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Within the heart of a decaying temple Mygalomorphae - an ancient being of great power - studies her captives.
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“Bipedal creatures” she muses “such aggressive tendencies” . . .
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“Such purity & innocence”
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“Can any of you truly grasp the paradox of your destines?”
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“You create to destroy? . . .” she sighs as she prods a captured vulture droid.
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Somewhat puzzled she nestles herself up high & begins to study the Sith tome.
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Certain of her diverted attention Durandel once again eases the carefully concealed saber from before towards him. . . .
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With a concentrated mind he lifts it upwards into the air . . .
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Igniting it quickly & directing it’s motion . .
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Cutting away the webbing around the vulture droid . . .
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Mygalomorphae is too late to stop events unfolding . .
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. . ..
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The clone wars reject springs into action . . .
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With careful precision the Padawan summons the sabre & hacks at the sticky ties that bind him . . .
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By now the dishevelled droid dive bombs it’s tormentor . . .
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Allowing time to free the second captive . .
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Although he senses that darkness has tainted her before now, Durandel cannot leave her to her fate . .
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Quickly & silently they make their escape!
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. . . . .
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Within the thick bush a patrolling shadow trooper spies a rifle on the ground, checking his locator he confirms that smugglers have been spotted around these parts.
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But it’s the unseen that cause the headaches in the long run . . .
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Or neck . . .
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“Troy” a squad member shouts to his fallen comrade . .
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“Oh my - jeez - Troy”
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Then a hum resonates from behind him . .
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Having been commanded during the clone wars on countless missions, trooper ’Denny’ recognises the distinct sound.
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With such formidable combat experience Denny makes an unpredictable forward roll . . .
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Ending magnificently in an instant rifle shot.
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However . . .
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After dispatching of Denny, Cortez is himself ambushed . . .
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Momentarily anyway!
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As he squeezes hard at the jugular of trooper 3 someone approaches.
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“I think you’ve brutalised enough pups today blue” the apparent leader spits
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“Put down the whelp & deal with the Alpha” he finishes.
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As Cortez lets trooper 3 leave his leader mutters something to him quietly, calling for reinforcements maybe?
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“Where is the young Jedi, Commander?” Galen begins
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“Beats me” the leader shrugs shaking his fist “this is a harsh place”
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Squaring up to the black clad soldier Galen presses further “four pairs of republic issue boots head this way with my friend, after what I can only describe as an ambush!”
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“TALK!”
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Blow after blow the two opposing blades meet . . .
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Footwork & technique matter little in the middle of a jungle . .
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Cunning & creative attacks gain advantage . .
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Or dirty tactics . . .
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With Mandalorian blood pumping through his veins the warrior is odds on favourite . .
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But in savouring victory with a battle cry the trooper is vulnerable to a single attack . . .
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What is referred to as a drop - toe hold.
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With their legs inter locked & with Cortez applying his entire upper body pressure upon the lower half of the soldiers the pain is unbearable . . Galen now in complete control demands answers!
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Torture is something that every soldier is trained for, but not like this! The android has no give, no attention span - just the need for answers.
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After humiliatingly begging for freedom the trooper agrees to take Cortez to the prisoners.
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Somewhere amongst the screams of pain & anguish the trooper finds a small amount of respect in loosing to a better warrior.
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Later . . .
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With the female casualty over his shoulder, Durandel happens across a small out building whilst trekking through the bush.
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Hearing the shrieks of their pursuer in the distance it seems their safest hope.
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Metallic in structure the door holds firmly against the assault by Mygalomorphae.
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Then . . Silence . . .
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Inside what appears to be a makeshift home the Padawan tends to the woman.
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Using a stove & other supplies he is able to provide sustenance for them both.
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For now at least the shack will provide refuge until dawn.
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“Things aren’t always back & white” the trooper states “sometimes there are shades of grey!”
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Cortez witnesses hundreds of what appear to be eggs covering the temple . . .
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“Our ‘mistress’ can grant the ultimate gift, let me show you”
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“You’ve met Troy already today” the trooper states patting a fellow soldier
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“Troy?” Cortez asks perplexed . . . .
“yeah” the leader laughs “funny ain’t it?”
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“My god” Cortez giggles hugging the trooper “I’m . . . I”
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“No hard feelings” Troy nods “but you should listen . .”
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Amidst the gathering of bodies Mygalomorphae returns.
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The soldiers look nervous - like teenagers caught smoking - out of respect Cortez bows his head.
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“WHY DO YOU ALLOW THIS . . THING TO DEFILE MY DOMAIN CHILD?..” she asks the troop leader.
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“I seek a young Jedi - my companion who would have been brought here?”
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“IT SEEMS WE HAVE MUCH TO DISCUSS MAN OF WIRES . . .”
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Early morning Durandel arrives inside the makeshift lair after collecting up useful items from the neighbouring area. “Where are you going miss?” he asks.
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In a strangely quiet, husky tone the female seems distant in her response “thank you for your hospitality Padawan but I am a dangerous companion, I must be away”
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As she opens the steel door a patrol can be seen heading in their direction. . .
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“No!” she hisses “the allegiances make little sense but their intentions are always the same . . ”
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As the woman bolts past him Durandel opens the door by a fraction to identify the advancing party.
“It’s fine” he assures her “stay here . . .”
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From the outside the group hear the creaking of the rusty door hinges . .
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Cortez removes his helmet to the relief of the Padawan.
Galen speaks first: “Hey kiddo found you eventually!”
Durandel laughs nervously - aware of the armed escort “what’s going on Galen?”
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Through the door their conversation can be heard;
“I made a deal Durandel, you let them search for something - the item I took from the palace - if you don’t have it then you go free . .”
The young Jedi questions his friend’s better judgement “And you?”
“Well that’s the hard part” Galen replies “ I have pretty much a back up of it in memory so providing you’re ok they get what they want anyway!”
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Unwillingly accepting his friends offer of aid Durandel allows the troopers to search for the mystery item.
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His companion however takes some persuading before allowing a pat down.
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30 mins later Durandel & his female companion are clear to leave, walking calmly but quickly away from the area.
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The fake 3 fingered military salute that Galen gives is actually a pre arranged code which indicates to meet at their safety point in 3 weeks . .
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As they depart Durandel wonders what will become of his protector . .
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Cortez obviously worried about his charge . .
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Also wonders about the missing book . . . And to whom it now belongs . .
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