Prelude 2 - The Second Confederacy Rises
Disclaimer – Once Again I would like to point out that I own nothing that belongs to their respected Owners other than my OCs and the Plot, I have to thank Ryssa1457 for her continued assistance, hope you enjoy this next instalment.
28th December, 2:00pm; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Toryaz Station, Narsacc Habitat: Kallebarth Way - Conference Room
"Are you so sure that we have time for trade disputes with the Corporate Sector?" questioned Thrawn as he sat forwards in his chair "you worry about trading and pirates usually get the supplies"
"What you say is true, however we are not getting the required number of supplies to build enough defenders for supplies, because of this the pirates are getting more and more supplies which we only found out after an argument started between the Corporate Sector and the New Republic" explained Bail Organa as he sat forwards.
"Yet the New Republic has given itself a Military limit, you don't want a large military which will come to bit you on the ass later, what if a number of Third Parties join together to strike at the New Republic with a more powerful force?" commented Proteus as the Political adverse Sith sat forwards.
"Are you saying, that as Allies, you would not come to our aid?" asked Leia which caused Thrawn to smile lightly.
"Depending on the difficulties you are facing and the weakness you are showing, some of the Empire may desire to make use of your nation's weakness to increase our power-base and I wouldn't put it past some of the local people on pro-Imperial Worlds to rebel against you, in the end we're an independent nation whom will look towards our own best interests now and into the future" explained Thrawn calmly.
"Maybe we should go have a break for awhile" commented Bail which the Alderaan Senator stood before making his way towards the entrance of the room, Leia let out an exasperated sigh as she stood followed by Proteus and Thrawn, after the leaders of the delegation had left did so did the advisers that both sides had brought to the meeting.
4:00pm; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Toryaz Station, Narsacc Habitat: Kallebarth Way - Entrance Hall
"Hey Leia, how did things go?" asked Han as he noticed Leia walking over towards them, she had bags under her eyes and a scowl on her face.
"Those Imperials are impossible to cheat!" growled Leia as she came to a stop "they are annoyingly well informed and that Acting Emperor of theirs can sense every deception we make!"
"Well, what did you expect Leia? You are trying to put the Empire in a position where it defends the New Republic Supply Lines from the Corporate Sector, a New Sith in charge only complicates the matter, the idea was stupid to begin with but a Sith makes it near impossible and really stupid" complained Luke from where he sat "just don't piss that Sith off, I doubt I'll be fast enough to stop him from killing you and the New Republic delegation, even if I'm in the same room"
"Or strong enough, you've never fought a New Sith before so you won't know you're strength difference, Uncle Luke" commented Jacen and Luke gave a sigh but nodded all the same.
"But Obi-Wan is too old" inserted Jaina as she looked between the gathered Jedi "therefore if these Sith try anything, then we will have to do our best to stop them"
"And getting out of here with the core of the order will be near impossible afterwards" commented Kyp from where he was sitting on a nearby table "there is a Executor-class Super Star Destroyer orbiting nearby with the Imperial 5th Fleet and an Imperial Sector Fleet but a jump away, even if we get you out of here Master Skywalker, I'm afraid that not another Jedi will get away if we're forced into an action of killing their Emperor"
"Lets just hope it doesn't come to that" muttered Luke as he bridged his fingers and thought about what to do in that situation.
7:30pm; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Toryaz Station, Narsacc Habitat: Kallebarth Way - Conference Room
Leia couldn't help but growl when she noticed that the conference was going nowhere fast as Proteus and Thrawn politically dodged their way past every fleet worth of politics that the Republic forces threw at them, things were up hill especially at the rate in which the New Sith managed to read their minds and catch their intents before they could weave it into a web of political plotting that would allow the New Republic to prosper off the backs of the decaying Empire, now the Empire's remaining leaders were making political fools out of the New Republic and there seemed to be nothing at present that Leia could do to stop it or even slow it into the Republic's Victory.
"Perhaps we should have Dinner and call it a day?" asked Thrawn which gave Proteus a satisfied smile as he stood, Leia clenched her teeth but didn't disagree.
9:00pm; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Near Toryaz Station, Providence S-class Stealth Carrier/Destroyer: Shadow, Bridge Tower - Bridge
The Providence S-class, which was a newly upgraded form of the Providence-class Capital Ship, was a space variant of its heavily armed Predecessor and useful for secret mission within both Imperial and New Republic territory. For Count Selerno Dooku, the Dark Jedi Grandson to Count Dooku whom led the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars, saw this meeting between the Galactic Empire and New Republic as the perfect opportunity to not only start a war but also cause enough political damage to each side that rash decision would be made leading to possibly the two Rival Nations pointing their guns at each other. Selerno had been gathering his political allies within the remnants of the Trade Federation and the Banking Clan which such contacts had been restored by his now deceased father, getting in contact with the slow rated Pammant Docks over the obliterated world of Pammant, Selerno allowed the Quarren to gain new war profits and supplies in which to gather a mighty Naval Fleet.
Selerno was already starting to gain grey at the roots of his orange hair and his blue eyes had a glint of gold in them from use of the Darkside, regardless he had carried on the desires of his family by activating the Droid Factories on multiple worlds and reactivating the deactivated Droid Control Ships left afloat at the end of the Clone Wars, in the last year he had gathered a Fleet of Confederate ships to Serenno where he usurped the six Great Houses authority with promises of even more power through a second Confederacy movement. Selerno based himself at his Grandfather's Castle and began to concentrate on weakening the New Republic from within, he did so by having fleets of Munificent-class Star Frigates to raid the New Republic supply lines to the Corporate Sector which Selerno quickly bargained to his side, now it had been three years since he had begun his machination but now at this political meeting would be his crowning achievement and soon the Galaxy would bow to Selerno's Second Confederacy.
"The enemy stands before us" growled Necrosis as he paced back and forth, Necrosis was a special droid that had been designed from the N-K Necrosis Project in 1.5 ABY, his programming had been assimilated with the programming of a Tactical Droid while a recording of General Grievous' brainwaves had been used in the programming creating a droid whom thought he was the revived General albeit in a Droid Body.
"Patience, General" dismissed Selerno as he watched the mental monster pace endlessly back and forth "we need to attack late in the night"
"We have the firepower within range to cripple the station and get away lightly damaged" countered Necrosis and Selerno smiled.
"True, however it is always better to burn out than burn your way in, that is what we'll be doing a Toryaz Station" commented Selerno calmly as he paced down from next to the Captain so he stood next to the General "surely you see the logic in my decision"
"Bah" grunted Necrosis as he paced off out of the Bridge.
11:00pm; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Toryaz Station, Near the Narsacc Habitat: Supply Room 9
A number of crates slammed open with a crash as those inside began to move forwards out into the open Supply Room with triangular droid heads, the recent generation of BX-Series Droid Commandos paced calmly from the ten open crates as they made their way towards the Turbolifts that would take them up into the Station interior and then the Narsacc Habitat, their mission was a simple one – kill any Imperial or Republic personnel while allowing entry for Confederate reinforcements in the form of Dropships and Droch-class Boarding Ships.
11:55pm; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Toryaz Station, Narsacc Habitat: Kallebarth Way - Imperial Corridor, Royal Quarters: Meditation Room
"Something is wrong" commented Thiole as he stood from his one armed sofa with a glare towards his Quarters' entrance.
"I sense it too" agreed Vader as he stood from his own sofa and made towards the Living Room and as expected, he was ambushed by two IG-100 MagnaGuards causing Thiole to sigh in annoyance, now that had been unexpected.
Thiole calmly stood from where he had been sitting before pacing calmly over towards the window and smirked at his reflection, behind him dropped a BX-Series Droid Commando wielding a Vibrosword as it advanced on Thiole's undefended rear however Thiole drew his Lightsaber and flicked it on causing the Droid to falter, Thiole's Lightsaber was a bent hand-grip with a rather unique handle design and a Lava Orange Lightsaber Blade. The Commando Droid made a springing leap towards Thiole whom spun around and brought his Lightsaber around under the Droid's assault, slicing through the Droid from hip to shoulder the Droid fell to the floor as a smoking and sparking ruin, Thiole meanwhile stood straight and awaited Ventress to step out of the Darkness with a respectful bow.
"What is the situation?" asked Thiole as Ventress fell down on one knee behind him.
"Droids have infiltrated the Habitat and are landing troops in hangers outside the Habitat, the 501st and 502nd Legions are holding the Entrance Hall and Security Room, that said however it seems that Commando Droids have infiltrated the highest infrastructure and have taken control of the Station at large" announced Asajj Ventress as she remained kneeling on the floor "what are you're commands?"
"Regain control of the Control Room within the Station, we'll slow the attacks with our Jedi Guests, I assume that is within you're power?" asked Thiole and Ventress smiled darkly as she stood.
"You underestimate me" smirked Ventress, and then a moment later, she was gone.
29th December, 12:00am; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Toryaz Station, Narsacc Habitat: Kallebarth Way - Republic Corridor, Anakin and Jacen's Quarters: Bedroom
Jacen sensed something was off as he sat up in bed and looked around the room until the room shook from an explosion from deeper inside the Habitat which caused Anakin to groan as he rolled over in his sleep to face the door, Jacen smiled lightly at his brother's innocence before slipping up and over Anakin which once he was standing in their room he reached out with the Force calling his Lightsaber into hand, with calmness he took up position beside the day as it slide open and sliced the Commando Droid that walked through causing Anakin to jump from his sleep with a yelp.
"Glad to see you're awake" nodded Jacen as he peaked into their living room "I was almost worried you were poisoned or something"
"You could have tried to wake me up!" complained Anakin as he glared at his older brother "you didn't even bother to try, did you!"
"No" replied Jacen with a sly smirk "I'd rather not have you crawling all over me, upset about me ruining your sleep, in a combat situation. Besides, imagine if an Ally walked in, it would look rather...suggestive"
"Idiot..." growled Anakin as he lowered his head from the Lightsaber's glow to hide his blood crimson blush, to no avail.
12:10am; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - 5th Fleet of the Galactic Empire, Executor-class Super Star Destroyer: Annihilator, Bridge Tower - Admiral's suite
"Admiral" saluted the Judicator's Captain which Admiral Gilad Pellaeon returned the salute.
"Captain Brandei, we have a situation" announced Gilad as he crossed his hands behind his back and turned to look out the viewpoint "we seem to have lost all communications with the Command Centre on Toryaz Station, the Annihilator's long range electronic systems have calculated that it is station wide interference from an external source that has yet to be predicted, what we do know is that it isn't a natural occurrence"
"Are you sure, sir?" asked Brandei and Pellaeon sighed in annoyance.
"Our Tactical experts have calculated that it could only be an unnatural occurrence in his instance, therefore I am giving you the rank of Rear Admiral and having the Judicator as the Flagship in a task force made of three Imperial I-class Star Destroyers or more specifically: the Regenerate and Aegis, Six Dreadnought-class Heavy Cruisers and Twelve Carrack-class Light Cruisers. You're mission is simple: locate the source of the interference and transmit a request for the Sector to be placed under Martial Law should there be hostile ships in the vicinity, if it comes to that then the Sector Fleet will lock down the System while the 5th Fleet comes to your immediate aid, dismissed!"
"Sir, mission confirmed and complied" saluted Brandei with a salute, he turned and marched out of the room calmly to get back to his ship as soon as possible.
12:20am; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Toryaz Station, Narsacc Habitat: Kallebarth Way - Security Checkpoint
"You're Majesty" stated Commander Rex as Thiole and Vader stepped towards the control panels which were being hurriedly operated by Combat Information Control Officials as they looked over the battle happening out in the Entrance Hall, a frown was on most of their faces.
"Give me a Situation Report!" commanded Thiole before motioning towards the arriving Jedi "inform them also"
"Very well" nodded Rex as he took an elevated position inside the ring of computer consoles that was for the Security Captain "at roughly midnight, enemy forces infiltrated into the Station near the Narsacc Habitat formed from BX02-series Droid Commandos and locked down all Bulkheads leading towards the Habitat, next the Droid Strike Force allowed reinforcements to arrive in the form of two Trandoshan Dropships and countless Droch-class Boarding Ships, as I speak they are contained in the Entrance Hall where countless Casualties have already been confirmed however they are being pushed back"
"We also can confirm the arrival of an Imperial Task Force, they have fallen under attack by an enemy Fleet however they won't be around long, since a Martial Law request has been made the Sector will soon be locked down and then reinforcements will arrive" announced the CIC Executive as he came to stand next to Rex.
"So all that remains is to clear out the Droids, I'm sure that the Jedi won't remain idle in this state of affairs?" asked Thiole as he looked over at Luke.
"Lead the way, you're Majesty, I hope we are able to collect vital information on the enemy so that we know who is attacking us" agreed Luke calmly.
"I do too" nodded Thiole as he motioned towards the door that led into the Entrance Hall "shall we?"
12:30am; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Toryaz Station, Narsacc Habitat: Kallebarth Way - Entrance Hall
Anakin dodged around an attack by a IG-100 MagnaGuard as it spun its Electrostaff in a way that would throw him off guard and before he sliced it through the back faster than it could turn to engage, Proteus was faster as Darth Thiole took over the seemingly innocent youth and showed his training as both a Sith Assassin and a former Shadow Hand, Anakin could only blink before the five Droids around Thiole were sparking ruins on the floor and Anakin caught sight of a flash of Gold in Thiole's eyes.
Gold? The Darkside bled the eyes to Yellow, so how could the strongest Sith Grand Master in the last Twenty Years change his eyes to Gold unless there was some trick to it, maybe some king of Force Illusion or some kind of masking of the colour of his eyes when he wasn't using the Darkside. Suddenly the Darkside fled as Thiole's eyes returned to their normal brown as he stood from his kneeled position on the floor, Thiole reached out with the Force causing both the Lightside and the Darkside to encompass him as though he were trained in both fields, Anakin gasped as a Droid went flying over his head before being sliced in two by Thiole and the Sith gave him a look as if to say 'why are you standing around like a Lemon?'.
Darth Vader meanwhile crossed along the room with a steady pace with his Lightsaber held in his right hand, a Commando Droid jumped at Vader with its fist extended however Vader's left hand shot up and caught the Droid by the wrist before throwing it into the body of a B2 Super Battle Droid causing it to keel over, Vader crossed over calmly and stabbed the two of them - the Droid Commando through its up facing back and the Super Battle Droid through its chest which the Droid Commando lay upon. Vader grabbed a B1 Battle Droid with the Force and crushed it once he was back on his original path, he crossed over and decapitated two Droids that were taking aim at the rear of Thiole who was busy defending against a MagnaGuard, the Sith then took up guard at Thiole's rear as he ploughed his way through the handful of remaining Droids.
The remaining group of three Commando Droids charged at Jacen as they attempted to finish off the Jedi Knight however Jacen ducked to the ground as one swung its Vibrosword at him, the second Commando Droid fired its E-5 Blaster Rifle however Jacen angled his Lightsaber to instead slice through the Blaster Rifle before decapitating the Droid with a simple swipe, the Third Commando Droid lifted a Thermal Detonator preparing to throw it however Jacen was faster as he struck out with Force Lightening which struck the Detonator causing it to overload and explode while taking the Droid holding it with it. The remaining Jedi finished up their own Droid opposites and usually they disarmed them before finishing them, once all the Droids were dealt with the Medical crews began searching down the injured, Thiole himself stopped at some injured soldiers and use the Force to heal them causing Anakin to remember - that Thiole claimed to have the power to stop people from dying.
12:50am; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Near Toryaz Station, Providence S-class Stealth Carrier/Destroyer: Shadow, Bridge Tower - Bridge
"The Imperial 5th Fleet are pushing us back, at this rate..." growled Necrosis causing Selerno to smile slyly.
"Call back all the Fighters and prepare for Lightspeed" commanded Selerno causing Necrosis to spin around with an annoyed air around him.
"My Lord!" growled Necrosis however Selerno raised his hand to silence the Specialized Droid.
"We don't need to waste anymore strength on our enemies, this was a declaration of war upon the Pathetic New Republic and False Galactic Empire, no more or less" announced Selerno as he glared at the Droid "call in the Withdraw before the Sector Fleet blockade the System!"
"Very well, my Lord" growled Necrosis, if the Droid had teeth, Selerno could imagine him clenching it now in anger.
7:00am; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Toryaz Station, Narsacc Habitat: Kallebarth Way - Security Checkpoint
After resting from the chaos of the former evening the delegation and Officials of both the Galactic Empire and New Republic had been confined to the conference room where they had been under house arrest for their own protection, the only people outside this influence was Bail Organa, Leia Organa Solo, Thrawn and Proteus himself who stood before the gathered Jedi and Security Forces as Darth Thiole. The attack the night before was the biggest surprise for Bail and the two Sith who had been around to see the Clone Wars as well as the effects it had on the citizens of the two Governments, another war on the scale of the Clone Wars was something that no side wanted and had strived since 6 ABY to stop from happening, as of yet it seemed to assure this they needed to find the 3rd responsible party and stop their goals cold.
"Well, this is a major screw-up" commented Vader from where he leaned against a console "one would think we're keeping our own officials hostage"
"Those in the Empire would understand, Vader, that we are setting up a defensive ring around them to counter the possibility of their deaths from a potential attack by enemy assassins should the enemy have dedicated to a backup plan" announced Thiole with an annoyed sigh as he looked about the room at the Jedi gathered "but that isn't why we're here for"
"We're here to decide our next move" commented Jacen as he stepped forwards "perhaps the question to answer is whether this will lead to war?"
"I see no other way at this point, the enemy didn't bombard the Station while we were distracted by their invasion force, and this indicates that it was not merely an assassination attempt but rather a Declaration of war" announced Thiole as he paced calmly around the room "this is unexpected, to think there were remnants of the Separatist Droid Armies prior to the Galactic Civil War, I was sure we deactivated and destroyed all their Hold-Outs across the Galaxy"
"It is possible despite accurate calculation that our Forces have missed a few Factories or maybe some Factories were built in secret by Pro-Separatist Remnants, regardless it seems we are up against their remains, remains which would like nothing better than to bring the Galactic Empire and New Republic to their knees" added Thrawn and Vader nodded.
"And then some" inserted Vader as he stood straight "I sensed a Dark and Malevolent Force, the Darkside was at work and the intentions of the one controlling it was not productive for the rest of the Galaxy, they wish to enslave the Galaxy that shrugged off the Confederate Invasion Thirty Five years ago"
"What will you do?" questioned Luke as he looked towards Thiole who smirked at Vader's son.
"Simple, we will gather our Forces and send Probe Droids to Neutral Sectors and Planets to locate any Confederate Forces, once we understand where the enemies are we can then make up a strategy based off that information" answered Thiole as he paced toward the Jedi lines "the question is, what do you all intend to do, maybe investigate the Allies of this Confederacy for there are many that I can list?"
"Are you trying to unite the Jedi and New Sith into a temporary Alliance, in order to find the party behind this attack and stop them, before damage to our two governments' infrastructure can be caused?" asked Leia and Thiole shrugged.
"I'm offering, it's the Jedi who are responsible for their choice, will they work with their former enemies for the Greater Good or will they drop the blame for this attack into the Innocent Hands of the Sith?" commented Thiole with a smirk "their choice will shed light on their true disposition in the Galaxy and in the Force, true Jedi don't hold grudges or did that change when I wasn't looking?"
"Not at all, if there is anything within our power that we can do to help, we would be honoured to do so" answered Luke causing both Jaina and Kyp to frown at the Jedi Grandmaster.
"Very well, then listen to this – our enemies have made pacts with a number of planets and Sectors, including these are the Corellia Sector and their representative: Thrackan Sal-Solo, my guess is that they intend to make use of Corellia's Superweapon: Centrepoint Station" announced Thrawn as he stepped forwards.
"If that weapon is brought fully online, it will be able to move planets or Star Systems and more importantly, destroy them" continued Thiole as he stood before the Jedi "as well as Corellia, I have a copied list of some locations within New Republic boundaries that are pro-Confederate, it will be the job of the New Republic and Jedi to keep them in-line. However there is one more thing that I require the Jedi to look into – this"
Thiole pulled out of his jacket a weaving of some kind from multiple cultures that to the trained eye seemed to be a tassel, however to the trained Force Sensitive Eyes it was tainted deeply in ominous Darkside energy that gave no designation in who or what it was intended for, Jacen Solo seemed to frown when he looked at the Tassel which both Thiole and Luke noticed when they glanced at him.
"What purpose is that trinket?" questioned Kyp and Vader smirked as if he knew something that the Jedi didn't.
"It was found in one of the crates that those Droid Commandos came in, I could only guess that it is a story of some kind specified in the training of a powerful Darkside user that to date has yet to appear or rather the training of a post-Sith Master, most of the meanings in the tassel include pain and sacrifice which is the basis of the power that feeds the Darkside" explained Vader with an all knowing smirk "now who will take this task?"
"I will" announced Jacen causing Luke to glance at him in surprise "I feel as if the Tassel was left here specifically for me especially since there is no one here whom can sense the meaning behind the different weavings, am I right?"
"Very impressive, very well" announced Thiole as he threw the Tassel and looked amused when it was caught in a two way tug of war between Jacen and Luke "now then, Master Skywalker, is there a reason that you're paranoid about you're Nephew taking on this mission?"
"He's not to go alone" announced Luke simply and Thiole nodded in understanding "Anakin?"
"Yes?" jumped Anakin, surprised to be referred to.
"Will you go with Jacen and make sure he doesn't make any boneheaded mistakes?" growled Luke and Jacen scowled, once Anakin agreed Luke released his Force Grip on the Tassel which went flying into Jacen's hand, Jacen spun around and paced away with a scowl still firmly planted on his face.
"Vader, go make sure that the Shuttle I asked for is prepared for them, we have very little time to get underway" announced Thiole as he paced towards a computer console "Thrawn, take Admiral Pellaeon and head back to Bastion, Admiral Gaarn will instead take command of the 5th Fleet and the Annihilator"
"Very well, you're Majesty" saluted Thrawn as he turned and made to exit the room.
8:00am; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay - Toryaz Station, Hanger – Modified Lambda-class T-4a shuttle: Motivator, Cockpit
Anakin was gazing out of the window at the Station's Hanger. The younger boy seemed to be brooding and Jacen had a painful urge to pry. If it was Anakin's business, surely it was Jacen's business too. But Jacen said nothing and let Anakin sit and fester over whatever it was that had him bothered.
"So where are we going?" asked Anakin, not looking at Jacen, focusing on the realm outside the Hanger Port.
"Lorrd, I'd been considering it for awhile. Just feels right, somehow" said Jacen and Anakin grunted "What's bothering you?"
"Nothing's bothering me," Anakin replied, his tone was very testy and Jacen could see the frown on his face reflected in the viewport, Jacen snorted.
"Wow. You must think be stupid, or something, because we're kind of both strong in the Force, you know. I can tell" Jacen leaned close to his brother "we're related, after all"
Anakin whipped around, and their noses brushed and his blue eyes were angry. Jacen moved back, surprised.
"I am well aware we're related thanks. I-" snarled Anakin but he suddenly stopped and then deflated "I know"
Jacen blinked. He was sure he'd done nothing to warrant such an outburst. However, he feared if he pressed the issue, Anakin might throw something at him or Force blast him, or something. He decided that the best course of action was to change the subject.
"What... do you think of the Sith?" asked Jacen and Anakin looked ahead, pursing his lips.
"I think that Thiole knows what he's doing. I don't see anything wrong with them at this point. I mean…" answered Anakin before he took a breath to continue "it doesn't seem like they're doing anything wrong, you know?"
"But?" prodded Jacen as he met Anakin's eyes as the younger boy glanced sideways at him.
"But I think you should be careful" answered Anakin honestly.
"I know better than to get on the wrong side of the New Sith, you know" dismissed Jacen calmly with a wave.
"Not the New Sith, Jacen" swallowed Anakin and Jacen's eyebrows went up "the Jedi"
The two settled into an uncomfortable silence as Anakin went back to gazing out the viewport once more.
10:00am; Kuat Sector: Near Ronay – Outside Gravity Well, Customized Star Courier: Scimitar II, Cockpit
"You're plotting again, reminds me of your dad" commented Vader as he watched Thiole type in the authorization code necessary to leave the locked down Kuat Sector.
"Palpatine is a worn our husk as far as I'm concerned, he was a genetic donor in my birth, the only think I got of Value from that Bastard was Political Training as well as Learning the Sith Arts and title as Imperial Prince – his successor" growled Thiole as he pulled back the lever that allowed the Scimitar II to go to Lightspeed "but that is the past, for a Sith or New Sith to dwell on such things will only weaken us unless used properly and I'd rather not wreck my personal Courier with my temper, thank you"
"Aww, but you're surprisingly vicious in bed when you're…agitated, nothing like pulling the tail of a Vornskr to distract it from the treasure it is guarding" dismissed Vader with a wave and Thiole growled lowly.
"We have more important things to discuss" countered Thiole as he turned his chair to face Vader "specifically our potential recruits"
"Anakin and Jacen Solo" nodded Vader as he slumped lazily in one of the chairs at the back of the Cockpit "both are partial to the other though the opposite party do not know it, if one or both were to join the New Sith then it would be impossible for the Jedi to 'redeem' them"
"The Jedi are transparent with their contradictory rules and codes, that too will push them away all the quicker and even more so with everything that has fallen into place within the last few years, some Jedi are so scared of the Darkside that they become immediately hostile to a New Sith despite the New Sith being only slightly related to the Sith Orders of the past" announced Thiole as he pondered "also it seems that very few know the link between the two which we can evidently use to our advantage, the Jedi are weaker than I previously predicted however we mustn't get arrogant as it caused the downfall of the past Sith Orders, our main concern should be the reoccupation of Coruscant to connect to Deep Core however this new Separatist Crisis isn't helping that front any"
"All we have is time, I guess" shrugged Vader and Thiole nodded to his obvious announcement.
30th December, 5:30am; Kanz Sector: Lorrd System – Lorrd, In Orbit – Modified Lambda-class T-4a shuttle: Motivator, Cockpit
Space was a blazing infinity of stars. Hyperspace was far less interesting.
Especially since Anakin wasn't talking much to Jacen. Jacen, of course, found that turn of events to be bothersome. While Anakin regretted his attitude, he didn't regret it quite enough to change it. Since he wasn't changing his attitude and since hyperspace was boring, the only thing to do was think which is precisely what Anakin did. He thought about the New Sith, he thought about his feelings, he thought about the upcoming arrival to Lorrd...
Jacen said Lorrd felt right. Anakin didn't get any such feelings. If anything, he felt a little wary. It could either be because he was taking a trip with Jacen (which left him feeling uncomfortable) or because the Force was speaking to him. Stretching outward into that boundless energy source, he searched for something that would jump out and speaking to him. And he searched and he searched. He tried to grab at a feeling as if catching a slippery fish. There was a voice, a woman's voice, muttering something. But Jacen nudged him and gestured out the viewport.
"We're here" commented Jacen, the floating sphere of Lorrd hovered out in the mass of stars.
With the feeling lost Anakin slowly pulled back into the reality of the shuttle, only to hiss as the feeling of the Darkside washed over him. It was reflex more than anything. Jacen reached for his Lightsaber without thinking, but stopped, staring down at the planet.
"Wonder what that is..." Jacen murmured leaning over his brother's shoulder "this feeling..."
Anakin pursed his lips, trying to pinpoint the sensation, wondering why he hadn't had a heads up, considering he'd been meditating in the Force for practically the entire trip without knowing it.
The feeling was familiar, and it brought the voice of the muttering woman to mind...
10:00am; Braxant Sector: Sartinaynian System – Umbra, Imperial Sith Palace – Upper Levels: Darth Thiole's Quarters, Office
Proteus looked over the most recent Military report from his Military Observer in the New Sith: Darth Seismos, the Modernization Program was going rather well which Thiole could be pleased about and the construction of the Erebus and Legacy was also accelerating, then again Thiole would have to thank Thrawn for that considering he was in contact with the Empire of the Hand who had offered Chiss Scientists to work with who were modernizing the Imperial War Machine alongside Scientists from multiple Alien and Human Backgrounds. The Erebus was to be Thiole's flagship and alongside the Legacy would be 20 Kilometres long, they would be equipped with state of the Art Weaponry and Shields with engine systems like those none have ever seen, the ships would also be equipped with Axial Superlasers making them imperative Tactical Superweapons in their own right.
"You're Majesty" announced Sate Pestage over a hologram which Thiole turned his head to look at "you are required in the Imperial Palace on Bastion to speak with the Moffs about the recent turn of events and to deal with the recent political issues that have come to light, sadly it will take most of today and tomorrow to accomplish, Lord Politicus says he will stand in for you with the other New Sith in the Meeting Tomorrow until you return"
"Understood, make sure that all the New Sith Council Members are at the meeting on Umbra, Reliquiae and Custos are separate from that order since they are on an important mission in the Corellia System" announced Thiole and the Grand Vizier bowed lightly before shutting down the transmission.
"You seem to trust him an awful lot" commented Vader as he appeared from a Force Corridor, leaning against the wall behind Thiole's back.
"How long were you listening for?" questioned Thiole as he turned to look at the Imperial Supreme Commander and Sith Master.
"Long enough to question why you should trust him?" announced Vader simply and Thiole chuckled lightly.
"He is an ally, I have known him for twice as long as you Vader, his family are hardened Imperial and New Sith Loyalists" announced Thiole simply as he turned to look at Vader "his son is the next Vizier and his eldest Grandson is a childhood friend of mine, also his oldest Grandson is my personal Grand Admiral and a New Sith Master trained enough to avoid demise through age"
"Just be weary" cautioned Vader and Thiole nodded calmly.
"I will, just make sure to keep the Council in line tomorrow and don't bring up our potential recruits until I arrive, just try not to kill any of them in the process" announced Thiole with a smirk.
Author's Note – We are finally introduced to the machinations of the Second Confederacy of Independent Systems, is Selerno their main leader or is there a far darker individual in the background? Review and fine out!