Chapter 3
An IMPERIAL Star Destroyer? asked a startled Ulric. “From the Old Empire? How is that possible?”
“It doesn’t seem the same as the old models,” said Andari. “There have been some changes made to this ship.”
“But that shouldn’t matter,” asked Debal. “After all, it’s ancient technology. No amount of upgrades can overcompensate for outdated weapons. It’ll be like fighting a blaster with a stick.”
“I’ve seen that done, Major, and rather admirably,” replied Andari. “Let’s see what else we can learn. Jann, is there any way your scanners can get closer to the ship.”
“Hold on...”said Jann. “I’m at full power. You’re getting everything we can get while still being away from their sensors.”
“Wait a moment,” said Debal to the Jedi in the monitor. “Where are they all turning to?”
“I don’t know,” replied Jann. “Krokukonn, see if the bug droid is still sending a signal.”
A roar was heard, followed by several seconds of activity. Then the Wookie roared his reply.
“What?” said Jann before turning to the screen. “It seems the spaceship where the bug droid is implanted is not being activated. It’s on some hangar.”
“So, what can we do?” asked Ulric.
“Well,” replied Jann. “not much. The droid sends a strong signal when it is in the control centers of an activated ship. When the ship is on dry dock, the droid sends a weaker signal--to conserve power. While we can see what the ship’s destination is if the bug is activated, we can only follow the trace signal left by the droid when the ship is not flying anywhere.”
“So you plan to follow this armada?” asked Medha.
“Yes, Your Highness,” replied Jann. “That’s about as much as we can do. Hold on,” he said as the ship’s began to move away from the station. “They seem to be headed away from us.”
The Jedi observed as the armada flew away from them and into hyperspace.
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The Sith lords, meanwhile, had moved their command to the modified Star Destroyer. On a great hall with windows open to reveal the vast emptyness of space, the lords stood about, while their master sat on a throne-like chair at the center of the room. Even here, however, the questions abounded.
“Lord Vassoran,” asked Belian. “Perhaps, you’ll care to inform us as to why an ancient relic will help in our crusade against the Republic and the Jedi?”
The Dark Lord smiled and looked at his apprentice. “Darth Belian, you fail to see the reasons even when you state them. We want everyone to think this wonderfully dangerous ship is nothing more than the ‘ancient relic’ you consider it to be.”
“But milord,” asked Darth Rahn, “where did you get the resources and the plans for this?”
“The resources,” replied Vassoran. “will remain hidden from all save me for the moment. As for the plans, those are no secret. As Darth Belian so clearly stated, this is a ship that should be left in some ancient museum--if one could hold it with the modifications we’ve done.”
All the lords looked at one another before Adea J’Brar asked, “What modifications, milord?”
“Those will remain my secret for a while longer, Lady J’Brar,” said Vassoran as flipped on a comm switch. “Lord Teegar, how far away are we from the Jomosh system?”
“We’ll be there within the hour, milord,” replied the Mon Calamari. “The test’s targets are all in place.”
“Excellent, Lord Teegar,” replied Vassoran, before shutting off the comm system. “All your questions will finally be answered soon.”
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Stepping out of Vassoran’s hall, Darths Belian and Rahn took a small walk into a private chamber.
“You see, don’t you, Lord Rahn?” asked Belian.
“Yes, Lord Belian,” replied Kodean Mae Rahn. “Darth Vassoran has gone mad. This ship is a symbol for the path he wishes the Sith to follow. I do not know if this is a path we should follow.”
“It is a path that will lead to our destruction and we cannot allow that,” said Belian as he turned to the window that showed hyperspace. “No matter how great his plans may be, Darth Vassoran will bring the Jedi’s eyes and power on top of us. An open conflict is not the proper way to destroy them. If nothing, the past tells us that open conflicts eventually go the Jedi’s way.”
“So, what shall we do?” asked Adea J’Brar as she stepped through the doors.
Both Belian and Rahn turned to face her--not knowing what she could want or how much she had heard. They quietly moved their hands to their lightsabers.
“You may relax. I did not come here to battle you,” said J’Brar. “However, I heard your conversation. What you speak of is heresy. Vassoran will not allow you to move against him.”
“We need not do such a thing,” said Rahn. This, in turn, got the attention of his comrades.
“Can we count with your aid, Lady J’Brar?” asked Belian.
“Of course,” said Adea.
“Then speak, Lord Rahn,” said Belian.
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“Alright,” exclaimed Jann, “the trace signal is working. We have a vector coming on to the Ottanei sector.” After a few seconds, the Jedi said, “Got it. The Jomosh system.”
“The Jomosh system?” asked Major Debal. “Never heard of it.”
“Neither have I,” replied Ulric. “What do the nav computer’s say?”
Krokukonn roared his reply.
“Uninhabited?” replied Jann. “Why are the Sith jumping from one system with no one on it to another?”
“One sure way to find out,” said Theda over the speaker.
“I concur, Your Highness,” said Ulric. “Are you up for it, Jann?”
“Course is plotted,” replied Jann. “Let’s just hope they don’t discover us. There’s our signal. We’ll leave a buoy to mark this station and follow the ships.”
“Very well,” said Ulric. “Proceed and may the Force be with you.”
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The Sith armada came out of hyperspace to the Jomosh system. There were only three planets circling a red sun. In the universe’s distribution of planets, this one system had gotten the short end. Only one of the three planets--the middle one--sustained any kind of atmosphere. The others had been either too close or too small to sustain one. However, Jomosh II was home to the most primitive of life forms. Small vegetation and animals--nothing that would stand and turn on a sensor, a planetary defense system or send a warship.
“We are now in front of Jomosh II, milord,” said Darth Teegar. “We await your orders.”
Darth Vassoran swiveled in his throne and flipped a switch. A canopy opened to reveal the small world that the Sith now faced. The smaller ships flew around the remodeled Star Destroyer, but moved away from its front.
“Very well, Lord Teegar,” replied Vassoran. “Proceed.” He turned to his other lords--Belian, Rahn, Ozz and J’Brar--and spoke. “You wished to know what new changes had I brought to this ‘relic’ and now you shall. Look at the planet.”
The eyes of the Sith Council turned to the bluish planet before them. However, their sight was soon drawn to the bow of the ship, where an increase in light could be seen. They noticed that the very tip of the ship was no longer there. Eventually, the light rose to a point before it shot into the planet--hitting it and spreading around the atmosphere. The Star Destroyer kept pouring power for a few moments before shutting off.
However, the planet seem to catch on fire. The fire spread around the entire planet’s atmosphere--burning bright and dangerously. After a few tense moments, Vassoran spoke, “Look to the monitors now, my lords.”
They turned to the monitors that had appeared in the vast hall and noticed that a probe-droid had been sent into the planet. The fire no longer spread around the planet. Rather now it was burning and crackling straight down to the planet’s surface. Plumes of fire rained down into the vegetation and the life--destroying everything in sight. Their show was suddenly cut off by the droid’s destruction.
“You see, don’t you?” asked Vassoran to his astonished audience. “The sheer power and the fear that it will spread across the galaxy. The Sith will be a power once again!”
“Milord,” retorted Belian, “how is the destruction of an underpopulated world out on the fringe of space going to cause fear to spread across the galaxy? This new weapon requires a real challenge.”
“A challenge, Lord Belian?” asked Vassoran in amusement. He looked around at his underlings and felt the smile widen in his face. “Lord Teegar, do you think the armada is ready for ‘a real challenge’?”
“Absolutely milord,” replied Darth Teegar. “Give them the chance and they shall prove their readiness.”
Vassoran turned to Belian before saying, “Well, Darth Belian? Pick the target.”
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The Star Flame had arrived in time to see the Star Destroyer’s light show. Through their sensors, the audiences in Sirla and Coruscant had watched in horror the destruction of Jomosh II.
“How can we stop that?” asked an astonished Medha.
“I don’t know if we can,” replied Ulric. “Are your sensors reading the level of damage, Jann?”
“It’s total, master,” replied Jann. “Jomosh II will soon be a lifeless rock, drifting forever out here.”
Krokukkon turned to his companion and roared three times.
“What?” was Jann’s reply.
The Wookie flipped on several switches and showed his partner. Jann could not believe his eyes.
“What’s wrong, Jann?” asked Andari.
“The bug droid has come back online,” replied Jann. “It’s about to--there, it’s jumping to hyperspace.”
“So, you will be able to know where it is going, won’t you?” asked Theda.
“Yes, ma’am,” replied Jann. “It is just came onto our screens. The ship--the whole fleet--is heading right for Sirla.”
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In the Sith advance ship, Darth Belian and Darth Ozz stood at the deck. Belian’s choice of a target could not have been more perfect. He knew that Vassoran would be easy to press to attack Sirla. Not only for the precious silicane that the planet stored--the same silicane that made his new, improved, Star Destroyer possible. Add to that the humiliating defeats he had recently been inflicted and it was incredible that Vassoran had not yet attacked the planet.
Darth Ozz caught Belian’s smirk and turned to him. “I expect you are not leading our lord into an ambush.”
Belian replied, “No such thing. The Sirlaeans expect nothing. They will be caught unawares by our attack.”
“If this is some kind of trap, Belian,” said Ozz turning, “know that I will make sure you do not leave Sirla alive.”
Belian turned to Ozz, rage clearly in his eyes. However, he bit his tongue and returned his attention to the comings and goings on the command deck. Nevertheless, Belian mentally noted Ozz as an enemy now.
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As the old adage says, even the biggest animal will miss the smallest mosquito. Such was the case with the Sith advance ship. With the preparations taking place onboard, no one noticed the relatively smaller Star Flame slip ahead of them and speed towards Sirla.
Krokukkon looked up from the Flame’s controls to his partner and roared. Jann replied, “I saw it. Not much we can do here. Just hope they’ll be able to muster some defense back on Sirla.”
The Wookie roared in agreement and returned to the controls of the ship. They both clearly felt an uneasiness. It was the kind that was accompanied with death.
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The Star Flame came out of hyperspace to Sirla’s system and to the sight of about a thousand fighters, support and capital ships. Had it not been for Krokukkon’s quick reflexes, their ship would have crashed into one of the faster fighters sent to check in on them. As soon as they were identified, the fighters broke and allowed them to pass. They were directed to the main ship--one almost as large as the Star Destroyer had been--named Victory. There they docked and stepped down.
“Are you alright?” asked Andari as he approached them.
“We’ve been better,” replied Jann before turning to a coming party made of the Sirlaean consuls, Major Debal and other military personel. “It’s coming.”
Theda turned to one ranking official and introduced him, “This is General Iffris, Commander of Sirla’s forces.”
The general stepped forward and asked, “What is your assesment of their forces?”
“Dangerous,” replied Jann. “I’d say about twelve capital ships, with double that in support vessels. We only saw a few fighters, so I cannot say what their number is. However, the biggest concern should be that Star Destroyer.”
“I concur,” said Iffris. “Their main battle plan will be to knock out our forces, drive between them and line up their Star Destroyer for a shot at Sirla.”
“There’s over 5 billion people living in our world, General,” replied Medha. “I need not say that this is something that must be stopped.”
The Jedi dropped back from their conversation and began to speak by themselves. “Add to that the fact that the Sith now possess the Kaiburr crystal,” said Jann. “That could come into play here.”
“How?” asked Major Debal, turning to the Jedi. “How can this mystical crystal help them?”
“Force-users are able to enter other’s minds and read their thoughts,” answered Andari. “We Jedi restrict from using this trick, except in the most dire of situations. The Sith have no compunctions about using it though.”
Krokukkon then roared the conclusion of Andari’s train of thought. With the Kaiburr crystal in hand, a Sith lord could conceivably stretch his powers across empty space and pluck out the needed information from any soldier or officer that he may need to destroy the defenses.
The Sirlaeans turned to one another, even more unsure of how to stop the coming darkness. Jann, however, turned to his partner and said a few things to his ear that made the Wookie roar in laughter.
“Care to tell us what is so amusing?” asked General Iffris.
“I just reminded my friend here,” replied Jann, “of my solution to a similar situation we recently faced in Bespin. The same can be done here.”
“Which is?” asked Debal.
“We’ll board the Star Destroyer and take the Kaiburr crystal away from the Sith,” said Jann. “That’ll ensure whatever our plans are from being discovered.”
“Wait,” said Iffris. “You two against the platoons of soldiers that thing is going to be packing? That’s suicide.”
“No, it’s actually a good idea,” replied Andari. “They’ll never think we would take the fight to them and could be caught unawares.”
“Well, if you’re going,” said Major Debal, “I’d like to take a group of soldiers along. We could place bombs in that thing and make sure that it is destroyed.”
“I’d warn against it,” said Theda. “How are you even going to get onto that ship? The schematics you sent back show docking ports that are heavily guarded and closed at most times. You won’t be able to get onboard.”
“That, Your Highness,” replied Jann, “is where my little trick comes into play.”
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The Sith armada came out of hyperspace to a waiting fleet. Thanks to their advance ship, however, they knew the weakest spot was the left flank. So, as soon as they came out of hyperspace, the ships received their coordinates and began to move to that position. The capital ships released hundreds of small fighters to attack the fleet and cover their move. Sirla’s fighters in turn, began to drive through the Sith’s fighters.
Darth Vassoran stood on the command deck and gave the order for total destruction of Sirla’s defenses. They would remain there until there was no more Sirla. That said, he left the command deck in charge of Darth Teegar. He entered the ante-room to his private chambers, where the rest of the Sith Council awaited him.
“I will use the Kaiburr crystal to try and penetrate the Sirlaean’s command staff’s minds,” he said. “Make sure no one disturbs me.”
The Sith lords bowed before Vassoran as he left them and entered his chambers. As the doors closed, Belian threw a glance at Vassoran. Darth Ozz saw this and gave Belian and equally hateful glance. Rahn and J’Brar looked at them and one another, knowing that the endgame drew near.
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Standing in the command deck of the Victory, General Iffris sighed. He knew his troops were untested and had never seen true combat. He hoped the forces they had asked from neighboring sectors would be enough.
And that the Jedi’s plan would work and work soon.
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As the Sith armada turned towards the left flank of Sirla’s forces, the Star Flame sat quietly behind the Star Destroyer. Even Major Debal was amazed at the amazing ship the Jedi had been equipped with.
“How come none of this technology is available?” asked Debal to Jann.
“Private deals with various companies,” replied the young Jedi. “Remember the Jedi are a hundred thousand strong with a wide variety of species in our order. We can be a very lucrative client for all sorts of people. One of the requirements needed to work with the Jedi is total silence on the...special features our technology possesses.”
“Oh,” replied the Major. “So, do you think your plan will work?”
“Well, the trick worked once before,” replied Jann. “I see no reason for it not to work here. Though you may want to warn your men that they’ll feel uneasy and disoriented for a few minutes.”
Krokukkon then turned to the Major and roared that it was time. The Major understood and went to the back to warn his men about the disorientation. Andari took his seat and strapped himself down. Jann turned to him and asked, “So, Andari, care to tell me why you forced Master Ulric’s hand and asked to remain on Sirla?”
“Questioning me, young Jedi?” asked Andari.
“Not really,” replied Jann, “but you still did not answer my question.”
“I had my reasons,” answered Andari.
“Again, you didn’t answer the question,” pressed Jann. His partner turned with a questioning look in his eyes. Where was Jann going with this?
“Yes, I did,” said Andari. “Perhaps not the answer you wanted, but the one you are going to get. Focus on the task at hand.”
Jann wanted to continue pressing the matter, but Major Debal came back to the cockpit and strapped himself on the seat behind Krokukkon. This ended Jann’s questions--for the moment.
“So, how are you going to do this?” asked Debal.
“Well, we know we can’t take them head on,” replied Jann. “So, what we’ll do is be where they are about to be.”
“I...I don’t follow,” said Debal looking at Andari and the other Jedi.
“There’s a reason I asked General Iffris to give the left flank to the Sith,” began Jann to reply as he and his partner made final calculations and preparations. “The Star Destroyer is following their fighters and ships in the same direction. If we know where they are, we can plan to be there before they get there.”
“How?” asked Andari before Debal could ask.
“By jumping to lightspeed to that spot,” replied Jann matter-of-factly.
“That’s not possible!” exclaimed Debal. “You’re going to ram that Star Destroyer and get us all killed!”
“Not necessarily, Major,” replied Jann. “If we get the calculations to the second, we can, for all purposes, jump right where they are. But it’s going to be tricky. Ready, Krokukkon?”
The Wookie roared his agreement and punched up the last calculations.
“You said this worked before, right?” asked Major Debal, trying to find some silver lining.
“Yes,” replied Jann. “We were able to board a Pirate Battlecruiser. Problem was getting out though.”
“Why?” asked Debal.
“We repeated the trick to leave the Pirate’s ship and ended up going through one of Bespin’s main cruisers,” said Jann, trying not to laugh. “Man, were they annoyed at that.” Regaining his composure, he asked, “Everyone set?”
Debal looked at the Jedi, unsure of this plan. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the sort of man to back down from his duty. So, he sat back and said, “Ready.” Andari said the same.
“Alright,” said Jann as he put his hand on the hyperdrive controls. Rather than the old levers, the Flame used a panel of sliding controls. The young Jedi looked up and waited for the Wookie’s signal. His eyes never leaving the Star Destroyer.
Krokukkon heard the computer’s beeping and roared. Jann pushed his controls upwards and the stars became starlines. The ship entered lightspeed, but quickly began to buckle at the strain. Basically, the ship was being asked to jump to lightspeed, then stop on a dime a short distance later. The pressure placed on the ship’s occupants was tremendous. Most let out the air in their lungs and a few of the soldiers began to scream in pain. The Jedi, however, were able to stand most of it thanks to their training.
In what seemed an eternity, a louder blaring was heard. Jann quickly moved and shut off the hyperdrive. A blast of light appeared before them and they suddenly found themselves streaking past various docked ships. Debal pointed in front of them and yelled, “Watch out!” A wall was quickly looming in front of them.