The Greatest Sith... That Never Lived
Posted by: Darth Danno 01.10.07 12:01am
Previously:

• CHAPTER I: MEDITATION and REFLECTION
• CHAPTER II: SEEKING THE SITH
• CHAPTER III: THE PLOT THICKENS (Part I)
• CHAPTER III: THE PLOT THICKENS (Part II)
• CHAPTER IV: THE LEGEND OF THE MASTER
• CHAPTER V: A PADAWAN FLEES
• CHAPTER VI: DEBACLE IN THE DOCKING BAY (Part I)
• CHAPTER VI: DEBACLE IN THE DOCKING BAY (Part II)

CHAPTER VII: CONUNDRUM ON CORUSCANT (Part I)

Outside the Jedi Temple, the Coruscant airways teemed with life and action. Speeders and air taxies jockeyed for position as they went about their daily routines. Far below, the denizens of this bustling metropolis went about their business, completely oblivious to what was going on high above them. The heavy and somber mood that pervaded the temple at this time did not go beyond their doors.

Jedi master R'eogge Cusal sat in his chair, deep in meditation. Others in the room included: Jedi masters Nad Dychud (Human), Dexxx (Lepi), Ianidan Nesoj (Arcona), Elon (Bothan), Xam Burin (Kubaz), Mot Chemidael (Duros), Vaed Dovarchi (Nautolan), Holdar Beyorel (Twi'lek), Rabyr Issew (Givin), Cram Lleyjo (Abyssin), and Libi Belac (Rodian).

"He should have returned by now." Master Beyorel said to the group.

"I sense something terrible has occurred." Master Cram added.

"Have we no one on Tatooine that can verify if the ship left Mos Eisley or not?" Master Nad questioned.

"I have made inquiries", Master Xam replied, "but have not heard anything in return."

"The Sith will pay for this outrage!" Master Dexxx bellowed, then rose from his seat and began pacing around the room.

"Patience, friend" Master Mot chimed in, trying to appease. "Revenge is a path to the dark side."

"I know full well..." Master Dexxx started to say, but was interrupted by Master R'eogge.

"Silence!" He commanded. The room fell silent and the Lepi quickly returned to his chair. "I have had many visions", the Quarren began. "Some say Padawan Birso is no more, yet others show him returning shortly, I do not understand it all."

"Distressing", was all Master Elon would say.

"If the Sith know the whereabouts of Revan's tomb..." Master Rabyr stated. "Who knows what evil they now could possess."

The room fell silent once again, broken only by the chime of a comm.

"Sirs" the voice began. "Sorry to disturb you, but our long range sensors have just picked up a distress call. It appears to be from your Padawan."

"Patch it through at once!" Master Cusal commanded.

The transmission was patched through, but came across as very staticy and kept cutting in and out.

"Masters...I an't...ke it." Was all they heard.

"That's Kafforl!" Master Ianidan exclaimed, but was quickly hushed.

"I nee...pl...lp me. Not going to...e it. Hurt b..." Then the transmission ended.

"Steady lad, steady." Master Libi said, more to himself than anyone in particular.

Master Cusal activated the comm. "Patch me through to the security division commander." When the commander came on, he continued. "Commander, I want you to take all necessary precautions to bring that ship in safely. But under no circumstances is anyone to board that vessel until we arrive!"

"Firespeeders are standing by", the Commander replied. "Your shuttle is ready to leave when you are. Lets just hope whomever is flying that thing can land it without turning it into a gigantic ball of flame."

"He's a Jedi", Master R'eogge replied, "he'll bring it down in one piece." With that, he switched off the comm and the dozen masters hurriedly made their way out of their chamber and down toward the docking bay where their shuttle awaited.

Once they were airborne, the communications tower kept updating them with the ships current location, speed, and altitude. They were informed that if the calculations were correct, the craft should touch down in a sector of Coruscant's unoccupied industrial district. All the masters breathed a sigh of relief over that. They instructed their pilot to fly to the proposed crash site and just stand by. No good setting down until their wayward freighter had finally come to ground, wherever exactly that may be.

They didn't have long to wait as they soon spied a small, bright speck coming down out of the upper atmosphere and heading in their direction. As the craft approached, their worst fears were realized when they actually got to see the condition on the ship. It appeared only of the engines was operable. The other engine just billowed smoke. There were numerous blast marks across the hull, in addition to many new dents, scrapes, gashes, and gauges. One eighth of the ship, near the rear, was completely blown apart. It was highly doubtful this ship would ever be star worthy again. The Jedi's shuttle rose quickly out of the incoming freighter's path. It went screaming by, plunging to meet the ground below, followed by a half dozen firespeeders. The craft didn't land as much as it slid into the ground, creating a terrible scraping sound and it had ceased its descent, and now fought to decrease it's speed. The firespeeders bombarded the craft with flame-retardant foam. Putting out the current fires while trying to ensure no new ones began. The ship finally slowed and eventually stopped. Leaving a long, deep, black colored gash in the terrain. The speeders gave the craft a final once-over of foam before breaking off and returning to base, passing two incoming security transports. The Jedi's shuttle landed a safe distance from the downed freighter.

Master Cusal got out of his seat and approached the pilot. "Make sure the security teams are at the ready, but they are not to approach the ship until we have given the all clear, understood?" The pilot nodded his consent and relayed the instructions to the security transports which had just landed.

Master Cusal then unhooked his lightsaber from his belt, turned and faced his compatriots. "It's is time, my friends. To end all this mystery and speculation and get down to the bottom of what really occurred on Tatooine. May the Force be with us". He then turned and exited the ship.


Darth Danno.