Chapter 1: "Peaceful Retirement"

By: Raistlin "The Enternal One"

Kyle's ship closed in on the atmosphere of Hoth, he set his sensors to scan the area for any metal discharges. Sure enough within thirty minutes he had found the wreckage of the Hoth battle.

He found a large hole in the snow big enough for a ship, he slowly maneuvered his YT-1300 "IceWind" into the small ship landing pad. He began unloading the tools, power converters and generators that he had bought on Tatooine. Along with the equipment that he unloaded was his JD-12 unit for atromech purposes, he had bought the JD unit at first to help him talk to the computer, but had got an idea to buy a small starfighter and use the droid there too.

After unloading, he proceeded through the dark passages and hunted for the sleeping corridors, after finding a stable room he took a nap for two short hours. When he had awakened he had found that the JD unit had already found the computer outlet and was beginning to plug in.

"Noooo JD you will..." Kyle screamed running toward the droid. The small JD unit was suddenly jolted by a large electrical charge and was shot back against the far wall.

"Sorry JD I forgot to tell you...I havent checked to make sure all the lines are secure. Are you ok?"

JD beeped a ok reply and continued on down the hallway to review his memory files.

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After checking the wire pathways he began repairing the main computer, this only took him about three hours.

Kyle checked the computers status report and noticed a large amount of energy going to tunnel 6.

<I>I should probably check this out. Where is JD? Oh well this shouldnt take long.</I>

Kyle proceeded toward tunnel 6 when he heard a faint low sound.

<I>What was that? This I dont like. But somebody has to do it.</I>

Kyle loosened his lightsaber slip at his side and walked a little further when the sound was much louder and clearer.

<I>It almost sounds like a growl or a cut gas pipe.</I>

Kyle's tunnel came to a end with a large blast proof door, the door had a large control panel but the control panel was badly damaged. Kyle had to put his curiousity on hold in order to fix the control panel.

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JD speeded around the corner with a data disk in his pencher. JD beeped a angry comment. He checked the supply room on the ship then the computer room, the computer screens where on but nobody was home. JD quickly analyzed one of the computer screens and noticed a large power source going to tunnel 6. JD spun his body around and sped down the hallway to find Master Janning.

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Kyle finished making the repairs on the control panel when suddenly a large roar came from behind the door, suddenly a large fist pounded against the door causing the control panel to malfunction.

The door opened.

A large snow beast stepped through the door and looked straight down at Kyle. Kyle staired in horror at the large creature and then tried to raise his lightsaber but was thrown against the wall. The snow beast roared and started toward Kyle again, Kyle pulled himself to his feet and raised his lightsaber with intent to kill.

<I>I just moved here pal, and Im not going back.</I>

Kyle activated his lightsaber and then took one good swing at his mid section. The snow beast counter-attacked with a swing that brought Kyle to his knees. Kyle's arm felt like it had been ripped off, its a good thing it wasnt. The snow beast was not cut bad but good enough to distract it.

Kyle brought the orange lightsaber at a wide swing at the creatures legs, with a flawless cut he made the creature a foot shorter. The snow beast let out a loud scream that rocked the tunnel.

<I>No you dumb snow thing! You'll bring the whole place down!</I>

Sure enough the walls began to cave in. Kyle jumped back and ran as fast as his legs could carry him.

The snow beast didnt follow.

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JD sped down the tunnel and was alerted at the sound of a roar and was suddenly passed by his Master. JD spun his small wheels around an caught a glimpse of why his Master was running.

JD beeped a wait up yell and pumped his motor as fast as it could go.

"Hurry up JD!" Kyle yelled.

Kyle leaped through the main blast door in the computer room, the dust from the snow swooped

around his ankles as he just barely through the door.

"Phew that was a close one JD...JD?" Kyle stared at the blast door before him, "Oh my goodness!"

Kyle leaped from where he was sitting and jerked open the blast door, sure enough there JD sat on his back covered from the back-draft of snow.

4 hours later...

After Kyle finished freeing JD and checking up on the computer he took the <I>IceWind</I>

and salvaged all the metal he could.

*With the money I get from the black smith on Tatooine I can buy a droid to help dig out that tunnel.*

Kyle powered up his YT-1300 and prepared his supplies for the trip.

JD rolled up the loading ramp. "No JD your staying here," Kyle reached in his pocket and pulled out a data disk, "here are some chores for you to do, Ill be back this evening."

Kyle turned and continued up the ramp, Kyle heard JD beep a sad goodbye.

"Don't worry JD Ill be back." Kyle yelled down the ramp trying to make him feel better.

The ramp shut and within 3 minutes Kyle was on his way.