Chapter 1

The Sith fleet was vast and mighty, well over hundreds of vessels most of them the elite Harrower-class dreadnought warships, the pride of the Sith Empires Imperial Navy. Darth Gravus was leading the fleet with his flagship the Exemplar. Darth Venna, the Emperors Wrath, had been assigned to watch him closely. She was aboard her own Harrower-class warship the Emperors Wrath. Her mission was to go with Darth Gravus to ensure the successful retaking of Leritor. The battle had started out like any surprise attack, the Sith fleet exited form hyperspace and began their bombardment of the Republic Fleet stationed in defense over Leritor. She watched the Exemplar closely from her bridge as the battle waged but to Darth Venna's surprise the Ascendant Spear, a powerful new prototype warship under the control of Darth Karrid entered the battle.

Darth Venna could sense a transaction of communication and anger building within the Exemplar from Darth Gravus. She wasn't surprised one bit when the Sith fleet began making their way to the Ascendant Spear to destroy it. Darth Karrid was Darth Gravus's rival for the council seat of the Dark Lords and wiping out your opponent was simply a common Sith political movement. Venna growled and snarled her teeth in rage as the republic warships took advantage of the Sith rivalry and began destroying a large portion of the Sith fleet. Venna sent orders with her Emperors Wrath Emblem attached to a quarter of the Sith armada ordering them to destroy Darth Gravus's warship. Simultaneously the Sith armada opened up with the aid of the Ascendant Spear and began bombarding the Exemplar tarring it into thousands of scorching pieces as it received a barrage of enemy and friendly fire.

As the battle over Leritor waged on with its new leader Darth Karrid at the front Venna's warship the Emperors Wrath received a massive tremor throwing every soul aboard the ship like rag dolls. "Report!" Venna yelled through the noise of shifting bulkheads and items flying everywhere. "Three ships declaring loyalty to Darth Gravus have locked weapons and have opened fired on us, one of the three collided into us in attempt to take us with it."

Venna painfully climbed up to a standing position feeling three of her broken ribs protruding at grotesque angles from her body. "Status of the enemy vessel that collided into us?!" she roared past the blood pooling in her mouth and building her rage. "Irreparably damaged and adrift in space," "very well, open their bridge to space and let them learn firsthand the price of attacking the Emperors Wrath." Venna hissed through clenched teeth. The Emperors Wrath raised a bow anti-fighter laser turret and unleashed a hail of green lasers that hammered into the transparasteel of the enemy battleship exposing bridge to space which satisfied Venna concerning that ship. She then clenched her fist and looked towards the other two ships that where unleashing a barrage of cannon fire of their own in the direction of her ship.

Venna thrust out her arm towards one of the vessels and with shock and awe the bridge crew of the Emperors Wrath watched one of these mega Cortosis steel ships that could occupy an entire planet with their crew capacity, crumple like a tin can before their very eyes. The second ship obviously aware of what happened to its companion began to break off its attack and flee. Venna turned to her chair and sat down painfully, sinking into her seat. "Captain, obliterate those cowardly traitors and order my fleet to the rendezvous point," she hissed as she drew her dark hood covering her pale features. Her bright snow white eyes reverted back to their true piercing vibrant blood red color which was the only feature that could barely be seen under her dark hood.

8 Years earlier from the present time

"Younglings, today Knight Saysha Suna, Knight Alca Sho, Knight Verdun Moor and Knight Jace Crosh will all be coming to observe our weekly competition. The arena will begin in one hour; I would suggest you take this time to strengthen the area your weaknesses lay in." Master Luul'cha informed. "Hey Keek, what you gonna do?" Keekay looked at his saber that he only recently obtained. Its blade was a silver-white that matched his long white hair and silver eyes. "Saber training of course." He smiled to Hesh. "Ugh fine, I'll join you…" Hesh replied reluctantly.

Keekay stood at the edge of the sparring arena as he watched the two younglings spar. They were not without skill, but their strength was in the force. They would probably become Sages or Shadows assuming they weren't pushed down to the crops corps. Then it was Keekay's turn, he stepped into the arena where his opponent awaited him.

"Youngling Keekay and Youngling Rolin will now begin, may the force be with you both." The announcer spoke. The two circled each other; Keekay ignited his saber and surveyed his opponent closely. Rolin made his first move striking with a side swipe from his double bladed saber, Keekay simply took a step back letting the blade sweep past him. But he wasn't expecting the force push that followed behind his blade that sent him soaring across the floor. He jumped to his feet flipping himself upright by rolling back then jumping off the floor with the rolls momentum. He jumped across the arena in a matter of seconds using the force. His opponent was about to force push him again but Keekay knocked his hands away from him in time to drag his own saber across his opponents neck.

Since this was only a non-lethal competition the sabers where tuned down to their lowest settings so any strikes would only paralyze whatever muscle they touched. Rolin's mouth fell open and his head rolled to the side as he could no longer use his neck muscles. Keekay grabbed him and slowly set him down so he didn't injure himself. The challenges went on for hours Keekay remained the victor up until he faced the eldest youngling. He was a 15yr old human boy by the name of Sarna compared to Keekay who was 12yrs old.

He started out doing a jumping spin as his double bladed saber began making intricate designs in the air all while he drew closer to Keekay. Keekay was impressed to say the least but not discouraged. He began prodding his opponent's assault, forcing his opponent to add a defense to his assault weakening the attack. Keekay repeated his technique constantly prodding at key areas he saw that would disrupt the fluidity of his opponents attack. Eventually Sarna began to grow irritated. It was the first time another had been able to hold off his near flawless attack. Keekay was aware of this and continued to play on his weakness watching closely as the attack began to degrade in precision. Then it happened, his aggressors flaw was exposed as he over extended a sweep. Keekay grabbed his double-bladed saber then came in for his killing blow but to his surprise his opponent spun it incredibly fast smacking Keekay's saber from his hand. Keekay jumped back quickly only to realize his opponent had relieved him of his own weapon.

Sarna gave a sly smile, Keekay thought in detail about his current situation. He shifted his jaw a little in concern. Then his eyes fixated on his opponent's double-bladed weapon that he held out in front of him. He noticed immediately that he was only holding the heavier saber in one hand, which also meant that he couldn't have a firm grasp on it all that well. Keekay began building up his force power as his foe began to charge him with both sabers aimed to impale him. As Sarna was drawing near, Keekay unleashed his force build up launching the youngling across the arena in a loud boom smashing him into the wall with such force the impact snapped bones while both sabers flew in the air. The room was silent as Keekay walked over to his opponent and took back his saber. "I am pleased to announce, Youngling Keekay is our champion for today's matches." The announcer said as medical droids and Jedi healers came to the aid of the injured youngling.

8 years earlier from present time

Lieutenant Otagusha stood at attention as their Sith Commander paced back and forth awaiting for instructions. Her ink black hair was tied up in a top not. She was 20 and had already earned the title amongst her peers along with some high up officers and Sith as "Black Shadow," because whenever a legion or platoon left with her in it, they succeeded in whatever their objectives where. She was ruthless and cunning, but above all other attributes she could be unflinchingly cruel which Sith often found to be an attribute in their most favorite personal assassins or servants.

"Lord Venna has requested we hold our position," The Sith Commander explained to the Imperial legion awaiting his command. "But I am sick of waiting. We will charge!" He roared as he ignited his saber. The troops pulled their riffles to a ready position knowing they really didn't have a choice when a Sith was in charge. They had heard over and over the cost of an ambitious Sith, blood of Imperial troops. But they had also heard how easily defectors where hunted down and cut down by the renowned crimson blade of a Sith assassin.

Otagusha knew this as well and immediately began pacing scenarios of how to win in such an incident through her mind. She couldn't have cared less about the cost if imperial lives but she was more than just some lowly expendable trooper. They were on the verge of storming a Republic stronghold and Jedi Master Carsh Vall, a war hero was commanding it. Sith Commanders such as Vineer Strange, where full of ambition and the title "Slayer of War Hero's," was a gold mine for Sith politics.

"All troopers prepare for our assault." She spoke into her headset then checked the cartridge in her rifle. She was a sniper and the top of her class as well as a notorious ace. The troops gathered up to the edge of the muddy trenches. Every so often one would drop dead from a stray laser bolt. It was pouring and made maneuvering in the thick knee deep mud slow and deadly.

Commander Strange jumped onto the battlefield. It was a mammoth bowl that held a Republic fort at the base making it a sought after strategic position. Its walls towered 9 stories high, the same depth as the bowl like valley and were made of thick Cortosis steel, a steel commonly known for being impregnable against lightsabers. As the legion flooded into the massive bowl Otagusha paused and took aim for the base of Commander Stange's skull and waited. She watched as he began to receive a barrage of cannon and laser fire and responded by deflecting them. She waited till he was a good distance from her and then finally released her shot. She had learned something about these strange force users, their amazing skills to detect something unseen relied on how focused they were in their surroundings and what they called the force. From studying their history she found that the Sith apprentices turned on each other in the heat of battle and often succeeded in killing a superior master due to his distraction with the thrill of combat. She watched as her shot made a black crater in the base of his skull, then watched through her scope grinning as he dropped just like the rest of the mortal Imperial troopers that died. "See, not a god." She mumbled to herself as her grin turned into a full out smile.

After she had ended her Commander's life she began her own charge down the valley where she met the legion preparing their grappling cables and latters to storm the walls. The entire purpose of the 641st Legion storming the fort was to wait for the 42nd Shadow Troopers to invade the fort under cover of darkness and open the main gate for the entire offensive force to move in together and take the fort by superior numbers. Unfortunately that plan had now been scrubbed due to the impatience of Commander Strange. So now, since Lieutenant Otagusha was the second in command she now had to take an impenetrable fort on her own with just the 641St Legion to back her and their original number of 1000 troops were being reduced by every second. They could all see their legion count on their data feeds inside their helmets and she could see it on her wrist com, 432TOS or, 'troops on standby' then 423TOS, 413TOS. The mindless com system ticked down with ridiculous speed.

Otagusha used her grappling hook on her sniper rifle and shot at a tower where she could avoid being noticed and hooked it to her belt and began running up the wall trusting that the wire would hold her weight. When she got to the gunners nest she gave each Republic trooper a blaster bolt to the head with incredible speed. With one of the six towers taken out of action she then raced to the top where she drew her vibroblade and began using her advanced combat tactics as she slaughtered the Republic guards mercilessly. Using everything she could on her person to her advantage prior to finally turning the main tower cannon on the remaining five unsuspecting Republic towers. The result was disastrous for the enemy as the enemy towers imploded on impact from the projectiles. Then she saw it, the green viridian blade of the Jedi Masters saber ignited in the chaos of the battle. He was on the opposite side of the forts walls which she acknowledged by sending volleys of projectiles into the area where the Jedi Master was moving from. "Trooper! Take the turret and fire it at that Jedi!" She ordered which the trooper obliged by replacing her.

As this was all happening the tower she had secured was filling with imperial troops and their Troop count had stopped at 232TOS. They were greatly outnumbered since the Republic began with a good round number of 6,000 troops and had received few casualties up until the point where Otagusha had secured their own tower and cratered five of their towers filled with Republic troops with their own cannon. She took aim at the Jedi Master that kept coming closer and closer maintaining her cool. She knew the moment he was on top of them they didn't have a chance and he would cut through them all like a hot knife through butter.

She centered the Jedi's head in her sights and waited for the rhythm in her breathing before releasing a shot. The Jedi deflected it with ease, so she took aim again. This time she took aim at his feet before releasing the bolt, which He deflected again. She pulled back and observed this stubborn Jedi that was now on the same wall as her tower and running. Then she saw her opportunity, took aim and let it go, but fired a few well aimed chasing rounds. The first went through two Republic troopers that were focused on the battle, killing one instantly and dropping the other. Both interrupted the Jedi's path making him jump up. The second and third rounds came low which the Jedi Master deflected with ease but missed the fourth and fifth rounds that planted themselves in his chest and forehead. The Jedi fell limp as his corpse landed on the two Republic troopers that had blocked his path originally and then slipped of the edge of the wall tumbling down slowly as both sides watched the viridian blade give proof to the dead War Hero. Imperial Troops cheered in victory as Republic forces watched their General fall obviously dead since he made no attempt to rescue himself from such a fatal height. Any moral left in the Republic forces was sapped from them and could be seen leaving as the small amount of Imperial troops began to turn the tide and slaughter their enemies turning an impenetrable fort into a cage for exterminating its prior occupants.

After the battle had come to an end Lieutenant Otagusha signaled their forces to move in. She had successfully captured the fort along with 3,000 Republic troops and officers. She had also had Jedi Master Carsh Vall's body along with his Padawans body lined up in front of the growing pile of dead Republic troops. Lieutenant Otagusha held both sabers in her hand as they awaited Lord Venna's presence. An Imperial shuttle landed and the landing ramp opened. A Sith Commander exited down the ramp where he met Lieutenant Otagusha. Otagusha was small in comparison to the large built Sith that walked down the landing ramp.

"I take it you're the new war hero all our troops are speaking of?" He asked flatly in a low deep rumbling voice. Otagusha gave a crisp salute. "You're also the Lieutenant that killed a Sith Commander are you not?" Otagusha nodded. "Place her under arrest and bring her aboard." He ordered the Red Guard callously. The troops of the 641st legion reacted by pointing their rifles at the guards. Otagusha replied by waving them off. "It is true and the punishment should fit the crime." She said as she stepped aboard the shuttle. Otagusha didn't wave the troops off because she felt a need to save their lives, but because she had a feeling that there was more to this than her being punished and she wanted to find out what exactly it was.

8 years earlier from the present time

Keekay was meditating in an Indian style position on the floor of his assigned room when he heard a knock on his door. "Enter." The reply was responded to by Jedi Knight Saysha Suna who walked in. "Hello youngling how are you doing?" He bowed to her with respect. "I am doing well Master Saysha." She smiled and walked over to his bed where she took a seat.

Saysha was the Jedi Knight that had been the one that brought Keekay to the Jedi Temple on Tython. Ever since then she had checked up on him every time she visited the temple. Keekay found her presence soothing; he assumed a large portion of that fact was due to her black and white stripes on her three head tails and her two horns protruding from her head. They had a mesmerizing effect to the human eyes that added to her soft and gentle features, just like her people the Togruta who were pacifists. But unlike her people she was well on her way to becoming one of three Weapons Masters of the Jedi Order and her style of combat was rare to say the least. She would soon be a Master of Tri-saber wielding. An art form that only two Jedi's had ever trained in with each generation within the order, at current it was her and her previous master.

"It's been awhile since we've talked. I see you have advanced incredibly in the sword art since we last spoke." She smiled brightly. Her soft features could easily make anyone forget that she was a lethal weapon. Keekay took a seat beside her facing her. "I have tried to live up to your standards of fighting but of course I can only do so much from training holo-recordings that you so rarely offer." He grinned. She smiled understanding his gesture. "Well, I watched your abilities within the arena and I have to say I am amazed that someone so young can be so advanced. I am here for a reason Keekay; I wanted to know would you like to become my first apprentice?" She asked cautiously. Keekay looked at her with wide eyes; his silver eyes glistened within the florescent lights of the room.

For younglings of the Jedi Order, the only stress they had was to find a Jedi who would train them in the ways of the Jedi peace keepers and keep up on their training. In war time Jedi's could be found training multiple Padawans but this was looked down upon though not forbidden. Every so often however a youngling would grow too old for training and instead be sent to another section of the Jedi Order such as a farming colony. However in the mind of every youngling it could feel like a sense of failure to not become Jedi's who protected and maintained order in the Republic.

Keekay wanted to jump up and shout in excitement at the honor being offered to him. The feeling of being wanted and being unique was a great feeling, one that the younglings didn't get to feel often within the structure of the temple. Instead he refrained from showing emotion as was expected of him and instead stood and bowed in respect and replied. "I would be most honored to become your apprentice Master Saysha." She gave another one of her calm controlled grins. Keekay couldn't tell due to her white and red face but she blushed slightly in response, not in embarrassment but having not realized the weight of what it meant to the young human boy before her.

Saysha gave a sigh of relief. "Very good, then come with me and I vow to you that I will train you to be the best Jedi you can be." Afterwards she led Keekay to the Jedi council chambers and entered when allowed. "Masters of the Jedi Order, I have come to the conclusion that the Force has guided me to Keekay, starting with the day I brought him here as a young child. I would respectfully request that I be allowed to train Youngling Keekay to become a Jedi Knight." The masters didn't make any sign of acknowledgement. "Jedi Knight Saysha, we find ourselves in a unique circumstance. Master Val'tesh the Jedi Master that has trained Keekay and his class has decided to return to the field with Keekay as his Padawan. He too feels that the Force has guided him to Keekay." Saysha frowned. "Then what is the procedure for such an incident." "I'm afraid the Padawan goes to the senior most Jedi. In this case Master Val'tesh." Saysha's heart sank. "Very well then, I accept the council's wishes." She and Keekay bowed their respects and excused themselves.

Saysha led Keekay out of the council chambers. "Well youngling, it appears that our fates are not meant to be traveled together. I am deeply sorry if I mislead you." She said as she knelt to his height. "However Master Val'tesh will be a great example for you. He is very wise and knows many things, and who knows, I'm sure we will see each other every now and then." She said trying to force a smile. Just as she had finished her sentence Master Val'tesh walked up behind her. "Hello youngling Keekay, I look forward to training such an advanced young boy as I'm sure you look forward to learning from such a distinguished Jedi Master." Master Val'tesh was a Selkath native of the sea world of Manaan as such they were uniquely over confident in themselves. Keekay nodded, "Indeed I am Master Val'tesh." He said also trying to fake a grin which he was unable to. "Jedi Knight Saysha, I leave you to continue your journeys. Goodbye and should you be worthy may the force be with you." She stood and nodded in thanks. "Goodbye Master Saysha, again thank you for all you have done for me and may the Force be with you." Keekay also said before trailing behind Master Val'tesh.

8 years earlier from the present time

Lieutenant Otagusha was sitting in a holding cell with all her patches and ranks removed from her uniform. Effectively stripping her of anything she held to be an accomplishment. Two Red Guards entered the holding cell after shutting down the force field. "Come with us." One spoke through his helmet. They took her by her arms and escorted her to a dark lit chamber that had a throne in the center of it. In the center was a black cloaked woman with her legs casually crossed, visible only by her feminine shadow outline. The guards threw her on the floor and left, shutting the door behind them.

"Lieutenant Otagusha, Slayer of War Hero's my legions chant. Also known as the Black Shadow, an ace sniper, elite combat skills, advanced interrogation techniques, sabotage artist, well known for the Coruscant assassination of the Republic Fleet admiral Yolandar Sow. This list is nearly endless yet it all has come down to this. You are charged with the murder of your Sith Commander." The woman looked down at the datapad. "Commander Strange, do you deny the charges against you?" Lieutenant Otagusha shook her head. "No, I killed him." She said like she would anything else. "Then you are no doubt aware what the penalty is for sedition, are you not?" Otagusha gave a curt nod. "Before you die, why did you do it?" "I did this because I am not just another waist of skin that fights your battles in some naive hope to die gloriously for the Sith or some, invincible galactic Empire and my record proves it. I killed him, it was easy too, he dropped like some useless piece of jelly and didn't ascend to some higher place like a god would." She laughed.

The woman's shadowed hand raised a finger and the lights slowly grew. The red glow of the lights revealed a mid-aged woman with strikingly attractive features. Her eyes and hair though difficult to make out in the red glow was the reknowned white hair and silver-white eyes of the Dark Lord Venna. She wore a grin on her face. "Lieutenant Otagusha, you have lived up to my expectations and have proven yourself to be a worthy agent for my plans. So I give you a choice, die or pledge your loyalty to me and only me." Venna stood up and drew the hilt of her saber not igniting the blade just yet. Otagusha grinned, "Though I refuse to believe the Sith are gods, they are the embodiment of all the attributes I hunger for. My lord, I pledge my loyalty to you in return I ask that you give me a chance at power." She said as she took a knee before the Dark Lord. Venna smiled, "Rise, since Lieutenant Otagusha openly committed killed a Sith commander she will die. From this point on you will be referred to as Commander Deva. You will wear the white uniform of the Imperial Navy and the insignia of the Crimson Saber will distinguish you as a special class of Officer that reports directly to a Dark Lord. You will also have all your previous medals and accolades returned to you. Before I send you anywhere I will be sending you to receive some advanced training I only employ the elite of the elite." Venna stated before she sat down.