Please note, there is a new poll upon my profile page, please check it out and vote for your top three stories for me to tamper with in hopes of posting new things once the trilogy of Veneficus, as well as the Stormreaver, are finished. Enjoy the Chapter, ~F
Chapter Forty Five
Pressure of all Sides
Jedi Grandmaster Coven had been worried when no word had returned from the strike force of Green Jedi that had gone to rescue New Terra from impending attack, but she had suspected the worse. For weeks there had been no news from that sector of the Galaxy, until one of the attendants that regularly help the Jenet Jedi Master mentioned that a ship of refugees from the factory planet was already entering the atmosphere, heading straight for the Temple.
Through the Force, Fae Coven could sense the impending loss and sadness that came with them as the ship approached and was cleared for landing in one of the Temple hangars. Making her way slowly to receive them, Master Coven could only imagine the sorrow on their faces at the loss of their world to the Sith.
Professor Snape was there, having escorted them to the Temple personally, and for his continued survival the Jenet was glad. "Master Coven," the normally dour man said gently, as another presence entered the Grandmaster's senses, "may I introduce the director of Magi-tech, Ms. Hermione Granger."
"It's an honor to meet you, Grandmaster Jedi," said the polite voice of a middle aged woman, sophisticated and strong, yet recently humbled, with traces of sorrow still lingering.
"It is an honor to meet one of the Republic great heroines, Director," Fae said, offering a hand for the woman to take, "I presume you will wish to meet with the Chancellor at the earliest convenience, so that you may assess the situation of what to do to facilitate the continuance of your important work."
"Yes, that will be something that is important, I ought to go and take care of what dear Draco wants immediately…" the woman replied, and Fae Coven filed away the informality with which the Director had spoken of the Chancellor. They knew each other, it seemed, and rather well if the girl knew him by a name rather other than what he officially was known by.
"We will notify the Chancellor's office of your arrival and set up an appointment for you," Fae suggested, "for the moment, I can sense that you are all in need of rest." Before any of them could decline, the Grandmaster summoned a pair of Padawans to escort the most welcome guests to some fresh quarters, set near to where the rest of the Mage-born had or were still currently taking up residence.
"Master…" said another of the nearby Jedi to her, stopping her from falling into another thoughtful mood, "We have communication from the Jedi of Corellia. They took severe losses, but have escaped combat with the Emperor's fleet directly, as well as making sure that many of the Republic and Jedi forces fled the system alive. Jedi Lord Berethon wished to speak with you regarding the battle, about something they seemed to have learned…"
"I will go to him immediately, bring me to a long range terminal so that I may speak with him." Fae said, urgently hoping that the stubborn, yet wise and cunning Jedi Lord had found something that might be crucial in helping them defeat the Sith.
"You requested me, Lord Berethon?" she asked, once the terminal had been connected and the Padawan confirmed that they had made contact.
"Yes, Grandmaster," the deep voice of the Corellian Jedi replied, "I must regretfully inform you of our failure to drive the Sith Lord and his fleet from the system, but we defended the station as best we could, managing to convince several of the key figures to flee the system and find shelter elsewhere."
"Yes, Director Granger and her people just arrived here on Coruscant, and will be taking up residence within the Jedi Temple for the time being." Fae confirmed, and through his voice, she could sense the smile that infected the Jedi Lord's voice as he spoke next.
"I am glad, although for such a courageous woman I would gladly offer her place on our own world, if the powerful devises that she makes are even a tenth as impressive as what we saw that day. In any case, I wish to make absolutely certain of her safety, as the Force warned me of her importance to fighting the Sith in my meditations, so I wish to dispatch several of my vassals to be her personal guard, to make sure that nothing happens to her."
The surprise must have been evident of her face, as the Jedi Lord laughed next, but for Fae it was no less of a surprising declaration. It took much to impress the Corellian Jedi Lord, and for Green Jedi to willingly come to the High Council's seat of power was a massive statement of unity.
"We will gladly accept any and all who wish to come, and look forward to their arrival…" Fae said diplomatically, knowing that this was an event that was long awaited by the Jedi. Those who served the Jedi Lords had all but abandoned the life of the Temple, and had more or less vowed to never return, so for them to rescind on that oath was something monumental.
"Ah long has it been since I sat in the Room of a Thousand Fountains…" Berethon said wistfully, "perhaps it is time that I myself return as well, to gather personal strength for the hard road ahead of us all…"
"That would be an event looked upon with much gladness from us at the Temple…" Fae agreed, struggling to contain the joy that threatened to overwhelm her. To think that such evil was required to unite the Jedi at long last.
"Well," Berethon said, regaining his usual composure of a gruff and impersonal man, "Until that time then, Master Coven, I must return to preparing those under me."
"May the Force be with you, Lord Berethon," Fae said in parting, as the token was returned and the connection severed.
The peace that seemed to permeate the temple grew an hundred fold for the Jedi Grandmaster that day, and she felt lighter than she had since this war started. With the assistance of Lord Berethon, perhaps they at last could start to plan a defense against the Sith.
A thought struck her, one that might, if handled properly, seal the reunion of the Jedi Order into one solid coalition. There was a seat still vacant on the High Council, where a Jedi Master had fallen.
Typically the Jedi Lords were excluded from such positions with the Council, but as far as Fae was concerned, as the last Jedi Lord alive, Berethon was more a Master than they all. It would be prudent, so long as they presented it at an appropriate time, to offer the seat to the Corellian Jedi and see whether he was willing to take the full step into helping them guide the Jedi Order, reunified and whole, into the future that awaited them in these dark times.
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Luna was not pleased with being recalled to the Temple, when the whole of the Sith Empire's might was pressing in on them from the outside, but nevertheless she had to do as she was requested. Taking the fastest shuttle they could, she, Yoda and Padawan Ist made their way quickly back to the Core, hoping that whatever business was needed of them would be finished quickly so they could return to defending them all.
Surprisingly, they were not met by any of the Council when they landed in the Temple, but only a pair of Padawans, who urged them to go to the High Council chamber, where they were awaited.
Confused, but not disturbed, Luna set off with her companions, wondering just what it was that they had in store for them, such as a new assignment. Surely not that however, as that would be drastically inopportune for them to be reassigned from the front lines so early into the campaign for their defense. They were needed there and, more so to herself, Luna knew it was one of the only ways that she might find a clue to the location of Leon.
When they arrived at the Council Chamber, all was dark within, which threw Luna off once again, hadn't they been told to come here. Stepping inside, Luna could sense that all the living Council Members were present, but then why keep the lights turned completely off.
The door behind her, Yoda and Ist shut, throwing them all into near perfectly blackness, only for it to be illuminated by the sudden flaring of eleven lightsabers. Grandmaster Coven and the others stood in front of, or in the Jenet's case upon, their seats in the Council circle, blades half in front of their faces, waiting for the party of three to approach.
"Knights Luna and Yoda," Master Coven said, her voice hard and official sounding in its manner, "step forward."
The pair did so, leaving Padawan Ist outside of the circle of Master. The other ten Jedi Council Members lowered their sabers to point toward the ground, even as the Grandmaster continued to speak, "By the right of the Council, and the will of the Force, we have judged you both worthy, to join those who have come before in the ranks of Jedi Master. Through your great deeds of courage and valor in fighting the darkness of the Sith Lords and their Empire, we bequeath the titles to you both."
Luna was shocked. Albeit, she had expected some sort of ceremony the moment that she saw the lights were dimmed within the Council Chambers, but of anything she thought that Ist would be Knighted, even though she was young and still very inexperienced. But to be given the rank of Jedi Master was not close to what she had even thought about.
Yoda seemed to take the news far better than she had, "Accept this gratefully, we do…" he replied, bowing slightly while Luna mirrored him silently, her mind still reeling.
"These were not light decisions," Master Antross stated as the lights returned and the Council took their seats, the proper ceremony observed. "While accomplished the two of you are, you are both still extremely young for Jedi Masters, know that this is a sign of high hopes that the Council has in you both, and we hope that you take this knowledge with the humbling fact that this war will still need your one hundred percent devotion until it is ended."
"We understand, Masters…" Luna said, pulling out of her daze for a moment. Thinking of her lost Padawan, she was saddened that he was not free and here to see this moment, but it was not to be helped.
"We wish for the three of you to remain at the temple for a short time, as to witness something that has not occurred in the history of the Jedi," Grandmaster Coven said, causing even her fellow Council Members to turn in surprise, "Lord Berethon of the Corellian Green Jedi will be returning to the Temple, along with an honor guard to assist in protecting important refugees from New Terra, and I put it to the council that we address at that time the vacancy that is on this Council."
All eyes momentarily flashed to the empty seat in the circle. "You're suggesting we offer the seat to Jedi Lord Berethon?" Master Cater said, the Bith looking thoughtful.
"An interesting proposal…" Antross replied, also looking thoughtful, "While technically against the Council's previous adjurations that the Jedi Lords were to be separated from the High Council, Lord Berethon is indeed the last living Jedi Lord. If he is willingly returning to the temple, even to visit, that indicates a letting go of much of the animosity that was held between the Green Jedi and us. This act of respect on our part would heal many old wounds, and reunite the Jedi in the face of the oncoming storm."
"Yes, indeed, and that storm is nearly upon us all…" Master Lanen Quelross said, the female human looking pensive. "We need all the strength we can spare if we hope to survive it."
"It would be prudent then, to have Masters Yoda and Lovegood be the escorts for Lord Berethon while he is here, and make sure that every need of his and his vassals is met, with the greatest of hospitality." The Grandmaster said, emphasizing the new titles.
"We humble accept this task, once Lord Berethon arrives." Luna said.
"Good, though surprising this news is, the Council I sense is unanimous in their agreement," Master Antross stated, to many nods and vocalized approval.
"Council session dismissed then, for the time being." Grandmaster Coven stated, and as one the eleven remaining members stood, many filing their way to the doors and out of the chambers. The Jenet Jedi Grandmaster remained, and Luna suspected that she wanted to speak with the three of them privately, as once the other Master departed; she turned with a weary smile.
"And now my Padawan attains the next level of her accomplishment within the ranks of the Order…" she said fondly, gesturing for them to come closer. "But even with all the politics within and without the Jedi order, and the War to run, yet another mission I have of you three, and this one possibly the most perilous of all."
She produced a small data disk, which Ist recognized and gasped, "is that a copy of the archives?" she asked, in awe, "to have such an amount of knowledge upon one disk is extremely valuable."
"It is," Master Coven confirmed, "procured with authority from the Jedi Librarian no less, which makes it all the rarer. This backup, for lack of a better term, needs to be secreted away on an uninhabited planet, where none shall find it. The coordinates I will give you later, when it is time for you to depart from the Temple."
Luna could hear the quiet desperation in her old master's words as she continued, "Once there, you will find an older copy of the records that will either have been corroded to useless scrap or needs to be also protected in whatsoever manner you see fit from discovery and decay of time. This is my personal failsafe, the last hope of the Jedi should we fail against the Sith. The previous caretaker that I had taking these disks for me recently perished, and I am in desperate need for new hands that can easily leave the temple and take them for me."
"We will Master," Ist said, speaking for them all and humbly taking the disk. "I entrust this knowledge to you three, as I know that none of you would allow the Sith to know of its location, and if the Temple were to fall, it would be in good hands when one of you rebuild the Jedi Order."
Luna felt the surge of shock run through her yet again. Master Coven had basically said that she felt any of them could be the next Grandmaster of the Jedi Order is they needed to be, and that was high praise indeed. Carefully controlling her emotions, and not allowing the praise to elevate her beyond her station, Luna nodded, "Thank you master, we will do everything we can to live up to your expectations."
"I know you will, young Masters, and younger still Padawan. The future of the Jedi will be set upon your shoulders in due time, I feel that my visions have shown me. Indeed I have felt this since first meeting the pair of you, and look how far each of you have come. You have more than met my expectations, and yet you are still rising in strength and resolve within the Light."
Then, patting each of them on the shoulder, the Grandmaster took her leave, and Ist carefully stowed the data disk away in her robes, for safekeeping.
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Zhar was almost eager at long last for the assignment to gather the Dark Council for the Emperor's return to Dromund Kaas. So rarely did the entire council meet in person that it was imperative that they obey this order, as it clearly meant that some important news had come of Veneficus' latest trip out of Sith space.
All the arrangements had been made before Zhar had even started ordering a shuttle from Korriban. Despite the Supreme Prophet being Feyd and not himself, Zhar was still one of the most senior members of the council, and was publicly known for his closeness to the Emperor, therefore when he spoke, people listened.
Even as he departed though, there was at least one that would attempt to force him to stop. The iridonian apprentice that was forced upon him stood in the entryway of the Sith academy of Korriban, weapon in hand and a look of fury upon her face.
"You dare, master?" she questioned, positioning herself such that he could not pass her without drawing too near to her inactivated blade, and Zhar paused, knowing through the Force that the girl was nearing the breaking point.
"I dare what? Out of my way, girl, there is business relative to the Empire that must be taken care of…" Zhar said dismissively, uncaring about her feelings.
She wouldn't move, "You refuse to train me, you deny my accomplishments, you subvert anything I may grow to by eclipsing me in your shadow, and now you're planning to abandon me on this world while you go to Dromund Kaas to attend an important meeting with the Emperor and the Dark Council! I am your apprentice, I am meant to learn how to take on your role for whatever may yet come to pass! You are wasting my potential!"
She was screaming by the end of her triad, causing the stone floor to quake slightly with the suppressed power in the Force that she was holding back.
"And you have done what to prove such potential to me?" Zhar questioned, "I did not choose you, if you so recall, I was forced to select a replacement… a placeholder until my true apprentice returns to my grasp. I do not care what you expected from this assignment, but I had no such delusions of actually training you…"
That had done it. Zhar smirked as he leapt backward to avoid the oncoming charge as the iridonian let out an enraged shriek and attacked, her crimson saberstaff flashing as it spun in her hands.
Djem So typically was extremely powerful for Zhar, but against the pair of blades wielded expertly from a Juyo practitioner, he was forced to rely on another style. One of the few things he had never criticized about the girl was her strength with a weapon. The double ended saber whirled in tight arcs, threatening to sever limbs with every precise swing and stab, and Zhar actually had to put in effort to keep ahead of her chained attack sequences.
Leaping high into the air over her, Zhar threw down a blast of Force energy, which impacted the stone ground as she instinctively rolled out of the way, her connection to the force strengthened by her rage.
"I was so pleased when you recognized me as you apprentice!" she roared, attacking again, before ducking low to try and sweep Zhar's legs from under him, and rising with a vicious uppercut, all which were avoided as Zhar danced backward, switching fully to the defensive Soresu to keep her twin blades away from scoring hits.
"When I had learned of the opening, I knew that it was my time, I was best in my lessons, I had the most prestige out of all my peers, and yet you scorn me every chance you get!" she continued to rant.
"Girl, you know nothing about what I do or do not do…" Zhar began, goading her in the attempt to make a mistake.
"I HAVE A NAME!" she screamed, the sound waves becoming charged with the force and catching Zhar by surprise, knocking him back several yards with concussive power, where he hit the stone floor hard.
Leaping into the air, the girl attempted to skewer Zhar where he had fallen, but the Force reacted to him instantly, propelling him away and dodging the narrow beam of death that sought his abdomen.
"I am Euka Qudru, your apprentice, and you will remember my name, Master!" she seethed, her anger settling into a low burn that continued to fuel her as she and Zhar fought.
With an odd twisting motion, the girl actually managed to once again find her way around Zhar defenses, and struck his blade in an awkward angle, actually ripping the hilt from his hands. But even as she recoiled to stab him through the neck, Zhar lashed out with a powerful telekinetic wave, throwing the girl far from him and knocking her to the ground.
Summoning his saber, he stalked toward her, even as she returned to her knees, saber held tightly and ready to defend herself.
The look of surprise on her face when Zhar extinguished his weapon instead and offered his hand was priceless. "And now you've passed your first trial, Euka Qudru. Rise now, my apprentice, and come, we have the Dark Council to meet on Dromund Kaas."
The look of shock did not fade immediately, even as she hesitantly accepted the hand and rose to her feet. Zhar's grip instantly became vice-like as he pulled her close to hiss into her ear. "I allowed this confrontation to occur, but had it taken any longer to come about I would not have been so merciful to you. My other, older apprentices took far less time to start challenging me and my commands, and you will need to learn to think for yourself before you will earn my respect, child. You have started on a long and painful path, but the end goal will turn you into one of the most respected members of the Dark Council." He said, speaking low enough that she alone could hear him.
Euka paled, all pride from gaining her desperately desired recognition draining away in an instant. Releasing his new apprentice, Zhar turned to depart, uncaring as she followed quickly, and thankfully, silently.
To be fair, although he would never admit it to her directly, but he was somewhat sore from fending off some of her more powerful attacks, and Zhar felt that she actually had far more potential than he had initially given the iridonian credit for.
The change of thought had occurred during their trek to Mustafar, when he had partially noticed her fight with the heretic ancient Sith cult. There had been a glimmer of potential, even then, in both her ability to resist the maddening call of the academy and her martial skill in defeating her foes.
In time, she would indeed be a capable successor to him for the position of High Prophet of Korriban, but placing those thoughts aside, Zhar refocused on the task at hand, the unknown reasons they were summoned as an entire counsel by the Emperor.
Pulling out of Hyperspace mere hours later, their ship was given high clearance to land in the Palace itself, rather than the spaceport that was a short jaunt from the city proper. That indicated to Zhar, and even Euka, that something important that couldn't wait was afoot. "Do we have any idea why the Emperor summoned the entire council, Master?" she asked, finally getting over the entire issue that she had had back on Korriban. Zhar chalked it up to being a female, and therefore potentially fickle about events that had already passed, but he truly did not care.
"I have been told nothing, although I doubt that it is anything to be overwhelmingly worried about. We simply have to wait and see what it is that the Emperor desires." Zhar replied as they touched down.
The rest of the Dark Council, many with their own apprentices were waiting in the corridors before the Council Chamber, the doors themselves blocked by a quartet of Imperial Arcanamach, which indicated that the Emperor was within. Zhar more or less ignored those other members who were conversing in undertones about what the Emperor had summoned them for, going straight toward Supreme Prophet Feyd to get the answers directly from the one most likely to know them.
"No, I have no clue why we are summoned," the man said, forestalling the question before Zhar asked, "but now that we are all assembled, we may enter and see what the reasoning is at long last."
The guards moved aside as Feyd and the rest of the Council approached, allowing them entrance into the torch-lit chamber beyond.
"You have arrived at last," the Eternal Emperor said, sitting upon the throne-like seat that was reserved for him alone. One by one, the Council and their respective apprentices moved forward and bowed before taking their assigned seats, or in the case of apprentices standing beside their masters.
"The Force is with us," Veneficus began, "and has granted us many boons throughout this war, but even now as the great conflict draws to a close, there is something that needs to be done to guarantee victory in total over the Jedi."
Zhar could feel the very air around them still as the Emperor spoke, and knew that this was no idle boast. The man who had engineered the war from the beginning had prepared long and slowly for this endgame, and if he felt something was required, he was certain of it.
From within his robes, the Emperor produced a palm sized cube, akin to a Jedi Holocron, but different in design. "This relic is the mysterious cube of Jedi Master Chu-Gon Dar," Veneficus explained, "Which had several… unique and quite useful properties. Alone it is nothing, but when combined with a few others of the items I have in my collection, and a boost from the power of the Dark Side, we will create a weapon that will shatter the very heart of the Jedi Order, and cease their petty struggle against our might."
The Emperor beckoned someone from the shadowed corner of the room, and the rest of the council turned to see the young Jedi boy that the Emperor had taken prisoner approach with a large metallic rod in his hands. But then Zhar looked again, closer this time, and saw the haggard lines of anger and hatred in the boy's youthful face, the taught and gaunt appearance as well as the yellowing of the boy's eyes.
Veneficus had won; the Jedi Padawan had succumbed to the Dark Side and now served the Emperor.
Taking the scepter from the boy, Veneficus continued, "The Scepter of Marka Ragnos, greatest Emperor of the Sith in recorded history. Together, these items will usher in our right to rule the Galaxy forever."
With the Force, the Emperor delicately levitated the cube to float atop the head of the scepter, right between the horn-like crown that decorated the head of the metallic rod.
"We go now to a secret planet, one that has little use to all but the most powerful of the Empire, and a place where this weapon will be forged… Come…"
The Emperor arose, and still in some confusion, Zhar followed with his apprentice. The Jedi Padawan kept close to the Emperor, yellowed eyes seeming to glow in the night sky outside as they approached the Emperor's personal shuttle, where another dozen of his guard awaited the entire Council.
Another gathering room awaited them, with seating for the Emperor alone, and the rest of the assembled Force users waited patiently for instruction as the man settled in his place. "Captain," the Emperor declared into a communicator imbedded within the chair, "set course for Ruusan."
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Fury watched as Darth Diábolis' flagship, the Dauntless, pulled out of Hyperspace into an already pitched battle over the world of Chazwa. "I see that Gor-lak wasted no time in pursuing the Republic to this world and engaging." He said, mildly impressed with the strange being that possessed a warped version of the Force, and the Emperor kept around for reasons known only to the Sith Lord.
"Yes, he is rather eager to earn his place among us, little good it will do the strange creature housed within the shell of a man…" Diábolis replied distractedly, letting slip information that Fury had not been aware of in his focus of the battle's progress itself.
Luckily, before the Devaronian Sith realized his slip, something occurred to distract not only the two powerful Darksiders, but the entire command crew of the Dauntless. Another cruiser, from their section of the fleet was pushing itself forward under full thrusters, breaking formation to be in a better position to attack the Republic.
Desperately, the crew started to try and establish communications with the rogue vessel, and as the commander came up on screen, Fury had to suppress a groan. They would have called Zoilot into combat as well. The Pureblood looked as arrogant as ever, a superior smirk on his face as he was challenged for his decision to break ranks.
"I am tired of awaiting an equal opportunity to prove my valor and skill in combat," he spat, facial tentacles twitching as he moved, "the power of the Sith Purebloods will not be denied any longer, and I will take this battle in hand, and lead us to victory, then the Emperor will acknowledge that we are as powerful as ever."
"You fool…" muttered Fury, watching out of the corner of his eye for what the Sith apprentice would do in retaliation.
Diábolis had done nothing thus far, just watched with burning eyes as the Pureblood pushed further toward the Republic lines. "Cut communications," he ordered, waiting for the screen to darken before striding to the command console, "wait until that fool started his first attack run on the Republic, then attack his ship from behind with all batteries. I want an example set that no one will forget."
Fury smiled, turning back to the massive observation port so he could watch his hated rival finally get his due. The command ship of Zoilot was almost to the same advanced level as the lead ship, the Dread Seeker, when fire erupted between the Republic defenders and the new ship.
"Open fire with the main cannon," Diábolis declared and a massive shudder went through the entire ship of the Dauntless. Fury watched, even as a massive emerald green beam shot forward, ripping into the rear side of his rival's command ship, turning its shields into crimson threats as it shattered them, lancing through the midsection of the ship and rending it in two pieces, which exploded in a glorious fireball.
"So much for the strength and glory of the Sith Purebloods…" Diábolis said scornfully, "continue with the attack. Let none of these Republic fools bear witness that we turn upon each other just the same as in ages past."
"Shall I join the battle directly, my Lord?" Fury asked, but the Sith shook his head.
"We allow the pawns to move first in a game of dejarik, and save the strong pieces for the endgame," he explained. "You are needed to survive until we start to attack planets that will require our forces on the ground to secure their surrender, Lord Fury, and are therefore too important now to waste in ship to ship battles."
Fury nodded, understanding perfectly. This young apprentice was sizing up to be an equal strategist to his master, only willing to use his tools when they were most needed rather than to fling them about in combat just to win.
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Gor-lak was fully engaged with the Republic forces when his officers declared the approach of another warship, breaking formation from the rear forces surrounding the Dauntless, "What in blazes, open communications, I will deal with this upstart myself. Press the attack, drive them back into orbit of the planet." The Ork commanded. They never got communications up in time however, when from the rear lines, the Sith command ship of the entire armada opened fire upon one of their own, a deathly green beam of destruction ripping through shields and hull with utter devastation, rending the ship in twain and scattering the pieces for the Republic to avoid.
Many of the crew gasped, but Gor-lak inwardly smirked. "And that is why you obey your orders with exactness," he stated, "disregard anything with that ship, ignore any calls for help, we press on to victory!"
Another barrage shot out of their lead ships, striking the barriers that the Republic ships were so heavily relying upon for defense, and obliterating anything that was caught out of those shields. Sith fighters streamed about, delivering powerful ordinance behind the shields, hammering selective systems of the various Republic cruisers, along with that of their mercenary allies.
Shields were disabled, engines crippled, and within a few more minutes, the entire defensive fleet was in full retreat, scattering to avoid crashing into each other as they fled into Hyperspace. Another world, presumable left bare of all occupancy was now the Empire's.
"Plot the probable next location of their fleets," Gor-lak ordered, before turning to his communication officers, "Open a channel with the Dauntless, I have words with our esteemed leader as to what just happened in the battle."
"Yes, my Lord," the man said, fingers flying over the keys to establish the link with the primary ship of the armada. Soon enough, the Ork was staring into the face of Diábolis, apprentice of the Eternal Emperor, and next in line to rule the entire Neo-Sith Empire.
"The world is secured, empty as the others however, my Lord," Gor-lak reported.
"Then we press on to the next world, after leaving a message here that none shall withstand the Emperor's will." Diábolis replied, and Gor-lak nodded.
"My lord, what occurred regarding the other cruiser…" the ork questioned, but the response was that of a muted, uncaring tone.
"Nothing more than a renegade Adept trying to attain power and prestige that was not his to gain; nothing worthy of our concern," Diábolis said dismissively.
"As you wish, my Lord," Gor-lak agreed, although not putting the thought from his mind in the slightest. Foolishness was to be punished, that was the lesson here.
"Prepare the jump to the next system," Gor-lak commanded his officers.
"Scanners indicate that the next world they could flee to is Vurdon Ka, my Lord," one responded.
"Good, if we hurry, we can catch them before they can evacuate the world for once." The ork spirit sneered behind his mask of metal and human flesh.
"Blaze the trail for us Gor-lak, as your chance for glory was potentially denied by the foolishness of another."
"As the Emperor wills it," the master of cruelty replied, even as the communication shut itself off. Turning from the console to the holographic display, Gor-lak brought up the Galactic map, updating the conquest of this world to the Sith Empire.
Even as he watched the map update, half a dozen worlds along the rim of the ever expanding empire switched to the crimson of the Empire, with many more just ripe for the picking. The Hutt Cartel seemed to be on the boarders of the Empire's southern expanse now, with their front pushing most directly to the heart of the Republic, and even more toward the north.
"We press our enemies on all sides," Gor-lak said, more to himself even though those strategist officers and others present turned to look at him. Leaning in to observe the large southern regions that had no Imperial presence, "Is this where you'll eventually run?" he asked aloud, offering no room for response before he turned away, "make the jump for Vurdon Ka, all ships move out."
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Kelrek looked out the viewport at the future conquest of the Empire. He and his division, including Stalker Srilis and Marauder Jenah, were set forth from the main attack group to assist in picking up the scrap fringe worlds so that no escaping Republic forces could try to systematically flank the armada. In addition to these duties rested the conquest of those neutral systems that might rebel against the Emperor if coaxed to join the Empire through other, less violent means.
Personally, the Sorcerer was pleased just to never have to set foot on the forest world of Kashyyyk ever again after its savage finally battle. The Empire had been losing ground the entire time when the three dark adepts arrived at the massive tree that represented the Republic interests in the world, as well as the capitol of the Wookiees; needless to say that they were refusing to give it up without one hell of a fight.
Hours of fighting, watching their soldiers get demolished left and right by the hulking beasts, when at last they had received true reinforcements. A new tool of the Empire arrived, spreading flame and death in its wake, allowing the Imperial ground forces to make their long needed push toward the central government center, and capture the main section of the world at last.
It was a tentative hold, but with most of the Wookiees forced to the ground floor, and those beasts hunting everything that walked the Shadowlands, Kelrek had no issue in leaving for better battlefields.
This time, they were fighting the human consolidation known as the Hapes Consortium, formed of a collection of wealthy human families that had broken away from the main contingent on Coruscant when the government changed millennia ago from a monarchy to a republic. At least here there would be a somewhat simple task of battle, as the Hapians were strictly anti-Jedi, hating the order for some offence many hundreds of years ago, which meant that the Dark Adepts would be unmatched.
The downside was that the Consortium also sported a massive fleet of its own, and while not to the standards that the Republic and Empire were throwing at each other in the technological department, the sheer firepower that the Hapes battle cruisers could push out was still a force to be reckoned with.
"In the name of the Queen Mother, state you business within the Hapes Consortium," the commander of the defensive fleet demanded once communications were raised. Kelrek just smirked to himself as Jenah took charge, addressing the defenders of the soon-to-be Imperial world, "The Neo-Sith Empire has come to address the failing of your Queen Mother in responding to our demands of surrender of planet, people and resources to the Empire."
"How dare you insult the Queen Mother in such manner," the commander shouted back, clearly greatly offended.
"Enough of these foolishness," Jenah said, growing irritated, "If you lack the answers we seek, we will ask the Queen Mother herself, after we shatter her world and palace to meet her," and turning to the crew, she added, "engage, sweep these pathetic ships aside as we take what is rightfully the Emperor's."
Kelrek felt the shimmer through the force, even as their forces surged forward for the glory of Emperor Veneficus the Eternal.