'Darys. I sensed something. Something calling to me. On that transport there.'
'I see it.'
'I think it's a...'
'Kyber crystal? Yeah. It is. Lots of them. I can feel it too.'
'This is out chance, isn't it?'
'It is. What's the plan?'
'I sneak on, liberate some crystals then sneak off. You stay on board ready to make a getaway, or to provide backup. Shouldn't take more than twenty minutes on and off.'
'Agreed. detonators to cut our way in?'
'Definitely.'
'Right. I will manoeuvre in. You get ready by the airlock. Good luck kid.'
'Thanks, Darys.'
Ezra hurried to the airlock, nervous. This was his opportunity to get a new lightsaber. It was exciting. And in many ways good. It'd been too long since he'd been able to actually use one. Years now. As the airlock extended against the freighter, Ezra dashed forward and planted a series of small charges on the hull.
'Charges planted, back us off.'
'Roger.'
The ship moved away, and Ezra pressed the button. There. A fresh hole in the other ship.
'And in again.'
'Roger. Keep me informed, littl'un.'
'Will do. Out.'
Ezra rushed in. Now, where were those crystals. Yes. They were this way. Ezra followed the singing in the Force. Where were they? Yes. That was them. Behind this door? No. Further down the corridor. Yes. Here they were. This room. Ezra bent down and started to pick the electronic lock.
'Bid D. I've located the target. Just gaining access now.'
The door sprung open to reveal an unwelcome sight.
'And there's an inquisitor here.'
The radio cut off with a crackle and a hiss.
'Right you are, little one. I sense your surprise. It is true, no-one expects the Imperial Inquisition. I am the Second sister. And who are you? Ah. Yes. I remember your face. You're the rebel who carried out the raid on Charis III. Your partner was most interesting to the inquisition.' She said, in graceful tones. 'Most interesting. I imagine he is still on your ship. A Jedi. And you will make excellent bait to capture him.'
'You won't beat him. He's too good for you.'
'We'll see young one. We'll see.'
Darys was already running to the airlock. He had stopped only to programme the computer to keep them level with the freighter. This was clearly a trap. But for him or Ezra? Darys had to hope that he was the intended victim. That way Ezra might still be alive. The alternative. Well. He would deal with that if he had to. Focus on the task at hand. Which way? Left. Down the corridor. And right. And.
'Ah. The Jedi Knight. So glad you could join us.'
She had Ezra on his knees, lightsaber at his throat. Instinctively Darys's hand twitched, eager for his lightsaber. But if he did that then his brother would not survive.
'Slide your lightsaber along the floor to me. Now. No funny business.'
Darys complied.
'Good. It' so much easier to kill you when you are unarmed.'
'I may be unarmed, but the Force is my ally. I have no need to fear.'
'Brave. But foolish.'
Suddenly the Second Sister turned her blade to face Darys. Seeing the chance, Ezra moved back and then jumped high in the air. Reaching with the Force, Darys soon had his lightsaber in his hand.
'Go Ezra. Take your crystals and get back to the ship. I will deal with this dark-sider.'
'I'll see you there. Don't do anything foolish.'
'Hey, Kid, I wouldn't dream of doing anything you'd do.'
Ezra left as the two others circled round each other.
'So, you are both Jedi then?'
'We are.'
'Good. When I have killed you, it will be so easy to take your padawan.'
'Oh. He's not my padawan. We're just travelling together.'
The inquisitor rushed forward, lightsaber raised but Darys easily parried her attack.
'You are too aggressive. That is why the Dark side always loses. Heart over head too often.'
'Remind me what happened to your pathetic Order again?'
'We grew too aggressive. The Force itself punished us.'
'And there was me thinking that my Emperor defeated you. Silly me.'
The inquisitor lunged again. Once again Darys deflected her blow.
'You seem rather reliant on Form Three. Implies you weren't good at duelling. The Order of old would have taught you more if you were any good. This is going to be easy for me.'
'Perhaps I am guilty of favouritism. We all are to some extent. You are too fond of forms four and five. Mindless aggression is of use to neither man nor beast.'
They continued to circle, the inquisitor making the odd, easily-parried lunge.
'You are waiting for reinforcements, I presume. Well. I am not going to give you that luxury. It is true I favour Form Three. I was going to teach it at the Temple after all. But you are mistaken if you believe me incapable of other forms.' Darys said, spreading his legs slightly wider apart and leaning forward.
And with that Darys attacked. The Second Sister was good. Very good. She blocked and parried well, but now the initiative was with him. Darys lunged and feinted, countered and thrusted. Perhaps aggression was bad, but Darys fought with no malice in his heart. The blades whiled and clashed, ever faster as Darys surrendered himself to the Force. Then all of a sudden the fight was won. He had flicked his opponents lightsaber clean out of her hands and in a second movement had cut halfway through the inquisitor's neck. Her body fell as Darys turned. Walking slowly, trying to ignore the faint stitch in his side, he returned to the ship.
The airlock had never felt so good. He was relieved to be out of that ship.
'Ezra? All ready?' He called out over the comms.
'In the cockpit. I've got the crystals. Ready to go?'
'Ready. Where's the next destination?'
'Lothal for now. We might have to divert for fuel though.'
'Acknowledged. Setting the Navicom now. Course set for home.'
'Roger. I'll be up with you in a mo.'
