JYN ERSO, also known as Darth Thana, the adopted daughter of Emperor Palpatine, has escaped the Rebel Alliance after spending over a month as their prisoner.
During her captivity, Jyn was freed from the Emperor's mind control, which had forced her to be completely committed to the dark side of the force. She has since begun to turn away from her Sith ways, and has found love in the form of rebel hero LUKE SKYWALKER.
Accompanied by her student, Kamron Varr, Jyn is aboard a stolen rebel ship, blindly travelling through hyperspace as she desperately seeks to return to the Empire, and carry out her plans to overthrow the Emperor…
Aboard a stolen u-wing, Jyn Erso is seated on the floor in the cargo hold. In front of her is a long white staff, a silver necklace, and a small, yellow crystal. All three objects contain ancient kyber crystals which give special force abilities to whoever bonds with them. Jyn has now bonded to all three, and has grown very strong with the force.
I can feel the power of the crystals within me. I am now far stronger than I was when I used only the dark side. It's as my older self said, the Jedi and the Sith are both wrong. Narrow minded religions which fail to embrace the true force, as I think I have begun to. Jyn thinks.
"You are very close now. There is only one more crystal for you to recover. Then, you will be strong enough to destroy the Emperor, and acquire the crystal in his possession." The disembodied voice of Abeloth says.
I know. Ahsoka Tano suggested I go to Rhen Var. Do you happen to know if the last crystal is there? Jyn thinks.
"Indeed it is. However, you must be suitably prepared to acquire it." Abeloth answers.
What do you mean by that? Jyn thinks.
"You must not only be strong enough with the force, you must also be balanced. Both light and dark. Otherwise, the crystal will reject you." Abeloth says.
Aren't I pretty much balanced now? I don't feel like a Sith or Jedi. Jyn thinks.
"Essentially, yes. However, you are not actively using the light. You are just...avoiding the dark. You are basically apathetic when it comes to the force. Apathy...is death." Abeloth says.
Apathy is death? Quoting Darth Traya, I see. Jyn thinks.
"Indeed. Despite being dead for centuries, that particular Sith has many valuable lessons. You should look to them." Abeloth says.
You're right. I will. Jyn thinks.
"Thank you. Now, I suggest you use the next few hours to better acquaint yourself with the light side of the force." Abeloth says.
How? Jyn thinks.
"Meditate, but you must do so to center yourself emotionally, as opposed to doing so to strengthen your anger and hate as you once did." Abeloth answers.
You mean...use meditation to calm myself? That's how the Jedi do it, isn't it? Jyn thinks.
"Correct. I sense no anger in you, so I believe you will not have much difficulty." Abeloth answers.
Alright. I guess I'd better get to it. Jyn thinks.
"Indeed. Summon me if you need me. Otherwise, we will not speak again until you encounter the crystal. You will not likely need my assistance until then." Abeloth says.
I'll call you if I need you. Jyn thinks.
"I will answer, Jyn. I will always be here for you." Abeloth says.
Thank you, Abeloth. Jyn thinks.
"You are welcome. Now, I will leave you to your task." Abeloth says.
A few hours later, Jyn is meditating, when she feels the ship shudder, then come to a stop.
We've dropped out of hyperspace. I need to get to the cockpit and see what's going on. Jyn thinks. She stands up, and leaves the cargo hold.
Jyn enters the cockpit of the u-wing, where Kamron Varr, Emperor's Hand is piloting. The young man looks at Jyn, and says " We're out of hyperspace, milady. Eight hours as you ordered. Looks like we're out of the Utapau sector, and passed through one other."
"Very good. Can you get a fix on our position?" Jyn asks.
"Rhen Var system." Kamron answers.
Rhen Var? That's where Ahsoka Tano suggested I go to look for the fourth crystal. This cannot be a coincidence that we end up here. This is...the will of the force, I suppose. Jyn thinks.
"Rhen Var? There's an outpost here. Maybe we can get a better ride back to Coruscant. Break comm silence and contact the base." Jyn says.
Kamron switches on the ship's comm, and says "Rhen Var outpost, emergency code 1138. Please acknowledge."
Emergency code 1138? Intelligence agent in need of assistance? Not bad, Kamron. Jyn thinks.
"Code confirmed. Provide identification code." A female voice says over the comm.
Right. That's me. Jyn thinks.
"ID code... Shadow 1216. Obsidian level clearance." Jyn says. Nearly a minute passes with no response.
What's taking them so long? I'm usually cleared in seconds when I give my ID. Jyn thinks.
"Lady Thana, we are honored by your presence, and are ready to provide any assistance you require." The voice over the comm says.
"We are in a stolen rebel ship, and our long range comm's out, so we can't call for a destroyer. Would you happen to have a shuttle to spare, or a way to call for a ship?" Jyn asks.
"This base is shadow level classified. We are unable to use long range communications without authorization from the Emperor or Director Isard." The voice over the comm says.
"I see. Can you provide us with a shuttle?" Jyn asks.
"We'll have a shuttle prepared for you. Standby for landing coordinates." The voice over the comm says. A few minutes pass.
"Okay. I have the coordinates." Kamron says.
"Take us down." Jyn says.
"Yes, milady." Kamron says.
The u-wing heads to the surface of Rhen Var, a frozen wasteland littered in ancient ruins. The only sign of civilization is the small Imperial outpost built into a mountain side. The u-wing approaches the outpost, and lands in the large hangar.
A few minutes later, Jyn and Kamron emerge from the u-wing, now wearing rebel issue cold weather outfits. The hangar that their ship is landed in seems deserted.
"Convenient that there was cold weather gear for two in the hold. It's almost like someone knew we were coming here." Kamron says.
That someone would be Ezra Bridger. He probably looked ahead to the future and saw that we were coming here. I shall have to thank him. This planet is rather cold. Jyn thinks.
"Interesting that there's no one here to greet us. I would think the base commander would roll out the red carpet for the Imperial princess." Kamron says.
"I don't really care about all that anymore, but you're right. Protocol requires a reception committee of some sort. This is damned odd." Jyn says.
"This could be one of those droid operated bases." Kamron says.
"There would still be a human commander and a few officers. Something is not right here." Jyn says.
"You could say that." A male voice says from behind Jyn and Kamron. The two turn around, and come face to face with several armed people in civilian attire, including a middle aged man with long silver hair and a moustache.
"What...is going on here?" Jyn asks.
"Welcome to Rhen Var, Lady Thana. We met a long time ago, but in case you don't remember… Bel Iblis. Garm Bel Iblis." The middle aged man, Bel Iblis says.
Garm Bel Iblis? That means his forces have taken over the outpost. I'd rather not have to fight any of these people, but I will if I must. They're enemies of the Emperor, and could be potential allies. Jyn thinks.
"Senator Bel Iblis. Now that we know each other, what are your intentions?" Jyn asks.
"You and your associate can consider yourselves under arrest. Your ship and cargo will be confiscated. Now, hand over your weapons." Bel Iblis answers.
"We should kill them! The princess is too dangerous to be kept alive!" A distorted, mechanical voice says. Jyn looks toward the source of the voice, a masked woman dressed in layers of black and dark blue. Her face is entirely concealed by the mask, making her species inconclusive. The woman's most interesting feature is the two lightsabers on her belt.
She's...a force user. Not a Jedi, but not fully dark either. Like me, I suppose. Interesting. Wait… those lightsabers! Those belonged to Asajj Ventress, and later, to First Sister! But… she's dead. Twelve years ago. Vader blew up her fighter after she turned traitor. What is going on here? Jyn thinks.
"Who exactly are you supposed to be?" Jyn asks.
"I am Barra Ren. Master of the Knights of Ren." The woman, Barra answers.
"Knights of Ren? As in...Rhen Var?" Jyn asks.
"Correct. This is the world where our order was founded centuries ago. Thanks to our rebel allies, we have driven the Empire from it." Barra answers.
"What are the Knights of Ren?" Jyn asks.
"We preserve the history of the Jedi and the Sith. Artifacts. Ancient texts. That sort of thing. Things the Empire seeks to take or destroy. We are also a home to orphans and runaway slaves. The galaxy's outcasts." Barra answers.
"I have never heard of such an order." Jyn says.
"That is as we intend it. We move in the shadows. We gather knowledge and preserve it. We do not make war, but we will protect ourselves. Your Empire would kill us all, simply because we do not bend the knee to your precious father. As the master, it is my duty to protect my knights. That is why you will not leave this world alive." Barra says.
"It's not my Empire. Not yet anyway." Jyn says.
"You are the Emperor's daughter! You are just like him! An Empire under your rule would be exactly the same!" Barra shouts.
"I am not his daughter! I am his slave! I have no loyalty to him, and I am nothing like him! Not anymore!" Jyn says.
"Lies! I know you well, princess! You are just as hateful and vile as the Emperor! A monster hiding behind a pretty face! You enjoy killing! You thrive on violence!" Barra shouts.
"Barra!" Bel Iblis says. Barra looks at him.
"Yes, general?" Barra asks.
"Normally, I don't approve of executions, but I don't think we have a choice. Do whatever you want with her." Bel Iblis says.
"Thank you, general. I think we'll put her on trial." Barra says.
"Trial?" Jyn asks.
"You two!" Barra says, pointing to the two masked men behind her.
"Yes, Master Barra?" One of the men asks.
"Take her to the sword!" Barra answers.
"The...sword?" Jyn asks. Barra turns to face her once more.
"An ancient weapon known as the blacksword. Our most prized artifact. For the last thirty thousand years, it has been stuck inside a large kyber crystal formation. No one has ever been able to remove it. There is an ancient prophecy that says- only the one who will bring peace shall be able to remove the sword. This being shall know the light and the dark, and shall be a master of the force. Whoever proves worthy of removing the sword shall become our new master. Of course, you will fail, but I will allow you to make the attempt. If nothing else, then purely for the satisfaction of watching a Sith fail." Barra says.
"So, if I were to...remove the sword from the crystal?" Jyn asks.
"You would become our master, but that's impossible. You're a Sith." Barra says.
"We'll see." Jyn says.
"Indeed we will. Now, you and the young man will leave your weapons with the general, then you will come with us. Cooperate, or we will execute you now. The choice is yours." Barra says. The masked woman takes her lightsabers from her belt, and aims them toward Jyn and Kamron.
"Very well. I have no interest in a fight. We will surrender our weapons." Jyn says.
"Milady, we can take them!" Kamron says.
"No. We do as she says. Hand over your weapons." Jyn says.
"Yes, milady." Kamron says. Jyn and Kamron surrender their weapons.
"Good. Now, follow me, and don't try anything foolish." Barra says.
"Understood." Jyn says.