Dirrect Disobedience

Capt. **** breathed in and out deeply as the lift carried him to the bridge. I’m not nervous. I’m not nervous. He mentally said to himself in a failed attempt to convince himself it was true. What he was about to do could be equated with treason under the right microscope, but he had to do it. He would never be able to live with himself otherwise.

As the doors to the bridge opened he clenched his left fist, a nervous habit he’d never been able to shake. The customary “Captain on the bridge!” sounded and all the crew stood at attention.

“At ease.” He said to them as he moved to his station. “Mr. **** please bring us to a full stop. Mr. ***** please prepare for a ship-wide announcement.”

The helmsman responded with a “Yes, sir.” while several other crew members looked at each other in curiosity. They were nowhere near their assigned destination and bringing the ship to a full stop would put them behind schedule.

It can’t be helped. The captain thought to himself. Once the ship had been brought to a full stop he gave the signal to turn on the ship’s announcement system. He took a deep breath, stood to his full height, and spoke.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain. As you should know by now, we have been ordered to ***** to assist The ****** in her mission there. However, in light of recent information, I believe it is in the best moral and ethical interests of this ship and its crew to disobey that order. I cannot disclose more details at this time; all I can ask is that you trust me. The less you know, the safer you will be from any repercussions that may arise. The actions we will take will very likely be considered treason. Therefore if there are any among you who do not wish to risk that outcome please notify your division officer directly and you will be released from duty with no repercussions from me or any crew who remain. You will be dropped off on ***** and notation placed in your file stating your stand. This offer applies to my officers as well. I know I am asking a lot from you at this moment, and I wish I could tell you more. You have one hour to decide and pack your things. It has been an honor serving with you all. If I am needed, I will be in my quarters.”

He had to keep himself from practically running of the bridge and down the halls to his quarters.

>>> 

                About an hour later the bell from his door rang, announcing someone standing outside it.

                “Enter.” Capt. **** said, not rising from the chair he was sitting in or looking away from the nothingness he was staring at. A glass sat, full and untouched, on the small table beside him. His XO entered and stood a few paces away, hands clasped behind his back, waiting until he was addressed.

                Capt. **** looked up at him in silent acknowledgement. His Lt. Co. **** had been at his side since their days in the academy. He was the strange sort of man who was content with following one man rather than leading many.

                “I have fifteen people waiting in the shuttle bay waiting to be dropped off.” **** told him. His face and tone betrayed no contempt or disdain, just a simple statement of facts.

                “Only fifteen?” the captain asked, stunned. He commanded a ship of hundreds. It was sobering to think there might be that many willing to blindly trust him in the upcoming endeavor.

                “Only fifteen, sir.” His XO confirmed, smiling.

                “I’m not sure I understand why you’re smiling, XO.” **** told him, a look of confusion crossing his face.

                The man’s smile broadened. “I’m smiling at your surprise, Sir.”

                **** raised an eyebrow.

                “You were so surprised that only fifteen out of hundreds decided to leave. You’re the greatest captain the fleet has. Not just mentally, but morally as well and the crew knows it. The fifteen who are leaving are the cadets we took on a few months ago, and that’s fifteen of forty. Everyone else trusts your judgment and is willing to face whatever fallout there may be from that decision. If you say we need to disobey orders, then we are willing to do so. I know I speak for the rest of the crew when I say, we would follow you into hell itself if you led us there.” **** stood to his full height, shoulders back as he made the last statement, pride evident in his posture and tone.

                Capt. ***** looked at him in mild shock and incredulity, unable to speak. He had always tried to do what was right, not caring about the consequences. Even still, he would have never imagined that philosophy to inspire the type of loyalty and trust he was being shown. He didn’t deserve it. No one did.

                ***** forced himself to swallow, wetting a dry throat, and spoke. “Are we ready to head for ***?”

                “Already on our way sir.” His XO replied. “I gave the order before I came here. We should reach **** in two hours.”

                “Very well.” The captain said, breathing deeply and regaining his composure. He stood and brought out another glass. Then he addressed his *****, “Take a seat, and I’ll explain what I have in mind.”

Untitled Sci-Fi Story (2)

-zzzt-Suit containment compromised-zzzt-

-zzzt-Suit power at ten percent-zzzt-

**static**

-zzzt-Suit containment compromised-zzzt-

-zzzt-Suit power at ten percent-zzzt-

**static**

 

                Kesoka groaned and coughed. She opened her eyes slowly. Her suit’s view-screen was a mess of cobweb-cracks and the HUD display flickered in and out.  Her suit’s AI kept repeating the same lines over and over, occasionally interrupted by static.

                She could just barely make out the stone floor she was lying on through her cracked view-screen. She tried to get her hands under her to push herself into a sitting position but intense pain lanced up her left arm. Oh, right. That’s the arm you landed on. She thought to herself. It’s probably broken, or at least dislocated.

                She managed to slowly roll herself onto her back. She groaned in pain as she did and another coughing fit shook her. The planet’s atmosphere was deadly to humans. Her suit’s containment had been breached and she was now breathing the acidic atmosphere in.  Hopefully it’s only a small breach.

                -zzzt-“Kesoka,-” -zzzt-“-there?” her suit’s com crackled as a voice sounded around her. -zzzt-“Kesoka, come-” -zzzt-

                “Jet?” she croaked

                -zzzt-“Kesoka, where-” -zzzt-“you?” Jet’s voice sounded worried.

                “”You’re breaking up, Jet.” She coughed as she finished. She needed to get back to the shuttle.

                -zzzt-“What?” -zzzzzt-“-can’t-” -zzzt-

                “Jet?” she coughed again, “Jet, can you hear me?”

                All she heard was static and the suit’s AI.

-zzzt-Suit containment compromised-zzzt-

-zzzt-Suit power at five percent-zzzt-

**static**

     She needed to go. She managed to roll herself onto her knees, and stayed that way for a moment, coughing and cradling her arm. It hung limply across her lap. She glanced around her and saw a tunnel that led away into darkness. Might as well go that way. She mused.

                As she struggled to her feet, she noticed her pistol lying in the dirt. She managed to pick it up without falling over and gripped it tightly in her hand. Who knows what I’ll run into.

 

                A blast sounded and suddenly one of the men in front of them pitched over. Jet and Aleryus used the distraction to take care of the other two. The skirmish was over in seconds they both glanced in the direction of the shot that had saved their lives. They looked in time just to see a suited figure pitch forward into the sand.

                “Kesoka!” Jet yelled and dashed toward her. Aleryus followed close behind. They could see her suit’s damage before they even reached her. Her helmet was dented and its view-screen was shattered. Pieces of the screen lay in the sand. There was a long gash in the suit’s plaiting exposing it to the atmosphere and the left shoulder section was very obviously popped out of place.

                “Roll her onto her back.” Aleryus told Jet. The ridged plate along her spine showed no dents so he felt safe in his request. “We need to get her helmet off.”

                His friend rolled her over and gently removed her helmet. Her eyes were closed and her skin was pale and clammy. Aleryus felt her neck for a pulse and was rewarded with a weak throb.  Next he pushed his hair to the side and put an ear to her face. There was no noise.

                “She’s not breathing.” He said to Jet without looking up. “She’s been breathing the atmosphere for too long.”

                In response, Jet ripped off the breathing mask he had been wearing. This planet’s atmosphere was uncomfortable for his species, but it wasn’t deadly.  He set the mask’s canister to oxygen and placed it over Kesoka’s head.

                A few seconds later they were rewarded with a weak cough, followed by a weaker gasp, and more coughing. They waited as her breathing stabilized to weak, but consistent, gasps. Her eyelids fluttered, but didn’t open.

                “Let’s get her to the shuttle.” Aleryus said and he helped Jet gently pick her up and place her on the floor in the shuttle. Minutes later they docked in the ship’s hanger.

>>>>> 

Captain Dazok stared absentmindedly at the figure floating in a bright green liquid.  A mask covered her face, and tubes and wires were attached to various parts of her body. A readout on the tank’s glass showed a steady heartbeat and brainwaves. He was so engrossed in watching the readouts and his inner thoughts that he didn’t hear Dr. Chidren come to stand beside him. He inhaled sharply and shook his head as the medic addressed him.

“Chidren.” he said, acknowledging the medic’s presence. “How is she?”

The medic’s bluish-purple skin became a greyish blue. “Not very good.” was the raspy response. “Her left shoulder was dislocated and the collarbone was cracked. She also suffered a deep gash to the side which caused her suit’s containment to be compromised.  Because of that, she’s suffered severe damage to her lungs.”

“Can the solution heal her lungs?” the captain asked.

The medic shook her head. “If she was able to breathe it, probably; but as you know the solution only works for humans on what it can touch. We injected some into the muscle around her shoulder, but we do not have a way to make the solution breathable and still effective. Her lungs will have to heal on their own. If they do, it’s highly likely that they will never return to normal parameters.”

Dazok was silent. He and Kesoka were the only two humans in a crew of thirty people. He had been the only human for over a decade and her addition to the crew a few years ago had filled a void he hadn’t known existed. Their age difference meant he saw her as daughter rather than anything else, but he still didn’t relish the thought of her being gone.

 

 

Six Months Later…..

                Kesoka inhaled and immediately knew something was wrong. Her breath hitched and pain flared in her chest. She dropped to her knees, hands pushing into the stone floor. She had been breathing hard the entire match, but this was different. She coughed and tried to inhale again, which only made the pain worse and her to cough more. She felt a presence beside her and a hand on her back. So much for keeping this a secret.

                She coughed again and this time she spat blood onto the stone. Her lungs felt like they were on fire. She barely registered her name being called as she gasped for air and more coughing wracked her body. Dark spots swam before her eyes and she felt her body being lifted as someone carried her away.

>>>>> 

                “What happened?” Captain Dazok asked Aleryus as he walked into the room. Kesoka was curled on her side on a cot, a mask over her face, eyes closed. Her breathing was ragged breaths accompanied by coughs.

                “She’s been lying about her lungs.” Aleryus answered him. “She‘s been insisting her lungs were fine, so we let her be talked into a short sparring match. She was doing rather well when she collapsed and started coughing. Some of those coughs brought up blood.”

                Dazok sighed and mumbled “I never should have let her come.” as he rubbed a hand over his face. “What did Dr. Chidren say?”

                “We can’t reach him.” was the quite reply.

                “Excuse me.” a nervous voice behind them said.

                Dazok and Aleryus turned to see a small figure behind them. It was one of the locals. The people here closely resembled small humans; the tallest among them barely reached five feet. The only visible sign that separated them was their jewel toned hair and skin markings.

                The figure continued, “I was told the young girl was sick. I am a healer. I thought I may be able to help.”

                “Please.” Dazok said and the moved aside to let the healer move closer to Kesoka. As the small figure looked her over, he explained what had happened to Kesoka.

                “These symptoms sound similar to stiotine gas poisoning. It usually happens to miners.”

                “Is there a cure?” Aleryus asked.

                The healer nodded his head. “There is. I can’t say how effective it will be on an outsider, but if you’re willing to let me, I’d like to try it.”

                Dazok and Aleryus looked at each other.

                “We don’t have much of a choice, Captain.” Aleryus said quietly. “She’s dying already.”

                “I know.” Dazok replied. He thought quietly for a moment, listening to Kesoka’s ragged breathing. Finally, he addressed the healer, “We would be grateful for anything you believe would help.”

 “I will do my best.” The local said. “I will return in a moment.” Then he bowed and left the room.

A few minutes later, the healer returned with a stone jar in his hand. “I need her to be lying on her back. This ointment goes on her upper chest. If this works, the vapors should open her lungs as well as begin to heal them.”

Dazok moved to Kesoka’s side and gently rolled her onto her back. She groaned softly as he did, which made her cough more.  He sat on the cot and held her arms to prevent her from rolling back onto her side.

The healer took the breathing mask off of Kesoka and set it on a table beside the cot unzipped the top of her shirt just enough to pull it open, exposing her collarbone. He then opened the stone pot and rubbed a blueish ointment on her chest. When he was done he closed the pot and placed it beside the mask. He rubbed the excess ointment on a cloth looped to his belt.

“How long will until we know if it works?” Aleryus asked from behind Dazok.

“We should know in a few seconds. Her breathing should become less ragged and her coughing should be less severe.” The healer replied.

They listened in silence, waiting for the change. Moments later, Kesoka breathed deeply, but the cough that followed was significantly weaker. The next breath was shallow, but calm. Dazok hung his head in relief, and let out the breath he had subconsciously been holding.

She was going to be alright.

Untitled Star Wars 2

Author's Note:

     This is a very rough series of scene-shots. I apologize in advance to any hard-core Star Wars fans who may read it and find canonical and technical errors and misconceptions in it (especially regarding the Jedi and the Force). I am a big  fan of Star Wars, but have not been able to express that love for some time (a long story that does not have a place here) and this has led to a lack of knowledge about much outside of the movies. As with most of my scene-shots it is mostly un-edited, nor did I do any research for it. In light of that, please forgive the lack of planet names and other species. I simply wrote what came to me based on what I already know. Also, it is not intended to have any relation or bearing to the current or previous cannon. It simply occurs in the same GFFA. Thank you for your understanding, and may the Force be with you.

***********************************************************************************


Cast
     Captian Nohrann- Zabrak
    Un-named Padwan - Human 
    Skippy- Twi'lek

     Captain Nohrann stared at the figure lying on the bed and finally understood the human phrase "déjà vu." The scene reminded him of the first time he and the former Padawan had met.
     Seven years ago, he and his crew had found the you human female severely injured and hiding among their cargo. While the fact that they had a stowaway was a surprise, the fact that that the stowaway was a Jedi was even more so.
     Only a few days before, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, now Emporer Palpatine, had declared the Jedi to be traitors. Any sightings were to be reported immediately. However, Nohrann and his crew had never reported her and had instead gave her some much needed medical assistance and sanctuary.
     Later, when she had asked why, Norhrann told her that a Jedi had saved his life years earlier. When asked how he could repay him, the Jedi told him that he could do so by someday helping a Jedi who needed it. The captain hadn't seen a Jedi until he had found her in his cargo hold.
     With the captain and the rest of the crew willing to keep her secret, the girl joined the crew of the Star Sprite. Over the next few years she had slowly changed. Her demeanor was less reserved and she often filled the ship with laughter. She had traded her Jedi robes for clothes more suited for her new identity. Her hair, which had always been bound up, was left to grow free and was now a mass of curls. While she had not been able to bring herself to cut off her Padawan braid, she had added similar braids so it was no longer obvious.
     She had also traded her lightsaber for two blasters. The lightsaber, along with a Clone Tropper helmet were always locked away in her cabin. She still practiced with it, but only when there were no passengers on the ship. Her real name and the reason she had the helmet were two things neither Nohrahnn nor his crew had ever asked her about.
     She had proven herself to be a capable crew member and a good friend. Nohrahnn knew she had nightmares and struggled with the loss of what had been her only family, even though she hid it well. He also knew it was a struggle for her to be unable to use and rely on the Force, the ever-present power she and so few others now had access to. It was this particular struggle that had put them in their current predicament.
     While working a job on (Planet), which was heavily infested with Imperial troops, she and several other had been caught in an explosion. She had saved the others by using the Force to push them out of the blast radius. She, however, had taken the brunt of the blast. A family who child had been among those saved offered them a place to hide for awhile. She now lay in a spare room with a broken leg, cracked ribs, several burns, and possibly a concussion and internal bleeding.
     Her heroics had saved lives, but had also alerted to the local Imps to the presence of a "Force-sensitive" and possible Jedi survivor. He and his crew were now trapped on (Planet). They were unable to reach their ship, and taking her to a med-center was not an option.
    One of his crew, a Twi'lek nicknamed Skippy, had been a medic during the Clone Wars. He had done what he could for her, but she was still in a lot of pain. What made it worse, for her at least, was the that she was unable to use the Force to hasten her healing. She would have to rely solely on her fellow crew members and her body's natural healing rate.
     Furthermore, they still had a job that needed finishing.

Untitled Star Wars 1: Scene-Shot 2

Author's Note:

     This is a very rough series of scene-shots. I apologize in advance to any hard-core Star Wars fans who may read it and find canonical and technical errors and misconceptions in it (especially regarding the Jedi and the Force). I am a big  fan of Star Wars, but have not been able to express that love for some time (a long story that does not have a place here) and this has led to a lack of knowledge about much outside of the movies. As with most of my scene-shots it is mostly un-edited, nor did I do any research for it. In light of that, please forgive the lack of planet names and other species. I simply wrote what came to me based on what I already know. Also, it is not intended to have any relation or bearing to the current or previous cannon. It simply occurs in the same GFFA. (I will say that it would take place some time before the Phantom Menace.) Thank you for your understanding, and may the Force be with you.

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Cast of Scene-Shot 2
     Jedi Knight Wylder Cade - Human
     Jedi Knight Abu Sayeed - Human
     Padawan Kaedyn Jinn - Human


     Wylder bowed to the council and turd of the holocomm he had been using. The Council had been unable to shed any light on what was affecting his friend and had affected his friend's apprentice. They had ordered him to wait there on (planet1) until Kaedyn awoke and speak with her when she did. Then he was to report his findings afterward.
     Later, as he sat meditating, he reflected on what he knew of what had brought Abu and Kaedyn to (planet1).  It had been two year since he had last seen his friend, Abu Sayeed. Friends since childhood, they had completed several missions for the Council together as knights and had made a good team. Two years ago, after returning from a mission, Abu had decided to take a Padawan. Wylder had been sent off on a mission before he had heard Abu's choice.
     He had not heard from or about his friend until the message from the Council came, requesting him to travel to (planet1). They had informed him that the Knight and Padawan had been sent to a mission on (planet2). It had been five months since anyone had heard from them. A look at (planet2)'s spaceport records showed that the ship they had been traveling on had docked safely and Abu and Kaedyn had disembarked. However, they had never met with the contact who was supposed to meet them. Two other Jedi had been sent to (planet2) to take care of the mission while a search for Abu and his Padawan commenced.
     Five months later, a transmission from (planet1) was received. It stated that two Jedi had been admitted to a med-center. They appeared to be physically fine, except for minor cuts and bruises, but had remained in an unresponsive state.
     The descriptions given had confirmed that they were the missing Jedi Knight Abu Sayeed and his apprentice, Kaedyn Jinn. Having just finished a mission of his own on (planet3), which was close to (planet1), he was ordered to report there and "take custody" of Abu and Kaedyn and to see what he could find regarding how they had come to (planet1), light years from where they should have been, and learn where they had been for five months.
     Upon his arrival three days later, he was informed that while Abu's condition had remained unchanged, Kaedyn's had slowly been changing somewhat. Her heart rate and breathing had slowly increased, and her muscles had become tense; but she was still unresponsive. When he asked how they had come here he was told that according to local reports, Kaedyn had stumbled onto a local farm, supporting her unconscious master. Startled farm hands had rushed to her aid. She was barely conscious and only managed a weak, "Help him." before she passed out.
     The farmers had brought them to a local med-center that served the surrounding farms and towns. Then, they had retraced their trail from the farm to discover a crashed and badly damaged escape pod. A search of the surrounding area revealed no other pods or survivors. There was no clue of any kind that could tell him where they had been or how they had gotten here. He would have to wait until Kaedyn awoke to learn any more.

--To (possibly) Be Continued--

Untitled Star Wars 1: Scene-Shot 1

Author's Note:

     This is a very rough series of scene-shots. I apologize in advance to any hard-core Star Wars fans who may read it and find canonical and technical errors and misconceptions in it (especially regarding the Jedi and the Force). I am a big  fan of Star Wars, but have not been able to express that love for some time (a long story that does not have a place here) and this has led to a lack of knowledge about much outside of the movies. As with most of my scene-shots it is mostly un-edited, nor did I do any research for it. In light of that, please forgive the lack of planet names and other species. I simply wrote what came to me based on what I already know. Also, it is not intended to have any relation or bearing to the current or previous cannon. It simply occurs in the same GFFA. (I will say that it would take place some time before the Phantom Menace.) Thank you for your understanding, and may the Force be with you.

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

Cast of Scene-Shot 2
     Jedi Knight Wylder Cade - Human
     Jedi Knight Abu Sayeed - Human
     Padawan Kaedyn Jinn - Human

     Jedi Knight Wylder Cade stared at the med-data before him and then at his friend laying on the bed below it. His friend and fellow Jedi Knight, Abu Sayeed, lay absolutely still. His breathing was calm and measured; but it was not the deep breathing of sleep, nor the controlled breathing of meditation. The med-droids had been unable to find anything physically wrong with him besides a few scrapes and bruises.
     Moments earlier, he had tried to reach out to his friend through the Force. What he had found was a void of sorts. Where he should have felt the calm, assured presence of his friend, and possibly the reason he was unresponsive, there was nothing. He could sense he was still alive, but not the reason he had remained unresponsive for so many days.
     Wylder felt a shift and turned his gaze to the other figure in the room. Abu's Padawan, Kaedyn Jinn if he remembered correctly, lay a few steps away. In stark contrast to her master, who lay on his bed seemingly at peace, Kaedyn was obviously in turmoil.
     While she made no outward movement, Wylder could sense she was struggling against something. Her hands were balled into fists, and her heart rate and breather were faster than they should have been. Her face was a mask of pain.
     He walked the short distance to stand beside her. He looked at her for a moment and then placed his hand on her forehead. It was damp.
     He reached out to her through the Force, just as he had with his friend. At first, he was met with what he assumed the same "void" as before; but as he studied it, he noticed cracks. The void was an illusion, more of a cocoon than a void. One that suppressed a being's presence in the Force and their ability, or will, to respond to any stimuli.
     Kaedyn had somehow managed to crack the "cocoon" that was imprisoning her. He could sense her pushing from the inside, struggling to escape. The cocoon was pushing back. Wylder watched as some of the smaller cracks she had made began to reseal themselves.
     He reached for one of the larger cracks. He felt along its edges, and then gripped them and started to pull them apart. He sensed Kaedyn's awareness and struggle shift to this crack. He sensed her fatigue and a growing amount of frustration, but also her relief and hope that help had come.
     "Focus, Kaedyn." he mentally said to her. "Focus on this crack. You can do it."
     He felt her efforts surge. Physically, he felt her head move and heard a quiet groan. She was breaking through.
     After what felt like an eternity of combined effort, the crack they were widening created too many for the cocoon to repair, and it shattered. As they gave the final surge of effort, Wylder felt and heard Kaedyn give a low scream of pain. Moments later, the cocoon shattered, he felt her relief at finally being free of the prison.
     He withdrew from the Force, and opened his eyes. He looked down at the young Padawan. She was covered in sweat and breathing hard. Her eyes fluttered and then opened. They found his for the briefest of seconds and then they closed and she succumbed to exhaustion. Her breathing eventually slowed into the deep, rhythmic sound of someone sleeping.
     Wylder turned to the med-droid who was now standing behind him. He had undoubtedly come in regard to Kaedyn's elevated heart rate and scream. "She should improve now. Please come find me when she wakes up."
     He glanced at his friend as he left the room. Abu still lay quietly, completely unaware and unable to respond to the struggle of his apprentice. He hoped the Council could shed some light on what had imprisoned Kaedyn and was still imprisoning his friend.

--To Be Continued--