fan fiction scrollA Light in the Darkness. Chapter 2 – Making Plans

 Atton RandCanderous OrdoCarth Onasi

Okay, here’s chapter two. Hope y’all like it :)

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“So, lemme get this straight,” Atton Rand said sleepily. He was sitting in Carth’s living room, his clothes fastened haphazardly. Rubbing his eyes, he continued, “You’re in the middle of nowhere, talking to a nameless. faceless, ‘thing’. He–er, it tells you to get all your friends together and come visit or else the world’s gonna end. Then, everything goes haywire, like a cracked datapad?”

“Well, that’s not exactly what I said, but, ok,” Carth said a little dejectedly. It had taken him almost two hours to tell Atton about the dream, because, Atton kept falling asleep.

“But, I don’t get it, Carth,” Atton said with a yawn, “I mean, you’ve had nightmares before. What makes this one so special?”

“I don’t know. It just seemed so real to me. Like someone was actually calling me for help from somewhere very far away.”

“See now, that’s another thing I don’t get. The only way of communicating in that way is via the Force. And, I hate to break it to ya, pal, but you aren’t exactly a Force adept.”

“Not in the way you’re implying, no. But, Alanna and I often discussed it. She said I wouldn’t have been as good at piloting as I am if I didn’t have a stronger affinity than most people.”

“Whatever. We’re getting off subject here,” Atton said, still yawning, “What did your apparition tell you to do again?”

“It said to begin with the people I used to travel with. That’s not going to be easy though. I lost contact with most of them after the war.”

“Well, if it helps, I know where at least one of them is.”

“You do? Who is it?”

“I think he said his name was Canderous Ordo. But, I only knew him as Mandalore. He went back to Dxun to continue rallying what’s left of the Mandalorians.”

“Well, that’s as good a place to start as any I guess. Canderous is the only link we have left to the Mandalorian Wars. And, according to Alanna, that’s how this whole mess started.”

“I have a question for you first.”

“Sure. What’s on your mind?”

“What about the Exile? You know, Seraph? I mean, did your dream give any indication that Seraph was the one in trouble?”

“No, it didn’t,” Carth said slowly, “I just knew it was Alanna. I’ve heard her scream before,” he closed his eyes tight, trying to push the memory of the ‘Leviathan’ out of his head.

“If that’s the case, then, where is Seraph? I mean if Revan- sorry, Alanna, got into a mess this big, then there isn’t much Seraph is gonna be able to do by herself to help her.”

“Well, if it’s any consolation, I think she’s ok. Whoever gave me that warning knows enough about Revan to know about me. So, it seems that if they had captured the Exile you would’ve gotten a similar warning.”

“That’s too bad,” Atton said sarcastically, “I was really looking forward to getting cryptic warnings from unknown sources, beyond the known galaxy.” he sighed and stood up, “I have a feeling you’re gonna need some help on this mission of yours. So, I’m coming with you,” he offered Carth his hand.

Carth took it, “Thanks Atton, I appreciate it.”

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*Several hours later*

“Hey, nice ship,” Atton said, patting the side of the ‘Crimson Shadow’, “Where’d you get this, Carth?”

“Let’s just say I confiscated it from a group of Durosian spice smugglers. They managed to do a few upgrades to her that might come in handy.”

“Ooh, upgrades, I love upgrades. What’d they do?”

“As I understand it, they fitted an ion emission supressor to give it near stealth capabilities in flight.”

“Are you serious? Those little aliens are smarter than I thought.”

“Yeah. I also had some spice put on board. So, then we always have the option of using spice smuggling and a cover. I’m hoping that word never got out that this ship was taken. Just in case we get picked up by the wrong people.”

“Good thinking,” Atton said a little too indifferently, which made Carth roll his eyes. “So,” Atton said, changing the subject, “When do I get to take her out?” as he strolled slowly up the loading ramp.

Carth quickly caught up to him, “There is no way you’re flying this ship Atton. I know your track record with ships.”

“What’re you talking about? I’m a great pilot.”

“I heard you crash landed at least four times while you were with Seraph.”

“Excuse me? We were shot down for three of them. And, if I might add, nobody was killed on any of these crashes.”

“Fine, well you’re still not going to fly the ‘Shadow’.”

Carth looked at him smuggly,”My mission. My ship. My pilot seat.”

All Atton could do at that was give Carth his patented ‘death glare’ as he angrily changed the subject, “When are we heading to Dxun?”

“Actually I heard from a friend on Coruscant that Mission Vao and her brother are living somewhere in the merchant sector of that planet. Since it’s on the way to Dxun, we’ll make a quick stop there and see if we can’t get her to come with us.”

“Great. When do we leave?”

“First thing in the morning.”

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When Atton got back to his apartment, he went straight to his room and lay down. This might be the last night he could get any real sleep for a long time.

As he drifted off, he let his mind wander to thoughts of Seraph. In the short time they spent together he felt he’d known her all his life. He felt like he could be in love with her.

“Maybe it’s for the best that she left,” he mumbled to himself, “What did I ever have to offer her?”

Finally, as he fell asleep, his mind shot to a place he’d never seen before.

Great statues stood in every corner, with great black metal braziers burning brightly in front of them. In the center of he room stood a throne that reached up to the ceiling with all manner of dark figures carved upon it’s surface. And on the throne sat a cloaked and hooded figure bent with age. It had a strange aura about it. As if it all the evil in the universe eminated from this frail figure.

As he looked, the figure reached a gnarled hand out towards him, “I can feel the darkness within you. You cannot hide from it. You must embrace it. Let me show you how.”

Atton was so frightened he wasn’t sure what his next move should be. When, suddenly from behind the throne stepped another hooded figure.

“He’s right, Atton,” the second figure said, “Embrace the darkness. It’s easier than playing Pazaak.”

Atton didn’t know what to say. He just turned and ran. Ran away from that evil place.

As he exited the room, he found himself in a field, similar to the ones he saw on Dantooine.

“Atton,” a voice came from behind him.

He spun around to see Seraph standing there, “Seraph? Oh, amd I glad to see you. I was just in the most horri-”

She stopped him, “I know. And that’s why I must warn you not to heed their words. Remember your training. You are a Jedi. You must protect those you travel with and come find me. Please, Atton, find me before it’s too late.”

He saw the tears in her eyes as he reached out to her. He pulled her in close and went in to kiss her, when-

His vision cleared and he found himself in his room. It was morning and there was someone knocking on the door.

Atton opened the door to find Carth standing there looking impatient.

“Didn’t I say ‘first thing’? I mean come on Atton, with the way you’re moving it’s gonna end up being ‘last thing’. So, will you hurry up? Please?”

“Sorry,” Atton said, a little indifferently, “I had kind of a rough night. I’ll be ready asap.”

And he was.

“You sure you’re alright?” Carth asked, “You look like your night was more than just ‘rough’.”

“I’m fine,” Atton replied, edgily, “Can we just go now, please?”

“Sure thing.”

“Thank you.”

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