Chapter 5

It was nearly Midnight by the time the cantina closed forcing Barret and his gang out. The group of ten pirates that followed him down the street where not drunk, surprisingly Barret doesn't allow his band of Pirates Drink when they are with him. Mainly because Rufus the Hutt would constantly send bounty hunters and assassins to kill him, once you steal a Hutt caravan taking away lots of credits, supplies, secret information and some illegal weapons will get a Hutt trying to kill you fast. But Barret wasn't a normal Pirate; he was a veteran of the last great Gaian war, a feat not many can say, especially someone as young as he was during that war.

Anyways while he and his band of pirates wandered down the dark streets of Mos Espa, "Ugh boss, don't you think this street is a little to quiet?" Barret noticed that the street was devoid of life, something he notice the moment he walked out of the cantina. "I know." Barret said confidently. Just then multiple members of the group noticed that in the alley ways they saw many droids; droids that they soon realize belong to the Confederacy. "Boss I think we are going to be ambushed." Barret also noticed the droids that couldn't hide worth shit; it was why her preferred men over droids in his command, droids are too blunt. "Your, Point?" Barret said in the same confident tone he used before. The droids slowly got out of the cover and followed the gang of pirates. "Well shouldn't we, you know, shoot them before they strike." Barret smiled and kept walking, "If it makes you happy by all means kill them." The moment Barret said those words the ten pirates all spun on their heels and pulled out their blasters and fired and the 20 droids that followed behind reacted so slow that they were turned to scrap in less than ten seconds.

"Not bad, not bad at all." Barret turned his head to his left and saw a cloaked figure walk out no guards no droids, Barret was instantly on guard and stopped walking, his band of pirates soon turned and aimed at the cloaked figure. "You better have a good reason to ambush Avalanche Confederate slave." The same man, who spoke moments before, seems this man was Barret's lieutenant of sorts.

"Master we are in position," Cloud heard in his ear piece while he faced down the 11 pirates. Cloud smirked, "I suggest you take back your words, the confederacy have no control of me." Barret made his men lower their guns, "Then what are you doing with confederate droids." Good this Pirate boss is smart; Cloud smiled even more when he notice how aware this man is. 'Good,'

"I come with a proposition, "Cloud crossed his arms. "Yes of course accept a deal from an anonymous person who set up an ambush. Call me paranoid that I will refuse your proposition." Barret said, noticing how young the figure's voice was, immediately knowing that it was a young man no older that twenty years old. "I'm afraid you won't have a choice, it's either accepted or dies." As soon Cloud finished those words did Barret pull out his blaster but before he could fire his blaster it was shot out of his hands via a sniper on the roof tops a distance away. The rest of the pirate's immediately dove of to the side, into the alley for cover but three were gunned down by the same sniper.

Reaper was lying prone on one of the taller buildings in the city, as he waited for a pirate to be in his sights; on pirate poked his head around a corner and Reaper immediately drilled a neat hole in his head. Reaper wasn't allowed to kill Barret unless given a signal by his master. The droid let out an equivalent of a sigh as he waited for more dumb pirates to pop their little heads out. "How boring, these meat bags seem smart enough to stay hidden from my sights."

Barret held one hand up commanding his remaining band of pirates stay hidden. "Ok then you have my attention." Barret was stone cold still, his eyes never leaving the cloaked figure in front of him; he knew the Sniper was of a long distance somewhere behind him. He sort of developed a six sense during the war that let him know were blaster fire came from, and since Barret never noticed the sniper, he was a long, long distance away, and to shoot a blaster out his hand and pick of three of his men in less than five seconds, he knew that he would die any moment that the cloaked figure felt like it.

"Good, now then listen carefully." Barret never moved and Cloud noticed that the man was trying to figure a way to escape the sniper's line of fire. Barret's lieutenant waited in the cover of the alley sending two pirates to circle back and find the sniper. Cloud lowered his hood, confirming that he was a man still in his youth. "My name is Fenrir, Darth Fenrir." Barret immediately panicked on the inside, He knew what the title of darth meant, and that means he was facing down a force user with no weapon, and a sniper with a target painted on the back of his head. "I noticed that you were able to steal a few caravans from the Hutt in charge of Shinra Corporation. You see Shinra will so join the Confederacy providing more funds power, and on the back door, more weapons and other illegal activities that the republic won't like."

Barret never changed his stance but he was visibly sweating, did Rufus manage to pay a Sith to come after him. But as soon as he thought that he knows it wasn't true, this Darth Fenrir had his own agenda. "Now this is what I want. I want you to work with me, keep taking from Shinra but be more active and take more than just a Caravan or two."

"Why would you want that, aren't the Sith aligned with the confederacy." Cloud smiled and it made Barret nervous. "Someone did their homework. Yes the Sith secretly control the confederacy but you see, I am Sith and yet I am not. I can't tell you till you join me but I can promise you, that we both will benefit from this. "How so," Barret Questioned. "I will provide fund for Avalanche along as information, a new strong hold and I will repair any of your damaged ships along as supplies your men. That should be more than fare as I'm simply asking you to attack the same target you have been fighting."

"I don't think you noticed but the Confederacy is till allied with the republic, and if we attack bigger targets the republic will send forces to handle us." Fenrir chuckled, "Don't worry about that, soon the republic will be busy with a war along with the confederacy. They will be too busy to bother you, and if they send forces to fight you, they will be weaker when fighting each other."

"How much credits and supplies we talking here?"

"Enough to triple the size of Avalanche."

"And the strong hold?"

"A dwarf planet in the Tatoo system, newly discovered, privately owned by me, and most important still uncharted."

"And Intel?"

"I have contacts all over the galaxy, with in the Republic, Confederacy, and the Hutts.

Barret actually considered the deal, on one hand he is risking his men and dealing with a Sith, but on the other, he will get more supplies so he can build a bigger Pirate gang, so instead of being a few hundred men with little over one fleet. He could gain more men and more ships, and he doesn't have to worry about expenses for the Sith would pay for them. They would get a new strong hold, a whole uncharted planet, a base of operations, instead of small areas on Gaia and her moons.' Barret looked at the man in front of him. "Deal." Could smile and raised a hand to his ear piece, "Ok Reaper, find your way to me." Cloud heard "Two blaster shot's in return, "On my way master."

"Lead me to your ship; I will guide you to the planet personally. Oh and by the way, my sniper killed two more of your men, since they tried to sneak up on him." Cloud walked while Barret wanted to get angry but knew he made a deal with this Sith and they were now allies, he also knew that if he did anything he would die and loose the contract. But the idea that he lost six good men was. Infuriating. Barret signaled his men to follow and notice only four of them, he saw his lieutenant and sighed, at least he didn't loose on of his very best men.

Cloud followed the pirates and Reaper soon followed and stood beside his master. The pirates were baffled when they found out the sniper was a droid. They all went back to the docks and entered the pirate shuttle; Cloud sent a command to the pilot of his shuttle so that his ship can be ready to leave. The next moments were swift and quick as the pirate frigate; The Raider, Barret's personal, and Flag ship of the Pirate gang. Reaper and Cloud were on board The Raider and followed The Strife Cloud's personal ship as they navigated their way to the dwarf planet that will be his base of operation.

Upon arrival Cloud noticed that the planet was crawling with Confederate frigates and cruisers, as if they were barricading it from the galaxy. Inside the Cock pit of The Raider Barret, starred at the planet, By all means the planet barely fit the dwarf size, and the brute military presence mad him believe he walked into another trap, but then he thought why would the Sith board his ship along with his assassin droid. Barret also noticed who the confederate ships simply let both his frigate and The Sith's ship through like nothing, and before he could question, Fenrir said "These ships are all mine, they listen to my orders and nothing else, I let them know that any ship with me is a friendly and should be registered as such. As soon as we reach the dry docks I want you to register every ship you have and bring in some of your ships." Barret Stared at the young Sith in awe, "Avalanche is now underneath my protection." Darth Fenrir said as he and his droid let the cock pit and left Barret stunned. "This could have been the best deal I made or the worst," Barret said and the crewmen nearby agreed.

Cloud was impressed; He knew Dooku was using him to bring down Darth Sidious, who knew he would deliver. It seemed the planet only had one main city that was built by the confederate works that now work for him. The city was a simple design on a mountain, at the top of the mountain was the place in which Cloud and his personal forces will stay at, including Avalanche HQ. The city below was used to house all of the workers families, and avalanche pirates. There was a small factory nearby that would produce all the supplies to make this city self-sufficient. And a smaller building a ware house to the right of it to store anything worth storing. Lastly there was a massive dry dock that was big enough to house the small armada guarding the planet, which by the way was only 3 cruisers 6 Frigates, and 6 consular class ships. Cloud now had a small Military at his personal command, but now that Avalanche is a part of his Military he now had a very powerful base for his military. Cloud ordered Reaper to oversee the workers as they reprogram and remodel every droid and ship to Cloud's personal liking, mainly changing the color from light brown and gray to black and silver. And the ships a dark crimson and silver. He ordered that the dry docks be remodeled black and red with the Sith logo painted big enough to let the ships know they were under Sith control. All and All Cloud had a great foundation and was remolding it to match his preferences.

Cloud was now inside his place, in the throne room witch had a long rectangular table in front of his throne, where currently only a few seats where taken. Barret, and his lieutenants, in which were only two men and two women. He also had Reaper who was sitting down along with the representative of the civilians under his control. There were plenty of seats left on the table and Cloud planed on having them all taken. Cloud looked at his circle of leaders. Barret Wallace lead Avalanche with the help of Jason Biggs was a average looking man with above average skills in any situation, Lenzor Zvent was a man of average height and the youngest of the lieutenants, but the one with the most skill, he had a Faux hawk fade haircut, but was a very gentle person for someone who can kill right after calling you friend., (He is an OC for those who don't know and because of your Review Lenzor I'm a making you a character, hope you don't mind.) The two men and the two women are known as Jessie Wallace, Barret's wife was a fair woman, with a ponytail, and even though she is second in charge she is the weakest otf the lieutenants, and Tifa Lockhart, the deadliest Lieutenant, that is if you get too close. From a distance Tifa is not very talented better than the average pirate but the worst shot of the Lieutenants.

"Now then fist thing were doing is building up a strong military, More importantly specialist that I can trust to do solo suicidal missions, and can survive, now then any suggestions." Reaper was the first to speak, "Master I would like for you to build me some brothers, these other commanding droids are too simple for me to trust them, I need more like me to help command your droid army." Darth Fenrir, nodded, "I will have our smugglers get me the supplies I'll need and personally build you two brothers to rely on, but now I need something else." Cloud sent the civilian representative, Navar Kalem. A look. "Of course me lord I will let them know what you need." Navar replied.

Barret, was once again glad he made this choice, knowing there will be two more reaper's would be a very dangerous thing to fight against, "I know of a man who does a couple of shake downs for me, he could get us better equipment, along as outside information." "I have enough agents doing that for me but another one will still be of use." Barret shrugged, "He also has his own agents getting him information, Fenrir." "Of course, even better." Biggs stood up, "I might not have people to offer you but I know of a great place to raid, it will bring in more supplies for ships, and the place is known for holding slaves we could bring and train them to fight for us." Cloud smiled, "Good, Take what you need and get to it when this meeting is over, you will leave immediately."

"I know of a man who runs a small group of mercenaries. He could join us, giving us a small task force. They are known for always getting the job done fast easy, even the deadly missions." Lenzor said, "See to it that they agree with you, take a small ship and take Reaper along with you." Lenzor nodded, "yes sir," He wasn't exactly excited to work with the assassin droid but, he knew better than to disobey the Sith lord. Jessie remained silent but Tifa stood and said, "I have an old friend who seemed to be able to do the impossible, she even managed to kill a few Jedi. She is a bounty hunter that I think you would like. "Good bring her too me, make her an offer he can't resist. Now then you all have your orders, see to it that you get it done." With that said, everyone left their seats bowed and left to do what they are supposed to do. Cloud waited then stood and moved on to his personal chambers, to meditate and train on the force.

~~~A few hours later With Barret on the outskirts of the Gaia system next to a familiar smuggler ship.~~~

"It's good to see you again my friend." Barret said as he hugged the pilot of the Smuggler vessel known as, The Airship. "It's a pleasure, but you usually don't call me out of the blue for a nice chat, what is it that the great Cid Highwind, do for you." "As clever and arrogant as always, Look allow me to explain why I'm here then." Cid lead Barret to a seat, and they sat down, the rest of the crew listening in. "I just made a deal with this man, and he made my Pirate gang even more powerful, he is funding everything we do and providing a lot of weapons and ships, he also has intel but I know you could fly faster than anyone in space." Cid frowned, "Are you trying to recruit me for this guy, and if so why should I trust him, you haven't even said his name or his position." "Cid, he is a very dangerous man, and if you don't agree he will send his assassin droid after you, and I can say by first hand you won't see it coming and you will wake up in God's arms by the time you do." Cid stood up and stormed around, "Fuck man, why do you always make deals with dangerous people and drag me in this shit." Barret stood up and placed a hand on the man's shoulder, "Because the deal I'm about to make you is too much to pass up."

~~~The same time but On Nar Shaddar. ~~~

Lenzor has always been Barret's go to man, but the fact that he had to work with this Droid made him nervous. He was the lieutenant that was on Tatooine when the droid killed of his men and shot Barret's blaster from a tall building half a mile away. He was glad it's on his side now. "Hurry meat bag, the longer I stay on this trash, the harder it is for me to resist killing every meat bag I see."

Lenzor lead the droid from the port and into one of the buildings that supported the mercenaries he was looking for. With luck there boss would be there to stop them from shooting on sight. Lenzor waited outside a ware house that was out of view, there was a bum staring at him from the corner, but Lenzor didn't pay him any attention. Lenzor walked through the door Reaper close behind. The moment that Lenzor walked in he immediately jumped behind one of the crates scattered across the room, as a flash grenade blinded his vision. By the time he could see he saw Reaper standing their putting away his blaster's, Lenzor poked his head out to see a bunch of dead mercenaries, five to be exact. "Flash grenades useless on this model, nice try meat bags."

Lenzor heard more Mercenaries head down stairs and readied his blaster, two auto turrets dropped from the ceiling forcing Lenzor and Reaper to take cover. Lenzor grabbed and primed a frag grenade and threw it at the right time, letting it explode between the two turrets and destroying them, in that moment reaper and Lenzor took down the arriving mercenaries one by one each one Lenzor noticed wearing armor different from the merc gang he was looking for. When the last merc flee Reaper and Lenzor stood up, "casualties 25 meat bags two turrets, no injuries. Not bad." Reaper turned to Lenzor, "Not bad for a meat bad that is."

"Yeah well you're not that bad yourself tin can." For a moment there was silence and Lenzor thought the droid might attack him, "I'm beginning to like this meat bag." Reaper said moving on Lenzor let out a breath that he was holding and continued to look through this large warehouse. By the time they were done raiding any useful supplies the door opened to reveal a man followed by five fully armored mercenary's each one easily over six feet. "Lenzor Zvent."

Lenzor turned around and smiled as he recognized the man who spoke; Reaper had his baster's in each hand ready to fire, until Lenzor spoke, "Vincent Valentine, just the guy I was looking for, how would you like to get paid big fast and easy."

The mercenary told his men to stand down. "Let's talk business."

~~Back on the dwarf Planet Xeon, HQ of Darth Fenrir and his forces.~~

Tifa waited by the dry docks, she ordered Avalanche forces to escort her friends ship to the planet, and once her friend arrives. Most of the people in avalanche are Gaian, the leaders were all Gaian, and not this Sith lord in which they serve is Gaian, and extremely young by Gaian, terms. Even Lenzor who is the Youngest Lieutenant was a total of fifty galactic years, ten years older than Darth Fenrir. Tifa herself is a few years older than Lenzor, living 4 years longer. Tifa though immediately found the darth lord extremely attractive, but she already was with Lenzor, and she was a loyal woman, and it's not like the Darth lord was that much better looking than Lenzor. Tifa just had a thing for blondes with blue eyes, now if Lenzor had blonde hair and blue eye's instead of his brown hair and green eyes, Lenzor would be the most attractive man in her universe. So why not bring her single younger sister to meet the Darth Lord, it helps that her sister is a very skilled under higher Bounty hunter that on the few missions she went on came out perfectly fine with a perfect track record.

"Lieutenant Lockhart, we are escorting the package into the dry docks now please stand by." Tifa smile as she watched the ships get closer till they docked. The moment Tifa saw her sister, the two hugged each other. "Yuffie it's so great to see you again." Yuffie was 38 galactic years, meaning she only looked nineteen. "Tifa I got your message, nice little planet hear by the way, on and fucking intimidating armada floating above." Yuffie managed to say still extremely happy.

"Yuffie, I called you here to join me, you can still be the bounty hunter but this planet will be your sanctuary and paradise. Oh and the person in charge is a completely hot." "Is he now, how much on the scale?" "He is easily a nine boarding on ten."

"Well shut up and lead the way." With that said the two sisters made their way to Darth Fenrir's palace leaving the Avalanche pirates that just got out, watching stunned at the two sister's girly attitude. "Was that the same Lieutenant Lockhart, or was that another black haired woman with huge tits." One said. "I don't know but if that was the Lieutenant I think that we should have brought this other girl earlier, because Tifa is never that happy, even with Lieutenant Zvent." The other pirates all nodded their head in agreement. Before they made their way to the cantina.

~~in the Meditation chamber of Darth Fenrir.~~

Cloud was working on his Kuro-Shikon, refining it under the watchful eye of his dark master's holo image. Cloud has been displaying the elegant but extremely deadly light show for a good hour now, constantly blocking blaster fire from ten battle droids and 3 destroyers. "Now" his "Master" commanded as cloud leaped into the air getting out of the fire, and planted his feet on the ceiling to only kick off it again where he landed and used to force to break his rapid fall, destroying the destroyer he landed on and before the other droids could react he threw his crimson sabre cutting down the battle droids with ease while he deflected the destroyer fire with his silver blade. When his red Sword returned he simply out lasted the droids shields and then used the force to crush them into metal scrap. When he was done Darth Fenrir whipped the light sweat he built up on his forehead.

"Good, your stamina has increased greatly in these years, I can feel the anger in your swings, fast yet powerful controlled yet unpredictable. You still have room for improvement but what you can do now is enough. The time for war is about to begin, your old friend Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin have just arrived back on Coruscant to protect the senator of Naboo, after a failed assassination attempt. Sidious is up to something and I want you to be on my ship after your finish with your business there. I will pick you up when you're ready."

"Of course Master," Fenrir bowed and when the hologram disappeared he walked out of the meditation to rinse of the light sweat on his body. After the quick shower imagine his surprise to have multiple messages on the holoterminal built on his throne. Taking his seat Cloud answered the first call. "My, lord. The man I spoke about agreed to our terms, I will escort him back to your palace so we can make proper introductions." Barret said. "Well done, I await your arrival." Next call, "I got the supplies from the raid, and I manage to bring back lots of creds and weapon. I also manage to take 15 slaves; I'm on my way back. Lieutenant Biggs out." Next call, "Master, we have acquired the meat bags you sent us to recover, we are escorting them back to your place so they can receive the credits they want in exchange for their services." "Understood Reaper, tell Lenzor he did a well job." Next call, "My lord, I'm on my way with the bounty hunter I promised we are walking up to your palace now." "Good, dismissed Lieutenant."

Cloud made himself more comfortable in his throne room, a hologram appeared beside him. "You got a nice foundation, but know you will have to test the loyalties of your men. You will have to lead them and they have to be willing to die, just because you told them too."

"Yes I know master, you have taught me to be ready for this moment."

"One is never truly prepared to lead until his first trial as leader is over."

Cloud pondered on what she said, "Then I guess I should prepare for the worst."

"When you go to your, master's ship train your skills that you aren't great on, cause when things go unexpected only you can save yourself." Cloud raised the hood over his head as a droid brought him a golden cup of wine. Holding the Cup in his right hand Cloud brought it to his lips, and downed a good portion of the expensive drink. 'Things are about to get interesting.'

Alright guy's tell me what you think, and yes it may seem Cloud has got himself an all-powerful army but you forget, how strong the Jedi are and how skill full the clones will be. And the Confederacy now has a very powerful new ally with the Hutt Rufus. New factors in the Galaxy, new out comes to present, my how the force is an unpredictable thing.