An Enemy Within

by CM Mitth'raw'eana

Chapter 8

Thelea and Wellen are standing in front of Admiral Drayson in his office. "What is your reason for this audience, Commander Jeth?"

"Sir, we need a Leave of Absence. Personal reasons."

"Really? How we can reach you, if necessary?"

"Comlinks, Sir."

"Very well, LoA granted."

Nearly ten hours later the two are, once again, above the Lost Planet of the Jedi. "We're back, Wellen"

"Yes, but why?"

"Do you remember the last time? When we were fired at?"

"Yes, the Anti-Artillery Cannon. You were worried about it, weren't you?"

"I was and I am. We have to find it to know who brought it here."
"Do you think it's Imperial?"

"It may be."

A while later they are walking down the same path they used the last time. Soon they see the mark the cannon left the last time. Thelea tries to locate the cannon on the opposite side of the 'river'. Carefully she moves forward. Her reactions save her again, when she throws herself to the ground just in time to avoid a blast from somewhere right of them.

Lying on the ground she suddenly notices the cannon. "I can see it. Though I can't recognize it from this distance. Let's take the other path."

Some time later Thelea is standing next to the cannon. "This is not Imperial." She notices a small carving at the base of the cannon. "So that was the reason he wanted me to find this place. If the wrong people would get this weapon..."

"What?"

"This weapon was built by a culture forgotten long time ago. He wants their technology. The man who raised me!"

"True, my young apprentice. Imperials are going to make me the next Emperor, if I could deliver that to them." The black haired man says.

"No!" She lits her inherited lightsaber. And he lits his own. Her purple blade against his red one. Blades buzz when the two take duelling stances. Then the fight begins.

Wellen can't even follow the duel, for the duellists move too quickly for eyes to follow. The Man is more experienced, but Thelea is an Arkanian, a descendant of Arca Jeth, one of the greatest Jedi Masters of his time, and maybe even of the present.

Suddenly the man uses his Force abilities and throws Thelea backwards against the rocky wall. "Well, well, well. My young apprentice, defeated." He says to Thelea who's lying oon the ground, seemingly unconscious. Wellen rushes to her. "Are you prepared to die for her, Corellian?"

The man swings his red blade towards Wellen's throat. But his blade is blocked by a purple one. Thelea is standing next to Wellen. "I'm not letting you to take this to the Imps."

"You're one."

"Your point being?" She turns and strikes at the cannon which explodes knocking the trio to the ground."

A few minutes later Thelea wakes up. Both men are still on the ground. She checks Wellen first. He's unconscious but breathing. Then she sees a widening pool of blood under her raiser. She turns him around. He's still alive. "Why did you wanted your father's position, Morn?"

"It was...mine." He sighs and dies. Thelea pushes the corpse away from her.

"He was Palpatine's son?" Wellen asks. He is conscious again.

"Yes. Emperor never knew of him."

"You did. Did you tell to anyone?"

"No."

"A Fist having a secret from him?""

"Yes. But enough of that matter. Now It can't end up into wrong hands."
"But now no-one can have it..."

"Better this way, trust me."

"Okay. Can I ask you something? It just crossed my mind."
"Sure."

"What Drayson sent you to find from Tangrene?"

"Plans of an attack by the Imperials."
"An Imperial brought them to him?"

"Did I have a choice? I could have falsified them or take something off, but I couldn't do that. No. I didn't want to do that. I had to sacrifice one successful attack for my exposure. Wellen, he knew that the traitor still walked among us, even after you were released of those charges. He already had those plans. I found out about this when I overheard a conversation when I came from his office after delivery. Though I guessed that he could send others to verify. After all, it was me, gave him your name. And that pilot really did give me your name."

"Did you believe him?"

"Of course not. I know you. Besides, I knew I was a traitor, but not the one they came for. They wanted to capture or kill you."

"So that is what happened. Enough of this. What are we going to do now?"

"Where we were supposed to be. I have already contacted my superiors in IW and requested a LoA of undefined length. It was granted. Come on, Captain, we have a job to do."

Wellen laughs. "Aye, Admiral."

The End