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

Episode 0

The Sith War

It is a dark time for the Republic. The Jedi, while at their height; face a dangerous threat from beyond the Republic. On a distant star, a power-hungry ruler is about to set in motion a chain of events that will forever change the galaxy...

Book I: The Path of Destiny

Chapter I

The red gas giant of Yavin loomed over the Massassi temple, and seemed to be watching Emperor Malcodezj as he stood atop its steps. Below, his apprentice Rmnklamara knelt; waiting. "It is time," Malcodezj said, palming a data pad from a hidden fold of his robe. "Go to these coordinates," Malcodezj went on, "There you will find a young Jedi who will be easy to sway to our path." "As you command, my lord," Rmnklamara rumbled, his Basic heavily accented. The Wookiee turned and strode to the waiting Infiltrator.

The Republic Senate grew quiet as the sound of blaster fire approached and Finis Valorum shivered slightly as he sat in his box. Beside him the young Padawan of the legendary Jedi Master Yoda watched the floor of the Senate intensely. All Valorum knew of him was that his name was Dooku, and that he showed some promise in the Jedi as a swordsman and would undoubtedly soon become a Jedi Knight. Neither of them knew what was going on, only that all communication with the outside had been lost and that the Senate chambers had been completely sealed. Dooku stirred uneasily, ready for action. His lightsaber might provide him escape, but few others.

Valorum had advised him that it was best to wait until they knew more. Good thing he's here, the young man thought, or I might be really worried. No matter what, they were safe. Suddenly, there was a thud as the door far below fell inwards and hundreds of men entered. One, cloaked in black and an inscrutable T-shaped mask, glanced up at the central podium. Dooku whispered one word in disbelief, "Mandalorians..." A second later, the black-clad man vanished. Valorum blinked. Where could he have gone so quickly?

Abruptly, an unfamiliar voice boomed across the vast enclosure. Valorum followed Dooku's gaze to the top of the podium where the invader stood; an ignited red lightsaber in his hand. Of the Chancellor's council there was no sign. "I am Darth Nvygas," the intruder said, "As of now the Senate, Coruscant and the Republic are under the control of the Sith."

The sand of the endless desert of Tatooine stung Rmnklamara's face as he walked to the place indicated on his map. His climbing claws unsheathed reflexively as he sensed the other's presence. No, there were three presences. One strong, a Jedi Master, certainly. Another restless, his quarry, no doubt. And still another, faint; yet strong with the Force. Rmnklamara resolved to investigate this first. His quarry could wait.

Ood watched the transmission in horror as the Sith went on. "You will deliver yourselves to us or worlds will suffer," Nvygas said, swinging his lightsaber to face the camera, "No world shall be safe until the Jedi are extinct." "This is bad," Ood said, his limbs wrapped around the controls of his ship, "I must warn Baas." Turning his vessel, he headed down into the atmosphere of Tatooine.

The settlement was small, out of the way, and otherwise non-descript. Not a home fit for a Jedi, but for those who lived here it would do. Three beings were within. The parents, and their Force-strong newborn. For a moment, Rmnklamara considered his options. The suddenly, a gust of wind took him off his feet and tossed him through the air. A sandstorm! he thought.

But a moment later he came to rest as the winds died down and a being strode thru the falling grit; his blue lightsaber ready. "Who are you?" the stranger demanded, "And why are you here?" "You must be Exar Kun," the Wookiee declared. For a moment, Kun was taken aback. That moment was all Rmnklamara needed. A small stone rose with lightning speed and knocked the Padawan's lightsaber to the dirt. "I am Rmnklamara of the Sith," he said.

"Sith? Master Baas told me of you!" Kun said, his eyes watching the other's hands. The Wookiee noted this and laughed. "Fool! Do you think I actually need a lightsaber to win?" he cried. "Then why are you here?" Kun demanded. "I want you to join us," the Sith replied. "Never!" Kun retorted. Rmnklamara smiled and said, "Never is a long time, my young Jedi..."

The ship landed, and Jedi Master Vodo-Siosk Baas strode towards it, his cane of pure cortosis ore supporting him. "Ood, welcome!" he said, sensing his friend's troubled presence. Ood appeared around the side of his ship and smiled weakly. "I am afraid I am the bearer of bad news," Ood said, "A Sith force has captured the Senate." "There is trouble here too," Baas said, his thoughts straying to the dark one who regarded his young student. "We must act quickly. Events are moving to a head," Baas said, "Come, we will find Kun and end this."

"See this child," Rmnklamara said, pointing to the nearby homestead. "What of him?" Kun asked. "Much like you," the Sith said, "Force-strong, destined to be taken from his family before he can walk;, brain-washed by the Jedi..." "Lies!" Kun roared. "The truth hurts, doesn't it?" the Wookiee said mockingly, "The Jedi have hidden also the nature of the Sith." "What truth lies in darkness?" Kun retorted. "That which is unknown. The Dark Side is stronger and will triumph in the end. It is inevitable," Rmnklamara said. "Even if it is, I cannot join you," Kun said, "for if I do a great war will engulf the galaxy and destroy all of the Sith." "Perhaps," the Wookiee replied, "Or perhaps it is your destiny."

"Don't move," a voice called and Kun half turned. "Master!" he said. "Are you all right?" Baas asked, regarding the Sith for a second; then turning to Kun. "I'm fine, I..." but Kun never finished as his lightsaber flew from the ground into Rmnklamara's hand. His own clutched in his right hand, the Wookiee ignited both. "Now we shall see who is stronger!" he bellowed, and rushed the Jedi. But Ood was there, everywhere; becoming a tangled mass of vines not even a hundred lightsabers could part. One lightsaber tore free of the Wookiee's grasp and into Baas' hand.

"Here," he said, handing it to Kun. Rmnklamara all but roared, "Don't let them think for you! Taste and see for yourself whether the Dark Side is good." Kun regarded the lightsaber for a moment, then looked up. "Release him, Ood," he said firmly. Ood glanced up and Kun roared, "Release him!" In a moment the Wookiee was loose and he regarded Ood for a second before turning to Kun. "The boy," the Sith said, "He would be valuable to us." "And be like them?" Kun asked. "Would you rather they win?" Rmnklamara retorted. Kun turned, but the small form of Baas stood in his way; his staff ready. "Do not do this," Baas pleaded. "I must know," Kun replied, his lightsaber ready. The Sith stepped forward to assist and stumbled, his leg snared. The familiar vines twisted, holding him tight as Ood disarmed him. Then he left towards the nearby building leaving the Wookiee where all he could do was watch.

The parents yielded as Ood explained the matter. "You will all die unless we hurry," the alien said. They nodded, and gathered up their child as they headed out into the Tatooine sunset.

Rmnklamara looked on helplessly as the two dueled. Master and apprentice. A similar fate would one day face him. For each stroke, Baas had a counterstroke; his staff easily withstanding the attacks. Suddenly he had an idea. "Here!" he cried, his lightsaber soaring thru the air into Kun's hand. It's red blade joined Kun's blue in the attack, and still Baas was unscathed. In fact, now he pressed the attack with Jedi speed. Abruptly, his staff came down and knocked Kun to the sand. A second later the Padawan was disarmed and the staff held him down.

"Now which side is stronger?" Baas asked. The Sith laughed, and without a word stretched out his hand and blue-white lightning flew from his fingertips. Unprepared, Baas was instantly knocked unconscious. Kun rose and glanced at his Master. "We'll meet again," Kun said with certainty. "Maybe," the Wookiee said, "But that is for the Force to decide. For now, the others have escaped, and we have someone to meet." Kun nodded, and the two called their weapons to them. Together they strode across the Dune Sea.

Emperor Malcodezj smiled as he watched the transmission from Tatooine. "This has been a good day," he declared, "A very good day, indeed..."