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Chapter 25

Brothers, It is Ours

A bright yellow flash—the rear door of a hyperspace tunnel—preceded a warship. Its unexpected appearance threw the bridge into chaos.

Commander Baxter jumped from his chair. "What the hell?!" His head snapped to the helmsman. "Report on that ship!"

"Registry matches the Invisible Hand, sir! It's General Grievous!"

The weapons officer added, "Confirmed! Weapons dormant. Ship is friendly."

Baxter narrowed his eyes. He walked to the window, heart still racing. "Get me Grievous on the view screen!"

Baxter's grimace filled the display. Behind him, the crew moved about with the remnants of shock. "General Grievous," said Baxter, "we were not expecting you."

Grievous said, "I have news for Lord Sidious. Prepare your shuttle bay; I'm coming aboard."

Baxter's lip curled tentatively. "Understood, General."

The screen went black. Grievous turned to Vader, who was flanked by his horsemen. "We are only one ship. The emperor's fleet is all around us."

Vader's voice was fat with vanity. "It will be our fleet shortly."

Grievous' sunken eyes showed none of his inner thoughts. He owed Sidious his life, if that's what one would call it. But allegiance was a notion reserved for organics. He was not one anymore. His brain contained the details of experiences but none of the context.

The droid-man addressed his second-in-command: "Commander Argyle, do not engage the fleet. Even if they open fire."

Argyle frowned. "General?"

"We're taking control of the empire. These ships are assets."

Argyle nodded crisply. Manifest panic reddened his cheeks. But Grievous knew he would play his part.

The droid-man asked Vader, "What are your orders?"

The Young General delivered his report, pointing out victories on a map of the Core. Sidious sat opposite, Dooku adjacent.

The General's voice echoed through the gunmetal chamber. "We've created a bottleneck. In another month, we'll be prepared to attack Coruscant. If they choose to make a stand, it will be their grave. I estimate—"

Baxter's voice crackled through a comlink: "Lord Sidious, forgive the interruption..."

The emperor sat forward, bony hands steepled on his knees. "You may speak," he commanded.

"The Invisible Hand has joined the fleet. General Grievous is coming aboard. He wishes to speak with you."

Grievous. He was ordered to secure Halm. He knew the consequences of disobeyed orders. There was only one reason he would come.

But Grievous would never make a play on his own. Sidious smiled with his eyes. It was the way of the Sith. He could hardly fault Vader for learning his lessons. But soon he'd discover the power Sidious withheld. A worthy teacher sets limits to prevent his usurping.

Dooku held his back straight. The time had come for the count's last use. "Meet Grievous in the shuttle bay," Sidious ordered. "I will join you shortly."

He felt the count's eyes like a burning brand on his skin. He wondered if Dooku knew why a Sith name was never granted him: simple tools need no honorific.

Dooku stood up, never breaking his gaze. After a pregnant pause, he calmly walked out.

"Prepare my escape vessel," Sidious said.

The Young General knit his brows but agreed to the task.

When Sidious was alone, the dark lord rose up and discarded his cloak. He walked to his throne, retrieving his saber. Soon one more chapter would be notched on the hilt.

"A story ends," Sidious whispered.

Dooku was not a fool. His callous master had marked him for death. Dooku intended not to oblige him.

The count made a stop at the lower-deck dojo. Ten apprentices were sparring with staffs. Their trainer looked familiar: a grizzled Massassi with a necklace of teeth.

"Pardon my interruption," Dooku said mildly. "I require your services—Lord..."

"Grymar," came the answer. Fleshy tendrils dangled from his cheekbones. A stoic mouth jutted over his chin. Dooku admired the wide set of Grymar's shoulders. "What are your orders, Count?"

"Follow me now. Ask no questions."

Grymar turned his head slightly. One glance incited his students. Staffs were discarded, replaced by lightsabers. With shaky poise, they formed a column by Grymar.

"Do not fail me," Dooku warned.

The shuttle bay crew formed rows behind Baxter. It was always unnerving when top brass came aboard. But usually shutting up was enough to get through it.

Grievous descended the ramp of his shuttle. His servos squealed as he coughed into a fist. "Commander Baxter," he snarled. "I must speak with Lord Sidious."

Baxter tugged on his collar, which suddenly seemed tight. "I'm sorry, sir. But I have direct orders to wait for Count Dooku."

"You orders are countermanded."

Baxter swallowed. "I apologize, General. But Lord Sidious was very clear. When Count—" His hands flew to his neck. He wheezed and hacked. An invisible force was crushing his windpipe.

Baxter whirled to his men. His eyes bulged. His trachea snapped. He spit up blood and fell dead on his stomach.

The crew was pallid and frozen, abject terror shining in their eyes.

Vader emerged out of blackness. He and three others exited the shuttle. The light fell hard on their jaundiced faces.

Malice broke off from the group. Whereas Vader invoked fear through human likeness, Malice was the demon children invent. His pinkish-red face was darker from burns. He had only one horn, the other ruined by Miler. The serrated stump was somehow scarier.

He approached a worker. The woman stared straight ahead. Her arms rippled with the effort of stillness. Malice drank in her fear, looked back at Vader.

"They are not needed," Vader said.

Malice drew his lightsaber. The woman's eyes filled with tears.

Klaxons blared in the corridor. The XO's voice shouted from the speaker: "Attention, all hands! Intruder alert! The Invisible Hand is hostile! All personnel to be shot on sight! General Grievous is a traitor! Lord Vader is a traitor!"

Dooku's chest tightened. He'd always known Vader's ambition. The willful blindness of Sidious could cost them everything.

Grymar had no reaction, but his students were shaken. Dooku pinned them with a look: "It is your best day or your last. You will choose which one."

The shuttle bay was straight ahead. There was total silence except for alarms. Dooku and his men ignited their sabers.

In moments, the shuttle bay doors retracted to the wall. A thick swirl of smoke drifted in the air. Dooku recognized the residue of a Sith lightning attack.

Five red blades shone in the smoke. The air began to clear, putting Vader in focus. He gave Grievous an order: "Secure the bridge. We will handle this matter."

Dooku clenched his jaw seeing Malice, Wrath, and Demic. He knew Vader would have allies, but not of this stature.

"Four for the price of one," Dooku said.

Take pleasure in vengeance. Power, without joy, is as empty as servitude. Let the Wise One feel your passion for his gift.

"You have no idea what you're dealing with," Vader said. "The Dark Side is a child's game. I possess power you cannot imagine."

Dooku forced a dark smile. "Pride comes before the fall."

Blue lightning gathered on Vader's fingers. Before the count could react, Vader unleashed. It hit Dooku full-force, sending him flying to the wall. He collapsed to the floor, convulsing in pain.

Vader fired at Grymar, who caught it with his saber. The Massassi charged. Vader deflected, ducking past him. He rushed at the students. The first parried clumsily, losing an arm. The next was cut in two pieces shoulder to hip.

Grymar fought Demic, driving him back. He held off Malice with a boot to the chest. Wrath swung at his head, forcing him to duck. Grymar used the position to try to slash Demic's leg. Demic blocked, pinning his blade. It left the Massassi completely defenseless. Wrath severed one arm, Malice the other. Grymar screamed. He staggered to his feet, threw his body at Demic. Wrath cut off his head with a horizontal slash.

Dooku looked up, finding everyone dead. Streaks of blood covered the walls.

Vader nudged a severed head, rolling it to Dooku. The count climbed from the floor, calling his saber.

Vader scoffed, "Isn't this part where you suggest we ally?"

"If it were anyone but you." Dooku cocked his saber. He looked past Vader, as the others approached. "You caught me by surprise. Sidious will be ready."

"Ready to die," Vader growled. He twirled in the air, launching an attack. Dooku blocked, shoving him away. He tried to behead him but instead hit the wall. A shower of sparks flashed in the air.

Dooku missed with a kick. Vader clocked him with his hilt. Dooku reeled and parried a lunge. He spun away from Vader—but Wrath's blade impaled him. It jammed through his sternum, hilt-against-chest.

Dooku gasped. His eyes were huge. He staggered to the wall, trying to pull the blade out. But soon enough, he let his hands fall. Any effort at surviving was futile.

Dooku's gaze locked with Vader's. Gentle pressure forced him to his knees.

This was always the ending. No Sith in history died of old age.

"Va—va—" It was a hellish gasp. He was choking on blood. There was nothing left for Dooku to say.

Every life form is a concentration of energy. Every man you destroy can be stripped of his marrow. Absorb the strong-willed. Take their power for your own. There are far greater battles, requiring far more strength.

Vader took a breath. Everything he'd been through, the degradation and pain, was precious prologue. Now his story could properly begin.

Vader buried his blade in Dooku's skull. The count ceased moving. A moment—silence—then suddenly chaos.

Dooku's body rapidly heated. Blackish smoke squeezed through his pores. His skin became molten, melting from his bones. It dripped to the floor, unveiling his skeleton. The whites of his eyes burst into flames.

A strange red mist emerged from the fire. It zipped in four streams toward each of the Sith.

Vader screamed, back arching, as it rushed into his mouth. Wrath, Demic, and Malice, too. Dooku's essence filled the four Sith. Then reality vanished. No dark or light. Creation and ending. The Wise One's touch. The dark intelligence. Every dimension there for their pleasure.

The fire burnt out. Dooku's skeleton dropped to its side. There was no sign of flesh. No organs remained. He who once haunted Vader was a pile of bones.

A blissful grin crossed Vader's face. For the first time in his life, he was truly happy. "Brothers, it is ours."

Imperial marines streaked through the corridor. The riflemen led, followed by grenadiers. They took positions outside the emperor's hanger.

"Blanket fire," The Leader said. "Sith can deflect blasters, but they can't cover everything."

The men grunted assent. Sixty eyes locked on the elevator. The Leader reached into his armor, feeling the lightsaber component he'd made into a necklace. When all this was over, he'd replace it with Vader's.

The elevator opened. Vader walked out. He flicked his wrist; The Leader blew his own head off. Malice mind-locked a grenadier. The marine pulled a pin and then didn't move. Shrapnel exploded, throwing grist on the walls.

The survivors scattered. A few brave souls rushed at the Sith. Wrath met them on the way. He swung his saber in an arc, slicing two chests. He cut off a head, ripped out a heart. A man with a shotgun fired at Demic. Demic flattened his blade, reflecting the blast. The shooter's stomach exploded in chunks.

The second-in-command shouted from cover: "Fall back! Fall back!" He laid down suppression fire to give his men time. The Sith ignored it, continuing to advance.

Three marines sprinted—exposing their backs. Malice used Sith lightning, taking down two. The third man tripped on their twitching bodies. His head smashed the floor, knocking him dead. Blood pooled in a circle around his cracked skull.

A small group escaped, disappearing around a corner. The second-in-command was left all alone. He thought of his wife, hoped she'd be proud.

He sprang out of cover. Demic swung low; Wrath went high. The second-in-command dove between blades. He landed in a crouch by a pile of corpses. He grabbed a grenade, pulling the pin. His dignified stare fixed on Vader. "For the Empire!"

Metal, fire blasted through the air. Vader thrust out his palm, creating a telekinetic shield. The grenade's full force swallowed the marine. His body scattered in pieces all through the corridor. Half of his head lay at their feet.

Vader didn't stop to admire his work. He ran to the hanger, finding no one there. The emperor's escape vessel stood unused. Why hadn't Sidious come for it? Perhaps he realized that, while the hanger was meant to be secret, Vader discovered it months ago. If that were true, Sidious might have feared that Vader would intercept him. He could be planning a different escape.

Or maybe the answer was simpler. Maybe Sidious didn't intend to leave it all. Perhaps he was so arrogant, he thought he could defeat Vader. If so, he gravely miscalculated.

"Where is he?" Wrath demanded.

Demic said, "He knows he can't escape. He's prepared to fight us."

"He's prepared to fight me," Vader corrected, before tapping his comlink: "General Grievous, report your status."

A voice crackled back: "The bridge is secure. The Invisible Hand was destroyed. Several vessels are attempting to dock."

"Hold them off as long as you can. I have to find Sidious." He heard Grievous shout at one of the crew, but he couldn't make it out.

After a pause, the droid-man said: "Deck 15: one life sign registered."

"You have served me well, Grievous. I will remember it," Vader said.

The engineering decks were always most busy. They held the hyperdrive, weapons, and computer mainframe. But there was only silence when Vader arrived.

The corridor from the elevator was dimly lit. Someone had cut the main lights on the deck.

Vader was fatigued, but it didn't touch his mind. Every sense was highly attuned. He smelled Sith lightning, along with corpses. The hyperdrive buzzed through the door just ahead.

He drew his saber, flashing it on. "Do not be rash," he reminded them. "Even gods can be defeated."

Vader found the door was sealed to the hyperdrive chamber. He carved a human-sized circle and kicked through the cut-out.

The hyperdrive chamber was littered with corpses. They weren't hard to diagnose: lightsaber wounds, execution by lightning. Sidious had slaughtered his whole engineering crew.

Vader's eyes roamed. The hyperdrive core—four blue cylinders connected to a box—was at the center of the chamber. Everything else was built out around it. Three gold shafts, staggered vertically, connected the core to conduits in the wall. Each shaft had a platform, with railing for safety. Multiple ladders made them accessible. At the bottom level, computer consoles circled the core.

A dark figure stood on the topmost platform.

Vader shouted, "Hiding in the shadows?"

"Where else does one hide?" Sidious replied.

His apprentice could hear the strain in his voice. Sidious prepared for Vader—not four opponents. "Do you know what brings me pleasure?" Vader reveled. "You don't even realize what all this is about. You thought you had sent me to do your bidding. But in reality, you gave me the key to immortality."

Sidious fired back, "Your delusions are pathetic. I will relish their disabusal."

"You're one man against four," Vader taunted. "Surely you realize we are your doom."

Sidious switched on his saber. "Your arrogance blinds you!" He let out a cry, flipping three stories to land on the floor.

Wrath charged, unleashing a series of powerful blows. Sidious blocked, lunging for his middle. Wrath parried; they both missed swings. Demic came from the flank, trying an overhead strike. Sidious ducked; the blade sliced through a ladder.

Sidious leapt from the fray, clashing sabers with Vader. He pressed the advantage until Malice intervened. Sidious caught Malice's blade, driving it to the deck. He had to release to block Vader's swing. Sidious flipped through the air, dodging and striking. Vader growled at a blow to his arm.

Wrath attacked, and Sidious leapt. He used the hyperdrive core to change his direction. He landed behind everyone. Before they could react, Sidious unleashed a torrent of lightning. It crawled over Wrath, flashing his skeleton, as a spike of agony shot through his body.

Vader fired his own lightning. Sidious caught it with his saber but grimaced with effort. Conceding the attack, he leapt from the floor to the bottom-most platform. Demic followed. The two exchanged strikes, finding no opening.

Sidious jumped to the next platform, where Malice was waiting. Their sabers bounced off in a shower of sparks. Sidious threw a kick. It sent Malice flying back-first to the core. The cylinders flickered in time with the impact. Malice plummeted to the floor with a thud.

Sidious jumped as Demic's blade stabbed through the platform. The distraction gave Vader the opening he needed. He used the Force to rip out one of the shafts that connected to the core. He hurled it at the emperor, forcing him to jump. It smashed through the wall, a massive hole forming. Paristeel poured like hail through the chamber.

Sidious plunged toward the floor. Wrath leapt at the same time. They met in the middle, exchanging one blow.

Sidious landed in a crouch. His eyes were a mausoleum entombing decades of hate. "You cannot defeat me! I will destroy you all!"

"You will try," said Vader.

Sidious growled, shooting lightning at Vader. His pupil fired back. Their chains met in the middle—a battle of wills. The emperor pushed harder, but Vader matched him.

From the platform above, Demic launched his own attack. He fired bolt after bolt at the emperor's back. Sidious screamed, dropping to his knees. Blue electricity spiraled around him.

Soon Malice and Wrath added their lightning. The assault of four Sith was simply too much. Sidious fell to his side, completely enveloped. The flesh of his face was beginning to cook. He could hear it sizzle, a brutal chorus.

Vader's laughter broke through his wall of agony. Not once in his life had Sidious heard it. One particle of anger persisted in the emperor. Uncanny determination pressed it to service.

Sidious turned his head. He could vaguely make out the hyperdrive core. All the current in his body gathered on his fingers. He gritted his teeth, swallowed a scream, and redirected their lightning into the core.

The hyperdrive whined. Circuitry rattled. The cylinders' casing shook then shattered. The drive's inner cables unsnapped from the core. They swung in the air, a monster's tentacles, spitting radioactive gas all through the chamber. The temperature in the core was rapidly spiking.

Vader's eyes widened. "Get out!"

Demic leapt to the platform, then Wrath and Malice. They escaped through the cavity Vader made in the wall.

Vader picked up Sidious. He threw him on his back. He vaulted to the exit as the drive core exploded. A column of flames propelled them through the wall. Sidious tumbled from his shoulders, rolling on a grate.

Vader snapped to attention. They were on a catwalk overlooking the cannons. A chain reaction would destroy the whole ship.

He smashed his comlink: "Grievous! Activate force fields, deck 15!"

The flames on the catwalk vanished in seconds. A faint crackle of static confirmed the force field. They were safe for the moment, but the field wouldn't hold.

"We need to evacuate," Vader said into his comlink.

"The fleet is still hostile," Grievous reminded him.

Vader looked down at Sidious. He signaled Demic to carry him. "It won't be for long."

Grievous was relieved at the Horsemen's arrival. His four arms were deployed, grasping sabers. Six crewmen lay dead on the bridge. Those who remained followed orders under threat.

Demic dumped Sidious over a console. The surviving crew recoiled in horror.

Little remained of the emperor's face. His jaw's inner workings were exposed to the air. You could follow the bone from temple to mouth. Skin was hanging like meat sliced to translucence.

Grievous reported, "Three attack ships have docked. They intend to kill us."

Vader strode calmly to the center of the bridge. "Open a channel to the fleet."

The crew reluctantly complied. Two-hundred commanders appeared on the screen, each one reduced to a very small box.

"Good evening, gentlemen," Vader said dangerously. "I'm pleased to announce that the emperor has been deposed. I am now in control of the Empire." He nodded at Grievous. The droid-man retrieved Sidious, depositing him in the captain's chair.

The muted commanders were shocked and appalled. Their silent shouts made Vader smile. He stood behind Sidious. One hand drew a saber; the other held the ruins of the emperor's forehead. "This used to be the most powerful man in the galaxy. Yet here he is—at my mercy." He put his ear to his master's mouth, reveling in the gasps that precede expiration. "If I can do this to him, try to imagine what could be in store for you."

Vader looked at the screen. The commanders were frozen. "Follow me, and you will be rewarded," Vader promised. "Defy me—and I will kill what you love with excruciating patience."

He signaled the Horsemen to join him at the center of the bridge. "Let us show you a power greater than the Dark Side."

Vader ignited his blade and beheaded Sidious. A red oval glowed on the jagged neckline.

For a moment—silence. And then it began.

Both parts of the corpse rapidly heated. The little skin that remained melted and vanished. Smoke poured from the skull. Flames sprang forth from the emperor's eyes. Familiar red mist streaked from the fire. The Horsemen screamed, convulsing in place, as four streams of the mist rushed inside them.

The essence of Sidious. Cruel strong anguish passion fear faith avarice pain hate violence vanity treachery theft sadist power patience fury betrayal madness anger vicious misery bold blind callous brutal relentless woe torment hubris death.

The bridge was silent.

The fleet was still.

The light of dead stars framed a new emperor.