Tarakus Deadmerit: Time Frame/CH. 5

CHAPTER FIVE M2X32905

Tarakus was the first to leave the Sandman, closely followed by Tu'verana, Mirandall, and Piastall rounding off the end. "Keep sharp, people. Anything could jump out at ya at any moment.  Stay focused." Piastall advised. Tarakus held up his hand, halting the line following him. "Does anyone else sense that?" He asked, his Force senses picking up on the Dark Force energy eminating from the astroid. Everyone else nodded in agreement. "The energy seems to be coming from below this facility. Do you think we ran across Darth Vectivus's sanctuary?" Mirandall asked, his curiosity piqued. "Maybe. Look, we're all Ekatra, but I still think we should tread carefully.  That energy is very strong.  I don't want anyone falling to the Dark Side on me." Tarakus said, with deep tones of concern. "Let's spread out and search for clues, about where she might've gone to next." Piastall said, rubbing his hands together. At that order, the four split into different parts of the old mining compound. Tarakus wandered into Lumiya's old living quarters, sensing that she was once here, and fairly recently. He started his search here, hoping that his wife had left something behind to give him a hint, as to where to look next. For what seemed like hours, Tarakus tore through the quarters in desparate search for something. As he was going through one of the shelves of artifacts, he tossed aside a holocron amulet that he had given her years ago, at the beginning of their marriage, without thinking of it. When he heard the crystal device clink on the floor, his head straightened up, and looked back.

At first, Tarakus didn't recognize the device, but when he got closer, and picked it up, he immediately recognized what it was. "Smart thinking, Lumiya. Smart thinking.  So, did you leave behind a message for me?" He said to himself. He sat down, and started probing the holocron, to see if she indeed used it for what it was supposed to be. As soon as his first thought came through to the device, it suddenly turned on, making Tarakus jump back a couple centimeters. "I hate it when they do that! So, she did." The holocron came to life, and began with a message from Lumiya. "Tarakus, I know that these last few months in our life have been rough, but I do want you to know, that I love you dearly. As a matter of fact, I do miss you very much, and wish to come back to you.  Unfortunately, I have to tie up some loose ends, and with that, I must tell you my intentions."

"First, Tarakus, I intend on turning Jacen Solo, into a powerful Sith Lord, so that this galaxy can live peacefully. Second, I have unfinished business with Luke Skywalker, that as you know from experience, is going to bring back painful memories to both of us, however, it must be done.  Third, I intend to teach you, the art of Force Illusion.  When this message is done, You can access the lessons for this technique that I left for you, with your thoughts." "Finally, I do know how much you miss me, and are probably wanting to know, if I left a clue here for you, as to where to go next. Go to the Rooqu Station in the Hapes Cluster.  There you will find the next clue to my trail." As soon as he got the location, he shut the holocron off, and headed back to the observation room. "Tu'verana, Mirandall, Piastall, I've got it. I know where to go next.  Let's move out." - - - - - - Tepagastra Sandman near the Hapes Cluster

Tarakus, still bothered by his wife's mission, sat in his cabin, deep in thought. Tu'verana knocked on the hatchway. "Dad, what's wrong?" "It's your mother, that's what's wrong. Judging by what she said in the holocron, her mission obviously succeeded, because Jacen Solo is a Sith Lord, at this moment.  I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this, Tu'verana." "Well, at least we know where she intends on going next, so all we have to do is follow the pruvesata crumbs, right?" "Well, yes, and no. There may be instances where she may have visited a planet more than once, during her mission. In those cases, she won't have left more than one clue to point the way." "Clearly you're still bothered by what she did, aren't you?" "Yes, because I thought she got over it years ago. According to your mom, I apparently stand corrected.

- - - - - - Anjanik City, Curava

"My Lord Warbird, Tarakus Deadmerit took out the strike team that was set up to bring him in." The lieutenant said, fear in his voice. "WHAT??!!!! How did this happen, Lieutenant?" Moorshavin demanded, leaning back in his chair. "Sir, he used the tracking device to draw them out. He wiped out both shuttles." Moorshavin stroked his mustache, clearly aggrivated by the cunning lizard's tactic. "He truly is smarter than he looks. As smart as they say.  He certainly knew about that datacard.  Did they leave the area after that?" "We don't know, Sir. We don't have any scouts in that area of the galaxy." "Well, send some scouts to that part of the galaxy. I need that lizard, and I need him before me, or I will kill you, Lieutenant.  Your failure has already cost me half my budget for the year!  Get out of my sight!" Moorshavin screamed, standing up and leaning forward on his desk. The frightened lieutenant snapped to attention, and left the office, shaking from head to toe. Tarakus is certainly smarter than everyone gives him credit for; I can't underestimate him again, or it will cost me. Moorshavin thought, as he sat back down.

- - - - - - Slokana, Tristchana

Harlan sat forward in his desk, pouring a glass of Pine Scotch from his glass, when Wayne Deadmerit III burst through his office door. "Ah, Wayne. Good to see you again.  What do you bring me, this time?" Harlan said, looking up at the human, sporting messy blond hair, and a pure blue camoflage uniform. "Well, I thought you might find this interesting." Wayne III said, handing Harlan a report on what Tarakus had done near Bimmel. "Hmm. . .the WSIR is definitely trying to bring him in for what Tumeric had asked him to do. Hannibal put the price on Tarakus's head, and Moorshavin is trying to be judge, jury and executioner, over something that happened before he was even around.  Wayne, despite my being against it, I want you to deploy a backup team for Tarakus, to Tarakus's current position.  And personally oversee the operation, please." "As you wish, your Highness!" With that, Wayne III turned and headed out the door. Harlan took a drink from his glass, and set back to his paperwork. "Oi! It's a pain, being a Royal."