Legends of Darkover

Chapter 16 

-oOo-

The Captain rapidly assessed the enemy.  It was clear the Enterprise could not fight this crowd, and he didn't even need the hurried briefing Qui-gon gave him after Kirk summoned the Jedi.

“I wondered why we couldn't detect him with the Force,” Obi-wan muttered.  “We should have known.  We should have found out,” he added in dismay.  Even Lord Ardais looked grim. 

“We are not without resources, Padawan,” Qui-gon said firmly.  Addressing Kirk again, he added, “A Super Star Destroyer carries six hundred TIE fighters, ninety-six bombers, and about a hundred landing transports for an invasion force of one hundred and fifty-thousand troops, although the number they carry will likely be much smaller than that.”

He was interrupted.  “Captain, we're receiving a communications signal from the Nihilus,” said Uhura.

/Boilerplate,/ thought Kirk warily, reflecting that Lord Plagueis ought to be in a bitchy mood after yesterday's events.  Tempting as it was to needle the Muun, it was best to say nothing about all the Raptor-shrapnel. 

The screen lit, and to the Captain's surprise it showed the face of Darth Inculcare. 

/That's a fast recovery,/ reflected Kirk.  /It's bravado./  He wondered why Lord Plagueis had chosen to delegate the speech. 

“The Nihilus hails the Federation vessel.  I am Darth Inculcare, speaking to you at Lord Plagueis' command.  As you see, you are badly outnumbered and out-gunned.  I presume Qui-gon Jinn has already given you the details about our armaments.  If so, I need to make an addition to his list, for Jedi intelligence is poor.  I take this moment to unveil the newest creation of our superb Sith engineering—the superlaser.”

Kirk felt Qui-gon go very still by his side.  The Captain tried to peek at the expressions of his guests without Inculcare noticing, but both Jedi were suddenly stone-faced.

“But first, I would like to know the name of this—person--to your right.”  Inculcare was watching Spock, who had moved into view. 

“Commander Spock,” replied the Vulcan, studying Inculcare just as carefully.  The viewscreen was showing a close-up of the High Inquisitor, cutting him off just below the shoulders.  His arms were hidden. 

Inculcare tilted his head slightly in acknowledgment.  “I like to mark my enemies,” he said in a tone that radiated threat.  His eyes moved to Kirk's.  “I would ask your name, but you're of little importance.”

The Captain quelled his annoyance.

“Back to our superlaser.”  Inculcare smiled at Qui-gon.  “It is too bad, Master Jinn, that you won't live long enough to take word of it back to the Jedi.  Entire worlds will soon tremble in terror of its existence, and I would enjoy witnessing the dismay of the Jedi Council.”  He turned his attention back to the Captain.  “A superlaser's hypermatter core can destroy an entire city with one pulse, reducing it to an invisible froth of matter and anti-matter particles.”  He leaned forward slightly.  “One.  Single.  Pulse,” he repeated.  “Do you understand?  This technology is far beyond yours, so you may have difficulty grasping my meaning.”  Inculcare smiled again. 

Kirk understood too well.  He stood up and moved next to Chekov at the navigation console.  His fingers were out of range of the viewscreen, and he kept his arms perfectly still as his fingers programmed.  Both helmsmen were careful not to give anything away by looking.  The Captain already knew what the High Inquisitor was going to do next. 

“Despite your weapons, I still give you the opportunity to surrender yourselves to us,” replied Kirk.

Inculcare laughed outright.  “Captain, you are positively incorrigible.  A man in your position is asking us to surrender?  How ridiculous.  The stress of your position has addled your mind.

No, the only surrendering is going to be done by Darkover.”  Inculcare stopped smiling.  “We will be targeting the planet's capital city of Thendara.  After that point, we will give the planet six hours to capitulate to us, or we will annihilate the city and everyone in it.  If further resistance continues, we will destroy cities one at a time until submission is achieved.  As for you,” he added coldly, “I will say this.  I prefer using correct terminology in most situations, but this time, I feel a quotation is more appropriate.”  Inculcare leaned forward.

Kirk's fingers were poised over the navigation controls, hair-trigger.

“Detonate!” Inculcare said with bared teeth.

The superlaser fired, ripping through the spot where the Enterprise had been.

The Captain's reflexes had been just a hair faster.

-oOo-

“Fast work, Captain,” said Qui-gon. 

“Bastards like Darth Inculcare are predictable,” replied Kirk.



“Where are we?” asked Obi-wan.

“We've dropped out of warp behind Cottman IV,” said Chekov, reading the destination from between the Captain's fingers. 

“Uhura,” said Kirk, “call Regis Hastur.  We need to warn Darkover immediately.” 

-oOo-

A familiar landscape formed around the three Darkovans as they beamed down.  They were standing in the middle of the dirt road that was the main route between the cities of the north and the capital at Thendara.  The familiar landscape of the Venza Hills was on their left, and off to their right were the peaks of the Alton Domain.  Danilo gave a sigh of relief. 

“I feel the same,” said Catriona. 

“Even the Forbidden City and Lake Hali are welcome sights,” Regis said.  “After the Sith, they no longer seem so threatening.”

Catriona took out her matrix.  “I must warn my sisters of our approach.”  The stone flared like blue flame in her palm as she sent the message. 

The replying shock of laran rang through all of them as Domna Ysabet broadcast wide.  -You are all right?  Thank the Gods.  You do not know how worried we were.  The news of your kidnapping has caused an uproar throughout the towers.  Catriona, your father has gone to Thendara with your brothers to meet with the Legate.  We did not know what to tell them.  We sent word also to Dom Ardais and the Regent.  Was it the Terranan?  Are you hurt?  Who is that with you?- 

Regis introduced himself, and was bewildered by the excited clamor of mental voices all speaking at once, greeting Catriona with joy and wishing to know what happened.  Gingerly, he backed out of rapport as Catriona sketched an explanation for her colleagues.

The sun was covered with clouds, and in the weak light Danilo's red flush was still visible.   A  chill wind blew.  “None of us remembered breakfast, did we?” Regis said, rubbing his cold hands together.

“I'm sure they'll give us something at the tower, though we'll have to eat inside the travel shelter.  I also wish to enquire about my patient, Janine.”  Danilo glanced skywards.  “It's frustrating not knowing what is happening up there.”

Regis weighed the communicator in his hands.  “I'll call Dyan in a while.  Do you remember if the tower has any chervines to lend us?  It will be a long walk to Thendara without them.  Too bad Darkover does not have those ancient aircars anymore.  Do you know I caught a glimpse of one in Master Jinn's mind?  He travelled to the Forbidden City and experienced a vision of its last battle.”

“Truly?  Did you catch any other details from him?” 

“A few.  I have a theory about what caused his vision.”

“Care to explain as we walk?”

“I'll tell you later,” said Regis, watching Catriona.

The leronis was putting away her matrix, smiling broadly.  She wiped her eyes.  “It's wonderful to hear my sisters again.  If Carlina Ridenow hadn't followed us they never would have known what happened.  It was pure luck that Domna Ysabet chose a telepath who could read the mind of a chervine.  Excuse me.”

“There's no shame in crying,” Danilo assured her.  Regis put an arm around his paxman's shoulder as they turned west and left the road, cutting across lumpy tussocks of thick grass towards the Tower of Hali.  Lake Hali was now on their left, and beyond it was the Forbidden City.

“They thought my sketchy description incredible,” said Catriona.  “I'm afraid I will have to give them much explanation before they'll believe me, and I know so little myself.  The Sith are clear to me, but the Jedi?  What can I say except that their hair is strange?”

“Don't make fun of poor Obi-wan,” Regis said.  “He can't help his hair.  I believe such a style is their custom.”

Catriona laughed.  “The top of his skull resembles a field after the reapers.  Nor have I ever seen a braid on a man before.  You must admit it looks odd.”

“I'm glad you didn't say so back in sickbay,” Danilo said.  “I could sense your temptation.”

She laughed again.  Her eyes lingered on the arm Regis had around Danilo's shoulders, and she cocked her head in curiosity.  Catching her expression, Danilo colored.

A voice spoke in Regis' mind.  -How long have you known my cousin?-

-About a year and a half.  We met as cadets in the guards.-

-I believe I understand the situation.  Your bravery in coming after us is very telling,- she replied, and left his mind.

-We're caught,- came Danilo's mental whisper.

-To be caught, you have to be guilty of something, bredu.  We haven't managed to get that far,- Regis replied wryly.

His communicator chirped.  When he opened it, Kirk's voice spoke, “Dom Regis?  We have a big problem.  We've found the rest of the Sith fleet--plus their flagship and several hundred new starfighters.”  He described Inculcare's threat and the superlaser.

Catriona gasped and Danilo stiffened.  Regis stopped breathing, trying to retain his poise.

“We're still deciding how to deal with them,” Kirk continued.  “Alert your towers.  I'm not sure what your telepaths can do, but take whatever steps you think necessary to defend yourselves.  We'll keep you updated.  Kirk out.”

“Captain,” Regis started to say, but the communicator had already cut off.

“It's—it's likely he could not take the time to explain further.  I do not think he meant to be rude,” said Danilo.

Regis sighed.  “Only a little while ago I had a premonition that we'd face the Sith again.  That is why I didn't say goodbye to the Jedi.” 

Catriona was already concentrating, contacting her tower.  Regis found himself cringing as he wondered how they would take the news.

-oOo-

Starfleet captains did not use phrases like, 'We're screwed,' though Kirk was thinking it.  He tried his usual habit of considering the impossible, and his eyes narrowed.  “Do you have a cloaking device on the Wizard?” he asked Qui-gon. 

“We do.”

“Can it hide the Enterprise?”  

“The device was built with enough extra capacity it should be able to do so.”  Curiosity brightened Qui-gon's face.  “Padawan?  Fetch it and hurry.  The Captain intends to hook it up to this ship.” 

“Mr. Scott, head for the Wizard and give Obi-wan a hand,” Kirk said into his comlink.

“What are you planning?” asked Qui-gon.

Kirk swivelled his chair and faced Dyan Ardais.  “You can take over minds, correct?”

“If the victim is close enough.” 

“How good are you at screwing around with the mind of a Muun?”

Dyan snorted.  “I'm considered to be very talented at it,” he said with prickly hauteur.  “But with a Muun?  I do not even know what the creature is.  We shall have to see.”

“Good,” said Kirk.  “Mr. Chekov?  The first moment we're in cloak, head for the Nihilus, warp factor nine.”

-oOo-

Inculcare was scanning the viewscreens. 

“There's no debris,” said Fleet Admiral Kopis, an observation that made the rest of the bridge crew go very still.  Even a superlaser should have left some debris, though the central targeting area should be nothing but subatomic particles.  No one dared add another word, afraid of the High Inquisitor's anger.

“They escaped,” Inculcare said with a sigh.  “Admiral Kopis, proceed to Darkover and target the city of Thendara.  I will assist you with Force Travel.  The fleet must follow at its own pace.”

Kopis crossed his arms instead of cooperating.  As Fleet Admiral, he was senior enough in rank to be annoyed by this order from Inculcare, who was, after all, only the High Inquisitor, Sith though he was.

“I must confirm this order with Lord Plagueis.  Why does he not assist us hims--”

“We must make all haste to beat the Enterprise to the planet,” Inculcare interrupted impatiently.  “Darth Tyranus?” he said into his wristcom.  “Be ready to launch the expedition after we drop out of Force Travel.”  He cut off communication without waiting for a reply.  “Do not interrupt me,” he said to the officers around him. He shut his eyes, reaching out to tear and rend with the Force.  His fury at losing the Enterprise helped. 

-oOo-

/Who died and made you Dark Lord?/ thought Tyranus sulkily as Inculcare cut him off.  It was inappropriate for the High Inquisitor to be leading the expedition instead of a military man.  So what if Tyranus had lost the Raptor in battle?  Inculcare had lost his arm, for Force's sake.  Yet for totally stupid reasons this worked in Inculcare's favor.  Sith teaching said anything that helped you 'focus your hate,' was good for you.  Or rather, bad for you.  Whatever.  Irritably, Tyranus cast the thought aside.  The important point was that Inculcare's abilities seemed to have undergone an alarming growth in the past few hours, and Tyranus was disquieted.  And why had Lord Plagueis delegated the task of using Force Travel? 

Darkover came into view on the Tulak Hord's sensors when the Nihilus returned to normal space.  “Launch,” Tyranus snapped.  “Cloak on.”  The Sith Interceptor rose and exited the docking bay with a long burn from its exhaust.  On either flank were two escorting starfighters, Red One and Red Two. 

“The Ragnos and Green One have just communicated their launch,” said the Tulak Hord's pilot.

Disgusted, Tyranus didn't bother to check the sensors.  The Ragnos was Inculcare's ship.  /Here so quickly?  He must have run to the dock.  Eager, aren't you, Leron?/

Just as Tyranus was choosing a laser rifle from the armory, Inculcare's voice came over the speakers.  “Darth Tyranus, you and your escorts will assail the Tower of Hali, while I search the Forbidden City.  As a military commander, your skills will be needed against the telepaths.”

Tyranus paused.  /Clarification.  He's eager to reach the matrices before me./  “I protest.  We'll lose the element of surprise if we attack, and if the Darkovan telepaths retaliate they may halt us completely.  The matrices may be difficult to unearth, and we can't afford interruptions while we're trying to locate them.  I must consult with Lord Plagueis.”

“Impossible.  He has ordered complete communications silence between ourselves and the Nihilus to avoid alerting the Federation ship to our positions.  Our interceptors are under cloak, remember.  Lord Plagueis has given me command of this expedition.  I ORDER you to attack the tower.”

“You're making a mistake,” Tyranus replied impatiently.  “The Nihilus and its threats will distract the Darkovans well enough while we search the Forbidden City undetected.”

“That is unlikely.  Though we can hide the presence of our interceptors, our escorts are not cloaked and cannot stay hidden from the telepaths in the tower for very long.  Therefore, it must be destroyed promptly.”

“All right,” Tyranus conceded.  Inculcare had a point.  Irritated, he decided to record every fumble the High Inquisitor made.  It wasn't too late to disillusion Lord Plagueis about his pet.  He sat down by the navigator.  “Red One and Red Two, target the Tower of Hali, and begin an assault run.”

In a few minutes Lake Hali came into view.  The ruins of the Forbidden City were nearby, and the Tulak Hord made a swift circle to pinpoint their target, sending positioning signals back to the escorts.  “Lock on the tower and prepare to fire,” said Tyranus. 

“My lord, there are persons walking on the ground towards the target,” said the pilot, Captain Norbaoth. 

Tyranus felt a twinge from the Force.  A sudden mental picture of the travelers made him grin broadly.  “Fly closer to them,” he ordered Norbaoth.  “I have new orders for you.”

 

-oOo-

A mental voice barged into Regis' mind and he jumped.  -What do these Sith look like?  What are their ships and weapons?- Domna Ysabet demanded.  A little dazed at the speed of her reaction and instant focus on the difficulty, Regis replied with images of the TIE fighters and their laser cannon.  An uneasy feeling prickled the hairs on the back of his neck.  Danilo was staring at him and Catriona was following his conversation with her laran, her eyes distant.  Yet it seemed--

The vision came, seizing him so hard it blotted out the connection with Ysabet, making the blood throb in his head.  Ships were falling from the sky , heading for the tower.  One vessel suddenly changed course with an eager twitch of controls--

“RUN!” shouted Regis. 

They all sprinted, Catriona's hair snapping. 

“Are you certain?” Danilo asked.  “Vary your paces!”

“Yes!” Regis yelled back.  “I don't think my vision has occurred yet.  It's still a little in the future--”

A pulse of laser fire struck the ground close by.  The grass was unharmed, so the beam must have been set on stun. 

“--now,” Regis corrected.  “Damn it, why aren't we armed?”

“Because Dyan confiscated our weapons!” Danilo yelled.  “Something stupid about the Compact, I believe.”

Regis fumbled with his communicator as Catriona cried out to the tower, -Domna Ysabet!  Domna Ysabet!-

-We see them.  We have them.  Lend us your strength, Catriona.-

“Have how?” Danilo exclaimed. 

The answer came when Catriona halted, throwing up a hand.  The swell of laran poured out like a tidal wave from the tower to Catriona, flowing through her matrix.  The air itself seemed to tilt and push with a solidity air never had, ramming the TIE fighter straight into the dirt with a tungsten-bright flash.

 

-oOo-