegunandrollingtotherighttododgethebiodroid'sslash.He
thenbroughthisgiantbladeinaviciousupwardslashunderthebiodroid'schininanattempttoimpaleit
throughthehead.
Whiletheslashlanded,itfailedtopenetrateandonlymadethebiodroidtakeafewstepsbackfromthestrength
oftheblow.Lancer'seyesflashedatthenewinformationregardingtheenemy.It'sarmorwasapparentlystrong
enoughtoresistpowerfulblowssinceitwasbarelyscratcheddespiteLancerusinghalfhisfullstrength.Lancer
jumpedbacktododgethebiodroid'sattempttoimpalehimandnoticedthatthebiodroidhadusedsomuch
strengthhewasactuallystucktothefloorfornow.
Lancerquicklytookadvantageandjumpedupbeforefallingdownusingthemomentumcreatedbygravityto
impalethebiodroidthroughtheback.SparksflewasLancerviciouslysawedhisswordinandoutofthedroidas
ittriedtopushhimoffbutlackedtheflexibilitytodoso.Withacryofexertion,Lancerpulledhisswordupthe
biodroid'sspineuntilit'sheadpoppedout.Thebiodroidfrozebeforefallingdowndefeated.
LancerturnedtoBreaonlytoseeherridingthebiodroidlikeaspeederandshootingitinthebackwithherdual
pistols.Sheeventuallybreacheditsarmorandcontinuedshootingitsinnercircuitryuntiltheentirething
shudderedandBreajumpedoffintimeforittoblowintopieces.
ThetwocaughttheirbreathbeforeBreaactivatedherheadcommandcalledHarry.Harry,youthere?
HarryblockedtheRoyalGuard'sslashbeforejumpingtoavoidtheSaberGuard'slowslashtohislegs.Harry's
lightsaberswereablurofvioletandblueasheparriedallthreeofhisenemiesslashesandthrustswhile
unleashingkicksandpunchesatthemwhenevertheyletdowntheirguard.Finally,oneofthetwoRoyalGuards
madeamistakeandtriedforaoverheadslashdowntowardhimbeforeHarryblockeditwithhisbluelightsaber
inhislefthandwhilehavinghisbacktohim,puttinghisvioletlightsaberinareversegripandimpalingthe
RoyalGuardthroughthechest.HarrythengrabbedtheimpaledRoyalGuard'sforcepikeandblockedboththe
SaberGuard'sandtheremainingRoyalGuard'soverhandslasheswithit.Hethentookhisvioletlightsaberout
ofnowdeadRoyalGuardchestandsentapowerfulForcepushatthemthatsentthemflying.Harrygrabbedthe
Forcepikeandthrewlikeaspear,impalingtheRoyalGuardbeforedashingatthedazedSaberGuardand
beheadinghim.
HarryturnedastwomoresilverarmoredSaberGuardsattackedhimandheblockeditwithhisblades.These
weretheworstofalltheenemiesHarryhadfacedinhisopinion.WhiletheRoyalGuardsweregreattacticians
andknewhowtouseeveryoneingroups,thesesilverSaberGuardswereexpertsinusingboththeirsabersand
theForce.
HarrychanneledForcelightningthroughhislightsabersandusedittopushtheSilverGuardsaway.Harrythen
wasforcedtocrosshissaberstoblockoneSilverGuard'sForcelightningbeforeredirectingitattheotherSilver
Guardwhenhedashedathim.Harrythenthrewhisbluelightsaber,impalingthesecondSilverGuardbefore
rollingoutofthewayofthefirst'sForcepush,summoninghisbluelightsaberbacktohishandanddashingat
theremainingSilverGuardbeforehecouldattackwiththeForceagain.Harrywasgettingtiredandeventually
oneofthoseattackswouldlandifhedidn'tenditquickly.
Harryattackedinaflurryofblades,nevergivingtheSilverGuardasecondtocounterattack.Harrycontinuedto
usethemomentumofhisslashestoincreasehisspeeduntiltheGuardmadeamistakeandHarrycutoffthetop
halfofhishead.AstheGuardfelldowndead,Harrytriedtocatchhisbreathsincehesensedtherewerenomore
enemies.
HarrylookedtowardNakiaonlytoseehergrabthelastSilverGuardinaForcechokewhilehehadhisguard
downandslamhimsohardagainstthefloorHarryheardmostofhisbonesbreak.Harrylookedaroundand
gaveafrustratedsighashesawthedozensofdeadGuardsaroundthem.
TheywereonlyonthethirdfloorofthefourfloorbuildingandHarrywasgettingfrustrated.Shaehadcommed
themearlierthatthereweretwopowerfulForcesensitivesonthefourthfloornearthetramshehadsecuredand
forsomereasontheyhadn'tattackedher.Sheguessedtheyhadorderstotakecareofhimfirstbeforeengaging
anyoneelseandwerewaitingforhimupthere.Shaehadbeenforcedtoblowupthebridgeleadingtothetram
shehadsecuredwhenalmosttwentyGuardshadtriedtoswarmherposition.Shaeblewupthebridgetheywere
crossingandkilledofftheremainingoneswithamixtureofherflamesandpistols.Herjetpackneededtimeto
rechargebeforeusingagainsoshewasstuckuntiltheyarrived.
Harrylookedaroundatthedeadenemieswithacriticaleye.
ItseemedasifMoorewasobsessedwithbringingbacktheEmpireasitwasunderPalpatinebecauseshewas
recreatingtheEmperor'sRoyalGuardsRegimentthroughtheclones.NakiaandhimhadrunintotheRoyal
GuardsversiononthefirstfloorandtheSilverGuardsversiononthesecond.Theyhadabitofaproblemfacing
theformerduetothembeingcapablecommandersandtheirtendencytoattackhiminconcertwithSaber
GuardsandSenateGuards.ItwasonlyHarry'sextensivetrainingandprowesswithalightsaberthatlethim
survivethoseconfrontations.TheSilverGuardsseemedincapableofattackingtogetheringroupsbiggerthan
twoandsowhiletheyweremuchmoredangerous,theydidn'thavethedangerofoverwhelminghimifheacted
smart.However,Harrywasslowlygettingtiredandthislastfighthadtakenalmosteverythingfromhim.
Ontheotherhand,NakiaonlyhadaslightsheenofsweatonherbodyandHarrycouldn'thelpbutstareather
heavingbosomasshetookdeepbreathstoregainherstrength.Harrylookedupwhensheturnedtohimandthe
amusementinhereyesshowedsheknewwhathewaslookingat.Ratherthanbeembarrassed,Harrylookedher
straightintheeyesoshecouldseethelustinhiseyes.
Nakia...whenwegetoutofhereI'mgonnatofuckyousohardthatyou'llneverwalkstraightagain.
LustenteredNakia'seyesasshesauntereduptohimandmoldedherselftohischest.Ican'twait,beloved.I
lovethefeelofyouinsideme.You'reinsatiable.
ThatlastcommentremindedHarryofAstraal,whohadsaidthattohimmanytimesandthatalsoledhimto
thinkofthelastthingshesaidthroughtheloudspeaker.
'You'rewrong!Harrylovesme......helovesme!'
Nakiaseemedtosensewhatcausedhischangeinmoodbecauseshedrewhimintoakissbeforelookingathim
intheeye.Don'tworrybeloved.I'lltalktoherandtakefullresponsibility.I'llsayIseducedyouandyouonly
brokebecauseyouweresadbecauseofthebreakup.
ThatsnappedHarryoutofhisthoughtsandheglaredather.I'mnotlettingyoutaketheblameforthis,Nakia.I
wantedtosleepwithyou.I'lltalktoherafterwards.
Nakiawasunconvincedbutdidn'tsayanythingexceptkissinghimagain.Iloveyou,beloved.Remember,I'll
acceptanypositioninyourlifeaslongasIcanstaybyyourside.
HerdeclarationstillmadeHarryuncomfortableduetohimfeelinghewasunworthyofitbuthedidn'tsay
anything.Suddenly,hiscommbeepedandHarryheardBrea'svoice.

Harry,areyouthere?
HeseparatedfromNakia'sembracereluctantlyandheansweredthecallonhisheadcomm.Yeah,I'mhere.Did
youguysdestroythegeneratoryet?
Sorry,butno.However,we'rehalfwaytherealready.Theproblemisthatresistanceisgettingprettyheavy.The
lastenemywasafreakinghugedroidwithbladedarmssharpenoughtostanduptoalightsaber!Itmighttake
longerthanplannedtodestroyit.
Harryfrownedatthat.Becarefulthen.Destroyingthegeneratorwouldbemeaninglessifyoudiealongthe
way.
Aye,ayesir.Theshieldwillbedownwithinthehour.Withthat,thecallended.
HarrylookedatNakiawithatiredlookonhisfaceandshedrewhimintoascorchingkissthatgotHarry'sblood
travelingtohislowerregions.Afterawhispered'Iloveyou'fromNakia,theyseparatedandwalkedtowardthe
turboliftthatledtothefourthfloor.
Astheyenteredtheturbolift,NakialookedatHarryandnoticedhowtiredhewasfromtheconstantfighting.
Whileverystrong,HarrylackedtheendurancethatNakiahadgainedfrommillenniaofhoningherskills.Nakia
hadlearnedthetrickofusingonlytheexactamountofForceenergyneededtouseapowerandthereforesaved
mostofherstrengthbynotusingmorethannecessary.Harry,ontheotherhand,tendedtooverchargehis
powersduetolackofexperienceusingtheminbattle.Trainingwithapowerisdifferentfromusingitinbattle,
afterall.
Thetowerdidn'tlooklikeamanufacturingplantfromtheoutsidebuttheinsidewasadifferentstory.Itquickly
becameobviousthatthiswasamanufacturingplantforweaponryforthevariousGuards.Therehadbeenalarge
storeroomthatheldeverythingfromforcepikestomassproducedlightsabers(somethingpreviouslythoughtto
beimpossible).TherehadbeenenoughweaponstheretooutfitanarmyofGuards.Theideaoftherebeingthat
manyGuardssentchillsuptheirspines.TheJediwerebarelyinthehundredsandtheseGuardsweremorethan
amatchformostKnights.TheonlyreasonthepreviousincarnationofRoyalGuardsweresoeasilydefeated
werebecausetheyweren'ttrainedintheForce.However,thesenewversionswereextensivelytrainedandthey
becamemoredifficultthehigherinthehierarchytheywere.HarrydoubtedthatMooretaughtthemallandmost
wereprobablytaughtthroughmemoryflashes.TheproblemwaswhosebecauseHarrydoubtedthatMoore's
trainingconsistedoflightsabertrainingandoffensiveForcepowersalone.Mooreseemedmoreliketheassassin
typethantheconfrontationaltype.Whoevertheygottheirmemoriesfromwasobviouslyafrontlinefighterand
wasverygood.
Theturboliftopenedtothefourthfloorwhichwasawideopenchamberwithmanycratesstackedupallover
theplace.BothHarryandNakiatensedsincethiswasthefloorwhereShaesaidthetwopowerfulForce
sensitiveswerelocated.TherewasapaththroughthemiddleofthecratesandHarrycouldseethetramShae
hadsecuredaswellasShaeherselfhidingbehindapillarandexchangingfirewithsomeUmbaransoldiers.
EverytimeoneoftheGuardstriedtogetclose,Shaewouldsendaburstoffiretomakethemretreatorburn
themtodeath.
AsHarryandNakiasteppedoutoftheturbolift,theywereforcedtoseparateanddodgeasapowerfulblastof
redForcelightninglandedwheretheywerestanding.Theblastwassostrongthatithittheturboliftand
destroyeditscircuits,renderingitinoperable.
HarryactivatedhisdualcurvedhiltlightsaberswhileNakiaactivatedherdarksaberwhileglaringupwherethe
lightningcamefrom.Harryfollowedherexampleandsawtwoshadowsstandingontopofthehighestpileof
crates.TheoneontherighthadherrighthandoutstretchedtowardthemandHarrycouldseethatthehandwas
decidedlyfemalewithpaleskinliketheydidn'tseemuchsunlight.Thefigureontherightloweredherhandand
theybothwalkedforwardintothelight.
Harrycouldinstantlyseethattheyweretwinsbythefactthattheywerecompletelyidentical.Infact,theonly
differencewasthattheoneontheleft'stribalfacetattooswereverticalwhiletheoneontheright'swere
horizontal.TheylookedtobeNearHumanfemaleswithblackhairandacurvaceousbody.Theywerewearing
skintightgrayflightsuitsthathadblacksymbolssimilartothetattooontheirfaces.Theywerealsowearing
blackhighheeledbootsandhadalightsaberheldlooselyintheirlefthands.Theybothhaddarkblueeyesand
blacklipstickthatonlyenhancedthedangerousyetseductiveauratheygaveoff.However,Harryglancedat
NakiaandquicklydecidedthatthesegirlshadnothingonthesheersexinessNakiasimplyoozedoffevenwhen
shewasn'ttrying.
Theoneontheleftsmirkedatthembeforespeaking.Welcome,KnightPotterand...shesmirkedatNakiaina
waythatsuggestedshewasbelowher.....friend.Welcometotheplacewhereyouwilldie.I'myourhost,Kaa,
andthisismysister,Lii.
TheaforementionedLiisteppedforwardwithawickedsmirk.Don'tworry.Wepromisetomakeyourpathto
deathsopainfulthatdeathwillseemlikesweetrelease.LiiturnedtoHarryandsomekindoftwistedlust
enteredhereyes.It'stoobad.Iwoldhavelovedtokeepyouandteachyouwhatarealwomancando.
Withthat,thetwinsjumpedandattackedthem.However,NakiaseemedtohavetakenoffensetoLii'slast
commentbecauseshequicklysentaForcepushatherthatcaughtheroffguardbeforeblockingKaa'sred
lightsaberwithherdarksaber.NakiaquicklypushedheroffandsentastrongForcepushthroughherlegasshe
kickedKaaaway.NakiaglaredatthegirlsbeforeturningtoHarry.
Goahead,Harry.I'lldealwiththesewannabeSithwhores.YouneedtogettoAstraalbeforeMooreescapesor
elsewemayneverfindherorthegirlsagain.
Harrywastorn.Ononehand,NakiawasrightandHarrycouldn'twasteanymoretimeorelseriskMoorelosing
interestandjustkillingthegirlsorelseescapingwiththem.Ontheotherhand,Harrywoulddieratherthan
abandononeofhisfriends.
Ican'tjustabandonyou,Nakia!yelledHarryangrily.
Nakiasmirkedbeforeshesummonedaminefieldofdarksidespearsfromthegroundthatcausedthegirlsto
rapidlybackpedalorbeskewered.ShethenturnedbacktoHarrywithasmirk.Beloved,I'mtouchedyoucare
formesobutI'moffendedthatyouthinkIcan'thandlethese....whoresalone.I'mperfectlycapableofdealing
withthembymyselfandI'llcatchupwithyoulater.Eitherway,youneedtimetorecoverbecauseasyouare
now,youwouldn'tlastmorethanafewsecondsagainstthem.You'rethattired.
Harrytriedtodenyitbutcouldn't.Hismuscleswerescreamingathimtorestforawhileandhewassurethatif
hetriedtofight,hewouldbebarelyat10%.Harrysighedangrilybutconcededthepoint.
Finebutyoubettersurvivethisandmeetbackupwithme.Westillhavetoworkoutwhatwehave.
Nakiagavehimasultrysmileandwinked.AndyoustillhavetofuckmesohardthatIwon'tbeabletowalk
straightagain.
HarrychuckledbeforedrawingherintoakissandrunningtowardwhereShaewas.Liisawhimescapingand
glared.
Idon'tthinkso!ShetriedtosendabarrageofredForcelightningathimbutNakiasummonedaspearofdark
sideenergytoblockitbeforeattemptingtotakeoffLii'sheadfortryingtokillherbeloved.
NakiaglaredasLiidodgedtheslashandrapidlybackpedaltillshewasbesidehersisteragain.Don'tyoutouch
himyoucheapCoruscantiwhore!
LiiglaredatherbeforeKaaplacedahandonhershoulder.Peace,sister.LookslikethisAnzantibitchis
strongerthansheappears.We'llneedtoworktogethertodefeather.
LiiconcededthepointbeforethesistersgotintoaposebacktobackwithLiiholdingherlightsaberinherright
handpointingtoNakiaandKaamirroringherwithherlightsaberinherlefthandpointingtoNakiaaswell.
Well,bitch.Timetocutyouupandsellyoupiecebypiece.
Nakiajustsmileddangerouslyasshegotintoaheropeningstance:atwohandedlowguard,withthehiltheldat
waistheightinbothhands,bladeheldbackandtotheside,angleddownwards,withherfeetcloselyspaced.Any
ForceusertrainedinlightsabercombatwouldrecognizetheNimanlowguardopeningstance.
KaaandLiiobviouslyrecognizeditbecausetheybothsneeredbeforethelatterspoke.Niman?Thatformisthe
weakestofthemall!EvenShiiChowouldbebetterthanthatuselessform.We'llcutyouupsofastyouwon't
evenknowwhathityou!
Nakiajustsmirkedevillyasshegavethemachallengingstare.Thencomeandtry,littlegirls.
Withacryofrage,thetwinscharged.
BackwithHarry,hehadactivatedhisbladesandcutthroughtheclosestGuardswhiletheyweredistractedby
Shae'sbarrageofblasterbolts.AfterkillingtheremainingenemieswiththehelpofShaeontheothersideofthe
destroyedbridge,Harrysteppeduptotheedgeandlookedatthedistanceseparatingthetwoside.
Canyoumakethejump,Harry?askedShaedubiously.
Shehadreasontobesincethegapwasover50feetwide.Harrynoddedhesitantlyoncehethoughtaboutit.
Ithinkso.GetreadytocatchmeifIcan't.Withthat,Harrysteppedbackafewfeettogetarunningstart
beforerunningfullspeedtothegap.Hewasgoingalmostathisfullspeedwhenhejumpedthegap.
10feet....20feet...30feet...40feet...ah,shit!Notgoingtomakeit!
Harrywasabout45feetacrosswhenhestartedtofallbelowtheleveloftheothersideofthedestroyedbridge.
Hethoughthewouldfalltohisdeathwherehewouldlandonthejaggedrocksbelowbutluckilysomething
wrappedaroundhiswaistandthebreathlefthimwhenhestopped.HelookeduptoseeShaehadusedthe
grapplinghookinherleftwristtocatchhimandwascurrentlyswearingassheusedapillarasleveragetopull
himbackup.
Dammit,Harry!Youcanaffordtoloseafewpounds,youknow!complainedShaeassheslowlypulledhim
up.
Harrytookoffenseatthat.I'llhaveyouknowthateverypoundispuremuscle!AndIdidn'tseeyou
complainingthatonetimeyousawmewithoutashirt.
Beneathherhelmet,Shaeblushedassherememberedthattimeandshealmostlostthegripontheropeasshe
imaginedseeingwhatshehadn'tseenyet.
SShutup!yelledanembarrassedShae.
Aminutelater,HarrywasbackuponShae'ssideofbridgeandheenteredthemagnetictramtocheckifitwas
functional.HarryturnedtoShaewithafrown.
Doyouknowwhereitleads?
Shaenodded.Yeah,itleadstosomesortofsupersecretfacilityonthesurface.AllIcouldfindaboutitisthat
it'samassivetowerandtakesupalmost60%oftheenergyproducedbytheplanet'sgenerators.Idon'tknow
whatitcouldbebutitcan'tbegood.
Harrynoddedhisagreement.Probably.Okay,let'sgo.Withthat,Harryactivatedthetramandputitin
autopilotbeforesittingdownandclosinghiseyesinordertomeditatetoregainhisstrengthforthecomingfight.
However,evenashedidthathespokewithShae.Okay,here'stheplan.Oncewe'reabovegroundIneedyouto
findashipwithsomekindofcloakingandpickupeveryoneoncetheyfinishedtheirtaskswiththeexceptionof
Cassie.Noonecanknowyouguyswerehereexceptforus.ItwouldtaketoolongtoexplainandIalsodon't
wanttocompromiseLancerandBrea'sidentities.Idon'tyouimplicatedeithersinceitcouldstarttroublewith
theMandalorianslater.I'llsendR3withtheWaywardSontopickupCassiopeiasohecantakehertothe
flagship.Ihaveafeelingshe'shurt.
Shaefrownedunderherhelmetbutoutwardlynodded.Alright.Iunderstandyourreasoning.Myjetpackisback
tofullcapacitysoitcantakemethenearesthangareasily.
Harrynoddedandwatchedastheyexitedtowardthesurface.Lookingup,Harrycouldseethebluesheenofthe
planetaryshieldaswellastheexplosionsinspaceastheRepublictaskforcefacedoffagainsttheUmbaranfleet.
HarryturnedtoShaeandnoddedandshewalkedtowardthehatchthatledtotheroof.Sheclimbedoutand
activatedherjetpacktogetoffthetram.
Assheleft,HarrycontactedFAITH.FAITH,youthere?
IttookasecondbutFAITHanswered.Exclamation:Master!You'realive!Retraction:NotthatIthought
otherwise.
Harryjustrolledhiseyes.Whatever.Anyway,theshieldshouldbedownsoonsoyou'llbefrontandcenter
leadingthegroundforcesagainsttheUmbarans.Remember,nomercyunlesstheysurrenderatwhichtimeyou'll
handthemovertotheRepublicsoldierstodealwith.TellR3topickupCassiopeiabeforeleavingtothe
flagship.
FAITHnoddedhisunderstanding.Statement:Understood,master.I'llbesuretospilltheinnardsofeveryone
ofthesemeatbagsthatdaredtodeserveyourwrath!
Harryjustrolledhiseyesandspoke.Youdothat.Hethenendedthetransmissionandsatdowntomeditate
andrecoverhisstrength.
CassiopeiacursedasshefoughtofftwoRoyalGuardsatonceusinghercortosisstaff.Shehadtoadmitthat
whileshelikedherstaff,thoselightsaberpikeswereprettycoolaswell.However....
Hah!yelledCassiopeiavictoriouslyassheelectrocutedonetodeathbeforeturningtotheremainingsurvivor.
..thelightsaberpikesdidn'thavetheabilitytoelectrocuteyourenemy.
CassiopeiaandEthanhadbeensteadilymakingtheirwaytothetopfloorwherethechildrenwereheldbuthad
beenfacingsteadilyincreasedresistanceastheyclimbed.TherewereAcolytes,SaberGuards,RoyalGuards
andevenfreakingJettroopers!Cassiopeiahatedthosefreakingflyingbeelikebastards!
Anyway,theywereclosetothetopbynowandtheturboliftwouldtakethemtothetopfloor.....
.iftheymanagedtobeattheselasttwoRoyalGuardsthatwas.
Dammit,justdiealready!criedoutCassiopeiainfrustrationashecontinuedtoblockherattacks.

Notfarfromher,EthanwasalsohavingtroublefinishingoffhisRoyalGuardtothesimplefactthatthebastard
keptusingtheForcetosendcratesandsimilarstuffatEthansohewasforcedtoabandonhisattackanddodge.
StupididioticGuard!You'remakingmelookbad!yelledoutEthanbeforehegrabbedasmallplatformnearby
andwrenchingitoutofitsmoorings.ThiscausedtheRoyalGuardtopauseinshockwhichgaveEthanthetime
tothrowitattheGuard.TheGuarddodgeditbyjumpingoveritbutthatwasexactlywhatEthanwantedsince
hewasonhiminstantlyandcutthehandholdingtheGuardlightsaberpikerightoffbeforeblastinghimwiththe
Forcesohefellofftheirplatformanddowntowardthebottomofthefacility.
CassiopeiahadalsomanagedtokillherGuardbysimplysaberlockingwithhimandthenpullingoutaknifeand
stabbingtheguyunderhischin,killinghiminstantly.
Cassiopeiagrowled.Whydidn'tIdothatfromthebeginning!?
Ethanjustshrugged.Causeyou'restupid?
Cassiopeiagavehimawitheringglarethatcausedhimtoputhishandsupinagestureofsurrender.Shehuffed
angrilybeforeleadingEthantowardtheturboliftandpressingthe'up'button.Ittookawhiletogoupsinceit
seemedthetopfloorwasseparatedfromthefloorbelowbyaconsiderableamount.Ethantookthechancetoask
somethinghe'dbeenwonderingeversincehesawCassiopeia.
Soooo....youthinkofmeatallthesepastfewyears?
Cassiopeiawhippedherheadtowardhimandhereyessoftenedbeforeshelookedawayandscoffed.LikeI
wouldwastemytimethinkingofyou.Youleftme,remember?
Ethanfrowned.OnlybecauseyouwereallenamoredbythatstupididiotMax.Itoldyouhewasbadnewbut
youdidn'tlistendespitewhatwehad.Youhadleftmethemomentthatprettyboyappeared.
Cassiopeialookedawaysohewouldn'tseetheguiltonherface.Whathesaidwastrueafterall.Theyhadbeen
togetherafterafashionbutthemomentMaxappearedshehadbasicallyleftEthanhighanddry.
I'msorry,mutteredCassiopeia.Ethanlookedatherandnoddedhisacceptance.Cassiopeialookedathimand
frownedslightly.So,anygirlfriendstheselastfewyears?Cassiopeiatriedtokeephertonecasualbutfailed
miserably.
Ethannoticedbutignoredit.Oneortwobutnothingserious.
AhappysmilecrossedCassiopeia'sfacebeforeshesuppressedit.That'stoobad.Ihaven'tdatedanyoneexcept
Maxeither.Guesswejustdon'thaveanyluck.
Theatmospheregotincreasinglyuncomfortableastimepassedbutluckily,theyreachedthetopfloorquickly.
CassiopeiaandEthanlookedaroundtoseethecoastwasclear.Theysilentlywalkedtowardwherethechildren
wereheldandkneeleddownbelowthetransparisteelwindowwhentheysawthechildrenweren'talone.They
peekedthroughthewindowtostudytheirenemies.
TheleaderwasobviouslythetallZabrakmalewithacyberneticrightarmandredtattoosthatencircledhisface
withhiseyes,mouthandnoseinthecenter.Hewaswearinganorangeshirtandblackpantsandhadalightsaber
hangingfromhislefthip.BesidehimweretwosoldiersarmoredtolooklikeRoyalGuardsmenbutworeblack
armorinsteadoftheusualredarmor.Theyhadtheirlightsaberpikesignitedattheirsidestoaugmenttheauraof
intimidationtheygaveoff.
TheZabrakwasmanhandlingasmall8yearoldgirlwithblondehairandgreeneyesbygrabbingherleftarm
tightlywithhiscyberneticarm.Shewasnearlysobbingandbegginghimtostophurtingherbuthejustgrabbed
herarmtighterandshookherharder.Theother5childrenwerehuddledontheothersideoftheroom,sobbing
andholdingeachotherwhiletryingtoblockoutthesight.Therewasthreeboysandtwogirls(threeifyou
includedtheblondegirl)andallofthemwereHuman.Therewasthreeboys,twowithbrownhairandonewith
blue,andthetwogirlshadblackandgreenhairrespectively.TheireyeswereshutsoCassiopeiacouldn'tsee
theireyes.Allthechildrenweredressedinwhatlookedlikeanormalhospitalgownofalightbluecolorand
everysingleonehadatleastonebruiseontheirbodies.
upidlittlegirl!Howdareyoutrytoescape!Youallareonlyallowedoutofyourcagesbecauseweneedyour
bodiesinpeakconditiontoclone.Ifitwasn'tforthatIwouldcutoffeveryoneofyourlimbsandstickyouina
tube!screamedtheZabrakatthegirl.
Thegirlsobbedasitwasobviousthegriphehadonherarmwashurtingher.II'mssorry...pplease,stop
hurtingme.Ijustwantedtoseeafflower.
TheZabrakjustsneeredandletgoofherarmbeforebackhandinghersohardshefelltothefloorbleedingfrom
hermouth.HethenignitedhisownredlightsaberandtheShadowGuardseemedtotense.
Well,then.Wecanarrangethat.Unfortunately,we'llneedyoutopartafewofyourbodypartstoassureyou
won'ttrytoescape.Don'tworry,youwon'tdie.Butyoualsodon'tneedyourarmsandlegstobeusefulasa
templatetomakeclones!TheZabrakthenraisedhislightsaberasiftostartcuttingoffherlimbs.
CassiopeiahadseenenoughandsentapowerfulForcepushthroughthewindow,breakingtheglassandthen
jumpingthroughwithEthanrightbehindher.
TheZabrakturnedatherentranceandsneeredwhenhesawherignitehercortosisstaff'senergybladeandEthan
ignitehisowngreenlightsaber.Whatdowehaveherethen?Somedumblittleratsscurryingabout?Wecan't
havethatnowcanwe?Killthemandbringmetheirbodies.Theycanserveastemplatesforevenmoreclones!
CassiopeiaglaredandjumpedovertheenemiestolandinfrontofthechildrenbeforesendingastrongForce
pushatthethreeenemies.Theyweresosurprisedthattheycouldn'tdefendagainstitandweresentflyingout
theverysamewindowEthanandherhadentered.Ethanwasforcedtoduckorbehitbytheirflyingbodies.
Cassiopeiathenturnedtothechildrenwithaseriouslook.
Doesanyofyouknowthewayouttowardthesurface?
Theblondegirlthathadbeenmanhandledsteppedforwardhesitantly.IIdo...shelookedupatthemwith
smalllightofhopeinhereyes....areyouheretosaveus?
Cassiopeiatriedtogiveherareassuringsmilebutshewasneververygoodwithchildren,evenwhenshewasa
childherself.Yeah,sowe'lltakecareoftheseidiotswhileyougoandescape.We'llmeetyouonthesurface
afterward,ok?
Theblondegirlnoddedhesitantlyandalthoughitwasobviousherleftarmwasheavilybruisedorevenbroken
shejusthelditinherrightandcoercedthechildrenintofollowingher.Theyeventuallystoppedcryingand
followedafterherassheusedtheForcetoopenadoorontheothersideoftheroomandleftatarun.
Meanwhile,CassiopeiaandEthanhadrunouttothehallwayweretheZabrakandtheShadowGuardhadlanded
andwerecurrentlyfacingoffagainstthem.
Cassiopeialookedaroundandrealizedthattheycouldn'tfightinsuchaclosedinspaceandwhisperedtoEthan.
Ethan,weneedtoleadthemintoamoreopenarea.Ithinkthere'salargechamberbeforetheturboliftthatleads
tothesurface.We'llleadthemthere,okay?
Ethannoddedinunderstanding.
TheZabrakwasglaringatCassiopeiainanger.Stupidwhore!DoyouknowwhoIam?
Uglyallday?mockedCassiopeia.EthanhadtokeepinhislaughterastheZabrakturnedpurpleinrage.
IamMellichae!IledtheSithShadowsonDathomirandalmostconqueredthatplanet!Youpatheticwannabe
Jediarenomatchformystrength!
Ethanrolledhiseyes.Whydothebadguysalwayshavetobesoarrogant?Didn'theseeyoublasthimoutof
theroomlikearagdoll?
Cassiopeiasmirked.Youknowwhattheysay.Theweakestdogbarkstheloudest.
MellichaeletoutascreamoffuryandchargedCassiopeiabutshejustsidesteppedandhithimwithaForce
empoweredpunchinthefacethatmadehimslamagainstthewall.
Well,comeandgetus.Ifyoucan!mockedCassiopeiaassherandownthehallway,leadingMellichaeandthe
ShadowGuardtowardthechamberwheretheywouldfight.
Mellichaegrowledinanger.Youwon'tgetaway!Comeonyouidiots,they'regettingaway!
Cassiopeiaalmosttrippedasshetriedtokeepinherlaughterattheidiot'scontradictorystatement.Cassiopeia
andEthanrandownthehallway,takingthelongwaytowardtheexitsoMellichaeandcompanywouldn't
suspectanythingandsothechildrenhadtimetoescape.After10minutesofrunningincircles,Cassiopeiaand
Ethanfinallyburstintothechamber.
ThechamberwasalargeovallikeareasimilartotheSenateChamberexceptwithouttheSenatepods.However,
therewereplatformsfloatingaroundthatdisplayeddifferentareasofthefacilityandCassiopeiaguessedthe
controlofeachplatformcontrolledthatpartofthefacility.Thewallswerealightbluecolorandthefloorwasa
blackcolorsocleanthatitslightlyreflectedtheplatformsabove.
Lookingupatthehighestplatform,Cassiopeiagaveasighofreliefwhenshesawthechildrenleavingthrough
theturboliftlocatedthere.Theonlywaytoreachthere(unlessyoucouldForcejump)wastouseasmall
personalhoverliftbigenoughtoholdoneperson(ortwochildren)thatwerelocatedalongthewalls.Theywere
circularandhadnothingtoholdontoexceptthecontrolsthemselves.Mellichaewouldn'tbeabletochaseafter
themunlesshebeatEthanandherandshemadeamentalnotetodestroyboththeplatformsandthepersonal
hoverliftsifshethoughtshewasgoingtolose.
ThedoorbehindthemburstopenandCassiopeiaandEthanreadiedthemselvesforthefight.Mellichaeseemed
ecstaticthathecorneredthem(forgettingthattheturboliftwaslocatedinthehighestplatform)andstartedto
gloat.
Nowheretorunnow,littlemice.Nowbesmartandjustsurrender.Lustenteredhiseyesandheleeredat
Cassiopeia.I'llbesurethatyourstayis...comfortable.
CassiopeiajustgavehimalookofdisgustwhileEthanlookedlivid.Yeah,I'msureyou'llvisitmepersonally,
wouldn'tyouyoufreak?
Mellichaequicklyturnedredattheinsultandgrowled.Sobeityouwhore.ThenI'lljusthavetocutoffafew
limbsandforceyoutosubmit.
Cassiopeiatookouthercollapsiblecortosisstaffandopeneditbeforeignitingtheplasmabladeattheend.I'll
liketoseeyoutry,littleboy.
EthanfollowedsuitandquicklyignitedhisgreenlightsaberbeforeengagingthetwoShadowGuardswhile
CassiopeialeapedontothenearestplatformwithMellichaefollowing.
LancerandBreawererunningalongthelowerlevelstryingtoreachthegenerator.Itwasn'teasysincethere
weredozensofthoseTerrorBiodroidseverywhereaswellasthoseTerrorsoldiers.Theyhadpassedbyalab
wheretheysawclonesofamanbecutopenandimplantedwithcyberneticsinordertocreatetheTerror
soldiers.Theworstpartwasthattheyweremadelikeitwasafactoryandtheyweresimplyobjects,withthe
bodiesoftheunconsciousclonesgoingfromstationtostationwitheachstationimplantingadifferent
cybernetic.BreaandLancerhadproceededtodestroythelabwithsomewellplacedthermaldetonatorsbefore
continuingontheirway.
Theypassedseverallargeroomswitheverythingfromweaponstoswoopsandspeeders.Therewasevenan
underwaterhangarthatseemedtoopenuptoanunderwatertunnelthatledtothesurface.Therewerehundreds
ofamphibiousfightersinthehangarandBreacorrectlyguessedtheywereforclonesbredforpiloting.Soon
afterpassingbytheunderwaterhangar,theyreachedtheturboliftthatwouldtakethemtothelowerlevelwhere
thegeneratorwaslocated.
Theystealthilywalkedacrosstheleveluntiltheylocatedthechamberwiththegeneratorinverycenterofthe
level.BreaandLancerhidaroundacornerastheystudiedthelargechamberthatheldthegeneratorinthe
center.
Thegeneratorwashuge.Theentirechamberwascircularandalmost200metersindiameterandalmost100
metersfromfloortoceilingwiththegeneratortakingupalmost80%ofthechamber'sspace.Thewallsand
ceilingwerefullofcomplicatedcircuitryandhundredsofthickwireswereconnectedfromthemtothe
generator.Thefloor,however,wasmadeoftransparisteelthatshowedthatthebottomlevelswerecompletely
underwater.Breacouldn'tseeanythinginthewaterbutsherememberedthemapsayingthatthewatersbeneath
thegeneratorwascalledLeviathancagesosheguessedthattherewassomethingthere.Therewasaforcefield
onbothsidesofthetransparisteelfloorandtheonlywaytoreachthegeneratorwasbywalkingontopofa
metalwalkwayhoveringafewfeetabovethetransparisteelfloor.Theentirechamberwaswellilluminatedsoit
waseasytoseethecoastwasclearbutatthesametimetheglareofthelightsmadeitimpossibletoseethrough
thetransparisteelfloortothewaterbelowbeyondafewfeetdeep.
Breathenstudiedthegenerator.ThegeneratorwasdesignedinthesameshapeasDSS02shieldgenerator
whichwastheshieldgeneratorusedonHoth.TherewasagiantscreeninfrontofthecomputerthatBrea
guessedcontrolledtheflowofenergymanuallywhentheautomaticcontrolsfailed.However,Lancernoticedthe
generatorwasnoticeablysmallerthantheoneusedonHothwhichcausedLancertofrownandturntoBrea.
Areyousurethisisit?Thisisn'tevenatenthasbigastheoneusedonHothandthatoneonlycoveredthebase
notthewholeplanet.Surelythisisn'tbigenoughtopowertheplanetaryshield?
Breajustcontinuedtostudytheroomasshespoke.Yes,I'msureLancer.Thisisn'ttheonlygenerator.Thisis
justtheonethatcontrolstheothers.Heckthisonebarelygives10%oftheshield'senergy.However,thisoneis
themostimportantsinceitcontrolstheflowbetweenalltheothers.Ifsomethinghappenedtothisone,thenthe
otherscouldn'tsendthecorrectcurrentofenergytotheshieldcausingtheentirethingtofailastheysendtoo
muchandexplode.
Lancergruntedhisunderstandingandafterseeingtherewasnoonearoundwasaroundforthefifthtime,they
cautiouslywalkedacrossthemetalwalkwayandtowardthecomputer.Halfwaythere,Lancerstoppedwhile
lookingdownthroughthetransparisteelfloorandBreaalmostranintohim.
WhatisitLancer?askedBreacautiously.
Lancerwasquietbeforeshakinghishead.IthoughtIsawsomethingdowntherebutitwasnothing.
BreagaveacautiouslooktothewaterbelowbeforefollowingLancertothegenerator.Unnoticedtoboth,a
largeshadowcrossedbeneaththem.
Oncetheyreachedthecomputer,Breabeganherthing.Ofthetwoshewasthebesthackerandcouldhackinto
almostanydatabasewithease.ShewasthereasonZulegotthedesignstosomanycapitalshipseasilysincenot
onlydidsheaccessthembutsheleftnotracethatshehadbeentheresinceshedidn'tdownloadanything.She
simplyprintedoutacopyofthedesignsandbroughtthemtoZuleonpaper.Securitynowadaysprevent
downloadingdesignsontojumpdrivesandsendingthemtootherserversbutignoredwhenonesimplyprinted
outthedesignsonpaper.LikeBreaalwayssaid,sometimesthesimplestwayisthebest.
ShetypedquicklywhileLancerwatchedoverherincasesecurityarrived.Fiveminuteslater,Breacursedand
slammedafistagainsttheconsole.Lancerwalkedoverwithafrown.
Whatisit,Brea?
Breasighed.Icandoitthroughhereandleavenotracethatitwasusbutitwouldtakeoveranhourand
securitywouldbealertedthatsomethingwashappeningprettyquickly.It'salsoaclosedcircuitsoyoucan't
hackintoitfromanothercomputer,youhavetobeherephysically.
Lancer'sfrowndeepened.Wedon'thaveanhour.
Breanodded.Yep,guessit'stimeforplanB.Theylookedateachotherandspokesimultaneously.Hackand
slash.
Withthat,Lancertookouthisgunandputitgrenadelaunchermodebeforestartingtoshootatthegenerator
whileBreajumpedontopofitandusedherkatanatocutthewiresconnectedtoit.Ittookafewminutesbut
eventuallythegeneratorstartedtoletoutstallingnoiseswhichstartedtoriseinpitch.Onceitwasbecomingtoo
loud,BreajumpeddownbesideLancer.
That'senough,let'sgetoutofhere!
TheystartedtoruncrossthewalkwaywhenBreanoticedthattheforcefieldsurroundingthetransparisteelfloor
wasgone.Shegotanideaandusedherrazorsharpkatanatocutthewalkwayhorizontally,separatingwhereshe
andLancerwerefromthecircularmetalfloorholdingthegenerator.
Now,thewalkwayendedinacircularpartthatheldthegeneratorwhichwasonlyconnectedtothefloorthrough
theverywalkwaythattheywererunningon.Thewalkwayitselfwasholdinguptheweightofthegenerator
fromtouchingthetransparisteelfloor.Theideawasthatiftheyneededtodefendthegenerator,therewasonly
onewayforattackerstocomeandtheycoulddefenditeasilysinceitwouldworklikeabottleneck.Anyonewho
felloffthewalkwaywouldfryagainsttherayshieldprotectingthetransparisteelfloor.However,theshieldwas
nowgoneandwithoutthewalkwayandwiresholdingitup,thegeneratorandthemetalwalkwayitwasontop
offelldown,breakingthetransparisteelfloorandfallingintothedepths.
LancerhadstoppedwhenshesawwhatBreahaddoneandwalkedovertostandbesideherjustastheyhearda
soundofanexplosionunderwater.Well,thatwasonewayofdoingit.
Breasmiled.Nowtherewon'tbeanyalarmssoundingmakingushavetofightourwaybacktotheupper
levels.
Justasshesaidthat,thewaterexplodedasagiantdevilsquidcameoutofthewaterwitharoar.LancerandBrea
tookouttheirguns(9118heavycarbineandDC17mcarbinerespectively)andshotthedevilsquidinitsopen
mouth.Itroaredinpainandchargedthem.
TheyjumpedbackasitrammedthewalkwaytheywerestandingonandBreagrimaced.Dammit,thismustbe
thesocalledLeviathantheyweretalkingabout.It'sjustadevilsquidbuttheymustnotrecognizeitsincethey're
nativetoDac.
Suddenly,thedevilsquidletoutacryofpainandseemedtobepulledunderthewateragain.Allwasquietfora
fewmomentsbeforeLancerspoke.
Brea?
Breaturnedtohimonlytoseehimlookingatthewaterwithalookoffearonhisface.Yea?
Lancergulped.Idon'tthinkthattheLeviathantheyweretalkingaboutwasthedevilsquid.
Breafrowned.Whatmakesyousaythat?
Lancersimplyaimedhisgunatthewaterandshotit.Therewashugeroarofacreaturesobigitmadethe
devilsquidseemlikeababy.Brealookeddownatthewaterjustintimetoseesomethingmoveuptoitsoitwas
justbelowthewaterlevel.Suddenly,thegreensurfacemovedandshowedthathalfofthegiant200yardsurface
wasinrealityapairofgianteyelidsthatcoveredaequallygiantpairofyelloweyes.Witharoarthatshookthe
entirefacility,longtendrilsexplodedoutofthewaterandattackedthem.
Ratherthanengageinafruitlessfightagainstthatgiantcreature'stendrils,Breahadamuchmoreeffectiveplan.
RUN!!!!
Lancerdidn'thavetobetoldtwiceastheyranlikethedevilhimselfwasafterthem,whichconsideringthesize
ofthatcreature'smouthalonewasn'tfarfromthetruth.Theentirefloorstartedexplodingbehindthemasthe
creatureattemptedtoreachthem.Theybarelymanagedtoentertheturbolifttothenextlevelwhenthefloorof
theentirebottomlevelwasrippedoffandwaterstartedentering.
LancerturnedtoBreawithagrimace.Wewon'tbeabletooutrunit,Brea.Whatdowedo?
Breabitherlipasshestartedtothinkandjustwhentheturboliftopened,shegrinned.Igotanidea.
CassiopeiajumpedtoanotherplatformtoavoidanotherblastofblueForcelightningfromMellichae.Cassiopeia
hatedtoadmititbutthemanwasgood.HislightsabertechniquehadobviouslybeentaughtbyeitherMoore
herselforsomeoneelsebecauseitwasquiterefined.Hewasn'tasgoodassayHarrywas(shehadwatchedhim
sparagainstEthanoncewhentheywerewaitingforinfoonSintas'sdaughterandrealizedhowmuchHarryhad
beenholdingbackagainsther)buthewasgoodenoughtogiveherarunforhermoney.Itwastimeslikethis
thatshewasgladHarrybuggedherintotrainingagainsthimsoshewouldknowhowtofightlightsaber
wieldingenemies.
'Ofcourse,thiswouldbeeasierifIhadasecondtogathermyself,'thoughtCassiopeiawithagrimace.However,
Mellichaewasn'twillingtogiveherthattimeandcontinuedtosendblastofForcelightningather.Shehad
personallylearnedthatwhileherstaffheldupagainstlightsaberseasily,theycouldn'tpreventherfrombeing
electrocutedbyForcelightning.
That'stheproblemwiththosestaffs,dear,mockedMechillae.Theycanstanduptolightsabersbutnot
againsttheForce!
Cassiopeiagrimacedasshewasforcedtorolloutofthewayofanotherblastoflightning.Cassiopeiafinallyhad
enoughwhenshenoticedthatherhairhadbeenscorchedbythatlastblastoflightning.Ratherthanjumpaway
fromhim,Cassiopeiajumpedtowardhim.ThiscaughthimoffguardandCassiopeiaquicklytookadvantageby
attackedwithherstaffinaviciousdisplayofspearmanship,usingtheenergybladelikethebladeofthespear.
Mellichaewascaughtoffguardsinceshehadbeenusingbothendssincethebeginningofthefightandwas
unreadyforthedifferentformoffightingshewasemploying.Cassiopeiatookadvantageandblastedhiminthe
facewithastrongForcepush,pushinghimofftheplatformandmakinghimlandonhisbackonthefloorbelow.
EthanwashavingsimilarproblemsasCassiopeia.TheShadowGuardwereobviouslythebestofthebestfora
reasonandtheyshowedit.Heonlyhadonebladeandevenifhehadanother,hehadnevertrainedinusingtwo.
Thismadeithardforhimtodefendagainstthemsincetheyusedbothendsofthelightsaberpiketofightrather
thanjusttheplasmablade.ItwaslikefightingtwostrongForcesensitiveswithdoublebladedlightsabers.
Shit!yelledEthanasheusedhislightsabertoabsorboneGuardsForcelightning.
DidhementiontheymadeliberaluseofseveraldarksideForcepower?
Gahh!coughedEthanasthesecondGuardusedForcechokeagainsthimandthrewhimagainstthewall
harshly.Luckily,hehadmanagedtokeephislightsaberinhishandanddeflectedthefirst'sstabtotheside
beforekickinghiminthechesttomakeroom.
EthansawfromthecornerofhiseyeasCassiopeiatooktheoffensiveanddecidedtomimicher.Heenteredthe
secondGuard'spersonalspaceandgrabbedhislightsaberpikemuchlikehehadseenHarrydowiththeRiot
Troopers.HemovedittoblocktheotherGuardsslashandthenignitedhislightsaberrightunderthefirst'schin,
killinghiminstantly.EthansmirkedasthatlefthimwithonlyoneenemynowjustasMellichaelandedharshly
onthefloornotfaraway.
CassiopeiahadjumpeddownafterMellichaeandtriedtoimpalehimbuthemanagedtorolloutoftheway.
Cassiopeiajumpedbacktoavoidhavingherlegscutofffromunderher,leavingherstaffimpaledontheground.
Shegrimacedandtookoutherfirewhip.SheattackedMellichaewithitandfoundouthowuselessitwas
againsthimwhenhesimplycutitafterhesidesteppedit.
However,ithadboughtthetimeneededforCassiopeiatotelekineticallypullthestaffbacktoherandshe
attackedhimagain.Theyexchangedblowsafewmoretimesbeforehestartedmockingheragain.
Thelightsaberisfarsuperiortoastaff.Moremaneuverable,fasterandfarlighter.Onecouldswingoneallday
withouttiringbutwithastaff,theweighteventuallytiresyouout.
Andindeed,Cassiopeiawassweatingheavilyfromthelongdayofusingherstaffagainstthetougherenemies.
AsMellichaehadshown,afirewhipwon'tworkagainstthebettertrainedForceuserswhohavefoughtsimilar
weaponsbefore.Therefore,shehadbeenforcedtouseherstaff.Cassiopeiahadneverusedherstaffforsucha
longtimebeforeanditwastakingitstoll.Sheneededtoendthisfast.
Cassiopeiajumpedbacktomakesomespaceandsawexactlywhatshewashopingfor.Mellichaewascharging
apowerfulstreamofForcelightninginhisremainingorganicarmandthrewitatherwitharoarofanger.
Ratherthandodgeit,Cassiopeiaconcentratedandpulledthelightningintotheplasmabladebeforestartingto
spinthestaffaboveherhead.Thelightningwasdrawnintothevortexshewascreatingaboveherandindeed,
madeitstronger.Mellichaestoppedsendinglightningwithhismouthagape.
WWhat?Whatisthat!?
Cassiopeiasmiledgrimly.It'sforthis!Withacryofexertion,shethrewherstafflikeajavelin.Thelightning
empoweredthestaffandmadeitflysofastthatMellichaecouldn'tdodgeitandwasimpaledbythelightning
empoweredplasmabladeattheend.Theforcewassostrongthathisbodywasthrownthroughtheairand
impaledontothefarwall.
Cassiopeiafelldownonherkneeswithacryofpainasshelookedatherburnedhands.Theconcentration
neededtonotonlyignorethepainbutmanipulatethelightninglikeshewantedhadbeenextremeandshewas
completelyspent.Shecouldn'tfightanymore.
Luckily,Ethanmanagedtobeheadhislastenemyandhearinghercryofpain,ranovertoher.
Areyouokay?Then,hesawherburnedhandsandhissed.It'sokay,Cassie.Bactawillfixthatrightup.
We'vedoneourpartsolet'sgetoutofhere.
HepickedherupbridalstyleandsummonedherstafftohishandsjustasLancerandBreaflewintotheroom,
eachontheirownBalutarclassswoop.Theentirefacilityshookasaroarofragesoundedalongwiththe
unmistakablesoundofrushingwater.
Comeon!Geton,weneedtogo!yelledBrea.ShestoppedbesidethemandEthangentlyplacedCassiopeia
behindherandCassiopeiaheldinayellofpainasshehadtowrapherentirearmsaroundBrea'swaistinorder
toholdonsinceherhandsweretoodamaged.
Breanoticedandhissedinsympathy.Don'tworry,we'releaving.
EthangotonbehindLancerjustasagianttendrilrippedoutofthefloorfollowedbyanotherroarofrage.Brea
quicklygunnedtheengineandflewtowardtheturboliftwhileshootingaholetoflytheswoopthroughinorder
toenterthetunneltheturboliftused,LancerandEthanrightbehindher.
Whatthehellisthat?!yelledEthan.
Idon'tknow...butit'sbig.saidBreafearfully.
Ethangaveheradeadpanlook.No?Reeaally?Thatmustbeagalaxyshakingbreakthrough!
Anyfurtherarguingwaslostwhenanother,muchcloserroarwasheardandtheygunnedtheenginesasthey
roseverticallyupthelift.Tendrilschasedthemuptheliftandtheyhadtousewhatlittlespacetherewasto
dodgethem.Breafiredanotherbarrageofgrenadeswhentheygotclosetothetop,blowingthetopofthelift
openandlettingthemexitintoahangarthatwasemptyofanyone.
TheSeaLeviathanletoutascreamoffrustrationsinceitcouldn'tfollowthemandeveryoneheldtheirbreathsas
heliterallycausedthegroundtoquake.Afteraminute,thetremorsrecededandeveryoneletoutasighofrelief
whentheyrealizeditwasgone.
EveryonetensedwhentheyheardthesoundofajetpackbutitonlyturnedouttobeShae.
ShaelookedfromCassiopeia'sburnedhandstoEthanbreathingheavily.Guessit'sagoodthingIcamewith
orderstopickupeveryoneafterthey'redonewiththeirobjectives,huh?
EveryonechuckledslightlybeforeCassiopeialookedaroundforthechildrentheyhadrescued.Children?Are
youhere?It'sme,thegirlwhorescuedyou.
TherewassilenceforamomentbeforethesixchildrencrawledoutunderaVT49Decimatorinthefarcorner.
TheblondegirlwasintheleadandtheyonlyrelaxedoncetheysawCassiopeia.Thegirlquicklyranoverand
huggedCassiopeiawhispering'Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou'overandoveragain.Cassiopeiajustsmiled
sadlyandsaiditwasokay.
Shaecoughedlightlytogettheirattention.Nottorainonanyone'sparadebutme,Ethan,LancerandBreaneed
togetouthere.Nooneknowswe'rehereandweneedtokeepitthatwayunlessyouwanttobeundersomeone's
microscopeyourwholelife.IstillneedtopickupNakiaaswell.
Cassiopeianoddedandbitherlip.ButIcan'tflyashiplikethis.Sheraidedherburnedhands.Wealsocan't
stayhere.Theymightcomebackforthechildren.

Shaejustshookherhead.NotaproblemsinceR3iscomingwiththeWaywardSontopickyouup.Thepilot
droidtherewillflyyouguystotheRepublicflagship.Shaeturnedtotheothersbeforesighingheavily.Alright
then,let'sgo.Sayyourgoodbyescauseweneedtogobeforethisentiresystemisquarantined.Weneedtogo
quicklycausetherepublictroopsarealreadylanding.
Indeed,theycouldseedozensofcruisersandtransportsbreakingtheatmosphereasRepublicstarfighters
engagedUmbaranfightersintheskies.
Cassiopeianodded.Okaythen,we'llcontacttheRepublicflagshipwithouridentitiessowecanlandthere
whileyouguysgofindNakiaandescape.Justasshesaidthat,theWaywardSonarrivedandlanded.
Cassiopeiasmiledandturnedtothechildren.Comeon,kids.Timetobefree.Nomoreexperimentsormean
men,Ipromise.
Theblondegirlsetherfaceinadeterminedlookandledthechildrenuptherampoftheship.Cassiopeiasaid
hergoodbyesandtheyallseparatedtotheirrespectiveships.
Theshieldisdown!Repeattheplanetaryshieldisdown!
Jainawhoopedasshereadthemessagebeingbroadcastedtoallstarfightersquadrons.Theyhadbeenfighting
foralmostanhourandwereclosetobeingtooweaktoengagetheenemyonland.Alright!Timetotakethe
fighttothemandrescuethatovergrownEwok!Comeon,guys.Harryneedsus!I'vebeenhavingabadfeeling
forawhilenow.
HercommcrackledandLukespoke.Alrighteveryone.PriorityissecuringbothKnightPotterandKnightVao
aswellastheirapprentices.Engageenemyfightersonlyonyourwaytotheirlocation.We'llcontacthimtosee
whereheis.
Jainanoddedherconsent.Alright,then.Let'sgopeople!
TheJedisquadronbrokethroughtheatmosphereandenteredahellhole.Theskywasfullofdogfightsbetween
RepublicandUmbaranfightersaswellasRepublictransportswithgroundsoldiers.Theywereallconverging
onthesignalsentbyFAITHsotheycouldinvadethemainhiddenhangars.Fromthesightofblasterbolts
flying,FAITHhadalreadyengagedsomeoftheUmbaransoldiers.Shecouldjustimaginethejoythedroidwas
feelingatthismoment.
Suddenly,thewatertheywereflyingoverexplodedandtheyseparatedjustintimetomissbeingeatenbya
giant.thing.FromwhatJainasawitwasatleast1,000meterslongandshapedlikeagiantamphibioussnake.
ShecouldseeithadlongtendrilsthatitwasusingtoattackthefightersintheairwhethertheywereUmbaranor
Republic.
Maracursed.Dammit!Thatthingishuge!Changeofplanspeople!JainawillgoontohelpHarrywhilewe
staytokillthisfreakofnature.EvenfromhereIcansenseitwascreatedthroughthedarksideandIdoubtit
willbeeasytokill.It'lltakeallofustotakehimdown.
JainanoddedandflewawayfromtheothersandtowardwhereshefeltHarrywas.Thefeelingscomingthrough
thebondtoldherhewasintroubleandshewouldbedamnedifshelethimfightalone.
Umbaransoldiersraisedtheirriflesandpointedthematthedoorofthetramthatjustarrived.Theyhadstrict
orderstokilleveryoneinanytramthatcameafterMooreandtheywouldfollowittotheletter.
Suddenly,therewasasoundoflightsabersignitingandHarryjumpedfromtheroofandinthemiddleoftheir
formation.TherewasafewsecondsofchaosasHarrycutthroughthemandtheyweretoodisorientedto
respondbeforetheywerealldead.
Harrylookedupatthegiantgraytowerwherethetramstopped.Itwasatleast100storiestallandhadahangar
nearthebottomfloorwhereHarrysensedthegirlsandMoorewas.Harryfrownedashenoticedseverallarge
generatorsaroundthetowerandwonderedwhyitneededsomuchpower.Heshookhisheadandpushedoutof
hisheadbeforerunningtowardthehangar
Whenhereachedthehangar,hefoundSlyMoorewithtwocloakedfiguresathersideandamaskedAstraal
kneelingonthefloorfacinghimwiththegirlsunconsciousbesideher.Thehangarwasverybigwithseveral
amphibiousfightersparkednearbyaswellassomeTIEs.Theentranceandexitforstarfighterswaswideopen
lettingHarryseethedozensofdogfightsoccurringalloverthesky.Theyseemedtobegettingcloserandafter
confirmingthathelpwasonthewayintheformofJaina,Harryconcentratedonthepeopleinfrontofhim.
MoorewaswearingherusualclothingwhensheworkedunderPalpatine,alongshadowcloakthatrevealed
nothingofherfigure.Thetwofiguresoneithersideofherworelongblackcloaksthathidanyidentifying
characteristics.However,HarrygotthedistinctfeelingtheoneonMoore'srightwasfemaleandtheoneonher
leftwasmale.Thegirlswerewearingtheirusualclothingoftshirts(redforTahiriandgreenforVisas)and
brownpants.Astraalwaswearingherusualredshirtthatshowedherbellyandshowedplentyofcleavage.
However,whatgotHarry'sbloodboilingwasthatshewasonlywearingpantiesandtherewasevidencethatit
hadbeenremovedatonepoint.HarryglaredatcloakedfiguretoMoore'sleftwhochuckledwhenhenoticed
whatHarryhadrealized.
HarrylookedfromeachpersonbeforefinallylandinghiseyesonthemaskAstraalwaswearing.Herecognized
themaskshewaswearingitwasaSithtorturemask.Itnotonlycutaperson'sconnectionoftheForcebutalso
madethemtoodizzytofocuscorrectly.
MooregaveHarryasicklysweetsmilethathidnothingofherextremehatetowardhim.KnightPotter,how
kindofyoutojoinus.KnightVaoherehasbeenanxiouslyawaitingyourarrival.
AtthesoundofMooresayingHarrywasthere,AstraalraisedherheadandtriedtofocusonHarry'sblurry
figure.Harry?Isthatyou?
HarrylookedatAstraalwithtendernessinhiseyes.Yeah,baby.It'sme.Don'tworry,I'llgetyououtofthis.
Astraalswayedslightlybuthernextwordswereslightlystronger.Iknow,baby.sheturnedtothefigures
behindher.Harry'sgonnakickyourass.
ThefigureonMoore'sleftwalkedbehindAstraalandcaressedherlekkucausinghertoshudderindisgust.
What'swrong,dearAstraal?Didyounotlikemyattentions?
ThatgotHarry'sfullattentionandheglaredatthebastardthatjustadmittedtorapingAstraal.Hejustchuckled
inthefaceofHarry'sangerandsteppedaroundAstraaltofacehimwiththeothercloakedfigurestepping
forwardtostandbesidehim,blockingHarry'sviewofthegirls.
Mooresmirkedandturnedaway.Iwouldlovetowatchyoudie,PotterbuttheshieldhasfailedandIneedto
properlygreetourRepublicguests.
Harryglaredather.You'velost,Moore.TheRepublicisevennowlandingandthey'lltaketheplaneteasily.
Moorelaughed.OhdearHarry.Don'tyouthinkIhaveabackupplan?Thistowerisinrealityagiant
superlasermuchliketheoneontheDeathStar.I'llfireitupandstartbykillingyourdearAuntontheRepublic
flasghip.ShelaughedasshesawHarry'sfacepale.Yes,youjustledyourentirefamilytotheirdeaths!With
that,sheenteredaturboliftandascendedtothetopfloor.
Harrywasleftgrittinghisteethandglaringatthetwofiguresinfrontofhim.Themanchuckledandtookoffhis
cloak,revealinghisfacewiththefemalecopyinghim.

Themanwasoffairlyaveragebuild,withbrownhairandofaverageheight.Hewaswearinganormalblack
shirtandblackpantsthataffordedmaneuverability.Helookedtobeabout40yearsoldifnotabitolderyethad
alookinhiseyesasifhe'dexperiencedmorethananyonehisage.Thethingthattrulysethimapartwerehis
sicklySithyelloweyesandthehatetheyexuded.
Thefemalewasstrange.Atfirst,HarrythoughtshewasaZeltronduetohergoodlooksandredskin.However,
shehadblackhairwhichwastiedinabun,somethingZeltronsdon'thave,andtherewasalsosomething..off
abouther.Sheexudedthedarksideevengreaterthanthemandid.Shewaswearingaskintightblackshirtthat
barelycoveredherlargebreastsandhadsleevesthatextendeddownherarmsandalsocoveredherneckupto
herchin.Shehadlongskintightblackpantsmuchlikethemanbesideher.ShelookedtobeaboutHarry'sageif
notabitolderandcarriedherselfwithanairofarrogance.
Themangavehimasavagegrinbeforespeakinginacondescendingtone.Wemightaswellintroduce
ourselvessincewe'regoingtobeyourexecutionerstoday.IamThaumRystraandthisismySithapprentice
ValikKressh.WeareSith.HegrinnedevillyashesawHarry'sconfusioninregardstoValik'sspecies.Incase
youarewondering.Valik'sspeciesisnoneotherthantheoriginalSithspeciesthemselves.
Harryeyeswidenedinshock.Impossible!TheSithareextinctandthefewthatwerealivewerekilledalong
withtheSorcerersofTund!
ThaumsmiledevillyasValikgrimaced.YesbutmydearapprenticehereisacloneofmyformermasterValik
Kodank.HeplacedahandonherbehindandHarrycouldseethatValikwasbarelyholdingherselfbackfrom
attackinghim.Icantellyoupersonallythatsheiseverybitasdeliciousashertemplate.
Harryscowledindisgustatthesickman.Yourapeyourownapprenticeaswell?Howsickareyou?
Thaum'seyesburnedasheglaredatHarry.Iassureyou.Everywomanwantsmytouch...eventually.He
laughedasHarryglaredathim.WantmetotellyouhowIbrokeyourdearAstraal?
Harrybarelyheldhimselfbackfromchargingthesickman.Thaumnoticedandtookouthislightsaber.Harry
frownedashestudiedthelightsaber.
Thelightsaberwasfortyfivecentimeterslongthatconsistedofadeepblackcylindricalrodwrappedinabronze
metalintheshapeofadragon.Theemitterwasplacedsoitseemedthatthebladecameoutofthejawsofthe
dragon.ThethingthattrulygotHarry'sattentionthoughtwasthewaytheweaponexudedthedarksideeven
darkerthanThaumhimself.
Thaumactivatedtheblade,showingabladewithaviolethueandanobsidiancoloredcorewithbloodredflecks
flashingupanddowntheblade.
ThaumsmiledevillyatHarry'swarylook.Thisisthesoulsaber.You'llfindoutsomeofit'spropertiessoon,I
imagine.
Valiktookoutadoublebladedlightsaberandignitedit,showingrarepureblackblades.Shesmiledmockingly
athim.Areyougoingtotakeoutyourblade?
Harrydecidedheshouldkeepthemoffbalancealittleandsmiledatherhandsomely.Now,now.Shouldn'twe
gooutonadatefirstbeforewegettothat?Ihavesomeselfrespect.
Valiklookedamusedathiscomment.Hmmm,maybeifyousurviveI'lltakeyouuponthatoffer,handsome.
ThaumglaredatHarryjealously.Enoughtalking!TimetodiePotter!
HarryignitedhisblueandvioletlightsabersandclashedwiththetwoSith.
Joyfulexclamation:Die,meatbags,die!
FAITHwashavingthetimeofhislife.HewasleadingtheRepublicgroundforcesintothemainhangarto
quicklyputanendtoUmbaranresistanceandhewashappilyshootingeveryUmbaraninsightwithglee.
Asoldierbehindhimturnedtohiscaptainwithascaredlookinhiseyes.Captain?Isthatdroid...allthere?
Justashesaidthat,anUmbaranhovertankappearedandstartedfiring.Ratherthanrunawayfromit,FAITH
rantowarditandfiredindiscriminatelyatit,gettingitsattention.Whenhewascloseenough,FAITHjumped
overthetankscannonfireandlandedonitbeforeignitingabluelightsaberandmadeamansizedholeinthe
cockpit.Hethenputhisarminsidetheholehehadmadeandpulledthepilotoutbeforeshootingthemaninthe
faceandtossinghimaside.Hethengleefullyenteredthetankbeforeturningitaroundandfiringonthe
Umbaransoldiers.
FAITHmanagedtodestroyovertwentyenemytanksbeforetheyrealizedwhathadhappenedandturnedonhim.
HequicklyjumpedoutofthetankjustbeforeitexplodedonlytojumpontoaImpedingassaulttankandsucceed
itaswell.ThechaosheunleashedashestartedmakinghitandrunsagainsttheUmbaranlinesmadeitsothe
previouslyoverwhelmedRepublicforcestooktheupperhand.
Thecaptainturnedbacktothesoldierthathadaskedhimthequestionandshookhishead.Hellnobutbeglad
he'sonourside.
Withthat,thesoldiersfollowedbehindthecrazydroidandintovictory.
NakiaglaredassheabsorbedanotherstreamofredForcelightningfromKaainherdarksaberbeforedeflecting
ittowardLii.Thegirlwascaughtoffguardandtookthestreamstraighton,unabletoblockit.
Lii!yelledKaawhenshesawwhatNakiahaddone.Shecouldn'tsayanymorebecauseNakiawasinstantlyon
herandshewasforcedtobackpedal.Nakiaclickedhertongueinfrustrationwhenshesawshehadfailedtokill
oneofthetwosistersagainwhenKaajumpedtosafety.
Nakiawasgettingfrustrated.
Thegirlsweren'tespeciallystrong.Sure,theyworkedwelltogetherandhadafewtricksbutseparatetheywere
onlyasstrongasamidlevelJediKnight.TogethertheycouldprobablymatchalowlevelMasterorhighlevel
Knight.However,NakiawasfaraboveevenahighlevelMasterinherprimesothisshouldbeeasy.
However,centuriesofpeaceandnotusingherForcepowershadcausedhertolosesomeofheredgeandit
showedinthefactthatthegirlswerestillalive.Intheolddays,shewouldhavekilledthemwithin10minutes
maximum.
'NowIfeelold,'thoughtNakiadepressively.
NakiadodgedLii'sslash,hitherwithaForcepushandblockedKaa'sslashwithherdarksaber.Therewasa
reasonNakiausedNimanovereveryotherstyle.Itwasnotonlyextremelyflexiblewithnodiscernible
weaknesses,itwasalsothebaseforbothusingForcepowerstogetherwiththebladeandgettingusedtodual
wielding(notthatNakiaeverdid).Theproblemformostpractitionerswasthattheywereimpatientandittook
atleastadecadetomasterNimantoanydiscernibledegree.

NakiahadbeenusingNimanforover24,000years.Shewaswaypastamasterofthestyle.
KaaglaredatNakia.Whywon'tyoudieyouoldhag?!
Nakiajustsmiled.Iguessthisoldhagistoomuchforyoulittlegirls.Plus,youwishyoulookedthisgoodat
myage.
NakiawouldhavecontinuedtomockthembutshesuddenlyfeltdangeraroundHarryandshedecidedenough
wasenough.ShehadbeenusingthegirlstogetbackheredgeandgetusedtousingtheForceagainaftersolong
butnowthatHarrywasindangertherewasnotimetoplaywiththem.Shebrokethesaberlockandjumpedback
togetsomespace.
NakiastoodinfrontofthegirlsthatnowhadvariouscutsandbruisesallovertheirbodieswhileNakiastood
untouchedifnotalittleoutofbreathduetohowlongithadbeensinceshefoughtsolongwithalightsaber.
NakiaputherdarksaberintheNimanlowguardopeningstanceagainandglaredatthegirls.
Sorry,girls.Butplaytimeisover.
Withspeedshehadn'tdemonstratedthroughouttheentirefight,sheblurredinfrontofthegirls.Theytriedto
slashatherwiththeirpatenteddoubleslashbutNakiajustduckedunderitandgatheredtheForceintoa
powerfulForcepushthatslammedthemagainstthewallsohardNakiaheardafewbonescrack.
Nakia'seyestookonayellowringaroundheririsagainasshegatheredtheForceandletitlooseastreamofred
Forcelightningsopowerfulitmadetheirslooklikeachildplayingwithsparks.Theytriedtoabsorband
redirectitbuteventogetheritwastoomuchforthemanditelectrocutedthemsobadthatwhenNakiacutthe
flow,therewasnothingleftbutcharredcorpses.
Nakiasniffedindisdain.Oldhag,huh?Please.IcanstillgetanymanIwantbuttheoneIloveisintrouble
rightnowsotata.
Nakiaranoutofthechamberandjumpedthegapbetweenthebridgeswithsomeeffort.Shethenhijacked
anothertrambeforemakingitfollowHarry'stram'spath.
HercommsoundedandsheansweredittohearitwasShae.

Nakia,whereareyou?Harryorderedustopickyouupsoyouaren'timplicatedinthismess.
Nakiajustshookherhead.Goonwithoutme.Harry'sindangerandIneedtogotohimorhe'lldie.
Shaewasquietforamomentbeforesighing.Fine,gosavehisrecklessass.Buttellhimitwasyourideaifyou
getcaught.
Nakiajustsmiledsadly.I'lltakeanythingaslongashelives.Withthatsheendedthecallandpushedthetram
toitsfullspeedtoreachHarrysooner.
'Holdon,beloved.I'mcoming.'
Harrywasinthefightofhislife.Neverbeforehadhebeensopressedandhewasstartingtobelievetheirclaim
ofbeingSith.HewasusingeveryskillheknewfromtrakatatoVaapadandevenaspectsofhislightningform
justtokeepupwiththem.Neitherofthetwowasapushoverbutatthemoment,Thaumwasthegreaterthreat
simplybecauseofthesoulsaber.
Harryrealizedwhatoneofthesoulsaber'seffectswas:itcouldsucktheForceenergyfromboththe
surroundingsandthewielder'senemieswheneverhelandedablow.Harrywashardpressedtomakesurethe
bladedidn'tlandwhilealsoblockingValik'spowerfulblows.
HarryputhisbluelightsaberinareversegriptoblockValik'sunderblowfrombehindwhileusinghisviolet
lightsabertoblockThaum'shighslashfrominfront.Theotherproblemwasthathecouldn'tusethemomentum
oftheirblowstoattackfastersincetheyalwaysattackedfromdifferentdirections.Itcanceledthemomentum
fromtheother'sslashandkeptHarryfromusingit.
HarryletlooseapowerfulForcewavethroughthefloorthatcaughtthemoffguardandthrewthemintothefar
wall.HarryquicklyusedthechancetoruntowardsAstraalandtakeoffhermask.
Astraal'sfacewasbruisedandherlipwasbleedingslightlybutshestilllookedbeautiful.Sheshookherheadto
getridofthedisorientationbeforelookingatHarryandsmilinginrelief.
Harry?Baby,I'msorry.IfIhadn'tgottencaught...
HarryinterruptedherselfflagellationsinceThaumandValikwererecovering.Don'tworryaboutit,baby.
Harryusedhisbluelightsabertocutoffhermetalcuffsaswellasthegirls'whowerestillunconscious.Now
takethegirlsandescape.Lukeandtheothersarearoundsostealthatshipoverthereandgetoutofhere.Head
fortheRepublicflagship.
AstraallookedfromtheSiththatwerestandingontheothersideofthehangarandrunningtowardthemto
Harry.No!Ican'tletyoufightalone!
HarrygrinnedashefeltJainagettingcloser.I'mnotgoingto.
Suddenly,Jaina'sstarfighterflewinthehangarandfiredupontheSith.TheyjumpedawayfromHarryand
AstraaltoescapebeingkilledandJainajumpedoutofthefightertolandbesideHarry.
JainalookedatAstraalinreliefandpulledherintoahug.Astraal!I'mgladyou'reokay.
Astraalreturnedthehuggentlysinceshewasstillsoreandsmiled.ThanksJaina.
JainathenbrokethehugandsmackedHarryupsidethehead.
Ow!Whatwasthatfor?complainedHarryasherubbedthebackofhishead.
Jainajustglaredathim.Thatwasforgoinginwithoutbackup!Youcouldhavecausedallofyoutodieifwe
hadn'tarrived!
Harrycouldonlygrinsheepishly.SorrybutIwasn'texactlythinkingstraight.AllIknewwasthatAstraaland
thegirlsneededme.
JainajusthuffedandturnedtoseetheSithgettingbackupagainandwatchingthemwarilynowthatHarry
wasn'talone.Whoarethosebastards?
Harryglaredatthem.I'lltellyouinasec.HeturnedbacktoAstraalandpointedatJaina'sstillhovering
starfighter.Astraal,takethegirlsandgetonJaina'sship.You'rewoundedandIwouldn'tputitpastthemtouse
youasleverageiftheystartlosing.AstraallookedlikeshewasabouttoarguebutHarrycurheroffgently.
Please,baby.Iwouldn'tforgivemyselfifanythinghappenedtoyouafterfinallyrescuingyou.Plus,thegirls
needyou.
Astraallookedatthestillunconsciousgirlsbeforesighing.Okay,Potter.Youwin.Hereyesgotafamiliarlook
inthembeforeshepulledhiminforascorchingkiss.Shebrokeitaplacedherforeheadagainsthis.Butyou
bettergetbackbecauseweneedtotalk.Iloveyou.
Guiltathisinfidelitycoursedthroughhimbutheforcedasmileonhisface.Ipromisewe'lltalk.Iloveyoutoo.
Bytheway,tellDadthatheneedstosendfighterstodestroythistower.It'sagiantsuperlaserliketheDeathStar
andshe'saimingtokillAuntLeia.
Astraal'seyeswidenedbeforeshenoddedinunderstandingandgavehimanotherkissbeforewincingasshegot
up.ShethenusedtheForcetomakeherignoreherwoundsandwalkedovertothegirlsandpickingthemup,
oneovereachshoulder,andjumpingintoJaina'sstarfighter'scockpit.Thecockpitclosedandstartedtoleavethe
hangar.
Thaumliftedahandtowardthestarfighter,stoppingitwiththeForce.Idon'tthinkso,mylittleTwi'lekwhore.
However,Harryhadpredictedhemightdothatandliftedanearbystarfighterandthrewitathim.Valikstopped
itbutwasforcedtodropitwhenJainadidthesameandshecouldn'tstopboth.ThaumandValikjumpedoutof
thewayandAstraalwasfreetoescape,whichshequicklydid.
ThaumandValikstoodsidebysideafewmetersawayfromHarryandJainawhowerealsostandingsideby
side.
JainaleanedtowardHarry.Nowwillyoutellme?
Harrynoddedslowlyasheglaredatthem.They'reSith.HarryfeltJaina'ssurprisethroughtheirbondand
continued.TheysaidasmuchandthewaytheyfeelintheForceplustheirstrengthmakesmebelieveit.Idon't
knowwhotrainedtheMasterofthetwobutitwasn'tPalpatine.HesaidthatthefemaleisacloneofhisMaster
andshe'saSith.AsinaSithintermsofspecies.
Jaina'seyeswidenedattherevelation.That's.....okay,I'mofficialonhighalert.Theseguysaredangerous.
Harrynoddedslowlyastheyapproached.Yeah.HarrylookedatJainafromthecornerofhiseyebefore
speakingthroughtheirbond.Jayjay.Wecanuseourbondtostrengtheneachother.Wecandefeatthemonlyif
weworktogether.
Jainalookedathimfromthecornerofhereyeandnoddedslowly.Okay,Ewok.Let'sdothis.
Theyopenedtheirbondfullyandstrengthenedeachotherthroughit.Therewerenosecretsatthatmoment
betweenthem.Jaina'shearthurtasshesawhimwithNakiabutatthesametimeunderstoodhisneedfor
someonewhowassureintheirloveforhim.ShesawhowmuchhestilllovedAstraalandhisconfusionasto
whattodoaboutit.Mostofall,shefeltthelovehehadforher.Itwaslikeahammerblowandalthoughhetried
tohideit,shesawhowmuchhelovedher.Jainafeltsounworthyofitasshesawhowshetreatedhimthrough
hiseyes.'Ireallytreatedhimlikeshit,'thoughtJainasadly.
HarrywasforcedtoseemomentsshehadwithZekkaswellasfeelherattractiontohim.However,hisheart
filledwithjoyashefelthowmuchshelovedhim.Itwasthatlovethatledhertocometohisaidandnomatter
howmuchshedeniedit,heknewthatshelovedhimmorethanabrotherorcousin.Shelovedhimlikeawoman
lovesheronetruelove.'Great,'grippedHarryinternally.'Nowthetrianglehasbecomea...square?No,an
isoceles?Whatever,threewomenareaftermenow.Ihopethereisn'tafourthsomeday.'
BackonYavin4,TenelKasneezed.
AllthishappenedwithinasecondandsoonthetwoSithwereinfrontofthemwiththeirlightsabersignited.
ThaumsneeredatJaina.Andwho'sthis?AnotherpatheticJedi?
Jainaglaredathim.I'mJainaSolo,Jediapprentice.
ThaumlaughedandValiksmirked.Theysendanapprenticeasbackup?TokilltwoSithLords?TrulytheJedi
havefallen.
Jainaignitedhervioletlightsaberinresponse.WithhisForcesensesheightened,Harryfeltthecrystalinhis
greenlightsaberpulseinordertocountertheaurathesoulsaberwasemitting.Gettinganidea,Harryholstered
hisbluelightsaberandtookouthisgreenone.Heigniteditinhisrighthandwhileignitedhisvioletinhisleft.
ThaumgotintoaDjemSoopeningstanceasValikenteredaJuyoone.Harrylookedfromonetotheother
beforetelepathicallytalkingtoJaina.'I'lltakeThaum.HeandIhaveunfinishedbusiness.'
Jainatelepathicallynodded.'Thentheredskinnedwhoreismine.Anddon'tthinkIdidn'tseethememoryofyou
flirtingwithherearlier.Ifeltthatyouactuallythinkshe'sattractive.'
HarrysweatedashecouldfeeltheglarefromJainatryingtoborethroughhishead.Inlateryears,hewould
denyitcompletelybutherglaremadeHarrydecidetomakethefirstmove.
HarryattackedThaumwithahighslashasJainastabbedatValik.
Thetwoduelswentononlyafewfeetfromeachotherasbothsidestriedtodominateeachother.Jainaand
Harryweremuchstrongernowthattheirbondwasstrengtheningeachotheranditshowedintheirwayof
fighting.
Atonepoint,ValikhaddrawnJainaintoherpersonalspaceandgivenheraviciouskneetothechestthatcaused
hertodropherlightsaber.ValikthenheldJainarightarmoutandtriedtostabherthroughthebackwhileshe
wasvulnerable.However,HarryhadsensedherintroubleandwhenThaumduckedunderaslashfromHarry
withhisvioletlightsaber,Harrythrewitperfectlysoitimpactedherlightsaberenoughtomakehermissand
losehergriponJaina'sarmbeforereboundingbackintohishand,allwithinasecond.
JainawastednotimeandbrokefreebeforegivingheraForceempoweredkickinValik'sfacethatthrewhera
fewmetersaway.ShethensummonedherlightsaberandjumpedtoattackThaumfromabovebutwascaught
unawarewhenhesentablastofForcelightningatherthatsentherflyingwithacryofpain.
HearingJaina'scryofpain,causedHarrytogetangryandhesentapowerfulForcepushstraighttoThaum's
faceasheturnedbacktohim,sendinghimflyingtolandnexttoValikonhisknees.
HarrywenttostandbesideJainawhosummonedherlightsabertoheragainbeforenoddingtoHarryandthey
rantoengagethetwoSithagain.
ThiscontinuedforawhilebeforeThaumseparatedHarryfromJainaandmadeitsohecouldn'tcontinuetohelp
her.Hethenstartedtotaunthim.Firstitwasabouthimbeingweakandslowandwhenthatdidn'tworkhe
startedtotaunthimabouthowhetookAstraalwhileshewasincaptivity.Seeingthatthatwashavingsome
effect,hewentinfortheproverbialkill.
I'mdisappointedthatIdidn'tgettotastethatTwi'lekagainbutthatSologirlisanicesubstitute.Iwonder,will
shetastelikecherrieswhenItakeher?
TheimageofthismanviolatinghisbelovedskyprincessthrewHarryintoarage.TheForcecameinathim
fromallsidesandheattackedviolently.ThaumwascaughtoffguardasHarry'sblowsbecamestrongerand
morevicious.WorseyetwasthatHarryhadrealizedthatthesoulsaber'seffectofabsorbinghisForceenergy
everytimetheytradedblowsdidn'tworkwhenheusedhisgreenlightsaber.HarryguessedthattheSolari
crystal'slightenergiesnegatedthesoulsaber'seffects.
ThaumwasforcedonthedefensiveasHarryusedeverytrickinthebooktopushhimbackagainandandagain.
Whilehewasangry,Harrymaintainedhisfocusandstartedtomakeaplantoendthisonceandforall.
GatheringeveryscrapofForceenergyhehad,HarryblockedThaum'ssoulsaberwithhisvioletlightsaber.
Thaumwassosurprisedthathedidn'treactintimewhenHarrypushedhisbladewide,enteredhisspaceina
spinwithhisbacktoThaumandstabbedhimthroughtheheartwithhisgreenlightsaberinareversegripinhis
lefthand.Harryhadswitchedthelightsabersjustbeforethemaneuvertocatchhimoffguard.
Harrytookdeepbreathssincethemaneuverlefthimalmostcompletelydrained.Notonlychannelingthatmuch
Forceenergybutthesoulsabersuckedmostofitwhenheblockeditwithhisvioletblade.Apparentlyonly
blockingitwithhisgreenonenegateditseffects.
HarryjoggedtowardJaina'sfightwithValikandsawtheyweremostlyevenuntilValikturnedandsawher
masterdyingonthefloorwhereHarrylefthim.Ratherthanbeangry,awidesmilecrossedherfaceandshelet
outabarkofjoy.Finally!IthoughtIwouldneverbefreeofthatbastard!ShethenkickedJainaawaybefore
summoningthesoulsaberfromThaum'sdeadhandsbeforeHarrycouldstopit.Sheignitedit,soulsaberinher
righthandandherdoublebladedlightsaberinherleft.Shecrossedthemoverherchestandtheeffectmadeher
seemevenmoresinister.
HarryhelpedJainabackupandlookedathercautiously.You'reoutnumbered,Valik.Giveupandyou'llbe
shownmercy.
Valikjustlaughed.Please,handsome.Thaumheldmebackbecausehefearedme.Heevenhadinstalledsome
phrasesinmymindwhentheymademetomakesurehecouldcontrolmewithjustaword.Heneverallowed
metostudyatmyleisureandkeptmeonaleash.Valik'seyesglitteredinmadness.ButIstudiedinsecretand
I'mmuchstrongerthanhim.Ionlyhiditsohewouldn'tsuspectanything.Iknewhewoulddietodayandnow
I'mfree.Nowtocelebrate,ValikgaveHarryafalselookofsympathy,I'mafraidyoumustdie.
ShewassuddenlyuponthemandbothJainaandHarrywerehardpressedtosurviveherinitialassault.While
beforeshewasattackingwithaformofJuyo,nowshewasattackingviciouslywithamixofDjemSoandAtaru
andthedifferenceshowedgreatly.
ValiksuddenlyjumpedoveroneofHarry'sthrustsandslashedathisfacewiththesoulsaber.Harrygaveacryof
painasshelandedacutoverhisrighteyethatwentverticallyovertheeyelidbutluckilydidn'tmanagetocuthis
eyethoughitdidgetcloseenoughfortheblade'sdarksideauratoaffectit,notthatHarryknewatthemoment.

Valiksmiledevilly.Thatwasyoureye,Potter.Nexttime,it'llbeyourhead!
Thinkingthatshehadmanagedtocutoutoneofhiseyes,Jainagaveacryofrageandattackedviciously.Harry
triedtohelpbutbeforehecould,ValiklandedadiagonalslashtoofasttoseeacrossJaina'storsofromherleft
hiptoherrightshoulderbeforeForcepushingheraway.
Jaina!criedoutHarry.Harry'sragereturnedandheattacked.Valikjustsmiledandeasilyweatheredhis
assault.Unnoticedtohim,Harry'srighteyestartedtogetayellowringaroundtheirisashisangergrew.Valik
justsmiledandwhenHarryoverextended,shespunaroundhimandlandedavicioushorizontalslashacrosshis
backandForcepushedhimawaysohelandedontopofthegroaningJaina.Theslashwasn'tdeepenoughtocut
hisspinebutitdidpreventhimfrommovinganythingbelowhisneckforatimeduetothepain.
Valikcackledandslowlywalkedovertothem.JainawascradlingHarry'sheadandtryingtowakehimsincehe
hadpassedunconsciousfromthepain.SeeingValikapproach,shefoughtthroughthepainandmadeachildish
attempttoprotectHarrywithherbodysoValikwouldn'treachhim.
Valiksmirkedevillyatthesight.Nowisn'tthatprecious?Tellme,Solo.Doyoulovehim?
Jainajustglaredatherdefiantlythroughherpain.YesandI'llkillyouforhurtinghim.
Valikjustsmirkedandraisedthesoulsaberinherrighthandtocutthroughthembothbeforespeaking.Then
dietogether!
Justasthebladefell,itwasblockedbyablackbladethatwasshapedsimilartoakatana.Valik'seyeswidened
justbeforeaviciouskickpushedheraway.ValikrecoveredandsawnoneotherthanNakiastandingthere
defendingHarryandJaina'sfallenforms.
NakiaglaredatValikwithhateinhereyes.She'snottheonlyonewholoveshimandI'llmakeyoubegfor
deathforhurtingmybeloved!
NakiawasablurassheattackedValikviciously.Theytradedblowsupanddownthehangar,Valikbeingpushed
backbyNakia'ssuperiorskillandexperience.HarryslowlycamebacktoconsciousnessandJainafought
throughherexcruciatingpaintoputhisheadinherlapandstartedtoputherhandthroughhishairashelooked
atNakiaandValikfighting.
Nakia?askedHarrygroggily.
Jainanoddedherheadandsmiled.Shesavedus.Valikwasgoingtokillusbutsheblockedherslash.Weneed
tothankher.
Harrynoddedpainfullyandlookedbackatthefighttoseeitabouttoend.
DespiteValik'sincredibleskill,shewasstillunusedtofightingwithbothherdoublebladedsaberandthe
soulsaberanditbecameherdownfall.SheleftherselfopeninonepointandNakia'sdarksaberflashedthrough
theairandcutoffherrightarm,whichheldthesoulsaber,justbelowtheelbow.Valikscreamedinpainand
NakiaviciouslyForcepushedhertothewallsohardsheleftanindentation.
Valikgrowledinrageandstartedtogetupagainwhenthetowershook.Therewasasoundofexplosionsfrom
theupperlevelsandHarrycouldonlyguessthey'ddestroyedthetipofthetowerandrenderedthesuperlaser
inoperable.JustasthathappenedtwoXwingslandednearbyandLukeandMarajumpedout,ignitingtheir
lightsabers.
LukedashedtostandbesideNakiawithhislightsaberignited.HeglancedatNakiawarilyforasecondbut
shookitoffwhenhenoticedherstandingbetweentheSithandwhereHarryandJainawerelaying.
Meanwhile,MarahadruntoHarry'ssidewherehewasslowlylosingthefighttomaintainconscious.Harry!
It'sMom!Hangon,we'llgetyouhelpjusthangon!
ValikglaredatLukeandNakiaastheystoodthereandrealizedthatasshewasshewouldlose.Youhavea
choiceJedi.Eithercapture/killmeorsavetheboybecauseIpromiseyou...ifyoutrytotokillorcaptureme,I'll
makesurehelpwon'tgethereintimetosavehim.What'syourchoice?
LukeandNakiawaveredandglancedatwhereMarawastryingtousetheforcetokeepHarryconsciousbefore
glancingateachotherandnodding.Theyturnedofftheirlightsabersandsteppedback.
Valiksneered.Goodchoice.Tillnexttime,Skywalker.
ThelastthingHarrysawwasValikrunningawayandLukeandNakiarunningovertohimasMarascreamedat
himtostayawakebeforeallwasdarkness.
EndNotes:

Hopeyoulikedtheactionsequences.Thefinalfightsweren'tasgoodasIimagined
causeIcouldn'taddalotofthingsIwanted.MostlybecauseHarryhadbeen
fightingalldayandhewouldn'tbeabletousealotofthemoreForceintensive
powerslikeForcelightning.Still,Ihopeyoulikedit.Theoriginalversionhad
HarrylosinghisrighthandbutitseemedtoosimilartoAnakinSkywalkeralready
withhimgettingthescaronhisrighteye(whichisimportant)soIjusthadhim
almostlosehisabilitytowalk.

Asalways,Readandreview!
Backtoindex
RecoveringbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter29
Harryslowlyopenedhiseyestoawetandhazyworld.Hiseyesslowlyopenedtotakeinhissurroundingsbut
hewastootiredtoreallytakeitin.Heknewhewasunderwatersomewhereandhehadabreathmaskbutwhen
hemovedhisarmsslightlyhebumpedintowhatseemedtobeawallalthoughhecouldn'tseeanything.Ittooka
fewsecondsforhimtorealizethatitwasaglasswallandafewsecondsmoretolookaroundandnoticehewas
inatransparisteeltank.
AgentlebrushacrosshismindthroughtheForcemadehimfocusbeyondthetransparisteelwallsandhesawhis
motherandfatherstandingoutsideandsendingwavesofcalmthroughtheForce.Seeingthemstandingthere
calmlymadehimrealizehemustbeinabactatankhealing.Slowlyregainingfocus,Harrynoticedastherestof
hisfamilytrickledintotheroomwherehewasfloatinginthetank.Jaina,JacenandAnakingaveoffawaveof
reliefseeinghimawakeandJainastartedspeakingthroughtheirbond.
Hey,Ewok.I'mgladyou'reawake.It'sbeentwodayssincewerescuedyouonUmbaraanditwastouchandgo
foryouduringtheentiretripheretoCoruscant.Wewereworriedforasecondthere.
HarrysmiledslightlyattheworrysheletoutthroughtheForcebeforereassuringher.I'mfine,skyprincess.It'll
takemorethanonemeaslySithwhoretokillme.
Jainagiggledandwheneveryoneturnedtoher,Harrysawherexplainingwhathesaidtothemmakingthem
chuckle.Rememberingwhathappenedbeforepassingoutunconscious,hementallyspoketoJainaagain.
Jayjay?WhenJainaturnedtohim,hecontinued.WhathappenedtoAstraal?Isshesafe?Isshealright?
Jainanoddedwhichmadereliefcoursethroughhim.Yeah,shewokeupyesterdayandshe'sbeenaskingabout
youeversince.She'llbeintheroomnexttoyousincewedon'tknowhowshe'llreacthavingyouinthesame
roomasyoudespiteheraskingforyou.
Harrywasconfusedatthewayshesaidit.Whatdoyoumean?What'swrongwithAstraal?
Jainasighedandturnedtohisparentsbeforeseemingtoaskthemsomething.Theirfacesshowedsorrowand
angerinMara'scasebeforeLukenodded.JainathenturnedtoHarrywithafrown.
Well...youknowhowshewasrapedincaptivity,right?SeeingHarry'snodandfeelinghisanger,she
continued.Well,eversinceshewokeupshehasn'tletanymennearherandeverytimeoneisnearbyshe
doesn'tlethereyesoffhimandalwayshassomesortofweaponinherhand.Mentally,sheknowsthatthey
wonthurtherbutemotionally....Jainasighed.She'samessbutAuntMaraandMomarehelpingherrecover.
TheythinkthathedidthingstoherthroughtheForceaswellasphysicallysincetherapeandtheeffectsare
imbeddeddeepinhermind.It'lltaketime.
Harryfeltangerandpaincoursethroughhim.Ifonlyhehadbeenfaster...
LukeandMarasentwavesofcalmtohimthroughtheForceandithelpedhimslightly.Hesentawaveofthanks
tothemthroughtheForcebeforeturningtoJainawhenahorriblethoughtcameintohismind.
Thegirls!DidtheyseewhathappenedtoAstraal?
HarryfeltrelieffloodhimwhenJainashookherhead.No.Astraalmanagedtomakethemfallunconscious
whensherealizedwhatthatmanwasgoingtodotoher.Shedidn'twanttoforcethemtowatchthat.Allthey
knowisthathetorturedherandshe'sstilljumpyaroundmenbecauseofthat.
Harrynoddedinrelief.Hedidn'twanttoimaginehowhorribleitwouldbetowatchtheirmasterberapedin
frontofthemandbeunabletodoanythingaboutit.Tahirihadgonethroughenoughwithwhathappenedduring
thebattleagainstShadowAcademy.AnotherthoughtenteredHarry'smind.AndwhathappenedtoNakia?I
thinkIsawherbeforeIpassedout...
AflashofslightjealousycrossedJaina'sfacefollowedbychagrinatfeelingjealousoftheirsaviorbeforeshe
spoke.Um...well.She'snearby,underwatch.Ivouchedforhersinceshedidsaveourlivesbutsomeofthe
Mastersdon'ttrusther.UncleLuketrustshernottoattackanyonesinceshedidsaveuswhileAuntMaratrusts
hersimplybecauseshesavedanddefendedus.Headsup,AuntMara'snottoohappyaboutyourandNakia's
relationshipifyouknowwhatImean.Nakiadidn'texactlyhideitwithhercallingyoubeloved.
HarrygulpedashelookedatMarawholookedasifsheknewexactlywhattheyweretalkingaboutifher
narrowedeyeswereanyindication.Harrywasextremelygladhewasinthetankatthatmoment.Harryturned
backtoJaina.
Sowhereisshe?Icansenseshe'soutsidebutwhyisn'tshehere?
Jainashrugged.Shesaidshewantsyoutoseeyourfamilyfirstandshe'llseeyoulaterwhenyou'rerecovered.
She'stakentheunofficialjobasyourbodyguardandhasn'tmovedfrominfrontofthisroomsinceyouentered
thetank.SheandAuntMarascaredtheshitoutofadoctorwhosuggestedthattheoperationtosaveyourspine
wasn'tworththetime.Ithinktheybondedoverthatandaretradingintimidationtactics.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutsendhismotheradeadpanlook.MaraturnedtoJainatoaskwhyhewaslookingather
likethatandwhenJainaexplainedsheturnedbacktoHarryandjustshruggedwithaninnocentsmile.Harry
shudderedtothinkofhismotherbeinganymoreintimidatingthanshealreadywas.Harryreallycouldn'tsee
howthatwaspossible.
ItwasgettingharderandhardertostayawakeandHarryhadtoforcehiseyesopenagainwhentheystartedto
close.Lukenoticedandopenedatelepathicconnectiontohim.
Gotosleep,Harry.You'resafeandeveryone'sfine.We'lltalkmorewhenyouwakeupagain.Fornow,focuson
healingyourself.
Harrywantedtoarguebutwasrapidlylosingthefightagainsthistirednessandhadtoconcedethepoint.
Alright,Dad.Talktoyoulater.Sorryformakingyouworry.
Ashiseyesclosed,HarryfelthisDadsendwavesofreassurance.Ialwaysworryaboutyou,son.It'spartof
beingafather.
Withaslightsmileonhisface,Harrywentbacktosleep.
Harrysqueezedhiseyesshutasbrightlighthithisface.Harryheardthesoundofsomeonepullingthecurtains
openwiderandmorelightspilledontohisface.Harryletoutagroanofprotestandtriedtoturnawayfromthe
lightinordertosleepmore.Heheardafamiliarchuckleandrealizedhewouldn'tbesleepinganytimesoon.
Groaningslightly,Harryturnedtowardthechucklingandopenedhiseyestoseehismotherstandingtherewith
asmileonherface.
EventhoughHarrywasaJediKnightand16yearsold,hestillfeltsafeandcomfortedatthesightofhismother.
Growingup,MaraJadeSkywalkerhadbeenthepersonHarryhadwantedtoemulate.Whilemostwouldwantto
growuptobeLukeSkywalker,andHarrydidinfactwanttoemulatehisfatherinalotofways,Harryalways
mimickedMarathemost.Marawasstrong,proud,independentandnevertookshitfromanyone,evenLuke.
Foranorphanedboythatwasputdownhisentirelife,Marawaseverythinghewantedtobewhenhewasolder,
despitehercheckeredpast.Shewasfiercelyprotectiveofhimandhewasjustasprotectiveofher.Insulting
MaraJadewasasurefirewaytogetonHarry'sshitlist.
Harryyawnedslightlyandlookedoverathisamusedmother.HowlonghaveIbeenasleep?
Maracockedaneyebrow.SinceUmbaraorsincethelasttimeyouwokeup?It'sbeenthreedayssinceUmbara
andadaysinceyouwokeupinthebactatank.Usingtelepathytotalkworeyououtandyouhadtosleepfor
longerthanexpected.Youshouldn'tstrainyourselfwhenyouknowyou'resupposedtobehealing.
Harryloweredhisheadslightlyattheadmonishmentinhervoice.Sorry,mom.
Mara'sfacesoftenedandshesatonhisbedbeforepullinghimintoafiercehug.Don'tscaremelikethat,Harry.
That'sthesecondtimeIthoughtIlostyouandIdon'teverwanttogothroughathird.Iloveyou,son,butyou
needtobemorecareful.Promiseme?
Harrysmiledslightlyandnodded.I'lltrymybestandnotthrowmyselfrecklesslyintosituationsagain.Though
knowingmyluckthosesituationswilleventuallyfindmewhetherIlookforthemornot.
Marachuckledslightly.PartofbeingaSkywalkerI'mafraid.
Thatandfallingforthemostviolentwomeninthegalaxy.MaraandHarryturnedtothedoorintimetosee
LeiasmackHanovertheheadforhiscommentwhileLukechuckled.Someofthetensenessseemedtoleave
Luke'sstanceashesawhissonsittingupandtalkingtoMarawhowassmilingslightlyatHan'scomment.
Theyalsotendtobeourperfectmatchessoonecouldsayit'sourownfaults,saidLukeamusedlyashe
walkedovertoHarry'sbed.
Marasmirkedathiscomment.Asifyouhaveanythingtocomplainabout,Farmboy.
LukechuckledandstoodontheleftsideofHarry'sbedashelookedatHarry.YouokayHarry?
Harrystretchedalittleandnodded.Moreorless.Alittlesorebutthat'sexpectedconsideringhowmuchForce
energyIchanneledforthatlastfight.NottomentionhowlongIwasfightinglikethat.
Lukenoddedknowingly.ChannelingalotofForceenergyforalongtimeusuallydoesasmuchdamageto
yourbodyaschannelingtoomuchatonce.Itstrainsthebodytochannelthatmuchpowerandtakesitstoll.
Harryfrownedslightly.IsthereawaytochannelalotofForcepoweratonceforalimitedtimewithout
causingdamage?
Lukelookedthoughtful.Idon'tknowbutI'lllookintoit.Fornow,youneedtorest.Astraalandthegirlsare
fine.Astraal'sintheroomnexttoyourswhilethegirlsarealreadyupandabout.Tahiriwillprobablycometo
visityousoonsinceshe'sbeenaskingforyouallday.
Harrysmiledslightly.Okaythen.Bytheway,Harryturnedserious,whathappenedtoValik?Didshemanage
toescape?
Lukefrowned.Itwaseitherletherescapeorgetyoutomedicalattentionandyouweremoreimportant.
Harrynoddedinunderstanding,althoughhedidn'tlikeit.You'reright.Still,wewouldhavebeenkilledif
Nakiahadn'tappeared.ShemustbestrongtobeabletomatchValik.Ibarelymanagedtokeepuponceshelet
loose.
Lukeshiftednervouslyandclearedhisthroat.Yes.Ifoughtbesideherforawhileandsensedshewasasstrong
ifnotmoreexperiencedthanme.ItmeansthatwhileValikmighthavetherawpower,shelackstheexperience
andrestrainttouseiteffectively.Jainatoldusthatafterhermasterdiedshecompletelylostallsenseofpatience
andattacked,correct?
Harrynodded.Yep.Itwaslikeshewasholdingbackawholelotandwhenhermasterdiedsheunleasheditall
onus.Itwaskindaterrifyingthatshewasholdingbackthatmuch.
Lukenoddedsolemnly.Icanimagine.LukegaveHarryasoftlookasofheknewHarrywasworriedabout
something.There'ssomethingelsebotheringyou,isn'tthere?
Seeingthatitwasafamilymoment,Leiaclearedherthroat.Well,wehavetogo.Havetovisitthekidstosee
howtheyareandall.Luckily,HangotthemessageinLeia'seyesandquicklyagreedbeforetheyexcused
themselvesandleft.
Oncethedoorclosedbehindthem,Harrybithislipandslowlynodded.Yeah....when...whenIwasfightingthe
master,Thaum...therewasamomenttherewhenIgaveintomyanger.HesaidthathewoulddotoJainawhat
hedidtoAstraalanditmademesoangrythatI....Harrylookedupathisparentsasifexpectingthemto
reprimandandlookawayfromhimindisgustonlytofindthemgivinghimanunderstandinglook....doesthat
makemeasbadasthem?
MaraplacedahandonHarry'sshoulderandforcedhimtolookather.Lookatme,Harry.OnceHarrylooked
herintheeyes,shecontinued.Youarenotlikethem.Itwasanaturalreactiontoanenemythreatening
someoneyoulovewithsomethinghorrible.Angeristhefirstnaturalreactiontothatkindofthingandnoteven
I'mfreeofthattemptation.Itwasalsothefirsttimeyou'dfacedaSithandtheyhaveatendencytothreatenyou
inorderkeepyouoffbalance.It'sjustluckythatitbackfiredonhim.
Harrybithislipinthoughtbeforeturningtohisfatherwithacautiouslook.
Lukesawitbutjustsmiledinreassurance.You'remother'sright,Harry.Itwasanaturalreactiontohavingyour
lovedonesthreatened.
Harrylookeddowninshameandmuttered.Ibetyouneverlostyourtemperlikethat.
Lukeheardandcouldn'tstopthelaughthatescaped.SeeingMaraandHarrylookingathiminbemusement,he
explained.OhIhave,Harry.RemembermyfightwithVader?TheonewherehebecameAnakinagainand
killedtheEmperor?SeeingbothMaraandHarrynod,hecontinued.Well,atonepointIrefusedtofighthim.I
didn'twanttofightmyownfatherandIwantedtobringhimbacktothelight.However,Vaderstartedtaunting
meandusedtheForcetotaketheknowledgeofLeiabeingmysisterfrommyhead.Ihadjustrecentlylearnedit
soitwasstillonmymind.Anyway,helearnedthatshewasmysisterandstartedtauntingmethatifIdidn'tturn
tothedarksidethenperhapsLeiawould.Luke'sfacebecameamixtureofrememberedangerandshame.I
lostitatthatmomentandattacked.IusedmyangertochanneltheForceandmanagedtoliterallydisarmVader.
Soyes,Harry,Ihavelostmytemperandhavealmostfallentothedarksidebefore.That'snotevencountingthe
timeIspentasPalpatine'sapprentice.
Harry'seyeswidenedathisfather'srevelation.Despiteeverythinghisfatherhadalwaysseemedlikethis
infalliblefigurethatsimplyneverlostandwasperfectineveryway.Thefactthathewasn'tandwasinfacta
normalpersonlikeeveryoneelsemadehimmorehumaninHarry'seyes.WhichalsohadtheeffectofHarry
admiringhimmore.Bothhisadoptiveparentshadfallentothedarksidebeforebuthadredeemedthemselves.It
madehimthatmuchprouderinhavingthemasparents.
AmischievouslightenteredHarry'seyesaslookedashisfather.Youknow,itgivesmehopethatyouscrewed
upsobadlyandconsistentlyasakid,Dad.
MaralaughedathiscommentwhileLukejustgavehimabemusedlook.Gladtobeofhelp,son.
Thefamilyofthreespentthenextfewhourstalkingamongstthemselvesandjustbeinggladofbeingineach
other'scompany.
Harryhuffedasheduckedinsideaclosetashetriedtoescapehisenemy.Hesloweddownhisbreathingand
hopedbeyondhopethathisenemywouldjustwalkaway.
However,itseemedasiftheForcehaddecidedthattodaywasScrewHarryDaybecausehisenemywalked
rightuptotheclosethewashidinginandopenedthedoor,lettinghimseehisarchenemyclearly.
ThenursepursedherlipsatHarrywhounsuccessfullytriedtotoputonadoctor'scoatoverhispatientgarbto
passoffasadoctor.SherolledhereyesandglaredatHarrylightly.
Mr.Potter.Theseconstantescapeattemptsfromyourroommuststop.Thefirsttwotimeswerefunny.The
followingeightwerenot.
Harrypouted.ButI'vebeeninthereforever!WhenwillIgettheallcleartoleave?
Thenurserolledhereyes.Thisisyourseconddayinthehospitalandit'sonlybeen12hourssinceyouwoke
up,thefirst6ofwhichyouspenttalkingtoyourfamilywhentheyvisited.Technically,you'veonlybeenalone
inthereforonlysixhours.Andyouwillgettheallcleartoleaveassoonasyoustayinyourroomrestingfor
longerthan30minutes!
But
Thenurseraisedafingerathimandglared.Don'tmakemecallyourmother.Jediknightornot,Idon'tthink
youcansurvivethehumiliationofbeingspankedat16.
Harryblanchedatthethreatandquicklystartedwalkingtowardhisroom,draggingthenursebehindhim.Now,
now.Noneedfordeaththreats,NurseBowen.I'msurewecouldkeepmy...outingsbetweenus,don'tyou
think?
ThenursecouldonlygiggleunderherbreathatthefearinHarry'seyesashefranticallytriedtoreturntohis
roomandactasifnothinghadhappened.Despitetheexasperationhisconstantescapeattemptsgaveher,Nurse
BowenhadtoadmitthatitwasfunnythataJediKnightthatfearlesslyenteredatraptosaveafriendwas
terrifiedoffacinghismother'swrath.Thenagain,consideringhismotherwasMaraJadeSkywalkerperhapsthat
fearwaswarranted.Itwaskindacutethewayhestillfearedhismotherlikeanyotherboyhisage.
'Nottomentionhehasacutebutt,'thoughtthenurseassheeyedhisassthroughtheopenbackofhishospital
garb.Sheblushedassherealizedwhatshewasdoing.'DammitTandy!You'rea25yearsoldwoman!You
shouldn'tbeoglingboyalmosthalfyourage!'AstheyreachedHarry'sroom,TandysawHarry'sguardand,
accordingtothewhispersamongstthestaff,lover.'Notthatitstopssomewomen,'thoughtTandysourly.She
sighed.'Ineedaboyfriend.'
HarrysmiledtenderlyatthesightofNakiawhosenthimasultrywinkasheapproached.Hello,beloved.Did
yourmostrecenthospitalescapeattemptfailagain?
Harrypoutedslightly.Yep.NurseBowenherecaughtmesomehow.ShethenthreatenedtotellMom,which
wasalowblowbytheway,NurseBowenlookedunrepentantandHarrycontinued,soherewereare.Harry
thenturnedtoNurseBowenwithacuriouslook.Bytheway,howdidyoufindme?
Tandysmiledmischievouslyattheboy.Afterthethirdattempt,Iplacedatrackeronyouhospitalgarb.I
figuredthatwhileyoumaywanttoescapeyouwouldn'tdoitnakedandsinceyoudon'thaveanyotherclothes
atthemoment....
.....I'dbetrackednomatterwhereIwent,finishedHarryinadeadpantone.Hesighedtiredly.Ireallymust
betiredifImissedthat.
NakiawalkeduptohimandplacedherrightarmaroundhiswaistwhichHarryunconsciouslycopiedwithhis
leftaroundhers.Youshouldrest,beloved.Everyoneisfineandyouneedit.Nakialeanedinsothenurse
couldn'thear.YourestnowandduringthenightI'll.rewardyouforyourgoodbehavior.

HarryblushedasdirtyimagesenteredhismindandthenurseblushedassherealizedwhatNakiamusthavetold
him.Harryclearedhisthroatandwilledhisblushback.Youknow,I'msuddenlyverytired.IthinkI'mgoingto
gosleepawhile.Nakia,canyouhelpmetothebed?
Nakiahadherbacktothenursesothenursedidn'tseeNakialickherlipsandlookathimwithlustinhereyes.
Itwillbemypleasure,beloved.
Thenursewatchedthementertheroomandoncethedoorclosed,shequicklyturnedaroundandwalkedaway,
searchingforherfriendDoctorMaddoxtoscratchacertainitch.
'Ireallyneedaboyfriend,'thoughTandy.
Backintheroom,aftercheckingthattherewasnooneintheroomornearby,NakiahaddrawnHarryintoakiss
thathadquicklyevolvedintoamakeoutsessioninvolvingalotoftongue.Harrywaspushedintoasitting
positiononthebedandNakiahelpedhimoutofhishospitalgown,leavinghimnaked.Sheranovertothedoor
andlockeditfromtheinsidesonoonecouldinterruptbeforesaunteringbacktoHarry.Shethenteasedhimby
slowlykissingdownhischestuntilshereachedherfavoritepartofHarry'sanatomy.
HarrygroanedasNakiaslowlycausedallthebloodinhisbodytogosouthasshewrappedherhandsaroundit.
Thiswouldbethefirsttimetheycouldbetogetherwithnoguiltbetweenthem.Afterhisparentshadleft
yesterdayHarryhadgonetovisitAstraalduringthenightinordertotalktoher.Theyhadclearedupalotof
things.
Flashback(thenightbefore)
HarryslowlyopenedthedoortoAstraal'sroom,makingsurenottoalertthenursestohisnighttimeescape.
NakiahadagreedtokeepthemdistractedsohecouldvisitAstraal,althoughHarrycouldseeshewasjealous.
ProbablythinkingthathewouldreturntoAstraalnowthatshewashere.Thatwaspartofthereasonhewas
visiting.
Asthedoorclosedbehindhim,HarryturnedtoAstraalwhohadstoppedfakingsleepandwassittingupinthe
bed.ShewaslookingatHarrywithamixoffearandloveinhereyes.Harry'sheartclenchedasherealizedthat
thefearmustbeduetothefactthatHarrywasmaleandafterwhatThaumdid...itmusthavealsoopenedupold
memoriesofhertimeasaslave.
Harryslowlywalkeduptoher,carefulnotstartleher.Ashegotcloser,thefearslowlyleftAstraal'seyesbutthe
lovestayed.Bythetimehesatdowninthebedbesideher,onlylovewasleftinhereyes.
Heybaby,saidHarrylamely.
Astraalsmiledsadly.Hey,Harry.
Theystayedsilentforasecondbeforebothspoke.I'msorr
Harrylookedbemusedathersayingshewassorryandspokefirst.Whyareyousorry?Youdidn'tdoanything
wrong.
Astraallookeddowninshame.Igotcaptured.I'maJediKnightyetIgotcapturedlikeanewPadawan.
Harry'seyessoftenedandhecautiouslylaidanarmaroundAstraal'sshoulders.Shestiffenedbutthenrelaxed
whensheremindedherselfitwasHarryandnotThaum.
Harrynoticedherstiffenandthenrelaxandmentallycursedhimselfforpushinghersosoonafterwhat
happened.However,hehadfelthercallforhimthroughtheirbondandcouldn'tbringhimselftodenyher.
Despitethembeingseparated,hestilllovedAstraalandwoulddoanythingforher,asheprovedwhenherisked
everythingtorescueher.
TheyweresilentforawhilebeforeHarryspoke.So...howareyoumanaging?Momtoldme....thatyou're
havingtroubleamongmen.
Thatwasanunderstatement.Theyhadtomakesurethatanyonethatenteredtheroomwaseitherfemaleorthat
Astraalwasunconscious.Evenasleep,Astraalwouldwakeupinstantlyifamanenteredandreactviolently.It
seemedasifHarrywastheonlymalesheallowednearher.
Astraalfrowned.Notgood.EverytimeIseeaman,Iseethatmonster'sface.Irememberwhathedidtomeand
thethingshesaid....
HarryplacedherheadonhischestandAstraalcriedintoitassheletgoallthetearsovereverythingwasdone
toher.SheclungtohimlikealifelineasshecriedandHarryjustlether,strokingherhairandtellingher
everythingwouldbealright.
Eventually,AstraalstoppedcryingandlookedupatHarrywithdeterminationinhereyes.Harry...Ineedto
knowsomething.
Harrylookeddownather.Anything.
Astraalstraddledhimandstartedtorubcirclesinhischest.Hewasonlywearingapairofsweatpantsthathe
hadmanagedtofindsinceallhisotherclothesweremissing.Itseemedasifhismotherwantedhimtostaythe
entirerecommendedhospitaltimeandhadtakenhisclothesascertainty.NotevenHarrywouldtrytoescape
naked.
AstraalsighedasshelookedupintoHarry'seyes.Doyouloveme?
Harryfrownedslightly.OfcourseIloveyou,saidHarryearnestly.You'remyAzureAngel.Noonecould
evertakeyourplaceinmyheart.
Astraalbitherlip.Evenknowingwhatthatmandidtome?EvenknowingI'mtainted?
Harrywasabouttoangrilyretortthatshewasnottaintedbutsheraisedherhandtostophim.Letmefinish,
baby.
Astraalsighedandlookeddowntohischestasshesensuallyrubbedit,asiftryingtomemorizeeverymuscle
andcontourofhischest.Shehadalwayslovedthefactthathehadasixpackandhadespeciallylovedtolickit
onceshefoundouthewasticklishthere.ItwassomethingthatwastheirsaloneandHarryhadneverallowedto
Nakiatodoitduringtheirtimestogether.Nakiahadunderstoodandhadn'ttriedto,knowingitwassomething
thatwasAstraal'salone.
Astraalgatheredherselfandspoke.Whenhe..visitedhewoulddegrademeasherapedme.SayingIwasa
Twi'lekwhoreandthatIdeservedtobetreatedthisway.Hesoonrealizedthatitwasn'thavinganyeffectsohe
switchedtacticstotrytobreakme.Tearsgatheredinhereyesbutsheforgedahead.Hewouldstoprapingme
andthreatenthatunlessIparticipatedinit,hewouldgotothegirlstoseeiftheywouldbemorewilling.He
wouldmakemebeghimforitorelsehewouldthreatentorapethegirls.Iwouldhavetodegrademyselfand
beghimtotakemejustsohewouldleavethegirlsalone.Astraal'svoicewasbreakingandtearswentdown
herface.IcanstillhearhislaughterashemademesayIwasawhoreandlovedit.
Harry'sheartbrokeashesawhowvulnerableandbrokenAstraallooked.Astraalhadalwaysbeenstrongand
proud,oneofthereasonshehadfallenforher.SeeingherlikethismadeHarrywishhecouldresurrectThaum
justtokillhimagain.
AstraalsniffledandlookedupatHarrywithloveinhereyes.Doyouknowwhyyou'retheonlymanI'm
comfortablewith?Harryshookhishead.It'sbecausewheneverhemademesaythosethingsIwould
rememberwhatyousaid.HowyoulovedmeandIwasnotawhore.Yourlovewastheonlythingthatkeptme
fromcompletelybreaking.
Harrysmiledslightlyandbroughtherclosertohim.Astraalrespondedbywrappingherlegsaroundhiswaist
andherarmsaroundhisneck.Knowingthathecouldn'tmakethefirstmove,HarrywatchedasAstraal
gatheredhercourageandslowlykissedhim.Theykeptitchaste,withouttonguebecauseHarrydidn'twantto
pushher.TheyslowlyseparatedandAstraallookedathimwithlove.
Harry,Iloveyoubut...Astraalgatheredhercourageandcontinued....Ithinkweshouldofficiallybreakup
fornow.
Harrywasstunned.Consideringthepositiontheywereinandwhatshewassaying,hethoughtshewantedto
getbacktogether.Washersayingshelovedhimalie?
Astraalsawhisstunnedlookandexplained.IwanttobreakupwithyoubecauseIloveyou.SeeingHarry's
confusedlook,shecontinued.Rightnow...Ireallywanttohavesexwithyou.Tohelpwashawaythose
memoriesofwhatThaumdid.Butthatwouldcheapenourlove.Idon'twantourlovetobetaintedbywhat
Thaumdidandifwestaytogetherandhavesex,Ican'tguaranteeIwon'thaveflashbacksandreactviolently.
It'stoosoonandwhenwegetbacktogetherit'llbebecausewetrulyloveeachotherandbecauseI'moverwhat
happened.
Harryturnedoverwhatshesaidinhissaidbeforeslowlyspeaking.So...you'resayingthatifwehavesexor
areintimate,you'reafraidyou'llconfuseitwithhowThaumtreatedyouandmixthefeelingsofthetwoevents
together?
Astraalsmiledinrelief.Yes.Iwanttogetoverwhathappenedonmyownbeforewegetbacktogether.Doyou
understand?
Harrynoddedreluctantly.Iunderstand.
Astraalforcedasmile.Plus,IthinkyouneedtoexplorewhatyoufeelforNakiaorelsewe'llhaveproblems
againinthefuture.
HarrylookedupatAstraalinalarmandtriedtospeakbutAstraalplacedafingeronhislipstostophim.
Iunderstandwhyyou'dbeattracted.Sheisverybeautiful.Plusshe'sanolderwoman,ancientevenand
probablyhaslotsofexperiencewiththousandsofmen,thenogoodslu
Astraal,Harryinterruptedherjealousrant.
Astraalseemedtotakeadeepbreathtocontrolherjealousy.Sorry.Shecametomethisafternoontoconfess.
Shetriedtotakealltheblameonherselfandsayshemanipulatedyouandallthat.However,eventhoughI
wantedtobelieveitIknowyouwellenoughthattricksonlyworkonyouonce.Thefirsttimemaybeherdoing
butitwouldn'texplaintheothertimes.OrexplainyourfeelingseverytimeImentionher.
Harrybithislipandlookeddowninshame.I'msorry,Astraal.Ibetrayedyou.I'msorry.
Astraalshookherheadangrily.No!Wehadseparatedsotherewasnothingtechnicallywrongwithyou
sleepingwithher.Plus,nowthatwe'veofficiallybrokenupthere'snothingwrongwithyoubeingwithher.
Harrylookedupatherinconfusion.So...wait,areyougivingmeyourblessingtobewithNakia?
Astraalclosedhereyesasifitphysicallypainedhertosayit.Yes.Basically.However,hereAstraalputher
handinHarrypantsandstartedtorubhiscock,rapidlycausingittohardenunderherexperiencedhands,this
wasminefirst.OnceI'verecoveredI'llbecomingtoreclaimitasminealone.Soitdoesn'tmatterifthatbitchis
millenniaoldandhasprobablyscrewedsomanymenshehasmoreexperiencethananyotherwomaninthe
galaxy,thiswillbemineagain.AmischievouslightenteredAstraal'seyesasherrubbingturnedmoresensual
andHarrygroaned.NakiawasamasterfulloverandcoulddoalmostanythingbetterbutAstraalstillremained
theonewhoknewHarry'sbodybestandknewjusthowtomanipulateittogetherdesiredeffect.Inthiscaseit
wastohardenasmuchaspossiblewithoutblowinghisload.AndrememberHarry,I'mmuchmorewillingto
experimentthanher.IthinkyourememberallthethingswedidinFelucia,right?
HarryblushedasherememberedhowAstraalhadseemedtolearnnewtricksonFeluciaandhadhappily
demonstratedittohimeverynight.WhileNakiawasquiteexperienced,Harrydoubtedshewasflexibleenough
tobendbackwardsandtouchherheelslikeAstraal.
Astraallookedvictoriousasshefeltthefamiliarorganinherhandsseemtopulseandbeaninchfrom
explodingwhenshestopped.Astraal'seyessmolderedasHarryletoutawhineasiftoconvincehertocontinue.
Sheinsteadtookherhandoutofhispantsandleanedintohisear.Justtoremindyouofwhat'swaitingforyou
onceyougetbackandI'mbacktonormal.
Astraalthenstoodupandtoldhimthatshewantedtosleep.Harryreluctantlylefttheroomwithhisstillhardas
steelbonerandquietlycreptbacktohisroom.
BackinAstraal'sroom,Astraalletlooseasighandasobatwhatshedid.Sheknewitwastherightthingtodo
butitdidn'tmakeitanyhardertobreakupwithheronetruelove.
Astraalwipedhertearsandlaiddownonthebedbeforeherfacetookonalookofdetermination.Itdoesn't
matterhowdeepyousinkyourclawsintohimNakia.Iwillreclaimmymaneventually.
Withthat,Astraalwenttosleep.
Flashbackend
HarryleftmemorylanewhenNakiastartedtostrokehiscockwithexperiencedhands.Shelookedupathim
withalovingandlustfullook.
Tellmewhatyouwant,beloved.Iwantustoexploreeveryinchofeachother,saidNakialustfully.
Lemonstart
Harrylookedatherwithlustinhiseyesashelookedatherstillclothedbody.Whydon'tyougivemealap
dance,mycrimsongoddess?
Nakiasmiledlustfully.luckily,Ibroughtsomethingjustincasewehadsomealonetime.Shetookouta
familiarwandandgaveittoHarry.Silencethewalla,beloved.Wedon'twanttobeinterrupted.
HarrysmiledandsilencedthewallswhileNakiatookoutabagandwalkedintothebathroom.Harrywaitedfor
hertoreadywhateveritwasshewasplanning.Eventually,Nakiawalkedoutinhernewattire.
Herclothingconsistedofablackgarterbeltwithstockingsonthem,ablacklacepushupbrathatgavehereven
morecleavage,notthatshereallyneededit,andaslimgstringthatshowedoffherassandyetjustmanagedto
hideherpussyandthesmallpatchoftrimmedcrimsonhairshekept.Shealsohadalowcrimsonskirtanda
matchingtshirtthatshowedoffherstomachline.Shealsoputonlongcrimsonglovesthatwentuptoher
elbows.Shehaddecidedtoaddinabitofmakeupaswell,redlipstickwithsomeeyelinerandmascara.
NakiagesturedforHarrytositattheendofthebedandhequicklycomplied.Oncehewasseated,Nakiabegan.
Sheswayedtoherowninternalmusicinanalmosthypnoticfashionasshedancedforherbeloved.Sheteased
himalittlewithafewposesbeforeshegentlytookthehemofhertopandslowlypulleditoffherbody.She
continuedtodoitassheturnedherbacktohimandbentdownandtooktheskirtoffashegotagoodviewof
herasswiththethongonit.Shethrewthearticlesasideasshewalkedtowardshimswayingherhips."Wellnow
Ithinkweshouldgetdowntobusiness."
WiththatshesatonHarry'slapwithherbacktohimasshestartedtogrindherselfintohim.Harrygrunted,
feelinghiscockgetmorearousedatthefeelofhergroinagainsthis.Shebreathedonhisskinwhichwas
extremelyerotic.Nakiaonlysmirkedatherbeloved,shecouldfeelhiserectiongrowingbutsheknewthathe
couldn'tdoanythingaboutitsinceshewasincontrolthistimearound.
Sherubbedherhandsdownoverhisbodyasshelightlyroseupanddownonhimalmostridinghimsoftlyas
sheswirledherhipsagainsthislap.Shereachedbehindherandunclaspedherbraandthrewitaway,shestood
upandcuppingherbreastsshepushedthemtogethertohisface.
"Youwantedtoseethese,mylove?"Sheteasedgettingascloseasshecould.Harrycouldn'tstopstaringatthe
perfectorbsbuthehadtomakehisfacewasn'tclosetothem.Itwouldruintheentiregametheywereplaying.
TheunspokengoalofitwasforNakiatoseewhatHarrylikedtoknowhowtoexcitehiminthefuture.
"What'samatter,beloved,don'tyoulikethem?"Nakiasaidasshegotoffhim.Shestartedtodancemore
erotically,herhandstrailingoverherbodyastheHarrysatcaptivatedandfrustratedbyit.Shegotontoher
hospitalbedandtookoffthepantiessoshewasjustingloves,stockingsandhergarteratthemoment.She
spreadherlegsandwithherfingersstartedtocaressandfingerherpussy.Shepulledbackthelipsshowingthe
pinkfleshtothem,shewouldrollherheadandmoansexilyforhim.Nakiathengotupandsatonbackon
Harry'slapassheworkedhimupmuchinthesamewayasshedidbefore.
"Sowhatdoyouthink,mylove?"whisperedNakiaintohisear.Shewaspressedupagainsthimherbodywas
rubbingalloverhis.Herbreastsmashedupagainsthischestsohardhecouldfeelhernipples."Doyouwant
me?Doyouwanttokissme,tofuckmemylove?"Shelaughedalittleassheteasedhimbybreathingslowlyon
hisfaceasshemovedhermouthjustoverhisskin.
Harrycouldn'ttakeitanymore,thoselipsweresoclosetohishequicklymovedforwardandkissedher.
Nakiatriedtofightit,butitfeltsogood.Shewasjustabouttobreakthekisssoshecouldcontinuethegame
whenhishandreacheddowntohersexandstartedtocaresshermound.Amoanescapedhermouthbeforeshe
couldstopit.
Harry'stongueexploredhersashishandwascaressinghersex,shecouldn'tstopthemoaninhermouth.Her
bodyachedforhistouch,forherman'stouch.Sheneededitsobad.Toremindherselfthathewasaliveandto
gettheimageofhimlyingonthefloorunconsciousandbleedingoutofherhead.Shetriedtofighthimslightly
(stillintheroleofastripperandherclient)buthegrabbedoneofherwristsandthenhisfingersstartedtoprobe
herinsides.ShemoanedlouderthistimeasHarryfingeredherpussy.
Finallyhepulledhismouthawayfromher,"Whoa,youaresowet."Harrysaid,slippingouthisfingersand
showingher.Hereyeswidenedseeingherownjuicesonhisfingers.Shetriedtosayadenialbuthermouthjust
workedopenandclosed.Shecouldn'tsayanything,allshecoulddowasstareathisfingersinsurprised."Ithink
youreallywantthis,"Harrysaidkissingherneckandcollarbone."Howlonghasitbeensinceourlasttime,my
love?"
"Ohgod,toolongmylove,"Nakiawhisperedfeelinghiskissesonherbody.Shecouldfeelherbodybetraying
herasshewasgettinghot.ShecursedherbeingbornaAnzanti.Shecursedthefactthatshelookedaroundand
sawpeoplegettingtogetherandhappy.Itwasaconstantreminderofwhatshecouldneverhaveunlessit'swith
anotherAnazantiandconsideringthatmostonlycareaboutfeeding,nonattractherattention.
ShepushedhimawayseeingthelustinhiseyesandNakiamadeadecision.Shewouldnolongerbealone,
especiallynowthatshe'dfoundsomeonetolove.Shewouldriskeverythingandsacrificeanythingtobewith
him.Andwhenhedied,shewouldjoinhimsoonafter.
Nakia'sbreathingwashardbutshestillhadenoughcontroltolookedathimwithalustfullookasshecrawled
ontothebedandgotonherback,herelbowsproppingherupasshespreadherlegsforhimtoseethewetpussy
almostinvitingthemin."Soyoucoming?"
Harrydidn'twasteanytime.Nakiawatchedasherbelovedwassoeagertogetbewithher.Shehadtoadmit
therewassomethingstimulatingthatshewassodesirabletohim.Whenshesawthe10inchlongcockshewas
impressed.Thatwaslargerthanthefirsttimetheyhadbeentogether.Thelasttimetheyhadbeentoofulloflust
tonoticethingslikethat.Alreadyshewasrememberinghowhewouldfeelinsideofherandshegotevenwetter.
Herbelovedclimbedontopofherasheusedhishandstogripherbreaststestingouthowtheyfeltandtheyfelt
great.Hecouldn'tbelievethesewerenatural.
Hehadtosuckonthemassivebreasts,theyjustcalledtohim.Hebentdownandtookoneofhernipplesintohis
mouthasheranhistongueoverit.Itwaseasytogetithardasshewasalreadyprettyexcitedasitwas.Nakia
moanedinpleasurefeelinghimdothat.Butshewasn'tintoforeplayatthemoment,herbodydemandedsome
kindofgratificationforthelongtimeithadspentwithouthiminsideher.
"Comeonandputitinmealready,"shetoldhiminahuskyvoice.
Harrydidjustthat,hefeltthetipofhiscockatherentranceandthrusthimselfintoherwarmandtightbody.He
gruntedashefelthertightinnerwallsaroundhismemberasNakiathrewherheadbackwithacryofpleasure.
Shethrustsherhipsbackagainsthimtryingtogethimasdeepashecouldgetintoherbody.
"Ohyes,ugh,fuckyes,dome,ohgod,ugh,ugh,ugh!"Nakiacriedoutfeelinghiscockworkitswayinandout
ofher.
"Fuckyou'retight,"HarrysaidashefuckedtheAnzantigoddess.Hetriedtoholdoffbutthatstripteaseofhers
wastoomuchforhim.Heheldoutforaslongashecould,butaftersevenminuteshisthrustingpickedup."Oh
godI'mgoingtocum!"
"Justholdit,justalittlebitlonger,beloved!"Nakiacriedout.
Harrygrittedhisteethashemassagedherbreaststryingtogetheroff,thenhegrippedthemhardashebucked
againstherafewmoretimesuntilhethrusthimselfdeepintoherbody.Hecriedoutashiscockpulsedand
severalropesofcumblastedintoherbody.Nakiadidn'tcarebecausethatfirstshotofliquidheathittingher
sensitivewallswasenoughforher.Shecriedoutasshecameonhiscock,herinnerwallstighteningaroundhis
member.
AftertheycaughttheirbreathHarrypulledoutofher,hiscockonlyhalflimp.Hestartedwithmakingoutwith
her,asshewastryingtocaughtherbreath.Hetastedherlipsastheirtonguesbattleditout,theirhandsstartedto
roamovereachother'sbodiesonceagain.Hefelthersofthandstrailingoverhisleanframeashisownhands
foundherbreasts,herassandanythingelsehecoulddo.Nakiarolledthemsothatshewasontopofhim
lookingdownwithalustfullookashegaveoneequallyaslustfulbacktoher.AsNakiawasstraddlinghim,she
felthishardcockinherhandsandguideditinsideofherbodyandletoutasexymoan.
Hefeltthatperfectassofhersandhejusthadtotouchit.Harrygrippedthatfineassofhersandplacedhiscock
attheentrancetohersphincter.Nakiajumpedatthesensationandquicklylookedathimwithalustful
expression,"Oh,bytheHolySoup.Pleasestickitin!"
Harrypickedupsomeofherjuicesanduseditaslubricantonherasshole.Hethenstartedtopushhimselfinto
her.Nakiacriedoutlustfully.Luckily,shehadincrediblecontorloverherbodyanditdidn'thurt.
"OhgodI'mstartingtolikethisevenmorethanthenormalway,"Nakiamoanedoutasshepushedbackinto
Harry."Domeharderbeloved,pleasefuckmeharder."
"Asyouwish,"Harrysmirkedashestaredtoslamhimselfintoherass,hishipsmakingasmackingsoundas
theyhit.
"Ohfuckme,fuckme,fuckME!OHBYTHEFORCE!AWWI'MCUMMINGBELOVED!"Nakiayelledout
feelingthepressureinsideofherreadytoburst.
"Ugh,fuck!Yeahtakethat!Takethat,youlikethathuh?"Harrysaidgrippingherassashewasfuckingheras
hardashecould."YeahI'mgoingtofuckingcuminyourass!"Nakiafeltthehotspermhitherintestinesandshe
threwherheadbackshoutingoutasherbodytensedup.Itwasthebiggestorgasmshehadeverhad.Harryfelt
hergeteventighterashegruntedoutasheheldhimselfinherassfillingitupwithhissperm.Nakiashiveredat
thesensationgettingaminiorgasmfromthestrangefeelingsosoonaftergettingherorgasm.Harryheld
himselfinsideofheruntilhefelthimselfoverhisreleaseandpulledout.
HecouldseethecumleakingfromNakia'sassasitwasoverstuffedwithhiscum.NakiaslowlygotoffHarry
andfelltoherbackontothebedgaspingforbreath.Shefeltabittired,herbodywascoveredinsweat,she
couldfeelthecuminsideofherbodyasabitofitleakedoutofher.Shelaytherejustenjoyingtheafterglowof
thesexshehad,bytheForcehowshehadmissedit.Evenaweekseemedliketoolong.Shefeltthebedshift
andsuddenlyshewasontopofHarryandamouthwasbackontohertit.ShelookedtoseeHarrysuckingon
oneofherlargebreastsagainashishandtraileddownherstomachtoherpussy,hestartedtorubitlightly
makinghermoanabit.
"Whatareyoudoing,beloved?"Nakiaasked.Shemoaned.Ithoughtyouwouldbetired.
"I'mjusttakingfulladvantageofthis,"Harrysaidfingeringherpussy.NakiasuckedinherbreathwhenHarry
startedtolickhernippleonherotherbreastashishandmadeslowcirclemotionsonhertonedstomach.Nakia
grindedagainstHarry'scockashewasplayingwithherlargebreasts,suckingonthenipples.
Harrycouldonlystareatthoselargeandbeautifulbreastsswayingoverhim.Heusedhishandstograbthem
andkneadthemgentlyfeelingtheirsoftnessandyettheyhadthisfirmcentertothem.Shemoanedabitandhe
leanedupandstartedtosuckononeofherlargenipples.Nakiamoanedoutevenlouderassheswayedherhips
withhisgrindingtheirpelvicareastogether.
Sothetwoofthemcontinuedonfuckingeachother.Nakiawantedtotryeverysinglesexualthingshecould
thinkof.Shedidn'twanttowastethisanymorethanHarrydid.Shegotonherkneestosuckthehiscocktoget
himhard.Acoupleoftimesshegothimtocuminhermouthasshetriedtoswallowitall.Shewoulduseher
largebreaststogivehimthemostamazingtitfucksinhisyounglife.
OnetimeshewasonherhandsaskneesasHarrywasholdingherheadfuckinghermouthandshemanagedto
swallowhimuptotheendofhisshaft.Harryhadherupagainstherwallatonepoint,herlegshookedaround
hiswaistashetriedtofuckherthroughthewall,thenhehadherlegsoverhisshouldersashefuckedherdeeply.
Thetwocontinuedtofuckuntilneithercouldgoon.

Atonepointshecriedoutasshearchedherbackwithhiminsideofherandcollapsed.Shepassedouttootired
tocontinue.Harrywhowasstillhardinsideofherkeptonfuckingher,hewasgettingprettytiredhimselfplus
hewasn'tsurehowmuchhehadleftinhim.Hewasgettingachingfeelingsinhisgutandgroinandsothis
wouldhavetobethelasttime.Hepulledoutfeelinghimselfgettingcloseandstartedtojerkhiscock.He
pumpedhimselfuntilhecame,althoughitwasn'tmuch.Harrycameonherstomachashewasprettymuch
emptyforspermatthemoment.
Lemonend
Bythispoint,Nakiawastotallynakedandcoveredinsweatandsperminsomeareas.Herpussywasleakinga
bitofthewhitefluidsandhewaswonderingwhattodo.Nakiaslowlycametoandsmiledathim,completely
satisfied.Shedrewhimintoakissandsmiledlovinglyathim.
Youareminenow,beloved,saidNakialovingly.IwaswillingtoshareyoubutI'mgladIdon'thaveto.Ilove
you.
Harrysmiledandkissedher.I'mallyours.Nowhelpmepickupthisplacesowecantakeashower.Noone's
goingtovisittodaybutIstilldon'twanttoriskit.Harrylaughedsilently.Ican'tbelievewehadsexina
hospital.
Nakiagiggledslightly.Itdidmakeitquitehot,didn'tit?Theriskofgettingcaught?
Harryjustsmiledwider.Yes,itdid.Nowlet'spickupafterourselves.Idon'twantthestafftopassrumorsthat
allJediKnightsarepervertswhohavesexwiththeirguardswhileinthehospital.
Nakiajustlaughed.
Harryfrownedashereadtheinformationinthedatapad.
ItwasthedayafterhehadsexwithNakiaandhehadbeentoldhewouldbeletoutlatertoday.Topassthetime,
Nakiahadgivenhimadatapadwiththeinfohehaddownloadedinthejumpdrive.Hisfamilywerealsointhe
roomdoingvariousthings.JainaandAnakinseemedtobehavingaquietargumentinthecornerwhileLeia,
MaraandLukewerereadingdatapadswiththesameinformationHarryhadinhis.Hanhadbeenherebutwas
currentlyinthecafeteriagettingsomethingforeveryonetoeat.Cassiopeiawasdoinghernewfavoritepasttime
whichwasflirtingwithJacenwhowasredinthefaceyetseemedunabletokeephiseyeswayfromher.More
likeawayfromthethighshehadexposedwhenshecrossedherlegs.Harryjustrolledhiseyesatthesightand
madeamentalnotetotalktoCassiopeialater.Therearesomepeoplewhoareofflimits,especiallysinceif
TenelKafoundoutaboutthis,therewouldbeafight.
TahiriandVisashadvisitedtodayaswellandafterreassuringthemthathewasn'tdisappointedinthem,had
promisedtogowiththemtogetnewcrystalsfornewlightsaberssincetheyhadlosttheonesHarryhadgiven
them.AstraalandNakiawouldbecomingaswellsincebothhadsaidthattheyneededtobuildanother
lightsaber.Harrywasn'tsurewhyNakianeededtobuildanotherbutjustshruggedhisshouldersandacceptedit.
Cassiopeiahadalsowantedtobuildafterseeinghowshealmostlostagainstsomeonewieldingone.Shehad
agreedtobementoredunderLukeoncetheygotbackwhileHarrywouldteachherthebasicsastheytraveled.
TheyhadabitofanargumentwhenHarrytoldCassiopeiathatsheshouldjointheOrdertolearnproperly.She
hadbeenstubbornandsaidshecouldlearnonherownuntilHarrypointedoutthatshewouldbeabletospend
moretimewithhimifshejoined.Shehadstillbeenresistantduetothinkingtheywouldn'tacceptheroncethey
knewherpast.However,Lukehadtoldherthatiftheyjudgedacceptanceonaperson'spastthennoneofthe
Masterswouldbethere,notevenhim.Cassiopeiahadbitherlipandtoldhimherpast.Lukehadjustnodded
andsaidthatitwasokayandshewasstillwelcometojoin.Shehadbeensurprisedbythatandsmiledbefore
agreeingtojoin.ShewastechnicallystillastudentbutwouldbementoredunderLukeoncetheygotback.
HarrysighedandrubbedhisfaceashereadtheinformationonValik'spast.Accordingtothis,hermasterhad
putherinthemostinhumanetrainingsessionshehadeverheard.Theywereexplainedingreatdetail,aswellas
theeffectstheyhadbothonValik'spsycheandonherpower.
ThaumhadsystematicallydestroyedeveryshredofdecencyinValikandmadeherhateeverythingfromhimto
evenherself.Onceshematuredtoarounda13yearold,thesexualabusehadstarted.Hewouldgivehera
challengeeachdayandifshefailed,hewouldrapeher.Ifshesucceeded,hewouldsimplygiveherdrugsto
causehertostayasleepduringthenightandrapeherwhilesheslept.Eitherway,shewouldknowthenext
morningthatshewasusedandhewouldmockherforit.
Valik'spowerwasregisteredasalmostequaltoPalpatine'sinitspotentialbythetimeshefacedHarryandJaina.
Themostinterestingthingwasthatherimmersionintothedarksidehadn'tgivenheranyofthenormal
disfigurationsthatdarksideusegavemost.Indeed,Moorehadeagerlynotedthatsheseemedtogrowevenmore
attractivethemoreshecalledonthedarkside.Harryhadn'tnoticedsincehewastoobusytryingtosurvivebut
shedidseemtohaveasortofdarkradianceneartheendwhenshebeathim.PerhapsithadtodowithherSith
heritage.
HarrysighedasherememberedhowshewasacloneofaDarkLordoftheSithfromtheOldSithEmpire.The
spiritofthatSithhadlingerednearhertombwhereThaumhadfoundher.Hehadlearnedunderherforyears
andhehadeventuallytriggeredaplanusinghisapprenticeasapawntogainthesoulsaber.Unfortunatelyfor
him,hismaster'stomb'slocationhadbeencompromisedandhewasforcedtoabandonitwithonlyasampleof
hismaster'sbody.ThisiswhattheyhadusedtocreateValikwhenhemetMooreandwasofferedaclonein
exchangeforhisloyalty.
Harrythrewdownthedatapadinfrustration.Despitereadingitforhours,therewasnoproofthatMarrishhad
anythingtodowiththis.However,Harry'sguttoldhimthatshewasconnectedtoMarrishinsomeway.Luke
hadtoldhimthatMoorewaspresumeddeadwhentheyblewupthetoppartofthetowerbuttheyweren'tsure.
Eitherway,theywouldkeepaneyeoutforher.
Maralookedupwhenherthrewdownthedatapadandgavehimanunderstandinglook.Iknowhowyoufeel.
ReadingthisremindsmeofsomeofthethingsIheardPalpatinedid.Knowingthatsufflikethiswashappening
rightunderournosesdoesn'texactlymakemefeelgood.
Harrynodded.I'msorry,it'sjust....theknowledgethatanyonecoulddosomethinglikewhatMooreandthat
sickbastardThaumdidmakesmesicktomystomach.Istillfeelguiltyaboutbeingforcedtokillallthose
clonesandtheythankedthroughtheForcewhenIkilledthem.Butthis,Harrygesturedatthedatapadwitha
lookofdisgust,thisisthestuffofmonsters.
LeialoweredherdatapadandlookedatHarrywithpity.Moorewasamonster.UnlikeyouMara,sheknew
exactlywhoshewasservingwhileunderPalpatineandlovedit.Thefewtimeswemet,shegavemethesame
unpleasantfeelingPalpatinegaveoff.LikeIwascoveredinoilandIjustfelt...dirty.
LukehadatiredlookonhisfaceandHarryinstantlyknewwhathewasthinking.Itwasn'tyourfault,Dad.
Lukelookedupathiscommentandsmiledbrittlely.AmIthattransparent?
Harryjustsmiled.No,butI'myoursonandIknowyouwellenoughtoknowwhatyou'rethinking.Wedidn't
knowaboutthis.Heck,wehadwrittenMooreoffasanobody.Wecouldn'thaveknownwhatshewasdoingor
planning.
Lukesighed.Yes,butitdoesn'tmakemefeelanybetteraboutithappening.Thisjustshowshowmuchmore
wehavetodotogetthegalaxybacktothewayitwasbeforePalpatinepoisonedit.
HarryhadgivenhisparentscopiesoftheinformationontheexperimentstheyhadbeendoingonUmbaraandit
madethemallsick.ThethingstheydidtothechildrenwerecompletelyinhumaneandHarrythankedhislucky
starsthattheystillactednormal.Thechildrenwereinthehospitalaswellandmostwereadjustingwiththe
exceptionoftheleaderofthegroup.
Shedidn'thaveanameliketheothersbutshehadblondehairandgreeneyesthatwasclosertothecolorof
leavesthanHarry'sownemerald.Shehadn'tspokentoanyoneandhadinseveraloccasionstriedtoescape.
Harryimagineditwasbecausethehospitalfelttoomuchlikethefacilityshewastrappedin.
Suddenly,Harryfeltsomethingattheedgeofhissenses.TheForcesensitivesintheroomfeltittooandthey
stretchedouthissensesthroughtheForceandlocatedthesource.
ItwasastrongsourceofForceenergyanditwascomingfromthegardenareaofthehospital.Itfelthappyand
carefreeyet...solonely.Harrygotup,alreadydressedinblackpantsandagreenshirtandstartedtowalktoward
thesource.Theothersfollowedbehindhim,bothtomakesurehewasfineandtobackhimupincaseitwasa
trap.ThewholecapturingAstraalandthegirlsthingtotraphimhadgottenthemonedgeandtheywere
unwillingtotaketheriskthatitwasanothertrap.
TheyeventuallyreachedthegardenareaandHarryraisedaneyebrowinsurprise.Theplantsfeltasiftheywere
practicallyhumminginForceenergy.ItfeltsimilartohowtheareaaroundTenelKawouldfeeljustbeforeshe
usedherpowertocontrolnature.Onlythiswasmoreuncontrolledandtherewasnospecificdirectionforit.It
wasmorelikesomeoneinfusedtheplantswiththeForcefornootherreasonthanbecausetheycould.
Lukealsofeltitandhelookedslightlyshocked.WhoeverdidthismusthaveastrongconnectiontotheLiving
Force,almostasstrongaconnectionasJacenhere.TheplantsarebasicallyglowingwiththeForce.
Harrynoddedandledthegroupthroughthegardenuntilhefoundthesource.
Itwastheblondegirlwhowastheleaderofthegroupofchildren.Shewasrunningaroundthegrassthatwas
slowlygrowingbeforehiseyes.Sheseemedtolikethefactthatitwasgrowingandshewasrollingarounditin
glee.Harrysadlynotedthatthismaybethefirsttimesheevensawtheoutside.
Everyonewatchedwithsmilesontheirfacesasshegiggledandrolledthroughthegrassasifshedidn'thavea
careintheworld.ItwastimeslikethisthatHarryrememberedwhyhewantedtobeaJedi.Sothateverychild
coulddothiswithoutfear.
Thegirlseemedtofinallysensethemandturnedtotheminshock.Theystayedlikethatforamomentbefore
Harrysmiledsoftlywhichcausedthegirltorelax.
Hello,littleone,saidHarrysoftly.I'mHarryandthisismyfamily.Didyoudothis?TheothersletHarry
taketheleadsincehewastheonethegirlwasfocusingon.
Thegirlnoddedshyly,asifafraidtobereprimanded.Harryjustsmiledandstrokedaayellowsunflowerthat
wasgrowingnearhim.It'sverybeautiful.Youshouldbeproud.
Thegirlsmiledshylyathispraiseandseemedtorelaxevenmore.Harrywalkeduptoherandkneeledbeside
herwithasmile.Harrythenpluckedaflowerandplaceditinherhair.
There.Aprettyflowerforaprettyflowerprincess.Doyouhaveaname?
Thegirlblushedslightlybutshookherhead.No,theynevergaveanyofusone.
Harryfrowned.Well,that'snotright.Howabout....Azalea?Fortheflowerthatgrowsbeautifuleveninthe
harshestofsoils.
ThenewlynamedAzaleasmiledbrightlyathimandnoddedhappily.Suddenly,shetensedandtheForcesurged
asitgatheredaroundher.Shelookedathimasifapologizingforsomething.
I'msorrybutIcan'tcontrolitanymore.
Harrylookedconfuseduntilhiseyeswidenedashesawvinesgrowingatanalarmingspeedallaroundthe
group,instantlyfillinghalftheroomwithgreenery.
"I'mreallysorry,but"Beforeshecouldfinishhersentence,thevineshadalreadychargedatHarry,deeming
himanunknownpresencethatwasabittooclosetotheir'princess'.
Lettingoffasighofresignation,Harryclosedhiseyesevenashereachedforhisgreenlightsaber.
'WhoamIkidding?OfcourseI'dattracttrouble.AsifIcouldgoaweekwithoutgettingintrouble.Ohwell,
timetodosomeweeding.'
Withthatthought,Harryjumpedtowardthegirlandscoopedherupuntilshewassittingonhisshouldersand
holdingontohishair.Heheardthesoundoflightsabersactivatedandcuttingthroughanygreenerythatgotto
closetothem,aswellasthesoundofMaratellinghimtorunaway.
However,Harryknewbetter.Thegirlonhisshoulderswasthecauseofthesuddenlygrowinggreeneryand
runningawaywithherwouldonlycausethevinestochasehimandleavethemalone.Harryleaptstraightinto
theairwithAzaleaonhisshoulder,hertinyarmslightlycircledaroundhisneckjusttosecureherself.Theslight
attractioninForceenergyhefeltfromthelittlegirlwassomewhatintriguingevenasheusedmoreForceenergy
tododgetheplants.Itwasasthoughthelifeforceofnaturewasreactingtoher.Thoughthinkingabouthowshe
wasabletocauseplantstogrowatsuchanalarmingrate,itwouldn'tbesurprisingifshecouldindeedcontrol
theenergyoftheNature.Itwasprobablyaneffectofoneofthemanyexperimentsdoneonher.Hewonderedif
itwasbecausetheyhadinjectedherwiththemidichloriansoftheotherdeadchildrenthatlifereactedso
stronglytoherwill.
However,witnessingforhimselfhowthoseplantvinesaboutasthickashisbodytryingtoensnarehimand
squeezehimlikeagrape,hedecidedthatnowmightnotbethebesttimetowonderhowexactlyshegotthat
particularskill.
"Wow"Thelittlegirlonhisshouldersoundedcompletelyinawe,thoughHarrycouldn'treallyblameher.He
hadbeentoldthatthechildreninthecloningfacilitywerekeptinsideunlesstheyneededtobeexperimentedon
more.Soitdidn'tsurprisehimmuchthatthegirlgazedathiminwonderasheavoidedthevinesthatattacked
him.
Itwasperfectlynormalforpeopletoleaptenfeetintotheair,backflipwithoutlosingmomentum,andmove
fasterthantheeyecouldtrack.Thefactthathewasmakingsillyfacesatthelittlegirlthroughoutonlyservedto
amusethegirltonoend.Harrywascurrentlytoyingwiththeplantvinesasheweavedandlacedaroundthem,
earningsquealsofjoyfromthelittleblondegirlwhofeltthatshewasononeofthoserollercoasterridesshe
hadseenontheHolonet.Hergreeneyeslitupevenasshesubconsciouslybegantryingtocontrolthoseplant
vines,wantingtothemtogiveHarrymoreofachallenge.
TheothersnoticedhowthevinesaroundthemhadstoppedandonlythevinesaroundHarrykeptmoving.They
watchedwithamusementasHarrygaveAzaleatherideofherlifeasheduckedandweavedthroughthevines
withexpertgrace,withhercheeringhimonallthewhile.
Harrycontinuedtoamusethegirlforasometimeuntilsheletoutasoftyawn,showingtheusageofsomuch
Forceenergywastiringher.Thiswasthesignalthatitwastimetoendthefun.
MovingsoquicklythatAzaleamissedwhathappened,Harryactivatedhisgreenbladecutthroughallthevines
aroundhimcompletely.TheyallfelldowninpiecessinceAzaleawasnolongersupplyingenergytokeepthem
going.
"Ehhhh?"Gapingowlishlyattheroomthatwasnowmoreorlessvoidofanyplantsatall,thelittlegirlpuffed
uphercheeksandpointedanaccusingfingerathim,"Muuuu!"
Grinning,Harrygaveasimpleshrugandlaughed,"What?Ididn'tdoanything."Theothersletoutasnortathis
blatantlie.
"Mumumumumumumu!"Seeingsuchablatantdenial,Azaleainturngrabbedathischeekandstarted
makinghisskinmalleable,oratleast,asmalleableasitcouldbe.
"Ow!Hey,hey,easynow!Ow!"Realizingthathehadnowayofescapingthelittledevil,hecouldn'thelpbut
submittoherpower,"Alright,alright,Ididit!Ididit!"
"Hehheh."Theproudexpressiononherfaceasshepuffedherchestoutwasadorablebeyondbelief,whichled
toHarrynuzzlinghisbruisedcheekintohers.Thewomenallletoutachorusof'awwws'whilethemenjust
smiledatseeingAzaleasohappy.
"Hehehehehe."Thegirldidn'tseemtomindatallandevenseemtobaskintheirattentionsasthoughshehad
earnedthemthroughhardworkofsomesort.
Itdidn'ttakelongforthelivelygirltopointathimoncemore,thistimehereyesfilledwithmirth.
Harryeasilyunderstoodherintentionandgaveaslightbowofhishead,beforespeaking."So,howshallIrepay
myprincessthelossofhergarden?"
Azawantsanewone!Onefulloftreesandariverandprettyflowers!yelledoutAzaleajoyfully.
Harrychuckledathersimplegoalsandsmiledatherashewalkedovertotherestofthegroupwhowere
lookingattheduefondly.AtsomepointNakiahadappeared,probablywhenshesensedthealrgeamountof
Forceusagenearhislocationandthoughttheworst.Well,howaboutthis?Iknowofaplacefullofkidsjust
likeyouthat'ssurroundedbyabigjunglethathasthousandsofflowersandquiteafewrivers.It'sthesameplace
IwenttolearnandIthinkyou'lllikeit.Whatdoyousay?
AzalealookedatHarrywithagiantsmileonherface.Really?There'sreallyaplacelikethat?
Lukesmiledandsteppedforward.Really.Andyou'rewelcometocome.Ipromisethatyou'llneverhavetogo
toanotherlaboratoryagain.
AzalealookedfromLuketoHarrywhonoddedencouraginglyandnoddedshyly.Okay.Azawillgo.
Harrysmiledandputherdownsoshewasstandingbesidehim.That'sgreat!Let'sgorightnowthen!
However,Harry'spatheticattempttoescapehishospitalstayearlywasthwartedwhenhismothergrabbedhis
earcausinghimtocryoutinpain.JainaandNakiaheldinalaughatthesightandLeiawasusingherhandto
coverhersmile.
Idon'tthinkso,saidMarasternly.Youwillstayuntilthedoctorssayyou'refreetogoandnotamoment
sooner.NodoubtusingtheForceandjumpingaroundsosoonprobablycausedyoustaylongerthanyouwould
havesoyou'llprobablybehereantherday.
AzaleagiggledatthesightofHarrycryingoutinpainasMaradraggedhimbytheeartowardhisroom.Unca
Harryisfunny.
Lukefinallylostcontrolandlaughedalongwiththeothers.Yes,Azalea.Yesheis.
EndNotes:

SorryitwassolongsincemylastupdatebutIhadexamsandstuffandIwasso
swampedthatIcouldn'teventhinkofwritingthenextchaptermuchlessupload
it.Thischapterwasmostlyafillersoyoucanseeafewdevelopmentswiththe
charactersaswellasintroducingAzalea.She'llbeabigreasonwhyHarryjoins
thewarandwhyhedoesalotofwhathedoes(likeCaedusandAllanaonlytoa
lesserextent.Hewon'tdestroyplanetsinhernamelikethatpsychopath).Next
chapterisanotherimportantfillerbeforehegetsbacktotheoriginquest.
Remember,he'satadeadendatthemomentbutnextchapterwillgivehimthe
nextclue.

Hopeyoulikeitandremember,ReadandReview!
Backtoindex
LightsabersandchangingrelationshipsbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
ThisisachapterstoryandtheNc17ratingisforlemonchapters.
Chapter30
Thesoundoftwolightsabersclashing:onegreenandoneviolet,echoedthroughthetraininggroundofYavin4.
HarryandJacentradedblowsatlightningfastspeeds,eachtryingtolandthefirsthitandwinthespar.
IthadbeenaweeksinceHarrywasfinallyallowedtoleavethehospitalonCoruscant.SincehearrivedonYavin
4,he'dbeentryingtoregainhisedgebyfrequentlysparringwithhisfriends,mostlyJacenandJaina.Jainahad
been...differentsincehehadreturned.Notbaddifferentbutmorelikehowshewasbeforeallthedrama
betweenthemhappened.Morecockyandsureofherselfaswellasarulebreaker.Harryhadtoadmitthathe
likedthechangeandhopeditwaspermanent.
TahiriandVisashadbeenecstaticthathewasback,albeitforashorttime,andhadbeentakingevery
opportunitytoshowoffwhattheyhadlearned.HarryhadbeenextremelyamusedwhenTahiritelekinetically
tiedtheshoelacesofAnakin'sshoelacestogetherwhileheate,causinghimtofallonhisasswhenhetriedtoget
up.ApparentlyhehadbeengettinglittletoobigforhisbritchesandTahirihaddecideditwasherdutyashis
bestfriendtobringhimbacktoearth.Personally,Harrythoughtshejustusedthatasanexcusetothinknewand
moreingeniouswaystoprankpeople.
He'dneverbeenmoreproud.
TenelKaandLowiehadapologizedfornotbeingabletobepartoftherescuemissionbutLowiehadbeenona
missionandTenelKabehindacockpitwouldhelptheirenemiesmorethanit'dhelphim.Surprisingly,TenelKa
hadtakentoAzaleaquicklyandbothcouldoftenbeseengrowingflowersandplantsinthemanystilldamaged
traininggrounds.Harrycouldn'thelpbutthinkshe'dmakeagoodmothersomeday.
However,noteverythingwasperfect.NakiahadcomealongandtendedtostayaroundHarrybecauseher
presencemadetheothersuncomfortable,bothduetoherdarkbeautythatwasmaintainedovermillenniaand
duetothefactthatshewasanAnzanti.Therewererumorsthatshehypnotizedhimandhewasnowherwilling
sexslave.Harrytookoffensetothoserumors.
Hemightbehersexslavebuthehadnotbeenhypnotizeddammit!
AnotherthingwasthatShadohadstayedclosetoAstraalduringthepastweek.Hehadbeenfuriousaboutwhat
happenedtoherandblamedhimselffornotbeingthere.HewasalsofuriousthatHarrywasnowdatingNakia
afterwhathappenedtoAstraalandhadonlycalmeddownafterAstraaltoldhimshehadbrokenupwithhim.
Thathadn'thelpedHarry'sselfesteematall.
WorsestillwasthatTenelKawasgettingcloserandclosertoattemptingtobeheadCassiopeiaforher
completelyunsubtleattemptstoseduceJacen.Harryhadbeengettingannoyedaswellsinceheknewforafact
thatshewasn'tinterestedinJacenandwasjustwindinghimup.Hewouldhavetospeaktohersoonabout
controllingherselflestshebeconsideredaslutforherbehavior.Hereallydidn'tunderstandwhyshehadaneed
toactlikethatwhenshehadn'tbeforebutpromisedhimselftolookintoit.
HarryblockedJacen'shighslashandrespondedwithakicktohisleftkneethatmadehimjumplessHarrybreak
it.However,thiswaswhatHarrywantedsinceJacenlefthiscenteropeninthatinstant,lettingHarryunleasha
barrageofslashestoofastfortheuntrainedeyetotrack.JacenwashardpressedtorespondandHarryslowly
pushedhimbackuntilhemanagedtoregainhisbalance.However,bythenHarryhadmadeanewplanof
action.
HarryfendedoffJacen'sslashesashewaitedfortheopeningthatwassuretocome.
Harryfelttheopeningbeforehesawit,probablyasideeffectofhisbeingabletoseeshatterpoints.Jacenover
extendedahorizontalslashjustaninchtoomuchandHarryinstantlyslashedathisthighsofastthatheleft
afterimages.Jacenwasunabletoblockitintimeandgotacutonhisthigh,signalingtheendofthespar.
Damn!cursedJacen.Thatmakesit5out5inyourfavor.Youmovesodamnfast.
Harrysmirkedasheturnedoffhisblade.Lotsandlotsofpractice,littlebro.Butdon'tworryaboutit.Outof
thetwoofus,you'rethephilosopherandwillprobablyunderstandtheForceonamorephilosophicallevelthanI
everwill.I'mmoreofafighterandIdon'tworryaboutstufflikethat.Ijustdowhatmyheartandguttellmeis
right.
Jacenfrownedasheholsteredhislightsaber.Yea,butisitrighttousetheForcelikethat?Imean,Ifeelasif
we'relosingtouchwithourroots.TheoriginalJediwerephilosophersandthinkers,notpeacekeepers.Thenthey
gotinvolvedwiththeRepublicandwerebasicallydraftedintotheposition.Ibelievethatourplaceisas
philosophersandnotglorifiedpolice.
Harrynoddedthoughtfully.Youhaveapointthere,Jacen.Jediwereoriginallyagroupofphilosopherswho
contemplatedonthewilloftheForcebutyouhavetoremembertwothings.First,thingshavechangedsince
then.Backthen,theJedihadnoenemiespersaythatthreatenedtoeliminatethematanygivenchance.TheSith
wouldn'tbefoundedtillmuchlaterintheirhistoryandtheycametobeduetodifferencesintheirphilosophyon
howtousetheForce.Second,canyouactuallylookmeintheeyeandtellmeyouwouldstandbywhilepeople
needhelpandduenothing?
Jacen'svoiceroseinprotest.I'mnotsayingthat.I'msayingthatweshouldn'tbeatthewhimofthegovernment
andfixtheirproblems.Thatonlyincreasesthecorruptioninthegovernmentbecausetheybecomecomplacent
andexpectustodoeverythingforthem.Weshouldreturntoourrootsandtravelfromplacetoplacewhile
helpingthosethatwecanaswecomeacrossthem.
Harrysmiledsadly.Thatisawonderfulidea,Jacen,andIwouldagreeexceptforoneproblem.
Jacenfrowneddeeply.What?
Noteverythingisdividedintorightandwrong.Forexample,slaveryisillegalandconsideredwrongbyalmost
everycivilizedsentient,correct?AtJacen'shesitantnod,Harrycontinued.ButtheTwi'leksmainexportisthe
saleofyoungTwi'lekgirlsasslavestowealthypeople.That'showtheirentireeconomysurvives.Ifyoutook
thataway,howwouldtheysurvive?
Jacenfrownedoncemorebutspokeinastrongervoice.Thenotherplanetsandthelikecouldtradeotherthings
withthemorevenhelpthemfreeofcharge.
HarrygaveJacenasardonicgrin.Peoplerarelyhelpothersoutofthegoodnessoftheirheartsanditisn'tright
toforcethem.
Jacenwasgettingabitangry.Whynot?Whycan'tpeoplejusthelpothersfornoreasonotherthanbecauseit's
right?
Harrygrewthoughtfulbeforenoddingtohimself.Well...letmegiveyouanexample.There'sachemistthat's
workingonacureforauntilthenincurabledisease.Heworksforyearsonit,wastingfreetimeandworking
hardtodiscoverthecure.Finally,afteryearsofhardworkhefinallydiscoversitanddecidestosellitat
around...say5,000creditspervial.Now,there'sthisothermanwhosewifehasthediseaseanddiscoversthatthe
chemistcreatedthecurebutlacksthemoneytobuyitattheestablishedprice.Heasksthechemisttosellitto
himforcheaperbutthechemistrefusessincehehadworkedonitforyearsandwantstherewardforhishard
work.Nowwhichofthemisintheright?
Jacenlooksthoughtfulbeforeanswering.Themanisintheright.Thechemistmadethecuretocurepeople,
right?Thenheshouldgiveittohiminordertocuretheman'swiferegardlessofmoney.
Harrynodsathisanswer.Butwhatifthechemistneedsthemoneyinordertopayformedicationforhis
daughterswhohavealongtermillness?There'snoinstantcurefortheirailmentbuttherearetreatmentsthatif
givenwithoutmissingasingledosage,willhealthemoratleastlowertheailmenttillit'sunnoticeable.Who'sin
therightthere?
Jacenlookedconflicted.Then,thechemist....right?
Harryshookhishead.Thentheman'swifewoulddie.
Jacenbecamefrustratedatthecircularwaythiswasgoing.ThenIdon'tknow!Who'sright?
Harrysmiledsadly.Neither.Nomatterwhathappens,someonewillsuffer.Eitherthechemistwilllosehis
daughtersorthemanhiswife.Incaseslikethat,thereisnorightanswer.That'swhyyoualwayshavetolookat
thingsfromallangles.Smugglersusuallydon'tchoosetobecomesmugglersbecauseit'sfun.Usually,it's
becauseit'stheonlyjobtheycanfindtobeabletomakeendsmeet.Orperhapstheygotaloanfromaloan
sharkinordertohelpsomeoneandnowhavenootherwaytopayitoff.Yet,thosesmugglersarebreakingthe
law.Doesthatmeanthey'reevil?
Jacenfrownedasheshookhishead.Afterall,hepersonallyknewthatnotallsmugglerswerebadsincehis
fatherandLandowere'former'smugglers.Youcouldfeelthesarcasmwhentheythoughtformer.
Harrynodded.Exactly.Everythingisn'tdividedbetweenrightandwrongorgoodandevil.Thereareinfinite
shadesofgrayandasJedi,it'sourjobtounderstandthatsoweknowhowtomakethebestdecisions.Thebattle
onUmbarawasoneofthem.Couldwehavefoundawaythatdidn'tendinsomuchdeathanddestruction?
Probably.Couldwehavedoneitwithoutalertingthemtoourintentionsandthereforecausingevenmoredeaths
onourside?Maybe,maybenot.Thetrickislettinggoofthethingsthatareoutofyourcontrol.Atthetime,we
hadnotimetothinkofanyotherplanofaction.

Jacenmulledoverhiswordbeforesighing.Maybe,butitstilldoesn'tfeelright.
Harrysmiledsadlyandplacedahandonhisshoulder.Itneverwillanditshouldn't.Deathanddestruction
shouldalwaysbeyourlastoptionnomatterthesituation.However,whenyouhavenootherchoice,youhaveto
learntocarrytheburdenandmovepastitorit'llhauntyouforever.
JacennoddedinunderstandingbeforelookingdownatHarry'ssinglevioletlightsaber.Bytheway,whyare
youusingonlyoneblade?You'vealwaysbeenamasteratusingdualbladesoverasingle.Youalsoweren't
usinglightningstyleduringourspar.Why?
Harrysmiledathiscuriosity.Whatdoyouknowabouthowthelightningstyleworks?
Jacenshrugged.Justthatyougetfasteraftereveryexchangeofbladesuntiltheopponentcan'tkeepup.
Harrynodded.Lightningstyleworksbykeepingthebladeinconstantmotionthroughthespinningandtwisting
ofthewrist.Therefore,eachattackcarriesthemomentumandforceofallthepreviousonesaslongastheblade
keepsmoving.Haveyounoticedhowitseemslikemyattacksseemtogetfasterasthebattlecarrieson?
Jacenfrowned.Yea,everyonenoticesthat.
Harrysmirkedhumorously.Well,sincethebladeneverstopsmoving,themomentumkeepsatahighlevel.Not
onlythatbutbymaneuveringitcorrectly,Icanevenusethemomentumfrommyenemies'deflectionsto
increasethespeedandpowerofmyattacks.Intheory,there'snolimittothepowerandspeedIcanbuildupto
unleashonmyopponentssinceanyattempttoblockanddeflectitwillinsteadbetransferredintothenextstrike,
justcontinuallyaddingmorepowerandspeeduntiltheenemycan'tstanduptoitanymore.
Jacenlookedsurprised.Doesthatmeanit'sunbeatable?
Harryshookhishead.Nostyleisunbeatable.However,theonlyweakpointI'vefoundinitisthateventually
thebladestartsmovingtoofastformetokeepcontroloversoIhavetoslowdownwhichletstheopponenthave
achancetobreakthroughtoattackme.ButthatspeedishigherthanmostForceuserscankeepupwith.With
time,themaximumspeedIcanreachbeforelosingcontrolrisesandeventuallyI'llbecomesoexperiencedthatI
won'thavethatweaknessanymore.ThebestpartisthataslongasIkeepmoving,Icanincorporatetechniques
ofeverysinglelightsaberform,givingtheformaqualityofunpredictability.Really,lightningstylechanges
fromusertouserforthatreasonalone.
Jacenlookedthoughtfulforasecondbeforefrowning.Thatstilldoesn'texplainwhyyoudidn'tusethestyle
duringoutspar.
Harrycockedaneyebrowandsmirked.Doesn'tit?Thestyleusesthemomentumofmyenemy'sdeflectionsto
gofaster.Buttheenergyofthathastotravelthroughsomewhere,doesn'tit?ButifIuseoneblade,wherewill
theenergytravel?
Jacenthoughtaboutitbeforehesitantlyspeaking.It'lltravelintoyourbody,wouldn'tit?
Harrynodded.Yep,andsincetheonlyotherwaytheenergytoescapeisintotheground,Ieithertakeinternal
damagetryingtokeeptheenergyorloseitintotheground.That'swhyinmyfirstfightusingitagainstDadI
lostsoquickly.Ididn'trealizethatIwasonlyusingasmallportionoftheenergyandtherestwashurtingme
internally.Ihadn'tnoticedsinceinmyprevioussparswithyouguys,youdon'tputasmuchstrengthintoyour
strikesasDaddoes.Theonlywaytouselightningstylewithoutdamageistousedualbladessothekinetic
energytravelsthroughyourbodytothesecondblade'sstrikespeedoradoublebladedlightsabersotheenergy
justtransfersintotheotherblade'sstrikespeed.
Jacennoddedthoughtfully.Isn'tthereawaytouseitwithoneblade?
Harryfrownedinthought.Maybeifyoufightusingonehand.Youcanthentransfertheenergyintoyouroff
handforForcepowers.That'swhatIwoulddoanyway.UsuallywhenI'mfightingsomeonewithequalskillas
meIjustuseVaapadifIhavetouseoneblade.Inareallightsaberfightagainstsomeoneasstrongasyou,you
don'treallyhavetheluxuryoftimetouseForcepowersunlessyou'vemasteredthemtoadegreethatthey're
instinctive.
Jacensmiledinamusement.Isthatwhyyoukeeppracticingthebasicseventhoughyou'realreadyaexpert
usingthem?
Harrysmiled.Don'tknockthebasics,Jac.DuringmineandJaina'sduelagainstthoseSith,IsavedJainathanks
toabasicSaberthrowability.
Jacenrolledhiseyesastheystartedtowalkbacktotheacademy.That'snotbasic!Istillhaven'tmasteredthat
power!It'sfreakinghard!
Harrylaughed.Youoverthinkittoomuch,Jac.JusttrusttheForcetoguideyou.It'sasimplepushandpull
sequence.Theonlythingtodoafterthatispracticesoyoucandoitinanysituation.

Jacensighed.IwishIhadbeentheretohelpyouguysbutwewerebusywiththatstupidLeviathanmonster.It
tookadozenprotontorpedoestodoanydamage!ThatthingfeltlikefightingaStarDestroyerthathadnoweak
spots!TheonlyreasonwebeatitiscausemeandAnakinmanagedtogettwoprotontorpedoesdownitsthroat.
Luckily,itwasn'tarmoredontheinsideaswell.
Harryshookhisheadwithafrown.Yea,andthatwasaSithalchemycreation.Itscaresmetothinkthatitwas
justtheprototype.Makesyouwonderwhattheywereplanningtomassproduce.
Jacengrimaced.Idon'twanttoknow.It'lljustgivemenightmares.
Harrynoddedhisheadinagreement.Anyway,IgottagomeetNakia.Shesaidshehadsomethingtoshowme
andIdon'twanttobelate.
JacengaveHarryaknowingsmile.Sohowarethingswithher?Ican'tbelieveyoumanagetobaganolder
womanandonethathottoo.
Harryrolledhiseyesbutcouldn'tkeepthesmilefromhisface.Thingsaregood.Thingstendtogetvery...
physicalwheneverwe'realonefortoolongbutwedotalkaswell.Iliketolistentoherinsightsandstoriesof
thingsthathavehappenedtoher.It'sinterestingandIkeepwonderingwhatsheseesinmethatshelovesmeso
much.Forsomereason,she'salsointerestedinmythoughtsandstoriesaswell.
Jacenshrugged.Don'taskandjustgowithit.
Harrysmirked.IcouldsaythesamethingtoyouaboutTenelKa.Whenareyougoingtoaskheroutalready?
Youcan'tbethatblindtoherfeelings.
Jacenshifteduncomfortablyonhisfeet.No....butwell,I'mkindaconfusedatthemoment.Imean,Ireallylike
TenelKabutI'malsostartingtolikeyourcousin,Cassiopeia.Doyouknowifshereallylikesmeorisjust
messingwithme?
HarrygrittedhisteethathowCassiopeia'sgamesweregettingbetweenTenelKaandJacen.Heknewsomething
likethiswouldhappenanditwasthestrawthatbrokethecamel'sback.Hewouldtalktoherseriouslythenext
timehesawher.Heknewthatshedidn'tlikeJaceninthatwayandwasjustmessingwithhimbutJacenwastoo
navetorealizethisandthoughtsheseriouslylikedhim.
Harrybitbackaretortandclearedhisthroat.Idon'tknowJacbutI'llsoundheroutandletyouknow.Butyou
shouldknowthatshe'salreadyinlovewithherex,Ethanandwell...theyaren'texactlyplatonicrightnow.Ijust
don'twantyoutogetyouheartbroken.
Jacenfrownedbutnoddedhisunderstanding.Okaythen.Well,Iwon'tkeepyou.GoandseeNakia.
Harrysmiledslightlyatthethoughtofhiscrimsonprincessashecalledherandsaidhisgoodbyesbefore
walkingtowardwherehesensedNakia'sForcesignature.Theirintimatetimeinthehospitalhadformedasort
ofbondbetweenthemandhecouldnowsenseNakiaevenwhensheactivelyhidherForcesignature.Notthat
sheminded.Infact,shewasthrilledthattheyhadbondedandrewardedhimwithasevenhoursessionto
demonstratejusthowhappyshewas.
Harryblushedasherememberedallthepositionsandthingstheyhaddonewitheachotherinthatsession.But
whatwastrulyimprintedinhismindwasthesheerloveinhereyesastheymadelove.Hestillfeltunworthyof
suchdevotionbutNakiahadbasicallytoldhimtosuckitupandacceptitbecauseshewouldlovehimforever
nomatterwhathethought.
Harrywasextremelyturnedonbyforcefulwomenandshowedit,toNakia'sjoy.
Theyhadbecomecloserinthelastweekandturnedfromjustloverstoanactualcouple.Ofcourse,hehadtried
totakeheroutonadateonlyforNakiatolaughandkisshimbeforesayingthattoher,aperfectdatewassimply
sittingandwatchingamovietogether.Shedidn'thaveastitchofformalclothingtogooutonafancydateand
foundtheideaboring.Harrywasonlytoohappywithherdeclarationsincehehateddressingupaswellandthey
hadspentthenightwatchingoldholovidsandmockingandlaughingatcertainparts.
Harry'ssmilegrewasheenteredtheclearingwherehesensedNakiaandsawherwashingherselfinastream.
Thelightoftheeveningsunplayedoffthedropsofwaterfallingdownherlightskinandmadeherseemeven
moreetherealthanshedidnormally.Hercrimsonhairwaswetandstucktoherskin,attractinghisattentionto
thecurvesofherbodyduetoitreachingherhips.Herbackwastohimsohecouldn'tseeherbosombuthehad
nocomplaintduetobeingabletoseeherbeautifulposteriorthatheoftengrabbedduringtheirlovemaking
sessions.
Harryknewthatshehadsensedhisarrivalduetothefactshewaswashingherselfmuchmoreslowlyand
sensuallythanshedoesnormally.Shekeptherbacktohimasshegrabbedabucketofwateranddousedherself
fromheadtotoe.Thewaterlevelonlyreachedjustbelowherposterior,allowingHarrytoseethewatertravel
downhermarvelousback,downhercurvaceoushipsanddownherbackside.LittleHarrywasinstantlyat
attention.

Nakiaseemedtosensehisarousalbecauseshefinallylookedathimoverhershoulderanddroppedthebucketin
theshallowareaofthestream.Sheturnedaround,allowinghimtoseeherbountifulchestandthesmallpatchof
crimsonhairjustabovehermostintimateplacewhichshehadshavedintotheformofalightningbolt.
Harryhadtoldherabouthisparentsdeathandaboutthelightningboltmarkthatappearedonhisforeheadafter
hereflectedMarrish'scursebackathim.Shehadsaidthatthatmeantthatthelightningboltwashispersonal
markandinanefforttohavehappymemoriesattachedtohismark,hadshavedherhairinthatareaintothat
shape.Hehadlaughedwhenhefirstsawitbuthadquicklykissedherandtoldherheloveditandherbefore
demonstratingitphysically.
NakialookedatHarrywithsmolderingblueeyesthroughthecurtainofherwetcrimsonhairandraisingher
handandgesturinghimcloser.Howshecouldlookedsoeroticnomatterwhatthecircumstanceswassomething
hehadalwayswondered.
Unlesstoohornytocare,NakiapreferredtohavesomeforeplaybeforetheycoupledandHarrycouldhonestly
sayhelikeditaswell.Knowingthis,Harrysmirkedatherbeforegivingherherownshowandslowlytakingoff
hiscrimsonshirtfollowedbyhisblackpants.Jacenhadpointedoutthathehadbeenwearingalotmoreredand
blacksincehestartedofficiallydatingNakiaandHarryrealizeditwasbecausethosewerethecolorshe
associatedwithNakia.Somehow,inonlyaweekNakiahadwormedherwayintohisheartandhecouldsayhe
wasactuallycomingtoloveherasmuchashelovedAstraalifnotabitmore.Nakianotonlybroughtoutthe
cockyandconfidentsideofhimbuthadalsohelpedhimcometotermswithallhehadlearnedabouthisparents
duringhistrip.
HarrytookoffthelastofhisclothingtoNakia'slustfuleyesbeforewalkingovertojoinherinthestream.Nakia
smirkedlustfullyathimbeforewalkingbackwardsintothestreamuntilthewaterreachedjustalittleaboveher
nipples.Shesmirkedassheknewthatthoughthewaterwasclear,itmadeenoughdistortionstomakeit
impossibletoclearlyseehernakedbody.
Harryjustsmiledsoftlyathisgirlfriend'steasing.Harryeventuallyreachedherandquicklypickedherupinhis
arms,makingherwrapherlegsaroundhiswaistastheykissed.
Harrybrokethekissandsoftlyspoke.Hello,mycrimsonprincess.Youwantedtospeaktome?
NakiagroundherselfonhisHarry'sstiffmemberandmoaned.Yes,beloved.Butwe'lltalkaboutthatlater.
Rightnow,Iwantyoutomakeloveme.Makelovetomeasthesunsets.
Harrysmirkedbeforekissingherlovinglybeforeinsertinghimselfintohereagertunnel.Nakiamoanedintothe
kissbeforeshebrokeandstartedtokisshisneckashebegantothrustintoher.

Fornextfourhours,theclearingwasfilledwithsoftfemininemoansandwhispereddeclarationsoflove.
HarryandNakialaidonthegrassoftheclearing,stillasnakedasthedaytheywereborn.Theclearingwasfar
fromtheAcademyandtherewasnochanceofanyonestumblingontothem.Evenifsomeonedid,neitherhad
anythingtobeashamedofasNakiatoldhimeverytimeshecaughtsightifhisnakedbody.
Nakiahadherheadonhischestandwassoftlycaressinghissixpackwithasoftsmileonherface,Harryhad
hiseyesclosedashebaskedinthelovehefeltfromNakiaasshecaressedhim.Thefactthathehadhisguard
downcompletelyandhadhiseyesclosedshowedjusthowmuchhetrustedNakiaandshewasveryawareof
thatfact.TheonlyothershelethisguarddownaroundoutsideofhisfamilywereAstraal,TenelKa,Tahiriand
Visas.Whilehewasfriendswiththeothers,healwaysunconsciouslyhadhisguarduparoundthemduetonot
knowingthemaswell.
NakiastoppedhercaressesandturnedsoshewasontopofHarryandstraddledhimwiththeirintimateplaces
touching.Harrycouldn'tstopthemoanfromescapinghislipscausingNakiatosmirkassheslightlyground
herselfontohim.ShestoppedwhenHarryplacedhishandsonherwaistandopenedhiseyes.
Idon'tthinkIcangoanotherround,love.You'recompletelyinsatiable.
Nakiasmirked.Withyou,Icoulddonothingbutmakelove,eatandsleepfortherestofeternityandbehappy.
Harrysmiledsoftlyathersincerestatement.Maybebutyoudidcallmeforareason,Ithink,andIdoubtitwas
justtomakelovetome.Youdon'tneedareasontodothatwithme,afterall.
Nakia'ssmileturnedslightlysad.Maybe,butIdon'tthinkyourparentsarethrilledaboutourrelationshipandI
don'twanttorubitintheirfaces.
Harrysighedathertruthfulstatement.
Totellthetruth,bothLukeandMaralikedNakiaandduringhisconvalescencetheyhadgottentoknowher.
TheyespeciallylikedtohearherpersonalviewpointsofmanyfamousbattlesandJediconflictssinceher
opinioncouldbeconsideredmostlyunbiased.However,thatlikedidnotextendtothemapprovingoftheir
relationshipduetoboththeirlackofknowledgeofher,herspeciesaswellasherage.
HarrysmiledsadlyatNakia.Despiteherstrongfront,Harrycouldtellithurtherthathisparentsdidnotapprove
ofherdespitehermanyattemptstogaintheirtrust.Don'tworryaboutit,love.Theyjustdon'tlikethefactthat
I'mdatingsomeonesomucholderthanme.They'llcomearoundintime.Theystilltrustyouenoughtoletyou
walkaroundtheAcademyunescortedafterall,despitetheothermastersprotests.
Indeed,theothermasterswereallforkillingheronthespotwhentheyfoundoutabouther.Thefactthatshe
wassostrongintheForceandhadover24,000yearsofexperienceusingitmadethemuncomfortableandthey
didn'ttrusthernottofalltothedarkside.Herconfirmingthatshedidusedarksidepowersattimesdidnot
makethingsbetterbutHarryunderstoodthatsheonlyadmittedtoitduetonotwantingtolie.Ifitwasfoundout
sheliedthenthingswouldquicklyspiraloutofcontrol.
Nakiafrowned.Ifyousayso,beloved.Anyway,ontowhyIaskedyoutocomeouthere.
Harrycockedaneyebrowandsatup,causingNakiatowrapherlegsaroundhiswaist.Harrysmiledatherand
shejustsmiledbackbeforeanswering.Stayrightwhereyouare,beloved.Ilikethispositioninordertotalk.
Harryrolledhiseyesandchuckledunderhisbreathbeforewrappinghisarmsaroundherwaistandplacinga
kissonherrightbreast.Asyouwish,love.
Nakiasmiledbeforesummoningsomethingfromherpileofclothingafewfeetaway.Twoblackcrystalsand
rectangularboxflewtowardherandshecaughttheminherarms.
NakiaturnedtoHarrywithafrown.Bytheway,didyoubringyourmainlightsaber?
Harryeyebrowsfurrowedandhenoddedbeforehesummonedhismainlightsaberfromhispileofclothingnext
toNakia's.ItslappedintohislefthandandhepresentedittoNakiahiltfirst.
However,Nakiajustnoddedandwithafinalgrindreluctantlygotoffhim.Harrystoodupandstartedtowalkto
hisclothesbutNakiastoppedhim.
Later,beloved.Iwanttoenjoytheviewforaslongaspossible,saidNakialustfully.
Harrysmirkedandnoddedbeforeturningbacktoher.
Nakialickedherlipsatthesightofhisslightlyhardcockbeforeshakingherselfandbecomingserious.Now,
beloved,I'mgoingtotellyousomethingthatEmrysconfidedinmebeforeheleftwithhisgrouptoyour
homeworld.NakiasatcrossleggedonthefloorandgesturedforHarrytositacrossfromher.Oncehedid,she
continued.BeforetheFirstGreatSchismofficiallystarted,Emryshadcreatedaprimitiveversionofwhatis
nowknownasaholocron.Itwasn'texactlyaholocronsinceitdidn'tcreateahologramofthemakertoteachone
techniques.Instead,hemodeleditafteranotherofhiscreationscalledamemorysphere.NakiasawHarry's
reactionandraisedaneyebrow.You'verunacrossamemoryspherebefore?
Harrynodded.Yeah,onKashyyyk.ItwasactuallythefirsttimeIheardofEmrysandwhenhetoldmeapoem
similartotheonewefoundontheHogwarts.HethenproceededtorepeatthepoemEmrystoldhim.
Nakiarolledhereyesoncesheheardthepoem.YeahthatsoundslikeEmrys.Ilovedhimbuthealwaysdidlike
toleavethosedamnpoemsashintsduringscavengerhunts.Itwasinfuriating!
Harrysmiledathowshesexyshelookedevenwithherfrownandtoldherasmuch.
Nakiajustwinked.Focus,beloved.We'llgettothatafterwards.Anyway,itwasacrystalspherethatonecould
placeanalmostinfinitenumberofmemoryspheresinside.Theideawasthatthememoryspheres'knowledge
wouldjointogetherintoasinglecohesivesentientspherethatwouldhavethesumtotalofalltheknowledgeof
everythingeveryoneputinside.However,heknewthatwasn'texactlypracticalsinceapersonwouldeitherhave
toknowwhattheyweresearchingfororhavetolistentoeverythinginsidethecrystalspherefrombeginningto
end.Therefore,thecrystalspherewasmoreoflikeabackupplanincaseallknowledgeoftheForcewaslost.In
ordertoprotectit,hecreatedakey.
Nakiatookabreathbeforecontinuing.ThatkeywasthendividedintosixcrystalsusingtheForce.Thesix
crystalsweredividedbetweenthreedarksidecrystalsandthreelightsidecrystals.Whensomeoneofhis
bloodlinejoinedthemtogether,theywouldmergeandbecomethekeytothecrystalspherewhichIbelieveis
probablyonyourhomeworld.
Harryhadaconfusedlookonhisface.Okay.IguesssinceI'mhisdescendantthenIcouldmergethembutthe
crystalscouldbeanywhere.Theycouldalsohavebeendestroyedinsomedisasterorconflict.
Nakiasmirked.Idon'tthinkso.See,thesecrystalswereeventuallymadefamousduetohowstrongtheywere
intheForce.JediandSithcovetedthemandusuallyturnedthemintolightsabercrystals.Emrysgavemetwoto
protect.Theyarethetwodarksidecrystalsthatmadeupmydarksaber.
Harrylookedatthetwoblackcrystalsinherlapandrealizedthatthosemustbethethecrystalsshewastalking
about.

Nakianoticedwhathewaslookingatandnodded.Yep,thesearethosetwo.Theotherdarksidecrystalwas
foundandmadeintoaninfamousdarksidelightsaberknownassoulsaber.
Harry'seyeswidenedatthefamiliarnameandhiseyesweredrawntotherectangularboxinNakia'slap.He
hadn'tnoticedbutitwasbigenoughtoholdthesoulsaber.It'sinthere,isn'tit?
Nakianoddedgrimly.Yeah.ImanagedtosaveitduringthechaosofthebattleafterIcutoffthatbitch'sarm.I
putitinthisboxtokeepitfromtaintingeverythingarounditwithit'sForcesignature.It'soneoftheboxesIuse
whenIhavetotransport...questionableartifactsforsomeofmyclients.
Ignoringthatlastcomment,Harryfrownedasherealizedhecouldn'tsenseanythingfromthebox.Itwasvery
goodathidingthesaber'sdarksideForcesignature.Well,thatjustaccountsforthethreedarksidecrystals.We
don'tknowwherethelightsidecrystalsare.
Nakiasmiledmischievously.Don'twe?Areyousureyou'veneverrunacrossthreefamouslightsidecrystals?
Harryopenedhismouthtodenyituntilherememberedthelightsaberinhislapandthreecrystalsthatitused.
Noway...
Nakiasmirkedtriumphantly.Yesway.Irealizedthatyoumusthaveatleastoneinordertobeabletousethat
sabertoblocktheeffectsofthesoulsaber.Itwastheonlywaysinceonlyalightsidecrystalofthesetcould
blocktheeffectsofadarksidecrystalofthesameset.
Harryfrownedinthought.Sothosethingsyoucoulddowithyourdarksaber...theywereduetoyourcrystals?
Nakiashrugged.Partially.ThefirsttimeIusedthem,theanswerwouldhavebeenaresoundingyes.However,I
cannowusethosesameskillswithoutthecrystals,it'llonlytakemoreenergythanusual.
Harrylookeddownathismainlightsaber.Doesthatmeanthatallmyspecialabilitieswereduetomy
crystals?
Nakiashookherhead.No,Harry.Unlikethedarksidecrystals,thelightsidecrystalsonlyslightlyincreasesthe
abilityoftheonewhowieldsitovertime.Theymayhavegivenyouabitofaboostbutmostofitwasallyou.
Harrysmiledinrelief.I'mglad.ItwouldhavesuckedifeverythingIhadaccomplishedwasonlyduetothe
crystalsandnotmyownskill.
Nakianoddedinunderstanding.Now,it'stimetomergethembacktogether.Withthekey,you'llbeabletouse
thecrystalspherewhenwereachyourhomeplanet.
HarrynoddedbeforeopeninghislightsaberwiththeForceandremovingthethreecrystals:Solari,Mantleofthe
ForceandHeartoftheGuardian.Atthesametime,Nakiafloatedhertwocrystalsovertohimandhe
telekineticallygrabbedthemsotheystartedtocirclearoundaninvisiblecenter.Thefivecrystalsstartedtopulse
slightlyintheForce,asifcelebratingbeingtogetheragain.HarrylookedoveratNakiaandnodded.Shetooka
deepbreathandopenedthebox.
AwaveofdarksidetaintwashedoverthemforasecondbeforetheSolaricrystalshoneevenbrighterand
cancelleditout.Harrytelekineticallydrewthesoulsaberoutoftheboxbeforetakingitapartanddrawingout
thedarksidecrystal.Heputthetaintedpiecesofthecrystallesssoulsaberbackintotheboxbeforepullingthe
blackcrystaltowardtheother.
Themomentthesixcrystalstouched,theyshonesobrightthatHarryhadtoclosehiseyes.Harryfeltapull
somewherenearhisheart,andfeltasofsomekindofForceenergywasleavinghischestandgoingtowardthe
crystals.ItfeltsimilartotheForceenergyheusedwhenhecastspellsandhewonderedifperhapsthatwaswhy
onlysomeoneofEmrys'bloodlinecouldmergethem.
ThelightwentdownandHarrylookedtoseethekey.
Itwasquitestrangeinshape.Itwasmadeofpurecrystalandhadasharppointedendononesideandarounded
endontheother.TheroundedendalsohadasmallroundindentationthatlookedjustbigenoughforaHuman
pointerfingertobeplaced.Thekeywascompletelyclearbutseemedtocastarainbowofcolorswhenthelight
hititjustright.ThekeyfloatedthereforasecondbeforeHarrytelekineticallypulledittohishand.
NakialookedfromthekeytoHarrybeforespeaking.Youowemeafewlightsabercrystals,beloved.
Harrygroaned.Luckily,you'renottheonlyone.Ineedsometoonow.Wecanallgo:you,me,Cassiopeia,
Astraal,TahiriandVisas.Weallneedcrystalssincethelastthreelosttheirbladesandwelostourcrystalswhile
Cassiopeiajustwantstobuildherlightsaber.TahiriandVisasarereadytobuildtheirlightsaberontheirown
anyway.
Nakianoddedbeforetelekineticallypullingthekeyintotheboxandthenlevitatingtheboxtowheretheir
clotheswerelaying.We'llplanthatlater.Fornow...NakiacrawledovertoHarryandpushedhimontohis
backbeforeusinghermouthtomakehiscockhardassteeloncemore.Onceshewasdone,shelinedupher
pussywithhiscockandimpaledherselfonhim.....allthistalkofkeysandkeyholeshasgottenmehorny.So
it'stimetointroduceyourkeytomyhole.AndIwon'ttakenoforananswer.
Harryjustsmiledandthrustupintoher,causingagasptoleaveherlips.You'llhearnocomplaintsfromme,
love.
Thetwoloversmadeloveuntilthesunhadsetandthemoonwasout.
Twoweekslater,MosEisleyCantina,Tatooine
Harrysighedashewaitedforhisapprentices,Cassiopeia,GuriandAstraaltoreturn.Nakiawassittingbeside
himdrinkingsomesortofdrinkwhileHarryhadanarmwrappedaroundherwaist,bothbecauseshewashis
girlfriendandtowarnallthemalesinthecantinathatshewastaken.Harryhadalmoststartedafightwhena
DughadcomeoverandaskedifeitherAstraal,Cassiopeia,GuriorNakiawereforsale.OnlyAstraalandNakia
calminghimdownandGuricalmingCassiopeiadownhadstoppedthemfromcuttingofftheDug'sarmsand
forcefeedingthemtohim.Ithadn'thelpedthatAstraalhadflinchedwhentheDugmadehisoffer.
Forthelastweekandahalftheyhadbeengoingfromsystemtosystempickinguplightsabercrystalsforthe
girls.Harryhadmadeafewadjustmentstohiscurvedhiltlightsabersbuthadn'tfoundanycrystalsforhismain
lightsaberforseveralreasons.Forone,hewantedtocreateanewlightsaberfromscratch.Hismainonewasstill
notcomfortableandhesawnoreasontocontinuetouseitwhenhecouldbuildanother.Hewouldprobably
placeacrystalinitatsomepointanduseitasakeepsakeinremembranceofhisfirstlightsaber.Andtwo,he
hadnoideawhatcrystalstouseandhedidn'twanttousewhatevercrystalinit.Thiswouldbehispermanent
lightsaberfortherestofhislifeandhewantedittobespecial.
SofartheyhadgonetotheAdegassystemtofindanAdegancrystalsforVisas(whichturnedouttobepontite
crystals),theFyrthsystemtogetOpilacrystalsforTahiriandAstraal,QixonisystemtogetsomeQixoni
crystalsforCassiopeia,theMestaresystemtogetafewmestarecrystalsforeveryoneandM'haeliforDragite
crystalsforNakia.ThelatterwasespeciallydifficultsinceeachpersonhadtogettheircrystalaloneandDragite
crystalwereonlyfoundonD'olopMountainRange.HarryhadfinallydecidedtohelpNakiaandpersonally
foundhersecondcrystal.HarryhadputalittleofhisForceessenceintoitbeforegivingittoNakia,sayingthat
wayshewouldalwayshaveapieceofhimeverytimeshewentintobattle.Thatnighttheyhadputupseveral
silencingwardsandshehadthankedhimquiteextensively.
OnlyNakiaandAstraalhadbuilttheirlightsabersduetoalreadyhavingtheircrystals.Astraalhadpurifiedafew
opilacrystalsintojenruaxbeforeputtingtwoopilacrystalsandtwojenruaxcrystalsintohernewdoublebladed
lightsaber.Likeherlast,thisonecoulddivideintotwosinglebladesfordualwielding.However,unlikeherlast
lightsaberthisonewasandarkerazurecolorratherthanherpreviouslightblueandHarryhadsmiledatthe
color.Afterall,hehadnamedhisstarfightertheAzureAngelinhonorofAstraalandthoughtitfit.Hehadtold
herasmuchandshehadblushedslightlyandlookedlikeshewantedtokisshimbuthercouragefailedherand
sheleft.
HarryandNakiawerenowwaitingfortheotherstocomeback.Tahiriwasdeterminedongettingakraytdragon
pearlwhileVisaswashopingtobuyalorrdiangemstonefromtheblackmarkethereonMosEisley.Astraalhad
gonewiththembothtokeepaneyeonthemandtokeepherdistancefromHarry.Shestillwasn'tcomfortable
aroundmenandthefactthathewasnowdatingNakiaincreasedtheawkwardnessbetweenthem.Nakiaand
HarryhadtriedtobediscreetbutitwashardtohidethelovingglancesNakiagaveHarryaswellastheway
HarrywasslightlyprotectiveofNakia.Harrydidn'tlikehowmuchdiscriminationNakiafacedasanAnzatand
wasquicktodefendher.ThegoodnewswasthathisapprenticeshadtakenashinetoNakiathoughthatmight
beduetothefactthatNakiahadbeenhelpingthemrefinetheirNiman.
CassiopeiaandGurihadgonetoseeiftheycouldfindanothercrystalforCassiopeia'slightsaberamongthe
stalls.HarryhadhadatalkwithheraboutherflirtingwithJacenandshehadbecomestubbornandsaiditwas
noneofhisbusiness.ThishadledtoafightbetweenthembeforeNakiaandGuribrokeitupandseparated
them.Thiswastwodaysagoandtheyhadn'ttalkedtoeachothersince.NakiasaidsheknewwhyCassiopeia
wasactingthatwaybutrefusedtoexplainwhy.ThisledtoaveryfrustratedHarry.
HarrysmiledslightlyasNakialaidherheadonhisshoulderplacedherlegsoverhis.Knowingwhatshewanted,
Harryplacedheronhislapandgaveherasoftkiss.Shesmiledlovinglyathimbeforeplacingherheadonhis
shoulderoncemore.
Theyhadn'thadmanymomentstogetherasacoupleduringthelasttwoweeksduetowantingtobediscreet.
Therefore,theymadethemostofthefewmomentstheycouldspendtogetherasacouple.
TheystayedlikethatforawhilebeforeNakiaraisedherheadtolookatHarry.Wanttowalkaroundandlook
attheshops?
Harryshruggedandnodded.Sure.Thegirlsarestillnearthekraytdragoncavessowehavetime.MaybeIcan
buyyouafewthings.
Nakiasmirked.MorelikeI'llbuyyousomething.Afterall,amasterhastorewardhersexslavewhenhedoesa
goodjob,right?
Harrychuckledatherteasing.Damnright,love.IthinkIwasespeciallygoodlastnight.
Nakiaturnedglassyeyedinremembranceofthepreviousnight'ssession.Theyhadtriedoutafewnew
positionsandHarryhadproventobeasquickastudyinbedroomaspectsasinlightsabercombattechniques.
Nakiaeventuallyreturnedbacktoearthandgotoffhislap.Harrygotupaswell,leftthecreditstopayfortheir
drinksandtookNakia'shandastheywalkedoutofthecantina.
Theystartedtowalkaroundthestalls,lookingatthemerchandise.Nakiaopenlyboughtafewrisqueoutfits,
sayingtheywereforHarry'sviewingpleasurewhileHarryboughtafewdelicaciestosharewithNakia.Nakia
hadlaughedwhenHarrytriedthekraytdragonliveronlytospititbackoutduetothetaste.
Theywalkedaroundinthiswayforawhilebeforetheyreachedastallthatseemedtobesellingsomejewelry.
NakialookedatafewnecklaceswhileHarryseemeddrawntothedisplayofcrystals.
TherewereafewcommoncrystalslikeFirkrannandDantooinecrystalsbuttherewereafewrareonesaswell
suchaseralamandvelmoritecrystals.Harryalsosawanemptydisplayforalorrdiangemstoneandguessedthat
thiswaswhereVisasboughthers.However,healsosawasilverycrystalthathethoughthewouldneverseein
personduetoitsrarityoutsideofTatooineandtheircost.
Adurindfirecrystal.
Quicklycalculatinghowmuchhehadonhimandhowmuchhe'dneedforsupplies,Harrymadehisdecision.
Howmuchforavelmoritecrystal,theeralamcrystalsandthedurindfirecrystal?
TheWhiphidstallownerwalkedoverathisquestionandmumbledunderhisbreath.Forallofthem,it'llbe
40,000credits?
Luckily,Harryunderstoodthelanguagealthoughhecouldn'tspeakitandargued.40,000?Icouldbuytwice
thatmanyforthatmuch.20,000creditsandnomore.
ForthatmuchImayaswellgiveyoumyheartsinceyou'rekillingme.38,000.complainedthestallowner.
22,000.
36,000.
24,000.
34,000.
26,000
32,500andthat'smyfinaloffer!
Harrynoddedandtookouttheagreeduponcredits.Verywell,32,500creditsitis.It'sbeenapleasuredoing
businesswithyou.
Andyou,goodsir.
HarryturnedtoseeanamusedNakia.DoIneedtoknowwhatyouspent32,500creditson,beloved?AndI
thoughtit'sthewomanwhowastesmorecreditswhenwegoshopping.
Harryjustsmirked.Afeweralamcrystals,avelmoritecrystalandbestofall,adurindfirecrystal.Thelatterof
whichisgoingtobepartofmymainlightsaberwhenIbuildit.
Nakiasmiledinamusement.Andtheothers?
Harryshrugged.They'rerareandIwasthinkingofmakingtwolightsaberstoreplacetheonesTahiriandVisas
lost.Iamgoingtoteachthemhowtousemystylewhichrequirestwolightsabersattheveryleast.Plus,Iliketo
makinglightsabers.I'llprobablykeepupdatingmylightsabersastimegoesbyaswellasmakeafewextraones
justincase.Idohaveafewstandardlightsabersonmyshipatalltimes.ThosearetheonesIgaveTahiriand
VisasuntiltheybuildtheirownbutIdon'tliketheideaofthemhavesimplestandardlightsabers.Aperson's
personallightsabershouldbeunique.
Nakianoddedherheadinagreementandplacedahandonhernewlightsaber.Iagree,beloved.
Nakia'snewlightsaberwassimilarinthatitcreatedakatanalikebladeduetothemestarecrystalsinit.Harry
wasthinkingofaddingamestarecrystaltohisownmainlightsabernotonlyfortheeffectbutduetothefact
thatwaytoomanypeoplehadcortosisweaponsnowadaysandmestarelightsaberscouldcutthroughcortosis.
ThebladewasacrimsoncolorandHarrythoughtitsuitedherduetoherhaircolor.Nodoubttheothermasters
wouldraiseastinkduetotheredcolorbutHarryjustshruggeditoff.It'sjustacolorafterall.
Duetothelargeamountofstudentsandlowamountofavailablecrystals,thegrouphaddecidedtobringalarge
amountofasmanycrystalsaspossiblebacktotheAcademyforthenewstudents.TheWaywardSon'scargo
holdwasfullalmosttooverflowingofcrystalsandalthoughmostwerecommonMephitecrystals,therewerea
fewrareonesmixedamongthem.
HarryfrownedashecaughtsightofCassiopeiaandGurifurtherdowntheroad.Hehatedthathewasfighting
withCassiopeiabuthedislikedthewayshewasleadingJacenon.Shehadsaidshedidn'tlikeJacenthatway
butrefusedtoexplainwhyshewasflirtingwithhimifshedidn'tlikehim.
NakiacaughtsightofCassiopeiaaswellandsighed.Givemeasecond,beloved.
HarryfrownedashewatchedNakiawalkovertoGuriandCassiopeiaandtalktothembeforeGurinoddedand
walkedtowardhimwhileNakiastayedwithCassiopeia.HarrysawthemwalkfurtherawayasGuriapproached.
GurismiledslightlyatthelookonHarry'sfaceashecontinuedtofollowCassiopeiaandNakiawithhiseyes.
HeyHarry,walkwithmeforasecond?
HarrylookedoveratGuriandsighed.Sure,Iguess.
GuriledHarryintheoppositedirectionofCassiopeiaandNakiaadtheywalkedforawhilebeforeshespoke.
DoyouwanttoknowwhyCassiopeiaisactinglikethat?
HarryturnedtoGuriwithacuriouslookinhiseyes.Verymuchso,yes.
Gurirolledhereyes.It'spartiallybecauseshewantstomakeyouandEthanjealous.
Harryfrownedinconfusion.Huh?
Gurisighed.Look,Iknowyouconsiderheryourcousinbutyouhavetorealizethatwillbeverydifficult.
Creatingacousinlyemotionalbondatyourageishardatthebestoftimes.Youtwodidn'tgrowuptogetherand
you'realsonottechnicallyrelatedbyblood.Youjustconsideryourselvescousinsduetoyourfathersconsidering
themselvesbrothers.Totopitoff,youmeteachotherataweakmomentinherlifeandthatwasboundtohave
aneffectonher.Thatplushowcloseyou'vebecome,reunitingwithEthanandyoualmostdyingforcedherto
realizethatsheconsidersyoumorethanjustacousin.
Harrywasstillconfused.ButwhatdoesthathavetodowithherflirtingwithJacen?
Becauseshedoesn'twanttothinkofyouasmorethanacousin.Shewantstothinkofyoufirmlyinthe
categoryoffamily.Sincesherealizedthatshedoesn't,sheconsidersherselfabitofaslutforthinkingofyou
thatwayandsoisactinglikeofshewasaslut.
Harrystoppedwalkingandhisfaceshowedhisanger.Sheisnotaslut!Shemaybealittlemoreopenabouther
sexualitybutthatdoesn'tmeanshe'saslut.
Gurismiledsadly.Yes,butshethinkssheissinceshehasfeelingsforsomeonesheconsidersacousin.She's
flirtingwithJacensincehe'sinnocentandcorruptinghimwouldbesomethingaslutwoulddo.
Harry'sfaceshowedhisexasperation.But...Ididn'tmeantomakeherhavefeelingsforme.Iwasjustbeing
myself.Whydoallwomenseemtohavesomethingforme?
Gurigiggledslightly.It'sactuallyquitesimple.IwasbuiltawomansoIhadtostudynormalwomen's
behavioralpatternsandnoticedafewthings.Thereareafewthingsthatturnwomenonatasubconsciouslevel,
thatmostmendon'tevenknowabout.Itishonestlyachecklistthatgoesbacktowhenhumanswerejusta
bunchofmonkeyswalkingaroundwithweaponsmadeofrocksandsticks.Thefunnythinginmyopinionwas
howgenerictheindicatorsare.Tobeabletodefendyourlovedones,tobepreselectedbywoman,tobea
leaderofmen,andtobeemotionallywiredcorrectly.Thesimplestofindicatorsthatleadamaletobeperceived
abovealloftheothermen.
Guristoppedasecondtobreakthewristofapassingmanwhotriedtograbherassbeforecontinuing.You
havedemonstratedmanytimesthatyouaremorethancapableofdefendingyourlovedones,nonemoreblatant
aswhenyouriskedeverythingtosavesomeonewhowasbyallaccountsyourex.Youhavemanybeautifuland
attractivewomensurroundingyouandquiteafewdiscreetlychasingafteryouraffectionsineitheraplatonicor
nonplatonicmanner.YoudemonstratedonUmbarathatyouarealeaderwhenyouledthemtovictoryeven
thoughyoubarelyknewafewofthemandhadtomakeaplaninahurry.Andfinally,youshowedyouare
emotionallywiredcorrectlywhenyouthoughtofAstraalandthegirlsfirstafteryouwokeup.Itshowedyou
worrymoreoverothersthanoveryourself.Allofthisyoudosubconsciouslyandtherefore,thatmakesyoueven
moreattractivesinceitisyournaturalpersonalityandnotsomethingyouforceyourselftobe.Allofthis,
Cassiopeiahasperceivedandsubconsciouslydecidedthatyouareaworthwhilemate.However,sinceyourare
her'cousin'thiscausesconflictwithinher,leadingustohercurrentactions.
HarryjuststaredatGuriwithhismouthopenasheprocessedeverythingshesaid.So...Cassielikesasmore
thanafriendbecauseI'm...me?
Gurirolledhereyesandteasedhim.Yes.Begladthatbrainsaren'tasubconsciousattractiveinfluenceoryou'd
beoutofluck.
Harryscowledatherasshegiggled.Whatever.SowhatdoIdo?Idon'tthinkshewantsarelationshipwithme,
notthatwecouldconsideringI'mwithNakiaatthemoment.
Gurismirked.One,IthinkNakiahastoldyoumanytimesthatsheiswillingtosharesodon'tusethatexcuse
andtwo,noIdon'tthinkshewantsarelationshipwithyoupersay.Sheis,afterall,stillinlovewithEthan.
Harryputahandthroughhishairinexasperation.ThenwhatdoIdo?
Gurismiledmischievously.Fuckher.
HarrystoppedinthemiddleoftheroadinshockashestaredatGuriwideeyed.WWhat?!
GuristoppedandturnedtoHarry.Fuckher.Whatshefeelsforyouisanaturalresponsetoanattractivemale
whoshestilldoesn'thavefamiliarfeelingsfor.Shewon'tgrowthosefamiliarfeelingsuntilshegetsoverher
littlecrushfirstandthatwillonlyhappenifshegoesthroughwithitwhichmeanssex.Ifnot,thosefeelingswill
continuetogrowinsideheruntilshebecomesconvincedshelovesyouandthatwillopenawholenewbagof
worms.
Harrysputteredinshock.BBut...won'thavingsexwithhermakeitworse?
Gurishookherhead.Notreally.Cassiopeiaishardlyavirginandshe'shadsimilarcrushesbefore.Shealways
sleptwiththemandthenlostanynonplatonicfeelingsforthemsoonafter.Thesamewillhappenwithyou.
You'llhavesexandshe'lllosehercrushforyouandthinkofyouasonlyherfriendandcousin.Itmaybe
awkwardforatimeafterwardsbutinthelongrunit'llbeforthebest.
Harryhadafinalprotest.ButIconsiderhermycousin.HowamIsupposedtosleepwithher?
Gurismirked.Don'tevenpretendyoudon'tfindherattractive.Iknowforafactthatyourpheromonelevels
rosethefirsttimeyousawusandevennow,theystillriseslightlyeverytimeyouseeherinhermorerevealing
clothing.
Harryblushedatbeingcaughtbeforeclearinghisthroat.Okay,okay.IdofindyouandCassiopeiaattractive.
HowcanInot?
Guriwinkedathim.Thenjustforgetshe'syoursortacousinandthinkofherasahotwomanwhowantsyou
andNakiaisallowingyoutofuck.MeandNakiahavealreadytalkedaboutthisandsheagreesit'sforthebest.
ShewouldhatetohavetokickCassiopeia'sassifshefallsinlovewithyou.Cassiopeiaisnotthekindtoshare
hermannomatterwhatthecircumstances.
Harrysighed.Fine,whatever.Canwegonow?
Gurinodded.Sure.Bymycalculations,theyshouldbereachingusanyminutenowsincethisroadiscircular.
Sureenough,NakiaandCassiopeiasoonappearedfurtherdowntheroadinfrontofthem.Cassiopeiawas
blushingslightlyandNakiahadasmirkonherface.Cassiopeia'sblushgrewdeeperwhenshecaughtsightof
himandherealizedthatshemusthavehadasimilartalkwithNakia.ThetwogroupsmetandCassiopeiaand
Harrystoodinfrontofeachotherinawkwardsilence.
Harrywasthefirsttobreakit.Sooo...I'msorryaboutgettingangrywithyouaboutJacen.IguessIwaslittle
jealous.
Cassiopeiablushedslightlyattheadmissionbuttriedtoplayitoff.It'sokay,Ri.IguessIwasjust...deflecting
certainfeelingsontohim.NakiaandItalkedandwe...agreedonacourseofaction.
Tryingtopretendasifhehadnoideawhattheirdecidedcourseofactionwas,Harrysmiledandplacedanarm
aroundherwaist.I'mglad,Cassie,causeImissedyou.
Cassiopeiasmiledslightlyathistouchbutonceagainplayeditoffbyscoffing.Ofcourseyoudid.I'm
awesomeafterallandoneofakind.
Harrylaughed.Youdefinitelyareoneofakind.Thatremindsme.Harrysearchedthroughhispocketsand
pulledoutafeweralamcrystals.Ithinkyou'llthesecrystals.Ireadsomewherethattheymakeastrongerblade
forthelightsaberthanothercrystals.
Cassiopeia'sblushdeepenedandshesmiledbrightlyathim.Thanks,Ri.I'llbesuretoputtheminmy
lightsaber.
Behindthem,Nakiashookherheadinexasperation.Forcehelpthewomeninthegalaxyifheeverconsciously
useshischarmonthem.Therewon'tbeasinglewomaninthegalaxywhowon'tfallforhim.
Gurijustnoddedherheadinagreement.
HarryandCassiopeiatalkedforawhilelongerasthegroupoffourwalkedbacktotheCantina.Eventually,
HarryseparatedfromCassiopeiaandwenttostandbesideNakiaandputanarmaroundherassheleanedinto
him.
Youmustbetheonlygirlfriendinthegalaxywhomakesplanstogetherboyfriendlaidbyotherwomen,said
Harryamusedly.
Nakiashrugged.Idon'tcareaboutsharingyourbody,beloved.It'syourheartthatIrefusetolose.Idon'tcareif
youhavethousandsoronlyafewwomeninyourheartaslongasnoneofthemtrytopushmeoutofit.Aslong
asIhaveyourloveandyourbed,I'mcontent.
HarryshookhisheadinwonderatNakia'sstatementbutcouldn'tsayanythingelseduetoablondemissile
collidingwithhim.
Master!Igotit!Akraytdragonpearl!
HarrylookeddownatTahiriwhowasholdingupabeautifulpearlinherrighthand.That'sgreat,Tahiri!Damn,
thatpearlishuge!Youmusthavefoughtanddefeatedareallybigonetogetthat.
Tahiripuffedoutherchestinprideathermaster'swords.YepandIdiditallbymyself!
Visaswalkeduptosandbesideherandsmiled.Allbyyourself?
Tahiriblushedinembarrassment.Well,VisashelpedbutIwastheonewholandedthekillingblow!Andit
wasn'taninnocentoneeither.Thisonehadbeenattackingnearbymoisturefarmsforweeksbeforewemanaged
totakeitdown!
Harrysmiledsoftlyandlaidahandontheirshoulders.Thenyoudidagoodthingbytakingitdown,girls.I'm
proud.
Bothgirlsstoodalittlestraighterathiscommentandshylysmiled.
Behindthem,NakiasmiledsoftlyasAstraalstoodbesideher.He'llmakeagoodfathersomeday.
Astraal'sfacebecamepainedassherealizedthatunlessthingschanged,shemightnotbethemother.Yea,he
will.
Nakianoticedthecatchinhervoiceandturnedtoher.Youmaystillbecomethemotherifyou'rewillingto
share.Afterall,Nakia'ssmileturnedsadandpained.Ican'thavechildrenwithhimduetobeinganAnzat.
Astraalfrownedatherstatementandlaidahandonhershoulder.Maybeyoucouldfindaway.IfnotandIdo
endupbacktogetherwithhim,thenanychildrenIhavewithhimcanbeconsideredyoursaswell.
Nakiasmiledather.Thanks.Didyoueverthinkwhenwefirstmetthatwewouldbetalkingaboutsharing
Harry?
Astraalsnorted.Istilldon'tbelieveit.ThefirsttimewemetIbecamecrazyjealousatthethoughtofanyother
womanbeingwithHarry.However,IliketothinkI'vematuredandrealizedthatthere'senoughspaceinhis
heartformorethanonewoman.Afterall,despitestillbeinginlovewithJaina,hetrulylovedmeaswell.
NakiafrownedatthethoughtofJaina.Somehow,IdoubtJainaisgoingtobeasokaywithsharingHarryaswe
are.
Astraalsnorted.Understatementofthecentury.
Nakiaturnedthoughtfulbeforesmirking.Hmmm....maybenot.Leia'sbirthdayisinafewdays,right?At
Astraal'snod,Nakia'ssmirkwidened.ThenIhaveaplan.
Soloapartment,Coruscant
Harrysighedaslookedhimselfinthemirroroncelasttime.
IthadbeenafewdayssincetheyhadcomebackfromTatooine.Everyoneexcepthimhadbuilttheirlightsabers
withTahiri'sbeingpearlwhiteincolor,Visas'sbeingteal,andCassiopeia'sbothbeingbronze.Tahirihadbuilta
curvedhiltlightsaberthatwassimilarinstyletoHarry'swhileVisashadmadespecializedlightsaberforNiman
userslikeNakia.NakiahadpromisedVisastotrainherinmasteringthestyleinawaythatshecoulduseitany
situationwithnoweaknesses.
However,themostsurprisingonehadbeenCassiopeiawhohadbuiltadoublebladedlightsaberaswellasa
lightwhip.Sheexplainedthatthedoublebladedlightsaberwastoreplacehercortosisstaff(althoughshestill
carriedit)andthelightwhiptoreplaceherdestroyedfirewhip.Shesaidshewascreatingastyletousebothat
thesametimeandHarryhadtoadmittobeingcuriousonhowthatwaspossible.Totopitoff,herdoublebladed
lightsabercouldbeseparatedintoapairofsinglebladelightsabersincaseofemergencies.HarryandAstraal
hadpromisedtoteachherJar'kaisoshecouldwieldthemeffectively.
Thestrangestthingwasthatdespiteallofthemhavingmestarecrystals,nonebesidesNakiahadakatanalike
blade.Nakiaexplainedthatitwasduetothefactthatunlikeherlightsaber,theirshadacircularemitter,not
allowingthekatanalikebladetheshapetoformproperly.Thegoodthingwasthattheywerestillcapableof
cuttingthroughcortosisthough.Harrydecidedthathewoulduseamestarecrystalwheneverhegotaroundto
buildinghismainlightsaberagain.
However,rightnowHarrywascheckinghimselfoverinthemirrorinhisroomonCoruscantbeforewalking
towardthelivingroomwhereLukeandLeia'sbirthdaypartywastakingplace.Harryhadcomealonesincehe
hadbeentolditwasastrictlyfamilyonlygathering.Inotherwords,theadultsdidn'twantthemtobringtheir
respectivegirlfriend/boyfriend.HarryknewHandidn'tapproveofZekkandhisparentsdidn'texactlyapprove
hisrelationshipwithNakiaeithersoitwasunderstandablealthoughprettyobvious.
However,justasHarrysteppedoutofhisroomhewasgrabbedbyapurpleandbrownblurandpushedback
intotheroom.HarryhadjustenoughtimetoseethatitwasJainaandwonderwhyshewaslockingthedoor
beforeshewasonhim.
Jainaroughlygrabbedhiscollarandkissedhimrightonthelips.
Harrywassosurprisedthathecouldn'treactatfirstbutwhenJainaputhertongueinhismouth,hecouldn'thelp
butmoanslightlyandstarttokissherback.TheykeptmakingoutforafewminutesbeforeHarrybrokeitwhen
hefeltJainatryingtoundohispants.
No...wait..Jaina!Stop!Weshouldn'tbedoingthis.You'rewithZekkandI'mwithNakia.
Jainafrownedathiswordsandstoppedtryingtoundohispants.Zekkandmedecidedthreedaysagothatit
wasbetterthatwestayfriends.IrealizedthatIdidn'treallyhavefeelingsforhimbeyondbrotherlyanditwould
bewrongtocontinuetoleadhimon.AsforNakia,sheandIhadalongtalkandshetoldmethatshewaswilling
toshareyouaslongasIdidn'ttrytokeepyoutomyself.I'mstillnotcompletelycomfortablewiththeideabut
I'mwillingtogiveitatryinordertobewithyou.
HarrytriedtosaysomethingelsebutJainacuthimoff.AndIknowforafactthatyouwantme.I'vefelthow
muchyoulovemeeversincewebondedduringthatfightandI'mtiredofpretendingIdon'tloveyouback.Ido,
IloveyouHarryPotterandIwantyoutobemine.
Harryfinallyfoundhisvoice.Idon'tgetit.Allthistimeyou'vebeenresistanttotheideaandsuddenlyyou're
ambushingmeforkissesand...stuff.Whatchanged?
JainasighedandpushedHarryontothebedandsatsidewaysonhislapbeforeputtingherarmsaroundhisneck.
HarryinstinctivelyputhisarmsaroundherwaisttosteadyherandfinallytookinwhatJainawaswearing.
Jainawaswearingastraplesspurpledressthatreachedheranklesandhadaslitalongherleftleg.Harrygulped
ashesawherlongcreamyleftlegasshecrosseditoverherright.Herbrownhairwaslooseandbrushedsoit
felldownherbacknaturally.Harrycouldn'thelpbutnoticethatthedressalsoputhergrowingbustondisplay
andwhilenotasbigassayAstraalorevenNakia,theywerestillanicehandful.Jainanoticedwherehewas
lookingandgavehimasmugsmirkbeforeplacinghislefthandonherleftleg.DespiteHarryonlywearinga
simplelongsleevedredshirtandblackpants,Jainacouldn'thelpbutthinkheneverlookedmoreattractive.He
hadcertainlygrowntolookmorelikeamanandlessofaboyinthelastfewmonths.
Harrydecidedtwocouldplaythisgameandstartedtorubalongherleg,causinghertoshiverindesire.
However,Jainamanagedtopullherselftogetherandonlykissedhimonemoretimebeforespeaking.
See...beforeIwasneversureyoulovedmelikeyousaid.Imean,I'mnothingspecialcomparedtoothergirls.I
don'thavethebiggestchestorassandI'mnotanexoticTwi'lekormillenniaoldAnzati.I'mnotanattractive
ZabrakoranaloofTogrutaorevenaHapanprincesswhichevenyoumustadmitaddsacertainappealtoTenel
Ka.
Harryshruggedandsmirkedmischievously.IthoughtTenelKawashotlongbeforewefoundoutabouther
beingHapan.Ow!HarryrubbedhisheadwhereJainahadsmackedhim.
Jainahuffed.Youknow,it'snotverygoodformyselfesteemforyoutobecallingothergirlshotwhileI'm
sittingonyourlap.
Harrysmiledandhistoneturnedhusky.Isaidshewashotbutnowherenearashotasyou.
Jainabitherlipandkissedhimagain,thistimeHarryreciprocatedandeventuallyJainawasstraddlinghimand
hadunbuttonedthetoptwobuttonsofhisshirt.Jainatookadeepbreathbeforesittingbackonherassbutstayed
straddlinghim.ShesmirkedwhenshesawHarry'seyesgoingdowntowhereherdresshadhikedupandwas
nowbarelycoveringherblackunderwear.
Anyway,IwasneversureifyoulovedmeorjustthoughtyouwereattractedtomesinceIwasthegirlyou
spentthemosttimewith.MysuspicionsweresupposedlyconfirmedwhenyoustarteddatingAstraaland
althoughyoustillsaidyoulovedme,Ithoughtitwasn'tthesamewayIlovedyou.Jainatookadeepbreath
beforehervoicelowered.ButthenourbondbecamestrongerthaneverduringthatfightandIfeltit.Ifelthow
muchyoustilllovedmeandIrealizedthenthatwecouldneverbejustfriends.Ilovedyoujustasmuchasyou
lovedmeandifIcontinuedtopushyouaway,myheartwouldbreakwhenyouendedupmarryingsomeoneelse
becauseofit.IloveyouHarryPotterandifIhavetoshareyouwithsomemillenniaoldAnzatichickthensobe
itbutIwon'tcontinuetoactasifIdon'tloveyou.
Withthat,JainawaitedforHarry'sanswer.HarrysighedbeforesmilinglovinglyupatJaina.IdoloveyouJaina
andifNakiaisfinewithitthenIwouldhappilybewithyouaswell.Butyoucan'tgetjealousifIspendtime
withNakiaaswellandyou'llhavetogetusedbeingpartofatriangleforallintentsandpurposes.Canyoudo
that?
Jainasmirked.Aslongasyoudon'tthinkwe'llallbehavingsexatthesametimeandhaveathreesomethen
we'refine.NakiamaybehotbutIdon'tswingthatway.
Harrylaughedandhekissedher.ThetwoteenagerscontinuedtomakeoutforfewminutesbeforeJainastarted
togrindherselfonHarry'shardmember.Bothmoanedintothekissastheycontinuedtodryhumpasthey
finallyleteverythingtheyfeltforeachotherout.TheycontinuedinthatvainforawhilebeforeJainaabruptly
gotoffHarryjustashewasonthebrink.
HarryblinkedstupidlyforasecondbeforelookingatsmuglysmirkingJainastandingnearthedoor.WWait,
what?Why'dyoustop?
Jainasmirkjustwidened.CauseIwanttoleaveyouwantingsoyouknowwhat'swaitingforyouonceyouget
backfromyourlittletrip.It'llconvinceyoutocomebackfastersinceyouhaveatasteofwhatiswaitingforyou
onceyougetback.Andbytheway...Jaina'ssmileturnedpositivelywicked....Nakialeftmeadatapadon
howtopracticewithvariousobjectsbeforemyfirsttimewithyou.I'llleavetherestforyourimagination.
Harrywasleftonthebedwithhismouthopenandhisdickashardasalightsaberbeforehefloppedontohis
backonthebed.Great,Jaina'sfoundthatcockyconfidenceofhersagain.I'minforafewdaysofteasingwhile
Ifigureoutwhatmynextstepis.
HarrygrithisteethashetriedtokeephimselffromgrabbingJainaandtakinghertohisroomsohecouldravage
her.Ithadbeenthreehourssincetheirlittlerendezvousinhisroomandshehadspenttheentiretimesincehe
camedownmakingupforlosttimebyteasinghimateveryturn.Whetheritwasbendingoverwhereonlyhe
couldseeherassortouchinghimininappropriateplaceswhennoonewaslooking,Harrywasslowlygoing
crazywithlust.
JainaturnedfromwhereshewastalkingtoJacenontheothersideoftheroomandsmirkedathimcausinghim
togrowlatherunderhisbreath.Shejustlickedherlipsasifshewasgettingtheleftoverdrinkonthembefore
turningbacktoJacenwhowascompletelyoblivioustothebyplay.
Harry'seyetwitchedattheobviousteaseanditdidn'thelpthatshewaswearingsomesortoflipglossthatcause
thelighttoreflectoffherlipssohecouldeasilyseethatherlipshadnomoistureonthem.
'NotyetbutthemomentIgetyoualoneinaroom,Solo,I'mgonnarockyourworldandruinyouforallother
men,'thoughtHarryevilly.
TheevillaughterinhisheadwasinterruptedwhenChewbaccawalkedtowardhim.
AgenuinesmilecametoHarry'sfaceatthesightofhispseudouncle.Chewiehadbeentheonetoteachhim
mostofwhatheknewaboutfixingshipssinceifonlyHanhadtaughthim,hisshipwouldprobablybeas
messedupastheFalcon.NotonlythatbutChewiehadalwaysfacilitatedhisandthetwinsescapesfortheir
adventuresaslongastheytoldhimwheretheyweregoing.HarrycouldhonestlysaythathelovedChewielike
anuncleandwasproudthatChewieconsideredhimtobehispseudonephew.
Hey,UncleChewie!It'sbeenawhile.Howhaveyoubeen?KeepingUncleHanoutoftrouble?
ChewiechuckledathiscommentbeforeexplaininghowhehadbeenwatchingoverLowieandfixingtheFalcon
again.
Harryshookhisheadinexasperation.Again?JusthowdoesUncleHanmanagetobreakdifferentpartsofhis
shipeverytimehepilotsit?Inolongerknowifit'sacurseoftheshiporjustHan.
ChewbaccashruggedbeforelookingoverJainawholookedawaywhenshesawChewieturntoherandbackto
HarrybeforeteasinglyaskinghimwhenheandJainaweregoingtoannouncetheyweretogether.
Harryblushedatbeingcaught.WWell,we'renottechnicallytogetheryet.She'sjustfinallyfoundherSolo
cockycourageanddecidedtochaseaftermenowandshe'sbeingteasingmesince.Doesn'thelpthatshehad
permissiontocourtmefrommycurrentgirlfriend,Nakia.
ChewiechuckledbeforeaskingifitwastruethatNakiawasamillenniaoldAnzati.
Harrysmirked.Yeah,sheis.Technicallyshe's24millenniaoldbutsheinsiststhatjustmeansshe's24.Both
ChewieandHarryrolledtheireyesatwomen'srefusaltoacceptwhenthey'reoldunlessalltheirhairhadturned
whiteandtheycouldnolongerwalkwithoutassistance.Eventhentheyinsistedthatthatjustmeanttheywere
likewineandgotbetterwitheveryyear.Luckily,bothknewbetterthantodisagreeorbeindangeroflosing
whatmadethemmeninthefirstplace.
Chewiewasslightlyconfusedandaskedhowhecouldhavemorethanonegirlfriendatatime.Harryjust
shrugged.Beatsme.ItwasNakia'sideaandIjustgowithit.Shesaysitsbecauseshewantsmetohavea
familyandsincehumansandAnzatican'tinterbreed....
ChewienoddedhisheadinunderstandingandsaidthatNakiamustreallylovehimifshewaswillingtoshare
him.Harrysmiledsoftly.Yeah,I'mreallylucky.
ChewienoddedbeforespottingHancomingbackfromthebathroomandtellingHarrythey'dtalksincehehad
totearHananewoneforbreakingtheshipjustafterhefixedit...again.Harrychuckledandsaidthey'dtalklater
beforewalkingovertowhereJainaandJacenweretalkingtoAnakin.
.....andthenwefinallymanagedtoescapewithMom'spresentandgetbackhere.
Harryeyebrowsrose.EscapefromwhatJac?AmImissingsomething?
JacenturnedtoHarrywithmischievouseyesbeforeexplaininghowthey'drunintononeotherthanBobaFettin
Alderaan'sasteroidbelt.Whenhewasfinished,HarryhadabemusedsmileonhisfaceasheturnedtoJaina.
Iguessmyluckhastransferredtoyouguys,huhJaina?
Jainagotamischievousglintinhereyesassheanswered.Yep,youshouldstoprubbingoffonme,it'sbadfor
yourhealth.
Harryalmostchokedonhisdrinkatherwordsbutluckily,neitherJacennorAnakingotthedoublemeaning
behindit.HarryglaredatJainawhotriedtolookinnocentwhichwasruinedbytheglintinhereyes.
TheconversationstoppedwhentheyheardthesoundofHantryingtotaphiswineglasslikerichpeople
sometimesdidandonlysucceededincrackingitinhishands.Marasnorteddownherlaughteratthesightof
Hanholdingabrokenwineglassinhishandsandthatsetoffeveryoneelseastheystartedtolaugh.
Yeah,yeah,laughitup,mutteredHan.Anyway,it'stimetosingforthebirthdaytwinsbeforeLukemanages
toescapeonsomemadeupJediemergencyandthenit'llbepresenttimeofwhichmineisofcoursethebest.
EveryonelaughedathisdeclarationandJacen,Jaina,AnakinandHarrywalkedovertothetablewherethecake
was.ThefamilyconsistedofLuke,Mara,Leia,Han,Chewbacca,Harry,Jacen,Jaina,Anakin,C3PO,andR2.
Thiswastheprivatefamilygatheringandthey'llprobablybeabiggermorepubliconetomorrowbutfornowit
wasfamilytime.
AftersinginghappybirthdaytothetwinSkywalkers,muchtoLuke'sembarrassmentsinceHarryinsistedon
mentioningtheirageof43threetimesduringthesongcausingLeiatoplayfullythrowaplasticspoonathim.
Afterwards,theysatandatecakeandtalkedamongsteachother.HarrytriedtoignoreJainasittingtohisleftand
playfullyteasinghimby'mistakenly'touchinghishandandcrossingherleftlegoverherrightinawaythatit
alsolandedoverhisleftleg.Despitehishalfheartedprotests,Jainacouldfirmlyfeelhowmuchheenjoyedher
teasingandsojustwinkedathimandcontinued.
Aftertheyate,itwastimeforpresentsandthefirsttoopenhispresentswasLuke.Hereceivedafewbooks
fromChewie,twopassestoaexpensivehotelhereonCoruscantfromHanandLeia,andafewpaintingsand
otherstufffromthetwinsandAnakin.LukethenturnedtoHarry'sgiftwhichwasasmallbox,muchtoLuke's
bemusement.
Youknowson,ifthere'saringinhereI'mgoingtotakeyoutoatherapist,jokedLuke.
Harryjuststuckouthistongueathimaseveryonelaughed.Lukeeventuallystoppedchucklingandopenedthe
boxtoasetofkeys.Lukepickedupthekeysandspoke.Okay,I'llbite.Whatarethekeysfor?
Harrysmiled.Foryourveryown22BNightfalconspeederbike!Irememberyousayingyouwouldloveyour
ownspeedersoyoucouldraceacrossYavin4'slandscapeandIboughtyouone.Iwasalsotiredofyoustealing
myBalutarclassswoopeverytimeIwasattheacademyforajoyride.
Lukehidhissmilebehindhishand.Ihavenoideawhatyourtalkingabout,son.HeignoredHarry'splayful
shoutof'Liar!'andswungthekeysonhisfingers.Butthanks,nowmeandMarabothhavespeederstouse.
IgnoringHarry'sprotestsaboutnotstealinghisbeautifulswoopandruiningit,LukeopenedMara'spresent
whichwastwomonthlongpassestoaresortonZeltros.LuketurnedtoMarawithasmile.Ithoughtgiftswere
forthereceiverbutthisseemslikesomethingyou'denjoy.
Marawinkedandgavehimasultrysmile.Yourpersonalgiftisgoingtobewaitingforyoueverynightonthe
bedthere,Farmboy.
Harry,thetwinsandAnakinpretendedtogagastheykissedandHarryprotestedaboutitbeingemotionalchild
abuse,causingMaratogivehimthefingerasshekeptkissingLuke.Eventuallytheyresurfacedanditwas
Leia'sturn.
AftergoingthroughtheusualstufffromHan,Mara,LukeandChewbacca,shereachedherchildren'sgift.She
openedtheboxtofindalargechunkofrock.
Leiacockedaneyebrow.Arock?
Jacenshookhisheadashesmiled.Notjustanyrock,Mom.That'sapieceofAlderaan.Wethoughtyouwould
liketoalwayshaveapieceofhomenearyou.
Leia'seyesturnedwateryandshesmiledatherchildrenbeforedrawingthemintoahug.Thankskids.Ilove
it.
Afterafewminutes,shemanagedtopushbackhertearsandturnedtoHarry'sgiftwhichwasathicksquarebox
thatwasstandingonitsedgesagainstthewall.NowIwonderwhatthisis?
Harryjustsmiledmysteriously.IttookmeawhilebutImanagedtofindit.Youdon'thavetoopenthebox,just
takeoffthewrappingpaper.
Leiafollowedhisinstructionsandtoreoffaportionofthewrappingpaperandgasped.NotseeingwhatLeia
saw,theothersbecamecurious.
Hanwasthefirsttospeak.Whatisit,hon?
Leiadidn'tanswerandjustcontinuedtoripoffthewrappingpaper,revealingwhatwasunderneath.
Itwasamosspainting.
MosspaintingswereonlyevermadeonAlderaananditwasthoughtthattheKilikTwilightwasthelastexample
ofitstillinexistenceandit'slastknownlocationwasinthehandsofGrandAdmiralThrawn.Thepaintings
weremadebymakingmossgrow(technicallycalleddesigned)intobeautifulimages.Theyhadtobekeptmoist
orthey'dberuinedwhichwasthereasonitwasinsideaspecializedglasstankthatkeptthemossmoistthrough
aspecialwatersystemthatreleasedhumidairthroughonesideandcollectedthedryairthroughtheotherside
whereitwouldcycledowntothewatertankbelowtobecomemoistoncemoreandriseashumidair.
Thisparticularmosspaintingshowedafamilyofthree,ahusbandandwifewiththelatterholdingasmallbaby
girl.Allthreehadwarmbrowneyeswhilethebabyhadbrownhairtotheadultsblack.
HansawLeia'squiveringlipandfrowned.Iknowyoulikemosspaintingsincethey'refromAlderaan,hon,but
thisseemslikemore.Whoarethosepeople?
LeiarantowardHarryanddrewhimintoabonecrushinghugwhichhegentlyreturnedasshehadhappytears
comingfromhereyes.Sheeventuallylethimgoandturnedbacktoeveryone.Thebabyismeactually.The
adultsaremyadoptiveparents,BailandBrehaOrgana.ThiswasmadealittleafterIwasadoptedbythemon
Alderaan.
EveryonewasgobsmackedbytherevelationandHanturnedtoHarryinshock.How'dyoumanagetofindthis
kid?Youmanagetogothepastorsomething?
Harrychuckled.Notexactly.See,itturnsoutthatBailhadaphriksafewithhismosttreasuredpossessions
inside.PhrikissostrongthatitsurvivedAlderaan'sdestructionandwasamongsttherubble.Here,Harry's
voiceturnedcold.Butthensomescavengersfounditamongsttherubbleandmanagedtopopopenthesafe.
TheysoldthepaintingandmostofwhatwasinsideontheblackmarketandthankstomycontactsIheardabout
it.ItrackeditdownthroughvariouslegalandnotsolegalmeansandfinallyfounditinsomeHutt'scollection.
Needlesstosay,Irelievedhimofitsinceitwasjustwastingawayinhistreasureroomandaftermakingsurethe
tankwasstillworkingrightIdecidedtogiveittoLeiaasabirthdaygift.
Leiachuckled.Iloveit.Thankyou,Harry.WiththisandthepieceofAlderaanthekidsgaveme,it'salmost
likeI'mbackhomeagain.
Harrysmiledhappilyandgaveheranotherhug.I'mgladyoulikeit.Youdeserveitaftereverythingyou've
doneforme.Iloveyou,AuntLeia.
Leiasmiledandplacedakissonhisbrow.AndIloveyou,mylittleKnight.
Thepartywaswindingdownandeveryonewasgettingreadyforbed.LukeandHarryhadhelpedsetthemoss
paintingagainstthewallinthelivingroomwhereeveryonecouldseeit.Leiasaidshewouldplaceaglassstand
forthepieceofAlderaanrightnexttoitsotheywouldbetogether.
HarrywasyawningandtalkingtohisdadwhowasaskingHarrywhathisnextsteponhisjourneywas.Harry
shrugged.Noidea.Idon'tknowwherethepoemispointingtoanduntilIdoIcan'tdoanything.
Lukenoddedhisheadinunderstanding.ThenmaybeyoucouldgowithAstraalandthegirlstoRylothtohelp
settleadisputethere.ItwouldgiveAstraalachancetoreconnectwithherrootsandgetthegirlsoutofmyhair.
TheykeepaskingtoteachthemhowtousetheForcetofly.
Harrylaughed.Sure,noproblem.Therearen'talotofroutestoRylothsoI'lljusttaketheWaywardSon
throughtheCorellianRun.TheonlyotherhyperspaceroutetoRylothis....Harry'seyeswidenedandhe
droppedtheglasshewasholding.
LukewasalarmedandeveryoneturnedtoHarryatthesoundofbreakingglass.Harry?Areyouokay?What's
wrong?
Harryseemedtobeinatranceandlookingatnothingbeforesuddenlysmilingwildly.That'sit!That'swhatthe
poemmeans!
Lukecontinuedtolookconfused.Whatpoem?Whatareyoutalkingabout,son?
HarryturnedtoLukeandgesturedhimovertothetable.EveryonecrowdedaroundHarryashewrotedownthe
poemonanapkin.Whenhewasdone,heturnedtoeveryone.
Lookatthesecondline.Itsays,First,theWandofDeathwhichiseldest.Now,WandofDeathcanbe
changedtoDeathWandifyouwant.Ifyouchangethe'a'inwandto'i'yougetDeathWindwhichmeansDeath
WindCorridorthatstartsfromRyloth.Eldestalsomeansthesameasfirstbornsothatprobablymeanswehave
togothroughitfirst.Thethirdlinesays,Second,theCloakofInvisibilitywhichhidesthestone,.DeathWind
CorridorgoesthroughtheCloakoftheSithwhichisfamousforhidingSithinthepastorinotherwords,
makingtheminvisible.ThereforetheCloakoftheSithcanbechangedintotheCloakofInvisibility.Thenthe
fourthandfifthlines,Last,theStoneofInfinitywhichwillleadthewayHome..DeathWindCorridorendsin
theRoonsystemwhichholdstheplanetRoonwhichisfamousfor....
...it'sroonstones,finishedLuke,catchingon.
Harrynodded.Yep,andtheonlyknownroonstoneisfamousforbeingencodedwiththeDhaWerdaVerda,
whichisapoemthattalksaboutthefalloftheZhelltotheTaungs.Whosaysthatroonstonescan'tbeencoded
withsomethingelse?Likesay...starmaps?
Luke'seyebrowsroseinsurprise.Iguessitcouldbepossiblebutsurelysomeonewouldhavefounditorat
leastdisposedofit.
Harryshookhishead.Idon'tthinkso.IfoundamemorysphereofmypeopleonKashyyykthatwasfromover
24,000yearsagoanditwascompletelyuntouchednottomentionithadaguardiantoprotectit.Nodoubtthe
InfinityStonewillbesimilarlyprotected.
Maraspokeupandputinherpiece.It'sstillalongshotandhowwillyoufindonestoneamongstaninfinite
amountonthatwholeplanet?
Harrysmirked.Idon'tdoubtthattheForcewillshowmetheway.Harrysmiledandlookeddownatthename
Roononhisnapkin.Nextstop,Roon!
EndNotes:

SorryittooksolongbutI'vehadalotofproblemsathomewithmyepileptic
brothergettingsickandhavingtotakehimtoIntensiveCarefortwoweeks,exams
andnowmymom'sinthehospitalduetoanintestinalinfectionsoI'vebeen
stretchedthin.I'vehadtopaythebillsbymyselfmakingmehavetoworkmore
hoursandthereforehavinglessfreetime.

Anyway,hopeyoulikedthechapter.Forthosewondering,HarryandJainaaren't
togetherYETbuttheyprobablywillbewhenthetimehegetsback.Iknowthose
thatwerewaitingforitareprobablyecstaticthatit'sfinallyhappenedandIhope
myexplanationastowhyJainawasactingsoOCexplainedeverything.She'snow
backtothecocky,rulebreakerweallrememberfromthebooksandifshestarts
actingalittleOCagain,blameitonHarry'sinfluence.

I'mSTILLnotsureifIshouldmakeitHarry/harem.Thesettingforitisalready
thereandIcouldeasilymakeithappenbutatthesametime,Idon'twanttomake
anyofthemainfemalecharactersseemcheapbyallowingthemtojustsayokay,
let'sjustsharehim!,youknow?IfIdomakeitHarry/harem,it'llbemore
realisticandthere'llbeproblemsandstuff.

Backtoindex
Origins:RoondevelopmentsbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter31
AN:I'mbaaaaackkk!Lol.Iknowyoumissedmeandtorewardyouforyourlongwait,here'sagoodand
longchapterofJedi'sPathandthecontinuationoftheOriginquest.Justsoyouknow,chapterswillbe
intermittentcauseofthosehorriblecreationsoftheDevilhimself....otherwiseknownasschoolandwork.
Lol.Nowontothenextchapter!
Early24ABYUnknownlocation
ScreamsfilledthechamberasblackForcelightningcoursedthroughSlyMoore'sbody.Justasitseemedasshe
wouldinternallycombustfromthepowerofthelightning,itsuddenlystopped.Moorefelltothefloorand
moanedinagonyfromhermaster'spunishment.Hehadnotbeenpleasedwithhernews.
Marrish'svisibleredeyeglaredoutfromhismask'seyeholeatthepatheticwrenchofanUmbaranwoman
beforehim.Hewascurrentlystandingonastonedaisthatroseafewfeetabovethegroundandheldalavish
throneinthecenter.HehadbeensittingonthethroneuntilMooredeliveredhernewsandhewasnothappy.
Whatdidyoujustsay?!Whodoyouthinkyouare,thatyoucanmakedecisionslikethatwithoutmy
authorization?!ItseemsIhaveallowedyoutoomuchfreedomifyouarehavingideasaboveyourstation.
Mooreweaklyraisedherheadandtriedtoexplainherself.BButmaster!...yousaidthatthePotterboywasa
potentialthreatifhecouldn'tbeturnedtoourside!Ijustthoughtwecouldtakeadvantageofhisconnectionsto
hisfriendsanddrawhiminwherewecouldkillhim!
Marrish'seyeburnedevenbrighterevenashisangerbecamealmostpalpableintheformofablackaura
surroundinghim.Evenifthatcouldhavebeenagoodidea,thewayyouwentarounditshowshowcompletely
dependentyouwereonPalpatineforevensimplecommonsense!Whatpossibleadvantagewouldithavebeen
toshowourhandbeforewewereready?!Myplansaremonthsawayfrombearingfruitandyourineptitudejust
puttheNewRepublicontheirguard!NowwewillhavetopushbacktheinvasionmonthsbackuntiltheNew
Republiclowersitsguardoncemore!AndthatwillonlybeifIgreasethewheelstomakeitpossible!
Marrishtookathreateningstepforwardandhisauradarkenedevenfurther.Worsestillwasthefactthatyou
usedUmbaraasyourtrap!IthadtakenalotofgreasedpalmsandconnectionstomaketheNewRepubliclook
theotherwaywhilewecouldbuildupUmbara'ssecretarmyandnavyinsecret.Theideawastoattack
CoruscantwhiletheNewRepublicNavywasbusyonthenorthandsouthernfrontlines!Thewarwouldhave
beenoverwithinayearatmost!Butthankstoyour...stupidity,we'velostouraceinthehole!Thewarwilltake
yearsnowsincewe'llhavetoactuallydestroytheirnavyinordertopushforward.
Marrishloweredhisvoicebutthisonlymadeitsoundevenmoredangerous.Butbeyondallofthatwasyour
revealingourcloningfacilitiesandthefactthatwecancloneForcesensitivehumanoids.Vaderhimselfonly
managedtocreatetwosemistableclonesofhisformerapprentice.Wehavemanagedtocreateawayto
manufacturethousandsofstableclones,eachaspowerfulintheForceastheoriginal.Andyoumanagedtotip
themofftothefact!Bethankfulthatyourfileshadnohintofourotherfacilitiesorwewouldhavebeenpushed
backevenfurther.Asitis,theJediknowit'spossibleandwillknowbeontheirguardtostopusfromcloning
theirstrongestmembers!Congratulations,youjustmanagedtosinglehandedlycauseOperation:Reflectionto
failbeforeitcouldevenbeimplemented!
MoorehadprostratedherselfbeforeMarrishduringhisrantandwasnowshakinginterror.Moorewassurethat
ifitwasn'tfortheForcenullificationfieldsurroundingthesystem,theentiregalaxywouldfeelMarrish'sanger
throughtheForcewhetherornottheywereForcesensitive.
Mooregulpedandswallowedherpridebeforehesitantlyspeaking.I'msorry,master.Iwasafool.Please
forgiveme.
Marrishtookadeepbreathandhisangerslowlyvanishedbeforehespoke.WhatofPatientZero?
Therewasalong,tensesilenceasMoorerefusedtospeak.Itlookedlikeshewouldratherbeanywherebutthere
atthemomentandshekeptlookingbehindherattheexit.Withoutwarning,Moorewashitbyanotherbarrage
ofblackForcelightning,courtesyofanewlyenragedMarrish.
Marrisheventuallystoppedthebarrageandfumed.GETOUT,YOUINCOMPETENTNEANDERTHAL!BE
GRATEFULTHATYOUSTILLHAVEUSEORIWOULDUSEYOUTOBRUSHUPONMYTORTURE
TECHNIQUES!
Mooredidn'tneedtobetoldtwiceandliterallyscamperedoutoftheroomsofast,itwasalmostasifshehad
teleported.
Marrishtookdeepbreathstoregainhiscomposureandeventuallycalmeddown.Oncehehad,hisapprentice
steppedintothelightfromwherehehadbeenstandingtotherightofthedais.
MarrishangrilysatbackdownonhisthroneashecontemplatedtheeffectsofthelossofUmbara.
TheforceslostonUmbaracanbeeasilyreplacedwiththeircloningfacilitiesandallthedatathathadbeen
storedthereisbackeduponhisfilessothatisnogreatloss.EventhediscoveryoftheabilitytocloneForce
sensitivesonamassivescaleisjustaminorsetback.
No...thegreatestlossescausedbyherstupidityarethelossofUmbaraasastrategiclocationandthelossof
PatientZero.
WithUmbaraashisaceinthehole,hecouldhaveendedtheNewRepublicresistancebeforehegainedany
noticeablelosstohisforces.Thiswouldhaveputhiminastrongpositionsincewithoutleadership,notto
mentionthelossoftheircapitalwithinayearofthewar,theNewRepublicnavywouldhavebecomesomuch
scrapmetalandeasilycrushed.HewouldhavethenbeenabletoreleaseAlphaRedtokillthoseidioticYuuzhan
Vong,leavinghimassolerulerofthegalaxy.
However,nowhewouldhavetoactuallydefeattheNewRepublicnavyinopencombatinordertopushforthe
capital.Worsestill,hewillhavetoreachCoruscantfromthesouthbeforetheYuuzhanVongdofromthenorth
orelsethosebarbarianswillterraformtheplanet,causinghimtoloseanychanceofregaininglostholocronsthat
werenodoubthiddenamongthethousandsofmilesofCoruscantdurasteel.MarrishdoubtedPalpatinehidall
histreasuresinoneplacenomatterhowlowthechanceitwasforittobefoundthere.
Marrish'seyeburnedredandhisangerroseoncemore.
However,thelossofPatientZerowasabigsnaginhisplans.PatientZero'sabilitywasextraordinaryand
uniqueandhehadn'thadachancetostudyitduetowantinghertomaturemore.
PatientZero'sabilitieswasmorethanjusttheabilitytomanipulateandacceleratethegrowthofplants.She
literallygavelifetothelifeless.
Thiswasprovenduringoneofthetestsastothenatureofherpowers.Thisspecifictestwasdoneinanartificial
desertareathathadnosignoflifeinathousandmiles.However,whenshewasattackedplantsandvinesgrew
underneathherandformedashieldtoprotectherfromherattacker.
Thedesertwasartificiallymadesothatmeanttherewasnorootsystemorpossibleplantseedsinthesand
beneathher.Inotherwords,shehadcreatedlifewheretherewasnone!
Fornowshewasrestrictedtoplants.However,asshegrewitcouldhavebeenpossibleforhertobroadenher
abilitiestoincludesentientbeings.Marrish'smindracedatthepossibilities.Ifhecouldrecreateandcopythe
abilityinawaythathecouldapplyittohimself,hecoulddieinthebattlefieldandjustrevivehisbodyeven
afterhisheartstoppedbeating!
MarrishandhisapprenticehadsurvivedthecenturiesbyusinganancientSithtechniquetochangebodies.In
thisway,whilethebodywouldweakentheywerefunctionallyimmortalaslongastherewasanearbybeingto
possess.However,iftheycouldapplyPatientZero'sabilitiestothemselves,theywouldneverhavetoswitch
bodiesagain.
Marrish'sangerslowlydisappearedashecontemplatedthepositivesofthesituation.
WhileitwastruethattheylostUmbara'sstrategicposition,therehadalwaysbeentheriskoftheirforcesbeing
overstretchedifthatplanwasimplemented.WiththetreacherouswaysoftheVong,therewasalwaystheriskof
themattackingthemwhiletheirbackwasturned.Whileitwouldtakelonger,Marrishcouldgrowfullymatured
clonesbythethousandsadaysohisforceswasbasicallyunlimited.Therewasnochanceofthemlosingwhen
hisarmywasinfinite.
Furthermore,PatientZeroabilitieswerebetteroffdevelopingundertheJedi.Theirlightsidewayswould
properlynurtureherabilitiesinthewayshewantedandtherewasmoreofachanceofthemdevelopingtheway
MarrishwantedwiththeJedithanifshestayedwiththem.Onceitwasconfirmedthatshecouldrevivesomeone
fromthedead,Marrishwouldswoopinandtakeherforhimself.Yes,thatwasbest.
Marrishnoddedtohimselfbeforeturningtoashadowycorner.DidyouwatchthesecurityfootageofPotter's
rescue?
Fromtheshadows,Marrish'sapprenticeappearedasifhemagicallyappeared,suchwashisabilitytohide
himselfintheshadows.ThemansimplyknownasApprenticesneered.Yes.Hedoesn'tlooklikeanything
special.
Marrishwasamused.No?Hemanagedtoalmostreachyourlevelofskillwithabladewithinadecadeinstead
ofyourcenturyofexperience,hehasagoodgraspofallhisForcepowersandhemanagedtosuccessfullyleada
groupofcompletelydifferentpeopleonarescuemissionintohostileterritorywithoutcasualties.Thatisamuch
betterresumethanyouhadathisage.
ApprenticegnashedhisteethatthesubtlemockinginMarrish'stone.Luckandthefactthathehadgood
teachersatayoungage,nothingmore!IwouldhaveadvancedtwiceasquicklyifIhadMaraJadeandLuke
Skywalkerasteachersfromtheageofeight!
Marrish'stonebecamedangerous.Areyousayingmywayofteachingissubparcomparedtotheirs,
apprentice?
Apprenticequicklybackpedaled.No,master!Never!IwasjustsayingthaHewasquicklysilencedat
Marrish'sraisedhand.
Marrishsatbackandstartedtoturnsomethingoverinhismind.Perhapsatestisinorder.Bothtotestyour
skillscomparedtohisandtomeasurehowmuchPotterhasgrownsinceIlastfacedhim.Mefightinghimwould
endinmyvictoryobviouslyso...Ithinkyoushouldfacehim,apprentice.
Apprentice'sfaceturnedeagerandhisyelloweyeswerealightwithunholyanticipation.Master,itwouldbean
honortodestroyPotterwithmyownhands!
Marrishlookedamusedathiseagerness.I'msureyouwill.However,youonlyhaveonechance.Ifyoufailto
killhimatthedesignatedspotyouarereportbacktomewithyourfailure.Donotchaseafterhim.Ihavebetter
thingsforyoutodothanforyoutochaseafterPotter.Ourplansareatadelicatestagerightnowandeverything
musthappenexactlyso.
Apprenticenoddedhisheadreluctantly.Understood,master.WhereshouldIambushhim?
MarrishclosedhisvisibleeyeandstretchedoutthroughthecurrentsoftheForcetoseewherethePotterboy
wascurrentlyheading.
Marrishnoddedtohimself.Roon.WaitforhiminRoon.Luckily,thatisclosebysoyoucansetupatrapfor
himthere.Forthismission,yourcodenameshallbe.....DarthVoid.Takethatasyournameforallfuture
missionsuntilIsayotherwise.
ThenewlychristenedDarthVoidbowedtohismaster.Thankyou,master.Ishallleaveatonce.Withthat,
Voidturnedaroundandleftthechamber.
Marrishwasleftaloneinthesilenceofthedarkchamberbeforehestartedchucklingtohimself.Hetook
holoproyectoroutofhispocketandpointedittothecenterofthechamber.Heactivateditanditstartedshowing
variousscenesdepictingHarry'sabilitiesandskillincombat.
Nowweshallsee.....ifyoucanpassmysecondtest,youngPotter.
InorbitaroundRyloth
TheHogwartsandtheWaywardSonexitedhyperspaceovertheorangebrownworldofRyloth,itspassengers
equalpartshappyandanxious.Harry,Cassiopeia,Nakia,andGuriwereontheHogwartswhileAstraal,Tahiri
andVisaswereontheWaywardSon.Theyhadfinallygottenpermissiontocontinuetheirquestandtheywere
noweagertocontinuetofollowthetrailofbreadcrumbsthatledtotheirorigins.
HarryopenedacommchanneltotheWaywardSonassoonasbothshipshadexitedhyperspace.Well,we've
reachedRyloth.Pleasebecareful,Astraal.Idon'tknowwhatIwoulddoifsomethinghappened.
Tahiri'sreassuringvoicecameoverthecomm.Don'tworry,Master.We'llbefine.It'sjustaroutinethingand
there'snosecretenemieswantingtocaptureushere.Sowe'llbefine.
Harrysuddenlylookedequalpartsguiltyandsheepish.Yeeaaahhh.Iwastalkingaboutyou.That'sit.Iwas
totallyworriedaboutyoursafety.Nottheship's.Nope.No,sireee.
TherewasabeatofsilencebeforeTahiri'sangryvoicecameoverthecommalongwithVisas'sandAstraal's
laughterinthebackground.You'reworriedabouttheSHIP?!Whataboutus?!Wewerejustcapturednottwo
weeksago?!Aren'tyougoingtoshowsomeconcernoverus?!
Harrylaughedsheepishlyashisapprenticecontinuedtocusshimoutoverthecomm.Now,now.Don'tbesuch
apottymouth.Iwasworriedaboutyou.WhoeversaidIwasn't?
LIAR!cameTahiri'sswiftrebuttalasthesoundoflaughterinthebackgroundincreased.Youcaremore
aboutthisshipthanus!Ioughttocrashitagainstthecanyonwalls!
Harrybecamefranticatthethreat.No!Notmybaby!Howcanyoubesocruel?!WhatdidtheSoneverdoto
you?
AstraalcutoffTahiri'sswiftretortbeforeshecouldexplainexactlywhatshewasgoingtodototheshipand
giveHarryapanicattack.We'llbefine,baHarry.We'llbebackatthePraxeumwithintheweeksothere'sno
problem.GoodluckandmaytheForcebewithyou.
HarrysmiledsoftlyandsentwavesoftendercareandlovethroughtheirbondtoAstraalwhichshehesitantly
reciprocated.ThanksandmaytheForcebewithyouaswell.
Thetwoshipsthenchangedtrajectories,theWaywardSonheadingtowardtheplanetwhiletheHogwarts
changedcoursetoenterDeathWindcorridor.Thehyperlanewastreacherousformanyreasons.Onewasthe
constantstopsandcoursecorrectionsonehadtomakeinordertotransverseitwhichledtothesecond.The
possibilityofpirateswaitingfortheminoneofthescheduledstopsforcoursecorrections.Luckily,Nakiaand
Cassiopeiahadn'tbeenidleandhadspentthetwoweekssinceUmbaraupgradingtheHogwartssoitcouldstand
uptomostshipseasily.Withpiratesusuallyusingonlycheapandeasilydestroyedshipsmostofthetime,they
coulddefendthemselvesagainstalmostanything.
HarrycarefullynavigatedtheHogwartstowardsthehyperlaneandinputthecoordinatestoRooninthe
navcomputer.Assoonasthecoordinateswerein,heactivatedthehyperdriveandwatchedasthestarsbecame
longlinesofwhiteastheyenteredhyperspace.
Harryleanedbackintothepilot'schairastheshiptraveledthroughhyperspace.HarryturnedtoCassiopeia,only
togulpandhavetousetheForcetostophimselffromhardeningatthesightbeforehim.
Cassiopeiawascurrentlywearingashortlightbluetshirtthatshowedplentyofcleavageandonlyreached
halfwaytoherwaist.Shealsohadapairofblackshortsthatlookedasiftheywerepaintedonandallowedmost
ofherlong,creamylegstobeexposed.Thiswasmadeworsebythefactthatshewascurrentlystretchinginher
seat,makingheralreadyshorttshirtgoupalmosttothebottomofherbreasts.Harrygulpedbeforequickly
turningawaysohewouldn'thavetoexplainwhyhehadanerectioninhispants.
Unknowntohim,Cassiopeiahadbeenlookingathimfromthecornerofhereyesandsmirkedathisreaction.
Behindthem,NakiarolledhereyeswithasmileonherfacewhileGurismirked.
NakiastoodupandturnedtoHarry.I'llpilotandmakethecoursecorrectionsuntilwearrive.Youguysshould
findsomewaytoentertainyourselvesuntilwearrive.
GurigotupandstretchedslightlymakingHarryquicklylookawayfromthetantalizingsightelsehegettoo
excited.Harrybrieflymusedonhowheseemedtofindhimselfsurroundedbybeautifulwomenallthetimeand
cametotheconclusionthatitwasbothofhisfathers'fault.Consideringtheirhistorieswithwomen,itwas
completelypossibleithadpassedontihimbothgeneticallyandthroughbeingraisedbyLukeandHan.The
latterespeciallyhadeagerlyregaledhimwithtalesofhismanyconquestsacrossthestars.Well,atleastuntil
Marafoundoutandalmostmadesurehecouldn'thaveanymorechildren.
Gurihadnoticedhisreactionandsmirkedinternally.'Stillgotit.'Whiletechnicallyamachine,Gurihadmany
humanemotionsandfeelings.Amongthenwastheneedtoreassureherselfthatdespitebeingaroundmany
otherbeautifulwomen,shecouldstillgetmentoreacttohernomatterhowusedtheyaretoit.Guriclearedher
throattogettheirattention.Well,I'mgoingtocontinuestudyingthatengine.IthinkI'mreachinga
breakthroughonhowitworksandIdon'twanttolosemyflow.Withthat,Guriwalkedoutofthecockpitand
towardstheengineroom.
HarryandCassiopeiawalkedoutofthecockpitaswell,leavingNakiatowatchovertheship.Theydecidedto
gotoCassiopeia'sroomtocontinuetostudytheirparent'sholocronssomemoreandstartedtowalkinthat
direction.
Astheywerehalfwaythere,Harrydecidedtobreakthesilence.Sohow'sEthan?Ihaven'thadtimetothank
himforhishelponUmbara.
Cassiopeiafrownedathisquestionandshelookeddownsadlyastheystartedtoreachherroom.Harrynoticed
andfrownedaswellbeforeplacinganarmaroundherwaist.What'swrong?WasitsomethingIsaid?
Cassiopeiacouldn'thelptheshiverofdesirefromgoingupherspineatHarry'stouch.Despiteherbesteffortsto
keeptheirrelationshipstrictlythetypebetweencousins,itwasn'tworkingandshewasfallingforhim.Itwas
probablyduetothefactthattheyhadn'tbeenraisedtogetherandhedidn'tfallintothe'family'categoryinher
mindyet.Itdidn'thelpthathewashandsome,obviouslyaskilledlover(ifNakia'scriesofecstasywereany
indication)andveryconsiderateofherfeelings.Thefactwasmadeworsewhenshesawhiminonlyunderwear
whenhewasinthebactaandshesaweveryinchofhissculptedabs.Abodylikethatshouldbesharednotkept
toonewoman.Astraalwasbeinggreedybykeepinghimtoherself.Nakiawasamuchbettergirlfriendfor
Harry.
ThefactthatshebasicallygaveCassiopeiapermissiontosleepwithHarryhadnothingtodowithit.
Cassiopeiasighedasshetriedtofindthewordstoexplain.It'sjustthatEthan...well,I'vebeenincontactwith
himeversinceweweresureyouwouldrecover.Atfirst,hewasunderstandingaboutmyneedtostaywithyou
sinceyou'remycousinandyouwerehurt.However,onceyouwokeuphewantedmetocometobewithhim
sayingtheyneededtotalkaboutourrelationship.ItoldhimIwouldspeaktohimafterwegotbackfromour
questandhegotstubborn,sayingitwasafool'squestandIshouldjustforgetaboutit.Wegotintoanargument
andwell...wearen'texactlyonspeakingtermsatthemoment.
Harrygrimacedandhuggedhertighter,causingCassiopeiatolayherheadonhisshoulder.Ifanyonesawthem
nowtheywouldthinktheywereloversratherthancousins.
Well,beganHarry,IthinkIunderstandwherehe'scomingfrom.Hehasn'tseenyouinyearsandwhenhe
does,youfollowmeintoabattlewhereyoucouldhavedied.Hehastobeafraidforyouandthat'swhyhewas
sopushy.
Cassiopeiasighedandcrossedherarmsoverherchest.Maybebutthatdoesn'tgivehimtheexcusetoorderme
aroundandtellmewhatI'msupposedtodo.I'mnotevenhisgirlfriendyetandevenifIwas,noonetellsme
whattodowithmylife.
HarrynoddedastheyenteredCassiopeia'sroom.You'reright.Justgivehimsomespaceandhe'llcomearound.
HedoescareforyoualotandIknowyoucareabouthimtoo.
Cassiopeianoddedandsighedastheysatdownonherbedandbothtookouttheirrespectiveholocrontostudy.
ThetwoJedispentthenexthourstudyingfromtheirrespectiveparent,completelyengrossedbytheirparent's
teachings.Theyweresoengrossedthatneithernoticedtheslightaccelerationoftheshipandhowitrockeda
littlebit.
Aboutanhourlater,HarrystretchedashedeactivatedhisholocronatthesametimeasCassiopeia.Bothlooked
tiredsincethelasthourhadbeenmostlylecturesonthenatureoftheForceaswieldedbytheirpeopleandno
actualtechniquesweretaught.However,bothholocronshadinsistedthatknowingthetheorywasjustasifnot
moreimportantthanactualtechniques.Knowingatechniquewithoutknowingthebeliefsorphilosophybehind
itwasnobetterthanwhataSithwoulddo.
AsHarrystretched,Cassiopeiawatchedwithhungryeyesashisphysiquewasshown.Shewasrapidly
becomingarousedandsuddenlyhadawickedideaabouthowtogetbothofthemtorelaxfromtheirhourlong
session.
HarryhadlaiddownonCassiopeia'sbedtorelaxandstiffenedwhenhefeltCassiopeiacrawlupontopofhim
untiltheywerefacetoface.CassiopeiahadaseductivesmirkonherfacethatmadeHarrygulpandstartto
harden.
Oh,Harry.Weshouldreallyrelax,youknow.NosenseingettingtoRoonallstiff.Don'tyouagree?
HarrygulpedashefelthimselfreacttothefeelingofCassiopeia'swelldevelopedchestpressedagainsthis
chest.Despitehimwantingtoconsiderheracousin,hecouldn'tdenyhewasattractedtoher.Cassiopeiawasan
incrediblybeautifulgirlandhelikedherdevilmaycareattitudeaswellasherselfconfidence.Heguessedthat
herpresencehadbeenwhatcausedJaina'spersonalitychangesinceCassiopeiaremindedhimofJainainaway.
However,unlikeJaina,Cassiopeiawasn'tonetolettaboosorpurelysymbolicrelationsgetbetweenherand
whatshewanted.
HarryfelthimselfhardenfurtheratthelookofwantinCassiopeia'seyes.Despitethis,hetriedtofighthis
arousal.Hedidn'twanttocheatonNakiadespitehergivinghimpermissiontobewithotherwomen.Itfeltlike
abetrayal.
However,Cassiopeiagotamischievousglintinhereyeswhenshefelthishardnesspressagainstherlower
stomachandsheplacedherrighthandagainsthimthroughthefabricofhispants.
Harrycouldn'tkeepthemoanfromescapinghislipswhenCassiopeiastartedtorubhimthroughhispants.She
somehowknewjusthowtograsphimthroughhispantsinawaythatwasequalpartsarousingandteasing.
Cassiopeiasmirkedathisreactionbeforepullinghimupintoakiss.Sheinternallyfrownedasshefelthis
hesitancethroughthekissanddecidedheneededmoreconvincingbeforetheycouldgettomoresweatyand
enjoyableactivities.
CassiopeiapushedHarrydownontothebedandmaneuveredhimsohewassittingattheedgebeforekneeling
infrontofhim.Shehadonlydonethisoneortwotimesbeforebutwassureshecouldgethimtopopandgive
intoherthisway.
StartLemon
Forgoingthebelt,herrighthandgrabbedhiszipperanddrewitdownwithoutahitch.Beforehecouldtryto
stopherandblockherattempts,Cassiopeiashanddisappearedintohisunderwear,herotherhandsfingers
keepingtheentrywaypriedopen.
HarryrealizedwhatCassiopeiahadplannedandgaveatokenefforttostopitthroughthehazeofhisarousal.He
wriggledalongwiththewormingmovementgoingoninhispantsandliftedhisbuttoffofthebedasthoughit
woulddiscourageher.Withagasp,however,herealizedthatitonlyhelpedhercatchherprize.Aha!
Cassiopeiasmirkedinvictory.
Harrywheezed,Dont,butCassiopeiawouldnotbedeterred.Shehadbeenhavingextremelyarousingdreams
latelyofthisverymomentandshewasdeterminedtomakethemreality.
Ittookabitofeffortandfumblingtofreehimfrombehindthetroublesomeblockageofhisunderwear,butshe
gottheflaccidtrophyoutforhertoinspect.Limp,butconsiderablylongforsuchastateabout7inches.
Cassiopeiadecidedthatshewouldsooncorrecthislifelessnessandsizehimupintheappropriatemanner.She
tookhimintohermouthwithoutamomentshesitationwhenfightingagainstaresistantboylikeHarry,there
wasnotimeforforeplay.Theywoulddothatthenexttimewhenhewouldbelessresistanttotheidea.
'BytheForce,he'sgoingtoruinmeforallothermen,'thoughtCassiopeialustfullyasshesuckledonthe
engorgingmember.'Itprobablywon'tevenfit!GoodthingI'mlatheringitupfirst.'
Thewarmthofhermouthwasundeniablyinviting,thoughHarryhalfheartedlybeseechedthatsherelinquish
hismember.Despitehisprotests,hedidn'tputhishandsonher,squeezingtheedgeofthebeduntilhisfingertips
leftdeepimprints.Harrycouldn'thelpbutwonderhowCassiopeiagotsoexperiencedorifitwasnaturaltalent.
Cassiopeiasmirkedaroundhimasshesuckledthesquishyorgan.Initscurrentstate,shedrewonoverhalfofit
easily,butwhenthebloodbegantogather,sherestrictedtheattentionofhermouthonlytothehead.Tryashe
mighttofightit,Harrywaspowerlessagainstthequickawakeningofhiserection.Hormoneswerenoteasyto
fightback,andhewassoonsportingthefulllengthofhisarousal.Shemarveledathisimpressiveness,but
didntwaitlongbeforeapplyinghermouthagain.
Harryinternallyseethed,watchinghelplesslyasshestabilizedhimwithbothhandsandlickedenergeticallyat
thetip.Whilehewasn'ttotallyagainstitasmuchanymore,heractionshavingerodedmostofhisresistance,he
wasstillannoyedthatshebasicallyforcedthisonhimandwasn'tevengoingtotheeffortofmakingitlast.Oi!
Oi!Slowdown!heblabberedwhiletryingtodraghishipsawayfromhermouth.Afruitlesseffort,butitdid
annoythegirlabit.Whenshefinallygaveinandpermittedapausefromnursingonhisswollenhead,hespat
out,Youcantbedoingthis!Nothere!Nakiawasnotthatfarawayandcouldprobablysensewhattheywere
doingrightatthismoment.
Whynot?Itsprivateenough,Cassiopeiaarguedwithacheekygrin.Shenuzzledhisshaftfondly,leeringat
himashemoanedandtriedtofightdownhisurges.Youdontactatalllikehowyoutrulyfeel.Ifyoudid,
youdbebeggingformore.ThemomentHarrytriedtostammeroutacomeback,shechortledandengulfed
himinhermouthagain,pushingbackthetressesofhairframingherface.Effectively,theoralinsertionkept
Harrysownmouthquietaswell,asidefromthesuppressedmoansandwhimpers.
Harryknewthatheshouldvefoughthardertostaveheroff,knewthatthiswentagainsthiscodeofmorals,but
hecouldnotbringhimselftopryCassiopeiasdeliciousmouthoffofhim.Withtrepidationinhiseyesandlust
inhisloins,heallowedCassiopeiatocommencewithherdemonstrationofskills.Everyonehadtoldhimhe
shouldanywayandtotellthetruth,hewashopingthatbydoingthishe'dcalmbothoftheirdesires.True,hed
loathhimselfwhenitwasover,buthisconsciencecouldbesilencedforalittlebit.
Precumeventuallybeadedatthehead,andCassiopeiawasmorethanhappytoclearitawaywithhereager
tongue.Nowthatitwasfullyhard,Cassiopeiacouldseethatitwasnineincheslongandshebecameevenmore
arousedatthethoughtofthatmonstersplittingheropen.Withthatthoughtinmind,shefilledhermouthwith
littlemorethanhalfofhisdick,thoughthetiphadtobewedgedinherthroat.Musclesflexedaroundhimwhen
shehadtheinvoluntaryresponsetoswallowluckily,shedidntgag.Theonlytimeshewasejectedfromher
orificewaswhensheneededmoresatisfyingbreathsofair.Duringthosetimes,languidlapsfromhertongue
wouldtraveluphisshafttosometimesflickagainstthetip.Shebroughtbothofherthumbstohistipatone
point,andcarefullyspreadtheopeningsothatherpointingtonguecouldticklethesaturatedinsides,clearing
awaythetransparentfluidbeforeithadachancetoproperlyfroth.Aftergatheringherbreathandreadytotake
theplungeonceagain,shedrovehermouthovertherigidlength.
Harrybreathsbecameragged,eyeshalfclosedwhilewatchingthebrownheadwithawhitestreakbobupand
downonhisshaft.Hecouldfeelhistestesroilinginhisboxers,liftingandpreparingtounleashhisload.There
wasstillsomestaminatoholdonto,buthisbodywasalreadymakingthepreparationstorespondtotheconstant
stimulationofhissex.Shevariedhertechniquesquitefrequently,takinghimfromhermouthtokissupthe
undersideofhisprickandflourishhertonguearoundtheundersideofhismushroomshapedhead.Agrateful
sighleftashisexpandedchestdeflated,andCassiopeiabelievedthathehadreachedhisend.Notso,shequickly
discoveredwithasmalltraceofdisappointment.Shewantedtogettothegoodstuff.
Arentyoualmostdone?shegriped.Shecontinuedtomoveherfistsubtlyatthebasetocontinuestimulating
him.Youcancumalready,ifyouwant.'Cumsothatwecangettobestpartalready!'thoughtCassiopeiain
frustration.
Harrygrittedhisteeth.Hewasntexactlytryingtoholdbackhonestly,ifitwouldmakeherhappyandgivea
peacefulsenseofrapture,hedunloadinhermouththeinstantshehaditonhimagain.Withnosmallbitof
embarrassment,hetoldher,Imnotreadyyet.Justhurryupandfinish!
Cassiopeiagavehimasultrygrin.Chucklingsmugly,asthoughshecouldclaimvictoryoverhisdefeat,
Cassiopeiaslarge,browneyesleeredathim.Well,itsabouttimeyoucavedin,shescoldedhim,muchtohis
growingembarrassment.Ithoughtwewouldhavetofuckbeforeyouwouldacceptthatyouwantthisjustas
muchasme.
HarryresponsewascutoffbythefeelofCassiopeialipswrappedaroundhiscockagain.ThistimeHarry
moanedhisappreciationandplacedahandonherheadtosubtlyguideheralong.
HarrylethisheadlollbackashisbackarchedasCassiopeiaswirledhertonguearoundtheheadandflickedit
acrossthetipofhiscock.Hemoanedasherfulllipsbegantoslidedownhisshaft,slowlysothathecouldsavor
theirfeel,orsoshecouldsavorthetasteofhiscock.Hertonguetrailedalongtheundersideofhisshaftasher
fingerskeptworkinghisballs,andHarrylovedit.Shehadgonefromsimplyblowinghimtowhatcouldonlybe
describedasworshippinghiscock.
Cassiopeiarolledhereyesuptostareathim,nothavingtakenhermouthoffhiscock.Sheestimatedshewas
abouthalfwaydownonHarry'scockanddecidedtoshowhimsomethingshehaddiscoveredthefirsttimeshe
didthisforherfirstboyfriend.Herhandsmovedtoherhipsandshedroppedherheadallthewaytothebase,
notoncegaggingasshekepthereyeslockedwithHarry'semeraldeyes.
HarrysbreathhitchedashefeltCassiopeiadeepthroathiscockwithoutpause.Damn,Cassie,doyounothave
agagreflex?Hehadtoadmit,hewasratherimpressed.NotevenNakiawithallherexperiencecouldputallof
himintoherthroatinonego.Hewhimperedasshepulledbackoffofhiscockandsawhersmirk.
Nope.Idon't.Andnowit'stimeforthefinisher.Cassiopeiaraisedherselfupfromsittingonherheelsand
tookoffherbluetshirt.ItthenbecamebetterwhenCassiopeiapressedherbreastsaroundhiscock.
Harrymoanedashefeltthesoftfirmfleshrubagainsthisshaft,hermouthtakingthetipbackin.
CassiopeiamentallysmirkedasshewatchedthepleasureonHarrysface.HarrywasapowerfulJediandhe
shouldbeproudofallhehadaccomplished,buthewasstillateenageguywhichmeantagoodpairofbreasts
andaskilledmouthwasmorethanenoughtobendhimoverbackwardswithpleasure.Cassiopeiabegantobob
herheadandherbreastsonandoffHarryscock,workingquicklybutskillfully,gettinghimtomoanwithmore
pleasure.Whileshewantedtothebestpart,shealsowantedtoestablishhersuperioritytohispreviouslovers
andsowasgoingtheexramiletogethimtohavethebestorgasmhe'deverhad.
HarrygaveahissofpleasureashefeltthesoftmoundsofCassiopeia'sbreastsmovingagainsthisshaft,andher
tongueworkingoverhiscockwhileherlipsalsostrokedhim.Harryclenchedhishandstight,digginghisnails
intohispalmstotryandforcethepleasureawaytolastlongerforthewomankneelinginfrontofhim.Itfelt
wonderful,buthewouldntsuccumbsoeasily.
CassiopeiarolledhereyesuptostareatthedarkhairedJediandmentallysmirked.Itseemedhehadsomeself
control,whichwasalwaysaplus.Still,sherefusedtogiveuponmakinghimblowhisloadlikeshewanted.She
usedonehandtoholdherbreaststightaroundHarryslengthasshereachedupwithherotherhandandbeganto
strokehisballs,usingjusttheslightesthintofnailacrosshissensitivesac.
Harryshudderedandhearchedhisbackinpleasure,hisheadleaningback.Close.Soclose.Hewarned
Cassiopeia.Heknewfromexperiencehereleasedalot,hedidntwanttogiveherthatamountallatonce
withoutabitofwarning.HecouldpracticallyfeelthesmugnessradiatingoffofCassiopeia,buthewouldget
herback.
CassiopeiadidfeelrathersmughertonguestrokedtheridgeofHarryscockhead,teasingthesensitiveflesh.
Shefeltthesurgeandswellingasthefirstjetofthesaltyfluidspilledintohermouth.ShefeltHarrysballs
twitchagainstherhandastheykeptpumpingthefluid.Hercheeksbloatedout,butshewasdeterminedtotakeit
allinhermouthatonce.ShepulledoffofHarryscockandlookeduptothepantingteenager.
HarrystaredtransfixedatCassiopeiaassheopenedhermouthwithhisthickloadstillinhermouthsherolled
hertonguearoundinthefluidbeforesheclosedhermouthandhereyes.Sheseemedtosavorit,savorthewayit
sliddownherthroatandintoherstomach.AhandmovedbetweenCassiopeia'slegs,andHarrywatchedher
buckagainstherfingers.Atsomepoint,Cassiopeiahadtakenoffhershortsandwasnowonlywearingapairof
sheerblackpanties.
Cassiopeiasmirkedandbroughtherwetfingerstohermouthandmadeashowofsuckingoffthejuicesonit
beforecleaninghiscockofanyleftoversperm.Thisalsosucceededinbringinghimbacktofullhardnessdespite
havingjusthadamassiveorgasm.
Cassiopeiasmirkedandstraddledhimbeforedragginghimintoascorchingkiss.Shehelpedhimoutofhisshirt
andlineduphiscocktoherentrance.CassiopeiaandHarrymoanedasshesankdownontohiserection.
Harrygrittedhisteethashetriedtoholdhimselfbackfromsimplythrustingintoheruntilhecame.Cassiopeia
wastightandwetaroundhimandifshehadn'ttoldhimshewasn'tavirgin,hewouldhavethoughthewasher
first.'Herexesmusthavebeentinyashellifshe'sstillthistight.'thoughtHarryamusedly.
Cassiopeiaputherarmsonhisshoulderandslowlyroseupuntilonlythetipwasinsideher.....
Endlemon
.andthentheship'salarmstartedtosound.
ThetwoloversweresosurprisedthatCassiopeiafellbackwardsandlandedonherbuttonthefloorwhenHarry
instinctivelystoodupandactivatedhisvioletlightsaber.
ThesightwouldhavebeenintimidatingifHarry'scockwasn'tstillhangingoutofhispantsatfullmast.
Cassiopeialookedfuriousattheinterruptionandstompedovertotheship'scommandcalledthecockpit.Why
thehellisthealarmgoingoff?!Wewereinthemiddleofsomethinghere!
TheshipshookasNakiaansweredinadrytone.Yes,I'msureyouwere.However,itseemswe'verunintoa
trap.We'recurrentlyinorbitaroundRoonbutweseemtohavebeenexpected.We'rebeingattackedbyan
Aurekclasstacticalstrikefighterfromwhatthescansareshowing.
Cassiopeiasnarledinanger.So?It'sjustonestarfighterandthoseshipshavebeenoutdatedforcenturies!You
shouldbeabletotakeitdowneasily!
Nakia'sangryvoicequicklyanswered.Ishouldbebutthepilot...heorsheisdifferent.TheForceiswiththem.
Specifically,thedarkside.Ihaven'tfeltsomeonesostronginthedarksidesinceVader.EverytimeIthinkI've
gothiminmytargetingreticulehepullsoffsomeinsanemaneuverandescapes.Itdoesn'thelpthathe'salot
moremaneuverablethanus.Atthisrate,we'llbedeadinspace!Ineedoneofyoutotakecontrolofthegun
manuallywhileGurimakessurenothinghappenstotheengines.Theotherhastohelpmeatthehelm.
Atthis,Harryhadtuckedhimselfawayandzippeduphispantsbeforewalkingovertothecomm.Cassiewill
takethegunwhileI'lltakeoverpilotingtheshipandyou'llbemycopilot.We'llberighttheresoholdhimoff
untilwedo.Harryturnedbacktothebedandgrabbedhisshirtbeforeputtingiton.
CassiopeiaseethedattheinterruptionbutquicklydressedaswellandfollowedHarrytowardthecockpit.They
rusheddownthehallwayuntiltheyseparatedatajunctionCassiopeiatowardthegunseatandHarrytowardthe
cockpit.
Harryrushedintothecockpitandquicklysatdowninthepilot'sseatassoonasNakiavacatedit.Nakiasat
downinthecopilotseatandbarelystrappedherselfinasHarrystartedtoperformadvancedevasivemaneuvers.
Harrycaughtaglimpseoftheirenemywhenheturnedforanotherattackrun.LikeNakiahadsaid,itwasan
Aurekclasstacticalstarfighterbutithadobviouslybeenheavilymodified.Ithadthebasictwoheavylaser
cannonsatthetipofeachwingbutthepowerofthelaserfirewasproofithadbeenupgraded.
Thefactthatthepilothadalsofiredatleast5protontorpedoesalready(luckily,allhadmissed)withoutacare
toldthemithadbeenupgradedtohavealargerstandardpayload.Itwasalsopaintedareflectivematteblack
thatmadeithardtoseevisuallyandtheyhadtorelyontheirscannersmostofthetime.Theycouldonlyseeit
visuallywhenitmadeasharpturnthankstotheglowoftheplanetreflectingoffitshull.
HarrywatchedasredlaserfirebarelymissedthemwhileCassiopeiarespondedwithherownbarrageofred
laserfire.Harry'sskilledpilotingandForceawarenesswasmorethanenoughtokeepthemfrombeinghiteven
withtheship'slargesize.However,theenemypilotwasjustasskilledandCassiopeiahadyettolandahit.
Cassiopeiacursescouldbeheardoverthecomm.Goddamnbastard!I'msorryHarrybuthe'stoogood.I'm
tryingtocloudhissenseswiththeForcebuthejustshrugsitofflikeit'snothing.EverytimeIthinkIhavehim
hemanagestofuckingescape!
Harrystayedquietandwatchedtheexchangeforawhilelongerwhiledodgingtheenemy'sshotsbeforesighing.
Lookslikewe'reatanimpasse.However,animpassefavorshimcauseheprobablyhasanearbyrefueling
stationwhilewedon't.I'mgoingtomakearuntolandonRoon.KeephimoffourbacksCassie.He'llhaveto
peeloffonceweland.ThoseAurek'saren'tmadetotakedownstrongdefensivegroundlocations.We'llplace
powerfulwardsaroundtheshiponcewelandandhe'llbeforcedtofaceusontheground.
Cassiopeiasighedinexasperation.Fine.Hurryupcausethisguyisgettingonmynerves.
HarryquicklyturnedtheshiptowardRoonandputthefullpoweroftheenginestowardmakingittoRoon
beforethestarfightercouldcutthemoff.Harrysensedtheship'spilotrealizetheirintentionandchaseafter
them.
Cassiopeiatriedtoholdhimoffsotheycouldlandbutitbecameincreasinglyapparentthattheshipwould
overrunthemandcutthemoffunlesstheycouldgofaster.Harrycommedtheengineroom.Guri!Ineedmore
powertotheenginesorthiswillbeoneshorttrip!
Guri'sharriedvoiceanswered.I'lltrybutIstilldon'tknowalotabouttheseengines.Afterwhathappened
earlier,I'mhesitanttotryanythingthatmightdamagethem.
Harryfrownedashecontinuedtododgetheenemy'slaserfire.Whatdoyoumean?Whathappened?
ItwasNakiawhoanswered.Youmeanyoudidn'tfeelit?AtHarry'sconfusedlook,Nakiasighed.Iguess
youweretooindisposedtonoticebutaren'tyoucuriousastohowwereachedRoonsoquickly?
Harrypausedaswhatshesaidsunkin.Ithadn'toccurredtohimbuttheyhadreachedRoonwaytooquickly.
DistractedhemayhavebeenbutHarrydoubtedhehadbeenwithCassiopeiaforover5hourswhichisthe
standardtimeittakestoreachRoonwhentakingthisroute.
Nakiasawhislookofrealizationandnodded.Yea,well,whenwejustaboutstableinthehyperlanetheorb
thingintheengineroompulsedwiththeForce.Somethinghappenedtotheenginesandthehyperlane...changed.
Itwentfromthenormalhyperspacecorridortosomethingelse.Ifyoulookedthroughtheviewport,itlooked
moreakintotravelingonarollercoasterthananythingwithawhitebackgroundandblackrails.Thepilot's
chairwasalsopulsingwiththeForceanditwasluckyIjumpedoffitbecauseitalmostburnedme.Ithinkitwas
becauseI'mnotoneofyourpeople.Anyway,nextthingweknowwe'dappearedoverRoon.Ittookawhilefor
ustoconfirmwewereoverRoonandbythenthatstarfighterhadappearedandstartedtoattackus.
Harryfrownedinthoughtevenashecontinuedtheevasivemaneuvers.Couldtheshiphavebeenprogrammedto
activatesomethingtogetthemtotheirdestinationfasterduringcertainroutes?ItmadesensesinceDeathWind
Corridorwasreferencedasoneoftheclues.Thelastonestousetheshipcouldhaveprogrammedittoactivate
the'slipstream'thathadbeenpreviouslymentionedalongcertainroutes.
Harryshookhishead.Itdidn'tmatter.They'dtheorizeaboutitlater.Rightnow,theyneededtoconcentrateon
escapingtheirpursuerandfindingtheInfinitystone.
Justashethoughtthat,theshiplurchedforwardandstartedgoingalmosttwiceasfast.Guri'svoicecameover
thecomm.Okaythere'syourspeed!ThatwasthemostamountofspeedIcouldgetoutoftheengineswithout
activatingthehyperdrive.Hopeit'senough!
Harrysmiled.Itisandthanks!
Harryexpertlyflewtheshipintotheatmosphere,leavingtheirpursuerbehindashewasforcedtoslowdown
duetoalackofadequateshieldingforquickatmosphericreentry.Roonlookedlikeagreenmarblefromspace
duetothegreenseasandplainsacrossitssurface.However,Harryhadenterednearthenorthpolewherethe
snowymountainswerelocatedsoheflewthroughpeaksandmountainsleavingtheirpursuerevenfurther
behind.
ThecommcrackledandGuri'svoicewasheard.Harry!Land5milesnorthofhere!Thisorbthingyturnedinto
somekindofrepresentationofRoonjustnowandthere'sareddotabout5milesnorthofhere.Ithinkit'sour
stone!MeandCassiopeiawillgoandlocateitwhileyouandNakiacandealwithourunwantedguest.
Harrynoddedhisheadinagreement.Soundslikeaplan.
Harryquicklyturnedtheshipnorthandlocatedarelativelystablepatchofsnowyplainhalfwayupamountain
largeenoughtofittheHogwartstwiceover.Harryexpertlylandedtheshipintheverymiddlesotheirpursuer
wouldn'tgetanyideas.
Astheshiplanded,Harrycaughtsightoftheenemyshipflyingtowardsthem.Harryquicklypulledouthis
wandandcastwardsaroundtheshipjustastheenemyfiredatthem.Luckily,wardspullontheForcepowerof
theplanetthey'recastinordertogainstrength.Thismadethemuselessinspacewheretherewasnoplanetto
drawuponbutextremelypowerfulonunspoiledplanetsfulloflifelikeRoon.
ThelaserfirehadalmostnoeffectonthewardHarryputupandHarryquicklycast20morewardsupinthe
formoflayersaroundthesnowyplain.AssoonasHarrywasdone,heletoutasighofreliefthattheymadeitin
timeandturnedtoNakiawithaseriouslookonhisface.
Nakia,IneedyoutogowiththegirlswhileIdealwithouruninvitedguesthere.
Nakialookedathimincredulously.Areyoucrazy?!Ifeltthatguy'sForcepresenceandhe'sstrong.Ihaven't
feltadarksidepresencethatstrongsince....well,sinceVaderhimself.Thisguyisn'tsomeoneyoucanmess
aroundwith!
Harrynoddedinagreement.True.ButIhaveafeelingthathe'shereformespecifically.TheForcetellsme
there'saconnectionbetweenthisguyandMarrish.Ihavetofacehimaloneinordertogethimtotalk.Ifyou
stay,hewon'tlowerhisguardenoughtogloatlikeallbadguystendtodo.Weneedtoknowhowheknewwe
werecominghereandwhetherwe'recompromisedorifhe'strackingussomehow.Wecan'tallowMarrishto
continuetodictateourengagements.
Nakiagrimacedassheprocessedthetruthofthatstatement.Itwastrue,afterall.Eversincetheirfirstmeeting,
Marrishhadbeentheonedictatingwhenandwheretheywouldmeet.Thathadtochangeiftheywantedtohave
anychanceofbeatingathisowngame.
NakiadrewHarryinforascorchingkissthatmadeallpreviouskissesseemtameincomparison.Shebrokeit
beforefixinghimwithanangryglare.AlrightbutyoubettersurvivethisorelseI'llfindawaytobringyou
backjusttokillyoumyself.
ItwasanemptythreatandtheybothknewitbutHarryjustsmirked.Don'tworry.Idon'tplanondyingtillI
managetohaveanorgybetweenyou,GuriandCassie.
Nakialaughedatthatbeforewinkingathim.Yousurviveandthatjustmightbepossible.Withthat,Nakia
racedoutofthecockpitandinformedGuriandCassiopeiaofthechangeinplans.Neithergirlswerehappybut
eventuallyconcededthepointandlefttowardwherethemapshowedthelocationoftheInfinityStone.
Meanwhile,Harryhadcalmlywalkeddowntherampandturnednorthwherehesensedhisenemyhadlanded.
Hethenwalkedinthatdirectionforabituntilhereachedamostlystableandlevelpieceofsnowclearofany
obstaclesandfarfromtheship.Despitethecold,Harrystayedinjusthisblackpantsandblueshirtashewaited
forhisenemy'sarrival.
Hedidn'thavetowaitlongbeforehisenemyappeared.Asnowstormhadmanifestedwhilehehadbeenwaiting
andduetoit,Harrysensedhimbeforehesawhim.Ratherthanusethelackofvisibilitytohisadvantagelike
Harryexpected,hisenemycalmlywalkedforwarduntilhewas10feetfromHarryandcloseenoughtobeseen
visuallywithlittletrouble.
Themanwasatall,fairskinnedmanwithspiky,blackhairthathadaslight,bluetinttoitwithbangsthathang
onbothsidesofhisfacetoroughlyframehischeeksanddark,blackeyes.Hewaswearingawhitelongsleeved
shirtwhichwasopenatthetorsoanddarkbluepantswithablueclothhangingfromhalfwayuphisstomachto
hisknees.Hewaswearingblackarmguardsthatcoveredhisforearmsandstretcheduptoreachhisupper
bicepsandapurplebeltaroundhiswaistfromwhereHarrycouldseetwolightsaberswerehanging.Heseemed
completelyunbotheredbythesnowstormandjustlookedatHarrywithasuperiorsmirk.
Well,well.Wemeetatlast,youngPotter.
Harrycockedaneyebrowevenasheneverrelaxedhisguard.Youhavemeatadisadvantage.Idon'tknowwho
youyetyouobviouslyknowme.
Theman'ssmirkwidenedslightly.IamtheapprenticeofthemanyouknowasMarrish.LikehimIhaveno
name,howeveryoucanrefertomeas
Bob.
TheareawassilentasHarrysmirkedmockinglywhiletheSithhadlosthissmirkandgloweredatHarrybefore
speakingthroughgrittedteeth.Excuseme?
Harryjustsmiledinnocentlyathim.Yousaidyoudon'thaveanamesoI'vedecidedtonameyouBob.Bobthe
Sith.Hasaniceringtoit.
ThenewlynamedBob'seyetwitched.MynameisDarthVoid,youimbecile!NotBob!
HarrycockedhisheadatVoidevenashecontinuedtosmile.Idon'tknow...youdon'tlooklikeavoid.Nope,
youdefinitelylookmorelikeaBobtome.
VoidgrittedhisteethatHarry'smockingandquicklydrewhisduallightsabersandactivatedbothredblades.
We'llseeifyou'remakingjokeswhenIgutyoulikeadog!Withthat,VoidleapedatHarrywithasnarlof
rage.
Harryactivatedhisvioletandbluelightsabersandthebattlebegan.
Cassiopeiaandcompanyracedacrossthesnowtowardthedestinationtheyhadtransferredfromthatweirdorb
toasmallholomapoftheplanet.GuriwastheguidewithNakiarightbehindherandCassiopeiatakingupthe
rear.Theyhadbeenrunningfor20minutesandhadsensedHarrystartfightingwiththeirenemyabouttwo
minutesago.Thishadmadethemtwiceasanxiousandhaddoubledtheirpaceintheirdesperationtofindthe
StoneandgobacktohelpHarry.
Guristudiedthemapastheyreachedapartofthepathwhereitnarrowedasittraveledbetweentwomountains.
We'regettingclose.Itshouldbesomewherearoundhere.
Nakiastudiedtheareaevenastheycontinuedforward.Doesitshowwhereexactlyitisorjustthegeneral
area?
Guribitherlipinfrustration.ThemostIcouldnarrowitdownisto100feetofitslocation.Themapwasn't
eventhatspecificandIonlymanagedthismuchthroughguesswork.Sorry.
Nakiagrowledunderherbreathinfrustration.That'sfine,youdidyourbest.IjusthopeHarrycanbeatorat
leastholdoffthatguyuntilwereturn.
FrombehindNakia,Cassiopeianoddedherheadandhadtostopherselffromrunningbacktohelphim.She
knewthatsheespeciallyhadtogofindtheStone.Itwasquitepossiblethatonlymembersofherracecouldfind
theStoneandsinceHarryhadtostaybehindtoholdofftheirenemy,shehadtogoforward.
Thatdidn'thavetomeanthatshehadtolikeitthough.
Guritoldthemtostopandtheyquicklydid.Gurilookedfromthemaptotheareaaroundthembeforenodding.
Thismapsayswe'rewithin100feetofitslocation.Unfortunately,itdoesn'ttellusinwhichdirectiontogoso
we'reonourownnow.
NakianoddedandstartedtouseherForcesensestoseeifshecouldfindanythingwhileGuriusedheradvanced
opticstodothesame.
Behindthem,CassiopeiaextendedherForcesensesandsuddenlyfeltsomething'ping'atherawareness.
Cassiopeiaturnedtowhereshefeltitandsawthatshewasstaringatthesmallestofthemountains.Infact,it
wasn'tmuchofamountainsinceitwasbarely900feettall.Maybeitwasupthere?
Cassiopeiabitherlipbutshookherhead.No....hersenseshadn'ttoldherthat.Theyhadpointedatsomething
muchcloser.Cassiopeiastudiedthebaseofthemountainwithacriticaleyebeforehereyefellonastrange
groupofrocks.Therewere4rocksandeachhadastrangesymbolonadifferentedge.Thesymbolslookedsort
offamiliarforsomereason.Cassiopeiamovedalittletotheleftandgasped.
Itwasn'tnoticeablefromanyotheranglebutwhenonelookedatthegroupofrocksatthebaseofthemountain
fromwhereshewasstanding,thesymbolsoneachonemovedsidebysideuntilitformedacrest.Avery
familiarcrest.
ThesamecrestthatwaspaintedonthehulloftheHogwarts.Alion,araven,abadgerandasnakeonashield
likeemblem.
Withoutsayinganythingtotheothertwowomen,Cassiopeiaracedtowardthegroupofrocksthatwerelying
againstthebaseofthemountain.Therockswereclosetogetherbuttherewasjustenoughspaceforsomeoneto
squeezethroughandstandrightinthemiddleofthem.
GuriandNakiahadnoticedCassiopeia'sgaspandsubsequentruntowardthewallandhadwalkedoveraswell.
Thelatterwastheonetoaskthough.DidyoufindsomethingCassiopeia?
Cassiopeianodded.Yep.TherocksformtheHogwartscrestwhenyoulookatitfromacertainangle.
SomethingcaughtCassiopeia'seyeontherockwall.Wait...Iseesomething.
Cassiopeiacrawledbetweentherocksuntilshestoodrightinthesmallcircularpatchbetweenthemandstared
atthewall.TherewasastrangesymbolcarvedontotherockwallthatprickledattheedgeofCassiopeia's
senses.IfonecouldinterposetheHogwartscrestontothewallfromwhereonecouldseeit,thesymbolonthe
rockwallwouldberightbeneathit.
Cassiopeiaimpatientlyrubbedthesnowoutofthewayinordertoseethesymbolbetter.Itwasatriquetra,
whichinsomecultureswasmeantthreeforcesjoiningtogether.Howeveritalsomeant....Eternity?questioned
Cassiopeiaaloud.
TherewasaloudsoundofsomethingunlockingandthegroundbeneathCassiopeiafellaway,causingherto
fall.
Cassie!yelledoutbothNakiaandGuri.
BothwomenheardCassiopeiagruntingassheseemedtolandandwaitedforhertospeak,hopingshewasokay.
Ow!Ilandedonmyass.
Goodthingitsocushioned,huh?quippedGuri.
Hardyharhar,veryfunny,respondedCassiopeiafromthebottom.Comedown,guys.It'saslideofsome
kindandIthinktheInfinityStoneisinhere.
GuriandNakialookedateachotherandnodded.
Downinthechamberwhereshecameoutof,Cassiopeiaturnedtolookattheslidewhereshecameoutofand
sawfirstNakiaandthenGuricomeoutandlandgracefullyontheirfeet.
Cassiopeiahuffedinirritation.Youonlylandedonyourfeetcauseyouwereexpectingit.
Nakiagaveheracondescendingsmile.Whatevermakesyousleepbetteratnight.Ignoringherhuffof
irritation,Nakiaturnedtostudythechamber.
Itwasn'tthatlargeachamber,maybe40feetindiameterwithanopendoorwayacrossfromtheslide.However,
itlookedandfeltold.Theonlythingofnotewasthatoverthedoorwayleadingdeeperintotheplace,therewas
thesymbolforinfinitycarvedintothewall.
NakiaraisedaneyebrowatthesymbolandturnedtoCassiopeia.Thatmustbewhatyoumeant.Well,let'sgo
then.Harrycan'tlastforever.
GuriandCassiopeianoddedseriouslyandfollowedNakiathroughthedoorwaydeeperintotheplace.
Lightsabersclashedredagainstvioletandredagainstblueinthemiddleofasnowstorm.Despitetheferocityof
theirbattle,neitherofthelightsabers'ownersshowedahintoftheirthoughtsontheirfaceastheycontinuedto
tradeblows.
Theyseparatedbeforedashingforwardoncemoreandtradingblowsatlightningfastspeeds,bothcombatants
switchingstylesastheytriedtogaintheupperhand.
Harry'sfacewasagrimaceofconcentrationashebarelydodgedVoid'sslashesandstrikeswhilejustmissingto
landhisownblows.Itwasbecomingincreasinglyobviousthattheywereequalintermsofswordsmanship.The
onlydifferenceslayinwhichstylethey'dmastered.
WhenHarryfoughthim,MarrishhadconstantlychangedstylesbutusuallyfellbackonamixofYuyoand
DjemSo.Void,ontheotherhand,seemedtofavorAtarumixedwithNiman.Thestylewasveryeffective
havingagoodbalanceofoffenseanddefensewhilekeepingtheuserconstantlyonthemovetoopenupmany
differentanglesofattack.Therefore,Harryhadtoexpendmoreenergytryingtokeepupwithhisconstantly
changinganglesofattackwhileVoidsimplydeflectedHarry'sstrongstrikesaway.Itdidn'thelpthatboth
Harry'sfavoredstyles,VaapadandLightning,usedmoreenergythanVoid'senergyefficientstyle.
Realizingthatifthiscontinuedhewouldlose,Harrydecidedheneededtopresstheattack.Harryfellfullyinto
hisVaapadstyleandletthejoyofbattlefillhimashebrutallyattackedVoidusingkicksaswellaslightsaber
swings.VoidrespondedbyfallingintoaSoresustylethatmanagedtoprotecthimfromHarry'sbarrage.
ThetwocontinuedinthiswayforwhilebeforeVoidsuddenlyturnedoffoneofhislightsabersandholsteredit,
leavinghimwithonlyasingleredblade.Harrybecamewaryforatrap,wonderingwhyhewouldfallbackon
onebladewhenhegothisanswer.
VoiddashedforwardwithasurprisingmasteryofDjemSothatequaledevenLuke'sskillwiththestyle.Harry
waspushedbackbytheonslaughtsincehethoughtthatVoiddidn'tknowthestyle.Astupidthoughtin
retrospect.Itwasobvioushewould,havingMarrishforamasterwouldassureVoidtraininginthestyleand
fromwhatHarryknewofMarrish,hewouldexpectnothinglessthanperfection.
Harrymanagedtoholdhisownforawhilebutitbecameincreasinglyobviousthathewouldbeoverrunifthis
continued.Despitehavingtwoblades,thisdidn'tgivehimmuchofanadvantage.Thepointofdualwielding
wastocreateanoffensivebarragethatwouldbreakthroughtheopponentsdefense.However,thisonlyworked
iftheusercouldmaintaintheoffensive.
VoidwaspushingHarryonthedefensiveandneitherLightningstyle,Vaapadordualwieldinghadastrong
defense.ItwasattimeslikethisthatHarrywishedhe'dlistenedtohisfatherwhenhetoldhimtopractice
Soresu.Asitwas,hismediocreskillinthestyleplushisForceenhancedreflexesweretheonlythingskeeping
himalive.
ThiswasmadeworsebythestrengthinVoid'sblows.Byusingasingleblade,Voidlessenedtheamountof
concentrationheneededtohaveonhisbladetopreventhimselffrombeingdecapitatedbyhisownwhile
allowinghimtoinflictmoreforceinhisswings.Ontheotherhand,Harryhadtokeephisconcentrationdivided
betweenhistwobladesaswellaschannelingenoughstrengthintohisarmstowithstandVoid'sstrikes.Void
didn'tevengiveHarryachancetostrikebackbysimplybrutallydodgingordeflectingallofHarry's
counterattacks.
HarrygrittedhisteethandhesaberlockedwithVoid.Voidwaswearingamockingsmileonhisfaceashespoke.
IsthatallyouhavelittlePotter?Ifitis,thenyoumightaswellsurrendernowandsaveyourselfthe
embarrassment.Ipromisetokillyouquickly.Voidleanedintilltheywereinchesawayfromeachotherandhis
darkblackeyesboredintoHarry'semeraldones.Onceyou'redead,I'lltakegreatpleasureinmakingthose
womenwithyoumylittlebitches.They'llspendeverynightoftherestoftheirlivesmoaningmynamelikethe
whorestheyare.
HarrysawredatVoid'sdeclaration.ImaginingCassiopeia,NakiaandGuriwitheyessimilartoAstraal'swhen
theyhadrescuedher.Brokenanddefeated.
Withanenragedroar,HarryletlooseapowerfulForcewavethatsentVoidflyingbackintothesnowandkicked
upthesnowtowhirlwindlevels.FromthehazeofsnowkickedupfromtheForcewavecameHarrylikean
enragedangel,wieldingonlyhisbluelightsaber,havingholsteredtheothertoeventheplayingfield.
VoidbarelyputuphisbladeintimetoblockHarry'sferociousslashandwaspushedbackbytheunexpected
strengthinit.Harrydidn'tallowVoidatimetoregroupanddashedforwardwithhisowndemonstrationofthe
sheerpowerofDjemSo.Whilenothisfavoredstyle,hewastheadoptedsonofLukeSkywalkerandhadbeen
taughtthestylebythegreatJediMasterhimselfsohewasnopushover.
Despitehisownmasteryoftheblade,VoidwasbeingpushedbackbythesheerferocityinHarry'sstylethat
allowedhimtocounterattackwhilekeepingaclearheadtoavoidleavingopenings.Voidtriedtochangestyles
onlytoachievethesameresults.
HarrycontinuedhisferociousassaultandtookadvantageofVoid'ssurprisetosendastrongForcepushstraight
toVoid'sface.HarrythendashedafterVoidasheflewbackfromtheattack,tryingtocapitalizeonVoidhaving
lefthisdefensesdowntofinishit.
However,VoidquicklydrewhislightsaberbackandthrewitatHarryinaspinsoitresembledareddisc.Harry
wastooclosetostopandavoidit,plushewastooangrytoconsiderit,andinsteaddidsomethingthatboth
surprisedandgaveVoidhisfirstfeelingsoffear.
HarrystretchedouthishandandforasecondVoidthoughthewasdumbenoughtotryandgrabthelightsaber's
hiltwithhishandinmidair.However,thatwasn'tHarry'splan.Harrydidgrabthelightsaber....telekinetically.
HarrywrenchedthestillspinninglightsaberfromVoid'scontrol,spun360degreeswhilestillcontrollingthe
flyingredlightsaberandthrewitbackatVoidattwicethespeed.
Voidwassosurprisedthathebarelyhadenoughtimetothinkofanescapeplan.Asitwas,Voidwasforcedto
allowhimselftolandclumsilyandstayonhisbackinthesnowtobarelyavoidbeingbisectedbyhisown
lightsaber.Assoonastheredirectedsaberthrowpassed,heactivatedhissecondlightsabertoblockHarry'sblue
one.Onceagain,blackeyesmetfuriousemeraldonesandHarrysnarled.
Okay,bitch.Youwantit,yougotit.Timeforroundtwo.
EndNotes:

Sorryforthecliffhangerbutitwasthebestplacetoendit.Nextchapteristhe
conclusionoftheirfightaswellasthegirlsfindingtheInfinityStone.

Hopeyouguyslikedtheshortlime.Ijustcouldn'thelpanddenyCassiopeiaright
whenshegotwhatshewanted.Lol.Maybethey'llbeabletofinishwhatthey
startednextchapter,whoknows?Lol.

Asalways,readandreview!
Backtoindex
Origins:BattlesonRoonbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter32
theowners,creators,orproducersofanymediafranchise.Allotherconceptsandideasfromotherbooks
orstoriesbelongtotheirrespectiveauthors.Nocopyrightinfringementisintended.
AN:Justtoclearupaquestionarevieweraskedme.HarryiscalledeitherPotterorSkywalkerdueto
severalthings.
Inregardstohisenemies,everyonewhoeitherworksdirectlyforMarrish(likehisapprenticeorthelike)
callshimPotterduetoknowingthehistoryofhispeople.Theyconsiderhimathreat,notbecausehewas
raisedbyLuke,butduetohisheritage.Forthatreason,theycallhimPotter.Ontheotherhand,everyone
whodoesn'tknowabouthisheritageorworksforMarrish(oratleastdon'tknowthey'reworkingfor
him)callshimSkywalkerduetoconsideringhimathreatforwhoraisedhim.Basically,theycallhimby
whattheyconsiderabiggerthreat,thefacthewasraisedbyLukeSkywalkerandadoptedbyhimorfor
hisheritage.
Inregardstofriends,theytendtobouncebackandforthbetweenthembutyou'llstarttonoticecertain
similarities.Forexample,JainaonlycallshimHarryorPotterduetonotwantingtothinkofhimasa
relativeduetoherfeelingsforhim.HisotherloveinterestsalsocallhimPotterduetonotwantingto
confusehimwithhisadoptivefather.ThesameappliesforotherJedi.TheytendtocallhimJedior
KnightPotterwhentheyrespecthimandtodifferentiatehimfromLuke.TheyonlycallhimSkywalker
toinsinuatethatheonlygotasfarashehasduetohisaffiliationwithLukeandthathewouldbenothing
withouthim.PeoplelikeKyptendtocallhimSkywalkerforthatveryreason.
Tobeclear,hisfulllegalnameisHarryJamesPotterSkywalker.Theylethimkeephisoriginalsurname
tohonorhisbirthparents.
Andwiththatclear,onwiththechapter!
24ABYTheInfinitePaths,Roon
Cassiopeiagroanedasshegotupfromwhereshehadpassedoutonthefloor.
Theyhadbeenwalkingthroughthepaththatthedoorwayledtoforawhilebeforetheyreachedasortof
crossroadschamberthatbranchedinto6differentpaths.Nakiahadwalkeddownoneandreturnedbeforestating
thatitledtoanothercrossroadschamberwithanothersixdifferentpaths.Worsewasthatsomeseemedtoloop
backtothebeginningagainmeaningtheycouldwastehourstryingtofindthecorrectpath.Hourstheydidn't
have.Allinall,Nakiaconcludedthatitwasaneternalmazewiththewrongpathssimplygoingdeeperand
deeperintotheplanet'scrustwhileonlyoneledtothestone.
Ratherthansplitupandriskgettingkillediftheyranintosomethingtheycouldn'thandle(Cassiopeiahadseen
ithappeninmovies)andalsobecausetheyhadlittletime,CassiopeiaandNakiahadoptedtoextendtheirForce
sensestoseeiftheycouldsensetherightpaththroughtheForce.
ThathadquicklyshownitselftobeabadideasincethemomentCassiopeiaextendedherForcesenses,itfeltas
ifsomethingwasusinghermindlikeadrumandbeatingonitmercilessly.Itwaslikeherbrainwastryingto
takeintoomuchinformationallatonceandnoneofitmadeanysense.Beneathitall,shefeltasenseof
unworthinessfromwhateveritwasthatwasbeatingintoherverysoul.
ThatledtothismomentwhereCassiopeiaandNakiahadgottenupfromwheretheyhadfallenwhentheirminds
wereassaulted.GuriwasatCassiopeia'sside,fussingoverher.
Areyouokay?Onemoment,youguyswentquietandthenextyoustartedtoscreaminagonybeforepassing
out!Whathappened?!
Cassiopeiagroanedinpainassheheldherheadinherhands.Herheadhurttomuchtoanswerbutthankfully
Nakiatookituponherselftoanswer.I..don'tknow.Itwaslike...mymindwastryingtodownloadallthe
informationinthegalaxyatoncebutmymindonlyhasenoughspacefor1GBofinformation.Mymindsimply
couldn'thandleitandIguessImusthavepassedoutduetoit.Somethingsimilarmusthavehappenedto
Cassiopeiatoo,Iguess.
Cassiopeiagroanedandheldherheadinhandsbutnoddedheragreement.Samehere.Itfeelslikemymind'sa
bucketandItriedtopouranoceanintoit.Owie.
GurilookedlikeshemoreorlesscomprehendedwhattheyweresayingbutCassiopeiaknewshetrulycouldn't.
Noonebutsomeonewhohadbeenthroughitcouldunderstandthesheeragonyoffeelingtheirveryessence
almostrippedapartfromit.Evennow,Cassiopeiacouldn'tputitintowords.
Withagasp,Cassiopeiastooduponwobblyfeet.HHowlongwerewepassedout?!Wehavetogetmoving,
Harryneedsus!
Nakiaseemedtohaverealizedthesamethingbecauseshehadstooduponunsteadylegsaswell,despiteGuri's
protests.
Itwasonlyforafewminutes.Youtwoneedtorecover!You'renousethewayyouare.
Cassiopeiagrowledbutconcededthepoint.Thedizzinesswasstillthereandiftheyencounteredsomething
dangerous,theywouldbetoodisorientatedtogetoutalive.
Afterwaitingforaminuteortwoforthedizzinesstopass,NakiaandCassiopeiawerebacktofightingshape,if
notabitmorewaryofthetunnelsnow.
Well...Forcesensesareout.Idonotwanttogothroughthatagain.saidNakiadryly.Besideher,Cassiopeia
wincedandnoddedherheadinagreement.
Guristudiedthewallsinordertofindaclueonhowtoproceedforwardbutsawnothing.Therehastobesome
clueonhowtoproceedforward.Idoubtthecreatorsofthisplacememorizedthepathandeveniftheydid,they
hadtoleavesomekindofsignincasetheyforgot.
Nakianodded.Agreed.Let'ssearchthewalls,itmightbeverysmallorseeminnocuoussowehavetobesure
nottomissanything.
Withthat,NakiaandGuristartedtostudythewallscloselylookingforanysymbolorsignonhowtogoahead.
Cassiopeiagrowledinfrustration.ThiswasgoingtotakeforeverandHarrydidn'thavethattimetowaste.Even
nowshecouldalmostsensehercousinfightingagainsttheSithandtheirForcesignaturesweretooclosein
powertoaccuratelygaugewhichonewouldendupthewinner.ThatscaredCassiopeiamorethanshewas
willingtoadmit.SheneverthoughttheywouldrunintosomeoneasstrongasHarrysosoonintotheirquest.
Cassiopeiaclosedhereyesandlookedupattheceilingasifpraying.'ForcehelpmebutifthereisaGodthen
pleaseprotectHarry.He'stheonlyfamilyIhaveleft.'
Openinghereyeswithasigh,Cassiopeiatensedwhenshecaughtsightofsomething.Despiteherinitial
thoughts,theceilingwasn'tfullofstalagmiteshangingfromabovejustwaitingforachancetofallonher
beautifulhead.Infact,theceilingwouldn'tlookoutofplaceasanormalceilingforanoldcastle.
Cassiopeianoticedhowtheceilingforthetunnelslookedlikenormalcaveceilingswithhangingrocksand
everythingbuttheceilinghereinthecrossroadschamberwasclearalmostasifmadeartificially.
However,thiswasn'twhatcaughthereye.Itwasthesymbolsdrawnontheceilingneareachbranchingtunnel.
ThesymbolabovethetunnelleadingbackthewaytheycamewasthesameHogwartssymbolshehadseen
before.Shefiguredthatthatsymbolmeantthepathbacktotheentrance.Therewerefourmoresymbols,twoof
whichwererepeated.
Thefirstrepeatedsymbolwastheeasytounderstandskullandcrossbones.Sheguessedthatthatmeantthepaths
leadtodeathorattheveryleast,danger.Thesecondrepeatedsymbolwasacirclewhichaftershemulledit
over,Cassiopeiaguesseditmeantthepathsthatloopedbackintoeachother.
Thethirdsymbolwasastrangeone.Atfirst,shethoughtitwasthesymbolforinfinityandthereforethepath
theyhadtotake.However,oncloserinspectionsherealizeditwastheoldlostsymbolforthesoul.Shehadseen
itonceduringherescapadeswithGuri.Ithadtheinfinitysymbolonthebottomwithastrangecrossaboveit,
onlythiscrosshadtwohorizontallinescrossingtheverticaloneinsteadofthenormalonehorizontalline.
CassiopeiahadfounditfascinatingforsomereasonandGurihadbeentheonetoexplainthatnooneknewwho
wrotethelanguage,justthatit'sbeenaroundformillennia.
Thefinalsymbolwaseasytointerpretasthesymbolforinfinity.Thetunnelunderthatsymbolwasthesecond
fromtherightandCassiopeiawassurethatitwastherightpath.
Guys!Ifoundit!
NakiaandGuriturnedathercallandranovertoherside.Guriwastheonewhoaskedthequestiononboththeir
minds.Whereandhow,Cassie?
Cassiopeiapointedupatthehighrockceiling.There.Seethesymbolsontheceiling?I'mspeculatingthateach
symboltellsuswhat'sontheendofeachpath.Ifwefollowthesymbolforinfinity,weshouldfindthestoneat
theend.Idon'tknowwhatthesymbolforsoulisforbutwe'renotafteranythingsoulrelatedrightnow.We're
aftertheinfinitystone.
Guristudiedthesymbolsandnodded.You'reright.The'soul'symbolcouldbetheretomisdirectusfromthe
properpath.Evenifitleadstoanothertreasure,wedidn'tcomehereastreasureseekers.Wecameherefora
specificreasononly.Wecancomebackanothertimeifwewanttoexplorethisplacethoroughly.
Nakianoddedheragreement.She'sright.Comeon.Wehavetohurry.Icansensethatthingsaregetting
especiallyheatedbetweenHarryandtheSith.
Withthat,NakialedthewaydowntheInfinitypathinafastjog,CassiopeiaandGurirightbehindher.
'Harry,youbetterbeokay.'thoughtCassiopeiaworriedly.
Therewasamassivesnowstormpassingthroughthemountains.Blueishwhitelightningoccasionallyflashed
acrosstheskyfollowedbytheboomingofthunder.Thewindshitthemountainswithunforgivingforceandit
wasonlythestrengthinthemountainsthemselvesthatkeptthemfromshakingbeneathnature'sforce.
NearwheretheHogwartshadlanded,adifferentstormwasoccurring.Thelightningtooktheformofblueand
redForcelightningleavingexperiencedusers'handsandthethunderwasreplacedbytheclashofredandblue
lightsabers.ThewindwasintheformofpowerfulForcepushesthatrippedthegroundastheypassedyetneither
ofthetwoForceusersclashingsloweddown.Infact,thefightseemedtoonlybeintensifying.
HarrygrittedhisteethashedeflectedabarrageofredForcelightningtothesideusinghislightsaberwhile
dodgingtheForcecontrolledredlightsaberthrownbyVoid.Thebattlebetweenthemhadbeengoingonfor
longerthanHarryhadanticipatedanditwaswearingonhisstamina.
WhenHarryhadswitchedcompletelytoDjemSo,hehadmanagedtogettheupperhandforawhile.However,
VoidhadquicklycollectedhimselffromtheshockofhisaggressiveassaultandshowedthatwhileHarrywas
goodwithDjemSo,hewasfarfromamaster.Harryquicklyrealizedthetraphefellintobygivingintohis
angerasVoidtookadvantageofopeningsinhisformHarryusuallywouldn'thavemade.Realizingthis,Harry
hadquicklycalmedhimselfdownbeforereengagingVoid,thistimewithonedistinctdifferenceHarrywasno
longerfightingtocaptureordisableVoid.
Harryquicklyrealizedthathisopponentwastoostrongtocapturealiveandhewouldbetheonekilledifhe
continuedtotrytodoso.Therefore,Harryabandonedanyplantocapturehimandinsteadwasfightingforthe
kill.
HarrywasinthestandardMakashireadystancebladetothesideatthereadyandfreehandworkingasa
counterbalance.MostpeoplelookeddownonMakashiinrecenttimesduetoitsweaknessbothtoblasterfire
andthelackofkineticenergywhichhamperedtheabilitytocreatemomentum.However,Harrypreferreditfor
itseconomyofenergyandtheprecisionitgrantedwhichallowedhimtousehisenergyonotherthings.
VoidsneeredatthesightofHarry.Makashi?Thatstyleisobsoleteandforoldmenwithnostrength.I'lenjoy
cuttingyouintwo.
Harrysimplygavehimamockingsmile.Comeandtrythen.
Thetwoengagedoncemoreinalightningfastexchangeofblows.However,ratherthanblockhisblowsHarry
simplyredirectedthemtothesidebeforelandingalightcutonVoid'sshins.Voidfeltthecutslandbutignored
themashetriedtobreakthroughHarry'sdefensewithpowerfulblows.However,Harryhadtrainedhisphysical
strengthwellandcouldeasilydeflecthisForceenhancedblowstothesidewithalmostcontemptuousease.
HarrysteppedinandoutofVoid'spersonalspaceusingsuperiorfootworkasthelattertriedtolandasolidblow.
WhenVoidthrewhisweightbehindablow,Harrywouldsimplyusehissuperiorfootworktosidesteptheblow
inawaythatheendedupbehindVoidwhilelandingyetanothercutonhisbody.ItwasonlythankstoVoid's
trainingandexperiencethatheavoidedbeingstabbedfrombehind.
Harrytookadvantageofhislightsaber'scurvedhilttoaddmorepowertohisoverhandstrikeswhileusingits
uniqueangletoslipbyVoid'sdefensetolandcutsoverhisbody.Thehilt'scurvaturechangedtheangleofthe
attacksbythemerestfractionofadegreewhichwasjustenoughtoconfuseanddisorientVoid,whoobviously
hadneverfacedsomeonewhousedacurvedhiltlightsaberbefore.ThismadehimunreadyforthewayHarry
wouldtakeadvantageofhimblockinghisoverhandstriketoslightlyadjusthisgripandgrazehisshoulderwith
thetipofhisblade.
However,Voidwasnotsimplytakingabeatinglyingdownandwaslandinghisownhitsaswellintheformof
punchesandkickshemanagedtoslippastHarry'sdefense.Harryallowedthemtolandinordertoconservehis
energyformoreimportantthingsandsimplyreinforcedhisbodywiththeForce.
ThisbackandforthdancecontinuedforawhilebeforeVoiddisengagedandjumpedbackafairdistanceaway
whilescowlingatHarryinanger.Harryalloweditsincehedidn'twanttoriskchasingafterhimandlosing
controlofthefight.

Void'sbodywasnowlitteredwithlightcutsfromHarry'sjabsandmissedthrusts.Whilenosinglecutwasthat
bad,thesumofthecutsleftVoid'sbodyachingandthestingofthemwasstartingtotakeitstoll.Worseyetwas
thatHarryhadshownhisownuniqueformofmasteryofForcelightningbychannelingitthroughhisblue
lightsaberwithease,shockingVoidwitheverycut.
Void'seyesflaredamalevolentyellowashefedoffthepaintoincreasehisangerandhatred.Hisforcepresence
becameevendarkerandhebaredhisteethatHarrywhohadacalmlookonhisface.
Notbad,Potter.Ihavetoadmitthatyou'reamasterofMakashiandthatittookmebysurprise.However,
playtimeisover.
VoidturnedoffhislightsaberbeforesummoningaredbubbleofForceenergyaroundhim.Suddenly,largerocks
andevenaboulderthatwerepreviouslyhiddenunderthesnowroseoutofthegroundandstartedtohover
aroundhim.Withacruelsmirk,VoidletlooseablastofredForcelightningatthefloatingrocks,which
somehowchargedthemwithForcelightningwhilealsosendingthemhurtlingtowardHarry.
Harry'seyeswidenedatthesightbeforeheimmersedhimselfintheForceandsubconsciouslyactivatingoneof
hislesserusedskills.
Overtheyears,Harry'stalentwithperceivingshatterpointshadgrownbyleapsandbounds.Duetoyearsof
training,Harryhadcometorealizethathistalentwithperceivingshatterpointsextendedtootherskillssimilarly
relatedsuchasprecognition,Forcesight,andevenfarsighttoacertainextent.Combiningalltheseskills,Harry
hadcreatedanewskillthatwasamixofallofthem.
FromHarry'spointofview,theworldseemedtostopastherockswerehalfwaytowardhim.Theworldlost
colorandbecamegrayashesawaphantomimageofhimselfreactingtothethreat.ThephantomHarryusedthe
ForceandchanneleditintohisbluelightsabersoitcreatedaslightForcebarrieraroundtheblade.Asthe
phantomversionoftheincomingrocksreachedhim,thephantomHarrydodgedordeflectthesmallerwithhis
Forceshieldedblade.Asforthemediumrocks,phantomHarrywouldslashattherocksfromadistanceandan
invisiblebladeofForceenergywouldleavehisblade,cuttingtheincomingrocksintwobeforetheycouldreach
him.Suddenly,thehugeboulderfrombeforewhichwaslargerthanhiswholebodyrocketedtowardhim.
PhantomHarrystayedcalmbeforedashingforwardandtappingthehugerockwiththehiltofhisblade,causing
theentirerocktoshatterintopebblesasheattackeditsshatterpoint.However,Voidhadusedtheshadowofthe
bouldertodashforwardandwhenHarryshatteredtheboulder,heappearedfromtherubblewithhisbladeover
hishead,tryingtotakeadvantageofphantomHarry'sdistractiontocuthiminhalf.
Suddenly,thevisionwaveredanddisappearedandHarryreturnedtohimselfastheworldregainedhiscolorand
therealrockscontinuedtowardhim.
HarrychanneledtheForceintohisblade,causingathinbutstrongbarrierofForceenergytosurroundit.Likein
thevision,Harrydodgedordeflectedthesmallerrockswithhisbladewhileusinghismasteryoftelekinesisto
sendtelekineticbladesofForceenergytocutthelargeronesinhalf.
Suddenly,theboulderhehadseeninhisvisionrocketedtowardshim.
Sharpeninghissensestothemaximum,Harryreachedouttotheboulderandfoundtheoneflawpointinthe
largeboulder.Dashingforward,Harryreachedoutandtappedtheboulderwiththehiltofhisbladeonitsfault
linewhilechannelingtheForcethroughhisblade.Thebouldershatteredathistouch,revealingVoidbehindits
shadow,readytocutHarryinhalf.
However,Harrywasready.Havingbeenwarnedbeforehandthankstothevision,HarryhadgatheredtheForce
inhisfreehandandletlooseapowerfulForceburstwithaslightgreenhueatVoidthatsentbothhimandthe
pebblesoftheshatteredboulderflyingback.TheForceburstwassopowerfulthatVoidrocketedbackwardsat
blindingspeeds.Furthermore,HarrymanipulatedthepebblesoftheshatteredboulderwiththeForceandsent
themflyingtowardVoidatlethalvelocities.
Void'seyeswidenedashewasblastedback.Hehissedashewasforcedtotwisthisbodytoavoidthemajority
ofthelethalvelocityprojectilesbutstilltookthreeofthemtohisbody.Oneleftagashdownhisrightshin,
anotheraraggedgashalonghisleftcheekandthelasthithimstraightoninthestomach.Itwasonlythefact
thathehadmanagedtoquicklyputupaweakForceshieldaroundhischestareathatthepebbledidn'tgo
throughhisbodylikewettissuepaper.
Harry'sbreathgrewheavyforasecondbeforehemanagedtocatchhisbreathagain.Theuseofhisnewskill
plusheavyuseoftheForcetoperceiveshatterpointswastaxingonhisstamina.Itwasforthisreasonthathe
rarelyusedtheskillandwhenhedid,hefellbackonMakashitopreservehisenergyandstamina.
Harrydiscreetlytappedabuttononhiscomlink,signalinghisbackupplanjustincase.Hewatched
dispassionatelyasVoidpickedhimselfupfromwherehehadlanded,glaringatHarryhatefully.
You'llpayforthat,Potter.I'llkillyouandprovetomymasterthatI'mthestronger.
Harryjustcockedaneyebrow,gotintohisMakashireadystanceandmadetheuniversal'bringiton'gesture.
VoidroaredinrageandblastedtowardHarrywithmurderinhiseyes.
Cassiopeiaandcompanyhadbeenmakinggoodtimeinthetunnels.Oncetheyidentifiedtherightpath,theway
forwardwassurprisinglyeasyandtrapfree.
NakiawasleadingthewaywithGuriandCassiopeiatakingtherearwhenshesuddenlystoppedasthetunnel
openedup.Cassiopeiawalkedtohersidetotakeinthesightbeforeherastheyseemedtohavefinallyreached
theendofthepath.
Theywerecurrentlyinalargechamberwithaceilingthatwassohighthattheycouldn'tseeit.Theentire
chamberwasperhaps100yardsacrossandperfectlycircular.Theentirechamberwasaperfecthalfcirclewith
thewallsand(Cassiopeiaguessed)ceilingperfectlysmooth.Cassiopeiarealizedthattheplacewasmanmade
despitetheobviouswearonthewallsduetothefactthatthewallswereperfectlysmoothwithdesignsonthe
wall.
Halfwaytothefarwall,thefloorgavewaytoalargedeeppoolofliquidthatlookedlikewaterbutwaspitch
blackincolor.Noteventhelightthatcamefromtheautomaticlightsthatturnedattheirentrancechangedthe
colorofthewater.However,nearthecenterofthepitchblacklakethewaterwaslighterforsomereason,almost
asifsomethingwasshiningfromthebottomofthelake.
WhileNakiaandGuristudiedthewater,Cassiopeiawalkedtowardthenearestwallandstudiedthepictures
chiseledintoit.
Thewallseemedtotellastoryofsomekind.Thefirstcarvingshowedalargeuniversitylikebuildinginthe
middleofabeautifulmeadowwithmountainsinthebackground.Thesecondcarvingshowedagroupofpeople
wearingtriballikeclothingwalkingtowardthebuildingwhiletheleaderwasholdingacasketofsomesort.The
thirdcarvingshowedthempresentingthecaskettothreepeopleinfrontofthebuilding.Themiddlecharacterof
thethreeremindedCassiopeiaofHarryforsomereason,withitsblackuntamedhairandgreeneyes.Thefourth
carvingshowedthemopeningthecasketandrevealingaglowingbluestonewiththesymbolforinfinityetched
ontoit.
'ThismustbetheInfinityStonebeinggiventoourancestors.Iwonderwherethepeoplethatgaveittothemgot
itfromoriftheymadeitthemselves.'thoughtCassiopeiaincuriosity.
Thenextseriesofcarvingsweremuchdarkerinatmospherethantheprevious.Itshowedtheuniversitybeing
attackedbyenemieswithglowingbluekatanabladesthatlookedlikeancientformsofJedikatanas.The
defenderswerealsowieldingthesekatanasbutitwasobviousinthecarvingthattheywerelosing.Thenext
carvingshowedtheHarrylookalikeleavingoutthebackoftheuniversitywiththecasketandaboutahundred
others.Theywereheadingtowardashiptoescapewhilebehindthem,theuniversitywasengulfedinflames.
Thefinalthreecarvingsshowedfirstalushplanetwheretheysettledpeacefully.However,thesecondtolast
carvingshowedthemfightingamongstthemselvesoverthestoneandtheHarrylookalikestandingbetween
themtryingtokeepthepeace.ThefinalcarvingshowedtheHarrylookalikeinthisverychambercastingsome
sortofspellwiththeInfinityStoneshiningfromthebottomofthelake.Therewasalsoalargegroupofpeople
thatseemedtobewillinglywalkingintothelakeforsomereason.Thesameseriesofcarvingsseemedtorepeat
themselvesacrossthewallallaroundthechamber.
CassiopeiawasabouttoturntothegirlsandtellthemthelocationoftheStonewhenshecaughtsightof
somethingshe'dmissed.
Inthefinalcarving,therewasalargewormlikecreaturehangingfromtheceiling.Itseemedcalmbutitstill
gaveoffafeelingofdanger.Thiswascompoundedbythethesymboletchedintoitslargeside.Theancient
symbolfor'Guardian'.
Cassiopeia'seyeswidenedasshetookintheimplicationsbehindthatpictureandshequicklyturnedaroundin
timetoseeNakiareachingtotouchtheblackwater.
No!Don'ttouchthewater!
However,shewastoolate.Nakia'sfingertouchedthewater,causingarippletoformonthelake'sformerly
untouchedsurfacethatextendedtothefarend.Theripplecontinuedwithnosignofdissipatinguntilitreached
thefarend.Onceitreachedthefarend,therewasaloudgongingsoundthatshookthechamber.
NakiaandGurihadactivatedtheirweaponsatthesoundNakiahercrimsonkatanalikebladeandGuripulled
outherdualblasters.AllwassilentasCassiopeiawalkedupbesidethematthelake'sedgeandactivatedher
dualbladedbronzelightsaber.Cassiopeiatensedwhensheheardascurryingsoundabovethem.Slowlylooking
up,Cassiopeiatriedtopeerthroughthedarknessintheceiling.Shecaughtsightoftwotinyredpinpricks
movingaroundbeforesherealizedsomething.Thoseredpinprickswereeyes.
Herowneyeswidening,Cassiopeiayelled,Aboveus!justastheredpinprickssuddenlystartedtogetmuch
closer.
Thegirlsjumpedapartandjustbarelymissedbeingflattenedbyagiantwormlikecreature.Quicklyrecovering
fromtheshockofalmostbeingturnedintoapancake,Cassiopeiakeptherbladeinaguardpositionasshe
studiedtheGuardianoftheStone.
ItwasaK'lor'slug.
Thek'lor'slugwasalargewormlikecreaturethatpossessedaserpentinebodypropelledbymanydangerously
edgedlegs.Themouthwasagapingcircularmawfilledwithconcentricringsofteethmadeforrippingand
tearingintotheirprey.Mostk'lor'slugswereamaximumof20meterslong.However,theGuardianwasa
whopping40meterslonganditsskingaveoffametallicsheenthattoldherthatitsskinwastougherthan
normal.
Allthispassedthroughhermindinasecondsinceshewasforcedtoquicklybackpedalasthecreaturerushed
towardher,intentondevouringher.AwallofblackroseinfrontofCassiopeiatodefendherandCassiopeiasaw
Nakiawithherlightsaberimpaledinthegroundasthecause.Thewallquicklyfellbeforethecreature'ssuperior
strengthbutitgaveCassiopeiathechancetomakedistancebetweenherandthecreature.Gurijumpedontothe
creature'sbackandstartedtofireatitwithherdualblasters.
Cassiopeiaturnedoffherdualbladedlightsaberandactivatedherlightwhip.Itwastoodangerousforhertoget
inclose,shewasstillunusedtowieldingalightsaberinsteadofacortosisstaff.Furthermore,thoselegswere
wickedlysharpandshedidn'thavethetoughbodythatGurihad.However,alightwhipwassimilartoafirewhip
andshewasanexpertatusingthelatter.Therefore,sheusedthewhip'sreachtoattackthecreature'sside
withoutbeingindangerofthecreature'slegsskeweringher.
Cassiopeiaswungherwhipattheclosestleg,hopingtocutoffitslegsoneatatimetoloweritsmobility.
Unfortunately,thewhiponlyleftaslightcutandburnmarkonitslegandcausedthek'lor'slugtofocusonher.It
seemedtohavedecidedshewasthegreaterthreatandignoredGuri'sfailedattemptstohurtitonitsback.The
slugsuddenlyrearedbackwhichcausedGuritogoflyingoffitsbackandchargedCassiopeia.
Grittingherteeth,Cassiopeiadodgeditschargewhilemakingaplan.Guri!TheInfinityStoneisinthecenter
ofthelake!It'swhat'sshiningdowntheresojustfollowthelight.You'rethebestchoicesinceyoudon'tneedto
breathe.We'llholdthisthingoffuntilyoucangetitbutbecareful!Thepicturesindicatethatthere'ssomething
inthelakeaswell.
Gurinoddedfromwhereshe'dlandedwhenthek'lor'slugthrewheroffhimbeforerunningtowardthelakeand
madeaswandiveintoit.CassiopeiaturnedbacktotheGuardiantoseeNakiatryingtoimpaleitwithspearsof
midnightblacktolittleeffect.Puttingonafaceofdetermination,Cassiopeiachargedintohelp.
BackwithGuri,shewassecretlygladthathervisualsensorswerewaterproofandcouldfunctiontosenseheat
signatures.Ifnot,shewouldbecompletelyunabletofindtheStoneinthepitchblacklake.Asitwas,hervisual
sensorsbarelypickedupafaintheatsignatureattheverybottomofthelake.
GuriusedherpowerfullegstopushthroughthewaterfasterthananyoneotherthanatrainedJedimaster.She
occasionallyhadtopushasideseveralfloatingobjectsthatfromthefeelseemedtobedeadpeoplewhofailedto
gettotheStonebeforedrowning.Shewasgladshehadbeentheonetogointothelakebecausenodoubt
Cassiopeiawouldhavehadaheartattackatthethoughtofdeadbodiesinthewater.Sheseriouslyneededtoget
overherfearofzombies.
AssheapproachedtheStone,Guriwonderedwhatthewaterwasmadeoftomakeitsodark.Itseemeddenser
thannormalwaterbutwhenshedranksomeinordertoanalyzeit,herscansshoweditwasregularwaterwith
onlyanaddedcomponentinit.Herinternalscanscouldn'tidentifythecomponentbuttheycouldtellthatitwas
benignandwouldn'tpoisonanyonewhodrankthewater.Itseemedasifthecomponentonlymadethewater
absorblightofalmostallwavelengthsinordertomaintainitsblackappearance.Animpressiveandeffective
waytokeepthievesfromtakingtheStone.WithouttheabilitytofindtheStoneoratleastnavigatethroughthe
water,mostwoulddrown.Itwasmadeworsebythefactthatnolightenteredthewaterandtherefore,one
couldn'ttellwhichwaywasupordown.Asitwas,itwasonlythefactthatGuriwasn'thumanandhadsensors
forthatsortofthingthatkeptherfromsufferingthesamefate.
GurisuddenlybrokeintoacircularareawheretheStonewasshining.Itcreatedasortofrounddomelikearea
arounditwherethecomponentthatmadethewatersodarkwastemporarilyneutralizedanditslightilluminated
Guri.
GuriswamtowardtheStoneandstudiedthedaiswherethecasketholdingtheStonewaslocated.Itwasfairly
simpleindesign.Justanormalstonedaiswithanornatecasketatthetop.Thecasketitselfwasn'tthatlarge,
aboutafootlongand6incheswide.Itwasopen,allowingthelightoftheStonetopermeateintoabubbleabout
20feetacrossfromsidetoside.
TheStoneitself,however,wasanothermatter.Itwasaroundbluestonewithaninfinitysymboletchedintoit.It
lookedtobejustbigenoughtocomfortablyfitintothepalmofherhand.Ithadaninnerglowthatpulsedlikea
heartbeatandthecolorremindedGuriofthefewtimesshe'dseenphysicalmanifestationsoftheForce.Ifshe
didn'tknowanybetter,she'dsaytheStonelookedlikeaphysicalmanifestationoftheForceitself.However,she
knewthatwasimpossiblesoshepusheditoutofhermind.
Guriswamtowardthecasketandstudiedthedaistomakesuretherewerenotraps.Cassiopeiahadtoldherthat
thereweremoredefensesinplaceandshedidn'twanttobeskeweredbythem.Thatwouldbeunpleasant,notto
mentionirritatingtofixafterwards.Mostpeoplewiththeskilltorepairherspenttoomuchtimestaringather
breastsforsomereason.
Aftermakingsuretherewerenotraps,Guriclosedthecasketandlifteditoffthedais.
Themomentsheclosedthecasket,thelighttheStonewasgivingoffdisappeared.Suddenly,Gurisensedashift
inthewaterthatputheronherguard.Gurireactivatedherheatsensorsbutsawnothing.Justtomakesure,she
tookoffawaterprooflightfromherutilitybeltandturnediton.
Anekghoulwasstandingnottwofeetfromherfaceanditwasonlythefactthatshewastrainedincombatthat
keptherfromdroppingthecasketinshock.Thenekghoulroaredatherandswipedatherverticallywitha
sword,cuttingherclotheshalfwaydownhershirt,allowinghercleavagetobeseen.
Gurikickedthenekghoulawaybutturnedaroundwhenshefeltsomethinggrabherleg.Sheswitchedher
sensorstonightvision.
Unlikemostnightvisionsensors,Guriwereespeciallycalibratedtoworkeveninpitchblackconditionsby
givingoffasortofinvisiblelightthathitobjectssimilartosonar.Hersensorswouldtheninterpretthefindings
andtransmitittoherinawaythatitlookedlikeshewasseeing.
Themomentshechangedtonightvision,Gurirealizedthelargeproblemshewasin.
Asshehadswamtothebottom,shehadpushedasidevariousdeadbodies.However,shehadneverquestioned
whytheywerefloatinginthemiddleofthewaterinsteadofeithersinkingtothebottomorfloatingtothetop.
Thiswasbecausethedeadbodiesweren'ttechnicallydead.
Guriwatchedasallthose'dead'bodiesrevealedthemselvestohavebeenhibernatingnekghoulsandwerenow
movingtowardsher.Somewerecarryingwhatseemedtobeancientswordswhileothershadonlytheirclaws.
However,thisseemedtobeenoughconsideringtheywereallnekghouls.
Inherlonghistoryofexploringthegalaxy,shehaddownloadedinformationfromvarioussourcesoncreatures
anddangersshecouldpossiblyruninto.Amongthemwasanextensivefileonrakghoulsandrelatedbeings
suchasnekghouls.
NekghoulswereconsideredamoreevolvedandintelligentstrainofrakghoulsthatwerepresenttheplanetTaris
bythetimeoftheColdWar.Nooneknewwheretheycamefrombutgiventheirsimilaritiestorakghouls,itwas
believedtheywereanevolvedstrainofthem.However,theywerelargerandmuchsmarterthannormal
rakghoulswhichsuggestedthattheymayqualifyastheirownseparatespecies.
Unlikerakghouls,nekghoulswereunabletoinfectortransformtheirvictims.Mostsurprisingofall,theywere
alsoForcesensitivethoughuntrainedinitsuse,andtheirpracticewithittendedtoleantowardsviolenceand
therefore,theDarkside.Theywerecapableofspeechbuthadnoknownhistoryorrecordoftheiroriginsto
date.ThisledtosomespeculationonwhethertheywereJediorSithinfectedwiththerakghoulplagueor
perhapstheresultofmutationcausedfromradiationbyTaris'shatteredreactors.
However,thefactthattheywerepresenthere,aplacethatbyallaccountswascreatedmillenniabeforetheCold
Warshowedthatperhapsnekghoulswerenotevolvedformsofrakghoulsbutratherasimilarspeciesoreventhe
originalspeciesthatSithLordKarnessMuurderivedtherakghoulplaguefrom.
Eitherway,theywereintelligent,strongandafterGuri'sblood....orrathercircuitsbuttheydidn'tknowthat.
Guribroketheholdtherekghoulhadonherlegandusedherpowerfullegstoquicklyswimthroughthewater,
thecasketunderherrightarm.Luckily,shewasmoremaneuverableinthewaterthantherekghoulsandwas
abletoswimaroundthemandavoidconfrontations,thoughtherewereseveralclosecalls.Shenowtruly
appreciatedthecomplexityofthistrap.EvenifsomeonegottotheStone,therekghoulswouldawakento
retrieveitandkillthethief.Sincetheywouldn'tbeabletotellupfromdown,mostthieveswouldeventuallybe
capturedandkilledbytherekghoulsiftheydidn'tdrownfirst,Luckily,Gurihadsensorsandtheytoldhershe
wasnearingthesurface.Realizingtheywouldjustcontinuetochaseheronthesurface,shequicklystartedto
planonhowtolosethem.
Asshedodgedtheclumsyattacksoftherekghouls,shenoticedthattheyseemedfocusedonthecasket.Guri
suspectedthattheyhadsubliminalmessagesintheirbrainstoprotectthecasketatallcostsandthatwaswhy
theywereattackinghernow.Realizingthis,Guriformedaplantogetridoftwobirdswithonestone.
CassiopeiausedtheForcetojumpawayfromanotherofthek'lor'slugGuardian'sattacksandlashedoutwithher
whipwhichmanagedtoburnoneofitseyes.Thecreaturescreechedinpainbeforethrashingaround,causing
thewholechambertoshake.Cassiopeiacursedasshewasforcedtododgeasthecreatureletlooseastreamof
venomtowardsher.OnlyNakia'stimelyinterventionwithherspearsofmidnightblacksavedherfromgetting
hitbythedroplets.
Thecreaturetendedtohavethreepatternsofattackchargingatthem,attemptingtoflattenthemwithitslarge
bodyorthrowingastreamofvenomatthem.Normalk'lor'slugvenomwasjustthat,apoisonthatkilledtheir
preyeveniftheymanagedtoescapethek'lor'slug'sgrasp.Normally,itcoatedthething'steethsoonlyascratch
ofthemwouldbeenoughtoinfectyou.However,theGuardian'svenomseemedtohavebeengivenacidic
propertiesshownbythewaythevenomburnedtherockyfloor.Nottomentionthatitsomeonegainedthe
abilitytothrowitratherthankeepitcoatinghisteeth.Cassiopeianowhadtobecarefulnottomistakenlyland
inoneofthevariousvenompuddleslyingaround.
Cassiopeiadecideditwastimetoinstigateanideashe'dhadwhenshecreatedherdoublebladedlightsaber.
Throwingtheactivateddoublebladedlightsaberintheair,shewrappedherlightwhiparoundthehilt.
Cassiopeiahadpurposefullymadetheoutsideofthehiltoutofcortosisalloysoshecoulddoexactlywhatshe
wasdoing.
Afterdoingthis,Cassiopeialashedoutwiththewhip,usingthedoublebladedlightsaberattheendtodoublethe
numberofanglesshecouldattackfrom.Sheenteredacomplexseriesofgymnastics,dodgingtheGuardian's
chargesandattackswhileslashingathimanywhereshecould.CombinedwithNakia'sspearsofmidnightblack
finallymanagingtohurtthebeingbyattackinginplaceswhereCassiopeia'smanagedtocutthroughitsarmored
skin,theyweremakinggoodheadway.
Suddenly,CassiopeiaturnedasshesensedthewaterwhereGurienteredcomealivewithmovement.Cassiopeia
sawagroupofsomethingsmovinginthewaterandCassiopeiaworriedthatsomethingbadhadhappenedto
Guri.
Sheneedn'thaveworriedbecauseGurisuddenlyburstoutofthewaterlikeabatoutofhell.Shewascarryinga
casketthatCassiopeiarecognizedfromthepicturesunderherleftarm,thoughthewaysheflewthroughtheair
towardthemmadeitseemasifitweighednothingatall.CassiopeiasawsomethingtrytograbGuriassheflew
throughtheairbutitthankfullymissed.
GurilandedinarollattheedgeofthelakeandrantowardsherandNakiawithafocusedexpression.
Timetogo!Iseemtohavewokenupafewfriendswhoseemreluctanttoletusleave.
Cassiopeiawonderedwhatshemeantwhensheheardthesoundofsomethingleavingthewaterandturned
towardsthelake.
ComingoutofthewaterliketheworstofthehorrormoviesCassiopeiahadeverseenwhenshewasalittlegirl,
weredozensifnothundredsofmutatedthingsthatremindedCassiopeiaofonething.Somethingthatfilledher
heartwithterrorandmadeherabandonallsenseoflogicalthinking.
ZOMBIES!!!
CassiopeiainstantlydroppedherlightwhipandjumpedontoGuriasiftryingtoclimbherlikeatree.Guriwas
tryingtogetheroffbutnotevenhersuperiorphysicalstrengthcouldbreakCassiopeia'sterrorinducedgrip.
Gurigrumbledandgrabbedthediscardedlightwhipanddoublebladedlightsaberandholsteringthem.Knowing
Cassiopeiaasshedid,shewouldprobablyforgetabouttheminherterror.
Meanwhile,Cassiopeiawascompletelyfreakingout.ZOMBIES!!!Guri,therearezombiescoming!Killthem,
killthem,killthem!Saveme!!!I'mtooyoungandsexytobeturnedintoazombie!!!
ItwastimeslikethisthatGuriwasgladshewasn'torganic.Shecouldneverunderstandhowexactlyjumping
ontothenearestpersonandactinglikeapanickycivilianwouldhelpwhenfacedwithyourfears.Dammit,
Cassie!Getoff!I'lltakecareofthembutIcan'tifyou'reontopofme!
Withgraceshe'dneverdemonstratedbefore,CassiopeiajumpedoffofGuriandlatchedontoNakiawhohad
beendistractingtheGuardianfromkillingthem.NakiabarelyhadthepresenceofmindtoForcejumpaway
fromthek'lor'slugGuardianwhensherealizedthatCassiopeiahadlatchedherarmsaroundherandshecouldn't
breakfree.
Dammit,Cassie!Whatthehellareyoudoing!?
Cassiopeiawasalmostsobbinginfearasshepointedtowardthelake.Nakia!Zombies!!!Gurisaysshehasa
plantokillthem.Saveme...andher!
Nakiacouldn'thelpbutrollhereyesatherlastcommentbutturnedandsawwhatCassiopeiawaspointingat.
SherealizedthatCassiopeiahadagoodreasontobeterrified.Ithadbeenmillenniasinceshe'dlasttangledwith
nekghoulsbuttheymadeevenherwarywheninasmanynumbersastherewerepoppingoutofthelake.
NakiasawGurirunningtowardthemwiththecasketunderherleftarmandadeterminedlookinhereyes.Her
clotheswererippedandherbreastswerealmostbareforeveryonetosee.Guri!What'stheplan?
Gurilookedbetweenthek'lor'slugGuardianandtheapproachinghordesofnekghouls.This.Guritookthe
casketandwavedittowardthenekghouls.Youguyswantthis?Thengogetit!
Withthat,GurithrewthecasketintotheapproachingGuardian'sopenmouth,whohappilyswallowedthecasket
whole.
NakiawaswideeyedasshesawGurithrowtheirreasonforcomingdownheredownthegiantk'lor'slug's
throat.Whatthehell,Guri!?Weneededthat!
GurijustgrabbedNakiaanddraggedheroutofthechamberandbackintothetunnels,Cassiopeiastillhanging
ontoNakialikeafrightenedmouse.Don'tworry.Gurilookedbackandsawthenekghoulshadfallenforthe
ruseandwereattackingtheGuardianindroves.ShereachedintohercleavageandpulledouttheInfinityStone.
Ihaveithere.Itookitoutandhiditinmycleavagewhentheyweren'tlooking.
Nakialookedrelievedatthestatementastheycontinuedrunningtowardtheexitbeforeadeadpanlookcameto
herface.Atsomepoint,CassiopeiahadmaneuveredherselfsoshewasridingNakiapiggybackstyle.Nakia
stoppedrunningbesideGuriandreachedoverherleftshoulder,grabbingCassiopeiabythefaceandpushingher
offherback.ThiscausedCassiopeiatofallonherassontherockyfloor.
CassiopeiaquicklygotuplikenothinghadhappenedandputanonchalantlookonherfaceWell,it'sagood
thingwedidn'tloseourheads,isn'tit?
IttookalloftheirwillpowerforGuriandNakianottoglareather.
HarryandVoidcontinuedtodanceacrossthebattlefield,exchanginglightningfastblowstoofastforthenormal
eyetosee.Harrywasnowtryingtobuytimeforhisbackupplantobeinplacetofinishthefight.Asthefight
progressedwithnoclearvictor,HarryhadtakentolandingdifferentkindofblowsonVoid.
Youknow,Bob...thewayyouandMarrishareobsessedwithmekindofunnervesme.YouguysdoknowthatI
likegirls,right?Andevenifyouhaveasexchangeoperation,itdoesn'tcount.
Void'srighteyetwitchedatthejabandhegrittedhisteethinangerasheattemptedtobatterthroughHarry's
defenses.MymasterorderedyourdeathandIamsimplycompletingit.ThoughIwon'tdenythatkillingyou
willbringmegreatsatisfaction.
HarrypretendedtogetalookofrealizationashedeflectedVoid'sblows.Oh,Iunderstand.Well,I'mhappyfor
youandMarrishforcomingoutofthecloset.IalwayswonderediftheSithMasterstudentrelationshiphad
special...benefits.NowIhavemyproof.
Voidcouldn'thelpbutshootbackhisownobservation.Onecouldsaythesameaboutyouandyourmother
who'salsoyourmaster.HaveanOedipuscomplex,maybe?
HarryjustsmiledwinninglyashecontinuedtodefendagainstVoid'sattacks.NobutsheishotenoughthatifI
did,noonewouldfaultme.AtleastmyMasterdoesn'tmakemegetonmykneesandgiveanoralreport.
HarryfeltamusementfillhimashesawVoid'sattacksbecomemoreandmoresloppyashisangerbrokethrough
hiscontrol.ThiswaspartofhisplantodistractVoidfromnoticinghissurroundingsinordertoenacthisplan
whichhefeltwascomingcloser.
Iwillkillyou,Potter!Ifit'sthelastthingIdo!screamedVoidangrily.
'Nowforthefinalpush,'thoughtHarrydeviously.Heputonhisbestinnocentexpressionevenashecontinuedto
deflectVoid'sincreasinglysloppyattacks.Now,nowBob.Noneedtoblamemeforyourshortcomings.
HarrysmiledslightlyasheduckedunderasloppyhorizontalslashandkickedVoidinthechest.Hedidn'thave
muchtimetocatchhisbreathsinceVoidangrilyengagedhimagain,allowingHarrytofinishthejob.
ThisisonlyourfirstmeetingandIcanalreadytellthatyou'reanincrediblefailureinlife.Infact,thebestpart
ofyouprobablyrandownyourmother'slegsontothesheetsbelowthenightyouwereconceived.
VoidroaredinrageandabandonedallsemblanceofstyleasheattackedHarrylikeaberserker.Hehad
completelyabandonedanysenseofhissurroundingsandjustattackedrecklessly.Hehadcompletelymissedthe
factthattheywerefightingnearthecliffedgeandthatHarryhadslowlybeenleadinghimthere.
'Now!'thoughtHarrydeterminedly.HarrytookadvantageofoneofVoid'spowerfulblowsandratherthan
deflectit,heblockeditandallowedthestrengthbehindhisblowtosendhimfallingoffthecliff.
Voidjuststoodthereinshock,unabletobelievehehadmanagedtobeatPotter.Helookedovertheedgetoseeif
hecouldseePotter'sbodyhitthefloorandturnintopaste.However,hisshockprovedtobehisundoingashe
missedtheForcescreamingathimaboutdanger.ApowerfulblastofForcelightshinedupintohisface,
blindinghimandtemporarilybreakinghisconnectionwiththeForce.
Asheflailedaroundduetohisblindness,theHogwartsflewupoutofthecanyonwithHarrystandingontopof
it,hisarmoutstretchedfromwhenheusedForcelight.BeforeVoidcouldreact,theHogwartsunleasheda
powerfulbarrageofcannonfireonVoid'sposition.
Inthepilot'sseat,FAITHcackledgleefully.Expletive:DieSithmeatbag!Die!
FAITHcontinuedtobombardVoid'spositionuntiltheentirecliffedgeshatteredwhenhewentsofarastosend
amissilekillVoid.Theentirecliffsidefellintothecanyon,takingtheSithLordwithit.
OntopoftheHogwarts,HarryhadacalmlookonhisfaceashelookeddowntowearVoidfell.Hereachedout
withtheForcebutwasunabletotelliftheSithLordwasdeadornot.However,hecouldtellthathehadfallen
intothecanyonwhenthecliffbrokesotheywerefreeandclear.Therewasnowayhecouldrecoverfromthat
beforethegirlsreturned.
Harry'scomlinkbeepedandFAITH'svoicecamethrough.Query:DidIgethim,Master?
Harrypresseddownonhiscomlinkandshookhishead.Idoubtit.TheSithareaparticularlystubbornlot.
Anyway,goodjobFAITH.YoudidexactlyasIordered.Ididn'tknowifyouunderstoodmorsecodebutI'm
gladyoudid.Idon'tthinkIwouldhavelastedmuchlonger.
Query:Shallwegopickuptherestofyourmeatbagfriends?
Harryrolledhiseyesbutnoddedhishead.Yes,FAITH.Let'sgopickupthegirls.
TheyhadflownoverthepathHarrysensedthegirlshadtakenintimetoseethemcrawloutoftheentrancethat
ledtothetunnels.Harryhadbeenworriedaboutreleasinganekghoulplagueontheplanetwhenheheardabout
whathappenedbutGurireassuredhimbysayingtheyhadcollapsedseveraltunnelsbehindthem.Therewasno
wayforthenekghoulstofolloweveniftheywantedto.
TheywerenowallgatheredincockpitwhereFAITHwasstillpilotingtheship.Harrysatinthecopilot'schair
meditatingtoregainhisstrengthwhileR3wasbehindhisseat,checkingthescannerstomakesurethatVoid
hadn'treachedhisshipandwasafterthem.
HarrybreatheddeeplyasheslowlyandexpertlycalledontheForcetosoothehisbruisesandreinvigoratehis
tiredmusclesuntilhemanagedtogetagoodnight'ssleep.Despitehisattitudeneartheendofthefight,Harry
hadbeenonhislastlegsmuchlikeVoid.Ifitwasn'tforFAITHhehadnoideaifhecouldhavegatheredthe
strengthtobeatVoidorifhewouldhaveendedupbeingkilledinstead.Itwasapowerfulwakeupcallastothe
limitofhisabilities.
NakiastaredatFAITHindisbelief.Ican'tbelieveIforgotyouandR3wereontheshipwithus.Imean,you
didn'tmakeasoundtheentiretriphere!
FAITHturnedtoNakiawithanalmostsmugair.Explanation:Droidstendtoblendintothebackground,likea
benchoracardtable.Mockery:Droid,fetchthis.Droid,translatethat.Droid,cleanoutthetrashcompactor.Part
oftheloveofmyfunctioncomeswhenthefurnishingspullouttibannapoweredriflesandpointthematthe
owners'heads.
Harrycouldn'thelpbutsnortatFAITH'swords.TrustFAITHtofindawaytoexplainthingstoyouwhileboth
insultingyouandstatinghisloveofviolence.Hetrulywasoneofakind.

NakiajustrolledhereyesandturnedtoHarry.Sowhatdowedonow?FromwhatGurisays,theStoneisasort
ofStarMap.However,accordingtoherit'snotfullychargedandwedon'tknowwheretogotochargeit.It'snot
likeStarMapsarecommonnowadays.
Harryhadbeenmeditatingonthatveryproblemandhadcomeupwithatentativehypothesis.IthinkthatifI
bringtheInfinityStonetotheengineroom,themapwillreacttoitspresenceinthehandofoneofmypeople
andgiveusournextdestination.It'sjustatheorybutIthinkit'llwork.
Nakiahadapensivelookonherfaceandslowlynodded.Thatmightwork.Wanttotryitnow?
HarrynoddedandgotupbeforeturningtoFAITH.Keeptheshipinorbituntilwegiveyouadestination.If
anyoneappears,blastthemoutofthesky.
Commentary:Oh,Master.Youdosospoilme!
Rollinghiseyes,HarryledNakiaandCassiopeiatowardtheengineroom,Gurialreadytherecheckingthat
nothinghadhappenedtotheengineduringFAITH'stenureaspilot.
Whentheygotthere,HarrysawGuricheckingovertheenginetomakesurenothingwaswrongwithit.Her
cautionwasunderstandablesincetheshipwasaprettyoldmodelandthelastthingtheyneededwasforthe
enginetogiveoutinthemiddleofnowhere.
Guricaughtsightofthementeringandturnedtothem.Well,theengine'sfinesowewon'thaveanyproblems
onthisfront.I'mkindsurpriseditwasn'tdamagedduringourshortfightwithVoid.Thisoldthingmustbe
strongerthanitlook.
Harrynoddedhisheadgratefullybeforegoingstraighttothepoint.CanyoupassmetheInfinityStone,please
Guri?
GurinoddedHarryandreachedintohercleavage.HarryblushedasshetookouttheStonefromhercleavage
andpassedittohim.HarrytooktheStonefromGuri'shandsandtriednottothinkaboutwhereshehadbeen
keepingitsafeandwhethertheStonewaswarmduetothatorbecauseitwasalwayswarm.Shakinghisheadof
thosethoughts,HarryapproachedtheStarMapandpressedtheStoneagainstit.
Atfirst,nothinghappened.However,soonthemapstartedtopulsewithyellowlightinbeatwiththeStone's
ownbluelight.Themapstartedtobeepasifprocessingsomethingbeforethebeepingstoppedanditstopped
shinning.Themapwasnowclearlyshowingthemtheirnextdestination.
HarryputtheStoneinhispocketandstudiedthechangedmap.Nakialeanedintostudythemapaswelland
cockedaneyebrowatwhatthemapshowed.Isthat...Tython?Ithoughtallthehyperspaceroutestherehad
becomeunstable?
Harrynoddedhisheadinthought.Yeah..butlook.ItshowsusaspecificpathtotakeandIthinkthatthe
engineswillactivateliketheydidonthewayhereifwedo.
Nakiastoodupandnoddedinunderstanding.So?Tython?
Harrysmiledhappily.Yep.Nextstop,Tython.AncestralhomeworldoftheJedi.
EndNotes:

Damn,it'sbeenalmostamonthsinceIlastupdatedthisstory.Sorryaboutthat
guysbutmymusehasmostlybeenconcentratedonmyRiseofArcanestorylately.
I'mgonnatrytoconcentrateonthisstoryfornowsinceI'monlyabout10chapters
awayfromfinishingthisbookanyway.Ipromisetoconcentrateonthisonefor
nowandleaveRiseofArcaneforafterwards.However,updateswillstillbekinda
slowduetoclassesandwork.LifehasgottenbusylatelyandIbarelyhavetimeto
relaxandwrite,anotherreasonfortheslowupdates.

Hopeyouguyslikedthefightsequences.Ididn'tmakethemtoolongbutIhope
youlikedthem.

Backtoindex
Origins:ThePathtoTythonbyAngeldoctor
Author'sNotes:
Chapter33
theowners,creators,orproducersofanymediafranchise.Allotherconceptsandideasfromotherbooks
orstoriesbelongtotheirrespectiveauthors.Nocopyrightinfringementisintended.
Cargohold,OnboardtheHogwartsinroutetoChristophsis24ABY
Harrysighedandconcentratedashetriedhisfirstattemptatcompletingthelightsabertrainingtechniqueknown
asFaalo'scadences.
Thebasicideabehindthetrainingtechniquewastoincreasethewielder'sprecisionandskillwithabladeto
lowertheunnecessaryswingingandsubsequentlossofenergy.IneachofVo'renFaalo'scadences,theprimary
practiceistostandinacircleofcandleswiththeballbearingsontopofeachcandleandattempttostrikethe
ballbearingswithouthittingthecandlesthemselves.Astheduelistproceedsthrougheachofthecadences,the
numberofcandleswouldbeincrementallyincreaseduntilthefifth,wheretheduelistwillhaveachievedsucha
stateofmasterythatthecandlesareunnecessary,astheduelistwillsimplyknowwhenhehasperformedthe
sequencecorrectly.
Harry'sruninwithVoidhadshownhimthathestillhadalongwaytogotobeconsideredamasteroflightsaber
combat.HehadonlywonintheendduetoVoid'sfatiguehavingmadehimlowerhisguardslightly,allowing
Harrytotaunthimintoablindrage.NodoubtthatVoidwouldlearnfromhismistakesandbemorecautious
nexttime.Hewon'tfallforthesametricktwice.
Forthatreason,hehadaskedNakiatohelphimrefinehislightsaberskills.Nakiahadmillenniaofexperiencein
wieldingalightsaberandhadalottoteach.ThisalsohelpedNakiabrushuponherownlightsaberandForce
skills,sinceithadbeenoveracenturysinceshelasthadanotablelightsaberduel.Thelastonewasagainstnone
otherthanYodahimselfandshehadtofakeherdeathinordertoescape.Tothisdaysheinsiststhatifshehad
beenatherprimeshewouldhavebeenabletobeathim.
That'snottosayHarryhadstoppedlearningfromhismother'sholocron.Hewouldspendatleastthreehoursa
daystudyingthetheorybehindmagicitselfandrefiningwhatknowledgehehadalready.
WhenHarryhadaskedforfurtherinstructioninmagic,Lilyhadtoldhimnothemasteredwhathealreadyknew.
Whenheaskedwhy,shetoldhimsomethingthatstillreverberatedinhishead.
Magicisanartofpatience.Thestudyofthenaturalwaysinvolvesmanyyearsofthestrictestdevotion.
Terriblethingscanhappentoayoungwizardwhofoolishlymisuseshisknowledge.
ThathadquicklydriedHarry'sthirstformoreknowledgeandheunderstoodtheunspokenrebuke.Ifhelethis
thirstformoreknowledgerulehim,hewasdestinedtowalkadarkpathregardlessofhownoblehisheartis.
ThiswaswhyHarryhadstoppedanyfurtherstudyuntilhefullyunderstoodtheconceptsbehindwhathealready
knewandmasteredthem.Afterall,hehadbeensounfamiliarwiththespellshedidknowthathecouldn'tapply
theminhisfightagainstVoid.Ifhehadthenthingswouldhaveprobablyendedmoredecisivelythanitdid.For
now,hestudiedtheconceptofmagicitself.
MagicdrewupontheForcemuchlikeanyotherForcepowerbutthedifferencelayinhowitwaschanneled.
JediandSithcallupontheForcefromaroundtheminordertocausespecificeffects.Magic,however,was
uniquetohispeoplebecausetheyhadaForcecorethatworkedsimilartoabattery.Whentheyincanteda
spell,theycalledupontheircorestogivethemtheirpower.Thishadtheupsideinthattheycouldcastspells
evenwhensurroundedbyysalamir.ThiswasbecauseysalamironlypreventedonefrommanipulatingtheForce
outsideone'sownbody,includingdrawingtheForceintooneself.Theydidn'tpreventonefromusingtheForce
insidetheircoresforvariouseffectsaslongastheeffectsstayedwithinone'sownbody.
However,therewasadangerousdownsidetohavingcores.TheirForcecorewasinfluencedbythepowerswe
morecommonlydrewupon.Forexample,someonewhousedlightsidedpowerswouldhavealightcore.At
thebeginning,thiswasfinebutastimepassedtheywouldbecomemoreandmoreunabletocalluponmore
aggressivepowerssuchasForcepushorBallistakinesis.Thesamehappenedtothosewhousedtoomanydark
sidedabilities.Theircoreswouldbecometoo'dark'touselightsidedskillssuchasForcelightandForce
healing.
Thistranslatedtomagicalspellsaswell.Peoplewith'dark'coreswouldn'tbeabletousehealingandlightspells
whilepeoplewith'light'coreswouldbeunabletocastspellscreatedtocausepain.Neutralabilitieswouldbe
ableavailabletobothsidesbuttheywouldbe'tainted'bythecorethepersonhad.Forexample,peoplewith
darkalignedcoresuseofthemindtrickwouldalwaysbemoreinvasiveandaggressivethanthosewithlight
alignedcores.Thosewithlightalignedcoreswouldalsobeincapableofdoingmorethansuggestwiththemind
trick.
Whilethissoundedfineatfacevalue,ifonedelvedtoodeepintoeithersidetheywouldbecomeeitherincapable
ofharmingsomeonewiththeForceandbelittlemorethannoncombatanthealersormonstersincapableof
doinganythingbutcausingpaintoothers.Foraraceofpeoplethatlivedinisolation,neitherextremewasa
goodthing.
Therefore,mostofhispeoplewereneutrallyalignedinordertohaveaccesstobothsides.Theydidthisby
makingmostofthecommonlyknownspellsneutralinalignment.Theonesthatweren'tweretaught
simultaneouslywithaspelloftheopposingalignment.Forexample,thePatronusspellwasusuallytaught
alongsidetheFearspell.ThePatronusspellwasbasicallyaversionofcreatingapersonalanimalrepresentation
ofForcelighttodefendoneselffromthedarksidewhiletheFearspelldidexactlywhatitsaid,itcausedthose
aroundoneselftobecomefearfulofyoutothepointofhysteria.Theyweretaughttofirstusetheonesthey
neededandthentheopposingonetoopposetheother'seffectontheircore.
HolocronLilyhadexplainedherbeliefthattheForcewasn'tcompletelylightsideordarksideinnature.Rather,
theForceenhancesthefeelingsandemotionsthatoneisfeelingtoenactacertainability.Whentheseabilities
reliedonhatred,fearorothernegativeemotionstoenact,theForceenhancedthemfurtherwhichcausedthe
wieldertostarttospiraldownadarkpath.Theoppositewasalsotrueinthatabilitiesthatreliedonloveor
compassionwereenhancedbytheForce,makingonemorecompassionateastimegoesby.
Harryhadtoadmitthattherewereafewgoodpointsintheargument.However,Harryknewthatonecould
easilybecorruptedbysuchthinkingbybelievingthataslongasone'sintentionswerepure,theycoulddo
anything.Basically,itwastheageoldadagewhere'theendjustifiesthemeans',asayingthatHarrynever
agreedwith.Nomatterhownoblegoalinmind,itwasneverworthwalkingapathofdeathanddestructionin
ordertomakeithappen.
Backtothetrainingathand,Harryeyedthecirclearoundhim.Thiswasthefirstcadencewhichwassupposedly
theeasiestofthemall.
Thefirstcadenceusesnineteencandlesspacedattendegreeintervalsinasemicircleinfrontoftheduelist.The
duelistwouldthenstrikeeachballbearing,attemptingtoavoidstrikingthecandlesbelow,developingtheability
todosoandhoningtheduelistssensoryawarenessandbodycontrol.Thisexerciserequired190ballbearings,
andwouldberepeateduntilallthebearingswere"usedup".Itusuallytookaboutanhourtocomplete.
However,Nakiahadaddedanothertwisttoit.Whenonehadanothertheretohelpthem,theotherwouldusethe
Forcetoquicklyreplacethedestroyedballbearingsaswellasslightlychangethepositionofthecandle.This
wouldanotheranglesinceeachtimeonedestroyedaballbearing,thepositionofthatcandlewouldbedifferent
bythetimeonereturnedtoit.Nakiaalsoforcedhimtotrytocompleteeachcadenceinhalfthenormaltime
meaningthefirstcadencehadtobecompletedinhalfanhour.
NakiawatchedasHarryslowlytriedtocompletethecadencebeforespeakingheropiniononhisstyle.Your
createdstyleisquitegood,beloved.However,itstillneedswork.Thebasisuponwhichitsbuiltisgreatbutyou
stillneedtocreateawaytodefendyourselfiftheopponentcankeepupwithyourspeed.Italsohasthesame
weaknessmostJar'kaistyleshaveinthathavingtwobladesallowsonetobeeasilyattackedthroughForce
attacks.
Harryfrownedinthoughtatheranalysisashecontinuedthetrainingtechnique.Thenwhatdoyousuggestto
makeitbetter?
Nakiashrugged.Well,it'syourstyle.However,IsuggestyoulearnSoresuandmyownNimaninorderto
improveit.Youcanaddelementsofthosetwostylestoimproveyourownintermsofdefensivecapabilitiesand
Forceusage.
Harrynodded.Alright,I'lldothat.ButfornowhowaboutItrytofinishthisandyougivemepointersonwhat
Ididwrong?
NakianoddedandwatchedasHarrywentthroughthecadence,usinghertelekinesistoquicklyswitchthe
destroyedballbearingseverytimehedestroyedone.Inorderforhimnottocheat,Nakiaalsomadetoldhimhe
hadtodestroyalltheoriginalballbearingsofeachswitchbeforedestroyingthenewone.Thismadehimhaveto
beawareofwhichoneshe'ddestroyedaswellasbecarefulnottodestroythecandlesbelow.
Harrydidwellatfirstbuteventuallyhisinexperiencewiththecadenceshowedandhemistakenlycutacandle
horizontally,completelymissingtheballbearing.
Shit!cursedHarry.
NakiastudiedthedestroyedcandleandlookedatHarry.Well,you'llhavetostartoveragain.Youknowthe
drill.
Harrysighedandreplacedthedestroyedcandlebeforestartingthecadencefromthebeginning.
Thiscontinuedforseveralhoursashefailedandhadtostartagainmanytimes.WhileHarryhadalwaysbeen
precise,thiswasalevelofprecisionandspeedhewasunusedto.Eventuallyhebecametootiredtocontinueand
satdownonhishaunches.

NakiastudiedHarrywithawrysmile.Notbadforafirsttry.Mostdon'tevenmanagetocutasingleball
bearinguntiltheirtenthtry.Itlookssimplebutitsharderthanitlooksconsideringyoucantmovefromyour
positionduringtheentirething.Thesecondcadencealsoforcesyoutocutevenmoreballbearingswithout
lookingatthem.Lookingatthemmeansyouhavetostartover.Thisisexcellenttrainingforblasterdeflectionas
well.
Harrynoddedasheregainedhisbreathfromwherehewassittingonthefloor.Icanimagine.I'llhavetokeep
tryingandtrainingthen.
NakiasmiledseductivelyandwalkeduptoHarrybeforepushinghimonhisbackanddrapingherselfoverhim.
So...howareyougoingtorewardmeforteachingyouthis?
Harrysmiledandputhishandsonherhipsbeforegrindinghimselfontohercore.Hewhisperedintoherear
huskily,Oh...Icanthinkofafewthings.
Nakiamoanedashecontinuedtogrindintoherandeventuallystartedtokisshimpassionately.Thetwolovers
madeoutonthecargoholdfloorforafewminutesbeforetheheatbetweenthemstartedtobecomeunbearable.
Theymadeoutfrantically,eachtryingtodemonstratetheirloveandpassionforeachothermoreandmoreas
timepassed.
HarrymovedhishandsupfromwheretheywereonNakia'sassinordertopulldownherpantswhenhehearda
gasp.HarrystoppedkissingNakiaandlookedtothesidetoseeCassiestandingattheentrancetothecargohold,
blushingupastormandtryingtonotlookatthem.
Um...IwasjustwonderingifIcouldjoinyoutwointrainingbutIguessyou,um...movedontootherformsof
dueling.I'lljustleaveyoutwoalonethen.Withthat,Cassiopeiaalmostfledfromthecargohold,leavingHarry
andNakiaagain.
NakiagroanedandputherheadonHarry'sshoulder.Dammit!Sheruinedthemood.
Harrysmiledandplacedakissonherneck.Well,she'sgonenowsowecanpickupwhereweleftoffifyou
want.
Nakiasmiledintohisneckandlaidakisstherebutshookherhead.That'salright.IneedtoaskGurisomething
anyway.Butafterwards....NakiagaveHarryascorchingkissbeforebitingherbottomlipseductively.....it'll
beverylonelysleepingalonetonightsoIexpectyoutodoyourdutyasmyboyfriendandloverandcorrect
that.
Harryjustwinkedastheygotoffthefloor.Ofcourse,mylady.Whateveryoudesire.I'lljustgobacktomy
roomandshower.
AstrangelookcametoNakia'seyesandshelookedtowardwhereCassiopeiahadbeenstanding.Youshould
talktoCassiopeia.Ifmymemory'sright,youandherhavealottotalkabout.Especiallyaboutwhatyoutwo
weredoingbeforeVoidinterruptedyou.
Harryfrownedslightlybeforesighing.IhavenoideawhereIstandwithher.Arewejustcousinsorsomething
more?Nakiajustgavehimadeadpanlook.Well,weobviouslyaren'tjustcousinsbutdoesshewanttodate
bothofusorwasitjustaonetimething?
Nakiashrugged.Onlyshecantellyou.Butthat'llonlyhappenifyoutalktoher.
Harryputuphishandsindefense.Alright,alright!I'lldoitafterweleaveresupplyinChristophsis.StupidVoid
damagedtheouterhulltoomuchandwecan'tgotheDeepCorelikethis.Seeyoulater,love.
NakiagavehimonemorepassionatekissandlefttowardGuri'sroomneartheengineroom.Harryshookhis
headandsmiledashewatchedNakiasensehiseyesonherbehindandpurposefullyaddanextraswaytoher
hipsasshewalkedout.Shakinghisheadathisgirlfriend'santics,Harrywalkedouttowardhisroomtotakea
showertowashthesweatoffhim.
HepassedFAITHonthewayandstoppedtospeaktohim.Youalrightthere,FAITH?
Commentary:Iamsobored,Master!ThatfightwiththeSithcouldhardlybecalledthatandIneedtokill
something!ExcitedQuery:PerhapsyoucantakemewithyouwhenwelandonChristophsistorepairtheship
andresupply?Icanhelpfacilitatenegotiations.
Harrycockedaneyebrowatthatstatement.Really?Andhowwillyoudothat?
Explanation:Aspartofmyoriginalprogramming,Iamabletocommunicateinoversixhundredlanguages.Of
course,thisusuallyamountedtoshortverbalwarningswhenkillingnonBasicspeakingtargets,whichgaveme
somesmallmeasureofsatisfaction.
HarryjustgaveFAITHadeadpanlook.Yeeeaaah.Thatsounds...nice.Thenagain,Nakiadidsaytheperson
we'relookingfordoesn'tspeakBasic.Fine,youcancomealongbutnoblastinganythingunlessIsayso.
Depressedstatement:Asyousay,Master.
Harryjustsmiledandshookhisheadbeforecontinuingtowardhisroom..
Heeventuallyreachedhisdestinationandenteredhisroom.Hequicklyputhislightsabersonthedeskbefore
disrobingandenteringthefresher.
Harryalmostmoanedinreliefasthecoolwaterhithistiredmuscles.Thoseexerciseswerebeyondbrutal.Not
onlywerethecandlesatdifferentheights,meaninghecouldn'tjustswingthebladeatthesameheightallthe
time,buthealsocouldn'tdestroyballbearingsnexttoeachother.Thismeansthatifhedestroyedoneball
bearing,thenextonetobedestroyedcouldn'tbewithintwospacesoftheballbearinghejustdestroyed.Since
thenumberofballbearingswereuneven,hecouldn'tjustleapfrogitplusNakiawouldn'tallowit.Shesaidithad
toberandomaswellasfasttosimulatedefendinghimselffromallsidesfromattackseitherfromblastersor
opponentswieldinglightsabers.
Harryhadtoadmitthatoncehemasteredititwoulddrasticallyincreasehisabilitytodefendquickly.Especially
sincehehadtodoitwithoutthehelpoftheForcebeyonditguidinghishandslightly.Afterall,theForce
couldn'ttellhimwhenhewasabouttocutaballbearingthatwasnexttoanotherhehadjustdestroyedsohehad
tobeconsciouslyfollowinghisprogress.
Harryquicklycleanedhimselfbeforeturningofftheshowerheadandwrappinghiswaistinatowel.Hewalked
outtohisroomandstartedtosearchforclotheswhenheheardthedooropen.ThinkingitwasNakia,Harry
didn'tdoanythinguntilheheardachokedgaspthatdefinitelywasnotNakia.
Turningaroundfromthedresser,HarrysawnoneotherthanCassiopeiastandingthereinawhitetanktopthat
wasdoingnothingtohidehercleavageandbrownshorts.Shewasbarefootandherhairwaswetlikehis
meaningshemusthavejustgottenoutoftheshowerbeforecomingtohisroom.
CassiopeiawaswideeyedassheeyedHarry'salmostnakedformandHarrycouldn'tbutfeelhimselfstiffen
whenshelickedherlipsinobviousdesire.
BeforeCassiopeiacouldactonthegrowingdesireinhereyes,Harryclearedhisthroat.Cassie,I'mgladyou're
here.Iwasgonnagotoyoutotalkaboutthislaterbutsinceyou'rehere,now'sasgoodatimeasany.

CassiopeialookedconfusedbeforecautiouslysittingonhisbedwhileHarrytooksomeboxersandshortsfrom
hisdresserandwenttotheshowertoputthemon.
Oncehedidthat,HarryreturnedtohisroomwhiledryinghishairandsatdownonthebedbesideCassiopeia
withasigh.Okay....IthinkweneedtotalkaboutwhathappenedbetweenusbeforewereachedRoon.
Cassiopeiasuddenlyhadareluctantandhurtlookonherface.DDidn't....didn'tyoulikeit?Wasitthatbad?
Harrybecamewideeyedatherquestionandquicklydeniedit.NO!Imean,ofcourseIlikedit!Itwasgreat.I
mean,reallygreat.
AcoysmilecrossedCassiopeia'sfaceandshecamecloseruntilshewaspracticallysittinginhislap.Then?
Whatdowehavetotalkabout?We'rebothconsentingadultsandNakiasaysshedoesn'tmind.Hell,she'seven
encouragingit!
Harryreluctantlybrokeherholdaroundhisneckandputherhandsinherlap.It'snotthat.It's...likenow,Ican
sensethatyouwanttohavesexwithmebutthereasonsbehindwantingtodoit....it'smorethanjustlustand
attraction.You'rehidingsomethingfromme.
AscaredlookcrossedCassiopeia'sfacebutshequicklyhiditbeforegettingangryandpushinghimawayand
sittingattheedgeofthebedfarthestfromhim.Sothat'sit?YoutastethegoodsonceandI'mnolongergood
enough?Isthatit?
Ratherthangetangry,Harryjustkeptaseriouslookonhisface.Youknowthat'snotit,Cassie.Ijustfeelasif
there'ssomethingmorebehindyouractionsthansimpleattraction.AsuspicionsuddenlycametoHarry'smind.
Thisdoesn'thaveanythingtodowithEthan'sdepartureandyourfight,right?
AguiltylookcrossedCassiopeia'sfaceandsheturnedaroundsohewouldn'tseeit.WWhywouldyouthink
that?Whocareswhatthatidiotdoes?Heobviouslydoesn'tcareformesohecangothrowhimselfoffaclifffor
allIcare.
Despiteherwords,Harrycouldsensehehadhitthenailontheheadandgotclosertoher.Youcantellme,
Cassie.IpromiseIwon'tjudge.
Shestayedsilentforafewmomentsbeforeshecouldn'tholditinanymoreandexploded.Imean,hesayshe
lovesmebuteverytimehehastodosomethingforme,hejustupsandleavesme!Itwasthesamewaywith
whenIwasthinkingofjoiningtheBlazingChainraiders.Whycouldn'thejustunderstandthatIcouldn'tstaya
mercenaryanymoreaftermytimewiththeMistrylShadowGuardandmeetingGuri?IneededsomeForce
damnedstabilityinmylife!Icouldn'tlivethehandtomouthlifeanymoreandIwantedalifethatwas
adventurousbutstableatthesametime!
Shehadstartedtopaceduringherrantanditstartedtobecomemoreaggressiveastimepassed.Butno!He
wantedmetostaywithhimandbeagoodlittlehousewife!Iwasfucking14!Iwasn'treadytosettledown!
Heck,I'mstillnotready!HekeptinsistingandinsistingsomuchthatwhenMaxcamewithhisoffer,Igave
Ethananultimatum.Eitherhelovedmeenoughtocomewithmeorhecouldpackhisbagsandleave.
AllthefightsuddenlyseemedtoleaveCassiopeiaandshesatdownonthebedwithadefeatedlookonherface.
Andheleft.Heactuallyleft.RightwhenIneededhimmost.Justlikemymother,justlikeTalon,justlike
Boskyr.Hejust....left.
HarrystartedtogetapictureofwhereCassiopeia'smindwasatandwhyshewastryingtogetintohispantsso
badlybeyondsimplylustandattraction.ButMaxdidn't.Notfortwoyears,despitethefacthewasanutter
bastardandprobablycheatedonyouregularly.Andyouthinkhedidn'tbecauseyousleptwithhim.
ThelookonCassiopeia'sfacewasalltheconfirmationHarryneededandhefinallyhadininsightinto
Cassiopeia'smind.
ThefrontthatshealwaysputonhadblindedHarryintothinkingthatshewasaconfident,brashteenagerlike
himself.However,thatwasn'tcompletelytrue.Whilehehadnodoubtshewasconfident,therewasmuchmore
toherthanthat.
Inhershort16yearsoflife,almosteveryonethatmeantanythingtoherhadlefther,eitherthroughdeathorof
theirownfreewill.Firstitwashermotherwhenshewas9,thenherKeetaelteacherbasicallyranheroffunless
sheagreedtobecomepartofthetribe.ItwasmadeworsebyherNiktosteacherwho,despitewhatshesaid,was
probablytheclosestthingshehadtorealhumancontactinyears.TheKeetaelweren'texactlyknownforbeing
themostemotionalraceinthegalaxy.
Bythewayshementionedhim,Cassiopeiaprobablyhassomesortofattachmentforhimdespitethebitterway
heabandonedherandherfeelingsofabandonmentwereonlymadeworse.
Then,sheenteredtheMistrylShadowGuardwhoprobablywovehersomefantasytaleaboutthembeingthe
victimsandherjoiningtheirfamily.Itmusthavebrokenherhearttofindoutthattheyliedtoher.
AtsomepointshemusthavemetEthanandGuri,whowereprobablytheclosestthingshehadtofamilyandshe
musthavelatchedontothemforcomfort.SowhenEthanlefthersimplybecausehedidn'tagreewithher
decision,shethrewherselfatMaxandbeddedhimsothathewouldn'tleavehertoo.
Thisledhertothinkthatshehadtosleepwithsomeoneinorderforthemtostayandthiswasprobablymade
worsebythefactthatsheeventuallyhadtoturnonhimandleaveherlatestfamily.
Then,shefoundhim.Afteryearsofwantingafamily,shefinallyfoundarelativeevenifitwasn'ttechnicallyby
blood,itwassomething.Atfirst,shewasfineandtheybondedquickly.
However,hisbrushwithdeathsosoonafterfindinghimmusthavescaredCassiopeiamorethanhethoughtand
inordertokeephimwithher,shefellbackontotheonlythingshecouldofferhimsohewouldn'tleave.Her
body.
Harryletoutasadsighashetookinthecryinggirlonhisbed.Cryinggirlswassomethinghewasgetting
familiarwithforsomeverysadreason.
HarrygotclosertoCassiopeiaandbroughtherintoahug.Cassiopeialatchedontohimlikealifelineandcried
ontohisshoulder.Harryjustrubbedherbackashelethercryherselfoutintohisshoulder.
Eventually,Cassiopeia'scryingstoppedandshesniffledabitbeforegivinghimawaterysmile.Thanks,Harry.
Sorryaboutthat.Ihitonyouandendupcryingalloveryou.YoumustthinkI'msomesortofweirdo.
Harrysmirked.Think?No,Iknowyou'reaweirdo.
Cassiopeiahadafakeaffrontedlookonherfaceandplayfullyslappedhisshoulder.Asshole.Yousuckatthis
whole'cheeringmeup'thing.
Harryjustshrugged.I'maguy.ImaybecompassionatebutevenIhavemylimits.
Cassiopeiajustrolledhereyesandgavehimasmile,whichhereturned.
ThesmileslowlyslidoffHarry'sface,leavingaseriouslookbehind.Ipromiseyou,Cassiopeia.I'llneverleave
you,nomatterwhat.
Cassiopeiagavehimasadsmile.Youswear?
Harryreturnedhersmilewithahappyoneofhisown.Iswear.HarrygaveCassiopeiaahugandgotoffthe
bedtostretchouthissoremusclesfromhistrainingearlier.Well,I'mgladwe'vesettledthat.Nowwe'llcanbe
familyandyoudon'thavetoforceyourselfintosleepingwithmebecauseyou'reafraidI'llleaveifyoudon't.
Now,whosaidIdidn'twanttosleepwithyouanymore?
HarryturnedaroundtolookatCassiopeiaonlytofindhernotafootawayfromhimwearingasultrysmilethat
causedshiverstogodownhisspine.WorsestillwasthatHarrycouldn'ttelltheshiverswereofarousalorfear.
Cassiopeiabrazenlyplacedherrighthandonhiscrotchwhilesheplacedherleftonhisabs.Hmmm...wearen't
relatedbybloodandithasbeenalongtimesincethelasttimeI'vesleptwithanyone.Andbythefeelofwhat
you'repackingandthemoansofNakiaeverynight,hereCassiopeiagavehisdickasqueezethroughhis
boxers,youknowhowtouseit.
Harrywasinshockbyhowbrazenlyshewasstatingthatshewantedtobasicallyfuckhimthenonceshewas
donewithhim,actliketheywerefamilyandnothinghadeverhappened.
Harrythoughtdeepandhardaboutwhatshewasproposingandstrangely...hehadabsolutelynoproblemwith
this.Thenagain,despitethefactthathewasaJediKnight,hewasaredbloodedteenageboy.Itwastobe
expected.
CassiopeialeanedinasifshewasgoingtokisshimandHarrystartedtoleaninaswell.However,Cassiopeia
thenturnedherfacethesideandputhermouthbyhisearandspoke.Sorry,Harrybutnottoday.
Cassiopeiasteppedbacktobaskintheshockonhisfacebeforesmirking.However,oneday...whenI'mhorny
andnoonelseisavailable,I'mgonnafindyouandrideyoulikeacheapspeederbike.Youwon'tknowwhen,
youwon'tknowwhere,butit'llhappen.Tillthen,youbetterworkonyourstamina.I'llbeveryannoyedifyou
aren'tabletopleaseme.AndIhaveyearsofstresstoworkoff.
Withafinalwink,Cassiopeiastartedtoleavetheroom.
Harrywasleftcompletelyconfused.OnemomenthethoughthehadCassiopeiafiguredout,thenextshesaidhe
betterwatchhisbackcauseshewasbasicallygoingtobestalkinghim.Woreyet,shelefthimharderthansteel
andwithnorelief!
Asshewalkedthroughthedoorofhisroomandintothehallway,Harryheardherstartedmusingtoherself.
Whatheheardhermuttertoherselfsucceededinkillinghisarousalandturninghimpalewhiteinfear.
Hmmmm...maybeIshouldbuyanelectricstrapondildowhilewe'reinChristophsis?
HarrytriedtocomposehimselfashewalkeddowntherampalongsideNakia,FaithandR3.
IthadbeenonlytwodayssincehisconversationwithCassiopeiaandhestillgottheshiverswheneverhe
thoughtabouttheimplicationsofCassiopeia'spartingcomment.Nakiahadenteredhisroomabout3minutes
afterCassiopeialeftandfoundhimstaringintospacewithanexpressionofhorror.Herefusedtotellherwhatit
wasaboutandsheeventuallyletitgooncehetoldheritwasnothingimportant.
ThetriptoChristophsishadtakenaslongasithadbecausetheyhadtakenthelongwaythereinordertolose
Voidincasehetriedtopursue.ThelastthingtheyneededwasforhimtofollowthemtoTython.
Now,theyweregoingtomeetupwithNakia'sfriendinordertogetagooddealontherepairjobfortheship.To
tellthetruth,theywereluckytobeabletolandontheChristophsisspacestationatall.Therelationshipbetween
theNewRepublicandChristophsiswasbasicallynonexistent.ChristophsisbasicallyignoredtheNewRepublic
andrefusedtojoinnomatterwhat.However,Christophsiswasstillanimportantminingworldsotherewasalot
oftradestillgoingon,whichallowedthemtolandattheveryleast.
TherewasasecondaryreasonforlandingonChristophsisbesidesrepairingtheship.Harryhadfinallydecidedit
wastimetorebuildhisarmor.
Ithadneverfeltliketherighttimebeforeandmanythoughthewouldneverbuilditagain.However,afterthey
concludedtheirbusinessinTythontheywouldgostraighttoHarry'speople'shomeworldandhecouldthinkof
nobetterplacetorebuildhisarmorthanthere.Afterfindinghisroots,itwouldbethefirststepinbuilding
towardsthefuture.
SinceChristophsiswasaminingworld,itwouldbetheperfectplacetobuytheoresnecessarytobuildhis
armor.Nakiaassuredhimthathewouldbeabletofindanythinghewantedfromherfriendnomatterhowrare
themineral.Herfriendhadatendencyofhavingahealthysupplyofeverymineralanditsderivativesavailable
atalltimes.
Rightnow,HarrywastryingtoignoreCassiopeia'steasinggrinfromthecornerofhiseyeashepretendedthatit
washiseagernesstogettheshipfixedthatcausedhisbriskpace.
Unfortunately,notevenNakiawasfooledandwascurrentlylookingathimamusedly.
Cassiopeiafollowedthemtothebottomoftherampandstoodtherewithateasinggrin.MaybeIshouldcome
withyou?IthinkIneedtomakeafewpurchasesofmyownaswell.
Harrycouldn'tkeeptheslighttoneofpanicfromenteringhisvoice..NO!Imean...noneed.Justgivemethe
listofwhatyouneedandI'llbuyitforyou.
Cassiopeia'sgringrewwider.Evenmyunmentionables?WhyHarry,howforwardofyou.You'resupposedto
takeagirloutonadatefirst,youknow.
HarrytriedtoignoreNakia'sgigglesathissideashetriedtofindanotherwaytokeepherontheship....and
awayfromtheshops.Um....Nakiacanbuyyouthose.Weneedyouheretoguardtheshipanyway.Force
knowswemightneedtomakeahastyexitoncetheshipIrepairedwithourluck.Harrymentallypattedhimself
onthebackforbeingabletocomeupwithsuchagood,andvalid,excuse.
Cassiopeiafrownedasshecouldn'tthinkofanywaytorefutehimandhuffed.Finethen.Cassiopeia'sgrin
returned.Then,I'lljustgotomorrow.It'llgivemealldaytobrowsethroughthewaresandcarefullymakesure
thatmypurchasesareuptodate.
HarrypaledattheideaofCassiopeiahavinganentiredaytobuywhatevershewantedandwasabouttoprotest
butNakiacuthimoff.
That'sfine.Nowcome,beloved.Myfriendisthiswayandheclosesintwohours.Webestgettherequickly.
Harry'sshouldersdroopedandheignoredCassiopeiasendinghimthepeacesignashefollowedNakiawith
FAITHandR3athisside.
Astheywalkedaway,NakiaturnedtoHarrywithanamusedlookonherface.Soooo.....whyareyouso
desperatetostopherfrombuyinganything?
Harrydebatedwhethertotellherornotbuteventuallydecidedhermightaswell.Cassiopeia....mighthave
remarkedaboutbuying....anelectricstrapondildo.
ThatcausedNakiatofreezeinshockandittookafewmomentsforHarrytorealizeshewasn'tbesidehim.He
lookedbackandsawNakiastandingtherelookingatthefloorandshaking.Harrythoughtshewasangryand
wasabouttocalmherwhenheheardhersnicker.
HarryfrozeandhegaveNakiaalookofutterbetrayalthatfinallybrokeNakia'srestraintandcausedhertofall
onthefloorlaughing.Harryhuffedatherandturnedawayfromherwhilepouting.
NakiajustlaughedandlaughedassherealizedwhyHarrylookedsoterrifiedoftheidea.Shestoppedfora
secondandlookedupatHarrywithamischievoussmile.What'swrong,beloved?Youcandishitoutbutit
seemsyoudon'tliketheideaoftakingit?
HarryshiveredinfearattheimagecausingNakiatoburstoutlaughingagain.HarryresolutelyignoredNakia
untilshemanagedtogetoverheramusementandgetoffthefloor.
I'msorrybeloved,butthatwasjusttoofunny.LookslikeanylustfulfeelingsyouhadforCassiopeiajustdied
withthatcomment.NakiasnickeredasHarrymadeafaceandshivered.Comeon,beloved.Let'sgobeforemy
friendclosesshop.
NakialedHarrythroughvariouspathsandliftsuntiltheyfinallyreachedwhathadtobethesecondlowestlevel
ofthespacestation.Apparently,Nakia'sfriendownedbothfloorstohimselfduetohimbeingthemiddleman
betweentheshipsthatbringinthemineralsandshopsthatsoldittooutsiders.Hewasalsothespacestation's
chiefmechanicandwasinchargeofkeepingitrunning.Theothermechanicsworkedunderhimandforthat
reason,alsohelpedhiminhislittlesidebusiness.Itcertainlyexplainedhowhecouldsellthemthematerialsto
repairtheshipatacheaperpriceaswellashavetheoresHarryneeds.
NakialedHarryandcompanytotheentrywayacrossfromtheliftthey'dtakenthereandsaunteredupablue
skinnedmaleKerkoidenworkingonapairofBalutarclassswoopsintheback.Hewaswearingayellowshirt
thatwasfilledwithgreasestainsaswellasapairofbluepants.
Kerkoidenswerearoughskinnedalienspecieswithclawedhands,elongatedsnoutsandjuttingteeththathailed
fromtheplanetKerkoidiaintheExpansionRegion.Themajorityofthespecieshadblueskinandallofthem
hadredeyesthatunnervedmostpeople.Asawhole,theywereanaggressive,butalsoverycunningspecies,
wellknownfortheirbusinessacumenaswellastheirruthlessstreak.Despitethis,Harryrespectedthembecause
thespeciesasawholehadfoughtitsanimalinstincttoprovetothegalaxythattheywerecivilizedand
sophisticated.
HarrywatchedNakiawalkuptotheKerkoidenwhilehisbackwasturnedwithasmileonherface.Hello,Dex.
It'sbeenawhile.
ThenownamedDexfrozeatthesoundofNakia'svoiceandturnedtolookupasifprayingtosomedeity.He
spokeinaroughandhaltingtonethattoldHarrythatBasicwasn'thisfirstlanguage.IfthereisaCreator,
pleaseletthatbeanyonebutNakia.DexturnedaroundandhisshouldersslumpedatthesightofNakia
standingtherewithherusualsmile.Iguessthereisn'taCreatorafterall.Dextossedthehydrospannerhewas
usingtothesideandstartedtocleanhisgreasyhandsonahandtowelallthewhilescowlingatNakia.Nakia.
Heretokillanotherofmymechanics?
Nakiajustgavehimawinningsmile.Now,now,Dex.Youknowyoulovemesodon'ttrytodenyit.Andthat
guyfromlasttimewasaskingforit.Hehadthegalltoactuallygrabmyass!HewasluckyallIdidwaskill
him.
Dexrolledhiseyes.Whateveryousay,Nakia.Butifyouaren'thereforthatthenwhatareyouherefor?
Nakiapretendedtopout.What?Couldn'tIhavecomejustbecauseImissyou?
Dexjustgaveheradeadpanlook.
Nakiahuffed.Socruel,Dexy.Well,we'reherebecausetheshipwe'recurrentlyusingisinneedofrepairs.We
wouldliketopayforyourservicesinbuyingthematerialsandpartstorepairitourselves.
Dexnoddedinthought.Doyouhavealistofthepartsyouneed?
Nakiapassedhimadatapadwiththenecessarypartsonit.
Dexgavethelistacriticallook.Hmmm...lookslikeyou'vebeeninafirefightbythelooksofit.Butluckily,
I'vegoteverythingyouneedherealreadysoyouwon'thavetowaitforthenextshipment.
Nakianoddedinthanks.That'sgreat,Dex.Thanks.Wealsoneedsomethingelse.Nakiasteppedbackand
allowedHarrytostepforwardtospeak.
HarrywalkeduptoDexandsmiled.Pleasuretomeetyou,Dex.MynameisHarryPotter.
DexeyedHarry'soutstretchedhandwarilybeforehesitantlyshakinghishand.Pleasuretomeetyoutoo,Mister
Potter.DexeyeswentfromNakiatoHarrytoFAITHtoR3andbacktoNakia.What'syourrelationshipwith
Nakiahere?
Nakiawastheonetoanswer.Harryismybeloved.Mymate.
Dex'seyeswidenedslightlyinsurprise.Ishenow?Wellthen...mycondolences,youngMisterPotter.
HarrysnickeredashewatchedthenormallyunflappableNakiaalmostgrowlatDexforhisjibe.I'mactually
veryhappywithNakia,Dex.HarryturnedtolookatNakialovingly.I'mgladImetherandIcanhonestlysay
thatIloveher.
Nakiagavehimalovingsmileinreturnandblewhimakiss.
Dexjustshrugged.Toeachhisownthen.Well,whatdoyouneed,MisterPotter?
HarrypassedDexanotherdatapadlistingthematerialsheneededbothtobuildhisarmoraswellascompletethe
modificationshewasmakingonhislightsabers.That'swhatIneed.Doyouhaveeverything?
Dexrubbedhischinashereaditandnoddedslowly.Yes,butyou'llhavetobuyitfrommynewpartner,Piar.
WeexpandedrecentlyandIcouldn'truneverythingalonesoImademybrotherPiaxmypartner.I'mstill
majoritypartnerandstillinchargebuthe'srunningtheoresideofthebusinessnow.He'sonthelowerlevelif
youwanttotalktohim.
HarrynoddedashetookbackthedatapadandturnedtoNakia.Okaythen.Nakia,youstayherewithDexand
workoutthepricefortheparts.I'llgodowntomeetPiarandaddtheoresIneedtotheshoppingcart.
Nakianoddedherheadinunderstanding.Okay,beloved.I'llwaitforyouhere.
DexspokebeforeHarrycouldleave.Takeyourdroidswithyouaswell.Thatprotocoldroidwillbeespecially
usefulsincemybrotherdon'tspeakBasicyet.
HarryspokebeforeFAITHcouldcorrectDexonhisassumptiontohimbeingasimpleprotocoldroid.I'lldo
that.Thanks.Comeon,FAITH.
FAITHandR3followedHarrytotheliftwherehepressedthebuttonforthelowestlevel.Astheydescended,
Harryturnedtohisdroids.
Alrightguys.Here'swhatwe'regonnado.R3,fromwhatNakiatoldme,Dexsellshisoresonasortofdisplay
likeformat.Basically,heseparatestheoresandthenitsuptoustopickwhichingotsoftheorewe'retaking.If
itstaintedornotpure,itstillcoststhesameandit'llbeourproblem.Therefore,Iwantyoutoscaneachingot
andseparatethepureonesfromtheothers.Okay,R3?
R3beepedhisunderstandingandHarryturnedtoFAITH.Asforyou,FAITH.You'llbemyinterpretersoit'll
beuptoyoutogetusthebestdealpossible.
Clarification:DoesthismeanIcanthreatenhimintocompliance?
Harryopenedhismouthtosaynobutstoppedtothinkaboutit.Ifit'snecessary,yes.Butthreatenonly.Don't
killhimunlessheattacksusfirst.
Withthat,theliftstoppedandthetriowalkedouttowardwheretheycouldseeaKerkoidenworkingata
furnace.Oncetheyreachedhim,HarryclearedhisthroattogettheKerkooiden'sattention.
PiarlookedsimilartoDexifnotabityounger.Hehadawhiteshirtandblackpantsandwaslookingatthein
suspicion.Piardiscreetlypulledoutablasterpistolandplaceditbehindhisbackinwhatheprobablythought
wasinaunobtrusivemanner.
AtthesightofPiarpullingoutablasterpistol,FAITHturnedtoHarryexcitedly.Observation:Master,thereisa
twopercentprobabilitythattheminiatureorganicissimplylookingfortroubleandneedstobeblasted.Though
thatmaybewishfulthinkingonmypart.

HarryrolledhiseyesatFAITH'spredictable,ifamusing,observation.Tellhimthatwe'reheretobuyoresand
we'renotlookingfortrouble.
FAITHseemedtodeflateathiswords.Dejectedstatement:Verywell.FaithturnedtoPiar.Translation:The
masterhasdecidedtograceyouwithhispresenceandbuyfromyoursecondrategoods.Heassuresyouthat
hehasnoplanstosplatteryourentrailsacrosstheroomunlessyouannoyhim.
PiarseemedtobeinsultedbywhateverFAITHsaidbutHarrydidn'tknowwhatitwassinceallheheardwasa
bunchofgibberish.Piarspokeincalmtonesyetdidn'tholsterhispistol.WhatproofdoIhavethatyouwon't
killmewhenmyback'sturned?
FAITHturnedtoHarrywithanalmostgiddytoneinhisvoice.Translation:Herequiresproofofgoodfaith.We
mustmakeademonstrationthatshowswearenotathreat.ShallIblasthimnow,master?
HarryrolledhiseyesatFAITH.TellhimthatDexsentus.Thisguywaswaytooparanoidforhisowngood.
FaithturnedtoPiarwithanalmostsmugair.Translation:Masterwishestoinformyouthatevenifhe
disarmedhimself,hecouldkillyouwithhisverypresence.However,wewishyounoharmandyourorganic
brothersentus.
PiarseemedtorelaxatthefactthatDexsentthembutstillscowledatthemfortheinsult.Whatdoyouwant?
FAITHturnedtoHarry.Translation:theminiatureorganicaskswhatwewishtobuy.
HarrypassedPiarthedatapadandwasgladthatthedatapadwasconnectedtotheHolonetwhichallowedPiarto
changethelanguagethedatapaddisplayedintohisnativeKerkoidese.
PiarreadthedatapadandnoddedbeforespeakingtoFAITH.IhavethesebutIhavenoideawheretheyare.
They'resomewhereinthepile.FinditandI'llsellittoyouathalfprice.
Commentary:Themeatbagspeakswithoutclarity.Detailthisagreementorthemasterwillsplatteryour
organsalloverthefloor!
PiarseemedtobecomeevenmoreangryatFAITH'swordsandHarrystartedtodiscreetlygetreadyforafight.
WhatImean,youmoronictrashcompactor,isthatIhaven'tsortedthenewshipmentyetsoalltheoresare
mixedtogether.IfyoucanfindtheoresyouneedthenI'llbegratefulandsellthemtoyouathalfprice.
FAITHturnedtoHarryasheprocessedPiar'swords.Statement:Themoronicmeatbagsayshewillsellus
everythingathalfpricebutwehavetofinditamongstthisdump.Anythingwefindwillbesoldtousathalf
priceaslongaswecorrectlycategorizeit.
HarrynoddedhisheadthoughtfullyandturnedtoR3.Well,R3,you'reup.Scaneverythingandlocatetheores
weneed.HarryleanedclosertoR3soPiarwouldn'thearincasehewassimplyfakingnotunderstandingBasic.
Markeverythingofnoteandtellmeaboutitlater.Theremaybeafewhiddentreasureshiddenhere.
R3whistledhisunderstandingandrolledovertothenearestorepiletobeginhisscans.
Meanwhile,HarryturnedtoFAITH.FAITH,you'reinchargeofprotectingR3whilehesearchesforourores.If
youfindanythingelseyouthinkI'dneedtakeitaswell.
Confirmation:Understood,master.
WiththatHarrywalkedtowardstheliftandascendedbacktowardsNakiaandDex.Hefoundthemhaggling
overthepriceofthepieces.
That'swaytooexpensiveforasimplefuelstabilizer!Heck,Icanalmostbuyanothershipforthat!
Yourshipisanoutdatedpieceofjunk!You'reluckyIcouldfindanythingforthatmodelatall!Sotakeitor
leaveit!
NakiagrowledandwasabouttoretortwithsomethingnodoubtdisparagingwhenHarryinterrupted.How
muchdoyousayitis?
DexturnedtoHarrywithafrown.Intotal,ifyouincludeyourores,it'llbe1,000,000credits.
Nakiascowled.Wecouldbuythisspacestationforthat!
Dexglaredather.Thendoit!Butitwon'tchangetheprice,Nakia.I'malreadygivingyoua20%discount.The
oresyourboyfriendherewantsareexpensive!Imeanseriously,cortosis?Phrik?Thatstuffain'texactlycheap!
Harryhadbeeneyeingtheswoopswhiletheyfoughtandanideacametohismind.Say,Dex.Whatareyou
goingtodowiththeseswoops?
DexturnedtoHarrywithacuriouslookinhiseye.Probablysellit.Somerichnobleboughtthemfor
amusementbuttheidiotcrashedthemonhisfirstouting.Ratherthantrytofixithesoldthemtomecheap.I
wasplanningonfixingthemandthensellingthematfullprice.
Harrynoddedhisheadasthisfitwellintohisidea.Well,Iproposeatrade.Igiveyouapairof74Yspeeder
bikesIhaveinthecargohold,bothcompletelyrepairedandreadytobesoldandyougivemethesetwoswoops
astheyare.I'llfixthemmyself.Inreturn,you'llsellmeeverythingat900,000creditsaswellas...loseany
evidenceofourtransaction.
Dexseemedtomullitoverasherubbedhischininthought.You'lltaketheswoopsasis?You'llfixthem
yourselves?
Harrynodded.Wehaveathreemorespeedersthatarebrokenbeyondrepairinthecargohold.Wecan
scavengepartsfromthemtofixthesetwo.So,whatdoyousay?
DexlookedfromNakiatoHarryandnodded.Alright,boy.Yougotyourselfadeal.
HarrygruntedashepushedtheBalutarclassswoopuptherampintothecargohold.Dexhadbeenecstaticat
theconditionofthe74Yspeederbikes,sayinghecouldpassthemoffasnewandsellthemtothesamenoble
thatgavehimtheswoops.Harrythoughtthatwasironicforsomereason.
HarrysighedasheplacedtheswooptothesidewhereheandGuricouldworkonthemwhilestillleaving
enoughspaceforhistrainingwithNakiaandCassiopeia.Thelatterhaddecidedtojoininthetraininginorderto
improveherlightsaberskillswhich,admittedly,neededsomework.Whileherskillwiththelightwhipwasnear
perfectthankstoheryearsofusingasimilarwhip,shehadnevertrainedtouseabladebefore.Therefore,Nakia
wouldtrainherinthe7lightsaberstyleswhileHarrytrainedtoimprovehisdefensethroughFaalocadences.
HarryclosedtherampforthecargoholdandwalkedtothecockpitwhereNakiawaswaiting.Alright,Nakia.
Alltheoresandboththeswoopsareontheship.We'rereadytogoonmyend.DidGurimanagetofinishfixing
theshipwhileIpickedupourstufffromDex?
Nakianoddedfromthecopilot'sseat.Yeah.Shejustfinishedanhouragoandgavetheallclearforustoleave.
WemanagedtodragFAITHandR3fromthecantinaandCassiopeia'shelpingGuriintheengineroom.We're
goodtogo.
Harrysatinthepilot'sseatandstartedtowarmuptheengines.Wellthen.Bettergetgoingbeforewewearout
ourwelcome.ThelocalsaregettingtwitchyfromourpresenceanywayandI'drathernotbechasedbythelocal
lawenforcementforsomemadeupcharges.Seriously,notevenTatooineisthisunwelcoming.
Nakiagaveasmirkandshrugged.ItmightalsobeduetothefactthatFAITHwasinsultingeveryonehemet
eversincewelandedtwodaysago.
Harry'sshouldersdrooped.Iswear,sometimesIwonderwhyIkeephimaround.
Nakiajustlaughedandcheckedovertheenginesonelasttime.Alright,enginesareheatedupandreadytogo.
Wehavepermissionfromtheorbitalcontrolstationtoleaveatanytime.Wehaveaclearlaneoutofhere.
Harrynoddedandexpertlystartedtoflytheshipoutofthehangar.Thenlet'sgo.OntoTython.
HarryflewtheshiptoentertheCorellianRunhyperlane.Theywouldtakethecomfortableflightdownthe
knownlanesbeforestoppinginAargau.AccordingtotheStarMap,theywouldstopinthatsystemandactivate
the'slipstream'drivewhichwouldtakethemtoTython.
GuriandHarryhadbeenstudyingthedriveastheywererepairingtheshipandhadcomeupwithatentative
hypothesisastoitsorigins.
ItseemedtobeamixofbothadvancedtechnologyandtheForce.Harrycouldbarelysenseitbuttheslipstream
drivegaveoffaveryfaintForcesignaturethatwasundetectableunlessyouwererightnexttoitandlookingfor
it.FromGuri'sdescriptionoftheflightthroughslipstreamonthewaytoRoon,Harrycametotheconclusion
thattheenginesomehowusestheForceenergyofanyForcesensitivesontheshiptomakeasortofnatural
throughtheForceitself.HarrytheorizedthattheweblikepatternsGurisawastheytraveledthroughslipstream
wereactuallyconnectionsintheForcebetweenthingsorpeople.Theshipsomehowmanagestousethese
connectionstotravelalmostinstantaneouslybetweentwopoints.
ThiswasbeyondincrediblesincetheonlyknownracetosuccessfullymixtechnologywithForcepowerstothis
scaleweretheRakata.Eventhen,theRakatanevermanagedtocreateainterplanetaryhyperdriveanalog
betweenplanetswithouttheirownForcesignature.Thisslipstreamtechnologywasfarmoreadvancedthan
anythingtheyhadeverseenbefore.
Thebadnewswasthatevenwithoutknowinghowitworkedexactly,theycouldseethatthedrivewasdamaged.
Italsolookedtohavebeenputtogetherfromscrappartsandheldtogetherusinggumandfaith.Allinall,it
wouldprobablylastforthreemaybefourjumpsbeforeitbrokedown.Harryjusthopedtherewassomekindof
waytofixitwhentheyreachedhispeople'shomeworldorelsetheymightbecomestuckthere.
Assoonastheyenteredhyperspace,Harryrelaxedandsatbackinthepilot'schair.Hecheckedthateverything
wasfinebeforeturningtoNakia.
Well,I'mgonnagetsomerest.It'lltakeatleastaweektogettoAargausowehaveplentyoftimetofixthe
swoopsandtrainbeforewegetthere.Didyousenttheupdateofwhat'shappenedtomydad?
Nakianoddedabsentlyasshecheckedthecoursecorrectionsthey'dneedtomakeonthecharts.Yeah,Isentit
tohimtwohoursago.Hehadn'trespondedbythetimeweleftsowe'llprobablygethisresponsebythetimewe
reachAargau.
Harrynoddedandgotuptoleave.Okaythen.I'mgonnagetthatrest.Yougonnajoinme,love?
NakialookedupatHarryandsmiledsultrily.IfIdidtherewouldn'tbemuchrestinvolved,wouldthere?
ChucklingatHarry'swink,shecontinued.Later,beloved.I'mgonnacheckonthechartsforabitbeforeleaving
FAITHtowatchovertheship.Then,I'llgotoyourroomandjoinyou.
Harrynoddedwithasmileandwalkedtowardhisroom.
Ashereachedhisroom,hedecidedtotakeaquickshowerbeforesleep.Asheletthewaterwashoverhim,
HarryopenedhimselftotheForcetoletthecurrentsandripplesinitwashoverhisessencejustlikethewater
waswashingoverhisphysicalbody.AsheletthecurrentsoftheForcewashoverhim,hesensedsomeonereach
outtohimthroughtheForce.Thesensationwashesitant,almostnervous,asifthepersonwasn'tsureifthey
should.
ThinkingitwasAzalea,Harryreachedoutaswellonlytobeslightlyshockedattheidentityoftheperson.
ItwasAstraal.
EversincehehadrescuedAstraalfromThaumandMoore,AstraalhadbeenclosedoffevenintheForce.While
Harryunderstood,itdidhurtthathecouldnolongerfeelherintheForcemostofthetimelikebefore.Her
presenceintheForcehadalwaysbeenacalmingandreassuringbalmonhissoulandthelackofithadbeen
disconcerting.Harryprivatelyadmittedtohimselfthatitwaspartofthereasonhethrewhimselfintothe
relationshipwithNakiasoquickly.
HarryhappilyrespondedtoAstraalandsoftlyengulfedherpresenceintheForcewithhisown.Astraalwas
hesitantandnervous,probablyduetoherexperienceswithThaum,butdidn'tresist.Eventuallyshebecame
morecomfortableandslowlyopenedthetelepathiclinkbetweenthem.
'Hey.'
HarrysmiledatthesoundofAstraal'stelepathic'voice'.'Heyyourself.So...howareyou,beautiful?'
HarryfeltAstraal'shappinessathimcallingherbeautifulthroughthebondandsmiled.Harryrarelyused
telepathyalthoughhehadaknackforit.ThefacthewascommunicatingwithAstraalfromacrosssuchalarge
distancewasanexampleofthat.ThiswaspartiallythereasonhehadbeensofranticwhenAstraalandthegirls
hadbeencaptured,hehadn'tbeenabletotelepathicallyreachAstraalinthattime.
'I'mgettingbetter.MasterJadeandShadohavebeenhelpingmeasmuchastheycan.Ifeltyougettingfarther
awayand...Ididn'twantyoutogooutofourtelepathicrangewithoutspeakingtoyou.'
Harry'ssmilewidened.'I'mgladyoudidn't.I....Imissyou,Astraal.'
HarrycouldfeelAstraal'sshockforasecondbeforeitwasreplacedbyloveandjoy.'Imissyoutoo,baby.I'm...
I'msorryIcouldn't...'
'Forgetit,beautiful.Ijustwantyoutogetbetter.'
Astraalhappinesscouldbefeltthroughtheirbondbeforeitsouredslightly.'Is...Nakiathere?'
Harrysighedandplacedhisheadundertheshowersprayasheanswered.'Yes.Youknowshewascomingwith
meonmytrip.'
Astraal'stonebecamejealousandbitter.'Yes,I'msuresheiscomingwithyou.'
Harrygroanedandhistelepathic'voice'becamechastising.'Astraal,don'tbelikethat.YouknowIstillloveyou
andifyouhadn'twantedthatbreakIwouldn'tbewithNakianow.'
HarryfeltAstraal'sshameandslightbitternessatthetruthofthatstatement.'Sorry,it'sjustthat....Istilllove
you,Harry.Iloveyousomuch.'
'AndIloveyou,mybeautifulTwi'leklover.'Harryfelthimslowlyleavingthemaximumrangeofhistelepathic
rangeandsighed.'I'mleavingmaximumrange.We'lltalkwhenIgetback.Idoloveyou.Neverforgetthat.'
Astraal'spresencebecameslightlylesssadandmorehappyassheanswered.'AndIloveyoutoo.'
ThenhewasoutofhismaximumrangeandHarryhadtocutthetelepathicconversation.HesensedAstraal's
presenceintheForceandsentwavesoflovetoherwhichshereturned.Harrythenreachedouttohis
apprenticestoreassurethemthathewasfinebeforereachingouttohisparentstodothesame.Thelatter
returnedthegestureaswellasasensethattheywishedhewouldcomebacksoon.JacenandJainaweretoofar
awaytodoanythingbutsensethattheywereokaybutHarrysimplyshruggedandacceptedit.Afterchecking
throughtheForcethatAzaleawasokayaswellasallhisotherfriendsheturnedofftheshowerandwalkedback
intohisroom.
HisconversationhadawokenfeelingsthatHarryhadtriedtoignoreandnowhecouldn'tburythemagain.The
truthwasthatalthoughhedidloveNakia,healsostilllovedAstraal.TherewasalsotheproblemofJainaand
hersayingshewantedtobewithhimwhenhereturnedaswell.ItwentwithoutsayingthathisfeelingsforJaina
werestillasstrongasever.Theworstpartwasthathecouldn'thonestlysaythathelovedanyoneofthemmore
thantheothers.WhileJainawashisoldestandclosestfriend,Astraalhadbeenhisfirstloveandsheclaimeda
partofhisheartthatnoonecouldevertake.Astraalwasprecioustohimandthethoughtthatthatbastard
Thaumhadharmedherinthatwayfilledhimrageandsorrow.ThefactthatAstraalwascapturedandwent
throughthatduetohimonlymadeitworse.
Ontheotherhand,Nakiamadehimfeelfree.Shebroughtoutthehormonalteenagerinhimwhilealsoinspiring
himtogreaterheights.Beforeher,Harryhadtoadmittohimselfthathehadnoideahowtogoforwardinhis
personallife.Whilehemademanyplansforthefuture,noneofthemrevolvedhisownpersonalfeelingsand
desires.Sheencouragedhimtodreamforhimselfaswellasothers.Itdidn'thurtthatshetotallysupportedthe
ideaofaharemwhichHarryhadadmitwasanyteenageboy'sfantasy,includinghis.

Harrysighedandpushedsuchthoughtsaway.Itdidn'tmatter.Rightnow,hewaswithNakiaandhedidn'twant
toruintheirrelationshipbygoingafterotherwomen.HehadbeenwithNakiaforlessthanamonthandhe
wasn'tinterestedinmorewomenrightnowdespiteNakia'swords.HelovedJainaandAstraalbuthewasn't
goingtodoanythingwiththemuntilNakiagavetheokay.
HarrylieddownonhisbedwithonlyapairofshortsandclosedhiseyestowaitforNakia.Hemusthavefallen
asleepbecausethenextthingheknewhewasrousingoutofhisslightdozingasNakiacrawledintothebedwith
him.
HarrysmiledandwrappedhisarmaroundNakia'sshoulders,causinghertoburyherfaceintothecrookofhis
neck.Hey,baby.Sorry,musthavedozedoff.
Nakiajustshruggedandcrawledcloserintohisembrace.Noproblem,beloved.Youmustbetiredfromtraining
earlieraswellascarryingthestuffbacktotheshipalone.Iunderstand.
HarryburiedhisnoseintoNakia'shairandtookherscent.Nakiasmelledascentthatwasimpossibleto
replicate.Acombinationofsmellsthatwasbothsensualanddangerousatthesametime.However,beneaththat
wasaslightscentthatcalmedhimdownwhichmadeforaninterestingmix.
HarrypulledNakiauntiltherewasmoreofherontopofhimthanonthebed.Hekissedherforeheadbefore
whispering,Iloveyou,anddriftingofftosleep.
Harrywatchedastheviewportshowingthemtravelingthroughslipstreamflashedwithwhitelightforasecond
beforetheyenteredrealspace.Harrymaneuveredtheshipclosertotheplanetandthecrewgottheirfirstlookat
theplanet.
Originally,Tythonwasarichandbeautifulworldfullofrichforests,cleanhillsandlargemountains.While
Forcestormsfrequentlycrossedthelandscape,theydidn'tpassoftenenoughtopermanentlydamagethe
landscapethankstotheeffortsoftheancientJediwholivedthere.UpuntiltheSecondGalacticWar,Tython
wasabeautifulworldthatshonewiththeForce.
However,somethingmusthavehappenedintheinterveningtimebecausethecurrentworldwasmuchdifferent.
Desolatefieldsofashanddeathstretchedacrossthesurfaceoftheworldunderdensefogandcloudcover,a
completedeparturefromtheworld'shistoricallylushlandscapes.Fromspace,HarrycouldseethatForcestorms
coveredthemajorityoftheatmosphere,makingitalmostimpossibletoseemostofthesurface.Thepartthey
couldseelookedbrownanddead.HarryfelttheplanetwiththeForceandrecoiledatthesheerchaosthatthe
worldexuded.TheForceontheplanetwassooutofbalancethatnowonderForcestormscoveredtheplanet.
NakiashouldersfellatthesightofTythonandHarryturnedtoherincuriosity.
NakiafeltHarry'scuriousstareandansweredhisunaskedquestion.Sorry,it'sjustthat....IvisitedTython
beforeitbecamelikethis.Itwasabeautifulworldthatneverfailedtocalmme.Andnowlookatit.Iwonder
whathappenedtoittomakeitlikethis.
Harryfrowned.Iwonderaswell.Harryturnedonthecommtotheengineroom.Guri,hastheStarMap
reactedtotelluswheretogo?
ThecommwassilentforamomentbeforeGurianswered.Itactivatedjustnow.I'msendingyouthe
coordinatesnow.
Harrystudiedthecoordinatesandtheplanetbeforesighinginexasperation.Great,we'resupposedtogoright
inthemiddleofthelargestForcestorm.WhyamInotsurprised?HarryturnedtoFAITHwhowasstanding
behindhim.FAITH,youpilottheshiptothecoordinates.MeandNakiawilltrytocalmthestormthroughthe
Force.
Statement:Understood,master.
Harrygotoffthepilot'sseatandletFAITHsitinitbeforesittingintheseatbehindNakiaasshestartedto
meditate.Harrysoonclosedhiseyesandjoinedherinmeditation.
HarryandNakiajoinedForceenergiesbeforereachingouttotheForcestormonthesurface.AsFAITHledthe
shipintotheatmosphere,HarryandNakiaconcentratedtheirconsiderableForcestrengthintocalmingthestorm
andmakingsurenolightningbolthittheship.Therewereafewclosecallsbuttheymanagedit.
FAITHexpertlyflewtheshipontothesurfaceandthecloudspartedtorevealtheirdestinationwasalarge
zigguratstandinginthecenterofthestorm.Theziggurathadfourrampsinthedirectionofeachcardinalpoint
leadingtoitandthetopwasflatinsteadofpointedlikeapyramid.Itseemedtobemadeofslabsofstone
stackedontopofeachother,eachslabalittlebitsmallerthantheoneontopofit,sothatthesidesofthe
structurelookedlikeagiantstaircase.AsHarrylookedatthestructure,hewashitwithapowerfulvision.
HesawamanstandingonthetopofthezigguratholdingtheInfinityStoneabovehishead.Suddenly,lightning
fellfromtheskyandhittheStonecausingbothStoneandmantolightupinpower.Harryshookhimselffrom
thepowerfulvision.Despitethesuddennessofthevision,henowknewwhathehadtodoanditcausedhimto
becomeextremelynervous.
Nakiasensedthisandlookedathiminworry.What'swrong,beloved?Areyouokay?
Harryforcedasmileonhisfaceandnodded.I'mfine,love.JustgotaForcevisionofwhatI'msupposedtodo
anditcaughtmeoffguard.
Nakiacockedaneyebrow.Andwhat'sthat?
Harryjustwinkedandgaveheramischievoussmile.It'sasurprise.
NakiarolledhereyesandwentbacktohelpingHarrylandtheshipnexttotheOldCity.TheForcestormhad
returnedtoitsnormallevelsduringtheirtalkbuttheskydirectlyabovethezigguratwasclearoflightning
strikes.Harryknewthatwouldchangesoon.
Oncetheylanded,everyonegatheredinthecargoholdandHarryopenedtherampsoeveryonecouldwalk
down.FAITHhadhisriflepointingaround,lookingforthreatsor,morelikely,somethingtokillwhiletheothers
weredecidinghowtogoaboutsearchingtheziggurat.
GurihadtheStoneoutandpointingtowardtheziggurat.TheStonewaspulsingslightlyandseemedtopulse
fasterasitgotclosertotheziggurat.Well,whateverwe'relookingfortochargetheStoneisdefinitelyinthere
somewhere.Probablyinthecentersomewhere.Sowesplitupandsearchtheplace?
Harrynodded.Yeah.LetmeholdtheInfinityStone.Wedon'twantclumsyoverheretofindazombieandgo
crazyagain.
CassiopeiablushedatthecommentandglaredatHarry.Fuckyou,Potter.Youwouldn'tunderstand.They'reso
freakywiththemoaningandtheeyesandthe...Cassiopeiatrailedoffwithashuddermakingeveryonehide
smilesbehindtheirhands.
NakialookedatHarrycuriously.Didn'tyousaythatyouknewwhatyouhadtodo?

Harry'spokerfacealmostfellatherdeclarationbutluckilyheflourishedunderpressure.Yeahbutwehaveto
findtheplacefirst.Isawacircularstonegateofsomekindwitharoundindentation.That'swhatwe'relooking
for.
NakianoddedinunderstandingandturnedbacktothegirlstodecidewhowouldgowhereasGurihandedhim
theStone.FAITHandR3wouldstayontheshiptoprotectitjustincase.HarryfeltguiltyfordeceivingNakia
butheknewshewouldneverallowhimtodowhatheplannedforfearhemightdie.Shemightevengosofaras
todoitherself.However,Harryknewthatithadtobehim.TheForceassuredhimofthatmuch.Unfortunately,
theForcewassilentinregardstowhetherhewouldsurvive.
HarrywasgiventheeastentrancewhileNakiawasgiventhesouth,GurithewestandCassiopeiathenorth.
TheysplitupandonceHarrywassuretheyhadallentered,hestartedtowalkupthesteplikewallsofthe
ziggurat.ThankstohisForceenhancedreflexes,itwasaseasyaswalkingupanormalstaircasedespitethe
largersizeofthesesteps.
IttookafewminutesbutHarryeventuallyreachedthetop.Hehadnoticedthatthecloserhegottothetop,the
fasterthepulseoftheStonebecameandhowthecloudsabovethezigguratstartedtobecomedarker.
Justashestoodupatthetop,heheardNakiascreamathimfrombelow.Harry!Whatareyoudoing?!Get
downfromtherenow!Youcouldbehitbythelightningandgetkilled!
HarrylookeddownandsawNakiastandingbesideGuriandCassiopeia,lookingupathimwithfearinhereyes.
Harrygrimlysmileddownatthem.
Sorry,beautiful.ButgettinghitbylightningisthewaytochargetheStone.Andithastobeme.Don'tworry.
I'llbefine.
ThatonlygotNakiamorefranticandshestartedtojumpuptheziggurattoreachhim.
However,itwastoolate.FourmetalpolesroseoutofthegroundineachofthefourcornersonceHarrystoodin
themiddle.Anelectricfieldprotectedhimfromallsides.However,thiswasjustasideeffectashefeltthemetal
polessendsomekindofenergyintotheclouds.ThecloudsgrewstilldarkerandHarryliftedtheStoneupinto
theair,causingittoshinesobrightthatitalmostblindedhim.
NakiawashalfwayupthezigguratwhenamassivebluelightningboltfellfromtheskyandhittheStone,and
Harry,deadon.

ThelastthingHarryheardbeforepassingoutunconsciouswasNakiascreamhisnameinterror.
EndNotes:
AN:That'schapter33foryou!

SorryittooksolongtoupdatebutIjustrecentlygotanewobsession....Farcry3.
Lovethatgame.Unfortunately,ittakeshoursofgameplaytogettoapointwhere
I'mnotdyingfromeverysinglefreakinganimalIcomeacrossso...yeah.Upsideis
thatI'vefinallyreachedapointwhereIcanstopmyselffromspending5hours
playingit.Lol.

Anyway,nexttimeI'mgoingtouploadtwochaptersatoncesoitmighttakealittle
longertowrite.Thisisduetothenextchapterbeinganinterludeastotheother
charactersthoughtsastoHarryandwhathe'sdoingaswellastheirreactionto
whathappenedintheend.I'llgiveyouaninsightintoAstraalandJaina'sthoughts
aswellashowtheothercharactersaredoing.

Anyway,Readandreview!
Backtoindex
ThisisanunofficialfansiteandisnotconnectedorendorsedbyJ.K.Rowlingor
WarnerBros.HarryPotteranditscharactersarepropertyofJKRowlinginassociation
withWarnerBrothers.Allsubmitted"FanFic"storiesremainthepropertyoftheir
authorsandmustnotbecopiedinanyformwithouttheirconsent.
Theviews,activities,andlifestylesdepictedinthesestoriesinnowayreflectsthe
opinion,activities,orlifestyleofthesiteowner.Wearenotresponsibleforanyofthe
adultcontentfoundinthisarchive.Byenteringthissiteyouarestatingthatyouareof
legalagetoviewandenjoyadultmaterialinyourarea.Ifyouareunderageorifadult
materialoffendsyou,pleaseleavenow.
Thisstoryarchivedathttp://www.hpfanficarchive.com/stories/viewstory.php?sid=711

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