Star Wars Endgame: Episode I, Chapter One

STAR WARS: ENDGAME

Episode I: The Elusive Shadow

CHAPTER ONE

   The Sith world of Begeren came into clear view as the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer dropped out of hyperspace. Standing on the bridge of the Harbinger, Admiral Trebor Horan viewed the planet with mild relish. 

   For the past few days, he had been transporting a team of six Jedi to worlds in the Esstran sector to locate forgotten Sith relics and either confiscate or destroy them. Now, with Begeren being one of their last stops, this "Sith purge" was coming to an end and soon the galaxy would never have to worry about another Palpatine or Darth Vorath.

   Force willing, he thought. Speaking into the ship's intercom, Admiral Horan said, "Master Von, we have arrived in the Begeren system. Are you and your team ready for drop out?"

   "As always, admiral," Jedi Master Narrakar Von replied. "Wish us luck."

   "Indeed, and may the Force be with you."

   A few minutes later, a Sentinel-class landing craft disembarked from the Harbinger and headed towards the planet below.

*  *  *

   "What troubles you, young Koria?"

   Sitting with the other five Jedi of the "Sith purge" team in the landing craft, Koria Tyrnak looked up at Master Narrakar Von and frowned. "We're sitting in an Imperial ship."

   "So I've noticed."

   "Doesn't it feel strange to you?"

   "Not to me personally, but I can see how it could be to some," Von said. "But keep in mind, the Imperial Remnant is no longer our enemy, but our ally. It's been that way for fourteen years and counting."

   "They've oppressed us for longer than that," Koria retorted, folding her arms across her chest. "And they were responsible for our near-extinction. I wouldn't be surprised if they performed a total flip."

   "Be mindful of your feelings," warned Master Jomesh. "You may not notice it yet, but Begeren is a world tainted by the dark side. There could very well be powers that could influence the mind."

   Koria scowled but remained silent as the landing craft completed its descent towards Begeren, settling in a desolated desert not far from the capital city. The desert itself was dotted with light blue gemstones, forming constellations that could be viewed from orbit. 

   As the six Jedi disembarked from the ship, Zarin Kal said, "What artifact are we looking for?"

   "A Sith amulet carried by the ancient Dark Lord Vorak Zal," Von replied. "Not many records of him exist; the only one we could find mentioned that it was he who conquered Begeren for the Old Sith Empire and was later killed here, before being encased within a tomb."

   "Wait," Valisa Tor murmured. "You mean we're going to loot an amulet from a dead body?"

   "If the record is legit, yes. The tomb should be right under... here."

   Von brought out his lightsaber, igniting its blue blade, and plunged it into the ground. The others watched as he carved out a circle and then used the Force to push the slab of sandy stone down, creating an entrance to a wide underground chamber.

   "How did you know the tomb was underground?" Zarin asked.

   "The record contained a riddle that told of an underground tomb." The Red Nikto's facial flaps flattened down in a smile. "Granted, it took several great minds to figure it out."

   With that, Narrakar Von jumped down into the tomb, followed shortly by Masters Jomesh and Dia'han. Zarin and the others exchanged glances before jumping down as well.

*  *  *

   Eyah seh maat, shu kor huaan.

   The soothing whisper followed the Jedi as they made their way through the underground tomb. None of them knew its meaning, but they could tell it was an urge not to be heeded. It was the dark side beckoning them.

   Zarin's eyes scanned the tomb. There was not much to write home about: dusty tablets with faded text littered the ground; primitive blades and spears were lined up on the walls like a display; and rubble of forgotten statues piled up in cobweb-covered corners. Out of all the tombs he had visited- which were not many- this had to be the dullest.

   The six of them finally reached a dusty, closed casket. Signalling the others to keep back, Von used the Force to slowly raise the lid of the coffin.

   Ur-kaa! Haa, neyo la yud masur kee-

   "Is there anyway to shut that stupid voice up?" Koria snapped.

   Master Von beckoned for silence as he placed the lid onto the floor. His lightsaber at the ready, the Nikto Jedi Master carefully stepped towards the casket... and froze.

   "What is it?" Master Dia'han asked concernedly. 

   "It's gone," Von murmured. "The amulet is no longer here."

   "Is the body still there?" Jomesh asked.

   "Yes, but it won't do much good for us."

   "Wait," Valisa said. "Zarin is a Kiffar. Could he use psychometry to-?"

   "No," Von said sternly. "Not only is it immoral to read the memories of the dead, but this corpse belonged to a Dark Lord of the Sith. Merely by being here are we exposed to its dark side energies."

   "So that's it then?" Koria asked. "We came all this way for nothing?"

   "This means far worse than that, young Koria," Von said. "This means that someone besides us has been procuring Sith relics."

   "The question, of course, is," Jomesh muttered, "are they doing so with us... or against us?"