Quite a bit has occurred in Star Wars: The High Republic since we final left huge dangerous Marchion Ro—the Eye of the Nihil, and the largest menace the Jedi and the Republic had confronted in generations—triumphant. An entire section of the transmedia initiative, in reality, because it jumped again in time to set the stage for a climactic third act: one which is finally beginning.
Part 3 of The Excessive Republic, known as “Trials of the Jedi,” will happen a 12 months after the occasions of the primary section, which climaxed with the tyrannical pirate forces of the Nihil, in a surprising transfer, infiltrating and destroying Starlight Beacon—the Republic and the Jedi Order’s command station on the sides of Republic house, the forefront of their efforts to develop their attain and affect within the Outer Rim. With Starlight misplaced and numerous useless—together with a few of the Jedi’s most noble Knights—the Republic and the Order alike are in disarray because the Nihil rule the fringes of their territory with a seemingly impenetrable barrier dividing Republic and Jedi holdouts from the remainder of a wounded galaxy.
And now, Marchion Ro is right here to brag about it. In our unique excerpt from The Eye of Darkness, George Mann’s new novel formally kicking off “Trials of the Jedi” this month, beneath you possibly can see the Nihil’s chief declare to the galaxy and the Jedi alike his new power within the galaxy… and unleash a threat that would undo the Jedi’s apex all collectively.
Take a look at our excerpt from The Eye of Darkness beneath—or when you’d desire to listen to it, you can too preview Marc Thompson’s studying from the audiobook too!
Right this moment was the anniversary of the autumn of Starlight Beacon, and moderately than confining her broadcast to the planets of the Occlusion Zone, Marchion Ro was forcing Rhil Dairo to talk to the whole galaxy.
She solely hoped that individuals would perceive. Would know this wasn’t her. Would consider that she was no prepared collaborator. That she was solely doing this as a result of she had no selection. And if she wished to proceed serving to these contained in the zone, she needed to survive.
Rhil informed herself that, time and again.
It’s okay to wish to stay. And residing means preventing, in any small means I can. It means serving to others to struggle, too.
Right this moment, it meant going together with no matter Marchion Ro had deliberate.
“It’s time.” Ro’s voice reduce throughout her ideas, dragging her again to the right here and now.
Rhil steeled herself. She regarded immediately into the financial institution of cams. Lights blinked pink. Phrases scrolled throughout a monitor for her to learn. She cleared her throat and began.
“Greetings. That is Rhil Dairo, reporting stay from the Gaze Electrical, the flagship of the Nihil fleet, beneath the direct command of the nice Eye of the Nihil himself, Marchion Ro.
“I converse to you all on this essential day to commemorate the nice triumph of the Nihil that occurred exactly one 12 months in the past: the destruction of Starlight Beacon and the releasing of the Outer Rim from the oppression of the Republic and their lapdog Jedi. For too lengthy, the Republic has imposed guidelines and legal guidelines upon the straightforward folks of worlds who want to don’t have anything to do with their Senate, and their sects, and their hypocrisy.
“Now these persons are free. Nihil house is a testomony to that freedom, a protected realm the place persons are at liberty to be who they wish to be. To stay free from the interference of politicians.”
Rhil took a deep breath, preventing again the rising bile in her throat. The phrases tasted bitter in her mouth. “The Nihil have discovered a house. They kindly permit others to share in that place of respite, to profit from their benevolence and change into part of one thing higher. And they’re flourishing. But the Republic continues to intervene, to ship its brokers deep into this protected zone. To attempt to do us hurt. And so, on this in any other case nice day, when the whole galaxy needs to be celebrating the anniversary of this second of liberation, we’re as an alternative compelled to bear witness to a trial, for essentially the most heinous of crimes.”
The phrases had completed scrolling on the monitor. Unsure, however full of a mounting sense of dread, Rhil turned to treat Marchion Ro. He studied her with clean, impassive eyes. The cams swung about to face him, leaving Rhil to droop again, her shoulders dropping as she expelled air from her lungs. However it was too early to really feel any sense of aid. What was this trial?
Ro stood earlier than the financial institution of cams, smiling for the lenses, revealing his gleaming, pointed tooth. “I couldn’t have mentioned it higher myself. It’s, certainly, a day of pleasure and celebration, and I for one is not going to permit the misguided efforts of the Jedi to undermine that, for any of us.” He turned, trying briefly away from the cams. “Deliver within the prisoner.”
Rhil’s coronary heart was in her mouth. A prisoner? She wasn’t conscious the Nihil had been holding anybody however her. She glanced over on the three ministers. Boolan was grinning ominously. Viess was watching with affected disinterest. Solely Ghirra Starros regarded uncomfortable, fidgeting in her seat.
The door slid open. Two Nihil pushed a skinny, stooped determine into the room. The cams slid nearer, monitoring his actions. The prisoner was carrying voluminous white-and-gold robes, freshly cleaned, the hood raised over their head like a shroud.
A Jedi.
The determine raised its head, shaking off the grip of their two guards, and because the hood fell open, Rhil caught a glimpse of the skinny Tarnab face beneath.
Pra-Tre Veter. A Jedi Grand Grasp she’d met again on Coruscant, again earlier than any of this. Again when the galaxy had appeared secure and predictable. Again earlier than anybody had even heard the title Marchion Ro.
Veter regarded unwell. His cheeks had been sunken, his eyes bruised pits. His hair was shaggy and unkempt, and the horns had been shorn from his head, leaving uncooked, blood-encrusted stumps. He’d misplaced quite a lot of weight, and one in all his arms—Rhil may see by the way in which the robes had been pinned—was lacking from just under the elbow. But his expression remained one in all defiance. Of calm and acceptance.
The 2 guards led him nearer, till they stood only a few meters from Marchion Ro. Throughout, Nihil had been jeering and spitting, muttering curses and insults. Ro waved them quiet. The 2 guards pushed Veter onto his knees. He didn’t even strive to withstand.
“Pra-Tre Veter. Are you not a Jedi?” mentioned Ro, emphasizing the final phrase with evident disgust. “A grand grasp, no much less?”
“I’m.” Even Veter’s voice appeared skinny and dry. Rhil may hardly consider that somebody so highly effective had been introduced so low. She solely hoped that it was all an act, similar to she’d been appearing, going together with what Ro wished till the appropriate second. Possibly Veter was ready, too…
“And do you deny that, for the previous 12 months, the Jedi have been finishing up unlawful operations in Nihil house, trying to undermine the nice work of the Nihil folks, to seed rebel among the many topics of Nihil house, and in any other case interfering with Nihil operations,” continued Ro.
“That is an unlawful and unjust occupation. I used to be captured in Republic house and introduced right here in opposition to my will. I deny the very legitimacy of your regime. I stand in opposition to all the things you characterize. All Jedi do.” Veter’s tone was calm, even. “So sure, the Jedi have labored to undermine what you could have achieved. For Gentle and Life.”
Marchion Ro turned to the cams. “See? You see what he claims to characterize? You see how boldly he admits to the Jedi’s crimes?” He paused, as if weighing his phrases. “There could be just one judgment. Just one end result. You, Pra-Tre Veter, Jedi, should serve for example to the galaxy. Your destiny shall function a reminder, a warning, to the remainder of the Republic, and your ridiculous Order, what occurs to those that stand in opposition to the Nihil.”
Rhil took a step ahead, as if to rush to Veter’s facet, however Petrik was as soon as once more at her again, greedy her painfully by the wrist, holding her at bay. She felt the blaster urgent into her backbone. “Oh no, princess. Not this time.”
Ro gestured to extra guards, who hurried out of the door. “You could have introduced this upon yourselves. You left me no selection, simply as, a 12 months in the past, you compelled me to destroy your so-called Beacon. I’m transmitting this trial on Starlight Beacon’s frequency now, into the properties of individuals all throughout the galaxy. The Nihil is not going to be stopped. Not by anybody. Least of all a mere Jedi.” He regarded up, and Rhil adopted his gaze.
The guards returned, and one in all them now held a protracted, electrified chain leash, with one in all Ro’s disgusting pets straining on the finish of it. Rhil may hardly take a look at the factor. It was a creature born of nightmare, a twisted, malformed horror of gangly limbs and writhing proboscises, its physique shifting in a stuttering, awkward gait. How the pure programs of any world may have given rise to one thing so inherently monstrous, Rhil couldn’t even start to think about. Worse, she knew what the Anonymous may do. She’d by no means seen it, however she’d heard the tales, whispered with reverence even by the Nihil.
It was a Jedi-killer.
Star Wars: The High Republic – The Eye of Darkness hits cabinets subsequent week on November 14.
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