Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy A Fan Novelization

Chapter Nine - Saber Wielding Troublemaker

Jaden landed not too far at the bottom of a narrow tunnel that led continually downward. It was lit with lights strung throughout by cables. She moved silent and swift, keeping an ear out for more snowtroopers.

Suddenly, she saw the end of the tunnel, a big round hole in the floor with a short drop down onto a large storage container. She sat on the edge of the hole and gently let herself down a few feet to the top of the container, her feet not making a sound. The room she found herself in was huge, filled with boxes, containers and all kinds of other items being stored there. She moved to peek over the edge of it but stopped short at the sound of footsteps and gingerly laid herself flat, face down and listened.

A voice just below her spoke. "Anything to report?" She chanced a peek over the side and sure enough, there was one snowtrooper walking towards the container she laid on. Below her were two snowtroopers gathered around a glow-lamp. As the conversation continued, Jaden shifted around on top of her hiding spot to get a better look at the troopers.

"No sir," said the trooper who approached.

"Keep sharp," said the first, "we've lost contact with the perimeter patrols. Could be the storm, or wampas. You don't want one of those things surprising you." Jaden had to smile at that, So, no one knows I'm here. That could work in my favor.

"I'm glad we're guarding this hole and not the command center," said another voice, the other one by the glow-lamp no doubt.

"Why? It's probably nice and warm in there," said the second.

The third one paused and then answered in a lower tone. "I don't wanna be anywhere near those Sith fanatics. They give me the creeps!"

The first and second snowtroopers chuckled in agreement. "Yeah, I know what you mean," the second said, and Jaden's skin went pale and clammy. Sith, here? Oh Force what if it's a whole crowd of cultists, or worse, their leader? Luke hadn't given her instructions on what to do if more Sith were there, just to determine if the Force energy had been drained, which was what she was sure she'd figured out already. She hadn't sensed any residual Force aura the entire time she'd been there, but she felt she couldn't just leave, not until she found out exactly what was going on. She decided she'd keep going, but would be extra careful. She mulled over what to do about the snowtroopers below her and considered either the extreme route: Jumping into the middle of them, catching them by surprise and killing them before back up came. Or, the less extreme: Sneak around and try not to be seen. She was about to choose the former when below she heard:

"Well," the first trooper spoke rather awkwardly. "You're not gonna like this but I've just gotten orders to switch guard posts. We're to report to the command center in a quarter of an hour."

Collective groans followed, but there was no use defying orders, the snowtroopers gathered their supplies and walked single file through the space behind the storage containers and boxes littered throughout the large room. As Jaden watched them go, she gradually stood, and moved to the far edge, looking for a safe way down without making much noise. Another box, shorter and smaller, was only a few feet below her. She eased herself down on top of it and then leapt the short distance to the ground, landing softer and quieter than she'd thought she would. She glanced around the corner of the crate she used for cover and watched as the last snowtrooper exited. She wondered if their replacements would come soon. Doubtless they would, she had an idea. Weaving in and out of the supplies and crates, she came close to the main door the troopers had used to go out of. She stationed herself behind some crates and waited. Five minutes later, the door opened and three troopers entered to replace the old ones. Jaden waited for the right moment, then, just after the third one passed, she slipped behind him and through the door before it closed.