CHAPTER ELEVEN
For what seemed like forever were gold and red lightsaber blades clashing throughout the swamp. many times did Aqinos and the others try to interfere, only to be pushed away by Darth Nemesis.
"This can all end," the Sith Lord growled, "if you just give me the holocron."
Aqinos sighed and glanced at Tharr, who nodded grimly. Reaching into his robes, the Sunesi Jedi Master brought out the cube-shaped object which was the holocron of Bodo Baas. Nemesis flicked his wrist nad the cube flew right into his hand. Once it did, the Jedi slowly began to step back.
Nemesis looked at them confusingly just as Aqinos waved his hand. A small beep emitted from the cube as it exploded, knocking everyone nearby off their feet. The Jedi made a run for it, with Nemesis hot on their heels.
"Too bad Master Xanus took your ship back to Yavin!" Kyle shouted to Aqinos as they ran. The Sunesi simply glared at him and continued running.
* * *
From the bridge of the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera, Thrawn looked at the small speck ahead which was in fact the planet Coruscant. His entire fleet was here. All they needed now was for the Emperor to give the order to attack.
The whole ship was silent, while Admiral Gilad Pellaeon's hand frozen on the hyperdrive switch. Thrawn waited patiently, staring into the darkness of space...
* * *
Han, Leia, Toah, and the others were now completely surrounded by the seven Dark Jedi, red-colored lightsabers in their hands.
"You know," Darth Sidious said, rising from his seat. "I have a whole fleet ready to attack Coruscant. If you don't agree to my terms..." The Emperor grinned maliciously as he held up a small, handheld holoprojector.
"Then you can just say goodbye to your wretched Republic!"
Suddenly, the sound of a door opening echoes throughout the throne room. Everyone, including Sidious and the Dark Jedi, froze. Standing before everyone, his blue eyes now pitch-white, his Jedi robes now tainted black, and tendrils of shadow following him was Luke Skywalker.
Sidious grinned. "Hello, Skywalker. I'm glad you could join us."
Luke did not reply, as is he were some sort of living, mute statue. Han, Leia, and the others could not believe what they were witnessing.
"Kid, what happened?" Han demanded. "What's wrong with-"
But Han immediately ceased speaking when Luke seized him by the neck. Ignoring Leia's cries, he lifted the Corellian pilot off the ground.
"Now, now, my friend," Sidious chuckled. "We don't need anyone to die right now. Let him go." Without a word, Luke released Han from his grip. Leia moved through the Dark Jedi and ran to her husband's side. Her brown eyes bore into Luke's empty white ones.
"What has happened to you?" she asked quietly.
"There is no point in asking him, Senator Organa," Sidious said. "He has now become my loyal and obedient apprentice."
The Emperor turned to the expressionless Luke. "Leave your sister and former apprentice here and take Solo, the Wookiee, and the droid away."
Luke nodded silently and grabbed Han by the collar. Chewbacca roared and tried to save his best friend, but was subdued by Sedriss and Katth. C-3PO followed Luke without question, for he was his master, and it was against his programming to disobey him.
Once they had left, Sidious turned his attention to Toah and Leia. "Goir," he said to one of the Dark Jedi, "I'm sure you can teach these two like you did Kam Solusar, am I correct?"
Vill Goir nodded, his square-faced slightly contorted with fear.
Sidious grinned. "Good. Take them away."
* * *
"I...think we've lost them..." Remker panted as he and the other three Jedi entered a swampy cave to use as shelter. Kyle slumped down on a cold, wet rock.
"Master Aqinos," he said to the Sunesi Jedi Master, "when you gave the Sith that detonator, what was your plan after that?"
Aqinos sighed. "I had no plan. It was the last thing I could think of."
"Why not just give him the real holocron?" Remker suggested. "It can't be that-"
"You fool!" Morin Tharr snapped. "The holocron in our hands is dangerous enough! If it were to fall into the Sith's hands, we'd be facing armageddon!"
"How so?" Kyle asked. "What's in the holocron that's so dangerous?"
Tharr and Aqinos exchanged worried looks. The latter Jedi finally sighed and turned to face the two Jedi Knights.
"You two must understand," he said, "that what lies within the holocron is very dangerous knowledge. I'm afraid I must not tell you until the time is right."
Kyle and Remker nodded in understatement and remained silent. As it grew dark, the four Jedi decided it was best to stay in the cave until dawn. Thar volunteered to keep watch while the others rested.
Unbeknownst to the watching Jedi Master, the Sith Lord he had faced earlier lurked in the depths of the jungle. But Darth Nemesis was waiting to strike the Jedi, for he was busy enough with his fellow Sith.
"I don't care what the Dark Lord said!" Nemesis snapped at his Zabrak companion. "I have these Jedi handled, and the holocron will be mine in no time!"
"Doesn't look like it," Darth Ravage growled. "Considering how long you're taking..."
Nemesis scowled. "Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader didn't wipe out all of the Jedi in a day..."
Ravage laughed, turning Nemesis' scowl into a look of hate. "Now you're comparing yourself to them? You humans are so pathetic..."
"If it weren't for humans, you wouldn't be half of what you are!" Nemesis growled.
Ravage ceased laughing and glared at the other Sith Lord. Failing to stare Nemesis down, the Zabrak Sith brushed past him and headed for the cave...
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