The Greatest Sith... That Never Lived
Posted by: Darth Danno 01.17.07 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)

CHAPTER VII: CONUNDRUM ON CORUSCANT (Part II)

Once outside, the smoke and fumes from inside the burning ship escaped the mangled mass and a northeast wind sent them toward the group. The contaminants permeated the Jedi's eyes and nostrils. Master Cusal turned his head away from the pollutants and once again addressed the assembled Jedi.

"Masters Dychud, Burin, Chemidael, and Dovarchi will come with me. Masters Beyorel, Issew, Dexxx, and Lleyjo will remain here as a secondary line of defense. Masters Nesoj, Elon, and Belac...you will stay in the ship and be prepared to evacuate if the rest of us fail. Get word back to the Temple and the Senate what has happened. They..."

"Master Cusal," Jedi Master Elon interrupted. "Do you think it will come to that?"

"I hope not," Master Cusal replied. "We must however be prepared for any contingency. Let's move out!"

The five Jedi made their way toward the charred remains of the freighter, while the remaining members took their assigned positions either next to, or inside the ship. As they got closer, the smoking debris made it harder and harder to see and breathe, but with the aid of the Force, were able to overcome it. Finding the main hatch unusable, it was decided to enter through the large gash at the aft of the ship. One by one, they jumped through the opening and into the freighter. Broken debris and mangled machinery lay everywhere. Sparking wires and small fires lined the interior walls. Slowly and cautiously, the Jedi made their way around the numerous obstacles on their way to the front of the craft. After what seemed like hours, the five reached the large hatch that separated them from the cockpit. Master Burin tried to open the door, but was unsuccessful.

"Jammed." Master Burin said. "I didn't expect any less though."

"Stand back." Master Dychud said as he ignited one blade of his double-bladed lightsaber and started to cut through the metal door.

"Let me help." Master Chemidael said, and used his lightsaber to start cutting through the right side of the door. So the two Masters carved a horizontal line across the top portion of the hatch. Sparks and melted metal dripped to the floor as the two blades made their way through the door. Finally the cut was complete. Then the two Jedi stepped aside and Master Dovarchi stepped in, lit his blade, and started a cut from where the door met the floor up to the long cut the previous masters had made, leaving a gigantic "T" etched through the door. When that was finished, he stepped back and the five Jedi used their Force abilities to pry the pieces out. At first, they did not want to budge, but mere metal is no match for the power of the Force. The pieces started to groan and creak, then scraped and buckled, until they finally gave way and clattered to the floor with a resounding "CLANG!!!"

"With Master Cusal leading the way, the five wormed their way into the cockpit and up to the pilot's and co-pilots chairs. Even the strongest and most formidable Jedi wasn't prepared for the sight that greeted them there.

In the co-pilots seat sat the body of Master Hant, pock marked with burn holes from what appeared to be a lightsaber. His now sunken and pale face wrenched in agony. In the pilots chair sat Padawan Birso, or what was believed to be as his body was burned beyond recognition.

"By the stars..."Master Burin gasped.

"Who could have done this?" Master Dovarchi questioned.

"The Sith." Master Cusal coolly replied.

"I know that Master," Vaed continued. "What I meant to say was, why???"

"Who knows the depths of depravity the Dark Side may take someone..." Master Dychud said. "Even to madness."

"This was not the work of a madman", Master Chemidael commented. "This shows cold and exacting precision. If whomever did this was simply mad, they could have just left the bodies on Tatooine in some morbid display. No, we were meant to be the first ones to see this...for what reason I do not know."

"Do you feel that?" Master Cusal spoke as he took in the air around him.

"Yes,"Master Burin replied. "The Dark Side is especially strong here."

"Mater Dychud kneeled and examined the burnt corpse. "It's no wonder," he started, "This body looks as though it was tortured...using force lightning. I would presume that if this is in fact our missing Padawan, he went on to be one with the Force long before this torture ceased."

"I would say the same for Master Hant." Master Chemidael said as he studied the Jedi's corpse. "Hopefully the did not suffer long."

"This was not necessary!" Master Dovarchi shouted, slamming a fist into the cockpit ceiling. "They were already dead...why the need to put them through this!"

"Easy, friend." Master Cusal said, putting a hand on the Nautolan's shoulder. "There are far more pressing matters at hand. Such as these two obviously didn't pilot this ship all the way here, so who did?"

"And where did our mystery pilot go?" Master Burin commented.

"Perhaps it was some sort of remote?" Master Dovarchi asked.

"Unlikely," Master Dychud replied. "I doubt a remote could pilot a ship from Tatooine all the way here, especially in this condition. Besides, somebody sent a transmission from this ship, and it certainly wasn't these two."

"Agreed," Master Burin said. "I suggest we tear this ship apart until we get some answers."

"I concur," Master Cusal added. "It seems as if our venture added questions, instead of answering them. I do know one thing's for sure, something feels very wrong here..."


Darth Danno.