Chapter 23: First Mission Episode IV

[Seswenna Sector, Dzass System]

Looking out the transparisteel window in front of me I watched the vastness of space pass by.

A month has passed since Dooku and I arrived in the Seswenna sector to assist the ORSF in stopping the raiders targeting the vessels from 'Valorum Shipping and Transport' and in this past month we've gotten Bantha dung.

I mean nothing.

The raids on the transport vessels are still continuing and we're no closer to discovering who is the behind the raids or their motives for conducting them in the first place.

It's so frustrating it's not even funny.

I mean I know being a Jedi and being able to use the Force isn't a solve all to every problem or situation, but I thought it would at least make things like this investigation easier.

It hasn't.

Hence why Dooku and I have started joining ORSF ships on their patrols of the Seswenna sector in hopes of catching a break in the case.

The two of us are on one of those ships right now.

Which is currently located in the Dzass system of the sector.

Leaning back in the chair I am sitting in I turned my eyes away from the window and looked around the conference room Dooku and I are using for our work aboard the ORSF ship. Hoping that not all my missions as a member of the Jedi order are like this.

Well it's not like it's been all bad.

Due to the fact we haven't had any huge leads since arriving in the Seswenna sector Dooku has been able to focus on my training. While I've been able to focus on my personal projects.

The most important one at the moment being making money.

For even in the Star Wars universe nothing practical can get done without money.

Most of the projects I want to start require money, and right now I have none.

That's one of the many advantages the Sith currently have over me. They have access to huge amounts of credits. Meanwhile I'm sitting here with empty pockets.

Yeah, that can't stand.

Now I have some ideas about how to make money, I just hope I can make them into a reality.

For I need to start preparing for the inevitable war as soon as possible. The fate of the galaxy literally hangs in the balance after all.

The doors to the conference room opening I looked in their direction, seeing Dooku enter the room.

"So, any news master?" I asked him. Since I knew he just returned from the ships bridge.

"No, nothing new." He said. Taking his seat on my right. "But if we continue being patient as we have been then I am sure the answer to this mystery will present itself to us."

"Sure, whatever you say." I replied. "So anyway master, there is something I wanted to get your assistance with." I began.

Only for alarms to start going off all over the ship.

The moment this happened Dooku and I were out of our seats and rushing out of the room.

On our way to the bridge to see what was happening.

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Arriving on the bridge Dooku and I ended up there just as the ship jumped into hyperspace.

The moment afer it did we walked over to the captain of the vessel, who is sitting in a command chair.

"Captain, what is happening?" Dooku asked the man.

"We received a distress call from one of our vessels. Apparently they stumbled upon the raiders attacking a shipping vessel." He revealed. "From the message we received from them before their communication cut out it looks like they engaged the raiders vessels and manage to cripple one." The captain said, putting a smile on my face.

Which he has every right too, since this might be just what we need to break this case wide open.

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[Seswenna Sector, Orryxia System]

As the ship dropped out of hyperspace we got a full view of the situation.

The cargo ships engines had been damaged and it was dead in space, but otherwise it looked undamaged.

One of the raiders ships was in the exact same position.

As for the other two they were engaging the ORSF vessel that had stumbled upon the raid.

That is until they noticed us.

Once they realized we were here the two remaining raiders ships broke off their attack and began fleeing.

"After them!" The captain shouted.

A few seconds after he did so the ship began accelerating towards the enemy.

Though before we could even close the distance the two raider ships managed to jump into hyperspace.

"Dammit!" The captain shouted.

"Calm yourself, captain." Dooku spoke. "We may not have caught all the raiders today but we did catch a few. So let us take solace in that fact."

Listening to Dooku's words the captain quickly calmed down.

As he did a communication suddenly came in.

It was from the other ORSF ship.

It seems they would retrieve and secure the shipping vessel and it's crew, while we would handle securing the raiders ship.

Which the captain agreed too.

Though before we could enact any sort of plan the crippled raider ship blew up.

Looking at it do so through the bridges window I suddenly heard multiple screams in my head and felt a horrible sensation through the Force.

"Agh!!" I shouted.

Falling to my knees after I did.

"Apprentice, Van just breathe." Dooku told me. "Gently close your connection to the Force." He instructed.

Not replying I simply gave a curt nod and followed his instructions.

Inhaling and exhaling I slowly closed myself off from the Force.

Once I did so I felt much better.

Slowly but surely I stood to my feet and when I did I turned towards Dooku. Who is looking at me with a hint of worry.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"For the most part master." I replied. I then asked the big question on my mind. "What happened to me just now?"

"Through your connection to the Force you felt the deaths of fhe raiders. It happens often when we Jedi are around a lot of death. We feel it more much than others." He explained.

"I understand." I said.

Truly I do.

Which makes me respect the Jedi of old even more now. For given all the wars and skirmishes they fought in its a wonder more of them didn't fall to the dark side or go completely insane.

The Jedi of this era truly got off easy during the Clone Wars considering most of the CIS forces were droids.

For if they had been real living people like in the wars of the galaxies past then the Clone Wars might've seen a lot more dark Jedi or even the rise of Sith other than Sidious and those under his command.

"Dammit!" The captain shouted in fury. "Those damn cowards!" He raged.

Referring to the raiders who just blew themselves up.

My thoughts going back to them I began wondering just what kind of organization and loyalty they had to it to snuff out their own lives.

Well one thing is for certain, I will definitely not stop until I find out.

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A/N: Ok so the results for the polls are in.

Van will be getting a second lightsaber and it's color will be white. So just like Revan he is going to dual wield.

Second, the Clone soldiers who help Van as his army will be called Spartans. As for the clones themsleves they will be both male and female.

Anyway until next time.