"As you see, she is not shackled up in prison." The female Chiss said looking at Marr and then Satele.

"Yesa." Lyrna said turning to her cousin. "Did anyone notice you?"

"Of course not." Yesa replied with a smile. "You know me cousin, I'm good at what I do."

Satele was shocked to see the pictures. She thought Lana was dead or imprisoned somewhere deep within the palace. But looking at the pictures, she couldn't believe her eyes.

"What else did you find out?" Marr asked looking up from the pictures. He was not as shocked as Satele since knowing Lana very well. He was certain, she'll find the way to stay alive.

"She has a device planted inside her. If she tries to escape or refuses his orders, she could die in a gruesome way." Yesa said with a saddened tone. Then she added. "Lyrna told me she is like a daughter to you. I'm sorry."

So that is why she can't come home. Marr thought disheartened.

"She also went on a few missions." This time Yesa's brother Ezzo spoke up. "I followed her."

"And she didn't notice you?" Marr asked with disbelief.

"No." Ezzo replied.

"Well done." Marr said looking at them both. "Thank you."

While Marr talked with the Chiss siblings about Lana's missions, Satele gazed at the pictures again. There were many, but then a few she found particularly interesting. It was a picture of Lana swimming in the palace pool, and then another showing her getting a massage in a salon. She was amazed by how she was able to manage to do all that. Although the implant in her was horrible news, these pictures were somewhat satisfying. At least now they knew she was alive and that made Satele happy. Hopefully, soon she will come back to Dromund Kaas, Satele thought, feeling confident. Then she heard Marr.

"Her parents?" He asked. "What do you mean?"

"Here are some more pictures of their arrival to Zakuul and departure." Ezzo said handing a few more photographs to Marr.

"I didn't know they were gone." Marr said as he flipped through the photographs. Then he asked. "How long were they there for?"

"Only a week." Ezzo replied. "Guests of the Emperor."

"Guests?" Marr asked with amazement. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." The Chiss replied.

"When did they leave?" Marr asked handing the pictures to Satele.

"They should be back by now." Yesa replied. Then she added. "Do you want me to spy on them as well?"

"No need for that." Marr replied feeling slightly angry and disappointed. He was not as close to her parents as he was to Lana, but to leave Dromund Kaas and not telling him about it gave him a sour taste in his mouth. He wondered if they were blackmailed to keep this quiet and that is why they didn't say anything to anyone.

Turning to Satele, Marr said.

"I'm going to check on her parents."

"Can I come with you?" Satele asked putting the pictures down on Lyrna's kitchen counter.

"Yes of course." Marr replied.

After saying goodbye to Lyrna and her cousins, Marr and Satele left the house and headed toward Lana's parent's home.

"Have you been to their house before?" Marr asked while he drove.

"No, I have not." Satele replied gazing out the window.

"It's a nice estate, almost as big as Lord Kasdar's." Marr said. Then he asked. "Do you like it there?"

"Yes." Satele replied thinking about Malgus's father and his peculiar attitude toward her lately.

"Is he treating you well?" Marr asked looking at Satele.

"Yes." She replied. "Maybe a little too well." She added with a sly grin.

"Really?" Marr asked with a smile.

"Since he found out that I was married to his son and carrying his grandchild, he is let's say...very attentive toward me." Satele replied with a smirk.

"I bet he is." Marr said with a mischievous grin. Then he added. "He is only his adoptive father, you know that right?"

"Yes, I know." Satele replied. Then she added. "Veradun told me that his mother met Lord Kasdar when he was just a little boy."

"Yes." Marr replied. "She came to Kaas city alone with a toddler from another region."

"So you never met his biological father, right?" Satele asked.

"No one knew who his father was." Marr replied turning to Satele. "But he had to be someone powerful to father a child like him."

Satele wished to find out who Malgus's father was, but when she asked him, he gave her the same answer just like Marr did. He might still be alive somewhere out there, she thought thinking about the man she had never met, just like her own father.

Her troubled thoughts were interrupted by Marr.

"We're here." He said as he drove up to a luxury house surrounded by a lush garden.

"Let's hurry up." He said looking toward the darkening sky. "Looks like it's going to rain soon."

With a frown, Satele looked at him and said.

"Of course it's going to rain."

"Rain is good." Marr replied as he opened the vehicle's door.

Rolling her eyes, Satele followed him toward the house that looked like a smaller version of Lord Kasdar's mansion.

After knocking, the door opened revealing a Twi'lek servant. From Marr, she looked to Satele and then back to Marr again.

"May I help you?" She asked.

"We came to see Lord and Lady Beniko." Marr said.

"They're not here, Lord Marr." She replied with a stern face.

"When are they coming home?" Satele asked.

"I don't know." The servant replied. "They left a while ago and we haven't heard from them since."

"When was the last time you saw them?" Marr asked feeling suspicious.

"Weeks ago." The Twi'lek said. "They didn't tell me where they were going, but Lord Beniko assured me they would be back within a month."

Instantly, a bad feeling enveloped Marr. He had seen the pictures of their departure from Zakuul. By now they should have been back, he thought, unless they had decided to visit another place, which he doubted. Feeling gloomy about this situation, he looked at the servant and said.

"Please let me know as soon as they arrive home."

"Certainly." She replied and then she closed the door.

"Something is wrong." Marr said as they got back to the vehicle.

"What is going on?" Satele asked feeling queasy.

"I don't like this." He replied starting up the vehicle.

"Do you think something happened to them?" She asked trying to hold down her lunch.

Looking at her pale face, Marr reached over and gently squeezed her leg.

"Let me take you home."

The dreaded feeling that came over him suddenly felt overwhelming. He knew Lana would be devastated if something happened to her parents. He might have no choice, but to travel back to Zakuul and find out what happened to them, get her out of there and bring her home. He missed her and the last thing he wanted was to see her getting hurt. What she was doing on Zakuul was just to stay alive. He hoped that she could hold out till he brings her back.

"You think your mother is here on Byss?" Lana asked as Arcann resumed his pace.

"She is here." He replied. "I can feel her presence."

"Why would she be here?" Lana asked not understanding why his mother would be here. "Do you think she followed us?" She asked looking at him.

"I don't know." Arcann replied staring straight ahead. Then he ordered his Knights to be on the lookout for her. He had no idea why his mother was here. He hadn't seen her for a long time, and he was not prepared to see her again. But if she was here, he was sure that she was not alone.

Turning to Lana, he asked. "How much farther do we have to go?"

"We are almost there." Lana replied, looking at her datapad.

The wooded area seemed abandoned, so did the large metal building that stood in the middle of the clearing. There was no one around and Arcann didn't like this at all.

"It could be a trap." Arcann said to his Knights. "Stay alert."

When they reached the building, Arcann sent in a few of his Knights. A few minutes later, they returned.

"My Lord, there is no one here." The Captain said.

"Did you check everywhere?" Arcann asked feeling annoyed by this unwelcome revelation.

"Yes, my Lord." The Captain replied.

Motioning to the Captain to stand aside, Arcann beckoned Lana to follow him.

As soon as they entered the building, Lana noticed it was empty and it looked like someone had left in a hurry. Occupying the middle of the wide room were rows of long metal tables set up side-by-side. On top of the tables were many laboratory items, broken and destroyed. Whoever used this place was gone, and it looked like they tried to clean up the evidence before they left.

Walking up to one of the tables, Lana looked at the broken vials and destroyed machines and wondered what happened here. Then she looked around and in the back she noticed a large balcony looking over the room. Taking the steps, she went upstairs and opened the door to an office full of metal cabinets. As she walked in, her boots made a crunchy sound on the many papers that were scattered all over the floor.

Although there was no one around, her nerves were on high alert about something strange that she couldn't explain. This dreaded feeling became intolerable and suddenly she had to hold onto the desk as her heart rate started to accelerate.

"Lana, are you okay?" Arcann asked with a worried tone standing behind her.

"No." She said feeling feverish and extremely sad.

"Did you touch anything?" Arcann asked swiftly looking around the room.

"No, I didn't touch anything." She replied clutching at her chest.

Turning her around, Arcann looked into her teary eyes and asked.

"Then what is it?"

"Something terrible happened." Lana said feeling intensely emotional.

With a confused expression, Arcann looked at her and asked.

"You felt something?"

"Yes." She replied with a hushed tone. I… felt...like something or someone carved a piece out of my heart."

Arcann didn't understand what was going on with her, but the way she looked at him, he was sure this feeling she experienced was intense enough to bring tears to her eyes.

Embracing her, he held her tight feeling her body trembling within his arms. Then he said.

"We came here for nothing." With an annoyed tone, he added. "When we get back to Zakuul, I'll have a talk with Adraas."

Outside, hidden behind the bushes, Malgus and Senya watched the Knights patrolling around the building. Seeing the Knights of Zakuul, and her son was something she was not counting on when she decided to accompany Malgus on this journey.

"So, he is here." Malgus said with distaste looking toward the building.

"Yes, he is." Senya replied. Then she added. "He must've come here for the same reason we came here for."

"What do you want to do?" Malgus asked, itching for a fight.

"We can defeat the Knights, but we are not strong enough to defeat my son." Senya said dispiritedly.

"What about Lana?" Malgus asked. "She is on our side. Three of us can definitely take on him, don't you think?"

"Yes, it's possible." Senya said looking at him.

With a frown, Malgus looked at her and said.

"You are his mother. I have a feeling that you won't hurt him. So I guess it's only me and Lana against him then."

"Do not underestimate me." She said in a stern voice. "I will do what I must."

"Alright then." Malgus said as he unclipped his lightsaber from his belt. "Are you ready?" He asked with a sly grin.

Lightsaber in hand, she nodded and said.

"Yes, I'm ready."

Simultaneously, they ignited their weapons and as they were about to ambush the unsuspected Knights, suddenly the ground started to tremble beneath their feet.

"What was that?" Malgus asked looking at her.

"Something bad I'm afraid." She said staring at the ground that now shook more forcefully.

Then her eyes landed on the Knights and noticed they were all staring at the ground as well.

Suddenly a powerful ripple swept through the grassy terrain ripping the surface apart. With frightened eyes, Senya watched as the ground opened up between them and the building, swallowing everything around it. Then a bright purple light shone through the wide opening mesmerizing them both.

"What the hell is that?" Malgus yelled to Senya over the loud sound of the destruction.

"I have no idea!" She shouted. Then her eyes grew wider when something large and black with countless muscular tentacles slithered out of the hole.

The enormous alien that burst through the ground landed in front of the building at the same time Arcann and Lana rushed outside.

Instantly, a few of the tentacles grabbed hold of some of the Knights and with ease, they ripped them apart. While the rest of the knights were fighting with the other tentacles, some of them headed toward Arcann and Lana trying to grab them as well.

Igniting their weapons, they immediately fought back against the alien that was out for blood.

"What is this?" Lana shouted as she sliced into one of the tentacles.

"I have no idea." Arcann yelled back blasting the alien with his Force powers.

However, every time he used his powers the alien seemed unharmed. On the contrary, it looked like somehow it gained more strength, as their combined Force powers struck into its slimy body. While Arcann and Lana fought for their lives, the tentacles found two more Force users and immediately charged at them.

Malgus quickly attacked the tentacles that were coming their way. However, after a few seconds, he realized this thing was unaffected by his powers. Every time he hit the wretched thing it looked like instead of destroying it, he ended up charging the damned thing, making it stronger and faster.

As another tentacle headed his way, he swiftly ducked beneath it and with a powerful thrust, he stabbed his weapon through the sinewy limb causing it to tremble and shake. Then his eyes landed on Senya who bravely fought back against the alien.

"Behind you!" Malgus yelled as another tentacle slithered toward her legs.

But as she turned around to face it, the alien grabbed hold of her leg and slammed her to the ground. As her weapon flew out of her hand, Malgus jumped over one of the tentacles and grabbing her lightsaber in mid-air, he brought both of the weapons down, cutting the muscular limb off with one swift stroke.

Arcann desperately watched, as the last of his Knights was ripped apart in front of his eyes. Then as he turned around and looked at Lana, who madly fought another tentacle, he noticed another deadly muscular appendage slowly approaching her, trying to coil itself around her waist.

Rushing toward her, he stabbed his weapon into the alien's body and as he pushed her out of the way, the tentacle attached itself onto his left arm and within seconds, his robotic arm was pulled out of its socket, ripped to pieces.

A wave of extreme anger engulfed him sending a powerful Force blast toward the alien. However, his efforts were futile when the alien swiftly recovered from the attack and slammed one of its tentacles against him, sending his body flying through the air.

As Arcann hit the side of the building, a sharp pain traveled through him, making him almost lose consciousness.

Rushing to him, Lana held onto his arm and screamed.

"We have to leave!"

Then suddenly Lana was lifted up and pulled away from him.

"LANA!" Arcann desperately yelled watching her being taken away.

But before the alien had the chance to rip her to pieces, a red lightsaber flew through the air, cutting the tentacle off below her, causing Lana to hit the ground with great force.

"We have to go NOW!" Malgus yelled pulling her off the ground.

"Arcann." Senya rushed to her son. "Come, my son."

But as she tried to help him up, she noticed there was a piece of metal sticking out of his left side, drenching his white outfit with bright red blood.

"No...no...no." Senya painfully moaned.

"Let me handle this." Malgus said picking the wounded Arcann up. Then they started to run toward their ship, pursued by the alien.

Once they reached it, slamming herself down into the pilot seat, Lana quickly started up the ship. However, the alien reached them before she had the chance to lift it up and coiled its tentacles around the metal body trying to destroy it.

As the ship dangerously rocked, suddenly the window went dark when the alien slammed its bulbous body against it.

"What the..." Lana tried to speak, but the horrendous view left her speechless.

Crushing against the glass, the alien's enormous mouth opened wide showing off hundreds of sharp black teeth, while a bright purple glow emitted from its throat, blinding them for a second.

"Let's GO!" Malgus yelled looking from the alien to Lana.

"I can't lift up the ship!" Lana shouted back. "This thing is on us and it's going to crush us!"

Then suddenly something distracted the alien; loosening its grip.

When she finally managed to lift the ship higher, Lana looked down and saw the remaining Knights of Zakuul that had been left on Arcann's shuttle, viciously attacking the alien. Turning the ship around, she watched with terror, as the alien ripped the Knights apart. Placing her finger on the ignition button, she was ready to blast the monstrous thing into oblivion.

"Eat this you bastard!" She yelled, sending a few torpedoes into the alien's body.

To her horror, the torpedoes didn't kill it, only damaged some parts of it. As the tentacles reached for them again, she lifted the ship higher and took off into the sky.

"What was that thing?" Lana asked baffled, staring straight ahead trying to focus on getting them away from the planet and its monster. Then she added. "I have never seen anything like this before."

"I have no idea." Senya replied looking at the back of Lana's head. Then she turned her attention to Arcann.

"Mother." Arcann moaned as Malgus placed him down on the bench.

"Please...don't talk." Senya said sitting down beside him. Then her eyes landed on the metal piece and her heart felt like it was going to break apart.

Walking up to Senya, Malgus placed his hand on her shoulder, and then he said.

"If we leave it inside of him, he'll die. But if I remove it, he'll die quicker, unless I cauterize his wound."

"Can you save him?" Senya asked.

"He has some internal bleeding, which eventually will kill him if he doesn't get medical help." Malgus said looking into her eyes that were desperately searching his. Then he added. "Unless he is as strong as you said, by utilizing the Force, he could keep himself alive until we get to Dromund Kaas."

"Do what you must." Arcann said feeling weakened by the loss of blood. Then he said. "Mother, help me remove my mask."

As she removed the mask, the first time in a long time Senya looked upon her son's face, feeling tears swelling in her eyes. The last time she had seen him in person, he was still a teenager barely old enough to grow a beard. Gazing at his mangled face, she felt responsible for what happened to him and to his siblings.

"Cut his top off." Malgus ordered, hurrying Senya.

Quickly, she ran to the kitchen to fetch a knife. Carefully she started to cut around the metal piece, and then she pulled his top off.

Turning Arcann on his side, Malgus grabbed the metal bar and said.

"Try to think about something pleasant."

With one swift move, he pulled the bar out, making Arcann howl with pain. Then he ignited his lightsaber and pushed the end of it into the open wound, instantly cauterizing it.

Arcann's agonized roar made Lana jump in her seat. The smell of burned flesh made her suddenly sick to her stomach.

"This will help you temporarily, but we still need to take you to the hospital." Malgus said clipping his weapon back to his belt. "Can you hold out until then?" He asked looking at Arcann's painful expression.

Through gritted teeth, Arcann replied. "I think I can manage."

As Malgus was about to leave, Arcann said.

"Thank you."

Looking into his eyes, Malgus nodded his head, and then he walked away and approached Lana.

Taking the co-pilot seat beside her, he gazed out the window and then turning his attention to her, he said.

"Satele missed you. She is going to be very happy to see you."

"I missed you all." Lana replied.

"Even me?" Malgus asked with a mischievous grin.

Looking into his eyes, with a sly smile, she said.

"Even you."

Then she asked, motioning her head toward Senya. "How did you meet her?"

"On Lehon." Malgus replied. "She was with the Revanites."

"Interesting." Lana replied, and then she said. "We walked into a trap and didn't even see it coming."

"Whatever that thing was, it was something I have never seen before. And I've seen many strange things in my life." Malgus said thinking about the alien.

"It looked like some kind of bioengineered organic weapon built by someone with advance technology." Lana replied.

"Yes, that is what I thought too." Malgus replied. "But who could have done such a thing like that?"

Taking a deep breath, Lana said. "I have no idea, but we need to find out whose weapon it was and why it was unleashed on us."

"Do you think this was planned to kill him?" Malgus said looking toward Arcann.

"I'm not sure, but yes, it could have been that as well." Lana replied with a frown, and then she added. "And what was with that purple glow?"

"Not sure." Malgus replied. "Maybe some kind of fuel?"

"I'm thinking that this organic machine might have been fueled by a Kyber crystal." Lana said.

"It's possible, but who would have the technology to build something like that?" Senya asked walking up to them.

Looking at her and then standing up, Lana offered her hand and said.

"We haven't had the chance to be properly introduced."

As Senya shook hands with her, she said.

"My name is Lana."

"With a warm smile, Senya replied.

"Yes, I know who you are my dear. I'm Senya, Arcann's mother."

"Nice to meet you." Lana said letting her hand go. Then she looked past Senya and asked.

"Do you think he will be alright till we get to Dromund Kaas?"

"My son is very strong and I know he'll pull through." Senya replied. Then a small smile appeared on her face. "You care about him, don't you?"

Feeling a little awkward, Lana looked at the ground and said.

"I better get him a blanket."

Then she walked away and headed toward her chamber to grab a blanket.

"Why did you help my son?" Senya asked looking at Malgus. "After all, he is your enemy. Why?"

"I helped him because that was the right thing to do." Malgus replied. Then he added. "I have done some terrible things in my life, and if it weren't for Satele, I probably would have taken a much different path."

"I truly appreciate your help." Senya replied with a tired smile. "Once your child is born, you'll see how much he or she means to you. Even if they did you wrong, you're still going to love them no matter what."

A thin smile appeared on Malgus's face thinking about becoming a father.

"I guess I'll find out soon enough." He said. Then their conversation took them back to Byss. While Senya and Malgus talked about what happened on the planet, Lana placed a blanket over Arcann. For a few seconds, she watched him sleeping. As she was about to leave, he reached out and touched her hand.

"Stay...please." He said in a hushed tone.

Sitting down beside him, she placed his hand into hers and looking into his eyes, she asked.

"Do you need anything?"

"Water...please." He said.

Picking up a bottle of water from the table, she held it to his lips that he hungrily gulped down spilling it onto his face and the pillow.

"Slow down." Lana said pulling the bottle away.

"Thank you." Arcann said as she gently wiped the water off his face.

"Try to get some rest." Lana said placing the nearly empty bottle down on the table.

"Would you mind staying with me a little longer?" Arcann asked gazing into her eyes.

"I don't mind at all." Lana replied with a smile.

A few minutes later Arcann was fast asleep. As she watched him, the strange sensation that she felt on Byss returned making her tremble. She knew something bad happened but she just couldn't figure out what it was. Everything happened so fast; her head was spinning from the many sensations she felt at the moment. The tables have turned, and now Arcann became the prisoner. But when she looked at his face, she only saw a man who tried to save her life and not a monster who had forced her to do his biddings. Lana was never a romantic person, let alone getting involved with anyone, but the first time in her life she felt something. She didn't know if it was love or just compassion, but this feeling was something she couldn't ignore anymore. Gently, she ran her fingers over his deformed face and then leaning closer, she planted a soft kiss on his lips.

"What are we going to do with him?" Malgus asked looking toward Lana and Arcann.

"He will have no choice but to realize there is something much bigger than us out there trying to destroy us all." Senya replied. "I believe something is coming, something we need to be prepared for." Then she added. "We need to put our differences aside and work together and figure out what happened on Byss and why it happened."

"He said the laboratory was abandoned, right?" Malgus asked looking at her.

"Yes." Senya replied. "He said it looked like someone left in a hurry. When I asked him who told him about this place he said it was one of his advisors, Adraas." The man who provided the drug to my son to kill Valkorion, she thought. Senya didn't want Malgus or Lana to know about it. Something like this was going to stay between her and Arcann.

"Adraas?" Malgus asked irritated.

"Do you know him?" Senya inquired taking her thoughts off her late husband.

"Unfortunately yes." Malgus replied clenching his fists, thinking about his old rival.

"I have a feeling you and him are not on good terms." Senya said looking at Malgus's fists.

"We have unfinished business." Malgus growled.

When they reached Dromund Kaas, the rain that greeted them felt like home, Malgus thought as they stepped off the ship.

"Every time I come back home, it seems like my first trip ends up in the hospital." Malgus said with a sly grin looking at Lana.

"Maybe you should become a nurse." Lana said with a smile. Then she added. "You would make a terrific one."

"You mean terrible, right?" Malgus asked with a mischievous grin.

At the hospital, after the doctor examined Arcann, he turned to Senya and said.

"He needs a blood transfusion. However, his blood type is quite unique."

"What do you mean?" Senya anxiously asked.

"He needs a certain type of blood." The doctor explained. "Otherwise his body will reject any other blood type. If he doesn't get one soon, eventually he will die."

"I'm his mother." Senya said pulling up her sleeve. "Please take mine."

Nodding his head, the doctor motioned for her to follow.

A few minutes later after he took a sample from her, he came back and said.

"I'm sorry, but unfortunately your blood type is not a good match."

"Take mine." Lana said to the doctor.

After analyzing Lana's blood, the doctor gave her the same news that he gave to Senya.

With a frown, Malgus looked at the two women and then looking at the doctor, he said.

"I'm not thrilled to share but let's give it a try."

After taking some blood from Malgus the doctor came back with great news.

"Not an exact match, but close enough. It might work."

"Thank you so much." Senya said placing her hand on Malgus's arm. "I'm forever in your debt."

"You're welcome." Malgus replied. Then he followed the doctor into Arcann's room.

While Malgus saved Arcann's life again, in another room, Lana's device was carefully removed from her body. Holding the device in her hand, she was about to drop it and stomp on it when the doctor quickly stopped her.

"Let me have it please." He said holding out his hand.

"What are you going to do with it?" Lana inquired.

"I want to see what is made out of." The doctor said motioning for her to place it into his hand.

"Just don't get carried away." Lana said placing the device into his hand.

"I won't." Doctor Vecron replied.

In the Dark council's palace, Vowrawn's astonished voice filled up the cold chamber.

"You brought him and his mother here?"

"Yes." Lana replied.

"The Eternal Emperor and his mother are in the hospital?" Vowrawn asked amazed.

"Yes." Lana replied staring into his eyes.

"And I'm just finding out about this!?" Vowrawn asked with an angry expression. "Why is that?"

Then he asked again. "Why is he in the hospital? What is going on here?"

Lana knew he wasn't going to like this news. She hoped that once she explained what happened, he'd take it into consideration and allow Arcann to recover and hear him out.

"We were attacked."

"By whom?" Vowrawn asked confused.

"We don't know." Lana replied looking from him to Lord Scourge. Then she told them everything that happened on Byss.

"Strange." Vowrawn said scratching his chin. "Very strange."

Then Lana asked.

"Where is Lord Marr?"

"He is with Satele at the Revanites camp." Scourge replied.

"May I be excused?" Lana asked. She wanted to go to see her parents and then go see Satele and Marr.

"Go ahead, Lana." Vowrawn said dismissing her.

After Lana left, Scourge turned to Vowrawn and asked.

"Who do you think is behind the attack?"

"Someone very powerful." Vowrawn replied gazing at the table. "Whatever was unleashed on them on Byss was not part of our technology nor the Jedi's."

"Who is able to acquire such power?" Scourge asked.

For a few seconds, Vowrawn looked like he was lost in thought. Then he looked up and as his eyes met Scourge's, he said.

"The only race with an extensive knowledge who had gained immense power, and mercilessly ruled the galaxy for thousands of years, was defeated and extinguished, or so we thought."

"Whom are you talking about?" Scourge inquired.

"While we've been fighting one another, Sith and Jedi, we never even thought that there might have been another, much stronger force dwelling somewhere in the dark, slowly coming back to life. We were just too blind to see that."

With a worried expression, Scourge looked at him and said.

"Don't tell me you are thinking about them."

"Who else could have done such a thing like that?" Vowrawn asked.

"No, it's impossible." Scourge said. Then he added. "There's got to be another explanation."

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Vowrawn said.

"I hope so, or else we are all doomed."

Deep within the galaxy on an unknown planet, Astrol entered a large chamber and headed toward the throne where his king sat, surrounded by his royal guards.

"Your Majesty." He said bowing in front of him. "The experiment on Byss was not as successful as we had hoped."

"You have failed me...again?" King Zael asked, while his piercing gaze was on Astrol.

"No my Lord." Astrol replied. "The AACROD killed some of them, only four of them managed to escape." Then he quickly added. "Those four were registered by the AACROD as the strongest Force users amongst the rest. We are getting close, my Lord. Please be patient, our time will come again."

Leaning forward in his throne, with a firm tone, King Zael asked.

"And how long do I have to wait?"

"Not long my Lord. The samples I have harvested over the years have proven to be efficient enough to be able to bring back what has been taken from us. And by utilizing the AACRODS we will be unstoppable again."

"And the key, have you find it yet?" The king asked searching his pale blue face.

"No my Lord, but I will." Astrol replied.

Taking a deep breath, King Zael leaned back on his chair and said.

"Do not disappoint me again."

Nodding his head in agreement, Astrol bowed then turned around and swiftly left the chamber. He headed toward his laboratory to continue his work, which would soon bring an era to the galaxy that would change everyone's lives.

To be continued...