STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- The Cursed Swarm

The Vaka nods.

"Leave us," he says to Dar. The warrior reverently steps out.

"You must have questions," says the Vaka. "Come, share them."

"how do you foresee the future?"

"I am spoken to," the Vaka says, "by everything around me. It tells me what will come and what has passed. I draw important messages from what it all says."

The Vaka smiles.

"I believe you call this the Force, yes? It has been a long time since it has been referred to as such on this world... a very long time indeed."

"Do you remember that time? Are there drawings of it?"

The Vaka shakes his head.

"Our people have a strong oral tradition and we pass these down through the generations. If you want physical records of the past, the Sharers may have some. Otherwise, I am happy to tell you any tale you wish to hear. I am the Storyteller as well as the Seer and the Guide."

"the last time it was called the Force?"

"Thousands of years ago," the Vaka says. "Before our people eschewed the ways of the galaxy in favor of wholesome simplicity."

"We once helped the Republic in the war against the Sith."

He winks, having just spoken in Basic.

'I see you speak Basic,' replies Iffa

"I learned it from my predecessor," the Vaka says. "We are selected, one after the other, when one with potential is found. It has always been so. Even before our return to the ancient ways."

'What caused your retreat to ancient ways?'

"Our people were incredible craftsmen and architects," the Vaka says. "We still are, in our own way. We fashioned impenetrable fortresses and incredibly efficient and durable weapons that the Sith wanted to take for themselves. Our people were thrown into slavery for their whims. The Jedi rescued us but many died to save our people. We returned to our primitive ways and our advanced technology has been lost to time.

"Some still remains on our world. It is very rare."

"Does this have anything to do with the Swarm?"

"Sadly, yes."

"in what way?"

"The Swarm is not of this world. It appeared when the Sith did."

'I sensed the dark side in them.'

'it seems to me the swarm must be stopped.'

"That is why you have been brough to us," the Vaka says. "You were destined to help our world. Us and the Sharers both. This conflict has gone on long enough and must end. You will bring about its conclusion. One way or another."

'I would be pleased to try,' replies Iffa, 'but I know very little about them.'

(How do I keep missing this? Gah!)

"About the Sharers?" the Vaka says. "They are a simple, brutal race that respects power, so long as it does not come from us. Normally they simply admire their own might; currently, the Wanderers that stay in our skies are their object of fascination and awe. The Wanderers have given them new weapons with which to wreak havoc, after all.

"It is the Wanderers and the Swarm that have driven us into hiding here. And I am not entirely sure that we are actually safe. The Swarm has been eluded here before, as have the Sharers. It has been some time since we have had to hide from space invaders."

'Very well,' replies Iffa, 'then we must bring them to justice one way or another. Do you consider the swarm or Pirates to be the first priority?'