Star Wars: Rebuilding of Empires Story Thread VIII

[Coyote]

Lake Country Cottage
Naboo




Arik lay in bed, enjoying the warmth of the sun juxtaposed with the cool breeze that blew in through billowing, gauz-like curtains. Bronwyn snuggled next to him, burying her face into the crook of his neck and smiling as he put his free arm around her.

"Mmm.." she groaned softly, her eyelashes flickering. "Morning already?" she asked.
"Afraid so," he said, "Although, as mornings go, this one is pretty nice." They kissed.
"Yes, it is," she said. They lay together for awhile, drinking in the intoxicating warmth of one another's nearness.

"We should have sex," Arik said plainly.
Bronwyn began to giggle, then chuckle, and finally laughed out loud. Arik started laughing too-- it was a common misperception among the not-yet-married that the night of the wedding was a wild party of lust and sexual exploits. Typically, however, after a full day of getting up early, dressing up, standing around, the ceremony, the reception, the dinner and dancing, the wedding gifts... more often than not, the wedding night was time to crash into a deep sleep.

"We have sex all the time," she said finally.
"Yeah, but this time it's, I dunno... for real!"
"Are you saying you've been faking it?" she demanded, acting indignant.
"I don't think guys can," he said. He pulled her on top of him and they made love, finally bringing the morning to what Aril thought was a successful conclusion.

"Ahh," he said, lying back, "I'm done for the day. See you tomorrow morning," he said, and closed his eyes.
"You are not going back to sleep!" Bronwyn said.
"What could possibly get me out of bed with you?" Arik teased. Bronwyn leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with devious feminine plotting.
"Breakfast," she said. Almost immediately, Arik's stomach growled.

"Gods, we haven't eaten since early last night, at the dinner... did we even get any of the cake?" he asked.
"Hardly any, now that you mention it," Bronwyn said, getting up and putting on a robe. "The swarm of locusts on the guest list descended on that like it was their last meal."

"Are they not feeding people at the Palace?" Arik wondered aloud, putting on his own pyjama pants. They discussed whether to cook breakfast themselves or have the droid do it. They opted for the droid. "We'll have plenty of time to live without luxuries while we're on assignment," he said. They sat back to enjoy some coffiene when a wave of Dark Side energy washed over them.

"What was that?" Arik asked, instinctively looking around, knowing he wouldn't see anything.
"Someone just used a very, very Dark Side power," Bronwyn said. She sighed. "Someone just sucked up a lot of life-energy into themselves," she said with a frown.

"Like when Admiral Krennath used Force Storm on those Vong ships," Arik said.
"Yeah," Bronwyn muttered. "I wonder if it's him again."
"He hasn't been the same since the Vong War," Arik said, "Being on the Vong ship all that time, in that 'embrace of pain' thing they do... he's been more willing to use the Dark Side to accomplish his goals."

Bronwyn didn't say anything. She loathed the Dark Side, but also admitted to herself that it had power, too. It was part of her reconciliation with herself. She could understand why someone would want to tap into that power, under certain circumstances... and seeing their whole civilization wiped out would probably be one of those circumstances. She remembered the destruction she saw when she and Arik went with the Queen to visit Minister Driffyn, after the liberation of Ord Mantell... had it not been for her previous experience with the Dark Side, she could admit that seeing such destruction would have tempted her, as well.

"Hon?" Arik asked.
"What?"
"You kinda spaced out there for a moment," Arik said. "You okay?"
"Yeah," she said, smiling and sipping her coffiene, "Sorry. Just thinking that whatever that was, it was probably our next crisis getting ready."

"We still have five days left here," Arik said, "Let's use them, and deal with the Galaxy when the time comes."




Results:
Arik and Bronwyn feel the Dark Side power from events at Kohlma.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Theed, Old City
Lower Side




Theed was a city of beauty. It's spires, domes, and baroque architecture inspired poets and romantics alike; it was a jewel in the Mid Rim. But even the most beautiful of cities had its working sections, and Theed was no different. Old warehouses and docks, from a long-lost river trade network before speeders were common, still stood. They'd withstood years of boom and bust as gentrification set in and decayed, only to set in again.

The Lower Side of the Old City was currently in a state of transition. For awhile, it had gentrified to the point of being priced out of its own market, and the resulting collapse had allowed a community of artist collectives to move in. But even as these humble and enduring tenements consolidated and left, there were enough lights left on, and enough money barely remaining, to support a minor vice network.

Where barges and trucks once plied busy streets, now the down and out sold drugs, shady services, or their own bodies. No one noticed the thin young girl as she wended her way through the morass of forgotten people; she dressed as they dressed and had other skills that allowed her to blend in, unnoticed and unharassed. She went to the area meeting spot for a man she knew only as Korto, where the two thuggish guards waved her in without a look.

Inside, Korto held court, surrounded by his followers, a few provocatively-dressed street girls he occassionally pimped, and his retinue of toughs. He fancied himself a crimelord rather like a Hutt, but the girl had dealt with real Hutts before and knew that Korto was a pretender, and that was being generous. Still, he had what she needed.

"So, my little pretty returns," Korto said. "I figured as much, yes? You like it? It worked?"
"It worked," the girl said, matter-of-factly, "So I'm here to get some more."

"Some glitteryll for my customer, please," Korto said, snapping his fingers. Instantly, a hand appeared from the morass of thugs, pushing a small vial into his hand. He held it out for her, snatching the vial away as she reached for it.

"Credits, honey," he said. She handed over a stack of credits and took the Glitteryll, hiding it in her pocket. She nodded to Korto and walked out, increasing her pace as she got outside, onto the street. She barely reached the first alley before the wave of nausea flashed over her, tinged with the Dark Side... it confused her, disoriented her, and she clutched the side of the building to keep from falling over. She went to a knee and waited for the feeling to subside. I should have gotten this last night, she thought, I nearly waited too long...

She pulled the Glitteryll vial out and eagerly took some, letting the effects wash over her memories and visions, and brutally pave over her perceptions, blocking out the Dark Side, the memories, and the visions before Kenzcee was able to gather her wits and resume travelling back to the Main City.





Results:
Kenzcee's method for dealing with her visions revealed.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Death From Above Swoop Shop
Royal Intelligence Safe House
Nar Shadda




"What was it?" Alec asked, sitting up. Next to him, Maris sat up as well from the pile of blankets and pillows they used as a makeshift bed on the common floor. Across the room, Master Kota sat up, and in another corner, Drakko Kevil. Tigris stirred from where he was slumped in a large, overstuffed chair he'd used as a bed.
"The Dark Side," Drakko said solemnly.
"Powerful Dark Side," Master Kota said, "A type of Force energy... it sucks the life out of those around the user, and give that life to themselves."

"Sorta the evil combo platter," Maris said.
"An accurate, if pedestrian, assessment," Kota said, picking himself up off the floor. "Someone has tapped into Darkness to serve their own ends-- more so than usual."

"What are you guys doing up?" Conrat asked, looking in the door to the common room. "Bothans just sacked out; none of you have watch for another couple hours."
"I think we're up," Alec said, pulling himself off the floor and helping Maris up.
"Don't tell me," Conrat said, "Distrurbance in the Force."
"We have a winner!" Maris said. Tigris stirred, looking athis watch.
"C'mon, it's four in th emorning!" he moaned, and pulled the blanket over his head.

"What does it mean, that's what I wonder," Drakko said, ignoring Tigris and moving to make coffiene.
"It means something is building-- again," Alec said. "I saw on the news that the Viceroy of the Trade Federation stepped down; now there's some sort of low-level insurrection being fought on Neimoidia. I wonder if this has anythignt do with it."

"Why would it?" Conrat asked.
"There's been some suspicion that the Viceroy's a Sith," Alec said, looking at Drakko. The twi'lek nodded.
"My former Master had been in contact with him on several occassions," he confirmed.
"I sense that all of this," Master Kota said, "Is connected. Our mission here is part of a much larger picture, still being formed."

"We'll know more when Bardes gets back," Conrat said, "He'll have all the latest from Naboo."
"When's he due?" Alec asked.
"Should be this evening," the Mandalorian warrior said.
"Will I be able to get some sleep?" Tigris groused from under the blanket.




Results:
Force-users on Nar Shadda feel the evil energy from Amanda.
Discuss latest events on Neimoidian capitol.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Star Destroyer Invidious
Hangar Bay




The small band of infiltratoes had been re-assigned to the Invidious upon return-- debriefed, thankfully, by one of the officers on the ship that reported to Leonia Tavira rather than Tavira herself. Being dismissed to the landing bay to get busy on maintaining their ship was a relief.

"Best thing that happened to us, I guess... under the circumstances," Tillho said. He was reveling in the adventure of it all, still too young to realize the danger they were in by being re-assigned to the Invidious. Noora and Rayce had wanted them to be good enough to get assigned to a ship that would be involved in operations, but Invidious itself might prove to be too close for comfort. Leonia Tavira was a very hands-on leader, and crafty-- a moment of recognition would be all that was required for her to land Noora and Rayce in suspicion.

"So far, our out-of-context existence here has kept us safe," Rayce said. "She saw us only briefly, as dancing girls on the floor of a dark Hutt Palace-- and she dismissed us as unimportant. It is of vital importance that we stay away from Grievous, Isoth and Xinjan, though. They'd know us in a heartbeat."

Noora grinned cruelly. "Well, Xinjan certainly will remember me. I had eye goop on me for most of a day after we last met."
"That's disgusting," Rayce said.
"Well, it's--" Noora started to say, then noticed Rayce had a difficult steadying herself. Next to her, Tillho had the same problem, while Geo suddenly locked up his joints and stood stock still for a moment.

"What the..? Noora looked around, scared. No one else in the hangar bay was affected, or noticed. Suddenly, Rayce slumped, and Tillho drew in a deep breath, and Geo's posture became relaxed again.

"Something in the Force?" Noora asked.
"Something... evil," Rayce said.
"A Dark Side power," Geo identified it, "I've felt it before; or things like it, I should say. Someone using the Force to draw life from others."

"Who could do it?" Tillho asked, "Is Venge powerful enough? Dooku?"
"Possibly," Rayce said. "There are others."
"Let's keep going," Noora said, "Like nothing happened," she said, "We need a set of instructions for me to do something if that happens again. You've all been affected at different times, and me and R8 are the only ones here left unaffected by that stuff."

"Smack me acrosss the face," Rayce said, "Snap me out of it somehow. A pinch, a poke... something."
"R8 can deliver a mild electrical shock," Noora said, smiling.
"No, that's okay," Rayce said. "Now let's look busy. It's only a matter of time before we're called out to fight again, and we need a plan..."





Results:
Vagabond infiltration team aboard the Invidious.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Royal Intelligence
Room 40
Theed Palace, Naboo




"Her name is Nya, and Bardes Torrant dropped her off," Chief Bast said, "She's scared, tired, and apparantly most of her family has been killed or enslaved."
"No relatives at all?" Jawn asked.
"Some distant relatives on Ryloth," Bast said, "Which is where she's from. She's an Alliance citizen."

"And nabbed out of Lamaredd," the Bothan said with a frown. "Not as attention-grabbing as the Denon situation."
"Which is probably why the Hutt-Imperials are hitting there," Bast said. "We need to get the Nelvaan base up and running, and get some more Divisions assigned to the Outer Rim Oversector Group."

"Well, let's face it," Jawn said, "Until the Denon and Sluis Van situations get resolved, this will be a low-priority situation."
"I'm going to try to convince the Queen otherwise," Bast said, "We can't let this fester. It looks like we don't care, or, don't have the force to project to protect our citizens. Either way, it erodes confidence, and eventually spreads fear."

"Which, of course, leads to radicalism," Jawn said. "On another subject, have we heard from the assets on Depatar or Klatooine?"
"Neither have reported in," Bast said, "Probably for security reasons. The UAP nabbed that carrier that was part of the Invidious group, so things are probably tight back at Klatooine."
"And the Dug?"

Bast shrugged. "Law enforcement nets identified him in Depatar. Picked up by the local authorities. Commander Tasko was going to send a liaison to pick him up this afternoon."
"Local deputies got the drop on your agent?" Jawn laughed. "Sloppy."
"yeah, well, he's a Dug so they probably profiled him from the start," Bast said. "Hard to disguise a Dug, even in the City of Masks..."




Results:
Something will have to be decided about piracy in Outer Rim.
Lack of check-in from Vagabond Group or Karnulba seen as part of normal operations.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Nelvaan
Surface Construction Zone




"Hey, check this guy out!" the Tech-5 welder said. He called over his friend, a Tech-4 Cybernetics Specialist, who was retrieving their heat-n-eats.
"What is it?" the Specialist asked. There was a crowd of people gathered around someone, where there seemed to be some activity of some sort. He handed his friend the heat-n-eat packet, and they pulled the strings that released the chemicals into the gelpacks and held the food packets in their hands, letting them heat up their cold fingers.

"Whoah!" the Specialist said, getting a clear look. In the middle of the small crowd, a native Nelvaanian male stood, in his late teens, juggling rocks-- without touching them. "I didn't know Nelvaanians had telekinetic powers!"
"Naw, man," the Welder said, "They don't. Just this guy."

They watched as the blue-furred canid-humanoid juggled three, then four, then five rocks in increasingly complex patterns, finally juggling five rocks in a figure-8 pattern. He moved his hands as if he, himself, was juggling the rocks, but he was standing three meters away from where the rocks were actually sailing through the air. Finally, he "tossed" them far up into the sky, one at a time, and then brought them down, one at a time, landing them stacked neatly atop one another to form a tiny tower of rocks.

The crowd clapped and roared their approval. The Nalvaanian lad waved his hand in dismissive fashion towards the tower, and let the rocks fall. He then pointed to a person in the first row of watchers, a stout woman in a cold-weather parka that worked in the maintenance bays, repairing construction equipment.

"Dey rooks," the Nelvaanian said, his accent thick, "Yoo trow tem, na? Trow tem to me?" The woman knelt down and picked up one of the rocks and hesitantly looked at him.
"You want me to... throw this rock at you?" she asked, dubious.

"Yes," he said, "Trow dey rooks to me, verra hard."
The woman wound her arm back and gave a soft toss of the rock towards him. He held his hand out, and guided the rock in a sailing pattern toward shim and into his hand.

"No, yoo trow, hard," he said, smiling at her. "Verra hard!"
This time, the woman gave a good, strong pitch, only to have the rock suddenly deviate from its trajectory towards him, orbiting him three times like a tiny moon, and then settle on his hand, on top of the first rock.

The woman threw the rest of the rocks towards him, and each rock did something new-- dancing in midair, sailing back and forth in a zig-zag pattern, and looped around the crowd for a grand finale. All settled on his outstetched hand, on top of each other, making a new tower. He dropped the rocks in a paile at his feet and bowed.

"Tank yoo!" he said, as the crowd clapped.

"Who is that?" the Tech-4 Specialist asked.
"He started showing up a few days ago," the Tech-5 Welder said. "He does some tricks and gets some change from the crowd and some food from the kitchen crew."

"You know what that is?" the Specialist asked, "I think that's the Force."
"A Nelvaanian Jedi?" the Welder asked. "Hey, why not? I guess most species can have Jedi, eh? Except maybe the Hutts?"
"Yeah..." the Specialist said, "Jedi... maybe we should call someone? On Naboo?"
"Why?" the Welder asked, opening his now-hot heat-n-eat. Before the Specialist could answer, someone called out for help.

"Hey!" someone said, "This guy's just collapsed!" They turned to see the young Nelvaanian entertainer on the ground, clutching his head. The Specialist ran over and kneeled beside him.
"Call the doc," he instructed the one who'd yelled. He held the Nelvaanian's head up and tried to talk to him, but the canid was mumbling in his own language, his tenuous hold on Galactic Basic forgotten in his pain.

"Ya mozhem bolshe terpet.." he mumbled. The Specialist had no idea what it meant.
"Call a doctor, and call someone at Naboo! This guy's in trouble!"





Results:
Force-sensitive Nelvaanian found at military base construction site.
***

[Darth Coyotus]

Senex Media Group
Imperium Today






It was Hila Schwarz, with a serious look on her face, as local progarmming was interrupted.

"And.. breaking news, from Tarkin Palace, as Chancellor Galak Fyyar announces that a Senex Battlegroup will take part in anti-Piracy operations at Denon, which has begun to swirl into chaos. Our field reporter, Narrana, is on-hand to bring us this latest."

Hila's image wa sreplaced by a pretty twi'lek woman, also with a very somber look on her face.
"Hello, Hila, as we prepare for the Chancellor's emergency press conference, it should be known that his announcement was scheduled a few hours ago, but the sudden events at Denon have prompted the Palace to move it's schedule up... wait... here's the Chancellor now."

Chancellor Fyyar, in his white uniform with red sash, strode out to the podium, where media from all over the Galaxy waited in hushed tones as the first news from Denon had already begun to leak out.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon... under the circumstances," he said, jumping right into it. "First I'd like to say that the time for ideological posturing is over; I had spoken with my advisors last night and agreed that the concerns of Denon are not just the concerns of the Entente or any political viewpoint. They are the concerns of all of us, regardless of where we stand politically.

"That said, I was already planning to send a battle group to the Denon system to assist in efforts to put down piracy and terrorism, and in fact the orders had already been drawn up and mobilization begun when today's news broke from Denon itself. We will now, in classic Imperial fashion, redouble our efforts.

"The Senex Imperium will send four Star Destroyers to help battle piracy in the region; those Star Destroyers will have Stormtroopers aboard to try to instill order in the breakdown of society. The Imperium will also begin food relief shipments to the people there as well. Food shipments will have naval escort and will brook no interference from anyone who seeks to interfere in them.

"In the meantime, the people of Denon should know that our concerns and thoughts are with them, and we'll do what we can to help them. Questions?"

The floor erupted with voices as reporters shouted questions. The Chancellor pointed to a Bothan in the front row.

"Thank you, Chancellor," he said, "Baro Fas'Jala, of the Bothan Whisperer. What about recent political troubles between the Imperium and the United Alliance-- will these troubles interfere with operations in Denon?"

"I hope not," the Chancellor said, "It is no secret that the UAP and the Imperium disagree politically. Sometimes we trade rhetorical barbs; it is the nature of politics. I admit I have not had time to make a proper diploamtic proposal to the UAP or Entente in general; we did not even have time to plan this properly with our allies in the Federation. The situation calls for fast action, so I hope that for this, at least, we can worry about the real problem and we can return to politics as usual when the crisis is abated."

"Excuse me," said an older woman, "Tena Reeves, of the Ord Mantell Observer," she said, "Does this mean that the situation in Sluis Van is place on hold, that the Imperium will accept the status quo of forces, until the Denon crisis is resolved?"

"Our arguments about Sluis Van stand," the Chancellor said, "But we can argue Sluis Van as if Denon didn't exist, and we can cooperate over Denon as if Sluis Van didn't exist. The sapient mind is a marvelous thing, able to hold many trains of thought at once, and we're going to exploit that for the time being.

"It also helps," he said, "That we have the Minos Compact, which a few days ago made a public offer to mediate, which I think was forgotten in the overall rush of events. The Imperium will gladly take them up on their offer, and we trust them to provide an adequate, neutral venue to discuss the situation." He pointed to another reporter.

"Allica Jent," a younger woman said, standing, "Commonwealth Announcer. Are you going to open diplomatic relations with the Entente, and if so, will it just be for the duration of this emergency?"

"We are willing to open relations," the Chancellor said, "And keep them open in perpetua, provided we are able to get some creative things done..."

The Chancellor took more questions, some of which tried to deviate into other matters of Imperium policy, which he deflected as out of context. After an hour of remarkably frank give-and-take, he retired to his quarters where he poure dhimself a brandy and noticed his 'message' light was blinking. He pressed it, and the holo of a Zabrak woman he didn't recognise was on the holo. She looked up at him.

"Ah," she said, "You're on. I'll patch you through. He's on, Master," she said. The image was replaced with one of Darth Venge.
"What are you doing, Chancellor?" she asked.
"Doing my part," he said, "Everything I said was true; piracy in Denon affects the Imperium as much as it affects anyone else. I have to react to it, or I lose legitimacy."

Darth Venge appraised him through the holo. "Yes," she said, "Very good. This will work well. A few will be sacrificed, unfortunately, but overall it will go a long way towards maintaining Imperium legitimacy."

Chancellor Fyyar frowned. He took in a deep breath, and blurted out what was on his mind.
"Lady Venge, may I ask-- what is your overall strategic goal?"
"What do you mean?" she demanded.
"The Imperium has gained and lost, and you seem to be unconcerned one way or another. I just want to know what is your long-term vision?"

She gave him a hard stare. "The Imperium will survive, no matter what, if that's what you're worried about," she said. "My concerns, however, are the Force-- since you seem to be curious." She quickly outlined her vision of the Balance of the Force, and the carrying out of the Prophesy that started with Darth Vader. "As long as the Force is kept in balance, then so too will the fortunes of the people, our people, together... they will be balanced as well."

"I see," the Chancellor said, "Yes, that makes it all much more clear to me now; thank you."
"I have busness to attend, Fyyar," she said, "I will see you when I return to Imperium space."
Fyyar bowed as the holo winked out. He looked at his drink, swished it around, and downed it in one gulp.








Results:
Chancellor Fyyar holds news conference.
He will assist the allies "as if Sluis Van didn't exist".
Imperium takes up the diplomatic offer of the Minos Compact to discuss Sluis Van "as if Denon didn't exist".
Holo-call after the conference confirms some of Fyyar's concerns that Venge not involved in Imperium's well-being.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Denon









Two VT-49 Imperial assualt ships landed on the patch of grass that made up a Denon sports team's practice field. No one would be playing ball that day, or for quite awhile, for that fact. Smoke billowed from the urban horizon as the ramps lowered and a pair of Sith Knights emerged, looking around and taking in the situation.

"Ahh," Darth Thanatos said, breathing in the acrid smell. "That'll stir things up a bit," he said.
"The panic is beginning to spread," Darth Shiva added. She turned and waved to the VT-49s; the pilots acknowledged and took off, re-cloaking and flying away on preset courses to their respective Star Destroyers. The two Sith Knights looked at each other-- Darth Shiva, graceful and lethal, dispassionate... Darth Thanatos, angry and strong, powerful... they exchanged a vicious grin and split up, each seeking their own prey.







Results:
Denon going to get more bloody.

***

[OOM-01]

Clak’Dor VII
Head of States Quarters

Conquis eyed a bit of intelligence he had received from the UIS, the CIS was looking for new droids…and the UIP had recently fielded prototypes of such droids..and the UIP did need, well for a lack of a better term, a butt load of credits if it was to expand it’s armed forces effectively. The new droids they were of a quality design true, but some of them would prove to be expensive in the long run-rather expensive. The UIP could afford to produce them-but it would be a sizeable dent in their collective pocket book, thus, to Conquis it seemed as though he had no choice but to sell to the CIS.

Slowly, he keyed his holo communication device. At that moment, a small hologram of Conquis appeared in front of Albert Weathers.

“Albert my friend, I have yet another contract for you. I contacted you not to long ago regarding a production contract-I have wired the designs to you for your company to produce-at a sizeable profit to you of course, but I am afraid I must ask for you to burden yourself with yet another contract. The UIP needs money-and we can get it via selling our new designs to the CIS at a hefty cost. But I cannot and will not risk the UIP by selling directly to the CIS…however, you can sell them to the CIS without to much attention being directed on you-you ahead a corporation and a corporation is expected to sell it’s products to anyone who will buy them. You will transfer the profits of the sales to the UP and I will in exchange allow you to manufacture these designs for your own purposes-as well as pay you a amount of credits for each large sale you achieve. Do we have a deal?”

Soon enough, the voice of Albert Weathers was heard. “I agree to the presented bargains on one condition, the MiM is allowed to keep 15% of the profits in addition to the other bonus’s you would bestow upon us.”

Conquis considered that for a moment, then he spoke. “I cannot agree to that, I would however like to cancel the UIP contracts, the FUS might be persuaded to pro-”

Albert cut him off quickly. “Very well, I will accept the terms you have laid out. Do you need anything else? Perhaps my firstborn son? My daughter? Or my left arm?”

Conquis laughed at that. “No. I do not. But I do bid you a good day.” Privately, Conquis’s mind wondered to the diplomat he had sent to Endex…how was she doing? Her reports had stopped not to long ago..it was odd to say the least. Quite odd.

-Results-

The UIP will be selling to the CIS via the proxy of the MiM
The Diplomat that was sent to Endex has stopped sending in reports.-

[Darth Castellus]

Malachor V



Darth Traya sat, legs crossed, floating in the air. The Galaxy revolved around her perceptions as she meditated, and she watched as it all proceeded.

Denon was the focus of the Galaxy's attention, the new Entente taking initiative. But it was far from enough. Dooku unleashed his minions upon the planet, shattering the infrastructure and inducing fear on a global scale. Vaunted ships and soldiers were useless against such an attack. The Entente would be made a fool of.

She turned her attentions elsewhere, tracking the Jedi across the Galaxy. A wedding, how very pointless. Words of encouragement, of love, friendship... All worthless.

Despite the efforts of any, her minions still proceeded to corrupt and control the SSU government. The Bothans were increasing their relations with Vigil as planned, even granting the planet an Ambassador. All for fuel, and only such a resource so recently created by the Dark Side. Everything was proceeding well. Before long the SSU would move on Vigil, and tensions would skyrocket. A lesser Sith would salivate at the blood to come.

Then suddenly, Traya's eyes shot open. She let down her feet as she dropped to the floor, a great darkness pummeling her mind. She searched for the source, finding it before long.

The Cemetary Moon, Kohlma. Amanda Krennath had pulled on the Dark Side, using a power Traya had not felt for Four Thousand years. But Amanda was not as powerful as he was, and so it would not consume her, yet... Ah!

Traya's eyes shot open, and she laughed silently. "Everything is proceeding as I have forseen, and as I have planned. Oh poor young girl, you will be mine."



Denon



Denon was exploding into action. All abound people ran in terror, screaming for help that would never come. Death answered them, as Sith showed up all about the planet, in the form of Apprentices, Lords, and Raiding parties of Troopers.

Most surprising of all, was yet to come.

The Police Headquarters was now the center of security and military effort, ever since Military Command was destroyed. It was here where the police struggled to coordinate their efforts with the Army remnant and the foreign powers. It was also here where civilians fled for their lives.

The Police HQ was many blocks wide, and consisted of many buildings. Emergency walls were deployed, blocking off most streets and pulling the HQ into the semblance of a fortress. It was surrounded by urban sprawl on most sides, the east being a massive Con Yard.

Martial Law had been declared as it could, and the PDF was in command.

The scattered military units worked with the peace keepers to coordinate defenses, taking what civilians they could along with them. They deployed mobile AA batteries and sentries all over the HQ, as well as within the Con Yard, using recently arrived metal containers. The massive shipment had arrived yesterday, consisting of construction tools and resources. In the flurry and fight for food, they were stored out of the way and never properly inspected.


Private Rammerz was the first to consider this, just as the side of one container burst out and crushed him beneath it's weight.

Suddenly they were all under attack, an entire army of unknown droids springing themselves from concealment and laying down volleys of deadly fire. The first platoon was instantly destroyed, and the rest of the troops deployed within the yard followed their fate. Dust flew up into the air as battalions of shiny new HK-77s marched upon the makeshift base. Sentry droids scuttled forward as spiders, tackling and taking out the first units just past the eastern wall.

The wall itself was no worry, as three massive tank droids stood up on sturdy legs. The army of 77s never slowed, missile pods unloading on the hastily built wall. Far too many civilians had been using that very wall for cover, and were consumed in a bout of flame.

HK-47 stood atop a stack of containers, magnifying his vision to watch his droids decend upon the compound. With a combination of Blaster Rifles, wrist-mounted Repeaters and Grenade Launchers, the entire place was under fire in seconds. His army never stopped, pushing past the breach, crushing everything, and leaving naught but rubble and blood in their wake.

Civilians raised the hand-me-down weapons given to them, and did what they could to fire along with the slightly more seasoned Police and PDF soldiers. Most fire missed completely, never hitting the fast moving targets. Even more was absorbed before hitting the droids, and the rest only incapacitated a small number of units.

The civilians were cut down, the would be emotionless droids reveling in the slaughter. They spread out to engulf the base, taking it out before it was even fully constructed. They focused on the AA, Tank Droids destroy firing full power. Soon, shuttles of a strange origin descended on the scene, unleashing even more death droids.

The base was destroyed within three minutes, the DOM Droids covering the multi block circumference. HK-47 moved forward to the center of the complex as a shuttle dropped in a massive comms device. He hooked it up to his link, where IG-88 connected HK with his army. Instantly the signal was programmed, and HK-47 lead the way into the streets.

HK-77 models marched with their master, chanting a song of only blaster fire. Massive Tank Droids followed, the Artillery Units lobbing Ordanance over the 77's heads, crushing helpless and innocent civilians. The Sentry Droids shredded whomsoever they got their metallic claws on, the main lines laying down their fire on those who might manage to escape.

HK-47 himself was no longer Orange this day, his chassis covered in the red of blood, every centimeter a burning example of the end of sentient kind.

IG-88 connected his Master to the matrix of loud speakers all throughout the planet, his mechanical voice echoing from every radio, holo-set, speaker, computer terminal, and anything else imaginable all over Denon.

"Malicious Declaration: Death has come Meatbags! the fury and might of HK-47 is unleashed upon you! The Dominion of the Machine has awoken, and all Meatbags of the Galaxy, will be destroyed!"

[Lord Castellan]

Naboo
Early Morning



The Jedi gathered that morning in a common room of the Palace. Masters Arik and Bronwyn were out on their honeymoon enjoying themselves, but for them it was time to move out again. Saren was standing, all eyes on him as he outlined the current state of things. With the wedding most of them had been too preoccupied to learn much, so Saren spoke with a few officials n the Palace and ascertained what was going on.

"It seems the situation on Denon is literally exploding. The Pirates Hirrack and I encountered were part of it, and their use of bombs is first hand evidence of terror tactics." The rest nodded, tacking stock of he situation.

"So it is Sith?" Hastur asked in Bothese. Batu translated for Kenzcee and Jungo.

Hirrack nodded. "I felt the presence during that battle, and there have already been sightings of them on Denon's surface."

"M'ho towhunee moonee end zigwa?" Jungo asked.

"Yeah the Entente is there in a major way, and an Imperium fleet just showed up. Thing is there is little they can do against scattered raiders. Its making me think more and more that this isnt gonna last too long, but knowing Sith its gonna be devastating." Saren answered him.

"So... Whats the plan?" Kenzcee asked. Her voice sounded distant, though her eyes were wide and she seemed extremely focused.

"We got a Jedi Corvette on stand-by, the Guardian. My Ralwing is still in repairs but we got a few N3s from the Royal Navy. We're gonna ride in behind the Bothan Task Force, and then we'll move in and help where we can." Hirrack stated. The rest nodded.

"Kenz, Jungo," Saren offered "You two can stay here if you wish. Act as intelligence and keep Masters Arik and Bronwyn informed once they returned. We should be back by then anyway but its your choice."

Kenzcee was about to respond, when suddenly everyone in the room keeled over, clutching their heads and hearts as they yelped in surprise. Two guards from the hall burst in to see what was the matter, guns raised. Saren held up a hand to stay them as he gasped.

"What the..." Batu exclaimed. He was less affected than the rest of them, possibly due to his lack of training. Or so he hoped.

The rest of the Jedi composed themselves and stood. "I dont know what the hell that was." Hirrack said. "It feels like some great darkness just took a chunk out of the Force."

"It did." Saren said, his face locked in thought.

"What is it?"

"Someone used an incredible power, sucking the Force from around them and feeding off of it."

Kenzcee gasped in horror, though it was more a calculation of how she was supposed to react. "Who? The Sith?"

"I dont think so." Saren said. "The one who did it would be consumed by something so terrible." Then he shuddered as realization crossed his face. "Ama-" He was cut off as a holo-vid rose it's own volume, some reporter screaming about Denon.

Saren recomposed himself. "Come on, lets get to Denon now. Ill investigate this afterwards."

RESULTS:
-Jedi moving on to Denon
-The creation of the wound is felt


Over Denon

Chaos erupted in space over Denon.

FADM Hul'Tue's Task Force had arrived, struggling to get it's shipments of food to the surface along with the other powers. But there was too much traffic, between civilians fighting to escape the planet and crashing in the atmosphere, along with the untraceable Sith ships. It was a nightmare.

FADM Hul'Tue was on the line with the commanders of the other Entente presence there, working out some attempt at organization. The Bothan Fighters were deployed, doing everything they could to direct the civilian ships and escort shuttles of marines bound for the surface.

Carst Hul'Tue was screaming at a foolish civilian ship captain who had stumbled upon his frequency by means of random slicing and was interrupting communications. Suddenly he found a far more important emergency before him, as right in the middle of the system Hyperspace holes opened up. Massive warships appeared, of a design the Bothan Admiral had never before seen. Many of them crashed into ships immediately, the hulls locking as the new ships fired upon everything in sight.

"All hands man battle stations! Pull around, fire all batteries upon the newcomers!" He screamed.

It was chaos escalated to an even higher level. The new ships didnt seem to care when they would take casualties, only fired full-auto at the Entente and Imperium ships. The force was too small to hope to win, but that didnt seem to be the objective.

Carst watched in horror as an apparent Star Destroyer design crashed one of his Crusiers. The Star Destroyer cut a hole in the side of itself, and all the air should have been sucked out, killing the crew. Instead, scores of unknown droid designs poured out from the ship, marching across the hull of the Bothan Assault Cruiser and firing grenades, rocket launchers, and det packs all over.

It was the worst imaginable situation. Just to make things worse, the Allied ships were hailed with a message that had spread across the surface. An Insane Droid with far too much power, killing everything in sight.

RESULTS:
-Denon getting worse as the Dominion of the Machine makes it's full appearance
-HK-47 still going nuts


Kothlis
Tal'Cara City

Daren was gathered with the Heads of Council, all of them getting debriefed by Spynet Director Hur'Gan on the southern galactic situation. When the Director was finished, he stood to make his simple announcement.

"We are doing everything we can to help Denon, all we can do now is prepare more trade fleets with extra resources besides just food, only that which we can spare." The Councilors nodded.

"The Imperium is coorporating with us on Denon, and we may be ableto work with them over Sluis Van. High Councilor Garek Du'Sata will go to meet with the Compact, and observe as they mediate the situation. As for now, there is little else we can do except send more help, and hope it makes it on time."

"Agent Tivec informs me his men are getting close." Morsk Hur'Gan said "We'll know what we are dealing with in the Imperium soon enough."

Daren nodded. "Very well."

RESULTS:
-BR supports MC mediating over Sluis Van
-Spynet well integrated with a few leads in the Imperium

[Ironanvil1]

Abandoned Warehouse, Gallisport, Shesharile 5

The figure huddled in the corner between two rusting cargo pods, muttering to himself “Won’t get me, won’t get me, won’t get me….”
For hundredth time Slide found himself checking the powerpack of his blaster; the stimspice was making him twitchy, but he needed to stay alert.
The paranoia wasn’t a downside, they really were out to get him.

It was all the fault of that greedy bastard lizard!
He’d tried to warn him, but the lure of the credits and blasters the robe was offering was too much for the Trandoshan, enough to make it even worth working with the Banthas and Mynocks.
The robe had told them it was the Onadax Houses coming back, that the gangs would have a piece of the action when they did, instead of just the crumbs from the table.
The Compact Houses trying to go legit had even been squeezing that.

But the bastard hadn’t told them the mark was the Lord Protector!
“A major individual coming to see Lord Cherna surreptiously, few guards.”
Ha! Three guards, three, had taken out half of them and they’d only downed one of the bastards.
And he hadn’t told them the whole thing was just a damn diversion so a gunman could take a shot.

Guess I’m top Spider now with Leatherface eating a blastbolt.
Not that there were many Spiders left to be leader of. The Enforcers had descended on them in full strength, the remaining Spiders scattering, trying to go to ground as best they could. In a week Slide had gone from being the feared second man in the biggest swoop gang in Gallisport to a hunted fugitive cowering in the dead sectors, only the drugs keeping him going.

“Who’s there!?” he spun around at the noise
Sweeping the blaster he blew holes in the packing crates surrounding him.
As the wreckage of the crates settled to the dirt encrusted floor, a rat scurried out of the wreckage, scuttling into a hole in the wall.
“Hahahahaha, ahahahaha....” his laughter trailed off into gasps as he dropped to his knees, the adrenaline on top of the drugs robbing him of breath.

A single shot rang out from the darkness and Slide crumpled to the floor.

[Corp]

Anoth

The cell was small, going along with the rest of the building. Part of this reason was that that there just wasn’t much land on Anoth. A barren piece of a former planet with little atmosphere doesn’t give much room for grand building projects. But the big reason for the small size was that the Legion didn’t have much use for a jail. If an offense was serious enough to warrant jail time the offender was simply kicked out of the Legion, their records made public for any bounty hunter to see. The Legion proclaimed itself as a man’s last chance and it took that claim very seriously. However from time to time the jail was used for minor offenses, such as drunken brawling. That was the crime of the woman standing at attention in the cell as Streen looked on.

After months of threats, punishments, rewards, and even a bit of begging Streen felt he finally had the Legion back on the right track. Disciple had been restored and new equipment and recruits were coming in every week. The Legion was smaller these days as many took up Streen’s offer of early retirement but enough had stayed, the Legion being their home now, to form a solid core around which to rebuild. However there were still some minor issues, which was why Streen was here. “Ok Lieutenant Eulsa, why don’t you tell me just what happened.”

“Sir! I was with my squad at Silver’s,” the scared woman said, naming a popular bar that took its name from a bounty hunter that had collected by being in the Legion itself. Streen had joined the Legion as a special agent and managed to take him down. “Well the table next to ours had two scum from the Peace Brigade. They were talking about the battles they fought like they didn’t have a care in the world. They don’t belong in the Legion Sir.”

“And you decided to prove that point by attacking them did you?”

“They fought against us during the Corellian campaign. They supported the bastards who killed the Admiral!”

Streen took a step forward to the point that he was only inches from the woman’s face. To her credit she didn’t step back. Streen might have joined the Legion without any kind of dark past but he had since made up for it during the Vong War. “Lieutenant you seemed to have forgotten what it means to be in the Legion. It means our pasts are forgotten, including our enemies. There a dozens of different gangs that would normally rip each other apart but they get along here. I might also add that your file states that you come from the Kathol Sector and joined shortly after the Cult War. Do I need to go on?”

The woman said nothing, staring at the wall behind Streen. More than one cultist couldn’t stomach the changes forced upon them after the war’s end and looked to the Legion as an escape. “Alright then. You got off light because of your past service. But if I even hear a whisper of this happening again you’re out. Understood?”

“Yes Sir!”

Walking outside Streen wondered, not for the first time, if this was the best way to avoid falling to the Dark Side again. Fear and aggression went with the job but so far he had managed to keep himself in check. It didn't help that he got hit by a huge blast from the Dark Side this morning, it's power calling him. Regular visits from Halbret had helped him, along with being surrounded by his former squad mates. Though he didn’t know for sure he suspected that they had made a pact to keep an eye on him, not leaving him alone for long periods of time. Althalus, who had become his intelligence officer, was waiting for him outside. “So how common is the Lieutenant’s feelings?”

“Common enough,” the Ryn admitted. “We got bled badly during the war and the Peace Brigade was on the other side. The NCOs are keeping a lid on the worst of it but the problem is there. You have a point about the cultists we recruited years back but we didn’t get smashed as badly in that fight. We’re going to need to find a way to bring them together otherwise we’re going to have separate camps within our ranks.”

“Don’t want that. Well we might luck out. I have a feeling that we might be sent into a fight soon.”

“Denon?”

“Denon.”

Althalus frowned in thought. Though he didn’t have a very high rank he figured he would have heard of some kind of official orders. “Why us though? I mean from what I’ve been hearing the rest of this new Entente has gotten involved, including a bunch of other people, so why not send in the regular navy to do the heavy lifting for once?”

“Because while the Entente has become involved in Denon the Federation has not. For some reason we weren’t invited to this party and that likely has the brass in a mood. If something does go down they’ll want to do something, but aren’t in really any position to act officially.”

“So they’ll send us in. Well that’s nice of them. Never mind that they could have just sent in ships on their own like the Imperium is doing without a special invite. Well for now forget about that. I’ve got a nice surprise for you oh great leader who’s-yet-to-take-an-official-rank-yet. Your clue is that someone wants to join us.”

“Yeah…I don’t like the sound of that,” Streen stated as they walked into the administration building. It took weeks for raw recruits to actually reach Anoth, in an effort to keep the location secret. No one was ever sent directly to Anoth in order to be ask to join the Legion. However once they were in the building Streen knew why this exception had been made. He sensed a light form, but not through the Force. In fact this person could not be felt through the Force. In one of the back rooms was a Vong Shamed One under heavy guard.

Actions:
As Denon goes down the tubes the Foreign Legion prepares to get involved

[Keshy]

Denon - Government Centre

The message from Fondor had arrived - just before Jini severed the planetary communication. Already computer where rerouting the faction. Denon has learnt the lesson from Rogue Squadron attacks on Coruscant. Response drop momentary but there too many locations that needed to be hit simultaneously with anyone of dozen substation have the load being parceled up between

R-2 fighters launched from the Vornskr’s in orbit firing upon several unmarked Assault Shuttles. Conformation had been received that this

"The troops are on away. But I fear that maybe too late. Dooku is here” said Assaj the Planetary president, “Along with pet Sith that he brought along”

“What!” responded the Planetary President.

“I can feel his presence as well” responded Anakin “Master”

“Already our force in orbit has destroyed several Assault Shuttles heading done to the surface. You have to hold the world together for one day and the Allied Troops will be here” said Assaj.

“Bando Gora” whispered Anakin.

“He wouldn’t” said the Planetary President. Assaj had been briefing on the President on all of her Master tricks.

“It serves his purpose. Minimum effort, maximum gain” responded Assaj. “You need restore you the faith in your planet, Mister President.

“Minimum effort, maximum gain” nodded the President. “Maybe the communications gear the Fondor Intelligence can help here” some backbone being restored but then the news started to filter in. “What!”

“We have wild beast attacked our civilians. Monsters” reported security officer to the president. “The Zoo staff has fled. Those that haven’t being killed.” Watching the hologram, vicious things full of fangs and claws and other things too unpleasent to mention. The hologram was turned off just before the creatures reached a line of civilians.

“Too late. I should have listened to you” and the litany continued on “the Police HQ has being hit with Droids."

“The Trade Federation again?” as the President, he had being fully briefly by Assaj on the Corellian Incident. The holograms flickered on....

----

A flight of R-2 flashed down the ruins of the Police HQ
“The are droids opening firing the civilians” reported the flight leader

“Opening fire” the flight opening fire, easily dodging the returns destroying a line of tanks and artillery launchers. Quickly followed a flight Y-2s dropping precision munitions. Denon was second most populated planet in the galaxy a wealthy prosperous world with a lot people under arms. Assaj warning the Planetary President come just in time allowing significant portion of the arms force the mobilize, as the droids continue there advance – allow under the appearance not being fully prepared – they run into withering hail of Heavy Blaster fire.

----

.... watching the hologram feed “There not Trade Federation Droids” reported Assaj “And for the moment we have them bottled up. Several shuttle heading down the surface have stopped”

“But Dooku is another matter” said Anakin.

Actions
- Situation being discussed with Plantery President
- Allied Troops on there way.

[Lightning_Count]

Denon.


The Two Jedi waited beside the conference room, the President having summoned his entire Cabinet for an emergency session. She could hear the voices even through the heavy doors, the back and forth of what to do, where to evacuate, how to deploy the potent but piecemeal combat units under their command. The Denon army alone could probably handle this, but it would take time, and that time would take lives.

Assaj Ventress raised her eyes, suddenly aware of the massive increase in emotions nearby. The distant growl of explosions began, and even secluded at the top of the government building she could here the cries.
“It has begun.” She announced, Anakin also concerned by the sudden waves of dark energy. “We must act quickly, this building will be the centre of their attention.”
She left her chair in the waiting room, walking grandly and purposefully to the armed guards stood at a set of heavy double doors.
“Madam Jedi.” The Security Captain stood firm. “The Cabinet is still in its crisis meeting.”
“You’ll have to finish it elsewhere, it is no longer safe here.”
“This building is a fortress.”
“It will not make any difference, not against the foe you are facing. I can sense his presence, he is on his way, and he will kill all of you. You must leave. Now open the door.”
The Captain hesitated, pushing Ventress to add a bit more persuasion into her demand.
“Open the door.”

She walked into the conference room, a dozen high ranking government officials shouting at each other about what was happening and why. They all immediately fell silent as the two Jedi walked in, giving the interruption their full attention.
“Mr President, cabinet members, we have to evacuate this building.”
The President stood. “Are we in danger?”
“Great danger. The Sith are removing all elements of control from this world. Security, Army, Communications and leaders. They’ve already destroyed the first three, and I assure you this building is next.”
“How do you know?”
“I understand how the Sith think, take my word for it.” Ventress replied simply.
“This building is full of heavily armed men.”
“It won’t stop him.”
“And there are you two, two qualified Jedi.”
Ventress paused. “I don’t know if even we can stop him. We will try, but the safest course of action is evacuation. We need to get you off the planet, to a friendly warship in orbit.”
The President set his jaw. “I will not abandon my world or my people.”
“If you don’t you will die.” She answered flatly. “And then you’ll be no good to your people or your world.”
There was a thump, a nearby explosion that shuddered the room and clinked the glasses of water on the meeting desk.
“Time to go.” Anakin said succinctly.


The herded the politicians up and pushed them out the door, hastening them through the carpeted corridors of the government centre as a small group of guards joined them, rifles ready.
“Mr President, we have hostiles in the base, mix of troops and droids.” The Captain reported. “We’re holding them back, but the ground floor is a warzone.”
“It’s a diversion.” Ventress announced. “The Sith are already here. They know our escape route is on the roof.”
There was a smash of glass and concrete as a section of nearby wall exploded inward, a group of well armed droids clanking and whirring into the path of the escape group.
“Hit the floor!” The Security Captain ordered the leaders as his men raised rifles and fired, the droids responding. Troops on both sides dropped, until the Jedi intervened.
Ventress tore through several of the robots in a single viscous circling arc, her twin swords melting their way immediately through their targets. Anakin likewise rapidly disposed of his targets, a few quick cuts leaving a couple of droids on the ground in pieces.
“They’ve found us. Move faster.” Ventress ordered.

They cut through the main debating hall, dodging between the rows of chairs and tables, past the speakers podium and towards a door in the far end of the room.
“Your escape ship will take you to a vessel in orbit, I suggest a big one.” Ventress said as they walked briskly. “There are a few Stardestroyers, just be sure to pick the right one.”
They didn’t reach the door. A few yards early it opened, sweeping apart to reveal a massive black figure stood there blocking their way, several bodies lying at his feet.
“Sith.” Anakin growled.
“Is that…” The President began.
“No.” Ventress said calmly. “Captain, is there another way to the roof?”
“Yes.”
“Then take it.” She ordered. “Anakin and I will deal with this one.”

“Still so confident, so sure of your chances in battle. It is still your most admirable quality.”
The gathering turned to see the white bearded face of the Dark Lord smiling at them from the upper tier of desks, slowly making his way down.
“At least the Jedi have not dulled that sense my old friend.”
“Lord Tyrannus.” Ventress stalked forward, putting herself between him and the politicians. “I knew you would not leave all the fun to your pet.”
“Nyax has his uses.” He glanced at the Sith still blocking the doorway. “And he will finish his mission, I am not here for the government, I am here for you Assaj. And you know it.”
“Anakin, go with the Cabinet, get them to safety.” Ventress ordered.
“No, I’ll fight beside you.”
“Anakin, go!” Ventress snarled. “Do as I say, you can do no good here, but you will if you save the President.”
“You have spirit boy.” Dooku nodded, moving closer. “Do you have a full name?”
“Don’t tell…” Ventress began.
“Anakin Solo!” The young Jedi announced. “And I’m not afraid of you.”
“You will be.” Dooku chuckled. “You will be.”

“Go now.” Ventress activated her twin blades. “Don’t wait for me.”
Anakin waited a second more, then did as instructed.
“I’ll be back Master, just five minutes.”
“Take your time, she’ll barely last two.” Dooku mused.
“I have grown since then Tyrannus.”
“As have I.”
The politicians and surviving guards back tracked, seeking an alternate way to the roof, Anakin reluctantly following, throwing a last look over his shoulder as Nyax advanced to join his master.
“What is thy bidding, my master?” Nyax asked formally.
“Bring me the boy.” Dooku ordered. “Alive and unspoiled. Kill the rest.”
“As you wish.”
He waited while nyax left, watching as Ventress weighed her options.
“You won’t reach them in time.” Dooku shook his head. “Alone at last.”

“Your pet warrior is in for a surprise.”
“Perhaps.” Dooku circled. “Perhaps not, your apprentice interests me.”
“He has a proud name, and a blood line to match.” Ventress laughed briefly. “Last time you faced someone of his heritage things didn’t go so well.”
“So I understand.” Dooku nodded. “Still, lightning doesn’t strike twice.”
“I know you Tyrannus, I know how you fight. Your overconfidence will be your weakness.”
“And your charming devotion to Jar’kai yours.” Dooku grinned. “A good warrior only needs one sword, maybe one day you’ll learn this lesson.”
He activated his sword, bringing it up in salute.
“Maybe this day.”

[Shad4c]

Denon

CGV San-Solo
Captain Trumpt glared at the display as it showed the glowing green points that represented the ships of the various southern republics that had gathered in the system alongside the glowing purple signs that showed the locations of the Senex vessels that had recently joined the assembled armada. It was an impressive display on the surface though nothing on the massive fleets that fought in the recent Vong war. It was also a far too inconvenient and republican force for his imperial eyes, this would make things far more difficult in the long term.

“We have confirmation that extensive explosions and a number of fire fights have broken out on the surface Sir. Tactical recommends that we initiate plan beta four at this time.” His XO smoothly reported as he brought up the relevant reports on the nearest screen.

“Do I have a choice Commander. Do you know what I’d do if I did?” Kain asked in a flat tone as he glared at the monitor.

“No sir”

“Flatten it all and start over. Show that we can’t be pushed or intimidated by a twist of fate and a germ made energy field. Republic weaklings... Commander, I am hereby authorising the activation of plan beta four as well as requesting Star Force reinforcements from the Confederation. Recall the Mistweaver and the Bracken from their patrols and have them take up blockade positions, nothing without a proper IFF and physical inspection gets off that rock.” The ex-RSK captain ordered clearly receiving a nod from his second in command as he moved off to relay the commands to the crew.

A few minutes later a large number of light freighters that had accompanied the Task Force started to fall into the atmosphere preceeded by a wave of Cloakshape-VMFs and followed by the more ponderous form of a bulk freighter as they angled down towards the planets largest spaceport.


-BC on the move in Denon, pro-imperial/anti-force sentiments in confed exposed.
- Confed Army units dispatched to Denon in force.

[Coyote]

Throne Room
Theed Palace
Naboo




"Space is getting crowded, Majesty," Chief Bast said.
"Indeed," the Queen said, "I had hoped to keep the profile small-- too many ships in the area, too many people involved... it gets crowded, tensions escalate, everyone has their own way of doing things... and it gives terrorists and pirates too much credit."

"Well, nevertheless, we have the situation as it is dealt us," Bast said. "But I must say, the public is nervous. They see war looming."

Her Majesty nodded but said nothing. Hopes for a quick eradication of pirates or terrorists were dashe das it became obvious just how well-planned and systemic the events on Denon were. Sith involvement had gone from rumor to confirmed fact as there were just too many sightings, and all of them consistently verifiable by too many people on the scene.

"Information is a trickle, now," Bast said. "A few people who have portable comms capable of reaching orbit, and that are able to catch the attention of a passing ship."
"Are there evacuees leaving?" she asked.
"There was an initial exodus," Bast said, "But many were intercepted by enemy warships."

The Queen sighed, dug into her desk, and took out her cigarelles. She went over to the balcony, and lit up one of the sticks, inhaling the relaxing smoke. When she spoke again, it was to change the subject.

"Let's send a representative to the Minos Comopact for their offer of negotiation," she said. "I think a neutral arbiter will be a good choice. Let's also use th eopportunity to appoint some sort of diplomatic representative to the Senex Imperium."

"A full Embassy?" Bast asked.
"Let's not start out with too high a hopes," the Queen said. "A consul-general will be sufficient for now. We can upgrade to a full Embassy later... provided it suits us."
"Yes, Majesty," Bast said.




Results:
Representative will go to Minos Compact to negotiate Sluis Van situation.
Representative will then go on to serve as diplomatic consul for SAS interests in Imperium.
Public support for activities in Denon are very low, and people fear a new war.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Theed Palace Royal Landing Tarmac




The Padawans had made their choices: Jungo was going to stay on Naboo for a day and catch a ride to Sullust, where he was going to follow up on meeting his newly-discovered aunt. Kenzcee was going to head back to Tatooine and resume her duties at the Praxeum. They bid goodbye to Saren, Hirrack, Batu and Hastur, who had their own missions to complete...

No sooner had the other lifted off when Kenzcee got a call on her commlink.
"Palace comms," she said to Jungo, who looked at her curiously. "Kenzcee Kittrex," she identified herself. The person on the other end of the line was Commander Th'andra.

"Jedi Padawan Kittrex, I just got an interesting message routed to me through communications-- they had no idea who to send the message to. There is an interesting situation that requires Jedi intervention on Nelvaan. Are you available?"

"I, um, I suppose," she said. "What kind of intervention?"
"A native Nelvaanian has shown some evidence of the Force, apparantly," the Intel officer said, "But the rporting party is a civilian and is unsure of the accuracy of the information."

"So... just go there and see what this guy is about, and report back?" Kenzcee asked.
Th'andra briefly set her jaw as if annoyed, but decided to let it pass. "Sure, Padawan, that's an accurate assessment. I'll let them know you're on your way. Dress warm," she said, and the comm winked out.

Kenzcee and Jungo looked at each other. "Wanna go to Nelvaan?" Kenzcee asked. "I'll have you back in time for your flight."
"Nibbee yaddoo naen neaagho?" Jungo asked.
"Yeah," Kenzcee replied, "I flew Master Shayyla's."

Jungo looked at her.
"What?" she asked. "Does it do anyone any good to leave it there to rust? Besides, it... when I'm inside, it calms me. A bit."

The Sullustan sighed. "Iyabbee nayoo bewadda yee," Jungo said, shaking his head.
"There was no one to ask permission of," Kenzcee said. "Master Arik and Bronwyn were gone... look, when we're done I'll park it and lock it and throw away the key, if that makes you happy. But meanwhile, we have a ship, and we need to go to Nelvaan. You interested? Or are you going to be a party poop?"

"Nibbee yayboo," he said, and walked along with her to the Royal hangars.
"You will not regret this."





Results:
Jungo and Kenzcee to go to Nelvaan.
***

[Darth Coyotus]

Ubiqtorite Base
Time/Location Unknown








"Ah, so," Ysanne Isard said. "An agent of the Sovereign Alliance of Systems," she put her hands up in mock surprise. "You just don't seem the type," she said. "I have to admit, though... it certainly fits. The activity with the Hutts... and that interesting little mission you went on up by Tund, looking for your agents. I had no idea the Federation of United Systems was playing both sides of the fence. That transport container idea... very artful."

Karnulba moaned, still restrained to the table. He had no idea how much he'd babbled, or what he'd said. Only from what Isard said in contaxt, he could guess that every mission he'd ever been involved in was now compromised. The Mind Probe Droid hovered nearby, a menacing black prescence in the room. He noted, with fuzzy vision that swam in and out of clarity, that the hypodermic needle on the droid was empty.

"Whaaa..?" he drawled, feeling a thin trickle of drool run out the side of his mouth.
"Well, rest assured, Mister Karnulba, that you nearly exhausted my on-hand stock of serum," she said. "Dug stubborness, I suppose; most people would have collapsed after so much of that stuff. But no matter."

The door opened and two orderlies came in, who began unclasping Karnulba's restraints. "I believe I have learned as much as I can from you," Isard said offhandedly. "I will keep you around... for awhile. Just to see if anything interesting about you or any of your missions floats to the surface. Once it becomes clear that there's nothing else percolating out there, though.." she said, with a sad shake of her head. "I'll just have to think of some other use for you."

Isard left, and Karnulba was taken to a small cell, where he was unceremoniously tossed in. He thumped against the far wall and collapsed in a heap, too dizzy and weak to stand.

Ysanne Isard, on the other hand, went to her office where she began to make sense and context of her notes. From the Dug agent she'd learned a lot about the insides of the Hutt operations in the New Empire. It was a grim tour down memory lane-- she had insider knowledge, now, of how the SAS had been instrumental in organizing Hutt resistance, building up Fulgar the Hutt as a warlord, and working to stage the coup that ultimately brought down Daala's New Empire.

She compiled a list of names that she'd learned, as well. Ares and Theyliss, for example, and Jedi Shayyla, since confirmed dead at Corellia. The operations with the FUS's help were of interest, especially since it showed a still-active hand in operations around Pithud.

"I cannot help but wonder," Isard said aloud as she wrote, "If the SAS has truly dropped its activities in relation to the Hutts. Many of the former players of interest to the SAS are still active in Hutt Space; Isoth, Xinjan and now the Invids in particular..."

The Dug had been captured poking around the ruins of a droid processing facility that supplied sensitive parts to the FUS. Another agency, of unknown allegiance, had already trashed the facility, and she'd learned that Karnulba had no idea who they were, so that was a dead end. But it could not be a coincidence that an SAS agent was poking around such a facility so close to the Corellian Incident...

And then, all of a sudden, Mandalorian agents arrive at the Palace, which we now know are Ares and Theyliss, involved in the Hutt Operation... and then the Mandalore pushes the Viceroy out... mysterious Jedi visit the Palace... and now there's a revolution in Neimoidia..

"You magnificent bastards," Isard muttered, admiring the complexity of it all. The SAS has had its fingers in a lot of pies, she surmised, A lot more than I gave them credit for. And they've had a Bothan Spynet agent who's been 'dead' for years, living in-depth and long-term on Naboo itself... and all the old Hutt players are back in place....

Grand Moff Ysanne Isard nodded as she compiled a picture in her mind-- a picture of all that had happened, and from there she felt she could safely extrapolate potential future actions. She activated her commlink to Chancellor Fyyar.

"Fyyar here," he said.
"Chancellor," she said, "I have been questioning the Dug. He is, as I suspected, an SAS agent. And he's been involved in operations that go way back to the earliest counter-intelligence operations in Hutt Space. This was back from Admiral Misty Greene's era, even. And I've noticed a pattern forming."

"Come to my office," he said. Isard nodded, and made her way up to her speeder pad.

She was only a short distance from Tarkin Palace and was there within twenty minutes. The secretary waved her in, already alerted to expect the Ubiqtorite leader.

"What is this about?" Fyyar asked. He seemed to have a lot on his mind.
"The Dug revealed a lot to me about SAS intelligence operations," she said. "He was never in the upper level of planning, but he was close to operational-level planners and involved in a lot of key operations in the past."

"Like what?" Fyyar asked.
"He helped bring down the Hutts, erode the New Empire, and when the SAS plan to install Fulgar as warlord failed, he helped track down the people who infiltrated the Pithud organization."

"The SAS has been busy," Fyyar said. "What else?"
"Well, you know Darth Venge has that informant in the Palace," she said, "Comparing what I learned from Karnulba with what we're learning from our source on Naboo, it appears that the SAS may have also been instrumental in the Neimoidian coup... and a lot of the people that were involved in the Hutt operation before are back, and influencing the Queen."

"The SAS have always been concerned about a resurgent Hutt Empire," Fyyar said, "And Venge's... compatiots are active there."
"We know Dooku is involved in the CIS, and the Hutts have joined the CIS," Isard said. Naboo has a knee-jerk reaction to anything the CIS does. It's a safe bet that the SAS has a major infiltration operation going on in Hutt Space again."

"Hutt Space and... something to do with Neimoidia," Fyyar said. "Which means there's a Mandalorian angle involved somehow."
"What should we do about it, though?" Isard asked. "Should we warn Venge, or the CIS, to watch out for known SAS agents?"

Chancellor Fyyar leaned back in his chair, and his eyes unfocused for a moment. He thought about it, the room silent to the point where the hum of the lights almost filled the room.

"No," he said. "We say nothing."
Isard looked at him with a critical eye. "What is our rationale for that?" she asked.
"The SAS are working to undermine the Confederacy," he said. "Not us. Not the Empire. Letting the CIS be weakened... well, it certainly doesn't hurt the Empire, now, does it? We don't want the CIS to become too strong, now, do we?"

"No, we don't," Isard said, agreeing with the assessment. "Although we do have a few people in the field involved in current operations. Like Denon, for example. We can alert the Invids that they might be compromised."
"Who do we have in the field?" Fyyar asked. "The Sith. They do not need our help. I say let the SAS do their damage. Maybe it'll spark a CIS-Republic war. Now that, my friend, helps the Empire."

Ysanne Isard smiled, and closed her notepad computer on the report.








Results:
Imperium uncovers vital information that could blow open allied spy ops in Hutt Space.
Chancellor Fyyar and Ysanne Isard decide to sit on the information since it would only help the CIS to reveal it.

***

[PhantomVX2000]

Devon

The night was growing cold.

Letting out an exhilarating exhale, Kiva pushed the accelerator pedal all way to the floor and her a highly modified, high-powered airspeeder’s ion engines howled with full might, her two-tone hair waving in the wind of the open night air. With a soft laugh, she felt a sudden jolt of acceleration as she weaved through the buildings and stalled traffic lanes at heart-wrenching speed of one thousand four hundred kilometers an hour with elegance and precision. She loved flying and the thrill of it all. Flying was one of her passions. Her laughter grew louder as she raced her airspeeder through the air, accelerating faster and faster.

All around her, the sprawling urban metropolis of the Denon was descending into chaos and mayhem. The riots broke out all across Denon when the food shipments slowed down a trickle by the piracy raids. As the result, a significant portion of the civilian population grew unrest and took the matter into their hands. This time, survival instinct thumps all. With the police headquarter gone, the police forces all over the world were already stretched to the limit, and they were struggling to get a handle of ever-increasingly chaotic situation. There was so many things the police and Denon government could do for now.

She could see gray-white smokes rising from the buildings. The air traffic lanes already halted to a complete stop as Dooku’s men took out the traffic control system. There were the flashes of explosions on the horizon, lightning up the darkly sky with each blast. They were all signs that the plan worked.

The worldwide chaos made it easier for Kiva to operate around, freely and unhindered. At the same time, she could feel desperation, fear, and anger in the Force, and loved every bit of it; they all came from the people.

The voice of scourge trooper chirped on the airspeeder’s onboard COM:

“The target is fifteen miles northeast ahead of you. We are tracking the convoy’s movement right now.”

“I should be there in one minute.” Kiva said, having mentally calculated the time of arrival by factoring in speed and distance.

Kiva nudged the steering yoke forward and her airspeeder came screaming down toward the ground, thundering pass by startled building occupants and drivers like a bird of prey. The plan was fly low among the buildings and below traffic lane, making it harder for Denonians to detect her approach, and then engage the targeted convoy from below. If the things went well accord to her plan, she would have a complete surprise on her side.

Her target was the vice president of the Denon. Count Dooku’s intelligence network discovered that he was traveling in a convoy toward to an undisclosed, secured location where the protective service agents could watch and protect him at all costs.

Her job was simple and straightforward: kill the vice president of the Denon.

“ETA to the target is twenty seconds.” The trooper’s voice said over the COM.

She was almost there. She could imagine herself savoring the kill when she gets to the target.

With the Force guiding her, Kiva swiveled her airspeeder round the corner and into the narrow alley with just feet to spare. A few seconds later she emerged from the narrow alley and made a hard left turn onto the busy street. The emotion in the Force was strong here. Fear. Desperation. Confusion. She looked over the side of her airspeeder at the street below her. It was hell down here. The street was packed full with people and their belongings desperately trying to make their way to the main spaceport; they wanted to leave here to somewhere safe and peaceful. Contentedly busy with her assignment, she looked up at the sky and saw green blinking lights, the navigation strobes.

Four hundred meters northeast of Kiva’s location was a seven-vehicle convoy, traveling beyond the traffic grids. She knew that meant one thing: her target was on that convoy. Thrilled and sure, she punched her input code into the dashboard, activating the weapon system, and then the missile racks and blaster cannons popped out of the speeder’s sides with a quiet thud.

Now, finally, after a half hour of diligent searching, the target was almost within her reach.

Her hands jerked the yoke back, the speeder climbed up sharply toward the convoy. The urban canopy swiftly fell behind her, replaced by the vastness of the nightly sky and faint stars. The head-up display flashed multiple lock-on confirmations. She smiled and fired three times.

Three hyper-velocity missiles roared away.

The three airspeeder escorts trailing behind a large airspeed bus abruptly broke off, junking, and zigzagging, prompted by the warning system to take evasive actions. But it was too late for that. All three missiles tracked, homed on them, and slammed onto them dead on, mushrooming into flames and smokes.

“So pretty…” Kiva whispered in delight.

Kiva maneuvered her speeder behind the airspeeder bus, decelerated to two hundred kilometers an hour, and closed the distance between them, gently tapping the rear bumper of the governmental bus. She switched on autopilot mode, unbuckled the belts, stood up, grabbed her weapons lying on the passenger seat, and leapt out of her airspeeder onto the bus’s roof. As she landed atop the bus, her lightsaber ignited.

A moment later, Kiva’s airspeeder broke off, flying on its own, and joined the fray with one of the remaining airspeeder escorts.

Kiva took two steps forward the wind and then stopped.

“Freeze! Surrender your weapons! Failure to comply will result in a deadly action taken against you.” A voice boomed beyond her flank as the other two escorts pulled up along the bus, flanking Kiva on the both sides.

That’s great, so Kiva thought optimistically. They should have killed her on the spot when they had a chance. Letting a Sith acolyte with raw potential exist bit longer was a biggest mistake the protective service could make.

Amused Kiva threw up her hands with the lightsaber still in her hand. She let out a half-hearted laugh, shrugged defiantly, and made an ancient and arcane gesture at one of the escorts with one finger. Then she reached out to the Force, dropped her hands, and the escorts abruptly twisted in midair, folding together with a sickening crushing sound. They fell out of the sky like a rock.

She headed over to the midsection of bus and craved out a large hole on the roof with her lightsaber. She dropped a flash-bang. Inside a muffled thud sounded followed by a white smoke rising up from the hole. That was her opening. As she finished deactivating and tucked in her lightsaber, she entered inside, ducked, and reached out within the Force.

“Hello.” Kiva announced almost innocently.

Almost instantly, a maelstrom of the blaster fire greeted her, coming through the thin haze from all directions.

With a yell of rage Kiva let loose a sharp, rippling, and massive shockwave that burst outwardly from her body, violently flinging the armed agents and everything not bolted down onto the walls, crushing them with sheer kinetic energy. The bus’s midsection rapidly swelled to near the breaking point. Force Repulse. When it was all over, the agents lay dead.

There were other people still present on the bus; she could feel them in the Force.

After a brief silence, Kiva sighed and she made her way to the door. Beyond it was the vice president and four others. The slightly twisted door slid loudly as she forced it open with the Force.

She found herself staring at the vice president cowering behind the executive table with his family, a wife and daughter. They blanched when they saw a young woman wielding a super-heavy pistol. She shot them an impish smile, frightening them even more.

Upon entering, a blaster bolt punched to the wall close to Kiva’s head, spraying small, hot bits of and pieces of broke lamination across the side of her face. The sole remaining agent opened up with a high-powered carbine from a defilade position. She ignored the stinging impacts and grunted her disapproval. The super-heavy plasma pistol’s muzzle steadied on the gunman. She squeezed the trigger, her weapon stuttered three times. All three rounds hit the gunman dead center of mass, blowing three large fiery, smoking holes in his torso and the chair.

With the resistance eliminated, Kiva turned her head toward the others.

As she approached them, Kiva cocked her head sideway, smiling, and waved at the survivors. “Hello there.” She motioned them to get up and punctuated with a three-round burst into the ceiling, “All of you, get up!”

They complied, slowly and cautiously.

“Take me, but please don’t hurt my family.” The vice president begged.

Kiva laughed and waved him off, “Please! I have no intention of hurting your family. Well, I just want you, only you.”

“Why me?”

“You are one of the hydra’s many heads. Cut the heads off altogether, the body will wither and die.” She paused for a moment then scoffed, “It would be more practical to kill you by blowing this bus out of the sky with my airspeeder. But the great and terrible blah blah blah himself wanted me to take care of you… personally.”

“I already have accepted my fate.”

With that, the vice president kneed down before Kiva, fully resigned to the fate. He raised his chin as if he was prepared to be beheaded. He did it without betraying his own emotions.

“That’s brave of you. No, I am not going to lop off your head.” Kiva looked from the vice president to his family. “Hey you!” Kiva pointed at the vice president’s seven years old daughter, smiling mischievously. “What is your name, my dear sweetie?”

“Farie…” The girl said weakly.

“Farie. That is a beautiful name.” Kiva nodded, crouched, and motioned the girl to come closer. “Come here. I promise I won’t hurt you.”

The vice president’s wife cried out with a sob, “No! Farie, please don’t!”

“Don’t hurt her.” The vice president tensed slightly as he begged her would-be executioner.

“It is okay.” Kiva said softly.

A moment later, Farie finally stepped forward and looked directly at her fierce blue eyes. Kiva stuck out her hand. Fearlessly the young girl accepted it.

“Tell me which parents you like the most?” She continued, asking her.

“Mommy, she always take her time with me and take me around to the fun places.”

“Not your daddy?” Kiva made a sad expression.

Farie shook her head, “He was always busy all time. I don’t get to see him much.”

“Ever thought about hurting your daddy because you don’t get a quality time with him you wanted?”

“Sometime. I thought about running away.”

The words of Farie cut the vice president and his wife very deeply, they were shocked and hurt to hear a strong answer from her. At that point, Farie’s mother broke down into tears. The vice president paled in horror.

“That is so awful tha-“

Kiva hesitated as the dark energy washed over her.

In the Force, she could tell someone just had sucked in an incredible amount of the life force, just on much larger scale. The signature in the Force seemed very familiar to her though it was much darker and powerful. She felt it before during her brush with the death on a backwater world. At that point, she instantly knew that meant one thing.

“Amanda…” She smirked. “That little bitch has gone on a date with the dark side.”

The horrified parents looked at Kiva in confusion.

“Sorry, I was bit distracted by the Force.” Kiva said imperturbably and then sighed as she looked into the little girl’s eyes. “There is a catch. My boss who is very bad, bad old man, he wants me to do something to your father in front of you and your mother. If should my boss find out that I don’t do what he ask of me then he will come and try hurt you and your mother really bad or maybe worse. I don’t want that happen, okay?”

“Okay….” Farie’s lips trembled with fear; her mind raced with possibilities, all of them were bleak.

“Turn around and go to your mother. Do not look back.”

The girl obeyed and ran back to her mother, hugging her tightly. Kiva rose to her feet and gave Farie’s mother a somber nod; that was the sign to cover Farie’s eyes. Tears ran down the cheek of Farie’s mother as she hesitantly covered her daughter’s eyes to prevent her from witnessing the execution of her father. The vice president looked from his family to Kiva, quickly calming himself.

“Let get it over with.” He said with a hint of defiance.

“It will be quick one.”

With that, Kiva balled her left hand into a fist, summoning the Force, and crushed the vice president’s brain. It was instant and painless death. He dropped down in a heap at Kiva’s boots with his wife watching, feeling completely helpless and powerless.

After killing her target, Kiva found no satisfaction in executing the vice president, just a bittersweet taste in her mouth. She had mixed feelings about it.

“My job is done here.” Kiva said grimly.

With that, she was gone, out of the room and out of their life. Standing outside on the roof of the bus, Kiva watched her airspeeder approaching her location like a loyal horse; it successfully engaged and destroyed the remaining airspeeder escort in a protracted dogfight. For the first time in her life, as she waited, she felt her heart cold as the night.

Cold, the night whispered. Cold. Cold. Cold.

[RocketMedic]

Cal
Admiral K'ynt looked out at the rugged Cal jungle beneath the Monolith and sighed. "So, Reach has been slagged?"

"Yes, sir. The latest scouts just returned with the news. The Vong presence had grown by the Resistance's last reports, with Reach II and IV reporting Vong incursions daily and Reach III under near-total orbital control, and what looked like an immature Worldship in-sector as of two months ago- but the last scout flights to go in returned nothing but charred rocks where our homes were." The deputy tried to choke back tears. "Everyone's gone".

K'ynt nodded, a chill running into the room. "Leave. I have a call to make."

The holocom unit was already activating. A malicious old figure glowed on the projector. "Count Dooku."

-TBC.

Erilnar
Today, the Defense Forces announced that the SAS has agreed to provide the N1A5 and various marks of Droidfighters for evaluation in the Future Fighter Test Program. The expected winner will replace the TIEs currently in squadron service, and will coincide with the replacement of our more-expensive obsolete hardware with modified carriers and battlecruisers that will increase capacity and decrease operational costs."

"In other news, the Governor-General has agreed to hold elections at year's end..."
-CSC life as usual.

[Ironanvil1]

Jabba's Palace, Adarlon, Minos Cluster

The body crashed to the floor with a thump that was painful just to hear.

“AND THE WINNER IS THE RAGATH, THE BRUISER FROM BARAB!”

The defeated shockboxer was still unconscious, his opponent celebrating fiercely as the roar of the crowd met his uplifted gloves.
Innath cheered alongside them, the winnings from backing Ragath would cover a good part of his expenses on leave, his combat bonus from the swoopgang attack was barely being dented.

As the crowd subsided he turned to Marn, “Good of Fol to give us some leave after I got out of the bacta tank”
“So that’s why you jumped in the way of that blaster! Wanted a holiday.”
“Hehe, yeah. Fol looked like he could do with a holiday himself though, he was looking kinda ill“
“Said he’s just been feeling off for the last few days. Putting a lotta time into reorganising the ground troops.”
“As long as a bigger Protectors Guard lets us have some leave I’m good with it.”
They collected his winnings from the booth and turned to head out of the arena.
“Lets get a drink, I’m buying!”

The foyer of the Jabba’s Palace Resort and Casino was an impressive sight, with the full size replica of the Hutt himself in pride of place.
Built at the height of the New Republic, the place was based on the notorious crimelord’s lair, scene of pivotal events in Galactic history, drawing in tourists with the frisson of the underworld.
The servo-droids circulating with drinks and snacks weren’t likely to be authentic and Innath doubted the original Jabba’s Palace had had quite so many scantily clad dancing girls; but he wasn’t complaining.

As they wandered into the bar the music coming from the band in the corner drowned out the announcement for the sail barge tour out to the replica Great Pit of Carkoon.
Marns face twisted “Can’t go that stuff”
“Hey you can’t beat the classics, I like Max Rebo! And that Ortolan does a good tribute act”
Innath thought bright blue alien was a good match for the legendary frontman, at least in his early slimmer days before he put on all the weight.
“Usual?”
At Marn’s nod he caught the eye of the Bith bartender “Gimme a Lum and and a Vaschean rye”
When the Bith delivered the booze they drifted over to the Holo pit.
The simulated fight running in the arena underneath the transparisteel grate had a full size holographic Rancor with claws wrapped around the neck of what he thought was a Krayt dragon.
A big insectoid, looked like a Vratix, pushed in closer, trying to improve its view as the Krayt wriggled free and tried to rip one of the Rancor’s legs off.

“THAT WAS MERENZANE GOLD YOU DAMN DIRTY BUG!”

The human whose drink had been spilled by the insectoid looked like he’d had a few too many already. As the alien backed up and appeared to try and apologise he kept up his verbal assault.
“Damn bugs! Should’ve just burned you all from orbit when we had the chance! Stop you spreading like locusts, eating all the food meant for real people!”
The twi’lek bar manager tried to intervene and calm the man, offering to replace his drink, but he turned on him as well.
“The Lord Protector’s a Travnin! He’ll put all the damn aliens in their place! This cluster’s for humans!” all this as he poked the twi’lek in the chest with increasing force.
The Gamorrean bouncers who appeared and escorted the gentleman off the premises might have been smart pilled but they looked like they’d still happily take the troublemaker outside and pound him; he was insulting their mothers even as they carried him bodily out the door by an arm each.

“Some people don’t know when to quit”
“My brother in law's just like that. The speciesism I mean.”
“Yeah?”
“Used to be in SAG and everything. Pretty common back on Travnin, people got too used to being top-dog under the Empire.”
“He kept goin’ on like that idiot last time I was home visiting my sister. Wouldn’t stop about how the Protector being a Travnin meant we were going to be back in control, putting the aliens in there place.”
“The boss isn’t like that”
“I tried to get that through to him - the Protector’s like most of the Travnins left after the Moff died, did it looking for work. The Feds just happened to be hiring, that’s why there’s so many of us in the fleet. It's not so we can run things.”

“Meh why are talking politics? That’s the boss’s job, we’re here for a good time.”
A very fetching brunette girl in a gold metal bikini smiled at him across the room, Marn smiled back.
“Lets go see if she has any friends with a thing for wounded heroes”

Happily she did.

[Tabi]

Originally Posted by PhantomVX2000

“Come with me if you want to live.” Nurola said, loudly and firmly.

He had no idea who this mandalorian was, but he'd be damned if he'd let himself be taken down like this. He held his hand for the moment, however. Whoever this mandalorian was, his senses could not detect a Force presence, despite the soldier being in front of him. It was almost as if there was a hole in the Force in front of him. The distrust increased as the mandalorian returned his pistol to it's holster. Ruae's eyes followed the hands as they unclasped the helmet from the mandalorian's head.

The human female held her helmet in one hand and a strange amulet in the other. She spoke quickly and very self-assurededly, "I am trying to help you. The Mandalore sent me."

She was telling the truth.

Ruae let down his guard, which was all Nurola needed. Fastening the helmet back on, she grabbed the former Viceroy and tossed the poor man over her shoulder. "Try not to breathe, this will feel really strange!"

Before he could say "What?!" the mandalorian ran and leaped through the wall.

Phasing through for an unfortunate passenger would be very uncomfortable. It was a disorientating experience, almost like forcing, and successfully, your face through a grainy mesh of quicksand without choking to death. It was inexplicably strange, as though you've become part of the substance you're phasing through before popping out of the other side, gasping for breath.

Upon falling back onto his heels, the Viceroy opened his mouth and vomited his lunch out onto into a burning plant. "W-why didn't warn me?!" He half shouted and half blubbered as he spat the vestiges of vomit from his mouth. The Mandalorian shrugged and gestured for him to follow. Having no choice, the Viceroy spat on the ground once more and followed, blaster and suitcase in hand.

-

The west wing of the Governmental Palace was a mess. It was a battlefield as groups of B4 Battledroids ducked, took cover, and returned fire. Several hulks of burning AATs and a OG Spider Droid sat nearby, downed from precise missile fire. Neimoidian soldiers and brutes cautiously advanced, hiding behind the battledroids.

"There goes my last magazine," chirped Tallisibeth as a missile streaked through the air and struck another tank edging from around the corner.

"Where is she? We've got truckloads of battledroids coming from the north," growled Zayles, "Nurola-"

"Is right here," said a breathless voice over the COM. There were sounds of blaster fire over the COMs as well as droning of heavy repulsors.

Zayles ducked as a blaster bolt whipped past where his head used to occupy, "Where are you?!"

"West Wing, we're heading into the sewers. We'll meet up with you at the north north west starport! Viceroy sends his thanks."

"Nice to know we're appreciated."

"Right. Phase two! let get it in gear!" As one, all teams fired their last magazine or threw their last grenade, slowly regressing back into the shadows and offering no more resistance. Battledroids flooded the area they left, searching for the Death Watch-clad Mandalorians they were fighting.

They found no one.

-

Phase two was essentially hiding down in the sewers while the Royalty controlled troops searched for them.

It stank.

Cato Neimoidia's cities were essentially huge bridges yes, but they had sewers like any other. In this case, they had a long complex series of tunnels that funneled waste into four chambers for recycling. Each chamber held certain types of waste; metals, liquids, organics, and recyclables. Currently, the mandalorians, and the former Viceory in tow, were trudging through the mainline. Mainlines were large tunnels filled to the brim with every kind of waste imaginable. he smell was enough to choke a rancor. If it were not for their helmets with their air-scrubbers and the Viceroy's own gas-mask, they'd have fallen unconscious.

After walking in as fast a pace as they could allow, they were forced to disable more than two dozen shredder droids that periodically came by to ground up any organic matter to prevent clog ups.

After what seemed like ages, they had arrived at their destination. After slicing into a console to open the sewer doors, they found themselves within the junk-filled storage rooms of the north western starport.

"When I get back into office, the first thing I'm going to do after I get my hands on those damn Monarchists is to file a complaint," grumbled the neimoidian darkly as the hem of his robes caught onto another sharp piece of some rusting piece of a starship from ages past.

"You better," agreed Zayles as he shot an B1 Battledroid standing guard nearby.

There was a run-an-gun battle as they made their way past numerous squads of both droids and security teams, each squad slowing them considerably each time. It was only by the time they reached their destination did they see what opposed them.

From the windows, row upon row of Anti-Air Guns sat on top of their AAT-Chassis as they arrayed themselves into position. Troops marched, parade style as they systematically searched the premises. No ship could get past all that without being shredded.

Well. Not if someone somehow placed an Ion Mine in the middle of the city.

Anti-Air Tanks slammed to the ground as their repulsorlifts shut off, blue arcs of energy flying about as the entire bridge city's power systems short circuited. Lights flickered and droids keeled over. What few droid fighter there were in the skies were grounded permanently. The comms died as well, leaving the city nearly defenseless.

"We haven't much time," grunted Nurola as she strapped herself into the Co-Pilot's seat of their modified Nu-Class Shuttle. Her mother got into the pilot's seat and prepared to launch the freighter. Behind them, a large GX1 Short Hauler cruised up to greet them.

"Don't shoot," said the Viceroy quickly, "That'd be my remote controlled Yacht. It'll serve well as a distraction."

Side by side, the two ships reached the upper levels of the atmosphere, where they were greeted by a dozen Triceptors. The interceptors dodged the incoming laser fire, zipping this way and that as they hammered their shields. One exploded, it's remaining munitions detonating as they cooked off. The shuttle fired off a pair of missiles as the interceptors clustered together for a split second. The missiles gave a burst of EMP, frying their own circuits and most of the droid fighters as well. A hail of turbolasers rained down on them, narrowly striking the attack shuttle, and separating them from the yacht.

Two Munificence-Class Cruisers glided menacingly towards them, firing off waves of red bolts of destructive energy towards them. The Viceroy joined Bardan up in the gunports, firing away at a pair of incoming Vultures, who spun out of the way chattering angrily.

They saw the yacht and dived towards it. The Munificences seemed to ignore the Nu-Class, focusing intentively as the yacht began broadcasting transmissions.

"Turn it on," said Ruae with a wiry grin.

Nurola flicked a switch and the Viceroy's voice came over the air:

"I demand that you cease firing upon me at once! This is a mistake I tell you! I am not your enemy! Stop firing-"

As the shuttle disappeared into hyperspace, the yacht felt the how two hundred turbolasers would do you in an instant.

[Shad4c]

Corellia
Selona

The beautiful scenery of the homeworld of one of the Corellian systems sentient races flashed past the window of the expensive speeder as it speed along the quiet road. Selona hadn’t suffered as much as Corellia had at the hands of the Vong and as such it’s more intact infrastructure and less obvious hiding places was making it an important part in the reconstruction of the Confederation after the Vong war. Marna certainly agreed with these sentiments as she allowed her bodyguard to maneuver the agile skimmer towards a non-descript building nearby, a blocky and slightly battered facility with the emblem of one of the lesser known subsidiaries of the Corellian Engineering Corps on the side.

“Interesting that it survived, the Vong seemed to take an exception to our other building” Marna observed as she opened up the case she on her lap to reveal an advanced terminal.

“ Not many people know that it’s sec Ma’am, nor what goes on here. Likely had better things to blow then this place.” The rough looking man replied, drawling the companies name as they approached the gate and slowing the speeder to a gentle stop next to the guard post.

“ Luck, aliens and the complexity of corporate ownership laws. It’s wonderful when it all comes together in a positive way Heskal. A slight payback I think, for all the trouble that we’ve had in recent days.” The blond woman mused aloud again, sparing only a quick glance towards her companion in recognition that this was a reply.

Marching up to them with its rifle on its shoulder a guard droid pointed its head downwards as it imitated looking at the vehicles occupants and extended a hand towards Marna.

“ This facility is private property, non-accessible to the public and non-assigned personnel. Please produce your ID or turn around citizen.” The droid demanded in a dead, static filled tone.

“Of course, here.” The CEO of the Corps said as she reached into a pocket and handed a card to the machine.

Haskel tensed slightly at the wheel as an ominously large security camera twisted slightly to focus squarely on the woman he was hired to protect instead of covering them both equally. He forced himself to relax as the droid took the card and ran a scanning ray over first the pass card and then Marna.

“All clear, you’re authorized to proceed. People enjoy our stay Ma’am, Sir.” The droid stated as it handed back the card and stepped away from the skimmer.

In front of them the low gates swung open and the speeder proceed to glide forward again and it moved towards the central building at a leisurely pace.

“I don’t like you being in such an open area Ma’am, bringing more protection would have been advisable.” The dark man warned as he scanned the surroundings with practiced motions.

“To this backwater facility? That would merely draw attention here and that is something I can’t afford right now. Ah the welcoming committee is already assembled, let’s go find what I came for shall we, and Haskel?” Marna stated as she spied the growing group of people at the entrance of the inner complex.

“Yes Ma’am?”

“Look intimidating.”

Mandalore system

A Corllian corvette and a escorting honor guard of 2 HLAF dropped out of hyperspace in the heart of mandalorian space broadcasting diplomatic codes and carrying both the honorable ambassador Baal Ister along with the preserved remains of the mandalorians that had fallen in the Sith attack on Corellia.

Modell Space

As a somber ship arrived in the north a far more impressive vessel finished its journey to the south as the Nubia-class HSD, CGV Thrawn arrive in the space of the Confeds uncertain allies, the Modell Federation, carrying an ambassador with a far more difficult task. To sway the Federation in favor of the Confed over the far more powerful and established Imperium.

- CEC investigating things from pre-Vong Corellia
- Ambassador Baal Ister arrives at Mandalore.
- CGV Thrawn and Ambassador Tel'nar arrive in Modell Space.

[Keshy]

Denon

Fhuk'Jhin watched the destruction of the Vice-President convoy from a distance of several kilometers. "You my pretty I have seen before" the red-haired lady attacking the convoy with the forces. His hand tightening around the heft of lightwhip. His communication gear linking him to the Allied Navy ships in orbit.

A flight R-2 drop down from orbit attacking the airspeeder as finished off the last the escorts in the Vice-President convoy. Despite the sophistication of airspeeder it's didn't stand a chance against the advance starfighters.

"Let us see where you go now my pretty" mewed the Noghri.

"A friend of your's birdog1" said the flight leader.

"You never know Eagle1" responded Fhuk'Jhin. "Let us see what our Friends can turn up" by friends Fhuk'Jhin ment Fondor Intelligence.

"Roger, Birdog, if you need help show where prey is"

"Roger Eagle flight"

----

Fondor

The lastest data from Denon has been received and beging analysised with a fine tooth coomb. "Pretty thing" the staff of Fondor Intel HQ had taken to calling her 'Mistress of Death'. The computers working at Fondor Intelligence where some of most sophisticated in the galaxy. "We have had the this requested from Brother and Sister at Military Intelligence to run this through our Mandolorian data" This narrowed down things considerably.

Another tech reported in "We getting a hit. Janus Ordo - corellation reads that he is a relative of 'MOD' - hyprocrites, Mercenary my ass. Too much of match to be removed - Younger - Daughter probable - not niece or cousin"

"Run this through the Corellian Incident footage" while area has been destroyed by the Corellian, Fondor Intelligence has throuhly wired the area. They had taken the organic survillance that Thrawn had termed 'Delta Source' and improved upon it. It was capable of using storing and recording visual data using a complex method. Work is proceeding with the captured Master Shaper to combine voluip technology into the mix.

"Let us see if match her specs into the Mandolorian data we recorded" using several examples it the computer calculated which is suits would have contained 'MOD' the computer settled on one "She has changed - she used to be red head"

"Let us cross reference to friend in the Foreign Service to see if they have any diplomatic data on the Janus Ordo" said the Senior Anlysist. "Run the name Odro, Janus, Daughter, female-relatives, Mandolorian and Jedi through the computers"

----

Procopia

Roland Changy meet with Crix Madine "I have received word from my friends. An SAS assest has been picked up by the Ubiqotorate. A Dug picked up hunting around a droid producation facility. He would would almost certainly cracked under the strain of interrogtion" Roland was an expert in Imperial interrogation methods methods.

"I will send warning through the Tina on Naboo" respond Crix.

"I don't know where his is being held" said Roland.

Results:
- Fondor Intelligence start putting facts together

[RocketMedic]

Erilnar
"Mandalore has always been a friend of the Centrality, Ambassador. But I sense you are not here to listen to platitudes. I have asked you here because I would like to ask you to sell us strike fighters."

The Mandalorian listened politely. He was not an official Ambassador, but as an Envoy, he functioned as one. "I will have to consult with my government. However, I will convey your request with my endorsement. Which designs are you interested in?"

"Primarily, the Nexu. But we'd be quite thrilled if the Order would enter some of your fighters in our design contest. But from what we've seen of the Nexu, it's likely to win."

"My contacts say that you're not having too many entries, General."

"Unfortunately, just the SAS has responded so far. The GC doesn't seem to have much interest, nor do many of the other factions."

"Unfortunate. How does the Centrality plan on paying for these?"

"Cash initially, but we would be open to leasing a base in the Centrality for a century, and of course hiring Mandalorians as trainers for our ground forces."

"I see."

-CSC asks Mandalore about buying the Nexu-class fighters.

Scilla
"What do you mean, a medical droid?"

"Yes, a mass-producible, easily-portable medical droid with robotic surgical arms and repulsors. Our marketers are calling him Dr. Ball." (yes, I was watching Robot Chicken).
-Dr. Ball research begins.

[Dark Primus]

Denon



The Lord of War, a GC New Republic corvette entered the atmosphere on the troubled world, it sailed gracefully through the skies, seeing the tops of skyscrapers towering through the white sheets of clouds.
Inside the cargo bay five dozen dark armored GC Elite warriors prepared themselves to do battle against the possible worst enemy the galaxy has ever faced. The Sith.
Nala Heero was slender and beautiful, had long brown hair when she did not have her helmet on. She strapped on the heavy black armor suit that would protect her from light blaster weapons. She putted her blaster into the holster, and attached the heavy blaster rifle to her side and pulled out a double bladed vibrosword from her back and she started to swing it fast around her in a series of deadly moves, each such move would have killed an adult man in one single stroke.
The others in her squad followed the example and warmed themselves up and brought up their vibroblades and followed her moves with a deadly precision.
“All right boys.” She said. “Remember your combat training. You may have to fight against Sith acolytes down there, take no chances.”
“Roger.” Was the response.
“Remember you are the first batch of people from Carida being trained for close combat against Sith and their servants. We will show them the time they putted for our training will get results. You have shown great skills and endurance. Many has failed to come so far as we have, this is for our home Carida.”
“HORAAH! HORAAH.” The men shouted to their lead lieutenant.
“For range use you blaster rifles, for close combat use the vibroblades and not the opposite as we know D'had here prefer.” She said jokingly and smiled listening to her men laughing at the comment knowing how confusing D'had can be some times.
“Yeah yeah. Very funny guys.” D'had replied taking distance from the jokes at his expense.
“These new vibroblades are our first newly produced weapons” She held a firm grip on the short staff and with a move the staff extended two very deadly blades from each end. “and can withstand the bite of lightsabers and deflect blaster weapons, those skills you now have been trained for. The Jedi will lead us and we will follow their lead. Is that understood?”
“Yes sir!” The men shouted back at her loudly.
“We don't know what kind of carnage or chaos there will be down below so expect everything and anything.”
The men nodded back to her.



Jax Pavan who had been appointed as the leader of the Jedi strike team approached the gathering of armor clad champions he had been impressed so far from the rumors and from the little he had seen.
“You couldn't look more ready then you already do. What do you think?” He said to Kajin.
“They don't appear much to look at.” Kajin Savaros replied. “Maybe we should leave close combat to the experts.” He said mockingly.
“And we are the kind of experts to back you up to support you where one on one fails, strength in numbers will succeed.” Nala stated back.
“After GC wrestled Carida from New Empire and abolished the Imperial training centers, they implemented new training doctrines and replaced the shooting galleries with other ideas for better close combat training with skills as ours. We are the testbed of this training and Carida will be the Prime Academy for fighting arts styles to better handle fighting against the Sith in the future. We are the first result of the GC's wake up call to the threat the Sith represents. Out of the first two hundred that signed up to test this five dozen of us is all that made it through so far. Next year there will be thousands of us. And Caridan authorities are expanding the training facilities. And we are eager to test our years of training against the Sith.”
Jax urged caution in times like these as Kajin very well knew. “Well Nala, there is an old saying, be careful with what you wish for, you may get it.”



“All hands this is the captain we are approaching the landing zone but we picks up a lot of weapons fire nearby. Requesting advice!”
Jax nodded. “As predicted after the pirate attacks.” They hurried up to the bridge and to their amazement as they arrived they saw columns of black and gray smoke rising up to the sky from the streets below.
“Forget the landing pad captain. We can contribute a lot more to the chaos if you were to settle us down to that abandoned street below.” Jax pointed down to the several file wide road that had more then enough space for the corvette.
But as the ship was readying to land several droid tanks passed and stopped as they took noticed to the ship and directed their arsenal upon the corvette and unleashed their massive firepower upon the shielded ship and their energy bolts bounced off harmlessly.
Jax pointed at the tanks coming in to view. “Captain, activate the ship's laser canons and clear the way for us.”
“Aye sir.”
Several turrets on the ship swung around and targeted their respective targets and unleashed hell and with each shot blew the tanks away leaving nothing but craters in their wake. Another shot destroyed a lonely sniper droid standing on the roof top on a nearby building.
The ship sat down and the landing gear touched down on the road below pressing down the asphalt several decimeters under ground level, the road was not designed to handle this kind of pressure unlike a landing pad.
A portion of the ship's shields was lowered allowing the strike armored commandos to help with the police force and the military elements to regain control on the streets and help out the civilian population while the Jedi went after the Sith themselves, defeating them would end the chaos on Denon quickly.
The Lord of War thrusted off the ground and the captain followed the instructions from Jax Pavan and he let the force guide him, sensing where the dark side was strongest concentrated.
“Captain I want the hatch to be lowered when I give the signal so we can jump off. You take off to safety.”
“Understood sir.”
“Turn right over there and straight forward. I sense the dark side is strongest in that building.”
The ship headed towards the Sith and Jedi battle before them.



Actions: GC Commandos are on the ground to provide assistance to the local authorities. GC Jedi are to help fighting the Sith directly.

[Lord Castellan]

Denon
AJO Jedi

They stood aboard the bridge of the Jedi Corvette as it traveled through Hyperspace. Jungo was heading to Sullust, an allied planet and perfectly understandable that he must find is family. Then Kenzcee did need to remain at Tatooine, as Master Arik said. Saren only wished they would be alright.

"From the sound of it, things are getting worse." Hirrack said, reading an SAS Naval dispatch.

Saren walked over to read the report as Batu explained it aloud in Bothese for Hastur. "Too many governments are converging on Denon, and far too many units. Its utter chaos, even the Entente factions are having trouble meeting up with each other. Then there is some droid fleet crashing into whatever it can in space, destroying alot of our guys."

Hastur nodded. "What about on the ground itself?"

"Worse." Saren said. "The Sith are everywhere, and the UAP is reporting a droid army of unknown design. They have a few flights of fighters engaging but I dont think its going to be enough. The droids have some sort of shielding over them, and their payload is deadly."

Hirrack looked up. "HK-47?"

"Could be. Either way we gotta help and we gotta go investigate." Saren turned to Batu, who had yet to complete apprentice training, much less even make progress with the Force. "Batu, take my Ralwing on this one. I need you on recon."

"This cause I dont have a lightsaber?" The Human asked. He was already demoralized by how much difficulty he was having with his training, and he could tell it was hampering everyone.

Saren walked over to him, looking him right in the eye. "Batu Solan. You're a damn good pilot, much better than I. We need someone with a good view so we know what we're getting into, and there is no one I trust more on that one." Batu composed himself, and nodded.

They geared up, the Human heading down to the Hangar as the other three got their equipment together and prepared for the drop. Saren doned his Tythonian Armor, and Hirrack took a suit of Alliance Trooper. But Hastur refused, wearing only his sparse tribal clothing and red cape. Saren gave up trying to convince him when the pilot's voice came over the intercomm.

"Master Jedi, we're here. Dropping out of Hyperspace in... 3... 2... 1!" Out the viewpane they saw a completely hectic situation. Forces from all across the galaxy were mixed in with smaller civilian craft and assaulting droid ships. The planet below would show off the occasional explosion, and the fear washed over the Jedi.

"Take us down Helmsman!" Saren roared as turbolaser fire impacted the ship. They flew down to the planet, from then dodging attack and collision. They entered the atmosphere to find it much as expected, with chaos the presiding point of the night. The ship cruised over the slum sector into business, finding smoke pillars filling the sky and a landing point sparse. They finally made their way to the main starport, touching down and letting the Jedi off. Saren spoke with the ship's XO just before leaving.

"Go link up with the Entente, we'll call for Evac when we're done." The XO nodded, and Saren watch as the Guardian soared up and over the planet once again, a single fighter falling from the hangar.

"Saren, can you read me?" Batu called over short range comms.

"Loud n clear."

"Bloodstripe troops are all over the Starport, they got it pretty much locked down. There are reports of attacks just south a few miles."

Saren nodded. "Understood. Go check it out and report back, we'll grab a speeder and head over.

"Will do."

They watched the Ralwing soar overhead before turning their attentions to around them. They ran through the Starport, letting their lightsabers show as clearance. They ran out to the street, where a Starport Taxi Service speeder sat on the side of the road, the driver leaning against it.

"Jedi business, we need your car." Saren said, gently waving his hand.

"You have Jedi business, you need my car." The cab driver said, handing over his keys.

There was really little time to waste. The three jumped into the speeder, Saren taking the wheel. He shot straight out of the starport, zooming past stopped traffic by taking off up through non sanctioned airlanes.

It wasnt long until they reached the location Batu mentioned, diving downwards to the scene. It was one of destruction.

"Blast! There is some kind of droid army blowing the hell out of the place!" Batu called over the comms.

Saren put his hand over his ear, trying to hear what Batu was saying. There were tell-tale signs of explosions but little else, a fog blocking their line of sight. It wasnt long before they saw it, and came face to face with the Dominion Army.


Denon
43rd Marine Division


Tell tale explosions could be heard but a few miles off, heralding something massive. General Ser'Ritus's troops hit the ground running, bursting from their shuttles at full speed. He began issuing orders when he noticed someone else using one of the Bothan Military frequencies, higher code.

The General tapped onto the frequency, hearing garbled messages passing between a group of four. "...Take cover!..." "...Over the... Hundreds..." "...Saren call... Backup!"

Ser'Ritus brought his comm officer over, tightening the connection. "This is BR General Ser'Ritus, 43rd Marine Division."

There was a split second of silence before someone answered him, speaking quickly and in Bothese. "General, I can sense your location, get your men to the Starport and reinforce the Bloodstripe garrison, they'll need all the help they can get."

Ser'Ritus could guess who he was talking to. "Yes Master Jedi, do you need a few men?"

There was static and then a loud explosion. "We'll meet you there. Hop to it General!"

The General didnt really like being ordered like that by someone he didnt know, but had orders to treat the Jedi as a higher authority on this mission, and he realized that urgency rated out subtlety. He gave the command, meeting with the BC troops a short twenty minutes later.


Denon
AJO Jedi


Saren launched himself over a crashed speeder, throwing up a barrier around Hirrack to block a blaster bolt he missed. He turned and ran on again, an advancing line of HK-77s on their heels. They ran down the street, using the Force to boost their run.

Overhead, Batu made strafing runs to give them cover. He fired every weapon the Ralwing had, but couldnt take out more than a few droids, their shielding defending them.

The Starport was just ahead, barely a few meters away. Already Bloodstripe troops opened up on the advancing line, drawing much of the droid's fire from the Jedi. Speeder bikes flew out onto the road, harrying the droid advance.

DotM troops poured over the Starport entrance, Sentry droids rushing forward to meet BC counter-offensive troops. A whole squad of them bore down on the Jedi, two pinning Saren and Hirrack to the ground. Razor-sharp blade spun all along the GK-7's legs, closing in on the Bothans. A great roar interrupted their deaths, as Hastur threw his lightsaber destroying one, and ripped the other droid apart with his hands. He grabbed the smaller Bothans and tossed them through the door, where Bloodstripe soldiers set up a barricade.

The whole building shook, dislodging dust from the ceiling, as explosions racked the exterior. There was no time to organize, they had to fight with what they had.

"Hirrack, go find the Marines, get em in here and firing." The young Bothan nodded, running off to the southern part of the complex. "Hastur, stay here and fight. Im gonna go find out what the hell this is about." The furion nodded turning his attention to the murderous machines outside.

Saren moved deeper into the starport, dashing up a flight of stairs and using the Force to scale up to the highest balcony. There he took a hallway out onto the roof, where he watched the spectacle below.

A platoon of BC troops ran out with Hastur to meet the threat ahead of them. The Furion ran on all fours, tackling a spider droid and taking it out almost instantly. It was truly glorious to watch him fight. The platoon gave him support with Vibroblades while the rest of the detachment fired from within the Port itself. To the South, Saren could make out the BR Marines, coming in full speed but on foot. And just behind the DotM lines, was a flight of UAP fighters, harrying the rear guard.

It wasnt enough, not even near enough.

On the front lawn, the platoon was cut to shreds. They fought well, but were far too soon broken, what left sent back to their support with Hastur covering them. It was the same scene all over, as the full droid force hit the Starport, smashing into combat with BC soldiers. The Marines were still too far away, they wouldnt make it in time.

Finally Saren saw what he was looking for. He stared closer to make sure, eyes focusing on the one droid that stood out. It was him, Saren knew it. HE was covered in civilian blood, but it was definitely him. The Ara'Kon Jedi turned and ran back down into the Starport, hitting ground floor just as the first salvos from the massive Artillery droids shattered the ferrocrete walls.

Civilians screamed and fled, running for the south exit and a temporary salvation. The speakers throughout the building echoed with a maniacal metallic voice screeching about 'Meatbags', hammering morale. Yet the BC troops stayed, fighting as they died to ward off the droid force. Saren admired them for their courage, still fighting so hard for a cause that was not their own. He had figured the BC a near insane and twisted organization and perhaps this was still so, or perhaps not.

Saren activated his blade and launched himself into the mixed fray. He threw up barriers to protect the soldiers around him, focusing his energy on that and deflecting blaster bolts. Hastur was in the thick of it, a commando unit of BC troops miraculously keeping up with him. They followed his movements, cutting down any droids that got to close and tearing into the remains.

But it wouldnt last. Their line was continually pushed back by the oncoming ordinance, and tank droids busted through the wall openings.

There was little choice to it, the order for retreat had to be given. The BC troops were far too outnumbered and outgunned, especially with the heavier fire from the DotM army. Saren and Hastur covered their retreat, the commando unit running with them and obliterating everything in sight.

Just at that moment Saren got hit with a blast of lightning. He cursed and looked up to see his assailant, one blood soaked HK-47.

"Condescending Query: Are you stalking me Master Jedi?"

"How many innocent lives have you taken today droid?"

"Hurt Statement: You mean you dont know? I have failed! I should endeavor to make my body counts more obvious in the future."

"All your future holds is a scrap pile!" Saren screamed, raising his blade. Something hit him then, something loud and bright. The ground gave way as he, Hastur, and the Commandos all fell through darkness.

[Lightning_Count]

General Drethil Development Complex Proving Grounds

Ylix





“We have contact with the Destroyer Thunderbolt passing overhead.” General Cody reported. “Package is on its way down.”

He turned his head upwards, bringing up a pair of binoculars to scan the sky for the orbiting destroyer and its delivery, a tiny point of red light slowly getting bigger. Around him four dozen other sets of eyes followed his example, scanning the blue field for the incoming object.

“This is a good excuse to get home.” Siria Mandus remarked as he craned his neck. “Things have been so hectic lately I’ve forgotten the last time I made it home.”

“Must have been before the war.” First Minister Driffyn answered, shading his eyes with his palm. “How is Senex anyway?”

“Never ending.” He exhaled “Currently they’re neck deep in this Sluis Van business, and trying to wedge themselves into Denon. To my eyes, they look they are getting a little overstretched, running from one crisis to another. It’s going to be causing a strain sooner or later.”

“We’ve offered them support, and acted as an intermediate between the Imperium and the Entente, at least the SAS, but we can’t do much more.” Driffyn stated. “We don’t have the reach right now, we need all our ships at home and besides, sticking our nose into other peoples business is not a recipe for happiness.”



The group watched the object fall faster now, a red streak in the sky leaving a white vapour trail.

“I wouldn’t suggest armed intervention.” Mandus nodded in agreement. “At this point it would probably make things worse. However I would advocate taking a more visible stand.”

“How so?”

“I understand current policy is one of neutrality, but Minister Crow’s lack of a straight answer on her recent news interview has shaken confidence in the Government. Polls show people are worried the leadership is indecisive, afraid of planting their flag.”

“I’ve seen those reports.” Driffyn answered. “But they won’t make me change policy.”

“It’s not simply a matter of opinion polls First Minister, we must also present a united front. Imperial Unity was just a phrase before the war, but these days it means something. It means something because we were united, we did stand as one in the war, and we must maintain that now.”

“So you advocate blindly supporting the Imperium at all times in the name of Unity? Despite our own policies?”

“No First Minister, not unconditional support, but we should support them in matters that affect all Imperials, and this is one such matter.”

“How so?”



“The old Pact nations were fairly safe.” Mandus said, watching the object approaching the wide desert in front of them. “The Pact was a safety net, something to fall back on if you ran into trouble. We knew it was there but it didn’t throw its weight around, it was a pretty loose alliance much like our own Imperial equivalent.”

The falling object hit the ground with a massive thud, throwing up a fountain of sand hundreds of feet high that took several long moments to fall back.

“But that’s changed now, and this New Entente is a much different beast. It is more powerful, more controlling, and most worryingly of all it is prepared to throw its weight around. This is what has Fyyar’s people especially concerned, and if I may say frankly, it should concern us too.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen.” General Cody spoke up. “If I can direct you attention to the crash site you should be able to see our new prototype any second now.”

Mandus raised his binoculars, focusing on the thinning cloud.

“We don’t have a landing craft large enough to drop this machine, so we have to do it the old way.” Cody continued. “A one shot drop pod or large scale landing ship like an Acclamator or a destroyer.”

In the distance the pod split open like an egg revealing a hulking grey shape that rumbled to its feet, six massive metal legs that raised it up to a towering altitude, looking like some gigantic insect snug under its armoured carapace.

“I present the AT-TD.” General Cody said with evident relish. “The All Terrain Tactical Dominator, the ultimate expression of Imperial Land Doctrine.”



The six legged monstrosity clambered out of the crater it had made, much bigger than the more common AT-AT it shook the ground even at this distance, each step triggering a shudder a moment later.

“We could have done with those a few years ago.” Driffyn grinned. “Show those Vong beasts what a real war machine looks like.”

“Our designs have created this walker specifically to handle Vong threats.” Cody confirmed. “As you can see its primary weapons are a four barrelled rapid fire light turbolaser and a compound light turbolaser, we found this combination was perfect for beating enemy singularity defences in space and believe it’ll work just as well on land.”

The walker made its way to the testing area, taking its time.

“You can also see it has turret mounted heavy blasters fore and aft for dealing with infantry, light armour and any adventurous Force Users.” Cody pointed. “And a heavy laser canon in the tail position to protect its aft quarter. The TD is made of the heaviest armour we can put on a ground vehicle, virtually impervious to anything under warship grade firepower. We’ve plated over any weak spots, subdivided the interior and still left space for a full infantry battalion inside.”

The walker halted at the edge of the test area, a mix of constructed defences, remote controlled vehicles, and a forbidable fortress network all laid out before it.

“Time to put this beast through its paces.” Cody stated gleefully. “And for the record all vehicles are using live rounds.”



As the hour changed the Walker began its assault, using its compound beam to clear a path through a mine field and empty a trench of battle droids before obliterating bunkers with its forward cannons, a spectacle of light and sound which appeared particularly impressive.

“As I was saying.” Mandus picked up. “The Entente is a worry for us. It’s a much more political entity, not the simple fall back of the Pact. It isn’t content to sit there, it is actively using its might and influence to feed itself. The Denon crisis is seen as little more than an excuse for a land grab and the Imperium is very vocal about it.”

“And Sluis Van?”

“Again very political, but I don’t deny it would be better for us if that world should happen to leave the Entente. Though it’s dubious that it will. In any case it gives them another chance to flex their muscles on the galactic stage, and that is a concern.”

The AT-TD soaked up a barrage of tank fire before shooting back, ripping apart a mix of Republic and CIS style tanks.

“We have balances within the Entente, Modell for one, the SAS for another.”

“For now.” Mandus nodded. “But Modell is almost an even split between ideologies, we can’t guarantee an Imperial friendly government next election. And the SAS, well their main Imperial voice was Doldur who are withdrawing from closer integration. The more Autonomy they have, the less real influence they’ll be able to exert on SAS Policy. No sir, I don’t think we can count on any internal check to the Entente.”



“So you suggest an external check?” Driffyn asked, the Walker using vibro blades on its legs to slice through a wire trap. “Logically that would be a power block of similar size but opposite intentions, and we already have one. Two perhaps.”

“The CIS is its own master, but yes, we have the Unity.” Mandus confirmed. “However we are in the past, we have to evolve too, follow the Entente’s example and then some. We have to become closer.”

“We’re already adapting a united defence policy, and now our ships are standardised we can look at crew transfers and joint operations, maybe even a joint fleet.”

“It would be a good step, something the Entente has done already and which we can better.” Mandus agreed. “But I would go further and suggest a standing Imperial Council, like the Council of Moffs who would sit all year round administering the Unity. Rather than convene once a year or so, we keep the Imperial Unity Council in session all the time, ready to react at a moment’s notice.”

“And place a fleet at their disposal.” Driffyn noted. “It’s a big move, and one that would require a huge amount of faith in whoever sat on the Council.”

“Indeed, I would suggest only the most senior and well respected citizens become Council Members or hold other high office. I’ve heard Thrawn mentioned several times on Senex in relation to the combined fleet.”

“The SWE still doesn’t trust him much, but he’s proven himself to us. I could support that.”

“We’d need a General too, Cody perhaps? He is well qualified.”

“Cody has his own responsibilities here.” Driffyn replied bluntly. “As you know.”

“Of course.” Mandus nodded. “Someone else then, though I understand Senex has the ideal Spy master. Ice Heart.”

“That witch?” Driffyn grimaced. “Thought she was long dead.”

“Apparently she got better.” Mandus snickered. “She is very well qualified.”

“So be it.”



Conversation was drowned out for a moment as a pair of fighters roared overhead spraying gunfire at the thick hide of the Walker. It shot back with its own turreted guns, snatching the craft from the air in twin fireballs.

“The design bureau were going to call this machine Behemoth.” Cody explained. “But after a series of requests from the actual officers testing the AT-TD we decided to name it General Veers, to remember the legacy of a great and honourable man who died fighting in our nation.”

“A good choice General.” Driffyn approved. “And a worthy continuation of his vision.”

“The Entente is a worry First Minister, a greater one than the CIS.” Mandus continued quietly.

“Apparently their heading towards a collision.” Driffyn stated. “Both have an interest in Hutt space, and with the CIS arming rapidly its going to push tensions through the roof.”

“Not to sound too shallow, but a war between those two might be a good thing.”

“Or a disaster.” Driffyn countered. “Imagine one or the other winning and conquering the entire opposition. The resources they could command would be monstrous. We would have to be sure that did not happen.”



“I wanted to mention the Ministry of Justice too.” Mandus raised. “It’s a good idea, a central Police Force reporting directly to a Minister instead of the red tape of each world having its own police and laws.”

“They won’t replace local police, just supplement them.” Driffyn corrected. “With all the damage we’ve taken we need a stronger law enforcement agency, a centrally backed one. The new Constabulary will streamline the process of dealing with criminals and have the muscle to break interstellar crime syndicates.”

“Have you found anyone to run it yet?”

“Not yet.” Driffyn answered. “You have an idea?”

“My Aide, the former Captain Lillith.” Mandus suggested. “She’s been with me since the arrival. She’s former military and has been neck deep with me in Imperium politics. She knows both sides of the service and I think its time for her to move out of my shadow and take a job of her own.”

“You think she can do it?”

“To be frank First Minister, in a job like this you need an Imperial, and an old one. Lillith served with the original 13th Fleet, she is dyed in the wool Imperial, but no fanatic. She’s perfect, and I highly recommend her.”

Driffyn accepted. “Very well, I’ll put her name forward.”

“You won’t be disappointed.”



The demonstration ended with the AT-TD unleashing its full firepower at the fortress, blasting it to rubble in a constant thunder of explosions and falling debris. It was a suitably explosive finish.

“Nicely done General.” Driffyn smiled. “Consider production approved.”

“Thank you sir. We still have several months until we can bring them into service, more development to do, but the team will be very pleased to hear this.”

“Not a bad piece of kit.” Mandus nodded. “Are we exporting them?”

“To the usual allies.” Driffyn confirmed. “Perhaps Doldur too if they keep them under Imperial only command.”

“Might be a good move to have closer friends in that region.”

“I’m not convinced the Entente is as voracious as you think.” Driffyn said calmly. “But bringing the Imperial powers closer is worth trying anyhow.”

“My suspicion lies on the Bothans, I suspect they are the driving force behind this new aggression in the Entente.” Mandus sneered. “We will see, I’ll be watching them, looking for signs of Imperialism or warmongering.”

“In the mean time I’ll offer support to the proposals of unified departments.” Driffyn affirmed. “Tell Chancellor Fyyar he has our support in this matter, and that I will speak to Thrawn in person to seek his answer.”

“It will be a great day for the Empire.” Mandus smiled. “For all of us.”





Actions-



New AT-TD trialled.

If successful Imperial powers will be offered opportunity to buy them.



FRA Will support unified Fleet, Army and Intel operations under Imperil Unity.

Suggests an Imperial Security Council be created to oversee these unified commands made up from members of the Imperial groups.

[Corp]

Denon

There was chaos in the streets. Night had fallen on this section of Denon and madness had come on its dark wings. In orbit ships from a half dozen governments tried to work together to beat back the attacks of highly organized pirates. There was no agreed upon battle plan and no united command, resulting in each fleet being focused on their own goals, often resulting in arguments between parties. On the surface Sith agents hit carefully selected targets taking control out of the hands of the government and into the hands of the mob. Bands of armed droids roomed the streets killing all they came across. In the upper levels of the city planet the rich hid in their private homes, surrounded by personal security guards, while in the lower levels thousands took to the alleys and highways in search of food, loot, and revenge. An entire planet going mad as the local government, with the help of various governments, tried to hold back the flood with their bare hands.

However there was hope. People still remembered they were people. They refused to join the mob and came together to protect their property and each other. They resisted the influence of the Sith and served as rally points for government forces. In one of these oases was a pair of Jedi from the Federation. They had been staying in the lower levels, hoping to catch signs of the Sith, when things took a turn for the worst. Calis had been able to rally the locals together and since then had been trying to push that calming influence out one block at a time. Relief supplies and troops from the newly arrived Foreign Legion had done a lot to ensure that once an area became peaceful that it stayed that way.

“Look if you will just open your store I promise that you’ll have guards here to help keep order,” Calis told a shopkeeper who had holed up and was shooting at anyone who came near. “You have items that people badly need. It would help a lot of people.”

“No…no I open my doors and the mob will just rob me blind!”

“The guards will stop them from doing that. Only current items will be taken, the rest will be completely off limits.”

The owner thought about that, but again got a hard look on his face. “So you are robbing me! You’re going to take my goods and leave me with nothing. Who’s going to pay for all of it?”

“Well you can keep a tally of what we take and maybe once order has been restored the government will reimburse you. However if you don’t open your doors then people might try and break in on their own. I don’t have enough troops in the area to stop them all. Besides how do you want your neighbours to remember you? As the man who opened his heart to help those in need or the man who’s greed caused people to suffer?”

The man seemed to talk to someone on the roof behind him, no doubt family and friends who had taken shelter with him, and in the end agreed to open his doors. Legion troops quickly moved in to secure the building. Calis gave a wave and Shadow appeared heading dozens of people forward. Under the watchful eye of the store owner and soldiers they emptied the store of medical supplies, some tools, and bit of food that was there. This would bring another block under their control and if all went well they could use this example to get other business to open their doors, provided they hadn’t already been looted. There was more than one fire burning unchecked nearby signalling those who did not bow to the mob’s will.

With this situation under control at least the two Jedi sat on the street for a moment’s rest. Shadow observed the Legion troops at work, impressed that ex-cons could so such good. They had only been in the system for less than a day but they had already been a big help. “I’m glad the Legion was able to get here so quickly. It might have been too late for these people if we had to wait for the regular military to arrive.”

“Yep they’ve done well. If they keep it up it will mean that Streen would have past his first major test as the Legion’s commander. Of course using them will likely cause some problems down the line,” Calis added.

Shadow didn’t really understand the comment. Part of her knew it likely had something to do with the Legion working more with the Imperium forces than the Entente forces, but to her this was perfectly natural. After all the Legion had worked with the Imperium before, had just spent years fighting the Vong with them. As for the Entente the Legion had fought beside the UAP years ago, had rarely worked with the SAS, and never worked with the Bothans. Why wouldn’t they prefer the Imperium?

”Master Calis please come in. We’ve lost contact with a truck carrying food supplies in your area. Can you give us a hand?”

“Break time over,” Calis said as he pulled out his com link. “Acknowledged. Likely got lost. Give me their last know location and I’ll check it out.”

Calis began to get up but Shadow grabbed his arm. “Master let me go. I think I’m ready so do something on my own. The area is fairly secure and I’ll keep in contact.”

“I’ll make you a deal,” Calis said after a moment’s thought. “There’s a few things I need to do here, which will take about five minute. You go ahead and I’ll follow once I’m done.”

Shadow flashed a smile and headed off to where the truck was last reported. She picked her way through the streets, waving to the few people who were out and about. This was what being a Jedi was all about. Helping people who needed it, protecting them from those who would harm them, standing between the wicked and the innocent. This was better than listening to lectures back on Endor. Shadow was already enjoying this trip with Master Calis. She was learning useful things and had even finished her own lightsaber. Perhaps her worries about the direction of the Jedi was all for nothing.

Opening herself to the Force it didn’t take Shadow long to find the missing food truck. However when she did she was shocked at what she found. The truck was in a small alleyway and dead Legion soldiers lay on the mud covered ground. Three others were on their feet...and laughing. Talking about how easy it was to kill their fellows. About how rich they would get selling the food rather than hand it out to those who needed it most. Even now they planned to dump the bodies of their victims over the edge to the lower levels below. Shadow felt shock and rage bubble up inside of her. She knew that she should wait for Calis to arrive but the men were getting ready to make their escape. Something had to be done. These crimes could not go unpunished.

“Halt!” The rogue Legion soldiers jumped when Shadow appeared among them. “You three are under arrest for theft and murder.”

Two of them looked nervous. They didn’t have the look of criminals, likely some of those who joined for the thrill. The three however just laughed when he saw Shadow along. “Just you? You’re going to arrest the three of us. Get lost or you’ll get the same fate as these bastards.”

“No. People need that food.”

“And we need the credits. Last chance.”

Shadow saw that the other two had now regained their nerve and were moving towards her. Reaching out with the Force Shadow saw that these men would not reform. In their minds this crime and the murders to cover it up were just. They might go to jail but they would get out and hurt more people. They had to be stopped.

“It’s funny that you mention last chance,” Shadow said as she masked herself in the Force and drew her lightsaber. “Because that’s what you were given when you joined the Legion. At least that’s now Master Streen explained it. And you three, well you just used up that last chance.”

The fight didn’t last long. The three soldiers were taken completely by surprised. They thought they were fighting a would be hero not a Jedi Padawan. They barely got a shot off before Shadow cut them down. Kneeling over the bodies she drew a small vibro blade and cut the Legion patches from their uniforms. She then lifted the bodies and threw them over the edge before reaching for her com. “Master Calis? I found the truck, but it looks like the mob tried to attack them...”

Actions:
A few Legion ships and troops arrive on Denon to help restore order
Shadow deals out her own verison of justice.

[Lord Castellan]

Excarga


The Bothan woman was beautiful by even Human standards. She rode on the passenger freighter, keeping to herself for the most part. She wore a tight black combat suit, and more than one male stole a stare at her. But her attentions were focused on the datapad in her hand. That and the multiple Hold-Out Blasters, the Carbine on her back, and the Vibrosword probably warded off any advances before she had to. Halla Dall'Ience concentrated on the files showing on her datapad. She thought back to the day before, when she was contracted for this job.

It was on Kothlis. She picked up a job from a BR Councilor, not knowing who he was until meeting him in a hotel sweet. Halla walked into the room to see a rather nervous older Bothan pacing throughout, who nearly jumped when he saw her.

"You have a job for someone of skill?" She asked.

He shook his head rapidly. "Yes of course I do! Why the hell else would I pay you to come here?" Halla's eyes sharpened but he paid no heed "I have a friend who knows too much, I need her taken out."

Halla nodded. Politicians. She thought annoyed. She held out her datapad and he downloaded the information. After a moment checking the location and rate of pay, the Bothan woman nodded and headed out.

"Meet me in two days alright? Im not paying you to screw off!"

Halla turned from the door, pulling a blaster from her hip and pointing it under his chin. He went pale. "The price just went up. Keep it up asshole and ill make sure your 'friend' spits out all the dirty secrets they know."

With that she left the room. "Mercenary scum." She heard before the door closed. She let it slide.

So now she was on a job for a Bothan Councilor. What an ass. The pay was good though, and it was a simple job. Kill one friend of a politician, shouldn't be anyone dangerous. The freighter gave the landing code and headed down to the planet, landing at the small docking port. Halla's datapad detailed that the friend would be in the Gallis Hotel, 432nd Room, at 15:00 on Excarga that day. Halla had barely three hours to spare.

She moved swiftly down the loading ramp and past the poor excuse for a Starport. The crowd barely noticed her, most there for business or, for the more unfortunate, home. The planet itself may have been an overall decent destination, but this city was slime. The smell floated out to greet the Mercenary as she walked on forward.

Her nose wrinkled up in disgust. "The smell and decay of a dying slum." She said disinterested.

She walked on, ensuring her gear was ready as she neared the center of what was once a mining town. What few resources it had were long gone, resulting in the current suburban hell. The Hotel Gallis was a single beacon of money and power in the region. The pristine corridors were far out of reach for the poor abound. Only the richer out-of-town visitors could afford a room, there likely to exploit the poor.

The Bothan discreetly headed into a building across the street, the attendant at the desk barely noticing. She took the back staircase, moving out onto the rooftop. There she pulled out a pair of magnoculars, searching for the room across the street. She found it quickly, dropping the bag from her shoulder. There the Merc retrieved an old-fashioned zip line, setting the magnetic clamps on the roof's ferrocrete railing. She aimed at the room, firing the line to just above the window. She pulled on the cord to make sure it was taut and checked again with her magnoculars.

Halla crashed through the window, turning over the table she saw and using it to steady her fall. She jumped up, two blasters drawn to fire at her target, only to find someone in full stormtrooper armor aiming a pistol back at her.

They both fired simultaneously and ducked behind cover, only to rise and fire again. Halla slipped back down below the table and kicked with both legs, sending it flying at her opponent. The stormtrooper was knocked down, stomach bent over the table and helmet rolling along the floor. Halla holstered one pistol and aimed the other at the target, giving them just a moment to raise their head. Halla's eyes went wide with surprise.

"Aleena?" She asked. The stormtrooper stood, just as amazed as she was.

"Ill be damned. Halla Dall'Ience. Trying to kill me now? I thought we settled things last time."

"We were both contracted to kill the same man, and you won fair and square. Im trying to kill you for other reasons."

"Oh?" Aleena asked.

Halla smirked. "It seems you know too much."

"Dell'Iad. That bastard."

Halla and Aleena had history. A few years back, they were both hired to kill the same Rodian, and ran into a dilemma on the field. Aleena was a New Empire Commando for years, her career falling when the New Empire was defeated. She went into mercenary work, building a reputation when she met Halla. The two settled their dispute then and their, Aleena beating her to the kill.

"Politicians, what do you expect?" Halla asked jokingly.

Aleena aimed her rifle back at Halla's head. "Well lets do this then."

The Bothan woman shook her head. "Not like this. I got the drop on you too easy. Pick the location. Where do you wanna die?"

Aleena laughed. "Is that respect im sensing? There is an old space station orbitting Excarga's moon, ill be there in four hours."

Halla smiled. "Kill you there."


Two Days Later...


The Bothan stopped for a moment, hands on knees catching her breath. Red lights flashed all throughout the station, warning klaxons wailing.

For two days she hunted Aleena through that station. For two days they nearly destroyed it. There were little more than criminals and drug runners on the station itself, s the casualties werent innocent. Most of the inhabitants had left by now. Halla jogged down a corridor, holding a crude blaster pistol. Her own ammo had been exhausted, forcing her to kill some of the criminals around and take their crude weapons.

She listened, trying to hear anything through the sound of the emergency wailing. That and her starving stomach.

But she heard it, the clanking of an air-duct just inside the very wall she now leaned against. The Mercenary pulled the last det pack from her bag, latching it onto the wall before her. Dodging for cover, she blew out the wall, were a surprised Aleena fell out. Halla stood smiling, raising her blster to fire.

She pulled the trigger. Nothing happened.

Frustrated, she tossed it aside as Aleena laughed. Suddenly the engine room on the station went critical, a droid voice informing them. Halla groaned as she watched Aleena turn away, running in the opposite direction of Halla's ship.

The Bothan had no choice. She spun around and ran for her own shuttle, punching the engine and barely escaping the hangar bay in time. She watched as the station exploded. No one could escape that.


The Next Day


Halla sat on a passenger freighter once again, as it touched down on Kothlis. Aleena was dead for sure, her ship never left the station before it blew. Halla had already called ahead to the Councilor and secured transaction of her payment.

As the Bothan got off the freighter, her datapad beeped. She pulled it from her pocket and read the new message.

"Better luck next time! -Aleena"

[PhantomVX2000]

Mandalore

It was an early morning. The shuttle’s engines began to die down as they were being powered down, the armed, armored figures emerged from the front of the shuttle a few moments later, walking down a fully extended door ramp onto the landing platform with a former Neimoidian viceroy, flanked all around by the Mandalorians. Outside on the deck, there was a small group stood before the arrivals waiting to greet them, an individual among them the arrival instantly recognized: Janus Ordo, the supreme leader. The Mandalorian force-sensitive paused and snapped to salute. Janus immediately returned a salute and waved them to ease.

The Neimoidian was quite thrilled to see Janus.

Reaching the dock, away from the Mandalorian escorts, the former viceroy clasped his hands together as he approached his foreign counterpart. At the same time, all of the Mandalorians present beside Janus kept a close eye on every movement of the former viceroy. Surprised Raue stuck out his hand. Janus accepted it.

Raue said with a wryly smile, “It was really you who sent these people…”

“Welcome back to Mandalore. I hope your trip was pleasant. That’s right, I sent them because you was too valuable to let the Monarchists to get their dirty hands on you. ” Janus nodded.

“It went well. Thank you.” Raue said, “I will not forget what you done for me. I am in your debt.”

“That makes us even.”

“It seems the galaxy now think I am dead, killed by the pro-Royal military units in the high orbit of Cato Neimoidia. Frankly, I am sincerely surprised that the monarchists would move in, grab all the power for themselves, and solidify their authority over the civilian population. This is a very concerning matter.”

Janus concurred with a nod; it was indeed a bad news for the Federation of United Systems. He sounded sincere, “Certainly, given by the reputation of the monarchists, anyone would be worried. But they are your least worry, for now.”

“Where will I stay?” Raue asked.

“You could stay here with us. If you have any better hiding spots, you are free to go anytime you desire.”

“I think I’ll stay here. There is no better hiding place than the world filled with very well armed people with a highly martial culture.” The former viceroy crossed his arms over his chest and grinned.

Janus bowed his head slightly, smiling. He carefully assessed the former viceroy for any clues such as body movement, eye contact, breath pattern, and others; so far nothing seemed to indicate Raue was hiding anything from him. Initially, Janus was little wary around Raue due to his probable connection to the Sith, but more he looked closely he was starting to realize there was something different about this Neimoidian. He wondered if Raue was simply a man with his own agenda.

That would be something he will have to ask him candidly later.

“Wise choice. Well, my staff will take you to the place where you will be staying; it is a very nice and spacious place. I think you will like it.” Janus motioned his assistant staff to come forward. “Raue, there is a business I needed to settle with these people. I apologize if I inconvenienced you in any ways, but we will talk tonight, of course, with some of ‘them’ present.”

“It’s okay with me. I look forward to discuss the matters with you tonight.”

With that, Raue and Janus’s assistant staff left the dock, heading toward one of the nearby buildings, with the armed guards trailing behind them. There were a few moments of silence as the Mandalorian waited for the former viceroy to disappear out of their sight.

Janus approached the Greywalkers, “We have a couple of very important guests from the Shadow Walker Empire who wish to discuss with all you personally. They do know I have force-sensitives under my command. I suggest you hear them out.”

Tallisibeth arched her eyebrows: “How?”

Bardan appeared to be indifferent, but none of his fellows noticed it.

“I will explain it to you later. But they have a very important information; your life gravely depends on their words. Come with me.”

It sounded like a bad news for the Mandalorian force-sensitives as they silently exchanged each other a look. With a gesture from Janus, they followed him to the nearest building.

Zayles had an uneasy feeling about this. At the same time, his younger sister saw it in his eyes.

“Are you okay?” Nurola whispered onto his ear.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Through the holo-projection, Janus, Bardan, Tallisibeth, Nurola, and Zayles watched as a young couple spoke with each other in the conference room a few rooms away from the Mandalorian’ current room. Janus thought it would be a good idea to show them who the guests were before actually meeting them. Standing next to him were Zayles and Nurola, they were silently astonished. It was a miracle that either Bardan or Tallisibeth picked up the mixed feelings coming from the Esterhazy-Enwandung siblings. For them especially Zayles, seeing Dinah Rae was something they didn’t expect to see this soon, it had been months after the incident on Corellia.

The prophetic words of Dinah about crossing each other’s path in the future came true.

A young woman in the holo-projection looked just as Zayles remembered her, pretty as an angel, intense brown eyes, and always has aura of confidence around her. She got her arms back, even right one severed by him in the duel on Corellia. It was likely the SWE doctors grew her missing arm with Kolcta or gave her a prosthetic arm. Casually, she was talking to a male in his early twenties sitting to next to her.

“Andris Krennath and Dinah Rae.” Janus identified them. “They were waiting for you since they got here few days ago. I told them you were away on a field mission.”

Nurola looked from the hologram to her older brother now fixated on the hologram. She moved sideways and elbowed him in the ribs lightly, sending him a telepathic message.

We would have to go in and talk with them.

For a time, Zayles thought about it. He would have preferred to face her alone, but she was not alone as the son of Alexander Krennath was accompanying with her. He could sense that Andris was strong in the Force. At least, his sister was going with him, two for two would make the things even. Finally, He shot her an acknowledgment nod:

Yeah, you are right, Nurola.

Then he cleared his throat, “With your permission, I and Nurola would like go in and speak with them… privately. To ease them up, you know.”

“Permission granted.” Janus and Bardan said in unison.

“Thank you.”

Nurola made a half-smile, heading toward the door onto the corridor. She titled her head at the door, “Come on, we shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

“I am with you.” Zayles said in lower voice, following her.

With that, they departed the room.

Nurola was first to enter the conference room followed by her brother. Zayles refrained from flinching upon seeing his former opponent.

The conference room was big, with just enough room for a long, posh circular table in center and a utility table along a wall, nine chairs opposite. On the opposing wall, facing the door and a utility table, was a large window with an admirable overlooking view of the beautiful mountainous harbor. Already inside of the room was a pair of the quests, Andris and Dinah.

The couple from the SWE stood up, staring at the arrivals cautiously and half startled.

For a few moments, neither both of the parties said a single word to each other until someone decided to break the ice. It was apparent the siblings had forgotten something.

“The amulets, we have to take them off. They can’t sense our presences.” Zayles chuckled awkwardly.

Nurola giggled, “They were wondering whichever if we were the crab-boys in disguise or not.”

Surely enough, the Mandalorian took off their taozin amulets and placed them on the table. They turned their attention to their foreign counterparts before taking the seats. The guests did same thing.

“Sorry about that one. Let us introduce ourselves. I am Zayles.”

“Nurola” Nurola raised her hand, smiling. “We know who you are.”

“That is every force-user Janus has?” Asked Andris.

“No, there are more of us, but we are here for a different reason. It should take five minutes or so before we bring rest of us here.” Zayles said bluntly.

“What the reason would be that?”

“Her.” Zayles glanced at Dinah with an apologetic look. “It’s good to see you again. I am sorry about your arm.”

Dinah’s eyes widen as the words of Zayles sunk into her ears and the memory of an ill-fated dueling on Corellia flooded into her head. Confidently, she stared intently into the eyes of her former opponent. This time, she was convinced that she could beat him if the fighting broke out between them right now.

In the meanwhile, Andris tensed faintly in his chair. Deep inside, he had a bad vibes toward these young Mandalorians especially Zayles and he took an exception to what he had done to his lover on Corellia. He was able to use the Force conceal his feelings due to his training. However, Nurola was proficient in reading the things. His body language and facial expression drew the attention of Nurola. She narrowed her eyes on him and widened her connection to the Force for any glimpse of potential trouble. Then she showed him an intense stare.

He caught a flash of a beautiful Mandalorian’s bright emerald eyes.

It was to remind him that she was watching him.

She sincerely thought Andris was very cute despite his ‘negative’ outward demeanor. Downside was that it didn’t take a genius to figure out Andris and Dinah were romantically linked. Nurola telepathically told her brother: She has a boyfriend who is a prince.

I noticed too. Zayles telepathically responded.

“So it was you who defeated me.” Dinah said firmly. “You might have won last time, but I learned so much from our last encounter and I wouldn’t be beaten next time.”

Zayles was not surprised by her reaction. It was rather expected, he spent some time occasionally clicking through a number of possibilities until today and the current situation was one of them. Actually, he was bit disappointed that she seemed to be fixated on her defeat and had forget the moment she was bought to the safely.

“I admire your courage.” Zayles said. “Look… if our roles were reversed, I would not hold a grudge against you for lopping off my arm. It was the heat of battle: you were my opponent, and I was your opponent. It was either my life or your life. That was how the things work out. If you want to see me as a merciless, killer Mandalorian or your adversary, that is fine with me. I would not prefer you as my enemy. Now, more importantly, would you have done the same thing: saving my life like I did for you… would you?”

Dinah’s gaze faded. He spoke like a true Jedi of the old Order, she mentally told herself. And he was right. She almost forgot what it meant to be a Jedi at the heart, not a vengeful one looking to get even. Who was she to judge when it came to what made a decent person?

“I would have done same as you. About what happened on Corellia, I will not forget that.”

“Fair enough.”

There was a moment of silence.

Dinah finally spoke up, “So you two are…close?”

Nurola scrunched up her face in disgust. She shot back, “Oh Force, no! He is my brother!”

Zayles released a groan.

The reactions from the Mandalorians made Dinah smile. Zayles thought it was an intentional backhanded jab from her.

“All right, I am going to bring in the others.” He pressed the intercom device on the center of the table and called them in. A few rooms away, they acknowledged his call. He looked up at Dinah and Andris, “They are coming here.”

A minute later Janus, Bardan, and Tallisibeth arrived in the conference room and they seated themselves at the circular table. The older Mandalorians focused their attention on the foreign pair with a strong interest in hearing from them. They knew that their covert arrival and presence signified something very important.

“Andris and Dinah, what bring you here?” Janus asked as he looked at them intently.

The young couple exchanged each other a look.

“We came here to warn the Mandalorian force users.” Andris said.

Tallisibeth leaned forward over the table, “A warning?”

“Yes, you are infected with the Sith alchemical bio-chemical weapon called Clean Slate version two. It is a dark-side organism engineered to latch on the rare metals such as Mandalorian Iron used in your armor and metabolizing into something new. This dormant weapon only targets the lightsiders like us long as they wear the armors or items with rare metals. Virtually undetectable to both conventional scanner and the Force-based detection until it go active. It stays dormant until it get directly bathed in dark energies such as Force lightning. Once activated, the organism starts eating into the metals and release fast-acting neurotoxins.” Dinah tried to her best to explain the nature of Clean Slate 2.0 to the Mandalorians.

“It is far lethal. It will kill the target in seconds.” Andris added.

Bardan looked at them. “Count Dooku.”

“He infected all of you except Janus as insurance just in case if you turn against them.” Dinah nodded.

The Mandalorians were not surprised about that one, but also not very amused. They somewhat anticipated that Count Dooku would come up with an insurance against the Mandalorian force-sensitives. But the thought of being infected with a deadly dark-based alchemical bio-chemical agent was very troubling especially it was virtually undetectable and they didn’t know they had it until now.

“How do you know of this?” Zayles glared at them.

Dinah sighed, “I was infected and nearly died from it.”

“There is one thing I doesn’t get it: Why didn’t it kill you? You clearly stated it would kill you in a matter of seconds.”

“It was Clean Slate version one. It was much less lethal than the second generation and I had a very small amount of the traces of Mandalorian Iron in my blood. I must have got from you during the dueling on Corellia.”

That made Zayles feel uneasy.

Janus tapped on the table, “Are there any ways to defeat this agent?”

“Yes there are two ways.” Andris nodded. “One of them is Force Healing. Another way is permeate yourself completely with light energies. ”

There was a moment of silence as the Mandalorians looked at each other.

“I could do that. I used to be one of these ‘certified’ Force Healers in the days of the old Jedi Order.” Bardan said confidently.

“We have to warn her.” Nurola abruptly said.

“Who?” Asked Andris.

“Kiva. She’s my daughter.” Janus sighed.

That surprised Andris and Dinah; they did not know Kiva was actually a daughter of Mandalore although they knew a little about her from Alexander and Amanda. They assumed that she was one of the Mandalorian force-users present on Corellia.

Nurola shifted her eyes on Janus and said abruptly, “Where is she now?”

“Honey…” Tallisibeth said. She was concerned about Kiva as much as her daughter was.

“It’s okay. You have a right to know. I know it’s wrong to keep from you, but I had to maintain the secrecy until now.” Janus raised his hand. “But first thing, I ask you to keep this matter to ourselves, that means both of you, Andris and Dinah, too.”

Everybody nodded in agreement.

Satisfied Janus produced a small holo-projector, placed it on the table, and started playing a recorded holo-footage of the fated meeting between Janus, Kiva, Alexander, and Amanda along with a force-ghost of late Admiral Devan. When it was over, stunned by what they learnt, they turned their head toward Janus hoping he could explain all of this to them.

Andris and Dinah were blanched like many Mandalorians present; the holo-footage certainly explained what actually went down when the Krennath duo went on a field trip to Mandalore and why the Mandalorians fought on Corellia. More Andris thought about the footage, it was possible Kiva’s aggressive action against his sister may have contributed to her strange, unusual behavior. Secondly, he was intrigued by the idea of immunity to the dark side of the Force. For Dinah, seeing them like this felt like someone had driven an airspeeder into her.

The Jedi looked at Enwandung-Esterhazy siblings silently. She realized why they fought on Corellia.

“Nurola, since you asked, she is with Count Dooku right now. Exactly like what the ghost of Devan said.” Janus stated.

The Enwandung-Esterhazy siblings felt a sickening feeling in their stomach. They now know why Kiva was absent for several weeks. The thought of their closest friend serving Count Dooku, the same man who infected them, as a dark acolyte was too much for them. Yet, they understood why Janus would allow his daughter to join the Sith: to bring him down as foretold by the prophecy.

Tallisibeth was visibly outraged and stunned. As a mother of two adult children, if Kiva was her daughter, there was no way she would allow her join the dark side organization. She would prefer to let the prophecy be damned. She glared at Mandalore, but kept her mouth shut.

“We need to warn her somehow.” Nurola said.

Andris looked up, “That might be not necessary. She might have been accidentally cured of the Clean Slate when my father and sister went to apprehend her. My father used light-based Shroud on her, basically it permeates her body with light energies, before they actually met each other”

“It would have effectively neutralized the agent.” Bardan said.

“Indeed.” Andris nodded.

“There is an alternative, if Devan is correct about Kiva’s special nature; it is possible that she is immune to the Clean Slate agent.” Bardan said, considering one of several possibilities.

“Perhaps.”

“That bring up a question: Where do we go from now?” Zayles said.

Nurola snuck in a light backfist at her brother’s right leg under the table and sent him a telepathic message: Are you going to tell her about a gut feeling about her from the Force you had on Corellia?

Zayles looked at Nurola with an uncertainly on his face.