Uncharted Territory

The Chosen One · Uncharted Territory

The Corulag Incident

A loud buzz sounded, amplfied by the small hallways. A general moan filled the halls, followed by the usual yawn.

"Wake up you pile of maggots", screamed the officer as he hit his stun baton on the railing, "What are you waiting for? Breakfast in bed!?".

The shields shut down and the prisoners lined the halls, making their way to the mess hall.

"Hey Uldir, how'd you sleep?", yawned a prisoner.

"As good as you can get on those stiff beds", Uldir replied, "and you Tobian?"

"I can't say, I didn't even fall asleep", he grinned slightly.

The large attendance of prisoners filed in the cafeteria, slowly getting in line to recieve their morning meal. Tobian and Uldir got their plates and sat down at a nearby table.

Uldir used his spoon to pick up the food, and watched as it dripped back down to the plate.

"Fit for a bantha", joked Tobian as he shoved his own serving in his mouth. He gagged and Uldir laughed.

"Hey you heard about that new guy that came in?", Tobian asked with a serious face. He was hardly ever serious thought Uldir, it must be pretty big.

Uldir shook his head and Tobian quickly responded, "Supposed to be this crazed scientist from the war". Uldir raised an eyebrow, half interested.

"Yeah man, they tranfered him here last week. How did you miss that?", whispered Tobian.

"I don't have a paticular care for who comes in. I just want out", he countered as he took a sip of his blue milk.

"Yeah....true. I guess I just got caught in the heat of the usual gossip", he sighed as he took another spoonful of his food.

7 standard hours later, the prisoners were given the rest of their time for activity of their choosing. Most played sabacc, others watched news on the HoloNet, but Tobian and Uldir were back in the cafeteria on clean up duty.

"How much longer you got here again?", asked Uldir as he scrubbed a bowl.

"A few days at most, then I get to see my girl again", Tobian thought as he grabbed a bunch of utensils to put them away with a smile.

"I'm almost done myself. I can't wait to get back. Have my own bed, get my ship out of impound.....travel the stars again.....", Uldir mused, lost in thought of his future plans.

An alarm sounded, it shrieked for a long while before it stopped suddenly. One of the nearby guards' radio sprang to life:

"We need backup at the entrance! These guys are maniacs! There is endless waves of them! They keep coming! We're running short on ammo!"

One of the guards looked at the prisoners, "You stay here!", he motioned for the other to follow him and they ran off.

"False alarm?", Tobian asked hopefully. He looked scared, thought Uldir, he just realized he had never seen Tobian like that.

"Not likely.....You think we should head back to our cells?"

"I don't know....I think I'll stay here though. Don't want to get into trouble if those guards come back", Tobian replied with a forced smile.

"Well, I'm going", he said.

"Yeah, I'll join you....Just gonna finish up here", Tobian said as Uldir headed back.

Tobian tried to hurry, he started putting the pots back in their place when he heard a scream nearby. He heard his heart stop as he looked around....He saw nothing....Wait....He saw a guard slowly make his way to the cafeteria. Tobian held his breath as he saw the guard fall down with a giant gash on his back. He ran in the back of the kitchen in hopes of hiding from whatever came......He heard someone knocking things over as they slowly made their way toward him....

The Chosen One

The Investigation Begins

"Do you want some more?"

"No I'm fine"

The tall bearded man took another sip of his Ithorian Mist. He looked up at the HoloNet broadcast, looks like they had cultivated some new type of spice to enhance the nutrients in food. Boring.....

He felt his comlink rumble on his belt as he finished up his drink. He threw some credits down as he got up to exit the bar. He turned his comlink on:

"Talk to me"

"Well, it looks like we have an official request from the Galactic Alliance", replied a feminine voice.

He rubbed his beard in thought as he continued toward the docking bay.

"Alright I'm on my way. Tell P.D. to heat up the ship", he replied. He didn't bother with questions, he was sure they would be answered when he got there.

"You got it Aolthin", the comlink said before becoming silent. He turned it off and returned it to his belt.

He boarded his ship and closed the docking ramp. He found Lora in the cargo hold fiddling with something. She immediately knew of his presence, without moving she pointed him in the direction of the cockpit. He walked in and nodded to PD-88 who took the controls and started to take off. Aolthin sat in a seat next to PD-88 and flipped on the recorded message.

"Hello Aolthin, I know the Jedi at this point in time are stretched thin. We know the Order is still in its rebuilding stages, but something has happened that requires your presence."

He scratched his chin, this couldn't be good....

"I, Mazicia Skywalker, Chief of State of the Galactic Federation of Free Aliances request your assistance. Approximately 41 standard hours ago, the prisoner facility on the planet Corulag, was raided by an unknown group. All materials that may aid you, are sending to you now. By the time you see the video the surveillance camera has captured, you will realize why we have requested your help."

Aolthin reached over to start the video she sent......He rubbed his chin again, and tapped his seat as he watched it. A horde of various races in black sliced down a small group of guards with vibroblades. It was gorey, but the point of this was?.....Then he saw it....A cloaked figure in black ignited a blue lightsaber and looked at the camera.....Aolthin felt the dark side energy emanate from him....Oh and it was strong....The figure slashed the camera and the video died out.

"Naturally from that video you will see that our fears are founded", she paused.

"We would like you to go to this facility, find out anything/all you can, and report back ASAP. We refuse to send any investigation team ourselves due to the situation that video has placed us in.....The Senate is currently holding the Jedi responsible for this incident.....Due to you being an outside member of the Order these days, I personally want you to debunk, or confirm, the Orders involvement."

Aolthin sighed. "Great", he muttered.

"I'm sorry Aolthin. I know what kind of position this puts you in, and I hate putting you in the middle. Being a force sensitive and a known affiliate of the Order, they refuse to take my word for it......Again, I'm sorry. Mazicia Skywalker out"

Aolthin put his head into his heads.

"Sounds like fun"

Aolthin picked his head up to see Mauradin, Alora, and Lora standing in the walkway to the cockpit.

"The definition of fun doesn't do this situation justice", Aolthin mused.....There was a long silence amongst them.

"Well, I'll be in my quarters if anyone needs me", Alora broke the silence as she headed off.

"I'll join you", Mauradin said slyly.

"Please don't....", she replied in a slightly disgusted tone.

"I guess we're going to Corulag?", asked Lora in her usual innocent tone.

Before Aolthin could answer, PD was already inputting the coordinates for the Core Worlds.

The Chosen One

Off to the Core Worlds

A YT-2000 stopped short of Corulag, falling in line with the rest of ships that came and gone.

"Is that it?", asked Aolthin.

"No, I decided to stop here to grab some female droid friends of mine", replied PD-88 with a dry tone.

Aolthin glared at the droid. Of all the times he had to be sarcastic, he chose now.

"Land her", Aolthin pointed stiffly. The city scrapers of Corulag were beautiful, followed by the lanes of traffic. A transmission from the local security force came through:

"Unidentified vessel, reveal you desirable location, and I.D. call sign".

"This is Dead Reckoning, I.D. # 32214. We land with the intention of visiting an old friend who is currently stationed at the maximum security correctional facility".

"Your call sign checks out, we're sending you the coordinates to the facility now".

The transmission ended and Aolthin sighed in relief.

"Easy enough?", asked Lora who walked in and sat next to Aolthin. He nodded quietly and looked at the incoming coordinates.

"Alright P.D. you know where to go", said Aolthin as he got up. He put his jacket back on and started toward the ramp.

"I hope you weren't planning on going alone", Alora said as she harnessed her rifle with a sly smile.

Mauradin popped out the corner and threw his arm around the Twi'lek, "Don't forget me!". Alora quickly closed her eyes in frustration and knocked the smug Corellian on the head.

"Don't touch me!", she spat. Mauradin rubbed his head with his usual puppy dog eyes when he gets scolded.

Aolthin rolled his eyes. The ship came to a stop, a rumble went up and down the ship as the landing gears hit the floor. Aolthin released the ramp and it slowly lowered.

Stale wind hit Aolthins beard, he didn't need the force to smell the stench of death in this area. He walked off the ramp and onto the visitors landing pad, he took a look around. He took a deep breath and proceeded forward to the facility's main entrance.

He opened the doors and went in, no need to knock.

"The security cameras are still on", said Alora as she pointed to one of them doing its left-to-right movements.

Aolthin looked around, and to be honest....this place looked like it hadn't been touched. He continued forward, there had to be a type of receptionist desk. He turned a corner and stopped in his tracks....

"What'sa matter buddy?", Mauradin asked as he turned the corner as well. The cocky Corellian stopped in his tracks as well, the halls were dripping with blood. The cutions on the seats were soaked, and best of all, there were bodies everywhere.

Aolthin proceeded slowly forward, stepping over any bodies in his way. He heard Alora gag as she came around. Lora caught up to him and fall into step by his side. He reached the receptionist desk and pulled off a body that was lying on a datapad. He wiped off the blood, Lora kneeled beside a body.

He wouldn't be able to get anything off this, he thought as he flung his hand to the floor to get the blood off. He took the datacard from it and inserted into his own. He would check it back on the ship.

"These wounds were made by a sharp blade..Vibroblade maybe? Not a lightsaber that is to be sure", Lora said as she picked herself up.

Aolthin looked at a map of the facility posted on the wall.

"We're going here", Aolthin pointed at the Warden's office.

The Chosen One

Core World Clues

Aolthin rounded another corner and finally arrived at the Warden's office. He examined the door, the panel was obviously sliced, before throwing it open. The door creaked slightly and banged, and Alora looked away at what was inside. The Warden was dead on his desk, his face mutilated.

"Looks like someone stabbed him straight through the face with another sharp blade", Lora said as she moved forward, "and goody, they left the weapon". She proceeded to pick up the weapon with her index finger and thumb letting the blood drip. She pulled something off her utility belt to retrieve what appeared to be a small satchel to place the weapon in.

Aolthin walked forward to the Warden and threw him off his desk. He checked what the Warden was laying on, it appeared to be a recording of some kind in his datapad. Aolthin activated it:

"They're coming....I hear them, and I have no doubt in my mind that they will break through. No use fighting....I have no weapons, maybe they will spare me if I give them what they want! High hopes however....", the hologram sighed.

"I can't come to grips with dying, but at this point it doesn't matter. I know my chances are slim, and my life is short. I will reveal all information I know up until this point. We've been attacked by some unknown group, a cult of some kind, their intentions are unclear. I don't have the faintest clue why they came, and I am uncertain what they are looking for. The prisoner logs are next to my desk, if they came for someone, those someones would be there."

Aolthin quickly looked to where the hologram pointed. A console of some kind, along with a foot locker.

The hologram continues, "From one of the fallen guards radios I overheard the cultists speaking. From what I can gather, their leader's name is Tyrael....", the hologram looked back and forth with wide eyes.

"They're here.....", the hologram suddenly shut off.

"I almost feel bad for the the guy", Mauradin said taking another look at the body.

Aolthin contimplated for a moment, then walked toward the foot locker. He popped it open and searched the insides only to find that it was full of useless papers. Various logs of who is on kitchen duty, where guards are supposed to be stationed, and recent transfers. Aolthin saw one of them was recent, apparently a week ago....Interesting. He grabbed the paper and inserted it into the console.

The console gave a short beep of recognition and began searching its memory. A full bio came up of the guy, a scientist, named Jasper Kazai. This guy was pretty special apparently, made some important technological advances over the last decade. Apparently he got into some trouble when he invented a new type of weaponry, also looks like he decided to use various testing subjects.

Aolthin pulled out the transcript of the guy and stuffed it back into his pocket.

"Alright, lets go to the chief security officers quarters, I think I remember him being near the cafeteria", Aolthin said as he headed for the door.

Aolthin headed off to another direction where he thought he would find the cafeteria area.

"We almost done here? Not to say I don't like it...", Alora looked disgusted as she stepped over another body.

Aolthin walked into a giant open area, there was a kitchen in the back.

"This must be it, lets....", he was cut off by blaster fire.

With a snap-hiss, Aolthin's lightsaber cracked to life. He blocked two shots, and moved himself between the target and his friends. It was what appeared to be a sentry turret, it fired off 5 more rounds at Aolthin at high speed. He blocked all the bolts so fast he became a blue blur. Lora came to action and spewed off two rounds from her pistol, the sentry gave a crackle as it burned and deactivated.

"Like I was saying, lets split up, find what you can and report back".

Aolthin returned his hilt to his belt and walked toward the kitched, senses alert. Aolthin threw aside a table and some pots and pans to get across. He got to the very back and found a body...Looks like he tried to hide from whoever was looking for him, didn't work. There was nothing back here, he returned back to the open area to wait for the others.

"Found anything?", Alora asked as she came forward.

"Nothing, and you?"

She shook her head.

"What about you?", he asked as he saw Mauradin approach.

"Well I found the chief security officers place, and this", he said as he handed Aolthin another recording. He stuffed in into his pocket, he would check it later.

When Lora came back she said she found nothing.. Aolthin sighed, he figured there was nothing more to be gained here. He turned on his comlink:

"P.D. fire up the engines, we're on our way.".

The Chosen One

Just the Beginning

Aolthin dropped into the seat next to P.D.-88 and nodded. The droid quickly responded and took the YT-2000 freighter into the atmosphere. They hit the cold of space and P.D. looked at Aolthin.

"Destination master?"

"Just a moment. Patch me through to Skywalker.", Aolthin rubbed his chin for a moment then sat up as a hologram appeared before him.

"What have you found Monostar?"

"I'll send you what I can, but first answer me a question.", said Aolthin as he lowered his hand from his chin, "Why me? Of all people, why me? Why not a random mercanary?".

The hologram sighed and her stature becoming a bit more stiff.

"You'll hear it sooner or later, better for me to break it to you though. The reason being is, we intercepted a message a short time before we came to ask you. We didn't get all of it but we got enough from the static to make out your father's name".

Aolthin was taken aback. His facial features didn't change though, he merely raised an eyebrow. He then nodded and began uploading the information to the Chief of State.

"It is all there...", his hand rested on his pocket where the other recording lay. He took it out.

"What is that?"

Aolthin ignored her and played it.

"Chief Security Officer #4112. Rax Joris reporting. We are under attack by an unknown force, we are losing men rapidly. The last 4 sector chiefs along with whatever men are left, are out there holding them off long enough for me to make this message."

The recording cleared his throat, obviously too scared to talk straight.

"It wont be long. We are better equipped but they make up for it in sheer numbers. There has to be thousands of them!"

Thousands? Aolthin thought for a second silently to himself. He digged into his memory using the force to create a crystal clear image. He only recalled so many bodies, hundreds at the most maybe, not thousands....

"The assailants' leader is named Tyrael, unfortunately that is all his lackeys leaked to us via intercepted communications. They obviously came for the blasted scientist! We didn't want him in the first place! Blasted fools forced his transfer on us, to a less secure location no less."

The security officer rolled his eyes and sighed.

"I'm....I'm....I'm probably not going to survive this."

The door busted open in the hologram and the man started holding his neck as if being choked by an invisible force.

It was the same hooded figure from the security recording earlier. He looked at the camera, and gave an evil grin as the man in his grasp became limp.

Tyrael no doubt. The recording abruptly shut off.

"Tyrael? We'll see what we can dig up."

Aolthin looked up, he had forgotten about Mazicia.

"As well as Jasper Kazai. Aolthin, I ask that you come to Coruscant."

"Why?", he asked.

"The Senate believes you to be involved."