"Our enemy is Luke Skywalker.", she said, pacing in front of a group of Sith Knights. "You know him as the hero who rebuilt the Republic and the Jedi Order. He now preaches the hypocrisy of the Jedi.", she said.
Some of them were jealous. Jealous of the relationship she has with Stryker. She's his right hand woman. And who better to have as your second in command than a powerful Sith Lord. Darth Kain was her name. A sinister name, fitting for a ruthless, cold woman.
"It is our mission, our loyalty to Lord Stryker, that will drive us to destroy Skywalker.", she said, the Sith Knights nodding in agreement. "The Jedi Temple on Naboo is our target.", she said.
They rose up, igniting their red lightsabers. The reddish glow filled the room.
"I will lead the assault. Report to docking bay 1138.", she demanded.
They retracted their lightsabers and marched off toward the docking bay. Darth Kain watched them, a smile on her face.
"Your leadership qualities are amazing, Lord Kain.", Stryker said as he approached her.
Kain turned, bowing to her master.
"Thank you, my master.", she replied. "Is there anything else you require, my lord?", she asked, desperately seeking his approval.
"Rise, Lord Kain.", he said.
She complied, rising to face him.
"You've already done enough, my apprentice.", Stryker said. "If your troops can take down Skywalker, you will earn my respect, and the respect of the entire Sith Order.", he said.
Kain bowed to Stryker, then walked off.
"It will be done, my master.", she said.
The Jedi Temple on Naboo was full of Jedi Knights, Masters, Padawans and Younglings. The number of Jedi in the Temple couldn't dare compete with the numbers of Knights during the Old Republic, but it was sufficient.
Luke walked down the Temple halls, Jedi Master Caylor Zhong beside him. Caylor was strong in the force, recognized by Luke at the age of eighteen. Luke trained him for eight years. Luke was hesitant to train him, fearing his training at too old an age would effect him. But he has proven reliable.
"How is your training of Jarec coming?", he asked. "I heard he had quite an interesting Dagobah experience."
"I sense fear in him.", Luke said. "He has fears. Many of them."
"Fears of what?", he asked in a caring manner.
"Fears of the dark side. He lives in constant fear of it."
"We all do at one point.", Caylor said. "The dark side is always looming. No one is safe from it's corrupting power.", he said.
Luke nodded in agreement.
"I really must say, Master Zhong, that I am truly impressed by your progress.", Luke said. "At first, I feared that you might follow the same path as I, or even my father. Many Jedi who train at an older age tend to follow the quick and easy path. I was in too big of a hurry, too worried about finding my father.", Luke said.
"I wish I could have known your father, Master Skywalker.", Zhong said. "He sounded like a great man."
"And from what I've been told...", Luke said, sadly. "...he was."
Caylor gave a comforting stare, then bowed.
"I hope we can...", Caylor stopped.
He looked around, as did Luke. Both sensed something.
"Do you feel that?", Luke asked.
"Yes.", Caylor said. "It feels faint...but growing.", he said.
Without any hesitation, Caylor turned just as a Sith Warrior crashed through the window, igniting his lightsaber. He landed, swiping at Caylor, who was ready. Caylor ducked, spinning and igniting his own blue lightsaber, cutting the Sith down.
Luke's green blade lit up as he turned to face his own enemy, a Sith Warrior wielding two red lightsabers. Luke ducked both swings, then flipped over him, attacking and defeating him. Luke and Caylor turned to each other.
"An attack?", Caylor asked.
"I have forseen this.", Luke replied. "We must act quickly. Alert the rest of the Temple to be on alert.", Luke ordered.
Caylor nodded and took off. Luke turned to see Jarec.
"Master, I sensed danger.", Jarec said, a worried tone in his voice.
"It was an attack.", Luke said. "Sith wielding lightsabers.", he said.
"Sith?", Jarec asked. "But they're extinct.", he said.
"I am unsure of the source. But we must act quickly if we are to find it.", Luke said.
A few miles away from the Jedi Temple, the swamplands of Naboo. Even this far away, Darth Kain felt their deaths.
"They've failed.", she said with disgust.
"But how?", a Sith Warrior asked.
"Do I look like I have all the answers?", Kain snapped violently. "Only Master Stryker has the answers, young student.", she said as the Sith Warrior nodded.
Kain's comlink began to ring. She held up a small device, giving her a holographic projection of Darth Stryker on Sullust.
"Yes, Lord Stryker?", she asked.
"How is the operation coming?", he asked.
"Not so good yet, my lord.", she said, somewhat afraid of Stryker. "The beginning stages of the assault on the Jedi Temple failed. My two Sith Warriors were killed.", she said.
"That is to be expected.", he said, allowing Kain some relief. "It is expected, Darth Kain, but not easily tolerated.", he said, his tone picking up.
"But, Lord Stryker, I promise to you that the next assault will succeed.", she said, almost pleading with him.
"You had best pray that it is, or I will be finding a new apprentice.", Stryker said sternly.
"Yes, my lord.", she said as the holograph fizzled out.
After a breif moment of silence, Kain turned to her Sith Warriors.
"In two hours, we send the next assault team.", she said as they all sat down, meditating.
She stared intently at him, eyes locked. Darth Stryker's former teacher, Jedi Master Robar Varu was at a loss. She had her lightsaber pressed against his, sparks flying. Within an instant, Robar spun the lightsabers down and kicked her opponent away.
"It's over, Rao.", she said. "Come back to the light. I have beaten you.", Varu said demandingly, pleading with him.
"No.", Stryker said as he stood up. "You have not won, Varu. The only winners here are the Sith!", he yelled as he leapt up and locked sabers with her again. Stryker pushed Robar away, then ducked her swing. Stryker came up and spun around, lopping the head off of Robar's neck.
On Sullust, Darth Stryker woke up, sweating. His dream had startled him. His dream? No, it was a memory from the past. He sat up, shirtless and walked down a corridor.
"Come back to the light.", the voice of Robar said, echoing in his mind. "I have beaten you.", it said, haunting him.
Stryker approached the edge of a balcony, looking over the world of Sullust. Below him, he watched as his Sith Warriors trained.
The engines of Queen Leia Organa Solo's Republic vessel roared through space. As Leia, nine months pregnant, slept, she was feeling happy, full of life. Her hand on her stomach, she knew that her child would be a blessing to the Republic.
But no one was as happy as Han Solo. He had a beautiful wife and a daughter on the way, what more could a man want? Although he seemed distracted about something. He was hesitant to bring Leia with him to the Jedi Temple, in fear she might come into danger.
"Got something on your mind?", Captain Antillies asked, the pilot of the ship.
"To tell you the truth, I've got too many things on my mind.", Han replied. "It's not enough that I'm about to have a child, but now Luke is in trouble with this new enemy. I guess I figured that peace over the galaxy would last a lot longer than ten years.", he said.
"I know what you mean.", Antillies said, nodding his head. "I had to leave my wife and kid on Coruscant when the Jedi Temple was attacked.", he said.
"I wonder how Luke is doing.", Han wondered outloud. "An attack on the Jedi Temple is big.", he said.
"Master Skywalker is a brave person. I'm sure he's fine.", Antillies said.
Han nodded, knowing that Antillies spoke the truth. He rose up from his seat and walked off.
"Keep an eye on this thing, will ya?", Han asked.
Antillies nodded in agreement as Han went back to where Leia was. Han watched her sleep for a moment. She was very beautiful to him, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her eyes slowly opened. She stared at Han for a moment, then smiled.
"How is she?", Han asked caringly.
"She's moving around like she wants out now.", Leia said as Han walked over to the bed.
Han sat down next to her and gave her a kiss.
"How long until we get to Naboo?", she asked.
"Soon. We'll be there soon. You need to rest.", he urged.
"Queens don't rest, Han.", she said, giving Han a smile.
How long do we have to wait? That was on the mind of every Sith Warrior behind Darth Kain. She sat, meditating. Kain opened her eyes, her comlink ringing. She held it up, receiving another holographic image from Darth Stryker.
"Yes, my lord?", she said.
"The time has come, Darth Kain. Begin your assault on the Jedi Temple.", he said coldly.
Darth Kain was somewhat shocked at this. Now? Why now? Why launch the full-scale assault so quickly after the initial one failed. Badly. She wasn't quite sure of his reasons, but knew better than to disrespect her master.
"Yes, my master.", she said as the image disappeared. She turned to her Sith Warriors. They ignited their lightsabers.
But what could he do to help? How could Han Solo, just a man, not a Jedi, help Luke? He had to. He had to help his friend. Han walked off the ramp of the Republic cruiser where Leia was.
"Han.", a voice said.
Han looked up, seeing Luke. He smiled and embraced with Han, hugging the man he proudly called his friend. They broke away as Luke looked to Leia, giving a warm smile. Luke hugged her tightly, his sister. His twin sister whom he loved more than anything. Luke luked down to Leia's stomach, touching it softly.
"A girl.", he said. "The force is strong with her.", Luke said as Han's eyebrows peaked.
"The force? In my daughter?", Han asked.
"Yes. I'm not surprised though. The force has always been strong in the Skywalker bloodline.", he said as Han smiled thinly.
"Don't worry, Luke.", Leia said. "Han is secretly hiding how happy he is to hear that.", she said, grinning.
Luke patted Han on the shoulder and said, "It's fine, Han. I know how you feel about the force."
Han smiled as the three walked into the Jedi Temple.