Many thanks to those that continue to review. Your words keep me happily writing away! And so please, enjoy the next installment of the Rise of Darth Veneficus!
Chapter Eighteen
A Line in the Stars
Diábolis glared up at the retreating shuttle as his master left the world of his birth, and his apprentice, behind. The Emperor was needed elsewhere, according to his vision, but he had determined that the Devaronian would remain to oversee the last of the preparations for his Sith school and to watch over the squat woman who would become the chief planetary governor.
It was not a position that any Sith, let alone the apprentice to the Emperor himself, would want themselves in, being caretaker for a irritating, unappealing woman that thought far too highly of herself and her human people, but Diábolis would obey the will of his master, for now.
At least from here he had access to all the updates regarding the war that he could ever desire, and he could see some of the potential strategies with fleet movement as the Neo-Sith Empire started to expand in its conquered regions.
From Ossus, in its position near the southern end of what was to become the heart of Sith space, Septin had been given free reign at last to attack the systems and bring the area fully under the banner of the Dark Side. There were indeed plenty for him to choose from, all along the Perlemian Trade Route that cut right through that section of the Galaxy; prosperous worlds that would indeed enrich the Empire and allow the war to rage on for as long as needed.
At the same time, to prevent his forces from dealing with a massive Republic retaliation, other fleets would take up positions around the much more coreward worlds of Obroa-ska and Umbara, and attack the neighboring systems, creating a front for the Empire just inside the Inner Rim and Expansion Region of the Galaxy. It was effective, putting the threat of the Sith right on the doorstep of the Republic, but still far enough away that they'd have to send out fleets to meet with them.
It also allowed the secret Sith systems of Ruusan and Myrkr to add to the combat, and if they took a system or two somewhere near the center of the four, near to the Hapes Consortium, it would form a neat line of defense and early warning system to any attacking Republic forces threatening the front lines of what hopefully would become a massive region of Sith Space.
Glancing at the holo-map of the Galaxy, Diábolis leaned in to examine the hyperlanes around the front line systems. If he was planning the strategy of those conflicts, he would select the systems of Cartao in the northern part, and Vena in the south to start with, small worlds that would be easily crushed but still strategically placed enough to tighten the security net between the Core worlds and the heart of the Sith Empire.
Meanwhile up in near the Tion Cluster, where Septin was, Diábolis would have chosen to attack Rhen Var, and the three or four surrounding systems above anything else, as they were on or just past the hyperlane from Ossus, and would serve as an effective blockade on the trade route, cutting off supplies to anything past that point, which led further toward Korriban and Dromund Kaas. After that one could easily follow the route rimward and take system after system with impunity.
Unfortunately, Diábolis was not in charge of the offensive campaigns, but rather stuck here, in the far flung area of the Unknown Regions, with Governor Umbridge and her new reign of terror on the entire planet of Terra. Speaking of which, Diábolis frowned as he felt the sickening woman's Force signature approaching. What did she want this time, aside from attempting to insult him for being a nonhuman?
The door behind him hissed open, as the castle that would soon finish being converted into a Sith Temple had already had major upgrades in this wing, and the toad-like menace approached, "Ah, here you are monster," she commented cheerfully, and the Devaronian clenched his jaw, contemplating how much of a burden it would solve to just slay this woman where she stood.
"I have a small matter that I need you to take care of," Umbridge continued, unaware or uncaring of the Sith Lord's intense dislike of her existence.
"And that would be, what?" Diábolis replied, keeping his voice slow and steady, not betraying the growing bloodlust that the woman's voice caused within him.
"The centaur tribe just outside the castle in the forest is growing ever so unmanageable, and we'll soon need the timber for new buildings and open space to continue expanding the city we plan to build around the castle, I'd like you to go and exterminate them immediately…"
Narrowing his eyes, Diábolis expanded his senses toward the dark forest just outside the castle, feeling the entire place teeming with life, "You'll have a long and problematic campaign against that forest, Governor, with the vast amount of creatures that live in it, but I do sense where these centaur are hiding, and I will do as you demand, for now…"
He could feel the wide grin on her ugly face as he departed, but anything was better than remaining in her presence a moment longer. As he moved through the corridors, Diábolis couldn't help but marvel at the subtly that had taken place with the changes to the castle. Aside from the obvious stark contrasts of the removal of all the obvious magical items, such as the animated portraits and armor that used to line the walls, their structural changes were all but unnoticeable unless you knew what to look for.
The doors for instance, while sleek and made of durasteel, they retained their look of age old wood as you approached, only revealing what they truly were when instead of swinging open, the slid aside or upward out of the way at a touch. It was elegant in the combination of the nostalgic bygone era that the castle was built in and the modern practicality of the technological age of the Galaxy.
But Diábolis was less attentive to the architecture and progress of the renovations that Headmaster Dziqis had requested and more focused on his destination, moving swiftly out of the massive wooden doors that separated the castle form its sloping lawns, still pot marked with small craters from the battle nearly a month previous, and heading toward the large cluster of trees that was the line of the forest.
The Force rang with life within those trees, a streaming chaotic maelstrom of Light and Darkness. Diábolis had already seen many creatures when his Master had many powerful and dark monsters shipped off world for experimentation by the Alchemists, but that had given the Devaronian Sith a good feel for what he may encounter in those trees.
Enshrouded in the might of the Dark Side, Diábolis slipped under the canopy of trees, feeling his way through the forest by following the concentration of Force energies that were more light than neutral. He could only assume that this was the location of the centaur tribe, as there were only smaller pockets of light sided auras through the forest, and large swaths of darker energy that couldn't be the creatures.
So he decided to make a straight line toward this pocket of semi light, darting from tree to tree and keeping to the shadows of the forest, as he had little doubt that the supposed horsemen had powerful eyesight and hearing to live in such a place so void of sunlight.
As the Lord of the Sith stalked in the darkness of the trees, he felt more creatures of the woods fleeing before him, instinctually afraid of the unnaturalness of his power, but the Dark Devil cared little for what the weak creatures of the world sensed or felt. Power was power, and thanks to his Master, Diábolis was brimming with it, an unyielding strength that had crushed his former self into a fine powder and reformed him into the mighty heir of a galactic empire. He truly was indebted to Lord Veneficus, but at the same time, his hatred for the madman was second to none.
Thankfully, he was not so lost in his thoughts that the Sith failed to notice the approaching Force presences from the direction of the centaur village. Stopping in a small clearing, Diábolis dropped into a fighting stance, his lightsaber twinblade hilt settled easily into his hand. Also called a saberstaff by many, Diábolis disagreed with the terminology, as while the idea of a staff resembled the weapon, the fact that you couldn't wrap the weapon as easily around one's body, the concept of a twinblade fit better.
Knowing where the approaching centaurs were, Diábolis didn't flinch as a crude arrow flew past his head in warning. "Turn back, demon creature!" the leader shouted as the five warriors stomped into sight, bold in the face of his power.
"You cannot stop what is to come here, horseman…" Diábolis said calmly, allowing the power of the Dark Side to flow through him, tasting the hesitation and anger of the creatures before him. "My Master will have this forest cleared away for his magnificent city, and you're kind are no longer welcome to dwell here."
"We know of whom you speak, monster!" another said, a blond centaur the looked more sagely than warrior-like. "But the Darkness has left our world once more, and the stars have foreseen that he will not return, so turn back, and wait for your supposed war among the stars to burn itself out!"
Diábolis couldn't help himself, he laughed aloud at the blockish beast. "Well, you are more stupid than you look… Very well, if you will not depart upon friendly terms then I have little choice left…" he smirked at the crimson blades of his weapon ignited, casting a vicious glow on the dark foliage around him.
Quick as a flash, Diábolis leapt into the air, his speed making the centaur rear back in fright as the leader was stabbed through the chest by the leading blood red blade. Cart wheeling off the dying creature as arrows pierced the corpse, Diábolis slashed cruelly through the forelegs of the next centaur, dropping the creature dead even as the others turned to flee.
A sharp tug from the Force yanked a pair of the running centaur back into the waiting embrace of his blades, even as the twinblade went spinning into them, cutting the beasts to pieces. The others scattered, and Diábolis tore after them, going straight for their hidden village before they could return and warn their tribe.
The Force surging through his limbs, Diábolis flew through the trees, outstripping the horsemen in speed and agility, his weapons lighting the way through the darkness as he approached the outskirts of the centaur tribe's grounds.
Females and foals were spotted milling about in the business of managing such a small community, and they turned toward his approaching form, startled at the near blur that he must have appeared to be in his haste. The warriors emerged from the forest, crying shouts of warning, but they were far too late as the Dark Devil descended on their precious village. Blood and fire erupted in his vision, and screams of the dead and dying ringing in his ears were like music to him.
Everything was just a blur of bloodlust from that point on, the galloping of hooves soon drowned out to silence and the blaze of fire. The centaurs were crushed, what was left sent out without provisions or means to survive out in the wild forest.
His pathway to the castle was clear of any intrusion, and in full might of the dark powers he was given and radiating the pure chaotic energies of fresh kills, Diábolis entered the new Academy of his master, bypassing the toad in pink at the gate, who was speechless at the smell of death and gore that caked his black robes.
"It is finished…" he said, not bothering to even look at the squeamish woman, who nearly completed the amphibian appearance by turning a pale shade of green. She was so weak, unwilling to get her own hands dirty but more than willing to demand extensive destruction on a slight whim.
Diábolis would have as little to do with her as possible. Headmaster Dziqis on the other hand looked on approvingly, his robes shimmering in waning moonlight. The Pureblood Sith was the only other being here that rivaled the pink toad in authority, and it galled the woman to no end that such a nonhuman appearing creature could rebuff her attempts at control of the school, but even as the old apprentice to Zhar Quelmok, Diábolis actually somewhat respected the Pureblood. He was young, only slightly older than the devaronian himself, but quick and sharp of mind, as well as strong in the Dark Side. His students would learn to become forces of destruction with his leadership and strong will.
"I will be retiring for the evening," Diábolis told the Headmaster, "If you have need of me, you know where to find me…"
"Of course, Lord Diábolis," the sith said, bowing his head respectfully as the bloodied and sweat drenched Sith apprentice passed him, bound for the secret underground chambers that had been gifted to him by his master.
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Kelrek, Sorcerer of the Neo-Sith Empire, and once a direct servant of the previous Dark Lord of the Sith, Millennial, stared out of his personal cabin on board the Terentatek, one of the many thousands of capital cruisers that swelled the ranks of the Sith Fleet. The ship had just exited Hyperspace over their next target system, Apsolon, after rallying over Umbara with a group of three other fleets, each being sent to other nearby systems to expand the controlled territory in this region.
Once these four targets were subdued, the fleets were to regroup at Umbara once again and go to the larger systems in the area, Onderon and Kashyyyk, two fleets per world. Each had powerful warrior races upon them, and their orders were clear regarding the systems, take control and drive the inhabitants into hiding.
But before any of that could even be attempted, they had the little industrial world below them to conquer. Kelrek wasn't alone in this endeavor however, as he had been specifically requested by the ships commander, Jenah the Marauder, who had been with him and Srilis in the abode of Lord Millennial and the young Emperor, Veneficus. Srilis had also been assigned to this fleet, as the trio had been less than desirous to end their mutual compatibility in their fighting strengths and styles.
Each had taken a different route in their training after the Emperor had ascended to his throne and the mantle of Sith Master, as with Jenah becoming one of Lord Fury's most powerful disciples in the ways of battle and the art of the Lightsaber, her crimson blade and violet shoto easily dispatching many enemies in a whirlwind of destruction.
Srilis on the other hand, had taken the route of subtly and assassination, becoming one of the elite Stalkers, able to blend in with the faintest shadow and track her targets through the Force. Her skill with the saberstaff was renowned.
And finally Kelrek himself, who had taken a more archaic path, that of the Force wielding Sorcerer, tapping into lost arts of the Dark Side and wielding them with extreme precision. He was nowhere near as martially strong as the others, which is why he modeled his weapon after a more esoteric design, relying on the sheer terror inspired by the crimson cross guard of his saber, which allowed a pair of extra parrying points and a few other tricks that he alone was afforded with the modification of the weapon.
What they had learned about the Republic world of Apsolon was rather pitiful, and Jenah had been more than convinced that they would be finished with this fight and returning to Umbara within seven rotations, if not shorter. The Apsolonian humans were divided into two groups, those called Workers, and the upper group called 'The Civilized.'
Their strict caste system had caused many uprisings in past ages, and a secret police of sorts had formed up around the Civilized called the Absolutes, but the entire world was more focused on themselves and the technology industry that had formed up was more of a byproduct of the Worker class having little to do other than… well…. work.
No military to speak of and no overarching planetary defenses. And no Republic fleet to hinder the approach of their ships or prevent their shuttles from landing. It was almost disappointing when their army marched straight to the main city, called Apsolon as well and simply entered without resistance. It seemed that the inhabitants of the planet were so easily cowed into submission that slaughtering them hadn't even been necessary.
The small council of Civilized that they met with seemed to want nothing more than to continue existing as they were, and were ready and willing to surrender their entire planet over to the Empire, and wished to hold a meeting with the leaders of the fleet and army to formally draft such a treaty.
The three Dark Adepts exchanged glances as they felt a ripple in the Force at the idea, but made no mention of it to anyone else. As Jenah was the supreme commander of the mission, when they entered the private council room to accept and sign the agreement, she took point, her armor and sabers giving a powerful appearance before the robed humans that had come to meet them.
It almost seemed like the meeting would go uneventful, but once the Force gave off a powerful warning, Kelrek sighed in relief, as he opened himself to its power and unleashed his cross guard saber, the blades activations frightening the councilors as their secret assassin police emerged from hiding places and secret passages to try and kill their entire leading faction.
But the Apsolonian humans had greatly underestimated the power of the Dark Side. Fourteen assassins against three powerful Darksiders, five military commanders, and a full squad of elite Sith troopers. The fighting was almost fair… almost.
Jenah was the first to react, her twin sabers arcing wide and she leapt at the furthest pair of attackers, removing limbs and heads from them both in a quick flurry. Srilis vanished, becoming one with the room, only to reappear with a roar of power behind another of the Absolutes, impaling him with her staff before spinning to take on another group.
And finally, Kelrek opened the floodgates of his connection to the raw power of the Dark Side, purple lightning crackling between his hands and he throw them toward a knot of four of the secret police, letting hatred and rage guide the curving arcs of deadly energy as it zipped and pinged off their bodies, unleashing screams of pure terror and pain as the powerful Dark Side ability tore through them.
Between the overwhelming power of the three Adepts and the skill of their warriors, the attempted assassination was easily crushed, only a pair of troopers taking any sort of damage, but the resultant surrender was worth it. Granted the Sith Empire wasn't about to take their diplomatic party being attacked so well, so after the treaty was amended to give total control to the Empire, and forcefully signed by the leaders, the twelve or so humans were dragged outside and shot in full view of their countrymen.
While Jenah made the demands of the unconditional surrender of the planet, and Srilis stalked through the crowd of fearful onlookers for potential insurrection leaders, Kelrek checked his datapad, which displayed the four systems that they were first to attack with the other battle groups. Two of the other systems had limit settlements on them, but the Sorcerer was pleased to see that all three of their allied fleets were also wrapping up their initial battles, catching the various systems completely off guard with their forces.
They would be pulling out as soon as their new leaders and their security details were in place to regroup over Umbara and move on to the second pair of systems to attack.
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Luna couldn't say that the reaction of the Council was terribly surprising, disappointment from the lack of knowledge regarding the assassin/infiltrator Colin Creevey as well as pleasure that they had been so well received by the effective leader of the planet.
"It seems that aside from out original goal, all things went on well," Master Coven said, her hologram shimmering slightly with feedback.
"Indeed Master, but they are eager for Jedi supervision over the construction and maintenance of their shipyards, and there are some… irregularities we wish to investigate if possible, but we leave the decision up to the will of the Council." Luna replied, quickly voicing all the delegations collective thoughts and concerns.
"Naturally," Master Ir Trangrin said, the female Falleen shifting her long hair as she spoke, "I see not problems in allowing the delegation to remain for a short time longer to complete their investigation, as well as sending a small group of Jedi to serve as the full time supervisors of the shipyards. It would also serve to help teach more of our Masters and Knights about this culture and the abilities of these 'Mage-born,'"
"I agree," Master Antross agreed, and as acting leader of the Council his word alone was enough to convince the majority to permit the delegation their requests.
"Very good, we will keep you updated and send word when we depart from New Terra," Luna said.
"May the Force be with you," Fae Coven said, the twitch of her whiskers betraying her pleasure at speaking with Luna before the connection was shut off.
Sighing to herself, Luna now just had to figure out a way to pull one over the brightest witch of her generation and get intelligence on the strange people of this world, while still keeping Hermione thinking that they there to meet with her solely.
Luna couldn't place her finger on it, but there was something suspicious surrounding the young woman that was in control of the major industry of this planet. Unfortunately, she wasn't nearly as familiar with Hermione Granger to confirm or deny that it had anything to do with her directly, and none of the Professors had made any definitive ideas to support or deny the Jedi's feelings.
Returning to the rest of their group in the main conference area of the ship, Luna called the attention of the others, "We've been granted permission to remain as long as we need for our investigation. The Council is going to send another contingent of Jedi Knights to oversee the construction of the fleet of upgraded ships for the Republic."
"So, what's our next move then?" Professor Trelawney stated, adjusting her large spectacles.
"Miss Granger mentioned something about wanting to show us the progress they had already made to the shipyards," Luna said, "I believe we can get away with sending the two Padawans along with you, Professor Trelawney, to go about the city while the rest of us, while the two Professors who knew Hermione best and the Jedi Knights representing the Council go with her." McGonagall and Flitwick nodded in agreement, seeing the strategy to split their ability to find out as much as possible.
"An excellent opportunity, it will be, for the Padawans to get real experience in gathering information and using the Force to guide them…" Yoda agreed, causing the two young Jedi apprentices to beam with excitement and pride at the trust that was being placed in them.
"Then we will meet with Miss Granger tomorrow and beg off the others as being curious about New Terra and the Mage-born's way of life. I'm sure that she won't mind in the slightest," the Transfiguration Mistress said, "Sybill, it would also do to check and see if wands are being construct on this world, as we would need to get many to resupply those we brought from earth with us, even if it means carting the whole lot of them here to get fitted."
"I agree with Minerva," diminutive Flitwick said, performing some complication looking Arithmancy puzzles on his datapad, "and it may help in flushing out whatever it is that seems to be so drastically off with the natural magic of this planet."
"Agreed," Luna said, "So let's get some rest before then, and prepare what we will need for our mutual excursions."
The next day dawned strangely bright for such an earth-like planet, and Luna, Yoda, and the two Padawans rose with the sun, going outside the ship for the normal early morning training session. The Professors, well used to rising early for their classes, came out of the ship some short time later, and watched the four Jedi run through the varied practices of mastering the Force, as well as Lightsaber training. For their main training, both Knights figured that it would do their apprentices well to pair off with each other, as there was only so much they could learn from someone at a significantly higher skill level with the weapon.
"Good Leon," Luna encouraged the boy as he made a particularly strong parry, "now strike while your opponent's blade is so deflected."
He did so, but Ist was able to bring her weapon back around to block, before gracefully sliding away and allowing the clumsier Padawan's weapon to swing through empty air. The Bothan girl then rammed her shoulder into the human boy, knocking him to the ground with a grunt of surprise. But when Leon turned to look up at his opponent, the young fur covered girl was already offering her hand to him, and helped pull him to his feet.
"Your precision and control, excellent it was, Padawan," Yoda said as he ambled his way toward their pair of them. "Well, you did as well, Padawan Leon, for one disinclined to combat with a Lightsaber." He added with a wry smile to the boy. the goblin Jedi and his Padawan moved away, for Ist to go get cleaned up and ready for their group to move out, while Luna spotted Leon massaging the spot where he struck the ground and looking somewhat dejected.
"You did extremely well," she said, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder, and startling him with her sudden nearness.
"I… uh, well…" he stammered as he recovered from the shock her approach had made, before lowering his eyes and voice, "I'm not so sure…"
"From the vast experience I've had with Knight Yoda," Luna said gently, "He never speaks in a way that puts another down. When he says something, he is serious and means it. It is mere fact that you were disinterested in Lightsaber combat at the Temple, and had every right to be, even if it was the favored activity of many a Youngling. Your talents lie elsewhere than the field of combat, but you still performed very well indeed for one that only recently took up the weapon again with serious training in mind."
"I… think I understand now…" Leon said, his dual colored eyes wide and absorbing everything he saw while Luna spoke.
"Good, now hurry and get ready, you will be more than needed when Padawan Ist and Professor Trelawney go out to investigate the city here." Luna said, giving the young boy a gentle shove toward the ship.
As the young Padawan departed, Luna turned to the three magic users that had accompanied them to New Terra. "You work well with that young man," Professor Flitwick acknowledged, smiling fondly at the memory of possible hundreds of students that he had mentored over the long years at Hogwarts.
"He is very much like I was at that age," Luna admitted, smiling as well.
"Well, that would certainly explain the boy's rather mature mindset when it comes to ideas and places that, under normal circumstances, he ought to have no knowledge about," Professor McGonagall added, even her mouth the softest of lines.
"Such is the boon of being Force sensitive I suppose," Luna replied, as the three other Jedi reemerged from the ship, the two Padawans talking about their recent match, comparing what they could improve upon and what strengths they had. Luna softened further as she spotted Leon being the most animated of the pair, encouraging and helping Ist to realize where she could be stronger, even with his own glaring weakness for the art of the Lightsaber. The girl was taking it in stride, humoring the boy with a small smile, but Luna could tell she was taking his words to heart.
Two speeders awaited their group as they departed the Hangar, and they direction the three who were bound to the center of the city into one, while the rest took their leave and flew toward the small shuttle bay that would fly them up to the outer orbital area where the massive shipyards were already under construction.
It would be some time yet before the massive system was finished, but in time it would rival even the famed Kuat shipyards in size and production power. Hermione was already waiting for them as their shuttle landed inside the completed administration section of the shipyards, and embraced each of them, Yoda included, as they disembarked. "I am so glad that you all could remain a while longer," she said, smiling widely, "but…" she paused, counting them mentally, "where is Professor Trelawney and the Padawans? I would have thought they'd have been most excited to see the shipyards up close…"
Professor McGonagall stepped forward, the story they had prepared rolling off her tongue, "Sybill wanted to catch up on some old things, and explore the markets for some things regarding her 'inner eye' or some other thing, and the young ones were greatly interested in the planet, and begged for the opportunity to escort her around so that they could see the lifestyle and culture of New Terra, and who could have begrudged them of wanting to learn more?"
Hermione sighed happily, "No indeed, I suppose not, but I would like their opinion on these production lines though, it would be interesting to see what they thought of how quickly magic can produce parts and materials for ships of all sizes."
"Another time, then," Luna said, smiling.
"How do you get magic and the technology of the Galaxy to so readily intermingle I wonder," Professor Flitwick chimed in, striking the right cord to get the director of Magi-tech talking, going into long and detailed explanations of the intricate runic systems that went into the prototypes of each component, how transfiguration had been carefully applied with the use of strict Arithmetic sequences to become permanent, and many other complex and well thought out details that allowed for electricity to be produced and powered by magical means.
"So really, it's not muggle at all, when you think about it," she said excitedly, "merely based off the original concept that they had come up with first. Much like what I wanted to tell Harry about at the time, we could have revolutionized the entire world, but he clearly had a more realistic mind about what was going on with what happened…"
No one said anything to that comment, but the shared look between the Professors and Jedi said enough. Harry Potter being involved with anything to do with this world was reason enough to keep an eye on the planet, just in case it was some sort of trap for the Republic.
They were just watching a worker out on a spacewalk, wielding his wand as a welder to carve new runes into a section of the hull of the station, when Luna's comlink starting pinging desperately. Activating the object, Leon's face appeared, although it seemed that the boy was running, "Master!" he called, "We were attacked in the city, I got separated from Ist and Trelawney trying to distract the attacker, but we need your help."
"We're coming as fast as we can, keep your comlink active so we can find you when we return planetside, and stay safe." Luna said, already moving back to where the shuttle was docked.
"Yes, Master," the young Padawan replied, before communication was closed.
"What is it?" Hermione asked, confused as they all started to follow Luna back to the hangar.
"I've just received a message from our Padawans on the planet," she explained briefly, even as they entered the hangar and approached the shuttle that would return them to New Terra, "Someone or something has attacked them as they were exploring the city and they need our help. I'm sorry to cut this tour short, but they are our priority and responsibility."
"No, no, I understand," Hermione said, gesturing for them to go on ahead.
"Thank you," Luna said, before their group piled into the shuttle and it lifted off to return them to the planet below. Luna just hoped that Leon and the others could hold their own until help arrived, in some form or another.
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Master Coven watched the star map of the Galaxy in Chancellor Malfay's office, even as several of the admirals and generals of the Republic's reinstituted army and navy spoke in depth of their new enemies, the Neo-Sith Empire. The Chancellor's office had taken many important steps to increase the military spending of the Republic in recent months, including sharing information about the war openly with the people of the Republic, casting a dark shadow on the Empire with all the lives they had taken in their conquests. The propaganda was working well, as many beings were willingly volunteering for military training and joining the army and navy to fight back against the threat.
But something about this entire situation still sat quite unwell with the Grand Master of the Jedi Order. Some darkness that lurked behind the scenes, but she could not place where it originated. She was forced to conclude that it was simply the power of the Dark Side that emanated from the Sith Emperor, this Veneficus she had heard from the recordings of Zhar Quelmok.
"We are still attempting to send out spies and lookouts to the likely targets of the next Sith conquests, to try and see how their attack strategies work, but there seems to be little in the way of standard military procedure among them," one of the leading Generals was saying, gesturing to the small clusters of red, where the Sith Empire had established themselves near the boarders of the outer rim and the expansion region. "It appears that each fleet and army is commanded by a singe of their dark Force users, and they act as the supreme leader of their tactics and strategy, which makes each and every fleet unique from the next."
"Would it be wise, then, to counter this measure by handing over command rankings to the Jedi, and have them move with our fleets to help in countering the threat from the Sith's commanders?" Chancellor Malfay said, looking around the room. The military personnel were all nodding grimly, although it was obvious that they were less than willing to surrender control of their armies and navies to the Jedi, just as much as Fae and the Order were less than willing to take such a command.
"With all due respect Chancellor," Master Antross said, "We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers."
"Nevertheless," Malfay countered, "What we need are those to help keep the peace by giving battle to our enemies. Is it not part of the Jedi Order to fight the Sith wherever they appear, to bring… what was it… balance to the Force?"
"That is correct…" the Council leader replied, although the Grand Master could tell that he was irritated for being so easily brushed aside in his argument.
"The Republic and the Jedi Order has long since been in the thick of things together, in both peace and war. Since the offending force is once again those followers of the Dark Side, does it not compel you and yours to come to our aid, and stop these atrocities before they consume us all?" the Chancellor continued, more than proving his point.
There was really no arguing with the man, he was correct on all accounts. Just because the Jedi did not wish to participate in a war, the presence of Dark Side wielders that professed themselves to be Sith forced the Jedi to rise up and fight, whether they wanted to or not.
"If there was any other way, I would take it, Master Jedi," the man said reassuringly, "know that I wouldn't make such a decision like this lightly, but we are desperate. Once new ships start coming from New Terra, we will need commanders and generals to lead our soldiers, who are flocking to the training worlds daily. What better boost to moral could be than to have the Jedi leading our fight in wisdom and the Light against these monsters that have burned worlds and settlements, slain countless and even Masters of your Order as well."
"We understand, and we cannot give any other complaint to your request," Fae said, sighing within herself. Once again the laws of the Republic had turned against her personal judgment, but there was no other option. "We will join the fight against the Neo-Sith Empire, and serve as commanders of your forces, wherever you will have us."
"I am glad that this is settled, then," the Chancellor said, seeming to glow with relief and pleasure, "however; we still need to look to our own boarders. The Sith are reportedly expanding their line here in the Expansion region," Drakis indicated the area of star systems around Umbara, and Fae felt a small stab of regret at the loss of Master Lalsok on the planet. It had been the first major undertaking of the Republic in fighting these invaders, and a complete disaster.
"As we cannot outright attack the Empire," one of the admirals said from his seat off to the side of the Jedi delegation, "as we do not know their numbers or their planets of control, we can do little but establish out defenses and try to hold them off as best we're able." Pointing at a system directly in the path of the main Sith attacks in recent weeks, "Commenor would be our first priority. Not only is it a strategic system along the hyper lane leading into the heart of the current Sith holdings, but it's a powerful production world, and the point just inside the Colonies that stand between several other major trade routes and hyper lanes."
"I agree," Chancellor Malfay said, "That must be the focal point of our defenses, then spread outward along the other major lanes and hold tight until New Terra can start producing our new weapons and ships. Once that happens we can take the fight back to the Empire and restore order to the Republic."
"We would say much the same for Tannab in the northern part of the Galaxy," Master Antross added, nodding to Fae as he spoke, "We Jedi recently rebuffed a serious attack on the enclaves there, and I personally wouldn't be surprised if the Sith plan to attack the surrounding systems as well."
The Chancellor exchanged a glance with the various military leaders, before smiling back at the Jedi Master, "I agree, Taanab also lies on a massive trade route that the Sith would use to plunge straight into the heart of the Republic. it must also be defended. I would also say on the same vein that Corsin, further north, ought to receive out protection, as well as Ord Mantell and Ansion."
"Yes," one of the Generals added, "let's not forget the southern boarders as well. Gyndine would be strategic, as well as Chardaan, Bestine and the other major trade route systems."
"Then we take whatever ships we can spare from every system that will donate, as well as anything that can be found restored or taken, and send them to these worlds to stand as a wall of defense to the major entrances to the core of the Republic." the Chancellor said, "While I would want nothing more than to go out into the wide expanses of the Inner and Outer Rim and protect every world we can from the Sith Empire, but it's simply not possible until we have the manpower and the ships that can match their strength. I will bring the proposition before the Senate, but we will act upon it until they say no, I trust we have the Jedi's approval for this?" he said, turning to them.
Knowing that they had little choice but to agree, Fae nodded grimly, "We will send out requests for the Order to come to the Senate building to be assigned to their fleets and systems, to protect the Republic." The others agreed, and Fae smiled at the small stay of offensive combat she won.