STARS ABLAZE EPILOGUE

BOUNTY HUNTER

The Galactic Republic is in peril. In the aftermath of the Battle of Naboo, disorder and corruption run rampant throughout the galaxy.

Seizing upon this chaos is a mysterious and deadly cult known as the BANDO GORA, whose vicious attacks have nearly crippled the galaxy's most powerful industries.

Darth Sidious, recognizing this development as a threat to this own sinister plan, has summoned his new apprentice discuss the matter.

Across the void of space, a single ship with what looked like sail of some type, drifted through in between the stars with no clear destination in mind. On board the ship, its single occupant aside from the droid piloting the ship left the cockpit and entered his private quarters just in time to accept a holographic transmission from his master.

He immediately bowed in greetings. "Master."

"Lord Tyrannus, an urgent matter has arisen that must interrupt your training. The Bando Gora has become a dangerous parasite. It must be eradicated. I believe you once had the opportunity to eliminate its leader." Sidious stated. "Why did you not take it?"

"As an experiment." The man known Tyrannus answered.

"The experiment has failed." Sidious said harshly. "This deranged former Jedi has no place in my vision for the future. I expect you to correct this error."

"As you wish." Tyrannus nodded. "And what of your plan for the clone army?"

"Our cloners require a host. You must find an ideal specimen. Perhaps among the galaxy's most dangerous mercenaries." Sidious suggested.

"I shall accomplish both tasks with a single stroke, Master." Tyrannus stated confidently.

"Yes, yes." Sidious grinned. "I look forward to completing your training, my friend."

"And what of the Milky Way Galaxy?" Tyrannus asked, changing the subject.

"Even if they share little trinkets they would not intervene if war was to break out. Their Prime Directive forbids them. Still, we must be cautious as they have shown themselves to be highly advanced and knowledgeable." Sidious answered. "We will have to make some modifications to the plan such as advancing our opposing army while still ensuring our clone army will meet them on equal ground. As of now they are confined to their galaxy with only a few ships making contact with the Outer Rim. We must ensure they do not realize the scope of our plans but at the same time prepare for the possibility that they might become involved."

"I understand, Master. I will make certain that no one from any galaxy discovers a trace of our plans." Tyrannus assured his lord. "Our benefactors will be made aware of the possible threat and adjust themselves accordingly."

"Good. I will see to the same on my end, Lord Tyrannus. And we shall see what the future holds for both galaxies." Sidious said before ending the call.

Xxx

Six Months After the Battle of Naboo
Milky Way Galaxy
Lantaru Sector
USS Enterprise

"Admiral's Log Stardate 2222.3, the Enterprise has returned back to Federation space and is on the edge of the Lantaru Sector where warp drive has been rendered useless due to an incident that created massive subspace shockwave. The result has created subspace ruptures that have rendered warp drive impossible and two Federation colonies cut off from Federation space. R2-D2 has introduced a formula for repairing subspace due the infinite knowledge from V'Ger that Mr. Spock has implemented. If it works we can begin repairing subspace in our part of the galaxy that has been left damaged by centuries of warp drive being used by all space faring civilizations."

Kirk ended his log, looking up at the view screen to show the surrounding space of the Lantaru Sector. Though everything appeared normal, subspace had been damaged to the point that if a warp drive went active it would cause subspace tears to form that would utterly destroy the ship in question but could also cause harm to the surrounding planets in the sector. There were at least two Federation planets that had been cut off. The only way to reach them was eight by sub-light speed or use the new hyperdrive but even that wasn't a guarantee.

He turned around to see R2 at Spock's station, downloading the necessary data for creating a way to seal the subspace tears and hopefully repair the damage. Such a thing hadn't been considered possible before but V'Ger's knowledge was beyond anything in the known universe and all that knowledge was placed inside one small droid that it had seen as a kindred spirit. R2 said he would only use the knowledge he had gained to help others and that he wouldn't directly give it out for free and Kirk was fine with that.

Given what V'Ger was capable of it would best if the knowledge it held was in as little hands as possible.

"Status report."

Spock looked up from his station. "Modifications to deflector dish underway, Admiral."

R2 beeped next to him. "All clear on this end. You should be able to repair subspace easily."

Kirk looked at the view screen. "Let's see it. Mr. Sulu, begin."

"Aye sir." Sulu answered, activating the modifications to the deflector dish.

The dish emitted a blue beam that collided with a subspace tear that appeared into existence as a result of the energy pulse. Everyone on the bridge watched as the tear began to stabilize and shrink down.

"Subspace tear is closing, Admiral." Spock reported. "Thirty percent complete…forty…fifty….seventy…ninety…It's closed."

The view screen showed the tear being completely closed as the beam from the deflector dish subsided.

"Subspace tears has been stabilized and repaired." Spock turned around, looking at the view screen with a raised eyebrow. "A success, Admiral."

"My compliments to you and Mr. R2, Spock." Kirk said with a small smile. "Uhura, send our findings to Starfleet, let them know we will be beginning efforts to repair all the tears in the Lantaru Sector and that we request relief supplies for the colonies."

"Aye sir." Uhura turned to her station. "Starfleet has been anxious to hear it."

"Mr. Sulu, take us further in and best speed to the next tear." Kirk instructed, looking at the helmsmen.

"Aye sir, course plotted and engaged."

Kirk sat down, watching as his ship sailed deeper into the damaged Lantaru Sector to repair all the fractures and could not help but marvel what the potential future held for him and his crew.

Xxx

Cato Nemoidia

Nute Gunray slowly walked into his office, followed by Rune Haako. "Is the room secure?"

"We checked five times over." Haako answered.

'That might not be enough.' Gunray thought but said nothing as he saw the holotransmitter picking up an incoming call from…him.

The debacle at Naboo had left him squandering to make sure no one knew the truth, including those meddlers from the other galaxy. He had managed to survive the first couple of trials he had been subjected to upon being taken to Coruscant and knew Lord Sidious made sure he was not convicted, meaning he was still useful.

He hoped so.

The windows were closed and the lights dimmed as the image of Darth Sidious appeared before him. "Good evening, Viceroy. I trust you are enjoying the freedom you have been given, instead of rotting in a Republic prison."

"Y-Yes, my lord." Gunray bowed his head. "I-I said nothing of your involvement."

"Good. You have reaffirmed my faith in your loyalty and saved me the trouble of killing you." Sidious said harshly to which Gunray flinched. "Were it not for the fact that you were foiled by an unknown entity I would consider this debacle a complete failure on your part. Fortunately I am not without reason and recognize this could not have been foreseen."

Gunray sighed in relief but then felt a pressure on his throat.

"However, I should reaffirm my point that my tolerance for failure has its limits." Sidious said, his fingers twitching ever so slightly before releasing Gunray. "Failure on account from these interlopers will not be tolerated for very long and your trial is not over. Chancellor Palpatine and Senator Amidala will be adamant that you face the Supreme Court again and again until justice is served. Each time you are not to reveal anything regarding my involvement. I would leave you to rot but this new presence has convinced me to remind you."

"Y-Yes, my lord." Gunray coughed.

"In the meantime, the Trade Federation is keep its battle droid armies at its current level but to be kept hidden. The Senate will demand you to reduce your armies but that will only be done in illusion. In reality, you will keep them hidden until you are given the clearance to rebuild." Sidious instructed.

"As you wish." Gunray complied.

"Good. Until then, you are not to make any decisions until I have contacted you again." Sidious said before ending the call.

When the transmission was cut off, Gunray fell to his knees, slightly trembling from the fact he was still trapped.

Xxx

Milky Way Galaxy
Beta Quadrant
Qo'NoS

"He is here."

"Good. Bring him in."

The doors opened and several Klingon guards escorted a human man before the High Council, marching him into a single light shining down from above.

"Krek, son of Gralmek, formerly of the House of Gralmek. Better known as Arne Darvin…and now the human trader Barry Waddle." The Chancellor of the High Council spoke calmly. "You were charged with stopping the Federation from gaining Sherman's planet. You failed and thus you were discommendated and banished from Klingon space. You were dead in all but body."

He remained silent through it all, even though the reminder of his failure was a very bitter one.

"Now…An opportunity for a chance to redeem yourself."

He stared at the High Council.

"A way into another galaxy, another universe has been found by the Federation. They have already established contact and now have the opportunity to grow and expand in an entirely new galaxy as well gain allies, territories and so much more to the point they can grow into a considerate threat to the Empire." The Chancellor revealed. "Some have argued that we must invade, take this gate to a new galaxy before the Federation becomes too strong. Some have suggested we focus on building our forces, expanding our borders in all directions and even take the territories of other powers, such as the Gorn, the Tholians, the Tzenkethi but such efforts will only give the Federation time to grow while we are weakened in trying to consolidate our new territory. And there is another option that you can be part of."

Arne Darvin, formerly Krek was listening.

"Use your knowledge and skills you have gained from posing as a human trader. Infiltrate this new galaxy. To defeat one's enemy, one must know one's enemy. You will help to establish an intelligent network in this galaxy to send any relevant knowledge back to us." The High Chancellor stood up and approached Darvin. "Accept and succeed and I will see your honor restored along with your name and heritage. Do you accept this mission?"

Darvin stared the Chancellor as he brought a fist to his chest. "Qapla, Chancellor Gorkon."

The Chancellor nodded. "Qapla."

Xxx

Jango Fett had just been through what was likely the fight of his life against a derange former Jedi who had been the leader of the dreaded Bando Gora cult. He had been tortured, beaten but he had managed to survive, broke free and won. Now Komari Vosa lied before him, defeated and likely on the edge of death.

"Which will it be, bounty hunter?" Vosa, lifting her head to look at him. "Dead or alive?"

Jango didn't answer, keeping his pistol trained on her. However before he could pull the trigger he noticed something odd.

She started choking, even though there was nothing around her throat. "He…is here."

Within a matter of seconds, Komari Vosa died from an invisible force choking her to death. Jango stared at the boy, wondering what had happened.

Then he heard a voice. "Congratulations, bounty hunter."

Jango spun around, aiming his pistol at the source of the voice as they stepped out of the shadows. "Tyrannus."

"I'm impressed. No ordinary man can defeat one trained in the Jedi arts, especially one trained by me." The man known as Tyrannus walked past Jango as he lowered his pistol, kneeling towards the body. "Komari Vosa was once an excellent pupil, if a bit unstable." He brought a hand over her eyes and closed them.

"You knew Vosa was here." Jango stated.

Tyrannus stood up and faced the bounty hunter. "I thought one day she might prove a valuable ally. Instead she became a liability."

"If you could've easily killed her before, why put a price on her head?" Jango questioned.

"To find you. This contest brought you to me." Tyrannus answered.

Jango held out his hand for the money. "I'll collect the reward now."

Tyrannus turned away. "Of course, of course. Five million credits, was it? Or much more?" He faced Jango again. "If you'll come with me to Kamino to be cloned."

Jango took his helmet off. "You want to clone me?"

"Imagine, an army of clones, the training of which you will oversee. They will be modified to grow at twice the rate of ordinary men and will be programmed for absolute loyalty." Tyrannus explained. "They will be magnificent, perfect warriors. Like you."

"What makes you think I'd be interested?" Jango asked.

"A chance at immortality, to pass on your ways to an army crafted in your image." Tyrannus said grandly. "A great deal of money. How could a man such as you not be interested?"

Jango considered the idea for a moment. "I'll accept your offer, Tyrannus. On one condition."

"And that is?" Tyrannus raised an eyebrow.

"I want the first clone for myself. Unmodified." Jango answered, remembering a promise he had made to a friend.

"Might I inquire as to why?" Tyrannus questioned.

"You might." Was all Jango was willing to say.

Tyrannus stared before deciding that it wasn't worth it. "Very well. Consider it done." He reached out with one hand. "We have a deal, Jango Fett."

"Deal."

They both shook hands over the body of the former Jedi.

Xxx

Later, Jango was carrying his…ally Zam Wessel out of the cave.

"Guess you got her, huh?" She asked, content for the time being.

"You could say that." Jango answered.

"Sure…We're going to split the bounty fifty-fifty, right?"

"Don't push your luck, Zam." Jango shook his head as he carried her to the Slave I.