CHAPTER THREE
The clone of Kyle Katarn, who had since identified himself as Runner, led Jaden, Taana, and Natia through a maze of corridors, alarms blaring all around them. Despite this, Jaden noted that no stormtrooper had come to confront them yet.
As if reading his mind-- which he might as well have been-- Runner said, "Two-Blade and Hunter have armor-men under control. Ship is waiting outside."
"We can't leave without Senator Y'arn and the others," Taana said. "Do you know where they are?"
"No," Runner replied. "No time to save them. We must leave."
The Togruta Jedi Master narrowed her eyes. "The man you are a clone of would never abandon anyone."
Runner sneered. "Then I must be an improvement. If you wish to rescue them, do as you may. We came here only for Iteration."
Jaden glared at him. "My name is Jaden Korr, I'll have you know, and I'm not leaving without them either."
Runner stared at him incredulously and looked as if he was going to protest but was cut off by a sharp, emotionless voice.
"None of you are going anywhere."
The clone and the three Jedi turned to see three Imperial Knights standing down the corridor. The one who had spoken, a young man with curly black hair, stepped froward.
"I am Abrax Mal, son of Tares. If you wish to live, then you will come quietly with us."
"And if we don't?" Natia said scornfully.
Abrax shrugged. "Then you die."
Before either of the Jedi could act, Runner let out a horrible cry before charging towards the Imperial Knights, suddenly igniting a lightsaber. The moment he reached the trio, one of the Knights-- a dark-haired woman-- activated her own blade and swiftly cut down the clone. As the Jedi stared in shock at this merciless act, Abrax smiled mirthlessly.
"I'm sure you see the honesty behind our threat."
"Clearly," Jaden muttered as he and the others broke into a run.
* * *
The news had just broken out on the HoloNet: the negotiations were finished and the Alliance had succumbed to the Imperial Remnant's demands.
Disregarding the repercussions these results would no doubt have on the galaxy, Admiral Kre'fey gave the order: "Jam their sensors and send Rancor Squad down to retrieve the hostages."
In moments, an Alliance shuttle was heading down towards Bastion. Only time would tell whether it would ever return.
* * *
The three Jedi navigated the Imperial Citadel, taking multiple turbolifts to all the detention blocks, in search of Senator Y'arn and the other prisoners. Upon reaching their seventh stop, they found a squad of stormtroopers awaiting them.
"Three Jedi without their lightsabers," the lead trooper said snidely. "What good can they do?"
"You'll find out we're full of surprises." Jaden reached out with the Force and sent the stormtroopers flying into the wall. With them momentarily in a daze, the Jedi moved swiftly down the corridor, scanning the cells with the Force.
Eventually, Natia stopped before a cell door and opened it, revealing Senator Y'arn and Captain Yusan. She was about to speak to them when she realized that their eyes were unblinking, their faces devoid of life.
Seeing the grim sight for herself, Taana sucked in her breath. "Dead. Why would they do this?"
"Because your Alliance has left us no choice."
The Jedi followed the voice to a light-haired man standing at the end of the hallway, sporting Imperial Knight armor. Jaden recognized him as Scorpius, their captor.
Natia spun to face him, furious. "What are you talking about?"
Scorpius smirked. "When an Alliance cruiser was found in Bastion's orbit, Moff Teron was... not happy, to say the least. Thus, he ordered the prisoners' execution, so there would be no hostages for the Alliance to retrieve and thus no reason for them to be here."
A silver lightsaber blade appeared in his hand. "It would seem that my work is unfinished, however."
Jaden glowered at him. "What is the meaning of all this? The Remnant has been peaceful with the Alliance for over a decade. Why do you pick now to betray their trust?"
Scorpius' gray eyes flashed yellow and dread began to creep over Jaden. "Let us just say that higher powers than your government are at work here."
"The Sith," Natia spat.
"You're a bright young lady, aren't you?" Scorpius said coldly. "Anyway, whether you know of us or not is irrelevant. It shall go with you to the--"
The Imperial Knight was cut off by the ceiling falling right on top of him. Dropping down onto the pile of rubble was a male Shistavanen in Alliance trooper armor, accompanied by a female Sullustan. They looked down at their handiwork before giving each other a high-five.
"I guess explosives and sensitive ears go together well," the wolfman growled.
"What was that?" the Sullustan said. "My ears are still ringing."
Jaden smiled at the two troopers, recognizing them. "Sirul, Arila. Nice timely entrance there."
Sirul snorted. "You're welcome. Now let's get out of here before his friends come."
"Sound idea."
* * *
"Do you mean to tell me that an Alliance shuttle was able to pass right by our sensors without us knowing?!"
"Our sensors must have been jammed, sir," the young officer replied. "Otherwise, they would have picked it up."
Moff Teron ran a hand through his hair and turned to the other Moffs expectantly. To his surprise, they didn't look the slightest bit distraught.
"Let them go," said Moff Sarreti. "We've got what we wanted from the deal. Now we await further orders."
Teron huffed. "Very well. I take it we shall be... standing in for Verradun for the time being?"
"For now, yes," Lecersen said with a grin that unsettled Teron. "In time, however, we may find need of a new Emperor."
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