A/N: Vourrech and Aola belong to TheMovieDoctorful. Special thanks go to him for his collaboration on this and the next chapter. The Darkest Light is a hidden organization within the Empire attempting to re-establish order and remove corruption.
Kennayil had been on Aldaraan for three days before his target arrived. Three days of watching this Republic outpost, in the damned rain. If I don't get to kill something soon, I'm going to go mad. Yet another convoy was departing when he spied a familiar face. So that is what Barras meant by 'enjoying this assignment.' Riding a speeder alongside the convoy was Zentiira's Jedi Master, Vren.
A soft chuckle escaped him as he climbed aboard his own speeder and prepared to follow him. Looking over at his companion, he gave a wide grin of satisfaction.
Kennayil: It would seem the Force favors us today. (pointing at Vren) That one is mine. Kill anyone else when we get there, but leave him to me.
Al'andar nodded and hoped on his own speeder. The needed to follow the Republic personnel, if they had any hope to find the tomb.
Several hours later, Kennayil and Al'andar were slowly creeping through the forest near where the convoy had set up camp. They wanted to be in position before the sun set completely. Al'andar had chosen an approach that gave them a good view of activity in the camp without exposing themselves.
Al'andar (whispering): Hold up a sec Boss. There's imperial excavation equipment down there. I think this is where they were headed.
Further speculation was interrupted by raised voices from the camp. Looking through their binoculars, both me could make out an imperial soldier being thrown into a holding cage. Jedi Master Vren said something to a robed figure beside him before the two of them walked into a cavern. Reaching into one of his belt pouches, Kennayil pulled out his holocommunicator. Noticing the quizzical look on the sniper's face, he explained.
Kennayil: I'm calling the 70th in. Someone needs to hold down the camp while we chase down those Jedi.
Al'andar nodded in understanding. After studying the camp layout, he let a small smile creep upon his face. As the idea solidified, he turned to his boss.
Al'andar: Hey, bossman. I have an idea…
Kennayil looked over at him and smiled. He could feel the excitement from the sniper and could guess at what he wanted.
Kennayil: Lem'me guess. You wanna play super sniper again. (Seeing the hopeful look, he sighed) Okay, fine. I'll try to keep them in the open. (Checking the sun's position) I'll start down now. Try not to hit me this time.
Al'andar looked down embarrassed. It had been a grazing shot in an attempt to hit the Sith assassin that had been sneaking up on Kennayil. Both Sith were surprised, and only one of them died. Thankfully.
Laughing softly, Kennayl made his way to the camp as silently as he could, wishing for the millionth time that he had the sniper's ability to be quiet. As he got closer to the camp, he could make out the voices of the Republic soldiers. The conversations were typical of soldiers who had spent too much time away from home. As he got to the middle of the camp, he noticed that everyone appeared to be in the chow tent. Smiling inside his mask, Kennayil raised his arms and summoned a Force Storm on them. A few lucky ones managed to get out of the tent with only a few scorch marks on their armor. One of them spotted Kennayil and shouted to the others. Kennayil dove for cover bhind a stack of crates. It was only a temporary measure, ment to force the soldiers out into the open and give Al'andar a clear shot. Sensing one of his attackers flare of pain, then fade into nothingness, Kennayil stepped out of his cover to keep them from realizing there was another involved.
Soon enough it was just the officer standing before Kennayil. The officer looked around and noticed he was the last one standing. Realizing that he was alone against a Sith, he dropped his weapon and felt to his knees.
Officer: I surrender Sith. There's no reason for me to keep fighting. Just kill me quickly.
Kennayil: I don't desire your death, just the Jedi's. (pointing at a nearby body) That one still lives. Heal her and leave. My troops are on their way. They have orders to kill anyone that is not from the Empire.
The twi'lek did not hesitate. He scrambled over to the survivor and began to work. When he next looked up, the Sith was gone.
Al'andar found Kennayil still in the tunnel looking over the markings etched into the walls. As he approached, the Sith did not acknowledge him, except to stand and motion for the sniper to follow him.
Kennayil (voice barely audible): This is the place. Both Light and Dark side lay here. She truly was a great Master. (voice more strongly now) C'mon Al. These writings are a distraction, meant to keep the unworthy at bay.
They began making their way deeper into the cave. Everyone once and a while Kennayil would stop and deactivate a trap or activate a hidden door. Eventually, the sounds of a battle going on could be heard. As they stalked silently through the tomb, they could hear voices crying out in fear and pain. Reaching through the Force, Kennayil could sense panic and hoped mixed. Al'andar heard a voice cry out, "Hurry please. They're gunna die." Kennayil looked over at Al'andar with a raised eyebrow, who merely shrugged in response. Leaving the tunnel, he was met with an unusual sight. Several young Jedi were fending off battle-droids while a Sith Juggernaut fought beside them. The warroior appeared to be trying to save the younglings.
Kennayil (pitching his voice so all could hear): And what do we have here? Are you realy trying to save your enemies young Sith?
The Sith turnedto Kennayil, after cutting down the last droid.
Vourrech: Darth Kennayil I presume. (His voice was made emotionless and scratchy through the voicebox in his helm.) They were sent here to retrieve an artifact and failed, their masters are slain and I have promised to leth them live if they renounce the Republic. I'll be shipping them off to Drommund Kaas as soon as possible.
Kennayil (sneering): Don't be a fool, boy. I can feel the presence of the master deeper within the toumb. His frustration is singing out to me. (His body begins to spark) You have one minute before I crush everything here. (Seeing that no one has moved, he voice drops to a soft warning) Get. Out. Of. My. Way.
Darth Vourrech ignited his lightsaber, the red energy of his hatred and fury circling around him. His laugh was distorted and scratchy by his helm.
Vourrech: I am prepared to die. (He started laughing) Are you?
Kennayil was surprised. Vourrech was only in his late 20's, they youngest Darth on the Dark Council, yet he showed a great amount of bravery, or perhaps it was something else entirely.
Kennayil (approaching Vourrech): Brave of you. You stand before Death itself and laugh. But I must say this to you. Successs as a Sith lies in knowing when to stand up to your enemies, or remove your enemy's capacity to stand up before you.
Vourrech (confused): I—What?
Kennayil: It's easy. If something or someone stands between you and your goal, remove it!
Without warning, Kennayil sends out a blast of Force energy that knocks anything not bolted to the ground, out of his way. He makes his way to the door on the opposite end of the room. Vourrech's rage at such careless loss of life could be felt without the Force. Making no sound, he attacks Kennayil, only to see his lightsaber seem to bounce off the air. Kennayil laughs darkly as he turns and sends a large surge of dark energy into Vourrech's body. Stunned, he can only watch helplessly as Kennayil approaches.
Kennayil: You still have much to learn. But I have a much more important prey to deal with right now. (Glancing around he points to the bodies strewn about the room) Some of them may still be alive. Many are fading fast. If you want to save them, you should leave me be. (He looks up and spies a green twi'lek getting ready to attack) Unadvisable young lady. My sniper has his head dialed in. If you attack, your master will be the first to die. (Looking back down at Vourrech) Tell you what, I'll give you a hand in helping them. (He concentrates for a few seconds the releases healing energy over an area where he can sense the most life.)
As the door seals shut behind Kennayil and his friend, the stun is released from Vourrech.
Darth Vourrech got up quickly, his rage intensifying. How dare he insult him! He was a member of the Dark Council, the very future of the Empire! Still, he could not let his strive for vengeance get in the way of protecting others.
Vourrech: Aola, retrieve as many wounded as you can. They'll have to shipped to our base on Ord Mantell, away from Imperial suspicion.
Aola: Never saw a Sith make you his personal punching bag like that. (her voice slipped into a growl) Better watch his back.
The two Sith warrirors collected the wounded. Vourrech snapped his fingers as a team of Sith entered the camp. They were the Darkest Light, and he would need their strength for this.
Vourrech: Capture Kennayil, and bring him to me alive for questioning.
The Sith bowed before Vourrech, igniting their lightsabers and entering the tomb.
[To be continued…]