STAR WARS/PREDATOR: MASTER XOL'S SAGA (PART TEN)

After his clash with Ateyru, Xol has confined himself to his quarters aboard the Wayfarer transport while Dex and the rest of the crew continue to coordinate their efforts with their newfound guide, Han Solo.

After a smooth departure from Ord Mantell and Worlport, the pair of vessels led by the Millennium Falcon plunge headlong into hyperspace.

In transit, the crew of the Wayfarer is unsure of many things. Where are they going they wonder and what is going to happen to Xol?
 

The questions aren’t nearly as troubling as the answers they may find when they reach their destination…

Xol sits in his room, his armuor strewn about; still seething with the anger he was filled with when he ripped it off days ago. His mind struggles to make sense of life as he stares blankly as his assemblage of holocrons laid on the floor before him. Like a panel of judges silently questioning his fate they glimmer and gleam in the pale light of his room. Deactivated, their voices are still but Xol cannot escape one that seeps into his consciousness like a viscous liquid of cruelty and malice.

“Why do you struggle with your decision Xol?” the dark voice of Chaos says mockingly. “You know as well as I that that Jedi was going to impede your plans to overthrow the Empire. He had to die.”

“Not like that! No Jedi deserves to perish in such ways!” Xol screams aloud, his voice crashing against the wall as a wave of outrage.

“Need I remind you, who you really are and where you come from Yautja or do you not recall what you did to Dark Lady Aranna aboard Count Raxus’ ship?”

“She was my enemy, the Jedi are not my enemy!”

“Well if Ateyru was not your enemy or some prey for you, then why did you kill him?”

“He was in my way!” Xol screams. “Why didn’t he just stand aside?”

“Finally Master Xol, a moment of pure truth. You hide from it too often. You hid from it when you served Dark Lord Blades’ motives and you hid from it in the guise of a Jedi. Accept your true nature, become the very animal you know you are and unleash your true power!”

“Never!” the Yautja shouts.

“Why resist Xol, it is not as if I am forcing you to behave this way. You have always been this way, only now you no longer restrain yourself with some other lesser creature’s dogmatic code of conduct. Stop running and hiding lost one and forge your own path.”

“You are right spirit, I really should make my own destiny and on my terms.”

“Precisely Xol, this is what I have been saying all along.”

“Do you know what one does not require when embarking on a new journey of this kind?”

“What might that be, warrior?”

“A guide.”

With a look of delight washing over his face, Xol begins disassembling his custom lightsaber with the Force. Its scattered components hover around one another leaving the black crystal exposed, its heart still swirling with the red crystal core.

“What are you doing Xol?” the dark voice asks troubled.

“Just as you said spirit, I am being true to my nature.”

Just as he had before when he formed the crystal, Xol focuses his power and mind onto the crystal itself. Objects that are not fixed in place begin to levitate and spin around the room. A shriek streams from the crystal as the black elements are separated from the red.

As it parts, Xol can hear the cries of the entity that is contained within. “You have no idea what you are doing! I am the infinite power of the Dark Side! You are throwing away a tremendous gift! You cannot succeed in your mission without me!”

Ignoring the pleas from the dark force inside his mind, Xol separates the crystals, leaving a black shard floating in the air in front of him while the red one remains in the lightsaber’s housing.

“Now wretched creature,” Xol utters with a growl in his throat. “There are no more chances, no advice of long dead Jedi telling me to keep you in my company. There are no more lies, torture, and manipulation. There will be peace.”

As the dark spirit utters a final scream, Xol using all his might, cracks the onyx colored piece down its center and in one sure crushing motion with his hand, the crystal is shattered into pieces so small it becomes a near invisible powder in the air. A great feeling of mobility fills the Yautja as he feels as though he has removed a great weighted chain from his mind.

His newfound freedom renews him with zeal as he reassembles his lightsaber and dons his neglected armor. Once outfitted completely he exits his room door and makes his way to the cargo bay where the prisoners are being kept.

Each crewmember he passes is shocked to see him and takes a moment to watch him in silent curiosity as he makes his way passed. Upon entering the bay, he is met by more surprised glances from Qiin and Booma whom are guarding Darth Maul and Mok Sur Tinn. Maul sensing the approach of the powerful Yautja, has a malicious smile on his face as he stares down the fallen Jedi. The Sith Lord is restrained by powerful cargo cables and suspended from the ceiling by his arms.

“Qiin, Booma leave and take Mok with you.”

“Master?” Qiin asks confused.

“Do not question me girl,” Xol replies firmly. “This Sith scum and I have some business to discuss. The Neimodian was a hostage and he has served his purpose. So you can do one of two things, either take him to the galley and eat comfortably or throw him out the nearest airlock, it makes little difference to me.”

As the Nautolan begrudgingly drags Mok down the hall, he pleads with her and Booma, desperately trying to convince them not to discard him into space. As their voices disappear behind closing compartment doors, Xol begins to speak.

“Rumor has it that you fight against this new emperor and his forces. Is this true Maul?”

“Yes it’s true,” the Dark Lord says with a scowl. “But why should this matter to you Jedi filth? My compatriots and I am no more an ally to you than your order is an ally of mine. Do not expect your interrogation to yield any results, I will not tell you anything!”

“I am dead to the Jedi and they are dead to me. I belong to no one but myself, and I personally want to see this Empire fall. Now, it seems that you and I have similar goals in mind and I propose we work together. I have bested you in combat twice now, but that does not make you an inferior warrior just one that has known loss. Loss is the only way to gain insight into what can be done differently.”

“You are lying, Jedi!” Darth Maul snaps. “You honestly want me to believe that you have betrayed your order and still want to fight the Empire as you did before? You are trying to manipulate me. You are trying to stop us and I won’t let you or the rest of you Jedi scum. I will escape before you release me.”

“Is that so Maul?” Xol says as he draws his two lightsabers.

“Just as I had suspected from the beginning,” the Sith laughs. “You’re going to kill me because I won’t tell you anything of value. Do your worst Jedi, I am prepared to die.”

“Such a shame really,” Xol says as he slashes at the cables holding Maul up.

A look of shock appears on the Sith Lord’s face as he falls into a pile on the floor.

“Master Xol I do not understand,” Darth Maul asks, as he scrambles out of the tangled cable. “Why have you freed me?”

“I told you, I wish for you to join me in my endeavor. Do you honestly think I would have let you live this long otherwise?”

“What do you ask of me?”

“Contact your associates and tell them to rendezvous with us when we arrive at our next checkpoint before our final destination. There, we will need their help in starting a different kind of rebellion against this new emperor. One where the rebels are not a group of undisciplined rabble but a strong military force capable of seizing power.”

“You think you are the one to take the emperor’s place?”

“Absolutely not, I am no politician, however every cause needs a leader and given my experience against the Empire, I will be the one to place the right replacement on the throne thus crushing this emperor once and for all.”

“What of the remaining members of the Alliance and your beloved Jedi Order?”

“I shall do to them what they have done to me. Their usefulness has elapsed and they too will be forgotten. Now Maul, do we have an agreement or do I have to jettison you with the rest of the trash?”

“I would be most honored to stand beside you, Master Xol.”

“Excellent, now do as I have asked so that we may begin preparations.”

Leaving Darth Maul alone in the cargo bay, Xol makes his way back down the halls to the common area where everyone is enjoying a bit of respite and a warm meal. As the Yautja steps into the room, they all stop what they are doing and look to him, waiting for some sort of command. Looking at the table, he sees Mok Sur Tinn shaking with fear as the cold, dark eyes of Xol’s helmet train on him.

“Tinn,” the Yautja barks. “You have much property yes?”

“I have some things,” the Neimodian stammers. “Oddities for the most part, nothing really of value to…”

“Enough Tinn!” Xol yells, interrupting. “Qiin and I both know you are lying. If you do not wish for me to overturn my apprentice’s decision to spare your life you will surrender all of your possessions and invest them in our cause. If you do not accept these terms, I will kill you and take it. However, if you are as smart a Neimodian as I think you are, you will know that once we succeed you stand to gain substantially more upon our victory over the Empire.”

“Agreed Master Jedi, I would be a fool not to accept.”

“Wompit,” Xol commands. “You and Booma go and watch Darth Maul in the loading area. He has also decided to join us.”

“Can he be trusted master?” Qiin inquires.

“My apprentice, no one can be trusted in this galaxy but we have made an arrangement that is mutually beneficial. Tell Dex to advise Captain Solo of a delay at our next waypoint, there we will take on more passengers.”

“Passengers, master?”

“New recruits in our effort, you need not concern yourself with the details my apprentice.”

Hesitating before nodding in acceptance, Qiin proceeds to the cockpit leaving Xol alone with Mok Sur Tinn in the common area.

“How long will it take Neimodian for your items to arrive?” The towering Yautja inquires.

“No more than a day,” Tinn utters nervously. “I have private couriers that I can entrust them to and have delivered.”

“When Qiin returns, send your message, and we will wait for one day. If it takes longer than that Mok, I will personally throw you into the nearest star and watch you burn.”

Xol leaves the common area on his way back toward the cargo hold. He wants to check up on Wompit, Booma and Darth Maul before turning his attention elsewhere. As he exits the hatch and enters the large loading area, he can hear Dex’s distinctive armor-clad footsteps behind him.

“Gr'rit'Xol!” Dex shouts. “Qiin just told me what’s going on. What are you doing?”

“If Qiin has told you DX-1165, then you should already know.”

“Listen ol’ buddy, I have known you a long time, and I have seen you transition from an angry beast to a disciplined teacher and now this? I don’t need to know exactly what is going on with you, but I do need to know the truth.”

“I have never lied to you Dex,” Xol explains. “Is there something on your mind my old friend?”

“I trust you Xol, but you are throwing yourself in with the likes of Darth Maul and this Neimodian. I just need to know that you have a plan on this one, because I have a bad feeling about this whole thing.”

“Rest assured DX,” Xol pauses. “Dex, it may not seem like it now, but I am doing what is best for the galaxy. I apologize that my unconventional methods concern you to the point of worry. When this is all over, you will understand better I think.”

“I hope you are right big guy,” Dex says as he pats the Yautja’s shoulder.

Seeming relieved, the armoured clone walks back down the hall, making his way back to the pilot’s compartment.

Xol proceeds into the loading dock and walks over to the group of three crew members standing in the center of it. There Darth Maul and Booma the Gungan carry on a quiet conversation while Wompit looks on, puzzled.

“Maul,” the Yautja begins. “Have you contacted your people as I have asked and relayed the necessary information to them?”

“Yes Master Xol,” the Zabrak Sith says in confirmation. “I expect them within the next day, possibly two if the Empire becomes a problem.”

“Good. Now due to our limited facilities here aboard this transport, you, Qiin, and I will now take up sleeping quarters in this cargo bay. This is also where any new passengers will be housed until we reach our end destination. Booma and Wompit, starting now you will be in general quarters safeguarding the cockpit and securing Mok Sur Tinn. Send Qiin back here to me when you arrive and tell her to bring mine and her personal effects.”

“Yousa gottin’ it Boss’n Xol,” the sturdy Gungan replies as he and Wompit make their way to the hatch.

Soon after, Xol’s Nautolan apprentice arrives with all their gear and the three begin setting up their makeshift accommodations in the docking bay. Once assembled, Xol begins training Qiin in the Jedi arts. He includes Darth Maul as well, who is more than delighted to engage in sparring with the powerful Yautja. The trio practice for hours, taking in meals and resting as necessary. Qiin exceeds Xol’s expectations, the young Nautolan female’s keen sense of the immediate future even enable her to keep up with the fast and deadly actions of the physically gifted Sith Lord.

During a period of rest and meditation, Dex summons Xol via comlink announcing that they along with the Millennium Falcon have dropped out of lightspeed at the next checkpoint. Pleased with the news, the Yautja quickly makes his way to the cockpit. Upon entering through its sliding doorway, through the transparisteel front window he can see Han Solo’s ship and two others floating in space alongside them.

“DX-1165, are those the transports we are waiting for?”

“Not sure,” Dex says and he reaches for his console. “Only one way to find out though, I will send a hail.”

With a flip of a toggle, a pinging sound comes for the forward console. Moments later, it is answered by a similar sound indicating that the ship wishes to open a communication channel. Flipping the toggle again, Dex enables a comlink between all four ships. Through the console’s speakers voices can be heard, one being Han Solo’s however the other two are mysterious and unfamiliar.

“Unmarked Wayfarer transport,” one of the foreign voices booms over the link. “We represent Mok Sur Tinn, as a safety precaution we require his security code before we will relinquish it into your custody. This code has a voice indent, so he will need to be present. Do you receive? Is Mok Sur Tinn available?”

“Tinn!” Xol shouts into the comlink in his helmet. “Report immediately to the nearest intercom and I will patch you through to your transport.”

With a pat on Dex’s helmet, the clone pilot presses several switches tying the ship’s intercom system in the open external channel. With a confirming beep, Mok relays his code and the first transport pulls along the Wayfarer and begins offloading its cargo.

With that underway, the second transport’s communication feed streams in. The male voice on the other end is angered and shouting the second the connection is made.

“Where is Dark Lord Maul, pirate?!” the angry voice yells. “If he has come to harm we will hunt you down and kill you ourselves.”

“Forgive me if I am not terrified in the slightest,” Xol mocks. “Your Dark Lord is a guest aboard my vessel and so shall you be but only once you cool that fiery tongue of yours and actually step foot on my ship. If these conditions are not to your liking, my pilot and crew will disintegrate your vessel right here and now, leaving you as nothing more than charred remains floating through space.”

Xol reaches over the shoulder of Dex and disengages the open channel, cancelling the transmission. He waits patiently for a reply or some movement from the second ship. With its thrusters engaged, the secondary vessel also begins docking procedures, just as the Yautja had anticipated.

“Come along DX,” Xol says impatiently. “We must greet our newest recruits and see what we are dealing with before we proceed onward into the Unknown Regions.”

Dex instinctively grabs his blaster rifle and follows behind Xol.

The Yautja’s mind is flooded with the sense of great ability in the Force nearing his location. Whomever Darth Maul associates with, they could be a blessing or a curse. Which one they are is yet to be decided.

TO BE CONTINUED…

STAR WARS/PREDATOR: MASTER XOL'S SAGA (PART NINE)

Making good on his deal with Xol,

Orlo the Hutt liberates Dex’s Wayfarer transport from his storage facility and arranges the removal of Wompit, Dex, and Booma’s slave transmitters.
 

In addition, any supplies apart from weapons are provided to them by the corpulent blue crimeboss.

As agreed, Xol brings the Neimodian businessman, Mok Sur Tinn along to ensure his removal from Ord Mantell and secure their safe passage from the system. As a bonus, they also take Darth Maul prisoner to function as a greater bargaining chip should they encounter the Empire.

However, it being some six years since they traversed the galaxy, Dex and Xol are instructed by Orlo to meet with a knowledgeable smuggler and navigator at a local spaceport to acquire an updated navcomputer before embarking on their journey.

Knowing that Hutts are not known for being true to their word, Xol and the crew load up the vessel and proceed to the rendezvous point ever mindful that they may be stepping into the sluggish gangster’s trap…

The small spaceport on the outskirts of Worlport is nothing spectacular, barely a landing pad adjacent a dive of a bar. It’s sole pad occupied by an YT model freighter that looks heavily modified. As the Wayfarer lands next to the landing platform on a bare piece of earth, dust and debris blow away from the downward wash of the engines. Landing gear drops down digging into the arid brown dirt. The gangway lowers slowly as its mechanisms creak and whine from sedentary lack of use. With the walkway fully deployed, Xol along with Dex exit and wait for the gangway to retract and seal before they begin talking.

“Listen big guy,” Dex begins. “Are you certain that that pack of miscreants can be trusted with my baby while we are in here?

“Don’t worry DX-1165,” Xol replies reassuringly. “Qiin is loyal to me, Booma owes me a life debt, and Wompit is very capable of alerting us of any trouble. It is Darth Maul that concerns me, but he should be sufficiently restrained until we return.”

“If you say so Xol,” Dex says with a sigh. “Um…not that this really matters but, I am curious ol’ buddy. Why did it take you so long to find me? I sent word to the Rebellion for a while after I was captured but when the replies stopped coming; I gave up and made the most of a bad situation. Word has it the rebels are all but gone, wiped out by this Lord Starkiller guy.”

“You may be right Dex, and on the matter of my absence, it pains me that it has been so long. Orlo betrayed me and led me into a trap orchestrated by Jabba the Hutt and the Empire. I received fatal wounds and in that moment of near death, an ancient enemy of mine kidnapped me and had me frozen in carbonite, tortured by a horrific force lo these six years. When I was awoken and realized this, I defeated my enemy, escaped his clutches, and proceeded to Ord Mantell immediately.”

“Oh…” Dex pauses as he absorbs the information but still finds it puzzling. “That old story, sure. Well I’m glad you came back for me, I always knew you would.”

“You are what semblance of family I have left in this world Dex, I will never abandon you.”

The emotional exchange brings Dex to a stop and he sets his weapon down so that he can embrace his Yautja friend in a heartfelt hug. Xol unsure of this sort of interaction pats his comrade’s helmet lightly in understanding. Regaining his composure, Dex slings his rifle over his back and walks with purpose toward the shanty structure ahead.

As the pair enters the building, it is near vacant with a lone bartender serving drinks to two patrons, a human and a Wookiee seated at the bar despite dozens of empty tables being available. The duo glance over briefly as Xol and Dex walk in and then return to their drinks.

“Gentlemen,” Xol directs at the bar. “We are looking for two individuals that are under contract by Orlo the Hutt to assist us. Are you the two we seek?”

“That depends,” the human replies as he talks partly into his glass.

“Depends on what exactly?” Dex asks as he instinctively reaches for his weapon.

“It depends on whether or not you’re the ones in need of this navcomputer I have here and some escort off of this hole or are you Imperial spies sent to kill us?”

“We are not spies,” Xol answers angrily. “We have come for the computer and your assistance.”

“That’s too bad,” the man laughs. “I haven’t fired my blaster in weeks. Well you might as well grab a seat and have a drink with us, because my friend and I aren’t leaving until we’ve had at least another round. Name’s Han Solo, this is my co-pilot Chewbacca and that thing of beauty you passed on your way in, is the Millennium Falcon. She may not look like much but she’s fastest ship in the system.”

“I am Xol, and this is my comrade Dex Kamino. Pleased to meet the both of you, we will gladly drink with you. We haven’t had many pleasures these past few years.”

“So what are you flying out there? Wayfarer class?” Solo asks.

“Yes, but how did you know? Our ship cannot be seen through any of these windows.”

“What can I say, I know ships.” Han responds with a cocky grin. “You boys are going to be tough to sneak passed Imperial patrols, and I’m talking destroyers now, not those Outer Rim freebooters mind you. Just follow me and I’ll get you anywhere you need to go, which brings me to the next question. Where are we headed?”

“It has no name, however I can provide you with spatial coordinates.” Xol answers as he slides over a small datapad that has numbers scrawling across its display.

Han Solo picks up the pad, and after looking it over for a minute, throws it back onto the bar and says, “Are you insane or just stupid? This’ll put us into the Unknown Regions, with well you guessed it. The Unknown!”

“Do not trouble yourself smuggler, perhaps this credit chip to my account with the Banking Clan will steady your uneasy nerves. Assuming the Empire hasn’t discovered it and wiped it clean, it should be more than enough to accommodate you Captain Solo.”

Chewbacca troubled by Xol’s choice of words growls at Han to which the smug faced rogue responds, “Take it easy furball, we’ll see what the man is offering before we decide to go or not.”

Solo inserts the chip into a reader he has in a side pocket. With a green light and an accepting beep, the display is met by the ever widening eyes of the human smuggler.

“This is a lot of credit your Jediness, what sort of trouble are you expecting out there?”

“Enough,” Xol says, his voice turning stern. “Do you still intend to turn us over to the Empire as Orlo has planned?”

“What are you talking about?” the smuggler scoffs, and his Wookiee companion reaches for his weapon.

“At ease Chewbacca, I am neither hurt nor surprised by this. I was once a Jedi Master my dear Captain. I sensed your thoughts the moment we landed. I will deal with Orlo when we come back this way another time. That amount should wipe out your debt with the Hutts though, am I correct?”

“Absolutely, heck I could pay to have em’ killed with this kind of Datari on the table.”

“Then we have a deal Solo. Lead us passed all that the Empire has to offer and guide us to those coordinates, and in return you are a man reborn. We shall disembark shortly.”

“Not so fast Jedi Master, pull up a seat. Right now those Imperials are stirred up like Viper Wasps and they are all gunning for anything resembling a ship right now. We’ll be locked down by gravity wells and boarded before we can engage light speed. We’ll head out in the morning, by then hopefully they will have begun spreading out searches of the system. We’ll slip through the cracks and be on our way.”

“As you wish captain. Do not attempt to double cross me or I will never relinquish the access code to that card.”

“C’mon Xol, it’s me. What are you worried about?” Han replies rhetorically with a smile.

“I shall retire then to the ship. DX, are you coming?”

“In a while big guy,” Dex says as he slides up to the bar next to Chewbacca. “I’m going to enjoy a couple drinks with the boys and maybe play a couple hands of Sabacc if they are game.”

“As long as I get to deal, you shifty old antique,” Han says with a smile.

“Old antique, are you referring to that rust bucket outside or to your mother smuggler?” Dex retorts back, jokingly.

“Alright clone, those are big words, we’ll see if they match your skills with the cards.”

Seeing that his friend will be okay and not wanting to feed into the childish banter between the two men, Xol exits the bar and walks toward his ship. As he approaches, he notices a lone figure in a brown robe sitting just underneath the Wayfarer. The stranger has green tentacles that dangle from its hood.

“Qiin, I thought I had instructed you to stay onboard to watch Maul and Booma. I am most displeased by this.” Xol utters as he storms toward the seated individual.

“You mistaken me for someone else Master Xol,” a male voice utters in broken Basic. “I am Ateyru, a Jedi Knight, and I am glad that the Force has drawn me to you. We had feared you were lost to the Order many years ago.”

The knight rises and removes his hood, he is Quarren and a mutilated symbol on his forehead tells Xol that he was once a Sith with the Empire. Through his senses he can tell that the being that stands before him has a pure connection with Living Force, not with the Dark Side.

“Ateyru, I was under the impression I was the last of the Order. Now it appears that after all these years they had actually abandoned me, and so in turn I must admit I have abandoned them.”

“How do you mean Master?” the Quarren says, a puzzled look across his face. “We had tried to find you but Lord Starkiller has single-handedly scattered the Jedi and crushed the main command of the Rebellion. With Yoda lost to us, presumably dead it was Master Skywalker that sent us to find you so that you may aid us again in our cause. You are one of our greatest champions.”

“Skywalker was a fool to think that after all this time I could be saved, I am not your champion, Jedi. Nor am I your enemy. Now report back to this shadow of an order you come from and tell them I am dead as well.”

“I am sorry Master, I cannot do that.” The young Jedi says firmly. “My mission is to retrieve Darth Maul, finding you here was a fortunate surprise. The order requires the Sith for interrogation.”

“He is my prisoner, and if you hadn’t heard, he may not be your ally but he is no friend to the Emperor either. He has no information worthy of discovering.”

“Master Skywalker sees differently, you may have turned your back on us but are you obstructing me from completing my mission?”

“No, obstructing would mean you have a chance of accomplishing your task. You may have overcome some haunted past as a Sith warrior but you do not want to try my patience boy. You will find I am not as merciful as Skywalker.”

“I am warning you Master, do not impede me further or I will no other choice but to resort to more aggressive tactics.”

The Quarren reaches for his lightsaber and ignites the weapon. He raises its emerald blade in front of him in a basic attack stance.

“Do not make me destroy you Ateyru, I may not be a Sith or even a Dark Jedi, but I will not give you quarter should you decide to not heed my warnings young one.”

“I am not as young as you think, oh fallen master!”

The swift young Jedi moves in to close with Xol. Before he can execute his first swing of his blade, the Yautja has deployed both of his. He crashes his crimson pair against the humming green Jedi blade smacking it down to the ground with intense power. With this opening Xol simultaneously stamps down on Ateyru’s weapon with his foot and slashes at the knight’s arms with his lightsabers. The red, blazingly hot weapons sever cleanly through the Quarren’s limbs. With a scream of agony, the Jedi glances at his seared, charred stumps and a look of hopelessness washes over his face. While the young knight takes in his situation, Xol uses his powers to lift the warrior from the ground and suspend him in air. Anger from his feelings of abandon fill up the Yautja’s mind like a goblet of pain and anguish causing him to begin tightening his grip on the Jedi.

“How could you do this?” yells Ateyru, “You are one of us! One of our teachers! How can you protect such a creature as Darth Maul, it’s madness!”

“He is required young one, do you yield or must I destroy you?” Xol angrily growls.

“You and I both know I cannot do that Master. I am a Jedi, and if this should be my end, I will always be stronger than you.”

At the uttering of the Quarren’s last word, Xol can feel his anger burst forth in his blood. His rage takes over, and he can no longer stand the sight of this petulant Jedi strung up before him. He lashes out wildly with the Force, sending arcs of vibrant red lightning streaming from his fingertips, roaring like a great beast. The violent tongues of energy rip at the Jedi’s body, tearing flesh and cloak alike until finally, the knight’s form bursts into a cloud of irradiated ash and blows into the breeze like a smoky mist. The blackened remnant of Ateyru, wisps passed the still angered Xol. Its inky particles adhering to his armor and clothing and through the Force he can feel it staining his soul as well.

Responding to the commotion, Han, Chewbacca and Dex run out into the clearing with their weapons drawn. Reacting in a similar manner, Booma, Qiin, and Wompit race down the Wayfarer’s gangway as it lowers, rushing to Xol’s side.

By the time they reach him, the Yautja is knelt on the dirt, his sabers dropped on the ground beside him. In his cupped hands, he holds Ateyru’s lightsaber with his head bent down staring at the lifeless, severed arms. Tears fill his eyes for the first time in what feels like several lifetimes. He gently sobs behind his helm, his breath like a harmful vapor he is trying to expel. His mind is flooded with the images of all those he has killed and each one stabs his heart so painfully he feels as though he may die from the assault.

“Xol,” Qiin says as she places her hand on the pauldron of her master. “What has happened?”

“I died, my apprentice. I am dead.”

TO BE CONTINUED…