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Alee eased the throttle forward and touched down feather-soft. Still no com traffic. Nothing since her clearance to land. She ignored the view from the cockpit and powered down.
Eyes closed, Alee drew on the Force. Breathe deep. Calm. Peace.
She stood and strode through the cramped ship to the landing ramp. On the ground she examined her surroundings. As she sensed. Nothing. Not a ship. Not a droid. Not a single being. I'm in a ferrocrete tomb. A shiver ran down her neck. Where did that thought come from? She knew she stood at the apex. Qui-Gon had urged her to pass this assignment if her misgivings were that strong. He didn't understand. Her path was clear. It led to the black hole looming before her. But what did the vision mean? And where was the scientist the Bainot governing council had promised?
She exhaled slowly and moved forward, flicking the com unit attached to her utility belt so the ramp rose behind her. The brown Jedi cloak billowed around her like mynock wings as she increased her pace. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
Her hand went reflexively to the lightsaber at her hip as she stepped through the doorway to the street beyond. Empty. Agir was deserted. Alee stretched out with her senses. Ahh. Someone was near. And very afraid. This ghost town had some ghosts after all. Sent to watch the Jedi Knight, no doubt.
No time to chase phantoms. The window of opportunity was small. Her former master was joining her in twelve hours. What would Jarep expect her to accomplish in that time? What did she know?
Alee moved through plasteel canyons, wending toward the western edge of the capital. No film of dust. The evacuation was recent. And orderly, judging by the clean avenues. Why would an ancient legend drive a people to this?
The planet was in unusual alignment with its suns and moons. Alee knew the planet stood at the center of a triangle, with the two suns - both cool dwarfs - each creating a point and the three moons clustered to form the third. According to the records it happened every two thousand years or so. But it would only last a few more days. Why the strange stories associated with the event? Nothing was written. Only rumors that could not be substantiated.
Alee stopped in the middle of a large square and twirled slowly. The air did feel ... different. It was quivering. She stretched out on the ferrocrete, pushing her senses into the ground beneath. Tremors ran along her nerves. She strained as her bones were pulled in three directions at once. Alee broke the connection and rolled onto her back, breathing hard. She felt drained; couldn't stop shivering.
The ghosts impinged on her senses, drawing closer. Did they sense her weakness?
Alee struggled to her feet and used the Force to stop shaking. She let it flow through her until her fingers tingled. She spun in time to see a shadow retreating into a doorway. They were growing bolder. Yet still afraid.
The aberrant power flux was situated twenty-three standard kilometers west of the city. The Abomination legend called it. She would see if her ghosts dared follow her there.
Walking was thirsty business. The swallow from that city fountain had long since evaporated. No canteen. Of course she'd expected a ride - with the scientist who never showed. The rolling hills and lush vegetation were very beautiful, but she'd prefer a flat plain right about now.
Alee dropped under a shade tree and looked up. Almost like the manga trees back home. Why would such rich land be untouched? There had been nothing artificial since the city. The legend again. When the Abomination came it dwelt in Duros Canyon and none ventured near. Apparently superstition prohibited proximity between visits. Well, she would approach, along with her ghosts, who trailed a respectable distance behind.
Lying back on the spongy ground-cover, Alee pondered her situation. She still sought Jarep's council from time to time, and wished he were here now. Or better yet, Qui-Gon. A smile kissed her lips. They would soon have more time together. He was almost finished training his current Padawan. Qui-Gon refused to reveal to Obi-Wan how close he really was. Might make him even more headstrong. They were on a mission to ... the planet's name escaped her and she shook her head.
"This isn't the time to gather Bansheen wool, Alee-Nedra cy Nerac," she lectured herself.
Refreshed, the remaining distance flew by. Alee topped the final rise and beheld Duros Canyon, half a kilometer away. A dark light? essence? throbbed within the canyon walls, casting a pall on the surrounding area. She squatted, rested her elbow on her knee and drummed her teeth with her thumb. She stopped and smiled. My planning mode, Qui-Gon would say.
"I must get a closer look." The unusual vibrations in the Force repelled her, yet demanded examination. "I'm trusting my instincts, Qui-Gon. You'd be proud. I hope."
The air thickened and the light drew dimmer as Alee neared the chasm. A strange fog curled around her, obscuring her vision and her Force-sense. She almost didn't see the edge.
It was mesmerising. It was her vision come to life. A swirling vortex of energy shot through with bolts of random colors, whirling down. Down. Down into a black hole. Vertigo grabbed hold of her mind. She swayed forward.
The laser bolt shot past her head. Alee jerked upright. She spun and drew her lightsaber in one fluid motion. The second bolt was deflected back to its owner. A grey silhouette screamed, crumpled. Her ghosts had materialised.
The mist cleared enough for Alee to see four human attackers. One motioned to the others. They were cutting off her retreat. Smart move. Alee smiled. They'd obviously never dealt with a Jedi.
The leader advanced. Alee raised her eyebrows. She was tall. This man towered over her. And he carried a battle droid blaster. Few humanoids of any kind could handle the heavy weapon.
The blue glow from her lightsaber lit the area around her, like a sign that says 'aim here'. She switched off the blade, holding it at the ready.
"We seem to be at a bit of a standoff," she said, "I don't want to kill your men and they are afraid to die."
"We are fully prepared to die," the giant rasped. "Are you?"
Not afraid to die? Afraid of the black hole, then. Alee slipped out of her cloak. The tan tunic beneath would be harder to spot in this light.
"Why do you seek to kill me?" Alee stalled for time.
"The Abomination demands levy for waiver."
"Levy. A tax." Realization struck. "Sacrifice?! Me? That's ludicrous. Why?"
"It has always been so."
"Always doesn't make it right."
Alee ran toward the closest shadow and flipped over him. A blue arc sliced off his blaster hand, illuminating his surprised features. She whirled right. Parried two shots. Spun left.
The escape route filled with red beams. Reinforcements. Alee dived, rolled and sprang into a defensive crouch. Right back where she'd started. Her chest heaved. Fear encroached on her mind. She quashed it.
A laugh that walked on gravel filled her ears.
"Prepare to die for the good of all Bainot, Jedi."
Pain. Incredible, white-hot agony, radiating outward, numbing her body.
"I never even saw him fire."
Then Alee was falling.
