Star Wars: Lords Over Drakoon

Chapter Four: Captain

Noral Kin saw the explosion. He gazed at the flames that engulfed the hidden base. Whoever went in there surely couldn't withstand the blast. The nomad began his long trek down from the hill he was on, putting his binoculars away.

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Kallane opened his eyes as smoke forced it's way into his nostrils. Quickly he covered his face and tried to get up. He then noticed the smaller body cradled next to him. He remembered Maira setting off the trap and he channeled the Force to quickly rush to her and cover her from the blast.

"Maira, we must go. Wake up," Kallane shook her until she began to stir. As she began to get up Kallane surveyed the wreckage. The entire control room was destroyed. Luckily, it seemed the explosion didn't severely harm the rest of the compound.

"We must go deeper into the complex," he told his padawan as they regained their bearings.

"What? This place could come down around us. Surly the agent is gone!" as soon as she spoke she regretted raising her voice.

"No. The building still seems intact. And regarding the agent I still sense his presence. Or at least someone is still here," Kallane began heading deeper into the complex. Maira soon followed despite her obvious objection.

As the pair headed down the narrow tunnel, the stench of death invaded their sense of smell. They came to a room filled with corpses. Imperial. Republic. Jedi and Sith.

"There was a great battle here, with no true winner," Kallane quietly stated, a look of pain crossing is face. "This war is pointless if all it brings is mass death to both sides. I thought defeating the Emperor would end all the needless killing. I was wrong."

They soon passed the room, the grizzly sight still fresh in there minds. Maira had never seen a sight as gruesome as that. She doubted it would be the last time.

The next few rooms weren't much. Mainly broken droids and ditched consoles. The place seemed relatively left alone.

Upon entering were the living quarters were however they soon spotted signs if recent activity. Broken machinery and equipment scattered everywhere that seemed to have been recently moved. Scraps of food seemed to have been forgotten lay sprawled out amongst the clusters of garbage. A horrid smell also came from the far corner.

"I guess that's were he conducts his business," she said, her face cringing at the smell.

"What?" Kallane looked to his padawan confused.

"Never mind. It was a bad joke," she quickly responded.

As the pair walked into the storage room, a man jumped from a container at Kallane. However Kallane was a Jedi Master and easily repelled his attack, throwing him off. The man simply rolled with when he hit the floor back on his feet and quickly lunged at Maira. She then proceeded to give her aggressor a swift kick below the belt.

The man fell to his knees, chocking on air.

"That's a low blow, even for a Jedi," he muttered between coughs. Kallane could only shake his head.

The two tied the man they believed to be the Imperial agent to a chair, using some wire they managed to find.

"Tell us, agent, why were you sent to Balmorra. We won't hurt you, just tell us what the Empire is planning," Kallane told their captive.

"What? Agent? Who do you think I am?" The man struggled trying to get free.

"Please friend, your making this more complicated then it has to be. Tell us why the Empire sent you to Balmorra and we will take you back to Corpus. You will be treated fairly," Kallane seemed to have unlimited patient while Maira was losing hers.

"Blast it! Ok listen, I'm not an Imperial agent. The name is Rizzmo. Captain Rizzmo. I was sent her by the Empire to find some lost relic or something. All know is they threatened to kill me if I didn't go along. That's all I know," Rizzmo said frantically.

Kallane could tell what he said was true. He then untied the man.

"Master, what are you doing?" Maira questioned her master.

"Well, if we are going to find what ever the Empire is after, we need a guide," Kallane explained.

"What?" Maira and Rizzmo asked in unison.

"It's either that or we leave you to the Empire. They always love chatting with those who fail their missions," Kallane began walking to the door.

"Right," Rizzmo realized he really didn't have a choice. "Fine I'll take you where the relic is supposed to be."

"Wait, if you knew where the relic was, then why are you here?" Maira looked to Rizzmo uncertainly.

"Guess you'll find out when we get there," Rizzmo gave a small wink and followed Kallane. Maira followed crossing her arms.

"Guess you'll find out when we get there," she mocked Rizzmo.