Starfleet Operations TVL-977
Skyriver Galaxy: Clone Wars
Reports from outer agents report that the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy have been building fleets, armies, and weapons during the temporary halt and readily launched multiple strikes against over a dozen planets during the Iconian attack on Coruscant. It has been discussed that hidden elements in both sides were preparing for this perhaps at the time of first contact with both sides. Both sides have modified and upgraded their warships, adding additional weapons, shielding and armor and it is likely both sides have considered declaring war on us. Given this possibility in light of the renewed Clone Wars and the Iconian attack on Coruscant it has been suggested that all non-essential ships and personnel return to the Milky Way immediately.
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Opening File: Galactic Republic
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Subject: Grand Army of the Republic and Navy
Like how the Dominion utilizes a race of genetically engineered warriors, the Jem'Hadar, the Galactic Republic uses an army of genetically engineered humans through the use of advanced cloning technology. The growth of the clones is accelerated so that they are fully grown in half the time and during that time they are trained for combat, engaging in simulations and heavy drills as well as being thoroughly educated in operating all forms of equipment. The clones demonstrate ability to think and act creatively on the battlefield and generally obeyed orders without question, however it was reported that they are capable of disobeying orders and even capable of desertion. Many reports from battlefields in both galaxies state that these Clone Troopers are without a fine and well trained force to be reckoned with.
The Klingons have greatly praised the clones, respecting their bravery, tactics, and skills as warriors which is rarely given to species that are created instead of born. Many in Starfleet are uncomfortably reminded by the clones of the Dominion War the many losses against the Dominion's own clone army, the Jem'Hadar but the many positive reports from people who have worked with the clones have helped ease these concerns. The clones are led by members of the Jedi Order, consisting of people from multiple races trained in diplomacy and peace-keeping but have been praised highly as skilled warriors due to their psionic abilities that they claim comes from an universal wide energy field known as the Force.
Our simulations based on the data we have gathered suggests that should war between our galaxy and the Republic be declared it would lead to a heavy conflict with losses on both sides not seen since the Dominion War. All alternatives for avoiding full-scale war are to be explored.
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Opening File: Confederacy of Independent Systems
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Subject: Confederate Army and Navy
Unlike the Clone Army of the Republic the Confederate Military Army is almost entirely composed of highly advanced machines labelled 'battle droids' that number in perhaps billions based on the reports sent from the embassy on Raxus. These battle droids are built quickly and require no training which allows the CIS to quickly compensate for any heavy loss but it has been reported that these droids lack creative thinking and initiative, needing an organic commander to properly order them. There are models designed for command but they are suspecticle to the same weaknesses as their regular counterparts. The droids obey any orders, even orders to commit suicide attacks.
The highest ranked commander of the droid army is General Grievous, a cyborg who has been the Supreme Commander of the Droid Armies for most of the war. It is speculated that Grievous was chosen to be commander due to his hatred of the Republic and the Jedi for the outcome of the Huk War and the Jedi's choice to support the enemies of Grievous and his people. In this conflict it is seen as a battle of quality vs quantity due to the large numbers of battle droids the CIS has utilized. Like with the Republic should open war be declared with the CIS would show heavy losses on both sides in both galaxies.
Despite not suffering an attack like the Republic has by the Iconians our intelligence division has reported that the Confederate leadership is working with the Republic leaders to continue the war for reasons not yet discovered.
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Opening File: Starfleet Jupiter Shipyards
Battlestar, Dreadnought, and Star Destroyer Program
In the wake of possible conflict with the Skyriver Galaxy as well as the coming Iconian War the Battlestar class has been approved and two prototypes have been constructed based on designs and scans of the Colonial Battlestars discovered by the Alpha Quadrant Alliance flagships and the fleet escorting the Republic ships back to their home galaxy during their travel through time. In addition to this a new dreadnought class design has been submitted and approved that will take into account of the Skyriver Galaxy's approach to building large and heavily armed warships. It is known that the Romulan Republic has been constructing its own prototype Star Destroyer class, accounting for its low numbers despite the build up of warbirds and dreadnoughts in the last year but given the now high possibility of war with the Skyriver Galaxy their approach may indeed be wise given how close one portal is to New Romulus.
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Opening Republic Intelligence Database
Access to Supreme Chancellor, Senate Executives, Senators, and Admirals only: Authorization Codes required.
Access Codes: 538602-5567-893524-Alpha-Zeta
Access Granted: Admiral Tarkin
Access Time: 55:05 Coruscant Time
Subject: Milky Way Galaxy
In wake of the attack on Coruscant it has been argued that war on the Milky Way Galaxy shoud be declared immediately. The Alliance has been kind enough to share with us maps of their territories and we are are of the location of the portal into their universe. However we lack logisitics and knowledge to launch a full invasion, especially in wake of our renewed war against the Separatists. Simulations show that in light of their battles against enemies like the Borg, the Undine, and several other MLA powers we have encountered and the fact that hyperspace is dangerous in their galaxy a war between two galaxies would lead to heavy losses, if not complete and total devastation for our fleets.
We must adapt our ships to be able to travel through the other galaxy and build up ships and armies if the order to invade the Alpha and Beta Quadrants is given. Once we have adapted our engines to travel through another galaxy we can begin building up our forces and take the portals leading to the Milky Way. Our intelligence agents have reported that the portals, the one created by the Devidians and the other leading to the Azure Nebula are in close proximity to the territorys of the Federation, the Klingon Empire, and the Romulan Republic. Of course these are the only known portals as it is yet to be discovered how the Borg and the Undine arrived in our universe but if there are other portals they must be discovered and secured immediately.
Long range scouts have been dispatched in secret to Wild Space and the Unknown Regions to find any indication of how these threats arrived and the Chancellor has ordered reinforcements be sent to Mandalore to secure the Dyson Sphere.
Failure is not an option.
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Opening File: Kuat Shipyards Database
Resurgent Class Star Destroyer and Battlestar Dreadnought Program
Due the abnormal amount of threats to the Republic appearing from either the Separatists or the Milky Way the Chancellor has ordered a new class of Star Destroyer to be built for the express purpose of fighting against MWG (Milky Way Galaxy) ships and fleet while taking into account of how advanced many potential enemies are expected to be. The class will be expected to much larger than the Imperator class and armed heavily with over three thousand turbolasers and ion cannons to overwhelm and destroy even the most advanced MWG ships and fleets as well act as an orbiting killer. This class was designed following the discovery of the design flaws of the Imperator Class Star Destroyer that have slowly been corrected but it was decided that against the Milky Way a new and more powerful ship would be built.
In addition to its impressive armory it will have smaller point-defense turrets and missile emplacements served as complements to the heavy weapons, being able to track and destroy smaller and more agile ships. For extra protection the class will have two shield generators located on both the port and starboard stern sections, while a single domed-shaped bridge deflector shield projector will encase the command bridge and its occupants, aided by a bridge deflector augmenter further up the ship's keel line. A bridge point-defense turret will also help further defend the bridge from starfighter attack. The Resugent class Star Destroyer will be expected to be the most advanced warship in the galaxy.
In addition to the new Star Destroyer class Anakin Skywalker also recommended a new Dreadnought design based off of a ship he had encountered in the Milky Way, referred to as a Battlestar. The design scans were remarkably similar to the Mandalorian Dreadnought design but shown to be superior in acting as a carrier for fighters. The Dreadnought class has thus been redesigned to include flight pods for holding fighters and possibly scout ships as well while still acting as a warship. It is recommended we gain access to the Dyson Sphere in order to possible upgrade these designs as well as speed up their construction as quick as possible given the reports of how the Shadow Collective had been able to build up a small fleet in a short amount of time.
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Mandalore System
Dyson Sphere
Spire- Republic Campaign
Ahsoka believed her master was trying to protect her, she really did but she believed he was making a mistake not bringing her along. She needed to be there, she just knew she needed to be there.
"Thinking of a little rebellion, Ahsoka?"
Ahsoka glanced her shoulder, seeing Sisko standing next to her at the transporter. "Ben, I think I need help."
"Asking for help is always a good first step." Sisko said as he stood at the transporter console. "Just step onto the pad."
"Just like that?" Ahsoka raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you breaking a rule?"
"Am I using my power as Emissary to operate a transporter?" Sisko asked rhetorically with a small smile. "It may have been some time but I believe I still know the proper way for transporting someone across a system. The Prophets and the others wouldn't care about something like this."
Ahsoka smiled as she stepped onto the pad. "Thanks, Ben."
Control Station
Control Chamber
Maul grinned savagely as he stood in front of the two captured Jedi. "And now Kenobi, my revenge will be complete as I take not only your life but both galaxies in the palm of my hands."
Just as he prepared to stab Kenobi through the chest with his lightsaber he sensed something that made him freeze in shock and fear. "…Master."
It had been so long since he had last felt this presence but he could have sensed it in his sleep.
His master, the one that he had been trained by since he was an infant, the one who left him for dead, and the most dangerous being in the galaxy was on the command station.
Darth Sidious.
Just the mere thought of his name brought back memories of the harsh training he had put Maul through. The hours that turned into days that turned into months as Sidious put him through brutal fights, pushing his endurance to the very height of his limit in order to shape him into the Sith Lord meant to succeed the one he called Master. When Maul's memories were restored and he realized that his Master had simply replaced him with a former Jedi pretending to be a Sith he vowed that he would exact vengeance on Sidious for discarding him. Only he hadn't expected his former Master to appear on this station.
And Maul knew what Sidious wanted: him.
Darth Sidious was coming for him and he wasn't ready to take him along with the Jedi on this station that were here as well.
"What is it?" Manak asked, noticing Maul's change in character before a beeping sound distracted him. "What now?"
"We've been boarded. Life signs beamed into the station on both sides in the cargo areas." His second officer answered.
"We must go, now!" Maul said as he turned away from Kenobi. "Activate the gateway!"
Manak nodded to his first officer who did as he was told and everyone watched as an Iconian gateways rose up from the middle of the chamber.
"Enter the coordinates for Bajor." Manak ordered.
A moment later the gate was humming to life.
"Set this station to self destruct." Maul ordered.
Far Side of the Control Station
Observation Room
Creed looked around the room they had appeared in, spotting the large viewing window that showed the star the station was in orbit of. "This station looks to be bigger than the one in the Solanae Dyson Sphere."
Anakin walked up and looked out the viewing window, staring at the star. "I've never been this close to a star before. What technology can build a station around a star?"
"Someone far older than all of us." Creed answered, seeing everyone was present and ready. "We better get a move on and fast."
"I sense the Dark Side." Aayla spoke up, stopping everyone. "It can't be Maul…This presence…"
"I remember sensing this presence during the trial created by that creature Q." Kit Fisto stated grimly. "It was one amongst many but it was a Sith all the same."
"Sidious." Ventress stated grimly, earning everyone's attention. "Dooku's Master."
Other Side of the Control Station
Cargo bay
Durge smashed open the doors, allowing Count Dooku and Darth Sidious to step forward into the hull.
"Such fascinating technology. It will be of great use to us, Master." Dooku said as they stepped through the hall.
"Yes, it will indeed, Lord Tyranus." Sidious looked up slightly. "I sense the presence of the Jedi…And Ventress. What an interesting development."
"Skywalker and Kenobi are here as well, Master. I recognize the presence of Master Fisto amongst them." Dooku agreed.
"This is an interesting development but we cannot be distracted. We cannot allow the Jedi or the Alliance to distract us." Sidious glanced at Durge. "And I believe I know how to rectify that situation."
Durge simply stared back at the two Sith Lords, already knowing what they were going to ask of him.
Control Chamber
"Security drones activated and the Replicators are standing by." Manak's first officer reported as the gate came online. "Self-destruct mechanism activated."
The station had been programmed to self-destruct the moment when the command staff had evacuated through the gate. Savage Oppress had made an almost full recovery from having his arm cut off by Bo but it still felt slightly numb from being attached. He stood by Maul as the gate showed Bajor, specifically the Cave of Fire where the Pah-Wraiths were said to be.
Maul looked one last time at Kenobi. "We will meet again, Kenobi and next time I will finish what we started long ago."
With that said they stepped through gate, followed by Manak and his officer. When they stepped through the gate an alarm klaxon rang, signalling the countdown for the self-destruct. At the very same time the door on one end opened and Obi-Wan smiled with joy when he saw who it was.
"Master!" Anakin rushed forward, stopping in front of Obi-Wan. "Are you all right?"
"I will be when you get me down and out of here." Obi-Wan answered, still smiling.
"Well now you know how I felt when you made me the bait for capturing Dooku." Anakin smiled as Creed rushed up to the console. "Can you get them down?"
"Just give me a-" Creed ducked as an anti-proton beam fired at him from above. "Second!"
Security drones came down from above, having just been created and attacked the group immediately. The Jedi along with Ventress went on the attack, taking down the drones as they appeared while Bo covered Creed as he went to work.
"Of course I'd be the one working the console." Creed muttered as he worked away. "The gate's been locked onto Bajor."
"Can we follow them?" Bo asked.
"Yes just let me try and-" Creed stopped suddenly. "Oh hell."
"What?"
"This station's self-destruct program has been activated." Creed moved faster. "I can't shut it down. We've got about three minutes to move before it blows up! Everyone into the gate!"
"Get them down first!" Anakin shouted back as he slashed another drone.
Creed held up his rifle and shot the emitters for the stasis field, releasing Obi-Wan and the woman who landed on their feet. The woman held her head again she felt great pain.
"Are you all right?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Get away from me!" The woman thrust her arms out, knocking Obi-Wan back with the Force. "He wants to take control…"
She looked at Anakin and her eyes widened as the Talisman broke off from her neck and lunged at Anakin. Thankfully just before it latched onto him the Talisman was caught in an energy sphere that held it in the air.
Anakin looked behind him and his eye widened when he saw who it was. "Ahsoka?!"
Ahsoka was there, her staff pointing at the Talisman that was glowing as she contained the Talisman. "Hurry, get that thing out of here!"
Creed noticed an airlock nearby and got ready to open it. "There!"
Ahsoka launched the Talisman at the airlock as it opened and launched it out of the station before Creed quickly closed it.
Ahsoka sighed as she lowered her staff. "That was close."
"Ahsoka, why are you here? I told you to stay behind." Anakin said once the danger was gone.
Only when the doors on the other side of the control room opened did he realize that the danger was far from gone. The Jedi and Ventress all activated their lightsabers, seeing Count Dooku and the Gen'Dai bounty hunter Durge along with a man dressed in a black robe that covered him nearly head to toe, showing only his mouth that grinned sinisterly.
"Well, well, well. Isn't this a surprise? We came here expecting Maul but it seems he fled like the coward he truly is." The robed Sith commented.
"You…You are Darth Sidious." Anakin held his lightsaber up with both hands.
"What a most interesting gathering. Anakin Skywalker," Sidious looked at Secura and Fisto. "Master Fisto and Knight Secura."
He looked at Obi-Wan who was holding the Jedi woman on the floor.
"Kenobi. I see Maul has failed to kill you, again."
He frowned upon seeing Ventress.
"A failed Sith pretender."
And finally he looked at Creed, Kahless and Bo-Katan.
"And a few meddlers." Sidious remarked amusedly.
"Count Dooku, have you come to offer assistance?" Creed asked carefully.
Dooku smirked. "In a way, Captain Creed."
Kit Fisto readied himself. "You will not be taking this station."
"I would like to entertain myself by toying with you, Jedi but we are pressed for time." Sidious chuckled and glanced at Durge. "Kill them all."
Durge rocketed forward with his jetpack while Sidious and Dooku headed towads the gate.
"Don't let them escape!" Fisto shouted as he jumped back, dodging Durge's giant fist.
Creed pointed his rifle at Durge and fired, a concentrated beam of phased energy that burned through Durge's armor and left a giant hole in his torso. Fisto and Secura quickly tok advantage, unleashing a large Force push that sent Durge flying back into the wall. He didn't stay down for long and when he got back up he let out a deep growel.
"I get the feeling he might be mad." Creed muttered.
Anakin rushed towards the gate, chasing the two Sith and slashed Sidious's back. Only Dooku activated his lightsaber and blocked Anakin's strike.
"Such power in you, Skywalker." Sidious grinned, not turning to face Anakin. "Such strength. And yet you do not use them."
Dooku pushed Anakin back with the Force but Anakin only slid back a few feet. Anakin charged again, clashing with Dooku who managed to keep the Jedi from striking his Sith Master in the back. Dooku maintained his use of graceful coordination as he clashed with Anakin whose attacks were strong but wild. Anakin swung his lightsaber heavily, pushing Dooku aside and rushed at Sidious who spun around, activating his own lightsaber and blocked the attack aimed at his head.
"Such potential but your skills are wasted." Sidious chuckled. "You will never destroy me as you are!"
Anakin gritted his teeth and went on the attack but no matter how fast of how powerful he was he could not through Sidious's defense. He may have looked like an old man but he proved to be extremely strong as he glided back to the gate, parrying and deflecting Anakin's blows.
"Your skills with a lightsaber are impressive but let's see your skills with the Force." Sidious said as he increased his speed and with one swipe knocked Anakin's lightsaber out of his hands and unleased a blast of Force Lightning at point blank range, sending Anakin down onto the floor, very hard.
"Master!" Ahsoka shouted, running towards the fallen Anakin.
"Honorless petaQ'!" Kahless spat as he marched forward. "Clearly Sith have no honor. Come forward, swine and face me!"
"And who are you?" Sidious asked condescendingly.
"I am Kahless the Unforgettable, Destroyer of Molar, Defender of Qam-chee, and Emperor of the Klingons!" Kahless held up his sword. "This is the first sword, the Sword of Kahless. I challenge you, Sith to combat!"
"How brave but I have no time. This station will be destroyed in under a moment." Sidious remarked. "If you wish to fight us than follow us to Bajor."
With that said Sidious and Dooku entered the Iconian gateway, vanishing into it as they traveled from one dimension to another.
"Very well, cowards!" Kahless said as he chased after them into the gate.
"Emperor Kahless, wait!" Creed shouted as he ran after the clone of the founder of the Klingon civilization. "Everyone through the gate!"
Creed and Ventress were the next to run through the gate, not willing to let Sidious and Dooku escape.
"I don't mean to put pressure everyone here but we have to move before this place blows up!" Obi-Wan shouted, standing up with the woman in his arms.
Durge turned around and looked at the gate, knowing he had to move or he'd be killed along with the Jedi. He decided to cut his losses and leave the Jedi to their fate and rushed to the gate. Ahsoka looked up to see Durge flying towards the gate that would lead him right through her and Anakin. She quickly pulled her staff back out and concentrated which caused her staff to release a blast of Megan energy that slammed into Durge and sent him flying across the command chamber, hitting the wall hard enough to leave a dent.
"By the Force!" Fist whispered.
"We'll explain later. We have to move!" Obi-Wan shouted as he rushed forward into the gate along with Ahsoka who helped Anakin.
Fisto and Secura followed them and they vanished into the gate just as the countdown reached zero. Durge looked up and watched as the station began exploding around him, causing the gateway to short out and shut down, leaving him trapped on the station as its shields failed. Durge let out an enraged scream as the station exploded and its remains fell into the star it orbited.
Along with every bit of the Gen'Dai bounty hunter that burned up on entry.
Milky Way Galaxy
Alpha Quadrant
Bajor Sector
Bajor System
Bajor
Caves of Fire
When Darth Sidious and his apprentice first emerged into the Caves of Fire both of them sensed an overwhelming amount of power from deep within the caves. This power felt like untameable flame that yearned to spread out and devour all in its path. For the first time in a long time Darth Sidious felt himself taken back by the raw anger, hatred, and rage that swept over him, making his heart race as he sought to see and understand this power.
"The Pah-Wraiths…" Sidious muttered.
Dooku glanced at his master, having felt the same power. "These beings, could they truly be this powerful?"
"I did not think so, Lord Tyranus but it seems that these Pah-Wraiths may indeed be as dangerous as we had heard. All the more reason we cannot let Maul release them." Sidious answered.
"Perhaps we can use them for our own plans." Dooku suggested but Sidious shook his head.
"These Pah-Wraiths are too chaotic to be controlled, even if we both attempted to enforce our will over them. No, they must remain here and unable to interfere in our plans." Sidious replied. "And Maul and his little pet of a brother must not release them."
The Sith Lords suddenly stopped as they sensed the presence of intruders behind them.
"I see we have been followed. Durge must have failed." Sidious remarked amusedly. "Lord Tyranus, I leave them to you."
Dooku nodded. "Yes, Master."
Sidious moved on ahead, deeper into the cave as Dooku turned around and smirked as Kahless, Ventress, Katan and Creed came into view.
"Well, I see you've all managed to survive." Dooku stated upon seeing them.
"Dooku." Ventress growled, gripping her lightsaber.
"Count Dooku, I'm not sure what exactly your goal is but you should know Bajor is a Federation affiliated world and we do not like it when heads of foreign government drop in unannounced, especially in places like this." Creed said, not reaching for his weapon yet. "Let us pass and deal with Maul and I'll personally guarantee you and your friend safe passage back your galaxy."
"A kind offer, Captain Creed but I must decline. The matter of Maul is a personal one for us and one we will take care of ourselves." Dooku glanced at Ventress. "Though I might have a few grievances about your governments taking in traitors."
"I can't speak for the Klingons but if you have a problem-"
"You can speak with me." Kahless declared, holding his bat'leth with both hands.
"And me." Katan stated, pulling out her crystalline sword. "I haven't forgotten how you betrayed Death Watch."
"Your leader was a fool and he died a fool's death." Dooku remarked, activating his lightsaber.
Bo-Katan glared murderously from under her helmet. "And you will die as the backstabbing traitor you are."
"Wait-" Creed tried to stop her but Katan let out a furious scream as she ran forward and slashed her crystalline sword with Dooku's lightsaber.
And like before the sword absorbed the energy from Dooku's lightsaber, causing it to power down and left a surprised Dooku open to attack. Katan swung her blade but Dooku stepped back, dodging her strikes as he fell back. Seeing an opportunity to kill her former master Ventress leapt in, activating both of her lightsabers slashing at Dooku who quickly unleased bolts of Force Lightning on both of them. Katan and Ventress blocked with their swords but the force of the lightning knocked them both back, both females skidding across the ground.
Katan lifted up her arm and fired her wrist rocket at Dooku who dodged and let the rocket sail past him, hitting the wall that caused the cave to shake.
"Katan, what are you doing?! You'll kill everyone in the cave!" Creed shouted as he rushed up to the Mandalorian.
"Not everyone, just one old man." Katan hissed before Creed forced her arm down, preventing her from firing another rocket. "Either help or cease your interference!"
"Either think straight or I'll make you cease being a danger to yourself." Creed countered as Ventress clashed with Dooku again, buying them some sorely needed time for this conversation. "I get that you have every right to be mad, but acting like a rank amateur won't help you satisfy your grudge against Dooku and his master. All it will do is get you killed, and if youre really unlucky it'll get me killed along the way so I can say 'I told you so' in the next life!"
Katan gritted her teeth but knew Creed was right. In the meantime Dooku launched Ventress into the wall with Force push and then telekiniticaly slammed her into the ground.
"Time to tie this loose end once and for all." Dooku raised his lightsaber to deliver the killing blow.
It was only through the intervention of Kahless who swung his sword at Dooku did Ventress survive. Dooku spun around and blocked, expecting his lightsaber to cut through Kahless's sword but to his shock and surprise the Klingon's sword did not burn and melt against the lightsaber.
"Ha! Glorious combat!" Kahless roared as he took advantage of the surprised Dooku, swing his bat'leth out, pushing Dooku's lightsaber away and followed up with an elbow to Dooku's face.
Dooku staggered back but straightened himself as Kahless attack again, blocking against his sword but the Klingon Emperor was strong. His fighting style utilized a form of strength combined with speed and surprising precision as he hammered against Dooku's lightsaber, pushing the Sith Lord back who hastily tried to defend himself. Dooku grunted and lashed out with one hand, knocking Kahless back with a Force push but the clone dug his sword into the ground, slowing the slide back. Dooku then unleashed a blast of Force Lightning at Kahless who braced himself against the stream of lightning that hit him.
Creed and Katan aimed and shot at Dooku who dodged or deflected their bolts at them before turning to Kahless. "Time to end this."
However just as he swung his lightsaber down to deliver the final blow Kahless shot up, blocking Dooku's lightsaber with his sword and with one swung batted to the side as he rammed his shoulder into Dooku's chest, knocking the surprised Sith Lord back. Kahless then followed up by kicking Dooku's legs out from under him, forcing Dooku onto his knees. Kahless then followed through by swinging his sword down on Dooku who hastily blocked with both hands holding his lightsaber.
"The honorable warrior will always prevail, tyrant." Kahless declared, one hand letting go to punch Dooku in the face that caused him to falter and weaken his defence.
Dooku held up his left hand to unleash another blast of Force Lightning but Kahless moved faster and with one swing, cut off Dooku's left hand.
The Sith Lord gasped in shock and pain as he staggered back, holding his lightsaber in his right hand. "This is not possible. You are no Jedi or Sith!"
"I do not need your Force to defeat you, Tyranus." Kahless proclaimed as his personal shield shimmered. "I came prepared for this battle for even if today is a good day to die there is still much to be done. My personal shield can absorb your lightning, adding its power to its own charge. Your power has been used against you, Tyranus and now you will fall for your arrogance."
"This…is not over." Dooku raised two fingers from his lightsaber and knocked Kahless back before fleeing into the caves.
"Coward!" Kahless declared as he chased after Dooku.
Creed had gone to check on Ventress, seeing she was still alive but still knocked out. "Emperor Kahless, wait…Why do I even bother trying to reason with Klingons?"
"These Klingons act like Mandalorions in many ways…Perhaps we would have been better trying to ally with them instead of trying to steal from everyone." Katan admitted.
"I think I heard fighting this way!" A voice echoed from behind.
Creed and Katan watched as Anakin, Ahsoka, Fisto, and Secura came into view, having finally caught up to them. Obi-Wan had gone for help with the woman who been in the sarcophagus. Once the Talisman was released from her she collapsed and Obi-Wan sensed she was dying.
"Captain Creed, are you all right?" Fisto asked, spotting him next to the downed Ventress.
"We're both okay. We ran into Count Dooku who pretty much decided to break off diplomatic ties." Creed answered. "Luckily he underestimated the fighting spirit of Klingons and paid for it."
He pointed to the discarded hand on the ground.
"Is that his hand?" Anakin asked, looking surprised.
Creed nodded. "Dooku thought he could he take on Kahless, a clone of the original Kahless, but one who is every bit as strong and honorable as his namesake. He fled back into cave when he lost that hand."
The Jedi for the most part where speechless that a non-Force sensitive being had managed to wound Count Dooku, a master swordsman in his own right and who had emerged inscathed from many encounters with the Jedi through the course of the Clone Wars.
"We better hurry though. These are the Fire Caves on Bajor…I read about them. It's where-"
"Where the Pah-Wraiths are imprisoned." The group jumped as a voice spoke and turned their heads to see a man dressed in a Starfleet uniform, worn at the time of the Dominion War standing before them.
"Who are you?" Katan questioned harshly.
Creed was the one who answered though. "Captain Benjamin Sisko."
Anakin looked at the man when he was identified, seeing the man who had been teaching Ahsoka of how the Force worked in this universe during her time here and had to admit Sisko looked slightly intimidating and there was a strange presence hovering about him.
"Maul is making his way to the end of the cave to release the Pah-Wraiths but what he does not know is that to release them a sacrifice is required." Sisko stated.
"A sacrifice?" Anakin asked.
"Yes. A sacrifice to give the Pah-Wraiths a body that they can use as their new Emissary. With a new Emissary acting as their host the Pah-Wraiths will be able to leave these caves and spread chaos and destruction in all directions, starting with Bajor. This is part of the True Way's plan and acting as their agent is Darth Sidious himself." Sisko explained. "He is going there to kill Maul and his brother but if he kills either of them the Pah-Wraiths will have their sacrifice and be free."
"And if we hadn't known this we'd have probably played into the same trap." Kit Fisto frowned, displeased at being deceived. "Cunning."
"Then that means nobody can perish within that area of the cave, Sith or otherwise." Ahsoka said, "The moment anyone is killed they become the sacrifice. We need to get them out of these caves entirely!"
"That may require some level of preparation," Secura said, "But most of all it will require the Sith to be completely distracted and deprived of their pound of flesh until we can remove them. Captain Creed, could you find a way to transport them out of these caverns?"
"That depends if there's a ship in orbit or if I can contact Deep Space 9," Creed answered, "I could head for the entrance for a clear signal and have them bring down an enhancement array to boost the signal enough to get a lock on anyone down here, but every second I take is another you'd have to keep Maul and Sidious from killing one another…or you."
Kit Fisto smiled. "Every Jedi is willing to give their lives in the name of preserving the peace, Captain, but I think perhaps this once we shall gladly keep our lives for that same cause. Go now and we will confront the Sith Lords until you return."
Creed nodded and took off back towards the entrance, followed closely by Katan, who was carrying Ventress' unconscious body. "Good luck!"
Now only Anakin, Ahsoka, Fisto and Secura were left.
"Let's not waste time then," Anakin ignited his lightsaber. "We keep the Sith alive, just long enough to get them away from here. After that we might have our only opportunity to cut them down for good."
"Agreed," Secura started ahead of the rest. "Today we end the Sith for good!"
Ahsoka wished that she shared their confidence on the matter, but the further they moved deeper into the cave system the more she felt the presence of the Pah-Wraiths and heard their whispers at the back of her mind. They were aware of her, prodding the borders of her being and broadcasting vague and distant threats and taunts to her.
Dig deeper, little mortal, deeper into your grave…
Fire Caves
The Abyss
Darth Maul stood with Savage Oppress at the edge of the abyss, feeling the pure hate and evil from below as Manak held out a book known as the Book of the Kosst Amojan, a copy of the original that was the key to freeing the Pah-Wraiths given to them from their ally from the Mirror Universe. Both former Sith apprentices watched as Manak held up the book.
"Open!" Manak shouted.
The book's seal burned away and opened, showing a blank page but when Manak dropped a single drop of blood onto the page the words appeared and the two brothers began reading them out loud, chanting the language on the page until it finally happened.
The Sith watched as the cave lit with pure fire that danced through the air, feeling the pure power and hate from them.
"And now it begins."
"And now it ends." Maul stiffened as he turned around, watching as his former master entered the cavern.
Knowing he needed to buy as much time as possible Maul slowly stepped forward and bowed to Sidious. "Master."
Sidious looked down Maul. "I am most impressed to see you have survived your injuries."
"I used your training and I have come here in the hopes of becoming powerful enough to return to your side." Maul quickly answered.
"Hmm…" Sidious looked up at Savage who was ready to attack while Manak stepped back. "How unfortunate that you are attempting to deceive me."
"Master?" Maul asked as Sidious turned away.
"You have become a rival!" Sidious declared he lashed out with the Force, sending Maul and Savage flying into the wall, past the fire spirits that Sidious assumed to be the Pah-Wraiths.
He felt their evil and darkness and were it not for the fact they were too dangerous to be released he would have considered using them. He chuckled as Maul and Savage landed on their feet and ignited their lightsabers. Sidious held out one hand, using the Force to summon his own lightsaber and held the other, summoning the extra one he had brought. He ignited them both and held them up, grinning as Maul and Savage leapt forward, swinging their lightsabers at him.
Sidious laughed as he clashed with the Zabrak brothers, feeling the thrill of battle that he had not felt for such a long time. As the battle began Dooku entered the cavern, still reeling from the loss of his left hand. He spotted his master battling Maul and Savage and decided to simply stand aside and let his master do the fighting. Sidious spun and danced between and around the brothers, his movements fast and fluid as he blocked and parried each strike against him.
Kahless arrived but decided to sit back and wait, realizing that if he tried to step in they would all turn on him.
Sidious felt the presence of the Jedi coming closer and so decided reluctantly to end the duel. He lashed out with one hand and sent Maul flying back into the wall, causing cracks to form around Maul's body as he fell to the ground. Sidious then took the chance to easily dodge Savage's double-bladed lightsaber, seeing that the brute was next to nothing without his brother. The Jedi just reached the cavern, having felt presence of pure evil that grew ever stronger and arrived just in time to see Sidious toying with Savage. Anakin was the first to leap in, stepping in between the two and clashed with Sidious.
Secura and Fisto were next, clashing with Savage and pushing him back. Anakin struggled to push Sidious back away from Savage, hammering away at his blades.
Sidious laughed as they clashed. "Impressive, Skywalker but not enough."
Anakin lashed out with the Force that seemingly sent Sidious flying back but he simply somersaulted and landed perfectly on his feet. Maul regained consciousness and stood up, seeing the Jedi had chased after them and were attacking his brother. Maul reignited his lightsaber along with the darksaber he had taken as a trophy from his fight with Pre-Vizla and jumped back into the fight, clashing his blade with Kit Fisto who fell back, blocking Maul's attacks. Fisto used his mastery of Form I to block both blades but Maul's mastery of martial arts made it difficult for him to counter-attack.
In the meantime Savage utilized brute strength and ended up pushing Secura back. Anakin's emotions raced as he kept on fighting Sidious who looked amused by the fact Anakin was actually fighting him.
"You cannot win, Skywalker. You are skilled but you are getting tired and you are holding yourself back. You can't hope to defeat me." Sidious chuckled as he moved with such speed Anakin thought he was a human lightning bolt as he fell back, hastily blocking the red lightsabers that came closer to touching him with each passing second until finally Sidious launched out his foot, kicking Anakin in the chest.
He then fired Force Lightning that hit Anakin, earning a scream as the lightning blasted Anakin down to the ground. Sidious smirked and looked at the Jedi fighting Maul and his brother. Around them the fire spirits, the Pah-Wraiths hovered about, dancing in between the fighters. Ahsoka was trembling as she looked on, hearing the Pah-Wraiths taunting her even louder. Sidious held up his hands to the ceiling and slowly large chunks of rock fell down on everyone.
The Jedi and the Zabrak brothers halted their fight to dodge the incoming chunks. Savage stepped back as rock fell between him and Secura, not seeing the beam of orange phased energy hit him in the back, burning through his chest.
In that moment, everyone froze.
"Brother!" Maul shouted as Savage collapsed and rushed towards his brother as he collapsed.
"It is done." Manak said, lowering his rifle and slipped away. "The Pah-Wraiths will have their sacrifice."
Maul knelt down next to his brother as a green mist rose from Savage's body.
"Brother, I have failed…" Savage whispered, staring up at Maul as mystical green energies began to pour from his wound like a flood of mist. "I am an unworthy apprentice…I'm not like you…I never was."
With those words his eyes rolled back into his head, and Savage died in the arms of his brother.
Sidious watched the moment between Maul and his brother and chuckled. "Remember the first and only reality of the Sith: there can only be two, and you are no longer my apprentice. You have been replaced."
Maul gritted his teeth as he stood up, facing his former master with both his lightsaber and the darksaber ignited. Maul rushed forward, clashing with Sidious who blocked and parried his blows before kicking Maul back and jumped forward, spinning through the air and slashing as Maul who landed on his feet and blocked. Maul spun, blocking his fomer master's lightsabers aimed at the back of his head and lashed his leg out at Sidious's feet. Sidious jumped over Maul's leg and thrust his lightsabers at Maul's head but Maul ducked and kicked Sidious in the chest.
Sidious somersaulted and landed perfectly on his feet and charged towards Maul, the two of them clashing their lightsabers together. Maul tried to overpower Sidious but the Sith Lord broke the lock and lifted Maul up into the air and slammed him across the ground. Maul trembled as he looked up Sidious, realizing he was never a match for his former master no matter how hard he tried. Sidious considered killing Maul here to avoid him being captured by the Jedi but his thoughts were interrupted as he sensed something…
Everyone watched as Savage Oppress, who was recently deceased stood up, now looking as he did before the magic of the Nightsisters had changed him.
His eyes, once yellow were now flaming red as he looked around the cave.
"Freedom…" He rasped, "The flood gate has been opened."
The Zabrak clenched his hands into fists as energy began to gather, flaring visibly around the reanimated apprentice.
"And now," Savage growled, "We are FREE!"
He unleashed a wave of energy which took the other combatants off guard, lifting them off their feet and flinging them across the cavern. Even Sidious was taken off guard by the attack and barely managed to use the Force to form a protective cocoon around himself before crashing through several pillars and vanishing into a darkened corner. The other Sith and Jedi were neutralized just as easily by Savage, who lifted their still forms off of the floor.
"And the galaxy shall burn for our time spent imprisoned." He declared. "The Prophets and their children shall die knowing that all of their efforts, all of their plans and manipulations have failed them! Now the universe shall know true chaos!"
Anakin struggled against the invisible grip around his neck, and watched as Kit Fisto and Aayla Secura were lifted into place next to him. Dooku and Maul both hung limpy close by, but Ahsoka had been drawn in close towards the possessed Zabrak.
"Ah-soka!" Anakin choked.
Savage snatched Ahsoka in mid air by the neck and held her high. "But first, their newest pet dies first." He hissed.
"I don't think so."
In a flash of light Savage was forced back, losing his grip on Ahsoka…who now lay in the arms of Benjamin Sisko. The Starship Captain was flanked by silhouettes made of pure light, and other similar figures surrounded the chamber, gazing down at Savage Oppress.
"Emmissary." Savage stood up, a low rumbling growl escaping him. "Finally, we meet in person."
"You failed with Dukat and Cerin Teresa, and you shall fail now." Sisko declared.
"We have already won, emissary. We are now one with the Sith apprentice! And with that we are free to take our revenge against you and your masters!" Savage declared, now speaking with multiple voices at once, sounding like an entire legion speaking in unison…Anakin found it similar to the voices of the Son, the Daughter and the Father.
"No," Sisko shook his head and set Ahsoka down on the ground. "You may now walk free, but you do not walk unchallenged. We will not stand by as you plunge the universe into chaos."
Savage chuckled. "And how will you stop us on your own, Emmissary?"
Sisko smirked. "Who said I would be the one to stop you?"
He tapped his comn badge. "Captain Creed…do it!"
From behind Sisko appeared Creed who held a modified rifle that when fired, released a tigh beam of chronoton radiation that hit Savage head on in the chest. Savage grunted loudly as he nearly fell forward, the radiation weakening the Pah-Wraiths control over him. Savage growled as he unleashed a stream of fire at Sisko who held up one hand, blocking the flames and slowly pushed them back. Savage let out a roar and the flames grew bigger, engulfing Sisko.
"Ben!" Ahsoka stood up, seeing the Emissary struggling.
"Ashoka, can you feel it?" Sisko asked, somehow remaining calm.
"Feel it?"
"A small bit of Savage Oppress remains, fighting against the Pah-Wraiths and their control over him." Sisko explained. "That is the weakness of the Pah-Wraiths. For all their arrogance they do not understand their own weakness."
The fire caused the rocky ceiling above Sisko to turn into magma and slowly fell down on him.
"Ben!" Ahsoka pulled out her staff and held it up, channeling the power to create a shield and protect Sisko.
"Don't worry about me, Ahsoka. Concentrate on Savage." Sisko said. "He was linked to the Pah-Wraiths by reading from a copy of the Book of Kosst Amojan. Destroy that connection and the Pah-Wraiths will be imprisoned again."
Savage roared as the fire around them intensified, creating more magma that threatened to bury them alive. The many silhouettes of light began to project shields to hold back the tide as Savage clashed with Sisko.
"Hurry, Ahsoka!" Sisko shouted, "Even as he is now, we can only hold him for so long!"
Ahsoka looked around the cavern as magma began to erupt through the floor. She spotted her master and the other Jedi, now on their feet and scrambling for higher ground now that they were free of Savage's grasp. She lost sight of the Sith Lords, but became focused solely on the shape of the book which Manak, Maul and Savage had been in possession of, laying on the ground on the far side of the cavern.
"There!" She darted forward, leaping over a shallow stream of magma and trying not to let the searing heat slow her down.
Around her the cavern slowly became less habitable by the second. Streams of molten rock dripped down around Ahsoka, the slightest contact spelling doom for her by way of incineration.
"Ahsoka!" She heard Anakin call out to her, but she couldn't slow down when each second counted and failure meant the Pah-Wraiths being unleashed on the universe at large.
As she closed in on the book the floor began to crumble away, sections falling out of view or rising up into the air. A gap formed between Ahsoka and the book, and she put on a burst of speed before leaping across the chasm, illuminated by the stream of magma below…
And she fell short, being pulled back by an invisible force. Savage had spotted her en route to the book and held out one hand, briefly exposing himself to a counter attack by Sisko in order to grab Ahsoka in mid leap.
"No! You will not-" He began before Sisko struck him with a beam of light, burning him across his left side and singing his skin pitch black in that area.
The Zabrak roared and lost his grip on Ahsoka, sending her plummeting to the river of magma.
"AHSOKA!"
Ahsoka squeezed her eyes shut as she felt the inferno grow closer…and opened them back up when she was not engulfed and instantly killed. She was hovering over the river, just high enough that she was not in danger of catching fire from the intense heat.
Standing at the top of the chasm with both hands outstrectched was Anakin, who pulled her back up to where he stood and set her on her feet.
"Sky Guy!" Ahsoka gasped, stumbling into his arms, overwhelmed by her near death experience. "The book, we need to get-"
She looked at the chasm and saw that the book was now far beyond her reach. Even using the Force would not allow her to leap so far.
"Master, we need to get to the book!" Ahsoka looked up at Anakin.
The young Knight looked at the immense distance between them and Ahsoka's goal. Even he knew not to attempt such a leap, but he knew from everything he had seen that Ahsoka was right, there would be no retreating from here.
"…get a running start." He told her, "And pray I don't miss."
Ahsoka smiled and began to step back from the edge. Anakin held his hands out, preparing himself as the young Togruta knelt down on one knee and then sprinted at her best speed. As she reached the edge she launched herself into the air again, flinging herself as far as she could with the assistance of the Force.
Anakina swung his arms, the motion following his apprentice as he propelled her further. She flew like a cannon ball and rolled herself into a ball as she ascended, passing the hallway point to where the book lay.
"NO!"
Anakin looked back at Savage and saw the possessed Zabrak now shooting towards him, or more accurately towards Ahsoka. Savage shrugged off the blasts flung by Sisko and even several of the other figures of light presiding over the battle, focused solely on Ahsoka as she descended, her course taking her right to where the book lay.
One hand travelled towards the lightsaber hanging from his belt, but Anakin paused as he heard a familiar voice whisper to him among the chaos surrounding him…
Feel, don't think. Use your instincts…
Anakin lowered his hand to his side and slowly inhaled, immersing himself within the Force. Even in this foreign galaxy he could feel it around him, perhaps more than even on Mortis.
He held out both hands and stood in Savage's path.
"Down."
Savage found himself being pressed down by an impossible weight, overpowering his enhanced strength and any protection afforded to him by the Pah-Wraiths. He stumbled and fell to the ground, sliding to a stop at Anakin's feet. The Jedi turned his hands over, raising his palms up and bringing Savage with it.
"You…are mortal…" Savage hissed. "How?!"
Anakin did not reply. He was completely submerged within the Force, heeding its commands as much as he commanded it and directing it in a way he had never been capable of, save for the day when he tamed the Son and Daughter. He took hold of the Pah-Wraiths through the power they valued so highly, and through it he suppressed and restrained them.
"Such power…" Savage whispered. "You limit yourself, mortal. You have access to a realm far beyond the limits your masters would place on you! You could be so much more…you could do anything, become anything…but not as a mere Jedi."
Anakin hesitated, the words of the possessed Zabrak reaching him. They were accompanied by the final memory of his mother before he left Tatooine, of running away from her and never looking back until it was far too late.
And then the images were replaced of the day that Ahsoka had stepped onto Christophsis and informed him that she was his new padawan. She had grown so much since then, become greater than he had ever imagined…
"And not as your slave." Anakin said, and thrust both hands down onto the ash covered ground.
Savage was driven downwards with such force that he shattered the ground beneath him. He was pressed down into the fiery pits beneath the chamber, crying out in denial even as he struggled against Anakin's power. The Zabrak was consumed within the embers and vanished into oblivion, and the Pah-Wraiths wailed in despair as Ahsoka landed by the book and held her staff up.
"Sorry," Ahsoka said, and unleashed a blast of pure energy right down onto the book. "But you're staying here."
The shaking stopped and the feeling of darkness, though it still existed was now restrained and imprisoned.
The spirits that had appeared disappeared as Sisko tapped his comn badge again. "Sisko to Deep Space 9. Four to beam up."
With that said the Jedi were beamed out of the caves of fire.
"This is Manak. Our attempts to release the Pah-Wraiths have failed. Request for beam up." Manak said once he was far enough away from the Jedi and contact the cloaked True Way ship in orbit.
Manak was about to say more when he felt something grab onto his neck and tighten itself as he was lifted up into the air.
"I believe, Gul Manak, we are in need of a ride and you owe us after your shenanigans." Sidious said as he stepped out of the shadows, followed by Dooku who held up an unconscious Maul with his remaining hand. "Now if you would be so kind, inform your ship that you will be bringing visitors."
Deep Space 9
Sick Bay
"Sounds like what we went through on Mortis." Obi-Wan said thoughtfully once Anakin finished explaining what happened. "What about Sidious, Maul and Dooku?"
"Gone. We could have spent a little time looking for them but to be honest I don't think any of us were in any shape to track them down." Anakin said, sitting on the edge of his bed. "What about the woman?"
Obi-Wan closed his eyes. "Her name was Celeste Mourne, a Jedi from the time of the Old Republic."
"Was?"
"I'm afraid the strain of keeping the Sith spirit in that amulet that was attached to her all these years in that sarcophagus was too much for her. If I had gotten her to a healer or a doctor like the ones on this station she would have had a chance. The amulet contained a Sith spirit that could have brought forth the return of the rakghoul plague if Celeste hadn't locked herself away." Obi-Wan explained.
Anakin was a little sad about how the woman sacrificed her life, sealing herself away for thousands of years but at least she had been freed from that amulet. "At the very least that amulet won't be taking over anyone again. We sent into a star before we got here."
"Yes. I suppose we could be optimistic that with the Sith in this galaxy it'd be easier to hunt them down but I consulted Captain Kurland and he reported there were no more life signs in the Caves of Fire."
"So even after all this time the Sith still got away." Anakin sighed.
"At the very least you stopped the Pah-Wraiths and Savage Oppress is no longer a threat. Of course the Senate will not be happy to hear that Ventress is now working for the Klingons and they are still calling for war against the Alliance." Obi-Wan said somberly.
"Given how Kahless cut off Dooku's hand I'm not as worried as I was before." Anakin said with a small smile. "If he can take on Dooku maybe they can keep Ventress from causing trouble."
"We can only hope. How is Ahsoka?"
"She's still resting. From the sound of it I think she deserves a good rest after what happened."
Anakin nodded. "Yeah, she sure would."
Guest Quarters
Ahsoka looked over her staff, marveling at how beautiful and simplistic it looked, ever after she sensed a familiar presence. "I always wondered how it felt, being so close to the home of the Prophets. I can't imagine how you felt, even if you weren't a Jedi."
Sisko smirked as he stood next to the bed, looking out the window. "At least you didn't fall into the river of magma below. That's what happened to me before I joined with the Prophets."
Ahsoka chuckled. "Well, glad that didn't happen to me. I don't think I have your luck, Ben."
"I think you have your share." Sisko replied.
"Still, I would have liked to see Maul, Dooku, and Sidious brought down. I don't know how they did but they got away again." Ahsoka sighed. "How we know that they won't try to release the Pah-Wraiths again?"
"While I can't explain exactly I can assure you that for now Maul is no longer a threat and neither he nor the other Sith will attempt to free the Pah-Wraiths." Sisko answered.
Ahsoka looked at Sisko but didn't ask how or why. She had long since learned that while Sisko could try to help he couldn't do it directly. It was some sort of rule that he, the Prophets, and other beings like them followed.
"I guess that's as good as I can get." Ahsoka closed her eyes and fell back on her bed. "I just hope things get better."
When she opened her eyes she saw Sisko was gone and for some reason she felt like that might be a bad sign.
Quark's Bar
"I thought I'd find you here."
Bo-Katan looked up, watching as Nathan Creed sat down next to her with a bottle. "What do you want?"
"I figured you came here for a drink and knowing Quark he didn't accept anything you had for currency." Creed put two glasses on the table. "Klingon bloodwine, my treat."
Katan watched as he poured the wine into the glasses, not saying anything.
"So, what's your plan?" Creed asked, holding his glass but not taking a sip yet. "Return to Mandalore? Go back to pirating?"
"Why do you care?" Katan asked.
"I care because we worked together to stop a disaster and I wouldn't feel like myself if I didn't make sure that someone who risked their life was in good health." Creed answered.
"Good health? My planet is overrun by pirates and Sith, Death Watch has been humiliated, its leader dead, and is most likely disbanded with anyone left following Maul who escaped. The Republic will invade and they'll be fighting the Separatist over that big sphere Maul parked in my home system." Bo-Katan shook her head. "My sister will probably never forgive me even if I wasn't there at the time."
"She's Duchess Satine, isn't she?" Creed asked.
Katan glanced at Creed but didn't answer.
"I guess you two had a falling out over your decisions." Creed remarked.
"She believes in peace and non-violence but she made Mandalore weak enough to be attacked by pirates and gangsters. We were the greatest warriors in the galaxy who nearly brought the Republic and the Jedi to their knees. She made our people turn their backs on our culture and our brother's beliefs." Katan said, lightly shaking the wine in her glass. "But I didn't want her to die and if not for the Klingons and that Sith witch she would have been dead."
"Perhaps this will be a chance to reconnect. Mandalore will need some strong leaders to lead them out of the conflict it was dragged into." Creed suggested.
Katan looked at Creed. "You're a hopeless optimist."
"So were people like Captains Archer, Kirk, Sulu, Garret, Picard, Sisko, and Admiral Janeway and they are the most famous ones. So let me point out to you if you run away again, you will turn your back on your people just as Pre-Vizla did when he agreed with work with Maul and the Shadow Collective." Creed finished his small glass of wine in one sip and stood up. "You can have the rest of the wine."
Katan watched as he left, frowning as she took a sip of the Klingon bloodwine. It was a good thing Creed made sure to pay for any possible damage that night as Bo-Katan finished the bottle…
And woke up in the brig with a nasty headache.
Alpha Quadrant
Badlands
True Way Keldor class dreadnought
The Badlands were known for intense plasma storms and gravitational anomalies. For that reason, it was commonly avoided by most interstellar traffic. It was though perfect hiding as the Cardassian True Way ship traveled through it while the crew was…Entertaining their new guests.
"So, Gul Manak, this is how you've been traveling into our universe." Sidious asked, sitting in the captain's chair while Dooku stood next to him as a bodyguard, once his injuries had been properly attended to.
Manak cleared his throat. "Yes. We have a portal generator that leads to the Endor system."
"Good. You will take us there and then we will discuss our new…arrangement." Sidious said, grinning as a ship appeared on the screen.
I.S.S. ENTERPRISE NCC-1701-F
It was high time that they get back on track to completing the Grand Plan set thousands of years ago by Darth Bane.
And deal with another threat.
Ventress was not the only Nightsister that had survived the extermination of her clan. Mother Talzin was no doubt still alive and she would have to be eliminated as a quick as possible.
No more threats or obstacles would be tolerated.
END OF PART V
