Chapter II
"Go on, this cannot," Yoda said, glancing across the room at his fellow Jedi Masters, "Before the Sith act, we must do something." "The Senate is being held hostage," Thon replied, "How can we possibly do anything without endangering more lives?" "Two of our strongest Jedi are gone," Ashka Boda said, "Surely that cannot be coincidence." "We must learn where these Sith are based so they can not hope to escape our grasp," Plett declared. The others murmured agreement. "We should send two of our Jedi Knights to contact Ood and Baas to gain their assistance," Tra's M'ins said, "And then they can locate the Sith headquarters and bring this plan into effect." "I suggest Nomi Sunrider and Ulic Qel-Droma," Arca Jeth said. "Let it be done so," Yoda declared.
The ramp of the Infiltrator lowered, and Kun strode onto the rocky surface of the jungle planet. "What is this place?" Kun asked, "It's not on the galactic maps." "It is well hidden," the Wookiee said, stepping down beside him, "The Sith have trained here for countless generations, awaiting their day of vengeance. That day is finally at hand." Kun nodded and glanced up at the figure awaiting them atop the temple steps. A simple human form, clad in a cloak, hood and robe; all shaded black.
"Exar Kun," the stranger said, "I have foreseen this day. Now the Dark Side is destined to be victorious." Kun strode up the steps with Rmnklamara and together they stood before the other Sith. "My lord," the Wookiee said. "You've done well," the other Sith said. "Exar Kun," Rmnklamara said, "may I present Emperor Malcodezj of the Sith." "What is the vengeance he has spoken of?" Kun asked, "And when will I learn the ways of the Dark Side?" "Soon enough, young one," Malcodezj said, "Come, we have work to do."
"Us?" Nomi Sunrider said, "Why us?" "You were best at the training center," Arca replied from distant Coruscant. The mere fact that they didn't use a similar means to contact Ood and Baas themselves wasn't unusual; she doubted either of them was anywhere near technology on Tatooine. "You also work well as a team," Jeth added, smiling, "Act quickly. None of us has much time." With that, the hologram faded and Nomi regarded her betrothed. "So where do we start?" she asked. "Where Baas and Ood were last reported," Ulic Qel-Droma answered, "In a few moments we will be in the Tatooine system. We can begin our search in earnest then."
Baas lay sleeping in the blanket of roots and Ood regarded him for a moment before turning to face Fri-don and Nadia Jinn; the child's parents. "He will live," Ood said, "and make a full recovery." "Good," Fri-don said, gesturing towards Baas, "When he does, I want both of you to leave and not come back." "The boy must be trained," Ood insisted. "I came all the way out here to avoid your kind," the man snapped, "I'm not about to surrender now." "Fri-don!" his wife gasped.
"No, let me finish," he said, "I heard some of what that Wookiee said just after he arrived and while I don't agree with all if it; I do think the Jedi must change before the galaxy can trust them." Turning, he stalked off. Nadia watched him & gave Ood an apologetic look, then she followed her husband. Ood glanced at where Baas lay and was surprised to find him awake. "Could they be right?" Baas wondered. "Surely you, Vodo-Siosk Baas, don't agree with the Sith!" Ood cried. "Only in principle. The Jedi must change," Baas said, glancing at the ceiling. "Two of them approach now on an important task and will influence that child's destiny." Ood nodded, and prepared for that moment.
Dooku glanced across the space between himself and the central column where Darth Nvygas held sway. Calming Valorum with the Force, he assured him, "Everything will be all right, Finis. I know what I'm doing. Don't worry, I will return shortly." Turning, he stretched out to the Force and leapt across the space right on top of the leader of the Mandalorians. Nvygas had evidently not been expecting visitors and certainly not Jedi. A swift kick sent the Sith tumbling towards the ground below where his allies watched the fatal fall begin. But, Nvygas did not fall all the way; coming to a stop about halfway down. Momentarily, Dooku wondered how he had done that.
Then he saw the thin wire running from one hand to the side of the column about twenty feet down. Dooku doubted that his opponent had a second rope, so without hesitation he leapt downward, grabbing the rope that suspended Nvygas and igniting his lightsaber. His blade struck the cable, but incredibly; it didn't part! Having no other options, Dooku fell directly onto Nvygas; striking the Mandalorian roughly against the podium. Then, he used his opponent's weight to launch himself into a nearby booth and quickly exited into the corridor that ran around the Senate.
He knew they would locate him shortly, so he set his still glowing lightsaber to work on the nearby wall. The dense metal fell away, and Dooku leapt thru into thin air. Now this is a fun way to die, he thought wryly as he plunged towards the street below. Then a shuttle veered into his path and he felt himself in a powerful grip that lowered him to safety. He smiled at the sight of his master. "Thank you," he said when he had recovered. Yoda cocked an eye at his apprentice and nodded. "Foolish you were to attack them alone," the aged Jedi chastised, "When the time was right, should you have acted." "I understand, Master," Dooku said, "Permission to join those who will permanently remedy the situation." "Patience, my apprentice," Yoda admonished, "Act we shall in due time."
"The Sith have roots nearly as deep as the Jedi," Rmnklamara said, "A thousand years ago they were merely a small group who believed that the Dark Side was worth their study. For their efforts, they were stripped of rank and scattered across the galaxy." The Wookiee snorted with contempt, then went on, "When at last they presented their findings to the Jedi, they were all but exterminated. Only a handful survived."
"These spread out to form their own groups," Malcodezj put in, "Three such survive to this day. The Mandalorians, led by Darth Nvygas; the Krath, led by Darth Qiran; and the true heirs to the Sith of old, which I lead." "Did you sanction the attack by Nvygas?" Kun asked. "He is impatient," Malcodezj said, "And moved too soon. We will deal with that in time. For now, your first test. In a nearby temple lies a large blue-black gem. Find and retrieve it for me." "As you wish," Kun said and left. "Is that wise?" the Wookiee said as he departed, "He could be killed." "If he is," Malcodezj said, "He is not worthy. Either way, he will allow our forces to be stronger in the battle to come."
The Nebulon Ranger settled to the desert sands and the ramp lowered. Ulic glanced at the monitors as he shut down the ship. "They are here," Nomi murmured and Ulic nodded agreement. He could sense them too, but he also couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Nonsense, he thought. "There are others near them," he said, "That could complicate things." "Why?" Nomi asked. "A Jedi must prepare for all eventualities," Ulic quoted. Nomi glared at him and he smiled. "Come on," she said, "Let's go."
Far above, the dark presence the Jedi below had only barely suspected the existence of watched his monitors as his prey disembarked. He waited for the perfect moment. When it came, the weapons fired and bolts of energy streaked down to the surface. He turned his ship toward hyperspace, smiling thinly as he set course for his hidden base. He did not doubt that he would be followed. He was counting on it, for then he knew that the advantage would be his.
The door opened and Ood surveyed the two Jedi. "Ulic, Nomi; good to see you again," he said. "Master!" Nomi said, grasping the other's hand, "I don't think I ever overcame your sudden departure." "The guidance of the Force, young one," Ood chided, "Such that led me here, to save Baas." "How is he?" Ulic asked. "Recovering," Ood answered. They stepped from the hall into the main room where Baas lay. Fri-don, Nadia and their child were nearby. Ood began to speak again, but then suddenly and without warning from the Force; the roof exploded.
Ood reacted automatically; his arms reaching upward to catch the largest fragments. Nomi and Ulic ignited their lightsabers; lavender-white and purple-white blades slashing at the falling stone. Baas had been awoken by the sound; his tentacles now extended as he used the Force to push aside the falling debris from where he and the child lay. But Fri-don and Nadia had no such protection, and were soon buried. The dust settled, and reaching out; Ood began to dig at the rubble.
He soon uncovered Nadia, but of her husband he could sense nothing. He saw that she knew what had happened to the two of them. "Take care of my child..." she whispered, "Train him as a Jedi." Ulic and Nomi shut off their blades and helped Baas to his feet; leading him out the door. "What is his name?" Ood said, taking her hand in his, for once wishing he was human. "Qui-Gon," she answered, "Qui-Gon Jinn..."
Baas sat at the foot of the ramp as Ood left the remains of the homestead; a small bundle in his arms. The child, no doubt. "The parents?" he asked politely. "One with the Force," Ood said, shaking his head. "You need to get to a medical facility," Nomi said, "I'll be fine," Baas declared, "The Force will get me through this. You must find the one who attacked us." "And the base of the Sith," Ulic promised. "Go, and may the Force be with you," Baas said, rising and going with Ood. They had a long walk ahead of them.
"He is returning," Rmnklamara declared, lowering the macrobinoculars. "But he is not unharmed," he added as Kun entered the clearing. The Wookiee could clearly see three parallel scars on Kun's right cheek. "No matter," Malcodezj said, "He has survived." Kun soon ascended the steps, knelt and handed the gem to Malcodezj. "Excellent," Malcodezj said, crushing the gem into powder, "Now..." But Kun had moved, grasping the other's cloak.
He seemed to tower over the shorter man as he raged, "All that for nothing?! You Sith are as petty as the Jedi." "A test of strength," Malcodezj said, shaking Kun loose. "You are foolish, and too eager to spend lives," Kun said, "You are not the truth I seek." "And what is that truth?" the Wookiee asked. "I do not know," Kun admitted, "But I do know that I shall not find it here." Turning, he descended the steps. "Go with him" Malcodezj ordered, "Take him where he wants; he will yet benefit us." Rmnklamara nodded and then headed for the waiting Infiltrator.