#totd2

Tales of the Darkstar 2: The Blackened Trail 12

(3665 BBY, Space over Dathomir, the Argent Rogue)

“Sir, if you refuse to let us inspect your craft, then there is no way we can allow you onto the surface.” Ession vanch rubbed the bridge of his nose as he silently cursed the person on the other end of the comms. “Look, my name is Ession Vanch and I’m a friend of Corvax’s.” Ession carefully ignored his copilots questioning brow. “You tell Corvax my name and he’ll handle all of my paperwork.” “And I’ve told you sir, it is past the mid-night hour here and I will not awaken Master Corvax with such a ridiculous request. Either submit to an inspection or wait until morning to land.” The comm clicked out and static filled the cockpit as Ession slammed his fist down on the console in his anger. “Who is Corvax?” The Jedi sitting next to Ession in the copilots seat was a Devonian named Ondo Drulliak who, despite his intimidating appearance, was a thoughtful and gentle soul. “I thought you were from Dathomir.” Ession looked over at his horned and tattooed friend. “I was born here, but was taken to the Jedi temple when I was but a child.” a sadness crossed the aliens eyes as he spoke, “I do not remember the forests or people of my time here, it is almost as if that other life never existed at all.” Ession sighed. It was this mindset and practice that Ession hated most about the Jedi order. He couldn't understand forcing a child from their parent just because of a spiritual magic they possessed. Then again, he was probably overthinking it. “Corvax is a Besalisk bartender from Ojom who has everyone at this outpost in his pockets.” Ession explained, “I used to smuggle in supplies for a few of his clients years ago. He’s always had a landing pad for me when I come through this way, but it looks like we got here in the middle of the night, so nobody is going to do anything for…” He checked the ship chrono, “six hours.” “Well, we may as well relax then.” Ondo stood and stretched, “I think I’m going to go back and check on Fiona and Mileena.” “Good Idea, I’ll come with.” After setting the autopilot Ession followed Ondo out of the cockpit and back to the medley where their female companions were. Medic Fiona Jessik was one of the temples best field medics, and she was currently caring for their fourth team-member, an insane Jedi named Mileena Osroc. Mileena was incapacitated on their visit to Onderon, and Medic Fiona was concerned about the reoccurring visions her patient had been suffering since then. “Is she doing any better?” Ondo asked the ginger haired Jedi medic Fiona. “She’s still experiencing nightmares.” Medic Fiona said, not looking at the men entering the med-bay, “She keeps insisting the shadow man is going to the ice world, wherever that is. Any luck getting us landing coordinates for Dathomir?” “We will have to wait until morning local time before we can descend, it seems we showed up in the middle of the night.” “So? There should be port authorities working at all hours.” Fiona raised an eyebrow as she turned to face Ession. “There are, but if we land now the ship gets searched and they discover I am ferrying Jedi into Sith space.” Ession sighed. “My contact on the surface can get us down discreetly, but we have to wait until morning.” “Great, so we’re stuck in orbit.” Fiona sighed as she replaced the cold compress across Mileena’s brow, “Do you have any good news for me?” “Well,” Jedi Ondo stepped forward, “I have our sensors trained on the Sith academy and there is no evidence that our target has been there yet. We may have beat him here before he learned anything.” “We can only hope-“ Jedi Ondo was cut off by an alarm blaring through the small yacht.”That’s the proximity alarm!” Jedi Ondo and Ession ran to the cockpit, Ondo dropping into the comm officer’s seat and Ession sliding into the pilots chair. “We have a contact coming in from the far side off the planet,” Ondo said from his station, “It looks like a Sith strike cruiser. hang on… it’s If/f identifies itself as the Corpulent and it’s taking station keeping orbit over the academy.” “Fierfeck!” Ession swore, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”

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Sry i’m reusing older artwork. Life has gotten ridiculous lately, and due to circumstances I will be going on hiatus from drawing Paradoxical. I will still be posting my Tales of the Darkstar trilogy for as long as I can, but until further notice I will be stopping regular updates for the comic.

-Bill