Here is Chapter 3. Note that it is set before 'Legacy of the Force' and that Ben Skywalker is a Jedi Knight, Jacen Solo is a Jedi Master, and Mara Jade Skywalker is still alive. I have used a name that was introduced in the Legacy of the Force series also. Think of this as an alternate universe. But, they have gone through the same events up until this point. Meaning, they have gone through the Clone Wars, the Galactic Civil War, the Yuuzhan Vong Invasion, and, the Swarm War. Enjoy and review!

Chapter 3

"It's called a Stargate." Jedi Knight Leia Organa Solo told the Council as she activated the hologram of the object they had uncovered on Yavin IV.

Luke scratched the stubble on his chin as he examined the hologram with the rest of the council. It showed a giant ring that had nine chevrons, and all along the ring were different symbols. "You said you found this in some Massassi ruins?"

"Yes. We also found a strange pedestal with the same symbols on it, as well as symbols in groups of seven on the cave walls." Leia continued.

"You said these Stargates have also been found throughout the galaxy?" Mara inquired.

Leia nodded as she pushed a button on the projector. It switched to a view of the walls of the cave on Yavin IV. The council could see lines and lines of different combinations of symbols, always in groups of seven.

"Why seven?" Jacen asked. He was the newest Master on the council. He had been granted the seat due to his actions during the Yuuzhan Vong War and the Swarm War.

"We are still figuring that out. We had hoped Luke would have some insight." Leia replied.

"Have you tried entering seven symbols into that pedestal?" Ben asked. He had just been named a Jedi Knight after passing his trials a few weeks ago, thanks to Jacen's tutelage.

"We thought it best if we came to the Jedi Council before we did anything." Leia explained. Luke nodded. All of a sudden a hologram of Tenel Ka, Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium, appeared in an empty chair.

"Master Skywalker, I come to you with news. We have found strange artifacts in Hapes." she said.

Jacen arched an eyebrow. "Let me take a guess, Tenel Ka. Does one of these artifacts look like a giant ring?" he asked.

Before Tenel Ka could respond, a hologram of Kyp Durron appeared in another empty chair. "Master Skywalker, the planet of Kashyyk has found some strange artifacts."

Then another hologram appeared in the room. This time it was Corran Horn. He reported the same thing on Corellia. More and more reports began coming in from other Jedi all over the galaxy. Luke ran a hand through his hair. He was just about to speak when another hologram appeared. This time it was Saba Sebatyne reporting from Endor. She had gone there, to scout out any Force Potentials among the Ewoks.

"Master Skywalker," she began but was silenced when Luke put up a hand.

"We already know, Saba. You found some strange artifacts, right?" he said.

"That is correct. How did you know?"

"Take a look around you, Saba." he said waving his hand around the room.

"Are you saying these artifacts have been found all around the galaxy?"

Before Luke could respond, the door to the Council Chambers burst open, and Galactic Alliance Chief of State, Cal Omas, walked in.

"Master Skywalker, you will want to see this!" he said, grabbing Luke, and pulling him out of the room. The rest of the council followed them out, leaving the holograms behind.

"What do you think they are?" Leia whispered to Mara. Mara shook her head. "All I know is that they must connect all the planets somehow. Why else would they same two artifacts and cave writing be found across the galaxy?"

Moments later, they arrived at the bowels of the old Senate Rotunda. A team of archaeologists were gathered around a Ring and a pedestal. Another group were busily dusting off some walls that had strange symbols on them, all in groups of seven.

"Have you seen anything like it?" Cal was saying to the Council.

"Actually we have, Cal." Leia began, activating the hologram. "This was taken at the Massassi ruins on Yavin IV."

"The same artifacts and the cave writing have been found all over the galaxy." Luke explained.

"What? Why wasn't I informed?" Cal asked angrily.

"We just found out ourselves, just moments before you stormed in." Jacen replied with a small smile.

"What is it?" Cal asked pointing to the ring. "I believe it is a portal, a gate if you will, to other planets. The symbols you found on the wall are the key to activating it, via the pedestal." Jacen explained.

Before Cal could reply, an archaeologist came forward with an ancient jar. "Chief Omas, we found this by the writings. Shall we open it?" he asked.

Jacen pointed his hand towards the jar, causing it to float over to him. He held it in his right hand, and examined it. "Doesn't seem dangerous? I guess I'll open it." he said. And, with that, he took off the lid, and tossed it to the ground.

What happened next, stunned even the Jedi. A horrifying, snake-like creature shot out of the jar, and entered the back of Jacen's neck. At first Jacen didn't react. He was used to pain by now. But a moment later, he was bent over at the knees in unbearable pain.

"Jacen!" Leia screamed, coming over to him.

Then, something even stranger happened. Jacen straightened and looked at his mother and the Jedi. His eyes glowed. The Jedi gasped.

"Jacen is no more." Jacen spoke in a creepy deep voice.

"The Jedi shall die once and for all, and I shall rule the Universe. The Stargate is under my control now!" he said with a sinister laugh.

Luke could not believe what was happening. "That is where you are wrong. I still sense Jacen in there." he said. Leia sighed in relief. She had already lost one son, she didn't want to lose two.

"You cannot stop me! I am a Go'auld Sith System Lord No mere mortal can kill me. I am your God, Caedus!" the entity spoke through Jacen. He rose his right hand towards where the jar had been found, and a lightsaber floated over to him. He ignited the crimson blade and strode towards Luke.

Luke did not even flinch. He didn't even make a move for his own lightsaber. Mara looked at him like he was crazy. Luke gave her a reassuring smile. He raised his right hand as the lightsaber swung towards him. Just as it was about to come into contact with his skin. The lightsaber was hurled away.

"You are not a God. You are just a parasitic life form inside of a Jedi Master. Now, where were we? Oh, yeah, you were just about to begin your conquest to rule the Universe. We've dealt with monsters like you before. What happened to them? We defeated them." Luke smiled.

"You dare defy your God?!" Caedus snarled.

"Yes, I think that's what our stance is going to be." Luke nodded.

"But he is a God, Luke." Cal whispered.

"What?!" Mara gasped.

"Did you see his eyes glow?" Cal whispered. Caedus smiled and folded his arms across his chest in triumph.

"Kneel before your God, Omas!" he instructed.

Cal shakily bent on one knee and kneeled. Mara shook her head. This was crazy. She grabbed Cal and made him stand again.

"Cal, you just bowed to my nephew! Are you nuts?" she screamed.

"Your nephew is gone. Caedus is our God." Cal said, as if it made all the sense in the world.

"We've lost him." Mara said.

"Jacen is not dead!" Leia said resolutely.

"I didn't mean Jacen. I meant Cal." Mara said.

"Oh, I knew that." Leia said sheepishly.

"Kneel!" Caedus bellowed.

Everyone in the room, minus the Jedi, kneeled. The Jedi just stood there with their arms crossed. Caedus glared at them. His eyes glowed once more. "I said kneel!" he bellowed. Luke stared at him.

"Why should we kneel? You haven't given us any proof that you are a God." he replied.

"Proof? You want proof? Here's your proof, Jedi!" he snarled as he rose his right hand and sent all the Jedi flying across the room.

The Jedi all got to their feet, and returned to their previous position. "Oh, please, is that the best you can do? Even we can do that!" Mara smirked.

Caedus' eyes glowed, and he strode up to Mara Jade. He rose his right hand. Mara grabbed her neck, and was struggling for breath. "A Sith can do this. You're not a God!" she said in between gasps. Caedus released her. Mara massaged her neck. She smirked at Caedus.

"Ok, you wish to see real power? How about this!" he smiled as he gestured to another jar by the cave writing. A strange device hovered over to him. He strapped it to his right hand, and pointed it at Mara's eyes. Mara dropped to her knees, and the device issued a golden light into her eyes. Now, this was new.

"You're not a God, you're using a device to do this! Even I could use this device!" Mara said in between gasps of pain.

Caedus snarled as he released her. "Enough!" he said as he wove his hand at the Jedi, knocking them all unconscious. He brought Cal back to his feet. "Take their weapons and anything they have on them. Put them in a cell, and put this device by the cell, switched on." he commanded, motioning to another jar. The jar hovered over to him. He opened the jar, and handed a strange device to Omas.

"Yes, my lord." Omas replied taking the device, and motioning to a few guards to take the Jedi.

Moments later, the Jedi were all dragged off, leaving Caedus to his thoughts. He laughed to himself. "Now that the Jedi are out of the way, I can finally rule the Universe!" he said as his eyes glowed.