Author's notes: this is a sequel to the story of the Gathering Storm and picks up weeks after those events. Usual disclaimers, I don't own Star Wars or KOTOR characters. Everybody except Revan, Vandar and Alek are thought up by me for the story. As always user feedback is appreciated to whoever reads this story. If you like it then let your friends know.


Dramatis Personae

Revan – Jedi Knight, member of the Jedi Order

Alek Squinquargesimus – member of the Jedi Order

Vandar – Jedi Master, member of the Jedi Order

Melara Srii – Jedi Master, member of the Jedi Order

Jared Cromus – Jedi Padawan to Melara Srii

Treys Lomak – Jedi Master, member of the Jedi Order

Exon – Jedi Knight, member of the Jedi Order

Lieutenant Espindor – 210th Repbulic Military Expedition (Hellborn platoon)

Private Ciras – gunner attached to Espindor

Private Ava – gunner attached to Espindor

Private Polluck – comm specialist/ medic

Private Mayfield – heavy weapons specialist

Priel – Sniper

Sagat – scientist

RC592X-T47– multi-task droid

Taborous Sabot- Supreme Commander of Clan Sabot

Raithe – Contact to Taborous Sabot

Darth Imilarius – Sith Lord

Vanaerys – Sith attached to Imilarius


(3967 BBY)

In a dark room of a forgotten place, a single human huddled over an operating table. His clothes were dirty from exposure to various chemicles, the pristine white lab coat a splotchy red. His dark hair was unkept and the color had long left his skin. He really looked no different than the corpses he shared his sanctuary with.

His lab was just as unkempt as he was. Lab notes, needles and various electronic devices were scattered across desks. Upturned chairs littered the floor, a result of many tantrums and rages. Soft glowing cylinders lined the walls, different specimens looking pitilessly a the monster who had performed such things in this room.

The scientist stared at his latest experiment. Various surgical implements and tubes snaked into the subject's withered body. The human squinted in the dull gloom, examining his handiwork.

Another failure

The thought nearly drew him into another mindless rage. He wanted to throw the cutting knives and incubator tubes off the table in a murderous fit. But no, he was a scientists…above such petty emotions…most of the time.

With a shuddering breath he turned to the droid standing like a statue to his right. The stark black metal made him seem like a shadow except for the blood red optical sensors.

"Begin recording" the human ordered.

The droid stirred from its half dormant state, clicks and whirs announcing his awakening.

"[Acknowledgement] Recording started Master"

The scientist began pacing.

"Subject 4-X, species Cathar, male, approximately twenty eight years of age…two months after implantation has resulted in complete cellular deterioration. Subject's body initially showed positive results, accepting specimen Alpha's foreign material. Genetic priming went smoothly."

He hesitated as he said the next words, dreading what he had to say.

"However fifty eight days after stage four implantation, subject began rapidly deteriorating."

The human clenched his teeth at the admission.

"Like subject 4-T and 4-Q, Alpha cells began attacking the host's own cell structure, resulting in internal bleeding and tachycardia."

He banged a fist on the subject's table dropping several blood soaked instruments on the floor.

"I was so close! Almost forty eight percent of the host's body showed genetic transition to Alpha's primary state. The DNA replication was working."

He stood up to glare at the abused Cathar, its fur matted with blood and pus. The face was a mutilated horror of deformed flesh. He grabbed a chunk and tore it away, the decaying meat ripping off easily. Blood spurting from the new wound.

"The Cathar showed some of the greatest variety of genetic markings. Their DNA structure was one of the most susceptible to change and mutation."

He grabbed at one of his cutting blades, clenching his fist around the serrated metal. Warm blood mingled with the tangy bite of cold steel.

"If I could only discover which baseline genetic structure the Professor used to create his specimen, I believe...no I KNOW I can recreate his great success!"

He glanced at the corpse accusingly as if it was the Cathar's fault that it was an abomination now not even fit to feed vermin.

"Instead...I'm left with these...sacks of mutilated flesh! These...these..meatbags are my only contribution to project Revival!"

His shoulders heaved, his voice on the verge of breaking. He took a ragged breath to calm his nerves.

"His...his notes make no mention of the host...only the implantation process. I'm not even sure these were his latest research documents...I must find a new baseline to work with."

He glanced at the droid then, it's expression as unreadable as the rest of its kind. Nevertheless the human got the distinct impression the machine was enjoying this display of human frailty.

He shook his head and continued.

"I will proceed with the Twi'lek next, their specieis adaptability in different hostile environments shows promise. Maybe if I..."

The scientist trailed off as he heard a rumbling from the level above him.

Those damn soldiers he thought savagely What are they doing now?

The hellborn platoon had been rotated into the facility only a day ago and they were already causing trouble.

He punched a few buttons at a communications console near the surgical table.

"This is Professor Sagat, what the hell is going on lieutenant?" The scientist demanded. He never bothered to ask for the new leader's name.

"We are under attack professor" came the level reply. "Enemy forces are convergin on the outer wall. THey are shelling it with artillery"

Sagat suddenly lost even more color from his already gray face.

Attack What could they...no...they must want...

In a panicked voice, he shouted over the system "Why the hell were we not warned? Were you all too busy shooting each other in the foot to see the enemy make planetfall?"

"We did contact you professor. BUt your subordinate screened all of my messages, saying you were not to be disturbed." The lieutenant's voice was contemptuous.

Sagat cursed at this development. "Well? What are you waiting for? Repel the invaders! Contact your high command if you must. Our research must not be interrupted!"

"Our communications are being jammed. Outgoing transmissions may have made it out but for now we are on our own it seems. I'm going to do my damn job, I suggest you don't get in our way." With that, the lieutenant cut the link.

Sagat was left to stew in furious impotence. He paced around the dark room, spilling research notes and test tubes on the floor.

They must never have the specimens or my research!

He turned then to the droid who stood impassively as though the only thing that had happened was someone crapping over the Professor.

"Stay here. Make sure no one comes into this lab unless it's me"

The droid seemed to process this with a few clicks and whirs "[acknowledgement] understood master"

The scientist rushed out the lab, the automatic doors hissing shut as he left. The dim lights flickered slightly as another rumble came from the floor above.

The droid looked at the latest abortion of an experiment that the scientist made. It regarded the corpse with what could have passed for fascination within its kind.

It was processing the words the scientist had said during his transcription.

"[Introspection] Meatbag…an interesting qualifier. All organics are meat, this one…just looks uglier than most" It continued its haunting stare at the mutilated Cathar.


"We are so screwed"

these were the four words that were uttered by Private Ciras before all hell had broken loose. Shells rained like hellfire down on the upper battlements, the facility's deflectors taking the punishment with ill grace. Bright red colors flashed against the invisible dome of energy protecting the occupants on the wall. The whole sky was red, red from the sand, red from the explosions and red with the promise of bloodshed to come.

"What was your first clue?" said his fellow trooper sarcastically. The soldier who spoke squinted at the oncoming horde of gold and grey, her red hair aflutter underneath her helmet.

If there was one sight they'd remember in this life, it was the oncoming march of the enemy. Through the red haze of sand that kicked up even at their level on the wall, it was hard to make out individual features. What Ciras did know was there were more than enough for the 214th Republic Expedition to deal with. He could see soldiers in golden armor carrying blasters, RPGs, mortars in files of four by ten. They looked like some army of droids, so synchronous was their determined march.

Well looks like they don't lack for discipline…or guns.

In between the files of infantry, great hulking tanks rumbled at their sides. These were ugly machines, built for war and not for admiration. Cannon tubes streaked out in blatant threat, their nozzles directed straight for the ramparts.

"What a way to start our rotation…" muttered Ciras. "I hope the next time we come to some forsaken ball of dirt, it'll be an army of whores welcoming us"

"You might as well wish for planet or ten" replied his companion. She racked up her blaster and sighted through her lens.

"Try shooting straight for once and maybe I won't piss on your grave" The female set the blaster against her shoulder.

"I'll miss you too Ava" said Ciras. The pair stared as the barrage of tank fire, shells and blaster shots gradually tore through the deflector's last defenses. A few moments the first shots penetrated their feeble protection and struck the wall, the crumbling sound a mixture of pain and destruction.