Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing in regards to Harry Potter or Star Wars. All properties therein are those of their creators. I am only a writer working on my skills with worlds and characters that I love.

Note: For those that were wondering where Darth Zannah was in the last chapter, it gets answered here. Funny how no one seemed to notice Sirius was gone too….

Part Eleven - Making A Deal

The Duchess Satine finished her signature on the elongated document with a flourish and then slid it across the wide desk she stood behind with her ministers to the Sith Lord that had saved them all, and his women (and heir).

The man himself was decked out in his finest robes for the occasion, but he looked upon the document before him with clear trepidation. He locked his golden eyes with Satine's and out loud he said, "You all realize that this isn't necessary right? I did not come to your aid with any strings attached."

"We know." She replied as all of her ministers nodded their agreement. "And that is one of the many reasons we have decided to take this action. Mandalore stood neutral, we stood apart from the greater conflict of the galaxy and were assured by both the Republic and the Confederacy that our neutrality would be maintained. However an attack still came. Our sovereignty was still meant to be subjugated. It is time to pick a side."

"You could join the Republic. They did not attack you."

Satine smiled wanly, "Yes, we could, but they would seek to control us just as they did the planets of the Confederacy. You, we know, would treat us with honor and respect. We have thought this through and believe it to be the best option for us all."

Harry nodded, picked up his own pen, and signed the document before stamping it with the official seal that Shaak Ti provided him, thus legalizing the act. "Duchess Satine Kryze, Ministers, and people of Mandalore, welcome to the Empire." All across the planet of Mandalore, and those others of Harry's domain, citizens cheered, soldiers saluted, and weapons fired into the air with joy. The Free Empire of the Sith had just grown a bit larger, and gained the entirety of the Mandalorian army at the same time.

The rest of the evening devolved into a casual night of fine dining for all the present delegates and dancing. Everything was going great, and the guests were having the time of their lives. And then the large bay windows were consumed by the landing lights of a descending ship, and Harry developed a cold feeling in his gut. "Oh no."

A few moments later his instincts proved correct as the fine, feline, form of Darth Zannah stalked into the room, her body draped in a silk dress that fell over her curves like water, and dipped near enough down the front to display her naval. Her Zygerrian beauty was enhanced further by the great rage that had her pointed ears pressed back against her head.

All sound and movement ceased as the woman stalked right up to the emperor and promptly suspended his body into the air before her, holding him captive in the bonds of her will. "Hello honey, I'm home."

"I can see that." Harry nervously replied as he noted his godfather making his own stealthy way off of the ship that had born his last lover to Mandalore. He gave his godson a farewell salute and took off running. The coward.

"So I was doing as you asked, transporting resources and supplies to Tattooine in preparation of the fine senator Amidala's success. And can you guess what I saw over the wave bands on the trip back?"

"A-A war?" It would not have been inaccurate to say the Dark Lord of the Sith, the emperor of multiple systems, and father of a princess, was utterly terrified of his mate in this moment.

"A war." Zannah's anger slowly cooled, and became quiet as she stalked even closer, lowering him down far enough run her finger over his jaw. "I saw my love going to war. Without me. Enjoying the carnage and destruction. Without me. Subjugating a new world. Without me. And where was I during this entire event? Stuck in a confined ship with Sirius Fucking Black for weeks as he recounted the many virtues of Dathomiri women. He wasn't wrong but it was still annoying as all hell! What do you have to say for yourself!"

"I say… cute attack!" Harry immediately force pulled Lily from Shaak's arms and levitated her in front of Zannah just as the little one began to squirm and stretch and giggle. Like all of his women, Zannah was no exception in being absolutely enraptured with the little one and she immediately dropped him, scooped the girl into her arms, and began cooing happily to her as her tail swished behind her and she walked off to find some food for them both.

"Using your own child as a human shield," Thrawn mused as he approached the gasping emperor, twin flutes of wine in his hands, "as ever I am impressed with your strategic thinking, my liege."

"Yeah, thanks for your nonexistent help there, Thrawn. Were you just going to stand by and watch her tear your emperor limb from limb?"

The Chiss admiral gave his liege a sarcastic glare and responded, "I'm a master of tactics. What kind of tactician would I be if I knowingly got in the way of one of your mates giving you a serious talking to? That's an untenable situation if ever I saw one."

"Point received." The Sith groused before once more becoming serious. "How are we looking?"

"Very good, my liege. The Mandalorian volunteers to your army and navy are through the roof. I wouldn't be surprised if that was part of the reason the magistrates and Satine were so eager to sign the contract with you. Public outcry had they not would have been intense to say the least."

"Our war footing?"

"The military is ready to act when you declare war on the Hutts. However, I do feel the need to warn you about the other dangers facing your empire."

"The Confederacy."

"And the Republic."

Harry raised a brow. "The Republic has not attacked us or our allies yet."

"But they will." Thrawn drained his glass and placed it on a passing server's tray. "Right now you are a distraction. A side-note to keep wary watch over while they deal with the threat of the Confederacy, but what will they see once this war is done? If they stand victorious you will take the place of the Confederacy in their minds. An independent power outside their sphere of control and revenue. Politicians like them cannot abide such a thing. Especially not with how powerful your military is becoming."

"Hm." Harry thought about it for a moment as his eyes perused the floor of the grand chamber and settled on Hermione wearing a slinky blue dress. "Then it's a good thing we plan to have the Hutts dealt with before this war can end isn't it?" He clapped the Chiss on the shoulder. "Enjoy the party, Thrawn. I have a mate that needs a dance partner."

As the Sith moved on to carry out his observation, the Grand Admiral of the empire couldn't help chuckling over his lot in life. Who could have predicted he'd end up serving under a man such as this?

The next morning saw Harry and his women snuggled together in one massive bed, as was their way. As they collectively started to rouse, he slipped his arms securely around a naked, and supremely satisfied Zannah, and whispered in her ear, "Am I forgiven?"

She purred and wrapped her tail leisurely around his right leg, "Indeed. I do so enjoy make-up sex."

"As do I."

"Me too." Shaak spoke up, laying her chin along Harry's ribs.

"Me three." Hermione agreed, running her hand over his arm.

"I rather liked watching." Bo added as she played footsie with her man.

"And I loved tying you both down after." Asajj crawled over the rest to laze over all of their bodies.

Harry laughed out loud for joy of the life he lived. "Now that that is settled, how did your experience on Tattooine go, Zannah?"

The Zygerrian squirmed around until she was facing her former apprentice instead of being spooned by him, but did not leave his arms, and replied, "Well first off, that senator and the former padawan are definitely screwing."

Harry and the others blinked.

"Really?" Shaak asked, "But she's several years older than him."

Zannah raised a brow, "Really wanna raise that card, honey?"

The Togruta blushed, "Not really, no. Carry on."

"Thank you. Anyway I landed at the space port at Padme's directive and only barely managed to avoid killing Sirius when he started making remarks about what desert women chose to wear out and about, or what not to." At Bo's curious stare she added, "Apparently with freedom of the body came freedom of expression and now people are wearing far less clothes to deal with the heat."

"Though once Padme slapped him for a wayward comment, I'm starting to like her by the way, we got down to business."

"Did you meet with Skywalker?"

"I did…"

"And?"

"He's powerful, and stubborn." It took a moment for Harry to realize the glare coming from her words was directed at the wayward padawan and not at him. "He was willing to accept our gifts of provisions, and signed a pact to not attack us or our interests, but he refuses to join our empire or assist in the assault on the Hutt home-world. He would rather see to the defense of his own planet."

Harry nodded at that, "I figured that would be the reaction. His opinions on Sith have had time to cool, but not disappear entirely. It might be some time before he comes around to us completely. For now, let us simply be good neighbors. We show him we are good people to ally with and who knows what could happen?"

"Things got a bit more interesting after that."

"How so?"

Zannah was quiet for a moment before answering, "Skywalker has become a conduit."

Harry whistled at that, earning confused looks from his paramours.

"What's a conduit, Harry?" Hermione questioned.

"Let's see, how to explain this, well we are what you would call practitioners. We feel the force, or magic as you know it, and make it do the things we wish, such as levitation, lightning strikes, or magic spells. That being said, we are limited by what our bodies are capable of channeling. Some can handle more than others but the limit is still there. Conduits are a bit different. They forgo the more fine tuned control necessary to do what we do, and instead open themselves completely to the force. This allows them to channel an ocean of power where we could only hope to direct a river."

Intrigued, Shaak asked, "What could a conduit do?"

"Destroy an army." Zannah shuddered. "I haven't seen such power since my days in the Old Republic. By the force I was once capable of such destruction, but this new body came with certain limitations that limit my output." Seeing the wide eyes of her bedmates, the Zygerrian decided to elaborate.

"After our negotiations were complete several alarms around the Primarch's office started going off. Skywalker said it meant an attack on the city was imminent. He tried to send us back to the ship but I thought helping in the defense of the people would create a better show of support from us. Amidala agreed and we were led outside the city. Several hundred Sand People were approaching on banthas with weapons ready."

Bo Katan interrupted, "Why were they attacking?"

"Because the sudden lack of a slave trade had completely shattered their ability to trade anything at all. They don't exactly farm or create other things that the people of that world desire. I asked Skywalker where he would like me to go, or where his troops were going to be deployed, but he just told me to 'stay where I was and watch.'" Clearly peeved she added, "The nerve. Anyway, the Sand People got closer, and closer, and just as I thought them likely to begin opening fire on the shielded walls, it happened."

"What happened?" Asajj was the one asking this time. Her head tilted with curiosity, causing her hair to cover her eye in the way she knew drove her man wild.

"He created a sandstorm. A massive thing of wind and destruction. the Sand People were reduced to naught but crimson stains upon the dunes."

"Interesting." Harry noted. "We'll have to keep our eyes on that one I think. Those like him are more susceptible to falling to the dark side. If that happens we'll need to be close to help him with the impulses."

"Agreed." Zannah nodded. "Now that that is settled, what's next?"

"Well the army is already mobilizing, the navy loaded with supplies and fuel, and our spies in orbit around the Hutt home world. All that remains is deciding the best course of action for the invasion."

Shaak purred against his skin, "Then let us plan, my love."

Two Hours Later

Harry marched into the dining room with his lovers at his sides to discover Obi-Wan, Satine, Ahsoka and Thrawn already present and enjoying a late breakfast. Harry eyed the Jedi, "What's up with the formal Jedi robes, Kenobi? I'd think Satine would want to see you in beskar day and night."

The Jedi manfully coughed into his fist to avoid his embarrassment while the duchess merely smiled salaciously at the love of her life. "She did in fact make that suggestion, but it wouldn't be appropriate today. Since things have settled down some, I have sent to the temple to send my padawan to me. She should be arriving soon."

A loud clink drew the attention of all present, and their eyes moved over to the suddenly nervous looking Ahsoka. "B-Barriss is coming here?"

Confused, Obi-Wan nodded, "Yes, she sent her confirmation last night. She should be here in about an hour."

"Eep!" The young Togruta shot to her feet and ran from the room to the sound of her master's dainty chuckles.

When they all took their seats Harry asked her, "Shaak, do you know what that was about?"

"Yes in fact I do."

Satine raised a brow, "Care to share with the group?"

Shaak Ti, wise Jedi Master, former member of the Jedi Council, mate to a Sith emperor, and scholar of intergalactic history, started giggling like a schoolgirl. "I've been teaching her to accept her emotions and feelings, as Harry did for me."

"Oh." The Sith broke in with sudden understanding.

"Yes, dear, thank you for finally catching on." She rubbed her mate's shoulder affectionately as she continued. "During that process Ahsoka came to several realizations about herself. First, she is attracted to the fairer sex. Second, she's been harboring a crush on Barriss Offee since she was a little girl. The Jedi's reticence to accept emotions however forced her to repress it. If I had to guess, right now she's running to her rooms to pick out a more 'cute' outfit for when she sees your padawan again, Obi-Wan."

The blond man stared after the retreating Togruta and groaned, leaning back in his chair. "This is going to be troublesome isn't it?"

"Oh most definitely. I'm just happy those days are far, far, far, far, far away from me and my little Lily." The fierce look on his face set his women to chuckling merrily along with Satine.

"Not that this conversation isn't endlessly stimulating," Thrawn began after wiping the corner of his mouth with an engraved napkin, "but have you decided how we are to proceed with the slavery campaign?"

The Sith's golden eyes grew very serious as he nodded. "Yes." He took a holo-projector out of his pocket and placed it on the table, allowing twin images of a regular Hutt and their home-world to spring into view. "The main issue I faced with this task was how best to handle the planet. If only Hutts were there then I'd simply bombard the place and be done with it, but they keep untold numbers of slaves with them at all times and I would like to avoid their casualties if at all possible."

"A worthy goal." Kenobi nodded.

"Indeed. What is more, my goals are pretty well known in the galaxy so you can bet these slug fuckers know I won't want to risk their meat-shields. A frontal assault would no doubt lead to the slaves forced against us on the front lines. A siege would see resources given exclusively to the Hutts and their slaves would starve so they could stay fed. I considered assassinating the head caste and taking over leadership from there, but all of my spies report that the only difference in their caste system is the level of ambition, not that of cruelty. The other Hutts would simply vie for the lost positions, and threaten me with the explosive chips in their slaves to get them, so assassination is off the table as well."

Thrawn nodded, "So you will use the method our scientists discovered with their molecular structure?"

"Yes. It is unfortunate, but necessary." Behind him, each of his girls placed a hand on his back in silent support, an action that made Satine and Kenobi rather nervous.

The duchess spoke first. "Emperor Rache, what exactly are you planning?"

The Sith stood silent for a moment before he waved a hand at the holo-projector. A second later several dozen lines went from the Hutt to various locations on the planet surface. "We're going to use perception to end the tyranny of the Hutts forever. It is unfortunate though that a great many of them are going to have to die badly." He took a deep breath, "Nal Hutta is the center of their empire, the jewel of their society and the vision for the galaxy as a whole of their power. However, only a few dozen Hutts actually live there at any one time while the rest stay scattered throughout their lands and 'businesses'. It is maintained by a veritable army of slaves servicing the elite high caste. These positions rotate every twenty years or so so their number all get a chance to live as gods."

Another hand swipe and a series of galactic identification profiles started floating in the air above them next to an enormous chemical formula. "These are all the Hutts on Nal Hutta now, I want you both to know that they are all slavers, torturers, assassins, and thieves. Each has over a hundred murders at least to their names. Next to their pictures is a particular compound created by my scientists for a worst case scenario operation. It is a contagion linked completely and utterly to the genomic structure of the Huttese race. If I release it in the atmosphere of Nal Hutta, every Hutt on the world at the time will die. The slaves will remain unaffected."

Satine shot to her feet, fire in her eyes, but Harry raised a hand, steel in his gaze, and the duchess found herself unable to speak. "I know how this appears, believe me, I have no active desire to use this, but there is no other option that won't end in the slave's deaths. I would reassure you however that I have only authorized enough of this compound be made to be used once. The process for creating more has already been destroyed."

It was then that Obi-Wan finally understood. "That's why you checked the backgrounds of all the Hutts on the world right now. You wanted to make sure there were no innocents and that the victims would fall under acceptable casualties by the rules of war. You only made enough to use it once… so perception…. You plan to bluff the rest of their empire. Put the fear of genocide in their hearts to force a surrender with minimal casualties. All the while you'll not be able to follow through again because the technology to make it happen will no longer exist."

"Precisely." Harry shuddered, saying this out loud, making it a reality, was rather difficult for him, and only the supporting hands of his mates on his person seemed to be keeping him standing. "Kenobi, please believe me, if there was another way to win this war without costing millions of innocent lives I would take it. I do not wish to cause a genocide, even to a race like this. I'm a Sith, but I am not a monster."

"I know." The blond Jedi stared into the eyes of his friend and saw the truth of him in there, the good man forced to do something terrible for the good of people that needed him. "Give me proof that the technology, and the formula for the compound has been destroyed, and I will convince the Jedi Council you act for the good of us all."

Pure, unadulterated, relief crossed his friend's face. Relief, he knew, that he had not judged him a monster for taking this action. Beside him, Satine returned to her seat. She hated this idea, he knew, but even she couldn't argue against a plan that would save millions. He prepared himself for the rant she was sure to go into later in their rooms though. Weather she liked it or not, she'd sworn her world to the Empire, and that meant something to her.

Thrawn stood next, "Well, now that the decision has been made, I'll inform to fleets to begin their preliminary blockade of the system. Do I have your permission to proceed?"

Harry took in the supporting smiles of his women and nodded. "Do it. When Obi-Wan's padawan arrives we'll head out too, and then we'll begin counting the hours until the end of the Hutt empire as well as the galactic slave trade itself. We go not to conquer, but to liberate."

Thrawn slammed his fist to his chest in the Mandalorian fashion. "It will be done, Emperor Rache."

Obi-wan stood, "You have stood by me when I needed you, Rache. How could I not do the same? I'm with you to the end of this."

Satine slowly got to her own feet. "I do not like this… but I understand it. Mandalore stands with its emperor."

Harry looked to his women who all collectively nodded. "Thank you all. This… was not an easy choice to come to. But let us look to the future. The very near future. The Hutts are the last great slaving force in the galaxy. Once they surrender, the war for freedom will finally be won!"


Note: Some of you may be thinking, 'The Hutts are all evil! Use that plague!'. To that I simply say what Harry already stated, he is not a monster. Genocide of any kind does not sit well with him. Also, he's thinking about his own perception with the greater galactic community. Threatening genocide against the Hutts is one thing, people hate them. But actually following through with it would put a mark on his name that would never go away. Also, it's fair to say Harry is worried about the technology he used being used to make similar contagions for other species if it isn't destroyed. Just a brief glimpse into his mind for ya.