Azure Nebula
Separatist Fleet

"Sir, we can't contact the Confederate Hammer or Count Dooku. I think we ended up somewhere out of range." The command battle droid suggested.

The tactical droid processed the information it had gained from the data the scanners and its recent experience to formulate a plan. "Send out scout fighters to chart this nebula and send a fighter back through the anomaly."

"Roger, roger."

In matter of minutes droid fighters were launched and preforming regular patrols around the fleet, branching out and reporting everything back to the command ship.

"We're having trouble scanning the nebula. It's scrambling our sensors." The command battle droid reported.

"Can we backtrack back the way we came?" The tactical droid questioned.

"I…I don't know." The command droid shrugged.

"Of course." The tactical droid sarcastically muttered.

"Sir, we're picking transmissions from inside the nebula." The command droid spoke up.

"Track those transmissions to their source."

"Roger, roger."

The droid patrols continued through the nebula, following the transmission until a single droid fighter discovered a large base built into a giant asteroid and turned around to report to the fleet as it grew closer to the mysterious base.

"Sir, we are picking up a transmission from patrol eight-three. They've found some sort of station up ahead. It saw hangars inside the asteroid that can hold a lot of ships." The command droid stated.

"A perfect place to find information on our location. Prepare our weapons and fighters. We will take it by force."

The Separatist fleet moved forward at full speed, launching all fighters and bombers that assumed attack formation as they neared the base. As the droids came within range the Tholian base launched ships of their own, consisting of multiple ships smaller than the Separatist ships but a two ships were actually larger than the Providence class destroyers. The fighters opened fire with blaster bolts but their weapons collided with invisible bubble like shields that collided with their targets. The Tholian frigates fired their tetyron beam weapons, blasting apart multiple droids but due to the high speed the droid fighters they made it through the first blast and some collided with a few Tholian ships.

Though the shields protected them the impact still sent them flying. The Separatist fleet opened fire on the Tholians, their forward cannons blasting away at the shields and even destroying several smaller ships. The larger Tholian ships, nicknamed Tarantula class dreadnaughts were able to withstand the full barrage, their shields blocking the endless barrage of red turbo-laser fired as they returned fire with their tetryon beam arrays and banks that collided with the forward deflector shields and passed through them with ease and scorching the hulls. The shields used by both fleets both worked in different ways with the Tholian shields surrounding the ships in the shape of a bubble, capable of blocking both solid and energy projectiles and were much more powerful than the shields used by the Separatist droid fleet.

However they could be worn down by endless barrages of plasma bolts.

The shields used by the droid fleet were designed to block either energy or solid projectiles but they could only block one type with one shield, unable to use both shield types at once. The energetic and unstable nature tetryon particles showed when interacting with normal space burned through the shields and cut into the hulls of the Separatist ships as they continued firing. The Munificents and the Recusants were positioned at the front to take the heavy barrage while the Providences maintained their heavy fire on the Tholian Tarantulas, slowly wearing down the shields.

The battle was going both ways as Tholian frigates were destroyed under the endless barrage from the Separatists fleet while two Munificents lost their bridges to Thermionic torpedoes before tetryon beams burned through the hull and destroyed the engine reactor of a third, destroying it instantly. Droid fighters worked to try and destroy the Tholian ships with their blasters and bombs but Tholian ships had superior targeting and destroyed many droid fighters.

"Sir, our frigate defense force is nearly destroyed." The command battle droid reported.

"Aim our ion cannons and missile launchers at the engines and shield generators." The tactical droid said as the ship shook.

"Uh…Where are the shield generators?" The command droid asked.

"I don't know. I can't find them." The pilot droid at the tactical station shrugged.

"Fire regardless." The tactical droid said, sounding annoyed.

The Providences intensified their weapons fire, unleashing lasers, turbolasers, ion bolts, proton torpedoes and concussion missiles that pummeled the shields of the Tholian dreadnaughts and wore them down enough that blaster bolts actually blasted through the forward shields and caused thermal damage to the hull. The Tholians fired back as their massive ships preformed evasive actions, increasing power to their forward weapons and launching spreads of torpedoes that tore through the shields and tore through the hull, causing multiple hull breaches and reducing hull integrity greatly.

"Fires reported on decks thirteen through seventeen!"

"Hull breaches and multiple decks!"

"Hull integrity on the lower decks are down to twenty percent!"

"What is the status of the fleet?" The tactical droid asked as the ship shook even harder.

"They're all reporting heavy damage." The command droid reported just as the Providence on the right side lost its bridge to a tetyron beam.

The tactical droid's electronic brain ran all possible calculations and concluded sadly that though they had dealt massive damage to the enemy fleet the Separatist fleet was lost as the enemy pressed forward with more ships.

There was only one thing left to do.

"Continue firing. We will not be taken prisoner."

"Roger, roger." The command droid said just as torpedoes impacted the bridge, destroying it instantly.

However the Tholians were not willing to destroy all Separatist ships. Six Tholian Web Weavers shot around a downed Providence and created their energy web to tow it back into the base. The Tholian Assembly would make use of the technology on the ship they had captured.

"Defense Force Commander reported to High Command. We have detained a ship from a subspace rift and request permission to return to base."

"Permission granted. Bring the ship and beam the surviving crew to the cells."

"Scans confirm there are no organic life signs onboard the ship but a large number of artificial life signs have been confirmed."

"Continue your mission and bring the ship in for detainment."

Archanis Sector
Ganalda System

The Spearpoint emerged from hyperspace, entering the Ganalda System followed quickly by the Kor as they approached the giant space station that was mostly likely the Ganalda Station.

"Looks impressive." Piell noted as the Republic cruiser approached the massive space station. "I've never seen a space station like this before. I imagine it would take an entire fleet to destroy a station this large."

"We are being hailed sir." The clone commander spoke up, earning Piell and Tarkin's attention.

"Republic Cruiser Spearpoint, you are cleared to dock. Follow the Kor as it enters."

"Acknowledged." Piell nodded and ordered the helmsmen to follow the Kor.

The Spearpoint followed the Kor as a pair of massive doors opened, allowing the ships to enter the massive station where over a dozen Klingon ships of similar design to the Kor were docked. Piell, Tarkin, and the clones that were capable of looking looked at the interior of the station, seeing the endless number of shuttles flying past them. Many Klingons looked at the Resolute, instantly recognizing it as a warship and nodded in respect to its fierce looking design.

It resembled a sharp looking dagger which they could appreciate.

"Sir, the command station wants to know where our airlocks are. Apparently their docks weren't fully designed for our ship." The clone commander reported.

"Give them the location of the starboard and port hangars. We'll see if that helps out."

Ten minutes later airlocks clamped onto the hangars of the Spearpoint, securing it and allowing the crew to disembark and welcome engineers that were ordered to aid in repairing the damage vessel. As this happened Piell and Tarkin were escorted to General Klag's office where he was waiting.

The Brigadier General stood up as the Jedi General and his Captain entered the officer, escorted by Kereth. "General Klag, I bring you General Evan Piell and Captain Tarkin of the Republic Cruiser Spearpoint."

"General, Captain, I must say you have a very impressive ship. I never thought humans could build warships of such…beauty." Klag grinned slightly. "I imagine things must be quite different in your galaxy."

"I imagine so, General." Piell said, noting the look and posture of Klag.

This man was a warrior with a barely controlled passion, like most Klingons he had met during his brief time in this galaxy and was not one for fancy words, something Piell could appreciate.

"So tell me about this war you are fighting. I hear it rages across your galaxy." Klag sat back down. "Leave no details out."

"Very well." Piell nodded. "It began over ten years when the Republic Senate sanctioned taxation of trade routes in the Outer Rim which was heavily protested by several mega-corporations and commerce groups that led to the Trade Federation blockading the planet Naboo in response to the dispute. The Supreme Chancellor sent two fellow Jedi to negotiate a settlement but the Trade Federation had enough power that it had purchased a droid army used it invade and subjugate the planet under the excuse that they are acting within the legal limits set by the Senate and wanted to force the Queen to sign a treaty to legitimize the invasion. The invasion was repelled when the Naboo fought back and captured the Viceroy and the Senate ordered the Trade Federation to dismantle its army though many saw it as a mere slap on the wrist."

"But they did not." Klag guessed, narrowing his eyes.

"No they did not. The Senate was largely useless during the invasion and a vote of no confidence was called when the current Chancellor was unable to solve the problem. At that point many systems began to express interest in leaving the Republic, especially after Count Dooku, a former Jedi," Tarkin spoke up, "Rallied these systems to come together and form their own government, the Confederacy of Independent System." Tarkin's voice was laced with distaste. "A mere cobbled together puppet government created by corporations like the Trade Federation, the Corporate Alliance, the Commerce Guild, the Banking Clan, and the Techno Union to sell their droid armies to the Separatists and make profit off of the war."

Klag scowled. "These Separatists use machines to fight their battles?"

"Mostly. There are organic soldiers and commanders but many of them are merchants with no experience in battle." Piell answered, glaring at Tarkin for a second before looking back at Klag. "With the number of systems leaving the Republic to join the Separatists it made it difficult for the Jedi Order to keep the peace. Eventually hostilities broke out on Geonosis and would ended badly, if not for the arrival of the clone army."

"You created these clones?" Klag questioned.

"No, we did not. A fellow Jedi ordered a clone army to be made on the planet Kamino, ten years ago without informing the Jedi Council or the Senate. We believe he had foreseen that the Republic would fall and would need an army to survive." Piell answered.

"And the Republic had no military of its own?" Klag leaned back in his chair. "I find it hard to believe that in response to this movement no one thought to build up an army beforehand."

"There was talk of the Military Creation Act but the Senate of course had to vote on it." Tarkin answered, his face frowning in distaste.

"Bah! Vote?! When a government splits apart you do not waste time with voting! If it's too weak to properly protect its people it does not deserve to be in power!" Klag stood up. "Nor does it simply grow warriors to fight its battles for it!"

"We had no choice but accept the army. The Republic would have fallen." Piell stated, standing his ground.

"Yes, quite right General." Tarkin glared at Klag. "And the Republic granted the Chancellor the power to see to it that an army would be created to counter the increasing threats of the Separatists. The Republic relies on more than just clones and Jedi."

"And what are Jedi?" Klag questioned.

"I am." Piell hopped onto the desk, staring Klag in the eyes. "I am Jedi Master from the Jedi Order which has kept the peace for over a thousand years with our skills with the Force." He held up a hand and the cup on Klag's desk floated into the air. "We can do this and much more, General. Do not underestimated."

Klag stared down at the small long eared creature as the cup floated back down onto the desk. "You have courage. That much I can tell. We will see to the repairs of your ship while I confer with the High Council on this matter but in the meantime I request a copy of your database to properly understand your Republic."

"Thank you, General." Piell bowed his head and turned to leave with Tarkin as two Klingon Officers waited outside to escort them back to their ship.

Once the door closed Kereth looked at Klag. "What are your orders, General?"

"We repair their ship and monitor them." Klag chuckled. "A government too weak to be held together and relies on test tube grown humans to fight their battles for them and another split away alliance of traders using machines to fight back. Apparently they don't have many warriors in that galaxy aside from these Jedi who have…special powers. We must look into this matter."

"Yes, General." Kereth nodded, saluting his superior officer before leaving the office.

:::

"I believe we won't make many friends here, General." Tarkin said dryly to Piell as they stepped back onto the Spearpoint. "I daresay our use of clones…offends them."

"They are a warrior culture, Tarkin. I've seen enough to know that they believe it to be a dishonor." Piell replied as they walked through the hangar, watching as the clone mechanics and Klingon engineers repaired the fighters.

"Honor? And what use is honor in a war? What use is honor when doing what must be done? On a battle field honor is simply a weakness for the enemy to exploit." Tarkin stated. "Who allows themselves to be weakened by the foolish concept of honor?"

"Many, you fool!" The Jedi and the Captain stopped and faced a female Klingon engineer who slowly walked towards them. "Our Empire was forged by Kahless who forged the law of honor that created our civilization. We do not shy away from battle and we do not waste time with tricks and duplicity. A great many would challenge you to the death for your foolish words but I am not so foolish." She stopped in front of Tarkin and leaned in closely enough that Tarkin actually took a step back upon seeing the angry look on her face. "Tread lightly fool for the ways of Klingons do not tolerate those who know nothing of what they speak."

The engineer turned away, leaving Tarkin and Piell who were silent for a moment before Piell smirked. "I think I might like these people."

:::

"They got food."

The clones looked up as the Klingons brought foot into the café which was a great help since the food supplies has been contaminated in the last few attacks.

A clone looked over the food placed on the table. "What are they?"

The food smelled good, consisting of what looked like meat, soup, and water for the clone crew to enjoy it.

"Heart of Targ, Bregit lung and gladst." A Klingon answered with a grin. "Warrior's food."

"Smells good." A clone grinned. "Better than the rations we got."

"It's rare for a human to complement our food. They normally don't eat food that is…still alive." A female Klingon remarked as the clones sampled their food.

"Not bad!" A clone grinned, tasting the heart of Targ. "They could use more of this back at the barraks on Kamino and Coruscant."

"These humans are tougher than most." A Klingon commented.

"And what are most humans here?" A clone named Reaper asked. "You know we're only clones."

The Klingon frowned. "Perhaps, but cloned or not you are human not mindless machines. We have faced clones before and they were amongst the greatest warriors the Empire had faced."

"There are clones in this galaxy?" Another clone, Zap asked.

"Yes, the Jem'Hadar." The Klingon nodded. "Bred by the Dominion to fight its battles, subjugate its enemies and die in the name of the Changelings they revere as gods. They were fearless, even living by their code 'Victory is Life' in battle and worthy opponents. The battles the Empire and the Federation waged against them during the Dominion War is remembered through the songs of the great warriors who died with honor and now live in Sto-Vo-Kor."

"Besides…" The Klingon woman grinned as she leaned in. "At the very least you lot were not cloned from an ugly human. Around here that would be a benefit for many of you and any woman who likes what they see…Let's just hope no woman finds you soft."

The clones all shocked by the blunt statement as the Klingons shared a roar of laughter. The clones of the Galactic Republic had taken their first steps into the world of the Klingon Empire.

Mid-Rim
Hydian Way
Dustig Sector
Unknown Derelict

As the Clone Wars waged across the galaxy many criminals and gangs were quick to take advantage of the damage caused by the war and the distraction the war had caused which left the Republic unable to deal with systems needing food, medicine and other resources unless the Separatists were involved. The Jedi were all pressed into the service of acting as generals of the clone armies and only dealt with criminals when it was part of the war. However criminals, outlaws, and scavengers had no problem picking apart the remains of Republic and Separatist ships in the aftermath of a battle looking for weapons or people to sell off to the highest bidder or to hold ransom off if they were of great importance.

So it came as no surprise that a pirate ship came across a strange looking ship floating lifelessly in space and the crew decided to board and see what they could find. The ship lined up with the derelict and connected with the airlock where the crew burned through the lock and stepped onto the ship.

"Search the ship. Check the cargo bay and look around for anyone who might be alive." The man in charge said. "Today we make fine profit for Hondo."

Hondo was a well-known pirate in the criminal underworld of the galaxy who had a fair share of enemies, including the infamous Count Dooku but he had many friends and acquaintances that include the late bounty hunter Jango Fett and Aurra Sing whom he had a former relationship with. He was also an acquaintance of the Jedi, though they did not hold him in high regard due to his greed and his pirate lifestyle. His gang had flourished during the Clone Wars, dealing spice and receiving ransoms through kidnapping and extortions.

"What kind of ship is this boss? Ain't no Republic or Separatist?" A pirate asked as they walked onto the ship.

"Does it matter my friend? Another ship means another day of fine profit." The captain waved off the question. "Look for spice, weapons, and anything looking expensive."

Hondo really didn't care much about the war or whose ship he plundered to make a profit. All that mattered in this life was the money.

"This doesn't even look like a hyperdrive. I can't even recognize the controls here." A Weequay pirate complained, looking over the main console in engineering and started tapping some switches. "How does this even work?"

"Don't play with it!" One of the pirates in the room snapped. "Let's just grab anything expensive looking and get out of here!"

As the pirates worked to take anything of value, including weapons off the bodies of pointy eared people that the pirates had never seen before but didn't care because they were more interested in making a profit they had no idea that they were being watched.

"Let's just take the engine apart and-" The pirate stopped talking as the room was lit up by a strange blue light. "What was that?"

"I don't know. Let's just go."

The pirate at the console turned around to argue but stopped when he saw another blue flash light and along with it appeared a strange blue floating figure floating in the middle of the room. "What the-?!"

The creature hovered above the nearest Weequay pirate and held out its hand. The pirates watched in shock as the pirate was lifted into the air as a blue light shot out of its hand and touched the Weequay's head.

"Shoot it!" The other three pirates shouted and aimed their blasters at the ghost, shooting red bolts that the ghost didn't seem to notice.

"It's a ghost!" A pirate screamed in horror as the ghost's victim dropped to the ground, seemingly dead. "Run!"

All over the ship more ghosts appeared and attacked the pirates who were caught by complete surprise and those that managed to pull out their blasters found them almost completely ineffective against the blue floating creatures.

The captain was on the bridge, looking over the bodies of pointed eared humanoids that wore uniforms he did not recognize. While he did not recognize the dead crew he was interested in the many weapons that the dead bodies had carried and decided it was not worth thinking over. "Let's get to work, boys. Lots of plundering and stealing to do."

"Captain! Captain! We got to get off this ship!"

The captain flinched as he pulled out his com-link. "We're not done here yet, you nitwits."

"Captain, there are ghosts on this ship! They've killed five of us already!"

"Ghosts? What are you talking about you babbling fool?" The captain grunted. "There are no ghosts on this ship!"

"Captain! There's something crazy going on over here! The crew say they have been seeing ghosts and there were a lot of blue flashes and then there were these…ghost things that appeared out of nowhere and attack us! They've already killed three of us over here!"

"What?!" The captain shouted, gripping his com-link.

The bridge flashed bright blue and all around appeared blue floating things that seemed to emanate a form of hunger that almost made Captain tremble.

As soon as they appeared the entire bridge went into chaos as pirates pulled out their blasters and fired, their bolts shooting through the ghosts who retaliated with blue wisps of energy that lifted anyone they caught off the ground and hovered in the air helplessly.

This was the moment when Captain's fight or flee instinct kicked in and he along with anyone still alive chose to run for their lives. "Run you fools!"

The pirates dropped whatever they had stolen and started running back to their ship. Unfortunately hope was sometimes wasted on the hopeless as more blue flashes appeared all over the ship and the pirates were attacked, unable to fight back and slowly succumbed what some considered madness of seeing ghosts appear before they finally fell over.


They had done it.

They had found a new feeding ground and they had quickly found themselves a feast on the very ship they had stolen and used as a feeding ground and then as a way to enter a new feeding ground had been found by scavengers. This new feeding ground would attract more of their kind as they looked for sources that could sustain them in this new feeding ground. They could use the ship they had brought through to emit a pulse to strengthen their new established presence in this new feeding ground and to expand out to find more prey.

They had a taste of this new feeding ground and they wanted more. They harnessed the power of the ship they stolen after killing the original crew and released a sub-space pulse that was enhanced with their own powers that would allow them to bridge over into this new feeding ground.

And they could smell more prey approaching.