Darth Maul had spent the last day studying the people he had allied with, learning about their ways, their beliefs, and their power. When asked where they were located they showed him the so called planet they were on, only reveal to him that they were based inside a massive space station that was built around a star with an interior planetary surface equal to over two hundred planets. Maul considered such construction to be impossible but one of the leaders, a Gul Manak provided him the proof needed to convince Maul of the existence of the so-called Dyson Sphere. It operated as a staging ground and had a gateway that would allow them to launch an attack to any place in any galaxy with the blessing of the ones who made this alliance possible, the Iconians who ordered that their station remain a secret as long as possible.

Though loath he was to take orders Maul understood and would comply for now.

The Iconians were an unknown variant and he needed to learn all he could about them before making a plan to attack.

Maul studied the other galaxy, the Milky Way, the races along with the enemies of the Tal Shiar and the True Way and who were currently allied with the Republic. This made things all the more interesting since Maul now had allies from another galaxy that would helpful against his former master. He could just as easily arrange an attack on Coruscant right now and have his former master killed, thus taking his place as the Master. And then he could take deal with that Sith pretender Dooku who was stationed on Serenno most of the time.

It would be so easy to send a bomb through one of the gates on this massive station to both targets and destroy them with a mere switch.

Maul frowned as he thought it over.

He could kill his former master and take his place the Master but he would be in position to control the Republic.

The goal of the Sith was the domination of the galaxy and all other thoughts were secondary. He needed to build up a force to challenge the Republic and the Separatists and anyone else who would stand in his way. The single Dyson Sphere stationed far on the edge of the galaxy was a good place to create an army but he needed a power base where his army could grow and expand. When the time was right he would spread across the galaxy and take it right from under his former Master's hands and that of the Sith pretender Dooku.

And he knew of the first place where he could start.

The leader of the Mandalorian group known as Death Watch known as Pre Vizla spoke of his group trying to resurrect the warrior past of Mandalore and overthrow the Duchess Satine and her pacifist faction known as the New Mandalorians. A group of warriors as his ally was a good start and with the True Way and Tal Shiar he had fleets, resources, and soldiers that could aid him in establishing himself as a major power in the galaxy. Mandalore would be a good start to establish a base of power and with it as head of the Council of Neutral Systems neither the Republic nor Separatists could interfere with any government change. That made it a perfect target and Maul was already formulating a plan to overthrow the current government.

Though he had not had any training in politics Maul had spent enough time with his former master to understand that the best way to affect a government was through fear and chaos. These two elements along with a government's inability to solve the crises would cause the people to become discontent and demand a solution. A solution that when offered there would be very little question as its origin. Maul grinned, wondering if his former master even believed he was capable of such planning.

As he walked down the hall towards where his brother was recuperating Maul smirked at the sound of growling and machines being tossed around meaning that Savage was awake. The door opened and Maul was greeted with the sight of Savage bashing a droid's head in.

The leaders here were apparently smart enough to avoid being in the same room as a Sith who was awake and angry.

"Rest, apprentice." Maul said, coming into Savage's sight. "You are safe and we are among allies."

"Allies?" Savage asked, calming down.

"Yes. Allies with the power and might that can serve us well. A group of beings…From another galaxy." Maul stated.

"Another galaxy?" Savage questioned.

"Though surprising apparently this new galaxy has become wide-spread news with many factions allying with the Republic or the Separatists. And these factions have enemies and have formed an alliance with people in this galaxy, a group of warriors called Death Watch. They are powerful…And have honor." Maul explained thoughtfully.

"Then they are weak." Savage grunted as he sat up on the bio-bed.

"Yes, but they have resources along with the other groups, the Tal Shiar and the True Way. Both have knowledge and technology that can allow us to becoming more dangerous than any in this galaxy." Maul grinned as the doors opened and in walked Pre Vizla and Gul Manak.

"So, have you decided on our offer?" Vizla asked.

Maul stepped forward as Savage stood up. "Your Duchess along with the Cardassian and Romulan governments will soon learn the true burden of peace."

Serenno
Count Dooku's Castle
Courtyard

As Grievous predicted Count Dooku was not pleased with him in the slightest for losing the Inferno and made it a point to make sure Grievous knew it in the only way Dooku thought he would understand.

By sparing with him in the courtyard front of the castle where he trained both Ventress and Savage Oppress. Grievous would be amused that he was being trained in a spot where two of Count Dooku's formers assassins who had tried to kill him had been trained if not for the foul mood Dooku was currently in. Grievous figured it would be a simple spar and end with a lecture of how his skills needed more improvement.

Only Dooku made it a point to show him how dangerous a foe, whether it be Jedi or not, could be if he underestimated them.

How you may ask?

By utilizing his mastery of the Force along with his lightsaber skills in their spar to the point the Grievous had been nearly overwhelmed. Grievous didn't suffer the loss of any limbs, not that he would have actually suffered but his pride had been hurt by just how outclassed he had been.

At least Dooku didn't use Force Lightning yet because that would have seriously hurt.

But Dooku didn't stop with one match as he ordered Grievous to continue sparing with him for nearly half the day and though Grievous preformed slightly better each time he was still defeated in each and every match. And each time Dooku would scold and lecture him about the inefficiency of his fighting style. He was by the most skilled of everyone Dooku had trained in lightsaber combat, even believing he was more skilled than Asajj Ventress despite her one victory against him on Dathomir.

He chalked that up to beginner's luck than actual skill.

Dooku stated more than once that Grievous would have become fiercer, more aggressive with surprise, fear, and intimidation on his side. He pushed Grievous hard and even though Grievous was learning it was not enough to overthrow the count who managed to stay one step ahead of him for the entire day.

"Your skills are improving but still not enough. Against a Jedi Master like Windu or perhaps even Yoda you would not last more than a moment against them. I've told you time and again you must refine your speed and anticipate the enemy's movement. You are too quick to rely on your strength and you become overconfident too quickly which has led to you being defeated by opponents who should be beneath you, like my former assassin Ventress." Dooku lectured.

Grievous growled but said nothing.

"My tolerance of your constant need to show off your ability to use multiple lightsabers at once none withstanding if you wish to become a powerful adversary to the Jedi you must learn how to least operate a single lightsaber." Dooku reactivated his lightsaber and held it in a classic Makashi stance. "It is all about the economy of movement and the ability to use only slightest of energy as you anticipate your opponent's movements and counter them. The Jedi use the Force along with their lightsaber skills and that is their main advantage. When our war is renewed I expect you to be able to counter their abilities with the strength of your body combined with the precision of a surgeon."

"I understand, my lord." Grievous bowed his head.

"I hope so." Dooku deactivated his lightsaber and turned around, his back facing Grievous. "Lord Sidious contacted me earlier and informed me that the Milky Way Alliance had found a fatal weakness in the invaders. They had managed to disable the quantum singularities these invaders use on their organic ships. I have already contacted our research labs to begin adapting the defoliator weapon for use in space against these invaders and I want you to begin studying them for any weaknesses. We are rebuilding our forces for the renewed war and I want to ensure that any other possible threats are neutralized by then."

"Yes master." Grievous nodded again.

"That will be all for today, General. I will contact you when I have prepared a new mission for you." Dooku said, dismissing Grievous as he walked back into his castle. "I want our fleets and armies to be ready for the first major operation of the renewed war."

Grievous narrowed his eyes as Dooku left but said nothing. The lessons had more than hit home for Grievous and he would dare not anger the count anymore than he already had. Besides this gave him a chance to do a little investigating of his own. Once he was in his fighter, the Soulless One, and in orbit of Serenno Grievous brought up the nav charts and started looking for sectors with nearby Milky Way ships.

He couldn't risk going to the MLA embassy on Raxus. There might be a chance someone would recognize his ship and report it to Dooku. According to recent reports most MLA ships had returned to their galaxy following the outbreak of civil war between the aggressive species known as the Vaadwaur who had become a servitor race to the Iconians in the Delta Quadrant if Grievous had read the reports correctly. The ships left behind would be considered cruiser or dreadnaught class with the ability to protect themselves and the Klingon flagship had been posted near the mine field in the Maw to keep the invaders contained.

He couldn't likely go there as he heard some rumors about the MLA condemning him for abandoning them in the middle of battle despite them retreating no so long after. Still he needed answers to questions that had been forming in his mind ever since his encounter with the enigmatic entity known as Q.

According to the updated charts a Federation ship was in neutral space near here: USS Seraphinite.

Grievous inputted the coordinates to intercept and a second later his ship jumped into hyperspace.

Old Republic Era
Chorlian Sector
Rekkiad System
Rekkiad
Ordo Camp

Cold.

A blizzard with endless snow.

Winds cold enough to freeze any living thing with a mere gust.

"Are you sure it's here?"

"It's here. I can feel it."

"Maybe it's on the other side."

"It's this one. The entrance is around here somewhere."

"Here! I found it!"

Revan's eyes shot open as he looked around, remembering he was in the thermal tent he shared with Canderous. The insulated lining helped keep out the worst of the cold but they still wore two layers of clothing to keep warm for the night. Canderous was still asleep, snoring rather loudly but Revan paid him no mind. He was still too busy trying to piece together the images from his dream.

Or a memory.

The memory of him and Malak searching for something, likely on Rekkiad that was hopefully, but likely connected to Mandarlore's Mask.

Revan found his personal holocam and activated it. "T3, can you read me?"

The droid's image appeared and beeped at him.

"Everything's fine. Just keep it down. Canderous is still asleep." Revan whispered.

The droid beeped but was quitter.

"See? I knew you'd be able to put the Hawk back together without my help."

The next beep sound rather indignant.

"Yeah, that snow gets everywhere, but it'll melt. Besides you can worry about that later. I need you to do something for me. Start scanning the topography maps for two massive columns of ice standing close together. Two or three kilometers high, at least." Revan instructed. "When you find them, send me the coordinates."

Half a moment later T3 beeped again.

"Great work, T3. Remember, keep an eye on the ship. I'll call you if I need anything else." Revan said before turning off the holocomm and moved over to where Canderous was sleeping. "Wake up. We need to talk."

Canderous simply mumbled and rolled over.

"It's important. You have to get Veela to move the camp." Revan said.

Canderous opened one eye but was still partialy asleep. "Huh? What? What about Veela?"

"You have to get her to move the camp."

Canderous closed his one open eye. "That's her call, not mine. She's the clan chief."

"I think she's looking for Mandalore's Mask in the wrong place."

That seemed work as both eyes shot open and Canderous sat up. "Well why didn't you say so?"

()

"Everybody's here. Say what you have to say." Veela stated once everyone was gathered.

Canderous answered. "We have to move the camp."

"Move the camp? You think it's so easy to jus pick up and go?" Veela asked incredulous.

"It took our scouts weeks to find this location." A woman pointed out.

"This is a good spot. We're sheltered from the worst of the wind and snow. The mountain protects us from getting flanked and the only in is past our sentries." Edric said in agreement.

"Give me one good reason we should move." Veela stated.

"Because we'll never find Mandalore's Mask if we stay here." Canderous answered.

There was a moment of silence before Veela spoke again. "Nobody knows where Revan hid the Mask. The clans have each staked out their territory, hoping it's in their destiny to find that which we all seek."

"Seems like a poor way to choose a leader." Revan commented.

Veela glared at Revan as another Mandalorian, another woman spoke. "Fate will make the choice for us. Whichever clan is destined to find the Mask will."

"Is that how all the clans ended up here on Rekkiad? Fate? Chance? Blind luck?" Revan countered.

"You show your ignorance when you speak of things you don't understand. Fate and destiny are not the same as luck. It was not chance that brought us here. It was persistence." Veela said. "We are here because we are strong. When Revan hid Mandalore's Mask, most of our people scattered in disgrace But some of us refused to give up. We stayed behind look for what was lost instead of running off to become mercenaries and hired thugs."

Veela sent a look at Canderous who glanced down at the floor. "For years we have kept up our search. We know Revan disappeared for three days after the massacre at Malachor Five. There are only a handful of stable hyperspace lanes in that sector, only a few dozen habitable planets he would have been able to journey to in that time. So we have been searching each world in turn, scouring the surface meter by meter. On the first world there were less fifty of us; it took us two years to explore the entire planet. But with each world our numbers grew. More clans joined in the search and each clan's numbers increased. Our quest gave us purpose; it united us as a people once again."

She looked at Canderous again. "Slowly those who their backs on the Mandalorian ways have come trickling back. Now we number in the thousands. Over a hundred clans have gathered on Rekkiad. If we fail to find the Mask here, we will move on to the next world. And our numbers will continue to grow. Eventually we will find what we seak. And when one of our finally reclaims Mandalore's Mask, our numbers will be legion. On that day the new Mandalore will call upon the armies of our people, and we will answer!"

She was now glaring at Revan. "This is what we mean when we speak of fate. We will find what we seek. It is inevitable. It is the destiny of our people."

Revan looked around, seeing how her speech had moved her people, including Canderous. "I can help you achieve your destiny. I know where Revan hid the Mask. Listen to me, and I will help you find it."

"Impossible." Veela shook her head. "Nobody knows where he hid Mandalore's Mask."

"I have access to resources you don't. Republic records. Military transcripts. Battle plans." Revan explained carefully. "Flight paths and navigation charts. You say you aren't even sure if the Mask is on Rekkiat. But I am. The Mask is here, on this world. And with my help, Clan Ordo will be the ones who find it."

Veela stared at Revan before looking at Canderous. "Avner is your friend. Can we trust him?"

"I wouldn't have told him of our search if I didn't trust him with my life." Canderous answered. "And I wouldn't have brought him if I didn't believe he could help us."

Veela considered his words before looking back at Revan. "Where do you suggest we move our camp to?"

"About fifty kilometers from here two columns of ice rise straight up, towering kilometers from above Rekkiad's surface."

"The Twin Spears. Are you saying the Mask is there?" Edric asked.

"There is an entrance to a tunnel in the plateau on top of one of the pillars. The tunnel leads deep into the heart of the ice. I believe that is where Revan hid Mandalore's Mask." Revan answered.

"The Twin Spears are in Clan Jendri's territory. If they catch us on their turf there will be blood." Veela stated.

"Did you really expect to find the Mask without having to fight for it?" Canderous asked.

Veela shook her head before making her decision. "Pack up the camp!" She thrust her fist into the air. "We're marching on the Twin Spears!"

Darth Maul observed the projected image of the Mandalorian capital city that had been scanned for vital targets.

"We have gone over several scenarios and believe the best option is simply attack key centers in the city. The Duchess's forces will be overwhelmed and the people will believe her too weak to maintain order." Gul Manak started. "The next phase will for the Daeth Watch to arrive, capture and arrest the attackers, bringing order to the chaos."

"We will be seen as heroes, saviors." Vizla stated with a grin.

"Exactly. Our alliance has the army and resources without the scrutiny of the Republic or the Separatist and since Mandalore influences over two thousand neutral systems it will give us the much needed opportunity to expand." Manak continued.

"A large number of system with all the necessary resources to form a new galactic power underneath the nose of the Republic and the Jedi." Maul said thoughtfully.

"And we have the perfect weapon to bring them all in line." Manak gestured to a Cardassian who held up a container with a Bluegill parasite inside. "This is what we call the Bluegill parasite. It's a bio-weapon designed by the Solanae by order of the Iconians. They enter a person's body and control them from the inside, genetically designed to carry out whatever orders are imprinted in its mind. Use this on any political or military targets and we will have everything we need to successfully infiltrate either side."

Maul and Savage stared closely at the parasite.

"There is also another matter of a scientist infiltrating the Republic." Manak projected the image of a human. "Dr. Singh. A former scientists who once tried to create a genetically enhanced race of warriors, combining the DNA of Humans, Klingons, and Gorn. As we speak he is in a secret cloning facility close to the Republic capital and he has been charged with creating a new clonetrooper, a General. One with enhanced intelligence and aggression but he claims he can control this clone and use him to carry out objectives from inside the government."

"Such as?" Maul asked.

"The assassinations of key senators, ambassadors, generals, and diplomats when called upon." Manak answered as the image of the Clone General vanished. "And if necessary, Jedi."

Vizla smirked. "About time one of Jango's clones was useful."

Maul frowned thoughtfully. "We will need to forge connections throughout these systems. We cannot do it with spies and agents you already have in place. We will need an army who knows the inner workings of the galaxy. And we will start with Black Sun."

Vizla glanced at Maul. "They're a crime syndicate. Hardly a force to rally with."

"They can provide us with the resources we need to sustain a war without the scrutiny of the Republic." Maul softly retorted.

"And from there you can make connections with other crime syndicates like the Pyks. The Hutts are in the middle of a war with the Republic and the Separatists on account of crimes committed by the Hutt family being revealed and thus there are battles between the Hutts, the Republic, and the Separatists taking place in Hutt territory." Manak commented. "Fortunately the last remaining leader of the Hutt crime family, Jabba the Hutt agreed to work with us."

Maul closed his eyes as he put a hand to his chin. "Their resources will be useful the Black Sun and the Pyks will do. Either one of them have the resources to start a civil war from the underworld of the Republic."

"Then we have a plan." Manak stated, considering the meeting over. "I will report to the M'Tara on our progress and seek her approval for more Bluegills to be ready."

Maul watched as the leaders left the room, leaving him and Savage alone.

"I believe they will betray us." Savage stated.

"We have no choice. We cannot rule openly without attracting the attention of the Jedi. But Vizla's plan to take over Mandalore gives us an opportunity to find someone willing to work with us." Maul said thoughtfully.

"The promise of wealth and power will tempt them." Savage stated with a grin.

Maul smiled. "You have learned well, apprentice."

()

"Our plan is proceeding as expected, M'Tara. The Sith and the Mandalorians are working with us for now." Manak bowed before the image of his master.

"Good. There is another task you must now accomplish, Manak. The Outsiders, the Yuuzhan Vong are bringing their fleet through the portal created by the Borg. Eventually the mine field created to contain them will not be enough. They must be eliminated immediately." M'Tara said.

"What do you ask of me, Master?" Manak asked.

"Yuuzhan Vong are powerful but have a fatal weakness. Their ships are organic and like all organics they can be weakened by the same elements."

Manak nodded. "Yes, I understand. It will be done."

"Once they are eliminated the Sith will make their move to gain power through the neutral systems. The sentients of this galaxy will move to stop them, thus ensuring the conflict spreading further. See to it that you are ready."

"Yes, Lady M'Tara. I will not fail."

Outer Rim
Kessel Sector
The Maw
Former Borg Unimatrix

They were finally ready.

Their fleets were coming through the portal and already one of their largest ships had arrived. With this mighty fleet they would breach the invisible mine field and began their invasion. The infidels would burn and their worlds would be cleansed of all filth and impure technology. Just as the commander was about to give the order a dark portal appeared and from it emerged a large ship, not as big as their mighty Worldship but it was big and it was shaped like a dark bird that had a despised predatory look. The commander ordered it to be destroyed and the crusaders rushed to attack, even as the ship began charging its weapons.

The weapon had actually been charging as the ship came through the portal and as soon the ships came in firing range it fired. Beams of bright green light shot through the entire fleet, touching even the Worldship before it was over.

For a second nothing happened.

Then suddenly all of the organic ships, the fleet of beings from outside the galaxy began to slowly rot and break apart into dust.

Even the Worldship slowly rotted and broke with the crew and people on board dying the exact same way as the radiation from the weapon ate them from the inside. The mighty fleet broke apart and died in a manner of seconds while the warbird moved towards the portal and fired a beam of greenish-blue light at it, causing the portal to slowly shrink until it was gone.

The ship then vanished back into the portal, it's mission now complete.

The Harbingers of the Demons have arrived and defeated the Far Outsiders by killing the very thing that they had used.

Their own organic technology.