Survival, Dark Times 2

[hk47fan]

Miss Haltzilakas

By the time I had attempted to stop Han, it was too late and he had already assaulted the reporter. "I understand...but please, try to control yourself in the future. This won't help our case any." I told him.

For as well as Han and I worked together, we had our differences...but I couldn't disagree with him, personally, on punching Ardol Vent. He had been causing trouble for a long time now. You couldn't expect anything less from the media.

We quickly left the Rotunda, and were heading for HQ. "Are you planning on doing anything about the Falcon?" I asked curiously.

More and more problems were cropping up by the minute.

Nack

I sat in the Soft Heart Cantina...though technically I shouldn't even be in here, Caitlin and Lynn had decided to bring me, and they promised Memah Roothes that I wouldn't drink any alcohol. I had become quite close with Lynn lately, and therefore, Caitlin to an extent.

Kossk and Chok of my father's crew were here, and Memah was at the bar. She had turned on HoloNet News just for some noise in the empty place.

However, suddenly, a special report broke in to the usual newscast.

"This is Breaking News: We are down at the Senate Rotunda, and we have just learned that Renee Haltzilakas, Chief of State, and Han Solo, Head of Coruscant Security, have been relieved of duty. We are not sure of the details, but it is highly believed that the order came from Sora Trok, who has just now declared himself Supreme Admiral of the New Republic." the reporter said.

Caitlin spit her drink out, and Kossk hissed.

"What?!" I yelled, jumping up. "Thats...thats insane!"

Barriss Offee

I was teaching one of my many class of Younglings after Master Redgrave had left...he had left me in charge, but I didn't feel anything different at the moment. I just went about business as usual.

"Center your mind, children....there is no emotion, there is peace..." I told them.

However, I heard the door open, and at first I prepared to scold someone for entering during a training session, but I saw Declan Riley in the doorway. "Master Riley, do you need something?" I asked. It was not like him to randomly burst in to places.

"Master Offee, I think there is something you need to know." Declan said. I could feel his concern through the Force.

This must be urgent.

I smiled at the Younglings, to not alert them. "Continue reciting the code, children."

I stood and followed Declan out, where I saw other Jedi Masters gathering around a local HoloNet News terminal. It seemed there was quite a commotion.

I heard the report, and my eyes widened with shock. I looked to Declan. "Is this true? It can't be!" I exclaimed, appalled at the...randomness and utter imperial-sound of this situation.

"We can never trust reporters to be totally accurate...but if I had to guess, I'd say this was true. I have met that man before, and have been around him a few times after his wife's death...I have felt Sora Trok's change in the Force. This would not surprise me." Declan explained to me.

[Rain]

Memah

"You're telling me!" I exclaimed, almost dropping the glass I was cleaning. "Han was in here recruiting people not four hours ago!" I looked at Nack, "No offeence, but your dad's crazy!"

Han

"Anything I try to do will only make things worse." I said as we continued walking, "I'm going to leave it a while, and hope Sora realises what he's doing. If that doesn't happen then I'm going to have to do something."

I heard a familiar roar behind me, and turned to see the source running towards us.

"Chewie? What are you doing here?" I asked. Peering behind him I seen C-3PO trying to catch up with him.

The Wookiee growled an angry response. "What? But that's our home! They can't do that!" I clenched my fists in anger and turned to Renee. "Great... now they have forced us off the Falcon altogether. Luckily for us the Soft Heart Cantina has a few spare bunks. But this is getting out of hand!"

[hk47fan]

Miss Haltzilakas

I just shook my head. Sora had been such a great friend, but now he was turning into a foe. It was dissappointing that a hero had fallen this fast. "We have to just keep going," I said, trying to keep everyone calm.

We kept walking, and that protocol droid, C-3PO, and his counterpart R2-D2 caught up to us. "Captain Solo, this is horrific! How could Master Trok do something like this to us?!" he shouted.

Nack

I nodded solemnly. "I haven't really kept up with him until, well...you know, but I just...this is still so upsetting. My father was a hero in so many ways, a well respected man around his peers....and now he does something like this?"

Lynn put a comforting hand on my back. "We all have times of crisis in our lives, Nack."

"This is more than just a time of crisis, Mom," Caitlin said, looking despaired. "Sora's been going downhill, emotionally, for awhile...I've seen it first hand."

"This just in: Renee Haltzilakas's replacement as Chief-of-State has just been named. According to word from the Rotunda, it is Senator Hunter Solon. This is a departure from the original rules set in by the New Republic, as when a Chief-of-State is removed suddenly, the Minister of State takes their place..." the reporter continued, trailing off into details about how the system usually worked.

"Who is Hunter Solon?" Caitlin asked outloud.

"Hunter Solon...no one I know personally," Duskbringer, who was actually my cousin Shao, said as she entered. "But when I worked for Daala and was taking out leaders for her, I remember doing some research on political people...I found Solon's profile, and I don't think he's the greatest guy around. There were alot of bad reports about the planet he represents. Why the hell would Sora choose him for Chief-of-State?"

"The Captain...his body remains the same, but his emotions and attitude are changing....this news is too troubling for my body to handle," Kossk commented.

Barriss

"I don't know who Hunter Solon is, but the Jedi Order stands for freedom, justice, and peace," I said to Declan as I heard the latest news. "This is not any of those three things...even if Sora disagreed with those two people's methods, he had no right to remove them like this. And he should know better than to disrupt the government, which would therefore disrupt the lives of the people, after all that has already happened."

"What are you suggesting we do, Master Offee?" Declan asked, folding his hands.

I sighed. "Grandmaster Redgrave told me to protect the Jedi Order at all cost...I have alot of respect for Sora, and he may not be a Force-user, but this is something like going down the path of the Dark Side. If necessary, I will command that the Jedi leave Coruscant."

[Revan Jast]

Selas was strolling down the side of the street almost casually, but it looked like he was stalking someone. Then again, it's hard to see a 6-and-a-half foot tall Mandalorian walk 'casually'. His off-white robes were drawn around him, for there was a breeze blowing. His long hair hung around his face, his beard neatly trimmed, his dark blue eyes always searching for potential threats. Interestingly enough, it was his ears that picked up the threat.

"This is Breaking News: We are down at the Senate Rotunda, and we have just learned that Renee Haltzilakas, Chief of State, and Han Solo, Head of Coruscant Security, have been relieved of duty. We are not sure of the details, but it is highly believed that the order came from Sora Trok, who has just now declared himself Supreme Admiral of the New Republic." the reporter said.

Selas stopped in his tracks and cocked his head to one side. Did he just hear what he thought he heard?

"I don't believe it," a woman said next to him, from the driver's seat of her speeder.

Selas ran a hand over his face and looked at her briefly. "I can," he said, almost to himself. "Hey, what's your name?"

"Chelle," she said. "Oh my God, you're Selas Taban!"

"Yes, and I'm not your God. Look for the other guy with long black hair and eating disorders."

She looked puzzled, so he waved it off. "Listen, I need your help. Can you run me to the Rotunda?"

"Me? Run you to the Rotunda?"

"Thanks," Selas said, getting into the passenger side of the speeder. "Gas it if you can. I'll let you off for once."

Chelle nodded furiously, almost overtaken in her excitement in having a government official in her vehicle. She extended her left hand. "Chelle Ulgo at your service," she said.

Selas shook it awkwardly, having no interest in seeing her ring finger. She did notice his, however. "Oh, you're married."

Selas pulled his hand away. "Pretty much. I thought that was common knowledge?"

Chelle started the speeder up and zipped for the Rotunda. "Well, I'd heard rumors that you weren't because your wife and child are never seen." She brushed her long brown hair back behind her ear and glanced over at him, her green eyes glistening in the sun.

Selas felt a pang of sadness. "We like to stay out of the spotlight, but we're still together."

"I'm sorry," she said.

Selas nodded and swallowed. "Just get me to the Rotunda."

--------

Once there, he thanked Chelle and ran up the steps to the front doors, sliding them open with the Force. He took the elevator up, taking deep breaths the entire trip. He needed to stay calm.

The doors opened with a chime and he moved out into the hall, taking a right towards the offices of Sora Trok.

Something had to be done about this.

------------

Dawn walked into the Cantina and growled in his mechanical, menacing voice.

"Sometimes that bag of guts pisses me off. This is one of those times. He's the Captain and all and I am loyal to him, but why does he have to be so stupid?"

He slammed a large metal fist on the counter and looked over at Dusk.

"I'd love to take some action over this. Something along the lines of what we used to do."

---------------

Mesiros moved out of the jungle and into the darkness of the halls of stone. A place so dark, even a torch wanted to sputter out upon entrance. Never the less his power was greater than that, and the unlit torches that adorned the walls of this unholy place sparked to life, lighting his path.

He moved through the halls almost aimlessly, but he was fallowing a set path. Stairs here, move a wall there to reveal a hidden entrance, twist the head of a statue and open a door in the floor. At long last, he reached the place he wanted.

Inside the large room, skeletons lay on the floor in broken heaps, the color of age having settled on them. A black substance akin to dust coated the stone tiles, giving the room a nasty, dirty look. Skulls were mounted near the ceiling, and against the far wall a throne made of the bones of the dead sat, awaiting the return of... what? Its Master? No, the Master did not come here anymore. It was as dead and forgotten as the ones who lay buried around him. But the power in this place...

Oh, the power remained.

Mesiros moved forward and approached a large crystal globe on a stand in the middle of the room. It appeared empty at first, but when he touched it, it filled with the blackest smoke he'd ever seen. As he focused, it began to fade and show a picture of the new Leader of the Republic. I can work with this, Mesiros thought. Taking a deep breath, he smiled as he felt the dark power emanate from the room and into him.

And then he began to talk.

[hk47fan]

Sora

I had returned to my own office, still feeling the guilt of all of this...the media was already in a frenzy, everyone was running everywhere...it may seem insane now, but it had to be done. I impounded the Falcon so that Han could take some time to think about this, instead of fleeing. I didn't expect him to, but it was a possibility.

I just wished they could see the big picture. Both of them.

I heard my door open, and I looked up from my desk to see Selas.

Finally, someone I can truly trust.

"Selas, it is good to see you," I said truthfully, though he could probably tell just by looking at me and hearing me that I still wasn't a field of roses.

Duskbringer

I nodded. "Can't say I disagree...not like it would be hard. We slaughtered the entire Imperial Council so quickly, taking on this new guy would be nothing." I said, angered by the entire situation.

Some of the others blinked at us.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh like you all aren't used to it by now."

"Fair enough," Caitlin admitted. "Still doesn't make this any better, though."

I looked back to Dawn. "You know, the Trok family is not exactly the best family...I think all the Troks in this room can agree on that, but if there was one stable person in it, it was Sora. All of us have had our problems, but Sora kept everything stable."

"The Captain's body and soul was sound with the entire crew during their troubles, as well." Kossk said.

I nodded in agreement. "How did he turn into this? I know he lost his wife, a soulmate he had been with for years, and a long lost daughter killed her, but...he's fought through so much."

[Revan Jast]

Dawn shook his head sadly and drummed his fingers thoughtfully.

"If there's a lesson in this besides the obvious 'even the mightiest can fall', it should be that you can't really trust anyone. That, and never put all your trust in one person. Even more so, don't have a main person run everything. Remember that one guy that was after Selas? Apparently there's three of them, and I can imagine why. No one single person in that hierarchy can truly go bad because even though they're at the top, they have to maintain balance, plus they're supported by all of us, everywhere."

Dawn shrugged. "Not so with Sora, though. It's pretty much only him up there. It shouldn't be, because the original members of the crew such as Kossk here or Fi and Selas, they should also be entitled to help run things. I guess they are, maybe, but they don't do anything. That's bad."

----------

Selas walked into the room and shut the door behind him, taking a seat across from Sora.

"I heard what happened," he said after a second or two of thinking. "I came over here right away. I'd like to hear your reasoning behind this before I say anything else on the matter."

[hk47fan]

Duskbringer

I nodded. "Its always good for balance...and the problem is, is that Sora, technically, is the only one out of the crew that actually helped officially establish anything, if I remember right. All of the crew is regarded as heroes, but-"

"But our bodies followed the Captain. He led us, and therefore, his body is the one that continued in a role in government matters....our bodies are regarded as great heroes, yes, but we always trusted the Captain's body to make the proper and ultimate judgement." Kossk explained, interrupting.

I nodded. "Right. I guess he had those other two that he just fired, but they didn't come in until later...anyone who actually established the Rebels or the NR right along with Sora is dead. Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, Padme...they're all dead. All these events have led up to this." I said solemnly. "The most ironic part is is that Sora fought to prevent this. He wanted to stop Palpatine because he wanted more of a balance, more of a democracy...but its like he's turning into the people he fought."

Sora

I nodded, understanding that this news would be surprising and shocking to just about everyone. It had all happened so quickly, I didn't ever let on to anyone what I had quickly arranged. "Miss Haltzilakas and Han are great people with hearts in the right place," I explained, wanting everyone to know that. "But the fact is...I had to put my duty ahead of anything, here. To protect freedom and safety, I had to relieve them of their command...Mona was able to sneak back onto Coruscant and kidnap two Jedi without anyone noticing, and they already sent a team of four after the wrong person...a team that we haven't heard back from. I knew it was time to stop the madness before it went any farther, so I knew that this action was necessary. I didn't take pleasure in doing it, though, let me assure you that."

[Revan Jast]

Selas leaned back and exhaled slowly. "Sora, I can certainly see your reasoning behind what you've done. Perhaps I could even agree to an extent. But Sora, let's go over this step by step. You need to keep in mind that Mona is, or rather, was unknown to everyone here. Me, Fi, Kossk, the rest of the crew, security... you get the idea. Hell, you barely knew of her yourself anymore. She could have walked up to you on the street and shook your hand and you'd of had no idea who she was. Now if she could fool you like that, how in the hell do you expect someone who never knew she even existed to know what she would do?"

---------------

Mesiros closed his eyes and felt his spirit leave the room, almost as if he were there by Sora's side. He listened to Selas talk and almost scowled. The man was damn persuasive.

That doesn't excuse them at all. They're supposed to detect any and all threats to the Republic, both hidden and in plain sight. They failed, Sora. They let you down. They let us all down.

---------------

Selas shrugged. "If she had come up to me outright and said: 'Selas, I'm the daughter of Sora and Marlena', I would have deemed her as a troublemaker and a nutcase seeking out her 15 minutes of fame, and promptly dismissed her. Yeah, I know you're upset about the loss of Padme and your brother, but I've been around for a long time and I've lost things before. You've got to learn to coast down from the pain and begin to think rationally. The worst thing in the world is to run things while you're hurting, and Sora, that's just what you're doing."

---------------

This is the best time, Sora. While your resolve is still strong and you've got the guts to do what it takes to get things done. If you listen to them, you'll be distracted and she'll slip through your fingers again. You don't want that, do you?

---------------

He leaned forward and made eye contact with his Captain. "You're my best friend, my leader, and nearly my brother. We've been through nearly everything together. We started together...we once loved the same woman...we rose up and destroyed the Empire...we worked together and built the New Republic. Don't tear it down now."

---------------

You're not destroying it! Rather, you'll be helping it! Sometimes in order to get to the good things you've got to hurt yourself and those around you, but it's all for the greater good. They just want to hinder you, Sora. Maybe...maybe they even envy you and your power. Maybe they're jealous that you run everything and they can only watch as you take the glory for fixing the Galaxy...

[hk47fan]

Sora

I listened to Selas's words, I could feel them getting to me, hitting me inside...I knew what he was saying, and coming from an old friend helped....slowly, I began to feel myself doubting more and more what I did, though I didn't change my mind.

But I heard Mesiros's words...and I listened to them. It quickly swept the doubt away, as I felt some kind of power surpressing me...not controlling me, but it was like it was here, with me right now in ways it had never been before. I was no Force-user, despite rare inklings of it in the past, but I could feel something here.

And my decisions became more and more solid in my mind. I knew what I was doing had to be done. It just had to be...there was no other way. This was helping me realize that what I was doing was right, as painful as it was.

"Selas," I said after a momentary pause, collecting my thoughts. "We all have to make hard decisions sometimes...and I didn't like making this one, but it had to be done. Mona was hidden, yes....she was an unknown opponent with an identity that no one could ever guess, but still...we had been at an unofficial war with the Black Sun for a long time before that. We should have found her, been aware to all threats and squashed them before they got out of hand, but I do understand your points, which is why I sat back and did nothing, even after Padme's death, as that wave of emotions went through me...but we knew about Mona, and she slipped back into Coruscant like it was no problem. She captured two people and got right back out with no trouble. We've also had other issues, such as Mon Mothma's assassination and then the sudden death of Takk Tennan...the NR hasn't been able to keep things stable. They want to, we all do, I know that...but they just couldn't do it properly. That is why I had to take this action, so stability could be restored, and all our dreams could be fufilled. I am helping the New Republic, Selas, not taking it apart."

[Revan Jast]

Selas sighed and ran a hand over his face. "Sora, you just fired the two people most qualified to help you. They've both been through things that this new guy... this Solon has never experienced. That's what you really need, Sora. People with experience. Miss H and Han... sure, they screwed up. They're only human, and they're also only two people. You're placing a lot on their shoulders, and the best thing to have done was worked with them even more, not shut them out. They need to learn from their mistakes, Sora. That way they'll be all the stronger for it."

----------

Mesiros sat back for this one. He'd gotten his foot in the door, so he let things play out. Sora would see things properly by the time he was done with him, however.

[hk47fan]

Sora

I sighed. I still felt this slight urge to listen to Selas, but my decision was becoming far more firm in my mind. "We don't have the time to let them learn from their mistakes, as blunt as that sounds...they are people who mean well, but I'm not sure if they are as qualified as you say. So much has already happened, and I know its alot to take, but...I can't let more people die and get captured while they try to do better. I have to take action now so that no more people get hurt." I explained to him.

[Revan Jast]

Selas snorted. "So the answer is bring in someone who has no grasp on the situation to fix it? It's like calling a plumber to fix your data-pad, Sora. He'll muck around with it for a bit, then say it's fixed so he can still get his paycheck. Solon only wants the glory and respect that comes with the title. I've never seen him do anything useful, ever. He can't even fix his small problems, and you expect him to fix this one? I'm disappointed in you Sora. I guess your good sense of judgment died too."

-------------

Listen to him mock you and disrespect you. This is no way to treat the Admiral of the Republic! No matter who he is, he should be watching his tongue!

Mesiros cut himself off, however, when he felt the presence of others coming towards them. Still a ways off, but they were coming all the same.

Damn.

[hk47fan]

Sora

I looked at Selas in shock after what he said. I also listened to Mesiros's words, but was still astonished at Selas's harsh reaction. "Selas, for the record," I began calmly. "I know how appointing Solon may look, but I am taking up more of a role...hence my new title. I have always been involved, but I am stepping it up. I cannot just sit back anymore, I have to take action myself. Its not going to be all Solon."

"And Selas," I continued, still calmly, but also taking into consideration what Mesiros said. "I have successfully led you and others for years...you know me very well. You are more like my brother, similar to what you said, than Sonas was, in retrospect. Surely you would trust my judgement by now."

[Revan Jast]

Selas nodded. "I usually do, Sora. But that works for me and the others as well, Sora. Surely you would also trust ours. I know you're the big boss and all, but did you ever consider that you might, oh I don't know, be wrong for once? You're human too, Sora. A fact that I can see all too well. If you must keep running the show, then have one of us assist you, not some ass who has a small brain and big dreams of power."

He stood and leaned onto the desk, staring Sora right in the eyes. "You've led us, that much is true. But in reality, it's always been a group thing that we had going on. You were our Captain, yes, but more often than not we stood side by side in matters rather than us following your footsteps. There was a time when you would have listened to my counsel, Sora, and not shrugged it off like this."

----------------

He seeks to raise himself up to your level. Listen to him! He compares himself to you! 'Standing side by side...' Pah! You know who saved them time after time when they would have fallen into a trap and died. You!

[hk47fan]

Sora

Mesiros's words continued to sink in, as I looked up at Selas. "I know what you are saying, and typically, I do trust your judgement...but now, I have to listen to my own. It is time for me to step up and stop all of this...I have listened for a long time now, and unfortunately, it hasn't gotten anyone anywhere. Do I loathe saying that? Of course, I don't want any of this...but its more of a need than a want. Don't you see, Selas? I am surprised that you don't understand."

Duskbringer

We all had just entered the building, and were making our way through the bustling Rotunda. It seemed to be even busier than usual, for obvious reasons, and we had a hard enough time making it through the media frenzy...Nack, Kossk, Lynn, Dawn, Caitlin, Chok, and myself had all decided to come here to confront Sora ourselves.

"We must take the elevator to his body's office," Kossk said, motioning towards the elevator across the hall.