CHAPTER TWELVE
"We are approaching the Kaal system, sir," a male Ho'Din officer reported to Admiral Maltar. "Shall we dispatch Rogue Squadron the moment we come out of hyperspace?"
Standing on the bridge of the Vindication, the aged Duros admiral stared out at the endless tunnel of hyperspace, his red eyes glued to the viewport. At first, the officer's words had simply passed through his ears without procession, but when the Ho'Din repeated himself, Maltar finally turned to face the lanky, light green-skinned humanoid.
"Yes, send out Rogue Squadron once we exit. Inform the rest of the fleet to send out their squadrons as well."
The Ho'Din nodded and set off to work. Shortly after he had left, a female human officer called from elsewhere on the bridge. "Sir, a small Alliance detachment from Abraxas is on a hyperspace route parallel to ours."
Maltar nodded. "Let them join up with us. We may need all of the help we can get."
The officer frowned. "But, sir...the detachment consists of Green Squadron. They're...rookie pilot at best."
The admiral waved a dismissive hand. "They should at least have had the experience of dogfighting."
The human officer nodded in acknowledgment, though somewhat hesitantly. As she moved to carry out her duties, the Duros admiral returned his attention to the winding down hyperspace tunnel. In short time it would be replaced by the heated chaos of battle. Whether his fleet stood a chance against these Glorians, Maltar had no idea. But if personal experience in the war against the Sith had taught him anything, it was to give any battle your all.
* * *
In mere seconds, Kaal had went from being a paradisal vacation spot into a chaotic death zone. As people everywhere scrambled for safety, only to be instantly vaporized by the Glorian ships, Kyle, Arek, Taana Di, Natia, and HK-47 made a run for Hoth's Provenance's planetary defense center, which provided control to Kaal's planetary defenses. Or at least what little it had.
Struggling to catch up with them, avoiding the devastating blasts, was Governor Vakam, his balding head trickling with sweat.
"Master Jedi, I do believe you're wasting your time!" he called, panting at the same time. "It is in all likelihood that these invaders have destroyed the defense center!"
"Well, I can still see it in the distance," Kyle replied, gesturing pointedly to the dome shaped structure up ahead. "Unlike pretty much everything else."
Before the governor could respond, one of the several thousand insectoid-shaped fighters broke off from the rest of its swarm and flew over their heads, its limb-like appendages nearly brushing against them. Arek and HK-47 immediately began firing their weapons, but they showed no effect on the small fighter at all.
Eyes widening with the horror of realization, Kyle ran faster towards the dome, particularly chasing after the fighter. Arek and the others struggled to catch up but soon gave up, knowing that their attempts would be futile.
It wasn't until the domed structure erupted into flames that Kyle Katarn stopped as well.
As the craft moved to rejoin its brethren, its thrusters sounding like a mocking cackle, the Jedi Master simply stood before the raging fire that had enveloped the defense center, staring into its taunting flames. Silence reigned, save for the sounds of chaos occurring mere miles behind him and the others.
After a moment had passed, though it felt like an eternity, Natia slowly walked up to the brooding Jedi, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Master...what are we going to do?"
Kyle barely heard her, her soft voice blending in with the fire's tantalizing cackles. When he finally responded to her, his voice almost came out as a croak, his throat hoarse with what sounded like despair.
"I don't know."
* * *
Jaden had no idea how long he had been fighting. Perhaps two hours or maybe just one. Or possibly only minutes. But already fatigue was beginning to take over him, his body growing tired from reacting to the rakghouls' fast and unpredictable attacks.
The fact that the possessed body of Master Ven'sol and Karness Muur's female accomplice were watching him as if this were a sporting event didn't help matters either.
As he cut down what was perhaps the hundredth rakghoul to attack him, another one lunged at him from behind, pinning him down to the ground and knocking his lightsaber out of his hand, far from his reach. As he struggled to free himself, Jaden saw the limp body of Master Ven'sol walk up to him, moving like a lifeless puppet on strings.
"You have so much potential," the voice of Karness Muur spoke through the Bothan's mouth. "Why would you deny an opportunity to realize that potential?"
The rakghoul lessened its grip enough for Jaden to speak. "Because it would mean turning to the dark side and becoming a Sith. If the only other option is death, then so be it."
Although Ven'sol's empty face did not show any emotion, his dead eyes did briefly glow with the golden glint of malice commonly worn by beings immersed in the dark side.
"Impressive," Muur murmured. "I never expected a mere Jedi Knight to have such...defiance. A master perhaps, but never an apprentice..."
The rakghoul suddenly moved away, but Jaden merely used this as an opportunity to move out of its reach. He did not try to run even as Ven'sol raised his arms, limp as a marionette, his fingertips crackling with dark side power.
"Aren't you afraid?" Muur asked.
"No," Jaden said simply. "A Jedi knows no fear."
The ancient Sith scoffed. "Still spouting the foolish ideals of the Jedi, I see, even as death rises up on the horizon..."
As the impending lightning on Ven'sol's fingertips began to grow into a storm, Jaden simply closed his eyes and braced himself for the attack...
...which never came. The crackling sound of the lightning abruptly ceased and Jaden could feel the sense of surprise running through Muur and his accomplice, the latter who even let out an audible gasp.
"Shadow?"
Jaden opened his eyes and turned around to see a humanoid figure standing in the chamber's doorway, clad in a black cloak that covered their entire body, save for the faint emerald glow of their eyes.
"Hello, darling," the stranger said. "I'm home."
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