FORSAKEN - Target: Zero

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

"Virra?" said Addia, as the Force adepts approached the light.

A distressed Virra knelt on the floor with no helmet or lightsaber in view. "I'm sorry," she said. "He knows."

Syrran got rid of his short cape and cap. His infrared vision allowed him to see what lay in the darkness; just like Jarriss' farsight could perceived everything. Addia and Theleema could hear the mechanical respiration echoing in the gloom.

The hall illuminated, revealing Darth Vader, looming over Virra, holding a Jedi Temple Guard's lightsaber pike in his hand. The First Sister stood by him with a cold grin on her face and her weapon held in front of her. Six Imperial Guards were lined behind them. Another dozen stepped out from the arches on both sides for a total of eighteen.

The rest of the Inquisitors walked in along with six more Imperial Guards. They brought in Elynn and Ilum, then dropped their lightsabers at their feet. The Inquisitors then lined up next to their Master with the silent Imperial Guards boxing in all the Force-users.

"We are honored you could join us," Vader said. "You too, assassin." He pulled down his fist, using the Force to yank Gorin out of the service duct above.

The surprised Kyuzo took out his staff and corrected his fall, landing among his friends.

"Sidious?" Syrran said.

"Still breathing," Gorin said.

"We meet again at last, Syrran Qer," Vader said. "I've been waiting for you. Or would you prefer I use your Chiss name?"

Syrran couldn't recall the last time he heard the name of his species said out loud. How did the Sith Lord know his greatest secret? But he wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had gotten to him.

"I doubt you can pronounce it correctly, Skywalker." Syrran uncovered his eyes.

There it was, like old times, the particular tone the Chiss used when he intoned his name. The fact he uttered the name of the Jedi, angered Vader. And as far as he was concerned, it would be a secret the Chiss was about to take to his grave.

"I must thank you for bringing me this wealth of targets, Fourth Sister," The Sith Lord said. "But your life of deception ends here. Go, join the rest of your traitor friends." He threw the lightsaber pike in front of her.

The Kage picked up her old weapon and stood with the rest of the team. "The name is Virra Fenn. And the only traitor here is you, Chosen One."

Vader activated his lightsaber, followed by the Inquisitors. The Imperial Guards stepped back, readying their electrostaffs. Syrran fired his shotos. The rest of the team ignited their blades. Both sides rushed to meet. The Imperial Guards broke apart in groups of four, surrounding each individual fight.

"I should have killed you a long time ago." The Grand Inquisitor, crossing blades with Virra.

Virra blocked with one side of her double pike. "And you should have fulfilled your duty to defend the Jedi Temple by killing yourself." She hit away his lightsaber with the other end of her weapon, and back-kicked the Pau'an away. Behind him, Addia faced off the First Sister.

"You fight well for a dirt-muncher, Addia." The First Sister kicked her. She recognized the Mirialan from their days as Initiates.

Addia blocked the First Sister's sword strikes, staying clear of the Imperial Guards around her. "I'd rather eat a shovel of dirt than having to kiss a Sith's boot." She retreated until she got close to where Eleventh Brother battled Theleema, almost falling victim to one of their missed swings.

Theleema's aggressive fighting style was at odds with the Eleventh Brother's. Things had gone awry; they were supposed to be facing Darth Vader alone, not battling the Order of Inquisitors. She had to get rid of the Kaleesh as fast as she could so she could assist Syrran. But even if she did so, she still had to contend with the Imperial Royal Guards. Theleema needed to improvise as fast as she could. Hiding in a mist of magical ichor, Theleema ambushed the Inquisitor. Without turning, the Eleventh Brother counterattacked, forcing Theleema back in the haze.