CHAPTER SEVEN
Five thousand years.
Relin Druur slumped himself into a chair in the freighter's cockpit. Everything around him felt surreal; even his rescuers seemed as if they were not of this galaxy, even though he knew that was not true.
Five thousand years.
Then again, if they were speaking the truth, he might as well have been in a different galaxy. Things had probably changed beyond recognition.
Five. Thousand. Years.
He turned to look at one of his Jedi saviors, who had identified himself as Jaden Korr. "The Order... is it still around?"
"Yes, though it's been through some rough times," Jaden said. "Same goes for the Republic, though it's been through a lot and is now called the Galactic Alliance."
Relin slowly nodded, still trying to comprehend these revelations. "And the Sith?"
Jaden noticeably hesitated before answering. "They have been defeated, but we are currently dealing with a Dark Jedi who's seeking out Sith relics. And he's awakened an ancient Sith Lord."
The other Jedi, Toah Jarsan, gave him an alarmed look. "You never said anything about that."
Jaden shrugged. "Never got the chance. No one knows where he is, nor his rescuer."
Relin frowned. "That is not good at all. I hope the Jedi are doing everything they can to find and stop this Sith Lord."
"So do I," Jaden quietly agreed.
They both turned to watch the blue hyperspace tunnel that swirled before the ship's viewport. The Cerean co-pilot, Marr Idi-Shael soon said, "We're reaching the Adega system."
"Dropping out now," Khedryn Faal murmured as he gradually moved the hyperdrive switch. The Junker dropped out of lightspeed and Ossus came into view.
Relin sucked in his breath. He had been to Ossus before, while learning under Master Imar Deez. It had been a lush world, with beautiful gardens and forests stretching across the landscape. Now it appeared to be an arid world, all of its past beauty lost.
"What... what happened here?" he breathed, dismayed by the sight.
"It's a long story," Toah said grimly. "But the Jedi are slowly yet surely bringing back the planet's grace."
For some reason, those words failed to assuage Relin's aching spirit. So much had indeed changed... and none of it for the best.
* * *
The Sullustan Jedi Master hovered a few meters in the air. His short legs were crossed while his hands rested on his knees. The group of five Jedi apprentices were doing the same, or at least attempting to. Most of them were repeatedly dropping to the ground, but quick to return to their meditative position.
One such apprentice, however, was turning it from a learning process to a major grievance.
Without opening his eyes, Master Dalus Nurn quietly sighed. "Teeva, you mustn't be easily distracted. You must immerse yourself in-"
"I heard the roar of a ship's engine, Master," the Rodian girl replied.
Dalus opened one eye at this, his facial jowls quivering as he frowned. "I have some of the best hearing on this planet, young one. I don't hear any-"
He let out a wail as he suddenly heard exactly what Teeva had. Losing concentration, he tumbled to the ground, eliciting laughter from his students.
Dalus quickly got back to his feet and looked up to see a Corellian freighter emerging from the clouds. It came to a slow and careful land, touching down a few feet away from the teaching grounds. The boarding ramp lowered and a familiar face appeared.
"Jaden Korr!" Dalus said cheerfully. "Master Katarn was worried where you had run off to."
Jaden chuckled. "Knowing him, I think he's less worried and more upset about missing out on the fun I've been having; especially since I ran into an old friend of his."
As if on cue, a second person appeared, one Dalus did not think he would see for a long time, if ever again.
"Toah Jarsan!" the Sullustan exclaimed. At this, the apprentices erupted into awed murmurs. They had all heard of the Jedi who had helped saved the galaxy twice, but were too young to have met him.
Startled by Toah's presence as he was, Dalus almost didn't notice the third man standing behind the other two. Bruised and bandaged, he wore the tatters of a Jedi robe.
"Is that man all right?" Dalus asked in concern.
Jaden shook his head. "He needs to see Master Cilghal immediately."
The Sullustan nodded and rushed over to help the man. As he and Jaden carried him towards the Jedi Temple, he said to his students, "Class dismissed. Go to Master Solusar for lightsaber training."
* * *
Saes Rrogon groggily awoke to find himself alone in the hyperdrive chamber. There was no sign of his former master. He moved to get up, but his body ached too much to even move. At that moment, a group of Massassi warriors rushed into the chamber and, upon seeing Saes' weakened form, moved to assist him.
"Captain, we have been looking all over for you!" the leader of the group said as he supported the Kaleesh Sith. "The bridge has been taken out. Colonel Dor and the rest are dead."
Saes growled. "Take me to the emergency bridge."
"But, my lord, your injuries-"
"Do as I say!" the fallen Jedi bellowed.
The Massassi complied with his orders and carried Saes to the emergency bridge, located on the Harbinger's lower levels. Once there, they gently lowered him into the command chair.
Looking out the viewport, Saes said, "Have we reached Kirrek?"
"Negative, captain," said a human officer. "We've reached an uncharted system beyond the Outer Rim instead."
Saes scowled. "Can we make the jump to Kirrek?"
"Negative. The hyperdrive is too damaged."
Saes cursed under his breath. "Set up the comm station then, and get into contact with the Dark Lord, or Lord Dakhan, or someone. We need to get these crystals transported."
"Yes, captain."
As the new bridge crew set to work, Saes continued to stare out the viewport. He swore that he would find his former master... and finish the job that he could not bring himself to.
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