CHAPTER NINE
--The Resurgent--
The sound of knees hitting the deck echoed across the bridge. All eyes turned to see Captain Redarn kneeling before Darth Taral, clawing at his throat as he struggled to breathe.
"I have no patience for disobedience, captain," the Dark Lord said. "I thought I had ordered you to destroy the ship."
"We-- we thought we had done--" Redarn choked as he tried to muster the words. "--a sufficient--job."
"That's another thing I can not tolerate," Taral said, tightening his hold on Redarn's neck. "Incompetence. I'm sorry, captain, but an example must be made so that others may learn from your mistake."
With the Force, Taral sealed off Redarn's windpipe completely and the captain crumpled to the floor, his eyes rolling up. Turning to the rest of the ship, Taral said, "Who is next in line of command?"
No one said anything at first. Then, with some reluctance, a bronze-skinned human female stepped up, arms behind her back as sweat trailed down her neck. "Lieutenant Mirska is, my lord."
"Is that right? How unfortunate, for he's presently in the medical bay for a... concussion." Taral eyed the rank insignia on the woman's uniform as he said, "What is your name, officer?"
"Lieutenant Nadine, my lord," she replied, swallowing. "I'm... I'm next in line of command."
"Well then, I suppose you will have to fulfill Captain Redarn's duties, at least until Lieutenant Mirska recovers." Taral started walking down the bridge, brushing past Nadine. "I'll leave things to you from here, captain. If you need me, I'll be in my quarters."
Everyone on the bridge watched as Taral walked away. Once he was gone, the crew looked to Nadine for her first orders. After taking a moment to gather herself, Nadine signaled to two Navy troopers.
"Please dispose of Captain Redarn here. I don't want him to stink up the bridge."
* * *
As Darth Taral made his way to his personal chamber, he heard his comlink chime. Hoping that he would get some good news before the day was over, he answered it.
"What is it?"
"This is Odan. I've found Serpriss."
Taral stopped dead in his tracks. Behind his mask, a grin started to form on his lips.
Oh, this was definitely going to be good.
--Mandalore--
"Benor? This is Goran. Do you copy? Benor, do you read me?"
No response came. Goran cursed under his breath. He stood outside the inn, staring out into the downpour of rain.
"I should have listened to you, Danjus," he said to the Pantoran standing nearby with the others. "If Kadar is right and this Benor is an impostor, then he could very well be a spy for Atinar."
"What do we do now?" Mirta asked. "If Atinar finds out about us, then his followers will be upon us in no time."
"Then we haven't got any time to lose," Danjus said. "We should get clear of here before they arrive."
"There's still the risk of being hunted, especially if he gives Atinar our names," Kadar pointed out. "There might not be any place on Mandalore to hide."
"Then we'll have to get off world," Orde said. "Should we go together or split up?"
"Split up," Medrit said, though he was looking at Goran as he said it. "It would be too risky if we all went on the same ship."
Goran nodded, looking deep in thought. "Right. We'll have to regroup on a different planet -- we'll figure that out once we're in the clear."
"Only one problem," Danjus grunted. "I don't have a ship. Neither does Mirta."
"My ship can hold up to eight," Kadar said. "You two can come with me."
"Then that takes care of that." Goran donned his helmet and started to set out, Medrit at his side. "Ret'uryce mhi, and k'oyaci," he said to the others in the Mandalorian tongue, uttering a phrase the others knew all too well.
Farewell and stay alive.
* * *
Starkiller winced as he was forced onto his knees. Kylo Ren stood behind him, the deactivated hilt of his lightsaber at the back of his neck. From where he sat, Atinar Cabur stared at him with cold dark eyes, flanked by Tral Vizsla and the rest of his commandos.
"So this is Benor Sardan," Atinar said coolly. "Funny; I could swear I've seen your face before."
Starkiller glared up at him. "And I had hoped I'd never see your ugly mug ever again."
Atinar let out a booming laugh, not unlike a Hutt's. "Ah, people always seem to find their humor when they're about to die."
"If he dies, it'll be because I allow it," Kylo Ren told the self-proclaimed Mandalore icily. "He is my responsibility and mine alone."
Atinar glowered at Kylo. "Watch where you step, Sith. As long as you're in my kingdom, you answer to--"
Suddenly, the blade of Kylo's saber was activated and it was pointed at Atinar. Vizsla and the commandos aimed their blasters at the Knight of Ren, who was unfazed. Starkiller could feel Kylo's seething rage, but he somehow managed to keep it out of his voice.
"I am not a Sith," Ren hissed. "Nor am I yours to command. This man is my prisoner and mine to kill if need be. His only use to you is his connection to his conspirators, and once he gives you their names, he will no longer be your burden. Are we clear on that?"
Atinar scowled. "You don't scare me."
"I said, are we clear on that?"
The two men stared at each other for a long, pressing moment. Eventually, Atinar broke off from the stare-down and signaled his commandos to lower their blasters.
"Crystal," the Mandalore muttered. Looking back down at Starkiller, he said, "Who are your fellow rebels?"
"I'll tell you nothing," Starkiller spat.
"Your loyalty to them is unwarranted. What could a Jedi like you possibly owe them?"
"I'll tell you nothing," he repeated, firmer and more defiantly.
Deactivating his saber, Kylo Ren knelt down before Starkiller, staring at him intently through his mask. "The names. You will give them to us now."
Starkiller stared back at him, eyes filled with spite. "Never."
Wordlessly, Kylo raised a hand to the ex-Sith's face and Starkiller immediately reacted with a flinch. Gritting his teeth, he refrained from screaming as he tried to resist the mind probe. However, every shield he put up was easily conquered by Ren and he let out a holler as the dark side user got the information he wanted from him.
Standing up, Kylo Ren turned back to Atinar. "Goran Beviin, Medrit Vasur, Mirta Gev, Orde Kaburn, Tessa Xash, Danjus Ghen, and Kadar."
Upon hearing the last name, Tral Vizsla visibly reacted, but remained silent, instead looking at Atinar with a questioning gaze. The Mandalore simply raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I figured Beviin would be among them," Atinar said. "This information is most useful indeed. And where were they gathered at?"
"Enceri."
"Interesting." Turning to Vizsla, Atinar said, "Take a group of your men to Enceri. Bring them back alive, if possible."
Vizsla nodded before leaving to carry out his orders. Atinar then looked at Kylo and Starkiller as he folded his arms.
"You were of great use to us, both of you. Send Darth Taral my regards; he certainly finds efficient workers."
Kylo Ren said nothing as he grabbed Starkiller and hauled him up to his feet, dragging him out of the room. Once they were outside and headed towards Ren's shuttle, Starkiller decided to ask the question that had been nagging at his mind since the beginning.
"What do you want from me? Why have you been keeping me alive this long?"
Kylo did not look at him when he answered. "I require your knowledge on Darth Vader."
"Why? What does Vader mean to you?"
Before Kylo could answer, they both heard a comlink buzz. The Knight of Ren picked it up and held it to his mask. "What is it?" he growled.
"Ren, I want you to return to the fleet," the voice on the other end said.
"I still have unfinished business here," Kylo Ren retorted.
"It can wait. We're heading for Ossus."
At this, both Kylo and Starkiller froze. "You mean...?"
"Yes. Valediction is about to begin."
END OF PART I
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