Subject: [OTL]: (alt. Betsy/Star Wars) Fanged Butterfly 2: Knightcross 44/? (R) From: Phil Hartman Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 08:43:35 +0000 will1@earthling.net Fanged Butterfly Vol. 2: Knightcross Chapter 44 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, some violence. ----------------------------------------------------- 40 ABY: Catacombs, Bast Castle, Vjun, Outer Rim Territories, Galactic East: Day of the Battle of Corellia: ----------------------------------------------------- The purple lightsaber fell - The Shaped boy winced, his wrists caught gently as Caedus Force-grabbed the teen's arms, and the Lord of the Shaped almost affectionately disarmed the boy. Caedus released the teen, and asked, "How DID you know I had a prisoner here, much less the Grand Master ..." "BEN?" Ben Skywalker gasped - were Jasa's eyes an awful, burning yellow? No, but Ben had THOUGHT - and gulped, "How'd you know I wasn't -" "Mindwiped? Cleansed of your Jedi frailties and conflicted loyalties? I DIDN'T - quite the feat on your part, little cousin," Jasa said, crossing his hands behind his back and pacing before turning to look at Ben. "But I did find it far too coincidental that you showed up here, and then you tried to execute your birth father with your birth mother's own lightsaber? My adopted son, you tried TOO hard to please me," Jasa said, his thoughtful expression becoming ... a twistedly delighted grin. Ben was both disgusted ... and partially *joyful* ... that Jasa was radiating ... happiness, pride, and amusement. "However did you deceive me, Ben? Your memories were laid bare before my Force touch," Jasa purred, bringing a smile of pride to Ben's face ... Ben barely caught himself as he realized he was mirroring Jacen, being led through their Force bond, and tried to be strong as he said, "You weren't the only one who got an idea from Aunt Betsy. I created a copy of my memories." THAT drew a scowl, masking a deeper hatred, from Jasa, but he didn't hurt Ben. "Ah. I erased the psuedomemories. A neat trick. Yes, that would be typically Elizabeth, I suppose. She is very good with that genetic quirk of hers," Caedus frowned. "Ben, don't listen to him! Whatever Jacen turned you into, you're still my son! I love you! He's a Sith! He's disguising -" Dad shouted, muffled when a thornless vine wrapped itself across his mouth, and Ben sobbed. "Jasa, PLEASE! I only faked being mindwiped because you didn't let me have a choice! You promised me that after I helped Tace, I could leave! But when I *REALLY* needed someone to help me, you offered to mindwipe me! Don't hurt Dad, please!" Ben pleaded. Jasa tilted his head, and said, "Now, there's an interesting question. Whose son ARE you? And which father is better for you?" Ben was about to answer, but Jasa gently put a finger on the boy's lips, and asked, "Wait. First, understand: I should have given you the choice about the mindwipe. And did I not?" "... yeah," Ben admitted, afraid until Jasa rubbed Ben's head, and Ben leaned into it, smiling ... He opened his eyes, gasping at how RIGHT the headrub felt, and backed against the wall as Dad gave a muffled yell. "Felt good, didn't it? Like everything else about being Shaped?" Jasa purred, and Ben moaned as the groupmind, and part of him, even his cells, surged with joy ... "The most ironic part is, the effect isn't dark side. It's the pure, fundamental Force, filtered through sentience ... once Shaped, we're more attuned to our true selves. Not even Mandalorians are so ... rustic," Jasa said. "But ...isn't acting on our ... passions ... dark?" Ben asked, panting from the aftereffects of the ... wild Force ... flowing through him. He wanted to give in to it so BAD ... Jasa shrugged, leaning against the wall, and motioned, removing the vine from Dad's mouth. "And how moral has sitting on our lightsabers been? Master Skywalker says follow him, think good thoughts, act after HE decides. Yes, the yammosk effect is A degree of control, a version of the battlemeld," he admitted. "But Master Skywalker has been MINDKRIFFING ALMOST THE ENTIRE JEDI ORDER FOR AT *LEAST* FIVE YEARS." Ben gaped; he couldn't believe that, Dad wasn't ... /Isn't what, dark?/ Jasa asked through the Force, as Dad turned red and then calmed himself ... "He is WORSE, Ben. Even when the passionate Force users make mistakes, and I agree, Sidious was a monster, at least we ACT. Lives are saved, greater evils ended. And I do not accuse Master Skywalker of evil intent; he has merely become so mired in the light that he is blind to his own effects," Jasa said, pacing as Dad looked at him with ... doubt? "You admitted you're a Sith named Caedus! You accuse me of mental violation, and I'm not doing it intentionally!? That's impossible!" Dad blurted ... but he didn't sound convinced. "Oh? The High Council - Horn, Durron, Sebatyne, KATARN - EVEN YOUR OWN WIFE, arguably one of the strongest female sentients in the Force AND in her personality - caved into your deranged bid to become Grand Master! They signed off on trying to kidnap Aidel Saxan, the Corellian Prime Minister, *BEFORE* war was declared! But when Ben, the Guard, and I saved lives by kicking down a few doors, you accused me of Vader worship! HYPOCRITE!" Jasa spat, and Ben winced. Dad looked ... hurt, and Ben knelt beside him; he couldn't stand how Dad was hanging there in the Embrace. Whatever mistakes he'd made, Dad didn't deserve this ... "Don't be too gentle with him, Ben. I know he's your birth father, but remember, he let the Corellian crisis spiral out of control. And what IS your answer to what I've made of the Vong War's legacy, Master?" Jasa taunted, mentally downloading the abbreviated history of the Shaped Ones to Dad ... who gasped, and Ben teared up at the revulsion Dad felt. Dad paled, looking at Ben and groaning, "Ben, NO! I don't hate you! Please, you have to believe me!" Ben looked at Jasa ... Caedus ... who shook his head and replied, "Do you? Or is that more than love talking? I agree, he loves you, Ben, but are there strings attached? PUPPET strings?" "What about wanting to erase my memories?!" Ben shot back as he stood ... not really wanting to fight ... Jasa smiled and said, "That was an offer to take away pain. Remember, I gave you a choice. Master Skywalker doesn't bother even asking; I, on the other hand, have always been about choices." He became gentle again, and breathed, "You saved my son's life, Ben. You're like my own son. All I want for you is what I had the chance to do ... choose, and act." "What choice did the Hapans have, Jacen!? You robbed FIVE BILLION PEOPLE of their free will under the deception of saving lives! Even Tenel Ka and Allana!" Dad snapped, and his tone worried Ben ... Jasa cocked an eyebrow and replied, "Now, THAT is an interesting claim, Master. Yes, most Hapans have become my ... followers, but remember: Hapan males were usually conditioned from birth to obey females, who themselves are a matriarchy based on a warrior history. It was no great effort for them to be Shaped Ones. And if you think *I* can order Tenel Ka around ... dear? Could you step in, please?" Dad gasped, and Ben smiled, as Tenel Ka walked in, Tace and Allana just behind her. Unlike Jasa, Tenel Ka's eyes were definitely green, and the twins also had clear, bright eyes. What was so shocking to Dad, Ben sensed, was both Tace's existence, and that Tenel Ka and Allana were Shaped. Tenel Ka was bald, clawed, taloned, both arms restored, groin sheathed, and Allana was a miniature, preadolescent version of her mother. "Master Skywalker ... Luke. I wish we were reunited under better circumstances, but Jacen ... Caedus ... did save my people. And Ben saved Tace; he is like my own son, now," Tenel Ka said, hugging Ben as the twins wrapped themselves around his legs. It all felt so RIGHT, and Ben returned Tace and Allana's smiles, before looking at his Dad with sorrow and guilt. Why couldn't everyone be happy? Why did Dad have to hang there? "Because, like the Dathomiri knew, Jedi ways only bring needless waste. The Hapans are alive because we ACTED, Ben. What I offer by Shaping is a cure for Vong torture; what I offer by giving mindwipes is a choice to leave the past behind. Master Skywalker's nobility is quaint, but the Jedi assume that everyone is acting from beneficial drives. That allows for chaos. We cannot grant choice until chaos is CRUSHED," ... Caedus said, the ... strength in his voice making Ben feel like part of something greater. "So you grind free will out of the picture!? That yammosk effect is NOT allowing for complete freedom of choice!" Dad yelled. "So?! NEITHER. ARE. YOU! We are quite the pair, are we not, Master?! You unintentionally demand fealty, even to the point of hypocritically leashing the Jedi while the Corellians abuse THEIR freedoms until YOU say attack. I lay the sabaac hand out before I Shape, trying to grant the choice for order! *I* CAN SLEEP KNOWING *I SAVED FIVE BILLION LIVES!*" Jasa boomed, wincing when Tace and Allana cried in fear. "CAEDUS! Listen to me, you delectable man-schutta. Remember who TRULY controls the Hapan Shaped? Calm yourself, or if you frighten the twins again, I WILL *BREAK * YOU," Tenel Ka growled, and Ben knelt down to let the twins hug him. "Yes, dear ... see, Master Skywalker? If you call HER a weak little woman, enslaved, you obviously have forgotten Tenel Ka. I'm sorry, also, Tace, Allana. Daddy didn't mean to scare you," Caedus called, as the twins smiled at him and Ben stood. They still stayed by Ben, though, and he promised them wordlessly that he'd protect them. That was what big brothers did. "Tenel Ka ... Jacen's SITH! You know Sith never keep their word! Your children, my son, they're at risk!" Dad begged, but Tenel Ka sighed, and took Dad's chin in her hand. "I think ... Maitresse, is a truer name for me now ... Luke. The groupmind is much like a hive, and I am a Queen Mother," Tenel ... no, Maitresse, part of Ben urged ... said, as she walked to Caedus' side, rubbing his bald head with hers. Dad groaned, wincing when Maitresse added, smiling naughtily, "I must confess ... seeing you hang there reminds me of some of the ... more interesting fantasies about you in my mother Teneniel Djo's diary." "Urk," Ben blurted, blushing as he REALLY tried not to think about Maitresse' statement. The twins looked confused, and Ben was grateful for their innocence; it was a good distraction. Except now, everyone was looking at HIM, even the groupmind. "I promised, I would not make you choose, Ben. All I ask is that you consider the facts. I ... we ... saved the Hapans. Brought the Corellians to account for their treachery. What are the Jedi offering the galaxy? Stagnation and death. Let us see how nobly the Jedi act when off Master Skywalker's chain," Caedus said, waving his hand ... Dad's Force access was cut off, and Ben almost ran to him, until he felt the twins holding onto him; they were still scared, and Ben radiated comfort. /Sorry. It's just ... the walls,/ Tace sent, and Ben gasped ... The walls were *displaying holoimages,* but even more clearly, even in true color ... "First, let us see how the other great telepath of the Order is doing," Jasa said, and Ben recognized Aunt Betsy ... On Nar Shaddaa, with ... VERGERE!? ---------------------------------------------------------- Betsy ... was having a very mixed up day. She stared, dumbfounded, as Remy LeBeau - the Acadian X-Man more commonly known as Gambit, for his thieving ways, cunning charm, and use of playing cards as a trademark weapon - looked back at her in the alley behind Gardulla the Hutt's lair. More shockingly, Remy still looked like the 32-year-old he'd been when Betsy had been yanked through space to Sernpidal. The red on black eyed Cajun slowly grinned, and asked - somehow, even his Basic had a Cajun accent - " ... Betts? That really you? You aged well, chere." "*I* aged - ? HOW in the bloody HELL are YOU so young!? It's been almost 16 years since I came here! And HOW ARE YOU EVEN HERE!?" Betsy stammered, before throwing decorum aside and hugging her teammate. Remy looked both far too pleased with himself - Betsy arched an eyebrow as she retrieved her lightsaber from his hands - and actually surprised, as he said, "Well, Gateway handled the travel arrangements, but ... chere ... "It's only been about 10, maybe 11 months since you left. " Betsy rocked; it wasn't POSSIBLE ... unless ... "The wormhole. It threw me back in time ... oh, bloody HELL. But how did you find this timeline? This galaxy?" Betsy asked; even if this wasn't her Gambit, A familiar face was lovely. Remy cocked an eyebrow and said, "Betsy, THIS be the Milky Way. HOW, I still ain't sure, but oui ... dis be our timeline." Vergere actually seemed to roll her eyes, then said, "As fascinating as this is, the fate of the galaxy is resting on how many allies we can gather to us, and Ganner Rhysode awaits?" "Look, Mam'selle Poulet du Astro, your Ganner gonna have to wait. My significant other got bitten by ... Mon Dieu, this gonna sound insane ... the holocron of some Sith, so -" Remy began, until Betsy and Vergere BOTH gasped. "ROGUE FOUND A SITH HOLOCRON ON *EARTH!?*" Betsy blurted - And that was when the hum of charging blasters filled their ears, as a deep chortle came from the opening door to Gardulla's lair ... -------------------------------------------------------- "Well. THAT was ... interesting. But Elizabeth is as obsessed with finding her homeworld as ever, not caring what duties she lets slide by ... ironic, that SHE, at least, still has true free will," Caedus sighed, and Ben frowned; Aunt Betsy wasn't greedy ... "Jacen, if that was real, you HAVE to release me! That holocron is too dangerous to be mishandled! We have to find this Rogue and get her to the Temple!" Dad pleaded, but he cried out when he saw an image of the Coruscant Temple ... now a giant sinkhole, with the World Brain's tentacles waving around its edges, and Ben gulped ... -------------------------------------------------------- He fell; but falling was no great fear for Kyp Durron. A Jedi at 16, he'd FALLEN, then, to the spirit of the Sith Lord Exar Kun, and Kyp had managed to redeem himself. He was no apprentice, anymore, and had learned how to act without the dark. What was strange, as he called on the Force to slow his descent from the Jedi Temple as it was eaten by the World Brain, was that he felt ... more ABLE to act, than he'd been since he led the Dozen against the Vong in semi defiance of the Jedi Council. Tahiri had already landed, risking a lot by leaping from chunk of debris to chunk of debris, and she'd reached the ground to attack ... she was cutting fellow human Jedi free of some kind of disturbing translucent pods in the World Brain's tentacles, while the nonhumans were, oddly (and fortunately) enough, being left alone. Kyp also landed, jumping from foot to foot at the friction heat his landing had caused, and yelped when his boots ignited. He pulled them off, and hurled them in frustration at the dhuryam. And when the smelly boots hit a tentacle, it ... recoiled? Tahiri lit up, calling, "Everyone! Light your boots! It's allergic to burning smelly footwear! FOR THE LIGHT!" It wasn't the most normal effort, Kyp admitted, as "proton bootedoes" pummeled the World Brain into releasing its victims and retreating ... but it was minimally destructive. After blowing up the Carida star system, Kyp was grateful for that much. Unfortunately, he had to deflect blaster fire, as GAG shock troops raced up, and his reflection would have to wait. ------------------------------------------------------------- "CURSES! That wretched mock Vong and that loser Durron thwarted the World Brain! And what kind of Force user relies on BOOTS!" Caedus snarled, as Ben and Maitresse shared a worried look ... He wasn't acting very ... well, sane. Caedus whirled on them, his chameleon cloak turning a dozen different colors, until he said, "I ... was attempting to use the World Brain to Shape, and save, as many human Jedi as possible." "Save. ENSLAVE, more like," Dad said, worrying Ben with how he sounded; Luke Skywalker wasn't supposed to be that angry ... Or angry at all. Caedus sneered at his uncle, replying, "You would know, Master. But while we are on the topic of enslavement and perception ... why not see how my dear brother is coming along?" He nodded toward a scene of a familiar, dark mineshaft, and Ben remembered it as the asteroid near Bimmiel ... What was weird was, Anakin Solo was in a mine car ... struggling with a blonde Vong woman ... !? ------------------------------------------------------------- Anakin willed himself to disbelieve the Force phantom; he'd read Jacen and Ben's reports on the darkside technique used by Brisha Syo, and this ... thing was NOT his Tahiri. The warped reflection of Anakin's lover dissolved, and Anakin centered himself; if this was a mechanical problem or a fight, he might've been more comfortable. But, he was a Solo. And an Anakin. Outstubborning the problem could work too. The ore cart came to an end after hundreds of feet of descent, allowing Anakin to get out in a well-lit chamber with plenty of glow rods illuminating the place. It wasn't entirely lit, of course; there were shadowed corners ... One of which disgorged an impossible figure. The figure slid from the shadows, triangular headdress, metallic bodysuit over cybernetic limbs, a red-energy lightwhip with Mandalorian-iron-shard strips of solid steel intermingled with the lightsaber-like cables. "Anakin Solo," the assailant purred. "Lumiya," Anakin breathed - somehow, he wasn't surprised. "Interesting, what one finds at the bottom of the maw luur." Lumiya raised an eyebrow. "Rather ... Vong of you," she said, keeping an eye on the youngest Solo heir. "I don't mind being a slave of Her Warriorness of Domain Kwaad, at least on our nights off,"Anakin admitted, smirking naughtily - Han-like, one would say. And with that, razor bugs flew from his fingers, as he gave ground - nothing would be gained by standing and fighting. Not here. Make the enemy do the work was as much a Vong saying as it was Jedi. Anakin had come to appreciate both cultures in his soul-wedding to Tahiri AND Riina. He'd chosen long ago to love both women in his trueheart's soul, to respect all the Tatooine and Yuuzhan'tar in her. Lumiya pursued ... walking, as she shredded the Vong bugs with her lightwhip. She wanted to keep the Dark Lady poise going. Anakin merely saluted jauntily. Appearances had to be maintained, he supposed ... That was when mechanical cables ensnared him, shredding his clothes, and something jabbed him in his temple. He hung, spasming, as nanobots were shot into his bloodstream, and wires and probes crawled across his skin. And dug. Lumiya whispered, both through the Force and a nascent cyberlink, /Let us speak, then, of masters and slaves .../ /Maybe. But whose enslavement is whose ...?/ Anakin countered ... ------------------------------------------------------------- "ANI!!" Ben cried, helping the twins hide their faces from the horror, while Maitresse and Dad shuddered, and Caedus quickly cleared the holo. "Poor little brother ... he didn't deserve THAT. I would have gladly Shaped him; he would appreciate a good Vongforming," Caedus mourned, and Ben looked at him in shock; that was ANAKIN getting cyborged, how could Jasa be so cold!? Caedus returned Ben's look and said, "Well? That's the essence of Anakin, right there. He NEEDS a guiding hand, or -" He arched a nonexistant eyebrow, as Jaina appeared in an Ossus forest, and Caedus continued, "Ah. My twin ... also off of Master Skywalker's leash ... what is she up to?" ------------------------------------------------------------- She gasped, in the mid-afternoon temperate sun; something's disturbed glee rolled across the Force - #The dark side ... but it's not sentient,# Jaina thought, shaking her head and reaching instinctively for her lightsaber. Which was sitting in Serpa's office. Formerly Kam's office. Fortunately, Jaina had a brilliant brother who designed a lightsaber she could separate and hide in her bootheels ... She nodded at Jag - Serpa had allowed them to search the surrounding woods for Zekk. He'd even been gratified ... to a degree ... at their offer to help. Jaina was more worried that her ex-boyfriend would get his brain blown out by a jumpy kid sniper. She sure as Sithspit wasn't searching for Zekk for Serpa's sake. "Tall and hairy decided to hide well," Jag said softly - Jaina didn't jump, since she had a constant sense of her husband, even if one-sided. "Listen, you. I married YOU. Not Zekk, not Kyp, not Isolder. Who else has that infuriatingly attractive white stripe in their hair?" Jaina tried to tease - but Jag huffed, finally giving her a noncommittal smile. "GAHK - Jaina ... !?" "ZEKK!" Jaina snapped, as the tall, still-ebon-haired Jedi brushed leaves off of his brown robes - brown and green, almost a camoflague - before he ... knelt down, sobbing ... ?! "Zekk, what ...!?" Jaina gasped, kneeling down beside Zekk; she could sense his emotions quite clearly, since they were both ex-Joiners. And Zekk was SCARED. The dark side wasn't controlling him, but it lashed at him ... /Zekk, hang on. The dark side has grown stronger, but -/ Jaina sent, until Zekk caught her eyes. "He's Shaped the Hapans, Jaina! HE'S EATING THE LIGHT!?" Zekk sobbed, then blacked out. ------------------------------------------------------------- Ben felt awful for Zekk, and hoped Jaina and Jag would be OK ... "Eating ... Zekk's words ... Caedus, what do they mean ...?" Maitresse asked, as Caedus concentrated. Something ... surged, in the Force, and Caedus shook his head, while Ben gulped; the dark side was getting stronger. Or ... closer? Caedus also looked ... unfocused, as Dad shouted, "BEN! Keep fighting! No matter what I've done, please, don't trust -" "Don't trust whom, Master Skywalker? The teacher, cousin, foster father who challenged Ben to question, and whom Ben loyally, nobly allowed to Shape him into a higher being? Or his self serving, self deluding, biological father, who has allowed the Corellians to terrorize the Core Worlds, and given up his moral authority?" Caedus snarled. Caedus looked at Ben with hope, and Ben *wanted* to trust Jasa. But Mom and Dad were ALIVE ... and Ben couldn't let Dad hang there. Even if Dad had mindkriffed people, it had to be a mistake. "Daddy, wait! Why does Ben have t'choose? We don't," Allana asked, and Ben smiled gratefully at her for helping him focus. "Yeah! Ben's Shaped. He's one of us. Don't eat his brain, OK? He's a great big brother," Tace insisted, and Ben shared his grin. "Jasa, I *want* to stay. But the mindwipe ... you remember who you are. Maitresse does too; she must. I like being Shaped, I love you guys ... but why hurt Dad? And can't I stay Ben?" he asked. And for an instant, Jasa's eyes flickered ... Ben reached out, sharing memories, reminding his cousin, his big brother, of the good times: Camping on Endor. Learning to meditate. The lightsaber drills. Silly jokes and pranking Ani and just hanging out ... Jasa gasped, his eyes going brown, and he breathed, "... Bennie ... Uncle Luke ... ?!" And then a GIANT firebird filled the room, with Ben's Mom inside it wearing some red and gold bodyglove. Ben smiled at her - she was OK, alive! - and Mom beamed back at him, until she saw Dad ... and her eyes went all glowing, and the bird SHRIEKED, ~MUST KRIFF LUKE SKYWALKER!!!~ "NOT *NOW,* YOU OVERGROWN COSMIC FEATHERBRAIN!!!" Mom yelled, but the bird vaporized the Embrace, grabbed Dad - And Luke and Mara Skywalker vanished. Ben shuddered, but not in grief; his parents were ALIVE. "Ben ... are ya OK?" Tace asked, and Ben rubbed his head, smiling, before looking at Jacen and ... Tenel Ka, Ben realized, who was smiling at him, but watching Jacen ... cautiously. "Ben, I'm sorry. If you still want to leave ..." Jacen asked, but Ben reached out through the Force, and they both smiled. "They'll be back. I like being Shaped. And I love you guys. But you have to let me be Ben, OK? No mindtwisting, like you accused Dad of. You promised," Ben insisted, and ... Jasa ... nodded, as the twins hugged Ben and Tenel Ka smiled. "Agreed. Thank you," Jasa said, and Ben returned the nod. /Indeed, thank you,/ Tenel Ka sent, and Ben returned her Force hug; she was like a big sister, and she trusted Ben with the twins. He promised again to protect them, and Tenel Ka beamed. She, Ben sensed ... was also trying to help Jasa. Even if Jasa didn't know he needed help. Ben was suddenly glad for his ... nonForce? ... telepathy. He thought he might need it ... he just hoped it wouldn't have to be against Jasa OR Dad. #Aunt Betsy, I could really use *your* help ...# ---------------------------------------------------------- Korriban System, Outer Rim, Galactic East: ---------------------------------------------------------- The Ganner Rhysode finished reverting to realspace, but Kral Nevil could feel something was wrong. He was no Jedi, but years of naval instinct had taught the Quarren captain to pay attention to his gut. And the brown graveyard world of the Sith below his ship radiated ... wrongness. "Lieutenant, sound yellow alert. Shields to maximum; gunnery stations, target the Velley of the Dark Lords first," Nevil ordered. Lieutenant Tebut nodded, issuing orders ... then gasping in that human way when they were shocked, and cried out, "SIR! HUGE EM spike from -" That was when blue-white lightning swept over the shields, frying consoles and burning troops, as the Ganner listed; Nevil was knocked off his feet, and nearby space was FILLED with decloaking ships ... Fighters, mostly, THOUSANDS, similar to A-Wings but with a different design, followed by dozens of Star Destroyer-like capital ships, which had rounded keels. Nevil was horrified to recognize them from Academy history: Ancient Sith design. But very new construction. Then the bridge turbolift hatch blew, and silver-armored shocktroopers with black visors blasted their way through the guards ... Nevil felt an invisible hand grab his throat, and a tall human woman walked out of the smoke, her right hand outstretched ... She was clad in a black bodysuit, shiny black boots, some kind of riding crop in her left hand, a lightsaber at her hip. But it was her hair ... brown with a white streak ... that made Nevil wheeze, "... a ... Fel -?" The riding crop slapped Nevil across his mouth tentacles, and the ... Dark Lady snapped, in Adumari accented Basic: "Do NOT insult me ... sugah. Ah want your mission, and your surrender ... "Or your lives. Either will please mah new allies." Nevil hit his knees, and looked up into a merciless face. Which burned with yellow-green eyes. "Very well ... M'Lady?" Nevil panted, to save his crew. The female Sith smiled tightly and replied, "Y'all can call me Darth Rogue ..." "Inheritrix of the holocron of Darth Malak." ------------------------------------------------------- tbc ...