"The New Rebellion (Kristine Rusch)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rusch Kristine Kathryn)

STAR WARS

The New Rebellion

by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

ONE

He stood on the highest point on the planet of Almania, the roof of a
tower built by the once-powerful Je'har. The tower was in ruin, the stairs
crumbling as his boots touched them, the roof littered with debris from
battles years gone. From here, though, he could see his city, a thousand
lights spread before him, the streets empty except for droids and the ever-
present guards.
But he was not interested in looking down. He wanted to see the stars.
An icy wind rippled his black cloak. He clasped his gloved hands behind
him. The death's-head mask he had worn since destroying the Je'har hung on a
silver chain around his neck.
Above him the stars winked. Hard to believe worlds existed there. Worlds
he would control.
Soon.
He could have waited in his command, stood in the observatory specially
constructed for his needs, but for once, he wanted no protective walls around
him. He wanted to feel the moment, not see it.
The power of sight was so pitiful against the strength of the Force.
He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. No explosion this time. No
bright flare of light. Skywalker had told him of the moment when Alderaan
died.
I felt a great disturbance in the Force, the old man had said. At least,
that's what Skywalker told him.
This disturbance would not be as great, but Skywalker would feel it. All
the young Jedi would feel it too, and they would know that the balance of
power had shifted.
But they wouldn't know that power had shifted to him. To Kueller, Master
of Almania, and soon, lord of all their pitiful worlds.


The stone walls were damp and cold against Brakiss's unprotected hands.
His polished black boots slipped against the crumbling steps, and more than
once he had to balance on a precarious ledge. His silver cloak, perfect for a
brisk stroll across the city, did not protect him against the winter wind. If
this experiment worked, he would be able to go back to Telti, where he would
at least be warm.
The remote's metal casing was cool against his fingers. He hadn't wanted
to give it to Kueller until the experiment was over. Brakiss hadn't realized,
until a few moments ago, that Kueller would wait for the results here, at the
site of his enemies' triumph and their eventual deaths.
Brakiss hated the towers. It felt as if something still rattled in their
walls, and once, when he was in the catacombs below, he had seen a large white
ghost.