A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

Episode 0

The Sith Maelstrom

At long last the turmoil that had ripped the galaxy apart came to an end. After five years of battling the Yuuzhan Vong, the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances has begun to rebuild their worlds. Luke Skywalker, a member of the Advisory Council, has recently received information of an enigmatic nature, and is en route to the Kathol Sector to investigate. Meanwhile, there are indications of unrest in the Imperial Remnant. All this leading to a dark plot that could cause a catastrophe that no one could have foreseen...

Book I: The Servants of Chaos

Chapter I

By all accounts, he was a man well past his time. He'd seen the fall of the Old Republic, the Empire, the New Republic, and the Yuuzhan Vong. All this went through her mind as Moff Quirlarna studied the hundred-year-old Grand Admiral that spoke to them. "Thus I say to you, my comrades; the war is over. Now more than ever is our chance to begin thinking about our role in the ages to come," Pellaeon addressed them. "Riveting, truly Admiral. Yet I am sure that I speak for everyone when I say that there is no need to join them at this time," Flennic said, standing.

"I thought we went over this before," Pellaeon countered. "I concur with the Admiral, however I think we need more time to think things over," Moff Crowal remarked. "Agreed," Sarreti said. "Moff Quirlarna, do you have any thoughts on the matter?" Pellaeon asked her. "My colleagues' statements are true, however; we must not allow our pride to blind us of the reality we face," she answered. "You're all nothing but old fools!" Flennic yelled, pounding his fist on the table. "And you, you," he said, pointing at Quirlarna. "You do not even have the right to sit at this table!"

Before anyone could object, he abruptly left. "Oh, my," Crowal said nervously. "One of these days he too will see our plight," Pellaeon reassured them. Quirlarna nearly laughed at that remark as she stood. "Excuse my early departure as well, Admiral; but I have another appointment," she said. "Very well, we shall meet again when the Moffs have reached a unanimous decision," the Grand Admiral replied. Hope you've got a lot of time to wait, she thought as she left. She knew all too well that the Empire was in dire straits. Ever since the fall of Bastion, many a Moff had voiced their distrust of Pellaeon and his 'New Order'.

The admiral was probably due to die any day now, and when he did; the Empire would divide against itself trying to decide who would be the next 'Emperor'. However, many had already planned to do away with Pellaeon already, especially Flennic. Which meant that all she needed to do was make this plan work and then the Empire would be completely changed for the better. Getting into the air taxi, Quirlarna put in the destination and sat back. The droid piloting the vehicle turned and nodded at her as they went into the sky above the main city of Muunilinst. She looked down at the battle-scarred planet; it would still be some time-probably years-before the repairs were to be even close to being finished.

All the more reason to act now, she thought, smiling and turning back toward the direction they were headed. The landing pad was visible up ahead; her shuttle was there waiting, and hopefully so was her guest. The taxi landed and Quirlarna headed towards the shuttle. She made sure the taxi had left and only she was present before nearing the ramp. It suddenly lowered, startling her. She hadn't expected her guest to be already onboard. "Moff Valeriy Quirlarna, I presume," a voice came from inside the ship. "How long have you been here?" Valeriy asked, waiting for him to appear.

"Approximately forty-three minutes," he said, causing her to leap around and nearly fall back when she saw that he was behind her all along. "How did you do that?" Quirlarna asked. "A magician never reveals his secrets," the man answered. "Just don't do it again," she said, straightening her uniform. "I thought you wanted to see how well I can perform," he countered. "What's with the get-up?" she asked, eyeing his yellow outfit. "Merely something to wear before I don my role," he answered. "Alright, what's your name and how much experience do you have?" Valeriy asked.

"I am Tork, as for my experience; it really isn't important until you decide how old I am supposed to be," he answered. "Roughly in your thirty's; you're a clone, remember?" she remarked. "Of course," Tork answered. "Now then, can you duplicate the armor?" she asked. "It has already been taken care of," the other replied. "Alright get into it and come back," Quirlarna said. "Here's a comlink you can use to contact my supplier. He is offering ships we could use in our venture, I suggest that you speak with him," Tork said, handing her the device and leaving.

Luke jolted as he woke from his Jedi hibernation trance suddenly. "Artoo, what's going on?" he said, rubbing his head. He had been in transit from the secret facility in the Maw to a distant part of the galaxy before he'd put himself out. Outside, he could see only the starry darkness of deep space. A quick glance at his sensors didn't tell him much. "No that's okay, I'm fine. Just try to get the hyperdrive back online," he answered the skittish droid. "What do you mean, there's nothing wrong with it?" Luke asked after Artoo responded. "No I didn't do anything, I was asleep," he said, "Well, never mind where we are; just get us back on course."

The Jedi Master gazed out at space, recalling the star charts he'd studied before coming here. "Well, at least we're in the Kathol Sector," he remarked. "Yes Artoo, I'm fine," he reassured the droid, "Well, what's the verdict?" The display showed a large gravity well in a place there shouldn't have been one. Spotting a dark object against the pinpoints that surrounded him, he was taken aback. "A dovin basal mine, huh? What's one of those doing all the way out here?" he wondered. "I'm sure it's here by mistake Artoo, the Yuuzhan Vong never entered this sector of space. There aren't any coralskippers here either," Luke assured the nervous droid, who apparently still had a grudge against the aliens.

"So can you get us back on track?" he asked. Before R2-D2 could respond, all systems on the X-Wing shut down. "What the-" Luke began when he looked out in space to see an incoming vessel. "Funny, I didn't detect that before..." he murmured to himself, "I've never even seen a ship like that before." The larger vessel overshadowed him now, like some kind of legendary behemoth. "I've got a bad feeling about this," Luke murmured as his ship was caught in the tractor beam.

Checking her watch, Quirlarna sighed and tapped her fingers on the seat. She looked down at the comlink the man had given her. Well why not, she thought, turning it on. "Greetings, how may I be of service?" a computerized voice asked. "I am Moff Quirlarna; I'm the one who hired Tork. I'd like to speak with his employer," she explained. "Very well," the computer answered. A few moments later a not so friendly voice came on the line. "Is there a problem?" the cold voice asked. Quirlarna had not expected that, but knew that she shouldn't stall in her answer.

"Oh, no; Tork merely suggested that I contact you," she replied. "The fleet is on its way," the other said. "Fleet? What fleet?" she asked. "Why the armada for your expedition of course," the impassive man said. "That's very generous of you," she said, not exactly sure what to say. "Of course, I too feel that it is time for a change," the other responded. "I'll contact you again later, after speaking with Tork," the Moff said. "I live but only to serve those who require my services," the man said and the channel closed. Behind her, the ramp lowered and soon Tork returned in his new outfit.

"Do you stare because this makes me appear pudgy?" he joked. "Enough of that," she chided him, "Starting tomorrow you'll be nothing but the clone," she reminded him. "I will play my part to the full," the man replied, his voice now very close to the being he resembled. Quirlarna smiled; a whole fleet of ships plus a fake Sith Lord to egg her soon to be followers on. Things were looking better for her than ever before. "Come, Lord Vader. We must discuss the plans," she said, motioning the armored figure into the ship.