A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
Episode 0
The Sith War
With the passing of conflict came a time of peace and rebuilding for the peoples of the galaxy. A new generation of Jedi arose to defend truth and justice, as had their forefathers before them. Yet, the agents of darkness weren't gone, but merely slumbering. Awaiting the proper moment to strike...
Book II: The Fall of Legends
Chapter I
There are some places in the galaxy where even the fearless dare not go. Such a place was the planet Dxun. So much so that only a handful of outsiders had visited over the past thousand years. Now, all of that had changed. Across a vast plain, hundreds of war craft sat, progressing towards completion. Around them, a mass of workers moved to finish this vast project while their leaders watched from high above.
The fortress that stood there at the end of the plain was not as grand as the one he had possessed, but it fit his needs. And the needs of the servants he had amassed over the past 25 years. Beside him stood his second-in-command, Gavis Doragon, who seemed eager for battle. "Only a few days," Doragon said, "and all will be in readiness, Lord Sival." The Sith Lord nodded, his gaze encompassing his allies.
"Excellent," Darth Sival said at last, "Soon the Sith Empire will rise, and we shall lead the Jedi to their doom." Sival smiled, and his laughter echoed across the plain.
#
The two warriors stood back-to-back as the mist-makers came out of the fog towards them. Exar Kun knew well to fear them, for he'd nearly been devoured by one his first year on this planet. Holding his double-edged weapon ready, he risked a glance at his companion, Darth Jlan. But the other was too experienced a warrior not to be ready. Smiling, Kun waited. The mist-makers drew nearer; seeming to flow gently over the ground, pink tendrils hanging low, ready to devour the unwary. Which proved the stupidity of these creatures.
After two decades, one would think they would learn to avoid us, Kun thought, but apparently not. Then, his instincts told him that the moment to strike had come. Rolling forward, he used the Force to deflect the nearest mist-maker upward and he threw his weapon in a scything arc up and into the creature. By the time his lightsaber returned to his hand, the second creature was so much goop on the ground. As one, the two sprinted to their home. "You have grown strong over the years," Jlan said as they stepped inside. "Thru your training, no doubt," Kun replied. The younger man frowned then, and added, "I feel that I must soon leave you, perhaps forever." Darth Jlan regarded him.
"You have sensed what is to come?" the Wookiee asked. Kun nodded, and said, "I can feel events beginning to move again. A great darkness is rising, and unless I act; the evil we destroyed will return." "I too have felt a new shade in the stars," Jlan said pensively, "But I do not think it as the same as yours." "Then we must both go from this world," Kun stated, "And see that this obscurity does not devour everything." The other nodded, and they shook hands. "May the Force be with you, my friend," Jlan said. "May it be with both of us," Kun replied as they parted.
#
The two young Jedi had taken their places before the Jedi Council, and though he was tempted, Jedi Master Ulic Qel-Droma didn't betray the decision of his fellow Jedi by a look or a thought. His attention turned to Arca Jeth as his fellow Jedi Master began to speak. "We, the members of the Jedi Council, have assembled to consider the worthiness of these young Padawan learners to become Jedi Knights," Jeth said. Which was only partially true, since one of the members of the council was absent. As Jeth went over the deeds of the young Padawans, Ulic wondered where the most recent addition to this Council was.
Perhaps Yoda knew, and Ulic made a mental note to inquire after the whereabouts of Mace Windu following this ceremony. "Jedi Padawans!" Arca said, breaking into his thoughts, "Today you have faced the tests... and passed." There were smiles from the young Jedi as Yoda said, "A Jedi Knight you are." The elder was Qui-Gon Jinn, who had been rescued from death 25 years ago by Vodo-Siosk Baas and Ood Bnar. The other was far more familiar, and rightly so. For that was Cayn Qel-Droma, his own son.
#
The palace was opulent, well furnished in a way only a Hutt could admire. Which was all right, since one of them lived in it. Jedi Master Mace Windu made his way towards the raised dais at the end of the room, where his host lay. "Lord Zorba," Windu said courteously, "You honor me with this audience." Zorba laughed deeply, then said, [Dispense with the flattery, Jedi. I know why you are here.] In the back of his mind, Windu could feel the guards moving to cover the exits. "Do you really, Lord Zorba?" Windu replied.
The Hutt frowned uncertainly. [State your business,] Zorba demanded. "I seek to hire mercenaries," the Jedi replied, "At a price at which their loyalty cannot be bought." Zorba laughed and said, [You'd have to be richer than I am to do that, Jedi!] "I have one million credits per mercenary per year of service," Windu countered, "Betrayal will result in an equally hefty bounty on you and them... and many of the Jedi Order searching for those who were disloyal to them. That should provide sufficient faithfulness." Zorba eyed him, then asked the question the Jedi had been expecting, [Why?]
Mace Windu shrugged. "I have reason to believe they will prove useful to the Jedi," he said, "I want only the best." [Method of payment?] Zorba asked. "I shall leave that to the mercenaries," Windu said, "And the Jedi will not seek to press any charges currently outstanding against them." [Done!] Zorba said, motioning for the guards to allow him to leave. "Always a pleasure," the Jedi said, leaving the palace.
#
"The time for us to separate has almost arrived," Darth Qiran said to his apprentice Darth Sidious as they again stood on one of the many balconies that overlooked Coruscant. "I know, my master," Sidious replied, his appearance invisible beneath his cowl and dark robes. Since he had been deemed worthy, so had he attired himself. Qiran dressed similarly, but no cowl could hide his alien features or his glowing red eyes.
"The Force calls me to a conflict on Cinnagar," Qiran stated, "You cannot accompany me." "As you wish, my master," Sidious intoned, "How may I best serve you?" "Go to Ilthmar," Qiran commanded, "There you will meet the Empress Zatec. I will join you soon." Sidious bowed, leaving his master to accomplish a mission whose importance even he didn't know.