EDITED 1/28/2015: As before, ignore the thing at the end about Blue Harvest.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Tython was quite similar to Endor. Lush, green forests were the dominant features on the planet's surface, while a ruined fortress could be seen in the middle of one. As the Millennium Falcon landed, Luke glanced at Han and smiled.
"This might be the first time I've flown with you without running into something along the way," he said.
"Must be a new record," Han replied, chuckling.
Once the ship had landed, Luke got out of his seat and walked down the boarding ramp, observing the area with a feeling of hopefulness. As he scanned the area, he suddenly saw a figure pass a tree. Han noticed Luke's surprised and curious gaze.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I saw someone," Luke muttered. "They just ran towards that tree over there..."
Luke, Han, and Chewbacca rushed over to that location just as the figure lunged out and attacked Luke. Han drew his blaster and began firing at the stranger. The attacker leaped up, avoided the shots, and kicked Han in the side. Enraged, Chewbacca charged towards the stranger, but was pushed back by an invisible force.
Luke struggled up to his feet and took a good, quick look at the mysterious being. They were clad in all-black armor, and wore an opaque space helmet over their head. Igniting his lightsaber, Luke ran towards the stranger, who responded by activating a lightsaber of their own, which had a blade as red as blood. The two began to parry attacks, and their duel lasted for nearly half an hour, until Luke disarmed his opponent.
The mysterious attacker laughed. "Very good, Jedi. Very good..."
Luke glared at the stranger. 'Who are you?" he demanded.
The being cackled...an all too familiar cackle. "My name, Jedi, is Ethril."
* * *
The strange, disembodied spirit Jerec and his Dark Jedi had met told them to head for Korriban and meet him (the spirit sounded like a 'him' to Jerec) at the entrance to Marka Ragnos' tomb. As soon as they reached the Valley of the Dark Lords, Jerec could sense the spirit's presence.
"Well, at least you know your way around the galaxy," the spirit cackled. "Now, it is Ragnos' tomb that is your problem, correct?"
"Yes," Jerec snapped. "Now let us in!"
"Tsk, tsk, did the Jedi not teach you any manners? No matter..."
Suddenly, the spirit uttered something in a strange language that was alien to Jerec, and finally, Marka Ragnos' tomb was open. Jerec took the first step into the tomb, feeling the dark side of the Force flow through him. He then signaled Sariss, Yun, Maw, and the others to follow him. The ground shook slightly, mostly due to Gorc's heavy footsteps. Jerec sighed. He hoped the mutant Gamorrean wouldn't awaken any more spirits.
Going through a maze of corridors, they finally reached a large chamber, where a rusted, bronze sarcophagus laid in the center.
"Where's the Scepter?" Yun asked, scanning the chamber. "Is it in the coffin?"
"Bravo, young man!" the spirit said mockingly. "Bravo! Someone give this man a medal! Encore! Encore!"
Yun scowled, but said nothing.
Jerec moved towards the sarcophagus and tried to open it, but the lid would not budge.
Once again, the spirit laughed. "Oh, please. Did you really think It would be that easy?"
Jerec scowled. "Tell me how to open it! I demand you!"
The spirit chuckled. "Or you'll do what? I'm dead, so you can not kill me. But very well, I shall open the coffin..."
The bronze lid began to rise, revealing the mummified body of the Dark Lord of the Sith Marka Ragnos. Lying across his wrapped up corpse was the Scepter of Ragnos.
"At last..." Jerec murmured. "Power...unlimited pow-"
Suddenly, the bronze lid slammed back down onto the sarcophagus and the door that the seven Dark Jedi had entered through closed as well.
"Now," the spirit said, his voice no longer disturbingly cheerful. "Did I ever say you could ever have the Scepter? No...I don't believe I did."
* * *
"Admiral Korus," Thrawn muttered as he looked at the shimmering hologram of a balding Human male. "It is about time."
"I apologize, sir," Korus said. "The Twilight's communications relay was not-"
"I contacted you to give you orders," Thrawn said coldly. "Not to hear your pathetic excuses."
Korus gulped, tugging at the collar of his suit slightly. "Er, yes, sir. What are your orders?"
"It is time," Thrawn said. "We are to launch a final assault on the Republic."
Korus' eyes widened slightly. "S-sir? I believe I misheard you. Did you say we're launching an assault on the Republic?"
Thrawn nodded. "You heard correctly, admiral."
Korus cleared his throat. "Sir, we've lost half of our forces since the Outer Rim battles. An attack with what's left would be suicidal!"
Thrawn's red eyes narrowed. "Admiral Korus, you are not to question my orders. Contact all Imperial force leaders and recall them to a rendezvous in the Neimoidia system. We will then proceed to the Core."
Korus nodded slowly. "Yes, sir...understood." With that, the admiral's hologram vanished.
As he leaned back in his seat on board the Csila, Thrawn glanced back at the computer on which he had found the secret Imperial records. Perhaps just one last search, he thought. He activated the computer and played the last record on the list. Its date and author was classified, but its contents gave the Chiss Grand Admiral a good enough understanding any way. It read:
"It is finished. Project Blue Harvest is complete. Admiral Otto and Umak Leth's contributions have been extremely useful. And with the Brodo Asogians knowledge on traveling between galaxies, I will be able to rule not just one galaxy, but many. At last, the Sith have triumphed. And nothing-nothing-can stop me."
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