Chapter 30

Darth Fier sat and meditated in his private meditation chamber. Though isolated in the confined space of the chamber, he was connected and joined to each being in the galaxy through the Force. He felt the presences of the gathering armies; the fear in all of their minds. They both knew that this would be a battle to the death and that there would be only one victor: the Sith.

Darth Nexus knew it as well, and he waited patiently in his office on his recently constructed throne. Fier saw him in the Force as well, as clear as if he was standing right in front of him. All of Nexus's planning had come to the moment soon to come, and soon all opposition to them would be crushed once and for all. But most importantly, as his master had promised, Fier would finally be qualified as a full Sith. Fier had shown his loyalty, strength, and power to his master already, and after this meditation his training would be complete. Nexus revealed to him that all he had been put through was his training as a Sith, and now was the time to finish it.

The meditation brought such a sense of clarity to Fier that he felt that he knew all and could do all. Fier heard his master call to him and he broke out of his trance. He exited his chamber and made his way to his master's room. As he walked around the Imperial Senate building he noticed that there were only clone troops about. No Senators or other personnel were to be seen. Fier surmised that they probably went into hiding to escape the coming attack. He arrived at Nexus throne room and entered. Nexus was ready for him, staring a Fier through closed eyes.

"Your time is at hand, Lord Fier," Darth Nexus said, not rising from his chair. "You have proven yourself time and again, and so you are now a true Sith."

It was said and done. That was all it took, Fier though. After all of his waiting, all his master had to do was speak a few words and he became a true Sith. In a way, Fier felt cheated.

"Thank you, my master," Fier said. "But does that mean you are no longer my master?"
"In a sense, yes," Nexus said. "You have surpassed me in nearly every way possible in the Force. You have become very powerful."
"Really?" Fier said. "Stronger that you?"
"Yes, Lord Fier." Nexus said. No sooner had he said so the snap-hiss of a lightsaber was heard. Nexus felt the tip of Fier's red blade right against his neck, ready to slice him through. Nexus did not flinch; did not even move.

"If I have surpassed you," Fier said. "Then it is my right as a Sith to kill you. Then I will be the true master of the Sith." The room held still and was silent for a moment.

"Yes, you do have the right," Nexus said. "it is the only natural order of the Sith. But tell me, young Sith, what will you do afterwards?"
"Explain what you mean." Fier said.

"You kill me, but what will happen to you?" Nexus said. "Will you take my place as Emperor? How could it be possible, since no one knows of you, except for a few Jedi? They galaxy would never follow you and the New Empire would crumble. You do not even have the capacity to control a galactic government."

Fier felt rage boiling inside of him, but he knw Nexus's words were true.

"But if I still live, I will remain in control," Nexus said. "And we will flourish. I will teach you more, for when it is time for you to take control of the galaxy. But if you kill me now, all that we have planned will fail. What will you do?"

"You would willingly let me kill and succeed over you?" Fier asked, a little skeptical.

"Well, not quite willingly," Nexus said. "But with your powers, I wouldn't stand much of a chance now would I?" Nexus smile and stood. "Come, Lord Fier, we still have much to do before my death." Nexus walked out, indicating Fier to follow him.

Yes, we do, Fier thought. Though your death may be sooner than you think.

-

"Sekot, you have come." The aging Magister Jabitha said. She stood in her house as she talked to Sekot, the mind of Zonama. Sekot had taken the form of Jabitha herself, and the Magister was a little intimidated with talking to herself. But she had done it before and grown accustom to Sekot's surprise visits.

"Something contacted me," Sekot said. "Or rather, I merely felt it."

"What was it?" Jabitha said. "Does Harrar need to know about this?"
"Yes, as do all," Sekot said. "A dark presence is growing, but I have only just felt it. I am needed."

"For what?" Jabitha asked.

"Do not concern yourself with the details." Sekot said. "I soon will be activating the hyperdrives. Have all ready for when we arrive."

"Yes, Sekot." Jabitha said, but the image of Sekot had already vanished. The Magister wondered what was to happen and left to find Harrar.