(A/N) Sorry it's been so long since the last update but school just started and I've been really busy for a while but I'll update again real soon.

Chapter 9

Jolee, Mira, and Atton began to walk down the ramp of the Silver Fire. It had been a week and a half since they had gotten the transmission from The Exile and Revan. They had to leave Telos in order to seek the help of Mission Vao and Zaalbar. The Kashyyyk system was important to the galaxy and if they could not convince the cheif of Kashyyyk, Zaalbar's father Freyyr, to ally with the Republic, it would be a hard hit to their war cause. On Marooqu the warriors had no working transport. They had to fix up the ship that Bastilla used to reach Marooqu. As soon as they had they quickly left to the Ebon Hawk's signal. On Telos before they left Atton made sure that the leader of Telos, the Ithorian who helped The Exile named Chodo Habat, would make sure no transport would come or go.

The gorup looked out at the wreckage before them. The destruction of Taris was a fatal blow. None of the Upper-city survived besides Zelka Forn, the local medic. Zelka had rushed to the Lower-city during the attack. He brought all the medical supplys he could bring because he knew that the Upper-city wouldn't make it, but the Lower-city would need all the help they could get. All of the buildings has collapsed.

Jolee looked around. They had landed on a pile of wreckage, they couldn't see anything but wreckage in the kilometers in front of them. They were in the South Upper-city. Behind them was what used to be the Taris Sith Base. Far infront of them was what appeared to be an old run down Droid shop. But not a long ways infront of them was an elevator, no doubt leading to the Lower-city.

"Well Mission won't be up here," Jolee stated clearly. "If I know Mission, she's down in the Lower-city."

"Then what're we waiting for?" Mira bluntly asked.

"Good point." Jolee agreed and began to lead the way towards the elevator. But when they got their they realized it wasn't working.

"Well," Atton began another one of his aggrivating complaining lectures. "Look at this... The elevators broke. Great. Now what're we supposed to do?"

"Atton," Mira was getting fed up with his non-stop complaints. "If there's a door in the way, you find another way in. So quit your freakin' complaining and either find another entrance, or shut your trap! And if you don't like either option, you can eat a blaster shot buddy!"

"Mira, calm down," Jolee said with a voice that didn't sound too concerned. "Look, we'll just have to find a stair set. "

"If this place is anything like it was before the Sith blockade, follow me." Mira stated, suddenly remembering some of the times she spent before the second Sith war. She lead the way down a few more piles of wreckage and down a remotely clear path. She had taken them to the south Upper-city apartments. She walked down the halls and looked through at each door and wall like it was a temple that she returned to.

"Hey look," Mira began. She pointed at a door half broken. It looked like a couple of long durasteel pipes had been wedged inbetween the walls. "If I remember correctly, that's the stair way.

"Well we're going to have to find a way to get..." Jolee started and grunted at the end as he summoned the Force to yank the working half of the door off, sending it flying to the wall. "In."

They stared at the durasteel pipes wedged inside of the wall. There didn't seem to be an easy way to move them besides to Force pull them. However they saw a big enough hole to squeeze through so Jolee refused to summon the Force.

"I'll go first," Atton suggested. "That way we'll know if it's big enough for all of us."

"Fine." Mira nodded as Atton began to walk towards the durasteel. He found the small patch between the bottom and middle pipe to slowly pull through. He squeezed in finally and when he pulled in his last foot, Jolee followed. Jolee got in quicker than Atton, but he still had to suck-in his gut. Mira walked up to the small space and pushed herself in considerably faster than Jolee and Atton.

Mira led the way down the stair set to the Lower-city, and soon came to a door that opened as she stepped up. They were in the Lower-city south apartments. It was a insane sight, many bodys lay on the floor, severed body parts were seen in various places. A handful of humans in dirty tunics were kneeling at various beings, trying to apply medical healings to them. Many dead bodies laid against the walls of the dirty apartments. A couple of people looked at the three, staring at them. It was a terrible sight but Jolee knew they had to place the needs of the galaxy, infront of the needs of a planet.

"Where is Mission Vao." Jolee spoke loudly, staring out down the long hall at each side, looking for the blue Twi'Lek.

"Jolee?" A framilliar voice came from the left and slightly far away. The voice seemed a bit deeper than Jolee had remembered, but he knew who it was even before he turned.

"Mission!" Jolee said with a slight hint of happiness, despite the dead bodies all around him and the half-dead men staring back at him. She was 19 and had grown to quite a beautiful young Twi'Lek. He was stunned.

"Jolee, wha-what are you doing here?" Mission stuttered, skipping the small talk.

Jolee gave a slight sigh. "Why else would we come to you? The galaxy needs to be saved, Sith coming to attack, you know the story. Only this time it's a new type of enemy. Malak has possesed Juhani's body and is merging their power to become more powerfull than anything ever before and his hidden fleet is preparing a large attack. And the True Sith species is coming, preparing an even larger attack possibly. All this and the Republic is still weak from the last Sith war, and from the Telos raid. We need all the help we can get and we need the heros of the Star Forge to reunite, therefor we can help bring back the Republic. Zaalbar could help with the Kashyyyk system."

The whole place seemed to be dead at the end of the last sentance. Mission's lips parted slightly and her eyes widened. The hall was silent for another few moments before a a loud Wookie growl erupted. Zaalbar had been around the corner, and he had heard everything. He was just as shocked.

"Well if the Republic is under attack we would surely like to help but Jolee..." Mission seemed to be torn between two causes. "But Jolee. J-Jolee I have to serve my people, I mean this is where I grew up!"

"I know that Mission, but this is more important. The Republic needs you."

"But Taris needs me! If I don't help then who will, I mean these people are all I know.."

"Mission, if we can help save the galaxy, then we can use the Republic to save Taris. It won't help Taris if the Sith return to rule over Taris, or even if it is left alone by the Sith, it still just won't help."

"The Republic will help the big core worlds, they won't bother to come to work out this scum."

"Mission," Jolee looked Mission in the eye. "I promise you that Taris will be rebuilt when the Republic is done with this war."

"I... I will trust you Jolee." Mission choked out her words. "But if the Sith return... They will surely come after the chemical and biological poison tactics, what will we do about that?"

Jolee froze.

"C-Chemical... And Biological posion tactics?"

"Yeah the new weapons they were working on here in the hidden Sith base."

"What?"

"You don't know?" Jolee shook his head and stared at a stunned Mission. "But the Republic they... Oh my Force! It turned out that the Sith had a hidden base here that noone knew about besides Malak and a few Sith scientists. They were hidden and had such a strong Force field that the destruction couldn't take it down! It became accesible through the Under-city after a couple of walls collapsed and it was in plain view. The Force field, however DID come down. If Malak is ressurected then he is surely going to go after these weapons! He will control the galaxy!"

"Well then we will have to get to the Under-city, and find it before Malak does! The Under-city is a terrible place from what I heard... But we better get moving." Jolee began, determined to help the galaxy. Mission just stood staring, unable to move. "What.. What's the matter Mission?"

"I thought it would never be found... Only Malak knew about it.. The Under-city.. It is... The posionous chemicals leaked out and transformed the whole entire city into a hidious and most dangerous land! Even the Rakghouls were transformed to more destructive beasts! And even breathing the air that they are breathing could poison you! The disease has completely destroyed the Under-city society!

"The poison was never fully tested, and it wasn't supposed to do what it's doing, they still had to correct a few kinks in the weapons, but the attack happened... And it was let loose! If you go down here I promise you you will not get out."

"Mission," Jolee said. "How bad as it?"

"It is so horrible, they aren't anything like intelligent beings, they are solely there to feed... It is too dangerous."

"Mission, if it is such a terrible disease, then it must be stopped before Malak gets a hold of it and destroys the galaxy!"

Mission knew she couldn't stop him.

"We will not return. Let us go."

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The Sith medical scientists were working quick. The glass screen was showing them the creation, as the man began to awaken from his life-Kolto tank. He floated slightly before opening his eyes and staring at the men infront of him. He broke through the glass and stared at them. He was soaked in water and only wore under-mesh. The creation was so powerful, lightning crackled and small lines of lightning flashed occasionaly around his clenched fists.

The lead scientist spoke.

"Darth Malak, your apprentice is ready.

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The gorup of Zaalbar, Jolee, Mission, Atton, and Mira had made there way to the entrance of the Under-city after stepping down the long stair case. Jolee stood in front of the door and slid it open slowly. Immidietly he felt the darkness. A low moan seemed to come from the land itself.

It was completely dark. Pitch black. Jolee reached to his lightsaber to turn it on and see but Mission knocked it out of his hand desperately and Zaalbar grabbed it before it hit the ground and alerted the creatures of their presance. Jolee looked at Mission confused.

"No Jolee," Mission whispered very lowly. "Don't make any noises or anything with light, we'll be mauled!"

"But Mission," Jolee whispered just as low. "What the hell are we supposed to use? Blasters make noise and light!"

"We'll just have to try and keep quiet, we'll only attack if we have too... Now follow me."

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The gorup had been traveling along for a short while, they had heard numerous sounds of creatures near by but nothing tried attacking them. Mission slowly crept along the Under-city, leading the gorup down through the area that was once blocked off by the gatekeeper of the Under-City. Within minutes they were nearing the Sewers.

"Ok guys," Mission whispered lowly. "This is where most of them are, they'll come near you, just don't make any noice.."

Mira began to sweat nervously. She wasn't too fond of things creeping up on her in the dark. She had tried to stay tough but developed a great fear of shadow creatures so to speak. It reminded her of the new tomb of Malak, the creatures that would lurk in the shadows only to jump out when she least expected it. But she had to stay strong, if she made any noise the whole place would be on them. Mira simply followed on to the outlines she knew were her companions. Mira figured it would be alright.

But it wasn't. Not three minutes down the long dark path, she heard a loud hissing sound near her, but she couldn't see through the dark. It seemed to haunt her every step of the way, hissing at random moments. Mira couldn't tell if the others could hear it. Slowly the woman stopped as the hissing grew louder. She almost jumped when she felt the slimy worm like creature crawl across her arm. She trembled slightly, but knew she had to stay quiet.

The slithering snake-like creature slid up her skin slowly, moving up her shoulder and to her neck. Mira almost fainted, she was doing all she could to keep on her two feet. But she suddenly felt something else. It felt like tiny teeth sinking into her skin. Mira began to sweat viciously. There was no pain, but fear. Fear of what else the creature would do.

And it was just then when she felt a slimy, wet object licking her shoulder.

"Ahh!" Mira let out a loud scream alerting the others, mainly out of disgust and fear. Jolee turned immidietly and the others followed his action. As soon as Mira's mouth shut and her scream quieted, the entire area awoke. Even without the Force, Jolee could feel the land breathing, the creatures knowing where their new prey treaded. Both faint and not-too-far-away hisses and growls were heard through out the entire plains.

The small creature hopped off of Mira as she began to tremble. Jolee seemed to be deep in thought as he stood frozen, listening to the sounds and listening to the Force. It was not long before Jolee turned, spinning around in a half-circle. The former Jedi Master shot his hilt to his hand and activated the bright green blade, just in time to slice a rat-typed creature, preparing to jump at him. The others squinted their eyes at the sight of such great light compared to the darkness that surrounded them.

Atton seemed to have been staring into the face of a mad Wampa, angered at the threat of her babys.

"Jolee!" Atton meant to shout in a whisper but the sounds of the creatures was growing louder, and Atton slipped out a loud scream. His voice cracked a bit in fear, but he seemed not to notice. "What are you doing!"

"It doesn't matter now, they all know we're here anyways!" Jolee yelled in his ushual tone, not trying to keep quiet at all. "Grab that blaster and either fight with us, or blow your brains on to the floor, I don't care!" Jolee spun on his heels and slashed diagnally to the left, slicing an even larger rat-typed creature in thin air. Atton fumbled with his blaster and began firing anywhere he saw shadows, not bothering to scope.

Mira already had her twin pistols out and had begun firing off at a small gorup of mutant kinrath-resembling animals. She turned and saw a large gorup of unknown mutated creatures, all with grey skin and vicious fangs pushing out of their wet mouths. Their claws were long and yellow, and looked as if they were Rancor teeth. Mira shoved her pistols back into their holsters and yanked her rifle from her back and fired off in an arc at every one of them.

Atton assisted Mira by kneeling down and finally scoping, aiming for the mutatant's necks and heads. He didn't miss a single shot as he scanned through the remaining animals. Behind them they heard a Jolee's lightsaber hum and slash against even more of the creatures.

Mission and Zaalbar fought back to back, blasting at everything that even looked like it was breathing. A canine typed mutant rushed at Zaalbar, and he turned just in time to knock Mission over. The mutant leaped over the two and Mission blasted it in the hind leg, then once again in the side. The creature oozed green liquid from it's wounds and roared in pain.

Jolee sliced as much as he could to keep the circle of warriors safe. They could blast in front of them but when multiple attacks came at them and they couldn't take them all out, Jolee would stab or slash at the mutants.

"We have to keep moving!" Mission yelled, her voice filled with slight fear and a bit of anger. "We can't stay here fighting these things forever, we'll die!"

Jolee rushed foward without saying anything, knowing the others would get the message and follow. Atton helped take down the monsters with Jolee as they moved along while Mission and Zaalbar covered their flank. Mira simply drifted amongst the moving gorup, firing at anything she knew the others didn't see. They reached the Sewer doors in a mere minute that seemed like an eternity to the to the gorup.

Jolee deactivated his lightsaber and clipped it to his belt. The others began to fire less as the animals either began to die out or began to retreat. Jolee quickly pushed the door out of the way and shut it as the others hopped in, blasting the last of the creatures. Mira sighed with releif and slumped to the floor, placing her hands on her face.

"Jeez, what's next? Wampa's with wings that have telepathic mutant powers?" Mira commented vaugely. The others made no sound as she continued complaining. "I have no idea why I'm here... There is no reason for me to do this. Right now I could be on Nar Shadda injecting poison into a prime ministers drink, but no I'm stuck here on this beat down, rubble-filled, mutated dieing blasted trash-heap of a planet."

She began to wonder why noone else had said a word and turned to watch them all staring out at the horror in front of them. A warm droplet of clear liquid began to flow down her cheek as thousands of mutated creatures, big and small, all stood or crouched down the long sewer halls. Mira began to sink into a low, deep sob as she realized none of the bountys in the world could have ever prepared her for this kind of death.