In the galaxy's Unknown Regions, normal hyperspace travel is difficult due to the various black holes and nebulas. Many worlds remain hidden from the rest of the galaxy. One such world is Exegol, an ancient Sith stronghold that serves as a nexus of the dark side of the Force. It has now been adopted as the fortress of Darth Umbra, Dark Lord of the Sith and Empress of the Galactic Empire.
Orbiting Exegol are several Star Destroyers, including the massive Command Ship. At this moment, as the ships circle the planet, a black shuttle heads for the surface.
The surface of Exegol is a barren wasteland, and the sky is eternally dark, with nearly constant lightning storms. The only structure on the surface is a massive black castle, which appears to be made of an ancient, stone-like material. The shuttle approaches this castle, and lands in a small hangar near the top of the structure.
Inside the hangar, Grand Moff Aphra exits her shuttle, followed by General Hux, two red armored guards, and several stormtroopers carrying a massive sarcophagus that appears to be made of gold. The party is greeted by several beings in black, hooded robes. One of them approaches Aphra, and bows.
"Welcome, Supreme Hand." The man says.
"The Empress wants the ritual performed immediately. Take the sarcophagus to the throne room." Aphra says.
"At once, Supreme Hand." The man says. He bows to Aphra, then walks away.
"Troopers, stand down. The Acolytes will take the sarcophagus from here. Wait in this hangar for further orders." Aphra says. The troopers salute, then step away from the sarcophagus.
"Supreme Hand, if I may, who are these… Acolytes?" Hux asks.
"They are Acolytes of the Sith Eternal. Their main purpose is to preserve the history and culture of the Sith, but they also perform other tasks as the Empress requires. They are so devoted to their cause that they would kill themselves if she commanded it." Aphra answers.
"You seem to hold influence over these Acolytes as well." Hux says.
"I lived on Exegol for almost thirty years. I've had authority over the Acolytes for some time. Now, come. The Empress does not like to be kept waiting." Aphra says.
"Yes, Supreme Hand." Hux says.
A few minutes later, Aphra and Hux enter the throne room, a massive dark chamber. Several large spikes protrude from the throne, which is mostly obscured by the room's darkness. Aphra immediately kneels on one knee once she notices the shadowy figure seated on the throne. Hux follows suit.
"Rise." A female voice says from the shadows. Aphra and Hux stand up.
"General Hux, as ordered, my lord." Aphra says.
"Welcome to Exegol, general. This is your first time here, is it not?" The voice asks.
"It is, my Empress." Hux answers.
"I am pleased with how you have conducted yourself since I restored your rank. That is why you have been invited here." The voice says.
"It is my honor to do as my Empress commands." Hux says.
The figure rises from the throne, and steps into the light, revealing herself to be a woman in her sixties, with silver hair, pale skin, and yellow eyes.
Her continued presence in this dark nexus is causing her body to decay more quickly. She conceals it by projecting false holograms when speaking to subordinates, but I know the truth. She warned me that this would happen. The ritual… will correct this problem, once and for all. Aphra thinks.
"My… Empress…" Hux says, somewhat startled by the appearance of the Empress.
"I see my appearance alarms you, general." Umbra says.
"I mean no disrespect, but… you look… different." Hux says.
"The dark side of the force exacts a great physical toll, even more so in this place, for it is a conduit where my connection to the dark side is amplified. Continuous use of the dark side… causes the body to decay and eventually burn out. You recall Emperor Palpatine's appearance?" Umbra asks.
"Yes, my Empress." Hux answers.
"That is what happens to those with a strong connection to the dark side who use it continuously. In their arrogance, the Jedi call it 'dark side corruption'. I call it the natural order of things. Whereas other Sith decay and eventually die, I simply move to another body once the old one is no longer of use to me. However, this will no longer be a problem for me." Umbra says.
The robed acolytes enter the throne room, carrying the sarcophagus. The ancient coffin is placed in front of the throne.
"At last… the sarcophagus. Well done, my Hand. Have you memorized the incantation?" Umbra asks.
"Yes, my queen." Aphra answers.
"Very good. Now that the sarcophagus is here, we can begin, but first, there is someone else who will be joining us. A brilliant military mind, who I believe will be a great asset to me. The fleet… has been disorganized. Ambitious, incompetent fools constantly aruguing about who is in charge. That ends now. We will have one fleet commander, and his orders will be as if they were mine. Grand Admiral… " Umbra says.
"I am here, My Empress." An emotionless male voice says from the shadows. Aphra and Hux look to the source, and a figure begins to emerge. Due to the room's lighting, the man's face remains in the shadows, with only his white uniform visible. However, once the man steps into the light, his blue skin and red eyes become visible.
"You cloned Grand Admiral Thrawn? For what purpose?" Hux asks. Umbra laughs.
"This... is no clone, general!" Umbra says.
"I assure that I am in fact who I appear to be, General Hux." The man says.
"You're… the real… Grand Admiral Thrawn? That's impossible! Thrawn was killed over twenty years ago!" Hux says.
"By my own bodyguard in fact." Thrawn says.
"The admiral did indeed die, as history records. Then, I restored him. I thought that his talents might be useful to the Empire, so I went to the past, took his body mere moments after his death, and gave him life once more." Umbra says.
"The real Grand Admiral Thrawn… We are fortunate to have him." Hux says.
"Indeed. It has been two months since the admiral's arrival. He has been here, with me, and has used that time to get up to speed on current affairs. Now, he has begun to redeploy our forces so that they may carry out the next phase of my plan." Umbra says.
"I have recently ordered a complete withdrawal of our fleets form Coruscant, and all other Core Systems. I anticipate that the rebel response will be to take these worlds." Thrawn says.
"And I will allow them to." Umbra says.
"You want them to take the core…" Hux says.
"That is correct, general. The Alliance will take the Core Worlds. The Jedi will go to Coruscant and reclaim their temple. I have foreseen it, and I will allow it. Then, when they become complacent in their apparent victory, we will attack. All of my enemies will be destroyed, and the word 'rebellion' will be nothing but a dim memory." Umbra says.
"A bold plan, My Empress." Hux says.
"Our enemies are clever. Defeating them requires a bold plan. Now, onto business. The main reason I have summoned you here. You… are now among my inner circle. It is time that you gain a greater awareness of certain things. Now, observe." Umbra says.
The Empress walks to the sarcophagus. She extends her hand, and the lid begins to rise. Once the lid clears the sarcophagus, it is tossed aside. Umbra then approaches, and looks inside, only to see a mummified corpse.
Seven thousand years… this is what remains… of what was. Soon, I will no longer have a need for inferior host bodies. I will be… complete. Umbra thinks. She backs away from the sarcophagus, and looks at Aphra.
"Now, I will reclaim what is mine. Aphra, call the acolytes to order!" Umbra says. Aphra nods.
"Acolytes of the Sith Eternal! Today, you will bear witness to the restoration of the one true Sith, Darth Umbra! The ritual… will now begin!" Aphra says.
The assembled acolytes begin chanting in the language of the ancient Sith.
"We will need two things. Fire… and blood. Leave the fire to me." Umbra says. The Sith Lord opens her mouth, and breathes fire into the sarcophagus, consuming the corpse within.
"I will handle the blood." Aphra says, as she takes a curved dagger from her belt.
"The ritual requires a blood sacrifice. How fitting that we have a traitor among us that will fulfill that purpose." Umbra says.
"A… traitor? Why would anyone betray you?" Hux asks.
"Why indeed…" Umbra answers. She looks at Aphra, and nods. The Supreme Hand suddenly stabs General Hux in the gut.
"I'm… no… traitor… " Hux says, as he holds his bleeding wound and struggles to stand.
"We are aware that you have been leaking intelligence to the Alliance. We have been aware of it for some time." Aphra says.
"Lying to me… is pointless. I see all. I know all. I know that you were never truly loyal to me, and that you ultimately only serve your own self interest. I know that you do not truly believe in the Alliance cause, but your hatred for Aphra has led you to commit treason. You believe that you should be in her position, and when you did not get your way, you decided that you would try to sabotage my efforts. On the contrary, your actions have in fact accelerated my plans. I will have the rebels right where I want them, and I have you to thank for it. You have played your part well, Armitage Hux, as I always intended." Umbra says.
"I don't… care… if they… win. I just… want you… to lose." Hux says. Aphra stabs him again, this time, directly in the heart. The general falls to the floor, and succumbs to his wounds.
"Well done, Aphra. Now, throw the dagger into the fire." Umbra says. Aphra nods, then throws the blood stained dagger into the fire within the sarcophagus. The flames soon change to an unnatural dark red.
"Fascinating." Thrawn says.
"Have you ever witnessed a Sith ritual, Grand Admiral?" Umbra asks.
"I have not, Empress." Thrawn answers.
"Then, you are in for a rather unique experience." Umbra says.
"I look forward to it." Thrawn says.
"Aphra, before we proceed, I have one last order." Umbra says.
"Yes, my queen?" Aphra asks.
"Continue leaking intelligence to the rebels. Let them think their spy is still alive." Umbra answers.
"It will be done." Aphra says.
"Very good. You may now begin the incantation." Umbra says. Aphra nods, then begins speaking in the Sith language. Black mist begins to emerge from Umbra, and her body falls to the ground. It quickly decays, and turns to dust. The black mist gathers above the sarcophagus in a vague, cloud-like mass.
The Empress spoke of this. Her spiritual essence is able to move from one body to another. I honestly did not believe that such a thing could be possible, but it appears I was in error. Thrawn thinks.
The spirit of Darth Umbra enters the sarcophagus, vanishing within the raging fire. Soon, laughter is heard, then an intact, unburned hand emerges from the flames, taking hold of the side of the sarcophagus.
"Remarkable… " Thrawn says.
The fire… has no effect on her restored body. Remarkable, indeed. Now at her full strength, Lord Umbra will be unstoppable! Our enemies will fall, and my queen will reign forever! Aphra thinks.