Subject: [OTL]: (alt. Betsy/Star Wars) Fanged Butterfly 2: Knightcross 50A/? (R) From: Phil Hartman Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 03:49:24 +0000 will1@earthling.net Fanged Butterfly Vol. 2: Knightcross Chapter 50A 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: Violence, language, themes. ------------------------------------------------------- 40 ABY: Endor, Outer Rim Territories, Galactic West: Eight Days after the Battle of Corellia: ------------------------------------------------------- No, Betsy was NOT pleased. #Ben's safe, the rest of the Order escaped, AND I get not only Ganner BUT Warren back ... and a Skrull replaces Zekk. Great,# she thought, scowling at the male Skrull bound to a chair in the abandoned Rebel comstation the Jedi had commandeered. The Skywalkers, Solos, most of the rest of the Jedi Council, Tahiri, Jag, Warren, Remy and the droids were on hand. At Corran Horn's nod - he had accepted temporary mediator status until Luke's guilt or innocence about mindkriffing the other Jedi was clarified - Betsy began to speak, while the Skrull awoke and glared. "Don't bother trying to shift; if you were so eager to try and kill me, you know I can mentally block your access to your power. Jedi, meet an above average Skrull, a member of a genocidal species of shape shifting aliens from the Andromeda galaxy. I say above average because no Skrulls I've fought were Force users," Betsy said, returning the Skrull's glare. "Well, the Force replication obviously failed. That ponytailed ape-twit was easy enough to replicate physically, but the Force isn't cooperating with the Warskrull tech -" the Skrull blurted, before gasping as Betsy arched an eyebrow and smirked. Jaina looked between them, then asked, "Your telepathy?" Betsy nodded, as the Skrull squirmed under her probe. "It's why they hate me. I exposed their LAST attack on Earth," she said ... ****************************************** 7/1/2007: SHIELD Helicarrier, Manhattan: 19:00 hrs EDT: ---------------------------------------------------------- ~I still think this is madness ... SHIELD is going to know who I am.~ #Not exactly. The world knows that Lady Elisabeth Braddock survived an assassination attempt by Vargas two weeks ago. The fact that you're also Psylocke, Alpha-class mutant psi, is secret ... to everyone but the X-teams, the CSA, and SHIELD,# Jacob Summers thought at Betsy as they landed on the Helicarrier. ~Again, Jacob, I'm not seeing how - ah. You have a truly odd sense of humor,~ Betsy noted, as Jacob let her in on the plan. To keep SHIELD's ESPers from detecting what he had planned, Jacob had kept the details quiet ... until now. As they'd guessed, SHIELD director Maria Hill was waiting - she was TOO attentive to rules, Betsy felt. Efficiency didn't mean sacrificing emotion or fun ... and Hill WAS a tight-arse. "Captain. A fascinating message - and you deliver the Skrull Psylocke yourself. I'm flattered you took time out of your busy schedule of saving your career to deliver this extraterrestrial invader," Hill said, managing to keep from sounding too obnoxious. "Family means more to me than career, Director. But then, we have that in common - after all, isn't SHIELD about protecting our global family?" Jacob said, getting out of the aircar and pulling Betsy out of the passenger seat. "Very ... open-minded of you," Hill said, directing two "Cape-Killer" armored SHIELD guards to take charge of Betsy - - and then the telepath's power shackles "mysteriously" failed. "Look out! She's loose!" Jacob yelped, and Betsy had an absurd flash of claiming there was a reactor leak ... She concentrated, locking eyes with Hill - who SCREAMED, but the probe had barely started - Hill's thoughts were so ALIEN beneath the conditioned facade - and a *female Skrull* in a SHIELD uniform stood there, snarling. "TERRAN BITCH! You're DEAD!" the Skrull shrieked, and Jacob winced as the Hill-Skrull pulled her plasma pistol, then fired at Betsy - but Betsy just plunged her psychic knife through the alien's center mass, and it SCREAMED, then collapsed, twitching. "Get that thing to the xenomedlab - I'm the CSA's field leader, I'm calling command override! MOVE, and for Christ's sake, find out where your Goddamned xenosensors went wrong!" Jacob snapped, as Betsy scanned the Skrull and frowned. "Franklin was right - there is a conspiracy. We seem to have caught it mid-tide, at least, but the ramifications are severe," she said, and Jacob paled as Betsy shared what she'd learned. "Damnit ... infiltrate Earth's superbeings using advanced Warskrull tech. That at least gives us hope that the templates are alive somewhere, but ... how do we detect them?" Jacob worried. "Not easily. `Hill' panicked, but `her' identity had been reinforced by layers of telepathic conditioning and mental barriers. `Her' external mental signature resonated as human, but I can ID hidden Skrulls now," Betsy said. "Er - Agent Braddock?" Betsy heard, and she nodded at a youngish Caucasian male SHIELD agent with short blond hair. "Saxby Collins, er - ex-Director Hill's aide-de-camp. We've received your bonafides from the Commission - apologies, Captain Summers, but Doctor Cooper waited until ... well, the Skrull was unmasked," the squeaky-voiced blond said, and Betsy examined the boy's datapad. "I see ... hmm. How intriguing - they're actually offering me directorship of SHIELD," she said ... not what she`d expected. Especially since they wanted her to spearhead ANOTHER hunt ... for young Charles Lehnsherr. "Wait a minute. DIRECTORSHIP!?" Jacob blurted, but Betsy just smiled. "Look at it this way, Jacob. I can directly investigate any Skrull taint and coordinate with you. I'd best see what else I can get from `Hill,' then see about getting a SHIELD jumpsuit," Betsy said, walking off with Collins following her like a puppy dog - she was flattered, but ... #Bloody hell. I'm becoming a cougar ...# *********************************************** Betsy blushed at her memory; she HADN'T changed much after all ... #Ganner was what, 20 when we ... Raynar, 28? Bloody hell,# she reflected, turning her frustration on the Skrull ... and seeing ice. "An ice world. They're hiding on an ice world ... which narrows it down not much at all," Betsy said, frowning as Jag checked his comlink. "It's encrypted; I commed Father with the news. He may have information about this ... Skrull," Jag said, activating the comlink's holoprojector as they stepped outside ... but it was the Chiss Aristocra Formbi, the Chiss ambassador to the GA, who appeared. Looking ... FURIOUS. "IS IT *TRUE*?" Formbi ... SNARLED, which was so UNChiss that Betsy worried that Formbi was a Skrull ... until she recalled ... "You ARE descended from Kree settlers, aren't you?" Betsy asked. "Dear Elizabeth ... yes. I apologize for our frequent deceptions about whether we knew where Earth was, but ... we can talk more later. For now: We are officially pledging our aid in your antiSkrull efforts. Normally, attacking first is abomination to us, but Skrulls ..." Formbi trailed off, SEETHING ... "SKRULLS deserve ... Operation: Shadow Paw." Jag GASPED, blurting, "You mean to activate -" "Yes. When we find the Skrulls, you and the Jedi will be told where they are ... so you can fight beside ..." Formbi said, his voice dropping to a theatric whisper: "THE STORM EWOKS." Formbi signed off, but Remy snickered, "Who's afraid of Ewoks?" Everyone else looked at Remy like he'd asked if Alderaan was OK. "Oh, Master Remy. You WILL be," Threepio warned, mournful. "YOU WILL BE." ---------------------------------------------------------- Remy was brave, Ben thought, but he had a LOT to learn. #So do I,# the boy admitted, gulping as he changed into Jedi robes for his meeting with the Council; he wasn't sure he deserved the robes ... or that he wanted them. #How do I explain what I found on Earth? Mom's family weren't Jedi, but they were OK, they used their powers for good ...# Ben reflected, leaving the small tent he'd been issued. The Falcon only had so much room, even though Uncle Han had offered Ben a bunk aboard the freighter. Ben was grateful, but he needed SOME space. He figured it was leftover fear of the Shaped groupmind crowding his thoughts. He ran to the meeting room in the old comstation, then tried to relax before the Masters called him. They weren't angry ... #I'd deserve it,# Ben admitted, bowing, as he counted Masters ... Mom and Dad weren't present. He tried not to worry, as Master Horn smiled and said, "Ben, welcome back. Please, don't be afraid. We just have a few questions." "We ... saw some of what ... Darth Caedus put you through, from Master Skywalker's memories. We are glad for your escape, but we must be certain ... what I mean is ..." Master - Aunt - Tionne asked, sounding guilty, but Ben smiled sadly at her; he understood. "You can examine my memories. It's OK; I was a ... a jerk. The GAG went way beyond overboard, and ... I didn't think about what I was doing until almost too late," Ben admitted, fighting back tears. He dropped his shields, blushing with real remorse and shame as the Council gently picked through his memories of the past five weeks ... including his time as a Shaped One, his escape, and his time on Earth ... After a long while, Ben felt the Council leave his mind, and he said, sincerely, "If you want me to do penance, I'll accept whatever -" "PENANCE!?" Master Durron blurted - but he wasn't mad, Ben felt. Kyp was ... sympathetic? ALL the Masters were ... "Ben, you were ... HORRIBLY abused, exposed to things no boy your age should EVER endure. You realized GAG's methods were wrong, and you kept your decency, even after being ... Shaped, emotionally manipulated ... you've DONE penance," Master - Uncle - Kam breathed. Master Horn nodded, looking kind and stunned as he said, "And your doubts about the Jedi ... aren't a problem. We want to assure you, you're not in trouble. You've overcome true trials ..." "Welcome back, Padawan Skywalker. You're free to go." Ben bowed as he left. He was grateful for the Masters' understanding, but he still wasn't sure about being a Jedi. He'd felt this confused before ... like when he helped Uncle Talon. ******************************************** 40 ABY: Three Weeks before the Battle of Corellia: The Works District, Coruscant: -------------------------------------------------------------- Ben tensed, keeping track of the suspected contact with the Corellian Intel agent they'd picked up; stories from the older GAG officers were that Sith had once used the Works. #It's creepy enough,# the boy thought, trying to keep his comlink in his ear as he chased the man toward a small shuttle - A Force trip sent the perp tumbling, and Ben winced; he didn't want to HURT the guy. Still, he drew his blaster and called, "FREEZE!" A burst of surprise - and disappointment? - filled the Force, and Ben gasped when the perp rolled over ... Talon Karrde, Mom's old employer after she'd left Palpatine, looked at Ben sadly and asked, "Well, at least someone worthy took me down. You ARE Mara's son." "U-Uncle Talon!? I - you're helping the Corellians?!" Ben blurted. Karrde smiled, replying, "Only families, with relocation. For free." "Smuggling? An underground," Ben realized, feeling sick. He was a sworn Guard officer. And Uncle Talon was defying the government order for Corellians to be registered before they were deported. #But he's HELPING people. Like Aunt Betsy would. If she was getting innocent people offworld ...# Ben thought, his mind racing ... Ben shrank down in the Force, then handed Uncle Talon his blaster and said, "Shoot me. It's on stun. Then RUN." "Ben - you ARE Mara's son. Thank you ... and sorry," Uncle Talon said, smiling as he stood ... and just before Ben blacked out, he almost smiled too. He still felt guilty about having to lie to Jasa about Uncle Talon. ********************************************* #Well, Jacen lied to ME,# Ben thought sadly, leaving the comcenter, and remembering he had to apologize to someone else ... "Anakin?" Ben called, and his cousin walked with Ben to a corner. "Hey, you OK?" Ani asked, as Ben shook his head. "I ... when Lumiya caught you, I was on Vjun, Shaped. Jacen showed us you, when you were trapped, and I should've helped you. I'm sorry ... the Council forgave me, EVERYONE forgives me, but -" Ben stammered, finally unable to keep from just ... bawling. He'd been a JERK. It was one thing to trust Jacen, but Ben knew he'd hurt people, too. How COULD anyone forgive him, after ... /Hey. HEY. We've ALL made mistakes. You didn't mean to hurt anyone, or kill those guys on that raid. And about Lumiya, don't worry. I really appreciate the thought, though,/ Ani sent, letting Ben cry into his shoulder for a long while. Ben dried his eyes and sighed, "Thanks. Sorry for the waterworks." "Don't apologize. Guys can cry and still be guys. You ever need help, just ask. Jacen's not your only 'big brother,'" Anakin promised. Ben managed a smile, and asked, "When did you get sensitive?" Ani laughed, rubbing Ben's hair, and said, "When a purple haired mutual aunt of ours chewed me out on the Ksstar ..." ********************************************* 27.2 ABY: Yuuzhan Vong Frigate Ksstar, fleeing Myrkr System: -------------------------------------------------------------- He ... couldn't RISK feeling. The team needed Anakin to be - ~Anakin Solo, your team *completed the mission.* YOU need to VENT. Tahiri needs you to vent, given her own fear and grief. Jedi stoicism is shavit; you're too young for that stupid repressing. And your rep as a heartbreaker will be ruined if you can't express.~ Anakin fought back tears as he looked up at Betsy from his bunk; she was a hero. She'd killed the voxyn queen, saved the strike team ... "I left Jacen behind. I got Eryl, Jovan, Krasov, Bela and Uhala killed ... Raynar's lost, Force knows where ..." Anakin rambled ... ~You're only SEVENTEEN. You should be playing on a beach with the girl who loves you, not bearing the fate of the galaxy,~ Betsy soothed as Anakin cried on her shoulder. He finally leaned back and asked bitterly, "Didn't you feel Jasa -" "He's not dead. Trust me, I've felt plenty of people die. More than you have. Before you can help him, YOU need help," Betsy insisted. "And Jaina needs us both. Now come, my very young nephew." ********************************************** Betsy smiled outside the improvised Council building; she could see Anakin helping Ben. At least Ben was with a SANE Solo male ... She stopped Kyp as he and the rest of the Council took a break, and said, "Thank you for what you did for Ben." Kyp smiled and said, "If I *didn't* try to help Ben, I'd be a true hypocrite. And he never went as far as some of us ..." Betsy shook her head; she'd seen Kyp like this before - self flagellation, before he went and took Katarn-level insane risks. She'd hoped he'd outgrown that bad habit; he'd atoned for Carida long ago. He laughed and said, "You don't need aggressive negotiations to keep me from charging Vjun." "Overcompensation always was your problem. And I don't recall that ... night involving lightsabers," Betsy whispered, blushing. She'd never exactly been proud of the circumstances around her one ... time with Kyp ... and Warren was watching curiously ... Warren walked over, mortifying Betsy when he shook Kyp's offered hand, and the Jedi Master asked, "You're Betsy's longlost love?" "Hopefully not so lost anymore," Warren said, smiling at Betsy, and she was grateful ... but here came Ganner. And RAYNAR ... "Warren Worthington III, meet Raynar Thul, Ganner Rhysode, and Kyp Durron. Raynar, I swear, I -" Betsy tried to explain. The other Jedi traded a Look, then looked at Warren, and Raynar shrugged. "We never said we were TOGETHER together," he said. Warren's eyes grew, and Betsy groaned, "Oh, for Force' SAKE! Ganner was 12 years ago when we both thought we were going to die, Kyp was almost 14 years ago and it was to keep him from suiciding in battle against the Vong, and Raynar ... all right, he's rich, blond and has serious issues. Are you all happy?" Warren and the other men shared another Look, and Warren smiled. "How could I ask you to wait 15 years for me?" he said, kissing Betsy. Oh. Oh, she'd missed THIS ... and he was so understanding ... Then he leaned back, grinning that Worthington grin, and said, "Besides, *I* won't need the Force." "So, what they say about Iego's angels is true?" Ganner chuckled, and Betsy rolled her eyes as the Jedi men chatted amicably with Warren. Somehow, she'd acquired a harem who actually LIKED each other. #And Kyp always has had a knack for gathering friends ...# ******************************************** 26.9 ABY: Eclipse Base, Undisclosed Location: -------------------------------------------------------------- "THEY *MURDERED* HIM!" "The Vong murder THOUSANDS each day! They all deserve justice, but you aren't after THAT! I'm not bloody well going to let you near the hangar when you're like this!" Betsy snapped, as Kyp paced the length of the dorm room he shared with some other single male Jedi. "Wurth Skidder was my PADAWAN! I lead the Dozen on fighter raids daily! This isn't vengeance, it's justice!" Kyp insisted, but Betsy shook her head. "Justice? Stop blowing smoke up your exhaust port. You're 31 standard years old, but you're still guilting over a horrific mistake you made when you WERE 16. As reckless as your Dozen are, I can at least empathize with your guerilla activities, even IF they stem from your continued guilt over causing Carida's nova. But this?" Betsy accused, jabbing Kyp's chest with a finger for emphasis. "This IS vengeance. And don't try to convince me otherwise." Kyp shook, pouring a half dozen different emotions into the Force, finally sitting on his bunk and looking at his hands. Betsy sat beside him, and he stared at her, his mood settling on exhausted bitterness. "Don't look at me like that. You fly like this, some hotshot Vong will snipe your arse with a magma missile. You need to grieve, meditate, do SOMETHING to face and deal with Wurth's death," Betsy said. Kyp smirked, looking at Betsy, and she could feel his ... oh. Oh, NO. "Afraid of Carida's Butcher? Am I too much a martyr?" he breathed. Betsy fought down a long unheeded ... response. She'd deliberately avoided this, with ANYONE, not just Kyp; what if she was whisked back to Earth? But it had been so ... LONG. "You play the martyr too often, when you need to be a scoundrel. There aren't enough scoundrel moments in your life," Betsy whispered. Stang, had she actually turned a HAN line on its ear!? But it really didn't matter ... as she kissed Kyp ... and ... ********************************************** Kyp winked at Betsy as she returned to the present ... and she was VERY grateful Warren was so understanding. #Sithspawn. My ex-boyfriends talking with Warren ... I wonder if poor Tenel Ka had this problem before she was Shaped ...# -------------------------------------------------------------- Bast Castle, Vjun, Outer Rim Territories, Galactic East: -------------------------------------------------------------- She watched Paaxis kicking a ball around with Tace and Allana, as Caedus chatted with Admiral Niathal (using a holoshroud to hide his Shaping) ... Maitresse, Queen of the Shaped, should be happy. Tenel Ka Djo, Queen of Hapes ... less so. #The Consortium is at the edge of open war since I vanished, and we humans of Hapes were Shaped ... and the Corellians are supposedly behind the coomb spore attack that forced our Shaping. And Paaxis ... how could Jacen, Caedus, just ... erase Ben? The boy is dear, loyal, loving ... but too QUIET,# Tenel Ka lamented. She hid her thoughts from her ... adopted (STOLEN, a guilty part of her mind whispered) son, as the teen smiled at her and asked, "Mother? May I help you?" "I am fine, Paaxis, thank -" Tenel Ka began, but a snarl of rage, followed almost immediately by a wave of fury in the Force, cut her off. Caedus stormed into the living room, spitting, "The Ganner Rhysode hasn't reported back in a WEEK. I *KNEW* I should have led an army to Korriban. And now ... I *WILL.* AND to Coruscant and Corellia!" The twins looked confused, Paaxis ... GUSHED, and Tenel Ka frowned - but whatever hold she might have had on the Shaped groupmind had diminished. Dangerously. Caedus kissed her cheek, sending, /I won't blindly throw our subjects' lives away, love. Daala will lead the Coruscant assault; Espara, the Coronet seizure. We'll hold the entire civilized galaxy by the THROAT./ With that, he spun on his heel, motioning Paaxis after him, and Tenel Ka sank onto her hau polyp couch, shivering as the groupmind surged. It was a call to battle. And her Hapan and Dathomiri ancestors would have rejoiced. But she was Jedi ... or she had been. "Mommy?" Tace asked, and Tenel Ka hugged her twins, as she cried. She kissed their bald heads, grateful for some innocence to hold onto. Jacen had taken her illusions. And someone HAD warned her about him ... ********************************************* 35 ABY: Queen Mother's Palace, Hapes, Hapes Consortium, Inner Rim Territories: -------------------------------------------------------------- "... bloody MADDENING, Your Majesty. The Order has gone insane!" Tenel Ka knew Master Braddock was ... honest to a fault. But, calling the ENTIRE Jedi Order insane, for agreeing to let Master Skywalker become Grand Master? "Forgive me, Master, but ... the Council was divided, rudderless. They risked bowing down to Cal Omas, and you yourself warned the Order of allowing politics to govern Jedi activities," Tenel Ka politely asked, between sips of tea on the porch outside the nursery. Master Braddock sighed, watching the groundskeepers prune a topiary shrub in the image of Taa Chume (a reluctant acquiesence to the Heritage Council on Tenel Ka's part), before turning her amethyst eyes to the Queen Mother. ~Tenel, for your safety, and Allana's, I'm going to fill you in on things you probably won't hear from the other Jedi. Your leaving when you did was likely a very wise choice ... I believe the Jedi are being deceived. By Jacen,~ Betsy - the older woman HAD said Tenel Ka could call her that - sent. Tenel Ka decided to at least hear Betsy out; after all, SHE was deceiving the Order about Allana ... and Jacen had used extreme force on Taa Chume. But the news that Grand Master Skywalker had EXILED Tahiri, Tesar and Lowbacca to Dagobah for telling the Thuls about Raynar's survival did disappoint Tenel Ka. Worse, Betsy believed the information leak was not the Grand Master's main reason for the exile. ~Luke became icily cold, almost ... dark, when he confronted Tahiri and the others after they accused Jacen. And they were RIGHT. Jacen did attack Thrago, he did maneuver the Chiss into fighting the Killiks ... and Luke won't admit his golden boy is acting recklessly. Of course, Anakin left with Tahiri, so there goes another voice of reason. Worse, Jacen's teaching Ben Force techniques I find ... too advanced for a 9-year-old,~ Betsy concluded, worry and frustration flowing from her. /... Betsy, whatever else Jacen has done, I know he loves Ben. He would never intentionally harm him. And Jacen may have acted outside usual Jedi standards, but he would never place the Order at risk,/ Tenel Ka said. Betsy shrugged, smiling as she replied, ~Maybe you see something the rest of us don't. If you have influence with Jacen, I wish you good fortune.~ ************************************************* --------------------------------------------------------------------- Endor, Outer Rim Teritories: Galactic West: --------------------------------------------------------------------- #And I wish you good fortune again, my friend ...# Betsy spared Tenel Ka and her twins - and Ben's clone - another brief hope, then watched as the Jedi Council considered her telepathically shared testimony of the past week's events, or at least her part in them. Ben, whatever he decided, was at least welcome among the Jedi again. It was Luke whom Betsy was actually worried about now ... Mara had told her about how badly Luke had broken down when he'd thought Ben had been totally brainwashed by Jacen. Not only had Luke been heartbroken, but he'd practically had a psychotic break, croaking "MINE!" while his eyes went solid white. #I feared he might come to that ... lightblindness. He did authorize the kidnapping attempt against Aidel Saxan before the peace summit, but he wasn't dark ... he justified bad moral choices against the 'greater good.' I should have thrown a bigger fit five years ago ...# ********************************************** 35 ABY: Jedi Temple, Ossus, Galactic East: ----------------------------------------------------------------- #He's shielding too well even for me to read ... # Betsy thought, stepping into Luke's office; she returned Mara's concerned nod. Luke smiled sadly behind his desk, infuriating Betsy until she locked down her feelings and said with forced politeness, "You summoned, 'Grand Master?'" "Betsy, your status as a ... special agent isn't going to change. You can explore the Unknown Regions; all I'm asking for is commitment," Luke said, SO ... condescendingly that Betsy couldn't resist the opening. "*COMMITMENT!?* What, YOURS to a psychdroid ward!? You exiled Tahiri and the others for speaking truth to power, you let Jacen get away with karking with the Chiss, AND YOU'RE seizing power! Yes, the Council's made some mistakes, but instead of yoking them, you should work WITH them!" Betsy erupted. Luke's Force presence shifted ominously, and she warned, "I *KNOW* you're not trying to mindkriff me. Because if you were ..." "BETSY! It's Luke, not Vader!" Mara exclaimed, and Betsy spun on her. "Precisely why I can't understand why YOU'RE supporting this!" Betsy demanded, wincing when Mara looked hurt ... "Somebody had to direct the Order before we had another Great Schism," Mara insisted, and Betsy sighed, before glaring at Luke. "Maybe letting Jacen teach Ben WAS a good idea. Ben's father seems to have taken the worst part of 'no attachments' to heart - he sacrifices his son for power. You DO know Ben's learned green lightning?" Betsy snapped. Luke stood, flinching as if struck, and Mara hissed, "SKYWALKER ... Veila's loose lips are one thing. But a 9-year-old learning LIGHTNING?" "All right, that is a problem, I agree. But we said we'd closely monitor Jacen, and - if we're being bluntly honest, Betsy ... your grey attitude toward the Force troubles me. And I'd NEVER abandon Ben like you're accusing me. Putting the Order first doesn't mean ignoring my son," Luke said, his shields seeping hurt feelings. Betsy sighed, finally shrugging. "Fine. If you really think I'm a bad influence, then I'll let Jacen have a crack at teaching Ben. But listen, Luke Skywalker: If ANYTHING awful happens to my godson, I'll protect him, regardless of your wishes," she insisted, leaving as her eyes filled. A BAD INFLUENCE? How could Luke THINK that? "Betsy, wait!" Mara called, and Betsy turned, seeing her old friend fighting back her own tears. "Luke didn't ... you KNOW we think of you like a sister." ~A black nerf sister?~ Betsy tried to joke, returning Mara's hug. ~You're not a bad influence. It's ... we're trusting Jacen with Ben to keep a closer eye on Jacen, NOT because we mistrust you. But Luke has to be more politic than just saying Jacen kriffed up at Thrago. When you can, please, visit? Ben, ALL of us, miss you,~ Mara sent, and Betsy promised. ~I'm sorry about screaming, but Luke IS acting oddly. He NEEDS a few nights of wild carousing,~ Betsy sent, and Mara grinned. ~Don't worry. Farmboy hasn't a clue that I'm planning a trip to Zeltros,~ Mara sent, and Betsy laughed ... almost like old times. *************************************************** Betsy stirred, looking at Luke as he entered the makeshift Council chamber meekly, his Force presence ... quiet, and she felt sympathetic. She turned to go, but Luke sent, /Betsy ... THANK you. You saved Ben, more than once, while I treated you - many Jedi - horribly. I'm going to be a better PERSON, instead of a better Jedi. And I have a favor to ask .../ Betsy nodded, her eyes widening when she heard what Luke was asking ... and she eagerly agreed. ~Assuming he WANTS that. You know he's having second thoughts about ...~ she trailed off. Luke just smiled, replying, /If he chooses differently, you could still teach him./ Betsy considered that as Corran called, "Master Braddock, could you excuse us? We have a lot of issues to discuss with Master Skywalker in private." Betsy nodded, heading off to talk to Jaina, who was awaiting the target for the Skrull hunt. Luke's request would be intriguing ... however Ben chose. --------------------------------------------------------------------- As it turned out, Jaina had left - the Chiss had commed in with the location of the Skrull base, on Alzoc 3, frozen homeworld of the Talz. AND, Han and Leia had taken Chewie and Threepio, heading ... somewhere, the watch commander told Betsy as the night deepened; she'd been busy longer than she'd thought. #Bloody hell. I have a good idea where Han went ... at least he has Leia and Chewie,# Betsy fretted, stopping by an Ewok cooking stew. She accepted a bowl, but something was ... off about it ... Betsy concentrated, then asked a passing Valin Horn, "Where's Lumiya?" "The Ewoks offered to watch her. Master Katarn wanted to, but he and the rest of the Council have been busy with meetings," the younger Jedi said, bringing a knot of worry to Betsy's gut ... the Force was warning her ... She poked her spoon in the stew ... and red hairs and circuitry surfaced. Betsy WHIRLED on the Ewok, about to scream bloody murder ... just as the woods erupted with metal and blaster fire, and a shockingly familiar voice drawled, "Miss me, sugah?" Betsy tossed the stew aside - and *Rogue*, wearing black leather, swung at Betsy with a red lightsaber. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Ben stirred in his sleeping bag, wearing undershorts; he'd hoped for sleep - But the Jedi camp was being overrun by attackers in ancient Sith armor. He scrambled out of his sleeping bag, but a familiar clawed hand appeared from thin air, pulling Ben into a dimly lit, TERRIFYING chamber - Ben shuddered, crying out when four tentacles spreadeagled him, and another pulled his shorts off ... and Paaxis stepped out of the shaping lab's shadows, closing the portal. What was weird was, Paaxis had the upper hand ... but HE was scared. "Father's gone to war," Ben's clone said ... sadly? "I ... I need answers. Answers he won't give." "Uhm ... pants first? Please?" Ben asked as Paaxis gestured ... Ben was drawn toward an open shaping pod, naked, as he screamed. ------------------------------------------------------------------ continued in next post