Chapter 57 - Season 3: Episode 38 - Skin of Evil

Episode 38 - Skin of Evil

Stardate: 41601.3

Earth Standard Date: August 08, 2364.

Location: Vagra Two, Zed Lapis sector

The Iconic Interceptor touched down just past where shuttle 13 crashed.

As they neared the crash site, Tyson felt a familiar sensation crawl up his spine. The Dark Side of the Force suffused the very ground beneath their feet and the air they breathed.

Tyson had felt darkness before, but this... this was different. This was undiluted hatred, not like the calculated evil or consuming ambition of Malak. This presence matched the Star Forge, the ancient Rakatan factory fueled by the Dark Side. This was just as old. Purer. Perhaps even greater.

"Vicky, do you feel that?" he mumbled.

"It's impossible to miss," she replied.

"I need the real you," Tyson whispered, "and Bastila too."

The shuttle hatch opened with a hydraulic hiss, revealing the desolate landscape of Vagra Two. Barren wasteland stretched in all directions, the landscape a bleak canvas of scorched earth and jagged rock formations. Little grew here. Nothing lived here.

A viscous black substance pooled near the crash site, too still to be natural, too deliberate to be a coincidence.

Tyson turned to the away team. "Commander Riker, we have a massive problem."

Riker paused his equipment check, noting the unusual tension in Tyson's posture. "What's wrong?"

"There's a malevolent entity here. I can sense it in the Force." Tyson gestured toward the black pool. "It's waiting for us."

"You think it's one of these dark Jedi or Sith you mentioned before?" Riker asked, his hand moving toward his phaser.

He shook his head. "Worse. It's far stronger. The last fallen Jedi I fought outclassed me in a duel, and his power was like a pond compared to this ocean." Tyson knew exactly what awaited them.

Armus.

A creature born of discarded evil, an entity of pure malevolence. For all the episodes he couldn't remember from Season 1 of The Next Generation, this one stood out in his mind. It was the episode where Tasha Yar died. But revealing that knowledge would raise too many questions about how, and what, he knew.

Instead, he placed a hand on Riker's shoulder. "Commander, I believe this away team should return to the Enterprise, and I'll proceed from here. I'll get Vicky and Bastila to assist me. None of you are properly equipped to challenge this foe."

Data stepped forward. "Commander, if your assessment is accurate, would it not be logical to approach this entity with greater numbers?"

"Not in this case," Tyson replied. "This isn't something you can fight with phasers or reason with using diplomacy. Its negative emotions are overwhelming; anger, hatred. Each person here is just a potential victim or hostage."

Worf growled, "We do not abandon our people."

"Counselor Troi is still in that shuttle," Tasha added.

The black substance near the shuttle began to move, rippling like disturbed water.

"It's aware of us now," Tyson warned, positioning himself between the entity and the away team. "Commander, please. Take the others back to the ship. I can handle this. You aren't abandoning Deanna, I'll find a way to get to her."

Riker studied the crashed shuttle where Troi was trapped. His jaw worked silently as he weighed his duty against the unknown threat, his feelings for Deanna against the uncharacteristic warning and a trepidation he'd never seen in Tyson. "No," he finally said. "This is a rescue mission. If this is as dangerous as you say, I'm not leaving you or Deanna here."

"Fine. I'll let you do the talking, but stay behind me," Tyson conceded, positioning himself protectively in front of the away team. If they insisted on this, then he'd make sure they knew what they were in for. They wouldn't be going in blind like in the episode. "I've never encountered an enemy like this before. Expect it to be able to do anything that I could normally do, but to an extreme measure. Telekinesis, sensing emotions, maybe disrupting technology. Be ready for anything."

"Alright. Let's move." Riker ordered.

Their path to the shuttle was blocked by what appeared to be an oil slick, black and viscous, spreading across the barren ground. It pulsed with malevolence, radiating darkness through the Force.

Riker stepped forward, careful to remain behind Tyson as instructed. "What is this?"

"No idea," Tasha replied, surveying the obstacle. "We'll go around, just to be on the safe side."

The team moved to circumnavigate the substance, but the slick shifted, flowing across the ground to remain between them and the shuttle. Tasha frowned, pointing to another direction. "Let's try the other way."

Again, the black pool moved, anticipating their path and blocking their approach.

Riker's demeanor shifted, all business now. "Analysis, Mister Data."

Data scanned the substance with his tricorder, processing the readings with his usual methodical precision. "Inconclusive, sir. I cannot tell you what it is, but I can tell you what it is not."

"Explain."

"There is no evidence of neural or circulatory systems. No internal organs. Cellular structure unknown." Data continued scanning. "It does not have any proteins which are known to us."

Riker watched the slick ripple and shift. "How is it moving, Data?"

"I do not know, sir. It does not appear to have a skeletal framework or musculature."

"Then what's causing it to move?"

Data observed the substance tracking their movements. "It appears to be following us, sir."

"No sign of intelligence, no brain as we know it, yet evidence of thought, Mister Data?" Riker questioned, his voice tight.

"Insufficient information, sir. It is possible it may be a life form."

The oil slick rippled violently, and a deep, guttural voice emanated from within. "Very good, tin man."

A vaguely humanoid shape rose from the slick, wet, and glistening, its form undefined yet threatening, like a ghost made of oil.

The sense of darkness within the Force intensified. "This is not good," Tyson muttered.

Riker glanced at him. "Is that what you sensed?"

"It is."

Riker stepped forward, maintaining a diplomatic posture. "I am Commander William Riker of the USS Enterprise."

"I am Armus. Why are you here?"

"We mean you no harm," Riker explained. "We have injured crewmen in the shuttlecraft. We need to get to them. May we pass?"

Armus seemed to consider this. "You haven't given me a good enough reason."

"Preserving life, all life, is very important to us."

"Why?"

"We believe everything in the universe has a right to exist."

The creature's form rippled with what might have been amusement. "An interesting notion… Which I do not share. You may now leave, if you wish."

Tasha stepped forward, her patience wearing thin. "We're not going without our shuttle crew."

"I warn you," Armus growled, its inky form expanded slightly.

Tyson sensed the building energy, but Tasha was already advancing.

"Enough!" she declared. "We have people who need attention. We won't hurt you, but we must help them."

Without warning, a bolt of dark energy erupted from Armus, striking Tasha squarely in the chest. The force of the blast sent her flying backward through the air.

Riker and Data immediately drew their phasers, firing at Armus. The energy beams passed harmlessly through the creature, having no effect whatsoever.

But Tyson was ready for this eventuality. As Tasha hurtled through the air, he thrust his hand forward, opening a portal directly in her path. She passed through it without touching the ground.

On the other side of the portal, in Tyson's Medical Bay, Vicky caught Tasha's unconscious form. Thanks to being inside his Gray Goo Suit, and having her actual body inside the Medical Bay, the dual awareness allowed her to smoothly catch Yar. She gently lowered her onto a bed that immediately activated, diagnostic systems whirring to life as they assessed the damage.

Vicky's face darkened as she read the initial scans. The creature's attack had caused massive trauma. Without immediate intervention, Tasha wouldn't survive.

Back on Vagra II, Tyson's stance shifted to a combat-ready position. The portal behind him remained open, and through it stepped Bastila Shan.

Tyson's weapons appeared in his hands as if they'd always been there. His Lightsaber ignited with a distinctive snap-hiss, the green blade humming with energy. In his other hand, his Laser Blade activated, its blue beam extending with a lower-pitched thrum. He crossed the weapons before him, pointing them directly at Armus.

"You've made a mistake," Tyson said. "A grave mistake."

Bastila studied the black entity, her face pale. "I've never sensed anything like it," she whispered, concern coloring her words. "It's pure Dark Side energy."

"Is it a Force Nexus?" Tyson asked, voicing the thought he'd had since they arrived on the surface.

Bastila nodded slowly, never taking her gaze from Armus. "Likely. There was a Force Nexus at the Dantooine Jedi Enclave, and this creature feels like that, but malevolent in the extreme." Her hand drifted unconsciously to her own lightsaber hilt.

Tyson smiled. He'd been looking for a Force Nexus, and one had presented itself right before him. The possibilities raced through his mind; training, meditation, enhancing Force abilities, and increasing the likelihood of Force-sensitivity in others. He finally had a way to complete his mission from Sloan. But his smile faded as Bastila grabbed his arm.

"We must leave," she insisted, her grip tightening.

"If I can bring it into the Personal Reality, we could use it to create a new Jedi Temple," Tyson countered, already considering how to contain the creature. His Augment brain was already cataloguing purchases he'd need to make to contain Armus. There was a version of the Agony Booth from the Mirror Universe that could contain any creature, it was his first and best option. But how would he force Armus inside?

Bastila stared at him as if he were stupid. "Even if you did manage to capture that creature, it's of the Dark Side. Anyone exposed to it would turn. Even now I'm beginning to feel its insidious presence." Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her struggle against the darkness surrounding them.

Tyson's smile quickly faded, replaced with a frown. He'd forgotten that crucial detail in his excitement. He and Vicky were immune to the Dark Side's influence. Everyone else was not. Now, he could feel Armus and its presence in the Force, but he wasn't affected by it. It was as powerful as the Star Forge, as Tyson thought back on what it was like when he stepped foot on the Rakatan station, it was a totally different experience. He remembered the temptation, and how he'd decided to salvage the station rather than risk using it. In his enthusiasm, he'd forgotten his immunity; his strength could lead to those around him's downfall. Even if Armus could induce Force-sensitivity, leading anyone affected down the path of the Dark Side wasn't what he wanted.

"You're right," he conceded. Turning to Riker, Tyson said. "Commander, we need to return with the away team." It was a statement, but he didn't really give an option. Without waiting for a response, he thrust his hand forward, opening a portal directly into his Medical Bay. The gateway hung in the air, offering escape. "Everyone through, now!"

Data helped Worf support Riker, who had been knocked down by the same blast that struck Tasha. The Klingon security officer moved quickly, his face grim as they passed through the portal.

"What about Counselor Troi?" Data asked, pausing at the threshold.

"I'll handle it," Tyson promised. "Go!"

As the away team retreated through the portal, Armus surged forward, its form expanding with rage.

"You cannot leave!" it roared. "I forbid it!"

Bastila ignited her double-bladed lightsaber. "Cover our retreat," she told Tyson, backing toward the portal.

Armus howled, sending a bolt of dark energy toward them. Tyson deflected it with his Lightsaber…

Or he tried to.

The energy clung to it like a viscous oil.

"Now, Tyson!" she shouted.

Tyson disengaged his blade and then backed through the portal. As soon as she was through, he closed it, cutting off Armus's furious roar. He opened another portal, this one leading directly to the Enterprise's sickbay. "Dr. Crusher!" he called through the opening. "Medical emergency!"

Beverly Crusher looked up from her console, startled by the sudden appearance of the portal. She wasted no time with questions, grabbing her medical kit and rushing through.

"Status," she demanded, immediately taking in the scene before her.

Vicky stood over Tasha's biobed, her hands moving across the controls. It was easy to forget that she had started as a Nursedroid. Holographic displays showed detailed scans of Tasha's nervous system and cellular structure.

"Lieutenant Yar suffered a massive energy discharge that targeted her central nervous system," Vicky reported. "The attack caused catastrophic synaptic failure and cellular disruption. Her brain activity flatlined for approximately 8.3 seconds before I was able to stabilize her."

Crusher moved to Tasha's side, studying the readings with growing concern. "This kind of damage would normally be..." She trailed off, unwilling to finish the thought.

"Fatal," Vicky completed for her. "It would have been, under normal circumstances." She adjusted another setting, and a soft blue glow enveloped Tasha's body. "I've induced a controlled coma to allow her neural pathways to rebuild. The nanites I've introduced are repairing cellular damage at the molecular level."

"Will she recover?" Riker asked from a nearby biobed where a medical drone was treating his injuries.

Vicky nodded confidently. "Yes. Full recovery is expected within six days. Afterward, there should be no permanent damage."

Crusher shook her head in amazement as she reviewed the treatment protocols. "These regeneration techniques are decades beyond anything we have."

"The Medical Bay is the only reason she's alive," Vicky said simply, making another adjustment to Tasha's treatment parameters. "Standard Federation medical technology wouldn't have been sufficient to reverse this kind of damage."

Tyson knew it was the truth. Tasha had died in the episode, but this time, he'd been able to stave off disaster.

— Star Jumper —

Inside the shuttle, Deanna Troi tried her communicator again, tapping it with increasing frustration. Nothing but static answered her. Lieutenant Ben Prieto lay unconscious nearby, his breathing shallow but stable. Through the viewport, she watched as the black substance slithered across the hull, covering the shuttle in darkness.

"Your friends have deserted you," Armus's voice penetrated the shuttle walls, sounding as though it spoke directly into her mind. "They're not coming back."

Troi refused to show fear. "You're wrong."

"I killed one of them."

A cold wave washed over her as memories of the shock from the crew and pain from Tasha's emotions flooded back. "Yes. I know."

There was a pause, the creature seemingly surprised. "How could you be in there and know that?"

"I felt her pain." Troi's voice remained steady despite the grief threatening to overwhelm her. The moment of Tasha's attack had struck her like a physical blow, but she hadn't felt the moment of Tasha's death that Armus claimed happened. There was no sudden emptiness, no moment of mourning from the others.

"Do you want to know why I killed her?" Armus asked almost conversationally.

"Your answer would be meaningless. That act had no reason."

"Exactly. It had no meaning." The creature's voice took on an edge of pleasure. "I did it because I wanted to. It amused me."

Troi shook her head. "No. You thought it would amuse you, but it didn't. You felt no satisfaction."

"No. It was too easy."

"You wanted her to suffer," Troi said, understanding dawning. "You have a great need."

"I need nothing," Armus snarled.

"Liar. End this. Let us go."

"Not yet."

"They won't give you what you want."

"And what is that?" Armus asked, curiosity mingling with its obvious malice.

"To break their spirit."

The black substance rippled with what might have been laughter. "Oh, is that what I want? If breaking their spirit will amuse me, then that's what I will have."

"Never."

In the Medical Bay, the away team gathered. Tasha lay unconscious on a nearby biobed, her vital signs stable but still weak.

"Armus is capable of creating undefined forcefields," Data reported. "In effect, we are powerless to use the transporter unless it allows it."

Riker paced the length of the room, worry etched in every line of his face. "Lieutenant Worf?"

The Klingon security chief stood at attention, his bearing grim but professional. "The objective must be not to engage the creature in battle. The goal is the safe return of Counselor Troi and Lieutenant Prieto."

Riker nodded, reluctantly accepting the tactical assessment. "We need to find a way to neutralize Armus without endangering the hostages."

"The creature feeds on negative emotions," Bastila added. "It grows stronger when confronted with fear or anger."

"Then we must remain calm," Data concluded. "A logical approach may prove more effective than an emotional one."

Tyson, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "I'll head back to the surface with Vicky."

"That creature nearly killed Lieutenant Yar," Riker objected. "I can't authorize another direct confrontation."

"I will engage Armus directly. I'm the only one who could withstand its attacks for any reasonable amount of time. At the very least, I can keep it occupied while Vicky tries to reach Counselor Troi."

Riker considered this, then reluctantly nodded. "Alright. But maintain constant communication, and at the first sign of being overwhelmed, you withdraw immediately."

"Understood, Commander." Tyson turned to Vicky, who nodded her readiness.

"Let the Captain know what's happening," Tyson told Riker as he and Vicky prepared to depart.

Without waiting for a response, Tyson and Vicky stepped through another portal that opened directly onto the surface of Vagra II, leaving the away team to inform the captain and watch over the injured Tasha.

"I lied to you. They came back," Armus's voice penetrated the shuttle walls, resonating with malicious pleasure.

Hope flickered within Troi despite her wariness. "Let me talk with them."

"No." The refusal was immediate, almost petulant.

"Why? Does the thought of my having contact with them make you uneasy?" Troi probed, sensing vulnerability beneath the creature's malevolence.

"No. Not being able to contact you, not knowing if you are alive, makes them uneasy. Can't you feel how worried they are?"

"Yes. Yes, they are worried."

"They care for you. You must be very special." Armus's tone held something almost like envy.

"We are members of a community. We all care for one another."

"Equally?"

Troi sensed an opening, a vulnerability she could exploit. "You were really surprised they came back."

"Yes." The admission came reluctantly.

"Why? Because the others did not?" She pressed further, following her intuition.

"What others?" Armus's voice hardened defensively.

"You can't hide the emptiness from me. The others. The ones who hurt you. Who left you alone, rejected. The ones who make you so angry." Troi spoke with quiet certainty, piecing together the emotional fragments she sensed.

The black substance churned violently. "What do you know of them?"

"Only what you tell me."

"I am alone."

"Abandoned. Who deserted you?" Troi asked gently.

"Creatures whose beauty now dazzles all who see them." Bitterness saturated every word. "They would not exist without me."

"You were together?"

"They perfected a means of bringing to the surface all that was evil and negative within. Erupting, spreading, connecting. In time it formed second skin, dank and vile."

"You."

"Yes."

"They discarded you and left."

"And here I am." The simple statement contained endless rage and pain.

Troi's voice softened with genuine compassion. "You have my pity."

"Your pity?" Armus roared. The shuttle suddenly rocked violently as the black substance covering the viewport pulsed with fury. "Save that for yourself."

Outside the shuttle, Tyson raised his phase pistol and fired directly at the mass of darkness enveloping the craft. The beam dissipated without effect, but it accomplished what Tyson intended, drawing the creature's attention away from the shuttle.

The black substance flowed across the ground, reforming several meters away into a vaguely humanoid shape. Vicky moved silently, positioning herself to Tyson's left.

"Have you come to negotiate?" Armus asked, contempt dripping from every word. "To beg for her release?"

"No," Tyson replied calmly, holstering his useless phase pistol.

"Then what? I want you to beg just to know she's alive." The creature's form rippled with anticipation.

Tyson stood his ground, unintimidated. "I know she's alive. I can feel her, and she can feel me. Just like I felt you the moment we stepped on this planet." He took a step forward, his stance relaxed yet ready. "The others might try diplomacy, but that ain't me."

Armus's form expanded, preparing to respond, but Tyson was already moving. With Force-enhanced speed, he dashed forward, his Lightsaber igniting mid-stride. The green blade hummed through the air as he slashed at the creature's form.

The blade struck an invisible barrier inches from Armus's surface. Energy crackled and sparked where lightsaber met forcefield.

Armus retaliated with a bolt of dark energy that erupted from its amorphous body, hurtling toward Tyson. But he had already moved, his Force-enhanced reflexes carrying him safely aside as the energy blast scorched the ground where he had stood a heartbeat before.

The creature's attack left a momentary gap in its attention. Vicky seized the opportunity, sprinting toward the shuttle while Armus focused on Tyson.

Tyson circled Armus, his lightsaber held at the ready. "You're not what you appear to be," he called out, keeping the creature's attention fixed on him. "You're not just abandoned evil. You're something more."

"You know nothing," Armus snarled, its form rippling with rage.

"I know pain when I sense it," Tyson countered. "And yours has festered for centuries."

Another dark energy bolt shot toward him. This time, Tyson raised his lightsaber to intercept it. As the first time, the energy clung to the blade like viscous oil, slowly crawling down toward the hilt. Tyson disengaged the saber just before the energy could reach his hand, then reignited it instantly, the pure energy of the blade reforming clean and untainted.

"Interesting," Tyson muttered, analyzing the creature's abilities. "Your energy doesn't dissipate or reflect. It corrupts."

Armus surged forward, its form expanding across the ground. "I will show you corruption beyond your comprehension."

Tyson leapt backward, putting distance between himself and the advancing darkness. From the corner of his eye, he saw Vicky reach the shuttle, her hands moving across the hull as she searched for a way to bypass the creature's influence and reach those trapped inside.

"You can't escape me," Armus declared, its voice echoing across the barren landscape. "No one leaves without my permission."

"We'll see about that," Tyson replied, his Augment mind racing through possible strategies. Direct confrontation wasn't working. The creature's ability to generate forcefields made physical attacks ineffective. Energy weapons were equally useless.

But if his phaser and Lightsaber weren't working…

Maybe he just needed a bigger gun.

Armus wasn't idle as he planned. It flowed across the ground toward Tyson. The black substance moved with surprising speed, but not fast enough to catch him, even without the Force enhancing his movements.

He backpedaled steadily, Master with your Hands allowed him to switch weapons in his off-hand immediately. He fired his phase pistol in controlled bursts. Each shot dissipated harmlessly against Armus's forcefield, but that wasn't the point.

He was leading the creature. Every step drew it further from the shuttle, away from Troi and Prieto, and Vicky.

"You cannot harm me," Armus called out, its voice resonating with dark amusement. "Your weapons are useless against me."

Tyson continued his strategic retreat.

Then he stopped.

His boots planted firmly on the barren ground, Tyson holstered his weapons and crossed his arms. The sudden change in tactics gave Armus pause, its form halting momentarily just outside of striking range.

"Have you finally accepted your fate?" Armus taunted. "Do you surrender to the inevitable?"

"Not exactly."

Armus's form expanded, growing taller until it loomed over Tyson like a wave of darkness preparing to crash down. "You are nothing. Your species is primitive, your technology laughable. I have existed for centuries, watching the stars while trapped on this worthless rock. Your principles, your very lives are meaningless against the span of my existence." The creature's form rippled with what might have been laughter. "I will keep you alive, just long enough to watch as I consume your companions one by one. The woman will be first. I can taste her fear already. It's delicious. Pure. Then the other will follow, along with any who venture here, each death will be more agonizing than the last. And you will bear witness to it all, powerless to stop me."

Instead of cowering in fear like the creature expected, Tyson's lips curved into a smile. "Yeah, you probably shouldn't monologue."

"Especially when I've got you right where I want you."

"Where you want me?" Armus countered, derision coating every word. "You fled from me."

"Fled? More like led."

Before Armus could respond, the air split with the distinctive whine of a Phaser.

A massive beam of concentrated energy lanced across the landscape, striking Armus directly. The brilliant orange-red beam engulfed the creature entirely, the raw power of the blast sending shockwaves across the barren terrain. The ground superheated instantly, turning to glass as the phaser beam continued its relentless assault. The creature's form writhed within the energy stream, its substance boiling and dispersing under the continuous barrage.

Tyson's Adaptive Personal Force Field within the Gray Goo Suit held for only a moment, just long enough for him to retreat from the path of the beam with Force-enhanced speed.

The Iconic Interceptor hovered where they had left it. Its Spinal Phaser Lance was deployed and firing at full capacity. While Vicky's physical body worked to penetrate the shuttle's hull to reach Counselor Troi, her consciousness remained connected to the ship's AI Core, controlling and aiming its weapons systems with perfect precision.

The Spinal Phaser Lance carved a literal line in the sand, extending for miles beyond where it struck Armus. The beam cut a trench through the planet's surface, superheating rock and soil into molten slag. Steam and smoke billowed upward as moisture in the ground flash-vaporized under the intense heat.

Armus's screams echoed across the wasteland, a sound of rage rather than pain. The creature's substance scattered under the beam, forced to disperse rather than maintain cohesion. What had been a concentrated mass of darkness now spread thin across the ground.

"Vicky. Status on the shuttle?"

"Hull integrity compromised," Vicky's voice replied. "I've created an access point and am proceeding inside. Counselor Troi and Lieutenant Prieto are alive but Prieto remains unconscious."

The ground around Armus had become a pool of molten rock, glowing orange-red. Steam and smoke continued to rise from the scorched earth, obscuring the impact zone. Tyson approached cautiously, his Lightsaber ready in his hand but not yet ignited. Little help it might be if that attack wasn't enough.

As the smoke cleared, he could see Armus's substance slowly reforming, pulling itself together from the scattered droplets that had survived the attack. The creature was diminished, its mass reduced to perhaps a third of what it had been before.

"Impossible," Armus hissed, its voice weaker but still filled with hatred. "What weapon is this?"

"Just a taste of what we can do," Tyson replied, keeping a safe distance from the reforming entity. "That was a warning shot."

"You cannot destroy me," Armus insisted, though its confidence seemed shaken. "I am eternal."

"Maybe not," Tyson conceded, "but I can make eternity uncomfortable for you."

Vicky's message came through his HUD. "I have secured both Counselor Troi and Lieutenant Prieto. They've been evacuated to the Medical Bay."

Tyson backed away from Armus, never taking his gaze from the weakened creature. "I'm leaving now. I'd say it was a pleasure, but it really wasn't."

Armus surged forward suddenly, a tendril of darkness shooting toward Tyson's feet. He leapt backward, easily avoiding the attack. The creature's movements were slower now, its reactions dulled by the damage it had sustained.

"This isn't over," Armus promised.

"For now, it is," Tyson replied. He dashed through a portal into the bridge of the Iconic Interceptor that quickly closed behind him.

Armus continued to reform, pulling its scattered essence back together.

As the Iconic Interceptor pulled up, its thrusters glowing blue-white against the barren landscape, Armus stretched its reformed mass upward. Tendrils of darkness extended from its amorphous body, reaching for the departing vessel like grasping fingers.

"No escape," Armus snarled, its voice resonating across the wasteland.

The ship shuddered mid-ascent. Warning lights flashed across the control panels as external sensors registered an unknown force holding the vessel in place. The engines strained against the invisible grip, power levels spiking into the red zone as Vicky attempted to compensate.

Inside the cockpit, Tyson watched as the altitude indicator stopped climbing and began to drop. The ship trembled under the strain of opposing forces, metal groaning as structural integrity fields struggled to maintain hull cohesion.

"Vicky, status," he called out.

"An energy field has enveloped the ship," Vicky's calm voice replied. "It's pulling us back toward the surface with increasing force. Engines at one hundred percent capacity and failing to break free."

Through the viewport, Tyson could see the ground approaching once more as Armus dragged the ship back to the planet's surface. The creature's form had grown, stretching upward as it exerted its will upon the vessel.

Tyson leaned back in the pilot's seat and laughed into the empty cockpit.

"How do I keep running into OP Force users. You know what? I'm done playing with this thing. Fuck this guy." he said, shaking his head. "Vicky, activate self-destruct sequence."

"Self-destruct sequence initiated," Vicky confirmed. "Countdown set for thirty seconds."

"Make it fifteen," Tyson corrected, rising from his seat.

"Confirmed. Self-destruct in fifteen seconds. Command functions locked."

Tyson raised his hand, focusing briefly as a shimmering portal opened before him. Through it, he could see the interior of the Medical Bay. He stepped through, the portal closing behind him just as the ship touched down on Vagra II's surface once more.

On the planet's surface, Armus released its grip on the vessel as it settled onto the barren ground. The creature flowed toward the ship, its substance rippling with anticipation and triumph. The crashed shuttle had been damaged, but this ship was functional and completely intact. Never had it imagined a means of escape would present itself after centuries of isolation.

The ship's external hatch opened as Armus approached, yielding to the creature's will. Black tendrils slithered inside, exploring the unfamiliar environment with cautious curiosity.

"The fool allowed me to capture his ship," Armus declared to the empty corridors. "I got exactly what I wanted, a way off this planet."

The creature's substance flowed deeper into the ship, spreading through corridors and compartments, exploring systems and controls with growing excitement. Freedom, after so long, was finally within reach.

In the ship's core, the matter/antimatter containment field began to collapse.

The countdown reached zero.

For a fraction of a second, nothing happened. Then, with devastating suddenness, the containment field failed completely.

Matter met antimatter in an uncontrolled reaction. Energy erupted outward in all directions simultaneously, vaporizing the ship's interior in a nanosecond. The hull, a combination of Exotic Materials: Nanomaterials and Exotic Materials: Crystal, held for precisely 0.37 seconds before disintegrating under the unimaginable force of the explosion.

A blinding flash of light erupted, visible from orbit as a miniature star blazed to life against the dull brown surface of Vagra II. The initial explosion expanded outward in a perfect sphere, consuming everything in its path with temperatures reaching one hundred million degrees; hotter than the core of most stars. The following fireball stretched nearly four kilometers across, a roiling sphere of pure energy that turned the air to plasma.

Armus's substance, caught at the epicenter of the blast, had no time to react. The creature's essence, which had survived for centuries in isolation, was subjected to energies beyond anything it had ever experienced. It was instantly converted to energy, molecules torn apart and scattered at the subatomic level by the raw force of the antimatter annihilation.

The shockwave expanded outward at supersonic speed, flattening the surrounding terrain for dozens of kilometers. The ground beneath the explosion cratered instantly, rock and soil vaporizing under the intense heat. The blast carved a crater nearly two kilometers wide and five hundred meters deep into Vagra II's surface, but the devastation extended far beyond the crater's rim. For fifteen kilometers in every direction, the landscape was scoured clean, reduced to glass. A colossal mushroom cloud of dust, debris, and superheated gas rose into the atmosphere, climbing forty kilometers into the sky before spreading outward like a vast umbrella of destruction. The cloud punched through the planet's troposphere entirely, carrying with it billions of tons of vaporized rock and soil.

On the Enterprise, sensors registered the equivalent of a four-gigaton detonation; energy enough to power a small star system for days. The electromagnetic pulse that followed was devastating, but only registered within the ship's sensors and didn't affect its function in the slightest, thanks to its distance and activated shields. Seismic sensors registered a magnitude 7.2 earthquake as the shockwave traveled through the planet's crust, triggering secondary tremors and landslides across three continents.

The atmosphere above the explosion site roiled with convection currents and electrical storms generated by the massive energy release. Lightning arced between the ascending debris cloud and the planet's surface, while hurricane-force winds spread outward from the blast zone.

Where Armus had been, nothing remained but scattered subatomic particles, dispersed by the force of the explosion and carried upward with the mushroom cloud. The creature's consciousness, once singular and focused, had been utterly obliterated. Not fragmented, but completely annihilated in the antimatter fire. Even its constituent atoms had been converted to energy and radiation, leaving no trace that the entity had ever existed.

On the Enterprise, the crew watched in stunned silence as their sensors registered the full scope of the destruction. The explosion had been visible from orbit as a sustained nuclear fire that burned for nearly thirty seconds before beginning to fade.

The explosion had not merely caused destruction, it had fundamentally altered the planet itself.

— Star Jumper —

The Observation Lounge was filled with the senior staff, plus Ensign Ro and Bastila Shan. Commander Riker had given his report, followed by Counselor Troi. The atmosphere in the room was somber as they discussed the events on Vagra II. Captain Picard sat at the head of the table, his posture rigid as he listened to each account.

The experience had left Counselor Troi visibly shaken, though she maintained her professional composure. "While I was trapped in the shuttle, I was able to communicate with Armus. What I discovered was disturbing. Armus wasn't simply a malevolent entity. It was a byproduct, a manifestation of negative emotions that an entire race purged themselves of."

Data tilted his head. "Fascinating. A physical manifestation of discarded psychological elements."

"More than that," Troi continued. "The race that once inhabited Vagra II found a way to physically separate what they considered the dark aspects of their nature—hatred, violence, malice, envy. They extracted these elements from themselves, and in doing so, created Armus."

"They abandoned him on the planet," Worf stated, his tone carrying disgust at such dishonorable conduct.

"Yes. Once they had purged themselves of these negative qualities, they simply left, transformed into beings of pure light and energy. Armus was literally the skin they shed, all their collective darkness given form and consciousness, then abandoned."

"That explains the cruelty," Riker added. "Centuries of isolation, knowing you were created only to be discarded."

"Precisely," Troi confirmed. "Armus existed in a state of perpetual rage and pain. It couldn't leave the planet, couldn't die, couldn't evolve. It could only exist in that state of abandonment, feeding on its own hatred."

Bastila Shan had been listening intently. Her presence in the meeting had raised eyebrows among some of the crew, but Tyson had specifically requested her presence because of her insights into the Force, and Picard had allowed it.

"What Counselor Troi describes aligns perfectly with what we call a Dark Side Nexus," Bastila said, her accent distinctive among the gathered officers. "The Force has two aspects, what we call the Light Side and the Dark Side. The Dark Side manifests through emotions like fear, anger, hatred, and pain."

La Forge frowned. "You're saying this creature was connected to the same energy field you use?"

"Not exactly," Bastila clarified. "The Force flows through all living things, but in certain places, it can become concentrated. These Dark Side nexuses are locations where great suffering or evil has occurred, creating a wellspring of dark energy. What the Counselor described... An entire species extracting their negative emotions and abandoning them would create exactly such a nexus. Over centuries, that concentrated darkness coalesced and developed consciousness, purpose, and power."

"That would explain the abilities it demonstrated," Data observed. "The capacity to manipulate matter, generate energy fields, and even telepathy."

Bastila nodded. "Dark Side nexuses often develop unique properties. They can corrupt those who encounter them and amplify negative emotions. The Sith seek out such places to increase their power."

"The creature seemed to feed on negative emotions," Troi added. "It deliberately provoked fear and anger, then appeared to grow stronger from those reactions."

"The Dark Side is cyclical—it feeds on negative emotions and then generates more of them. Armus was trapped in this cycle for centuries, with no outlet except the occasional unfortunate visitor." Bastila confirmed.

"I will spend much time meditating on this creature, Armus. In Jedi teachings, we understand the Force as having two fundamental aspects. The Living Force, and the Cosmic Force. The Living Force flows through all living things, connecting us. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together. It's why I can sense your emotions, your intentions, your very presence in the universe."

Data appeared particularly fascinated. "And the Cosmic Force?"

"The Cosmic Force is more... transcendent," Bastila explained, settling into her teaching rhythm. "It connects all things across space and time. When one dies, we consider them becoming one with the Force. This is the Cosmic Force they join. It is the eternal aspect that maintains balance in the universe."

Troi nodded slowly. "So the Living Force is immediate and tangible, while the Cosmic Force is eternal and all-encompassing."

"Precisely," Bastila confirmed. She paused, considering her words carefully. "I'm not sure how Armus fits within this understanding. Perhaps because it was the combined emotions of an entire race, it was an embodiment of the Dark Side of the Living Force. But I'm not certain."

Worf, who had been listening intently, spoke up. "Could it be similar to what Klingons call a baktag spirit? A vengeful entity born from collective suffering?"

"There's something similar in Jedi texts," Bastila replied, her voice taking on the cadence of someone reciting ancient knowledge. "The Sith were known to create thought bombs, weapons that could destroy physical bodies while trapping souls in torment. And there are legends of places like the Valley of the Dark Lords on Korriban, where the collective dark energies of deceased Sith Lords created manifestations that defied conventional understanding of life and death."

La Forge tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the table. "So this thing might be like a collective consciousness made up of all the negative emotions from an entire species?"

"That's my hypothesis," Bastila said. "In the Jedi Order, we're taught that the Force itself seeks balance. The Light cannot exist without the Dark. But what happened on Vagra II represents something unnatural, a deliberate separation that violated the natural order. These beings removed darkness from themselves without truly confronting or resolving it, creating an imbalance."

Ensign Ro, who had remained silent until now, leaned forward. "If this thing was as powerful as you're describing, how did Commander Tyson manage to defeat it?"

"That's what I'd like to know," Dr. Crusher added, her medical training making her focus on practical concerns. "Counselor Troi and Lieutenant Prieto were fortunate to escape with relatively minor injuries, but the readings from the planet surface suggest a massive antimatter explosion."

"Precipitating that, there was a phaser discharge that exceeded the Enterprise's maximum output." Worf's jaw tightened. "While the final energy release was equivalent to approximately seventy-five photon torpedoes detonating simultaneously. The crater extends nearly half a kilometer in diameter."

"The environmental impact on Vagra II will be significant," Data noted. "Though the planet was largely barren to begin with, the radiation levels in the immediate vicinity of the blast will remain hazardous for approximately 4.7 years."

Picard had remained largely silent during the briefing, absorbing the various reports. Now he turned toward the end of the table.

"Commander Tyson. Your report?"

"I sensed the creature as we neared the surface," he explained. "It's not the first Dark Side Nexus I've encountered. The first was a space station that was powered partially by the Dark Side of the Force, and it nearly corrupted me before I destroyed it."

"Our energy weapons were ineffective against Armus. A direct conflict was ill-advised, but served as a proper distraction." He gestured with his hands, illustrating his strategy. "I kept the creature's attention, leading it away from the shuttle, while Vicky retrieved the Counselor and Lieutenant. Meanwhile, I led it directly into my ship's line of fire. The first output that Lieutenant Worf detected was the Spinal Phaser Lance, a weapon copied from the mirror-universe version of the Enterprise-D. It was able to generate such an output by being powered directly by the warp core."

Riker nodded appreciatively at the tactical thinking, while Data processed the technical details with characteristic precision.

"When even the phaser wasn't enough to stop the creature, I set my ship to self-destruct."

"You sacrificed your ship?" Worf asked, incredulous, but respect colored his voice.

"Yes, but not exactly." Tyson spread his hands on the table. "You know that Q has... empowered me, in a sense. I'm allowed to choose a single item as my Iconic item. I chose my ship. This grants it a few unique properties." He raised one finger. "One, it grants the Iconic Interceptor the properties of any other item of that type I own, in this case starships. Because I was part of the party that overtook the Enterprise in the mirror universe, technically I own that ship. Which is why it had the primary weapon from the mirror-flagship." A second finger joined the first. "Secondly, it doesn't need refueling, never runs out of ammunition, and if it's destroyed, it reforms the next day." He shrugged casually.

"So yes, I sacrificed the ship, but I'll have it back tomorrow."

The room fell silent as the implications sank in. Picard drummed his fingers once on the table surface.

"That's quite... convenient," Dr. Crusher finally said.

"Convenient doesn't begin to cover it," Riker added, leaning forward with renewed interest. "You're saying you have a starship that can never truly be destroyed? That carries unlimited weaponry?"

"The tactical advantages are significant," Worf observed, approval clear in his tone.

Data tilted his head. "I am curious about the mechanism that allows for such regeneration. Is it a form of temporal manipulation, matter replication, or perhaps interdimensional mechanics?"

"I don't have an answer to that, as I'm not privy to the specifics," Tyson replied. "Personally, I prefer to think of it as the ship exists as a concept as much as a physical object."

"The energy output required for antimatter containment failure of that magnitude would be substantial," La Forge noted. "And you're saying this ship just... comes back? With all systems intact?"

Tyson nodded. "Completely restored."

"And the crater on Vagra II?" Picard asked quietly. "The environmental impact Data mentioned?"

"Unfortunately permanent," Tyson acknowledged. "The explosion itself and its effects are real. Only the ship regenerates. I wouldn't have taken such extreme measures if Vagra II had been inhabited or if I had other options. Armus seemed diminished after the initial phaser strike. Vicky could have pulled the ship to orbit and retreated at that point, but it posed an ongoing danger. If Armus ever found a way off the planet, it would be difficult to stop, and based on its vindictive nature, I assumed it might target us again in that case."

Ensign Ro was next to ask a question. "Could the creature have survived? If it was as powerful as Counselor Troi and Bastila suggest..."

Tyson exchanged a glance with Bastila before answering. "In a way. The antimatter explosion would have dispersed its essence too widely to maintain cohesion. Without sufficient concentration, consciousness cannot be maintained."

"I believe Commander Tyson is correct," Bastila added. "While the Dark Side energy itself cannot be destroyed, its manifestation as a conscious entity can be disrupted. The creature known as Armus likely no longer exists in any meaningful sense."

Troi nodded slowly. "I can no longer sense its presence. Before, even from orbit, I could feel its malevolence. Now there's nothing."

"I'm more concerned about these abilities you keep revealing," Riker said, directing his attention back to Tyson. "First portals, then this 'Force' power, now indestructible starships. What else should we know about?"

"Commander Riker raises a valid point," Picard agreed. "While your assistance has proven invaluable in several situations, these revelations tend to come at rather convenient moments."

Tyson spread his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "I understand your concerns. My abilities come with certain limitations and rules. I don't always know what will work in a given situation, which is why I don't typically lead with a comprehensive list of capabilities."

"That hardly seems satisfactory," Dr. Crusher noted.

"Perhaps not," Tyson conceded. "But it's the truth. I'm still learning the boundaries myself in many ways."

Picard studied him for a long moment before speaking again. "Very well. For now, I'll accept that explanation. However, I would appreciate more transparency moving forward, particularly when it comes to capabilities that might affect ship operations or away missions."

"Understood, Captain," Tyson replied with a nod.

"What about Lieutenant Yar?" La Forge asked, turning to Dr. Crusher. "How is she doing?"

"Lieutenant Yar will need several more days of treatment before she's released from the Medical Bay."

Picard nodded, satisfied with the report. "Then I believe our primary concern now is filing an accurate report with Starfleet regarding the incident on Vagra II and the loss of the shuttle."

"And explaining the crater," Riker added with a slight smile.

"I'll take full responsibility for that," Tyson offered. "The decision to use antimatter containment failure as a weapon was mine alone."

"Noted," Picard replied. "Though I suspect Starfleet Command will have questions regardless."

Episode: Star Trek The Next Generation - Skin of Evil Complete!

+250 RP

Reality Points: 1200

"Dismissed. Counselor Troi, Commander Riker, Commander Tyson, please remain behind for a moment." The other officers filed out of the Observation Lounge, the doors sliding shut behind them with a soft hiss. Picard waited until they were alone before continuing, "Counselor Troi, have you been apprised of our Riker situation?"

"Yes Captain. Commander Tyson briefed me on Lieutenant Riker's circumstances and psychological state."

"Commander Tyson has been allowing Lieutenant Riker access to a Counseling Bay within his... facilities. Could you evaluate the Lieutenant and this facility?"

"Of course," Troi replied. "I'd like to conduct a proper psychological evaluation to establish a baseline. Lieutenant Riker has experienced a unique form of trauma—years of isolation followed by discovering his life has essentially continued without him."

Tyson leaned forward in his chair. "Captain, I wanted to speak to you about that. I believe it would be prudent to create a more permanent link between my Personal Reality and the Enterprise."

Picard raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

"I can only maintain two portals at a time," Tyson continued. "I could add a door in sickbay linking directly to the Medical Bay. That would give Dr. Crusher access to the facility should she need it."

Riker added, "The medical capabilities in there are impressive. Dr. Crusher mentioned several treatments that would have taken weeks in sickbay were completed in hours."

"The door would be forcefield protected so that only approved Enterprise staff could access it, along with those under my command. This would maintain security while providing access, emergency or otherwise."

Picard drummed his fingers once on the table as he weighed the benefits against potential risks.

"The forcefield would prevent unauthorized access?" he asked.

"Yes, sir. It would recognize authorized personnel. Anyone else attempting to enter would be stopped."

Picard fell silent, weighing his options. The implications of allowing such a permanent connection to Tyson's mysterious realm were significant, yet the practical benefits couldn't be ignored. "Given that Lieutenant Yar would not have survived without access to that facility, and the alarming frequency with which we have need of it..." Picard paused. "Permission granted."

"Thank you, Captain. I'll have the door installed immediately."

"Very well." Picard stood, signaling the end of their discussion. "Keep me informed."

Riker, Troi, and Tyson left the Observation Lounge together, heading toward the turbolift. As the doors closed around them, Tyson spoke.

"Sickbay," he instructed the computer. The turbolift hummed to life, carrying them smoothly through the ship.

"This door," Riker began. "How exactly does it work? Is it like your portals?"

"Similar principle, different execution," Tyson explained. "The portals are temporary connections. The door will be a permanent anchor point, always connecting the same two locations."

"You seem pleased with the Captain's decision," Troi observed.

"It's practical," Tyson replied. "The Enterprise encounters dangerous situations with remarkable regularity. Having immediate access to advanced medical technology could mean the difference between life and death. Or serve as an evacuation point. Plus, in times where I'm not on the Enterprise, I wouldn't need to worry about what kind of trouble you were getting into."

The turbolift slowed to a stop, and the doors opened to reveal the corridor leading to sickbay. They stepped out together, walking toward their destination.

"I'm curious about this Counseling Bay," Troi said as they walked.

Riker commented, "The lieutenant seems to be responding well to it. He's still angry, but he's starting to ask questions about the future rather than just dwelling on what he's lost."

"That's a positive sign," Troi agreed. "Acceptance is a crucial step in processing trauma."

They reached the entrance to sickbay, pausing before the doors. Through the transparent sections, they could see Dr. Crusher.

"Where do you think would be the best location for the door?" Riker asked, surveying the layout of sickbay through the transparent sections of the entrance.

"I was thinking the wall adjacent to the surgical bay," Tyson replied. "That would provide the most direct access in emergency situations."

Troi nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. It would also be less disruptive to daily operations."

Dr. Crusher looked up from her work, noticing their arrival. She set down her medical tricorder and approached them with curiosity written across her features.

"Commander Riker, Counselor, Commander Tyson," she greeted them. "What brings you all to sickbay?"

"We have a proposal, approved by Captain Picard, that I think you'll find interesting, Doctor."

After they settled on the position of the door, Troi and Tyson entered while Commander Riker returned to his duties. The transition was seamless—one moment they stood in the Enterprise sickbay, the next they passed through into the Medical Bay of Tyson's Personal Reality.

They passed Lieutenant Yar resting in the advanced biobed.

Tyson guided her toward an exit, and as the doors slid open, Troi stepped back in surprise. Before them stretched a vista of the Mediterranean, crystal blue waters lapping against white sand beaches, with rolling hills covered in olive groves and cypress trees rising in the distance. They walked along a stone path that wound between flowering bushes and ancient-looking olive trees. The air was warm but pleasant, with a gentle breeze carrying the scent of the sea.

They approached a cluster of whitewashed villas nestled on a hillside overlooking the sea.

"All these houses lead to the Housing Complex," Tyson explained, indicating the villas. "Which is its own dimensional space. The exteriors are just window dressing, so to speak."

Troi nodded, understanding. "A psychological anchor. Familiar visual cues to help transition between spaces."

"Exactly." Tyson approached one particular villa with a terrace overlooking the water. "Each door responds to intention."

He knocked on the door, concentrating on Lieutenant Riker.

From within, they heard movement, then a voice called out, "Come in."

The door slid open, revealing a spacious living area decorated in warm earth tones. Lieutenant Riker sat at a table finishing a meal, dressed in a fresh gold uniform. He looked up, and as he saw Troi, his fork clattered to the plate. "Deanna?"

"Hello, Will," Troi said gently.

This Riker crossed the room in three quick strides. He swept her off her feet, literally lifting her in a powerful embrace, and kissed her with the desperation of a man who had found water in the desert.

When he finally set her down, his voice was thick with emotion. "Imzadi."

"Will," she responded, her professional composure momentarily shaken by the intensity of his reaction.

His hands remained on her shoulders, as if afraid she might disappear. "I never thought I'd see you again."

Troi's demeanor grew more serious. "We need to talk."

A shadow crossed Lieutenant Riker's face as reality settled back in. "You're here because of him."

"No," Troi corrected gently. "Commander Riker and I are friends. Close friends, but nothing more." She took a step back, creating a professional distance. "Why don't we sit down? Do you remember the last time we saw each other?"

Riker moved to the couch, indicating for her to join him. "Like yesterday. The Janaran Falls on Betazed."

"It was the day before you started your tour on the Potemkin," Troi said, settling beside him.

"And we were going to meet on Risa, six weeks later." His voice carried a wistful note.

"We never did."

"I know." His jaw tightened slightly.

"No, what I mean is, Commander Riker and I never did," Troi clarified. "You see, he earned a promotion very quickly."

"I know that too." Bitterness edged into his voice. "'For exceptional valor during the evacuation of the research station on Nervala Four.' I looked at his service record."

Troi studied his face, her empathic abilities picking up the complex mix of pride and resentment. "He chose to make his career a priority. There wasn't much time for anything else. We kept in touch, but we didn't see each other again until we were both posted to the Enterprise two years later. By then, our feelings for each other had changed. Things never went back to the way they used to be."

Riker stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the ocean view. "I had a lot of time on my hands when I was down on that station. There were days I felt so alone I thought I might lose my mind." He turned back to face her. "Do you know how I made it through? I thought if I hung on for one more day, they'd rescue me. Maybe I'd see you again." His shoulders slumped slightly. "I guess things don't always work out the way you expect them to."

Troi joined him at the window, not touching him but close enough to offer support. "I know this isn't what you were hoping for, but that doesn't mean you can't make a future for yourself."

A sad smile crossed his face. "Thanks."

Tyson, who had remained respectfully near the door during their exchange, spoke quietly. "I'll give you two some privacy," and he stepped out of the room.

— Star Jumper —

Tyson sat down by the water, letting the gentle Mediterranean waves lap at his feet. The sun cast golden reflections across the surface, creating a peaceful moment after the chaos of recent events.

"I heard you fought a Force monster! And you left me out again," Mission Vao called as she approached, her lekku twitching with barely contained excitement.

Tyson smiled at the young Twi'lek. "Didn't you have enough adventures, getting kidnapped and all?"

Mission rolled her eyes dramatically. "Some adventure. They just wanted me to go to school and be a good kid. Please." She plopped down beside him, sending a small spray of sand across his uniform pants, which was quickly dispersed by the Grey Goo Suit. Convenient.

Bastila approached, her Jedi robes flowing in the gentle breeze. "At least you survived without being tainted by the Dark Side," she said, her accent crisp and formal as always.

"Yeah, but I was really hoping to create a Jedi Temple here. I thought I'd found a Force Nexus."

Bastila shook her head, settling gracefully onto a nearby rock. "Light-aligned Nexuses are rare. Dark Side Nexuses are numerous, because they can be created by events, usually tragedies. Sacrifices, places where many lost their lives in terrible ways."

Tyson nodded in understanding. "I see." He picked up a smooth stone and turned it over in his palm. "I understand now how foolish it was thinking to capture that thing."

The waves continued their rhythmic pattern against the shore as a comfortable silence fell between them. A seabird called overhead, its cry carrying across the water.

"Can you tell me about the Light Side Nexuses?" Tyson finally asked.

Bastila straightened her posture, slipping naturally into the role of teacher. "Light Side Nexuses form in places abundant with life, though those can be wild, and Force users exposed to them sometimes have difficulty with control."

Mission leaned back on her hands, watching a small crab scuttle across the sand nearby.

"The Jedi Enclave on Dantooine is built atop a Light Side Nexus," Bastila continued. "Likewise, the Jedi Temple on Coruscant is built atop a Dark Side Nexus that was cleansed."

Tyson's brow furrowed. "Could we have cleansed Armus?" The thought vanished almost as quickly as it formed. "No, that was different. It wasn't a place, it was a being."

"Indeed," Bastila agreed. "The Planet Ilum is a Light Side Nexus. Its location is hidden, but its abundance of Kyber Crystals have made it a nexus."

Tyson's head snapped up. "Wait, what?"

Mission perked up at his sudden interest. "What's a Kyber Crystal?"

Bastila turned her attention to both of them. "Kyber Crystals are attuned to the Force. They're what power our lightsabers." She touched the hilt at her belt. "They're semi-sentient, in a way. They call to their Jedi."

"And large concentrations can create a nexus?" Tyson asked, his mind clearly racing with possibilities.

"Yes," Bastila confirmed. "Kyber Crystals naturally amplify and channel the Force. When gathered in significant numbers, they create resonance patterns in the Force itself. These patterns can strengthen a Jedi's connection to the Light Side, making such locations ideal for meditation and training."

Tyson sat up straighter, excitement building in his voice. "So all it takes is a bunch of lightsaber crystals in the same place?"

Bastila gave him a withering look, her patience clearly being tested. "You downplay the rarity of such crystal caches. There's a reason that the Jedi treat Ilum as sacred. There are few known large deposits. Ilum, there are crystal caves on Dantooine, and few other places across the galaxy."

Tyson stared at her expectantly. She sighed, relenting to his silent pressure. "Yes. A large concentration of Kyber Crystals can in theory create a Force Nexus."

Tyson stood up abruptly, brushing off the sand. "Thanks Bastila, you gave me the piece I've been missing."

"You think you can just make a Jedi Temple?" Bastila asked incredulously, rising to her feet as well.

"Yup, wanna come watch?" Tyson replied with complete confidence.

Mission jumped up. "I do!"

Bastila rolled her eyes skyward as if seeking patience from the universe itself. "Let us see this folly."

Tyson raised his hand, focusing his energy as a portal opened before them, revealing the Automated Repair Station floating in a far orbit of the Personal Reality's sun. Mission gazed around with undisguised curiosity. He moved purposefully toward a central console, his fingers dancing across the interface as he pulled up information for the station's unique replicator.

Clarketech Matter Printer

One of the most fundamental pieces of technology available. This is what allows things like replicators or some teleportation systems to work. This device allows you to essentially print objects consisting of any combination of matter, requiring only a blueprint and a sufficient energy supply. The clarketech version of this device has surpassed certain restrictions and is now even capable of printing substances with magic, mythic, or other supernatural properties.

Bastila approached the console skeptically, but curiosity was visible in her demeanor. "What exactly are you planning?"

"This machine can recreate nearly any material," Tyson explained, his mind racing with possibilities.

Most of the lightsabers he'd collected were from Sith. Their red crystals were useless because they'd been bled, filled with anger and hatred. But he had others. He couldn't use his own lightsaber crystal because it was a system item. But he could use Revan's purple crystal, and the Opila Crystal from the Krayt Dragon Cave.

He opened a small portal to the Warehouse and reached through. When he withdrew his hand, he held Revan's lightsaber.

Mission leaned closer, fascinated. "That's Revan's?"

"Yes," Tyson confirmed, handling the weapon with reverence.

He sat down cross-legged on the floor, placing both lightsabers, his own and Revan's, before him. Closing his eyes, he extended his hands over the weapons and reached out with the Force.

The lightsabers began to hover, rotating slowly in the air. Component by component, they disassembled themselves, each piece separating until two crystals floated free: the purple crystal from Revan's saber and the Opila crystal from his own.

Bastila watched with grudging respect as Tyson demonstrated his control of the Force.

Mission whispered, "Wow," her voice barely audible as she witnessed the delicate procedure.

With careful movements, Tyson guided the crystals toward the Matter Printer's input chamber. The machine hummed to life, scanning the crystals as they entered its analysis field.

The crystals dematerialized in a shimmering haze, their molecular structure analyzed and recorded by the advanced technology. Moments later, they reappeared on the output platform, looking identical to when they had entered.

Tyson nodded with satisfaction and tapped the console again, inputting new parameters. The machine hummed with increased intensity, drawing more power as it processed his request. A soft blue light pulsed within the chamber, and when it faded, two new crystals materialized, one set identical to the originals, the others, each approximately quadruple the size of the originals.

Tyson carefully lifted them from the platform, feeling their weight and presence in the Force.

He handed the new pair to Bastila, whose demeanor shifted from skepticism to astonishment as she cradled them in her palms.

Meanwhile, Tyson focused on the original crystals, guiding them back toward their respective lightsabers. The components floated in perfect formation as each piece reconnected, the power cells realigning, the emitter matrices sliding back into place. With a final gesture, the housings sealed themselves, and both weapons settled gently on the floor before him.

"Impossible," Bastila whispered, studying the larger crystals in her hands.

"Good copies?" Tyson asked, though his confident tone suggested he already knew the answer.

Bastila closed her eyes, extending her senses into the Force to examine the crystals more deeply. "I can sense them within the Force. They're genuine." Her voice carried a mixture of awe and disbelief. "Not replicas or simulations, these are true Kyber crystals with the same Force signature as the originals."

She sat down cross-legged across from Tyson, her movements deliberate and centered. Using the Force, she removed the covering of her own lightsaber and carefully extracted the yellow Kyber crystal that powered her double-bladed weapon. The crystal rose from its housing, glowing with a warm golden light.

She held it out toward Tyson, who had just finished reassembling the other sabers. No words were needed, her intent was clear in the gesture. Heeding her unasked request, he accepted the yellow crystal. He placed it in the Matter Printer's chamber and initiated the same process. The machine hummed, analyzing the crystal's unique properties before dematerializing it. When the process completed, both the original crystal and a larger duplicate appeared on the output platform.

Tyson handed her back the yellow Kyber crystal and its larger counterpart. "Here you are."

Mission watched the entire exchange with wide eyes, uncharacteristically quiet as she observed the significance of what was happening.

Bastila examined both crystals, holding them up to the light. "The resonance is identical," she confirmed. "I've never seen anything like this. The Jedi Order guards the locations of Kyber crystal caves with the utmost secrecy because of their rarity." She looked directly at Tyson. "And you've just created new ones from existing crystals."

"Not created," Tyson corrected. "Recreated. The Matter Printer doesn't generate something from nothing, it uses the original as a template and recreates it exactly. Including, apparently, its connection to the Force."

Bastila carefully returned her original crystal to her lightsaber, reassembling the weapon with practiced precision. She held the larger duplicate in her palm, studying it. "And what do you intend to do with these larger crystals?"

Tyson retrieved the large purple and Opila crystals from her. "Remember what you said about Ilum? A large concentration of Kyber crystals creates a Force nexus." He gestured to the Matter Printer. "With this, I can create enough crystals to form our own nexus."

Mission bounced on her toes. "You really are going to make a Jedi Temple!"

"That's the plan," Tyson confirmed.

Bastila shook her head, though her demeanor held more consideration than dismissal now. "It's not that simple. A true Force nexus forms naturally over centuries, sometimes millennia. The crystals on Ilum have been gathering and growing for longer than the Jedi Order has existed."

"True," Tyson acknowledged. "But we're not starting from zero. The crystals are a part of the plan, but they're not the entire plan."

He turned back to the console, fingers moving across the interface. Tyson adjusted several parameters, increasing the output quantity.

"How many are you planning to make?" Bastila asked, moving beside him to view the display.

"A mountain's worth, to build our temple atop," Tyson replied.

Mission peered at the console. "That's going to take a lot of energy."

"The station draws and converts matter directly from the sun," Tyson explained. "And this station can create entire starships, so that much crystal shouldn't be a problem."

Bastila crossed her arms, her initial skepticism returning somewhat. "Even if you create these crystals, arranging them properly will require extensive knowledge of Force harmonics. The Jedi spent generations perfecting the design of their temples to channel and focus the Force."

"That's where you come in," Tyson said, turning to face her. "You've trained at the Dantooine Enclave. You understand how the Force flows through a proper temple."

Bastila's posture softened slightly at the acknowledgment of her expertise. "I'm not an architect or a temple designer."

"No, but you're a Jedi Knight and I'm not even a padawan. Your insight will be invaluable." Tyson gestured to the larger crystals. "Besides, I think you're already feeling the potential in what we're doing."

She didn't deny it. Instead, she lifted the large yellow crystal, studying how the light played through its facets. "The Council would never approve of this approach."

"The Council isn't here," Tyson reminded her gently. "And sometimes, new paths must be forged."

Mission looked between them, her lekku twitching with excitement. "So we're really doing this? Building our own Jedi Temple?"

Tyson nodded, initiating the production sequence on the Matter Printer. "We are."

The Matter Printer hummed to life, beginning the process of replicating the first batch of enlarged Kyber crystals.

Tyson opened another portal and he, Mission, and Bastila stepped through into a room filled with holographic displays and softly glowing control panels.

"This is the Control Room," he announced, gesturing to the space around them.

Mission spun in a slow circle, taking in the technology. He approached the central console and waved his hand through the air. A three-dimensional menu materialized before them, displaying various categories and options in glowing blue text.

"Right now the Personal Reality puts out enough power to support around 8 million people," he explained, manipulating the holographic interface. "I'm going to increase the output significantly, like harnessing the entire output of a sun."

Bastila crossed her arms, her Jedi robes rustling with the movement. "But why? What could possibly require that much power?"

"Because it will output Force energy too," Tyson replied.

Bastila looked skeptical. "The Force isn't something you can simply generate with technology. It's an energy field created by all living things."

"True," Tyson acknowledged without looking away from the display. "I have no idea how this works, but it does."

He selected an option from the menu, and a new window appeared.

[-400 RP] Power Overwhelming (Personal Reality)

Not enough power? Okay, this upgrade means that your Personal Reality is now hooked up to the full power of a Sol-Class Star encased in a Dyson Sphere. Congratulations, you're now a Kardashev II civilization. If this isn't enough power, you need an intervention.

[-200 RP] Tashi Station (Personal Reality)

Did someone say 'Power Converters'? This upgrade means that your generator now pumps out any esoteric energy type your Personal Reality might need by converting some of its electricity into whatever, be that mana, anbaric power, natural gas, ether, the power of love, or the power of rock and roll. Don't bother asking how.

Reality Points: 600

"And this one," Tyson said, confirming the second purchase.

The room hummed louder for a moment, and then settled into a new rhythm. The air itself seemed to vibrate with potential.

Bastila drew a sharp breath. Her hand went to her chest as she took a deeper breath. "I don't know how you did it, but since I've come here, my connection to the Force has felt muted. But now, it's stronger than ever."

"Yeah, I feel it too," Tyson said, and he did. The Force flowed around him like a river that had suddenly broken through a dam, powerful and clear. He closed his eyes briefly, savoring the sensation.

Mission looked between them, confused. "I don't feel anything different."

"You're not Force-sensitive," Bastila explained gently. "But what Tyson has done..." She turned to him with newfound respect. "This is remarkable. The Force presence here now rivals that of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant."

Tyson nodded, pleased with the result. "And we haven't even added the Kyber crystals yet."

He returned to the holographic interface, pulling up a new set of options. "As far as putting the Jedi Temple together, I actually have most of the upgrades already. I just need them combined into a single structure. There's just one more upgrade I need to purchase."

[200 RP] The Reality Development Board (Personal Reality)

Do you want something specific built within your Personal Reality? Do you need help relocating the contents of your in-jump home into your Personal Reality? Maybe you picked up an awesome jacuzzi, but lack the skills needed to install it? Well, worry no more! This is your one-stop shop for Zoning, Planning, Construction, Moving, and Installation! Our Team is fully capable of drawing up the necessary plans, measuring everything, constructing anything you've got blueprints and parts for, moving whatever you need moved (well as long as you own it), and installing whatever you need installed. This team is always just big enough to complete your projects in a reasonable amount of time, summoning members from parallel realities, though they are no more individually powerful than the average human construction worker. You will need to provide them with access to tools and supplies, but purchases such as Workshop can help with that. They can install copies of any property-related items you buy into whichever properties you own, update any existing properties as needed, and merge various properties together into a seamless and harmonious whole.

Reality Points: 400

A new door appeared in the back of the Control Room, materializing with a soft hum that drew everyone's attention. The doorframe glowed with a subtle blue light, suggesting something important waited on the other side.

Mission bounced on her toes. "What's through there?"

"Help," Tyson replied simply, opening the door.

As they entered, they found themselves in what appeared to be a construction office. Blueprints covered the walls, and various models of buildings sat on display shelves. Behind a desk cluttered with drafting tools and material samples sat a man wearing a yellow hard hat. He looked up from his work as they entered, his friendly face breaking into a welcoming smile.

"Hey, boss man," he greeted Tyson with casual familiarity. "You need something built?"

Tyson nodded, approaching the desk. "I've got a mountain of Kyber Crystal and some previously purchased facilities and upgrades I need combined into a Jedi Temple. I was thinking use the kyber crystal as a base and suffused through the grounds and temple itself to build a new island just off Crete, connected by a staircase straight out of Game of Thrones, if you know what I mean?"

The man nodded along as Tyson spoke, occasionally making notes on a pad in front of him.

Mission looked around the office with undisguised curiosity, picking up a small model of what appeared to be a classical temple. "Who is this guy?" she whispered to Bastila.

Bastila shook her head slightly, her attention focused on Tyson's conversation.

"I do know what you mean," the construction man replied, standing up from his desk. He extended a hand toward Tyson. "You came to the right place, I'm just the man for the job. Name's Bob, Bob the Builder."

Tyson shook his hand firmly. "Great to meet you, Bob."

Bob turned to a large drafting table and spread out a blank sheet. "Let me get some details from you." His pencil hovered over the paper. "You mentioned Kyber crystals as the foundation. How many are we talking about?"

"The Matter Printer is creating enough to form a small mountain," Tyson explained. "I want them arranged to maximize their Force resonance."

Bob nodded, making quick sketches. "And the temple itself? Any specific architectural style you're looking for?"

"A blend," Tyson replied thoughtfully. "I want elements of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, but with influences from Earth's classical architecture. Think Greek and Roman temples, but with the functionality of all my training facilities."

Bastila stepped forward, her initial skepticism giving way to professional interest. "The training grounds need to be positioned to allow for the natural flow of the Force through the crystal foundation."

Bob looked up at her with appreciation. "You've got experience with these kinds of structures?"

"I trained at the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine," Bastila replied. "The architecture there was designed to enhance Force sensitivity and promote balance."

"Perfect," Bob said, adding more notes to his sketch. "That's exactly the kind of expertise we need for this project."

Mission peered over the edge of the desk, watching Bob's drawing take shape. "Will there be places for non-Force users too?" she asked.

Bob glanced at Tyson questioningly.

"The goal is to maximize the Force saturation in the area. I want everyone to potentially be exposed to the Force on this island."

Bob nodded, adding these elements to his sketch. "And the location, just off Crete, you said? Creating a new island entirely?"

"Yes," Tyson confirmed. "Connected to the mainland by a massive staircase, similar to the steps leading to Dragonstone in Game of Thrones. Imposing, ancient-looking, but accessible."

"I can work with that," Bob said, his pencil moving rapidly across the paper. The sketch was taking shape, a mountainous island rising from the sea, with a grand staircase connecting it to the mainland, and a majestic temple complex crowning the peak.

Bastila studied the drawing with growing interest. "The crystal mountain will create a natural Force nexus," she observed. "If structured correctly, it could rival or surpass the ancient Jedi sites."

"That's the idea," Tyson agreed.

Bob set down his pencil and looked up at Tyson. "I'll need to know about the existing facilities you mentioned. What are we working with?"

"I've got a list of facilities," he explained, cycling through the images. "They're currently separate, but I want them integrated into the temple complex. I've got all the pieces, we just need to put them together the right way."

Bob nodded thoughtfully, his tool belt jingling softly. "Well, if anyone can make it work, we can! What's the vision, Tyson?"

"Let's start with the foundation, literally." Tyson tapped the center of the blueprint. "The Tashi Station generators are going to be the heart of everything. Instead of just pumping out regular electricity, I'm going to have them convert power directly into Force energy."

"Brilliant!" Bob exclaimed. "So the whole structure will be powered by the Force itself. That's some serious engineering magic right there."

"Exactly. Now, for the temple grounds themselves, I want to use the Semi-Secret Garden as the outer courtyard and meditation gardens. Picture 300 acres of perfectly maintained gardens surrounding the temple proper, with those meditation corners hidden throughout. The natural beauty and tranquility will help padawans find their center before they even enter the main temple."

Tyson traced paths through the garden areas on the blueprint. "The meditation corners will be scattered along walking paths, secret alcoves where students can sit undisturbed for hours. With the quadrupled meditation time effect, a padawan could achieve in one session what would normally take them days."

Bob was already sketching modifications on his notepad. "We could add some stone pathways winding through the gardens, maybe some reflecting pools near the meditation spots. The garden gnomes might need to go though, bit too whimsical for a Jedi Temple."

"Good point," Tyson chuckled. "Keep the fountains and natural decorations, but let's make them more... dignified. Now, here's the key innovation, I don't want separate classrooms and training areas. Every single room in this temple is going to be a complete training facility."

"Every room?" Bob asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Every single one," Tyson confirmed with enthusiasm. "Each room will have the full classroom setup, A/V equipment, teaching tools, Jump Recording capabilities, medical education supplies, workshop equipment, everything. But simultaneously, each room will also have the complete gymnasium package. Physical training equipment, sparring automatons, duplodroids, arena capabilities, the works."

"So a padawan could be studying Force philosophy in the morning, then immediately transition to lightsaber combat practice in the same room?"

"Exactly! And not just basic training—every room gets all three gym upgrades integrated. Full physical, mental, and spiritual training capabilities. The Gym-Nice-Ium foundation for safe basic training, the Gym-Nasty-Um arena systems for advanced combat simulation, and the Gym-Classy-Um enhancement for pushing every aspect of potential to its absolute limits."

Tyson's enthusiasm was building. "A student could start in any room learning basic Force sensitivity exercises. As they progress, that same room transforms, the teaching equipment helps them understand the theory while the training systems let them practice immediately. The sparring automatons can demonstrate techniques, then the student can practice against them. The duplodroids can recreate historical Jedi or Sith for them to study and eventually spar against."

"And with the energy restoration and safety features," Bob added, catching on, "they can push themselves to their absolute limits without any risk of permanent harm or exhaustion."

"Precisely! Every room becomes a complete Jedi training environment. Whether you're a youngling learning your first meditation techniques or a Master exploring the deepest mysteries of the Force, every space in the temple can accommodate and enhance your training."

"Can we fix it?" Bob asked with a grin.

"Yes we can!" Tyson replied enthusiastically. "Let's build a temple."

Bob studied the holographic displays with professional interest. "These are all system-purchased facilities. Integrating them isn't a problem." He made additional notes on his pad. "The Kyber crystal foundation will require special handling to ensure proper Force alignment, but with your friend's expertise," he nodded toward Bastila, "we can make it work."

Mission watched the plans develop with growing excitement. "How long will it take to build?"

Bob considered this. "With the resources of the Reality Development Board at our disposal, and assuming the Kyber crystals are ready... we could have the basic structure complete within a week, and the full complex finished within a month."

"A week?" Bastila repeated, clearly surprised. "A structure of this magnitude would normally take years."

Bob smiled. "We work fast here, ma'am. Very fast."