legacy (part 2) - jedi master shi'yi qui-li

8/8/2019 Legacy (Part 2) - Jedi Master Shi'yi Qui-li

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Reconnaissance was not Shiyis speciality. In fact, she had not done a

recon mission once as a Master so far. Due to the relative peace established

after the Second Civil War, the rebuilt New Jedi Order had a head start in

repairing the damage done during that time, and maintaining peace as much

as possible throughout the recuperation process. Recon missions were not the

most popular of tasks during the reparation efforts.

But, Shiyi was a warrior. Her role as a Jedi Guardian displaced herto

far-off systems where she oversaw endless naval conflicts, defense against

off-world invaders, and isolated rebel uprisings in systems littered across the

Outer Rim. The new Jedi vow to quell the earliest signs of the Dark Side was

an exhaustive task, but still, even in peace, there were those who remained

attempting to spread the Dark Side, and when it did, it spread like a plague.

Shiyi always feared how close it would get to her, surrounded by conflict

and violence, and what might happen if she did change. Meditation, travel-

ling, and isolation helped. But in the breaks from the conflicts and missions,

she found that the Jedi Archives were the best solution.

She hoped that recon meant a quick trip to a random system, and not an

experience that would pull her closer to the wrong path.

This isnt reconnaissance in the purest sense, Master Qui-li. Master

Son Eia, a Kaminoanthe only one she had ever seen, spoke with a comfort-

ing tone, as if she knew of her thoughts about jumping into battle once again.

Shiyi assumed she did. She was, after all, a Council member.

Ive assigned this to you, because there is some history behind it. For

you, especially.

How do you mean, Master?

Your master died on this planet, Shiyi.

Shiyi blanked out for a split-second. She remembered an hour before in

the Archives reading her masters journals on Force meditation, the threat of


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the Dark Side, and the unfulfilled prophecies of years before. Master Eia

continued despite Shiyis lack of response.

He seems to have contacted us through the Force.

Ontac? Shiyi trailed off before she finished talking.

She remembered her masters journal writings about the planet. He had

travelled there and settled for several years, in his attempts to quell the

conflict that was growing between the Ontaci and the neighbouring worlds.

Expansionism spread throughout the system, and Ontac was the one remain-

ing world in defiance. The rest was unclear, as his last trip was never record-

ed.

we believe he was assassinated there, Shiyi. We believe it was a

Sith.

How?

Were unsure. But his death destabilized the power balance in Ontac.

The expansionist Nakiremans gained the upper hand and the Oncati are

weakening. I can sense much disturbance in the Force with this system.

Master Eia could sense Shiyis fear, and she knew it too. Shiyi gathered

herself, and said with as much confidence as she could, Priority?

The tall, slender Kaminoan lifted her long arm and rested it on Shiyis

shoulder.

Defend the people. They are the only beacon of hope that remains in

that system. Hopefully, we can negotiate later. Right now, this is a crisis

situation.

But the Sith

Is not of great importance. The trace is faint; to hunt the Sith would take

time. And these people need help from usfrom you, immediately. You are

the next Jedi Liason. Re-stabilize their effort, Master Qui-li.

Shiyis memories of her masters tutelage raced through her mind. The

rigorous strength training, the Force sessions, days of meditation. His jour-


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nals examined everything from new species he had found in his travels to

people he had met on missions to distant systems. The pages however,

stopped blank. He had failed to report back from Ontac. Shiyi was left

masterless, until she trained the remaining days of her apprenticeship without

him. And like that, it had passed on. He was one with the Force, and Shiyi

was to use his knowledge to better herself.

Master Qui-li? Master Eia bent down her long, thin neck and stared at

Shiyi with large, bulbous eyes.

She regained herself. How strong is the resistance?

I am unsure. However, you will report to Princess Monka, the acting

leader of government and their resistance. She seems to be leading the

defense effort. Youll be briefed further on your ship, ready at the hanger bay.

May the Force be with you.

Master Eia swiftly exited and left Shiyi standing, and remembering. The

Councilwoman was right; there was no timefor reflection or hesitation.

There was a threat, and it had to be dealt with. Master Eia had picked Shiyi

for this exact reason, maybe to hopefully balance her conscience and provide

closure. But she left it until now to travel to his last known location. And in

the midst of war, and not beforehand? Why choose now? Did Master Eia

realize this Sith assassin only recently?

Shiyi found herself already boarding the cockpit of her starfighter. G3,

Shiyis astromech droid, beeped incessantly.

Gee, are systems go? G3 beeped twice. The cockpit sealed and she

strapped in.

Her X-wing powered up and hovered above the landing pad in the Jedis

hanger bay. The hatch doors slid open and Shiyi throttled it upwards. Corus-

cant-Prime, the sun of the system, dawned over the endless urban utopia of

the planet. Shiyi took one last look before speeding upwards out of the

atmosphere.


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***

Space was darker than when Shiyi last remembered it. She glimpsed

a few ships arriving from hyperspace and descending down into the

atmosphere, the tiny lines far off where the trade routes full of freighters

entered orbit. Still, space seemed barren every time she took flight.

No time to stargaze.

Gee, lock up coordinates to the Oncati system. Pull up the brief.

Gee beeped and twisted its head around to gather the information. Inside

her cockpit, the various dials, buttons and knobs darkened as the projector

turned on. Master Son Eias long-necked, slender figure appeared before her.

Her image fluttered from the holo-projector and left an empty grid.

Shiyi reached for the power switch, but Master Son Eias figure reappeared.

Her stance was much more informal, much more concerned.

The hologram of Master Eia blinked out as the lights of the cockpit

brightened. G3 beeped twice and sounds in the cockpit buzzed as the star-

fighter prepared for the jump.


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Shiyi was still gathering Master Eias words. She saw her masters face,

something she almost knew she forgot, and her beside him.

Gee beeped again.

Oh, uh, hyperdrive systems are clear? Another set of beeps. Shiyi ex-

haled, and readied herself for the jump.

Locking coordinates now. Jump in three seconds.

She remembered the forests they trekked through, jumping from tree to

tree, racing each other.

two...

The sessions where both would simply mediate in the Jedi Gardens and

find peace in the Force.

one

And the stories he would tell her of his life before the Order, the beings

he saw, and the worlds he visited. Just like the journals. Shiyi throttled

forwards and hit the button. She didnt think about what awaited her.

A split second later she appeared above Oncat. The two moons orbiting

were still, and silent. In the distance, she could see the blue star of the sys-

tem.

Gee, get the signal on the homingbeacon. Im bringing her down.

She dove towards the cloudless, white surface of the planet. All she

could see was white, on either horizon, where specks of blue indicated breaks

in the massive glaciers that revealed the fresh water hundreds of miles

beneath.

I need that signal, Gee. I cant get any closer to the ground or someone

might spot me. Gee beeped three times and spun its head around.

Shiyi laughed, Yeah, why dont you try that? Get your rusty casing fro-

zen solid.

The display in front of her blinked as a grid shrunk down to a square on

the holomap of the terrain.


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Gotcha.

She sped downwards into the atmosphere and raced across the ice-plains

and spotted the high mountains that broke through the horizon. When she got

there, she got a better look at the craters that were the last mark of the most

recent bombardment against the Oncati resistance. The mountain range

stretched far across the horizon, and as Shiyi slowed her fighter and landed,

she felt dwarfed by the seemingly endless wall of mountains.

She enabled cloaking before reaching behind into the storage compart-

ment and took out her arctic robes and gear.

Stay here and make sure the cloak doesnt malfunction. If you hear any-

thing weird, comm me. Gee beeped. See you soon.

Her boot sank into the snowy ground on the first step. Thankfully, there

was no wind, but she could see that the clear sky had begun to change, as a

storm of clouds were approaching from the west.

The cave entrance was gaping, dark, and empty.

Promising.

Shiyi turned on her lightsaber, which gave a greenish tint to the rocky

walls of the cave. As she pushed forward, the slope got steeper, and the

tunnel narrower.

Shiyi stopped. She sensed a presence. Hello?

Blaster fire came from the darkness, the first beam missing Shiyis head

by inches. She ducked for the nearest rock, and rolled to get behind it. Two

more shots sizzled against the rocks face.

STOP ENGAGING! Im a Jedi!

She heard frantic footsteps and loose rock scatter as a voice mumbled,

Im so sorry, I didnt know, I thought you were an expie, Im so sorry.

Shiyi got up and spotted a very young Oncati dressed in arctic camou-

flage, wielding a blaster that trembled in his hands.


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Dont worry, young one. Im here to help. Please, show me to the rest of

your people.

The two embarked deeper into the cave system and used Shiyis lightsa-

ber for visibility, due to scouts glowrod running out of power.

These caves run all along the mountain range. Built way back when by

our ancestors. They were used when the temperatures dropped or when

snowseason came in.

Snowseason?

Think of a snow storm, only lasting months. During the good months,

we established ice settlements. They were destroyed in the first invasions.

Now theyre trying to access the water, and building mechanical structures

now. Big ones. Theyre going to freeze, break, and hopefully theyll leave

after they find out theres nothing they can do about it.

All for water?

Well, thats one reason. Were here.

Shiyi saw nothing until she poked her lightsaber further. The tunnel

gave way to an enormous cavern, and what she thought to be at least three

thousand inhabitants. The walls of the cavern were holed out in metre-high

burrows dug above each other. They stretched all along the cave walls, row

upon row, with an elevator system constantly going up and down to transport

people to the cavern floor. On it was a slum-like market area, where people

were shuffling in crowds amongst makeshift shacks and houses.

You live here?

Yes, for the time being. Until the storms roll in, destroy their constructs,

and they need to regroup. Then, they leave, and we can come out again

How long has this been going on for?

Six years.

Shiyi stood shocked. For six years the Oncati people lived in these con-

ditions, stuck in cramped caverns waiting out routine barrages from the


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Nakiremans. With the outside occupied by Naki military, the mountain range

served as a perpetual bunker for these people, until the Naki left during

snowseason, returned with recharged attack forces, and the cycle started

again. Shiyi struggled to keep looking at the state of living in these caverns.

This way. The scout already descended into the business of the cavern

floor, covered in shacks and Oncati refugees. They pushed past the citizens

towards a rock column that rose and attached to the roof of the cavern. A

reinforced steel door stood in front of them, and the scout opened the several

locking mechanisms before putting in a key and opening it for Shiyi.

Just up the staircase.

Thank you.

The climb up was steep and spiralling. When she reached the top, a small

circular room with monitoring equipment and five operators sat surrounding

the edges. In the centre, a round table with the holomaps of the terrain,

planet, and system. The operators looked silently into their screens, each

displaying different information in Oncati. One of them whispered some-

thing, and another one changed the image on one of the monitors. Shiyi

spotted a similar looking cavern in its display. There were more of these; she

didnt want to know how many were in this state.

She was stuck at the top of the stairs, watching everything quietly, calm-

ly, happen. A young woman leaned up from the table. She stood tall, at least

one and a half metres, her streaking white fur spotless and pointed ears

peeking out from under an officers cap. Her blacknose and whiskers wig-

gled as she smiled, revealing her front fangs and the rest of her sharp teeth.

Somehow, Shiyi could tell her jet-blackeyes were examining Shiyi just as

she was the Princess. Shiyi approached herdiplomatically.

I am the new Jedi Liaison, here on behalf of the Order.

Princess Monka, of the Oncati people. We deeply appreciate your assis-

tance here. Her paws were four-fingered, but felt as dexterous as a humans,


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which gladly saved Shiyi the normal awkwardness of shaking another

beings hand.

Shiyi gave the default diplomatic smile.

The Jedi Order is not one to leave a conflict unsolved.

As I am aware. Maybe this time, we both shall succeed. She turned

back to the strategy table as soon as she said this, which left Shiyi without

words. She rounded the table to the other side to face the Princess.

We are also aware of the history of conflict here. Your scouts tell me

that there have been repeated attempts to build on the planet, but your climate

displays otherwise, correct?

The Princess kept her head down, scanning through schematics of a ship,

while answering Shiyi.

Yes, MasterQui-li. My scouts are correct. Theyve already capture most

of our constructed settlements. The natural ones are destroyed with each

storm. Speaking of which, the one you probably saw before entering the

caves wont reach here in time before the next assault.

Theyre mobilizing already?

Yes, and with a new weapon. She tapped the table and brought up a

three-dimensional hologram of a ship unfamiliar to Shiyi. She tried to look

experienced with spacecraft when sifting through the plans in front of her,

separating the holographic representations of the schematics with her fingers.

Princess Monka looked at her with an inquisitive smile, as Shiyi rubbed

her chin. The Princess reached behind Shiyi and pressed a button, and the

hologram shrank into its original three-dimensional image of the ship.

Dont worry; I dont think anybodys seen it before. Its Nakireman

technology. Very strange.

Well Shiyi struggled to find a justification for her lack of

knowledge in his field. Before she could, the Princess cut her off once more.


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We just discovered the plans today. Its some sort of thermal weapon. I

dont know the scale. But Im worried about its purpose.

The Princess sifted through the schematics again, and Shiyi rounded the

table, tapping the edge, looking for the right words to say.

You area Princess right?

Monka fingers stopped sifting, and she turned to face her. She took of

her officers cap to reveal short, pointed pinkears that extended upwards,

decorated in multi-coloured earrings, and behind her, a long braided tail of

hair, or just longer fur, dangled with exotic decorations. Shiyi spotted one of

the operators turn around in her peripherals, but he turned quickly back to his

console.

Yes, by lineage. My Father was the King, and the military commander

of our people. We hardly needed one until we learned of the Naki expansion-

ist plans. The first years of the invasion were the harshest.

So you took up where he left off?

She tucked her ears and hair back under her officers cap.

Yes, after he died in the last war. Since then, the Naki have not touched

us, but Ive grown suspicious since then. And it seems I was correct. She

flattened the hologram of the schematics back down onto the table.

The two leaned against the table silently. The clicks and beeps of the

console were the only steady sounds. Monka sighed deeply.

I fear for my people, Jedi. A thermal weapon can only mean one thing.

She pressed another button on the tables base, and a hologram of the ter-

rain popped up, the mountain range on one side. Suddenly, a bright blue light

streaked down from the corner of the image, and blasted into the ground. As

the beam touched down, an underground cross-section cut off, revealing the

beam burrowing down into a level of water. The animation stopped flattened

to the table again. The Princess leaned against the edge of it, and sighed.


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Shiyi placed her hand on Monkas shoulder. The Princess looked up,

with the same jet- black eyes as before. This time, Shiyi could sense a

different kind of stare, even without the Force. She assumed it must have

been an Oncati thing, to be able to express so well with eyes so blank. This

stare Monka gave her, was one of deep appreciation, but also of desperation.

And Shiyi returned to her a look of confidence and hope; a look of light.

The Force is strong within your people. After all, there was a Jedi to

guide your father and his resistance.

Monka took Shiyis hand. The softness of herpaw was instantly com-

forting. With the other one, she searched her back pocket, took out some-

thing and placed it in Shiyis hand.

When I had realized from the Order who they were sending, I remem-

bered.

Remembered what?

The Princess motioned to Shiyi to look in her hand.

She looked down and saw one half of a pendant, carved out of ancient

stone. Her mouth was agape, unable to talk. The feeling in her throat and eyes

fought to break out, but she controlled herself as best she could.

My father fought alongside him, despite the chances of victory back

then. He did not want to give up on us. The last Great War ended in a draw,

but it bought us time. Time that still remains now. My Father died during the

last battle, but my people never found the Jedi during the clean-up. But, we

recovered this. He told stories about you. He called you the Lighted One. Is

that what it says?

Engrained in the pendant was an inscription in Kel Dorian, translated in-

to Light.

Did the two become friends? Shiyi asked, almost dreamily. She found

herself unable to look away from the pendant half. It was as if the concentrat-

ed memories of her with her master were embodied in it. She didnt dare ask


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the question that was on her mind. She wanted to know, but at the same time,

feared an answer. The Princess was still talking.

My father would always hold him in high regard.

Shiyis head was still down at her hand. Monka bent her head down.

Master Qui-li?

She looked up, tears streaming from her eyes.

It was a Sith.

The Princess didnt respond.

An assassin. Maybesomehow during the battle.

Shiyi wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and calmed her emotions.

Monka closed Shiyis hand for her, and put the other one on her cheek.

Shiyi now knew an Oncatis touch was one of the most comforting feelings

in the Galaxy.

Death isnt the end; thats what The Masked One told my father. Id like

to believe that.

They became one with the Force. She smiled and put the pendant in

her utility belts pocket. Shiyis face was one of determination now.

He was a Jedi, and was his duty to protect those in need, whatever the

cost. Its mine too.

Monka nodded, and turned back to the table. Shiyi joined her and the

two brought up the schematics once more.

Our updated information from today tells us that the schematics we ob-

tained were of the latest design. The timecode was sourced at a few weeks

ago. Ive only kept this to my operators, but Im almost sure this is what

theyve been waiting for. To build this kind of thermal weapon, fire it from

orbit at our planet, and it will do what that demonstration showed. But I think

theyll want to do much more.


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The two examined the schematics into more detail. They would need

help if this were to be stopped in time. Shiyi tapped Monka on the shoulder.

I may not know in detail these plans, but I know someone who does. Ill

contact Coruscant, to get reinforcements. You relay information to your

officers. Where are they?

Stationed at caverns like this, all across the range.

Theyll need a brief. We

The cave shook violently. Loose rocks fell from the cave ceiling.

Screams came from outside the tower, and the ceiling above them crumbled

and shook. The operators looked around and held their consoles.

The two looked at each other and rushed down the spiral steps and out

the steel door. The Oncati in the wall burrows clung to each other for safety,

while the several lift platforms stopped halfway up the thirty-foot shafts and

those stuck on it held the railing. On the market floor people were scattered,

scrambling to find protection from the falling rocks. The Princess shouted at

scouts and military to assemble and organize the people. Shiyi looked

around at the chaos that was spreading throughout the caves, and how

dangerous it could be for everyone inside.

She shouted, How strong are these caves?

Muffled impacts could be heard from inside, as what could only be antic-

ipated as an endless barrage of fire on the mountains was going on outside.

The mountains have protected us for the whole war! They bear the scars

to show!

Monka pointed at cave ceiling high above, where loose rocks continued

to plummet to the crowded cavern floor. Shiyi swore she saw a crack, and

with that, she hastily thought about what to do.

Get back up there, tell your operators to open up communication with

your officers, and the Alliance fleet. I should be able to call them in. Dont

wait for me. Set up defenses at the entrances, now!


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Where are you going?

Princess Monka was frantic, and Shiyi could tell she was still not accus-

tomed to the constant conflict of war. It was the same look on Zees face

before Shiyi left. She was reminded of him, and the peacefulness of the

Archives, light-years away. Dont think. The caves continued to rumble.

Shiyi shook the Princess, who was in awe of the chaos.

I need a visual of the enemy. Ill be back!

Through the cave quakes from the shockwaves of artillery fire, the

crumbling, falling rocks and the scrambling Oncati citizens, she maneuvered

her way through to the cavern entrance, sprung her lightsaber, and Force

jumped up the tunnel to the harsh cold outside, running towards the cloaked

fighter.

Gee, disable cloak! We need to move quickly. Gee beeped once more,

and the cockpit bounced open as Shiyi jumped in and activated subspace

transceiver.

Her breath fogged the cockpit window. Above her she saw massive blasts

of energy hit the mountain face, exploding rock outwards, coming dangerous-

ly close to her fighter. Her console beeped loudly.

Not enough time Shiyi muttered. She lifted off from the icy terrain

and broke through the clouds. The fighter flipped and turned to ride parallel


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to the ground, cruising above the ground. Shiyi spotted a long battery of

proton cannon placements surrounded by figures, firing into the direction of

the mountain. She flew upwards, leaving the planets atmosphere.

Oh, no.

A Naki star cruiser hovered in orbit above the world, lying motionless.

Enable cloak, Gee.

Shiyis fighter was enshrouded by energy as she turned off her engines.

The three-kilometer long ship, streamlined and sleek, laid in complete

stillness. The lights from the bridge shined in the darkness of space.

The silence was broken by the fighters transceiver blinking and beeping.

Before Shiyi could respond, or even react, the two Jedi starfighters and

eight Y-Wings came out of hyperspace, directly in front of the star cruisers

bow.

legacy (part 2) - jedi master shi'yi qui-li

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