Star Wars Invasion: Episode II, Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Anakin did not- or rather, could not- do anything but watch as the Revanchist attacked the horde of Glorians, spinning his violet lightsaber wildly like a propeller. The Glorians lunged at him, letting out battle cries even as they met the wrong end of the lightsaber.

Amazed by the Revanchist's speed and accuracy, Anakin almost didn't hear Commander Naar when he spoke. "He buying us time," the Iktotchi said. "Now's our chance. Let's go!"

Although briefly hesitant at first, for he was still stunned by the Revanchist's sudden appearance and rescue, Anakin finally nodded and followed Naar, Jast, and the others up the ladder that led back up into the Tosche Station. Once they were through the hatch, they ran for their parked landspeeders.

Anakin got into a speeder with Sev, Vex, Tesara, and Jast, while Naar, Kalvin, C-3PO, and the others got into the last two. Sev pulled the switch to start up the landspeeder but all he got was a loud sputter. The Sullustan muttered a curse in his native language as he slapped the dashboard. This appeared to have done the trick for the engine immediately roared to life and the landspeeder sped off with the other two close behind.

Watching the Tosche Station as it drifted further and further behind them, Anakin allowed himself a sigh of relief. If the incident on Dantooine was any indication of the Revanchist's abilities, for he certainly must have defeated all of the Glorians there in order to be here on Tatooine, then he would have no problem with fighting Zordo's forces.

At least, that's what he hoped...

*  *  *

Kyle and the young woman- who had quickly identified herself as Tahiri Veila- raced down the streets of Mos Eisley for the docking bay to which she had seen the red armored warrior was headed for with Jokar, Arek, Reeda, and Jasel in tow.

They finally reached the hangar, where the crimson warrior stood at the entrance, along with two burly Klatooinians, each one holding two of the captive soldiers. The warrior seemed to have sense Kyle and Tahiri's approach for he gave an order to one of the two brutes. 

The Klatooinian released his hold on Arek and Reeda and unholstered an EE-3 carbine rifle. He unloaded half a dozen rounds, which Kyle reflexively dodged. The Jedi Master then whipped out his Bryar pistol and seared the alien's forehead with an accurately aimed plasma bolt, killing the brute.

Signaling the other Klatooinian to head into the docking bay, the armored warrior ignited his double-bladed lightsaber and charged towards Kyle. The Jedi battlemaster aimed his pistol and fired a whole round of shots at him, all which the darksider deflected easily. 

Kyle then signaled Tahiri to give him her lightsaber, which the young Jedi quickly did so. Just as the warrior swung his blade at them, Kyle ignited the lightsaber and red clashed against light blue. 

The two of them began dueling, each one anticipating the others' moves and parrying it accurately. It soon became apparent that the two were almost evenly matched and thus the duel was probably endless. Having no time for a pointless fight, Kyle aimed a blow at the warrior's ribs and then fired his Bryar pistol at his helmet, knocking his opponent out for the time being.

After releasing Arek and Reeda from their bounds, Kyle and Tahiri then ran into the hangar and found the second Klatooinian brute carrying Jokar and Jasel onto a modified transport of Imperial design. Noticing the two Jedi, the brute shouted something to someone in the ship, and a large Wookiee with metal armor and a cybernetic eye-patch stepped out of the ship. In his arms, the furred being carried a heavy blaster rifle, which he began firing at the Jedi.

Kyle dodged the shots, pushing Tahiri out of harm's way, and flung his lightsaber at the Wookiee, directing it with the Force so that it sliced off the barrel of the brute's rifle. The Wookiee then reached behind his back for a vibro-ax, but was stopped when Kyle Force-pushed him headfirst into the ship's hull, knocking him out cold.

Panicked by the loss of his companion, the remaining Klatooinian let go of Jokar and Jasel and ran up into the ship. However, a Force grip stopped him from going any further and the brute was thrown aside by an invisible hand.

With both of the thugs out of the way, Kyle and Tahiri ran to Jokar and Jasel's aid, releasing them from their wrist bounds.

"Thanks, Master Katarn," Jokar said. "Shall we head for Anchorhead then?"

Before Kyle could reply, Arek and Reeda ran in hurriedly into the hangar from behind them. 

"That Dark Jedi-Sith-whatever guy's back up!" Arek called out. "We have to get out of here! He's right behind us!"

Kyle nodded. "All right. I hope he won't mind if we borrow his ship."

"Well, he's angry as it is anyway, so-"

"Cut the chatter!" Jokar snapped, already running onto the ship. "Get your butt into the pilot's seat, Cobalt, and get us off this blasted sandpile!"

Arek complied and ran onto the ship, followed by Reeda, Jasel, and Tahiri. Kyle was the last to get on board, lingering for a moment to see the crimson armored man run into the hangar and charge towards him. The Jedi Master hurried onto the ship and closed the boarding ramp behind him as the engines began to roar alive.

*  *  *

As the three landspeeders drove into Mos Eisley, Anakin's comlink, which he had so he could keep in touch with anyone on the team if they got separated, chimed and the Jedi Knight answered it. Kyle Katarn's voice crackled through.

"Anakin? You there? Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear, Master Katarn," Anakin said. "Did you manage to free Commander Jokar and the others?"

"Yeah, but we have a small situation. The two Dark Jedi I mentioned earlier are chasing after us. We've stolen their ship but I think one of them has just placed a tracking beacon on it, so it's probably not a good idea to meet up with you and lead them to us."

"I agree," Anakin said. "Any ideas?"

"Well, we could get the beacon off, but we'll have to find another planet to land on."

Anakin thought for a moment before saying, "Head for Manaan. That's the next planet where Toah's signal was found and is likely to have Glorian invaders."

"What about the one's here on Tatooine?" Kyle asked.

Anakin glanced at Sev, who simply shrugged. "They're...being taken care of."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll explain some other time. The others and I will head to Kashyyyk and solve things there."

Kyle chuckled. "Sounds like a plan. Master Katarn out."

Anakin ended the connection and leaned back in his seat. He wondered that, if the Revanchist managed to defeat the Glorians back at the Tosche Station, if he would follow Anakin and the others to Kashyyyk. Or if he would follow Kyle's group to Manaan.

And if he did, would Anakin be able to get some answers from him then? Why did the Revanchist leave Dantooine? How was he able to defeat the Glorians so easily on his own?

All he could do was wonder...and hope. Hope that this adventure would be over soon.