He was limping and hunched over, with one arm clutched at his side. Yet even through the obscuring dust Zannah recognized him immediately. She could only stare in utter disbelief as he drew nearer, his gait becoming more sure and steady with every stride. With each step he stood taller and straighter, and when he let his arm fall away from his side, her heart began to pound with excitement.
Darth Bane was alive! And the power that had let him survive this incredible ordeal-the power of the dark side-would one day be hers to command! Overcome with emotion, she stepped forward to embrace her Master… only to recoil when she saw the alien growth protruding from his chest.
'They are called orbalisks,' Bane said, offering an explanation rather than a greeting. 'Creatures that feed on the power of the dark side. Without them I could never have survived what you just witnessed.' He gasped faintly as he spoke, though whether from pain or the recent exertion of using the Force – or possibly both – she couldn't tell.
He stopped in front of her, and Zannah reached out slowly to touch the cold, hard shell. She pulled her hand back with a start when she felt it twitch beneath her fingers.
'They feel the power of the dark side within you ' Bane said, speaking like a proud father.
'How do you get them off?' Zannah asked, her question an equal measure of curiosity and revulsion.
'I don't,' Bane replied. 'This armor is permanent.'
'Will I have to wear them, too?' she asked softly.
Bane considered before replying. 'The orbalisks give me great power, but there is a cost. The physical demands can be… taxing. It would be too much for you to bear as a child. Maybe too much for you to ever bear.'
Relieved, Zannah only nodded. Her Master seemed to be almost fully recovered now, though his face and armor were still drenched in blood.
She noticed him looking past her at the Star-Wake on the far edge of the clearing.
'I stole a ship,' she told him. 'I… I had to kill the crew.'
'You did what was necessary to achieve your goal,' Bane said. 'You showed the power and the strength of will to destroy those who stood in your way. You saw what you wanted and you took it, no matter what the cost.
'You acted like a Sith.'
The young girl felt a surge of pride well up within her. 'What happens now, Master?'
'Now your real training will begin,' Bane said, marching off toward the Star-Wake.
She quickly fell into step behind him. The doubts and fears she had experienced during her time alone on the ship were gone, swept away by the words of her Master and the display of raw power she had witnessed. No longer was she afraid or uncertain about her future; she finally accepted who and what she truly was. She was the chosen apprentice of Darth Bane. She was the heir to the legacy of the dark side. And she was the future Dark Lord of the Sith.
'You sent for me, Master Valenthyne?' Johun said as he entered Far-falla's private quarters.
It was three days after the Senate had passed the Ruusan Reformations, and they were still on Coruscant. Johun was eager to leave the city-world behind them, but after his shameful outburst in Chancellor Valorum's chambers, he was determined to show that he could control his emotions and that he trusted in the wisdom of his Master. As long as Farfalla felt they were needed here, he would serve without further complaint.
'Sit down, Johun,' the Jedi Master said softly, pointing to a nearby chair. From his tone it was clear he had bad news to deliver.
Johun did as he was instructed, dreading what was to come.
'We've located the Star-Wake'
For a brief instant Johun's heart leapt. Sometime after he had left Irtanna and her crew, their ship had gone missing. Search parties had been sent out but had come back with nothing. Now, nearly two weeks after she disappeared, she had been found!
Then Johun's elation vanished when he realized that his Master had specifically said the ship had been located; he'd made no mention of those aboard.
'What happened?' Johun asked, almost too afraid to get the words out.
'We think it may have been mercenaries,' Farfalla explained. 'The ship was discovered floating in the Japrael sector, abandoned. Everything of value had been taken. Everyone aboard was dead, shot with a blaster at close range.'
'Everyone? Irtanna? Bordon? Even his sons?'
Farfalla could only answer with a solemn nod.
There is no emotion, Johun thought, reciting the Jedi Code as he fought to control the sudden burst of anger that flared at their senseless deaths. There is only peace.
'I know this is difficult for you to accept,' Farfalla said, taking a seat across from Johun so he could face him. 'But there is nothing we can do for them now. And whatever happens, you must not take it upon yourself to try to avenge their deaths.'
'I understand, Master,' Johun said, choking back tears. 'Yet I cannot stop myself from grieving for their loss.'
'Nor should you, my young Padawan,' Farfalla said, giving him a reassuring pat on the knee before rising to stand. 'It is only natural that you feel sorrow over what has happened. Grief alone holds no danger.'
Farfalla stepped away to the far side of the room and studied a painting on the wall, giving the young man some privacy and allowing him time to collect himself. When Johun stood a few minutes later, his Master turned to face him again.
'This news sits heavy upon my heart, Master Valenthyne,' the young man offered. 'But I understand that it is not my place to seek out their killers. And I am grateful you brought me here to tell me.'
'That is not the only reason I sent for you,' Farfalla admitted. 'I have a mission for you.'
'Tell me, Master. I am ready to serve.' Johun thought that truer words had never been spoken. He was desperate for something, anything, to take his mind off thoughts of Irtanna and her crew.
'The Senate has passed the Ruusan Reformations. You already know what this means to our order, but there are many other aspects to this legislation. As Chancellor Valorum has said, the Republic must be reborn.'
Johun nodded to show he understood.
'There will be many people across the galaxy who are opposed to this new legislation ' Farfalla continued. 'Some see Valorum's efforts to reunite the Republic as an attempt to reestablish Senate control over worlds that have declared their independence… or worlds that were just about to.'
'You fear for the Chancellor's life,' Johun guessed.
'Precisely. And I also feel it is important for the Jedi to show our support for the Chancellor and the Ruusan Reformations. We must take a leading role in protecting him from those who would do him harm.'
Johun struggled to keep his emotions under control. Farfalla had said he had a special mission for him. Maybe he was sending him to the Outer Rim Territories to infiltrate a radical separatist movement, or deploying him to the front lines of a battle against some dangerous rebel faction!
'I have chosen you to serve as the Jedi representative among Chancellor Valorum's personal guard' Farfalla continued, and Johun felt as if he had been punched in the gut.
The last thing he wanted was to stay on Coruscant, and now he had been condemned to remain here until the end of the Chancellor's term. Plus four more years, if the Chancellor won his bid for a second term.
'You seem upset, Johun.'
'Not upset, Master,' the young man answered carefully. 'Disappointed. This was not what I was hoping for.'
'Our order is sworn to serve. Often we must sacrifice what we most value for the good of others. This is what it means to be a Jedi.'
Johun felt no desire to argue the point. As usual, his Master was right. If this was his duty, if this was the role he was asked to serve, then he would not only accept it but embrace it.
'Master Valenthyne, I humbly accept this great honor you have given me. I will serve Chancellor Valorum with all my heart and spirit, to the best of my abilities.'
'It gives me great pleasure to hear you accept your fate so willingly, Johun,' Farfalla answered with a
