Chapter 5

Darth Apostas pulled the Sith Infiltrator from hyperspace, emerging in the Yavin System. Memories of the titanic Death Star battle filled her head. Just a few years ago, she sacrificed everything to defeat the massive battle station. But she knew the sacrifices of the Rebels had been in vain. A second Death Star was nearing completion.

Apostas had mixed feelings about the next Death Star. She was not beyond enforcing the Empire's will, but the might of the Imperial fleet was more than sufficient. She could only hope that Vader would treat the superweapon as merely a symbol of Imperial might rather than actually using it to destroy worlds.

"You're all clear kid!" she could remember Han shouting. "Now let's blow this thing and go home!"

Han's memory tugged at warm feelings Apostas had long buried. She smothered the sensations with thoughts of Han's betrayal. He was unworthy of being a consort of a Sith due to his lack of faith in the Force.

The Sith Infiltrator passed through the atmosphere of Yavin 4. The jungle moon was covered in a darkness she could hardly identify. It was like a coating of frost on plants. It was visible in the Force, yet still elusive.

Apostas remembered her lessons in Sith history. Exar Kun once made his headquarters on Yavin 4. But when he was betrayed by his apprentice, the Republic and Jedi poured death and destruction upon the planet as if it were divine retribution. It was pure hypocrisy, a betrayal of the ideals the ancient institutions held ideal.

The Death Star may have been Sidious's idea of revenge for the atrocity on Yavin 4. But perhaps Exar Kun did reach from beyond the grave to defeat any threats to his eternal tomb by placing the Rebellion in a position to destroy the Death Star just because his tomb was threatened. The Force was certainly responsible for stranger things.

Apostas remembered a conversation with her father as she initiated the landing cycle.

"Sith Lords have discovered ways of clinging to existence that if discovered, would have frightened the Jedi considerably," Vader had told her. "Through the dark side, the Sith can endure forever. Even my Master had frequent conversations with the ancient Sith Lords."

"But what of the modern Sith Lords?" Apostas had asked.

"Sidious deceived me when he said he had the secret to eternal life," was Vader's response. "I warn you of this to prepare you for the possibility that the ancient Sith will attempt to influence you out of a misguided idea that they still control the Order."

Apostas descended the boarding ramp, stepping into the vacated hangar bay of the Great Temple. The knowledge of the ancient Sith was precisely what she sought. Yavin 4 contained secrets. Of that, she was certain. The world was strong in the dark side. That a hidden Rebel beacon remained in the Temple was a bonus she could present as "following orders."

Rebel beacons were perhaps the greatest work of genius in the galaxy. Locate one and finding a Rebel base was easy for a lost operative, assuming the proper codes were entered. The beacons were designed to be slicer proof. If any Imperial lacked the proper codes, the beacon would self- destruct if any tampering occurred.

And that was assuming an Imperial knew what to look for, which Apostas did. An unassuming disposal unit rested in the hangar. Apostas revealed the hidden keypad with the Force and input her old security code. The beacon sprang to life immediately.

"Foolish Rebels," she muttered as a map of the galaxy was projected over the beacon. Three planets in the Outer Rim and one in the Unknown Regions were displayed in red. Dantooine, Serpendal and Ziost, she instantly recognized. The fourth world was a mystery to her.

Only Ziost held interest to her. She would investigate the former Sith world on her own. But first, Apostas planned to explore the Yavin 4.

Apostas heard a rumbling laughter echoing in the Force. She whirled around and deactivated the beacon with the Force. "My Master told me about you," she said. "Why don't you show yourself?"

Exar Kun's cold presence in the Force materialized into a blue-white Force ghost. He wore light black synthetic leather armor and a cape flowed down his back, as did his long black hair. A tattoo of a black sun sat on his forehead, the ancient mark of the Dark Lord of the Sith.

"Tell me, Darth Apostas," Kun said. "Why do you seek to raid my temples?"

"It is the duty of the Sith to embrace the totality of the Order's legacy," Apostas replied as she tapped into the dark side. "You are a ghost of the past, Lord Kun. You will not interfere."

Exar Kun laughed. His laughter rang like a deep melodic song, still proud after many millennia. "Even Darth Sidious feared me, Lady Apostas," Kun revealed. "I warn you not to underestimate my powers. If scorching much of the surface of this moon did not destroy me, what makes you think you can?"

"You're dead," Apostas flatly replied.

"You would be too if the Republic fleet took time from its busy schedule to firebomb a moon just to kill you," Kun sneered. "But I still managed to drain the Massassi of their life force so I could remain imprisoned in these temples."

"What's your point, Kun?" Apostas asked. She was growing impatient with the conversation and longed to return him to the Force.

"It is not easy to kill a Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Apostas," Kun replied. "But I do wish to aid you in your quest to pursue Sith knowledge. Darth Vader will remain ignorant of our dealings here, I assure you."

"You would offer assistance without challenging me to a test first?" Apostas asked.

Suddenly, two stone statues in the hangar stirred. They were Massassi statues and their onyx eyes came to life, pulsing a brilliant darkness.

Apostas drew her lightsaber and activated the crimson blade with a snap-hiss. She swung her weapon to a low guard as the statues advanced towards her. Both looked to be wielding swords made from a cortosis weave.

This will be a challenge, she grimly thought. Divide and conquer.

A left hand rose and blasted one statue with a massive torrent of Force lightning. Apostas channeled the full fury of the dark side, immobilizing the statue for a brief instant.

The second statue swung downwards, towering over Apostas. The Sith Lord sidestepped and parried the blow with a single hand. She clenched her teeth before she forced the lumbering brute backwards with a Force push. A wide upward cutting arc severed the statue's sword hand. The stone hand crashed onto the hangar floor.

The statue she immobilized was closing on Apostas. It swung its sword widely at Apostas. The Sith Lord spun around just in time to raise her right arm. The force of blades collided nearly caused her to lose balance.

Apostas backed away from the statues, holding her blade at a high guard as she anticipated their advance. The maimed statue could still pose a significant threat even without a sword.

She held out her left hand, extending the palm upwards. Apostas reached into the Force, searching through the interlocking crystal structure of the maimed statue. Sweat poured down her face as time seemed to stand still. She pushed hard, causing the statue to crack. With an extra shove, rock fragments exploded into the hangar.

Apostas swung her blade around her body, disintegrating flying shards as they soared towards her.

The remaining statue was unfazed by its comrade's demise. It stalked towards her and brought the sword down. Apostas anticipated the move and leapt to the side. She called on more reserves in the Force. She Force jumped, flying up to the height of the two and a half meter tall statue. Her crimson blade swung down and horizontally.

Apostas landed on the hangar floor. The statue stood still for a moment before its head slid from its neck and shattered as it impacted the surface. After taking a few seconds for deep breaths, Apostas deactivated her lightsaber.

"Excellent work!" Kun commented, grinning broadly. "You have proven yourself worthy to accept the knowledge you seek. I will guide you to my private retreat where we can continue this conversation."

Apostas returned her lightsaber to her belt. "Lead the way, Kun."

Kyle Katarn sighed as he stared at his practice remote. He was due to leave in a few hours, but could not shake the apprehension held felt. He tried to find his center of calm in the Force, but failed miserably.

The only female Jedi in the Order entered the bland training room. Kyle's eyes were drawn to Mara Jade. She was a tough as nails Padawan and Kyle's only peer.

Mara leaned against the durasteel wall. "Trying to polish your saber skills, Katarn?" Mara asked.

Kyle deactivated his lightsaber. "I guess my mind is out to lunch for a while," he admitted.

A smirk tugged at Mara's lips. "Are you sure you don't want a rematch?" she asked.

"Are you sure you want to lose again?" Kyle taunted light heartedly, throwing a mischievous grin in her direction.

Mara scowled at him before she removed the lightsaber from her belt. The hilt was constructed in the style of Luke's weapon, practical and with little detail. "Arrogant gundark," she growled before she ignited her violet energy blade.

Kyle reactivated his blue sword just as Mara charged at him. She spun her body, cutting rapidly for his torso. Kyle relied on his Soresu form for defense, keeping his lightsaber close to his body to parry the blow. Mara, an adept of Ataro, drew back and plunged her weapon forward in a stabbing motion.

A quick sidestep coupled with moving his arms downward parried the next blow. Mara's slashes and stabs would have been effective against an opponent not accustomed to Ataro, but Kyle had dueled with Yoda numerous times. Yoda was not just a user of the Ataro form. He was the undisputed master.

Mara employed Ataro in a more aggressive fashion and she seemed more polished after frequent duels with Luke. Kyle gave ground slowly, his blade a whirling column of defense. Mara's violet sword could exploit no weaknesses and she was constantly forced to adapt her tactics.

"You've gotten better," Kyle said before he sensed an opening. He struck hard and fast, slamming his blade down upon Mara's. Their lightsabers moved towards the floor from the power of his strike. Kyle quickly drew back and swung his weapon for her neck, only stopping just a few centimeters short. "But you're still dead."

Mara stood still, astonished by the swiftness at which Kyle defeated her. Their eyes locked for a moment before she finally spoke. "That's just the first round, Katarn," she said.

"Quite right," Kyle said before drawing his weapon back. Both combatants took a few steps away from each other.

Kyle found his center of calm in the Force, drawing upon his knowledge of combat training to drive away his fear. It was not as challenging as facing Yoda, but still just as deadly.

"Again," he said, prepared for the second round.