Second Chance is the fourth installment in Sakaros's still-Untitled New Sith Wars series and the completion of The Apprentice Trilogy. Tirien Kal-Di and Narasi Rican are joined by Mali Darakhan and his apprentice Aldayr Nikodon to confront the Sith forces of Darth Saleej and determine the future of Narasi's Padawan apprenticeship.
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Excerpt[]
| Source: Second Chance | Attribution: Sakaros |
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As they started to walk back, Tirien pointing out buildings the Republic had commandeered and their functions, Mali said, "How are you holding up, Tirien? You look tired." The shorter man gave a single, mirthless exhalation. "I'm having a long day, Mali." He rubbed his eyes, and Mali frowned. "How long have you been having it?" Tirien's lips turned up, but only a great fool would have called the expression a smile. "About two and a half months now." Mali knew Gizer had only fallen two months before, but he didn't want to pry. Trying for a less contentious issue, he asked, "So what's the story with the Zygerrian Jedi—Narasi, was it?" Tirien stared ahead. "Good question." | |
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| Characters | Creatures | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
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Other characters
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Sithspawn (Mentioned only) |
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Sith war droids |
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Organizations and titles
Sentient species
Vehicles and vessels
Weapons and technology
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Miscellanea
Plot Summary[]
Two months after the events of Twist of Fate, Corellian Jedi Knight Mali Darakhan and his apprentice, Aldayr Nikodon, arrive on Taanab to help the beleaguered Republic forces pinned down there by Darth Saleej's war machine. Mali encounters Tirien Kal-Di and is troubled by Tirien's obvious mental exhaustion, while Aldayr clashes with Narasi Rican, who has a deeply broken relationship with Tirien. Responding to Mali's positive attitude, Narasi starts to gravitate toward him in battle with Tirien's tacit consent, to Aldayr's further annoyance. She is further impressed when Mali defeats two dark side adepts in single combat and wonders what it would be like to be his apprentice.
In a meeting of Darth Saleej's Sith Lords, Nerlus Zedum is annoyed by the boldness and independence of his former Acolyte Darth Alecto. As the Sith advise their Overlord on how to proceed, Zedum suggests a dispersed attack, with dark side adepts overrunning the Republic soldiers who will be ill-equipped to face them. When Saleej puts the strategy to work, Tirien and Narasi fight along with Jedi Master Elata Cazars to seize a Taanabian city. Tirien manages to defend a Republic walker from the telekinetic attack of Darth Sarnan, while Narasi shields Tirien from enemy sniper fire, but when the walker's gunners are too much in shock to seize the moment, Tirien inadvertently mind-controls the gunner to fire on Sarnan, killing the Sith and horrifying Tirien himself.
In the wake of the battle, Mali counsels Narasi on her relationship with her master. He points out that, despite his unfriendliness and aloof demeanor, Tirien does care about Narasi, having given up the chance to kill Alecto in order to protect her where other Jedi, including Mali, might have made the opposite choice. Meanwhile Elata Cazars counsels Tirien, accepting at face value his pledge to resist the temptation of the dark side but castigating him for his failure as Narasi's master. She points out that, despite nominally having an apprentice, Tirien has effectively proceeded as if he was still alone and Narasi has done little more than accompany him. She reminds Tirien that a good master can shape a good Knight, as Tirien's own master did, and expresses her hope that Tirien will help Narasi become a great Knight—and, in so doing, become one himself.
Running short on time as the Republic rallies reinforcements, Darth Saleej commands his right hand, Darth Hokhtan, to either take Taanab or make a Republic victory pyrrhic. Both affected by their conversations with others, Tirien and Narasi take tentative steps toward rebuilding their relationship, and Tirien comforts Narasi when Saotu and Finja, the AgriCorps Jedi who had taken them in on their last visit to Taanab, are murdered by Sith. Counseling Narasi on letting go of her anger, Tirien discusses his own master's death with her a little, but as he starts to discuss Narasi's apprenticeship, they are called away to battle.
Fighting all night against various Sith attacks, Tirien and Narasi ultimately wind up side-by-side with Mali and Aldayr. Called away to repulse an attack by Alecto and the Anzat Sith Lord Darth Vandak, Tirien and Narasi leave their Padawans to hold a critical juncture, where they are soon confronted by Zedum, Sith Lord Ondar Vargh, and Sith Acolyte Churka. Narasi calls for aid, but the Padawans are forced to duel Vargh and Churka; Vargh cuts off Aldayr's arm while Narasi struggles to survive against Churka. After her lightsaber is destroyed, Narasi is on the retreat when Tirien arrives, having returned at her call.
Tirien tells Narasi to flee with Aldayr, planning to sacrifice himself dueling the three Sith, but Master Cazars arrives and confronts Zedum. Dueling Churka and Vargh, Tirien kills Churka, while Cazars cuts off Zedum's sword hand, though Vargh's interference allows his master to escape. After dispatching Vargh, Tirien, impressed by his apprentice's humility in calling for help and courage in facing impossible odds, tells Narasi he is proud of her shortly before the call comes in that Republic reinforcements have arrived to break the blockade.
With Darth Saleej's consent, Darth Hokhtan has Zedum murdered for deserting his troops and general incompetence. Although Elata Cazars reports that, as promised, the Jedi Council might consider revisiting the apprenticeship, both Tirien and Narasi decide to stay partnered. As they leave Taanab, Tirien lends Narasi Suwo Tolp's lightsaber, which she finds deeply touching. In turn, Narasi proposes they rename their freighter—still designated GX-521-A3—the Second Chance to honor the second chance they have given each other.
Behind the Scenes[]
Second Chance won "Best Fan Fiction" in the Thirteenth Wiki Awards.
| The Apprentice Trilogy Shots Fired | Twist of Fate | Second Chance |