VC Deception - Rebellion

INTRODUCTION

    The stars stream by like whispered secrets of a shattered age…an age when those like Valaryc Versai were respected and saluted with the highest regard for their deeds, their various acts of heroism unlike the media gobbling saviors of today, who seek not personal gratification, but fortune and glory. There in his Howlrunner “Nemesis”, Val Versai sleeps. This might be a serene scene to most, the humming of the engines, and gentle rocking of the hull lulling anyone to a deep, relaxing sleep. For Val though, sleep is not a place of rest, or recuperation every time his eyes close, he is sent back into the past…to memories he has been scarred by, the scotching sting of battle with Crymson, where he almost did not walk away from alive, or the agonizing sensation of Cire T’Negun’s shard lightning tearing into his flesh.

None however was more terrorizing…more quick to cut, then the loss of his lover Gen Zeridian. The events of that fateful day in the Dark Jedi Council room has loomed heavy on his shoulders, even ten, twenty years after its occurrence. So much was unveiled that day, so much lost, so much pain was inflicted that those who experienced its emotional track, have long since been infected with its haunting attributes.

Not only has Val felt these, but also so has his brother Foe Raker. Even though Foe considers himself a strong willed individual, unstoppable in combat. Alone in the darkness of night, he too experiences the dream…the dream that is always the same. Foe leaping to stop Cire’s dagger from slicing Gen’s throat, too little too late…every time seeing that blinding flash of red, before being hurled back, as that one overlooked, lucky guard gets in that one in a million shot on his prey…the searing coherent bolt of energy tearing through flesh and muscle. Foe had quite a developed physique, so when one muscle was tensed, his entire body felt it in one crushing blow.

When Val and Foe both locked their eyes on Gen’s widened eyes…then saw the sheen of silver, flash across her throat…they knew that it was done. They knew their master, Val’s first love, Foe’s “sister” was taken from them…in a blinding matter of seconds, though still hanging on to life with pure stubborn will, her journey into the darkness was unavoidable, for Val and Foe realized that even with their unmatched combat skills and heightened sense of force abilities…they were powerless.

THE PAST – 25 YEARS…

It is the time in Valaryc Versai’s life, where choices had to be made, where he had to push himself to the very brink of exhaustion to be the “best” in his class, to defeat all his opponents, with the exception of his brother Foe Raker who had always managed to tie with him in fierce competition, Val having defeated only once by his brother, upon his own choosing.

He lies chained to a crude holding device, strapped spread eagle to a cold, steel table. The cuffs around his ankles and wrists, meant to send fierce waves of agonizing electricity into his body should he struggle. Set to a pressure sensitive setting, the more one pulls, the higher the volts of electricity, the table rips into his victim’s body. Val knows this; he can still recall the night before…

The fight for his future and for his lover, against Cire T’Negun in the forest. The scum had no respect for honor, claiming to have a last-man-standing race to claim his Versai Locket, suspended from a tree branch. In a duel of both wits and determination, the stakes set higher then he had bargained for with Cire. Val fiercely defended his claim over his “prize” the very thing Cire lusted for…

Gen Zeridian…

But losing to Val’s signature maneuver wasn’t enough for Cire to learn his lesson. The arrogant “third rate” student wanted to take the game to the next level. Letting Val think he had won, being too injured to fight from the searing sting of Val’s fiery-orange saber across his midsection, Cire waited for the whites of Val’s eyes as he turned around, only to unleash is devastating barrage of “shard” lightning, called such because unlike Emperor Palpatine’s lightning that scorched the skin of his victim, shard lightning tore into it like pieces of razor sharp glass, not only inflicting electrical burns, but deep lacerations as well.

Val narrowed his eyes, trying to control the surge of electricity tearing into his already sore body, as Cire could be seen presently strutting across the council room floor, spouting off lies and treachery, knowing full well with his master plan the Council Members were far too high on their pedestals and inflated egos of being “superior” to students, that Cire had them eating out of his hand. Of course Cire having stolen Val’s Versai locket didn’t help matters. Val had gotten the locket first, but Cire had to cheat, he had to take the game into “sudden death”. It was then under so much strain that Val’s body reached its limit, after holding off a three ton tree from crushing his body, cut down by Crymson Vachon in a jet black ninja like outfit, and unleashing his 30ft Bolt of Hatred, causing Cire’s saber to explode into a thousand tiny, glittering pieces, even Val’s body had its limitations.

It wasn’t until his ribs were re-injured after crushing blows, did Val start to fall to Cire’s vicious onslaught of attacks, but the searing heat of Cire’s personal blaster tearing clean through his chest was too much to handle and Val fell into an unconscious sleep, awakening bound in this room, a room he had walked for five years, trained under, and even cleaned in his early stages of training. Everything Val saw now was like he had entered a unknown area, the people were familiar and yet they were not, they didn’t know him, the Council didn’t care to know him, all they cared about was exercising their power. Cire knew this as he walked, pacing like a lion set for the kill, glaring to Val screaming “THERE IS YOUR TRAITOR!” Val however knew better…he trusted The Force, that it would free him when he needed it most, he thought this would happen but he would find out that his speculation like others even in his future…were simply forged on his own point of view…

However it is the DAY that matters here, the day, the moment, the hour never revealed in such detail before that he will need to pay close attention to in his dreamscape realm…for the clues to his present dilemmas lie in his past, the more he understands…the more he will understand why his present has been invaded, by the “Legions of Death” that wish to claim him.
 

VC Deception – Chapter II - Rebellion

~DREAM SEQUENCE~

Val glares from his restraining devices, hearing Cire’s lies spout off like that of a swarm of flies around a carcass, knowing that the egotistical Dark Jedi Council will eat right out of his palm, like eager birds they digest his fractured views, and draw their own self righteous conclusions. This is apparent by the mirrored grins on their faces, that matching Cire’s own, as he knows now what he could not defeat in combat, he can overcome in negotiation.

 Cire turns to the council, the Versai Locket in his hand

CIRE – DO YOU NOT SEE THIS!!! ARE WE ALL BLIND? HE HAS DECIVED US ALL! LOOK FOR YOURSELF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL! HIS PARENTS WERE SPIES FOR THE OLD REPUBLIC! HOW CAN WE BE SURE HE IS NOT A SPY EVEN AS WE SPEAK!

The council nods their heads as they listen intently

CIRE – (points towards Val)DO YOU DENY THIS VAL! DO YOU DENY YOUR PARENTS WERE SPIES IN THE OLD REPUBLIC! IS THIS NOT YOUR LOCKET!

VAL – No, I do not deny that my parents were spies in the Old Republic; I speak only the truth, unlike some people…and yes, that is my locket that you STOLE from me. (shoots a glare towards a grinning Cire)

CIRE – YOU SEE HE ADMITS IT! HE ADMITS HE IS A SPY!

VAL – I DO NOT! I DID NOT SAY THAT! QUIT PUTTING WORDS IN MY MOUTH CIRE!

Cire turns towards the Council approaching the bench, setting the locket down on the surface of a jet-black platform

CIRE – Esteemed members of the Dark Jedi Council, I bid you to read the inscription inside this locket, and ask yourself if this so called “teacher” is worthy of DEDICATION to our secretive society.

The head Council Member, Draconis, a balding man, with a full gray beard that extends down his neck, his eyes are blood red as his shimmering black “judge” like robes, covered with silver embroidered patterns, cascade along his body, begins to read the inscription.

DRACONIS – (clears his throat)“Before victory comes humility, before duty comes family.”

CIRE – Thank you, now if you read into those words, what do they tell you?

DRACONIS – It appears that it means before one can attain victory they must humble themselves, and that whomever wrote this found that family was higher then dedication to duty.

VAL – But that was written by my Fath… (cut off by Cire)

CIRE – SILENCE TRAITOR! (calms himself) You will have your turn…Esteemed Draconis, if you were to conclude upon this phrase what would you think of a member who lived by these motives?

DRACONIS – I would find them untrustworthy because I’d know their loyalty would not lie with there duty, it would lie with their family.

CIRE – That is exactly my point, Draconis. You see, according to my research his Father, Russel Versai wrote that inscription after defying the Jedi Council…Now I ask you, he is the SON of that traitor, and look where we are now! A COUNCIL! What is to prevent him from betraying our codes as well?

The Council whispers among themselves

DRACONIS – Your point is well-noted Cire, but the use of an inscription by his father is not enough to convict a teacher with his credentials. According to our records Valaryc Winters has been instrumental in a record setting pace of new recruits within our ranks. If he were to betray our codes and forfeit his rank, or even his life, what would be his motive?

CIRE – Does it really matter? GOD ARE YOU BLIND! LOOK AT HIM! HE TRIED TO KILL ME LAST NIGHT TO SILENCE ME! SEE FOR YOURSELF!

Cire pulls up his shirt, showing the searing burn left by Val’s lightsaber set on low, across his midsection

CIRE – (turns to Val)DO YOU DENY YOU DID THIS!

VAL – (smirks) I don’t deny I did such things to you Cire, but for the record…you deserved it.

The Council members begin to chatter, the conversation getting louder as Draconis stands and shouts

DRACONIS – ORDER! ORDER! I WILL HAVE ORDER IN THIS ROOM!

The crowd hushes once more

DRACONIS – (turns to Cire)One more outburst like that Cire and it will not be him who is put on trial it will be YOU by your “blind” superiors. Is that clear?

CIRE – (gulps) Yes Lord Draconis…I apologize for my disrespect. I am just deeply hurt that my master Valaryc Winters, or as we now know as Valaryc Versai would betray us all by having…this.

Cire draws the Sith talisman Ras Kruger gave him from his coat pocket, holding it up like a lantern for all to see, his face in a mock expression of sadness

CIRE – (sniffling)After all the things we have done for him he chooses to JOIN THE SITH! THAT’S RIGHT I FOUND THIS IN HIS QUARTERS! THIS IS WHY HE ATTACKED ME IN THE FOREST! BECAUSE I DISCOVERED HIS SECRET ALONG WITH HIS LOCKET!

VAL – (screams in protest) YOU LIAR! I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT TALISMAN BEFORE IN MY LIFE!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TRYING TO PULL CIRE! WE FOUGHT BECAUSE YOU STOLE MY LOCKET AND YOU WANTED TO STEAL GEN ZERIDIAN FROM ME!

CIRE – BLASHPEMY! LIES! LIES! LIES! WHERE DO YOU SUPPOSE THIS CAME FROM THEN HMM? A HIGH RANKING SUPERIOR CAN ONLY ACCESS IT! I AM THIRD RATE REMEMBER! I CANT ATTAIN SUCH THINGS BUT YOU CAN!

VAL – YOU PETTY COWARD I’L… (cut off by Draconis)

DRACONIS – QUIET! ALL OF YOU, SILENCE…

Cire flashes a wicked glance to Val, then turns innocently towards the Council

DRACONIS – In light of his some three years of service to the Dark Jedi Arts, joining as a Sith is both an insult and unforgivable in our ranks. We are above their barbaric teachings and far superior to the Jedi’s passive ways…Valaryc Winters Versai, you will answer for the accusations made against you…and you will watch your tongue or you will be found in contempt of these proceedings, is that understood?

VAL – (solemnly) Yes…

DRACONIS – Explain…

Val takes a deep breath, trying to block the searing pain throughout his battle ridden body from the night before, the electric impulses only making the strain on him worse, holding his body at bay with force healing.

VAL – Cire has built himself a foundation of pure speculation. Yes, my Father defied the Jedi Council apparently, though I was not aware of this fact. The phrase was meant as a symbol that in the Versai family, family will always come before duty, however these are not my views in this establishment.

I swear to you, I have no idea where that Sith talisman came from; I have never in my years here or prior seen nor touched that. My loyalty lies to my master Gen Zeridian and her Dark Jedi Academy and its affiliates.

DRACONIS – (yawns) Please Val…get to the point, I need no history lesson.

VAL – The point sir, is that Cire is building his case on lies and circumstance. If you will check my alibis, I have never left this planet’s surface in my five years of study here. It is not possible to have attained that piece of jewelry unless you have left this planet’s surface.

However…

DRACONIS – Yes?

VAL – Cire and Gen are the only ones who have left this planet’s surface. I can vouch that Gen would never betray your ways, she is as loyal as any one else here, Cire however is questionable.

CIRE – I AM NOT ON TRIAL HERE! OBJECTION! WHERE I HAVE BEEN HAS NO RELEVANCE TO THIS CASE!

DRACONS – SILENCE! Cire…or be silenced.

Cire cowers back into his corner, scowling under his breath.

VAL – I have no intentions of betraying my own kind, what my parents did should not be a factor in such a loosely based attack on my integrity. I move that this case be thrown out on the grounds that Cire has no concrete evidence to support his claims.

CIRE – (raises his finger to draw attentions) Before you listen to his charming personality, ask him to explain where he and Gen Zeridian were when they were supposed to be planning lessons for the next day’s proceedings.

VAL – (shoots Cire a glare that would kill) That is not relevant to the events in question.

DRACONIS – (raises his eyebrow)OH, but I think it is…. if you and Gen are so dedicated to duty, then explain where you were during that time, and do not lie I can see right through them.

VAL (takes a deep breath)Gen and I were taking a much-deserved break…

CIRE – ASK HIM WHAT THEY DID!

DRACONIS – Answer the question Val…

VAL – I don’t see how it is relevant to this case.

DRACONIS – I will tell you what to “see”, answer the question.

VAL – We were in the forest and I kissed her.

Council grows into an uproar again….

DRACONIS – ORDER! ORDER!

DRACONIS - (calms himself) You kissed her? You and the head of this academy, you dare form a relationship with your co-worker, in an established institution that is founded on training and logistics. You do realize that personal involvement in the work place; effects job performance, do you not?

VAL – Yes…but what we did was never public disp... (cut off by Draconis)

DRACONIS – YOU DECIVED YOUR STUDENTS DELIBERATLY! If you have the ability to lie, how do we know that you are not lying now against Cire’s claims today?

VAL – It’s called trust….

DRACONIS – Lies do not equal trust Valaryc Versai, rebellion will not be tolerated. Cire, continue.

Cire nods and stands in his spirit-filled fashion again.

CIRE – (clears throat)Ahem, as I was saying…Valaryc Versai has been carrying on a less then professional relationship with Gen Zeridian for about a year now. I have noted these occurrences and submit this recorded holo-journal for your review, of every known occurrence of these selfish acts of pleasure.

Val narrows his eyes, gritting his teeth, understanding now the very depths of Cire’s obsession to attain Gen, and yet questions how in the hell Cire could have known these things, under what tactic he used to avoid being detected by his Force Signature…knowing now, because of the Council’s twisted forms of justice, his case just dipped down to a darker path…his concentration turned instead on his bindings, trying to find a way to free himself from them.

Cire hands the holo-journal to Draconis and the rest of the Council as they review the acts of “rebellion” against their codes of ethics. To them signs of love, or compassion are crimes, people like this Council only care for duty, codes, and regulations…the human need for companionship is beyond their comprehension aside from the lust of taking a eager female mate, for one night then finding another flavor to sample.

CIRE – If you will draw your attention to the night before Gen Zeridian left to meet Ras Kruger, the Emperor’s Personal Emissary, they spent an extended amount of time in her quarters. I also would like to add that the room grew rather noisy as well.

Draconis and the Council smirk, knowing exactly to what activity Cire is referring to.

CIRE – After that though, look to two days prior to last night’s events. Val’s location is unaccounted for. We both know Gen is away at the moment speaking to Ras Kruger, but where was Val during this time?

VAL – I was with my brother, Foe Raker discussing personal issues…

CIRE – Hmmm personal issues hmm? LIKE RECRUITING HIM FOR THE SITH!

The Council grows into an uproar again, people chattering and whispering as Draconis again calls for order in the room, threatening to eject the spectators who consist of Academy students, and dignitaries that were invited to see the council in action.

VAL – That is pure, premature speculation Cire. We both know Foe Raker is above the Sith ways, he was made a higher rank then even I was, for what possible reason would he want to join the Sith? Why would I want to join them? Am I evil Cire? Am I evil enough to set up a person, steal his locket, make him fight for his girlfriend in the forest all alone, then cheat by getting a woman to help fight his battle for him?

CIRE (quivers his lip in anger)  – OBJECTION! HE’S EVADING THE QUESTION!

DRACONIS – I think we’ve heard enough…

As Draconis is about to speak his deliberation, suddenly the metallic door to the room screeches upwards, a shadowy figure standing, with its head down, but the purple locks of hair, spilling down its shoulders and the long trench coat with the signature yellow strip reveals that the Head Mistress has come home…

The figure steps in to the room swiftly, but in fluid motions.

DRACONIS – How convenient you have arrived here Mistress Zeridian. I trust your journey was pleasant?

GEN – It is never “pleasant” it is “work”.

DRACONIS – Strange that you should mentioned that word, because you see your most prized student is on trial…and it appears so are YOU.

GEN –  ON WHAT GROUNDS!

DRACONIS – Mistress Zeridian, take off your coat…you’re going to be staying here awhile.

The scene then fast-forwards to an outraged Gen Zeridian who has just been found guilty of treason for not killing Val in an act of obedience to her duties, rather then her emotions. As guards rush to restrain her, Gen ignites her lightsaber, cleaving them in two, one of the guards heads goes skidding across the floor as Draconis and the Council try to leave the establishment, but are cut short by the echo of blaster fire approaching.

DRACONIS – KILL HER! KILL THEM BOTH! THIS I COMMAND! PURIFY THE RANKS!

As Draconis shouts his orders, a blaster bolt rips through the center of his chest. He looks down in pure shock, tumbling to the floor. In the distant hallways, the thundering of blaster fire growing louder, they approach…

The Death Squad Troopers and legions of specially trained Shadow Storm Troopers in black attire as opposed to the white of normal troopers, invade the Council room, shooting everything in sight, as the students of the academy ignite their blue, silver, gold, green, red, pink, and teal sabers, trying to fight off the invading army penetrating the room like a swarm of angry bees.
 

INTERIOR: DARK JEDI ACADEMY – COUNCIL ROOM (Time Advanced)

Cire runs around, evading the blaster shots like a scared chicken, while one of the shots has damaged the restraining unit Val his bound to, making the electric impulses stop, allowing him to try and break free, Gen spins around in a 360 rotation, her purple blade illuminating the interiors with its devastating humm, severing off more limbs all around her as the troopers soon learn not to underestimate a woman. Cire watches the melee of bloodshed, death, and destruction and is sadistically aroused by the fluidic motions of Gen’s body, her coat whipping to and fro, as she fights off her attackers with expert skill, to Cire he truly respected her position as the Head Mistress of the academy, her graceful and deadly skill was as alluring as the rise and fall of her breasts, with each jerking motion, blood staining her outfit as well as her creamy skin.

Cire however in his euphoric state of watching Gen’s dance of death, had other plans in mind; his hormones were swelling within him. Knowing full well Val was bound and unable to stop him, and with the other students occupied with fighting off the advancing army, he himself had let past the school’s defenses, he saw his opportunity to do something he has long since craved, but been denied.

GEN – HANG ON VAL!(swings her saber) I’M COMING FOR YOU!

Cire struts up behind Gen, as she spins around, stopping her saber short of his head, glaring as the troopers around her have chosen to pursue other lesser threatening targets. The students as well trained as they were, fall one by one to the overwhelming amount of man power that keeps streaming in, in a sea of black and crimson red suits.

GEN – YOU IDIOT! I ALMOST TOOK OFF YOUR HEAD!

CIRE – Oh Gen I love it when you talk dirty to me…

GEN – (growls, pulling her saber back) This time I won’t miss…

CIRE – Oh yes, don’t you feel the attraction between us Gen? Two cold-blooded warriors in the thick of battle?

Cire motions to the melee of dead bodies at their feet and the blaster fire incinerating the walls around them.

GEN – What attraction? You are nothing like me! You never will be anything like me! That’s why you remain a THIRD RATE STUDENT!

CIRE – (growls) What is it about Val that turns you on hmm? His looks? His charms? WHAT!

GEN – Let’s just say he knows how to handle his saber better then you ever will

CIRE – (scowls) I’LL SHOW YOU HOW I HANDLE MY SABER!

Cire quickly anticipates Gen’s swing towards his head, ducking low he grabs her wrist and extinguishes the blade, whipping Gen in his arms, he forces a long kiss and his tongue down her throat in full view of a enraged and bound Val.

Gen struggles to free herself, however Cire’s grip is like a vise, so she resorts to dirty tactics

GEN –(telepathic in the forced kiss) You always did like feeling things between your legs Cire, FEEL THIS!

Gen sends a swift kick to Cire’s crowned jewels, causing him to fall to his knees, holding his crotch as Gen stands over him, looking back to Val flashing a smile, before scowling back towards Cire again, sending a swift kick towards his ribs. Cire howls in pain, and sweeps Gen’s legs, sending her crashing to the floor, as he now steps over her.

CIRE – I KNEW IT! YOU LIKE HAVING THE MAN ON TOP!

Gen scoots back, then flips to her feet, her eyes blazing with rage.

GEN - WHAT!

CIRE – YOU COULD HAVE BEEN GREATER THEN WHAT YOU HAVE ALLOWED YOURSELF TO BECOME GEN! YOU LET THAT DISEASE INFECT YOU WITH HIS COMPASSION! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE SADISTIC MISTRESS YOU WERE HUH GEN! WHERE IS THAT STONE COLD BITCH WHO WOULD SMACK YOU UPSIDE THE HEAD IF YOU EVEN LOOKED AT HER WRONG HUH!

GEN – YOU WANT TO SEE HOW NASTY I CAN BE CIRE? YOU WANT ME TO SHOW YOU JUST HOW MUCH OF A BITCH I CAN TRULY REALLY BE!

As Cire underestimates Gen’s force enhanced speed, she reverses the handle of her saber, so that the emitter shroud is facing the opposite end of her razor sharp triangular points along her hilt. Waiting for the appropriate moment to see the whites of Cire’s eyes, Gen’s wrist quickly sends the points of her saber raking across Cire’s left cheek, tearing into his flesh, causing four distinct lines of blood to form down it.

CIRE – ARRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

VAL – (struggles with the shackles) That’s my girl…

Gen stands there, a bit shocked at what she has just done to her own student, but perhaps in her mind he richly deserved what he goaded her on to do, to unleash her fury on him and in doing such scarred his face for life as a living reminder of her rejection to his advances.

Cire awestruck, slides his fingers along his left cheek, staring at the blood, ignoring the stinging pain originating from the four fresh lacerations along his skin, his eyes narrowing, as he stands back to his feet, lowering his head like a caged animal, void of emotion.

CIRE – You……….you struck me…

GEN – That is what you craved wasn’t it Cire? You brought it on yourself.

CIRE – Yes but you…. you actually…. scarred me for life! I thought you’d just kick me, but you defiled my face! How could you do such a thing to your own student!

GEN – (sighs) If you would not have pushed me so far, I wouldn’t have done this to you.

CIRE – (steps closer) But Gen I….I didn’t know you could resort to such an evil thing…

GEN – What are you doing? Get away from me…

Cire steps closer to Gen, his eyes showing the mock features of a person who has just been deeply hurt, going as far as to cry crocodile tears to pull on Gen’s heartstrings. Gen in her fragile state of surrendering o her rage, seeing the reminder from Cire’s sliced cheek, mentally bounces back and forth from her deed being justified or to apologize to even the most twisted of her students…She wondered if scarring Cire for the rest of his life was a proper punishment for him, for his childlike crush on her, but on the other hand after the lies and the tricks and the audacity to keep logs of her and Val’s affair, then publicly reveal them was more then justified for her actions, the moment of indecision and hesitation would come to be her gravest mistake.

Val sensed Cire’s intentions, and pulled harder on the restraints, smiling as he heard the first set of links begin to buckle and break, but he felt a feeling of dread wash over him, like an instant emotional state of farseeing, his pace to free himself quickly turned into a urgent matter, seeing Cire edging ever closer to Gen.

CIRE – (puts a hand on Gen’s shoulder) I…I forgive you Gen….

GEN – (shrinks back, frozen in place) You brought it on yourself Cire, you shouldn’t have pushed…me.

CIRE – Gen I’ve had such a huge attraction to you, from the time I arrived you were just so alluring, and I don’t mean because of your eyes. The grace in which you fight, the finesse of your movements, your wisdom in how you conduct your decisive actions in games of strategy was just so beloved by me.

Gen turns to look at Cire, sensing something is not quite right with this picture.

GEN - What are you talking about?

Cire slides his hand along Gen’s saber, taking it from her hand tossing it on the floor…knowing full well in her fragile state, she won’t resist.

CIRE – I’m talking about…forgiveness Gen, letting the past be forgotten between us, look around you.

Cire motions to the ensuing chaos that has died down a bit, what remains of the students, still battling the death squad troopers and black suited storm troopers, all the while strangely enough none of the blaster shots, or debris invades the circle of space around Val, Gen, and Cire.

CIRE – You’ve defied the Council, Draconis is dead…this past, this place is dying fast Gen. Let’s let the past die with it shall we?

VAL – (blinks seeing an image of Cire with a dagger) NO GEN! DON’T LISTEN IT’S A TRICK!

GEN – Huh?

Before Gen can react, Cire whips her back in his arms and kisses her again, turning her back along his chest, so that Val can watch, but what Gen doesn’t know, is what Val sees held behind Cire’s back.

Too little too late, Gen too sees the object, but locked in a kiss with Cire, a unique ability of hers weaves its web into her mind, everything that Cire has seen, heard, everyone he has spoken too transfers in to her mind from the connection of their bodies. Instantly Gen can hear Krevlin’s instructions, about killing her before Val’s eyes, she sees the deal with Ras Kruger and the very same Sith talisman that Ras had GAVE Cire, not Val…the truth was all revealed now, of Cire’s deception. The master plan to lower the academy’s defenses to carry out  “Project Endgame” it was all coming clear like a rainbow after the storm. SHE KNEW IT ALL NOW!

Val continued to tear at the shackles binding him, sensing a feeling of dread wash over him like a tidal wave, he knew Cire had a dagger and he knew he had Gen right where he wanted her. Calling all of his force enhanced strength, Val rubbed his skin raw, bloody from the shackles, trying to break free as three more links groaned under his pressure, he knew getting free was urgent, he knew that if he didn’t push his body to the limits and snap these shackles something was about to happen, and for that reason he pulled with all this strength, beads of sweat pouring down his brow, his muscles ached, his bones sent flashes of pain through his bruised ribs, the pain was unbearable almost making him black out, but he didn’t care all he needed to do was break free and break free now!

Gen finally back to reality, breaks the connection between Cire and herself through the forced kiss.

GEN – IT WAS YOU! YOU BASTARD!

As Gen struggles to get free, Cire lets her go waiting for just the right moment, grabbing her by the hair, dragging her screaming and yelling right in front of Val’s struggling form. Setting in to motion a plan that had no turning back, seeking to deal Val the ultimate emotional insult.

As time seemed to stand still…moving in slow motion, Gen broke free from Cire’s grasp, reaching one hand on Val, before she is yanked back, her eyes widened as Cire’s dagger plunges its way through her body, the blood soaked, silver point of it emerging through the space between her breasts, to Val’s horror, it is a moment that is caught forever in the annuls of his memory, as he breaks the shackle on his right, the left starting to buckle, Val’s eyes wide with mixed anger and horrified shock….

Suddenly Foe Raker bursts through the door, as if fate led him here, his ryyk blades tearing and severing the flesh of troopers in his way, in a bloody path to Val, Gen and Cire’s position, seeing the dagger pierced through Gen’s back, the blood streaming down her midriff, to her boots and to the floor, knowing full well what just occurred, as more troops swarm against him pushing him back from the scene, like an ocean’s current a swimmer being swept further and further out to sea.

FOE – (shouting) GEN! SISTER! ARGGGGGGGGGGGHH LET ME GO YA JACKLES!!!

Foe fights valiantly through the current of troopers, but still only manages to make it as far as half way to this last position, his ryyk blades slashing in silver flashes of aggressive trails, leaving crimson streams of blood swirling around his left and right, as guard after guard is hacked to their dooms.

VAL – GEN NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CIRE (holding Gen on his dagger like a piece of meat) IF I CAN’T HAVE HER…

VAL – I’M GOING TO RIP OUT YOUR HEART YOU SICK TWISTED!!!! (cut off by Cire)

CIRE – NEITHER WILL YOU!!!!!!!!!!! RRRRRRRRRRAGGGGGGGHHHHHH

As the slow motion like aspects of the scene continue, Gen leans forward, stretching a hand out to Val, sending a well placed telekinetic blow to Val’s left shackle, shattering the links in one single strike, but with the distance between them, that of one foot, with his legs still bound Val cannot break free enough in time, to stop Cire’s dagger from racing across Gen’s throat, severing it on contact.

FOE and VAL combined – NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As Cire casts Gen’s bleeding body to the floor before Val’s feet, in his anger and rage he launches a devastating energy blast, behind him, the entire unit binding Val shatters in a spray of sparks, and flying debris. Val is surrounded in a fiery orange and yellow aura, as he rushes to Gen’s side, carrying her in his arms as Cire stands above, clutching his very own dagger that brought about her demise, grinning like a Cheshire chat.

CIRE – If I can’t have her soul Val…You can have what’s left of her body…HAHAHAHAHAH!

Val narrows his eyes, clutching Gen in his arms, as her blood stains his jet black attire, trickling down his wrists, the flesh stripped to the ligaments from pulling on the his now liberated shackles.

GEN – (low and shallow)Kiss me Val…kiss me, take my last breath and…know…the…truth.

Without hesitation, and his love bubbling over for his first love, so close to the reigns of death, Val presses his lips to Gen’s own, with the connect as with Cire, Val’s mind begins to race with a blur imagery, from Ras Kruger and Cire’s meeting to Krevlin’s banter about his connection to Val’s family, he could see his father and mother being slain by Krevlin’s troopers, as well as see his mother Kathryn scream out as Krevlin shot her in the shoulder, then ordered his men to execute her in a firing squad like fashion. While the melee aboard his parents ship The Stargazer continues, an aspect he had never seen before presented itself in the form of a little girl, locked in an escape pod screaming, “MOMMY MOMMY!” Krevlin ordering his men to open fire on the pod, but finding it far too late as it disappeared into space. Then the images shifted back to Krevlin and Cire’s deal, the Sith talisman and the plan known as “Endgame”.

Suddenly, the imagery faded, as the same dark figure approached as it had before, removing its hood chattering
“THE THE LEGIONS OF DEATH COME FOR YOU VERSAI!” The same figure appears which began to remove its cloak before, its long fingernails wrapping around the black fabric drawing back the hood, but the darkness of the room only revealed two purple glowing eyes….

Phrases echoing throughout Val’s lifetime…all screaming at once in Cire’s voice, Krevlin’s voice, the specter’s voice, Russel’s voice, Kathryn’s voice, the eldest hero’s voice, and Draconis’s voice

YOU ARE WEAK, THE LEGIONS OF DEATH COME FOR YOU, YOUR LIVING WITHOUT HER IS MY ETERNAL VENGENACE, ARE YOU READY TO EMBRACE YOUR DESTINY! DEATH IS ALL I SEE IN YOUR FUTURE BOY…FOR THIS GAME IS DONE; YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THIS FAMILY! WHY DIDN’T YOU SAVE YOUR MOTHER VAL WHY DIDN’T YOU CARE! YOU ARE A RELIC VAL GO THE WAY OF THE EMPIRE AND EXPIRE! YOU DECIEVED US VAL YOU DECIEVED YOUR STUDENTS!!!!!
 

~PRESENT DAY~

INTERIOR: THE NEMESIS - COCKPIT

Val is shook violently, as the Nemesis exits hyperspace, having reached its destination. His brow is heavy with sweat, as he blinks, trying to focus his eyes back in the present…in his ship, trying to recall his current location. Each nightmare was growing worse, each was growing more intense, especially the end. He didn’t understand what was going on with his head, wondering if he was going senile or what.

Refocusing his gaze on the navacomputer, Val takes a deep breath sitting up in his pilot seat, turning off the blaring arrival alarm with a swift kick to the console.  With another deep breath, Val gazes out the window in front of him, seeing the glowing brown, red, and orange hues of Tatooine’s planet. Shaking off his dream he flicks some switches and the landing gear begins to extend. The sturdy Howlrunner having breached Tatooine’s atmosphere, touches down on the dirt surface as the dust swirls from the engines to the left and right of the ship.

Val adjusts his armor, having taken off his long signature sleeveless trench coat, then grabs a dusty brown robe from a storage cabinet, wrapping his arms through the fabric, pulling it up to surround his body. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself, nor announce his return from his five year absence, especially to society today which disgusted him knowing full well his announced return would spark a media frenzy and he would never get free of the cameras and publicity that he had managed to avoid by picking a place to go where none had ever heard of, where his main Versai Mansion rested, knowing the media had some aerial shots of his original Versai Mansion on Ithor. No doubt they had set up sensors outside the gates in hopes to capture that winning piece of evidence that he was still alive.
 

EXTERIOR: TATOOINE – MOS ESPA DOCKING BAY

Val flicks the switch to open the cockpit window, as the canopy slides up. Covering his head with the dusty brown hood of his robe, knowing his armor underneath would cool his body from the harsh sun of Tatooine’s suns, the robe would make him look like an outlander, and make attention to him falter, it is well known that the inhabitants of Tatooine didn’t care for outlanders and often tried to avoid them, whenever possible unless there was money involved.

As Val rounds the path to the Mos Espa Cantina, named the “Rancor’s Pit”, he keeps a close eye on the various species of people buzzing around him, or rather FROM him, with the dusty robe on in the blazing sun he was deemed as either a man with a death wish, or a individual not to be underestimated.
 

INTERIOR – MOS ESPA – RANCOR’S PIT CANTINA

As Val paces through the small entryway into the Rancor’s Pit’s main seating area, he is met by scowling gazes from the local inhabitants, you know the typical hive of scum and villainy. He is cautious to not arouse a confrontation, even though Val knew he could kick the crap out of any of these people at a moments notice, this was not a time for childish pride.

From the opposite end of the bar, a man dressed in formal purple and blue attire awaits the arrival of his CEO, the figure a clear representative of Versai Tech, revealed by his ranking plate affixed across his left breast, shimmering in the lights of the room. From the smooth waves of his slicked back, shiny black hair to the medium length build of his body, Malcom Shields known throughout VT as VT Rep 187 had followed Val’s instructions to a tee, motioning the disguised Val over to his table.

VAL - (moves over to Malcom’s table) God it’s hot out there.

MALCOM – Indeed Sir, it is. I’m glad you made it ok. How was the flight?

VAL – (shakes off flashbacks of his nightmare) It was…turbulent.

MALCOM – (nods, motioning to a glass) I had to bribe the head bartender for this, Endor Ale has become quite an expensive commodity as of late.

VAL – (takes the glass, sipping the contents) On your salary Malcom, you can splurge a little.

MALCOM – (smiles)Now to business then?

VAL – (nods)If you don’t mind…

Malcom pulls a small, portable holo projector from a bag sitting next to him, watching the other patrons of the room closely, knowing how VT tech is often spied upon and copied by competitors, making sure to place the projector in a small aperture of view, enough for Val to see the details.

VAL – (glances down to the monitor, which plays static)What is this?

Malcom flips a series of dials and turns some knobs as the picture sharpens, the static clearing as it reveals a single figure dressed in a jet black jumpsuit with pointed gray boots, a cowl, with jagged edges along the front and back, and matching the shades of its boots, with the hood drawn over its face and gloves as well all the same color, dash in and out of offices tearing through drawers, throwing things about the room.

MALCOM – Meet the “invader”

VAL – The mole?

MALCOM – No, this is one of a few strangely dressed individuals who invaded VT buildings I-IV. Each buildings security cameras, UNKNOWN by the original security staff has these people on tape. Each one did the same technique, running into an office, throwing stuff about, and then moving to the next until the whole building was turned upside down.

VAL –(smirks)In other words Malcom, they were searching for something…

MALCOM – Exactly, what they are looking for is unknown at the moment.

Val looks closer at the image of the invaders, seeing that each moved in a almost military like manner, mimicking each others movements in exact succession, making a very well organized strategy of eliminating room by room with swift efficiency.

VAL – What do you suppose they are looking for? Notice how they disregard the credits, confidential reports, and blueprints to technical specifications in their sweeping patterns.

MALCOM – (nods slowly) Yes our detective staff concluded the same thing, we don’t know quite frankly what it is they are looking for, they made no demands and have thus far only left that disc I sent you.

VAL – What of the “mole” in the four buildings? Have you discovered who it is yet? Surely there must be a connection.

MALCOM – Well yes, and no. You see we cross-referenced the timecards at all four buildings and attendance logs and found that a employee by the name of Devon Troy has checked in to all the buildings, and as soon as night fell, so did the buildings and he apparently was never found at the scenes of the crime.

VAL – Devon Troy eh? Find him…

MALCOM – Ummm that’s the problem sir; see according to our records he no longer exists as of two days ago. Aside from VT logs, he has no record of ever being born, where he went to school…nothing.

VAL – You mean he just disappeared?

MALCOM – Exactly, it appears that he must have known he would get caught and decided to get out of the public eye as fast as possible. In fact his bank accounts are empty as well.

VAL – (growls)You place trust in your employees and they go and screw it all up. I want him found, if he existed at one time or another; he had to have contacted people to simply “disappear”. No one, not even myself can just up and disappear in that short of time.

Val flicks the rewind switch on the invader video, counting three figures, dashing about the offices. Something unique catches his eye however, as he pauses the holo video, and zooms in on one of the suspects. As the video clears the static, zooming in closer and closer, a metallic cylinder is revealed under the figure’s robe, dangling.

MALCOM – What? What is it Val, what do you see?

VAL – You see that object on its belt? Does it look familiar to you?

MALCOM – Ummm not really sir.

VAL – (annoyed)THINK MALCOM! What do I use, what do you suppose I have under this robe right now?

MALCOM – Ummm…..oh! A lightsaber?

VAL – Exactly…and I think I recognize the design of it too. Which means that these invaders are more then just punk kids, or greedy spies. They must be either led by that one (points to the saber baring intruder) or led by someone higher. Look how it takes the time to load the message onto the computer screen.

Val touches the zoom button as the message “THE LEGIONS OF DEATH COME FOR YOU” flashes across the computer screen.

MALCOM – (nods) I see what you mean Val, sheesh I can’t believe our detectives didn’t pick up on that overlooked aspect! This means that it’s a Force User?

VAL – Not necessarily, but look at the build. It’s too slender to be a man, no matter how much that outfit is trying to cover it up…too much baggage in the front (smirks)

MALCOM – I beg your pardon? I don’t understand…

VAL – To put it bluntly Malcom, that figure there has BREASTS.

MALCOM – (blinks)But how…how can you tell?

VAL – You don’t become a legend, without coming across those in your lifetime Malcom. Trust me.

MALCOM  - (nods slowly) Well then what does this mean exactly?

VAL – Five years ago, a enemy of mine named Crymson Vachon swore revenge on me…perhaps this is her way of doing so for killing her brother. Look how fast she moves, darting from one area to another, these cameras can’t even keep up. I’m pretty sure, though its unclear that that’s the same lightsaber she used long ago…against…well never mind that.

MALCOM – I don’t know, I mean if this Crymson was such a formidable enemy, why would she take such weak mannered forms of revenge? Why leave a message on your computers like that?

VAL – Intimidation…I would guess then, that these “Legions of Death” are her and her minions. Trust me my friend I’ve got nothing to fear from them.

MALCOM – (nods slowly) Well what are we going to do about it?

VAL – Nothing…let her play her games, unless they grow too dangerous. I figure she’s probably doing this because she wants her vengeance and by disappearing from the face of the galaxy for five years, she’s decided to try and lure me out.

MALCOM – Understood sir. So what is it about this woman, what makes you uneasy?

VAL – (raises an eyebrow) How did you know I was uneasy?

MALCOM – Because you just broke the glass of Endor Ale, look for yourself.

Val glances down to his hand, apparently unknown to him his tension had increased to the point his fingers wrapped around the glass of Endor Ale had shattered it, his gloves had prevented injury.

VAL – (embarrassed)So errm ummm anyway. Crymson and I have a checkered past. Let’s just say she’s not a person to underestimate. She has very well honed skills, if you come across her…get out of the way.

MALCOM – (nods)If you are unnerved by her Val, then I know she’s dangerous.

As Val and Malcom talk amongst one another, a shady, tall figure approaches their table; his eyes are green where the white would be, as well as having green pupils. His attire is that of a scoundrels clothing, consisting of several different types of jackets sewn together, with a tan brown blaster holster. His green eyes glare to Val, whose identity is shielded by his hood. The figure glaring, putting a hand on the table flicks it up at the holo-projector and sends the device slamming into the wall, exploding in a short burst of light and flying electronic components.

Val’s eyes crane up from the damaged unit, to the figure…then to Malcom, who shivers in the corner. His battlefield was in the office and in the conference rooms, not in physical bouts of strength, to him it was a terrifying experience, to Val it was just plain rude.

VAL – Can I help you?

Voice – My name is Zule, and I don’t like you.

VAL – Zule? I’m sorry I don’t know of anyone named Zule, why don’t you like me? You don’t even know me?

ZULE – I don’t like outlanders…or their pets(points to Malcom)

VAL – If you would calm yourself Zule, perhaps we get to know each other on more reasonable conditions.

Zule grabs Malcom’s hair, and slams his face into the table surface. Val just sets both of his hands on the table, remaining calm.

VAL – Now that wasn’t very nice Zule? How are we supposed to be friends if you go and do a thing like that? Come let me get you a drink or something.

Zule grabs for Val’s hood, but Val’s “calm” hand is lightning quick, spinning Zule’s hand behind his back, he pins it in a arm bar, sweeping Zule’s feet out from under him, Zule is sent crashing face first into the table top. Val looms closer, his eyes peering from the hood, though his features are draped in darkness, his medium length brown hair cascades down his face as he speaks…

VAL – You will leave my table….You will leave my table and you will go to the bar and sing “Lapti Nek” and dance like a girl.

ZULE – I will leave your table…I will sing Lepti Nek like a girl.

VAL – GO…now, you’re late for your performance…

Zule gets up and dusts off his clothing, shaking his head a bit before bowing slowly.

ZULE – I’d love to stay outlander but I’m late for my performance!

VAL – (finger is now raised) Then you best go, your fans are waiting.

ZULE – OH! I have to go my fans are waiting!

Zule walks from Val’s table, across the room to the bartender and gives him a big kiss, then stands on top of the bar table top, beginning to sing “Lepti Nek”, improvising the words he doesn’t know, because after all who in the hell knows the right words to that song anyway?

Val turns over to Malcom, whom is rubbing his head trying to stop the sting the table caused him and helps him straighten up back in his seat.

VAL – What do you think that was all about?

MALCOM – I don’t know but that Zule is a good dancer!(snickers)

Val and Malcom watch a 200 pound “warrior” make a complete fool of himself, singing Lepti Nek at the height of his lungs trying to hit the notes only a real girl can achieve, kicking his feet up in a dance ensemble, blowing kisses to the other bar patrons, who are about to shoot him, just to put him out of his misery, when Val extends his hand towards Zule again.

VAL – (waves his finger from his table) The performance is over…return to your former business.

Zule suddenly stops and blinks, seeing that he is now standing on top of the bar, with his sweater draped around him like a dress, blinking as half the cantina patrons are laughing their tales off, while the other are about to shoot him, with blasters drawn shouting,  “MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP!”

The embarrassed Zule, gathers his things and returns back to his table, as if nothing had happened, trying to carry on his macho ego facade, finding that jumping up, blowing kisses to a room full of guys, and singing Lepti Nek at the height of your lungs is the best way to totally kill your image.

VAL – (snickers)Whooo boy that takes me back Malcom I tell you…You have got to love that
Jedi Mind Trick! It has its perks.

MALCOM – (still snickering) So I see.

VAL –I ever tell you about the ti…..(cuts off)

MALCOM – What? What is it?

VAL – Something isn’t right here…(his eyes search the room, looking for some unseen presence)

MALCOM – Val? What’s going on? Sir?

VAL – Shhhhhhhhh…I feel something.

As Val senses some disturbance in the vicinity, from above and behind him, a tiny red dot swirls along Malcom’s chest. Val notices the familiar hues of a laser scope, and quickly flips in front of Malcom’s chest as a blaster bolt rings out from the ceiling towards him. Val flips on the table, and reaches for his saber, seeing more red dots starting to appear on the table…meaning more then one assassin is around the room.

Suddenly, the dots focus on Val and open fire on his chest. As the blaster bolts tear through the dusty brown robe, the beams hit Val’s Luminex armor, bouncing back towards the ceiling as two bodies cry out and tumble to the floor, dressed in the same attire as the invaders on the surveillance tape.

VAL – WHAT IN THE???

MALCOM – Val! What’s going on! Who are these people!

Val spins around and throws Malcom out of the booth, as well as himself as a concussion missile enters through the window, blowing up his booth in a spray of sparks and debris. Having little time to plot his next move, Val again pulls Malcom out of harms way, a blaster bolt whizzing by his head, coming from the windows.

VAL – OH YES, JUST LIKE THE OLD DAYS!

As more bolts fire into the cantina, the patrons either duck for cover or open fire themselves with their own blasters as Val grabs Malcom and darts through the crowd out of the building, towards the open Mos Espa Marketplace path ahead of him.
 

EXTERIOR – MOS ESPA – MARKET PLACE

MALCOM – (panting)Val what is………..is going……….hu hu hu…on?

VAL – I don’t know, keep running.

As Val and Malcom run, suddenly the same clothed individuals, wrapped in their black, gray, and gloved fatigues pursue Val and Malcom on swoops, weaving in and out of the crowd, their affixed blasters open fire in a barrage of blaster fire.

With a snap-hiss, Val figures that enough is enough, drawing back his hood, revealing his face as his finger thumbs Obi Wan’s lightsaber in his hand. The saber blade awakes from its five-year slumber in a VRRRNNNN of blue hues from the vibrating blade. The attackers on the swoops open fire, as Val instinctively arches his body to the right and left, batting away the blaster bolts with his saber, deflecting them off into the walls of the buildings around him, as well as back at a few of the swoops, causing them to explode on impact, bringing their drivers to a abrupt end.

VAL – MALCOM! GET TO YOUR SHIP! TAKE OFF!

MALCOM – (draws a rebel scout blaster) UNDERSTOOD SIR!

Malcom fires with surprising precision on the swoops that chase him as Val and he part ways, trying to get to their ships. As Val lowers the numbers of swoops to three remaining, he continues to swing his saber left and right at lightning fast speed, deflecting a good portion of shots attacking him, the remaining shots that get through bouncing off his Luminex plated armor, reducing the dusty brown robe to threads, as it burns, Val quickly hurling the garment off his body, dashing for The Nemesis.

MALCOM – (comm. Unit) I’M ALMOST THERE SIR! MY SHIP IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

VAL – (comm.)TAKE OFF, INFORM VERSAI TECH HEADQUARTERS OF OUR FINDINGS AND THIS ATTACK! I’LL FOLLOW AS SOON AS I CAN REACH MY SHIP!

Val deflects another blaster shot with the side of his new “shackle” like gantlets

VAL – (turning to the assailant racing behind him) DO YOU MIND I’M ON THE PHONE!

As the other two swoops slam into buildings trying to evade their own blaster fire, there is only one swoop left who seems persistent on killing Val off, with its advances, again another spray of sizzling hot coherent energy opens fire on Val, who again deflects the bolts.

VAL – OK YOU WANT A FIGHT! YOU WANT A WAR! I’LL GIVE IT TO YOU!

Timing his motions with expert precision, Val aligns his saber along his back, the blade humming with vibrant strides…Val prepping the Force through his body into a well executed force leap, letting most of the blaster shots bounce off his armor, knowing sooner or later the swoops weaponry will overload if not cooled waiting for the spilt moment to react when it jams.

Like clockwork the assailant on the swoop shouts angrily as his blaster turret jams, on the screen the display read OVERLOAD, a warning sounding off in a short constant beeping sound.

As Val curls his lips, absently enjoying the test of his skill, he crouches down. The swoop closes the gap between them and the assailant grins sadistically drawing his side arm. In a split second, played through in a slow motion sequence, Val makes his move, leaping off the ground, seeming to hover alongside the incoming swoop, 15 feet off the ground, leaping towards the speeding swoop he holds his saber with two hands, turning the hilt so that the shimmering blue saber blade is pointing down.

While in mid-flight, one leg forward, one leg back, the assailant on the swoop draws his weapon, but before he can pull the trigger, Val turns his back towards him, racing through the air alongside the advancing swoop, the ice blue saber blade from Obi Wan’s second saber slices clean through the center of the front section of the swoop and as it approaches, right on through the support struts, to the engine and through the driver, all the way through to the end of the vessel, Val’s decent starting. As he falls towards the ground, the still symmetrical airborne twin halves of the swoop slam into the side of a building at blinding speed. The two halves of the driver fall like slumps of meat in a pile on the ground. The explosion from the swoops dismemberment, combined with its impact sends the market dwellers scurrying into their respective homes and businesses, not wanting to be a part of the action. It is only the eager children who stay and watch Val land on his feet. His saber held parallel along his back, as he stands still, his shimmering crimson red, black, and gold hued armor glistening in the twin sunlight, his chest rising and falling, medium length brown hair flowing in the hot Tatooine winds.

The children have seen old pictures of a figure dressed in somewhat the same fatigues as the man standing before them, they whisper among themselves

CHILD 1 – He’s got a blue laser sword!

CHILD 2- It’s called a lightsaber. Look at his armor!

CHILD 3 – He’s got brown hair too!

CHILD 1 – He’s good! He’s better then anyone I’ve seen! Look at the way he trashed that swoop!

CHILD 2 – Do you suppose it could be him?

CHILD 3- No way! He’d be as old as a Battle Droid by now!

CHILD 2 – But he fights like him!

CHILD 3 – Anyone can! You know how people always claim to be him!

CHILD 1 – He has the Crest though! LOOK!

CHILD 1 – IT IS HIM! HEY VAL!

Val detecting the children’s conversation, quickly flashes a smile extinguishing his lightsaber, clipping the hilt back to his belt, then dashes away, not wanting to be recognized, he makes his way over a wall, and down an alley to another street corner, hitting a few buttons on his wrist communicator, as his ships engines from the landing bay ignite. The Nemesis lifts off on autopilot, heading for the source of the signal, the shadow of the Howlrunner appearing above Val’s head as the canopy to the cockpit raises.

Val waits for the ship to hover low enough, before leaping into the cockpit, wrapping his safety belts around him, closing the canopy flicking in the comm. unit inside the ship.
 

INTERIOR: TATOOINE SPACE - THE NEMESIS COCKPIT

As Val’s ship “Nemesis” enters the confides of space once more, to his right Val can make out the silhouette of Malcom’s Delta class shuttle. A vibrant VT logo affixed across all three triangular sections. Over the comm. Malcom speaks to Val.

VAL – Malcom, come in, are you there Malcom?

MALCOM – Yes sir.

VAL – Good…report.

MALCOM – I’ve informed our detectives of our findings, they are trying to locate Devon Troy as we speak, and are also investigating the whereabouts of Crymson Vachon. I have some interesting news though sir.

VAL – (flicks some switches, adjusting his ship to hover) Proceed…

MALCOM – (static begins to interrupt the signal) FFFZZZZT Those strangely dressed figures were FFFZZZT responsible for FZZZZTT more assassinations then FZZZZT FZZZZT any bounty-hunting guild FZZZZT FZZZT No one knows their name but their boss FZZZT FZZZZT goes by FZZZT FZZZZT the name FZZZZT FZZZZZT FZZZZZT FZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT

VAL – MALCOM! FIX THE COMM MAN! WHO IS THEIR BOSS???? MALCOM COME IN!

Across Val’s digital heads up display a text message writes across the screen...

THE LEGIONS OF DEATH HAVE FOUND YOU
THE LEGIONS OF DEATH KNOW YOU!
THE SEARCH HAS BEGUN!!!!!

VAL – Malcom come in! MALCOM DAMN IT RESPOND!

The message on the screen continues...

WE HAVE FOUND YOU!
MALCOM WILL JOIN US NOW!
BEHOLD! HIS ANGEL OF DEATH ARRIVES!!!

As the last line reads out, Malcom’s shuttle suddenly explodes in a array of shimmering light and flaming electronic wreckage…Val screams in his comm. system

VAL – MALCOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Val is helpless as the debris spin throughout the regions of stars around his ship, Malcom apparently being the victim of an explosive device planted in his ship, as fate would have it the second he tried to give out such an important clue, his life was tragically ended, as if the very sequence of words was the detonator to the explosive.

Val closes his eyes, bringing his hands up to his forehead, trying to hold back the tears he’s suffered so many times before, when a friend, or a loved one was torn from his grasp…he didn’t understand what was going on but losing Malcom shocked him back into reality that he can’t defy his destiny, he has no where to run from it because apparently it has found him now…and it wants to play.

VAL – (low, clenching his fist) Malcom….no…THIS IS THE LAST STRAW, THIS IS THE LAST PERSON I WILL LOSE!

Val absently screams into his comm. as if he could talk to the assailant face to face.

VAL – YOU INSOLENT, UNCARING PIECE OF GARBAGE! I WILL TEAR OUT YOUR SPINE BARE HANDS! YOU WANT A WAR! YOU GOT IT! COME ON COWARD QUIT PLAYING GAMES CRYMSON! YOU WANT TO FIGHT THEN COME AND GET ME! AIN’T NOTHING HERE BETWEEN US BUT SPACE AND OPPORTUNITY!!!

To his surprise, there is a reply, in an eerie mechanical voice.

VOICE – You think you know it all don’t you Versai? Think you have it all figured out? It is not Crymson you must fear relic, it is ME.

VAL – (startled)AND JUST WHO IN HOTH’S BLUE SNOW ARE YOU!

VOICE – We are, “The Killain”. That is all you need know.

VAL – Then you are this mysterious “K”, you left the disc?

VOICE – That is correct, we left the disc…How have you been sleeping lately Versai? Have Nightmares been keeping you up?

VAL – How in the…how do you know about those?

VOICE- The Killian knows everything…the search has begun Versai, prepare…we will return for you in time.

As Val looks out the window of his Howlrunner, he sees a Sith Infiltrator ship decloak, and rev up its engines, preparing to jump into hyperspace. Apparently it seems the cloaked ship was there all along, and today’s sensitive instruments forgot the elements of its composition even existed anymore, another curse of evolution. This must explain how the “Killain” knew exactly when to detonate the explosive in Malcom’s shuttle at just the right moment.

VAL – WHO ARE YOU!

VOICE – WE ARE THE LEGIONS OF DEATH! BE READY VALARYC VERSAI!
THE KILLAIN WILL COME FOR YOU SOON! THE SEARCH HAS BEGUN!

VAL – The Killain? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!

As Val notices the engines of the Sith Infiltrator powering up, he brings his weapons to bare on the backside, hoping to keep this voice on the line long enough to get a lock.

VOICE – It means…War…….HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHAHA

As the voice’s laugh echoes throughout Val’s ship, the Sith Infiltrator engages its hyper drive engines and disappears in a flash of light, but not before sending an EMP pulse at Val’s ship to disable his navigational systems, making it impossible now to track their destination.

As his computer console scrambles and jitters, Val pulls out the computer boards and begins to fix it, looking out around him suddenly six vessels, civilian class approach his ship. Val quickly tries to get his computer working, putting the cards back in, as the ships get closer and closer. The emblems on the sides of the vessels are various media related corporations. Apparently Val’s “stunt” with the biker had traveled fast in a matter of minutes, and the media moguls were all out to get the story of the century, and whether he wanted them to know it.

Voices began to pour in over the comm. system as their ships tried to get a tractor beam lock on his Howlrunner. Every time one of them achieved a lock, a rival ship fired on the opposing ship breaking its tractor lock in a furious game of possession.

VAL – (mocking to himself) Oh yes I can hear them all now, “LET GO IT’S MINE! ALL MINE, GO, GO, GO, MINE, MINE, MINE, NOW, NOW. NOW! HAHAHAHAAHAH

With a non-chalant flick of his wrist, Val incorporates a hidden tactic of his own. From the exterior of his ship, four panels slide back. His special “modifications” were four turbo-enhanced ion engines, able to speed as fast as an A-Wing for a limited amount of time. Val quickly thumbed in the visual monitor for all to see as he simply smiled to them as his image filled their screens.

VAL – (to all the media mogul’s video screens) BUH BYE! (waves)

As Val waves to the display he cuts off it off, engaging his extra turbo engines, disappearing in a matter of seconds into the deep regions of hyperspace, leaving Tatooine, its inhabitants, Zule the Lepti Nek singing line dancer, and the media frenzy behind him.
 
 

CONCLUSION

    With his best friend gone, Val cleared his mind as his ship raced back towards his next destination, trying to piece together the clues he has attained, now ruling out that Crymson Vachon was solely responsible for the invasion and the incident within Mos Espa, trying to figure out her involvement in this sick game, but having deciphered one clue, he knew that the group with the mysterious “K” was now revealed to be
 “The Killain”, from the looks of their technology, they were far above a traditional bounty hunting guild or the crumbling Empire….

They were something entirely new…

All that mattered now was finding out what The Killain wanted with him, why Crymson Vachon was helping them, and the name of their boss of which Malcom was killed to protect.

As Val tapped in the secretive coordinates to the main headquarters of Versai Tech, he sat back and pondered how fast his last message will be strewn all over the next days holonets, and broadcasted on every news station in the galaxy and what the repercussions would be, and most importantly who was watching them.

He knew either way, whether he wanted the world to know or not, this WAR had begun with the loss of his friend and it damn sure would not end until he was avenged. Val cared not for secrecy anymore, that was shattered the instant he was attacked by the swoop gang, all he cared for now was to finally prove those new breed of heroes wrong, that Valaryc Versai has no longer gone the way of the Empire, is no longer a relic, no longer collecting dust and value, no…

After five years of seclusion, five years of thinking and reflecting

He wanted the galaxy to know…

The Valaryc Versai who upheld his Versai Creed for years, helped the innocent, took down any member of scum, any pretender, any assassin who dared look at him the wrong way, draw a blaster on him, or even so much as to give him a awkward glance…

Was back…