Chapter XV
After being captured by Xizor and the Black Sun crime syndicate, K'Kruhk and the rest of the Jedi were taken into the guest quarters where they were guarded by Black Sun enforcers. K'Kruhk and Katooni meditate on the Force while the rest of the Jedi reflect on their situation. As K'Kruhk and Katooni meditate, Katooni feels a disturbance in the Force. She senses something terrible as she hears screams of pain and suffering echo in her mind. The sheer volume of the pain and suffering soon overwhelmed her as she nearly collapsed from it. The rest of the Kybuck Clan soon rushed to check on her.
Ganodi: Katooni! Are you okay?!
Katooni: I'm....I'm fine. Just....give me a minute.
Zatt: What happened?
Katooni: I....I sense something....something terrible. I sense...fear, pain, suffering.....I feel death.
Serra: Death? From where?
Katooni took a moment to collect her thoughts. She tried to recollect what she felt. The pain and suffering was so strong that it clouded her mind. Though she was able to sense something familiar.
Katooni: Something terrible has happened. Petro....Petro is in pain....terrible pain.
Those words sent chills down the backs of the Jedi Younglings. Even the Jedi Knights were caught off guard by this. They had not heard from Petro since leaving the Jedi Temple for the Outer Rim sieges. K'Kruhk soon broke from his meditative stance.
K'Kruhk: I sense it as well. There is a darkness rising. There is a lingering darkness in motion. I can feel it.
Gungi: <Do you think Petro.....>
Katooni: I don't know, Gungi. I.....I don't know.
Before Katooni could further explain this, a Black Sun enforcer entered the room. He turns his attention to Katooni.
Black Sun Enforcer: Boss wants to see you.
Left without a choice, Katooni follows the Black Sun Enforcer, leaving her master and fellow Jedi behind.
K'Kruhk: Stay strong, my Padawan.
The Black Sun Enforcer leads Katooni to Xizor's office. He nods at the Enforcer and he leaves the room. As Xizor was left alone with Katooni, he ignites her Lightsaber. Her heart stops at this.
Xizor: Such a fascinating and intricate weapon. I've never held a Lightsaber before. Such an elegant weapon from a more...civilized time. Tell me, did you make this yourself or was it given to you?
Katooni felt uneasy as Xizor inquired her about her Lightsaber. Katooni remembered going through her trials at the Gathering on Ilum. Xizor was able to read her body language.
Xizor: I can feel your body tense. Your heart has quickened and your breathing is somehow...difficult.
Katooni: What do you want with me?
Xizor: As you may know, there is a rather large bounty on Jedi as they have been named traitors to the Empire. But I also know the power a Jedi can possess. Even a young Jedi is more powerful than a squad of hardened criminals. I would like to extend an offer to you. Join the Black Sun and I shall give you full protection from the Empire. I am very....generous to those who join my organization.
Katooni had heard that offer once before. She was offered something similar to Hondo Ohnaka back when she and her clan saved Ahsoka from the Separatists with the aid of Hondo and his pirates. There was something about Xizor that deeply unsettled her.
Xizor: Know this, my friend. You have few options.
Xizor then plays a broadcast of Palpatine's Declaration of a New Order.
Palpatine(Broadcast): The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and defeated! Any collaborators will suffer the same fate. These have been trying times, but we have passed the test. The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed, but I assure you my resolve has never been stronger. The war is over. The Separatists have been defeated, and the Jedi rebellion has been foiled. We stand on the threshold of a new beginning. In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society, which I assure you will last for ten thousand years. An Empire that will continue to be ruled by this august body and a sovereign leader chosen for life. An Empire ruled by the majority, ruled by a new constitution!
Xizor then ends the broadcast. This was the first time that Katooni had seen this broadcast. It became clear that Palpatine was responsible for the Jedi's downfall.
Xizor: I'd play more, but I believe you get the message. I ask that you and your Jedi friends join my organization. Your identities and your ties to the Jedi Order will be kept secret of course. I will give you time to make your decision. But know this, I will not accept no for an answer. And I suggest that you don't try to escape. You see, to contend with Xizor is to lose. Keep that point in mind.
Katooni was in a state of shock. He didn't know how to properly react.
Xizor: Guard. Take our guest back to her quarters.
The Black Sun Enforcer then entered the room and took Katooni back to the room where the Jedi were being held in. Katooni now found herself in a dangerous position. She would either have to join the Black Sun or possibly be turned over to the Empire and be killed or worse. What Katooni didn't know was that she and her Jedi would soon find an opportunity to escape with the help of unlikely allies.
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