Star Wars Invasion: Episode VII, Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN

   Anakin Solo frowned at the message he had just received on his datapad. 

   "Jacen isn't coming back from Serenno."

   He was at his family's apartment on Coruscant, on a break from the Jedi Temple, with his parents and sister, as well as the Wookiee Chewbacca and the astromech droid R2-D2, who seemed lonesome without his friend C-3PO, who went missing on Kashyyyk.

   His mother, Leia, was not ready to lose another family member. "What's wrong?" she asked urgently, rising from her seat.

   "He says that he was so intrigued about what he found out about Count Dooku that he's decided to embark on a journey to discover more about the Force and its different philosophies."

   "Did he say when he'll be coming back?" Jaina asked.

   Anakin shook his head. "That's all his message says."

   His father sighed. "So he's going on some sort of quest while we're stuck fighting Glorians."

   Anakin nodded sadly. "It seems that way."

   Chewbacca let out something that sounded like a moan while R2 beeped softly. The disappointment at this news seemed to be universal.

   Suddenly, Anakin's comlink chimed, interrupting the mournful silence. He answered it and was surprised to hear Grand Master Xanus Baran's voice.

   "Hello, Anakin," the Grand Master said. "I hate to interrupt your break, but you are needed by the High Council...and the Galactic Alliance Defense Force."

   Anakin glanced at his parents. After Leia nodded, albeit hesitantly, he then said, "Sure thing, Master. What is it?"

   "Meet us at the command center. Admiral Sovv has a special mission for you...."

*  *  *

   As his X-wing fighter traversed the infinity of hyperspace, Jacen stared solemnly at the message he had just sent to his brother via datapad. He regretted having to do this; honestly regretted it. But when he was speaking with Lysira, the prospect of exploring and observing other Force cultures that had come to him was too much to resist.

   Yes, he hated having to abandon his family and friends like that, but he had realized that this was what he wanted: to expand on his knowledge of the Force. And who knew; perhaps by doing this he would find the key to defeating the Glorians.

   As his ship came out of hyperspace, entering the Plynn system, his communications system suddenly picked up an oncoming signal.

   A Jedi encrypted one....

   Answering the call, he said, "Who is it?"

   "Hey, Jacen," said a familiar sounding voice. "It's me, Jaden Korr."

   Jacen raised an eyebrow. "Jaden? Why are you in the Plynn system? Did you know I would come?"

   Jaden chuckled. "Yeah, kind of. I'll explain more when you land on M'haeli. I will say, however, that you're life will be pretty different once you leave."

   "What are you talking about?" Jacen asked. "What's going on?"

   "As I said, you'll find out when you land on M'haeli. And I don't know, Jacen, but I think I've found the key to ending this war."

*  *  *

   Director Kalenda's shocked gaze did nothing but make Wallen feel even worse about delivering his devastating news.

   "Xemer is...a Glorian?"

   Wallen nodded, sorrowful. "All along he's been their sleeper agent, subconsciously gathering info for them to use."

   Kalenda leaned forward in her seat, putting her head in her hands. "How much do you think he knows?"

   Wallen bit his lower lip. "Quite a bit. Though not as much as me, it would appear. After Xemer revealed himself, Salvan Tai, who I guess is his boss, tried to capture me so he could extract whatever I knew. So the Glorians don't know everything..."

   "This is still very serious."

   "I know."

   She raised her head. "Salvan Tai is a Glorian as well?"

   "I believe so. He shape-shifted into a mynock when he escaped."

   "So this means Black Sun is directly tied with the Glorian Empire after all."

   "It certainly seems that way."

   Kalenda sighed and Wallen could have sworn a small tear was building up in her left eye.

   "To be honest, captain," she said quietly, "I'm not sure if we're going to win this war."

   "Nor am I, director," he murmured as he turned to leave her office. "Nor am I."

*  *  *

   Where to now? Kadar wondered as he trekked through the endless stars of space. Azul Obez had been taken care of, Salvan Tai was likely on the run, and he had the list of Vigos given to him by the ex-Baron...which was sure to be a dud, now that he thought about it.

   And what would be the point anyway? There were far worse things going in one the galaxy than criminal activity. Of course, if Salvan Tai was anything to go by, Black Sun was more likely than not to be connected to these Glorians and their war.

   And Xalren Mithric, the Black Sun's current leader, was surely to be the ultimate link. If that link was removed....

   Kadar inserted the datacard into his ship's computer. The information was bound to be false, sure. But right now, it was the only thing he had to go by.

   Besides, the truth was always buried underneath the lies. You just had to keep digging.

*  *  *

   The coldness of space amplified the silence that had fell upon the Emperor's chamber as Xemer approached his throne. Wordlessly, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

   "My liege," he murmured. "At long last, I have returned."

   The Emperor responded with a mirthless chuckle. "So you have. It has been quite some time."

   His glowing red eyes bore down on him. "I trust that you have the intelligence you were sent to retrieve."

   "I have all that I could gather," Xemer replied. "I believe Salvan Tai should have activated me at a later date."

   The Emperor growled deep in his throat. "No matter. We have what we need. The rest shall be recovered eventually."

   The Emperor rose from his throne, towering over Xemer like a great giant. When he spoke again, his voice seemed to resonate everywhere, even beyond his chamber.

   "After years of planning, after years of hiding and observing, we are finally ready to initiate the final stage that will bring forth the Reunification."

   A wicked grin spread across his face. "At last, it is time for us to begin... the Armageddon."

TO BE CONTINUED....