CHAPTER TWENTY
The land rovers raced through the capital city as fast as possible without endangering the spectators along the sides of the road. The Darth Knights and Elite Guard had obtained several of the vehicles to aid in getting to the landing port as quickly as possible.
When they had exited the palace, the sight that awaited them horrified Gar-Ren-Jedi. Dozens of Sith Lords and Darth Knights, with their Padowan, lay dead, scattered around the street. There were also the bodies of a few civilians scattered about.
The Elite Guard also had their share of dead as well. With the Sith Lords defeated, most of the Elite Guard had chosen not to fight the Darth Knights. It was clear they did not see the Knights as their enemies.
Darth Grimm called for several of the remaining Knights to join them. Kil-Ten decided to remain behind to supervise the cleanup from the battle. He ordered one of his lieutenants to accompany the Darth Knights and aid them however they needed it. The lieutenant obeyed without question.
Gar-Ren-Jedi reached out with the Force and located the Sith Master. He couldn't tell where the Sith Master was, but he knew it was him.
Sith Master, he called out with the telepathic ability.
Well, brother, came the response, I see you have discovered this ability. I should have guessed it was only a matter of time before you did.
You cannot escape, said Gar-Ren-Jedi.
You are wrong, brother, said the Sith Master. I will escape. I have an empire to build.
No" said Gar-Ren-Jedi. That is a delusion. Once you leave this planet, you will not be able to use the Force. Can you not see that?
Perhaps, said the Sith Master. But it may exist elsewhere. Perhaps on another planet somewhere. Perhaps on many planets. I will find these planets. I will build the empire I have foreseen.
There will be no empire, said Gar-Ren-Jedi. You cannot hope to escape us. We have defeated your Sith Lords, along with their Padowan. The Elite Guard have joined the Darth Knights. Even the people have seen you for what you are. There is no one left to help you.
I need no help, brother. came the response. The Dark Side of the Force will sustain me. I know you seek to stop me from reaching the space ship. You are too late. I will reach it before you and will escape.
How? asked Gar-Ren-Jedi. That's not a land rover. It takes many years to learn how to pilot a spaceship. Not even the Force can give you knowledge instantly.
Oh, brother, replied the Sith Lord, I have not been idle all these years. I have carefully studied every technical and instruction manual available for the ship. I can pilot it as well as anyone.
We will still stop you, said Gar-Ren-Jedi. No matter how long it takes. I will hunt you to the ends of the universe if necessary.
Stay here, brother, said the Sith Master. This world is where you belong. If you follow me, it will only mean your death. I underestimated you once before. I won't do it again.
If you think I won't hunt you down, said Gar-Ren-Jedi, then you've underestimated me again.
There was no response from the Sith Master. Gar-Ren-Jedi called out to him but all was silent.
They were a little over half a mile from the landing port when they heard the roar in the distance. They all strained to hear it better. As they neared the landing port, it became
louder, almost deafening. As they pulled through the gates of the landing port, a huge ship lifted off one of the pads and hovered over the field.
Suddenly, the ship turned upward and began to ascend into the sky. The pursuers could do nothing but watch as the ship climbed ever higher, finally disappearing in the clouds above. Several moments later, a man came out of a nearby building.
"The Sith Master was on that ship, wasn't he?" asked Gar-Ren-Jedi.
"Yes," responded the man. "He, another Sith Lord, and four of their students."
"So six have escaped," spat out Grimm. "Damn. We were so close."
"It's not over yet," said Gar-Ren-Jedi.
"What can we do?" asked Grimm.
Gar-Ren-Jedi looked around at the men in the rovers. Not one had escaped the battle unscathed. All had cuts and bruises. They were alive, though. So many more back at the palace weren't.
"I have to go after him," he said finally. "Even if this is the only place in the universe where the Force can be found, the Sith Master will still find allies somewhere. Those who follow the ways of evil always have a way of finding allies."
"How do you propose to go after him?" asked Grimm. "The next ship with the hyperdrive won't be ready for launch for at least a week. How do you expect to find the Sith Master without the aid of the Force?"
"I don't know," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "I have to try. He has to be brought to justice for all this."
"Justice?" questioned Grimm, remembering the look on Gar-Ren-Jedi's face as he held the head of Darth Taul in his lap. "Or vengeance?"
Gar-Ren-Jedi wasn't sure what the answer to that question was. It seemed that, right now, justice and vengeance were the same thing. Perhaps in a few days, when the shock of all that had happened had lessened, things would look different. He knew that he couldn't let his former brother escape. No matter what the cost to him.
They returned to the palace almost immediately. When they arrived, Kil-Ten had things well under control. The bodies of the fallen lay in very orderly rows. The bodies of the Sith Lords and their Padowan he had ordered burned and the ashes scattered.
Darth Taul's body lay apart from the rest. His lightsaber lay on his body, on top of the blanket covering him. Beside the fallen Darth Knight lay the body of Sell-Nar. Several of the Darth walked over and saluted their fallen leader.
Gar-Ren-Jedi walked over and stared down at the bodies of his fallen comrades. He knew this had been a possibility from the beginning. Still, it didn't make the pain lessen. Someone gripped him by the shoulder.
"Do not grieve for them too heavily, my friend," said Darth Grimm. "Taul fell as he always wished he would. Defending his people against their enemies. I believe that young Sell-Nar also died as he would have wished."
"They shouldn't have died at all," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "None of this should have happened. If I hadn't ignored what I felt ten years ago, I could have prevented all this."
"Perhaps," said Grimm. "Or perhaps the Dark Side could have seduced you as well. There is no way we will ever know.
"But this I do know. Each man is responsible for his own actions. No one can be held responsible for the actions of another. Each man chooses his own path. No one can choose your path for you. Nor can they make you walk a path you do not wish to walk.
"Their deaths are not on your conscience, my friend. They chose to stand against the Sith Master and the Sith Lords. They chose to risk death so that other might live free. Be thankful that their deaths were not in vain. They helped free the people."
"Perhaps," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "But it doesn't make their deaths any easier."
"Nothing can do that," said Grimm. "But, in time, the pain will lessen. Eventually, it will go away almost altogether. You will remember only the good things about them. The happy times you shared together. You will see. One day this will all be nothing more than a bad memory."
Gar-Ren-Jedi looked around at all the bodies and at the injured. He could not imagine how any amount of time could make this scene fade from his memory. The horror of it was just too great to put into words. Despite Grimm's words, he knew that he would remember this day for the rest of his life.
Several Darth Knights and Elite Guard walked over to the two men. Captain Kil-Ten led the men. Gar-Ren-Jedi and Grimm turned to face the men.
"We've been talking," said Kil-Ten. "With the Prefect dead and the Sith Master escaped, the people have no leader."
"The law says that we must elect a new Prefect," said Grimm.
"Yes," said Kil-Ten. "But it will require time to organize the elections. Until then," he glanced about anxiously, "we've all agreed. Gar-Ren-Jedi, we ask that you be the Prefect Pro Tem until the elections can be held. I dare say, you will be elected Prefect permanently, once the people learn what you have done here for them."
"No," said Gar-Ren-Jedi, shaking his head. "I'm a simple farmer. I know nothing of politics. Or of running a province. Besides, I have another path ahead of me. No, my friends, I would be a poor choice for Prefect. I know who would be. Darth Knight Grimm."
"Now, wait a minute," said Grimm. "I'm a Darth Knight. With Taul's death, that makes me the leader. Even if I wanted to, the law forbids me from doing so. Kil-Ten, you know this. It prevents one man from having too much power."
"Well," said Kil-Ten, "I don't think that, at least temporarily, it would hurt if you served as Prefect. The people need a leader now more than ever. There is much rebuilding which must be done. They need a hero they can look to for guidance and leadership."
Grimm looked at Kil-Ten, then at Gar-Ren-Jedi, then at the rest of those gathered. Several were nodding their heads agreeing with what Kil-Ten had said.
"Under one condition," said Grimm finally.
"Just name it," said Gar-Ren-Jedi.
"That it is only temporary," responded Grimm. "When the elections are held, my name is not one of those submitted for consideration as the permanent Prefect."
"Agreed," said Kil-Ten. "But for now, you will rule as Prefect. My men and I vow to obey and defend you with our lives."
"Okay," sad Grimm. "I think the first order of business is to make an announcement to the people. They should be made aware of what has happened here."
"I think that's a good idea," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "Before the rumors get started."
"I have a suggestion," said Kil-Ten. "It will take a few days before news of what has happened filters to the outer regions of the province. Although the news centers will carry the story, not everyone watches the video. Until then, many may still consider the Darth Knights traitors.
"Until the new government can be put into place, the Elite Guard should take over the Darth's duties. Once the new government is in place, the Darth Knights can resume their duties."
Grimm looked at Kil-Ten, then at Gar-Ren-Jedi. It was clear that he was uncomfortable with the idea. The last thing he wanted was a reincarnation of the Sith Lord.
"Do not concern yourself, Darth Knight," said Kil-Ten. "I have no desire to rule the province. I am a soldier. My duty is to protect the province. Once we elect the new Prefect, I will be more than happy to let you resume your duties."
"That may not be possible."
Everyone turned to see Darth Soll approaching. He looked sullen and concerned. No one was anxious to hear what news he was bringing them.
"I've been making a list," he continued. "I wanted to see how many of the Sith Lords and their Padowan escaped. I cannot account for seven Sith Lords and nine of their Padowan. We should be able to locate them very soon.
"The Darth Knights are a different story. Only five survived. None of their Padowan survived. Even considering the Darth Knights who went to Gar-Ren-Jedi's farm to help in their protection, there are not enough to resume the protection of the new Prefect."
Grimm looked at Soll. It seemed that the decision had become moot. With so few Darth Knights remaining, they could not hope to adequately protect their new leader.
"Very well," he said finally. "For the immediate future the Elite Guard will assume the duties as bodyguard for the ruler and his family. Once the new government is in place, we can make a decision about what permanent arrangements we need."
Kil-Ten turned to one of his lieutenants and told him to inform the rest of the Elite Guard. The lieutenant hurried off to carry out the Captain's orders.
"I think I need to get some rest," said Gar-Ren-Jedi. "This has been a very tiring day."
"I think we can all use some rest," said Grimm. "However, I do have one question for Kil-Ten. The blade of a lightsaber is capable of cutting through any known material. Yet, when we struck your arm shields, they did no damage. How is that possible?"
Kil-Ten smiled and raised his left arm. The arm shield was a standard part of all military uniforms. For the most part, it was nothing more than a metal brace which snapped into place around the wearers' arm.
Kil-Ten's arm shield was different. It resembled the metal brace of most of the military, but his had what looked like a small compartment on the top. Next to the compartment was a dial button.
"When we arrived at the palace," said Kil-Ten, "Sith Lord Vain provided us with these modified arm shields. They are very similar to our normal arm shields, except for this."
He opened the compartment exposing the inner workings of the shield. Some form of circuitry could be seen surrounding what looked like a small crystal.
"That resembles the inner workings of our lightsabers," said Grimm, examining the small compartment.
"I understand that it works on the same principle," said Kil-Ten. "But instead of producing a blade, it covers the arm shield in the same energy field that comprises the blade of your lightsabers."
"No wonder our lightsabers had no affect against them," said Pell. "The energy which creates the blade of a lightsaber is the only known thing which the blade will not cut through. With the arm shields covered in this energy field, we couldn't hope to do them any damage."
"Sith Lord Vain told us it was an added precaution against the Darth Knights," said Kil-Ten. "He said that they were expecting an attack by the Darth Knights. He said that if the Darth Knights were to get into the palace, we would need the added protection."
"He was right," said Grimm. "If we had been unable to defeat the Sith Master, the Elite Guard could well have defeated us with these."
"I am only glad you were able to defeat him," said Kil-Ten. "We've heard rumors of late that he planned to replace the Elite Guard with his Sith Lords. Sith Lord Vain denied it, of course. I have always harbored the belief that the rumors were more true than Vain admitted."
"That is no longer a danger," said Grimm. "The Sith Lords are no more. I can assure you that the remaining Darth Knights have no interest in replacing the Elite Guard."
"Thank you," said Kil-Ten. "I will rest easier knowing that."
"Well," said Pell, "I think Gar-Ren-Jedi is right. We could all use some rest. I suggest that Kil-Ten make the announcement. That will legitimize it for the people. Then we can begin to rebuild the province."
Everyone agreed with Pell. It had been a hectic day. They had lost many friends that day. The province would take a long time to heal.