I'm noticing how people start to anticipate me posting a new chapter, as there seems to always be a swell of new alerts and favorites on my stories the same day that I am going to post a new RoDV chapter... just interesting to note. keep on R&Ring!

Chapter Nine

Recoil and Retaliate

Anguis stood tall and proud before the Republic, newly nominated for the position of Chancellor, along with two other Senators, Timmser Vanel of Corellia and Shorpirr, a Wookiee from Kashyyyk. They were surprising choices from the body of the Republic, both from very military and warlike worlds, but neither had any idea who they stood against in the races.

It would take weeks at the best for the Republic to hear each senator's speeches and make the vote, so in the meantime, Anguis had personally moved that forces be dispatched to Umbara by the Senate council immediately, to counter the present threat while the reorganized their leadership, as a show of strength.

It was almost laughable how quickly they agreed, and three fleets of security vessels were dispatched immediately, along with a small group of Jedi petitioned from the Temple. That would give the Emperor and his warriors a real fight to test their mettle against, Anguis thought.

Not that he presumed that they would struggle against this new force approaching them, if anything Veneficus was already aware of what would transpire, which was why Anguis was now working diligently to separate himself from the madman's control. As soon as the Senate was dismissed, Anguis hurried, after several interviews and a short time preening before the public, back to his place of residence in the Industrial District, where he had secreted many things from the probing eyes of Coruscant.

Once he was secured in his private compound, he set to work immediately. The first and foremost issue that had to be taken care of was his connection to the Sith Lord, which had been partially sealed by the unfinished Master Apprentice bond that Anguis had enjoyed two decades ago on Earth. While it was unused and mostly decayed now, it was still present, allowing the Sith to feel him if something major was out of place.

However, removing it wouldn't violate any of his magical oaths, as it caused no harm and didn't go against any of the man's direct commands, and likely wouldn't even be noticed with all the other bonds and connections that the Emperor had likely made in the meantime.

Pouring some vile smelling incense into a brazier, Anguis called upon his power in the Dark Side, channeling it along with his magic to open his eyes to the ebb and flow of the universe around him. as vision cleared away to the infinite and unseen, Anguis spotted the weak and tattle thread of the Force that connected him to the Emperor so many light years away. Slashing his wand through the cord, the tiniest of ripple echoed through the Force, almost undetectable with how weak the bond had become.

"There," Anguis said as the connection faded away, "I am yours no longer, and will be free of you and your madness to come."

With that, he set to work, preparing the flaming brazier as he would a caldron. Unlike potions, most Force based rituals used fire or blood as their catalysts, where potions tended toward water or earth based solutions. As the oaths he had made were in blood and bone, they were impervious to the potion magic of his home world; therefore Anguis had sought his answers in the cosmic Force, and had found several interesting rituals of the Dark Side that would help him, if they didn't accidentally kill him.

But for his plan to succeed, he had to do this, and the Dark Side Adept had great confidence in his abilities now. Summoning forth a small trinket box, Anguis withdrew the first accomplishment of his Sith Sorcery. The amulet gleamed with Dark Side energy, amplifying Anguis' own power as he placed it around his neck. Normally he had worn it always, but being so close to the Jedi made it a liability to be seen with it around his neck, and so grudgingly he had set the amulet aside.

But now, with a sigh of contentment at the reunion of his old friend, Anguis could focus all his power on this important task. Lifting wand and a silver plated knife, Anguis wove a measure of his magic and Force energy into the area of the brazier, before bringing the knife to his own hand. "Blood to blood," he said, letting the knife run its course, and permitted the red life liquid flow into the flames, "Magic to magic, ties that bind and hold…"

The brazier flared slightly, and magic because clearly visible to Anguis, who eyed the many stringed connections of his own making with an eye of scrutiny, seeking the one to his old Master. Sorting through the tentative and weak ones of his political allies, the old and rotten of his friends and family, Anguis finally found the one plated with power and rage, both a bond of affection and hatred. There could be no other of its power, and the Adept raised his bloodied knife.

Carefully speaking words of the Sith language, choosing specific ones of strength and severing, Anguis felt the blade in his hand become red hot, but he refused to release it as he pressed the silver blade to the ethereal cord binding him forever to the Emperor. Pain like none other shot through his body, signifying the oath of death if he betrayed the madman, but Anguis fought on, relishing the pain and the power through the Dark Side that it brought.

The knife shone white hot as it sank into the Force bond, and Anguis could feel the flesh on his hand burning, but even the scent of his own cooking skin wouldn't stop him. With a roar of rage he thrust all his power into forcing the blade through, and with an almighty snap the Oath broke with a rush of blood from the Darksiders face, the vessels giving under the strain that he placed upon his own body to free himself.

The tendrils of power still demanded an anchor in the physical world however, and Anguis had come prepared. With his good hand he removed another pendant from his cloak, holding it up and drawing the ambient force energy to the item. The bond to Veneficus snapped to it eagerly, as his own magic and Force signature were imbedded into it. But the oath of flesh and bone would only transmit to the wearer of the now cursed amulet, which only waited for the chosen fool to have need for some force imbued item for a cause that the Emperor would give to him.

The knife fell with a clatter to the floor, and Anguis clutched his severely injured hand. It was nothing that immersion in Bacta couldn't cure, but for the moment the limb was useless. Blood leaked freely from his eyes, ears and nose, but Anguis threw back his head and crowed, his laughter echoing from the vaulted ceiling high above. He was free of Veneficus at last, and soon the fight would start in earnest.

If the man refused to take Anguis as a full and equal apprentice, choosing what no other Sith had, in remaining singular, then Anguis had no choice but to take matters into his own hands and destroy this Sith Empire, much like Bane had done so long ago. Then, with Anguis as the new Sith Master, he would reforge the order into the Republic, and succeed at last in ruling the Galaxy, where none other Sith had triumphed before.

But for the moment, he would lay low, and obey the Emperor, waiting for the moment he was elected as Chancellor, and then the game would begin at last, ending the Jedi and paving the way for his ascension.

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Darth Diábolis was starting to become bored, guarding the power generator with Fury's forces, when finally the man's Force presence heralded his personal appearance. "You're finally finished with the leaders?" Diábolis said snidely, but the man was unfazed by the comment, which Diábolis noted as strange. Something had changed that made his normal pushing of the Marauder's buttons null. Fury wasn't one to give away such information however, and immediately began demanding marching orders of his soldiers.

"Don't you have somewhere to be now, little Sithling?" Fury demanded angrily as his soldiers started to form up and move out to their next objective.

Diábolis watched Fury for a moment, wondering what could have exercised such a powerful change within the space of several hours. Then he felt it, the hatred and rage underlying everything Fury was doing, all directed back toward the government building, where another familiar presence was smoldering in the power of the Dark Side.

Smirking, Diábolis turned to leave, before throwing a final comment back over his shoulder, "Did you tell Zhar hello from me?"

The burst of great anger that followed reaffirmed that nothing had truly changed with the warrior class Darksider, merely a new source of power for which he could unleash his hatred upon the inhabitants of this world.

Turning his attention to the next objective, Diábolis pulled out the datapad that contained the coordinated of the ruined academy, and walked swiftly to a waiting speeder bike. Firing up the vehicle, he sped off, dodging rubble and soldiers alike. His course took him back into where the last of the resistance in the city was battling heavily to hold some grasp of their city, and he allowed the bike to slam into one or two troopers, while he loosely held his Saberstaff in one hand, halfhearted swinging and bisecting or decapitation the occasional Umbarian that came in range.

The rest fled out of his path, which was irrelevant to Diábolis' goals. He made it to the edge of the city in minutes, flying well past the top of the walls by scaling a fallen building like a ramp, and launching out into the wide twilight forests that covered the dark planet. Several tiny and abandoned settlements flew past him as he traveled. It seemed that the surround populace had chosen to go underground in the face of the Neo-Sith Empire.

All the better for Diábolis, he didn't fell like slaughtering more pathetic nuisances today. He'd rather save his strength for more powerful foes, like the Jedi when they finally deigned to come down from their lofty temple and fight the Empire face to face.

As he approached the coordinates given to him from Emperor Veneficus, Diábolis noticed a distinct change in the scenery, a darkening of the land itself if it was possible on this already blackened and overcast world. The ground started to be littered with dead vegetation, and the very power of the Dark Side started to intensify, giving Diábolis a slow trickle of strength, seeming like a drug entering his system. Following the sensation like a trial of breadcrumbs, eventually Diábolis was lead to a dank hole into some sort of underground network of caverns.

"What's with the ancients and their caves?" Diábolis wondered aloud sarcastically, but dutifully he entered regardless, pausing only to note that there were signs of recent traffic. Rolling his eyes at the irony of it all, he hefted his saber, igniting the crimson blades and preparing for the slaughter of villagers who had decided to flee to darkness in the face of invasion.

Waxing philosophically as he entered, Diábolis pondered why it always seemed that the weak and foolish would flee to the Dark Side in the face of annihilation. At least he could respect the Jedi for clinging to their ideals in the face of adversity, even when destruction was inevitable, but the weak willed sentiments were another matter entirely. It served to strengthen his belief that they indeed were meant to rule, as the Dark Side was already abound in the Galaxy through fear and oppression, who better to stand atop the mound than those who embodied and used their emotions for the greatest gain: the Sith.

The first of the weak minded that he found were so frozen in terror of him that, aside from his duty to purge this world of all that he found, Diábolis would have let them alone, their existence more painful than the sweet mercy of death. He didn't even have the time to draw out their agony, as he was on a time limit to secure this place before Veneficus made his landed to claim the world in the name of the Neo-Sith Empire.

So thick was the cloud of the Dark Side here, in the twisting darkened caverns that after a short time, the beings started to appear more and more emaciated and weakened that he passed by. Snuffing out their insignificant lives was hardly worth Diábolis' time, but soon enough he had cleared out the caves leading down to where the academy was no doubt waiting.

Once he was certain all life was exterminated from the caves, Diábolis pinpointed where in the network the nexus of Dark Side energy was emanating from, noting it for when his Master arrived. This was one place that Veneficus had specifically determined to explore personally, and Diábolis was only to locate the entrance before returning to meet with the Emperor's shuttle.

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Hermione watched with horror as the Senate announced the attack of an unknown force, declaring itself the 'Neo-Sith Empire', on the planet Umbara. "I don't believe it…" Theodore said slowly as he sat beside her.

"Even now the Senate is sending several fleets of security forces, along with Jedi Knights to break the invasion and route these interlopers." The holo-news anchor was saying, even as the Twi'lek stood on a Coruscant landing pad, where dozen of shuttles were lifting off to meet with the orbiting security forces.

"In other news, the Senate is starting up their emergency elections for a new Chancellor of the Republic. The leading Senators are Timmser Vanel of Corellia, Shorpirr, of Kashyyyk, and Drakis Malfay of New Terra. All of Coruscant and indeed the Republic wait with baited breath as the three contenders start their election circuits to garner popular support."

"Well, some good news at least," Hermione said as she shut off the Holo. "But I'm still concerned about this invasion, the Republic's security force doesn't seem that it will be enough…"

"Well, hopefully with the election, Senator Malfay will make important changes and build a proper army for these sorts of situations." Theo commented, which got Hermione thinking.

"Perhaps we can help with that…" she said aloud, her brilliant mind already working on the possibilities. All her inventions were so civil and peaceful, but with the right tinkering and proper modifications, she could design proper weapons for the Republic, some that even none wizard-born could wield.

"What do you mean love?" Theo said, looking concerned at her.

"Regardless of whoever makes it into the Chancellorship, we should offer our technology to help bolster the Republic's forces, make their army and navy more capable of fending off the dangers of the Galaxy." Hermione explained, growing more excited as she continued. "We could revolutionize the entire method of protecting the Republic; make it so that outside forces can never again threaten out systems."

"You are so beautiful when you get like this," Nott said, smiling.

Hermione blushed slightly, but pushed on in her thoughts, outlining several dozen different modifications, and how badly she'd like to see one of the Republic's warships to know how best to modify it.

"We'll definitely need to make sure Drakis wins the election then," Theo commented, "I can't imagine any of the other candidates being too open about using Magi-Tech on the entire Republic Security Force."

"No," Hermione agreed, "I suppose you're right, it's too new, but dear Draco will understand the need and its usefulness. Of course we'll back him and lend all the support we can." She turned away, looking toward the lab as she talked, "I have to get these ideas down, so we can start on some prototypes to present to the Republic when the election is over, maybe even before. I've never been to the Capitol before…"

"Would you like me to arrange transport?" Theo asked.

"Absolutely, you're wonderful dear." Hermione said happily.

"Will you be up in time for dinner? Maybe a diner?" Theo asked, but the door shut before Hermione could respond. It didn't matter, if Theo was as excited for this new line of work as she was, he wouldn't think about eating either.

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Grand Master Fae Coven shut off the Holo projector with an uncertain sigh. Knowing that the claim of a Sith Empire was no jest or falsehood, she had worked hard with the entire Council to make sure some of the strongest Jedi Knights were sent with the fleet to fight at Umbara, but she was still worried for her people, effectively her children, were walking into a danger that they were woefully unprepared for.

And then there was the abrupt and rather convenient changing of the Supreme Chancellor on the eve of a massive battle, which never struck the Jedi as a good thing. You simply do not change leadership at the onset of something as important as this. And then there were the candidates themselves to think about. First there was Senator Timmser Vanel of Corellia, a somewhat larger man with a great desire for comfort and prestige, but the anger and command of any from his planet.

Fae was sure that he wouldn't be a proper choice of Chancellor, especially in times as delicate as these. He was nominated for being one of the most senior members of the Senate, more of a courtesy than a legitimate nomination, but the frightening part was his determination to actually win.

Senator Shorpirr on the other hand, from one of the warrior tribes of Kashyyyk, would be an excellent choice, but many were unwilling to have a Wookiee Chancellor, the language barrier alone would make his leadership difficult for most of the other Senators to accept. A pity, as the Wookiee was both wise and strong, and came from an honorable heritage, exactly the support that the Republic needed in this crisis.

This finally brought Fae around to considering the last of the Senator nominations, Drakis Malfay of New Terra. There was simply little to no information about these humans from their remote world on the edge of the outer rim. There was no predictable outcome or plan with this man, and as the most junior member of the body he had the least experience of how things were run.

Yet at the same time those things that were his weaknesses were the things that the public loved him for. He came across as an idealist with passion and a sense of moral injustice at this attack posed by the Sith Empire, or according to the public whomever was pretending to be them. Senator Malfay made no specific statement on whether or not it was truly the Sith, but that he would fight them whomever they were with the fullest might of the Republic, resending the Ruusan Reforms if he must to reconstitute an army for the Republic. He seemed the likely choice for Chancellor, but Fae remained unconvinced, there was just something off about the man, not even the other members of the Council could see it.

He was oily, much like the rest of the politicians, but the others were known quantities, predictable and easily dealt with as needed, while Malfay would need to be felt out, to see where the Jedi and the rest of the Republic would work into his view of the future, and while it could be an excellent refreshment of the Galaxy, it was also dangerous.

At least some good news had finally arrived. Luna and Yoda had reported in that they had succeeded in their mission, but they apparently had disturbing news from the secretive planet. They were still in route, and had several dozen refugees to house in the Temple, which Fae had overruled the Council's normal restrictions of who could be in the Temple.

They were set to arrive within the hour, and Fae Coven was on her way to meet them in the Temple hangar. Taking her time to get there was part of her relaxation from the stresses of being the Grandmaster of the Order, but there simply was too much on her plate.

Eventually she got up to the correct Hangar, and she only had to wait a short time before the Jedi freighter that Luna and Yoda had taken appeared in the horizon, pulling in and settling in the central section of the Hangar. Droids would shuttle the freighter in due time, but Fae stood at the bottom of the ramp, smiling widely as Luna, Yoda and their refugees appeared at the top of the ramp. Aside from the two Jedi, they rest seemed highly shocked and surprised at her appearance. It seemed that they had never seen a nonhuman being before.

This would be fun in educating them all about the wide Galaxy. The sentiment compounded when the sheer number of children appeared behind the adults, all Force sensitive and highly curious about the Temple hangar around them. One of the upsides of being Grandmaster was all the time Fae had to spend around the younglings, those whose minds were most open and receptive to the Force.

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Yoda smirked as the wizards stared in awe and shock as the ship pulled out of Hyperspace and into orbit around Coruscant. Normal taxi time between orbit and entering the system was hours for normal tourists, but Jedi vehicles were screened straight through to enter the system, and the wizards of earth got a full immersion to the capitol world of the Republic.

The children, adorable as they were even to the far older Goblin, were in awe of all the lights and sounds as they flew, but all quieted as the majesty of the Jedi Temple loomed over them. The hangar was rather quite of activity, but Yoda shared a glance with Luna as they pulled in. Something felt extremely off about the aura of the Temple.

The peace that normally came with the strong collection of Jedi was mixed with a sense of anticipation, but whether that was for good or ill, they didn't know. Descending the boarding ramp, Yoda was pleased to see Grandmaster Coven, but the forced smile on the Jenet's face was concerning, and added to the overall feeling of the Temple. She did however seem genuinely pleased to see all the wizards, who were amazed to see the rodent-like being in person.

They all shifted nervously after descending the ramp, while Luna and Yoda approached the Grandmaster respectfully. "I am glad that you both returned safely," Master Coven said, the relief emanating through the Force. At first, Yoda was concerned at the amount of emotion that the leader of the Order was showing, and decided that it was something he had to meditate upon later. Master Coven was obvious older and far wiser than he, and she may have some understanding of the Jedi Code and its concept about emotion that he lacked.

While Yoda had his internal conundrum, Luna had brought forward the stern and rather rigid leader of the wizards group, Professor McGonagall, to speak with Master Coven. "Grandmaster, this is Professor Minerva McGonagall, a teacher from the school of magic on my home world, and I would say the official representative of the refugees from earth."

"I am most pleased to meet others from Knight Luna's home world," the Grandmaster stated cheerily, clasping the older human's offered hand with both paws, "If the auras in the Force of your world are all similar to your own, it's no wonder why such a powerful beacon of the Light Side was produced upon your world."

Although it was clear that the tall woman had little understanding of the compliment, nevertheless she smiled pleasantly, "I confess that there is little that I am familiar with here," she said, glancing around at all the machinery in the Hangar, "and there are many of us who are tired from the journey, but I thank you for sending these two to help us, even if the reasons for our meeting were purely accidental."

The Jenet Jedi Master smiled, "with the Force, there are no accidents…" she said sagely, "all things are set in motion by the will of the Force, and happen according to its designs. I will enjoy learning of your people during your stay, and sharing what I can about our Galaxy with you."

Master coven summon a small hover droid, and instructed it to take the adults and most of the older people that Yoda and Luna had found in the dungeons to a private section of the temple that had dormitory housing, but the youngest of the children complained that they wanted to see more of the Temple, to which the Jenet actually chuckled. "Ah, you want to know of the strange feelings you are sensing, don't you?" she said to the little boy, who flushed instantly at the attention, before shyly nodding.

Yoda realized what the Grandmaster may have already desired to set in motion, even as she agreed to give all the children a personal tour of the lower levels of the Temple before escorting them to their own rooms. Younglings were always Master Coven's favorite people to be around, and roughly a dozen more would be more than a welcome addition to the Temple.

"Join you, I shall," Yoda found himself saying, even as Luna was going to attend to the others heading for their own rooms.

"We'd be more than happy to have you along as well, Jedi Knight Yoda," Master Coven said cheerily, surprisingly more so than when they had arrived. It seemed that children were more than capable to the task of lifting the Grandmaster's spirits. The Jenet let the group out from the Hangar and through several of the long corridors, their wide windows granting a stunning view of the city-planet that all of the children paused and watched for several moments.

Several Jedi passed their group as they walked, and while the children stared in awe and fascination, especially of some of the more exotic alien species, they never got out of line, and the Jedi didn't question the actions of the Grandmaster in any way, so their route was unhindered as they came to the Room of a Thousand Fountains, the central point of the base level of the Temple, and one of the most peaceful rooms to be found.

As Master Coven calmly explained the history of the Temple and the importance of inner peace to the Jedi, the children sat on the cool floor and rocks that littered the room, listening with more than just their ears. Yoda could sense that, even untrained, these children were strong in the Force, and it literally sang around them as they moved from room to room.

Eventually, Yoda smiled as their tour led them to the Youngling training facilities, where form some observation areas they watched many of the Temple children, who had grown up as Jedi, practice their meditations and channeling the Force, as well as the more awe inspiring Lightsaber combat drills.

Each and every child in the group were enthralled with the prospects, but Yoda noticed that Master Coven made no promises that they would be trained as Jedi, or even stay for longer than what the adults had planned before their arrival. It was kind, yet still shrewd of her, especially as Yoda knew that it would please the Jenet more than anything for these children to join the Temple younglings, and breathe some life outside the Temple into their ranks. The system handed down from the ancients before was superb, but it tended to breed a sort of separation of the Jedi from the people they served, and it helped immensely when they took in children older than infants, who had memories of times before coming to the Temple from time to time.

Granted at the same time it was highly unorthodox, and rather frowned upon, as said children came with baggage, to say the least. Emotions and attachments were rampant among even this group, and the Jedi teachers would be hard pressed to help the new younglings fit into the everyday life of Temple training, and learning to give up those attachments and the power that emotion held over them. It wasn't impossible, his own training heralded that much, but from personal experience, Yoda knew how difficult it would be, and he had started his training much older than these, knowing full well what was expected of him and accepting it.

Nevertheless, each and every one of the children had grown immensely over the course of the tour, and were not at all shy about it, they gladly embrace the Grandmaster as they parted company in the many dormitories in this unused wing of the Temple, and a few even remembered to thank Yoda for rescuing them from the magical school. Once the last of the children were settled, Master Coven returned to her previous state of reserved melancholy, and directed that they should find Luna and whichever of the adults of the wizards that were rested the most, as there was much for them to discuss, both of what Luna and Yoda found, as well as what had happened in their absence.

To Yoda's rather bemused appreciation, the one Professor that remained awake to meet with them was the half-goblin, Filius Fitwick, who graciously acquiesced to sit in on the meeting and share what he knew about the goings on around earth at the time of Yoda and Luna's arrival, and that he would take the information back to his fellow Professors when they arose.

They retired to an unused training hall, complete with Holo-projector, which the Grandmaster activated as they settled down. The basic model of the Galaxy flared to life around them as they began their discussion. "So," Master Coven started, "I've met all the people you rescued from your home world, they seem like nice beings, and I confess I am about as concerned as I am curious about what happened there."

"It wasn't good," Luna said slowly, before beginning to detail the events of their travel to Earth, "and what was worse, I'm sure now who the Sith Lord is…"

"Excuse me," Professor Flitwick interrupted, looking sheepish, "I don't mean to be rude, but I am quite lost at some of these terms, 'the Force' and 'Sith Lord' and all that, if it wouldn't be too much trouble could I have some explanations?"

Master Coven smiled softly at the half goblin wizard, "Of course, we could hardly expect you to be fully aware of our vocabulary and concepts, any more than we are of your own. The Force is the unifying power of the universe, it's what gives us our abilities, and the Sith their power."

"Ahh," the diminutive professor said astutely, "a unifying power, I've heard Miss Lovegood refer to a Light and a Dark Side of it. I take it these Sith represent the Dark Side to your Jedi's Light."

"And tell us, about her old Head of House and his brilliance, Knight Luna has…" Yoda commented, smiling. The older man looked touched at the words, and looked at Luna, who nodded. "She was always a bright one at Charms, my old subject. Imaginative and so very cheerful, it's no wonder that she's so valued here. But please, I've interrupted long enough, continue…"

Luna nodded, "I am sure now that the Dark being from my old life, Harry Potter, is the Sith Lord we now face."

Master Coven seemed to sag at the words, but the greatest reaction was from Flitwick, "Mr. Potter? How could that be? He always seemed such a quiet, albeit intelligent boy…"

"That was only one side of him, Professor," Luna said, "and only the side he wanted you to see. His mentor was the same way, but inwardly they were monsters; soulless and evil."

"That's not all…" Master Coven said sadly, "They've made their move. While you were both away the Sith attacked Umbara. Just today the Republic has issued their counter attack to try and retake the system, requesting Jedi assistance to command their fleet. I'm afraid now, more than ever for the Knights and Masters that I agreed to send if what you say is true."

"It would be a trap. He would want Jedi to come, with as many Republic soldiers as possible," Luna said shrewdly.

"How could we help?" Flitwick said, sliding to the edge of his seat with the pressure of the conversation. "We're not the best of warriors, but we have some pretty powerful abilities in comparison from what I've gathered."

"I'd hate to put you all in danger so soon after liberating you Professor," Luna said hesitantly.

"My dear," the small Professor replied, "I am both older and far wiser than you, Jedi Knight or not, and I know when we are needed. I was a dueling Champion for many years running, I can fight. I don't know about the other Professors, but Minerva fought the Dark Lord with Albus in the first war, and she'd be outraged at this. Let us help you, however we can. Pomona is an excellent Potioneer, nowhere near the level that Severus was to be sure, but something is better than nothing."

"I… thank you…" Luna said, even as the Grandmaster leaned in, "We would need to figure out how best you will all fit in, but we would collectively be grateful for any assistance in this fight, even if it's just training our Jedi to fight against your powers, hopefully counter any potential threats this Sith Lord will throw at us."

"Good, how quickly can we catch up to this fleet?" Flitwick said, standing, even though it added little to his height.

"We have ships that'll be able to beat them to Umbara, that'll be no problem, but by now the Sith'll be entrenched around the planet, the best we can do is make sure that anyone left on the planet gets away," Master Coven said, "What is more worrisome is the spontaneous election for Chancellor of the Republic that sprung up right after the invasion."

"I understand, I will be conferring the information with the other Professors, and then I will be ready to leave." Flitwick said, taking his leave.

Once the door slid shut, Master Coven turned to the pair of them, "I like this one especially. They all seem to have a mind of what's at stake, even the youngest of them. They would be great assets to fighting the Sith and their empire."

Even Yoda had to agree to that.

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Veneficus sighed inwardly at the required pomp and grandeur of his setting foot on Umbara. It would be so much easier to just get to the point of their reason for being here, set up a garrison and move on, but it was the first world that the Neo-Sith Empire conquered and there was a certain dramatic flair that had to be obeyed.

After two dozen of his Arcanamach guards filed out of the shuttle in full battle precession, Veneficus descended the ramp to the silence of the assembled soldiers. The Force however, was filled with the surging of their mutual pride at their accomplishment, and desires for reward from their beloved and feared Emperor.

The city before them was a smoking ruin now, with only the barest of infrastructure left for the Sith Empire to put to better uses. Knowing that the Republic would be sending a countermeasure in short order, and that the fighting would start up again in earnest, Veneficus crossed the stretch of land and entered the city properly, turning toward the command bunker that had been erected for the Lords in charge of the offensive to make further decision regarding the campaign on Umbara. Meanwhile his guard took up strategic positions around the bunker and the rest of the army returned to their usual duties.

Once inside, Veneficus felt somewhat more comfortable among those he had know for some time, even if they still respected him appropriately for his raw power and leadership. "Your Majesty…" Zhar said, gesturing to the Holo-map before them all. Veneficus approached, watching with suppressed delight as the system they set foot on was displayed, along with the waiting fleets in orbit, troop manures, both on world and in orbit were planned, relayed and recorded here, allowing the top commanders to easily see how the flow of battle commenced in real time.

"We have the primary settlements secured and all native sentient species have fled into the wilds and jungles round about." Zhar said, gesturing to the large fields of red that represented Sith Empire territory, "as well as securing the… ah… specific coordinates you supplied, we have full planetary control."

"Excellent," Veneficus replied simply, thankful that Zhar seemed to realize that the Emperor had more important places to be and things to do rather than sit in on a meeting of how the blockade of this world was to be run.

"There is still much to do before the Republic's counter attack arrives, namely securing orbit and arranging out forces here if transports manage to pass the blockade." Lord Fury replied angrily, turning to face them from his own console that was monitoring communications throughout the Sith forces.

"Already under control Lord Fury," Zhar replied smoothly, "the fleets are being arranged as we speak, and are all aware that a Republic security force will be arriving soon enough."

"Then I will be off to take possession of the location of importance, and be gone long before the Republic can arrive. As much as I'd like to see their faces when our forces swarm over them, they will being Jedi, and we do not want them to sense how powerful we are until it's too late." Veneficus said, turning to leave.

Zhar only nodded in response, while the other Lords bowed respectfully. Approaching the lead Arcanamach, Veneficus ordered them all to follow. Taking a swoop bike from the many captured in the attack, the Sith Emperor sped off to the location of the ancient Assassin academy, where Diábolis was supposed to await him. His vanguard fanned out behind him, like a train of darkness in the shadow of the twilight planet.

It didn't take terribly long for them to arrive at the caverns that hid the entrance to the ruins. Diábolis was waiting there for them, idly leaning against the cave's mouth, watching the sky and the ships as they oriented themselves into a blockade position.

"Welcome, Master…" the Devaronian said as Veneficus pulled up beside him. "The way is cleared all the way to the ruins…"

"Good, here we shall wait for the Jedi strike team to find us," Veneficus said, proceeding inside with the Arcanamach taking up security positions.

"What?" the Devaronian said, struggling to keep up with Veneficus in either gait or concept.

"I have foreseen the battle ahead," Veneficus slowly explained, "the Jedi strike team will devote all resources to our destruction when they learn we are here, even to the abandoning of the fleet they are sworn to protect… here will be their graves, and the first true test of many of our servants against their power."

"But why here?" Diábolis persisted.

"Here, because it is a world surrounded by darkness, the natural gift of the Dark Side," Veneficus said, pausing to look at his apprentice in all seriousness, "because here, in this place we are strongest, and they… in their foolishness, will overlook that we are more than mere fallen Jedi. We are the embodiment of all they fear and hate. While they believe that they are above such emotions, we shall show them that they are wrong. I hope to send a message this day, and perhaps gain a few more Force adepts to join the ranks at Korriban."

"So it was never about any records or histories hidden here?" the young Sith asked, seeking confirmation of his own mission's completion.

"There might be something of use here, but it'll be of less consequence than what will happen in a matter of hours…" Veneficus said, tilting his head as a tremor in the Force resounded. Many ships just entered orbit over Umbara, and from the distinct Light side flavor to the auras, Jedi were among them.

The Republic had come to answer the bait set out for them.

War had truly begun at last.