AN: Well, it took awhile, but it's finally here! I apologize to everyone, for the delay. I really do, I can't express enough how disappointed I am in myself that we couldn't have this ready for you all in December, but I hope you enjoy it! Furthermore, I am truly grateful to you all for how patient you have been. Those of us involved with writing the story really do appreciate it. I won't keep you any longer.
EDIT: So, after posting the chapter I realized something. I posted the wrong file. We were missing a couple scenes but that should be taken care of now. Whoops.
Dathomir – Singing Mountain Region
Revan stepped off the shuttle and gazed out at the alien landscape before him. During his countless years spent wandering the galaxy, he had never come to a planet quite like Dathomir. The strong presence of iron in the soil gave the planet an eerie red hue. The slight differences in atmospheric pressure and oxygen levels had the same effect on the planet's atmosphere, replicating the same effect the iron in the soil had.
The air had an almost metallic aftertaste as Revan inhaled the stale atmosphere. Plagueis followed him off of the ship, cracking his neck before speaking.
"I must warn you Revan, the politics of this planet are not as simple as they may seem. After speaking more with Dooku about his former master's time here. It would seem that Yoda's prophecy involved his former student finally freeing the planet of the Nightsisters."
"I am aware," Revan answered bluntly. "Freeing the planet, however, does not necessarily mean destroying. I sense there is a solution to this that ends with us having support from both the Singing Mountain Clan, and Gethzerion's followers. Tell me more of what you know about her."
"She is very powerful." Plagueis let out a deep breath before continuing, "There was a time where even I feared her, she has a potent knowledge of the dark side, and she is skilled in lightsaber combat. I warn you, Revan. She is not to be trifled with."
Revan stroked his chin before running his hand through her hair, "Can she be trusted?"
'No," Plagueis responded without hesitation, "but she holds her faith in the highest regard. If you can manage to fulfill both prophecies, she may follow you."
Revan nodded slowly as he gazed over the horizon as if in deep thought. Plagueis was right, they would need to tread carefully. The others emerged from the ship, Revan wasted no time allowing those more familiar with the planet to guide them to the coordinates that marked the Chu'unthor's wreckage. With no indication of how to find the Singing Mountain Clan, or Gethzerion, it was the only destination that could offer any knowledge for their cause.
The Force felt strange on this planet. Serra, Sira and Revan could all feel it, and it unsettled them. It wasn't a powerful presence, or dark side affinity on the planet itself. This felt more like the Force had somehow become perverted and twisted. It dawned on Serra that perhaps the Dathomir witches' primitive way of calling on the Force with rituals and incantations that resembled other culture's folklore of magic had more a potent effect on the planet than she would have thought possible. Serra took the time to center herself before informing Sira of the many reports she had read during the Clone Wars about the Dathomir Nightsisters and Nightbrothers clans.
Count Dooku slowed his pace to join the young women in their conversation when Serra mentioned Savage Opress being the result of Nightsister rituals.
"I should have never gone to Talzin to seek out a new student. Especially knowing Ventress's origins.
Sira looked up at the ridge above them as they made their way to the crater that housed the wreckage of the Chu'unthor. As she lifted her gaze, she could make out what seemed like the slightest hint of movement.
"I think there's something up there," she commented.
"Yes, they have been following us for some time," Dooku nodded in response. "The sooner they realize we are aware of their presence, the more dangerous they are to us. This ravine is perfect for an ambush."
"I sense they mean us no harm, "Revan retorted. "As of now, they are more curious about us than anything."
"I suggest we remain on our guard," Plagueis interjected, pulling the hilt of his saber out of the confines of his cloak. The others did the same, ready to activate their blades at a moment's notice. As time ticked past, the group could see the wreckage of the ancient ship jutting out of the dirt. The hull of the ship had rusted and degraded over the last three centuries and nature had slowly overgrown the vessel until a majority of it became buried beneath the surface, a victim of time. Silhouettes of the Dathomiri could be seen climbing the wreckage to gain higher ground against Revan and his team.
As they came into view Revan counted twelve Dathomiri that he could see. An elder witch flanked by four warrior priestesses armed with energy bows stepped forward.
"I am Mother Rell of the Singing Mountain Clan – why have you come to this place?" she demanded. A youthful vigor in her voice that was carefully shrouded by her appearance.
Dooku stepped forward before Revan could speak, "If my former master's stories about you are to be believed, they you already know who we are. I'm sure you've seen us in your visions."
"Yes… pupil of Yoda. As have I seen your fates. Veterans of the war to come, each and every one of you."
"Then you know we are here to fulfill the vow Yoda made you centuries ago?" Revan questioned.
"There is only one here who can fulfill that vow, man out of time. You have finally come to cleanse this planet of the Nightsisters." Mother Rell stated with nothing but contempt in her voice.
"We have. I was the one who ordered the decimation of Talzin's coven." Dooku stated with a slight bow.
Rell closed her eyes, inhaling deeply before letting out a low sigh, "Hmm. Yes. I can still feel the sorrow that surrounds that wretched place. But the deed has not yet been fulfilled. You must still destroy that abomination and her followers," she spoke with an eerie echo, almost reminiscent of Talzin's own voice.
"Mother Rell speaks of Gethzerion; Talzin's mentor." Interjected Plagueis.
"Find her, destroy her, and I will give you the knowledge contained aboard this vessel."
"My master promised we would free your world of the Nightsisters," Dooku responded. "We shall accomplish that however we can.
"Once you have done as you have promised, return here." Mother Rell gestured to her followers and they disappeared within the blink of an eye as they fell into the forest, leaving no indication of where they went. As they did, Sira let out a deep breath she hadn't realized she was holding in.
"Well, now what?" Serra commented. "Rell won't give us the data tapes unless we kill Gethzerion, and I sincerely doubt that the surviving Nightsisters will follow us if we destroy their leader."
Revan ran his hand through his thickening hair, "We need to solve both problems simultaneously. As I mentioned on the ship, Dooku needs to somehow cleanse this world of the Nightsisters, and I have to somehow convince both groups that I am their religion's version of the Chosen One. Now we just have to figure out how."
Plagueis' eyes went wide for a moment before fervently retrieving Talzin's text from the folds of his cloak and began flipping through the pages, stopping abruptly on one of the last pages of the tome. A slight grin formed across his face.
"Revan," he stated. "I have an idea. We'll have to perform what the Dathomir Covens call 'The Trial of the Grasses'."
"Care to explain what that is?" Revan asked.
"From what I have heard about Skywalker and Kenobi's time on Mortis from our former-Jedi compatriots, Skywalker underwent a similar trial at the request of the Father. He had to prove that he was strong enough in the Force to control both the Light and Darkness and subvert it to his will. The primary difference between this and the Trial of the Grasses is that it requires the subject to channel the light and dark simultaneously to overcome some obstacle, rather than dominate the two halves of the Force. Originally, it was a ritual that could only be performed by Allya centuries ago." Plagueis explained as best he could. Revan had heard the Mortis family referenced dozens of times in the recent week, his own statements included, he gazed at Plagueis inquisitively.
"What needs to be done?' Revan questioned.
"We need to gather the Covens to the sacred altar where Rell and Gethzerion will conduct a ritual. It will create a bridge between worlds, in a sense. Manifestations of the Winged Goddess and Fanged God will be able to enter our domain. You must defeat them."
"Alone?" Sira interjected.
Plagueis shook his head, "According to Talzin's texts, these manifestations will only occur if the subject's perfection is without question. Once they arrive, any he deems worthy may battle them."
Serra scoffed, "Well, isn't that convenient."
Revan itched behind his ear before gesturing for the team to move on, if they were going to perform this "Trial of the Grasses", then they would need the cooperation of both Gethzerion, and Rell. Plagueis quickly explained the quickest route and led the team in the general direction of Talzin's stronghold where he had last seen Gethzerion.
Coruscant's Orbit – Imperial Blockade
Vice Admiral Tion Zataire walked back into the bridge of the Imperial Star Destroyer Lawbringer and shook his head once more; still silently admiring the technological progress that has been made for capital ships in the last 15 standard years.
Hailing from Telos IV, the middle age human had seen his fair share of action even before the Clone Wars as part of the Kwymar Sector Forces. The Battle of Malastare Narrows, in particular, was one engagement he will never forget as one of his first missions fresh out of the academy when he was assigned under Captain Wullf Yularen in their campaign against Admiral Trench.
The commander counted himself fortunate back then to have been among the few survivors that survived the tactical brilliance of the future Separatist General but now, observing the capital around him, he felt reasonably proud of where his career had taken him. True, he was far from the only commanding officer aboard a capital ship but his was one of the first of the Imperial I-Class to come out of the Kuat Shipyards and given that he was currently in charge of guarding the blockade of the Empire's capital, he found it reassuring that the awe-inspiring warship was an excellent progression from the Clone Wars era Venators.
"Not that an attack is likely," The Vice Admiral mused as he looked past the bridge. "Now that the Clone Wars have ended the minor conflicts that remain are very distant from the Core, much less its capital."
Still, precautions were necessary, which is why he was helming the blockade, with two Venator Class Destroyers flanking him. But truth be told, he was more concerned about his immediate superior, Admiral Dao as he was assisting Moff Tarkin in the Siege of Salient. According to the last report he read, the rebels kept receiving aid from outside the system and there were still at least 17 enemy capital ships operational. Even if they were just delaying the inevitable, they could still do a lot of damage before the siege was over. And that's without counting the unverified reports of a Jedi Master spotted among the traitors…
"Vice-Admiral!" One of the technicians in the bridge called out, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Several large vessels are coming out of hyperspace!"
Zataire raised an eyebrow in confusion, as the 5th fleet was not due to return for a few more days. The Vice-Admiral approached the window and his jaw dropped when he saw 4 Separatist Dreadnoughts appear in his line of sight, with dozens of Vulture droids starting to exit their hangars simultaneously.
The commanding officer blinked in disbelief, taking a moment to compose himself before shaking himself out of his stupor.
"So much for this being a quiet day," Zataire thought with a grimace.
"All our Tie-fighters are to be deployed immediately!" The Vice-Admiral ordered. "Inform the commanding officers of the Venators to do the same. Someone notify Imperial High Command immediately that in the capital that we are under attack by a Separatist fleet of dreadnoughts! And try hailing these separatist scum, see if they answer."
The bridge started buzzing with activity as everyone scrambled to obey the orders and do their jobs in the face of such an unexpected turn of events.
"Sir, no one is answering our hails," One of the technicians replied.
"Vulture droids will be in range in 30 seconds, sir," Another officer said. "While we will be in range of the dreadnoughts turbolasers within the next 3 minutes."
Zataire gritted his teeth. They will certainly have a head start on their Tie-fighters as they try to swarm the Star Destroyers. But he and his crew will hold the line for as long as they are able.
"Divert non-essential energy to the frontal deflector shields," He commanded. "And I want our gunners to stay sharp. The second the capital ships come within range they are the priority, am I clear?"
"Sir, yes sir!"
And with that, the battle began.
Dathomir – Nightsister Monastery
Revan and his compatriots waded through the brush as they approached what was once Talzin's stronghold. As they approached, Dooku couldn't help but notice the half-decayed bodies and withering corpses that littered the courtyard and surrounding courtyard, various droid parts and plating intermingled as well.
Sira glanced behind her and in the trees above she could see more corpses trapped in the branches. Their limbs contorted in unnatural ways, looming over the group. It almost seemed like an omen, a warning to stay away.
As they approached the entrance to the fallen witches' stronghold, they could all feel the dark powers that emanated from inside. It called to some of them, while others fed on it, giving strength. Meanwhile for some, it scared them.
"I… have a bad feeling about this." Serra said warily.
"So do I," Sira reinforced. "This place is strong with the dark side.
Plagueis stood his ground, "Be that as it may, Gethzerion has they place watched constantly, if we want to find her, this is where we need to be."
"So now we wait for her to come to us?" Revan questioned, "I sense a trap."
"Our next move?" Dooku asked, his tone making it seem as if he already knew the answer.
Revan gave him a wide smile, "spring the trap." He drew his lightsaber, the emerald blade glowed to life before he stepped through the portcullis, casting his immediate surroundings in a faint light. The others followed his lead, the contrast of the crimson, emerald, and azure blades gave Dooku a bit of a migraine as they reflected off each other.
As they moved toward the center of the large atrium, Revan immediately sensed them. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected the bolt from an energy bow. Each of his compatriots took a defensive stance, forming a circle in the center of the room as they all faced outward, the dim light that poured in from the entrance was extinguished as an individual stepped in front of it.
"Like nerfs to the pen," the elder voice spoke out from the doorway. "You're ready for slaughter."
Revan stared her down, "Gethzerion, I presume?"
"To whom do I owe the pleasure?" the matriarch questioned.
"I returned, as I said I would, Gethzerion." Plagueis interjected. "My allies and I have come to fulfill my promise."
Gethzerion cast a glance towards Plagueis, slowly her Nightsisters revealed themselves in the shadows above, Revan saw he and his allies were completely surrounded.
"Magister Damask, I must say you are here sooner than expected," she commented. "I suppose I no longer have need of this." She pulled the small flask of Plagueis blood out and tightened her grip for a moment before returning it to her satchel, "On second thought… not until our business is concluded."
The others watched Gethzerion cautiously, "You may put your weapons away, I mean you no harm." They all hesitated for a moment, before Gethzerion rolled her eyes. She waved her pale hand above her head, her followers jumping down from their positions and slinging their bows.
Revan answered the gesture of good faith and deactivated his lightsaber, holding it in his hand still. His followers did the same. He glanced around him before focusing on Gethzerion as she stepped toward him. Her features were hard and withered, the dark gray skin common to the Dathomiri resembled a husk in some ways.
"And you are?" She asked Revan impatiently.
"Revan," he stated bluntly. Revan was certain that a witch who had spent her entire life on Dathomir had no idea of who he was, and in this situation, he sensed the wrong answer would lead to battle.
"Ah, you are the one I've seen in my vision," Gethzerion smirked maliciously.
"You've had visions of me?" Revan asked, his brow raised. The Dathomir witch nodded in response.
"Of you, and your war to come." She replied cryptically. "Enough of the pleasantries though, Damask promised my coven freedom from this place. You have brought ships to take us away, correct?"
"No," Revan shook his head. "The transports are on a command system, they won't come until I give the code."
Gethzerion glared at him, "Do not test me, human. I have lived for centuries."
Revan raised his hands, palms outward in reservation, "I intend to fulfill the promise that was made to you, clan mother. However, I require something from you in return."
"Gethzerion stepped closer, staring up into Revan's eyes.
"That being?" she demanded.
"The Trial of the Grasses," Revan declared. Gethzerion took a back, looking toward both sides before meeting Revan's unwavering gaze once more.
"Has Rell agreed to this? You need both of us to do so."
"She hasn't, but if the result means ridding herself of you, I can't imagine she would say no." Revan mocked with a slight grin as he crossed his arm. Gethzerion's eyes narrowed in slight irritation. After a moment, she grinned maliciously.
"Very well, I will do as you need. And as a gesture of good faith, I shall share knowledge with you." The elder dark-side user proposed.
"That knowledge being what?" Revan questioned.
"One will betray you, one will fall, and one will suffer a fate worse than death. This is the knowledge I have for you about your war." Gethzerion's gazed moved between each of the force-users in front of her. She then gestured to her coven who disappeared into the depths of the stronghold, Gethzerion walked after them.
"I shall meet you all at the altar." She did not look back, Serra and Sira watched her as she sauntered away. Once she was safely out of view, Revan and the others left the stronghold.
Serra looked at Revan, "Is it just me, or did she seem a little too willing to help us once you mentioned the Trial?" Revan kept glancing back at the stronghold, the others could tell Gethzerion had unnerved him with her prophecy.
"She said she has visions. I think she knew we plan to do it. She has some ulterior motive." He crossed his arms, "Plagueis? Keep a close eye on her at the ritual. Dooku, you do the same for Rell."
Dooku and Plagueis both nodded at him, as unnerved as Revan was, he still managed to maintain a commanding presence.
"I just pray this doesn't start another war," Serra commented. "What do you think she meant by that prophecy?" She asked, addressing the obvious bantha in the room.
"I don't know," Revan answered. "But it worries me, Everyone, keep up your guard. Plagueis, you know this planet better than the rest of us, can you take us back to the Chu'unthor? The sooner we finish this, the better I think." The age-defying Muun replied with a quick 'of course' and took the lead. Revan grabbed Serra by her arm and leaned in closely.
"Watch him." He whispered. She nodded. Clearly Revan didn't trust everyone as much as he conveyed.
Coruscant's Orbit – Inside the Stealth Corvette
Barriss Offee tried to suppress a shiver down her spine as she stared at the Imperial I-Class Star Destroyer just a couple of kilometers from her viewport even as the Tie-fighters started to engage the first Vulture droids, no one seemed to notice her. Still, she didn't let out a sigh of relief until she finished maneuvering her cloaked ship between the 2 Imperial ships and past the blockade.
"Well," The Mirialan said to the empty air, "I guess I am going back to the Jedi Temple."
The notion filled her with many mixed feelings, considering what she did the last time she was there. But her conversation with Revan filled her with purpose and the value of holocron would be incalculable for their cause. She will find a way to succeed.
Even if Madam Jocasta won't be happy to see her.
Thabeska – Fardi Compound
Ahsoka followed the commandos down the hall, retracing the path they had taken to reach Ahsoka's dorm. Fi had offered to scout the route ahead and had since broken from the other's line of sight. Niner was never a fan of letting the squad split up, but he knew Fi would stay close. Then there was Ahsoka. The squad was operating in unknown territory. Ahsoka was sure to know the quickest routes out of the estate.
Niner kept his rifle up, as did the others. Down the hall he could barely see the outline of Fi's visor moving back down toward them. He held his palm up to his brothers as he approached them.
"Not that way, I counted five troopers coming our way." Fi explained.
"Take up positions and ambush them when they round the next corner?" Darman suggested.
"Negative," Atin chimed in. "We can't risk them failing to check in."
Niner knew Atin was right. If they left a trail of bodies, it wouldn't be long until the imperials caught up with them. During the war, they always had eyes everywhere. Intelligence, reinforcements, the list went on. Operating on their own was akin to flying blind.
"What do the schematics say, Atin?" Niner asked.
Atin shook his head, cycling through the different layouts and blueprints.
"If we go back the way we came, it'll just take us to a dead end. Only way to get back up is to keep following this route back to the main stairwell," he explained.
"Sarge?" Fi asked impatiently.
Niner didn't respond for a moment. He looked like a statue in his armor. Like stone. He looked toward Ahsoka.
"Do you know another way off this level? We need to get to the roof."
Ahsoka ran her hand over her montrals.
"The only thing I can think of is the ventilation system." Ahsoka replied. Her eyes refusing to meet the commando's visor. The clones each cursed under their breath. Niner looked over his rifle to make sure it was primed. Time was running out and they were out of options.
"Omega. Lock and load. Take up ambush positions. Dar, ready a flash grenade. Fi, contact Zeego for extraction. We're doing this fast and loud." Niner ordered. He didn't want to do it this way, but they were out of options. The other commandos wasted no time. Darman clung to the wall while the others took up positions behind him. Fi tapped his comlink and radioed Zeego before giving a thumb up to the others.
Floodlights began reflecting off the corner. Darman primed the grenade and rolled it down the hall. The hall illuminated for a moment as the grenade overloaded the stormtroopers' visors for a moment. Omega Squad broke from their positions and charged the enemy squad. The enemy's audible confusion was muffled by the sound of blaster fire. One of the troopers was quicker than the others and was able to narrowly avoid a pair of blaster bolts. But before he could bring his rifle to return fire, Darman got in close and pushed him into the wall, dislodging the E-11 blaster from his hand. The commando extended his wrist-mounted vibroblade and jammed it between the plasteel plates under the stormtrooper's arm.
The fight was over as quick as it had started. The team salvaged a few thermal detonators from the troopers. Darman picked up one of their blasters and handed it to Ahsoka who was still defenseless. Begrudgingly, she took the blaster.
The five of them left the bodies where they fell. They wasted no time moving towards the stairwell. Niner took point with Atin covering their rear. As they moved through the building, Darman chose to switch his DC-15 to it's anti-armor setting, mounting the grenade launcher attachment to it before pulling out his sidearm.
Despite the armor's built in cooling unit, Darman could feel a bead of sweat forming on his brow. The mission was supposed to be a simple extraction, but he should have known that nothing they ever did was simple. If there was one thing he had learned over the years, it was how to adapt when the plan went wrong.
As they began ascending back to the higher levels, Darman took a glance out the window. Imperial dropships were landing more troops. He could see multiple squads approaching the main entrance. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the Fardi clan being escorted out of the compound at gunpoint with their hands over their heads. Darman glanced at Ahsoka, wondering if he should say something. He decided against it.
The ascent to the top floor was eerily quiet. There was no sign of an imperial presence on the higher floors and that set Atin on edge. The silence hung over him like a ticking timebomb, the only thing he could hear was the sound of their boots hitting the durasteel floor and his own panting inside his helmet.
They reached the rooftop hatch they came through. Atin locked the door behind them.
"Dar start wiring the explosives. Atin, weld the door shut." He tapped his comlink, "Zeego, what's our ETA for exfil?"
"I'll need a few minutes. Trying to avoid the imperial patrols as best I can."
"We may not have a few minutes, so make it quick," Fi interrupted. Niner started pacing. Ahsoka stood awkwardly against the wall. She felt out of place as she watched Atin seal the blast door with the fusion cutter while Darman was busy laying detonite charges in several bands of explosive tape around the room, concentrating very heavily around the doorway. If the Empire caught up with them, they were sure to have a surprise.
Fi switched his rifle to the sniper attachment and gripped one of the ladder rungs to reach the roof.
"Permission to head topside, Sarge? Provide overwatch," the team medic asked.
"Hop to it Fi," Niner nodded.
Fi climbed the ladder and opened the hatch. The others could hear his boots clanking against the roof before hearing a loud crack followed by a thud.
"Fi? Fi?!" Niner shouted. He gestured to Atin. "With me. Dar, finish laying those charges." Their acknowledgement lights flashed green on his HUD. He ran a diagnostic on Fi's systems. He was still alive, just unconscious. Niner pulled out his sidearm and began to ascend the ladder one rung at a time. Once he climbed high enough to be able to see Fi, he felt a pistol get pushed against the back of his helmet, accompanied by a familiar voice.
"Long time no see, Niner."
"Somehow it wasn't long enough, Boss." Niner scoffed. "I'm guessing Fixer and Scorch are hiding around here somewhere too?" He holstered his pistol, extending his wrist vibroknife.
Boss sighed, "Niner, if we're gonna go that way, you'll need a bigger knife," he boasted. There was always a bit of a rivalry between Omega and Delta. The commandos of Delta Squad were trained by Walon Vau, whereas Omega were trained by Skirata. As a result, Skirata and Vau's dislike of each other carried over into their cadets. Yes, Omega and Delta had worked together in the past – and even developed a respect for each other, but they still held an animosity toward each other.
"Come on, get up here," Boss said, tapping his pistol against Niner's helmet. Niner did as he was told, retracting his knife as he stepped up onto the roof. "Atin, Darman. You too! Don't forget to bring the Jedi." He used his freehand to tap his comlink. As the other three climbed the ladder, staying in front of their ally turned adversary.
"Four-Oh, Six-Two – targets have been acquired. Get over here so that we can extract them." He kept the line open for a moment. "Acknowledged, advisor." Niner stood quietly with his brothers, all of them facing away from their fellow commando. He silently cursed at himself for not thinking Delta could show up.
Following formation of the Empire, Imperial Special Forces had been given two tasks: to hunt down clone deserters and to assist Lord Vader with tracking down surviving Jedi. He racked his brain thinking of ways they could get out of this situation. He couldn't move without Boss catching it, and he couldn't tell if they had somehow tapped their comms. He knew that if there was any slicer who could hack an encrypted channel remotely, it was Delta Four-Oh – Fixer. He began cycling through his HUD through a series of blinks and winks. Niner displayed a silent order on Darman's HUD.
Darman's acknowledgement light flashed green. Detonate now.
Coruscant – Imperial City
Barriss pulled the cloak over her and lifted a tight fit, fiber mesh mask over her face before making her way out onto the main streets. From what she had seen in her visions, Madame Jocasta was destined to meet her end at the hands of Vader and the Sith Inquisitorious. In the distance, she could see the smoldered remains of what was once the Jedi Temple, imperial gunships combed the area as the sector was on lockdown. Fortunately, Barriss possessed an extensive knowledge of the tunnel systems beneath the Temple and where they led. She had made a point to memorize them when she was in rebellion against the Order herself.
She entered an abandoned storefront and pulled a large shelving unit away from the wall, the plasteel legs grinding against the floor with a faint groaning sound. Barriss waved her hand wildly in front of her face, clearing the air of the dust she had disturbed before removing the sheet metal paneling from the way and slipping into the tunnel entrance.
The young Mirialan could hear turbines and ventilation systems groaning as she made her way through the metallic catacombs, fan-blades slowly rotating to distort the light within the tunnel system. The underground filtration and ventilation systems hadn't been properly maintained in years, decades of disrepair had allowed oxidation to set in, gears and joints to loosen, and metal to warp under the fluctuating temperatures.
Originally designed to protect the various levels of Coruscant from flooding, airborne toxins, and a myriad of other disasters, the system had never been used, and therefore, the Public Works staff had all but forgotten its existence. Now, it was a home to the stray loth-cats and rodents of Coruscant.
The air felt stale and metallic, even through the fiber mask's air filter. The small holdout blaster Barriss held in her hand felt awkward and clumsy. Barriss had tried to take one of the lightsabers that Revan had recovered on Tython, however someone sealed them away in a DNA-coded lockbox. The blaster would have to do. Now that she actually thought about it, Barriss felt safer with the blaster. With the current state of affairs within the galaxy, carrying a lightsaber was as much a risk in itself as was carrying spice. Even so, every stormtrooper this side of the Hydian was bound to have orders to shoot her on sight.
The fugitive took a deep breath, Barriss couldn't afford to become paranoid in her current environment. Nor could she allow it to threaten her mission. Madame Jocasta was in these tunnels somewhere, and Barriss was determined to rescue her. If she couldn't rescue her, she would make damn sure that the Empire wouldn't obtain her data either. Then again, there was no way of knowing if her vision was accurate. Master Yoda always told her that the future was always in motion, and that there were many possible futures.
Had her vision already happened? Was Madame Jocasta already dead? Or arrested? What had become of the Kyber Crystal? For all she knew, Barriss was too late to save her, or even too early perhaps.
Pull yourself together! She thought to herself. If she doubted herself, she would fail. That was always one of Master Luminara's most prevalent teachings for her. Impossibility exists only in her mind, if she can overcome her doubt, she can succeed in any task. Barriss took a pause, centering herself in the Force before continuing, she could feel it. Madame Jocasta was here, somewhere. It took barely a moment to feel it, then she sensed the conflict.
Barriss felt cold, as if a rush of terror washed over her. She was afraid. Cold, and afraid, as if death personified loomed over her, somewhere, within these tunnels.
Vader.
She needed to find Jocasta. She needed to find her soon.
AN: And there you have it! I will begin working on the next chapter within a few days, I hope to have that out for you much sooner than this one. Again, I can't apologize enough for failing to meet my deadlines. It's been a rough year. Until next time!
-CaptainCakeless117