Imperial Occupation
The fleet arrived back on Coruscant to find the Jedi High Council awaiting them in the hangar. Raven approached them as the injured were rushed past, including Kai who had sustained a nasty gash that started in the middle of his forehead, then goes down between the bridge of his nose and left eye, and then curves back across his nose. At the moment, his friend was covering the injury with his hand and a cloth to stem the blood flow, and Jania was helping guide him towards the medical bay as he could not see out of his left eye.
"Padawan Vitalis," Master Yoda greeted him solemnly.
"I'm sorry Masters, it was a trap. We managed to rescue as many civilians as possible," Raven said.
"Come, give the full report back in the Council Chambers you should," Master Yoda stated, and he followed the Jedi Masters. On the way, he had the opportunity to talk with Masters Skywalker and Kenobi.
"Has there been any news about Ashlyn and Daly?" Raven asked in concern.
"Not much, unfortunately, we have only been able to sense that they are still alive," Obi-wan answered solemnly.
Raven sighed, "I should have stopped Ash from going after those Bounty Hunters."
Master Skywalker stopped walking and turned slightly to the Padawan, "Don't blame yourself, Ashlyn would not have left if she didn't believe it was necessary," he stated matter-of-factly.
"I know but why hasn't she checked in to at least let us know that she is safe?" Raven asked.
"I wish she would check-in as well, but she is probably concerned that she will be kicked out of the Order for disobeying another order from the Council," Anakin answered, "She is more than likely scared to find that out herself. Don't worry though we have put out a tag on her Starfighter which means as soon she lands on a Republic controlled planet we will know about it."
Raven nodded and said, "Mia-I mean Agent Highrock told me that they were tracing the Starfighter and gave me the locations they already managed to pick up."
"Yes, and we have gone to each of those, only to find her gone when we have arrived. According to the intel she has not been staying on the planet any longer than half an hour," Obi-wan said.
They continued walking to the Jedi Council Chambers and upon arrival, Raven gave the full report of the mission to Masters.
"You are dismissed Padawan Vitalis, please wait in the foyer," Master Windu requested.
"Thank you, Masters," Raven said as he bowed respectfully and then left the room with a slight frown of confusion on his face.
Why do they want me to wait outside? Raven thought worriedly in curiosity.
A few minutes passed when Ancor suddenly walked out of the elevator and stalked into the Chambers without even looking at Raven. Since they had retreated from Agamar, Ancor had been angry about the call to retreat and believed that they had given up too soon. He had spent the rest of the trip back in a closed-off room with Gilgaro, more than likely talking about the offer which the Smuggler had given him a year ago of becoming his co-pilot. About half an hour later Ancor left the room and went straight to the elevator when Raven approached him quickly before he left.
"Ancor, I'm sorry I didn't have a choice. We would have been trapped if I hadn't called for the retreat," Raven tried to explain.
"Look Raven, it's just this one battle that is causing me to make this decision. Since we lost Bramax on Mustafar and David left to try and rescue him, I haven't been very happy with the decisions made by the Council. It's not just you and your decision to retreat from Agamar," Ancor explained, "Don't worry though, I'll still be around as I am taking Gilgaro up on his offer of becoming co-pilot," he added in reassurance and then he entered the lift and disappeared from sight as Raven noticed his friend's Padawan braid and lightsaber was gone.
Raven moved to stand outside the Council Chamber, waiting with bated breath for what was about to happen which would start the next chapter in his life as a member of the Jedi Order. Master Quinlan Vos had just entered moments ago after giving his Padawan a reassuring smile and sent waves over their bond to help him calm down. Suddenly the doors reopened to the room that was now pitch black and Raven took a deep breath before entering. Then twelve lightsabers activated, and the faces of the Jedi Masters were illuminated slightly from the little light that was now in the room.
"Step forward, Padawan," Master Yoda instructed as Raven came to a stop in front of the Jedi Grandmaster and knelt on one knee, bowing his head slightly.
"Raven-Cordis Vitalis, by right of the Council," Master Yoda began as his lightsaber blade came to rest above his right shoulder.
"By the will of the Force," Master Yoda stated as his lightsaber moved to now rest above his left shoulder.
"Dub thee I do Jedi-," the Grandmaster's blade quickly flicked across to sever the Padawan braid, "-Knight of the Republic."
Then Raven rose to his feet, picking up the braid from the floor as he did so, and then he bowed low in respect.
Zromkiar stood there in front of all the civilians of Agamar with the other Force Born members flanking him and the entire Sith Army standing behind the raised rock that they were all standing on.
"From this forth Agamar is under the control of the Sith Empire, all those born with the gift of the Force will be given as gifts to the Empress to join the Order of the Empress's Children," Zromkiar declared, "All those who fight will join the ranks of the Sith Army, everyone will be given the opportunity to take up other roles within the Sith Empire."
The crowd was silent as some troublemakers were identified and dragged away to be incarcerated on a dropship to be taken to Dathomir.
"You have nothing to fear as long as you follow the laws of the Empire," Zromkiar added with extra measure and then he raised his fist and called out, "Victory for the Empire!" This chant resounded across the crowd as civilians joined in.
Then the three Star Destroyers landed on the surface of the planet as the Empire claimed control of Agamar and its inhabitants. Civilians were rounded up to be checked for Force Sensitivity and to have their identities added to the Imperial Registry. Ridae and Aqiri lead any Force Sensitives to one of the Star Destroyers, leaving mothers and fathers on their knees pleading for their children to stay with them but to no avail.
"You should be proud for them, they will be serving your Empress in the most important positions," Zromkiar stated clearly as he pulled the parents to their feet and moved them back into line to finish the rest of the registration process for them to become citizens of the New Sith Empire. The Sith Master decided that he would stay at the tent that was checking for Force Sensitivity just in case any more civilians needed to be moved along.