Like Herding Nexu
By Andrew J Talon
Starfall, Orinda
The Starfall Palace Council Chambers were built with high ceilings and great pillars, forming a perfect acoustic resonance. If music were being played, Ardus Kaine had no doubt it would sound amazing, even transcendent.
When it came to angry yelling, the result was exactly the opposite.
"It is utterly unacceptable that you would proceed with such a reckless plan without our knowledge or consent!"
Admiral Rae Sloane (or at least her hologram), a fleet commander turned Imperial warlord, was ranting on the far side of the large, ring-shaped table in the center of the chambers. Ardus himself was at the head, the top of the ring. Scattered along the ring were the holograms of various Moffs, Admirals, and other Imperial warlords who were, if not part of the Pentastar Alignment, at least neutral towards it. At his right hand sat Captain Gilad Pellaeon, looking grim, and his son Lieutenant Mynar, who still bore several bacta bandages from his last fight.
Rae Sloane's ire was flung around the room like a volcanic eruption, but the majority of her turbolaser-like glares were directed at Kaine and the Pellaeons.
"First, you brought that madwoman Daala into your sphere-!"
"She brings us exceptional technology and weapons that can be used for deterrence," Ardus spoke, calm and even. Sloane glared back, offended at being interrupted on top of everything else.
"She murdered eight Moffs in cold blood!"
"Moffs who refused to join us and in fact attacked all of us," Ardus again calmly retorted.
"But now, now, you want to establish our own Jedi?!" Rae sneered at Mynar. "Was that Pellaeon's idea? His alien wife wanted to be useful so she'll pop out Force sensitives for us?!"
Captain Pellaeon slammed his hand on the table, loudly and angrily. His voice though was very controlled.
"You will not speak about my wife or family that way again," Pellaeon stated coldly.
"Why shouldn't I?!" Sloane shot back. "Your devotion to aliens didn't take us very far with Thrawn, did it?!"
"Enough!" Ardus shouted, "You're both Imperial officers, damnit. Act like it!"
Sloane sneered, but held back. For a full thirty seconds. Before she resumed.
"At least put shock collars around their necks! Jedi are an inherent danger to us!"
"Would you prefer to trust another Sith then, Admiral?" Ennix Devian asked, his cybernetic eye zooming in on her, "You trusted Inquisitor Brandl and he made off with five of your ships!"
"He at least delivered some victories!" Sloane sneered, "You're barely hanging onto your tiny little fiefdom as it is!"
Kaine sucked in a hard breath.
"ENOUGH!"
Kaine shook his head, as all the warlords stared at him.
"Is this what we are reduced to? Picking and clawing at each other like starving Kath hounds?! Who do you think our real enemy is, hm? While we tear each other apart, the Rebellion grows ever stronger! They have Jedi now. Without our own, we are powerless to counter them!"
"How do we know Pellaeon's wife isn't controlling you right now?" Sloane demanded. Some of the other warlords nodded in agreement. Kaine glared.
"Because I'm not some weak-minded fool. All of you have tried to fight the New Republic with sheer brute force. What did it get you? Nothing. We keep losing ships and men faster than we can replace them. Most of your ships are still functional only because I thought to build some drydocks and production facilities. So if you want to keep your ships running, you will listen to me. Understood?"
Silence followed. Kaine pulled back his anger and looked each of the warlords in the eyes.
"We cannot win with one decisive victory. Hells, the Rebellion has been fighting us practically from the dawn of the Empire. We will not win this in one massive stroke. We must win the long game. Sloane, your fleet has been doing pointless hit-and-run attacks that have cost you more than the Rebellion. You will stop this, and assign the rest of your fleet to assist in the mining operations around Uba. They've barely touched their asteroids and Oort cloud, you will get as much as you can so we can resume construction on the new shipyards."
Sloane glared angrily but slowly nodded. He looked over to Devian.
"Devian, Daala has secured Kessel for us. You will take charge of the first leg of the spice distribution program. The New Republic is setting up production on Ry'loth, but we have the infrastructure all setup. Get the system up and running as soon as possible, we need the credits."
"As you wish, Grand Moff," Devian returned. Kaine looked around.
"If there is no more pressing business, I call this meeting adjourned."
The holograms winked out, leaving Kaine alone with the Pellaeons. Mynar growled, gritting his teeth.
"I really hate that witch-"
"You're not the only one, son, believe me," Pellaeon the elder sighed. He looked up at Kaine. "I appreciate all the heat you're taking for us, Ardus."
"Heat nothing," Kaine snorted, "They're a bunch of backstabbing whiners on good days. I am sorry I couldn't keep it quieter-"
"It needed to get out in the open," Gilad reasoned, "there's no point to a Jedi Order if you keep it a secret."
Kaine sighed and sat down, sagging a bit under the weight he was under.
"Sometimes it's as though the Empire was designed to fall apart without Palpatine or Vader in charge," he grumbled.
"He was a Sith, that's what they do, sir," Mynar replied. Kaine shook his head.
"Nevertheless... It's a new era now. We have to change with the times. Those who don't? They'll be left behind," he said.
"It's a fine slogan, Ardus," Gilad said gently, "We'll just have to put it into operation."
Kaine snorted.
"Isn't that always the hardest part?" He allowed himself a small smile. "Still, some small mercies. Your former instructor, Soontir Fel, agreed to join with us."
"Sir Fel is alive?!" Mynar gasped, grinning. "I'm so glad!"
"Yes, he'll be happy to see one of his best students again too, I'll imagine," Kaine chuckled, "We're getting him into one of the Defender squadrons. If you can find time between your Jedi duties, you helping him master the craft would be invaluable."
He looked over at Gilad.
"Speaking of...?"
Gilad grimaced.
"We're trying to get production up and running on Defenders again," Gilad said, "But the Chiss aren't responding to us. Our crews salvaged what they could from the production facility, and we have a few spies on Lothal who gathered what they could... But it's not looking promising so far."
"Do what you can, old friend," Kaine insisted, "I know I've asked so much of you, but it's because among all these warlords, you have delivered the most."
"The reward for excellence is more responsibility, isn't that what you told me father?" Mynar asked, smiling softly. Gilad chuckled.
"Yes, and now you see why I tried to steer you away from the officer training program."
"Yes, I..." Mynar froze. His eyes widened. Gilad tensed and looked at his son in concern.
"Mynar? What is it?"
"Mother... She's in pain, in danger..." He frowned deeply. "I need to call Kessel, I need to find out if she's-!"
Gilad glanced at Ardus, who nodded. Gilad looked to his son.
"Go. I'll finish up here."
Mynar got up and ran out the doors. Ardus frowned after him.
"Is... This Force thing always like that?"
"You get used to it because usually, they're absolutely right," Gilad said, concern for his wife all over his face. Kaine nodded.
"I can see how that would be an advantage." He smiled at his old friend. "Don't worry. Daala is extreme, but she's loyal and smart. She would never put your wife in danger if she could help it."
"She's not the one I'm worried about," Gilad murmured.
Imperial Star Destroyer Gorgon
Kessel Orbit
Commander Kratas frowned deeply as he stood on the bridge of the Gorgon. The hum of the crew at work was a bit more subdued at the moment, given that the Admiral had been gone for over two hours. He again walked towards the communications station aft of the work pits, and loomed next to the officer working there.
"Any contact from the troops? Any sign of the admiral?" He asked the communications officer, Lieutenant Alyt Frennik. The pretty blonde looked up, and shook her head.
"Sorry sir. No sign yet. Administrator Doole is also not responding," she said. Kratas grit his teeth.
"And the other ships? What do they have to say?"
"Their TIE fighter sweeps haven't detected anything either, sir," Frennik said. She grimaced. "CommScan hasn't been able to locate her tracking beacon, either."
Kratas scowled, glaring out the transparisteel windows onto the wretched planet.
"And nothing from the squad we sent with them?"
"No sir."
Kratas grimaced.
"This stinks to high heaven, Lieutenant," he concluded. Frennik nodded.
"Aye sir," she agreed.
"Get me Major Torben," he ordered, "I'm going down myself with a full squad."
"Are you sure that's wise, sir?" Frennik asked, "Given we've already lost contact with one flag officer-"
Kratas shook his head.
"We need people down there we can trust," he stated quietly, leaning over to speak more discretely with her, "That squad didn't come from us."
Frennik frowned.
"You don't trust our own men, sir?" She asked softly, resisting the urge to look around.
"It's better to be safe than sorry at this point," he murmured back, "Alert the rest of the fleet. And prepare the TIE Defender squadron-I'm not taking any more chances."
"Aye sir," Frennik nodded, "Though I would be remiss if I didn't remind you that Admiral Daala wants us to maintain a good relationship with Administrator Doole."
"We are maintaining good relations with Administator Doole," he stated, "We're contributing more security for his facility. And if he complains... We will be in a position to find a new administrator."
Frennik nodded.
"Aye sir..."
Han and Chewbacca's instincts were still as sharp as ever, and his pilot draw was still very fast. Even while pushing Barriss along towards the nearest tunnel, he was firing his blaster pistol into the charging monster. Chewbacca was almost as fast off the draw, and fired his bowcaster. Lando led Kyp out, still carrying Daala over his shoulder.
It was all smooth and fast... Which is why it was a shame that the blaster bolts did nothing as the monster rushed them. More blaster shots erupted from behind, and struck the ground in front of the creature, kicking up clouds of dirt. The monster screeched in the voices of the damned, and hesitated. Han looked back over his shoulder. Daala, still hanging off Lando's shoulder, had her blaster out.
"BLASTERS WON'T WORK! SHOOT AROUND IT!" She screamed as Lando carried her off. Han and Chewbacca shifted their fire, kicking up clouds of stone and dirt into blasts that concussed the monster. It screeched and moaned, backing off. Han and Chewbacca fired a few more shots, before turning and running. Barriss struggled to keep up, so with a look between them, Han handed her off to Chewbacca. The big Wookie carried her over his shoulders and ran, Han bringing up the rear. The monster resumed its charge, roaring again as it scuttled after them.
Han, Chewie and Barriss soon caught up with Lando, Daala and Kyp further down the tunnel. They'd skidded to a halt in the middle of a junction with at least five tunnels leading in different directions. Kyp looked around desperately.
"Where to?!" Han cried out.
"I-I don't-!"
"MAKE A DECISION!" Daala shouted.
"Admiral! Calm!" Barriss said firmly, "That won't help!"
Han put a hand on Kyp's shoulder.
"You can do this, kid. You did it before. Barriss taught you. Figure it out. Focus."
The monster's howls grew louder. Kyp, shaking, looked around frantically. Han squeezed his shoulder.
"You can do it," Han said, staying calm, quieting his mind to help the kid, "Focus...!"
Kyp pointed at the tunnel on the far left.
"THAT WAY!"
"GO!"
They ran down that tunnel, as fast as their half-injured party could. Han ran alongside Lando, and reached for his belt. Daala looked down and her eyes widened as she saw what he was taking out.
"What is-Is that a thermal detonator?!"
"If we use it to collapse the tunnel-"
"We'll be buried along with that thing!" Daala shouted.
"How do you know-?!"
"Because I studied the geology of Kessel before I came here and I know how these tunnels work!" Daala screeched. "I ALSO DON'T WANT TO DIE!"
"Lady's got a point," Lando added, as they rounded a corner.
"Then we'd better have a new plan in the next thirty seconds or we're all dead," Han shouted, as the monster howled.
"I SEE LIGHT!" Kyp shouted. Han looked ahead-The dim lights of mining lamps were shining at the far end of the tunnel. Even more encouraging, they were going up.
"GO FOR BROKE!" Han shouted. They charged as the monster's unholy screams filled the tunnel!
Mareth Doole grinned as he sniffed some spice from his platinum and jewel-encrusted snifter. He bit back a groan as the spice flowed through his mind. It was always fantastic, as his nervous system raced into overdrive. He looked out over the staging area from a metallic platform. Several of his guards were standing ready, their blasters trained on the tunnel opening.
Arb Skynxnex stood at his right side, his double blaster at the ready.
"We're sure about this, sir?" Skynxnex asked.
"Absolutely," Doole hissed, "The motion detectors showed them moving in this direction. They're still alive. This is the only way out. We're not letting them out."
"Killing off an Imperial Admiral and a Jedi is dangerous," Skynxnex again said. Doole huffed.
"Not as long as another Imperial wants them gone," he stated, "Playing them against one another is the best way for us to survive." He narrowed his artificial eye. "Yes... I have seen all the possibilities... This is the only way."
Skynxnex nodded slowly, double-checking his double-blaster.
"And the New Republic?"
"We can tell them the Imperials murdered their precious Solo," he sneered, "they'll attack them, and we win by default. We control the glitterstim, after all. They need us, not the other way around."
Loud sounds began to echo from the tunnel. All of the guards shifted, became excited. Doole licked his fangs, grinning in eager hunger.
"Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" He shouted. "I want to see the moment their hope dies! The moment their galaxy collapses in on itself!"
After what felt like an eternity to his accelerated mind, Solo, some prisoner, Calrissian, the Wookie, and the two Imperial women burst into the room. Doole cackled.
"At last! Solo! Your end is-!"
The ragtag group ran right past the entrenched guards, towards the far blast doors.
"RUN YOU IDIOTS!" Solo bellowed.
Doole blinked. Of all the reactions he had calculated from Solo when faced with his end... This had never even occurred.
"Eh?"
So it was completely understandable for him and all of his men to freeze in utter confusion. Which was a fatal mistake.
A howling monstrosity roared as it barreled through the tunnel. Two of its legs grabbed the first two guards and the guards shrieked before steam erupted off their bodies. Everyone else opened fire in a panic, spraying the monster with blaster fire.
Doole's eye bulged. He turned and tried to run as his men followed suit or fired desperately. He tried to get to the doors... Only to see them slam shut in front of him. Solo's hand was on the door controls.
His desperate face was the last thing Doole saw before he felt a monstrous leg grab him... And everything went black.
Imperial Star Destroyer Gorgon
Kessel Orbit
Commander Kratas checked his crash webbing, before checking over the co-pilot station read outs. He looked to his pilot, Ensign Locknar. The young woman was green-She was fresh out of training on Orinda, and looked full of nerves. Nevertheless, she turned to him after thirty seconds more of checking over her controls.
"Final prechecks complete, C-Commander," she reported, "systems are ready, all green."
"Flight plan logged," Kratas stated, double checking the flight itinerary, "Gorgon control, all prechecks complete, request permission to launch."
"Flight logged, Commander, you are clear to launch," Frennik reported, "Just one detail you should be aware of, sir."
Kratas nodded to Locknar, who hit the throttle and engaged the drive. The Mu-class shuttle was smaller than the popular Lambda model, but it was easier to maintain with the same cargo capacity-As a result, they'd become popular followng Endor. Locknar guided the shuttle out carefully, before going to full burn to head for the planet below.
"What?" Kratas asked.
"I checked with the other commanders, Orinda, and the documentation files for the Stormtroopers we sent down with Admiral Daala," she said, "I found some errors and discrepancies. Wherever they came from, it wasn't from Orinda."
"Shavit," he cursed. He looked back at the hold full of Stormtroopers, "We have potential hostiles in Stormtrooper gear, gentlemen."
"We need a better way to identify between all of us," the commander, Master Sergeant Frenton, stated.
"Do we have any unit IDs? Patches?" Kratas asked. Frenton shook his head.
"No sir."
"M-Maybe we could just use paint?" Locknar suggested timidly. Kratas and Frenton looked at her. "I-I mean, I saw some sprayers in the hold-"
"Use them," Kratas ordered, and Frenton nodded before heading aft. He looked over at Locknar, "Good thinking, kid. Keep us on course."
The ensign smiled and nodded, her movements a bit less shaky.
"Aye sir!"
Well, she was still green, but it was a start.
Kessel
The screams of the men on the other side of the blast doors had faded a while ago. Chewie and Lando had collapsed next to Barriss and Daala, all of them trying to catch their breaths. Han nodded, and looked behind him. He groaned when he spotted another set of blast doors, these ones also tightly shut.
"Perfect."
"It happens during lockdown," Kyp explained, "I-I think you need codes to open them both up."
"Even better," Han sighed. He headed to a computer access panel, and opened it up. He nodded to Kyp. "You ever work on one of these?"
"Once or twice," Kyp admitted. Han motioned him over, and the boy peered into the womprat's nest of wires and circuits. He was staring blankly, as though not really seeing the panel. Han rested a hand on the teenager's shoulder. He started and looked up into his eyes.
"It's okay to be scared, kid," Han murmured, "I'm scared too. But we're going to get out of here."
"How do you know that?" Kyp murmured, a tremble going through him. Han smiled.
"Because we've been in tougher spots than this, and we've always gotten out of them," he said. "We'll get you out of here, I promise."
"Then... What will happen to me?" Kyp asked.
"Whatever you want."
Kyp stared at Han intently.
"Even... Even if I don't want to be a Jedi?"
Han nodded.
"Even if you don't," he said, "Luke wouldn't force you, and I wouldn't let him even if he did."
"I'm... I'm scared to have a choice."
"I know," Han said quietly, "I know. But you've got one. And whatever you choose? I'll support it."
Kyp stared at him, through him, as though he was seeing beyond. He looked back at Chewbacca, who was helping Barriss with her wounds. Kyp then looked back at Han, who smiled wryly.
"I told him he doesn't need to follow the life debt. He could have gone and been free," he said, "I'm glad he chose to. Same deal: You don't owe me a thing. It's your choice-"
"Solo," Daala managed, groaning, "I saw some scanners around the outside and inside of the mines. A few in that room back there. Can we see if we can tap into those?"
Han scowled at her tone, but shrugged.
"I don't have a datapad handy-"
"Rebels, all so useless," she grumbled, as she produced a small data pad from her jacket, "Calrissian-"
"Really should call me Lando, my dear Admiral," Lando grinned. Daala fought her flush and glared at Solo.
"Solo, please get me to the panel?"
Han grimaced, but he walked over and helped her up. He supported Daala, leading her up to the panel. She plugged into the system, efficiently adjusting a few circuits and redirecting some wires while muttering under her breath about the shoddy workmanship. Kyp just stared as she worked. She activated the holoprojector on her pad, and an image came into view.
It was of the monster that had been chasing them... And it was writhing and undulating in a way that was both disgusting and somehow perverse. Han grimaced, Kyp gagged, Lando winced, Chewie growled, and Barriss covered her mouth.
"What is that thing doing?!" Kyp cried, shutting his eyes and looking away.
"I think it's giving birth," Han managed, his face screwed up in disgust.
"I did sense a kind of desperation, a primal urge stronger than hunger," Barriss added, wincing as Chewie changed the bandage on her head. She was lying down with her legs slightly elevated.
"Fascinating," Daala observed calmly, "That might explain why it came up from the depths. It was desperate for energy for its offspring."
The giant monster soon became a huge swarm of them, skittering around the chamber. A few went up to the lights, and others went to the power conduits. A few bit into the metal of the panels and the lights in their chamber began to flicker.
"Oh great, they're draining power directly," Han groaned.
"They seem to only be able to affect this section," Daala hummed, looking over the power readings, "That's bad. These blast doors won't open manually. That is a significant oversight and against Imperial labor regulations."
"I'll be sure to file a complaint," Han huffed, "can you get these doors open?"
"They're on the same circuit," Daala sighed, "We open one, we open both."
"Those cheap sons of Hutts!" Lando groaned.
Han rummaged around his belt.
"Well, we could take our chances, run for it, use the thermal detonator-"
"Still too dangerous down here," Daala muttered, tapping some commands into the pad.
"Maybe we should take our chances! Death by cave-in versus death by spider monster?" Han shook his head. "What are you doing now?"
"I'm checking what's ahead of us, Solo," Daala stated. She glared at him. "Look, we're not making it up as we go along anymore today, all right?"
"Fine, geez," Han grunted, uncomfortably reminded of his wife, "What is ahead of us, Admiral?"
The hologram changed to several Stormtroopers, all waiting outside a sealed off entrance with their blasters ready. Daala reversed the recording time index, going back. Mareth Doole and his guards emerged, walking backward, talking with the Troopers, and then they all vanished. Daala scowled deeply as she set the recording back on forward. Han shook his head.
"Well, at least we know someone wants us all dead," Han observed.
"Yes," Daala sighed. The lights flickered again. "All right... What are our options?"
"I've still got the thermal detonator-"
"We could never get close enough to them before we were all gunned down," Daala glowered, "And in case you hadn't noticed, our Jedi is in poor condition..."
She trailed off. She looked at Barriss.
"Lady Pellaeon, you said you could sense those creatures. Durron, you did too, correct?"
"Yes," both Force Sensitives replied.
"I have heard that Force sensitives can control the minds of animals," Daala said, "Would it be possible for you to do so?"
"Sic the spiders on the Troopers? Nasty," Han said, before grinning, "I like it."
"If I wasn't injured? Yes... Potentially," Barriss said carefully. Daala looked over at Kyp, then back at Barriss.
"Could you teach Durron to do it?"
"I-I could do that?" Kyp asked, shocked. "I mean, I-I figured out how to choke someone with the Force, but controlling minds..."
"That's much more difficult," Barriss said, "Doing it the Jedi way takes a lot of time and focus-"
"There is another way though, correct?"
Silence fell. Barriss stared at Daala. Daala held her gaze.
"I've looked over your history. You used a version of that technique on that suicide bomber against the Jedi Temple-"
"I tapped into the Dark side for that," Barriss glowered, "I swore I would never do that again-!"
"Can it get us out of here?" Daala demanded, "Can it ensure our survival?"
Barriss glared.
"Things only really happen when I... When I'm angry," Kyp said, "If you could teach me how-"
"You've been going down a dangerous path, Kyp," Barriss said, "If I push you to do more-!"
"Will. It. Work?" Daala interrupted. Barriss closed her eyes.
"... Yes. Maybe."
Han frowned.
"I'm all for getting us out of here, but I've seen what the Dark Side does-"
Daala shifted her harsh gaze to Kyp. The teenager nearly looked aside from the intensity of it.
"You can resolve this problem. You can fix it, and get everyone out of here safe and sound. All you have to do is point your rage at the monsters trying to eat you. Does that sound like a moral conundrum to you?" She looked around at the others.
"Do any of you have a better idea?"
Silence fell upon all of them as the lights flickered once more, and then came back half as brightly as before.
Lando shook his head. Chewbacca growled.
"She's got a point, Han."
Chewbacca shook his head, protecting quietly. Han looked at both of his friends, and nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I know," Han sighed. He looked at Kyp. "It's up to you, kid."
Kyp turned to Barriss. He walked over to her and sat in front of the injured Jedi. His fists were clenched, and his eyes were dark but focused.
"Teach me what to do," Kyp said.
Barriss was silent for a moment before she sighed.
"Chewbacca, please sit me up."
The Wookie grumbled unhappily but helped her into a sitting position. She looked right into Kyp's eyes. She lifted up her hands and set them on his temples.
"Focus... Focus on my thoughts," she murmured, "Focus on your rage, your anger... Focus on the creatures... Focus..."
The Stormtroopers waited, their blasters trained on the sealed blast doors. They had been waiting for a long time, still and focused, like white statues in the dim light of Kessel's sun. Their armored transport kept its guns trained on the blast doors, ready to open up at the first sign of the targets.
They had received several communications, but they had all been ignored. The troops loyal to Daala had joined them, and stayed just as still.
The doors opened. The stormtroopers released their safeties, prepared to fire...
And a wave of screaming, spider-like monsters, each as big as a man, poured out like a river of nightmares.
"Fire! FIRE!" The commander yelled. They opened up on the swarm, firing desperately, but there were so many, so fast, they were on the Troopers just as they opened fire. One trooper died instantly as a creature chomped on his throat. Another tried to blast one at point blank range, but it ignored the shots and pounced on him.
Into this chaos, Han, Daala, Barriss, Lando, and Chewbacca limped. Kyp followed, holding his hand out, focusing hard with his eyes shut.
"Hurt them... Hurt them," he hissed. Han grabbed his hand. The boy started then shot a deadly glare at Han.
Solo held his breath.
The boy snapped out of it and looked a bit dazed.
"That's good enough, Kyp," Han said, "Let's go!"
Since Rae Sloane didn't have much of a personality, I decided to give her one. She's an Imperial warlord, after all, they are seldom nice people.
Omake by Terrace
Luke examines an Inquisitor Lightsaber
"It's revolting."
Ezra looked curious at Luke's pronouncement. The Jedi had done some basic katas with the recovered Inquisitor Lightsaber that had been used by Ninth Sister, including the impressive spinning blade trick, and come out with that puzzling judgment.
"I know it's used by the Inquisitors -"
"No, no. It offends me as an engineer. Look at this!" Luke set the blades spinning again, much slower this time. "The emitters are moving along a track separate from the grip. My lightsaber can't do that, and I'll bet yours can't either. This is a genuine breakthrough in lightsaber technology."
"So why do you hate it?" Cal asked.
"Because the implementation of this new technology is so bad!" Luke shut the blades down. "The track gets in the way when it's unfolded, forcing the wielder to hold it awkwardly when using both blades, and it's not resistant to enemy lightsabers. Plus, that move where they shove the spinning blade forward leaves the hand completely open."
Ezra nodded. "Yeah, I remember Kanan took advantage of that to defeat the Grand Inquisitor. He just thrust his blades forward-" picking up a pair of sticks off the ground, Ezra stepped forward to demonstrate, slipping each one into a gap between Luke's hand and the track, "- like this, then he swung them out like this-" Ezra opened his arms wide, causing the sticks to bump against the inside of the track. One of the sticks was fragile enough to break under the pressure. Still, the point was made.
"That's embarrassing," Lop declared. "I thought the Grand Inquisitor was supposed to be extremely skilled?"
"You can only do so much when you're hobbled by your equipment," Mara interjected. "Especially if your superiors demand you use it rather than something else."
Everyone thought this over.
"You think the Emperor wanted to keep the Inquisitors weak?" Rotta asked.
"That... makes a surprising amount of sense," Kyle said. "From what I've heard, most of the Inquisitors were low-ranking Knights or half-trained Padawans, same with most of their expected targets. This piece of junk was probably sufficient for most Force-users an Inquisitor was likely to fight."
"Most of them aren't ever going to become much of a threat with a lightsaber like this," Cal nodded. "No matter how deeply they tap into the Dark Side."
"It says something when Vader and the Emperor's Hands used more standard designs," Mara grumbled.