Chapter Nine: Hyperspace Chapter
IMPORTANT: Some recent news, I got a job. I am the new NFL Draft Scout for www(dot)draftdebacled(dot)com. Now, this will take up many hours in my week which has already limited my writing time. Also I have started a stand alone story that has nothing to do with Twisted History which will take up some time. That story is called "Star Wars: Rise of the Paladin", and will have a preview at the end of this chapter. Needless to say my writing time is being slashed. I will not abandon this series even if it takes me several years to complete.
Over the period of time that Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had been in the past they had learned a great deal in both fighting Dark Jedi as well as those they could not perceive through the Force. Also Qui-Gon had been playing mediator for Obi-Wan. As his apprenticed advanced in abilities far more rapidly in some cases than Qui-Gon would like he found himself having to guide Obi-Wan in how to use his new abilities without becoming overconfident in them. While he had no doubt about Obi-Wan's maturity level or judgment he still tended to be a bit rash at times and with his new abilities Qui-Gon was determined not to let it get out of hand.
For now however Qui-Gon had decided to gather four individuals in the loading bay. Qui-Gon who had spent a good bit of time in the Jedi Archives with Tahl before her death had a feeling that there was much left out of the Jedi's version of history and felt these answers could help prevent the dark future he felt creeping up on the Jedi Order.
Now Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were sitting in the Garage leaning on the Swoop Bike that was in there looking at Kreia, who seemed to be meditating; Mission, who was sitting on the work bench while leaning back; Mandalore, who was standing beside the work bench with his arms crossed; and Qinn'Tarra, who was sitting on a crate on the other side of the room from Mission leaning forward; four people who were all involved in the Mandalorian Wars all the way up through the Purge.
"You come with questions?" Kreia asked from her meditative state on the floor of the room.
"Yes. The Jedi Archive as you all know have a vast amount of knowledge, including history. However since my Padawan and I have been here we have noticed many inaccuracies from this time as well as many events not documented by the Jedi Order. We would like to know more about this time, from the start of the Great Mandalorian Wars up until this point, and all of you have been involved." Qui-Gon told the group.
"That's not surprising. The Jedi Council has a history of leaving out anything that makes them look bad. I doubt they even put into history what they tried to do to Revan." Qinn'Tarra informed the group.
"Indeed. However while the Jedi are hypocrites and extremely short sighted they are needed to help stabilize the Republic. As for the Mandalorian Wars you should ask Mandalore about how they began. What I can tell you however is that The Mandalorian Wars were a series of massacres that masked another war, a war of conversion, culminating in one final atrocity that no Jedi could walk away from; save one." Kreia followed causing everyone to look at Mandalore while Qinn'Tarra gave a sad nod.
"Heh, our Mandalore at the time, Mandalore the Ultimate, was approached with a preposition. That preposition was to fight a war the likes of which the galaxy had ever seen against an enemy that had been shown to have no equal; the Jedi Order. The catch was a simple one, while the Jedi would need to be goaded into fighting, the Republic would not. We would either conquer the Republic and force the Jedi to fight or the Jedi would aid the Republic and we would get our battle. Regardless, the objective was clear, fight the Jedi in a war that would be the Mandalorians the most glorious of moments." Mandalore began proudly.
"We started by conquering worlds just outside the Republic. We did it quietly so the Republic wouldn't really know what was going on until too late. When we finally did hit the Republic worlds, they had no idea we were coming. Over the next decade we used the resources of those conquered worlds to build a massive war machine along the Outer Rim. The Hutts Territories even paled in comparison. We, the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders were the most advanced fighting force in the galaxy and soon would become the most feared." Mandalore explained to the group who was listening intently to the story.
"With each military victory, the Mandalorian clans grew more powerful; we assembled a massive slave labor force and brought conquered species into their ranks. As planet after planet fell before our might, refugees began to pour into Republic space, flocking to border worlds such as Taris like locus in the hopes of escaping our wrath. All the while the Republic Senate sat and watched, only moving to defend Taris and their own business interests. Mandalore took this opportunity to gauge the Republic's defenses. He sent a small task force with instructions to feign weakness. The Republic then became satisfied and arrogant, and that is when we struck." Mandalore explained proudly as he watched Qinn'Tarra and the other Jedi look on thoughtfully.
"Mandalore had received word of the chaos that had consumed Taris. Understanding that the planet was the key to the entire sector, General Cassus Fett designed a three-pronged assault designed to take advantage of the situation. With his battle plans drawn, Mandalore signaled our long-prepared forces to attack en masse. The invasion of the Republic began with a rapid conquest of Onderon which gave us a staging ground from Dxun. Soon after that, the Mandalorian fleets in the Outer Rim began to pour into Republic space through three invasion corridors in adjacent sectors. The Republic was completely unprepared and we ravaged their forces like paper. The entire Outer Rim fleet was decimated and retreated to Taris. Even that didn't save them, the Republic lost two high ranking admirals and the Outer Rim became utterly defenseless." Mandalore told Qui-Gon and Obi-wan who sat back on the speeder taking in everything they were hearing.
"The Republic responded by placing forces in civilian areas of each planet in our sights. A cowardly act that only brought our wrath down more swiftly. It was defense without honor and they would pay the price for their ignorance. Anyone who put up a fight, or wouldn't fight, was crushed. We razed entire worlds trying to provoke the Republic into fighting us. On the planet Serreco, the Republic military made the mistake of placing its defensive fortifications within the cities. Mandalore had the cities completely annihilated with nuclear devices. I led the battle that occurred; we were ruthless, and tenacious, willing to achieve victory regardless of the cost. In the battles of Serreco, Duro, and Eres Three, we shocked the galaxy with the brute force we were willing to inflict upon any worlds that dared to fight us." Mandalore explained causing Obi-Wan's stomach to start churning a bit.
"We fought against the Republic forces for some time, over the course of many battles. At the start, they were not much of a threat to speak of, but once the Jedi Revan had taken charge, things began to turn against us. After masterminding a string of military victories, the Republic ceded control of its military assets to Revan and she soon found herself in direct command of one-third of the Republic fleet. Revan used her new-found authority to spearhead the Republic war effort and under her command, the all-but-defeated Republic Navy began to push us back." Mandalore said causing Obi-Wan to perk up a bit.
"It was the Two Jedi Knights, Revan and Malak, defied the Jedi Council. They challenged the Mandalorian fierceness and brutality with a viciousness of their own. Revan's entrance into the conflict marked the true beginning; and end; of the war. It was Revan who drove the Mandalorians back into the Unknown Regions. Revan was the only one who could have kept the Mandalorians from conquering the Republic and he did just that, starting with Alderaan and continuing on." Kreia added to the story.
"Revan and Malak adapted to their enemies' tactics flawlessly by simply co-opting them; they started fighting fire with fire. In time, they developed a cold and calculating disposition uncharacteristic of any Jedi within the Order; they grew to despise weakness and indecisiveness in all its forms. Though Revan's tactics were flawless and Malak's righteous fury was unmatched, the pair slowly began to mirror the Mandalorians they were fighting. I guess blood is more powerful than the Jedi Code." Qinn'Tarra added with a sly grin.
"Indeed. She fought with the fierceness of her father and the intelligence of her mother; in a way Revan was the perfect Jedi and only one Jedi in the Order could ever challenge her in that respect." Kreia told the group who was now at full attention once again.
"Oh, and who was that?" Qinn'Tarra asked curiously.
"That would be you. While Malak was the muscle he didn't have much of a brain to go with it. You were powerful, nearly unmatched in the field of battle, and second only to Revan herself in battle tactics. I guess that's what happens when an unmatched warrior and a thinker of unmatched intelligence breed, they get you two. Perfect combinations of the two." Mandalore told the Exile.
Before the Exile could respond Kreia jumped into the conversation. "Indeed. If the family was whole when the Mandalorians invaded rather than splintered then victory would have easily come for whatever side they aligned themselves with." she said causing a bit of confusion from the group.
"The Battle of Malachor Five decimated our fleet and left us defeated as Revan killed Mandalore in singles combat. The combined efforts of you and Revan brought us to our knees. I was on the planet during the battle, we were no match for you and neither are these Sith. They will fall by your hands as surely as we did." Mandalore informed the group who all looked at the Exile.
Qinn'Tarra looked around before looking at Mandalore and then Kreia. "Did you know my parents?" Qinn'Tarra asked.
"A conversation for another time perhaps. We are here to discuss other things are we not?" Kreia answered still in her meditative pose.
"What about the Second Sith War?" Obi-Wan asked hoping to move on.
"Is that what they call Revan's crusade in the future? It seems as though the future Jedi care nothing about the facts. The war you speak of was aptly named the Jedi Civil War for a reason. To the galaxy at large both sides, Jedi and Sith are both Jedi, only with different ideals on how the mysterious Force should be used. Make no mistake, there were two wars going on during this time; Jedi versus Jedi, and Republic versus The Sith Empire. Also make no mistake, while the Republic did win their war the Jedi Order lost theirs. And with the Jedi too weak to be any help to the rebuilding Republic and Revan leaving for the Unknown Regions the Republic's chances of recovering are quite slim." Kreia informed the two Jedi.
"But how did the conflict begin?" Qui-Gon asked persistently.
"After the Mandalorian Wars the fleet Revan commander left for the Unknown Regions of space claiming to be following the remnants of the Mandalorian fleet. In truth Revan sensed the darkness beyond the rim and went to face it. What she found was an empire, an empire of Sith. She and Malak fought their way through the palace that held the Sith Emperor, killing all that dared face them. When they found the Emperor he was able to convince them to learn the ways of the Sith, not the Sith as you would know them or that you face now, but the True Sith, a species long thought extinct by the Jedi." Kreia explained getting the attention of everyone in the room.
"So Revan and Malak fell to the Dark Side after meeting this Emperor." Qui-Gon concluded thoughtfully.
"So it would seem, and so the Jedi would like to tell you, however that was not entirely the case. While Malak fell under the Sith teachings, Revan held on to her beliefs and used the darkness within her as a mask that the Emperor believed. Revan learned all of the secrets of the Sith while Malak only learned what he needed to destroy. In the end the Emperor deemed Revan the new Dark Lord of the Sith, second only to himself in power and skill. In their first assignment the Sith Emperor sent Revan and Malak back to known space to find an ancient machine of pure conquest known as the Star Forge, so that his plans would be accelerated. However Revan had other plans, Revan found the Star Forge and used it to create an unbeatable armada for her own Sith Empire. Her plans were simple, defeat the Jedi, defeat the Republic, then rebuild them quickly as an unmatched military and government body to challenge the True Sith Empire with herself as the unchallenged military leader." Kreia corrected making Qui-Gon stop and think.
"Revan never did anything without a reason and was willing to do whatever it took to save her friends and the Republic. If sacrificing herself to the Sith accomplished that then Rev would do it." Mission jumped in.
"That would be quite the sacrifice wouldn't you say?" Obi-Wan asked hoping to keep the conversation going forward.
"Indeed, the sacrifice was not an easy one but it was one of necessity. Revan gave the galaxy hope that it didn't know it needed, and out of Jedi ignorance that hope was ripped from the galaxy in one single stroke." Kreia told the group.
"After the Jedi captured Revan and tried to reprogram her mind into some type of slave that would follow orders unquestioned they sent her out into the galaxy as a Republic Soldier under Bastila's command. Revan played the game the Jedi wanted her to play, but not under their rules. After the Endar Spire was attacked over Taris Rev made allies and took over leadership of the mission. While on the planet she rescued Bastila, helped a bunch of people, allied herself with Mandalore here, rescued my friend Zaalbar from slavers, and allied with yours truly to create a great team." Mission told the group before getting cut off.
"Wait, you said that the Jedi Council TRIED to wipe Revan's memory. The Jedi Archives clearly state that the Dantooine Council was successful, are you telling us it didn't work?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No the Sith Technique they used did not work. It failed to do anything but accelerated the healing that her mind was already experiencing. Anyway, back to my story. After she met up with me we had to travel through the sewers to find Zaalbar by fighting off Rakgouls and Gamorians, while doing that Joe ended up dropping in on us, face first right into a puddle of sewage. So after that he joined us to rescue Bastila and Big Z." Mission told the group before being cut off by Mandalore.
"Yea, he's a great fighter too. While the rest of the group were getting the Sith launch codes to break the Taris Blockade, Dickson and myself ransacked the local Exchange Boss' fortress. We killed anything that moved, including Calo Nord and Davik Kang. Then we took all the credits from Davik's account and stole the Ebon Hawk as our prize. We picked the others up right as the Sith started bombing the planet. After breaking free of the Sith, Bastila had Carth set course for Dantooine. On the way we had to put up with Rev making out with her new boyfriend, which I personally did not want to see." Mandalore informed the Jedi.
"Oh come on Candy it was cute. Even you have to admit that." Mission joked with Mandalore.
"When you're in my position kid you will know that watching that is quite disturbing." Mandalore replied pointing a finger at Mission.
"Indeed, I would not wish to see any of my children in that situation young one. When you have offspring of your own you will know how it feels." Kreia told Mission, backing up Mandalore.
"Whatever, anyway while the Jedi were were retraining Rev, Candy, Joe, and me all went out into the planes to train. I learned a lot about combat and the Force, we got a lot of stuff to do to. We went to Manaan, Tatooine where we picked up HK over there, and Kashyyyk where Zaalbar's honor was restored." Mission stated happily.
"You forgot to mention killing hundreds of dark Jedi, thousands of Sith Troopers, shooting down dozens of Sith fighters, and getting two Jedi pregnant." Mandalore put in.
"Not to mention Joe's stunt with the hyperdrive that destroyed the Leviathan, blowing up the Republic Embassy on Manaan, getting an entire cantina of Selkath high, sending a group of naked and rotting corpses to Malak's flagship, and destroying several Zerka outposts." Mission added on after.
At this point Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were shaking their heads. Even without details they could tell that the group was trouble, fortunately for them it was the type of trouble they needed at this point and were willing to work with.
"What about when you faced Darth Malak? What happened then?" Obi-Wan asked getting back on track once again.
"I don't know, I was with Joe and the majority of the group, using Battle Meditation on the Sojourn as part of the main battle fleet. Well, until Joe stole an A-Wing and started causing havoc on the Sith Fleet anyway. Mandalore was with Rev, he would know more about that." Mission explained.
"Yes I would. Myself, Jolee Bindo, and HK were with Revan. The entire facility was full of Sith, fortunately most of the Sith under Malak were poorly trained and easy to kill. The droids were more of a challenge than the Dark Jedi, that was sad. As a group we easily made it through the station. When we reached Malak, Revan went in alone, we watched the door to make sure nobody got inside. From what I heard Malak had the Jedi from Dantooine in tubes, draining the Force from them. Revan used her lightning ability to destroy the tubes quickly so the Jedi could finally die. From then it was only a matter of time. Once she killed ole iron jaw we made our way back to the Hawk. We barely made it out before the entire station came down around our ears. That marked the end of the Jedi Civil War." Canderous told the Jedi who leaned back against the speeder.
"Yea, and we all got the Republic's Cross of Glory. That was so cool." Mission excitedly from where she sat.
"You gained the Cross of Glory for going on an insane crusade that caused enough destruction to collapse the infrastructure of the Republic while completely destabilizing the Sith Empire. Oh dear." Obi-Wan told Mission while shaking his head which got a chuckle from Mandalore.
"A crude yet accurate description. Now, we must continue, I have a lesson to attend to with young Kenobi yet." Kreia told the group who had once again gotten off track.
"Yes, what do you know about the current situation?" Qui-Gon asked keeping his normal Jedi calm.
"Everything. The Sith Lords we are hunting are not leaders, they have no need to create an empire, no ambitions beyond destruction and dominance. The first is known as the Sith Lord of Pain." Kreia told the Jedi before being cut off by Obi-Wan.
"Did you say the Sith Lord of Pain" Obi-Wan asked, a bit alarmed.
"Yes…of pain he has learned much. Of knowledge, of teaching, he knows nothing. As a Sith Marauder in the Great Sith War, Sion fought for Exar KKun's Sith Empire until the day he was struck down. Rather than die, Sion found that by calling on his pain, anger, and hatred, he could rise from certain death and achieve immortality, at the cost of all-consuming agony. With a body fractured and decomposing, held together only by the Dark Side, Sion survived the Great Sith War. The more he is struck down, the stronger he becomes." Kreia explained causing both Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon to feel sick at their stomachs.
"The other is a wound in the Force. He survived the activation of the Mass Shadow Generator during the final battle at Malachor Five that obliterated almost everything and everyone on and around the planet. The experience of the shadows made him "hunger" for Force Energy and the affliction began to ravage his body. In his pain he became a wound in the Force. There is no strength in the hunger he possesses… and the will behind his power is a primal thing. And it devours him as he devours others—his mere presence kills all around him, slowly, feeding him. He is already dead, it is simply a question of how many he kills before he falls. Nihilius will feed on the galaxy until there is nothing left but himself, and his hunger." Kreia informed the group making Qui-Gon frown.
While Qui-Gon read through the Jedi Archives many things about this time period had been omitted due to the lack of a Jedi Order. He just never imagined the omission would be as grave as it was.
"And how do we stop it?" Qui-Gon asked gravely as he stroked his beard.
"Erode Sion's will, he can not fight if his hold on the Dark Side is weak." Kreia answered simply.
"And the other?" Obi-Wan asked.
"That job lies with your leader. Only another who is perceived as a wound in the Force can survive an assault on another and survive. While others may go with the Exile, none must wield the Force, or it will be certain death." Kreia explained causing Qinn'Tarra to wince a bit.
"I guess I will be taking Mandalore and HK with me to face Nihilius then won't I." Qinn'Tarra voiced at Kreia.
"Good choice. Mandalore is a fierce warrior and the droid is a blood thirsty killer. Both will serve you well against one such as he." Kreia commented approvingly.
"I believe my Padawan and I must meditate on what we have learned. We will take our leave." Qui-Gon announced before he and Obi-Wan retreated into another part of the ship.
Star Wars: Rise of the Paladin: Following the Mission to Tatooine after rescuing Jabba's son Anakin remembers a promise he had made to his mother. Realizing he could not complete his promise as things were he decides that he must act on his own, and the Star Wars Galaxy becomes far more complicated.
Exert from Chapter 1:
"Sense nervousness in you, a conclusion on something you have come to, yes." Yoda stated as his eyes bore into Anakin's.
"Yes master I have." Anakin told him before closing his eyes, taking a deep breath and continuing. "When I became a Jedi my main objective was to go back to Tatooine and free the slaves, and to this day every petition I have given to the Jedi Council or Senate has been shot down. Even before the war started there was nothing anyone would to to ease the suffering of those on Tatooine and there was always a different excuse. Then when I look into those excuses I find that there are still more than enough Jedi to do the job, yet the Council would sit on their hands, hauled up in their cozy temple while thousands suffer. The Jedi ignore so much about the galaxy and what it is like to be human, it is not what I expected when I came to the temple. So much fear and controlled ignorance out of so many who claim that it shouldn't exist. I believe it is time for action to be taken against these injustices." Anakin told the two Jedi Council members.
There you go, a preview of Star Wars: Rise of the Paladin, coming soon to a computer near you.
