Return to Tython
by AJ Marks
Part 4
Lexxa entered the room seeing Rusk already in there as the others also came in, including Kira, Doc, Scourge, Jela and Ranna. Rusk said there was something for her, the station had intercepted a message from the Flesh Raider village and she was eager to see it. The communicator came to life and the captain of the orbiting station appeared.
“Captain,” Lexxa said.
“Master Jedi, a pleasure to work with you,” the captain said. “Sargent Rusk said we might pick up some communications, we did so not long ago and managed to record it.”
“Let’s see it,” Lexxa said, watching as the screen changed to the man she had seen earlier. He was human, dark hair and a couple of Sith tattoos around his eyes.
“Master, I’m reporting in,” the man said.
“And what is the situation?” a voice replied.
“They’ve brought in some new people, strong ones,” the man replied.
“Are you saying you’ve failed?” the voice said harshly. “If you cannot deal with this then you are unacceptable to come back.”
“These brutes will never understand the complexities of battle, they only use brute force,” the man said back.
“No excuses Halathar,” the voice said, giving Lexxa a name for the man now.
“Of course not master,” Halathar said, as the communications ended.
Lexxa paused thinking about it as the captain of the station came back.
“We were unable to track where the communications was going,” he said.
“Thanks,” Lexxa said ending the communications and looking back at her team.
“Well, that didn’t give us much,” Kira said.
“Not really,” Lexxa said. “But we do have a name.”
“Maybe we can see if the Republic knows of this Halathar guy?” Doc said.
“I am not familiar with the name,” Scourge said. “He is either new, or was considered unimportant by the emperor.”
“Which could make him even more dangerous,” Kira stated.
“What do we do?” Ranna asked.
Lexxa thought about it for a few seconds before finally coming up with a plan and contacted the Jedi temple, waiting for a few seconds until Master Satele appeared on the screen.
“Master Lexxa, you have something?” Satele said.
“We think this Sith is a just a low pawn, trying to get back in the grace of his master,” Lexxa said to her.
“Some sort of failure?” Satele said.
“Most likely he failed his mission in the invasion of the Jedi Temple,” Scourge said speaking up. “It’s not unusual for such actions, trying to redeem yourself in the eyes of your master. You either succeed or, more likely, die trying.”
“What is your plan?” Satele asked.
“Going in, taking most of my group with me, leaving T7 and Rusk here at the village,” Lexxa said.
“IF that is the path you think is for the best, then I will back you up,” Satele said.
“Thank you,” Lexxa stated as the communications ended and she turned to her group. “Well, let’s get ready.”
“Are you sure I should go?” Scourge asked.
“Yes, you’re combat abilities against another Force user are needed here, some of these Flesh Raiders have the ability to use the force,” Lexxa said to him, watching as he seemed a bit shocked at that.
“Um, if we just go in guns blazing a lot of Flesh Raiders will be killed,” Doc said.
“I want to lure him out,” Lexxa said. “You are the distraction allowing me to get to him, once he’s eliminated I think we can expect the Flesh Raider to retreat again.
“Until they try again,” Kira said.
“Perhaps, but we’ll tackle that situation when it arises,” Lexxa stated back to her before they started off down the path to the Flesh Raider village.
*****
“So, now what?” Kira asked, as they looked down at the village in front of them, seeing a few patrols and reminded her of what she saw earlier in the day.
“Why not have Scourge head on down, claim he’s from the Sith Empire here to talk to him,” Doc said.
“It would not work,” Scourge said. “Even if I told him about me being the Emperor’s Hand, he is trying to impress his master, for that Sith will ignore anyone else.”
“Great, an irrational Sith,” Doc replied.
“No, what we need is a distraction,” Lexxa said, looking at the group, including HK.
“Query: Does this mean I can shoot more meatbags?” HK said.
“Yeah it will,” Lexxa said.
“Then I am ready,” HK told her.
“Sourge will go with HK, Kira with Doc, we’ll split up a bit,” Lexxa said to them giving it some thought. “Each group will attack from different directions that should provide enough distraction for me to get to the leader.”
“You sure you want to go alone?” Kira asked.
“I think it will work,” Lexxa said. “But wait for me to get into position. I want to get close to the main building there,” she said pointing to the largest building. “It’s where he came out earlier. It would also empty the guards around the area a bit more than one direction.”
“If you think so,” Scourge said.
“I’ll contact you when I’m in position,” Lexxa said to them. “Try to tie them down, our main target is the Sith.”
Everyone moved off to prepare for their bit in this plan. Lexxa moved around the edge of the village working to get as close as possible yet still able to get into the action quickly if the Sith came out of the building. The activity was normal, a few Flesh Raiders around the area, but nothing which indicated they were expecting an attack.
That indicated whoever she was fighting never considered the action. It would be interesting to see his reaction to the attack. She moved around so she could see doorway of the building and waited for the others to indicate they were also ready to attack.
Watching a few in the field she noticed they were practicing using the Force which only confirmed what she suspected, they were being trained. She also held no illusion that they were being trained in the Dark Side of the Force. Taking a moment more to watch their actions she noticed they were not much better than the one she encountered as a padawan and should pose little threat to anyone in her group, especially after everything they’ve encountered.
The communicator chirped softly indicating everyone was in position. Replying she was also in position and waited. It only took a few seconds before the first explosions started up sending everyone into a panic.
She watched, waiting as the guards went running off towards the attack, even as the Sith and a couple of others walked out of the building as a second explosion occurred in another direction and two Flesh Raiders ran over to the group. The Flesh Raiders all took off heading to defend their village leaving the Sith alone and she made her move.
It took only a second for the Sith to realize she was there and turned towards him.
“A bit quicker than I expected you to feel me,” Lexxa said now able to get a good look at the man. Dressed in typical Sith armor, no cape even as he reached for his lightsaber.
“You’ll find I’m full of surprises,” the man said.
“Like training Flesh Raiders in the Force,” Lexxa replied.
“I’m sure that surprised you,” the man said. “Jedi are always so closed minded to such things.”
“Nope, faced one before, even sent one to the Temple to be trained,” Lexxa said watching his expression turn to shock. It was as if some deep secret he thought only he knew had been exposed. “You really have no idea who or what you are up against.”
“A simple Jedi, which I shall strike down. Its not the first time I done so,” he said with a smile. “I struck down several in the invasion, they were easy to kill, and those padawans, a waste of talent. They would have never made it in a Sith academy.”
“And who do you think ended your invasion?” Lexxa said, watching as he seemed to pause at that question, as if he didn’t have the answer.
“A lucky Jedi,” he finally replied. “Sith are superior to your ways.”
“You think so?” Lexxa said as he ignited his lightsabers and attacked.
Lexxa brought her own lightsabers to life as well blocking the attack with ease watching his attack style. It was similar to a Sith Warrior, very much like her own but he only used one blade not two like she did.
“If that’s the best you can do, then no wonder you failed, Halathar.”
The use of his name caused him to stop and back up, glaring at her as if she had some secret.
“Yeah, learned your name,” Lexxa said. “You really should be more careful in your communications.”
The taunt worked, making him angry as he attacked again.
“So, who is your master? Why do all this for what he considers a failure,” Lexxa said, blocking the attacks and attacking herself causing him to switch to defense and back up.
“You’ll never know Jedi,” Halathar spat, his face contorted in rage as he stepped back.
Lexxa felt it before the attack occurred, as he sent a large boulder towards her. She easily deflected it using the Force as well with minimal effort. She wanted to show him the difference in their power.
“Why do you persist?” Lexxa asked, really wanting to know what this guy was up to. What was his plan?
“I have nothing else to live for, but redemption,” Halathar said. “But I don’t expect a Jedi to understand.”
“You’d be surprised,” Lexxa replied. “Considering I know a few Sith myself.”
“A Sith pureblood, more like a blood traitor, I’ll take care of him next after you,” Halathar said causing Lexxa to chuckle a bit at that. He had no idea who Scourge was.
“So, how were you going for redemption? Training a group of primitives who have a bare understanding of the Force and communications?” Lexxa asked. “Not exactly a place you can leave easily.”
She felt him pause again, this time she attacked driving him backwards. Off to the side she spotted a couple of Flesh Raiders watching the battle going on but had yet to do anything.
“Attack her,” Halathar said, also seeing them standing nearby.
Lexxa really didn’t to kill any more people than necessary and used the Force to toss them back and away. She moved once more to attack Halathar.
Lightsabers clashed in the deadly dance. Gold and red flashing as strike and counter strike occurred. Halathar had some skill.
“So, what was your part of the invasion?” Lexxa said. “After all, it failed.”
“I was to kill everyone in that silly village,” Halathar said.
“The Twi’lek village, not exactly a group which could threaten the Sith who landed to take the temple,” Lexxa replied.
“Fool, it doesn’t matter, only completing my mission for my master,” Halathar said.
“One Sith couldn’t take care of a village of Twi’leks with no help from any Jedi?” Lexxa said.
“You don’t know what happened, many Jedi fled to the village and set up defenses there,” Halathar said.
It made sense now, Halathar was too weak to fight so many Jedi by himself. He alone could destroy the village, but not with several masters there. The Sith had probably hoped to destroy the village first to make it difficult for the Jedi to organize and lead a counter attack.
“Well, your failure is complete,” Lexxa replied, going on the attack again, this time using more power.
Halathar staggered against the onslaught, being driven back.
“Who are you?” Halathar said. “No Jedi contains this much power.”
“Just a Jedi who’s faced the Emperor twice,” Lexxa replied.
“You lie, no one can face the Emperor,” Halathar said, attacking wildly again.
Lexxa attacked again, knowing this time she had struck a deadly blow, watching as Halathar paused and looked shocked at what happened. Slowly he slumped to the ground leaving Lexxa the victor of the battle.
End part 4