Re: All In The Game

[LadyRaven]

The Ori oni. Serenity had heard that name before, though it hadn't been used to name an entire race. Searching through her memories, she found what she was looking for. It was the name of a book that her mother had once owned. It had been handed down from her Grandmother. She remembered hearing her mother reading it from time to time, but she had never understood it. It was in a language she had never learned. Of course, translator implants had killed that barrier many years ago, but in the outer rims, that technology was still rare and very expensive. As the chairs came up, Serenity moved back to sit down. As she did, part of the text came back to her and she spoke it quietly. "Ori oni mestium pri decta reen oramni sithe." She still wasn't quite sure what it meant, but the silence that followed told her this was completely unexpected and frankly, seriously freaky! Her eyes shot up and she stared at the others. "What?" She asked.

Zal Tan seemed to stare and then smile at Serenity. That freaked her out more than anything. "You can actually speak the language of the ancients?"
Serenity quickly bristled and shook her head, "No!" She replied sharply.
"But you just said...." Zal Tan offered.
Serenity shook her head again and stood back up. "I just said: No."

Slyder leaned over to the professor and cocked an eyebrow. "D'you know what she just said?"

[Guest]

Krell sat there listening to everything. What he was seeing was something far more advanced then anything that the empire and the republic had. The computer generated form was able to interact with them. It was something that he was sure both sides would love to get their hands on. He looked over at Serenity when she spoke. The translator that he had implanted when he had been in the Imperial Navy translated it for him. But he doubted that anyone else in the room had one. It was strange to hear her speak the language, and it seemed that it was strange to her that she had done so.

Luke smiled. "It is part of your genitics Serenity. Like being able to use the force with out intense traning. If I understand what Zal Tan is saying. They put into effect a plan that brought your ancestors together, even though it was a long time after they had came here. Possibly through some form of genitic coding their language has also been passed on and you will 'remember it' in time."

Zal Tan chuckled and gave a slight bow to Luke. "You have great wisdom Jedi." Then he turned to Serinity again. "You being here means that our plan has worked. The Sith and Jedi have come together and are working together as they should be."

Krell shook his head and before Serenity could answer he did. "No. They have not. The Sith is still out there trying to take over the galaxcy. They almost did it through subversion and deceit not to long ago. Serenity, her brother, and Jenny seem to be the only decendents of a Sith Lord and a Jedi. Things have not worked out as you had hoped." Zal Tan shook his head at the news. "But there is still hope that it will. With these two as living proof that both Sith and Jedi can come together and use both sides of the force in balance, surely both will see that this is best for all."

[LadyRaven]

Serenity furrowed her brow, then shook her head. Completely ignoring Zal Tan, she faced Luke. "No, it's not like that." She told him firmly. "It's a passage from a book my mother had. I used to listen to her reading it. At the beginning of the first chapter, it says 'Ori oni mestium pri decta reen oramni sithe'. I remember it because she always read it from the beginning. Once she picked it up, she never stopped reading until she finished. It was like a cue that told me she wouldn't be doing much for the next few days. Ask Rhama, he'll tell you the same thing!" Then her attention turned back to Zal Tan. "If that's your ancient language, it's the only piece of it that I know and I don't know what it means. I only remembered because you said Ori oni. That's all. And Krell is right, your plan hasn't worked. The Sith are everywhere from what these lot tell me and life is hardly fair like what you want to believe. If your hope rests on just me, my brother and this kid, you're having a serious malfunction." even in her deepest thoughts, she had still been listening. A little trick she had learned long ago.

A few seconds later, Serenity got out of her chair and started walking away from the others. She suddenly felt quite vulnerable and her stomach was churning violently. Another up-chuck was inevitable and she didn't fancy sharing that with anyone right now. Besides, enough people knew she was pregnant without advertising the fact. She made it as far as the other side of the courtyard before the urge to throw up overcame her and she did it was quietly as she could. Something akin to a mammal peered out from under a bush to stare at her, but didn't move any closer. Serenity peered back at the animal with a raised eyebrow. It was the oddest creature she had ever laid eyes on! From a distance, it might have looked like some form of feline, but on closer inspection, it had six legs and two tails. Then it opened it's mouth and Serenity backed up quick. The entire snout split four ways and peeled back to reveal four sets of razor sharp teeth and a forked tongue. "Holy fuck!" She yelled, "What in the hells is that?!"

[Guest]

Luke knew that she would eventually begin to understand and speak the ancient language. He only had the Jedi portion of the training and his father before him had been a Jedi but had been corrupted by the dark side of the force and the Emperor. Only when both Sith and Jedi came together would the language make sence. He watched as Serenity began to get sick and moved away from the others. She could easily control that feeling with the force. He moved towards her as she began throwing up. "Calm yourself, use the force to help you." he said softly to her.

Krell had also moved up to stand beside her as she was being sick. He gently held on to her arm knowing that what she was going through with morning sickness was not a very pleasent feeling. He wanted to be with her as much as possible and try to help her over the rough parts of being pregnent. As the strange feline like creature appeared, he looked down at it. When it opened its mouth and revealde its four sets of razor shapr teeth and forked toung his hand went to his blaster.

"It is a Forchion," Zal Tan's image told them. "Do not worry, it is not dangerous. It speciecies were pets to our race. They are quite loveable when domesticated and they seem to form a relationship with but one person." The creature closed its mouth and laid down and began to lick its paws with its toung. "Tell me of the galaxcy. You say that the Sith are out there still causing problems. Do not the Jedi then keep them in check?"

The professor then stepped forward, "Perhaps I can help here. I am Professor Androm. I have studied the history of the galaxcy and I can give you a rundown on what has transpired over the last couple thousand years. But first I think that you should know that the galaxcy is divided between the New Republic and the Empire and a few seperate coalitions of systems. What we fear is that the Sith has been influencing the Empire and is getting ready to wage war on the New Republic."

(Serenity can jump in on this as well if you like.)

[LadyRaven]

So much for a moment in solitude, Serenity thought. No sooner had she uploaded her lunch, Luke and Krell were beside her, trying to help. Had she the breath, she would have told them both to fuck off, but as things stood, she didn't, so she said nothing. Instead, she backed up further away from the creature Zal Tan named a Forchion and wiped her mouth on her sleeve. She lifted her hand to Krell and Luke, telling them silently to back off as she caught her breath again. A few seconds later, she was able to speak.

Zal Tan and the professor were talking about what had happened over the last few millenia. The bad things mostly, but it was truth nonetheless. However, one thing the professor didn't know, was just how bad things were. Sure, he had his books and he had his intelligence from wherever, but the man had never seen a real battle in his life. At least, not that she could fathom from what he was telling the hologram. "You don't know the half of it." She interjected. The coalitions are more like the rebels and anyone outside of that just don't exist to them. And the Empire and Republic have been planning war for decades, how else would I be able to get away with what I do? They're too busy elsewhere to come hunting half the time."
Zal Tan turned to face Serenity. "What are you talking about?" He asked, "Why would they hunt you? Are you and your sibling not important to them?"
"Sure." She replied, "In as much as what our heads are worth."
"I don't understand." The hologram said.
Serenity actually laughed for a second or two before replying, "We're pirates Zal Tan, outlaws. We rob them and they hunt us down and kill us for it. Jeez, you've been switched off for way too long." Seeing the bemused look on the hologram, Serenity shook her head, "Look, as far as important things go, we're down here somewhere right now." She pointed to her boot. "What is important to the empire and the Republic right now is how they're gonna kill each other. We may figure in there somewhere at some point, but right now, we're just rebels and outlaws. Like a flea on their asses. And by the looks of things, the Sith are running the show. They wiped the Jedi out a hundred years or so ago. The old man there," pointing at Luke, "is about the only one left. The rest of them are ghosts, pesky ones at that. The only reason we're really here is because of some weapon your race was supposed to have." Well, there was nothing like blunt, bare faced truth to destroy someone's day.........

[Guest]

The living computer image of Zal Tan was visably shaken by the news that the Jedi had been wiped out. "That can not be. How?" came the question. It was Luke that answered the question. "It was a Sith Lord by the name of Palapitine and my father who fell under the influence of the Sith Lord. Palapitine used his postion as a Senator of the Old Republic to gain power and eventually become Emperor. My father who was a Jedi was mislead by him and eventually corrupted by this Sith Lord. Many Jedi died during a war that Palapitine created to gain power and those that were left, my father sought out and destroyed. Only a couple survived and they trained me. I helped kill the emperor and over throw the empire, and at the end was able to save my father, bringing him back to the good side of the force. But the people of the New Republic did not want those like us around, fearing a repeat of what had cost millions of lives. During that war the emperor employed weapons that were far in advance of what he should have been capable of. I beleive he found plans, left by your people."

Luck moved towards the image. "I could not in all good conscience rebuild the Jedi Order. But the presence of the Sith has once again risen. I have brought Serenity and Jenny to me to train in hopes of battling them. But we may not be enough to defeat them this time. As Serenity has stated, these people, or most of them." he looked over at the professor, "have come seeking weapons that might help them defeat the empire and Sith and prevent another intergalatic war."

Zal Tan's face grew sad at the news of what had happened. "Again our desire to help the people of this galaxy has failed and ended up causing more harm then good. Wait here." the image vanished. The feline creature emerged from the foliage and began rubbing up against Serenity's leg making a purring sound.

[LadyRaven]

Serenity listened carefully to Luke, remembering some of what he said from stories and the black market books that sometimes made the rounds back home. As Zal Tan disappeared, Serenity couldn't help but smirk under her breath at something her father once told her. "That's what you get for interfering in business that ain't your'n." She muttered quietly, but then stepped back as the weird cat thing came back to her. It rubbed up against her leg, making the woman shudder a little. Its two tails seemed to twist up and then unwind again in a most peculiar manner, almost like a normal cat would curl its tail around to introduce itself. That, plus the two extra legs pawing at her boots, it all made for a weird scene with Serenity. She stared down at the creature oddly and made to move away, but the Forchion moved with her and continued to paw and purr at her. At that point, Serenity felt she had no choice and lifted her boot to kick it away.

As her sole left the floor, the creature seemed to anticipate it and quickly put its belly on the floor, tail and ears flat. It gave a small whining sound that tugged Serenity's strings that bad, she couldn't bring herself to be rid of the animal. Her foot came back down again and she stared at it for a while longer. "Weird planets, weird people and even really weird house pets." She chuntered, "All we need now is some weird weather and we got the whole package." She moved away from the bush and the Forchion, and the other and went back to her seat to wait for Zal Tan.

While Serenity waited, the odd Forchion slinking around her feet again, she thought over everything that had been happening. Very little still made any sense right now, but she was slowly working her way through it all. In her mind, she lined up all the events that had brought her here, connecting them through whatever did make sense and starting from the very beginning. But what was the beginning? Did this thing start with Valis at Haven? Or did it start at the space dock when she first saw Krell again? Serenity's brow furrowed as she decided which it was to be. But then something struck her. No, it hadn't started with Krell. In fact, the very beginning of this had absolutely nothing to do with him! It had started with that smuggler's run and the Holy man that she couldn't wait to get rid of! It was because of him that she was at eh same space dock as Krell in the first place. Slowly, but surely, the pieces began to fall into place. Chances were, Serenity could be wrong, but as she thought more and more about it, something entirely hinky came to light. "This whole thing is a set-up." She muttered, "From start to finish, this whole adventure is one big play." Her left eye twitched lightly as her mind moved through the events and the more and more she thought about it, the more and more of it made sense. Valis and Rhama being in the same place as her began to fit in as well. The old coot had to fit into this bigger somewhere, she just knew it. He wasn't at Haven just for his health, or because the Empire wanted him dead. He was up to something and he'd dragged her brother into it just as much as her. And just what part did he have to play in all this anyways? That was of course, unless he was supposed to be with her instead of Jenny? They were twins after all. But then, he'd given his sabre to the girl, told her it should have belonged to her the whole time and whatnot. Serenity's mind was still buzzing with questions, probably more than ever now. But somewhere, it all had to make sense, she just knew it.

[Guest]

Luke could feel the conflict within Serenity. "Calm yourself Serenity." he smiled. "I have a feeling your Uncle has good intentions." he walked over to Jenny. "Your brother does not have the ability to use the force, even though you and him are twins. I would have senced his ability when I senced yours and Jenny's." Turning to Serenity, "Jenny was ment to be here with you as your brother was ment to be with your Uncle. Should the new rebellion against the Empire succeed, then a strong leader will be needed to run the new.........."he thought a moment, "Confederation, Republic, empire, or what ever it will be called."

A moment later a figure came walking from the distance. One could see it was Zal Tan, but it was not a holographic image. Those with the force could tell that this was a living being. As he approached the group, "I have been informed of what has transpired. It is sad news that our efforts to help the various races of the galaxcy has failed." The Forchine immediately raced to Zal Tan and began rubbing up against her legs. Zal Tan looked at Luke and raised a hand and closed his eyes. "You have said that some of our technology may have been used by the Sith in a War to take control of the Galaxcy."

Luke stood still as he felt the force sweep over him. "Yes, the object you called a Death Star was one of our devices, but it was not ment to destroy planets like that. It was to protect worlds from wandering comments and astoroids." he shook his head sadly. "So you say the Sith have gained in strenght over the Jedi, and now wish to make a bid to take control of the Galaxcy. Come follow me." He looked over at Jenny and Serenity. "The two of you are still the hope for this galaxcy.

[LadyRaven]

From the second the real Zal Tan arrived, Serenity could feel the force flowing all around her. It felt like a thick blanket covering everything, including her. It was almost overpowering to be honest, but Serenity had come to understand just lately how one's power can do that when used correctly. Luke's comforting words earlier did much to calm her, but the thoughts and paranoia were still there. She had just pushed them down for the time being. At least the Forchion had left her side and gone back to it's original owner, that was a comfort. Serenity really couldn't see herself wondering around the Phoenix with that thing following. Then, as it always was, the universe was dumped on her. And Jenny. Serenity couldn't forget about Jenny.

When asked to follow Zal Tan, Serenity got back up and did so quietly. They moved further into the complex. As always, everything that was said was stored into her mind to be thought over again in detail later. The party walked for a little while longer before Serenity realised they must have entered an entirely different building. Looking around, she saw the same kind of stone work and detail, but in this part, the centre wasn't a courtyard, but a huge glass construction. Inside that, there seemed to be an archive of sorts. She'd seen something similar on Corosant many years ago, but this archive looked so much more advanced. "What is this place?" She asked....

[Guest]

Krell looked everything over as they walked. The place was spacious and seemed to have been carved out of one pice of material. No where could he see a seam or a crack where any two parts of the building came together. It was definately something he had never seen before. When Zal Tan said that Jenny and Serenity were still the only hope for the galaxcy, he rubbed his chin. He could almost feel the intense weight of it all on Serenity's shoulders.

They then came to a huge glass structure. Within it lookd like some kind of archive. "This is the sum of my people. From the earliest recorded records to the time we moved our planet here. All our discoveries, writtings, and sciences. It also contains everything we learned about every race in this galaxcy up to the time we came here. You seek weapons that would help you defeat this new threat and free worlds that have been enslaved. There are many here, but the weapon you seek you will not find here." he turned to Serenity and Jenny. "Powerful the weapons be, yes. But as with all weapons, they can be nullified. The force can destroy them and the Sith will. Only those powerful enough with the force can defeat the Sith Lords"

"Are you saying you will do this?" Krell asked.

Tal San smiled and shook his head. "We have interfered once to often I am afraid. Though we ment good we have failed. No it is not I that will combat the Sith Lords, but these two." he nodded to Jenny and Serenity. "Along with the last Jedi." he looked at Serenity. "You must face the Sith Lord that lies beyond the cloak about this world, then you must face the emperor and another, an Admiral that covets power. Defeat them and you will have your victory." he then was thoughtful for a moment, and smiled. "You have another among your friends aboard one of your ships. He may be young but he to has the force with him. Though he is not like the two of you, both Sith and Jedi, he could become a Jedi if he wishes. Jedi, you must take it upon yourself to train this young one should he wish it. Though the races of the galaxcy may not wish the return of the Jedi, you are needed. For the forces of the Sith are out there, in their own part of the galaxcy and you must restore the balance, if any kind of peace between the two is to be made. I still feel it can and that it will be."

[LadyRaven]

Serenity thought over the words carefully. So it was down to her, Jenny and Luke, possibly another to save the galaxy. It all felt a little too much now. And in order to save the entire galaxy, they had to defeat the Emperor, the Sith and the Admiral. At his infernal mention, Serenity seemed to perk up somewhat. "The Admiral, I'm more than happy to deal with." She said almost jovially, but deep down, she felt a sense of foreboding. On the outside, the air chilled significantly around her, showing her disdain and discomfort with her enemy. That man had been a thorn in her side fr years, but on this journey, her opinion of the man had shifted from acute annoyance to outright disgust and hatred. As for the Emperor and the Sith, Serenity would be happy handing them over to someone better equipped to deal with them.

Curiosity was pricked though about this possible other young Jedi. Serenity tried to think on whom this person could be. The person was male, but that didn't really narrow things down. As far as Serenity knew, there were only a handful of women on the two ships. Being young didn't seem to make much difference either, seeing as half of them were too young to be in space; at least by her mind anyway. What was more, it was odd that she hadn't picked up on him already. But then again, it wasn't like she was highly trained in the force yet. So much more going through her head. It would take a long time to sift through all this so far, she thought.

[Guest]

Luke reached out with the force. He to had not senced anyone else, but he had not been really looking for one that was capable of being just a Jedi. He chuckled as he finally felt the presence of the one Tal San had mentioned. He looked at Tal San as he told him he should, no that he had to rebuild the Jedi Order. The New Republic did not want it, but that did not mean that the people of the Empire would not welcome them once the Emperor was gone and then perhaps the New Republic would rethink their decision.

Tal San smiled as he could sence Luke's thoughts. "There are those out there, that have the capability of using the force. You will be able to sence them and bring them to a safe place to train." He looked at Serenity and then to Jenny who's eyes lit up finally as she realized who the other one was.

"Reese! He is the other one. He has a knack for engineering. It is as if he can sence what is wrong and fix it and......... When we were aboard the Raven in the fight with the Empire back at Haven, he knew exactly what to do." She looked at Serenity. Luke laughed and nodded. Jenny was getting more in tune with her abilities by the moment.

Krell listened to everything and rubbed his chin. Jenny had been the best damn pilot he had seen. She could anticipate his orders before he gave them and Reese had been exceptional at the Engineering station. He looked at Serenity and moved to her placing a hand on her shoulder. "It seems you have more backing you up then you think." he grinned. "First the Sith, then the Admiral, and lastly the Emperor." The Sith that waited beyond the cloak would have to be taken care of first, and he had a feeling that there were more then one Sith Lord involved.

[LadyRaven]

Serenity turned her head slightly as she felt Krell's hand upon it. She gave a small smile and nodded. Indeed, it did seem that she had more to her clan than she had first thought. How little she really knew, but then, with the way things were going, Serenity was still a long way from understanding just what was to happen before this adventure was over. For now though, she had enough questions to answer. Her eyes returned to the archive and she slowly moved to the entrance. "I think before anything else, we should rest a little." She offered, "Take a few to wind down and think out our strategies. But first, there's a few things I'd like to learn about."

Serenity half turned her head to Tal San, "Am I able to operate the system for this?" She asked, "There's a few things I'd like to look up before I rest." And indeed, there were a few things she wanted to know. Maybe, just maybe, this old archive might hold some of the answers......

[Guest]

Krell was not tired, nor was Luke. Krell was intrested in the technology that could help them, Luke was thinking of what Tal San had said about him reforming the Jedi Order. The others seem to think a nice rest would be good for everyone. As Serenity asked Tal San about operating the Archive system, "Yes, the two of you can access anything here. Though you will find that the information ends a long time ago, when we came her and placed ourselves into suspended animation."

Tal San could use the force and for those that were tired he raised from the floor, with the wave of a hand comfortable couches that they could lay down on and sleep. "Perhaps if you told me what you seek, I might be able to help you." he told Serenity.

[LadyRaven]

Serenity looked around as the couches came up. Tal San had some serious skill with that force thing. She smiled at the offer of some help, but shook her head. Thanks, but I'll be fine. I'm sure I'll firgure it out on my own." Another look to her companions made her smile again. They were getting comfortable, all except Krell and Luke. Krell, she could understand. He didn't need much rest, just like her. Luke was an old man though and should be resting. Wait, she thought, why am I caring about some old guy? Serenity chewed her lip lightly. Ahh yes, he was training her and showing herwho she really was.

After a few more minutes in thought, Serenity stepped into the archive and touched the console. Across one panel of the glass, a menu came up, a small list above it asking for the language required. Serenity touched the common and then stepped back.
"Please state your request." The artificial voice said.
"What is your designated name?" Serenity asked.
"My designation is Senaptic Interactive Logistical Archive. You can call me Sila." The voice responded.
"Hello Sila, my name is Serenity."
"Hello Serenity. Please select which archive you would like to expand."
Serenity looked through the list on the glass and shook her head. "I'm not sure what I'm looking for, Sila." She said, "Perhaps you could give me a condensed history to start with?"
"Very well." Sila responded. "Please touch the main screen and the download will begin."
Serenity lifted her eyebrow slightly, but reached out and touched the screen with her right hand.

In less than a second, Serenity's mind was suddenly filled with the entire history of the Ancients. Culture, education, religion, philosophy, everything the people had recorded. There were even an entire file list on people's memories and accomplishments! Basically, from the monment Sila had been online, to the point she was offline again, every last detail of these people's lives were downloaded into Serenity's head. And all in the space of a few seconds. The download finished, Serenity stepped back from the screen and blinked. "Woah!" She breathed, "That's some serious shit! Is that everything on the Ancients, Sila?"
"No Serenity." Sila replied, "You asked for a condensed history of my people, not a full expansion."
Serenity nodded, "OK." She said.
"Do you have another request, Serenity?"
The woman thought for a long time, but then it came to her. The most simple and respective question that could ever exist. "What were the Ancients called?"
"Please rephrase your question."
"OK. What did your people call themselves?"
"My people had many names that were specific to indentify the individual. Would you like my last cencus?" Sila offered.
"No." Serenity replied, shaking her head. "I don't want specific names. I want to know what the race was called. Did they have a name that described their race to the galaxy?"
"Yes."
"What was it?" Serenity felt her patience lapsing.
"The name designated to this race was................."

(down to you sweetie)

[Guest]

"Ioians." the voice finished up. Now there were no records of the Ioians anywhere int he galaxcy. Their name had never been on any thing that was written on the stone ruins on any planet. All that was known about the Ancients as they were called was that they had once been a powerful race that had visited many worlds and had built structures there that later were abandoned and fell into ruins. Some planets had it in their histories or their myths that the Ancients had taught them certain forms of technology to help them along in their rise to civilization.

But somewhere in the back of her head the name rang a bell. Luke had listened to what Serenity was asking the super computer. "Only the Sith and the Jedi know that name and for the Jedi it is a name connected to myth from the begining of the Jedi, so perhaps for the Sith as well."

But Sila was not done. "Would you care to see the recording of Alma Thur? Since you have shown an interest in Ioian history perhaps you would like to know of his, since he departed Ioian shortly after it came to this location."

Tal San's head jerked in the direction of the acove where Serenity was. "No that can not be possible." he said as he rose from the seat he was on and approached the consol. "No one was to leave until the arrival of those decended from united sith and jedi."

"Records show that one year after all Ioians were put into stasis Alma Thur was awaken as per his coded entry. The ship Vera Prime was taken by Alma Thur and he departed Ioian. Over the span of one thousand years he sent back detail reports on the rise of civilization on hundereds of worlds and the conflict between Sith and Jedi. Reports ceased to arrive five hundred, ninety two years, eight months, and 20 days ago." came the voice of the computer. Tal San's eyes grew wide and he swallowed hard. "That is not good."

[LadyRaven]

Serenity spun around when she heard Tal San interrupt. Clearly, this Alma Thur hadn't obeyed the rules. And seeing as he'd been dead now for over five hundred years, Tal San seemed highly worried and upset about it. Then something sparked in her mind. "So," She began, "You're telling me that the entire race was supposed to remain in suspension until me and Jenny arrived? If that's the case, where is everyone? We've been here a whole day and we've only seen you.".....

[Guest]

"What is left of the Ioian race is still in statis. Except Alma Thur." he told Serenity. "But that is not what is disturbing. He took our most advanced Ship. It has weapons that could destroy entire worlds and has the shields that can repulse anything that you have. When your ships approached, they were scanned and could never touch the Vera Prime.

Now this conversation peaked Krell's intrest. He had come to find something that would put an end to the Empire once and for all, and now he heard of a ship that could do it. The only problem was, where was it? If he understood it all the ship had not been heard from for almost six hundred years. He got up and moved over to Serenity and the others. If some one else found it, if the empire or someone wanting to create their own empire, they could be unstopable.

[LadyRaven]

Serenity lifted an eyebrow at the news from Tal San. "So, you're telling me that this ship is still out there somewhere, unmanned, unarmed and defenseless?" Tal San nodded in return. Serenity turned back to Sila. "Sila."
"Yes Serenity?"
"Can you find the last transmission received from the Vera Prime?" she asked.
"Yes." Sila replied. "Would you like to play it back for you?"
Serenity thought for a minute, then shook her head. "Not right now, Sila." She replied, "But I would like the location."
"Searching." Sila said, then after a few seconds, the location came up on a star chart on the main screen. "This is the last known location of Alma Thur."
Serenity looked over the start chart, but she didn't recognise any of the formations. Furrowing her brow, Serenity looked closer. "Sila, this start chart doesn't look familiar. Can you give me a reference?"
"I am unable to do that Serenity." Sila replied, "My charts no longer equate with my present location."
Serenity thought again and took out a data pad. It contained a few local charts the Phoenix had taken during their trip here. She put the data pad to the screen. "There are some charts on this data pad." She said, "You can make reference from these."
"Thank you serenity." Sila replied. The small light at the bottom of the data pad flickered as the information was uploaded. "Upload complete." She said, then a few seconds after that, "I have calculated the new charts into the information you request. This is the last location of Alma Thur." The new charts were overlayed onto the old one and it became more recognisable. "Also Serenity." Sila continued, "Your pregnancy seems to be progressing well. Would you like a predicted date of arrival?"

Serenity spun around and turned a deep shade of blush. "You weren't supposed to upload all the information, Sila." She said quickly.
"Would you like me to delete that file?" Sila asked in return.
Serenity looked around to her companions and then Tal San. "No, Sila, you may as well keep it." She said, "Everyone knows now." She then turned directly to Tal San. "So when are the rest of your people wake up?"

[Guest]

Everyone looked at Krell and Serenity. Well it would soon enough have been obvious. Knowing now would not be such a shock later. Those that had come with her from the Phoenix looked at Serenity with grins. Sila continued on though. "Have more information on your ancestory if you wish to know it." the voice continued on. "Alma Thur seems to have interfered with your ancestors that merged the blood of the Sith and the Jedi.

Tal San looked at the consol and then back at Serenity. "What did Alma Thur do?" he asked.


The computer began the tale of Lu'sen and Magnus, once fierce enemies but during a battle between jedi and sith Lu'sen was seriously wounded and Magnus had the opportunity to kill her, but did not. Her beauty captivated him and he hid her and tended to her wounds and nursed her back to health. The compassion he showed her, awed her and made her doubt her teachings and ideas of the Jedi, especially Magnus. It went on telling how the two came together and produced two children and that is when Alma Thur interfered. He let it be known to both orders know of the two and used his ability with the force to even influence Both Sith and Jedi. He actively tried to have the two eliminated and their children as well.

From what the computer was saying, Alma Thur seemed to have been trying to prevent the plans of the Ioians.

[LadyRaven]

Though serenity have prefered to bury herself in a hole right now, the next bombshell was plenty enough to distract. As she listened, she felt her heart begin to sink to her stomach. Then it sank to her knees, then her feet; Until all she could feel was a gaping hole where it should be. Alma Thur had tried to murder her ancestors. He had interfered with the course of history and obstructed the plans of the Ioians. Alma Thur had betrayed his own people!

A chill seemed to appear in the air around Serenity as Sila finished her story. Then, from the foliage in the courtyards, the animals began to scatter, dispersing from the cooling air. Slyder and Mac shuddered before looking to Serenity. Around her feet, ice crystals were beeginning to form. "Uh, Captain?" Slyder said cautiosuly, "You wanna calm down for just a minute please?"
Serenity snapped her head to Slyder, "Why should I do that? Thur was the reason for all this."
"Ren, you seriously need to chill." Slyder said as he stepped back.
"Tal San." Sila said, "I am detecting a massive drop in temerapture within the archive complex. The archive may sustain damage. Should I apply counter measures?"
The air continued to cool further as Serenity's temper flared. "Sila!" she demanded, "Are you telling me that the last thousand years of war have been caused by Alma Thur? My entire family wiped out because of this one Ioian?"
"By my calculations, that is correct Serenity." Sila replied.
Serenity temper turned on Tal San. The air became arctic around the woman, now insensed with rage. "Alma Thur. Ioian. One of your people."
"Warning!" Sila said sharply, "Warning. Air conduits are beginning to freeze. I need to apply counter measures Tal San."

[Guest]

Tal San looked at Serenity and then suddenly the cold was localized in the area that everyone was at. The archives would be safe. "Powerful, yet still in need of training to control your abilities fully." he stated, "Yes he was one of our most trusted scientists. But I fear he was one of those that wished to have the Sith triumph. He was a tratior to not only my people but to the entire galaxcy." he looked at the information that Sila had given about the last position of the Vera Prime. "This is to close to the area of space that was once controled by the Sith, from what information Sila has given me."

Sila had on a mental command from Tal San send him the entire history from the time Alma Thur left till contact was lost. The battle between Jedi and Sith had been long and brutel. Many died including those that followed both orders. It seemed that Alma Thur inflamed the distrust between the two orders, and helped the sith in many ways, but in ways that he was not involved directly. He looked at Serenity again, "You must find that ship and find out what happened to Alma Thur. The Sith must not find it. Though they were nearly wiped out by the Jedi, they still exist and may be once again strong. According to Luke here, the Jedi have been wiped out except for him and you two and one more." he looked over at Jenny.

"He not only tried to kill your ancestors which resulted in your family being hunted and killed, but he has laid waste the only real salvation for this galaxcy. You have the chance to perhaps revitalize the plan we had."

Krell already knew that they had to find that ship. He had a feeling that the Ioians would be able to take care of the Sith should they find a way through the cloak. But if they found that ship, they would be unstopable. He put a hand on Serenity's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Find the ship, find Alma Thur and make him pay for his crimes." he said softly.

[LadyRaven]

Serenity felt in no mood to be distracted from her fury at that moment in time and when Krell placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze of comfort, she shrugged it off. "Oh, I'll find him." She hissed, "And he'll pay." She turned her attentions on Tal San. "As for you and your people." She said quietly, "Your plans have gone awry once already. I will not allow it to happen again. You and your people will not interfere with any race from this day forth, or so help me, I will hunt every last one of you down and kill you myself!" She moved face to face with the Ioian, making sure he could feel every last icy breath she laid on him. "I killed a battallion of Imperials over a man I never knew. You just imagine what I could do to your people over my blood." She then turned away from Tal San and made for the main entrance. "Dogs!" She called, "We're leaving!"

Her team quickly folowed, Mac and Slyder holding up their hands to Krell as though to ask just what they could do. She was still their Captain and she had given an order. Mac was the first to catch up with Serenity.
"Ren!" He called, "Are you bloody insane?!"
"Not now Chief." Serenity replied. "Not now."
Mac pulled up short and grabbed Serenity's arm, "Yes now!" He ordered. "What the fuck are you doing?!" He actually shook her now, "These people can help you."
Serenity threw his arm back, "Help me?" She asked,"Help me?! These people are the reason my family are dead! These people are the reason for this whole fucking war! These people....!"
".......have been in stasis for millenia!" Mac finished. "One person does not taint an entire race, Serenity!"
"No, they just plant the seeds for future reference!" She shouted. "These people interfered in things they had no right to with no thought to what would happen after. I don't care if they're the Gods themselves, they don't deserve redemption!"
Mac took hold of Serenity again, this time with more force. "Fair enough." He conceeded, "They interfered where they shouldn't have and Alma Thur did a lot of damage, but their intentions were for the good. You can't blame them for that."
Serenity gave her old friend an empty look, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, Mac. And thanks to them, we're still living in it."
Mac let her go and watched her walk away. He knew where she was going and he knew she would be safe there for the time being, so he let her go. He gave a nod to Slyder to stay with her just in case and then turned around to walk back to Krell and Tal San. The entire event happened in only a moment or so, but it was one hell of a moment.

The olc chief went to Krell first and placed his hand on the man's shoulder. "She'll be ok, I promise." He offered, "She needs to calm down and think all this through." He then went to Tal San. He faced the man proudly and held his gaze level. "On behalf of my Captain, I apologize." He said, "The events of the last few weeks have been taxing on all of us, especially her. It isn't every day that you're faced with a fate that you never belived in."...

[Guest]

Tal San nodded to Mac. He could tell that Serenity was distraught with all she had just learned. The weight of the Galaxcy depended on her and Krell as well. Tal San turned to Krell and handed him a data pad. "You will need this should you find the Vera Prime. It will help you understand its systems and give you command acess. Even though the force does not flow with in you as it does Serenity, I can sence in you greatness and the desire to have the people of the galaxcy free to chose their own ways."

He took a step back, "My people will remain in statis for the time being. What She said is true. We have interfered with the lives of countless souls in hope of helping them. Even good intentions can go the wrong way." He looked at Luke. "Once the present threat is delt with, you can bring all the archives of the jedi here and then seek out those that posess ability to use the force and bring them here to train. We will help in this. Even if the Jedi order is not revived, there will be those that can help when there is need of them.

Krell took the data pad and the Doc turned to Tal San and said, "I am staying. I would love to see everything and learn what I can. This is what I have lived for and now that I have found it, I don't what to leave." Tal San smiled and nodded. Krell left with the rest of those that came with him and he returned to his ship. Once on the bridge he called up the star charts and brought the area where the last position of the Vera Prime had been reported. This was a part of the galaxcy that the old republic, the empire, the new republic and new empire stayed clear of. Ships that went in never came out. This area was what Tal San said use to be the dominion of the Sith.

"Prepare to open the cloak and depart. Once beyond the cloak, set a course for these corridnates." He nodded to the view screen. Then he called the Phoenix. "Serenity, we are ready to depart."

[LadyRaven]

The Pheonix had been ready to make way for nearly an hour before Serenity showed her face on the bridge. From the moment she got back on board, she had locked herself in her quarters. And from the moment she locked the door, she screamed and thrashed about. Were she a child, her fury would have been called a tantrum. All manner of things were thrown around her room; her bed tossed over, the desk and all its contents found themselves in the other corner from where they had begun. The room was, for lack of a better word - obliterated. And once it was all over, Serenity sat in the middle of the floor and cried. Rocking back and forth on her backside, hugging her knees, she wept. All those tears for her family, finally shed and let out.

Slyder had waited on the bridge the entire time to cover for his Captain's absence. Maria and Claire had paid a short visit and he was happy to see them both. What he had learned about his Captain today had made him realize just how lucky he really was. A wonderful, beautiful wife. a gorgeous little girl, and if he had his way; a fair few more of them later down the line. Serenity had nothing like that. She had an Uncle that had abandoned her years ago and a twin brother that she hadn't seen for five years. Sure, he was on the ship now, but they weren't half as close as they should have been. All these thing, he noticed now as he tended his consol. even the man she was supposed to be in love with, the man she was now sharing a child with, she kept him at distance. Across the bridge, he glanced carefully at Mac. The oldman hurt much more for than he did and he could only imagine what the old chief was thinking.

Eventually, Serenity made her appearance. She had changed her clothes, washed her face and brushed her hair back. She looked as professional as always, but her friends still knew she had been crying. She took her place in silence, swallowed hard and then transfered control to her console.
"Serenity, we are ready to depart." Krell's voice gave her little comfort right now and she reacted as such.
"You have the lead, Raven." She replied, "Navigation has sent us the coordinates and we're ready to go. Pheonix out." And she cut him off without even a kind word.
To those that knew Serenity best, her temperment made it clear this was pure business for the foreseable future.......

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