Caine was waiting for the holo-communication from both of his lieutenants to initialize when he felt a strong wave of Dark Side energy wash over him. He smiled when he realized what had caused it. The girl had finally given in to it to free herself from her shackles. Part of him wished he had been in the room to witness it. He wondered how long she was agonizing over the decision to tap into what had brought he, himself to his full potential. Truth be told, he imagined that it wasn't the first time she had gone to that place. She was, after all, a direct descendent of one of the most feared Sith Lords that the galaxy had ever seen.
Just then the two black and white, ghostly holograms of Khallis and Wolfe appeared in front of Caine on the Spearhead's bridge. He returned his thoughts and focus to the task at hand as they greeted him.
"It seems as if they have called our bluff.", Caine said to his lieutenants. "Two battle cruisers along with multiple groups of fighters have been launched and are incoming."
"How long until your cannons can fire again?", he asked.
"They will be fully charged in approximately fifty minutes.", Khallis replied
"We need to repel their foolish attack until then.", he informed them. "Launch fighter squadrons from both of your vessels to engage them. Don't divert any power from the main cannons, however. I want them available for firing on the surface again as soon as possible."
"Sir, if I may", Wolfe interjected. "You have the girl. Wouldn't it be more prudent to leave now without the possibility of incurring any losses?"
"Don't question my orders.", Caine demanded. "We have been through this before and my position hasn't changed. I demand your FULL compliance. Is that clear?"
"Apologies, Sir", the lieutenant replied.
"I want that mountainside obliterated.", Caine said. "We will stay here until that is done."
Both Khallis and Wolfe nodded in what seemed like skeptical agreement.
"Fighters will be launched immediately, Sir.", Khallis stated.
Caine was about to reply when he was interrupted by an officer that was analyzing a data screen on his bridge.
"Sir, the New Republic cruiser is showing indications that it is regaining some power."
Caine pondered this information for a moment.
"Khallis", he said. "Have your cannon adjusted to target the New Republic ship. Wolfe, keep yours locked on the surface. One blast will be more than enough to flatten that mountain range."
"And get your fighter squadrons deployed immediately.", he continued.
"As you wish.", Khallis replied
"Yes Sir.", came Wolfe's reply immediately after.
As the holograms winked from existence, Caine motioned for his bridge commander to come to him. The officer sprinted to his side immediately, like a scared pet.
"I want you to monitor the situation with those incoming ships closely and keep me informed with any important information.", he ordered.
"Sir?", the officer said, obviously confused.
"There is something I need to attend to on this ship.", Caine replied.
"Can I count on you?"
"Absolutely, Sir.", the officer blurted out "
"Good.", Caine said
He turned and strode to the door. Lara Solo would soon have to make a decision she might not be ready for, he thought as he exited the bridge.
Lara had no idea how she was going to find a way to the small escort that she arrived on. The dimly lit corridors she had been sneaking through didn't seem to be leading to any kind of hangar area. Honestly, she wasn't even sure how she got onto this ship and she wondered if the craft that she was flying before she blacked out even existed anymore. It wouldn't surprise her in the least if Caine had destroyed it after plucking her out of it, whenever that was. Still, she knew that she needed to keep moving. If this vessel followed any kind of logical design then it's hangar would probably be on the bottom half of the main body. If she kept moving downward, she might eventually see some indication that she was on the right path.
She watched and waited from the small dark alcove where she currently knelt as a small group of soldiers walked by. When they were almost out of sight and she was ready to emerge, she suddenly felt Caine through The Force. He was aware of her escape and she knew exactly why.
As Lara thought back to the moments before she broke free of her shackles, the shame came back. She went to that terrible place that she had only been to one or two times in her life. This time, however, was the most entangled she became, the longest time she remained in the void. One of her Master's most important lessons that he tried to reinforce over and over ran through her mind.
Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.
It was a lesson from the great Jedi Master Yoda that had been imparted directly to her uncle Luke when he was training to be a Jedi. Luke quoted it to all of the students so many times that it became somewhat of an inside joke with Lara and her fellow Padawans. Obviously since she was not currently a Sith Lord seeking to control the galaxy, the saying was a bit of an exaggeration. Nonetheless, the first time she inadvertently allowed the Dark Side in, she realized that it was no joking matter. The Dark Side of the Force was just that…black, cold, hungry, seductive and powerful. It took a lot of focus and mental determination to get it out of her thoughts after that first time and Lara knew she was going to have to put in the same amount of work again.
She was resolute, though. At times, she abhorred the fact that she was descended from the Jedi Hero that fell to The Dark Side and plunged the galaxy into chaos. She wouldn't accept the thought that Anakin Skywalker's weakness and transformation into Darth Vader was something that could possibly be inherited somehow. Master Luke had shown that the Dark Side could be rejected. She could do it too. This wasn't a death sentence, it was a mistake and she would put it behind her, learn from it. She would NOT let it dominate her.
As her mind began to clear, Lara took in a deep breath. She raised the weapon she had confiscated back in Caine's quarters to the ready, stood up and again moved towards what she hoped was a way off this ship.
