Alex Rider: Jedi Knight

Jedi Goat

Disclaimer: I don't own Alex Rider or Star Wars.

Author's Note: Two chapters today, to make up for my absence.

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Chapter 19: Return

TSSEEW!

A rock lying beside the waterfall exploded, shards flying everywhere. Jack Starbright drew farther back behind the falls, grimacing as rock scraped against her. Yassen crouched on an outcropping of stone a few inches above her, high enough that he could shoot at the droids. The rocky cliff of the waterfall was all there was between them and the droids. The wall closed in on the other side. If the battle droids got much nearer, they would be captured and killed.

Jack and Yassen had been in hiding for hours, trying desperately to find some escape from the endless sea of battle droids, to no avail.

They had been in the meditation room when the army struck, rapidly taking down the Jedi. Yassen had reacted immediately, finding a place for them to hide. But hiding would no longer do any good; it was either escape or death.

And there was no escape.

Jack pressed herself against the rock, wishing she could disappear. Fear had already risen up and engulfed her; she tried to force it back down, to think logically. But there was no way they could win. The Jedi – many of them young – had already been cut down brutally. She had seen the courage of the young apprentices, fighting for their lives and losing. The Jedi had fought bravely, but nothing could stop the cold, hard, mindless determination of the battle droids. She and Yassen weren't stronger than the Jedi; eventually they, too, would fall prey to the enemy.

Jack closed her eyes and tried not to cry.

Three lightsabers hummed through the eerie silence of the Temple. The Jedi Temple hangar was empty as far as Alex could see, strewn with the remains of burnt ships. Someone had been through here and was long gone. Across the room a door led into the Temple's halls.

Ferus and Sabina at his sides, Alex moved cautiously on into the entrance hall. A felled marble column barred their path; Alex Force-leaped over it first.

He cast a quick glance around, landing in a battle-ready stance. The once-proud corridor was cold and silent. Signs of battle were everywhere, and bodies of young Jedi strewn the ground.

Alex swallowed hard and turned away from the grisly sight. "Guys, you can come over," he hissed.

Ferus jumped over first. As he took in the hall, his posture went rigid, but he said nothing. Sabina nearly crashed into him. Alex caught hold of her.

Gripping his shoulder tightly, she looked around the room, breathing, "No, oh, no." She closed her eyes and shook her head, face white as a ghost.

"Just try not to look," he consoled her.

Sabina pushed away. "I'll be fine." She kept her eyes straight ahead, unable to bear the horror.

Alex started down the hallway, searching out hidden enemies with his sharp gaze. Sabina was only a step behind him.

Ferus faltered slightly, looking over at one of the pillars. "Darra?" he gasped, suddenly rushing over.

Alex paused, forcing himself to wait. The Temple was wafting with the dark side, making him nervous. He didn't want to stay in one place for long, but he couldn't help but sympathize with Ferus. How many of the dead Jedi had been his friends, fellow students?

"Alex! Come over here!"

Exchanging a glance with Sabina, who shook her head, Alex then headed back to where Ferus was. Sabina waited, biting her lip anxiously.

Ferus knelt beside a girl with russet hair and blood-soaked robes. She was slumped against the pillar, opening her eyes as Alex approached.

"You shouldn't have come," she rasped. "The battle droids…they'll find you."

Alex crouched beside her. "Is anyone else still alive?"

She glanced about blearily and shook her head. Upon close inspection, Alex could see her injury: her right arm was held against her chest, bleeding. "I don't know. But Master Kenobi…he took some Younglings and went to find a way out."

"Let's find him," Alex announced, getting back up.

Ferus nodded to her. "Come with us."

"Leave me," she sighed. "I'll only slow you down."

Determined, Ferus shook his head. "I won't leave you, Darra. You're coming."

"Sab!" Alex called, gesturing her over. Sabina uneasily made her way toward them.

Alex indicated Darra. "Can you stay with her?"

"You're leaving me here?" squeaked Sabina.

Ferus helped Darra to her feet. She leaned against him to steady herself. "No. You'll just have to help her."

"Oh. Okay." Sabina looked relieved.

Ferus quickly tore off one of the sleeves of his robe to tie around Darra's injured arm. Then Sabina wrapped her good arm around her shoulders. Sabina followed after Alex and Ferus, Darra braced against her.

The troop wandered aimlessly down the halls for a few minutes, searching out the battle droids. But the Temple was silent, abandoned, hidden eyes watching.

"This place is making me nervous," Sabina finally voiced.

Alex nodded his agreement. "This isn't helping. We're just giving the droids time to find us. Where's a likely place the Jedi might be?"

"The Council Chamber," Ferus said suddenly. "The Council are the strongest. Maybe they're still here…?"

Alex glanced at the others; Darra nodded tiredly and Sabina shrugged. "Okay. Let's give it a try," Alex announced, beckoning to Ferus to lead the way.

They turned and followed Ferus in the other direction. Alex only hoped the Padawan was right.

To be continued...

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