Chapter 28

The Starkiller descended onto the landing bay of the Imperial senate building. The ship hissed as steam emerged from the landing mechanisms and gears grinded as the hatch opened. The sun was at its peak over Coruscant, breaking the gray overcast hat had been prevalent over the past days. Darth Nexus waited patiently as his apprentice emerged. His robes flowed onto the floor, his cowl covering his face from forehead to eyes.

"Welcome back, Lord Fier," Nexus said as he and Fier walked away together as maintenance droids emerged to refuel the Starkiller. "I have been expecting your return."

"And I have been expecting my return as well," Fier said. "I have been waiting long to return to Coruscant, now that by business has been taken care of."

Nexus stopped and turned to his apprentice. "Is that so, Lord Fier?" Nexus said and began walking, Fier beside him. "Interesting, I would have thought you would want to completely finish the destruction of the Jedi."
"I do, Master," Fier said. "But with the plans set in motion we will soon emerge triumphant over the Jedi. All I meant was my personal mission was over."

"I see," Nexus said. "However, does this mean that you do not believe we have triumphed over the Jedi?"
"No, Master, we have won our battle against the Jedi, but unfortunately not the war."

"But we will soon." Nexus said.

"Yes, Master," Fier said. "As of such, did she succeed in her mission?"

"Yes, she has," Nexus said. "I have felt it. Solo is no more."

"And was she able to escape?" Fier asked.

"I sense that she will rejoin us in time."

That does not completely answer my question. Fier thought, but kept it to himself.

"Furthermore, with the positioning of our fleets, Coruscant is now completely under our control," Nexus said. "All insurrections have been subdued, including the most recent one on my life. And the former Alliance fleets have either retreated from our cause or have pledged themselves to us. They know that the rebels cannot win against our forces. Fear is a great motivator."

"Coruscant is truly completely ours." Fier said.

"Yes," Nexus said. "And now Lord Fier I have something for you, to reward you for all your difficult work."

"My training will now be finished?" Fier asked.

"Not yet, but soon," Darth Nexus said. "First I have a gift for you."

"A gift?' Fier asked, wondering what his master could mean. They continued walking, Fier following his master. They walked down and out of the Senate building and out to the bust streets. They were completely unnoticed, using the Force the cloud the minds of the weak. The sun was soon blocked out by the dark buildings that stretched over them, and they were both enveloped by the darkness. They could not see, but Fier followed his master in the dark, using the Force to guide him. Through the Force, he recognized where they were. It was the same opening where Fier had first went to find his master. They were going back through the same passage.

Fier did not question his master's intent, yet he worried about the dangers lurking ahead, the horrible monsters. But he knew that with his new power nothing could touch him. And nothing attacked them at all, and in the Force Darth Fier felt nothing around them. They two were completely alone in the darkness. And then for an instant the Force was choked off from him, and then it returned.

"Master-" Fier started.

"You wish to know why that has happened again?" Nexus asked and saw his apprentice nod in the Force. "My former master had placed me here, and to keep this location secure from prying Jedi eyes put up a wall of yslamiri around. The field they create, though blocking out the Force for a moment, also creates a barrier, preventing anyone from seeing past it. Only one who is reaching out can still see, such as how I contacted you, and that was the only way you found me. If not, you would be lost here."

They arrived at the door, the computer still flashing. With a wave of his hand Nexus pulled the door open, its hinges creaking. Both stepped inside. There the figure was chained to the wall, barely awake. A big, bloody gash was across his forehead, and his face looked slightly swollen and pale. Fier recognized the figure, from his previous existence. It was the Jedi called Zekk.

"This one, along with other Jedi filth, attempted to assassinate me," Nexus said. "But there plan failed. This one was almost killed, but I kept him alive. He is my gift to you, Lord Fier. Do with him as you please." Darh Nexus left and closed the door behind him. Now only Fier and Zekk were together. Zekk stirred and looked up at his captor.

"Ben," Zekk said weakly. "What have you done?"

"I am not Ben, anymore, Jedi fool," Fier said. "I am Darth Fier."

"You've betrayed us all, Ben," Zekk said. "Do you realize what has happened to the Jedi? They are nearly all wiped out."

"As it should be." Fier said.

"Ben, it is not too late," Zekk said. "Let me go and we can still save the galaxy."
"I am saving the galaxy," Fier said. "And do not attempt to what you call "help" me. Others have tried to "help" me as well and failed. Only one has truly helped me, my Master."

"Then you are a fool." Zekk said.

"Is that the best you have?" Fier said. "Brave words for a dead man."

"You will not win, Ben," Zekk said. "The Jedi will defeat you."

"And that is what you do not understand, Zekk," Fier said. "I have already won."

The red blade emerged from Zekk's throat.

Darth Fier returned to his master, and together the two returned to the darkness above.

-

The image of the Emperor appeared before Captain Oras.

"My Emperor," Oras said, bowing briefly.

"Captain Oras," the Emperor said. "I shall get to the point. Where many have deserted you have remained. I commend you for your actions and loyalty. However, with the many deserters who have left our cause and with your record I hereby raise you to Admiral."

"Thank you, my lord." Admiral Oras said.

"All fleets are now under your control," the Emperor continued. "I shall notify the clone fleets that you are in command now, and you are to position your fleet around the far side of Coruscant."

"Yes my lord."

"When I give the order, you will move the fleet as I say," the Emperor said. "From there on you will know what to do."

"I will, my lord."

"Be prepared, Admiral, for soon the end will be at hand." The image blanked out and Oras walked onto the bridge. The aging former captain of the Alliance Super Star Destroyer Titan gazed out the viewport. He knew where his loyalties lied and was ready to do anything. Anything that is, to stay on the winning side, and he knew which that side would be. He knew the others who remained with him knew the same. The Emperor and his New Empire was strong, much stronger than the squabbling Galactic Alliance. They would be the victors of the coming battle. But at the same time he was also afraid, which further motivated him to stay with his Emperor. And he did not want to displease. He gave the order the amassed fleet of clone, human, and alien personnel, now all under the banner of one Empire, and they started to move their position. The fleet of the New Empire would not fall, and the Emperor will win.