Chapter VIII: Astrean's Might
Aboard the Resolute, both Anakin and Unduli prepared their respected forces with Captain Rex of the 501st Legion while Unduli prepared her regiment with Commander Gree of the 41st Elite Corps. Both Ahsoka and Barriss stood speaking with the troopers as their respected masters approached.
"Ashoka, Barriss," Unduli stated.
"Masters." Ahsoka and Barriss said in unison as they bowed. "I assume we are going to assault that ship, master?" Ahsoka asked with a smirk present.
"Unfortunately yes Ahsoka. I want to make sure you and Barriss are ready for what we might face on that vessel."
"Master Skywalker if I may speak." Barriss chimed in as she was given a nod by her own master. "Master Unduli is fully aware of the threats these strange noise-based warriors presented for you and Master Kenobi on Zygerria. I can assure you that, though I may not have faced them and Ahsoka has, she will give me intel on their weaknesses."
"Well." Anakin looked to Unduli and then to Ahsoka. "If you believe you both can handle this then alright. Just know if we do encounter those same creatures from Zygerria remember to aim for the joints and go for the head. They don't surrender."
"Yes, master." Ahsoka gave Anakin a reassuring smile as she and Barriss walked off to speak with Rex. "What exactly happened on Zygerria, Ahsoka?" Barris asked.
"I thought you and Master Luminara read the report?" Ahsoka asked. Barriss had a look of concern as she walked. "My master did, but she wouldn't allow me. It seems whatever you and Skywalker encountered seemed to have shaken her."
Ahsoka could see the concern on Barriss's face as they walked over to Rex and Gree both were going over strategic points of deployment for the troopers once aboard the ship and getting ahold of their cruisers.
"Captain Rex, Commander Gree." Barriss nodded to both.
"Commander." Gree saluted alongside Rex as both stood at attention. "Me and Captain Rex have been going over the reports from Zygerria. Hoping to find weaknesses to exploit."
"So far all we know is these...creatures if we can call them that, their weak spots are in their joints and neckline," Rex stated. "Hopefully we won't have to deal with too many of them."
"I'm sure we won't have to Rex," Ahsoka assured. "Besides we've handled worse in the past will be alright."
"Of course commander. Gree and I have special load-outs prepared for the men just in case we encounter any "difficult" hostiles aboard." Rex stated.
"What exactly will be used aboard the vessel against these hostiles Commander Gree?" Barriss asked.
Gree opened one of the containers as he spoke. "Z-6 rotary blaster cannons, Thermal Imploders provided to us by some Wookie allies. Several dozen T-7 ion disruptor rifles and other heavy weapons needed to punch through those bastards armor."
Both Ahsoka and Barriss were at least glad to see they would have weapons that might stand up to whatever they might face on the vessel, both quickly departed heading for the bridge as they grew closer.
Aboard the Mechanicus vessel, Astrean was sent a message from one of his commanders aboard the Farseer.
"Lord Astrean." The commodore stated.
"What is it commodore Nihl?" Astrean asked as he continued walking.
"We have one Republic vessel Lord Astrean. Venator-Class." Nihl stated. "Shall I have the Farseer engage the vessel?"
Astrean took a moment as he thought before answering. "Cripple the vessel's engines commodore. We do not need martyrs this day, once that is done get the Farseer back to Dantooine."
"What of you and the Warmaster my lord?" Nihl asked.
"We will find our way back. For now, keep our people safe Commodore Nihl." Astrean stated in the sincerest way possible.
"At once my lord. All hands prepare for combat! We shall gut that vessel's engines on my command!" Nihl ordered.
Each of the bridge crew took positions as the Farseer went on an intercept trajectory to The Resolute, aboard the Resolute itself Admiral Yularen witnessed the unknown vessel heading for them. Signaling to his bridge crew they moved to intercept as well as contacting Skywalker.
"General the unknown vessel is moving for an intercept course," Yularen stated. "Shall I have us open fire?"
Anakin thought for a moment as had thought of his last encounter. "Admiral Yularen.. open fire I don't want that ship anywhere near ours."
"Of course general. All batteries open fire!" Yularen ordered.
The Farseer launched forth heading directly for the Resolute which intern opened fire on the Farseer. As the ship took one or two hits it continued forth with it suffering little damage due to its shielding. Yularen's eyes widened as he thought the vessel would hit them head-on only for it to sink beneath the Venator.
"Track that vessel we cannot lose it," Yularen stated.
Aboard the Farseer, Commodore Nihl engaged the Farseers forward guns as they came into view of the Resolute's engines.
"On my mark men," Nihl ordered. The view was quickly changed at this moment. "FIRE!"
The forward cannons of the Farseer opened up blasting the engines of the Resolute clean off gutting the vessel's ability to jump to lightspeed. With this completed the Farseer activated its warp engines, the realm between the material and immaterium shifted and ruptured.
Inside the Resolute, the Jedi could feel something intensely. A swirl of anger, sadness, joy, rage, and more as they all felt it. The emotions hit Barriss and Luminara the hardest as they fell to their knees holding their heads.
"Master Unduli what's wrong!?" Ahsoka asked as she helped the Jedi master to her feet. Ahsoka looked to Barriss who was hit by it as well. "Barriss!?"
"So many... so many emotions," Unduli stated as she recovered herself. "Padawan are you alright?" Barriss held her head as she nodded. "Yes, master I'll be alright."
Both Anakin and Ahsoka could sense it to yet they pondered why they weren't as affected as the four Jedi rushed to the hangars to get some LAAT's aboard the vessel quickly. The hangar bay was in complete disarray many AT-TE's had been knocked off their legs buckled, due to the sudden attack. Because of this, the transports needed to be repaired at once.
Both Rex and Gree were busy helping wounded soldiers and personnel to the medical droids as the four Jedi arrived to get an update.
"General!" Rex saluted.
"Rex give me an update what's going on?" Anakin asked. A frown slowly formed as he saw a few of the wounded being taken.
"Fifteen dead. Several from the initial explosion itself and nearly sixty crew wounded." Rex turned, seeing some of his brothers being carted off. "Our LAAT's were luckily spared we can begin boarding on your order."
Anakin nodded as he turned to his padawan and Luminara who seemed to be deep in thought at the moment. "Well seems like we got to do things the hard way." He started giving a reassuring smile to Ahsoka.
"Seems that way." Ahsoka looked on with some concern. "Master?"
"Yea snips?" Anakin could see the concern in her eyes as she looked up at him. "Master once we're aboard what exactly will we be looking for?"
"Find the crew of those republic cruisers of course," Anakin stated. "After we secure them. We will see exactly who was behind this attack and ensure we get some answers."
"Of course master." Ahsoka nodded as she looked at Rex. "Rex, Gree it's time!"
Both clones saluted as they went to their respected troops and generals, boarding several LAAT's which sealed to protect them from the vacuum of space. Launching from the hangars three gunships set course for the Arquiten Cruisers to board from there and to enter the massive vessel before them.
Within the bowels of the ship, Kelbor-Hal skittered about as he gathered all his trinkets and devices of necessity he would need. Alongside him was Astrean and his Rubrics who kept the former Fabricator General safe, Astrean looked on at the vast trove of knowledge Kelbor had hoarded away during The Heresy.
"What all have you collected here Kelbor?" Astrean asked as he looked into the data troves.
Kelbor's voice sputtered as he boasted. "Countless STC'S, all from the mars archives many those fools on mars shall never hold onto." He boasted. "Even now we hold all the cards once you and your Warmaster get me to safety. We shall ensure the data here is used to benefit us."
"Indeed." Astrean's eyes glared behind his mask as while Kelbor was occupied securing the STC'S, Astrean's grip tightened on his blade as it slowly unsheathed. "How much time will we need."
"Enough time that all of it is secured and taken off," Kelbor ordered. "I will not have all I have secured be lost to the stars nor taken by these meat-heap fools. Now I suggest you remain silent while I work."
Astrean said nothing while Kelbor continued his work, in the upper levels of the Mechanicus vessel. Orius alongside his contingent of Word Bearers consisting of six soldiers and a single Gal Vorbak who acted as Orius's bodyguard.
The view of the interior of the mechanicus vessel was massive, even ships within the known designs of the Republic would pale in comparison to what stood before Orius today.
A communication came over the comm as Orius answered it was Astrean, as he spoke the sorcerer seemed somewhat annoyed as he began to speak.
"I take it your tour of the vessel is a pleasant one Warmaster?" Astrean asked his tone evident with annoyance.
"It's impressive but no I wasn't viewing the vessel for its scenery," Orius stated.
"Than I suggest you have indeed reached the engine room of the vessel?" Astrean asked as he brought them up into view.
"Yes, we have," Orius stated looking over the systems. "Whatever the fabricator-general has done here he's taking a lot of different parts hoping to make it all work."
"Can we assume we can use what he's done to have us get back to Dantooine?" Astrean asked. His pacing at this point had gotten to a point if he could make a hole in the floor he would have.
"I'm honestly not sure Astrean," Orius said. "Even if it somehow works we would face a multitude of other problems I fear." Orius rubbed his brow as the risks of Hyperspace could be dangerous and this ship would most likely not survive the jump.
"How so Orius." Astrean's tone was full of annoyance. "I thought you said you could make it work for us?"
"That was before I realized how much the Fabricator-General seemed to replace," Orius stated. "For how long he's been here what he's replaced. Some of these parts are from very old model designs and some are newer but then that still leaves to this ship being able to handle the jump. Even if the navigational charts needing to be inputted."
"Than what are you saying?" Astrean growing more frustrated as he could feel the presence of the intruders nearing to board this vessel from the Arquitens. "What I'm saying Astrean is this vessel is dead in the water. We need to gather what we can and abandon ship."
"NO!" Kelbor barked. "This vessel is one of import to me. I will not have it lost to the hands of these meat sacks who trespass. Have your precious Rubrics and my Servitors handle it sorcerer I'm sure they can handle some inferior magicians and a few vat-born meat."
Astrean was glad that his face was hidden as he was a mere second from removing the Fabricator Generals skull and spine from his body if he continued with his way of speaking to him. Letting his anger subside he looked toward the clones that Kelbor had made into servitors and then back to Kelbor.
"I assume these servitors know how to fight still Fabricator General. Or have you removed their brain functions of that ability?" Astrean said in a mocking tone.
"They will do their job perfectly. The question is can you and your automatons hold a few of your weakling cousins back." Kelbor jabbed back as a twitch of his remaining flesh seem to indicate he was smirking.
"A lot better than you did at holding Mars when Horus fell." Astrean simply said as he left four of his Rubrics with Kelbor while he and the rest departed to handle the nuisances aboard.
The Jedi along with the contingency of clone troopers led by their respected commanders entered through the Arquiten cruisers and from there investigated the vessels. Most of what they found was the same as what The Word Bearers did, blood trails and broken doors that had been pried open.
Luminara along with Barriss and Gree we're the first to enter the vessel exterior leading them to find no survivors. Anakin, Ahsoka, and Rex were second to follow securing at least one of the cruisers with a small contingent of the 501st, while the Jedi and Rex moved on. As they exited the vessel the six looked on in shock at the size of the Mechanicus vessel's interior.
"Master we've seen a lot but I don't think anything will top this," Ahsoka noted. "Snips we are in utter agreement," Anakin spoke up as he rubbed his head.
"General this vessel is massive we can't cover it all by ourselves," Rex stated as they activated their flashlights to see better as they moved on.
"Skywalker." Luminara radioed. "Yes, master?" Anakin stated. Luminara was silent for a moment before she spoke. "Of all the questions between you and your padawan you have forgotten the most important one to be asking."
"Aaand that would be master?" Anakin said as he was hoping this wasn't a trick question. "Skywalker you should be asking this. Where is the crew of our cruisers? But even more importantly where is the crew of this vessel?"
Both Anakin and Ahsoka looked to one another as Rex surveyed the area. "Um you know Master Unduli this isn't the best time to be aware of that fact heh."
"Skywalker you- EVERYONE TO COVER!" Luminara demanded as the sounds of blaster fire echoed in the commlink. "Master Unduli!?" Anakin yelled as the commlink was cut. "Rex, what was their location?"
"Not too far ahead general. We can reach them if we move now." Rex stated.
"Alright everyone is ready for a fight. You ready snips?" Anakin turned to see Ashoka activate her lightsabers. "Always master." Her smile resounding with his own. "Let's move Rex!"
"Yes Sir!" Rex alongside his brothers rushed forward to face whatever threats awaited within the Mechanicus vessel and to aid Luminara and Barriss.
Further ahead, Barriss and Luminara deflected the incoming blaster bolts from the shadowy figures in the darkness of the vessel killing two instantly. Yet more arrived slowly encroaching on their position as they were pushed back.
The figures in the dark continued to march forth with singular purpose using the blasters to try and kill the Jedi and clones that sought to board the vessel. Yet even when one of the figures was hit by their blaster bolts being directed back at them, it wouldn't stop them as they continued marching forth.
"Where are Skywalker and Ahsoka!?" Barriss asked as she deflected bolts back protecting Gree and his men. "They will be here padawan stay focused on the threat in front of us!" Luminara ordered.
The lighting of the eyes of the figure was apparent as they came from the darkness. Gree and his men hesitated, they saw not these imposing hulking beasts that were reported about on Zygerria.
Instead what they saw were their brothers, mutilated, cybernetically altered with entire parts of their bodies replaced from limbs to pieces of their faces. Yet as they hesitated these "altered" clones did not as five of Gree's men were killed with pinpoint accuracy.
Luminara got in the way protecting Gree as he snapped out of it and opened fire and ordered his remaining men as well. The two opposing sides continued to fire on the other for several minutes before Luminara's side was greeted by clones of the 501st arriving.
The few remaining servitor clones were dispatched, yet behind the helmets of Gree and his men alongside Rex, they couldn't believe what had been done to their brothers.
Anakin alongside Ahsoka cut the few remaining servitors down as they deactivated their lightsabers.
Rex and several of his brothers looked on seeing what was done to their brothers, kneeling beside one he saw for himself the extensive changes done. His fist clenching tightly as he looked back to see Anakin putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Rex." Anakin couldn't find the right words on what else to say as he turned to Luminara. "Master Luminara, we should keep moving forward. Whoever did this can't be too far away."
"I agree Skywalker." Luminara looked toward Rex and Gree as they saw their dead brothers. She couldn't help but feel some semblance of pity at what had been done as she spoke up. "Whoever has done this will answer for their crimes. I can sense..several presences aboard this vessel and several are drawing closer."
"How close?" Anakin asked as he looked around in the darkness. "More of what we faced or something else?"
"It's," Luminara said her tone barely a whisper as she sensed someone. As she reached out a pair of glowing eyes reached back radiating a vast array of different emotions. "AGHH!" Luminara screamed as she fell to one knee."
"Master!?" Barris rushed to her aid and quickly held her as worry filled her eyes. "Master, what happened?"
"Something...something is coming," Luminara started breathing heavily as if she fought an entire army alone. "Someone powerful. Powerful with the force."
In the shadows of one of the many halls, Astrean walked feeling a presence reaching to sense him with but glare and his eyes flashing the power of a child of Magnus The Red. The presence disappeared recoiling in what felt like fear back to where it came from, a small smile curled onto his lips as he looked to his Rubrics.
"It appears our guests have made it past Kelbor's pets." Gripping his staff tighter his smirk grew. "Shall we greet these intruders with a show of a true sorcerer?"
Astreans Rubrics said nothing which causes him to slightly huff in annoyance but understanding as they moved on heading directly for the Jedi intruders. Within a few moments they were insight of the Jedi, both Anakin and Ahsoka alongside their clones took up defensive positions.
"Well. Well. Well, this is an interesting sight I must admit." Astrean said a hint of amusement in his tone. "Must admit myself I'm rather surprised to find someone so willing to try and intrude upon my mind. I take it that didn't turn out so well hmm."
Luminara looked away for a moment before composing herself and standing lightsaber at the ready. "You are very different but the power you wield is not natural. Dark magics fuel your power and emotions."
Astrean couldn't help but chuckle as he relaxed his shoulders. "You may think what you will Jedi. But what you've learned is little compared to one such as I." His smile grew beneath his helm. "After all the famed Jedi Master Luminara Unduli coming to find us is indeed an honor."
"How did you-" Barriss tried to speak but was cut off by Astrean. "As I stated what you learned is little compared to my knowledge. Seeing into my mind, well it's a two-way link. And you three fellow Jedi are her Padawan Barriss Offee. Anakin Skywalker. And Ahsoka Tano."
"You're the one responsible for our missing republic ships?" Barriss stated.
"Oh no unfortunately it was not I," Astrean said as he wasn't responsible. "That would be the work of the one aboard this vessel. I would not mind giving him up, but..this would complicate things on my end."
"Either way if you're in league with the one who did this to our men," Anakin stated igniting his lightsaber. "You are under arrest. And will be held accountable for what you've done."
"Ohh I was hoping you would say that Jedi." Astrean looked to his staff as warp-lightning ruptured forth as he turned his head back to Skywalker. "Shall we begin then Jedi?"
Rex, Gree, and their men took up defensive positions as the Rubric Marines marched forth to defend Astrean. Anakin himself rushed by the Rubrics who Astrean ordered to leave Skywalker to him.
Luminara, Barriss, and Ahsoka moved back to defend against the Rubrics as Rex and the others opened fire on the advancing marines. The blaster bolts from the clones bounced harmlessly off the Rubrics as they continued to push them back.
"General our blasters are ineffective!" Rex yelled.
"Then it's time we try to even the odds captain!" Luminara said. "Everyone pull back further into the vessel. Now Move!"
"Master what about Anakin!" Ahsoka yelled. Luminara gave her a slight glance as she spoke up. "He'll be fine Ahsoka but need to move now!"
Ahsoka watched for several moments as she and the rest pulled back. Astrean on the other hand was holding his own against the advancing Jedi Knight with ease. Putting up a barrier between himself and the Jedi's blows with his lightsaber, Astrean charged his staff and with a singular blow of electricity knocked Anakin to the ground.
"Must admit you have a lot of determination for one of your order." Astrean's tone slightly applauded Anakin. "Yet you waste it."
Anakin got back to his feet and rushed to attack only for Astrean to block the hit with a wave of psychic energy.
Anakin used the force to push back it only partially worked as he nearly stumbled back, only to see Astrean rushing toward him swinging his staff like a mace at his head. Quickly ducking and slicing at Astrean's back it was met with a bolt of warp-lightning hitting him in the chest.
Bringing him to his knees and grasping his chest hard at the hit, this was different from Dooku's force lightning it felt more painful more direct on the soul in regard as he looked up. Behind the mask, Astrean was slightly impressed at the tenacity and resilience but only slightly as he spoke up.
"I must admit Skywalker you hold some modicum of respect in my eyes. But I've been holding back you can take this as a learning opportunity and reflect on why you lost." Astrean stated.
"Heh. You think I need to learn from the likes of someone like you?" Anakin rebuked as he tried getting back to his feet.
"No," Astrean stated. "But what drives you to act like this I so do wonder." Grabbing Skywalker by his head, he searched the Jedi's mind. "Oh so many..emotions. So many memories heh."
Visions stormed throughout Anakin's mind as Astrean tore through each memory seeing for himself what made this Jedi tick. He could see a desert world with two suns, a woman on a garden world in white smiling as she said his name.
Then other darker memories. The death of someone named Shmi, the slaughtering of countless people dressed in desert garb with pike-like staffs.
"NOOO!" Anakin yelled as Astrean dropped him. Astrean encircled Anakin as he saw the Jedi's entire life before him. "Oh Jedi, you have seen and done so much heh. So much against your precious code. You and he are quite alike in that regard."
"Y-You won't get away with this." Anakin reaches for his blade only for his mechanical arm to be stomped on by a giant fleshy foot. "AGHHH!"
Anakin looked upward to see a massive beast with emerald green eyes with fleshy-like talons and teeth protruding from its body as it turned toward Astrean.
"The Warmaster wants updates sorcerer." The Gal Vorbak ordered as it looked back to Skywalker. "Oh well, things here are under control as you can see. Why aren't you with him now, loyal dog."
"He sent me to reinforce you. If he did not give the order I wouldn't be here," it stated a hint of venom in its voice. Astrean rolled his eyes as he looked back to Skywalker and the Gal Vorbak. "I'll take this one to the Warmaster. You find the other Jedi and ensure my Rubrics are intact."
The Gal Vorbak growled as it lumbered forth to find the other Jedi, along with Astreans Rubrics. Astrean himself looked down to the beaten Skywalker and using his power levitated him up.
"Well, then I don't think we should keep the Warmaster waiting do you hmm?" Astrean asked in amusement. Skywalker, however, was in no position to speak as he was barely conscious. "Hm. I'll take that as a no then." Astrean chuckled as they departed.
In the distant halls of the vessel, Luminara alongside the two padawans and the clones couldn't hold back the Rubrics for much longer. The bolter rounds tore through several more clones like they were paper. Luminara and the others were boxed in with no escape back to the hatch to the Arquiten Cruisers.
"Running out of room to maneuver general!" Gree stated. Still firing upon the advancing Rubrics who just kept taking hit after hit.
"Gree, Rex you still have those thermal imploders yes?" Luminara said. "Yes, general why?" Rex looked to her, as she simply nodded as she used the force to bring some structural supports down to block the Rubrics.
"Use them now!" Luminara ordered as she looked to Barriss and Ahsoka. "Padawans help now!"
All three used the force to push back against the Rubrics as Gree and Rex set off entire packs worth of Thermal Imploders. Tossing the pack between the feet of the Rubrics they counted down, finally igniting and engulfing the Rubrics in fire and followed by several massive explosions back-to-back that knocked everyone back.
As the smoke cleared, the clear outline of the Rubrics could be seen they were still alive but heavily damaged missing either legs or a limb or two.
Trying to reach for their shattered bolters as they crawled for them in their broken armor. Moving past Luminara and the others saw the damage done to the Rubrics, their bolters caused some damage due to the rounds becoming unstable from the Thermal Imploders.
"They're still moving how is that possible general?" Rex stated in confusion as he saw sand pour from their torn armor.
"No time for that now captain," Luminara stated. "We have to catch that man at once, everyone let's move now!"
Everyone followed Luminara's lead and with haste, they rushed through the bowels of the ship trying to find Anakin and that strange sorcerer they engaged. The search, however, was cut short as the loud sound of thumping could be heard.
Luminara halted her forces alongside the two padawans as the stomping grew closer and closer with each thud increasing.
It wasn't till a pair of green glowing eyes came into view. The Jedi and clones witnessed the hulking beast before them. It towered over them all as it was the Gal Vorbak sent to bring the remaining Jedi to heel. Luminara stared the Gal Vorbak down as she had her lightsaber at the ready.
"If you wish to fight, let's a little sorcerer." The Gal Vorbak stated as it looked to the children. "The Warmaster wants you alive. I will not disappoint him, yet he did not say which one. So please indulge in throwing your lives away heh."
Luminara alongside the two padawans and the remaining clones were prepared for a fight. Yet the Jedi master did not wish to waste more lives in this conflict even against the massive creature before them. Disengaging her lightsaber, Luminara approached the Gal Vorbak slowly.
"Is Skywalker still alive?" She asked her eyes staring back into the beast before her. It slowly chuckled as it spoke up. "If you mean the boy, then yes he yet lives little sorcerer."
"If we surrender will your Warmaster see that we are unharmed," Luminara asked. Gree quickly stood near her speaking up. "General what are you doing!?" He whispered in her ear. "Sometimes a fight isn't a solution to victory commander." She simply said.
"The Warmaster wants you alive...yes you will be unharmed." It started as it pointed its hand toward the area ahead.
Luminara simply kept her composure and attitude as they marched on with the Gal Vorbak as their escort. Barriss stood beside her master as both spoke quietly to one another.
"Master this plan seems rather dangerous," Barriss stated. Luminara could feel the unease in her padawan. "Barriss ease your mind. Learning who leads this force will allow us insight into their motivations. Remember what I taught you."
"Of course master." Barriss lowered her head as she and the others marched on.
The haze lightened as Anakin came to from having his mind probed by Astrean as he did, he found himself fully restrained and bound to a chair. Seeing a large hooded figure not too far from him it was Kelbor-Hal, while at the front alongside several Word Bearers was Orius looking solemnly out into the void of space. Anakin could see his ship burning and slowly crumbling apart as escape pods jettison from the vessel.
"The Republic has stood for a thousand years if not longer. Wars have come and gone lives lost on opposing sides thoughts fighting for patriotism and others to gain something from it. Yet always at the center of every conflict from big to small are the Jedi." Orius stated turning to Anakin a small smile present on his face.
Anakin looked on at the man seeing he was entirely normal in appearance though he was big just like those who were on Zygerria yet he wasn't altered. "It's so nice to finally meet one of your kind. From what I learned in my time, in servitude you are one of the Republics..shall we say, poster boys."
Anakin said nothing at first before trying to put his cocky persona back up. "Oh well, it's not every day you get to save senators and whole planets. Besides I'm the sure big guy you aren't the saving sort of person now are you."
Orius said nothing but his smile remained. "Cocky even when you have lost. But I would expect nothing less from one such as you." Orius said his eyes lowering to his hand opening it. "I know what it's like to fool others to save face or to protect those we hold dear Jedi."
"Really from what I've seen here. You and your followers seem more interested in perverting people into monsters. Rather than saving." Anakin stated after what he saw on Zygerria.
Orius turned his head toward the void of space before speaking his thoughts turning to something Anakin couldn't make out. "What was done to Zygerria was necessary. To bring an end to a race's need for slaves. To bring the Zygerrians to a higher level of existence. But we are here to talk not of them but of you, after all, we have much to discuss between us... General Skywalker."
Author's Note: Hello Everyone this is Reaper here. Apologies in advance for this suuuuuuper late update on the chapter. Work at my job has been taking alot of precedent lately with a full re-model and having little time to write and working 10 to 9 hour shifts almost every day and having little time so I thank you all for your patience and consideration. Plus I wanted to inform you all this should be the last week of this delay in updates for the story with the re-model coming to a close.
So everything should be smooth sailing from now on. Also wanted to let you all know tht me and Saibot have three Arcs planned out for Chaos Chosen this first arc being dubbed "The Warmaster Arc" and the following will be revealed later with each ark being around twenty or so chapters long to give a feel of world building and character development for Warhammer characters including the OC Orius himself and possible talks with future characters so as I shall thank you all for the patience and have a great April Fool's Day. _SaibotReaper Productions_