Commander Narm rolled out of his bunk. He fell against the cold metal deck. "Damn it." He barely stood up and looked at his chrono. 0630, it was too early for this. Narm turned on the lights. He saw the crates of weapons around him, he still needed to take care of them. He wanted to display them, but he didn’t have the room. Narm got ready for the day, and headed to the mess hall. Military food again. What else? He noticed a table with some of his friends at it. Might as well go there. Narm took his tray through the line, and went to join his friends. "’lo all." Narm greeted.

"Hey Narm, we were trying to get Hippie to justify his fear of ewoks." Mac said. Hippie just sat, nearly frozen with the ewok talk. "We want to introduce him to the new Lieutenant." Mac chided.

"I don’t… want to… meet any…. Ewoks." Hippie looked pale.

"Hard to believe anyone could be afraid of something as cute and cuddly as an ewok." Narm paused, and smiled. "Makes me want to blast it!"

Everyone laughed.

"I’m with you Narm." Hippie gave his support. "Better to stop the threat soon."

"You’re the only one who sees a threat in ewoks." Mac said.

"Ewoks are our friends." Master chided.

"NARM! What is this fraternizing with the other squadron?"

Narm turned around, and snapped to attention saluting Euclid. "Sir."

"Hahaha. You’re funny Narm. Seriously, you shouldn’t spend so much time with the other squadrons members. And commanders." Euclid eyed Macintosh.

Narm looked puzzled.

"You bought it hook line and sinker Narm. That’s what makes you a good subordinate."

"Thank you sir."

"Can it Narm."

"Yes sir." Narm threw that in for his amusement. Euclid just eyed him. "Sorry…" Euclid gave him and evil look, Narm wasn’t going to challenge it. "…Euc."

"Better."

* * *

"Sir, sir. A ship, fighter, just hyperspaced in. Preybird fighter, privately owned, the uhh named the Vengeful Star. She’s hailing us." A bridge crew member frantically said.

"What, how the hell? Put it through, I want to listen to him." SA. Kevin, worried at the sudden intrusion, things like this always turned out to be bad.

"Okay sir." The crew member handed the headphones to Kevin as he walked over.

"MC-80 Intruder. I am Raz Gidak. I need to speak to Narm Greyrunner."

Kevin cringed. Everywhere Narm went, something bad followed. "What is your business with Narm?"

"It is personal, I need to speak to him, now."

"Look, we can blow you out of the sky right now. I want to know exactly what you want with him."

"Cowardice like that would be the Imperial way, wouldn’t it. Just like the cowardice of Narm. Put him on now."

Kevin turned to the communications officer. "Page Narm immediately, I want him on the bridge now." Kevin silently cursed Narm. Yet he was intrigued, and wanted to know what was going on. He went back to Raz Gidak. "Narm is on his way to speak to you, just hold on."

* * *

"Commander Narm Greyrunner, report to the bridge immediately. I repeat Commander Narm Greyrunner, report to the bridge immediately." The voice on the ships P.A. came in.

"Looks like I have run. I didn’t miss much with this food any. I’ll see you all when Kevin makes me an admiral." Narm chided, walking out of the mess hall.

"Too bad that’s never going to happen Narm!" Master yelled out to him.

Narm made his way to through the ship, to the bridge. He walked in but didn’t see anything that much out of the ordinary. An officer by the communications station flagged him down.

"Commander Narm, over here please." He hollered out.

Narm went over, and saw someone else standing at the console. As he got close, he saw it was SA. Kevin. Uh-oh Narm thought.

He turned around. "Narm, so good of you to join us… eventually. I believe we have a friend of yours who demands to speak to you. He is currently sitting in front of the Intrudes in a Preybird fighter."

"Thanks sir." Narm picked the headset up.

"Narm… I’ve been waiting for this. A long time. Forever maybe. I’m… going… to… kill… you." He laughed. "After years Narm. Plotting this, earning the money to upgrade my craft. The Vengeful Star, Narm. That’s the only legacy you’ll leave, a ship dedicated to your downfall. We’ve trained together for a long time. Waiting for this day. I’ve tracked you down, hiding among your friends. I wonder if they know about you as much as I know. Star is a very great ship. I earned the money to upgrade her, not stole it like you do." He laughed some more. "You know what I want Narm. I want a duel. I’m challenging you. Ship to ship. Out here, that way all your friends can watch you die, to the better pilot. Hahahahaha!" He laughed. "Raz Gidak is waiting for you." He cut the communication.

Narm looked grim as he let the headset slide from his hand. "I have to face him."

"Narm, what the hell is going on?"

"I have a duel to fight. I’ll take the Ragnorok." Narm turned to walk out of the bridge.

"Narm get the hell back here, now!" Kevin angrily ordered, he hated not knowing what was happening.

"I told you, I have been challenged to a duel."

"That is no excuse. Get back here."

"After what I’ve done, I owe it to him." Narm said as he walked out.

Kevin thought for a moment. He had never seen Narm this way. He was affected somehow. He was either a heartless killer, or full of jokes, and comic relief. Never so angsty. "Lieutenant. Find me everything you can on Raz Gidak. And hurry."

* * *

Narm walked out of the bridge and saw Master, Hippie and Euc standing there.

"I thought you were going to be an admiral?" Hippie jokingly asked.

Narm just walked by, determined.

"Narm, what’s happening? What’s going on?" Euc asked, concerened. "Narm tell us."

"I’m going to go fight a duel."

"What, where?" Master asked as Narm walked to the lifts. He got in and left. "I think we should do what Narm would do." Master looked serious. "Capitalize and make some profit!"

"Takin bets!" Hippie cried out, as the three of them rushed to the lifts.

* * *

Narm made his way to the hangar, and looked at the Ragnorok, his personalized Tie Interceptor. Although not much of it was still standard Tie. When he bought it, him Master and some friends Narm had completely stripped her down. They extended the cockpit, making it three times as long. In that space Narm had a bigger generator, better engines, and a hyperdrive. He also put in extra supports to the solar panels. Which held new maneuvering jets. The four lasers were still there, but in the laser emplacement on the cockpit he had two ion cannons put in. In between the solar panels in the forward section on both sides were light warhead launchers. They each carried two concussion missiles, or easily modified for proton torpedoes. Then in behind the cockpit section on each side were the shield generators. They were designed to actually use the solar panels as projectors, wrapping the ship in a protective barrier. It cost a lot, but it was a fighter that could probably match up against a Tie Defender, but Narm didn’t want to risk it. Then the most important part was the paint. The port side was painted in yellow, to signify his loyalty to Lightning squadron. The starboard side was covered in crimson. Narm didn’t try to camouflage with space, he was there, and everybody could see him anyway. Then his blazon, boldly displayed on the solar panels, so everyone from here to hell knew who he was. Narm had started using his coat-of-arms after he left the Empire. The bright bullseye lying straight on top of the center support. It was bold, taking up most of the panel . This would be an appropriate trial for his Interceptor. Rather than a fighter for battle, it could be said it's a fighter for dueling. It takes a brave pilot to bring out its true potential, brave enough to risk death for victory. Which was how Narm felt.

Narm suited up and got in. He ran the pre-flight checks, and thought about what he had to do. Narm took off and went to meet Raz for combat.

* * *

"He’s just taken off sir, on approach to the waiting fighter." The Lieutenant said.

"Any thing yet on this guys background?" Kevin asked.

"Yes, it was easy, he was in the Imperial Databases. Raz Gidak was an Imperial pilot. Family owned a small transportation business. Graduated in the academy, same year as Narm. Served aboard the Avenger, both in Chi Squadron. Apparently, about three months before the Battle of Hoth, Chi, and Gamma squadrons were making a strike on a small rebel convoy destined for the base. During the attack, one of the fleeing Rebel freighters was identified as belonging to Raz Gidaks family. He refused to shoot at it. At which point Narm flew in and shot destroyed the freighter, all hand lost. Raz Gidak, upon returning to the Avenger, was placed in the brig. Two days after, he escaped, and killed two navel troopers, and one crew member. He stole a standard Lambda class shuttle, and escaped. After an official inquiry regarding his past security status, determining that he had not been a risk. During the inquiry they determined he had crashed his shuttle in an asteroid field when he came out of hyperspace. In the past few years they have had reports of him in the outer-rim involved with multiple criminal activities. There hasn’t been anything recently on him though."

"Thank you Lieutenant."

* * *

FA. Euclid stood on top of a table in the mess hall. "Everybody, can I have your attention. I’m not sure if you know or not, but our dear comrade, Commander Narm, is about to face an adversary in combat. I think we should support Narm, and there is one sure way to do it." Euclid let the murmurs die down. "We should gamble on this event. Currently we are giving 4 to 1 odds, in Narm’s favor. Hippie and Master will be taking the actual bets. Macintosh is setting it up so we will be able to watch it on the ships cameras." There was a rush of people, things like this didn’t happen too often. He was glad he found a way to cash in.

* * *

Narm flew the Ragnorok about half a klik in front of the Preybird, and idled his ship. "I’m here Raz."

"I know. The Star and I have been waiting. You were always an inconvenience to everyone weren’t you?"

"Raz, you don’t have to do this."

"Yes I do. I’m doing this for mom, dad, and sis. They all died in that fireball. I’m also doing this for everyone who has died because of you. You are nothing but a parasite on the universe. You’re not happy unless you are hurting someone else."

"Hard to believe we used to serve together, huh? Remember the tricks we used to play on old Commander Niell. The days on the Avenger."

"That was before I smartened up. Before you killed my family. Bastard."

"Raz, why? You know damn well as I did, we were under orders. The primary objective was for all Rebel freighters to be destroyed."

"It was wrong and you know it! They were good people just trying to make money!"

"I’m not to determine what’s right and what’s wrong. Neither were you. What did we learn in the academy? We were to serve the Empire, not to question."

"Damn it Narm. You don’t care as long as the body count stacks up."

"I thought you wanted a duel?"

"We will duel now. Standard rules. No first blood. We fight until one of us is dead. Now if you’re honorable enough to keep with the rules…"

"You know damn well I am."

After that Raz accelerated to max speed and passed Narm. All his mods were great, but they had really slowed down the acceleration. Narm noticed on his targeting computer, how powerful Raz’s shields were.

"Now to kill you and avenge all the people you’ve wronged!" Raz turned and fired multiple shots at Narm. None were accurate, just enough to start getting Narm edgy.

"Don’t make me destroy you." Narm turned, easily outmaneuvering him. Narm turned, and fired. His shots were absorbed by the shields of the other ship. Narm fired again, and the blasts were all absorbed.

"You can’t destroy anyone unless you shoot them in the back!" Raz said juking from Narm’s fire. "I’ll get you!" He laughed.

Narm turned his fighter, the extra maneuvering thrusters easily swinging him to face Raz’s Preybird. Narm fired, the blasts hit into Raz’s ship. Narm saw his shields wink after the last shot. "Raz, why?"

"Shut up bastard!" Raz turned his Preybird to face Narm’s interceptor. "I’ve been waiting for this a long time, now you pay!" Raz fired, and didn’t stop, his blasts continually hit Narm’s ship.

Inside the Ragnorok Narm was shaken by the hits from the Vengeful Star. Narm could tell his shield was failing. "Damn it!" Narm cursed to himself, as he drained energy from his lasers to fuel his diminishing shields. He hoped they didn’t fail, that would be a lot of power wasted. Narm juked his craft, keeping Raz from getting a direct lock. Narm was trying to hold out, he wanted Raz to come to his senses.

* * *

"What’s going on, I’ve never seen Narm fight so poorly?" Mac asked, worried. This wasn’t Narm, he would have ruthlessly killed that guy moments ago.

"Hey, I think we’ve got sound." Master said, as he pulled away from the terminal. "I was able to use the private comm channels Narm and I use. We should be getting the transmissions any second now."

"Shut up bastard!" Pause. "I’ve been waiting for this a long time ago, now you pay!" They watched the ship fire, and hit the Ragnorok several times. Narm was maneuvering, but that was it. He sporadically shot, but other than that he had just kept from being shot. "I’m not going to let you kill me Raz, you know that." Narm did a loop, using the greater maneuverability of his ship to easily get behind the Preybird. Narm was firing now, not much was hitting though. The Preybird was swiftly maneuvering to avoid Narm’s fire.

"Sounds vicious. Does Narm know this joker?" Hippie asked. There had been a lot of emotion in his voice.

"I don’t know, sounds like a vendetta going on." Mac answered.

"Narm, remember when you killed my family? Remember their anguished cries?" Raz was egging Narm on. He looped around Narm, bringing his Preybird behind Narm, firing. The blasts dispersed in Narm’s shield.

"Damn it Raz. You didn’t hear a damn thing. The hell with this!" Narm dived down. The ships cameras changing to get a better view of the fight.

* * *

"Damn it Narm." Kevin swore. He didn’t like not having control. He looked out the viewport, not the same as the Darkstar’s but he was to getting used to it. "Holy shit!" Kevin instinctively ducked, as the Ragnorok flew over, missing the bridge, the Vengeful Star right behind it. "What the hell was that, he’s going to get killed doing that. Get me a view of this!" The bridge crew was recovering from the surprise of the fly over as Kevin issued his order. One of them quickly put on the continuous camera view on the viewscreen. Kevin watched as Narm’s fighter danced across the surface of the Intruder. The Vengeful Star continued to follow Narm. Narm used the surface of the Intruder to his advantage, but the Star was always behind him. "Have they damaged anything yet?"

"No, the Preybird fired some, but it was all absorbed by the shields."

"Damn you Narm, you can’t cheat death forever!" Raz fired, most impacted on the Intruders shields.

"Watch where you fire!" Narm pulled up, leaving the Intruder in his wake. He pulled out a little from the Intruder before engaging the fighter again. They used different maneuvers, and every tactic, but no pilot seemed to gain an edge. They were nearly equal pilots, this was going to be a long fight.

* * *

"Raz, I’m going to kill you now." Narm turned, trying to get a lock on Raz, his laser brackets flashed green, and he fired. The blasts hit the Preybird continuously. Narm watched as the shields failed, and Narm’s blasts hit against the fuselage. The starboard stabilizer snapped off, and the fighter started spinning, but it soon slowed down, and stopped. Narm slowed, stopped and faced the Vengeful Star, its haunting visage, crying out for his death.

"Looks like you got me Narm."

"You can still back out now Raz."

Raz’s breathing was ragged. "No, I won’t, because you… didn’t… win. YOU CHEATED! That’s the only way I could lose, you cheated Narm!" Raz was yelling.

"Raz, you saw, I didn’t break any rules."

"I know you did!"

"Raz, I’m not going to kill you. You were my friend."

"You’re not going to kill me because you know you cheated. I am the winner."

"I didn’t cheat, and you damn well know that, so just shut the hell up, and get out of here."

"You’re a coward."

"I don’t care what you think of me. Do you need transport away from here?" Narm tried to hide his anger. He knew he hadn’t cheated.

"You’re going to kill me now Narm, that way you have to live with my death."

"Don’t say anything more Raz. Please. I’ve killed enough already."

"You’re a coward. All you do is hurt and kill everyone around you, and it affects all of your friends too."

"Raz, shut the hell up. You don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Yes I do Narm, I know very well. People die around you, especially people you care about, people you love…" Raz left his sentence in the air.

"Don’t say it Raz." Narm felt his voice momentarily break.

"People like Elly… You remember Elly, don’t you?"

"Raz… STOP IT!" Narm yelled, his voice boiled with angered. "I won’t be able to control myself!"

"She’s dead Narm, dead because of you, it was your fault Narm. You’re responsible for her death." He chuckled.

"No, it isn’t true. It was the rebel, he killed her. There wasn’t anything I could do."

"You practically pulled the trigger. I remember her death Narm, I was right there. In the crowd watching. No matter how much you care about someone, you always end up hurting them Narm, or worse. You’re a virus on the universe. It’s too bad Elly had to pay the price for your failures."

"Elly died because of the rebel, not me, I couldn’t prevent it."

"It was funny Narm. He fired, and before you realized it, she had slumped over. Then you cradled her head in your arms, as she slipped from life. You couldn’t do anything Narm, you’re useless, you just hurt people, even the ones you love---"

"NOOOOOOO!" Narm screamed, and pulled the trigger. Green bolts of intensive energy hit the Preybird, incinerating it. There wasn’t any glorious explosion. The fighter disintegrated before his eyes. Then Narm was alone in space. He sat there, thinking, not knowing what to do, doubting himself, and everything he had ever done. A tear slid down his cheek on the inside of his helmet. The dark blackness of space swallowed Narm up in its empty abyss. Elly he thought, why did you leave?

"Commander Narm, are you there, please respond." A comm operator asked.

There was a commotion on the other end. "I repeat, aahh, hey let go, sir---" A new voice came on. "Narm, are you there? Narm damn it answer." It was Kevin.

Narm thought for a moment. "Yeah, I’m here."

"Damn it Narm, the other guy disappeared, and you were silent. You should fly home, or do you need pickup?"

"Nah, I’m okay, just give me a minute to collect myself." Narm was shaken. The tear tickled his cheek as it slid down, and he remembered the well of sadness he was in. The tear irritated his skin. He just wanted to rub it off, and forget. Narm turned his fighter to the Intruder, and flew home. He made it to the docking bay, instead of the usually graceful and skilled landings, Narm came down hard, the supports shacking with the impact. After getting out of the cockpit Narm took off his helmet and threw it in the fighter. He cursed as he walked out of the docking bay, rubbing the tear off his facing. He made his way to his quarters, there he filled out the necessary paperwork. Narm headed to the bridge. Narm knew what he had to do to protect his friends. He saw Kevin on the bridge, and he was glaring at Narm. Narm walked over to him, and saluted. "Sector Admiral Kevin. I’m… I’m… resigning." He gave Kevin the file.

"What the hell do you mean resigning?"

Narm started walking away from Kevin. "Just what I said."

"Get the hell back here, I’m not through with you yet!"

"I’ll leave in the morning."

A young Lieutenant walked up to Kevin. "Sir, do you want something done?"

"No lieutenant. Let’s give him the night, and try to stop him in the morning. Maybe he just needs time to calm down." Kevin turned to the Lieutenant. "Keep security teams on standby, I don’t want this to get ugly in case Narm pulls something. I don’t even have any idea what kind of armament he has anymore." Kevin watched the lieutenant raise his brow, give a perfect salute, then turn and leave. "The responsibilities of leadership." Kevin whispered.

* * *

"Hey Mac, what do we do now?" Master looked unsure. He could tell there was something very wrong with his friend.

"I don’t know Master. We should keep this whole betting thing under wraps. There was something more to that than just a simple duel." Macintosh tried to hide more of what he knew, but with his jedi powers, Master could get it anyway. "You do remember that you’re not supposed to scan me." Mac looked over at Hippie. "I’ll fill you in afterward. Now we should help Hippie, pay off the expecting crowd."

"Yeah, you were Narm’s commander before in Lightning. So you have some privileged information."

"I’m only going to tell you this because you’re his friend, and want to help him."

"I know." Master thought, this Elly, could she be what Narm has been hiding in the deepest recesses of his consciousness? That barrier, that Narm always had up. Is this part of what it is hiding?

* * *

Narm walked into his room. Lost and distant. He couldn’t really grasp anything. It all seemed too distant. Reality was nothing, and nothing was reality. Narm’s head was swimming, he couldn’t remember what happened. Why did it happen, why did he bring up Elly, why couldn’t he leave him alone? That was all that filled Narm’s head. "I miss you Elhaym, I’m sorry I failed you." From the stress, and exhaustion, Narm collapsed on the bunk. He fell into a deep sleep, but before he did he heard a voice.

"I may be dead Narm, but that’s not stopping me from hurting you."

* * *

When Narm awoke, his quarters were bathed in red emergency lights. Though something was wrong. There wasn’t any alarms, and no sign of any commotion. Narm stood up, and felt for the comforting weight of his blaster on his thigh. After quickly glancing around his room, Narm opened the door. The hallway was flooded with the emergency lights also, setting an eerie glow throughout the corridor. Narm drew his blaster, nervous at the situation, the corridor was completely devoid of life, and noise, not even the normally comforting sound of the engines. Deciding quickly he started off for the bridge, keeping his guard up all the way. Along the entire stretch he didn’t encounter anyone, which Narm knew there should have been guards posted, something was wrong, in a major way. Reaching the bridge, Narm opened the door, as it slid open, he could tell the bridge was lit with the emergency lights also. All around consoles sparked and flickered, some not on at all. Narm slowly walked in, scanning the bridge for anyone, as he turned back toward the front, and figure stood, facing the viewport. When Narm had entered he was sure there had been no one there. It was dressed in officers uniform, he couldn’t tell what rank. "Sir, is that you?" Narm questioned lowering his blaster, not hearing any reply, he now stood less than two meters from it. Narm could tell there was something wrong, the person appeared so thin, and skeletal like. Then it happened, the figure turned around to Narm, sticking two bony hands toward his throat.

"Now you die Narm." The voice was disembodied, not coming from the skeleton, but somewhere else. Narm swung with his arm, and the skeletons arm broke off, and slid away. Then Narm raised his right foot, and kicked the skeleton away, leaving shards of bone scattered across the floor. He turned around, and saw more skeletons in IW uniform in front of the door. Narm fired several shots, dispatching a few, but the rest started approaching him. Narm took several steps back, and waited as the monsters neared. Then Narm made his move, launching himself, he jumped through the air, and plowed into the skeletons, knocking them mostly out of the way, Narm moved on, and dispatched the few left at the door, he ran out into the corridor and started heading back to his quarters. The barren corridors he had passed through on his way to the bridge were now populated with skeletons, clad in various IW uniforms. Most seemed to be going about a daily routine, like they were still alive, and few eyed Narm, but he easily outran the few that tried to give chase.

He reached his quarters, drawing his blaster to prepare for any monsters that could be waiting for him. The doors slid open, revealing his quarters just as he had left them, the bunk undone, the clutter lying on the floor. Narm entered, scanning the room, until he was satisfied that no one was in there. He turned around, to close the door, and when he turned back around, directly behind him stood a figure clad in a black cloak. Narm jumped back into the door, startled and frightened. As he looked at the figure, he noticed that the right half of his face was covered with flesh, while the left half, was bare bone. Narm recognized the part of the face. It was Raz who stood before him.

"So Narm, don’t you like what you’ve done to me. I may not be alive, but I can hurt you oh so much more like this. And you need sleep, and when you try to get sleep, I will be there. Until one day, you give up on life." Narm chilled as a maniacal laugh echoed through the room. "I’ll have my fun with you."

"You can’t do this to me Raz, I don’t deserve it, and you don’t have any reason to. Grab a hold of yourself, don’t do this Raz. Leave me alone." Narm reached for Raz’s hand, but in a puff of smoke, the figure disappeared. Narm was left staring at the dissipating smoke before him. He didn’t want to believe it, but he knew it was true. Too true, it must be a dream, he tried to rationalize all that was taking place, but with every explanation, he still came to the conclusion that he was in real danger, and needed to find a plan, and a way to survive before until he woke up, or found a way out of it.

"There is no surviving, not while I’m watching you." As Raz said that, a large spike fell from the ceiling, nearly hitting Narm, as he jumped out o the way. Narm dived for his bunk, grabbing the vibrosword leaning up against it. He fled from his room, his sword out and ready. Narm came into a blockade inside the corridor. They seemed to be dressed in a sort of armour. Instead of the new materials of which he was used to, or even the old ceramics, they dawned metallic armour, covering there bodies.

"Will these due Narm? Maybe they will peek your interest, or put a sword through you. Either way, it’s fun for me." Raz laughed maniacally. In front of him, the warriors drew swords, comparable to his own. Narm fell into a fighting stance. Relying on his melee training from Cene Gilvent of the infamous Zulirian Swordmasters. Narm learned all he needed to on blade combat from her. His sword hung back in his right hand, his left side facing the enemy, the gentle hum of his sword, ready to cleave his opponents in two. Narm raised his left arm, extending the hand, he motioned with his hand for the enemy to come on.

"Is this the best you can do Raz, I thought you had better up your sleeve." The first figure charged Narm, his sword extended to run Narm through, but as he neared, with blinding speed, Narm side-stepped, swinging the sword, as it sliced through the opponent through the midsection, spraying Narm with a mist of red. To finish off his attack, Narm brought the sword back, and sliced through, on the midsection, straight to the right shoulder. The pieces of man fell forward, and Narm finished his move, facing the other three opponents.

Not waiting for them, Narm charged the armoured figures. "I know you can do better Raz!" He screamed, lunging at the closest, and watching his blade sink deep into him, and out the other side. Narm yank the blade through the side, leaving the man, dying on the metal floor. Before he finished his movement, Narm swung the blade, and cut a wide gash across the abdomen on his third opponent, leaving him clutching his insides, and dropping his weapon. Narm turned back, just in time to catch a swung blade with his own. There was a loud clang as the two blades met, each intent on taking the others life. Narm couldn’t win against the big warrior on strength, so he slipped the blade out, and closed in within the warriors arm reach. Narm swung the pommel of his sword, and hit the mans wrist on his sword arm, causing him to drop his weapon, while Narm lashed out with his own blade, bringing the big man down. Narm quickly caught his breath, surrounded by the corpses of his kills, he pondered what to do next.

"Bravo Narm. You haven’t lost the touch. Here’s a deal. We have one final duel. Mano e mano. On the bridge of this ship. You can bring down the monster you created, or I can send you to Hell, right where you deserve to be. Either way, it’s fun times for all, right?" He laughed maniacally. "I know I’ll win. It’s my world!" He laughed again.

"Why are you doing this Raz? Stop watching me. And I’ll be right up to take your damned challenge. No matter the outcome, Hell will have something totally unexpected to deal with, if either one of us is unleashed there!" Narm retorted. He wiped his blade, and sheathed his sword, running toward the bridge. The halls were completely empty, even though he had been expecting an ambush, or trap of some sort. He passed empty rooms, and corridors, bathed only in the red emergency lights.

He entered a lift, and rose to the bridge level. As the door slid open, Narm gasped. The corridor, while still bathed in red, was lined with skeletons. They had uniforms, IW uniforms. Narm slowly walked down toward the bridge, and silently read off the names on them. Mac, Master, Hippie, Stan, Geist, Dai, Jingo, Kev, Euc… and they went on. It was a horrible thing, Raz had gone too far. "They’re not dead yet Raz!"

"You see Narm, yet is the operative word there. It’s my world, they can be dead when I say they are."

Narm continued for the door at the end. "You don’t do this to me, or my friends. You’ll learn soon. Too bad, you won’t be able to use the lesson I’m about to teach you." Narm reached the door, and it slid open for him as he approached.

Inside, the bridge was changed, it was completely barren, save for the captain’s chair, which had been turned into a bone throne, upon which sat Raz. He was wearing his standard Imperial gray’s, though he was still half skeletal. "I thought you’d appreciate something from back when honor actually meant something to you."

Narm flared, he had gotten enough of this taunting. "It still does Raz, it means a lot. That’s why you questioning my honor is such an insult."

Raz chortled. "I guess we’ll have this out now." He stood up from the throne, and a black cape materialized around him. Then he looked disapprovingly at Narm. "Ugh, we can’t have you fighting in that you filthy animal. Let’s get something nicer, and cleaner on you. I might as well kill you while you’re showing some good taste." Raz pointed at Narm, and right after, Narm was covered in the standard Imperial gray’s also, with a blue cape on his back.

"You know Narm, there was a time when all problems were solved with duels. I could have taken revenge for everyone sooner, but you kept living, and prevented me from having vengeance." Raz caused a blade to materialize in his had. "Oh, and no vibro-weapons Narm, it’s cheap." Narm drew his sword, and found it was just a regular sword. "I hope you’re proud of yourself Narm." Raz took several steps forward, only a meter from Narm, he raised his sword out in front of him. Narm did the same, there blades met in the middle. "Ah, you remember the proper beginning. Well lets get on with it. Have at you!" Raz pulled his blade, and swung. Narm blocked the blade, and countered with a thrust, which Raz sidestepped. The two dueled on for nearly a quarter of an hour. Attacks, and parry’s, thrusts, and chops, swings, and blocks. Narm was covered with perspiration. Raz had gained considerable skill, and Narm was only just holding his own against him. Narm made a desperate lunge, aiming straight for Raz’s heart. Narm’s blade held true, and pierced only cloth. Narm had forgotten that Raz was half skeleton. Raz looked at Narm, and laughed. "You seem to forget what you did to me. There is not heart to pierce. Just a cold, black empty space, that you made. Now my revenge is complete." Narm tried to pull his sword free, but it was held firmly within Raz’s depths.

"No. You won’t kill me."

"Think again." Raz thrust his sword, plunging it deep into Narm’s abdomen. The tip had gone halfway through his body, and slowly continued on. "I know how to kill you nice and slowly. I’ll make you scream Narm. I’ll torment you with every physical pain imaginable, and some no one dares imagine." Raz laughed again, and pushed the blade deeper. Narm screamed as the sword exited through his back. "I’m glad you can meat my friend here. He knows you very well. The Soul Blade. My favorite weapon. It will be the instrument of your death." As Raz spoke, the sword within him glowed, a faint purple glow.

"You monster… I’ll kill… you… for this." Narm could barely speak, the pain was intense. Raz looked into him, deep into his eyes. Narm saw the disturbed and tormented soul of Raz. Then, his eyes moved past Narm’s. Raz yanked the sword out of Narm, leaving Narm to thud against the floor. Not seeing what happened, Narm heard a blaster shot. He looked up at Raz, and watched his head explode. Showering skeletal fragments onto Narm. Then, as the last chunks of skull hit the deck, Narm watched as Narm’s body turned completely to skeleton, and then to dust, leaving the uniform crumpled on the deck plates. Narm dropped his head, letting it hit the floor. He didn’t care, all he could feel was pain. He felt himself slipping away, into the final realm. The blackness slowly enclosed on his vision. Leaving him blind. His head felt so heavy, and he was tired. It was so much work to breathe. Then he felt someone turn him over on his back. Narm felt a hand pass over his wound. A sharp pain hit his head, then suddenly faded, leaving him fine. The wound had closed, his vision restored.

As he opened his eyes, his heart leapt to a new level of joy, he had never attained before. Her face hovered above his. He eyes, eyes he had not seen in years, stared into his. Narm pulled Elly to him, and their lips met. He soft warm lips, which Narm had not kissed in year. They separated, and Narm nearly wept. "Elly, is it you?" He asked.

"Yes Narm, it’s me." Her eyes, moistened with tears. Narm lifted himself up off of the floor, and embraced his lover. "Narm, I’ve missed you so much."

"I’ve missed you too, more than can be imagined." He paused, and pulled back, and looked deep into her eyes. "Why did you save me Elly? If I had died, we could be together… forever?" He didn’t want to say it, but he had to know why.

She looked into his eyes, and he saw a pain in hers. "You can’t die now. It’s not your time. You don’t know… how much this hurts. Don’t worry, when your time comes, we will have eternity."

"It’s so hard waiting."

"I know. I see you all the time. And I just wish, I could speak to you. Hold you, kiss you. But I’m nothing there. I can’t do anything but be there. I don’t have much time. There are some things I have to tell you, about you, about your lineage. Things that are too important for you to not know." She held his hand, staring deep into his eyes.

He stared back, losing himself in her eyes as he had done countless times before. "What Elly? Please tell me."

"You are from Abregado. Abregado was once ruled by the Truntiet monarchy, whose loyal guardians were the Greyrunners. Your family served them as knights through countless generations. Until the planet became modernized, but even then the Greyrunners held a high status, until the last few generations, where they were nothing special. Then your parents died in the accident, leaving you orphaned. You lost several important things. Parts of you, that I found, and have brought for you. You are rightfully a knight of the Thruntiet kingdom, although it is only a province, it is your honored position. If you are called for duty, it is your obligation to serve, and serve those you are loyal to. Like the Intruder Wing." She smiled at him. "The second thing. Something Raz took from me in his rage, something I vowed to deliver to you. The Soul Blade." She knelt down, and picked up the sword, from the deck, and handed it to him, handle first. "This sword, has gone through your family, for nearly nine hundred generations. It was lost, and Raz, in his madness, stole it, to destroy you with. But now it is in the hands of the one it rightfully belongs to. It has great power, but can only be unleashed by a Greyrunner, with the tattoo."

Narm looked puzzled. "What tattoo?"

"The one you are about to receive, the one that every generation of your family has had since they were honored with the sword by Queen Truntiet the first. Wherein the Greyrunners became the royal guardians." She opened his shirt. Narm just stood still. She placed her palm on his. As it settled, a searing pain swept through Narm. He gasped at the shock, and nearly cried out. But it was over as soon as it started. When he looked down, he saw the tattoo. A purple circle, with a purple triangle circumscribed about it. It was filled in the same color in the parts of the triangle. "I can’t tell you what it does, but you will find out. My time grows short. We will be forced apart again. Oh Narm. I love you. And I miss you very much. But I know we will be together, eventually."

"Elly. I love you. I don’t want to be apart, ever. But I will do what I have to. So we will have our eternity." He came close to her, and their lips met, in a long passionate kiss…

* * *

Narm awoke in his quarters. He couldn’t tell the time. It was late, he knew that. Narm only thought about the dream last night, and how real it felt. It had to be a dream, things like that didn’t happen. Narm decided he had to think, and find someplace that wasn’t his room. He got up, and headed for the refresher. When he got inside, he looked at mirror, and at his chest. He stared at the purple circle, and the triangle circumscribed about it. He gasped with shock, and looked back into his room. There, leaning against the bed at the corner where it met against the wall. Was the Soul Blade. Faintly glowing purple. For the first time, Narm saw the writing on the blade, the faint name, inscribed on it. Greyrunner.