star wars green 2

>Lord Sombra passed through the halls into the chamber room
>Kneeling under the pulsing lights a ghostly image of the emperor's face appeared before him
"What is thy bidding Emperor Palpatine?"
>The emperor grimaced
>"Where are the children i sent you for?"
>Sombra bared his teeth to the floor
"Gone. In the company of the jedi."
>"I would've thought you capable of dealing with one jedi, King of the Sith."
"Yes, one jedi I can dispatch quite easily. But there was not just one."
>The emperor's grimace grew deeper
>"There was more than one?"
"Yes."
>"How many more?"
>Sombra hesitated
>"Speak."
>Sombra looked up at him
"One more."
>"FOOL! HOW DARE YOU BE OUTDONE BY TWO JEDI! WHAT OF THE SHADOW TROOPERES! DID YOU NOT EXTOL ME FOR GUARDIANS! A WET NURSE IS WHAT YOU SHOULD'VE BEGGED ME FOR!"
>Sombra would not be answered this way
"They were dispatched just as easily as you bestowed them unto me! I asked for them because i was told they were warriors!"
>Palpatine glared at him
>"Both of them!? By the same jedi!?"
"It couldn't have been the female. She relishes in battle, but this new one kills without delay. Clearly he knows the importance of those children and the power which they posses."
>Palpatine stroked his chin
>"And tell me then King Sombra, why is it that you were spared?"
>Sombra's eyes widened
>"If what you say is true. Why, then, is it that you were not dispatched as well?"
"You question my allegiance?"
>"I question why you still breathe."
"I was pushed away, before i could finish her. They left promptly."
>Emperor Palpatine continued to stare him down
>"You say he kills swiftly?"
"Yes"
>"Then he is weak. This jedi is young and inexperienced, dragging out a battle only serves to expose this weakness in him."
"Then he is no matter."
>"No. Weak though his skills with a sabre may be, he is strong in the force. Those troopers were the first in a long time to have been felled."
>Sombra balled his fist
>"Pursue those children, bring them forth to me that Darth Vader may offer them apprenticeship. Harm none of them, or feel my wrath."
>Before Palpatine could cut off the signal Sombra spoke again
"What of my guard?"
>Again Palpatine frowned
>"You shall have two more then. Though i am quite sure a warrior of your caliber would not need them."
>The signal cut suddenly and Sombra was left in darkness
>Sombra gritted his teeth as his anger consumed him
"RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!"

---

>Back on Moondancer's ship, dubbed the 'Scholar', the newly acquired passengers were just sitting down to dinner
>The girls had long since made a friend with M1-A5, Moondancer's security droid
>Though polished to a gleam the Droideka had mismatching parts
>A remnant of the war was now re-purposed to serve drinks to its guests
>'Patches' was his new nickname given by the children who were now thanking him
>'D00T D00T'
>"Why can't he talk?"
>Moondancer picked up a roll
>"He doesn't need to. He serves his function well enough without communication, unlike others..."
>Flash rolled his eyes
>"You were the one who said she didn't mind any extra work that might come our way. Something about a rainy day."
>"Fugi-"
>Moondancer had agreed not to use that word
>"High-detail transport wasn't exactly what i was referring too."
>"The money was good."
>"The money wasn't the issue."
>You look up from your bowl of mystery meat to fetch a spoonful of mashed something
>"Hey, friend. That's for paying customers only."
>Flash was a bit irritated for losing such a big haul
>Moondancer had absolutely refused to take any of your money when you explained the situation
>Though not exactly for the reasons you were hoping
>'If i take your money' she said 'I would be implicating myself. If the empire boards it'll be simpler to admit you're stowaways."
>"Then i guess you can't have any either."
>Flash Sentry had been living on Moondancer's ship for a while, long enough to forget when he had boarded at least
>He met your gaze as you nonchalantly plopped the spoon on your plate
>Moondancer explained she needed a people person, someone who wasn't afraid to strike a deal, bargain, or haggle
>Before she relied too much on the droid to get a job
>Intimidation didn't suit her all too good, neither did haggling
>Too often she would lose a job to someone else who was deemed more capable
>Then one cloudy day on a backwoods port she met Flash
>She felt comfortable enough around him to appear brave as she had just shown
>"The salad Mr. Anonymous?"
"Oh, sorry."
>As she served herself Moondancer couldn't help but cast a sideways glance at Gilda who focused mainly on her protein
>She didn't bother offering
>"So, how are you all enjoying your second 'night' so to speak, on my ship?"
>You sipped from your cup while the girls chimed in with their enthusiasm of being on a ship where they weren't confined to their room
>"And you..?"
"It's alright, I suppose."
>"Please, elaborate."
"Well, for the past eight years or so I've traveled to many different planets. I've seen magnificent sunsets, heard the shrillest songbirds, and smelled the sweetest flowers on the wind."
>You pause to wipe your mouth
"On this ship all i have is a wall of musty old books and deafening quiet..."
>Moondancer seemed offput by your comment
>Even Gilda stared at you
"Don't get me wrong though, it just means i forgot what it feels like to have four walls and a roof. It's actually put me quite at ease."
>You continue to eat to Moondancer's delight
>Since there hadn't been a live, conscious, passenger besides Flash in the past she had converted two rooms on her ship into makeshift libraries
>You were fortunate enough to be assigned the most spacious of the two
"I've also forgotten how fun it was to read."
>Moondancer beamed
>Gilda snorted, covering her mouth
>"I didn't peg you for an egghead."
>She teased though it was true
>Back at the academy you spent all your free time in the library instead of practicing with your friends
>It was where you formed your strongest opinions regarding the order of the Jedi
"I read one book."
>"Are you reading it again tonight?"
"Yes."
>*Snort*
>"Egghead"
...

>After dinner the girls stayed at the table to play a game with Moondancer and M1-A5
>Gilda went off sit at one of the turrets in the cargo hold to be alone
>And you were just on your way back to your room, it wasn't for sure that you'd read, but you would definitely sleep
>You heard a fast approaching set of footfalls behind you and let yourself be taken by Flash
>He grabbed you by the neck and twisted your arm
>Throwing you against the wall he leaned in real close and whispered harshly
>"Hey 'Jedi', don't think i don't know what you were doing back there."
"Is this about the money? Not my fault she wouldn't take it."
>You grunted as he twisted your arm
>"Don't play stupid! I saw the way she looked at you when you first stepped aboard."
>Moondancer's face lit up when she first saw you
>"I had to work my ass off day and night to get her to show me the smallest bit of decency. Before you came along she was an ice queen, now she just looks at you with those big puppy dog eyes."
"Really? I hadn't noticed."
>Flash twisted your arm again
"Agh. Hey it's not my fault the girl has a crush on me!"
>"I want you off this ship as soon as we land on Naboo. Understand? Otherwise you'll have more to complain about than a sore arm."
>Flash pushed himself off you and walked away
"You know you don't have to be jealous."
>You say rubbing your elbow
>Flash stopped in his tracks and veered around
>"What did you say?"
>He started back at you and grabbed you by the collar
>Gilda appeared around the corner, a toothpick in her mouth
>Flash gripped you harder before he let go as she walked up
>She towered over the both of you
>"Problem, boys?"
>Flash smiled at her
>"No problem here. Right Anonymous?"
>You smiled back
"Right."
>With that the smile disappeared from his face and he walked away up the ladder to his cabin
>"Don't think you can fool me Dweeb."
>Gilda stared down her nose at you
"Really. There wasn't a problem. Guy just can't handle a little competition."
>She gave you an unsettling smile
>"Can you?"
---

>Meanwhile in the Naboo system an Imperial emissary is just leaving the planet's orbit
>With the documentation finally implemented Naboo would soon be forced to join the Empire as well
>Within a few cycles time he would deliver the papers to the offices on Coruscant and finally get that promotion
>Looking out the cockpit window he saw two of the new TIE fighters escorting his ship to the Imperial Destroyer
>The pilots fiddled with the switches and dials on the dash
>They seemed concerned but whatever was the matter he was sure they could handle it, after all it was their job
>He turned around and walked away as he was feeling a bit peckish, something from the galley would sate his appetite
>It was still a long trip just to get to the Destroyer
>No sooner had he opened the door that the ship rumbled
>He paid no mind, after all turbulence was a common thing on-
>BANG!
>The ship jolted suddenly and sent him flying across the room
>Drawers opened and spilled their contents all over the dizzied and disoriented ambassador
>Rocking side to side the ship sent him sliding into a counter which he used to steady himself
>BANG!
>WHIiiiirr
>The engines had quit
>The intercom buzzed to life
>"Pirates have damaged the ship! Prepare for crash landing!"
>The ambassador had to hurry
>He unsteadily made his way to his room
>The ship began to rumble and shake, building with intensity
>Surely they were passing through an atmosphere, not much time left
>Though thrown off balance more than once he managed to reach his room in time to fly one last time down the hallway
>He saw the far wall rush to meet him, and then darkness

---

>Twilight Sparkle had to sit down when she heard the news
>Ambassador Wilhelm was a good friend
>Shining Armor put his hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her
>Damn those rebels
>"What's important now is that we rendezvous with the main fleet and get back to Coruscant. He radioed ahead remember? Naboo is ours."
>Twilight shook her head
>"He was so close to retiring. He just wanted bigger office."
>Shining Armor nodded
>"I know how it feels to lose your mentor, but trust me this will make you stronger. You'll see, his legacy lives on in you."
>Twilight took a deep breath
>"You're right. Wilhelm taught me everything he knew after all. I learned it all in a year."
>She forced a smile but it faded quickly
>"We should go now. Set heading for the Corellia system."
>"Aye-Aye Captain."
>Twilight stood up from her chair
>"You going to be okay?"
>"Sure, i just want to go to my room for a bit."
>"Alright."
>Twilight left the bridge
>Shortly after she was in her cabin packing for her trip
>Spike, her young Trandoshan helper, was trying to convince her otherwise
>"You can't just leave like that! What if something happens to you?"
>"Trust me Spike I'll be fine. I may not look like much but i have a few tricks up my sleeve even my brother doesn't know about."
>"But that's because-!"
>Spike shut his mouth with his claws
>Twilight patted him on the head
>"I know Spike, but going by myself will allow me to use my special skills in the open. If i took a few of my brother's stormtroopers with me all they would do is hold me back."
>"But you'd be safe."
>"Yes, but not safer. I think i can handle a few pirates by myself."
>Twilight twirled a Death Hammer blaster pistol and placed it in her holster
>"I've been training with my brother at the range. I think i've got better aim than a stormtrooper now."
>"So does a blind squirrel."
>Twilight strapped on her pack and looked at herself in the mirror
>She geared herself up with an old expedition uniform she found at the Ring world of Zero
>It came with ten different clasps, twenty different pockets, and a padded inner layer to protect against frost
>Her holster lay idly at her side with a fully loaded blaster and two concussion grenades
>The Imperial Pith helmet she 'borrowed' from her brothers room was a bit too big for her, but it covered up her notorious hair nicely
>She was a young, strong, proud, independent Umbaran woman who didn't need anyone's help
>"Spike, take a letter..."

...

>"Sir, we are detecting an unauthorized vehicle leaving the secondary shuttle bay."
>"What?"
>Shining Armor walked over to the monitor
>"Hail that ship. I want to know the meaning of this."
>A few moments later Twilight's voice broke over the speakers
>"Oh, hey. Looks like you found me."
>"Twilight?"
>"Sorry big brother, but i have to do this. You said Wilhelm's legacy lives on in me so i have to go."
>"Go? Go where?"
>"To the Naboo system, Mr. Wilhelm was a very precise beaurocrat. He never once lost paperwork."
>Shining Armor couldn't believe what he was hearing
>"Twilight you get back on this ship right now."
>Silence
>When Twilight spoke her voice was solemn
>"I have to do this big brother. For Wilhelm."
>"This isn't what i meant Twilight. You can grieve in your own way but putting yourself in danger isn't going to help."
>"Don't worry about me, you taught me well remember? I'd love to stay and chat but i have to go now. The Hyperdrive is almost engaged."
>"Wait. Twilight!"
>"I left a note with Spike, you should read it. Bye now."
>The frequency cut off
>"Sir, we are detecting spiking energy signatures."
>Shining Armor stared out the window
>"Sir?"
>Within a moment her ship flashed in and out of sight
>"Sir, we could go after her."
>The entire bridge looked at its captain
>Shining shook his head
>"We have a schedule to keep. She'll be fine."


>"We're picking up a distress signal."
>Moondancer fidgeted with a few dials to get a lock
>Beside her Flash sat in the copilot's chair non-chalantly polishing his S-5 Naboo blaster pistol
>A gift from one of the guards at the royal palace he had bedded
>She wanted to see him again
>Flash smiled at the thought
>"It's coming from just inside the Naboo system."
>"We should check it out, maybe they left us something."
>"I never took you for a humanitarian Flash but could you at least act concerned?"
>"Sorry. The last five distress signals we answered knocked it out of me."
>Flash pocketed his blaster
>"I just don't feel like getting my hopes up anymore, Moony."
>Moondancer remained quiet as she piloted the ship closer to the swamp moon
>By the time she finally stopped the beeping and located the ship Gilda had made her way into the cabin
>"What's going on?" What's with the beeping?"
>"Distress signal. Ship went down on that rock over there."
>Gilda looked out the window
>"I'm not stopping to check out a ship wreck. Keep flying sister."
>"I am not your sister, and i will not keep flying. There are people in distress who are in need of help."
>"And why do we have to help them?"
>You step out behind Gilda before Moondancer can make her case
"Help who?"
>Moondancer instantly sat up in her chair
>"We just receive a distress signal from the moon below. I was just about to answer it before-"
>"Before i told her to keep on trucking. I'm not putting off collecting my reward any cause of one stupid crash."
>Moondancer looked at you with a mix of fear and pity
>"I'm all for it."
>Flash spoke up
>"We might find something useful down there."
>"More useful than your mouth?"
>"Hey!"
>"Why are even talking about this? We're wasting our time."
>By now all eyes were on you
>You cast a meaningful glance out the window
"You're right Gilda, we are wasting our time."
>She sneered
"We're stowaways after all, we have no say in what the captain does with her ship."
>Gilda's smile faded and Moondancer's appeared
>"I'll start the descent."
>Gilda shot you a dirty look and left
"That being said, i sure would hate it if we walked into a trap."
>"Are you telling me not to land?"
>You shake your head
"Just land far enough away so we can check it out first."
>Moondancer nodded in understanding and drifted a few degrees off course

>Landing in a thick mangrove swamp provided more than enough cover
>In less than 5 minutes you were set to scout the wreckage though not without protest
>Gilda insisted to come along for the hopes of finding some loot until you suggested she protect her bounty
>Moondancer also spoke her piece but Flash shot her down, reminding her she was the pilot of the ship
>And so you were set to explore the nature of the emergency, with Flash, on a single speeder bike
>It was a toss up as to who got to drive but Flash dove into the driver's seat before you had a chance to suggest Rock Paper Scissors
>The backseat was more than a little uncomfortable
>Swamp gas and a heavily humid air didn't aid your experience
>"I call dibs on the first bit of loot we see!"
"We? Last i remember thieves operated on a first come first serve basis."
>"Who said i was a thief?"
"Sorry, i guess at this point we'd technically be grave robbers."
>"Don't say things like that! They might still be alive after all. I hope."
"So then you are a thief?"
>The ship came into view over the next rise
>It had ploughed deep into the marsh leaving behind it a remarkably long track
>Small fires spread among the peat at the base of the tail
"Looks like they tried to save the ship."
>"But did they save themselves?"
>Flash pulled up alongside the cockpit
>You couldn't sense any lifeforms on board
>"This is an imperial transport."
"We should probably figure out their story first."
>You both stepped off the speeder to take a look around
>Turning the corner you witnessed several bodies half buried in the muck
>Blaster burns on the side of the ship suggested they were having a shootout
>"I had heard there was a rebellion forming. I didn't think they'd actually get this far."
"I don't think this was the work of rebels."
>"How do you figure?"
>Flash knelt over to the nearest guard and picked his pockets
>You walked closer to the ship and laid a hand on the marks
"These shots are pretty close packed. Sure rebels would train their soldiers but, these blasts suggest more discipline."
>Flash picked up one of the blasters and emptied its magazine
>"So? Maybe they're stepping up their game?"
"I don't think so."
>Flash tossed the blaster at you
>"Just look at these weapons. They're all secondary hand held blasters, these guys probably weren't too intimidating to begin with."
>You turn the weapon over in your hand
>"This is another thing. Why would the rebels leave these weapons behind? Wouldn't they need them?"
>Flash stuffed a few more credits in his pockets
>"They probably would've take these too huh? What does it matter who these guys were fighting? We're just here for the loot remember?"
>Flash opened a small silver placard he found
>A holographic picture emanated from inside displaying a man with his wife and two young children
>Flash looked at it solemnly
"Someone you knew?"
>You ask as you tower above him
>Closing it immediately he dropped it on the guard's chest
>"No. Nobody, just a picture."
>Looking away he spoke again
>"I"m going to have a look inside. Maybe some survivors...or swag."
>He walks away without looking at you, head bent over like a child scorned
>You knew there was nobody on board, but you never checked outside
>Obviously nothing could be seen through the mounds of sparse vegetation
>Perhaps somebody managed to slip away
>Taking a deep breath you close your eyes and focus

>Twilight had dropped out of hyperspace just a moment earlier
>Landing a ways off as well she surveyed the crash through her binoculars
>The nearest downed TIE fighter concealed her from the two strangers waltzing about Imperial business
>But she couldn't think that way, not yet, perhaps they were just curious bypassers investigating the distress signal
>One of the two had entered the transport, the other continued to rummage about the wreckage and debris
>She wanted so badly to confront them and search for her mentor, but she was hesitant
>She had to learn more about them, she had to study their behaviour

>Your search lead you to what seemed little more than a mound of earth
>But this was it, the source of the life force you had so weakly detected
>Not sure which way to approach you grab onto the top and pull
>To your surprise you clasp an ear and begin to wipe off the mud
>An old man was slowly revealed just managing to gasp for breath
>There wasn't a blaster burn on him but he felt cold as ice to the touch
>Doing your best to dig him out you carry him back to the ship and set him down against the hull
"Flash! Get out here! Bring the Medkit!"

>Twilight felt a tinge of hope as she watched the scene unfold
>They were good samaritans!
>The one outside continued to wipe mud from the face and nose of the wounded man in an attempt to revive him
>His voice was just audible over the distance and he kept screaming for the other to hurry
>Twilight watched with hopeful as the second man appeared at the door
>He was carrying some papers

>"He's a bureaucrat."
"I don't care, where's the medkit?"
>"The whole place is cleaned out. Even the food. But they left these behind."
>Flash handed you the papers
>You took them with reluctance
>Not bothering to read the whole thing you eyeball the words "Treatise", "Cessation of Conflict", and "Naboo"
>"Looks like they beat us."
>Flash turned an uneasy gaze to the old man
>"Is he...?"
>You grip the papers in frustration
"I don't know."
>The old man coughed and winced
>"N-no...p-lease...the pain..."
>He wheezed
>Looking to the front of the ship you speak with conviction
"Get the speeder. We're leaving."
>Flash didn't argue and stepped away immediately
>You stand up and pull out your lightsaber
"I'll make it quick."
>Activating it you raise the saber over your shoulder and prepare to strike
>A horrible scream accompanies a blaster bolt that comes dangerously close to your head
>You turn in time to deflect two more shots taken at you by a crazed woman closing in on an Imperial speeder
"FLASH! START THE SPEEDER!"
>You hear the bike whine in response as you reflect another shot at the stranger
>She stops several meters away and hides behind the machine for cover as she continues her assault
>Her shots were so quick and accurate you actually have trouble trying to keep up
>"Let's go!"
>Flash calls out from somewhere behind you
>Not wanting to keep him waiting any longer you throw the pages of the treaty into the air for makeshift cover
>Nearly 400 pages flutter and billow outward with the force as you turn to leave
>Your eyes fall on the pitiful old man
>Flash screamed something before you swiped his head off his shoulders and ran
>Punching the throttle you were both gone in an instant
>As soon as you were a safe distance away he turned his ear to you
>"How many were there?"
"Just one."
>"Just one!?"
"She was an Imperial! There could be more!"
>"Why didn't you say so!"
>Flash opened up a channel to Moondancer
>"Honey, we're coming home early."
>"Don't call me that!"
>"Sorry dear, just get the bird in the air we got company."

>Twilight dropped to her knees just short Ambassador Wilhelm
>Her tears fell onto the muddied pages of the peace treaty and blotted the queen's signature
>The roaring of an engine filled the air
>Looking up through misty eyes she saw a freighter rising up from the trees in the distance
>She wiped away her tears and took aim with her blaster
>As it turned slowly away from her she grit her teeth and pulled the trigger
>Bolt after bolt left her barrel but none found their target
>Not daring to blink she took in every detail of the ship, memorizing every little scratch she could find
>After finishing off the power cartridge in her blaster Twilight watched the ship leave the atmosphere
>Looking back to the ambassador Twilight felt a surge of hate flow through her body
>"I swear to you Mr. Wilhelm, in the name of the Emperor, I will avenge your death."