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Another dark, cool night on Dathomir’s Isle of Mist…
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…which has become infested with the undead!
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Near the eastern coast of the island, Kala Mly Shundi swiftly maneuvers through the Dathomir foliage.
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He knows the only chance for Rykrof to have time to recover the Sith artifact is to lead Darth Vader as far away from his friend as possible…
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…and soon, he may be forced to sacrifice himself in order to save his friends.
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Less than a kilometer away, Vader cuts down a bloodthirsty inhabitant of the forest…
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…but is careful to avoid them in groups, when possible.
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He senses the Jedi’s position and continues to push forward…
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…and is unexpectedly met by one of his seeker droids.
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The droid hovers before Vader…
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…and informs him that the Emperor wishes to make contact.
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“Open the communication channel.”
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A beam of light then emits from the droid’s projector unit…
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…and Darth Vader respectfully takes one knee.
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“You disappoint me, Lord Vader,” his master sneers.
“Your orders were to observe the situation… not to get involved.”
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“Enloe’s Jedi companion is a threat,” Vader attempts to explain.
“And the artifact’s contents have been released… if Admiral Gere acquires it, his forces will be overrun.”
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“Then see to it that the artifact is secured,” Palpatine hisses.
“But don’t let this Jedi draw you away from the objective…”
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“…and open your eyes to the opportunity that has presented itself,” Palpatine pauses.
“This Jedi has been protecting others in hiding…”
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“Kala Mly Shundi will lead me to other Jedi?” Vader asks.
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“I have foreseen it,” the Emperor smiles.
“But Enloe’s role is vital… leverage the situation with his family to our advantage… report to me once you have completed this task.”
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Once the transmission ends, Vader stands to his full height…
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…and Kala senses that his enemy’s focus has shifted.
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Meanwhile, Traedon Cusiro has tracked down Rykrof’s protocol droid, T-3PO.
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“I’m saved!” T-3PO springs to life.
“Badoo Corba agents… here on Dathomir… and horrifying beings…”
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“Yeah, I know,” Traedon grimaces.
“The group’s split up all over the place… I found Doskin’s body…or what was left of it…”
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“Oh dear,” the droid laments.
“I hope nothing’s happened to Master Enloe!”
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“He was headed toward the complex,” Traedon says.
“Follow me… and keep your voice down.”
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“I should have stayed on Urelia,” the droid mutters.
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Nearby, Rykrof has entered the heart of the Imperial research facility…
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“The lab’s down this hall,” he nods.
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“There’s a functioning droid in there,” Freelo adds.
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“Don’t forget we’ve got Stormtroopers following us still,” Caller reminds the pair.
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“Just keep a lookout,” Rykrof insists.
“I’ll be quick.”
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“Who are you?” an Imperial research droid inquires.
“Badoo Corba agents?”
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“No… we’re not Badoo Corba agents; we were sent here to recover the artifact…” Rykrof explains.
“…by Baron Tylin Gere.”
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“I see,” the droid responds.
“Then you are free to take it to him.”
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“But as I’m sure you’re aware, the results of the procedure have been… mixed.”
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“What was the intended purpose of the procedure?” Freelo asks.
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“The resurrection of Amalaech,” the droid responds.
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“Is that what this is all about? Bringing back a religious Badoo Corba prophet?”
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“That was the intent,” the droid explains.
“When the procedure failed, they blamed the Sunnellion scientists that were contracted to administer the contents of the relic.”
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“They tortured… and forced injections into the scientists… resulting in the outbreak…”
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At that moment, the hand of the lead scientist reaches for Freelo…
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In a flash, a laser blast from Rykrof’s weapon sizzles through her skull!
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“This is intolerable,” Freelo exhales.
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“Here they come!” Caller suddenly yells.
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“Take cover!”
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A laser blast then zips past Caller, right into the droid!
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“Caller, get down!” Rykrof shouts!
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Several shots blaze past the trooper…
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…but it’s too late for Caller…
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…as he is gunned down by the Imperials.
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“Dammit!” Rykrof yells.
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Right then, Freelo slips, narrowly avoiding a laser blast…
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…and is rendered unconscious!
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“Hold your fire,” the lead trooper shouts.
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Rykrof then watches in disbelief…
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…as Darth Vader enters the lab!
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Unable to raise his weapon, Rykrof’s heart races as the Dark Lord approaches him.
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“Good; the relic is undamaged,” Vader observes.
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“As for you,” he turns.
“…your next actions will determine your fate.”
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“…and of those you hold dear.”
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“What do you mean by that?” Rykrof asks.
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At that moment, Vader drops a tracking device at Rykrof’s feet.
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“Leave this complex, and see to it that your Jedi ally takes you to his hidden base,” he hisses.
“Once you have arrived, activate the beacon.”
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“You can’t…” Rykrof starts to protest…
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“There will be no negotiations,” Vader insists.
“Do exactly as I say, or your wife and son will be destroyed.”
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“There is a functioning Badoo Corba shuttle in the north landing bay for your escape,” Vader explains as he turns away.
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Rykrof then picks up the tracking device…
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…and conceals it.
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“Secure the artifact,” Vader orders his men.
“And allow Enloe and his friends to escape.”
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Outside, Traedon and T-3PO have reached the perimeter of the complex.
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“This looks bad,” Traedon observes.
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“They’ve got this place locked down pretty tight.”
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“I’m going to need for you to distract those Stormtroopers.”
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“Distract them?” T-3PO objects.
“Sir, given my current condition…”
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“Quiet,” Kala Mly Shundi whispers as he approaches the pair.
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“Wasn’t sure I’d see you again,” Traedon admits to the Jedi.
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“Something has happened inside the facility,” Kala says, changing the subject.
“I sense a disturbance in the Force.”
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“Like what?” Traedon asks.
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“I’m not sure. But this mission… has failed.”
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“I wholeheartedly agree with you,” T-3PO announces.
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Back inside the complex, Rykrof helps Freelo to his feet.
“I’m okay… but what happened?” the Mon Calamari asks.
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“Caller’s dead… I’ll explain the rest after we get out of here,” Rykrof tells his friend.
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“Stay close to me.”
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“But… where’s the relic?”
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“The Imperials took it,” Rykrof replies.
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“Just be ready for whatever may be on the other side of this door.”
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Once outside, Rykrof and Freelo find themselves at the north landing bay.
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“Look on the far end,” Rykrof grins.
“That shuttle looks operational!”
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“I’ll clear a path,” he says.
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“If something happens to me, get to any ship you can and get out of here.”
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Rykrof then eyes a metal rod that could be useful for defending himself at close range.
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“There’s so many of them,” Freelo observes.
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“…they’re coming from all sides…”
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“…maybe it’s safer back inside?”
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“If you want to get out of here, that shuttle’s your best option,” Rykrof argues.
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The undead then begin to focus on Rykrof…
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…who fires a quick shot through the skull of the closest one.
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He then recognizes the walking corpse of Mubaas Fuuda!
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“Death’s too good for you; you son of a bitch,” Rykrof growls.
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He then blasts a hole through the former leader of the Badoo Corba!
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“Behind you!”
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Rykrof then quickly spins, blasting the would-be attacker!
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“That was too close,” Rykrof says.
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He then smashes through the helmet of the last undead blocking their path!
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“That ought to do it,” Rykrof coughs.
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But more of the artifact’s victims continue to take notice to the commotion…
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“Quit dragging your feet, Freelo!” Rykrof yells.
“I did all the work here!”
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“I was covering your blind side,” Freelo retorts.
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Rykrof then opens the hatch…
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…as more of the undead move in.
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Within moments, the two survivors are safe!
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In the adjacent courtyard, several Stormtroopers stand guard…
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…as the Imperials prepare to disembark from the infested island.
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“Well? Did Enloe escape?” Darth Vader asks Commander Resibar.
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“Enloe and his companion just made it to the shuttle,” the trooper reports.
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“Good,” Vader replies as he turns away.
“I will inform the Emperor of our success…”
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“…there is no need to stay on this planet any longer than necessary.”
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