Star Wars: Echo in the Force

Echo in the Force reveals the back story of Darth Echo in a manner similar to a movie script, with the events told in a present tense and the dialouge separated from the names.

Prologue
Trandosha gleams like a bright star when viewed from Coruscant, and nothing gleamed more than a young Padawan who, viewing the distant 'Dosha through his electrotelescope, is a Trandoshan. The distant planet called to him, but unfortunately, as long as he is a Padawan he cannot leave the core worlds unless he is on assignment. The Trandoshan walks over to his comms-console and begins writing in his daily log.

"Tomorrow me and my master are to go to the Enclave on Dantooine. It is unfortunate that my master is on trial. I cannot believe it, after everything good for this galaxy he has done, the one "wrong" thing he did was marry out of love and father one child. While that is frowned upon in the Jedi Code I do not believe it to be an act of sedition and therefore he should not be expelled from the Council or the Order. if I had my way, the Jedi Order would allow their knights to marry, they would allow them to bear children, and they would most certainly allow their to do things their own accord. But I am getting ahead of myself, I mean... the Jedi are the way they are and nothing can change it."

- Nalrik J'tarr's Personal Log

Nalrik saves his log and closes out. He stands up again and walks over to the window, again staring at the stars, at Trandosha, dreaming... hoping... that one day there will be a better life, away from the Jedi Council, away from all the killing, all the death and betrayal...

Nalrik: Soon... very soon.

Chapter I
The next day Nalrik and his Alirar Master, Veshin Drenak, arrive at Dantooine via Republic cruiser, which is donned with the Jedi Order symbol. After arriving on the planet, the two Jedi walk down the ramp and are instantly greeted by two padawans, one human and the other Twi'lek.

Human Padawan: The council will see you now, please follow us.

As Veshin and Nalrik follow the two padawans to the Council Chambers in the back of the enclave, the young Trandoshan looked at his friend and Master. An Alirar is a green skinned reptilian that has twelve extendable tentacle-like arms and three yellow eyes. Nalrik looked upon his Master with envy, and realized that he is a very adept fighter.

Nalrik: Master, why did we have to come all the way here? To Dantooine? It doesn't seem right.

Veshin: The council wants this to be a secret meeting, I do not know why but I am not ready to question their motives. Do not worry, my friend, all will be better soon.

Veshin looks at his padawan with worry.

Veshin: [Whispering] I hope.

Veshin and Nalrik arrive at the council chambers. Unusually the only Jedi Masters in the room are Vrook Lamar, Vandar Tokare and Zhar Lestin as well as the Chronicler of the Order, Master Dorak. Veshin is ordered to stand before the council, and Nalrik is asked to sit in a councilman's chair.

Vrook: Veshin Drenak, you are here on the charges of disobeying the Jedi Order, on the count of marrying out of love and fathering a child.

Nalrik looks upon Vrook with disgust. "Oh, so now it's a crime?"

Vandar: This is a serious matter, for many Jedi have fallen into darkness by the matter of jealousy, greed, and hatred after falling into love.

Zhar: What do you have to say for yourself, Master Drenak?

Veshin: Masters I, like many Alirar, have lived for a very long time. And in those many years I have fought in three hundred battles, have faced death in more ways than there are Jedi themselves, and saved over a hundred worlds from being conquered. I have commanded armies, sometimes watching them die before me. And now, just because I fathered a child, I am threatened to be expelled from my Order whom I have been most loyal to all my life. That is not supposed to be the Jedi way.

Vrook: I am sorry, Veshin, but in fact that is the Jedi way. The Council declares that you are to be expelled from the Jedi Order. You are to return to Coruscant as soon as this meeting is-

Nalrik: MY MASTER IS INNOCENT!! He did nothing wrong! It is not a crime to marry and is is not a crime for creating a life! How dare you expel him!

Vrook: Padawan J'tarr, leave the room. We need to speak to your Master privately.

Nalrik grows a dark glare in his eyes. Then he replies to his master using an angered tone.

Nalrik: As you wish, my Masters.

Nalrik walks out of the chamber and closes (slams) the door behind him. After a while, Veshin walks out of the chamber. A half-smile is on his face as he strides up to his apprentice. He begins to walk towards the Republic Shuttle and beckons Nalrik to follow,

Nalrik: Master? What did they say?

Veshin: They have granted me one last request... they are to train you as a Jedi Knight.

Nalrik: Say again?

Veshin: You are to be trained in the Jedi Trials.

Nalrik: Master I am... I am astounded! Thank you.

Veshin: Don't mention it old friend. Now, they told me that you are going to remain on Dantooine for your trials. I, however, must immediately return to Coruscant to appeal my case. Follow the path that the masters create for you, and you will become a Jedi Knight.

The two arrive at the landed ship. Veshin shakes Nalrik's hand and walks halfway up the entry ramp. Then he turns back around.

Veshin: Take care old friend, and may the Force be with you.

Nalrik: Goodbye my master, and may the Force be with you.

Veshin walks into the ship and closes the ramp. The shuttle takes off and flies out of the Enclave.

Nalrik: Goodbye.

As Nalrik begins to turn around, a massive explosion above him catches his eye...