Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy A Fan Novelization

Chapter Twenty-One - In Search of a Friend

"The time has come to put an end to the Disciples of Ragnos. I believe that Tavion is storing Force power in the scepter for one purpose: to resurrect Marka Ragnos."

The whole Audience Chamber gave a collective gasp. Luke's gaze swept the room from the top of the dais as everyone took in this information.

"Is that possible?" Jaden asked, confused.

"The Force holds a great many secrets. It may be possible that, if a high enough concentration of Force energy is infused into a body, the cells might regenerate, bringing the person back to life."

Her blood ran cold. "We have to stop them!"

Kyle stood next to Jaden, arms crossed and released a humorless chuckle. "Ha! No kiddin!" He turned and addressed Luke. "So we're going to Korriban, huh? Not exactly a vacation spot."

Jaden felt like she'd missed something. "Korriban? I remember seeing it mentioned in the Archives. What is it?"

"It's the burial place of a whole bunch of Sith lords. It's where Ragnos is buried," Kyle replied.

"If Ragnos is resurrected, there's no telling what he might be able to do. It will take all of our strength to stop him," Luke said. "We must be on our guard down in the valley there. We'll go in separate teams, the more advanced students will be sent closer to the burial site, while the apprentices will be more spread out on the perimeter. Your masters will accompany you. The New Republic fleet has agreed to assist us in engaging Tavion's Imperial ships. We leave within the hour, and may the Force be with you all."

*

"We're not heading to Korriban just yet," Kyle told Jaden when she joined him in the hangar by the Raven's Claw. "I just received a distress signal from Rosh."

Jaden's felt as though her heart had stopped. "Rosh? Where is he?"

"He's being held captive on Taspir III. It's an Imperial controlled planet, a real paradise," he said sarcastically.

"I'm confused, how did he get a message out?" The gears in her head started turning, something wasn't right, she could feel it.

"I don't know. But we can't leave him there."

Jaden wasn't sure what she was feeling, she'd learned not long ago that her friend wasn't her friend anymore. She wanted him to turn back to the light, but it seemed impossible. She could never be sure to trust him again after his betrayal. What was stopping him from pulling everything out from under her again? And she was starting to resent the softer feelings she had towards him too. She wondered if Kyle was even thinking of the risks.

"Rosh could still belong to the dark side. It could be a trap," she reasoned.

Kyle stood up straighter and clasped his hands behind him, giving an imitation of Luke. He looked down at the ground as if considering her words, then looked back up at her. "It could be. But I'm not willing to let him die there if it isn't."

He had a point, but...

"But what about Ragnos?" Jaden almost pleaded. "We have to go to Korriban."

Kyle unclasped his hands and put them on his hips. "Well if we're lucky, we'll catch up with everyone else before the fireworks start." He studied her face with that searching, intense gaze that often made her squirmed under it, raising an eyebrow. "If you don't wanna help me...-"

"N-No. I'm coming. I want to come." Her voice came out as a rebellious tremor, her true emotions lapping at the edge, threatening to spill over.

"Do you?" Kyle's voice was firm, but his eyes were soft.