Part 3
The Last Battle
By
Christopher Cleveland
Prologue
Crassus meditated, enjoying his new body and enjoying the powers that Lord Imperius' body allowed him. Never before had he thought it possible to learn how to drain life and Force energy from somebody, much less a planet. But when he used the power to drain Nox of her existence, banishing her soul to the void of oblivion in so doing, he was emboldened. He knew that if he could use her Force energy to buy this body three hundred years, who knew how much time he could buy if he consumed an entire planet. Filled with artifacts, Force-sensitive people, non Force-sensitive souls, life energies, even Nogatan would do just fine especially with its Dark Side connection.
So it was that he contemplated the inner workings of his host body's powers and abilities, deciphering how he may combine them with the ones he brought to the table. He soon discovered a slight nook in the performance of Vitiate's rituals that consumed Nathema and Ziost. For whatever reason, he always needed time to effectively consume a planet when he could've just relied on the power of the artifacts he kept within Nathema in order to accelerate the process. Crassus, under the guise of Lord Imperius, wasn't going to make that mistake nor was he about to let his grandson ruin everything.
In his prime, Hyperion could've made for a great Sith warrior and was making all the right choices. Even when he served General Nobunaga, following Crassus' temporary defeat at the hands of the boy's cousin, Hyperion had been a hell of an adherent to the Dark Side's ways. But ever since accepting the mission that Dantius charged him, and living in exile on Ando Prime, the man had become weak. In fact, Crassus was beginning to wonder if his grandson would become a liability to his plans for the greater galaxy. It would certainly seem that way, given his increasing uncertainty about embracing the heritage that once characterized his youth.
Now, he was armed with the greatest arsenal of any Sith Lord and yet here he was, squandering those talents in remorse for the deeds of his youth. Instead, he should have been wearing his so-called sins like a badge of pride on his chest and relishing the notoriety they gave him rather than lamenting that he had the notoriety at all. Fortunately, Hyperion would have a chance to prove himself once and for all by helping him complete the mission to Nogatan. Once Crassus had consumed the life energies of the planet and its Dark Side energy, he would spend the millennia rebuilding the Sith with some of the best aspects of Algethiius that they may be impregnable against the Republic. He almost lamented the fact that Hyperion was no longer a suitable candidate for transferring his essence, having been a close genetic match of his in his former human body.
But this new body was an improvement in every way from superior physical strength to immensely longer lifespans. The only thing Crassus had to fear now was the failure of the ceremony to consume life on Nogatan. So far as Crassus could tell, the only weakness that there was only one way in which the ceremony could go wrong that Hyperion could be responsible for. If he did it, not even the extra life essence gathered from Lady Nox would help him survive it.
Chapter One
Not long after comming Dantius about the location of Crassus' aspiration to perform the ceremony on Nogatan, Hyperion began working on a way Crassus could be beaten once it began. He figured his best chance would be to wait until his grandfather had initiated the ceremony and entrenched himself into it but had thus far only found one way. If he let his grandfather begin by consuming the artifacts he intended to use in the ceremony, he needed only disrupt his concentration for a mere moment. Once that was done, the power that Crassus had gathered would turn on him, ripping his soul apart and scattering the pieces across oblivion that he may never rise again.
It was the only way to kill him for certain as Crassus would have no time to perform the ritual of essence transfer, had disconnected himself from Hyperion, and his newfound power would be utterly consumed before his soul was torn apart. His body would be reduced to ash along with the robes, leaving only his lightsaber to tell the story of his sad attempt to cheat death forevermore if Hyperion succeeded. The only trouble Hyperion had was finding anything about the potential backlash the ceremony may hold if it was somehow botched. Would the tearing also pulling apart anyone in close proximity to Crassus when the ceremony was botched.
If so, how much time did Hyperion have to vacate the chamber of Crassus' choice before it consumed him as well. These were the kinds of practical questions that Hyperion wished he could ask his brother, given that the Jedi would possess the story about how Lord Nihilus was killed and what had happened when his power burst outward. Had the Lord of Hunger tried to consume his murderers when he knew he was going to die and if so, how much had he taken out of Meetra Surik and her companions before that happened? This was the moment when he was willing to admit that his brother had been the better academian between the two of them and Menelaus had been showing he could be even better than that. The boy had been the smarter brain between the two of them and Hyperion didn't realize how much he missed him until he thought about his time with him on Ando Prime.
Crassus liked to think of these times as weakness but protecting Menelaus had been a source of strength for Hyperion. It was the case when they fought the Brothers Bane of Dromund Kaas, it had been the case when Hyperion came to rescue him from Clyde Rev, and when he fought and defeated Seth. Thinking of that made Hyperion realize that there was ample reason that Morgana had relied on her love of her sibling to fuel her revenge against Hyperion, fuel the travel and resources she had devoted to trying to destroy him. Granted, her vengeance had cost the Sith dearly where Hyperion's charge had set him free from the guilt of his youth but he was surprised to find himself sympathizing with her.
She had been, after all, Patricia's protector when their parents weren't around and likened herself to being a third parent despite the two of them being twin sisters. But he soon lamented thinking about Morgana when, as he was looking over the books he had procured about Sith ceremonies, a vision was produced across his psyche from the Force itself. In the vision, he was walking down a hallway that resembled the throne room of his homeworld of Algethiius but it was torn down by the ravages of war. More, Hyperion's parents, brother, adopted son, and even his old associates lied dead including the sons of Verrin that he had trained to be Emperor's Hands. Jadus was amongst the company as was the entire rest of the Dark Council besides Morgana who was nowhere to be found.
Hyperion kept walking down the hallway to the throne and when he arrived, he decided to take a seat where he knew his grandfather had once sat down when he ruled Algethiius. Fires were burning uncontrollably around the bodies and soldiers of numerous banners lied down beside the bodies that he had already seen on the way over to the throne room chair. As he sat down, he suddenly felt the heat of a lightsaber slice through his back, burn through his body, and poke out his chest to reveal a crimson blade. While the life left his vision's ethereal shell, he heard what sounded like the laughter of the woman the Empire had known as Darth Minshuto before Hyperion killed her. "Mo... Morgana," Hyperion whispered in a croaking voice before the vision ended, not revealing whether or not he would've died.
His return to consciousness saw him on the floor, bathed in sweat and the books strewn about the table he had been using for research. "What... what the hell happened there?" he asked himself, huffing shallow breaths to recover from what he'd seen. He knew he'd had a vision but he couldn't recognize what it meant for himself, no idea how Morgana factored into his life now that she was dead. Then again, Patricia had set in a chain of events that led to "Lady Minshuto" nearly destroying the remnants of the Sith Empire when she committed suicide, following Hyperion's rape of her. So he couldn't dismiss the possibility that somehow, Morgana's death had set in motion a chain of events that would likely be the most significant in Hyperion's long life.
He put the books away then decided that when it was time to make his move against Cronus, he would outline a strategy based on the information. Meantime, he let the librarians take the books so that they could be packed for the trip to the final destination of the remaining Sith forces. For Hyperion already knew that once Crassus had consumed the planet of Nogatan, he had another destination on which he intended to rebuild the Sith until they could be invincible against further incursions with the Republic. Time was of the essence and Dantius was going to have to destroy as much of the Sith as he possibly could, however he could when he arrived. Which gave Hyperion an idea, something he traditionally wouldn't suggest of Dantius for the simple reason that it would be criminal under normal circumstances.
Coding the signal so that the techs couldn't read it, he sent a one-way transmission to Dantius. "If you know any paramilitary forces, hire them out and have them join the fleet. Offer to set them up for life if they survive the conflict but make sure they understand they'll be allowed to use any means necessary to stop the Sith, provided the task is completed. I doubt you'll be allowed enough Republic forces to do the job with ease if you want to keep this expedition a secret," he said. For all their sakes, he hoped the comm reached Dantius before the Sith took off for Nogatan or else things were going to get difficult, if not impossible.
Chapter Two
Dantius had his forces of eighty thousand ready, fully knowing his soldiers might be outnumbered two or three to one for the sake of the confidentiality of the Sentience. That was when his brother delivered to him a coded transmission that helped him realize the answer to his problem that he should've seen before. Paramilitaries, of course! And I know a few whose commanders owe me favors from when we fought against the Eternal Alliance! Dantius thought to himself silently. And even better than knowing a few paramilitaries that owed him favors, their numbers would swell the ranks of his expedition without attracting scrutiny from the Senate, especially if he payrolled the mercenaries out of his own wealth.
His forces would still be outnumbered but he wouldn't have to disperse them as thinly as he feared he'd have to. So he wrung up the leaders of those paramilitaries, briefing them on the strategy at Korriban before taking them to Dathomir first. Among the ones who answered Dantius' calls, the largest were the Silver Hands and the Space Hawks. The former was deadliest on land battles, usually impeccable in not only wiping the floor with their enemies but also doing so with the most minimal of casualties. In contrast, the latter worked best in the depths of space, generally looting pirate ships and giving the larger share to the less fortunate, keeping only enough to keep their operations afloat.
By promising that the survivors could take whatever they could legally sell in addition to a down payment for their troubles, in addition to calling their favors paid, Dantius knew he had them. The lieutenant of the Silver Hands, known as Rama to the Republic, shook Dantius by the hand and agreed to join Ashlynn in the frontal assault on the Sith Temple on Dathomir. Meanwhile, Inoy would lead the aquatic force across the lake and onto the flank of the temple in order to ensure that none who were inside would escape. Meanwhile, the Space Hawks would lead the space assault on Balmorra whilst Dantius took land forces with him to end the Sith presence there.
It was both brilliant and classic Republic tactics, not to mention it would be brutal once the paramilitaries were turned loose on the promise of keeping what bounty they found. In addition, their lieutenants were going to be set up for long enough that they'd be too old and tired to care about working as paramilitary personnel when their funds ran out. That was only assuming they didn't do as Dantius suspected they'd do and get themselves in some kind of brawl that they might die warriors' deaths. There was also the distinct possibility that they'd invest their funds into the right stocks and become millionaires, ensuring their money never ran out for as long as they lived.
Even with those possibilities noted, Dantius found a part of himself hoping he wouldn't have to pay a single soldier, not with a favor being called in and all that. With Ashlynn, Inoy, and Jace by his side, there was now only one thing left to do and that was launch the attack on Dathomir. Force willing, Dathomir would be conquered before the Sith even knew what had hit them and so it was that Dantius first ordered his standard fleets into battle, preferring to reserve the Space Hawks for the Balmorra run. Thus, the final battle of Dathomir and the Second Galactic War began with him at the lead.
"Bide your time and pounce when you know you cannot fail." These were the words that Morgana had passed onto her niece Morgause, after her failure to bring in Hyperion with the aid of Seth al Ugolio and the rogue Jedi. But now with her aunt dead, her mercenaries dispersed, and her resources (few as they were now) passed onto Morgause, she began to wonder. Had she had an opportunity that was then squandered by letting her aunt take over operations? If so, would she have to make her own opportunity if she wanted revenge against Hyperion for the insult paid her by Patricia's rape and Morgana's death.
She somehow felt she shouldn't have listened to her aunt when Morgana told her to retreat and wait while Morgana attempted to take revenge for herself. Now that her aunt was dead and she had been integrated into the Sith as one of Morgana's earliest privileges as a member of the Dark Council, she knew her own opportunity had to come soon. With the Sith on the move, Morgause knew she wouldn't have a chance to take on Hyperion once the plans of the new Emperor were fulfilled. She debated killing him in his sleep but immediately thought better of it, Hyperion deserved death but didn't deserve the cowardice of not facing his killer.
Unfortunately for her, it was as if thinking about killing Hyperion had caused unwanted attention to turn her way. Because the Emperor called for her after she began planning to kill Hyperion, likely to assign her work in rebuilding the Empire. Arriving to his chamber, she found herself standing before an imposing figure that stood at odds with what she had seen with the natives of Utapau in the past. The one they called Darth Imperius was tall as was customary of Pau'ans but he was also filled out and built sturdily enough to punch through durasteel. Bowing before him, she faced her head to the floor and politely asked him what was his bidding in the formality befitting Sith.
"Lady Morgause, I understand that Darth Minshuto was your biological aunt. I also understand that you share her desire for vengeance against the Emperor's Wrath. Am I correct in what my information has told me?" asked the Emperor. He gazed on her with what felt like a sight capable of seeing through her and into her soul even if her eyes were not facing him as subservience demanded. Therefore, she didn't even bother trying to lie to him about her enmity against the one they called the Emperor's Wrath.
"I indeed share my aunt's grudge against Hyperion. It is my desire that his blood grace my blade before the end of my life," Morgause confessed.
"Then answer a question for me, if you would. Morgana is Patricia's sister, Patricia was raped by Hyperion and that reluctant union produced only one child before her death. Unless the two of them had another sibling, have you ever thought to who your father might be?" Imperius explained. Morgause realized the accusation he was making, realized the accuracy in what he said about what Hyperion had done to Patricia where Morgana had never told Morgause that Hyperion's union with Patricia had produced a child. Her breathing became heavy from the epiphany that her mind produced despite her trepidation at the implications of Imperius' remarks.
"Your change of emotion is answer enough, woman. Morgana never told you that Hyperion's rape produced anything yet you never thought to ask why you were attuned to the Force. An unquestioning Sith is a stupid Sith and with enough time, a stupid Sith is a dead Sith, Morgause. Fortunately for you, Morgause, there is a way you and your aunt can still fight together to destroy Hyperion," Imperius told her.
"With due respect my lord, how is that possible when she was killed by Hyperion in their last battle?" Morgause inquired.
"You learn quickly. Normally you would be correct to inquire in such a fashion but I am willing to let you in on a secret. The body you see before you is merely host to a century and a half old spirit usually known as Lord Crassus. Before I came to possess Lord Imperius, I was a disembodied that nurtured its power within the psyche of Hyperion himself after a botched attempt to perform essence transfer on his cousin. Shortly before I was given this host by Hyperion himself, we fought and destroyed Morgana together, allowing me the chance to absorb her spirit into Hyperion's being when he permitted me to use my power to kill her," Imperius explained.
Morgause didn't expect Imperius to come clean with the part he played in Morgana's death. But the fact that the spirit Imperius hosted had helped kill Morgana, only to absorb her spirit into Hyperion's body meant that there was indeed a way after all. "How can I call upon her to help me if I fought Hyperion?" Morgause inquired.
"Firstly, you will need a lightsaber for such a confrontation in addition to the skill to wield one," Imperius began.
"I know the seven forms of lightsaber combat and can effectively wield Soresu, Makashi, and Niman. With some expertise, I can also wield Ataru and Juyo, I simply would need to acquisition a blade. I hear Hyperion has a spare he could lend me if I got close enough to him," Morgause replied.
"Then you are already halfway there. Whilst Morgana and I existed within the innermost sanctum of Hyperion's mind, she and I worked on a way that a blood relative of hers could summon her to take possession of his body if called. The only way we could find was one that requires a chant you will need time to recite and a snap of the fingers upon the chant's completion. Would you like to learn the words you need to speak when you have opened yourself up to the Force in Hyperion's presence?" Imperius asked. Morgause looked up at her Emperor and grinned from end to end, more than enough answer for the man who utilized the name Imperius despite his birth name of Crassus.
"Then I will teach you how to open yourself to your aunt's presence within Hyperion's subconscious and when to recite the chant. You will need if you wish to exact your revenge against Hyperion as well as soldiers willing to help you," Imperius told her. And with that, young Morgause's personal path to revenge began with the aid of the Sith Emperor himself.
