Notes: This is a prtty long chapter, but I couldn't find a decent place to cut it. Still, it's darn good in my opinion... and very dark. Enjoy.
soulguard
Chapter 4: The Hunger
"It's been too long." Mana paced back and forth at the edge of the dark path. Somewhere in the heart of the darkness, was her master and without him she was becoming edgy. She folded her arms and bit her lower lip aggressively in thought. She paced frantically, tearing at her devotion to Edranus's orders. Surely there was no power in the galaxy, short of Revan or Malak, that could stop Edranus, but she felt that something wasn't right. She wanted to go to him, but he ordered her to wait.
Sebrani simply watched as Mana struggled with her emotions. It was quite clear to her that Mana was more than just Edranus's apprentice. She looked around and could feel that something had changed. Mana, in her confused mental state, could not feel the change within the Force, but Sebrani felt it.
Edranus was gone.
"Sir, I'm detecting movement north of the camp." A Sith trooper shouted as he raised his blaster rifle and took a defensive position.
Mana quickly snapped out of her looming thoughts and turned to Sebrani. "Go and deal with the intruders. But it might be the Corporal and his men, so do not attack blindly." Sebrani respectfully bowed and jumped high into the overhead tree branches.
"Sir, can we trust her?"
"Trust her? No. She may take this chance to escape, and we'll be better off. So keep your guard up."
Mana turned her attention back toward the darkness of the path, and embraced herself tightly in a sense of comfort. "Master… what has happened to you?"
- - - - - - - -
Sebrani loomed overhead upon a tree branch as the four trespassers approached. The corporal's team consisted of three, but there were four of them coming.
"Perhaps it is a search party of Cathar Troopers." It was a soothing thought and Sebrani felt a small smile creep upon her face. Whoever it was, she was aware that she held the advantage. She sprang from her perch and landed in the path of the approaching group.
Tredmond hefted his blaster and fired instantly. Sebrani deflected the blaster bolt with her palm and stood at the ready.
Devin quickly belted, "Damn it! It's that Cathar Jedi!" He lifted his blaster and took aim. Tredmond rested his hand on Devin's barrel and glared at Sebrani.
"Where's Edranus and Mana?"
She tilted her head toward the camp area a few yards behind her; she did not speak.
Tredmond questioned her again, "Why are you out here?"
Sebrani didn't know how to answer him without speaking. She thought for a moment and then turned back toward camp. She waved her hand for them to follow.
"What the hell is this all about?" Devin grumbled. "I thought she was our prisoner?"
"Looks like something happened while we were gone." Mikal added as he began to follow Sebrani back to camp.
The group wondered into the camp and the other two Troopers emerged from cover to great the Corporal and his men. The Probe Droid followed in the distance. Tredmond and Sebrani approached Mana as she turned to greet them.
"You didn't run away?" Mana questioned with a sigh. "I thought for sure I was done with you." She turned to Tredmond and waited for his report.
"Sir, the Sergeant and the guards were completely wiped out. If we had not lost the Titan they could have called in for support, but I'm sure they were overwhelmed by the Cathar. Retrieving our shuttle will be next to impossible now."
"And where did you get the droid?"
"Sir, it was launched from the Titan before it was destroyed. It has a message for Edranus from Captain Bellmore. We disobeyed orders and retrieved it before we returned to camp."
"Excellent. What is the message?"
"Sir… Captain Bellmore is alive and has a shuttle hidden in low orbit. He will retrieve us when needed. However, a lone shuttle is not enough to hold off the Cathar or escape their battle ships."
"Understood." Mana lowered her head and pondered the situation.
"Sir, where is Darth Edranus?" Tredmond questioned. "And why is the Cathar female helping us?" Tredmond looked around the camp, searching for any sign of Edranus then quickly turned toward Mana with a stern scowl. "Did you two shutta's betray him?"
Mana lifted her head and glared at Tredmond with a fierce gaze. "What did you say?" She quickly pulled her lightsaber from her armguard and lunged at Tredmond. Sebrani stepped in her path and held Mana at bay. Her lightsaber clashed against Mana's and fought to keep Mana away from Tredmond.
"Out of my way, Sebrani!" Mana roared.
"… his death would be pointless, Mana." Sebrani spoke softly, as if fearing Edranus's wrath, but she had to speak. She pushed Mana back and turned to Tredmond."Our Master is in the darkness, lost to us. He told us to wait for him here."
"Sir…" Tredmond was undoubtly at a loss for words. "Sir … forgive me. I didn't know. I've seen many Dark Jedi cease control from their leaders. I just assumed…"
Mana powered off her lightsaber and stepped closer to Tredmond. "Listen to me Corporal. It would take more power then Sebrani and myself to slay Edranus. The idea alone sickens me! How dare you even assume that I … that I would betray my master?" A tear rolled from Mana's eye and Sebrani stepped into Tredmond's line of sight; blocking him so that he would not see her cry.
"Corporal … ?" Sebrani questioned.
"Tredmond. My name is Tredmond."
"Corporal Tredmond, please see to your men. Our orders were to wait, and that is what we will do."
Tredmond nodded and walked away, leaving Mana and Sebrani at the edge of the path into the lower region.
Sebrani walked closer to Mana and stood at her side silently. She did not look at Mana but she could feel the confusion within her. Mana was struggling to hold back her emotions and fear, and she was on the edge of losing control.
"I don't understand what's happening?" Mana mumbled. Sebrani continued to look away. "I was never like this, not until I met him." Sebrani lowered her head and peeped at Mana from the corner of her eye. Tears were rolling freely down her face. It did not mater how hard she struggled to hold back the emotions which were swelling within her, Mana was eventually going to loose control.
Sebrani lifted her head and looked at Mana directly. "You have felt it?"
Mana lowered her head and began to tremble. "He's gone. I can't feel him any more. His power is gone. Something has happened to him. Why can't I feel his power?"
"I see. You have felt it, his absence from the Force. It happened suddenly, much to fast for him to have been killed. Something else has happened. It was so sudden that it was almost as if the Force left him …" As Sebrani gazed into the dark path, the brush parted and Edranus stumbled forward. She didn't have the chance to react as Mana had already embraced him within her arms. His full weight crumbled forward and Mana supported him fully.
"Don't let them see him like this." Mana sharply stated. Sebrani turned and watched as the troopers and PD-Y3 began to run toward them. "I'll take him to the tent."
Sebrani nodded and ran toward the group, stopping their path while Mana carried Edranus's unconscious body into the tent. He was breathing heavily, struggling to catch his breath. She gently laid him into a nearby cot and pressed a breath mask over his head to help him breath. She examined him thoroughly, removed his clothing and checking every inch of his body for wounds or scratches. She thought that he might have been inflicted by a poison or toxin, but she couldn't find anything.
Edranus's life signs were weak and no mater how she examined him, she couldn't find anything wrong with him. She placed her hand upon his bare chest and fretfully tried to think of some way to help him, but this was Edranus's battle and no manor of medicine could help him.
The tarp door opened and Sabrani knelt just beyond the entrance. "How is he?"
"It's none of your concern."
"Perhaps I can help."
"There's nothing that can be done. His life signs are weak, but he's physically fine. Yet I can't sense the Force from him. It's as if …"
"It is as if he were an empty shell." Sebrani stood and walked closer. "Like I said, it felt as if the Force left him." She walked closer to the cot and Mana covered Edranus's naked form.
"Tell me everything you know."
Sebrani sat at the head of the cot. "Have you imagined what it would be like to live without the Force? To see yourself living without the power that flows through your body, the power that has essentially become who you are."
"No."
"Then look before you." Sebrani placed her hand on Edranus brow and wiped the sweat away. "Everyone who is sensitive to the Force has felt its presence sense the day of their birth. We were not aware of it until another told us what it was, but none the less it was there. Throughout our lives we have learned to channel it into our very fabric of being. The Force is gone from Edranus, and now he must learn to live without it, to move without it, to think without it, and to breathe without it. If he does not …"
"Don't say it."
"… he will die, Mana."
"I won't allow it." Mana clinched her fist, refusing to believe that Edranus would die in such away.
"You can't stop it. This is Edranus's battle. The Force is dead to him, and now he must re-learn to live." Sebrani stood from the cot and walked to the tent exit. "Farewell Mana, I'm going back to my people. I will not tell them where you are, but I suggest you contact your Captain, and tell him to get you all out of here immediately." The tarp closed and Sebrani was gone.
Mana couldn't bring herself to give chase. She simply gritted her teeth and glared into the fallen form of the man that lay before her.
"Master, I need your power … I need you. Don't leave me alone. You took my brother and now you are all I have left. You can't leave me like this."
- - - - - - - -
Sebrani sped through the wilderness path, her hidden land speeder cutting through the forest at reckless speeds. She was going home to face her teacher and to warn them of the threat that lay hidden within the forest. Ahead of her was the towering city walls, a massive defense perimeter that protected the innocent from the lingering beasts of the wilderness. A hint of a smile crept upon her face as she neared the entrance to the city. She slowed her speed and coasted toward the dock. Dozens of guards and explorers lingered around the gate and each of them noticed her approach.
"Slow it down and park it in gate ten." Sebrani was somewhat shocked at the guards loose complacency.
"Are we not on alert?" She questioned as she dismounted the un-parked land speeder.
"Yes, something about a war ship being destroyed. But there are only a few stragglers that made it planet side. Nothing to worry about." The Guard laughed as he waved her forward. "We killed a bunch of them at the western helm a few hours ago. And even more of them when they first landed in the northern region."
"Northern region?" Sebrani was somewhat startled by this piece of information. Edranus must have deployed more troops throughout the planet. His landing team wasn't the only ones. She quickly cut passed the guard and made her way into the city gates. She ran passed flocks of hunters and merchants that were returning from their farmlands and hunts. She had to report to her teacher, only he would be able to speak with the elders and warn them of the threat that Mana and Edranus would bring.
The path was clear to the training halls and Sebrani climbed the long steps to the front door. She quickly flung them open and was greeted by a smiling figure that she knew all to well.
"I have no time today, Jasmine. Let me pass without delay."
The older female smiled as she pulled off her robe and began to loosen her shoulders. "I smell combat upon you, Sebrani. And I see that your training partner has not returned with you. You've gotten stronger in the past week and I intend to see how much you have learned." Jasmine was taller, older, and physical more impressive then Sebrani. It was the custom of the older sibling to always be better then their younger sibling, and Sebrani was no exception to this rule.
Jasmine was unbeatable, the princess of the Force school, and Sebrani's inspiration. They dueled frequently, and Sebrani always lost, but this was not the time for sibling rivalry.
"Jasmine, something has happened in the past two days. Please, let me speak to teacher and then we can duel. I have no time …" Jasmine vanished before Sebrani's eyes, a quick step that she had seen many times before. Her sister wasn't going to hear her words of warning. Sebrani pulled up her lightsaber and spun on her heals, however something was slightly different this time. She could see Jasmine's every move.
Sebrani stepped forward and gripped Jasmine's sword hand, then pulled the lightsaber from her grip and cautiously placed her lightsaber blade near Jasmine's throat. The duel was instantly over. Jasmine could only stare through the glowing haze of Sebrani's lightsaber in disbelief.
"As I said, Jasmine, I have no time." Sebrani dropped Jasmine's lightsaber hilt, powered off her saber and continued into the training hall's inner sanctum.
Jasmine picked up her hilt and glared at Sebrani's back in a shocked tone. She had never been beaten, and only her first teacher was able to dominate her in such a fashion; yet that was many years ago. This was not the younger sister she knew a week ago. Jasmine attached her hilt to her belt, picked up her robe and followed Sebrani into the hall.
Sebrani parted the massive doors to the teacher's hall, and instantly spotted her teacher along with several other members of the elder's council. Luck would have it that the elders were at the training hall.
An old silver haired Cathar man approached from the group, "Sebrani, you have returned early. Where is your partner …"
"He is dead, teacher." Sebrani quickly interjected. "Forgive my urgency, but I have much to report to you and the elders." Hearing the tone and haste within Sebrani's voice, the edlers quickly approached and listened.
"Speak, Sebrani." Her teacher quickly replied.
Sebrani bowed before the elder and opened her mouth, yet she couldn't speak. She didn't know where to begin or what to tell them. Could she tell them that a Dark Jedi of great power was in the wilderness? Could she possibly speak that he was looking for a creature that would give him even more power?
Sebrani lowered her head in thought, torn between her loyalty to her teacher and the incredible impression that Edranus had left upon her. What was it that was making her delay telling the elders what she needed to say. For the safety of her people, her family and loved ones, she had to tell the elders that he was out there.
Her teacher came closer. "Sebrani, do not fret. Speak. I sense a great disturbance within your heart, a heavy sadness that you are carrying." A hand rested upon her shoulder and Sebrani turned and looked into the eyes of her older sister.
Jasmine smiled down to her younger sister. "Release the anguish in your heart, Sebrani. I am here at your side, as it will always be."
Sebrani turned and looked to the elders. "Teacher, elders ... I believe I have met a Sith Lord." Her teacher and sister suddenly felt that the heaviness within Sebrani was actually the influence of the Dark Side. Her teacher slowly stepped between Sebrani and the elders and placed his hands upon his lightsaber.
Jasmine pulled Sebrani back and stood to-toe with her teacher. "Let her explain!"
"You know the law as well as anyone, Jasmine!" The teacher was fuming. "We can not let even the slightest hint of the Dark Side within our walls."
"And I have told you on many occasions, that we are not Jedi!" Jasmine roared back. "I may be the youngest member of the teacher's guild, but I understand that we do not teach the ways of the Sith or of the Jedi. Even the Jedi of today would call us Sith, and the Sith would call us Jedi. We walk a fine line between the two religions and struggle to remain neutral, and therefore you can not judge my sister merely because she came into contact with a Sith Lord!"
"She is tainted!"
"She is confused! Your actions would only throw shame into everything we teachers have instructed upon our students."
"And you defend her only out of love of your sibling, not for the law. The law states…"
"Do not lecture me on the law!" Jasmine's words echoed throughout the hall. "She came here to tell us what she discovered, and your answer is to slay her. If you must do something, then let us find this Sith Lord and destroy it. Show her that our teachings are more powerful then either the light or the dark side."
Sebrani stood in shock. She had never seen her teacher so angry at her, and the notion that he was ready to attack her only confused her more. She had always been warned of the punishment of venturing into the realm of the dark side, yet she had not known it would be taken this severely.
Sebrani felt she had to speak, "Teacher, a word if I may?" Jasmine gritted her teeth in disapproval, her ferocious Cathar nature not wanting to back down from the old man before her, but she allowed Sebrani to speak. "Teacher, I fought the Sith and my partner was killed by them. I was then captured and forced to lead them through the forest. I escaped as soon as I could. They are powerful, teacher, we must prepare if they come after me."
"Did this Sith talk to you, or attempt to sway you in anyway?" Her teacher questioned.
"No. I only gave directions through the forest." She lied, and she wasn't exactly sure why.
Jasmine looked at Sebrani with a shocked gaze, but said nothing. Jasmine then shyly stepped away from Sebrani and Sebrani's teacher. She was saddened and overwhelmed by Sebrani's words; she had easily felt that Sebrani had lied.
"And you would have me believe that a Sith Lord would spare your life, and not tempt you with the power of the Dark Side?" The teacher was once again becoming quite angry. The room was quickly filling with young Force trainees and other teachers. The situation was not looking good.
Jasmine lowered her head, "Have you sensed that she has just now lied to us?"
"Yes, Jasmine. I sensed it."
Jasmine stepped toward the old man once again and continued to plead on her sisters behalf. "Grant her banishment. Please, spare her life."
Sebrani fell into a layer of shock, they had easily seen through her lie. It was not as if she wanted to lie to them, but something within her did not want to reveal the full truth about Edranus. She did not want them to know that she had surrendered to his teachings and had called him master.
Jasmine spoke up once again. "Allow me to go with her. She is my sister. Let me purify her mind of this Sith Lord's knowledge and teachings. She is my only family. Please, let me take her far from here… "
The teacher shook his head. "Forgive us, Jasmine. I can not allow that. If we banished her in such a way, she would only brew in the darkness that has surrounded her. You alone can not pull her back. She would eventually turn on you, as many have done in the past. This is not the first time I have seen Darkness take over a student." The old man stepped forward and raised his lightsaber. "If we let her go, then we will shame all of the trainees that are watching us right now. We must not bend the law."
Jasmine turned her back to Sebrani and lowered her head. "She is not your student any longer. Do not underestimate her new strength. I fought her earlier and was not prepared for her power. She is considerably stronger now."
"Jasmine… Teacher?" Sebrani stepped back as Jasmine stepped clear and allowed her Teacher to approach.
"Forgive me for failing you, Sebrani. I did not prepare you well enough to resist the Dark Side's teachings. In death, I pray that the Force of Light guides you to a new beginning."
The yellow blade of the teacher's lightsaber glowed before Sebrani. She glared at it in shock and backed away in fear.
"Don't run!"
Edranus's voice cut into her mind instantly.
"Face your fear."
She stopped and stared down her teacher as he stepped forward. "I will no longer cower from anyone." She mumbled to herself. "And I can not die until I understand the darkness within him. He can be freed. I have seen his true form as he has seen mine."
Sebrani glared at her teacher and roared, "You wish to kill me rather then banishment? Then I ask for Exile. I have no grudge against any of you and I will honor this wish until my dieing day. I will leave this world, never to return."
"The decision has been made." Her teacher stated as he swung his lightsaber. He missed. He was skilled, more so then she thought possible for someone of his age. Sebrani almost panicked and reached for her lightsaber, but she stayed her hand; she did not wish to duel against her teacher.
Jasmine interjected once again, "Teacher, allow her this! Spare her!" He ignored her plea and attacked again, this time Sebrani was nearly hit.
She waved her hand and pleaded, "Please, teacher. I can not die now. He … he needs me." Jasmine gazed at he sister in shock. At that moment Jasmine felt the truth, her sister allegiance was now to the Dark Side.
Her teacher charged, moving under the complete control of the Force, he seemed to be a man reborn of youthful vigor. He swung his blade and Sebrani knew that she could not avoid it. She pulled her blade free from her hilt, powered it on and began to defend herself from his attacks.
The room began to fill with whispers and Jasmine could hear the words of the elders, trainee's and the other teachers. "She raised her blade against her teacher?"
"She has fallen so far."
"No student shall raise their weapon at their teacher. It is the law and a sign of Darkness."
"She brings shame to her house."
"Her older sister must be shamed."
Jasmine clinched her fist as these words filled her ears. She looked on as Sebrani began to face off against her Teacher. Their blades struck countless times as Sebrani grew more and more confident. She could no longer defend and hope to live, Sebrani had to fight back or she would surely die. She pressed her teacher into a corner and reached deep within herself for the Force. There was no chance of defeating her teacher in sword play; eventually he would get the upper hand. With the Force guiding her, she saw her teacher's neck within her mind and she visualized her hand gripping it, and she squeezed.
The teacher began to gasp as Sebrani jumped away from him. He dropped his lightsaber and clawed at his neck, trying to grab something that was not there. Sebrani gritted her teeth and lifted her fist into the air; squeezing tighter and tighter. She was consumed in combat, letting her ferocious nature sear into her heart. Her blood was pumping in the heat of the moment and she didn't care if the old man was her teacher or enemy.
Sebrani then screamed. "I can not die here! I must live for him! I must free him from the Darkness that is swirling around him!" A vain began to bulge from the corner of her eye and from across the room, Jasmine witnessed the subtle facial change. The dark side was twisting her, changing her emotionally as well as physically.
"She's going to kill the teacher!" One of the trainees shouted. Two of them then attacked Sebrani. Their lightsaber's glared to life as they charged, but Sebrani cut them down with little effort. Sebrani was powerful, overwhelmingly so, and the elders fled the room while the other teachers protected them. When the elders were clear of the room the teachers united and attacked Sebrani simultaneously.
Sebrani glared at the bodies of the two fallen trainee's at her feet, and then looked at the gasping body of her teacher. He should have been able to get free of her Force choke, he was her teacher, and such a basic attack should have been simple to repel; yet he could not. Sebrani watched as he took his last breath and died. She unclenched her fist and felt the swirling emotions around her. The confusion and hate that was falling upon her was coming from all sides; she was being attacked by numerous opponents. She lifted her palm to the air, and repelled all of the teachers away from her using a wave of Force energy. Some of them flew dozens of feet across the room; yet one of them was not repelled.
Jasmine's sword clashed into Sebrani, and the two sisters glared at each other through the glow of their opposing swords.
- - - - - - - -
"Are you sure you wish to go this way, master?" Mana softly whispered into the ears of the fragile form resting upon her shoulder. Edranus rested his head upon Mana as she shouldered his weight. He could barely walk but was slowly regaining the use of his legs. "Her trail is hard to track. She must have had a speeder."
Edranus softly whispered into Mana's ears as he struggled to form words. "She is the only one… only she can get us a ship."
"I understand, master." Mana continued to push ahead, following Tredmond and his small squad of Sith Troopers. Guarding the rear was PD-Y3, the droid had been heavily modified by Tredmond and now carried a host of powerful blasters. It would do well guarding Edranus's rear. "Tredmond!"
"Yes Sir?"
"Do you think she is going back to the landing pad, or to the City?"
"The landing pad is further north. She is headed toward the city. Without transportation it could take us all day to get there."
"Fine, we'll have to risk it. Master, I have faith in your plan, but this will be difficult."
- - - - - - - -
The window to the training hall shattered and Sebrani sailed through. She repelled off of a neighboring building and jumped to the top of another. Standing in the broken window was Jasmine; watching her younger sister run away.
"Sound the city alarm!" One of the teachers screamed.
"NO!" Jasmine roared in return. "Tend to the wounded. I will deal with her."
"You can not go after her alone."
"She is my blood, my family, and if anyone is to end her life, it will be me." Jasmine jumped through the window and gave chase.
Sebrani powered off her saber and sprinted across the rooftops. She was leaping from building to building without breaking stride. She pressed forward, knowing that eventually someone would come after her. As she ran, she recalled her last words to Jasmine …
"I will not fight you, so I beg you not to follow. I will take the Sith from our world and never see you again." Her words were seared by the scorching sound of their lightsabers.
She had killed her teacher and two trainees, and countless other teachers were wounded from her Force Wave. The law was certain upon her actions and only death awaited her if she remained. As strong as her Cathar urge to fight was, the need to flee was more important. She could not fight them all.
She neared the small shipyard at the edge of the city. They would need a ship capable of light speed, and some sort of weapons. It needed to be small enough and elusive, yet big enough to carry Edranus and everyone else to safety. In the far end of the dock was a Telosian transport. She glared at it closely; judging its rough size and crew capacity. She could visually tell that it had a light speed engines and that was all she truly needed to know. She crept closer to the edge of the large ship yard wall and quickly swung her lightsaber above her head.
Jasmine's blue blade crashed into Sebrani's blade and the two dueled along the top of the wall. Sebrani backed away, defending as she must and dropped from the forty foot wall. She landed and rolled clear as Jasmine stabbed downward. Sebrani jumped clear and ran toward the transport. Jasmine gave chase and threw her lightsaber at Sebrani's exposed back. The blade flung wildly, and Sebrani quickly turned around and blocked it. The lightsaber returned to Jasmine's hands. Numerous Cathar dock workers, pilots, and travelers quickly began to watch the two Cathar fight. Sebrani pushed a large canister toward Jasmine, but she waved it aside. Jasmine did not contemplate that it was decoy. After the canister crashed into the side of a ship, Jasmine stopped in her tracks and scanned the area. Sebrani was nowhere to be found. She had used the canister to block Jasmine's vision and then hid.
"Damn it, Sebrani!" Not even the onlookers seemed to have seen where she went. "Hide and seek."
Sebrani silently crept into the empty transport and made sure that no one was on board. She then closed the gangplank and ran to the cockpit. She wasn't much of a pilot, but she could at least get it into the air. The ship's engines roared to life as it began to power up.
"Hey! What in the world?" The ship's captain screamed as he ran toward the ship. Jasmine heard his yell and raced to his side. Instinctively she understood his complaint; someone had locked him out of his own ship. She had to get aboard.
The transport lifted off and the landing gears retracted. Sebrani powered the engines and steered the small craft out of the shipyard. Within a few seconds she was clear of the city but two fighters were quickly in pursuit. She had to find Edranus and the other because she couldn't fight them off and fly the ship.
"Mana, do you copy?" She shouted into the com channel. It was an open frequency and she hoped that it would get through. "It is Sebrani. Where are you?"
- - - - - - - -
"… It is Sebrani. Where are you?" The signal was weak but Mana heard it.
"It's her." Tredmond said with a shocked tone as he glared at his transceiver.
"I am above you with a transport. Please respond!"
"Look!" Devin pointed upward just as the Telosian transport flew over them.
"Do it Tredmond." Mana ordered.
"Sebrani, come about, you just flew over us." The ship slowed and banked as it sped back toward the group. Sebrani watched as several blaster bolts fired into the sky. She hovered over the area and ran to the gangplank. The ship was too big to land in the dense forest, but thankfully she could pull them up. Luckily this ramp was designed to be lowered on a lift system. The ramp lift descended toward the ground and she glared outward as the two fighters began to speed toward her.
"Damn it." She looked down and waited for them to wave. Time was running out. Tredmond waved upward and she pressed the lift button. The ramp lift began to quickly raise the group of eight off the forest floor. "Hurry up!" She frustratingly screamed at the controls; the lift was only halfway. She had to get the ship moving or they would be easy targets.
"Hang on!" She screamed down to the group. She raced back to the cockpit and slowly began to accelerate. If she accelerated too fast the lift system would snap, but too slow and they would be shot out of the sky. A blaster bolt grazed the ship's hull and she had to risk speeding up. Slowly the ship gained speed and suddenly there was a beeping sound echoing throughout the bridge. She ignored it and continued to fly. The two fighters were coming deathly close. Heavy footsteps began to echo behind her and Sebrani looked up into the Mana's eyes.
"The least you could have done was to raise the shields!" Mana shouted as she jumped into the co-pilots chair. They had all made it aboard.
Mana pressed a series of buttons and the alarm stopped. She then turned toward the command consol and powered on the shields. A loud hum filled the cockpit but faded. "Corporal, get on the weapon's controls! Sebrani, go back and tuck Edranus in. It's going to get bumpy." The ship accelerated faster as Mana took over. They climbed higher into orbit and broke free of New Cathoria's gravity well.
"You picked a great ship, Sebrani." Tredmond sarcastically gestured as he passed her in the tight corridor. "The weapons on this thing date back to before I was born!"
"Shut up and get those fighters off our butt!" Mana screamed from the controls. Sebrani ignored their wailing and proceeded to Edranus's side.
"The shields aren't worth a tick off of a Wookie." Devin complained as he examined the ships systems.
"What do you want? It's a long range transport." Mikal laughed. Sebrani gripped Edranus's waste and helped him toward the bunks.
"I knew you'd come back." Edranus barely mustered. His voice was returning as well as his stamina, yet his balance was still quite shaky. "I'm sorry I was so harsh toward you. Your people … they didn't hurt you, did they?"
Sebrani laid Edranus in a bunk and sat at his side. "No. I hurt them." The ship rocked from an explosion and alarms began to sound throughout the ship. "How did you know I would return?"
"You still hunger to know more, and you have proven yourself quite useful … my little thief." Edranus smiled softly as he looked around the ship. For the first time since she had returned, Sebrani looked into his eyes. His skin was clear and his eyes were deep brown. There was no longer any sense of anger or hatred within him. Edranus was a completely different person. The dark side of the Force was truly gone.
"What has happened to you?"
"I am merely a shell of who I once was."
- - - - - - - -
The Telosian transport banked to the right, skipping along the planet's atmosphere, but the two fighters were in hot pursuit and firing constantly. Mana guided the ship into a deep angle, crashing back toward the planet's surface. She wasn't sure if the ship could handle it, but she tried it anyway. The hull rumbled violently as she pulled it out of the deep decline.
"Let's not do that again." Mana sighed.
"They're still on our tale. The weapons on this thing can't put a scratch on those fighters." Tredmond screamed in frustration.
"Do something, Corporal! The engines need more time to warm up before we can jump to hyperspace!"
"I can use bad language!" The ship titled from another explosion. "Devin! Transfer more power to the aft shields!"
"Sir, how do you expect me to do that?" Devin rumbled back. "I'm a soldier, not a mechanic. I know what the shield generator is, but how it works is beyond me."
Tredmond fumed. "Damn it all! PD, get to the generator and transfer power!" The droid beeped as it floated toward the engine section.
"It's a probe droid, can you trust it?" Mana questioned as she entered new headings.
"If you have a better idea, Sir, let's hear." Tredmond smirked as he fired another volley at the pursing ships.
Sebrani came racing to the front of the ship, "Are we jumping to light speed?"
"Unless we die first." Tredmond remarked.
"Shut up, corporal!" Mana barked. "Stay with Edranus, Sebrani. If he gets hurt…"
"He sent me to tell you not to leave the planet. He's not leaving any more men behind."
"The other search teams… but if we don't make a run for it …"
"That's his orders, Mana."
"Great." Tredmond moaned. "Mikal see if you can get me a little more power on these blaster turrets."
"I'll try."
Mana glared at the navigations system. "PD-Y3, what's the coordinates to the Captain's shuttle?" A series of numbers appeared on the navigation system. "Captain Bellmore, this is Mana. Warm up your weapons. I've got two Cathar fighters on my tail."
The transport rumbled out of the atmosphere again and sped away from the world. The two fighters were in close pursuit, but a small Sith shuttle suddenly appeared from orbit.
"Mana, this is Bellmore. I can handle one of them but you'll be on your own for a moment."
The Sith shuttle gave chase to the slowest of the fighters and fired repeatedly. With substantial more firepower, the Sith shuttle was able to generate severe damage upon the one of the fighters. After two direct hits, the fighter erupted in a ball of smoldering debris.
"One down!" Tredmond cheered. But his happiness suddenly faded when they took another direct hit from the second fighter. The ship staggered and suddenly they lost gravity.
"We lost life support!" Mana screamed. She strapped herself into the chair and steered back toward the planet.
Sebrani turned and floated back toward the rear of the ship. "I'll be with Edranus."
"Both of those fighters have been shot down. Mana, you are leaking atmosphere. I suggest we land in a remote area and make repairs."
Smoke leaked from the tail of the transport as it descended into the atmosphere. Mana made sure to steer clear of any populated regions and decided to land near a valley. However, in the back of the ship, near the emergency repair bay, Jasmine climbed out of the landing gear compartment and stayed within the shadows of the storage room. She hid behind several piles of boxes and containers and curled up into a ball. She would need to wait for a good moment to strike.
The two ships landed side by side and Captain Bellmore, with three others, exited the Sith shuttle. "Begin stripping our shuttle for components. We'll do a quick upgrade to this transports systems and then get out of here."
The ramp lift on the transport lowered and Tredmond exited. "Captain!" He saluted swiftly. "Edranus wants this ship repaired and ready to fly before nightfall. He wants to rescue the other landing parties."
"Of course he does." Bellmore sighed. "I only have one tech officer with me, he'll instruct you and your men on what to do. Firstly, let us get the weapons upgraded and online."
Tredmond nodded and ran to the Tech officer, "I have droid onboard. If you have a memory upgrade on hand, we can upload Astromech protocols to it."
"That would be helpful." The tech smiled. "I'll check the shuttle, but you get started on pulling out the turrets cells."
Back on the freighter, Mana and Sebrani faced off at Edranus's side.
"Master, she left. She's done her part. While I'm grateful for the ship, she is still a liability. We don't know where her true loyalty."
Sebrani snapped in return. "I have been exiled from my people. My place is with Edranus, and if he desires me to serve him, than I shall."
"You left him when he was most vulnerable. And now that your own people have shunned you, you think that my master will welcome you with open arms."
"I will suffer whatever punishment he wishes, so long as I…"
"Enough!" Edranus coughed. "Mana, see to the repairs and be sure that Captain Bellmore does not alter my plans. Sebrani, you will stay here and talk with me."
Mana glared at Sebrani, "But Master, I can not leave her with you alone."
Edranus softly smiled back to Mana "It's alright, Mana. Everything will be fine." Mana backed away, and was warmed throughout her heart from his smile and words.
"Yes master." Mana exited and closed the door behind her.
"Now, Sebrani, there are two things I need of you." Edranus smiled as he gathered his strength and stood from the bunk. "First, I need your loyalty."
"Whatever you need of me, master… I will obey."
"Your loyalty will suffice. Second, I need you to work with Mana. She is your superior."
"As you command." Sebrani answered wholeheartedly. She gave herself freely and kneeled before Edranus.
The door to the room parted and Sebrani did not need to see the intruder in order to know who had entered. She pushed Edranus onto the bed and spun on her heels, drawing her lightsaber in an instant.
Jasmine raised her saber and blocked against Sebrani's attack. "So this is the human that corrupted your mind?" She grunted as she pushed Sebrani away. Sebrani stood defensively with her back to Edranus.
"You will not harm him!"
"I see, than he is the one. You said that you met a Sith Lord. It is odd that I do not sense the Force within him."
Edranus placed his hand on Sebrani's shoulder and slowly stepped passed her. "I am a Sith Lord no longer. My powers have been taken from me, and now I see more clearly than before. I shall not become a tool for it again." Edranus walked closer to Jasmine and smiled softly toward her. "Lower your saber, I am no threat to you."
"Master?" Sebrani protested.
"You too, Sebrani." Edranus glared over his shoulder. The two Cathar Force wielders agreed, and powered down their lightsabers. "Good. Now, let us talk."
"Who are you?" Jasmine questioned. She was slightly stunned that he calmed her so easily.
"My name is Edranus, servant of Lord Revan. We came to your world seeking the Tarentatek, but not an ordinary one. Now I should ask who you are."
"My name is Jasmine; Elder of my house and teacher of the Force."
"And what is your relationship to young Sebrani?"
"She was my sister." Jasmine bulked.
"And what would make you severe your ties in such a way? Please, tell me it was not at my expense." Edranus looked to Sebrani and she lowered her head.
"Sebrani killed her teacher, after being corrupted by you. However, I do not see how that is possible."
"Sebrani?" Edranus questioned softly. Sebrani was sulking within herself. Edranus placed his arms around her and held her tightly within his arms. Sebrani was stunned by this act, but welcomed the embrace all the more.
"They were going to kill me, because of your influence, Master. My teacher came at me, but I had to defend myself. I gave in to my primal urges and crushed him. I was not aware that my strength alone could subdue him so easily." Edranus wiped the tear from her eyes, as Jasmine watched in shock.
Jasmine spoke up, "How could you have done this? The power is not within you. You bare such a warm and kind touch toward Sebrani, and I do not sense the Force at all. How could you have led my sister to the dark side?"
"There is where you are mistaken. There is no dark or light side. There is only the Force, and you are either are part of it, or it is a part of you. I now see the difference and I will not let it control me again. Sebrani's deeds must have their price. I will be taking young Sebrani with me, and I ask only that I retrieve my other troopers from your world."
"No. As much as it pains me, Sebrani must pay for her crime…"
"Then exile her." Edranus countered.
"That will not be enough. The elders …"
"I can only ask you this in faith, Jasmine." Edranus walked closer to Jasmine and placed a hand upon her shoulder. Sebrani sulked slightly as Edranus stepped away. "Release her to me, and she will never return. There is no need for her to die."
Jasmine could feel the genuineness of Edranus's words and she looked into Sebrani's eyes. "The decision is not mine. Sebrani knows this. She killed a teacher, and nothing can stay her punishment. I am not one who is above our laws. I tried to find a way for Sebrani to leave, but she lied to her teacher and she lied to me. At that point… I had to agree with the will of the law."
Edranus exhaled softly, "A pity." Jasmine shrieked in pain. Edranus's hand, which was holding onto her shoulder, began to glow brilliantly. Jasmine dropped to her knees, but Edranus never removed his hand. Sebrani watched as Edranus embraced the glow that was melting away from Jasmine and into himself. He was taking her power and consuming it into his own being. He then released her and hovered over her with a sadden expression. Jasmine moaned in pain, gasped for air and rested upon her knees.
"Jasmine, I need her and she needs me. I can not let you kill her no more then I would let you kill me." He looked at Sebrani caringly. "You may think that what I have done to you is evil, Jasmine, but I tell you it is not. What I have done is in defense of who I am and who Sebrani will become. She would not want you to kill her, just as you would not want her to kill you. However, you have left her with that choice." Edranus picked up Jasmine's lightsaber and stepped away from her.
Jasmine painfully raised her head and glared up at Edranus. "My strength… is gone. What… have you done to me? What … are you?"
"I am something that the Force created, and I will harness it, but it will not control me." Edranus walked into a dark corner of the room, and from the shadows he looked at Sebrani.
"Kill her."
Sebrani stood from the bunk and gripped her lightsaber.
Jasmine glared up at her younger sister. "Sebrani, help me fight him or he will …" The swing was swift and deathly precise. Jasmine's head tumbled to the floor, her body slumped into a pile, but no blood spilled from the fused wounds. Sebrani dropped her lightsaber and began to cry. Edranus walked out of the shadow and embraced her once again.
"I did not… I did not want to kill her." Sebrani sobbed. "Yet this feeling came over me. I could not stop myself."
"She was going to kill you, Sebrani. She told you that she could not spare your life. You did what you must. You have a new family now, and I will not shun you for the sake of any laws."
The door to the room opened again and Captain Bellmore stepped through, "My goodness" He balked as he looked at Jasmine's head. "Oddly this does not surprise me. Non-the less, Darth Edranus, Mana says that we are ready to start searching for the others."
"The title of 'Darth' is no longer correct, Captain. For the time being you may address me as General. Sebrani, I will let you deal with your Sister's remains as you see fit." Edranus walked out of the room and headed toward the cockpit.
"I will bury her here, master."
Bellmore huffed as he walked back to the bridge. "Now he has a Vermin Cathar female at his side. Things can't get any worse."
To be continued.