Topic: Shroud of Darkness Episode 3: Shadows of the Past

[CloneCrazy]

Kohlma, one of the countless moons which grimly orbits the backwater world of Bogden.



Commonly referred to as The Moon of the Dead by the few settlers of the Bogden system...



Kohlma serves as a cold and monumental reminder of the system’s dark past.



As fate would have it, the violence of the Clone War now consumes the moon...



Adding the conflict’s own dead to the moon’s grim legacy.



“There’s too many of them!”, Clone Commander Cody yells as Confederate battle droids begin to overrun the Republic’s left flank.



“Easy mission! No credible intelligence to suggest a droid presence!”, Clone Trooper Boil spits.



“Republic Security Bureau intelligence is about as useful as a kriffing moisture farm on Hoth!”, agrees Boil’s comrade and friend Waxer.



“Hold the line!”, orders General Obi-Wan Kenobi as he surges forward, desperate to stall the droid’s advance.



“We can’t hold out any longer sir!”, Commander Cody grimly observes, “We need reinforcements!”.



“Look!”, Clone Trooper Crys exclaims...



As a flotilla of Republic Gunships emerge on the horizon!



The Gunships unleash their deadly payload, which tears through the advancing columns of droids!



The Gunship’s settle besides Kenobi’s entrenched forces...



Allowing Anakin Skywalker and the newly christened 501st Legion to charge onto the battlefront!



“By the force!”, Obi-Wan gasps, shocked by the sudden appearance of his padawan.



 In one combine the veteran troopers of the 212th and the elite soldiers of the 501st Legion surge forward!



Overwhelming the Separatist forces...



Which quickly flee before the Republic’s new found might!



“Keep up the assault!”, Anakin demands, drunk on the adrenaline of battle.



“Hold your position!”, Obi-Wan countermands, knowing his beleaguered troops are in no position to pursue the droids.



“I have them on the run!”, Anakin challenges his Master.



 “There will be other opportunities to defeat our enemy. For now, we need the time to regroup as much as they do.”, Kenobi replies, ending debate on the matter.



Breaking the tension between Master and apprentice Commander Cody reports, “I have just received word from someone claiming to possess knowledge of interest to your mission.”.



Relieved by the sudden change in fortune Kenobi answers, “Good, go on!”. 



“He requests that you meet him at the cantina, after nightfall.”, Cody continues.



“Very well.”, Obi-Wan reluctantly agrees.



“What are you doing here?”, Anakin questions, suddenly suspicious of his Master’s mission.



“I might ask the same of you . As I recall, I ordered you to remain on Coruscant.”, Obi-Wan admonishes.
“The Chancellor-”,  Anakin briskly starts.



“Is not your Master!”, Obi-Wan chastises, perturbed by his padawan’s disobedience, “You continue to disregard both my and the Council’s orders, yet still you wonder why you  are not a Jedi Knight. Perhaps you should become the Chancellor’s apprentice!”.



Seeing the pain in his padawan’s eyes Obi-Wan immediately regrets his hurtful words.



“Round up some men, it seems we’re going to the cantina.”, Obi-Wan sighs, letting the moment pass.



“Useless droids!”, thunders the angered Gran, “I, Doden Makker, High Priest and exalted leader of the glorious Bando Gora deserve better! Because of those droids the Jedi and their pathetic clones soil my world with their foul stench!”.



Eerie laughter floats from the shadows, still as unnerving to Makker as the first time he heard it.



“If you would have shown the slightest interest in strengthening the glorious Bando Gora, instead of gorging yourself on power and privilege, you wouldn’t have to depend on Dooku’s minions.”, the monstrous creature shrieks as he emerges from the shadows!



Enraged Doden Makker squeals, “How dare you-!,”.



“HOW DARE I!?!”, the creature snarls, pinning Makker to the wall. “How dare I!?! How dare you betray the legacy of the Bando Gora! How dare enter alliances with Dooku and sell our allegiance as if it some cheap trinket up for auction!”, the monster continues.



“You seem to have forgotten the nature of our relationship Eng Vreacker. It was I who rebuilt your rotting carcass when you were left for dead!”, spits back Makker.



Eng Vreacker drops Makker to floor and takes several unbalanced steps muttering, “Did I not command that you were to never speak of that time?”.



“Do you remember the burning!?!”, Makker viciously continues...



Prompting Vreacker to remember the seething pain of so many years ago...



When even a monster dared to love and to dream...



“Do you remember her?”, Makker’s cruel voice questions...



Shattering Vreacker’s remembrance of that other time and returning him to his dark present.



“You are not to attack the Jedi or their clones, they are mine!”, Vreacker commands as he stalks away.



Punjab,the dank city plays host Kolhma’s only spaceport.



Therefore, despite it’s dingy appearance Punjab’s single cantina, The Fire’s Breath, serves as a popular meeting place for locals and outlanders alike.



 Precisely the reason two Jedi and a clone contingent now find themselves at the cantina as night casts its dark shadows over the city.



“Wait outside.”, Obi-Wan commands his padawan and clone companions as he dismounts his speeder and strides towards the cantina’s entrance without another word.



"How uncivilized.", Obi-Wan remarks as he enters the cantina...



passing the violence...



and degrading entertainment that is synonymous with dive cantina’s from Coruscant to Tatooine.



Taking a seat accross from a hooded figure Obi-Wan utters the agreed upon code words and receives the appropriate response.



Downing the remainder of his drink in one gulp the man bitterly chuckles, “Never thought my life would come to getting wasted in dive cantinas with Jedi. I used to be something... somebody! I was a member of the Bando Gora when it meant something.”.



“You were part of the Bando Gora?”, Obi-Wan questions, shocked by the man’s revelation.



Flashing Obi-Wan a wicked grin the man asks, “Hard to believe isn’t it?”.



Remembering his once meaningful life the man continues, “I remember when we once challenged your mighty order!”.



“We embraced the truth you were too blind to see, one only knows oneself if they know the darkness within.”.



“But then it all came crumbling down.”



“Because of him. Because of Jango Fett.”.



“So its true...”, Obi-Wan gasps.



“The man your precious Republic models its Grand Army from tracked down our High Priestess, Komari Vosa, and murdered her like the common thug Fett was!”, the informant spits.



“But she had it easy, at least she stayed dead... its him...”, the informant trails off.



“Who?”, Kenobi questions, enthralled by the man’s story.



 “My brother, Eng Vreacker.”, the man replies, with a haunted look.



“We came to the Bando Gora together in our youth...”



“A broken soul like his can harness the true power of the darkside.”



“He became the Bando Gora’s greatest warrior.”



“Naturally he attracted the notice of Komari Vosa.”



“They became lovers, it was the only slice of happiness my brother ever knew.”



“When she died...”



The man stops, suddenly catching a glimpse of a figure he had not seen for nearly a decade.



The man rises, running in sheer terror!



“Where are you going!”, shouts Obi-Wan, rising.



“I’ve... I’ve said too much!”, the man cries rushing from the cantina...



To his waiting speeder bike and speeds into the streets of Punjab!



Obi-Wan bursts from the cantina and desperately orders Anakin and the clones, “Follow him, quickly!”.

[CloneCrazy]

Quickly reacting to Obi-Wan’s orders the group mounts their own speeder bikes and speeds after the informant!



The bustling streets of Punjab prove difficult to navigate at the break neck speeds of the BARC speeders...



Allowing the informant, with his familiarity of the streets of Punjab, to pull ahead of the BARCs!



Suddenly, well armed and armored figures burst onto the streets, between the Republic speeders and the informant!



The ferocious attack catches several troopers off guard, who pay for their carelessness with their lives!



Meanwhile, the informant speeds down a back alley...



Until suddenly a crackling electrowhip yanks him from his speeder!



Staring down at the trembling man before him Eng Vreacker snears, “Hello... brother.”.



Unwilling to give up the chase Anakin and the surviving clones regroup and counterattack...



 Driving their enemies back!



 Having completed their mission the assassins withdraw as swiftly as they arrived!



Obi-Wan finally catches up with the team. Quickly taking stock of the situation Obi-Wan fears, “Oh no.. Find the informant! Quickly!”.



Searching for any sign of the informant the group quickly disperses.



They soon locate the informant, brutally mauled in a back alley.



“Jedi..”, the man gasps, “Come... closer..”.



Obi-Wan kneels next to the man and tenderly prompts, “I’m sorry... But I must know. You are the only one who can tell me.”.



The man slowly nods and wheezes, “After Fett murdered Vosa, my brother tracked him down. They fought... My brother wasn’t strong enough...Fett mauled him and left him for dead.”.
“But he didn’t die, did he?”, Obi-Wan questions.



“No... The Gran, Doden Makker, nursed him back to health to use as an enforcer. But my brother... never forgot Fett. You’re presence has awakened that lust for revenge...”, the informant breathes.



Unable to hold onto life any longer the man succumbs to his injuries and becomes one with the force. Leaving Obi-Wan to solemnly absorb the man’s last confession and its impact upon his mission.



“You can’t hide the truth from me any longer. You must tell me Obi-Wan, for all our sakes?”, Anakin demands.



“Very well.”, Obi-Wan heavily yields, “The Council wanted answers to the clone army’s origins... Answers the Kaminoans don’t know. Answers that may have died with Fett. His past, who hired him, how this army came to be.”.



“Why the Bogden system?”, Anakin questions.
“It was one of the few clues Fett provided when I meet with him on Kamino.”, Obi-Wan shares.



Kenobi continues, “It has become clear the past still casts long shadows on Kohlma. I’m coming to believe that the dead may still wonder this moon of the dead.”.



The Bando Gora Temple, rarely used since Doden Makker overtook the once proud cult’s leadership and began shaping the cult into little more than a common crime syndicate.



For the past decade the temple has served as Eng Vreacker’s retreat...



And as a monument of his undying love.
 “Komari...”, Vreacker heavily sighs running his hand over the final resting place of his lover.



 “I’ve done everything for you... only for you.”, he continues, before breaking down in uncontrollable sobs as he remembers those many years ago.



“NO!”, Vreacker screams, cradling the lifeless body of his only love.



That dark day he vowed he would have his revenge.



He confronted the thug who stole his love from him.



The warrior was well trained...



But so was Vreacker!



Their battle was fierce...



But in the end...



He failed his love.



Fett left him for dead...



 But fate had other plans.



By the time he had recovered from his grievous injuries Fett had disappeared into the unknown regions of the galaxy without a trace.



When Fett finally returned to the galaxy the Jedi robbed Vreacker of the revenge he so desperately longed for.



Despite Fett’s death his face lives on throughout the galaxy, taunting Vreacker’s failure.



“They... they will pay.”, Vreacker snarls, his cybernetic eye glinting as red as the blood of the Fett spawn he would soon spill.

A massive thanks is due to my dear friends the Sjefke clan!!! Daddy Sjefke is the creative customizing genius behind the incredible Eng Vreacker. You may recognize him from Imperial Ship Yards contest to create Nicola Acris! Believe it or not, this has been in the works since all the way back then!!! Sjefke is one patient guy, an awesome friend, and an amazing creative partner! However, the junior members of clan Sjefke would not be outdone and added their own mark on the history of SOD. Daughter Sjefke (Geekete) helped to design and create the vile Doden Makker. Meanwhile, Son Sjefke (Clone_Fanatic) aided in the making of Pre-Cyborg Eng Vreacker!!! My deepest thanks and a special round of applause goes out to this creative trio!!!

My awesome sister is to credit with the amazing sets and principle photography!!! She has been an invaluable member of the SOD creative team and offered incredible support. Thank you.

As always, thank you to the readers. Your support, encouragement, and feedback has helped to make SOD what it is today. Please drop a comment, however short, to show your support. Thanks!!!

[hangarbay94]

Well, what can I say except...................AWESOME!!!!!

What have you been on my young Photonovelist? whatever it is your writing is just amazing! this has to be one of the best written episodes ever submitted on this or any other of the SW forums, its a "Tour De Force".

Where do I begin? the beginning I suppose... First off the locations for this chapter are superb, you also paint a wonderful picture by adding atmosphere in the creative writing element, this gives the reader a more immersive experience. Add the crackerjack dialogue and you have a story that weaves through intense close quarter combat to dark and moody sequences.

The characters come alive in your images and storytelling, and the Vreacke character is the perfect good tough guy turned bad, he'd be great in the movies. The dialogue between Obi-Wan and Anakin is superb, and you've dropped in some subtle references to the movies which are just perfect.

The photography is dark and as I'm a bit of a Photoshop freak I would like to see some development in your editing, simply because you have such a passion for what you do and it is the only area of your work that can be improved upon. Please don't take it as a criticism as it isn't one, if you were to leave things as they are I would still enjoy this just as much.

My only criticism is the fact that there aren't enough people who comment on these works. I am just as guilty as the next man, but creating a piece of work like this involves a culmination of writing, custom, photo and editing skills, all of which deserve comment and praise.

You, your sister and the other contributors to this episode deserve a standing ovation. Really well done to you all. If Tamer doesn't get this a front page outing I will.

HB94

[Sjefke]

 

Agreed, this deserves more chatter, but let's give it a couple of days.  This is a long chapter.  I'm invested and I've only gotten through a quarter of it so far.  

Tamer
Would you consider leaving a link on the front page for a couple of days .... at least?

Clone Crazy
Dude!  The special effects are .... WAY ... above grade.  Your taking my few contributions and making them pop.  The burns and blasts are just great.  Your photographic skills are growing exponentially and your story boards are getting more and more detailed and ambitious  I agree with Hangerbay94.  Your technique is dark and intriguing.  I'm enjoying the story too.  This is way better than the first draft, not to mention unrecognizable.  I'm loving the dialogue, but I need to sit down with it.  This is not simple geek candy.  It needs to be savored, ..... maybe tonight .... with a scotch.   My special 18 year single malt, maybe.  The last time I opened that was when I finished Krell.

Losing your sister is going to be a blow, but I'll keep helping out as best I can.  She's probably getting too wise to be bribed with a couple of new Woklings, eh?  Maybe we can lure in a few more contributors from ISYs  ;-)

My only complaint is that I cant enjoy Pre-cyborg Eng's paint job in black & white.  I realize B+W makes for a better flash back, but I'm proud of the paint job. http://www.imperialshipyards.net/SMF/index.php?topic=8772.msg164376#msg164376

BTW, Sister MadWoman
Can I use your real name on ISY?  Your the artistic arm of the team.  I want to know which parts your responsible for, beside the photography.  Background and sets I imagine.  Email me.  We need to exchange some trade secrets.  I know you're leaving the team, but you're artistic, and you'll never going to give up being creative.  Are you going to still help with our current collaboration?  uh ... more Woklings?  

[hangarbay94]

CC, if its backgrounds you're after I am willing to step in. I'm not promising I'll be able to help on every aspect but I have a huge library of images and backdrop  decal sheets.

Just give me a shout.

HB94

[Sjefke]

CC, if its backgrounds you're after I am willing to step in. I'm not promising I'll be able to help on every aspect but I have a huge library of images and backdrop  decal sheets.

Just give me a shout.

HB94

Sweet!
CC, jump on this.  HB94's work is amazing!

HB94
Will you work for Woklings?  

[CloneCrazy]

Man oh man! Where to begin!?! To quote HB94 at the beginning!!!

Well, what can I say except...................AWESOME!!!!!

What have you been on my young Photonovelist? whatever it is your writing is just amazing! this has to be one of the best written episodes ever submitted on this or any other of the SW forums, its a "Tour De Force".

Where do I begin? the beginning I suppose... First off the locations for this chapter are superb, you also paint a wonderful picture by adding atmosphere in the creative writing element, this gives the reader a more immersive experience. Add the crackerjack dialogue and you have a story that weaves through intense close quarter combat to dark and moody sequences.

The characters come alive in your images and storytelling, and the Vreacke character is the perfect good tough guy turned bad, he'd be great in the movies. The dialogue between Obi-Wan and Anakin is superb, and you've dropped in some subtle references to the movies which are just perfect.

The photography is dark and as I'm a bit of a Photoshop freak I would like to see some development in your editing, simply because you have such a passion for what you do and it is the only area of your work that can be improved upon. Please don't take it as a criticism as it isn't one, if you were to leave things as they are I would still enjoy this just as much.

My only criticism is the fact that there aren't enough people who comment on these works. I am just as guilty as the next man, but creating a piece of work like this involves a culmination of writing, custom, photo and editing skills, all of which deserve comment and praise.

You, your sister and the other contributors to this episode deserve a standing ovation. Really well done to you all. If Tamer doesn't get this a front page outing I will.

HB94

I cannot tell you how much that means Jules. I really put my heart into the creation of this chapter and consider it to be the finest work of my life. However, it could not have been accomplished alone and I am so incredibly grateful to my team behind this episode!!!

Clone Crazy
Dude!  The special effects are .... WAY ... above grade.  Your taking my few contributions and making them pop.  The burns and blasts are just great.  Your photographic skills are growing exponentially and your story boards are getting more and more detailed and ambitious  I agree with Hangerbay94.  Your technique is dark and intriguing.  I'm enjoying the story too.  This is way better than the first draft, not to mention unrecognizable.  I'm loving the dialogue, but I need to sit down with it.  This is not simple geek candy.  It needs to be savored, ..... maybe tonight .... with a scotch.   My special 18 year single malt, maybe.  The last time I opened that was when I finished Krell.

Losing your sister is going to be a blow, but I'll keep helping out as best I can.  She's probably getting too wise to be bribed with a couple of new Woklings, eh?  Maybe we can lure in a few more contributors from ISYs  ;-)

My only complaint is that I cant enjoy Pre-cyborg Eng's paint job in black & white.  I realize B+W makes for a better flash back.  Can I post some of the WIPs in this thread.

BTW, Sister MadWoman
Can I use your real name on ISY?  Your the artistic arm of the team.  I want to know which parts your responsible for, beside the photography.  Background and sets I imagine.  Email me.  We need to exchange some trade secrets.  I know you're leaving the team, but you're artistic, and you'll never going to give up being creative.  Are you going to still help with our current colaboration?  uh ... more Woklings?   Wink

I'm so thrilled that we made proud buddy!!! Eng and all your customs are works of art!!! I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to use them 
Practice has made perfect with the effects and I really owe Chewie a huge debt for showing me the ropes of my editing software. I agree that the effects added great depth to this episode and I'm thrilled you noticed!!!
I never connected with that first draft (or the subsuent five!) that is why this has gone through such an expansive rewrite. I wanted it to be dark and intriguing, a story telling perspective I feel is my home.
Believe it or not, some of this photography is my own  I'll let you guess!!! Loosing Madeline will be a huge blow, but she has been kind to stay on for the next several episode in a creative consultant capacity as I take over principal photography and set design. She's one heck of an artist and visionary, it hurts to loose her. I'll make sure she gets in touch with you to swap war stories!!!

CC, if its backgrounds you're after I am willing to step in. I'm not promising I'll be able to help on every aspect but I have a huge library of images and backdrop  decal sheets.

Just give me a shout.

HB94

Sweet!
CC, jump on this.  HB94's work is amazing!

HB47
Will you work for Woklings?   Wink


By the force. I guess its true that when one door closes another opens!!! Nothing would please me more than to collaborate with you Jules  As Sjefke said, you're amazing!!! Thank you both!!!

[hangarbay94]

CC, as a producer of Photo and graphic novels I know how much dedication is involved in their production, it saddens me there isn't a more lively platform for these to be submitted. At the end of the day I guess what matters is that you enjoy the process, and believe me, your work shows your passion.

My offer is not of collaboration, rather assistance where needed. I'm really tied up with work at the mo, but if I can help I will. I can offer practical advice, and if needs be SKYPE assistance and guidance. This is your work, I do not want to affect your progression.

Sjefke, I have gone against your request and have given this a big juicy front page mention, nowadays I rarely post editorial there but this has to be promoted, it's my job. I will follow it up with another mention later this week, just in case all those damn customs get in the way!

Anyhoo, another well done to you guys, reading this today has been great fun.

[Tamer]

Yes, I do agree that these just don't get enough attention as far as fan sites go. I really do enjoy them. Of course this week my time for the internet has been limited so I am very far behind on my own work and do have to apologize for not getting to this sooner. It is great to see HB94 pick up my slack.

Agreed, this deserves more chatter, but let's give it a couple of days.  This is a long chapter.  I'm invested and I've only gotten through a quarter of it so far. 

Tamer
Would you consider leaving a link on the front page for a couple of days .... at least?

Sjefke, front page posts normally stay up there at least a few days and  yes I do try to do that unless it is a very heavy news week or couple of days. I am even contemplating trying to create a separate photo-novel section here, but just haven't found time to essentially create a new site with linked peripheral pages to do this properly. Trust me though, it will eventually happen.

I really just think folks don't mean to ignore it folks, but real life just takes folks away from the internet from time to time and we can but hope they eventually come play again. I also feel equally bad for our great fan fiction writers who seem to suffer even more than graphic fiction writers.

[CloneCrazy]

Thank you guys both so much!!! HB, your offer of assistance means a lot and as we move forward I will keep in mind how to best utilize it! I know how busy you must be with real life and a PN series to boot!!!

Thanks for the support Tamer!!! You guys were hardly slacking, I don't think it was up a full 24 hours before it was spotlighted!!! ISY has always been an awesome place of support for SOD.

Once again, thank you both so very much!!!

[Sjefke]

Sjefke, front page posts normally stay up there at least a few days and  yes I do try to do that unless it is a very heavy news week or couple of days. I am even contemplating trying to create a separate photo-novel section here, but just haven't found time to essentially create a new site with linked peripheral pages to do this properly. Trust me though, it will eventually happen.

I really just think folks don't mean to ignore it folks, but real life just takes folks away from the internet from time to time and we can but hope they eventually come play again. I also feel equally bad for our great fan fiction writers who seem to suffer even more than graphic fiction writers.

Tamer
Sorry if I came over as impatient.  It was just my two cents, and I'm well aware of the priorities of 'Real Life'.  Your the editor of an entire fan-site.  I'm just a moderator, and I feel terrible when readers wait hours for their pertinent links and images to get approved.  I can only imagine your dedication to ISY.

Thanks for the link.  Clone Crazy did an amazing job and deserves recognition for all his hard work.  I've sent the SOD link to a couple of friends (I think CC was ahead of me, though) and a few have posted links.

[Sjefke]

Sjefke, I have gone against your request and have given this a big juicy front page mention, nowadays I rarely post editorial there but this has to be promoted, it's my job. I will follow it up with another mention later this week, just in case all those damn customs get in the way!

Hardly "against",  HB94.  I was hoping for the link, but your editorial adds an element of "If you guys don't read this SOD episode, it's your loss"

Thanks

[CloneCrazy]

This episode was as fun to produce as you guys are saying it is to read!!! Glad everyone is enjoying and thanks again to all for the support!!!

[DocOutlands]

Wow.  Just ... wow.  This is an awesome installment!!  An incredible amount of talent coming together for this one!  Great story-line, digging into the ghosts of decisions past.  Excellent growth and evolution of skills.

[wraithnine]

an excellent story my friend ,thoroughly enjoyed it!