Darkest Knight

by Kevin J. Anderson

  don!t go back. The Second Imperium will soon target Yavin 4-and I will

  fight as a loyal warrior for my Emperor."

  "Emperor? Zekk, you don't know what you're saying," Jaina pleaded.

  "Stop treating me like I'm an ignorant street kid!" he snarled back.

  "You've always underestimated my abilities, denied me opportunities. But

  Lord Brakiss doesn't. He has shown me what I'm capable of." He tilted

  his head to look up into the dark nest of branches overhead, as if he

  could see the daylight far above.

  "I've already sent a signal for a fast ship to pick me up. I believe our

  raid has been quite successful. Time for me to return to the Shadow

  Academy."

  Zekk twitched his lightsaber from side to side as if shaking a finger in

  warning. 'For the friendship we once had, I'll spare you this time,

  Jaina. But don't ever test my loyalties again."

  With a harsh laugh, Zekk swept his lightsaber upward, releasing a storm

  of leaves and twigs that showered down on Chewie and Jaina, knocking the

  phosflea light from her hand. Jaina ducked and covered her head. She

  couldn't see.

  A moment later Zekk was gone, his hollow laughter ringing behind him as

  he left them in darkness. ----------------LEFT ALONE AGAIN, Jaina

  shouted once more through the Force as the deep forest sounds grew

  thicker, more threatening around her. Predators, hidden in the leafy

  branches, cautiously approached, attracted by Chewbacca's muffled sounds

  of pain. They sensed helpless victims, easy prey.

  "We need help!" she called. Her words quickly died to silence in the

  jungle gloom.

  Then a blaze of rainbow light shattered the shadows: a flash of

  turquoise, a streak of emerald green, a slash of molten bronze.

  Lightsabers, like hot machetes, chopped the underbrush aside. Jacen,

  Lowie, and Tenel Ka pushed their way forward, with Sirrakuk following

  close behind, grinning so widely her fangs flashed in the vibrant light.

  Chewbacca bellowed a greeting, and Lowie and Sirra clambered up to help

  their uncle.

  "Hey, Jaina!" Jacen called. "Are you all right?

  She wiped grimy tear streaks from her cheeks, still shaken from the

  confrontation with her former hiend. "III survive," she said, then drew

  a deep breath. "Zekk was here. He said the Second Imperium is going to

  wipe out the Jedi academy, and that he was going to fight along with

  them."

  Lowie growled, looking up from tending Chewbacca. Tenel Ka stood

  rigidly, holding her rancor-tooth hghtsaber high. "Not if we can help

  it," she said.

  Jaina indicated the injured Wookiee. "We have to get Chewie up and out

  of here. I think his leg is broken-nothing a medical droid and a few

  hours in a bacta tank can't fix. But if we don't get back up to the

  treetops, we're all going to be somebody's lunch." Sirra growled in

  defiance. Now that she had succeeded in her dangerous quest against the

  syren plant, @wie's sister looked as if she could take on the whole

  jungle by herself.

  As the two strong Wookiees carefully eased their uncle to a standing

  position, Jacen and Tenel Ka did what they could to help, using the

  Force and their hands. Jaina took the lead along with Sirra, blazing a

  trail with her lightsaber.

  'Ibgether, the companions made their way back up to the light.

  THE CAMOUFLAGED ASSAULT shuttle hovered in the void of space, waiting

  for confirmation, until the Shadow Academy shut down its cloaking

  shields. The ominous spined ring of the Imperial training station

  shimmered into view just long enough for Zekk to give the order to dock.

  He was tense as the shuttle approached, unsure of the reception Brakiss

  would give him.

  Beside him, in the command cockpit, Tamith Kai seethed silentl her

  wine-dark Y, lips pressed together in a cold line, but she said nothing.

  Zekk had lost not only the team of stormtroopers directly under his

  command in the treetop city, but also two of her greatest Nightsister

  allies. Both Vonnda Ra and Garowyn were presumed dead in the depths of

  Kashyyyk's jungles.

  Though Zekk had not been with either Nightsister when they had died or

  disappeared, Tamith Kai blamed him for the debacle, as she blamed him

  for the death of her prime student Vilas. Tamith Tai resented his

  presence-though presumably she and Zekk both worked toward the ultimate

  victory of the Second Imperium. All other losses, he felt, should simply

  be considered the price of their ultimate triumph.

  But Tamith Kai was not pleased with how the young man had handled

  himself on Kashyyyk. And so, during their return from the fateful

  mission, Zekk kept to himself, avoiding direct contact with the

  Nightsister.

  He brought the assault ship in, sitting in the command chair while other

  Imperial pilots handled the controls, guiding the craft into the Shadow

  Academy's open docking bay.

  As they entered, he saw another armored shuttle-an impressive Imperial

  transport surrounded by deadly force fields-and wondered what had

  happened during his absence.

  The battered assault craft, with its precious cargo of stolen computer

  components, settled into place with what sounded like a mechanical sigh

  of relief. "We have landed, Lord Zekk," the pilot said.

  The tactical officer studied the controls.

  'The Shadow Academy's cloaking device has been reactivated. The station

  is once again undetectable by Rebel sensors."

  The hatches opened, and the crew began filing out. Stormtroopers marched

  up from the Shadow Academy's interior to surround the battered shuttle,

  ready to unload the stolen cargo as soon as Zekk released it.

  Tamith Kai stood beside him in the cockpit; with a flick of her

  shoulder, she tossed her spined black cape back. Her long-nailed fingers

  balled into fists as she struggled to contain the fury within her. The

  electric fire in her violet eyes boiled like lava.

  Zekk closed his dark-ringed emerald eyes and drew a deep breath to focus

  his thoughts, center his concentration. He let her anger wash over his

  mind and drain away. His greatest concern was Master Brakiss and how he

  would face him. His teacher had such high hopes for him, and he might be

  even more displeased than Tamith Kai. Contemplating the probable

  disappointment of his mentor hurt Zekk more than any display of rage by

  the continually bothersome Nightsister from Dathomir.

  Squaring his shoulders, he straightened his padded leather armor and

  adjusted his crimson-lined black cape. He tossed his long dark hair

  behind him and turned toward the assault craft's hatch, making himself

  an imposing figure, ominous and menacing. He had learned such posturing

  from observing Tamith Kai herself, and it amused him to think he could

  use her own techniques of intimidation against her.

  With the tall Nightsister following him, Zekk strode down the ramp like

  a conquering hero. Inside his heart, though, dread grew.

  The sculpture-handsome teacher stood at the edge of the airlock bay,

  watching the proceedings. As Zekk emerged, Brakiss glided forward with

  smoo
th, even footsteps. His silvery robes clung around him like

  whispers.

  Zekk held his chin high, looking into the open, clear gaze of Brakiss.

  The master of the Shadow Academy folded his hands in front of him.

  "Young Zekk, my Darkest Knight, you have returned from your first

  mission. Report. Were you successful?"

  Zekk swallowed hard and gave his straightforward account.

  "Unfortunately, Master Brakiss, our mission did not come off as smoothly

  as we had planned. During our battles at the fortified Wookiee

  facilities, we lost fourteen TIE fighters and bombers, as well as eleven

  ground assault troops.

  "It is also my duty to report that we lost two of our Nightsister

  companions: Vonnda Ra in the lower levels of the forest, and Garowyn,

  who was apparently murdered when she tried to reclaim our Shadow

  Chaser."

  Brakiss showed no reaction and waited.

  Finally he said, 'But the computer components-the guidance and tactical

  systems?

  Did you succeed in obtaining the vital resources the Second Imperium

  requires?"

  Zekk flinched. "Yes, Master Brakiss. All of the computer equipment is

  stored inside this assault transport, ready for distribution to the

  Second Imperium." Brakiss clapped his hands together. "Excellent! Then

  your mission was a success, with, acceptable losses of personnel. Those

  other . . . inconveniences are insignificant in our overall conflict.

  You have achieved our most important goal."

  Tamith Kai's eyes widened with anger, and her normally pale face flushed

  a blotchy red.

  "Master Brakiss!" she hissed. "Zekk also claims to have removed those

  Jedi brats.

  But although Vonnda Ra accompanied him to this confi-ontation, Zekk

  returned alone . . .

  claiming victory."

  Zekk stood rigid. "The young Jedi Knights are no longer a problem," he

  said. "This I swear."

  Tamith Kai obviously didn't believe him.

  But Brakiss did, and that was all that counted.

  Zekk didn't know how long he could keep up the charade. He had fallen to

  the dark side-and he had also protected his friends.

  The two seemed incompatible. Sooner or later, Brakiss would learn what

  he had done-and then Zekk would face an impossible choice.

  But, as always, no one else would make Zekles choices for him . . . and

  no one else would face the consequences.

  "The Second Imperium applauds your efforts, Zekk. The history of the

  galaxy will remember you as an instrumental fighter in our grand cause."

  Zekk knew he should have felt better, prouder . . . but he could summon

  no emotion other than dread. And disappointment in himself. He was no

  longer sure of where his past decisions would lead him.

  One of the stormtroopers standing in ranks within the hangar bay shifted

  uneasily. Zekk focused his attention on the burly trooperinstinctively

  identifying Norys. Qorl stood beside the bully, frowning in disapproval

  at his white-annored trainee. The leader of the Lost Ones still bore a

  chip on his shoulder, resulting in a perpetually surly attitude.

  Suddenly, the air in the huge docking bay shimmered. Zekk looked up as

  the other stonntroopers backed away. Beside him, Brakiss grew tense,

  almost fearful, but stood his ground against the projection.

  An image formed in the air, a giant cowled head with yellow eyes and an

  age-ravaged face that emanated dark power. The visage of Emperor

  Palpatine was incredibly clear and focused, as if the transmission came

  from very close. Very close indeed.

  "My subjects at the Shadow Academy," the Emperor's shuddering voice

  said, "my fellow fighters in the cause of the Second Imperium, I am

  pleased to learn of this successful mission! Through our various raids

  and by gathering the scattered remnants of my lost Imperial glory, we

  now have the might to move on to the next phase in our plan of conquest.

  The new hyperdrive cores and turbolaser batteries have already been

  installed in our secret battle fleet. I have commanded that the new

  computer components be incorporated immediately. We must strike again

  while the Rebels are still reeling."

  Under the leather padding, Zekk felt a cold, damp shiver work its way

  down his back.

  "It is our mission to remove the only real line of defense the Rebels

  have against us.

  Brakiss, you promised me an invincible fighting force of Dark Jedi

  Knights. The time has come to make use of them.

  "Together, as our primary campaign, we shall attack and destroy Luke

  Skywalker's Jedi academy. Those light side Jedi will be crushed to dust

  beneath our feet.

  "I command you all to move out. Set the Shadow Academy forces in motion.

  We must transport our station to the jungle moon of Yavin 4 without

  delay. Once we have eliminated the new Jedi Knights, the galaxy will be

  ours for the taking." Zekk stood stunned. Brakiss stared at the fading

  image of the Emperor in amazement.

  Then, as if a power switch had been flicked on, all of the stormtroopers

  sprang into motion.

  The Shadow Academy rushed to prepare for its greatest battle.

  -----------------IN THE AFTERMATH of the devastating attack on the

  Wookiee computer fabrication facility, Jaina knew they could not afford

  to wait. Tbo much was at risk-and right now.

  While the New Republic forces sent a few nearby ships filled with a

  complement of engineers and soldiers to help in reparation activities,

  Jaina and Lowie worked tirelessly with Chewbacca to complete repairs to

  the Shadow Chaser. The tall Wookiee still limped on his sore leg, but

  his injuries had mostly healed, and he didn't let a little stiffness

  slow him down.

  Inside the crowded power-supply bulkhead of the Shadow Chaser, Jaina,

  the smallest of the workers, crammed herself deep into the tightest

  spaces, hooking up power leads and disconnecting diagnostics. All the

  replacement parts had been ready even before the Imperial attack on

  Kashyyyk, but now the sleek vessel needed to be reassembled.

  "Power it up before I crawl back out of here," Jaina said. "All the

  circuits are grounded and shielded, but I want to make sure everything

  checks out before I fight my way into open air again.

  Lowie grunted and flicked a power switch.

  He and Chewbacca simultaneously roared an affirmative.

  Jaina heaved a sigh of relief. "Well, I'm glad the ship's functioning

  again," she said.

  "We have to get out of here and back to Yavin 4 before the attack comes.

  We need to be ready for the Shadow Academy." She swallowed. 'We've all

  been training a long time for this."

  Lowie roared in agreement, though he and Chewbacca and Sirra seemed

  somewhat saddened. Sirra growled a series of notes, and Em Teedee said,

  "Mistress Sirrakuk says that she will stay to help her people clean up

  and make repairs, but she understands that her brother Lowbacca must

  return to fight with the other Jedi. There are many Wookiees who can

  assist here on Kashyyyk, but there aren't many other Jedi Knights . . .

  and she is exceedingly proud that her brot
her is one of them."

  Lowie rumbled his appreciation.

  Em Teedee added, as an aside, "I do believe she's quite pleased with

  him."

  Sirra patted her big brother on his hairy shoulder, then proudly ran one

  hand over her glossy new belt, woven from the strands of fiber she had

  harvested from the syren plant.

  Jaina knew that Sirra's personal opportunities were now wide open,

  possibilities for her life that had always been there . . . but that she

  would now be better able to take advantage of.

  Jacen rushed aboard the Shadow Chaser carrying the small cage with his

  pet Ion and her babies. He cooed reassurances to the furry rodents.

  Tenel Ka accompanied him, looking confident in her freshly polished

  reptilian armor.

  She had reworked all of her braids meticulously, brushing her hair out

  and plaiting it using the new one-handed technique Anakin Solo had

  developed for her. "We are prepared to depart," she said. "And we are

  ready to fight as true Jedi Knights."

  Lowie roared with enthusiasm. Sirra embraced her big brother, and then

  each of the young Jedi Knights.

  Chewbacca limped up the ramp and strapped himself into the Shadow

  Chaser's pilot seat. Lowie slid into the seat behind his uncle, flipping

  on the controls and powering up the various subsystems. The two Wookiees