Chapter Two: Stranded in Space
Barran Zendak had served as a Jedi for nearly sixty years. He had served as a General for the Republic for over three years. He served alongside some of the greatest Jedi the Order had to offer. He worked with gallant masters such as Mace Windu and maverick knights like Anakin Skywalker. However, Barran had never known a Jedi quite like his former apprentice, Artus Rykor. He had raised the young knight from a boy to the man lying on the medical bed in front of him. Only the pilot had perished from the shuttle crashed but the damage was done. In the crash the Liberty's communications and navigational array had been damaged; they were floating in space. Alone.
Artus opened his eyes to see the Rodian Jedi standing over his bed.
"Master." He whispered. "Where are we?"
"You are lucky to be alive."
"The crash… the squad… are they?" Artus was cut off by Barran's raised hand.
"Parsec, Ryth and Bridge are all fine. Minor injuries but they were patched up after a couple of days."
"A couple of days?" Artus sat up. He saw his lightsaber resting on the table next to his bed. He looked across the room. Across the medical bay he saw Sarge. He was hooked up to several machines and breathing with the respirator. Artus sighed; at least the clone looked at peace.
"He'll be okay Artus. He's been stablised and the medical droid is doing what it can. Unfortunately, Sarge's injuries are the least of our concerns. We have been stranded for a week without comms or navigation." Said Barran.
"A week!" Exclaimed Artus. "But the fleet…the Separatists. There were thousands of ships."
"I am aware." Replied Barran. "I reviewed Sarge's report. He clearly made it during the hyperspace jump." Before Artus could reply a trooper burst into the room.
"General Zendak, we have received an urgent communication from Coruscant." Barran turned. He could sense the panic emitting from the trooper. "General Grievous has attacked…" The trooper stuttered, "He's attacked the Capital. General Windu and General Tiin have been trying to reach us for nearly a week for support."
"What?" asked Barran. Artus could see the tension on his master's usually stoic face. "Trooper, does this mean Liberty has comms and navigation back?"
"Sir yes sir." Barren turned to Artus.
"It looks like we know what that fleet was doing. Trooper, inform the bridge that we will be returning to Coruscant now. Inform General Windu that we can be there within the hour."
"Yes sir." The trooper darted off. Artus pulled himself out of bed. He walked over to Sarge. Artus shuddered at the sight. He hadn't realised the extent of the clone's injuries. The left side of Sarge's face was scarred and burned. His entire left ear was missing and a medical droid was applying cybernetics and bacta to his wounds.
"He'll be fine Artus." Barran's voice calmed Artus. "But we need to get ready." Warning sirens sounded as the Liberty's hyperdrive began gathering power. Artus could feel the whirring of the engines as the vessel departed.