And—there, down in the clearing, by a river that ran with water the same red color as that which fell from the sky and saturated Ochi’s uniform. His target was with a group of four clone troopers who were now making a camp as Depa Billaba separated herself from the group and went to the river’s edge. She was now just three meters from Ochi, hidden in the tree above.

It was almost too easy.

Ochi pulled the deadblade from his back, the short, wickedly sharp weapon of beskar steel feather-light in his hand.

Oh, this was going to be a good one.

He jumped from the tree, blade out, ready to cut the Jedi down.

And then there was movement, something else, a rushing shape that hit him, catching him in the air even as he headed toward his target. He splashed into the river and scrambled to the surface from the surprisingly deep water. His boots found the bottom, and he pushed up, his deadblade swinging as he exploded from the river.

“Not today, Sithspawn!”

As he heard the words, his weapon was parried by a buzzing lightsaber, the blade a distinct amethyst color. Ochi could feel the sheer physical strength of the hands that wielded the laser sword as a big, bald man with dark skin pushed Ochi back.

The Jedi Master hadn’t left at all. Of course he hadn’t. He’d been tracking Ochi even as Ochi tracked his apprentice, Depa Billaba.

Ochi tripped backward, crashing into the water, as above him, Mace Windu lifted his lightsaber and prepared to strike—


Star Wars Shadow of The Sith Chapter 11