Chapter 5

Airspeeder traffic whirred above Lorna's head, the mechanical buzzing echoing the excitement and thrill coursing through her. It was late, after oh two hundred hours, which had marked the end of the last shift she would ever work at Evo Chum's Tavern. The streets teemed with an assortment of nocturnal inhabitants, from weary shift workers to suspicious miscreants, an indication of the sleepless pulse of the city's dark underbelly. Her strides were full of purpose as she hurried past the glow of neon holographic signs and the greasy smell of late-night food vendors, she hoped for the last time.

Tonight was the night.

After their conversation at Evo's, Niko and Sinya had agreed to bring Lorna with them when they departed Coruscant the following evening. She would work one last night at Evo's to earn a few more credits while Niko and Sinya concluded their business on Coruscant and prepared the Crimson Comet to depart. They needed to pick up a final shipment from a client on Tatooine, to be delivered on Roon. From there they would head for Jabiim where they would begin their search for The Path.

With swift efficiency, she had stuffed her meager belongings into a small bag - her pouch of saved credits, a few toiletries, and a change of clothes. At the bottom, carefully concealed, she had placed her lightsaber. As she had left her cramped apartment, she had slid the door shut with a soft hiss, not even sparing a backward glance at the life she was leaving behind.

Her pack slung over her back, she followed Niko and Sinya through the undercity as they led her to the hangar that housed the Comet. They took a lift up to level 1310, exiting to a narrow corridor. Exposed ducts and cables littered the ceilings above them, with the occasional holographic sign hanging down, providing the only light on the dimly lit path.

"You'll love the Comet," Niko boasted with a glance at Lorna. "She's no luxury cruiser, but she's comfortable and reliable. And she's got character."

As they progressed down the corridor, the signs indicated they were approaching Hangar 250.

"Character. That's one way to put it," Sinya chuckled. "She's on Launch Platform 2. We're almost there."

Lorna followed closely behind her Zabrak friend as she led them through the corridor. The passageway ended at a doorway that opened into the high-ceilinged hangar. Six launch platforms, each occupied with a ship, jutted out from the hangar floor into a massive cylindrical ventilation shaft that led up to the planet's surface.

Sinya was about to cross the threshold from the corridor into the hangar when she stopped abruptly, raising a finger to signal Niko and Lorna to stop.

"Get back!" she hissed, tugging them back into the corridor with haste.

Lorna backed into the corridor, confusion writ on her face until she caught the flash of white armor in the hangar over Sinya's shoulder.

Imperial troops.

"What the kriff are those bucketheads doing here?" Niko spat.

"We staked out this hangar. There were never any patrols, that's why we use it," Sinya whispered, mouth curled in a snarl as she peeked through the doorway at the troopers.

From the cover of the shadowy corridor, Lorna counted a squad of ten troopers, who had rounded up the crews of the other ships for questioning. To the left, she noted the Crimson Comet on Launch Platform 2, an aged but sturdy-looking and heavily modded Ghtroc 720 freighter with red detailing painted on its doonium hull. She scanned the layout of the room, looking for a way to sneak to the ship, but the troopers had a direct line of sight to its entrance ramp.

An Imperial Troop Transport and a TIE Interceptor loomed on Platform 1, but it was something else that seized Lorna's attention. The ripple of a potent Force signature washed over her. She instinctively reached out, trying to recognize the presence but what she found made her recoil. The Force signature was warped, distorted. Fragments of what might have once been light were now twisted, scarred beyond recognition. Dread coiled in the pit of her stomach.

A menacing masked figure emerged from the cockpit of the TIE, immediately commanding the attention of the troopers. She jumped from the cockpit, landing in a graceful crouch on the hangar floor. Clad in a uniform reminiscent of an Imperial officer's but with a more sinister edge, the woman was shrouded entirely in black. A cape flowed from her shoulders, which were adorned with the Imperial insignia. A sleek black helmet obscured her face, its ominous visor glowing red.

"I've never seen an officer like that before," Sinya whispered.

The troopers and civilians fell into an uneasy silence as the figure moved methodically among them. Only the deep rumble of distant engines could be heard as the unnerving red visor swept each individual with an unseen yet penetrating gaze.

"We are here to search for enemies of the Empire. Those who defy the Emperor's edicts have nowhere to hide. Not even down here." The modulated voice echoed in the wide space of the hangar, low and distorted. There was something unsettling about the voice, and it made every hair on Lorna's body stand on end.

"If you cooperate, you will be allowed to go about your business. I do not recommend resisting," she continued, pacing with her hands behind her back. "As you know, the Jedi are traitors."

Traitors.

Her voice dripped with venom as she said the word, causing resentment to stir in Lorna.

"Many who resided at the former Temple escaped justice and hid themselves down in these filthy slums. A fitting environment for them, no doubt, but they are dangerous fugitives and they must be held accountable. If any of you are caught aiding or harboring these criminals, you will be charged with treason."

She paused, the weight of her threats hanging heavy in the air. Lorna watched as the ship crews shifted uneasily, exchanging furtive glances. No one dared to speak in the frosty tension of the hangar.

"Simply allow these Imperial forces to search your vessels, and so long as there are no fugitives on board, you can be on your way."

The figure walked back to her TIE fighter, and stood rigidly, hands clasped behind her back, while the troopers began boarding the other ships in the hangar. The crew of the freighter on Platform 3, a heavily armed group of five large Lasat males, moved to block the two troopers who attempted to climb their boarding ramp.

"Stand aside, citizens."

"The Empire goes too far. You've got no right to search my ship," the largest Lasat replied, stepping forward and towering over the troopers.

The troopers raised their blasters but the lead Lasat reached a massive hand out and took hold of one, lifting him off the ground by the throat. He tossed the trooper to the ground while his comrades opened fire on the others. The dark figure by the TIE remained eerily still.

Beside Lorna, Niko drew his blaster and took a step forward. "We should help them. The rest of the troopers and an officer should be no problem-"

"No!" Lorna gripped his shoulder, pulling him back forcefully. "I have a bad feeling about that officer."

The figure then settled into a fighting stance and drew a weapon from her belt that had been hidden by the cloak. Two bright red blades extended from each end of what Lorna belatedly realized was a lightsaber hilt. Holding the hilt before her, the double-bladed saber began rotating by the circular guard that ringed the emitters. She whipped her arm in an arc, ricocheting the spinning blades through the air. The blades instantly sliced through three of the Lasat before the hilt returned to her outstretched hand.

With predatory grace, she stalked towards the remaining Lasat. Their eyes widened in disbelief, muscles tensing to flee, but it was far too late. In one fluid motion, she thrust her lightsaber forward, driving the crimson blade through both of their chests simultaneously. She slowly withdrew the weapon, unflinching as they crumpled to the ground. With a casual flick of her wrist, she extinguished the blades and returned the hilt to her belt, the gesture as nonchalant as if she'd merely swatted away an insect.

"Is there anyone else who would like to oppose an Imperial Inquisitor today?"

Without waiting for an answer, she returned to her post by the TIE while the remaining troopers resumed their searches, unchallenged by the shocked civilians.

"Keep searching the ships," the Inquisitor barked at the troopers. "Don't forget to check that freighter"—she pointed at the Comet—"when the pilots return."

The whole thing had happened so quickly, Lorna had barely registered her own shock. Her stomach churned, bile rising in her throat. It was undeniable that this Inquisitor was a Force-user, and a powerful one. She wielded her red lightsaber with brutal proficiency, and the Dark Side surged around her. There was much she wanted to know about this Inquisitor, but unraveling the mystery would have to wait.

Sinya turned to Lorna and Niko, her eyes narrowed with concentration. "Okay, as soon as we go out there, they will search the Comet. We lucked out with timing because we already unloaded the last spice shipment. There's nothing illegal on board. Besides, they're looking for Jedi, not contraband. So we act casual, cooperate with the Imps, and be on our way."

"Works for me. Let's go," Niko responded, taking a step towards the door.

"Wait," Lorna interjected.

Niko and Sinya both paused to stare at her. For a moment, she considered confessing her identity as a Jedi. But she decided against it, a different excuse forming in her mind, as well as a plan to get to the Comet.

"I don't have a chain code. If they ask to see my identification, I'll probably be detained."

Niko cursed under his breath.

"Niko, can the Comet outrun a TIE Interceptor?" Lorna asked.

"Can she? Honey, I've outfitted that freighter with the best ion engine on the market. Now, do I want to try to outrun a TIE Interceptor? No, not really. No."

Sinya jabbed Niko in the ribs with her elbow, a smirk tugging on her lips. "Sounds like you've got an idea, Lorna."

"I can draw the troopers and Inquisitor away from the Comet with a distraction. You two sneak on board and prepare her for take-off. Be ready to go as soon as I'm on the ramp."

"Did you see what that Inquisitor just did? What if she catches you?" Niko objected.

"She won't catch me," Lorna said with more confidence than she felt. She didn't think she stood a chance in lightsaber combat with the Inquisitor if it came to that. She had not practiced her forms at all in the past year, and the skill the Inquisitor just demonstrated… well, it was clear she was not as rusty as Lorna was.

She would have to rely on stealth. But she would insist, if she had to, on being the one to create the distraction. Her friends had already shown immense trust in her by sharing their stories of loss at the hands of the Empire and their knowledge of the Path. And they were doing her a great kindness by bringing her with them. She wouldn't risk her friends facing the consequences of smuggling a Jedi, even unknowingly.

Sinya gave her a sideways glance, but her mouth curved into a smile. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. If you're sure you want to go for it, I think it's a solid plan."

"I'm sure."

With everyone in agreement, Lorna slipped from the doorway. She stepped carefully along the shadows that lined the perimeter of the dimly lit hangar. Using shipping crates and refueling station platforms as cover, she headed toward Platform 6 on the far right, wanting to draw attention as far from the Comet as she could.

Pausing at the hangar's far end, she concealed herself between two crates. Slinging her pack off her back, she quickly pulled out her lightsaber, relishing in the way it seemed to fit perfectly in her palm. If she ran into trouble, she wanted to be prepared to fight at her best. It wouldn't matter that her identity as a Jedi remained a secret if she was dead. She clipped the hilt to her belt and covered it with her cloak.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, reaching out to the Force. Though distant, the connection remained present, and Lorna clung to it, hoping for guidance on the right diversion to create. She thought she might spill some fuel and ignite it, but fire had the potential to get out of her control quickly. Causing a repair droid to malfunction also crossed her mind, yet it likely wouldn't create enough disturbance to draw the Inquisitor's attention.

As her mind raced through the options, she sensed a life form approaching her hiding spot. Her eyes snapped open just as a trooper, his orange pauldron signifying his rank as squad leader, stumbled upon her.

"Hey, what are you-"

"You will not alert the others to my presence," she commanded with a quick wave of her hand.

"I will not alert the others to your presence."

"There is a fugitive Jedi hiding in that freighter on Platform 6. You should inform the Inquisitor after I leave the area."

"I will inform the Inquisitor that there is a Jedi hiding in that freighter after you leave the area."

She quickly retreated back the way she had come, staying out of sight. When she was about halfway back to the doorway where Niko and Sinya waited, she heard the squad leader call out.

"Hey! There's a Jedi over here!"

Lorna panicked briefly, thinking her mind trick had not worked, but sure enough, she watched as the entire squadron started running in the direction of Platform 6. The Inquisitor's head snapped towards the squad leader. Drawing her lightsaber, the dark figure started across the hangar in long, furious strides.

With a flurry of urgent gestures, Lorna silently mouthed "Go!" to Niko and Sinya. The two of them took off towards Platform 2. Lorna slipped into the corridor to hide just before the Inquisitor passed her. When she peeked back out into the hangar, she was relieved to see Niko and Sinya dashing up the ship's ramp. With one last look to confirm no one was looking in her direction, Lorna began making her way to the ship.

Just a few paces from the ramp, her senses flooded with warning. She swung around to see the Inquisitor stopped dead in her tracks at the other end of the hangar. Though the Inquisitor's masked face remained fixed on Platform 6, the Force around Lorna turned icy as she realized a cold awareness had zeroed in on her.

The glowing red visor turned slowly in her direction.

"Well, well, what have we here?" the Inquisitor's voice boomed, cutting through the noise of the hangar. It's resonance crawled down Lorna's spine.

The rest of the troopers abandoned their search of the other ship and swiftly moved into formation to flank her, awaiting the Inquisitor's command. Despite her rising panic, Lorna squared her shoulders and unclipped her lightsaber. She reached deep within herself, gathering the Force around her like a protective storm cloud.

The Inquisitor let out a chilling chuckle that reverberated through the distortion of the mask.

"Surrender, Padawan, and your life may be spared."

Lorna said nothing, igniting her green blade with a snap-hiss.

"Have it your way," the Inquisitor said, her voice lowering. "Kill her," she commanded the troopers.

The Force flowed freely through her as if a floodgate had been released. Before the troopers had even finished raising their blasters, Lorna burst into action. With a Force push, she sent a shipping crate careening into the two troopers closest to the hangar's edge. The crate slammed into them with a sickening crunch, launching them over the precipice and into the ventilation shaft below.

She pivoted smoothly, her lightsaber becoming a twirling shield of green light as blaster bolts sizzled and ricocheted off her saber. She angled her blade with precision, sending a deflected bolt directly into a trooper on her right. He collapsed with a strangled cry.

A searing light flashed in her peripheral vision as a blaster bolt from behind her singed the chest plate of another trooper. She sensed Niko and Sinya advancing down the Comet's ramp behind her, adding their firepower to hers. Her heart swelled at the sight of her friends. The secret she'd kept from them was now on full display, and yet they'd come to her aid.

"Lorna, we'll cover you! Come on, let's get out of here!" she heard Niko call out over the din of battle.

With the Force guiding her movements, she deflected another volley of blaster fire. She redirected a bolt into the nearest trooper as one of Sinya's shots downed another.

As Lorna spun to race up the ramp she heard the Inquisitor let out an enraged growl. She turned in time to see the Inquisitor raise a gloved hand, curling it into a ruthless fist, harnessing the power of the Dark Side. Niko and Sinya were suddenly thrown forward, their bodies lifted and hurled away from the Comet. They hit the ground hard, the impact driving the air from their lungs in pained gasps. A second pull wrenched their blasters from their grips, sending them clattering onto the hangar floor. Lorna's breath caught in her throat as she realized the dire turn their escape attempt had taken.

"Detain them for questioning," the Inquisitor ordered.

"No!" Lorna screamed, turning down the ramp to aid her friends. She had to get to them before the Inquisitor did. As the troopers surrounded Niko and Sinya, the Inquisitor advanced towards her. She held her lightsaber before her in a defensive stance.

Her eyes darted to her friends and Sinya met her anguished gaze, the Zabrak's piercing eyes imparting an unspoken understanding. She nodded almost imperceptibly as if in acknowledgment and acceptance of what Lorna had been hiding from them.

"Go, Lorna!" Sinya shouted. "Don't let them capture you. We'll find another way out!"

Despair twisted like a dagger in Lorna's gut at the thought of leaving her friends. The Inquisitor would almost certainly torture them for information about their role in aiding Jedi and then execute them. If she fled on the Comet, the Inquisitor would most likely follow in pursuit. Only four of the troopers remained; maybe Niko and Sinya stood a chance of escaping some other way if she could draw the Inquisitor away.

With the Inquisitor quickly gaining on her, she dashed for the button to close the ramp. The Inquisitor was sprinting towards her, lightsaber ignited. Lorna barely registered the sight of the red blade puncturing the closed ramp as she rushed to the cockpit.

She threw herself into the pilot's seat, using the Force to guide her hands as they flew over the unfamiliar controls. Grabbing the throttle, she pushed it forward, feeling the ship lurch as it lifted off the platform. The repulsorlifts groaned as she increased power, guiding the Comet up the ventilation shaft, the portal that would lead her to the planet's surface.

As she ascended, she heard the high-pitched whine of a TIE engine, confirming the Inquisitor had followed. Through the ship's viewport, she could see green streaks from the TIE's laser cannons already slicing past the ship's hull. One of the lasers found its mark, rocking the Comet forcefully, though the shields held.

The Comet emerged from the ventilation shaft into the heavily trafficked Coruscant skies. Rather than immediately attempting to leave the planet's atmosphere, Lorna weaved through the congested sky lanes, hoping to lead the Inquisitor further from Niko and Sinya. She deployed evasive maneuvers as best she could, but she was no ace pilot. Another shot from the TIE's cannon impacted the Comet, weakening the shields.

The old smuggling freighter wouldn't take much more. She needed to clear the atmosphere and make the jump to hyperspace. She steered the ship's bow upwards and pushed the throttle to its limit. The Comet's hull shuddered under the jolt of more cannon fire. Alarms started blaring, indicating shields were critically low.

Lorna executed a barrel roll to avoid additional hits. The mist of Coruscant's clouds dissipated, revealing the starry expanse of space. With no time to familiarize herself with the Comet's navigation computer or program new coordinates, she prepared to make the jump to lightspeed with the most recent coordinates Niko had entered.

Pushing the hyperdrive lever, she watched the stars blur to lines of white light. She let the acceleration push her back into her seat as she collapsed with relief.

Several hours later, the Comet dropped out of hyperspace in the Tatoo system. Lorna was greeted with a view of the coppery surface of Tatooine as the desert planet filled the viewport.

The better part of her journey had been spent wrestling with her guilt over the events in the hangar. Despite her intention to be the one risking capture by the Empire, Niko and Sinya had been taken anyway, all because the Inquisitor had sensed her presence in the Force. She thought back to the moment that masked face had turned in her direction. The ease with which the Inquisitor had detected her left her unsettled.

Should she have stayed and tried to rescue Niko and Sinya? Or had her decision to draw the Inquisitor away been the one that prevented their death at the Inquisitor's hand? Had they escaped, or were they being tortured in an Imperial detention facility right now? She had lacked confidence in her ability to defeat the Inquisitor in a duel, but had she been underestimating herself? She hadn't felt so lost and unsure since she left the Temple.

In her training, Master Secura had discouraged her from ruminating on the past. She could still hear her Master's wisdom:

"The past is a lesson, Padawan, not a dwelling place. Accept what has passed, learn from it, and let it go. Focus your mind on the present moment, for it is here that you can effect change."

Lorna buried her doubts, shoving them out of her mind. She could not go back to Coruscant, no matter how much she wanted to save her friends. The chance of being apprehended there was high, and besides, she had no idea where Niko and Sinya might be. But she did know where they had been ultimately headed.

Jabiim.

If her friends had escaped, that was the place to start looking for them, and that was also where she might find other Jedi. She set to work getting the coordinates to Jabiim in the navigational computer when she noticed an error message was displayed on it:

HYPERDRIVE MALFUNCTION DETECTED.

She slammed her fist into the instrument panel and cursed in an uncharacteristic display of anger. The damage from the TIE's laser canons had rendered the hyperdrive inoperable. She needed to have it repaired before she could leave the system.

Focus your mind on the present moment, she could almost hear Master Secura's voice whispering to her.

Her mind roiling with frustration, she piloted the Comet towards Tatooine's surface.