Star Wars Destiny: Episode I, Chapter Two

EDITED 7/4/13 proofread it, rewrote some parts, and added some stuff (will be doing the same with the whole series)

CHAPTER TWO

    Korriban. Homeworld of the Sith. Jerec had been told by his former master, as well as the Jedi Council, to veer away from it, for the planet was strong in the dark side of the Force, and thus a world best left untouched. They were wrong, Jerec thought. Very, very wrong.

    Jerec heard the sound of an Imperial shuttle landing. Moff Nihan had arrived. Though he could not see him, due to being a Miraluka- a blind species- Jerec could sense that Nihan was right behind him, followed by at least five stormtroopers. 

    "So, you received Thrawn's message," Jerec said without turning to face the Grand Moff.

    "Yes, sir," Nihan said. "Where do you need the squads?"

   Jerec signaled Nihan and his troopers to follow him. They walked through the sand and into an area surrounded by ancient statues. They arrived at a tomb with a large, figure-shaped sculpture at its entrance.

   'This is the tomb of Marka Ragnos," Jerec told Nihan and the stormtroopers. "The door is currently sealed, but I need squads to guard it, in case any...unwanted guests decide to come snooping."

   "Why only this tomb?" Nihan asked. "What's in here that requires guarding?"

   "Nothing of your concern," Jerec snapped. "Just do as I say."

   "As you wish, sir," Nihan muttered, turning to a stormtrooper sergeant. "CB-129, have your men guard this tomb."

   "Yes, sir," the sergeant replied. "Move it, men!"

   As the stormtroopers moved out, Nihan turned back to Jerec. "Anything else, sir?"

   "One last thing," Jerec replied. "Whatever you do, do not tell anyone else about this. This is between you, me, and Thrawn. Is that understood?"

   "Yes, sir," Nihan said. 'Understood."

-Chandrila-

   Han Solo sat across from Chief of State Mon Mothma, Admiral Gial Ackbar, Senator Borsk Fey'lya, and his wife, Leia Organa Solo. Next to him sat his friend Lando Calrissian, and Rogue Commander Wedge Antilles. Normally, Han did not enjoy going to meetings, but according to Wedge, he was needed at this one.

   He crossed his arms. "So, what's the situation? The Empire still causing problems?"

   "They are relentless, General Solo," Mon Mothma replied. "I doubt they will ever give up without a fight."

   "But surely with Vader and the Emperor gone, they'll give up," Lando said. "Right?"

   "Apparently not," Mothma said. She took out a remote and activated a holographic replication of the galaxy between them. "There are many Imperial forces in the Outer Rim. Most prominent on Kashyyyk and Mygeeto."

   "Do we have a strategy?" Wedge asked.

   "Indeed, Commander Antilles," Ackbar answered. "You are to lead Rogue Squadron to the Mygeeto system and take down as many Imperial ships as you can. Meanwhile, General Solo will lead a team of troopers to the surface and take out the Imperial base."

   "Will one team be enough?" Han asked. "I don't want to go out on a suicide mission..."

   "If necessary, Commander Antilles can send two fighters and finish off the remaining Imperials," Ackbar replied. He looked between the two Corellains. "Is that all clear?"

   The two men nodded. "Excellent," Ackbar said. "May the Force be with you."

-Dantooine-

   R2-D2 beeped impatiently as he and Luke traveled through Dantooine's grasslands. The young Jedi Knight sighed. "Artoo, I know what I;m doing. Ben once told me that a Jedi Enclave used to be here on Dantooine, though it's now in ruins."

   R2 muttered another beep, but Luke ignored him.

   They traveled through the grasslands and fields for quite some time. At some points, Luke would ask a farmer for directions, with very little success, until they finally found one that led them to the ruined Jedi Enclave.

   As Luke observed the ruins. R2 whirred nervously. Luke chuckled. "I don't know, Artoo. There could be ghosts in there. Only one way to find out..."

   The astromech droid reluctantly followed his owner into the enclave.

   Inside, they reached a circular courtyard, inhabited by rotted plants and dead grass. As Luke walked around the courtyard, he stumbled across what appeared to be a man, cowering and whimpering. Slowly and cautiously, Luke approached the man.

   "Are you all right?" he asked.

   The man looked up and Luke saw into his wide, fearful eyes. "Am I all right?" he repeated. "Of course I am, yes, yes, yes. I'm used to the voices, yes, yes. They keep me company."

   "Voices?" Luke asked. "What voices?"

   "You can't hear them?" the stranger questioned. "Of course you can't. Of course you can't...."

   Luke was bewildered. "What are you talking about?"

   The man smiled wickedly. "You ask too many questions, Skywalker...."

   Luke quickly unhooked his lightsaber. "How do you know my name?" he demanded.

   The man's smile grew wider. In a low, quiet voice, he said, "Ateema."

   Suddenly, blaster bolts fired from every side. Luke ducked just in time as a blaster bolt hit the strange man square in the chest.

   "Snatch him!" a voice shouted, and out of nowhere came what appeared to be several bounty hunters. Luke ignited his green-colored lightsaber and deflected the incoming blaster bolts.

   As the hunters began to corner him, Luke shouted, "Artoo!"

   The astromech droid opened a panel and began squirting oil at the bounty hunters. Luke used the distraction to his advantage and ran out of the courtyard. Out of range from the bounty hunters, he used the Force to summon R2-D2 back towards him.

   As the two made a run for it, Luke heard one of the hunters angrily shout, "Nice goin', Bane! We missed him!"

   "Shut up, Dengar!" a second, slightly garbled voice retorted. "I'm getting old, so my eyes aren't what they used to be!"

   "Well, if that astro droid didn't squirt blasted oil in my face, we would've had him!" a third voice growled.

 

    Having heard enough, Luke ran off, with R2-D2 close behind.

    As they ran, Luke bitterly thought, There goes my hopes of being able to avoid trouble on this planet...