CHAPTER SIX
King Narus had allowed Han, Leia, and the others to stay at the city of Theed for the rest of the week. Senator Graven had found an apartment (which seemed more like a mansion to Toah) for them near the King's palace.
As he slept, Toah could hear voices in his head, whispering like they were somewhere in the distance.
"They are on Naboo, my Lord," a dark voice said.
"Excellent," a second voice responded, sounding more higher pitched. "Find them and bring them to me..."
Toah awoke with a jolt, breathing unsteadily. He looked around, seeing that everyone else was fast asleep, though the voices were still ringing in his ears. After scanning the room cautiously, Toah slowly layed back down and fell back to sleep.
* * *
The humid air of Zegris made the Jedi Knight Kyle Katarn wish he had stayed on Coruscant. The fog covered his landespeeder's viewscreen as he ventured through the planet's swamp. His comlink began to beep as Kyle pulled his speeder to a halt.
Holding the comlink to his mouth, Kyle spoke, "This is Katarn. The fog is getting too strong for me to see anything."
"Same here," said Kyle's fellow Jedi Knight Donhran Remker. "We should regroup at the base. Master Baran wishes to speak with us."
"On my way," Kyle said, turning off the comlink. He turned the speeder around and headed back for the base.
* * *
Xanus Baran sighed as he looked out the Republic's base on Zegris into the planet's foggy swamp. He, his apprentice Donhran Remker, and Kyle Katarn had been on Zegris for two weeks so far, in search of an old Jedi Master known as Morin Tharr.
Tharr had fought during the Clone Wars as a general, and was presumed to have been killed when the clone troopers turned on all of the Jedi. Xanus truly believed Tharr was dead, for he was there on that day Order 66 was issued. He had been Tharr's apprentice...
Somehow, though, Tharr had managed to survive the Jedi Purge and, according to reliable sources, had came to Zegris.
But why, Xanus wondered, had Master Tharr not contact me? Was it fear that the Empire would intercept his transmission? And how did he find transport to Zegris?
Xanus sighed again. Hopefully, if Tharr was indeed alive, on Zegris, than everything would be explained.
The base's doors opened and Kyle Katarn and Donhran Remker stepped in, their lower legs covered in muck.
Xanus did his best not to smirk. "Did you have a nice trip?"
Kyle scowled. "Very funny. You just had to put the speeder bay tem miles away from the base, didn't you?"
The Jedi Master shrugged. "Couldn't resist. Now get clean clothes on and sit down."
Once the two young Jedi had returned, Xanus began to speak. "I've received a message from Yavin. I am needed at the Jedi Praxeum. The Order will send someone else to conduct the search."
"Who, master?" Remker asked.
"Master Aqinos," Xanus replied. "He should be here shortly."
As the Jedi Master got up, he suddenly froze, his bronze eyes gazing into nothingness.
Remker caught his gaze. "What's wrong, master?"
Xanus did not answer. Taking his lightsaber hilt off his belt, he slowly walked across the room and towards the door. Kyle and Remker also rose from their seats, lightsabers in their hands. Finally, Xanus opened the door, allowing Death to walk in.
Scarlet, violet, azure, and emerald blades were ignited, and the four warriors clashed. The dark-robed figure who had walked in quickly Force-pushed Kyle and Remker away, leaving only Xanus against the warrior. Their blades locked, and Xanus looked into his enemy's cloaked face.
He could not believe who he saw.
With the Jedi Master distracted, the warrior knocked Xanus down and was prepared to deliver the final blow when Remker leaped and locked lightsabers with the assailant. The Zabrak Jedi Knight looked up at the dark sider's face, looking into his yellow eyes.
"I don't know what you want," Remker said. "But you will not kill my master!"
"Watch me," the warrior growled. He kicked Remker in the shins and knocked the Zabrak's lightsaber out of his hand. Suddenly, Kyle charged towards the dark sider, and clashed his lightsaber with the warrior's. As the red and blue blades sparked, Xanus used his mind to summon his lightsaber.
"Kyle!" Xanus shouted as he threw his weapon into Kyle's hand. With two sabers ignited, Kyle spun the blades fiercely at the dark sider. The warrior narrowly avoided the Jedi's swings and swipes with the blades. Realizing he was no match, the dark sider flew out the door and vanished into the swamp.
Once the warrior was long gone, Remker helped Xanus to his feet. "Who was that man?" he asked the Jedi Master.
Xanus sighed. "Someone I thought long gone..."
* * *
Luke knew it was no use. Even after five years of being a Jedi Knight, he knew he was still no match for the reborn Palpatine. Reluctantly, he deactivated his lightsaber. Palpatine grinned sinisterly.
"Wise choice, Skywalker," the Emperor cackled. "You now realize the dark side is stronger! Join me, and you can achieve power beyond anyone's imagination!"
"I never said I would join you," Luke said sharply. "But I do wish to know how you survived."
Palpatine cackled. "Why should I tell you, Jedi? You could use my knowledge as a means to kill me. Of course..." He made gesture with his hand and Luke felt the ground shook. "You won't be leaving to tell your Republic friends..."
Soon, the floor began to rise, and the ruined temple was replaced with Imperial-stylized walls, along with a large hall.
"Welcome to my citadel, Skywalker," Palpatine said with a malicious smile. "You will grow to like it here, trust me. Besides, you have nowhere else to go..."
As the reborn Emperor's laugh echoed throughout the hall, Luke realized that, once again, it really was a trap...
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