"As my anger grew, however, the visions became sharper. Now they showed me a ruined temple and clone bodies lying before me. The visions fed my anger and resolve to make the trip. I decided to steal a modified Z-95 Headhunter. I was intimately familiar with them from my racing and Dure-Lite had to have several of them with hyperdrives rated C1."
Dure-lite was always flashing its status around by modding their fleet to have hyperdrives constructed from the ore they mined in system. The purity of the ore allowed for the construction of super efficient drives and Dure-Lite used its fleet to advertise the fact.
After making the decision to steal a ship from Dure-Lite I felt a bit better. I was finally ready to do something besides stew over the betrayal of the Jedi. Sure it was just a trip to find my master’s body and saber, but leaving the system would put me at risk of being discovered. That meant possibly being forced to fight it out with those responsible for my master’s death. I wasn’t going to look for trouble mind you, but if it found me on its own I’d be ready. It was now nearly impossible for me to meditate as before. The emotions boiling inside me prevented me from getting deep enough to actually find peace and calm. I was getting really edgy and began avoiding people I knew. I was afraid I might lose it in front of one of them. I was afraid I might hurt someone unintentionally. Dale noticed of course and confronted me one day.
He found me here in the Shaft at one of the rear booths. I was brooding and planning my theft. I had done enough homework to know that there was one engineer who worked late every night in the yards. He seemed to be tending to recent mods made to several of the ships; scanning and noting things on a datapad. Other than the guard at the main gateway and the security droids he was the only one I had to worry about. I felt I was ready to make my move.
I really didn’t need Dale to play the conscientious friend tonight, but what could I do? We’d grown up together and, since my Master had left and my grandmother had died, he was the closest thing to family I had left. I can still see the look in his eyes as he calmly asked me what was up…
“What do you mean, what’s up?” I asked over the rim of my Corellian Ale.
“You’ve been boiling over for months now and snapping at people when normally you’d smile or joke with them. You even stopped racing. Now you’re avoiding everyone, even me.” He stated as though reading a list of charges against me.
“Look I really don’t want to do this right now.” I replied, backing it with a Force suggestion.
Dale shook his head as though to clear it but only grew more determined. He must really have been worried about me to shake it off so easily.
“Tenric. I’m worried about you buddy. This isn’t like you. I know losing your grandma was hard, and your Uncle’s leaving obviously upset you too, but….”
“Dale my uncle is dead!” I blurted, cutting him off. “He died on a planet on the other side of the galaxy!” I set my flask down so hard the noise made the other patrons glance our way.
It was a testament to our friendship that Dale didn’t even flinch at my outburst. Once again I felt a pang of guilt at having never told him that my “uncle” was really my master and that I had been training as a Jedi since we were just kids. The way things were now of course his not knowing was safest for both of us.
“Sorry man.” Dale offered in a hushed tone. “I guess I’d be angry at the galaxy too if I was in your shoes right now.” Having nothing else to offer he just stared at the table.
“Look Dale,” I confided in a softer tone. “I just need to work through it on my own. It’s…complicated for me.”
“Well I’m here for you if you need anything buddy. Just ask.”
“I know Dale, I know.” Then I made a decision. “Look. I’m going to be off planet for a while. I need to clear my head and take care of some family business.” Dale had never been out-system and his ambitions didn’t lean that way. “Would you look after my place for me while I’m gone?”
“How long you going to be away?” Dale asked sounding concerned.
“Only as long as I need to take care of things. It is a long trip though.”
“Well if you need any credits to buy passage I’ll do what I can to help out.” Dale offered.
“Thanks, but I think I have it all worked out.” I replied, once more thinking of the shipyards.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
ECLIPSE (part II)
picking up where we left off.....
=====================================
“I guess that’s part of why I misunderstood the visions that did come. I saw Jedi in battle with clones and an old, ruined, temple in the background. I thought it was the clue I had been looking for; that I had finally found the place my Master had fallen. It was Dantooine, a place I knew of but had never been to. There had once been a Jedi training temple, or some such, there. My Master had told me stories from a time he had visited the planet. Of course getting there posed a bit of a problem. Dantooine is about as far from here as one can go and still be on the galactic map. I would need not just a ship, but one that also had a class I hyperdrive in order to make the trip. That meant I would need to 'borrow' one since my recent winnings were largely spent."
The only two places on Soma III to find such a ship were in the shipyards of either Nal-Lium or Dure-Lite. They were the mining consortiums that controlled the system. Nal-Lium was Hutt-run and definitely second choice. Dure-Lite had the best ships and, being mostly staffed by humans, would be easier to infiltrate.
"My Master would not approve of what I was planning to do. That thought only made me angrier. It was something I had to do! Something I needed to do! After all he was the one who decided to leave and take up his place in the Clone Wars…."
Ragun's only reaction to this indictment of Tenric's Master was to raise his eyebrows and wave to the service droid for another round.
"…Sorry, I know he was just being true to who he was. He had been long in self-imposed exile training me. I had seen the joy and pride in his eyes the one time he had taken me off world to meet Master Hett. He was eager for both the news and companionship of a fellow Jedi. It is Palpitane and his pet clones I am really angry at….Vader too, of course, but that’s a bit different. I never thought I would actually ever meet the Betrayer…but I am getting ahead of myself.
So I needed a ship with a class I hyperdrive and the Dure-Lite fleet was my best chance of obtaining one. I didn’t really know many DL workers, but I often lurked around their shipyards as a boy."
A snuffle fron Ragun had a trace of sarcasm in it. Tenric's antics as a boy were still the talk of many in the settlement.
"Security was tight, but that wouldn’t pose too big a problem for someone with my skill set. I had been playing with Force illusions even before my Master had found me that morning so long ago. The trick would be choosing the right ship. After all I wasn’t going to get a chance to fuel up and lay in supplies.
It ate at me, knowing where I had to go and not being able to just hop in a ship and go. I did have my Incom Z-95, it was a fast ship at sub-light, and had the best shield augments the DL guys had come up with so far, but it was tasked as a racer and didn’t have a hyperdrive. I decided that whatever ship I ended up with would need to remain on permanent loan. I wasn’t too sure how I’d arrange that, but I didn’t really care that much either. I just hoped I wouldn’t need to kill anyone to get it.
===================================================================
=====================================
“I guess that’s part of why I misunderstood the visions that did come. I saw Jedi in battle with clones and an old, ruined, temple in the background. I thought it was the clue I had been looking for; that I had finally found the place my Master had fallen. It was Dantooine, a place I knew of but had never been to. There had once been a Jedi training temple, or some such, there. My Master had told me stories from a time he had visited the planet. Of course getting there posed a bit of a problem. Dantooine is about as far from here as one can go and still be on the galactic map. I would need not just a ship, but one that also had a class I hyperdrive in order to make the trip. That meant I would need to 'borrow' one since my recent winnings were largely spent."
The only two places on Soma III to find such a ship were in the shipyards of either Nal-Lium or Dure-Lite. They were the mining consortiums that controlled the system. Nal-Lium was Hutt-run and definitely second choice. Dure-Lite had the best ships and, being mostly staffed by humans, would be easier to infiltrate.
"My Master would not approve of what I was planning to do. That thought only made me angrier. It was something I had to do! Something I needed to do! After all he was the one who decided to leave and take up his place in the Clone Wars…."
Ragun's only reaction to this indictment of Tenric's Master was to raise his eyebrows and wave to the service droid for another round.
"…Sorry, I know he was just being true to who he was. He had been long in self-imposed exile training me. I had seen the joy and pride in his eyes the one time he had taken me off world to meet Master Hett. He was eager for both the news and companionship of a fellow Jedi. It is Palpitane and his pet clones I am really angry at….Vader too, of course, but that’s a bit different. I never thought I would actually ever meet the Betrayer…but I am getting ahead of myself.
So I needed a ship with a class I hyperdrive and the Dure-Lite fleet was my best chance of obtaining one. I didn’t really know many DL workers, but I often lurked around their shipyards as a boy."
A snuffle fron Ragun had a trace of sarcasm in it. Tenric's antics as a boy were still the talk of many in the settlement.
"Security was tight, but that wouldn’t pose too big a problem for someone with my skill set. I had been playing with Force illusions even before my Master had found me that morning so long ago. The trick would be choosing the right ship. After all I wasn’t going to get a chance to fuel up and lay in supplies.
It ate at me, knowing where I had to go and not being able to just hop in a ship and go. I did have my Incom Z-95, it was a fast ship at sub-light, and had the best shield augments the DL guys had come up with so far, but it was tasked as a racer and didn’t have a hyperdrive. I decided that whatever ship I ended up with would need to remain on permanent loan. I wasn’t too sure how I’d arrange that, but I didn’t really care that much either. I just hoped I wouldn’t need to kill anyone to get it.
===================================================================
ECLIPSE (working title)
===========================
Time Frame: Approx. Order 66 +.75y-1.25y = -18 BBY (This story would be before Tenric's Gambit and was alluded to by Dale)
Setting: Soma III > The Shaft.: Tenric sits musing over the recent past….and downing Corellian Ales with a mission. He is sitting with Ragun, owner of The Shaft after its closing for the night. Tenric is filling his friend in on what he’s been up to lately. Tenric is still in his flight gear, having just arrived from the adventure he is recounting. In the booth next to him is a singed brown robe that looks like it might be in better shape than he is. Ragun is one of, at this point, two people who have known Tenric is a Jedi and not just a bounty hunter. The other being Tenric's grandmother (who died soon after his Master left). Ragun is large, grizzled, and old enough to be Tenric’s grandfather (which may actually be the case: but that is another story...maybe).
===================
"The Force had been in turmoil ever since the Clones had turned on the Jedi and my meditations had been difficult. The currents were wild and I had to stay close to my anchor or risk being swept away. My Master had taught me....but he was gone now...GONE!
I knew my anger over the betrayal and at having been left behind was not part of the Jedi Way. I knew it would poison me if I let it remain unchecked, but it was the only feeling I could stand to have so I let it burn. My dreams were dark and filled with the mixed images of Jedi being slaughtered and clones falling before my blade in vengeance, but they brought me no comfort. Daylight only made me miss the darkness. Others around me went on about their lives, Palpitane's announcement and the outlawing of the Order meant little to them.
I tried not to hate those around me. After all they hadn't betrayed the Jedi, or me; they weren't to blame. The anger boiled out of me though and some were beginning to ask questions. I told them I was upset over my 'uncle' having left, but they felt the disparity. That is why I took up racing. It gave me something to do and a way to pour out my anger."
The Somantus Racing Circuit is a loosely organized group of races spread from Tatooine through the lower quadrant and into Hutt controlled space. Racers are always needed due to the dangerous nature of the courses run.
"At first I flew the races with little conscious Force use. I just threw myself at the courses and used my anger to batter my way to the finish. I am quite a good pilot and was able to manage a few third, and one second, place finishes. Soon, though, I realized that in order to keep racing I would need to win. Sponsors were picky about details like that.
So I began to use the Force to augment my piloting abilities and push the racers to their structural limits. Maybe I really wanted one of them to disintegrate and relieve me of the grief and anger; maybe not. I am still not sure. Incom, though, really knows how to build a ship."'
The Z-95s I used in the races could take more punishment than you’d believe and still be flyable. The result of my recklessness was a winning record and a reputation as being the quadrant’s most gifted lunatic pilot.
"I was still spending time meditating and seeking visions of where my Master had died. I wanted to find his body and bring it back for burial. I guess I thought it would bring me some sense of closure. I wanted to find his saber too. Other than my meditations and racing I had closed myself off from the Force. It was a stupid thing to do, but at the time I wasn’t thinking too clearly anyway."
=============================================================
Time Frame: Approx. Order 66 +.75y-1.25y = -18 BBY (This story would be before Tenric's Gambit and was alluded to by Dale)
Setting: Soma III > The Shaft.: Tenric sits musing over the recent past….and downing Corellian Ales with a mission. He is sitting with Ragun, owner of The Shaft after its closing for the night. Tenric is filling his friend in on what he’s been up to lately. Tenric is still in his flight gear, having just arrived from the adventure he is recounting. In the booth next to him is a singed brown robe that looks like it might be in better shape than he is. Ragun is one of, at this point, two people who have known Tenric is a Jedi and not just a bounty hunter. The other being Tenric's grandmother (who died soon after his Master left). Ragun is large, grizzled, and old enough to be Tenric’s grandfather (which may actually be the case: but that is another story...maybe).
===================
"The Force had been in turmoil ever since the Clones had turned on the Jedi and my meditations had been difficult. The currents were wild and I had to stay close to my anchor or risk being swept away. My Master had taught me....but he was gone now...GONE!
I knew my anger over the betrayal and at having been left behind was not part of the Jedi Way. I knew it would poison me if I let it remain unchecked, but it was the only feeling I could stand to have so I let it burn. My dreams were dark and filled with the mixed images of Jedi being slaughtered and clones falling before my blade in vengeance, but they brought me no comfort. Daylight only made me miss the darkness. Others around me went on about their lives, Palpitane's announcement and the outlawing of the Order meant little to them.
I tried not to hate those around me. After all they hadn't betrayed the Jedi, or me; they weren't to blame. The anger boiled out of me though and some were beginning to ask questions. I told them I was upset over my 'uncle' having left, but they felt the disparity. That is why I took up racing. It gave me something to do and a way to pour out my anger."
The Somantus Racing Circuit is a loosely organized group of races spread from Tatooine through the lower quadrant and into Hutt controlled space. Racers are always needed due to the dangerous nature of the courses run.
"At first I flew the races with little conscious Force use. I just threw myself at the courses and used my anger to batter my way to the finish. I am quite a good pilot and was able to manage a few third, and one second, place finishes. Soon, though, I realized that in order to keep racing I would need to win. Sponsors were picky about details like that.
So I began to use the Force to augment my piloting abilities and push the racers to their structural limits. Maybe I really wanted one of them to disintegrate and relieve me of the grief and anger; maybe not. I am still not sure. Incom, though, really knows how to build a ship."'
The Z-95s I used in the races could take more punishment than you’d believe and still be flyable. The result of my recklessness was a winning record and a reputation as being the quadrant’s most gifted lunatic pilot.
"I was still spending time meditating and seeking visions of where my Master had died. I wanted to find his body and bring it back for burial. I guess I thought it would bring me some sense of closure. I wanted to find his saber too. Other than my meditations and racing I had closed myself off from the Force. It was a stupid thing to do, but at the time I wasn’t thinking too clearly anyway."
=============================================================
Sunday, December 28, 2008
First person narrative
Has always intrigued me. Since reading "I, Jedi" it has been on my mind to attempt something of that nature. I haven't had much time to write lately, not much inclination either, but I have begun the story "Eclipse". Hopefully I will get some of it up soon.
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