Chapter 13
Nemiraa's aura radiated her ever-increasing anger as, from afar, she watched Darth Milter speak with Darth Redav. Once Redav went on his way, Nemiraa stormed up to Darth Milter. "What do you think you're doing!"
Milter cocked an eyebrow, his expression showing no sign of surprise or anger. "I have no idea what you are talking about, my dear."
Her green eyes flashed angrily, her face twisting into a scowl. "You know quite well what I'm talking about!"
Milter frowned and glared at her. "It is my own business, not your own," he responded before turning and walking away from her.
Hissing, Nemiraa blocked his attempt to walk away from her. "Ever since Darth Redav came back from his mission, he hasn't been himself."
"People change," Milter replied, looking unconcerned. "Blaming others for those changes does no one any good."
"What did you do to him?" she demanded, enunciating each word firmly, anger lacing her voice.
Milter crossed his arms, his face stern. "I did nothing! Now stay out of my way!"
Nemiraa watched Milter as he disappeared around the corner, a dangerous looking smile on her face. "And it will be 'nothing' that kills you!" she whispered under her breath.
Pivoting sharply on her heel, she headed for the nearest turbolift and pressed the level on where her quarters were located. As the turbolift began its descent her mind drifted back to the past…
Her Master had just finished demonstrating a kata when two Sith guards and Darth Cralash entered the room with their sabers drawn. Through their bond, her Master instructed her not to do anything right before a guard injected a Force inhibitor into his body and took away his lightsaber.
She watched in shock as her Master did not resist them and instead let himself be taken away. She followed them to the Council chambers at a distance, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.
Someone must have discovered his identity; somehow, he must have slipped up. No – he had not slipped up. He had been betrayed.
The doors to the Council room opened, beckoning us in like a hungry beast, waiting to devourer us. Nemiraa stepped inside and with a loud slam the doors shut behind her. The guards pushed her Master onto the floor in the middle of the room while Darth Cralash took his seat.
She looked at the cold faces of each of the Council members, all of whose gazes were focused on her Master, all except one. Darth Milter was looking at Nemiraa with triumph dancing in his eyes.
Nemiraa's anger and anguish grew as Darth Bane said the final word that would ultimately send her Master to his death.
Darth Milter: he is the one. The snake! He is the reason my Master is here, the reason my Master is going to die.
Darth Runder harshly questioned Nemiraa's Master. Getting up from his seat and kicking Nemiraa's Master hard in the ribs when he did not answer. They wanted to know if there were more Jedi and where they were. They wouldn't get an answer, no, not from her Master. He is strong, even without the Force.
I don't understand – why he didn't try to find a way out of this mess. I know the answer, but I do not like it. I can't accept it.
Hot tears trailed down her cheeks, stinging her eyes as she watched her Master being hit with a bolt of Dark Side energy.
She did her best to stay strong for her Master, no matter what happened. It was so hard to just stand here and watch him suffer. Darth Milter was still looking at her as she began to wish that she could wipe that gleeful expression off his face. She despised him, more so then the other Council members. It didn't seem right but it was how she felt.
Darth Cralash stood up and began his own interrogation. He spoke harshly and swiftly, asking questions so fast that they soon became a blur in her mind. Without warning, her Master jumped to his feet and, with a last glance at his apprentice, struck out at Darth Cralash with his hands and feet.
I must continue my indifference for my protection: my Master told me this years ago, just in case something like this happened. Oh, how I wish he was wrong.
Darth Milter joined Darth Cralash and, in only a few minutes, both of their lightsabers simultaneously struck her Master down.
Nemiraa wanted to scream in fury, yet no sound escaped her lips. She could only look at her fallen Master.
Darth Milter walked up to Nemiraa, and with his hand led her to the center of the room where her Master had been moments before. Milter went behind her and placed his hands on Nemiraa's shoulders, which were bare, as she was still in her workout suit.
An involuntary shiver ran up her spine and she drew in a deep breath as she listened with half an ear, her thoughts still dwelling on her Master. Nemiraa was suddenly jerked back to the present when Milter announced that he would take her on as an apprentice. Hastily she erected shields in her mind, her rage overflowing.
How dare he! That is why he looked satisfied – because he knew that soon I would be available once again to be taken as an apprentice.
With the Council's approval, Darth Milter led Nemiraa out of the room. Silently she vowed to have revenge for her Master's death. When the time comes, I will destroy Milter. I will have my revenge! …
Nemiraa licked her lips, already tasting that victory. You have gone too far now, Milter. For too long I have waited for my revenge. Now, soon, soon I will have it. Victory has never tasted so sweet.
Darth Redav finished reading Darth Mage's report and then tossed the datapad onto the table, where it landed with a thump, and leaned back against his chair. "They got away."
"Only for the moment," Darth Sidious remarked, walking out from the shadowed corner. "Darth Mage is most reliable."
"I should be the one out there tracking them down," Redav remarked, his storm colored eyes looking up at Sidious.
Sidious strode over to the table and sat opposite of Redav.
"I talked to Darth Milter earlier. The Council turned down my demand to search for Darth Khunth," Redav said in a frustrated tone.
"What do you plan to do then?" Sidious asked, inwardly relishing Redav's growing irritation.
"Once I have word of Khunth's location, I will personally hunt him down, regardless of the Council's decision."
Sidious nodded, his lips pressed in a thin line. "As it should be."
Nev-Kwellen met up with his Master in a training room and bowed in deference.
"I have a mission for you," Darth Milter began. "As you know, Anakin left the Temple a few days ago. I want you to go after him yourself."
"Yes, Master," his apprentice answered stiffly.
"However, you are not to convince him to come back. Instead, gain his trust and find out what he is up to. When you have a chance, contact me on your progress." Milter handed his apprentice the latest report from Darth Mage. "No one except me is to know of your mission. Do not fail me!"
"Yes, Master." Nev-Kwellen bowed again and swiftly left the room.
Milter's eyes gleamed in satisfaction, his lips curled up in a feral grin. "Everything is going as planned."
"Returned your padawan has," Yoda stated, the heart monitor beeping as it kept track of the comatose knight's vital signs.
"Needs support he does. Welcomed he will not be," Yoda continued.
He stared at the still face intently, searching for a sign that the knight would awaken from his sleep. "Healed you have been, awake you should."
The knight remained motionless and silent. His chest rose and fell as he breathed; needles and tubes were sticking in various places, providing nutrients and fluid.