Star Wars_ Darksaber - Kevin J. Anderson [143]
A moment later a flustered See-Threepio scrambled out onto the boarding ramp. “I did it! Oh dear, did you see that? I said I would guard the ship. Oh my, I shot an Imperial walker! I’m sure I had no intention—” Artoo squealed in triumph.
Callista turned to Kyp. “We have no time to grieve now,” she said.
“He was a Jedi,” Kyp said. “A Jedi Knight.”
“You all are,” Luke said. “Come on—we’ve got to defend the academy.”
In the jungle they heard more explosions, crashing noises, humming machinery as ground assault vehicles converged on their main target.
Han gestured to Leia and Chewbacca. “Come on, back to the Falcon. We’ll break out our weapons.”
Luke and Callista moved toward the Jedi trainees, ready to join the fray.
CHAPTER 51
“We can spread out and strike the Imperials,” Luke said to the Jedi trainees gathered in front of the Great Temple.
The mechanized assault troops crashed forward through the jungle, firing at imagined targets. Artoo-Detoo trundled toward the open door of the Great Temple, vanishing into the shelter of the hangar bay’s heavy shadows.
“They’ll be here in a moment,” Luke said. “If we Jedi can spread out in the jungle, we can hit them with surprise attacks.”
Tionne was concerned. “They’re much bigger than we are,” she said, “with a lot more firepower.”
“Yes,” Kirana Ti said with a stern expression, “but we can hide better than they can.”
“And,” Kam Solusar added, “we’re Jedi Knights. They’re just Imperials.”
Luke smiled at their confidence. “Callista,” he said, “maybe you should go with Han and Leia on the Falcon where you’ll be safer.”
She shook her head vigorously, the short malt blond hair waving in the humid air. “Not on your life. I’m staying here with you.”
He smiled gently at her. “All right, I’ll protect you with my Jedi powers. Just stay close.”
She scowled, suddenly reminded of her inability to use the Force, but her face flushed with a fiery determination. Callista had her lightsaber, and Luke switched on his own green-yellow energy blade. Kirana Ti held Gantoris’s old weapon with the harsh amethyst-white glow. Kyp drew his weapon. Some of the newer Jedi trainees took hold of the few blasters Kyp had retrieved from the stolen Imperial shuttle.
Luke held his lightsaber high. “Jedi Knights,” he called, “may the Force be with you!”
The trainees split up and disappeared into the jungle thickets.
As damp vines and tangled undergrowth wrapped around her, Kirana Ti stuck close to Streen. They made an odd pair, but the addled Bespin hermit was her good friend. Kirana Ti was strong and muscular, tall, a warrior even without the Force. Streen, on the other hand, was self-absorbed and distracted, wanting primarily to be left alone. Kirana Ti accepted him as he was. She knew he held great power within him when confidence let him tap into his full potential. Together, they formed a solid team.
Imperial siege machines crashed toward them, another troop of gawky scout walkers clomping through the underbrush. They blasted trees out of their way, knocked down heavy branches, and ripped up vines that tangled around their cumbersome, jointed legs.
“They’re not trying very hard to be quiet,” Kirana Ti said. “Bad tactics. Shows overconfidence.”
“What’s their plan?” Streen said, twisting from side to side. “What’s our plan? Does anyone have a plan? We should plan.”
She took cover in the shadow of a thicket and yanked him after her, squinting toward the approaching AT-STs. Sweat beaded on her brow, and she brushed it away. Kirana Ti gripped the smooth handle of her lightsaber. “The Imperials didn’t expect much resistance from a handful of trainees, so they’re not organized. It’s just a mad scramble with plenty of weapons and no plan.”
“No plan,” Streen agreed, nodding