Mustafar - X1's Castle

X1 was not happy. He had underestimated the New Republic military just as a dozen of his fellow Imperial warlords had before and now he had lost contact with his facility on Kamino, on Saluecami and on Dathomir. Not only that but the plan to assassinate his brother on Dantooine had failed utterly and his attempts to trap certain New Republic task forces had failed as well. The Jedi were more powerful and resourceful than he had thought. The door to his throne room opened and his four non-clone acolytes entered. Arden Lyn, Lumiya, Carnor Jax and Marek Steele knelt and Arden Lyn spoke. "You summoned us, my Lord?"

"Yes;" he said tightly. "It would seem that the New Jedi Order is even more resourceful than I remember the old Jedi being and I have underestimated them. They are quite unpredictable it would seem. Have you heard about our recent engagements against the New Republic?"

They all nodded silently and he continued. "We need to turn the tide of our little Clone War."

With the flick of his hand, he activated a tactical holo projector that showed the galaxy as it stood. Numerous systems controlled by various warlords throughout the galaxy were outlined and highlighted in different colors and his own outlined in another color. The New Republic territory was outlined in white. "We have several hundred Clone Wars and earlier era warships that have all been refitted and also almost two hundred remaining Imperial war ships, not to mention our droid fleets. It's time we drew them out and destroyed them once and for all. I want all ships drawn back to Vjun and Mustafar. We'll deploy from those two locations."

Lumiya looked up and said, "My Lord, it's quite likely that they will come after us. They know where we are now - both here and Vjun."

They were all silent until Marek Steele cleared his throat and said, "My Lord, perhaps it is time that we consider allying with one of the other warlords. We would gain more resources and support and it would be a simple matter for you to take control once we were victorious."

Lumiya shook her head. "Unless I'm mistaken, you tried that, my Lord and the other warlords refuse to assist you because you are a clone. However, it's worth the attempt to contact them again. Considering the resources at your own command, you would quite likely be welcomed. Ysanne Isard was willing - until you left her to die on Coruscant."

X1 allowed a tight smile to cross his face. "For that reason, I highly doubt we will gain any support from the other warlords until we have Coruscant. Once the New Republic is defeated, they will likely come to us. However, I believe that you are correct, Hand Lumiya. They will come to us."

He turned back to the tactical display and studied it. If he was going to win this, he was going to need to consolidate his forces but to do so while still giving the appearance that he wasn't. When the New Republic came to Mustafar, he wanted to bring the full power of his fleet to bare on the full power of theirs because he knew that his fleet would out number and out gun his. "I want every modern Imperial ship brought to Mustafar along with three quarters of our refitted Old Republic ships. All droid ships not engaged in the Hapes Conflict and the remaining Old Republic ships will be sent over Vjun. I'll have the Arc Anvil over Vjun as well. Dark Troopers will help convince them that we are truly trying to keep the fortress. On top of that, I think I'll go there myself with my acolytes and we'll set another trap for out Jedi opponents."

Arden Lyn liked that idea. "Go and relay my orders to the commanders. Oh and have someone come in a take care of those, will you?"

He motioned over to the side where three bodies lay. The four acolytes hadn't even noticed them. Arden Lyn turned to her lord and said, "My lord, who were they?"

"Some of the so-called Darth Diabolis's Dark Jedi assassins. This is the second time he has made an attempt on my life."

The four acolytes looked at one another before Arden Lyn bow on one knee and said, "My Lord, I wish to volunteer to assist in your protection."

X1 laughed and said, "I defeated them, Hand Arden Lyn. I do not require extra protection."

"My lord, last time it was one assassin and now it was three. Next time it may be even more. It would be prudent to have someone with you at all times just in case they send more."

X1 gazed at her, considering her words. In a firm yet quiet voice, Arden said, "My Lord, I do not doubt your power but your Imperial forces would disband amongst the lesser warlords if you were to be killed and having me with you would help to prevent that."

X1 could not deny the prudence in her words. "Very well, Arden Lyn. I will allow it. The rest of you, prepare relocate my forces and prepare the defenses here and on Vjun."

Lumiya, Marek and Carnor bowed and left. X1 looked at Arden who stood beside him. "Perhaps we could get some training in while we wait;" she said. X1 smiled and said, "I think that would be wise. What would you like to learn?"

"Oh I was thinking of working on your Teras Kasi skills, my Lord?" she said with an impish grin and X1 chuckled.

Orbit over Kamino -Star Bird

Galen Marek couldn't believe it. Before he could engage the enemy fleet, they had turned and jumped to hyperspace, leaving the facility. Suddenly, the comms officer strode up. "Sir, I have General Grey on the comms for you. He wants to know what he should do with all the clone embryos and such."

Galen frowned and followed the officer to his station and answered, "Ferroda, how goes it?"

"We have the facility. What should I do with all the clones?"

Galen thought it a question with a rather obvious answer, "Shut them down. We don't need any more Imperial clones mucking things up."

Ferroda frowned and said, "Master, they may be born for the Empire but they are still lives. I don't know if I can just kill them like that."

Galen was astounded. They were clones. What's more they were enemies. "Ferroda, we can't afford to let them grow to maturity. This galaxy has already seen enough of clone armies and it's time we put an end to them. Shut down the life support systems and let them die. If the Kaminoans can dispose of them from there."

Ferroda hesitated and then said, "As... you wish, Master."

The comms deactivated and Galen contacted Juno. "Recall all fighters and combat airspeeders, Juno. As soon as we're done here, we'll go back to our midway point and wait for reassignment."

"Of course, General;" she replied, all professionalism. Galen grinned as he returned to the viewport of the Star Bird. Soon, they would be able to finish this up and get back to their standby position. Maybe, if they were lucky, he and Juno would get some time alone together to relax and recuperate. "General;" said the comms officer, "we have an urgent message from Coruscant."

Galen sighed and headed that way. So much for relaxation. He headed towards the comms station. Admiral Ackbar sounded grim. "General Marek, as soon as that operation is complete, head to Bespin. We were contacted by General Calrissian. Apparently General Kota arrived on Bespin and died shortly there after from an injury that was inflicted by a lightsaber. Before he passed, however, he apparently left a message for the New Jedi Order."

Galen was shocked. For several long moments, he couldn't say anything. Finally, he replied, "Understood, Admiral. We'll finish things up and head in that directions immediately."

When the comms disconnected, Galen sent a message to the entire task force and General Grey's as well. "All forces finish your current tasks and return to your ships. We just received orders to an immediate call to Bespin."

After receiving confirmation, Galen returned to the forward viewport and stared blankly out into space. He didn't know how long he had stood there when a hand landed on his shoulder. "Galen, is something wrong?"

It was Juno and she looked concerned. Galen nodded with a tired sigh. "Yes. I just received word from command. Rahm is dead. He showed up on Bespin unexpectedly and died according to Lando Calrissian. Apparently before he did so, he left a message for the Jedi so we're ordered to Bespin now."

Juno covered her mouth and tears began to shine in her eyes. Clearing her throat, she said, "How did he die?"

"Apparently a lightsaber wound. There's something wrong here, Juno. Rahm should have been able to heal a lightsaber. It would take more than that to kill him."

Juno was unable to reply, no longer trusting her voice. Forgetting her military baring, she pressed herself to her husband and buried her face in his chest, sobbing quietly. Rahm Kota had been like a father to both of them, providing encouragement, wisdom and tough love when it was needed and had been a massive impact in their lives, as much of an impact as Darth Vader had been.

The comms officer cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Sir, General Grey and Admiral Farlander report that they are on their way back to their flagships and will be ready to depart for Bespin."

Galen's voice was husky with grief. "Very well. Set course for Bespin and prepare for the jump to lightspeed. Begin the count down as soon as the calculations are made."

Minutes later, as the stars turned to lines, Galen was still holding his wife as they both shed tears of grief. There lives were lessened by Rahm Kota's loss and the Jedi would be weakened by it. Juno looked up at her husband and asked, "What are we going to do without Rahm?"

"We'll keep fighting as we always do. It will just be much harder."

Orbit over Saluecami - Aboard theMon Remonda

Luke, Mara, Ezra, Kondor, Kyle, Barabus and Emma stood with Admiral Raddus and Admiral Oashi in silence as Admiral Ackbar signed off. No one really knew what to say but something needed to be said. Luke cleared his throat and spoke. "We'll finish up quickly. Recall all forces and we bombart the facilities below with a Base Delta Zero. If we use a baradium missile or two, that will get to the cloning facilities below."

They all nodded, murmuring their acknowledgements as they went to complete their orders. Soon, it was only the Jedi and the technicians in the comms area. Luke looked at them all and motioned them to follow him. In a conference room just off the bridge, they all began to break down. Ezra tried his best to maintain some kind of emotional control but seeing Luke and Mara begin to break down, he couldn't. There weren't any sobs but the tears flowed freely. Luke and Mara held one another in absolute silence, not speaking even through their force bond. Barabus and Emma mirrored them across the room and Kyle wrapped them both in his arms. Kondor didn't quite know how to react. He had admired General Kota as a very strong man, wise, powerful and principled. They stayed that way for some time before Luke, still holding his wife, addressed them. "We lost a brilliant general, a powerful master and a dear friend today. But our work isn't done yet. When this is over, we will honor Master Kota with a ceremony and we will also celebrate his life and his ascension to the force. In the mean time, however, he would not want us to stand idle. Mara gave a heartbreaking, sobbing chuckled and gave an imitation of his voice to lighten the mood. "What the hell are you all standing around for? We have battles to win. Shift yourselves! You can cry when you aren't on my time."

They all chuckled and went about their business, returning to their ships - Ezra and Kondor to the Liberty II and Kyle and his students to Marshal Commander Sykes's ship. After they were gone, Luke still held his wife for a few moments more before they straightened and kissed tenderly before heading back to the bridge. "We are ready to commence bombardment, General. All forces are off the ground."

"Do it."

Turbo lasers streaked down to the planet below and, after being sure that it was sufficiently hit, Luke ordered one of his torpedo frigates to fire a baradium missile. The blue streak sank planetward and the flash and explosion was visible from orbit. The captain of the missile boat reported, "General, judging by the crater, the facility is completely gone, equipment and all. The cloning facility has been completely vaporized."

"Very good. All ships, set course for Bespin."

There had never been so many ships in the Bespin system in remembered history. Shuttles and personal ships landed on pads throughout Cloud City and they all met in the main communications cluster of the administration tower. Old friends embraced one another and muttered words of comfort. To everyone's surprise, Kanaan Jarrus, Hera Syndulla and the crew of the Ghost were there as well. In tight clusters, they waited as Lando activated the recorded message that Rahm had left for them. A hologram of the old General sitting in a chair appeared. It was clear that he was in pain. "Greetings, Jedi. If you're listening to this, that means X1's wound has proved fatal for me. I probably won't last long to listen up. X1's main base of operations is on the planet Mustafar at one of Darth Vader's castles. There, he has quite the force of Dark Jedi acolytes, including twenty clones of powerful Jedi and Sith Lords - all human of course, in typical Imperial fashion. I'm guessing he plans to train his own Dark Jedi Order to serve him when he conquers the New Republic. Beyond that, I don't have any pertinent information for you."

The hologram paused as the general winced and leaned back with a sigh. His face lost it's hard lines and he said, "Luke and Mara, you are a tribute to the name of Jedi. When you thought yourselves alone, you began to the foundation fo the New Jedi Order and now, all of your students are excellent Jedi. I'm proud of you both. Galen, Juno, Ferroda and Shara, you have all become the children I never expected to have. I have thought of each of your as my sons and daughters for many years and am proud to have known you and fought beside you. My Jedi, the remember that death is a natural part of life and that, though I can no longer be with you in body, I am now one with the force and the force will always be with you. Farewell."

And he was gone. The silence was palpable until Galen Marek said, "We need to return to Coruscant and confer with High Command. This information is important and we need to work out a solid plan. This conflict needs to end."

Kanan nodded. "You're correct. Galen, do you mind if we take the Ghost aboard your ship and hitch a ride back home?"

"Of course."

Wade sighed and said, "I'm gonna grab the ship that Kota came in on and bring it aboard the Independence. Maybe I can fiddle with it a little bit."

Slowly, they all filtered out and back to their ships. Within an hour, the Bespin System was empty again.