Chapter 8

Kyle Katarn's X-Wing exited hyperspace near Dathomir. He emerged from his Force trance and viewed the world for the first time. The Force had a strong presence. It was balanced, as if something powerful was holding the darkness at bay. Kyle guided his X-Wing through the atmosphere as he tried to focus on the Force to reveal any clues.

Emnine reported, The Imperial Prison is well guarded.

"Well Emnine, getting into vacuum tight Imperial facilities is my speciality," he told the astromech.

Kyle flew towards the Imperial prison, grateful that night was fast approaching. He landed his X- Wing a kilometer from the location. Moments later, Kyle was out of his pilot suit and on the surface.

Kyle donned his utility belt and looked up to R2-M9. "Stay here," he told the astromech. "Only contact me on my comlink in case of an emergency."

Emnine beeped an acknowledgment before Kyle began walking towards the Imperial Prison.

The Rebel base on Dantooine was a major hub of activity. For the first time in the history of the Rebellion, they had the numbers to justify an offensive operation against the Empire. Stormtroopers loaded onto transport ships to be taken into orbit. Fighters were serviced by technicians.

Han Solo could not recall such displays since he served with the Imperial Navy. The former smuggler actually considered asking Thrawn for his commission back, but decided against it. He was not sure he trusted the Grand Admiral completely.

Lando Calrissian opted to travel with Han for the Kessel mission. The former administrator looked at the Millennium Falcon with regret. "Sometimes I regret losing her to you," he said.

Han smirked before slapping his friend on the back. "Well, you volunteered for the gunner crew," he said.

"Do you have room for another volunteer, Captain?" Han heard a woman ask.

Han slowly turned to face Winter. He threw her a lopsided grin and said, "I could always use an extra hand."

Yoda approached next. "Captain Solo," Yoda said. "Good to see you again, it is."

"Hi Yoda," Han said. Then, to everyone, he said, "Let's move out."

The small crew boarded the Millennium Falcon. The ever faithful Chewbacca was already in the co-pilot's seat, having busied himself with preparing the freighter for takeoff. Han took his position in the captain's chair, leaving the others to be seated in the cargo hold.

"Are we ready?" Han asked.

Yes, the Wookiee replied.

Han activated the repulsors, taking the Millennium Falcon off the ground and into the air. The freighter dashed forward in a burst of speed, moving towards the atmosphere. Once he took his ship beyond the atmosphere of Dantooine, Han noticed the massive effort of the Alliance for the first time. Fighters and transport shuttles entered Star Destroyers in preparation for the offensive.

Lando and Winter entered the cockpit, taking the two seats behind Han and Chewbacca.

"Yoda decided to meditate, so we thought it would be a good idea to join you," Lando said.

"Well, strap yourselves in," Han told the two. "We're about to jump into hyperspace." He looked to Chewbacca and said, "Slave the navicomputer and be quick about it. I'm not going to miss this party."

"I thought the only reason you were flying this mission is because Yoda needed a transport to the surface," Winter revealed.

Han turned to her and asked, "What's wrong with having a little fun on the job?"

"Forget I asked," Winter retorted.

After shaking his head, Han returned his attention to piloting.

Lando leaned over and whispered, "Trust me. You get used to this."

The fleet began jumping into hyperspace and the Millennium Falcon followed suit. The next stop was Kessel.

Kyle Katarn unclipped his lightsaber from his belt as he approached the prison facility. He masked his presence in the Force as Yoda taught him to do. Only seeing two guards, Kyle slowly approached them.

And suddenly, a storm erupted over the prison. Sensing a spike in the Force, Kyle activated his lightsaber. He grounded himself with his power while the unlucky guards were hit with the full force of the mysterious barrage. Lightning flashed from the sky and struck the Stormtroopers, killing them instantly.

Two women in lizard hide armor approached Kyle. "Well, if isn't an agent of Darth Apostas?" the tall one remarked.

"I'm a Jedi!" Kyle objected.

"And I'm Darth Vader," the shorter female retorted. She showed no sign of believing Kyle.

In an effort to build trust, Kyle deactivated his blue energy blade. "I'm here to investigate," he told the warrior witches.

"If you aren't here to fight, then let us into the prison," the tall one said.

The prison doors slid open and a woman in a black cloak emerged. She held out her right hand and pressed her index and thumb close together. The warrior witches reached for their throats, gasping for air. Kyle called on the Force to shield him.

"Let them go!" Kyle demanded. Blue plasma sprang from his hand.

The Nightsister used a Force push to knock the spectators away. "So you wish to be a test subject for my skills?" she asked. "I have been trained in your Jedi arts by Darth Apostas."

She shrugged off her cloak. The Nightsister was tall had short black hair and piercing green eyes. Black synthetic armor covered her body and two lightsabers rested on her belt. She called the weapons to her hands with the Force and ignited twin crimson blades.

"I am Sarin Xu," she told Kyle. "And I am the woman who murdered you."

Sarin rushed towards Kyle, employing her aggressive two-handed Niman style against the Jedi. Unfamiliar with the technique, Kyle gave ground, quickly moving his blue sword to protect his body against the incoming attacks. He leapt into the air to avoid being truncated at the knees.

Kyle somersaulted over Sarin and landed behind her. Kyle kept his blade at a high guard in anticipation of her next advance. She came at him with a two blade attack, but he parried the blow and forced Sarin to give ground.

Next, Kyle struck at the opening. His blue blade sliced through the hilt in Sarin's left hand. The Jedi was forced to retract quickly to avoid being decapitated by the other blade.

Sarin dropped her useless weapon and gripped her remaining lightsaber in both hands. In a surprise move, she switched styles. Sarin performed a flawless Shien technique in her next offensive. Her blade seemed like a flying cloud of blood as she struck relentlessly, forcing Kyle to give ground.

Kyle was not just using his lightsaber against Sarin. He was the lightsaber. Kyle was Soresu. The cerulean blade met the synthetic bloodshine blow for blow. He was familiar with Shien from his duels with Yoda. It was a very aggressive technique that was perfect for the battlefield and deadly in the employ of an experienced wielder.

And Sarin was proving to be more than competent with a lightsaber.

Sarin violently hacked and slashed as she drove Kyle towards the prison's outer wall. She swung at Kyle's head, but he backed away from her and parried. In an unexpected move, Kyle took the offensive back to her.

Kyle knocked Sarin's blade away with a flawless counterattack. Sarin proved to be adequate on defense as she blocked Kyle's precise series of blows. "Pathetic Jedi!" she said as their blades locked. "You won't take me so easily!"

Sarin punctuated her remark with a sidestep and a swift upward swing that forced Kyle to retract his blade. Sarin moved for the kill, stabbing at Kyle's unguarded abdomen.

Then, something surprised her. Kyle switched styles, employing a technique she never observed before. Kyle's swings were completely unconnected.

Kyle could sense a presence guiding his swift staccato cuts. He was fighting for survival and he flirted with the darkness to preserve his life. The powerful swings pushed Sarin back with ease.

Sarin was overwhelmed by the unfamiliar technique. She tried to anticipate his next move, holding her blade at the low guard.

But Kyle switched positions and swung horizontally. His blue sword sliced through Sarin's neck. Kyle had no idea what happened, but it was a new technique that saved his life.

A sensation in the Force swept over Kyle as he heard someone speaking to him.

"I've been waiting for a worthy student to pass on my technique," the ghost said.

Kyle deactivated his lightsaber and returned it to his belt. "It seems dangerous," he told the ghost. "Why did I have to open myself to the darkness to use it?"

"A flirtation with the dark is necessary to achieve the ultimate technique," he replied.

"Well, what is it called?" Kyle finally asked.

"Vaapad," the ghost told him.

Kyle looked to the ghost for the first time. The ghost was a tall dark skinned human in a Jedi robe. "Thanks," he said. Then, he rushed towards the fallen warrior witches.

Kyle checked their vitals and discovered they were alive, but unconscious. "Well, it could have been worse," he remarked.

"They'll live," the ghost observed.

Standing again, Kyle asked, "Who are you?"

"I was known as Mace Windu," the ghost answered.