Arrryyn's fleet cautiously picked it's way through the carcasses of Republic ships as he stretched his senses to try and find his target.
"She is not dead."
The death of someone so powerful in the force, such as the Jedi Grand Master would cause ripples through the force. If Satele Shan was dead, he would feel it.
"My lord" Admiral Eucen called. "Darth Nexus is on holo."
He broke his meditation as a holo-communicator was brought to him, putting him face to face with the Togruta Sith.
"Have you found anything?"
"I personally led the team to go investigate the escape pods that The Preserver jettisoned. We took several Jedi and soldier prisoners but she was not among them."
"Damn it all. Have you started interrogations yet?"
"The Inquisitors are doing their work my friend. I will update you with anything we find out."
"I'd appreciate that Nexus. May the force serve you will."
"And you Arrryyn."
Eucen crept up next to his commander and whispered into his ear. "The Emperor is waiting on holo in your quarters Lord Arrryyn."
"Thank you Eucen. I'll leave everything to your command?"
"Yes my lord. I will not disturb you."
"My Master, I...I am deeply sorry. I have failed you."
"Rise Arrryyn, feeling sorry for yourself is not an attractive feature. You crippled a large Republic task force and defended Korriban bravely. I did not expect the Grand Master's life to be ended so quickly, but she will meet her demise in due time."
"Yes. I apologize for my whining Master."
"It's alright apprentice. No I must patch this channel through to join the war conference. Your talents are needed elsewhere."
Kabien Wilsaam Kallig loved Ziost. Ever since he was a little boy he'd always had an explorer's heart. He enjoyed learning about new places and hiking through new terrain.
Pulling his jacket tight around him he returned back to those who had accompanied him. The reason he was on Ziost was to train elite Imperial Commandoes, officially known as the "Jedi-Hunters."
As an acolyte on Korriban, Kabien had been lauded many times for his skills in combat having proved himself in countless duels and acolyte tournaments. He wielded a single curved handled lightsaber, preferential to those who used the Makashi lightsaber form. He also was a competent marksman and skilled with many different types of melee weapons.
This assignment was one of the Empire's top-secret projects, being the Sith leading it was a huge honor for someone as young as Kabien, but he was eager to prove he was up to the challenge.
"Kab'ika, you ready to brief everyone?"
Kabien had known Ka'hirr since he was an infant. The Mandalorian was legendary for his work with Rancor Squad, the Emperor's personal black ops commandoes. The Emperor had personally asked Ka'hirr to oversee the training of these new "Jedi-Hunters" alongside Kabien.
He walked over to face the 15 recruits standing at attention. They had started with 30 but due to the rigorous nature of this training had culled down their numbers.
"Good morning everyone. At ease."
The soldiers relaxed.
"So today we're going to play a little game. It's time for you guys to get some real field experience. We're going to split you up into three squads and you have very special prey to find."
"Can't wait m'lord." one of the men said with a grin.
"I like your attitude Sargeant. So we just received three Jedi prisoners from Korriban and the Commander and I thought we could make this into a real...learning experience. So, we released these Jedi on different parts of Ziost. Each squad will be given a Jedi target to hunt down and bring back to base."
Ka'hirr handed each designated "Squad leader" a datapad.
"These datapads are similar to what you'd recieve in the field. They contain a physical description of each squad's target and everything we know about their combat abilities."
Ka'hirr picked up where he left off. "Now we have re-armed these Jedi so they will be formidable opponents. We have also given them survival gear so they will not perish in the wilds before you find them."
"We've mounted cameras on your armor so we can monitor your individual performance and your cohesion as a Squad. The Squad who returns to us with their target first will be rewarded, understood?"
"Yes sir!" the recruits all yelled in unison.
Kabien smirked. "Good. Now I want you to remember something, these Jedi have been taught from infancy that you are scum. That in serving the Empire, you serve everything that they and their order are against. They will not hesitate to kill you. And what do we say to death?"
"Not today sir!"
Kabien and Ka'hirr grinned. "You all will do well then. You are dismissed."
The fires of battle raged around them as Alvanna and Khulmako made their way through the streets of Khoonda. They were a sight, two Sith apprentices in black robes and armor holding hands as buildings burned around them.
"Halt."
They looked behind them to see a twi'lek female coming up behind them with a squad of Republic soldiers.
"Ah. You must be Master Kaedan's apprentice. We've been looking for you." Khulmako let go of his girlfriend's hand and the pair ignited their blades.
"We've been looking forward to testing ourselves against a Jedi."
Sahesri had assembled his War Council. The members of the Dark Council and The Grand Moff Council all joining the conference over holo from various planets. Also joining was Vette, Jaesa and Arrryyn.
"Nyax and Nox are both in the field so they will not be joining us. But I'm glad everyone else is here. Shall we begin?"
Quinn cleared his throat. "Our campaigns along the Outer Rim have done exactly as you hoped my lord. We're succeeding in driving the Republic towards the Core."
"Just this week we've captured Mustafar, Ruusan, Ilum, Hoth, Quesh and Voss. Thanks to the brilliant diplomacy of the Empress so long ago, the Hutt Cartel are still eager to support us, so that puts Hutt Space right in our pockets." Darth Atrom added.
"I live to serve." Vette said with a grin causing Sahesri to laugh.
"Corrain how did your fleet find Mustafar?" The Emperor asked.
"Honestly my lord? The planet was rather easy to take. You would think that the Republic would protect such a valuable resource a bit more closely." The Chiss Sith grinned. "But the lava fields were a whole other story."
"I'm sure. And setting up our mining operations has gone smoothly?"
"Yes my lord. We've been able to begin mining and will soon be up to a peak efficency."
Sahesri nodded. "Very good. The mining on Mustafar will be very valuable to us. The Republic were fools to leave it unguarded. Nexus?"
"Yes my lord?"
"What have you found in your interrogations of the Republic prisoners you took on Korriban?"
"The attack on Korriban was pretty much a suicide mission and everyone knew it. It was the Republic's attempt to distract us from our other campaigns, they were using Satele Shan as bait in an attempt to divert our forces."
"How interesting."
"My lord..." Darth Banaton interrupted. "I am receiving a transmission from the 35th Storm's End Fleet."
"Patch it through."
A man in a Moff's uniform appeared before them. "Good day my lords and Your Graces. I am Moff Collins, I command the fleet under Lord Dryzell."
"Good day Moff. I'm sure you have some good news for us."
The man smiled "I sure do Your Grace. I have just spoken with Lord Dryzell and his apprentices on the ground of Dantooine and they have given me the greatest news. Jaric Kaedan and his Padawan are dead and Dantooine is ours."
Sahesri and the Sith and Imperials around him all smiled excitedly at the news. "That is wonderful to hear Collins. Were there any casualties on our side?"
"Minimal Your Grace. The fleet fought very well, I was very pleased."
"Excellent. Please pass along my congratulations to Lord Dryzell."
"Absolutely your Grace."
The noose was tightening, soon the Republic would be strangled and gasping for air.