Consequences

Chapter 39 - Darth Maul

Breaking out of my prison cell for the third time since we were captured isn't too difficult. I managed to make a deal with the Pykes, so Rafa and Trace are gone to get a new spice shipment for them. I'm supposed to be staying here as hostage until they return with it. Now that they're gone, I can feel free to open the prison door. It's so simple.

I stand crouched out of sight, watching as the leader of the Pykes talks to a hooded figure over a hologram. Something about his presence... it feels so dark. And not like the Force signature of a usual sentient being. Like he's a trained Force sensitive. A Sith Lord, perhaps? I don't recognize his voice, so it's not Dooku or Sidious. Who could it be, then?

"You are but one small piece moving in this mechanism which I have designed. And yet, when you falter, it jeopardizes everything," he is saying, controlled anger in his tone, "Do you understand?"

"I understand," the leader nods, "The Republic is cracking down on my operations. Just a week ago, they raided one of my shipments arriving on Kiros."

"Were they Jedi?" he inquires, suddenly turning around. From under his hood, I can see his face. Red and black markings cover his face – clearly implicating his identity. Yellow eyes dart around the room. It's... Darth Maul. Just as I saw him in my vision.

"I don't know. None of my men made it out," the leader replies.

Suddenly, the Sith turns again, and his gaze falls right on me. He must sense me, even though I'm sure he can't see me from there. It's not a risk I'm willing to take. I hastily dart away from the railing and out of sight.

I need to find out where the signal is coming from. Now I know why the Force warned me to go with the sisters. If I hadn't come with them, I would never have found Maul, and he'd be left to gang up with Sidious again, if he hasn't already.

"Hmm... Well, then the answer is yes," Maul responds, "I have things to attend to other than your incompetence. Make sure there are no more delays. And if there are, I am certain Crimson Dawn would love the opportunity to take control of your operation." The hologram finally flickers off.

I dash out of the room as fast as I can, careful to remain out of sight as I make my way to the communications room. Hurriedly, I position a few bombs in place under the control panel. When the time is right, this place will be blown up, and we'll be able to get out of there. Now for other things. Stopping at the control, I quickly begin working to trace the location of the call. It doesn't take me long before I realize that it's coming from Mandalore. What's he doing there?

Suddenly danger screams through the Force, and I whirl around just as the doors to the room swing open and five guards rush in, pointing their blasters me.

"I knew you were no petty smuggler," growls the lead guard, "Who are you?"

Glancing over my shoulder, I see another one step up from behind me and take aim. I raise my hands in the air in surrender as I wait for them to approach me, an idea slowly forming in my mind. They unsuspectingly stride forwards, blasters aimed. Once they're close enough, I send a Force-wave outwards, knocking back the nearest ones. One shoots a stun bolt at me, but I dodge out of the way, twisting his arm so the blaster misfires and hits one of the others in the room. I kick the next one into the way of another blaster shot and then run for the door.

It slides open and three more guards walk in, blasters aimed at me. The ones who I had knocked over but were still conscious stand up and turn their blasters on me again. So much for that.

"You're a Jedi," he growls, "Are your friends also Jedi?"

"No. Just me. And they have no idea," I respond, backing up.