CHAPTER TWELVE
The control room at Republic Headquarters was silent.
Only a moment ago were the troopers and pilots were recovering from their defeats on Had Abbadon, Elom, and Belsmuth. The reformed Empire was taking a toll on the New Republic. Just now had their day gotten worse when a communications officer delivered terrible news for them.
"An entire Imperial fleet has been spotted in the system," the officer had said.
And everyone had particularly froze. After a long silence, Lando finally spoke, "Have all fleets we have here standby, and tell Wedge to get Rogue Squadron ready. Same with the other squadrons."
As the officer went to work, Lando turned to Commander Hawk. "Get all troopers armed up. I'm sure they're gonna bring Chaos down on us!"
* * *
Thrawn's face remained expressionless as always, but his blue-skinned hand shook nervously, a hand-held holoprojector in his grasp. Suddenly, a beep echoed throughout the Chimaera's bridge. Pellaeon glanced at the Grand Admiral as the latter activated the holoprojector.
The miniature form of Darth Sidious' hologram appeared. "Grand Admiral Thrawn, the time has come," the Emperor said. "Proceed with the attack."
"As you wish, my lord," Thrawn said as he gave a curt nod to Pellaeon. The admiral flipped down the hyperdrive switch and the Imperial Fleet sped towards Coruscant..."
* * *
Sidious turned off the holoprojector and turned to Leia and Toah. "Your Republic is finished," the Emperor said with a cruel smile. "I believe the wisest thing to do would be joining forces with me."
"That will never happen!" Leia retorted.
Sidious laughed loudly. "Of course it won't..." The Emperor's eyes turned to Toah. "You have been quiet lately, my boy," he said to him. "Is there something wrong?'
Toah apparently could not speak, instead pointing at something behind Sidious. Convinced that the Jedi apprentice was tricking him, Sidious only took a brief glance. Or he would have if he had not notice who was standing behind him.
Two beings-both clad in black and silver armor-stood on the ledge in front of the large window molded after the Empire's insignia. The Emperor narrowed his eyes at the newcomers.
"Hello, Lumiya," he muttered. "And I take it that this is your apprentice Flint? Lovely...I'm glad you could drop by..."
* * *
By the time the obscured sun had risen over Zegris' swamp, the four Jedi were already awake. As they began to set off, Remker noticed something ahead of them. A silvery shuttle-not unlike the ones used by the original Galactic Empire-glittered beneath the misty fog.
"Masters...!" the Zabrak Jedi Knight said quietly, almost in shock. "I see a shuttle!"
"Most likely a mirage," Tharr muttered. "The Force has been known to play tricks with one's mind."
Remker did not seem to hear him as he ran towards the shuttle. It proved to be grave mistake on his part when a Zabrak clad in black armor descended from above, landing right in front of the young Jedi Knight, and grabbed him by the neck.
"You are a disgrace to all Iridonains," the Zabrak warrior growled, igniting a scarlet bladed lightsaber.
"No!" shouted Kyle, who charged towards the warrior only to have Darth Nemesis come from the mist and seize his legs.
"These sure are feisty Jedi!" Nemesis laughed. "They never give up, even when their lives hand in the balance." The Sith Lord's lightsaber hissed alive and he lowered it near Kyle's neck.
"Give us the real holocron," he said to Aqinos and Tharr, "and he lives. Fail to do so, and Skywalker's pitiful Jedi Order will have on less member."
Aqinos looked from the two Jedi Knights, to the two Sith, then to Tharr, who remained motionless. The Sunesi Jedi finally reached into his robes and brought out the real holocron of Bodo Baas. Ignoring Tharr's protests, Aqinos slowly walked towards Nemesis and placed the holocron into his hands.
Nemesis examined the holocron for a moment before switching off his lightsaber. "Come, Lord Ravage," he said to the Zabrak. "The Dark Lord is expecting us."
With those words, the two Sith Lords vanished, leaving the four Jedi alone with the shuttle.
* * *
"I would like you to meet my...acolytes," Sidious said to Leia and Toah bitterly, glowering at Lumiya and Flint. "When I began rebuilding the Empire, I found one of Lord Vader's apprentices, Lumiya, who was part of one of his attempts in overthrowing me."
"Wait..." Leia murmured. "You knew Vader?"
Sidious chuckled. "Of course I did. He served me..."
Leia's eyes widened as she and Toah began to slowly back away. "No," she muttered. "You can't be..."
"I am," Sidious replied. "And I'm afraid if you do not agree to join me..." A golden hilt slide out of the Emperor's sleeve, a blood-red blade igniting from it.
"...You will have to die."
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