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The Greatest Sith... That
Never Lived
Posted by: Darth Danno
04.25.07 12:01am
Previously:
CHAPTER XVI: THE BEGINNING OF
THE END (Part II)
Another day was dawning on the
desert world of Tatooine. The twin suns themselves were not yet
visible, but their light was beginning to appear on the distant
horizon. Already shopkeepers in both Mos Espa and Mos Eisley
were beginning to position their awnings to provide some protection
against the forthcoming heat, setting up their wares, and preparing
for another scorching day of bartering and selling.
The Jedi had risen long before
the suns had. Preparing for what the day may bring through a
regimen of training and meditation.
“Everyone alright?”
Dychud asked over his comlink
“All present and accounted
for.” Master Burin replied via his own com.
“And you found no signs
of the Sith?” Dychud wanted to know.
“Nothing at all.” Burin
replied.
“Everything alright back
at the ship?”
Burin chuckled before replying.
“We contacted them before contacting you. The only thing
they’re fighting is boredom. What now?”
Dychud tapped the comlink against
his chin, and then depressed the “talk” button again.
“Perhaps Ughh Ferhen may know something?”
Burin brightened at the suggestion.
“Master Hant’s Besialisk friend!”
“Correct. He may be able
to shed some light on the Sith or the holocron. If not, perhaps
he can put us in touch with someone who can.”
“Possibly. There is something
else that troubles me.”
“Go on.” Dychud prodded.
“With all of us here. Perhaps
this was just a ruse to get us away from the Temple. I know there
are still Jedi there, but mostly Padawans and…”
“Your intuition serves you
well, Master Burin.” Dychud commended. “That’s
why before we left, I made sure we had extra security in place,
and even the slightest problem is to be reported to us at once.”
“I would still like to contact
the Temple to make sure.” Burin requested.
“By all means. Contact Master
Dovarchi and ask him to relay a message to Coruscant. In the
meantime, the three of us here will locate Ferhen’s cantina.
Let me know if Dovarchi hears of anything unusual from back home.”
“Understood. What should
the rest of us do?”
“Continue searching. Leave
no stone unturned. It’s all we can do…for now.”
At the same time the Jedi were
planning their day. Darth Mortis had finished his tour of the
surrounding area and was returning to his Master, who appeared
still deep in meditation even as he approached. Mortis moved
with silent precision, yet as he got within fifty yards of the
Sith Lord, his Master called out to him without even opening
his eyes.
“Enjoy your stroll?”
Danno questioned.
“Quite. My examination of
the…vicinity turned up nothing unusual. No one lying in
wait, no pre-arranged traps. We’re safe…for now.”
“Excellent!” Danno
replied. “Now we wait.”
“How long?
“We’ve already been
over this, Lord Mortis. The Jedi are here…I can sense them.
Caution is key.”
“I thought your goal was
to reach the Jedi?”
“It was!” Danno retorted,
finally opening his eyes and rising to his feet. “But it
seems someone else contacted them before I had the opportunity
to.”
“Who?”
Danno glared directly at Mortis.
“I’m not…sure.”
Mortis stepped back in horror
at the accusation. “Surely you don’t think…”
Danno cut him off. “There
will be time enough to discover that, believe me. For now we…”
Now it was Mortis who interrupted.
“Perhaps we should go into town. Mos Espa isn’t too
far, I believe.
“And do what?” Danno
snapped back. “Do you remember we have no idea who our contact
is or what they look like? We need to ascertain how many Jedi
are indeed here and if they came alone, or have half the Republic
fleet standing by in orbit. So we wait. You must learn patience,
my young apprentice. Patience is critical.” He then turned
from Mortis to stare at the approaching dawn. “Perhaps we
should locate some shelter, it looks to become quite a hot day.”
“Yes,” Lord Mortis
replied under his breath, seething with anger. “Quite hot
indeed.”
Darth Danno
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