Author's Note: This one was doomed to be short, but I promise the long stuff will come. Hope y'all enjoy!


-Chapter 107: Cause and Effect-

Location: Kowak/The Dominance

"For every action, there is an opposite, and sometimes worse, reaction."

Count Dooku left Zygerria in a far graver mood than he had arrived in. He knew The Wraith was helping the Jedi on Kadavo, a fact that, compounded by the revelation of his Force-sensitivity, proved to be very dangerous. The Separatists could not afford to lose a super-soldier, and nor could Wraith's secret reach the ears of Darth Sidious. Dooku believed it was time for a conference with Doctor Scipio about that matter... as for Wraith's brazen condemnation of the Kiros situation and his expressed desire to 'right his wrongs', Dooku believed, much like his master once did, that it was time for the leash to be tightened and for some discipline to be applied.

Engaging his holocom, Dooku put in a call to a Techno Union lab on Xagobah...


Days later...

They could not believe what they were seeing.

Anakin and Obi-Wan rode matching STAPs, mechanized legs pounding through the jungle as the forward turret cut down defending Zygerrians. Between them, Ahsoka drove a modified speeder fitted with a sidecar gunner's position, the turret being manned by Wraith. The Zygerrian's heavier defensive positions were reduced to shattered rubble as blue fire raked across their lines. Suddenly stopping, the foursome leapt from their vehicles and charged the remaining defenders with blades drawn, Jedi and super-soldier deflecting back shots as they formed a line and advanced. Their strategy was fluid, honed over multiple insurgent strikes to rescue enslaved Togruta. They knew what they were doing, most of these targets were organized in similar fashions.

Wraith blazed ahead, Tyth burning through barricades, weapons and sentients as he charged the Zygerrian ranks, unleashing a firestorm of pent-up fury upon those he definitely deemed mortal enemies. Anakin did similarly, his fervor like Wraith's but lacking in intensity and violence. Obi-Wan kept pace but was far more refined and skillful in his approach. Ahsoka was not far behind either, often using their work as a distraction to climb walls and towers in order to dismantle the defenders above. On more than one occasion, she and Wraith had tag-teamed a defensive position, making short work of both the turret and the crew manning it.

They overran the Zygerrians swiftly and efficiently, the foursome an unstoppable force now that they were united and working together against a common threat. They lunged across another barricade, sabers bright and swinging as they came down on Zygerrian defenders...

"Yeah... if only that was what happened." A lone Wraith mused, locking fresh energy cells into his pistols as another withering wave of defending fire chipped away at his cover. He pushed his daydream aside as he turned and opened fire, with no back-up or assistance present...

Anakin's answer had been flat-out refusal, not wanting to join Wraith at all. Obi-Wan echoed his sentiments, stating that they needed to return to colonists to Kiros. Ahsoka was desperate to go with him, though, citing an opportunity to help save more of her people. But her masters had seen fit to confront her and convince her otherwise, a subtle nudge from Wraith through their bond eventually ensuring he would not be aided by anyone in his endeavour. He silently promised to keep her in the loop and update her when he got the chance.

His efforts proved fruitful, as the Republic soon found out. While the Jedi were offloading the colonists on Kiros, a tan Aurore-class freighter touched down not far away and released twelve more, all of them freed from the slavers they'd been sold to.

And now, almost a dozen runs into his personal quest for redemption, The Wraith was on Kowak; a Zygerrian holding in the Outer Rim that was more civilized than Kadavo but only just. It was an extension of Zygerrian society and several of the more predominant citizens had purchased several Kiros colonists for a variety of reasons. Wraith didn't care for why, only where.

For he was here to return them to their home.

Kowak proved to be a world entirely covered by rainforests, as well as the homeworld of the exportable Kowakian Monkey-Lizard. There was enough diversity here for the Zygerrians to turn a real profit in trading exotic animals. Wraith had seen a few around Zygerria, specifically the Convor bird, and determined that no life was sacred to the Zygerrians... only another opportunity to turn a profit. And so he decided that this world, like Zygerria, should fall into chaos and disarray. He did so by slaughtering his way through the markets of the settlement, freeing slaves left and right and inciting a full-on slave rebellion. A pack of Wookiees had been extremely helpful to that end, their strength triple anything a Zygerrian could muster, and led the charge to free all others who were in chains. Their efforts had caused quite a distraction and Wraith used it to infiltrate the shipping platforms where newly-imported slaves were held.

Based on his intel, this would be where the Togruta were held.

He breached the first entrance and cut down a multitude of guards before he had to breach the inner layer, which contained more guards ready to face him.

"Turn back or be destroyed by Zygerrian might!" One threatened, still as speciesist as the others Wraith had killed.

"There's two certainties in life," he growled in reply, drawing his firesaber, "and I'm not the taxman." With that, he struck, and the room was soon filled with the stench of charred flesh and burning fur. Severed and dismembered Zygerrian bodies littered the floor in his wake as Wraith killed the last one by the door to the slave pens. Shoving Tyth through the lock and leaving it for a few seconds proved enough to melt the door access and allow him to shove it open with ease. Once inside, he discovered a single barred cell big enough to house all of the Togruta he'd come for, thirty in total. The lights were minimal and dim, the people trapped in near-total darkness. The best illumination came from the rolling flames of Tyth. "Togruta d'Kiros!" Wraith called out in Togruti as he held up his blade for them to see. His optics adjusted for low-light vision and he soon found several desperate Togruta, men and women alike, clamouring for the bars just to get close to him.

"Free us! Please!" They begged in Basic. Wraith nodded and used Tyth to melt the braces supporting the iron bars, weakening them enough so he could tear them away and cast the entire wall of bars aside.

"Come, my ship's not far away. I'm gonna get you all home." He promised, leading them out. They were very grateful. "Bless you!" Many women cried as they past him. "Thank you!" Many men echoed as they broke for freedom.

"Help those who cannot stand." He instructed, determined to get everyone out. "I assure you, you will be safe." This time. He thought to himself, cursing the last time he'd promised them safety. He'd found his purpose, though, he would ensure the freedom of these people. For their sake, for the sake of future Kiros Togrutans...

For the sake of Tyria Halva and others, who died before their time.

Wraith led his train of captives out into the sunlight and through the rainforest as the distant clamour of battle and strife met his ears. Hopefully this would make a near-permanent end to Zygerria's slaving days. But if anyone tried to start it up again, Wraith vowed to be there to destroy it. They boarded his ship, thirty-one including himself and Wraith quickly started the engines, leaving before Zygerrian militants could arrive on the scene. His nav-computer quickly accepted the repeated destination of Kiros and Wraith tended to the people on board as they jumped into hyperspace.


Later...

He was tired from the non-stop action, devoting himself entirely to the restoration of the all the sold colonists. And now, as he deleted the final bill of sale from his datapad, Wraith slumped in the command chair and exhaled.

He'd done it. All of the colonists were back where they should be, their number now a bit closer to the original fifty-thousand. He felt good. For the first time in a long time, Wraith felt accomplished and as though he'd done some real good. Sure, he was in desperate need of a proper bed and his armor needed to be mended and buffed, but it had all been worth it.

With the last group returned to Kiros, he was headed back to the Dominance. Sure, he'd pretty much gone rogue in order to accomplish this, but perhaps the reputation of the Confederacy could be mended after this. He sought no praise or gain or personal glory from this, only to do the right thing as well as fix what had been broken.

The freighter came to a stop within a hangar aboard the Dominance and Wraith left via the extended docking ramp, stretching as he did. It was then that he remembered something. It seemed odd and totally out of place, leaving him to wonder why he was recalling this now, when it suddenly occurred to him that this memory was new to him.

He saw hands, small and infant, stretched out towards a pair of metal cubes that were levitating off the ground. They were his, they had to be. Then he heard a voice, a familiar one.

"You see what I mean, my lord?" Scipio.

"Indeed. It was good of you to call me Doctor. This was most... unprecedented." Dooku?

"What should we do?"

"The child is young, his powers newly awakened. I will simply sever his connection to the Force and then erase the event from his memory."

"And that will work?"

"Of course. The child will not remember and his abilities will never return, ensuring this project may carry on as intended." The memory faded and Wraith was left stunned, stop just at the foot of the boarding ramp. They knew? They had known about his abilities only to section them off? He could not believe that both Dooku and Scipio had been involved in the removal of his Force powers. He thought they were only just manifesting now, but that appeared to not be the case.

If he had been Force-sensitive from the beginning... then... that meant-

His scanners and senses simultaneously detected danger approaching his right side and Wraith flinched just in time to duck a blow from a black-clad fist. He struck back with lightning-quick blows and a hard right cross to a helmet made of an ebony material. But his assailant was not staggered and his helm simply swivelled back to Wraith, revealing a full visor that glowed red... not unlike his. The black-clad attacker quickly countered Wraith's next punch and a push-kick sent him sprawling across the ground. But Wraith sprung to his feet, any thoughts of tiredness or the need to be refreshed replaced by an adrenaline rush.

"Who the hell...?" He rumbled, quickly engaging his mouthguard as he got a good look at his opponent. His scanners were currently running amok, unable to get a good fix on his target, a heavy indicator to Wraith that some sort of electromagnetic warping field was in effect. The being was taller than him by several inches, but was just as broad as he was. His armor was black and resembled a Clone's, full of edges and thick plating, but was definitely of Separatist origin, the crest on his shoulder a dead giveaway. Across his back hung two blaster rifles, one he could not identify, but the other was most assuredly a DC-15LE. A machete hung from his belt and Wraith could see a knife strapped to his boot. His helmet was equally impressive; tall and narrow with edged lines leading from his visor down to twin ports at his chin, offering a very imposing look to complete his appearance. "What are you doing here?" Wraith demanded.

"You helped the Republic!" He growled in reply, voice emulated by a modulator. "You traitor!" Wraith studied his charge, determined to feel his way through the fight and adapt as things went on. if that meant taking a few hard knocks from this guy, who was clearly hellbent on confronting him... well, his armor needed to be mended anyway.

"I am no traitor and I am NOT accountable to you!" He retorted, quickly striking with a lunge kick. But his foe managed to catch his foot and slam him into the floor before throwing him into the hull of the Aurore freighter. As he bounced off the ground and quickly righted himself, Wraith deduced that this had to be yet another super-soldier. His ebony opponent threw himself at him again and Wraith quickly blitzed him with a burst of pistol-fire. Each bolt left a scorch mark behind but did not phase the super-soldier. His fists came crashing into where Wraith had been standing, having rolled out of the way at the last minute. His pistol slid back into its hold by his side as he brandished Tyth and ignited the fiery blade. Wraith took the offensive and swung hard as his opponent recovered, the blade of Tyth managed to find his sleeve and cut deep, leaving a sizzling wound behind. But the super-soldier seemed to shrug it off and stood stationary, Wraith watching in shock as his skin rippled before reforming over the wound, healing it completely within seconds. "Freaky." He mused with a huff. The super-soldier came at him again like a whirlwind, Tyth knocked from his hand as blow after blow connected with his armor. Wraith managed to catch both of his fists before they could strike him again, only to recoil in surprise as a blade materialized from the super-soldier's left gauntlet. The extended weapon had been concealed so perfectly, Wraith had no idea it existed until it slid within an inch of his hand. His opponent managed to free his hands and attacked with wide swings of his arm, the blade creating sparks as it scraped over Wraith's helmet. Wraith quickly rounded a punch to his side and a kick to the back of his knee, lowering him just enough so he could land a chop to the base of his neck. Only, instead of hearing the crack of bone, his hand connected with something infinitely more solid. He made no cry of pain or exclamatory remark, simply withdrawing his hand and shaking out the bruise left behind. His assailant struck mere seconds later, grabbing Wraith's head and throwing him back into the hull of the freighter. Wraith shrugged off the blow and backpeddled as the super-soldier came at him again.

"Listen!" He snapped. "I don't know what it is you think I did, but if you give me a moment to explain-"

"No need." The super-soldier retorted. Though he did not move, Wraith was unable to tell he was activating special systems located in his helmet via a built-in neural net.

Wraith's HUD suddenly disappeared into a burst of staticky lines and malfunctioning electronics, leaving him completely blind as his vision was skewed. He could not see his opponent, but could feel every crushing blow that followed. Fists crashed into his head and body until Wraith finally had enough and tapped into the Force. A wave of telekinetic power pushed his opponent away and Wraith had just enough time to recalibrate his optics before he was charged again.

This guy didn't quit...

Wraith quickly drew a knife and ducked as the super-soldier's onyx arm narrowly missed his head, the blade of his knife cutting through his opponent's belt and dropping it to the floor. Wraith proceeded to sever another strap keeping several pouches soured his waist before he leapt up and brought knife down into the side of his helm, the tip of his knife striking off the metal but just scratching across his visor. Wraith quickly realized his opponent was wearing an armor forged of a very tough composite, he wasn't certain if it was either songsteel or phrik, and quickly calculated a strategy to compensate. His opponent grabbed him and flung him off, throwing Wraith back to the ground. Wraith quickly kicked out his leg and rolled to his feet, springing up and unleashing a hook kick that struck the super-soldier across the face. He was surprised when his head suddenly snapped back into place and Wraith soon found himself speared as the super-soldier tackled him back to the ground. Wraith was then subjected to an onsluaght of blows as his assailant delivered heavy crossed to his jaw and chin, snapping his head from side to side.

"Enough." The onslaught suddenly stopped when a familiar voice called out. The super-soldier obediently paused and got off of Wraith, leaving him on the ground as he backed off. Wraith pushed himself to a seated position as he caught sight of Dooku and Banshee approaching from the back of the hangar. Retracting his mouthguard, Wraith spat blood onto the floor. A sanitation droid would deal with that later.

"Another super-soldier..." Wraith mused as he wiped his mouth on the back of his hand, "You keep as many secrets as I do." He remarked. Dooku did not react, simply maintaining a deep frown as he approached Wraith. Then the Count stretched out his hand and lightning burst from his fingertips as Wraith's body was wracked with painful Dark Side energy, the super-soldier writhing on the floor as a familiar pain returned to him. The last time he'd felt this was when he encountered Darth Sidious and had hoped to never feel it again. He equated it with punishment and though clouded with pain, he could sense Dooku's malevolent intentions... and it angered him. The assault ended before he could act, though, and Wraith lay on his back gasping for air as his nerves tingled.

"I want to be clear, soldier: I am not impressed by your little stunt, nor am I amused by your words." Dooku thundered. "You are not a leader but a follower... as was your design from the beginning. Your skills and accomplishments have netted you a place within the Confederacy. Mark my words when I say you have, and may continue to, earn your keep. But also know that you can be replaced if you stray too far out of line." He threatened. "And assisting the Republic was very far out of line!" Moving his hand again, the Count picked up Wraith with the Force and held him in midair. "I can sense your presence now... I can sense the Force within you." Dooku mused. "It is weak!" With a growl, more lightning struck Wraith and inflicted pain upon him, the super-soldier spared his torture as it ceased mere moments later. "Your little 'demonstration' on Zygerria proved that much. But now I sense you are only capable of little things. That is good, for it seems you have outgrown your station."

"What... do you... want?" Wraith slowly demanded.

"I sense your anger. It is palpable and perhaps you could use it effectively, if you weren't in such a sorry state." Dooku retorted and Wraith began to choke as a sudden grip on his throat began to tighten. "But know that you will never reach the levels of a Sith as we, your true masters, are the only ones capable of harnessing the full potential of the Dark Side of the Force. We have studied it since we were capable of reading. It is far too late for you." Wraith wasn't sure if he was trying to belittle him or simply keep him from trying to practice further. But he knew he was able to move Dooku before with the Force and sought to do so again forcing up an arm and calling on the Force despite the lack of air flowing to his brain. Dooku felt a wave wash over him, but his own power forced it back, his body unmoved save for a slight waving from his cape. Wraith looked shocked as his power did nothing and a simple flex from Dooku's hand freed his throat while simultaneously flattening him up against the Aurore's hull. "As I said, soldier, your skill is nothing compared to that of a Sith." Dooku repeated. "Did you really think you had what it took to manhandle me on Zygerria? I allowed you to do so. I could've freed myself at any given moment." To emphasize, Wraith was suddenly flung to the floor and dragged forwards, his armor scraping acro grinding until he came to a halt. His optics were just level with the toes of Dooku's boots. "I will say again," Dooku continued, his voice low yet threatening, "I was not amused by your little stunt on Zygerria." Wraith suddenly found himself lifted up again, his throat constricted once more. "From now on, you will do as ordered, without question." Dooku stated. Wraith coughed and spluttered.

"I... have... morals..." He rasped, raising his hand and determined to try harder this time. But his scattered thoughts and lingering anger revealed a different outcome as a burst of Force Lightning left Wraith's hand and struck Dooku in the shoulder. It was weak, but also raw and uncontrolled. It ate through the material of his glove, leaving grooves through the armorweave as the glove was reduced to tatters. The sudden burst of anger made manifest ceased as Wraith exhausted himself and went limp in the invisible hold suspending him above the floor. Dooku calmly brushed his shoulder free of clinging debris before lighting up Wraith with another barrage of crippling lightning. The super-soldier writhed, growled, even convulsed before Dooku ceased his assault moments later, seeing as the super-soldier had been properly brought to heel.

"You will do as ordered. Without question." Dooku slowly repeated. "You may keep your powers only because I permit it. You do nothing without my consent." Wraith understood what this was about, seeing how Dooku wanted him at his mercy and understanding of the fact that he was being controlled by a higher power. They called, he responded. They ordered, he obeyed. He was to be subservient and nothing more. Dooku wanted the chain of command to be known, possibly for all of them to see, using his recent actions as an example. "Do I make myself clear?" The Sith wondered.

"C... C-C..." Wraith slowly ground out, his tongue thick and words hard until he swallowed. "Cr... C-Crystal..." Dooku nodded slowly but then pulled Wraith close, the crease in his brow still evident.

"And if I hear any more news of you cavorting with that Tano girl while on assignment, I will personally ensure you are there to witness her fate." He added. "I will echo my statement to Queen Scintel; my goal is not the enslavement of the Jedi, but its extermination!" Wraith slowly nodded in agreement and Dooku released him, letting him drop to the floor. "Banshee, Reaper, take him to Scipio's laboratory." He instructed. Both super-soldiers moved to obey.

Reaper. So that was the newcomer.

Lifted up by his comrades, Wraith was half-carried, half-dragged over to the turbolift and helped inside. Now he really needed a shower and his armor definitely needed to be tended to. Wraith glanced at Reaper, the new super-soldier. He had some questions for this one, if he was in a conversing mood at all

"Your armor..." he wondered with a cough, still recovering, "'s covered in reflec... isn't it?" Reaper glanced at him, his helmet incapable of emoting.

"Yeah." He replied. Wraith gave a pained chuckle.

"Thought so." His gaze shifted to Banshee. "You... know this guy?"

"He helped train me during my trial runs, before Umbara was lost to the Republic." Banshee revealed.

"Huh... been a soldier... long time then, eh?" Wraith mused aloud.

"Not as long as you have." Reaper admitted. "Maybe we could learn from each other." That surprised Wraith.

"Yeah... like how you... shrug off blows like that..." he agreed, actually smiling, "and how to take one...on the chin." Reaper actually laughed at that and Wraith concluded he was simply working at Dooku's behest to sap him of his strength before the Count took a round out of him. He was just another sentient like he was.

Though he did have to wonder if there were more super-soldier's he didn't know about... and if Dooku planned to replace him with, not one, but an army...


Author's Note: Special thanks to Spartan1203 for the idea of Reaper! What's next on the horizon you ask? Season 4, Episode 14...