Rauggh stood before the wreckage of the troop transport and the bodies of the dead troopers. This female was formidable indeed, he thought to himself, so often that fool Srak sent him on missions unworthy of his skills. But this little one was different. She appeared human, but her scent was unlike any other that Rauggh had encountered during his long life. No doubt about it here was a being worthy of hunting. With that Rauggh set off in search of Kryystann.
Meanwhile….
Kryystann was approaching the edge of the settlement just as the last traces of daylight left the horizon and darkness surrounded her. Her elation over the battle with the troopers was wearing off and she was getting bored again. As she looked around the areas for signs of danger she wondered what Matara was doing. No doubt she was shocked to find that she was no longer aboard. Knowing Matara she was mad at her, but she knew that Matara loved her and could never stay mad at her for long. She also wondered about that strange little boy that had gotten her into this situation. There was something about him that she felt she should know, some piece of knowledge that revealed what he was, but her mind could not access it. It was like something just beyond the edge of your vision, you know its there but you can't tell what it is.
"I hope Matara's all right." Kryys said outloud.
"Oh, she's fine." Came a voice behind her.
"Oh really." Said Kryys as she turned around to face the little boy. "And just where have you been?"
"Here, there, back again." Replied the boy, suddenly enthralled by a small lizard-like creature sitting on a rock. Picking the creature up by the tail the boy lifted it in front of his face to get a better look at it. "Looks like a baby dewback" he said to himself.
"Baby dewbacks are never that small." Kryys corrected him, smiling.
"They were at one time…..long ago" the last trailing off as the boy returned the creature to his rock and looked back to Kryys. "Your friend is on her way to the planet's surface, you'll find her at the city of Reca about fifty miles that way" he indicated pointing to the west of the settlement. "You can find a transport in this settlement to get you there quicker if you like" and with that the boy turned and started walking away.
Kryystann knew the conversation was over and started to turn and head into the settlement when the boy called to her over his shoulder "One more thing, you're being trailed by a Togorian……a mean one" and then he was gone again.
She stood patiently waiting for the Emperor to turn his throne and acknowledge her presence. He could be deep in meditation or he could just be making her wait because he could. Either way it didn't matter, her master had summoned her and she would await his order for however long it took.
Slowly the Emperor's throne turned until his hooded gaze rested on the person before him. Even then he did not immediately speak, another of his tests she thought to herself. She stood in silence, unmoving, and unflinching.
"You will go to Sodenar and infiltrate Warlord Srak's palace. He seeks to wrest power from me and while his task is impossible I wish to know exactly how far his influence spreads. Give me this information and then kill him….I don't care how."
"Yes my master." She said, bowing her head and dropping to one knee.
"You have been well trained my loyal servant, the idiot Srak and his forces will be no match for you." Said Palpatine "Now go Mara Jade, and prove that you are still worthy of being the 'Emperor's Hand'."
Mara rose from her feet and exited past the two Royal Guards on her way to prepare for her mission.
Warlord Srak sat back on his throne and contemplated his plans. They were bold to say the least, but he was a great man and destined to lead. After all, Palpatine was just a shriveled up old man and not fit to lead the galaxy. Sure he was a shrewd tactician, but he was physically weak and if Srak could he would enjoy choking the life out of the Emperor. He contemplated letting the Emperor live, maybe he could be his court jester and dance around for his amusement. Yes that would be a fitting punishment for Palpatine's arrogance toward him. There was always the matter of Darth Vader, but if he was truly as strong as everyone claimed then he would have seized power long ago. He would give Vader a choice of serving him as his henchman or he would let Rauugh kill him, it mattered little to Srak. Srak thought he might just have Rauugh kill him anyway, Vader's mask and helmet would make a fine trophy for his case. No one in the Empire was the equal of himself and his utter domination of the galaxy was imminent.
"The fool Palpatine is giving me a Star Destroyer. The man has delivered his own destruction. I will soon have all the power….yes, yes…all the power. I deserve it. I am destined to rule. The galaxy will tremble at my name." Srak was ranting now, a depraved look in his eyes.
Many suspected the truth, and those closest to him knew the truth, and Srak himself was oblivious to the truth. And the truth is that Srak is quite insane. In his madness was just enough control to maintain rule of Sodenar through a ruthless and iron fist. More than once he had killed a servant who he deemed to be a spy or a military advisor whom was attempting to take over his throne. Srak truly believes he is destined to rule the galaxy for a condition of his insanity is delusions of grandeur.
Meanwhile….
Kryystann was approaching the edge of the settlement just as the last traces of daylight left the horizon and darkness surrounded her. Her elation over the battle with the troopers was wearing off and she was getting bored again. As she looked around the areas for signs of danger she wondered what Matara was doing. No doubt she was shocked to find that she was no longer aboard. Knowing Matara she was mad at her, but she knew that Matara loved her and could never stay mad at her for long. She also wondered about that strange little boy that had gotten her into this situation. There was something about him that she felt she should know, some piece of knowledge that revealed what he was, but her mind could not access it. It was like something just beyond the edge of your vision, you know its there but you can't tell what it is.
"I hope Matara's all right." Kryys said outloud.
"Oh, she's fine." Came a voice behind her.
"Oh really." Said Kryys as she turned around to face the little boy. "And just where have you been?"
"Here, there, back again." Replied the boy, suddenly enthralled by a small lizard-like creature sitting on a rock. Picking the creature up by the tail the boy lifted it in front of his face to get a better look at it. "Looks like a baby dewback" he said to himself.
"Baby dewbacks are never that small." Kryys corrected him, smiling.
"They were at one time…..long ago" the last trailing off as the boy returned the creature to his rock and looked back to Kryys. "Your friend is on her way to the planet's surface, you'll find her at the city of Reca about fifty miles that way" he indicated pointing to the west of the settlement. "You can find a transport in this settlement to get you there quicker if you like" and with that the boy turned and started walking away.
Kryystann knew the conversation was over and started to turn and head into the settlement when the boy called to her over his shoulder "One more thing, you're being trailed by a Togorian……a mean one" and then he was gone again.
She stood patiently waiting for the Emperor to turn his throne and acknowledge her presence. He could be deep in meditation or he could just be making her wait because he could. Either way it didn't matter, her master had summoned her and she would await his order for however long it took.
Slowly the Emperor's throne turned until his hooded gaze rested on the person before him. Even then he did not immediately speak, another of his tests she thought to herself. She stood in silence, unmoving, and unflinching.
"You will go to Sodenar and infiltrate Warlord Srak's palace. He seeks to wrest power from me and while his task is impossible I wish to know exactly how far his influence spreads. Give me this information and then kill him….I don't care how."
"Yes my master." She said, bowing her head and dropping to one knee.
"You have been well trained my loyal servant, the idiot Srak and his forces will be no match for you." Said Palpatine "Now go Mara Jade, and prove that you are still worthy of being the 'Emperor's Hand'."
Mara rose from her feet and exited past the two Royal Guards on her way to prepare for her mission.
Warlord Srak sat back on his throne and contemplated his plans. They were bold to say the least, but he was a great man and destined to lead. After all, Palpatine was just a shriveled up old man and not fit to lead the galaxy. Sure he was a shrewd tactician, but he was physically weak and if Srak could he would enjoy choking the life out of the Emperor. He contemplated letting the Emperor live, maybe he could be his court jester and dance around for his amusement. Yes that would be a fitting punishment for Palpatine's arrogance toward him. There was always the matter of Darth Vader, but if he was truly as strong as everyone claimed then he would have seized power long ago. He would give Vader a choice of serving him as his henchman or he would let Rauugh kill him, it mattered little to Srak. Srak thought he might just have Rauugh kill him anyway, Vader's mask and helmet would make a fine trophy for his case. No one in the Empire was the equal of himself and his utter domination of the galaxy was imminent.
"The fool Palpatine is giving me a Star Destroyer. The man has delivered his own destruction. I will soon have all the power….yes, yes…all the power. I deserve it. I am destined to rule. The galaxy will tremble at my name." Srak was ranting now, a depraved look in his eyes.
Many suspected the truth, and those closest to him knew the truth, and Srak himself was oblivious to the truth. And the truth is that Srak is quite insane. In his madness was just enough control to maintain rule of Sodenar through a ruthless and iron fist. More than once he had killed a servant who he deemed to be a spy or a military advisor whom was attempting to take over his throne. Srak truly believes he is destined to rule the galaxy for a condition of his insanity is delusions of grandeur.