Beyond - Legends THE NEW IMPERIUM - The Return, Part 10: "Harbinger"

SUMMARY: As the New Imperium desperately prepares for all-out war, Nimrod is about to begin the invasion with renewed vigor. Returning to the New Imperium with Zalaria and a contingent of Altarin?Dakor forces, Xar tries to train a cadre of Jedi with which to repel the enemy. But not everything is going smoothly, and both the Jedi Division and the entire New Imperium are on the verge of tearing themselves apart due to internal dissent. And amid the tension and confusion, a mysterious new group arrives to help the NI, with news of an ancient Force artifact that could completely end the threat of war. A team of Jedi assembles to locate this legendary relic, but can they make it in time? And what happens when yet another Warlord arrives searching for the same artifact?!

Expect a new story to be posted every week or so (there are 21 stories completed already, 3 still in-progress). These stories feature Maarek Stele and Kir Kanos, as well as a host of completely original characters. The majority are all-original.

If you want to read the other stories in the New Imperium Plotline ahead of time, you can go to http://www.newimperium.org and get all the resources, artwork, maps, and extra info that you might want. This epic series has been going on since 1997 and is building toward a climactic ending with the remaining stories. NOTE: as the earlier stories were written years ago in my youth, please understand the quality may not be top notch, but you will find the skill level increasing rapidly as you continue reading through the series.

A final note: I would love to have other contributing writers to the storyline. If you read through the Plotline and find you would like to help by either writing side stories or doing artwork, please do contact me. We would love to have more people join in the NI and also to post on our boards anytime. Thanks!


*Formatting issues may make it harder to read on the message board. This story is also available online at* http://www.newimperium.org/archives/Chapter10.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Prologue ? 6 months after Ancients Waiting



Starship Jurkanis

Hyperspace

En Route to Epsilon Sector



Princess Almani strode quickly across the blue carpeted floor of the throne room. Her delicate, ornate robes made a soft swishing sound as she moved, and her pure white hair fell down behind her back in two long, elaborate braids. Her slipper-covered feet padded across the floor with hardly a sound. Within moments she reached the white throne at the end of the large chamber, and she paused, placing a hand on one of the arms as she stared down for a minute at the empty seat.

?I thought I might find you here, Almani,? came a familiar voice from behind.

She turned, and found herself breaking into an involuntary smile. ?Zoar!? she cried out to the tall, handsome man standing back at the entrance. Zoar was kind, gentle man, and held a special place in her heart. He?d been a brother to her, in everything but blood, for as long as she could remember. Zoar had long hair, most of it a rich brown, but with a few strands of white as pure as Almani?s. He wore his formal dress, as he usually did; an ornate robe that split at the leg to form loose pants that allowed freedom of movement. His deep brown eyes looked on her with compassion, but could have a deadly fire when he felt a lecture was necessary. Almani had always looked up to her brother, who was sometimes the only stable factor in her life. Especially after recent events.

Her smile quickly faded, and she looked down at the seat, speaking more solemnly. ?I miss my sister,? she admitted softly.

?You know that Lucia?s duties keep her very busy. But even when she is not present physically, she is still with us in spirit, my little Zuami blossom,? Zoar told her. His deep voice sounded soft and comforting. ?She will always remain by your side to guide you, as will I.?

?I know,? Almani said. ?That makes me glad. But I still wish she were here.? She looked back up at her br

 

Chapter Two



Hangar Bay 27a

Titan-class Battleship Nexus

Tralar System, 1930 Hours



The Titan?s massive hangar bay was quiet at this time of day. Maarek Stele exited the turbolift, took a quick look around to make sure no one was visible, and then started forward.

This is crazy, he thought to himself. His squadron had been granted passage to Varnus on the Nexus, mostly due to their hard-earned prestige. However, upon arrival they were whisked away to a private living quarters and were given strict instructions not to roam the ship. Apparently they were still trying to keep most of their vessel off-limits to NI personnel. The Altarin?Dakor still had secrets.

But Maarek hadn?t been able to resist. Something about this ship was calling him. He could feel a strange sensation in the back of his head, as if the Titan was trying to communicate with him. Its presence was awe-inspiring. He knew he wasn?t only an NI officer now. What Victor had done had made him part Altarin?Dakor.

He?d managed to excuse himself from the rest of the squadron and leave the assigned area. He?d always been fascinated by the size and presence that an Imperial-class Star Destroyer held. But with this ship? that presence was magnified a hundred times.

Maarek had expected that it would be easy for someone to get lost exploring a thirty-kilometer-long ship. But surprisingly the layout was both simple and practical, and he?d managed to make it to the hangar bay they?d docked in without incident. He?d gotten a crazy idea into his head while roaming the ship, and hadn?t been able to shake it. Maarek remembered clearly his time at Victor?s base, and his first glimpse of the Archon fighter. The ship?s system connected directly with a pilot?s brain, making man and machine temporarily one. Flying had been intuitive, instinctive. But in order for the connection to work, he?d had to be modified, have special connections implanted in the back of his head. So far he?d managed to keep that a secret after returning to the NI. But, like some kind of eternal itch that needed scratching, he needed to use the connection again.

Walking quickly across the cavernous hangar ? a space large enough to fit medium-sized capital ships ? he headed not in the direction of Inferno?s TIE Avatars, but toward one of the gleaming Altarin?Dakor fighters sitting on the flight deck. The ship looked equally as suited to atmospheric flight as space travel, with broad wings and sharp rudders fins. It was no Archon, but perhaps? He?d heard that even basic AD craft had systems that linked the pilot with the computer, increasing reaction time and accuracy while cutting down on inertia and pain effects. He knew such as system wouldn?t compared to the Archon?s advanced artificial intelligence, but maybe it would be just enough?

Looking around once more to make sure no one was coming, he climbed the access ladder at the ship?s nose and slipped into the dark cockpit. Again he felt a twinge of guilt for doing something this stupid. He knew that if he fired up the ship that it would trigger alarms. But all he had to do was interface with the computer. Besides, he wanted to see what an Altarin?Dakor fighter could do from the inside.

Slowly, hesitantly, he sat back in the seat, leaning back against the headrest. His neck touched against something cool and metal, and he felt a tingle move across his skin there. Then suddenly, everything changed. In his mind, he could see all the fighter?s systems, coming online as though they had a will of their own. A warm feeling suddenly rushed down through his nerves, and his nervousness and indecision vanished. Again, it was no Archon, with it?s total pilot-fighter integration, but it was still a rush he hadn?t had in a long time. Suddenly he felt himself activating the fighter, closing the canopy, disconnecting the locking clamps and raising it up on its repulsorlifts. The engines came online with a whine, and then he was rushing across th

 

Chapter Four



Cafeteria

Royal Varnusian Palace
1200 Hours



The cafeteria was fairly packed as noon arrived over the capital of Varnus. Located centrally inside the Royal Palace, it was a hub that everyone usually visited at some point during the day. And lunch time was the busiest part of the day, the time when all sorts of interesting characters showed up.

The cafeteria was huge, meant to accommodate all the Jedi staying at the palace at once. Its tiled floor was lined with tables of various shapes and sizes, to accommodate those looking for privacy or group meetings. The food bar took up a whole side of the room, offering a respectable variety of gastronomic delights for a variety of tastes and digestive tracts. With at least fifty different species represented throughout the palace, a large variation was necessary. Unfortunately, sometimes one species? delicacy could upset another?s stomach.

Rynn sat at one of the circular tables by the wall, which was, at the moment, populated by all women. It wasn?t a scarcity of female Jedi in the Division; Jedi of all races and genders had managed to form friendships together well. It was just that Rynn enjoyed spending time with Oriana Ciorin, Lorien Kal, Calleah, and Melia Tai. Besides, there were many things that warranted discussion these days, and her friends all led quite interesting lives. Especially with Lorien?s impending delivery, and Calleah?s husband, ?Omega? Kira, generating all kinds of humorous situations out of everyday life.

All the women there were either Jedi or Jedi-in-training, except for Calleah, who while not Force-sensitive still lived in the palace because she was married to a Jedi. Her husband was at another table, with his usual training mates, including Draken Ar?Kell, and a new character who was making a real fool out of himself with his food. Rynn didn?t pay them too much attention, though. Also at the table with Rynn was Oriana Ciorin, with whom she got along pretty well despite her being gung-ho Gui Sun Paan?s wife. The woman was enjoying a Kaav?Klan ?or Sigman ? specialty, which she was using a pair of thin wooden sticks ? Kev?et ? to eat with. Notably missing from their group was Nadia Ispen, the woman in Xar?s ?posse? with dyed white hair. Rynn didn?t get along too well with Nadia, who was always in favor of Xar?s more extreme and sometimes ruthless attempts to stamp out traitors and other enemies. She supposed that Nadia had some friends, although she certainly was more aloof and had less in common with the other women here. Even their backgrounds kept them apart ? Nadia was the daughter of rich Imperials from Coruscant, and Rynn didn?t consider her to be fully rid of her Imperialistic mindset. Furthermore, the woman had already been fully trained in the Jedi arts, having been a member of the independent Force users the Jensaari before coming to the NI.

At any rate, Oriana and the other two women at the table were absorbed in conversation at the moment. Lorien Kal was beside her, sitting a little farther away from the table than everyone else. Lorien was very pregnant at this point, and everyone was so enthusiastic about the birth that at times it seemed people wanted to speed up the process. It was understandable, though. This was one of the few things that people could use to take their minds of the impending doom of the Altarin?Dakor invasion.

?Lorien, I have to say I envy you,? Calleah was saying. ?I can?t imagine what it must be like. And all the attention! You?d better have that baby soon, or it looks like you?re going to explode!?

Rynn winced at the comment, but Lorien laughed lightly. ?You and Omega should get busy, too. What are you waiting on, anyway??

Calleah flushed, and shook her head. ?Well, he?s not quite ready yet, with the war and all. But anyway, what?s the baby?s name? You can?t keep hiding it forever! It?s not fair that I?m not a Jedi. I bet the rest of you already know.?

Lorien exchanged knowing looks with Rynn. ?It doesn?t quite work that way, Kali. But oh well. Kiz really wants to keep it a sec

 

Chapter Four



Cafeteria

Royal Varnusian Palace
1200 Hours



The cafeteria was fairly packed as noon arrived over the capital of Varnus. Located centrally inside the Royal Palace, it was a hub that everyone usually visited at some point during the day. And lunch time was the busiest part of the day, the time when all sorts of interesting characters showed up.

The cafeteria was huge, meant to accommodate all the Jedi staying at the palace at once. Its tiled floor was lined with tables of various shapes and sizes, to accommodate those looking for privacy or group meetings. The food bar took up a whole side of the room, offering a respectable variety of gastronomic delights for a variety of tastes and digestive tracts. With at least fifty different species represented throughout the palace, a large variation was necessary. Unfortunately, sometimes one species? delicacy could upset another?s stomach.

Rynn sat at one of the circular tables by the wall, which was, at the moment, populated by all women. It wasn?t a scarcity of female Jedi in the Division; Jedi of all races and genders had managed to form friendships together well. It was just that Rynn enjoyed spending time with Oriana Ciorin, Lorien Kal, Calleah, and Melia Tai. Besides, there were many things that warranted discussion these days, and her friends all led quite interesting lives. Especially with Lorien?s impending delivery, and Calleah?s husband, ?Omega? Kira, generating all kinds of humorous situations out of everyday life.

All the women there were either Jedi or Jedi-in-training, except for Calleah, who while not Force-sensitive still lived in the palace because she was married to a Jedi. Her husband was at another table, with his usual training mates, including Draken Ar?Kell, and a new character who was making a real fool out of himself with his food. Rynn didn?t pay them too much attention, though. Also at the table with Rynn was Oriana Ciorin, with whom she got along pretty well despite her being gung-ho Gui Sun Paan?s wife. The woman was enjoying a Kaav?Klan ?or Sigman ? specialty, which she was using a pair of thin wooden sticks ? Kev?et ? to eat with. Notably missing from their group was Nadia Ispen, the woman in Xar?s ?posse? with dyed white hair. Rynn didn?t get along too well with Nadia, who was always in favor of Xar?s more extreme and sometimes ruthless attempts to stamp out traitors and other enemies. She supposed that Nadia had some friends, although she certainly was more aloof and had less in common with the other women here. Even their backgrounds kept them apart ? Nadia was the daughter of rich Imperials from Coruscant, and Rynn didn?t consider her to be fully rid of her Imperialistic mindset. Furthermore, the woman had already been fully trained in the Jedi arts, having been a member of the independent Force users the Jensaari before coming to the NI.

At any rate, Oriana and the other two women at the table were absorbed in conversation at the moment. Lorien Kal was beside her, sitting a little farther away from the table than everyone else. Lorien was very pregnant at this point, and everyone was so enthusiastic about the birth that at times it seemed people wanted to speed up the process. It was understandable, though. This was one of the few things that people could use to take their minds of the impending doom of the Altarin?Dakor invasion.

?Lorien, I have to say I envy you,? Calleah was saying. ?I can?t imagine what it must be like. And all the attention! You?d better have that baby soon, or it looks like you?re going to explode!?

Rynn winced at the comment, but Lorien laughed lightly. ?You and Omega should get busy, too. What are you waiting on, anyway??

Calleah flushed, and shook her head. ?Well, he?s not quite ready yet, with the war and all. But anyway, what?s the baby?s name? You can?t keep hiding it forever! It?s not fair that I?m not a Jedi. I bet the rest of you already know.?

Lorien exchanged knowing looks with Rynn. ?It doesn?t quite work that way, Kali. But oh well. Kiz really wants to keep it a sec

 

Chapter Six



Entering Jengar System

0600 Hours



?All right people, look sharp, because we?re here,? Maarek said, trying to keep the boredom from his voice.

The starlines reverted back into stars, and Inferno Squadron burst out of hyperspace and into the Jengar System. The second planet lay before them, a pristine blue world covered mostly by water. The continent held a full variety of terrain, from thick green forests, to rocky mountains, to expansive deserts. Jengar held a small yet modern population, and it had been inhabited long before it was found during the Old Republic. Now, its main function other than a New Imperium colony world was being home to the new House Ar?Kell, oldest of the Jedi houses in the Division. Ar?Kell was located in the capital city, which was where Maarek planned to set down. With luck, they could at least hook up with the Jedi forces and keep abreast of events as the war progressed.

The blue-green planet loomed outside the canopy now. Two moons were in orbit, lifeless rocks far away from their current trajectory. Maarek led them straight in, sending a signal ahead to air traffic control.

?So this is our new home, at least for a while,? Rann Wosper said over the commlink. Maarek tried not to sigh again. There were worse planets they could?ve been sent to, he knew. Jengar was actually at the edge of official NI space, and though it hadn?t seen any hostile activity during the NI?s history, it was right on the border with the Unknown Regions. Mizar, the Altarin?Dakor stronghold, was not too terribly far away. If the AD struck down along this corridor, Jengar probably would be one of the first to fall. So even in their undesirable situation, there was still the potential for some action. That potential wouldn?t exist if they had been sent to some backwater deep inside safe NI territory.

?There are worse places we could be,? Lieutenant Kikitik, his Sigman pilot, echoed Maarek?s own thoughts. ?We can always go to my house if we get bored.? Maarek smiled at the comment. Sigma was only a short jump away/

?Thanks, but no thanks, Kik,? Wosper replied with a laugh. Sigmans were renowned for their senses of humor. Anyone spending time on the Sigman homeworld was bound to be swimming in slapstick comedy and bad puns until he was driven insane.

Even so, the Sigmans had proven to be one of the NI?s most valuable allies, and Kikitik was a masterful pilot. During the recent incident in the Sigma System, where the Kaav?Klan Admiral Xantak had attempted a coup, Kikitik had proven his loyalty and value to the squadron, even convincing other Kaav?Klan to join their forces. In the end, Xantak?s coup failed, because the Emperor Virzixl was still alive. His foolish attack on Moro was rebuffed, and the Admiral was summarily taken down on his way back to Sigma Prime. Thanks to his part in restoring the emperor to power, Kikitik had become something of a legendary hero to his people.

?This is Jengar Air Control,? a voice came over the commlink, breaking Maarek?s thoughts. ?State your designation and purpose here.?

?This is Commander Maarek Stele, of Inferno Squadron, NI Starfleet. We have orders to land on Jengar and assist planetary defense forces wherever needed.?

?Well, it?s about time we got some help out here!? the enthusiastic voice came back, thick with the drawling Jengarian dialect of Basic. ?Just come right on in, the main field is open. We?ll have everything ready for you when you get here.?

Great, Maarek thought sarcastically, as he pushed the throttle forward and began to enter the atmosphere. Maybe you can find me a blaster too, because if I have to stay here too long, I?ll shoot myself. Just another exciting episode in the life of Maarek Stele. He sighed again.

The TIE Avatars of Inferno Squadron dropped into the atmosphere of Jengar and toward the inactive volcano island that housed the capital city. No one in the squadron really wanted to be there. Maarek didn?t know why they?d been sent to this particular planet as punishment for his stunt, but there had to be some reaso

 

Chapter Seven



Palace Eaglespyre

Planet Jengar

1100 Hours Local Time



Thad Balfin walked into the hangar where Inferno Squadron?s fighters were gathered. There, arrayed on the floor propped up on their landing struts, were nine of the New Imperium?s top-of-the-line aerospace superiority starfighter, the TIE Avatar. The ship truly was a work of art, he had to admit. Too bad he hadn?t designed it himself.

He walked over to the nearest one, colored a sleek silver-gray with black markings. A number of small decals of Altarin?Dakor-looking craft had been painted onto the side of the cockpit. So, these boys had seen some action lately. Thad moved around to the rear of the fighter and popped open the engine hatch, grinning in glee at what he saw inside. At last, a chance to work on these fine new machines. And not just service them, of course. He already had several ideas of how to improve them.

?Hey you! What are you doing with the Commander?s starfighter?? a voice called out, causing Thad to jump. His head banged into the fuselage above him, causing a clang to ricochet throughout the chamber.

?Get out before I call security or?? the voice broke off as Thad stumbled back, rubbing his head even as he felt a knot beginning to rise. Thad turned to see a wiry young man with brown hair long enough that it was tied back behind his head.

?Umm? Sorry, engineer. I didn?t? May I ask your name??

?The name?s Balfin,? Thad said, extending a hand. ?And you are??

?Petur Kien, of Inferno Squadron,? the man said, returning the gesture. Thad gave his hand a firm squeeze before he let go. ?Ow? Um, thanks. Sorry about that outburst, Engineer Balfin.?

?Chief Engineer, lad.?

?Oh, sorry, sir. I didn?t know you were the new service technician for our fighters, Chief Engineer Balfin.?

Thad puffed out a breath that stirred his long moustaches. ?Actually I?m not, but I will be soon enough. Don?t worry, my boy, your ships are in good hands, I assure you. Gohac and I are the best techs in Epsilon Sector. You?ve seen Gohac, right? The half-human, half-Sigman??

?Half? Is that possible??? Petur began, but Thad didn?t want to give him time to object. He had to keep the boy in his place.

?Now see here, lad,? he said, putting his hands on his waist. ?You go tell your Commander there that I want the full readout on these ladies.? He jerked a thumb back toward the fighter behind him. ?And I want copies of his sortie and itinerary list before each mission, so I can prep the ships accordingly. Do I make myself clear?? He put on the sternest expression he?d been able to manage during his practice times in front of the mirror.

Kien?s eyes widened, then he nodded quickly. ?Uh? Yes, sir! I?ll tell Commander Stele what you said and let him know the ships are in good hands.?

Thad blinked. ?What did you say your Commander?s name was??

?Commander Maarek Stele, sir,? Kien answered crisply. When Thad didn?t immediately reply, he added, ?Is something wrong, sir??

?Oh, nothing wrong, my boy,? Thad assured him. Just the hard-headiest fighter jock in the whole frillin? galaxy, he added in his own mind. It looked like fleeing to Jengar after the Altarin?Dakor attack on Varnus might turn out to be more interesting than he?d expected, after all.

Seeing the boy still staring at him, he harrumphed and motioned the boy away. ?Carry on now, lad. You?re dismissed. I?ve more important things to do than talk to you all day.?

As Kien left to go look for his commanding officer, Thad started to head for his quarters. He needed a nap.



* * *



Unknown System

Beta Sector, Unknown Regions
2300 Hours Standard Time



The observation lounge onboard the corvette showed the vastness of space in an approximate 300 degree view, situated on top of the ship and encased in reinforced transparisteel. The current view was dominated by a single, gigantic blue star off in the distance, the latest stop in the continued search for the mysterious, traveling planet Mies.

?This is the fifth empty system,? remarked Omega as he stood bathed in the star?s blue l

 

Chapter Eight



Royal Palace

Vectur, Varnus

2115 Hours



Mathis Organa pulled his head off the desk in his quarters, realizing he must?ve dozed off again. What time was it now? He checked the chronometer on the desk and cursed. The whole day, wasted!

He looked down at the desktop in front of him, and the box of small, wrapped packages lying there. One of them was open, and its contents ? a brown-looking dust ? spilled out across the desk. At that, his memory came back to him, and he groaned.

About six hours past he had just returned from a routine meeting and had decided to relax for just a few minutes. He?s taken out his container and its contents, adamant that he would stay in control this time ? that was the last thing he remembered before a spice-induced haze that had drowned him in his own world for the entire afternoon.

?That?s it!? he blared to no one in particular ? his words seemed to ring hollowly off the walls. His head throbbed; even now his body wanted to reach out and open up another package of Ryll. His spice binges had become more and more frequent, and longer, in the past few weeks. I?ve got to stop, he realized. If he couldn?t do it by himself, and quickly, then pretty soon someone else would have to make him stop. He had to make a new determination to change before it was too late.

Seething inside with hate for himself in such weakness, he stood up, fought the rush of dizziness that came with it, picked up the container of Ryll, and turned and with a grunt of anger tossed the entire thing into the garbage disposal nearby. It fell inside, ricocheting along the chute walls as it went to the collection bins in the palace. Almost immediately he felt a pang of panic and regret, and had to restrain himself from reaching in and trying to retrieve the spice. ?No!? he shouted to himself. He had to let it go! He could fight any withdrawals ? he was a Jedi, for Sith?s sake!

He slumped back in his chair again, fighting to no avail the tears that streamed down his cheeks. He?d been through so much in the past months. They had lost a lot in this costly war already. He knew what was causing the trauma, knew he should be able to deal with it. But knowing and doing were two completely different things. This time, he had to stay clean. It wasn?t the first time he?d dumped his addiction down the chute, only to start it again. Maybe I should go see Dr. Vannik, he thought to himself again. Or maybe he should seek Alyx?s help, be honest with him.

?Shards of Alderaan,? he cursed. ?I?ve got to bloody change.?

With that he got up and went to the door, headed for his room ? and his bed.



* * *



Ancient City

Planet Mies
Unknown Regions



Atridd watched Xar break off in mid-sentence, then swear roughly. ?Well,? the man said. ?So much for leaving a trail behind us. Forget it, let?s just go on.?

Tamrik and Kunat were already on their way toward one of the exits. Omega slung his bag over his shoulder and started after them, and Atridd moved to join them. Zoar took up position to Atridd?s right. They exited the chamber and emerged into a larger area. About twenty meters ahead the floor dropped away like the side of a cliff, and as Atridd walked forward, he saw a yawning chasm so deep that only darkness existed below. On the other side of the drop was another cliff like the one they stood on. And hanging down from the ceiling above the chasm, suspended in midair, was a shiny inverted metallic pyramid, from which a piercing light emitted, bathing the chamber in radiance. Atridd had no idea what it was for, but he had to admit it was pretty.

No longer were they surrounded by silence. Down here, they could hear the sounds of the Great Machine, sounding otherworldly as they pieced the quiet. A low, barely audible roar was in the background, almost as if they were on a starship, but the sound was much deeper than the one a stardrive?s engines made. Over that, other sounds seemed to come from the very walls. A rhythmic pounding, alternating between low and high notes, cut through their air. Xoan

 

Chapter Nine



Shaveh

Planet Mies
Unknown Regions



Zalaria watched as the thick twin doors slowly opened, spilling light into her eyes from the glowing brightness inside. As the entrance widened, the entire room was flooded with illumination that reflected off the polished metal walls, floor, and ceiling, banishing any trace of shadow. Then the doors were completely open, and she looked into the waiting chamber beyond.

At the same time, the room was filled with a different kind of light, one that bombarded them through the Force. Zalaria could feel raw Force power emerging from the room, almost as if she were under attack, but the power was undirected, not focused for any particular action. She didn?t know if it were an intentional defensive measure meant to drive them back, but if it was, it was working well. The pain and noise was so strong that she fought a natural urge to leave. Strife was also standing near the entrance, but everyone else had fallen back, clutching their heads.

Her eyes had adjusted to the initial shock of the brightness, and the room seemed to dim slightly. Inside she could almost make out the source of the light, some kind of semi-transparent, crystalline structure. In it she sensed more Force power than anything she?d ever felt before, except, perhaps, from one other being.

?Get up!? she yelled back to the two fallen Jedi, now cowering down on the floor. In response, Draken and Omega pulled themselves to their feet and struggled closer. Looking back, Zalaria could already see Strife moving into the room.

?It?s? beautiful?? he said, staring straight ahead, lifting one foot after the other as if in slow motion. He seemed transfixed, and Zalaria knew he felt the drawing of the power, as she did. His bio-warriors had taken notice, as well, and were moving into the room with him.

Then suddenly footsteps approached them from behind, and Zalaria turned to see Icis stagger into the room, the battered, limp body of Xar in his arms. Her eyes went wide as she instantly noted the severity of his injuries. Only Strife could have done this to him. But why hadn?t Strife killed him?

Draken and Omega both gave startled gasps as Icis set Xar down on the floor beside Zalaria, gasping for breath. ?He?s lost consciousness again,? Icis said, panting. ?You must heal him, quickly!?

Zalaria looked back at the pulsating, glowing power in the next chamber, then back down at the injured Xar. Then, hurriedly, she stooped down and laid a hand on him, sending a probe through him with the Force to pinpoint all his injuries. He was fading, fast. Seven ribs had been broken and had punctured his lungs, his other internal organs were bursting or bruised, and his sternum was fractured. His jaw was dislocated and he had a skull fracture with a severe concussion. Blood was coming out of his nose, his ears, his mouth. It was amazing that he was still alive at all. If he?d died? She didn?t want to think about what would happen.

Letting the Force flow down through her arm, she infused Xar?s body with life energy, much as she had before, when his injuries had been far more serious. In fact, by medical definition he?d been dead, and it had taken extreme measures to bring him back ? and a high cost that both of them would have to pay.

As her Healing flowed through his body, knitting torn tissue and mending bone, revitalizing his internal injuries and restoring his drained life energy, consciousness returned to Xar. His eyes flitted open and he gasped, and he started shivering from head to foot. Her healing powers were taking energy from both of them, and to Xar it would feel like being plunged in frigid ice water. The effect would leave him feeling totally drained and powerless, probably for hours. Slowly, his shivering began to decrease, as she neared the end of her Healing.

?Stop!? Strife?s voice tore into her thoughts, breaking her concentration. She pulled back, looking up at the white-haired Warlo

 

Well, that's it... The biggest New Imperium Plotline story to date. Any thoughts? Comments? Anybody reading this at all?