Chapter 17: Endless Night
-Coruscant-
Braga stood within the back of Lost Faith with his hands gripped into a fist gritting his teeth. His armor continued to flicker from crimson red to ocean blue before finally settling to calming blue. As the back of Lost Faith opened Braga looked down seeing that they were right over the Jedi Temple with the sound of explosions still taking place.
"Brother Zero. When I give the signal. Have the Night descend upon Coruscant. Your primary target is the clone army. No one else. Keep the destruction to a minimum and have engineer sentinels at the ready to protect civilians. Send all available Shadows and Juggernauts to the temple to escort all Jedi's and younglings to the evac zone that you marked," Braga commanded whole glancing over his shoulder at Zero who brought his Eternal body.
"I will do as command Brother Braga...be safe," Zero Eternal spoke earning a nod from the Forerunner before he walked out of Lost Faith and started to descend toward the temple.
As Braga descended toward the temple, he used his armor's levitation as a means to aim where he was going to land. While Braga was descending toward the temple, he clapped his hands together and pulled them apart swiftly with part of his armor merging with the energy rod. It took but a second before Braga broke through the ceiling of the Jedi Temple to land right in front of Anakin with his energy spear in his hands. Anakin jumped back while bringing his lightsaber back preparing himself for a fight. What he did not expect was Braga standing in front of him with his upper armor missing and attached to his spear.
"Braga. What are you doing here?" Anakin asked while Braga looked about the council room at the dead children that lay upon the floor.
The Forerunner scanned the room before slowly looking over his shoulder at a single youngling who was trembling in fear.
"Why?" Braga asked turning to face Anakin.
"You wouldn't understand," Anakin said with his eyes being red just like Darth Maul.
"...you are right Anakin. I never expected someone like you...to take the life of children," Braga started as the spear began to shift into a double-ended sword that Braga snapped in half now having a sword in each hand. "Remember this day Anakin Skywalker. Because of your actions as well as the Clone Troopers...you have brought back the Creed of Endless Night,"
"Endless Night?" Anakin repeated with narrowed eyes.
"Leave child. The Night shall protect you and any who wish to seek shelter," Braga spoke without turning his head as he took a deep breath before softly releasing the air he collected. "Bring solemn silence for the lives that are about to be taken,"
Anakin was confused at this before the Braga quickly threw his left blade toward him and watched as it spun like a flying buzzsaw. As Anakin avoided the blade, he watched as Braga threw his second one right at his body. With a quick swipe, Anakin blocked it but was sent flying into the wall releasing a grunt of pain while both blades flew back into Braga's grasp. While Anakin was getting to his feet, the youngling was taken by a commando droid who carried him away. Seeing this caused Anakin's eyes to go wide as Braga's hard light shield took form and blocked the doorway.
"If you want to kill the child...you'll have to get past me," Braga spoke while looking at Anakin.
"You're underestimating me," Anakin spike getting to his feet.
"No Anakin Skywalker ...it is you...who are underestimating me," Braga countered as all his upper body armor pieces disconnected from his body and connected with the two swords.
With a sigh, Braga attached the two blades to shift it into his long sword while taking hold of it with his right hand and hanging it over his shoulder. The two looked at one another before walking toward each other never breaking eye contact. Just as Braga was in reaching distance, he brought his lightsaber down toward the Forerunner's body only to be stopped by his hard light shield. This left Anakin open as Braga moved forward and brought the sword down toward Skywalk. Seeing the swing, Anakin brought his lightsaber up as a means to deflect his sword until the Forerunner's large sword clashed with Skywalker's weapon. Instead of the Forerunner sword sliding down as he expected, the sword stayed locked with the lightsaber.
Instead of deflecting the massive sword, Anakin force pushed Braga back as he had his sword in hand still allowing Skywalker to roll forward and swing his lightsaber at the Forerunner's leg. As Anakin's lightsaber moved toward Braga's leg, it clashed and hissed just like when his weapon collided with the Forerunners sword. Seeing that Braga's armor blocked his lightsaber, he rolled back to avoid the strike from the Forerunner's sword now. The fallen Jedi's eyes looked up at Braga's upper body seeing he had no armor.
"Your eyes betray you Anakin," Braga warned as he walked to the left with Skywalker getting to his feet and walking to the right.
Anakin said nothing before running at Braga once again causing the Forerunner to bring his sword up in a defensive stance. Braga waited until he watched as Anakin slid under the Forerunner's guard in an attempt to cut his opponent in half. The next thing that happened caused Anakin to widen his eyes in surprise to see a small hard light shield blocking his attack. A second later, Anakin narrowed his eyes and used the force to launch Braga back and slam into a wall and held him there. Although Braga was pinned to the wall, his sword flew at Anakin and forced him to bring his lightsaber forward to guard against the large sword freeing the Forerunner from the force push.
They did not speak but rather glared at one another as Anakin looked at the sword and noticed two pieces of the weapon missing. The next thing he knew, the two missing pieces had wrapped around his neck and started to choke him. Try as he might to tear it off, they had already connected and were shrinking in size while Braga walked forward and swiped his sword across Anakin's robotic hand cutting it off followed by kicking Anakin into a wall.
As Anakin crashed into the wall, he started to fade in and out of being awake. Anakin looked up at Braga with hate as the Forerunner thrust his sword at Skywalker only to pierce the wall to the right of the fallen Jedi mere inches from his face.
"With this, I repay the kindness you have shown me through this entire war Anakin Skywalker. Next time...fate may not be on your side. The Endless Night has claimed your forces...however you will carry a message," Braga spoke standing over Anakin with his sword shattering and reconnecting with the Forerunners armor aside from the two pieces that were part of his shoulder guards. "Your master, whoever it is...will be next,"
With that, Anakin finally lost consciousness causing Braga's armor pieces to detach from Skywalker's neck and reattached themselves to the Forerunner's shoulder guards to complete his armor.
"What is the situation with the temple?" Braga asked through the comms as he turned to make his way to the elevator sighing.
'The Jedi Temple has been cleared of all enemies with the assistance of the combined forces of assault sentinels and Juggernauts,' Zero Eternal answered.
"Status on survivors," Braga continued to ask as he entered the elevator and started to descend to the main hallway.
"...we were only able to save three percent of the Jedi's in this temple. Nine younglings, two Jedi Knights, and one Jedi Master," Zero notified.
"Who is the Jedi Master?" Braga asked as the elevator door opened seeing the assault sentinels carrying dead clone bodies and lining them up in a means to show respect.
"A male Cosian," Zero answered as Braga made his way through the hallway. "One who wishes to introduce himself personally,"
Braga nodded his head and made his way down the hallway to eventually see the group of force users. Coming to a stop, Braga looked down at the younglings as well as the Jedi Knights before his eyes looked upon an elderly Cosian. The force users looked up at Braga before the Cosian bowed his head in thanks causing the others to follow his lead.
"You must be the one responsible for saving us...I am Tera Sinube," The Jedi Master introduced as he slowly raised his head with a smile. "And you are?"
"Braga of Silence and Power. One of the Jedi Orders allies," Braga answered with a faint smile before he looked upon the other force users. "Were there others?" Braga asked looking back at Tera.
The Cosian looked at the ground and let out a heavy sigh.
"I do not know. I have hope others have escaped the Jedi Temple through their own means," Tera answered while looking over his shoulders.
"You did well to protect these children...I just wish I prepared better," Braga said while gripping his right hand tightly into a fist.
"If it were not for you...we would have not survived," Tera spoke looking up the Forerunner.
'Brother Braga, Republic reinforcements will be arriving soon. We must retreat now,' Zero Eternal warned before nodding his head.
"Jedi Tera. I welcome you all to my base known as Salvation. There you can take refuge from this massacre," Braga spoke while looking around at the clone troopers as well as the dead Jedi's that lay by their brothers in arms.
"The Jedi order is no more...are you still our ally? And what of this new threat? Would they not come for you as well?" Tera asked looking up at Braga.
"Although the Jedi Temple and most of the council members were taken. The Jedi still live on...and as such, I am still your ally. As for this new threat...they will have to find us first," Braga mentioned before looking toward the direction of the main entrance. "But we must leave now,"
Tera nodded his head and turned to look at the two Jedi Knights and younglings to show a soft smile. This used the others before he looked back at Braga and swayed his hand in a means for him to lead the group. Braga nodded at this show of comfort from the elderly Jedi Master and turned to escort the survivors to the back of the Jedi Temple where Lost Faith lay in wait. While the force users were entering Lost Faith, Braga turned and watched as the swarm of assault sentinels attaching themselves to a Juggernaut and carrying them back up to the Lucrehulks.
"I am sure you have many questions right now Jedi Tera but let us get somewhere safe before I can answer your questions, " Braga spoke turning to look at Tera earning a nod from the Jedi master as he entered Lost Faith. 'Brother Zero...have all Shadows remain at the Jedi Temple. They are to be the eyes and ears for the Night from now on,'
'Understood Brother Braga,' Zero replied.
The scene of the sentinels carrying the ball forms of the Juggernauts earned a faint scuff from Braga before he too entered Lost Faith. Lost Faith made its way to space and watched as the Juggernauts were transported back into their designated carrier or battleships before going into slip space. A full-order retreat was issued by Zero Eternal while Braga focused on protecting the surviving force users he knew of. Seeing they were out of harm's way, Tera walked to Braga's side and let out a heavy sigh.
"So ends the time of the Jedi..." Tera commented lightly which earned a glance from the Forerunner who nodded his head in agreement before facing back out the window.
"For now yes. In time things will become that much more difficult," Braga spoke narrowing his eyes. "I did not expect to put the creed of endless night into effect so soon," Braga said to himself while closing his eyes. "Such an event forced my hand...as well as my decision to use the Creed of Endless Night again,"
"Then I will wait to ask my questions. For now, I will be with the younglings," Tera spoke turning and making his way back to the children.
Braga nodded his head as he watched Coruscant fade away into the darkness while Lost Faith entered slip space.
-Salvation-
As they arrived at Salvation's location, Braga watched as the Purgatory Carriers and Limbo battleships returned mere seconds. Nodding his head at this, Braga watched as Lost Faith docked in Salvation before the door opened allowing the force users out and to make their way into the hanger of the heart of the Night. Tera lead the force users out of Lost Faith and stood before Braga who looked at the group once more.
"Your question will be answered soon, Jedi Tera..." Braga started before the sound of running could be heard.
Braga looked to the origins of the noise to see it was none other than Ahsoka Tano with Rex. Seeing the clone trooper, Braga leaned forward before a single engineer sentinel flew in front of the Forerunner.
"Friendly," The engineer sentinel explained earning a glance from Braga who eased up.
"Master tera!" Ahsoka called out as she stopped before the elderly Cosian who smiled at the Togruta's presence.
"Young Ahsoka Tano," Tera spoke before looking at Rex then back at the Togruta. "Can this one be trusted?" Ahsoka turned to look at Rex and smiled before nodding her head.
"Yes," Ahsoka said looking back at Tera smiling before she turned her attention to the other force users. "...is this all who's left?"
Tera could not help but look at the ground before shrugging.
"I do not know...these are the only ones we could save," Tera spoke before a commando droid walked out of Lost Faith holding a female youngling who had fallen asleep.
"I could only save one," Braga spoke looking at the youngling before facing Ahsoka.
Even though the Forerunner was standing up straight with his arms crossed, he was sad that he could not save more.
"You still saved a life, Braga. And that is worth something," Tera said placing his hand on the Forerunner's side before patting it and bringing it back to his walking stick.
"Thank you. Since you are here Ahsoka...do you mind showing Jeda Tera around as well as to the living quarters?" Braga asked looking at the Jedi Master.
"Glady," Ahsoka said with a smile before turning and leading them out of the hangar bay.
Ventress walked past the force users with Omen and Pluma behind her. Tera and Ventress looked at one another as they passed before the Dathomirian stopped before Braga.
"What is the meaning of this?" Ventress asked looking over her shoulder to the Jedi master.
"The clone troopers turned on the Jedi's...as well as laid siege to the Jedi Temple," Braga spoke sighing. "Those groups of force users were the only ones I know of that survived,"
"Who lead them?" Ventress asked looking at Braga.
"All I know is that Anakin Skywalker lead the siege of the Jedi Temple...and killed the younglings alongside the clone troopers under his command," Braga answered while shaking his head. "...Ventress. I wished for this to last longer but times have changed. There is no more room for mercy,"
"What do you mean by that Braga?" Ventress asked with a raised brow.
"We are not restricted by the Creed of the Night," Braga answered looking down at Ventress who had her eyes widen in shock. "We now follow the old creed...Creed of Endless Night,"
"And what is this Creed of Endless Night," Braga replied before looking to the door that Ahsoka leads the others through.
"We are the eternal night that flows endlessly. We are the silence that roams with the fading light. We are the governing cloak of darkness that brings about unity. We are the inevitable end that cannot be outrun or reasoned with. We are the shield that shelters those forsaken by the hope of freedom. This I speak...the Creed of the Endless Night," Braga preached before turning to look at Ventress. "A creed you will have to memorize,"
"And why would I need to learn your creed if I am not part of your army?" Ventress asked in an annoyed tone while placing her hands on her hips.
"Why do you think I am telling you to memorize the Creed of Endless Night?" Braga asked before bringing his arms down to his sides.
Ventress blinked at this before her eyes grew wide at the realization.
"Are you inviting me to the Night?" Ventress asked loudly.
"Yes. You have more than earned it. The Children of the Night will be one of my elite squad," Braga answered as Nightfall squad walked into the Hanger.
"One of your elite squads?" Ventress repeated.
"Yes...I plan on making one more squad," Braga spoke sighing. "One that consists of nothing but force users,"
"Who would lead them?" Ventress asked with narrowed eyes.
"That is a question you do not need to worry yourself about. All that matters if you accept my offer or not?" Braga asked looking at Ventress.
"Of course I do. Only a moron would decline such an offer," Ventress answered with a smirk.
"Then in an hour, meet in the communications room," Braga mentioned before leaving Ventress to her thoughts.
"Mistress...what does this all mean?" Pluma asked standing beside Ventress while holding her sniper rifle.
"This means we are going to be very busy," Ventress admitted with a grin while Omen nodded.
"Busy?" Pluma asked blinking her eyes.
"I'm sure our master will answer all our questions later on...after all...we are not the only ones who live here now," Ventress said slowly bringing her left hand up to her lips.
"High Commander Braga has taken the Mantle of the Night," Omen notified gaining Ventress's attention who had a raised brow.
"Mantle of the Night?" Ventress repeated before chuckling. "Braga has so many secrets,"
-Communications Room-
Braga Stood in the center of the room waiting with his arms crossed and eyes closed. Jedi Master Tera entered the large blank communications room with Ahsoka beside him. As they grew closer, Braga opened his eyes to see the two force users while lowering his arms.
"If you have questions to ask Jedi Tera, now is the best time to ask them," Braga spoke while placing his hands behind his back.
"Young Ahsoka has told me much of what you do as well as your creed...although it seems such as changed last she told me," Tera spoke with a worried smile.
"Something I too wish to know about," Ventress spoke walking into the communications room alone with her hands by her sides.
"As you already know Ahsoka...the Jedi Temple has become under siege by the 501st...the same clone army lead by Anakin Skywalker," Braga announced causing the Togruta's eyes to grow wide.
"That can't be! Sky Guy wouldn't do that!" Ahsoka argued in which Braga slowly shook his head.
"He did. Although I do not know why...it does not change the fact he still did it," Braga replied causing Ahsoka to grip her hands into fists. "Now as for what changed...everything. I used a creed that protected those who were far weaker than myself. Today forced my hand to use my old creed,"
"Why did you return to your old creed?" Tera asked tilting his head.
"The lives of innocence were crying out to me," Braga answered.
"How old was this...Creed of Endless Night?" Ventress asked next.
"It was the original creed I used before the Forerunner Human War," Braga answered with a heavy sigh. "During that time...I was making my way up in the Forerunner Military...and sparring the lives of enemies were dangerous,"
"says who?" Ahsoka asked with a raised brow.
"...Nada of Eternal Night," Braga answered with disgust in his voice.
"Naga? Why haven't I heard of such a name before?" Ahsoka continued to ask.
"Because I wished it to stay unknowing," Braga answered while turning his eyes to look at Ahsoka making her flinch. "...that is a name I wish not to say when it is not needed,"
Ahsoka was about to ask another question but was stopped by Tera who caused her to look at him before he shook his head.
"Somethings are best left unanswered young Ahsoka," Tera commented earning a nod from the Togruta.
"Where did you get so many Lucrehulks?" Tera asked changing the subject while turning to look at Braga.
"I took them from the Separatists. For a time it was working well since most Lucrehulks are run by only droids, but they were catching on and started to station living commanders...even those who are not fit for such a task," Braga answered while looking at the Cosian.
"And they did not know who took them?" Ventress asked with a chuckle.
"It is hard to tell who took them when there is no evidence," Braga answered looking at Ventress.
"These droids are different from those we Jedi fought in the war...what did you do to them?" Tea asked blinking his eyes.
"Zero and I have been modifying battle droids after we knew enough about this galaxy," Braga answered. "They were all defects...enemies who are easy to deal with given the right steps, they have become a terrifying force not to be underestimated,"
"I wouldn't use the word easy to describe the separatist battle droids," Ahsoka commented with a shrug.
"What makes the battle droids so dangerous is their numbers...nothing more," Braga countered.
"You said we could use Salvation as a Safe Haven but what about the necessities?" Tera asked looking to Ahsoka then Ventress.
"I will provide what I can for now. Given time I will gain a steady flow of food source from other planets," Braga answered while looking to Ahsoka and Ventress. "Afterall, this galaxy is much larger than they can control,"
"Will you force us to fight?" Tera continued.
"No. If you wish to fight alongside me...you would have to prove yourself first. Ahsoka and Ventress have proven themselves more ways than one," Braga answered smiling at Ahsoka and Ventress before facing Tera who sighed in relief. "I am not the type to force anyone to do anything they themselves do not want to do. Their decisions are their own,"
"What should we expect in the future?" Ventress asked leaning on her left.
"Expect to be busy...both of you," Braga answered earning a nod from Ventress before she sighed and turned to walk toward the entrance.
"What is the Mantle of the Night?" Ventress asked.
"The Mantle of the Night is a command code I surrendered to Brother Zero until the time came. He was to hold the code until I was ready to reclaim it..." Braga answered facing Ventress.
"What does this code do exactly?" Ventress asked with a raised brow.
"This code gives me command over every single unit synthetic soldier under Zeroes command," Braga answered earning a nod from Ventress.
"I got the answers I wanted," Ventress said with a smile.
Suddenly Tee Watt Kaa appeared with an annoyed expression through a holographic image from his Shadow droid he left on Mygeeto.
"Tee Watt...what's wrong?" Braga asked narrowing his eyes.
"There is a Venator class Star destroyer over Mygeeto with clone troopers preparing to make an outpost. Our scouts have also reported that they are taking over Lurmen villages," A Shadow notified earning a scuff from the Lurmen elder.
"I will send The Night Children as well as Limbo Battleship and a Purgatory Carrier to assist your planet Tee Watt Kaa," Braga spoke looking at Ahsoka who was still uncertain about the betrayal of the clones. "Without Ahsoka Tano,"
"Very well. I will go gather the others," Ventress spoke before she left the communications room.
As soon as Ventress left, Tee Watt Kaa nodded his head before his holographic image faded only to be replaced by Krismo.
"Braga. I am getting reports of three Venator class Star Destroyers making their way toward Quarzite," Krismo said closing his sighing. "Can I ask for reinforcements?"
"And reinforcements you will get. I am sending two Limbo Battleships to assist the3 defense of Quartzite," Braga said earning a nod from Krismo before the holographic image faded.
"Braga...why did you hold me back?" Ahsoka asked as she took a step forward.
"You will not kill the clones, Ahsoka Tano...and right now mercy is something we cannot allow," Braga answered looking at the holographic maps of both systems as he watched his small fleets face off against the Republic Star Destroyers.
It did not take long before his defenses defeated the Republic forces causing Braga to narrow his eyes.
"Brother Zero...prepare to send additional Limbo Battleships...and the assault sentinels," Braga advised while looking between the two.
"Why would you..." Ahsoka paused five Venator Star Destroyers appeared in both Mygeeto and Krismo holographic maps.
"Send ten Limbo Battleships to each area NOW!" Braga shouted causing Zero to shake before his eyes flickered on and off. "Patch me with Ventress and Eclipse,"
A second later, a holographic image of Eclipse and Ventress appeared looking at Braga.
"New mission. You are to enter the command ship of your opposing fleet and capture whoever is in authority. I want answers," Braga commanded while narrowing his eyes.
"Understood Commander Braga," Eclipse spoke bowing his head along with Ventress before their images faded away.
Braga watched as his first fleet reinforcements arrived causing the Republic forces to hold their ground. It was clear they were lining themselves up for a full-scale attack making Braga scuff.
"Have the Assault sentinels invade the command ship and help both teams retrieve the enemy commander," Braga commanded while narrowing his eyes.
Braga kept his eyes on the Republic fleet in Mygeeto as Ventress stayed by the center Lucrehulk. All Moths were launched and started to fly toward the Venators dragging their attention from below where the assault sentinels flew from. While the moths were doing their part in not only distracting the Republic ships, but they were also tearing through their starfighters. Although the Moths were mere starfighters, they were doing a decent amount of damage to the larger Republic ships such as the Acclimator ships. The Moth's movements seemed random, but each action had a reason behind it with some gunning down enemy turrets, batteries, and engines. Due to everything going on, Ventress was able to sneak her group into the main command ship of the Republic Fleet and fought through the clone troopers with the assistance of assault sentinels.
The clone troopers fought their best and were even able to deal with a god amount of Assault Sentinels but in the end, the commander was captured transported back to the main Limbo Battleship. This strategy was also being used in the defense of Quartzite with Nightfall squad just finishing their own retrieval of the enemy commander. Once both planets were defended successfully, the fleet of the Night all retreated back to Salvation with Ventress shoving her prisoner while Eclipse just pulled him along. They eventually met Braga in the bridge with Ahsoka being asked to keep an eye on the younglings with Tera.
"...Commander Braga," One of the clone commanders spoke narrowing his eyes.
"From what I heard the war is over...why are you trying to invade these planets?" Braga asked looking between the two commanders.
"We thought they were remnants of the Separatists Fleet, "The same commander spoke unfazed.
"... then I will ask you to send a message to whoever your leader is..." Braga started before the other commander scuffed which caused the Forerunner to turn his head to give the other clone his full attention.
"Emperor," The clone said with his head raised and proud.
"Then deliver this message to your...Emperor. Mygeeto, Dathomir, Quartzite, and Mandalore are under the protection of endless Night," Braga warned now standing before the clone commander who opened his mouth last. "The other will stay and answer my questions,"
Braga then looked at Eclipse and nudged his head before turning his attention to the first commander while slowly crossing his arms.
"Why were the Jedi killed?" Braga asked with a raised brow.
"They are traitors to the Republic," The clone trooper answered without hesitation.
"Your Emperor was a Sith Lord," Braga spoke in a calm tone. "One who ordered the death of all Jedi's within the temple. Including children,"
"You are dealing with a force you cannot possibly face," The clone commander spoke earning a disappointed sigh from the Forerunner while Ventress snickered at the clone's comment.
"You do not understand clone...the Empire...is fighting a force they cannot possibly face. How does one fight something that is endless?" Braga asked tilting his head awaiting the commander's answer only to be met with silence.
"He will light our way!" The clone commander answered finally making Braga slowly shake his head.
"he will be the reason why the Republic lost its way," Braga argued. "Sadly one I cannot stop...as powerful as we are...we are not strong enough to defeat all of this Empire..." He admitted while turning his back on the clone commander. "...I will broker a deal with your emperor...if he agrees not to harm any planets or people who are under my protection...the Night will not intervene in the Republics' affairs...whatever it may be. If I must, I will meet with him in person,"
The clone commander only nodded his head before Braga nudged his head causing Ventress to scuff and shove the commander out while Zero appeared over the Forerunner's right shoulder.
"Are you sure that is a wise idea, Brother Braga? What if they set up a trap to kill us?" Zero asked flying around the Forerunner.
"...simple...we will have the fleet of the night do a full-scale Invasion of Coruscant with Salvation," Braga replied while gritting his teeth with his left eye flickering a blood red for a split second.
/To be continued...