Young Jedi Knights_ Jedi Under Siege Part 2

She felt that his commitment to the dark side wasn't strong enough, that he was blinded by his former friends.h.i.+p with the Jedi twins, Jacen and Jaina Solo.

Zekk had been trained as the prize student of Lord Brakiss, and had defeated the Nightsister's own prot6g6 Vilas in a duel to the death. By winning the duel, Zekk had gained the t.i.tle of Darkest Knight. And Tamith Kai-perhaps because she was simply a sore loser, or perhaps because she sensed his flickering doubts-rarely let him out of her sight.

But Brakiss had given him command of the Shadow Academy's new Force-wielders who would be the vanguard of the battle to reclaim the galaxy.

He himself would lead the Dark Jedi strike force, dropping like death from the skies to obliterate Master Skywalker's trainees.

Zekk drew a deep breath, smelled the metallic tang in the cold air. He heard coolants pumping, engines powering up, the clatter of stormtrooper armor, preparatory signals as systems were locked down. They were ready to launch.

Zekk turned to his group of Force-talented warriors. He wore his crimson-lined black cape and his leather armor; his lightsaber hung clipped at his side, waiting to be used.

He had secured his long dark hair in a neat ponytail, and his emerald-green eyes flashed at those gathered around him.

"Feel the Force move through you," he said to the other trainees. They stood with their jaws set, their eyes alert, eager for battle. They had been trained for this.

He gestured to the waiting platform, and the Dark Jedi moved with a fluid motion as they entered the armored vessel. "We must strike the Jedi academy now, before we lose our element of surprise."

The TIE pilot's helmet fit perfectly on his gray-haired head. Along with the breathing mask, goggles, black flight suit, padded gloves, and heavy boots, the uniform seemed to transport Qorl back to a different time, a time when he had been much younger... a pilot for the first Empire.

Years ago, he had flown with his wing of TIE fighters from the original Death Star to attack the desperate fleet of Rebel X-wings.

He had been shot down in combat, spiralling down to crash-land in the wilds of Yavin 4. When he had looked behind him, to his absolute horror and disbelief Qorl had watched the invincible Death Star blow up, leaving him stranded on the miserable little moon.

After recovering from his injuries, Qorl had lived like a hermit for over twenty years until four young Jedi trainees had stumbled upon him...

setting in motion the events that had returned him to the Second Imperium.

And now, Qorl found himself boarding another TIE fighter, launching from another battle station-once more ready to defeat the Rebels. This time, though, he was sure it would end differently. This time the Empire would make no mistakes.

Qorl stood in front of his wing of twelve TIE fighters. Crowded into the side of the launching bay, the small fighters would take off as soon as the battle platform descended.

He turned to his troops, all of them unproven fighters, taken from the ranks of the most ambitious new stormtrooper trainees.

The new pilots had never seen combat. They had only practiced, performing simulation after simulation-but he knew they were itching for a real fight. The pilots stood beside their s.h.i.+ps, clothed in identical black flight suits and helmets.

One new pilot fidgeted with obvious eagerness, glancing toward his TIE fighter, studying the laser cannon turrets, anxious to be off. He finally stepped forward. The fighter removed his helmet and held it against his chest. Even before seeing the young man's wide face, though, Qorl knew it was the broad-shouldered Norys, former leader of the Lost Ones gang.

"Excuse me, sir-I have a suggestion," Norys said. "In light of my superior performance during the simulations, since I scored better than any of these others, I think I should be the one to lead this wing."

Qorl quelled his anger. "I... understand your reasons, Norys. You have done excellent work in your cross-training as a TIE pilot and stormtrooper. You are eager to learn and, Presumably, to serve the Second Imperium.

But I must turn down your request this time."

"On what basis?" Sensing the challenge in the young man's voice, Qorl kept his answer firm and direct.

"On the basis that Brakiss chose me to command this mission. If you prefer not to follow orders, however..." He shrugged, leaving the implication hanging in the air between them.

The boy was rude and so often insubordinate that if he hadn't shown such a true apt.i.tude for weaponry and fighting skills, Qorl would certainly have left him behind.

Too much was at stake in this mission to allow an overeager young man to botch things UPNorys flushed. "I think you are afraid, Qorl. You're old and haven't flown a mission in years. You're leading the wing so you can hold us back to cover your own failures."

"That will be all," Qorl said in a voice that, although quiet, was so commanding that the air cracked with tension. "I give you the choice:say the word and III ground you from this mission, or hold your tongue and fight for your Emperor." At the moment Qorl didn't care what the surly young man chose.

He would gladly take a smaller fighting wing if it was the only way to ensure that all his pilots were well disciplined.

Fuming, Norys struggled to keep silent and rammed the black helmet back onto his head.

Qorl spoke, more to divert attention from the outburst than for any other reason. "We have successfully jammed all signals from the Jedi academy.

They are unable to call for reinforcements. Since no battles.h.i.+ps are in orbit, the foolish Jedi Knights must have a.s.sumed that their own powers and their puny energy s.h.i.+eld would be enough to thwart us.

"According to our monitoring systems, our first Imperial commando raid has already succeeded in removing their s.h.i.+elds. The Jedi academy lies open and vulnerable to our attack.

"When Tamith Kai launches her battle platform to guide the military strike, Lord Zekk will take his Dark Jedi trainees and combat the Jedi Knights directly. Our wing will fly hara.s.sment strikes from the air.

Although we are meant to cause consider42 able damage, our mission is to support, not to serve as the front line of attack. Is that understood?"

The pilots murmured their understanding. Qorl couldn't tell if Norys's voice had joined them.

"Very well. To your s.h.i.+ps," he said.

His pilots scrambled into their c.o.c.kpits, and Qorl settled in behind the pilot's controls of the lead TIE fighter. He drew a deep breath through the filtering mask, smelling the delicious and familiar chemical taint of the air from his tanks.

He smiled. It felt so good to be able to fly once again.

From the helm of the tactical battle platform Tamith Kai shouted, 'Let us be off. We shall return victorious before this day is done!"

The great hangar bay doors opened, revealing the blackness of s.p.a.ce shared with the emerald moon, behind which loomed the boiling orange cauldron of the gas giant Yavin. The moon looked insignificant against the panorama of the universe-but it was the Shadow Academy's target, destined to become the site of a furious battle and an Imperial victory.

Tamith Kai commanded the battle platform to rise up on its repulsorlifts and head out of the Shadow Academy. The military vessel appeared to be a large, flattened sailbarge with rounded corners, two levels high, with an upper command deck that would open to the air once they reached the atmosphere. Armed stormtroopers and ground a.s.sault forces filled the first level, while Zekk and his Dark Jedi took their positions in the bottom bay near the drop doors.

The battle platform descended through s.p.a.ce toward the thin fingernail of atmosphere around the green moon. As the minutes pa.s.sed, Zekk paced back and forth.

He looked out the viewports and saw the ring station high overhead, dwindling as the battle platform increased speed toward Yavin 4.

"Packs ready?" he asked, adjusting the equipment strapped across his chest and back. His black cape hung over it, its scarlet inner lining flas.h.i.+ng as he moved. His squad of Dark Jedi checked their weapons, scores of identical hghtsabers manufactured aboard the Shadow Academy.

The team members adjusted their repulsorpacks on their shoulders. One by one they declared their readiness.

The blackness of s.p.a.ce was streaked with white haze as the battle platform plunged headfirst into the atmosphere. Zekk felt a buffeting vibration as the winds clawed the armored plates.

The hull heated up, and Zekk could sense the ionized scream of the shockwave through the air, but Tamith Kai piloted the battle platform expertly, without hesitation, directly toward their target.

The Nightsister's deep, hard voice came over the comm. "We're approaching target alt.i.tude. Zekk, prepare your Dark Jedi for departure. The air-drop doors will open in one standard minute."

Zekk clapped his gloved hands, ordering the Dark Jedi to stand in ranks.

"The repulsorpacks will carry you," he said, "but use your Force abilities to guide your descent.

We must strike directly. These are our sworn enemies, Luke Skywalker's Jedi Knights. The future of the galaxy hinges on our victory today."

Zekk fixed his penetrating gaze on each one of the trainees, trying to impart a fraction of his determination to them. They were valiant warriors, vowing to succeed in their quest.

But Zekk had not yet dealt with his own inner turmoil. He knew in his heart that Tamith Kai's doubts about his loyalty had a legitimate foundation-he did feel a longing friends.h.i.+p toward his dear friend Jaina Solo and her brother Jacen.

Deep in the forests of Kashyyyk he had warned Jaina to stay away from the Jedi academy. He did not want her to be part of this battle today. He did not want her to become a victim.

But he knew with equal certainty that the Jaina Solo he knew and cared for would never stay away to save herself and leave her friends to die.

He dreaded the thought that she might be down there ready to fight against him.

Zekk was grateful to have his thoughts interrupted as the floor thumped and the drop-bay doors creaked open. A line of brighter air like a thin, toothless smile appeared at their feet and then yawned wide. The jungle treetops were visible below, punctuated by the protruding stone towers of ancient Ma.s.sa.s.si temples.

"All right, my Dark Jedi," Zekk shouted into the bowling wind. 'the hour is ours.

Depart!" Leading the charge" he dove into the sky, switched on his repulsorpack, and tumbled toward the unprotected Jedi academy.

Behind him the other Dark Jedi dropped from the battle platform one by one, falling like deadly birds of prey.

In flight Zekk ignited his lightsaber, holding it out like a glowing beacon. He glanced up to see the other a.s.sault troops similarly extending their blazing weapons, capes fluttering behind them.

Dark Jedi rained down from the sky.

THE SHRIEK OF twin ion engines ripped apart the relative quiet of the grand audience chamber. Tenel Ka's reflexes took over even before she recognized the source of the sound, and she found herself running in a crouch toward the closest window slit, with Jaina, Jacen, and Lowbacca right beside her.

Through the slit in the stone wall, Tenel Ka saw TIE fighters on a strafing run-coming straight toward the Jedi academy!

"Master Skywalker, we are under attack," Tenel Ka shouted.

Luke Skywalker raised his voice to be heard throughout the chamber.

"Everyone, stay in the jungles until the battle is over.

Fight with all your skills and abilities. Remember your training... and may the Force be with you."

A series of hollow-sounding explosions punctuated his command. A loud crack! echoed through the chamber as a proton bomb struck the lowermost levels and dug a crater in the jungle soil outside the pyramid.

From where she stood, Tenel Ka observed the other Jedi trainees and judged that their reactions to Master Skywalker's orders were commendable. Several students gasped in surprise, and Tenel Ka could sense conflicting emotions-nervous antic.i.p.ation, homesickness, trust in the Force, dread at the possibility of having to kill. But she caught no hint of confusion, panic, or denial.

Without waiting for further instructions, Jedi students streamed out of the grand audience chamber. Luke Skywalker dashed to the window where Tenel Ka's group stood and motioned for Peckhum to join them.

The old s.p.a.cer ducked as stone powder fell from the ceiling, shaken loose by the pounding from above.

The Jedi Master began issuing instructions immediately, and Tenel Ka marveled at how calm he seemed in the midst of the turmoil. "Jacen, take the Shadow Chaser into orbit. See if you can break through the jamming signal and send a message to your mother that we're under attack. Artoo-Detoo's down in the hangar bay already waiting with the s.h.i.+p. He's all the copilot you'll need."

Jaina, who loved to fly, was about to protest when Luke turned to her. "I need you to go across the river and check out the s.h.i.+eld generator equipment. See if there's any chance of getting our defensive s.h.i.+elds back up. iowie, I want you and Tenel Ka-" The comlink clipped to Luke's belt interrupted him, signaling an urgent message.

Another explosion vibrated through the Great Temple, this one closer than the others.

As soon as Luke switched on his comlink, Artoo-Detoo's alarmed bleeps and whistles issued from it.

"@at's that, Artoo? Calm down," Luke said.

"If you would allow me, Master Skywalker," Em Teedee said ' "I was able to pa.r.s.e your astromech droid's message and could provide a translation for you. I am fluent in over six forms of communic-"

"Thank you, Em Teedee," Luke Skywalker cut off the little droid's chatter, "that would be very helpful."

"Artoo-Detoo reports that-oh dear! - the front of the hangar bay has been hit. Rubble has completely sealed off the entrance. No s.h.i.+ps can get in or out. The Shadow Chaser is trapped inside."

"Hey," Jacen said after a moment of ^ thought,"Peckhum, what about the Lightning Rod?It's not sealed in."

Tenel Ka felt a frown crease her forehead t' at the thought of Jacen facing an Imperial attack in the rickety old cargo shuttle.

"The Lightning Rod doesn't have the Shadow Chaser's quantum armor," Luke pointed out.

"Too dangerous," Jaina said.

"Hey, we're all in danger here," Jacen said in a low, firm voice. 'And we have to get a message out."

"Sure, we could do it," old Peckhum said.

"I've learned some pretty good evasive maneuvers in my day-enough to make it to orbit without getting'blown up, I'd guess."

Just then Lowbacca gave a warning yelp and pointed toward the window slit.

Hovering over the jungle in the distance was an ominous-looking construction, a giant weapon-studded tactical platform, like a deadly raft carrying enemy troops.

Tenel Ka felt a stab of recognition. "Tamith Kai is there; I can feel her," she said.

"It looks like she's directing the ground battle from up there," Luke said.

"Then we must disable that battle platform," Tenel Ka replied without a pause. "I volunteer. The Nightsister is mine."

^ Lowbacca barked a comment. 'Master Lowbacca wishes to point out that his T-23 is still out near the landing pad. Using the skyhopper, he and Mistress Tenel Ka could easily reach that platform within minutes."

Luke nodded. "We each have our missions. I'll do one last sweep of the pyramid to make sure no one was left behind. I'll see you all out at the rendezvous point in the jungle."

As the young Jedi Knights raced down the stairs inside the temple, Tenel Ka's mind already began moving ahead to the coming confrontation.

Adrenaline pumped through her veins, and her mind was alert. She had been bred and trained for battle.

Although fighting with only one arm would present her with new challenges, she felt neither afraid nor overconfident. She was simply ready. A Jedi must always be ready, she knew. Master Skywalker and 'bonne had trained them all well. Tenel Ka had her lightsaber and her Force skills. Together, she was certain, that was enough for her to defeat any enemy.

By the time they all reached the landing pad, Jaina had already split off from the group, plunging toward the river and the s.h.i.+eld generator station. Tenel Ka was surprised to note that the old pilot Peckhum had kept up with them as he and Jacen sprinted toward the battered supply shuttle.

Dodging energy bolts from the TIE fighters that swooped overhead, Tenel Ka and Lowbacca scrambled into the T-23 skyhopper while Peckhum and Jacen boarded the Lightning Rod.