"So," a blue hologram of twelve Masters, meeting in the Jedi Council on Coruscant, burned before us. "You are on your way to Gizelum," came from the projection of one of the councilors, Master Saesee Tiin. "We have read the report. Brilliant work, Knight Decer, Padawan Flaingstar. However, are you overestimating the artifact's significance?"
"More likely underestimating it," Evan Piell grumbled.
After standard greetings, we began our usual report to the Council. In fact, Lorm didn't report to him that often. The mentor didn't like the current, and indeed all existing, compositions of the Council very much. Because they typically disliked someone like him. Especially from the Council, Lorm received reprimands for openly violating the code. The mentor was kept in the Jedi ranks solely for his archaeological skills, which he always used, bringing many useful artifacts, techniques, and ancient knowledge into the Order.
"We cannot judge its power yet," Yoda said, "we must obtain the medallion; it is a dangerous artifact."
"That's why I suggest," Evan Piell remarked, "sending the Shadows there. They will cope better than archaeologists. You underestimate Zakuul."
"And you, I suppose, know everything?" Lorm asked mockingly.
This is bad. Our main goal is not only to give the artifact to the Council, but to try to make it work, summoning a couple of spirits that interest us. With its existence, it replaced almost an entire Sith ritual with manipulations of the Dark Side of the Force, including the most natural sacrifices.
"I am a Jedi Archaeologist. Finding such artifacts is my job. And my young apprentice and I did all the work for you. We discovered those who had contact with the artifact..."
"Coincidence," Evan Piell cut him off. "You were lucky that you knew that group..."
"And why, in your opinion, did I know it, Master Piell? Next, we found Joyran Karnur's sister, we investigated the slave traders' activities, and we did your job for you," he nodded at Piell.
And this is true. Evan Piell is a Guardian. Destroying slave traders is their direct duty.
"Enough," Yoda interrupted the growing argument. "By your abilities, you think you will cope with this situation, Knight Lorm. The Council requires a report after studying Gizelum. And a detailed analysis of the Sith artifact, after which you must hand over both the report and this artifact to Jocasta Nu," Yoda nodded towards the mature female master, "Yoda nodded towards the mature female master."
"I believe I can handle it. We are ready to do what we must on Gizelum..."
"I would advise, Lorm," the voice of the speaker was calm and, I would say, icy. The Jedi Shadow, who was sent for Shillazh and Teyron Jarps... turned out to be a legendary figure too. Medium height, quite beautiful and white-haired - An'ya Kuro. In the Star Wars canon, she acts as a representative of the Shadows. In general, little is known about the Shadow Corps. Not even to me, who has been living in this world for fifteen years. Who are the Shadows? Assassins and, partially, archaeologists who search for "especially dark artifacts," and also artifacts that have definitely fallen "into the wrong hands." Whom do the Shadows kill? Apostates. Jedi who have strayed from the path, and the Council has ordered them killed. In addition, they hunt Dark Adepts of all kinds. And unlike Consulars, who prefer to influence with the Force, and Guardians, who, on the contrary, wield the Lightsaber more, those belonging to the Shadows do not have a 100% attachment to the saber or the Force. Their motto is: "at any cost," in essence. Among them, there are great swordsmen, Force users, and even users of exotic weapons. For example, there is even a Jedi Knight who uses a light whip, in the style of Darth Lumiya from the current canon.
"Wait for me."
"Don't you need to track down that couple, An'ya?" Lorm asked, turning to the woman's hologram.
"I do," she did not deny. "But I suspect that you could have been discovered on Selvaris, and your next target as well."
"In that case, you shouldn't worry. Shillazh is definitely weaker than me, as is Teyron. Although it will be a hassle. But we can destroy them, if necessary."
"Your self-confidence has always worried me, Lorm, lest it be your downfall. In any case, I will also head to Gizelum."
"As you wish," Lorm waved his hand, and the Dark Woman disconnected from the general communication channel.
"Well, then everything is decided, and there's no need to talk further. Knight Lorm and his Padawan - you are tasked by the Council to fly to Gizelum and capture the Sith artifact. After that, we have more assignments for you."
The Council's hologram disappeared.
"Phew," Lorm Decer sighed. "Someday their senility will kill me. Piell especially pisses me off. He is intolerant of everything that does not conform to his ideals. The poor fellow didn't understand that not everyone is as righteous as he is."
"Master, is it okay to curse the Council like that?" I asked him.
"Ha, of course it's okay. Or do you suggest I agree with someone who is wrong and do as he ordered?" he asked me mockingly. "Understand, my apprentice, that you cannot agree with everything your whole life. Otherwise, you will live your life like a slave."
"I'll think about it..."
I was already heading for the exit when Lorm suddenly stopped me, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Wait," I turned to my mentor. "I don't need to tell you about observing the Code, my apprentice. But what you and Mila have formed is dangerous."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you really think I didn't feel it?" Lorm asked. "I'm talking about the Bonds. They are formed either spontaneously or through long acquaintance, like between you and me. But the Bonds that you have formed with Mila Karnur are spontaneous. You two lovebirds, it's not that you're an eyesore. But these Bonds are dangerous in themselves."
"I don't see any danger, mentor. And you yourself clearly admit that you have spoiled me."
"Ah, you don't see the danger?" Lorm asked. "Good," he said, closing his eyes. "I'll explain it differently. Understand, apprentice. You will become a Jedi Knight, you don't object to that, do you?"
"That's right..."
"It doesn't matter now what specialization you choose. I dream that you will continue my work, but if you choose a different path, I will not interfere. So, the Council can send any Jedi Knight to any part of the galaxy at any moment. Where you will have to fight and kill, to bring, so to speak, peace and justice, right?"
"That's right..."
"And here lies the main danger. You will put your precious beloved at risk of her life. I feel you. You love her with the purest, unclouded love. But she is weak. And taking her on missions will be dangerous. In the end, she will die, and you will not be able to prevent it. Do you understand?"
"I will not allow her to die," I said seriously. Mila is like a treasure to me. Before, I was afraid and didn't even think about starting such a relationship with a woman. But now I understand love. Mila loves me, I love her. We've only known each other for a couple of weeks, but I can't think otherwise anymore.
"You're reasoning like a lovesick fool, apprentice," Lorm remarked. "But if you wish, so be it. As I said, I am not one to force the Jedi Code on you, as I am not its strict follower myself."
***
"Mila," as soon as I entered the warehouse, I was embraced, and my body felt warmth. This girl... No, now a woman, literally generated warmth for me. I liked everything about her. And I would give a lot to just sit in her embrace for centuries.
"Light. How did it go? Did your Council approve?"
"Yes," I nodded. "We were already flying to Gizelum," we were now in hyperspace and waiting to be thrown out near the planet. "Now, after the Council's approval, everything has much more weight. We will save your brother."
Mila just kissed me on the lips in response... But we didn't rush to continue.
"And what happens next, Light?" Mila suddenly asked after some time of standing together.
The quiet hum of the engines could be heard in the warehouse. The rockets were loaded into a special recess so that no one would accidentally hit them. Among other things, the space was quite large, and along one of the walls, I noticed the scattered tools of my woman.
"Next? I will continue my training with my Mentor. This mission is one of many, actually..."
"I just wish I could stay by your side..."
"The ship needs a mechanic, my love. And you are qualified enough. So I was going to suggest you fly with us."
"Seriously?" she squeaked.
"Well, yes. You only assumed such an outcome, right? But I've already decided for myself. I won't give you to anyone."
"But aren't you Jedi forbidden to have such connections?"
"And who will know what kind of connection there will be between us?" I asked her. "Or will you tell?"
"Hmm... Well, I'd like to declare that you are only mine," she said thoughtfully, twirling her hair.
"I will prove it to you every night, my love..."
"WHAT?!" she asked sharply. "You... You... You pervert, that's what you are!" she exclaimed.
"But didn't you like it then?" I asked slyly.
Honestly, I was starting to get into it. First Zela, then Mila. Yes, I said that after Mila I didn't need anyone else, but it's true! Mila is quite enough for me. Both sex and romance are quite enough with Mila. Although the former needs to be increased...
"When we finish with Gizelum, Master promised to fly to one of the tropical planets. For a couple of days, but imagine: you, me, the beach, and the sea."
"Mmm... I saw a holophoto once - a cliff, right above the crashing waves of the sea. What was that planet called: I can't remember anymore. But it was such a beautiful view."
"We'll find your planet," I promised. A signal was heard... That's a Hutt. I recognize that signal. "Hyperspace exit signal. I need to go to the cockpit. We've reached Gizelum."
I froze for just a moment, right at the exit of the Warehouse. Although everything was working normally, something was wrong. I felt... Something strange. Like something invisible, something terrible, but distant and unfamiliar... Who could stop us? I shook my head, trying to dismiss the feeling and focus more on the present. Shillazh? The witch is strong, but not invincible. After all, Lorm taught me to channel the Force through my body to destroy the earth shackles she used against the gornum. Although, it seems that this technique: burial - is practically invincible, because any aerobic creature needs air. But no, the Jedi would have disappeared long ago if they couldn't counter another cult of the Gifted, infamously known as the Dathomirian Witches. And Lorm was a treasure trove of various techniques. And, most importantly, he had his own view on how and when to teach me them. Our training... it was quite terrible, from the perspective of ordinary people. But in the end, I became strong... True, I feel that this is still not my limit... And most importantly, it's like there's a barrier in front of me. I don't understand how myself, but I've hit a wall and can't get stronger for some reason. And it's not about swinging a Lightsaber, called fencing. No... I actively studied Ataru from Yoda's holocron, refined Soresu, paid attention to the elements of Shien, which my mentor taught me, and conducted my own research in the field of Makashi. In general, in terms of fencing, I progressed.
The problem was the Force. It seemed to have stopped me, and now I can't understand what's happening. What's the point? You study a technique, say telekinesis. You're satisfied, right? But you can't stop, which I never did. You should perfect the techniques used, improve your mastery of them, control them better, and, of course, influence a much larger number of parameters with them - that is, improve them qualitatively. But lately, I've seemed to hit a ceiling. Something was hindering, restraining... Binding. Were these my prejudices? After all, I know perfectly well from the canon about the power that the Dark Side of the Force holds. Or is this my true limit? But what is holding me back and will I be able to become even stronger? Why does this bother me at all?
Because I understand perfectly well that in the DLG, something can always go wrong. An unexpected enemy may appear, whom you did not initially take into account. Shillazh is a prime example, as is the gornum. Do they exist in Disney canon, forgive the Force (I sincerely hope this is Legends, although it is much tougher, but I know it better), or Legends canon? No, such creatures do not exist. But now they do. The DLG is incredibly vast, and I may encounter, and indeed have encountered, enemies that I knew nothing about before. They were hidden, mainly because no one described them there, far away, on Earth. My trial on Ilum showed me that not everything always goes according to plan. A seemingly clear path can be shrouded in darkness, after the reign of light - the path will be different. Much more winding, difficult. And to overcome difficulties, you need strength... The Force is my ally, and a powerful ally it is. But now it seems to have stopped. Constantly in motion, climbing to new heights, my Force has abruptly stopped.
Something is hindering, and I don't understand what yet... What did Yoda say? Should I meditate on this question? All I saw in my meditations while searching for an answer to the question: "What is holding me back?" - a mirror. A mirror that reflected me... And in reality, such an answer can have many interpretations. The visions of the Force are foggy. After all, the Force is an unconscious something that strives for balance. And it acts, not relying on the desires of others. What is it hinting at?
"Light?" Mila's voice came from behind me.
"Lost in thought," I shook my head again, trying to focus on the present and ward off the feeling of threat.
I rushed to the elevator and thanks to it reached the cockpit. Entering it, I activated the hyperspace exit and immediately launched stealth mode. Lorm landed next to me, right in the chair next to the pilot's seat. Mila also entered the cockpit with BB-7. Gizelum was the only inhabited planet in the system. According to the archival data that Master brought, this is Vitiate's prison complex, which was managed by one of the Emperor of Zakuul's many servants. It's just that, unlike many who served him, the servant whose name has not been preserved. However, something else is known. The servant was preparing for a rebellion against Vitiate. And although after Vitiate they wanted to get rid of literally everyone. Both the Sith and the Jedi, and even his own family... But the Servant wanted to betray Vitiate even before it became mainstream. What did he want? He simply wanted to use the summoned Force Ghosts, capture them, and use them for his own enhancement. A feasible concept, by the way. In the Jedi Chronicles, you can find a couple of Sith who played around like this, and they were all strong, most likely because of it. However, everything went wrong. No, Vitiate didn't have time to realize he was betrayed. The Force put everything in its place.
The war began, and the traitor perished during one of the battles with the Sith on Korriban. And the Medallion eventually ended up in the Residence on Drizm. And, since the Unknown Regions are full of planets that once served Vitiate, it's natural that many groups of Black Diggers formed there. Sith Artifacts in the Far Far Away - are not just ancient trinkets. And these artifacts are worth a fortune. Collectors, Adepts... Sith, in the end. Plagueis and Palpatine are already operating in the galaxy and would clearly not have passed by the Medallion. What if they are the ones Shillazh and Teyron are working for? Then a lot falls into place... Even though Shillazh is strong, alone, without Plagueis's cover, she would hardly have been discovered by the Jedi before. And then a Jedi Shadow would have come for the sorceress... Word for word, and the witch's corpse would have been thrown into the crematorium. But she is alive, and she is also hanging around with a mercenary of Teyron's level.
Meanwhile, the dirty ball of Gizelum was getting closer. The planet looked yellow from a distance, which brought to mind that it was covered with endless deserts. And indeed, it is. However, among the seemingly endless deserts stood an incredibly gigantic complex...
"We'll do as agreed," Lorm stated. "Mila stays on the ship. While my apprentice and I go deep into the complex. What are the scan results?"
"It showed the presence of only one life form," I replied to my mentor, pressing the stealth button.
"But why stealth?" Mila asked me. "We're already in the atmosphere..."
"This is a Zakuul complex," the mentor explained to Mila. "For you, the Zakuul Empire, like its ruler, is just another chapter in historical chronicles. Meanwhile, Darth Vitiate, also known as Emperor Valkorion, wanted to consume ALL LIFE IN THE GALAXY. And he could have done it. He is a monster feared by the greatest Jedi in history."
"Mentor is right, Mila. Once we land on the landing platform, don't step out of the ship."
***
In stealth mode, we landed on the landing platform. The ramp was still lowering when Mila hugged me from behind. I felt her burning breath... The mentor seemed not to notice this and immediately rushed out, putting on an air filter for his nose - just in case...
"Come back, Light," whispered Mila Karnur's voice, "and bring me back my foolish brother."
"I promise..."
"Come back alive," she demanded. "I... Even if this seems a bit spontaneous. But I understand that I love you more than life. And I don't want to see you dead... Even if..." she faltered, "even if you can't save Joyran - the main thing is that you come back."
I turned around and kissed my woman. The kiss was pleasant, and I sincerely wanted to prolong it indefinitely... To deepen it, but then the mentor's grumbling was heard.
"How much longer do I have to stand here? Until she gets pregnant? Come on, apprentice."
I reluctantly pulled away from the girl and descended the ramp, closing it. The ship had already exited stealth mode and stood majestically, I would say, on the platform.
"BB-7 - completely reconfigure the ship," I gave the order.
"Executing," the droid's trill was heard through the comlink.
My mentor and I, studying every millimeter, concentrating the Force on every inch of skin - moved towards the sliding doors.
"Closed," I noted. "We need to enter a password," the console was in a passive state, nevertheless, the bolts of this door prevented us from passing. "We need to energize the console... first power it up, and then hack it."
"No need," the mentor said, pointing his hand towards the door. "Knock-knock, damn it!" The door was ripped off its hinges by a powerful telekinetic blow. "The base is not active anyway," he explained. "Did you see the crater near the complex? That was the crater from the explosion of the reactor that powered it. Republic Commandos blew up the reactor and staged an escape from here."
And indeed, the interior of the dark hall, which met us with unwelcoming cold, was battered by traces of battle. The air literally vibrated with the feeling of death. Old death... Nevertheless, terrible. I could even swear I saw pieces of armor lying there. Suddenly, a strange noise reached us... The light turned on.
"What the..."
"Is that how they blew up the reactor, Mentor?" I asked.
"Holy shit," he only said, looking at the now lit hall in shock.
"ATTENTION. INTRUDERS DETECTED. SECURITY SYSTEM ORDER: DESTROY. PRIORITY: HIGHEST."
"What the hell!"
"Enjoy, dear guests," a female voice was heard.
We turned around sharply, and my heart turned cold... Standing before us was the Witch Shillazh...
"You have come to your doom, Witch," the mentor drew his Lightsaber and immediately activated it. "You are no match for me..."
"My dear Jedi Knight," she said with a grin. "I wasn't going to fight you, or rather, not now."
Damn it! Right behind her stood my ship, and Teyron Jarps had just emerged from it, holding Mila Karnur struggling in his arms. Terror and fear were frozen in her eyes...
"Have fun," Shillazh grinned, and a wall of steel and concrete appeared before her.
"STOP!" I roared, but it was too late. The wall separated us. "FUCK! FUCK!" I desperately struck the barrier with my Lightsaber, but it was too thick.
"CALM DOWN!" the mentor's roar was heard. "You are connected to her. So feel her. Where did they drag her?"
Mila... Damn it... How did this happen? Everything was planned perfectly... Wait. My ship was given to me by Dol Agid, a mercenary whom I consider to be one of those who worked for Plagueis. And Teyron Jarps, if he works for Plagueis... Then he could have known some loophole to my ship. After all, it's not just a modified "Star Courier." The ship costs many times more than a Courier, which means almost all nodes are totally redone... But they managed to gain access to it and kidnap her... But it's okay... I sighed, trying to calm down, although it was difficult. The connection with Mila... The connection with Mila... The connection with Mila... Anger from helplessness washed over me, but I kept trying to catch it.
"They are not flying away from the complex. They... are going inside?!" I asked. "Yes, judging by the size of the complex, they headed for its center, where the only life form is, we found it during the initial scan. There!" I rushed to the doors.
"Apprentice! Don't go alone!" the teacher rushed after me, when suddenly they appeared before us. Droids armed with blasters. They were all old, albeit with traces of maintenance.
Such models did not resemble the classic B-1s that many companies preferred... I saw these models in old holophotos. Complex Guards.
"OPPONENTS FOUND. DESTRUCTION PROTOCOL BEING EXECUTED... " the droids aimed their blasters. My mentor and I prepared our Lightsabers.
Now it's not just a chase for the Medallion. I have to give it my all!