4
Li New looked thoughtfully at his scan of the forest planet. The second planet from the sun seemed like an unspoiled world, teeming with life but untouched by the hand of industry. There were no signs of advanced civilisation or structures anywhere on its surface, like the other three planets in the Do'Naar system.
It hadn't taken them long to realise there was little of interest to be discovered about the four planets. The closest one to the single sun was so small it could barely be called such, as it was more of a large asteroid. The third and fourth planets were both large gas giants that orbited so far away from the sun they could almost be classed in systems of their own. Of the four only the forest world had a breathable atmosphere, but figuring the Dark Jedi could have easily created a structure with atmosphere and oxygen generators they had checked them all out anyway.
They had scanned the gas giants, passing within sixty thousand kilometres of each to make sure they had taken accurate readings. There had been no such structures, and their flight path had led them here. Looking out of his view screen he gazed down to the small green planet. He couldn't explain it, but he just had a strange feeling about the place.
"What is it?" Rylo asked intuitively.
"I don't know exactly," Li New was forced to admit. "Do you feel anything a little odd, my apprentice?"
"No," Rylo answered after a moment, stretching his own senses in the Force to their maximum. "I feel nothing master."
"Hmm," Li New mulled, trying to focus on the feeling and discover what it meant. Yet as he did so, the strange sensation gently diminished until he could no longer feel it. With a sigh he looked back out to the planet, then back to his scan. Perhaps he was just being a little paranoid, wanting to find something in case he missed it without realising.
"Shall we move on to the last planet?" Rylo asked.
Now they were further in system it had become apparent to Li New just how close the first planet was to the sun. Even in a cooled and greatly shielded structure one would find the temperature on that planet unbearable to stand. But although it seemed very unlikely anyone could exist there he thought it best that they make sure.
"Very well," he agreed, and prepared to power up his thrusters. It was then that he felt it. That funny feeling he had been getting came back to him far greater than before. Through the Force, he became aware of some kind of presence, almost as if it was waking up from a long sleep. Along with it he could sense a cold, dark kind of fear.
"Perhaps you were right master," Rylo told him. "I just felt something also. It did not feel good."
"This merits a closer investigation," Li New decided. "Start your landing cycle. We're going down."
"Affirmative."
Things didn't look good Codan thought, as he set his craft down in a small but well looked after hangar on the planet Raddus-Bor. During his approach he had observed that the planet was heavily populated, with many cities and other trading towns dotted all over the three main continents. If they were here it would be difficult indeed to find a hidden pocket of Dark Jedi on a planet so thriving with activity.
As he jumped down from the cockpit, one of the hangar droids rushed to him and offered to service his craft for a staggering fee of three hundred credits. He waved it away with an amused smile, and left the hangar through a door at its rear.
He appeared on a small side street, and decided to follow its length down to the bustling main street. The sight of his surroundings forced a smile from his lips. The place could almost be Coronet, the capital city of his home planet of Corellia. The wide open street was bathed in sunlight, both from the sky itself, and also in reflections from the large gleaming buildings that rose all around him. He really would have to go and visit that place again some time soon.
What he needed now was some information about the planet. After almost being bundled over by a busy looking group of Vurks, he set off to find anyone or anything that might be helpful. He had to go nearly half of the main street before some kind soul directed him to an important looking building called the Hall Of Records. It would be a good place to start, he figured, and walked inside.
Li New and Rylo moved away from their X-Wings and pressed on into the forest. It had taken them a while to find a clearing big enough to land just their two small craft, but had eventually come across several near a range of large hills. It was just as well really. The now almost familiar Force presence seemed stronger here than anywhere else. Li New just wished he could pinpoint it more clearly.
The forest was quite dense but seemed to be fashioned from the standard green types of growth found in many wooded areas on planets all over the galaxy. Where trees and bushes didn't grow, long thick grass had took root, proving soft underfoot. As they moved towards one of the nearby hills, Li New reached out to the Force, trying once again to get a better feel for exactly what it was that was out there. The forest proved swarming with activity, and the many life forms surrounding them all gave their own manifestation in the Force. Focusing on anything clearly was a challenge, but he was sure that the familiar presence must be close by. The problem now was that it was accompanied by something else, a feeling of sinister intent that immediately triggered a cautionary posture. Rylo stopped walking and removed his saber from his belt. Obviously he had sensed it too.
"What is that?" the young Padawan asked.
"Something draws near," Li New could sense. "Some irrepressible feral conscience."
Rylo turned and scanned his eyes through the dense woodland, his senses on high alert. "It wishes us harm," he realised.
Together, they both turned in the direction of an abrupt vicious snarl. Some way ahead of them, a large muscular cat-like creature paced purposefully into view, emerging from the cover of the forest. The black-green fur on its body rippled in an intriguing way, almost allowing it to blend back in with its surroundings. Another growl revealed a set of large sharp teeth in its mouth, and it fixed them in the centre of its icy gaze.
"Hmm," Li New nodded. "It seems we are being hunted."
"What do we do?" Rylo asked.
"Killing the resident wildlife wasn't exactly part of the plan," Li New moaned. "But if it becomes necessary then do what you must."
"Understood."
They continued to watch the animal as it slowly came forward. Li New was part way through wondering whether it would leave them alone if they were to walk away, when he suddenly received a firm caution through the Force. "Rylo, behind us!" Barely in time, he turned as another of the creatures leapt at him from the undergrowth. Grabbing its powerful front legs, he fell back into a roll, using the creature's weight as momentum and kicked it over his head. Clever tactics, Li New thought. One creature acts as a distraction, while another attacks from a different direction.
Rylo ignited his saber and turned in one fluid motion, swinging the blade round and slicing the airborne animal in half. Its two pieces fell heavily before the feet of the first creature, which seemed to look at them with both anger and contempt, if such a beast was capable of those feelings.
Jumping back to his feet, Li New removed his saber from his belt and ignited it, as Rylo brandished his own blue blade in the direction of the first brute, trying to caution it away. Not impressed, the creature reared its head back and let out a deep, thunderous roar. Within moments, Li New could sense more of a widespread threat approaching. The creature had called for help.
"We need to leave this place," Li New advised. Soon, even over the hum of the sabers, he became aware of rustling in the trees and bushes all around. "We must go now!"
They turned and bolted, triggering action from the creature who immediately started to give chase. As he passed a nearby tree, Li New swung his saber straight through its trunk, then reached out to it with the Force as he continued to run. Just at the right time, he gave it a shove, sending it toppling down on top of their pursuer and crushing it into the soft earth.
But that beast it seemed wasn't the last of their worries. In the woods all around them the sounds of the hunt were intensifying. Bushes parted and branches snapped as the creatures ran them down, their huge clawed feet pounding the turf as if to some dark and menacing rhythm.
Suddenly, one appeared in Rylo's peripheral vision. It charged towards them and pounced, but the young apprentice had been given fair warning. He dived forward, hitting the ground in a roll as the animal flashed passed above him. As he continued his roll, one quick stroke with his saber ended its life.
While his apprentice returned to his feet, Li New himself came under attack from two others. Delving into the powers of the Force, he leapt high out of reach of their claws, and landed squarely on a thick branch thirty feet high on a nearby tree. As more and more of the creatures appeared around him, Rylo saw the logic in his master's plan and leapt up into one of the other trees himself.
"This is only a temporary respite," Li New said, as he observed a couple of the creatures beginning to climb the thick trunks, their claws providing them with enough grip to ascend. "They seem as comfortable in the trees as they are on the ground."
"We may not be able to escape this without killing them all," Rylo conceded.
"I believe you are correct," Li New regretted. Though it was kind of a pity, as these creatures probably had never been encountered by the Republic before now, he could see no other choice. He got the distinct feeling that even if they jumped from tree to tree, their hunters on the ground would continue to follow them.
Leaving his lightsaber ignited, he dropped it from the tree, then reached out and caught it using the Force when it was several feet from the ground. He closed his eyes momentarily to focus his mind, then started to rotate the saber where it hung in mid air. Satisfied with its speed, and more importantly his control, he began to move the blade through the air, striking at the animals and cutting them down where they stood.
The animals began to back off, maybe just not knowing what to make of it all. The final straw came as Li New lifted the saber higher to take out the ones climbing up the trees. With the dead pieces of their breed falling down on them, the surviving creatures turned and beat a hasty retreat, snarling at each other in panic and frustration.
Once the saber returned to his hand, Li New deactivated it and clipped it back to his belt.
"They should not trouble us again," Rylo speculated, and jumped down from the tree. Li New waited a moment and stretched out once more to the Force. Though the Padawan seemed to be correct, he could not help but feel their adventure on this planet was not yet over. Something ominous still lurked amongst these trees, he could sense. It was all just so unclear.
With little other option, Li New rejoined his apprentice on the ground, and they continued their exploration. It took almost an hour of trudging through woodland and evading other creatures, before their attention was captured by something strange up ahead. Through the trees, something metallic was reflecting the sun brightly back towards them. As they approached, they observed it was some kind of door buried into the side of the hill. What lay behind it was a mystery, but there was an extremely cold feeling about the place.
"I sense the dark side," Li New explained, suddenly very concerned.
"Give the man a prize," an evil, metallic voice boomed.
Looking in its direction, Li New soon spotted someone moving in the forest a short distance away. The green and yellow bushes failed miserably at hiding the Dark Jedi's flamboyant red armour. "Ghyron," he realised.
"The great Wilcra Li New," Ghyron said as he emerged into the open. "I always had the feeling that some day we would meet again."
"Funny that," Li New told him. "I always hoped we wouldn't."
"Come now. Don't hurt your old friend's feelings."
"I hardly class you as a friend," Li New said coldly.
"Oh, that makes me so upset," Ghyron said sarcastically. "But never mind. I don't need you as a friend, and I never did. I have all I need right here."
Li New suddenly caught a glimpse of movement off to his right. Out of the bushes strode another Dark Jedi, a Togruta. She raised her saber and ignited it, and the red blade droned menacingly. Around them, other Dark Jedi emerged, blocking off all their logical escape routes. One by one the Zabrak, the Twi'lek and the Gran all ignited their sabers and readied themselves for battle.
As they stood surrounded, the mysterious door behind them slid open, and they turned to see a human male step out into the forest.
"Greetings, Jedi," he said, mockingly. "Welcome to the Do'Naar system. I am Kreygor, and you will soon understand that it was a mistake coming to my planet. Take them!"
The green and blue sabers instantly ignited again as the Dark Jedi rushed towards them. Li New was immediately forced onto the defensive as the Zabrak and the Togruta attacked him ferociously, while Rylo parried desperately against the Twi'lek and the Gran.
Kreygor and Ghyron watched as the fight raged in front of them. Though they fought valiantly it soon became obvious that even Jedi could not possibly hold off so many enemies. Li New was pressed back further, and found himself in the shadow of a huge thick tree, many feet it diameter. Ghyron found he couldn't wait any longer, and rushed forward to join in.
Rylo ducked and parried again, also on the back foot as the cackling Twi'lek and the wildly erratic Gran swung their sabers at him violently. Suddenly Rylo noticed the Gran fall forward, nearly cutting himself open with his own orange saber. The stupid idiot had tripped over a protruding tree root, and in his rage had not been able to keep his balance.
Kreygor shook his head with embarrassment. Just how had he managed to put up with that fool's pathetic efforts for so long? He saw the Padawan now attempting to fight back with increased verve, but luckily Karynna was much better trained, and stepped up her efforts accordingly.
But there was no worry here. He watched as Raelag and Xeroque forced Li New back against the immense trunk of the tree. The Jedi fought for a moment longer before Raelag kicked out and sent his green saber falling from his grasp. Ghyron, who had been waiting for just the right moment, immediately stepped in and aimed one of his blasters directly at Li New's forehead. To stop the Jedi trying any sneaky tricks, Xeroque hovered her saber closely in front of his neck.
Meanwhile Rylo continued his gallant effort, but it had been for nothing. The Twi'lek had seen what was going on, and diverted Rylo's attention towards his master's predicament.
"Throw down your weapon," Ghyron ordered. "Or I kill him."
"Do not disarm yourself," Li New advised. "They will kill me anyway."
Rylo didn't move. He continued to hold is saber ready as the Twi'lek and her magenta blade came closer.
"I will not tell you again, Jedi," Ghyron's voice was louder and much more insistent. "Do you wish to see your master destroyed right in front of you?"
Rylo hesitated a moment longer, looking more and more unsure. He knew he could not take all of these enemies alone, and though it seemed likely that the Dark Jedi would kill them anyway, he decided he had no other choice. Surrender was the only possible way that they could survive this day. Putting his faith in the Force, he deactivated his saber and threw it to the floor.
"That's a good, young, stupid Jedi," the Twi'lek told him, a sardonic smile on her lips.
"You should have listened to your master, fool!" Ghyron laughed, and prepared to pull the trigger.
"STOP!" Kreygor ordered. "Do not kill them."
"What?" Ghyron asked, astonished. "Do not kill them? Are you insane?"
"The Force works in mysterious ways," Kreygor explained. "We can not pass up this gift."
"Gift?" Ghyron asked. "They are no gift. They will only bring trouble."
"If they can be turned they will become very useful indeed."
"Turned?" Ghyron scoffed. "Turned? I know this Jedi. His name is Wilcra Li New, and even as an apprentice there were few Jedi more dedicated than he. He will not turn."
"Hmm, maybe not," Kreygor pondered. "But his apprentice is not yet so set in his master's ways. There is much potential in this one."
"You are seeing opportunity where there is none," Ghyron explained. "We must destroy them, and then get out of here before more Jedi arrive."
"Do not fear them, you weak fool," Kreygor taunted him. "They are no threat to you now."
"It is you who are afraid," Ghyron told him. "You are only doing this to try and prove yourself to your master, because you fear his wrath."
"As you should yours!" Kreygor bellowed. "Their decision to come to this planet was a one off. They could not possibly have detected our facility through its cloak. If any other Jedi do come they will have the same problem. Karynna, Xeroque. Find their craft and take them into the hangar. They will not be detected there."
"Of course Kreygor," Karynna purred, and the two female warriors moved off into the trees.
"You are making a mistake Kreygor," Ghyron said.
"I don't think so," Kreygor assured him. "Even if they cannot be turned I still know of a use for them. Bring them inside."
Li New and Rylo walked, with Ghyron's blasters and the heat of several lightsabers urging them along.
Raddus-Bor and its close neighbour Raddus-Kon were remarkable planets, Codan had learned. He'd never known two planets follow exactly the same solar orbit before, but these somehow did. Raddus-Bor itself trailed Raddus-Kon by just a few weeks on their seventy two week rotation of the sun. The main species of both planets had once been the proud and noble Mokderians, but their competition with each other to earn the most trade had proven their downfall. Several hundred years ago their competitive streak had somehow forced them into a bloody war with each other. It had only ended when Raddus-Kon was hit with a massive orbital barrage from the Raddus-Bor fleet, reducing all of its once fine cities to rubble. The Raddus-Kon survivors fled the planet, scattering all over the galaxy. Their fate was unknown.
The victorious Bor-Mokderians had problems of their own, however. The losses they had suffered in the war had proven far greater than they had anticipated, and due to Mokderian tradition, only the males were allowed to take arms and fight. This coupled with the fact that the number of males had always been low anyway compared to the number of females meant that the rate of reproduction dropped to worryingly low levels. So once the aftermath of the war had died down their trade began to rise, but their numbers began to fall. Later, as the planet became a more and more popular trading port it attracted more and more residents from other species. At this present time the Mokderian population of the planet was less than five percent.
He leaned back in his seat and stretched, then reached forward and turned off the data console. His hunt for any clues of Dark Jedi activity had not been successful here. The planet had a reasonable reputation, and other than the occasional trading dispute it was surprisingly peaceful considering its blend of cultures.
He stood up to leave, figuring he'd just have to try the usual places such as bars and cantinas, when he felt someone approaching. Turning to face it, he realised it was a Mokderian, the first one he'd seen since arriving. Like others of its species, it stood tall and slender. Its single eye spied him from the centre of its elongated green skinned head.
"Me Akkam Songar," it hissed. "My job give help."
"Oh, good," Codan told it. "Because I'm looking for some information."
"Information here," it held its hands out wide as if marvelling at the building. "Hall Of Records."
"Yes. Very impressive."
"Here," it pointed at the rows of data consoles. "You look?"
"I have looked," Codan explained. "But I could not find anything useful."
"No?" it asked, tilting its head inquisitively.
"Have you heard anything about Dark Jedi activity in this system?"
"Dark Jedi?" it asked, maybe flinching a little.
"Yes," Codan confirmed. "There have been reports that they are operating in nearby systems, but your data store has no references about them at all. I need to find them."
"No, no, no Dark Jedi," Akkam assured him. "Not Raddus system. Not Raddus-Bor."
Codan really didn't like the way the Mokderian spoke. Its tone was not that of someone wishing to share information, but he guessed it could easily be the natural Mokderian accent. One thing was for sure - it didn't seem like the kind of creature that was supposedly proud and noble. The last few hundred years must have driven that out of them, if they were ever like it to begin with.
Reaching into the Force, he quickly stretched out to the being to see what he could feel. There was definitely a strange essence surrounding the creature, but despite his concerns he could sense no deception.
"Why hunt Dark Jedi? Are you Jedi?" it asked, suddenly leaning forward curiously. "Have come long way?"
"A very long way," Codan told it. "And I wouldn't want my journey here to have been a waste."
Akkam's eye blinked. "Not want that. Jedi not want that."
"Why is it that your data stores have no references to the Dark Jedi activity? Everything else from the neighbouring systems seems to be intact."
"No Dark Jedi," Akkam repeated. "No records here."
"Well," Codan thought. "Is there anyone else that might be able to help me?"
"If Akkam not help you, then nobody help you," it told him. "This Hall Of Records. Me Keeper Of Records."
Something in the back of Codan's mind really troubled him about this creature, but despite its seemingly evasive discourse he could still sense no nervousness or dishonesty. Maybe they were just strange beings who really didn't like the Dark Jedi. He could understand that.
"Are there any other places like this?" he tried again, feeling like this was getting him nowhere. "Are there any other Mokderians who collect data like this?"
"Long time ago, many," it nodded. "But none now."
He sighed after a short while, and decided it was pointless to waste any more time here. "Well, thank you for your assistance Akkam."
"Jedi welcome," it said as he walked away. "Always welcome."
Codan left the building, a little downhearted. He'd really hoped he wouldn't have to traipse around all the local bars and confront all the local hoodlums for any possible information, but deep down knew that being a Jedi was not that easy. Directly opposite him he had already spotted one such place, and started to move towards it. Had he turned around, just for a split second, he may have noticed through one of the large glass windows of the Hall Of Records that Akkam Songar was making an urgent transmission to a mysterious cloaked figure who had appeared before him on a computer terminal.
Li New coughed as Raelag took another turn hitting him hard in the stomach. Along with San Rylo he had been restrained to a wall by energy bonds at the wrists and ankles, and they were in a small confinement room in some kind of secret underground installation.
"What do you think of this, young one?" Ro-Donic grunted at Rylo, then swung his big hand round and caught Li New across the cheek. The Jedi's head whipped back and clattered into the wall, forcing him to close his eyes and wince. "How does that make you feel?"
Rylo struggled pointlessly against his restraints, but kept his cool and said nothing. Through the Force Li New could sense his Padawan's frustration, but was glad he was keeping it mainly in check. He was learning fast.
The entrance to the room suddenly swirled with activity through Li New's blurred vision. Kreygor and Ghyron had entered.
"I do hope you are finding our hospitality... uncomfortable," Kreygor grinned.
"You can do what you want to us," Li New promised. "But we will never turn to the dark side."
"Yes, yes, yes," Kreygor sighed. "I've heard all that before."
"It's not too late," Li New told them in vain. "The Jedi can help you. All of you. Even you Ghyron."
"Why would I even let them try?" Ghyron asked. "Honestly now. What did I really get out of my time with the Jedi? What did they ever give me?"
Li New observed as Ghyron brought his cybernetic hand before the visor in his helmet. He could sense the cyborg's anger rise at the mere suggestion of re-joining the Jedi.
"I guess they did give me this," Ghyron realised, turning his gaze back to Li New. "Do you want to know what it feels like?"
The Jedi gasped as the robotic hand thrust forward and clasped tightly around his neck. The cold metal appendage constricted painfully tighter, restricting his air flow until he could not breathe at all. Using the power of the Force, Li New was aware he could hold his breath for much longer than a normal human, but he could not hold on forever.
"Do you like that, Jedi?" Ghyron taunted him.
"Ghyron, do not kill him yet," Kreygor warned, then smiled. "Not before we have all had our turns, anyway."
The cyborg waited a short time longer to show his disagreement, then released his hold. Li New coughed as he tried to take air into his lungs, and reached into the Force to try and help ease his pain.
"So," Kreygor clapped his hands together. "I see no reason to waste any more time. Bring me Macan, and let us see how well he reacts to these two innocent Jedi being brutally tortured before his very eyes."
It took Li New's aching brain a few moments to realise what Kreygor had said. Could it really be his old friend Macan, here in this building with the Dark Jedi? Had they captured him too? Were they trying to turn him, or could he already be one of them? It became obvious that it must have been Macan's presence all along that he had been sensing.
"Yes Kreygor," Ro-Donic cackled, and left the room as Kreygor rose his arms towards the captives. As the door slid shut behind him, the Gran smiled at the sound of Force lightning, and the agonized shouting of the two Jedi.
Macan suddenly shuddered. Someone was in pain, he could feel. He couldn't tell who, or where, but they were close. Perhaps they were the guests Kreygor had mentioned earlier. If just the Force would tell him, but his connection to it seemed too weak.
He mentally kicked himself. He didn't like being here with all these dark side users in this hidden metal cave. If just he hadn't abandoned his training his skills would be greater and he would have more of a chance at getting out of this mess. Of course, if he hadn't abandoned his training he wouldn't even be here. Why should the Force tell him anything, when his use of it had been so dire?
Before any answers had a chance of coming to him, he suddenly sensed a presence approaching along the corridor. Trying his hardest, he stretched out to discover more. The evil and hatred within the individual's mind soon became apparent, but any power there was unfocused and undisciplined. Even with his limited training Macan thought he probably had more control over the Force than this being.
Despite the risk, Macan realized this was his chance. He didn't want to stay here one more moment, and positioned himself across the room directly opposite the door. He again reached out and put all of his faith in the Force, knowing timing of the move was critical.
The person was right outside the door now, he could sense. There was a feint beeping of switches being pressed.
Something in his mind triggered action, and he immediately started to sprint straight at the door. The room was not all that large, and the still closed door quickly loomed before him. Had he moved too soon, he worried? Just at the right time he saw light from the corridor start to beam through into the room as the door started to move. As he reached it there was just enough gap to fit through, and he realised the stupid looking Gran hadn't even seen him yet.
He turned side on and crashed into his opponent with a bone-crunching shoulder block. Unfortunately, the Gran was well built and Macan figured he must have hurt himself just as much as he'd hurt his target. However, the surprise and power of his move had proven enough. Ro-Donic crashed back against a door on the other side of the corridor and slumped to the floor. Before the fallen Dark Jedi had enough presence of mind to alert his comrades, Macan was already sprinting away down the corridor.
"How did this happen?" Kreygor roared as he watched his holographic radar in the centre of the command room. On it, the stolen Dark Jedi transport containing Macan was already leaving the atmosphere of the planet. "What kind of squandering fool are you?"
Ro-Donic shimmied back slightly, afraid of what his instructor would do to him.
"Ghyron, you will track Macan immediately," Kreygor ordered. "And when you find him, bring him back here."
"What?" Ghyron asked. "Surely I should just kill him? We can't risk him contacting other Jedi."
"No, you fool," Kreygor warned. "Are you blind? He has fled our facility, and that means he is afraid. If he succumbs to his feelings this easy we should not find it too difficult to tempt him over to the dark side."
"What if he doesn't want to come back?"
"Make him."
"And what if I can't?"
"Then I will kill you myself for being so useless!" Kreygor snarled. "Now stop wasting time with pointless questions and do as I order."
Ghyron started to turn, slowly at first, as if deciding whether to obey. The moment of hesitation passed, and he proceeded to leave the room, heading for the hangar.
"Raelag. Take this imbecile and give our Jedi friends a new cell mate," Kreygor ordered, casting his ominous gaze upon the Gran. "I will be along to teach him the meaning of failure in a short while."
Ro-Donic immediately started to struggle as Raelag's hands grabbed onto his shoulders and started to drag him away.
"But Kreygor," the Gran begged. "I will not fail you again. Believe me."
Taking a disgusted look from his boss as the cue, Raelag stopped the other Dark Jedi's protests with a powerful punch that dropped him to the floor. Then grabbing a leg, he dragged the fallen warrior out of the room and down the corridor.
Kreygor found himself struggling to contain his rage and fury at the constant display of incompetence he was surrounded by. He walked over to the observation screen overlooking the hangar and beat it with a clenched fist. Through the cracked glass panel he observed with gritted teeth as Ghyron's ship lifted off and sped away into the sky.
