CHAPTER ELEVEN
Once Relin had tool him his tale- about the Lignan, the Harbinger, and the conflict with his former apprentice- Jaden recounted it to the gathered Jedi Council. Once he was done, the twelve Jedi Masters contemplated it.
"If there truly is another ancient Sith on the loose, then we must deal with them," said Grand Master Kro Sadoon. "These events must be connected somehow, no doubt to the person who stole the Sith relic on Begeren."
Jaden nodded. "Right. The Sith dreadnaught should still be there near the frozen moon. Relin told me that he destroyed the hyperdrive, so it shouldn't be going anywhere."
"Let us hope you're right," muttered Master Plun Kil. "A wandering Sith warship is the last thing we need."
Kyle Katarn, Jaden's former master, leaned forward in his seat. "What did you find on the frozen moon, Jaden? Answers to your vision?"
Jaden shook his head. "Not exactly. We found an abandoned Imperial research facility. It was home to these clones, some of familiar faces: yours, Master Kam Solusar's... and they claimed that I was one of them."
Kyle raised an eyebrow. "And did you believe them?"
"No," Jaden said quietly. "But I do wonder why they made such claims."
Master Odan Murk waved a dismissive hand. "They had probably lost their sanity when they were abandoned. They either mistook you for someone else or were trying to trick you."
"Probably." Jaden shrugged. "Shall we contact the Alliance for help in dealing with the dreadnaught?"
"While I would prefer to keep the Alliance out of our affairs, we may require their help, especially if this dreadnaught tries to attack," Sadoon said. "Master Corran Horn is currently commanding Rogue Squadron, so they may be willing to assist us."
Jaden nodded. "Good. Arsix should be bringing my fighter back from Fhost now, so I will be able to join them."
"One last thing," said Master Noran Raun. "Is it true? Is Toah Jarsan back?"
Jaden smiled. "As far as I know, yes. He has a habit of wandering away, so I'll have to keep an eye on him."
Kyle laughed. "Yes, that's Toah for you. It just doesn't do for him to stay on just one planet for a day."
* * *
Saes sat in a darkened cell. Armored footsteps sounded outside and he could sense the approach of the man who would be speaking with him. The human was strong in the dark side, but he certainly wasn't a Sith he knew.
The door to his cell slid open and a tall, hooded man stepped through. Most of his face was obscured by shadow, leaving only his mouth and jaw visible.
"Saes Rrogon, I presume?"
"Yes," the Kaleesh snarled. "And you are?"
"Varon Krul."
"The dark side is strong with you. Are you a Sith? I can't say I recognize you."
"Yes, I am a Sith, and I doubt you would." A mirthless smile flashed on the human's face. "After all, you have been away from the known galaxy for over five thousand years."
"What?!" Saes shot out of his seat but was pushed down by an invisible force. "You speak lies. I demand to see Lord Naga Sadow."
"I'm afraid that's not possible," Varon said. "He's been dead for just as long."
Saes could not believe what he was hearing. Glaring angrily at Varon, he growled, "Why should I trust your words?"
Varon shrugged. "Honestly, I don't care if you do or not. All I want to know is one thing: where is the rest of the Lignan crystals?"
Saes tilted his head. "What make you think there's more?"
"The same thing that led me to your ship," Varon said. "I found records left behind by Naga Sadow on Ziost. One of them mentioned two dreadnaughts being sent to Phaegon Three's moon to retrieve Lignan ore. I deduced one of these ships to be the Harbinger. What is the name of the other?"
The Kaleesh sneered. "I doubt you'd be able to find it. If what you say is true, then it is probably long gone."
Varon's face darkened. The air in the room seemed to decompress. "Tell me the name of the ship."
Saes hesitated and he suddenly felt his neck constrict. "O-Omen!" he croaked. "Though I don't know where it is! Y-you'll never find it!"
Varon grinned. "Oh, I very much doubt that."
A snap-hiss sounded and the last thing Saes saw was the flash of a red blade.
* * *
"Identification."
"Cal Sulet," the Zabrak male said, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"Destination?"
"Lianna. And make it snappy."
The Sy Myrthian receptionist glared at him with her red eyes. "Please wait to be called," she said coldly.
Cal grunted and sat in the waiting area. He was eager to get off Coruscant and get as far away from the Galactic Alliance as possible. Besides, he had a reputation on Lianna to get back. With the war over, he could now enjoy the life he had been forced to leave behind.
The life of Salvan Tai.
His comlink buzzed and he answered it. The loud roar of a Wookiee greeted his ears.
"Sharbrook," Cal muttered. "Can you put me through to Remar? You know I don't speak Wookiee."
The Wookiee grunted and shortly after, a man's voice spoke. "Hey, Cal. How did it go on Coruscant?"
"Girdun screwed things up and now I'm on the run," Cal said bitterly. "I'm going back to Lianna to live my old life again. No more hired work and conspiracies for me."
"A shame," Remar said. "Especially since Black Sun's just got a new bounty up."
"Remar, I told you-"
"The head of Kadar for a million credits."
Kadar? A million? Cal's heart began to pound against his chest. "Black Sun wants him dead that bad?"
"Come on, you've heard the news; he's killed all of their Vigos. It would make any Underlord mad. But, I guess if you're not interested, then-"
"No, wait! Deal me back in. I'll meet you on Ord Mantell." Ending the connection, he rushed over to the receptionist's desk. "Forget Lianna. Book me for Ord Mantell."
"Whatever."
The Zabrak walked away with a twisted sense of glee. At last, he had his chance to take revenge against the man who had caused him to lose his old life. And he would do so not as Cal Sulet, not as Sergeant Saltai Deen, nor as Baron Salvan Tai... but as General Merlok.
The last general of the Glorian Empire.
TO BE CONTINUED
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