Outer Rim
Wazta Sector
Lotho Minor System
Lotho Minor
The Banking Clan Munificent class frigate hovered in orbit of Lotho Minor, the junk planet, collecting junk from the surface to provide resources for the Fabricator that was being constructed on Hypori. The Fabricator was constructed as a way to compete with the Replicator technology from the Milky Way Galaxy. The ability to create almost anything from pure energy or molecules as the technicians had explained was considered magical which could render shipping companies absolete. Many people saw the benefit of the use of Replicators if they could get their hands on it.
It could eliminate hunger on many worlds in the Outer Rim.
It was also a source of huge concerns as many shipping companies, including the mega-corporations that made up the Confederacy as such technology could put them out of business. This led to many of them competing to try and develop something like the Replicators or something close to ensure their buinsess was not threatened.
That led to Lotho Minor, better known as the junk planet.
It was perfect to pick up so many discarded resources and could be reused by the Fabricator and no one would be stupid enough to come near a planet with a Separatist ship in orbit.
Except for the small cargo ship that just left the planet with two beings onboard.
The droids onboard didn't bother to go after the cargo ship. Lotho Minor had no stragical value and the Republic would not bother to chase down a single Separatist ship.
Arkanis Sector
Tatoo System
Tatooine
Asajj Ventress watched the blue tunnel of hyperspace, her pale blue eyes staring into the tunnel with her destination at the far end. Her life had been turned upside down in a horrible way and she could only go to a planet where someone like her could find a place to blend in earn money that would get her food and water. She returned to Dathomir, seeking purpose and perhaps a home which Mother Talzin and the Nightsisters had given her, accepting her as one of them.
Only for Count Dooku to rip it from her.
During the celebration of her gaining a new family the Nightsisters had been attacked by the Separatist droid army, led by Grievous. She fought as hard and best she could, even managing to damage Grievous in a one on one fight but it had been in vain. The Nightsisters had been completely wiped out and she was alone again. Mother Talzin appeared before her and told her to find her own destiny before disappearing.
But how?
Where would she go?
Who could she trust?
Almost the entire galaxy, both the Republic and the Separatists wanted her dead. Well, possibly alive by the Jedi but she would never allow herself to be captured by anyone. The only way to find shelter would be on a planet not aligned with either side but at the same time had no form of strategical value to the Republic or the Confederacy and only one named sprung up in her mind.
Tatooine.
It was perhaps the one planet in the universe that neither side would visit. The Hutts, specifically Jabba were allied with the Republic but only to allow them access to their hyperspace lanes while going about their own business and Jabba no doubt still harbored a grudge against Count Dooku for kidnapping his son. So as long as he didn't know she was on the planet she would have no trouble from him. She had no interest in going to see him or the Hutts for a job anyways.
Her ship emerged from hyperspace and sure enough Tatooine, the dustball of the universe and perhaps the farthest planet from the very center of the universe. She entered the atmosphere, expecting to find a spaceport but upon finding the coordinates for Mos Eisley she came upon the ruins of a devastated spaceport.
"What the…" Ventress mumbled and continued flying.
It was the same everywhere she want. All known settlements had been attacked and destroyed by an unknown enemy. It could have been the Republic or the Separatists but Ventress considered that to be unlikely. Either way, she was not going to find shelter on this planet so she decided it was to move on. She piloted her ship back into orbit, planning to make the jump to hyperspace.
Perhaps she would find shelter on Nal Hutta instead.
However just as she reached orbit her eyes widened as the sight of a massive ship, one that she knew was not Republic or CIS, waiting for her along with several ships that moved to intercept her before she could make the jump. Gripping the throttle in her hands Ventress preformed a set maneuvers to get out of the way of the incoming ship before it could catch her.
Only for her to disappear in a flash of green light just as a green beam of light obliterated her ship.
I don't know if anyone will ever see this message, but…I have to leave something. A sign that I existed.
I'm going to die soon. I accepted it. The aliens take us away one by one. Sometimes the cloaked ones come, and the pain follows. I don't know what they're looking for, why they keep testing us, dissecting us, but the one thing they don't care about is killing us.
And maybe that's a mercy. N'Kden was taken by them three days ago. He didn't return. He was my friend, and I grieve for him, but at least he's free now.
The other way we can die here is far worse.
She tells us to stay strong. To remember who we are. And I try, for her, but…I don't know how much strength I have left. I'm not like her.
Her will is indomitable. Her strength is endless. She watches and waits and schemes. I've heard her talking to the guards.
Questioning. Looking for weaknesses. Searching for an opportunity.
She is more than our leader, now. She is our hope.
We have collected a few weapons. Not enough – we will be destroyed in a fight, but it would be a better end than this. I asked if we should stand up as one, but she wants to wait for the right moment to strike. Perhaps she is right.
If we fight, it should be for more than an honorable death.
I know people are looking for us. We were loyal, we were true…they won't abandon us. The fleet will never stop searching. But will they find us in time?
There were more than 900 of us here when we first arrived. Now there are less then two dozen. Tomorrow there will be fewer still.
Maybe tomorrow I will be gone too.
She opened her eyes, hearing the sound of whispering as she felt the cold metal floor she had been resting on.
"She's awake…"
Ventress sat up, seeing herself surrounded by a dozen people who looked down at her with concern.
A man with pointy ears sat down next to her. "Are you all right?"
Ventress frowned. "I'll live. Where am I?"
"A prison." The man said sadly as he offered a hand which Ventress reluctantly accepted and helped her stand up. "We are all prisoners here."
Ventress looked around, seeing the large room that they were all in with an apparent window.
"Don't try it. There's a seventy megawatt shield that'll stop you." The man said, seemingly knowing what she was thinking.
"Who has us here?" Ventress questioned.
"The Elachi and the Solanae."
Ventress turned around, seeing a woman with short blond hair and the same pointed ears as the man standing in the center of the room. "The who?"
"The Elachi, a race of creatures that reproduce by infecting people with fungal based spores, turning them into newborn Elachi. The Solanae are subspace aliens that want to experiment on us, learn everything about us." The woman answered darkly. "They both serve the Iconians."
"The who?" Ventress asked again.
"I see you don't know much. Are you even from the Milky Way Galaxy?" The woman questioned with a scoff.
Ventress narrowed her eyes as she took a step forward. "As a matter of fact I am not but I've heard about the so-called Milky Way. Who honestly hasn't?"
The woman smirked. "Then you must be from that other galaxy. We've heard a bit about it from the guards here. A galaxy that the Iconians formerly explored and possibly conquered, knowing them."
"I've never heard of these Iconians so why don't you start from the beginning?" Ventress put a hand on her hip. "And who are you?"
"I am Sela, Empress of the Romulan Empire."
"Former Empress." A voice spoke up from the crowd.
"That's right. You don't control us anymore."
"Silence!" A few men with the same pointed ears shouted. "You will respect her!"
"She's a monster!"
"Let her be tortured!"
"Better to kill her now!"
Ventress raised an eyebrow at the arguing. "Apparently you have a few objections, Empress?"
Sela waved it off. "Their views are of no concern to me. The only thing that matters now is escaping before the Elachi or the Solanae decided to kill us all and they will."
"Then perhaps we should leave." Ventress looked down at her belt, seeing her lightsabers were gone but that did not make her helpless.
Sela smirked. "I agree."
()
A pair of Elachi guards entered the room, drawing their weapons on the prisoners who backed away as they came in, followed by several probes. When Ventress saw them she raised an eyebrow, seeing their mushroom shaped heads. The guards walked up to her, gesturing for her to follow them and kept their weapons trained on her.
Ventress smirked as she raised both hands…
And telekinetically lifted them off the grond and slammed them into the wall with the probe droids. The impact was enough to kill them both and they fell to the floor.
"Impressive." Sela remarked as a few of her surviving men picked up the weapons.
"Thank you." Ventress simply said as she towards the door. "Now where is the weapons room?"
"I believe I know the way." Sela followed after Ventress and led her to a door that opened for them.
Ventress walked in, seeing the lines of numerous weapons on the wall and stopped when she saw her lightsabers on display, like a pair of trophies. She grabbed them and watched as Sela and the other prisoners armed themselves.
"Now what?" Ventress asked.
"We escape." Sela answered, turning to the door with a disruptor rifle in her hands. "Follow me. I know the way to the command center."
()
"The prisoners have escaped." A creature reported, watching the prisoners move down the hall.
"Call in reinforcements. Lock down the perimeter." The supposed commander replied. "They shall not escape."
"As you command."
()
Ventress allowed Sela to lead her and the others through the strange complex fighting off against the few guards they encountered and strange squid-like droids that attacked. Sela opened the door at the end of the hall and came upon a large room filled with capsules and people inside.
Some of them looked like they were being horribly mutated.
"What is this?" Ventress asked as she walked into the room.
"It's likely where the Elachi reproduce. They take their prisoners here and infect them with spores that mutates the body into an Elachi, killing the previous owner of the body." Sela explained as they slowly walked through the room.
Ventress took a moment to consider what Sela had told her, looking at the people bring mutated. It brought out a level of disgust in her that she had only felt towards the Jedi. She heard it before but she never saw how it was done.
Truly the universe was an unkind place.
"We will remove the ones still in stasis that have no been infected. It will give us a better fighting chance." Sela remarked as she moved from pod to pod, releasing the ones that were still alive. "We'll have more fighters with us."
"For what?" Ventress asked.
"We have more than Elachi to deal with." Sela pointed at the door on the other end of the room as it opened.
Ventress raised an eyebrow as out of the other room came creatures, strange creatures that Ventress had never seen before come into the room, snarling and just reeking of evil. Ventress ignited her lightsabers as the creatures lunged at her. However even though she managed to injure them her lightsabers did not directly kill them. Several creatures spat acid which Ventress barely dodged as she danced around the room, slashing and hacking away at the creatures that were awfully stubborn at dying.
Sela and several others fired on the creatures, managing to aid Ventress in killing them after a few minutes of fighting. Ventress watched as the last one exploded in a pile of green mucus like slime.
"What are these?" Ventress spun around, facing Sela.
"Bluegills. A parasitic life form that infest people, giving them enhanced strength and immunity to energy weapons." Sela answered, kicking a dead parasite. "I've heard they can grow to the size of small buildings."
"Why are there here?" Ventress questioned, looking at the slime.
"They were created by the Solanae, likely because they were ordered by the Iconians." Sela said, freeing the last prisoner.
"I've been hearing you mention these Iconians. Who are they?" Ventress deactivated her lightsabers.
"An ancient race that was thought to wiped out over two hunded thousand years ago but they survived and have been planning their return to re-establish their galactic empire in the Milky Way Galaxy ever since." Sela walked to the door.
"Why are they here?" Ventress followed her out of the room.
"Why? The Iconians are conquerors, historically remembered as the Demons of Air and Darkness. They committed genocide against my people, destroying my home planet and hunting my people to extinction. They don't need a reason. They want to conquer everything simply because they can." Sela gritted her teeth.
Ventress could literally feel the hate rolling off Sela, even without the Force.
"They're planning a war and I don't doubt they plan to use your galaxy." Sela glanced at Ventress. "Two galaxies waging war against each other and the Iconians move in once the dust settles."
Ventress raised an eyebrow.
"We have to move. The Elachi have no doubt called for reinforcements." Sela quicked her pace. "We need to send a distress signal and hope anyone picks it up."
Ventress followed quickly as Sela entered a large room with consoles and screens lining the walls. Sela walked up to the main console and looked over the controls.
"Well?" Ventress asked impatiently.
"We are in subspace with several Elachi patrols. This is good." Sela grinned.
"Good? What are you talking about?" Ventress looked at the controls, not able to understand them due to how different they looked.
"If modulated correctly we can send a distress signal to anyone in either galaxy. This is what we want." Sela explained as she worked away on the console.
"Anyone in either galaxy?"
"We are in subspace, meaning we're basically we're in another dimension from your perspective. The Elachi can possibly monitor either galaxy from here with the help of the Iconians, making it the perfect staging ground and outpost. A transmission sent along whatever they use to traverse either galaxy will bring help." Sela pointed to the screen, showing images of both galaxies.
"Then don't contact the Separatists or Count Dooku." Ventress stated sharply.
"And why not?" Sela asked smoothly.
"Because if Dooku gets his hands on this base both our galaxies are done for." Ventress said, tightening a hand into a fist.
"That is irrelevant. The Elachi are calling for help." Sela said as she activated the beacon.
The beacon activated, sending a signal in the form of a powerful pulse across subspace, going through the communication relays the Elachi and the Solanae had set up to monitor two galaxies.
At least it was two galaxies.
()
Across the gulf of space every space faring civilization received what appeared to be a distress signal only its origins were strange.
Some recognized the signal while others remained skeptical of its origin.
Either way the signal attracted a large amount of attention and people were scrambling to find out where it had come from.
Milky Way Galaxy
Alpha Quadrant
Earth
Paris
Palais de la Concorde
The Palais was a large, cylindrical, fifteen-story building. It was located on the Place de la Concorde and is elevated above the Champs Elysées, which it straddled, supported by four duranium beams at each corner that lead to the basement levels. When Senators Bail Organa, Riyo Chuchi along with Ahsoka Tano and Chairman Papanoida's daughters entered the building even they were taken by the beauty that the Senate Builing on Coruscant seemed to lack. They walked onto the first floor where they were to meet the Federation Council along with full and sub-council members who had all come to meet with the visitors from another galaxy.
The doors opened to reveal the council chambers that were rectangular; towards the south wall is the podium, typically used by the Federation President, or by another Councillor, when presiding over a Council session. The podium was emblazoned with the Great Seal of the United Federation of Planets, and the Federation flag hangs on a pole behind it. On the south wall was a view screen used for a variety of purposes, most commonly for tabulating votes during a session. The east and west walls feature matching rows of twenty seats each, with four rows on each side.
When the number of Councillors exceeded the number of seats, two new rows of twenty seats each were installed on either side. The center of the room was the area in which those acknowledged by the podium are allowed to address the Council or sub-council - the speaker's floor. The northern side of the chambers features the gallery, an area of seating where spectators may observe full sessions of the Council; the galley is closed during classified sessions. The council chamber was large but nowhere as large as the Senate Chamber on Coruscant and was somewhat simplistic but in many ways perhaps it was less of a complex problem compared to the Senate.
"Wow." Ahsoka whispered. "This is a pretty neat set up."
"It somewhat reminds me of the government building on Alderaan." Bail nodded in agreement.
The Federation President, a Saurian which was interesting, Aennik Okeg stood at the podium, gazing at the assembled delegates and seemingly welcoming them all as the doors shut.
"Representatives of the Federation and honored guests. Let me be the first to say that we have had a long year, perhaps one of several long years in the last decade. The hours and days as President are long and hard and quite possibly the one job that guarantees that when you retire you will be happily skipping out the front doors when your term finally ends." Okeg started, earning a few chuckles. "But in addition to the long hard work there is the honored job of welcoming distant travelers who have come here to see our world and begin a hopefully long and fruitful friendship between not just two worlds, but literally two galaxies. My friends and honored guests, we are here today to welcome the delegations of the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems."
The Republic representatives glanced at the Confederate representatives as they all stood up, welcoming the praise, a few of them recognizing the representatives who graciously bowed to the applause. The first was Senator Voe Atell followed by Bec Lawise and the third was Gossam senator that no one recognized.
Okeg waited for the applause to die down before continuing. "The first speaker is Senator Bail Organa of the planet Alderaan who was among the many people to welcome us when our galaxies made contact."
Bail swallowed a bit as he moved out of his seat and walked towards the podium, sharing a brief nod with Okeg as he took a deep breath. "Honorable representatives of the United Federation of Planets, on behalf of the Republic and our galaxy we humbly thank you for the warm welcome we have received. Considering the cirumstances our galaxy, the Skyriver galaxy has faced in the last two years it is truly humbling to be able to meet with new people and mend new bridges in ways no one had ever expected. Perhaps with your help we can end the war in our galaxy that is leading to many worlds suffering, not just because they have been unfortunate enough to be invaded or used as staging grounds but because of the loss of funding and resources for the schools and homes that so many people have lost. The Clone War has waged for too long and though this galaxy has seen its share of conflict perhaps by working together we can bring peace and-"
A beeping sound caused Bail stop in mid-speech as the screen on the wall activated, showing the UFP symbol.
"What is happening?" Okeg asked a guard next to him who whispered in his ear before he turned to the delegates. "Everyone, there is a transmission being broadcasted on all frequinces throughout the quadrant. The origin is unknown but it is apparently from former Romulan Empress Sela."
This caused a few people to speak or murmur to each other as they all knew of Empress Sela and her reputation. They all became silent as the screen showed Sela, looking battle worn but still maintaining her dignity.
"To anyone who is receiving this transmission, I am Sela of the Romulan Star Empire and I am transmitting from an Elachi base in subspace. I and a number of prisoners are fighting for our lives right now to bring you this information that is vital to the survival of the galaxy. The Elachi have abducted my people and many more from not just our galaxy but also the new galaxy known as the Skyriver Galaxy. The Elachi captured us for the purpose of using our bodies to create more of themselves and to provide test sujects to the Solanae who are responsible for a parasite creature that was discovered by the Federation in the year 2364 when the admiralty of Starfleet became infected and tried to sieze control of the Federation. The Bluegills were created by the Solanae who serve the Iconians as a scientist caste and are building an army with the Elachi to invade the Milky Way Galaxy and re-establish their empire." Sela looked over her shoulder for a second. "The Iconians are using servitor races to fight their battles as they wait in the shadows and prepare for their return. Even now as we speak they have manipulated factions like the Undine, the True Way, and the Tal Shiar to to spread discord and chaos. It is only now a matter of time before-"
Sela was cut off by the sound of an explosion and looked over her shoulder again as the sound doors slamming open boomed throughout the room.
The transmission was cut shortly after that.
But it had already been seen across every major communication network in both galaxies.
Beta Quadrant
Tholia
"The transmission has been sent across the galaxy. We have pinpointed the precise location of its origin in subspace."
"Send a fleet to the location. We will capture the Elachi base and learn its technology."
"Yes Supreme Commander."
Beta Quadrant
The Vault
The gathered Romulans and Remans watched as Sela, a Romulan who many of them despised ended her transmission.
The Reman, Obisek closed his eyes. "So it has begun."
"Captain?"
"The Iconians, their eyes are fixes on us and Empress Sela may have just lit the candle that will turn into the great fire." Obisek opened his eyes as he looked around. "Contact New Romulus and inform D'Tan I wish to speak with him immediately. It will begin there. Their eyes are fixed on the remaining survivors of Romulus."
"Yes Captain." The Reman nodded and moved to fulfull Obisek's request.
Beta Quadrant
New Romulus
Romulan Republic High Command
D'Tan stood up as Sela's transmission ended. "Contact Earth and Qo'nos immediately. We have to find the source of that transmission."
Delta Quadrant
Borg Unimatrix
Receiving Transmission
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Analyzing Origin
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Origin Confirmed
Technology Confrirmed: Species 47
Subspace Location
Downloading Coordiantes
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Dispatching Tactical Cube 1005789 to Coordinates
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Mission Protocol: Assimilate
Skyriver Galaxy
Kessel Sector
Maw Cluster
Borg Unimatrix
Receiving Transmission
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Analyzing Origin
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Origin Confirmed
Technology Confrirmed: Species 47
Subspace Location
Downloading Coordiantes
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Dispatching Tactical Cube 237590 to Coordinates
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Mission Protocol: Assimilate
Milky Way Galaxy
Delta Quadrant
Vaadwaur Prime
Overseer Gaul watched as the transmission ended and crossed his arms. "Foolish woman. She has no idea what she was done." He glanced over his shoulder. "Prepare my flagship and assemble the forward fleet."
"Yes Overseer."
Deep in Delta Quadrant Space
"Send a Fortress Ship to the origin of this transmission. We will take that facility and learn all we can. We will no doubt learn a way to repel the Borg and all mammals from our space."
"Yes, Minister."
()
"This could lead to a glorious hunt. Contact the clans."
"Understood, Alpha."
Skyriver Galaxy
Outer Rim
Raxus System
Raxus
CIS Council Chamber
Jarock actually snarled when she saw Sela's face on the broadcast but remained silent until the transmission ended. "Salen, can you track that transmission?"
"I am in contact with the Lleiset and Embassy now, Commander. The frequency was broadcasted on all known channels without encryption, most likely what Sela intended from the very beginning." Salen answered.
"Count Dooku, I believe our negotiations will have to be put on hold in light of this development." Jarock said to Dooku and the Separatist Council. "Former Empress Sela is a wanted criminal by the majority of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants and if what she has said is true our governments will be scrambling to find the origin of that transmission."
"I understand." Dooku nodded calmly. "Perhaps a joint venture is possible."
"You wish to help us?" Jarock raised an eyebrow.
"Given to what I just heard it is likely that these Elachi are possible threat to us as well. I would like to see for myself how dangerous they and these Iconians could be." Dooku explained. "The flagship of our defense fleet is in orbit as we speak. General Grievous and I can accompany you to this base once you have found it."
Jarock was naturally suspicious, especially after the trial Q had set up for the leaders of the Republic and the Confederacy but refusing him might be the wrong move for now so she accepted. "Very well. Salen will track the transmission while I contact our representative on Coruscant."
"In the meantime I will have to speak to the populace about what has happened." Dooku stood up straight. "I imagine the transmission has generated many questions."
He also needed to contact his master and speak to him of the transmission and of something else. He could sense that monster, Savage Oppress, out there somewhere in the galaxy. His former apprentice's monster was growing even stronger than before. Even if Ventress was no longer pulling his leach Savage was a growing threat and there was something else.
Dooku could feel an awakening in the Force.
Something was rising.
Something sinister.
Inner Rim
Coruscant
Senate Building
Chancellor's Office
Chancellor Palpatine had been in a meeting with the Milky Way Representatives regarding the Kiros colonists and the over three thousand rescued slaves from the Zygerian slave camps. Apparently neither of them wished to return to the Republic or the Confederacy as many of them blamed both sides for their suffering at the hands of the slavers. The Klingons had gone as far as to destroy as many slave guilds without provoking the Hutts and jepordizing the alliance with Jabba but the planned invasion of Hutt space would still go forward. As far as the former slaves were concerned they would either live on Kiros or actually move to the Milky Way Galaxy.
Kiros could only take in so much but the Alpha and Beta Quadrant had plenty of colonies to welcome them.
They had painfully made it clear that they did not trust the Republic.
In fact it was implied that they down right hated both the Republic and the Separatists.
Unfortunately this might put a damper on Palpatine's plans due to the fact that the suffering was needed so the people would be so desperate for peace and order that they would never even consider question his leadership for when the time came. The last thing he needed was people and even planets joining up with the Milky Way Alliance, even though he could use this in his favor when the time was right.
Of course the transmission was former Romulan Empress Sela might complicate plans for the refugees.
"This transmission was sent not just here but it appears to have been sent all across both our galaxies." Alex Candice said after speaking with the Embassy on Coruscant. "Wherever Sela is at the moment she must have found some pretty advanced communications."
"Perhaps these Elachi and these Iconians have access to our Holo-Net." Palpatine commented thoughtfully.
"Chancellor J'mpec has ordered the source of the transmission be found and our governments are in agreement. If Sela is at the Elachi base where many people from our galaxies have been abducted then a rescue mission may in order along with learning more about the Iconians and their plans." Candice continued.
"Then perhaps a joint mission is in order, especially if people from our own galaxy has been abducted." Palpatine offered with a helpful smile.
This was an opportunity to discover more about the Iconians and whatever plans they had for the galaxy he planned to rule. The technology onboard could even be used as an added benefit towards his goals if he played his cards right.
"We'll have to discuss it, Chancellor but if the Elachi present a threat to this galaxy we wouldn't be in a position to say no." Candice carefully answered.
"Of course. I will speak with the Jedi Council immediately."
Jedi Temple
Council Chambers
"To that end I suggest a joint operation with the Milky Way Alliance in tracking down the source of this transmission. With the base captured we can understand just what these Iconians are planning for both galaxies."
Mace Windu looked around the chamber. "We still are preparing for the confrontation with the Borg."
"If I may suggest, Master Windu, perhaps only a handful of Jedi go then to aid in the rescue of the prisoners and possible capture of the Elachi base. As I understand Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker is at Kuat now. He can lead a Republic strikeforce with our Milky Way allies as a better way to facilitate cooperation." Palpatine suggested.
Yoda closed his eyes. "Hm…Ignore this transmission, we cannot. Possibility to understand this new threat, there is."
"So it is agreed?" Palpatine asked.
"Join Skywalker in this mission, I will. Join in this joint venture, no doubt Count Dooku will." Yoda nodded.
"Very well." Palpatine nodded as his image vanished.
Subspace
Elachi Base 001
Control Room
"We're done here. Now we either hold out and hope for rescue or we try and steal a ship." Sela turned away from the destroyed console.
Several Elachi guards had broken into the control room, quickly dispatched by Ventress and the prisoners but not before the console was destroyed.
"I'm not used to waiting to be rescued." Ventress remarked.
Sela smirked. "Neither am I."
In a flash of green light appeared two rather large Elachi that towered over most humans, seemingly snarling at the intruders.
"I believe our decision has been made." Ventress ignited her lightsabers.
The two Elachi went on the attack, actually fighting with their hands and killing several prisoners by the time Ventress attacked. The former Dark Jedi grunted as she slashed at them, her lightsabers bouncing off their shields as they turned to her. Ventress sensed a dark intent in these creatures, the same kind of intent she sensed from the Bluegill parasites and realized that these Elachi were infested with the same parasites from before. It made them stronger and faster, even faster than she was and the only thing keeping her alive was her Force sense.
Sela and the survivors fired on the Elachi with their disruptors and threw the few grenades that knocked them back, allowing Ventress to gain the upperhand as she fell on them, slashing at their bodies, managing to cut them up several times for good measure.
"Well done." Sela smirked, looking at the remains of the Elachi. "I believe we just eliminated the Alpha and Beta Elachi in charge of this base."
"Hmph." Ventress deactivated her lightsabers. "Not so strong if they needed those parasites. I suppose this means we now control the base."
A beeping console earned Sela's attention. "Not for long."
Ventress raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"A fleet of ships are approaching. They are identified as Obelisk class carriers, piloted by the Solanae. They will be here in thirty minutes. This base's defenses will be no match for an entire fleet." Sela scowled. "And we don't have a ship to escape in."
"So what do you suggest?" Ventress asked, narrowing her eyes.
Sela glanced back at the former Sith apprentice. "…Pray that help arrives before the fleet does."
Neither one liked the decision.
But there was no choice.
