"Did he just send us on a mission together?" the lasat protested too loudly, looming over the seemingly miniature woman named Celeste Morne. "And he took off somewhere with that sith!"
"And what are you unhappy about?" the woman grimaced. She had to keep the anti-eavesdropping device running in the small cabin, which was divided into two halves by a screen. Not that this runt was capable of appreciating her body. Lasats can't reproduce with other species, so for him she would be… Well, at most an interest to satisfy needs… However, Jaro himself was little interested in anything other than training. And Light was an ideal teacher for him in that regard. Her savior himself was a kind of training maniac, which was explained by the fact that he had somehow managed to see not-so-distant future. And it clearly didn't please him, which provoked, as Celeste understood, the kind and rather naive Light to become cruel and pragmatic. It must be admitted, he succeeded. When she first saw him, one could have thought she was facing another faceless Shadow. She herself had met many of them. And she herself had been one… But then she noticed that this man was going through a unique event of becoming… Something more… Someone more.
Possessing an impressive arsenal of Force techniques, and not the simplest ones, excellent fencing skills, Light, like no one else, was strong enough and to some extent authoritative enough to mold the generally talented Jaro into a fine Jedi. Though, while being the young padawan's teacher himself, Jaro's level was considered too low and he often recruited her for training, while giving her a huge amount of advice on how to work the boy. Light himself had left with that sith — Scourge… And Celeste was worried, very worried. This man had burst into her life unexpectedly, turned it upside down. And she clearly understood what she felt for him, beyond gratitude and duty. It's hard to shut off such a feeling, if possible at all. Should she even deny her feelings? After all, she could just allow herself to confess… Everything… It certainly wouldn't make things worse for her.
"Me? He's my master, but instead of teaching me, he… he…"
"What, is he betraying the Order?" Celeste asked. "Or didn't he give you a training program? Or am I not working with you… Or maybe," she looked into the eyes of the pink-skinned lasat. "You doubt my competence."
"N… no… But the sith…"
"The sith… So what?"
"Doesn't he need our help?" Jaro asked uncertainly, sitting on a simple bed. The ship carrying them from Veynae to the sector where the smugglers worked, whose activities Light had ordered them to investigate, was in hyperspace.
"Are you sure he needs your help?" the woman giggled. "Are you sure you're strong enough not to just get in the way? Because that's what you'd do if you went with him…" Though Celeste herself couldn't say the reason he went on a journey with Scourge. That ancient being, four thousand years old, though maybe he's lived longer — posed a threat even to Light. And he tends to always underestimate himself. But Celeste had a good assessment of his level. She and Jaro, even if they combined efforts, couldn't do anything to him. With HK-47 there might be a chance… In other moments, he was simply too fast and possessed too powerful Force techniques that he knew how to use at the right time. His teleportation alone was worth something, even if it had limitations, but even so — it's dangerous. Although Celeste was sure that a master whose specialization was combat confrontation could react to an attack. They don't take outright weaklings as Masters of the High Council, do they? "No, you're not strong. I understand that perfectly, and so does Light. That's why you need to become stronger. And what will temper you better than a mission and training with me? He told me: show you the shadow side of the Republic you're going to defend, and that's what I'll do."
"But I know perfectly well that everything isn't fine on the Outer Rim," Jaro objected.
"Knowing and acting based on knowledge are two different things. You can be aware that, say, a hellish massacre is happening on one planet, but on that planet you might freeze up, slow down, because knowledge doesn't equal practice. Only by going through real difficulties and testing knowledge in practice, under the watchful eye of a good teacher, can you act in completely unusual situations and come out unscathed from the most dangerous waters of the galaxy. Of course, Light would explain it all better than I could. But he has an agreement with Scourge that he will help the Sith Lord avoid persecution by the Order for Scourge's help with the situation we experienced on Veynae. Of course, I don't trust the sith, but I trust your master's strength; if not to win, then at least to escape." Celeste felt that the Force Bond transmitted Light's emotions. There was a calmness she sensed when Light wasn't fighting… In battle he usually gets worried, probably because he doesn't always fully understand the limit of his strength and considers himself inherently weaker. But that he was calm was a good sign. "So, are you unhappy? Or will you run to report him to the High Council?"
"The High Council already knows that Scourge escaped. And the master himself took two missions. A solo one for himself, according to his profile, and the one we're flying on."
Yes, he acted cleverly. In the Order, Light is considered a genius among his generation. Talent, perseverance, and as a result — his current abilities. But at the same time, some prominent figures of the Order, not without reason by the way, consider him overly independent and autocratic… Hmm, maybe that's how it is… Though one cannot deny the fact that he is strong and quite creates an aura of a reasonable person who confirms his words with actions. And people are usually drawn to such people.
"Yes, a cover," Celeste confirmed Jaro's words. "And you won't go to report your master?"
"No, I won't," the padawan said after about three minutes of thought. "I didn't report him right away… I don't know why… Maybe because he turned out to be right? At least in some points regarding me… I really am an arrogant, conceited idiot."
Celeste chuckled. If there was one thing to reproach her savior for, it was that he didn't hold back his words. That wins others over, but it can also harm.
"But… I don't know… Among the younglings, I really overstayed. No one wanted to take a rebellious, willful youngling who questioned a knight's authority as a padawan… But he wanted to…"
"And he gave you a beating," Celeste recalled the duel between Light and Jaro, which she had heard about and even seen holo-recordings of. "And now you want to understand his strength and even become better. In every sense… You see in him someone who can help you with everything. It's even surprising how such a proud sentient as you quickly grasped and seized a unique chance… Jaro, I'll tell you one thing. You got a master… Controversial, not without flaws. He's not ideal. I can see and recognize that… But the best you could have gotten. Sharpen your hearing, sharpen your perception, open your eyes and watch carefully. He will train you, make you into a Jedi who will surpass the image you fantasized about in your wet, boyish dreams… But only if you truly want it," she looked into the lasat's eyes again. "If you want, he will help. But if you do nothing, you'll remain exactly what you recently described yourself as."
"I'll try," the lasat said resolutely.
"We'll see," the girl smirked. "I called you to order, now open your datapad. We need to study our target."
* * *
30
We emerged from hyperspace near a blue planet that, according to initial scans, had an atmosphere, mountains, forests, and moisture.
"And what world is this?" I asked, watching the navigation system trying to figure out where we were on the computer. Only… It was breaking out of the familiar grid of the galactic map. On my computer, the galaxy map was divided into the usual sectors. But considering where we were, and we were beyond the familiar grid — the planet was in Wild Space. "Where have you brought me?"
"The planet's name should tell you a lot, after all, from our conversations I understood that you know something about Valkorion and even Steyris, the Hero of Tython… This planet," the sith looked at it. "We're going to it. So… its name is Odessen."
"Odessen? The one that's the main headquarters of the Eternal Alliance?" I asked. Scourge nodded. "I never thought I'd be able to visit it. Information on Odessen's location is absent from all the galaxy's archives! Even about Zakuul, there are assumptions that it's in sector D-13. But Odessen…"
"Ha, as for Zakuul — it's not in that sector. It's… well, how to say — much farther than even Odessen," Scourge remarked. "We won't be visiting Zakuul. But on Odessen, I'll help you with Muur… And take note: the fight won't be simple. He knows he's been exposed, which means… which means he'll show you all the deadly power of the dark side of the Force. Like a sorcerer, he will work his sorcery. And if you lose, he'll simply erase your personality and take your body. Then I'll have to kill you."
"And if I win?" I asked.
"Then I'll collect your debt to oppose Abeloth, as she's also called. To be honest, I was planning an attack on her in a couple of years… But you so confidently stated forty to a hundred years, as if you know the future and that it will turn out that destroying Abeloth in that timeframe is better than trying to challenge her now. Besides, you studied under Revan. That says a lot."
"A lot? You betrayed him, by the way."
"I did everything I could, Light. Don't forget that the fact that Revan became a spirit helped us defeat Vitiate."
Still, from a certain point of view, he's right. Though it grates on me a bit, but as someone trained on Anaxes, I'm well aware of the tactic of "sacrificial pawns." You can't achieve something great without paying the corresponding price. Vitiate was ultimately defeated, so it's all fair. On the other hand, there's a lingering aftertaste. That's why I'm wary of Scourge right now. He might decide that it's more rational to sacrifice me too, according to a Force vision. In that case, my fate would be unenviable. But the move has been made; it's too late to change horses midstream. So I smoothly steered the Star Trek toward Odessen. Besides me, HK and BB were on board. Both had been instructed that we might suddenly "hit the panic button." The planet was almost as I remembered it from the MMO. Blooming, with mountains, seas visible in the distance, and rich vegetation.
"How, after all, did the Eternal Alliance disappear? Did Steyris disband it?" I asked Scourge.
"To some extent," snorted the sith sitting next to me. "It was dissolved by inaction. You see, the Empire and the Republic united into an Alliance for one reason — the Eternal Empire of Zakuul. And when that reason disappeared… the meaning of the Alliance's existence also began to dissolve. I told Steyris about that, that we need to continue integration and even suggested he begin it in the context of the sith and Jedi. Lana Beniko supported me. Alas, the plan to transform the Eternal Alliance into the Eternal Dominion failed. Steyris… well, let's say he wasn't a politician, wasn't a pragmatist. He believed that the bonds formed between members of the Eternal Alliance — imperials and republicans — could keep it from falling apart. He didn't want to become the first Dictator, ruler of the Dominion, even for ten years; by all principles of 'democracy' he wouldn't even be able to run afterward… Everything was compounded by the destruction of the Eternal Fleet and the final destruction of Iokath technology. You actually have the last sample of that technology. You know that Revan used 'Tserke' technology to create HK, and they, incredibly, managed to obtain some of Iokath's technology… With the death of the Eternal Fleet, the absence of visible and conscious leadership policy, the members of the Eternal Alliance began to scatter across the galaxy. Some simply left, some returned to their posts in the Republic or the Empire… Thus, what could have become something unique, new, incredible — fell apart without even fully forming. And I gave up on everything and devoted all these years to researching Vitiate, as well as finding and destroying all artifacts that could have belonged to him," Scourge said sadly. "It doesn't matter what system you adhere to. Democracy, autocracy… Even the system of pink gizkas. Remember that a country needs laws and a formulated goal. It needs established institutions… But you understand that already?"
"Yes, I graduated from university with a degree in 'Public Administration'."
"A Jedi who doesn't neglect external education? But in general, your 'public administration' courses at various universities in the galaxy are a laughable thing. The professors are all clever people. And they say things that directly point to the Republic's shortcomings, its current weakness and worthlessness… You're not even close to the Old Republic. But at the same time, students graduate and happily join not movements for the evolution of the state apparatus, but various schemes to funnel credits into their own accounts… Marr laughed for a long time when I told him all this."
"Marr… He's here too?"
"Of course. He is, naturally," Scourge confirmed. "He'll help you. If he wants to."
The ship landed on one of the landing platforms.
"I've been wanting to ask… Where is your starship, Scourge? You couldn't have gotten here from Veynae without a ship."
"My starship…" he sighed. "Was falling apart literally as it flew. Unfortunately, I had to abandon it because of the Jedi. I tried to pay for repairs, but I ran into one from your Order who sensed my nature and wanted to do good and deliver justice. I had to run, because I wasn't in the mood to be exposed. Unfortunately, all that mess with Set Harth and that pair still exposed me."
We stepped onto the platform, and I finally could breathe fresh air. The base was near mountains, and the air was remarkably clean. Scourge led me through partially collapsed corridors until we emerged into a huge, round hall where a holomap stood.
* * *
31
"And who have you brought here?" a stern voice rang out. A Force Ghost? Next to the holoprojector stood a tall man in clothing that combined scarlet and black. A hood was pulled over his head, and a mask concealed his face.
"One who expressed the desire himself," Scourge noted. "This boy is experiencing some problems. But he has decent potential. So I decided to help him."
Marr stared at me. The room was somewhat dark, but that clearly didn't bother him. Nor me — I could make out his features.
"I sense strange echoes in him," Marr said after several dozen seconds. "Something lives inside him… No, someone."
"Good day, Lord Marr," I began, bowing slightly. "My name is Light. Light Flyingstar."
"What do you need help with, boy, and how have you managed to interest Scourge himself?" Marr crossed his arms over his chest. "No embellishments."
"Ahem," I cleared my throat. To be honest, even as a ghost, the tall Marr, in that suit of his, was imposing. He seemed to carry an aura about him that made you want to obey. A peculiar psychology of a leader… I'd studied it, in theory, though I'd had to command before. "I'm a Jedi, of the modern Order. And as it happens, Karness Muur has entered my body."
"Have the Jedi grown so impoverished they cannot even fight within their own minds?" Marr asked me.
"I can, and I have done so successfully. I managed to defeat Darth Arrogant inside my own mind."
"Hmm," Marr rumbled thoughtfully. "I know little of him. Only that he was friendly with Baras. And after Baras's death at the hands of his own apprentice — Rasa — he preferred to keep a low profile. Though I was informed that Arrogant supported Valkorion of the Eternal Empire. But I assume you wouldn't have brought him here if it were a simple matter of confrontation, given his experience in it."
"Correct," Scourge confirmed. "This won't be a simple confrontation, because this time Karness Muur is involved. And he's wormed his way in by some convoluted method. The boy is talented, but he lacked experience. He destroyed Muur's artifact with an ordinary sword, not with the Force… And the mad old man used a unique mind-transfer technique. Look closely…"
"Yes, this is no ordinary technique… Far more subtle, costly, and complex. But what is the benefit to us in helping this Jedi, Scourge?"
"He can help us challenge Abeloth," Scourge replied. "He is talented and has a few aces up his sleeve that give him confidence."
"Confidence is easily broken by force," Marr said menacingly. "Talent is not everything. He is not strong enough…"
"But he is talented enough to become strong, Marr. Moreover — his knowledge, for some reason, allows him to claim that within forty to a hundred years, he can find us allies to oppose Abeloth."
"What allies can a killer find us? Or do you occupy some niche in the so-called Republic? Perhaps you hold sway in the Jedi Order?" Marr asked me directly.
He was right. The question was logical and unpleasant. I'd gotten carried away with training, even overdone it, so I was strong — few would deny that. But that wasn't enough for everything I'd promised Scourge. In the Order, I was still just a knight, not even a master… Though I would become one once Jaro finished his training. After that, logically, I should take a seat on the High Council… Except when was I going to do that? I needed authority… I could, of course, become a master from the Shadows. But that would hardly help the cause, since the Shadows are, well, Shadows — not exactly popular even within the Order. Intelligence and counterintelligence are rarely liked anywhere.
"No," I answered dryly. "I don't occupy any particular niche. But nonetheless," I looked into the eye sockets of Marr's mask, "I am asking for your help, Lord Marr. Visions of the future have been revealed to me. Abeloth will awaken within a hundred years, one way or another. And during that time — the Galaxy will undergo tremendous upheavals. I can enter those upheavals and find allies there. After all — great upheavals create great opportunities."
"The opportunity to die during such upheavals doesn't frighten you?" Marr asked. "Very well, so be it. Enter deep meditation, right now. And prepare… It will be very difficult."
I sat down on the cold floor and immediately sank into a trance. The room vanished; the darkness dissipated after a couple of moments. I saw the familiar landscape of my Inner World. I was in the center of a rocky island, amidst a raging ocean with lightning flashing in the distance. Only this time, the island wasn't empty, as I was used to. It was filled with various rakghouls. Of different sizes, builds, and even abilities.
"I knew you would come," a familiar voice carried over. "I even knew that you lacked the skill to destroy me back then on Jebble."
There was no sign of Karness among the monsters.
"And upon learning that I survived, you came here to 'take back' what is rightfully mine!" the voice grew louder. "Your beautiful, young body, and the Galaxy that will fall at my feet when your personality vanishes."
"Show yourself, Muur." His voice echoed throughout the entire world, so I asked him to appear.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha… Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" came the laughter. "I have no need to show myself to you, Light Flyingstar. It is time for you to disappear. Accept your fate!"
The monsters bared their fangs, readying for battle.
"Listen to me carefully," Marr's voice came through. "Muur transferred himself using a unique technique. That means from the very beginning, he literally became you, an alter-ego. This is not a simple body seizure using the Force, not a mind transfer. He is literally rewriting you. He can be overcome in two ways. Either destroy him completely, once and for all. Or take his power for yourself, separating the spirit from the Force. In the first case — he won't even dissolve into the Force, he will simply be erased from existence. In the second — he will be laid to rest, and a part of his power, his understanding of the Force… will pass to you, strengthening you. I would recommend the second option, though it is dangerous."
"And how do I do that?"
"Either way, you will first have to find him. But bear in mind, I do not advise you to die at the hands of the rakghouls. With each such death, Muur will grow stronger, for this is your consciousness, and death here means losing a piece of yourself. I will help you in battle and help you find him… But my power is not infinite in your body," the Sith said regretfully. "Scourge says you are talented. And, quite possibly, you are persistent. I respect those who are not averse to showing persistence and a willingness to work. Prove it to me… Fortunately, you have a good opportunity to earn a grain of my respect. And believe me, it is worth a great deal. May the Force be with you…"
I sighed and extended my hand towards the mob of rakghouls… They lunged at me, ready to attack… There was no choice, as usual…