Chapter 37

(Nar Shaddaa.)

Walking the grease laden, crime ridden and quite frankly foul smelling streets of the Corellian sector of Nar Shaddaa. Kellia couldn't help but ask herself….. "Why did I pick this trash heap of a moon to come to? Heck Id take Raxus Prime's junk piles. Over the sentient waste that lives here any day!"

Kellia had come to the moon really to find another rebel cell. Hopefully one that would be at least to a degree competent. Unlike many of the "rookie" upstart factions that littered the galaxy. Well she had already joined the ranks of the, "Freedom Rebellion Faction" FRF for short. It was a relatively small rebel group that was based out of the Gordian reach, but had recently planted itself and its activities deep into Nar Shaddaa. Kellia learned it was from a heavy Imperial crackdown in the reach that forced the move. But the FRF still had contacts there. Most contacts in the Reach were of their sister rebel cell also known as RFR.

She of course needed yet another new place to take residence up with. Again the Empire had forced her to uproot herself and trek across the seedy corners of the galaxy. Just to find a new group of misfits that were bold, and perhaps ignorant enough to take on the Empire. It took her weeks to find a group that had no quarrels over her status. Though she didn't tell them the whole truth. They think that she is simply a lost Jedi on the run. Whom had no prior affiliation to the rebels in any part of the galaxy. But then again, Kellia hid much of her past from even general Rellor when he was alive.

I sure wish I didn't remember Dantooine though.

A stray thought as it was. Kellia couldn't get that scene out of her mind. It plagued her dreams, along with those of the Clone War and of the things she had the "pleasure" of seeing the empire do.

I bet you're enjoying torturing me, aren't you Palpatine? Even if you don't know whom you're mocking and gloating to. I know that you are!

The sadness and emptiness that filled her had been coming to her in waves more often lately then before.

But as was usual she would just store it all away, assuring herself someone somewhere else had a worse life then her.

Taking her mind of herself for the time being. Kellia was walking alone in the streets of the Corellian sector. And well no more details were needed on what was around her.

She had days ago discarded her old battle armor. Out of fear the empire would have it on record.

Now she chose to wonder about wearing, a tight fitting simple dark shirt. Covered by a dark unfastened vest, along with a small utilities belt, and long and slightly tight pants. All were of dark color and topped off by a just as dark long mantle. Yet even with the mantle obscuring her face. Kellia could sense some nearby males looking in her direction. Which to her was incredibly annoying. And very, very unwelcome.

I thought the shirt, the vest, the belt, the boots, all of it would make me less appealing by the….male interest! But it seems you'll have your fair share of deviants everywhere you go. I should have known better anyway.

The stray thoughts of the males in question would some times enter her mind. Which in turn made her cringe to herself. It was quite frankly annoying to Kellia to have any male attention. It wasn't anything to do with the gender itself. It was just the fact that she had much bigger things to worry about and handle. She really didn't need the extra attention of wondering eyes on her.

But clothing and troublesome men aside, Kellia was here to meet with the FRF Gordian Reach contact. A rather shady man named Havor Ceel. Apparently he was very unwanted by the FRF members.

Even being described as, "A slimy, pesky, worm of a man. If you could even call him that!"

Kellia smiled to that. She could care less what the mans intentions were, or how he operated. She was not here to enjoy others.

So rounding a corner into an equally as putrid looking alley, Kellia could make out the outline of a man simply standing off to the shadows. Kellia rolled her dark eyes to the cliché like situation she found herself in. "Are you quite done hiding like a fool? After all I'm just a poor girl alone in an alley." Kellia said in a mocking manner, while she walked briskly up to the shadowed man.

In response he, whom Kellia assumed to be Havor Ceel stepped from the shadows.

He was rather….odd looking to be nice. Very sunken cheeks, that caused his facial bones to become very defined and noticeable. Along with that, Ceel had thin oily looking black hair that clung to his head. And he had beady hazel eyes, that had a look of deceit in them just based on initial looks. Put that together along with his small and boney like body, and you have Havor Ceel. What kind of simple message courier are you? Kellia thought as she sized the man and his unappealing boney figure up.

"I was wondering when you would show. You know that I have other things to attend to. As well I have other groups to meet with! I don't enjoy sitting in an alley that is too dirty for my spit, thank you very much!" He retorted back harshly backed up by his quip.

Kellia gave a huff and eye roll in return.

Known you for a whole minute, and what do you know I already don't like you.

"You know what I didn't think they were right when they called you a human worm. But I stand here today a corrected and amazed woman! Now spit out what I came here to listen to, Kung."

Calling the man Kung or scum in Huttese, seemed to make him fume. In fact Kellia could see his face grow red with anger. Uh oh, must of heart his ego. Kellia thought with a self satisfied smirk on her face.

He soon enough cleared his throat. After a mild silence of course.

"Very well. I was sent here to give you a datapad as well as tell you person to person something far more important then what the datapad contains."

He reached into a breast pocket on him and pulled out the datapad he spoke of. Quickly handing it off to Kellia. Whom took it just as quickly and slid it into her utilities belt.

"There has been a rather interesting new development in the Reach." he continued on with.

"There is a growing Imperial presence in the Reach. It would seem Grand Moff Vellam, is inviting many smaller Moffs into his oversector. What his intentions are, we don't know but we do know that he has cracked down on both the FRF and RFR in the Reach. Causing our operations to take a heavy toll. In fact our united base on Toprawa has been completely crushed! I was off world at the time, but I got word that the base had been turned into a melted heaping wreckage."

Kellia took in the news unsurprised. And while she was saddened by the loss of over three thousand rebels. Kellia was not surprised, she had become used to such news.

"If this is truth why have there been no Imperial reports on the attack? Everyone knows the Empire would broadcast over the holonet of their victory." Kellia pointed out.

Ceel shrugged his pointed and boney shoulders in response.

"Cant say why they haven't gloated. Maybe they're waiting for us to do something. Or maybe they just got bored with it, I don't know. And really I don't care anymore. Personally I'm not surprised that the Toprawa base got annihilated."

Kellia snapped her gaze immediately to Ceel's face. Where he made a look that asked, what she had a problem with?

Ignorant, and uncaring. What a nice addition to the galaxy you are. She thought with a rising ire in her.

"This is where I get out of the business, you know what I'm saying? Kinda getting tired of looking over my shoulder every second. I was crazy to have gotten so deep into this rebel stuff anyway. It isn't really my thing. If you're smart you do the same."

Kellia was beginning to grow annoyed by this man. His self caring act, and total narcissism was beginning to bother her more by the second. Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't quite right. And not only because of his personality either. No he had the look, the feel, heck even the mannerisms of a person hiding something.

Perhaps we should take a look into that mind of yours. It wouldn't be the first time that Kellia had intruded into someone's mind. She had no more rules to abide by. So why not use the force for what it was good for?

With that in mind, Kellia reached out with the force. Feeling the great teeming of life on Nar Shaddaa. Kellia pushed that all aside as she centered her thoughts and senses through the force on the one before her.

And it frankly already felt slimy and sickening to her. A hiding menace was within Ceel. One of knowing and anxiety even. Gee I wonder if he's hiding something? She snidely thought to herself.

Kellia then employed a little effort into reading his slimy mind.

Where she could see Toprawa. Its base that was shared by the FRF and RFR. Kellia saw pieces of his memory, his time there. Mission assignments. But then she could make out….a man in a grey uniform! Older well dressed and mannered.

Nox Vellam! The little worm betrayed us! Betrayed them! Thousands were in that base. And you just sold them away didn't you! You spineless, two faced, greedy, worthless scum!

Kellia could see it all. Ceel standing in and in deep conversation with Vellam. Who in his Imperial style, was offering Ceel untold credits to sell out his rebel brethren. How Cell sold lives away that weren't his to give. How he pointed out further rebel bases in the Gordian Reach! In fact Kellia was almost sure the RFR was crippled beyond return. As well that five further FRF bases were bombarded to space dust!

Ceel had gone as far as to point out rebel cells in both the neighboring Spadja and Esstran sectors!

"You're a disgrace to the human species, do you know that!" Kellia seethed through gritted teeth.

She need no more proof. The whole galaxy would know soon enough that thousands of freedom fighters were dead anyway. So to Kellia there was only one form of justice that Ceel deserved

And who better to do it?

Ceel had only a moment to look taken aback and shocked, before a cerulean beam of light erupted to life. Then it was run quickly and cleanly run through the rebel traitor.

All the while Kellia maintained a constant look of disgust on her face. One that would dare any to stop her.

Ceel opened his mouth in shock, only able to produce a gurgle that was itself weak. Then he went limp and died with that very look forever stuck upon his face.

His eyes dulled over staring down upon a beam of light going clean through his body.

Not knowing that the one whom ran him through felt nothing for him. That Kellia felt no remorse.

I will not stand here and allow a traitor like you to live! All traitors deserve this fate! And if given the chance, I will rid the galaxy of all you traitorous vermin! No, no I cant even place traitors in the category of rats. It insults the rats!

Kellia slammed a boot into the limp body, easily tossing it off her saber.

Her chest was heaving, and she could feel her spine tingle with adrenaline.

All her senses were in overdrive, yet she felt calm. Though to look her in the face in this moment, one would think she was anything but calm. Her eyes were filled with hate for the man whom lay dead in a Nar Shaddaa alleyway. In fact Kellia could feel the pulsating darkness swirl around her

But despite how easy it would be to reach out and claim the darkness for an ally. She knew that it would be a long path to trek down. One she had already gone down, but abandoned.

Now is not the time to dwell on the past.

Deactivating the saber, and placing back on her belt. Kellia looked upon the rumpled dead body with disgust in her dark brown eyes one final time. Before she in step twirled around and marched from the alley, back into the filled pathways of the Corellian sector.

Kellia couldn't believe just how easy it was, to take another's life and feel…nothing.

Then again, she thought.

What's new?

(Vjun, Bast Castle.)

Kneeling to the floor with his masters image coming from a holo projection before him.

It was the extreme pleasure of Starkiller to be there on a cold hard floor kneeling. Kneeling and awaiting for his master was a pleasure for him. It always had been.

I have completed all that you have asked of me master. Now surely you will reward me!

It was the hopeful thoughts of the young man that propelled him through his recent activities.

In fact, he found killing a Moff was easier then he could have expected. Obvious by the fact he had by now killed three of them! It was such a thrill to finally do tasks ordered by his master. But wiping Moffs from the face of the galaxy in the name of his master, was exhilarating. After all, it was a pleasure to rid his master of the Moffs he so loathed.

"What is thy bidding, my master?" Kneeling his head ever closer to the floor, he repeated the honorary saying.

For a moment only his masters ever present breathing was heard. But Starkiller was an ever patient and submissive servant. He knew his master would speak when ready. It didn't take long either.

"Starkiller, you are to be commended for your success." His masters words plastered an oh so subtle smirk upon his face. "You have caused a great disturbance among the remaining Moffs of the Empire. Indeed all is going according to plan. But this is hardly the end to the work that needs to be done."

Starkiller gave a small nod of his shaved head. Not showing his master that he was pleased, in fact extremely pleased.

"Yes master. I am yours to command."

The dark lord became quiet again after his apprentices words.

Why, Starkiller didn't know it really didn't matter to him anyway. His master would talk when ready, again.

"Indeed. I am taking a massive step forward into the master design. Shortly I will be arriving in the Galov sector of the Outer Rim. Here Moff Antoll Jellrek will be swiftly and decisively removed from power. Under direct order from the Emperor." Starkiller made not a single move. But in his mind, he couldn't believe his master was already about to remove Moffs from their seats of power.

So soon after my operations? You must want to make them angered master. A few dead Moffs are surely child's play compared to the mobilized anger of many living ones. Starkiller mused to himself.

Not knowing many details pertaining to his masters "Grand Design." But knew it was in full operation. At least as of now anyway.

"Moff Jellrek has worn out his welcome in this galaxy. He will be removed and quickly thereafter, executed! For crimes against the Empire!" Vader proclaimed righteous like.

Starkiller never would look up to his master. But he was in fact shocked by his master.

And if he looked up his master would surely see his shocked expressions. Despite how subtle they were.

Most were out of confusion. But then again, his master hardly ever kept him informed of his plans and their phases. Just another trait of his master he had long ago learnt to expect.

Starkiller cared less about being made to wait. His master knew best!

"The Moffs will be very displeased at having their fellow Moffs being charged for the recent assassinations. Their fear will begin to consume them. This is where you will return to my plans forefront." Starkiller waited expectantly for his orders. How it thrilled him so, to know more orders were at hand. And so soon too.

"It will be a strike back. At whom though will be the greater question. One we must allow the galaxy to decide." Vader stated, only furthering his apprentices confusion. "I am ordering you to strike back into the heart. Your target is Moff Chorkun of the Core Worlds sector of Parmorak.

Despite his low status, the attack of a Moff in the Core Worlds will be retaliation in the eyes of the Emperor. Where as it will be a sign to the Moffs of the Emperors ire striking out at them." The dark lord explained knowingly and assured of himself.

"Either way, we will be the victors." Vader proclaimed in his deep baritone of a voice.

"I will prepare to leave at once my master." Starkiller responded quickly, and frankly, very excitedly.

"Do so my apprentice. But first you must be rid of your current pilot. He has been your pilot long enough, and we need a pilot we can trust to chauffer you around the galaxy."

Starkiller gave his master an acknowledging nod.

"One has already been arranged. And is arriving to Bast as we speak. Now deal with the pilot, make for the Parmorak sector do as commanded Starkiller. And know with every mission you complete. You and I grow nearer to our goal. Soon the galaxy shall be ours!"

With that his master faded as the transmission was cut and ended.

We grow closer to our goal. I will serve and obey master. And we shall be victorious!

It was with an almost childish like anticipation, that the sith apprentice traveled down the long corridors of his masters castle. His every stomp upon the floor echoed and boomed.

He marched ever so quickly past the many corridors and hallways of the castle. Hasty was his step, and brisk was the way he walked. And it was when he rounded the corner to the hanger bay where his ship was, that he increased his step even further.

He knew his target. Whom it was.

The doors slid open with a mechanical hiss. Where Starkiller was presented with the sight of his ship and pilot. Whom was dressed in the regular attire of an Imperial Officer. Even wearing the gray cap upon his head. "Welcome back sir. Are we ready to proceed to our next location?"

Starkiller didn't even bother to listen to the man. He just kept approaching him. He was of no more significance as of a few moments ago.

The pilot became visibly concerned. Sweat beads and an uneasy stance about him.

Starkiller said not one word, as he ran his saber so fast and quickly through his old pilot. That the man didn't know what hit him. He simply crumpled to the floor dead.

While Starkiller simply continued on to his ship where he would meditate. And await for his masters new pilot.

One task has been completed already. My master.

(Imperial Star Destroyer, Exactor. In orbit above, Coruscant.)

After finishing his business with his apprentice, lord Vader had made his way quickly back to his spot at the helm of his ship. Where he proudly looked out into the vastness of the space before him, where there as was before, were hundreds of Imperial warships. Ranging from Capitol class to Assault ship.

It was enough to make the dark lord marvel at the sheer power that these ships held. And through him Vader knew these ships would enact the first steps towards war.

And through war, the galaxy shall be reborn!

It is quite interesting, how war throughout time has seemed to be the catalyst to renewal and reform.

Now it is my turn at rule, and my turn to put this galaxy…at peace. True peace through my iron will! Unlike you, master.

The dark lord crossed his arms. He could sense it. As if it was assaulting all of his senses at once. Taste, smell, touch, hear, and his very sight. It is time.

And as if hearing the dark lords thoughts, captain Piett approached from behind the Sith lord.

"My lord. We have just been informed by all ship captains, as well as Grand Admiral Zaarin. All ships have been armed and prepared my lord. The entirety of the armada is ready to launch, at your will lord Vader."

Without turning himself to the captain, Vader allowed a sense of thrill to fire through him! A vigor and anticipation he had not felt in years! Yes, indeed it is at MY will!

The dark lord thought as he felt the dark side surround and encompass him.

"Very well captain. Alert all ships at once! We make for Teth of the Baxel sector!"

Captain Piett nodded in acknowledgement of his lords commands. Though he did not know why they were to head to the Baxel sector. He didn't need to know, orders are orders.

"As you wish lord Vader." Piett bowed his body, and then quickly turned around. Where he quickly instructed the communications officer of his orders.

Vader made out the hint of movement behind him. Though he allowed his attention to remain on the fleet.

And before his visor covered eyes, Vader watched as every ship in an almost mechanical and synchronized beauty turned. All mighty Star Destroyers were pointed away from Coruscant. With dozens of smaller ships filling the gaps between them. Vader could only imagine what the Coruscant defense fleet personnel were thinking from their own vessels.

And as the Exactor itself turned to match the other warships. Vader under his helmet allowed a very unlike him smirk to form on his scarred face. And though it quickly faded, Vader still allowed the thoughts of victory and power to swirl in his mind.

As Vader watched the armada one by one blast into hyperspace. He set his mind on his coming rise.

Lord Vader's rise.

And then the Exactor too entered hyperspace. Heading towards an unsuspecting Moff. Whom was sure to pat dearly for being just what he was. A corrupt Moff.

( The Gordian Reach, Alzar.)

As news of the Toprawa bases destruction reached further out of the Reach.

It had of course reached and moved on from Alzar quickly enough. Which had now left the council of the FRF, rebel cell rather rattled.

"It would seem that we have been betrayed." Spoke a councilman named Heras Jol. A well to do middle aged man with brown wavy hair, and matching brown eyes.

He glanced over from his seat towards the other seven council members, whom too looked flustered. And his statement did not help in any way. As was evident by the looks of his fellow members.

"What would give you that impression Jol? For all we know this could be a simple mishap of communication control. We must remember that the RFR has suffered far more for this slip then us."

Retorted a graying man named Delsen Till. The veteran commander of the council.

Others among the council nodded in agreement, except for Heras. He just knew more was at work here.

"It was far too precise to be a slip of communication protocol, Till! We were given no time to act, and we know from experience that the Imperials love to chatter away over wide bands on their objective. Crush rebel this, and kill rebel that! Yet this time of all times they remained deadly silent. That was until they reached Toprawa of course! Once in orbit they simply bombarded the base into a smoking plasma crater!"

Heras'es statements seemed to put the council in an uneasy silence. All were given the hard fact that they may have had a breach in their intelligence gathering units. And to any rebel sect, that was unacceptable.

"If that is true, then we may have numbered days here as well! The Alzarians wont be able to keep the Imperials at bay!" Cried another councilman, one Geethar Grelt.

"That is precisely why I propose that we uproot all operations here in the Reach and transfer base to Nar Shaddaa. Our region base has already planted itself there anyway." Jol spoke his opinion in a raised voice. Which captured his colleagues attention even further so.

"You cant honestly be saying that we should operate in Hutt territory!" Harshly retorted councilwoman Rella Temmiz. An elder woman herself with graying hair and dulled blue eyes.

"There the Hutts will blackmail us for sure. Not to mention that they will in a heartbeat sell us away to the Empire!" The older woman protested further. Gaining many supportive nods from the rest of the council. You would be hard pressed to find a rebel happy to work in or around Hutt turf.

Running a hand through his brown hair, Jol tiredly spoke up again.

"Look, there isn't a much better solution to this situation. I wish there was, but the fact is…..the fact is there isn't one!" Jol spoke with an eerie pause in his sentence.

"Every moment we sit here and debate over these matters, the empire grows ever nearer! Whether it be by military or intelligence means." Jol preached to his councilman. Whom all returned to silence.

"The fact of the matter is, that if we are to live to fight another day we must retreat and regroup! it's the only way we will be able to recuperate from the loss of Toprawa!" Jol sighed.

"There is no other option."

Again the council fell silent and still.

And as they were all absorbed in their own thoughts, none noticed a rebel tech approach Delsen Till.

Whom leaned himself over to allow the rebel to whisper news into the aged mans ear.

Looking to the rebel with surprise upon his face, Delsen simply received a nod from the tech.

"I would like to have the attention of the council." Called Till, breaking the eerie silence that had fallen the council.

"It seems we have an incoming message from a supporter of our cause. He would like to have a word with us." The other council members glanced amongst themselves, scanning for any sign of disapproval. And once it was settled that there was no disagreement, Till activated a few random buttons upon a computer console to his direct front.

Where soon a hologram of senator Bail Organa of Alderaan materialized.

"Greetings councilman and women. I understand that you are in quite a predicament."

At the sight of the senator, all faces in the room seemed to brighten. For if there were a man in the galaxy who could help them, surely it was Bail Organa!

"Why yes senator. It would seem that the base upon Toprawa has been obliterated! And we have reason to believe that the whole of the Gordian Reach may be compromised for us." Spoke up Jol. Whom like the rest was happy to see Organa.

"As for now we have yet to decide our next course of action. But I think its fair to say that we are planning on moving for Nar Shaddaa." Jol further divulged to the senator.

Organa took all the news in. And in what looked to be an uneasy manner jerked himself upward to speak up.

"I have great news for you my friends! It would just so happen that a rally has been called!"

Bail boisterously announced.

"I have been supportive to any and all causes that devote themselves to freedom and justice from the Empire. Your cell included. But now I feel that its time that I bring all split forces to one grand hall! Where there we may finally come together and unite to bring down this travesty known as the Empire once and for all!" With as much vigor as ever the senator spoke. And managed to rouse interest and very hearts of the rebels there.

"What would be needed of us Bail?" Asked Rella.

Bail grew oddly silent again, before he spoke.

"I merely ask that you bring your forces, the entirety of them to a secured location. Where we can unite it with that of the other cells. With you there, we can all sign an official declaration to rebellion.

So all that I ask of you my friends, is that you show your support and join us."

All council members were so captivated and invigorated by the idea, that there was no real choice here.

Of course they would show their united support.

Of course they would do anything for Bail Organa.

Jol rising from his seat looked about the council. And was met by smiling nods by all there.

"Count us and the whole of the FRF aboard Bail!" He pronounced with the largest smile he had in weeks.

Bail smiled a small smile in return. It almost seemed too small to Jol and the others. But they would pass it off as mere weariness. "Then its settled. Thank you my friends, with your support we grow that much closer to the rebirth of democracy in the galaxy! Please my friends, gather your force and meet with our allies and me at Dubrava when I call upon you. Until then gather you forces and keep on the move."

As all council members nodded in compliance. Bail gave one too and signed off.

To all the council their time was coming. Bail Organa was rallying the scattered rebels at last!

AS Bail shut down the holocom he glanced over his shoulder, anger deep in his brown eyes.

"See senator, that was not as hard as the last four call you made!" Cheerily announced Exar Kun as he stepped from the shadows of Bail's office.

"You're right Kun. It was harder!" Bail retorted to the dark lord.

Whom in return smirked and shrugged his armor covered shoulders.

"Come now senator, do play nice. Otherwise I will have to start punishing the people within this palace for your incompetence." Threatened the Sith lord.

"Now you will contact the other twenty rebel cells you know of. And you will play you part. Otherwise you can say goodbye to your oh so precious Leia!"

The dark lords voice rose with mounted anger.

Bail sighed heavily, as he closed his eyes and turned back to the com station in defeated silence.

He was so disgusted and ashamed with himself, that he hardly had any right to fight anymore.

"Remember senator, I am in charge here not you! The sooner you realize that. The sooner this all will be over for you. And then you can go on and live your life in peace."

Kun half heartedly assured Bail. Whom was hardly paying attention as he keyed in more com channels to call.

Exar truthfully could hardly contain himself from laughing at times. The sheer idiocy and hope these rebels had was pointless and pathetic to the point of stupidity at times.

The dark lord kept watch over the senator and at times silently instructed him on what to say.

Play the part Organa. You need not burden yourself with these broken halfwit rebels any longer. They are now my problem. Mere pests in my galaxy wide garden. Exar smirked maliciously.

And as with any pest, a good extermination is called for. Let the cleansing begin Organa.

With that in mind Exar continued to grin to himself, in shadow and in silence.

And another phase of the plan is complete!