Into the Unknown

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">The following is Clara's original post from the other server I ported over to here.</span>
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Posted: April 22 2002 - 04:25 by Clara

<span style="color:red">Something I was going to start in the Senate, but never got the chance. Everyone is welcome to jump in, be they Senator, Jedi, or neutral.

May contain NJO spoilers.</span>

<span style="color:blue">As the Vong move forward, pressing the people of the New Republic, many are seeking whatever shelter they can find. A brave few, seek the shelter of the Unknown Territories.

This is they're story.</span>

Clarrisa Maganna gazed out the viewport at the battle in the distance, a frown playing across her lips. Turning away, she keyed in the co-ordinate's of Corellia, her groups main base. She glanced once more at the distant ships, the pulled the lever, plunging the ship into hyperspace.

The Vong had claimed yet another system, shrinking the New Republic's territory once again. It was becoming harder and harder to find a safe system, especially with Borsk Fel'yla breathing down their throats. Especially her twin brother's.

She thought of an ealier conversation with her twin, Clinton. The younger Maganna had shown her a map, given to him by his former mentor, the Grand Admiral Thrawn. A map for the Unknown.

She smiled. Many would kill for that map, especially if it meant getting away from the...

She straightened in her seat. That was it! The way to escape both Fel'yla and the Vong was to retreat into the Unknown! Easier to face the dangers there, rather then out here. After all, 6 of them were fully trained Jedi, 2 were trainees, and if she could talk Jez Ramoan, Paul Steele, and Micheal Lonestar's father, Mathew into it, then they pretty much had an attack force. Having 3 of them being Dathomiri warrior's helped.

She rubbed her chin. If anyone else learnt of their plan, they were sure to get tag alongs...

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 22 2002 - 3:32 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">Finn Caglion stood tall through his salut as the Bothan Admiral, Brinkk Dal’mah, paced before the line of Peace Brigade pilots with mindful scrutiny. The mix was all manner of types, from ex-Imperial TIE-pilots to ex-pirates. Finn was neither, merely a Corellian Academy grad cut during try-flies for Rogue Squadron. One of only two humans in the group of twenty pilots, Finn stood out even among his own species due to the lack of pigment in his skin and hair, save for a centimeter-wide strand of black in front, kept longer with his spiked bangs.

A feature more startling than his near-albino complexion were his eyes of obscure color, for they changed with his emotions like moodstones. Now their color held a dark-violet anticipation. Finn’s athletic build and statuesque facial bone structure threatened to allow human women his age to consider him handsome. Unfortunately, they rarely moved past his corpse-like complexion before labeling him a “freak” and crossing him off their list of possibilities.

Today’s contest was not about physical appearance, rather giving the appearance of confidence, fierce loyalty, and disdain for a group of beings more freaky and mysterious than he… the Jedi. Caglion had no love for the Yuuzhan Vong, the aliens bent on exterminating the human race and any other “infidels” that stood in their way. But for now they appeared to be on the winning team, and Finn was tired of losing. The Jedi had no more love nor concern for him than the Vong where he sat. Sure, he could’ve joined up with pirates after Corran Horn told him to take a hike, but this way one important prize was guaranteed… a ship of his own to pilot.</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 23 2002 - 04:46 by Clara

"You want to what!!!"

"Easy Dad," Micheal Lonestar soothed his father, deep, royal blue eyes sparkling. "I think it's a good idea."

"Same," Liana Mia'jon Maganna, Clinton's wife and Dathomiri warrior, agreed. "It will get us away from the Vong, and those Peace Brigade phoney's. We will be safe."

Mathew sighed and shook his head, shoulder-lengh ebony black hair (something he shared with his son) bouncing with the movement, revealing the flicks of grey. "I don't like it. I think it's too much of a risk."

Jez Ramoan turned from the picture window. "I believe it would be more of a risk to remain here," the Hapan said softly in his heavily accented voice, while brushing a strand of his long white-blond hair from his eyes.

Clinton rubbed his chin, gazing first at the tall Hapan, then each of them in turn. "Yes. It would be safer." He turned sharply to his identical twin sister, his ponytail whipping around behind him. "Where did the Vong attack take place?"

Clara frowned. "Duros. The Skywalker's and Solo's were caught in the battle."

Cenev Maganna, Clinton's teenaged son, looked up sharply. "All the Solo's?"

Clara glanced at him. "The younger Solo's are fine." Amusement played in her eyes. "Just because you're a year older then them, doesn't mean you have to keep an eye on them, dear neithew?"

Cenev shrugged, leaning back in his seat.

James Corul Manna, Jimmy, flicked his blue-green eye's over to his youngest cousin. "I just got a report from our spy in the city. The Peace Brigade are on our tail. And you're on the top of their list."

Clint rolled his eyes. "Big surprise. Ever since Fel'yla found out I was Thrawn's protege, his been on my tail." He glanced at Mathew. "That settle's it. We're going."

Mathew shrugged in defeat. "I give up. Okay. I'll come. There's nowhere left for smuggler's like us here anymore anyway."

"Agreed," Madonic, the Cathar, hissed. "Just name the time, and I'll be ready."

"Now's a good time," Clara answered. "Like right now."

The group broke up to set about packing up their belonging's, and loading their ships for the trip into the great Unknown.

But unknown to them, they were being watched...

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 24 2002 - 10:57 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">For the first time ever, Lieutenant Caglion entered Corellian atmosphere uneasily. *Finn was not of Corellian heritage, but grew up on the coreworld planet since the age of ten. *After attending academy, he knew that airspace like his own shadow, flown every pattern imaginable over the vast forests, and could find its spaceports and cities without a nav. *This trip he was not piloting his preferred X-wing fighter, but a converted Rebel Snowspeeder that handled suspiciously like it was left over from the Hoth invasion and held together with durabond. *Flying an old Y-Wing beside him was a Ryn called Dek. *The pair was disguised as escort for the larger cruiser behind them, supposedly carrying cargo, but actually empty, ready to transport Jedi for Vong bounty. *Admiral Dal'mah believed rumors that Jedi harbored in Corellia held the map to the outer Unknown Regions, the most likely area for the Jedi to flee the Vong and the Peace Brigade. *The Admiral, with backing from the Bothan senator, hoped to intercept a few before the exodus. *Finn hoped that backing included buying off Coresec and the Corellian Guard, who were lately riding on the fence in the Vape vs. Negotiate debate the Core worlds and Jedi were engaged in.

"Transport T99X5, you have clearance for Sectors six through 10," the comlink reported.

"Roger Base 4," replied the cruiser captain.

The escorts thrust slightly forward and switched comm channels to the private link awaiting further orders.

"OK scouts," urged the captain. *"Start beating the bushes for some 'Jeedai'."</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 25 2002 - 03:39 by Clara

Cenev entered the hanger, juggling some fruit. He glanced towards his comrades. "Anyone hungry?"

"Stop showing off," Cathy, Cenev's younger sister, hissed toward him, green eyes flashing as she tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

"Stop whining," Cenev countered, flipping one of the fruit toward Jimmy's beckoning hand.

"Stop fighting," Liana told her two children as she stepped down the ramp of the transport to collect more equipement.

"Stop complaining," Clinton said softly, then ducked back into the engine access as his wife swung around to glare at him.

Micheal chuckled. "Hurry up guy's," he called. "The sooner we hit the road, the better."

Paul Steele retrieved his beeping comlink from his belt, and spoke softly into it, a strand of strawberry-blond hair falling into his eyes. But the strand was ignored as he straightened sharply and spun to face the others.

"Peace Brigade has been spotted entering the system," he called sharply. "My contacted at the main space contol just allowed them in"

There was a crack, followed by a curse from one of the ships. Clara climbed out of the access hole, rubbing her head. "How long have we got?"

"Under an hour."

Clara winced. "Then we had better hurry."

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 26 2002 - 12:47 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">"Nothing unregistered on my scanners," Finn reported. "Anything on visual, Escort One?"

"Negative," the Ryn in the Y-wing replied.

There was a pause from The Chariot. "Escorts, change to Vector 7," barked the orders through the comlink.

Finn made a tight circle to the new vector, and Dek flew to his wing.

"I'd rather be wave skimming, eh Dek?"

"Roger that," Dek affirmed, then both pilots switched on their private comlinks, still able to hear the main channel if the captain signaled again. The human's skimming comment was code for a private conference, one he discussed with Dek before takeoff.

"You rang, lieutenant?" Dek's deep voice inquired.

"Any idea where we're headed?"

The Ryn huffed. "I was hoping you knew."

"How do you suppose they are tracking them… the Jedi?"

"Beats me. You know Dal'mah has a spy in Coresec. Plenty of intel passes his way. Does it matter?"

Finn thought it over a moment. Not really, but some of the beings in Peace Brigade gave him the creeps. "Think The Chariot has scarbodies on her crew?"

"Didn't see any board when they were loading up. Hard to miss those Vong Warriors."

Caglion remembered that the Vong could not be felt in the Jedi's "force", nor could they use it. If someone or something was tracking Jedi on the cruiser, it wouldn't be Vong. That's why the goons needed help to round up Jedi in the first place.

Dek seemed to almost read his thoughts. "Could be a bad Jedi or force-user though. There's rumor one of Durron's Dozen defected recently."

The human heard that rumor too, but doubted one of Kyp's boys would turn in their own. Kyp hated the Vong more than anybody. If Finn had been born a Jedi, he would've joined the Dozen. There's a group with some panache and vision, he mused. Damn best pilots in the galaxy too. Even the Rogues couldn't quite beat an all-Jedi squadron.

Suddenly, his motion sensor blinked to life. He jumped back on the main channel. "CCX5, this is Escort Two. I'm getting something 30 kilometers due 27.5. Looks like a cruiser lifting off in Sector 9's residential zone, maybe more than one. Permission to investigate?"</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 26 2002 - 04:43 by Clara

Clara tapped her fingers against the control's, a stray memory flickering into her mind. That breif fling she had had with the Jedi, Kyp Durron.

That had not ended well, that relationship. She knew that Kyp probably still hated her for it, but what did she care. Durron had always been a loose cannon, and she was a free bird. It had worked for a while, but it had been a relationship bound for distaster. Even Luke Skywalker had picked it.

Oh well. She had Micheal back now.

"Aunt Clara. Look to vector 8.83."

Clara turned in the direction her neiphew had pointed out, and spotted them. Peace Brigade.

"Nice call, kid," she said into the comm. "Alert the others."

"Roger that."

Clara winced. She had hoped that they would get away cleanly. Well, so much for that idea.

If the Peace Brigade managed to capture them, they would also eventaully recover Clint's map, which would land in Fel'yle's hands, sooner or later. Not a pleasent thought.

Her eyes gazed around at the other transports, a stray thought becoming clear. A plan, that just might work.

She keyed in a heavily encrypted message to the other members of the small convoy, telling them of her plan. She recieved aknowligment from each of the other 7 ships.

A second later, her plan was in full swing...

...and the 7 ships vanished as their cloaking shields, obtained from one of Thrawn's storehouses, were activated, wrapping the ships in the invincible blanket.

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 26 2002 - 3:42 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">“What the…”, Finn watched the target markers suddenly vanish from the target monitor.

“Cloking… they’re on to us,” Dek piped in. "I saw 7 total before they blinked out."

“Full throttle, Escorts!” the Chariot’s captain barked. “See if you can get a visual before they make a jump.”

The pair of fighters obeyed, and Finn winced as he thought he heard the Snowspeeder’s hull-metal shriek. No-good piece of crap! Not that it mattered. The lieutenant knew there was no catching them now. What was the captain thinking? Jedi aren’t stupid…

Finn felt his face flush as he recalled his last encounter with one. The great Jedi Rogue Squadron pilot Corran Horn. He rejoined with the Rogues to help test out the new pilot candidates from the Academy. Not a mere tryout, but a week-long series of tests, maneuvers, war games, and interviews. The cadets were split up and each roomed with a Rogue, making the assessment of the cadets a round-the-clock ordeal.

Corran seemed impressed with Finn’s skills and complimented him several times after maneuvers. Finn made the first and second cut, so the candidates were narrowed to five. One morning, after a formation exercise, Corran came to his room, carrying a small box that held glimmerstim, allegedly found in the cadet’s cockpit, under the seat. Finn explained the spice wasn’t his, and Corran listened attentively, stroking his graying beard. Probing him with his Jedi senses. Looking for a crack in Finn’s confidence.

Finally, the Jedi spoke. “I believe your story, son. The trouble is, Rogue Squadron is an elite team. Cream of the crop. Everyone has to depend on each other for their lives. Even if you were set up, the point is someone holds something against you. If you create an attitude of dislike or distrust in your teammates, that’s unacceptable. I’m sorry, but you’re out.” Then he turned without further comment, leaving Finn’s shattered dreams behind him.

Caglion still didn’t know who had betrayed him and why. He had kept to himself somewhat during the tryouts, but hadn’t offended anyone intentionally. No one had fought or argued with him all week. Had someone simply been jealous that he might make the team and they wouldn’t? Was it because of the way he looked? In any case, Corran Horn had used his judgment, his intuition and feelings about Finn to cut him from the team. Another example of all-powerful Jedi “justice”. The peacekeepers had become the policy makers, like they were before the Empire. Then the Yuuzhan Vong invaded the galaxy, and the Jedi became involved in a personal war with them.

That’s why Finn didn’t have a conscience problem joining Peace Brigade. The Jedi were interested in themselves and their religion, not what happened to the rest of the galaxy.

Dek snapped him out of his reverie. “Negative on visual. How ‘bout you, Escort Two?”
“We lost ‘em,” Finn sighed, skimming the top of a corporate farm atrium a little too closely. “Permission to leave atmosphere and run one last scan…”

“Granted, Escorts,” the Chariot replied. “We’ll follow your lead.”</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 27 2002 - 04:46 by Clara

"I think it worked," Micheal commented over the comm. "They're turning away."

"Thank god," Paul commented. "I thought they had us."

Clinton chuckled. "I told you that storehouse would come in handy. Where to Clis?"

"Coruscant," Clara answered. "I want to see if Luke, Leia, Han, or Mara are in system. If not, maybe Karrde or Terrik. Or even Corran."

"Why?"

Clara shrugged. "I don't know... I guess I just want someone to know where we're going."

"What if Kyp's there?"

"He won't be." Clara frowned, wishing her brother hadn't brought Durron up. "Besides. We need to pick up our older siblings."

Clint chuckled. "I completly forgot about Carl and Carla. Think they'll want to come?"

"You bet they will."

With that, the ships leaped into hyperspace, undetected, save for an invincible engine trail that only extrodinary scanners would be able to pick up.

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 28 2002 - 01:49 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">Finn found it hard to stand still in one spot for so long. He, Dek, and the captain of the Chariot stood in a row before the Admiral's desk in his private quarters aboard his refurbished Star Destroyer, circling Corellia. The Admiral heard the captain's report and seemed bothered by more than just the fact the Jedi escaped.

The Bothan moved to stand directly in front of the Lieutenant. "You're telling me seven or so large ships disappeared at once and you couldn't trace a lightspeed jump?"

"With all due respect, Admiral, we didn't have the equipment to plot a jump trajectory after they cloaked. We didn't attempt to cloak ourselves, so we were quite easy to spot."

Admiral Dal'mah smiled. "Our intention was not to catch them immediately, Lieutenant. My assumption is there are more going on this adventure to the Unknown Regions than the Corellian contingent you saw." He continued pacing again, his boots softly clicking on the polished flooring. "You have still provided me with valuable information, gentlemen. I suspected the Jedi had a map once in the possession of Admiral Thrawn, and now I'm certain of it."

The men looked at each other, confused. "How have we confirmed that, sir?" the captain asked.

Again the Bothan chuckled as if privy to an inside joke. "Cloaking seven sizable vessels instantaneously before making a jump to hyperspace is a technology only one man I know possessed in this galaxy, the same man who had the map. At least one of these Jedi has been mentored by Thrawn, like Mara Jade Skywalker. This can be useful political information to use against the Jedi at some point."

Once more, the Admiral looked at Finn. "You once knew the Jedi Corran Horn, didn't you?"

The human swallowed hard. What else did the Admiral know about him? "Briefly, sir. He was the one who cut me from a spot on Rogue Squadron, as I'm guessing you already know."

"Captain," the Admiral asked the other man without responding to Finn. "I need a squad of ten of your best fighter pilots, including the Lieutenant here. Three prison transports will be a good start for rounding up any Jedi we catch. But the fighters will go on ahead to Coruscant. The Lieutenant knows Rogue Squadron and should be able to tail them."

"Coruscant and not the Unknown Regions, sir?" the captain inquired, puzzled.

"In good time they'll lead us to which sector of the Unknown Regions they're headed for. For now, my intelligence informs me they have gone to Coruscant to pick up more refugees." The way the word "intelligence" lingered on the Bothan's tongue gave Finn a shiver. "Tail them, but don't attempt to catch them just yet. A roundup on Coruscant would not look good at this point. Best to gather them when they are out in the open without the protection of their leaders or sympathizers in the Senate."

The Admiral saluted and dismissed them. Just before they reached the door, he added, "Oh, and give this poor boy an X-wing, Captain. That other boltbucket he had just won't do to face his old flight instructor."</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 28 2002 - 04:32 by Clara

Corran was glad to see them. "It's been quite a while. I'm only here to see Master Skywalker, but you're just as good."

Clara smiled. "We're only here temporarily as well. As we speak, Micheal and Jimmy have gone to find Carla and Carlton." She leant forward. "You see, we going to push into the Unknown Regions."

Corran started. "What?"

"You heard me."

He shook his head. "I told you once that you were insane. Now you've just confirmed it."

Cenev laughed. "I told you that you're first guess was right, Master Horn." He sobered. "I never did thank you for training me in absorbtion. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Corran returned his gaze to Clara. "You say that the Peace Brigade is on you're tail. Are you sure that you got away cleanly."

Clara smirked. "Positive. And who are you to question the Jedi Princess?"

He shrugged, smiling.

"But you're right." Clara leaned back. "The rest of our group is waiting for us just shire of Coruscant's scanners. The sooner we go the better." She stood. "It was good seeing you again, Corran. Pass on the message to Master Skywalker."

"I will." Corran stood and shook her hand, the Cenev's. "May the Force be with you all. And remember, I'll alway's be there for you."

* * *

Carl and Carla were eager to get off Coruscant. So eager, in fact, that their bags were already packed.

"Peace Brigade have been breathing down our necks for a while," Carl told them as they hurried towards the shuttle. "We've been waiting for the right oppotunaty to ditch this joint."

"Fel'yla's been covering our rears a little," the eldest Maganna, Carla, added. "He seems to think that if he protects us and pretends to be our friend, we'd tell him the location of Clint."

Jimmy glanced sideways at his cousin's as the entered the bay. "Good thing you didn't."

Clara and Cenev were already on board, and had the shuttle preped and ready.

"Hate to say this," the 18 year old muttered. "But I have a bad feeling about this."

As they cleared the atmosphere, a group of ships came over the horizon, heading straight for them.

"Shuttle 2279-X," a voice crackled over the comm. "This is Coruscant Security. By order of the Chief-of-State, you are to return to the planet. You are all under arrest."

Micheal frowned. "I don't know about you guys, but I think we've been identified."

Clara glanced back at him, meeting his royal blue gaze. "Yeah. I think you're right."

Cenev put more speed into the shuttle. "I'm taking bets now as to how long it will be until the Peace Brigade arrive. Do I have any takers?"

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 29 2002 - 12:37 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">The Peace Brigade scouts came out of lightspeed just beyond the great city-planet's atmosphere, greeted by Coruscant's Planetary Security.

"This is Chief Inspector Daragon. We have some Jedi trying to illegally leave Coruscant airspace. We've received orders from Senator Fel'yla to hand them over to Peace Brigade. Care to help us out?"

Finn's pulse quickened. Here we go, he thought. The grip on his new X-Wing's steering lever tightened a bit.

"Roger, Inspector. Captain Prentiss at your service. OK boys, you heard the man. Stand by for engagement vector."

Once again the Admiral was right. A knot started tightening in Finn's gut. They only brought fighters initially. The transports hadn't jumped yet. What were they supposed to do? Disable them to keep them from leaving Coruscant? Or... No, we can't be going for the kill... we're supposed to be bargaining with the Vong, giving them live prisoners, not... assassinating!

The lieutenant felt his forehead breaking out with beads of sweat. Flying an X-Wing again felt great, made him remember his days at the academy and his week with Rogue Squadron. Even though his time with them had bred the worst moment of his life, flying with them had also been the best experience imaginable. Now piloting the flagship fighter of the Rebellion, he felt somewhat like a traitor.

Shake it off, he told himself. I agreed to this job, so now I must finish it. He locked on the targets, and flipped the target viewer out to peer through.

Dek's anxious voice through the comm broke his concentration. "Heads up... I'm getting another squad coming at us from out of nowhere."

Finn's breath caught in his chest as his target computer identified the fighters. All X-Wings, their formation deadly familiar...</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 29 2002 - 03:41 by Clara

"Need some help?" A familiar voice came over the comm.

The air inside the shuttle lightened.

"Yes," Carla exclaimed. "Please Corran."

The X-wing's devided into two groups, half heading for the enemy, and the rest falling into escort formation around the shuttle.

"I know I'm not part of the Rogue's anymore," Corran continued. "But I can still call in a favor every now and then."

"Anything for you guys," Gavin Darklighter added. "You saved our skin once, now we'll save your's."

Clara smiled, measuring distance. "Just keep them off our back for a little while longer. And herd a few of them toward the way we're going."

"Why?" A confused voice said, a Rogue that Clara didn't know. "I thought you were trying to escape from them."

"You'll see."

The shuttle continued to race forward with its escort. Behind them, the battle continued. The Rogue's began to herd the Peace Brigade's ships in the direction indecated. As they were begining to think that perhaps Clara had lost her mind, it happened.

From out of nowhere 7 ships appeared, turbolaser's blazing, accurate and deadly, taking the Peace Brigade apart one ship at a time.

"Pull back, Rogue's," Clinton's voice said over the comm. "We've got it from here. And thank you."

"Anytime," Gavin replied.

The Rogue's began to pull back and out of the battle with no loses. Corran continued to fly escort for a little while longer, before turning back. With a quick salute, the X-wing vanished into hyperspace, as it began its trip back to Corellia.

Clara went from one transport to the other, dropping off passengers. Micheal decided to remain with her, while Carl took command of his transport.

Sprinting to the bridge, Clara slapped the comm. "I've got it now, little brother."

Clinton returned control of the shuttle to her. As she and Micheal took control, she wondered just how many people the Peace Brigade thought were on board each transport.

She had a feeling that they thought that there was a lot.

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 29 2002 - 12:04 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">As Rogue Squadron screamed closer, Finn heard the familiar voice of Rogue Leader, Gavin Darklighter, on the open comm channel.

"Peace Brigade, this is Rogue Leader. You are hereby warned to break off your attack. Repeat... break off your attack."

Finn eased back in formation to take an outer position, ready for anything.

"Negative, Rogue Leader," Captain Prentiss retorted. "We have a request for assistance from..."

Before he could finish the sentence, the Rogues throttled in and started firing. Finn watched their familiar pairing and outward spread at the flanks to surround and contain the Brigade fighters. A smile curled on his lips. They're not going to take all of us out today, he thought confidently.

Caglion banked his X-wing sharply, then dropped altitude suddenly to stay underneath the battle plane. Once or twice he had a wingman in his sights, but intentionally misfired. He wasn't there to prove he could best a Rogue. He had another purpose that required his survival.

Dek was not so fortunate. The Ryn held off the Rogues, but the Jedi cruisers suddenly came up from nowhere and ripped through his shield in two shots.

Finn shifted uncomfortably in his seat and said a silent goodbye for a moment. Dek had been a decent pilot, and almost a pal, but he couldn't let that bother him now.

He'd been told by Admiral Dal'mah in a private conference before liftoff to be ready for anything, and the anything came in the form off a message from the astromech nested aboard his fighter. A series of numbers flashed continuously on the screen. Coordinates... lightspeed coordinates. He took a deep breath before punching them into the nav-computer.

A second later, his X-Wing was gone.</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 29 2002 - 8:19 by Clara

"Let's get out of here," Clara commented as Clinton fed them the co-ordinates.

The small convoy leaped into hyperspace, away from the Peace Brigade and the New Republic.

"Next stop, the Unknown Regions," Micheal said softly. "Where danger is everywhere, and the enemy is unknown."

"Yeah." Clara spun her seat to face the co-leader of the group. "Might I ask, why did you want to travel with me?"

Micheal shrugged, running a hand through his ebony hair. "I thought having both leaders on the one ship would be a good idea. Nothing wrong with that, is there?"

"No. Not really." Clara turned aside. There was more to it then that, and she knew it. After all, she had known Micheal since they were 2-years-old. And they had almost married a few years ago-

She glanced sharply to where he was taping something into the control panel. He wasn't trying to restart their relationship was he? Not now. Not when they needed to focus on what they were doing.

Micheal looked up at her and raised an eyebrow at her questionly. "What?"

She turned away. She was probably just jumping to conclusions again.

* * *

Almost a day had passed when they reached their target. Jumping out of hyperspace, they surveyed their surroundings. A small green planet lay before them, glowing like an emerald.

"Uninhabited," Clinton quoted over the comm from Thrawn's notes. "Some wildlife, but no intellegent life. Small base set up for home base. Now deserted."

"Sounds good," Cenev replied. "We going to use that for our main base."

"Yeap. Just give me a second to find the co-ordinates."

Clara leaned back in her seat, gazing down at the planet. "Micheal?"

"Coming."

The Corellian walked into the cockpit and dropped into the co-pilots chair, glancing quickly out the viewport. "Ooh. Pretty."

Clara smiled. "That's our new home, so don't be too harsh on it."

He glanced at her. "I just have this strange feeling, that's all. Like things aren't going to go smoothly."

"Do they ever?" She reached over and gave his shoulder a squeeze. "We're the Invincible's, Mike. Nothing can stop us. Remember?"

He smiled. Their eyes locked, as he leaned closer. Clara felt her heart begin to race as she realized that he was going to kiss her.

Their lips were only milimeters apart when an alarm sounded on control board.

Micheal cursed as he swung around. "Every kriffing time," he hissed, slapping the comm. "What's going on?"

"It would appear," Clinton said solemly. "That we have been followed."

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 30 2002 - 12:10 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">After the rush of coming out of hyperspace, Finn felt strange... alone, even though there was an R9 unit hanging outside his cockpit. He blinked a moment to adjust his eyes to the vast darkness before him. Small stars from distant systems twinkled about his canopy, none of them familiar, no planets close by.

Finn started flipping through the nav computer, trying to figure out his location. After several negative matches, he grumbled to the astromech, "Where the Hoth are we?"

IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY, SIR, came the droid's reply, translated to Standard on his dash monitor.

Great, the lieutenant thought. I hyped to nowhere in a fighter with limited resources and no vectors to map another jump. At least the X-Wing was a new model, with extended-life carbon filters. He instructed the droid to switch to emergency power to conserve as much as possible, then reached into a storage compartment and pulled out a nutricube and hydration capsule while he thought through his next move. The cube tasted a bit funny, but hunger overcame worry over getting a little spacesick.

He barely gulped down the capsule chaser, when the R9 unit beeped at him through the comm. Another set of numbers appeared on the screen. "You enter 'em," he grumbled. "I'm tired of this game already, promotion or no promotion, I'm starting to resent the Admiral's games."

The droid repowered the fighter and accelerated, then made the jump. It was short, and in no time they were back in realspace, in view of a planet this time. Instantly several red target blips appeared on his monitor. Finn didn't see any other friendly green markers.

The Jedi? Who was giving him their location? Did the Admiral already know where they were headed? Couldn't he have sent some backup along?

"I can't believe I'm doing this," he murmured under his breath, prepping for engagement, throwing the X-Wing into full throttle.</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: April 30 2002 - 05:08 by Clara

Cenev glanced at the single X-wing. Either this guys nuts, or he has backup on the way, he thought to himself. Tapping a control on the board in front of him, he fired a single turbolaser blast, knocking out the X-Wing's shields and frying one of its engines.

He watched as it began spiralling down toward the planet. "I don't think that guy's going to give us anymore trouble," he said over the comm.

"Nice shot, Nev," Jimmy commented. "You're going to be one of the best smugglers in the galaxy once you've learnt it all."

"Thanks."

"Cut the chatter," Clinton cut in. "I think its time we went down to the planet and get these ships out of sight in case we get anymore visitors."

"I agree," Mathew Lonestar spoke up for the first time since leaving Corellia. "Just give us those flamming co-ordinates, and I'm gone."

The ships made their way down toward the planet. In the distance, the X-wing continued to fall...

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 01 2002 - 12:34 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">Pulled into the planet's atmosphere, Finn struggled to keep a grip on the steering lever to slow the spiral roll he was in before blacking out. He yelled to the R9 unit to reverse the remaining engines, hoping to aid in that effort and slow his entry. Somehow he managed to stop the roll and hold the X-Wing in a straight downward trajectory, but couldn't slow the drop.

"OK, Arnine, this is it!" He called to his droid co-pilot. "Help me level her out before we hit, then punch the takeoff repulsor's right before impact."

The droid obeyed and Finn felt like his intestines were being shoved up to his eyeballs right before an impact that was lessened, but still painful. He was fortunate the the craft's fall was partially broken by a large canopy of trees. As a dustcloud enveloped the fallen ship, Finn paused a moment to verify he was still alive. Then the acrid smell of burnt insulation and R9's incessant whooping snapped him out of his trance, and he slowly pulled himself out of his harness, helped R9 out of his droid pit, and crawled away from the smoldering wreck.

"Well, Arnine, I guess we hang here until the rest of the fleet arrives."

The droid whined and Finn didn't like the sound of it. Suddenly, he felt sick to his stomach.</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 01 2002 - 12:42 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">"Whaddaya mean the fleet isn't coming!" Finn shouted at the droid after reading the small display screen that translated his whistles and whines to Standard text. He felt a little ridiculous yelling at a droid... he wasn't the type to bond with a bolt-bucket, but being alone on a strange planet, he needed a friend any way he could get one.

The droid didn't answer, which made Finn angrier. "If you don't tell me everything you know right now, I'm not going to let you use the power generator!"

I DO NOT KNOW THE REASON, SIR. ONLY THAT THE FLEET IS NOT COMING TO THIS REGION.

"You lying piece of...," he kicked the droid hard, then let out an "OW!!" and fell back on the ground, drawing his knees up to his chest, brooding.

The pilot was tired and hungry, but felt another wave of sickness that almost made him gag. Calming himself, he tried to think why the Admiral would send him out there among the Jedi, all alone. What was he being used for?

The X-Wing was soon engulfed in flames, and Finn watched it burn, wondering how he was ever going to get back to civilization. It was getting dark and he wasn't sure what sort of wildlife roamed the woods at night. The fire might draw the Jedis attention to his whereabouts, so they couldn't stay put. He gathered up the few supplies he'd salvaged, an emergency med kit, portable power generator, extra ammo cells for his blaster, and a few glowrods, and randomly picked a path to follow.

He paused when he realized R9 wasn't following. "Aren't you coming?"

Finn was relieved when the droid beeped an affirmative and starting rolling in his direction. Giving an apology to a machine would've been a little too strange.</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 01 2002 - 11:08 by Clara

"I expected a place built by Thrawn to be better then this," Paul commented as they walked out of the cave used for a hanger towards the base. "This place is primitive."

"You don't know Thrawn like I do," Clinton commented. "This is exactly like his style. Remember Norwie."

"Yeah, well at least Norwie had a palace."

"I built that. Not Thrawn."

The base was buried under huge mounds of grass-covered dirt, making it invincible from the air. A satellite was situated among some nearby trees. The entrances to the base were amongst bushes, through caves, in tree trunks, or under rocks.

The perfect headquaters.

Cathy moved to stand up on the top of one of the mounds, the wind catching her honey blonde hair and tossing it like a cascading waterfall. "This place is perfect. So much space. But there is still something wrong with it."

"No guys?" Cenev offered. "At least none that you haven't flirted with already."

Micheal winced. "Don't talk about Cathy and flirting, please. It brings back bad memories."

Cathy glared at him. Her head jerked around to the right, a frown on her face. "There's something over there that's making the sky glow."

Her father was beside her in an instant. "Looks like a fire."

"The X-wing, perhaps?" Carl offered, stepping up beside them. "I estimate that that would of been around where it would of landed."

A cold night breeze washed over them, making them all shiver.

"Perhaps it would be best if we went indoors," Jez muttered. "The last thing we need is to get sick, especially considering that the nearest medical facility is over half a day away, on a planet where they're now shooting to kill if we ever return."

"Doubt it," Madonic hissed. "They want the Jedi alive as slaves to bargain with the Vong."

Clinton pulled a data pad off his belt, glanced at it, then around them. "The main entrance should be right... about..." he pointed to their left. "... there."

"What about the X-wing?" Carl asked.

"We'll worry about it later," Clara said, stepping toward the indicated cave, brushing passed Micheal on the way, despite the fact that there was plenty of room to go around him. "Right now we need to set up camp, and find out if my no-good, twin brother is right about this Thrawn of his, and how he works."

"What do you mean?"

"She means," Clinton answered, glaring at his twins back, "that Thrawn always left his bases fully supplied and in full working condition. And I expect this one to be no different."

"Only one way to find out," Micheal cut in before Carl could reply. "Let's go."

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 02 2002 - 5:06 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">Finn and R9 trudged along through the woods, looking for a suitable place to camp. The human finally decided on the center of a clearing with tall grass to camouflage them, yet a nice bright wash of moonlight to allow him to see better if something decided to jump out at them from the woods in the middle of the night. R9 was connected to the generator to recharge, but kept enough power running to operate his life-form detectors, to warn Finn of potential danger while he slept.

Of course, he couldn't sleep. His stomach felt better, but his mind raced wildly. What were they going to do? How were they going to get back? Sure, the Jedi had a ship or two, but how long would they stay on the planet? And how would he manage to steal a ship from a Jedi?

There has to be more to this, he thought. The Admiral wouldn't waste a good pilot and a brand-new X-Wing for nothing. If he'd offended the Bothan to the point of needing elimination, there were easier and cheaper ways. Not that Finn ever gave the Admiral reason to eliminate him. R9 had to be the key, had to know something more, but Finn knew he couldn't force the droid to tell him. The astromech only did what he was programmed to do.

He sighed and pulled his flight jacket, serving as a makeshift blanket, over his eyes. He missed his Corellian home already, even though he didn't leave anything or anyone specific behind. Just being around other people... other pilots, was important to him. Tired of being alone... he wanted to be a member of a team. He thought Peace Brigade would give him that feeling, but now all he felt was a sense of betrayal.

Do I belong anywhere? he wondered.

His thoughts were interrupted by a siren-like warning beeping from R9.</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 02 2002 - 10:57 by Clara

Creeping through the forest, Cenev kept low to the ground, senses alert as he brought all his Dathomiri traing to bare. He had managed to sneak out behind the back of his parents, and had gone in search of the X-wing.

In front of him, he heard the droid's alarm. Dropping to the ground, Cenev remained motionless, listening for any other cry of recognition. There was none.

Pulling himself forward, Cenev got himself to a place where he could view the clearing undetected. He saw the droid who had given the alarm, and the nervous pilot, glancing wearily around, blaster in hand.

Cenev smiled. The hunter had found his prey. And now he must wait for the moment to strike, just when the prey thought he was safe again.

Settling down into the bushes, Cenev prepared to wait, all 7 sense alert. The normal 5, his intincts, and the Force.

Let the game begin.

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 02 2002 - 11:36 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">Finn's eyes glowed cat-yellow as he peered through the darkness, blaster in hand, waiting for whoever or whatever was out there to strike.

"Still there?" he whispered to R9.

The droid gave a soft confirming whistle.

The pilot moved closer to R9 so he could read his text screen from the corner of his eye. "How many?"

ONE.

Finn pulled on his jacket and began to pack the supplies with his free hand, not taking his eyes off the edge of the forest ahead of him.

"I think we better go now," he whispered. He began backing up and the droid followed. They walked slowly, Finn's eyes scanning the tall grass for signs of movement. Once in the cover of the trees, he would feel safer than standing in the open clearing with the moon catching his pale skin, appearing like a ghost.

R9 whirred as his dome rotated 360 degrees and back again. An eerie whistle escaped him, and Finn stopped.

"Now what? More?"

NEGATIVE. ONLY ONE. LOCATED TO THE NORTH.

They had been facing south before. Finn whipped around and carefully searched the few meters of grass between him and the trees ahead.

"I don't see anything!" He huffed, trying not to sound nervous. It's moving suspiciously like a Jedi...

Suddenly R9 whooped again, and Finn watched the numbers tick up rapidly on his display... 1, 2, 4, 7, 12...

A strange flapping sound was heard from above, and Finn caught the glint of moonlight hitting several bird-like creatures, diving right for him.

"RUN!" Finn shouted as he desperately ran from the hawkbats, knowing R9 would not be able to keep up. But the droid had the defensive ability to give an electric shock to an attacker, so the pilot figured he could go back and find him later after the immediate danger passed. If he could outrun them...</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 03 2002 - 10:41 by Clara

Cenev bit back a cry as the Hawkbats attacked. Ducking into the bushes, he stretched out with the Force, touching the minds of the winged-creatures. With a little persuasion, he just might be able to...

There. The hawk-bats were turning away, leaving both him and the X-wing pilot in peace. Heaving a sigh of relief, Cenev turned back to the clearing...

...to find the pilot gone.

Cenev frowned, then spun around as he heard a twig snap to the right. He found himself looking straight down the barrel of a blaster, held by the pilot. The R9 unit right behind him.

"Get up," the pilot ordered. "And keep you're hands away from you're weapons, Jedi."

Cenev shrugged. "Sure."

He climbed slowly to his feet, hands out by his side in a non-threatening pose. He straightened.

"Who are you, Jedi?"

"Let me put it this way..." Cenev sent a swift kick straight up into the blaster, sending it into the air. He caught it with a praticed ease, without needing to use the Force. He pointed the blaster back at its owner "...I'm you're captor."

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 03 2002 - 11:56 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">A smirk crept on Finn's lips as he held up his hands and tried to remain cool despite being bested by a kid. He was grateful the Jedi had called off the hawkbats, though he wasn't sure why the kid hadn't let them take a few bites of fight out of him before interfering.

"The real question is," the young Jedi added, "who are YOU... Peace Brigade?"

He won't kill me, Finn thought, so he took a chance and charged straight at the kid, knocking him flat, then kept running.

Stunned, Cenev stood up and quickly spun around to take aim at the pilot's back. Finn had dropped and was jogging crouched over in the tall grass, out of visual range.

But Cenev didn't need to see him. He fired a stunblast where his senses anticipated the pilot to be. The grass stopped swaying and the boy walked over to where the temporarily disabled pilot lay.</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 04 2002 - 12:10 by Clara

Cenev glanced back at the screeching R9 unit. "Don't worry, I didn't kill him." He hoisted the pilot up over his shoulder. "If you follow me, I'll take you somewhere where you can get cleaned up and reacharged."

The R9 seemed to think a moment before rolling toward him, beeping to itself. Cenev turned and walked back toward the base, senses alert for anymore wildlife keen to take a bite out of them.

Upon reaching the base, he found his father waiting impatiantly.

Clinton stalked toward him "Where the hell have you be-"

"Present for you, dear old Dad," Cenev interupted, continuing into the base. "Where do you want me to put him?"

Clint looked a little startled upon seeing the unconcious pilot, but quickly snapped out of it. "Thrawn put a detention area just down the corridor to you're left." He glanced back at the droid.

Cenev saw the glance. "I promised him sanctuary."

"Then his you're responsibility. If he tries anything funny, it goes on your record."

Cenev placed the pilot inside one of the detention cells, then walked back to where his father was standing.

"We'll have to wait until he wakes up," Clint said softly. "I'll get Clara to watch him. She doesn't have much to do at the moment, and is best at this sort of thing."

"Then you'll get Micheal to torture him, I guess," Cenev said dryly.

Clint glanced at him. "We're not monsters, Cenev. If called for, yes, I'll let Micheal loose on him, but only then." He moved toward the command center. "I'd better find Clara. Coming, son?"

"No." Cenev patted the droids dome. "I promised the R9 here that I'd clean him up, and that's just what I'll do."

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 04 2002 - 01:21 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">Finn woke with his back on a cold, stone floor and rolled over to throw up. When finished, he sat up slowly and raked his hands through his hair, trying to remember what happened before he blacked out. The teenaged Jedi...

He turned to face the cell door, durasteel cagewire, and saw the figure of a slender woman dressed in black, arms crossed over her chest. A quick glance told him she was a little older than he, but beautiful, her face trimmed by full brown hair, accentuated by deep brown penetrating eyes.

Looking away quickly, he found himself blushing inside when he realized she just witnessed his vomiting. Couldn't have been a pretty sight.

"OK flyboy," she said cooly. "Time for a little talk."</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 04 2002 - 8:06 by Clara

Clara took in every feature of the young pilot. Especially those changing eyes, now a soft pink as his face glowed with embarresment.

"First off, whats your name," she started.

He straightened. "Finn. Finn Caglion."

"Okay Caglion, what you doing following us?"

"Actually, my being here is something of an accident..."

"Cut the crap, Caglion. I want facts, not fiction."

Finn watched her, before understanding flickered across his face. "You already know what happened! My R9 has told you."

Clara smiled, although her eyes remained cold. "Very good. Very, very good."

"Who are you?"

"Clarrisani Ris'n Forwin Maganna," she answered. "But I am also known as the Claw of the Invincibles."

It was Finn's turn to glare. "As in Clara-Ris-Forganna? One of the ones that caused all of that trouble a while ago. Skywalker's favourite and Durron's ex?"

Clara winced just noticibly. "Its amazing how people remember one for the things that they'd rather forget." She glanced down at the vomit stained floor. "Looks like you could do with some cleaning up." She pulled her blaster from its holster, then opened the door. "Come on, Caglion."

She led Finn down a hallway to a refresher. She waited outside the door as he went inside. The room had no windows or anything that could be used as a weapon. A new, fresh outfit lay set out, waiting for him.

Clara glanced at her chrono, and waited for Finn to finish up.

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 05 2002 - 12:38 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">Dressed and refreshed, Finn rapped on the door to signal his female captor. She pressed open the door slowly, her blaster pointing at his chest, and smiled slightly. "You clean up well...er..." Clara examined Finn's dirty flight jacket for a rank insignia, "... lieutenant."

He nodded, "I feel better, thank you."

"Hungry?" another female voice piped up behind Clara. A lovely young woman with green eyes and a brilliant smile appeared, holding up a plate of some concoction that looked like it was supposed to be pasta, but had the consistency of protein grool.

"Uh... no thanks. I think I'll let my stomach settle a bit more first." Finn smiled at the girl, hoping he didn't offend her. He found her captivating and couldn't keep his eyes away, until he noticed Clara's eyes narrow a little.

"This is my niece, Cathy," Clara explained, then turned to the girl, "I thought you were helping your brother clean that astromech."

"I was but..."

Clara interrupted her. "Go see if your father needs any help. The lieutenant and I haven't finished our conversation."

The girl sighed and gave Finn a mischievous grin and a small wave before leaving. "Nice meeting you!"

Clara led Finn to the hall to continue their conversation. "OK, Caglion, we know you're Peace Brigade, so when's the rest of your fleet showing up?"

"I don't know," he replied, looking her in the eye. He wondered how much she could tell about him with her Jedi senses. He felt like she was "feeling" him over the way Corran Horn did at the Rogue base. "Arnine, my astromech, claims they aren't, at least not right away. Isn't that what he told you?"

She smiled again. "I thought maybe you were privy to some information the droid wasn't."

Finn looked away, feeling foolish that he wasn't. "I heard my superiors mention something about Admiral Thrawn, but nothing specific," he fibbed. "They thought maybe one of your Jedi was trained by him."

She tried reading him, but it was tough. There was something strange she couldn't put a finger on. "I wonder what makes a man want to betray his own kind," she said, trying to get more of an emotional response.

"My own kind? Look, I was doing a job, following orders."

"And you'd kill innocent children if that was your orders?!" she spat.

"No... I wasn't trying to kill anyone. The Peace Brigade is trying to negotiate..."

"Ha!" she interrupted. "By handing us over to the Vong, when you know darn well what they'd do to us!"

His eyes grew darker. "Look, I don't know the Vong, only rumors. But I know they need to be stopped, and I don't see the Jedi, other than Kyp Durron, doing much. You're running away! Who's betraying whom?"

She reacted through the Force, throwing an arm at his chest and thrusting him across the hall to the far wall, knocking the wind out of him. He sat on his rear a moment and winced as he slowly rose, but didn't say a word. He stood there with a "go on, kill me" smirk on his face, as if he dared her to.

Clara decided the game was old and led him with occassional pushes toward the command center. Michael might have better luck with him later.</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 06 2002 - 12:54 by Clara

Upon entering the command center, she noticed Finn's eyes fall upon Clint, flick back to her, then stare at Clint again. She smiled.

"My twin brother," she said, gesturing to Clint. "Clinanginty Row'n Forwin Maganna."

"Clint-Ro-Forganna," Finn muttered, recognition in his voice.

Clara sighed, giving him a gentle push toward the centre of the room. Over at the main control board, Clint and Micheal looked up.

"So this is the prisoner that the kid caught, eh?" Micheal said with a devilish smile. He gazed at Finn, sizing him up. "Don't feel to bad about it, Peace Brigade. The kid can beat me in a fight too. There's only one who he can't beat, and they can't beat him either." He gestured toward Clara.

Madonic walked into the room, ears coming to attention as he caught sight of Finn. "Get anything out of him?"

Clara glanced at Finn. "Only what that R9 told us. And I got a name. Finn Caglion." She shrugged, looking toward Micheal. "You can have a go at him later."

Micheal smiled evily, before returning his attention to the cotrol board. Jimmy looked across at Finn from where he was attempting to fix the orbital scanner.

"Let me warn you, Caglion," he said. "Lonestar there's a trained interrogator. Interrogator, as in, torture." He glanced back into the wires. "And he enjoys it too."

Liana stepped into the room, golden hair now braided neatly into muliple braids. She handed Jimmy some tools, her eyes falling upon Finn. Narrowing them, she moved to stand behind Clinton, and leaned over his shoulder, watching.

Clara glanced at her chrono, before turning to Finn. "Your captor shall be here in a moment with your R9." She told him. "And you had better tell us whats really going on before the meeting, otherwise we will let Micheal on you."

Finn looked at her. "I have one question. What's my captor's name."

She smiled. "Ceneveran Rio Forwin Maganna."

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 06 2002 - 12:05 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">Finn glanced about the room, trying hard not to give away his anxiety. His limited knowlege concerning Jedi told him they would not intentionally kill another being except in self-defense, but he also knew there were worse things than death. Michael didn't look like someone to mess with either.

"I realize you're waiting for me to give you some big secret or reason why I came out here by myself, but I'm telling you, I honestly don't know. I was sent under orders from Admiral Dal'mah... maybe you've heard of him? If so, then you know he can be rather manipulative - that's his style. Arnine gave me coordinates and I told him to punch them in. I assumed my fleet was right behind me, but realized a bit too late they weren't coming, and you shot me down." The pilot glanced around to catch their reaction. They remained calm and collected, a "we'll see" expression on most of their faces, seeming confident that Cenev might discover something else.

Finn sighed and swiped sweat from his forehead. He was starting to feel ill again, but tried to ignore it.

"You Corellian?" Clint asked.

"Transplanted," Finn replied. "I was actually born on a luxury cruiser where my mother was a service tech, but we moved to Corellia shortly thereafter."

"So you got your wings at the Corellian Academy?"

"Y-yes... I..." he decided to take a chance and mention someone they knew. "I tried out for Rogue Squadron, but Corran Horn didn't think I had the right stuff. I wanted to fly X-Wings, so my only other option besides CorSec was Peace Brigade. I figured CorSec would turn me down too, if Corran had cut me."

Clara's right eyebrow raised. "You could've joined pirates. They would've been better than Peace Brigade," she huffed.

Finn looked down at his feet a second. "That wasn't an option for me for... personal reasons."

The conversation was interrupted by Cenev entering the room with R9, holding a dislodged and disabled homing beacon in his hand.</span>

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 08 2002 - 05:56 by Clara

He waved it in Finn's face. "Explain, Peace Brigade."

Finn gazed at it, face turning a deathly pale, and eyes a sickly yellow-green. "I don't know what it is. Perhaps..." he gestured to the droid.

Cenev glared at him. "He says that he must of been deactivated, because he can't remember it. It was just inside the shell of his dome, sticking out like a sore thumb. So obvious, that one could miss."

Cathy entered the room, followed by Carla, Carl, Jez, Mathew, and Paul. Finn suddenly realized he was outnumbered 13 to 1. And he doubted Arnine would be much help if it came to a fight.

Micheal stood. "Give me a look. I might be able to decrypt it. Get something out of it."

Cenev tossed it to him, before coming to stand beside his favourite Aunt. "I'd suggest you talk, Peace Brigade."

"His names Finn Caglion," Clara informed him, before telling him everything that Finn had told her.

Cenev frowned at Finn. "Lets hope all you said is true, or else-"

"Got it," the computer wizz called. Micheal activated the becon.

First a set of co-ordinates scrolled across in the air above the becon, followed by a log of what had taken place, straight from the R9's memory. This was followed by an offical set of orders, straight from the top...

Whipping around, having finished reading first, Clara caught Finn by the front of his jacket. "You had better start talking, buddy. And this time, you'd better tell the truth."

[catwmnjedi]

Posted: May 08 2002 - 12:04 by catwmnjedi

<span style="color:#daa500">"OK, OK!" Finn shouted in Clara's face. She loosened her grip on him and the others watched intently. Out of the corner of his eye he caught Cathy, looking gorgeous to him despite her frown, with her hands on her hips.

"There's one thing more I haven't told you, but I swear that's it! We were supposed to try and recover a map or something that tells how to navigate out here. Supposedly Admiral Thrawn had given it to a Jedi."

Several pairs of Jedi eyes exchanged silent glances.

"That's it... I swear. I was still awaiting more instructions, wondering where the rest of my fleet was when I got shot down. If the droid told you something else, you can beat me to a pulp to try to get me to confess, but I can't confess what I don't know!" he stammered.

They continued to study him, and Michael rubbed his fist in his hand as if itching to call his bluff.

"I believe him," Cenev broke the silence.

Clara and Clint shared a glance, then Clint added, "Since you know about the map, you can guess that we aren't really prepared to go back to the Core at the moment. Especially if this Admiral of yours is on our tail."

"Send him back or leave him here alone," Michael offered.

Clint held up his hand. "We can't waste a ship or even an escape pod right now until we know what we're up against out here. We could leave him, but...."

"He knows too much," Clara quipped. Liana nodded in agreement.

Clint moved closer to stand in front of the pilot. "For the time being, you're going to have to remain our prisoner. Cenev and Cathy will keep a close eye on you." Cathy seemed to smile slightly at the assignment. Her father continued, "The droid's clean now?"

Cenev nodded. "Near as I can tell."

"Take him back to to the detention area while we discuss his fate. Let the driod keep him company in an adjoining cell, but keep them separated. I don't want any tricks, got that Lieutenant?"

"Yes sir," Finn said humbly and followed the teens back to the cell block.</span>

[Clara]

Clara glanced quickly at her twin. "I don't think it was such a good idea to send Cathy."

Micheal nodded in agreement. "Especially when there's fresh meat around."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Cathy glanced back at Finn, a smile on her face. She threw him one of her seductive winks, before spotting the glare from her brother.

"Behave," he muttered, before stopping and turning to Finn. He gestured to the open cell. "Home sweet home, Caglion. And, as you can see, there's been a bit of spring cleaning taken place." He leant forward. "I'd advise you to keep your food down. My mother will kill someone if she has to clean up again."

Finn walked into the cell, and watched as Cenev locked the door and led Arnine to a cell on the opposite side of the corridor. Finn would still be able to see the droid, but would have no hope in reaching him.

"You've got no hope in escape," Cenev warned him. "There's nowhere where you can go. And if you do try, I'll just hunt you down again. Or maybe send Aunt Clara." He grinned evily. "She's not as nice in the hunt as I am."

Spinning on his heal, Cenev walked toward the gaurds quaters, chucking devilishly to himself.

Cathy leant against Finn's door. "My names Cathy, though I know my Aunt already told you that."

Finn looked at her, captivated by her beauty. "Don't you have a long name like your brother?"

"No," Cathy traced a finger along the wires. "They're more titles then names. The Forwin part means that they have high statis in the tribe, and may inherit leadership, on Aunt Clara's part. The extended name means they have proved their worth, and the second name means they are fully fledged and respected warriors." She shrugged. "The three are also considered something of legands on Dathomir. It is believed they are the walking Cathern'waul's."

"Cathern'wauls?"

"Legendary birds of prey that hunt in the night," she gestured to where her brother had vanished. "Hence the black outfits and cloaks."

Cenev poked his head around the corner. "Cathy..."

"Coming." She glanced once more at Finn. "The downside is they think they're the greatest thing that happened to the galaxy." She walked toward Cenev. "Which means the rest of us have almost no freedom." She paused. "Unless of course your name is Micheal Lonestar."

She vanished into the gaurds quaters, leaving Finn to his own thoughts.

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">The pilot watched the mysterious girl glide gracefully down the hall toward her brother and felt strange. A sweet scent hung in the air where she'd stood, and he slowly breathed it in. She was having an effect on him all right, dangerous as it was with her family around. Did she really feel like a prisoner too? Maybe he could use that to keep on her family's good side. Just so he didn't get carried away...

The butterflies turned to something else again, and he had to grab his mouth and choke down his vomit so he wouldn't spew on the floor again. Finn fell to his knees and groaned. "What is this, Arnine?" He called out, mostly for comfort conversation. "Is this planet toxic to humans?"

The droid responded negatively, then with a sad whistle of concern. Without warning, R9 began to whoop excitedly to get the pilot's attention.

"What is it?" he frowned from across the hall.

Suddenly, the bluish light of a hologram appeared from the droid and projected the likeness of Admiral Dal'mah through the cell bars and onto the hall floor between them.

"Lieutenant Caglion," the recording began, "Your viewing this message means you've survived the Jedi's defenses and are hopefully in close proximity to them. Good. My instincts about you are proving correct."

Finn watched with great interest, hoping to hear the fleet was finally on its way.

"Using the Jedi to bargain with the Yuuzhan Vong is not my primary goal. My concern is retrieving the map they possess of the Unknown Regions. You know as I do that the Vong will keep it if they find it while retrieving the Jedi. That's why you've been sent ahead; to get close to them... close enough to grab that map or have the R9 make a copy."

Nothing surprising there, he thought. Sighing, he rubbed his sore stomach. So tell me something I don't know.

"How are you feeling, lieutenant. A bit like you tried to eat a Hutt?" Finn's skin grew cold at his chide. That dirty...

"Your condition will be temporary if you return safely with the map. If not, the parasite growing inside you will not only act as a biological homing device for the Vong, but will inevitably kill you. Painfully."

What?! Why...

The hologram continued. "It's a brilliant bio homing beacon only the Vong can trace - undetectable by the Jedi. I have a renowned zoologist privy to the proper extraction of this organism, who will attend to you once you've placed the map in my hands. For your pain and trouble, I'll also make you a captain with the pick of my fleet to call your own."

The human's eyes turned from cool brown to cold black with a flash of anger red.

"You have 21 Standard days to accomplish your task before the Yuuzhan Vong catch up to you and the Jedi. Good luck on your mission, lieutenant."

Sputtering out, the image disappeared, leaving Finn dumbfounded. His first reaction was to curse the Admiral to Hell or worse and refuse to cooperate, but... a parasite? His flesh crawled at the thought of something Yuuzhan Vong growing inside him. The nutricubes. No wonder they'd tasted funny.

Dying that way, or worse being captured by the aliens along with the Jedi were not on his list of preferred options.

Welcome to Peace Brigade.</span>

[Clara]

"What is it?"

Finn looked up sharply, to find the boy gazing into the cage, concern etched into his face. Finn was a little suprised that the boy even cared, after all, he was his prisoner.

Cenev must of read his mind. "Even though you're my prisoner, I still have the decency to make sure you're alright."

Finn shook his head a looked away. Cenev continued to watch him, a faint frown etched into his face. He glanced back over his shoulder to where Cathy was hanging back.

"Go fetch Jimmy."

As Cathy hurried away, Cenev opened the cell door and stepped inside, kneeling beside where Finn had dropped to his knees, and layed a hand on his shoulder.

"Jimmy's our Medic," he explained. "Jedi healing runs in the Maganna blood, and Jimmy is my father's cousin. If there is something wrong, he'll find it."

"There's nothing..." Finn's voice faded as he fought to keep down his last meal.

"There is something wrong," Cenev said firmly. "We'll find it. Trust me on that one."

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">Finn looked up at Cenev with yellowish eyes getting paler by the second. The Jedi was a few years younger, but given different circumstances, the pilot could envision the two of them friends. He wasn't sure why... maybe because Cenev exuded a confident and focused quality above his age that Finn admired. He could see the Jedi really wanted to help him.

A moment later Cathy came running down the hall and screeched to a stop in the cell with cousin Jimmy in tow. The medic touched his forehead and chest, then turned to Cenev, "Help me get him to my makeshift lab so I can scan him."

The men picked him up, each wrapping an arm around the shoulder to help Finn walk. R9 was whining incessantly, so Cathy let him out to follow them to Jimmy's lab. On the way she watched Finn, biting her lip with concern. He stole a glance and smile at her, letting pleasant thoughts distract him from discomfort.</span>

[Clara]

Jimmy stepped back and shook his head, long blond hair trailing down his back. "I can't find anything that could be causing this," he told Finn. "Your syptoms match several virus's, but I can find no traces of the infections or bacteria that cause them."

"What does that mean?" Cathy asked, concern in her voice.

"I don't know." Jimmy cracked his knuckles, deep in thought. "All I can do is give him an injection, and hope for the best."

"Then we can't leave him in a cell," Clara announced, stepping into the room to stand beside her nephew. She glanced at her cousin. "What are his chances of escape."

Jimmy shrugged. "To put it mildly, in the condition his in, there are no chances of escape. He needs constent medical surveillance."

Clara nodded. "Then he'll stay right here in the med wing." She glanced at Cenev. "You caught him, therefore you arrange the watches."

The elder teen nodded. "I'll take first watch, you second. We'll arrange the others at change over." He glanced at Cathy. "One things for certain, a particular member of the family shall not be allowed to conduct a watch on her own."

"Agreed." Clara nodded to Cathy. "Your mother wishes to speak with you about finding and setting up your room."

Cathy grinned. "About time. Where is she?"

"Dining hall."

Cathy vanished out the door, Finn forgotten. Clara glanced at Jimmy, who met her eye calmly before following her out, leaving Cenev to begin his watch.

Cenev glanced at his captive. "Well Caglion, its back to just being you and me."

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">The pilot sat up and rubbed his arm where Jimmy gave the injection. "I think whatever he gave me helped a little. I don't feel as sick right now... actually a little hungry. Maybe your sister could rustle something up for me."

Cenev frowned. "Listen, Peace Brigade, you're wasting your time. I love my sister, but... when it comes to guys, she takes no prisoners. Trust me, you're better off staying away from her."

"Not to mention your father would probably kill me?" he smiled.

"Something like that," the Jedi grumbled. He paced a moment in front of Finn's cot, then turned to him quizzically. "Have any idea what's made you sick? Were you like this before you jumped out here?"

"No, I was fine. All I've eaten lately is my rations. Maybe they were bad."

"Maybe," Cenev replied, but sounded doubtful. "Just so it isn't contagious. That's all we'd need right now."

Finn thought to change the subject. "So, you guys figured out what you're going to do with me yet?"

"We haven't decided. When we have, you'll be the first to know," he snickered.

R9 was still in the room and beeped. "Don't worry," Cenev said to the astromech. "You're sticking with me. We've got a lot of work to do to get this place up and running."</span>

[Clara]

In the main control room, Jimmy sat up, wiping his hands on a cloth and glancing at his youngest cousin. "Okay. Give it a try."

Clinton slapped a button on the board, and with a burst of static and fuzz, the tatic display and sensor boards sprang to life. All in the room heaved a sigh of relief.

"Now we'll know if we get any visitors," Micheal said, the tensness slackened in his voice.

"Will there be any visitors?" Carla asked, tensly.

The Invincibles shrugged.

"Maybe," Madonic answered.

"Who knows," Micheal echoed, standing and stretching. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm all for bed."

There was a murmer of agreement as all present stood and began moving toward their selected rooms. Clara hung back.

Micheal spotted her. "Clis?"

She waved him off. "Go ahead. Someone needs to keep an eye on the boards. Besides, I've got to relieve Cenev in a few hours."

He nodded. "Get the kid to wake me, and I'll take over here."

Clara nodded and turned her attention to the boards.

* * *

Cenev sat beside a computer in the medical wing, attempting to repair its workings, which had fallen into disrepair. Finn watched, tossing advice from time to time. Cenev grunted, and stood.

"Watch your master for me," he told the now befriended R9 unit. "I'm just going to get some more wires and tools."

The R9 whistled its aknowledgment, and watched as Cenev stepped out of the room. Finn gave it a 'you traitor' look, but didn't say anything.

He was about to climb from the bed, when Cathy glided into the room.

"I saw my brother go," she said with a grin. "So I decided to see how you were."

Finn was about to answer when she grabbed his face in her hands and kissed him.

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">The kiss was not what he expected... even less than what he expected from a 17-year-old girl. Nothing soft and sweet about it, just plain hungry. Suddenly the room seemed to swirl and Caglion felt an awakening of something deep inside starting to spread like fire in his blood. He kissed her back, hard, deciding to go along for the ride, at least until her brother came back. After what seemed an eternity, Cathy finally pulled away and pushed him back down flat on the cot.

She watched his shocked expression with amusement. "What's the matter, flyboy? Never been kissed like that before?"

"Uh... it's been awhile," he admitted.

"No girlfriends back on Corellia?"

He blushed slightly, his eyes a blend of passion and fire red. "No... in flight school I didn't have time for girls." Not counting the few one-nighters after drinking with the boys...

"So?"

"So...what?" he asked, confused.

She sat on the edge of the cot and licked her lips. "Did you like?"

Blushing again he said, "What do you think?" He was glad his flight trousers were baggy.

"Oh... 'cause there's more where that came from...," she leaned forward again, and this time Finn pulled her in a tight embrace, his hands running down her back and sides, trying to inconspicuously drift frontward.

He was interrupted by her abrupt jump out of his arms and off the cot. "Brother's back," she warned, and paced around like she was just talking to Finn, primping her disheveled hair and clothes when Cenev came back through the door, shocked to see her standing there.</span>

[Clara]

Cenev glanced from one to the other. "What's going on?"

Neither answered. Finn turned away, cheeks colouring. Cathy continued to look at her brother, face impassive.

Cenev caught on, and shot a hard look at Cathy. "You weren't trying to seduce him were you?"

Cathy still remained unmoved.

Cenev groaned, rolling his eyes. "Do you always have to do this? If I wasn't your brother, you'd probably..." He trailed off, his forhead knotting in thought. "Hang on. You did."

Cathy frowned. "Get off my back."

Cenev jerked a thumb toward Finn. "Stay off his person."

Cathy stormed out of the room, brushing hard passed her brother, trying to make him backpedal, but with no success. Cenev turned to Finn, his face impassive.

"Sorry about that," he told him, heading for the computer. "We're supposed to keep an eye on her at all times. I guess, in all this running around, we forgot."

Finn looked at him. "She's done this before."

Cenev shrugged. "Every male member of our party has been in her sites at some time or another. Even myself, my father, and my Uncle Carl." He glanced at the look on Finn's face. "Its just a phase we think. She'll grow out of it." He turned to the board, muttering under his breath. "I hope."

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">From his Coruscant office, Admiral Dal’mah listened to a status report from one of his commanders taking the fleet to the Outer Rim, while he remained to conduct political business.

“The fleet is ready to jump to Ord Mantell on your command, Sir. *We have confirmed the reports of Jedi activity on an abandoned space station in that sector.”

“Proceed,” the Bothan granted. *“Have you a report on the defected X-Wing?”

The commander paused while reading his datapad. *“Communications confirmed the ship is lost. *The homing beacon from the astromech is no longer sending a signal, but the last report listed Lieutenant Caglion alive and well with the R9 unit.”

Not well, the admiral snickered confidentially. *“Your report is noted. *Carry on.” Dal’mah cut the transmission, then dialed his emergency channel to the Warmaster’s aide.

* * * * *

Sleep was impossible for Caglion. *His nausea was quelled, and the med lab was comfortable enough physically, but emotionally he was a wreck. *Clara had relieved Cenev’s post as babysitter, so now he worried that falling asleep might lead to dreaming and the Jedi woman might spy on him. *With most of his dreams, he wouldn’t care, but the surprise visit from Cathy left him playing mind-holos he didn’t care a lady to witness. *Especially if that lady was the girl’s aunt.

“I take it Cathy stopped by to say goodnight,” Clara spoke into the darkness, verifying his fear.

“Yeah… sorry… she’s just… something, isn’t she?”

Clara laughed. *“You don’t need to apologize. *Unfortunately, we’re used to it. *I forget what it must be like for the poor souls she victimizes.”

Finn frowned. *“Everyone keeps saying that. *So there’s no way she flirts with me because of my irresistible charm?”

“Not a chance, Peace Brigade. *Go to sleep.”

“I can’t,” Finn admitted, sitting up and lighting the small glowlamp Cenev rigged for him next to the cot.

“Don’t tell me you have it that bad,” she sighed.

“No…” he argued. *“Wondering what the rest of you have planned, though.” *He studied her again. *Cathy’s good looks obviously ran in the family, and he wondered how old Clara was. *“You’re not going to sick your… err… that Lonestar guy on me, are you?”

She crossed her arms. *“Not unless you give us trouble. *He’s an old, close friend, since you’re wondering,” she added. *“Thought Cenev might’ve told you by now.”

He shook his head and an awkward silence followed. *Finally, he presented his offer. *“I’m feeling better, you know. *I notice all of you working so hard… I can be more useful than lying in bed looking pretty. *You could keep an eye on me just as easy if I’m put to work.”

Clara cocked her head and narrowed her gaze. *“That would require us trusting a traitor to the human race.”

“Look, where am I gonna go? *You have my weapons, my droid, my ship is gone.”

“You could still sabotage,” she huffed.

“Sure, I could. *But with Jedi keeping eyes on me, that would be pretty stupid. *I didn’t almost make Rogue Squadron being stupid.”

“But you didn’t make it… did you.”

That hit him below the belt. * Once again, you set yourself up, Caglion. *The pilot threw a hurt expression, then gave up the fight. *It wasn’t worth it. *His conversation with Clara had one positive outcome… he no longer felt aroused by thoughts of Cathy. *He just felt like Bantha fodder.

The Jedi woman broke the standoff. *“I’ll think about it, talk to Clint in the morning.” *She waved her hand and the glowlamp clicked off with the Force. *“Get your rest. *If we accept your offer, you’ll need it.”</span>

[Clara]

Any furthor conversation was interupted by Micheal's appearance at the door. He glanced briefly at Finn, before looking Clara square in the eye and beckoning her over.

"Jimmy's got watch now." He told her as they stepped out into the corridor. "I thought that maybe we could talk."

"About what?"

"That bad feeling." He looked Clara hard in the eye. "Surely you can sense it too. You do have a stronger danger sense then me, after all."

Clara shrugged. "I do, but that means nothing. What does the feeling feel like?"

"Impending danger. Approaching trouble. That sort of thing."

Clara shook her head. "I've got nothing, sorry."

Micheal nodded, glanced quickly around quickly, then leaned in to kiss her.

Once again, they were interupted by an alarm. Micheal cursed, and ran for the control room. Clara quickly aroused Finn, and prodded him in the same direction.

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">Clara jogged after Michael, keeping Finn in her field of vision. The pilot kept up, joining the Jedi in the Control Room, where Clinton, Jimmy and Cenev were frowning over the monitor showing the space around the planet.

"What is it?!" Michael asked first.

"Company," Clint replied, passing a concerned glance at Clara.

Without warning, Michael grabbed Finn by the back of his flight jacket and dragged him to the monitor. Pushing his face close to the screen, almost smacking his forehead against it, he growled, "Someone you know, Peace Brigade?"

Finn jerked out of Michael's grip and gave him a scowl. Then he turned his gaze to the moving patterns on the screen. After a moment, he shook his head.

"That's not an attack pattern I recognize at all," he scratched his head. "Nope... not my fleet."

"Then who?" Jimmy asked.

The pilot shrugged. "I have no idea..."

Michael grabbed his arm behind his back and pushed upward, just shy of breaking it. "You sure about that?! Look again!" he shoved his face against the glass this time.

Clara frowned, but waited for someone else to protest.

"Knock it off!" Cenev complained, pulling Caglion out of his grip. The younger man turned Finn toward him. "Don't lie, Peace Brigade. I'll know."

Finn shook his head nervously. His eyes were bright yellow with alarm. "I swear! I don't know who's fleet this is, but it isn't Admiral Dal'mah's, or any other Peace Brigade squadron I've seen."

The Jedi looked at each other, senses alert and stretching out, trying to detect the attackers. </span>

[Clara]

"They've got no Force sense," Madonic muttered, entering the room in front of the rest of the Refugees.

"If they were Peace Brigade, we would sense," Clara pointed out, glancing at Micheal.

"Not if their Vong," he shot back.

"They're not." Cenev pointed to the formation. "That is no Vong formation, trust me."

Micheal glared at him, then sighed and shrugged in defeat. "What are they then? Something from out here?"

"Must be." Clara gazed at the fleet, watching, calculating. "Whoever they are, they're looking for something. I doubt that they know that we're here."

"Unless of course they have suffisticated sensors," Clinton muttered under his breath.

"Doubtful."

Micheal rubbed the back of his neck. "I've got a feeling that they're going to be there for a while." He glanced sideways at Clara. "Believe me now?"

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">All the lights dimmed to a sparse array of red and blue cast from the monitors as the complex was put on emergency power only. The goal was to make the hideout as undetectable as possible from the unidentified beings above the atmosphere.

Finn started to plant himself next to R9 for the wait, when Clara said, "Jimmy, I believe it's your turn to watch our guest. Why don't you bring him back to the med wing while the rest of us decide what to do."

Jimmy shrugged and gently grabbed Finn's arm. "Come on, Caglion. I'll run another check on you too."

"I feel fine," the pilot replied, then turned to Cenev. "Can I take R9 along for company?"

"Sure."

The trio made their way through the dark, led by R9's guidelights. Finn was finally starting to feel sleepy. He was curious about the intruders, but not alarmed, since the Jedi seemed in control of the situation.

Jimmy kept him up at first, insisting on running his check again. "Guess you're right. You seem fine," he reported.

If he only knew, Finn thought. He laid back down on the cot and asked R9 to play a holo of a Twil'lek dancer for his amusement.

Jimmy watched from his post across the room, keeping his blaster in easy reach for show. Suddenly a voice breathed in his ear from behind...

"I'll do you a favor if you let me watch him for a half hour," Cathy whispered.</span>

[Clara]

Jimmy frowned. "I don't think so." He felt a tickle in the back of his mind. "And don't try any of those mind tricks of yours. We of the Maganna line don't have much talent in that area, remember?"

Cathy sighed, all inocent. "Please Jimmy. You'd be more help in the command center. I'm useless there. You know that."

Jimmy grunted. "What? So you can entertain Caglion better then his holo's? I think not."

Cathy glared at him. "I'm not a baby anymore, Jimmy. I don't need to be watched."

"Yes you do. All the time. You are a ***** Cathy, and that's being polite about it."

She slapped him hard across the face, but to her surprise, all he did was laugh.

"Yeap," he chuckled. "You're definatly like your mother."

As Cathy stormed off, Jimmy looked up to see Finn watching. "Sorry about that."

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">"No problem... thanks, I think." Finn scratched his head. "She wanted to see me?"

"Oh, not SEE you," he chuckled. "Accost you is more like it."

Finn blushed. "I used to take her advances as a compliment, but I guess your cousin is right. She has issues." Though the memory of her not-half-bad kiss still lingered. He shook it off. "I don't mind the attention, but..."

"Half the fun is the chase," Jimmy finished his sentence.

The pilot frowned. "You guys always read people's minds?"

Jimmy laughed. "Heh, we can't actually read your thoughts unless you're weak-minded. We pick up on feelings. So take that as a compliment, Caglion. I just guessed what you were gonna say."

"Oh." Finn leaned back on the pillow and asked R9 to restart the holo. Jimmy pulled his chair closer for a better view.</span>

[Clara]

"They doing anything yet?"

"No."

Pause. "Yet?"

"No."

"Now?"

"Stang Lan, stop asking me that!!!" Clinton spun his chair around to look at his wife. "Of course they're not doing anything. They don't know that we're here. My information has reports of Thrawn coming across patroling ships from nearby systems, which is why this place is hidden. They don't know we're here"

Liana sighed. "I know. But you know me, I hate waiting." She launched to her feet, and began pacing, golden hair whipping behind her. "And for the past few days, thats all we've been doing. Its driving me nuts!!!"

Clinton stood, taking her face in his hands. "I know. But sometimes, we must be patiant. Think of the children."

She smiled, then kissed him. "I love you, Ang."

"I know."

Micheal cleared his throat. "Speaking of children."

They looked up to see Cathy storming into the room, face red with anger. Clinton frowned.

"What's the matter?" Liana asked, hurrying toward her. "What happened."

"It's Jimmy," Cathy answered. "He... he wouldn't... won't..."

"Just say it," Cenev spoke up. "He wouldn't let you near Caglion."

Cathy glared at him.

"Sometimes Cathy," Liana began. "You need to stop playing around, and look for someone to be with you for longer then a night."

"Like who?" Cathy asked.

"You'll find someone."

"Trust me," a voice said from the side. "You'll will. Though sometimes they're hard to find."

Cathy turned to see Paul standing in the doorway, watching her. Paul was one target she had never tried for. But she didn't know why...

Paul glanced at Clinton. "They doing anything yet?"

Clinton groaned.

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">Finn woke to the sudden sensation of something crawling in his stomach, but it quickly subsided. He shuddered at the thought of what horrible creature the Vong parasite could be, nestling itself in his digestive system. He wondered if it would spread...

The pilot rolled over on his side to face R9, and the droid's communication indicator sprang to life, its vision sensor focused on him.

"What am I going to do, Arnine?" Finn whispered. Jimmy was sleeping, but Finn knew that Jedi on guard didn't truly sleep.

Finn continued, "I'm a dead man if I don't get that map. But I'm probably a dead man if I try," he glanced in Jimmy's direction. "I don't even WANT to try. I'm starting to think these folks are all right. They've been awfully good to us... considering."

The droid gave a sympathetic whistle, and Finn checked his display.

"Great. So Cenev programmed you to think of him as 'master'. Don't worry... I wouldn't do anything to hurt him. Just don't tell him about my real mission here... promise? Whatever happens to me, you can stay here with the kid."

The droid whined again.

"Thanks for caring, even though you're a traitor," Finn winked and smiled. "Just pray I think of some way out of this."</span>

[Clara]

Cenev walked over the hills, cloak belowing out behind him. He pulled his electrobinoculars from his belt, and looked up at the ships. Still no movement.

He turned and walked back toward one of the hidden entrances. His foot caught on something, and as he looked down, he felt something prick the back of his neck. He pulled the small dart out, and turned it over in his hand, before putting it in his pocket.

Good thing I'm inmune to most poisons, he thought, or I might be in trouble.

Turning, he continued to walk toward the entrance.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Cathy was at it again.

"You must be tired Jimmy. You were asleep just now."

"Yes, I was," he admitted. "Which means I'm not tired anymore."

Finn chuckled.

Cathy glared at them both. "Oh come on. I'm a Dathomiri. I'm trained for this sort of thing."

"That may be, but its not what you're planning to do."

"He has a point," Paul remarked from the door.

Cathy spun to glare at him. "What are you doing here?!"

"Your father told me to keep an eye on you."

Cathy was about to reply when Cenev stumbled into the room, sweating heavily, eyes wide. He focused briefly on Jimmy.

"Jay... help..."

Cathy choked back a scream as he slumped to the ground, Paul catching him before he made it all the way down.

Jimmy glanced at Finn. "Give us a hand here, Caglion!"

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">"What should I do?" Finn asked, trying not to panic.

"Grab his feet and help Paul get him to the examining table."

Finn obeyed and Jimmy pulled the monitoring equipment and some emergency supplies with him. R9 stayed out of the way behind them, beside Cathy. She quickly snapped out of her shock and realized her brother was in serious trouble. "I'll get more help," she murmured, then ran to tell her parents and Aunt Clara.

Please don't die... Finn found his inner voice pleading. He watched Jimmy check for vital signs, then prepare some kind of injections. The pilot found it ironic that days before he was willing to shoot the Jedi out of the system, and now he was praying for his captor's survival. He's still so young.

"Hold him down tight," Jimmy instructed. "I need him to stay still so I can get this stuff in him."

Finn had Cenev's legs, and Paul pinned his shoulders firm against the table. Jimmy gave him a shot in the arm, and almost instantly the boy began to seize. He shook violently, and it took all of Caglion's strength to keep his lower body still. Horror filled the pilot's face as he watched the heart monitor flatline.

Jimmy grabbed another injector, with a thick retractable needle. "Hold him steady now," he ordered, then punched the injector directly into the sternum. The quickest route for a drug through the body was through the heart. Cenev stopped seizing, so Jimmy motioned Paul and Finn to let up.

The three men and R9 waited in silence for a few endless seconds, then saw Cenev stir and start to mumble. Monitors sprang to life with a faint, but normal heart rhythm, yet Cenev remained as if in a deep sleep.

Finn felt a sense of hope, seeing the young man's chest rise and fall again.

"Will he make it?" Paul asked anxiously.

"His vitals are returning," Jimmy explained, "but I think he's in a coma."</span>

[Clara]

Clinton hurried into the room, panic evident on his face. He took one look at Cenev and faultered. "Oh sweet lord." He glanced at Jimmy. "Come on, dear cousin. Give me some good news here."

Jimmy sighed. "He'll make it, thats all I can tell you."

Liana walked in, Cathy just behind. She reached out and took Clinton's hand, eyes not leaving Cenev's face. "Clinanginty..."

Clint squeezed her hand, but said nothing. Behind them, the others bagan to gather. Clara assessed the situation, drew in a deep breath, and took charge.

"Okay people," she said allowed. "I'm afraid all we can do is continue on with what we were already doing." She turned to Jimmy. "You are to keep watch of Cenev at all times." She turned back to the others.

"Carl, take Madonic Jez, and Mathew and get those ships repaired. Carla, see what you can do with the kitchen and lounging areas, and take Cathy and Liana with you. Clin, it might be best if you help them for the time being while your mind is on other things. Micheal, Paul, get back to the scanners and watch those ships."

She turned to Finn. "You any good with tools?"

He frowned. "Well... yeah. I guess so."

She nodded. "Then you're with me. There are generators that need some serious attention." She spotted his look. "We're one man down, Caglion, and with a fleet hovering over our heads, we need all the help we can get."

As the group started to break up, she patted the R9 on the dome. "Help Jay watch the kid, okay?"

The R9 whistled its agreement, and moved back toward where Jimmy was checking vitals. Clara then moved through the corridors and into the generator room, Finn right behind.

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">Aboard one of the alien ships hovering above the Invincibles, a lizard-like humanoid in a uniform made of mesh plastoid netting saluted her commander as he entered the bridge.

"Any indication if the dart worked?" he asked.

The female shook her head. *"Negative, my lord. *The number of lifeform readings below has not decreased."

"And you are certain one of the traps was tripped?"

"Positive, my lord," she bowed with respect.

"We shall wait a bit longer. *I want to be sure what we are up against if they choose to attack. *I have heard these force-beings the Organics call 'Jeedai' are dangerous." *Without waiting for a reply, the commander left the bridge.

The female murmured under her breath. *An alien to the galaxy, like the Organics (the commander's name for the Yuuzhan Vong), Meesha had hoped this mission into the Unknown regions to commence without incident. *She was a scientist, not a warrior. *

Some humans might call her species a shape-shifter or changeling, but the proper name for her race was Gilan. *Unlike the Yuuzhan Vong, the Gilans embraced technology and the use of mechanical tools and weapons. *Yet it was their skill and knowledge of the chemical sciences that made them a dangerous adversary if provoked. *They were not above capturing humans and other species to conduct experiments in biomedics and bioweaponry.

The Gilans did not require a disguise like the Vong's Ooglith Masquer, to walk among humans. *They could shift to any humanoid form desired, so long as their mass remained the same. *They merely needed to touch the being they wished to mimic once, and it would remain in their cells' memory for life. *They could also transfer the shape to another Gilan via touch, while in the new shape.

Meesha watched her reflection in the polished durasteel of the control console as she took her favorite human form. *She found humans beautiful, with soft supple skin, not wrinkled and scaly like her native epidermis. *Though a scientist, she relished the chance to deceive one of those attractive human males for sport.</span>

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">Working together in the generator station, Finn and Clara kept hands busy and minds from worrying about Cenev for awhile.

"That looks good," Finn said, eyeing the alignment of the power coupling terminals. "Ok… give it some juice."

Clara flipped on the power switch and the generator reluctantly fired to life. She smiled approvingly. "Nice work, Caglion. Now what about the other one?"

Finn wiped his hands clean on a rag Clara handed him as he walked by. He sifted through the other generator parts Clara had disassembled earlier.

"This charging cell… looks blown to me."

Clara sighed and began sifting through a box of spare parts, looking for a replacement cell.

"Clara," Finn began reluctantly, "I want to thank you."

"For what?"

He shrugged. "For letting me help. For giving me a job to do. I was going crazy in the med wing, just lying there."

Not looking up from her search, she replied, "Like I said, we need the help."

"You think he's… going to snap out of it, don't you?"

Clara looked up at him, surprised at his concern for her nephew. "He's stable, he's in good hands."

The pilot nodded, and she noticed something else emanating from him.

"Finn… you're afraid."

"No I'm not," he denied with a frown. "Just concerned."

She stood up and looked into his eyes, now a yellow-green color. "Not about Cenev taking a bad turn. Something else scares you. What?"

He shook his head. "Just… I don't know… uncertainty. Those ships up there just watching and waiting. Wondering how I'm going to get back to civilization."

"And death. You fear death."

Caglion didn't like where the conversation was going. He avoided her eyes. "Yeah, well those of us without Jedi powers have more reason to."

"I thought you knew by now…," Clara said softly. "…not to fear us. We won't let anything happen to you. You're much safer with us than out there on your own, trust me." She looked back down into the box and suddenly spotted a replacement charging cell. Picking it out of the box, she tossed it to Caglion.

"Maybe I just fear certain Dathomiri Warriors," he replied, looking serious at first, then breaking into a smile.

Clara snickered. "You fix this other generator while I check the power routing. We could be stuck here awhile, and if we run short on power, I'll be the least of your worries."</span>

[Clara]

"Think he'll be okay?"

"Paul, would you stop asking that!"

"Sorry Mike, its just that I'm concerned."

"We all are, but you don't here me asking the same question over and over and over and over..."

Jez laughed. "It is hard to believe that you two were once enemies," he said with his Hapan accent.

"We still are." Paul answered, glaring across at Micheal.

Micheal met his look. "If you do a good job of keeping Cathy in line, then maybe we'll call a truce. Deal?"

"Deal."

* * *

"Okay, that's got it!"

Clara glanced up from the circutry. "What's it running at?"

"100%." Finn stepped away from the display and gestured toward the four generators left to be done. "We going to do them? Or are we going to take a break?"

"What? Tired already?" Clara flashed him one of her lopsided grins. "Typical pilot. Spend to much time in the cockpit, not enough time working out."

Finn glared at her. "I am fit. Just because I don't spend half of my life in training doesn't make me lazy."

"Actaully, it was my whole life." Clara moved on to the next generator. "I'd better let you know that Mathew Lonestar, Jez Ramoan, and Paul Steele aren't Jedi, even if the rest of us are. And they're just as good as the rest of us."

Finn frowned. "But my briefing stated that you were all Jedi."

Clara shrugged. "Yeah well, what do you expect." She pulled at the handle to open the access door, but found it jammed. "Hey Caglion, could you give me a hand here?"

He moved to her side, reaching around her to get a grip on the handle. They strained, took a few gasping breaths, and tried again. The handle moved at once, spilling them both onto the floor, Clara in Finn's arms...

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">Finn froze with Clara in his arms, waiting for her to react, but she didn't move either. Lying on the floor, they just stared at each other a moment.

"Oops," he finally said, softly.

"Yeah..." she replied, her eyes moving from his eyes, to his nearby lips and back again.

Taking the cue, he leaned in slowly, then hesitated, giving her every chance to push him away. She didn't, so he kissed her. Just a soft, simple kiss. He half expected she'd change her mind and give him a knee to the groin, but instead she kissed back.

He pulled away and slowly stood, lending a hand to help her up as well. Without a word, they brushed themselves off awkwardly, and Finn rubbed some of the sweat off the back of his neck.

The pilot finally dared to look at Clara again, and said with a shrug, "Guess the door's open now."</span>

[Clara]

In the medical bay, Cenev awoke within himself. He stretched out with the Force, sensing the concern around him. His body was paralysed, and he found that he couldn’t awake fully. He stretched upward, through the dome and into the vast sky above. He reached into the ships…

…And sensed the Gilan.

This particular mind he touched was female, that was evident. She was interested in the way things worked, marking her as a scientist. He twigged an area at the back of her mind, and found her name. Meesha.

She wasn’t hostile, nor was her kind. Like the Vong, they were exploring the galaxy. It had been them that had laid the trap with the dart. He concentrated, linking himself to Meecha’s mind. If he worked at it, he was sure they would be able to speak telepathically.

* * *

They finished the remaining four generators in a record time. Finn noticed that Clara kept ‘accidentally’ brushing against him, and when she turned around, Clara noticed that Finn looked away quickly.

Clara put the spare parts back into their box, once again feeling Finn’s eyes on the back of her head. She felt her cheeks warm in an uncommon blush, which she kept hidden.

“Now what?” Finn asked.

Clara pulled a datapad from her belt. “So that’s the generators covered. Which leaves… the main computer system.”

She lead the way through the corridors to the small room off the corridor. She opened the door, and a small furry creature dashed out. Clara didn’t even flinch. She stepped inside, Finn squeezing in behind her, before she shut the door.

“We have the small independent systems running,” she told him, accessing the damage. “This system controls all the automatic systems; warning alarms, emergency lighting, that sort of thing.” She glanced back at him. “So lets get to work.”

[catwmnjedi]

<span style="color:#daa500">Meesha the Gilan, of the Biotech Caste, was interrupted from her power nap by a strange sensation beneath her skull. Not a pain, but a pressure, followed by a slight tingling that ran up the slightly protruding scales on the back of her scalp. She kept her eyes closed and rubbed her temples. A push, then a pull, attempting to probe and extract something. A sile