Cassiopeia: An Unconventional Hero

Chapter 7

With their three captives securely bound, and a reasonable amount of their loot loaded into the transport, the triumphant team set a leisurely course for home; or what was serving as home in the interim. They were tired, battered and bruised, and conversation was kept to a minimum as the weary crew allowed thoughts of good food, warm beds, and hefty bonuses dance around in their collective heads. Hannah had received the worst of the damage, but with Cassi's healing and Aliah's bandaging she was able to allow the occasional laugh without too much pain. All-in-all, the day was branded a success, and the ever-cautious team allowed their guard to finally relax.

Brilliant oranges and vibrant purples filled the skies of Selkor IV as the team cleared the final mountain range, while the distant metal buildings of the pre-fab city began to glimmer in the evening sun. A general sigh of recognition left everyone's lungs, and Aliah began throttling-back the old military transport in preparation for landing. The crew began unbuckling their safety harnesses, when suddenly the tranquil descent was broken when Cassi's blade erupted to life just inches from Ebbah's face.

"Who is he?!" She screamed in a rage.

The team jumped into action, drawing weapons and covering the other prisoners, but they had no clue what was going on.

"Cassi... what the hell?" Karsis began.

The furious blonde ignored him. "Tell me, NOW! Or so help me..."

The middle-aged ex-Jedi only offered a deliberate smirk. "My son."

Karsis' demeanor suddenly darkened. "Somebody needs to tell me..."

Cassi's stance never wavered. "I felt a faint presence... getting stronger, but Ebbah finally ran out of the strength to block my vision. There is another Force-sensitive; he's at the camp!"

Although the bound ex-Jedi was unable to attack or defend, Karsis aimed his blaster at the man's balding head. "She may not kill you in cold blood, but I have no such reservations. Spill it!"

Ebbah smiled as if he was sitting at a table with a winning hand, yet none of the players knew he was bluffing. "I left the Jedi order twenty years ago, not because of religious or ethical differences, but simply because I made a mistake. I fell in love with a waitress at a coffee shop, and she wound up pregnant. I tried to hide it from the council, but when they found out I was simply ordered to cut all ties, and my baby would be raised off world until his powers began to manifest. Well, I didn't like that idea, so I ran off with my lover and we found some mercs who had heard rumors of a hidden planet. Long story short: she died in childbirth, and Suudan here offered to be my son's nursemaid. We traveled here, learned about the Force-animals, and although I was once a valiant Jedi, I became a pirate to survive."

"What is his plan?" Cassi growled.

"The same as before," Ebbah chuckled victoriously. "Salvage the planet, travel back to the Republic, and become filthy rich."

"You... he is outnumbered," Karsis sneered.

"One might think."

Cassi turned to Karsis. "Boss, I am sensing immense power."

"My son and I have sparred since he was four. I have taught him everything I know, plus everything that the pirates know. He is much more powerful than me... or you, little girl."

"Suggestions?" Karsis asked.

"I'm sure that he has captured your little camp, so I recommend landing and listening to what he has to say," Ebbah chuckled.