Jedi Civil War Chapter 1
This story takes place after KOTOR:
After Revan destroys the Starforge, he choses to exile himself into the shadows of the galaxy. Having just been turned back to the light side of the force, Bastila suffers a great loss due to Revan’s sudden disappearance and his constant connection to her through their force-bond. Unhealed from her brush with the Dark-Side, she fears she will once again fall if she is not rescued; just as she fears the galaxy will without Revan. With few Republican or Sith forces left in the Galaxy, the galactic civilization is on the brink of chaos. Leaderless and bound by only one passion, the Dark Jedi turn from their battles with the Republic and focus all their attacks on the Padawans and Apprentices to reduce the Jedi population. In order to prevent their extinction, the Council makes the difficult decisions to step aside from galactic affairs. With few ships left in space and sporadic battles, the galaxy seems to be at a draw between good and evil….
Chapter 1
Cowards
His hazel eyes glared through the view screen, standing fearless and alert. The bulk of the Shadow was just out of reach. It was taunting him, sitting there, inert in space. Under full magnification it looked as though it was abandoned, but the good Captain knew better. It was just waiting for him. The first time he saw it, he felt intimidated. It was much like any other Sith cruiser: a very alien design, yet it was becoming so familiar. It lay very still, on its side, showing off its starboard laser cannons. They were massive and very powerful. It was far beyond the firepower of any Republican ship. He didn’t fear them though; he had replaced fear with hate ever since his encounter with his old commander, Saul Karath. His ship, however similar to the Shadow, was far more effective against his fleet. After Darth Malak had been killed, the Republic became aware of the strategic difference between these large vessels of war: It was not their construction, it was their crew, or in this case, lack there of.
The young war hero knew this. He had encountered the Shadow half a dozen times. Each time it became more obvious what its only weakness was. Knowing now what to look for, the Captain felt immensely more confident about his mission. At first glance, the differences between the Shadow and the Leviathan were too subtle to recognize. Without a Sith army behind it and an Admiral at its command, the Leviathan would have looked the same. It all came down to the command structure. This starship was not at the command of a ranked officer. On the viewscreen, one could see that the Shadow’s starboard cannons were not all orientated towards his ship: a clear indication that the Shadows systems were currently automated. It was certainly in a defensive mode, but the alien systems preferred to keep a few spare laser cannons to cover its front and aft. In the void of space it was sometimes a good idea to cover all axis. In this particular case though, it was completely useless. The Proxis and the Shadow where the only two ships in a very large sector of space. This was the space between spaces.
The shadow was no more than a mammoth driven by a skeleton crew. Still, it could be the end of the Proxis if that was its target. Clearly, the Shadow had other plans and for the sixth time, that hadn’t changed. It only infuriated the war hero even more. He was begging for a fight, trying to be rid of the Sith once and for all. He could never shake away his memories of his former mentor onboard the Leviathan, dying in his arms. The hate that was to die with him only tormented him more now that he was dead. It was a common thing among the Sith to have such strong ties to the suffering of others. Even in death, they find a way to torment others. Saul Karath’s last words had like a grenade exploding on his chest followed by never-ending ringing in his ears. Hate and mistrust was all it was meant to do and it worked marvelously.
A young communications officer left his post and swiftly made his way to the viewscreen, which was just a few steps away on this small bridge. The Proxis was a fraction of the Shadow’s size but it had a good crew and a war-seasoned Captain. The young com. Officer stopped abruptly and stood at full attention behind the Captain. He forgot to take a breath before he made his report.
“I’ve notified the republic of our position.†He said, hoping the good Captain would finally turn around and acknowledge his presence. He waited for a response for as long as he could and then ventured a question.
“Should I call for reinforcements Sir?†He asked gravely.
“No.†The Captain finally turned around but ignored the frightened young officer and barked his next set of orders at all the bridge officers that would hear.
“Engines ahead full, weapons ready, target the front of their ship. Set a course one kilometer ahead of them.â€
“Sir, what about backup?†The comm. Officer yelped.
“We can’t afford to wait. I wont let that ship escape again and again.†The Captain shot a quick frown out the viewscreen and tuned back to watch the crew execute his orders. The comm. Officer was still standing at attention.
“Get back to your station ensign.†The Captain said with a frown in his eyes. Normally, the position of comm. Officer was a prestigious one. It meant being in contact with a lot of important people, opening opportunities for promotions or reassignments. It was an important job yet it was a simple one. Being an officer on the Praxis, however, took great restraint. They haven’t fought in battle in weeks, yet the crew never felt at war more than now. It was within everyone’s right to question his or her commander as long as it was an unvoiced opinion. This Captain tolerated much as long as it was unvoiced. He waited there for his subordinate to make a move. The officer opened his mouth as if to say something but was quickly interrupted:
“The Shadow is not planning to stay here for long. We need to make our move.†The Captain said coolly and dismissed the officer by indicating the comm. station with his eyes. The officer sighed, spun around and took a deep breath before strolling back to his station. He was relieved that he didn’t make much of a scene, but felt no reassurance of the danger the Captain was placing them all in.
“Captain, the Shadow is within range and we are ready to fire.†The tactical officer reported.
“Fire on my mark.†The Captain said as he was turning to the viewscreen, sounding almost as a whisper. He waited until half the distance had been traveled since the Shadow became within firing range.
“Fire!†He finally said, sounding almost hopeful. The Shadow had much more range that the republican vessels. The fact that they haven’t fired by now validated the war hero’s suspicions. He watched the short streaks of energy make their way to the front of the Sith ship with great anticipation. He stiffened his fists and leaned closer to the screen, watching the reaction of the enemy ship with all the fiber of his awareness. Within a flash, the war ship slipped off the screen and disappeared, leaving the lasers to drift into emptiness.
“SITHSPIT!†The Captain shouted, startling everyone onboard. He felt as though the sweat collecting under his fine hair was a flammable fuel that just set off at that very moment. His rage made him forget where he was for a moment. The Captain was gnashing his teeth as he stormed off the bridge. Everyone knew what to do; it became routine. For the past few weeks, the Proxis became a hunter’s vessel, nothing more.
In the privacy of his quarters, the Captain allowed himself to reclaim control over himself with a few breathing techniques and by moving furniture around. Because it was a military ship, all he was able to loosen off the ground was the garbage bin that he crushed with his heavy battle boots.
Only minutes passed before his comm. link went off. The Captain stumbled over his mess and reached the button on the wall to direct the signal to his desk. The monitor flashed to life and the comm. officer’s face appeared.
“We are receiving a call from Admiral Dodala. I am forwarding it to you now Captain.†The young officer spoke fast while sounding as polite as possible. The Captain hadn’t yet reached his desk when the Admiral’s face appeared.
“Captain Onasi, I have just received your latest news.†The lady said simply. There was a pause and The Captain replied, not having completely recovered from his temper:
“And?†He asked with atonement.
“I have a different mission for you Onasi.†The Admiral proposed bluntly. There was a pause in which the Captain was attempting to formulate some form of emotional reaction to the sudden news. The Captain was emotionally confused and was incapable of expressing anything specific, so the Admiral continued:
“I want you to return to me and secure a few passengers aboard your ship.†There was another pause.
“A pair of Jedi.†She finally said while immediately expecting a response, which she got:
“Jedi? Admiral? You have to be joking!†The Captain was appalled.
“Hardly, Captain.†The Admiral straitened up showing intent.
“You know very well how I feel about them, Admiral Dodala. I have much more important things to do than to baby sit some Jedi!†The Captain spat.
“Once again, Captain Onasi, you are wrong.†The Admiral ventured. The Captain of the Proxis kept painfully quiet for Dodala’s explanation to follow:
“I hardly think chasing after some Sith ship is more important that the Jedi. Besides, you haven’t been making much progress of late.†The Admiral noted in as friendly a way as she could.
“That’s because they keep running away! It’s VERY unlike the Sith to do that, Admiral: there is SOMETHING going on and I want to find out what it is!†The Captain waved his arms along his sides, showing intent of his own.
“You’ve been chasing them for weeks Carth. It’s time to give it a rest.†The Admiral made her decision.
“Don’t you want to know what they’re up to? What if they are trying to gather their forces somewhere? What if they’re waiting for reinforcements from wherever it is they come from?†Carth Onasi showed his concern.
“So far, all attempts you’ve made at deviating them have been unsuccessful. It’s time to focus on more pressing concerns.†Admiral Dodala said.
“The Jedi are PLENTY capable of handling themselves and the republic DOESN’T answer to them anymore.†Carth said.
“Your mistrust of them is understandable, but it…†Dodala was cut off.
“I have first hand experience of their betrayal and YOU shouldn’t trust them either, much less OFFER them our services: THEY’ll do nothing but attract trouble. Their war is NOT our own!†Carth used his usual emphasized words and pauses when he was upset.
“The Dark-Jedi are as much…†Dodala attempted to speak again.
“NO. They aren’t part of our WAR any longer! They only want to fight with the rest of the Jedi.†Carth tried calmly.
“And what’s to prevent any of them from becoming the next Revan… or the next Malak and uniting the Sith to finish us once and for all?†Dodala was weary of her conversation with her friend. Carth was her hero and she trusted him implicitly. Being his commander made their relationship strange at times. It’s hard to look your hero in the eye and give him an order you know he will dislike. Yet she was asking Carth that very thing he is less likely to accept given his history with the Jedi.
“NOTHING! We are just gonna sit back and wait for them to make up their mind and change the galaxy HOWEVER they want, good or evil, and there’s NOTHING we will be able to do to stop it, as usual!†Carth shot at his superior.
“Please Carth: Try and understand their point of view and…†She tried again.
“I have my own point of view: that of betrayal! First, Revan, then… Bastila… It seems all the Jedi around me fall to the dark side.†Carth’s words swam in despair.
“Bastila is your next mission Captain Onasi. She needs our help and she asked for you by name. Seems she hasn’t forgotten you after all.†The Admiral spoke amicably.
“Bastila would never ask for anyone’s help… except for maybe Revan’s… you aren’t sugg…†Carth started to wonder aloud.
“No. Revan has not returned…†The Admiral said with a hint of worry. Not so much worry of Revan’s well being but of the possibility that history will repeat itself: the last time Revan abandoned the Republic, it was to return with a fleet of his own and wage war on his old friends.
“Bastila Shan is accompanied by Master Kavar, who was also assigned to protect her.†The Admiral continued.
“So what… they aren’t safe among themselves anymore?†Carth attacked the Jedi way.
“Carth, there are no more safe places left for the Jedi.†Dodala said sadly.
“So now they want to hide in plain sight?†Captain Onasi asked.
“In plain sight with the Republic to back them up.†The Admiral corrected.
“Admiral… from what I know of the Dark-Jedi, they wont hesitate to fight for what they want. They wont turn back just because we are helping. If anything…†Carth voiced his worries.
“I know, Carth. The Jedi are being destroyed and we will witness their end if we don’t help them… I need you on this one Carth.†The Admiral tried to rally her hero over to her cause.
“If something happens to this ship… the Republic will be in great danger when the Sith return.†Carth reminded her of his impression of the mission that he must now abandon.
“IF they return… In any case, I’ll give you whatever you need to pull this off.†The Admiral proposed.
“Fine. I’ll help out. But don’t say I haven’t warned you.†Carth finally obeyed.
