My character story (A Day in the Dark)

[Steel Falcon]

Part One:

(This story picks up a few weeks after Falco and a handful of other padawans passed the trials. It begins on the home planet of the Jedi.)

Shaden Ghart walked into the cantina and sat at the bar… his hood covering his head to keep from being notice in such a public place… The bartender walked over and said “You looking for drink stranger?”- (the code words that had previously been agreed upon)

Shaden answered in code, “Yes, I’m looking for a good time and I need the best you can offer…” (He almost forgot the last part.) “And price doesn’t matter.” He added a tap of his index finger on the table twice. (That could’ve ended the whole thing.)

The bartender sighed and responded, “I’m too old for this kind of stuff anymore… The droid will take you to your room…” Just then an R4-E1 droid rolled up next to the bar and beeped cautiously.

Shaden followed the droid down a ragged elevator and down a hall to a shabby room. The droid moved towards the door and it slid open to show a dark empty room.

“What?!” Shaden protested… but the droid beeped for him to go inside.

He walked in to the middle of the room and heard the door slide closed behind him. Directly after, a blue lightsaber in the back left corner lit. And another just like it ignited directly across from the first in the back right corner. Shaden lit his saber in response and prepared himself mentally.

The first saber was thrown at Shaden and the wielder of the second leapt into the air. Shaden deflected the thrown saber by sliding his lightsaber on the opposite side of the thrown saber as it spun towards him and forced it away from his body. Shaden had just enough time to parry the second lightsaber as it fell on him from above...

He and the wielder of the second lightsaber clashed for a moment before the second saber flew back across the room at Shaden.

Shaden ducked and rolled away from his opponent. The wielder of the second light saber caught the first lightsaber and ran towards Shaden.

That’s when Shaden realized that the first saber was only a distraction which meant he was only fighting one person.

When his adversary caught the lightsaber Shaden channeled the force and pushed as hard as he could. His opponent flew across the room and hit the wall.

He then sheathed his lightsabers. He was yielding?

From the darkness a voice called, “I just had to make sure it was you Shaden…”

“Yea well, you could have just asked.” Shaden responded as he too sheathed his saber and put it in its rightful place at his side.

“Yes but in these times the Saints can never be too careful.” The door opened to show the silhouette of a young Jedi knight. “I’m Falco Ferro by the way; now let’s get going we need to hurry to rendezvous with the ship. You were much later than I expected and I was fixing to give up on you.”

“Well let us not spend too much time talking then…” Shaden said as he moved towards the door.

The two Jedi exited the cantina and headed toward an alley and just then a small blinking sphere landed between the two of them.

Shaden reacting quickly used force push on the ground at their feet launching both them and the grenade up and away.

The grenade exploded somewhere in the air as Shaden and Falco both landed on their feet lightsabers drawn. On top of a nearby building a bounty hunter and an imperial agent had been waiting on the Jedi. The bounty hunter stepped off the edge and used her jetpack to land safely with her pistol blazing.

Shaden deflecting each shot waiting for the right time to strike. Meanwhile the imperial agent had Falco scoped and was aimed to fire. With quick feet and a little use of the force Falco raced towards the building and leapt up the sides of it from ledge to ledge to meet the agent at the top.

The bounty hunters pistol overheated and Shaden force pulled her to him. He then spliced her in half with one of side of his dual bladed saber.

At the rooftop, Falco moved with so intense speed it was almost one motion, cutting through the sniper rifle and stabbing the agent through his chest.

In one leap Shaden was on top of the roof with Falco. “What was that all about?”

“I’m not sure but we can’t use this place anymore… Hurry we’ve got move!”

Both sprung from rooftop to rooftop in unison towards the rendezvous point. Suddenly Falco stopped… “Search the force… do you feel any hostiles?”

Shaden took a moment and with a deep sigh replied, “Nope, just you and me…”

“Good step back.” Falco drew both sabers and spun in a circle like a helicopter. Not far above the two Jedi a ship’s cloaking shield dropped and a ramp let out. The Jedi ran into the ship and it disappeared into the stars.

Later in the ship… “So… Why so much discression?”

“The Saints have been letting more and more people in recently… Well about a week ago we had a sith infiltration… About four guys followed Jao Thaun to his office and tried to take him out. Well Jao happens to be smarter than they thought… He was well prepared and easily wiped them out. Now they have us taking serious precaution just in case.”

“Wow… times really are swallowed in the dark side…” was all Shaden could manage to say.

“My turn… Why are you seeking refuge with the Saints?”

“I’m on a mission for the Council but I’m not to let anyone know what it is… I have Intel that I have to get on a target from Jao.”

After a slight pause a trooper walked into the room where the Jedi were talking, “Sir, we will be landing shortly.”

“Thank you.” Falco said as the trooper nodded and walked out.

“Tell me, how are you already on your own? Are you not a padawan?”

“I am 18 but with the current situation the Jedi are being put to the trials sooner than they usually would.”

“I meant no offence… You handle yourself better than some seasoned Jedi.”

“What can I say? I have a gift.” Both Jedi chuckled as the ship docked, “We are here. Follow me.”

Falco led Shaden through a series of hallways and up an elevator only to go through a zigzag course through more hallways. “Are you good and lost yet?”

“I was lost when we got off the ship…”

They laughed again, rounded a corner and entered the office of the Overseer. Jao had his back turned looking out a window at the planet below. “Thank you Falco, you have done well. Now, Ghart and I have matters to attend to.” Jao didn’t turn around until Falco had bowed and left the room.

(To be continued….)

[Steel Falcon]

Part Two:

Falco decided to seek out someone to practice lightsaber play with. He headed towards the padawan combat training area to see if his old master, Jedi Hiddai, was done with the small group of young padawans that had been collected on Ord Manttell, the current home of the Saints of the old Republic.

As Falco walked up Julmay was standing in front of the younglings holding out his lightsaber, “Now the lightsaber is very useful, however, it is only a tool that is used by the Jedi. You’ll need to focus also on meditation, your bond with the force and strategy… Ah… Falco. This young Jedi is very good with his lightsaber but he seems to have a little trouble with the meditating part.” They both grinned.

“Well, I do meditate sometimes, but it’d help if you weren’t getting so old that you fell asleep during meditation. If you weren’t going to do it neither was I.”

Laughing Julmay continued, “I told you I wasn’t snoring! I was having sinus congestion that day…”

“Likely story…” the children giggled, “However to show that you can in fact teach an old dog new tricks (winks at Julmay) I figured we could spar for you kids to show you some proper fighting techniques.” Falco ignited both of his lightsabers and spun them around in his hands.

“Show off…” Julmay mumbled with a grin. “Okay Falco, but if your anything like you used to be you’ll want to stop for water 30 seconds in…”

“That won’t be the case this time… simply because you’re so much slower now.”

The two couldn’t help but enjoy the sparring match that followed. Falco striking here, Julmay striking there, Force push here, knock back there… It was quite a spectacle, at one point Julmay halted the spar to teach the younglings a little about what was going on, “You see the fighting style he was using just now? Its one that I haven’t yet shown you it’s called Makashi and it’s used…”

“Notice children that Julmay is using the ‘I am tired and only talking because Falco was about to win’ technique. It is his favorite technique to use.” (He nods and the children laugh)

“Very funny Falco…” Julmay responded with displeasure from being interrupted.

“Well they sure thought so…” And both Julmay and Falco cracked into laughter. “Now I believe I was just about to kick your butt…”

“Oh really? Then let us continue with your butt kicking…”

Falco started with an aerial attack, jumping and swinging his arms in a spiral, landing one blade after the other from above. Julmay retaliated with a three swing combo coming from multiple sides. Falco followed it by bringing both blades down at the same time on top of Julmay. Bearing under the weight of Falco, Julmay force pushed him away.

Falco slid back on both feet about 20 yards away. The two Jedi charged each other. Just before impact Falco flipped over Julmay swinging multiple times. Julmay dodged by parrying to blows and sliding under one on his knees.

Upon landing Falco force pushed Julmay. He spiraled away but amazingly landed on his feet. Falco threw his saber at Julmay and followed closely behind it. Julmay dodged the thrown saber and ducked his shoulder and planted it into Falco’s stomach. It sent him sprawling to the ground and he lost his lightsaber.

Falco was on his back and when he opened his eyes Julmay was over him both feet planted at his shoulders with a lightsaber hovering inches away from Falco’s throat. “Yield.”, Julmay said with both of them breathing heavily.

“Never.” Just then Falco force pushed with both hands as he hit the back of Julmay’s heels. Julmay was launched forward and into a flip. Falco pulled both of his lightsabers to him and jumped up from the ground. However Julmay was already bringing the attack and Falco still hadn’t ignited his lightsabers. Dodging the blows by inches Falco flipped backwards and force pushed Julmay in the air. He landed with both lightsabers lit and clapping in the background.

The clapping ended and a voice erupted, “Good show! That was excellent! You both performed amazingly! Julmay, this Jedi may be your best yet…” Both men heaving and fighting for air looked up to see Jao Thaun was the one speaking.

They both put away their lightsabers and bowed respectively to each other. Jao was grinning and the duo couldn’t help but smile back. Following closely behind Master Thaun was Shaden.

“That display is precisely why I need to speak with you Falco.” Jao continued, “Come and walk with me.”

Falco bowed again to his former master and followed the Overseer as did Shaden. “I have a new assignment for you Falco… This last one was not intended to be anything more than ‘picking up a package’ so to speak. No offense intended Shaden.”

“None taken. By all means continue.”

“Well as it turns out you ended up with your hands full. And I’m glad to say you did very well. This is why this time you will have a real mission. With the information Shaden has given I am now in the understanding that the current situation is worse than I thought and that it must be carried on to a secret unit of the Republic. This is very important Falco. You are to serve as extra muscle for Shaden. I do not know what kind of trouble he will face but it’s important that he has help. I’m sending you and a small squad of troopers to escort Shaden to Hutta. You’ll be taking a small ship. This needs to look like you are traveling nobles and nothing more. One defense turret is being set up on the ship right now and will be ready before you leave. Gather your things, you set out by nightfall.”

“Yes, Master Jao…” Falco bowed and departed to gather his things. He was excited, an actual mission! Falco was at the personal transport ship a long time before to time to launch. However unaware of what to do with himself, he meditated in wait for Shaden and the squad of troopers.

(to be continued…)

[Steel Falcon]

Part Three:

Falco was pulled out of meditation by the space ship falling out of hyperdrive. Feeling his concentration on the force fading he decided to go to the cockpit. Shaden was leaning against a wall next to the COM link wearing a civilian garb for his cover. Upon entering the copilot acknowledged Falco, “Sir.”

“Where are we?” Falco questioned

“Ah… welcome back… I didn’t think it was a good idea to bring you out of meditation just to tell you we were leaving…” Shaden piped up at seeing the visitor. Falco simply stared at him waiting on an answer to his question. “Right, we are almost to Bothawui. There was a change in plan. We had a message come from Jao that the contact had to move planets to get away from a Separatist bounty hunter.”

“Oh how long till we reach Bothonian air space?”

“2 minutes.” The pilot answered.

“Okay well I’m going to change into my ‘civilian clothing.’” Falco exited the cockpit.

Falco pulled the brown tunic over his head and fastened his belt just as the ship shook violently. Falco put the robe on and stashed his lightsabers in the inside pockets out of sight. He then ran back to the cockpit to see what was going on.

As soon as he entered Shaden immediately pointed and said, “Hurry to the turret! We are under fire by some smuggler ships!”

“Ships?!” Falco quickly ran to the ladder and headed up to the turret seat. Upon climbing into the seat Falco could indeed see how many ships there were. Smugglers never traveled in packs this big. It was unheard of. At least six ships twice the size of their current private transport.

Turning on the controls and hooking up the headset Falco geared up for quite a ride. And that’s exactly what he got. Firing on everything in site just wasn’t enough, there were too many ships and they had a ton more firepower. “Uhhh… Shaden? Why aren’t we getting out of here yet?!”

“The pilot says the rear thrusters are totally destroyed. And it doesn’t get any better… A group of them are trying to board.”

“Alright, I was always better with my lightsaber anyway…”

“No Falco, this mission is one of discretion, if either of us hint at a lightsaber, the cover is blown. Let our troopers handle them keep firing!”

“Fine…” Falco could hear the footsteps of the troopers running down the hall behind him. There was a moment of silence as they were setting up for the boarding party. Doors opened and fire erupted down the halls. Giving up on the turret you headed back towards the shooting.

Unfortunately the smugglers made short work of the troopers that had come with you except for the ones still piloting the ship. Rounding the corner you could see the some of the smugglers heading towards the cockpit. Following at a safe pace behind Falco could see what was left of the smugglers cut down by Shaden. “Umm… What was it you said about blowing the cover?”

“Riiiiight, sorry didn’t see anyway around it.”

“You take the fun out of everything…” Falco said with a grin.

Just then the ship’s Critical Condition Alarm sounded and the ship spiraled towards the planet Bothawui. Shaden and Falco both ended up unconscious in the crash.

Falco woke up with his hands bound behind him and in a pitch black room. Seeking the force he could tell he was by himself. Apparently the disguises worked because the smugglers must not have realized he was a Jedi. Rope was nothing for a Jedi and in moments Falco had used the force to free his hands. However they had taken his robes so he didn’t have his precious lightsabers.

Finding the door in the dark Falco tried to play his character to the guard patrolling outside, “Umm… sir? Why have you captured us?” trying to sound scared, “We’ll give you whatever you want just let us go!” The guard scoffed and retorted a, “Get quiet in there.”

Well, Falco had an idea but if it went badly the guard would know he was Jedi. Using the force, “You will come take the bonds off my hands.”

“I will come take the bonds off your hands.” Success!

There was a clonk and turn of a wheel to unlock the door and the guard stepped inside. Falco force pushed him into one of the walls inside the cell knocking him unconscious. Knowing he couldn’t run around in the noble clothes without catching attention he swapped clothes with the guard and grabbed his pistols. The guard happened to have a nice piece of cloth for covering the face, which Falco put to good use.

Making sure to lock the cell door behind him Falco began to look into the other cells to see if he could find anyone. Shaden was nowhere to be found but the copilot was on the ground of a cell bound.

Falco made an attempt at the trooper's attention, “Hey! Soldier! Get up!” That wasn’t getting him up so he used a little force on the last word, “WAKE”. The trooper pulled out of his unconsciousness and sat up. “Start moaning loudly…” Falco told him. “What?!”
“Just do it! It’s me Falco.” At that the soldier started to moan as if in pain.

There was one other guard at the end of the hall so Falco called to him. “Hey you! Come help me! I think this one is sick!”

The guard ran down to the cell as Falco opened the door and told him to head inside. Just as the guard entered into the dark cell Falco pistol whipped him in the back of the head. “Hurry put on his clothes!” Falco said to the trooper.

They locked the cell behind them and headed down the hall.

(To be continued… Sorry I know I said there was gonna be a slight surprise but this part turned out longer than I thought. But hey that’s the great part about stories they keep you interested lol stay tuned… )

[Steel Falcon]

Part Four:

They eventually made their way through what seemed to be a smuggling warehouse and headed up onto a balcony that overshadowed an energy reactor. Apparently the source of energy for the smuggling base. Falco could sense people coming so he motioned to the trooper to take cover.

They both hid as a wookie, a kel dor, and Shaden rounded a corner closely followed by a few smuggler thugs. They were talking in hushed voices and heading towards the elevator on the other side of the reactor. Falco nodded to the trooper and they opened fire on the smuggler thugs.

Falco was at a total loss for accuracy with a blaster but used the force to guide his hand. The two of them made quick work of the smugglers and the wookie warrior. Just then Shaden stepped in front of the kel dor and blocked the incoming blaster fire. “Show yourselves!” he yelled.

Instead Falco dropped deeper into shadow and called back out to Shaden trying to use the force to disquise his location, “What are you doing Shaden? Why are you protecting the likes of him?” By this time the trooper too fell into darkness, so much so that even Falco was unsure of where he went.

Shaden laughed eerily, “Ah come on Falco. I was discussing the terms of our release.” Shaden circled the kel dor not sure of where to expect an attack from.

“That’s a very likely story… What kind of release? A release into the force? There’s obviously something deeper going on here.” Falco continuing to throw his voice as not to give away his position.

Shaden grinned, “What can I say Falco, the empire pays well. Not to mention the cool new tricks I’ve learned! Hahahaha…”

Just then Falco could see the trooper behind the two men cast in shadow. Slowly pulling out his knife reading for attack. Falco continued talking to distract them, “You know Shaden I thought you were better than this. I…”

Falco’s conversation was halted because he could see another figure in the shadows… It was Maxon! He grinned at Falco and Falco knew the time to attack was here. Falco nodded at the two men to signify the attack.

The trooper hopped from the shadow and grabbed the kel dor. At the same time Falco (guns blazing) and Maxon came running out of the shadows. Falco leapt off the top of the balcony as I Maxon threw two lightsabers to him. Falco ditched the pistols, grabbed the lightsaber in the air and had them ignited before he landed. Maxon and Falco engaged Shaden in battle but an alarm went off. They were a bout to have company…

(To be continued… At this point I’m gonna get a little creative help lol from Maxon himself...)

[Protector_Z]

(thank you SteelFalcon for the opportunity to contribute )

Part Five:

4 lightsabers, 3 Jedi, 2 sides. Falco and Maxon stood in front of Shaden as the alarm set off, terribly breaking their momentum. Maxon looked at Falco for an instant as to warn him they didn't have much time. Falco wasn't understanding what Maxon was doing there, since they only greeted a couple times at the Saints' base. But there wasn't time for dialogs.

While the trooper started wrestling with the kel dor, Falco and Maxon engaged the enemy with fast swings and turns. Shaden was having a hard time deflecting all the strikes, but he didn't fall to one. He took a long jump back to take a break from all the light slashes, ending up on top of the energy reactor. While both saints followed his jump, Shaden force pushed Falco back against the wall, knocking him unconscious.

It was only Maxon and Shaden now, one staring at the other in attacking stances.

- I don't know who you are, but you made a mistake by coming here Jedi.

- You don't need to know who I am, you're about to die anyway, traitor...

Again they engaged. This time Shaden was counter-attacking as well, with Maxon watching out his defense. As both of them were fighting on top of the reactor, the trooper was on the ground with the kel dor on top of him, trying to suffocate him. But in a quick movement the trooper pulled the enemy close to him, while pulling out his mask with the other hand. The kel dor released him immediately, while being pushed off. After that it was easy for the trooper to finish him.

Meanwhile, the battle intensified between Maxon and Shaden. Some of the swings cut parts of the reactor, which in consequence started to released highly pressured gases from the cut parts. But in the middle of one of Maxon's slashes Shaden was faster and hit him with a lightning strike that threw Maxon on his back in pain. Shaden continued to electrocute Maxon, who started to scream. Luckly, Shaden's powers in the dark side weren't strong enough to finish Maxon, but enough to leave him unable to continue fighting.

Shaden got close to Maxon while he was trying to restore his strength. When Shaden lifted his arms about to finish Maxon a lightsaber came flying and cut Shaden's hands! The trooper had waken Falco! He landed on top of the reactor as his lightsaber returned to his hand, but Shaden was in state of shock for having lost his hands. Falco was going to go finish Shaden, but before that soldiers broke into the chamber and started shooting them. Falco had to turn to deflect several blaster shots as Maxon slowly got back on his feet. The trooper started shooting back from behind a cover in the corner as well. With his dual lightsabers, Falco didn't take long to finish the soldiers. The trooper then locked the doors from within. When Falco turned back to look for Shaden... He had gone. Now the 3 of them were stuck in the reactor room while a lot more soldiers were trying to break in from outside.

- What are we going to do?! We have no way out!- Said the trooper in worry.

- Yes there is.- Replied Maxon as he had got up on his feet and was using the reactor's console.- There's a ventilation shaft in the northeast part of this chamber that leads outside the warehouse. I got a speeder not far from here we'll use to escape to the nearest spaceport.

- And what will stop the soldiers from coming after us?- Questioned Falco.

- Their need for survival. I'm overloading the reactor...

- You don't look good. Can you make it all the way?- Asked the trooper, who got an answer from Maxon through an angry look, but who had indeed been burned in several areas of his body.

- The burns are not as bad as they look. That scum might think he's stronger just because he can throw lightning out of his hands, but he's still a weak fool...

- Anyway, I'm glad you came. How did you find us?

As Falco finished making the question an even louder alarm started to sound, with several red lights flashing all around the base.

- We don't have time to talk, the reactor will explode in a couple minutes. We better go. Now!

They started they escape route as the base was being evacuated. They left the base through an isolated area facing the woods. As they left with the speeder the base exploded, forming a small red cloud mushroom behind them. Arriving at the nearest spaceport, they left the planet on Maxon's fighter.

[to be concluded]

[Steel Falcon]

Part 6 (the last part I promise :D)

Falco, the trooper, and Maxon stood across the desk from Jao Thaun, Overseer of the Saints. Jao seemed very displeased with the information that Falco and Maxon had brought him. He paced the other side obviously in deep thought.

"This is information is very important and I will have to let the council know immediately... Now, I still don't understand how you ended up with Falco, Maxon..."

"I was meditating in my room and could see Shaden entering the transport ship through the force. I also saw him communicate shortly with his master after he saw Falco was in deep meditation. I rushed to stop them before lift off but what I had seen was of the past. So I followed and showed up just as Falco and a trooper were engaging Shaden."

"And I'm not sure how we would have made it out if Maxon hadn't shown up when he did. I'm very grateful..." Falco and Maxon grinned at each other.

"Yes, Maxon your actions in the force are very notable, however, you should have said something to someone first. That is very critical information to be had." With that Jao's attitude lightened and he kind of smiled, "But I am very proud of the way all three of you performed and I'm honored to have you working with me as Saints. Now I have to get this information to the Council. You are dismissed."

The three of them bowed and left.

***************************

Somewhere on another planet in a dark room two men stood of a hologram of the planet Ord Mantel. One of the men wore a hood hiding his face but the other did not and it was clear he was Shaden.

"Yes master... that is the location of the Saints base."

"Are we ready?"

"No master... but we will be soon."

The hooded man began barking orders at a nearby soldier as Shaden left the room...

**************************

Back on Ord Mantel...

Falco walked into a plant greenhouse area of the Saints base. It was commonly known for a meditation spot and Falco had realized that Julmay knew what he was talking about when he said meditation was an important role in Jedi way of life and that a lightsaber was not a Jedi’s only weapon. Falco realized this when Maxon recounted his journey to helping Falco against Shaden. Falco knew the force was a powerful ally but always relied on his own strengths in battle.

He was fixing to change that. It was time he got closer to the force. As he got closer to the area where people sat and meditated he could see Nevari sitting down by herself. Nevari and Falco had gone through the trials together.

Falco tried to sit as to not disturb her but she was just as focused on what was around her as she was on the force. “I’d never thought I’d see you here.” she half mocked with a grin, “Tell me, what’s Falco, the great lightsaber duelist, doing in a meditation spot?”

He laughed, “Well, oh great meditator, if I’m not worthy I will go… but I realized that there really is something to this meditation stuff and I’m going to check it out.”

“You don’t have to leave. The meditation might do you some good, but this isn’t something that you ‘check out’. It’s more than that. It’s a daily commitment to grow closer to the force. If you stick with this I’m glad, if not, I won’t be surprised. Now, let’s get quiet and meditate.”

Falco smiled, put his lightsabers in his lap (as he did when he meditated), and closed his eyes to focus.

THE END... (at least of this story :D)