Chapter 1
It has been twenty five years since the end of the war with the Yuuzhan Vong, nineteen years since the end of the Swarm War. The galaxy enjoyed a period of peace for almost two decades. However this fragile balance has been broken as a new army makes the planets of the Galactic Alliance its battlefield.
Led by the ruthless rogue Jedi General Gnave victory after victory is claimed by this new army of Separatists. The ruling authorities call on the Jedi order to put an end to their former ally. Behind the scenes however, an ancient group is once again stirring. The balance of power is tilting precariously toward Gnave's favor as a splinter group of the Imperial Remnant reinforces the dissenter's already large fleet.
The Jedi have not been inactive during this time, however. Spies have managed to locate General Gnave and a small battle group has been dispatched under the command of Jedi Knight Elydyn Taalar. Their goal, to end Gnave's threat once and for all.
The silence of the docking bay was broken as an old Lambda class shuttle descended onto the durasteel surface. The faint hiss of engine coolant could be heard over the clattering of boots as white armored men moved around into a defensive position. The landing ramp slowly and deliberately lowered itself to the ground a dull thunk telling everyone it was down all the way. A maelstrom of blaster bolts erupted and the night sky became almost as bright as day.
Moments later the commanding officer ordered a cease fire, and the black clad commandos stepped forward, hefting their large Mer-son concussion rifles. To an observer it would seem that now they were more interested in capturing their quarry instead of just killing it; after all a political prisoner is far more valuable than a corpse.
They were stopped a few meters short of the boarding ramp and prepared to board the shuttle. Three black Stealth X fighters swooped over the crowded platform and pounded the landing bay with blaster fire. Most of the troops were caught off guard and were vaporized instantly. A few ran for cover and no doubt signaled for back up.
A hissing sound poured from the comm speaker of the lead fighter. Most would consider this static but Jedi Knight Elydyn Taalar knew it to be the reptilian laughter of his Barabel student Sarick Sebatyne.
"It appearz you were right master." The other Jedi replied. "This one thought that the Imperial Remnant waz united and part of the Galactic Alliance. Yet these still attack the space lanez."
The master sighed and mental responded through the Jedi battle meld. Factions can appear in even the most united of groups young one. Just look at how many Jedi have left the Order to seek personal gain.
The younger Jedi sighed but then his excitement could be felt rising through the meld. "Master TIEz!" He shouted into the comm.
"You take the fighters." The Taalar replied. "I'm going for a walk." The Jedi switched the comm channel. "Captain Eaichu, I am going down to make contact with the target. Enemies are inbound, scramble your fighters." Elydyn Taalar waited to receive conformation before pulling the lever to open the cockpit canopy, and he unbuckled the crash webbing. "R7 slave the controls to Jedi Sebatyne's X-Wing." He told his astromech before jumping off the ship. His brown cloak fluttered around him as he fell, plummeting to the ground below. The Jedi concentrated and slowed his fall as he let the Force carry him to his target. Elydyn landed on the upraised wing of the dummy shuttle. The remaining Stormtroopers raised their blasters to attack the new foe, but before they could squeeze the triggers their wrists were held in the iron grip of the force. The air was suddenly filled with flailing bodies and the sound of grunts and groans as they slammed into each other, after a few moments all became still.
Something moved to the Jedi's right and he swung his arm around and summoned the Force to deflect a cargo container that assaulted him from the left. The crate exploded in a cloud of shrapnel as a figure landed on the deck with a metallic thud.
"Very good Jedi Taalar." A voice rasped in congratulation. A tall figure rose from the smoke, a black robe and hood concealed a form Elydyn knew all too well.
"Gnave" He hissed.
No, no, Jedi Taalar." The shadow corrected as it waggled a bone thin finger in the air. "General Gnave." He stepped from the smoke shaking his head. The motion caused the hood to fall revealing a death's head mask covering a scarred reptilian face. A wave of anger struck Elydyn so hard that it almost knocked him off his perch. He sent out soothing waves of energy and soon he could stand firm again.
Gnave had once been a Jedi until an accident with a flesh eating bacteria left his body beyond repair. To save his mind most of his head and vital organs were transplanted into a metallic shell, reminiscent of the Kalleesh hero General Grievous. Of course several new modifications had been made over the course of time, including reinforced armor over his vital organs. If Grievous was a monster in his time Gnave was a demon. His unnatural strength and flexibility coupled with his power in the force made him an overwhelming foe.
"You came all the way here to find me Jedi Taalar?" The metallic voice rasped. "How touching. I knew you cared for your old rival but your tenacity is beginning to wear on my nerves. I will tell you for the last time I am not going back with you." The words hissed through the vocoder over his mouth.
"It is Master Taalar now Gnave." Elydyn responded "And I am not here to bring you back. I have come to end your threat one way or another. Surrender your lightsabers and you will not be killed for now."
The only response was an angry growl as one of Gnave's arms split down the middle and three metal cylinders were called into his hands. "I trust you still use three blades." He spat as a trio of crimson blades sprang to life. "If the Council is foolish enough to send you to your grave then I will accommodate then." The spidery figure crouched down in a defensive position.
"Of course." Taalar replied as three hilts floated in the air around him. Two locked together and landed in his left hand. The other was summoned into his right. Two blue-black blades and a single white one extended from the emitters. "I couldn't let my old rival get too far ahead of me. It is you that we are going to have to burry though."
The duelists jumped forward and their blades clashed, locking in midair. The combatants dropped to the floor and both went into a Force shove. Gnave landed on his knuckles and used his momentum to bring his legs back, he righted himself and slid a few inches his clawed toes scraping grooves in the floor. Taalar simply flipped and landed in a crouch, his right hand and sabers resting on the ground, his left held at an angle in front of his body to shield himself from any oncoming attacks. The robotic general charged, his sabers battering the defensive shield that Elydyn managed to weave with all three of his sabers coming from a different angle.
He left himself open. Taalar smiled as he attacked the open arm. The armor chipped slightly but the blade extinguished. Cortossis! He cursed silently. Cortossis was one of the few materials in the galaxy that could resist the cutting edge of a lightsaber. At the most a flake would be chipped off, but making contact with the material would cause a saber to shut down. The Jedi quickly reignited his saber and blocked an incoming attack and twisted the bladed knocking his enemy's weapon from his grip. He delivered a force empowered kick to Gnave's midsection. It felt like he was kicking a duracrete pillar but the Dark Jedi still slid a few feet back and slammed into a cargo container.
The General chuckled to himself and raised his unarmed hand. A fibercord lash flew from Gnave's and wrapped around Elydyn's wrists. With a sharp tug Gnave pulled his captive forward causing Elydyn to land hard on his stomach, the air rushed from his lungs and his weapons flew from his hands, clattering loudly on the durasteel floor.
The Kalleesh laughed as he raised his arm to deliver the killing blow. He tried to pull his arm down but when the limb did not respond he turned his head to see it locked in the grasp of a scaly hand.
"This one thought you could use some help." Sarick hissed as he pulled the arm free of its joint leaving a mess of sparking wires and dripping lubricant hoses. An acid yellow saber flashed forward to cut the cable holding the master's wrists and Elydyn Taalar sprang to his feet calling his weapons to his hands.
"You are still too slow my old friend." Gnave taunted as he leapt over the pair and off the landing platform. Seconds later the scream of Ion engines was heard as a TIE Advance starfighter sped away from the scene.
"Sorry master. This one did not intend on letting him escape." Sarick hissed apologetically. The student crushed the arm he still held sending chips of black ore flying.
"It is all right Sarick." His master replied. "You pulled me out of the Rancor pit this time, for sure. We need to inform Master Skywalker about what has happened here. The pair crossed the platform and jumped into their ships. As they took off the black armor of their Stealth X's hid them from any prying sensor scans. Seconds later they vanished into the hanger bay of the Galactic Alliance warship. A few moments after they were aboard the vessel the battle group vanished into hyperspace.