DARK ILLUSIONS Photonovel (Complete)

[S_A_Longhorn]

Glad you got caught up, ENNIS! 

The commanders have been a lot of fun.  I thought it would be interesting to fill in their personalities a bit more, showcasing each of their personalities and their relationship each had with their Jedi counterpart (Adi & Deviss, Aayla & Bly, Ki-Adi & Bacara, and Tiin & EZ).  They can't all be the same!  And there will be more Clones and Jedi in the rest of the story.

Feel free to use Shade.  I had to fill a void in my story as well, so I created the character of Shade to assist Mace in searching for Dooku, Grievous, and Sidious.  He has been a lot of fun to write about and will have an important role the rest of the way.

The B/W and Sepia photos were crucial to tell different parts of the story.  I am surprised they worked, and have become some of my favorite scenes.

And as of today, I have completed the next two chapters, including the dialogue.  Need to shoot the 3rd chapter this weekend.  The update is on schedule for next week. Stay tuned...

[Clone Commander]

Woohoo a future update!
This has become on of my favorite photo-novels, its fantastic! 

[Artoo]

I'm hunting for you SA!The only luck I have had so far is Foul but I'll keep looking for us.Also do you care if it's the UGH Cody or regular?

[S_A_Longhorn]

ARTOO:  Nah, it doesn't matter what type.  I'm also on the hunt here too.   

[S_A_Longhorn]

Well, good news!  I have finished chapters 28, 29, & 30.  They are posted below.

Feel free to give me some feedback regarding the action shots.  Those pics can be difficult to write dialogue since I don't have any special effects added in.  I'm open to suggestions there, but hopefully the action pics are still easy to understand.

And the long-awaited premiere of the "creature"!!!

Enjoy! 

EDIT -   I swapped out some of my simple pics for some awesome action pics that SHELLACHEAD at Rebelscum added some special effects to.  For some of the action sequences to really work, the laser blasts were desperately needed.  Thanx again, SHELLACHEAD!

[S_A_Longhorn]

DARK ILLUSIONS

Chapter 28



Jedi Master Saesee Tiin and Commander EZ continue their search for the Separatist base on Oner, while destroying more anti-aircraft turrets.



Commander EZ:   Another turret?  What is that?  Number 12?




Saesee Tiin:   15.




THUD!
Commander EZ:   Theta, contact the Avenger.  Tell them do conduct another sweep of the area and determine how close that creature is.
Theta:   Yes, sir.




Theta:   Come in, Avenger, come in……




Theta:   No response, sir.
Commander EZ:   We’re probably out of range.  I suggest we return to the ship, General.
Saesee Tiin:   ……hmmmm……





Saesee Tiin:   ……there’s something is not right here…
Theta:   Sir, our signal is being jammed.






Commander EZ:   Impossible!  Who would be jamming us?


Saesee Tiin:   The gunship……is lost.  We better get moving.
Commander EZ:   What?!  How do you know that?





Saesee Tiin:   We’re being hunted now.  And not just by that creature.  Let’s move.





Commander EZ:   And go where?  General, with all due respect, we don’t even know where we are.  I suggest we discuss this first before we---





Saesee Tiin:   MOVE!  NOW!





Epsilon:   There is something moving out there……





Commander EZ:   Troopers……form a circle around me and the General!  Immediately!
Clone Troopers:   YES, SIR!






Commander EZ:   Steady……wait for it…
Saesee Tiin:   This is not a good idea, Commander.  We should head for higher ground.



Upsilon:   Battle droids!!!





Commander EZ:   Open fire!!!






LASER BLASTS!





Upsilon   I’m hit!
Commander EZ:   Keep firing!  Keep firing!!!





Epsilon:   More battle droids on this side!





Zeta:   Great…more target practice!
Epsilon:   Droideka!!!!  COVER!!!  COVER!!!





Zeta:   Too late!!!
Epsilon:   Arghhh!!!





Lambda:   More droids……behind us!





Commander EZ:   Fall back!!!  Fall back!!! 





Saesee Tiin:   Head for the woods!





CLASH!





PFFFFZZZZZT!





Lambda:   They’re pursuing us!
Kappa:   Returning fire!!!





Lambda:   Look out!  Magna droid!!!  Uggghhh……..





Kappa:   I’m hit……there’s too many of them…





Commander EZ:   My rifle is jammed!  My rifle is jammed!  Cover me!!!
Omicron:   Y-Y-Yes, sir…





Commander EZ:   Nevermind……make a run for it!!!
Theta:   Yes, sir!




Omicron:   What was that?  I didn’t copy??  S-S-Sir?





Omicron:   Aaahhhh!!!!!





Battle Droid 252C:   The 2 remaining clones have moved into the woods.
Sagev:   Let them go.





Sagev:   It is the Jedi we want.





Saesee Tiin:   Just me?





Sagev:   Your mission has failed.  Your men have deserted you.  Surrender now, Jedi!




Saesee Tiin:   Never.













Sagev:   The situation is hopeless.  I’ll give you one last chance to surrender, Jedi!




Saesee Tiin:   The Force is my ally.
FORCE PUSH







Saesee Tiin:   Now tell me, young warrior.  You don’t seem to be part of the Separatists movement, so who do you fight for?
Sagev:   You fool!  I fight for my people!  The people that the Republic has forsaken!





Saesee Tiin:   What people?  Where do you come from?  And who recruited---





 
Saesee Tiin:   Grievous!
General Grievous:   JEDI SCUM!!!



















General Grievous:   What’s the matter, Jedi?  Tiring already? 
Saesee Tiin:   Your arrogance is your weakness, General.






General Grievous:   And your ignorance is yours!  Get him!!
Saesee Tiin:   Can’t you fight your own fights, General?






Punch!
Saesee Tiin:   Ugghh…
General Grievous:   Of course I can…





Punch!
General Grievous:   …if I wanted you dead! 





General Grievous:   Actually, your death would be preferable to what awaits you, Jedi.
Saesee Tiin:   …ugh……






General Grievous:   Bring him to the base.
Battle Droid 252C:   Yes, sir.





General Grievous:   Count Dooku will be most pleased.





Meanwhile, deep within the woods of Oner…




Commander EZ:   (panting) Are we……in the…clear….
Theta:   (panting) Yes, sir……the droids……have given up their……pursuit…





Commander EZ:   (panting) How many men with us?
Theta:   (panting) It is just us, sir.  No one else made it out.



Commander EZ:   What?!  But how can……I gave everyone the order to retreat!
Theta:   Yes, sir. 






Commander EZ:   This rock……just moved……
Theta:   Sir……





Theta:   ……I don’t think that’s a rock.
Commander EZ:   Then what is it………… 
RRRRRRROOOOOOAAAAARRRRRRR!!!
 





Commander EZ:   It’s the creature!!!  Take him down!!!
Theta:   Yes, sir!






Theta:   Sir??  Where are you going?!?!
THUD!





TTTTTHHHHUUUUUUUDDDDDD!!!





THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!
Commander EZ:   Have to……get back……to the ship……




THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!
Commander EZ:   AAAHHH!!!






RRRRROOOOOOAAAAARRRRRR!!!
Commander EZ:   You won’t take me without a fight!!






CRUNCH
Commander EZ:   AARGH….my ribs!!!!





Commander EZ:   NNNNOOOOOOO!!
CRUNCH! CRUNCH!






Special thanx to SHELLACHEAD at Rebelscum for adding the laser blasts, lightsabers, and other special effects in the above pics.  Awesome work, buddy!

[S_A_Longhorn]

DARK ILLUSIONS

Chapter 29



Following the battle, the Trade Federation completes the landing of their remaining core ships.



Viceroy Gunray:   All of our ships have landed, Count Dooku.  What about the Jedi?  Is he dead yet?




Count Dooku:   You need not worry about Master Tiin.  We have him well under control.  General Grievous is interrogating him as we speak.



Rune Haako:   What?!  You didn’t kill him?!
Viceroy Gunray:   This is outrageous!  It is too dangerous to hold a Jedi captive!




Count Dooku:   Yes, Master Tiin is still alive.  He is much more valuable to us alive than dead, Viceroy. 




Viceroy Gunray:   I do no agree with this, Count.  What would Lord Sidious say?
Count Dooku:   My Master has full knowledge of this plot.  But perhaps you would feel better if you saw the Jedi yourself.  Follow me…





Count Dooku:   Trust me when I say everything is proceeding as planned.



General Grievous:   Pull!  I want to see him suffer!
Saesee Tiin:   …………




General Grievous:   Pathetic Jedi…




General Grievous:   As soon as Dooku is done with you……your life will belong to me, Jedi!




Count Dooku:  Patience, General.  His time will come. 



Count Dooku:   How are we doing this morning, Master Tiin?  I apologize for your accommodations, but your visit was……unexpected.




Viceroy Gunray:   Now I understand!  We will demand the Republic surrender in exchange for the life of this Jedi!





Count Dooku:   The Supreme Chancellor would never surrender the War just because a Jedi was foolish enough to be captured.  Nevertheless, this will be an embarrassment for the Republic, I can assure you.




Count Dooku:   It is time to make an example of Master Tiin and the arrogance of the Jedi Council……something that should have been done a long time ago.





Saesee Tiin:   Your hate has blinded you, Dooku.  Only you would turn this War into personal vendetta against the Jedi Order.  How many more people will die for your cause?





Count Dooku:   Oh, I’m afraid you’re mistaken, Master Tiin.  This is not MY personal vendetta. 





Count Dooku:   Leave us.





Count Dooku:   It’s curious, don’t you think Master Tiin, that the Council has been unable to discover the identity of Darth Sidious.  When I told Master Kenobi about his controlling of the Senate, I would have wagered the Council would have destroyed the Sith Lord by now. 




Count Dooku:   But the Council isn’t even sure if Darth Sidious exists.  For all you know, I could be Darth Sidious.  Or, could it be possible that the Council…is also under the control of Sidious? 
Saesee Tiin:   Never.  The Council would be aware of it.





Count Dooku:   Perhaps…but surely you can’t believe the Republic is worth saving with corruption running rampant?  I’m sorry, old friend, but the beloved Republic that you and Master Windu once served  is a shadow of itself.  It must be rebuilt…with one, strong leader.





Count Dooku:   But enough politics.  You and Master Windu are close friends, are you not?  Perhaps we should “reach” out to him……and enlighten him of your current situation.
Saesee Tiin:   What are you going to---aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!



Meanwhile, light years away, at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant…


Mace Windu:   Saesee……in pain……so much pain……




Saesee Tiin:   aaaaahhhhhhhhh….
Count Dooku:   I’m sorry, old friend.  I wish there was another way...





Saesee Tiin:   ………………………
Count Dooku:   That should be enough……for now.  Enter, General Grievous!





Count Dooku:   I have concluded my conversation with Master Tiin.




Count Dooku:   You many continue with your……interrogation, General. 
General Grievous:   With pleasure…




General Grievous:   Now…where were we?




PUNCH!




PUNCH!




Mace Windu:   ……Saesee……




SLAM!




BANG!
Shade:(thinking)   ……that interrogation is not allowed under Republic law………





PUNCH!
Shade:(thinking)   ……must rescue the Jedi……




SLAM!
Shade:(thinking)   ……but Windu said not to engage the enemy……




BANG!
Shade:(thinking)   ……I will follow orders……and report their location……need a coded signal……



SLAM!
Shade:(thinking)   ……the gunship……








Later, at the hangar holding the captured gunship, Avenger…




Battle Droid 647F:   Security check complete.  Re-commencing…




Battle Droid 414A:   Roger roger!





Battle Droid 647F:   Did you hear something?
Battle Droid 414A:   Negative.





Battle Droid 414A:   Continuing security check.




Battle Droid 414A:   Error---!
PPPFFFZZZTTT!





Battle Droid 647F:   Repeat.  Could not confirm last communication.




Battle Droid 647F:   Alert!  Alert!  Possible intruder!




Battle Droid 647F:   Possible---
PPPFFFZZZTTT




Shade:   ……now to send my report……




Shade:   ……found General Grievous, Count Dooku, and Trade Federation leadership……sending coordiantes……Oner system……

[S_A_Longhorn]

DARK ILLUSIONS

Chapter 30



As the War rages across the Outer Rim, members of the Jedi Council discuss the ongoing events and the new Galactic Security.



Ki-Adi Mundi:   Despite the ongoing War, Palpatine is pushing for an answer regarding which Jedi will serve with the Galactic Security.  And if we don’t respond quickly, he will nominate someone during the next session with the Senate.






Kit Fisto:   If the Chancellor nominates his own Jedi, it will appear that the Council is indecisive or unresponsive to the needs of the Chancellor.  We should choose someone before he is given that opportunity. 





Yoda:   Elect a Jedi to direct the new Clones, we must.  But remain focused on the War, if we are to find Grievous and Dooku.   




Ki-Adi Mundi:   I agree with Master Yoda.  We are receiving daily reports from the front lines, but the exact location of the General remains elusive.






Obi-Wan Kenobi:   But Master Yoda, with so few Jedi to fight the War, how can we spare one to remain on Coruscant full-time?  Surely the Chancellor understands the situation we’re in.





Yoda:   If criticize the Chancellor we begin, careful we must be.  Words of the dark side, they are.






Kit Fisto:   We must continue to support the Chancellor, at least  until we find Grievous or Dooku.  Once they’ve been eliminated, the Separatist Leadership will dissolve and this War will end.






Obi-Wan Kenobi:   Perhaps we should promote a Jedi Knight to the level of Master.   Someone who has proven himself during this War.  Someone like……Anakin?





Ki-Adi Mundi:   He is too young for such an assignment.  And based on your description, far to reckless.  Must I remind you of the incident in the training room with the Padawan?






Kit Fisto:   Here comes Master Windu.  Perhaps he can offer some insight on these issues.




Mace Windu:   I’ve just received confirmation from one of our secret operatives.  Count Dooku and General Grievous are in the Oner System.






Obi-Wan Kenobi:   The Oner System?  Isn’t Master Tiin there on a reconnaissance mission?





Mace Windu:   Yes, in search of a rumored Separatist base.  But there’s more.  I saw Saesee……in a vision……being held captive.  Something must have happened to his squad because he is now in the custody of Count Dooku.





Ki-Adi Mundi:   But how could they have captured Saesee?  His mission was only to sweep each planet to confirm the rumors of a hidden base.  This would be the second time Grievous has ambushed a Jedi Council member.





Mace Windu:   Dooku had knowledge of Saesee’s location, no doubt.  But unlike Master Gallia, Dooku has kept Saesee alive.  He wants us to try to rescue him.





Yoda:   Chosen the final battleground, Dooku has.  Organize a strike team, with multiple Jedi, if we are to defeat Dooku and his droid army.





Mace Windu:   I will lead the attack myself.  I have a contact on Oner that will give us their precise location. 




Obi-Wan Kenobi:   Anakin and I are ready to leave immediately.
Kit Fisto:  Count me in.  And may I suggest we include Commander Gree.  His knowledge of the system will serve us well.






Mace Windu:   It will take some time to organize a Clone battalion, but we should have a small squad ready to depart immediately. 





Yoda:   Meet with the Chancellor, I will.  Due to these latest events, allow us more time to nominate a Jedi, he must.





Ki-Adi Mundi:   Agreed.  Our focus must be on rescuing Saesee.  The Chancellor will have to wait for our announcement until we return. 





Ki-Adi Mundi:   I will contact Commander Bacara and join you as soon as I can.





Mace Windu:   Then it’s settled.  May the Force be with us.





To Be Continued……

[Smartypants1635]

Sweeet EZ died hahah loser this battle is gonna be epic

[S_A_Longhorn]

Glad you liked it, SMARTY.  Commander EZ had it coming. 

Be sure to check out chapter 28 again, as I swapped out some pics that SHELLACHEAD did for me.  He creates some great special effects!

[Clone Commander]

Commander EZ had it coming. 

 

Definitely!
Ez was a total dink, he abandoned his troops and his jedi. 

I cant wait for the big epic battle, keep em' coming! 

[Jedi_Assassin]

yeah. if he didn't i wouldve

[Reid]

Yes!

EZ died!

So satisfying to see that ****tard become lunch for a rancor.

Looking forward to your next chapter!

[Clone Commander]

So satisfying to see that ****tard become lunch for a rancor.

Yes it was!

Well SA you've made me want to go out and get a shadow trooper  .
He looks so cool, I cant wait to see how this all develops.
Will you include the new utapau trooper ect. into the next chapters? 

[Clone Commander]

Oh and how could I forget!

Very nice work on the laser blasts and sabers! 
Damn its getting better and better SA!