Out of the Ashes (Book 5)

[Akirapryde]

(5.20) The Storm
Azgardian Assault Shuttle
Deep within Reich Space
13th October, 1936

It was Ogon's and Birgr's idea to travel to the world of Weeush in hopes of learning more about how to contact Azgard. According to everything they learned through their travels the Azgardians had simply vanished from the Galaxy. There were roamers of a scholar who has researched the 'Guardians' very deeply. In this nightmare of a Galaxy, Azgardians of lore had become known as Guardians. There were no solid facts about the Azgardians other than that the Guardians vanish from the Galaxy when the light of the Republic had been blown out. Many races have come to believe that the Guardians will return to save the Galaxy and rebuild the Republic. It is a legend that seemed to cross the galaxy and boarders. What has become known as Guardian space, has a running record of being a region of space where no one returns from. With rumors of untold fortunes, technology and loyalty of the Guardians themselves spread through legends. All of the great space empires have sent expeditions in to Guardian space only to have them disappear without a trace. Some expeditions were even a large as thousands of warships strong. Each simply vanished just like the Guardian. This only fueled more rumors of space monsters and black holes in that region of space.

With the flight crew at the controls of the shuttle, both medics on hand, and joined by Ashla and Angel, Ogon and Birgr set out on this adventure. Traveling the first week was test in both patients and ingenuity. With no space lines to aid in navigation, the two pilots and navigator had to hop in and out of hyperspace to ensure that they were on the right heading. Making matters much more worse was the fact that the Shuttle's navigational charts were completely outdated. These factors made what should have been a relatively short trip in to a burdensome, timely journey. The design of the assault shuttle made the longer than normal trip even more unbearable for everyone. With no bathing or cooking facilities within the first few days the cargo area started to have this odor about it. Even though the shuttle was no where near its capacity, still there was no privacy for those traveling. All in all, the first week of straight travel proved to be very much a test on everyone. Though, during this time, Ogon insisted that everyone help learn as much as they could about Weeush and the legends of the Guardians. It helped give everyone focus and limited clashes of nerves.

Passing in to Reich controlled space posed the next major problem. The advanced detection equipment on the shuttle alerted the flight crew of the coming gravity wells used to protect the Reich boarder. And while the shuttle didn't fall victim to the well traps, the pilot and co-pilot still had to navigate through and around them. There were times when it was pretty hairy piloting the shuttle through the gravity fields that were laced with space mines. Once the shuttle passed the boarder zones, then the group had to face off with roaming patrols of Reich warships. Unlike those spotted over Fra, these warships were well built and were formed in to large fleets. These Reich warships hardly posed a problem to the shuttle but still they offered a great deal of detailed intelligence for Ogon. Ogon was able to discover that some of the largest Reich fleets are centered on a few massive warships called Peacemakers. These massive ships were just over a kilometer long and seemed to be the jewel in the Reich Naval Crown. Around these monster ships were well over three dozen supporting capital warships and a larger number of other support ships. The shuttle's sensors were able to get a very good reading on all the ships and rated their capabilities as being on par or maybe slightly ahead of Republic standards during the Jedi Civil War.

While this intelligence was very useful, it was also very distressful for Ogon to learn. The small fleet seen over Fra were almost laughable to Ogon. With some of the intelligence that Ogon had gathered on board the Narshana, the warships encountered by Free Worlds Council were similar to those above Fra. Even the warships seen during the invasion Mearisa were not much better than those noted before. Ogon had noted many of those warships as well. But they did not seem to be in mainstay of the Reich Navy. Already, his mission had yielded some remarkable intelligence. It could have been disastrous had the clever deception by the Reich not been uncovered. It was clear that the Reich wanted everyone to believe that their technology level was much lower than what it really was. He also noted that they were conducting large scale training operations in a number of regions of their space far from spying eyes. Judging by what he was watching during their training operations, Ogon came to the conclusion that these 'newer' ships were recently added and new combat philosophies were being tested and perfected. It gave Ogon a slight sense of hope, as the Reich was not completely ready for war, yet.

Ogon also noted that the Reich had taken a common Republic technology to a different level. He spotted large and small spaceborn robotic combat units. Some were nearly twice as large as a Republic All Terrain Tactical Enforcer (AT-TE). Others were not much larger than a small walker and still some were slightly smaller than Ogon's own battle armor. He was not sure if they were manned or not, though Ogon did have his ideas that they were. The Reich also relied heavily on spaceborn fighters and assault shuttles as well as holding their larger ships back from the fight. During a day while the pilots and navigator were plotting the next slip in to hyperspace, Ogon was able to observe, from a safe distance, a training operation. The fighters and robots seemed to work hand and hand while attacking 'enemy' ships. Once the robots reached the enemy ships, they landed on the ships and the fighters flew close cover. While on the enemy ships, the robots would fire their weapons at weak points in the hauls and point defense of the enemy ships. Once openings were made, the assault shuttles would zip in at high speeds dropping off boarding parties. Some of the smaller robots would join the boarding parties while the larger ones would move on to the next ship to attack. The information did offer a new idea of how the Reich was planning to fights its next major battles.

It was then that Ogon saw something he couldn't believe, a ship larger than the Peacemaker. It was some kind of carrier for fighters and combat robots. While Ogon were not able to discover a Reich name for the ship, he did name it the Death Carrier. It was nearly three hundred meters longer than the Peacemaker and carried thousands robots and fighters. Ogon surmised that the Death Carrier most likely carried ground troops as well to support planet side invasions. He was able to learn that there were four basic type of Reich fleet make up. The first which the galaxy was more common to was made up of older and less advanced ships. These fleets Ogon called S&M Fleets because of their intended smoke and mirror displays. The S&M Fleets could be between fifty to two hundred ships strong. The second fleet that Ogon recorded, he named S&D Fleets for their observed missions of searching and destroying enemy ships. These fleet were made up of a number of both older and new ships. None of the S&D fleets held any of the latest naval technology. The third type of fleets were MB Fleets or Main Battle Fleets. These fleets were centered on the latest technology and a small number of Peacemakers. The last fleet, Ogon called CSF Fleet or Carrier Strike Force Fleet. These massive fleets had two to three Death Carriers and between one or two dozen Peacemakers. Ogon noted two separate CSF Fleets. The Communication Officer had picked up some traffic about something called a wolf pack. Ogon was unable to discover any information about it. With all that they learned about the Reich Navy, it was soon realized that any fight against the Reich would be a very difficult struggle.

At the end of the first week, much had been learned about the Reich and her navy. The beginning of the second week brought the group closer to Reich home worlds. Through the communication network, the group was able to hear Reich propaganda in full swing. There were no opposing voices, just the opinions of the Reich leadership and the promise of defending the human race from all threats. They heard children's educational programing teaching of the superior qualities of the human race over all other races. They heard normal nightly programming framing the Reich and humans as rightful rulers over the Core. There were even shows that depicted grateful alien races welcoming Reich soldiers as they brought law and order to the lawless worlds of the Colonies. One thing that Ogon noted was that there was only one language spoken and that was basic. Even on board casts that were intended for the few alien races within the Core Worlds, these broad casts were in basic. Ogon heard the news of the invasion of Mearisa and noted that the Reich framed it as the Reich stepping in to defend the helpless population of the world from slave hoarding pirates and vile Jedi. Nothing was mentioned about any burning cloud attacks or mass murders which Ogon knew happened on Mearisa. He did see lots of people waving Reich flags as Reich soldiers marched in to the capital. Even saw children dressed as slaves rushing the soldiers with flowers. Ogon had heard the truth of the brutality of the Reich assault on the world.

Ogon actually started to enjoy a show called 'Brighter Days, Darker Nights'. This show was about a group of Reich soldiers who had left the Reich in search of adventure. The small group landed on a world where they found themselves becoming noble defenders of the helpless population. Soon the solders found themselves fighting monsters and evil aliens as they protected a mixture of humans and friendly alien. The undertone of the story seemed to suggest that the writers were softening the news of a coming war in to the colony worlds while expressing the need for the Reich to go there. And by doing so, the citizens would support further Reich expansion in to the Colonies. The nightly stories were very well written and the characters were built in such a way to flow with the scrips but not enough to become lost within it. One thing that Ogon noted was that regardless of how much the Reich spent on warships and other items of war. It was clear that they spent much more on ensuring that the average citizen felt happy with the Reich and its leadership. There were reports and shows about how fellow citizens helped the future of the Reich. The focus of all the propaganda was to ensure that everyone knew that the Human Race had a bright and hopeful future. A future that was reachable through the Reich Leadership. Propaganda was a powerful weapon that the Reich had already mastered. Another reason why the coming war would be even harder.

The night watch was normally taken by Yngling, the Co-Pilot. However Yngling had to wake Jahdai up. Jahdia walked up to the flight deck as he wiped the sleep from his eyes. “Whats wrong?”

Yngling looked back at the sleepy Pilot, “I don't know. The NavCom kicked us out of hyperspace, claiming we are in a gravity well. But the other sensors are not picking anything up. I just don't know what is going on with this thing.”

“Did you run a diagnostic” Jahdia asked as he sat down in the pilot's chair. He started to look over the sensors and readings.

“Yeah it was the first thing I did when I couldn't identify any Gravity Wells in the area.” Yngling said calmly as he switched the command controls from his station to the pilot's station. “Damnest thing I have ever seen Sir. Maybe we finally pushed the shuttle past her limit?” It was a conversation that they had had a number of times. The Shuttle was long over due for her maintenance. The issue had been attempted to be raised but other things had gotten in the way. The Flight crew simply did their best to get the shuttle flying.

“Strange” Jahdia said almost as confused as his Co-Pilot. He noted that they were moving, “are we at zero momentum, right?” Some sensors were recording movement while others weren't.

The Co-pilot nodded, “Of course. I am not going to pilot us in to a black hole or something” he joked as he ensured the engines were shut down.

“Look at the air speed indicator” the pilot said tapping the gauge and added, “something not right here.” Jahdia started to look even closer at all the sensors.

“What, wait, there is no air. How is that measuring anything?” He said looking out across the vast space around them. “It has to be messing up. Look at those readings!” Concern was starting to fill his voice. Even for all of his experience, this was beyond him.

“Either Loki is playing his games on us. OR our systems must be messing up” Jahdia explained checking over gauges and sensors. “Look at the MagDec. Not a single magnetic field around us but look at our planet side compass” the pilot said getting annoyed with the situation. The planet side compass was spinning in multiple directions. “Okay, we clearly have a issue with the on board computer. Lets shut everything down and reboot. Hopefully that will clear up the problem.”

The Co-Pilot nodded, “Yes Sir.” Yngling starting to power down the Flight Computer.

As the Co-Pilot was following his detailed plan to power down the Flight Computer, Jahdia reached in to a large pocket next to him and pulled out a small book. Twisting and leaning around the pilot's chair he took aim with his book. He moved till he had a clear shot of the Navigator, Volund and Comm Officer, Eydis. He tossed the book, hitting Eydis first and it then bounced off of Volund, “Wake up you two. We have a problem.” With a shock, the two started to stir and get up. The pilot turned back to his duties to help shut down the flight system.

Both Volund and Eydis took their stations on the flight deck, “Whats wrong Ace?” Eydis asked as she tried to wake up. She used the pilot's common nickname out of habit. Her voice was labored but waking up.

Not turning back from his task, “I am not completely sure. The systems are not reacting right. I think it might be a bug of some kind. So I am going to try to reboot everything to clear it.” He said while looking everything over. A in flight reboot was something risky but he couldn't see another way out of the problem that their computer was in. Just as he was ready to start the act of shutting down the computer, he paused.

“Hey! There is interference over my com-channels” everyone heard Ogon say. “Damnit, I am missing my show!”

The pilot waved his hand for everyone to stop. “Ogon's suit is separate from everything else here. If he is having problems too, than the problem can not be with our systems.” The Pilot explained.

“What is that!” cried Volund as he pointed out the main window.

Everyone looked up and saw something in the distance. For security reasons, they have been flying without the ship's active sensors or the targeting systems on line. What ever it was, it was outside of their passive sensor range. “Bring up targeting and ping it” the pilot ordered.

“Aye, Sir” the Co-Pilot said as he went to activate the weapon systems on the shuttle. The targeting sweep would give them away once it was fully on line. However the Pilot wanted to confirm what his eyes were telling him. The center screen lit up and they all saw a Reich destroyer nearly two hundred thousand kilometers away. It rolled to the starboard nearly halfway then rolled all the way over to its port side as it moved. The four watched the strange movements of the craft as it darted up then down in space as its confusing movements continued. The targeting systems were indicating that the ship was at full thrust but still moving radically against the motion it should be traveling. As the flight crew looked to each other, all bore the same look of confusion.

“What the hell is going on” Jahdia said.

With the sounds of confusion on the flight deck and his show so rudely interrupted, Captain Ogon made his way for the flight deck. Ogon could feel something wrong but couldn't put his finger on it. Even with the help of his trusted and beloved suite, he had trouble walking. Everything seemed so much out of balance that it actually effected his ability to walk and see straight. As he cleared the last few steps towards the flight deck, Ogon froze in his tracks. Volund and Eydis, whose stations face the rear, turned from the targeting screen to see Ogon standing half up the short step ladder to the flight deck. They both looked with confusion at their recognized commander, the look in their eyes told of their own lost confusion. Eydis spoke something to Ogon, but her soft voice fell on deaf ears as Ogon was incapable of comprehending anything for that short moment. Never in his life had he ever witnessed anything like what he is seeing right now. Never in his life had he ever looked in to something that drew out primal fears from a life he hardly remembered now. Ogon just stood there looking out beyond the windows of the shuttle and in to what could only be the impossible.

Before the shuttle, Ogon could see the storm raging. The massive clouds of dark and light energies were clashing and releasing their wrath on the area. He could not see the ship on the targeting screen as all he could see was the storm before them. Across his eyes flashed the bluish light of lighting as pure white light filled the flight deck. He could see the swirling clouds shifting and moving along the perimeter of the storm. He couldn't see the top or the bottom of the storm but he knew that the shuttle would soon be caught within its grasps shortly. What got him the most was the entire storm was fueled by the Force and its imbalance. Once more another lighting flashed in his eyes causing Ogon to blink and in that moment snapping him from his state of shock. “Turn us around!” Ogon ordered. Both the pilots turned to look at Ogon with a confused look on their faces. It wasn't a hard reach for Ogon to conclude that they couldn't see the storm bearing down on the shuttle. “TURN US AROUND!” he yelled walking up everyone else in the shuttle.

Both pilots replied as they turned to their controls and started to thrust the shuttle in to a turn. Ogon watched the storm shift as the shuttle moved along the edge of the storm. He could feel the pull of the storm on the shuttle. It was if the storm itself was willing the force to draw the shuttle in to it. As the shuttle was making its last turn to return the way it came, Ogon saw an arm of the storm which had been growing beyond the shuttles location. Even before Ogon could issue the warning, the shuttle was caught in the arm of the storm. The shuttle jerked upward violently and then dropped so hard that Eydis was thrown from her chair and in to the bulkhead above her. Her head sprayed blood over Ogon's faceplate as he caught her from hitting the deck once more. The shuttle's engines screamed out as the pilot pushed the shuttle against the forces that now were shaking the shuttle. Another violent shutter of the shuttle sent Ogon and an unconscious Eydis toppling backwards on to the cargo deck. Ogon held Eydis so that she was not harmed as they landed. He heard everyone screaming their alarms to the situation. He looked to one of the medics who was not rudely awaken. He handed Eydis over to the medic and started to get back up once more.

Across Ogon's eyes he saw the bluish light filling the Flight Deck and he heard the crackling of energy in his ears. There was a bright light from the flight deck that illuminated the entire cargo deck. The Shuttle shook once more but this time Ogon was ready for it. He held on tightly to the bulkhead as he moved back up the small ladder. He saw the three members of the flight crew hunched over their stations as smoke filled the flight deck. Even though his sensors was alerting him to the leak, the movement of the smoke also indicated what threat was happening next. The lighting must have punched a hole in the bulkhead above the Flight Deck. Now air was being vented in to space. Without thinking too much about it, Ogon grabbed a repair plate and followed the smoke. Within seconds he found the hole and placed the plate over it. Pulling the lead off the plate he hooked it to the bulkhead and then activated the plate. Two small, bright flares followed the edges of the plate and welded it in place and sealed the hole.

“Angel! Ashla! Get up here now!” Ogon said as he backed down the step ladder. He knew he could pilot the shuttle but that meant getting out of his suite. Something he was unwilling to do and it would take too long.

Angel was the first to reach the Flight Deck. She leaped over the chairs as the shuttle shook more. She started to remove the pilot from his seat. “This one is still alive” she said passing the pilot back to Ogon.

Ashla reached the Flight Deck next, “What is going on?” Ashla was holding on to the back of the co-pilots chair as a new shuttering from the shuttle occurred. The sounds of stressed metals filled the shuttle.

Angel looked out the window and pointed, “You can't see that?”

“Angel she wont be able to see it” Ogon explained.

“See what” Ashla said confused.

“Say no more. Co-Pilot chair please” Angel said while nodding and taking the pilot's chair. Angel grabbed the straps and secured herself to the chair.

Ashla reached up and pulled the Co-Pilot from his chair, “This one is a goner” she reported as she handed the body back to Ogon. She also took the straps and secured herself in the Co-Pilot's chair.

The shuttle still shook violently as both Angel and Ashla got to their bearings and took control of the shuttle. Ogon checked the Navigator/Engineer. The Navigation station seemed to have exploded right in Volund's face. There was a large piece of metal lodged in his neck and the station was covered with blood. Ogon shook his head as he knew that Volund was dead. Still the lighting fleshed across the front of the shuttle as bright white light filled the cockpit. Ogon had mixed feelings as Angel reacted to the light and lighting by covering her eyes and Ashla didn't. The cockpit was a mess with consoles blow out and other gauges acting as if they were malfunctioning. Angel fought hard against the controls as Ashla helped. Angel explained what she saw for Ashla's benefit and was not over heard by Birgr or the two medics. She explained the storm and how it was affecting the shuttle. Sadly only Ogon and Angel could see the storm. As another violent jolt sent the shuttle shifting positions once more a shower of sparks erupted along the spin of the cargo deck. The showers were a colorful and harmless show, but told the story of the beating the shuttle was taking. Angel retracted the wings to give them more strength and attempted to us the shields to protect the shuttle from the lighting.

A blast of lighting raced across the cargo deck ripped from the starboard side across through the port bulkhead. Ogon watched helpless as Birgr was caught in the middle of the forked lighting bolt. That was till the Medic Eir leaped up knocked Birgr from his feet. Her action saved him, but placed herself right in the line of the lighting bolt. Her screams of agony filled the cargo deck and was echoed by Kelda, the crew chief. Both were cut in half by the large lighting bolt that nearly filled the cargo deck. Ogon saw the lighting rip through the Cargo Deck and depart the shuttle.

“WHAT IS GOING ON!” Birgr yelled. He couldn't understand why the shuttle was shaking or why the young medic is now dead at his feet. His mind raced for answers that simply did not come.

Not having time to morn the losses, “We don't have time for answers. We need to repair holes. Trust me!” Ogon explained then tossed a pair of repair plates to Birgr, “There” he yelled as he pointed to a hole in the deck. “And by the Speeder hangers” Ogon leaped from the ladder with a pair of repair plates heading for other holes in the bulkhead. “Angel, get us out of here!” Ogon yield as another shower of sparks filled the Cargo Deck and the lights went out. Ogon turned on the lights on his armor so that everyone could see what they were doing.

“Almost Ogon!” Angel replied as she fought the controls of the shuttle. It was taking all of her skill as a pilot and a Jedi to keep the shuttle from being ripped apart. The drain on her was taking its toll as she drew in the force to enhance her skills and speed. More than once Ashla could see the focus and the strain on Angel. Her eyes focused on the movement of the storm and the paths of lighting within it. What worried Angel the most was the swirling waves of clouds that were drawing the shuttle deeper in to the storm. With the shuttle's engines well past red lining, it was simply a losing battle. She could feel the force around her in its most violent state ever. She felt the Navigation station erupt once more filling the Flight Deck with more sparks, “Ashla kill everything. Give me as much power to the engines as possible.”

“Okay, you have it” Ashla said as her fingers started to shut down system after system. “What about shields?” For all of Angel's skill, it was Ashla's speed at the controls that really helped. Each time Angel called for something, Ashla was there to support it. They made a prefect team in a nightmare of a storm.

“They are useless to us” Angel said as she jerked the shuttle in to a left turn barrel roll. A bluish light flashed near the rear of the cargo deck, “SORRY!” Angel yield behind her to the Cargo Deck. She heard both Birgr and Ogon screaming to each other so she knew that were still alive.

“Angel, you said that this is like a big storm that is drawing us deeper” Ashla asked as Angel nodded, “Why can't we just ride a wave for a bit building speed and then sling shot us through the top of this storm?”

Angel looked at Ashla with a smile, “We can do that” she and added. “Okay lets make sure the engines won't blow up.” she said searching the storm for the right cloud. “There! That one turns upward before diving deeper in to the storm.” She explained as she pulled the engine throttle back and let them cool a bit.

Ashla couldn't see what Angel was talking about but the affects on the shuttle were very real and therefore were something to be concerned about. Ashla watched the heat on the four massive engines. They were taking a beating but cooling off fast. “Heats dropping off fast Angel.”

Angel nodded as she turned the shuttle to enter the Force driven current. “Hang on back there, its going to get allot more bumpy!” she yelled behind her. Angel was happy that the shuttle was as small as it was so that she could still maneuver through this massive storm. Any larger and the shuttle would have been ripped apart.

Birgr turned to Ogon, “As if it could get any more worse?” Both continued to seal up holes along the bulkhead. Sadly, they were faced with a new threat. Cracks were starting for form along the bulkhead. If the shuttle didn't get clear soon, they would be ripped apart.

Despite all of Angel's skill the shuttle was still shuttering and shacking violently. Ormarr handed more repair plates to Ogon and Birgr. Lucky for everyone, the cargo deck was completely empty. This made it easier to find and repair the holes and cracks. The last lighting, Ogon tried to use his lightsaber to control or deflect the bolt. Ogon learned from that mistake, as the bolt blasted him across the cargo deck and nearly ruined his lightsaber. While he was getting up, Ogon was able to note that the lighting bolts that were cutting through the shuttle were part of larger lighting bolts that were hundreds of kilometers long. The three remaining members in the cargo deck continued to seal the holes and cracks with limited light. With the shuttle shuttering and jolting violently, the sounds of the shuttle's engines straining under the stresses of the storm caused a new level of concern. The violent shaking only seemed to get worse as repairs had to take a second seat to just holding on for dear life. Then without warning, it all came to a sudden stop. For a long moment, Ogon and Birgr looked at each other in disbelief.

“Ogon! Birgr! You two might want to see this” Angel said from the flight deck.

Ogon and Birgr both reached the Flight Deck as Angel turned to greet both with a smile. Birgr looked confused but Ogon saw it. “I know this sounds strange but, Ogon, you can see it. Its beautiful.” Angel explained. For Angel and Ogon, the top of the storm was filled with color and stretched for as far as the eyes could see.

Once more he found a new reason to fear this galaxy they were in. They had breached the top layers of the storm and were now high above the storm. From this position, They could see the real scope and magnitude of the Storm. Ogon could see a bright light from somewhere within the storm. His suit's sensor told him what he was already guessing. That the bight light that seemed so small compared to the storm was the sun of a solar system which was nearly engulfed within the storm its self. “Its that large” Ogon said in disbelief of the size of the storm. “My.......my.....” he was nearly speechless over what he was seeing. All Ogon could think about was if the planets were inhabited and if they suffered the effects of the storms as well. Questions he really was ready to search for the answers of. “I need a complete status report Angel. Please” Ogon said as he turned to leave the Flight Deck.

[Akirapryde]

(5.21) In the Wake of the Storm
Azgardian Assault Shuttle
Deep within Reich Space
20th October, 1936

Blind, Deaf, Mute, crippled and deep behind enemies lines were never a good mixture of things during any time. Ogon looked up from his log as his eyes crossed the cargo bay area. The past seven days had been nothing short of remarkable strokes of luck. They were lucky to have survived the storm. They were lucky not to have been picked up by Reich ships that were searching for survivors. They were lucky to have been in this ship instead of anything else. As he was sure nothing else could have survived the storm the way they did. He smiled and looked down to his journal as he signed. He wrote with a heavy heart, 'I am lucky to have such an extraordinary group of friends around me.' He started to write his journal of the events of the past seven days.

'The damage to the Assault Shuttle was complete and leveled across all systems. Having been seven says since our encounter with the strange Force driven storm, I still looked at the shuttle with amazement. The damage to this craft told is a clear indication of the violent nature of the storm and how much we all should be lucky. The fact that our shuttle was still space worthy only reinforces the great deal of the strength our craft had built in to it. I have always known that Azgardian's built their ships to withstand tremendous amount of punishments and damage. The structure has taken well over sixty percent damage and the haul is pitted with holes. Yet we are still alive and still moving, be it much slower but still moving. I remember before we left a conversation about if we should take the Corvette or the Shuttle. I do not think the Corvette would have survived the storm. Angel promised that the craft would still be serviceable once she is able to affect repairs when we are on planet side. As it stands now, the Shuttle might be still moving forward, we are far from mission ready.

'Beyond the toll taken on the haul, the Shuttle's on board computer was fired completely. As well as our navigation computer and communications system. Currently, we are flying on dead reckoning and navigating by the stars. Angel and Ashla are taking up twelve hour shifts piloting while the rest of us split up the time playing co-pilot to them. These shifts I can see are taking their toll on the two. I remembered Angel in the woods of Mearisa, and how she used to always make sure she looked prefect. Now, she seems nearly drained of even the energy to get up for her shift. Ashla also has shown the signs of the strain. I watch them at the controls and its insane. Before the ship's computer did most of the work. Now we have to make sure that fuel consumption is within norms, Engine pressures are norm. There are just so many things that have to be check and compared manually now. Only Angel and Ashla have the specialized pilot training to do these checks and operations. I wish there was more I could do, but their skills are too important to change the rotations. Birgr has taken the turn of event not much better. Being the self appointed leader, I can see how the losses and damage to the ship has impacted him. I explained what had happened but the weight of leadership does sit heavily on his shoulders. I have to admit, I find myself worried about completing our mission lately. With the damage to the ship, loss of systems and life its just hard to see how we are going to get out of Reich Space.

Currently we are traveling but after twelve hours we slip out of hyperspace and Angel and Ashla take new readings so to refine our course. Our Course? Where are we going? I don't have a clue any more. Once the Storm had blown its self out, the system we were end became flooded with Reich ships. They were searching for survivors of the storm. Hundreds if not thousands of ships. Luckily our systems were so badly damaged and we were so far from the main search areas we didn't spark any attention. However, we had to get out of here. It was Eydis who found the transmission that has guided us this far. Had our systems been fully operational we would have never bothered to look for it. As Eydis said, it was a whisper in the dark. When I first heard the transmissions I couldn't believe my ears. It was a popular uprising against the Reich. An entire world had stood up together to fight back the Reich military. The local garrison had joined the upraising and gave the people a means to fight the Reich. We had to find these people and see if we could enlist their help. It took her six hours to lock on to the direction of the signal and we activated our back up hyperspace drive.

'With our main hyperspace engine blown out and our back up only operating at half of its normal rating, fleeing from the system proved to be longer than I had hoped. However we did flee the system and slowly making our way to what seems to be a safe haven in the heart of the Reich. It was the nature of the transmission that gave me hope that we could find safe harbor there. The news broadcast speak of uprisings against the Reich. The music fills the speakers and you could hear the hope in their voices. I know that I am listening to events that happened maybe a hundred years ago or more. But as we get closer to the world of origin, the time delay gets better and the war is still being fought. The News broadcast speaks of a mixed race world united against the Reich and they are fighting a long hard battle. I can only imagine what this world looks like now. My mind warns me, not to get my hopes up. But there is something in their music that calls to me. It urges me to stand up against this Reich. How could they loss with so much going for them. Even if they lost the war, there still might be some remains of the rebellion on this world. I can not see the Reich stomping all resistance out.

'The causalities from the storm hit us hard. Our pilot, Lt. Jahdia remains unconscious. Our remaining medic, Ormarr, has managed to stabilize him despite the fact we lost our medical station and with it our medical computer. Eydis suffered a massive concussion. Her vision has been reduced and her left arm shakes from time to time. Ormarr is sure she will recover but is not completely sure of her internal injuries. Both Yngling and Volund were killed during the storm. Kelda was cut in half by lighting. That brings me to Eir. None of the others, had any idea what was going on during their deaths. Eir on the other hand seemed to have an idea and even choose to act. Her last act was to save Birgr's life while sacrificing her own. It was a noble death for a beautiful woman. Her actions did give me a chance to wonder if she was touched by the Force. I looked back through her personnel files and noted that she scored very highly on her tests. She was even offered to be recruited by the Religious casts. There was no reason listed in her personnel file, she rejected the offer and choose this assignment as a medic. What ever secret reasons she had for doing what she did before. I am glad she was here to save Birgr's life. Due to the damage that our life support took during the storm, we can not do anything with the bodies of the dead. Birgr and I sealed them as best as we could but the smell is starting to seep through. The air in the shuttle is growing stall as well. Even in my suite, the air is growing nasty. I have been forced to remove it so that I might clean the inside of it. Between our shifts, the time seems to drag. Normally this amount of space would have only taken a few minutes or at most a few hours to travel. Its been days now.

'I managed to save all my data that we have collected on the Reich. I decided to copy it and place one copy in a blast proof container. I will continue to update it as we go. Eydis has dialed in the channel of our guide once more. She can only dial it in once we are out of hyperspace due to the signal. The transmission frequency is 105.8 MHz. Over the speaker I can hear that they have finally beaten the Reich and drove them off world. There are open talks with the Reich Commanders about peace and prisoners being released. I am not sure how long ago this transmission took place, they seem to use a different calender than we are used to. Eydis says we are pretty close. Maybe two to four more slips in to hyperspace. I really hope we get to where ever we are going soon enough. We have to change out the air in the shuttle, make repairs and deal with the dead. I have recorded some of their songs. At least I have some music to listen to in my suite now.

[Akirapryde]

(5.22) Cause and Effects (Part One)
The Reich Flagship Starking
In orbit over Dorin
The Dorin Alliance
25th October, 1936

In what would later become known as the highest level meetings between heads of state since the signing of the Galactic Republic Accords, the meeting between the leaders of the Reich and the Dorin occurred with very little fan fare or advertisement. The Reich fleet arrived in to Dorin space at the predetermined location and time. Each Reich ship that slipped from hyperspace had been pre-approved for this mission. Both the Dorin and Reich leadership went through painstaking steps to ensure that this historical meeting would not fall victim to some unforeseen misunderstanding. If such a historical meeting was to take place, little was known about it. The Dorin reception fleet and the Reich fleet both operated under strict communications blackout during transit. This was not a tour of Dorin Space, the reception fleet led the Reich fleet on a very carefully plotted course to Dorin so to ensure that nether fleet were detected. This meeting was one of the most protected secrets in the galaxy. At least that is what everyone had hoped for.

Upon arrival over Dorin, the Emperor of the Second Reich of Humanity was special guest and observed classical Dorin dances and expressions of culture and art. It was the first time any political head of state was received by Dorin since the fall of the Republic. Dorin rolled out the red carpet for their guest and it was clear that this was more then just a meeting of possible political friends. As the twin fleets hovered high above Dorin, the first round of talks started. Much of the first day of talks was spent talking about each other's realm and friendly exchange of ideas and concepts. The Emperor never mentioned the assassin that Dorin had sent to his private garden. Instead he played the part of guest, and he played it well. Nearing the end of the first round of talks, the Emperor addressed the fears of the Dorin government regarding the Reich. They feared that the Reich might see the Dorin as a threat and target them. The Emperor didn't lie in his answer as he explained the Reich's point of view. He could not completely rule out a war with the Dorins in the future. He did however, assure them that the Reich really had no interests in this region of the Galaxy. He outlined his views for the Galaxy and all humans under the protection of the Reich.

He spelled out that he understood that even non-humans had a place in the Galaxy and that place could be side by side with the Reich. He pointed to both states military and reflected that a war between the two would be costly and devastating to all involved. He explained that only the enemies of both would gain to win should the Reich and Dorin go to war against each other. That was something he was unwilling to give his enemies. In addressing war and enemies, the Emperor pointed out that the two most costly wars for the Dorins had been against worlds and governments backed by the Free Worlds Council. He addressed that common enemies help build strong unions and foster tight friendships. He didn't point out that during both conflicts, that while the Dorin's did technically win both wars. They lost more than they gained thanks to the involvement of the FCW. He did point out that the FWC had been using its vast influence to help systems band together against the Dorin in other conflicts. He also added that while the FWC stood little chance against the Reich or the Dorins, the Varl were building up their forces and his spies reported that the FWC had reached out to the Varl.

The second day of talks centered around the Dorins and what they wanted for the Galaxy. They were looking to rebuild the Republic in their own image and under their own laws. It was not so far fetched from what the Reich had in mind. And like the Reich, the Dorin's wanted to see their Republic Governed by only NeDor. Unlike other regions of space, the Dorins had completely outlawed slavery and enacted some of the harshest laws known in the Galaxy. The Dorins wanted to see their strict Caste system used in the model of building their Republic. The Emperor of the Reich listened carefully to the ideas and goals of the Dorins. He applauded their efforts to bring law and order to many worlds within their domain. The Dorins offered the Reich something that they never considered. A map of where the Galaxy falls under either the Reich or the Dorins. The idea was very tempting to the Emperor and he had to ask for time to consider the offer. The Dorin's surprised the Emperor with their knowledge of his coming war. They explained how they foresaw the war that the Reich was planning on waging against the Galaxy.

They correctly deduced that the Reich lacked the military to win this war. They spoke of the same alliances between the FWC and the Varl. They also spoke of whispers on the wind of outsiders coming to the Core to fight against the Reich. These outsiders had the ability to align the Galaxy against the Reich. This war, if left unchanged would bring the Reich to a burning end. These outsiders were the key to the defeat of the Reich and the Dorins as well. The only way that these outsiders could be stopped would be if the Reich and Dorin fought side by side as allies. As the second day of talks came to a close, the map was brought back and redrawn. The Emperor of the Reich agreed to the map as the Galaxy was divided up between the two most powerful militaries in the Galaxy. The Emperor did demand one change to their agreement. Any and all humans would be allowed to leave Dorin Space and enter the Reich. The Dorin's demanded the same for Nu-Dors. With this final detail settled, both leaders agreed on the way the Galaxy will look once the war is over. The Emperor smiled as he looked over his new realm and nodded. 'Now its time that we start our expansions' he thought carefully.

The Reich Fleet seemed to glimmer off the green purple haze of Dorin. It was a sight that was truly to be hold. The Reich fleet in all of its colors and glory stood as a proud and strong show of what the Reich was capable of. Looking out over the vast Reich fleet, one would think that their technology level was on track with the rest of the galaxy if maybe slightly ahead of the rest. That could not be further from the truth. Despite all objections from his advisors and military leaders, the young Emperor choose to leave behind all of his advanced warships. Also more common known as the AWS Fleet by the inner circle of the Emperor. Instead he choose the forty year old Dreadnought class Starking as his personal flagship. With all of its powerful guns displayed in honor of the coming alliance, the Starking was truly a mighty warship. During the last great Reich/Free Worlds Council war, the Starking was cutting edge in warship design and firepower. Her and her sister ships, tipped the tide of battle in the favor of the Reich and caused chaos among the commanders of the FWC. Even with older technology, the Reich Fleet was truly something to behold above Dorin.

As he stood by the large bay window which gave him a commanding view of his fleet, the Emperor had much to be pleased over. Ever Dorin warship they were able to scan, had at least ten years on his own fleet. Sure he was out matched and in some cases out gunned at the moment but that was the whole point of this trip. To allow them to see what he wanted them to see while learning more about the Dorin naval might. The fleet was chosen carefully for this very task. All ships were warships at their heart but their real purpose on this mission was far from fighting wars. Half had been converted in to some of the most advance spy ships the Reich ever had. Gunnery and troop barracks were removed and advance passive sensors were added. Each of his spy ships would transmit their data to the Starking for analysis. It would be the most comprehensive collection of data on the Dorins that had ever been done. So far, what the Emperor was finding out was that their military was sadly lacking in many of the basics that the Reich had enjoyed Mastery over years ago. Even their most feared warships, the Deathbringers, were a force to be reckoned with. However it lacked many of the advances that his own fleet had. While the Starking was forty years old, she was more than a match for other Dorin ships due to the upgrades that she had received. This mission was more successful then he had hoped for.

When the Emperor started the AWS Fleet program, he ensured that all other ships received the latest upgrades as part of the over all program. It was all part of his plans to ensure that the mask of where the Reich stood technologically would remain firmly in place. It was a program that had the highest priority and the Emperor personally oversaw the upgrades and security of the AWS Fleet. Based on what he was seeing, his AWS Fleet would have the Dorins out matched across the board. They did have numbers against his military and while the Deathbringers were inferior to his own Peacemakers, They were still very powerful warships and would be a problem should a conflict erupt between them. Their main guns could easily make short work of his Peacemakers if they were able to fight in groups. Sadly, because of the Dorins' fear of military Coup, the Deathbringers didn't operate in groups. Even their supporting task forces are not under the command of the Deathbringers' commander. These two factors nearly if not completely removed the Deathbringers as a real threat to his navy. Numbers would play key in any battle with the Dorins. However this fact didn't bother the Emperor either. Once more, the Emperor was one step ahead of all of his potential enemies. There were expansions already planned during the coming year. These expansions would allow the Reich more than enough time to play catch up to the Dorins.

More importantly, he had his Wolf Packs. Designed by his father some twenty years ago, the Wolf Packs were created to protect the Reich from invasion. However the Emperor saw them more than capable to take the war to the enemy's homeworlds. For the past ten years, new designs were tested to increase the range and firepower of the Wolf Packs. However, his father had always frowned on any change to his beloved Wolf Packs and their mission of defending the Reich homeworlds. With his father no longer in power, the Emperor was able to fund the new designs as well as speeding up production. The Wolf Packs were going to be a game changer in any upcoming conflict. He was just waiting for a time to unleash them on to the Galaxy. So far his spy network has failed to discover their design or concept anywhere else in the Galaxy. This gave the Reich a massive advantage over any enemy. That and time was the Reich's ally and he knew it. He didn't need to rush in to anything and had no wars planned for at least ten years. He needed time to expand his military to a point that no power would dare defy his authority. At the moment few had any real idea of what was coming. 'That was till today' the Reich Emperor though coldly as he glared out the window.

"All I want to know is how this is possible" the Emperor asked turning to look at his advisors and Military leaders. "How is it possible that they uncovered something that only the few in this room knew about!" he walked to the large table in the center of the room, "what? No one has an idea! Not a single idea of how! HOW?" He yield tossing the news paper on the table. The headlines were clear to read, "Secret Meeting planned for between Dorin and Vandor III. Alliance being SIGNED! War on the Horizon!" The paper was highly popular throughout the FWC and has a habit of speaking of the Reich in unfavorable tunes. The Reich leaders had always used the paper as a test of the conditions between the Reich and the FWC. They would watch where new of the Reich would fall in the paper. Only during times of war had the Reich taken up the full front page. This time, even though the two powers are at peace the entire front page was devoted to anti-Reich propaganda.

The Reich's own spy network showed that while the Dorins and the FWC had exchanged fire during their past in a few minor engagements. Generally there was little contact between them. They didn't share a common boarder and the few times the FWC went to war with the Dorins it was because the Dorins invaded or attacked a FWC ally. It was simply unlikely that the leak came from the Dorin side. Or at least that is how the Emperor believed. Already he was warned of a spy that would cost him his great Unification War. His advisors all agreed that it was just likely the leak came from the Dorins as the Reich. The Emperor didn't buy it then and he wasn't about to buy it now. The meetings had just stated two days ago and everything seemed to be going good. Now these headlines had blown the top off of their secret plans. “So someone please tell me how this is possible!”

Count Paqurn spoke up, “My Lord, we all had agreed that this would not remain a secret for long. And I have to admit, this is much sooner than even I had predicted. There still might be a way to salvage this. Maybe you can spin this to our favor. It has been clear that the Reich has had an unfavorable attitude against alien races. If we were to say embrace this report, this could turn many to look upon us with a favorable opinion.” He could still feel the presence of the dark being around them. The closer to Dorin, he could feel the being's dark powers growing. He didn't want this encounter, but it was unavoidable. He made sure to keep his defenses up while the being was around. “Rather we win the hearts and minds, we can at least not hide away from the report. If we were to address it, we will take much of the power out of it.”

The Emperor nodded, “Once more my dear friend, you have offered me with a wise course of action against misfortune. I like it. Minister Travers, set up the story and spin the headlines. Lets allow the Galaxy to see the Reich as Alien Friendly. Let them see how we can be there to help and protect all. Not just humans. For now that is!” he said with a cold calculated glare. “We must bide our time wisely. If the Unification War is to be victorious, we must bide our time. Gentlemen and Ladies, the Second Reich of Humanity will rule over all humans.” the Emperor paused and thought for a moment. Then he continued, “This doesn't change anything about who the spy is. We must know who this spy within our ranks is.” The Emperor paused as an Aide walked in respectfully and made a straight march for Field Marshal Nezick. “This spy must be found. Issue the order to all Reich installations, they are to double their efforts in patrols and searching for spies.” he turned to Colonel Kef, the head of the Physic Corps. “Colonel, I want your troops to search everyone in my staff. Find this spy at all costs. We must silence him or her before more harm is done.”

Colonel Kef nodded, “Yes My Lord, this spy will be found. This much I promise.”

Field Marshal Nezick raised his hand, “My Lord” he said softly. The Emperor turned and nodded giving the right to speak over to Nezick. Field Marshal Nezick was the head of the Reich Intelligence Networks. “My spies have just informed that while we don't know who the spy is here. We did find out about the leaked information. We were able to trace the first recorded statement made by Jocasta Harrak. She gave a statement before the Council's governing body. It would appear that she was warning the Council of our coming alliance as well as a possible war coming. The Council's governing body had attempted to keep the information secret however it was leaked to the media. What wasn't leaked was that she had received the information from her husband and that the source was considered very reliable.”

The Emperor's eyes narrowed with anger, “Harrak!” he said with venom in his voice. “Captain Harrak's wife has once more used her family ties to upset my plans. Both her and her Husband have been the champions of the Anti-Reich Movement within the Council for as long as they have been together. How could I have not seen this coming. The Petersha has been a thorn in our side for too long. Why that ship has been allowed to exist for so long is beyond me. It should have been a burning hulk in space two centuries ago. Its no matter, a mistake that I plan to correct right now.”

Paqurn saw where this was going and disapproved of the intentions of the Emperor. He spoke up once more, “My Lord. Attacking a Generation Ship comes with remarkable dangers. Both political and militarily. I must advise against this course of action. No good could come from such actions.”

The Emperor smiled coldly, “If simply attacking the Generation Ship comes with dangers, imagine what killing Jocasta Harrak will bring. Harrak and his ship will pay for this betrayal. For too long they have been a key stone to resistance along the boarders with the Council.” Jocasta Harrak was not just any Captain's wife. Her family was one of the founding families of the Free Worlds Council. One of the most powerful worlds within the Council belonged to her family. Assassinating her would be a precursor to war. It was a dangerous move for the Emperor.

Thinking quickly, Paqurn added, “Then might I suggest that we capture the captain and find out who the spy is from him directly.” Paqurn knew two important facts. One, the Galaxy was not ready for war and should the Council be pulled in to a war they would be over run by the Reich in days. Even if the Council could hold out. There would be no other allies to come to their aid. It was simply too early for war. Two, destroying the Petersha would cost hundreds of thousands of lives lost. Once more, a precursor to war. Even worse would be the absents of war. It would give the Emperor a free pass to move on other systems that before were thought too risky to take. He had to stop this plan before it started, “My Lord, allow my battalion to ambush the Petersha and we will bring Captain Harrak to you personally.”

The Emperor seemed to consider the idea for a long moment as he walked around the room. He looked at each of his officers and advisors. Shaking his head, “Its a tempting offer my friend.”

Paqurn could feel the darkness within the room using the Force. It was clear that it was guiding the Emperor on a course of action. Paqurn didn't dare reveal the knowledge he learned. He just lowered his head as the Emperor continued to speak.

“The Petersha has been actively opposing us for as long as the Reich has been protecting humans. Now is the time for the Petersha and its courageous Captain to meet their ends. But you are right. We can not do this in such a way that the Council knows we were behind it. We must act through the shadows.” he said walking over to his desk. He activated a communication channel, “Send a coded message to Admiral Loswet. Attention to Orders, Target, Petersha. Mission, Seek and Destroy it. Do not be discovered at all costs.”

As Paqurn listened to the orders he knew all too well what it meant. The Emperor had unleashed his Wolf Pack for the first time. Admiral Loswet would not give up, nor would he be talked from his mission. This was going to be a do or die mission. The Petersha was doomed. Unless he could get a warning out. He knew just the man to warn. 'Visst' he thought in the back of his mind.

After the voice on the other end confirmed the orders the Emperor turned to Field Marshal Nezick, “Have your spies assassinate Jocasta Harrak. I want it to look like an accident. This is not a time for political messages. Make it clean and done.” the Field Marshal nodded and accepted the mission. On that note the Emperor released the group from the meeting.

Paqurn didn't hang around to chat. Instead he made a path for the Communication's deck. There he set up his message and sent it. The code was something he knew the Reich would never break. So he was not worried about that. Even if they could, he would still not have been concerned. He needed to warn Visst of the coming attack.

---

“Master,
I regret to inform you that the Emperor has decided to attack the Petersha. It would appear that they are at the center of a leak regarding the Dorin and Reich Alliance. The Emperor has sent one of his most loyal naval commanders to destroy the Petersha. The Reich is using their terror weapon, the wolf packs to conduct this attack. Also, the noble Jocasta Harrak, wife to the Captain of the Petersha has been targeted for assassination. You must stop these actions. It is possible that they will lead the Galaxy closer to war. A war that our side is not ready for yet. Worse case scenario would be no war after these actions. It would be giving the Emperor a free pass to annex more systems along the Reich Boarder. These actions must be stopped. Make haste Master, I will attempt to uncover as much as I can about both plans and inform you as I learn more.”

[Akirapryde]

(5.23) Cause and Effects (Part Two)
City of Tertectte
Outer Rim World of Tatooine
Independent Merchant World
27th October, 1936

Tempisu the Varl Park had been constructed in loving memory of a long passed world leader. Tempisu took the world of Tatooine from the barren wasteland and turned it in to the galactic market it was today. The venture took most of Tempisu's life and nearly wiped out his fortunes in doing so. But through the help of the Galactic Church and his loyal troops, the world's more sinister past was finally driven off. Also through creative and aggressive land management operations, Tempisu was able to fought back even the deserts of Tatooine. In doing so, he created a place on the world that was rich with life and beauty. Once the markets took off, Tempisu passed laws which became some of the harshest laws in dealing with commerce. His goals was to make Tatooine very commerce friendly by ensuring that all got fair deals. He also, through some rather strong arm tactics, ensured that two Generation Ships crossed his space. By the time of his death some five hundred years ago, Tempisu was one of the most wealthiest beings alive. His influence spanned across five solar systems and reached out to three Generation Ships. Because of Tempisu, Tatooine thrived while other worlds were withering during the dark ages. Because of his efforts, the people of Tatooine constructed Tempisu the Varl Park, with a marble statue of their beloved leader in the center.

The relationship that Tatooine had with the Varl was clearly seen by the way they showed their respects to the Varl that turned Tatooine in to what it is today. Tatooine had much the same level of respect for the Galactic Church as well. The two worked well together to ensure a peaceful and profitable place to do business. The Park had normally been a place to go and enjoy the day or listen to a park side services conducted by the Church. However today, the park was closed as the local authorities investigated the events of last night. Last night while most slept, the Church hunted down and battled evil thief bent on luring innocent souls in to darkness. The loyal protectors of the city and the Church defeated a witch who had become bound in to service with a demon. Today, in the aftermath of the battle reporters have gathered and hear of the darkness that had lived among them for so long. A spokesperson from the Church walked up to the reporters to give the details of hunt and the battle. Flashes illuminated the soft spoken woman dressed in her black nun outfit as the cameras filmed what was said. Later the report would find its way to the Narshana and to a very disappointed Visst. However, that was something that would have to come later as the spokeswoman gave the Church's account of what happened during the moment.

“Greetings and good morning. Last night, with the help of local authorities, the Church was able to track down a thief who had stolen a scroll from the Cathedral. At the time, no one had any idea who's trail they were on. If not for the special assistance of citizen Daz Murl, the pursuit of this thief would not have been possible. This Thief had used dark powers to remain hidden from the Church while spreading her terror and evil across the city. After a night of dogged investigation work, headed up by the fore mentioned Daz Murl, It was only when the thief was cornered in a near by apartment building did her true nature become known. While calling upon her dark Masters to save her, she refused to surrender herself. Without care for the safety of others, she violently fought back against the local authorities and representatives of the Church. Through the heroics of many people the combat was limited to only a remote section of the park and innocent civilians were rushed out of harms way. Citizen Murl was spotted during the combat sheltering a group of slave girls who had ended up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was bravery demonstrated by those like citizen Murl and Officer Wood and Burly that I have the pleasure of reporting that no innocent civilians were harmed in last night's combat. This pleasant fact was regardless of the attempts of the witch last night, though she did try. Despite being pleaded to surrender by the arresting officers and Church representatives several times, the witch decided to take her own life once it was clear she was not escaping and her dark Masters had forsaken her. It was recorded by the Church that her last words were 'I had been deceived by the Dark Lord himself.' It was clear that her guilt was too much to bare as the light of our Father was cast upon her. The Church has logged this event with the Planetary Government and the stolen item has been recovered. We are starting to believe that this woman had deep links to the satanic organization known as the Sabbat. I ask that all of us, pray to this poor lost child and those like her. Pacts with the Dark Lord only survive till the light of the Lord our Father is cast upon them. It is never too late to turn from the Dark Lord and join our Father in the light. Please let us pray for those who would seek the aid of the Dark Lord while forsaking our Father and our rightful place in the light. Let us pray.”

As the reporters and on lookers all lowered their heads in respect as the spokeswoman led the prayer, another watched from the distance. There is no emotion on his face as his eyes crawl over the entire scene. He knew the truth of what happened last night. He had tried to reach the scene in time only to arrive way to late to do anything about the outcome. He did arrive in time to watch the Church's Order of the Rose searching the area and of her humble little apartment. He knew that she had a message to deliver and was waiting for her transport which was going to leave this morning. There was no reason to be remorseful over the loss though. It was simple a matter of fact now, she was dead. Both of her missions had failed. The candle is back in the Church's hands and she failed to deliver her message. Now he had to figure out where the message was. That was his mission now. The candle was important to them. However, the message was more strategically important than collecting the candle. He didn't see the Order of the Rose with the message so it was safe to assume that they didn't find it. He knew the risks involved with getting in to her apartment while the Order of the Rose was around. However he had little choice, the message had to be recovered. There was good news though. It didn't appear that they were looking for the message either. This played in to his favor for the time being.

Carefully he moved through the outlining crowds as he made his way towards the apartment building she called home for so many years. He didn't dare risk going inside as he slipped along the side of the building where he was out of sight. He leaped up in to the air and grabbed the side of the building. Using small hand holes, he climbed up the side and made his way towards the third floor. The endeavor was hard but not impossible as he moved on to the roof. Once he was on the roof he made sure that no one spotted him. He kept close to the shadows of the roof and limited his profile by staying low. He carefully made his way towards her balcony and slipped down the side. He froze as he heard voices from the room. He moved up the wall of the balcony and in to the rafters of the over hung above the balcony. His movements were skilled and silent as he hung above the door to the apartment. He heard the voice of Father Benjirmen inside. The voice was more than enough reason to give him a pause. Father Benjirmen was not just any Knight within Order of the Rose. He was their most senior Knight and leader of the Order. A skilled murder who was washed with the blood of hundreds of Sabbat. Father Benjirmen was nothing short of a cold blooded murder draped in the robes of the righteous.

“Look what I found Sir.” a Knight said. He couldn't see them as they talked but he could hear them from the roof of the balcony.

“Let me see that.” Father Benjirmen said softly then got excited, “Do you know what this is? It is a message tube.” there was some noise within the room, “You must have bumped it or the witch broke it. See here these glass tubes, they hold acid. That ensures that if the Sabbat is captured, they can destroy their message before it is discovered. This one however didn't break right. Look, both of the tubes remain unbroken. Here let me see if I can recover the scroll in side.”

“Careful Sir, you don't want to get acid on yourself.”

“If it will help us stop the Sabbat once and for all, I would gladly take a bath in acid. Hold on, get me that tray over there.” Once more there was more noise and then Father Benjirmen continued, “Blessed is our Father! The message is intact! Look here, see. In two thousand years, I could count on two hands how many Sabbat messages have ever been captured intact. This is both a historical and remarkable find. Look over here, this case contains their scribing tools and these tubes are un-scribed. They use the tube to address who the message is for and where to find them. Each message tube is hand carried within the Sabbat. This limits us on how we can track them. They are if anything else, very clever. My my, this is remarkable.”

“Sir, can you tell where this message was heading or to whom it was to be delivered?” the younger Knight asked.

“Sadly no. It is a art form that we have yet to break. The lack of material to examine gave us little to work with. The Sabbat have learned well from their Dark Masters in the pits of hell to be secretive. Even this find will most likely not yield much about the codes they use. But this message however, is a different story. Look at the language it was written in. It must not be for a Sabbat. Mostly likely an ally or pawn. This is something completely different indeed.” Father Benjirmen explained.

“Oh my God, Sir. What are we going to do?”

Father Benjirmen let out a great sigh of relief, “I must take this to the Bishop at once. We have people aboard the Petersha. I have to speak with the Bishop. Grab the case along with the scribing tools. We have to show all of this to the Bishop. If this message is right, than this might be what we have been waiting for.”

From outside, he heard the conversation with great disappointment. He rested his head on a rafter as the conversation continued. He felt no emotion over the turn of events. Though the loss of the message would cause his mission even more problems. Even in loss though, he had a clue about the message. It has some link to the Petersha, that much was for sure. He was not sure what that link was just yet. He would have to find out. He moved from the rafter and hung by his hands. He waited till he heard the door close and then silently dropped to the balcony. He knew it was going to be a fruitless effort now, but he still slipped inside to search the apartment. He trusted in the Force and knew that if there was a clue to be found, he would find it. Carefully he moved in to the messy apartment. He took a moment to pause as he entered. The apartment's current state had nothing to do with her. He knew all too well that true control over emotions come from order over all things in ones life.

'Order within and out can bring true control over one self' A lesson well taught to him by his Master when he was just a young Sabbat student. Each Sabbat is taught from very early childhood to be orderly and calm in ones environment. It was a hard life style to learn, but one with great rewards. His Master used to measure the width of his underwear, which were to be evenly rolled, to ensure that they were exactly the same width. He remembered how his entire dresser would be tossed to the floor and he had to start over. Each item had to be the same width and placed in its proper place. He knew her very well since he became a Knight of the Sabbat. Young Sabbat students are kept from all over forms of contact till they master their emotions and had learned to control their minds. Keeping them in hiding was done more for the safety of the student than any teachable lesson. The Church had been on their hunt for the Sabbat since the last days of the Republic. Before, the Church learned to look for students first and their teachers would not be far. It was a sound hunting tactic with bloody results for the Sabbat. To safe guard the students, Masters would tend to vanish for ten to fifteen years while they trained their students. They would return only when their students are ready. Most Masters had chosen to remain hidden for up to twenty to twenty five years. This way, their students were given the best chances against the Church. This also made teaching a life changing endeavor for most Masters. Most Masters would only teach one or two students before moving on to furthering the goals of the Sabbat.

Taking in the sight of the room and the lack of order he nodded and moved carefully within the room. He ensured not to step on anything as he moved through the room. He moved across the floor watching every step with great care. Sometimes being a Sabbat meant more like being a ghost rather then a savor of the innocent. He noted that a clip board laid on the bed. It was clearly not hers, so it had to belong to the Order of the Rose. He didn't bother to look at it, as he had more important issues at hand. He knew better than to be distracted from his mission by such things. He instead moved to her dresser. Most of her belongings were tossed about the floor in such a disorderly fashion. He realized in that moment what he was looking for. Each Sabbat is encouraged to have a normal life beyond their life as a Sabbat. Like all things, this allowed the Sabbat to remain hidden within the worlds that they serve. During the Dark Ages, just after the fell if the Republic, the Church started their witch hunt for the Sabbat. In fact, the Sabbat owe their name to the Church. It was an attempt to further demonize their Order and spread fear about their Order. The Church spread the word of how dark and evil the Sabbat were and what threat they were to the immortal soul of the Church followers. This was done to such a point that worlds that were normally friendly to the Sabbat, betrayed them in to the Church. The Sabbat were forced to hide from the very people they were trying to serve and save. He recalled asking his Master why do they serve the people who would turn them in and cheer their deaths. His Master's answer spoke to the core of who the Sabbat really were. His Master said, 'If we fail to protect the innocent, who will? If we fail to help those in need, who will? We are servants of the Living Force, and as such, it is our path to protect and serve. Regardless of the actions of others, we are who we are.'

There were times when a very rare event occurred. When the Sabbat Knight would no longer wish to remain an active part of the Sabbat. They wished only to live within their illusionary world that they had created. These Sabbat are aloud to leave and continued to live out their lives as a normal person. There is a price for leaving the Sabbat though. Each Sabbat that wishes to leave must pledge to remain silent regarding the Order and their teachings. Also when asked for help by their former Sabbat brothers and sisters, they must render that assistance. Because the Force moves a Sabbat to action regardless of if they are active members or not. Normally when a former Sabbat is sought out for help, they already know of it and are waiting. For even those who leave the Sabbat, remain Sabbat deep in their hearts. This is due to the high degree of selection that is taken for students, the training and the personality of the Sabbat in general. During the Golden Age of the Republic, there were Jedi that had not only turned from the Order, they turned dark. Unlike the Jedi, the Sabbat has never had a member turn dark. There were a few who came close, however the Sabbat dealt quickly with those few before they become dark. Those few were brought back to the light and lived out their days serving the Living Force.

He knew that she had an illusionary life as well here. This world was her homeworld and she had family here. It was a prefect cover for a Sabbat and still it had its risks also. Family had a habbit of seeing the changes in a Sabbat after their training. Sometimes using family as a means of testing a student Sabbat could prove if they had truly mastered their emotions. She had a different situation. She was given to a Sabbat Master under the illusion of their daughter being sold in to slavery. Sometime after she had been taken away her parents were killed in an accident. He did recall her speaking of a younger brother somewhere on world. However he didn't know what the brother looked like. He moved over the things on the floor looking for any idea or clue that would lead him to the brother. He noticed something under a shirt, which laid on the floor in a very disorganized way. He fought against the urge to return the shirt to a state of order as he reached for the item under the shirt. He pulled up a framed picture of her and a young boy. He nodded as he knew that he had found what he was looking for. The Force had guided him this far, he would continue to follow it further. He placed the picture frame in his pack to ensure the child's safety from the Church. He searched for more pictures that might give the boy away. He didn't find any, however something did catch his attention. He heard the foot steps long before anyone else would have normally heard them.

He moved towards the balcony in hopes of fleeing the room. He realized he wouldn't make it when he heard the door knob starting to turn. He acted fast as he spun on his heels and lowered himself like a spring while pulling his mask from the upper part of his hood. A Sabbat never reviles his face in combat. It was once more a means of protecting them from the Church. His mask was made of hard leather and painted white and green. He always loved the feathers of a local bird where he was trained. The paint on his mask matched those feathers. His outfit had been personally designed to be both functional as his wardrobe, and to further disguise his appearance. Being a Sabbat meant that sometimes one would have to see combat. This meant that their outfits would have to allow them to move in combat as freely as the Force moves. His was no different. Even though it seemed to flow about him, that flow moved with his actions.

The door opened up as a Knight of the Rose walked in. The man was clearly caught by surprise at the sight of the Sabbat in the center of the small room. The Knight reached for his sword which hung on his hip as the Sabbat leaped up in to the air like a great spring released from its tension. The Sabbat ran his right foot on to the Knight's sword hand driving the weapon back in to its sheath and turning the Knight under the force of the blow. The Sabbat's attack wasn't concluded just yet. As he spun clockwise along his length in the air, the upper part of his left foot landed on the side of the Knight's head. The blow sent the Knight spinning nearly out of control and almost knock the Knight off his feet. The Sabbat landed on all fours as the Knight spun around with blood on his face. In that moment both men sized each other up and realized that this had to finish in the next action. It all depended on who was able to take that action first. The Sabbat won the initiative as he sprung forward once more while the Knight took in a breath to scream out the warning. The Sabbat drove his fist in to the Knight's midsection. The Knight's armor would have normally protected him from such attacks. However the Sabbat were expert warriors trained in the Force. The blow landed home as the armor gave under the Force driven impact. The Knight's lungs exploded the air upward out of his mouth. There was no air in the man's lungs to sound any warning.

The Sabbat took another action by lunging his opened hand and gripping the Knight's throat. With no air in the Knight's lung, and now the air way closed the Knight was unable to call for help. The Sabbat gripped the Knight's throat while pulling him down to his knees. The Sabbat started to count slowly as the Knight struggled for air. The Sabbat knew how long this would take and ensured that the Knight was unable to break the hold. The Sabbat carefully continued to count as the Knight continued to fight to break the hold. He tried to draw another weapon only to have it kicked away by the Sabbat. The Knight slowly collapsed as the Sabbat followed him down. Within seconds the struggle was gone but not the life of the Knight. It was in that moment the Sabbat release his hold. The Knight might be a killer, but he wasn't. Taking a life was only done when there was no other way. This Knight would not die by his hands, not today. The Sabbat slowly checked to make sure that the Knight was simply sleeping soundly. With a nod he slowly rose up and headed for the balcony. Without a sound, he leaped from the balcony and back up to the roof.

---

It didn't take long to find the young Twi'lek boy from the photo. The photo was taken in front of an orphanage. There were a few possible orphanages to search, and by the end of the next day he found the boy. He spent the rest of that day and night watching the location for any ambush or Church involvement. While there were issues regarding time, he knew better than to rush in to any situation. The involvement of Citizen Murl who helped the Church hunt her down was just one more reason not to rush. There was just cause for concern. Maybe this Citizen Murl had anticipated this move and was laying in wait. There was no question that this Citizen Murl was a highly skilled tracker, maybe even a bounty hunter. There was no question that the caution was in order. He would rather wait till the Order of the Rose moved on to another hunt. However he knew he didn't have that kind of time to wait. He would wait only the night and watch the orphanage carefully. He had to balance caution and limited time before moving in.

The following morning he continued to watch the orphanage and noted no unusual activity. There was no sign of the Church or Citizen Murl around the orphanage. After waiting another hour, he spotted the boy playing in the back of the orphanage. He moved back in to the shadows and took a wide path around the orphanage. It was a risky move to loss sight of the boy but he had to remain hidden for the time being. There were simply too many Knight Roses about to let all guards down. He came up behind the orphanage at an angle so that no one from the orphanage could see his approach. As he approached he noticed that the boy was not touched by the Force. As he got closer he noticed that the boy had fresh wounds from fighting. The boy was playing in the dirt with a stick as he walked up to a tree and used it to remain hidden from the orphanage. “Greetings, I am Dunfee. I knew your sister, Clarish.”

The boy looked up in surprise at the sudden voice. It took him a long while to speak as he just looked at strange man before him. Finally he spoke up, “She spoke of you. You are much taller than I pictured. My sister is dead you know. The Church killed her cause she was a witch.”

Dunfee nodded, “Yes I know. But she was no witch. She was a good person at her heart. Someone you should be proud of.” Motioning at the wounds “are those new?”

The boy nodded, “Yeah everyone knew my sister. And when the news showed her picture and called her a witch last night, I got beaten up. They said that she was evil and so was I.” There were clearly tears in his eyes over her loss.

Shaking his head, “She was not evil. Trust me.”

The boy looked up, “I know she wasn't evil. She used to make me laugh and promised that one day she would take me from this place. I miss her so much. But if she was not evil, why did the Church kill her?”

shaking his head, “That is a very long story. I am sorry but I just don't have the time to explain it. He took in a sigh and slowly let it out as he nodded once more, “I shall miss her too. I enjoyed speaking with her. We had spent allot of time together. I know this all is hard to understand, but we must trust in the Force. Did she ever talk to you about the Force.” The boy nodded at the question, “I have to ask you some questions that are very important. I can not bring her back to life, but with your help, we can help her save allot of people. Can you help me?”

The boy nodded once more. “I figured that one of her friends would be by after I saw the news last night.”

“Please tell me, when was the last time you saw her” Dunfee ask softly.

“The night she was killed. She took me to her place for dinner. She was telling me that she had to leave the following morning and wanted to spend time with me before she left” the boy explained.

The picture was becoming more and more clear to him as the boy spoke. Clarish had asked their Council for permission to leave the Sabbat. While she was well trained and loyal to the Sabbat, her returned to Tatooine showed her weakness. Her love for her brother was simply too strong for her to over come. Her last mission was to liberate the Candle from the Church however just as that mission was concluding a urgent message came to her hands. It was the first time that the Candle was moved from her secured location on Kefpher. Taking the Candle was simple enough. When the message came, she had a choice to allow another Sabbat deliver it. She understood the importance of the message and accepted the mission to deliver it. She talked to him for many hours about her reasons for leaving the Sabbat. He didn't agree with her reasonings but respected her choice. It all made sense now to him. “I need to you remember that night very carefully. Did you see anything that looked like this” he said holding out a ornate message tube.

The boy nodded, “Yes, I pushed her bag on to the floor by mistake and it rolled out. She picked it up and put it away. I asked to see it but she said it was better if I didn't.”

He gave the boy a reassuring smile, “Tell me in the center of the tube” he said showing the location of the tube, “was a symbol. Can you draw that symbol for me please?”

The boy nodded as he started to draw the symbol he recalled seeing on the tube. His little art work was laid out in to the dirt by his little stick. “She said that it was very important and that it was the reason why she was leaving for a time. But she promised that it would be the last time she had to leave me.”

He nodded, “It was suppose to be. We did not foresee her death coming. Sometimes events come from out of the smoke and haze to surprise everyone.” he noticed the boy was done. He nodded at the symbol. “At least now I know where I have to go from here” he said slowly lowering himself down. “Listen to me.” he said softly, “You will not mention to anyone that you met me or what you saw at your sister's apartment.” He said while waving his hand in front of the boys face.

“I will not mention to anyone that I have met you or what I saw at my sister's apartment” the boy said almost in a trance like state. After a moment the boy recovered from his trance like state as his eyes blinked over and over again. He looked around for the man in the mask and didn't see him anywhere. There was just no trace of where the man went. He moved allot like his sister used to move when she came to visit him. He looked down at the symbol and saw it was whipped away. He looked down in sadness. “I miss you Clarish” he half cried as his tear fell in to the dirt.

[Akirapryde]

(5.24) In the mind of a Sabbat
City of Tertectte
Outer Rim World of Tatooine
Independent Merchant World
28th October, 1936

The morning rose over Terectte with all the hopes of a better day. However for Dunfee, there was a bitter sense of the day rather than hope. The vital message which has been lost to the Church was still missing. A highly trained Sabbat had been murdered through the union of the Church and a new NeDor Hunter/Bounty Hunter. More importantly, the hope of a rebirth of the Republic had been tarnished by the Baptism of its own self appointed leader, Citizen Daz Murl. While Dunfee was trying to find Clarish's brother, he heard about the Baptismal of Citizen Daz Murl and of how Daz had accepted the Churches deity as his own. It did trouble Dunfee deeply and left him with many questions regarding the future of the Republic. Of Dunfee questions was, what kind of Republic would it be with the Church in absolute control of faith. If the Republic is reborn and the Church is its spiritual guide, than it could very well spell the end of the Sabbat completely. However there were more important matter at Dunfee's hands. He knew where the message was to be delivered, and had an idea that it had something to do with the Petersha. But didn't know who the letter was for or who sent it. Nor did he know anything more about the message. He had to find out more about the message before moving on. He decided on a daring plan, he returned to the Cathedral in hopes of learning more about the message. However the actions of others would force him to change his plans.

Dunfee didn't have much time to consider the future after the Baptismal Ceremony. Within an hours, Father Benjirmen and his hunters were hot on Dunfee's trail. To ensure capture and death, Citizen Murl sent one of his hunters along with the Knights of the Rose. They caught his trail after Dunfee left the orphanage. He was able to easily loss Father Benjirmen's Knights through normal Sabbat tactics. However, there was the hunter that Citizen Murl had sent with them. She was a fierce woman, with the blood of a wolf running through her veins. Within a couple of hours after Dunfee ditched the Knights, she was back on his trail like a seasoned hunter. It didn't take long for the hunt degraded in to a life or death chase with this formidable woman leading Father Benjirmen's Knights. Dunfee lead them on a chase through the city, up walls, across roof tops and leaping between buildings. Even with all of his knowledge of the Force, Dunfee was unable to keep a head of or distract her from the chase. It didn't matter what he did, she followed while the other Knights would have to find other ways to pursue him. Late that night after a long grueling chase, she finally had him cornered and trapped. His highly trained skills of combat through the Force was little match to her more developed experience. Before this moment, he never considered defeat or death. It was not that it scared him, it was just he never considered such a situation that he couldn't escape from. Dunfee had also never been so grateful for Father Benjirmen's blood lust.

There he was trapped on the roof top of a building along the banks of the central lake. It was over seventy five meters to the water below and the unknown. When he realized that he had run out of roof tops, he had planned to dive off of the roof top and in to the unknown. However her speed and reaction had denied him that escape. Father Benjirmen and his Knights coming up from far behind them. Dunfee had little choice but to fight this red haired woman with fire in her eyes. The two readied themselves for the combat that was now unavoidable. He called upon the Force to boost his dexterity and focus his within the battle. She made some reference to speaking to her Godfather in the after life just before she lunched her attacks. Dunfee was able to block most of her attacks at first. However as the battle continued, she was starting to get through and land blows against him. Her combat style was allot like his own, which surprised him completely. It was a turn of events he had not considered before engaging her. There was also something very different about her combat style. He could sense it through the Force that each passing moment. She was starting to turn his own ability to defend himself against him. It was something that the combat really didn't give him a chance to ponder while she was landing blow after blow against him. Unlike Father Benjirmen, she was not willing to simply take his life. Beaten and on all fours, she stopped her attack. Dunfee waited for the final, killing blow, to come. It didn't. He turned to look at her expecting to see his death at hand. She had backed up and was watching him for some reason. It was not what he was expecting during a Church hunt.

As he watched her through his black eye and wiped the blood from his mouth she just looked back at him. It was in that moment that Dunfee watched her leap at him. Instead of attacking him, she blocked Father Benjirmen's blow. The sound of breaking metal snapped Dunfee out of what ever defeat that had gripped his mind. He turned to see where where the two were locked in a grapple, he saw a half broken sword laying on the ground. Father Benjirmen and the red headed woman seemed to be at odds over his fate. Dunfee was not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He leaped up to his feet as he gathered all his will. He pushed himself to sprint for the edge of the building and the unknown. He knew only two things, if he stayed here he was dead or captured. If he leaped from the building in to the lake below, his fate was unclear. The confusion between the woman and Father Benjirmen only lasted a couple of seconds. It was all he needed to get enough of a head start on them. The pair turned and gave chase as Dunfee ran for the edge. The distances was only a few seconds between them.

Dunfee used the last of his fortitude to call upon the Force and boost his strength as he ran with all of his heart. He had no choice but to reach the edge before they reached him. He had to salvage Clarish mission. He had to reach the person she was to deliver the message to. He had to tell the person what had happened here. He had to warn this person about Citizen Murl. He had to warn them about something involving the Petersha. He refused to allow darkness to be victorious once more. He had so much to live for. With all of his eyes focused on the lake beyond the edge of the building he ran. He could hear the pair rushing up behind him. She was much faster than Father Benjirmen and was starting to gain on Dunfee. Dunfee's foot hit the edge of the building and he sprang up off of the edge. In that moment all sound stopped as he flew through the air like a great bird set free. He rose his head up and spread his arms out as wide as he could reach. Sailing through the air as if he was allowing the Force to carry him to safety. He didn't see the fierce women behind him as he flew through the air. He did hear her curses carry on the wind as he escaped. It was in that moment that he felt the pain across his back. She must have used some kind of throwing knives on him. He felt four clear impacts in his back as his momentum carried him.

The wounds were painful but Dunfee knew he had to remain conscious no matter what. He pulled deep from his very connection with the Force to fight back the darkness that clouded his mind. The four knives that drove in to his back were near fatal. However if he was to slip from consciousness, then his impact with the water below would be fatal. He fought to clear his mind as he fell towards the water. He brought his arms forward and turned his body in to a dive. He hit the water in prefect form and dove in to the depths of it. The pain from his back shot through his body and the blackness threatened his mind once more. Once more he fought against the darkness as he tried to swim for the surface of the water. He broke the surface of the lake and gasps for breath. He had escaped the fierce woman and Father Benjirmen, but he was still not out of harms way. He swam away from the lights of the city and towards the darkness of the other side. The pain of his back rocketed through his body with each movement. He could feel the loss of blood from the wounds as he continued to swim. There was a single focus in his mind, swim, swim for the other side. It was all that he could think of and focus on. Just swim!

With his mind completely clouded and his eyes blurred he was confused by the bright light invading his mind. There was something wet on his face. His mind started to recall the events of last night. The dive off of the building. The pain in his back. In that moment he let out a loud moan of pain as he realized that his back was still in pain. He opened his eyes, he could see the light of the morning basking on him. He was laying face first in the white sand of the beach. The events after hitting the water seemed blurred and incomplete. However, he knew he was still alive, for the moment. At that moment he felt the wetness on his hand once more. He turned to see a small fury, four legged creature licking his hand. He looked at it with great detail as the small creature looked back at him with the same degree of detail. It was small, and had a tail half the length of its body. The fur coat mostly white and light gray with a few brown patches across the body. The under belly was all white and the lower parts of its legs had white patches of them. Its eyes were kind of golden as its short sturdy pointed hears shifted a bit as it looked at him. It made a meow sound as it called out to him softly.

“No, my little friend. I am not a fish and I am still very much alive.” Dunfee groaned as he tried to move. “Ouch, though I do feel like I had come too close to death.” He very slowly lifted his body off the sand and raised up his torso while he lowered himself down to his knees. He reached back behind him and felt the first knife. He pulled it out as the pain filled his mind, “AHHHH” he screamed out as the knife came out. He looked at it carefully. It was shinny and well built. It was clearly a throwing knife with a three inch blade. He reached back to the second location and felt only the wound there. “I guess that once fell out” he said checking the next one. “This one has to come out” he said feeling the hilt of the knife. It was in deep and he knew it was going to be painful to remove it. He took a deep breath and pulled the blade out. Once more he let out a loud groan as it came out. Once more the darkness filled his mind but he remained conscious. Once it was free he leaned forward on his hand as to take a break from the pain. He waited a few moments as he looked at the small creature. “Would you like to do it?” he asked as the creature looked back at him. It had moved back a bit while Dunfee was making noises. It only meowed back to him. “I figured you would say that” Dunfee said as he prepared himself for the last knife.

He felt the hilt and knew that this one was also in deep. Dunfee took a deep breath and gripped the weapon. He pulled on the hilt of the knife and screamed out in pain. However unlike the others, the knife refused to move. Dunfee took another deep breath as he gripped the knife once more. He jerked the knife free from what ever it had lodged on. He screamed out more loudly as the knife slowly moved from his body. The pain was maddening as he continued to pull on the weapon to free it from his body. Within seconds the blade was out of his back and the darkness of his mind was closing in. He summoned up the Force to bring relief from the pain and the wounds. He could feel the wounds closing and could sense the Force about him. He felt safe and at peace once more. He fell face first in to the sand once more as the darkness slammed shut on his mind. He could hear the small fury creature around him but no longer could he comprehend anything else. He heard the creature call out once more, 'meow.' Slowly he allowed his body to rest from the abuse he had forced upon it last night. He stopped fighting the darkness and closed his eyes.

Once more he felt the soft licking of the small creature. He slowly opened his eyes and saw that the light of the suns was no longer over high above his head. They were hanging low in the heavens. He turned to see the small fury creature kneading his arm and softly biting at him. He smiled at the creature, “No little one, I am still not a fish. Nor have I joined the Force yet” he said slowly raising up to his knees once more. He looked down at the three knives with his blood on them. He picked them up and rose to his feet. He bent back and tossed them as far as he could in to the lake. He never needed weapons before, he wont start now. He turned to the small creature, “So where is your mother?” Looking around, he spotted the body a larger creature. The fur coat told him that the body was the mother of the little creature. He knelled down next to the creature and pulled out a small piece of dried fruit. The creature turned its nose to the offering, only to meow once more. “I see” he said putting the food away. “Well I guess it is the least I can do for you, is to find you some food. After all, you did look over me while I rested.” He opened his sack that he wore on his hip. He carefully picked up the little creature and placed it, feet first, in to the sack. “You will be fine in there” he said looking down at the small creature. It seemed to make its self comfortable and tucked its head down.

Prior to heading out from the shores where he washed up, he took some time to run bandages around his torso to control the bleeding. He was sure that he used more than he needed. However he didn't have the luxury of time. He did a hasty bandage job and then got dressed once more. The bandages made walking difficult because of how tight he made them. He spent the rest of the day trying to reach the space port. He figured that with Citizen Murl's hunters and the Church actively seeking him, it was time to move on. He noticed that the authorities were no long looking for him. Either they thought he was dead, or they were looking else where for him. He continued to move to the space port hoping his luck would hold out. While through the help of the Force, he was better, he was far from healed. The walk to the space port was difficult due to the wounds but at least it was uneventful. He followed the Force as it guided him to the space port. Reaching the space port without incident was a testament to his skills and being a Sabbat. One thing that comes with being a Sabbat is a ability to blind in to crowds and be easily forgotten. It was one of the first defensive techniques that the Sabbat developed to avoid the Church. Once he arrived at the Space port he bought a ticket off world and a few previsions.

Boarding the transport he went straight to his cabin. Walking in, he let out a great sigh of disappointment. He closed the door as he removed the sack from his shoulder. He laid it on the bed and the little furry creature came out sounding its arrival with a meow. “First my little friend, we bring order. Then we eat” he explained as the small creature started to paw the bag of previsions. He took his sack and dumped out the items within. He took his time ensuring that each item was properly. It was a timely task to complete, but for him it was very necessary. After all, for the Sabbat, order in all things allows for order in one self. After he finished putting his clothes away, he checked his work to ensure that each was perfectly placed. After rolling a few items over again, he finally accepted the task as complete. He placed the sack within the dresser as well. He turned to the bag which contained the previsions and pulled two items out. He carefully unfolded one to reveal a half of a large fish. He set it down on the floor in such a way that the wrapping paper would catch anything that the animal would drop. He opened up the second item as the animal dug in to the fish with great eagerness. Dunfee opened up his own item. Within were six separately wrapped items. He carefully opened each. Within them, he had nuts, barres, fruit and some cheese.

It was something that was common among nearly all Sabbat. Because of their completely high regard for life in all of its diverse forms, most Sabbat do not eat anything that cost a life. This also meant they would not eat most forms of vegetables. This was because vegetables would require the death of the plant to be served as food. As a general rule, most Sabbat could look past this and eat vegetables. There are few that would hold true to their belief regarding plant life. Very few would eat the flesh of an animal. While the death of an animal is tragic, the very few can look past it for food. It has been a strongly debated issue within the Sabbat since their beginnings nearly two thousand years. Still, no Sabbat would take any life unless there was simply no other choice about it. Because of this, most Sabbat tend to eat very healthy in terms of non-proteins and use supplements to make up for what would have been supplied through the flesh of animals. Dunfee pulled out a small bottle and set it down next to the small meal. He relaxed himself as he prepared to enjoy his meal.

Looking down at his meager meal, he smiled "you know my friend. You have been very lucky for me. I think I shall name you, Lucky" he said looking to the small fury creature. It didn't look up from its fish meal. Dunfee nodded as he watched Lucky eat "yes I agree, lets eat up" he said rubbing his hand on its head. He started to eat his meal as well. He had watched the debate over food and paid keen interest to both sides. The debate was very heated and just like times before, little was reached in the form of a general ruling for all Sabbat. In the end, like before, the official ruling is that each Sabbat shall be allowed to make this choice within their own morals. For Dunfee, the debate was simple. Protect life in all its forms, is a Sabbat mandate. Plants are life just like Lucky and him. Why shouldn't they be protected as well. He looked over at Lucky. It was not like other philosophies which had hard limits that all Sabbat were required to follow. Much like emotions, this was a hard line philosophy which defined the Sabbat for what they were. Teachings and actions had to mirror the philosophy. It was required. Eating plants and animals was left to the personal decision of each Sabbat. A choice he decided that he would not force on Lucky. He watched the little fury creature happily eating the fish.

Within a few moments his meal was over and he needed to get a closer look at his wounds. He slowly rose up and took the time to ensure that where he ate was cleaned up and cleared of all of his meal. After making sure that the area was returned to normal, he turned and walked over to the bed. As he approached he noticed that one of the corners was off by a bit. He knelled next to the bed and fixed the corner. He stood up once more and slowly started to disrobe. Moving was painful, but he had little choice. Each item he removed, he took the time and care to neatly folded it before placing it on the bed. Each item after that, he ensured to place so that they were not overlapping or touching. As his well worn clothes were coming off, they reveled the very well toned and conditioned body. Even with the bandages, it was clear to make out the muscle lines and definitions. Once more, the life of being a Sabbat has shaped the body. Not so much the training than the intentions of fleeing the Church when ever possible. Most Sabbat have learned to be quick and agile when confronted with the Knight Roses. They are a very real and very serous threat to all Sabbat. And because of that, Dunfee has been forced to keep himself ready for a state of flight nearly all the time.

Once his bandages had come off, he walked over to the mirror and turned to get a closer look at his back. A medium sized panther stared back at him from his back. It was a highly detailed and well crafted tattoo that covered just under half of his back. It was not a sense of pride that drove him to ensure that the tattoo looked as good as it did. It was his drive for perfection within order that drove the image's details and appearance. A young Sabbat is taught that all things are connected through the Force. And that everything has an effect something or many things. Order or the lack there of has many effects on many things. Without order, there is chaos. Within chaos, darkness is allowed to grow. As darkness grows, the lines between good and evil because blurred. Once the lines fall from sight, evil is allowed to thrive within the Sabbat. To avoid evil, there must be Order. It is not the only step that a Sabbat takes to avoid evil and the Dark Side. But it is the first in a long journey towards serving the Light Side of the Force. So when he plotted out his tattoo, he had to ensure that each detail of the image was prefect. However, there was also meaning behind the tattoo which was now clearly visible on his back. Even before the Sabbat had their legendary name, it had become clear that a central leadership was a liability against the Church. During the early years of the Sabbat/Church Shadow War, the first leaders of the Sabbat looked deep in to their future. It was the visions of the future which showed them what changes needed to be made to ensure their survival. One of those changes had been the removal of the central leadership and the appointing of nine Councils.

Each Council had complete control over all Sabbat within their region of the Galaxy. Each Council would act independently of the rest. Every two years, the Grand Masters of each Council would meet to discuss issues of the Sabbat. Their ruling over any issue becomes binding to all Sabbat. During times of urgency, the Council of Grand Masters can be convened to discuss emergencies or threats to the entire Sabbat. Each independent Council elects their own members and sends the recommendation to the Council of Grand Masters for approval. If a Sabbat wanted to move from one Council to another, it would take the approval of both Councils. Due to security reasons, these kind of movies did not happen often. Within each Council there were cells set up. The cells were headed up by one or two Masters, five to six Sabbats. The members knew each other personally. The cells were linked to other cells through a very detailed communication network of codes and symbols. This ensured that each cell could rally on the other cells near by but still remain distant enough not to risk detection. Cells have been known to work together to serve the common good. During the Bisk/Pirate War, Dunfee and his cell worked with six other cells to help evacuate refugees. Seven Sabbat lost their lives during that operation to save several thousand. During operations like that, the cells will work independently of each other and only communicate through dead drops and coded messages. Dunfee never saw any member of the other cells even though they were working on the same world.

As a means of identifying each other, the Councils each took the image of an animal as its own symbol. This helped ease identification of each other and help weed out impostors. The animal symbol itself was not meant to be complex, for the symbol was only part of a larger key which only the Sabbat of that Council a fully understood. To ensure that impostors didn't cross lines, the seated members of all Councils had an understanding of each Council symbol. However, even Masters of cells didn't know this information. It was expected that no cell would ever come in contact with another cell. Communication would only happen through dead drops and coded messages sent via comlinks. It was a security measure that all Masters did not like. The common feeling was that the security screens prevented the shared experience of the Force. Sadly, it was something that had to be if the Sabbat were to survive the Knight Roses hunts. The symbol could be copy, but the links to the symbols and the rest of the code could only fall in to church's hands if a Sabbat betrays th Order. Something that has never occurred, and this was due to their tight recruitment standards. Once more, the threat of the Church shaping the Sabbat to become a greater threat to the Church.

Dunfee's Council is known as the Region of Panthers or RP Council. Unlike other Councils of the Sabbat, they draw their doctrines directing from one of the Founders of the Sabbat. The RP Council is well known throughout the Sabbat as being more philosophy driven and more prone to self enlightenment. He took a closer look at his wounds as the image of the Panther looked back at him. The Panther which the RP Council chose is found only on Fra. Unlike most large cat predators, the Knish Panther only hunts pray after spending days stalking and studying the pray. It also has shown a great ability to learn from past encounters. As for the rest of their code, the code is linked the words from the worlds of Tatooine and Murthol as well. None of which has anything to do with the Knish Panther or its origins. Never has any Knight Rose ever successfully infiltrated the Sabbat. The Symbol Code goes a great way to weeding out impostors. Each member of a region wears the symbol on them somewhere. Dunfee wears his on his back. Clarish had worn hers on her thigh.

Looking at the wounds on his back he sighed. They were healing but they were also infected. He couldn't risk going to the medical bay. This transport was owned and operated by the World of Tatooine. This meant that he had to maintain a low profile while on board. He would have to clean the wounds himself. A task which was going to be hard but once more he had little choice in the matter. He turned and crossed the room as he walked towards the small bathroom. Stepping through the bulkhead door, he reached over and pulled a towel down off the rack. Carefully he folded the towel in to a perfect square and laid it at the foot of the shower. He stepped in to the shower and turned on the water. Taking his time he flushed out each wound till the water ran clear. The task was far from simple, but hardly impossible. He cleaned the wounds and then finished his shower.


Stepping from the shower, he noticed Lucky was laying on his foot towel. He didn't pay the small creature any mind as he started to dry himself off. He felt the towel pull against his efforts to dry himself. He looked down to see Lucky with its legs holding on to the towel. He pulled on the towel only to lift the small creature off the ground. He frowned as Lucky looked up an meowed at him. He slowly lowered the towel till it was back on the ground and dropped the towel. He reached and grabbed a new one, with his new towel he continued to dry himself off. Once more he felt the towel pulling downward. Once more he frowned as he pulled the towel only to hear a meow back from the bottom of the towel. “You know, this will not do” he said lowering himself. He picked up the first towel which now seemed to be unimportant to Lucky. He continued to dry himself off once more. Within moments, he felt the towel pull downward again. He looked down to see a bulge from under the second towel with two little legs gripping his current towel. He smiled at the animal and thought of how wonderful life was in all of its shapes, sizes. 'and in this case annoyance' he thought as he watched Lucky play with the towel. He pulled the towel and watched Lucky getting dragged from under the other towel and across the metal floor of the bathroom. He let the animal play while he cleaned up the bathroom and then went to meditate.

[Akirapryde]

(5.25) Journey's End Candle
Generation Ship Narshana
Entering the Sharie System
31th October, 1936

Today, the Order of the Inner Light is free from their self imposed isolation from their underground Temple on Mearisa. However old habits are hard to break. Even though they have such a large ship to call home. The members of the Order choose to live deep within the heart of the Narshana away from everyone else. Their new home was just as isolated as their former underground temple had been. With complete control over their environment systems, they decided to keep the lighting at a low levels. Normally an outsider could make their way around the area with the lowered lighting. However, it has not the case during the past few weeks. All forms of lighting has been disabled to ensure maximum effect for one of their most important ceremonies. It was a time for the Inner Light to both celebrate and grieve. Soon, their Grand Master, Master Akarin will be passing away. Before he passes, he will led one last meeting of the Council and offer any final wisdom or prospective. At the end of this meeting, he will choose which Master from the Order will succeed him as the next Grand Master of the Inner Light. Once he officially steps down as Grand Master, he will take the last days and weeks of his life to meet with every member of the Inner Light. During this time, the Council with its new Grand Master will sit and reflect on Master Akarin's life.

These very important moments both mark the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. The Inner Light does not shy away from death or fear it. They in fact celebrate it as a part of the Living Force. From them, death is only the transition from this plan of living to the next. It is because of this view that while they will grieve the loss of a dear friend and teacher, they celebrate his transition. While the Candle's Journey Ceremony has no routes in Jedi Lore or customs, it is a time honored tradition which the Inner Light hold dear to. In the words of Grand Master Triash, “It is one thing to hold attachments above others. To see the attachment for what it is and honor only the tradition, is another.” The Candle's Journey Ceremony has been used to mark the passage of time as well as the passing of a Grand Master. They do not see their isolation lasting over two thousand years. They consider the time span being seen in the form of fifteen Candle's Journeys. Or Fifteen CJ's which is how it is more commonly spoken outside of the Council. With Master Akarin, he will become the sixteenth Candle's Journey.

Since the beginning of the Inner Light, it has always been a custom to give the honor of being Grand Master to the most experienced and knowledgeable Force User within the Inner Light. This custom was opened up to non-Force Users who showed a sound and diverse understanding of the Force as well. This change in tradition was started by Master Khabarakh when he choose the non-force user Lur-Sha-Han to succeed him. His parting words during his Candle's Journey Ceremony, were “The Force passes through all living beings. Its knowledge is not limited to only those who can master and control the flow of it. All living beings have an ability to learn and master the Force on many different levels. We should not limit ourselves to only Force Users when seeking the wisdom of the Force.” Lur-Sha-Han showed a clear mastery of the philosophies of the Force and a sound understanding of the techniques used to master Force skills. He was thoroughly tested by the Council with some tests created just for him. The concept of the tests were common for new Grand Masters and reflected the Inner Light's philosophy of a life time of tests and challenges. By the end of Master Khabarakh's Candle's Journey Ceremony, Master Lur-Sha-Han became the Inner Light's first non-Force user Grand Master.

He served the Inner Light with both honor and humbled reverence till his own Candle's Journey Ceremony less than a decade later. While the position would normally be held by Force user, he would not be the last Non-Force user to hold the title of Grand Master of the Inner Light. This fact had shown the Inner Light's deep respect for broad learning and understanding opposed to focused on only limited set of skills. Since the days of Lur-Sha-Han, the Council was open to any scholar who could pass the trails put before them. As long as they proved their skills, knowledge and adherence to the code, any one could strive to sit on the Council and even possibly hold the title of Grand Master. Though no one really inspired to the title of Grand Master. The title did hold a great deal of respect, it was only seen as a title and little more. The position hardly carried any real authority or privileges. It was only the person who called the Council to Order and loosely led the discussions. That was the way the Founders wanted the Grand Master to be. Someone seen as a wealth of knowledge, not a wealth of authority. This was something that never changed in over two thousand years. As much not one within the Inner Light had ever attempted to change the position to anything more.

Today, it was Master Akarin's Candle's Journey Ceremony. The Ceremony was one of intimate farewell offered to a Master who gave all to the Inner Light. It dated back to the Founders and was created completely by accident. One of the most popular Grand Masters, Master Weirn had led the Order during its most darkest times. She did not ask to sit as Grand Master, the position was thrust at her due to the chaos of the times. Master Murl had been stricken with an illness that the Inner Light healers were unable to cure. When Master Murl finally passed, what peace there was within the Temple was on the verge of being shattered due to life within the Temple itself. Grand Master Weirn focused the Order along the paths which were set up by Master Murl. As the tensions grew between factions within the Temple, Master Weirn acted as a guiding light for all. Had it not been for her leadership, the Inner Light would have never survived the first decades underground. Grand Master Weirn would hold the title for longer than any other Grand Master. Seconded only by Master Akarin, himself. When the calling of the Force was heard for her, every member of the Inner Light wanted to bid their farewells. Her leadership and guidance helped shaped the Inner Light that Grand Master Akarin would led from the underground Temple just a few weeks ago.

Because of the massive amount people who wanted to bid their fairwells, the visits lasted for well past two months. Master Weirn saw visitor after visitor. Each came to her to bid their personal thanks and farewell, while having one last chance to speak to her. Each visitor brought an unlit candle with them as they spoke with Master Weirn. They would spend hours speaking with her, thanking her or just asking for one final lesson. As a symbol of giving back to the Inner Light, each would take their candle and light it from the candle that she used for lighting within her personal quarters. The origins of the lighting of the candle remained a mystery well after Master Weirn joined the Force, but the symbol remained for subsequent ceremonies. During this time, the Council wished the learn as much as they could from their soon departed leader. They reflected on her past and her accomplishments. In the end, it was decided that the most important lesson they could learn from their leader was, that it was never too late for redemption and atonement. A lesson that would become a corner stone of their philosophies. At the end of the Ceremony, Master Weirn joined the Force. Her passing, unlike how much of her life had been, was peaceful. Her own candle was used to light the fire which consumed her body. Once that fire had burned its self out, Grand Master Aks Moe blew out her personal candle. Though her own candle light had left the Inner Light, the light she left behind with others would never be extinguished. With her passing, the Candle's Journey Ceremony was born. It would be the last gift that Master Weirn would leave to the people she saw as family.

Master Akarin's own Ceremony was planned out with the help of the crew, Master Visst and the Council of Inner Light. Master Visst was invited to sit in on a special meeting of the Council. His padawan took the time to explain what was coming with Master Akarin's Candle's Journey Ceremony. The meeting was another turn of events that Master Visst didn't expect. After the meeting, each member of the Inner Light came to visit with Master Akarin to pay their respects and bid him farewell. Each member was granted as long as they wished to spend their final moments with their leader. During this time, Master Visst along with the Council of Inner Light reflected through the Force on Master Akarin's life.

The last of his race within the Temple, he had always been a visionary. He held to all of the philosophies, but saw more within the Inner Light than others had. He was the one to suggest that their self imposed isolation was coming to an end. The debates afterwards along this subject intense even for the Inner Light. Still Master Akarin held to his views and never backed down, urging that the Inner Light must be ready when the time comes. His character was one of deep routed in compassion and kindness. He drew on these traits to guide his actions in regards to others. He would spend much of his time walking the dark tunnels of the Temple speaking with members of the Inner Light. He knew each and ever member by name and understood what issues they held dear. While all Grand Masters were open to the members, he was the only one to seek them out. He believed that a Grand Master needed to understand the issues of every members of the Inner Light.

He once commented that the diversity and depth of the issues within the Inner Light were as vast as the Galaxy itself. He pushed the other members of the Council to become more in touch of the voices and views to which they serve. During the course of the centuries in which the Inner Light was isolated, the Council had become more and more distant from the members of the Temple. The divide fall along the lines of those who pursued the teachings of the Force and those who didn't. This was not a divide between Force users and non Force users, as there were members on both sides. There was no anger or hatred between groups. It was just a lack of understanding from both sides. Because of this lack of understanding, the two sides drifted further apart. The Council was at the heart of the divide and the issues behind it. By the time Master Akarin was asked to take on the role of Grand Master, the Council had become completely detached from the common members of the Temple. This become a situation that nearly brought the Temple in complete chaos once more. It took Master Akarin years to correct the detachment issue of the Council. He poured his heart in to the Temple and its members as the Council took on a more active role in the every day affairs of the Temple's members.

The current role of the Council would become Master Akarin's lasting legacy. Before the Council ruled in seclusion isolated from the most of the Temple. Now thanks to Master Akarin, each Council member sought out the opinions, issues and concerns of the Temple Members. Those who didn't choose to pursue the teachings of the Force were brought in and taught the very basics of the codes and ideals of the Inner Light. Normally this would cause members to seek a greater understanding. On the other side, new philosophies were brought in to the Council for conversations. During the first years of Master Akarin being Grand Master, there was an explosion of higher reasoning and enlightenment. The divide slowly filled as debates and conversations spread through the Temple and the Inner Light as a whole. With nothing further to distract them, the Inner Light focused all of its efforts on learning and teaching.

Taking his teachings to the people of the Temple, he took the opportunity to also teach the non-Force users just as he would teach the Force users. It was his view that even those who were not touched by the Force were just as, if not more, likely to become pawns of the Dark Side. Plagued by the dreams of the future and the war to come. He turned his teachings to covering the causes of the past. Through their vast archives, he showed his students and members of the Temple of how attachments lead to the end of the Republic. He taught heavily against another form of attachments. These attachments, as he taught, were hidden within the forms of loyalties to ideals and organizations. He used the Jedi Civil War and the Brush Fire wars as clear examples of these hidden attachments. The loyalties to the ideals prevented the Jedi from accepting differences of opinions. These attachments caused the Jedi to loss sight of who they were and the resulting actions which caused the two very bloody wars. He also showed how loyalties within the Jedi afterwards prevented the Jedi from seeing the dangers coming. He taught that the Jedi were paralyzed from acting to stopping the raise of the Rangers due to their loyalties to the Republic. He taught that the Jedi should not be blinded by loyalties or attachments. His teachings further reshaped the views and philosophies of the Inner Light and help finally mold them in to the organization that they had become today.

Under his leadership, he empowered ever member of the Inner Light to question the actions and direction of the organization as a whole. The Council as a whole would become an open forum for all members not just the chosen. Any one could enter in to the conversations taken place within the Council. No idea or topic would be cast out because of where it came from. All had an equal voice within the Inner Light and all were encouraged to use. Master Akarin actively sought out whispered voices and brought them before the Council to have the opinion heard and discussed. While not all voices were completely satisfied through these discussions, not one member could state that their voice was not heard. He made sure that the Council would work with the Members to which it served and the Members of the Inner Light would take on a more active role within the Council. It would ensure that the two would work together to ensure the Inner Light would never be the elitist driven Order that the Jedi had become. No longer would the actions of one or a few lead the Inner Light in to the same pit falls that the Jedi suffered through. Master Akarin would ensure that these things would not happen through his own special teaching techniques.

Master Akarin ensured that debates between opposing ideas were treated much different than before. He urged both Members of the Council and students alike to see the opposing ideas from an outside prospective in stead of only a focused one side or another. He used a manner of teaching which would placed the student completely immersed within the concept or idea but as a viewer of the situation. By not taking an active role within the situation, the student would be able to see from multiple view points within the situation. During one very heated debate regarding loyalties vs. attachments in which the Council and Inner Light as a whole were sharply divided. He set up a reenactment of an event which turned to be a historical turning point for the Jedi, Republic and the Rangers. Set on the world of Kelore, Akarin ensured that each side would become the center of the events. While the major voices of the debate watched the events unfold around them, the members of the Inner Light played out the week long events out with remarkable details. The reenactment was made as detailed as possible through farseeing the events through the Force. In the end, it was seen that the Jedi as a whole despite the actions of their new leader, had become too loyal to the Republic to act to stop the raise of the Rangers. That their loyalties to their own beliefs prevented them from seeing that they were being pitted by a darker plot.

During the final months of their isolation, Master Akarin spoke about the future of the Inner Light. He spoke heavily of their role in the coming war which would engulf the Galaxy. He warned that the war would be unavoidable, yet he felt that the suffering could be limited. He spoke and taught heavily against becoming loyal to any organization or ideal. His sole teachings during this time would focus on how the Inner Light could become a beacon of morality that others could come to willingly. He warned that they should not become a compass that forced others to be led by. He did not directly oppose the views that the Inner Light should work to help rebuild the Republic. He did warn that what involvement the Inner Light played had to be measured against its own philosophies regarding no attachments. He voiced his concerns that the Inner Light might become drawn in to the same pit fall of the Jedi and the Republic. As seen throughout their archives, the Jedi and Rangers, who had became seen as Republican Jedi near the end of the Republic, were seen as symbols of the Republic. He spoke with passion that the Inner Light should never be seen as anything more than a symbol of their own philosophies. With the end of their isolation coming closer, Master Akarin skillfully removed himself from the debate by stating that this debate would be settled by the next Grand Master in the right time.

Between the Council and the Inner Light, many had their suspicions of who Master Akarin would name as his successor. While no one questioned the decision, the guessing of successor became more of a game among the Inner Light. To see who knew Master Akarin better and was able to predict his last act as Grand Master. There were many within the Inner Light that felt that Master Akarin would select Master Scorylance to lead the Council after their isolation was over. He was a natural selection due to his passion for the Force and the philosophies which Master Akarin held so dearly. Master Scorylance used much the same teaching style as Master Akarin and at one time was even a student of the Grand Master. It was because of these similarities which some felt that Master Scorylance would not be selected. Master Akarin always held to the view that the Inner Light was a diverse Order and needed a diverse leadership. Through his teachings, Master Akarin taught that having a broad view was better than a narrow view when it came to leadership. Selecting Master Scorylance would be giving the Inner Light another leader just like himself. So some felt that Master Akarin would select Master Kalor Salaban.

Master Salaban was a die hard perfectionist when it came to the Force. He demanded only the best from his students and believed that only through rigid training could a Knight be able to withstand the temptations of the Dark Side. With the coming war, Master Salaban would be a logical selection to lead the Inner Light through what would surely become one of its hardest tests. Still, Master Salaban's drive is enough of a reason that some felt that Master Akarin would not select him. Master Akarin never believed that one should so rigid that their ideals can not evolve over time or through lessons taught through the Force. Master Salaban, while a highly skilled and devoted Master still learned lesson through multiple mistakes. Master Akarin always spoke highly of Master Salaban's skills and knowledge within the Force. However even by his own admission, Master Salaban stated he was not ready to lead the Inner Light. Because of this and other reasons, most felt that Master Akarin would never select someone who was not ready to lead.

Lastly, there was a raising feeling that Master Akarin would select the young soft spoken Master Yahja. For her, the life of a Zeltron within the Inner Light had been particularly difficult. Her race within the Inner light had seen a steep decline almost as bad as Master Akarin's own. She was the only one of her race within the Inner Light born with Force using powers. Her raise to the Council was a clear testament to her strong will and support of the philosophies of the Inner Light. While she was a student of Master Akarin during her Knight years, she was originally a student of Master Salaban. This gave her a wide range of experience and knowledge. At the age of thirty two, she was the youngest member to ever sit on the Council. Despite her age, she showed a strong understanding of the Force, use of wisdom, and skilled knowledge of the Force. Her skillful way of expressing her view has many times helped others see her point and have won many over to seeing things her way. Because of this skill there were those who felt that Master Akarin would not select her to be the next Grand Master. Master Akarin has held to the view that the Grand Master is not a leader who Governs the Inner Light. The role of Grand Master should only be one who opens the Council meetings and helps maintain order within debates. Master Yahja has proven herself to be a very skilled debater and master orator. Her passion for the Force, the philosophies of the Inner Light and the moral would be vital to the next Grand Master. Naming her as the next Grand Master would diminish the Council as a whole. Something that many feel that Master Akarin would not do.

With all the events coming before the Inner Light. The loss of its isolation and rejoining the Galaxy are just the beginning. There was a smaller voice that felt that the next Grand Master can be found within his last debate. He made it clear within the debate that the debate would be settled by the next Grand Master, not him. With the Council sharply divided on what role the Inner Light should play within the coming war. There are those like Master Salaban who believe that the role of the Inner Light should be to directly oppose the Dark Side and ally themselves with the new Republic in a formal manner. He suggests that their role should be much like the way the Jedi were long before the fall of the Republic. Before the Hyperspace wars brought about the corruption of the Jedi Order. There are those like Master Scorylance who feel that the role of the Inner Light should be a more limited involvement within the coming war. The Inner Light should only offer insight and guidance when asked for it by the new Republic. He believes that the Inner Light should focus on helping individuals caught up within the war instead of helping one side or another. Lastly there is the minority which follows Master Yahja beleifs of the Inner Light's role is held in the future. She believes that the Inner Light should remain completely neutral in the coming conflict. A view that is clearly supported by Master Akarin. Master Yahja has seen through the actions of the Galactic Church that remaining neutral would allow them to move through the battle lines and help those in need.

These three views, have divided the Council. Its because of this divide that some feel that Master Akarin will select someone from that is not currently sitting on the Council. And if this proves to be true, no one would be able to identify who that person might be. Like his entire life, Master Akarin has once more proven to be a visionary with his eyes set beyond the moment. Nearing the end of his last meeting with the Council, Master Akarin made his choice. As many thought about it, it became a very clear and logical selection. Master Akarin had chosen Master Visst to take his place on the Council of the Inner Light. Master Visst brought something to the Inner Light that it has not had in over two thousand years. A view point from someone outside their direct influence. Master Salaban stated during the last Council meeting that Master Akarin would sit on as Grand Master, “I can not see a more diverse, more experienced, more logical Master to follow Master Akarin's footsteps.” It was unclear if Master Visst would accept the nomination. But it was clear that he was warmly welcomed by the Council. Master Visst would become the first Master that was not trained within the Inner Light to sit as Grand Master. Like other Master's before him who set as Grand Master, Master Visst would become a symbol of a change within the Inner Light and its philosophies. It was Master Akarin's personally request that the Inner Light end its isolation completely and wholly.

During Master Visst's time with Master Akarin, the two talked deeply about his views on attachments, on the future of the Inner Light and on the Galaxy as a whole. Master Akarin spoke deeply of his concerns for the Inner Light and the trappings of becoming seen as a symbol of the new Republic. Master Akarin also spoke to Master Visst about his dreams of a possible future. “In these dreams the Force has shown me a dark future for one race. A dark hand reaching from your time in to ours. Reaching through the races and snuffing the life from one race only. I have been shown a future where Humanity is only but a legend spoken to children in sad memory. This dark hand comes in to being by someone close. Someone not common to the Inner Light but close to us all. I saw through this, an entire race of innocent lives ended by this dark hand of death.”

When asked about the coming war, Master Akarin spoke of his views of the Varl. “I have meditated deeply on this issue and saw what drives them. The Varl hate for the Humans is like no other. When they were at their hight, the Varl were in position to remake the Republic in their own image. The two wars with the Humans not only cost them their future and their prestige, it also cost them over half of their empire. The last war with the Humans weakened the Varl so much in military terms that they were unable to defend their own boarders. Other neighboring empires cut deeply in to the Varl Empire after the war with the Humans had ended. This caused more hatred within the Varl for the Humans. I feel that if left unchecked, the war between the Humans and the Varl would burn till both races are left only shadows of who they once were.”

Master Akarin also added, “This war must be. It is unavoidable. The last remaining fuel that caused the Great Republic to fall must be burned till the flames go out once and for all. Only then can the new Republic be rebuilt on solid fertile soil. However, you must be cautious of the new Republic. Old mistakes must not be repeated. The Inner Light should not become seen as a symbol of the Republic and the Republic should not become known by the actions of the Inner Light. The two must be seen as the separate organizations that they are. This is the only wisdom that I can offer you. I know that you will lead the Inner Light in to the future. I am entrusting you with their future. Please lead them well.”

[Akirapryde]

(5.26) Cause and Effect (Part Three)
The Lord's Voice
Galactic Media
Broadcast from The Holy See
November 1, 1936

Greetings and may the Lord’s blessing be with you all tonight. We here would like to wish you and all those out there the Lord's blessings. Coming together and sharing God's wisdom and light is what makes us who we are. Regardless of race, we are all God's children. This is just one more reason why we must all stand together in the light of our Father and give him praise. For today he has truly blessed us all with some surprising news from the Core Worlds. As many of you have known, the Core Worlds has become nearly completely dominated by a faith hating, xenophobic government known as the Second Reich of Humanity. Before today, our opinion of the Reich was that they would never turn away from their sinful ways. Their leadership centuries ago, cast out nearly all of God's churches after the Church's condemnation of Yoni IV riots. Hundreds of innocent Varl were murdered by rioting human slaves. After some rather bitter conferences, the Ruling family of the Reich finally gave in to the will of God and allowed the Churches to return. However, relationships between God's church and the Reich have always been strained. That was till just recently.

What transpired was nothing short of the Will of God at work. The Reich as seen just a few days ago is a war like, hostile state with so much hate for the church. It seemed that just a few years ago, the newly crowned young Emperor made his position clear. He stated in a speech that, “We don't need a church to guide us to any future. We don't need a religious leader who has never stepped foot in the Core telling us how we should act. We are Humans, and our birthright is to each other. All Humans have a right to live in peace and security from invasion. The Church can't offer this. Only together can we secure our future. Not just for the Humans in the Core, but ALL humans across the galaxy. We must, we shall, we will unify!”

Powerful words spoken by a young untested Emperor. Just a few years later and more experience under his belt, a more clear headed, more enlightened leader of the Reich has stepped forward and done something remarkable. No, the Emperor was not assassinate. It is still the same Emperor who said that they don't need God's house. However, even without God's house, God can still speak to the hearts of all of God's children. When God whispers in to the heart of a man as powerful as the Emperor of the Reich, shocking events take place. Those events with far-reaching consequences. Tonight, we are pleased to announce that Emperor Ganner Miko Quee VI also known as the Prince of Vandor III has come to accept the light of Our Father. Opened his heart to the one true Lord and God of us all. After speaking privately with several representatives from our Lord’s Church, Emperor Ganner, leader of the Second Reich of Humanity has taken that first step in saving his soul by accepting the Lord in to his heart. We have an excerpt from a two-hour interview that was conducted on Vandor III with the Emperor.

“It was not all to surprising to me. After all, I personally have always believed that God was with me. Since the passing of my parents, I have felt his presence with me the whole time. I think the reason why it took me over three years to make this move was that God didn’t feel I was ready for it. I had some much to learn since I took on the leadership of Humanity. Now that my eyes have been opened to what benefit the Lord’s Church can be to my people. I am aware that now is the right time, chosen by God to make this step forward. I only hope that all of my people will accept God as I have as our one true savor.”

Shortly after this interview, the Emperor of the Reich issued a mandate that would end all forms of slavery within the Reich by the end of nineteen forty. Yes, that’s right, you heard us correctly. We were just as shocked as you were at the news. But it’s true. Listen to what the Emperor had to say on the matter.

“I do not think I can in good conscience continue a policy that infringes on the basic right of freedom among all God’s children. While I know that this will cause me problems within the Estates General, however this will be a matter that I will gladly take up in the name of God. This is after all I feel that this is right path that the Reich needs to be on.”

If this is not God’s Will in actions, I do not know what is. We are aware that many of our viewers are not believers in the One True God. I know that in these troubling times, its so hard to be able to find the Lord's work around you. Between slavers and Jedi hoards out there, with empires going to war over silly things. Trust us, the Lord is out there watching. He knows your suffering and hears all prayers. Ladies and gentlemen, the Lord has moved through the Reich and touched one of the most powerful individuals known to the Galaxy. The Emperor has opened up his realm to the Galactic Church and the hearts and minds of all beings within the Realm. For those within the Core Worlds, this is a bright and wonderful day. With this strong friendship came a victory for both the Reich and the Galactic Church.

Shortly after the Emperor's remarkable announcement, Security Forces within the Reich cornered and captured a sinister member of the hated satanic cult known as the Sabbat. As many of you already know, the Sabbat has been serving the Dark Lord of the Abyss since the beginning of time. Their goals are simple, to further suffering and chaos. Their aim in to turn God's children from him and lead those souls in to the fires of the Abyss. Only after the fall of the Republic and raise of the Galactic Church, was the Church able to bring this evil organization to light. Being masters of espionage, the Sabbat working from the shadows played a critical role in the collapse of the Great Republic and the dark years that followed. Through hard devoted work by many within the Church and with the hand of God supporting them, the Church learned that the Sabbat had actually been working within the ranks of the Legendary Jedi of the Republic to bring about its fall. These historical facts were uncovered when their leader, the Dragon of Blood, was captured and placed on trial for his crimes. During the trials and before hundreds of witnesses, the man known only as the Dragon of Blood, admitted to plotting the collapse of the Republic. It was a recorded admission to include his vile laughter at the suffering that was going to happen during the Dark Times after the fall of the Republic. The Church has been since, protecting all beings of the Galaxy from these evil Sabbat and their servants of darkness.

For his crimes against the Galaxy as a whole, the man known only as the Dragon of Blood was sentenced to death. While his sentence was being carried out, the Dark Lord of the Abyss tried to save his gift servant. However, the light of our Father shined through. The ground shook, buildings toppled, and the skies darkened as the Dark Lord of the Abyss made his presence known on the Holy See. (Footage of the event is played out) All those in witness to the event dropped to their knees and prayed. It was clearly a show of faith by the masses of God’s children. It was a show that was rewarded by God himself. As the Dragon of Blood burned, the ground stopped shaking, and the skies cleared. Not one of God’s children was harmed that day. Since that day, the Church has taken up God’s Holy mission to hunt down those servants of the Dark Lord and try to bring them back to the light of God. It is a thankless mission for those brave men and women tasked with such a mission. But it is a mission with souls on the line. Just a few days ago, a member of the Sabbat was discovered on the world of Tatooine.

During that event, Citizen Daz Murl helped the Church uncover this follower of darkness before she was able to execute her plans which would spread suffering and chaos. Had it not been for the help of Citizen Murl, there is no telling what evil this follower was capable of. There were unconfirmed rumors that she had in her position a powerful artifact that could have brought suffering to the entire world of Tatooine. Luckily for the children of God on Tatooine, Citizen Murl felt the hand of God and aided the Church in finding this servant of darkness. After a long chase, she was cornered and a short battle saw the end of her darkness. In the final moments of her life, it was told that she saw the Light of our Father and confessed her sins. Her story was one of forgiveness. Always remember that it is never too late to confess your sins before the Church and God.

It was later discovered from an investigation on Tatooine, that the dark servant was not acting alone. Based on information gathered from this person’s personal belongs, the Church was able to inform the Reich that a dark servant was working within their boarders. After a four-day investigation with the help of the Church, the Reich Security Services were able to capture the dark servant. But this was not just any dark servant. This vile man touched by darkness, was a powerful leader within the Sabbat. With the rank of Blood Dragon, this capture is the most high-ranking member of the Sabbat captured since the fall of their leader the Dragon of Blood. This capture was made possible with the special help of the Reich’s Psychic Police, which made the capture pleasantly eventless. According to reports, he was captured within his personal quarters plotting a massive strike against the Reich that was designed to push them to war with their neighbors. When the Psychic Police made the arrest, the Sabbat claimed that hundreds of others would take up his work. A threat that the Reich's elite Psychic Police are taking very seriously. As should we all, the Sabbat only thrive in a Galaxy of hate and suffering. We all can diminish their influences by showing God's love.

The identity of the Sabbat has been proven to be Count Paqurn Imsatad of Trosia III. This came as a personal blow to the Emperor Ganner as the Imsatad family has been long time allies of the Imperial family and strong supporters of the Reich since the raise of the First Reich of Humanity. The Imsatad family was quick to distance themselves from the actions of Count Paqurn. In an official release, a spokesperson for the family had this to say.

“The Actions of Paqurn are both vile and evil. This man, has cast a tarnish on the Family and on the Reich as a whole. We hope that he burns for his sins and suffers for his crimes.”

No truer words have ever been spoken. After a long questioning by both members of the Church and with the Psychic Police, it was learned that the Count's plans were to launch a raid against a number of independent worlds which all had military treaties. The attacks would provoke a war between the Reich and its neighbors. Once more proving that the aims and goals of the Sabbat are to further the suffering of innocent people. If the Count was able to move forward with his plans, there is simply no why of knowing how many innocent lives would have been lost. While the Church and the Physic Police are working to ensure that the Count's dark prediction doesn't come true. Each of you can help stop the Sabbat. Be mindful of those around you and watch for behavior that doesn't fit. While a few Sabbat have been known to take part in Church functions, generally those who turn their back on the Church might have ties to the Sabbat. Do you know of anyone that has turned their back on the Church? Help us, help them by reporting any suspected behavior to your local Church. If we find them in time, we can help turn them back from the Dark Lord of the Abyss. The one you save, could be someone in your own home. If you love them, let us help them.

Luckily for the Reich and millions of innocent lives, The Sabbat's plans did not take place. All this was due to the service of the brave men and women of the Church and people like Citizen Murl. And now with the help of the Reich, the Sabbat has suffered a very damaging blow to their dark plans. The Children of the Lord can rest peacefully now that these two dark servants have been sent back to the abyss where their evil lord resides. It is truly remarkable as to how the Lord works. A chance encounter on the distant world of Tatooine would lead to one of the most powerful dark figures to fall before the light of the Lord within the Core worlds. The bells here are still ringing over these joyous events that have unfolded during the past week. If you think this was the best we have to offer, then sit back viewers, as we have an in depth one on one interview with Citizen Daz Murl. And trust me when I say this. This man was clearly sent by God to fulfill His blessed work.

---

I am Sister Wekily, and I have sitting right across from me, Citizen Daz Murl. Many of you might have already heard of him as the man that helped bring down a member of the Sabbat here on Tatooine. It was largely and nearly solely due to this event which led to the capture of a ring leader within the Sabbat on the distant world of Vandor III. Due to his very tight schedule, meeting with him was very difficult. However, Citizen Murl was able to give us some of his very valuable time. I would like to start with saying thank you for giving us this time to get to know you a bit better, Sir.

“Oh, think nothing of it. I am honored that you asked to do a piece on me. I am but a humble man, here doing the Lord's work.”

Spoken like a true gentleman. Could you please tell our viewers who Citizen Daz Murl is?

“I am a man of faith, a visionary, a seeker of His truth, an advocate for justice, and a defender of the innocent.”

With such a strong statement, I can see why so many have already flocked to your side. However Sir, as I said, I will not go easy on you. Now for the hard questions, Sir. The ones that everyone is thinking. It is our understanding that you have taken it as your personal mission to rebuild the Republic. What is your driving force behind this mission?

“The Republic will once more unite a Galaxy divided against itself. The time has come to emerge from the shadows and realize our true potential. We can be a part of something greater than ourselves and it is the Republic that will bind us all together.”

Sounds like a strong mission one that must surely be handed down from God.

“This is my duty from God, my road. I feel that through His will, I can do this.”

You have recently accepted the Lord as your Savior and acknowledged Him as the One True God. Can you please tell our viewers about your personal journey from sinner to righteous man? Please expand as you wish.

“My road to salvation was fraught with tragedy, heartache, and darkness. Through His goodness and mercy, a witness demonstrated the love of God to me firsthand. Today, I feel a peace that passes understanding and stand ready to do God's will.”

Let us return to your vision of the future and the New Republic. I am sure our viewers would love if you could give us a glimpse of what you envision your Republic to look like.

“With God by my side, I wish to bring glory back. The Republic will be a beacon of light to the Galaxy. Knowledge, culture, and ideas will once more flow freely between worlds coexisting in peace and harmony. A bright, brand new beginning is on the horizon; may your planets be there for it.”

Your hopes for tomorrow sound wonderful. What steps are you taking or have taken to reach this future? What steps are planned in the near future?

“A league of men and women who share my vision are playing instrumental roles in making our dream of a Republic reborn a reality. With them by my side, I have traveled the Galaxy, making friends and allies who will help us usher in this new era. Even now I am engaged in high level discussions with brilliant leaders who have the foresight to recognize the wisdom in rebuilding the Republic and the importance of doing what it will take to ensure that these hopes are realized.”

Is there anything else you wish to add for our viewers?

“I come before each and every one of you today, not as a tyrant hellbent on ruling you with an iron fist, but as a fellow citizen of the Galaxy we all inhabit. As a servant of the Living God, it is my duty to carry out His will and help prevent the suffering and bloodshed that has plagued our worlds since time immemorial. This is the moment to bring an end to the cycle of hatred and violence, but I cannot do it alone! Each and every one of you must let your voice be heard! Let the cry for representation and unification ring out to the leadership of your planets and echo throughout the Galaxy! With your support and God's mercy, we will push back the darkness and stand in the light, living in a Republic restored to its former glory! Thank you, and God bless you all.”