Star Wars: The Padawan Menace

Riq Thorne

Riq has finished impaling virtually everyone in the room, save for the Emperor (who is protected by his red-cloaked guards), Darth Vader (whom he can't find himself able to impale), and Grand Moff Tarkin (who was able to climb up an air vent and escape). His red-bladed lightsaber makes a soft buzzing noise in his hand, but he ignores the sound and turns his attention on Vader and the Emperor.

"I," he says, drawing out the word because it defines the fact that Riq is obeying his own will now, "am going to bring the Empire down brick by brick if I have to."

"Good," the Emperor says, and cackles hideously. "Your anger and hatred should draw you nearer to us."

For a second Riq's irises flicker, from blue to yellow, and then back again. "No," he says, standing his ground. "I am a Jedi Padawan. I'm at one with the Force."

"The Dark Side, perhaps," Vader says, holding out his hand. "Thorne, join me."

"Thorne, join us!" The Emperor agrees.

His internal battle is raging now. The battle owns him. It separates the good version of him from the bad. He knows who he really is, but he can't do anything about it when he's trying to stand his own ground against the two most powerful Sith in the galaxy. He can't do this without the help of Lana by his side... can he? He's doubting himself, and yet the battle rages on... And then it happens. His irises change and land on one color. They don't waver, now. Thorne collapses to the floor.

A stormtrooper enters the room. "My lord!" He announces, bowing slightly. "Two teenagers, in the Meditation chamber. Both humans. A boy and a girl. The boy looks like a smuggler. The girl looks like a... a..." He struggles to find the right word.

"A Jedi?" Vader suggests softly. The stormtrooper nods. "Are you awake, Thorne?" Vader asks Thorne, who hasn't moved from the ground. "I have a mission for you." Thorne's eyes pop open. They are yellow. He can feel the rage building inside him. "Yes, my master," he says. He stands and Vader drags him down the hall.