Written by Steeler, Meister P, Amber and Fjap.

On board El Pollo Rookie couldn’t help gloating. He looked at Savage sitting in a detention cell with heavy Stormtrooper guard.

He said in a loud voice to no one in particular: "You have my permission to shoot him if he moves."

The well-trained troopers snapped to attention, "Yes Sir," They bellowed in unison. To Rookies amazement they took up positions, standing facing the doors with their carbines trained on the prisoner. Savage shrunk visibly back, as far as his shackles would allow him.

"Hold it, please," he begged pitifully but the cry was drowned in the whine of blaster fire. Rookie covered his eyes and looked inside. Savage still sat there, sprayed with the gruel that had been put before him. Small amounts of the dish that the food had been in were edged in the small crater on the floor.

"Dammit, I missed," said one of the Troopers and laughed.

"Wanna go again little rebel?" asked the other one. Savages face reddened a great deal but the menacing stance of the Troopers shut him up. Instead he smiled weakly and shook his head. Rookie laughed silently to him self as he maid his way towards the bridge. On his way a automated door was unusually slow in opening for him and he banged his head, quite sharply, on it. He entered the bridge muttering and rubbing his head.

"Akkon, would you mind checking up on a door in section 2-4B. You might need to recalibrate the response time. I walked into it." Rookie said to Akkon.

Akkon turned and faced him, "I have already done that," he said darkly. Rookie tried unsuccessfully to suppress a laugher. Akkon sported a growing black eye.

"You too huh?" he asked Rookie.

"Yeah. It seems that it didn’t work. I banged my forehead on it on my way here." And he pointed at the rising bulb on his forehead.

"Well I can’t find any thing wrong with it. There is a R2 unit plugging into the door circuitry right now. He should be able to tell me what’s wrong." Suddenly a console bleared and a text started scrolling down. Akkon sat down and looked at in. "Well I'll be dammed!" He exclaimed, "It seems that this bloody door is in… WHAT?? Love with a...Tie Interceptor and its response time is so slow because...I can't believe this… Fjap took his... HIS??… Rustfrei beloved away and... What the... Fjap is held responsible for the death and…" Akkon threw his hands in the air, "Parting of two other lovers aboard El Pollo... namely a door in the crews quarters and a Tie Fighter." Akkon slumped in back in the chair. Rookie stood as struck by a lightning under Akkon's readout and then fell in a chair roaring with laughter. The console bleated again. Akkon raised his head. "I'm not sure I can take much more of this," he muttered and read what the little R2 droid was saying.

Suddenly he rose in his chair and said: "This is getting ridiculous. The R2 unit felt so sorry for the door that he set out to locate the TI that Fjap stole. And he bloody did it. The TI sent back a status log from a small world called Matjua. There is also included that the TI is unharmed and sends its love to the door." Akkon looked at the still laughing Commodore. "Don’t you have the power to wed people in space? As a captain of the ship??" He asked slyly. Rookie wiped away the tears and shook his finger at Akkon. "No, no. You won’t get me involved in the love affairs of the local droid life. But you said he found Fjap's TI?"

"Yes on Matjua."

"Matjua, Matjua. Where have I heard that name before??"
Rookie crossed over to the starmap and studied it. He found Matjua and peered at it. "This name is hauntingly familiar... "

Fjap sat in the small camp they had made and studied the TB fragment. DuKaal sat and studied him. On top of a small ridge someone sat and studied DuKaal. Fjap set the metal fragment down and looked at DuKaal. DuKaal looked at the desert and the eyes on the ridge vanished. Fjap poured himself a cup of Caf and leaned back. DuKaal stood up and out in the desert some one started a slow crawl. Fjap sat back up, looked at DuKaal. DuKaal walked a few steps, breathed deeply and stared at the now dark horizon. Someone had entered the camp and stopped and flattened itself down to avoid detection. Fjap stood up and poured another cup of Caf and walked over to DuKaal. DuKaal turned on his heel and stood still. Someone hid in the camp ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey. Fjap handed DuKaal the other cup and made small talk about the weather. They agreed that tomorrow would be like all the other days: hot and sweaty. DuKaal started to walk towards the camp and the pouncer tensed his powerful hind legs. A ray of moon light glistened off two fangs and the sleek body bore witness to stealth and silence. Fjap looked idly around and decided to head for the sack. DuKaal swore as he tripped in his shoelaces. He went down on one knee to tie it and Fjap walked briskly past him. The excitement was almost to much for the predator. Still it knew that it would gain nothing by a premature jump. Better to wait until the quarry was safely within reach. Fjap entered the makeshift tent and put his cup down. He turned around and suddenly it was on him. It sounded like all forty-eight demons of hell were complaining about job oppression. Huge fangs ripped into cloth as the immense claws grasped a vice-grip on the prey and no power in the cosmos would ever pry them from what they had grasped. Manic, red eyes stung like vibroblades and stunned the victim. Fjap screamed and staggered back under the weight. He tried to push the attacker away but alas. Fjap felt his consciousness slowly fade away as the life ebbed out of him....

Fjap opened his eyes. DuKaal stood over him. Fjap felt gingerly all over his, probably, mutilated body. DuKaal huffed.

"Am I badly, hurt?" He asked weakly.

DuKaal huffed again. "Well do you want the bad news or the good news first?" He asked coldly. Fjap paled. Why was DuKaal acting so strange? Didn’t he know that he was mortally wounded after the beast?

"The bad ones I guess" croaked Fjap hoping that the good news would sort of even them out. DuKaal leaned down and patted Fjap on the shoulder.

"I'm afraid that we're out of Caf. You spilled the can when you fell. The good news are that we have got enough of some lovely green tea." Fjap stared up in the serene face of DuKaal. That’s it I’m hallucinating he thought. He could still feel the searing pain in his leg. Fjap tried to sit up. Hmm this was strange he still had all his limbs on but there was something strange on his leg. Red eyes gleamed. Fjap screamed again.

"Take it easy. I didn't know you were such a wuss." said DuKaal. Fjap screamed like there was no tonight. "Calm down, calm down. Fjap let me introduce you to the victim." DuKaal pointed at the lump on Fjap’s foot." This is a Duncat. Quite common on Matjua. It's a fearless killer and an excellent hunter. Notice the fangs that are slightly curved and the retractable claws. One of the most impressive feature of this small," And he looked at Fjap who had stopped screaming "Is it's tail, witch is excellent in winding it self around quite small," another look and a raising of a eyebrow, "prey. Now look at this." He held up a small rat-like creature. This is a Dealerat. When they are caught they spray this at the victim," and he squeezed the front leg in the face of Fjap. Fjap sneezed and suddenly he didn’t feel so bad any more. He picked the snarling Duncat from his leg and threw it to the ground where it jumped a small lamp.

DuKaal continued." This is a mild megalomania-increasing drug. When the Duncats get it in the breathing system they immediately forget the small prey and go for the big game. We happened to be in the nearest vicinity and got pounced on." DuKaal snorted and sat down. Fjap sat down as well. He picked the little Duncat up and soothed it down. It was actually quite nice little catlike creature. It curled its tail around Fjap's hand and purred as he rubbed its belly. DuKaal held up the TB fragment, "We'd better get off this duneworld tomorrow and try to find someone who can help us with this." And they went to sleep.

Donnn 3 was starting to seem like a bad place to Amber and The Duke. It was hot, and there were very few places to find food or water. In the small hours of the morning Amber took some time to enter into the diary.

"Day 6 of WoW 23.

Sometime in the early morning...

I have no idea what time it is... we started walking towards the woods in the hope that there are survivors, but already its so hot, and we had to stop. Duke is sleeping now, he stayed up all night trying to fix the damn transmitter, but its not working. Maybe they will guess when we don't return, that it’s not all good down here. Oh my, how I would kill for some water. Its getting hotter every minute, and even in the shade its too hot for this uniform. They don't design the damn things to be comfortable! That's a thing, when I get back to the Diablo I will definitely make myself a new uniform out of a cooler material, and hope Junior does not notice! In the meantime, I think I will take this jacket back to the shuttle, I'm sure the shirt will be fine on its own, I mean, its not like it will get cold before night, and we will be back by then I am sure.

Some minutes later...

There's no water or food in the shuttle. Damn I am hungry!! If the buildings were not totally destroyed I would go looking, but with the state they are in now, I don't think what is left of the people would appreciate me taking their food. No, I must remain hungry, if only for the sake of the survivors. I will have to wake Duke up soon. Its not even mid day yet, and already its almost too hot to walk, and we have to find those survivors. That is, if they are survivors, and not some of the aggressors waiting to see who comes... Damn, I hope that's not what the life signs are. What if it is soldiers from the aggressors? Then what, heh, two Imperials turn up unarmed, looking for survivors? We will be a good target for them I would expect.

I've just seen a weird cat creature running from the forest. It looked pretty scary, but it didn’t see us. Thank the Force for that. Not that the Force can be that important or anything. All this stuff about Steeler... I mean, ok, it seems like its due to something paranormal, but the Force? Nah. It can't be. But how would all the sabotage be done? What was that writing on the walls? Oh my, its so confusing. One way it seems that everything must have an explanation, and a reason. Then the other way it seems a lot easier to point things we don't understand to the Force. Anyway, enough about this rubbish. I'm going to wake Duke & get on with this trek.

Many hours later...

Well. We seem no closer to the life signs, they are moving ahead of us, and fast. They must be used to this heat, we, obviously, are not. Damnit, its just too hot to carry on, we've stopped for a while to rest. Its a bad idea if we want to catch up with the people, whoever they are, but any more walking in this heat will make me pass out. This can't go on. At the moment I am seriously thinking about heading back to the shuttle, and trying to trace the location of the people from there. Of course, how could I forget, nothing is working. Well, at least the engines are operational. If they broke then we really would be in trouble.

Apart from the heat, this isn’t such a bad place. Its very very quiet, you wouldn't think it would be quiet in a forest. Maybe the attack scared everything away. I still can't understand what anyone would see in this place though. There's nothing but civilians... OK, we're going to head back to the city, maybe there might be some people left who can help us find out what happened here. Hopefully there will be no attacking troops landed, and hopefully it might be a little cooler.

A few more hours later...

The city was totally destroyed. Nothing left but dust... its horrible. Most of it is still burning... I don't even want to go near there. Duke said maybe we should look for some food or water, but I don't think so. If those life signs are survivors, we can't take from them things that are all they have left. Of course, the life signs could be anyone, but we can't take the risk. Back on the shuttle now, its still hot, but the sun has set and soon it will cool.

The middle of the night...

We put the fire out some hours ago now... Duke is still asleep, but now its so cold that I keep waking up. I went out to light the fire again but there's someone, or something, out there, I know it. I heard breathing, and cracking of the branches and dried leaves on the floor... there's something out there. I can't wake Duke, he's tired after today. So am I, but I can't sleep in this cold, and knowing there is some person or some creature outside our shuttle. Its not even well guarded, as soon as they know how to open the door they are inside it, there is no lock. Oh my, I'm scared now, there are banging noises on the side of the shuttle. Its trying to get in here, I know it. Whoever, whatever, I don't know, its trying to get in here!! The transmitter is still down... I can't even get it to scan for frequencies, let alone transmit or receive!! What if we die out here? What if nobody knows where we are? Who will tell Phoenix about the attack... if they come near here they will surely be spotted - the attackers would never leave so quickly after totally destroying the place, I mean, anyone would think they *wanted* to start a war... That’s it, that is their plan! They want a war, those damned Rebels, I'm sure its them!! They are trying to provoke us...

The banging again, its louder and closer to the cockpit. If "it" sees in the window we are dead. I can just hope that "it" is too short to see in the window, or too dumb to figure out how to get in once "it" has seen... No matter how many times I change my mind, the help of the Force sure would be useful now… End of Entry."

An hour later on board of the Dark Brotherhood Dreadnought New Order. Again Steeler stood at the window on the bridge as Sunghi stepped in.

He said: " Savage was captured by the Phoenixians I think but I’m not sure. What do we do now? "

" Again a test, Sunghi? " answered Steel and turned around slowly. The other Sith was scared especially when he remembered what happened by the blood ritual. But Steeler only continued speaking: " Savage is the hostage of the Phoenixians, I know it. "

Sunghi asked: " Do you think they try to get you back? "

" Yes, they will try it and they will fail. My plan works perfect until now. Now it’s time to break the Jedi, he will not be a danger anymore when I’m done with him. "

" You will kill him? That’s a good idea, I still don’t understand why you let the Phoenixian survive the last adventure. "

Steel answered with a cruel smile in her face: " Where would stay the fun when I kill my ex friends that fast. I like to play around a bit with them before but I surely will kill them, all of them."

Sunghi decided it would be better for him when he stops that theme now and asked: " How do we solve the Savage problem? We still need him. "

Steeler nodded in agreement: " That’s why I will fly to Abalone and grab a pilot who brings me to the Diablo. Soon Savage will be a free man again. "

Sunghi wasn’t too happy about this plan: " They could try to change you back. Isn’t it better when I go and take Savage back? "

The answer was: "Still you have less faith in me, well this is your problem not mine. I will take Savage back and you stay here with the Master until I return. It’s show time. "

On board of the El Pollo Diablo Rookie still couldn’t believe that his biggest enemy Savage was now a prisoner of him. A lot of bad emotions and revenge thinking crossed his mind already but Rookie already knew he wouldn’t take revenge. He was a soldier not a killer. There was another thing what scared him much more then the revenge thinking, it was the possible visit of Steeler here. Rookie knew that they couldn’t defeat a Sith even with the help of Meister P. How she would act and react when she faced her old squadron? Also there were reports about a crazy hoverbike jockey but Rookie didn’t believe it. He thought it would be effected by the long coldness in the frigate. Well, it was still cold but not too cold anymore. The computer was still a bit crazy, every time when an hour was over there you could hear the famous Oh Danny Boy song. In meantime Rookie could understand Desmo who always got crazy when he heard that song. It fell on the nerves of everybody. But the craziest thing is that there are reports about love stories between doors and fighters. Akkon already suggested that Rookie should marry the door and the TI of Fjap when he ever returns. This would be the last thing Rookie would do, that would be insane. Rookie was sure the whole imperial fleet would laugh about this story then. But there was something else what worried him most, the name Matjua Two. It sounded familiar but he had no idea why. He never visited that planet, or did he? The frigate logbooks didn’t found anything about the planet and this was most strange.

In the meantime at Donnn Three Amber still couldn’t sleep. Her thinking about the plan of initiating a war distracted her a bit from the creature outside the shuttle when it was really a creature. Since a while it was quiet again, Amber could only hope that "it " was away. The Duke was still sleeping. Amber decided to try by her own to repair the transmitter. She had some courses at the academy about transmitters and maybe she could remember enough to repair it. Well at least she would have something to do.

At the same time the Jedi Meister P prepared for the meeting with the Sith or maybe the Siths. He hoped it would only be Steeler maybe he could change her mind at least he had to try it. Again he started to meditate and again Yoda spoke to him.

" Meister P listen to me. Your Sith friend will come alone. When you try to get her back remember always the dark side is not so visible like the bright one. Always be prepared she will do something unexpected. When a fight will take place make sure only to defend yourself, do not attack. If somebody of you two dies then the galaxy is lost. Remember this always and do what you learnt from Shawn. Then you can have success. "

Meister answered: " I will do my best master Yoda. When you will tell me the prophecy? "

Yoda answered: " It’s still too early, still too early. Have more patience Meister. The time will come. "

Meister’s next question was: " Do I have a chance to get the Sith back? "

Yoda sighed: " It comes too early but maybe it’s the only chance we will get. Take it if you can. "

With these words the vision went away again. " Damn, I hate it when Yoda only say the half of what he knows. "

At the same time on Abalone, Steeler arrived with her brand new A Wing. She always liked the fast " Hopper " but Rookie never allowed her to get one. Well, Rookie couldn’t do anything more against it, Steeler had to laugh a bit. She landed and went directly into the command staff meeting of Savage’s officers. Mavaric as leader of the elite squadron Stingers were there too. There was a big confusion where Savage was. Without their strong leader these pitiful rebels would be useless for the dark plans of the DB.

Steeler answered: " Savage is a prisoner of the Phoenix squadron. I need a highly skilled pilot or two who flies me to the El Pollo Diablo. "

One of the officers said: " But nobody knows where the El Pollo Diablo is. "

" I know it and that’s enough. Colin, you and your most loyal pilot you will bring me to the Diablo. "

" Ok, no problem. "

One from the rebel officers complained: " You can’t give any orders! You aren’t an alliance officer. "

Steeler grabbed him via force and threw him to the next wall: " I can do all I want. Remember this the next time. " The rest of the officers were impressed. The Sith smiled thin, you can impress non-Sith or Jedi very easy, too easy. Then she left the meeting again followed by Mav.

Back at Donnn the sun raised up, Amber decided to have a look out to see what the creature was. She couldn’t repair the transmitter on her own even when she spent hours on it. Amber took the blaster from Duke who took one with him even when Rookie forbids it. Carefully she opened the shuttle door and looked outside... nothing to see. Amber took her whole braveness together and opened the door fully. Still nothing to see. She thought about if it wouldn’t be better to wake up The Duke but on the other hand she had to say that she was scared.

" Simply go out and look Amber. It can’t be a terrible monster so go out, " she said to herself and stepped out of the door... nothing. Amber looked right and left but there weren’t a trace so slowly she started to ask herself if she had dreamt the whole thing. Suddenly she fell over something. It was a little dog maybe the same she saw yesterday. The little dog was very weak but he tried to come on his little feet. Amber who had a dog in her childhood smiled: " You are a nice one. Are you alone here? " She took the dog and watch around: " Did you made the whole strange sound yesterday? " She went back into the shuttle.

The Duke woke up and look at the new arrival: " A dog? I don’t think Rookie will like that... you know Fluffy and then a dog... it will never work. "

Amber didn’t listen: " I had one as child and I always wanted a new one, yay. When we don’t find the owner I will try to stay together with him. "

" Junior will kill you and the dog. " was Dukes comment.

On board of the El Pollo Diablo again Rookie prepared all for the interview of Savage even Desmo was on his place. Two stormtroopers brought Savage who didn’t look very self-confident right now. Rookie smiled he felt unbelievably good right now. He thanked Apo and Tobi by himself to give him this possibility. " Ok, Savage. Now tell me something about the plans of the Alliance. "

Savage shook his head: " I’m not a traitor like you. I will never understand why your people still accept you as leader. "

Rookie smiled and pointed to Desmo: " I guess you know Navy Captain Desmoquattro. Well, as you maybe also know wookies will defend their families always and first of all. You wanted to harm his family and I think Desmo will take revenge on you for this. "

Savage gulped but answered: " I’m not scared my dear Commodore. Even when you let this Wookie torture me I will not speak. Also think about the following: when the Sith come they will take revenge on you. "

Rookie laughed into the face of Savage: " They will not come. A Sith will never take care of a pitiful rebel. "

" I wouldn’t be so sure. I think Steeler would like to torture you and your crew. You have no idea about what she is now. "

Rookie stopped to laugh: " So you know my XO? Then you can tell me what changed one of the most loyal imperials. "

Savage had the advantage now and he knew that: " Why I should? Find it out by yourself my dear Commodore. " Desmo lost his self-control

and jumped in front of the rebel Captain and pushed him hard into the face shouting: " You will speak and when I must hit every word out of you. "

Rookie had his hands full with dragging Desmo away from Savage: " So we will never get the information we need. Desmo calm down! "

Savage felt blood running over his face, he smiled again: " Look, look the great Commodore hasn’t a real command power here. The Wookie will do what he wants. In the Alliance this behaviour would be hardly punished. "

Rookie looked at Savage: " Until now I lead this ship and I lead it my way. I can understand my XO here. I would like to let you feel my fists too but I have responsibility against the empire. I’m not allowed to follow my personal feelings like you did with me. The Alliance is very weak when it allows people like you to lead their troops. "

Savage laughed hardly then he replied: " I can understand your XO too because you aren’t able to protect your ship and your family in a proper way. You should work in the ground forces somewhere but not in the space, you traitor. "

Desmo shouted: " I will kill him! You have no idea about the Phoenix squadron and their leader so be quiet. "

The rebel smiled again: " I know enough. You all don’t know the meaning of the words honour and friendship either. Your ex XO Steeler told me enough so I know you quiet well. "

Rookie forced to stay calm he needed to know what Savage meant: " Why shouldn’t we know the meaning from these words? "

Savage smiled triumphant: " I will not tell you anything about Steeler you should know it by yourself because your orders were the reason. "

" My orders? The last thing I did together with her was to rescue my wife. "

Savage laughed again: " A short mind do you call your own my dear Commodore. Anyway I will not speak. "

" Why not? Do you fear we could find a way to get the old Steeler back? "

Savage shook his head: " This you will never reach my dear Commodore. She is now one of us and this will never change. When you want to beat us you have to beat her. Can you imagine to kill a Sith? Well, I’m not even when you nearly did it in the past. "

Rookie was confused: " I never tried to kill her. Damn we both were friends! Why I should do this? "

Savage smiled: " The answer of this question, well you are the only one who knows the answer. Anyway you cant beat us even when you kill me. " Now Rookie lost his self-control either and started to trash the rebel. This time it was Desmo who had to step in to avoid worse things.

The Wookie needed his whole power to hold Rookie back: " Calm down Rooks, so we reach nothing. "

The Commodore became a bit quieter. He said with ice cold voice: " Well, we will find out what happened to Steel and then we will get her back. You can help us and get a better life here then or you don’t help us and I will give you a bad time by personal. Take him back to his cell! "

As soon as Savage was out of the room Rookie looked at Desmo: " I have no idea what he’s talking about. I didn’t do anything what a member of my crew would bring in danger. "

" I know Rookie, something strange is going on here. We should be careful. "

In the meantime on Abalone Steeler waited for Mavaric and the second loyal pilot. There they were and Steeler was surprised to see Tobi 0701. She force pushed some rebel soldiers next to her and waited. Then she also faced Apo and an evil smile showed in her face. So they got the Captain, well for this they will pay now. One joker more for the DB. Steeler waited, so slowly she became calmer through the dark side. As Mav was close enough she forced Apo to come over too. Mav wanted to say something but the Sith raised the right hand and interrupted him that way: " Well meet Tobi0701 and Apocalypse. " With these words she put away her hood and smiled cruel: " These are two Phoenixians, the Master Chief Pilots Apocalypse and Tobi0701. I guess they took Savage as hostage. They betrayed you so take them as prisoners. " Tobi tried to escape but this was a mistake against a Sith. It was easy for Steel to hold him and suddenly rebel soldiers surrounded him.

Apo who already knew the strength of a Sith only asked: " What happened to you Steel? And Mav why did you left us too? "

Mavaric: " I found back to my destiny but why do you know me? Did we meet before? " Apo wanted to say something but one of the rebel soldiers stunned him already. " Are you sure Sith? I mean the other one seemed to be loyal. At least at the attack at Donnn Three. "

" I’m absolutely sure. "

Mav nodded; he already knew how unhealthy it could be to disbelieve this Sith. " So we need a new pilot? "

Steeler shook her head: " You are enough. Let’s go. "

It was a hot morning again on Donnn Three. Amber decided even when there would be survivors nobody could expect that she or the Duke stay without water for 2 days and so started to search for some water. She noticed that Duke didn’t liked Jerry, so she called the little dog. She took Jerry with her because she also wanted not to be alone there. She walked around in the ruins, nobody to see. Jerry played with a ball he found in this chaos. She walked in one of the non-burning houses to watch for water and food. There she faced two men.

One raised his blaster: " Stay there don’t come closer. "

The other: " Who you are? "

" Lieutenant Amber, Phoenix Squadron, " she answered.

" Damn the navy, now we are in trouble. Raise your hands little Lieutenant, we will deal with you later. " Now Amber noticed that these two men were looters and she knew now she was in trouble. One of the men tied up Amber and guarded her. But they didn’t expect the little dog; somehow he noticed that his new human friend was in danger. As fast as the little dog could he returned to the imperial shuttle where the Duke was. He barked and jumped around the pilot to get his attention.

The Duke noticed also that something wasn’t ok and grabbed the blaster: " Ok dog then bring me to Amber. " Amber tried to speak with the looters but they simply ignored her. The Duke arrived ten minutes later and heard voices so he went into the house very carefully. He hid himself behind a fallen table and then he aimed carefully at the one who was near to Amber.

He shot and hit the man who hadn’t time to shout, then The Duke jumped on his feet: " You dirty thief don’t move or you are the next one I will shot. " The other looter turned around and faced the Duke who seemed firm. But the man looked around for an escaping possibility and then he jumped to the next window and Duke fired. He shot him into the left leg because he wanted to get some information about possible hidden places of the survivors. Then The Duke freed Amber: " Your little dog is nice without him I would never find you. "

She smiled back: " Yes, Jerry is great. I think I stay with him. "

" Junior will not like this. You know the rules. "

A hour later on board of the Diablo again. Rookie thought about what he could do to get Savage to speak. He didn’t want to torture him too much because there would be hearings from a lot of people for the rebel Captain. Also he was worried about Amber and The Duke, they didn’t report in since days. The last thing he feared was Steeler, he could only hope Meister P would know a way to defeat her by now. Rookie didn’t believe that something could change his ex XO back too much happened or maybe... well when she really helped him with the securings a few days before then maybe there would be a way. The words of Savage confused him a lot so he wasn’t sure what he should think now.

In the meantime somewhere in space Mav was flying the shuttle. " What is the exact location of the Diablo? "

" Ladron. "

Mav looked at the Sith: " That ‘s the unarmed sector. This is a reason for a war. "

Steel smiled: " Yes, it is and it will cause a war when you report it. "

The pilot gulped then he laughed: " I would like to. Do I have your permission to report it? "

" Of course you have. "

Mav smiled: " What’s the plan? "

Steel smiled: " The force is my ally so it shouldn’t become a problem to go into the ship. You land the shuttle and prepare a fast take off. In the opposite to me Savage isn’t able to use the force. He will be in danger, I will protect him but still I don’t want to take a risk. "

" Ok, not a problem. There we go. " With these words Mav initiated the jump into the hyperspace.

At Matjua Two DuKaal and Fjap prepared their departure from the planet. Fjap decided to take the Duncat with him besides the red eyes there were nothing to be scared about. It was lonely in the navy even when Fjap was only reserve.

He looked over to DuKaal: " Any ideas what we can do with the TB fragment? "

DuKaal rubbed his hairy skin: " Well as far as I know each fighter has a special number, maybe we will get the number of this fragment and then we have a trace. It will become a hell of a work Fjap but we can manage it when we work together. "

Fjap nodded: " I checked the starmap of this sector, the most here is unknown by imperials. Any idea where we can go? "

Again the rebel had an idea: " Yes, there is a casino nearby I know some important people there. You know guys who sell information for money and one of them owns me a favour. "

Fjap was impressed, this rebel was good: " Ok, where we have to go? " The planet is called Dooler, not far away from here. But I dislike to fly in your TI cant we get something better? You know we are in a rebel sector. "

Fjap shook his head: " Well, we don’t know where the Diablo is - there we could a shuttle when Junior agrees. "

DuKaal looked surprised: " Who is Junior? I always thought the commander of the Phoenixians is Commodore Rookie. "

Fjap started to laugh: " Oh, he is. This is his new nickname, a long story. "

DuKaal smiled: " Steel told me a lot about Phoenix. She was very happy to be a part of this fine squadron like she said. That’s why I don’t understand her behaviour now, ah well that’s why we are here. And you are sure there is no way to locate the Diablo? "

Fjap looked at the ground: " I’m not sure if I should tell you this but we Phoenixians have a secret com-system. The exact settings only members of the crew know. I could try but... you are a rebel. "

DuKaal smiled: " Well when you feel better then I stay outside your TI until you found the frigate, easy as that. "

Fjap smiled back: " Thank you. " and climbed in his ship. A few minutes later he shouted: " Come in. I know where we find the Diablo. " A short time later the TI left the planet Matjua Two.

Back on Donnn Three Amber interviewed the looter where the survivors would go. The man answered: " Well, we expected an attack from the rebels but I don’t think they were rebel troops, they hadn’t rebel ships. Anyway in the mountains in the north from here we prepared a cave system for such a situation. We wanted to stay there until the danger is over. "

The Duke said: " Well how many people survived this attack. "

The man answered: " Not many. The attack came as we had one of our biggest celebrations, the day when we formed this colony. All who can walk where outside. It was a perfect timing of the aggressors. "

Amber asked: " What do you think? Who was the aggressor? "

" A pirate group I think. But I don’t know it for sure. "

The Duke asked again: " How long can the people survive in the caves? "

"Food we haven’t enough, same counts for water. Not for long I think. Maximal 3 days more I would say. "

Amber looked shocked: " Only 3 days left? "

" Yes, only 3 days more. " Amber looked over to The Duke: " Then we are in time trouble. We can’t take too much people with our shuttle. We need the Diablo here. " The pilot only nodded. Amber continued: " Ok, bring us to the caves maybe we can get some children with us. "

The man nodded: " Ok when you want but what do I get for it? I want to be a free man. "

The Duke jumped on his feet putting the blaster at the head of the looter: " You try to make profit instead of helping people. You will help us without any promises from our side. "

The man looked direct into the blaster: " Ok, ok. I will bring you to the survivors. "

Amber smiled: " Good, then let’s start. "

At the same time the shuttle with Mav and Steeler arrived in Ladron. Mav looked at the scanners: " I only see a medium transport, rebel alignment. No Imperial frigate. "

" Fly closer to the transport, " was the order of the Sith. As soon as they were in visible range Mav shouted: " That’s a frigate! Not a transport! How to hell they can mislead our scanners? "

Steeler smiled: " Do never forget these are the Phoenixians. They can do a lot of things you wouldn’t expect. So now land the shuttle in the main hangar. "

" How? The shields are up. " Answered Mav. The Sith smiled again.

Rookie was busy with the next interview of Savage as Desmo came into the room. " There is a shuttle coming close to the Diablo. No identification was possible. What we should do? Our lasers are ready. "

Savage smiled: " Well, this is the Sith, feel fear. "

" Shut up! " said Rookie and hit the Captain again in the face: " Our shields are up? "

" Of course. " In this moment Akkon reported: " Our shields have a malfunction. That’s not normal! I checked it twice. "

Rookie looked over to Desmo: " Steeler. "

The Wookie nodded: " I think the same. " The Commodore walked around the table and took the Concussion Riffle: " That’s the strongest weapon here, maybe we can distract her with it. " He said to Desmo in an excusing way.

The Wookie sighed: " I hope nobody will be harmed, I can only hope it. What we are doing? "

Rookie smiled: " I will answer with Steels favourite quote, the answer will hit us. So for now we wait. "

The shuttle landed in the main hangar of the Diablo. " Start again, when we are ready I will call you, then come back and pick us up Colin. "

" Ok, not a problem. " Steeler left the shuttle and walked directly to the meeting room of the officers where Savage was. The stormtroopers jumping in her way she simply pushed away. It was a strange feeling to be back on board of the ship that was her home for such a long time. There was the meeting room the door didn’t want to open immediately. The Sith had to smile when she remembered the virus causing all those trouble. Finally the door was open and Steel stepped into the meeting room. Rookie and Desmo already waited for her, the Wookie with his crossbow and Rookie with the Concussion Riffle, the Sith smiled thin.

These pitiful weapons couldn’t harm her and so she said: " Well met again. I’m here to take Captain Savage with me. Do not cross my plans or I have no other choice then finishing you. "

Rookie answered: " I don’t think you really want do this. I know you better. When you kill us you will kill two of your best friends. "

Steeler smiled again: " Friends? Desmo maybe but you definatly not. Well that’s past. Now Savage come with me. " With these words Steeler freed the rebel who jumped immediately behind her back.

Rookie raised the Concussion Riffle: " He stays and you too until we have sort out that problem. "

Steel shook her head: " Will you never learn Rookie. " She waved her hand and Desmo crashed against the next wall. The crash was so strong that he lost his weapon and was really unable to fight. "

Now it’s you and me Rookie. "

" Kill him! " shouted Savage: " He tortured me, kill him! " Steeler smiled as answer and suddenly Rookie aimed at himself with the Concussion Riffle.

" How pathetic. The traitor judges himself. " Was Steeler’s comment.

Rookie fought against it but he would lose and he knew that already. " You can’t do this! At least tell me what I have done! "

The Sith smiled: " This you know by yourself. Well my revenge will be great for me. " In this moment shortly before Rookie could use the trigger he felt that somebody pushed the force influence back from him. Steeler noticed it too, very fast she reacted and took her lightsaber and turned around to the corridor where Meister P ran around the corner. " Look look, its the Jedi. You can’t win. "

Meister answered calmly: " You will not kill Rookie that easy. I will take care for it. "

Steeler laughed, it was a cold and cruel one: " Well, then I kill you both. You are a traitor too so it doesn’t matter who will be the one that dies. " She moved away her force power from the Commodore. Rookie lost the Concussion Riffle and fell to the ground. Steeler took the possibility and started to attack Meister P. It was a hard fight the hardest Desmo ever had seen. He saw Savage, this lousy guy took Steeler’s Concussion Riffle and aimed at Rookie who was unable to protect himself. Steeler and Meister fought outside the room and couldn’t see what Savage wanted to do. Desmo started to pray, somehow Savage was outside the room too. In the moment he wanted to shoot the door closed and locked. Was that possible? A door which protect the command staff of Phoenix? Desmo couldn’t believe it. With the closed door also the force influence became smaller or Steeler concentrated herself fully at Meister now. At least Rookie and Desmo were able to stand up.

Desmo took his Crossbow: " This was enough. We can’t change her back Rookie. I think... we have no other choice then.... " Desmo wasn’t able to finish the sentence but Rookie already knew what he wanted to say.

He grabbed one of the blasters: " Let’s see if we can help Meister. " Both unlocked the door and left the room. The Sith and the Jedi fought next to the main engines room now. Meister P became exhaust but Steeler not.

So he tried a different strategy: " What happened? Simply tell me what happened. " He had to avoid one of the Sith’s hits to his head. Meister P already noticed that she wanted to kill him on the opposite side he only defended himself like Yoda said and this seemed to make the Sith angry:

" Fight full P or I finish you right here. "

The Jedi smiled: " I don’t make it so easy for you. You still know the meaning of the word honour. Say me what happened! Say me why you want to kill us! " The Sith doesn’t answered and fought on in a hard way. " Heck, we are friends. We were allied, why this change of behaviour against your old friends? Why you only go your own way? It destroyed all! " In this moment he had to defend against a very strong hit and lost his lightsaber. Meister P saw how it was destroyed in the big engines.

Steeler smiled: " Game over. " In this moment Rookie came around the next corner and aimed to Steeler.

" Attention! " shouted Savage. Steel turned around and jumped out of the way of the blaster shot. Savage raised the Concussion Riffle and fired at Rookie. Because he aimed badly he didn’t hit him but the pressure wave was so strong to throw the Commodore over the railings. Somehow he was able to grab one of the railing fixings on the ground of the corridor but when he wouldn’t be able to stay there Rookie would fall into the engine like the lightsaber before. Well at least Steel was distracted from Meister P for a while. She looked at Savage and Meister thought her eyes got a bit blacker. He saw how Savage let the Concussion Riffle fall with a loud scream.

Then Steeler turned around to Meister again: " Well now back to you. You failed in the whole thing, you know that? "

The Jedi answered: " Maybe and maybe not, who knows? So before you kill me, tell me what has changed you? "

" Forget it, this is a question I will not answer. You know it anyway... time to die Jedi... stop there is one thing more to say. "

The Sith smiled cruel: " You want to know who failed here more then you right? Well it was your master Shawn. "

" Shawn doesn’t fail it was me. "

Steeler came closer: " Oh yes, he failed. That’s why it’s forbidden that a father teaches his son in the ways of the force. Yes Meister, he is your father. " Meister was unbelievably shocked now, he always thought he was an orphan. He wasn’t able to continue the fight suddenly he had a family, at least a father. Shawn lied at him, he never told him the true, heck yes Yoda was right again. Steeler smiled again. Her plan worked perfectly. " We go Savage. " At this moment a shot of a crossbow failed her very short, she looked up and saw Desmo aiming at her. The next shot she sent back with her lightsaber and hit the Wookie into the right shoulder. She saw how Desmo threw away the crossbow and jumped in security.

Then she turned around to Savage: " We go. " As she passed Rookie hanging on the railing she said: " Sometime we will meet again then the game will be over for you like it is already for Tobi and Apo. They are prisoners of the Alliance by now. "

Rookie answered: " You betrayed them? Where the old Steeler is gone? "

" As you already noticed the old Steeler is gone and she will never return. " But then suddenly for a short time there where the human part triumphant: " Bring a proof for your innocence. " In this moment Rookie knew now there was still a chance but only a small one. As Savage and Steeler arrived in the hangar Mav landed, both climbed into the shuttle. Steel turned around and saw Raider is following them into the shuttle. She smiled and acted like she didn’t saw him. In the main engine room Meister stumbled on his feet again and started to look around for the Commodore. Rookie was already weak because of the force what worked on him and so Meister had to help very fast.

He saw the Concussion Riffle and used it to reach Rookie: " Grab it then I can get you back. " The Jedi concentrated his whole power on the rescue from the Commodore; finally he had him back on the ground of the corridor.

Rookie: " Well we are still alive. At least alive. But we didn’t got our Sith back, no way. " Meister only nodded, he still could not believe what Steeler told him. The Commodore: " But I don’t give up, there must be a way. " In this moment Desmo came over, he rubbed his wounded shoulder. " Bad wounded? " asked Rookie.

Desmo shook his head: " Only a scratch but I’m not sure what I should think of it. I’m pretty sure she could kill me when she really wanted. "

Meister nodded again: " Oh yes, but she didn’t kill us. That’s why we still can hope. "

20 minutes later Amber arrived together with The Duke and some children from the survivors of Donnn Three at the Diablo. She reported to the Commodore that maybe a rebel or a pirate attack happened at this colony and that the people need help. Against all contracts Rookie decided to fly with the Diablo to Donnn to rescue the last people. Then Amber told him about Jerry.

" But Amber, you know the rules. Dogs aren’t allowed here and I don’t make a exception here. "

" But Rookie Sir you have a cat and Jerry rescued my life. Please Rookie. "

The Commodore looked at the little dog and sighed: " If he harms my Fluffy he’s out of the frigate in no time. So take care for him and don’t let Flamestrike or Jodokast see him. "

Amber: " Yay, thank you a lot. "

Rookie sighed once more: " Why I already have the feeling I will regret this? "

Steeler arrived with Mavaric and Savage back on Abalone. Savage wanted to execute the both Phoenixians immediately but Steeler interrupted him: " Rookie knows that they are here. He will try to get them back and then... "

Savage smiled: " Heck you Sith are good, then I have him. Can I do with him what I want? "

Steel smiled: " You can torture him but he must survive until I make the last decision about him. "

Savage knew it wouldn’t be good to argue with the Sith about this theme so he only nodded: " Of course. " Before the Sith returned to the Dreadnaught of the Dark Brotherhood she walked into Tobi’s bunk. She didn’t know what she wanted there until she found a recording from the attack on Donnn Three. Tobi hid it quiet well the rebels didn’t find it. Normally Steeler wanted to destroy it but the human part in her convinced her not to destroy this recording. She was also curious what Raider was planning to do now. She decided to wait and see, this way it became more interesting. Then she climbed back into her A Wing to return to her new home.

5 minutes later Fjap and DuKaal arrived at the Diablo.

DuKaal was studied very carefully by Rookie: " That is a rebel Fjap... what are you doing together with a rebel? "

Fjap took out the TB fragment: " Look at this please. "

The Commodore: " That’s a part from one of our ships. "

Fjap nodded: " Correct. We found it on Matjua Two in a desert. Because of Steel who sent us there we think it has something to do with her changing. We want to find out what’s happened on Matjua but we need a better ship then a TI. A shuttle or a freighter or something else. "

Rookie nodded: " I see. You can take a shuttle. Well it seems I have to marry the door with Fjap’s TI, at least this door rescued Desmo’s and my life so I own her a favour. Then we have to fly to Donnn Three to get the people out there. Then we have to rescue Tobi and Apo. Also we need to find Raider. Did I forget something? "

In this moment there was a communication from the rebel alliance: " El Pollo Diablo you are discovered. You entered the non-armed zone in a motive of war. Well now you will have your war. Our ships are on the way to you. Rebel Alliance over and out. "

Desmo’s comment: " This was Steeler I think, Savage didn’t knew where we are. Now we have a war. "

Rookie sighed: " And we are the reason for it, damnit. Anyway, course to Donnn Three, we have to rescue some people before we are able to fight. Also inform the high command about that disaster. I think even when we survive this I will be a deck cleaner for the rest of my life because Phoenix caused this war. " In this moment the computer started to sing: What for a wonderful morning. Indeed thought Amber what for a wonderful morning.

--------------------------------------------------

"Yes what a wonderful morning!" Said P as he entered the bridge. "I’m always surprised how many jokers the Alliance is giving us."

"Are you crazy?" shouted Amber. "We just caused a war!"

"Calm down Amber" Said Rookie. "But you are right, we are the reason for a war"

"Not really, the imperial frigate El Pollo Diablo is it. Let’s reflect what happened. But not what happened in reality, instead what happened in the plans of the Rebels. Pirates have destroyed an imperial colony, and the El Pollo Diablo should come here and be the cause of a war. Now my plan. Why don’t we give them pirates if they want some? Let’s send this message on an open frequency.

‘Rebel Alliance, this is Sarass Kolin Tel…’ (This would be our pilot, Fjap here, owning the totally useless rank of Sarass.) ‘ …From the Order of Bakalla…’ (Could you remember the names of all those little pirate clans?) ‘…We eliminated the imperial colony on Donnn three and are claiming our rights on this planet. Beware, we already captured the ship of the mighty Phoenix squad some days ago, and will not restrain from destroying rebel ships that attack us.
Kolin Tel out!’

Of course the Stingers and the High Command know that no pirate ship was involved in the attack, but the local commander is probably not informed, and I think he will recheck his orders first, before he starts an unprovoked attack into non-armed space. This will probably give us enough time to rescue the survivors of Donnn Three, well if not Fjap only made a fool of himself, which is no great loss."

"Well, this doesn’t sound bad." said Rookie, after a little pause. "Ok we do it that way. Fjap! You prepare this transmission. Don’t argue! You wanted a shuttle, well you have to earn it. Dismissed! We have to rescue some colonist now."

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5

Authors: NCp Steeler, LtC Amber, SCP Meister_P, SCP Fjap

Editor: LtC Amber

The Authors and Editor have done their best to ensure the accuracy and currency of all information in this story. All information is current to 24/06/2000 and we can accept no responsibility for any loss or inconvenience sustained by any reader as a result of its information or advice.