Chapter X
As they dropped out of hyperspace, a sense of unease fell over Exar Kun. Reaching out into the Force, he attempted to trace it to its source. Adeyl was already guiding them towards the coordinates Kun had provided, her ship's sensors scanning the nearby space for danger. Unable to pinpoint the reason for his apprehension, Exar fingered the hilt of his lightsaber quietly. "When we land, I want for you to remain in the area until I leave the planet, and escort my ship to the edge of the gravity well," he requested, "I have a feeling that we shall find safety in numbers."
Adeyl nodded absently, her mind on flying the Oarejin. Ahead, a familiar mountain range appeared, on the other side of which he'd hidden the Iyndiri after capturing the bounty that had fled to this isolated region. Slowly, they sank to the surface, facing the cavern in which his ship still rested. Making his way back to the ramp, he found Jonas waiting for him. "I shall accompany you to your vessel," the droid informed him. "That would be appreciated," Exar said, "Be ready for anything, there are dangerous predators who may be prowling in this terrain." Jonas drew the blasters he carried, flicking them to life with his mechanical fingers.
Lowering the ramp, Kun stepped out, probing the ridge with his senses. Detecting no immediate threat, he trod across the space between the two craft. Exar had crossed perhaps half the distance when he heard a load crash come from one side. He spun about just in time to see a boulder collide with Jonas and send the droid tumbling down the hillside. Above, a shadowy figure appeared, holding a lightsaber ready in one hand. Leaping down to where Kun stood, the cloaked attacker ignited the red-white blade of his weapon, his intentions clear. Something feels wrong about this, Kun thought as twin beams of energy shot from the ends of his own lightsaber. A moment later, the two were locked in combat.
Snatching her blaster from its holster, Adeyl ran from the bridge towards the rear of the ship. In the back of her mind, she wondered if Jonas had survived the fall. For the present, she was determined to give Kun any aid that she could. Adeyl made it to the ramp and was starting down when she was struck by a painful wave of energy that caused her to stumble and drop her weapon. Collapsing onto the hard ground, she found it difficult to catch her breath as her body recovered from the surge of power. There's nothing in that part of the ship that could cause an overload like that, she thought, reaching for her blaster, only to find it gone. Somewhere close by, she heard mocking laughter.
"You want this, don't you?" a stranger's voice said, and Adeyl looked up to see a man shrouded in an odd black cloak holding her weapon in one hand. "Exar Kun must face this enemy alone," the dark figure went on, "You, though are another matter." "I don't know what you're talking about," Adeyl said, clutching a small rock in one hand. "I sense potential in you," the mysterious personage stated, "You can join my disciples and together, we will finally replace this crumbling Republic with the long awaited rise of the Sith Empire!" Adeyl had heard of the Sith, and it was all she could do not to recoil in horror at the man standing before her. "I thought Kun was already one of you," she said, seeking to buy time, "Or are his claims that the very fabric of reality has been altered by such as you actually true?"
"There are certain forms of knowledge it is better that not all beings possess," the other said, "If you will not ally yourself with me, I am afraid you will have to be destroyed." "We'll see about that!" she cried, whirling about and releasing the stone she held. It struck his hand, causing him to drop her blaster as she leapt towards him... only to be knocked breathless by a wave of blue-white energy that arced from his hands to her. As she fell, nearly senseless, he spoke again, "Your courage is admirable; your resistance, ultimately futile. Accept the inevitable, or else." Adeyl could barely catch her breath, let alone speak. She turned to look at him, but her foe's eyes were turned away.
Following his line of sight, Adeyl spotted something approaching at high speed. Then, the escarpment was buffeted by strong winds, knocking her adversary back as a familiar shape settled to the ground beside her and uttered a low growl that shook the still air. Baring his teeth at the cloaked man, Xlc'r protectively draped his wings between her and the stranger who regarded the Duinuogwuin with surprise. Things are definitely getting interesting, Adeyl thought, her gaze turning to where Kun and his opponent were still facing one another.
Clambering stiffly over the edge of the cliff he'd descended roughly a moment ago, Jonas caught sight of the standoff between Xlc'r and an unfamiliar man. To his left, the droid detected the hum and clash of lightsabers, and wisely decided to avoid that confrontation for the moment. Gingerly, he trod to where Adeyl lay, attempting to determine her condition. There was a roar of pain from behind him, and Jonas leapt out the way with inhuman speed as Kun's adversary fell where he'd just been standing. Exar regarded the other stranger, nodding in a manner the droid knew to imply understanding.
Rising from where he'd fallen, Kun's opponent raised his weapon as though ready to continue their duel. "That will be enough of that," the man who stood near Xlc'r said, "I believe we have their attention." For a moment, the taller stranger hesitated, then threw back his hood to reveal his face. If Jonas had been human, he would've gasped in astonishment at the sight. "We don't have to be enemies," the Wookiee said in Basic. "Your mind has been clouded," Kun said, "I know you would never ally yourself with him, my old friend." He gestured towards the human, going on, "He may have erased your memory once more, but that doesn't change the fact that the Darth Jlan I know would never follow the Sith again. Not after the way he was treated by the Emperor Malcodezj." Before Kun could go on, the cloaked man stretched out a hand and bolts of scathing blue-white energy spat from them.
Exar didn't react in time, collapsing to the ground; his lightsaber flying into the waiting palm of the alien. "Your efforts are in vain, my old nemesis," the dark enigma said, "Soon, I shall make you all my servants." "If that were as easy as you claim," Kun bit out, "You would have done it years ago, Darth Sival." Jonas watched the Sith uneasily, remembering what their passenger had told them of this being. Whatever Sival had in store for them, he was certain it would not be pleasant.