A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
Episode 0
The Sith Agenda
A time of peace has been threatened by a rogue force striking at key locations throughout the New Republic and the Empire. But the true motives and nature of this foe remain a mystery to all. Now, that enigma is about to unravel as Jedi and Sith prepare to face off again, perhaps for the last time...
Book II: The Realm of Fire
Chapter I
To say that the crew of the Star Empire was tense would have been a vast understatement. Despite the recent victory at the heart of the Imperial Remnant, they were ill at ease in the presence of their newest ally. Kyle's gaze was fixed on Darth Sival now as the cordon of ysalamiri-equipped stormtroopers escorted him to Vhaldoq. The Sith disregarded his bonds, glaring at D'ukal. The Grand Admiral returned his icy stare, and Rashan noted that there was no sign of the wound the Dark Lord had received at Svivren. "I presume you have an explanation," Vhaldoq said coldly. Sival smiled thinly and said, "I was about to ask you the same question."
"Your actions are unconscionable," D'ukal went on, "Do you any idea of the amount of your losses or how close I came to ordering your execution?" "I knew what I was doing," Sival said, "I've been doing this since long before you were born." "That may be true," D'ukal conceded, "You need to maintain your focus and not allow it to be distracted by your desire for vengeance." "You yourself..." the Sith began. "That is no excuse!" the Grand Admiral said, cutting him off, "Patience is the first lesson a warrior learns. Not only have you tipped your hand, but we gained nothing in the process." "I am not a pawn in your schemes, Vhaldoq," the Dark Lord hissed, "Your goals are not mine."
"Yet the fact is that if it was not for me, you would be still frozen in carbonite. Quite likely for some time to come. I would think you would be grateful, no matter what you aim to do. Your debt is not yet paid," Vhaldoq intoned. Sival gritted his teeth and said, "I will cooperate. You have my word." Vhaldoq's eyes narrowed to slits. "I need a guarantee that is absolute, unbreakable. I will have it," D'ukal said. The turbolift doors opened, and a figure emerged. The newcomer stopped just shy of the walkway between the two crew pits. Sival must have heard the other approach, for he slowly turned around. The surprise on his face was obvious even to Rashan.
"Darth Sival," the Grand Admiral said, "The man you see before you is your clone. He is loyal to me and knows what you know. In the event he becomes expendable, you will be sent after him." The man at the back of the bridge nodded and said, "Don't try anything, my duplicitous friend. It isn't worth the risk involved." Saluting Vhaldoq with the pommel of his lightsaber, the real clone turned and left the bridge. "I don't take half-measures," D'ukal said as Sival's twin left, "What better person to attack you with than yourself? I need someone of your capabilities; what I do not need is a liability."
The Sith's eyes smoldered with anger, but he nodded. The Grand Admiral gestured to his escorts, who released him and stepped back. For a moment, Rashan felt every muscle tense as he wondered if Sival was going to renege on this deal after all. A data pad floated from Vhaldoq's armrest to Sival. "These are your new orders, to be reviewed by you upon your return to the Apocalypz; no sooner," D'ukal said. Sival nodded, and then he too left the bridge.
"You're kidding." Luke shared Han's sentiment, but he could sense how serious Leia was. Besides, his friend's remark was more false hope than anything else. "I'm sorry, Han," she said, "Based on your reports and Mara's I have to agree with the conclusion Shada reached. This force is simply too large to be dismissed out of hand. Either someone like Vhaldoq is in charge or there are three Super Star Destroyers out there in the hands of a Sith madman." Luke cleared his throat, and when he had everyone's attention he began to speak.
"I think we all agree," he said, "That this is serious enough that it doesn't matter who's really in charge. The real question is what do we do now?" "The General seems inclined to follow up on my suggestion," Corran said from where he'd stood during the discussion, "My family is going to Myrkr for more ysalamiri, but I'm free to assist in any way that's needed." "Speaking of kids..." Han began. "I've been thinking the same thing, Han," Leia said, "And while they're safe enough with the other Jedi, I want to drop off a squad of Noghri to supplement their security. After all, our foes could strike there." "Mara and I will escort them there, and I can give the other Jedi a warning as to what we're up against," Luke offered.
"Before you say you've booked us a flight somewhere, Princess; I think I know just the place we need to go," Solo said. "You mean to see Lando?" she said. "How'd you know that..." Han sputtered, "No wait, let me guess; Jedi hunch?" "If anyone can figure out where Vhaldoq has set up shop since he was supposed to have died, it would be him," Skywalker said. "Karrde is working on that question too," Mara added, "It may take a while to get results, though." "Lando also has a knack for getting in and out of places he's not wanted," Han said. "In case we run into any natives that don't speak Basic, we'll need Threepio," Leia went on.
"With our luck, they'll think he's in charge," Han quipped. "I'll ask the ersatz Kun to accompany us to Yavin so we can keep an eye on him," Luke said. "That just leaves me," Corran reminded them. "Maybe you could join the enemy forces, like you did with the Invidious," Luke suggested. "Good plan," Horn said, "I could see what we're up against and possibly raise an alert before he strikes again." "I better go check on Exar and his group," Mara said, rising to leave. Corran turned to Luke and said, "I still can't believe you're working with him." The Jedi Master only smiled.
It was sometime after the Apocalypz had left when Rashan joined Vhaldoq in the secondary bridge. "Captain," the Grand Admiral said, "What word from the Lusankya?" "The operation is proceeding smoothly, sir," Kyle told him, "General Antilles awaits your arrival." "And our recent guest?" D'ukal inquired. "He is ready to go," the Captain told him, "I'm unsure why you're having him prepare now to go after Sival. Our Sith Lord is almost certain to run into the Jedi in his next mission, and if you want him eliminated they'll do the job."
"I truly want him to do what I sent him out there for, Kyle," Vhaldoq said, "But as you say chances are he could soon be eliminated by our foes. In that event, our guest will be assigned to take his place." Rashan nodded in understanding. "If the HoloNet reports are to be believed," the Captain told him, "Our siege of Coruscant ended just prior to the news of our victory at Bastion reaching them."
"Exactly as planned," D'ukal reminded him, "For the moment we shall consolidate our resources. To that end, it's time I visited our illustrious prisoner. Have the officer in charge of the Lusankya prepare him for my arrival." "Anything else, sir?" Rashan said. "Not for the moment," the Grand Admiral said, "Right now everything is as it should be. Our job is to keep it that way."
