CHAPTER SEVEN
Not the last of the old, Luke. The first of the new.
Ben Kenobi's words continued to echo in Luke's mind, but still he wondered if he'd be the only one of the new Jedi. After Dantooine, Luke had tried many other planets to search for ways of rebuilding the Jedi, but to no avail.
However, he realized, he could still try to gather something from the ruins of the Jedi Temple. Surely something must had gone pass the Empire's notice during their purge of the Jedi.
Walking through the rubble of the Jedi Temple, he reached the remains of the archives-or what was left of them. To his surprise, there was indeed a data-record that was still intact, though it had received quite some damage over the years. Taking out his datapad, he scanned the record and played it on the portable device.
Apparently, the record had been written shortly after something called the 'Treaty of Coruscant' by a Jedi Master called Giffis Fane. According to Fane, the Jedi Order had been defeated by a Sith Empire, forcing them to relocate to the planet Tython.
Tython, Luke thought. He had of that world before; located in the Deep Core, it was quite dangerous to travel there, for the Deep Core was rife with black holes and other hazards. Nonetheless, he knew he would have to travel there, for who knows what knowledge the planet could contain?
He left the ruined temple and returned to Republic Headquarters, and hurried to the hangar where his X-wing fighter was docked once again. However, before he could reach it, he ran into his best friend and partner, Han Solo.
"Hey, kid!" Han said, slowing Luke down. "What's the rush?"
"I'm on my way to Tython," Luke replied. "I think it's my one-way ticket to rebuilding the Jedi Order."
"Tython?" Han asked. "That's in the Deep Core, isn't it? Filled with black holes and stuff, right?"
Luke smiled. "You say that as if you're afraid of them."
"Afraid of-? Kid, I've outrun bounty hunters that could break a gundark's back. You bet I'm not afraid of black holes and other space hazards!"
Luke's smile became a grin. 'Then why don't you come along and prove it?"
"Gladly," Han scoffed. He turned to Chewbacca, who was nearby doing repairs on the Millennium Falcon.
"Chewie! Get the Falcon ready! We're going for a wild ride..."
* * *
Jerec's shuttle jumped out of hyperspace and came before the mysterious world of Dromund Kaas, the secret hideout of his group of Dark Jedi. The planet's swamps rested in cold silence as the Inquisitor landed his ship into one of the spaceports.
Not many people knew of Dromund Kaas, with only the Emperor and his Dark Side Adepts having been fully aware of it. It was also the home of the secretive Prophets of the Dark Side, founded by the ancient Sith Lord Darth Millennial. After Palpatine established the Galactic Empire, he sent his Dark Side Adepts to be trained by the Prophets. Jerec was one of them, having been trained by the Prophet Cronal.
Rumors spread that Dromund Kaas was once the capital of the Sith Empire, but Jerec did not truly believe these rumors.
Once his ship had landed, Jerec walked off and headed for a small tower, where his fellow Dark Jedi resided. He entered the tow and walked into a circular room, where Sariss, Maw, Yun, and the others awaited.
"Have you found the Valley yet?" Maw growled, hovering over the floor with an anti-gravity repulsorlift that replaced his absent legs.
"Not quite," Jerec said. "However, I have found a substitute for the Valley, if we are unable to reach Ruusan."
"And what would that be?" Sariss asked.
Jerec took out a handheld holoprojector and activated it, displaying a holographic representation of an ancient staff. "The Scepter of Ragnos," he informed his curious apprentices. "It is quite powerful in the dark side. Many Dark Lords after Ragnos have attempted to claim it, but failed in doing so."
"Where is it?" Yun asked, gazing at the Scepter greedily.
"Locked away in Ragnos' tomb," Jerec said. "The entrance is sealed. Even a lightsaber won't cut through it."
"Tsk, tsk, you bore me," a voice suddenly spoke, echoing throughout the chamber. All of the Dark Jedi except Jerec activated their lightsabers while the voice continued. "Have you not thought beyond your pitiful lightsabers? Have you already forgotten about the Force?"
The Dark Jedi began looking frantically for the source of the voice while Jerec remained still. "Show yourself, whoever you are," he said.
The voice laughed. "Show myself, you say? I don't believe that woould be possible for me, seeing that I am dead."
"That's impossible!" Yun shouted. "If you're dead, then how are you still speaking to us?"
The voice cackled again. "My, Jerec," it said. "Did you only teach these children the basics? Nothing about the Living Force?" When Jerec did not reply, the voice continued to laugh.
"Anyway, I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You're looking for Ragnos' scepter, yes?"
"That is correct," Jerec replied, signaling Yun and the others to turn off their lightsabers.
"That's what I though," said the voice. "I knew Ragnos..somewhat. Not as well as certain other, but I knew him..."
"Wonderful," Jerec muttered. "So can you tell us how to get into the tomb?"
"Tell you?" the voice repeated, letting out another cringing laugh. "Why should I tell you...when I can show you?"
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