Return of the Fountain Fellowship

"Not yet" said Cale, "They think that she knows where we are holding out, therefore she is to valuable to them. No they won't kill her yet" he said with a grim smile.

Stretch sat down "We could attempt to recapture her, and while we are there inflict a bit of damage upon the senate" he said after thinking for a bit "Scrap, get me a layout of the Senate Building"

---

Sergeant Fred turned to the man in charge of the guards "Take her to the Council room, I'll meet you outside the door, I need to do something first" he said and walked away towards his office.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Rokard exchanged a quick glance with Zorack, and then he nodded affirmatively to Dalin. “Yes sir, as you command.” He guided his horse to the river bank and gave it a sharp kick in the flanks, pressing it to head into the menacing woods.

-------

Micah nodded at Jarien’s suggestion to first head upriver and then turn back down. “Good thinking; we’ll do that.” The river was cold, splashing up to Micah’s calves and soaking down into his boots, but at this point it didn’t matter.

Soon they were in the dark cover of the woods. Logically, Micah thought that the darkness should be a good thing, hiding them from prying eyes; but logical or not, his heart found it unnerving. Even if a dark abyss would provide safety from pursuing demons, that didn’t make it any less abyssal. He’d never had much reason to head into the woods before, so he didn’t want to leave the river and wander deeper within; not unless someone else in the group was familiar with the area.

Micah heard Susanne start to protest. “Just a bit further,” He said as gently and yet firmly as he could. He knew they couldn’t stop; their enemies might be right on their heels. Her protests only became stronger, but before he could answer again, Edmund swept her up into his arms, suggesting they take turns carrying her the rest of the way. He gave Micah a firm glare, and Micah returned it with severity. “Of course,” he said, not wishing to be the harsh taskmaster forcing the girl beyond her capabilities. “If she’s not strong enough, we’ll help her as best as we can.”

Micah had hardly finished speaking when he heard a noise from upstream; the distant sound of beating hooves coming closer. He searched the faces of the others to see if anyone else had noticed, and immediately saw that they had. “We need to get away from the river,” He said quickly, and then added, “Does anyone know these woods at all?” His hand instinctively reached up over his shoulder to check for his sword. The time to fight may be near, he thought.

Return of the Fountain Fellowship
"That's a good idea." Piper agreed. She walked over quickly and sat next to Stretch, her elbow on her knee and her head in her hand. Problem solving was one of her strengths, and she could do it all day. "They won't be expecting it either. They'll be out here looking for us, thinking we'll be laying low. All the while we strike against them." She thought for a second. "It could work really well if we had a man on the inside. Someone who could tell us the schedule, when we could get in and out, things like that."

Jarien and Adi followed the group as they took the river. They stayed close together even though they felt more comfortable under the trees of the woods that they had hunted in for many years.

Jarien's eyes flicked to the trees on either side of the river, keenly watching for any sign that the dreaded hunters were following them. They were just about to relax when there was the sound of splashing behind them. The entire group turned and looked behind, there was fear on some of their faces.

The blacksmith, Jarien still didn't know his name, turned and asked if any of them knew the woods well.

Jarien and Adi looked at eachother, then rapidly moved to the front, "We do..." Jarien said, and pointed off to the left of the river, "There is a cleft in the forest floor about a quarter mile that direction. You can only see into it from both ends and we may be able to hide there."

He looked back, then drew his knife, "Let's go..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jaegar decided against following his leader's suggestion, and didn't kill the boy. He rolled his eyes behind Dalin's back, and followed as he led the way to their horses. After mounting, he rode out of town behind him.

Return of the Fountain Fellowship

"Someone on the inside..." Raven looked upwards thoughtfully, her hand still on the hilt of her sword. "Y'know, before all this craziness happened, I was thinking about getting a job in security. I have some experience, of a sort, in that area. Even if I can't get a job with them, I might be able to pick up a few things just by surveying the area."

Return of the Fountain Fellowship

"... No, it wouldn't work, Raven. All their soldiers have enhanced DNA. They wouldn't except you, no what we need is the ultimate little spy. What we need is VACs" said Cale before turning to his R5 unit "Scrappy, see if you can make contact with the Maximals again."

Scrap raised his antenne higher than normal. By chance Shono was scouting above the shield once again attempting to find a weak point when a beeping signal invaded his head like a loud speaker to his ear.

"Why did I ever give you that interlocking device. Why?" Shono groaned while scrappy questioned him "Wow, wow slow down little guy, VACs is already down there, he's been there for a while, I'll send him over to your location"

Return of the Fountain Fellowship

Presently, Kay and the guards arrived at the Council Room. She swallowed, staring at the large chamber doors. Before they entered, she turned to the guard. "Any chance you want to let me go?" She tried to smile winningly.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Dalin continued down the cobbled path with his few hunters trailing faithfully behind. Their eyes and ears were all open for signs and clues. As they neared the blacksmith's shop he veered off the path and into the small plain that separated the road from the forest. If his prey was somewhere about they'd be sure to hide in the trees. Even deer fleeing arrows knew to take shelter in the foliage. His horse plodded through the grass easily, until it came to the edge of the inky blackness in the woods. He looked up and down at the dark, then turned his horse around to the rest of his group. Jaegar, Gabriel, and another. "Spread out.....make a search then came back here and wait for me. Our other hunters down river will also be looking for them, if they are alive. We'll all go back to the blacksmith's small building when we are done" he then spurred his horse and entered the trees.

********

Susanne felt two strong arms pick her up, and was surprised to see the young sandy haired man holding her. She didn't care who helped her, at least someone had. She watched the other man, the one who had saved her from the very beginning, say something to the sandy haired boy holding her. “If she’s not strong enough, we’ll help her as best as we can.” he said, then she heard horse beats in the back of her head. They're coming!!! Coming!! Coming to kill you! her mind screamed, and she felt warm tears fall down her face. The others began murmuring among themselves trying to make a plan to hide, but all she mumbled was "Their going to kill me...."

Return of the Fountain Fellowship

Ace watched the young woman that the special team had brought in. She was clearly scared, although she tried not so show it, and he could see from the look in her eyes that she really had no idea what was going on.

All he personally knew of the whole affair was that a team was supposed to raid a certain restaurant deep in the city looking for some kind of information. Evidently they had found someone that they thought would provide it.

Early that morning, There had been a report from informer I-968 which had rapidly set the wheels of MESS turning. He had no idea what exactly the report said, but he knew that it must have had something to do with either the resistance that was rumored to be building, or the mysterious individual that had killed most of a squad a day or two ago.

He had heard, or rather seen, the report of the decimated squad himself. (while doing a spotter operation on top of the wall around the communication building... his eyesight did have some use). It had reported laser lacerations and seperations on most of the deceased squad members. Although the report didn't specify, he knew it meant a Jedi.

He was still half watching her when the leader of the special squad looked at him and ordered him to have the guards take her to wait outside the coucil chambers. He was surprised at first, the realized he was the highest ranking member of the group and as such in partial command.

He nodded smartly, his hair flopping a little and clicked his com twice, signalling a form up command. The other guards formed a tight box, and followed as he led the way further into the complex.

They walked out of the main chamber, through an airlock with two E-Web laser turrets manned by helmeted MESS soldiers with council insignia emblazoned on their shoulder pauldrons. A third, of captain rank, ran a scanner droid in front of the double blast-doors.

"Halt... Identification." the captain ordered Ace.

He managed to keep himself from looking disgusted, one doesn't look disgusted or annoyed at a command from one of these guys. He flicked a card from a pocket in his glove, and waved it in front of the scanner. As he did he spoke to the guard, "Guard detail taking prisoner for council inspection."

The guard watched the readout with no display or movement that could betray if he had even heard Ace. Finally a blue light winked and he nodded, "move along."

Ace made no comment, and led the group through the doors. Ahead waited a medium sized waiting room with a few chairs and another set of double doors, these ornately carved in contrast to the cold metal of the others. Another door waited to the side, it's lock light glowing red.

The guards spread out a little around the girl as they waited for the commander to return.

When they had been standing for a moment, the girl turned to him, "Any chance you want to let me go?" she asked, and tried to smile.

Ace thought she looked kinda cute. He hoped dearly that the council wouldn't be as harsh to her as he had seen in the past. Occasionally, he knew, they would bring out the crumpled bodies of prisoners that had been brought in for 'questioning'. They wouldn't be dead, but you could barely call it alive. He turned away and hid his disturbed thoughts and frown. He didn't like this at all... it wasn't right, and it got worse with each passing week... now they were taking innocents.

But what could he do? He sighed. Seeing that they may be a while, Ace walked over to a chair and pulled it out, "No... but you can sit if you want"

One of the soldiers, his companion from the front steps, turned to him, "Sir, that is against..."

Ace gave him a look, "Unit 161, I said, She... can...sit..."

The guard snapped back, "yes sir." Ace could hear the grudge in his voice.

(OOC: if there is anything wrong with the post, PLEASE PM me... thanks )

Return of the Fountain Fellowship

Kay sank gratefully into the chair. "Thanks." She said. Some sort of argument followed between the MESS soldier and his subordinate, but Kay tuned it out. For now, there could be rest, peace, and calm. For later...well, for later there could be hope that justice still existed here.

A (Slightly) Less Normal Life

Desdemona squealed happily and dropped the teddy bear so she could grip the bag of blood with both hands. She smiled dreamily at Simon before her face shifted into her fang face. She ripped the bag open with her teeth and began gulping the warm fluid down greedily. When the vampire was done, her face changed back to human and she carefully wiped all the traces of blood off of her face with the sleeve of her gown.

"Simon, darling, I would love a nice fight with ninja monks. It's been sooo long since I got to snap someone's spine. I do like that little crackling noise it makes," Desdemona said cheerily.

"Well, then," Miss Lucinda said, somewhat at a loss for words. "I suppose you'll be needing this map I have all drawn up for you. I've listed the time I need you to start the assault and where I'll be meeting you. I do so look forward to a long and rewarding working relationship with you both. Come along, dear Katie. We're late for your thunder goddess club meeting."

-----

Pandora sat on the roof of The Realms, vaguely wondering if Matthias knew she was up there.

-----

Moira rather stubbornly refused to admit that she just might be lost. She kept refusing to admit that until they happened to round the right corner and walk up to the bookstore.

"See! Wasn't lost! Oh ye of little faith and all that," Moira said, laying the false cheer on a little too thick.

Malcolm remained carefully quiet. Moira's lack of a sense of direction was legendary and was one of the few things she was prickly about.

With entirely too much pep and cheer in her step for someone who was attempting to prevent an evil body-hopping quasi deity from beginning a string of brutal murders, Moria walked into the Realms, colliding with one of Sylvia's patented death glares.

"If you're not spending money today, get out," Sylvia snapped. "Please."

Moira's smiled slipped a bit, but she gamely recovered her cheer.

"Nice to see you again, Sylvia! Always nice to see a fellow immortal supernatural being. How are you feeling today?"

"Oh, did I miss the memo about you becoming a goddess?" Sylvia asked innocently. Apparently being able to speak in italics was only one of her many divine powers. "But enough about you. I've had a horrible day. I finally have a boyfriend, but my evil boss kidnapped him and is probably currently reprogramming him to like her instead."

"We're here to stop a murder!" Moria interrupted, sensing that if she didn't stop Sylvia's train of though, fire, death, and eternal torment would shortly be on the menu.

"Really? Who's getting murdered? Is it someone annoying?"

"No, actually it's me," Malcolm interjected.

"Oh, just you? Not someone important or anything like that?"

-----

"You're such a killjoy," Ana said, rolling her eyes at Caeden and then turning back to watch the fight.

Master Vendar activated his lightsaber. He projected mild annoyance into the Force, but there was a look that flittered across his face briefly that reeked of something darker than irritation.

"I'm surprised he even had his lightsaber with him," Ana said. "The old fogey's a die-hard pacifist. A few weeks ago, he saw me teaching Vaapad to my Padawan and went on this stuffy lecture about Vaapad practitioners being "brutes and barbarians who flirt with the Dark Side of the Force through pig-headed selfishness.". You'd think I was training her to use Force Lightning."

Almost as if he were determined to make Ana look like a liar, Vendar began the duel with a flurry of Vaapad strikes.

"Okay, wasn't expecting that."

-----

"So is there like a factory somewhere churning out cyborgs or something?" Bea asked as the female cyborg entered the house and forcibly placed Ronald's shoes on his feet.

"I'd blame Aaron, but the poor guy isn't actually skilled enough to make an army of cyborg warriors," Cordelia said, the tension broken for the moment.

"Thank you for your assistance," Ronald said, gazing up at the other cyborg from his position on the floor. "My designated name is Ronald. What is yours?"

"Okay, nice diversion and all. I still want those books."

"They've already been sold, I doubt seriously that the customer will give them back even if you do your little foot stamping thing at her."

"Oh, so it's a her!" Bea exclaimed. "Keep it up with the hints, I'll figure out who it is eventually. I'm good at that sort of thing."

"You're a singularly infuriating person, you know that?"

"I've heard that a few times before."

-----

A few miles from Ditto Town the Jedi Temple hovered above the forest. It was held aloft by a complex web of technology, Force techniques, and spellcraft. The Temple was a fairly recent addition to the Ditto Town neighborhood as the previous Jedi Temple dating back to the times of the first Jedi Grandmaster had been destroyed around the time of the first Ditto Jedi Order's destruction.

Jedi Padawan Aubrey Jarren stood on one of the Jedi Temple's many balconies, looking out across the forests that surrounded Ditto Town. She was attempting to suppress her irritation before she contacted her wayward Jedi Master Ana Dyar. Aubrey's Master had been scheduled to lead a younglings training session, but her random disappearance had resulted in Aubrey being forced to take her Master's place.

The teenage Jedi pulled her comlink off her belt and called Ana," Master? I'm finished teaching your class for you."

Ana spoke into her comlink without taking her eyes off the fight," Not now, Aubrey. I'm busy watching Master Vendar hypocritically use Vaapad. Bye now."

"Unbelievable," Aubrey said huffily. From the background noise, she would wager that Ana was hiding out in a bar again. "I suppose I'd best go find her."

A few minutes later, Aubrey departed the Jedi Temple in her speeder. She glanced back at the Temple, hoping no one noticed her leaving. She would rather not explain to any of the other Masters that Ana had wandered off again.

-----

Jack strode down the streets of Ditto Town, looking for a fun time. He spotted a little tailor's shop and smirked. There were only two people inside, both female.

"Should be an easy kill!" Jack said happily and all but skipped up to the door.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

The small spark of hope in Micah’s heart suddenly burst into a flame at the tinder of Jarien’s words. “A cleft? Good. Can you lead us there?” he asked, even as he moved out of the river in the direction Jarien had indicated. A sharp wind howled through the trees above just then, as if to emphasize the danger nearby.

A (slightly) Less Normal Life

Matthew parried the flurry of blows with a few quick flicks of the wrist before jumping backwards in an attempt to regain his balance and his defensive position. Vendar shocked him with use of Vaapad. He couldn’t remember how much crud he had taken when he tried to learn the form as a padawan.

Regaining his composure he calmly said “My, my, Master Vendar. You claim to be a pacifist and yet you will use such an ugly form? I would have never thought you would dance so near the darkside” he said, faking dignity.

“The form you are using is the seventh form. Otherwise known as Vaapad, created by the legendary Jedi master Mace Windu, and if I remember correctly the seventh from requires you to actually enjoy the fight. To bottle up your anger and the darkside inside of you and keep a calm outward expression while your insides are tearing up in an internal battle” he said with a smirk

What am I doing?! And voice inside his head asked. He’d been told he would make a good sith, but he’d never thought playing the role of the tempter would be a much fun. That’s what worried him, he was having fun. He was a Jedi he wasn’t supposed to feel like this.

“Perhaps you just need push over the cliff” his voice said. A dam had broken loose and he couldn’t stop it, switching to Ataru to counter the strength of his opponents form, he unleashed a fury of blows towards Vender.

((OCC: ROTFF: I'm writing up a post for you to don't worry ))

Kale sighed; clearly this group didn’t want her help, so she headed back towards that low life scum hole that sold drinks that somehow qualified as adult beverages “Come on scrappy” she said and head out the door.

Return of the Fountain Fellowship

8 Years Earlier

Ace swung himself through the window of the duracreet skyscraper, and attached a grappling wire to the stone. Looking down he then threw himself off of the ledge, and plummeted on the wire that was only as wide as a few hairs.

The bottom, an alley that had long ago been forgotten and closed off, rushed up at him as he dropped. He finally hit the dirt, his boots crunching as he landed.

From his right as he landed he heard a soft whirring and turned. A figure stood next to a cracked doorway. The rotating blaster carbine mounted around his wrist cycled at an almost blinding pace as he held it fully charged, but on the edge of firing.

Ace held up his hand, two fingers raised, his thumb across his palm in their gesture of peace, "It's ok Cyg, It's me."

The figure hulked out of the shadow. His flat black armor reflected almost nothing of the sun that fell between the buildings for the brief 30 minutes at midday. Not much taller than Ace himself, but much bulkier from his cyborg armor, he was quite a menacing figure. "Ace...The others are here." he rumbled. His bass voice was surprisingly quiet for it's sound.

Ace nodded and walked past Cyg, and through the door behind him. The cyborg followed him through the door and it silently closed behind him. After it did, they were left in pitch black for only a moment until the corridor lights turned on.

Down the corridor and to the left they entered a larger room, underground, that was furnished with a table and a few chairs. The rest of the room was filled with ammunition crates, and boxes loaded with weapons and equipment.

At the table sat a woman, with raven black hair, and dressed all in black. Her dark sunglasses masked her eyes in the dim light. Near her neck she had two ugly scars.

In front of her, on the table, suspended from a portable holo-projector, was the AI Liminata. Her blue skin glowed with thousands of letters that scrolled over her body. She turned to look at Ace as he entered, "Hello Ace.. we're finally all here."

Cyg entered behind Ace and locked down the door, "Then let's get to business"

Ace nodded and sat. Cyg walked up and stood next to the table, he really couldn't sit since his cyborg weight might crush the chairs... and his legs never got tired anyway.

Ace began, "Lately we have all noticed a sudden turn in the contracts. More and more of them are coming from the MESS high command, and most of them are not what I consider acceptable."

Cy nodded, "Yes... only yesterday a mission went out for a hit on three seperate business men that are known to speak out against them."

The black haired woman nodded, "Yep... i had six offers in the last week for strikes against anti-MESS individuals"

The AI on the table turned, "I have noticed it too... i was assigned to hack and drain all the funds out of the bank account of a large financial broker and into the funds of the MESS... needless to say that didn't happen..."

"Well... there's the evidence." Ace said, "and I think we have all decided for ourselves that it's wrong...we've known eachother for a while now... I propose that we make a pact... first to remain anti-MESS for as long and as much as possible." they all nodded to that. "Secondly...i have a feeling that our position is going to be very unpopular in the future. It is likely that one or more of us could find ourselves in... less than optimal conditions. I propose that we organize a signal, private among us... that will alert the others if any of us needs assistance or help. If the signal is received, the others will all contact eachother, gather equipment, and go in to find and, if needed, rescue the signal sender."

Ace blurted out the last bit, unsure how they would take it. True, they all had known eachother for some time, Shalen and Ace longer than the others. Still they had to see the logic, and they had always been loyal as friends. Cy Grel spoke first, "I see the wisdom in Ace's plan... I am agreed."

The woman, Shalen, nodded at Ace in thought, "Ok Ace.. we'll do it."

That only left the AI, her blue skin and lettering flared for a few moments as she seemed to think, "Sure... why not... you'll need me to calculate the signal anyway."

Ace smiled, "Then the pact is sealed."

~~~~~~~2 Years Later~~~~~~~~

The stuttering of repeating laser fire echoed down the darkened corridor. Flashes of light bounced around and died. Ace ducked in the shadow of a support column against the wall. Behind him, the doors to security room 3 of the MESS undercommand HQ remained closed. If they opened, he knew that it would be time to run, and run as fast as possible. He knew that they had been here too long already, and they were pushing it every second.

Cy Grel bounded around the corner at the end of the hall, "ACE! We must go now!" he rumbled, "I've got half a company of MESS on my tail, I couldn't hold them off any more..." He had oil or some such fluid leaking from a couple of places on his armor, and his entire sword arm was red.

Ace nodded, "Ok, CYG, How about Shalen?"

"She's Holding the secondary exit. One floor down. It's going to heat up for her soon."

Ace peeked the way that CYG had come, "They're not coming yet, are you sure there are more?"

"There are plenty more. They are probably afraid." Cy said, holding up his arm, "I.. erm... greased the hallway back there, we probably want to find another way down to Shalen."

Ace acknowledged him and spun around to the door that was still closed. He punched in an access code, and the door opened with only the slightest rush of air. Inside a young man was bent over a computer terminal, Liminata was perched over a holopad and pointing to the screen.

Ace tapped the kid's shoulder, "We need to go... now!"

"one more minute" he said, without looking, "Can't you guys hold them off longer? you're supposed to be good!"

Ace threw an exasperated look at Liminata and she shrugged. Ace spoke, "We've been holding them off... for the past hour... you should be done by now"

The kid huffed and then threw up his hands, "That's all i'm going to get, let's go..."

CYG ran into the room, "They're setting up a portable cannon... we're trapped."

Ace keyed the door and it shot shut with a hiss. There was the sound of a blaster cannon whining and thudding as the heavy bolts impacted the door. Ace Spun, "Cyg, get us a way down!"

The cyborg's left wrist glowed for a second as the vibroblade embedded in it shot out, and he slammed the blade into, and through, the floor. He pulled it back, leaving a long, jagged cut in the floor. He began quickly wrenching and ripping the layers of the floor back, until he created a hole large enough to drop through. the edges of the metal looked like some sort of boulder had flown up through the floor.

The kid was the first through, Cy held him as far down into the hole as he could before he dropped him. There was a female voice from below, and then silence. Liminata was quickly slipped into Cyg's slot in his armor, and he jumped into the hole, then held his head up, "Come on Ace!"

Ace pulled a thermal detonator from his pocket and primed it. "GO!" he yelled.

Cyg dropped through the floor, and Ace opened the door. The hall on the other side was filled with MESS soldiers, and they pushed forward as he dropped and rolled the grenade into their midst.

Everyone paused as the silver ball came to a halt, then the soldiers scattered and Ace pitched himself backwards toward the hole. He had to get out NOW.

But it was not to be. Two soldiers, from the front of the line, had been genetically enhanced with speed, and they were upon him before he could reach the hole leading to safety.

Then the detonator went off. It threw bodies everywhere and bowed the walls and ceiling of the hall outwards. It left a hole two meters wide in the floor. The soldiers holding Ace were left stunned, and in his final moments before unconsciousness, he tapped a button on his communicator. It beeped and sent a message to the others, 'go...go...go...' their code to run.

Below, Shalen, Cyg, Liminata, and the kid waited for Ace to appear through the hole, but he never came. Shalen bounded back up the hall toward the hole in the ceiling, "ACE!" she called.

The explosion answered her, it burst through the floor with a gout of flame that sent her flying backwards to hit the floor hard. She lost her breath and struggled to her feet as Cyg grabbed her arm, "Come on! Let's go!"

They turned and fled down the hall, and to an outdoor speeder bay. Their 'borrowed' speeder sped off as the MESS tried to make sense of the mess in their HQ.

After they were safe once more, flowing along with the rest of the late night speeder traffic, Liminata spoke from the dash of the speeder, "I didn't think it important at the time... but Ace sent a final message."

They all turned to look at her. "he says 'go...go...go'" She spoke in a mimic of Ace's voice, "We were already doing that so i didn't see a need to repeat it."

Cyg turned away to look out the back window. Shalen blinked and flicked a drop of water from her cheek, "He's... gone then?"

Liminata looked startled, "Gone? no... this message was sent after the explosion."

Shalen and Cy whirled, "What? So he's still alive?" she demanded. Liminata nodded, "Yes... although by now in the hands of the MESS... I've calculated the odds and..."

"Shut UP." Shalen said, "He's alive... and he'll stay alive... and someday, we'll find him."

(((OOC: I know that this whole post is just a flashback... but it explains some of Ace's and my other charrie's backstories... )

A (Slightly) Less Normal Life

Ana watched the fight, her brow furrowing in confusion as the fight turned more vicious and Matthew began taunting Vendar. Normally Vendar hated fighting and certainly wouldn't be using the very darkest Saber Form available to a Jedi. But not only was he using Vaapad, there were waves of enjoyment and pleasure coming off of him. Ana was beginning to think Vendar seriously intended to make this a fight to the death instead of just some macho postering session.

Ana closed her eyes and reached out with the Force. She could feel something hidden within Vendar. Something decidedly dark. She stifled a gasp of surprise when she felt the chill of whatever it was looking back at her. Ana reached for her saber and moved between Caedan and the fight.

"Kid, I've got a bad feeling about this," she muttered at Caeden.

"And well you should, Ana," Vendar said. His eyes inexplicably turned a deep pitch black as he spoke. "It's been awhile. Nice to see you're using a name that's a little easier to pronounce than the first time we met."

"Who are you?" Ana asked, igniting her blade now.

"Nuh-uh. That wouldn't be as fun as making you wonder," the thing possessing Vendar said.

There was a sudden burst of power from Vendar and a wave of Dark Side energy blasted out from him, sending hapless bar patrons and furniture flying in all directions. Ana managed to shield herself with the Force and then began advancing on Vendar

"Step aside, Matthew. I have to take Vendar to the Jedi Temple. He's obviously not well."