The two men traveled silently for several minutes. Occasionally, Kennayil would touch a carving on one of the walls and mutter to himself. Al'andar said nothing, as he was use to his friend's eccentric ways. Eventually they came upon a door with two sigils carved into it. The one on the right was familiar to Al'andar, after all, it was the symbol of the Empire. The one next to it, however, was strange. It was a series of triangles arranged over a diamond shape.
Kennayil: Ah, at last. I can feel the Jedi on the other side. They think that this door will stop me. (reaching out he touches two of the triangles and traces a pattern on the door) But they do not realize that I am meant to be here.
Kennayil pushes firmly on the door, which slides back a couple of inches, then retracts silently into the ceiling. Both men can see a pair of Jedi standing next to a pedestal. At first it appeared that the Jedi were using some weird form of illumination, but then Kennayil realized that the pedestal was covered in a purple colored shield. On it was two items, a dark crystal that seem to be emitting the shield, and a holocron. The holocron was not emitting any light, almost as if it were empty. Kennayil knew better.
Kennayil: Jedi Vren, how very good to see you. But I will have to demand that you step away from the holocron. It is not meant for your kind.
The two Jedi jumped slightly, not realizing that the two Imperials had snuck in. Al'andar could not keep the smile off his face at that. It was rare to sneak up on a Force-sensitive, so he planned on enjoying it.
Vren: It's you. I thought you were dead. It is no matter, though. No one can get to the items anyway. But, I can't let you try either. (looking towards the Jedi next to him) We will dispatch this Sith, then return to the surface. We'll need some explosives to seal this place and ensure that no one will ever obtain this forbidden knowledge.
The young Jedi nodded solemnly. It was obvious that the youngling did not entirely trust the Jedi Master, but would do as told for now. Without warning, Vren jumped at Kennayl, who responded with an immediate Force Overload, sending both Jedi flying backwards. Al'andar dove behind an outcropping for cover and watched for an opportunity to assist his lord.
Kennayil focused his attacks on the padawan first. Summoning the Force he sent a powerful wave of lightening at the youngling who collapsed, unconscious. Vren threw is lightsaber at Al'andar in an attempt to distract Kennayil. Al'andar ducked behind his cover with a curse and watched the lightsaber pass through the spot his head had occupied just a moment before. Vren pulled the saber back towards him and faced Kennayil.
Vren: It seems that you have gotten better since the last time we faced off.
Kennayil: You are a fool, Vren. I let you win. I wanted to prove to Zen that I would keep my word to her, even at the cost of my own life.
Vren looked at Kennayl in disbelief. Did this youngling really think he could have defeated me then? As if reading Vren's mind Kennayil continued.
Kennayil: I am Sith, Jedi. Did you not think that I wouldn't use the innocents there against you? But I made a promise to her. That I would only defend myself, and not harm anyone while she was near.
Al'andar could see the doubt in Vren's eyes. Doubt that the easy victory that had come before was what it really seemed. Kennayil took advantage of that doubt and renewed his assault. Stunning the Jedi, Kennayil, rushed in with blinding speed and sliced the hand holding the lightsaber off. The shock of pain snapped Vren out of the stun, and he sent out a Force Wave, knocking the Sith Lord several meters back. Vren summoned his lightsaber to his good hand, at the same time launching himself at Kennayil. Kennayil was barely able to deflect the attacks. His primary ability was healing, and he did not get a lot of saber practice in. A shot from Al'andar's sniper rifle forced Vren to deflect it, giving Kennayil an opportunity to hit Vren with another Overload.
Kennayil snapped another Static Barrier around himself just as the door to the cavern blew open. The two men traveled silently for several minutes. Occasionally, Kennayil would touch a carving on one of the walls and mutter to himself. Al'andar said nothing, as he was use to his friend's eccentric ways. Eventually they came upon a door with two sigils carved into it. The one on the right was familiar to Al'andar, after all, it was the symbol of the Empire. The one next to it, however, was strange. It was a series of triangles arranged over a diamond shape.
Kennayil: Ah, at last. I can feel the Jedi on the other side. They think that this door will stop me. (reaching out he touches two of the triangles and traces a pattern on the door) But they do not realize that I am meant to be here.
Kennayil pushes firmly on the door, which slides back a couple of inches, then retracts silently into the ceiling. Both men can see a pair of Jedi standing next to a pedestal. At first it appeared that the Jedi were using some weird form of illumination, but then Kennayil realized that the pedestal was covered in a purple colored shield. On it was two items, a dark crystal that seem to be emitting the shield, and a holocron. The holocron was not emitting any light, almost as if it were empty. Kennayil knew better.
Kennayil: Jedi Vren, how very good to see you. But I will have to demand that you step away from the holocron. It is not meant for your kind.
The two Jedi jumped slightly, not realizing that the two Imperials had snuck in. Al'andar could not keep the smile off his face at that. It was rare to sneak up on a Force-sensitive, so he planned on enjoying it.
Vren: It's you. I thought you were dead. It is no matter, though. No one can get to the items anyway. But, I can't let you try either. (looking towards the Jedi next to him) We will dispatch this Sith, then return to the surface. We'll need some explosives to seal this place and ensure that no one will ever obtain this forbidden knowledge.
The young Jedi nodded solemnly. It was obvious that the youngling did not entirely trust the Jedi Master, but would do as told for now. Without warning, Vren jumped at Kennayl, who responded with an immediate Force Overload, sending both Jedi flying backwards. Al'andar dove behind an outcropping for cover and watched for an opportunity to assist his lord.
Kennayil focused his attacks on the padawan first. Summoning the Force he sent a powerful wave of lightening at the youngling who collapsed, unconscious. Vren threw is lightsaber at Al'andar in an attempt to distract Kennayil. Al'andar ducked behind his cover with a curse and watched the lightsaber pass through the spot his head had occupied just a moment before. Vren pulled the saber back towards him and faced Kennayil.
Vren: It seems that you have gotten better since the last time we faced off.
Kennayil: You are a fool, Vren. I let you win. I wanted to prove to Zen that I would keep my word to her, even at the cost of my own life.
Vren looked at Kennayl in disbelief. Did this youngling really think he could have defeated me then? As if reading Vren's mind Kennayil continued.
Kennayil: I am Sith, Jedi. Did you not think that I would use the innocents there against you? But I made a promise to her. That I would only defend myself, and not harm anyone while she was near.
Al'andar could see the doubt in Vren's eyes. Doubt that the easy victory that had come before was what it really seemed. Kennayil took advantage of that doubt and renewed his assault. Stunning the Jedi, Kennayil, rushed in with blinding speed and sliced the hand holding the lightsaber off. The shock of pain snapped Vren out of the stun, and he sent out a Force Wave, knocking the Sith Lord several meters back. Vren summoned his lightsaber to his good hand, at the same time launching himself at Kennayil. Kennayil was barely able to deflect the attacks. His primary ability was healing, and he did not get a lot of saber practice in. A shot from Al'andar's sniper rifle forced Vren to deflect it, giving Kennayil an opportunity to hit Vren with another Overload.
Kennayil snapped another Static Barrier around himself just as the door to the cavern blew open. Growling at the interruption, he snaps a Whirling Vortex around Jedi Master Vren and turns to the intruders. Summoning a Force Storm on the, he yells for Al'andar.
Kennayil: Drop 'em!
Al'andar drops to one knee and begins picking off the intruders as they try to run through the storm. After the first two received head shots, the ones behind them began diving for the ground, only to be stunned by the storm. Kennayil sends a wave of Force to knock them back and give Al'andar time to finish them off. Turning back to the Jedi, he unleashes his fury and shoots his with lightning. Vren tosses his lightsaber at Kennayil hoping to distract him, unfortunately Kennayil was ready. A quick slash through the hilt of the whirling blade and it falls to the ground shooting sparks. Now defenceless, Vren attempts to leap away from the Sith, but find himself depleted.
Laughing, Kennayil walks up to the Jedi Master and slices off both of his arms. Vren lets out a small cry of pain and glares at his opponent, clearly puzzled.
Vren: Why don't you finish e off, Sith? Isn't that what you want? Revenge?
Kennayil (shaking his head in bewilderment): No, Jedi. That is not what I want. My only goal was to capture you, and retrieve the artifacts in this tomb before you or your allies could destroy them. They are an important part of our shared history. That is what drives me! To find the ancient relics andlearn what the masters of old left for us.
Vren: And that is why I am here. To keep you from using such knowledge to enslave more people.
Kennayil snorts in disgust at Vren and places a slave collar on him.
Kennayil: I am so tired of having to explain how wrong you Jedi are about all Sith. No matter, you will learn eventually. (points at the collar) This collar is a special one. It is specifically for Force users. It also has a transceiver on it. Should it be removed, or become disabled without a code that only one person knows, then every man, woman, and child in a certain village will die.
Vren: You're an evil bastard.
Kennayil ignores the taunt, and walks over to the relics on the pillar. As he begins reaching for them Vren speaks out.
Vren: It's no use. The only way to reach them has been lost to time. We sear—
Vren is astounded as the Sith reaches through the forcefield and grabs the holocron and the crystal next to it. Turning his head, Kennayil spies Vourrech walking through the debris that litters the entry way. Holding up the items in his hand, he clears his throat to gain the Warrior's attention.
Kennayil: These are not for you, or the Jedi for that matter. They are meant for those of us who follow a different path. This holocron is one of several from the first Masters. She called herself Archivist. It is her path that I must follow. (placing the items in a pocket inside his robes, he points to Vren) The Jedi must come with me. He is guilty of mental rape as well as attempted murder. I am taking him back with me for sentencing.
Kennayl does not give Vourech a chance to respond. He snaps a stasis field around the Warrior and then slaps his leg. Al'andar snaps his rifle down and shoots Aola in the leg with a tranquilizer. Vourrech gathers the Force around himself and dispels the stasis, only to have Kennayil wrap him in a vortex. Gathering the Jedi, he waves Al'andar to the exit, and follows him out.
[To be continued...]
A/N: Thanks for your patience while waiting for this chapter to upload. Let me know what you think.