CHAPTER VII
Incident at Raxus Prime
Compared to Kamino, Raxus Prime was about the most dirty, inhospitable place young Boba Fett could imagine. He'd gotten a good look at it as the bounty hunter Aurra Sing deposited him here, on a rocky outcropping just outside Count Dooku's underground lair.
As far as the eye could see there was industrial waste, literally mountains of debris and lakes of noxious slime. Toxic gasses filled the sky in clouds of red, yellow and green. Breathing the stuff was impossibly unpleasant and eyes burned in the acid mist.
Yet here, in the Count's hidden stronghold, none of that could be seen or felt. The air was sweet and slave droids kept everything clean and organized. It reminded young Fett of the cloning facility where he'd grown up. It was almost as pleasant – that is, it would have been if he'd been free to roam around and discover. Such freedoms, though, had already been strictly forbidden by his host. According to Count Dooku's majordomo, a reptilian giant of a creature named Cydon Prax, Boba was to stay in the room he'd been given.
Of course, he couldn't do as he'd been told. Not even for his new would-be benefactor. The temptation to explore this strange place was simply too great to resist. He'd already been reprimanded once for leaving the safety of the stronghold to go topside. Prax had quickly tracked him down and dragged him back, but not before he'd seen plenty of interest. There were countless heavy machines, including cranes, drills and other digging equipment. They appeared to be excavating in the area beyond the industrial buildings and refineries.
As quickly as he'd been discovered, he hadn't been able to accomplish the one thing he'd set out to do - confirm a suspicious reading he'd seen on board the Slave I as they'd arrived on Raxus Prime. He could've sworn one of his readouts had shown three small fighters on the rocky flat surface quite a ways off from the active digging site. He was familiar with that particular wedge-shaped style of fighter: one had followed the Slave I to Geonosis. Those were Jedi fighters. If Jedi were here on Raxus Prime, wouldn't Count Dooku want to know? He wanted to know.
Well, Boba thought, if the Count had treated me better I would've told him at once. As it was, he felt no obligation to his father's former employer. Jango had always taught him that loyalty not freely given. It had to be earned.
So far the man Jango deemed worthy of respect had shown Boba only disdain and rudeness.
That was unfortunate, as he had come here fully prepared to swear loyalty to the man his father had served for ten long years. Instead of an appreciative welcome he'd been immediately banished to his quarters, as if his presence was nothing but a tiresome annoyance!
In Boba's eyes that was no way to earn the loyalty of the son of Jango Fett. His father had been the most fearsome bounty hunter in the galaxy and Boba quickly resolved that he would show the Count the error of his ways.
Even now, he crept quietly down the corridor towards Dooku's office. His father always said respect could be forced – one simply needed to possess something of value to the other party. He suspected he could easily find something of value in Dooku's private chamber.
He reached the door, only to find the palm scanner didn't respond to his wave. Of course it would be locked. The Count probably had many secrets he needed to keep from prying eyes.
A small pinkish force field flickering near the floor caught his eye – a service opening for the cleaning droids. He remembered the little unit he'd passed moments before and took off after it.
Moments later he slid back beside the small barrier holding a small radio transmitter. One quick turn of the antennae mechanism and the force field flickered off. Boba laughed to himself. That had been way too easy.
He crawled through the opening. It was only about a third of a meter square. For once he was grateful to be fairly small for a ten year old.
Emerging into Dooku's office he scanned the room for some bit of information that would aid his cause. The huge desk took up most of the room and he figured it was the most logical place to start.
A small stack of data chips sat beside the upright holo-screen. He inserted one of the chips into the reader and watched as the monitor flickered to life. It was a communiqué from a Rodian. Unfortunately Boba's grasp of Rodian was rustic at best. He'd mastered many languages in his courses on Kamino, but he'd only been studying this one for about a year.
He was just beginning to make sense of the words when he heard heavy footsteps in the corridor just outside. He ejected the disk and managed to set it back on the stack before dropping to the floor. He heard the swoosh of the door opening as he rolled under the desk.
Black booted feet crossed the dark glassy floor, stopping in front of the desk. The room was eerily silent and Boba was almost afraid to breathe, sure even that faint sound would echo through the chamber.
From somewhere above him a com-link buzzed insistently. He sighed in relief.
"Yes?" There was no mistaking Count Dooku's commanding tone.
"A coded holo-transmission for you from Coruscant." The answer was delivered in Cydon Prax's sibilant hiss.
"By all means, put it through." Dooku circled the desk to take his seat, forcing Boba to roll out from under the desk to the front to avoid being kicked. He glanced around frantically for some other form of cover. If anyone else entered the room now…
"Greetings Yan." It was a woman's voice, crisp yet cordial and severe yet affable.
"Hello." Nothing in the Count's reply gave a clue as to her identity, but his tone was warm, certainly warmer than Boba had reason to believe it could become.
"I hadn't heard from you on schedule. I was getting worried. Whatever took you so long?" The woman, whoever she was, was not hesitant to chastise Dooku – something Boba would not have believed possible.
"No reason for concern. Things here just haven't been as…productive as I'd hoped." The Count cleared his throat. "How are things at the Old Folks' Home?"
"Tiresome as usual. I have much to report, starting with a status report on young Skywalker - "
"Wait!" Dooku commanded sharply. "I'll need to get back with you on this. I have a small matter that requires my urgent attention." The com disconnected with a beep.
Suddenly the door to the outer corridor slid open and Cydon Prax stormed in. "The boy is gone again - " His eyes dropped to the floor where Boba crouched. "No matter." The count intoned. "I was just about to deal with that little problem."
Boba tried to judge the distance between where he sat and the door. No way could he get past Prax.
Seconds later, when Dooku circled the desk and reached down for him, Prax didn't seem the greater threat. Boba rolled quickly away from the Count's outstretched hand before springing to his feet and running for the door. He was negotiating the best way around Prax when he felt himself being pulled backwards, as if something had a vise grip on the back of his neck. He was startled to realize that his legs were still moving, but his feet no longer touched the floor!
He glanced back over his shoulder, trying to figure out what held him. The Count was still standing by his desk, one hand raised as if grasping something invisible. Boba's mind flashed back to one of his father's stories - about the Jedi and the way they could manipulate objects with only the power of their minds.
Slowly Boba was turned around, his feet dangling well above the floor. He squirmed against the firm invisible grip as he faced the old Count.
"You are proving more troublesome than you are worth, little Fett." Dooku whispered ominously. "What a great pity. Your father was a trusted servant and I feel a certain loyalty to his... son." His cold eyes raked Boba's face contemptuously and even in his fear, Boba felt his cheeks grow hot with anger.
"But already you know too much", Dooku continued. "I think it wise to eliminate you altogether." He looked over Boba's head. Prax gave a wicked cackle and his boots stomped forward eagerly.
Boba shuddered even as his mind working furiously to create an opportunity for escape.
"But, your Excellency! I only wanted to warn you about the Jedi!"
Dooku's eyes snapped back at Boba at once. "Jedi?" He was obviously intrigued.
"When we flew in I thought I saw Jedi starfighters on the ridge overlooking the digging site." Boba took a deep breath. This would be his only chance; he'd better make it good. "That's why I went outside earlier. I wanted to find out for sure before I said anything."
The old man's eyebrows were so close together, they were a single black stroke across his high forehead. His eyes seemed to pry into Boba's head and the boy held his breath, trying to stare back fearlessly while his heart was pounding with anticipation.
"Hm." The Count said at last and he lowered his hand slowly. Boba's feet once more found the floor. Dooku tugged his beard thoughtfully as he gazed up and away. It was as if he could see past the durasteel walls to the very ridge Boba spoke of. Boba stood as still as possible. He knew that no matter how distracted the old man might seem, it was foolhardy to even try to escape. Dooku's dark eyes snapped back to the boy. "It seems you do have your uses when it suits you. You've just been given a reprieve." Boba breathed in sharply as the Count motioned to Cydon Prax who stepped forward and roughly took hold of Boba's arm. "Put him someplace secure this time. I'm off to take care of our visitors."
The target location on Raxus Prime was situated in a huge crevasse, a canyon over a hundred stories deep and thousands of meters long. On any other planet such a wonder would have been formed from rock weathered by wind or water. Not so on this Outer Rim world.
Here the mountain sides were formed from the collected carcasses of capital starships, remnants of buildings and piles of inorganic and organic waste. These monoliths were a testament to the planet's legacy of industrial overbuilding. Even now, hundreds of years after the last factory had closed, it was no more than a burial ground for the refuse of a galaxy that would prefer to forget such a place existed.
Jedi Knight Siri Tachi stood on a high rock crest looking down on the excavation site she'd been sent to destroy. Intelligence reports indicated this site was occupied by the Confederacy. Day and night huge cranes and earth movers worked non-stop, searching through piles of industrial waste and garbage. Republic spies still had not been unable to determine what it was they searched for so diligently. Siri allowed herself a small smile. After today it wouldn't matter.
Even more important than shutting down this operation was the fact that this location was almost certainly the hideout of the former Jedi, Count Yan Dooku.
It was all about the recent events on Geonosis, really. Much time had been spent in the past weeks rehashing Obi-Wan's discoveries there - particularly the discovery that Dooku was, indeed, party to the plot to assassinate Senator Amidala, along with the Count's insistence that the Senate was under the control of a Sith Lord.
It was the opinion of the Council - and one Siri shared - that Dooku himself was the mastermind behind the Confederacy's thinly veiled plot to see the Senate overthrown. Master Windu, in particular, cursed himself for his lack of vision in those split seconds before chaos erupted in the arena. He'd had his lightsaber at Dooku's throat, only to have his hesitancy cost Master Trebours his life moments later. His error had been grave and costly – he had relied on what he knew of Dooku and his reputation instead of listening to the Force and seeking guidance.
In retrospect it was clear to everyone that Dooku had to be eliminated in order to halt the growing Separatist movement. The longer Dooku was allowed to live, the more it placed the very existence of the Republic in jeopardy. Which brought them here, to Raxus Prime. Dooku was here somewhere and taking his life was the prime objective. No sacrifice was too dear to accomplish that mission. The future of the Republic and the Senate depended on it.
Siri tried once more to get a look down into the ravine. Her electrobinoculars were precise, but of little use against the haze of dust swirling in the wake of the giant machines. Far below she could just make out two dark figures ducking into what appeared to be a ventilation shaft.
She clipped the binoculars to her belt before shifting her gaze to the outcropping of rock a few meters beneath where she stood. A small metal outpost in the cliff face marked the service entrance to Dooku's command center. The two clone troopers that had been there moments before were now nowhere to be seen. That was all she needed to know.
Wind whipped her shoulder length blonde hair into her face and she brushed it back impatiently. Her eyes and throat were on fire from the gasses carried up from cracks in the planet crust. Their noxious stench was almost overwhelming, but she stood firm.
Seconds later she was joined on the ridge by five clone trooper lieutenant commanders, their ranks clearly indicated by blue markings on their shiny white battle armor. She knew from the mission briefing that each commanded his own gunship with a complement of 10 troopers. Each unit had their own unique and very critical task to perform if this mission was to succeed. She spoke to each in turn, assigning them to specific targets.
The first would strike the power generators. The next two, the huge laser cannons stationed strategically around the excavation site. The third she sent to knock down the communications array. The fourth and fifth were to take out the bunkers and the construction equipment. That would keep the local forces busy on all fronts, leaving her partners below plenty of time to achieve the mission objective. With a nod she sent the troopers on their way and brought her com-link to her mouth.
"Sergeant!" She shouted loudly to be heard over the roaring wind.
"Yes, General Tachi? This is CT-1198, waiting in position." The trooper's voice was emotionless and precise.
"It's a go! All other positions are set. Let's blow this thing!"
"Affirmative General. We'll meet you at the rendezvous point momentarily. CT-1198 out."
Siri spared one last look at the assembly of machines and equipment below before sprinting across the ridge and ducking down behind an outcropping of rock. It wasn't a moment too soon. The earth shook violently as an explosion ripped apart the small outpost below. Dooku's stronghold was breached.
Far below the site of the explosion Master Adi Gallia and Knight Luminara Unduli slid down a sloping ventilation shaft before landing unceremoniously on a ferrocrete floor.
Both hurried to stand, but only Luminara attempted to brush the dust from her dark Jedi tunic and pants. "I was hoping for an entrance that was a bit more elegant, but I guess in times like these I'll take what I can get." She ran a hand over her sable hair, which had been confined in a thick knot at her nape. Everything appeared to be in order.
Giving a short laugh at her companion's dry wit and momentary lapse of vanity, Adi checked out her surroundings.
Where they stood could almost have been a hangar bay except that there wasn't a ship to be found. Instead, the area was littered with boxes, tools and pieces of machinery that appeared to be designed to lift heavy equipment. A meter-wide conveyor belt – moving, but carrying nothing – cut a wandering path to various parts of the room before disappearing through a large flap on the far wall. If she had to hazard a guess, Adi would assume they stood in some kind of vast garage, a repair room of sorts for the hulking machines that worked outside.
For the first time it appeared their intelligence had been incorrect. According to the plans they'd been given they should be standing in a recycling chamber. This was definitely not a recycling chamber.
The two women looked at each other and shrugged, as if sharing the same thought. Though vastly different in looks and personality, it was no secret that they shared a strong bond of friendship, one that rivaled any knight/Padawan bond.
"Suggestions?" Luminara inquired.
"We get out of here and find Dooku." Adi searched the walls she could see, looking for any doorway out of this chamber. Something didn't feel right…
Beside her Luminara froze. Her companion instantly sensed her anxiety. They had to get out of here now!
From somewhere far off they heard a muffled explosion. Siri's invasion was underway. There was no time to lose.
"There!" Luminara pointed to a stairway in the far corner. It ascended to a flat platform that served to house a large crane. Beside the crane was an open doorway.
"Looks good to me." Adi muttered under her breath. They shot for the stairs.
At the foot of the stairs Luminara stopped, reaching out for Adi, catching her by the tunic. A breath later a huge chunk of steel crashed onto the platform. They'd missed being crushed by a split second!
Suddenly the room was cold. With trepidation they turned slowly back towards the open area.
Luminara's wry sense of humor surfaced once more.
"It appears we weren't as far from our objective as we thought."
There, in the middle of the room, stood Count Dooku.
The light in the room dimmed ominously, giving a hint of the pitch-blackness that would overtake the chamber once the attack on the power generator was complete. It quickly brightened seconds later, much to the relief of the two Jedi on the stairs.
They looked down at the Count from their perch, not sure which direction to turn. The plan of attack had been to find him in his office or his private chambers. It would have been easier to contain him in close quarters. This location was unexpected and far from ideal, but it would have to do.
Dooku walked slowly and confidently towards them through the equipment strewn around the room. Although his bearing and elegant clothes declared him a nobleman of Serenno, the lightsaber at his waist betrayed his true calling.
"Leaving so soon?" He inclined his head slightly. "And here I thought you'd only just arrived."
Neither Luminara nor Adi rose to the bait, though Adi could sense her partner's impatience. They'd been warned before they left Coruscant that Dooku could be very personable and persuasive. Exchanging pleasantries would only distract them from their purpose.
Dooku was undeterred by their silence and continued towards them at the same leisurely pace.
"I hear you were appointed to the Council, Master Adi. Congratulations." His lip curled just a little, suggesting a smile. "You've come a long way from the squalling crechéling from Corellia I met so many years ago.
"And Master Luminara! I hear you took a Padawan shortly after I left the Order. I do hope it was that young Mirialan girl…I can't recall her name, but she showed genuine promise."
He stopped almost two meters from the foot of the stairs and gazed up at them companionably.
"Not in the mood for conversation?"
Their minds were already attuned to each other for the coming battle and as one, Adi and Luminara glanced back over their shoulders at the twisted chunk of metal that blocked their exit – the one that had almost been their end. They looked back at Dooku. Luminara's expression did not change. Adi arched one elegant brow.
"Ah, point taken." Dooku nodded. "I realize my welcome was less than gracious, but I didn't want you two leaving before you'd even said your greetings."
"Count Yan Dooku," Adi spoke forcefully, "we are here to take you into custody so that you can answer for your crimes against the Republic." With a bravado she wasn't sure she felt, she stepped down to the lowest stair. Luminara followed her lead beautifully, descending alongside her friend. Both women unclipped their lightsabers and cradled the cool hilts lightly in their hands.
Rather than respond to the subtly aggressive gesture Dooku folded his arms across his chest. "Crimes against the Republic?" He scoffed. "I think you will have to be more specific."
Luminara spoke this time. "The charges include conspiracy, treason and murder."
"Indeed?" Dooku sounded skeptical. "And does the Republic have proof to substantiate these charges?"
Two vivid blue gazes slid over him before Luminara once more replied in the same cool, official tone. "Proof will be provided once you answer to the appointed tribunal."
"So, you believe I should offer myself into your custody to stand trial at the hands of a government I don't believe in? You'll have to do better than that! My dear ladies, your presence here is proof that the Republic is a joke. No more than a collection of corrupt politicians with egocentric Jedi at their beckoning to enforce their will on an unsuspecting galaxy."
Adi schooled herself not to sigh visibly. She had known all along that Dooku wouldn't submit, but still she had harbored the tiniest flicker of hope that they wouldn't be reduced to the role of assassins. It was that simple. If he wouldn't go with them, he would have to be destroyed.
She squared her shoulders, noticing that Luminara had done the same, and drew on the Force to clear her mind. Her partner did likewise, and Adi felt Luminara's thoughts twine even more completely with her own so they could function as one. Tensely she waited for Adi to make the first move.
Somewhere above them another explosion rocked the compound. The lights ebbed again, coming back weakly only to flicker every few seconds. Time was running out.
"Then you won't come with us?" Adi asked redundantly, already knowing the answer that would be forthcoming.
"Oh, absolutely not." Dooku straightened from his casual pose, dropping his hands to his sides. His right palm hovered just above his lightsaber.
"Then we have no choice." Adi ignited her green bladed saber with the flick of a finger. Unlike most Jedi, Adi held her weapon upside-down, utilizing a unique, loose-limbed stance strangely similar to what one would see among street fighters in the back alleys of Coruscant.
Beside her Luminara's blade ignited with the same characteristic snap-hiss and emerald glow. Though she palmed her weapon in the traditional manner of the Jedi, her stance was equally distinctive. She crouched low to the floor, raising the sword above her head, blade pointed forward.
Dooku didn't acknowledge the uniqueness displayed before him. Instead, he appeared almost bored with the whole idea.
"A duel is not my first choice, but if it's the best you can do…" Dooku pulled the curved handle of his saber from his belt, igniting it even as his arms swept his cloak back in one smooth motion.
He raised the blade vertically in a formal salute to his would-be opponents before assuming his own unique stance.
Adi met his eyes with her own, using the split second that she had his attention to deliver the first combination of saber blows. As was expected, he blocked them with ease.
Luminara took advantage of Adi's offensive, springing into a full somersault over Dooku's head. She landed lightly just behind him, forcing him to turn around to block the emerald blade slicing towards his neck.
Adi leapt forward to capitalize on Dooku's distraction, only to find the Count's crimson blade meeting her own once more. He spun with a swiftness that belied his 80-some years, blocking offensive blows from both his opponents.
The duel raged fast and furious. The two Jedi were perfectly attuned to one another and the Force, anticipating each other's moves and compensating for weaknesses. When Adi swung high, Luminara swung low; when Dooku deflected Luminara's frontal attack, Adi flipped to his back. Though his efforts at fending them off were amazing, it quickly became obvious to everyone that he could not maintain such a pace, much less deliver a critical blow of his own. Drawing heavily on the Force, Adi redoubled her attack. Luminara did the same.
They could see Dooku losing strength even as he managed to block their blades. The effort was taking its toll, though. Lines of strain were visible on his face and in the positioning of his body. If they could just maintain this aggressive attack a little longer…
Suddenly a strong blast rocked the facility and the floor rolled under their feet. The lights dimmed even more; they were flickering constantly now.
Both Jedi, their attacks linked mentally, hesitated for a split second. It wasn't much, but it was enough of a delay for Dooku to exploit. He raised his hand and pushed hard with the Force.
Adi felt her feet leave the ground seconds before she flew back against a huge durasteel crate. Only just in time did she manage to draw the Force to her to cushion herself from the bone-shattering impact. She struggled to get her breath back and staggered to her feet, watching as Luminara continued the attack. It was obvious that the Mirialan Jedi Knight's form was excellent, but she wouldn't be able to stand alone against Dooku's old-school style.
Adi glanced around for her saber and spied the glint of silver by the base of the crate. She used the Force to pull it into her palm and ignited it once more, heading back into the fight.
Dooku saw her coming and skillfully maneuvered Luminara so that they faced him from the same direction. Adi pressed her advance beside her partner and fell back into the rhythm of the dual attack. Together they assaulted him from every angle. High and low. Left and right.
Still the Count held them off, though his age was starting to take its toll. They pushed and he retreated. When his boot heel bumped the first stair of the flight of steps behind him he continued back. One step up at a time until he was looking down at his opponents from several steps up.
As one Adi and Luminara threw a forceful blow towards the Count's midsection. He blocked and with a brilliant clash of sparks the three sabers locked. Their energy beams holding fast to each other as ions attracted.
All three struggled to free their own blade, pulling back with all their might. The Count must have realized the futility of the tug-of-war. He released his grip, sending his blade flying backwards along with the two Jedi.
Adi recovered her balance almost instantly, losing only a few meters of distance between herself and her opponent. Luminara wasn't so lucky. Her momentum carried her farther back, over a small stack of metal machine parts. She stumbled over the unexpected obstacle, falling hard and losing her grip on her lightsaber. The metal cylinder flew out into a shadowy corner of the room.
Dooku, also saberless, eyed them both disparagingly. He backed up slowly until he stood halfway up the staircase.
Adi stepped forward, determined to re-engage.
The Count's palm shot forward and a stream of blue Force lighting exploded towards her. She raised her lightsaber, catching the energy stream easily with the downward slanted emerald blade.
Out of the corner of her eye, Adi saw Luminara rise to her feet, felt her reach out with the Force to search for her lightsaber in the darkness. Dooku didn't give her that courtesy. With his other hand he sent a twin burst of Force lightning hurtling towards the unarmed Jedi.
As if from a distance Adi heard her own shouted warning, saw Luminara extend her open hand to catch the dark energy wave. It slammed into her raised palm, a blue energy orb forming as the force of the bolt was absorbed.
The technique was new to them – since Geonosis – and required intense concentration. In practice sessions at the temple Master Windu had shown them both what to expect, though he and Master Yoda both admitted that Dooku's actual Sith lightning would be more powerful than what they could duplicate. Still, the strong Force bond that Adi and Luminara shared, as well as their unique mental strengths, gave them a chance of success and made them the best candidates for this mission.
This was the true test of what they had learned – the trial by fire, so to speak.
Adi struggled to hold her saber aloft, using two hands now to grip the handle. With dismay she felt Luminara's strength begin to ebb under the assault. Concentrating all of her energies, she sent her reserves through their bond in an attempt to shore up her partner's fading power.
It worked for a few moments, but Dooku's will was stronger. Adi saw Luminara brace herself under the assault, gritting her teeth against the pain. Tears of frustration and effort streaked down her cheeks.
It did no good. By slow degrees the orb dissolved until lightning made full contact with Luminara's open palm. The Mirialan screamed in agony, dropping to the floor as wave after wave of dark energy coursed through her body.
Through their bond Adi felt her friend's pain as if it were her own. It seemed to lance through every muscle, every soft tissue. It blinded her to all else. The lightsaber fell from her grip and suddenly the assault was very real.
Dooku had them both! Lightning coursed through Adi until she couldn't distinguish her own pain from Luminara's. She dropped to her knees, writhing under the onslaught until she lay helpless on the floor.
All at once the pain eased, but her traumatized body still wouldn't allow her to move.
Through the red haze that clouded her eyes she saw Dooku straighten from his place on the stairs. He looked drained and much, much older in the failing light. He descended the stairs, stopping by Adi's prone form.
"You fools," he gasped. "You utter complete fools." He was obviously weary. Even through the red haze of echoing pain that enveloped her, Adi could hear the painful heaves in his breath.
Then he drew back into himself and his voice took back its characteristic drawl. "Much as I would love to continue dancing with two such lovely partners, I find the evening growing long." He took a deep breath, running a hand over his hair to smooth it back into place. "Perhaps you and I can share another beautiful interlude when next we meet. Pity I can't say the same for your friend."
He held out his hand towards the darkness and his lightsaber snapped neatly into his grasp. Stepping around Adi he disappeared into the darkness.
How long she lay there she didn't know. Her muscles slowly and painfully came back to life and she crawled towards Luminara's still form.
She already knew. She had felt the bond dissolve, felt her friend's bright presence in the Force dwindle to nothingness. Even so, she had to see for herself.
Tears flowed unchecked down her cheeks as she bent over the fallen Jedi Knight. Her chest didn't rise and fall. No breath could be felt or heard. No pulse pounded reassuringly at the curve of her throat.
Luminara Unduli was dead.