Julian Marko was an impatient man.

He knew that being a Jedi, such idiosynchacies were not always the greatest strength. But that didn't change his tendency to become easily frustrated when forced to wait. Especially when he was waiting to be chastised by the Jedi Council.

"It's not your fault." Nadia said, squeezing his hand comfortingly.

"I know. But someone has to take the blame for losing the stupid dorid and getting one of the Republic's best privateers captured by the Empire."

Her free hand traced patterns on his lekku, a gesture of support that he appreciated but knew they couldn't do in the middle of the Temple so he pulled her hand away and admonished gently through their bond.

"I'm sorry."

"It's ok love" he whispered. "It's only because we're in the Temple."

The young woman's face soured "I wish that we didn't have to hide like this."

"I do too, but it's for the best. The Council wouldn't react well to knowing we're together. Not with a war going on."

The reignited war between the Republic and The Empire had been going on for as long as Julian could remember. His earliest memories were of fighting. He didn't remember where the fighting was or why he carried recollections of it but he did.

He can clearly remember a woman screaming. She's screaming the name Julius over and over. He also hears a baby crying, crying like part of his heart has been ripped out, crying like an animal.

When he was younger he tried to talk to the Masters about these memories or visions or whatever they are. His Master sent him to see Grand Master Satele to talk about it.

Well Master Satele had praised his connection to the living force and explained that some Jedi were just very sensitive to conflict, even on a Galactic scale.

But he was still left with the sound of that woman and baby, the sounds that haunted him at night.

"Knight Marko, the Council will see you now."

He stood up and straightened his robes, Nadia squeezed his hand one last time in support.

This will not end well.


"Father, you know Miri has always been this way ever since she was little. Always so serious. Where does she get that from?"

Sahesri smiled and chewed his steak. "It's a mystery. Although you inherited my charm and your mother's looks."

Augustus grinned "And look how that DNA combo turned out! You got yourself a winner with me Father."

"You children are all winners to me."

"Sure, sure. Go ahead and play the gracious father card. Now, I know there was a reason you called me to dinner alone Father."

Sahesri nodded and put down his fork for a moment "Yes there is something I wanted to talk you about son. This is important for me to discusss with you because you know there are certain responsibilities that you have, being the oldest."

"Father you know I take your trust very seriously."

"I know son. Your mother and I are so proud of you and the man you've become." He sighed. "Qai'zon may have found a lead on Julius."

"What?" Augustus was incredulous. "Is it a reliable lead?"

"It has the possibility to be. Your brother is bringing the Republic prisoner to Dromund Kaas and I am going to interrogate him personally."

The young Sith prince's head was suddenly spinning. The thought of seeing his twin after they had been seperated since infancy was overwhelming.

"We will find him Father, I promise you. Even if I have to destroy the entire Republic to find my brother, I will bring him home. I promise."

Sahesri looked his son up and down and smiled sadly. He was the oldest of Vette and Sahesri's children and took on the responsibilities of an entire Empire along with the burdens of his family. His training with Darth Nox had turned him into a magnificent Sith who's aura crackled with power. It was so understated, you have to delve below the surface to sense the full power his son commanded.

"Yes we will find him son. Don't worry, we'll bring Julius home."


After his dinner with his son, Sahesri summoned Jaesa to his quarters.

"We must discuss something. Not as Sith but as parents."

"Alright," Jaesa said sitting down across from her former master. "What's wrong Master?"

"Miri wants to get married. And she wants Vette and I to set up her marriage."

Jaesa laughed "A young girl who want her parents to interfere in her love life? I think the chances of that are one in a galactic million."

"Yes it is. But I know my daughter and know when she's serious about things. So I am bringing forth a proposal to you."

"You're not asking me to marry her are you Master? Casia would be less than appreciative."

The Emperor sighed "No. You and Casia have a son, we have a daughter. We could unite our families together."

"You mean Kabien?" Jaesa was referring to the eldest of her and Casia's biological children. He was a young Sith on the rise who was the same age as Miri. He also had a serious streak to him, which would compliment the Princess well. Being the son of two of the most powerful Sith Lords in the Empire didn't hurt either.

"Master this is asking a lot. I'll have to talk about it with Kabien and see what he says."

"Well of course he won't agree to it overnight. Talk to him about it and we will see what happens alright?"

"Yes Master."

"Good, now that that is out of the way for now, we must have a discussion as Sith."

"My favorite kind of discussion."

In the past twenty years Sahesri had very purposely staved off the Empire's campaigns against the Republic. When he had come into power the Empire was a mess on it's own, The Dark Council had been left to run The Empire when all they cared about was their own petty rivalries and squabbles. The Military had a wary distrust of their Sith counterparts, not trusting their command and being forced to lead campaigns on their own. Money was being funneled into monuments to History instead of two the people and towards the cost of war. All in all, it was a society on the brink of collapse.

So instead of charging on, Sahesri had spent the last two decades making the Empire stronger from within. And it had worked. The Empire was stronger and more importantly, united again. Sure, the Republic had attempted to engage them, but they had not made any overt campaigns against the Republic. But he knew they were finally ready to make a grand stand against the Republic.

So for hours in to the night, he and Jaesa, who he had made Emperor's Hand about ten years ago, planned for war. A grand beautiful war that would be remembered in the Galaxy for thousands of year to come.