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Synopsis:
Rebel Captain – and Jedi wannabe – Fable Astin
is sent with the Harrier infiltration team to Nysza III
to destroy an Imperial communications bunker before it
can be completed. The task is completed – but at the
cost of technical officer Arecelis Acosta. Even worse,
his killer was a Dark Jedi named Vialco who easily
humiliated her. Disgusted with herself, she accepts an
invitation by co-pilot Deke Holman to check out a stage
play called “For the Want of an Empire.” She finds
the lead actor in that play, Jaalib Brandl, strangely
intriguing – and strong in the Force. She meets with
him after the play. That night, she has a horrible
nightmare that leaves her awake with a burned hand –
the Dark Side is eating away at her. Terrified at what
may happen to her – especially if Vialco finds her
again – she seeks out Jaalib. She trails him to
Trulalis, where she finds him rehearsing the play “Uhl
Eharl Khoeng” with his father, former Imperial
Inquisitor Adalric Brandl. Jaalib will not help her, but
Adalric will. Tutoring her in the ways of the Jedi –
both light and dark. Jaalib slowly warms up to her, and
takes her on a hike in the Khoehng Mountains. As she is
truly starting to progress, Vialco arrives. After a
difficult duel, the Dark Jedi lies at her feet, ready
for the deathblow. Adalric tricks her into delivering
that deathblow, then declares her ready to join the Dark
Jedi. She has no way out – her ship has been blown up.
However, she does have one last chance at salvation –
Jaalib.
He leads her into the mountains, to where Deke’s ship
is waiting for her. With a final kiss, he bundles her
off in the ship. As it takes off, he turns to face his
father, who almost kills him… then stomps off in
disgust. Jaalib rasps out the infamous line from “Uhl
Eharl Khoenhg” – “Long… live… the king!”
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