The Knights of Ren
The Night Buzzard,
Deep space
The Messenger had found them, they did not know how. In fact, it had been waiting for them when the Night Buzzard had emerged from hyperspace. It was no coincidence. All of the Knights of Ren sensed the Force pulsing through the droid, even before they could see it. Once they brought it aboard the ship, they saw it, brightening the slanted eyes of the Messenger. All six of the remaining Knights could touch the shadow, and the Messenger was oozing with its power. So much more than they could ever muster. So much more than Ren, their late leader had been able to. Even more than Kylo Ren, who had been more powerful than any member had ever been. Whatever was powering the carcass of the droid felt as if it were oozing shadow. And, when it spoke, they even heard it in the crackle of its voice. 'Knights of the Ren.' 'What are you?' Vicrul asked. 'One who can give you what you want.' 'What do we want?' 'To destroy. To follow the way of the Ren.' 'We can do that alone. The Knights have always been alone.' 'And yet, you have always followed a leader. A leader who gave you purpose.' 'We followed the one who wielded the Ren,' Cardo said disdainfully. 'If you want to lead us, where is your Ren?' 'I do not require such primitive tools. I can give you so much more.' 'Prove it.' Trudgen raised his vibrocleaver so fast, the untrained eye would have missed it. But it never connected with its target. The Knight strained against the hold the Force had taken around his weapon. The other Knights tried to come to his aid… to no avail. A current of lighting left the droid and hit the attacking Knights, tearing through their limbs and bringing them all to their knees. Soon, all six Knights were on their knees before the floating Messenger. 'My Ren is no blade,' the voice of the creature controlling the droid came. 'It had greater power than the weapon of dead Jedi and ancient Sith ever will. Submit to my rule and the knowledge of this destruction will be yours.' Ap'lek, with a note of eagerness in his voice, answered for the Knights. 'What do you require of us, Master?'