SoftWare: Took me long enough! Sheesh.

Gakowa: Hey, we're fine with it.

SoftWare: Of course you are.

Chapter Thirteen

The Power of Bonds

(EV Leto, main bridge)

Ahsoka kept her gaze on the Centennial warbird. They had disabled its weapons, shields, and engines. It

wasn't going anywhere. Her main concern, however, was Gakowa. Even the young commander of the

Apollo had never faced such a test. Her helmsman spoke up. "General, I'm getting a reading I don't

understand." Ahsoka took a look. Another ship was coming in. "On screen." The largest vessel Ahsoka

had ever seen flew forward. It was in the shape of a Victory-class Star Destroyer, but it was much larger.

"Identification coming in now, General. Its name is Sovereign." Ahsoka looked at her comms officer.

"Contact them." "They're contacting us." Ahsoka nodded. Luke Skywalker's face came on the screen.

"Master Tano. It's a pleasure." Ahsoka faced him. "That's an impressive ship you have there." He nodded.

"The first of its class." Ahsoka faced him. "Really?" He nodded. Ahsoka mentally slapped herself for

getting off track. "What brings you here?" Luke raised an eyebrow. "We were sent out to reinforce the

fleet. What's the situation?" Ahsoka nodded. "Sakowa is being held captive on the warbird. Gakowa went

aboard to rescue her. We managed to disable it, though." Luke nodded. "That's good. I'll come aboard so

we can discuss this in greater detail." Ahsoka nodded. "I'll make preparations." As the transmission

ended, Ahsoka faced her lieutenant. "Prepare the hangar deck for his arrival."

(Centennial Warbird Destroyer)

The crosssabers clashed. Both weapons were locked and their bearers concentrated on the fight. As one

would try to take the offensive, the other would force them back. Gakowa was gaining no ground, but

neither was Khan. Both were so skilled at Form II that they knew its every strength, and weakness. They

kept fighting, blades meeting again and again. Sakowa watched this with fear in her eyes, until she

noticed the lightsaber hanging on Khan's belt. It gave her an idea. Knowing Khan was distracted, she

used the Force to open her bonds, ran to a part of the bridge behind Khan, and used the Force to pull her

weapon to her. She caught it with ease, and ignited the emerald blade. Khan sensed the weapon's

activation, and pulled back from the fight. He looked at Sakowa, then at her brother, who nodded to his

sister. "Very well, then. Show me the power of bonds." Gakowa switched to Form V, while Sakowa held

her saber in Form IV. They struck as one, Sakowa forcing Khan back, and Gakowa striking from behind,

keeping Khan from responding to his sister's attacks. Finally, Khan had enough. He struck a feint, which

Gakowa fell for. He grazed the Jedi Knight's arm, causing him to drop his weapon. He then grazed his leg,

causing him to fall. He held his injuries, watching Khan turn to his sister. "Have no fear, Gakowa. I will

not kill you. I have need of you and your sister. However, it seems discipline is necessary." He pointed

the blade of his weapon at her. "You need a teacher, Sakowa." She made no response. "I could show you

the ways of the Force." Seven years ago, Sakowa had made that mistake, of falling to the Dark Side.

Never again. "I made that mistake once, Khan. I won't make it again." She switched to Form VI, and

waited. Khan leapt in with Form VII, and she easily intercepted, forcing him back a bit. Gakowa began to

heal his own wounds, so that he could help his sister. It was unnecessary. She blocked Khan's attack,

then ran him through as he tried a downslash, intending to knock the saber from her hand. His mask

covered his face, but they could feel his shock in the Force. He dropped his weapon as Sakowa shut off

hers. Slumping to the ground, he hissed in pain. She used the Force to remove his mask. Gakowa limped

over, recovering his weapon. Khan faced them. "Your mother has taught you well." With that, he fell

over, never to rise again. Gakowa noticed something. A device in Khan's hand. "He's triggered the self-

destruct. We have to leave now." They ran to the hangar, and found Gakowa's fighter destroyed. The

Centennial shuttle was still there. A lone guard with a spear stood in their way. Sakowa simply pushed

him out of the way, and they boarded the shuttle, taking off and out of the hangar. They flew back to the

fleet. Gakowa commed the Apollo II. "This is Colonel Tano. Get the fleet away from the warbird. It's set

to self-destruct." They boarded the ship, and ran to the bridge. There, Gakowa got into his command

chair. "Distance?" "20,000 kilometers." The warbird detonated, the last of the Centennials aboard.

Gakowa sighed. "It's over." Sakowa held her brother's shoulder. He nodded, and said, "Status report."

The tactical officer spoke up. "Coming in. All hands accounted for. No damage, no casualties." Gakowa

nodded. Katooni held his shoulder from her station. He nodded, then said, "Send word to the Ares. The

Centennials have been defeated, and the war is over." After the message was sent, the navigator spoke

up. "Sir, we're detecting what appears to be a Warp Gate." Gakowa faced his sister. "We beat the

Centennials. What else could it be?" As he said this, a vessel came through the Warp Gate, of Terran

design. "What in the world-? I've never seen designs like that." "Registry coming in now, sir. OG-07-D.

EV Apollo V." That got his attention. Aisha walked onto the bridge, and faced Gakowa /I have something

to tell you, Gakowa./ He faced her. /What is it?/ She smiled. /I'm pregnant./

A/N

Book Three of Jedi Knights of Earth is concluded. As for the new Apollo, that will be revealed in

Book Four. Sorry for the long delay, but a new chapter is about to begin in Gakowa's life. You'll

see what I mean when it happens. SoftWare, offline.