Star Wars_ Coruscant Nights 01_ Jedi Twilight - Michael Reaves [7]
During his service, and because of his acquaintance with Mace Windu, Nick had come to know a number of Jedi quite well, including a few members of the Council—all of whom, as far as he knew, were now dead. Or, as the Jedi themselves often put it, “Returned to the Force.” Whatever. Nick had little patience with any and all theories and philosophies that included speculation on an afterlife. The life he was living now was more than enough work; the thought of doing it all over again just made him tired.
He glanced back at his group, signaling with a head jerk that they were following the pack. There was no hesitation among his team as they fell in behind him.
Keeping the troopers in sight, Nick moved stealthily through the deserted streets. There was never much foot traffic down here at this time, and what little there was had prudently relocated when the armed stormtroopers had come marching down the thoroughfare. Before too long they stopped before a half-open panel in a long-abandoned building. Nick could barely hear them discussing whether their quarry had gone to ground there. The decision to investigate was quickly reached when one of the troopers pointed out that the panel had been opened quite recently, judging by the disturbed dust and grime. A single kick from another trooper was enough to open it the rest of the way. The stormtroopers disappeared inside, weapons ready.
“Let’s go,” Nick whispered. “Could be they’ve got a Jedi trapped in there.”
“Could be we’ll be in the same fix, if we don’t do some recon before we rush in,” Kars Korthos pointed out. He was a small, compact man, full of nervous energy that always seemed on the verge of bursting like a solar flare, and his instincts were seldom wrong.
Nick considered. Kars had a point; they should at least scope the building for other possible ways in or out before they—
From deep within the forbidding interior came the sound of a blaster being fired.
“We’re going in,” Nick said, pulling his blaster and stepping quickly through.
“Looks like,” Kars agreed as he and the rest followed.
three
The Force was an invisible cataract that carried Even Piell in its grip, bearing him as lightly and easily as a jekka seed in white water. He surrendered to it, as he’d learned to do so long before, letting it guide and direct him, letting it move him in offensive and defensive actions far faster and more precise than his conscious mind could possibly have executed. The stormtroopers’ blasterfire ricocheted from his lightsaber in blinding flashes, the energy bursts dissipating harmlessly.
There was one slight chance of survival, he realized: if he could perform a Force leap over the troopers, he might stand a chance of reaching the door. It would have to be perfectly executed, and the danger was that his adversaries would be familiar with the move. Even as these thoughts crossed his mind, however, he was springing toward the five armored soldiers, each of whom was easily double his size and weight.
The unexpected move worked to his advantage; evidently the stormtroopers hadn’t experienced this particular action before. Even leapt, let the Force carry him, let it shift his weight and torque his muscles, spinning him so that when he landed he was facing his foes.
His technique was flawless; he lit, perfectly balanced, on the ancient parquet floor, lightsaber at the ready. The troopers, taken by surprise, swung around and began firing wildly in his direction. Even felt hope blossom within him as he deflected the bolts while backing up. The entrance lay only five or so meters behind him. If he could just reach it—
One of the stormtroopers pulled a round object from his belt, held it up as if preparing to throw it. A grenade, Even realized.
They must be getting desperate,