CHAPTER SIX
Coruscant's Pride was by far not a luxury cruiser of any kind. The hallways were small and claustrophobic. Aro-Ken discovered that his room was equally uncomfortable. The bed was small and the blanket was coarse and itchy. The glowpanel was old, and the door controls were rusted for whatever reason.
Aro-Ken tried not to spend much time in there. But the bridge was off- limits, the captain had made that quite clear, and even if he wanted to he wouldn't go into the cargo hold. The halls were very unpleasant, so the only place left for him to go was the cafeteria.
Aro-Ken had met a crewmember named Trista, who had advised him to hang around in there even if he wasn't hungry, so he took her advice.
Currently he was sitting cross-legged on an old bench at a table trying to meditate, but it wasn't working. He couldn't focus.
Suddenly, he heard a voice to his right.
"I'm very sorry, Aro-Ken."
The boy jumped, and turned to see Jax Dondora sitting next to him. Jax and two other Masters, Cami Runa and Ton-San Windam, were all on the transport, off to investigate something on Malastare, which was on the way to Taylon.
"Yeah, whatever," he muttered.
"You can't keep moping about it you know. There are other ways to help the galaxy than to protect it. Farmers have just as much importance as Jedi do," Jax said.
Aro-Ken nodded, not really paying much attention or believing anything that he did hear.
"I'd really prefer to be alone now, Master. Sorry if I sound rude," said Aro-Ken.
"Of course. But I'd like you to know that the first time I saw you, I knew you were destined for great things, Aro-Ken. I could sense it and I still do," Master Dondora said.
Great. They weren't even in hyperspace yet, and all ready someone was trying to make him feel better.
"Thank you, Master. But it doesn't look like I have much of a hope now," he said.
"I wouldn't lose faith just yet," Jax said in a mysterious sort of voice.
Aro-Ken did not reply.
"Well, I must be leaving. I will see you later," said Jax, rising and walking towards the door.
As he began to leave, Aro-Ken suddenly felt cold. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He instantly sat up straight and looked around. The room was empty, save the tables, chairs, and Master Dondora, who was keying in the controls to the door.
"Master, I-" he began.
At that moment, the door opened, revealing a black figure standing there. Aro-Ken could sense anger and hate surging from it.
It towered over Master Dondora, and wore a black robe that shadowed its face as it look down. Two long, skinny hands came out from its sleeves. As it looked up, Aro-Ken could see that its eyes were glowing red, casting a furious glare about the room.
Jax immediately jumped back, his molten orange lightsaber blade ignited. Aro-Ken's hand flashed to his waist, and he also grabbed his lightsaber. He hadn't been able to bring himself to leave in his bag.
Master Dondora held his lightsaber up, waiting for the black being to make the first move.
The creature looked down at Jax, and instantly he was swept off his feet. He soared through the air and smashed into the wall, slumping to the ground.
"Master Dondora!" Aro-Ken shouted.
The black creature's head instantly turned to him, and it started to stalk in his direction. Aro-Ken's eyes went wide as he got up from the bench, going backwards as the creature advanced on him. He didn't know what to do, his mind was racing. Should he attack it or let it make the first move? That was what Master Dondora had done, and now he was unconscious.
The door suddenly shot open again, revealing Mistress Cami Runa standing there, her radiant purple lightsaber ignited.
Without looking back, the thing extended a hand behind its back. Cami suddenly let out a cry and sunk to her knees, clutching her head and dropping her lightsaber to the ground.
Still without looking away from Aro-Ken, the black creature reached out a hand to its side.
Two chairs were knocked over, and there was a violent crash. Aro-Ken glanced briefly, and saw Ton-San Windam, Mistress Runa's Padawan, slumped on the ground and dazed.
Ton-San was a Dendayan, like Wolden. Aro-Ken assumed he had been trying to sneak up on the creature that was advancing towards him.
The black figure kept its hand out, and Ton-San suddenly clutched his skull, shouting in pain until he fell over, unconscious.
The black figure was still about five meters away from him. Aro-Ken still didn't know what to do. The thing was obviously his enemy, but he had no idea how to attack it, or if he could for that matter.
Aro-Ken suddenly felt something hard against his back, and discovered he had bumped into the wall. He was frozen as he stood there, watching as the black figure came towards him and getting ready to attack.
He spotted someone behind the figure in the doorway, someone wielding a blaster. They were taking careful aim, and let loose three red lasers.
The creature instantly spun around and held out a hand. The lasers hit it and disappeared with a few sparks.
The black figure stared at the person who had tried to shoot it, and they suddenly shot backwards, going through the door and crashing into a wall out in the hallway.
Before he realized what he was doing, Aro-Ken found himself running, bolting off and deactivating his lightsaber, clipping it to his belt.
He ran down the hallways and could sense the black thing coming after him. He glanced back, and saw it was shooting down the hallway after him, hovering a few inches above the ground and gaining rapidly.
Aro-Ken ran faster, finding that his head start gave him no advantage at all. He skidded to a stop and rounded a corner abruptly. He looked up, and saw a sign that read Cargo Bay above a door at the end of the hallway.
Looking back, he saw that the black figure had not rounded the corner after him yet. He spotted a ventilation shaft on the ground.
Quickly, he keyed in the controls to open the cargo bay door, and kicked the grating away from the ventilation shaft. He darted inside the cargo bay and jammed the door behind him.
He instantly leaned against a pile of crates, trying to get his breath back. He could sense the figure beyond the door. It stalked about a few times, and then left.
Aro-Ken let out a sigh of relief. He opened the door again and looked out. There was no sign of the black figure.
He slowly and cautiously went down the hallways, making his way to the bridge.
He found it and opened the door, stepping inside and looking around. Aro- Ken saw about five crewmembers lying on the floor, either dead or unconscious there was not a mark on their bodies.
"Hello? Captain?" Aro-Ken called. There was no reply.
"Anybody?" he cried as he walked towards the cockpit. He jammed his thumb on the intercom button near the door.
"Captain? Captain, are you there? We need to land immediately, I-" as he was in mid sentence, the door slid open.
Cautiously, Aro-Ken walked inside. He saw a body on the floor, and recognized it as the copilot.
As Aro-Ken realized what had happened, he turned to run, but the door slammed shut.
The pilot's chair turned around, and revealed another black figure. It could have been the same one, but Aro-Ken couldn't tell.
He started to back away, but suddenly felt every muscle in his body freeze. The black figure had extended a hand towards him, and he found that he couldn't move at all.
Suddenly, a black gas appeared. Aro-Ken managed to move his eyes enough to see that it was coming from the ventilation shaft. Rapidly, it took the form of a tall figure, and Aro-Ken saw that it was the black creature that had been chasing him.
They looked at each other, wordlessly communicating. One of them clamped a hand down on his arm. Through his tunic sleeve, Aro-Ken could feel that its hand was ice-cold. It gripped him tightly, so tightly that it would probably leave a bruise.
The thing pulled Aro-Ken away. He could move again, and he tried to twist his arm free and get his heels out in front of him, but it was to no avail.
The thing pulled him to the landing ramp, and keyed in the controls to open it.
"What the-" began Aro-Ken.
The instant the ramp was open slightly, something happened. Aro-Ken had no idea what it was.
He shot down, and could feel his body bending as he slithered through the opening in the ramp. He looked at his arm, and saw that it was black, like a shadow. Aro-Ken could still feel the black figure's hand on his arm as they rocketed towards Coruscant.
He looked back up, and saw Coruscant's Pride hovering next to one of the tallest skyscrapers. They hadn't even left the planet.
Suddenly, he was standing on solid ground again. He staggered to the side slightly, getting used to walking again. He locked his knees so his legs wouldn't give way.
He looked at his arm, and found he was solid again.
His captor wasted no time. The instant it was completely solid, it pulled him away, dragging him down the deserted halls.
Suddenly, Aro-Ken remembered his lightsaber, and could feel it gently knocking against his thigh as he was pulled along.
Slowly, he moved his free hand up towards his waist, hoping that the black figure did not notice. It didn't, as it kept walking forward at a swift pace.
Aro-Ken's hand gently gripped his lightsaber handle. He glanced at his captor once more, and saw that it still suspected nothing.
As quickly as he could, Aro-Ken yanked his lightsaber from his belt and activated it, slashing at the black figure's arm. It shouted and cursed, releasing him instantly.
Aro-Ken took off, swiftly bolting down the hall. He didn't know where he was running, he just ran as fast as he possibly could.
He could sense the black figure behind him, coming for him once again, and he didn't look back.
* * *
Well, what do you think? It's not that bad is it? Reviews please!!!
Coruscant's Pride was by far not a luxury cruiser of any kind. The hallways were small and claustrophobic. Aro-Ken discovered that his room was equally uncomfortable. The bed was small and the blanket was coarse and itchy. The glowpanel was old, and the door controls were rusted for whatever reason.
Aro-Ken tried not to spend much time in there. But the bridge was off- limits, the captain had made that quite clear, and even if he wanted to he wouldn't go into the cargo hold. The halls were very unpleasant, so the only place left for him to go was the cafeteria.
Aro-Ken had met a crewmember named Trista, who had advised him to hang around in there even if he wasn't hungry, so he took her advice.
Currently he was sitting cross-legged on an old bench at a table trying to meditate, but it wasn't working. He couldn't focus.
Suddenly, he heard a voice to his right.
"I'm very sorry, Aro-Ken."
The boy jumped, and turned to see Jax Dondora sitting next to him. Jax and two other Masters, Cami Runa and Ton-San Windam, were all on the transport, off to investigate something on Malastare, which was on the way to Taylon.
"Yeah, whatever," he muttered.
"You can't keep moping about it you know. There are other ways to help the galaxy than to protect it. Farmers have just as much importance as Jedi do," Jax said.
Aro-Ken nodded, not really paying much attention or believing anything that he did hear.
"I'd really prefer to be alone now, Master. Sorry if I sound rude," said Aro-Ken.
"Of course. But I'd like you to know that the first time I saw you, I knew you were destined for great things, Aro-Ken. I could sense it and I still do," Master Dondora said.
Great. They weren't even in hyperspace yet, and all ready someone was trying to make him feel better.
"Thank you, Master. But it doesn't look like I have much of a hope now," he said.
"I wouldn't lose faith just yet," Jax said in a mysterious sort of voice.
Aro-Ken did not reply.
"Well, I must be leaving. I will see you later," said Jax, rising and walking towards the door.
As he began to leave, Aro-Ken suddenly felt cold. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He instantly sat up straight and looked around. The room was empty, save the tables, chairs, and Master Dondora, who was keying in the controls to the door.
"Master, I-" he began.
At that moment, the door opened, revealing a black figure standing there. Aro-Ken could sense anger and hate surging from it.
It towered over Master Dondora, and wore a black robe that shadowed its face as it look down. Two long, skinny hands came out from its sleeves. As it looked up, Aro-Ken could see that its eyes were glowing red, casting a furious glare about the room.
Jax immediately jumped back, his molten orange lightsaber blade ignited. Aro-Ken's hand flashed to his waist, and he also grabbed his lightsaber. He hadn't been able to bring himself to leave in his bag.
Master Dondora held his lightsaber up, waiting for the black being to make the first move.
The creature looked down at Jax, and instantly he was swept off his feet. He soared through the air and smashed into the wall, slumping to the ground.
"Master Dondora!" Aro-Ken shouted.
The black creature's head instantly turned to him, and it started to stalk in his direction. Aro-Ken's eyes went wide as he got up from the bench, going backwards as the creature advanced on him. He didn't know what to do, his mind was racing. Should he attack it or let it make the first move? That was what Master Dondora had done, and now he was unconscious.
The door suddenly shot open again, revealing Mistress Cami Runa standing there, her radiant purple lightsaber ignited.
Without looking back, the thing extended a hand behind its back. Cami suddenly let out a cry and sunk to her knees, clutching her head and dropping her lightsaber to the ground.
Still without looking away from Aro-Ken, the black creature reached out a hand to its side.
Two chairs were knocked over, and there was a violent crash. Aro-Ken glanced briefly, and saw Ton-San Windam, Mistress Runa's Padawan, slumped on the ground and dazed.
Ton-San was a Dendayan, like Wolden. Aro-Ken assumed he had been trying to sneak up on the creature that was advancing towards him.
The black figure kept its hand out, and Ton-San suddenly clutched his skull, shouting in pain until he fell over, unconscious.
The black figure was still about five meters away from him. Aro-Ken still didn't know what to do. The thing was obviously his enemy, but he had no idea how to attack it, or if he could for that matter.
Aro-Ken suddenly felt something hard against his back, and discovered he had bumped into the wall. He was frozen as he stood there, watching as the black figure came towards him and getting ready to attack.
He spotted someone behind the figure in the doorway, someone wielding a blaster. They were taking careful aim, and let loose three red lasers.
The creature instantly spun around and held out a hand. The lasers hit it and disappeared with a few sparks.
The black figure stared at the person who had tried to shoot it, and they suddenly shot backwards, going through the door and crashing into a wall out in the hallway.
Before he realized what he was doing, Aro-Ken found himself running, bolting off and deactivating his lightsaber, clipping it to his belt.
He ran down the hallways and could sense the black thing coming after him. He glanced back, and saw it was shooting down the hallway after him, hovering a few inches above the ground and gaining rapidly.
Aro-Ken ran faster, finding that his head start gave him no advantage at all. He skidded to a stop and rounded a corner abruptly. He looked up, and saw a sign that read Cargo Bay above a door at the end of the hallway.
Looking back, he saw that the black figure had not rounded the corner after him yet. He spotted a ventilation shaft on the ground.
Quickly, he keyed in the controls to open the cargo bay door, and kicked the grating away from the ventilation shaft. He darted inside the cargo bay and jammed the door behind him.
He instantly leaned against a pile of crates, trying to get his breath back. He could sense the figure beyond the door. It stalked about a few times, and then left.
Aro-Ken let out a sigh of relief. He opened the door again and looked out. There was no sign of the black figure.
He slowly and cautiously went down the hallways, making his way to the bridge.
He found it and opened the door, stepping inside and looking around. Aro- Ken saw about five crewmembers lying on the floor, either dead or unconscious there was not a mark on their bodies.
"Hello? Captain?" Aro-Ken called. There was no reply.
"Anybody?" he cried as he walked towards the cockpit. He jammed his thumb on the intercom button near the door.
"Captain? Captain, are you there? We need to land immediately, I-" as he was in mid sentence, the door slid open.
Cautiously, Aro-Ken walked inside. He saw a body on the floor, and recognized it as the copilot.
As Aro-Ken realized what had happened, he turned to run, but the door slammed shut.
The pilot's chair turned around, and revealed another black figure. It could have been the same one, but Aro-Ken couldn't tell.
He started to back away, but suddenly felt every muscle in his body freeze. The black figure had extended a hand towards him, and he found that he couldn't move at all.
Suddenly, a black gas appeared. Aro-Ken managed to move his eyes enough to see that it was coming from the ventilation shaft. Rapidly, it took the form of a tall figure, and Aro-Ken saw that it was the black creature that had been chasing him.
They looked at each other, wordlessly communicating. One of them clamped a hand down on his arm. Through his tunic sleeve, Aro-Ken could feel that its hand was ice-cold. It gripped him tightly, so tightly that it would probably leave a bruise.
The thing pulled Aro-Ken away. He could move again, and he tried to twist his arm free and get his heels out in front of him, but it was to no avail.
The thing pulled him to the landing ramp, and keyed in the controls to open it.
"What the-" began Aro-Ken.
The instant the ramp was open slightly, something happened. Aro-Ken had no idea what it was.
He shot down, and could feel his body bending as he slithered through the opening in the ramp. He looked at his arm, and saw that it was black, like a shadow. Aro-Ken could still feel the black figure's hand on his arm as they rocketed towards Coruscant.
He looked back up, and saw Coruscant's Pride hovering next to one of the tallest skyscrapers. They hadn't even left the planet.
Suddenly, he was standing on solid ground again. He staggered to the side slightly, getting used to walking again. He locked his knees so his legs wouldn't give way.
He looked at his arm, and found he was solid again.
His captor wasted no time. The instant it was completely solid, it pulled him away, dragging him down the deserted halls.
Suddenly, Aro-Ken remembered his lightsaber, and could feel it gently knocking against his thigh as he was pulled along.
Slowly, he moved his free hand up towards his waist, hoping that the black figure did not notice. It didn't, as it kept walking forward at a swift pace.
Aro-Ken's hand gently gripped his lightsaber handle. He glanced at his captor once more, and saw that it still suspected nothing.
As quickly as he could, Aro-Ken yanked his lightsaber from his belt and activated it, slashing at the black figure's arm. It shouted and cursed, releasing him instantly.
Aro-Ken took off, swiftly bolting down the hall. He didn't know where he was running, he just ran as fast as he possibly could.
He could sense the black figure behind him, coming for him once again, and he didn't look back.
* * *
Well, what do you think? It's not that bad is it? Reviews please!!!