"So," the blue hologram of the twelve Masters sitting on the Jedi Council on Coruscant glowed before us. "You are on your way to Gizelum," came from the projection of one of the councilors, Master Saesee Tiin. "We have read the report. Excellent work, Knight Decer, Padawan Flyingstar. However, are you not overestimating the significance of the artifact?"
"Rather underestimating it," Even Piell grumbled.
After the standard greetings, we began our usual report to the Council. Actually, Lorm didn't report to them all that often. The mentor didn't like the current Council, or any of its existing lineups for that matter. Because someone like him, they didn't tend to like by default. Lorm especially caught flak from the Council for his practically open violation of the Code. The mentor was kept in the Jedi ranks solely for his skills as an archaeologist, which he always used to drag a lot of useful artifacts, techniques, and ancient knowledge into the Order.
"We cannot yet judge its power," Yoda spoke up. "We must obtain the medallion; it is a dangerous artifact."
"That's what I'm suggesting," Even Piell remarked. "Send the Shadows there. They'll handle it better than archaeologists. You underestimate Zakuul."
"And you know everything, do you?" Lorm asked mockingly. This was bad. Our main goal wasn't just to hand the artifact over to the Council, but to try and make it work, summoning a couple of the ghosts we were interested in. By its very existence, it substituted for almost an entire Sith ritual involving Dark Side manipulations, including outright sacrifices. "I am a Jedi Archaeologist. Finding such artifacts is my job. And my young student and I did all the work for you. We found those who had contact with the artifact..."
"Coincidence," Even Piell cut him off. "You were lucky you knew that group..."
"And why, do you think, I knew them, Master Piell? Furthermore, we found Joyran Karnur's sister, we investigated the slavers' activities, and we did your own job for you," he nodded at Piell.
And that was true. Even Piell was a Guardian. Destroying slavers was their direct duty.
"Enough," Yoda interrupted the growing argument. "By your abilities, you consider yourself capable of handling this situation, Knight Lorm. The Council requires a report after studying Gizelum. And a detailed analysis of the Sith artifact, after which you must hand over both the report and this artifact to Jocasta Nu," Yoda nodded towards the mature woman Master.
"I believe I am capable. We are ready to do what must be done on Gizelum..."
"I would advise, Lorm," the speaker's voice was calm and, I'd say, icy. The Jedi Shadow sent after Shilazh and Teyron Jarps... also turned out to be a legendary figure. Of average height, quite beautiful, and white-haired — An'ya Kuro. In the Star Wars canon, she appears as a representative of the Shadows. Not much is actually known about the Shadow Corps. Even to me, already living in this world for fifteen years. What are the Shadows? Assassins and, partly, archaeologists who seek out 'particularly dark artifacts,' as well as those artifacts that have definitely fallen 'into the wrong hands.' Whom do the Shadows kill? Rogues. Jedi who have strayed from the path, who the Council has called to be killed. Additionally, they hunt Dark-Sided individuals of all stripes. And unlike Consulars, who prefer to influence with the Force, and Guardians, who swing their lightsabers more, the Shadows — belonging to the Guardians — don't have a one-hundred-percent attachment to the sword or the Force. Their motto is essentially 'at any cost.' There are great swordsmen among them, Force users, and even users of exotic weapons. For instance, there's even a Jedi Knight who uses a light-whip, in the manner of Darth Lumiya from the actual canon. "Wait for me."
"Don't you need to track down that pair, An'ya?" asked Lorm, turning to the woman's hologram.
"I do," she didn't deny it. "But I suspect you may have been exposed on Selvaris, and your next destination may have been exposed as well."
"In that case, there's no need to worry. Shilazh is certainly weaker than me, and Teyron is too. Although it will be a struggle. But we can destroy them if something happens."
"I've always been worried about your overconfidence, Lorm, lest it destroy you. I'm heading to Gizelum anyway."
"As you wish," Lorm waved his hand, and the Dark Woman disconnected from the common comm channel.
"Well, then it's decided, and there's no need to say more. Knight Lorm and his Padawan — the Council tasks you with arriving at Gizelum and capturing the Sith artifact. After that, we have other assignments for you."
The Council's hologram vanished.
"Phew," Lorm Decer sighed. "Their senility will kill me one day. Piell especially pisses me off. He's intolerant of anything that doesn't match his ideals. The poor fool hasn't realized that not everyone is as righteous as he is."
"Master, is it normal to badmouth the Council like that?" I asked him.
"Ha, of course it's normal. Or are you suggesting I agree with someone who's wrong and do as he orders?" he asked me mockingly. "Understand, my student, you can't spend your whole life agreeing with everything. Otherwise, you'll live your life like a slave."
"I'll think about it..."
I was already heading for the exit when Lorm unexpectedly stopped me, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Wait," I turned to the mentor. "I don't need to tell you that the Code should be followed, my student. But what you and Mila have formed is dangerous."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you really think I didn't feel it?" Lorm asked. "I'm talking about the Bond. They form either spontaneously or through a long understanding of each other, like between you and me. But the Bond you formed with Mila Karnur — it's spontaneous. You two lovebirds aren't exactly an eyesore for me. But these Bonds are dangerous in themselves."
"I don't see the danger, mentor. And you yourself clearly admit that you've spoiled me."
"Ah, you don't see the danger?" Lorm asked. "Fine," he said, closing his eyes. "I'll explain differently. Understand, student. You will become a Jedi Knight; you don't object to that, right?"
"That's right..."
"It doesn't matter now which specialty you choose. I dream that you will continue my work, but if you choose another path, I won't stand in your way. So — any Jedi Knight can be pulled at any absolute moment to the other side of the Galaxy. Where you will have to fight and kill, to bring, so to speak, peace and justice, right?"
"That's right..."
"And that's where the main danger lies. You will expose your precious sweetheart to mortal risk. I can feel you. You love her with the purest, most unclouded love. But she is weak. And dragging her along on missions will be dangerous. In the end, she will die, and you won't be able to prevent it. Do you understand?"
"I won't allow her to die," I said seriously. Mila is like a treasure to me. Before, I was afraid and never even thought about forming that kind of relationship with a woman. But now I understand love. Mila loves me, I love her. We've known each other for only a couple of weeks, but I can't think any other way already.
"You're thinking like a lovesick fool, student," Lorm remarked. "But if you want it so badly, so be it. As I said — I'm not the one to force the Jedi Code down your throat, since I'm not its strict enforcer myself."
* * *
"Mila," as soon as I entered the storage bay, I was pulled into an embrace, and warmth spread through my body. This girl... no, now woman, literally generated warmth for me. I liked everything about her. And I would give a lot to just sit in her arms for centuries.
"Light. So? Did your precious Council approve?"
"Yes," I nodded. "We were heading to Gizelum anyway," we were currently in hyperspace, waiting to finally drop by the planet. "Now, with the Council's approval, everything carries much more weight. We'll save your brother."
Mila just kissed me on the lips in reply... But we weren't in a hurry to continue.
"And what happens next, Light?" Mila asked unexpectedly, after we'd been standing together for a while.
The quiet hum of the engines was audible in the bay. The missiles were loaded into a special recess so no one would accidentally hit them. Besides that, the space was quite huge, and against one wall I saw my woman's scattered tools.
"Next? I'll continue my training with my Master. This mission is just one of many, really..."
"I just wanted to stay by your side..."
"The ship needs a mechanic, darling. And you're qualified enough. So I was planning to offer you to fly with us."
"Seriously?" she squealed.
"Well, yeah. You suspected this outcome, right? But I've already decided for myself. I'm not giving you to anyone."
"But aren't you Jedi forbidden from having such connections?"
"And who will know what kind of connection there is between us?" I asked her. "Or are you going to tell?"
"Hm... Well, I'd like to declare that you belong only to me," she said thoughtfully, twirling her hair.
"I'll prove it to you every night, my love..."
"WHAT?!" she snapped. "You... You... Pervert, that's what you are!" she exclaimed.
"But didn't you like it then?" I asked slyly.
Honestly — I was starting to get the hang of it. First Zela, then Mila. Yes, I said I didn't need anyone after Mila, but it's true! She's enough for me. I have enough sex and romance with Mila. Though I could use more of the former...
"When we're done with Gizelum, the Master promised to fly to one of the tropical planets. For a couple of days, but imagine: you, me, the beach, and the sea."
"Mmmmm... I saw a holophoto once — a cliff right over the foaming waves of the sea crashing against it. What was that planet called: I can't even remember. But it was such a beautiful view."
"We'll find your planet," I promised. A signal sounded... Hell. I recognized that signal. "The exit signal from hyperspace. I need to get to the cockpit. We've reached Gizelum."
I froze only for a moment, right at the exit of the storage bay. Everything was working normally, but something was wrong. I felt... some strange thing. Like something invisible, something terrible, but distant and unfamiliar... Who could be in our way? I shook my head, trying to shrug off the feeling and focus more on the present. Shilazh? The Witch was strong, but not invincible. After all, Lorm taught me to channel the Force through my body to break the earthen shackles she used against the gornum. Although it seems that technique — burial — is practically unbeatable, since any aerobic creature needs air. But no, the Jedi would have disappeared long ago if they couldn't stand up to the other cult of the Gifted, the infamous Dathomirian Witches. And Lorm, in particular, was a treasure trove of various techniques. And, most importantly, he had his own view on how and when to teach them to me. Our training... It was pretty awful, from an ordinary person's perspective. But in the end, I became strong... Though I feel that this still isn't my limit... And most importantly, it's like there's a barrier in front of me. I don't understand how myself, but I've hit a wall and for some reason can't get any stronger. And it's not about swinging a lightsaber, about swordsmanship. No... I was actively learning Ataru from Yoda's holocron, refining Soresu, paying attention to the elements of Shien that my mentor taught me, and independently researching Makashi. In short, from a swordsmanship perspective, I was progressing.
The problem was the Force. It seemed to have stopped me, and now I can't understand what's happening. What's the point? You study a technique, say telekinesis. You're satisfied, right? But you can't stop, which I never did. You should perfect the techniques you use, improve your mastery, have better control, and, of course, influence many more parameters with them — that is, improve them qualitatively. But lately, I seem to have hit a ceiling. Something was hindering, holding back... Restraining. Was it my prejudices? After all, I know perfectly well from the canon about the power that the Dark Side holds. Or is this my true limit? But what's holding me back, and will I be able to become even stronger? Why does this even bother me?
Because I understand perfectly that in GFFA, something can always go wrong. An unexpected enemy you didn't account for can appear. Shilazh is a perfect example, as is the gornum. Do they exist in the Disney canon, forgive me the Force (I sincerely hope this is Legends, though it's harsher, but I know it better), or in the Legends canon? No, such beings don't exist there. But now they do. The GFFA is incredibly vast, and I could encounter — and, frankly, have encountered — enemies I knew nothing about before. They were hidden, mainly by the fact that no one described them out there, far away, on Earth. My trial on Ilum showed me that things don't always go according to plan. A seemingly clear path can be covered in darkness; after light dawns, the path will be different. Far more winding, difficult. And to overcome difficulties, you need power... The Force is my ally, a powerful ally. But now it seems to have stopped. Forever in motion, climbing new heights, my Force has abruptly halted.
Something is hindering it, and I don't understand what yet... As Yoda used to say: one should meditate on this question? All I saw in my meditations while searching for an answer to the question 'what is holding me back' was a mirror. A mirror that reflected me... And actually, such an answer can have many interpretations. The visions of the Force are murky. The Force is an unconscious something striving for balance. And it acts without relying on the aspirations of others. What is it hinting at?
"Light?" Mila's voice came from behind.
"Just thinking," I shook my head again, trying to focus on the present and push away the feeling of threat.
I rushed to the elevator and used it to get to the cockpit. Entering, I activated the exit from hyperspace and immediately engaged stealth mode. Lorm landed next to me, right into the seat beside the pilot's seat. Mila also came into the cockpit along with BB-7. Gizelum was the only inhabited planet in the system. According to the archive data the Master brought, it was Vitiate's prison complex, run by one of the many servants of the Emperor of Zakuul. Only, unlike many who served him, the servant's name hasn't been preserved. However, something else is known. The servant was preparing a rebellion against Vitiate. And although after Vitiate, literally everyone wanted to betray him. Both the Sith, and the Jedi, and even his own family... But the Servant wanted to betray Vitiate before it became mainstream. What did he want? Simply to use the summoned Force Ghosts, capture them, and use them for his own empowerment. An implementable concept, by the way. In the Jedi Chronicles, you can find a couple of Sith who played around in a similar way, and they were all strong, most likely because of it. Only, everything went south. No, Vitiate didn't have time to realize he had been betrayed. The Force put everything in its place.
That very war began, and the traitor perished during one of the battles with the Sith on Korriban. And the Medallion eventually ended up in the Residence on Drizm. And, since the Unknown Regions are chock-full of planets that once served Vitiate, it's natural that many groups of Black Diggers formed there. Force artifacts in a Galaxy Far, Far Away are not just ancient trinkets. And these artifacts cost astronomical sums. Collectors, the Gifted... and the Sith, after all. Plagueis and Palpatine are already active in the Galaxy and clearly wouldn't have passed up the Medallion. What if they are the ones Shilazh and Teyron are working for? Then a lot falls into place... Even if Shilazh is strong, alone, without Plagueis's cover, the Jedi would likely have found her long ago. And then a Jedi Shadow would have come for the witch... One thing leads to another, and the Witch's corpse would have been thrown into a crematorium. But she's alive, and she's also hanging around with a mercenary of Teyron's level.
Meanwhile, the dirty little ball of Gizelum was getting closer. The planet appeared yellow from a distance, suggesting it was covered in endless deserts. And indeed — that was the case. However, amidst the seemingly endless deserts stood an unbelievably giant complex...
"We do as agreed," Lorm declared. "Mila stays on the ship. While my student and I go deep into the complex. What are the scan results?"
"It showed only one life form present," I replied to the mentor, pressing the stealth button.
"But why stealth?" Mila asked me. "We're already in the atmosphere..."
"This is a Zakuul Complex," the mentor explained to Mila. "To you, the Zakuul Empire and its ruler are just another chapter in the history chronicles. Meanwhile, Darth Vitiate, also known as Emperor Valkorion — wanted to consume ALL LIFE IN THE GALAXY. And he was perfectly capable of doing it. He was a monster that the greatest Jedi in all of history feared."
"The mentor is right, Mila. Once we land on the landing platform, don't leave the ship under any circumstances."
* * *
In stealth mode, we landed on the landing platform. The ramp was still lowering when Mila hugged me from behind. I felt her burning breath... The mentor seemed not to notice and immediately rushed outside, putting an air filter on his nose — just in case...
"Come back, Light," Mila Karnur's voice whispered, "and bring back my foolish brother."
"I promise..."
"Come back alive," she demanded. "I... This may seem a bit spontaneous. But I realize that I love you, more than life itself. And I don't want to see you dead... Even if..." she hesitated, "even if you can't save Joyran — the main thing is for you to come back."
I turned and kissed my woman. The kiss was pleasant, and I sincerely wanted to stretch it out forever... Deepen it, but then the mentor's grumbling came.
"How much longer do I have to stand here? Until she gets pregnant? Let's go, student."
I sadly pulled away from the girl and walked down the ramp, closing it behind me. The ship had already exited stealth mode and stood majestically, I'd say, on the platform.
"BB-7 — seal the ship completely," I gave the order.
"Executing," the droid's trill came through the comlink.
The mentor and I, studying every millimeter, concentrating the Force on every inch of our skin, moved towards the sliding doors.
"Locked," I noted. "We need to enter a password," the console was in a passive state, nevertheless, the door's bolts blocked our way. "We need to energize the console's circuit... first power it up, then hack it."
"No need," the mentor said, pointing his hand at the door. "Knock, knock, dammit!" the door was torn off its hinges by a powerful telekinetic push. "The base is inactive anyway," he explained. "Did you see the crater near the complex? It was a crater from the explosion of the reactor that powered it. Republic Commandos blew the reactor and staged a breakout from here."
And indeed — the interior of the dark hall that greeted us with unwelcoming cold was battered with traces of battle. The feeling of death literally hung in the air. Ancient death... Nevertheless — terrible. I could even swear I saw fragments of armor lying here. Suddenly, a strange noise reached us... The lights came on.
"What the..."
"Is that how they blew the reactor, Mentor?" I asked.
"Holy shit," was all he said, staring in shock at the now-brightened hall.
"ATTENTION. INTRUDERS DETECTED. SECURITY SYSTEM COMMAND: TERMINATE. PRIORITY: HIGHEST."
"What the fuck!"
"Enjoy yourselves, dear guests," a woman's voice rang out.
We spun around sharply, and my heart went cold... Standing before us was the Witch Shilazh...
"You've come to your doom, Witch," the mentor drew his lightsaber and activated it immediately. "You're no match for me..."
"My dear Jedi Knight," she said, baring her teeth. "I wasn't planning to fight you, not right now at least."
Hell! Right behind her stood my ship, and Teyron Jarps had just exited it, holding a struggling Mila Karnur in the air. Horror and fear were frozen in her eyes...
"Have fun," Shilazh smirked, and a wall of steel and concrete materialized before her.
"STOP!" I roared, but it was too late. The wall had cut us off. "FUCK! GODDAMN IT!" I struck the barrier with my lightsaber in desperation, but it was too thick.
"CALM DOWN!" the instructor's growl reached me. "You're bonded to her. So feel her. Where have they dragged her off to?"
Mila… Damn… How did this happen? It was all planned perfectly… Wait. My ship came to me from Dol Agid, a mercenary I've pegged as one of those who worked for Plagueis. And Teyron Jarps, if he works for Plagueis… Then he might have known some kind of back door into my ship. This isn't just a refurbished Star Courier. The ship is worth many times more than a Courier, which means nearly every component has been totally reworked… But they managed to get access to it and kidnap her… Still… I sighed, trying to calm myself, though it was difficult. The bond with Mila… The bond with Mila… The bond with Mila… Rage from the hopelessness washed over me, but I kept trying to sense it.
"They're not leaving the complex. They're… Going inside?!" I asked. "Yeah, judging by the complex's size — they're heading toward its center, where the only life form is, the one we found during the initial scan. There!" I dashed for the doors.
"Apprentice! Don't go alone!" The teacher lunged after me, but suddenly they appeared before us. Droids, armed with blasters. They were all old, though they showed signs of maintenance.
These models didn't resemble the classic B-1s that many companies preferred… I'd seen these models in old holos. Complex Guards.
"HOSTILES DETECTED. INITIATING PROTOCOL 'DESTRUCTION'…" The droids aimed their blasters. The instructor and I readied our lightsabers.
This was no longer just a chase for the Medallion. I had to give it everything I had!