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Chapter 2:
"Is everything loaded and ready for departure?"
"Yes Lieutenant. The eleven other guard members are standing by." The second guard replied.
"Good. Darth Plagueis request that we carry out the mission in a half hour." The female guard with the battle scare over one eye said.
"Yes Lieutenant." She snapped to attention and left for the ship.
The lieutenant began to contemplate what exactly was going on here. Darth Plagueis had spoken with her earlier about not only the mission but why the guard was set up the way they were. Every one of them were female, which at she didn't really care. As long as they carried out their missions, why bother questioning it. However according to the dark lord, his idea was two-fold. The first part was simple enough. With the guard Darth Plagueis put together from gene splicing, he made sure they could impersonate the real Emperor's Royal Guard, right down to the colors of the uniform and combat abilities. His plan was to have two of the best guards accompany him when he faced off with his former student, the Emperor. In that way they could provide cover, be used in help with the attack or if things turned bad they could be used as cannon fodder. Darth Plagueis did not seem to care if the Emperor would sense if they were the normal guard. He mentioned that if the Emperor could feel his presence, the Emperor wouldn't have his attention on them. Darth Plagueis just wanted for the guard to blend in without any of the normal security questioning their existence. Each guard was trained by the dark lord never to disobey a command. It was easier this way he had told her. The Second part of this plan was with all of the guard being female. It gave them certain advantages over the males. True, the males were stronger on average. However Darth Plagueis sensed that the female guard seem to have more of a deviousness abilities. Along with the ability to seduce any weak minded males out there, they seemed perfect for the application.
The lieutenant made her way to the ship and sat up front. It was all part of the mission.
Giving the notification for the pilot for take-off and the small ship lifted from the top of the temple.
It arrived within sensor range of the Lancer-class frigate. The cruiser's commander, a standard looking man dressed in usual Imperial uniform, came across the screen.
"You are in a restricted area. State your name and business or prepare to be boarded."
The lieutenant reached over to click a button on her left hand. She then said, "We are the new group of Imperial Guard from Yinchorr headed for Coruscant to serve the Emperor. Unfortunately our nav computer was damaged and we ended up here." Her voice due to the adjustment of the suite was sounded like a man.
"Send us your codes so we can see you are legitimate." The commander ordered.
The lieutenant signaled the pilot and she typed in the codes Darth Plagueis had acquired for a tremendous fee.
The commander signaled back. "Your coding is correct. How may be of assistance?"
"We would like to board and have a group of techs see if they can fix the problem."
"The commander looked over and nodded. "You are clear on bay one-six-nine. A group will be awaiting you there." The comlink cut out.
So far this was going to plan. The ship connected up with the cruiser. As the hatch unlocked, there were two techs and four Stormtroopers on the other side. The group were dispatched and handled immediately without a shot being fired.
"Everyone understands the mission." The lieutenant stated. "Three stay here to cover our retreat. The rest of you are with me to take the bridge."
The guard scattered out to carry on with their duties. Because of the way they were dressed and no one suspecting a hostile taking of the ship, they heading to the bridge and found it somewhat easy going. On the bridge, it was a quick slaughter. The highly trained guards overtook the unsuspecting crew and killed everyone. Their losses were only two members of the guard. Acceptable according to Darth Plagueis. He would clone more off if needed. The lieutenant personally locked in the coded message for Coruscant and press the transmit button.
Other guards were disabling entrances to the bridge except one.
"Self-destruct sequence in five minutes starting…Now!" The one guard stated.
The guard exited the bridge. As the door shut behind them, one took a force pike to the control panel, frying its circuit board.
The guard ran back to the ship and departed in time to see the frigate explode.
On the planet, the ship carrying Barriss, Shaak Ti and Luminara had landed and the three started their journey. Barriss warned the group about the strange creatures that inhabited the moon along with some of the other pitfalls she ran into. As the group walked further in, they spotted up a one armed rancor feasting on a fallen victim. It was unusually large for a typical beast of its species. Also it had a long tail at the end. The creature slowly turned to notice the group.
"I think we better depart." Barriss said.
With that, the creature charged the group. Barriss and Luminara lit their lightsabers and prepared for combat. However Shaak Ti stepped between the two.
"Hold off. I can fix the situation." She continued to walk forward a few more steps. The creature bulled for her, snarling all the way. Shaak Ti held out her right hand toward it and concentrated. The creature pulled up to a gentle stride until arriving to Shaak Ti were it bowed down. Shaak Ti placed her hand on its forehead.
"Yes, we will not harm you." She seemed to be talking to the creature. After a few minutes, Shaak Ti turned to Barriss and Luminara.
"He had been tortured by the Dark Sith Lord we seek. He is willing to help us go after him."
"Excuse me, Shaak Ti, but since when did you have the ability to talk to a rancor?" Luminara asked.
"I really don't know. I just reached out with the force and felt it." Shaak Ti hopped up on the rancor. The others followed, even though Luminara didn't care for the smell of the creature.
Thanks to the size of the creature the group made quick time to the outskirts of the temple. On arrival the rancor bucked up, not wanting to go any further.
"What seems to be the problem?" Barriss asked.
"It remembers the experiments that happened here and doesn't want to go any closer for fear of being captured again." Shaak Ti rubbed the creature's neck. "It's okay. You can let us off here. You did your job well and we thank you."
The creature lowered itself down to the ground and the three jumped off. Once they were clear, the creature ran back into the jungle.
The group scouted up ahead. The temple was lightly guarded on the outside, but the dark force concealed what truly lay within. As the three began to draw up a strategy, a small ship came out of orbit and landed on top of the temple.
"That is something we have to take into consideration. We don't want this Dark Lord escaping by any means." Luminara said.
"He should be in the central part of the temple. We need to do a quick strike and keep focused that he is the target, not the guards." Shaak Ti said.
At his laboratory, Darth Plagueis was planning his raid on Curoscant. The lieutenant walked up to him.
"Report."
"Everything went as you ordered, my lord." She bowed.
"Excellent."
"We are picking up three life forms near the temple. Do you want me to send the guards out?" She asked.
"No. They are to be expected. Order six lower ranking guards to then interior front entrance. When the Jedi arrive, tell the guards to engage but do not kill. Have them fall back to the chamber room and use the secondary exit. Once the Jedi are inside I will unleash the minions to test their skill. I will pick out the strongest Jedi, separate her from the others and you can take out the rest. Understood?"
"Yes, my Lord."
Plagueis's plan work as ordered. The three Jedi made it into the temple only to be cut off by the guard. After the initial confrontation which left four guards killed or wounded, the guard pulled back. Barriss chased after them.
"Wait! We have to find the Sith instead." Shaak Ti yelled at her. However with the passageway being narrow and Barriss still fighting with the guard, she was unable to hear the command.
"We better help her." Luminara said.
The two ran after Barriss who found herself in a half-lit room. She was scanning for the guards, but they had disappeared. Luminara and Shaak Ti came up to her side.
"Anything?" Shaak Ti asked.
"No." Barriss responded.
Behind them the stone entrance ground shut before they could exit.
"Spread out and check if is another way to leave." Shaak Ti said.
The three began their search, only to have it ended quickly. On the far end of the room, six chambers opened with a gray mist forming in front of them. From each one stepped out a red creature that had two arms with two hooks on top and one hook on bottom for hands. It didn't have any eyes that the Jedi could perceive, but had a large downward curled nose in which it used to hunt its prey. On the top of its head were a crown of spikes. The creatures didn't seem to move with any speed. In fact they just shuffled at the three Jedi.
"I can handle this Master." Barriss went in to strike.
"Stop!" Shaak Ti yelled at her, yet it was too late.
Barriss came in fast and did a sideways slash at one of the creatures. Her lightsaber bounced off without any damage. She tried once more only to have the same result. Understanding why Shaak Ti had told her not to rush in, Barriss retreated back along Luminara and Shaak Ti.
"Any ideas." Barriss asked.
"It could be worst." Shaak Ti said.
"How?"
Just then one of the creatures spit at Luminara. She sidestepped it but part of her robe was hit. The spit ate threw the robe and went into the ground.
"You asked." Shaak Ti said.
Four more creatures appeared out from the chambers, bringing the number up to ten.
"I would prefer if you kept your observations of negativity to yourself." Luminara said.
"We can't run. We can't fight. I'm open for suggestions." Barriss said.
"Luminara, do you think some of those stone bricks are loose?" Shaak Ti looked over at the wall. She nodded back. "Good. Barriss, cover us from that spit while we see how well our friends do against a hard projectile."
Barriss took the lead twirling her lightsaber in a figure eight pattern in order to protect Shaak Ti and Luminara. Those two unlit their sabers and concentrated on the opposing walls, sensing out which stone bricks to pull and fling at the creatures. The plan worked to a point as the creatures were knocked off balance into each other. It was like they had armor plating from a Zilo beast, only more flexible. With the Jedi holding their own, a separate door opened revealing some of the guard ready to attack again.
"Now. We have to take that way out." Shaak Ti said.
"I'll cover you and Barriss. Go!"
Shaak Ti was the first one to attack the guards, bursting threw to a different smaller room. Barriss was right behind. Shaak Ti turned to see the doorway to Luminara close off.
"No!" Barriss ran up to the stone doorway. "We have to save her."
Shaak Ti was having all she could do with the guards. She backed up and pulled on Barriss's robes. "We have to get out of here."
"And leave her? To those, things?"
"She is strong and we will regroup. Now let's go." Shaak Ti yanked Barriss around and the two ran down another hallway.
In the room with Luminara, the creatures resumed their attack. She had no other options but to reignite her lightsaber and try to hold them back. They cornered her as she wondered what to do. Without warning a fume was let into the room from under the walls. It suddenly dropped the creatures down to the ground leaving them incapacitated. Luminara looked around to see if anything else was going to come after her. However once the fumes reached her, she was soon to follow in passing out. Half way dizzy she could see two, or was it four, guards entering the room. Her eyesight began to get more and more out of focus. Luminara tried for her lightsaber but the guard already had taken it. She did one last attempt to stand up by pushing off the ground with her hands but it failed. Luminara's last memory was being lifted up and dragged away.
A few hallways down, Shaak Ti and Barriss found the passage way back to the front of the temple. Both bolted out before any of the following guard could fire at them and they ran off into the forest.
Barriss glared at Shaak Ti. "We should have never left her."
"We will go back."
"When?!"
"When we have a better plan of attack. To do so otherwise will just mean our demise."
Barriss shook off Shaak Ti's words, grumbled and stormed off to a nearby log to sit.
"Have faith in Luminara. She is wise and strong." Shaak Ti said.
"I've been down this road before." Barriss reached for her comlink.
"What do you think you are doing?"
"Calling Yune."
Shaak Ti walked up to Barriss and snatched the comlink from her.
"Hey! Give that back!" Barriss said.
"This is our mission. Luminara knew it, you knew it, I knew it and Yune definitely knew it. He gave his personal word that Luminara could come. And if you try and contact him, Yune will tell you exactly what I am. Trust in your Master." Shaak Ti said.
Barriss looked down at the ground and sighed. "I suppose you're right."
"Now let's eat something and figure out how we are going to get her out." Shaak Ti said.
On Curoscant, the Emperor was in his chambers when a guard entered.
"My Emperor."
"What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?"
"We just received a coded message for you direct from a scout ship in the outer quadrants." The guard said.
"Transfer it to here and leave."
"Yes, my Emperor." The guard left.
An image of a large face appeared in front of the Emperor.
"Darth Sidious. It has been too long since our last encounter."
The Emperor leaned forward on his chair.
"I imagine you are wondering how I am still alive at this point and if this is just a time delayed recording. I can honestly tell you it is not. I am still breathing and doing quite well." The face grinned. "Unlike how you will be shortly. I am on the planet near the rubble of your now destroyed ship that sent you this message can be found. If you want to see me, I will be waiting." The image flicked off.
The Emperor sat back in his chair to ponder the situation. He turned to Darth Vader next to him. "Send the nearest fleet to bombard that planet into dust."
"Do you wish for me to see it done personally?"
"No, my friend. I need you here. Have Moff Jerjerrod carry out the mission. If he proves worthy, I will have another job for him."
Vader bowed and exited to send the message out.
"This could prove interesting." The Emperor contemplated.
Chapter 3: Unwanted guest
Yune waited outside for the inevitable. He had sensed this presence still it didn't make it any easier. A figure finally arrived, walking through the tall grass. Stopping near thirty meters out the figure stared at Yune. The front part of the mask was done in diamond shaped black chainmail that shined in the sunlight. Each section nearly 2.5 centimeters long connected to the next one forming one long strand covering down to the neck and across the face. Where the forehead met the hair line the helmet became one solid piece covering all the way back to the neck and over the sides including the ears. The figure reached back to the neck and detached the headgear from the rest of the black outfit. Bowing forward, they pulled off the helmet, tossing it aside to reveal long pure white hair and a set of light green eyes.
"You're not surprised to see me?" She softly spoke.
"How and why are you here, Rallyn?"
"Is that anyway to talk to your first lover?"
"You call what we had love? I was fourteen at the time and you were twenty-one. No. You took advantage of me and I will never forgive you for that!" Yune said.
"Advantage? That's a laugh. I taught you ways you never even considered." Rallyn said.
"I didn't consent."
Rallyn let out a chuckle. "A woman can't overtake a man in that fashion. Besides, we are Sith. We take what we want."
"No! Even as a Sith we draw the line somewhere. Now answer my question."
"I see you twitching from here. Must have hit a nerve. My mission is simple. Father is still holding that seat for you on the council. He really is a sentimental old fool just because you saved his life. All you have to do is come back to Kesh and marry me. Simple enough. Power, wealth and glory await you."
"Leave before I throw you off this homestead."
"I seriously doubt that. I can sense your lack of training and being in this environment has made you weak. You are coming with me, willingly or by force. It doesn't matter to me."
"You just can't get it threw that thick head of yours. Rallyn Alazee, I don't want to be even in the same galaxy as you. So however you got off that rock you call a home world, get back on a ship and go back." Yune said.
"Getting off the planet was quiet easy thanks to you. The engineer you thought you killed that helped rebuild your ship to leave. Well, you accidentally killed the wrong woman. And a few years later a trade ship with a crew of five landed wondering about their location. I saw an opportunity and had them killed off. I then summoned the engineer to teach me how to fly the ship. Don't worry though. After I absorbed all of her knowledge, I did what you failed to do and murdered her making sure all the other Sith would stay where they belong. Luckily the old crew left detailed maps and here I am. So, you want to answer my question, Darth Praeco?"
"No one calls me that! Understand!? I abandoned that mantel of Darth Lord a while ago and since made a promise to my wife never to go back." Yune growled out.
"You mean that weak little Jedi who as we speak is being taken care of by another Dark Lord? She won't come back to you the same way as she left. Besides, from what I have seen she is downright dark, and not in a good way. Couldn't you find someone better that is not as depressing as her? Why wait around, letting time pass when you could be with me?" Rallyn said.
"Don't you EVER talk about her like that! I am very happy here as a family man with her. Depart!" Yune spun around and started for the dwelling.
"Good. I finally have you feeding into the dark emotion." Thought Rallyn. In the background, the sound of a Sith lightsaber hissed coming to life.
"I will not leave this ground." Yune said.
"We'll see."
Rallyn breaks for Yune in full attack mode. He barely has time to spin around, lighting his saber in a blocking motion as the first blow slashes down at his head. The next two strikes he just blocks out of instinct, no more. She is proving too fast. Seeing this, he gives ground with each continual hit. There is no way he will be able to stay in this fight for long if he doesn't change tactics. She then steps back.
"Pathetic! Hit me! You were ten times faster than this back on Kesh. Stop thinking and just do!"
Once again the attack unfolded, unfortunately with the same results. Being annoyed with the effort put out, Rallyn spun her saber around Yune's blade, forcing it out of his hands.
"Back when I originally knew you, it didn't matter in some battles if you carried a saber or not. Your hand to hand skills could defeat armed foes. Let's see if that still holds true."
A few more strikes came in that he didn't even see and she backed off again, shaking her head. "What is wrong with you? You're holding back. Is it because I'm a female? Listen! I'm a Sith warrior that will take your life, no questions asked." She unlit the saber and placed it back on her belt. "Fine." With that she attacked him in hand to hand mode. Yune blocked the first strike but her kick to his right leg sent him down to the ground. She didn't hesitate, jumping on him with her lower end on his neck, pelvis on his chin. She kicked out her legs pinning his arms and tightened her thigh pressing forward.
"I could break your neck if I wanted. However I want your attention. Hopefully I now have it. Next time I come here I don't care who is in that dwelling with you, I will kill them. Then I will drag you back with me to Kesh." Shifting back with her body she leaned down, kissing him on the forehead. Giving him a wink, she kicked out her legs forward and cartwheeled off of him. Yune spun his lower half around and went upright.
Rallyn turned to walk away. "Later my love."
Yune watched as she disappeared over the grass. "I will kill you next time you weak minded fool. You think that was my power? I have never revealed my true self to anyone."
Chapter 4: Do Jedi Cry?
Luminara awoke with a Sith torture mask over her head, as her headgear had been forcefully removed. Still her hood underneath still remained intact. At least her hair wouldn't have to touch this infernal device. She couldn't concentrate enough to tell how many hours had gone by since she was taken prisoner. In fact she couldn't concentrate on anything, just the continual pounding of the dark side force within her own head. It was close to unbearable. Obi-Wan had informed her about the time Asajj Ventress had used it on him, however until you experienced it for yourself it nearly was an impossible concept to grasp. Everything that she had known in the light side was gone, shut out of reach. Combined with the dark side of the force it was like a negative switch being thrown on going against even nature itself. She could hear the guards walking in step down the hallway, their boots making a sharp snap against the stone floor. Finally the door in front of her opened as two of them entered and stepped inside the cell. Then he came. She thought he called himself Darth Plagueis. It was growing so hard to concentrate she couldn't even remember the Sith Lord's name.
"After hearing so much about you, I thought you were stronger than this, Jedi." He spoke.
"Let me have my lightsaber and I can prove how strong I am." She choked out.
"Ha! Now that's the spirit I wanted to see. You will make a fine apprentice for me."
"Apprentice? Is that what this is about?"
"I need one since my prior apprentice tried to kill me. I would use that other Jedi, however Togruta lack discipline when it comes to authority."
"I nor anyone in my group will be your servants."
"We shall see. Today will begin your training." He looked back down the hallway. "Guard! Bring her here."
A small Mirialan girl, close to the age of six, appeared next to Plagueis. The girl's head came up to his waist as she looked up at him.
"NO! She is innocent! Leave her out of this." Luminara leaned forward at him but her chained hands held her back close to the wall.
Plagueis put his hand on top of the small girl's head. "It was hard to locate and purchase such a specimen, however necessary. See, you dictated the terms here."
"What are you talking about?" Luminara questioned.
"I cannot have an apprentice who is with child running around the galaxy with me. So I decided to purchase this thing so you may practice deposing of any extra, shall we say baggage without hesitation."
Luminara's eyes shot open. "I will never kill anything innocent, much less my own child."
Plagueis stepped in front of the child. "I think you are wrong. Already I can feel a hate in you. It might be against me, but in time it can be harnessed."
"I will kill you if you harm one hair on that child's head."
Plagueis leaned forward, now at eye level with Luminara. "You still don't comprehend the exercise. I will not be the one who kills this child. You will."
"NO!" Luminara violently shook her head as Plagueis pulled off the mask and stepped back, remaining in front of the small child.
He smiled while reaching for Luminara's lightsaber. Tossing it to the ground just out of reach, he raised his left hand. The chains instantly released. Luminara almost fell forward onto the ground but instead landed on a knee. Looking up at Plagueis only one thought came to her mind. End him. Do it now. Calling up her lightsaber to her right hand, she lit the blade for combat. With a scream and pushing off on her feet everything went into one blow. Luminara's body barely complied after hours of torture. Her strength was next to nothing. As she was in air, Plagueis with ease sidestepped the charging attack. Unfortunately the saber did find a target. The small girl inhaled as it pierced threw her chest. Even if Luminara could turn off the saber with her regular reflexes it would have not made any difference. Blood slowly filled up the girl's tunic as Luminara extinguished the saber. As time stood still for a moment, the only thing Luminara could see was her vision narrowing down to the girl's eyes staring back at her, wondering what she had done to deserve such a fate. Then time snapped back into focus and Luminara dove down on her knees to catch the falling girl out of midair. She seemed so light, so fragile. Luminara tossed her lightsaber to a corner of the room and glared back at Plagueis.
"WHY?!"
Once again the Muun dark lord leaned forward. "What do you mean? You are the one who lunged forward with your lightsaber. You were the one with hate in your heart. You were the one who ultimately MURDERED this INNOCENT GIRL. I have done nothing but stood bye and allowed you to carry out what you wanted to do from the beginning."
Luminara hunched back down over the girl's dead body as it continued to bleed out. She screamed out a cry while raising her head, eyes closed. "No!"
Plagueis called forth Luminara's lightsaber. "You won't be needing this. You have done enough killing for one day." He turned to his guards. "Come now, we have work to do. Besides, I think they need to be alone now."
The guards stepped out ahead of the lord into the hallway. Plagueis began to exit and stopped. "Tomorrow we begin your next exercise. Having you get rid of that thing inside of you."
He turned to the guards. "No need to lock it. She won't be going anywhere."
Chapter 5: Loose Ends
It had been two days before Shaak Ti and Barriss decided on a plan of action to infiltrate the temple. It came down to simplicity. They would grab two of the guards, put on the outfits and scope their way in the temple until finding information on where Luminara was held or come across her outright. The only thing about this plan was it took a day to observe the timing of the guards shift duty. During that period, Barriss grew more worried about her Master. Shaak Ti tried to calm her, but it was to no avail. Finally they struck five minutes into the new shift change and went in. The layout seemed to be easier now that the two of them weren't facing off with any guards or creatures. What guards they did encounter ignored them as they made their way through. However Darth Plagueis already foreseen Barriss and Shaak Ti coming for Luminara. He was in Luminara's cell for one last time. She was before him, unchained and kneeling down.
"I have instructed you on what is to be done." He said.
"Yes, my Lord."
"Good. Wait until our enemies are unprepared and attack them. Only then can you see their complete destruction. Together, we will rule this galaxy."
"It will be done." Luminara rose and backed up to the wall.
Plagueis raised his hand and the chains lifted up, snapping around Luminara's wrists. He had a guard walk up to her. After he nodded, the guard hit Luminara on her side with the shock stick, not once but twice. She winced in pain but didn't pass out. This angered Plagueis and he came forward. With a swift backhand against her jaw, she went out cold.
"Post two of the lesser guards outside the cell then join me in the laboratory." He said.
The lieutenant did as requested.
Barriss and Shaak Ti by chance made it to Luminara's cell a half hour later. They disposed of the guards and went in to see Luminara still passed out hanging forward held by the chains.
"Master!" Barriss tore off the helmet and ran up to her.
Shaak Ti waited by the door to keep watch. Barriss took out her lightsaber and cut Luminara loose from the chains and caught her as she fell. Gently placing her down, Barriss scanned her body for injuries.
"How is she?" Shaak Ti asked.
"I need to do some work on her, but she should be fine."
"Not here. We have to get back to the ship."
Barriss agreed and with her and Shaak Ti carrying Luminara, they ran for the entrance. Strangely there were no guards in their way. As the three left the temple, Shaak Ti could immediately sense it. She looked up.
"What is it?" Barriss asked.
"We have an Imperial fleet above. And I don't think they are here to be friendly."
Inside an alarm was going off in the lab. The lieutenant stared at Darth Plagueis.
"No need to worry my dear. This is all part of the plan." He said. "Go and have my ship ready for take-off."
She bowed and left. He preceded to arrange a few things on the table in front of him. Reaching over to the computer, he hit a button to destroy any and all information on his experiments. Darth Plagueis had made one copy before doing so, and that was in his ship. A few minutes later he received the word that his ship was complete for departure. Jaunting up to the landing pad on top of the temple, he arrived on the ramp to his ship. Looking back Darth Plagueis saw the lieutenant standing at full attention. He gave her a slight grin and went into the ship. The ramp closed as the ship began to leave.
"Don't' leave us my Lord!" One of the guard ran at the parting ship. She tossed off her helmet to see it lift off.
The lieutenant grabbed her by the shoulder and spun her around. The guard had a shocked look over her face. It only made the lieutenant angry to see one of her subordinates in such a way. She slapped the guard almost sending her to the ground.
"You're a soldier! We are here to die when called upon. Try to act as such." The lieutenant yelled at her. The bombardment had launched. The only thing the group could do was watch as the planet was destroyed from above.
Luminara, Barriss and Shaak Ti had barely enough time to enter their own ship to depart. As the ship was lifting off, Barriss looked out and noticed the rancor that had assisted them.
"We have to help him!" She said.
"How? Our ship is too small to carry him. Besides Barriss, he had felt nothing but pain since Darth Plagueis begun the torturing and experiments on him. It is for the better if he faces the inevitable quickly with the bombing of this planet." Shaak Ti stated.
"You're a Jedi! Aren't we suppose to help life?"
Luminara came up to Barriss's side and put her hand on Barriss's shoulder. "Sometimes we have to learn when to let go. If not, it could lead us on the path of the dark side."
Shaak Ti typed information into the nav computer as Barriss gave one last slight wave goodbye to the creature.
"We better hurry." Luminara said as the ship pulled out into orbit.
"Almost have it." Shaak Ti replied. A beep sounded off. "Go!"
With that Barriss engaged the hyperdrive and the ship disappeared from the view of the fleet.
Darth Plagueis's ship landed on Coruscant at a remote site. Hiding his energy, he went straight after his prey. Both he and Darth Sidious foresaw this confrontation, so the Emperor didn't even bother posting heavy guard. Plagueis made his way up the building and walked into the chamber. Sidious turned his chair to face his former master. At the Emperor's side, Darth Vader stood, ready for combat.
"It is apparent that I have previously taken you too lightly. A condition I shall rectify shortly." Sidious sneered out.
"And I see you have stolen my greatest creation." Plagueis said.
"And what would that be?"
Plagueis glared over at Vader. "Tell me boy. Do you actually comprehend where you came from?"
Vader just stood there, his respirator sounding.
"He and the Jedi might have told you a tale about being the chosen one. The being that brings balance to the galaxy." Plagueis smiled. "Don't believe it."
"He is trying to fill your head with deceit, my friend. Have none of it." Sidious responded.
"Only a true master over the power of life and death could have created you. With my knowledge I took a female slave, drugged her and injected her with a midi-chlorian concoction only I had the ability to produce."
"No!" Sidious stood, slamming down on the table. "Destroy him!"
Vader lit his lightsaber and stepped forward.
"If you do, you won't be able to bring back Padme." Plagueis said.
Vader hesitated.
"Yes. There is still something in that heart of yours for her. Stand aside while I end my former student's life and together I will show you how to bring her back."
"Lies!" Sidious reached out and sent a bolt of force lightning at Plagueis. However Plagueis was able to ignite both his lightsabers to deflect the oncoming attack. Sidious sent one more blast at Plagueis, but the results were the same. Sidious turned to see Vader standing still. His apprentice would face discipline for such a treasonous act. Sidious called upon his lightsaber and jumped on the table then toward Plagueis using a spinning attack. The blades met as Plagueis held his ground. Back and forth the two went on as Plagueis growled and Sidious cackled. Neither one was getting the upper hand. Then something happened to change the course of the fight. Plagueis was so focused on Sidious he didn't notice Vader circle around. Vader picked up Plagueis and with his complete force power, hurled him at the window. The glass shattered as Plagueis tried to grip the frame. Sidious delivered the fatal blow, throwing his lightsaber which gashed the frame from its setting.
"Good. Good. You have done well, my friend." Sidious said to Vader as he walked back to his chair.
Vader could only stare at the window and wonder if he did the right thing.
As Plagueis fell, he gathered his force to help him out of the situation. He spotted up a tie fighter that would be flying under him shortly and aimed for it. He hit it with such force it began to spin sending it careening off a building. This in turn flung Plagueis off and at the ground once more. With the last of his force power, he cast everything he could down at the ground to slow his momentum. It worked to a point. But Plagueis hadn't planned on the residual force bouncing back up at him after exploding a crater the size of two city blocks below. The force hit him head on and even though he was immortal, his skin and bones could still be damaged. With a thud Plagueis hit the ground. Part of the force he sent out in the crater sprung a leak in a water pipe nearby. The water had formed into a clear puddle. Plagueis had just enough energy to crawl over to it and look down.
A Kowakian monkey-lizard had been scavenging for food when the blast hit. Being thrown into a building and having rubble land and his head, he shook it off however he was not able to comprehend things as well has he should. He went over the ridge that formed only to see Darth Plagueis looking down at the pool of water and touching his face.
"No! This is a disgrace! It has to be some kind of a joke!"
The monkey-lizard still in a shaken state began to cackle at Plagueis.
"What are you laughing at?!"
"Ha ha ha ha!" It replied. Misinterpreting what the Dark Lord said, it responded, "You Snoke! Ha ha ha ha!"
Plagueis in disgust flung the creature into a building, breaking every bone in its body. He looked back down at the water. "I will go into hiding to rebuild my Empire again. And when it's time, I will rule over the galaxy!" He paused looking at the carnage of the monkey-lizard. "Snoke, yes. I like that name for now." He formed a grin and hobbled off.
Chapter 6: The Reveal
The three ladies entered the dwelling, exhausted by their ordeal.
"I need to freshen up." Luminara went toward the bedroom area. She spotted up Yune who was cooking up a meal for them. She didn't say anything but just let out a half grin while passing by. Barriss wondered over to see what was the current dish being served. "I am sorry however I need some rest right now." Shaak Ti told Yune. Before she could reach the door, Yune cut her off with his hand slamming the wall and arm in front of her head. She tilted her head up to him. "Something wrong?"
"I told you to bring her back the way she departed." Yune growled.
"In what manner do you mean?"
"You can't even sense a Sith when they are next to you?"
Shaak Ti gazed back, only to see Barriss concur.
"Yune, I didn't know."
"You actually think that will save you?" Yune asked. A chuckle came out from the kitchen doorway. The three turned their attention to see Luminara leaning up against the side.
"Darth Plagueis told me how easy it would be to infiltrate your group." She said.
Shaak Ti reached for her lightsaber and lit it. Yune stepped between her and Luminara.
"Not in this house. Barriss, take Shaak Ti to the training hall."
Barriss gave a slight bow and complied. As she walked past Yune, he accidentally bumped into her right hand. She ignored it and escorted Shaak Ti out.
Luminara glared at Yune. "You know what I am going to ask."
He went up to her and pinned her up to the wall with his body. Embracing her, Yune let out a small laugh. "I've been waiting for this moment. Finally you accepted the dark side." He leaned closer to kiss her. She inhaled all of the emotions in at once.
Reaching around, her fingers danced across his spine as she whispered, "Take me."
"Not yet. There is much to be done." Yune pulled her in one last time, hugged her and stepped back.
"Plans?" Luminara questioned.
"We have to prove our loyalty."
"In what way?"
"I will go and kill Riyo after you perform a simple task for me." Yune said.
"If it means we can rule the galaxy it will be done."
"Good. I want someone strong to help us rule. Someone who we can mold using the power of the dark side."
"Barriss?" Luminara asked.
"No. Shaak Ti. That is why you must go to the training hall and kill Barriss Offee."
Luminara hesitated in response.
"It has come down to which one is more powerful. Barriss can heal yet Shaak Ti has better combat skills. You must prove that you truly are Sith. Go and do this. Now!" Yune ordered.
Luminara stormed out of the dwelling and arrived at the training hall. She focused on both Shaak Ti and Barriss. Barriss was behind and off to one side of Shaak Ti by a few meters. Luminara could sense Yune entering the hall behind her and taking up position a fair distance from the far wall. She pulled out her lightsaber and glared down at Barriss. Barriss never moved once, pondering what her master was doing. Luminara stepped into a fighting stance as she raised her lightsaber. Then for the first time in any battle, she froze. She couldn't go through with this. Even with what that monster forced her threw, this was against her own Padawan. Barriss was more than that. She was someone Luminara held near to her as a friend, an ally and even as family. This had to be stopped. A simple thought came into her head. If she didn't complete this task, Yune would. He's reverted back to being a Sith again. There was only one way to halt him from carrying out the murdering of Barriss. She had to kill him. Spinning around Luminara used the force to pick up Yune and slammed him against the wall. The practice weapons scattered over the floor with his impact. Holding him in midair with his arms out, Luminara drew Yune toward her and forced him down to the ground in the fallen debris. Yune hit with complete precision on the weapons. Shaak Ti cringed to hear his bones break. Luminara twirled her lightsaber to go in for the final blow. Shaak Ti dashed up to her, placing her arm around Luminara.
"Barriss, check on him." Shaak Ti said.
"No! He is now a Sith. Yune desires Barriss dead." Luminara called out as Barriss ran passed her.
Barriss slid on the floor up to Yune and rolled him onto his back. She did a quick scan on him to see what needed priority treatment.
Luminara was struggling against Shaak Ti's hold. "Let go of me! I have to save her!"
"Calm down." Shaak Ti responded.
"But…"
"This was part of Yune's plan."
Luminara relaxed. "Plan?"
"He had a suspicion that you would be tempted by the dark side by Darth Plagueis. So he planned if he could push you to a limit, you would break from the grasp."
"That's foolish! I could have killed him!" Luminara turned to Barriss. "How is he?"
"Bad. His fibula is broke along with two cracked ribs. However they don't seem to be entering his lungs. He has a dislocated shoulder and I'm not certain about his one radial bone. Also, I think he has a concussion."
"So this was some elaborate ploy?" Luminara looked back to Shaak Ti.
"Yes."
"I swear. If this doesn't kill him I'm going to…"
"Luminara Unduli! He did this out of love for you." Shaak Ti said.
Luminara sighed.
"If anything didn't go to the plan he had one message for you. He wanted you to continue being a Jedi that uses the light. Yune also wanted both you and your child accepting that path."
Luminara shut off her lightsaber and clicked it back to her belt. "We should get him into bed so Barriss can heal him."
Fifteen minutes after Barriss had a healing session with Yune, she walked back in the kitchen.
"How is he?" Luminara asked.
"Weak, but he will live. In fact he wanted you to see him."
Luminara walked in the bedroom.
"Please, close the door." Yune said. He was laying on his right side. Luminara did as asked and she made her way across of him.
"What were you thinking?" She questioned.
"I was in no danger."
"Yune! This isn't Shaak Ti or Barriss that you are talking to. I know you. You would have never raised a hand to harm me in any combat situation."
"Yeah."
"Is that all you can say?!" Luminara said.
"It worked."
"Are you certain? I could turn back into a Sith at any moment. And this time your little game won't work." She was becoming more infuriated with him.
Yune groaned as he reached over to the pick up the corner of the covers. Pulling them back to reveal the bed, he motioned over to her and softly tapped the bed.
"Are you that irrational? You are in no shape for this. Anyway we have guests." She fired at him.
"I told Barriss that she and Shaak Ti are on their own and there is food made up. Also, I just want you next to me, nothing more, nothing less."
Luminara gave him a scowl.
"Luminara, please?" Yune asked.
"How long before you can walk again?" She questioned.
"Barriss said if she continues the healing, a few days."
"Fine. But at the end of that time I am leaving this dwelling." Luminara moved over to the small dresser and set down her headdress and belt. She then slid into bed with her back to his chest. Yune placed his arm between hers and her body, curling it around her midline. He wasn't' sure why she was leaving, but he had a few days to talk her out of it.
The next morning Luminara entered the kitchen only to be surprised.
"Sister! Are you alright?" Riyo jumped up from a chair, ran over and hugged her.
Luminara halted and gazed at the other two seated. "Senator Chuchi, what are you doing here?"
"Barriss called and informed me about what happened with the three of you and Yune." She pulled back. "It must have been horrible."
"I didn't care for it, however the mission had to be carried out." Luminara noticed that Riyo still had Yune's wedding ring on. "Ah, Senator?"
"Luminara, this is me, remember? We agreed to be informal. Please, call me Riyo."
"Fine. Riyo, I hope this doesn't offend you, however I see you still wear Yune's wedding ring."
"Of course, why wouldn't I?"
Luminara could hear Shaak Ti in the background let out a small cough.
"Well it's just that…" Luminara moved over to the table. "Please be seated."
Riyo sat next to her.
"Yune told me that the two of you separated after a fight he had involving Chetna."
"That's strange. Last time we were together he spent some time with her but didn't say anything. When he was getting ready to leave he told me to wait on Pantora until he came back for me." Riyo said. "Why would he lie?"
Shaak Ti put her hand in front of her mouth and whispered out, "He's a Sith." Barriss shot a look over to her. Luminara ignored the comment.
"So Yune didn't give you the wedding ring back?"
"No. Why should he?"
"I think you and I better have a discussion with him." Luminara stood. With that the two entered back into the bedroom. Yune looked up at the two and knew he was in trouble.
Riyo sat at the foot of the bed.
"Do you feel up to talking?" She asked.
"With the two of you, sure." He repositioned on the bed.
"Luminara and I just had a small conversation about why you are not wearing my ring. The way I see it you might not want to be with me anymore. Am I correct on that assumption?"
"Riyo, this goes beyond what you are thinking."
"Oh? So if you can now read my thoughts, a skill you promised me never to do when it came to our relationship, tell me what exactly am I thinking? And remember, we agreed upon being truthful no matter what."
Luminara grinned behind Riyo. It was like watching a master at work toying around with a victim that couldn't win. She sensed throughout the years on how Yune would manipulate a few situations in order to get what he wanted, including their own relationship. It was a give and take, still she knew he would let her lead. She decided to jump into the fray.
"I thought you told me that Riyo was no longer going to be part of your life?" Luminara said.
Riyo turned on the bed and glared at her. Then she went back to Yune. "Is this true?"
"Yes it is." Yune fired back.
"Have I displeased you in any way?" Riyo asked.
"No you haven't. It's just that," Yune closed his eyes. "Rallyn has come after me. And I don't want either one of you to get hurt."
"So you break up with me? How is that not hurting me?" Riyo questioned.
"Riyo, I told you in the beginning. If it came down between you and Luminara, she would be my choice. That's it."
"I understand." Riyo stood up. "I better leave now." She quickly moved out of the bedroom, head down. Luminara glared at Yune.
"What?" He said.
"You couldn't let her down easier than that?"
"I would rather do it fast than have it drag out."
"I can't believe you would be that heartless to her. She loves you as much as I do." Luminara looked at the doorway then back at Yune. "I am going to talk with her and have her stay here for the next few days. In doing so, I want you to reassess the current choices you have made."
"What do you want me to do? Break up with you so I can have her? It seems like you decided that last night by wanting to walk out on me."
Luminara let out a growl threw clinched teeth. "Why don't you get it at times? Are you truly that obstinate?"
"You tell me." Yune laid back in bed.
Luminara shook her head and stormed out. She caught Riyo before she left the dwelling.
"Riyo!"
She turned. "I am sorry if I caused any harm between the two of you. I will consider you my sister no matter the situation and wish you the best."
"Please, stay." Luminara said.
"After what he stated, I see no reason to be here."
"Just trust me. I did give him a heavy hit to the head. Let him recover and then talk to him. Things will change." Luminara said.
"I don't foresee how they could. Yet I am willing to trust you. Let me call back to Chetna and my mother to tell them about the modification of plans." Riyo left her bags and headed out for her ship.
"Trouble?" Shaak Ti asked.
"Not as long as I can knock some sense into him." Luminara grumbled.
Shaak Ti looked over at Barriss. "You should be taking notes."