Destiny Embraced

FINDING FABIUS

Victor ran a hand over his pale, bald head. Exhaling, he looked at the skeletal Given seated next to where he stood. “And you think the two are related?” he asked.

“Listen,” the Given said. “I intercepted transmissions off of Drukenwell that some bunch of idiots called the 100 Guns took these people hostage and demanded to have Kane delivered to them. Shortly thereafter Imperial Elites are sent to Kamino.”

“And you automatically assume there’s a connection there?” Victor asked.

Na-Soth Helrot, the Given, turned his head away from the computer screen to stare at the Alderaanian in a way that only a Given could: his expression seemingly emotionless, his dark eyes colorless. “I’m the information broker right? I see a pattern. You don’t, fine. Then better luck with your next lead. I’m just saying, without anything better, I’d follow it up.”

Victor crossed his arms and paced around the cockpit of the transport.

From the pilot and co-pilots seats, a lanky Rodian and a large Feeorin looked at the other two questioningly. As the Rodian tapped his fingers on the console, the Feeorin could only shrug.

“Let’s go,” Victor Aurelius said at last.

MOVING ON

Fabius gently ran his hand through her soft brown hair. Pressed up against him, Leia looked up at him and smiled. Anyone else seeing them might have confused the smile for love. Rather than return the smile, as a lover might, Fabius nodded once, a slightly sad look on his face. The two Force-users instinctively knew what the other was thinking.

Fabius Kane and Leia Organa had come to know each other very well during their training on Belkadan with Master Zyan-Krol. The two students knew each others’ moves, how they fought, how they played, how they cooked, how they thought, what they felt, and what they desired. Theirs was a close intimacy—exacerbated by their Master’s occasional absences—defined by their shared pain, difficult histories, mutual compassion, and loneliness: all of which had driven the two into each other’s arms.

Kane moved his hand from Leia’s hair and ran it along her naked back, letting his fingers trace up and down her soft form. He looked wistfully along the curves of her body, which was just on top of the sheets, and highlighted as the sun rose outside the window at the end of the room.

“I don’t regret what we’ve done,” Kane said, his gaze far away.

“Neither do I,” Leia said, looking directly at Kane’s bearded face.

“But we can’t do this any longer,” Kane said, still staring away. “It doesn’t feel right any more.”

“I know,” Leia said. She pulled herself out of Kane’s arms and sat up, facing him.

Kane said nothing, letting his eyes roam over her body. Yet is was almost as if remembering something, instead of looking at a live, naked woman.

“Unhappy I may be,” Leia said. “But I am married. And a mother.”

“I know,” Kane said. He pulled his gaze away from the rising sun and looked directly into Leia’s eyes. “And Veroshk wanted to pull your husband’s people together with the criminals I worked for.” Kane laughed; it was more of a snort. “I’m sure he’s less than pleased that I’m coming between those forces now.”

Leia looked down for a moment. As if realizing this also was the last time she would see Kane like this, she put her hand on Kane’s bare chest, touching him gently. “Fabius,” she said, only then looking up at her fellow student. “I believe that we came together for a reason. I think we’re supposed to be close together. That someday the bond we share will be important. It just won’t be like what we’ve been doing the last few months.”

Kane shook his head. He put his hands over Leia’s hand. “I know. I don’t know why, but I feel the same.”

Leia put her other hand on Kane’s bearded cheek. “You need to trust your instincts, Fabius. They are strong.”

“I know,” Fabius said.

“Just remember what Master Zyan says, temper your passion. Feel instead serenity. Your anger and frustration are the only things holding you back.”

Fabius looked past her hand, his eyes sad. “I just don’t know if I’m the person you and Zyan want me to be.”

Leia smiled. “Of course you are. We both see it. Veroshk saw it. Your friend Beedo saw it. All the Force-Users you’ve ever run into have seen it. You told me yourself.”

Gently, Fabius pulled Leia’s hands away and pulled himself out of bed, letting the sheets fall off of him as he walked to the window. He leaned on the open window sill and let the sun fall over his face, arms, and torso.

Leia let her gaze linger, before reaching for some clothes on the floor. After she had pulled on a robe, she stood and followed Kane. She put a hand on his shoulder, a touch suddenly much different that the kind they had become accustomed to.

“There is no emotion, there is peace,” Leia whispered.

Still looking out the window, eyes closed, Fabius replied, “there is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

Leia pulled Kane around to face her. “There is no passion, there is serenity.”

Kane hesitated, not out of any lack of remembrance, just pausing. “There is not death, there is the Force,” he said finally.

“With these other considerations aside,” Leia said. “All that remains is the Force.” With that she reached up to his cheeks and pulled him forward. She kissed him softly on the lips, like a mother might kiss her son. With that she turned and left.

Fabius turned back to the window and looked out on the morning. He ran a hand over his thin beard. He had a lot to think about.

DEPARTURE

The scoundrel turned Jedi approached Zyan-Krol. The Master studied his pupil’s appearance. He was again wearing his black trenchcoat over his flight suit, and he was once again armed to the teeth—with lightsaber and blasters alike. Zyan knew what this meant.

“I need to take a break, Master,” Fabius said. “It’s time for me to be free again.”

“I know,” Zyan said. “I always know. Just as I know you will always return to continue your training.”

Fabius nodded.

“Have you said good-bye to Leia?” Zyan asked.

Fabius shook his head. “There is no need. She knows.”

“You two have worked together better in the last few weeks than you have ever before.” Zyan-Krol’s black eyes narrowed and his teeth bared a smile. “You have evolved.”

Fabius’s own eyes narrowed, and his brows furrowed. He laughed. He should have known there was a difference between Zyan not knowing something, and not talking about it. “Yes,” Fabius said.

“Good,” Zyan said. “It was getting in the way of both your destinies. You both need to be to each other what you are now.”

“What do you mean?” Fabius asked.

“It means only what I said, no more. No less.”

Fabius shrugged. Whatever, he thought. “I’ll be back in a week or so, depending on my flight time.”

Zyan bowed slightly.

Kane did the same.

As he walked away, Zyan could hear Fabius speak into his comlink, asking his droid if the others had arrived yet.

AMBUSH

Victor looked around the lounge area inside of the Mayan Phoenix. “We’re in,” he said. “What next?”

Kane only smiled. But even as he opened his mouth to answer, the ship was rocked by an explosion.

“What the hell was that?” the Rodian behind Victor asked.

Fabius closed his eyes, before opening them wide. “Dammit,” he cursed. “TIE Fighters.”

“How could you—“ the Rodian began.

“No time,” Fabius snapped. “Which of you can navigate well?”

“I can,” the Given said from the back of the room.

“All right, you’re with me in the cockpit.” Fabius’ eyes narrowed as he looked at the other three. “You two,” he said pointing to the human and the Rodian, “man the laser and ion cannons. You,” he said pointing to the Feeorin,” you’re with me too. You’re on the concussion missiles.”

LE-N5 came ambling toward them. “What is going on Master Fabius?”

“Not now, Lenny” Fabius snapped, pushing the droid aside as he ran toward the cockpit.

Another explosion rocked the ship.

Cursing, Fabius jumped into the pilot seat, pulled on his headset, and immediately started reading the monitors. “Dammit. There are five of them.”

“How did they find us?” Na-Soth, asked, sitting at the nav computer.

Fabius spun his head toward the Given. “Probably followed me here from Kamino, just like you guys did.”

“Do you think they have more ships waiting,” Na-Soth asked nervously as he strapped himself in.

“I know TIE fighters don’t come from nowhere,” Fabius said. “Either they came up from Tholatin, or they rode on a larger ship from Kamino. Neither option is appealing. That’s why you need to start plotting a course out of here.”

“Where to?” Na-Soth asked, as the ship was rocked by another explosion.

“Use your imagination,” Fabius said, finally feeling the engines firing. “Is everyone strapped in?” he asked over the com. Once he had received all affirmatives, he switched another knob on the console. “Then everyone hang on, I like to set the inertial dampeners at less than one-hundred percent. She flies better.”

“We’ll be fucked if you toss us around,” Gervin, the Rodian said over the com.

“Well then,” Fabius said. “Lucky for you I don’t make those kind of mistakes.”

The Mayan Phoenix roared forward, even as the crew could see blaster fire trace lines around them.

Na-Soth’s stomach felt like it was flipping over. He wasn’t used to moving away from his computer much, let alone in a starship, let alone in the jolting ride of a space battle. With one hand over his stomach, he shook his head. “Fabius, the computer’s having problems figuring out how the drag of our ship docked to yours will cause it to be affected in hyperspace.

Ignoring the Givin, Fabius pushed the transport ahead fast, surging past a pair of TIEs. With little further warning, he flipped the ship up and over, pursuing them both. “Now,” he roared into the com.

With little hesitation, the others fired. The Rodian reacted the fastest; manning the fire-linked laser cannons, his shots ripped right through one of the unshielded TIES and the fighter exploded in a show of metal and sparks.

Victor managed to hit the other one with an ion blast, forcing the fighter ship’s engines to sputter, its maneuverability suddenly nil. With a sitting duck for a target, the Feeorin was able to lock on with the concussion missiles. After a few moments, that TIE was also little more than space dust.

“Nice shooting!” Fabius said over the hoots and hollers of this crew. “Is this ship special to anyone,” Fabius asked.

“Not really,” Cavyn, the Feeorin said. “We jacked it near Corellia.

“Good,” Fabius said.

“Why—“ Cavyn began, but stopped himself as he saw Fabius aim right toward another TIE out the cockpit window.

“What are you doing?” Na-Soth screamed, throwing his hands over his face.

Without answering either one, Fabius screeched directly toward the oncoming TIE fighter. Although the other pilot pulled up and away just in time to avoid a collision, Fabius seemed to sense exactly what he was going to do, and pulled his ship just to the port side of that fighter, forcing it to collide directly with the smaller transport docked to the Mayan Phoenix. As Fabius’ ship spun out of control, both of the other ships disintegrated.

Though totally out of control, Fabius smiled. Twisting the controls and playing with the thrusters, he stopped the spin of the ship quick enough. As the Givin and Feeorin watched incredulously, he actually powered down the shields, weapon, and life support.

“What are you doing?” Na-Soth asked.

“Boss?” Victor asked through the com.

“Quiet,” Fabius snapped.

Closing his eyes, the Jedi-Scoundrel reached out to each of their minds, letting his thoughts merge into theirs. I know what I’m doing, he told them. You saw my ship. It’s painted to look like a starfield. With their sensors blinded temporarily by that explosion, and with all of our systems off, they won’t be able to find us.

And so you’re just going to let them go? Gervin asked into the mindlink.

Yes, Fabius answered. Not everyone need die.

REPORTS

Kane embraced the Alderaanian. “Good to see you again, Vic.”

“How you been?” Victor asked.

“Good, good. Getting a little anxious, but good,” Kane replied. He looked up at the two shipjackers walking down the exit ramp, each big smiles on their faces. “You better have taken care of my baby,” Kane said, smiling also.

“Of course,” Gervin, the Rodian said. “Would I do otherwise?”

Kane shook the Rodian’s hand as he approached, pulling his hand back with a snap. “Gervin, you are a space cowboy. I trust you about as much as I do myself.”

“That bad?” Gervin smiled, his green snout curving.

“Just about,” Kane laughed. “But I trust Cavyn to keep you in line.”

The large Feeorin smiled, shaking Fabius’ hand also. “You think he’d respect someone as old as me, but he just does what he does.”

“Sounds familiar,” Kane said. “So where’s Soth?”

“Still shutting down some of the systems,” Victor said.

Fabius shrugged. “So welcome again to Belkadan. Ready to leave?”

*           *           *

Once the Mayan Phoenix was into hyperspace, Fabius sat down with Victor. The Alderaanian ran a hand over his bald head. “I’m still not sure what your agenda is,” he said, reclining in the lounge seat.

Leaning forward on both of his knees, Fabius smiled. “We get everyone. That’s why I’ve been having you guys jack Hutt ships, Imperials, and Corporate Sector alike.”

“It’s dangerous,” Victor said. “How many enemies do you want?”

“I pay you all well,” Fabius said. “And I’d like to think the different jobs are each geared toward your own personal predilections.” When Victor said nothing, Fabius continued. “You think I like paying for you guys to jack spice ships and then burn the spice? It’s pure loss. But I know you like doing the right thing now and then.”

“And I appreciate that,” Vic said.

“But to be honest,” Fabius said. “I like it better when Soth intercepts transmissions about weapons and mechanical parts. We can jack those ships and sell the booty back to the Syndicate.”

Vic smiled. “And just pounding on Imperials now and then doesn’t hurt either.”

“Not as profitable, though,” Kane said, reclining.

“Not true,” Vic said, pointing at Kane and shaking his index finger. “We’ve had some good luck co-opting their armor and weapons. Even their ships. You’d be surprised how well the Syndicate pays for that shit. Check this out.” Vic tossed a datapad to Kane.

Kane stopped the pad in mid-air and slowly guided it toward his hand. As it came down, the numbers already started running: buttons pushed by invisible Force touches. As it fell into his hand, Kane nodded in approval. “Nice profit margin,” he said.

Vic laughed. “Now you sound like Soth.”

Kane laughed. “Please shoot me.” He looked across the lounge at Victor, as he set the datapad on the small table next to him. “The others keeping in line all right?”

Victor nodded. “Not a problem. Both Gervin and Cavyn like the juice. They just want to be in action and making money. We’re doing that. Soth, I feel like is starting to warm up to all the adventure. He’s used to sitting in a computer room all day, but getting to apply those skills in what we’re doing is starting to really appeal to him.”

“And you?” Fabius asked, his gaze penetrating into the human.

“I feel like even if we’re going about it the wrong way, we’re doing the right thing. After Alderaan’s destruction, I was no friend of the Empire. And after the Corellian Disaster, as they now call it, I am bordering on hate for them."

Victor stood up. “I’m a cop. I was a cop. You know that. So I’ve never liked crime. Even if I crossed lines here and there, it was always to get the bad guys. I’m not so sure that’s any different than what we’re doing now. Only now there are no rules. There’s no more government. We just lock and load and lash out on the closest target. Instead of waiting for crimes to be committed, like when I was a detective, we’re going after the bad guys ourselves, without waiting for them to come to us. I kinda like that.”

Kane stood also, a wide grin on his face. “It’s nice isn’t it?” Freedom?”

“Yeah,” Vic said, smiling a crooked smile. “It is.”

SUSPICIONS

She bent over, looking carefully at the computer monitors. “There,” she said, to the Imperial officer. “Zoom in on that table,” she added, pointing to the something on the screen.

“Yes, Major,” the Imperial nodded and followed her command.

“Run him through the system,” she ordered.

The Imperial captured the image of the Kel Dor and started searching. After a moment some information came up on the screen. “Ord Bloo,” he said. “Here for three nights. He pre-paid for his suite in cash.”

“Run his name through the entire system,” the female said, stroking her chin with her gloved hand.

After a moment, the Imperial pointed to the screen. “He only comes up once, Major. Apparently he made a big splash on Corellia just before the disaster there. Won a big amount of money. Hunh,” he grunted.

“What is it?” the woman asked.

“Well, it says here that he was in one of the performer’s entourages. He was presumed dead.”

“Which performer?” she asked.

“Cobalt Blue,” the Imperial replied.

“Bring him to me,” the Major snapped.

THE LAST HAND

Although Fabius had joined his crew on several missions, and had proven himself to them over and over again, as a pilot, a warrior, and a leader, this time, all he wanted to do was relax. He just wanted to have fun—something which was sorely lacking in his life as a Jedi-in-training. He was hoping to find just that here on Dubrillion.

The scoundrel that he was, that meant drinking and gambling. And if he was lucky, maybe a little extra curricular activity with some female company at the end of the night. Unfortunately, with a wanted face, this meant he needed a disguise. Even his bearded face was recognizable now. Even with the exotic cover name he had chosen, Mr. Smith, his cover would still be blown. However, his Kel Dor disguise, poor as it may have been, was still uncovered. In fact it was kind of fun. At least one patron had recognized him from his big win on Corellia. And Kane always was a sucker for a little attention.

He turned over his last card. “Sabacc again,” he said behind his air mask. “I win.” With that, Kane raked in the credits.

A Sullustan across the table tossed his cards in. “That’s enough for me, Mr. Bloo. You’ve cleaned me out.”

“Apologies,” the disguised Kane said. “No harm intended.”

With a dismissive wave, the Sullustan walked up and away.

As Kane counted his credits, he started to see the other people at the table pull away out of his peripheral vision. By the time he looked up, they were all standing several feet away, watching in fear. Kane cursed his luck. Without even looking up, he sensed what was wrong.

“Ord Bloo?” a synthetically filtered voice asked.

“What of it?” Kane asked, without looking up. Trying to keep his calm, he methodically tucked the cred-sticks into his robes.

“You’re wanted for questioning.”

Kane stood slowly, looking to his left and right. There were three Imperial Stormtroopers on either side. “I’ve done nothing wrong,” he said.

“You’ll have a chance to tell the Major that,” the stormtrooper closest to his right said.

“I came here only for rest and relaxation. I have no outstanding warrants against me,” Kane said, his hands falling to his side. His fingers twitched slightly. Ready to release the secret compartments in his gauntlets if necessary.

“Our orders are to take you to the Imperial garrison. We don’t question those orders. Come with us.” As he uttered his last sentence, the stormtrooper took hold of Kane’s brown cape.

Kane ducked downward, the air mask of his disguise getting caught on the cape tie and pulling off. As his body sank, he pulled out of the cape all together. As he stood back up, his hold-out blaster slid out of his gauntlet and into his right palm, just as his lightsaber fell into his left. Black trenchcoat flowing behind him, the lightsaber ignited with a snap-hiss and the hold-out blaster fired point-blank into the chest of the trooper grabbing him.

Kane moved faster than any of the Imperials could react. Even as the one trooper fell backward, a second blaster shot rang out over his shoulder, nailing the one behind him in the face. Catching them off-guard, Fabius was able to lean to his left and swipe the closest one there with his lightsaber. With that, he quickly looked back and forth surveying the situation, and let his hold-out blaster slide back into his gauntlet: taking the lightsaber in both hands.

It wasn’t just the stormtroopers that stared in awe. Even as the Imperials raised their weapons to fire, patrons reacted: some diving for cover, others pointing in awe. Others, like the Sullustan stormed back, oblivious to the danger. “I knew it! He cheated! That’s no Kel Dor! That’s a Jedi!”

IDENTIFICATION

The major put on her helmet. “That’s not just any Jedi,” she cursed. That’s Fabius Kane. “Order every available man down there,” she barked.

“Everyone?” the Imperial officer asked, shocked.

“Every single one,” the Major replied.

GAME OVER

“Aw shit,” Vic swore.

“Calm down,” Gervin said, “I’m not losing that bad.”

“Game’s over,” Vic said.

“What?” Gervin asked, looking back over his shoulder.

“Problems,” Vic said, running toward the melee across the casino. “Go get the others.”

THE HAND PLAYED

Fabius stood there, waiting for them. “You never can leave me alone, can you?” He smiled an angry smile. “No play time, eh? So you would rather have a Jedi as an enemy?”

The stormtroopers said nothing. The two that were shot weren’t getting up. The one scorched by Fabius’ blade was still alive, though hurt. “Open fire!” he screamed.

Fabius grinned. He had been waiting for that. As the rifle blasts tore at him, his grey blade flashed. Almost simultaneously, he reflected them all away. Two of the blasts, Kane reflected back at the Stormtroopers. One blast arced to Fabius’ right, taking out the one he had seared earlier with his lightsaber; the other fired back at the only trooper remaining to his left. Fabius leapt after the second blast. Even as he leapt over the fallen bodies of the two he had shot, he swung his blade at the third trooper in that group, cutting him in half.

Spinning, Kane instinctively deflected more blasts from the two remaining Stormtroopers. Accelerating toward them, he defended himself against yet another series of blasts with his lightsaber. Only this time, he reflected two of the blasts back at them, hitting each one. Then with a battle cry, he ran between the two, swinging his blade left and right, effortlessly, then came to a standstill, both arms held out perpindicular to the ground: unmoving. As his blade sizzled, two stormtrooper helmets fell to the ground, the heads still inside of them. The bodies collapsed a moment later.

Behind Fabius, Victor ran onto the scene, scooping up a stormtrooper’s blaster as he arrived. Victor looked around at the carnage. “Come on, Fabius,” he said. “We have to get out of here.”

“No,” Fabius said, his eyes glowering behind his blade.

“Fabius, Na-Soth just intercepted one of their transmissions. “They are sending everyone here.”
Fabius said nothing.

“Fabius,” Vic snapped. “Every Stormtrooper at the Dubrillion garrison is on its way here. Let’s go!”

CRYSTAL

Fabius continued to meditate. He did not know why, but he had been drawn to Dathomir. It was not far along the Hydian Way. It had been easy to find, and not far from Balkadan. Most importantly, Fabius had found the crystals he had needed to complete his lightsaber. He had been right to trust his instincts, in particular, because these crystals had a naturally grey hue, just the color blade he wanted to construct. The color grey was important to Fabius, because it was a tribute to his former teacher and friend, Versohk, who had been a grey-skinned Falleen.

Veroshk had been a man who knew about both light and dark. He could have taught Fabius much, had he not sacrificed himself to save Fabius. Now Fabius studied with Zyan-Krol, an ancient Draethos master. Zyan had sent Fabius away. Although the young scoundrel had arrived on Balkadan with a mechanically complete lightsaber, he had not found the crystals necessary to ignite the blade. When he had went to help his friends on Drukenwell and Kamino, he had had no lightsaber. When he had been accosted by the people that would later become his followers, he had had no lightsaber. Months later, Zyan knew it was time. Fabius could learn no more without his own lightsaber.

Yet finding the Adegan crystals on Dathomir had only been part of the deal. To make them useful, a Jedi had to prepare the crystals: meditating and imbuing them with the Force. Fabius was nearing the end of his third month on Dathomir. He had landed quietly in the Mayan Phoenix, using its stealth field. Kane had first dropped his friends off on Bonadan. They had all agreed they could find plenty to do there, as opposed to waiting things out on Belkadan.

But only after three months did Fabius feel comfortable placing the crystals just above the lens assembly and into his saber for good. As he did so, he felt a burden off his shoulders, and sighed with relief. He had quite possibly never been so patient in his life. However, Fabius had so many internal issues he had to work out in his head. Part of the time spent in meditation was finding peace within himself. Until he had done that, he could not have properly imbued the crystals with light energy.

Pulling himself up from his knees, Fabius looked across the plain. It was time.

He held the lightsaber out. He wrapped the fingers of both hands around the black hilt. His gaze intent on the not-yet-there blade, he smiled. He could see it.

His thumb hit the ignition switch and the grey blade snap-hissed to life. Months of work were not for naught. Finally, Fabius had his very own blade. Closing his eyes, he started to feel the motions that Veroshk had taught him. Sliding his feet, he assumed a battle posture. Eyes still closed, he fought tenaciously against invisible foes; a pillar of calm, Fabius elegantly worked the blade as if it was what he was born to do.

Only the clapping brought him out of his reverie.

His eyes snapped open seconds ahead of his senses. Thus he saw the man and the woman approaching from the other side of the field before he felt the slight tug of the Force from them. Who were they?

“We thought we sensed a Jedi,” the woman said.

“Who are you?” Fabius asked, lowering his blade, but keeping it ignited.

“We are Teräs Käsi,” the woman said.

“Should that mean something to me?” Fabius asked, wary of the still approaching couple.

“We are superior to the Jedi,” the man said. “We seek strength from within, not from without.”

“Great,” Fabius said. “What do you want with me?”

“Does the name Arden Lynn mean anything to you?” the woman asked.

Immediately Fabius’ mind snapped back to the site of one of his greatest failures: the three-way battle on Dagobah and the death of his comrade, Alexander. “I remember her,” Kane said after a moment. He took a few steps backward. “But I don’t remember her saying anything about any Teräs Käsi. Just that she and her friends came to practice martial arts.”

The man and the woman, starting to separate and flank Fabius as they came closer, both laughed. “Martial artists?” the man said.

“She is a Master of Teräs Käsi,” the woman said. “One of our masters.”

“And we thought she might be impressed if we brought her your head,” the man said.

“You don’t have to do this,” Fabius said.

The woman didn’t answer, but instead lunged forward with a flying kick.

Fabius rolled forward, ducking under her blow. As he stood back up, he swung his lightsaber at the approaching man. The Teräs Käsi leaned back from his waist at the last moment and dodged. Just as quickly, he dropped to the ground and lashed out with a sweep kick, knocking Fabius’ feet from under him.

The woman leapt through the air again, thrusting downward with a lethal kick meant for the Jedi’s head. Again, Kane dodged: this time, rolling to his side just in time. Instead of getting back on his feet, he paused, feeling the Force flow through him, preparing for the battle. Thus he was not caught off guard when the man pulled something out of his belt and threw it at Kane.

Instinctively, the Jedi swung his blade and deflected the projectile, reflecting toward the woman next to him, who was again about to try and stomp on Fabius. The small dart, as Fabius could now discern, landed in the woman’s abdomen. Immediately, she froze.

“No!” the man screamed. “How?”

Apparently, the man thought that Fabius would have vaporized the dart if he had been able to block the its path with his lightsaber. He underestimated the power of the Jedi. Fabius kicked off of his back and flipped onto his feet. The lightsaber spinning in his left hand, Kane swung downward and slashed through the chest of the man, who fell, screaming in pain. Immediately, Kane stepped back and thrust the blade behind him, putting it right through the stomach of the woman who had been stumbling forward.

Fabius spun and kicked her off and away from the blade. The woman fell to the ground, mouth still gaping, dead.

Spinning back the other way, Fabius turned off his blade as he approached the man. Still gripping the lightsaber tight in his hand, Fabius jammed it under the man’s chin. “Why?” he asked. “What did this gain you?”

“The Jedi will get theirs,” the man said, coughing. Looking up with venom, he spat blood on Fabius’ tunic. Fabius pushed the hilt harder under the man’s chin, forcing his head back.

“Do it,” the man said. “The Teräs Käsi will have their revenge.”

“Does anyone else in your order know what you were doing here?” Fabius asked.

“Keep talking,” the man said, coughing again. “Keep talking, if it makes you feel better. But you’ll get nothing from me.”

Fabius closed his eyes. He could feel another dart in the man’s belt. He could feel the man’s hand going for it. He could feel the poison on its tip. “Don’t do it,” he said softly, not opening his eyes.

The man said nothing, but the hand moved quickly, darting down.

Without opening his eyes, Fabius ignited his lightsaber. He did not want to open his eyes. In earlier days, Fabius would gladly have finished off a downed enemy. But not this time. He did not even want to have fought them. Fabius was sick of death. But this Teräs Käsi has forced his hand. They both had.

Fabius stood up, only opening his eyes after he had looked away. He tried to ignore the smell of burnt flesh. “Dammit,” Kane swore.

Reaching down to his own belt, Fabius retrieved his comlink. “Lenny, pull off the camouflage and bring the ship around,” he said. “We’re getting out of here.

DEALER'S CHOICE

Fabius, looked up at Victor, his eyes dangerous. “No,” he said again. “No more running.”

“What are you talking about?” Victor asked.

“Get the others,” Fabius said. “Go to the Phoenix, and blast the Imperial fighters in space. Use the moons to stay out of the way if you have to. And don’t worry, there aren’t any capital ships in orbit.”

“How could you know that?” Victor asked. “You don’t—“

“Just do what I ask,” Fabius said. “Because now the gauntlet has truly been thrown. No more hiding in the shadows. No more guerrilla attacks. Veroshk wanted an Outlaw’s Rebellion? Who’s more of an outlaw than Fabius fucking Kane? Who else does the Empire have over half a million credit bounty on?”

“Fabius—“ Victor began.

“Tonight the war starts,” Fabius said, pointing at Victor, a fire in his eyes. Turning, he walked toward the door as more Imperial Stormtroopers ushered in. “Tonight Fabius Kane fights a war,” he said, looking back one last time. “Even if the Starhammers, the Syndicate and the Hapans won’t. I will.”

ENDGAME NOW

Fabius looked at the bodies around him. He wasn’t even counting the bodies of the stormtroopers which were strewn around the casino or on his way to the garrison headquarters. He just looked about the room. Leaning back against the cold metal wall, the Jedi tried to catch his breath. His trenchcoat was in tatters. His chest and arms were scarred with blaster burns. Only his ability to heal himself had kept him alive this long.

Only his determination had kept him moving this far. Fabius wasn’t sure how to characterize his actions. His Jedi Master had told him of the great battles between the Jedi and the Sith in the past: wars of massive consequence. Jedis were at times forced into battle. Once there, they were often forced to kill. Fabius took no pride in the wake of bodies he had left behind him. The question that remained, however, was whether or not those actions were wrong.

Kane wiped the blood of a wound off of his forehead. He was not sure why he had to ask. He had always thought, even beyond his own moral ambiguity, that one would know the difference between right and wrong. Yet he did not know now. Was this battle just? Was this war just? Or had he just been annoyed to be disrupted again?

But then again, was not this what they all had said? That he had an important destiny? A destiny which he had continually fought against? Maybe Fabius was supposed to be like some of those Jedis of the past, great generals who had led Republic forces against evil. Maybe the Republic was foolish years ago when it abolished its army. Maybe every government needed an army. And every army needed a leader. Was that his destiny? Was that wrong? The only thing Fabius had ever been that good at was piloting and fighting. He was not even that great of a Jedi, he just knew how to use a lightsaber well. If that was who he was, why fight it?

Fabius pushed off the wall and walked over to the fallen Storm Commando. Her mask had been split by his second to last blow. Somehow, she had pulled away just enough so that her mask was sliced open, but her face was untouched. After that, Fabius had followed up with a kick, knocking her backward; her head had hit against the far wall and knocked her out.

Fabius turned off his lightsaber and knelt next to her. He pulled her hair out of her face. She was beautiful. Such a shame. He knew her face. Her eyes flickered open. She coughed. Her eyes went wide. She started to reach for a weapon.

Fabius held her wrist firmly. “Trust me,” he said. “You don’t want to do that.”

“What have you done?” she asked.

“I destroyed your outpost,” Fabius said evenly.

“There will be reinforcements in here any moment, Kane,” the woman spat.

Kane looked down at her sleeve. “No Major. There won’t be. They’re all dead.”

The woman bit off her reply. Kane’s words sunk in.

“We have to stop meeting like this,” Kane said, the barest hint of a smile in his placid face. “What’s your name?”

The female storm commando glared at Kane. “Major Noleen Veskrayet.”

“Mind if I call you Noleen?” Kane asked.

The storm commando pushed away from Kane, and slid to a sitting position against the wall. In the same movement, she pulled her blaster out.

Kane was quicker, reaching out with the Force, and pulling the blaster to him. As soon as he had it, he tossed it behind him, staring at her the whole time. “Don’t waste both of our time,” he snapped.

“Hah,” she laughed, her eyes blazing. “And what about you? What about the bullshit you spouted about being innocent on Bespin? About Colonel Brecht framing you? What should I think about that now that you’ve murdered an entire Imperial garrison?”

Kane walked forward on his knees, his eyes boring into the Major. “Nothing changes,” he said. “I never said I was innocent. Just innocent of that. And even here, I believe I was minding my own business, when you sent your troops after me.”

“I knew something was suspicious about that Kel Dor. About you.”

“Why?”

“Because of your association with Cobalt Blue. Because you should have been dead.”

Kane knelt directly before her, pulling up on one foot and one knee. “But did I do anything wrong? Did you have any real cause to accost me?”

“What,” the Major said, eyes glaring. “You think the Empire should just wait for troublemakers to break the law? Why bother when we can stop them first?”

“Even if you scoop up innocents by so doing?”

“So what?” the Major said. “Better to lock up one innocent man, than let 10 other scum go free.”

Fabius shook his head. “Major, when last we met, I was persuaded you might be an honest woman. So let me say only this. All I ever wanted was to settle in a quiet corner of the galaxy. But your people—people like Tremayne—always kept coming after me. People like you. And today, you pushed me past my threshold of tolerance. If the Empire’s New Order can not be counted on to treat the people fairly, and allow them to live free, then the power must be returned to the people.”

“Noble nonsense,” the Major said, her face close to Fabius’. “The people don’t want power. They want safety, security, and order. The Empire gives them that.”

Fabius smiled a tight-lipped smile. “Perhaps. But then maybe I’m taking a page from your book and acting preemptively. I’m not going to wait for a millennia of oppression before I return the Republic to the people. I will give them freedom now. Just as they begin to see the evil of the Empire for what it is,” he said, standing at the end of his words.

“And you think what you did today will make you a hero?” the Major asked.

Kane pulled some manacles off of the floor and approached the Major. He waved his hand in front of her face, and her eyes went blank. He quickly put one manacle over her hand and the other over a thick conduit running through the wall. That would keep her from moving for quite a while. She shook her head even as she stood.

“Hey!” she snapped.

“We’ll see,” Fabius said. “I won’t presume to speak for the people. I guess only time will tell whether what happened here makes me a hero or a villain. But either way, I’m sure you’ll make sure they know who did it.”

“And that’s why you’re keeping me alive?” the Major said, already yanking on the manacle, testing it.

“Would you rather be dead?” Fabius asked.

Major Veskrayet said nothing.

Fabius bowed, keeping his eyes on the female Storm Commando. “I’m sure we’ll meet again. And who knows,” he said, his eyes sparkling. “Maybe instead of the fire that I see in your eyes now, you might actually see some of the wisdom in my words.”

“Don’t count on it,” the Major said.

Fabius picked up a blaster and fried the last of the Imperial controls still active. He then tossed the rifle and looked back down at Veskrayet. “Don’t worry. The explosives I rigged across the rest of your headquarters shouldn’t destroy this little office. It’s very well protected.”

“I will see you again,” Veskrayet swore.

Fabius pulled the hood from his trenchoat over his head. “I’m sure you will,” he said, even as explosions sounded elsewhere.

REVELATIONS

The departing Mayan Phoenix kicked up a storm of dust as Leia approached. Kane could feel her anger.

“What ship was that departing as we came in?” Fabius asked innocently.

Leia stood there, her usually placid countenance holding back anger.

“Easy,” Fabius said, feeling her rage.

“What have you done?” she asked, her arms akimbo.

Fabius walked past her, a bag draped over his shoulder.

“It was a Hapan ship,” Leia said to Fabius’ back. The scoundrel-Jedi paused. “They decided it was important enough to come see me to tell me that a Jedi had declared war on the Empire at Dubrillion! Some idiot named Fabius Kane. What were you thinking?”

“You are one of the people that keeps telling me not to fight my destiny. So I didn’t.” Kane turned slowly, even as he pushed his bag away toward the house, with the Force. “For once, I accepted the role that I felt instinctively was mine.”

“By declaring war?”

Kane turned and followed his still floating bag. “If that’s what I’m supposed to do, so be it.”

Leia shook her head. "There's more bad news," she said. "There's a new High Inquisitor. Her name's Mara Jade."

"Who?" Fabius asked.

"I don't know," Leia said.

"It doesn't matter," Kane said. "They were bound to do something."

“And now?” Leia asked.

Kane paused. He turned, holding out his hand. “We finish our training. Come on.”

Leia shook her head in disbelief. But she walked forward and took his hand. As they walked, she hooked her arm instead through Kane’s. “And that’s it?” she asked.

“We’ll just have to trust that we’ll know when to act again,” Kane said. “And not a moment sooner.”