Episode I

Taris

Optimism. Journeying to the Ojoster sector of the Outer Rim territory, arrival on the shattered world of Taris shocked me. A whole planet, devastated on the whim of but one Sith, Darth Malak changed Taris from a galactic trade nexus to a ruined post-apocalyptic landscape. Bleak ruins hide beneath the lush vines as nature claims back the lands, beneath the 4 majestic moons circling above, the shattered past hidden by a present and future promising growth and beauty. This optimism was first shared with us through Governor Saresh, her enthusiasm and drive was palpable, envigorating us to aid in this venture to energise a brave new world.

The rakghoul swarmed the lands around Olaris spaceport, murky swamplands these packs haunt, looming through the mists to descend in feral packs 'pon us.

From these waves of endless predators skulking and pouncing, it was then the droids that surprised us, advanced elaborate droids supported by highly competent commanders, marshalled under the leadership of violent scavenger known as The Locust. He captured the Republic agent Amille Razna and had sent highly advanced droids to scavenge 'cross Taris, setting back the plans of Governor Saresh and endangering the fragile population as many innocent lives fell to their deadly blaster fire.

A threat we could not ignore, Commando Bulman charged The Locust's ship and sabotaged it, trapping him with us, to face justice. Many commanders, including his lieutenant Kaogar, sought to thwart us as we advanced to rescue agent Razna and capture The Locust. Whilst I charged them, Bulman's autocannon and Teerilla's dual blasters swiftly ended all resistance, Aluco's strength with the Force thwarting them and healing me as the battles raged on. Defeating The Locust in battle, a tenacious and resilient foe, we persuaded him to join with The Republic for mutual gain, a deal he agreed to. Successfully turning his rage and destruction to purposeful aid and collaboration, we then moved on to my task of finding news of the deadly "Desolator" weapon.

Advancing in to the swamps, we sought Dr Nasan Godera, the genius creator of both wondrous devices and terrifying weaponary, only to find an Imperial agent Watcher One deployed forces to assassinate the doctor before we found him! His laboratory abandoned, the Imperial forces arrayed against us there dealt with, we advanced deeper into Taris' swamps to find the doctor before Watcher One's assassination plans succeeded.

I can only hope that his years of seeking to oppose the Sith will ensure his aid, when I find him, turning him back to the Republic after he abandoned us after peace treaties, years ago . . .

Episode I

Coruscant

Theft. It always starts with a wrongdoing, an injustice. This time, it was theft.

Seeking to aid a doctor, I uncovered his vile subterfuge, for he was but masquerading as a physician. Lord Tarnis was a Sith Lord, infiltrating the Republic and stealing our weapon technologies! A powerful adversary, acting in concert with evil Imperial allies and his dread Sith Master, I sought goodly folk to aid me in the venture to thwart his twisted machinations . . . for he sought naught less than the destruction of Coruscant!

I first chaned 'pon the serene Jedi Sage, Aluco. Possessing a quiet strength, with great powers of healing and great strength in the Force, Aluco aided the venture through destruction of rogue droids, battling the misguided Imperial forces and protecting the four of us with powers of wondrous restoration and healing.

The bold Lieutenant Bulman assertively defended the Republic 'gainst this peril, laying down covering fire with his massive heavy autocannon, thwarting the droids and forces arrayed against us, resolutely battling the droids, troopers and Sith, despite the endless blaster fire directed towards him. Standing in harms way, opposing those who would bring tyranny and destruction to this world, Lieutenant Bulman heroically defended both us and the people of Coruscant.

Lastly, the agile Gunslinger Teerilla lent her blasters to our cause, aiding the venture with confidant confrontation and decisive battle. She was direct in negotiations and discussion, often having a flexibility of approach and attitude that was very different from my experiences as a Jedi Knight. Still, her results spoke for themselves, with endless incontestible successful victories.

We ventured through the many colourful districts of Coruscant, ultimately venturing past the subversive Justicars and deep through the machinery within the Works, to the ruined Jedi temple. Cautiously creeping through ruins over run by dread Imperial forces, when frustratingly a Jedi Knight should be striding through these ancient halls, we tracked down Lord Tarnis and issued challenge. Regrettably the Sith Lord declined to turn from his path of darkness, instead embracing anger and rage to then launch himself 'pon me, consumed with frightful wrath. An arduous battle, but victory was ours, through our concerted and coordinated tactics. How could a Sith Lord have hoped to overcome a determined Jedi Guardian, Republic Commando, a Gunslinger and Jedi Sage? The day was ours, but ill tidings befell us.

Lord Tarnis' father, and master, Darth Angral, bore witness to the battle and promised to exact hideous revenge upon us. Worse, Darth Angral had further plans to use our Republic ordnance against us, with "The Desolator" being mounted to a ship and soon to be deployed.

Having uncovered the Sith plot on Coruscant and opposed Lord Tarnis and the "Planet Prison," we ventured with haste to Taris to learn what we can of "The Desolator" and the new threat to the Republic's people . . .

Prologue

Introduction

Hope. Lets us start with hope. Brothers and sisters, allow me a moment of your time.

I am Rebekah. I am a Jedi.

If you know anything of us, of the guardians of the Republic, then that is all I should need to say. You know without doubt that I defend those with no voice, that I place myself in threat instead of risking others, that I battle darkness and injustice where ever I may challenge it, that I bring hope to those who at the hands of darkness have forsaken it, that I make decision calmly and thoughtfully without anger or passion.

A way of life that I live up to. Most of the time!

As a Padawn learner with the Jedi order I found their traditions to be very . . . traditional. They did the same things, the same ways, as have been done for centuries. Always. Teachings were based on past Masters now long since gone, living in a galaxy without the intense Sith and Emperor's threat, devastating lives across countless planets, right now. Each day we fail to act is another day of oppression and suffering and victory for the Empire. My teachers were not good at hasty. They oft times called me rash, rushing into situations.

"Feel the Force force flow through you, allow if to guide you," but not too much . . . the Council guides and controls, through the Jedi Council and the Masters and the teachers. I was only allowed to trust to my intuition so far.

My Master felt I was a brilliant student of the Force, it flows strongly within me, I listen to the Force as it guides me, yet this affords a certain freethinking impulsiveness that my Master found, well, a touch challenging. I listen to the sage wisdom of my colleagues, I listen to the words of the Jedi Council, but before all this I feel the Force flowing through me. This has lead to a few differences in points of view!

I know little of most of the planets and am enthusiastic to adventure, to explore, to see the lives and people 'pon different worlds! My mother was a Jedi, strong in the Force, working against the Empire so travelled to countless planets. My early years were lived in space, about a massive floating medical frigate, before joining the Jedi and embarking upon a new path . . .

. . . a path that I now will not walk alone, for others journey with me, sharing notions of a better future, sharing hope.