Star Wars: Dark Galaxy

Book 1: Secrets of the Sith

Summary: Post LotF. As the galaxy tries to heal itself after the death of Caedus, a rebellion that has been brewing since the Clone Wars explodes. Already crippled, the Galactic Alliance and the Jedi falter before the onslaught, until the arrival of two unexpected allies: the Sith.

Chapter 2

Force Whisper, en route to Madalorian Sector

Though Tahiri had expected many things on the Force Whisper, she had not expected other things. After a long day of rest in her quarters as they traveled through hyperspace, she had begun to explore the awkward ship. She mostly found storage and equipment rooms, but after looking around for a while, she found a workshop that was very unique, like shops she had seen at the academy.

It was a lightsaber workshop.

She had barely had a chance to look inside before the internal comm turned on, "Co-pilot Veila, please report to the bridge." Sighing, she left. There were some things she needed to ask her new captain.

She passed the android, Anakin, working furiously on a terminal. Curios, she paused, "What are you doing?"

"Just a video game," the android replied. "I've been working on understanding various forms of entertainment, and the one that seems most useful and fun to me are puzzles."

"Anakin loved those," Tahiri said sadly.

"Still does," Anakin said, before covering his mouth in shock.

"What do you mean by 'still'?" Tahiri asked.

"Sorry," the android apologized. "I'm getting an error in my primary programming. I'll fix it."

Sighing, she continued on her way. Sometimes, she wished that the Force worked better on droids. She could tell he was telling the truth, but he was also lying about it. Entering the cockpit, she sat down in her chair, deciding she might as well deal with another lie while she was at it. "I thought you said you weren't a Jedi," she commented the person in the pilot's seat.

Still wearing his black cloak, Vader smiled, "I'm not."

"I saw the lightsaber workshop," Tahiri countered.

"You're welcome to use it. I have no need for it right now. I have a large collection of crystals and parts. Build one however you want."

She turned her chair to face him, "I don't want to build one, and you're avoiding the question. Who are you?"

He turned to face her, only his mouth, set in a thin line, was visible beneath the shadow of his hood, "I already told you that if you need to call me something, you can call me Vader."

"As in Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith?" Tahiri scowled.

"I'd prefer without the 'Darth' title, and the term 'Dark' does not apply in this case, but if it makes you feel better, then yes, I am a Sith Lord." Vader turned away from her and back to his controls, "We come out of hyperspace in two minutes. Are you ready?"

Tahiri felt like she had been punched in the gut. Nothing made sense anymore. Part of her wanted to kill him now, but something else seemed to hold her back. Finally, she turned back to her own set of controls and muttered, "You have some explaining to do, or I'm jumping ship."

The colors of hyperspace became star streaks, and then natural stars as the Whisper entered normal space. "You're more than welcome, if you can breathe space," Vader countered, his voice filled with amusement. "I'll explain later, and then you can decide if you want to trust me. Until then, I have a job to do." He flipped a switch, and a small hologram of Boba Fett, the Mandalore, appeared on the dashboard. "Greetings, Mandalore Fett," Vader said. "I hear you have a problem out here?"

"Who are you?" Fett asked.

"Someone who's willing to help," Vader answered. "A man after your own profession. Call me Olos Loso."

"Never heard of you," Fett replied. "I assume you're new to bounty hunting?"

"Not quite like 'bounty hunter', more like, 'private investigator who's willing to take a bounty hunter's pay'," Vader/Loso chuckled.

Fett shrugged, "Not my problem. Just don't get yourself killed. One of my captains has made quite a few recent droid purchases, but I don't think they're all just for 'humanitarian services' as he says. He vanished about one month ago, and I don't know where he is. All I need his him found."

"I'll find him, don't worry. I'll also look into those droids while I'm at it. I may find a lead. Where are they now?"

"Most of them are on his ship, the Centurion. His name is Captain Rells. Good luck." The hologram vanished.

Tahiri turned back to Vader, "Private Investigator? Olos Loso?"

"I had to give him a name of some sort, and I am that somewhat," Vader replied, turning to her. "The difference between a Sith and a Dark Lord of the Sith is the same as the difference between a Jedi and a Dark Jedi: lust for power. The only difference between the Jedi and the Sith are how they master the Force. Unfortunately, most of those who try to master the Force the Sith way are often consumed by lust for power, and become Dark Lords. That's why the 'Rule of Two' is so important, and was ignored until Darth Bane realized it was the only way to limit the number of Sith squabbling for control."

"How come Caedus didn't go to you for training then?" Tahiri asked. "Had you trained him, the war that happened earlier probably wouldn't have happened. And where were you during the Vong Invasion?"

Vader sighed, "I'll answer these last questions, but then we have to go. You want too much information at once, and I can only give you so much at a time. My training didn't begin until the later half of the Vong Invasion. Vergere was the Sith Master at that time, and was preparing Jason to be trained by me later, as she had discovered the corrupt ways of the Dark Lords, and had refused to follow them, becoming a true Sith. I completed my training before she died, but I didn't become the Master until after the Vong Invasion. During that time, and after, I tried to help Jason as best I could, especially when I became the Sith Master. But once he started listening to Lumiya, he was no longer my apprentice, and I couldn't reveal myself. I had to hide until Caedus was dead, though I did try to help you through the Force. I tried to help Caedus too, but he was beyond my help. He would no longer listen."

"He never mentioned you," Tahiri said.

"Nor would he have, because he didn't know," Vader replied. "My… situation was rather unusual at the time, and I could only guide him through the Force. Once he started listening to Lumiya, I could do nothing. No more questions now. We need to set a course for Tatooine."

Tahiri turned to her terminal, "Why Tatooine?"

Vader shook his head, "You never run out of questions, do you. Tatooine was the last know location of the Centurion."

"Oh," was all Tahiri could think of what to say. After they entered hyperspace once more, she turned back to him. "Just one more question, Darth Vader."

He sighed, "The 'Darth' part isn't necessary, but I suppose I could answer one more question."

She took a breath, "I know from what Caedus told my that in order to obtain mastery, a Sith needs to… sacrifice their own flesh and blood."

"That's one way of saying it, and it's also the most gruesome," Vader answered. "But in reality, it is not something that can be put in words. For me, my sacrifice… was myself. In doing so, I sacrificed the one thing I held most precious above all: the relationship between me and the one I loved."

Thanking him, Tahiri stood and went to her quarters. She had a lot to think about. In doing so, she didn't notice the tear that streaked out from under the shadow of his hood and down his face.

Jedi Temple, Coursant

The galaxy was tipped.

Luke was confused at first, especially at how he knew. But nevertheless, there it was, with him on one side of it.

It was tipped, his direction.

The Force warned him, and he turned, lightsaber igniting as he deflected a blaster bolt. Then another followed, and another, and another.

He began to fight for his life as droids appeared in front of him, moving towards the galaxy behind him. Some were battle droids that were probably from the Clone Wars, while others were newer versions of assassin droids. He began to falter as they continued to step forward. He tried to retreat, but the galaxy was tipped too much. He couldn't back up.

When he was sure it was over, that he would die at the hands of these droids, a large blast of Force Lightning struck them, forcing them back. Suddenly, the galaxy was no longer tipped. He was standing at its center, a figure in a black cloak and a red lightsaber stood beside him.

There was no doubt that the person who just saved him was a Sith. But instead of evil, Luke could sense his unexpected ally's true intentions.

Guard the Galaxy.

So together they faced the droids, who rushed in.

Luke shot up in his bed, sweat sticking to his skin. Another vision? he thought. What does it mean?