((A little something to end Narmu's tale in SWG...what happened to him when Order 66 came down...))
The War was coming to an end that much he felt in the Force. Narmu El’qui, Jedi Master and veteran of the Outer Rim Sieges had only recently returned to Coruscant. He was welcomed to the cleanup efforts in orbit after the Separatists desperate attempt to win the War by kidnapping Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. A gamble that cost them their leader Count Dooku and an innumerable amount of ships and fighters. Narmu looked to his fellow Jedi in the Briefing Room, Masters Kenobi, Windu, Vos and Secura on the holo transmitter, along with three newly ordained Knights he had yet to be introduced to.
“My friends, we are close to victory in the Outer Rim.” Kenobi began. The Galactic Map hologram expanded to show the lines drawn between systems controlled by the Republic and those by the Separatists. A secondary map appeared next to it zooming in on three different systems. “Saleucami has been captured and the Separatists have surrendered unconditionally. Excellent work Master Vos.” The famed Jedi General explained showing the planet Saleucami and the fleet surrounding it. “Thank you Master Kenobi, we’re resupplying to continue onto Boz Pity.” Replied the yellow painted human with some gruff. Narmu noticed for a second a change in Aalya Secura’s face, was it pain? Obi-wan broke his train of thought as he went on with the briefing. “That’s good news Master Vos, proceed and may the Force be with you.”
Kenobi turned his attention to Master Secura then, his eyes softening as he surely remembered what she did for his former Padawan Anakin Skywalker years ago. “Master Secura, how go the operations on Felucia?” Behind the azure Twi’lek stood Clone Commander Bly. “As good as it can be Kenobi.” She began. “My troops are ready to move into the jungle to mop-up, we should be finished here within a week at most.” Kenobi nodded and spoke. “Good…after all the excitement we’ve seen here a pause in the madness will be just rewards. Keep focused, all of you. I sense that even as close as we are to victory the Dark Side remains to cloud everything.” That brought his attention to Narmu who also agreed that something was not right in the Force. “Master El’qui, thank you for returning so soon, I know your Fleet has been promised shore leave for the last three months but as they say duty calls.” Narmu nodded and leaned over towards the holo-map. “The 15th will be ready to go Master…what is our mission?” he said. “Master Mundi is on Mygeeto launching a final assault on the Separatist forces there, we would like to reinforce him with your troops.” Obi-wan said as the holo swerved to show the Republic forces on Mygeeto and what they would accomplish by reinforcing them.
Narmu looked a bit perplexed, Mundi had more than enough troops to take the planet and there was no real tactical value the planet offered except for a morale boost. Kenobi noted the Twi’lek’s confusion and shook his head as if agreeing with El’qui’s thoughts. “Chancellor Palpatine has insisted this planet is important to the Republic’s victory and has sent ahead of your arrival troopers from the 501st Legion.” That brought a collective reaction from all present, even on holo. “Why would the Chancellor begin deploying troops without the approval or recommendation of the Jedi Council?” Narmu asked. “This is rather odd, even for Palpatine, to take such interest in a world.” Vos said his voice dry. “I don’t like this…it’s not something even the Senate has seen yet to debate.” Mace Windu finally spoke. His grave voice came from the corner of the briefing room. Hidden in shadow, the Jedi Council member had sat quietly for the entirety of the briefing, until now. “The Chancellor is not a General…Kenobi, where is Skywalker?” Master Windu asked with some frustration. Narmu noted Kenobi get a bit red but he laughed it out quickly. “Master Windu, when have you known my former Padawan to be punctual?” Mace didn’t respond, he shook his head and motioned Kenobi to continue.
Narmu felt in the Force something deep in Master Windu…a tense uncertainty that bordered on fear. There is more going on here than just a briefing. “General El’qui?” Kenobi asked seemingly for a second time. “Sorry…yes...we’ll be on our way before night fall.” He replied. “Master Kenobi…you sure you’re ok?” Narmu began to ask. The wise Jedi Master nodded an unconvincing affirmative. “Tell us about your tumble down an elevator shaft with the Chancellor.” One of the Knights asked chuckling. “My my, word does spread quickly now doesn’t it?” he said laughing. “There will be a time and place for war stories…but not yet.” He finished. “I’ll fill in Master Skywalker whenever he decides to arrive. The rest of you have your orders, may the Force be with you.”
Everyone began to exit out quickly, Narmu noticed Windu tell Kenobi he would wait for him on the launch pad later as he exited. Before Narmu could leave Kenobi called to him. “Master El’qui, a moment of your time?” Narmu turned and walked back down a few steps towards Kenobi. “Something is not right, there should be a growing peace in the Force but instead most of us during meditation are still in the haze of the Darkside.” He said. Narmu nodded and crossed his arms. “Yes…many share this feeling. Could it be because of the death of Dooku?” the Twi’lek asked. “No…I fear it’s not that simple…be weary my friend. I sense the end of the war might not be the end of our troubles.” Obi-wan shared placing his hand on Narmu’s shoulder. With that Narmu departed quickly, lost in thought for a moment he looked back to see Skywalker running into the Briefing Room.
A few hours later Narmu stood on the bridge of his ship, Frontier II. A second named Venator class vessel after the ship he lost over Almar months before. Captain Lev and Clone Commander Roy were at their stations giving commands as the destroyer rose into the Coruscant twilight sky. Narmu looked towards the Jedi Temple, stretching out with the Force. Something there…a deep sense of confusion, fear. It was so powerful this feeling he almost was compelled to turn the ship in that direction. “General?” Roy asked him walking towards him. “Commander…how go the preparations?” Narmu replied, trying unsuccessfully to shake the ill stirrings in the Force from him. “Fighters are armed and ready to provide air support sir. AT-RT’s are loaded on the drop ships for deployment. Troops are ready to go on your command.” Roy reported, checking off some final commands on his datapad. “Good work as always Roy…Captain Lev…as soon as we’re clear make the jump to Mygeeto.” El’qui turned and said as he started walking towards the exit of the bridge. “Yes General.” The clone Captain replied with a salute. “I will be meditating in my chambers, contact me when we arrive.” Narmu ordered leaving. “Sir!” Roy exclaimed.
On route to his chambers, Narmu’s sense in the Force continued to swirl in uncertainty. He felt an almost tangible darkness around the edges of his senses. It seemed like he would never know joy again. He stopped for a moment, almost dizzy. A pair of troopers walking by noticed and stopped. “General El’qui, are you alright sir?” one asked. Narmu recognized the trooper’s markings. “Yes…fine Tricks…” he answered. Getting his focus back Narmu waved the clones off and continued to head to his chambers. The ship shuddered for a moment, letting the Jedi know it had made the jump into hyperspace. Using a lift to head down to his chambers he exited and was almost there when once again the ship had shuddered. “That’s odd.” Narmu said out loud. Keying into his comlink he called up to the bridge. “Captain, have we come out of hyperspace?” he asked. “A malfunction in the nav-computer, we should be on our way momentarily.” Lev replied, a tone that implied nothing out of the ordinary. A tone Narmu had heard before when the Captain was bluffing during a battle. He immediately stretched out with the Force. Almost at once he felt a surge in urgency and deadly focus. Coming from…everywhere!? He heard footsteps rapidly heading towards him, boots to be exact. The Jedi quickly closed his comlink and ran away from the sounds, turning a corner into a service passage adjoining the main deck. Twenty Clone Troopers led by Roy was taking positions around where Narmu had just been. “Spread out and alert all decks, he has to be here still!” Roy said gravely and with his weapon drawn. The lights onboard went to red and klaxons began to sound. El’qui was at a loss for what was going on but his contemplation ended quickly as he turned and heard. “There he is! FIRE!” a squad of troopers had entered from the other end of the passage and started firing. Blue laser bolts exploded all around him, disintegrating plates and wall pieces. His azure blade ignited with a snap-hiss and with the ease of a seasoned Jedi Narmu began to deflect the bolts back towards his enemies. Two troopers fell as their shots were returned to them in the chest. Roy arrived from the chambers area and barely dodged a trio of shots sent to him by his former General. “Hold here! Bring up squads 5 and 8 from C Deck to close him off!” Roy commanded.
“Commander!” Narmu yelled. “What is the meaning of this!?” he asked as the fire remained to rain on him. “Nothing personal El’qui, just orders.” Was the reply that came from Roy who was unloading towards the spot where Narmu was taking cover. More troopers started arriving and Narmu was quickly running out of room to dodge. Retreating back he used to Force to increase his speed and while heading towards the far end of the passage he extended his arm and pushed back with crushing power a smaller group of troopers. His mind completely focused he felt no malice at all from any of the troopers who were once his friends but were now determined to kill him. “After him! Don’t let him escape! Seal the deck!” he heard Roy shout in the distance.
Narmu was for the moment alone, his saber still ignited he entered a ventilation shaft, knowing full well the launch bay would be the first place to be secured he instead wanted to make his way down to the engineering deck. He could hear commands being shouted as troopers ran everywhere looking for him. If he was going to survive this betrayal he had to first cripple the ship and then make his way to one of the armories. His hope was to cause enough havoc to attempt to get on a ship and get the frell out of this mess. Closing his eyes for a moment he shut his blade off and reached out in the Force. He could feel all the activity on this deck, those few crew that were not clones talked in hushed tones, seemingly just as confused by what was going on as he was. One rated tech, a Corellian female named Shara walked by just underneath him towards her quarters. He decided to follow her. As she was getting ready to enter he opened the access panel and revealed himself to her. She was about to gasp when Narmu made a quick motion for her to be quiet. “General El’qui…sir…” Shara was nervous and at a loss. Narmu sent her calming emotions through the Force and asked to enter her quarters. She opened the door and the Jedi was quick to get in and secure the door once she was inside.
“Shara is your name yes?” Narmu asked hooking his lightsaber to his belt. The Corellian nodded and stood there staring at the Twi’lek. “Yes...yes sir.” Her voice was nervous and hinted fear. “Narmu, I think it’s safe to say my rank of General has been revoked.” He replied with a smile to which she returned. “Tell me Shara, why have my troops turned on me?” he asked taking a seat at her terminal. “Gen…Master Jedi…” she started also sitting down on her bed across from Narmu. “There has been talk of a rebellion, the Jedi tried to assassinate Chancellor Palpatine.” Narmu’s mouth opened in disbelief. “That’s impossible…it is not the Jedi way.” He said looking at Shara’s reaction. “With all due respect Master Jedi, much of this war hasn’t been the Jedi way.” She said. All Narmu could do was shake his head in acceptance. Truer words could not been spoken. The Clone Wars had the Jedi at the forefront of a Grand Army where death and destruction followed it everywhere. But assassination? That could not be true! “What else have you heard?” he asked. “We are to remain here until you are…apprehended.” She looked away briefly. Narmu knew that by apprehension it really meant killed. “There is one more thing Master Jedi.” She paused for a moment trying to remember. “Order 66…a few of us got to talking and have all heard it over and over again amongst the clones. Just before we came out of hyperspace and then again as they started looking for you.” Shara finished. Narmu stood up, taking his lightsaber again in his hand. “Thank you Shara…I must go now.” Shara stood up and smiled. “Narmu, I wish there was something I could do to help…” The Jedi placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You already have.” As he was about to leave she reached and grabbed him by the arm. “There is something Master Jedi…a week ago remember we captured that smuggler’s freighter?”
Narmu tried to remember and after a few seconds recalled capturing a refit AA-9 freighter under the premise it was trafficking arms. “Yes…what of it?” he asked. “It remains in the auxiliary docking bay sir…it would be the easiest for you to get to from here and probably not as guarded as the main hanger bay.” She said. Narmu agreed and thanked her again before leaving.
El’qui moved between ventilation shafts and corridors with a stealth that surprised even him. Troopers were everywhere and he felt the vice closing in around him. To get to Engineering was becoming a much more daunting task then before. “There he is! Blast him!” shots began to rain on him from a pair of troopers that emerged from a storage room. Narmu ignited his blade and started deflecting bolts back at his attackers. In seconds they were reinforced by two squads of troopers. Had they been in an open area he surely would have been defeated. The fight in the relative cramped space of the ship proved to be a saving factor for the hunted Twi’lek. Narmu used the Force and pulled down roof plates on top of the gathering clones. The blaster fire abated for a moment, long enough for the Jedi to leap down a lift passage. There was no time to catch his breath, troopers from above started firing down at him and he could hear more on the way outside. Instead of opening the hatch of the lift he cut a hole through the wall and it revealed a small maintenance passage. “The Force is still with me.” He whispered gratefully entering the passage and sealing the hole behind him.
“Alert, alert, all sections stay on high alert, the Jedi is now believed to be on Deck 18.” That was Captain Lev’s voice on the PA. Narmu shook his head and moved on, changing his plans as he went toward the auxiliary docking bay. There was a shield generator not far off from where he was going, also tractor controls for the port side of the ship was there. He had to act quickly if he was going to survive this. Sweating and bleeding from a few places he took off his robe and left it behind, his dirty tunic showing tears and wear from his crawling through the dirty spaces of the Frontier II. After a few close calls and encounters with clones and troopers alike, he snaked his way out of yet another small crawlspace and into the adjoining storage area close to the shield generator. As he expected there was a pair of Clone Troopers guarding the area by the entrance. Moving quietly he made his way towards the exit. It was fortunate that this room had been recently filled with supply containers for the relief on Mygeeto. He approached the pair of troopers reaching out strongly in the Force and with a wave of his hand he bridged the gap between them and their heads collided with a skull crushing crack, one so hard that a helmet flew off one of the clones. Taking grenades from both of them he exited the storage room and saw his goal just down the way.
“That’s far enough El’qui…” Commander Roy in full ARC Trooper armor said. Narmu ignited his blade and turned to face his former ally. He was accompanied by a full platoon of troopers, all with their blasters raised and aimed at the Jedi. “Roy…you have to know the Jedi did not do what Palpatine has claimed!” Narmu started to say, looking around for some way to escape. “That’s why the Captain has decided to bring you in, you should feel lucky, it’s more quarter than I would have given you.” Roy replied in a tone Narmu had heard him use against Separatist prisoners. One reserved for traitors. The Jedi found his opportunity. Just behind the trooper’s position was a large viewport. Narmu turned off his blade, slightly taking a step back to the crawlspace. Using the Force Narmu extended his senses, feeling for the support beams around the viewport, trying to find a slight weakness he could exploit to bend and pull to his will. Thank the Force for wartime expediting. The metal polymer was not the best in the Galaxy and he found it easy to start twisting the metal inside the hull, in seconds he could feel the micro fractures starting to form and spread. All this as he started to kneel down, lightsaber in front of him and hands coming up to his head. “Don’t try anything stupid El’qui…I can blast you right here if you resist.” Roy said targeting Narmu’s head with his blaster rifle. Narmu shrugged and rested his knees on the deck floor, still twisting the metal inside the hull. A slight hiss of escaping air could be heard by some of the troopers in the rear. They turned looking about for where that noise was coming from. “You know me better than that Roy…” Narmu began. “I always know when a fight is over.” He finished just as his last twist broke the support beam and the viewport’s cracks split it in two and broke with enough decompressive force to suck out a quarter of the trooper platoon in seconds while sending the rest to a mad scramble to save themselves. Air howled as it was blown into space. Narmu almost lost his lightsaber but managed to reach out and catch it in time to turn it on and start deflecting the few blaster bolts now going at him. More troopers were being sucked out and Roy was close to doing so himself had it not been for Narmu use of the Force to pull the clone away from the breach. For an instant the two locked gazes together, the clone nodded to his former commander and lowered his weapon. Narmu went back into the crawlspace and took a path he previously had chosen not to. He could hear in the background the noise dimmer down as emergency shields did their job to seal the exposed hull. The Jedi moved through a new tunnel and exited into what was the auxiliary bay proper. Troopers were waiting for him and they started firing at him from all directions. Taking a grazing shot to the leg he barely managed to find cover behind his method of escape, the AA-9. Just above him was the docking bay door controls and next to him the blast doors to the bay. He flung his saber towards the blast door controls destroying it, backup systems would eventually be used to open the door manually but this bought him precious minutes.
Deflecting bolts he tossed a pair of grenades towards the closest troopers firing at him, with a push of the Force he guided them to cause the most damage, which was absolute, three were down silently while a fourth cried out in agony. There was still fire coming at him from another part of the bay, to the right of him. He threw another pair and also managed to silence the blasters, however, with less kills. Running up the stairs he found a non clone at his station, or rather underneath it in the fetal position. “Please don’t kill me!” he said with a heavy Coruscanti accent. Narmu had no time to waste. He stretched out with the Force and said. “I’m not here to kill you.” “You are not here to kill me.” Was the blank reply from the tech. “You’re going to open the docking bay and lock it so nothing can prevent my ship from leaving.” Narmu said helping the tech stand up. “I’m going to open the bay and lock it in place.” The skinny human said obediently. Narmu keyed into the system and found the tractor beam commands, he immediately turned them off. “Engage manual override to all systems and transfer controls to your station.” He commanded exiting the room. This would buy him more time for the bridge to react to his leaving the ship and pursuing the AA-9. “Manual override, aye.” He heard making his way down the stairs. He sealed the entrance and took a deep breath, finally inside the captured freighter. The controls were vaguely familiar to him so it wasn’t going to be too hard to pilot. Cursing the fact he didn’t have an astromech with him he started the engines and lifted off. Narmu looked down at the troopers he felled and started to make calculations to jump to hyperspace. As he broke free from the ship he turned on his shields. Good thing too as some turbolasers started firing in his direction, although they did not have the angle on him, yet.
The freighter was not going to be very maneuverable so he had to set coordinates fast. “Jedi El’qui in the name of the Galactic Republic you are to shut down your engines and prepare to be boarded.” Captain Lev’s voice came out over the tactical comlink. Narmu looked and saw the Frontier II coming about, fighters spilling out of its hanger bay. A micro jump would do, somewhere on the edge of the system. “Sorry Captain, but I’m afraid I have to leave.” He was punching in the final calculations when a barrage of turbo lasers hit and brought the shields down to 15%. “That was my last warning Master Jedi, there is no escape and the entire Grand Army has orders to use lethal force on any Jedi who tries to escape.” Lev explained. “All the more reason to make this right…” Narmu pulled the controls back and the stars extended into lines as the shipped entered hyperspace. “Goodbye Captain…it was an honor to have served with you.” Narmu said thinking back to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s last words to him. “The end of the war might not be the end of our troubles…”
Emerging a minute or so later from hyperspace Narmu quickly began entering coordinates for a second jump, this one a twisted path to Almar, a place where he swore never to return. The loss of his Padawan there and the pain it brought him returned in a flash. Still he had no understanding as to why he entered the numbers in, was this the Force guiding him? There would be time to contemplate that later. After setting a trio of jumps through Hutt space, Separatist space and Tatooine in between he again pulled the controls of the ship back and returned to hyperspace just as the Frontier II entered space behind him blasting all its turbolasers futilely.
Days later, over the barren twin sun planet of Tatooine he connected his ship to the Galactic Network for the first time and got caught up with the latest news. Reports from all sectors of the Galaxy came that the war was over, the Separatist forces had been shut down and the Republic had been victorious. However the cost of the victory leveled any type of joy the Jedi could have felt. The pit of Narmu’s soul was in torment and disgust, this was the third time he repeated the same footage of the newly crowned Emperor Palpatine’s speech to the Senate. “The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and defeated. Any collaborators will suffer the same fate. These have been trying times, but we have passed the test. The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed, but I assure you my resolve has never been stronger. The war is over. The Separatists have been defeated, and the Jedi rebellion has been foiled. We stand on the threshold of a new beginning. In order to ensure the security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society…” How had it all turned sideways? The Sith Lord the Order was looking for the entire time was right under their noses. A master stroke by Palpatine had left him with absolute control and no Jedi remained to be a real threat to him. Darkness had fallen over the Galaxy and this he knew was to be just the beginning.
Narmu had waited to make the last jump to Almar, grateful that no pursuit had come after a brief run in over Nar Shadaa the exiled Jedi Master had taken supplies in Mos Eisley. He surely would have to settle for a time away from it all. Almar remained the best location. “R3, standby to go to hyperspace.” He ordered his newly acquired droid. It beeped an affirmative as Narmu sat in the pilot’s chair again, flicking on the comms and directing the frequency to the Jedi Temple’s. A repeated message continued to transmit. "This is Master Obi Wan Kenobi. I regret to report that both our Jedi Order and the Republic, have fallen with a dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and a reminder for any surviving Jedi. Trust in The Force. Do not return to the Temple…that time has passed. And our future is uncertain. We will each be challenged. Our trust. Our faith. Our friendships. But we must persevere. And in time, a new hope will emerge. May the Force be with you, always." he sighed and turned it off. His eyes turning towards the rising suns coming up over the horizon a perfect setting for departure he thought. “May the Force guide us in these trying times…” he said taking his ship into hyperspace….
The War was coming to an end that much he felt in the Force. Narmu El’qui, Jedi Master and veteran of the Outer Rim Sieges had only recently returned to Coruscant. He was welcomed to the cleanup efforts in orbit after the Separatists desperate attempt to win the War by kidnapping Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. A gamble that cost them their leader Count Dooku and an innumerable amount of ships and fighters. Narmu looked to his fellow Jedi in the Briefing Room, Masters Kenobi, Windu, Vos and Secura on the holo transmitter, along with three newly ordained Knights he had yet to be introduced to.
“My friends, we are close to victory in the Outer Rim.” Kenobi began. The Galactic Map hologram expanded to show the lines drawn between systems controlled by the Republic and those by the Separatists. A secondary map appeared next to it zooming in on three different systems. “Saleucami has been captured and the Separatists have surrendered unconditionally. Excellent work Master Vos.” The famed Jedi General explained showing the planet Saleucami and the fleet surrounding it. “Thank you Master Kenobi, we’re resupplying to continue onto Boz Pity.” Replied the yellow painted human with some gruff. Narmu noticed for a second a change in Aalya Secura’s face, was it pain? Obi-wan broke his train of thought as he went on with the briefing. “That’s good news Master Vos, proceed and may the Force be with you.”
Kenobi turned his attention to Master Secura then, his eyes softening as he surely remembered what she did for his former Padawan Anakin Skywalker years ago. “Master Secura, how go the operations on Felucia?” Behind the azure Twi’lek stood Clone Commander Bly. “As good as it can be Kenobi.” She began. “My troops are ready to move into the jungle to mop-up, we should be finished here within a week at most.” Kenobi nodded and spoke. “Good…after all the excitement we’ve seen here a pause in the madness will be just rewards. Keep focused, all of you. I sense that even as close as we are to victory the Dark Side remains to cloud everything.” That brought his attention to Narmu who also agreed that something was not right in the Force. “Master El’qui, thank you for returning so soon, I know your Fleet has been promised shore leave for the last three months but as they say duty calls.” Narmu nodded and leaned over towards the holo-map. “The 15th will be ready to go Master…what is our mission?” he said. “Master Mundi is on Mygeeto launching a final assault on the Separatist forces there, we would like to reinforce him with your troops.” Obi-wan said as the holo swerved to show the Republic forces on Mygeeto and what they would accomplish by reinforcing them.
Narmu looked a bit perplexed, Mundi had more than enough troops to take the planet and there was no real tactical value the planet offered except for a morale boost. Kenobi noted the Twi’lek’s confusion and shook his head as if agreeing with El’qui’s thoughts. “Chancellor Palpatine has insisted this planet is important to the Republic’s victory and has sent ahead of your arrival troopers from the 501st Legion.” That brought a collective reaction from all present, even on holo. “Why would the Chancellor begin deploying troops without the approval or recommendation of the Jedi Council?” Narmu asked. “This is rather odd, even for Palpatine, to take such interest in a world.” Vos said his voice dry. “I don’t like this…it’s not something even the Senate has seen yet to debate.” Mace Windu finally spoke. His grave voice came from the corner of the briefing room. Hidden in shadow, the Jedi Council member had sat quietly for the entirety of the briefing, until now. “The Chancellor is not a General…Kenobi, where is Skywalker?” Master Windu asked with some frustration. Narmu noted Kenobi get a bit red but he laughed it out quickly. “Master Windu, when have you known my former Padawan to be punctual?” Mace didn’t respond, he shook his head and motioned Kenobi to continue.
Narmu felt in the Force something deep in Master Windu…a tense uncertainty that bordered on fear. There is more going on here than just a briefing. “General El’qui?” Kenobi asked seemingly for a second time. “Sorry…yes...we’ll be on our way before night fall.” He replied. “Master Kenobi…you sure you’re ok?” Narmu began to ask. The wise Jedi Master nodded an unconvincing affirmative. “Tell us about your tumble down an elevator shaft with the Chancellor.” One of the Knights asked chuckling. “My my, word does spread quickly now doesn’t it?” he said laughing. “There will be a time and place for war stories…but not yet.” He finished. “I’ll fill in Master Skywalker whenever he decides to arrive. The rest of you have your orders, may the Force be with you.”
Everyone began to exit out quickly, Narmu noticed Windu tell Kenobi he would wait for him on the launch pad later as he exited. Before Narmu could leave Kenobi called to him. “Master El’qui, a moment of your time?” Narmu turned and walked back down a few steps towards Kenobi. “Something is not right, there should be a growing peace in the Force but instead most of us during meditation are still in the haze of the Darkside.” He said. Narmu nodded and crossed his arms. “Yes…many share this feeling. Could it be because of the death of Dooku?” the Twi’lek asked. “No…I fear it’s not that simple…be weary my friend. I sense the end of the war might not be the end of our troubles.” Obi-wan shared placing his hand on Narmu’s shoulder. With that Narmu departed quickly, lost in thought for a moment he looked back to see Skywalker running into the Briefing Room.
A few hours later Narmu stood on the bridge of his ship, Frontier II. A second named Venator class vessel after the ship he lost over Almar months before. Captain Lev and Clone Commander Roy were at their stations giving commands as the destroyer rose into the Coruscant twilight sky. Narmu looked towards the Jedi Temple, stretching out with the Force. Something there…a deep sense of confusion, fear. It was so powerful this feeling he almost was compelled to turn the ship in that direction. “General?” Roy asked him walking towards him. “Commander…how go the preparations?” Narmu replied, trying unsuccessfully to shake the ill stirrings in the Force from him. “Fighters are armed and ready to provide air support sir. AT-RT’s are loaded on the drop ships for deployment. Troops are ready to go on your command.” Roy reported, checking off some final commands on his datapad. “Good work as always Roy…Captain Lev…as soon as we’re clear make the jump to Mygeeto.” El’qui turned and said as he started walking towards the exit of the bridge. “Yes General.” The clone Captain replied with a salute. “I will be meditating in my chambers, contact me when we arrive.” Narmu ordered leaving. “Sir!” Roy exclaimed.
On route to his chambers, Narmu’s sense in the Force continued to swirl in uncertainty. He felt an almost tangible darkness around the edges of his senses. It seemed like he would never know joy again. He stopped for a moment, almost dizzy. A pair of troopers walking by noticed and stopped. “General El’qui, are you alright sir?” one asked. Narmu recognized the trooper’s markings. “Yes…fine Tricks…” he answered. Getting his focus back Narmu waved the clones off and continued to head to his chambers. The ship shuddered for a moment, letting the Jedi know it had made the jump into hyperspace. Using a lift to head down to his chambers he exited and was almost there when once again the ship had shuddered. “That’s odd.” Narmu said out loud. Keying into his comlink he called up to the bridge. “Captain, have we come out of hyperspace?” he asked. “A malfunction in the nav-computer, we should be on our way momentarily.” Lev replied, a tone that implied nothing out of the ordinary. A tone Narmu had heard before when the Captain was bluffing during a battle. He immediately stretched out with the Force. Almost at once he felt a surge in urgency and deadly focus. Coming from…everywhere!? He heard footsteps rapidly heading towards him, boots to be exact. The Jedi quickly closed his comlink and ran away from the sounds, turning a corner into a service passage adjoining the main deck. Twenty Clone Troopers led by Roy was taking positions around where Narmu had just been. “Spread out and alert all decks, he has to be here still!” Roy said gravely and with his weapon drawn. The lights onboard went to red and klaxons began to sound. El’qui was at a loss for what was going on but his contemplation ended quickly as he turned and heard. “There he is! FIRE!” a squad of troopers had entered from the other end of the passage and started firing. Blue laser bolts exploded all around him, disintegrating plates and wall pieces. His azure blade ignited with a snap-hiss and with the ease of a seasoned Jedi Narmu began to deflect the bolts back towards his enemies. Two troopers fell as their shots were returned to them in the chest. Roy arrived from the chambers area and barely dodged a trio of shots sent to him by his former General. “Hold here! Bring up squads 5 and 8 from C Deck to close him off!” Roy commanded.
“Commander!” Narmu yelled. “What is the meaning of this!?” he asked as the fire remained to rain on him. “Nothing personal El’qui, just orders.” Was the reply that came from Roy who was unloading towards the spot where Narmu was taking cover. More troopers started arriving and Narmu was quickly running out of room to dodge. Retreating back he used to Force to increase his speed and while heading towards the far end of the passage he extended his arm and pushed back with crushing power a smaller group of troopers. His mind completely focused he felt no malice at all from any of the troopers who were once his friends but were now determined to kill him. “After him! Don’t let him escape! Seal the deck!” he heard Roy shout in the distance.
Narmu was for the moment alone, his saber still ignited he entered a ventilation shaft, knowing full well the launch bay would be the first place to be secured he instead wanted to make his way down to the engineering deck. He could hear commands being shouted as troopers ran everywhere looking for him. If he was going to survive this betrayal he had to first cripple the ship and then make his way to one of the armories. His hope was to cause enough havoc to attempt to get on a ship and get the frell out of this mess. Closing his eyes for a moment he shut his blade off and reached out in the Force. He could feel all the activity on this deck, those few crew that were not clones talked in hushed tones, seemingly just as confused by what was going on as he was. One rated tech, a Corellian female named Shara walked by just underneath him towards her quarters. He decided to follow her. As she was getting ready to enter he opened the access panel and revealed himself to her. She was about to gasp when Narmu made a quick motion for her to be quiet. “General El’qui…sir…” Shara was nervous and at a loss. Narmu sent her calming emotions through the Force and asked to enter her quarters. She opened the door and the Jedi was quick to get in and secure the door once she was inside.
“Shara is your name yes?” Narmu asked hooking his lightsaber to his belt. The Corellian nodded and stood there staring at the Twi’lek. “Yes...yes sir.” Her voice was nervous and hinted fear. “Narmu, I think it’s safe to say my rank of General has been revoked.” He replied with a smile to which she returned. “Tell me Shara, why have my troops turned on me?” he asked taking a seat at her terminal. “Gen…Master Jedi…” she started also sitting down on her bed across from Narmu. “There has been talk of a rebellion, the Jedi tried to assassinate Chancellor Palpatine.” Narmu’s mouth opened in disbelief. “That’s impossible…it is not the Jedi way.” He said looking at Shara’s reaction. “With all due respect Master Jedi, much of this war hasn’t been the Jedi way.” She said. All Narmu could do was shake his head in acceptance. Truer words could not been spoken. The Clone Wars had the Jedi at the forefront of a Grand Army where death and destruction followed it everywhere. But assassination? That could not be true! “What else have you heard?” he asked. “We are to remain here until you are…apprehended.” She looked away briefly. Narmu knew that by apprehension it really meant killed. “There is one more thing Master Jedi.” She paused for a moment trying to remember. “Order 66…a few of us got to talking and have all heard it over and over again amongst the clones. Just before we came out of hyperspace and then again as they started looking for you.” Shara finished. Narmu stood up, taking his lightsaber again in his hand. “Thank you Shara…I must go now.” Shara stood up and smiled. “Narmu, I wish there was something I could do to help…” The Jedi placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You already have.” As he was about to leave she reached and grabbed him by the arm. “There is something Master Jedi…a week ago remember we captured that smuggler’s freighter?”
Narmu tried to remember and after a few seconds recalled capturing a refit AA-9 freighter under the premise it was trafficking arms. “Yes…what of it?” he asked. “It remains in the auxiliary docking bay sir…it would be the easiest for you to get to from here and probably not as guarded as the main hanger bay.” She said. Narmu agreed and thanked her again before leaving.
El’qui moved between ventilation shafts and corridors with a stealth that surprised even him. Troopers were everywhere and he felt the vice closing in around him. To get to Engineering was becoming a much more daunting task then before. “There he is! Blast him!” shots began to rain on him from a pair of troopers that emerged from a storage room. Narmu ignited his blade and started deflecting bolts back at his attackers. In seconds they were reinforced by two squads of troopers. Had they been in an open area he surely would have been defeated. The fight in the relative cramped space of the ship proved to be a saving factor for the hunted Twi’lek. Narmu used the Force and pulled down roof plates on top of the gathering clones. The blaster fire abated for a moment, long enough for the Jedi to leap down a lift passage. There was no time to catch his breath, troopers from above started firing down at him and he could hear more on the way outside. Instead of opening the hatch of the lift he cut a hole through the wall and it revealed a small maintenance passage. “The Force is still with me.” He whispered gratefully entering the passage and sealing the hole behind him.
“Alert, alert, all sections stay on high alert, the Jedi is now believed to be on Deck 18.” That was Captain Lev’s voice on the PA. Narmu shook his head and moved on, changing his plans as he went toward the auxiliary docking bay. There was a shield generator not far off from where he was going, also tractor controls for the port side of the ship was there. He had to act quickly if he was going to survive this. Sweating and bleeding from a few places he took off his robe and left it behind, his dirty tunic showing tears and wear from his crawling through the dirty spaces of the Frontier II. After a few close calls and encounters with clones and troopers alike, he snaked his way out of yet another small crawlspace and into the adjoining storage area close to the shield generator. As he expected there was a pair of Clone Troopers guarding the area by the entrance. Moving quietly he made his way towards the exit. It was fortunate that this room had been recently filled with supply containers for the relief on Mygeeto. He approached the pair of troopers reaching out strongly in the Force and with a wave of his hand he bridged the gap between them and their heads collided with a skull crushing crack, one so hard that a helmet flew off one of the clones. Taking grenades from both of them he exited the storage room and saw his goal just down the way.
“That’s far enough El’qui…” Commander Roy in full ARC Trooper armor said. Narmu ignited his blade and turned to face his former ally. He was accompanied by a full platoon of troopers, all with their blasters raised and aimed at the Jedi. “Roy…you have to know the Jedi did not do what Palpatine has claimed!” Narmu started to say, looking around for some way to escape. “That’s why the Captain has decided to bring you in, you should feel lucky, it’s more quarter than I would have given you.” Roy replied in a tone Narmu had heard him use against Separatist prisoners. One reserved for traitors. The Jedi found his opportunity. Just behind the trooper’s position was a large viewport. Narmu turned off his blade, slightly taking a step back to the crawlspace. Using the Force Narmu extended his senses, feeling for the support beams around the viewport, trying to find a slight weakness he could exploit to bend and pull to his will. Thank the Force for wartime expediting. The metal polymer was not the best in the Galaxy and he found it easy to start twisting the metal inside the hull, in seconds he could feel the micro fractures starting to form and spread. All this as he started to kneel down, lightsaber in front of him and hands coming up to his head. “Don’t try anything stupid El’qui…I can blast you right here if you resist.” Roy said targeting Narmu’s head with his blaster rifle. Narmu shrugged and rested his knees on the deck floor, still twisting the metal inside the hull. A slight hiss of escaping air could be heard by some of the troopers in the rear. They turned looking about for where that noise was coming from. “You know me better than that Roy…” Narmu began. “I always know when a fight is over.” He finished just as his last twist broke the support beam and the viewport’s cracks split it in two and broke with enough decompressive force to suck out a quarter of the trooper platoon in seconds while sending the rest to a mad scramble to save themselves. Air howled as it was blown into space. Narmu almost lost his lightsaber but managed to reach out and catch it in time to turn it on and start deflecting the few blaster bolts now going at him. More troopers were being sucked out and Roy was close to doing so himself had it not been for Narmu use of the Force to pull the clone away from the breach. For an instant the two locked gazes together, the clone nodded to his former commander and lowered his weapon. Narmu went back into the crawlspace and took a path he previously had chosen not to. He could hear in the background the noise dimmer down as emergency shields did their job to seal the exposed hull. The Jedi moved through a new tunnel and exited into what was the auxiliary bay proper. Troopers were waiting for him and they started firing at him from all directions. Taking a grazing shot to the leg he barely managed to find cover behind his method of escape, the AA-9. Just above him was the docking bay door controls and next to him the blast doors to the bay. He flung his saber towards the blast door controls destroying it, backup systems would eventually be used to open the door manually but this bought him precious minutes.
Deflecting bolts he tossed a pair of grenades towards the closest troopers firing at him, with a push of the Force he guided them to cause the most damage, which was absolute, three were down silently while a fourth cried out in agony. There was still fire coming at him from another part of the bay, to the right of him. He threw another pair and also managed to silence the blasters, however, with less kills. Running up the stairs he found a non clone at his station, or rather underneath it in the fetal position. “Please don’t kill me!” he said with a heavy Coruscanti accent. Narmu had no time to waste. He stretched out with the Force and said. “I’m not here to kill you.” “You are not here to kill me.” Was the blank reply from the tech. “You’re going to open the docking bay and lock it so nothing can prevent my ship from leaving.” Narmu said helping the tech stand up. “I’m going to open the bay and lock it in place.” The skinny human said obediently. Narmu keyed into the system and found the tractor beam commands, he immediately turned them off. “Engage manual override to all systems and transfer controls to your station.” He commanded exiting the room. This would buy him more time for the bridge to react to his leaving the ship and pursuing the AA-9. “Manual override, aye.” He heard making his way down the stairs. He sealed the entrance and took a deep breath, finally inside the captured freighter. The controls were vaguely familiar to him so it wasn’t going to be too hard to pilot. Cursing the fact he didn’t have an astromech with him he started the engines and lifted off. Narmu looked down at the troopers he felled and started to make calculations to jump to hyperspace. As he broke free from the ship he turned on his shields. Good thing too as some turbolasers started firing in his direction, although they did not have the angle on him, yet.
The freighter was not going to be very maneuverable so he had to set coordinates fast. “Jedi El’qui in the name of the Galactic Republic you are to shut down your engines and prepare to be boarded.” Captain Lev’s voice came out over the tactical comlink. Narmu looked and saw the Frontier II coming about, fighters spilling out of its hanger bay. A micro jump would do, somewhere on the edge of the system. “Sorry Captain, but I’m afraid I have to leave.” He was punching in the final calculations when a barrage of turbo lasers hit and brought the shields down to 15%. “That was my last warning Master Jedi, there is no escape and the entire Grand Army has orders to use lethal force on any Jedi who tries to escape.” Lev explained. “All the more reason to make this right…” Narmu pulled the controls back and the stars extended into lines as the shipped entered hyperspace. “Goodbye Captain…it was an honor to have served with you.” Narmu said thinking back to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s last words to him. “The end of the war might not be the end of our troubles…”
Emerging a minute or so later from hyperspace Narmu quickly began entering coordinates for a second jump, this one a twisted path to Almar, a place where he swore never to return. The loss of his Padawan there and the pain it brought him returned in a flash. Still he had no understanding as to why he entered the numbers in, was this the Force guiding him? There would be time to contemplate that later. After setting a trio of jumps through Hutt space, Separatist space and Tatooine in between he again pulled the controls of the ship back and returned to hyperspace just as the Frontier II entered space behind him blasting all its turbolasers futilely.
Days later, over the barren twin sun planet of Tatooine he connected his ship to the Galactic Network for the first time and got caught up with the latest news. Reports from all sectors of the Galaxy came that the war was over, the Separatist forces had been shut down and the Republic had been victorious. However the cost of the victory leveled any type of joy the Jedi could have felt. The pit of Narmu’s soul was in torment and disgust, this was the third time he repeated the same footage of the newly crowned Emperor Palpatine’s speech to the Senate. “The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and defeated. Any collaborators will suffer the same fate. These have been trying times, but we have passed the test. The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed, but I assure you my resolve has never been stronger. The war is over. The Separatists have been defeated, and the Jedi rebellion has been foiled. We stand on the threshold of a new beginning. In order to ensure the security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society…” How had it all turned sideways? The Sith Lord the Order was looking for the entire time was right under their noses. A master stroke by Palpatine had left him with absolute control and no Jedi remained to be a real threat to him. Darkness had fallen over the Galaxy and this he knew was to be just the beginning.
Narmu had waited to make the last jump to Almar, grateful that no pursuit had come after a brief run in over Nar Shadaa the exiled Jedi Master had taken supplies in Mos Eisley. He surely would have to settle for a time away from it all. Almar remained the best location. “R3, standby to go to hyperspace.” He ordered his newly acquired droid. It beeped an affirmative as Narmu sat in the pilot’s chair again, flicking on the comms and directing the frequency to the Jedi Temple’s. A repeated message continued to transmit. "This is Master Obi Wan Kenobi. I regret to report that both our Jedi Order and the Republic, have fallen with a dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and a reminder for any surviving Jedi. Trust in The Force. Do not return to the Temple…that time has passed. And our future is uncertain. We will each be challenged. Our trust. Our faith. Our friendships. But we must persevere. And in time, a new hope will emerge. May the Force be with you, always." he sighed and turned it off. His eyes turning towards the rising suns coming up over the horizon a perfect setting for departure he thought. “May the Force guide us in these trying times…” he said taking his ship into hyperspace….