“They’re all wearing them,” the guard captain explained, pointing out a needle connected to the contraption. “This was connected to a shunt in the Trandoshan’s remaining arm. I think they’re stims to keep the brutes fighting even when injured.”

“That explains a lot,” Stellan said, remembering his assailant’s tenacity, which was impressive even for a Trandoshan. The stims could come in useful, but for now he had Quo’s injuries to worry about. As Maramis watched, Stellan drew his lightsaber and sliced the blades from the Nihil ax. Next he used his now blood-splattered stole to bind the shaft to Norel’s leg. The splint was crude, but it would have to do.

“Now for this,” Stellan said, turning the shield pommel-side down beside the aide. It looked roughly the right size.

“The right size for what?” Maramis commented, and Stellan realized that he must have been talking out loud. Maybe his head injury was worse than he’d imagined. “Lord Jedi?”

Stellan didn’t respond. Instead he reached out with the Force, lifting Quo as gently as he could onto the shield. Like the splint, the makeshift stretcher wasn’t ideal, but it would allow them to move Quo without inflicting more damage … hopefully.

Placing the bandolier of drugs on Quo’s chest, Stellan quieted his mind as much as was possible. He raised both his hands, and the shield rose haltingly with them. The effort made Stellan want to throw up, but he knew he had to remain strong. If his concentration wavered, even for a moment, Quo would come crashing down for a second time, and no amount of Nihil stims would help him.

Stellan pushed up, feeling the shield rise into the haze.

“That’s it,” a voice called down from above. The chancellor, safe from her ordeal. “You’re doing it, Stellan. We nearly have him. Keep going.”

Stellan focused on her words and the encouragement of the other survivors who leaned out to grab the shield as it came into reach, lifting Quo over the edge and onto the platform.

Stellan waited, not releasing his influence until he was sure that the aide wouldn’t roll from the shield, not until he’d heard that Quo was safe on board. Then and only then did he relax, his knees buckling. He pitched forward, Maramis rushing to catch him before he fell.

“Stellan.”

“I’m fine,” Stellan told him, grabbing the captain’s arm gratefully. “The Force is with me.”

The sound of fighting reached them through the smog.

“I’m glad to hear it, because we’re about to have company.”

Stellan pushed himself up, gratified that he didn’t immediately slump back to the ground. To their right, Voru growled. Stellan pushed the fog aside to see the targon pawing the toppled stairway.

“Can we get it upright?” Maramis asked, running over to the targon.

“Maybe,” Stellan said. “Although there’s no guarantee it’ll take our weight.”