"Weren't they declared extinct a millennia ago?"
Her mind harkened back to the exchange as they crashed through the window, briefly swiping off the shards of glass that threatened to cut through fabric and flesh. Though she understood that the seconds they wasted squandered their chances of a successful escape, the coincidence of the situation could not be lost on her.
"I don't know… I can sense darkness in the galaxy…"
Racing through the towering fields of tall grass that seemed defiant to her intent, not even the indescribable pain rocking her heart at that moment could elicit a single tear down her cheek - she had to keep her promise to him. To them.
"It's your choice, Lara."
The very word leaving a bitter taste at the tip of her tongue, she bolted through as nature seemingly relented to her desperate perseverance, the ocean of stalked hindrances finally giving way - only to the large currents of water glinting in the moonlight ahead. Her heart dropped as she looked down on her arms, her mind unable to formulate any method of leveraging from their current situation.
Her breath further hitched at the sound of the approaching deep hum and the heavy footsteps behind her.
"YOUR CHILD WILL BE MINE!"
It did not bother him that grease smothered every square inch of his personal hangar - such matters were but a trifle to his anxious concerns.
No, not anxious, he reaffirmed, merely… bridled with anticipation. The prospect of the forthcoming asset… it roused him, to say the least. The power that would rest at the tip of his fingers…
His musings were interrupted as a sleek, sinister spacecraft — one he hoped served as a useful investment in his personal efforts to see the achievement of his Order's mission — settled silently into the dim hangar. As the aft hatchway slid open, a figure — dressed in a hooded dark cloak an identical match to his own appearance — materialised in his view. The slow, deliberate steps down the metal ramp indicating his sense of purpose, he bared open his horned crown as he lowered his hood, dropped to one knee, and bowed before his lord.
"Master," he finally rasped.
"Lord Maul," Darth Sidious greeted softly. "I trust your mission was a success?"
The silence that followed only served to disquiet him. The brief moments that followed threatened to unleash his anger for the failure of the enormous risk that had been taken...
...though the following words indicated the apprentice's struggle to compose a worthy response indicated.
"In a manner that might surprise even yourself, Master," the words that came from his mouth.
"Oh?"
"NO!"
She made a scramble for the assailant - only to be met with the deadly stare of his golden eyes as he made a gesture with his left hand. Her azure eyes widening, she found herself clutching her neck as she lifted off the ground. Futilely sparing a final glance, a neck-snapping crack rang through the air as the apprentice turned to the bundle in his arms, ignoring the thud of the limbless, lifeless body before him.
His eyes directed towards the huddled mass at the far end of the ship's interiors, Sidious' mind sparked as an ancient recollection returned to the forefront of his memory.
"…our Order's ancient prophecies speak of one fabled manifestation unseen for generations…"
He wondered if his master's old words rang true with the sight that beheld him.
"…two beings…"
Two infants…
"…strong in the Force…"
Both of Revan's blood…
"…creates a power as strong as life itself."
Sidious only cackled at his prospects.
Author's Note: My deepest apologies if this prologue is disappointingly short and convoluted, especially given its publication on the fourth anniversary of the Shaniverse. Truth be told, the Group's current schedules have unfortunately obstructed the original intent of publishing a full-length chapter on such an important day, though it is assured that a much more satisfactory piece will arrive in future, hopefully with the finale of the Book of Boba Fett this February. In the meantime, rates and reviews would be greatly appreciated!