STAR WARS/PREDATOR: DARK APPRENTICE SAGA (PART EIGHT)

With Xol, Jedi Master Yoda and their secret operative aboard, Master Kuro and her band flee the Death Star in their Lambda class shuttle under the guise of an Imperial diplomatic team.

Before the Empire can realize the truth, they are already halfway across the galaxy. The journey is arduous as the craft must zigzag through hyperspace as to evade any possible Imperial pursuer.

During the trip, Xol is restored to partial health, but some of his more grievous wounds will need further time to heal. After five years of captivity, it seems surreal to be free of Darth Vader’s endless torture regimen. He spends most of the trip asleep on a makeshift gurney, his mind suspended in meditation with the Force.

The path ahead is unclear but, one thing he knows for certain, in his journey through the living Force, he is at a crossroads and which path he takes may decide the fate of the entire galaxy…

After the constant motion of hyperspace travel, a landing on a planet comes as a shock to the system. So abrupt is this change in pace that it rouses Xol from sleep. His eyes straining to open in the well lit crew area of the shuttle, he notices that his shabby, prison rags have been replaced by Tusken robes, a bit small for his form but warm. As he sits up, his head fogs over from a head rush and he pauses before turning sideways to step off the gurney. He notices he is alone, and the gangway has been lowered onto firm, lush, plant choked ground. Curious about his surroundings, he walks down the metal ramp and into the somewhat beaten down, waist high, foliage.

The planet around him is green and dense with flora; brilliant colors of flowers stand out against the plain brown of the titanic trees that overshadow them. Even the smallest tree’s width is greater than that of a starfighter. In very top of these hulking giants, Xol can make out structures, entire villages built just beneath the canopy. The buildings incorporate some technology and inhabitants are visibly moving about from place to place. The ship has landed at the edge of a large clearing where the forest makes way to the tawny beach of a vast, clear, blue lake.

Voices can be heard approaching Xol through the brush. They speak in the Basic tongue, a common language among Imperials. The Yautja ever cautious instinctually ducks down and stealthily hides in the surrounding tall grasses. As the voices draw nearer, the distinct voice of Master Yoda can be heard.

Feeling safe, Xol emerges from the bush, startling a couple of Tusken escorts walking with Yoda.

“Playing in the bushes you are, Padawan,” Yoda says, with a laugh. “Much to do, there is. Come now. Much to discuss with you, Master Kuro has.”

His curiosity piqued, the Yautja follows the noble elder Jedi as he and his escorts make their way towards a cluster of trees and structures near the waterfront.

As he grows closer to them, Xol can see groups of people working at the base of the beachside forest. Speeders of a plethora of different configurations are being assembled and modified, while children of many races play together near the shore.

The structures here, only slightly overgrown by plant life are actually Sandcrawlers, as least twenty in various states of operation, as well as a legless Imperial AT-AT that seems to have been turned into some sort of kitchen judging by the smell that’s coming from it. The gathering of building sized trees at the center of the primitive encampment seems to be the command center as Xol makes his way to the base of them. Stairs of rigid fungus spiral up the center tree leading to a hollow sphere shaped top. Its somewhat circular windows emanate light from within. In this courtyard of sorts, set in among the growth, six individuals, in Jedi-like garb sit on the ground, cross-legged, deep in meditation.

As Yoda proceeds up the stairs, his Tusken escorts wait at the bottom, and when Xol hesitates, the Sand People, with a grunt, usher him up them with their Gaderffii sticks. As the Yautja makes his way up the steps, he still feels the pain of his wounds suffered on the Death Star clawing its way to the surface. Nevertheless, he endures the pain finally making it to the top.

At the summit, the building is one room, completely open, filled with newly installed computer banks and display panels, uniformed soldiers walking back and forth communicating with one another, while a small gathering of what appear to be officers including Master Yoda are seated around a centralized round table. The table’s top is an active holoprojector, displaying a planetary system, presumably the one they are currently in. As Xol enters the room, the circle deactivates the projector, making it possible for the Yautja to see others seated at the table besides Yoda and Kuro.

“Xol, I presume, please take a seat,” a Mon Calamari, dressed in officers clothes says from across the table. “Master Yoda has spoken much about you and we are pleased to have you well enough to join our council today. Before we begin, I would like to introduce the rest of the leadership for the benefit of the Jedi and his new found comrade.”

“Pardon me sir,” Xol interrupts. “But, leadership for what? Who are you people?”

“The Alliance to Restore the Galaxy, or probably better known to you as the Rebellion,” the Mon Calamari responds. “We are all that stand between the Empire and total destruction of the galaxy. Our Alliance is made up of countless worlds that will fight the oppression of the Galactic Empire. Our fleet is assembling as we speak for a major assault on their main battle station, the Death Star. Are there any further questions? Or may I continue?”

“I sincerely apologize for my ignorance Admiral,” Xol says, somewhat embarrassed. “Please, continue.”

With Xol now apprised of the current situation, Ackbar continues to introduce the leaders seated at the table, going around in a clockwise fashion. To the right of him sits Generals Crix Madine and Wedge Antilles of Corellia, followed by Boss Roos Tarpals of Otoh Gunga, Queen Vallah of Naboo, Chieftain Wicket Warrick of the Ewoks of Endor, Gyrvos of the Nelvaan people, Leader Akarr of the house of Tusken Clans, Clan Leader Qut-Janii of the Dune Sea Jawas and finally, Berserker Garbacca of the United Wookiee tribes. Each non-human member of the council also has their own personal protocol droid standing beside them, mostly because some of the delegates can understand Basic but, most from a physiological standpoint, cannot speak it, like the Wookiees.

Upon finishing the introductions, the Admiral continues his speech, reactivating the holoprojector as he does so. This time the image is of a different planet, a moon actually, orbiting a larger gas giant. The image zooms in to reveal that moon itself has an artificial moon itself, the Death Star. As the image continues to close in its visual of the Empire’s battle station, Xol’s memory puts him back aboard the durasteel grey prison, the smell of its corridors manifesting from his memory.

The Yautja, snaps out of his daze at the sound of Yoda’s voice.

“Yavin 4 this is, a great place it was, for those who followed the Force. Reclaimed by the Sith it has been. Vader’s most skilled, trained they are here. Many shipyards, under construction here, stopped they must be from finishing or doomed I fear, the galaxy is. To you the floor I give, Admiral Ackbar.”

“Thank you Master Yoda,” the veteran Rebel officer says, humbly. “As General Yoda has explained, the planet Yavin 4 is a major stronghold for the Empire; it is here they have completed their last three Death Stars and three Super Star Destroyers that accompany the Emperor’s main fleet. All those vessels were manufactured while their planetary operations were still only at half their total capability. With the completion of the last few shipyards only months away, we have no choice but to mount an assault or risk facing an unstoppable Imperial war machine.”

The Admiral pauses briefly, perhaps only to collect his thoughts or perhaps the idea of an Empire that dangerous terrifies him momentarily. Nonetheless, he resumes his briefing after changing the projection on display to a topographical map of some structures on the surface. One appears to be a landing pad, the others are immense elliptical dishes seeming to project some sort of energy up into space.

“What you see here is the layout of the primary, secondary and tertiary Imperial complexes on the surfaces of Yavin 4. The first, is a troop training installation, droid foundry and Sith academy. This site alone is responsible for training nearly half of the Imperials in active service today. Its docking bay and landing area can accommodate up to a dozen assault transports at one time, so enemy drops or pickups can be as high at 42000 at a time.”

The shock of such high troop counts begins side chatter among the delegates seated at the table, so much in fact that it causes the Admiral to stop speaking entirely and wait for them to come to order. Xol can sense the fear in them all the second the Mon Calamari officer began speaking of troops. Their fear is causing a bit of unrest in the chamber, surface feelings tell the Yautja Dark Jedi that some of the leaders gathered are wishing to leave.

As the bickering between council members grows to a dull roar, Xol stands up and slams his fist against the top of the table. The abrupt concussion stops the chatter immediately and all focus turns to him. Seeing the looks of annoyance on their faces, Xol begins to explain himself.

“Member of this Alliance, I know I am very new to this delegation but, this is no time to lose focus! The Empire’s deadliest weapon, more powerful than any of their ships or battle stations is their ability to inspire fear. Admiral Ackbar is merely giving you the expected opposition, nothing more, just mere intelligence so that you in your own ways, you can make an informed decision in how best to act as a united council of free peoples. Do not let Vader’s numbers fool you, I have faced his storm troopers, his mighty Sith, even his Star Destroyers and I have found that they are far too overconfident, and it has always led to their downfall. However, if you feel that the Empire is in fact already too powerful an adversary and you wish to leave, do so, because your cowardice, and the cowardice of those you represent, will only infect us all like a disease and we shall fail in our mission. We can succeed in any endeavor, but we must outthink the hunter and in turn make him the prey, Admiral Ackbar will give us the tools we need to do just that. Each one of you is essential to our victory, so if you still feel like you can contribute to this Alliance, then slough off your fear like you would a covering of dirt and let him finish.”

Before Xol can retreat back to his seat after causing such a disruption, Master Yoda almost as if performing a rescue begins to speak. “Full of exuberance and passion, this Padawan can be. True, his message is. Hope there is, but only if work together, we do.”

As the Jedi finishes his address to the chamber, a hush resumes among those gathered, prompting Ackbar to continue his brief.
“Thank you to both of the Jedi delegates for their words of wisdom. Now, where was I? Oh yes, the secondary and tertiary installations on the planets surface are the home of immense of shield generators. One of which is encapsulating the Death Star moored here, making it impenetrable to any attack our fleet could level against it. The second generator has surrounded the newer, still unfinished shipyards. If either of these orbiting targets is to be successfully neutralized, a ground attack must be mounted to take out the shield generators. Unfortunately, our spies tell us that the Empire has a reserve power relay for both shields at the primary military installation. If that structure should be left standing, the shields will only be disabled for mere minutes, not long enough to destroy anything. Once the shield is down, our first targets will be the active shipyards and the Death Star. Both can be neutralized by fighters and our fleet commanders are briefing them on how to do that. My prime reason for being here and telling you all this information is that you, your troops, as well additional Rebel soldiers will be responsible for completing the essential ground attacks.”

Muttering begins to start among the council members again, interrupting the Mon Calamari officer. Silence falls after a few moments but before the Admiral can continue, another has decided to make his voice heard, the Wookiee berserker Garbacca.

“Who do you feel will lead us on this suicide mission, Calamari?” He growls.

“Well Garbacca,” Ackbar replies. “On behalf of the Alliance I was going to appoint Master Yoda as Jedi High General, his experience during the Clone Wars would be invaluable for this mission. He has always been a friend to the Wookiees, so I am told; does this meet with your satisfaction?”

With a grunt, the Wookiee responds, “Yes, but forgive me for asking one additional question, Admiral. Yoda is a gifted leader, but do you expect him to fully take charge of such a complex operation by himself?”

“Not at all, you and the rest of the delegates seated here will act as Master Yoda’s generals in the ground assault, as High General he will direct you, but you will have command over your troops during the operation. General Madine and Princess Leia do not armies here on Kashyyk and so, will take charge of our soldiers once they arrive on Yavin 4. Lord Xol, will be working in special operations with Jedi Master Kuro at her request. Have I put your mind at ease Garbacca?”

With an agreeable nod, the gold coated Wookiee sits down, his Ryyk blades clashing against his chair as he settles.

“Lord Xol,” Admiral Ackbar says with his gaze fixed on the Yautja. “The remainder of this briefing will only benefit those in the main fighting force, you might as well report to Master Kuro at Sandcrawler One for instruction.”

Xol, a little taken aback that he has been officially asked to leave before the meeting has adjourned, looks to Yoda for confirmation. The diminutive, green skinned Jedi with an approving nod makes a hand gesture instructing him to go. Never one to question before, he leaves the chamber and makes his way down the stairs to the ground below. Once there, he takes a minute to orient himself to his surroundings and glance around the camp a bit more. He notices that the activity level has decreased significantly since before and seems to be concentrated towards the Sandcrawlers now. As he walks towards them, he notices now that each one has been crudely numbered in white paint. Making his way toward the one labeled “One”, he can’t help but wonder what Kuro has in store for him. As he grows closer, his train of thought is interrupted by the sound of starship engines, familiar ones. He glances up to see the ship landing high in the canopy, and to his surprise, it is a Wayfarer transport, just like the one he and Dex used to fly around in. After five years aboard the Death Star, the sight of the vessel gives him a feeling of home.

Xol approaches the gargantuan hulk of the Sandcrawler, its outer area laid in such a way, it resembles the entrance to a temple. Rows of dim blue light posts staked into the ground parallel to the entrance guide Xol to the ramp that brings him inside. Once in, he almost runs right into Master Kuro as she makes her way to the same exact spot.

“Good,” she says. “I was starting to think ol’ Ackbar wasn’t going to relay my message and I would have to come get you myself. My name is Master Anya Kuro. We met only briefly when I and my men freed you from the Death Star. I have been instructed by Master Yoda to assist you in the completion of your trials.”

“What trials?” the confused Dark Jedi asks.

“Your Jedi trials, your dark past is behind you now, your quest for vengeance must now be for justice.”

“I have already endured trials, I am a Dark Jedi! Like my Master, Lord Blades.”

“Alright dark one,” Kuro says sarcastically. “How well did those teachings serve you against Darth Vader? Your mind must be clear of hatred, the Emperor will use it to destroy you and in so doing, you will fail. You have already passed your trials of skill, courage, and flesh, now you must complete your final trial if you ever hope to complete your mission and fulfill your destiny.”

“What is my final trial then? Master Kuro, I do not wish to fail in my mission.”

“You must complete a trial of the spirit. It will be your most difficult task yet and you may not survive it.”

“I am not afraid Master Kuro.”

“You will be. You will be. Behind this Sandcrawler is a patch of thick Kashyyk briars, they form a tunnel that leads to a special holy place. Your trial will begin there. Now, go. You can only return once you have completed this task.”

With hurried excitement, Xol exits the wreck and begins journeying deep into the dense bush behind it. Thorn covered vines as big as his body weave into one another making a passageway barely large enough for him to pass through safely, razor sharp barbs coming just centimeters from lacerating his skin. Crouched, walking cautiously through the briar tunnel, Xol begins to hear a sound that makes his hair stand up on the back of his neck. The mechanical, steady breathing of Darth Vader, a sound he now had associated with great pain. In a panic, he spins around, looking in all directions, desperately seeking the source of the breath. In his rush, he snags his arms and legs on the sharp thorns and begins to bleed from dozens of tiny cuts. His fear making him ignorant to the pain of these new wounds, he runs down the tunnel as fast as he can, attempting to outrun the unseen opponent. As he runs, he cuts himself multiple times on the barbed thorns before finally reaching a clearing at the end.

The clearing is filled with old standing stones, unnatural in appearance, crafted by ancient artisans at some time but fallen to ruin over time. In the center of the circular stone formation is a disc shaped piece of white rock, set directly in the center of that, is Xol’s lightsaber, the same one that he thought to of lost at the hands of the Empire. As he reaches for the weapon, he feels the presence of the Dark Side itself. It surrounds him, as if to trap him in. He knows that his weapon has a connection to the underworld of the Force, and as its creator he knows it channels great darkness through it. He knows that it would be so easy to pick up this weapon and return to the way he was years ago, before Yoda, before the torture, before this path the Force has guided him on.

He retracts his hand, instead choosing not to succumb to the lure of this vile machination created by his own hand. As he hesitates, the ground begins to shake and a dreadful, hollow, wispy voice begins to speak.

“Master, you have returned to me,” the shadowy voice says.

“I am no longer your master, you are a relic, an abomination from another time, my hatred no longer governs me,” The Yautja responds.

“Master, I am a conduit into the Force, a path carved from your anger, a path to Vader’s destruction. Do not be foolish, grasp me again in your mighty hands and use me to eviscerate your enemies once more. I will make manifest the Dark Side itself to help you on your quest.”

“No!” Xol yells. “I will not, there is a reason the Jedi locked you away all those millennia ago, I was a fool to awaken you. It is my duty now to destroy you!”

“Very well Master, if that is how you truly feel. Then your lack of faith, forces me to destroy you, you are far too weak to be worthy of my power.”

As if guided by some unseen hand, the lightsaber rights itself, ignites its glowing red blade and hovers in mid air. The swirls of darkness inside the blade, drift out of it leaving only the crimson blade behind and begin to surround the weapon. The wisps of shadow twirl on the ground kicking up dust and silt from the stone that it rest upon, the circles of ethereal blackness begins grow larger and stretch upwards, manifesting into a roughly humanoid shape. As the smoky black begins to settle, the vague figure is now more distinct, focused. The final result being a being the same size of Xol, but draped entirely in a black cloak, even the face, hand and feet are shrouded in impenetrable darkness.

Xol, watching the whole process in a horrified curiosity, attempts to look around for a weapon he might use to defend himself. Much to his horror, there is nothing, not even as much as a stick to fight off his opponent.

“You are helpless, Lord Xol. Just a fearful animal that enjoyed the hunt but wouldn’t stand a chance as prey itself, you are truly pathetic and I shall enjoy sending you the other side.”

The dark figure attacks with expert precision. He lunges at the Yautja, striking his torso with a slash, searing Xol’s flesh and sending him to the ground in agony. With his opponent knocked to the ground, the shadow walks over to the wounded Yautja, and levels the pulsing red blade at his chest.

“Any last words before I cut out your traitorous, misguided heart Xol?”

With no response, the specter of the Dark Side plunges the blade into the Yautja’s chest, the red glow disappearing in the bulk of the body, the popping sounds of burning meat now filling the quiet of the clearing.

“I knew you would die quietly, all cowards do.”

Then, as the dark figure walks away, he hears a faint sound come from the body. In shock he turns to see that Xol has not died and is trying to speak. The Yautja’s voice is so quiet though that he cannot hear, so he brings himself closer, hoping to hear pleas of mercy he had asked for earlier.

“What is it, fragile creature? Something else you have to say before you can finally brave the cold embrace of the afterlife?”

“Yes…” Xol’s voice strains.

“Well, cough it up, along with the blood in your lungs.” The shadow responds with a laugh.

In a swift, unforeseen motion, Xol grabs the still ignited saber of the shadow. In shock, the dark figure tries to pull it away, but he is unable to overcome the unprecedented strength of the Yautja.

“I am Yautja, and now, I am Jedi!”

With a turn of his arm, Xol points the lightsaber at its wielder and despite the dark figure’s best efforts to hold back the Yautja’s attack, it cannot and it too is impaled by the blazing red blade. Upon its impalement, the figure dissipates into a cloud of shrieking smoke and the lightsaber’s blade retracts back into the hilt, falling to the ground next to the body of Xol.

Xol, expecting to die, remains still but, suddenly a sensation of energy and wellness washes over him as he is almost coaxed to his feet by the Force itself. His vision clears a bit as he stands, and much to his surprise, standing before him; atop the disc shaped stone is the transparent spiritual visage of the Wookiee Jedi Master, Tyvokka. He is dressed in ceremonial robes and wears a proud smile upon his face. In his hand he holds the lightsaber, the very same one he had just used to kill the Dark Side specter with. Before he can utter a word, the spirit in a calm voice begins to speak.

“Lord Xol, you have heeded my teachings well, and those of Master Yoda. Only a true Jedi could overcome such darkness as you have defeated today. Your master, Blades was not so fortunate, but unlike the Sith he gave you the fundamentals of a Jedi, fundamentals that will continue to serve you as your journey within the Force continues. Here, on my home world of Kashyyk you have undergone one of the most arduous trials of the spirit that anyone has had to endure. You knew that in order to thwart the Dark Side within you, you had to be reborn within the Force. Now, this once foul weapon only capable of channeling the Dark Side now channels the Force itself. It, like you has been reborn, it like before will continue to serve you, but this time, in the service of justice, not some dark agenda. You are stronger now, than you ever were Xol, may you use that strength to bring peace at long last to the galaxy. So great is your wisdom, that you must now be addressed as Jedi Master, a great first this is in our order, but you are deserving of it nonetheless.”

“Master? I have only just completed my final trial, should I not be a knight?” Xol questions.

“A knight has much to learn, you need no more tutelage, and instead you will be accepting council from those around you and teach those who wish to follow the true path.” Tyvokka says as he levitates the saber over to Xol.
“Now, go Master Jedi, balance must be restored.”

“Yes, Tyvokka, I shall fulfill my destiny.”

Xol watches as the spiritual form of the Jedi fades into nothingness, back into the Force. Once the presence of the spirit leaves, Xol turns to exit the ruins and back into the tunnel of perilous briars.

He has completed his trials and become a Jedi Master. Now, he moves closer to realizing his true place in the galaxy and with the Force as his guide, he will finally overthrow Vader’s tyranny and bring peace once more.

TO BE CONTINUED…