Yo everybody! Back with yet another chapter after far too long. Personally I blame the Old Republic and my inability to separate myself during the Christmas and a chunk of January.
But before I begin I have a couple of things I have to address. First off the Anonymous Reviews. For the last several days I've disabled them, something I've never intentionally done before. This was because of the annoying spamming reviews of one Sasha Naruto. Now I can tolerate a lot of things but when I keep on getting reviews every couple of days asking when I'm going to update again and again I find myself getting pissed off. In fact bugging me like that has opposite effect as I find myself wanting to deny you a finish for as long as possible in an act of spite. Now with the release of this chapter I'm turning the Anon Reviews back on with the understand that everyone gets one review per chapter. If someone abuses it again, disable them for the foreseeable future.
Oh and the Sith name for the dark side-aligned Sith Inquisitor in TOR is Darth Nox. Nox as in the Latin word for night.
Speaking of TOR, I've been asked several times about what I would use from game from this, in particular Revan. First off, I understand how some of you could hate the outcome of his story in TOR but it's canon and keeping it that way. However that does not mean that he won't necessarily appear at all. I have some potential ideas that I won't reveal at this time. But don't think for a minute that Revan will be a significant character. He's still going to be dead so there's not a lot he can do.
As to other characters and events from the Old Republic, yes there will players (mostly Sith players) will recognize. But that's something you'll have to wait for to see.
"My people need your help Master Skywalker. You could at least have the decency to pretend that you are listening to me."
Luke Skywalker turned his gaze from the Coruscant skyline back to the ambassador, mentally chiding himself letting his mind wander for what had to have been twentieth time this morning. There was a disturbance in the Force, subtle and unnoticed by many of the other Jedi but persistent and unwavering all the same. Though Luke had wanted to try to discover the cause of the disturbance there were too many pressing matters that warranted his immediate attention, such as this meeting with Ambassador Kalima Salzahul of Kalee. Luke could see the anger and frustration in the eyes of the older Kaleesh and he couldn't blame her. Especially considering all he had for her was more bad news.
"I'm sorry Ambassador," Luke calmly said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I wish we could help your people, I really do. But I'm afraid there's little we can do to help."
Though not officially a part of the New Republic, many Kaleesh warriors had joined the Rebellion in hopes of freeing worlds from Imperial control and likely would have become full members of the Republic had it not been for the signing of the Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty. Sadly the Treaty left most of their worlds, including their homeworld, inside Remnant Space, an act that many Kaleesh saw as a betrayal. Their warriors left Republic Space and together with their leaders carved out a small independent region within the Remnant. However the unity they had once known had long died and their retreat back into their worlds had only increased the divisions and infighting. The majority of Kaleesh worlds and tribes either a part of the currently dominant Conclave of Kalee who were in favor of joining the Republic or the smaller but growing pro-Imperial Zin Taal Coalition. For years now the two sides had been locked in a bitterly, bloody war. Officially neither the New Republic or the Imperial Remnant were offering any aid to either side in conflict but Luke had heard stories to suggest otherwise. Weapon smugglers were selling Republic and Imperial arms to both sides, the kind of arms that typical smugglers would have a hard time acquiring without inside help.
But the Jedi could not offer the aid that Ambassador Salzahul wanted nor even the aid she didn't want. Just weren't enough Jedi to help everyone. Worse, the war had already cost them some of the young, bright stars of their Order and sadly there was little to suggest that things would change anytime soon.
"No, you're afraid that if you help us now the Imperials won't help you with the Vong! Despite our past battles together you'll sacrifice my people once again for your own sake," Salzahul spat in disgust and fury, brushing off his hand.
"Again I'm deeply sorry Ambassador," Luke replied, trying to calm her down. "But the Treaty limits what we and the New Republic can do for you. If I sent Jedi to aid you in battle it is quite possible that elements of the Remnant would see that as an attempt to establish a military foothold within their Space. That could break the Treaty and restart our old conflict. I can't sanction an action that could lead to greater violence like that. However if you can convince the Coalition leaders to sit down to peace talks or to negotiate a ceasefire, I would be more than willing to help you personally."
Salzahul shook her masked head vigorously at his words. "We cannot Master Skywalker. Those Coalition fools are but lapdogs of Pellaeon who seeks finish what Thrawn started. He would see our culture wiped out and my people in chains. The Gods abandoned, the Ancestors forgotten. No Master Skywalker we cannot trust the Coalition any more than we can trust the Imperials."
"I've met Grand Admiral Pellaeon Ambassador; he's not that kind of man. He would never act to destroy your people's culture."
"That was what Thrawn said before he ordered the destruction of Kalee's tombs and those places blessed by the Gods themselves," Salzahul shot back, jabbing a finger into Luke's chest. "We have not forgotten Master Skywalker and we never will."
Luke couldn't help but sigh in defeat. He had hoped he could have talked her into compromising but it was clear that Salzahul and her people were dead set in their path. Regrettable but there was nothing else that could be done. "Then I'm afraid there's nothing else we can do for you Ambassador," he said.
The older Kaleesh's eyes narrowed in anger and for an instant Luke thought she was going to strike him. "I remember when my people first starting fighting alongside the Rebellion. You promised us that we'd free of the Empire. But you lied to us," she snarled, her voice laced with bitterness and disgust. "Our warriors fought and died with yours to you reclaim Coruscant yet we were alone when we liberated Kalee. We sacrificed for the Alliance but you and your Republic repaid us by abandoning us to the Imperials." Salzahul paused for a moment before spitting at the ground before him. "You're 'New' Republic is the same as its predecessor. May it fall like the last too, dragging you Jedi down with it."
Without another word, she turned on her heels and stormed out of the former Jedi Temple while Luke just closed his eyes for a moment, rubbing the bridge of his nose as the sound of footsteps echoed behind him.
"I apologize for my grandmother's comments Master Skywalker," the approaching Jedi humbly said. "She should have not disrespected like that."
Luke shook his head in response, waving off the young Kaleesh. "It's alright Djaf. Truthfully I understand her feelings and even agree with her on some of it."
"That does not make it right Master Skywalker," Djaf vas Salzahul replied. "She has insulted all you and the Jedi Order have done for my people with her bitter words. If the Gods and the Force decree that we stay divided and struggling then so be it. My people will endure as we always have."
"Still it does not make what the Republic did to your people and all the others whose homes were on the wrong side of the map when we negotiated the Treaty right," Luke wearily commented. "I wish we could help, I really do. But even if the Yuuzhan Vong had never invaded the galaxy I fear there would have been little we could have done in the long run without reigniting the war with the Remnant."
"Of course it didn't help that you kept on zoning out while she was talking Skywalker," his wife, Mara dryly stated as she quietly approached the pair.
That had likely also been a contributing factor in Salzahul's outburst and one that should not have happened. Yet still the feeling persisted in the back of his mind, tugging at him for attention. "Something's coming Mara," he admitted. "I can feel it. I don't know what but it is coming."
Lieutenant Dexter Jasse let out a quiet sigh of contentment as he sipped his morning caf. As always Coruscant Sensor Station Alpha-Zeta-Five had nothing to report. There may be a galactic war going on but the fighting was practically half a galaxy away. And that was how Jasse liked it. Let others go and get themselves killed on some rock at the hands of some scarhead. Here he was safe and sound from the fighting as well as a thousand violent ways to die. Of course not everyone saw it that way. More than a few of his subordinates had requested reassignment to where the fighting was. But then they were young and dumb. If they wanted to foolishly march off to their deaths then so be it. He certainly was not about to join them.
"Ensign Rykis, status report," he called out, lowering his mug. "Anything-"
"Lieutenant!" Ensign Jurus shouted from his console, his voice laden with panic. "Over a dozen warships have just appeared on the edge of the system!"
Those words instantly filled Jasse with cold dread. There were no scheduled fleet arrivals from the New Republic Navy or any of their allies today. Pirates wouldn't dare attack Coruscant and they were a peace with the Remnant. It could only be the…
"Vong…" he uttered, louder than he realized.
"Negative sir," Warrant Officer Baelius answered. "They aren't reading as known Vong bio-ships." The Twi'lek paused for a few seconds, studying his screen. "Confirmed, they're inorganic sir but they don't appear to match any known ship models in the database."
Jasse allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief as he mentally calmed himself down. It wasn't the Vong, it wasn't the first wave of an invasion…at least from them. "Then who are they?" he demanded, trying to keep any panic out of his voice. "Do they have any visible markings? IFF?"
"Ah… According to this they're from the Empire," the non-com replied, a puzzled look on his face.
"The Remnant? That doesn't make sense," Jasse said, staring at the central holoboard as it displayed the newly arrived fleet. "Why would they come all the way here?"
A dozen yellow wedges of various sizes were slowly advancing from the outer edges of the system. He didn't need a computer to tell them that their course was for Coruscant itself. But at the same time, they were only fourteen vessels. They wouldn't stand a chance against the Home Fleet. That alone brought comfort to Jasse. If they were here to cause trouble they wouldn't get very far.
"They aren't from the Imperial Remnant sir," Baelius called out, his lekku twitching. "According to the database the ship markings match those of known vessels from the Sith Empire."
The Sith Empire? No one had heard anything from them in thirty years. Why were they showing their faces now? Jasse shook his head, clearing such thoughts from his head. Now wasn't the time for that. They had their duties to carry out. "Do we have a read out on the unknown vessels?"
"Sensors read four warships of Star Destroyer-class size while the rest appear to be of various smaller classes," Rykis answered. "Light cruisers, frigates and heavy transports if I had to guest."
"A typical flotilla then," Jasse dryly commented.
"Yes sir."
"Alert the Home Fleet and Headquarters," he ordered. "Send them everything we have."
"Sir they appear to be slowing down sir," Jurus reported. "It looks like the whole fleet will be coming to a stop near Improcco."
"Sir they're transmitting on all channels," a Duros non-com called from his station.
"Bring it up."
The image of a man in robes appeared above the holotable. Though clearly of a Near Human species, Jasse could not identify what exactly the man was. "Greeting people of the New Galactic Republic," the figure said, giving a curt bow. "I am Darth Usirian of the Sith Empire. Do not be alarmed by the presence of our warships. We come not here to talk, not to make war upon you."
"Wait… They aren't just using naval channels. They're sending this through the entire Holonet too!"
"We have come from our Empire because of the threat of a mutual enemy, the Yuuzhan Vong. Your battles against them have not gone unnoticed by us nor has the danger they pose to the galaxy. We can no longer stand by and watch them ravage everything in their path. That is why we are here. We wish to discuss an alliance against the Yuuzhan Vong as well as to aid you in dealing with your growing refugee problem."
New Republic Chief of State Borsk Fey'lya let out a tired sigh as he half-watched the Sith's message. Nothing good could come from this. He knew the history of the Clone Wars, of the return the Sith Empire, their alliance with the Old Republic and the chaos they caused before withdrawing the galaxy at large. While they may be offering a hand of friendship their other hand was holding a poisoned dagger posed to strike them in the back.
It had been decades since the signing of the Treaty of Korriban, ending the Imperial-Sith War and last time anyone heard anything from the Sith Empire. What they had been doing during that period of isolation few could say. New Republic Intelligence had largely ignored the Sith in their little corner of the galaxy, focusing the Imperial Remnant and other immediate threats. Unsurprising considering but still short sighted in the long run. Publicly he had been guilty of that too but privately, it was a different matter entirely. Their history during the Clone Wars and millennia before it suggested that eventually they would return to make war upon the Jedi and by extension the Republic.
The philosophical disputes and differences of Jedi and Sith meant nothing to Fey'lya. What did matter however was that when they start fighting again it would drag the rest of the galaxy into their age old war as they always did. How many galactic conflicts could be traced back to the unending feud between the groups of Force sensitives? The Great Hyperspace War, the Exar Kun War, the so-called Jedi Civil War, the First and Second Great Galactic Wars, the conflicts of the Galactic Cold War, the New Sith Wars and the Republic Dark Age just to name a few. It was truly unbelievable that two small groups could cause such chaos and violence on a galactic scale.
That was why he had early on in his term as Chief of State moved to keep a closer eye on the Sith Empire. If they were going to one day mobilize for war, they needed to know before the attack came. Unfortunately Republic Intelligence had limited success in infiltrating their territory. The Sith were paranoid to an extreme degree in regards to their border security. For every ten agents sent in only one, maybe two would make it back alive to report on the Empire and only if they were sent into what they referred to as the Outer Empire. Those sent to the Inner Empire were simply never heard from again save for a rare few. But those individuals had one thing in common, they were all Jedi. If they were to speak with the Sith he would have to swallow his pride and speak with Skywalker first.
"I'm well aware of the long bloody past between my people and your predecessors within the Old Republic. We are asking you to, like us, set aside our bloody past to focus on the dangers of the present."
Borsk could not help but scoff at the Sith's words. If they were truly setting aside the past and willing to work with their most hated enemies without ulterior motives he would shave his entire body and announce retiring from politics to run a luxury resort on Hoth. Of course the same could be said for Skywalker and his Jedi though they would never admit such. Perhaps they could work together for a time but in the end the two groups would turn on each other. Maybe it would be the Sith that started it, maybe it would be the Jedi. Either way it was as evitable as the rising and setting of Coruscant's sun.
Given that lengthy and bloody history it was quite clear that to blindly accept their offer of help now would invite disaster later on. Still as much as he hated to admit it, they needed allies against the Vong. The recent disaster at Fondor had done little for morale and had cost them as badly, if not more than the Vong. Perhaps this could be used to their favor. If nothing else it would serve as a diversion for Skywalker and his Jedi, hopefully keeping them out of his hair for awhile. And if one expected betrayal, one could guard against it.
Fey'lya leaned back in his chair, contemplating his choices and how they could play out. The game of politics was a way of life for his people and he knew it quite well. One does not reach his position without a deep understanding of how the game works. He could deal with these Sith and use them to the Republic's advantage. Let the Sith and their armies be bloodied against the Vong for awhile they used the time to recover and prepare for the battles to come. Undoubtedly the Jedi would complain about forming an alliance with the Sith Empire but it was ultimately not their decision to make.
It was his as were the consciences, whatever they may be.
"As I mentioned earlier, it is not just military aid that we wish to offer you. We know that there are countless refugees scattered across the galaxy because of the Yuuzhan Vong and your government is struggling to safely relocate all on new worlds. And while your restoration project on Duros is commendable, we all know it won't be enough for all the displaced, homeless people out there. Within the outmost edges of our Empire there are dozens of habitable but largely unpopulated worlds. Our population is not large enough to colonize all these worlds so they have gone unsettled and unused. On behalf of the Sith Empire I offer these worlds to the Galactic Republic and all its homeless citizens as a gesture of goodwill."
"Goodwill from a Sith? Where's the dagger?" Mara scoffed her distaste for what was happening quite clear.
But Luke paid little attention to her comments. Instead he was focused on this Darth Usirian and what he was saying. Some Sith were blunt and direct with their words while others were cunning and deceitful with their tongue, each word carefully chosen for a greater purpose. Usirian was clearly one of the latter. All that mattered at this point was what was the truth and what were lies. And for that matter what were their motives for this.
Mara crossed her arms, shooting him a questioning look. "Don't tell me you're actually buying this nonsense."
"No but I am curious," he answered, shaking his head. "This isn't exactly a normal action for the Sith Empire. Since their war with Palpatine and the Galactic Empire they've hidden themselves within their little corner of galaxy."
"Other Sith have kept themselves hidden for time before striking," Mara pointed out.
Luke absently scratched as he contemplated the matter. "This…this doesn't seem quite like that. The previous incarnation of their Empire waited over a thousand years until they had a military capable of challenging the Old Republic. They only had a handful of years in comparison. It doesn't seem possible that they could have managed a similar build up in such a short amount of time. I don't see how they could pose a threat militarily to the New Republic even with the war going on."
"What are you thinking?"
"I think he might be telling the truth, at least to a degree. The Yuuzhan Vong have been pushing further and further across the galaxy. Their recent push into Hutt Space has positioned them in striking range of the Empire," Luke explained. "Obviously they've been keeping an eye on the galaxy at large. They know of our defeats and realize that if we are struggling against them they would be destroyed if and when the Yuuzhan Vong choose to invade their territory."
"But if they allied with the New Republic they'll only make themselves a more immediate target," Mara replied.
"Yes but as their allies we would be obligated to come to their aid," Luke said with a nod of his head. "Gaining the support of the New Republic Military is undoubtedly the best thing for them at this point in time."
At that moment the door to their quarters slid open and Kyle Katarn entered. "Sorry for the interruption but you need to see this Luke," he said an apprehensive look on his bearded face.
"We're already watching their message Kyle," Luke replied as he stepped aside, revealing the holoterminal.
Kyle shook his head. "No, not that," he said. "There are Sith waiting outside the Temple."
"We shall await here for your response. I bid you good day citizens of the New Republic and I hope your leaders make the right decision," Darth Usirian spoke into the holoprojector, finishing the transmission with a curt bow.
Darth Mahakalis let an amused chuckle as Usirian turned from the device. She had to hand it to him, when it came to public speaking and politics there were few better in all the Empire than Darth Usirian. Yet that was only the tip of his true power, the power that had earned him his place amid the upper echelons of Empire. "A bit on the dramatic side," she commented, a smirk on her lips.
They were not alone on the bridge with the crew of Vaikan's Legacy. Many of the members of their delegation to the New Republic were present as well. A restless Krayt paced the deck, his face concealed beneath black cloth, giving him an appearance akin to Tuskin Raider. The ex-Jedi Master had chosen to maintain his anonymity among his former peers. Pointless considering there were others in the Fleet that had once Jedi too but if the old fool wanted to maintain such a pointless façade Mahakalis wouldn't stop him. Umbrass, the Master of Shadows stood silent at the back of the bridge, their body concealed entirely beneath billowing black robes. The right hand of Darth Sicarius, Umbrass was not an individual but rather a title bestowed upon the greatest member of the Imperial Assassins Cult whether they be Sith or not. Glaring out the window with a bored scowl on her face was Vash, the leader of Tuk'ata Squadron, a band of Sith that abandoned notions of personal power and ambition in favor of the glory of battle. They shunned the typical robes and attire of Sith for more practical uniforms and armor, and were even known to make use blasters, explosives and other lesser weapons. While scorned by many, they were nevertheless a feared and respected group within the Empire. Rounding out the group was Vectess, a short, gaunt woman. She stood off to the side of the bridge, her attention focused on a pad she was holding. Undoubtedly it was the latest of her many projects.
Usirian shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "Perhaps but it is necessary. After all we are the 'villains' in their sheltered little world."
Yes, the sheltered little world of the Jedi. Once she had known and seen the galaxy and the Force as they had but in time she had seen the falsehoods of their narrow views as well as the dark truths of the Force. The Jedi of the 'Old' Republic had been hypocrites and cowards, clinging to their outdated teachings and corrupt government until it utterly destroyed them. Sith on the other hand did not seek to deny what they were, they did not try to lie to themselves about how the galaxy truly worked, they embraced the absolute truth. Whether or not Skywalker's Jedi Order share such crippling flaws remained to be seen.
"I can't help but wonder what Skywalker and the Jedi are thinking right now," Mahakalis admitted, turning her to the viewport where the close yet distant Coruscant hung. "After decades of silence, we have returned."
"Yes and I imagine that right now the Jedi are running around in circles in their former temple, trying to figure out why we aren't attacking and why we sent them some of our apprentices," Usirian replied, crossing his arms. "And of course they won't be asking the real question, how we knew to send the exact numbers of apprentices as Jedi present within their former Temple."
"Do you think they suspect that we have infiltrator in their Order?"
"If they haven't by now, they never will."
"Quite true," Lady Vectess said, choosing that moment to approach the two Dark Council members. "The old Order never realized that Lord Sicarius had abandoned their ways and embraced ours during the Clone Wars. I doubt Skywalker's bastardized version of that Order will ever figure it out. And even if they should find out, the necessary precautions have been taken. At worst they will know that a Sith infiltrated them but they will not know who sent them. They will suspect us but with all the other little cults they have encountered they will never truly know for certain it was us."
Unlike many Sith, Vectess and her former master Darth Haemon did not embrace the passionate and violent paths of the Sith philosophy. Instead they walked a path of cold logic and science blended with the Sith teachings and the power of the dark side. While others fought, plotted or manipulated, they created. Their fusing of modern science and technology with ancient Sith Alchemy and sorcery had done as much for the Empire as any martial victory or manipulation of the other galactic powers had. Unfortunately both had their dangerous flaws. Haemon was the perfect example of the duality of genius and insanity, utterly demented yet utterly brilliant. Vectess on the other hand possessed far more sanity than her master but had unshakable belief in the infallibility of her creations.
"Never underestimate a Skywalker Vectess. Or a Jedi for that matter," Mahakalis said, turning to the pale Vectess her tone serious. "I fought in the Clone Wars with Anakin Skywalker and later against him when became Vader. And it was Skywalker's son, a half-trained Jedi that finally defeated Palpatine and Vader. A farmboy succeeded where we had failed. Never underestimate the Skywalker line Vectess."
"Getting nostalgic my Lord?" Grand Moff Bonteri of Dromund Kaas asked an amused grin stretching across his scarred face.
Mahakalis narrowed her eyes, her face sliding into an annoyed scowled. "My past is as dead as the Jedi Order I once served."
"Yet you're still thinking of it my Lord," the far too perceptive man commented.
"There is a difference between dead and forgotten," she snapped, her anger beginning to boil within her as she subconsciously reached down to her left thigh. A small part of her wanted to throttle the man despite his rank and status as well as their past but only a small part of her. She was not some raging berserker with a lightsaber like so many lesser Sith and Dark Jedi. Mahakalis had long learned to control her passions by embracing them, containing them within her until it was the right moment to release them. "I will never forget where I came from and how I elevated myself beyond it."
It didn't take long for Luke and the others to reach the entrance of the Temple and true to Kyle's word there were Sith waiting there. But they weren't alone either. Nearly every Jedi within the Temple were there too. Thankfully it seemed that neither side was ready to start fighting. The last thing they needed was a battle here on Coruscant.
By Luke's count there were eighteen of them, all clad in either dark robes or cloaks. Most were either human or a red skinned race that appeared to be the ancient and supposedly extinct Sith race but there was also a Twi'lek, a Zabrak, a masked Kaleesh, a Devaronian and a pair of Rattataki among them. But they all had one thing in common they all appeared to young, sitting in age range of his niece and nephews. It was clear that they were too young to be full Sith.
"I am Master Luke Skywalker of the Jedi Order," Luke greeted as he moved through the throng of his fellow Jedi. "Why have you come here?"
One of the red skinned males standing at the front of the group took a step forward. "Master Skywalker, I bring you this message on behalf of my master, Darth Usirian," he said as he reached into his robes.
Almost instantly Mara and the other Jedi their lightsaber provoking the rest of the Sith to do the same. For a moment neither side moved, waiting cautiously for the other side to act. Perhaps it was a natural reaction given their past but Luke doubted it was a Sith trap. Of course there was a slim chance it was a trick but he didn't believe they had come all this way and after that large display to the public just to kill him. "It's alright everyone," he said, raising his hand up. "Lower your lightsabers."
Slowly and cautiously both Jedi and Sith began to lower and deactivate their weapons. With the danger passed, the messenger pulled out what he had attempted to show, a small holoplayer. The device turn on, the image of the Sith Lord who had spoken across the Holonet flicking to life. "Greetings Master Skywalker, I am Darth Usirian of the Dark Council, Herald of the Sith Empire," the holographic Sith said, giving a formal bow. "I imagine you are wondering what we are doing here and why we have broken our decades' long isolation."
"That's putting it mildly," Mara dryly commented.
"As our public message stated, we wish the Yuuzhan Vong dealt with before they can threaten the Empire. Given your recent…setbacks against the aliens we have become concerned as to whether or not you can handle this threat," Usirian's message explained. "But I suppose right now you are wondering if you can trust us. Sith and Jedi have been mortal enemies for countless millennia. You can trust us to stand against the Yuuzhan Vong. Beyond that…" The Sith Lord paused for a moment, seemingly weighting what he should say. "Well we both know that without a common enemy we will likely turn on each other so there is no point to mince words. It is inevitable that we will one day fight each other again. A conflict that we currently have no interest in restarting, especially in the face of the mutual threat the Yuuzhan Vong pose."
"However as a sign of good faith I have sent you a gift, these eighteen apprentices. They are the best of our Academy's students and the future of the Sith Order. And for the duration of this war they are yours to command Master Skywalker."
Luke was stunned at the announcement and he wasn't the only one. Many of the other Jedi held looks of disbelief on their faces or let out gasps of surprise from their lips. This was not something any of them could have ever imagined. Luke knew that if the Sith Empire were to be their allies, Jedi and Sith would inevitably have to fight alongside one another but to have some of their apprentices serving under them was something else entirely.
"They have been instructed to serve you Master Skywalker as faithfully and obediently. However they will not betray the Order or the Empire so do not attempt to use them in such a manner. Beside such a gesture would be rather rude and insulting in face of our offer. I look forward to meeting with you in person Master Skywalker. Until then, farewell," the Sith Lord finished, giving another bow before the hologram flickered off.
The messenger bowed his head as he returned the projector to his robes. "We await your command Master Skywalker."
For a moment Luke wasn't sure what to say. As a whole the Jedi were still trying to figure how exactly they should confront the Yuuzhan Vong. Certainly they could use the help but these were Sith. Would they be able to carry out less violent duties like helping refugees? Or would cause more problems for the Jedi to deal with? Worse, was this an attempt to corrupt the Order from within like they had done during the Clone Wars?
"Pardon the interruption Luke but Chief Fey'lya's office just called," Kenth Hammer said, pulling Luke from his thoughts as he approached the group. "He wants to talk to you immediately about what's happened."
Breathing a mental sigh of relief for the momentary distraction, he turned to his fellow Jedi. "Tell him I'll be heading for his office shortly," he replied. "Mara, I want you to-"
"I'm coming with you Skywalker," his wife said, eyeing the Sith suspiciously. "There's no telling what they're planning."
"You think they want to ambush me?"
"I won't put it past them."
A young human Sith laughed at Mara's words. "If we had wanted to kill you Master Skywalker we would have done so," she replied, her eyes and cheeks lined with black tattoos. "And we would have destroyed both your temple here and your little academy on Yavin IV as well."
"I suggest you keep your comments to yourself Nessa. Lords Usirian and Mahakalis would not appreciate you being so rude to our potential allies," the Devaronian coldly commented.
The Sith—Nessa sneered at her colleague for a moment before turning back to Luke. "Of course. Forgive my rudeness Master Skywalker," she half-heartedly said.
"For the time being all of you will relinquish your lightsabers," Luke ordered, ignoring her tone. "Once I am done speaking with the Chief of State I will decide what will be done with you. Until then you will follow the orders of the Jedi Masters without question."
As ordered the Sith raised up their various lightsaber hilts, offering them to the Jedi. Some looked displeased as the Jedi Master began collecting them but most seemed indifferent to the loss of their weapons. Perhaps because even without their lightsabers they had weapon at their disposal, a weapon the Jedi could not disarm, the Force. For that reason alone keeping them in the Temple was not exactly ideal situation. Though if there was one silver lining to this it was that they hadn't come to the Praxeum. Here there were just Jedi Masters and Knights as well as a few of their apprentices unlike on Yavin where there were mostly just young children training to be Jedi. He was not about to let the Sith, even their apprentices, come near such young minds.
Yet despite the usual situation they were facing a part of Luke couldn't help but wonder if perhaps the Force was guiding this moment. Maybe it would take the union of Light and Dark to end the Yuuzhan Vong invasion.
"Senator! Senator does the Chief of State plan to negotiate with the Sith Empire?"
"Are the rumors that the Chief Fey'lya rejected previous offers by the Sith Empire to prove worlds for the war refugees true?"
"Is it true that the Jedi are threatening to leave the New Republic if the government so much as speaks to the Sith?"
Senator Viqi Shesh raised her hands, trying to silence the growing throng of reporters outside her office. "At the moment I have no comment in regards to Chief of State and his plans for what we are going to do with the Sith Empire as well as to any rumors concerning earlier contact with the Sith Empire," she said as soon as they quieted down. "However if the Jedi want to once again insert themselves into our government and dictate how we decide on policy then I say they should leave. This is a democracy not a theocracy. If the Jedi wish to be directly involved in policy making then they should do it like the rest of us, be elected into office by the people. That is all I have to say at this time."
Before anyone could try to ask anything else she spun around and entered her office, locking it behind her. Alone, she let out a quiet sigh of relief. It figured that in the face of such an unexpected event the first people to react were the reporters. Undoubtedly there were more reporters outside Fey'lya's office as well as the offices of the rest of the Advisory Council and every marginally significant Senator. While most of the time she enjoyed being before the holocams, putting her spin on things for them and the public but only she was in control of things. This kind of unexpected harassment infuriated her. Worse, she should have known about it before hand.
She sat down at her desk, closing the blinds as she pulled a gold ring off her left ring finger. To an outside observer it was an expensive-looking Kuati signet ring in truth it was a key of sorts, a key necessary to speak with a special contact of hers.
After turning on the holoterminal within her desk, Viqi pried open the panel covering the controls. There half-hidden in the inner works of the desk was a small round indent, the perfect size for her ring. She inserted the ring where it belonged before keying in a particular code. A moment later the holoprojector powered up, displaying the image of an older male Chiss officer appearing above her desk. "Ah Senator Shesh," Keeper, the Head of Imperial Intelligence greeted with a curt bow of his head. "I trust you enjoyed Lord Usirian's little show for the New Republic."
"Yes, it was quite theatrical. However I still fail to understand why you did not inform me that this was happening," she replied, annoyed at how it had played out.
"Consider it plausible deniability," Keeper impassively answered. "A particularly observant individual may notice if you appeared less surprised than the rest of the government. However since you have contacted me I have a request to make of you."
"And that is?"
"Publically come out against an alliance with the Empire."
Viqi couldn't help but shoot the Chiss a questioning glance. "You want me to speak out against this proposed alliance?" she asked. "Do your masters not want this alliance to come to pass?"
The one thing she disliked about the Sith Empire was their truly enigmatic objectives and motives. Many of the requests they had made of her were often odd and seemingly without an obvious purpose. Through her they had forced random Senators into the background of the Senate, removed others politically altogether and increased the status of a number of seemingly insignificant Senators from the Mid and Outer Rims.
"Do not concern yourself with this alliance. Whether or not it comes to pass it will serve the Empire's needs."
"You don't just want those refugees to come to those worlds; you want them to become dissatisfied with the New Republic government so they'll eventually join the Empire," Viqi said, realizing where this could heading.
"Correct Senator," Keeper replied. "Both the Dark Council and the Assembly of Ministers agree that is war ideal not just for our return but to set in motion a major expansion of the Empire."
She had to hand it to the enigmatic leaders of the Sith Empire. They were positioning themselves into an ideal situation politically. Because of their display Borsk Fey'lya despite whatever personal objections could not outright reject their offer without undermining his public option. The number of displaced refugees was growing day by day. Those now without worlds badly wanted new homes while those still with worlds tended not to want the refugees on their planets. Hence the offer was appealing to both groups. The refugees would have new homes and they wouldn't be infringing the populations of other worlds.
"Your work in undermining the Jedi and SELCORE's Duro Restoration Project is far more useful to our plans. The more the Jedi and the Republic looks weak in protecting and aiding all those refugees the more they will turn to the Empire," the intelligence officer continued.
Viqi didn't doubt that for a moment. While it was true that most people failed to grasp the true differences between the Jedi and the Sith few would care when they had an empty belly and no home. In fact if told that Palpatine and Darth Vader were Sith, there were many ordinary beings out there that would just shrug their shoulders and carry on with their day. Many worlds and peoples suffered under the yoke of the Galactic Empire but those were in a small minority. The truth that no one in the New Republic wanted to admit was that for the vast majority of the galaxy no one cared that they were in a dictatorship. It was the simple truth of the masses, if it didn't negatively affect their lives they didn't care. If the Sith Empire offered safety and new homes while the New Republic increasingly fumbled their attempts to do the same, they would submit themselves to the Empire.
One could willingly delude oneself into slavery if the chain was gilded.
"Once this war is over and the New Republic spent we shall act, changing the galaxy forever. And when it does happen, you Senator Shesh shall be well rewarded for the work you have done for us."
"Thank you," Viqi replied, bowing her head.
"Keeper out."
With that the transmission ended and Viqi shut down the terminal, retrieving her ring from the console. However she was not quite done yet. There was one more individual that she needed to speak with. She opened one of the side doors of her desk, revealing a safe with a security scanner. It was designed to only open with the correct biometric scan of its owner, hence only she could open it. While she kept a number of important and potentially incriminating items there was one item that was greater than all of them in both regards. If someone found it, at best she would be locked away forever as a traitor.
The item in question was a Yuuzhan Vong villip.
Placing the organic communication device before her on the desk, Viqi stroked it as she had been taught. The villip inverted and within moments formed into the face of a Yuuzhan Vong. "Report," barked the fleshy visage of Warmaster Tsavong Lah.
Viqi Shesh was many, many things but she was not a fool. The Sith Empire may believe that they had her as one of their greatest pawns in their espionage games as undoubtedly the Yuuzhan Vong believed as well. But the truth of the matter was there was one thing that she held undying loyalty to, Viqi Shesh. The Republic, the Empire, the Yuuzhan Vong were all tools to further her own power and status as well as to ensure her survival no matter how the war played out.
When the agents of the Empire had come to her years ago with an offer to help her rise up faster in the political ladder in exchange for working to advance their interests, she had wholeheartedly agreed. But what her handlers didn't know was that she had been collecting information on some of their covert activities within the New Republic government. She had even learned the identities of several key individuals within government and military bodies that were in fact working for the Sith, knowledge that only she and her secretary Trask Mithel knew. Such knowledge would keep her safe as well as give her the upperhand over the Empire in the event that she needed to negotiate a new deal with them.
And while her new partnership with the Yuuzhan Vong had yet to produce any such useful tools, she was reporting directly to the Warmaster himself. Earning his favor would ultimately keep her alive and in a useful position should the Vong win the war. After all, the galaxy was too large for them to control everything directly. They would need individuals like her to enforce their will on the masses after they had taken over. And should they lose the war she will have lost nothing.
"Greetings Warmaster," she said, bowing her head in submission. "I have news that you might find very interesting."
"I will be blunt Skywalker; I want to know everything you know about the Sith Empire," a harried Borsk Fey'lya said from behind his desk. "I already have people scouring the Historical Archives but I know you Jedi would have far more detailed histories in regards to the Sith. If I am to deal with these people I will need every scrap of knowledge I can get."
"You're actually considering dealing with them?" an incredulous Mara asked. "They're Sith. If you think-"
Luke held up his hand, silencing his wife. While Luke had disagreed on many Fey'lya's decisions, antagonizing him was not something he wished to do. "I understand Chief Fey'lya. Unfortunately we do not have much in the way of information on this incarnation of the Sith Empire."
His answered didn't please the Bothan, his brows furrowing in anger and annoyance. "How can that be? I know your Jedi have entered their Space on several occasions as well as set foot on their worlds. How you do not have some useful intelligence on them?"
Unfortunately while Palpatine was a Sith and had more than a few serving him, he did not tolerate other Sith especially the resurgent Sith Empire. While Jedi were clearly hunted and slain during his reign there was evidence to suggest that at least some Sith outside the Galactic Empire shared a similar. The Sith Empire survived in part because they disappeared in the background of the galaxy, keeping their borders as impenetrable as possible. Few ventured into the Sith Empire and even fewer left. He suspected the sole reason he and the few Jedi that had set foot on their Empire had been solely because they didn't want the trouble that killing them could provoke.
"Jedi have set foot on several of their key worlds where we fought Sith and Dark Jedi however that was only because the Empire allowed us to. Every time we've tracked down Sith groups that have threatened the Jedi or the Republic to the Sith worlds we've encountered ships of the Sith Empire waiting for us. Each time they've allowed us to continue on our missions with the explicit instructions not to deviate from our mission and to leave immediately upon completion," Luke explained. "To date, not a single Jedi has dared to challenge those orders."
"Do you believe the Empire was supporting these groups you dealt with in the past?" Fey'lya inquired his demeanor becoming contemplative.
"That's hard to say Chief Fey'lya," Luke admitted. "Some of the groups claimed to be as much against the Sith Empire as they were against the New Republic. And ever since the Imperial-Sith War, the Empire has a serious conscious effort to remain unnoticed everyone else in the galaxy while these other groups of Sith were actively fighting the New Republic and the Jedi Order, completely against their stance of isolation and galactic silence."
"Then why would they allow these groups to operate on their worlds considering the danger they posed?"
That was the million credit question. At least four different Sith sects had threatened the Jedi and the New Republic from the Sith Worlds within the Stygian Caldera. Yet all of them had claimed to operate outside the Sith Empire and in the case of one working with part of the Imperial Remnant. Could they could the leaders of the Empire have really been that obvious to their actions? "I can't say for certain."
"At least can you speculate as to why they have suddenly come out of hiding?" Fey'lya asked.
"It could be like Darth Usirian claimed; they are concerned about the Yuuzhan Vong as well as our difficulties in fighting them and only wish to see the threat removed," Luke replied.
Certainly they had some significant setbacks thus far. What few victories they had achieved had been costly for the New Republic for little in the way of gains. The cost for Jedi too was growing and not just in terms of lives lost. Corran Horn hiding on Corellia, blamed and vilified for the death of Ithor, his nephew Anakin blaming himself for the destruction and loss of life at Fondor caused by the firing of Centerpoint Station as well as Chewbacca's death earlier on in the war. There was Jacen who was increasingly withdrawing from the Force because of his own doubts while his sister Jaina, now a member of Rogue Squadron was throwing herself into the heart of the fighting.
"But you don't believe that," Borsk observed.
Luke shook his head in response. "No, not entirely. By their nature many Sith are manipulators and schemers. To think that their reasons for coming to us are solely because of the Yuuzhan Vong would be foolish."
Fey'lya raised an eyebrow. "Then you're saying that they are as much a danger to us as the Vong."
"Yes but I cannot say whether it is an immediate danger like the Vong or a more distant one that we can set aside for the time being in the face of the shared threat," he answered. "But I do believe that they will fight alongside us as allies unless the war takes a truly drastic turn against us. If that happens they may try to conquer the sectors surrounding theirs, hoping that by the time the Vong have destroyed or enslaved us they'll be in a strong position to repel them. Regardless you should hear them out and seriously consider their offer of an alliance. They may have ulterior motives for coming into the war but that doesn't change the fact that we need allies. The Hapan Navy is in tatters, the Hutt Cartels are being overwhelmed and the Imperial Remnant is for the most part uninterested or unwilling in joining what they consider a solely New Republic fight."
"And if we become allies you Jedi will be in a better position to watch over the Sith for signs of danger," the Bothan pointed out.
A grin spread across Luke's face. That was exactly what he wanted. If the Sith were going to be involved in this war it was far better that they be in a position to observe them rather than letting them go off on their own. "Exactly."
"Then it appears that we are in agreement for once Skywalker," Chief Fey'lya said as he rose up from his seat. "I have already invited down their delegation for diplomatic talks tomorrow morning. I want you and your Jedi to be there."
"Of course Chief Fey'lya," Luke replied as he bowed his head. "We will be there."
All and all this was both a fun and tough character to write. There were some sections that I had rewritten several times before I was satisfied with it which was another reason for the delay. But all and all I enjoyed it. Now in this chapter I revealed the first of several Jedi OCs. Before anyone starts panicking about them overshadowing canon characters, don't worry. They're all secondary characters in the story. They may have a chapter or two of prominence but as a whole they're in the supporting cast.
Anyway that's all for now folks. Love it? Hate it? Hit the review button and tell me.