Star Wars: Red Dawn

Star Wars: Red Dawn is the 2nd book in the Bryn Fulcron Series. The book details Bryn Fulcron's exploits in hunting down the criminal orginization, the Red Dawn. The book concludes with Bryn having to make a tough decision.....save his family, or kill the man responsible for its pain?

Dramatis Personae

 * Bryn Fulcron, Jedi Knight (Male Human)
 * Jaina Solo-Fulcron, Jedi Knight (Female Human)
 * Tarc Rethcoe, Dark Jedi (Male Human)
 * Jacen Solo, Jedi Knight (Male Human)
 * Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master (Male Human)
 * Bryt Fulcron, Padawan (Female Human)
 * Triebakk, Senator (Male Wookie)
 * Jag Fel, Pilot (Male Human)
 * Shawnkyr Nurudo, Pilot (Female Chiss)
 * Tahiri Veila, Jedi Knight (Female Human)
 * Valin Horn, Jedi Knight (Male Human)
 * Zekk, Jedi Knight (Male Human)
 * Pwoe, Former Senator (Male Quarren)
 * Cal Omas, Cheif of State (Male Human)
 * Octa Ramis, Jedi Master (Female Human)
 * Luko Jamaane, Disgraced Warrior (Male Yuuzhan Vong)
 * Kar Vastor- Fugitive {Male Korunnai)

Locations

 * Sleheryon
 * Coruscant
 * Kashyyk
 * Alion

Chapter 1
Little Trouble on Big Kashyyk [Day: 24- Month: 9- Year: 36 ABY- Time: 0944]

Bryn Fulcron eased his way out of the hut, taking care not to wake Jaina. It was a beautiful night, and he was eager to join Lowbacca and the others in their hunt for the intruder.

They'd only been on Kashyyk for three days, and it was already one of Bryn's favorite planets. In his short time here, he'd journeyed to the Shadwlands with Lowie (earning distinction among the Wookiees for his fight with a deadly Tarentatek), visited Chebacca and Anakin Solo's memorial, and become an informal memeber of the tribe.

And all this while still looking for Tarc Bryn thought smugly. Te ex-Jedi had been spotted, supposedly, on Kashyyk talking to a group of Trandoshan slavers. That, more than anything, was the reason Bryn wanted to go hunting tonight.

He met up with Lowie on a two-kilometer long platform that also served as an auxilary landing pad for the city of Rwookrrorro. The gallant Wookiee Jedi howled his greeting to Bryn, as did several other Wookiee hunters, whose names he hadn't gotten a chance to remember. Jag, Zekk, Valin and Doran were also there.

"At ease, Fulcron." Jag jested, always aware of an opportunity to remind Bryn that less than 8 weeks ago, he had been the Jedi's immediate superior in the CEDF.

Valin and Doran exchanged nervous looks, and Bryn knew why. After the incident on Mandalore, they we beginning to wonder whether or not it was even possible to find Tarc Rethcoe.

"Lowie," Bryn called out to his friend. The Wookiee strode up to him slowly, nodding as he came. "How about we split into two groups. Valin, Doran, Jag and some of your men go off on a 'hunt', while you, me, Zekk and a few of your best men do the real fighting." The wookiee stood back, almost offended at Bryn's suggestion.

"No, no, listen," Bryn continued. "Valin and Doran are afraid. They need a morale boost. If Tarc is actually here, I don't want them to see what I do to him..."

Lowie growled something about that sort of talk not becoming of a Jedi, and Bryn replied.

"You know what he did to my family, what he did to Bryt. When I fight him, it won't be as a Jedi, it'll be as a man. YOu can't tell me you wouldn't do the same."

The Wookiee seemed to agree. He asked who should be split into the groups.

"We'll have three. I'll lead one, you'll lead one, and Zekk will lead one. That way it seems like we're covering all our bases, right?"

The Wookiee growled his assent. Soon after, Bryn stood to one side with two Wookiees, a big one whose name Bryn could hardly pronounce, and Fahraak, an older Wookiee who Lowie said had served in Galactic Civil War. Bryn nodded to both of them and was preparing to leave when a streak of blond hair hit him full in the chest, nearly knocking him over the precipice.

Tahiri had a devilish grin on her face, and a wild look in her eyes.

"How can you go fighting and not invite me, Bryn?" Bryn put his hand on the back of his head sheepishly.

"Well, you see, I-uhh, I didn't know you were awake, Tahiri." He wasn't a very good liar.

Tahiri put her hands on her hips, seeing through his bluff.

"You have to let me go, Bryn. With you, and your two friends here."

"Now wait a minute here, Tahiri, what makes you think I'm letting you go?"

Tahiri smiled at him smugly. "Because if you don't, I'll wake up Jaina..."

Bryn threw his hands up in exasperation.

"No, no, no, no, let's not get hasty now! If you really want to go, then you'll have to keep up with me." Giving a small wink to Fahraark, Bryn leaped off the platform, the Wookiees right behind him. Tahiri ave a short gasp of surprise, and then followed them into the night...

Chapter 2
Duel in the Trees [Day: 24- Month: 9- Year: 36 ABY- Time: 1020]

Bryn landed on the gigantic branch, finally stopping his descent. Fahraark landed next to him, amazingly graceful for his size. The other Wookiee landed a little less elegantly, nearly snapping the branch in two. Tahiri streaked down a few seconds later, panting heavily form the chase.

Bryn chuckled at her. She shot him a look that said something like "Jaina's still up there, you know." Bryn stopped laughing, and then got serious.

"All right, guys, there's an intruder somewhere in this area, and we're gonna find him. What I didn't tell you earlier was that this square mile was where he was spotted. Lowie made sure that I be the one who finds our little guest."

Most sentients would be a little perturbed that thier leader had withheld such pertinent information, but two Wookiees and Tahiri Veila weren't most sentients.

Tahiri immediately got serious, and Fahraark, who Bryn didn't think could get any more serious, got angry. The other Wookiee seemed happy, and BRyn felt sorry for anyone who wanted to get in his way.

"Here's the plan. I'll take the right side and make a ring around the entire area. I'm pretty sure it's me there after. You two will make a beeline for the middle, and then take duplicate routes through the remainder of area." He nodded at each Wookiee, who nodded back in turn. Then he turned to Tahiri.

"I'm sorry, you can't follow me, and I don't care if you tell Jaina. I need you to stay here, and secure our exit. I know it sounds boring, but look at the bright side."

Tahiri, arms crossed in defiance, didn't seem to care what the bright side was.

"You get to be the first one to react in casse I actually do find someone."

She grinned as Bryn backflipped off their branch, soaring downwards. Little did he know how true that statement would turn out to be...

-

Tahiri laid down on her back, staring up at the scant few stars that could be seen this far into the Kashyyk canopy. It really was peaceful here. A slight breeze blew a lock of her hair into her eyes. She batted it away. Wondering whether or not she would ever get to fight, she heard a Wookiee roar sear into the night.

She had no idea which one it was, just that it had been closer to were Bryn was than where she was.

He'll probably handle it.. she thought disparingly.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, Tahiri's comlink came alive with Bryn's voice.

"Not sure what it was, but it killed one of the Wookiees. I think he had an amphistaff. It's alright, Tahiri, stay there, I'll handle it."

As much as Tahiri had felt a jolt of excitement at the word amphistaff, she felt an equal amount of dissapointment at Bryn's comment.

"Of course you'll handle, Bryn dear, you always kriffing handle it." she brushed the hair out of her eyes again.

"And why is it SO WINDY!!!" she yelled uselessly into the darkness, until she heard the sound behind her.

It was a harsh, grating sound, one that almost sounded like...breathing.

"...H-hello?" Tahiri asked, turning to face whatever was behind her.

"Do-roik Vong Pratte!" it screamed at her, leaping out of the abyss. Tahiri screamed and threw up her arms in defense. The world went black...

-

Bryn felt Tahiri's fear almost before he heard her scream. He immediately turned towards the sound, activiating his comlink at the same time.

"Fahraark! Get back to position one, now!". He pocketed the comlink, activating his lightsaber at the same time. Bryn turned, running up the side of a giant worshyr tree.

After using the Force to balance himself, Bryn leaped straight upwards, landing a mere 10 or so meters from where he'd left Tahiri. He ran to her, finding her unconscious and alone. Her lightsaber was missing.

Using the Force, Bryn awoke his former lover, hoping she was alright. Her eyes fluttered open, still full wide frmo shock. She focused on his face, calming in a couple seconds.

"Bryn...what happened?" she asked him, accepting his hand to pull her up.

"No idea," he replied, still scanning the treetops for movement.

Forget one intruder, there could be a whole legion in these trees. he thought to himself.

While still contemplating whether or not to retreat, Bryn heard a snap-hiss and felt the lade of a ligthsaber pressed to his neck...

"Get up, Jeedai," a coarse, guttural voice spoke out. Bryn stood up slowly, eyes locked on this shadowy figure. He came into the light...

It was a Yuuzhan Vong, heavily scarred, lips curled in a menacing grin.

"My name is Luko Jamaane. I am Yuuzhan Vong." the alien continued to speak, cutting off Bryn or Tahiri when they tried to reply.

"You shamed my people, you Jeedai scum. I was once a respected warrior from the Jamaane caste. I was fourth in line to become warmaster, but you, you Jeedai had to ruin it all. you had to expose my uncle fro the fraud that he was..."

Tahiri gasped. "Your uncle...Shimrra?"

Luko grinned, a sham of a smile that brought a chill down Bryn's spine.

"Yes, shaped-Jeedai, the Supreme Overlord!"

Luko continued to tell of his exploits during the war, finally coming to rest on why he was here now.

"That's why, when the Rethcoe Jeedai apporached me, I was interested. He told me I could retain my honor. By killing you, Jeedai Fulcron."

Bryn's face hardened, his eyes burning holes in his new opponent.

"I am told you are a great warrior, one of the best of your kind. So am I. Fifty honor duels I have won, never having been knocked off my feet. So worthy am I in the eyes of the Gods, that I will fight you on your own terms. I will fight and kill you with your own Jeedai abomination, the lightsaber."

Bryn's eyes widened in shock, and then he withdrew his own ligthsaber, igniting it in an elaborate salute. He nodded to Tahiri, and then to Luko, who took a few steps backwards.

"Now we begin, Jeedai. We begin the end of your life!"

-

Tahiri backed away as the two opponents began to trade blows at each otehr with their lightsabers. The cobwebs were starting to clear in her head, and she began to wonder if Bryn could beat this savage Yuuzhan Vong warrior.

''I didn't even hear him coming..."

They moved closer towards each other, each re-adjusting his grip on his lightsaber. Bryn glancd over at Tahiri, and winked at her. Then, without warning, he flung his lightsaber high into the air. Startled, Luko took a pace back, eyes following the descending blade.

In the time it took for the Yuuzhan Vong's eyes todart upwards, Bryn pulled out his second saber, activated it, and swung it at his opponent's head. Amazingly, Jamaane was able to react and got Tahiri's yellow blade up in time.

Tahiri blinked as sparks descended from the clash of energy. Bryn raised his hand, calling his first lightsaber back to it. H eignited that blade as soon as it touched his palm. He then broke off the stalemate and saluted Jamaane again.

"Impressive," Bryn commented. "Most people wouldn't have even seen that coming." He nodded to Jamaane again, and Tahiri could tell that the Yuuzhan Vong warrior was shaken. He hadn't expected Bryn to be that fast.

They began to battle again, ligthsabers blurring in circles, never meeting for more than a split second. As far as Tahiri could tell, the Yuuzhan Vong was holding his own against Bryn, but she knew Bryn hadn't even broken a sweat yet.

One look at Luko Jamaane and Tahiri could see that he knew he had no chance at winning this fight.

''Then why is he still fighting. What is he waiting for?'' she felt the second Force presence almost too late. It was dark and twisted, filled with undbridled power, power on a scale she'd only felt once before...

"Nyax..." she whisepered under her breath, and then shook her head slowly.

''Irek Ismaren died on Coruscanr, and besides, this presence feels more...controlled. Like it's waiting for something.''

She tried to call out to Bryn in the Force, but one look from him told her he had felt the mysterious presence as well.

After a lull in the fighting, Bryn lowered his guard, ad began to speak.

"Why dont you tell your friend to reveal himself?".

Jamaane was taken back for a second, and then composed himself.

"Of course, Jeedai can use their Force to sense one another...Vey well, Jeedai, why don't you tell me where my friend is, and I'll let you fight him."

Bryn closed his eyes for a second, and then began to speak.

"I don't know where he is, but i know who he is, if he can truly be called a man." Bryn paused, and then began again slowly.

"His name is Kar Vastor. He is a refugee from the planet Horuun Kal, hi slast known whereabout. His was captured, alive, by the Jedi Master Mace Windu in 22 BBY. He escaped from the Jedi Temple during Darth Vader's purge three years later."

Jamaane seemed stunned. "How could you tell that much from him?" Tahiri seemed stunned as well.

Bryn laughed. "I can't read minds like that, you fool. I just know my history. Tell Kar Vastor that next time he wants to follow me, he should take better care to hide himself. I'd recognize that ugly mug anywhere, I loved listening to his story back at home."

As Bryn continued to laugh, the Force darkened with anger and embarrassment. Whoever this Kar Vastor was, he certainly wasn't very happy. Tahiri tried to get a pinpoint on his location, but he was very slippery. Then, all of sudden, she felt him...above her.

"Bryn, he's-", but before Tahiri could finish her scentence, a dark form crashed down through the underbrush, knocking Tahiri off her feet. She rolled up to her knees, taking a defensive stance.

She looked around, realizing that neither Bryn, Kar vastor, and the Yuuzhan Vong Luko Jamaane weren't on the platform. She glanced over the edge to see...

-

Bryn turned, blocking an awkward strike from Luko Jamaane. The Yuuzhan Vong Warrior then glanced off a worshyr tree, putting him into an uncontrollable spin.

Kar Vastor's attack had knocked the three of them off the platform, sending them plummeting down through the canopy.

Bryn felt Vastor behind him andflipped his lightsaber over his shoulder to intercept the blow. Vastor fought with specially enhanced vibro-shields, that could deflect ligthsabers.

The blow pushed Bryn to the right, giving him an opportunity to reach out for a vine. He grabbed it, put let go immediately to stop his shoulder from tearing. He only needed to slow himself down. About a hundred meters down, or so, Bryn oculd see the canopy come to and end at a large fern field, one taht would likely stop their descent.

He turned his body back around, finally coming face to face with the massive Vastor. The man was built like a tank, his aged face showing signs of wear. He was shirtless, and his eyes were dark with rage.

''Mace Windu must have been quite a Jedi to take this guy out..."

Vastor snarled before lashing out at Bryn again. Luckily for the Jedi, Vastor was obviously not used to fighting in mid-air, and missed badly.

Bryn, who was just as inexperienced in this kid of fighting, was able to succesfully parry only because of his better control of the Force and smaller size. He spun lazily with the parry, bringing his boot around to Vastor's face. He put all his effort into the strike, and Vastor didn't show a mark.

Yeah, Windu was quite a Jedi indeed...

Realizing the ferns were approaching quickly, Brny used the Force to slow himself and Jamaane down. The Yuuzhan Vong was misguided, and didn't deserve death...

Bryn hit the boughs hard, driving all the air out of his lungs. Vastor, somehow, landed on his feet, although quite sloppily. Jamaanefell screaming with a thud, obviously knocked out cold.

Bryn grasped at his chest, trying to regain his breath. It was no use, Kar Vastor was upon him now, an animalistic grin marring his already fearsome visage.

A small, blond streak slammed into Vastor's shoulders, driving him down into the leaves. Tahiri had followed them. Vastor growled in rage, plucking the young Jedi off his shoulders.

Small one... Bryn heard his voice growl through the Force. ''You shall pay for that. Pay in blood!''

He held Tahiri at arms length, massive hand clutched over her face. She struggled and moaned, trying to use the Force to free herself. Bryn still couldn't breathe. Vastor simply squezed harder, causing Tahiri to scream in pain.

Vastor pulled his other hand back, aiming the blade at Tahiri's throat, intent on removing her head from her body.

"NOOO!!!" Bryn bellowed, rising shakily to his feet. The Force crackled over his knuckles. Vastor grinned savagely at teh Jedi, using his free foot to deliver thunderous kick at Bryn's chest.

Bryn caught the massive man's foot in his hands, stunning the giant Vastor. Tahiri still struggled uselessly in his hand.

"You...don't...hurt...her..." Bryn said through gritted teeth. Rage began to build up in his soul...

He dropped Vastor's foot, and summoned up all the power he could, leaping at the larger's man's chest.

Vastor tried to pull Tahiri into the way of the strike, but Bryn used the Force to slam his arm back where it was. Kar's eyes widened in shock.

Bryn pulled his right arm back, forming it into a fist. He then slammed that fist into Vastor's chest.

The night around them exploded into color, as Bryn used the sheer power of the Force to punch a hole through Vastor's chest, releasing his hold on Tahiri and slamming him into the gorund, motionless.

Tahiri gasped for breath nest to Bryn, as he recovered himself and helped her to feet. There were red finger marks all around where he had held her. Her eyes were bulging in fear. She tried to say something, but Bryn shushed her and hefted her onto his shoulders. As he prepared to leave, Bryn saw, impossibly, Kar Vastor rise to his feet.

Bryn took a step back in horror.

No one could live through that! He ried to run, but Vastor used the Force to block him off, actually ripping off a peice of the nearest worshyr tree to impede the Jedi's path. He had them cornered, until...

A crude, Wookiee made spear flew through the night, burying itself in Vastor's shoulder. The man cried out in pain, spinning around to find his new attacker. Fahraark descended through the night, aiming his corssbow at the massive Dark Jedi.

He began to fire, aiming all his shots at Vastor's head. The insane Dark Jedi used his vibro-shield to deflet them back at the Wookiee, a few finding purchase. The Wookiee howled in pain, crashing into the ferns.

Kar Vastor marched off, quite jittery, towards his new prey. Bryn, still hefting the stunned Tahiri on his shoulders, summoned up what little energy he still had, and unleashed it in the most powerful peal of Force Lightning he had ever, and would ever, unleash upon another being.

It hit Vastor square in the back, throwing him to his knees. The beastly Dark Jedi gritted through the pain, slwly rising back to his feet. After a few seconds, Bryn lowered his hand, sweat pouring off his brow. He was spent.

Kar Vastor wasn't. The mammoth of a man turned back around, once again focsuing on Bryn. Bryn fell to his knees, his vision already blurring. vastor got to within two meters, and then stopped, perhaps slently showing Bryn a measure of respect.

Whatever he did, it cost him his life. Fahraark had recoverd, and now stabbed vastor through the back with a Wookiee vibroblade. The Dark Jedi glanced down at the wound, sneering in pain. He began to turn around, trying to finsih the Wookiee once and for all. It appeared that even Kar Vastor had underestimated the strength of a Wookiee.

Fahraark hefted the massive man up off the ground, using nothing but pure strength to hurl Vastor off the edge, sending him down into the darkness...

As far as Bryn could tell, the next level was at least two miles down, a fall that hopefully, even Kar Vastor wouldn't survive.

Chapter 3
Neurotoxins   [Day: 28- Month: 9- Year: 36 ABY- Time: 1230]

After Fahraark had brought Bryn and Tahiri back up to Rwookrrorro (he left Luko Jamaane there to rot), the Jedi spent the rest of the day recovering (and getting a mouthful from Jaina).

The Crusaders headed to the obscure Imperial outpost known as Alion. The Imperial Base (and only lading area) was dilapidated and ancient, with crumbling structures surrounding it.

After a short search, Bryn began to think that the trip was nothing more than a wild-bantha-chase. Before leaving, however, he decided to check one final room in the back of the facility. What awaited him was shocking.

The room was filled with dozens of the Empire's most heinous interrogtion devices. After searching through the room's databanks, ryn found a single message. After activating it, the message greeted him by name. Confused, Bryn called in the rest of the Crusaders. What he heard on that screen would make him wish he hadn't.

The message was from Tarc, and its contents told of a planet named Sleheyron, which was were Tarc was hiding. After that seemingly helpful tidbit, Tarc continued to inform the Crusaders of what he would do to them if the ever arrived.

"First, Fulcron, I will take your precious freinds, Veila, Zekk, Ramis and Horn, and I will trap them in a small cage. On the table will be an assortment of potions and toxins. If they dont drink them, they will be crushed by the room A.I. If they do....well I wouldn't want to be them, trust me."

After a short pause, Tarc continued. Bryn glanced at each of the Jedi Tarc had mentioned, seeing an blank, angered expression on each of their faces.

"Then I am going to take that harlot you call a wife and break her, break her in mind, body and spirit, just like i did your sister. And when I'm done, Bryn, I will kill her in front of you."

"As for your sister, Bryn, I will keep her for my own devices. See you soon...old friend". As the message faded out, Bryn decided that he would very much like to kill Tarc Rethcoe.

Calming himself down, he asked the rest of the group if they wanted to proceed with the plan. They all agreed.

"So be it, then," Bryn said.

"If Tarc wants to die, then I'll oblige him".

After a short pause, Bryn continued.

"If he doesn't...well, let's just hope he wants a quick death..."

Chapter 4
Lead a Horse to Water... [Day: 4- Month: 10- Year: 36 ABY- Time: 1335]

Chapter 5
The Planet of the Dawn  [Day: 7- Month: 10- Year: 36 ABY- Time: 1802]

Chapter 6
Fervor   [Day: 8- Month: 10- Year: 36 ABY- Time: 0509]

Chapter 7
Three Lives  [Day: 13- Month: 10- Year: 36 ABY- Time: 1457]