Krysira’s Destiny
Chapter Fourteen
Living quarters deep beneath Tysag
Silik stood just inside the room, while four other Suliban waited just outside the room.
“Really, Jon,” Silik said with all too much familiarity. “You mustn’t get up on my account.” “I should’ve realized that you would be behind something like this,” Archer growled. Silik merely smiled and motioned for two of the other Suliban to escort Archer out of the room. Archer attempted to resist, but upon feeling one of the Suliban weapons pressed against his temple, he went along quietly, yet reluctantly. “Now, now. Resisting will do you no good, Jon,” Silik advised, evenly. Archer merely shot Silik a murderous look, as the other Suliban led him past their leader. He then looked at Drayce. “If I wanted to be rich and powerful, I wouldn’t start out by letting ten innocent women die.” Drayce merely shrugged indifferently. The Suliban led Archer out of the room. In the meantime, Drayce and Ori had stood up, waiting patiently for Silik to acknowledge them. “You are pleased...Silik?” Drayce questioned. Silik smiled. “Very much so. You have done well, Drayce,” he said as he pulled a data padd out of his clothing. “Your reward, as promised.” He handed the padd to Drayce, who took it, puzzled. “What is it?” “We found an extraordinary amount of dilithium on the far side of the planet. There is a map to its location, refinement procedures and details for containment as well.” “Dilithium? I have never heard of such a thing.” “Once refined, it is a tremendous power source for ships. It could fetch a hefty price on your black market or the highest bidder.” Drayce’s eyes glowed, as he bowed slightly. “Thank-you.” Silik inclined his head slightly. “No. Thank-you.” With that, Silik spun on his heel and exited the room. Ori peered over Drayce’s arm, as the Exoian turned on the data padd. His expression darkened, as he read the display. “What does Silik think I am? A fool?” Drayce suddenly snarled. Ori’s head snapped up. “What are you talking about, my lord?” She wanted to know. “This so-called dilithium is nothing more than Kraygoryte – a common rock found on Exoia!” “But Silik gave instructions for refinement and containment! I’m sure that he was being truthful! We can be rich, if we sell it! He said so!” Drayce tossed the padd aside, grabbing Ori by her upper arms. “You know nothing about business deals, Ori! You know nothing of Exoia and its resources! I do! And I know the properties of Kraygoryte and that is what Silik gave us! He double-crossed us! He will pay!” He pushed Ori aside, then looked over at the Rybrillians. “Come with me!” He snarled, seeing the beings scramble to obey. “But Drayce...” Ori began. Drayce glared at her. “Silence! Stay here!” He roared. Ori shrank away, never seeing Drayce so furious before. Drayce stormed out the door at a dead run with the Rybrillians on his heels. Ori huddled against the wall trying to calm herself after Drayce’s outburst. After a minute, she rose to her feet, walking over to the discarded data padd.Corridor
Krysira and Trip, followed by Trey, Caden and Chelz with the warriors bringing up the rear, came upon a door in the corridor. Krysira stopped with Trip next to her and Caden right behind her.
“We go in?” Caden questioned. Krysira drew in the Force, sensing a presence beyond the door. “Someone is in there,” she replied. “Maybe it’s the Captain!” Trip said, his Southern accent heightened by his excitement, moving towards the door. “I do not know.” She threw up an arm to block Trip’s approach, her hand resting on his chest. “Caution is recommended.” She looked at him, meaningfully. Trip merely grunted and nodded, aware of the meaning of her expression, but enjoyed her touch on his skin. Caden took note that the pretty Jedi had one hand on the hilt of a lightsabre. Krysira approached the door that opened at her presence. As she walked in, she saw a petite pale green-skinned woman, whom she realized was a Mesarian, bending down to pick something off of the floor. Ori’s head snapped up upon hearing the door open. Her jade colored eyes widened upon seeing that it was a female Jedi. She blinked. Ori had not been aware of any other Jedi on the planet. Her attention then was diverted to the person standing behind the Jedi. Caden immediately recognized Ori and his face showed his fury. “Traitor!” Caden roared. A look of pure fear crossed Ori’s delicate features. Forgetting about the data padd, the Mesarian woman turned tail and ran out the nearby door where Drayce had gone only minutes before, yelling for her lover. Caden bellowed and shoving Krysira aside roughly tore after the fleeing Ori. Krysira hit the floor, grunting upon impact. “No! Krys!” Trip hollered, running over to the pretty Jedi Knight. “Caden! No! Wait!” Trey’s raspy voice called out. But Trey’s words fell upon deaf ears as the huge Exoian disappeared through the other doorway. Trip was by Krysira’s side, helping her to her feet. “Krys?” He questioned, checking her over. “You okay?” She looked up into Trip’s dark blue eyes, seeing the deep concern he had for her. She smiled softly. “I am fine, Trip. Thank-you,” she replied, her expression sobering. “However, our large friend is not. Anger clouds his judgment.” “I am afraid that you are correct, Knight Krysira,” Trey agreed. “We should follow him,” Chelz suggested. “I am fearful of what he will do.” “In his present state mind, I agree,” Krysira replied. Getting a nod from the pretty Jedi, Trey and Chelz led the way through the doorway and down the semi-lit corridor with the rest following. Just before he went through the doorway, Trip noticed a data padd on the floor and picked up, tucking it in his belt. He then hurried to join Krysira and the others.Another corridor
Malcolm glanced aside at Qui-Gon upon hearing the Jedi Master sigh heavily.
“Do you think we’ll find Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon?” Malcolm asked, quietly. “We will, Lieutenant. I must find my Padawan, whether he is alive...or not,” Qui-Gon replied in a soft yet determined voice. Malcolm nodded in understanding. At that moment, the group came upon a door on the left side of the corridor. Qui-Gon motioned for the group to stop, as he neared the door, which slid open upon his approach. He instantly had his lightsabre in his hand but not ignited, as he entered the room. With blaster in hand, Malcolm followed. Hoshi, Vallen and Lonan hovered by the doorway with the warriors right behind them. Qui-Gon saw the force field, then his eyes widened upon seeing who was behind it. “Padawan!” He practically shouted, as he went over to the force field. “Master!” Obi-Wan cried out, his eyes moist with happy tears. The Jedi Master drew in the Force and ignited his lightsabre and swung it at the force field. Although the lightsabre went through the force field, it did not disrupt the field. Again and again, Qui-Gon’s green blade flashed, but still it had no effect. In the meantime, Malcolm had reholstered his blaster and had his scanner out, punching in a series of numbers. After about ten minutes, the British armory officer turned to the frustrated Jedi Master. “Qui-Gon, I think I can disrupt this force field at about 10 second intervals,” he said. “That should be sufficient, Lieutenant,” Qui-Gon replied, readying himself. “Please proceed.” Malcolm punched in a series of numbers and the force field flickered then faded. Qui-Gon dashed in and with precise accuracy cut Obi-Wan loose, then in one fluid motion, shut off and belted his lightsabre and caught his apprentice, as the youth’s knees buckled under him, as force field came back up. “Master!” Obi-Wan practically sobbed. “Shh...my Padawan,” Qui-Gon soothed. “You are safe now.” “Qui-Gon,” Malcolm said. The Jedi Master straightened, holding his apprentice close to him, drawing the Force within himself again. “I am ready.” Once again the force field flickered then faded. >Qui-Gon instantly reacted, pulling Obi-Wan out along with him past Malcolm as the field came back up. They sank down to the floor. Lonan started towards Obi-Wan but Vallen yanked him back. The young page looked at him. “I just want to help Obi-Wan,” he stated. “You will just be in the way, boy,” Vallen said a bit harshly. “Stay back.” The youth’s shoulders slumped. “Yes, sir.” He looked disappointed, but stayed put. Hoshi listened to the exchange and it finally dawned on her how young this Lonan really was. She looked back into the room to see Malcolm bend down near Qui-Gon and another young...human. She had never thought that there were any other humans...anywhere. She had thought that Earth had the only human race. Obviously, she was...wrong. Qui-Gon held Obi-Wan close sending the healing properties of the Force into his Padawan. Obi-Wan accepted the rare comfort that his Master was giving him, relishing it, as his strength returned. “I thought I had lost you, my Padawan,” Qui-Gon said quietly. “I feared that you and Knight Krysira were...dead, when I could not sense either of you,” the young apprentice replied softly. “I believe the force field that held you, prevented us from contacting each other.” He helped Obi-Wan to his feet. Malcolm suddenly dropped his scanner, as it began to sizzle and crackle. “Ow...” Malcolm muttered, shaking his hand as he stood up as well. Both Master and Padawan looked at the Enterprise officer. “Lieutenant?” Qui-Gon questioned. “I’m okay,” Malcolm replied, as he gingerly picked up the scanner, checking it over. “But I’m afraid that the scanner isn’t.” Qui-Gon laid a large hand on Malcolm’s shoulder. “It has served its purpose, it seems. Now...we must rely on...ourselves.” Malcolm nodded, then a look of realization crossed his face. “Ah...Obi-Wan, I believe I have something of yours.” A slight frown crossed Obi-Wan’s youthful features. “Oh?” He questioned, curiously. His face lit up, when Malcolm produced his lightsabre. “My lightsabre! Thank-you, Lieutenant Reed.” He took it and hooked it deftly on his belt. “How did you get it?” “Krysira entrusted me with it until we found you.” The apprentice nodded. “So...can we get...moving along?” Vallen questioned, impatiently. “And find this Rybrillian Prefect, that the boy here...” He jerked his head towards Lonan. “Claims to know. I would much rather be in the midst of a battle than this.” His arms were folded across his chest, an annoyed look on his rugged features, his eyes hard. Qui-Gon looked at Vallen, sensing the young Exoian warrior’s rising impatience. “One must have patience, Vallen,” he said. “Rescuing people is as important or even more so than fighting. Do you not care about the safety and well-being of others?” He saw a war rage over Vallen’s face. Vallen pressed his lips in a thin line, trying to control his emotions. “I stopped caring, when I lost Reyna.” He moved out of the doorway, pulling Lonan along with him. “Come, boy.” The warriors wisely parted to allow Vallen and Lonan to pass. “He has a great deal of rage and sorrow, Master,” Obi-Wan commented. Qui-Gon nodded. “Indeed,” he replied. “Will his attitude...hinder us?” Malcolm questioned. “I can not predict that...I hope that it does not.” “So do I.” Qui-Gon took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, as he addressed the group. “Let us continue our search for the Rybrillian Prefect, then hopefully join up with the others.” There were murmurs of approval from the group as they continued their search for the captive Rybrillian Prefect, Ca-Yanne.Corridor towards a hangar bay
Silik had rejoined the rest of the Suliban and their prisoner, Jonathan Archer.
“Tell me Silik,” Archer began. “How did you get involved with Drayce and in this planet’s affairs? Purely out of curiosity...of course.” Silik gave Archer a swarthy smile. “Of course,” he replied. “About a month ago, while on a mission to find a planet suitable for a base, we accidentally came across and entered a gateway that led to this universe and to this planet. Our landing did not go unnoticed and it wasn’t long before my observer contacted me by communicator.” “Drayce?” The corridor spilled out into a large almost deserted hangar bay with a couple of ships in it; one Archer assumed was Suliban. The Suliban leader merely nodded. “Even though the meeting was not in person, nor did we know what the other looked like, I took a liking to him.” “What? A devious ruthless mind like yours?” Archer snarled softly. Silik chuckled. “Oh, Jon...you flatter me, but yes. It was delightful to find a...kindred soul, so to speak.” He paused. “Then our scanners picked up an extraordinary amount of dilithium in a mountain range not very far from here actually.” “Of course you helped yourselves to it.” Silik shrugged a little. “Naturally.” “SILIK! You cheated me!” An angry voice echoed throughout the hangar bay.Another corridor
Ori Yigel continued her frantic race down the corridor still in search of her lover, Drayce. Nothing looked familiar. She looked over her shoulder, hearing the pounding footsteps of her pursuer. She scowled. Why didn’t she just follow Drayce to begin with instead of letting her greed get the better of her? But she had no idea that Caden would be following her. Last she knew he was locked up in the dungeon. Did that female Jedi release him and the others? It didn’t matter. All she had to do was find Drayce and he’d take care of that overgrown interfering pest. Ori allowed a wicked smile to appear on her lips. She would take great pleasure in Caden’s demise.
Caden’s chest heaved as he pursued the fleet-footed Mesarian female. Running distances was not one of his better athletic abilities, but he’d push himself to catch the traitorous Ori. He would chase her to the ends of the universe to make her pay for what she did to them. He frowned slightly as he pounded down the corridor. Why was she calling for Drayce earlier? Was it because she was in league with him? Or was it perhaps something more? It made no difference to him. Once he took care of Ori, Drayce was next on his list.Corridor
The space pilot, Trey, led the group down the corridor in Caden’s wake until they came upon a split in the corridor. They slowed to a stop.
“Which way?” Chelz questioned. Krysira closed her eyes and reached out with the Force and felt the anger emanating from the large Exoian. She opened her eyes, gazing down the corridor to her left. “I feel his anger coming from there,” she replied, indicating the desired direction with a slender hand. “Sounds like Caden to me,” Trip muttered. “Seeing the way he tore off after that woman, whatever race she was.” “Mesarian,” Trey told Trip, then to the pretty Jedi. “Knight Krysira, it would be best if Chelz and I went on alone after Caden, being that we know him the best.” Krysira considered the suggestion. “Very well,” she replied. “But proceed with caution, Trey. Caden is highly irrational right now and may do something he may regret later.” Trey nodded. “But of course.” He bowed slightly. With that, Trey and Chelz ran down the corridor. Trip let out a low whistle, as he watched Trey and Chelz take off. He turned to see Krysira gazing curiously at him. He grinned sheepishly. “Just never seen anyone run that fast before,” he told her. Krysira merely smiled, then moved to head down the other corridor, when she felt someone trying to contact her through the Force. She stopped, closing her eyes. Puzzled, Trip said: “Krys?” Krysira placed her slender fingers on Trip’s lips. “Shhh...” she whispered. /”Krysira?”/ It was Qui-Gon. /”Qui-Gon? What is it?”/ Krysira wanted to know. /”Obi-Wan is safe. We are continuing our search for Ca-Yanne. And you?”/ /”Caden is in pursuit of the one who betrayed the group.”/ Qui-Gon sighed heavily over their connection. /”Very well. Keep in contact.”/ /”Agreed.”/ Krysira closed the connection and opened her eyes, seeing Trip’s concerned expression. She removed her fingers and gave the young Earth commander a reassuring smile. “It was Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan is free and they’re continuing the search for the Rybrillian Prefect,” she explained. “Now...let us proceed quickly. Captain Archer quite likely was taken in this direction.” She motioned in the other direction. “Let’s get going then,” Trip suggested urgently. “Lead on, Krys.” Krysira nodded and hurried down the other corridor, Trip beside her and Elkan behind them, while the warriors brought up the rear.
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