Rise of Nihilus

Chapter 2- Sith Temple

((The above picture is Padawan Tristan))

Kalinta's P.O.V.

We emerged from hyperspace in front of a beautiful, lush green planet. Royce tapped his foot behind me.

"Are you planning on making your descent?"

I took a deep breath and used the Force to calm myself down.

"Yes, Royce. I am." I made the necessary changes and we began our entry into the planet's atmosphere. When we landed, Kyle smiled at me. "Kal, you're one of the best pilots I've ever known. That was a very smooth landing."

I smirked. "Don't patronize me, Katarn. I'm just doing my job."

He half smiled and got up. "You two stay here for now. Yaleen, you and I are going to check out the jungle."

Yaleen, a peaceful-looking Mon Cal Jedi, nodded and stood from her seat. "Very well, Katarn. I will follow you."

Once they left, I leaned back in the pilots seat and Royce went... Somewhere. I don't care. I analyzed the jungle ahead of me, the way it moved, flowed, and felt the hard Nerf leather beneath me. Knowing the history behind this ship and putting so much work into it made it all the more special. This ship helped form the Rebel Alliance. This ship carried Juno Eclipse and Galen Marek to help topple the Empire. Without them, I wouldn't be here right now. I sighed, thinking about that. Dwelling on it. It made me admire the brave founders of the Rebellion, most of whom were dead by now.

A sound behind me broke me out of my thoughts. Royce was sneaking up behind me. But why? I rose from the chair, taking a calming breath. As I turned around, I felt a force slam into me, forcing me against the console. Royce glared at me, evil in his eyes and his hand outstretched.

"Sorry, Zerek. Can't have you interfering."

An invisible hand gripped my throat and lifted me into the air. I instinctively grabbed at it, trying to remove the invisible force.

"R- Royce," I choked out. The edges of my vision blurred. He showed no signs of stopping, so I tried to reach my saber. He pulled it from my belt with the other hand and dropped it at his feet. My vision completely blurred, my eyes rolled back in my head, and everything went black as I dropped to the floor.

********

I woke up slowly, a hand on my shoulder.

"Kalinta? Kal, wake up! Kal!"

I groaned. "I'm up, I'm up. My head hurts."

"I'm sure. What happened?"

I looked up at Kyle and Yaleen, brows furrowed, trying to remember all of it.

"Royce... Attacked me. I was sitting in my chair, and then he snuck up behind me. He took me out before I could even think."

Kyle looked at Yaleen, a worried look on his face, his hand still on my shoulder.

"Do you know where he went?" He asked, looking back at me.

I paused, then shook my head. "No, I don't. I'm sorry, Master."

"Don't be. You couldn't have known he would attack you."

Yaleen spoke up. "Could he have gone to the Sith Temple?"

"We did find one. What do you think, Kal?"

I stood, slightly dizzy. "I think it's worth investigating."

"I agree," Kyle said, and Yaleen nodded. "Then let's go. Are you OK to move?"

I shot him the 'are you kidding' look and grabbed my saber off the floor, hooking it to my belt. "I'm always ready. Let's get this-"