Chapter 4

Krokukonn took control of the ship and was able to steer it, so that it struck only a glancing blow to the ship’s side. They came to a full stop and peered out to see incoming soldiers, who were unsure what to make of the Jedi’s ship.

“Let’s do it,” said Jann as he and the others unhooked themselves.

***********************************

The crew aboard the Star Destroyer were approaching the ship with caution. It was not one of theirs, that much they knew. The soldiers kept their blasters pointed at the ship, unsure of where to aim. Then, as if to answer their question, a ramp opened to the outside. Only smoke, however, could be seen coming out. The soldiers turned to one another--more confused than before. Then, two blue blades and a red one were ignited in front of them. The terrified soldiers, realizing what they faced, began to fire without a command from their officer. But their salvos were quickly deflected back to them. Some of the soldiers fell instantly, while others dove for cover. In that instant, the three Jedi somersaulted out of the Star Flame and over their attackers. This drew the Sith soldiers’ fire, as they turned to face the Jedi.

Out of the ship, more blaster fire came out. The soldiers were suddenly caught in the middle of the fight. Between the Sirlaean’s fire and the Jedi’s attack, the Sith soldiers quickly fell. The Sirlaean soldiers quickly disembarked and began to spread out.

“We haven’t much time before they figure out who’s onboard,” said Jann as the three Jedi and Major Debal came together.

“Then I suggest we split,” said Debal. “Your mission differs from mine.”

“Fine,” replied Andari, “but I suggest one of us goes with you. The Force can be a quicker and more accurate guide than any sensor.”

“Well,” said Jann as he looked at his comrades, “think you can take on whatever number of Sith are up there by yourselves?”

Krokukkon roared a war cry. Jann smiled and said, “Okay. Major Debal, I’m your man. Let’s go!”

“Alright,” replied Debal as he and Jann turned to go. The young Jedi turned to face his companions and said, “May the Force be with you,” before running after the Sirlaean soldiers.

Krokukkon and Andari turned to one another and headed through another exit--letting the Force guide them to the Sith.

Darth Teegar turned to the emergency signal that had just gone up. He moved to one of the junior officers and asked, “What is the matter?”

“We have intruders inside the ship, milord,” replied the officer. “Possibly, even some Jedi Knights.”

Darth Teegar looked up. He did not like the battle to be raged inside his ship, but whoever was inside would have to be stopped. “General alert. All sectors...except for Lord Vassoran’s private chambers. Order whatever Sith Knights are on board to join the squadrons in searching the ship. I want them found. Now!”

“Yes, sir!” replied the officer and turned to make Darth Teegar’s orders into actions. Within moments, the general alert could be heard across the entire ship. The command deck’s blast doors came down--sealing them in.

Meanwhile, in Darth Vassoran’s ante-chamber, the general alert could be clearly heard. The other lords took immediate notice of it. Darth Ozz moved to the comm station and connected to Darth Teegar. “What is the matter, Lord Teegar?”

“We have been boarded by a party of unknown numbers,” replied Teegar. “There could be Jedi present in this party. I currently have all squadrons and present Sith Knights searching the entire ship.”

Belian and his cohorts quickly realized the value of the opportunity. “Have any and all squadrons in our sector removed to other sectors,” commanded Belian. Ozz turned to him in disbelief and a similar emotion could be read in the Mon Calamari’s face.

“We are lords of the Sith,” said Belian to the two of them. “If they approach this sector, we will easily detect them. Besides, do you wish to disturb Lord Vassoran with some petty search?”

Ozz turned to Teegar and said, “Have all sectors searched...except for this one. We do not think they’ll be so foolish as to openly attack us here.”

“But the Jedi...,” began to retort Darth Teegar.

“The Jedi we can deal with,” replied Lady J’Brar. “That is, if they are truly among the group.”

“Very well,” said Teegar and turned off the communication in disgust.

Jann and the Sirlaean soldiers were knifing through their opponents. The Sith’s squadrons kept pouring out of the doors, but Jann took the lead. He stepped in front of the Sith soldiers and deflected the shots back. Behind him, a few of the Sirlaean soldiers set themselves up and began to lay cover fire for the rest of their team to move through. They repeated this maneuver through various corridors till they reached a hallway that led to the center of the ship.

“Turn and faces us, Jedi coward,” was heard behind the attacking party. Jann--who knew the jab was aimed at him--turned back and faced six Sith knights. They stood in front of various soldiers who were aiming at him and at Debal’s men. The Major grabbed Jann by the shoulder and said, “We don’t have the time.”

Jann turned to the Major and smiled. Facing back the Sith knights, he casually used the Force to flip on the blast doors’ controls--closing the door. He then swung his lightsaber and hit the controls. “Let’s go,” said the Jedi. Outside, the Sith knights were trying to use their lightsabers to cut through the blast door. By the time they were through, Jann and the Sirlaean soldiers would be long gone.

Meanwhile, Andari and Krokukkon were cutting through the soldiers they faced. They could sense the Sith Lords’ presence--and the Kaiburr crystal--as being somewhere in the center of the ship. Soldiers came and went as quickly, but the Jedi did not stop. Eventually, they passed through a set of doors and the blast doors came down--stopping the Sith soldiers’ advance. The two Jedi Knights turned and realized that they were now all alone and that the Force was in turmoil where they were headed. Clearly, they thought, we are headed in the right direction.

They rushed through a set of open double-doors and, once again, the doors closed behind them. A rush through the Force made the Jedi turn and face a second set of doors that was opening. It revealed the four Sith lords that stood guard. Darth Belian. Darth Rahn. Darth Ozz. Lady J’Brar. Each one removed a lightsaber from their belts--Belian removing his from within a case, while Rahn had his hidden in the robes. They all ignited their lightsabers and assumed an offensive stance. The Jedi, in turn, lit their own sabers and assumed their own stances--ready for whatever could come.

The Sith lords split into pairs--J’Brar and Belian against Andari and Rahn and Ozz against Krokukkon. The Jedi moved to face their attackers and got ready for the onslaught. As one, the Sith lords moved and attacked the Jedi. Andari leaped above their heads and, as he landed, swung at their backs. Adea kept her forward movement, while Belian spun around and blocked the lightsaber. Krokukkon, at the same time as Andari leapt, took a step backwards and let Ozz and Rahn’s lightsabers miss their marks before kicking Ozz in the face with a hairy foot. That done, he swung at Rahn’s saber--trying to knock the Sith lord off his feet. However, Rahn didn’t budge. Krokukkon swung hard again, but Rahn did not move. When he looked down, he saw clamps extending out of Rahn’s metal feet that kept him in place. The Sith lord took advantage and delivered a heavy backhand to the Wookie--who flew five feet back. Ozz saw the vantage point and lunged for the Jedi, but Krokukkon was able to block the attack. He somersaulted from his lying position and reassumed a stance to fight his two opponents.

*

Jann and the soldiers reached a sector that seemed to be deserted of soldiers and Sith knights. One of the soldiers turned to the Jedi and asked what direction. Jann calmed himself for a moment, before saying with certainty, “Twenty paces through the east doors. Then another thirty and we’ll come up to the generator’s power controls.” The soldiers looked to one another, uneasy with the display of power the Jedi had so easily provided. Major Debal quickly got them moving with a yell, before turning towards Jann and saying, “Heh, rookies.” They ran after the soldiers.

*

Andari, Belian and Adea J’Brar had moved their fight into Vassoran’s ante-chamber. The room was incredibly big for a fight of this kind. Adea sought to take the Jedi Master down, but got punched in the face for her efforts. She reeled back and out of the fight. Andari then turned to face Belian, who simply had his lightsaber aimed at Andari. Then, out of nowhere, two blast shots came towards the Jedi. Andari blocked them, unsure of how Belian had done it. But before he could do anything else, he took the fight to Belian. Two swings after and they were facing each other--trying to overpower the other down. Again, blast shots came towards Andari. Using great strength, the Jedi blocked one shot with his own saber before powering Belian’s saber to block the other one. Andari finally took notice of Darth Belian’s lightsaber. At the sides of the edge of the hilt were two small blasters. Andari looked into the Sith lord’s eyes and saw only hate and rage.

Belian fired his saber’s blasters at Andari. Before long, the Jedi Master was forced to let Belian go. The Sith lord spun backwards and avoided a strike from Andari’s saber. Adea J’Brar had finally come to. Enraged, she charged the Jedi, who had to back down a step to compensate for the fury of the attack.

*

The other party finally reached the power core’s controls, where they had another small skirmish. However, with all of the squadrons pulled to look for them, no one that could put up a decent fight was present. The controls were taken by the Sirlaean soldiers, who set about overloading the power core.

“If just overload the core, then command and control will surely notice and manually override it,” said one of the soldiers.

“That’s why,” replied Major Debal as he lifted something out of the backpack of another soldier, “we are are going to blow it up too. Now, here, help us out with the explosives.”

Jann, meanwhile, took a look up high towards the tall power core. Spires of blue and yellow light danced in both directions. He looked down and saw the core continue for several floors down. This was a new design. His time at the Jedi library during his studies was not in vain. He could recognize the differences from the classic Destroyer to this one. Then, a tug from the Force moved his eyes back up. He felt a presence there--something mean and ugly and evil. But there was something else he felt, something he had been nearby. The Jedi turned to the Major and asked, “Do you have any hook and cables?”

The Major looked from his bomb and asked, “Why? Anything wrong?”

“No,” replied Jann, “not yet at least. I want to do some investigating. That’s all.”

“Don’t stray too far,” replied Debal as he handed the Jedi a hook with launcher and cable. He watched the young knight aim the hook upwards and launch it. The thing went up some thirty feet before digging itself into some ceiling.

“Be right back,” said the Jedi, before releasing and getting pulled up.

In his chambers, Lord Vassoran was deep in meditation. His expression was one of stony quiet. In reality, his mind was traveling across the battle that was raged outside. He had touched only a few officers’ minds and none had any information of real value. However, he had touched enough to know the identity of the one person who would know--a man they called General Iffris. He also knew that this general commanded a ship called the Victory. There would be no victory here for him, though. The Dark Lord eventually reached the mind of Iffris’ second-in-command. Through his eyes, he saw Iffris himself--an old man at barely sixty. He lept into Iffris’ mind and began to rumage for the battle information. Then, through the Kaiburr crystal, he felt a presence. Someone who shouldn’t be here was. As he pulled out of Iffris’ mind, he realized that he somehow knew of his uncensored visit--Iffris had expected it. But who could have told him? Lord Vassoran finally realized what the presence had been that had disturbed him earlier--a Jedi was aboard! And he was approaching him.

Jann carefully moved closer to the door and peered to see if anyone was waiting to ambush him. Seeing no one, the Jedi forced the issue and entered. As he walked down this passageway, the door behind him closed and one to his right opened. Sensing that presence in the Force, the Jedi removed the lightstaff from his belt and passed through.

At the other end of the oval room, stood a black figure of eight feet tall. The face was ghastly white and had several spines at the base of the strong chin. The eyes could not be told as the figure was too far away. But the tug he had felt in the Force was easily explained. The figure held in its left hand the Kaiburr crystal.

“Whoever you are,” spoke the figure, “know that you are about to die at the hands of Darth Vassoran, Dark Lord of the Sith, sworn enemy of all Jedi.” With this, the figure pulled a large lightsaber hilt from his belt and held it in his right hand without igniting it.

The young knight, however, was not intimidated. “Well then, Darth Vassoran, know that I am Jann Duvey, firstborn of the House of Rexor, Knight of the Jedi Order. And I don’t scare away from would-be goons.” With that, the young knight positioned himself and ignited both ends of the lightstaff.

“Where did you get that?” demanded the Dark Lord.

“I took it off a foe I defeated in Bothawui,” replied the Jedi.

“So you were the one who killed Dhomo Izzeini,” said Vassoran with some malice. “He was my finest student and would have replaced Belian in my Sith Council. Add that to the scores I will settle today by killing you.” That said, the Dark Lord placed the Kaiburr crystal inside a pouch on the left side of his belt. He took his lightsaber with both hands before igniting a blade of pure black light. The blade itself was almost as big as Jann himself.

The two warriors stood there--sizing each other up. Then, they both leapt to the center of the room. Vassoran swung his mighty saber at Jann, but the Jedi changed his leap into a somersault in mid flight. He spun around and swung his saber at Vassoran, but the Dark Lord blocked it with lightning speed.

Rahn had backed away from the fight and now hugged a wall. Andari still faced Belian and J’Brar, but only Ozz faced the Wookie. Using this moment to his advantage, Rahn punched several codes into a controller in his arm. The lift next to him opened. He jumped inside of it and transmitted a signal to the Sith advance ship to prepare to depart. Within two seconds of opening the door, Belian and Adea backflipped twice to duck Andari’s attack and passed through the door. Darth Ozz turned just in time to see his comrades close the door and leave him alone to face two Jedi.

With the battle suddenly in their favor, Andari turned to attack Ozz. But he felt a disturbance in the Force. Someone he knew was about to die. The Master turned to Krokukkon and yelled, “Can you deal with him?”

The Wookie roared between thrusts and roared his consent to Andari to press ahead. The older Jedi nodded and opened the chambers doors before passing through.

The three Sith lords turned to one another in the lift. Their fates were sealed, regardless of how the battle ended. If Vassoran won, he would track them down to kill them. If Vassoran lost, they would be in position to be the new leadership of the Sith.

“I’ve sent signal to the ship to prep for departure,” said Rahn.

“Excellent,” replied Belian. “The pilots are the same who brought me here and I’ve ensured the allegiance of all who leave with us.”

They reached the docking bays and passed through the confused and battle-weary pilots to the Sith advance ship. Their ramp was pulled up and the ship turned to leave--but the doors were shut. They needed to leave before they were found. Adea J’Brar went up to the pilot’s consoles and punched in the codes to open the bay doors. Once they were open, Belian ordered, “Fire at the doors.”

“What, sir?” replied the gunner, unsure of what he had heard.

“Do it,” said Rahn, realizing this would give Sirla’s forces an opening into the ship. The gunner did as was told and the Sith advance ship escaped the Star Destroyer. A few moments later, they jumped to lightspeed.

*

Their actions, however, did not go unnoticed. The Star Destroyer’s command center immediately noticed the code input as well as the attack from the inside. Darth Teegar recognized the ship as it sped out of their fire and out of battle.

“Damn those fools!” said the Sith lord. “Order all squadrons to move into the sectors that have not been searched. Belian and his cohorts will rue this day!”

**

Andari had made it just in time to save young Jann. Though he was strong, he was no match for a Dark Lord of the Sith. Much less one who possessed the power of the Kaiburr crystal. Jann had put up a good fight, swinging his lightstaff to and fro. Darth Vassoran had, however, blocked every lunge and attack. He had gotten the young Jedi on his knees and, soon, his back. With a sweep, the lightstaff flew from Jann’s hands. Unable to defend himself, Jann watched as Vassoran brought his dark lightsaber above his head and was swinging when a blue saber blocked the killing blow. Vassoran turned to face an enraged Master Andari. The full rage of Vassoran’s attack matched Andari’s own attack. The two masters traded swings and blocks, but Vassoran had the Kaiburr crystal and was able to overpower Andari. The Jedi Master was forced back and almost went through a destroyed window that gave way to the power core. Only Jann, who had been able to retrieve his lightstaff, was able to prevent Andari’s fall. He tried to take on Vassoran, but was forced back.

“Two Jedi and you cannot beat me,” roared Vassoran.

The two Jedi looked at one another. Jann yelled, “Do you know Condi’s spin?”

Andari smiled, “I invented it.”

“Well, then,” replied Jann, “you go up top and I’ll go bottom.”

The two Jedi then leapt for Vassoran. Andari got there a second earlier and swung high at Vassoran. The Dark Lord easily blocked the attack and swatted the Jedi away. But, in the second his mind was away, Jann had struck low and hit the pouch where the Kaiburr crystal lied. The red orb fell with a clang and began to roll away towards the abyss of the power core. Vassoran yelled and tried to lunge for it, but was held back by Andari. Jann did go after the orb, catching it just before it fell over the edge.

Holding it in his hands, the young Jedi felt the power surge out of the crystal and into him. But it was nothing like the Force he had always been in tune with. It was colder, desolate and dangerous. He felt his entire body begin to absorb the power of the crystal. He tried to move himself, but no muscle responded to his commands. His eyes remained fixed on the ever-glowing red orb. He tried to call for help, but no cry came.

Meanwhile, Andari was overpowering a much debilitated Darth Vassoran. The sudden power drain had sucked the wind out of the Dark Lord. He was reduced to backing from the Jedi Master’s onslaught. However, he did not watch his surroundings and, suddenly, fell from the ledge and down the power core. Andari took no time to celebrate his victory. He ran over to his transfixed comrade. Sensing someone approaching, he turned to face Krokukkon.

“Are you alright?” asked Andari. The Wookie roared his reply.

“Good,” replied Andari, “help me with Jann.”

The Wookie pulled on his friend, while Andari took the Kaiburr crystal from his hands. He felt the power surge and used his training to prevent the Force from rushing.

“It’s full of the Dark Side,” said Andari. “The crystal has been swayed by the long use of that Sith lord.” Looking at the exhausted Jann and Krokukkon, he asked, “Can you get him out of here?” The Wookie roared yes.

“Good,” said Andari. He flipped on Jann’s communicator. “Major Debal, are you finished.”

“Yes,” yelled the officer at the comm system. “But we were attacked by heavy fire and the triggers were all pulverized. The bombs will not function.” Blaster shots were heard in the back and the Major swore. “If you guys got any sort of ideas, I’m all ears.”

Andari looked again at the young knights at his feet and spoke into the communicator, “I have one. Clear all your men out of here as far as you can. Get back to the ship. We’ll be there shortly.”

“Aye sir,” replied Debal. The line went out.

Jann was coming to when Andari ordered Krokukkon, “Get yourselves out of here. There’s something I have to do.”

“Wait,” moaned Jann, “we’ll come with you.”

“No,” replied Andari. “This is why I came with you and why I asked to stay on Sirla. I came here to die.”

“But wait,” tried to say Jann. Andari turned to Krokukkon and said, “Go. May the Force be with you both.” The Jedi Master turned around and walked through the ledge. The Wookie saw him jump into one of the walkways leading to the power core. He saw no more. Picking up his wounded friend, he turned away and ran.

Andari’s strength and concentration was completely focused on the Kaiburr crystal. He was trying to prevent the crystal from overpowering him. Due to it’s long exposure to the Dark Lord’s powers, the crystal was now filled to its brim with the power of the Dark Side. It had nearly overpowered Jann and was trying to do the same to him. So he held it at a distance with the Force. He knew that a surge of the Light Side would immediately cause an explosive reaction. Perfect for his task at hand.

He was in front of the power core. The silicane towers rose up and down--controlling the immense power of the ship. At the center, was a beam of pure light. Bracing himself, Andari passed through and entered. Once he was in far enough, he began to imbue the Kaiburr crystal with his own strength. His robes turned white, while his silver hair turned to light. The power and pain overwhelmed him.

“Mar-!,”yelled Andari, before an explosion of lights consumed him.

The explosion was magnificent. It snaked and swiveled up and down the core’s tubes and towards the Sirlaean explosives. Reaching them, an even more magnificent explosion took place. Lights sprinkled everything and sparks showered the controls--all before the world seemed to dissapear in a ball. The controls were destroyed and like a wave of fire, it consumed everything around it with great speed.

The two Jedi reached the Star Flame as the first explosion was taking place. Major Debal and his men were already there, trading fire with various Sith soldiers. Debal, taking a look at the dazed Jann, asked, “Where’s Andari?"

Krokukkon roared and explained Andari’s plan. Feeling the second explosion, they understood what it meant. All of the warriors ran into the ship and strapped themselves in. The Wookie placed his comrade on a chair and buckled him in. Then, when he sat down, he noticed the open bay doors. The Star Flame roze from its landing spot and began to speed towards the bay doors--white, hot, flame right behind it.

*

Darth Teegar had been caught unawares of the first explosion. He had immediately sent people and droids to take care of the problem, but they had gone off the line. He was quickly realizing that the battle was being lost and was attempting to save as much of his armada as possible. Then, without warning, the steel floor gave to one of fire. They were quickly destroyed. With his last thought, Darth Teegar cursed Belian and his cohorts. They had been so close.

*

General Iffris, from the Victory, saw the inevitable truth that they would win the day. Heavy loses abounded, but they had beaten the enemy. Then, explosions from the Star Destroyer signaled that Major Debal and the Jedi had succeded in their task. But he did not know if they had made it out in time. From the bottom of the exploding ship, he saw a small ship speeding away from it.

“Lieutenant,” asked the General. “Identify that craft leaving the Star Destroyer.”

“Sir,” replied the lieutenant a moment later, “it’s the Jedi’s ship, the Star Flame.”

“Order all our ships to mop up the rest of the stragglers,” ordered the General. “And allow the Star Flame to dock as soon as possible. We have won.”

****************

It was a few days later before Jann could get up. He had spent the majority of them walking around the lake that resided next to Manao. All he could think of was the Jedi Master Andari Effenli and how he had selflessly given his life to end a danger to about 5 billion people.

“That’s what it means to be a Jedi,” said a familiar voice behind Jann. The young Jedi did not need to turn to know it was his teacher, Master Ulric Tronos. “I thought you said you’d never look into the minds of your students,” mockingly chided the younger man.

“Well,” replied Ulric, “exceptions will be made as it is necessary. I got Krokukkon’s report of the events aboard the Sith Star Destroyer. And forces were sent to Concord Red and they destroyed the Sith space station. But I’m still wondering if everything is right with you.”

“I don’t know sir,” replied Jann. “I keep thinking of how that crystal was calling out to me. How it was quietly telling me to kill and destroy and how close I came to falling for it. It was so intense--so much power to do with as you please.”

“The Kaiburr crystal is a bit of a trap,” agreed Ulric. “Immense power is its promise. Unfortunately, we are not designed to handle such power. It eventually drives us all to madness.”

“And then, Andari’s sacrifice,” said Jann. “He said he came here to die. How could he have known?”

“It appears he foresaw that this mission a while back,” replied Ulric. “He probably thought that, by staying here, he’d be able to die at the hands of those Sith knights. Then, to do such a thing aboard that ship....He lived a long life. Let’s hope he’s found peace.”

“Master,” asked Jann, “was Andari Effenli his real name?”

“What do you mean, Jann?” replied Ulric, with an effort to not let the lie show.

“I checked through the records while I recuperated,” said Jann. “I found no records of any Jedi--Master or otherwise--named Andari Effenli.”

“Nor would you find any, I’m sure,” admitted Ulric. “But his true name cannot be revealed to you. At least, not yet. Just be happy you met him and had a chance to learn from him.”

Major Debal quietly came up behind the Jedi. He made a small sound to reveal his presence and said, “I’m sorry to interrupt you, but the Consuls have requested your presence. The celebration is about to begin.”

“Very well, Major,” replied Ulric as he turned to face him. “Lead the way.”

“Excuse me, Major,” asked Jann. “How deep is this lake? I’ve been coming here for a while and I can’t figure it out.”

“It’s over 400 miles deep,” answered Debal. “Long way down. Now come on.”

The two elder men turned to leave and Jann followed them when, all of a sudden, he noticed a shiny object. He moved through the foilage and picked up, to his total amazement, the Kaiburr crystal. It no longer glowed in fire-red, but rather a soft pink glow. Jann turned to his companions, but they were too far away over the hill. The young Jedi picked up the crystal. It had probably fallen from the sky after the explosion. But there was something different in the crystal. Instead of feeling vicious and dangerous, it felt calm and soothing. Jann immediately sensed a piece of Andari in the crystal. His first emotion was to take the crystal with him and show to all. But then he remembered Ulric’s words.

“‘We are not designed to handle such power,’” echoed Jann as he looked down at the crystal. He began to speak to it. “You are power, but too much of it. I cannot handle you nor do I think any of us. At least, not yet. That is why those first Jedi broke you into pieces. To make sure no one would ever have your full power. So I won’t deny their wisdom.”

The young man looked over the lake and remembered that it was 400 miles deep. Without a second thought, he threw the crystal as far as he could--plopping into the lake and quickly dissapearing from view.

“By the time anyone finds you, we’ll hopefully be ready to handle your power,” Jann said as he turned around and began to run up the hill that his companions had gone up. He hoped his words would ring true.

*END************************

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