Alex Rider: Jedi Knight
Jedi Goat
Disclaimer: I don't own Alex Rider or Star Wars.
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Chapter 21: Final Battle
A sea of battle droids swiveled to meet them. In an instant blaster fire danced around them.
"There's got to be a way to shut them down!" Obi-Wan yelled above the shots.
Alex glanced around as he continued to battle. The room, once a peaceful meditation chamber filled with foliage and headed by a waterfall, was a battlefield. Grass and bushes were torn up and trampled, paths scarred with blaster fire. Droids were everywhere Alex turned. If they didn't find a way to slow or even stop them, they were doomed.
"We should bail!" Ferus hissed, rushing by.
"We can't give up now!" panted Alex, looking around wildly. There has to be a way! There has to be!
He caught a flash of black and turned. His heart leaped to see Yassen and Jack racing through the fray. The assassin was shooting in every direction, rapidly taking down droids with deadly accuracy.
Alex summoned the Force, feeling it wash through him in a calming wave. He drew on its strength, propelling himself into the air. He flipped over and landed directly behind Jack, immediately whirling around to block a shot.
"Alex!" Jack gasped, ducking as blaster fire flew above her head.
Alex jumped in front of her, lightsaber spinning to guard all angles. He shouted over his shoulder, "We need to deactivate these droids!"
"I know how," Yassen responded. "We'll have to find the control room."
Alex nodded; he knew he couldn't leave his friends here to fight while they were gone, either. Raising his voice, he called, "Let's get out, guys!"
Catching Jack by the arm, he pulled her toward the door. Once everyone was outside, he and Obi-Wan closed the doors on the still-shooting droids.
"We haven't much time," the Jedi Master panted.
Alex strode across the hall to the room where the Younglings were. He knocked once, waiting for a response.
Silence. Then a voice said, "Watch it. I'm armed."
"Darra?"
She opened the door, lightsaber clutched in one hand. "There's been no trouble," she reported lightly.
"Good." Alex nodded to Jack. "Darra, meet Jack. She's going to be staying with you and the Younglings."
Jack stepped up to the door, and she gasped quietly at the sight of the Younglings huddled together.
Alex put a hand on Jack's shoulder. "You'll be safer here," he promised.
Jack glanced back at him, and she bit her lip. "You be safe, too."
Alex smiled sadly and nodded.
A few minutes later, the group, led by Yassen, arrived at the control room. The assassin stepped back from the door, acknowledging Alex with a nod. Alex realized with a jolt that everyone had silently elected him as leader. He reached for the door handle, readying his lightsaber in his other hand.
"Obi-Wan, I want you to guard the door," he stated calmly. He knew he could trust his Master with this task.
Alex gestured for everyone to stand back. Then he pushed open the door, dodging out of the doorway in case fire was returned from inside. He peered into the darkness, illuminated only by flickering red buttons, switches and a wall of screens depicting different areas of the Temple. On one, he could see droids milling in the meditation room. So they still had time.
The five of them stepped inside, and Obi-Wan closed the door behind them. The room sunk into blackness.
Someone found a light switch and flicked it on. Instantly the room brightened, humming with energy, revealing the machinery around the edges. In the center of the chamber poised a black chair upon a raised platform.
With the group still frozen in the entrance, the chair's occupant swiveled around. His mouth cracked into a smile, revealing broken teeth. "Hello, Jedi."
"It's Darth Sidious," Obi-Wan breathed.
The Sith was wrapped in a thick black cloak, hood draped over his pale, wrinkled face. His hands, resting on the chair's arms, were long, white and bony, with wicked nails.
"I fooled you all, didn't I," he cackled. "You didn't realize your worst enemy was right under your noses."
He stood, folding his fingers together in front of him. "You didn't realize your great 'Chancellor Palpatine' could be a Sith Lord."
"You traitor!" Ferus hissed under his breath.
Darth Sidious continued to approach. "Now, who would like to die first?" he taunted.
Sabina lurched forward, clutching her lightsaber so tightly her knuckles were white. "Never!"
Sidious narrowed his eyes. "Padawans. That's all that remains of your great order." His hand extended.
Alex knew what he was going to do. "No!" He leaped in front of Sabina just as blue lightning burst from Sidious's fingertips. The lightning coursed through him like fire, burning through his defenses. The pain brought him to his knees. Alex tried not to scream, but a yell of pain tore from his throat.
Through his haze he could see Sabina moving, rushing toward the Sith. No, Sab, no!
Abruptly the pain faded, and Alex fell back, gasping. He blinked up to see Sidious reaching for his lightsaber as Sabina charged him.
Obi-Wan wordlessly handed him his lightsaber. Ferus and Yassen had already gone to the other side of the room, puzzling over the controls. Alex nodded his thanks to Obi-Wan and hurried to join Sabina.
Sidious held Sabina back with a blazing red blade. His already horrible face had contorted into a snarl. "Foolish girl."
Sabina said nothing, glaring at him over the crossed lightsabers. Sidious withdrew, hoping to unbalance her. But Sabina remained light on her feet.
The Sith swiped at her, forcing her back. Then he quickly switched his weapon to his other hand, stretching out his palm.
Lightning jolted through the air, arcing toward her. Sabina instinctively dropped down to a crouch, lightsaber held out in front of her. The lightning collided with the laser blade and curled around it, flickering and dying.
Sabina let out a shaky breath, staring in amazement at her shimmering blue lightsaber. Sidious gave a roar of anger, taking a step forward.
At the same time Alex ran at him, brandishing his lightsaber. The blade whispered through the air with one carefully calculated strike, sending up sparks as it smashed into Sidious's hilt. Half of the Sith's lightsaber flew away into a corner.
Darth Sidious turned on him instead, eyes burning with anger. He raised both hands.
Sabina darted to Alex's side, and they simultaneously caught the Sith's lightning attacks on their lightsabers. Alex felt the lightsaber jolt unsteadily in his hands, and he gripped it tighter, advancing slowly. Sabina hung only a step behind, sweat glistening on her face.
Gritting his teeth with the effort to step into the lightning, Alex took aim and swung.
Darth Sidious yelled in pain as his blade connected and sliced clean through his arm.
Triumphant, Alex came in for another blow. Sidious's hand came out of nowhere, slim, kinky fingers stretched out. His hand closed around his forehead and for a moment Alex felt the shock of the Sith's icy touch.
Then heat shot through him, closing in on him. The force of the lightning was magnified, a pain so harsh tightening its grip around his chest.
Can't…breathe…Alex gasped for air and failed. The edges of his vision were fading. Darkness reached to engulf him.
"Let go of him!" Sabina lashed out at the Sith, kicking him in the gut. Stumbling back, Sidious released Alex. He sank to the ground, taking deep gulps of oxygen. Alex gathered his strength and rolled over, looking straight up at a current of lightning. Sidious stood on one side of Alex, Sabina blocking the attack on his other.
Alex blinked back the blurriness and searched for his lightsaber; it was rolling by his foot. Alex half-closed his eyes, calling on the Force.
His lightsaber rose to his hand and he fumbled to ignite it. He heard the soft hum and focused on Sidious.
Whoosh!
With the help of the Force, he sent the weapon flying like a javelin. It stabbed right through the Sith's chest.
Darth Sidious reeled back, staring down in horror. He gasped once and collapsed against the wall, lying still.
In an instant Sabina was at Alex's side. She knelt, pushing his hair back from his eyes. "Alex! Are you all right?"
Alex groaned, struggling to sit up. He blinked blearily as Sabina put an arm around him to support him. "Yeah. I think so."
"You had me worried." She embraced him, leaning his head against hers.
"I can tell." Shakily, he lifted a hand and turned her head to face him. "I love you, Sab," he whispered.
Her eyes widened slightly, but then she leaned in to him, murmuring, "I love you too."
Alex kissed her gently, taking comfort in her presence and touch.
An excited shout made them break apart, embarrassed.
"We've deactivated the droids!"
To be continued...
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