Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy A Fan Novelization

Chapter Thirteen - A Most Dangerous Game

Jaden landed her X-wing some distance outside the outpost on the planet Dosuun. Her mission was simple: to follow up on some New Republic intelligence about intercepted transmissions coming from the planet. They believed that suspected cult members were sending these messages from a base on the planet and since there were no New Republic fleets in this area of the Outer Rim, they asked the Jedi to investigate.

"Master Katarn asked me to inform you that you are not to engage the members of the cult. He would like you only to determine if the Disciples of Ragnos are on the planet and using it as a base," C-3PO had told her practically. She'd resisted rolling her eyes at the droid's 'as you should already know' type of tone. But she'd assured him she would be careful.

It looked empty for the most part but she didn't want to take any chances, so she decided to sneak up and do some reconnaissance. She thought she was doing rather well as she made her way carefully and quietly through some trees, silently approaching the wall of the compound.

That was when she finally sensed that something was wrong.

She looked rapidly to her left and right, but saw nothing. Regardless, she knew something or rather someone was there. The glow of her purple blade illuminated the dry grass around her and finally, she saw outlines of several men, outfitted with some illegal cloaking armor like the kind she'd seen used by the officers on Bakura. A doubtless connection, Jaden thought.

"Drop your laser sword, Jedi, and maybe we'll spare your life," came a voice from the top of the wall above her. She looked up to see a man, dressed in military issue clothing, but in a very unkempt state: from his uncombed, greasy looking hair, to his open military jacket revealing the stained white shirt that stretched over his paunchy abdomen. The other officers that flanked him and the sight of a large, strange rifle that Jaden had never seen before, was the only indication that this guy was the man in charge. The man seemed to be studying her and it was unsettling. "Or perhaps you'd like to take your chances?" He gave out a cold laugh. The officers surrounding her materialized holding disruptor sniper rifles. Jaden knew she was outnumbered. But if there was anything Kyle had taught her, it was to play the long game. She reluctantly extinguished her saber and placed it on the ground, then straightened up and put her hands behind her head.

"Good choice, Jedi," the pudgy man called out. "Take her away and bring her laser sword to me!"

Great! Jaden thought, I just polished it this morning and he's gonna get his greasy prints all over it!

She glared up at the man as they took her lightsaber and her blaster -including the holster she'd just received for her birthday- and led her inside the outpost and to the detention facility, putting her into one of the many empty cells. They left her there alone, and she started work on her escape plan.

She spent the next hour in silence, pacing her cell and going over all her options. They'd taken her comlink, so she couldn't call for help. They probably knew where her X-wing was, seeing as how they were ready to surround her when she'd gotten to the wall, which meant that though the outpost was small, they weren't blind to the comings and goings of ships in that system. She wondered if they would destroy her ship, or maybe set guards around it. Or even move it to another location within the outpost. The latter seemed more likely but there were too many options. Trying to get out and steal one of their ships might be the better decision, she also considered trying to send a distress signal, but how long would it take for Luke or Kyle to come rescue her? And what would they do to her if she could get out a distress call? They'd probably kill her before anyone came and if she stayed, they'd try to get as much info out of her before killing her anyway.