Tajos Tal: A Father's Secret

[Tajos Tal]

This is the first story of a ten part series filling in the backstory of Tajos Tal.

This can in no way be reproduced, edited, or published unless you've been given my permission to do so.

[Tajos Tal]

A Father’s Secret


Coruscant
0600
Residential District L-56 “Depa Town”

Section 1.
Kalimo Tal stood at the entrance of one of the many local bars of Depa Town. A Jedi Knight of the Temple of Coruscant, this planet had been his home for as long as he could remember. Depa Town on the other hand had been one of the many sectors he had yet to set his eyes upon. Residential District L-56 was one of the poorer sectors of the residential zones of Coruscant. It was unclean and run down, a place of hard workers and hard hearts. Many immigrants from all over the galaxy seeking a new life came to towns such as L-56 for a place to stay and work on achieving their dreams. Sadly, not many would ever see those dreams accomplished. The Works, the industrial zones of Coruscant, were a place of promise and future riches on the outside for those immigrants. But soon would they realize, that people rarely ever go up the corporate ladders of the industrial corporations of the City Planet. Soon do they become trapped in places like Depa Town, with not enough credits to leave the planet itself to seek more promising ventures. With this, overpopulation occurs in many of these poor sectors of the lower layers of Coruscant. Depa Town was no different.

Observing the bustling walking platforms as countless hardened souls were coming back from The Works, Kalimo could not help but feel pity for the people. “The working class of our society; promised a life full of hope and promise, but given one with no such traits…” He sighed and looked down at his data pad. Observing as a new message regarding his current mission appeared, he spoke silently to himself, “..I grow tired of this planet and its villainous ways.” He opened the message that was sent to him by one of the councilors at the Temple.

Jedi Temple of Coruscant Mission Update
>>MISSION UPDATE U264.11.35 / U265.11.48
>>TO: TEMPLE OF CORUSCANT MEMBER, JEDI KNIGHT KALIMO TAL
>>STATUS: CLASSIFIED
>>DELETE ONCE CONFIRMATION OF MESSAGE BEING READ IS SENT
>>BEGIN

Greetings Jedi Knight Tal,

We have reports of the Sith Military Officer Provi Volu, arriving in residential district L-56 just as planned. As we have said before in our last message to you, we cannot give you any information on him due to un-secure channels. Except for the fact, that he has given us critical information regarding an important topic of Republic Military discussion. He should be at a boarding terminal near the local bar on Docking Platform 552. Please get to him quickly and bring him to the -- >>>ERROR<<< -- Manarai Heights Eastport, Gate 3700. A group of three Jedi Masters will be awaiting you and Provi Volu there, they will then take Provi Volu to the Jedi Academy on Dantooine. -- >>>ERROR<<< -- Good luck Kalimo, we will be awaiting your arrival at the tem-- >>ERROR<< --spaceport.

>>END OF MESSAGE

After Kalimo was done reading the message, he looked at the errors in the message. “Nothing ever changes with the Order, you’d think us Jedi could actually send a decent message concerning such a important mission.” He thought to himself with a smile as he responded with a confirmation message. After deleting the message, he began his walk to Docking Platform 552.

[Tajos Tal]

Section 2.
Docking Platform 552 was jam packed with huge amounts of residents of L-56 coming back from The Works. To find one man in a crowd of several hundred would be nearly impossible for someone who wasn’t a force sensitive. Entering the crowd, Kalimo closed his eyes and began peering into the minds of every soul he came across. The thoughts of hundreds began flowing through his mind. Filtering through the endless thoughts of mostly trivial topics, he found one in particular, the needle in the haystack. “Where is this Jedi?” echoed in Kalimo’s mind as he opened his eyes and began trying to find Provi. Once Kalimo caught eye of him, he was alarmed of how un-disguised the officer was. Provi Volu was a tall, well built, clean shaven man, and wore high class civilian clothing. He stood out in the crowd so much that it left Kalimo surprised, that none of the residents of Depa Town had yet to jump the Officer; in an assumption that his pockets would be filled with credits.
As Kalimo approached Provi, a sudden alarm went off in his head. He began hearing thoughts that he wasn’t expecting to come across..

“Where is Provi?”
“Find Provi.”
“There he is”

Kalimo stood motionless, waiting for these figures to appear amongst the giant crowds. Sure enough, four robed Jedi appeared, surrounding Provi. The taller of the four, a Twi-lek, approached Provi. With a smile he shook the Officer’s hand, and motioned the officer to follow his three Jedi companions. The Twi-lek and Provi began having a talk as they walked away from the loading platform. Kalimo then sensed the Twi-lek’s lightsaber un-holster and a sudden tenseness throughout the Twi-lek’s entire body. The moment had arrived for Kalimo to interrupt their discussion.

Kalimo leaped into the air, ignited his lightsaber and landed in between the three leading Dark Jedi and the Twi-lek. The Twi-lek growled and threw off his disguise and went to cut down Provi. As the Twi-lek’s blade was about to meet the neck of the Officer, Kalimo’s blade intercepted the strike. The three leading Dark Jedi turned around and ignited their light sabers. “Run Provi!” yelled Kalimo as he used The Force to push the Twi-lek out of the saber lock they were in. The three Dark Jedi behind Kalimo began their attack, each blade meeting that of his own blade. The four Sith weren’t nearly as experienced in combat or powerful in The Force as Kalimo, and he used this to his advantage.

The Twi-lek broke off from the fight to pursue the fleeing Provi, but to his surprise, instead of running after Provi, he was flying backwards towards Kalimo. Kalimo force pushed the three Dark Jedi away from him and quickly turned to face the Twi-lek hurtling towards him from the opposition direction.
He gracefully let the blade burn through the helpless Twi-lek as it’s body went flying by Kalimo. The three dark Jedi looked in horror as their comrade hit the ground in two, rather then one intact corpse. In rage they charged Kalimo, which ultimately led to their downfall. Kalimo effortlessly parried each strike as one by one they came at him. The fourth and last one to strike fell first, as Kalimo countered, then decapitated her. The second one charged him another time from behind, Kalimo closed his eyes and quickly turned to face him. While turning to face the second unfortunate soul he opened up into a strike of his own. The second Dark Jedi saw the strike a moment too late, tried to block it, but failed to do so. He met the same fate as his first comrade to fall.

The last Dark Jedi stood in fear, knowing if he ran he would ultimately meet the same fate as if he were to stay and fight. “You fought well young one” Kalimo told the Dark Jedi, “But unfortunately, I cannot let you go. You can try to run, but you will not escape. Your fate has been sealed by the decisions you have made today”. With tears in his eyes, the young Dark Jedi charged Kalimo. Yelling in frustration, he attempted a strike, but it didn’t even meet Kalimo’s blade. He fell to the ground with the Jedi Knight’s blade stabbed through his chest. A final tear fell down his face, then his body went limp. Kalimo called his hilt back to his hand, then holstered it. He reviewed the scene he had created and the crowd that had encircled the fight. Hundreds of pairs of eyes stared at him, he sensed no fear, sensed no emotion at all. Uneasy of the hundreds focused on him, he quickly walked into the crowd in search of Provi.

[Tajos Tal]

Section 3.
Provi was leaning over on a guard rail catching his breath on one of the many walkways of Depa Town. Kalimo walked up to him and greeted him with a simple, “You are safe now Provi”. Unsurprisingly to Kalimo, the Sith Officer spun around and held a blaster pistol to his head. “How can I trust you Jedi? Those other Jedi tried to kill me! You could be one of them!” he yelled nervously at Kalimo. Kalimo laughed, “If I were one of them, you’d be dead now buddy”. With that, Provi slowly lowered the pistol and holstered it. Looking out into the cityscape as the Sun began to fall behind the mile high skyscrapers, “Where to now Jedi?” he asked with a sigh. “According to the briefing, I am to take you to Manarai Heights Eastport, Gate 3700.” Kalimo answered. “Manarai Heights Eastport? Why not the damn Jedi Temple? Wouldn’t that be safer?” Provi criticized in frustration. Kalimo secretly agreeing with Provi but knowing it wasn’t his position to question the Council, he responded with a half ignorant, half truthful remark. “The Jedi Council is the wisest of my people. I would dare not judge their decisions in taking you to the Spaceport, and you shouldn’t either. The Dantooine Academy is a much safer place anyways for someone as valuable as you”.

Provi thought thoroughly on what Kalimo had just said, and he agreed for the most part, though he still wasn’t too sure of this decision. “Fine” he responded, “Let’s go Jedi, though I don’t like this at all. I trust you will protect me from any unexpected hostility we might come across at the Star port".
They walked a long route back to Kalimo’s speeder, once they finally arrived. They quickly left Depa Town and headed to the Star port. The ride was quiet, but Kalimo could sense fear from Provi, fear of death. “Do not fear death Provi, Jedi Masters are waiting for you at the Star port. If anyone, they can keep you safe". "It’s not just that Jedi, I fear I have betrayed the wrong side. The Sith are ruthless, what happens when the Republic and the Jedi get all the information I have for them? They would throw me out to be hunted tirelessly by Dark Jedi just like the ones we met back in that town. Ultimately they will catch me, once they do.. well you know..”.
Kalimo felt a sudden wave of guilt come upon him, what Provi had said about the Republic was very true. He knew of people like Provi who, once all information was scavenged from them, were left to be hunted. Many of them never lasted a month or so before being assassinated by Dark Jedi. After a moment of silence, Kalimo replied ”Sometimes doing the right thing has consequences Provi. Death will succumb us all eventually, but the key is to postpone the inevitable for as long as we can. You are right about the Republic. They will tell you they will protect you, but they will not. All of us must accept our fate for what it is, you can run in the years to come, or you can fight and die honorably. It is your decision Provi.”

Provi said nothing more, leaving the ride quiet from then on..

[Tajos Tal]

Section 4.
After a good hour, Provi and Kalimo finally arrived at the Space Port. Massive ships from all over the galaxy were docked or disembarking on unnamed journeys across the stars. As they walked throughout the bustling crowds and giant spaceships, Kalimo could sense hidden eyes observing them. “Something is not right” he said quietly to himself. Before he could even have a second thought on what was wrong, a very clear voice resonated within his head. “It’s good to see you Kalimo; we will wait for you at Gate 3700 as said in the message. You have done well today”.

Sure enough, Kalimo saw the three Jedi Masters awaiting them at the gate. Provi walked up to the Jedi Masters and shook their hands, bowing to each one of them. As Kalimo got closer to the Masters, he began to become more and more suspicious of them. “What Temple do you come from? If I may so kindly ask of you my masters.” Kalimo asked. They all looked at each other in a brief, puzzled fashion. The Kel-Dorian Jedi Master responded frustrated “This should not be of your concern Jedi Knight Tal, be thankful of being given the honor of such a grand and important mission.” Provi looked at Kalimo, sensing that these three so called Jedi Masters, might just be disguised Dark Jedi as well. Provi began stepping back towards Kalimo, “Who are these people?” he asked Kalimo. Ignoring Provi’s question, Kalimo shot another question at the Kel Dor. “A quick tempered Jedi Master, I have never heard of such a thing. A Jedi that could not respect such a simple question would surely never be entitled the rank of Master.” Sensing anger beginning to flair within the Kel Dor, his worries had been correct, the three were Sith. The Kel Dor then looked at Provi, “Please Officer Provi come with us. Our shuttle is awaiting your arrival and we cannot leave the Academy of Dantooine waiting.” Provi looked at Kalimo then back at the Kel Dor, “No I will stay with this Jedi.” The Kel Dor looked at his two comrades. The two smiled and nodded at him. The Kel Dor looked back at Provi, “You are coming with us Provi, whether you want to or not..”

Kalimo unholstered his light saber, “No he won’t Sith”. Sensing that the three Dark Lords were much more powerful in the Force then him, he called upon it, for strength and comfort, knowing these moments could be his last. Provi unholstered his pistol and took aim on the Sith. “A bad decision” growled the human Dark Lord. The three Dark Lords ignited their lightsabers. The time had come for Kalimo to face his fate honorably, he ran towards the three Dark Lords, leaped into the air, and began a over the head strike. Before he landed the attack, the Kel Dor raised his left hand towards Kalimo. Suddenly Kalimo went souring through the air and landed far behind Provi. Kalimo laid motionless, wide eyed and gasping for air. The Force Push the Dark Lord had done to counter his attack, nearly crushed Kalimo’s entire upper body. Calming himself, Kalimo slowly got back on his feet. He looked up from the ground to see Provi taking a shot at the human Dark Lord. The Dark Lord deflected the shot, then leaped forward, landing a few inches infront of Provi. Provi stood stunned, looking face to face with his murderer. The Dark Lord gently placed his un-ignited light saber to Provi’s stomach. “Be at peace, Provi Volu..” he quietly whispered, then ignited the light saber. Provi gasped, clutching onto the loose garments of the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord holstered his weapon and stood perfectly still. Provi fell to his knees, still grasping the Dark Lord’s garments. After a few moments, he fell to his side, then rolled onto his back. The final thing his eyes saw was Kalimo looking back at him in horror.

[Tajos Tal]

Section 5
As hundreds of people were running to and fro, trying to escape the fight between the Jedi and the three Dark Lords. The Kel Dorian Dark Lord slowly walked over to Kalimo, “You have failed Jedi” he said in a amused fashion. “Provi Volu is dead, your mission defeated, your life forfeit.” He paused for a moment, “And because you had witnessed us assassinating such a valuable asset of the Jedi Order, I cannot let you live either.”
“I was not expecting nothing more from the likes of you Sith..” Kalimo angrily responded, with that he ignited his lightsaber. Yet again, before he could lay a strike upon the Dark Lord, he was sent hurtling through the air into a concrete wall. The Kel Dor lifted Kalimo’s lightsaber up with The Force and disassembled it in front of Kalimo’s eyes. Watching the disassembling of Kalimo’s lightsaber, the Kel Dor continued taunting him. “We know of your wife, your unborn child, your history, your friends, your accomplishments, everything Kalimo.” He then looked down upon the battered Jedi Knight, “Nothing will be left alive, and you will cease to exist in every sense. No one will remember you; you will end up like Provi Volu. Before we tracked him down, we got his records from the Sith Military database. We found the whereabouts of his family, his friends, and his close colleagues in the military. We destroyed every single one of them before destroying him as well.”
Kalimo suddenly uncertain of his fate and deathly scared for his family; he called upon the Force to give him just enough strength to escape. “I will not let you murder my wife and child!” unexpectedly to the Dark Lord, a giant blast of energy came from Kalimo, knocking the Dark Lord to the ground. Kalimo got up and began running towards the edge of the docking platform, he looked back to see the two other Dark Lords in chance. The Kel Dor yelled in frustration, “Don’t go after him! Let him escape! We will destroy him when the time is right..”

As Kalimo jumped off the edge of the platform, falling into the depths of the city planet, a quiet voice echoed within his head…


“You can run, but I will find you. Your wife and child shall die by my blade Kalimo, I swear it..”

[Tajos Tal]

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