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Operation Darkness
Undertow
By Dour Watcher
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"Kirag! have you heard?  There's gonna be another war!"

The Watcher looked up briefly from where he was working at one of the 
Terran computers.  "A war, Rekla?"

The boy pulled a chair up beside the manservant and leaned forward, 
glad to have found someone to share his news with.  "Yes, and it is 
going to be so much more important than what happened not too long 
ago."

"How do you know this?" he asked blandly.

"Easy.  I was sneaking around and heard some people talking about 
it.  People from *Terra Group*, so you *KNOW* it must be true!"

"I see...."

"*REALLY!*" the boy leaned forward.  "Do you think they'd let me 
fight in this one?  The bad guys this time are supposed to be a 
billion times more dangerous...."

"If that is the case, they may not want you to fight.  You could die, 
you know."

"Sure, but what if something happens and if I was there it could have 
been stopped?  I mean, little people count too, you know."

The Watcher smiled, "Yes, little people do count too."

"So, you gonna fight too, Kirag?"

"If things are as dire as you're telling me - I see that I have no 
choice."

"Great!  I already told Fir that I had a friend on the staff who 
would want to help!"

"You already volunteered me, and knew I would help?  Don't tell me 
you're a Jedi now, too - The place is overrun with them!"

Rekla laughed.  "Jedi Boyd already tested me.  I don't think I'll be 
turning into a Jedi any time soon, now."

"Ah well, don't give up your dreams, kid."  The Watcher ticked off a 
few final key strokes and leaned back in the chair, lifting a hand to 
rub at the back of his neck.  "So, you told General Firyni that I'd 
be coming by to offer my help, eh?"

Rekla jumped up.  "Would you like to go now?  I could bring you to 
him!"

"Looks like I have no choice," he stood and motioned for the buoyant 
Rekla to lead the way.

*

*This was just the lead in I had been looking for.  Now I will not be 
appearing from nowhere... mostly.*  His thoughts were brought to an 
abrupt halt as Rekla led him before the General.

"Fir, this is the man I was telling you about."

The Watcher stepped forward and saluted smartly, bringing a look of 
mild surprise from the General.  "Kirag Narol, sir.  I would like to 
offer my services on ground among your ranks."

Rekla stood almost between them, then prodded the, still saluting, 
Watcher.  "Tell him about your practicing!"

Fir finally returned the salute, and the Watcher dropped his 
hand.  "I practice on the firing range nightly, sir."

"An' he's a crack shot, too!"

"Are you?"

The Watcher nodded.

"Do you have any hand-to-hand combat experience?"

Once again, he nodded.

"Do you mind proving yourself?"

"I am confident in my abilities, General."

*

Rekla trailed along behind the two men as they made their way to the 
palace gym.  They had barely entered when Fir whirled around, a kick 
poised to take Kirag's head from his shoulders... if he had been 
there.

As Fir's foot lifted at a speed to kill, Kirag was already crouched 
to the floor, one leg shooting out to trip him.  As the General lost 
his balance, the other flipped him over his shoulder to fall hard 
behind him as he jumped up and spun around with a grin.

"Am I in yet?"

"You got lucky."

"Wanna try to get lucky again?" Kirag laughed.

Fir stood, rubbing at his shoulder.  "Why don't *you* tell *me*?" he 
grinned, then held out his hand.  "I think a welcome to the military 
might possibly be in order, Mr. Narol."

"Perhaps," the laugh disappeared when he reached forward to take the 
other man's hand.

Fir immediately turned the handshake into another short-lived 
battle.  He pulled the other man close and was about to punch his 
stomach, when he inexplicably flipped behind him, their hands still 
locked, to bring his hand painfully behind his back.

"I don't want to hurt you, you're going to need to fight."

"I don't want to be hurt either.  I yield."  He turned when released, 
rubbing his arm.  

Rekla stood off to the side, grinning from ear to ear as he watched 
the two men.

"Where the heck did you come from, and where were you two years ago?" 
he folded his arms and looked curiously at the other man.

Kirag smirked slightly, "Coruscant."