Cipher Nine: The Untold Stories

Chapter 3: Hunted

I got up the following morning and applied the final coat of kolto onto my back before dressing for the day's challenge.  I took the turbolift down to the mess hall and took my usual seat by the window, looking out at the vast expanse of jungle.  

The young Twi'lek came out of the kitchen with my rations.  He places them down on the table in front of me.  

"Would you require anything else young mistress?" asked the Twi'lek. 

"No," I started. "You're dismissed."  The young Twi'lek bowed his head and walked back to the kitchen.  

A few minutes later, a few more cadets arrived in the mess hall.  Jek arrived nearly fifteen minutes later before I was about to head back up to my living quarter. 

"Morning," greeted Jek as he took his seat across from me.  

"Morning," I reply as I grabbed my tray to bring it back to the kitchen.  

"How are you feeling?" asked Jek.

"I'm doing alright," I replied as I stood up to bring my stuff to the kitchen.  

"That's good," Jek replied.  I walk over to the kitchen and deliver the empty tray before returning to the table. 

"Any idea on what this challenge could be?" asked Jek. 

"I'm not sure," I replied.  I stayed to watch Jek as one of the server droids brought his tray to him. 

"Well, whatever it is, we can handle it," replied Jek with a smile.  I return a smile.  

"Attention cadets!" announced Mervus over the compound's intercom.  "We have important guests who will aid in the tournament.  Report to the training room immediately!"  

I got up and began to make my way to the turbolift.  

"Ugh, come on! I didn't even finish my food yet!" complained Jek as he caught up with me.

"Guess you should've come earlier," I teased as I punched his arm.  He laughed a little as the turbolift door closed and we jetted down to the training room. 

The doors slid open to Mervus speaking to some figures in dark robes, escorted by military personnel.  We lined up outside of the turbolift and stood in attention.  Mervus and the robed people walked over to where we were standing. 

"This is Lord Draxxus and his apprentice, Kai'torris," started Mervus.  "They'll be overseeing this exercise."  Mervus moved out of the way as Lord Draxxus stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back. 

"Greetings cadets," started the Sith Lord, "I'm sure you're wondering why I have lowered myself to your position.  Well, that has a very simple answer." 

The Sith Lord began pacing in front of all of us, looking us over.  

"I am in need of an operative that can assist me in a mission.  That operative must be able to handle Force sensitives.  And so, this test will further you down your personal road to becoming an operative of Imperial Intelligence.  Ordinarily, you would have a set mission constructed by your instructor.  However, you have the privilege of being tested by me." 

Lord Draxxus stopped back in the middle of floor and looked us over again.  

"Not only will this test allow you to proceed down your road to success, it will also help my apprentice fine tune his skills," said Lord Draxxus.  In the corner of my eye, I could see the Sith's apprentice smirk just slightly.  

"Enough talk.  Captain, have the doors to the jungle opened," commanded Draxxus. 

"My lord?" asked Mervus.