New Jedi Order: Avenger

Summary: AU starting at the end of Star by Star. The Rebellion's darkest secret comes to life as the Sith Lord Starkiller resurfaces just in time to aid the Jedi Strike Force. Can they work together to stop the Vong, or will Starkiller's interference only make things worse?

AN: This is going to be a different style than I'm used to, so any feedback will greatly help.

Prelude: Reflections of Starkiller

The Rogue Shadow hurled through hyperspace, leaving the war behind like a memory. They had entered the Mykyr system without warning, and they had left without a trace. Double checking the system readings, Juno Eclipse – now starting to show a faint amount of gray hairs along the edges of her blond crew cut – smiled in satisfaction before turning to her companion. "You're sure they will get out on their own?"

Darth Starkiller, turned to her, his voice calm and caring in spite of his respirator as he replied, "I know they will, Juno. Although, I have reason to believe they will try to kill me if they see me again."

Standing, Juno kissed him in spite of his mask, "You're not that easy to kill. We should get some rest now."

"You go ahead. I need to meditate for a moment," he told her. He was eternally grateful for Juno's presence in his life. After his battle with the Emperor left him mostly dead, and the Rebellion was formed, she had returned for his body, at great personal risk. She had found him alive, against all odds. She had managed to graft the Sith Stalker armor that he now wore to his body to sustain his life. She stood beside him when he decided to remain dead to the rest of the Rebellion, choosing instead to act as a secret assassin, targeting the Emperor's most loyal and powerful servants.

In spite of his choice to embrace Sith teachings to serve the galaxy rather than himself, in spite of his choice to isolate them from the rest of the galaxy, in spite of the armor he wore, she still stayed by him, and loved him.

She was the reason he could embrace darkness, and remain free of evil.

Anakin Solo must have a similar bond to someone if I am going to train him, Starkiller thought to himself. Though I have spent years tracking down the original Sith teachings, I don't dare put them in the wrong hands. I sensed his determination to make his name, and his grandfather's name, known for good rather than evil. That is something I can help him with. There are things I know that he doesn't. But if my vision is correct, he is the one I need to teach. Otherwise, the Sith Order will be forever corrupted.

Starkiller took a deep breath, trying to relax. He needed to figure out where they needed to go next, what their next move should be. They needed to tread carefully now, as his actions would definitely put them out in the open. He may have survived death three times by now, but he didn't think he would survive a fourth time, especially if it involved the Jedi killing him.

An image appeared, and he smiled underneath his mask.

"Hapes. They will go to Hapes."