Darkest Knight

21

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 silently, her wine-dark 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 Kai 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 smooth, 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 confrontation, 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 Zekk’s 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 trooper—instinctively identifying Norys. Qorl stood beside the bully, frowning in disapproval at his white-armored 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 stormtroopers 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.