star wars

an age of heroes3 of 5by rick troula

Well, as you may know the galaxy isbasically split into TWO groups,

the New Republic andAs it seems, the so called New Republic stands among the shatters of what’s left of the old Republic struggling to rebuild what was broken. Since Leia Organa Solo’s murder the Republic crumbled and fell apart, and now her daughter has started to pick up the pieces. Answering a call from Admiral Ackbar she came back and picked up where her mother left.

On the other side of the board sits the huge and imposing machine of the Empire, still strong and still working, and now under a new ruler, if the rumors are true. They may not be as strong as they once were, but they’re getting there.

Actually, the way I see, none of them are as strong as they would like, so both secure representatives in the galatic senate and fight their war through politics.

Where can a bounty hunter find more credits?

the Empire.

From Lok Darren’s datalog: transcript from communication A#32

This story does not take place on the regular Star Wars continuity, instead it is a self-contained continuity created for the sake of creativity freedom.

This is not a comic to be sold it’s just a fan’s work. I’ve drank on the infinity well of information and ideas that the internet provides regarding Star Wars, from Wookipedia to other fans’ works. Thank you all. This story was born a long, long time ago at an rpg table.

Thanks to Daphne and her unending criticism, it made it all better. Thanks to Pete for being such a Star Wars nerd and his research and to the rest of the gang for all the readings and critics. And thanks to Anibal Folco for the typography mastermind.

All the characters here was created by me, except the original ones, like Jaina and Admiral Ackbar, and the protagonists. Stratus Darklighter was created by Pete Burton and me; Lok Darren was created by Rene Hendrick and me; Hazu was created by Marcelo Fazoli and me; and Dirtran was created by Cassio Jordão and me.

an age of heroes#3 Stratus

by rick troula

I’ve been following this path for some time now. Following the so called

right path as I was told to.... But what for? I want so much more...

Very few really understand what it is to be powerfull. When you feel a glimpse

of what you may become it can blow your mind. then why not take it? Why

not be all you can be?

I can sense the emotions of all my friends, even at

this distance.

I can feel Jaina’s pain, her suffering because of the tragic destiny of

her family. I can feel her frustation seeing the senate become more

and more corrupt slipping to the Empire’s command.

I can feel Hazu’s willpower. His confidence on the force. He wants to became a Jedi Master, seeking power to help others.

But how naive is that?

Becoming everything that her mother fought against. How long until

she realizes that vengance is the answering to her suffering?

I can even feel Lok’s interests, he’s not in this fight for money. that’s what brought him in, but he believes Jaina’s dream of a better galaxy. He wants to set

people free from the Empire. But, can he? Can anyone?

I.. don’t know what to feel.

Magnificent, don’t you think?

And you stupid rebels thought

us weak.

The Empire is never weak, as you can see by the size of this

base.

Don’t you think

Darklighter?

This force... it’s strange but so...

familiar.

Get out of here.

No.

Now is the time to

talk.

Yes. I believe

it is

Argyus… no..

Hello little brother,

it’s been a while.

This... cannot be. You... died. We saw you die...

I saw you die... y..you crashed your ship on that race...

how..

Yes and no. The Argyus you

knew died that day, and a new and

strong one was born.

I had already started my path,

and my power was growing.

Then the Emperor found me and showed me the real meaning of power, the power of

the dark side!

You faked your own death?!!

You selfish bastard!! Your death

destroyed our family, my family... you killed

our father!

The dark side is our family now, brother.

Shut up! You’re not my

brother!

So you’re saying that they took stratus--

--to some new base. GRRFLW.

Damn! Then how do we

find him?

Why can’t I try?

I did not say that, but I feel that your link

with him is weaker.

Easy my Padawan, anxiety is not the

Jedi way.

Sorry master.

Wait, wait. I understand that

you saved our asses down there in Coruscant.

But who are you? How do we know you can be trusted? How can everyone be so

cool with his presence here among us?

Hazu can find

him.

Or Jaina. I can feel

that both of you’re close to him.

When we get closer, if you

strenghten your link to the force, and

concentrate you will find

him.

I don’t think we have the time to do

this now, but if you insist I can tell you that I was born a long time ago, a very long

time ago. I am the last zarconian. They knew me

before we met. I was a friend of master Yoda. A

good friend.

My people was murdered by the sith

and I could not save them. So I decided to fight them,

and spent the last thousand years

doing so.

But on an event non relevant right now I was almost killed and

stayed in a sort of coma into the force untill

a few days ago.

I woke up and have

been searching for those who

share my beliefs nowadays.

I sense no lie in his words.

He speaks the truth, his grief is genuine. I

believe him.

I agree. I’m sorry for your people

master Argon, and I’m happy to have you

with us.

Hum, well, if you say so, let’s go save

Stratus.

We are linked through the force bounty hunter, you cannot understand

that.

And Jaina, she’s suffered so much and yet she’s willing to sacrifice it all for the sake of others. but can

I really help her?

Stratus, you fight with

anger. You strike with violence.

No! Never! I will...

Come Argyus, give him some time

to think. Let’s prepare a little surprise to

his friends.

I never felt I belonged anywhere until I met Hazu and Lok. They are always

there for me, but have I always been there for them?

You can deny as much as you want, but you belong

with us.

I talked to some of my contacts, spent

a few credits and found out where he is after

what you told me, Hazu.

He seems to be a prisioner in

this new base. No one knows how well defended it really is, but we can assume

the worst.

Yes. That seems to be the

place I saw.

It seems to be above the

clouds on a gas planet in the Mid

Rim called Montagous.

He was in pain, a lot of pain, and tormented. How

long till we get there?

Well--

we’re already at hyperspace, but

this fleet is slowing us down.

My hyperdrive is way faster than this,

but since we gotta get out togheter we gotta travel

at those monsters speed.

You know that Admiral Ackbar’s

fleet is necessary. We could never do this by ourselves.

Are you trying to offend me?

Speak for yourself.

Remember the plan, we don’t know what kind

of defense we’ll find when we get there. So we might

have to improvise.

I’m good at that.

I know and I’m counting on it. As

soon as we get out of hyperspace we’ll decide

our course of action.

Ok, and then I drop you, Hazu

and Dirtran where?

I think I can pinpoint his location

once where’re there.

good, and you have to be around Lok, so you can

pick us up.

Ok, we will do some damage while you play Jedi,

right Tarrj?

GRRRLFFFWlL!

It won’t be easy. I sense

two very powerfull siths inside. One is

that with the ciborgue

eye.Stratus’ borther.

Yes. But I don’t

know the other, and he is more powerfull.

I’m sure you can take

them both. I’m not going.

I have matters to attend in order to secure

them a safe mission.

Bah! And you’re...

If we find some resistance, our fleet

will engage it and try to keep them occupied making as much damage as they

can, allowing us to pass.

it’s better if you stay in the

ship you’ll be more useful here, this’s a jedi business.

What?! Why not?

ok, ok, come on Tarrj--

time to jump out of hyperspace and start shooting

some Ties.

Crap! They were waiting

for us!

It’s a trap! Another...

Lok, our scanners found

some capital ships coming from the

other side of the planet.

Go now, we’ll take care

of them.

roger that Admiral.

hang on People ‘cause this is not going to

be smooth!

Ok, I know where he is, I can guide you

there.

I got the base on my

scanners, I’ll try to get rid of

these Ties.

He’s at the east side, I can’t

be sure exactly where, but it’s on the

east side.

All right, good. We’ll

go from that.

Stratus!Are you okay?

Strat…

argh!

JAINA!!

NO! NO ONE HURTS JAINA!

I’m gonna stop him.

No! Dirtran stay away! He’s

not himself.

I know what I’m doing.

Take care of Jaina I’ll bring Stratus

in.

Strat…

Well, well, what an interesting gathering we have here. Things are

bound to get easier with you people hacking

yourselfs up.

Shit! I can count a few

incoming enemy ships on my

radar.

Lok, We’re losing too many ships out here.

Damn it! They’re not back

yet, but we’ve got to get out of here or

this will be a slaughter.

GRGTRRRRHVLKH! What about Jaina and the

others? I’ll stay and take them

home. Go, now!

There’s no time for heroism Lok, you don’t

stand a chance. There’re too

many!

There’s always time for

heroism! And the day I

cannot bring a dozen Ties down is the day I

retire. Go before it’s too late!

Very well, Good luck Captain

Darren.

Just you and me now Tarrjurrd!

GRRRRJHKJBKLBJB!

Of course I’m smiling you crazy Wookie, now go help them and let’s get

out of here.

the Republic cannot afford to

loose so much. Order a retreat

Admiral!

Hey, Hazu, come on, we’ve

got to go, there’re fighters on

the way.

We’ve got our hands full

here, Lok.

No, I cannot let this happen,

I will not!

It’s over, and you

know it. Surrender

and save yourself a lot of suffering.

No!

Arrgh! I won’t be consumed!

Let’s end this once and for all,

brother!

ARGH!!

Dirtran!!

to be continued in issue 4