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Legends of Darkover	By : SWOTBWOT Category: Star Wars (All) > Crossovers Views: 3427 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars, Star Trek, or Darkover. I am not making any money off this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Legends of Darkover
- 2-Chapter 2
- 3-Chapter 3
- 4-Chapter 4
- 5-Chapter 5
- 6-Chapter 6
- 7-Chapter 7
- 8-Chapter 8
- 9-9
- 10-10
- 11-11
- 12-12
- 13-13
- 14-14
- 15-15
- 16-16
- 17-17
- 18-18
- 19-19
- 20-20
- 21-21
- 22-22
- 23-23
- 24-24
- 25-25
- 26-26
- 27-27
- 28-28
- 29-29 & The End
- 27
- 28
- 29
Chapter 28
-oOo-
Kirk gave first priority to the wounded at Hali Tower, and McCoy promptly beamed up Qui-gon and Catriona, and rushed them into surgery. The Captain next assembled a security team to find the Sith. It didn't take long. The leveled vistas of the Forbidden City left a faceless body exposed, lying alongside the planetary shield. The scent of scorched hair and skin still lingered in the air. “It's Darth Inculcare,” said Spock, reading his tricorder.
“Any sign of Tyranus?” Kirk asked. Callina Aillard and Lord Ardais had joined them.
“None. No other life-forms are present except for ourselves. With the Sith, however, I presume that may be an error. The third bloodstain comes from Darth Tyranus. He must be injured.”
“Now who could have killed Inculcare?” Kirk mused. He prodded the Sith's corpse with a toe.
Something flew up at his face. The Captain jerked his head aside, so it struck him off-center, just missing his eyes. Sharp points ripped him repeatedly. Kirk yowled. It sank talons into his hands when he tried to tear the thing off, fastening itself to him with horrible pain. Then it disappeared.
A bizarre metal object hung in front of him. Bloody metal claws twitched and convulsed like a dying spider, fighting an invisible grip as it tried to launch itself at the Captain's face. Spock shot it to flinders.
Kirk swallowed. “Thank you, Mr. Spock, and—Domna Aillard?”
The leronis was holding out a matrix. She had turned a little pale at the sight of the Captain's face. Lord Ardais too, was giving Kirk's injuries an appreciative look, which told Kirk the wounds must be pretty gory. They also stung like hell.
“I was able to pull it off you,” said the leronis. “If you don't mind, I will tend you until your doctor can see you.”
“Thanks,” Kirk gasped.
“I strongly recommend that you head for sickbay, Captain,” said Spock. “I'm telling Mr. Scott to beam you up. With Inculcare dead and Tyranus wounded, I do not think the Sith as great a danger as they were before.”
“One second, Spock. Domna? Could you tell if laran was causing that hand to move?” Callina was closing the marks on Kirk's face while the Captain surveyed the ruins. His collar was soaked with blood, and Bones was going to be pissed. He's survived everything, only to run afoul of a booby-trapped body like the most brain-dead ensign.
“None, Captain. Nor can I detect the ancient presence that has dwelt here so long,” the leronis replied. “It is either too weak to be found, or else has died its equivalent of death.”
Spock was studying the corpse. “I suspect Darth Inculcare's demise was the work of his colleague and rival, and the cyborg hand was programmed to kill any potential assassin in revenge.”
“You may be right, Spock. Have the crew discovered anything else?”
“Lieutenant Uhura reports that Lake Hali has disappeared,” said Spock after he relayed the query into his communicator.
“Disappeared?” Kirk sputtered. “What do you mean, disappeared?”
“She says all that is left is a depression in the ground. Though she did not risk a close approach, she relates that the bottom is covered with what appears to be human bones. Captain, Mr. Scott is beaming you up along with Domna Aillard,” Spock warned.
“Domna Aillard, do you think--hey, wait a second—
The transporter beam cut off the annoyed Kirk in mid-question.
-oOo-
“Didn't I tell you never to go around kicking the dead?” McCoy chided as he finished the leronis' work.
“Not that I recall. Domna Aillard?”
The recovery beds were filled, and Callina was going from patient to patient with her matrix. Danilo and Regis were both sleeping heavily, and Qui-gon was still under the effects of anaesthetic. Obi-wan's vital signs barely registered on the monitors.
“Pardon me, Captain, but I must examine my colleague,” Callina replied.
“Catriona had internal burns everywhere,” said McCoy soberly. “I had to spend most of my time with her, removing the burned tissue and implanting restorative grafts. She ought to have died a dozen times over from her injuries.”
“She was also assaulted another way,” said Callina flatly. “Her channels are muddled.”
The Captain sighed and rested his mouth against his fist, glad he could do this without pain, now. Catriona was still on life support, and this made Kirk give McCoy a questioning look.
“She probably doesn't need it, but I want to wait until she shows signs of doing better mentally as well as physically,” replied McCoy.
“I will speak to her,” said Callina. “She may still recover. My aunt Ysabet chose Catriona to be keeper of Hali, and no place on Darkover is more difficult for a telepath. They are still given much of the old training, and to pass through it is a severe test. Only the strongest personalities can do it. Catriona must have a very strong will.”
“What about the others?” Kirk asked.
“Qui-gon had an ugly blaster wound, but I've pieced him back together. He's healing far more quickly than he should. Some Jedi trait, I expect,” McCoy replied. “Danilo had some internal burns as well as some blown-out neurons. I've healed the former, but the latter are healing themselves, damned if I know how. Regis and Obi-wan are the only ones who seem to be unhurt, but Hastur's suffering from exhaustion, and Obi-wan is in some sort of suspended animation. I'm going to have to consult with Qui-gon about him. Now that the others are out of danger, he's the one that worries me most.”
Callina moved so she could examine Obi-wan with her matrix. She frowned a little.
“I would have appreciated knowing earlier that you Darkovans could wipe out an entire enemy fleet with laran, Domna,” said Kirk. “It would have saved us a lot of worry.”
With an abstracted air, Callina replied, “It was not I, or any circle on Darkover who aided you.”
“It wasn't?” said Kirk in surprise. “Then it was--Regis and Danilo?” He exchanged a look with McCoy.   “I take it this is why the Hasturs are in charge of everything,” he added pointedly.
“The Hasturs won their high station by using good judgment. They only continue to hold it by more of the same. They can only persuade, not compel,” Callina replied.
“If that was persuasion, then it was pretty damned effective persuasion. Hundreds of ships were crushed in seconds. Your pardon if I'm wrong, but it was mostly the doing of Regis Hastur, correct? Why didn't he try it earlier?”
“He did not know he could,” Callina replied. “He has never worked as a keeper before, and was given just enough training to use his matrix. As heir to Hastur, his path was to serve the Comyn, not become a matrix worker.”
“Okay. He didn't know. But damn, that's really not knowing yourself. Pardon my language, Domna.”
“If I had been aware of his abilities, I would have been very reluctant to allow my former pupil to leave Arilinn. I must speak to him when he wakes.” She glanced at Regis, and something caught her attention. Her eyes narrowed, then she smiled slightly at him. Returning to Obi-wan, she frowned.   “His case is strange. The trance is familiar to us—it is taught to our more advanced matrix workers, but something--
A motion came from Qui-gon, and the Jedi Master opened his eyes.   “What has happened?” he said. “I no longer detect the Sith fleet.”
“Completely destroyed, Master Jinn,” said Kirk. “In fact, I'm not exactly sure what happened either, but it was the work of those two boys over there.” Kirk nodded at Regis and Danilo. “This is Domna Callina Aillard. We found Lord Plagueis' dead body on the Nihilus before the ship exploded. My guess is one of the Sith lords assassinated him, but we're not sure which. Darth Inculcare is also dead, and our theory is Darth Tyranus killed him.”
Qui-gon exhaled slowly. “I suspect Inculcare was Plagueis' assassin,” said the Jedi Master. “He was more powerful and devious than Tyranus.” Qui-gon sat up with a taut expression and cautious motion. “Have you located the latter?”
“I'm afraid not, Master Jinn. Nor have we found any enemy spacecraft, except for ones too badly damaged to be usable.”
“Darth Tyranus still has use of the Dark Side, though he was badly injured,” Qui-gon warned. “Catriona struck him with what appears to be Force lightning.”
“Ouch,” said Kirk.
“The bastard deserved it,” McCoy pronounced.
“How are you sure he is still alive?” the leronis asked.
“I can feel his life with the Force, but not his location. I'm heading back to the planet to look for him. But first, I must see to my padawan. I may need the services of Dom Ardais. Can you beam him up, Captain?”
Kirk relayed the command down. “What's wrong?”
Qui-gon was staring into space. To the Captain's eye, he seemed worried. “I will explain in a moment. Domna, I do not know what you can do for Catriona, but I fear for her well-being. Her attack was suicidal.”
“She knew what she was doing when she struck her enemy,” Callina replied. “So did my aunt Ysabet.”
Qui-gon bowed his head in respect. “I did not know she was your relative. She was a very brave woman.”
“We may yet need more courage,” said Callina. “Something is wrong with your apprentice.”
Immediately Qui-gon rose, and touched a hand to his apprentice's forehead. The vital signs on the monitor began to climb. “Doctor? Please strap him down.”
“What?” said McCoy in disbelief.
“He must be under restraint.” Qui-gon rested his hand alongside his apprentice's face, and his expression was profoundly regretful. “I would rather he never became a Jedi, than have experienced this,” he said in a low tone.
Kirk stood beside the Jedi Master silently, waiting for an explanation. “He's been Force corrupted by Inculcare,” Qui-gon said. “It was a speciality of the High Inquisitor's. Once such a thing happens to a Jedi, there is usually no recovery. One's very essence is changed, and nothing remains that can yearn for the Light Side again.”
“But you intend to turn him back,” said Kirk.
“Yes.”
Kirk hated to ask, but the question must be put. “What happens if you fail?”
Qui-gon winced. “The Jedi teach that the corrupted one should be killed, just like any other Sith.”
As McCoy strapped Obi-wan down with medical restraints around wrists, waist, and ankles, the Doctor gave Kirk a look that said plainly, he was damned if he was going to kill one of his patients, or let anyone else do it, either. Kirk returned his look with one that said, wait.
“If I fail, I intend to place him in deep stasis for the journey home. It may be that Jedi Masters greater than I can help him recover.”
Sickbay's doors opened, and Lord Ardais entered. Dyan's eyes lingered on Regis and Danilo. “Not awake yet? Doctor, your medicine is poor.”
McCoy reddened.
“We are engaged in important work, Dom Ardais, please do not interrupt,” said Callina. “Master Jinn, pardon me for reading your mind, but together we may be able to lift the darkness from him.”
“I would be glad for any help,” said Qui-gon sincerely.
A choked noise came from across the room. “You must--
It was Catriona. Domna Aillard hurried to her side. Catriona was trying to lift her head. “Clear his crystals. He's being held prisoner, as I was. Domna Aillard? Is that you? Hurry, clear his crystals before the thing in him can act.”
“Catriona? I am glad to see you awake. But these offworlders do not possess Darkovan matrix crystals. They—AH!” Callina cried in understanding. The other leronis had sent across her meaning via laran. “Open his weapon--his lightsaber.”
Quickly, the Jedi Master bared the Adegan crystals, and they glowed an unhealthy red. “Not his color,” Qui-gon said warily.
“This type of crystal is strange to me,” Domna Aillard said. She held her hand over the gems. “There is a slight echo of the dead Sith here.”
“Can you remove it from the crystals?” asked Kirk.
“I will try,” Callina replied. Her face was grave. Qui-gon's mouth became tight.
“I cleared the same type of crystals earlier,” said Catriona. She rose shakily, and walked over to the apprentice's bedside. But as she reached out towards the gems, she was blocked by the other keeper's hand.
“Not in your condition. I am sorry, Catriona.”
“I merely meant to show you my method. Allow me, vai leronis,” Catriona replied contritely.
“You—you are not--you do not seem--
Domna Aillard broke off awkwardly.
Catriona looked embarrassed. “Domna, I see from your minds my worst enemy is dead. You can scarcely imagine what relief that gives me. I am alive, and as healed as I can be until Danilo wakes up. I chose to become keeper of Hali, understanding the dangers. My duty and work are still before me, and I intend to return to them. I would never stand idly by while these Sith try to destroy our people. If a situation demands I risk my life--I will act accordingly. But that necessity is not before me now, and I still have much good I can do.”
“I am very happy to hear you say so, Catriona,” said the other keeper. “My aunt chose well, I see. Please show me your method.”
Kirk heard McCoy start breathing again, and did the same himself.
After a moment Domna Aillard attacked the crystals, purging them of their sickly red color, but instead of returning to blue, they became violet. Callina shook her head at Qui-gon. “The link refuses to break completely. I can help you block the Dark Presence, but it may not work if your apprentice refuses to return.”
“Let us begin, then,” said Qui-gon. He touched a hand to his apprentice's forehead, and Obi-wan opened his eyes.
-Padawan? Return to the Light. Break the grip of the Dark Side. You can do it.-
-Return,- said a female voice inside the apprentice's head. -Your will is free to choose.-
Obi-wan's lips parted, and he made a sick noise like a cross between a cough and a sob. It built crazily to a full crescendo of malicious humor.
Callina and Qui-gon exchanged glances. The keeper put away her matrix, and Qui-gon straightened. Catriona gave them a concerned look.
“Did it work?” asked McCoy, ignoring Kirk's quelling gesture. The Captain had already guessed the outcome.
“No,” said Qui-gon. His eyes fell on Lord Ardais.
“What?” said Dyan bitingly.
“Take over his mind.”
“Would you repeat that?” Lord Ardais gave a sardonic half-smile. “I'm not sure I heard you correctly.”
“I want you to force him back to the Light,” said Qui-gon.
Lord Ardais' smile became positively piratical. “You want me to turn a person good?” He snorted. “I hardly think I am capable.”
“You have a duty to assist to these men,” said Catriona indignantly. “They have done theirs for Darkover.”
“And failed miserably,” said Dyan with sudden scorn. “They came back on stretchers. Zandru's Hells, this worthless pup has been hauled back here twice! He can't be worth the trouble, now can he?”
A slight flush entered Qui-gon's face. “Dom Ardais, Obi-wan risked his life for your people.”
“If you think to appeal to my sympathy, be warned I have none.”
“What about your honor?” said Qui-gon suddenly.
“Honor is gained in battle, not in nursing.”
“I don't know about that,” said McCoy, his voice angry.
“Bones,” said Kirk.
“Dom Ardais,” said Callina. “If you do not help this young man, I will tell these people why you were refused laran training by the towers.”
Dyan's face reddened. “I was not aware you had spoken to the leronis in question, Domna.” His voice was tight with barely held-back fury. “The information was NOT hers to spread around.”
“Nonetheless, I will tell them,” said Callina evenly.
For a long moment, Dyan seethed wordlessly. “All right! I suppose I owe this worthless boy something.” He glared at Obi-wan. “Turn him to good. Turn him to good. Oh, for Aldones' sake! What a ridiculous notion. I am NOT a reformer.”
“Try it,” urged the Jedi Master.
Without ceremony, Dyan clamped down on Obi-wan. -Let go of the Dark, you dimwitted offworlder, or your master here will burst into tears.-
-No! Release me, immediately.-
-Stop arguing,- Dyan snapped. He bore down with the Alton gift. -Think whatever it is flutterheaded nitwits like you think about. You have no skill to resist me, if you gave in to that stinking Sith reish so easily. I COMMAND YOU TO OBEY!-
Voices cried as one of the Adegan crystals turned red and shattered, its fragments spraying the room. Qui-gon sucked in his breath. That breaking ought to mean--
The other crystal stayed intact. Its blazing violet color turned blue, and cooled to the shade of a mild ocean wave.
“Padawan?” said Qui-gon urgently.
“Master, what am I doing here? I thought I had already recovered from the last time I recovered.” Obi-wan said weakly. “What is wrong? What are those shards on the floor?”
Qui-gon licked his lips. “One of your Adegan crystals broke, and it carried away some of your

memories, ones you do not need to recall. I'll get you another crystal to make your lightsaber operable, but as for now, you need to let your Force bond heal.”
“Master! WHAT HAPPENED?”
“Oh, that? We won. Go back to sleep, Padawan.”
“You have to be joking! Fill me in, for Force's sake.”
“I suppose he can leave,” McCoy opined. “He's loud and healthy enough.”
“Aren't any of you going to thank me?” said Dyan tartly.
“What for?” Obi-wan replied in bewilderment.
“I will explain later, Padawan, but we still need to hunt for Darth Tyranus. Captain?”
“Spock's looking for him now. I'll be joining you two.”
“As will I, Captain,” said Domna Aillard. “Catriona, allow me to escort you back to your tower. You and your sisters must remain vigilant until the last Sith is killed.”
“I thank you, though I do not know how much aid we can give while we are in such disarray. My cousin needs to wake before we are returned to full strength, and we have no other keeper available.”
“Do not trouble yourself,” said Domna Aillard confidently. “I do not foresee any of the Sith ever threatening Darkover again.”
With a foul expression, Lord Ardais started to leave, but was halted by Qui-gon. “I am very grateful to you,” said the Jedi Master sincerely. “Without your assistance, Obi-wan would have become the slave of that chieri.”
“No great loss,” said Dyan to the padawan as they all exited. “Now, if you'd been younger and better looking, I might not have grudged the work so much.” Lord Ardais' eyes lingered on Regis and Danilo. “Or let go of my own hold.”
The Captain and Qui-gon frowned, and McCoy ushered everyone out of the room, not wanting any more of this talk in his sickbay.
“Dom Ardais,” Callina chided.
“What chieri?” exclaimed Obi-wan. “Me? Enslaved?”
“Nothing that doesn't happen every now and then, Padawan,” said Qui-gon with an edge of humor.
“Master, I beg your pardon, but you're exaggerat--
The doors shut.
Regis' eyes opened. He had been feigning sleep—though he hadn't fooled Domna Aillard--because he didn't want to be questioned about the destruction of the Sith fleet. Now that the Jedi and Catriona were out of danger, there was still Danilo to be concerned about. Anxiously, he rose from his bed.
-oOo-
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Legends of Darkover