Subject: [OTL]: (alt. Betsy/Star Wars) Fanged Butterfly 2: Knightcross 38/? (R) From: Phil Hartman Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:03:38 +0000 will1@earthling.net Fanged Butterfly Vol. 2: Knightcross Chapter 38 by Phil Hartman DISCLAIMER: Marvel's are Marvel's. LFL's are LFL's. Any original characters are mine. The rest belong to their owners/creators. No money is being made off of this. Please don't sue. WARNING: Themes, imagery, violence. ------------------------------------------------------- 40 ABY: Hyperspace, Heading Unknown: 25-6 Days after the Battle of Corellia: ------------------------------------------------------- Well, things COULD be much worse. Betsy had stayed up, trying to apply every trick she knew to debugging the navicomputer and the long range comms, but ... well, she was no Ghent. And if Artoo AND Neal hadn't been able to scrub the system of that bloody virus, Betsy certainly couldn't. Times like these, she especially missed Kitty or Doug ... She looked over at Ben, who seemed better, even if he was stuck aboard an out of control shuttle with a cranky middle-aged Jedi Master, two astromechs, a chatty protocol droid, and a hoojib. The boy really WAS a light, Betsy thought with a smile. Ben stirred in his sleep, while Artoo continued his protective watch over his "brother," and Plif snoozed on the back of the acceleration couch. True to his size, Plif only needed a little energy, and Betsy was glad to let the hoojib eat what he needed, after his assistance on Arbra - both against that Sith, and in cheering Ben up. Threepio was shut down, but Betsy was less ... moody toward him; he meant well, and he WAS part of Ben's life. Neal toodled softly, loyally monitoring the systems, and Betsy smiled at him. Then she checked their destination ... and both winced and smiled. #ZELTROS!? Oh, THIS is going to be interesting ...# Betsy thought. Burgundy skinned and purple haired, the humanoid Zeltrons were some of the most ... pleasant near humans around, with empathic abilities and a tendency to befriend ANYONE. They were also ... open to hookups. VERY open. Unless they were denied opportunities to love or gamble; then, Zeltron violence was stunning. #The one planet in the galaxy with the greatest number of holidays per capita ... well, we needed a break, and they're kind people, so Ben should be safe ... I just hope the Zeltrons have SOME kind of shipyard,# Betsy thought, glancing back at Ben. She made a mental note to keep an eye on the boy. He was a good lad ... but he was a teenaged boy. And it was Zeltros. Betsy blushed at the memory of her *vacation* in Vergere's holocron, and made a mental note to assign HERSELF some extra meditation. Even Masters were susceptible to ... well, it WAS Zeltros. ------------------------------------------------------- Jedi Praxeum, Ossus, Outer Rim Territories, Galactic East: ------------------------------------------------------- "Worried? ME? OOHHHH, NO!" Luke really, really hoped sarcasm hadn't been one of those things Yoda forgot to mention on the list of dark side emotions, because the news from Corellia was hacking Mara off BADLY. She glared at the wall, at least not wanting to blame Han and Leia for the news about Betsy's bounty, or the Sith at large. After Formbi's embarrassed explanation that the Angel's Wing had vanished, AND the deactivation of the shuttle's transponder, none of the Skywalkers or Solos were taking this lightly. "Look, Mara, it's Betsy. And Ben's a smart kid, and they've got Artoo with them. They're gonna be OK," Han tried to reassure. Mara's glare shut the Corellian up, but she finally sat down and let Leia pat her shoulder. "Fine ... but we CAN do something about Gardulla. I say the four of us hit Nar Shaddaa and deal with her, and throw a kink into the Confederacy while we're in town," Mara suggested. "Deal, meaning ... ?" Luke asked, fully aware of what Mara was suggesting, and not particularly liking it. She gave him a long suffering look, but it was Leia who replied, "Luke, if I strangled Jabba and didn't go dark ..." "Hutts don't forget or forgive, Farmboy. Unless you want to stick Betsy with that bounty forever, and keep Ben in the crosshairs with her, the fat schutta's gotta go," Mara said. Luke sighed, remembering how much good had been accomplished by removing Jabba from power ... "I'm not suggesting this out of expedience. Gardulla is going to keep sending bounty hunters, and Betsy needs our help. She's practically family," Mara added, not a trace of darkness in her. Luke kissed her cheek, replying, "All right. But in case Betsy doesn't know about the bounty, let's send a team to find her and bring her, Ben and the droids in. "And I can think of three Jedi who need a mission before they go crazy on medical leave." --------------------------------------------------------- "Wait ... US? The THREE of us, in one ship ...?" Ganner Rhysode didn't want to disrespect the Grand Master - who was, actually, insisting people just call him Luke - but the Ganner DID have to wonder ... WHAT was Luke thinking, asking him, Kyp AND Raynar to go looking for Betsy TOGETHER? "You all care deeply for Betsy, know her Force signature ... intimately ... and are the best suited to follow Force hints to track her. And you need to learn to work together again," Luke said before he turned the renovated Lambda class shuttle over to what a cackling Jysella Horn had called ... well, the Betsy Braddock Rescue Squad. With that, Luke left, and the three men shared looks, before Raynar said, "I promise: No bugs." Kyp relaxed, and Ganner bit back a chuckle; Cilghal had filled him in on the Dark Nest and Joiners, so it WAS a relief that the former Unu Prime had come ... well, closer to human in thought. "In the spirit of the thing, I say we let Kyp be the leader. He IS the confirmed Master," Ganner said; no sense in letting their histories with Betsy cloud their goals, and Raynar nodded. "Thank you. I promise to include you both in tactical and Force sensing advice, also. And if I ... er, start drooling ..." Kyp asked, taking the pilot's seat, while Ganner sat at tactical and Raynar checked the engineering station. "Cilghal gave us extra towels," Raynar said, bringing a look of relief to Kyp's face. They took off, heading first for Csilla; maybe they could pick up a trace of Betsy's Force signature ... but Ganner also felt something else needed to be said: "And ... no discussing Betsy's -" "Hey, nobody ever said THAT was off limits," Kyp chuckled. "Why not? The last time either of you actually ... knew ... her was, what? Twelve years ago? Longer?" Raynar snorted. "HEY! This coming from Mr. Pity Kriff!?" Kyp yelped, as Ganner rolled his eyes and Raynar growled. "Anzati kisser!" "Three words: YUB BUG HUG!!" "And this is why the Grand Master asked me to come along as the fourth ..." The three men looked behind them, embarrassed, when K'urod Var-Tasik walked out of the cargo hold, looking disapproving and arching an eyebrow. "Weren't you at Commenor?" Ganner asked the Zabrak, who sat at the auxiliary control station and acted aloof. "It ended in a draw, and once the Horns alerted me to the bounty on Master Elizabeth, I asked to be allowed to return. It would seem it was a wise request," K'urod said, seemingly innocently. His glare, however, made Kyp and Raynar blush, as Betsy's former Padawan added, "We should remember that we are also being asked to assist Padawan Skywalker and Artoo Detoo and See Threepio." The older men coughed or looked at their screens, and Ganner smiled at K'urod subtly. It never hurt to be reminded of the real purpose of a mission ... and given K'urod's relationship with Betsy as a Padawan, certain topics were likely to be avoided. Besides, Ganner REALLY didn't want to explain that thing with the maw luur. What happened on Yuuzhan'tar needed to stay on Yuuzhan'tar ... ------------------------------------------------------- Fel Estate, Nirauan, Outer Rim Territories, Galactic North: ------------------------------------------------------- "Me. A grandfather," Soontir Fel said, still amazed at the idea. Of course, he was still trying to comprehend that his little girl, Ysanna, was alive ... and had been half Yuuzhan Vong for most of her life, even if she was human now. AND that she was a well-trained Force sensitive ... He watched her practicing lightsaber technique with Jaina in the back yard in the morning chill, Jag by his side, as Wynssa, Wyn and Cem - Formbi had issued a DIRE warning to the rest of the Ascendancy, NOT to take advantage of the knowledge of the existence of a Fel shadow son, after Jag's exile - ate breakfast on the terrace. "Unfortunately, with the exile still in effect, we can't safely settle here. Jaina and I have been discussing ... alternatives, to the Jedi," Jag pondered. "Hmm. Such as?" Soontir probed. "Force users devoting their focus to a specific ideal, such as ... Empire. Duty before blind faith in the light or personal advances," Jag said, applauding when Jaina and Ysanna finished. #Jaina Solo ... Imperial Knight?# Soontir reflected, not quite seeing Princess Leia and Han Solo's daughter turning from the democratic views of the Alliance. Granted, the Remnant or the Ascendancy were different than the New Order, with more freedoms, but still ... They all sat to eat, and Ysanna smiled at the fresh bread and nerf slices. "Different. Thanks, Mother, Father," the teenaged girl said, and Wynssa beamed. Soontir WANTED to believe Ysanna was back, but ... He'd believed her dead when the Vong had attacked Nirauan, slaughtering the defenders and butchering innocents. The High Tower had been laid waste; the Fel residence, massacred. Only the absence of Wynssa and Wyn, removed to Csilla for protection, had saved them, and since Ysanna had been a shadow child, she'd been hidden on Nirauan. (Cem had been elsewhere; no sense in all the eggs in one basket.) But here she was, alive ... and a Force user, after a childhood spent among other people genetically altered into ... creatures akin to those who'd taken her. Ysanna glanced at her father and asked, "I bother you, don't I, sir?" Wynssa looked hurt, and Cem, Wyn and Jag winced; Jaina hid a thoughtful look behind her cup of blue milk. Soontir, on the other hand, appreciated truthfulness, and said, "On some levels, dear. I appreciate that you lived almost all of your life as a Yuuzhan Vong ..." "We were taught the importance of ALL life. And the Vong were our abusers, not our models. The entire point of Vjun was to give victims of the Vong a place to be accepted. But we were taught how to fit into human society if need be," Ysanna said, wise beyond her years. She smiled and added, "I don't miss being Shaped much, though. Not since I learned you were all alive. The rest of the galaxy is so ... refreshing, and even Force bonded to the others, I missed my family." Soontir cocked an eyebrow, and Ysanna grinned, an ... ordinary teen, for once. "OK, maybe I felt more Shaped than Fel. But my genes had been tinkered with. I'm here NOW," she said, and Soontir could sense her real longing. "And we're glad you're home," Wynssa said, and Soontir nodded, as Ysanna briefly teared up. That, Soontir could agree with, and he made certain to help his little girl feel at home. ------------------------------------------------------- After breakfast, Jaina motioned Soontir aside; he'd been ... troubled, since the meal, and she wanted to ask ... "Soontir, I have to know: Are you comfortable with Ysanna?" the Sword of the Jedi probed, as she and Soontir sat on a stone fence and watched Cem help Ysanna with blaster practice. "Moreso than I was. I love her, but as you know ... the Vong took so MUCH from me. And Chak ... that is why I am truly happy for you and Jag. But I wonder if your own comfort levels could do with some examination?" Soontir asked. Jaina knew what he was getting at, and nodded reluctantly. "As happy as I am that Jacen's getting help, he still ... used Vong technology on innocent people who needed CURING, not Vongforming. And he tortured our cousin, Ben, and altered Tenel Ka and Allana ... I just keep thinking how we failed. And ... I just wonder if a properly run meritocracy might've stopped Jacen. He was never military, and he rose to power he abused horribly," Jaina admitted. She'd left the GA Navy over the Thrago catastrophe, but Jaina had at least worked for her position before then. Even five years as a bounty hunter hadn't eliminated her respect for hard work and service to a higher ideal ... albeit service with honor and compassion. Jaina considered what she'd told Soontir, and added, "Order without justice is what Palpatine reveled in." "You believe Force users in a military hierarchy would be safer than the Jedi Order?" Soontir asked. "Voluntary service; Uncle Luke's rule about not drafting infants is morally sound. But they let Jacen run loose ... and I wasn't any help, letting my emotions run wild. I still disagree with a lot of the Empire, Soontir, but SOME degree of ... public service could do young people some good," Jaina considered. Soontir smiled craftily and asked, "But not mandatory military service." "Force users with a healing gift could work in medcenters. Those with talents for nature could join an Agricorps unit. And yes, those who want to join the military could do so. I'm just saying, conscription rarely works, and I don't support letting the military run things. The Senate isn't so terrible," Jaina insisted. "Very Mon Mothma," Soontir replied, recalling the Chandrilan Senator who'd been one of the moral centers of the Rebel Alliance. "Letting Garm Bel Iblis off in his own private war didn't help. Freedom isn't horrible," Jaina reminded him, speaking of the Corellian Senator whose private war against the Empire had taken potentially useful personnel and materiel from the rest of the Rebellion. "Garm wasn't military, though," Soontir pointed out. "Neither was Jacen. He was more like Grandfather than Anakin ever will be ... he Shaped Ben and Allana, let his ego keep him from getting help for Tace ... the Council FAILED, Soontir. WE failed, and I want my children to be able to grow up in a galaxy where Force users have a safety net beyond vague feelings," Jaina almost snapped. She was ashamed that SHE, of all people, had let her anger blind her to Jacen's illness. Anakin and Tahiri were helping the Shaped Ones, Tenel Ka was watching Jacen ... but Tace and Allana were half Vong, and unlikely to ever be human again, or ever in Tace's case. And Ben was human, but probably wouldn't ever be the same. He probably wouldn't ever be comfortable around the Solos again, even as forgiving as Ben was. Jaina knew part of her feelings came from her need to protect the baby growing inside her. But she also had lived long enough outside the Jedi Order now to understand why the Force blind had such worries when Jedi and Sith clashed. "The old Order's arrogance let a monster enthrone himself. The new Order's inaction almost let history repeat itself. And I, the 'Sword of the Jedi,' ended up dullest of all," Jaina sighed. "We have to police ourselves better, Soontir ... or we're going to find the majority building Force hunting droids and locking us up in camps. And I WON'T let my child suffer that." ------------------------------------------------------- Zeltros, Inner Rim: ------------------------------------------------------- Betsy would probably describe Zeltron government as cheerfully anarchic; it functioned, but if the paperwork got lost, no bureaucrats had a bad day. Zeltrons and bureaucracy were as polar opposites as light and dark sides, she realized. Zeltros ATC had signed off with a pleasant, "Have a nice stay!", and the landing had been without incident. The trick was finding a compatible navicomputer ... or a tech on duty to reprogram hers. It was "Moon Sliver Day," or so Threepio had translated, so of COURSE, landing on Zeltros at night meant there were not only closed ship repair shops, but also massive bonfires with Zeltrons dancing around them. In festive clothing. With much alcohol. On the other hand, Zeltrons seemed to have a moral safeguard where children were concerned. Nobody was wearing anything *too* revealing; there were plenty of nonalcoholic beverages; and the couples ran off to dark corners, leaving the families to cleaner fun at the bonfires. It was rustic, but not perverse, and Betsy approved. She fully expected the ancient Britons and Celts had had similar rites. The trick now was finding an adult slicer sober enough to fix the navicomputer. The Jedi, droids and Plif had left Neal to watch the Wing, then headed for a beach near the landing pad, where one of the port techs had said a public official of SOME sort was at. That public official, named Darhan Meladhar, had greeted the crew, but shook his head with great care and said, "Many apologies, Master Jedi, but the Moon Sliver Festival lasts for a whole planetary rotation. You and your apprentice and company would be best served finding an inn, or better yet, joining us. Our ritual swim is a highlight of the night. Moonlight on the water is believed to bring enlightenment." Ben looked concerned, and said, "I didn't pack a swimsuit ..." "And we didn't say we were going to join in ... but when on Zeltros ..." Betsy said, shrugging; she COULD do with a refreshing dip. One could only handle so many showers with recycled ship water. Meladhar chuckled, patting Ben on the back, and said, "Clothing stores do remain open all night here. When parties break out, one needs to buy appropriate party wear at a moment's notice." Betsy gave Ben a credit chip and said, "Get yourself a few suits. Once we get that bloody navicomp fixed, we'll hit Mon Cal, and there's no reason to be unprepared." Ben beamed, and Betsy smiled back, adding, "And get what you want, stylewise. Just nothing TOO daring?" "Got it. Thanks. But what about you?" Ben asked, blushing as a particularly amorous pair of adult Zeltrons wandered giggling into a nearby thicket. "*I* keep my wardrobe aboard the Wing, my apprentice. Now go; take Artoo, just for safety. Threepio, with me. Explain this ritual swim, Mr. Meladhar; it doesn't involve fertility, now does it?" Betsy asked suspiciously, letting Ben, Plif and Artoo head off toward a nearby clothing store. Anybody else might be offended by such a blunt question about their religious practices. But it was Zeltros. Their entire pantheon were fertility deities, even the death gods. ------------------------------------------------------- Ben was glad of a chance to just relax; he liked a chance to go swimming, especially after that trip to Mon Cal when he'd been 8. #That was with Aunt Betsy, too. We had a great time, going to the reefs and learning about sea life, and she taught me to surf ... this could be fun,# Ben figured, entering the swim shop and looking at the male swimsuit section. Zeltron choices in swimwear were ... interesting, Ben realized, and he blushed profusely when Plif sent, ~Not much material.~ ~Not on anything my size ... it's like after Zeltrons hit puberty, they don't mess around with body shame. If I was still Shaped, I'd be fine with these, but now ... YIKES,~ Ben agreed, as the hoojib sat on his shoulder and Artoo waited by the counter. The Zeltron woman behind the counter eyed him, and Ben blushed again as he realized while she was still pretty, she was probably about his mom's age. But she smiled and said, "We have some suits with more coverage on the other rack." "Thanks, ma'am," Ben said with sincere relief, checking the rack she gestured to and finding a few pairs of swimsuits his size which were more than a pouch with strings attached. He found one of the fitting rooms, and asked, "May I -" "Go ahead. A word of warning: Buy a size bigger than your usual, when dealing with suits that tight. You remind me of ... heh. Not likely. Just haven't seen a Jedi with a hoojib since the Civil War," the woman said, and Ben thought fast ... hadn't Dad known ...? But it was Plif who telepathically gasped and sent, ~DANI!?~ The woman's polite smile became elated, and she gasped, "PLIF!? How - EEEEEEE!!!!" Ben gasped, as Artoo toodled happily, and Plif leapt to Dani, who hugged him. "You're THAT Dani, the one who fought along with my Dad and Uncle Lando!?" the boy exclaimed. "Wait, you're LUKE'S son! AHHH! This is ASTRAL! And Artoo - this is amazing! Er ... you're not still with GAG, right?" Dani said, frowning, but she beamed when Ben shook his head. "I'm sorry about the Corellians I helped repatriate. Not all the people in the Guard are bad, but we did do bad things, sometimes," Ben regretted, but he felt better when Dani smiled back at him. ~Ben is a caring boy, Dani. We've all had our mistakes,~ Plif sent, and Dani nodded, sighing, as the hoojib sat on her shoulder. "Sorry about the interrogation. I just ... after what the Nagai did to me, to Zeltros, I became bitter for a long time. They killed my love, Kiro, and Den Siva, this half Zeltron Nagai ... he tortured me, but he apologized, and ..." Dani explained to Ben. "It didn't last; I heard he was off in the Corporate Sector during the Vong War. I had enough of fighting, and opened this swim shop after we drove the last Imperials offworld. The Vong stayed away, for some weird but good reason," Dani concluded, scratching Plif's back as Ben nodded. He concentrated, then, and said, "But Kiro didn't die. He helped Dad and Uncle Lando on Aquaris, I think." Dani's eyes widened, and she held a hand to her mouth; Ben felt horrible about shocking her ... but Dani laughed, HAPPILY, and leapt the counter, then hugged Ben, and he blushed when he realized she was wearing just a two piece swimsuit and a wrap. "That dumb, noble - Kiro, ALIVE! This is a GREAT day! Listen, I'm just doing this part time for a friend; my book deal about the liberation made me rich. Can I hitch a ride with you, maybe find a ride to Aquaris?" Dani asked, releasing Ben. "I'd be OK with it, but Aunt Betsy has the ship, and our navicomputer has a virus ..." Ben said, even as Artoo toodled happily again and Plif radiated positivity. ~I'm sure Master Braddock wouldn't mind, Ben. Maybe we can introduce Dani to Master Braddock, and she can decide,~ Plif suggested. "Anyone who Luke trusts to train his son has to be a good person. Listen, Ben, you get changed, and we'll go talk to your Master, OK?" Dani enthused. Ben couldn't see any problem with it; if Dad would want to see Plif, then why not Dani? He ducked into the fitting room and started changing, wondering ... #Two old friends of Dad's in two stops. The Force really is mysterious ...# ----------------------------------------------------- Well, Betsy thought after she'd gotten changed into her buttfloss costume and returned to the party, it wasn't Lehon. But there were single Zeltron men in gold bikinis, good drinks, and good feelings all around. And no creepy Vergere. If it were noon instead of midnight, Betsy might almost be ecstatic, instead of just happy. She caught a wave of excitement and anticipation from Ben, and turned from where she was dangling her toes in the sand. Betsy saw the boy approaching with a Zeltron woman in a two piece, Plif riding Artoo's dome as the droid carried Ben's robes and shopping bag. Betsy raised an eyebrow at the black swimbrief Ben had changed into, and he blushed and said, "I wanted something different ... is it OK?" "No worries. It's more conservative than most of the swimsuits here," Betsy said, and Ben relaxed until she smiled and added, "You could've skipped the combat belt, though." Ben examined the belt, which held his lightsaber and a few items like a rebreather, and said, "Jedi should always be prepared, right? Oh, this is Dani! Dani, this is my aunt and Master, Betsy Braddock." "Good to meet you. I fought alongside Luke and Plif in the Galactic Civil War, and Ben said another friend of ours might be alive ...?" Dani asked, shaking Betsy's hand, and Betsy remembered - "Yes! Luke told me about you. It's a pleasure ... and rather interesting; two stops and two old friends of the Rebels ...?" Betsy pondered, as Ben nodded. /It seemed weird to me, too. But Dani and Plif aren't Sith. I mean, I *think* we can trust them,/ Ben sent. Betsy agreed; her perceptions easily outmatched Ben's, and she hadn't sensed anything dark about the hoojib or Dani. The Force did move oddly, though ... "I bought five swimsuits, so I've got plenty. I'm gonna hit the water, OK?" Ben asked, and Betsy returned his smile as he darted, cheering, into the ocean. "Mara Jade must be a very lucky woman. Ben's a nice boy ... I'm glad to know Luke found happiness," Dani said, and Betsy nodded, wading out beside the Zeltron as Artoo, Threepio and Plif watched the swimmers from shore. "Forgive me, but ... you were tortured, by the Nagai?" Betsy recalled, and Dani nodded, a grim look crossing her face before she looked around and sighed. "It took a long time to come to terms with it, but I did. Ben ... my empathy picked up on a similar hurt in him. Did ...?" Dani asked, and Betsy nodded. "His cousin surgically and genetically altered Ben into a half Yuuzhan Vong form. Ben broke free with the help of a cosmic avatar of life, and he's human again ... but he still hurts. At least Ben still trusts, still cares," Betsy said, relief and anguish warring in her. Dani smiled kindly at her and said, "He has a good heart, though. And he knows he's loved, and can love. He WANTS to help others. He has more courage and light than many adults I've met. It's rare." Betsy shared her smile - then felt a warning in the Force, spun around - and was SHOCKED by a crowd of the LAST aliens she ever expected to see again, teleporting in ... Gatecrasher smiled and said, "How ARE you, dear Elizabeth? Besides being worth a small fortune?" "THE TECHNET!?" Betsy exclaimed, as the Zeltrons on the beach scattered, protecting their children ... and levelling a few hundred blasters at Gatecrasher and her crew. "Mother - SNEE - guns," Yap, the orange skinned small teleporter clinging to Gatecrasher's neck, warned, as Ben ran to Betsy's side. "We c'n take a few hedonists," said Thug, a short, green skinned male powerhouse with stumpy legs. "Dying stupidly is NOT in the contract, Thug. We'll concede this round, Braddock. But Gardulla has hired professionals, and we intend to collect," Gatecrasher warned as she and the Technet vanished. "Who were THEY? Are you OK?" Ben asked, and Betsy ruffled his damp hair before she looked around and thanked the Zeltrons. "Crossdimensional bounty hunters. I've faced them before, or more often, my brother and his team have. I'm sorry, Ben, but we can't stay. Dani, if you wish, I'd be happy to give you a lift to the Jedi, once we find a planet with a slicer," Betsy offered. "Irritable navicomp, hunted by foes ... I'd forgotten how much I missed the Rebellion. I'd be happy to ride along. Just let me grab my clothes and tell Mori to take over, and I'll meet you at your ship," Dani said, waving as she ran off. Betsy sighed; she'd been hoping for SOME peace, but with the Technet after them ... it was utterly ironic, the first people from her old life she saw after all this time were Gatecrasher and her bunch. She smiled sadly at Ben and said, "I'm sorry. I keep promising to give you a chance to rest ..." Ben hugged her quickly and said, "It's OK. I just hope we can find a safe planet soon." "You and me both," Betsy wished, leading him and the others to the Wing as Dani caught up. None of them noticed a cloaked figure in the alley near the row of beach shops, watching them and checking a comlink ... "As Darth Elevation commed, My Lord, the virus has crippled their ship. Where they land next will be random, but the altered transponder signal will be easily tracked," Darth Orgone said, relieved her mission had some success. "Stay with them, my servant. Our fellow Sith's sacrifice has given us a chance to secure the Skywalker heir," Darth Krayt ordered. "And once our forces gather, I intend to ELIMINATE the other Jedi ..." "Ossus will soon BURN." ----------------------------------------------------- tbc ...