{pictures coming soon} {disclaimer in author notes}
As the stars shined in their brilliance, Lucifron just stared at them from the bridge of the ship, he then asked out of pure curiosity as he stared through the black windows:
{This ship… I feel a connection to the force… it feels familiar…Leon… where did you get this ship?}
[Ah… this ship… I believe Amadas said he stole it from a rival scavenger! Something about the Freemaker family… other than that, the only other note-worthy thing, about this ship is that it was modeled after a very old Praetorian class frigate...] replied Leon with a bow.
The name Freemaker didn't ring any bells in Lucifron's mind, so he simply ignored it and pressed another question:
{how long till we make it to the hut home world?}
[umm… it'll take a few days. Luckily, it's not too far from here… if it had been a core world on the other hand… it might have taken a month…well anyway, travel time is the least of our worries...] replied Leon
{huh? Care to explain?} replied Lucifron with a raised brow
[oh! Well… the casual pirates and space monster attack will probably not mean much to you but… the republic checkpoint ship… might prove a problem…though we could go around them… but that will increase our travel time by a few more days…] replied Leon with care
To the word republic, Lucifron frowns and clutches his fist, and replies with a smile:
{No… that isn't a problem at all… in fact, let them check us… I'll just set the table for them…}
A few hours later after leaving the hyperspace lane: The location Sy Myrth
{so, this is the Republic checkpoint ship…pts.… it looks more of a transport ship to me than any military vessel…is this really what you were so worried about?} said Lucifron as he stared at the long gray ship, which looked like it had no business being here.
[my lord! your intuition is amazing! You are indeed correct, it is a republic transport ship! I believe its model is a GR-75 and…] replied Leon before going uneasily silent… as stared at his master threatening gaze.
[Ah! Sorry, my lord, I'll get to the point! The republic won against the empire with those ships, so they became somewhat famous throughout the years…] continued Leon
{sigh, as much as I do enjoy your fear Leon, is this why you were so persistent, that we should have taken the hyperspace route through Junkfort Station instead? Do you really fear these republic dogs more than the smugglers who run that station?} replied Lucifron with a strange gaze as he continued to stare at the republic transport.
[Yes… I do fear the republic more than the smugglers… the smugglers I know but the republic… well… let's just say they bring more harm than good…] replied Leon
{yes... I will agree with you there… the republic… the republic swears they fight for freedom…but freedom for who… As they only ever cared about the core worlds and their freedom! But for the outer rim planets… well… it's good to see that after all these years the republic still hasn't changed… it'll make breaking them all the sweeter… ha...ha…} replied Lucifron with a wicked grin.
[Ya… I miss the empire... At least they tried to bring some kind of order to the outer rim… but with the republic…. They just leave us to rot. And sure, they say it's all for the name of 'freedom' like you said master… but sometimes too much freedom causes more harm than good…] replied Leon
{oh! Is that something a scavenger should say? And here I thought you like the republic… after all, don't they pay you the most for all the stuff you salvage?} replied Lucifron
[oh! I assure you, master, I never wanted to be a scavenger by choice! I was forced into it! Before this, I actually used to work for the empire… I had great pay and all the like… but once the war was over… the republic no longer needed my type of services… hell, it wasn't just me but hundreds of millions of people suddenly found themselves without jobs! The republic couldn't trust us… not that I could blame them for that… but still… a lot of families hit, rock button after that…
[And to answer your other question… No…No, they don't pay me more! Shit! The damn thieves that run the galaxy behind closed doors pay a dozen times more! The smug republic confiscates more than they give! Their laws cover anything really worth selling!] Replied Leon in annoyance as a messenger came pending in.
[This is republic space… identify yourselves!] said a random voice
[This is the ship, Odysseus! I repeat! This is the ship, Odysseus! We are just a scavenger ship looking to continue on our journey.] replied Leon
[Roger that Odysseus, but you need to stop for inspection…] replied the voice
[May I ask, why there is a need for inspection? I don't think it is necessary…] replied Leon
[sorry about the inconvenience… sir… but this is routine for ships coming around this sector, as it's a high-traffic zone for smugglers and the like! If you refuse, we will assume your guilt and act accordingly.] replied the voice threateningly as a team of X-wings flew out from the vessel.
[I understand, Odysseus will comply with republic law and will dock at your station… no worries] replied Leon as he cut the mic.
[are we really going to board their ship, master?] said Leon
{of course, I'll be upset if we didn't! After all the preparation I set for them at the table… it would be heartbreaking if they didn't come to enjoy my food… Hehe…. Oh! And you can stop calling me master, just use my name… the words master holds special meaning to me, so I warn you don't utter such words again in front of me!} replied Lucifron with crazy eyes.
Not bothering to wait for Leon's response, Lucifron did a quick turn and continued to say:
{The Republic blood will spread their fear… as well, will their meat be set to rot on their home worlds as it did mine!}
And to his words, Lucifron turned to the corpse of his father and handed him the sabers while saying in whispers:
{Father… I find it's only fitting… that you should be the first to draw Republic blood!}
While staring at his lord, Leon asked carefully:
[my lord… I mean no disrespect but can they understand you…like are they really alive?]
Turning back to look at Leon, Lucifron said:
{no… they are but mindless puppets… my puny life force was only good enough to restore their bodies, but as for their mind… that is something that the 'force' will only do under the most extreme conditions, and the consequence for breaking such a taboo is not something I could endure right now…} said Lucifron while slight coughing out some blood.
[I see… but wait! Does that mean it's possible to bring back the dead!] replied Leon in shock
{Yes, and no… to restore one's mind is to break the fabric of the force itself… and to do so would make you an enemy out of the 'force'... it's like playing God at the highest level…one you are sure to lose… and those crazy enough to attempt it… all meet a sad end…} replied Lucifron as he stared at his father figure.
[but then why does their expression look so authentic?] replied Leon
{Because it is not 'their' expression you are looking at but mine!} replied Lucifron but did not say anything further, with an expression that told Leon to stop talking.
Meanwhile on the bridge of the transport ship:
[sir… this ship… seems suspicious to me… maybe we should…] said a random trooper
[it's fine trooper… just have the inspection team on standby…] said the man in charge
[understood Commander Fub, but shouldn't we at least take extra precautions… something off... the scanner shows two living beings but yet another scanner is showing a total of six persons…] replied the trooper
While hearing his trooper's concerns, Commander Fub scratched the wrinkles under his, rolled up tan skin of a fish mouth and said:
[your right this could be a trap but… well… double the team just to be safe!]
Nodding, the troopers made the call:
[Alright team alpha! As of now, we will be working with Team Gold for this inspection! Any questions?] said the trooper in charge
[yes, why is command pairing two teams for a routine inspection? On a scavenger ship no less?] replied another trooper
[As far as I know.... Command seems to find this ship suspicious that is all…] replied the leader
[that not much of a reason] complained another trooper
[your right, but that's all they told me… So, we have to work with what we have… Just double-check your blaster and be prepared! The ship is arriving at the dock as we speak] replied the leader
As Lucifron ship came into the landing dock, team Gold and Alpha waited with their blaster ready, while high command watched through the cameras on the bridges, and with static and shock, the ship Odysseus opened their bay doors to a flood of eerie fog and sparks!
Looking at the strange fog, the two team leaders looked at each other and yelled:
[come on out! Your ship is surrounded!]
[...]
[no response…. Gold leader keep your team here… Alpha team let's go check out the situation!]
With a nod, the gold team leader said:
[Be careful… something doesn't feel right, the air... It's so cold…]
[Don't worry about us, just lock down this position... If anything comes out of the ship that isn't us… just take it out!] replied the Alpha leader with a thumbs up.
And so, as the light on the ship dimed, and the cameras stuttered, Alpha team approached with their five souls into a ship that felt foreign… with fog that blinded and walls that dripped ink black… the men felt a chilling cold, as their breath carried their misty warmth… As they walked further in, the men felt increasingly disturbed to the point one asked:
[Sir… what is this black substance? It's not coming up as anything on my scanner…]
[I don't know, just don't let your skin touch anything! Command are you seeing what I'm seeing?] asked alpha leader
[Yes…but without a sample, we can't identify what it is just yet… so, just proceed with caution!] replied Fub
[Understood!] replied the Alpha leader as the water increased in depth as they continued…
But as the water began to reach their knees, the group of men came to a hallway filled with rooms…
With squinted eyes, the team leader gestured with hands signs, to splitter off… to check each room… as those pairs checked room by room, the team leader walked further down the hallway alone a little way…as water splashed, and lights flickered, with blinding fog and water waves, a pair arrived in the medic bay… curious and blood ridden panels… with a corpse tore in two by the waste…
[is that…] said one of the troopers
[ssh! I'll scan it now…] replied his partner
But while he scanned, his partner looked to the walls to see hand prints, through glowing panels, he felt the lights buzzing above his head, he saw the swaying of loose medical equipment… and then he heard it in the water… a subtle splash… but when he turned to look, the light above his head blew out! Scared the trooper turned on his headlights and scanned the waters…
To see nothing, with a deep breath he calmed his mind, but even then, he just could not shake the feeling of being hunted…with those feelings he turned to urge his partner to hurry up.
[will you calm down already… the scan is almost done! What are you scared of? Their nothing here… we already check this place out…] said the trooper as his scan made a noise.
[See… it's done! Now let's see who are friend here is] continued the trooper
[….scanning…. Beep identification found! Boop… species human…. Boop…Name Drake… occupation scavenger…life signs…DECEASED! Cause of death…burns…]
[see! All done! Now we can leave...] said the trooper as he turned to find him stuttering and pointing his finger to the wall…
Confused the trooper followed his friend's finger with a gaze and shone his light on a pair of red eyes watching them form within the waters! The trooper scoffed at the eyes and pointed his blaster at them and said:
[Right… that's enough of your staring game! Just come on out of the water with your hands up! Nice and easy!] said the trooper
But the eyes didn't move… and the water got more turbulent, for they had gotten taller without the pair ever realizing it! Viscous and black the water hid a smile beneath their feet…
Annoyed the trooper said:
[fine! Have it your way then]
But as he raised his gun to fire, his partner stopped him and said:
[it's not alive…]
[what do you mean it's not alive?] question the trooper
[the scanner… says… error…] replied the partner
[impossible check it again] said the trooper as he caught a glimpse of the floor at his feet…
But while his partner scanned again and again with shaky hands:
[its notttt workkkking!] replied the partner in a panic as he turned to look at his fellow trooper, who for some reason... was looking at the floor…
Confused, the partner looked down at a sea of red eyes. Eyes that felt hungery... that felt longing...that desired hatred! And with those eyes, the pair screamed, while they fired their blasters into the water! But even as they fired, they could not escape the grips of the black damned that held them in place! With screeching beaks and torturous moans, the creatures of the water held the men at their waste! And as the pair fired…
And the black water rained, while fog covered them… They heard it in between their blaster fire…a pair of burning blades, as a silhouette appeared from the fog ! And with the inability to turn around, the partner was stabbed through the back by a saber!
And by the buring blade, the partner contorted from the pain... and with his fresh blood filling his throat, the partner stared at the eyes that sank just under the waters... as he felt his blaster fall from between his fingers... he felt the fire consume his upper half!
With wide eyes, the trooper screamed for his friend… And turned to fire, but his blaster was broken by the blade! As it scorched through his chest! And with black tears, the trooper looked up… and into the eyes of Jirus's… only to see coldness and rage as he died.