When Ship came out of hyperspace, Ahri looked out through the transparent panel at Ship's front that allowed him to view the white-studded blackness of space. But instead of the view being dominated by such a field, the young Keshiri Sith's eyes widened in terror as he stared back at the site of the Emiax in front of Ship.

Ahri gulped in terror. I'm doomed, he thought.

Perhaps not, Ship communed. I sense High Lord Taalon's intentions; he wants you alive.

"That doesn't necessarily mean a good thing," Ahri replied out loud.

No, it does not, Ship responded.

~o~

The Galactic Alliance-Hapan-Jedi fleet came out of hyperspace just in time to see the amassed armada of the Lost Tribe of the Sith waiting to do battle against them in orbit.

"This is where the fun begins," Ben Skywalker murmured to himself in the cockpit of his StealthX.

"Cut the chatter, Stealth Three," the voice of Ben's father, Luke, said over the comm. "All flights, report in." When everyone did, Luke continued with, "Lock S-foils in attack position, and attack on my mark."

In no time, capital ships on both sides opened fire on each other, prompting starfighter squadrons on both sides to rush in and engage in an all-out brawl.

~o~

When Ship's organic-like boarding ramp unfurled onto the hangar deck of the Emiax, High Lord Sarasu Taalon wasted no time as he climbed aboard and stomped over to Ahri. The younger Keshiri turned and stood up with an obvious look of fear betraying the feelings that were already emanating from his Force presence. Before he knew it, Taalon smacked him across the face, and sent him sprawling across Ship's deck.

"You treacherous little dog!" Taalon screamed. "You led the Jedi back to Kesh, and now thanks to you, the entire Tribe is engaged in battle against them and their allies over our homeplanet!"

"And you're not back there helping our kind?" Ahri remarked wryly; even though he was scared about Taalon punishing him for his abandonment of the Lost Tribe, he at least wanted to defy him by openly insulting him.

"I would say the same about you, Raas," Taalon said. "But as it was, Grand Lord Vol's orders for me were specific; even at the cost of our forces, I was to bring you back alive. But that, of course, is aside the point. What isn't is the fact that you not only abandoned your own people, but you also killed two of your own, and brought about the galaxy's full awareness of the Sith thanks to your duel with that Jedi back on Coruscant!"

"Too bad you can't kill me until we get back to Kesh, eh?" Ahri remarked. "If the Tribe will still be there."

Taalon fumed at what Ahri was implying. "The Lost Tribe will not lose this day, Raas, or any day, even with your betrayal."

You really think so, do you, Lord Taalon? Ship's voice reverberated between Ahri and Taalon.

"What do you mean, Ship?" Taalon asked.

Your assertion that we would not lose against the Jedi alone could be justified if not for the fact that they have more allies and firepower on their side, Ship explained. Both the Jedi and the Sith have the force, but the Jedi have superior numbers to boot.

"You think we will lose after all?" Taalon asked.

The Lost Tribe of the Sith would be lucky if there would be any survivors from Kesh, Lord Taalon. Either way, the Tribe has already lost.

Taalon's face dropped in horror before he looked to the deck in abject hopelessness. "And the Sith will die."

Just because the Tribe will be broken at best does not mean that the Sith will die, Ship said.

"What?" Ahri and Taalon both asked simultaneously.

There is another sect of Sith, who, given the circumstances, are far more powerful, and given time, they will come about to amass a great army that will one day conquer the Jedi, the Galactic Alliance, and dwarf any other galactic power for domination of life everywhere, Ship explained. If you want, I can take what remnants of the Lost Tribe are left, particularly you, to these other Sith.

"What about Abeloth?" Ahri asked. "She's still a threat, isn't she?"

"Abeloth?" Taalon asked.

Abeloth will be taken care of in the long run, Ship said. Even if the Jedi fail in stopping her, the Sith will succeed.

"Who's Abeloth?" Taalon asked.

Ahri gave a brief description of her, from what he knew, to the High Lord. When the younger Keshiri finished his description, Taalon's face fell even further than when Ship informed him that the Lost Tribe will be defeated at Kesh.

"How long does the galaxy have before she could be invincible?" Taalon asked Ship.

I am not sure, but I would estimate at least half a year, Ship replied.

"Can she be defeated in that time?" Taalon asked.

I did say that even if the Jedi failed to stop her, the Sith will succeed. There is no need to worry, Lord Taalon.

"Well, even if that's the case, I prefer we not waste time," Taalon said. "Take us to these other Sith, Ship."

Having second thoughts about your allegiance? Ship inquired.

Taalon made a wry face. "Given what you just told us, I think it's pointless if I paid anymore homage to the Tribe."

"So does that mean I don't have to face punishment for my 'betrayal?'" Ahri asked.

Taalon sighed. "Yes, you don't have to face any punishment, Tyro Raas."

Ahri smirked in triumph.

~o~

The Battle of Kesh was only a few hours, but in the end, the Lost Tribe of the Sith were defeated.

Much of their armada was decimated in orbit around their homeplanet. What few survivors and stragglers remained in the face of their enemy knew that all was lost, so they figuratively ran for the hills as they escaped out into hyperspace. The ground parties that the Alliance-Hapan-Jedi fleet commenced encountered no resistance as they scoured the cities and began arresting everyone; all of the Lost Tribe Sith members were either part of the battle or elsewhere, which meant that the non-Force sensitive populace that remained surrendered without even putting up a fight.

By the end of that day, all of the prisoners were rounded up into the transports that would take them back to Coruscant so that their fates for being involved with the Sith could be determined. The next day, when everything was ready, the remaining forces of the Lost Tribe's victorious enemies blasted into hyperspace to return to the GA capital.

~o~

A few days later, the Emiax dropped out of hyperspace into the Korriban system, and there, before Taalon's eyes, was a world where he felt the dark side of the Force encumber his own presence in a way that Kesh could never do.

The Emiax's comm console beeped. When it was answered, a male, intimidating voice said, "Welcome, fellow Sith. Please feel free to land anywhere you please."

"Thank you," Taalon said personally to the comm before he signaled for it to be cut off.

With that, the Emiax prepared to descend through the atmosphere.

~o~

In the Emiax's hangar bay, Ahri, in elation as he felt the darkness of Korriban, knelt in Ship's cockpit; he wanted to stay here because the Meditation Sphere gave him that option, which even Taalon couldn't take away from him. His face was lit in anticipation to meet these other Sith.

Now... you will be a true Sith, Ahri. And you will attain vengeance for Vestara's death.

At that, Ahri foresaw it through the Force; the Jedi Order and the Galactic Alliance in ruins; the former's Temple irreparably burned to the ground; Coruscant embattled, with the Sith's ships being the only ones to roam the world's skies, signifying their victory; and before him, among a mass of Jedi corpses, such as Luke Skywalker and Jaina Solo, lay the mangled body of Vestara's killer, Ben Skywalker.

Oh, yes, Ahri thought in utter happiness. I will make it up to you, Vestara. I will make it up to you.

THE END.