Jedi under Siege

6

The shriek of twin ion engines ripped apart the relative quiet of the grand audience chamber. Tenel Ka’s reflexes took over even before she recognized the source of the sound, and she found herself running in a crouch toward the closest window slit, with Jaina, Jacen, and Lowbacca right beside her. Through the slit in the stone wall, Tenel Ka saw TIE fighters on a strafing run—coming straight toward the Jedi academy!

“Master Skywalker, we are under attack,” Tenel Ka shouted.

Luke Skywalker raised his voice to be heard throughout the chamber. “Everyone, stay in the jungles until the battle is over. Fight with all your skills and abilities. Remember your training … and may the Force be with you.”

A series of hollow-sounding explosions punctuated his command. Aloud crack! echoed through the chamber as a proton bomb struck the lowermost levels and dug a crater in the jungle soil outside the pyramid.

From where she stood, Tenel Ka observed the other Jedi trainees and judged that their reactions to Master Skywalker’s orders were commendable. Several students gasped in surprise, and Tenel Ka could sense conflicting emotions—nervous anticipation, homesickness, trust in the Force, dread at the possibility of having to kill. But she caught no hint of confusion, panic, or denial.

Without waiting for further instructions, Jedi students streamed out of the grand audience chamber. Luke Skywalker dashed to the window where Tenel Ka’s group stood and motioned for Peckhum to join them. The old spacer ducked as stone powder fell from the ceiling, shaken loose by the pounding from above.

The Jedi Master began issuing instructions immediately, and Tenel Ka marveled at how calm he seemed in the midst of the turmoil. “Jacen, take the Shadow Chaser into orbit. See if you can break through the jamming signal and send a message to your mother that we’re under attack. Artoo-Detoo’s down in the hangar bay already waiting with the ship. He’s all the copilot you’ll need.”

Jaina, who loved to fly, was about to protest when Luke turned to her. “I need you to go across the river and check out the shield generator equipment. See if there’s any chance of getting our defensive shields back up. Lowie, I want you and Tenel Ka—” The comlink clipped to Luke’s belt interrupted him, signaling an urgent message.

Another explosion vibrated through the Great Temple, this one closer than the others. As soon as Luke switched on his comlink, Artoo-Detoo’s alarmed bleeps and whistles issued from it.

“What’s that, Artoo? Calm down,” Luke said.

“If you would allow me, Master Skywalker,” Em Teedee said, “I was able to parse your astromech droid’s message and could provide a translation for you. I am fluent in over six forms of communic—”

“Thank you, Em Teedee,” Luke Skywalker cut off the little droid’s chatter, “that would be very helpful.”

“Artoo-Detoo reports that—oh dear!—the front of the hangar bay has been hit. Rubble has completely sealed off the entrance. No ships can get in or out. The Shadow Chaser is trapped inside.”

“Hey,” Jacen said after a moment of thought, “Peckhum, what about the Lightning Rod? It’s not sealed in.”

Tenel Ka felt a frown crease her forehead at the thought of Jacen facing an Imperial attack in the rickety old cargo shuttle.

“The Lightning Rod doesn’t have the Shadow Chaser’s quantum armor,” Luke pointed out.

“Too dangerous,” Jaina said.

“Hey, we’re all in danger here,” Jacen said in a low, firm voice. “And we have to get a message out.”

“Sure, we could do it,” old Peckhum said. “I’ve learned some pretty good evasive maneuvers in my day—enough to make it to orbit without gettin’ blown up, I’d guess.”

Just then Lowbacca gave a warning yelp and pointed toward the window slit. Hovering over the jungle in the distance was an ominous-looking construction, a giant weapon-studded tactical platform, like a deadly raft carrying enemy troops.

Tenel Ka felt a stab of recognition. “Tamith Kai is there; I can feel her,” she said.

“It looks like she’s directing the ground battle from up there,” Luke said.

“Then we must disable that battle platform,” Tenel Ka replied without a pause. “I volunteer. The Nightsister is mine.”

Lowbacca barked a comment. “Master Lowbacca wishes to point out that his T-23 is still out near the landing pad. Using the skyhopper, he and Mistress Tenel Ka could easily reach that platform within minutes.”

Luke nodded. “We each have our missions. I’ll do one last sweep of the pyramid to make sure no one was left behind. I’ll see you all out at the rendezvous point in the jungle.”

As the young Jedi Knights raced down the stairs inside the temple, Tenel Ka’s mind already began moving ahead to the coming confrontation. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, and her mind was alert. She had been bred and trained for battle.

Although fighting with only one arm would present her with new challenges, she felt neither afraid nor overconfident. She was simply ready. A Jedi must always be ready, she knew. Master Skywalker and Tionne had trained them all well. Tenel Ka had her lightsaber and her Force skills. Together, she was certain, that was enough for her to defeat any enemy.

By the time they all reached the landing pad, Jaina had already split off from the group, plunging toward the river and the shield generator station. Tenel Ka was surprised to note that the old pilot Peckhum had kept up with them as he and Jacen sprinted toward the battered supply shuttle.

Dodging energy bolts from the TIE fighters that swooped overhead, Tenel Ka and Lowbacca scrambled into the T-23 skyhopper while Peckhum and Jacen boarded the Lightning Rod.

Watching Jacen run up the ramp into the Lightning Rod, Tenel Ka felt a tug at her emotions she could not explain, even to herself. Almost at the same moment, Jacen reappeared and stared at Tenel Ka with a serious expression. His face broke into a grin. “I’ll tell you a joke when we get back—a good one this time.” Then he was gone again.

As Lowie fired up the T-23’s repulsorjets, Tenel Ka answered, though she knew he couldn’t hear her, “Yes, my friend Jacen, I would like to hear your joke. When we all get back.”