【自译】星战小说《达斯·普雷格斯》 序(4)

他小心翼翼地接近他师父的尸体，用原力把老缪恩人移到他的背上。从这个角度看，普雷格斯几乎和几十年前西迪厄斯初次见到他时一样：光滑、无毛的脑袋；隆起的鼻梁由于受到一击而变得扁平，尖端几乎压在他的上唇上；突出的下颚；凹陷的眼窝仍然充满威胁——很少有缪恩人会有这样的特征。但是，普雷格斯从来不是一个普通的缪恩人，也不是一种普通的存在。
Sidious took care, still reaching out with the Force. On closer inspection, he saw that Plagueis's already cyanotic flesh was smoothing out, his features relaxing.
西迪厄斯异常谨慎，仍以原力进行探寻。在仔细查看后，他发现普雷格斯已经发紫的皮肤变得光滑，面部也逐渐放松下来。
Faintly aware of the whir of air scrubbers and sounds of the outside world infiltrating the luxurious suite, he continued the vigil; then, in relief, he pulled himself up to his full height and let out his breath. This was no Sith trick. Not an instance of feigning death, but one of succumbing to its cold embrace. The being who had guided him to power was gone.
他隐隐听见空气净化器嗡嗡的响声与外界的声音传入豪华的套间，他已经守了一夜；接着，他如释重负般直起身子，长呼一口气。这不是西斯的诡计。这不是一个佯装死亡的范例，而是一次对死神那冰冷的怀抱的屈服。曾指引他获得权力的人已经不复存在了。
Wry amusement narrowed his eyes.
他苦笑着眯起眼睛。
The Muun might have lived another hundred years unchanged. He might have lived forever had he succeeded fully in his quest. But in the end-though he could save others from death-he had failed to save himself.
这缪恩人或许还能再活一百年。如果他成功地完成了研究，他还会永远地活下去。但最终，尽管他可以拯救他人免于死亡—— 他却救不了他自己。