Star Wars: The Soul of a Sith

Chapter 10

                 

            Ren walked slowly into the tunnel, away from Neeka and Cathock, and the little village of Krell.  He could feel the way to go, and the tunnel before him lit up just as before.  With every step he felt the presence of the strange triplets pervade the corners of his mind that had been focused on his new friendships.  It seemed strangely good and natural to have such focus.  He felt the emotional bonds between himself and the two mutants – especially Neeka – growing all the time, but he had spent most of his life as a killer.  This is what he knew best.  He had to admit that part of him was relieved to finally return to a state of solitude where he didn't have to consider others.  He had only to focus on the kill.

            He walked in silence for the better part of an hour.  He could feel the three witches watching him through the Force.  The light from the stones in the cave walls began to dim around him.  They were slowly wrestling control of the environment away from him.  He considered taking it back, but elected to move in the shadowy darkness, letting them think they had an advantage.  It was intoxicating to finally be facing Sith after so many years of anticipation.  He found himself thrilling in what was to come.

            "You're not afraid," a feminine voice whispered in his mind.  "That is interesting."

            "Is it?" said Ren, letting his voice carry through the mental plain of the Force.

            "It makes us wonder," the voice whispered back.  "Who are you?  Why have we never heard of you?"

            "Why would I possibly explain myself?" said Ren.

            "Ah, reticence.  You should know, apprentice, we can break anyone's mind."

            "Really?" said Ren, amused, "then why are you only servants and not the master of your venture?"

            The voice answered with a hint of annoyance: "We are young, like you.  Our time will come."

            "No it won't," he whispered telepathically.

            The voice laughed once again.  "So you intend to kill us then?"

            "Yes."

            "No room for an alliance?"

            "I have all the allies I require." 

            "Well then, I suppose we must kill you.  Such a shame.  You have remarkable power for one so young, but it won't be enough."

            Ren felt a tremble in the Force and dodged back along the cave floor just in time to avoid a laser blast that burned the cave wall at the point where his chest had been.  He turned and shot a hand out and a soldier somewhere in the darkness screamed out as a wave of the Force slammed him against solid stone.  From some twenty meters away Ren felt the man's bones shatter and then the life went out of him.

            "Sending soldiers to kill me?" Ren said telepathically.

            "Oh, he wasn't one of ours," said the voice, "at least not ours personally.  He was a scout.  We sensed him coming toward you and we simply did not mention it."

            Ren gazed around the cave.  The girls knew where he was, if their words were to be believed.  With three minds working in perfect unison, how advanced could their combined senses be?  He felt a little thrill pass through him.  Battling Sith was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

            "Do you notice anything strange about these Krell?" said the voice in a lighthearted, almost friendly tone.  She – or they – seemed to want to keep talking.