Author's Note and Disclaimer: The Star Wars franchise does not belong to the author in any way, shape or form. This is not for profit. The setting begins roughly a hundred years after the Yuuzhan Vong Wars in the New Jedi Order series and summarily ignores any novels that took place afterwards. The plot and characters are all mine.
The Sith Insurgency – Chapter XI – Teamwork
Terentatek. It was a beast out of horror stories that had scared children from millennia, and it was one of the most dangerous threats to Jedi in the entire Galaxy. Rel gave one of the Tuskens a gaffe stick-lightsaber hybrid weapon and had Ganner explain its use. He and his apprentice both used their standard lightsabers.
"This is the only weapon that can pierce its hide," Rel told the Tuskens, via Ganner. "If the warrior wielding it falls, then another must pick up his weapon. Let's go."
The terentatek at the entrance of a cave that was surrounded by dead Tuskens. Jason felt as if he was walking into a krayt dragon den, until he realized that this was a much deadlier enemy. Krayt dragons could be killed through simple strategies. Terentateks were faster, smarter, and deadlier than the much larger creatures.
"Do you really think we can do this, Master?" Jason asked.
"We have three advantages over last time, Apprentice. We know what we are up against, we have maneuvering room, and we have reinforcements. The battle will be serious and deadly, but I have no doubt that we will be victorious."
The Jedi felt the stink of the Dark Side, before they even saw the creature. The terentatek sensed them as well, because it came running out of the cave to fight them. If any Sand People had been in the terentatek's path, they would have been cut down.
Gold lightsabers blocked the terentatek's strike, but the creature's superior strength was enough to give it the advantage. Rel and Jason were knocked back by its tusks, protected from harm by their blades. The lightsaber-wielding Tusken stabbed at the terentatek's side, and Rel came in with a vertical strike against its foreleg before the terentatek could retaliate.
The terentatek roared and reared back, aware that it was being surrounded on three sides. Rel called the Force to him, and let the power flow through his body. "The Will of the Force," he muttered. He moved with more speed than ever before, and he dealt small cuts against the terentatek's forelegs as his companions cut away at its flanks.
It stood upright and gave a deafening roar, and then swiped out in every direction with claws and tusks. The Tusken raider was killed instantly, and Jason barely managed to protect himself with his lightsaber. Rel leapt out of range, and then came back with his own counterattack before the terentatek was ready.
The creature again roared, annoyed by the pesky Jedi who insisted on hurting it, and another Tusken claimed the lightsaber-gaffe. Once again, the terentatek was attacked from three sides. The Jedi pulled back and led the terentatek forward, fighting along the way to prevent the beast from building up too much momentum.
Further and further back, they moved, until the beast was in position. A net, thrown by hidden Tuskens, launched into the air and covered the terentatek. Its movements were hindered by the thick rope, and the three humanoid combatants were able to deal real damage for the first time. Jason's lightsaber bit deep into the beast's underside, the Tusken's weapon removed a rear limb from underneath, and Rel shoved his lightsaber down its throat.
All three hunters pulled back at the same time, and stared at the dead beast in satisfaction. "That wasn't so bad," announced Jason, panting for breath. There was another roar, and a second terentatek ran towards them from cave. "No one said anything about two terentateks..."
"May the Force be with us," Rel said, raising his blade for combat.
XxxxX
Chiss engineers climbed all over the salvaged shuttle. The technology was archaic, by any standard. Its hull was only good for scrap metal, though the chiss did enjoy the technology pulled from the ship's databanks. A high-ranking engineer, whose core name was Jon, discovered something interesting about the electrostaffs wielded by the MagnaGuard. "It is made from a material called Phrik alloy," he told Lorna. "It is one of the few substances that can stop a lightsaber blade. With this technology incorporated into our body armor and vibroweapons, the Ascendency will finally have a defense against Dark Jedi."
Lorna recalled Warlock Laban and his claims of a new Sith Empire. The situation on Bastion and the abundance of invisible assassins were solid proof that there was a powerful, hidden enemy out there. A Sith Empire was a reasonable explanation, thought the ramifications were much greater than Lorna had expected.
Her first responsibility was to the Jedi Order. She excused herself from the engineer's presence and found a secure communications chamber. The Jedi Master's holographic form was quick to appear, in a blue hue. "Master, I have important news to report."
"Jedi Lorna! I feared you were lost. What happened?"
"I do not trust the security of this transmission, Master. I humbly request that you come to Csilla, so I may explain the situation in full detail."
The Jedi Master studied her for a long time. It was unusual for a Jedi Knight to request that a Jedi Master go anywhere, and Master Roke likely had many responsibilities on Dovac. He had, however, worked with Lorna several times before, and he eventually decided that he trusted her judgment. "Very well. Perhaps the time has also come for..." He trailed off, though Lorna was left with the impression that he was about to say something important. "I will make best speed to Csilla. May the Force be with you and protect you."
Lorna bowed, and the transmission cut. Her primary purpose for the visit was to see her family, but pleasure would still have to wait. Protocol dictated that she warn Syndic Nuruodo and the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet. Then she had as much free time as it would take for Master Roke to arrive. That was how long she had to overcome the dilemma entailed with Rel Dryden's return to the Jedi Order and how his return affected her.
XxxxX
Quaad Roke stared at the holographic projector for another, long moment. It was time to give Lorna his full confidence, and that meant he needed someone who could teach Ivri philosophy. Rel Dryden was on Tatooine, and there were only a few other Ivri on Dovac. Quaad left the communications chamber for the living quarters of Gador and Rivva Dryden.
Rel's parents were involved in a deep discussion when Quaad announced himself, and Gador was the one who answered the door.
"Ah... Master Roke, yes? You were Rel's teacher?"
Quaad gave a polite bow. "That is correct. Greetings, Mister Dryden. I have come to request your assistance in an important mission."
Gador smiled at the phrasing, amused to be asked a favor by a Jedi Master. "Important mission? What could the Jedi need with an engineer?"
"It is actually your wife's assistance I will need. I wish for her to teach one of my Jedi the basics of Ivri philosophy."
"Ivri philosophy? The Drydens aren't the best teachers on Ivri. You are better off going back to our home planet and recruiting a professional teacher."
"Time is of the essence, and that is not an option. Most of all, I trust Rel Dryden's family to keep secrets. If you appreciate the man he has become, then please trust me. I believe that the fate of the Galaxy depends on what the Ivri have to teach us."
Gador was taken aback by the earnestness in Master Roke's voice. He considered his planet to be a self-contained entity and uninvolved with the fate of the Galaxy at large. Many of the wars in recent centuries had completely passed them by. "I... I will ask my wife. The decision is hers."
As soon as she heard the question, Rivva gave her consent.
XxxxX
"...lightsabers were a fair trade for peace with the sand people. Furthermore, now the Tuskens are able to help us with the terentatek problem, here on Tatooine."
Master Jarik was unhappy with the report and his reaction showed on his face. "That was a very bold move on your part, Rel Dryden – even for a Jedi. Did you consider how this trade might affect interactions between this particular tribe of Sand People with their neighbors? Or perhaps future conflicts between the Sand People and Tatooine's other inhabitants? Your actions were particularly short-sighted."
"Nevertheless," said another member of the Council, "Jedi Dryden's performance against the terentateks was admirable."
The Council members exchanged looks, and they took a moment of silent consultation. Perhaps the time was only used to confirm something that was previously decided, because they already seemed to be in consent of what was about to take place. Master Jarik continued, "You are the only living Jedi to survive an encounter with a terentatek, much less three terentateks. For this reason, I would like for you to teach your fellow Jedi everything you have learned in combat against these beasts. May the Force be with you."
XxxxX
When Master Roke arrived on Csilla, Lorna was more confused than ever before. She expected conversation with her family to straighten out her feelings, and her only conclusion was that she was no longer interested in many chiss traditions. The presence of Gador and Rivva Dryden amplified the confusion within her.
"Are you alright, Jedi Lorna?" Master Roke, even as the Jedi Knight bowed to greet him.
"Much has happened. Have the Drydens come to Csilla for safety?" she speculated. There was no other reason she could think of for their presence, unless they intended to play matchmaker. She recalled that Rivva Dryden had noted her affection for Rel, even before Lorna was aware of the emotion.
"No. There is something I wish to tell you, and I will need their help to do so. First, I wish to hear what happened on Bastion. You can speak in front of Mr. and Mrs. Dryden."
Lorna walked Master Roke and the Drydens to the laboratories, and she described events in the Bastion system on the way. Then she told them about the crashed Trade Federation Battleship and her encounter with Krath Warlock Laban. "He claimed the Sith Empire has returned and it is only a matter of time before they attack."
She was surprised at how readily Master Roke received the information, almost as if he had expected it. Uncertainty threatened to take over. "On board the battleship, I was able to activate all of the remaining battle droids. The Sith now have access to the wreckage, and there is a chance they will adapt the technology."
"The Sith were always resourceful. If a single Jedi could operate an entire army of antique battle droids, then I am certain the Sith will find a creative use for them. The Council will be informed that a rogue element has activated droids specifically designed to kill Jedi, so that those on assignment will be prepared."
Lorna was taken aback by his seemingly-weak response. "Master, this threat is serious. How can you..." Pieces of the puzzle fit together, and Lorna's mind took control of her emotions. Chiss prided themselves on being led by intellect, not emotion. "You already knew about the Sith."
Master Roke granted her a sad smile. He told her the complete truth, that he had hid from Rel Dryden. "Apologies, Jedi Lorna. My orders from the Grand Council are very specific. If word were to reach the Hidden Empire that we know of their presence, then the Sith will attack before the Order can prepare a defense. Only a handful of Jedi are aware of the Sith."
Her head reeled from the revelation. Plots within plots were in motion, and they were taking place all around her. It was clear that there were traitors from the Jedi Order, besides Laban. She thought back to all her friends and acquaintances, and she found herself wondering which were truly on the side of righteousness. For a long moment, she had no idea what to say or think. Reality and rational thought started to set in. "The Sith know I escaped to Csilla, and they probably know that you're here, too."
"I will inform the Council that you were injured in transit and that I agreed to extend your leave of absence."
"If they ask why I requested you come to Csilla, what will you answer?"
The solution, it turned out, was one that Lorna herself had provided. Master Roke gave her a question, instead of a direct response. "Why did you wish to return to Csilla, in the first place?"
Lorna started to answer, caught herself, and then recalled what she had told Rel Dryden of his former master. "Marriage. I came here to consider starting a family."
"That is what I will tell the Council, then," Quaad Roke decided. "You have requested a sabbatical from the Jedi Order, so that you may lay the groundwork for your future family." He sensed confusion and resentment in the Jedi Knight. It was time to reveal the rest of his message for her, and the reason he had brought along the Drydens. "I have no doubt that the Order will survive the threat of the Sith, Jedi Lorna. The question is what will become of us, afterwards."
"I don't understand. Are you asking me to have children, to populate future generations?"
The wise Jedi Master gave her a sad smile. "That is only a small part of my plans for you, Jedi Lorna. There are problematic flaws in the Jedi philosophy, and Rel Dryden opened my eyes to them. A hole exists in Jedi thought, and the Ivri have the plug – so to speak. I also wish for you to spend your time on Csilla learning the basics of Ivri philosophy, so that you may become a teacher. One more Jedi will not make a difference in the war to come, but you can have a profound effect on the future of the Order."
Silence reigned, while his words soaked in. The Jedi Knight was completely silent, and Master Roke took her reaction as consent. "I will tell the Council that you are scarred by an incident with battle droids, and you are haunted by the fact that you have not yet had children. That will satisfy the others."
"And reinforce your agenda," Lorna added, unnecessarily. Part of her was attracted by the notion of staying on Csilla and starting a family. A rather large part, actually. The problem was that the only men who interested her were human. Her last thought stopped her in her tracks. Men? Another man interested her? "I will do my best, Master, but I cannot promise that I will find a husband in that time."
"That isn't in your hands, Jedi Lorna." There was a kind sadness in his voice, a reminder that his own search for a spouse was filled with difficulty. "Once you decide to marry, everything else is up to the Force."
Their discussion of family and the future brought other thoughts to Lorna's mind, along with emotions she had always ignored in the past. There was a second crush that she always hid from herself, and the human in front of her was the object. "And what of you, Master Roke? What will you do?"
"I am needed on Dovac." A sad expression came upon him, and Lorna realized what he had in store for himself. "I will remain there, until the crisis is over."
"You don't expect to survive." Emotions rose up within her. Just now, when she realized how important Quaad was to her, the Jedi Master was going to die.
He gave her a weak smile, and then excused himself. For Quaad, it was time to return to Dovac.
There was too much for her to hold back, and her emotions finally broke past the surface. "Promise to return," Lorna called out to him. "You must become the new leader of the Jedi Order."
The Jedi Master continued on his way, without response. There was no promise or reassurance, and Lorna was left alone with her newly developed feelings.