《Star Wars: Sith Hunter》


 Prologue

    *Since I can''t use the authors notes for the first chapter, I would like to say that I am new to the expanded universe and the details of the canon. So I may make contradictions against those comics/movies/games/novels. Apologies if I do so.*


    My father was always hated by Chancellor Palpatine.


    I wasn''t sure why my father, Jax Tull, was hated by such a powerful indivdual. He was just a minor politician, after all. He most likely didn''t even meet the Emperor. He also never voted on anything that directly involved the Emperor back in the days of democracy.


    Yet there was no doubt that Jax Tull was hated by him. Nor there was mystery that my father had, somehow, knew this. After the Galactic Republic was transformed into an Empire, the first thing my father had done was move me and mother from level 5127 to the underworld in fear of being caught by the newly formed Empire. I don''t remember the details, just that there was a lot of exchange of credits as well as fear. My father managed to keep us hidden and isolated for nearly a year, until I was 11.


    Then the masked man comes, alongside a squadron or two of clones. Later, I would learn this man was named Darth Vader and I would learn to hate him for killing my entire family. We were at a dirty room, the landlord didn''t ask any questions and delivered us food like asked before. It seems the Empire placed a small bounty on my father''s head.


    An audible sound of artificial ventilation could be heard outside the door. We were silent, and the noise seemed all there was in the world. It wasn''t loud, but the fact it was the only thing we could hear seemingly amplified it.


    "You would be wise to exit that room, Jax Tull. Perhaps we will allow you to live if you do so. Or your family."


    That calm voice clashed with our fear in the room. My father might have stood up, but I could tell he was feeling dizzy. Mother gripped me as if I was a sense of comfort rather than something to be protected. I simply shivered.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Suddenly, the door broke open. There was no explosion, blast or any other kind of force applied to the door by Darth Vader and his squadron in the hall. As I looked up to see what caused the propulsion of the door, all I could see is the monster extending his hand.


    Then, he gripped the air.


    I felt an invisible grasp at my neck. Then, suddenly, it lifted me and I was chocking. Mother screamed when I was pulled suddenly out of her grasp.


    The fear in that situation is quiet something else. Grasping at a hand seemingly didn''t exist around my neck. Thrashing about by reflex, being unable to do anything as my senses dulled. The helplessness amplified my panic, causing me to thrash about even more.


    "Wait! Wait, damn it! I yield, let Galen and my wife live and I submit to the Empire. Please, don''t kill him."


    A distant sound. My mind couldn''t place who it belonged to. Not straight away. The lack of oxygen alongside the sensatiion of having my throat strangled wouldn''t let me think straight.


    Abruptly as it came, the grasp on my throat went away.


    "We can spare the child, but your wife will have to come with us."


    Father looked up. "Why?"


    "Because we know she was also involved with the plans you stole. As long as you two are out of our reach, the plan may come into risk of-"


    Suddenly, father flinged himself at the Sith Lord. I think the monster expect that, for he wasn''t cut down instantly.


    He was blasted instead by a stormtrooper next to Vader. Then, in two strides, Vader reached my screaming Mom and silenced her with a flash of read.


    All the while I was gasping for air and shivering like a toddler. He then turned to me. He lifted his beam of red, then paused, as if considering a decision, whilst his mechanical breathing continued. He lowered his lightsaber and finally spoke.


    "Jax Tull''s possession are now yours by the laws of inheritance. I suggest you get some new droids to take care of you, as your father left you with quite the fortune. Let this be a lesson to you to never face against the empire."


    He then left me in the dirty room with the corpses of my parents. It took me an hour to stop shivering, two to stop grieving and three to finally dispose of my parents corpses.

 Prologue-extended

    4 months after the death of Jax Tull


    It took a while for my fear to turn to hatred. I think, as one sees less of something, it becomes less terrifying. Fear of Vader had caused me nightmares. As well as a newfound fear of the law enforcement. And yet, when I think of my parents seeing their child shivering in fear of their enemy, I felt shame well up in me. To the point I had started feeling self-hatred and in turn that hatred had turned on Vader.


    I begun seeking sith knowledge and philosophies to better understand my enemy. Yet, I had found that there was no single absolute belief other than freedom and strength. Each recorded sith had their own philosophy which usually followed a trend based on strength but was each were distinct. Yet, they all caused me anger and bewilderment at the conclusions drawn by the sith.


    I ultimately decided to read as much as possible.


    8 months later


    *Note: Find out who is the second sith lord according to the Rule of Two*


    Anyone who fairly fights a trained a force-sensetive, be they jedi or sith, is an idiot if they can''t use the Force themselves. One must attempt to weaken their connection to the Force before daring such a feat. And lay as many traps between themselves and said force-sensetive as possible.


    As someone aspiring to fight the sith lord known as Darth Vader, I had rummaged as many datapads and records as possible to understand the sith. In the hopes that the knowledge might allow me to somehow defeat Vader. And as I continued to read, the moralities of the Darkside-users begun to sicken me. To the point my hatred for Vader extended towards those who embrace these manners of thinking. That the weak should perish while the strong deserves to do as they wish and other philosophies I dare not record in this datapad.


    Despite expanding my list of enemies, the information I recently gained was useful. I have learned that the sith generally rely on their raw emotions and passions as a source of power. So if one managed to gas them with a calming drug, they might temporarily weaken their connection to the force. Although the Darkside would clear their system soon enough, one trained in teras kasi might be able to fight them alone for a while.


    It should also be noted that no trained force-sensetive with a lightsaber should be shot at with a blaster, for it would likely deflect back at the shooter. Instead, if shooting is needed, use a slugthrower. The projectiles of a slugthrowers would be impossible to deflect, and might still melt and hit a sith if they aren''t careful.


    I stopped writing, why did I put all this in a data pad? It would have incriminated me if it was ever discovered by an authority. Yet I couldn''t stop writing tactics I devised if I were to fight a sith. What kind of weapons were best, as well as what approaches would be most effective against the average Darkside-user.


    And I wondered how could I get myself prepared?


    It had been a year since my parents death, and I was mostly past the pain it had caused me. Or maybe I distracted myself well enough to ignore said pain. I had found myself found back at the top level, although I was wise enough to seek the cheapest rent I could have found. I followed Vader''s advice and bought a nanny droid to take care of me, it was more to avoid the orphanage and relatives than an actual desire for someone to watch over me. I had named her Caretaker, simply because I wasn''t very creative.


    I was expected to go to school, due to my young age. Yet, I found myself skipping school to study the sith and try to understand their ways of thinking. I couldn''t. I could see how one thought let to another, but I couldn''t understand the final conclusion of a philosophy of a sith lord. Regardless of how hard I try. And the schools were generally bombarded with propoganda, so I felt no desire to go and get brainwashed.


    Whilst I read whatever I could find about Darth Vader, I had recieved a message on the Holonet. It was one of the teachers threatning me with suspension. Great, more time to learn about the sith. It would actually be preferable to going to a school that gave most of its hours stuffing the minds of its students with propoganda.


    And the Rule of Two.


    Would Vader be the master or the apprentice? And who is the second sith lord?


    I had not managed to find out who it was despite reading over any piece of news related to force users. There was the coup from the Jedi Order two years ago, which was subdued and caused the death of most of the jedi. The details around the event given by news outlets were strangely vague on why the jedi staged a coup, and I wondered if there was more to the tale. Well, it wouldn''t help me learn about Vader, that''s for sure.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Caretaker suddenly activated. "Galen, why aren''t you at school yet?! Get up from there, get dressed and go at once."


    I must have forgotton the auto-activation protocol the droid runs after a set period time of being deactivated. "Listen, Caretaker, I learn nothing there. It''s so filled with nonsense I feel like I would waste my time there."


    "And spending time in the dark reading dusty datapads isn''t a waste of time?"


    "I thought reading was praised nowadays."


    If droids could let out a sigh, Caretaker would have let out a heavy one. Her movements certainly mimicked a sigh. She walked to the other side of the room and did something. Suddenly, what little lights I had on for reading was switched off.


    "I have turned off the energy source for your apartment, Galen. If you don''t leave you will have to spend the rest of the day in darkness."


    "Will you turn the lights on for me to at least walk out?"


    "If I do, you will deactivate me, right? Well, you will have to grope your way out."


    Can this droid read my mind?


    And so I went, and I resolved to find a way to turn off Caretaker when I returned. At least until my official days off school came.


    ***


    After I reached the classroom, nobody bothered looking at me. Me coming late was an often enough sight that people barely spared a glance. It seemed they were watching another video on how well the Emperor ruled. Void, of course, any negative views of the Emperor. It wouldn''t be propoganda otherwise!


    After the video, the rest of the day consisted of doing learning mother already taught me. The basics of how hyperspace was entered and other such things. The rest was more propoganda. It seemed the newly formed Empire wanted to have the younger generation brainwashed to loyalty. An understandable move of a new nation.


    It had a mixed effect. As the children we were, many of us were gullible and won over to the Empire. Others, however, seemed indifferent or were more distasteful of the Empire. I was one of the people who was mostl indifferent, except for the fact they employed a certain Darth Vader.


    Whilst I thought about the state of affairs for the newly fromed nation, we finished up our lessons for the day pretty quick since I came in late.


    Just as I turned the alley, I heard a voice. "Oi, it''s the sith hater!"


    And that would be the insecure bully who gets his confidence from harming others.


    I couldn''t remember the child''s name, only that he was distantly related to a mandolorian. I never really deemed him important. And that he had taken a liking to stealing my stuff and throwing it somewhere dirty. This time he decided to physically to beat me to a pummel. I think it was because I never really feared him, unlike all the other kids in the school.


    All I could of think of was learning more about Darth Vader when I got kicked.


    ***


    "Hello there Gale-! What happened to you!? Why are you so bruised!?"


    Caretaker was cleaning my room. I had planned to switch her off but the pain from the bruises discouraged me. "Nothing much, just a scuffle." I calmly responded whilst I set myself down in the chair. I reached for my notes and records on the Darkside.


    It was gone.


    "... Caretaker, where is my datapads?"


    "You spend too much time, pouring over those datapads. It isn''t healthy. And besides, we shoudl talk about you getting-"


    "WHERE is my datapads?"


    I didn''t yell. I couldn''t do that against someone who raised me, even if they were a droid. Yet, my voice was threatening.


    "I won''t tell you where they are, Galen."


    I sighed, of course Caretaker wouldn''t. She was programmed to do what was best for me, and this probably isn''t it.


    "Fine, keep my datapads. I am having someone teach me teras kasi anyhow. So I probably won''t manage the time to read them."


    At the torrent of prostents, I had turned her off. ''She would act aggressive during my lessons anyhow, and I can''t let myself be distracted.''


    I had spent my time waiting for my trainer to come by searching for the datapads. They were well-hidden, so I couldn''t find them despite having vigourously searched the room.I continued the search fruitlessly. Then my master came.


    He was a decommissioned assassin clone. Since most jedi were dead they had no more purpose anymore. And the rising unemployment caused the Empire to let go of some clones for human employment, despite the fact clones were generally better. Although the vast majority of soilders were still clones.


    He still wore his armor, which I wasn''t sure was allowed. He also seemed scarred, but despite all this one would know he is a clone from his posture and presence. Since he was decommissioned and had no skills as something other than a soilder he was homeless and unemployed. That''s when I found him lying in the street today.


    We talked a bit, since I was curious about the massacre of the jedi, but he seemed tight-lipped about that. Despite me trying to pry the information through flattery and other means. But then I found that he had known the arts teras kasi when I asked him how he approached the jedi.


    I felt an excitement building up inside me. Despite being a powerful martial arts, teras kasi wasn''t well know because hostile encounters against jedi were rare. So not many except those that dealt with them often would bother to learn them. But I had decided I would need to learn it if I were ever to face Vader.


    I struck a deal with him. Shelter and food until he got back on his feet and in turn he would teach me the fighting style. Which was why he was in my room now. Showing me the right ways to move and breath as well as spar with him to see what I''m capable of. "This is gonna be a lot of work" I had heard him mutter.


    Yet I couldn''t get angry at him. I was going to learn how to fight, and alongside my knowledge, I thought no fforce-sensetive could hope to beat me.

 Chapter 1

    <hr><hr><hr>


    7 years later


    In the case of being gripped with the Force by the throat, grasping at the throat would be the reflexive response. Of course, it would be a useless action. There is no hand to grasp. And even if there was one, you wouldn''t be able to do anything against it. Instead, one should fire their slugthrower at them in response to being choked with the Force. If this isn''t possible, then they should hope they have an explosive set ready to kill them. And hope to be at a safe distance from the explosion.


    Indeed, the Force is the most dangerous part of fighting a force-sensetive. They may push, pull or grip someone with the Force, and most would be hopeless. Notable exceptions would be Boba Fett, who would simply use his jetpack to stabalise himself when he hunted jedi for the Empire. Or General Grievous who used intimidation tactics to weaken a jedi''s connection to the Force as well as clawed feet the hold unto surfaces when pushed or pulled by the Force.


    Of course, these two are exceptions and most don''t have access to the resources they do. I doubt even with the wealth father left for me that I could get the same set of equipement.


    And sith have more powers than simple pull and push. And I ought to think of a way to counter them.


    I had put down the datapad again. I was writing ideas into datapads since I was twelve, so they became really valuable to me. Both emotionally and tactically.


    The clone didn''t shared his name, if he had any. So I came to simply call him Master, for that was what he was to me. Although, truth be told, we had a kind of relationship where we were sort of equals.


    He kept a stoic and quiet attitude, and so I never forced him to speak. I''d like to say we grew fond of one another, but that wasn''t quiet true. We saw each other as traders might see one another, an asset to exploit but no true friend. As soon as one wouldn''t be useful the other would leave them.


    And so we were useful to one another. He taught me teras kasi, and I provided him with shelter until he learned to act like the average human being. Surprisingly enough, despite getting off at a rough start, Caretaker and Master were amiable with one another. They both seemed to find comfort in each other''s company. Amd so it had been for many years since I welcomed him, until I finally graduated from education.


    Father''s fortune, however, was dwindling. Mostly from taxation and my studious efforts. When Caretaker and Master urged me to sell the sith records, I refused on the basis I might one day interpret the texts differently. It was selfish and I would now not hesitate to admit it, but as the owner of the shelter as well as the money Master and Caretaker allowed me to do as I wished. Although they did so reluctantly.


    And so, we were forced to work. I had Caretaker babysit children for an hourly wage so that parents didn''t have to buy a droid, which earned us the a steady amount of credits. Meanwhile, me and Master were looking for jobs. I had worked as a bar-tender whilst Master worked as a bouncer for another establishment. Yet, we were constantly fired. It turned out Master wasn''t the only one with poor social skills, as if I expected years of studying cult-like people would make me more charming behind the bar.


    Eventually, we begun taking whatever jobs we could. Janitors, waiters and similair occupations. Yet, most of the jobs we tried to get was already mostly taken care of droids. So there was a lot of competition. Despite Caretaker''s efforts, the credits in our deposit spiralled closer and closer to a small amount. And we were getting desperate.


    One day, Master came in quietly like a shadow whilst I was looking for employment on the Holonet. He only acts stealthy when he was nervous.


    "Well, Galen. I found us employment. Well, not exactly but-"


    "Is it illegal?"


    He paused. "That''s actually a very complex question."


    A found that a sigh was escaping my mouth. "Out with it then. What is it?"


    "Well there''s this bounty-"


    I was about to say no.


    "- on an inquisitor who was apparently trying to abduct a child of this rich trader. He offered a good ship to the first bounty hunter to accept. Since the person in question is a force-user, most aren''t taking it and those that would are mostly busy with other bounties."


    During his talk, I shut my mouth as soon as soon as I heard the word "inquisitor". They were Darkside-users who''s official purpose was to hunt down any remaining jedi from the days of the Republic''s democracy. They also submitted to the Darkside. The side of the Force my contempt was directed at.


    They would be my first prey.


    I didn''t realize how much hate I had in me until that moment. It suddenly flooded in as soon as I heard there was a chance to kill Darkside-users. As if it was slumbering until I could actually take action against someone. One might expect me to be filled to the brim with anger and a desire for revenge. Maybe that was one kind of hate, but what I had felt at that moment was different.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    I was already skilled at teras kasi, almost as much as Master. I felt as if I could fight and defeat an inquisitor with him at my side.


    "Well then, let''s go."


    ***


    Thankfully, nobody accepted the contract in the criminal side of Holonet before us so we didn''t have to find a way to steal a ship. We quickly entered hyperspace, with Master of course being the pilot since I didn''t know how to fly the thing, towards the planet that the client was on. Tatooine, it was called. I knew I should learn as much as possible about the mission first hand, but I couldn''t help but focus on the ship.


    It had 4 different turrets, each of which could seemingly be automated by a complex algorithm or controlled by a droid , as well as the latest parts and a design which made it harder to hit. By all accounts, it was a very good ship. Too good of one. I wondered why the trader gave us a ship of such good quality, despite the fact there was nothing to prevent us from simply lying about accepting the contract and taking it with us.


    I felt there was more going on then we realized.


    "Oi, Master."


    He didn''t respond, just like his stoic self.


    "Don''t you wonder why the trader left a ship of good quality be left as an early payment for bounty hunters? There''s nothing to prevent a person from simply taking it and leaving afterwards."


    I left a puzzle for him to work out, to see if he would reach any conclusions I didn''t. He frowned, and pondered a bit. Finally, he answered.


    "Trap? Maybe the Empire is trying to root out those who are defying them by atttacking their men."


    "I don''t think so. It still wouldn''t prevent someone taking off unless they placed a tracker. I already sweeped the place and couldn''t find anything. Besides, they wouldn''t haave had to give us a ship, not of this good of a quality."


    I could tell he suddenly gave the puzzle a lot more attention in his mind. Something about his face gave off that impression.


    I decided to try and bring him out of his silence. "So, does your experience as a soilder tell you we should give this more thought?"


    "Possibly."


    I knew he wouldn''t speak anymore than that. I didn''t bother trying to find out what his mind was thinking. After all, we just got out of hyperspace. And Tatooine was there, a barren desert planet in front of us. We had proceeded to land at the designated area and head to the bar where we were suppossed to meet the trader.


    We ate and waited a while. A very long while. Me and Master were starting to suspect we were somehow being surrounded as night fell and the trader finally came.


    An iktotchi came and sat before us. "How do you like the ship.?"


    "It''s very good quality. I think the automated turrets werre a nice touch." I responded cautiously. I shot a glance at Master and realized he was staying quiet, per his training as a clone, to soak in every bit of information.


    The iktotchi simply nodded at my response to me. Then he briefed us. "There''s a human child on this plane. They''re being hunted down by one of those jedis with a red lightsaber."


    "You mean inquisitors."


    "Same thing. Anyway, I want you to find a way to get rid of this ''inquisitor''. They should be south of here, no more than a few hundred steps."


    "And this child isn''t yours?"


    The man snorted. "No, no. If this was my son, they wouldn''t still be on this planet. I''m just paying a favour to a rather old man."


    Must be a big favour, with all that credit offered plus a ship being giving away at the beginning.


    "Alright then. We expect the credits if we survive and dealt with the force-sensetive."


    "I''ll transfer it to you via the Holonet."


    I didn''t like that we had nothing more than his words to trust, since there''d be nothing to confirm that we got our payment. I''d want to avoid any unneeded killing, but it is well known that a bounty hunter who doesn''t kill a cheating client tends to end up the target of many scams. But I decided to trust him anyhow.


    And so, after a hundred steps or so, we reached the Darkside-user. It seemed she was approaching a small residency of some kind. Possibly where the child was living. Rage filled me. They''d kidnap children and adhere to their desires? No. I would not allow this person to kill the child''s parents as Vader had killed mine.


    "Oi!"


    She quickly turned, her black armor reflecting the shine of the moonlight, with the luminating red lightsaber in her hand. She was well equipped, I had to admit. Yet, not equipped enough.


    Her armor would be designed against blaster fire, not metal projectiles. So I shot two rounds of my slugthrower. She reacted almost instantly, lifting her lightsaber to deflect those shots. We were already dashing towards her.


    The first shot vaporised upon contact against the lightsaber, which seemed to surprise her because the second shot barely slipped by through her defenses. The close vicinity to the lightsaber caused the shot to melt and burn her skin, as well as break her armour from the high velocity, which caused her to scream in pain and lose focus.


    Me and Master moved quickly, before she could use her rage to fuel her strenght, and delivered precise hits. Which stunned her. She finally gave two wide swings of her lightsaber at us, which we evaded with ease at her stunned and weakened state, and delivered the final blow knocking her out. Then I took out a blaster and shot her head, which killed her with a satisfying blow.


    I stared at the corpse, as if expecting it to move, which it didn''t of course.


    That''s it? Is that all it took?


    Most of my fears had relinquished over the years, but I still had nightmares of the night Vader had killed my parents. I could never forget a night like that, and I expected a great battle or fight of some kind whenever battling the sith.


    Yet, here was a sith right beneath me. Confusion, pride and triumph all warred in me. I had killed her, but when did one become the sith become so weak? Even with stealth, she should have sensed us. Were the sith weak after all, or was I making too many assumptions from this? Maybe we won because I used my slugthrower. Maybe we surprised her. I still couldn''t rap my mind around her death.


    My mind couldn''t decide if this was good or bad.


    "... Galen?"


    I snapped back into reality. "Huh, did you say something Master?"


    "I said call the trader and tell him to transfer the credits."


    I took out a device used to connect to the Holonet, only to find that the credits were already transferred.It was sent alongside the message.That weapon was very loud. But a slugthrower? Genius.


    Damn trader was watching us. I sighed, I''d need to find a way to gurantee my clients payed. I didn''t have a reputation others would know yet.


    I looked back at Master, who suddenly seemed pale for no reason. I followed his gaze.


    An old man was standing outside the small residence. And next to him, there was a ten years old boy and a middle-aged man.

 Chapter 2

    That boy must be the one who the inquisitor targetted.


    I am not sure what led me to that conclusion, but it turned out correct. We had approached the hut to speak to them and asked them what the inquisitor wanted to do with their child. Well its more like I drag Master to speak to them, but the middle-aged man spoke up first.


    "Get out of here. We don''t tolerate killers, let alone bounty hunters. You probably just caught the Empire''s attention by killing one of their own."


    The insults shocked me. We just saved them, and this is how they responded? Calling us killers and such things? I think I would''ve insulted him back if Master didn''t have such a terrified expression.


    "Now now, Owen. I understand you''re irritable due to your wife''s absence but don''t take it out on our saviours. Especially with young Luke here."


    He gestured towards the boy, who looked roughly to be ten. I could tell by his expression that he was very groggy, and would likely not recall tonight''s events. Maybe it was better for him like that.


    The middle-aged man turned towards the elder. "Saviours? Damnit! I came to you to defend us, not to be indebted to a bounty hunter, Ben Kenobi!"


    "I called in a favour. You don''t owe your life towards them or anything. If that''s what your scared about."


    It was a surprisingly casual air they were throwing, with a injured corpse bleeding into the ground only ten steps away. I finally decided to speak up. "Oi, why did that-"


    "Ah," the old man cut me off before I could finish my statement. "An assassin clone. I haven''t seen one of you since Order 66."


    "Wait, you were in Order 66? What did-"


    Master straightened his back. "Sir! I apologize for attempting to take your life."


    "Stop cutting me off!"


    Finally, everyone stopped and payed attention to me.


    "I''d like everything explained. Slowly and throughly."


    Meanwhile


    A sith lord was reporting to his Master Palpatine. They had both been busy managing the Empire, making sure it wouldn''t fall apart. Vader defeated and subjugated rebellious planets as well as handle the diplomacy for more domestic ones. And he had done a good job. Most of the Empire was stable, for now anyhow.


    But then they both felt a shift in the Force. An inquisitor died. And they could tell it wasn''t by the hands of another Force user. Most likely a bounty hunter or an accident of some kind, but the death of someone as powerful couldn''t simply be ignored.


    Palpatine simply nodded. No words needed to be exchanged. Vader turned and went to investigate what happened, although he wouldn''t visit Tatooine himself once he found out that''s where the inquisitor died, since the place had bad memories for him.


    For now, he would get to the bottom of this.


    Back to Galen


    "So, what you''re saying is that this old man is a jedi? And that Master tried to kill them back in Order 66, only to have his face scarred?"


    The two people in question nodded at the question whilst Ben was keeping watch on Luke who had just fallen asleep.


    "And that the inquisitors kidnap force-sensetive children?"


    "Yes, that''s right." Ben responded.


    Well, I learned a lot today. Although I still feel like these two are hiding something from me.


    "Well, I don''t know why you didn''t deal with this inquisitor yourself, but we dealt with her for you." I responded.


    "And we are grateful for that. And this man should have lived in the area I told him to! No sith can sense Luke there, since Tatooine is more of a Darkside nexus over there."


    The middle-aged man was about to raise his voice, but I intervened before they could debate their problems any further.


    "Our client rewarded us far more than was needed; did you ask him to do so as part of your favour?"


    It had been bugging me that the man offered such a ship of good quality. Rich men tended to be stingy with their money, and so rarely spent it in ways that would not be beneficial or pleasurable one way or the other. It was a thousand more times likely that he would have offered us a simple transport vessel than an actual ship.


    "Ah," Ben responded. "Yes, I specifically asked him to gift the first person to come to help us with this ship."


    "Why?"


    "Do you really want to know?"This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    I realized that Master and Owen were silent, as if watching intently for what kind of answer would be given. At that moment, I didn''t care.


    "Yes, I do want to know."


    The elderly man sighed. "The Force guided me to do so. You are a strange one, in that the Force shifts around you despite you being barely Force-sensetive. Both light and dark. Guiding your actions. I felt compelled by the light to aid you in whatever journey you are going on, although I am afraid of whatever destination you will reach."


    With each word, I only grew more confused. The Force shifting around me. Me? Both light and dark controlled my actions? Suddenly I had felt a fear grip my heart. If I lacked freewill, then was my hate of Darkside-users truly my own? Or something the Force used to spur me to action? Like a domesticated animal tempted to move forward.


    A wave of dizziness had hit me. Was I me? Or was I a simple tool to be used? No. I was me, and the Force was the Force. Completely seperate, no influence on one another. It was a blatant lie. But it was the only one that offered any sort of comfort at that moment.


    Master must have seen the inner turmoil that expressed itself on my face. "If you will excuse us, General Kenobi. I apologise for trying to kill you all those years ago. My... loyalty bade me to do so, at least until the Empire decided to decommission me."


    "Unlike many other jedi who survived, I don''t harbour feelings against the clones for carrying out their orders."


    Master nodded him, and on that note we left. My personal turmoil made me pay more attention to what I was to the Force and what it was to me. An obstacle, to be overcomed when fighting a Force wielder through clever tactics and tricks. Did I really think myself clever? I simply beated one person with the element of surprise, and now I felt as if my dream of overcoming trained Force-sensetives and eventually Vader was achievable. Yet, all this time, I was pushed along by the Force itself. By both the light I was indifferent towards and the dark I had hated with my very soul. How could I beat an inquisitor head on, let alone Vader and whoever was the other sith lord?


    I have no chance against the Chosen One.


    The thought came out of nowhere. I had no idea who this ''Chosen One'' is, but I felt the words rang with an absolute truth. "I have no chance against the Chosen One" I had said aloud. At this, Master seemed to startle.


    "Where did you hear that from?"


    "I... never heard it before. I just felt like those words were the truth, and felt a need to say them."


    "Well, sorry if I overreacted. It''s just... that''s what we called Anakin Skywalker."


    "The poster boy of the Clone Wars?"


    "Err, yes. If that''s how you want to call him. I heard he died, in a duel against a Jedi back in Mustafar. So I found it strange when you called him by his name."


    I turned to him. My own turmoil forgotten instantly in the face off curiousity. I wondered if that was the Force steering my emotions or if it was my own nature. I could not find the will to care. "Why did he fight against a Jedi? And why wasn''t this told to the general public? A death of a general would have been a massive blow to the Republic back in the Clone Wars."


    "Umm, that''s classified information. Don''t look at me like that. Even if I wanted to tell you this information, the Empire could execute me for sharing it."


    I sighed. We came across the body of the inquisitor, bleeding from the head. Her brains was sprayed in a small spot below her head from when I finished her off, with her skin searing from when the hot, melted bullet hit her. Suddenly, I knelt down and begun to loot her body.


    "That isn''t a very good idea," Master worringly warned me.


    "She isn''t going to make use of this. And some of this would be useful. Her armor is top quality, and we can sell her lightsaber for 20,000 credits."


    "And if the Empire sees her body was looted? Do you think they''d take this standing down?"


    "Relax, they''d probably think it was the Tuskan Raiders. They use slugthrowers as well, you know?"


    "Just be quick."


    I believed he realized I was trying to distract myself. I had pushed down the questions regarding the Force, but they were still at the edge of my mind. So we chattered and when we reached the ship, we had started training. I had completed the physical training, but Master was teaching me how to resist Force-sensetives who attempted to influence my thinking. Meanwhile, we entered the hyperspace. After we exited, we went home and moved residencey to the ship. Master was paranoid aboout the Empire finding out about us and it would be more for bounty hunting. Although Caretaker wasn''t happy about such a change, she relented and followed us to the ship.


    And that was the end of the day for me. And I was left to wander at what Ben told me.


    A few hours later


    Vader didn''t come to Tatooine. He feared the memories the place wrought would kill Vader and revive Anakin Skywalker. Instead, he sent a sharp stormtrooper to investigate. The stormtrooper was called Contrail, a clone like Master.


    When he investigated the body of the inquisitor, he had almost dismissed it as raiders. But he knew that Force-sensatives were a resilient bunch, and that it wouldn''t take a single shot to kill them.


    He investigated her body. It seemed that one shot got through, and then when she was knocked down by it they shot her in the head. No, no. That wasn''t quiet right. The shot barely missed her lightsaber, which caused it to melt when it hit her. The high velocity allowed it to break through her armor regardless of the physical state and melt her skin.


    Yet, she had still fought. They... approached her? And engaged her in melee combat? There were no lightsaber wounds on her, only bruises and gun wounds. So it wasn''t a Jedi. But who else could fight with a inquisitor one-on-one and not die? Yet, it clearly wasn''t a Jedi. These weren''t Jedi tactics. He knew from experience when he fought alongside the Jedi during the Clone Wars and against them during Order 66. This was a different kind of fighter.


    So he reported to Darth Vader. First reporting what he saw, than what he thought. And the sith praised him, confirming what the clone had concluded from what he could sense from the Force.


    And besides, Vader already knew who it was.


    Back to Galen a few days later.


    It turns out while teras kasi was meant for the jedi, it worked well against anyone with limbs. It helped us complete many bounties. None of which involved inquisitors.


    We acted as cargo protectors and delivery for strange and probably illegal packages. Although we earned ourselves quiet a title when we had killed the female inquisitor. ''Sith Hunters'' they begun to call us. Although we never actually hunted any sith. We wouldn''t go out killing random people, but we would specifically hunt sith and inquisitors, or so goes the rumors.


    But for now, nobody had such a request. Still, our reputation got us a lot of jobs that required no killing unless in defense. And the money we earned was a lot. Master bought a new pair of blasters, as well as armor. I had bought armor, detenators that released sleeping gas,l customized ammo for slugthrowers that was filled with a gas that both poisoned and calmed an individual once vaporised by a lightsaber. Which was a deadly combination for Darkside-users. Finally, and the most expensive toll, a sword made entirely of mandolorian iron. Which was resistant to lightsaber. Out of all of us, only Caretaker was sensible enough to save any money.


    Then, we got a message on the Holonet whilst caring for the ship. I got a job. Requires hunting a Darkside-user.


    We then travelled halfway through the galaxy to accept the job.

 Chapter 3

    Even with the hyperdrive, we reached Kashyyyk in three days. It was known as the land of the Wookies, a species considered non-sentien by the Empire. Of course, that''s just an excuse to enslave them. The species is rebellious against the Empire, often hiding Jedi or hiding info of them. It is not clear whether the rebellious attitude was caused by the slaver or if it was the other way around.


    We had landed in a forest with dry ground, which was a relief considering I heard the ground was often wet or even flooded. Although I had no way of knowing whether those are just rumors or not.


    When we landed, a Wookie was waiting for us. He was armed, of course. For all he knew we would be soilders from the Empire. I didn''t blame him when I approached him.


    "Greetings, friend. Can you show the way to the client?"


    "Gwwrrgh."


    Oh, right. There would be a language barrier. Of course there''d be a language barrier, they can''t speak my language. Although I suspected they could understand me, but their tongue was unable to pronounce the more complex sounds other species produced.


    Well, this was a conundrum. We might as well have a one way communication line. I looked back at Master, hoping he somehow knew their language, but he simply shook his head.


    The Wookie suddenly turn, and with a snap of his head let us know we should follow. We passed through forests of green as well as large lakes. The Wookies, unlike most other species, seemed to live side by side with nature. For some odd reason, I found a deep respect towards them for that behaviour.


    Then, the Wookie stopped us at front of a residence. Well, it was more of a treetop. Mainly because it was one, one we had to scale up to reach. It was likely done to keep outsiders out, and in easy sight if they trespassed so they could be shot. If it wasn''t for the training me and Master did daily, I think I would be wheezing by the time I reached the top. I worked up a sweat, that''s for sure.


    I felt a slap on my back from Master. "Come on, you can''t be tired after just a bit of climbing! Back in the Clone Wars we did marches that were more tiring than this."


    "Well, I apologise for not being a genetically enchanced version of the greatest bounty hunter to have walked the Galaxy. It seems as if that fact aided you."


    Then, I looked at him and realized something obvious for the first time. He was getting old, and fast. When I met him, he seemed as if he was twenty. Now he looked as if he was in his mid-thirties. The only thing keeping him nimble was teras kasi. The accelerated ageing of a clone made him age twice as fast. In three years, he would seem probably seem as if he was forty. All of a sudden it seemed cruel to me, that the Empire took full use of his skills and then threw him away like a broken tool without anything to support himself.


    I looked away, no need to pity the clone. That would just anger him. I turned my attention to the room. There was a bed covered in veil, and few other furnitures that weren''t essential. A table for eating, some chairs, and other than that the room was very empty.


    I looked at the Wookie, and his gesture and gurgle gave me permission to approach the bed. The veil was purple, and of a very smooth texture. It was expensive, and probably important to whoever owned it. I quickly noted how Master backed off and was silent. So, he''d want me to handle the negotiations alone?


    I pushed the curtain back, and saw a Togruta women meditating on the bed. I noticed the lightsaber by her side. Another Jedi? She looked up at me and smiled. "Ah, the Pebble."


    Well, I haven''t even begun speaking to my client and she already insulted me. Just great.


    She suddenly seemed flustered. "I didn''t mean to insult you. It''s just that... it''s the best name I can come up for you."


    "And that was was an even worst insult."


    She suddenly seemed to compose herself in that instant. Then she briefed me as if I was a soilder. "There is a Darkside-user seeking for me. Thanks to the Wookies, I have managed to evade the so far, but I want you to deal with them before they call the attention of the one known as Vader. I suspect even I can''t defeat him. And if I kill the person, Vader would be able to sense that."


    "Well, what do they look like? I would need information first."


    A voice suddenly sounded from above. "Why don''t you find out?"


    Suddenly, a red blade of light pierced the roof, only inches from my face. And I had the wisdom to duck before the Darkside-user moved the lightsaber in a circle to make a hole in to enter.


    "Ahsoka Tano. A pleasure to meet you." And she lunged.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    I suspect this is the first time the Force actually made me do anything. Before this point, it always gave my thoughts nudges in a direction. Nudges I was unaware of and passed of as my own thoughts. Yet, now, I felt the something made me grab my mandolarian sword and jump in front of the Darkside-user. I parried the blow, thanks to the fact the mandolarian steel made the sword lightsaber-resistant, but was soon backed to a corner by the Darkside-user. Until Master approached from behind in an attempt to deliver a punch, only for her to swiftly dodge.


    Master looked at me and I blinked. The practitioners of teras kasi don''t wield swords, and attacked together. I quickly sheathed the weapon and charged with my Master.


    I considered firing my slugthrower and decided not to. The poison from the bullet might be inhaled by others in this cramped space. Besides, I still had tricks up my sleeve.


    The Darkside-user pushed us with a gesture of her hand. I had gambled on this, quickly took out my sword and dove it into the floor for grip. Master wasn''t so lucky and went smashing against the wall.


    So, Ahsoka would probably help me if she deemed it needed. I realized the Wookie wasn''t helping. I think he was measuring up my abilities. And the Darkside-user was solely focused on getting me of my sword.


    I abruptly decided Ahsoka would have enough time to react, and Wookies probably were resistant to this kind of poison. I shot a round of my slugthrower, which the Darkside-user blocked. This caused the liquid calming-poison inside the bullet to vaporise alongside the bullet itself. Which she would have inhaled and then find her connection to the Darkside weaken severly. Not being able to call on her anger and whatever left of her power would be focused on driving the poison out of her system.


    It all went exactly as planned. One moment she is smiling triumphantly as she blocked my shots. The next she is gasping for air. I simply walked up to her, took my blaster and shot her head. Such that a spray of read covered the wall.


    I felt something shift in me. As if a part of me I never knew stirred. I looked down. Oh. She had thrown the her lightsaber through my stomach. My entrails spilt out. Blood gushed alongside it and I collapsed into a blackness that was deeper than sleep.


    <hr>


    I had dreamt. And I knew that I did. Learning to lucid dream had been part of my training in learning to resist mind tricks. So I was always checking if my environment was a part of reality.


    Yet, I couldn''t control this dream. That was strange. Dreams usually collapsed when I became aware or they shaped into my fancy. Yet this dream was sturdy, and one I couldn''t do anything to change.


    I was a chess piece. Force-sensetive rrnough to be affected by the Force, but not the other way around. And there were two players, who were actually the different sides of the same being. They both moved me, to do some seemingly minor things that would cause major changes.


    I suddenly perceived what these changes were. Saving young Luke meant he would cause Darth Vader to turn to the light. Hiding Ahsoka Tano would lead to the rise of the second rebellion, which would merge with the first one created by Starkiller. Even taking Master home prevented him from meeting Janus, a Jedi, and killing that important piece. An ever important piece indeed, the light assented.


    I saw how every action and every thought I had influenced the future in ways I couldn''t imagine. A mutter from me about the stupidity of the Empire drove a young man who overheard to consider joining the rebellion, which he did, and becoming a great commander. A bump from me on the streets of Lothal whilst I was looking for the trader who promised me my mandolorian sword led to two souls marrying and having a child named Ezra who would influence the rebellion.


    I realized why Ahsoka called me the Pebble. Just like how a drop of a pebble could cause an avalanche, each of my actions were deliberated to gear the Galaxy towards a specific change. Regardless of how small they seemed.


    But the Darkside also had plans of its own. It had fostered my hatred of Vader, so I would go to him to fight and die to his hands before I could finish my actions. Such that the Chosen One doesn''t complete his destiny yet. I was suppossed to take Luke with me, but the Darkside kept me from doing so. I should have also met princess Leila, confronted Master on his ageing and payed closer attention to Caretaker. All of these actions, in unknowing ways, would lead to the new republic and a better future.


    I realized, at that moment, my mind wasn''t just connected to the Force as the Jedi or Sith described it. I was immersedin it. I felt there was only a small layer, a small barrier seperating myself and the Force. I picked at it. I could tell I had attracted the attention of every trained Force-sensetive. All swiveled their senses towards me, wondering what I was and what I was about to do.


    I removed the barrier bit by bit, and my individuality leaked through it. I was starting to become the Force itself. Sentient in a way one couldn''t comprehend without experience, knowledge and power withing my grasp. I felt a certain Darth Vader closing himself in sudden fear as he felt my hatred turn on him. I felt the Force itself confused at what I was doing as the Force, as strange as it sounds. I reached for Vader, in a way that ignored distance. I held him by the throat as he held me so many years ago. I didn''t see what he was doing and frankly didn''t care. I would kill him for the harm he did to me.


    Suddenly, I was awakened with a splash of water. I gasped at the sudden sensation, and that seperated me and the Force. My fury at being interrupted and regret at not killing Vader instantly washed over me.


    "What are you doing?! I almost had him!" I shouted at Ahsoka, who had a bucket in her hand.


    "What areyou doing?! You''re the Pebble, you... somehow suffused yourself with the Force, all of it. Dark and light and all in between. It was as if... you were the embodiment of the Force itself."


    "I... I... what did I do?"


    What did I do? I don''t remember. It... started out with a chess piece and then...


    "... you really don''t remember?"


    "No, I don''t. I know I did something, but the details elude me."


    "We thought you dead. There were no droids to heal you, and I couldn''t fully heal you myself. Then, slowly, the Force begun to hang around you like a scent. And you''re wounds healed steadily, you''re own entrails floated back into your stomach! Do you truly remember nothing?"


    I shook my head.


    She sighed in response. "Get into the ship. You likely alerted every single Force-user in the Galaxy of our location. I still have no idea how you did that, with how weak your Force-sensetivity is."


    "Yes ma''am." Was all I could say in response.