--

- Dromand Kaas, Sith Citadel; Darth Vowrawn’s private chambers…

Reality can sometimes hit subtle. Other times its the cold that hits in the morning. A sobering reminder that even alive; every moment you have left is precious.

Reality was finally hitting home for Darth Vowrawn.

Grace stood behind the desk and behind Vowrawn, looking down at him. A vicious smile creeping over her features as the Dark Lord watched the sliced holo-net feed. A communication coming from the Citadel that his agents intercepted. It was not unusual for Dark Council members to spy on people in the Citadel. Even other Council Members; it was how they stayed one step ahead of everyone else. This transmission was not staying one step ahead, it was confirming fear.

Vowrawn held his chin in his hand, elbow on the desk as he watched. One side he could see. It was Darth Malgus. The other side he could only hear. There were limits to the capability of his spies, even in the Citadel.

>

Vowrawn rolled his eyes at the notion spoken by Darth Malgus. The transmission was only a day old. The return voice sent a shiver down his spine. And when she spoke, Vowrawn visibly sat up. Grace felt it, looking down at him again before looking back to the holo-image.

Vowrawn sat back, dropping his hands down to his side. Behind him, soft laughter. Vowrawn looked above himself to see Grace looming overhead.

“I told you. There is no escape. The Will of the Force cannot be denied.”

Scoffing, Vowrawn sat back up and pressed on the holo-feed. The recording began again.

“She returns.” Grace spoke absently, finally moving around to the other side of the desk. Vowrawn sat up and shot a glare toward her. His arms flapping up wildly.

“And what do you do?!?! Sit and watch?? Laugh as this vision you hold to comes to pass?!?! I suppose your ‘vision’ had no remedy for what Darth Retuvisa plans to do!!” Vowrawn stood and started for the door. Grace made a ‘tsk tsk’ sound as the Dark Lord moved to leave.

“I wouldn’t…” Grace spoke softly again. Taking a moment to sit gently on the edge of the desk. Vowarwn turned sharply, starting back toward her.

“And why not?!?! I simply inform the Dark Council of what Darth Malgus is doing and all of this goes away. To include, possibly, Darth Malgus himself.”

“Yes. You could be right. And while you explain yourself and what you’ve discovered, take a moment to consider what questions they will ask.”

Vowrawn was staring at Grace with daggers for eyes, they were wide; wild in anger and fury. "Explain."

“Think rationally, My Lord. YOU sent the designated Hammer of the Empire away. Tried to kill her, for a slight to YOUR honor. This had nothing to do with the Glory of the Empire. Your actions advanced nothing and that is exactly what Malgus will say. What you did was purely selfish and personal. You will argue that my Mother had designs on the throne, a fact that no one will believe because Malgus will be forced to reveal the truth. That My Mother killed Empress Acina and then refused to take the seat or even a seat on the Council. Malgus will say that Acina’s death advanced the plans for the Empire to do what it always should have been doing…destroying the enemies of the Sith.”

Grace got up and slowly strode toward the Dark Lord. “Most on the Dark Council knew how soft she was after the destruction of the Eternal Empire. Most on the Council pined for the day that the Empire would return to war and conquest. MY MOTHER and Darth Malgus gave that to them and all without taking a seat on the throne. So…” Grace smiled viciously, “…whose motivations do you think they will believe? Malgus and my Mother….or yours? A Dark Lord who has made it plain to everyone what his true goal is?”

Vowrwan slumped. After looking up, he smiled weakly. “You….should have been a Sith. You are every bit as devious and cunning as your Mother.”

“I will take that as a compliment, My Lord.” Grace strode toward the door. “Now come, Darth Vowrawn. It’s time to make preparations for The End.”

“The end of what?!?! Me?!?!”

“The end….of the story.”

--

--

Aldeberon III, Republic Forward Strongpoint….

Mirialan Expeditionary Forces, 'Unity's Guardian'….3rd Assault Cohort….

<…the Imps fought tooth and nail for that little sliver of land. Artillery, armor…it was the first time some of the younger ones had seen troops dig in the ground. Long trenches a mile long and as tall as a trooper. One day, we take the trench line, the next the Imps take it back. We learned later it was for a larger objective. The crossroads leading to a small village on the outskirts. The village opened up logistic roadways that only the locals knew as the only way to cross the lava fields. Making it safe for armored forces to move toward the capital.

Logistics, the life blood of any army. And this planet is a deathtrap. Without knowledge of the ebb and flow of the lava tunnels and geothermals, you walk your men into death at every turn.>>

--

Corwin moved forward, weapon raised. Swinging the other arm over his shoulder he screamed out loud. “Follow me!!!”

The village was a mass of once proud buildings, all shells. Bordered by the lava flows which were the arteries of the planet. A cross roads of conflict. To hold the ground, was to hold the heart at which everything dedicated to the war effort would flow. Knowledge the Imperials also possessed. They knew how valuable the village and the land around it was. Bordered on all sides by high volcanic created mountains the village was the only way in and out of the forward and rear battle lines.

The Mirialan ran forward, aided by the armor he wore. It increased his speed. Hydraulics and kinetic pressure added to the steps Corwin took. His feet digging deeply into the ashy ground. Throwing himself against what was left of a wall, it immediately disintegrated around him. Corwin ducked down as the top of the wall flew to pieces; quickly looking over at the gunnery team with him. “Here!!! Here!!! Set up here!!!”

The other Mirialan troopers dropped down. One folding the legs of the heavy cannon's tripod out as yet another dropped the gun’s generator. The gunner himself already dropping to his knees to place the heavy blaster into the tripod. The assembly something the trio practiced repeatedly to increase efficiency and cut the time to place the weapon into operation.

The rest of the top of the wall came down. All of them crouched. The Imperial gunners on the other side losing the field of fire once the top of the wall was gone. They knew where the Mirialans were, but could no longer direct fire as their field of vision decreased. The wall dropping down to the foundation and what was left of the remainder of the building.

Dust and debris shot outward. Corwin looked up and smiled through it. Slapping the gunner on the back of his helmet. In a brilliant flash of light and winding power, the heavy cannon began to return fire. Yelling over the sound of the cannon, the gunner gave the other two on his crew direction. “Adjust right, two degrees!!!” Crawling forward, the tripod bearer picked up one side of the tripod and slid it right. “Dead on!!!” The cannon increased fire, its operator screaming over the blasts. “YEA!!! Go with your freakin’ ancestors Imps!!!”

“This is Unity Six…” Corwin placed his hand to his head, yelling into the LASH system which was attached to his neck armor. “…we have suppression. Assault One…initiate attack.”

From the other side of the wall and at Corwin’s flank, he looked over as the rush of armor and vehicles began a charge through crumbled buildings and rubble. Several squads of Mirialans and light armor crashing through to attack the Imperial position from the other side. Corwin looked down at the wrist display and tracked his units, touching his ear again.

“Assault two…Go. Go. Go.”

Behind him, a second set of armored Mirialans and light armor came. Heading directly into the path of the Imperials who were formerly firing on his position. Now hunkering down after Corwin and the gun crew made them lower their heads.

Came a response through the frequency. Corwin stood and jumped over the shattered wall, moving toward the objective. He found both assault teams and the armor facing outward, securing the area.

Corwin walked to the center. Looking down at the scattered remains of the small Imperial Command Post. All of the Imperials manning it were dead. Their equipment destroyed. The Mirialans completed their work with swift and brutal efficiency. Corwin knelt and picked up the Imperial transmitter and started searching for intelligence. But even that piece of equipment was almost beyond use. Looking over he handed the transmitter to one of the recovery teams. It would be taken back to headquarters for forensic analysis.

“Your orders, Sir?” Corwin looked up to see his platoon sergeant staring down at him. Corwin stood and knocked the dust off his boots, stomping a few times.

“Secure the area. We leave Assault one here once the area is scrubbed. We are pushing through….”

The day was just getting started.

--

Knocking on the prefab, Corwin stood at attention waiting on the ‘word’.

“Come”, the voice from inside beckoned for him. Waiting for the door to slide open; once it did Corwin stepped inside and immediately went back to a straight ridged stance. Holding the position of attention to await acknowledgement. Looking up from the holo-screens the Captain grimaced. “At Ease, Lieutenant…” Corwin relaxed and looked down as the Captain manipulated the battle feeds. Finally looking up at Corwin and releasing a haggard sigh.

“That was a rough piece of work today, Corwin.” Coming around the desk, the feeds shut down once the Captain’s presence was gone. He smiled sympathetically. Alone, fellow officers always called each other by first names. Corwin relaxed a bit more, setting his helmet and weapon down to look at the Captain. Corwin didn’t return the smile.

“Yes, Sir…” Corwin spoke in a low grave tone. “…it was.”

“How many?” Asking the question, Corwin knew exactly what number the Captain was looking for. Corwin looked down at his wrist unit. It came to life with a dull green glow. Corwin studied it a moment.

“Two dead. Six Wounded-Evac’ed to medical. One personal walker destroyed. One damaged, but still operational.”

“Given what the Imperials threw into holding that area, that’s pretty good.”

“The loss of even one of my men is never good.” His head snapping back toward Corwin, the Captain frowned at the other’s words. For weeks the Captain had been counseling Corwin on his need to create some separation between his men and the mission. Corwin was far too attached and personal with all of them.

“Men…” The Captain began again. Moving back behind his desk and resuming his position of authority. What he had to say was not as a friend, but as Corwin’s commanding officer. “…are going to die, Corwin. You need to find a way to separate yourself from—”

Behind the Captain the frequency hopping receiver lit up with chatter. Voices talking over one another as reports began to come in. Some of them on the ground in the area where Corwin was with his platoon earlier. Some of them from drones or observers outside the objective area. Sliding his chair toward the comm system, the Captain turned up the volume.

>

The transmission cut out. Corwin started to reach for the transmitter as the Captain snatched it up first. Twisting the knob on the system, he flipped the frequency from hopping around to a single observer channel.

>

A heavy Imperial presence was moving back into the area yet again. All of it headed directly to the position that Corwin and his men fought so hard for earlier. Corwin's eyes snapped to the holo-screen tracking the overall battle in real time across the surface. Red icons began appearing on the board; almost as the spotters and observers were speaking about them. The red wave of Imperial movement headed back their direction.

Corwin turned and moved toward the door.

"Where are you going, Lieutenant?"

Turning around, Corwin was already placing his rifle into assault mode. He narrowed his eyes at the Captain.

"I'm going to get my men, Sir."

Standing up, The Captain rounded the desk again slowly. Clasping his hands behind his back as he shook his head.

"Negative." The look Corwin gave was one of shock, but also anger. It actually made the Captain turn an eyebrow up. Corwin was not a small man by any measure. Of all the Mirialans, by far one of the biggest in the Company. The Captain quickly added to denying Corwin. "The force that's on the ground will hold until we call for support. And that support WILL BE Armor and Artillery. We don't know if the Imperials are committing to that same zone again and I can't afford to commit the whole company if they are not."

"I don't need the whole Company. That's my platoon out there. I'll go...alone. Lead them back in and--"

"Negative." The Captain said again. This time not waiting on Corwin's response he sat back down. The holo-feeds reactivating. When Corwin didn't leave immediately he looked back up. "You're Dismissed, Lieutenant."

--

--

Aldeberon III, 3rd Assault Cohort, ‘Unity’s Faith Company’; Mirialan Defense Forces….Republic Fire Base…

Attack and assault procedures were pretty much standard within the Republic and Imperial military. Based on ancient principles of move and counter-move. Suppress, move; flank, move. The goal being to seize the objective. And though what would happen once on the objective would vary depending on what was there, the basic tactical principles were the same no matter if you were maneuvering a squad or a full Army group.

That principle was applied with deadly precision as the Imperials moved back into the cross roads. A brigade sized Imperial element. A few thousand men and materials. Armored units; walkers. Artillery support in the form of ground based turbolasers and orbital firing platforms. Rocket capable drones flew screens for the approaching troops and armor units.

The suppression portion of the operation from the Imperial point of view was to suppress and hold the area where all of the Republic reinforcements would come from. Massive artillery emplacements kilometers away began a steady and systematic bombardment of the Republic base immediately after Corwin and Captain Hargrove observed the incoming Imperial force approaching the objective. The fire base had defensive screens and droid based anti-artillery emplacements. But some of the large scale phased plasma shells would inevitably breach the defense. It was a matter of percentages. The more fired, the higher percentage that would penetrate the shield.

Both the Captain and Corwin hit the deck immediately. The ground around them shook as lights winked on and off. Power fluctuating from the fire base systems being vibrated and rocked by the incoming fire. Holo-screens blinked on and off. Vibrations increasing as the volume of fire intensified. The Captain crawled. Moving toward the door. Corwin looked up from laying on his stomach. Seeing the Captain move, Corwin started in behind him. It wasn’t safe in the pre-fab. They needed a more hardened structure. And there was protective bunker outside and dug into the ground not more than fifty yards from where they were.

Corwin grit his teeth. It felt as if the planet itself was coming apart. Blasts on top of blasts. Corwin opened his mouth, fairly sure he screamed in rage and confusion. Part of the pre-fab coming down around them as blasts impacted near and almost on top of where they were. Time seemed to go on forever. Trapped in hell, Corwin wondered if it would ever stop. In a blinding flash, it did. Not because they stopped firing. As the pre-fab took a direct hit everything went white. Corwin couldn’t see, couldn’t hear. Blown the other direction and through the wall of the pre-fab out the other side. His head lulled upward, blury; fuzzy to everything as the attack continued. Then blindness.

The attack only lasted a few minutes. It felt like an eternity. Corwin was taken by unconsciousness for far longer.

--

It was distant. Far away. Moving parts and low whines of sound. Corwin came to the end of that tunnel quickly, the sound clearing up as his eyes snapped open. Fingers stretched along the fabric, he looked around pulling the leads off his head and the tubing off his nose. He was alive. On a foldout medical cot. He started to sit up and felt strong hands push him back down.

“Easy, easy there…’Captain’.” Corwin canted his head, vision clearing a little more looking up at the voice. Markus stood over him, a bright smile and a little humor behind the look. “That was quite a tumble you took. Your armor took most of the blast. Too bad the Captain didn’t have his on.” Markus lost the smile as he said the last. “You rest easy, ‘Captain’.”

That was the third time Markus said the rank; the second time he applied it to Corwin. He shook his head. “Captain, Captain?!?! Why do you keep saying that?”

“He didn’t make it Corwin.” Markus was blunt in the answer. His hands still on Corwin. Medical droids moving to Markus side; the Jedi took his hands off Corwin and took a step back. Still shaking his head, Corwin sat up, under the protest of the Medical droids. Swinging his legs off the cot, Corwin stood up and nearly sat back down. Markus jumped to Corwin’s side steadying the Mirialan. “Whoa, there buddy. Maybe you should lay back down.”

“No…” Corwin shook his head, looking down at his Chrono. Twelve hours. He pushed past everyone moving toward the Medical enclosure’s exit.

The Fire Base was in shambles. But already the unit was putting things back in order. The best thing about pre-fabs was how easily all of it could be repaired or replaced. But nothing was going to get rid of the large craters and carbon scoring from the Imperial artillery impact. Corwin was moving and moving faster as his strength started to return. He walked down a flight of duracrete steps into the battalion headquarters. Finding the Colonel among a group of other officers, he waited until the Colonel noticed him. Looking at the floating holo-screens and battle charts to bide his time.

Turning around the Colonel grimaced. Nodding at Corwin he stepped away from the other busy officers, placing his hands on his hips.

“Hargrove’s gone.” The Colonel stating the obvious. “We took a beating in that action. All of it to keep us in place.” The Colonel glanced at the ever changing holo-map. The two walked over together looking up at it. He pointed toward the ‘cross roads’. “Your men are the last forces in the area. The others all destroyed or in full retreat. It looks like the Imps have put everything they have into one last push. They know like we do, the only way to win this war is to hold that area. If they get it, it’s over. They will file in reinforcements, build to another assault and then…” The Colonel looked at Corwin. He knew just like the Colonel did; they were the next target. The artillery attack just a small taste of what would happen if they allowed the Imps to build back up.

“We won’t let that happen, Colonel.” Corwin’s voice was stern; resolute as he continued to study the board. Giving a weak smile, he Colonel slapped Corwin on his shoulder.

“I appreciate the enthusiasm, Corwin.” The Colonel stepped away, his voice becoming bland. “Congratulations. Third Cohort is yours. As the ranking officer…it’s just a battlefield promotion. But I will put the paperwork in once we get back.”

“Get back?” Corwin asked the question sharply. The Colonel turning back around, they both looked at the holo-board again. Knowing what Corwin was going to say the Colonel raised his arms up; the sign of surrender.

“Those men and their sacrifice will not be in vain. The Imps are filling up the area with more forces in an attempt to drive them out or kill them off.” Letting out a sigh he looked at Corwin sadly. “Command has ordered our withdrawal. They are going to bombard the area from space. Its our only advantage at the moment. The fleet is already moving into position before the Imperials cross the planetary terminator. We have four hours before we pull out. Get your company organized and ready to move.”

Corwin looked away. The anger and rage building up in him. But arguing wouldn’t change anything. Without another word he walked out. Not even a salute or a dismissal from the Colonel. It didn’t go unnoticed, but the Colonel did nothing to stop him.

Markus caught up to him as Corwin exited. The Jedi grabbing his arm. “Hey…I told Wonder and Karolin I would look after you.” The look on Corwin’s face verified the feelings Markus was reading off Corwin. “Don’t” Markus spat sharply. “You do this, they will come after you. We got orders. Even the Jedi are pulling us out.”

“Don’t worry about me, Markus. You just do what you have to.”

--

….”>

Corwin was looking at the monitor from the drone feed at the same time he held the comm unit in his other hand. Placing it to his head as the feed revealed the reason for the break in communications. He was no longer platoon leader of the third assault cohort, having to relinquish that command to Sergeant Yak’ub. Telling Yak’ub the news with a bit of faux humor. There were no other officers to take his place after being elevated to Company Commander with the death of Captain Hargrove.

In the background, heavy blaster fire followed by several explosions. On the side monitor which showed a real-time biological status of his entire company; next to the live drone feed he saw several more Third Cohort lifesigns wink out. Corwin grit his teeth shaking his head. These were not just his company’s men, these were his own. His platoon.

Squeezing the comm unit tightly in his hand, Corwin took it off his forehead where he rested during the strike and spoke softly. His voice trembling with anger and impatience.

“Sergeant….listen to me. I’m coming…I am coming for you. Keep the men down, don’t do anything to draw the Imperials in. This is not a fight you can win. Keep them alive…all of them.”

Corwin stood up and started loading his weapon, checking the auxiliary gear strapped to his armor as the door to his pre-fab opened up. Colonel Naxin looked surprised at first, placing his hands on his hips a moment later; his face saying everything without uttering a word. Of course, the Republic Colonel was sorry, they were all sorry. But those out in the crossroads were not HIS men. The Republic looked at the Mirialans as assets. Corwin couldn’t fault them for that. But that didn’t change anything.

“…’Captain’…” The Colonel began sadly, using the new honorific more to remind Corwin that he had bigger responsibilities now than just one platoon of men. Even if the rank insignia on his armor still denoted him as a Lieutenant in the MDF. “….I am sorry as hell about this, but you—” The Colonel paused narrowing his eyes. Noticing Corwin had not stopped to look up or even acknowledge him. Colonel Naxin monitored all of the comm traffic on scan and heard what was going on; it was what brought him over.

Moving to the side, Corwin started to pass the Colonel as the other man grabbed Corwin’s arm. “…listen to me, Corwin.” The Mirialan finally looked up. “…we’ve chewed a lot of ground together on this rock. And I know this hurts, but you—you have a greater responsibility to the rest of this company. To the Republic. You go out there—you WILL die. You’ve seen the feed. The Imps are reinforcing with an entire brigade. We’ve been given orders to pull up and move to the last phase line.” Corwin jerked his arm out of the Colonel’s hand. “Corwin…you do this, there is nothing I can do to help you. We have orders…ORDERS, Son. Those men…”

Colonel Naxin let his voice trail off and looked down. He didn’t believe as the Mirialan’s did. For him, there was no Unity only the saying that was as empty as his own belief. That the Force would somehow be with them. A platitude for Jedi and soothsayers. Naxin was a Soldier. Too many times, the Force was never there as people were blown to pieces. Corwin wasn’t even sure if he believed anymore. One thing he was sure of, he was going to get his men. Unity, Force, Colonel Naxin…none of it mattered.

Saying nothing, Corwin left the pre-fab and hopped on a speeder bike; checking to make sure it had ordnance before he sped off. Colonel Naxin came out of the building just as Corwin sped away. The Mirialans were there as a show of good faith from the Mirialan Government. A testament to their commitment to the Republic to once again join the fight on the side of the Republic. And they were excellent fighters, some of the best the Colonel had ever seen.

Especially their officers.

--

Coruscant, Military Domicile #811….Murriel La’chance's Apartment….

Still packing, Murriel was surprised to hear a chime at her door. She looked up and walked over, touching the pad and smiling broadly once it opened. Jumping into the arms of her sister as she squealed. Wonder, a much taller leaner version of her older sister, bent slightly and embraced Murriel. “Wonder!! Oh my….I didn’t expect you. What are you—” Wonder smiled only slightly, but Murriel felt the tension from her sister before she even looked at her face. Moving aside, Murriel let Wonder pass and allowed the door to slide closed behind them both. “What’s wrong? Is everything alright on Zeltros? The show….did you get fired?!?!” Murriel gave a sarcastic expression and placed a hand on her hip, trying to make a joke once Wonder walked in and looked around.

“No, no….everything is fine in the show. I’m singing five nights a week with four nights off the next….” Wonder looked down and lost the half smile, her hands and fingers nervous as she tried to find something for them to do. Finally locking them behind her back as she looked up at her sister. “Murriel…I need something.”

“Anything. You know that.”

“It’s…” Wonder paused and looked down again, feeling the need to explain the request before she outright asked. “…well, you are fairly important now in the Republic. Congrats on the promotion by the way. You must be proud.”

“Not really.” Murriel frowned sitting down on the bed next to her bag, which was only half packed. Running her hand through her pinkish-green hair she flopped her hands into her lap and shook her head. “I would be, but it seems I am the only one. Well…Marstel is happy of course. But he can’t be here or say anything, because unofficially he doesn’t exist at the moment.” Murriel looked up sharply. “Oh yea….a little tidbit I gathered with upgraded security clearance. Marstel, doesn’t exist…neither do I really. And Cora—” Murriel stopped herself and scoffed. “—forget it. This isn’t about me, it’s about you. You gave me an inch and I took a whole yard.” Murriel canted her head waiting for Wonder.

Releasing a sigh, Wonder sat down in a chair near the door and folded her hands in her lap. “I have never asked you for anything. When you needed me, I was there. When you said I had to fight, I learned and I fought right next to you. Something, by the way, that I swore I would never do was pick up a weapon. You know how I hate violence. But the cause was just and we needed to do it--”

“You don’t have to sell me, Wonder. Just ask.”

“It’s Corwin…I'm worried about him.” Wonder paused and looked down. "Last time I talked to him, he didn't say much. I mean...I haven't 'seen' him except on holo-feed, but even that seems 'different'." Wonder looked up at her sister, a worried expression on her face. "He's changed, Murriel. This war...volunteering with the MDF. I know I was against it, but once he joined up I stood behind him a hundred percent. I still do...I'm just--"

"What do you want me to do, Wonder?" Murriel's face grew stern.

"I want him home. I know I'm not supposed to ask. And if he knew I did, he would kill me. I still get grief from your 'calls' to him. Like he is somehow special, he says it doesn't look good to have you calling on him." Wonder gave a weak laugh, but looked down ashamed.

Standing up, Murriel moved to her personal comm-terminal. Picking up the earpiece and placing it in her ear.

She smiled and looked back over at Wonder, nodding her head.

Murriel stopped speaking abruptly. She glanced over at Wonder as she lost the smile, turning back around she lowered her voice; on purpose.

Wonder was sitting up expectantly. But Murriel seemed to have lost color, looking a little pale. She crossed the room to stand by Wonder and sucked a breath. Wonder was already sensing it. Both sisters able to feel the emotions of the other. Wonder started to cry as Murriel grabbed her.

"No...Wonder, he's not dead. Stop, stop this." Wonder looked up from the embrace as Murriel continued. "...but their unit is withdrawing. Only....Corwin has been listed as MIA."

Wonder gave a strange look. "MIA?!? What's that?!?!"

"Missing in Action, Wonder. They don't know where he is..."

--

- Naboo, Veruna Estates – Sublevel 18B…..

<….for as long as we’ve been alive in the galaxy we have sought to improve. Not only our environment, but ourselves. It has taken me a long time to come to the realization that all of this improvement is to one end. And it is NOT for the betterment of humanoid kind for the good of others less fortunate. A lofty goal. It would be less traumatic if in my scientific journey I discovered that was so. But its not and we’re not. All of our betterment is to one end and one end alone:

To destroy one another. And he who gets to the discovery first wins. Unfortunately, once we discover a way to surpass the other; the race begins again. One discovery leads to another and then another. Surpassing our own limits, improving each other to create better and more lethal versions of ourselves to ‘one up’ and destroy quicker, efficient. This is and always will be a zero sum game.

Out there, technologies exist that we can only imagine. I hope that someday we can tap into that. Seek those out and integrate them into our own. Until then, the quest continues. Perhaps, when the smoke clears and all of the science is dead and the scientist such as myself are gone; we can return to our search for ways to better ourselves and our fellow humanoids. I will forward that search and that goal; advancing it by decades. Speeding us toward a sure and certain death in hopes that once men like me are gone; people will turn their focus toward a kinder and gentler way of supporting one another….

Dr. Sannus Lorrick – Virus Log #3321….>

--

It was the hundredth time that V’ictoria listened to the logs. Sometime she merely played it as background while she performed other work. Lorrick was just as much a philosopher as he was a scientist. While his work was considered evil and unethical; some of his words describing his work proved otherwise. Vicky often wondered if those who judged him ever took the time to listen to all five thousand of his log entries. Lorrick was a man desperate to not only protect his people, but to explain why it was he was performing the genetic research.

The work eventually drove Lorrick mad. Mostly because he used himself to experiment on. At least at first. Then he turned to his fellow scientists and those he worked with. Something all scientists were guilty of; at least those who were as driven as Lorrick was. Vicky certainly had blood on her own hands. As guilty of not more so than Lorrick.

Opening the stasis unit; Vicky took out the samples and placed them down gently next to the scope. Gloving up before opening one of the individual freezing units located in the box she was sent. A box inside of a box inside of a stasis unit. The Republic didn’t want to leave anything to chance. It spoke to the importance and the dangerousness of the samples being sent to her.

Vicky smiled to herself under the mask. It wasn’t the Republic, but one of her own kind that sent the samples. RT having sent them along with the schematic of the technology they acquired. She didn’t ask questions. The holo-net trace told her the information was sliced illegally. Not how the Republic saw it. There was no such thing as an illegal act against another entity if your cause was just. Vicky lost the smile. She been down that road before. The Republic, always justifying to itself why stealing and slicing something THEY deemed as dangerous was righteous. In some ways, no better than the Organization. The nefarious group that sought control over the science of the galaxy in order to do with as they saw fit.

These were forensic samples. Every individual sample was tagged and cataloged with times and dates. Some of it she recognized. Some of it from her own brethren. Karolin’s sample was in there. Taken from the Kolto spring on Thyferra. Another sample from Mirial and the De’nabre compound. A puzzle, a very complex puzzle. RT just sent everything his genetically enhanced mind could surmise would amount to anything and be related to the technology they were tracking. It all spoke to one thing; The Organization and the Generationals.

Vicky sat up and placed another sample under the scope after recording the first and having it swing in the ions above her. One screen became two and over a period of hours, multiple screens floated around her in the ions above the table’s projector. Pieces to a much larger puzzle. Science was one large puzzle that always fit together with the proper solution. Vicky wasn’t trying to make a breakthrough or create something, she was trying to see how all of the evidence fit. After going through all of the samples she slid the chair backward and stood up. Standing in the center of all the floating holo-screens she looked around and started to decipher. Her mind working in three and four dimensions. Moving the pieces around in her mind as she placed like things together and theorized how things that didn’t seem to fit suddenly started to come together.

One thing stood out. There were more than three different technologies at work and only one of them related to the schematic that spun in the center and took up over half the space among all of the other holo-samples. Residue of her old friend and mentor; Dr. Ed’mare Ze’llamane were all over several of the specimens. Vicky canted her head and gazed intently. Her mind rolling over the samples and the events that took place on Thyferra. Closing her eyes, she pictured it. Karolin rising. The lightning and the discharge. The Doctor getting caught up. All variables had to be taken into account. Nothing could be left out.

Vicky’s eyes snapped open as she looked wide eyed at the spinning icon of the technology that was being constructed.

“No…” Vicky whispered. “…they couldn’t. There was nothing left.”

But perhaps his mind was. And that would be all that was necessary. Vicky walked fast to the holo-terminal and began typing a message back to RT. Encoded for secrecy and encrypted to prevent anyone else from getting it but RT himself.

--

--

- Southland, Corellia; Industrial Sector…Arcnet Shipwiring Services….

Men like Telan’dorr had weaknesses. Rose was well versed in weakness. It was part of the planning process. ‘Know thy enemy’. Not that Telan’dorr was her enemy per say, but had definitely had a part of her own failure. Failure to live up to what she was hired for. And Rose felt beholden to make up for that in some way. As a consummate professional, her reputation as a planner and organizer for some of the most dangerous operations in the galaxy was something Rose took pride in. Her failure; something she needed to make up for to get that part she lost, back.

A long limo speeder pulled up. Rose pulled the macros to her face and watched. Zooming in to make positive identification. A driver got out, opened the door and stood by waiting. Workers were leaving the factory. The last horn having sounded to end the days work. It seemed like forever. A man like Telan’dorr would definitely wait for the ‘rabble’ to clear out before he made an appearance.

Rose almost wet herself laughing. Telan’dorr started down the stairs. But what in the name of all that was holy was he wearing?!?! The same moniker he took before as a prophet; a holy man of sorts. Telan’dorr had some sort of holy garb on, complete with hat and gloves. The familiar four diamond symbol of Mirial and the De’nabre emblazoned on the front. He was going back to his roots. At least in public. Fashioning himself as, once again, some kind of holier than thou sort.

Telan’dorr stopped at the door of the speeder and looked around. Close by, Aurora appeared. Opening the opposite door herself and getting inside. Not long after, Telan’dorr finally got in after making sure they weren’t being watched. That made Rose smile. Of course, he was being watched. He had to know. So blatant was his presence that everyone knew. But no one could touch him, yet. Rose was going to make his world seem a bit smaller. And she relished in the opportunity.

Getting in behind, but not close, Rose pulled back on the throttle of her speeder bike. Her eyes glued to the massive limo speeder. Once it stopped, she took note of the location that the limo stopped and allowed Aurora to get out and go off on her own. Several thoughts crossed her mind. Perhaps Aurora was going to run a screen. Ghost the speeder to ensure it wasn’t being followed. But the timing and the distance were all wrong. Rose had been following for more than fifteen minutes and one didn’t ghost a target after ten most times. After seeing Aurora disappear inside of a building and the speeder depart again, Rose decided it didn’t matter. If Aurora was going to ghost the speeder, she would not recognize Rose anyway.

There was a couple of locations Rose had in mind. She made a few personal bets with herself. All of it based on her knowledge of men and their weaknesses. Once the speeder turned in the lane and entered another heading for the entertainment district, a smile started to form on Rose’s face. So predictable. But also, foolish on Telan’dorr’s part. He was operating on the assumption that he was beyond impunity. That no one could touch him. That was a weakness in its own right. But why? Something else, other than Telan’dorr’s ego; which was massive, was causing the Mirialan to feel that way. An unknown variable for another time.

The limo speeder stopped. The driver getting out and opening the door. Telan’dorr stepped out and straightened himself before walking in. The lights and glamour from the outside made the stark green of his holy garb turn a pale grey. Rose stopped a block out, watching him go in and get settled. Timing his arrival and his entrance in her head before swinging a leg off the bike and walking toward the establishment. The limo already departed. The entrance clear. Rose was hardly dressed for the place. But then, it was a nightclub. She stopped and looked herself over. Only one adjustment needed to be made and it would make all of the difference.

Reaching up she pulled the keeper from her hair. Long luscious blonde locks fell down her back draping over her shoulders. Rose flexed her fingers through her hair. Shaking her hands through it to give it a little life with a bit of the ‘wild’ thrown in. Work the hair. It always worked as one of the best disguises. And it would keep eyes off her face and sometimes, off her body. Rose really loved her hair. Most everyone else did too.

This wasn’t just any nightclub. This was a decompression chamber. People came here to let off the steam gathered in long hours of hard and tedious work. Places like that one existed all over Corellia. Though that one was high end. Executives and management frequented the place. Rose stopped at the door; security holding a hand out for her to stop. The bouncers seemed taken aback by Rose at first. She wasn’t a small woman by any stretch. Standing almost toe to toe with most men. She kept herself up. Some of it was genetic. Kiffar were a warrior race. Yellow piercing eyes, pointed ears and yellow skin that bore the branded markings of their own faith; war and strife. But the hair, it was doing its work. Both men smiling as one ran the scanner over her, stopping and looking up once it beeped that she was carrying something.

Rose smiled seductively stepping back to reach in her pocket. Pulling out a cylindrical tube, she activated it and placed it to her lips. They changed color, from a pale shiny yellow; the color of her skin, to a bright red. It was understood a woman of such exotic beauty who spent so much time on her hair might have forgotten her lipstick. Rose winked at both men and gave a faux kiss in the hair, laughing after she applied the makeup; winking at both bouncers for good measure. They smiled, waving her past. As she crossed the threshold, placing the tube back in her pocket, Rose ran a hand across the small of her back and the holdout blaster nestled there.

Holo lights all glowed in a variety of colors against the dark blue of the environmentally controlled establishment. Flavored smoke wafted in the air in a vain attempt to hide some of the more nefarious activities that went on inside. As a Kiffar, Rose had particularly sensitive ears and a keen sense of smell. They could try to hide it, but the people who ran the place couldn’t disguise the smell from Rose. All of it once again playing into her knowledge of men and weaknesses. Sex was everywhere. On the dance floor in the form of dancers; their skin covered by holo-glitter; and not much else. To the muffled sounds of 'things' that people best not speak of going on in other parts of the club that sat off to the sides of the main room. Side rooms extended from the main chamber, which was large and vast. Also, with activities everywhere. Lots of things to do and lots of ways to spend hard earned credits. Rose canted her head. Why hadn’t she ever thought of going into that kind of business? She would be well suited, knowing what men and women desired based on her years building operations based off knowing her prey.

Before going too far she sat down in a darker corner. The atmosphere lighting and controls tried to balance throughout the main floor, but corners were always hard. For good measure, she ran her fingers though her hair again, flipping it. Rose was just another in a long line of weary executives coming to spend their credits. Though she hardly looked typical. Rose could have worked at the place if she wanted.

Slowly, she started to look around. Finding the largest gaggle of dancers and servers in one area. In the center of it all, sat Telan’dorr. Holy robes and all. Hardly the actions of one who preached the faith. It was fitting in a way. Business and religion. Two of the most corrupt things in the universe.

Instead of having a living server come to the table, Rose ordered from the holo-pad located in the surface. She ran her fingers over the terminal without looking down. The interface was fairly standard and basic. There wasn’t a whole lot of difference from one establishment of another. Those interfaces were always created so any race or species could use them with ease. Touching a picture and placing her order. Her eyes never leaving the side of the room where Telan’dorr talked and fondled the dancers. Once the drink arrived via a server droid, she sat back; nestling in to watch him. Nursing the drink over the sound of loud music.

Telan’dorr only got up once. And it was to go to the fresher. A dancer went with him. It should have been surprising. But it wasn’t. Rose saw the kind of cred Telan’dorr was spending in the nightclub. He could have bought anything he wanted. When the two returned, much longer than anticipated; he sat back down. Talking loudly and laughing. That part got under Rose’s skin. And made shutting him down even more imperative. That Telan’dorr could act like he was untouchable even with the walls closing in was going to make it that much sweeter when they actually did.

A roar erupted in the small crowd as Telan’dorr stood after a bit. Cheers erupting from the collected group. He and a small group of the women were moving toward the door. Rose got up quickly, inserting her code cylinder to close down the table and pay for her drinks. Moving out ahead of them in a rush and turning down the street once she got out. Rose wasn’t going to make it before they got out, so she ducked into an alley and peered around the corner. Glancing back to make sure her bike was still intact.

Pulling back upfront, the speeder limo stopped. The driver hopping out and running around to open the door for Telan’dorr and his gaggle of women followers. It took a few minutes for all of them to pile inside. Once they did, Rose took off at a run and hopped on her bike. Starting it up just as the limo sped off. She hit the accelerator and fell in behind them. Annoyed by the fact that she discarded the keeper for her hair. Even if she had it, she wouldn’t have been able to use it. Both hands on the handlebars as her hair attempted to whip her face and shoulders into submission.

They slowed. Rose pulled back on the throttle once the limo started to pull into a luxury garage. Rose looked up. ‘Corellian Arms’. High class. Even by Corellian standards and especially in the Southland. Rose didn’t follow. Going up front and parking in economy. She hopped off the bike and flipped a credit to the attendant, walking through the spinning doors into the foyer. Pulling her hair up and over itself to use it to tie itself together. Though it still looked wild, it was at least manageable and out of her face.

The layout was once again fairly standard. Rose walked to the far end of the foyer where the entrance to the parking garage was located. Looking behind herself to make sure there was a place to perch. Foyer bars and open areas abounded in the foyer entrance; which was grand and wide open. Good and bad. Rose didn’t want to run the risk of Telan’dorr seeing her and realizing that she may or may not have been in the same club he was visiting earlier.

Choosing to play safe, Rose entered the bar and sat in the far end. Near the windows. She could barely see the entrance of the garage, but caught the noise. Laughing and loud talking from the girls as they passed and then entered the lift. Only known because all of the noise suddenly stopped. Rose stood up and watched the lift display. Seeing what number the lift stopped on. All that was left was to identify the room. But that was minor. Rose knew what was going on up there, she knew it from the moment Telan’dorr got in the limo back at the factory and had been right all along. Men and their weaknesses. Something you could always rely on. And Telan'dorr wasn't going anywhere, at least for a few hours.

Rose sat back down and flagged down an attendant, ordering another drink. After the attendant departed, she tilted her head, parting the hair to get to her ear. The comm beeped once it was in place and Rose activated the connection.

--

- Southland, Corellia….’Corellian Arms 45th Floor, Room 1811

Telan’dorr needed a moment. Excusing himself to go to the fresher. This time alone. There were somethings he was willing to compromise in his guise as the 'One True Prophet of the Unity'; but this activity he was not. Once the door slid shut, Telan’dorr placed a hand within the upper folds of his robe and took out the vial. Uncapping it to shake out the contents on the marbled surface of the fresher sink.

Taking out one of his credit cards, he started dicing and lining up the powder. Leaning down as he pressed in one side of his nose. Just about to run a nostril up a line of the diced spice. The buzzing and vibration from within another part of the robe stopped him. Telan’dorr stood angrily and reached into the robes again. This time another part, producing the comm device and setting it down next to the power he very carefully separated and lined up.

“What?!?!” Angrily, Telan’dorr glared at the blue field that was still rezzing into existence. Once it fully developed, he smiled shyly taking a step back. Aurora’s blue image folded her arms over her chest as she glared angrily.

Aurora wasn’t sorry, in the image she looked around as if looking at where Telan’dorr was and narrowed her eyes.

Telan’dorr sneered and glared back. “I’m alone, Aurora. And I happen to be in the fresher for the right reasons. Reasons you’ve interrupted. So if you will kindly—”

Aurora waved a dismissive hand.

“Her?!?!” Telan’dorr’s mind began to race. Who could it be? The possibilities were endless and also delicious. He looked off, a faint smile coming to his face. Aurora snapped her fingers.

“Aurora…” Telan’dorr put on a sweet smile and gazed down at the image. “…we both know I am merely ‘spreading’ the faith. Bringing our love of the Unity to those who do not have it.”

--

--

- Capital Unity, Mirial – Bernard’s Homestead…..

Bernard took a step back after the door slid open. It was raining. And rain was always an event on Mirial. Always cold and always torrential when it hit. Sammantha stood in the rain, her arms wrapped around herself. Slowly she looked up, sad eyes locking on Bernard. He was so shocked he didn’t follow his first reaction which was to usher her inside. There was still a tinge of anger in him over how Sam left. But that had nothing to do with the shock of seeing her just stand there.

“I need you to tell me…” Sammantha started softly. “…that I’m a good person.”

“What?!?!”

“I need you to tell me, Bernard. That I’m good. That I’m not what everyone thinks I am….”

The statement woke Bernard up from the shock of her just standing there. Quickly he wrapped an arm around her and ushered her inside. Sam was shaking. Not wearing the appropriate clothing to be out in the rain. Bernard hugged her. Partly because of what she said, but mostly because she was shaking. Something so far beyond belief for someone possessed of the Force. Sam could withstand any type of temperature or weather. Something was wrong and it wasn’t what she said.

Leaning into him, Bernard felt Sam relax and let out a sigh.

“Look, I don’t mind you dropping by, but I wish you would have called—” Trying to add a little levity, Bernard smiled down at her, burying his face in her dark red hair.

“Don’t joke—”

“I’m not. Seriously, I may have had something going on and—” Sam interrupted him. Standing a bit straighter and bending her face up to his. Her hand caressing the side of his face as it slid across and through his hair. Then the other. Cradling his face as their lips met.

--

There was definitely something different. At least Sam wasn’t cold anymore. Placing his hands behind his head, Bernard relaxed into the pillow and watched as Sam got up and moved around to the other side of the bed, looking around for something. When she found them, Sam bent down and one leg after the other shimmied her panties back on. Bernard was staring. A weak smile on his face.

On his side of the bed, Sam sank back down. The mattress was warm and soft from the two of them. Essence of that joining still lingering in the air. Sitting up, Sam folded one leg under the other; cradling the other with one arm. She was looking away, even though Bernard was still staring.

“Hey.” Bernard spoke, Sam turned her head slowly, moving the wild hair out of her face to glance at him. “Don’t get me wrong. I love your visits. And I have no problem being your kriff toy—but, you came here for something else. Am I right?” Bernard looked away, “…Ancestors I hope I’m right.” Sam was wild. The kiss at the door led all the way to Bernard’s bedroom. Destroying half the house on the way there as they fought to get undressed. Bernard glanced down at the bed as he laid there. He didn’t want to bounce or test the integrity. It held up pretty well. But he could swear that at some point Sam and he had broken it. Sam looked away again.

“I needed something familiar.”

Bernard scoffed, “Glad I could help.” The words came out sarcastic. And they were meant to be. It was Bernard’s turn to look away.

“Would you rather I did something stupid?!?!”

“Stupid like what?” Bernard sat up. “Stupid like—come home? Live your life? Stop chasing a phantom that doesn’t exist?!?!” Sam’s head snapped back toward him. Bernard looked down and shook his head. “She’s gone, Sam. You can’t BE her. You can’t bring her back by trying to take her place.”

“That’s not what I’m trying to do.” Sam stood up and started looking around again. This time frantically. Beginning the process of collecting her clothing. Snatching up pieces and bundling them in her arms.

“Hey.” Bernard threw back the bed spread and jumped out. “HEY!!” Bernard grabbed her, Sam turned her head away deliberately, but stopped collecting her things. “Then tell me why you came here. If you didn’t want me telling you the truth, then why do something familiar?”

“She’s not dead Bernard.”

He let her go and took a step back. “Oh…well that’s—unexpected.” Bernard scratched his head. “How do you know?!?!”

“I know.” Looking at him, Sam’s eyes had a pierce to them that spoke volumes. But it was only partially why she came. An uncomfortable silence passed before Sam spoke again. “…she’s coming. I can feel it. And something is different about her. And me…” Sam dropped the clothes and sat back on the bed. Joining her, Bernard ran his hand over her back. Taking a moment to look at the marks that defined her and marked her skin. Sam was a good person. If he knew nothing else about her, her skin was a testament to all of the good she had done.

“What are you going to do?”

“I need to go to her. But—” Sam turned and looked at him, smiling weakly. “—part of me just wants to pretend she’s not coming home. That she REALLY IS gone.” Sam laughed slightly. “The same part that wants to go raid the compressor with you right now and fix up the parts of the house we destroyed on the way in here.” Sam reached up and ran a hand across his face. “I’m kriffed up, Bernard. I just needed to hear it from someone I trust that I am a good person. That I can actually have a life outside of all of this.”

Still rubbing her back, Bernard smiled. “Then do it. Stay home…with me.”

They looked at one another. Both folding into the other as they laid back down.

“Is that a proposal?” Sam whispered in between kisses.

“I already asked one time…” Bernard smiled, kissing her again. “…I’m not going to ask again.”

--

- Known Galaxy, The Edge of Imperial Space….

BOOM-BOOM, BOOM

BOOMBOOM, BOOM

…”>

BOOMBOOMBOOM; BOOM

BOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOM

BOOOOOOM

--

Turning around in his seat, the tactical officer gave a grave expression to both Darth Retuvisa and ‘Admiral’ Rickter. But it was Captain Tanis who stepped forward, without an objection from his superiors. No one liked what was happening. Imperials killing other Imperials. It was something that Mrysti had become used to during the War with the Eternal Empire. And these deaths, as she explained, were not on her head. But Vowrawn. The fleet they opposed was sent to stop them on orders from Vowrawn. A fact verified by the transponders and transmissions sent between Admiral Yarbrough; Vowrawn’s personal Admiral and Vowrawn himself.

Strike hard, strike fast. Mrysti reached out in the Force and plotted the hyperspace jump with a combination of genetically enhanced mind and the Force. Putting them right on top of the other fleet. Directly in the middle of them. She wanted to minimize casualties. But as they dropped in and the other Imperial Fleet began firing and demanding surrender immediately; Mrysti needed to make a statement.

The Captain on board the ‘Razor’ was a classmate of Tanis. He knew the man. The comm was still open. Yelling and screaming from the other channels as Mrysti ran a finger across her throat signaling the comm officer to cut all of it off. She glared at Captain Tanis, but gave no order. He looked to the comm officer.

“Status of the Razor…” Captain Tanis looked back out of the forward viewport. It was chaos outside the ship. The Razor was listing, but he wanted to hear an exact report.

“She’s lost maneuvering thrusters. Power levels fluctuating. Estimate they will have full power restored in nineteen minutes.”

“Open a channel to the ‘Razor’…” Captain Tanis looked back toward Rickter and Mrysti again. Both women stared straight ahead. Still not ready to intervene. Tanis looked forward again, speaking out loud.

“Channel open, Sir.”

“Eirc’son…Tanis. Good to hear your voice, old chap….”

”—you were sent on a lie, Eirc’son. Are you still prepared to surrender?”

Silence. All of the officers looked at one another.

“Captain Eirc’son…this is Darth Retuvisa. Are you receiving me?” Mrysti looked around and awaited a response. Stepping to the side of Tanis as an equal, careful not to step in front of him.

“Good. Now listen very carefully. Darth Vowrawn is a traitor to the Sith Empire. He has sent you and everyone in his fleet to a sure and certain death. There is a reason he sent all of you without himself being present. I can assure you, I harbor no ill will toward you or any other loyal Imperial. BUT…I will not tolerate any dissension. You will surrender your fleet and be allowed to return to Dromand Kaas…or you may join me as I return to our home and extract Darth Vowrawn to deal with personally.”

Mrysti tuned around, her cape flourishing as she approached the pit. “Communications…holo-cast the destruction of the ‘Indomitable’ and sent the projection directly to the Dark Council. Then…open the channel to the Citadel for me…”

“Channel open, My Lord….”

Mrysti looked on the blue holo-field sternly, placing her hands on her hips. Narrowing her eyes, she looked directly at the lens. “It is an honor to address the Dark Council…though my news is dark and comes in the shadow of many unnecessary deaths. I wanted to prove to all of you that I destroyed the ‘Indomitable’ and take full responsibility in doing so. This was Vowrawn’s personal flagship. My only regret is that he was not present for its destruction. The other ships in his fleet are damaged, but salvageable.” Standing up straighter, Mrysti lifted her chin.

--

- Dark Council Chambers, Dromand Kaas….

<”…it’s time that all of you on the Council know the truth about Vowrawn’s actions. But first, a warning. Any one who harbors or protects him will share his fate. I am returning to Dromand Kaas, I say this openly so there is no confusion based on the actions I’ve had to take today. The ‘Indomitable’ was Vowrawn’s personal flagship, which predictably he dispatched to stop me from coming home. And like the coward he is, sent them alone to their deaths. I will not mourn Admiral Yarbrough or any of Vowrawn’s other supporters.

The truth of Vowrawn lies in his continued actions. Vowrawn, ambushed me over a year ago…sent me to the far reaches of space and then attempted to have me assassinated. Instead of declaring a Kaggath and openly challenging me as a fellow Sith, he chose the path of a coward. NOW, I will answer that cowardice. There is no room for any more games in the face of our renewed conflict with the Republic. We must unite to defeat our sworn enemies. And to that end, I return to take care of the last face of Sith disunity.

Vowrawn…I know you’re there and you’re listening. Know this…your death is certain either way. You may either wait there for me or you may run. But…nothing is going to stop this.... or me. Your time has run out….”>

All eyes turned to Vowrawn who stood from his seat sharply, pointing toward the massive holo-projection which filled the space in the center of the circular chamber. Once it derezzed, Vowrawn looked around frantically, finally laughing.

“She jokes…this is entirely in jest—”

“Darth Vowrawn…” Darth Anathel stood and looked toward the seat which Vowrawn occupied. The Fourth seat, Civil Administration. Access to maintaining of the Sith Empire and the affairs of state. He shook his head. “…if what Darth Retuvisa says is true—”

It was Krovos who stood next. Folding her arms over her chest. She looked down at Darth Malgus who stood off to the side. An honorary member of the council, Malgus had his hands in everything. Krovos looked at Malgus as if getting permission, but quickly looked away. Finally setting her eyes back on Vowrawn. Stepping down, Vowrawn was already easing down to the main floor. “Vowrawn…you will not leave this chamber.” Krovos removed her saber from her belt. Malgus moved to block the door.

“Vowrawn…” Xarion stood from his seat and glared down, but not before turning his helmeted head toward Anathel. “…a Kaggath is required in these matters. You ignore traditions, play us all for fools.” He shook his head, folding his arms over his massive chest looking toward the door. “Malgus…let him go” Looking around at the others who were either standing or still seated, Xarion raised a hand. “I will not stand against Darth Retuvisa. I say…we let fate decide.”

“Fate. Yes.” Darth Shaar stood finally and looked to Malgus. “Malgus…open the door.” Shaar then looked at the other Council members. “My fellow Sith…” Shaar began as she stepped down on the main floor to join Vowrawn. Removing her lightsaber, she held it to her side. But instead of facing Vowrawn she joined him, looking back toward the others. “…I knew of this plan. From the very beginning.” Shaar then narrowed her eyes and glared at Vowrawn. “…I did NOT, however know of Darth Retuvisa’s survival. I was told by Vowrawn, that she was indeed dead. My reason for joining his plan are irrelevant at this point. He wanted to be Emperor and I—” Shaar looked down and shook her head. “—it doesn’t matter, none of it does now. I will not oppose Darth Retuvisa. I made my decision long ago and I lost…”

Turning toward Vowrawn, Shaar activated her lightsaber. Vowrawn took a step back. In one swift move, Shaar turned the saber on herself. Impaling her torso on the crimson plasma of the blade; falling to her knees.

“Ho-honorable…De-death….”

Shaar fell over dead. Her hands coming away from her lightsaber it deactivated and clattered to the floor, just as her body hit. All of the Council watching in silence.

“Honorable, indeed…” Xarion stepped down and picked Shaar’s lightsaber up. All eyes turned back to Vowrawn. He turned to leave, finally face to face with Malgus. The door was not yet opened. Malgus folded his arms over his chest and smiled under his mask.

“I told you…you brought all of this on yourself, Vowrawn.” The door behind Malgus opened as Vowrawn slipped through and out into the darkness.

--

--

- Old Town District, Zakuul – Club Decadence….

Even though she brought Beta back with her, Murriel had orders. She was not there to ferment revolution or to combat the Imperials. It was one of the reasons she agreed to have Beta come back with her. If the truth came out, it would make the blow less devastating to Taja and the other Resistance members. Beta could assist them. Murriel and Shadow Squad were there for ‘other’ reasons. 

The club was mostly shuttered until Murriel’s return. The Imperials having come to Zakuul to exact a bit of vengeance for how they were treated during the war with the Eternal Empire. The shoe was on the other foot. Murriel had to believe the reason the Imperials had the club closed was they knew about her and Shadow squad or at least were somewhat suspicious. Murriel’s ties to the Republic would have been deep in the files of Imperial Intelligence. She had pulled enough missions that she was now on a target list somewhere. The visit from the Sith Garrison Commander during the grand ‘re-opening’ couldn’t have been more vague. It was too bad she wasn’t into Purebloods. Sleeping with him might have gained more information. 

It was a ‘re-opening’ in name only. The club was now ‘underground’. Opened to a select few and those she invited. Nothing public. No loud music, no advertising. Nothing to the general public. There was no secret that word was going to get out. That Murriel was back and that she reopened the club. IN fact, she banked on it. Not being openly blatant and keeping a low profile would draw back in some of the people she needed to complete her true mission. If the Imperials decided to come and close the club again, the damage would be done. She would have the targets marked and be ready to move. 

Once identified, Murriel started her planning. The large vaulted door to the Operations center slid open to Cypher strolling in with two Mandalorians in tow. The red armor they wore gave nothing away. But being with Cypher told a different story. They were ‘Column’. The unique organization of Mandalorians, Sith and other assorted warriors who made up a conglomerate that ‘intervened’ in situations they saw fit. Cypher was only an honorary member, but they all treated her like family. And the slicer was definitely earning her keep. 

Without speaking, Cypher inserted the code cylinder for the latest recon and activated the holo-unit in the center of the room. Captured holos of the site in question clipped up into the blue floating ions. All eyes in the room turning toward the center console as work and activity stopped briefly. Murriel strolled around the table looking up, considering. After a moment she looked around the room. 

“We can’t do anything until they ship the stuff out. That’s the deal. We have to track them back to the target on Corellia. Without confirmation, the Republic is not going to move on it.” One of the Mandalorians scoffed. The bigger one; Ivan. Team leader of the clan which was operating on Zakuul under orders. He folded his arms across his chest. “Have sumthin’ you want to add?” 

Ivan shook his head. “Nothing tha’ would be constructive.” The Mandalorian pointed into the field at the spinning factory. “They need the metal to finish constructing the device. Seems to me…a surgical strike before they finish would limit their capability to complete the project.” 

Murriel pushed off the table standing upright. A wicked smile crossing her features. She liked Ivan, he was very blunt and straight forward. But he knew nothing of subterfuge and the intrigue that surrounded operations of that type. Ivan was a blunt weapon. “If we were trying to stop them here and now, yes.” Murriel shook her head. “But we’re not tryin’ ta do that. We WANT them to finish. Then we take out the refinery.” 

“You don’t know where the other manufacturing sites are, do you?” The question came from the other Mandalorian. Renatta. She was tall, broad. Dark skinned and unusually pretty for a Mandalorian of her height and build. Even with the armor and her stature she had a demure sense to her. Renatta was all woman. 

Reluctantly, Murriel shook her head. “No…we don’t. We know they are on Corellia. But we can’t go carpet bombing the whole planet. We have an asset on the ground there. If destruction is what you want, once we find the other sites…you can have at it.” 

“I feel bad…” Cypher looked down, but not before looking around the room to make sure there were no Resistance members around. Murriel canted her head as she brushed a lock of greenish-pink hair out of her eyes. Gazing at the slicer. “…it’s just, these people need our help. And we are just throwing them to the direwolves.” 

“Not completely…” The jovial tone made everyone look up. Beta entered alone. Nodding to everyone as he entered and took up a spot next to Murriel. He glanced up at the holo floating above them before regarding everyone again. “…I am staying behind.” Beta looked at Murriel. “As long as the Empire is here. The Republic will be here as well, to fight them. I feel like between Taja and I we can organize something serious. You won’t need me for this.” He glanced at the Mandos again giving each one of them a nod. 

“Welcome back to Zakuul, people…we still have another recon to complete.” Murriel looked at the Mandalorians. “I need eyes on the facility twenty eight-nine. If so much as a fly leaves that place before we are ready to move, I need to know about it.” 

--

- Dromand Kaas, Outer Marker….

The holo screen lit up with the image of Darth Anathel. His face looked grim as he viewed the officers and then set his eyes on Darth Retuvisa. There was a slight nod of his head. 

There was a slight pause as Anathel collected himself. Mrysti bowed her head slightly. Anathel paused again, only his eyes moving as he looked to Cornelia, who stood next to Mrysti. Mrysti didn’t like the sound of what Anathel said and placed her hands on her hips to glare at the Dark Council member. 

“Under what circumstances?” 

Anathel paused again. When he spoke finally, his voice was grave. Anathel looked at Cornelia, Cornelia started to speak, Mrysti shot her a look and Cornelia fell slient. 

“Darth Anathel…inform the Dark Council that Lord Usher is now under my charge, as my apprentice. She speaks in my name; her hand…is my hand.” 

Anathel looked between the two of them, finally nodding slightly. 

Anathel finally smiled slightly. It was obvious he was trying to make a joke. Mrysti wasn’t laughing. 

“I do, Darth Anathel. And we will come to the chamber as soon as our work here is finished.” Mrysti started to turn away, Anathel spoke again causing Mrysti to turn back around slowly. 

A veiled question and one Mrysti expected. Malgus had no doubt told the Dark Council everything. He would have had little choice in light of Vowrawn’s exposure. And Vowrawn could have very easily told the Council himself in order to try and save what little reputation he had. Mrysti paused, reaching into the Force for answers, she found none. And immediately assumed the worst. Anathel was asking because he wanted to know if she planned on taking up arms against all of them. Placing her hands on her hips, Mrysti stood a bit taller and looked down at the image. 

“My plans? Darth Anathel….I will take to the stars. My view is not like that of Malgus and other Sith of his ilk. I attribute that to his having missed the entire war with the Eternal Empire. I am no friend to the Republic or the Jedi, but I respect them. As you and all Sith should. They are misguided. What Malgus and I do share is a love of Empire. And in that regard, I will take my message and my sword to any who oppose us. To ‘reason’ with those who fail to see the strength of our message. Those who oppose the Empire, must die…or see reason and join the fight.” 

“--No, Darth Anathel…THAT is not my destiny.” Anathel offered it only after Mrysti made her intentions clear. He nodded slightly lower and looked up, a more pleasant expression than when he started. 

--

Mrysti took Waylon’s hand and shook it. She understood. Her path was not their path. And after the events of ‘The End’, she was not going to hold anyone back if they needed to go their own way. Waylon nodded respectfully. 

“Thank you, Mandalorian.” 

“I’m not a Mandalorian. Not anymore.” Waylon tried to correct her. Mrysti smiled and shook her head. 

“Yes…you are. It’s never too late to go home, Waylon.” He nodded again respectfully and stepped away. Walking up the ramp to his ship and turning around to wait for the others. Aurore smiled and bowed, not once but twice. Unsure of how she should say good-bye or even if she should. Mrysti smirked and shook the girl’s hand. “Say hello to my brother…” 

“I will…uh…’My Lord’.” Aurore giggled and boarded the ship behind Waylon. 

“My Lord.” Deavon nodded her head deeply and looked up. A sad expression coming over her features. “Not all of us can go home.” Mrysti frowned and nodded in return. “I owe you my life, Darth Retuvisa. I volunteered for this, because I felt I owed you that. I consider that debt paid.” 

“As do I, Deavon….” 

“You and your sister showed me a new path. I am just sorry I cannot join you, this is a road I have traveled. Not one I will travel again. I just wish there was something I could say or do to convince you—” Deavon looked up and found Mrysti looking at her sympathetically. The Devaronian nodded sadly. Turning to join the others on the ship. She turned back after Mrysti called to her. 

“Deavon…follow your heart. Even if it is not with the Sith, do what you believe in. It is the rare person who discovers their calling. I was lucky enough to find mine.” Mrysti winked, narrowing her eyes after. “Jedi…” 

“See you on the other side, My Lord….” 

After the rest boarded, Mrysti stepped aside with Cora and leaned against the outside of the ship, folding her arms over her chest. Glaring down at the smaller woman. “…have you had time to consider your options? You know…you will always be just a former ‘Imperial’ to them.” Cora nodded and looked at the floor. When she looked up it was with more resolve than she ever had. 

“I can’t leave him.” Cora smiled weakly. “I won’t. I do appreciate the offer, it was tempting. But you know, I really don’t like you.” Both women smiled at one another. Cora placed her hand on Mrysti’s shoulder and squeezed, stepping past to board the ship. 

“Cora.” Mrysti called out as the Chiss turned on the ramp to look down at her. “Thank You, I don’t know if we would have gotten out if you and the others hadn’t come along.” Cora nodded, making a finger gun with her hand and shooting it back at Mrysti. 

“Next time I see you…I will definitely be shooting at you first.”

“And I, you…take care of my Brother for me….”