In The Shadows Book 2: The Rising Tempest
Sequel to 'In The Shadows Book 1: Jedi Uprising'
Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to George Lucas and so do all his characters. Any characters created by Jude Watson and Dave Wolverton belong to them + any characters I created belong to me.
I am making no money off of this and I hope you enjoy this exciting adventure.
Author note: I would like to thank my two beta readers for the time and energy they put in to check my fic over and offer advice.
Author note 2: If you would like to be pmed when there are updates and/or for future episode updates then please let me know so that I can add you to my list.
Author note 3/bond/ means talking through bond. Italics mean dreams, visions, and/or thoughts.
Dramatis personae
Jedi:
Yoda - Jedi Master (Unknown species male)
Plo Koon - Jedi Master (Kel Dor male)
Even Piell - Jedi Master (Lannik male)
Yaddle - Jedi Master
Adi Gallia - Jedi Master (Human female)
Oppo Rancisis -Jedi Master (Thisspain male)
Saesee Tiin - Jedi Master (Iktotchi male)
Dooku - Jedi Master (Human male)
Sith
Darth Bane - Sith Master. Head of the Sith Council.
Darth Cralash - Sith Master. Sits on the Sith Council. (Human male)
Darth Sidious - Sith Master
Darth Ronok - Sith Master (Human male)
Darth Milter - Sith Master. Nev-Kwellen's Master. (Human male)
Darth Sidious - Sith Master (Human male)
Darth Fraunel - Sith Master (Human female)
Darth Meltric - Sith Master (Human male)
Darth Mage - Sith Master (Human male)
Darth Dakonda - Anakin's Master (Human male)
Darth Nemiraa - Sith Master (Human female)
Darth Redav aka Obi-Wan -Sith Master (Human male)
Darth Khunth aka Bruck - Sith Master (Human male)
Darth Seront aka Garen - Sith Master (Human male)
Anakin Skywalker - Sith apprentice (Human male)
Nev-Kwellen - Darth Milter's apprentice (Human male)
Drengin -Sith apprentice (Humanoid male)
Other:
Jango Fett - Bounty hunter (Human male)
Watto - Owner of parts shop (Toydorian male)
Panaka - Chief of security.
Maya - Padme's handmaiden (Human female)
Kitster - Padme's bodyguard (Human male) What no older picture of him?
Jobal - Padme's mother (Human female)
Sola - Padme's sister (Human female)
Pooja and Ryoo - Sola's daughters (Human females)
Jonash Solo - Captain of a warship (Human male)
Places:
Coruscant - Capital planet. Inner rim planet.
Naboo - In the outer rim.
Theed - Capital of Naboo.
Tatooine - In the outer Rim.
Mos Espa - A town of Tatooine.
Chapter 1
Darth Redav walked purposefully through the dim corridor and entered a dark room that was weakly lit by the rays of the sun that managed to come through the dirty glass doors. He opened the doors to the balcony and went to lean against the railing. He looked out into the sky to see the sun begin its descent. The sun's rays cast shadows on the many buildings, while others sparkled with color.
"It's lovely, isn't it?" Nemiraa remarked as she came up next to him.
"Every day it has the same view when it rises and it sets. Even through storms, clouds, and whatever can seem to cover it up, it's still there. Colors may vary, shadows may be larger or smaller, but the same beauty is there." Redav replied as he continued to watch the sun's descent.
"As for those who conceal their true selves in an effort to create a false version of their true self, it is the same." Nemiraa added.
"A sun can implode and erase its beauty and the beauty around it, and in its place there is destruction and chaos," Redav continued.
"Corruption of a person's true self can occur, but can disaster be replaced with the renewal of beauty?" Nemiraa finished.
Redav turned his head to look at her. "Well said."
Nemiraa turned to return his look. "And the same to you."
"I'm leaving on another mission early tomorrow," Redav told her as he looked back at the setting sun.
Nemiraa frowned. "But you only just returned from your last mission five hours ago!" she remarked.
"The Council had other ideas," Redav replied with an irritated tone in his voice.
"Redav, you have gone on more then twenty missions for the past five months! And you wind up staying at the Temple for less then 24 hours!" Nemiraa protested.
Redav shrugged his shoulders. "The missions may be annoying, but I have to do what I have to do."
"In other words, do what the Council orders you to do; I know the routine. So what kind of mission is it this time?" she asked.
"I have to deliver a message 'personally' to Jango Fett," he replied as he walked away from the balcony.
Nemiraa crossed her arms and watched him leave, "That's a job for an apprentice, not a Master."
Redav turned to look at her, "Tell the Council that, I'm sure they will be happy to know that detail." He said sarcastically.
Nemiraa uncrossed her arms and walked over to him. "At least this mission is less dangerous then the last seven were," she replied, and gave him a light kiss on the lips. "I will love you anyway, no matter what mission they give you." She said before she left the room.
Redav smirked and left the room as well.
Darth Khunth walked into the Council chambers and strode to the center where he bowed in front of Darth Bane.
"Report!" Darth Bane commanded.
"Jenna Zan Arbor has been captured and taken to the high security prison on Kessel where she will receive the proper punishment for her crimes. Her labs and experiments have been destroyed. The records of her experiments, viruses and cures have been sent to Darth Yintac, on Abregado-rae." Khunth reported.
"Splendid work. You may go until called for." Darth Cralash told him in dismissal.
"Darth Khunth you've proven your loyalty and skill satisfactorily, now you must take on an apprentice before your next assignment is given." Darth Bane added.
Darth Khunth bowed in respect and left the room.
Darth Seront sat in his small living room in the middle of floor in meditation. Ten years has passed since that fateful day on Naboo. Progress had been slow and the goal we intend to reach still seemed so far away. There is one obstacle after another. For five months we had Sith Masters evaluating us, testing and taking us on missions. After that the Council began to send Obi-Wan and Bruck on missions that lasted for weeks. I, however, was put in charge of a lightsaber class as well as collecting children to be raised as Sith.
He rubbed his forehead as a headache began to form. Anakin received a strict Master and for the first few months didn't let Anakin out of his sight. Although Anakin's Master doesn't watch Anakin every second now, it is difficult to catch Anakin when he is not busy.
He opened his eyes as he felt Darth Khunth approach the door to his quarters. "The door's unlocked," he said, loud enough so that his friend could hear him from the other side.
The door slid open and Darth Khunth walked smoothly inside and sat down on the floor in front of Darth Seront.
"Your mission went well, I presume?"
Khunth nodded his head, "Yes, it did. In fact, the Council insists that I take on an apprentice. They were really straight forward about it."
Seront raised an eyebrow and a small smile appeared on his face. "That is good news, it shows that they trust us."
Khunth managed a smile, then let his face become emotionless, "Perhaps. However, it could make things more complicated."
"Who says things aren't complicated already? Besides, this will make us blend in even better," Seront responded.
Khunth chuckled softly. "True. So have you heard from Darth Redav yet?"
"I got a quick message from my comm unit ten minutes ago. The Council is sending him on another assignment."
"They have got to be crazy!" Khunth retorted incredulously. "He'll be fully worn out by the time they give him a break – or worse." Running his hand through his hair, Khunth continued, "Although I should be used to how the Sith Council works by now."
Seront sighed. "There's nothing we can do about it. We just have to have faith."
Khunth snorted in disdain. "The Council needs to get a heart, of course that will never happen."
"Yeah, Hoth would melt first before that happens." Seront responded, a tiny smile crossing his face.
Khunth smiled weakly and stood. "I'll see you later, Seront," he said, and left Seront's quarters.
Seront shook his head as his friend left and went back to meditating.
Khunth walked swiftly down the numerous corridors to the area in the Temple where Sith Masters prepared children to become Sith apprentices. He entered one of the training rooms and watched from the doorway as the teacher, Darth Crustic, instructed them about different forms of katas.
There were ten human boys in this class and five humanoid boys. They stood straight and tall as they listened to the lecture on katas. He estimated that their ages ranged from eight to ten. He quietly slipped out and headed back to his quarters. I can't get an apprentice; I'm just not ready and it just would complicate things. Not paying attention, one of the young trainees ran smack into Khunth's legs.
Khunth stepped backwards and then looked down onto the floor where he saw a young humanoid boy, about five years old, sitting on the floor, his eyes brimming with tears.
He knelt down until he was eye level with the boy. "Why aren't you with your instructor?" he asked sternly.
"I…well…I was going to evening meal with my group and one of the older boys started to pick on me. I…I'm sorry I ran into you Master—" the boy paused, uncertain of how to properly address the Sith he had run into.
"Khunth," the man replied gently.
"I'm sorry for bumping into you, Master Khunth; it won't happen again," the boy finished.
Khunth stood up and waited for the boy to stand up before speaking. "Be sure that it doesn't."
The boy nodded and quickly walked away.
Khunth shook his head as he continued on his way. Kids.
Anakin collapsed into bed, exhausted. His Master was very rigorous in training him. Day after day was the same routine and every night Anakin was exhausted. He placed a pillow over his head and held it there until his headache subsided. I need a break. I welcome the training but I just wish I didn't feel rushed.
He snorted as he took the pillow off of his head and sat up on his bed. "How I've managed to keep my act together so far is beyond me." He went over to his small desk and picked up a datapad containing a list of things to do before bed. Anakin groaned as he read it. "Why couldn't Darth Redav have been my Master? He's been secretly training me when he's at the Temple anyway."
Shaking his head, he threw the datapad onto his bed just as his comm unit went off.
Sighing, he went over to his small com unit and pressed the button to answer it.
When Queen Amidala's face appeared on the screen, Anakin's bad mood faded and a tiny smile appeared on his face. "Hello, Padme."
Amidala smiled as she noticed the stress on Anakin's face fade. "Am I calling at a bad time?"
"No," Anakin replied with a shake of his head. "I could use a friend to talk to right now."
"Your Master has been keeping you busy, I see." Amidala remarked, referring to the lack of calls every week.
"That and the fact that he dislikes it when I talk to you." Anakin replied.
Amidala laughed softly as she responded. "That doesn't surprise me. Just be glad that you can get away with it."
Anakin grunted. "No one controls what I do."
"So you say. Unless you have firm proof that no one controls you, I will stick to what I believe." Amidala replied.
He was about to respond when his Master called him to meet him in the living area. "I have to go; we'll continue this discussion later," Anakin told her.
"Don't be too long." She gave him a thin smile and closed the channel.
Anakin gave an irritated sigh before leaving his room to meet his Master. How come most of my conversations with Padme become arguments?
Khunth woke up in the middle of the night; the Force prodding his mind. Getting out of bed, he put on his robe and left his quarters. He let the Force lead him as he walked down the empty, dimly lit, corridors. He came up to a dead end and looked around. Directed by the Force, he walked over to a wall where he thought he heard a sound and, finding the seams to the hidden door, he opened it with the Force.
He used the Force to create light that he could see by and went into the room. There, in the abandoned storage room, lay a badly beaten up humanoid boy. Khunth walked up to him and knelt down to check his pulse. Looking at the boy's bruised face he gave a start as he recognized him. It was the same boy who had run into him that evening. Gently picking the boy up, he left the room and closed the door with the Force as he headed back to his quarters.
Turning the lights on low in his quarters, he laid the boy on his small couch and began to tend to him.
Anakin stifled a yawn as he waited in an abandoned warehouse for Darth Redav. Where is he? He said to himself as he tried to remain patient and not yawn. It was two hours past midnight, and even though Anakin had gone to sleep for two hours before coming here, he was still exhausted.
The warehouse was a few miles away from the Temple and in the lower levels. Old boxes and crates still lay inside, becoming a great source of material for training. There was only one way in or out and the windows had been boarded up long ago. The lights, amazingly enough still worked, although Anakin believed that Redav had something to do with that.
"Patience. It is always a good lesson to learn and to practice." Redav said as he entered the warehouse and shut the door.
Anakin whirled around to look at Redav. "Do you know how long I was waiting here?"
Redav's eyes sparkled while the rest of his face remained emotionless. "Long enough for your first lesson tonight."
Anakin scratched the back of his head and sighed as he dropped his hand down. "Of course."
Redav patted Anakin on the shoulder and walked past him to drop his cloak on a crate next to Anakin's. "How has your training under Master Dakonda been going?"
Anakin turned to face Redav as he replied. "Tough, but I'm surviving."
"That is good." Redav answered, noticing the scowl that appeared on Anakin's face.
"There are days that I wish to just turn on him so I can get a new Master." Anakin said in a hard voice.
Redav frowned. "That is not advisable. I do not want you confronting him! Do you understand?"
"But why not..." Anakin paused when he saw the look on Redav's face. "Well if you won't let me take him down then why can't you do it yourself?"
Redav sat down on a crate and gestured for Anakin to sit next to him. Once Anakin was sitting and listening Redav began to talk. "There is a time and a place for everything Anakin. Recklessly going into situations before then will sooner or later lead to problems. The Force can help guide you on whether the time is right or not. There are times when it is difficult to discern when is the right time even when you search the Force for answers. If you are going to go ahead and do something first you need to know the possible consequences of your decision. Second, you need to have different plans of actions to back you up. Third, it is best to have an exit vector, just in case things turn out bad and all your other options fail or you know will not work."
Anakin nodded his head. "I understand Master Redav, but it is difficult not to just rush into things."
Redav smiled. "That is where patience comes into play. Having patience can make all the difference when you're in a situation that requires you to be patient."
"I will remember that." Anakin replied.
"Good." Redav stood up and took two lightsabers off his belt. "Let's do some sparring."
Anakin hurried to catch up to Redav as he strode to the center of the room and unhooked his own two lightsabers from his belt. "I'm ready."
Drengin woke up with a groan as he moved his head. Where am I? he said to himself as he tried to sort out what had happened last night. He slowly sat up on the couch and moved the blanket away from him. The lights were dim and the smell of breakfast wafted through the kitchen to the living room. Rising from the couch, he slowly walked to the small kitchen area.
Khunth felt the boy awaken as he finished putting hot tareo oatmeal into two bowls. He smiled inwardly as he felt the boy's unease. "I won't bite. Come on in and have some breakfast," he called as he sat down at the table and waited for Drengin to come out from the opposite side of the doorway.
Drengin bit his lip and entered the kitchen. His eyes widened in recognition and he quickly gave a bow of respect. "Master Khunth."
Khunth gestured to him to sit down and studied him for a few seconds. The humanoid boy was a species he had never seen before until yesterday. He had ridges going from both sides of his nose, a few centimeters above his eyebrows, going to the top of his ears. His hair was black with streaks of light brown. His hands had ridges on the top that combined at his wrists and went up his arms to his neck. "I never did get your name yesterday."
Drengin took a small bite from his oatmeal before answering, "My name's Drengin."
"Well Drengin, you sure got yourself into a fix last night."
Drengin swallowed a lump in his throat as he waited for the usual 'lecture' he received from most Masters after getting beaten up.
Khunth watched Drengin's reaction and his eyes narrowed. "Would you like to talk about it?"
Drengin shook his head and looked down at his oatmeal, stirring it around with his spoon. Yeah right. Why would you care?
Khunth ate some more of his breakfast and at the same time felt the Force stirring around them, beginning to form a connection. Khunth was a bit startled when he felt a small development of a bond between them. He stopped eating and looked at Drengin again who was still stirring his oatmeal. I'm not ready to take on an apprentice. I just can't do it, he persisted to himself.
'Do or Do not, there is no Try.' Yoda's words echoed in his mind and Khunth smiled thinly in remembrance. Yes, Master Yoda, you are right. I'm just afraid, afraid to fail, to lose, or worse. Khunth exhaled his irritation and began to clear the table. Besides, how can I, in good conscience, train the boy in the ways of the Sith when I still serve the light?
Drengin looked up from his now cold oatmeal and watched Khunth clear away the dishes. "I should be getting back now," he remarked as he scooted the chair back and stood up.
Khunth put his bowl and spoon into the sink and turned to look at Drengin. "There's no need for that."
"Why?" he asked, confusion evident on his face. So there is going to be a 'lecture'.
Khunth went over to Drengin and knelt to be eye level with him. "Would you like to be my apprentice?"
Surprise was evident on Drengin's face as he managed to squeak out a response. "I would be honored, Master Khunth." He seems too nice. No one is ever this nice here.
But then again, I might be able to save Drengin from the Dark Side. Khunth fought the urge to smile and placed his hand on Drengin's shoulder as he stood up. "Then let us go make it official."
Drengin gave a small bow, "Yes, Master," he replied and took his place at his Master's side as they headed to the Council chambers.
Nemiraa watched Darth Redav's ship lift into the sky and fly out of sight. Her heart filled with a tiny yearning for him to come back soon along with fear of something happening to him.
"Forget about him, Nemiraa," Darth Milter told her sternly as he came up behind her.
She wheeled about sharply to face him and scowled. "You are not my Master anymore!"
"Ahh, but I am a Council member," he corrected.
She hissed softly. "Sure, but that doesn't mean you have to hound me with my personal life!"
Darth Milter grunted. "If it wasn't for me you would never have lived to see your eighteenth birthday."
"Only because you wanted me to be your apprentice," she retorted angrily.
"Oh? So you blame me for saving your life?" He asked, sounding hurt.
Not responding, she angrily walked away.
A satisfied smirk appeared on Darth Milter's face as he watched her leave. Yes, let your anger fill you, he thought and headed back to the Council chambers.