TITLE: Dark Sacrifice 1/36

AUTHOR: Cara & Quintus

E-MAIL:  [email protected]

RATING: PG-13

CATEGORY: Pre-TPM, Jedi Apprentice, Original Characters

ARCHIVE: Yes. Please keep headers intact.

DISCLAIMER: Star Wars is the property of Lucasfilm Ltd. No copyright infringement intended, no profit is being made from this fiction. All original characters and story belong to the authors. 

FEEDBACK: Constructive feedback appreciated.

TIME FRAME:  Pre-TPM @ 1-2 years

DARK SACRIFICE

By Cara & Quintus

Chapter 1

Prologue

Planet of Sahmly II

One thousand years ago the people of Sahmly II lived in nomadic tribes scattered across the planet's viable surface. The mountain dwellers disdained the plains dwellers that in turn scorned the people of canyons. But where the stone mountains dwindled to craggy bluffs that in turn led to the fertile savannahs, stood a sheltered grove, a place of truce prized by the tribes. Here Sahmlians met to trade and compare the hunting skills of their companion felines, the Arrcats. Here was a place of peace, respected by all.

The tribes met with outworlders under the spreading limbs of the Scree trees. The outsiders drew them in with presents and promises of wealth. When the majority of Sahmlians gathered, the dark strangers slaughtered them to a man, woman, and child. The outsiders then butchered the food Breeck, the rider Mastabas, the pet Ri birds, and slit the throats of those Arrcats that did not flee at the first splatter of blood.

One thousand years later Sahmlians still avoid the site. The safari guides and trackers that escort off world hunters plot a path in the widest arc around the grove. They whisper the area is desecrated, that blood ran down the canyon and soaked the ground in a dark stain that cannot be removed. They murmur of evil that lurks in canyon shadows, watching with three hooded yellow eyes. They say even the very air is permeated with malevolence. There are no doubters among the Sahmlian, because those that go to see for themselves, never return.

Coruscant

Jedi Council Chambers

“A request of you we have, Ak’ra Dushiko,” Master Yoda said. He perched in his chair in the Council chambers and twitched one pointy green ear.

“I serve the will of the Council,” Ak’ra said politely. “What is it you request?” Although his gaze swept across the seated Jedi of the Council, his eyes stopped on Master Yoda. He sensed the request to be Yoda’s doing more than the others. The master studied him in return. Yoda eventually closed his eyes and hmmmed to himself. It was Mace Windu who broke the silence when it became apparent Yoda was lost in thought.

“We want you to take on a padawan learner.”

Was that all? “I am always willing to instruct a learner in the mysteries of the Force, Master Windu.”

“A challenge this padawan will be, Ak’ra Dushiko,” Yoda said. His eyes remained closed and his ears swiveled as he traced unseen patterns in the Force. “A challenge for both of you.” He opened his eyes and looked at the Weapons Master. “A challenge for the Council also.”

Ak’ra got a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. “What is this challenge?”

“He is young,” Depa Billaba broke in. “Barely ready.” She leaned forward, concern on her dark face, forehead mark gleaming in the dim light of the Chambers. “We realize you are used to older padawans that only need fine tuning on their weapons skills.”

“I believe I am ready to assume the responsibility for a younger learner,” Ak’ra said cautiously. “I look forward to helping his weapons skills develop over time, instead of putting on the finishing touches.”

The Council exchanged glances among themselves. Depa Billaba made as if to speak, and was stayed by the raise of a hand from Plo Koon. 

So the age of the learner was only one thing. Ak’ra fought the urge to take a deep breath.

“Learn to defend himself the boy must,” Yoda said. “Train him you will.”

Ak’ra gave a short bow. “Your bidding, my masters.”

“Served us well these years your weapons skills have,” Yoda said. “But remiss we were in your other skills to develop.” He tucked his hands inside his sleeves. “Learn you both will.”

“The boy has a rare talent, Ak’ra,” Oppo Rancicis said. “We don’t wish to lose it. However, keeping him in the Temple as he grows is not an option we wish to consider at this time. We can no longer do what is safe and convenient, the Council of First Knowledge has informed us of that.” Oppo looked to his fellow Council members before he faced Ak’ra again. “Cross-training is something we need to consider for the future of the Jedi Order.”

“We have been told advised by the Council of First Knowledge that the boy’s destiny does not lay inside the Temple walls,” Ki-Adi-Mundi rumbled. “We… concur with their findings on this." Looks were exchanged between the Council members, some pointed, and some resigned. "We must consider what is best for the Order,” Ki-Adi-Mundi concluded.

Ak’ra felt his head spin. If he understood correctly, the Council was considering radical changes in the way they trained their rare talents. He was deeply honored to be a part of it. Still, Ak’ra struggled to mask his discomfort. He was a modest man, a Weapons Master with a talent for solving problems with the business end of a light saber. He valued order and logic, and now he was being assigned the fate of an entire training program in the form of a young padawan? A padawan on whose destiny two Councils disagreed? Force preserve me.

Yoda slid off his chair, small hand clutched around the gimer stick. He made his way forward and peered up at Ak’ra Dushiko. “Your talent acquire he must,” Yoda said.

Ak’ra looked into the eyes of the Council members. Depa Billaba gave him a small nod of encouragement.  

“There is a possible vergence in the Force,” Mace added. “A small thing, but small things can turn large without warning. There is not enough information to figure where and when it occurs, but the boy may be involved. Master Yoda has seen the departure of a young Jedi, whether through death or a turn to the Dark Side, it is not clear."

A shiver ran up Ak’ra's spine. His brush with a Dark Sider years back left him with an un-Jedi-like loathing of anything tainted. He would kill a padawan himself before allowing Dark forces to take one.

Mace steepled his fingers and looked at Ak'ra. "We can’t afford to lose this padawan. He is one of the Few.”

Ak’ra put the thought aside to concentrate on what the Council wasn’t telling him. While Guardians and Councilors made up the majority of the Jedi Order, there were a few isolated talents so rare that padawans possessing the skills were guarded as precious commodities. That he was being tasked with training one of the Few was a great honor – and a tremendous responsibility.

“Discipline he needs to gain knowledge,” Yoda said. He tapped his stick twice against the polished floor. “Discipline he needs, to survive. Learn to defend himself he must.” Yoda closed his eyes. “Learn from each other you will. Discipline, is the key...”

Ak’ra bit back a frown. The emphasis on discipline told him the padawan had problems. Discipline was a cornerstone of Jedi everywhere. Undisciplined Jedi were redirected into areas where their defect could do no harm. Or they struck out into the galaxy on their own and were lost to the Order or went to the Dark Side. It was obvious the Council did not wish this padawan to suffer that fate. Rare talents were needed, even more so now than in previous generations. What the Council asked of him rapidly became larger than Ak’ra imagined. But what if... “What if we do not... bond?” he asked aloud.

“The Council will ensure a training bond, one more binding than normal. This child must be made a Jedi, we cannot afford to lose his talent,” Saesee Tinn added. “The padawan is being prepared. We cannot wait and see if a bond strengthens over time. It did not previously."

“I do not approve of that manipulation,” Depa Billaba interrupted, "because of circumstances surrounding this particular padawan.  'When the padawan is ready, the master will appear.' That has been our way for many years. Perhaps this padawan is just not ready.  Perhaps the master is in transit."

“We are well aware of your reservations, Master Billaba. You have made them clear,” Mace said, “but we also agreed in light of the previous failures, that this is our best chance for success. We cannot wait any longer. He may not be ready, but we are." Mace spread his hands. "There is little danger; he’ll merely bond to Master Dushiko more quickly. By the time our suggestion dissipates, he will have formed a long lasting attachment to his master. The padawan will not be harmed.”

Ak’ra felt undercurrents in the room he dared not examine. He could read Depa Billaba’s disapproval clearly, although the Chalactan said nothing more and her face remained serene. It was not his place to question the wisdom of the Council over one small padawan. “Your will, my masters.”

“Together you will be. Seen it I have,” Yoda responded. Still, a frown crossed his wrinkled face.

“When do I meet this padawan?” Ak’ra asked.

“His former masters meet to make sure there are no lingering mental ties that could upset our plans,” Plo Koon said. “They will bring the boy before us when they have finished.”

“Former masters?” Ak’ra fought the urge to cross his arms over his chest. “There has been more than one?”

The Council exchanged glances again. Mace cleared his throat. “There were three masters before you. None of the pairings worked out.”

“Three? Three?” Ak’ra felt a flash of sympathy for the unknown padawan, and then a trace of annoyance. Why was he being granted the 'honor' of training this padawan? “So, the boy has been given to three masters and-"

“And returned by all three,” Mace said. He leaned forward, dark eyes intent. “We let the other bondings proceed on their own and they failed. We learn from our mistakes. We cannot afford another failure. We will guide this pairing, to ensure success."

“Needs a special master the padawan does,” Yoda said. His eyes bore into Ak’ra’s. “Need a special padawan you do. Work this time the pairing shall.”

“Your will, my masters,” Ak’ra repeated, hiding his unease. He gave a low bow. “I do your bidding.”

--Continued in Chapter 2--