May The Invisible Hand Be With You - (Star Wars CK2-Style Quest)

[Panory]

Date Night​

If there was one thing Galvin had learned in his years as a mercenary, it was that preparation was the most instrumental aspect of any successful plan. And his preparations tonight were more perfect than anything he'd ever put together prior. Reservations at the restaurant had been made and confirmed, the flowers had arrived in beautiful condition alongside a heart shaped box of chocolates, and his best outfit still fit perfectly. And to top it all off, he was fully ready a full hour in advance.

A knock on the door stopped his self-congratulatory back patting and made him a bit confused. Opening it a crack to peek out, Galvin grew both infinitely calmer and infinitely more nervous when he saw it was just Silas.

"What do you want old man?" he asked tersely, eager to get the conversation over with and get back to being perfectly ready for his date with Cheriss.

"Nice to see you too." said Silas, acting more offended than he probably was before sighing. "Chora and I are off to invite Senator Chuchi to Ciaran's coup meeting. We can't take Oki with us though, and someone has to watch her. So be a good cousin and watch her for me, okay?"

Galvin opened the door farther, and saw Oki sulking beside Silas. Seeing his look of irritation, his Clawdite 'cousin' was quick to defend herself. "Don't look at me, it was his idea. I wanted to go along, but nooooo."

"The last thing we need in a diplomatic meeting is an underage changeling." said Silas to Oki before turning back to Galvin. "So anyways, here you go. You two behave yourselves now." Silas shoved Oki through the door past Galvin and slammed it shut in the Zeltron's face. Galvin furiously opened the door to give the old man a piece of his mind, but Silas was gone upon opening the door.

Growling in frustration, he turned to look at Oki, who had made herself comfortable on his couch. "Oh hey, chocolate." She said, reaching for the box.

"Touch it and I shoot you." he warned. Oki retracted her hand like she had touched a burning hot pan.

"Alright alright, jeez. Didn't know you loved chocolate that much." said Oki, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

"They're not for me. They're a gift for Cheriss." Said Galvin, moving the box of chocolate to a more out of the way location. Giving it another second's thought, he moved the flowers as well.

"Who, the Togruta scientist girl? You two are a couple?" asked Oki. "Oh, the flowers were for her too. I just thought your interior decorating skills were as terrible as your fashion sense. If you're trying to impress her, you might want to be presentable for the general public as a baseline."

Galvin glared at his younger cousin. "Nothing will make me happier than going to the restaurant and leaving you here."

"If you leave me, I'll tell Silas." threatened Oki. The worst part was that Galvin didn't know her well enough to figure out if she was serious.

Glaring at an unperturbed Oki, Galvin called up the restaurant. "Hi, Galvin Thorn, I have a reservation in about an hour. How much would it be to add another person? That much?! No no, I understand why, it's just… Yes, alright." Galvin hung up. "The old bastard owes me a lot of credits for this."

XXX​

Cheriss looked across the candlelit table at Galvin. When he had invited her over, she hadn't expected much out of the ordinary, but she had been proven wrong and showered with flowers, sweets, and whisked away to a ridiculously fancy restaurant. It had been more than she had anticipated in every way.

Including the number of people present. Oki had been quiet and out of the way, true to her word at the beginning of their…. their date. But it was still somewhat distracting to have someone else intently watching them from the side of the table. She was awkward enough on regular dates, she didn't need this added variable.

Galvin could see her beginning to panic, and he reached across the table to grab her hand. "Hey, calm down. It's just us, on a date. No big deal."

"Yeah, no big deal." Oki chimed in.

"Quiet, you." Snapped Galvin, not even looking in her direction. Oki shrugged, and returned to her own food. The soothing words and contact with Galvin worked, and Cheriss did calm down significantly.

The date progressed exceedingly well from that point on, even if any more risqué behavior was curtailed by Oki's presence. By the time Silas came to get her in the morning, Galvin was just about ready to shoot the both of them.


AN: Happy Valentine's Day. Just remember that even when you're not dating them, your cousins will cockblock you.

 

[Panory]

Unrequested Aid​

Grievous ran through the battlefield like none could stop him. Most fled before him in justifiable terror, but a select few who were either incredibly brave or incredibly idiotic stood their ground and futilely fought back. Given that they had aligned themselves with a criminal group foolish enough to use the name of the Black Sun, Grievous could only assume they were idiots. Or had been idiots at any rate, as Grievous slaughtered them to a man.

Those who had run were more irritating, but ultimately dead men walking. The entrances to the base had been sealed shut, save for the one with Grievous between it and them, and the Abyss Watchers had established a perimeter to eliminate any that actually made it out of the base. It was only a matter of time, but Grievous disliked wasting his time on these fools.

Then something appeared to save him some time. In front of the retreating 'Black Sun' members, two Jedi appeared, twirling around their golden lightsabers and slicing down the pirates. The criminals panicked as Grievous rushed in from the other side, more intent on reaching the Jedi to demand answers than actually crush the 'Black Sun' group. The poor fools didn't even have time to decide whether to meet their end at the hands of the Kaleesh general or the two Jedi before the decision was made for them.

Once the last of them fell, the two Jedi relaxed, lowering their lightsabers if not extinguishing them. Grievous stood just outside comfortable reach of the energy blades, his height still allowing him to glare down at the two intruders of his personal quest to maintain his legacy. Still, Lady Ciaran would be cross with him if he slaughtered them outright. "What business do the Jedi have here?" Grievous spat the words from between clenched teeth.

"This has no connection to the Jedi Order as a whole." said one of the Jedi, either not noticing or simply ignoring the antagonistic tone Grievous had addressed them with. "The Jedi Sentinels have been neglecting our duties to reciprocate Lady Ciaran for the information she has shared with us in the past. While we cannot condone many of her more… illicit activities, we can turn a blind eye and aid her endeavors that more closely align with the Jedi Code."

"Indeed." agreed the other one. "Our mission as Jedi is to bring peace to the galaxy, and ending these sorts of criminals early is a noble, if violent way to accomplish that goal."

"I do not recall request assistance in this matter." spat Grievous, making no effort to hide his displeasure at the Jedi arriving to interfere with his mission.

"The Jedi Sentinels will never respond to requested aid from anyone but the Jedi High Council. To do otherwise would be blatant corruption, counter to every moral principle of not just the Sentinels, but the Jedi Order as a whole." explained one of the Jedi Sentinels. "However, if our goals happen to align, there is no moral conflict attached to our help."

Grievous glared angrily, considering his response. On one hand, he despised the idea of the Jedi helping him, when they and their precious Order had been responsible for much of his people's suffering. On the other hand, Lady Ciaran would no doubt wish to foster this relationship into yet another tool for her to use, and would be irritated if he unilaterally decided to terminate a business arrangement of hers based on a personal vendetta.

In the end, he settled for a compromise. "Do as you will, but I will not allow any outside interference on my missions. You Jedi will have to stick your noses elsewhere."

The Jedi looked at Grievous with annoyance. "Very well, if you insist." With that, the two Jedi Sentinels extinguished their lightsabers and moved past Grievous. When he turned to eye them with suspicion, they had vanished. Frustrated, Grievous punched the wall of the base, denting it slightly.


AN: The phrase "unrequested aid" struck me as odd. Random Jedi appearing unbidden, helping out and then vanishing into the shadows once more. By the by, we should totally be able to exploit our connection with the Sentinels as a potential weapon against Sidious. Doesn't have to be directly, but they'd no doubt be willing to eliminate some of Sheev's infrastructure if we inform them that it's owned by a Sith Lord.

Also, this was going to be longer, but a shiny on the Jedi Sentinel wiki page led me to something way juicier. Best part is, we might already have it.

 

[Publicola]

This medium is classified SECRET Abyss Watchers property. Protect it from unauthorized transmission or disclosure in compliance with applicable protocols and directives.

Click to shrink...

RA 167/422​

SECRET

ABYSS WATCHERS: RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
LH-3210 ORACLE​

14:9:24​

PRELIMINARY REPORT FOR:

Var Zheen, CSO
Cheriss Sair, CRO
Lady Ciaran​

SUBJECT: Overview of Anomalous Materials and their Applications

ABSTRACT: Due to their scarcity and variety, 'Anomalous Materials' remain rarely studied and poorly understood. Nevertheless, such materials offer clear opportunities for military and economic application, and further research and analysis would be immensely rewarding.

CONTENTS:

INTRODUCTION

DEFINITIONS: 'Anomalous Materials' (AM): a technical classification for rare materials whose properties are unique or otherwise unexplained. Should the properties of an AM ever be fully understood or revealed by further analysis, such an AM would be promptly reclassified.

LIMITATIONS: In general, any given AM tends to be extraordinarily rare. Many AM exist only on a single planet; few exist on more than a handful. While certain AMs offer extraordinary benefits for military or economic application, their scarcity would in many cases preempt any widespread use.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, SINGLE-MATERIAL: As the exact mechanisms by which an AM operates are poorly understood, these materials present grave safety concerns for researchers. When running an initial analysis of an AM, utilize the most stringent safety precautions available to your lab. Such safeguards may be partially relaxed with further testing, but never treat any AM as safe while it remains classified as an AM.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, MULTIPLE-MATERIAL: While it is possible to study or craft applications for a single AM with an acceptable level of safety, attempts to examine the interaction or application of multiple AMs in a single project must be considered extraordinarily hazardous. Such projects should only be undertaken in designated deep-space research facilities, far from concentrated population centers. Exhaustive testing would be required before such a multiple-AM project be moved to primary labs on the Oracle or elsewhere.
​

GROUP I: ANOMALOUS MATERIALS WITH DAMAGE-RESISTANT PROPERTIES

ITEM 1: CORTOSIS

'Cortosis' is primarily known for its tendency to violently disrupt lightsaber blades; however, this is merely an applied instance of the unique property of pure cortosis to redirect energy and disrupt energy fields. It is for this reason that cortosis is considered an Anomalous Material. In addition to its most distinctive ability, cortosis is one of the best materials in the galaxy for resisting heat and electromagnetic energy. Though extraordinarily brittle in its pure form, cortosis alloys are considerably more resistant to kinetic energy, while losing little of the thermal and electromagnetic resistance that defines the pure variants.

Cortosis and its alloys are primarily considered for military applications (such as anti-lightsaber armor or weaponry), but the economic and industrial applications of such material technology should be obvious, however untapped such applications may be. While the properties of cortosis remain poorly understood, the material itself has been subject to thousands of years of military application, and may thus be considered one of the safest AMs on this list.

Moreover, cortosis is significantly less scare than other materials on this list -- known cortosis deposits exist on Bal'demnic, Obredaan, Apatros, Duro, and Katanos VII, with other rumored sources around the Outer Rim and Wild Space. Accordingly, cortosis products may in fact be viable for large-scale use.

ADDENDUM TO ITEM 1: CORTOSIS. For additional analysis, see RA 167/762 "Materials Analysis for Cortosis and Derivative Alloys." (15:2:33)
​

ITEM 2: BESKAR

'Beskar' (also known as 'Mandalorian Iron') is not in fact a distinct Anomalous Material, nor is it related to iron. Beskar is in fact a family of naturally-occurring cortosis alloys found solely within the Mandalore system, principally on Mandalore proper and on its moon Concordia.

In most alloys, the cortosis forms a distinctive nano-scale honeycomb lattice, within which another material such as durasteel is suspended. In beskar, the other material alloyed is fully integrated within the lattice, such that the resulting alloy contains very little pure cortosis and demonstrates none of cortosis's vulnerability to kinetic force. Moreover, while much of cortosis's ability to disrupt electromagnetic energy is lost, beskar is still capable of resisting magnetic fields, and thus retains the ability to resist lightsabers.

Beskar's use in Mandalorian armor is well-documented and date from the earliest days of Mandalorian civilization; however, its uses for industrial applications appear to be largely unexplored. However, the widespread use of beskar'gam and beskar'kandar indicate that, like cortosis, this is a thoroughly time-tested AM that may be considered safe for routine analysis and application. Investment in Concordia beskar mines, for additional samples and sufficient supply for wide-spread use.
​

ITEM 3: PHRIK

'Phrik' is perhaps the most promising type of Anomalous Material currently under study at this time. There is evidence that phrik (or an alloy quite like it) was used as armor and starship plating by the Fenelar race as early as four millennia ago, but Fenel was conquered by the Mandalorian Crusaders, their species driven to extinction and their technology faded to obscurity. The rediscovery of the phrik alloy occurred last year, in an isolated Weapons Research Facility run by the CIS out of the Fest system, lying between Neutral and Muun Space. Unfortunately for them, the facility's transmissions were intercepted by Kal Skirata's Omega Squad, who raided the base and seized the research and AM. Skirata's men have been sitting on it ever since, but now that we're cooperating, they've provided samples for us to examine.

Phrik is an artificial alloy with two main components. The first is phrikite, the rare ore found only on Anteevy and on the 'blood moon 'of Gromas XVI -- both in the northwest Mid Rim (in the Esuain and Perkell sectors respectively), both on the very border of Neutral Space. The second component is tydirium, another rare ore found in primarily on Fest -- which explains why the CIS research station was based there. In its pure form, the phrik alloy is astonishingly light and virtually indestructible, requiring a full order of magnitude more energy to damage or deform than even beskar. More notably, its damage-resistance seems to apply to all forms of energy equally -- kinetic, thermal, electromagnetic.

Most intriguing, however, is the alloy's unbelievable malleability: it can be alloyed with almost any other substance, and has demonstrated a tendency to assimilate properties of materials it is mixed with. One notable instance came during early experimentation, which a small sample of phrik alloy was melted and absorbed into samples of local bedrock. Preliminary scans showed no indication of the alloy, but when we tried to drill through the bedrock sample, our laboratory's high-performance drill assembly literally shattered after 1.6 seconds of attempted penetration. Potential applications of this AM beggar belief, and should enable some frankly ludicrous engineering projects.

ADDENDUM TO ITEM 3: PHRIK. All Abyss Watcher personnel are reminded that all phrik samples are confined to designated deep-space facilities, that any unattended phrik sample outside those facilities constitutes a class-four violation of Abyss Watcher protocol, and that transportation or analysis of other Anomalous Materials are strictly prohibited from facilities that contain phrik. Violation of these provisions will be punished by immediate dismissal for cause and without compensation, with possible legal action to follow. (14:9:25)
​

GROUP II: ANOMALOUS MATERIALS WITH ENHANCEMENT EFFECTS

ITEM 1: AGROCITE

'Agrocite' is an unusually common form of Anomalous Material, with known caches on three planets: Simocadia (in the southwestern Inner Rim), Khorm (in the northeastern Mid Rim, just outside CNS borders), and Mygeeto (in the northern Outer Rim, within Muun Space). It is unknown why deposits of the crystalline ore would develop in those three planets and no others.

The physical structure of agrocite is comprised of a great number of nano-sized nodules that contain and stabilize pockets of extremely energetic exotic matter. When a nodule is breached, the exotic matter immediately volatilizes into a micro-pulsar that releases energy at a steady rate, for up to 10 microseconds. The military application is obvious: a properly tuned turbolaser blast, fired through a mass of agrocite, induces the exotic matter to react and release its energy in the same direction and same form, thus amplifying the turbolaser's power by as much as 80% (a perfect doubling would only be possible under conditions of no energy loss or inefficiency). It is no surprise that all three planets with agrocite caches have been identified as strategic targets for both sides of the war, and have seen fierce fighting as a result.

As for the AM itself, while the effects and military applications are well understood, very little else is. The exotic matter itself remains a complete mystery -- any sensor that could penetrate the agrocite sample would simple breach the nodules and consume the energy for a boosted sensory analysis of whatever material lay behind the sample. Moreover, once the nodules are breached, it does not last long enough to properly examine, and no attempts to stabilize it have yet succeeded. The precise magnitude of amplification seems to rely entirely on the volume of agrocite being utilized, though this may be a artifact of how many nodules are breached by an energy blast (in which case extra density would serve just as well).

Most concerningly, the energy-amplifying effect occurs only at specific, discrete energy wavelengths. Thus, at one setting, the agrocite would boost the turbolaser; at another, it may seem to have no effect at all; at a third, the AM may twist the breaching energy back on itself, resulting in total detonation of the agrocite sample. Needless to say, despite its long history of use, agrocite should only be examined in small quantities, lest larger stockpiles of this AM explode due to insufficient precaution or experimental error.
​

ITEM 2: HIRIDIU

In academic debates over the nature of Anomalous Materials, beskar is commonly cited as evidence that most AMs are naturally occurring. When the opposing argument is made, 'hiridiu' is invariably Exhibit A. Detailed atomic-scale analysis of the crystal (found only on the planet Generis in the northern Outer Rim) have revealed complex structures reminiscent of computer networks and logic gates, despite their apparent natural occurrence, and despite the lack of any 'computer program' that might flow through them.

Given the proximity of Generis to the Gree Enclave, it has been hypothesized that the planet was once a colony world of the Gree, and the hiridiu deposits found in the southern ice cap were created by them sometime before their decline. On the other hand, given the presence of numerous Rakatan Temple ruins across the planet, it is perhaps more likely that Generis was a Rakatan colony world, and that the hiridiu derived from their technology instead.

Even in its raw, unprocessed form, hiridiu is capable of boosting any communications signal in its vicinity, with absolutely no distortion. When processed, hiridiu crystals may be arranged to increase the efficiency of the amplification effect, or shape it into a directed broadcast. This might enable communications equipment to transmit and receive signals much further than otherwise possible, or to communicate with a specific target with as much danger that the signal would be intercepted.

When this AM was first discovered, the lack of distortion led researchers to suspect that the crystals were broadcasting in a coordinated manner. Further experimentation revealed that even when a hiridiu sample was deliberately arranged to generate destructive interference, the crystals appeared to spontaneously adjust to the signal as it was received. Questions of where the energy to amplify the signal originates, why the hiridiu came to be arranged in such a distinctive pattern, and how the crystal coordinates its signal, all remain unanswered. Regardless, the military and industrial applications of this AM are obvious.
​

GROUP III: ANOMALOUS MATERIALS WITH NULLIFICATION EFFECTS

ITEM 1: IONITE

'Ionite' was a recently discovered Anomalous Material, found exclusively on the Outer Rim planet of Bandomeer, near Mandalore and Taris in the middle of Neutral Space. The AM was brought to our attention after noticing that some of our Tarisian refugees were earning a steady income from the sale of mechanical clocks to Bandomeer miners.

The initial reports on ionite indicated that the AM was characterized by a naturally alternating current; however, that is both inaccurate and misleading. Rather, ionite projects a field that reacts with electrical current by generating a current of equal power in the opposing direction, resulting in total destructive interference. This field is projected through all known forms of energy barriers, and can attain at least partial penetration through all known forms of matter.

It should be noted that there is a defined lower limit on how much current would trigger the ionite field -- this was confirmed by one of the first experiments involving the AM, and explains why life forms have no need to worry about neurological disruption. Even so, study of ionite and its nullification field has proceeded with extraordinary care, as this AM tends to destructively nullify any equipment used to examine it. Even the atomic structure of ionite remains a mystery at this time.

Successive experiments have shown that the ionite field's radius, and nullification capacity, increases in direct relation with the mass and density of the ionite. The densest veins of unprocessed ionite has shown indications of canceling other forms of energy, and it is theorized that when processed to sufficient density, such material could nullify not only broad swathes of the electromagnetic spectrum, but possibly kinetic or even thermal energy as well.

Needless to say, experimental testing of such theories would only take place in a deep-space facilities, lest they result in significant loss of life and property. Our researchers have also theorized that an ionite sample might be treated in such a way to generate a single strong pulse of its nullification field, extending over a much larger area than a sustained field would affect. However, such applications remain speculative at this time.
​

GROUP IV: ANOMALOUS MATERIALS WITH DIMENSIONAL EFFECTS

ITEM 1: HIBRIDIUM

'Hibridium' is a rare Anomalous Material found exclusively along the Locura coastline on Garos IV, a Mid Rim plane that recently joined Neutral Space. Raw hibridium deposits are known to muffle and distort emissions and sensor readings. Upon closer examination, it was found that hibridium actually moves itself slightly out of phase with reality.

When extracted and processed into a cloaking array, hibridium is capable of generating the same dimensional field for larger objects in close proximity, such as a starship. However, the energy requirements of such a device are at this time prohibitively high, while the device itself occupies about twice as much space as a standard Corellian Class 1.5 Hyperdrive, making it useful only for larger freighters and cruiser-class ships or larger.

Moreover, it's worth noting that a hibridium cloaking device renders the affected vessel at once both undetectable and totally blind, as energy and matter will simply pass through the vessel without interacting with it. Theoretically, this would also make hibridium-equipped ships invulnerable to kinetic or energetic weapons. However, this has not yet been tested, as it is hypothesized that a sufficiently vigorous energy blast would penetrate the dimensional field and cause to fail in a potentially violent manner. On the other hand, when the hibidrium device is deactivated and the dimensional field is dropped, the preceding gravitic pulse has been observed to displace any matter that would otherwise occupy the same space as the once-cloaked vessel, so perhaps a hibridium field failure would be less hazardous than we suspect.

Research for using hibridium displacement fields for industrial purposes -- holding one thing in place while hibridium-engaged matter rephases around it -- remains hypothetical, though for obvious reasons such research would be restricted to deep-space facilities in case of catastrophic failure.
​

ITEM 2: STYGIUM

'Stygium' (also known as 'Stealth Crystals') is another single-planet Anomalous Material found exclusively on Aeten II, a planet in the Dreighton Nebula of Wild Space, near Kalee. While there are hints that stygium was used during the Cold War two thousand years before the Ruusan Reformation, records are clear that sustained mining on Aeten II didn't begin until the planet was settled by the Republic around the time of the Reformation, a little less than a thousand years ago. Unfortunately, while the stygium deposits were by early accounts considered practically limitless, extensive freeholder corporate and freeholder mining efforts have severely depleted the most accessible veins. This led the Galactic Senate to pass a law two years ago banning the export of stygium crystals, along with occasional skirmishes between Republic and Separatist forces over the planet -- though the limited availability of this AM means that neither side has invested heavily in seizing the planet.

It should be possible to obtain additional stygium veins within the planet's interior, but the energy requirements for penetrating the crust would make extraction costs quite prohibitive. Given the strip-mining that took place in the decade before the export ban, it may be far more cost-effective seek out stygium crystal troves in corporate storehouses around the galaxy. Records indicate that this has been the strategy of both the Republic and Separatist faction -- fierce fighting has taken place over the planet Maramere in the southeastern Outer Rim, a backwater world once controlled by Cato Neimoidia and which, our Seekers suspect, was used as a repository for the Trade Federation's stygium surplus.

Stygium itself is considered so valuable because it can be used for cloaking devices that do not render the target vessel within blind to its surroundings. Like hibridium, stygium generates a dimensional field slightly out of phase with the rest of reality -- unlike hibridium, this field maintains electromagnetic 'tethers' that connect the field to what lies around it. This enables a stygium-equipped stealth ship to maintain a full field of view and full sensor readings from within, even while being essentially undetectable from without.

However, stygium cloaking fields are not perfectly undetectable from without. Specifically, the electromagnetic tethers which bind the vessel to space around it also leaves a faint magnetic residue that, with adequate sensing equipment, can be tracked as the vessel's signature. Stygium-cloaked vessels are also vulnerable to outside attack, unlike hibridium-equipped vessels that would be theoretically immune to electromagnetic or kinetic weapons. Even so, as attested by the successful field performance of Lady Ciaran's Scimitar, stygium-based cloaking devices remain the galaxy's preference for comprehensive large-scale stealth devices.
​

GROUP V: ANOMALOUS MATERIALS WITH VARIABLE EFFECTS

SUBCATEGORY 1: LIGHTSABER CRYSTALS

While the Jedi Order has successfully suppressed most research into the inner workings of lightsabers, we are able to confirm that lightsabers almost invariably employ some form of Anomalous Material. As there is only one part of a lightsaber that cannot be sourced from otherwise standard technical parts, it is plainly obvious that the lightsaber crystal at the heart of a saber is that AM.

Strangely, our analysis of crystals harvested from Dantooine -- which include kathracite, relacite, danite, mephite, rubat, bondar, and even a few Ultima Pearls -- indicate that most lightsaber crystals are not especially unique or exotic. But there are countless records of the very same crystals demonstrating a wide range of anomalous effects after being incorporated as the focus of a lightsaber. More frustratingly for our researchers and archivists, such effects are remarkably inconsistent, and appear to be only tangentially related to the original crystal type.

While their Order is officially silent on the matter, individual Jedi have been known to speak at length on the deep and personal meaning of their sabers and the subtle differences in construction that differentiate them. While each individual lightsaber may be uniquely constructed to maximize the connection between the Force User and the blade, the differences can be practically impossible for an outside observer to notice, especially given the sheer variance in Jedi fighting style. Further analysis of individual crystals is strongly recommended.

Of far greater interest to our researchers, is the implication that Jedi are able to transmute otherwise commonplace crystals into unique forms of AM. Tellingly, many Jedi consider the construction of their lightsaber to be a sign of Force mastery, and records indicate that such construction often takes place while the Jedi are in a trance-like state. The obvious implication is that these Jedi are using the Force to imbue the crystal with its unique properties, which may shed light on why most forms of AM are themselves crystalline in nature.
​

CONCLUSION

'Anomalous Materials' remain a great untapped source of military and industrial potential in the galaxy. While most parties are content to use these materials for only the most obvious functions, our researchers have concluded that closer inspection would reveal far more rewarding applications. The way forward is admittedly difficult and expensive, but the promised rewards are breath-taking in their scale and scope. By fully utilizing AM, the Abyss Watchers would secure their place in the history of the galaxy: first, by pioneering such innovative uses of unique materials; second, by employing these materials in such noble endeavors as Lady Ciaran directs -- from Karada Corporation, to the Silver Cross, to the Council of Neutral Systems and her peace-making efforts that lately bore so much fruit at Caamas; and third, by becoming insanely rich as being the first to capitalize on such untapped potential.

In addition, Lady Ciaran is uniquely positioned to take the lead in this matter. As one of the richest individuals in the galaxy, she is more than able to afford such research; as the head of the Abyss Watchers and aforementioned organizations, she has the resources and connections to make use of any discoveries made in her efforts across the galaxy; and as the galaxy's most renowned philanthropists and head of one of the largest and most effective charities during the late outbreak of war, Lady Ciaran has the reputation to allow her to readily gather large amounts of AM without generating undue suspicion by other parties. After all, who else could be trusted with such materials that could work such devastation were they to fall into the wrong hands?
​

DISTRIBUTION

This overview was intended to provide a broad summary of Anomalous Materials currently being researched or targeted for feasibility studies by the Abyss Watchers, along with relevant background information for our nontechnical personnel. This was not intended as an exhaustive report in either scope or depth.

This overview was formally classified SECRET due to the references to classified Abyss Watcher activities mentioned throughout. Should such references be redacted, or non-classified information be extracted into materials analysis reports on individual Anomalous Materials, such contents could be safely reclassified as CONFIDENTIAL/FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY and more widely distributed.
​

REPORT PREPARED BY:

Irits Kejorn

Lead Researcher, Exotic Materials
Abyss Watchers: Research & Development
​

This medium is classified SECRET Abyss Watchers property. Protect it from unauthorized transmission or disclosure in compliance with applicable protocols and directives.

Click to shrink...

A/N: Credit for initial write-up goes to @random_npc.

 

[Panory]

The Diplomatic Adventures of Obi-wan Kenobi​

"Uncle Borvo, I have a question for you." asked Ciaran as she entered the Hutt's quarters unannounced. Most people would have been killed for so casually entering the presence of a Hutt crime lord, but, as in many areas, Ciaran was a special case.

"Ask away." said Borvo, turning away from the endless spreadsheets that represented the considerable assets of the Abyss Watchers.

"I was going over the files from PR-1's last briefing in depth, because I was afraid HK-47 would have glossed something important over just because it didn't involve killing things." said Ciaran, gesturing to files in her hand. "And I was right. What can you tell me about Da Soocha?"

"Hohoho. That's a name I've not heard since I was a Huttlet." laughed the Hutt crime lord. "They say it is a planet with a singular, living ocean. Able to communicate with those it deems worthy. It's captured the imaginations of every Hutt at some point in their lives."

"And are those stories true at all? Is the ocean of the planet truly alive?" asked Ciaran, eyes hopeful and smile incorrigible.

"I seem to recall Jabba searching the planet out once on a whim. He found nothing of interest save an endless ocean. If it could talk, it didn't to him." said Borvo. "I'm sorry to disappoint."

"Oh no, that's what I was hoping for. What use do I have for talking water? It would be an interesting diversion, but nothing more." chuckled Ciaran. "Do you think you could get the coordinates of the planet from Jabba and send them to me?"

"Jabba is usually reluctant to part with anything, even if it has no value." warned Borvo. "Still, if I mention it's you making the request, he may be willing to share something he's found worthless."

"Perfect. This'll be great." smirked Ciaran. "I'll leave you to it then. Thank you." With that, Ciaran left, laughing manically.

XXX​

"A planet in the Cyax system?" asked Obi-wan, stroking his beard as he perused the files.

"Yes. It's in Hutt space, but the Hutt's haven't bothered to explore that region as far as we can tell." said the Jedi Sentinel. "You were recommended to make contact with the planet's lifeform due to your diplomatic experience and position on the Jedi Council."

Ever perceptive, Obi-wan picked up on a word that seemed out of place. "Wait, lifeform? Singular?"

"Yes. The planet is apparently covered in water." The Sentinel leaned in and whispered after looking around to ensure there were no eavesdroppers. "Sentient water."

"You mean the ocean is alive?" asked Obi-wan incredulously. "That seems rather farfetched."

"Our informant has yet to disappoint us, and they've been supplying information to us for years now." said the Sentinel, attempting to quell Master Kenobi's suspicions. "Can we trust you to fulfill the mission?"

"I'll admit, the possibility has me rather intrigued." Admitted Obi-wan, stroking his beard in thought once more. "Very well, I'll see if I can't make contact with this living ocean. I can't imagine how it would communicate, but the Force is universal."

"Indeed it is." agreed the Sentinel. "Thank you for your cooperation."

"Of course, it's no trouble at all." said Obi-wan, staring down at the spare information they had given him, mostly consisting of the planet's name, the rumors of the sentient ocean, and the coordinates of the system. By the time Obi-wan looked up, the Sentinel had vanished. "Of course." he deadpanned.

XXX​

Obi-wan disengaged his fighter from the hyperdrive docking ring above the blue planet. Reports were accurate so far, the planet was in the middle of nowhere, Hutt Space, and covered entirely in ocean. Entering the planet's atmosphere, Obi-wan scanned the surface for hours, eventually finding a small area where the water was shallow enough to land.

Touching down, he jumped out of his ship into about a foot of water that lapped the bottom of his ship's hull. "You stay there R4. I don't want you shorting out on me." His astromech droid beeped back a response. He got the gist of it, a reluctant confirmation, though he'd never had Anakin's talent for understanding droids.

Deciding to start with the obvious possibility, Obi-wan shouted out in common, "Hello? I've come to negotiate contact in peace." Answered only by the sound of the waves, Obi-wan felt like a bit of an idiot. He was only glad Anakin, or Force forbid Ciaran, was here to see this. "If you can understand me, give me a sign of some sort."

Unless the living ocean considered being water a sign, Obi-wan was forced to accept that the sentient water didn't understand speech. Which made sense. Since it was water…

Obi-wan shook his head and took a deep breath. He had never expected it to be this easy anyways. He knelt down, thoroughly soaking him up to mid-torso, and began to meditate. As he had told the Jedi Sentinel who had asked him to embark on this mission, language was a fickle thing, but the Force was present in all lifeforms.

Reaching out with the Force, Obi-wan tried to find the ocean's mind. Other than a few fish swimming by, some rather close out of curiosity, Obi-wan found nothing. He forced himself to calm his mind. He wasn't trying to contact some comparable being, he was trying to commune with the ocean. If the planet sized ocean were alive, he wouldn't be able to sense it with such a narrow view. He broadened his horizons, taking in as much of the planet as possible.

Still, his view of the Force was too small, too narrow to comprehend the enormity of the being he sought to contact. Relaxing even more into a trancelike state, Obi-wan expanded his vision. He could feel his sight drift into the future and the past on occasion, but with the razor focus that had made him a Master, he trained his sights on the present on a more massive scale than he had ever attempted.

Time lost meaning for Obi-wan. There was only himself, the Force, and this enormous planet of ocean he found himself on. It was difficult, more difficult than any challenge he had ever faced, but eventually he had done it. His Force sight encompassed the planet, even if it was vague and impossible to see anything with clarity.

He was forced to come to a conclusion then. Besides himself, some fish, and some very large fish, Da Soocha was completely uninhabited. The ocean was just that, a very large body of water. Obi-wan stood in resignation, and promply fell flat on his face as his numb legs gave out under him. "R4, how long has it been?"

The droid beeped back a response, far longer than Obi-wan wanted it to be, and the Jedi cursed under his breath. Grunting in exertion, he forced himself to stand and hobbled back to his ship. It took far more effort than he'd have liked, but he finally made it up and into the cockpit. Taking off of the planet, the Jedi Master resolved to take a long, hot bath upon returning to Coruscant, and only take diplomatic missions in the future when the lifeforms he was negotiating with were guaranteed to exist.



AN: Here's Obi-wan sitting in water and trying to talk to an ocean for hours like an idiot. A masterpiece by Supreme Prankster Ciaran. Where will our hapless Jedi Master be sent next? Tune in next time on "The Diplomatic Adventures of Obi-wan Kenobi"!

 

[Panory]

The Continuing Diplomatic Adventures of Obi-wan Kenobi​

"PR-1, I'd like some clarification regarding your most recent briefing." said Ciaran, disrupting the droid from his current research. "I'm sure you can understand my concern that HK-47 may have… glossed over some of the details."

"Of course mistress." said PR-1, rerouting his processes to focus on Lady Ciaran's queries. "What might I assist you with?"

"Barab I." said Ciara simply. PR-1 instantly pulled up the files on the planet and reviewed them, making not of any points of interest.

"Ah, were you perhaps thinking of recruiting the Barabels?" inquired PR-1. "They are certainly a hardy species, though I fail to see any particular advantage unique to them that would peak particular interest."

"No, I'm not thinking of recruiting them." said Ciaran, shaking her head. "Your report makes mention of a Jedi worshipping cult. How fanatic are we talking about?"

PR-1 perused the files once more, locating the relevant information. "About a thousand years ago, a Jedi Master landed on the planet and put an end to a several thousand years of old civil war. In response, the Barabel gave the Jedi their undying respect, deifying their arrival and worshiping them."

"Perfect." cooed Ciaran. "Thank you PR-1. I'll be sure to inform you of the results." With that, Ciaran left the room, laughing manically.

"The results of what…?" PR-1 asked the empty room in confusion before returning to his system by system survey of the galaxy. He groaned. Apparently whoever had mapped Rainboh had done so in crayon. He didn't get paid enough for this.

XXX​

"And we're sure there's life on the planet this time?" asked Obi-wan sarcastically. The Jedi Sentinel in front of him didn't even have the decency to look ashamed.

"Barab I is actually in the Archives. The Jedi settled some dispute during first contact about a thousand years ago." said the Sentinel. "I doubt they remember such a thing, so you'll essentially be starting from scratch, but we know they exist."

"So what exactly is my goal in these negotiations? If they've already been introduced to the galaxy, it can't be classified as a first contact mission." said Obi-wan.

The Sentinel nodded in agreement. "Right, it's not first contact. Instead, we're hoping you might bring them into the Republic."

Obi-wan placed a hand on his chin. "I'll see what I can do." The Sentinel handed Obi-wan the files, but instead of looking at them, Obi-wan maintained eye contact.

"Um, aren't you going to look at what we know of the planet and its people?" asked the Sentinel.

"I'll go over them later." dismissed Obi-wan, still staring at the Jedi Sentinel. Things stretched into an uncomfortable silence as the two just stood around staring at each other. Suddenly, the Sentinel slapped his hands together less than an inch from Oi-wan's face. The Jedi Master flinched, closing his eyes instinctively. When he opened them a second later, the Sentinel had disappeared. "Blast! I thought I had him that time."

XXX​

Obi-wan struggled to land his fighter in some of the most ferocious rain he had ever seen. Based on his perusal of the planet's files though, it seemed this nightly occurrence was preferable to the oppressive heat that evaporated all this water in the day. He'd likely roast before even touching the ground.

Detecting a cave where R4 and his fighter would be mostly protected from the elements, he deftly piloted inside and landed. Hopping out into the cave, Obi-wan squinted in a futile attempt to see in the pitch black. While it was traditionally the weapon of a Jedi Knight, the lightsaber also functioned as the light source of a Jedi Knight.

The blue glow illuminated the cave, revealing to his eyes a great number of reptilian humanoids, armed with an assortment of primitive, but deadly weapons. They seemed just as surprised as Obi-wan did, and while he sank low into his Soresu stance, they sank even lower to prostrate themselves before him.

They seemed to be mumbling something under their breath, likely an appeal to some deity out of fear, rather than attacking. Obi-wan mentally cursed. This wasn't at all the impression he had been going for. He'd be lucky to get them on board now. "R4, give me a light." he said, and the droid complied as he extinguished his lightsaber. That should have been his course of action from the beginning, not using his lightsaber. Blast. It seemed that his time on the front lines had changed his reactions. Even his diplomatic missions had tended to go south quickly.

"I come in peace." Obi-wan was just trying to run damage control at this point. "I mean you no harm."

One of the Barabels looked up slightly, still prostrated on the ground. "We always knew the Jedi would return. But I had never hoped to see it during my lifetime." he said in awe. Obi-wan was to stunned to interject before he could continue. "What do you require of your humble servants, O Great One?"

Apparently they had taken the Jedi intervention a thousand years ago to be much more important than it actually had been. Looking over them, Obi-wan could see pictures on the cave wall of Jedi depicted in almost deific poses, surrounded by bowing Barabels. It appeared the information he had gotten from the Sentinel was wrong. Again.

Obi-wan had the distinct impression that whether he chose to not interfere with an established native religion or profit from the deception of the less informed, the theologians and ethics investigations would give him no rest for years.

"Do you require a living sacrifice my lord?" asked the apparent leader. The question immediately snapped Obi-wan out of his thoughts.

"NO!" They all recoiled in fear at his alarmed shout. "No, uh, I… won't be needing anything of the sort." Obi-wan closed his eyes and took a deep breath, reaching out to the Force to center himself. "I have come with a proposition, to ally your people with others across the stars to face a grave threat."

"What threat could possibly give the divine might of a Jedi pause?" asked one of the gathered Barabels, his voice a mixture of terror and awe.

"The Sith are a force equal and opposite to the Jedi. Where a Jeid builds, a Sith destroys. Where a Jedi is kind, a Sith is cruel." It wasn't often Obi-wan gave younglings the lecture on the Sith, but he remembered it well enough. "We had thought them destroyed, but they have reared their heads once more, and the Jedi require the help of all to strike them down again."

"Of course, O Great One. Your humble servants will follow you to the ends of the galaxy, and if we might be of actual help? Nothing would bring us greater satisfaction." said the leader, bowing deeply again.

"Well alright then." said Obi-wan, desperate to extricate himself of the situation. "I must depart now, to do battle once more, but I will send others, who will help you." Said Obi-wan, backing up towards his ship.

"Then we will wait, Master Jedi, as we have waited for a thousand years." said the lead Barabel. "If I might be so bold however, would you bless tonight's hunt?"

And Obi-wan was thrust right back into the same dilemma he had been trying to avoid. After a few seconds with the gathered Barabels looking to him expectantly, and him trying not to let his emotion show, Obi-wan settled on a solution. He would do as the Jedi a millennium before him had done, not mention the natives' strange religion in his report at all and pass the dilemma onto the next Jedi to come into contact with the planet of Barab I.

Obi-wan closed his eyes, and waved his hands in front of him, using the Force to create a light breeze, unfelt on this planet of oppressively hot days, hurricane nights, and life underground. Gasps were heard around the cave as Obi-wan opened his eyes, nodded silently, and jumped back into his fighter. "Please get us out of here R4." The astromech droid complied, and Obi-wan was just thankful no one had seen such embarrassment.

XXX​

"Greetings R4-P17. Do you have what I requested?" The little astromech beeped and booped at PR-1, who acted offended. "Of course the upgrade is legitimate! I have it installed myself, and for all they themselves are unappealing, the cuisine of the Hutts is worth knowing how to cook. I shall give you the number of the specialist once you transfer the holo-recording."

The red astromech droid approached the protocol droid, a small chip emerging halfway from the droid's chassis. PR-1 leaned over and picked it out, sliding a different chip in to replace it. "Go to those coordinates and ask for upgrade 4752. If they ask, tell them 'Junkie' sent you." Obi-wan's personal astromech droid leaned forward and back several times to simulate nodding, and the two parted ways. R4-P17 was looking forward to an upgrade, so often denied military droids. PR-1 was looking forward to watching the recording with Lady Ciaran.


AN: Okay, so it's actually been eight hundred and eighty years, but in the words of Master Fung…

Spoiler: A thousand sounds more ominous.

And for those of you asking how we'd get these recordings, I enjoy the idea of PR-1 trading upgrades to R4 in exchange for the recordings. Last time he got a shock rod. This time he gets culinary routines.

 

[Panory]

Roses are Red, Try Not to Push Her​

"Query: Have you heard the tale of Darth Revan the Butcher?" said HK-47. Ahsoka flinched at the sudden question and spun around to face the assassin droid. While he hadn't been trying to be particularly sneaky, HK-47 was glad to see his stealth routines weren't too out of date.

"I… can't say I have." replied Ahsoka cautiously, appraising the droid that had seemed to come out of nowhere.

"It's not a story the Jedi would tell you." said Thrawn, not bothering to look up from their chess game. "From what I understand, they'd likely be against filling their youngling's heads with Sith legends." With that the Chiss Admiral glanced up at HK-47. "With a name like Darth Revan the Butcher, I feel safe assuming that he was a Sith? Though I'll readily admit to being unacquainted with him as well."

"Correction: Darth Revan was a powerful Jedi, who died heroically attempting to eliminate the Sith Empire. He was also my former Master." boasted the droid.

Ahsoka raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "I have a hard time buying the idea that 'Darth Revan the Butcher' wasn't a Sith. Doesn't seem very… Jedi-y."

"Derision: You are free to be incorrect, meatbag. My Master was a powerful Jedi, whose glorious last stand deserves to be remembered for all eternity." said HK-47 proudly, before sheepishly continuing. "Addendum: My Master may also have been a Sith Lord at one point in his life."

"So why are you telling me this?" asked Ahsoka. "If you seem so knowledgeable on this Darth Revan guy, why bother asking me about him?"

"Answer: When I discovered that Lady Ciaran and PR-1 had not heard of my Master's glorious final stand against the Empire, I rationalized it as the Jedi keeping it secret due to his past flirtations with the Dark Side." explained HK-47. "Lamentation: I see now that the Jedi are simply idiots."

"Hey!" exclaimed Ahsoka, rising slightly out of her chair, hand twitching towards her lightsaber ever so slightly.

HK-47 noticed. "Challenge: Bring it, meatbag."

"HK-47, if you kill her, Lady Ciaran would be quite displeased." said Thrawn, the voice of reason as always. "And Ahsoka, the Abyss Watcher's went to great lengths to recover HK-47. I ask that you not try to damage him further. The engineers have their hands full enough trying to refurbish him as it is."

"Try to damage him?" repeated Ahsoka incredulously. "I have a lightsaber. And I've had a fair bit of practice cutting up clankers."

"HK-47 is a cut above your average B1 battle droid." warned Thrawn. "I thought you would have learned not to judge things by their appearance. I've lost count the number of times you've rushed headlong into a trap because you didn't take the time to look closely enough." Ahsoka had the dignity to look ashamed.

"Statement: I have had adequate practice eliminating Force sensitive meatbags. More experience than you've had dismantling useless droids." bragged HK-47.

"I doubt a rusty bucket of bolts like you has ever bested a Jedi." said Ahsoka, confident in the combat prowess of the Order.

"Correction: I eliminate whoever my Master designates as a target, as per my assassination protocols. Boast: My successful hunts include Jedi, Sith, bounty hunters, and one small child who knew too much." said HK-47.

Thrawn noticed Ahsoka's questioning and accusatory look from across the board. "Well don't look at me, he's had many Masters before us, including a man named Darth Revan the Butcher. Who knows who they've had him kill in his four thousand years. I'll remind you that Lady Ciaran has actually taken steps to ensure the survival of the Jedi Order."

"Ahsoka turned back around to look at HK-47. "I don't think I've ever seen a droid that old. How are you still functioning?"

"Very advanced engineering and the hard work of our maintenance crews." interrupted Thrawn before HK-47 could speak up again.

"Lie: I do not mean to boast, but… Boast: Indeed, Darth Revan was adept at mechu-deru, and I am the pinnacle of his achievements in the field." said HK-47. "Addendum: Though the Exterminator droids were a close second, based on my own design as they were."

"Exterminator droids? Guess those are from when this guy was a Sith." guessed Ahsoka. Thrawn looked similarly intrigued.

"Correction: No, the Exterminator Droids were the last attempt by my Master to eliminate the Sith from the galaxy entirely. An army, based on my own impeccable design and produced by the Foundry." explained HK-47.

"What's the Foundry? Some droid factory or something?" asked Ahsoka. "Why does where the droids were made make any difference?"

"Exasperation: Your ignorance astounds me, meatbag. Answer: The Foundry was a factory built into an asteroid, capable of producing infinite quantities of high grade droids at an impressive rate. Such forces would be able to reshape the galaxy to their Master's will. The Foundry was also the location of my Master's last stand against the Sith Empire."

"Really?! Something like that could end this entire war!" exclaimed Ahsoka, leaning forward excitedly. "Where is it?"

Thrawn began gesturing wildly behind Ahsoka, though HK-47 didn't need the reminder to withhold the location of the Foundry itself. "Derision: My Master kept the location of the Foundry secret for three centuries of torture by the Emperor. I would not tell you even if I knew. Clarification: Which I don't. I suffered extreme damage attempting to eliminate the Imperial strike team, and many memory files were destroyed while I was offline."

"Oh. I suppose that would have been too easy." lamented a dejected Ahsoka. Thrawn gave a sigh of relief. "Still, three centuries, huh? That's pretty impressive."

"Statement: Of course it is. There are few things my Master did that were not impressive." said HK-47 indignantly. "Gratitude: I'm glad to hear that you appreciate the full magnitude of Darth Revan's magnificence. Command: Now go inform the Jedi that they were fools to not celebrate his glory through the millennia."

With that said, HK-47 turned to leave. Ahsoka turned back to Thrawn and their game. "Well he was a character. Do I really have to go tell the Jedi about all that?"

"It's likely for the best if you do not." said Thrawn nonchalantly. "HK-47 has his uses, but I've found him to be rather lacking when it comes to what's socially appropriate. Based on what I've observed of their history, the Jedi Council would probably be less receptive to the return of Darth Revan's story than you." Thrawn looked down to the board and moved a bishop. "Checkmate."

Ahsoka grabbed her head in frustration. "Gah, one of these days Thrawn, I'll beat you!"

Thrawn smiled slightly. "Perhaps even today. Care to go again?" he said, resetting the board.


AN: I've compromised on my "HK-47 breaks into the Jedi Temple and kidnaps some younglings to teach them about Darth Revan" idea and settled for just Ahsoka. Also, if anyone has a better rhyme for "butcher" for the title, I'm all ears. In other news, my colon key is affixed to my laptop with Gorilla Glue, so writing HK-47 is a possibility again.

 

[Killerflood]

A/N: Part one of three of a plot bunny Snark's 'Alien' scenario gave me. I happened to be bored enough today to start work on it. Sadly this is just the beginning and background to it all so it might be boring to those who don't care for original characters or scenarios. Oh well. Have fun! The entire thing will star an Abyss Agent, a one off character, and two very unlucky Ithorians and their hired help. Poor SOBs won't know what hit them.

---

Gambled Too High, Part 1
​

The Fool's Bet Casino,
Zeltros

Zeltros is a fun place and I have to say this vacation has done wonders for my complexion. It may have been only one week off but it's still been plenty of time for me to relax, have fun, and also deal with the occasional skeleton in the closet. It's something I should have done a while ago but … a girl can't help but forget a few things after having her world shaken. I'm beginning to find out that the Force tends to do things like that.

"Irsin, remind me to look up who our garbage collector is. A piece of trash just walked into the casino!"

Today happens to be the last day of one Dani Plenar, Abyss Agent extraordinaire's, vacation. So on the topic of skeletons, my closet could really deal with one less. My smirk grows a bit as I hear one of them be so cavalier in insulting me. Reminds me of the old days when this skeleton's father used the same insult in a fonder manner. Oh well, I always did enjoy a bit of masochism.

"Why Heiron, it's been ages since we've seen each other. Surely I don't deserve such a cold welcome. "

Heiron Plenar, my cousin, whirls around and snarls at me. Violently he motions his assistant to take control of his duties. If he had the same potential as me, I wouldn't be surprised to see a few specks of yellow in his eyes. Good thing for him, then. Yellow is such an ugly color.

"Why would you be welcome. The last time I saw you was with a blaster in your hands and dad's body lying beside you. The only reason I didn't have Irsin shoot you at the door is because I want answers. Why, Danira? What could dad have possibly done to have you shoot him? Did he not spoil you enough? Is that it? But then again, you always did seem like such an ungrateful bit-chrghk!"

A small part of me relishes in the sudden fear that shoots across Heiron's face. The rest of me warns that I don't want to continue on this road. The Watcher's have only had one apprentice fall off the deep end before we were given the holocron and let's just say the rest of us firsties saw Tyro in a whole new light after that. But it's not Tyro's lessons or Vectivus' wisdom that releases my hold on Heiron. It's the old voice of Uncle Plenar that constantly mumbles in the back of my head, You're better than that, child.

The soft tension in my hand underneath the Casino Manager's bar goes away along with the specks of yellow visible in my eyes. I allow my eyelids to close off my sight and I calm down with the unusually useful nagging that is my partner's favorite saying when it comes to my anger issues.

"Dani, Remember Tyro's control exercises."

After the short moment of weakness, I open my eyes to look back at Heiron. The fear is still there but now a large of amount of confusion has added to it. It's not every day that the air itself chokes you.

"Danira?" Heiron hesitates but gathers enough courage to continue. "What happened? What are you?"

My smirk reappears but it's unusually cold.

"Why Ronny, I'm your cousin. But then again, you always did seem like such a forgetful boy. I also go by Dani now. I haven't gone by Danira since … " My smirk goes astray for a second. "Since Uncle."

The mention of his father sees his hands turn into fists but thankfully he still remembers my new trick. He hisses back, "You didn't answer my questions, Dani. Why did you kill dad and what was that just a second ago! Your eyes turned slightly yellow there for a second so don't tell me it was nothing!"

I sigh and sit down on a stool. I can feel the bouncer's wariness as his eyes drill into me. I rub one of my eyes.

"Let's just say I've walked with the Abyss and it's given me a new perspective. Let's leave it at that."

Heiron's left eye twitches and he growls. I give a slight pull on the Force and then grab it. I allow some of my frustration and anger for this situation to influence what I grab towards the Dark Side. I then feed it into my eyes. My eyes turn a bright yellow - Such an ugly color. - and I stare directly into Heiron's eyes. As soon as I sense the fear in Heiron begin to grow, I let go of my touch to the force. Heiron gulps and steps back. I feel disgusted as my eyes turn back to their natural magenta and I look down. The disgust isn't directed at Heiron.

I sigh and repeat, "Let's leave it at that. And as for Uncle … I didn't kill him."

Heiron manages to shoot me a weak glare.

"I don't remember seeing anyone else."

I let out a deep growl and nearly shout, "That's because the one's who did ran off!"

Heiron cowers but, like always, he comes back. He asks softly, "Then who did?"

My eyes narrow and I glance back up. Heiron flinches but quickly recovers.

"You're the owner now, right?"

Confusion flashes across Heiron's face but he nods.

"Yeah, the casino has always been owned by o- … our family. Who else would own it?"

"Why not the kindly folks who you owed a large debt to until today? I loved Uncle dearly but I have to admit he wasn't too good with money."

"The Baradans!? Why those bastards! I'll-"

I cut him off before he can start ranting.

"No, they didn't order him dead. Zeltros isn't the Outer Rim, Heiron. If Uncle had defaulted on his loans they would have instead taken the casino itself, everything else Uncle owned, and then kicked him onto the curb. It would have better for them that way as it wouldn't have brought the King's Guard on top of them. No, it was two bounty hunters they hired to work as enforcers."

Heiron takes deep breaths. I inwardly laugh a little. It seems our whole family should have taken anger management classes. I sense a flash of realization go through Heiron's mind. My smirk comes back.

"Wait." Heiron sits down on a stool on the other side. " 'Until today?' What did you mean by that?"

"Did you know the Baradan's were nearly defaulting? It seems like having a well known client of theirs being horribly murdered- Sorry. Simply put, they were in deep waters themselves. I just happened to walk in at a great time. They needed money and a clean slate desperately and I needed them gone from this sector of the planet without questions. It was a perfect trade."

I nearly let out a few giggles at how scrunched up Heiron's face looks. He shakes his head.

"Okay, say I believe that you got the Baradan's off my back. How did you get that much money? Even now, I've only paid off a third of it."

My smile turns mysterious and I tease him with a wink.

"If you look into the Abyss, you'll never know what you might find."

I burst out laughing as now Heiron just looks constipated. Eventually he knocks a fist onto the countertop.

"Okay, Dani. You've had your fun. Now being serious, how could you have gotten so much money?"

I collect myself and answer, "Believe me when I say I can't tell you anything. It's literally in a contract I signed. Just trust me that I've-"

I'm interrupted as the lights suddenly turn out and the entire casino is plunged into darkness. The credit registers, the pazaak and sabacc tables, everything has turned off. It seems like the power of the entire casino has been shut off. Startled shouts are heard throughout the place.

Heiron shoots up and joins his voice with everyone else's yelling, "What in Hell?"

My skin crawls and I delve into the Force. My gaze is directed toward the open doors at the front of the Casino's main parlor where the lights outside can still alleviate the new darkness somewhat. The small sense of a threat comes from there. I'm able to see the bouncer react to something outside in the lobby. He goes for his blaster, but a red bolt comes from behind him and hits him in the back.

Screams start and I don't blame them. Even in the midst of this civil war, Zeltros is currently far enough away from the front lines. This isn't to mention that Zeltros is a pleasure planet. People come here to get away from trouble in their lives and the King's Guard is known to be effective in keeping it that way.

Who would be stupid enough to cause trouble here?

My answer is found when two Ithorians and a gaggle of other lower scum walk through the parlor's entrance pointing blasters every which way. I feel anger surge through me and it takes all my training to clamp down and not to shoot the Ithorians down right then.

Well isn't today my lucky day. One skeleton was cleaned out and two others just happen to walk right into their graves.

 

[Killerflood]

A/N: 2nd part of Gambled Too High is now done. Link to first part: Scroll up.

---

Wasn't today supposed to be a good day?

My eyes are wide as I see a group of armed thugs walk into my Casino's main parlor. A few lesser ones take guard at the entrance keeping anyone from fleeing. The two Ithorians in the lead peel off towards the Manager's bar, towards me.

Sithspit.

Today was looking up. It was a week until the next payment and already I had the money stowed away until it was needed. I hadn't burned breakfast. I hadn't even gotten the daily message from Giron Baradan reminding me of my debt! It was looking to be a good day. That is, it was until my cousin Danira showed up. The last time I saw her was the day everything changed.

One day, Dad received a call which left him unusually pale. He told Danira and I to hold down the Bar and he went into the back. He hadn't said what it was about but I knew better than to question it. Too bad Danira didn't because she snuck back there after him. About half an hour past and I heard what sounded like the blasting of a couple of pistols going off coming from the back. I ran into the back to find Dani slumped over Dad's body. She looked angry even with the tears rolling down her eyes. When she saw me, she ran out the back door.

After that it was a couple of days being questioned by the King's Guard, fighting the Baradan's for a chance to prove I could run the Casino, and then toiling to pay off Dad's debt. So when Danira walked into the Casino today after years of being wanted by the King's Guard for knowledge in the death of Crelio Plenar, what was I supposed to think?

"Cousin Danira! It's good to see you! Why, it's been so long I nearly forgot about you, you cowardly murdering BITCH!"

No, things had definitely changed and so had Danira. She came in with a swagger and a large smirk. I could see the bulge of a blaster on her side. I also thought I saw a what looked like a few vibroknives on her belt. It seemed to strengthen the criminal scum idea that had grown to replace the loud-talking and spoiled brat in my mind. But her eyes. Her eyes are what solidified the change. It used to be they were a dark violet. Now, they were a dull magenta. And when I somehow started choking, yellow streaks could be seen.

It all brought back painful memories. I wanted, needed, answers. And I was getting them! Or at least I was getting a verifiable lie. I might have been forced to be a Baradan client but even I have been able to grow some sympathy with a select few insiders. But now …

"Ronny, you wanted to know what I've become?"

I send a quick glance at Danira. Her eyes seem to shine even in this dark. They're completely yellow. Not even the bright yellow she shot at me before. No, this is a sickly yellow that seems to shine out of spite. She turns her head and brings those orbs that make my hair stand on end to meet my own violet eyes.

"Y-yeah?" I stammer out.

"Watch and learn."

And with that ominous warning the one person who I could get answers from slides away as the Ithorians finish pushing towards the bar. One growls low at Danira and she snarls at him. The Ithorian moves threateningly toward her but the other Ithorian standing right before me punches him in the shoulder.

"Onca, forget the girl. We came here for the money, not a good time."

Onca turns back towards the apparent leader.

"She started it, Bulduga. Besides, it's bad enough that you've dragged me into close range. Now you're keeping me from putting someone in their place?"

"Later!"

I try to keep tails of Danira as she slinks away but soon enough she disappears into the shadows. I have my doubts but hopefully she's gone to join the others being peacefully rounded up by the Ithorian's thugs. I don't need a bloodbath on my hands.

Bulduga towers over me as he leans over the bar. A deep growl resonates from the Ithorians vocal sacks.

"Now then, to business. You're the owner of this dump?"

I grit my teeth at the insult but I know better than to argue with an armed criminal.

"Yes." I force out.

Bulduga nods his head and then orders, "I want you and all your employees to round up every last credit chip in the building. No funny business and no calling the authorities. Try anything and you'll wind up just like your bouncer back there."

I grimace and have to force down a snarl. I nod my head and begin to turn towards my assistant when a commotion comes from the front of the parlor at the entrance. My head jerks to face the sound and all I see in the moment before the entire room is plunged into pitch black is a pair of two sickly yellow orbs. When the durasteel security door that Irsin was supposed to close slams shut, I know with a keen sense of dread that today is not a good day.

---

Today was turning out to be a great day. Onca and I had been down on our luck for the past year. We took the odd jobs and seemed to have made a name for ourselves but a big pay day seemed parsecs away. Then I had a great idea. A decade ago the two of us were hired to shake down a Casino for spare change. That turned into the largest bust of that year but a month ago I heard that it had turned successful when it changed hands. With some disposable help, we'd make it big easily. Onca was skeptical and suggested caution but he always suggested that.

Everything was going well. The single bouncer was taken care of by one of the helpers who went in early to scout out the place and everyone else was suitably cowed. We got in and we'll get out as soon as the nerfs collect that credits. My mind was suitably filled with images of me and Onca getting away after bumping off the lower idiots on the totem pole. That's when the startled yells of the thugs left at the entrance steal my attention and I see a previously unseen security door cut off the exit along with the rest of the lights.

A few blasts from the trigger happy help go off but they don't seem to hit anything. I have an idea of what happened. My left pistol goes back to the Casino's owner and I try to shoot in the direction where he was but the pistol is somehow yanked out of my hand before I can squeeze one off.

A female whisper tsks, "Now, now, now. What did he do to you? The controls for the door after all are located at the front."

I bring my datapad out to make some light while Onca takes out a flashlight. The thugs join with their own light sources. Two guys decide to move slowly towards the bouncer's room just off to the side of the new durasteel wall. They don't make it.

One of the guys trips and falls into the darkness. His light cuts out and all anyone hears after that is a scream cut short.

"Roo!"

The other guy shouts out and runs for his friend. I manage to see a pair of arms come from the darkness and grab the thug's head. All that happens after that is a quick twist, a snap, and the thug falls hard thumping against a Sabaac table. Our lights all zero in to where the guy fell but nothing is there besides the cooling body with a head twisted all the way around to look up.

"I believe that makes four. Only five left."

The feminine voice comes from all around. Everyone twists and turns trying to find and see who's attacking but nothing is there.

One thug loses his nerve and fires off a few shots in all directions but they miss anything important. He turns towards the civilians we've rounded up and points his blaster. A few of the hostages panic and scream but they all stay put.

The thug violently shouts, "Show yourself or I'll cook one of them! I will!"

His threat is met with silence but for the whimpers of the hostages. For a short moment all is still but then a soft laugh is heard. The specter then growls, "Try it."

The idiot actually fires but what happens next causes all our eyes to widen. The laser blast stops short of hitting anyone and just hangs there in midair. The hostages all move away and scurry to the nearest wall but none of us care to act against them. We're too shocked.

The laser casts a soft red glow against the whole room. We furiously start scanning but we still see nothing. There's no movement but for the flickering of shadows. There's one shadow though that sends a shiver down my spine. In the corner of the parlor an unnatural darkness lies there greeting my fearful stare with two cold yellow eyes.

The thug turns back towards his spent shot and stutters out a squeak.

"W-what!? What's going-"

He's interrupted when his bolt suddenly reverses direction and takes out his head. The room is plunged into darkness once more. I immediately point my remaining pistol at the corner and let off a few shots. They hit nothing as the eyes have disappeared.

The voice sings, "Five little worms~ Lying in their grave.~ Four more to go~ Who's the next fool to be brave?~ Heh."

Onca and I move to have our backs against each other. Our eyes and lights fly around the room. The two remaining helpers look at each other and share a nod. I hear them sprint towards the bouncer's room. One of them barges through the closed door while the next takes guard at the door. Onca and I start slowly moving their way but stop short when we hear cursing coming from the one in the room.

"Oops.~ I might have broken something when I forced the security door to fall. You know, it's funny really."

The door to the bouncer's room slams shut and the thug caught outside spins around and tries to open it. He is unable to open it. A loud yell comes from the room followed by a single blaster shot. The other thug nervously steps back with his own gun pointed at the door. Onca and I cautiously turn and aim at the room as well.

"You came here and thought you'd make easy money with everyone trapped in here with you."

All three of us open fire and try to kill whatever is in there by blasting the doors and walls down. We don't let up until our cartridges are empty. Silence once more greets us. Our hopes are dashed as the voice continues on heedless of us frantically reloading.

"In the end though, you've only managed to trap yourself in here with ME!"

The remnants of the door blast out of their hinges before the remaining thug can fully bring his pistol back to bear. His flashlight is sent flying giving us just the bare glimpses of a dark figure. Onca and I fire towards it. We manage to fry the flashlight and darkness returns. It's not totally silent though. Faint choking, metal clearing flesh, and then wet gurgles fill the void. Eventually, finally, they cease.

Sweat drips down the back of my neck into my mouths. My eyes flicker every which way in an attempt to catch any movement. My hand clutches the datapad like a lifeline. I nearly turn around and shoot Onca's when his back touches mine. We stand back-to-back with our pistols pointed outwards.

Onca stammers, "W-w-WHAT ARE YOU!?"

The voice faintly whispers back its answer.

"I am the spirit of vengeance settling old debts. I'm a janitor cleaning up the filth of the underworld. But most importantly..."

Off to the side my datapad manages to catch a shape as it oozes out of the darkness. My hearts nearly stop as the sickly yellow eyes of a demon dig into my soul. A cold and wide smile bares teeth as it laughs.

"I am what greets you when you look into the Abyss."

I jump back and instinctively pull the trigger on my pistol. I shout in denial as my bolt burrows into the back of Onca when he jumps forward to attack the demon. I trip and then suddenly the demon surges forward. With a punch I'm sent flying over the Casino's bar. I scramble to get on my knees and look around. I see the casino owner off to the side looking at me in fear. I move to grab him but I stop and cry out in pain when a vibroknife stabs into my left knee.

"Eyes up here. Your deal is with me."

I whirl around and try to get an aim on the demon but my pistol is yanked out of my grip. I see it fly away and then my sight jerks as the demon punches my head.

"Why?"

My mind stalls for a second before I realize it's me who asked the question. The demon tilts her head. The demon's face moves close to mine and it hisses.

"You've been here before. I know. The last time you were here you dealt with two people. You shot the first. Did you ever wonder what happened to the second?"

My mind spins hard trying to remember.

The last time?

Suddenly an image of a pair of Zeltrons. A middle-aged man is shot by my pistol when he tries to tackle Onca when he grabs a younger girl from out of the shadows. The girl kicks Onca while taking his pistol from his holster. A very short firefight occurs before Onca and I flee out of the door. My eyes widen.

"You!"

The demon gives a cruel grin.

"Yes, me. You took my family from me. I remember cursing your existences. I swore that if I ever found you I would make what remained of your life absolute hell. I remember saying that I would start with your toes and fingers and then move on to your extremities. One. By. One."

My eyes zero in on a bloody vibroknife held in the demon's fist. The demon's smile widens and her eyes turn nearly gold when she notices me shivering.

"Danira."

My attention and that of the demon's are ripped away from each other and focus on the horrified Casino owner. The owner flinches but he still returns the Demon's gaze.

"D-Dani, I-I believe you now. S-so- Uhh- R-Remember what Dad k-kept telling you when you got into fights!"

The Demon's grip on me tightens and its eyes flash for a second. After a moment its golden eyes dull back to the sickly yellow. Its eyes then close but I don't move with the vibroknife still pointing at my throats. The demon's eyes eventually reopen and once it looks at me I'm confused when I see magenta. The vibroknife is stashed back into the demon's belt. With the weapon gone I prepare to move.

"I'm sorry Ronny."

I freeze when I notice something though. I realize that its eyes still have yellow flakes infecting them. Quicker than I can, the demon takes out its pistol and points it directly at my head.

"I don't think I am."

Panic sets back in but I'm unable to feel it for anything but a second. I see a bright red light and then all I can feel for a microsecond before the nothing overtakes me is pain.

​

---

My eyes can't move away from where my cousin shot a hole through the criminal's head. When the security door slammed shut I ducked underneath the bar. As soon as I saw the yellow eyes I somehow knew that it was Danira. All throughout the fight I kept my head down as I heard blaster shots, screams, and then finally saw the Ithorian get thrown over the bar.

Dani looked like a monster. From what little light shined from- Bulduga was it? - from Bulduga's datapad I could see blood and two golden eyes. After she threatened the Ithorian murderer I tried to calm her down. I don't know why. Maybe it was just because I didn't want that rage turned towards me. It seemed to work for a moment… a moment.

My hands shake as I watch Dani reholster her pistol. She takes the datapad, and sends a quick glance at me which causes me to flinch. Dani jumps back over the bar and then heads towards the back exit door. I think she's just going to leave before she pauses.

"Sorry. I'll send enough credits your way to pay for the damages."

I nearly have a heart attack when she throws the datapad back my way. I catch a short glimpse of a number and the notification of a new contact before I look back at Dani. She refuses to look at me and starts walking away.

"Y-You better!"

My mind screeches to a halt as it catches up to what I just blurted out.

Damn. Damn!

Dani finally turns back and what I see is not what I expected. Her eyes are fully magenta now with tears rolling down her cheeks. Her lips stay pursed for a second before she lets out a weak laugh.

She whispers, "Will do."

She sends a watery wink and then turns back towards the back door and continues walking. When the door to the back storage room closes, my customers begin to shakily stand up. I hear someone call the King's Guard. I stumble back against the bar's shelves and slide down. When they say skeleton's can haunt you, I don't think they mean it like this.

 

[Killerflood]

A/N: I said three part's to this, didn't I? Well, here you go. Don't mind me I'll just be over there listening to Kansas.

Flashback to Part One: *Link*
Part two: click above, scroll down.

---

Well … the closet's fully empty now … but I've got to say that wasn't how I expected this day to go.

I'm laying down on the roof of a building not too far from the Fool's Bet. After leaving Heiron with the mess the thugs made - Fine, and me. *sigh* I thought criminals weren't supposed to have consciences. - I high-tailed it out of there just barely avoiding the Guard. I'm sticking around to make sure no more trouble is heading Heiron's way … and to try and calm down from my overdose on anger.

I was told that the Dark Side gives one power and boy were they were right! It was a heady feeling. Almost as good as an ounce of death-stick. It comes with about as bad of a hangover though. It's not even a physical reaction either which somehow makes things worse. My body's fine. My mind though? It feels like I'm hooked up on stimulants while being depressed at the same time. I'm elated one moment that I killed the two sleazy slimeballs not worth the-

Right. Calm down Dani. Remember Javik's nagging exercises. Heh. There we go.

And then immediately I feel disgusted by how much I seemed to have enjoyed doing so. At least with death-sticks I was focused on how much the hangover sucks. I can't even use them anymore because the best way to get booted out of the job or get demoted to garbage collector is to start doing drugs. A criminal not allowed to do drugs!? As Cünuel told me when I was still just a normal Seeker, "Leave your sanity at the edge."

Damn right.

It's just that ... Every time I delve into the Dark, my emotion control is shot to all hell. I guess it's still better than death-sticks though. Besides, getting off them the first time was hell to begin with both physically and mentally. I can deal with just a little emotional turmoil. Admittedly I was never one to have much control to begin with. But really? I'm Zeltron for kriff-sake! You know, the species known for their passion?

I let out an explosive sigh and let myself get lost in the Force. I'm sure the other agents all have their own opinion when it comes to the Force, but to me? It's a calming storm. Oxymoronic or not I just get a sense of peace knowing my own issues are at least natural in some way other than my species' genetics. My thoughts are also drowned out by the roaring eddies so it helps in that aspect. However, I make sure to at least keep grounded enough to be able to sense my surroundings. I learned that with all the times Tyro sent stun blasts at us while meditating … Speaking of sensing things.

"I know someone's there. You're not as stealthy as you think. Do you mind showing yourself? I've taken care of nine wannabe thugs today and I have no qualms in rounding up to ten."

I hear soft footsteps come up from behind my head. I tense in the expectation of a fight but they stop a respectable distance away. Good, I've had one fight too many today. I jump up from where I'm laying and turn around.

"Hmm … You've caused me quite an issue, you know."

I frown at the one who spoke. A tall lizard-like alien is standing in front of me. It's green scaled and holds a rifle across her shoulder.

"And what issue would that be?" I ask.

"You see, I was sent here to look for two particular Ithorian bounty hunters, but here I am having just found out that both of them have to deal with new gaping holes in their bodies. One in the back and one in the head. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?"

I nonchalantly shrug and then hold my hips. The fact that this allows my hands to be conveniently near my weapons is unimportant.

"Sorry. I can't say I do."

"Oh? Well I must have been mistaken then. I assumed you did what with the specks of blood on your boots and your blade sheathes. This isn't to mention that all seven of their hired help were taken care of too. With them included that makes- nine thugs was it?"

Internally I start cursing.

Shit spewing Hutts, I'm better than this!

Outwardly I nod my head slowly.

"It would, yes. Now that I think about it I might happen to know some small things regarding two Ithorians I saw."

My opposite gives an ugly green-gummed smile.

"I thought so. Now, I'm unsure whether or not I'm allowed to give these invitations to you but, well, whatever it's about I'm sure it can be looked over. You can say you stole it from them after all. It wouldn't be entirely inaccurate."

My eyes narrow for a second. Now this - Woman? Sure, let's go with that. - woman is obviously some form of criminal and, judging from the rifle, she's likely a bounty hunter. Bounty hunters don't tend to be all too trusting or forgiving. So inviting someone you've never met before who's just got done killing the two original recipients? If this doesn't scream 'schmuck bait' I don't know what does.

"How generous. Any reason for the invite?"

The woman shrugs her own shoulders while still keeping both hands on the rifle. The smile turns uglier.

"You're a bounty hunter, right?"

I think for a split second and then nod my head again and reply, "I've dealt with a contract or two."

The woman chuckles a little and then explains, "You're obviously experienced and those who we aren't supposed to invite wouldn't let us find them. Take the second one and invite an associate. The more the merrier."

With a laugh like the sound of a dying mynock, the alien steps back and then somersaults backwards down into the alleyway. I look down at the two datapads she dropped on her way down. I pick one up, turn it on, and flick through the contract.

Nothing is really mentioned which isn't surprising. The way the woman was talking it sounded like a cannon fodder type of mission where you need meat shields more than competence. How much is it even offer-

My thoughts come to a halt and my eyes widen. I whistle lowly at the contract's promised award price. What really gets me though is the location.

The Box

...

Location: Serenno, Primary Spaceport​

Anyone with any knowledge of the backers in the current war knows the name of the planet Serenno and who's in control of it. An evil smile threatens to overtake my face.

'Those who we aren't supposed to invite wouldn't let us find them,' huh? Sorry lady but everyone has their bad day.

I stow the pads and then jump off the roof when no one is looking. My destination is the spaceport and then the Oracle. As my day comes to a close I'm just thankful that this new bump in the road is above my paygrade. In fact … It might even allow me another week off.

With all that's happened, I need a vacation from my vacation.

 

[Panory]

The Insane Bastard Who Invented Space Curling​

The CIS space station Turtle was a marvel of engineering, even half-finished as it was. It was also causing Anakin Skywalker no end of irritation. The station had been built with simplicity as its core design. Powerful shields and a robust design would make it indestructible, while a single mounted cannon would inflict severe damage to enemy ships. The only weakness the station would have was a lack of maneuverability and speed.

Luckily, the Republic had been tipped off to the station's construction and managed to interrupt the process before the cannon was operational. With no other weapons, the Turtle was for all intents and purposes a useless hunk or metal. It was, however, a frustratingly durable useless hunk of metal.

"How was that one? Any damage?" asked Anakin, pulling his fighter up from another pass of the station.

"None sir. The enemy shields are completely absorbing your shots, same as they were ours." reported Admiral Yularen from the bridge of the Resolute. The Star Destroyed had ceased firing broadsides once sensors revealed that the station's shields weren't even fluctuating. Anakin had taken a squadron of fighters and bombers out, with the idea that smaller ships might be able to pierce shields designed to repel capital ship fire.

After several passes, Anakin was forced to the conclusion that he had been wrong. Which left them at a stalemate of sorts. The Turtle wasn't being destroyed anytime soon, but the station wasn't agile enough to get out of the makeshift blockade Anakin's ships had set up.

"Beep boooop."

"I know R2, we need to think of some way past those shields." mused Anakin, looking out the cockpit at the battle station. He honestly wasn't sure if the station was drifting through space, or if that was honestly its maximum speed. An orbiting satellite of the planet below drifted towards the station at roughly the same speed, maybe even faster.

Then something intriguing happened. The satellite passed through where Anakin knew the shield's radius extended to without crashing. The piece of metal crashed into the hull of the station, doing no real damage, but still, making impact was more than Anakin and his fleet of destroyers had managed.

"Of course, that's it." said Anakin, struck by epiphany. The Turtle's shields negated energy based weapons, but let physical matter through without resistance, similar to the energy shields of the Gungans, only on a much larger scale. Of course, that didn't help too much since all of his ship's weapons were energy based.

The easy answer was crashing ships into the station until the Turtle broke, but Anakin would rather leave the CIS station intact than callously sacrifice his men like that. Then he noticed the surroundings. "We're returning to the Resolute. Prepare some tractor beams."

"Sir?" asked Yularen, surprised by the demand.

"Just trust me on this." said Anakin confidently.

XXX​

Another rock from the planet's ring crashed into the Turtle, pulled up to speed by Anakin's tractor beam. Anakin laughed as he zipped away from the panicking space station. It wasn't fast enough to dodge the shots, but that certainly didn't stop the Separatists from trying once they realized the asteroids were passing through their shields effortlessly.

"Hey Redeye. I think that last one hit dead center." joked Anakin over the comms. "Ten points if you can match it."

"You're on sir." replied the clone. Towing the asteroid behind his fighter, the clone pilot jerked up, releasing the tractor beam to throw the chunk of rock at the space station. It was headed decidedly off center until one of the other pilots flew past, blasting the edge of the asteroid to set it spinning back to the middle of the space station.

The rock crashed into the Turtle with a resounding crash, building on the damage Anakin had already inflicted. The clones all cheered at the successful hit and congratulated Redeye on his shot. "Alright, my turn."

XXX​

The Turtle had been slowly picked apart, slower than it might have been if the clone troopers and their Jedi commander hadn't been having so much fun dragging debris into their target. Once some of the clones started keeping track of the score, the troops had turned it into a proper competition. A competition Anakin was happy to say he had won.




AN: My first thought of dragging things into a target was the destruction of the Death Star in a New Hope, but that was a little too high stakes for messing around, so we have this.