W/N - Arigato gozaimasu, Jen-san. I am halfway through your final chapter now.
This is more of an extended epilogue and not meant to be a full KOTOR II story so some of the KOTOR II plot will be glossed over.
Other malarkey - I passed my pilot in command checkride. Doofus 22, cleared for the ILS, runway 4R, departing 4,500' for 1,500'.
At the End of Things - Part I
Telos – Citadel Station – 15 Months After the Star Forge
Admiral Carth Onasi's face was pained, feeling an impending loss that he had not felt in some time. The memory of the void gripped his heart and he sat, stone faced before the small droid T3-M4. With a heavy sigh, the admiral pressed a panel on the droid and its eye lit up, focused on him.
"Tee Three, I know what she's planning," he said slowly as if it took him great effort. "I can see it on her face…I know something's wrong. Ever since she got that call. But she won't tell me anything; she just says I have to do what's right and that I need to take care of Sasha. Sasha…boy, she's grown. Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate any of her living relatives. Well, one day she'll be Queen of Freesia."
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, wondering if the droid even understood his angst. "Anyway, Tee Three, I know Revan's going to leave. You need to stay with her…protect her. Do you understand?"
The droid gave a loud, "Bweet!" to indicate his acknowledgement.
With that, he stood and took a bottle of a vintage Tarisian Ale. He rotated the green bottle in his hands, reading the label – 'Vao Vintners' with a holographic image of a smiling Griff - and poured the liquid in a wide snifter. "That damn Griff, he made it big after all." The once wayward Griff Vao had just sent them a case of his private reserve and a sack full of credits. Carth had to laugh, but it was a bittersweet one. The peace that he had finally achieved was going to be ripped asunder. As he sipped the rich, brown liquor, the commlink chimed; it was Dol Grenn.
"Admiral, a shuttle is arriving…there are three Jedi aboard, led by Jedi Master Jolee Bindo."
Carth's eyes grew. "Jolee? What's he doing here in the Outer Rim?" This was most unexpected.
"Unknown sir, but they are requesting permission to land. He is accompanied by Bastila Shan and Juhani."
"This has got to be about that call. Dol, grant them clearance to land."
Carth hastily set down the fine crystal that came with the ale and jumped up. In his rush, the sleeve of his crisp uniform brushed the glass and it teetered on the edge of his desk for a brief moment before falling to the ground and shattering beyond all hope of recovery. He looked down at the shards and wondered if his life would take a similar turn once again. He could not bear it if it did. He couldn't go through this again. The admiral sprinted to the docking bay, passing the Citadel Cantina, to arrive just as the shuttle was settling down on the metal deck plates. Despite his lofty and dignified position as an admiral, Carth bounced on his toes like a young boy awaiting his parents. His nerves jittered with every passing second.
As soon as the bay was pressurized, he was practically leapt down into the bay, willing the hatch open. The portal slid open with a hiss and he rushed up the ramp into Jolee.
"Jolee, what's going on? I have to know."
Old Bindo's face was serious, but a familiar glint was in his bright eyes. "Oh, nice to see you too, sonny. Come, we have many things to discuss, but not here," he commented as he glanced around cautiously, seeing a Paragian crew unloading precious fuel for the station.
Carth nodded reluctantly as Bastila and Juhani approached. The admiral gazed warmly at the two women, who were dressed in merchant's robes over their Jedi finery. Bastila had changed tremendously since they had first met. No longer was she the cold, inflexible iron maiden – her cheeks now had a healthy, rosy glow, and her eyes held a sad, but deep sense of emotion. Carth thought briefly back on their angry, adversarial encounter on the Endar Spire nearly two years ago. Jedi Shan touched him on the arm, lending him a sense of affirmation and warmth that he desperately needed.
He saw that Juhani too, had changed – she now held an inner calm and peace that was lacking in her life during the quest. Together, the two women embraced Carth and they disembarked from the shuttle. He knew this was entirely un-Jedi-like, but he appreciated the gesture with all of his heart.
"Telos welcomes the representatives of the Order," voiced the admiral, trying his hardest to appear official.
Then, Revan approached. She looked tired and worried, a look she had not had since before the Star Forge. "Carth, what are you doing here?" she asked.
He turned, half angry, half sad at the question. "I command this station. I should be here to greet such honored guests…and to learn what is about to take place in my sector, don't you think?" he said, gesticulating broadly with his arms and hands. It was something he did whenever he felt that old demon rising to the surface.
Revan nodded, pursing her lips. "Yes…yes…you deserve that much."
"I'm having a real sense of déjà vu here," intoned Bastila with a wry sense of humor. Carth looked at her sideways – when did she develop any humor at all?
Together, they marched to the command center and into the secured facility, where they would be free of prying eyes or ears. As Dol swept the area for bugs they sat on the utilitarian chairs that surrounded a holographic projector in the center of the room.
Jolee remained standing in the dim light, his dark brown robes blending with the wood paneling of the room. Carth saw that he had aged a little since the Star Forge. He was a bit grayer and…wrinklier, but the essence of the grouchy old man was still the same. Master Bindo narrowed his eyes and took a breath. "Just when we thought things were settling down, it appears the Sith may be reasserting themselves. Although, so far, only the Outer Rim seems to have been affected."
Bastila furrowed her brows and looked back and forth between Revan and Carth. "Niki Helos has been a blessing in all of this. Her sources have told her that Darth Sion seeks to kill you, Revan, as a way to consolidate power and claim lordship over the Sith. Although he lacks Malak's power in the Force, he is still formidable and is adopting a strategy of assassination and stealth."
Revan cocked her head as if in disagreement. "I remember Sion…he was always about direct confrontation and strength. He was…my muscle."
"Things change," countered Jolee. "Niki also told us that Sion may be associated with a mysterious Darth Traya."
"Traya?" blurted Revan. "By the Force, no!" Carth saw fear creep into her delicate face and he felt the same gnawing terror grow in his gut. It made him nauseous to think of assassins in the night stalking them. For a moment, he pictured himself awaking to find her, slain in their bed and a masked killer standing over him. He shuddered.
"Can't we stop him?" Carth asked. There must be a way.
Bastila shook her head. "We cannot find him yet. He hides, just beyond our reach."
"All of our agents and several of our Jedi have gone missing," said Jolee grimly, "and are presumed dead."
Juhani nodded, her catlike eyes fixing on Revan. "We know that you and Malak learned much from Traya. That is why Supreme Chancellor Dakar and Aerin have sent us. We…we have a plan."
Under the Telosian Ice Cap - The New Jedi Academy
Within a secret, snow-covered plateau on the slowly healing planet, a new academy had been constructed. Jedi Revan had been instrumental in its establishment under Master Atris and young Padawans and apprentices filled its halls with shouts of training and the hum of the lightsaber. A new hope was growing under the coldest of places.
Revan stepped off of her air speeder, cloaked in warm, heavy garments, and removed her helmet. Steam shot from her nostrils in the cold air. There, two identical women greeted her - they wore silver, form fitting body suits and their hair was snowy white.
"Welcome, Jedi Revan," they uttered in unison and the Knight recognized them as Echani handmaidens, formidable in combat and fierce in their loyalty.
They escorted Revan to a circular meeting room, where Master Atris awaited. The Master of the Academy and member of the High Council also had snowy white hair despite her being only slightly older than Revan. Her silky white robes and sky blue eyes lent her an imposing presence that was not lost on the Knight.
"Master Atris," the raven-haired Jedi said with a reluctant deep bow. If it was one thing that Revan still struggled with, it was humility. But…so did Atris. "I thank you for seeing me."
Atris sat turned away and made no effort to face Revan nor to stand and return the courtesy. "Knight Revan," she replied offhandedly. "You have been remiss in your duties to assist me in training the students. How will you ever become a master with such a lack of responsibility?"
Revan choked down her response to the insult. "I am sorry, Master. I have encountered a…troubling situation that requires my immediate departure. I have come to say good bye."
Atris turned on her fiercely, her white hair swirling around her head. Her blue eyes blazed, causing the handmaidens to take a step back. "Leaving me a second time?" she seethed, her rage out of all proportion to the event. "Just like your precious exiled general, that accursed Mai-Lyn T'Sing!"
Revan avoided eye contact – it would only fuel that mindless anger. How Atris became a Master was beyond her. "My betrayal of the Order is all in the past and this has nothing to do with you. I must do this…for my family."
"Family? The only family that a Jedi has is the Order…or have you forgotten that, Knight Revan," the Master said, emphasizing the discrepancy in their rank.
"Both my family and the Order are sacred to me. There is nothing further to discuss, Master Atris. May the Force be with you." She wheeled about and walked away, feeling the heat from Atris' eyes on her back. The Force rippled with venom, but Revan cared not. The opinion of one bitter Master weighed nothing compared to the safety of her family. She would trade ten Atrises for Carth and Sasha's life. It was a no-brainer. The two Handmaidens stepped forward to try and intercept her, but Revan raised but a single finger and red plasma danced about her hand, causing the Handmaidens to stop in their tracks, their mouths open.
"Don't even think about it." There was a dark void in her gut now and it was growing by the minute. The one bright spot was that she would be away from Atris. She gave each Handmaiden a lethal glare as she walked by. The twins would have been meat in a fraction of a second if they decided to get foolish. Atris would no doubt complain as she always did and Revan would be on the hot seat again. Been there, done that, bring it on. It was a short walk back to the Ebon Hawk where Canderous Ordo stood just outside the hatch. HK-47 and T-3 were there too and she didn't feel much like discussing matters.
"Revan," said Canderous, "we are ready to depart." He seemed glad…glad to be finding new wars to fight…new frontiers to break. He wouldn't be happy for long though.
"Get us airborne," she said tersely and walked past them.
"Bwooouuuoo," voiced T-3.
"I don't care. Just do as I say right now." She was not in a mood for debate. In fact, her mood was downright sour. They boarded and began to setting in. Revan sat heavily into a seat in the cabin and plopped her bags in the next seat. "Canderous, fly it."
The sharp whine of the engines powering up shook the bay, rattling the interior of the shuttle. It was time to go. Nothing further could be accomplished here. With a push of the hand, Canderous sent the shuttle into the darkness of space. Revan's departure was sudden and reverberations emanated throughout the Force with rumor and speculation flying through the galaxy. She was followed by her faithful companions, Canderous Ordo, HK-47, and T3, but somewhere, at the edge of the Outer Rim, she abandoned them – according to the plan. There whereabouts are currently unknown.
Unfortunately, despite Carth's desire for peace to return to his world, the power of the Sith continued to grow. This time, however, it was different – unlike Revan and Malak's bold and offensive strategies, the new Sith threat remained hidden in the Outer Rim, subtle and elusive. A dark ruthlessness took hold and many Jedi were slain in that sector to assassins and worse things. Even the world of the Miraluka, a race of Force sensitives, was obliterated, shattering the calm of the Force. With the growing shadow, the Telos Restoration Project stalled and began to founder as the Czerka influence grew and a syndicate of the Exchange took root under the Quarren, Slusk. During all of this, the people began to wonder if a new age of terror was taking hold.
Four years passed as the dark side waxed powerful once again. The pendulum had swung back. The thing that was being asked was, "Where's Revan?" Was she behind all of this? Her disappearance beyond the Outer Rim fueled wild stories and speculation. There was even a believable tale that she had gone to find the Sith'ari, a fabled perfect being. Above all, paranoia and suspicion spread through the worlds and they prepared for the possibility of another Revan-led invasion. And, the people wondered how Admiral Onasi bore the slings and arrows that were directed at his lover.
Telos – Citadel Station – 55 Months After the Star Forge
The orbital station sat, high above the planet, now in increasingly desperate straits. Citadel Station's fuel supply from Peragus had been cut off with the destruction of the fuel rich moon, slowing the rejuvenation of the planetary surface. The mood on the station was noticeably sour and a malaise had taken hold.
Admiral Carth Onasi had taken the flagship of the sector, RSS Sojourner to investigate the cataclysm on Peragus. With him, was newly minted Ensign Mission Vao. The admiral walked with his guard to the boarding platform where Mission stood in her crisp gray uniform. "Welcome, admiral," she said with a snappy salute.
He looked a bit older than when they had last seen each other a year ago when she graduated from the Academy. It was more the stress of the last few years. But, when he saw his old friend, he beamed with pride. "Permission to come aboard, ensign."
"Permission granted." Anyone could see the questions inside of her struggling to get out. She followed the admiral and his staff aboard and closed the hatch. As they began walking toward the Bridge, she elbowed her way through the throng of people, ignoring the protests. "So, Pops, what's the deal?" she asked the admiral, breaking any known protocol for addressing a superior. Faces around her frowned with disapproval, but, she didn't care. "Why isn't anyone telling me anything?"
Carth stopped in his tracks. It had been for her own safety, but she deserved to know 'the deal.' He looked over to his Chief of Staff. "Get us underway, commander. I need to speak with Ensign Vao alone." The commander raised an eyebrow in wonder, but nodded and took the rest of the staff with him. The admiral looked around and quickly found a conference room suitable for their chat.
As always, Mission was the picture of impatience despite being a more mature 20 years old now. Carth felt pride in her having graduated and in seeing the professional woman before him, clean and sharp in her bearing. "Sit down, Mission," he said, offering a more casual atmosphere.
She sat, flipping her lekku back behind her head. Her expression told him that if he didn't spit it out right now, she would do him bodily harm.
"Okay, okay," he said, splaying his hands in apology. "You know how hard it was after Revan left?"
"How hard?" she asked hotly. "What, was it two months…or maybe three that you waited for her before you took up with that…that intergalactic skank?"
The admiral blushed fiercely at the accusation. "That's not the point, Mission."
"Then, what is the point? Just because she works for Bubble B Surool doesn't mean you can trust her." Mission glared at him, baring her teeth. He knew she loved Revan like a sister and that she was looking out for him too. Bib Surool was now a big time producer of talent and had come a long way since Taris, but he and his star act, Lyn, always gave back to the community.
"Mission, the point is that she's a good woman and Sasha has really taken to her."
"So what? Raven is a good woman too and is Sasha's mother."
"Not technically."
The young Twilek looked about ready to violate several more protocol regulations and Carth leaned back uncomfortably. "That's Bantha Poo and you know it, Pops. Revan was the best mother that she could have. Nobody gave Sasha love like she did."
Carth reached out to touch her…give her reassurance, but Mission pulled away. "Mission, you have to trust me. When we get back I want you to meet Rilia. She's very special. I know you two will get along."
"Special, my ass," she said as she crossed her arms and legs. Then, she stood and came to attention. "Is that all, admiral?"
Carth sighed. There was nothing more that he could say. "That is all, ensign. Dismissed." As Mission turned on a dime and marched stiffly out the door, he could feel the ship moving and hear the ion engines whirring to life. It would be a long trip to Peragus.
Telos – Citadel Station
Lieutenant Dol Grenn sat in the main office of the Telos Security Force, reading the incoming data. He'd seen the ship before…somewhere. That was it – it was the Ebon Hawk. There had always been strange tales and weird adventures that followed that ship. Some say that it was cursed. He read the crew manifest and the travel log. "What a minute," he said in his gravelly voice. "This ship was just in the Peragus Sector. They may have had something to do with the incident there." He looked over to another man. "Sergeant, impound the ship and have the crew brought here for questioning."
He knew that the loss of Peragus would be a huge blow to the restoration effort and if these people had anything to do with that, Force help them. But, he was an investigator, first and foremost and would give them a fair shake. No one could ever say that he had rigged anything in his life. It was something that Admiral Onasi could always count on. Not that he was a sucker of anything.
A voice shook him from his thoughts. "Sir," a young woman said, "I've gotten another complaint from Slusk."
Dol rolled his dark eyes. "What does that Quarren want now, corporal? Does he think that we exist just to serve him?"
"Well, yes, sir, he does."
He grunted. "It was a rhetorical question, corporal. I didn't expect an answer on that, but what does he want?"
"He says that another one of his staff has disappeared. He wants Rilia Starsprite and Lyn questioned."
Dol chuckled cynically. "Oh, you mean another one of his slavers got himself killed. He thinks that the Admiral's girlfriend did it again."
"He does, sir. I take it you won't be returning his call."
"Those two dancers couldn't hurt a fly. He just wants to create a scandal that will hurt the admiral. Besides, there has never been any hard evidence to substantiate his claims." He wondered if he would do anything if there ever were hard evidence. He would have to, friendship be damned. That was the law. He wasn't all that keen about Carth hooking up with some skanky dancer, Revan left the admiral in the lurch. Besides, Rilia made him happy. Wasn't that enough?
The sergeant returned and waved Dol over. "This is the weirdest bunch of ragamuffins that I've ever seen and believe me, I've seen a lot."
Dol looked through the one-way glass into the interview room and saw the nastiest old crone that he could imagine. She was hooded in brown robes and was missing a hand. He winced. "What's her deal, sergeant?"
"I don't know. Her name is Kreia and she gives me the creeps."
The lieutenant could feel it from here – some kind of weird, nauseating feeling that was just beneath conscious thought. Was she one of those Jedi? Nearby, a tall, lean man, slouched in a chair while a woman with the most striking platinum hair spoke to an astromech droid. Well, he'd better speak to them. He walked into the room and made eye contact with the younger woman, whom he figured to be just shy of 30. He had to take a deep breath as her beauty was quite apparent. Her eyes were deep blue and she had delicate features, but there was a profound sadness in her expression. He wondered what was behind that emotion and thought that it had something to do with Peragus. Regardless of her looks or her feelings he would find out the truth and do what he had to. It was the law.
"My name is Lieutenant Grenn. I have some questions."
The blonde woman spoke. "I am Mai-Lyn T'Sing. I will try to answer any questions that you have."
The story of Sith infiltration on Peragus was incredible and almost unbelievable. If it were true, Admiral Onasi would have to know right away. Some of their story did make sense though. He didn't have enough to hold them in detention. "All right, you are free to go for now. I am impounding your ship until the details of your story can be verified. Until then, you are free to roam the station, but do not attempt to leave without my authorization."
Dol did not regret his decision and the Mai-Lyn, known as the Exile for some reason, helped to bring order to the station. That Kreia woman, however, was nothing but useless. After a couple of weeks, the Exile even helped the struggling Ithorians against the Czerka and the Exchange, creating a lot of enemies in the process. The lieutenant wondered which was better, a corrupt peace or a just war. Well, he knew the answer to that, but it wasn't going to be pretty. He just hoped that Carth would make it back soon before things got out of hand.
Telos – Citadel Station
With the tension in the station growing and threatening to break out into open warfare, Mai-Lyn, had her astromech droid, T3-M4 infiltrate the Czerka. The corrupt organization had been plaguing the station for almost two years now and Lieutenant Grenn had asked for her help in the investigation. Her 'mentor' Kreia disapproved of the help that she was giving to the Republic, but she could just sit by and watch the pain that they were inflicting on others for profit. "Go Tee-Three, find me some information on their operations."
"Bweeet!" he declared as he rolled off and entered the secure facility. The droid had quite a skill for getting into places he didn't belong. Where he'd learned that was a mystery, but she wasn't arguing.
It had just been recently since she had felt the Force flow through her again. It was like drops from a blocked up faucet, but the familiar tingle on her skin and exhilarating 'aliveness' of its power occupied her mind. Kreia had been helping her grow and develop her strength again. Once, Mai-Lyn had been like a raging inferno of the Force, but that was a long time ago. She vaguely remembered all of the battles, all of the dead, all of the faded glory from that near forgotten time. Sometimes at night, she could still see the rotting corpses on the field, rising and pointing skeletal fingers at her. How did all of her dreams come to that?
She thought about that day when Revan overcame Master Vrook and took so many young Jedi with her to slaughter and victory. Oh, how glorious that had been. Revan's words were so wise…so true. How could they let the Republic be conquered? And yes, they turned the tide…they took the war home to the Mandalorians. They annihilated Malachor V. The wars should have ended. Peace should have returned. Then, she thought of the dark morning in which she refused Revan's command to go to war again and free the Republic from the shackles of corruption. It was too much. She could still taste the alcohol on her lips and smell the stench of vomit at her feet as she told Revan to leave. The woman was once Mai-Lyn's closest and dearest friend. Things had changed so much.
"What ever became of Revan?" she asked to herself. All she knew was that Revan was redeemed somehow, but then disappeared beyond the Outer Rim. Was she even alive now? Could Mai-Lyn ever be redeemed?
T-3 wheeled out of the Czerka compound and up to her. "Deedle deet. Bweeeut."
"Good job, Tee-Three. So, a droid named B-4D4 helped you, huh?"
"Deereeet. Zeedlebop."
"Oh, you found incriminating evidence that the corporation was undermining the restoration project? Jana Lorso was behind it? Good job. Let's go tell Dol Grenn."
And so, the TSF brought down the corrupt Czerka chief, Jana Lorso in a dramatic arrest. However, this had the unintended consequence of sparking open warfare and the Czerka mercenaries decided to take action by attacking the Exile and her crew.
Telos – Citadel Station
With shouts of rage, hired thugs charged the crew of the Ebon Hawk, intending to eliminate them and the Ithorians and to take control of the station. Soon, under the furious assault, they were cornered, but the Exile led her people in countering the attack and saving the Ithorian Herd from slaughter. As the battle in the Ithorian compound unfolded, the Exchange, secret allies of the Czerka, sent reinforcements to take the Exile from behind.
Exchange brutes rushed en masse toward the Ithorian Vivarium, where the Herd grew its wondrous plants for Telos. They brandished their weapons, shouting their intent to take revenge and control the station. No one would be safe. As they neared their destination, a woman in thick, blue robes over a skimpy dancer's outfit, stood in their way. Despite the onrush of armed men, she appeared serene, unafraid. She brushed back her ebony hair and held out her hands to stop them. She cut an imposing figure, finely muscled and stern in expression. They stopped, seeming unsure what to make of her.
Benok, the lead syndicate man, pointed at her with a vibrosword. He shook the muzzle of his weapon, clearly intent on intimidating her. "You there…move or get hurt!"
The woman merely looked at them as if they were foolish children, needing guidance. "Why have you come here?" she asked in a strangely resonant voice that filled the hallway. "Don't you know what you're doing is wrong?" Her eyes bore into their souls and dug down into the muck of their beings. Tendrils of power floated from her lips and surrounded the syndicate men.
The brutes stood, transfixed by her gray eyes, unable to move as her words wrapped around their minds, gripping them like iron claws. All that was present in the hall was her will and that could not be denied. Then, without another word, they departed, abandoning their criminal ways - no reinforcements would come to the Czerka this day.
The woman watched the mobsters withdraw as if they were in a daze. She exhaled a long breath. "That was close."
A green, Twilek woman emerged from the shadows. "I had you covered," she said, holstering an elegant looking pistol. "You should be careful though, Rilia, we don't want to draw too much attention to ourselves."
"It would be bad for business, Lyn." That dark haired woman looked around and then nodded. Then, they shimmered into nothingness as their stealth field generators activated. Soft footsteps sounded in the hallway, receding into the darkness.
Without added strength, the Czerka folded and the Exile led her force in overthrowing the corporation and the crime syndicate on Citadel Station. The Telos Security Force cleaned up and the crew headed to take a shuttle to the planet. The tall, roguish pilot led the way with the astromech droid in tow. Behind them walked the Exile, talking to Kreia. There was a shimmer in the air and the robed woman, Rilia Starsprite, appeared in a corner of the shuttle bay, watching them go with mixed feelings. She wasn't sure why she should feel this way. She wanted to step forward and say hello. It would be awkward though. It was better this way. Rilia wiped a little moisture from her eyes.
She knew that the thin man was named Atton Rand and she saw him run a hand through his wild, dark hair. She had seen him during her show where she and Lyn gyrated for the crowds under flashing lights and pyrotechnics. He was one of the better tippers, always up at the stage throwing credits. Once, during a dance, she had gotten close to him, letting him onto the stage, where she could see the lust in his eyes. He gazed onto her silky skin, removing her skimpy outfit in his mind. It was a job, what could she do about it? He reached a hand between her legs, but she gently pushed it away as she leaned forward and brushed his ear with her lips.
"You're a pilot, right?" she whispered through the pulsing music.
There was pride in his eyes. It was his angle into her. "Why, yes…yes, I am."
She slid her mouth over to his other ear, letting her cheek brush his. "Then, you've heard of touch and go's."
"Of course, it's basic pilot training." She could see the curiosity in his face now, wondering where she was going with this, hoping he'd be with her tonight.
She leaned back and put her finger on his nose. "Touch me and you go." She spun around, putting her backside in his face before crawling back to Lyn. She looked back and winked, seeing him sigh heavily and wipe sweat from his brow. He tossed more credits on the stage and then walked away.
Rilia snorted at the memory and rolled her eyes. That Atton was following the wrong head and one day, it would come back and bite him. Then, he looked over to her and they made eye contact. Her breath froze in her chest and this time, it was he who gave her a wicked wink. He looked away for a second and she hit her stealth field. He looked back, confused. His eyes searched for her, but she was nowhere to be found.
"What is the imbecile looking for?" the old crone asked.
Atton bit his lip, but said nothing as he walked up the hatch into the Ebon Hawk. Rilia watched the hatch close. She knew that sound. She could imagine the pressure equalizing and the whine of the turbines as the engines cranked. She could feel the controls in her hands. She closed her eyes and wished them well. With that, the crew of the Ebon Hawk departed to save the galaxy.
Telos – Citadel Station – 59 Months After the Star Forge
After months of skirmishes around the Outer Rim, the Sith made their move for domination once again. Grim news streamed over the holonet, casting an oppressive atmosphere over the station. Lieutenant Dol Grenn and his patrol of TSF troops marched through the cantina on their way to the command center. Things were exceptionally quiet in the entertainment module as the creeping darkness enveloped Telos.
Race Master Zek sat with Pazaak shark Mebla Dule, glum faced over the downturn in business. On stage, Rilia Starsprite and Lyn danced and sang their hearts out for a small, but appreciative crowd. Their contract on Telos had been very lucrative, bringing in millions of credits, but things had been dry lately. People had been leaving Citadel Station for greener pastures and for fear of the new Sith threat.
The Chief of TSF led his men into the command center where they settled into the secured facility. There, Lieutenant Grenn activated the encrypted hologram and an image of Niki Helos appeared.
The older man saluted the younger woman. "Lieutenant Commander Helos, I'm sorry, but Admiral Onasi is away at a meeting with Grand Admiral Dodonna. How may I be of service, ma'am?"
Niki, a quickly rising star in the cloak and dagger world of intelligence, returned the salute. "Lieutenant, bring Citadel Station to full alert. I have information that you will come under attack at any moment. Alter your security codes ASAP. Admiral Dodonna has already been briefed and, she and Admiral Onasi should be enroute."
"Ma'am, may I ask how you came about this information?"
Niki shook her head. "Sorry lieutenant, need to know. All I can say is that the source is reliable. Stand by one moment. There is another, who must speak with you."
A blue-green hologram of Bastila materialized on the viewing platform. Her face was drawn and worry covered her features.
Dol nodded respectfully to her. "Master Shan, I pray you have some good news."
Bastila shook her head. "The power of the dark side is growing. We have been shielded in the Core Worlds, but nearly every Jedi in the Outer Rim has been hunted down and killed. Also, there was an incident on Dantooine; several Jedi Masters were slain," she said, her voice choking, "including Master Vrook. I fear the Sith will reveal themselves shortly. Be on your guard…help is on the way."
Dol saluted Niki and gave Master Shan a parting nod. As their images faded, he turned to a young man nearby. "Dustil, bring the station to full alert." His hands flew over the controls to change the security codes as Dustil Onasi hit the alarm. The men and women of the security force flew into action, opening the armory and reinforcing the shields. Barricades were thrown together in strategic junctions. Young Onasi led a contingent down to the shuttle bay. Now, all they could do was wait.
Dol hunkered down in the command center with several of the officers. Lights flashed on the consoles, illuminating his rough face under his helmet. Despite the chill in the room, he wiped a bead of sweat off of his face. "Damn the fuel situation," he said about having to turn the environmental controls down. If things got any worse, they'd freeze. He felt a presence in front of him and looked up. "Oh, Rilia and Lyn…you shouldn't be here."
The dark haired woman seemed impatient. She was always a hot head when it came to protecting things that were important to her. "What can we do, lieutenant? We want to help."
"I would have hell to pay if I let Admiral Onasi's significant other come to any harm," he said, thinking back on poor Morgana and departed Revan. "You know it as well as I do. If you want to help, Rilia, stay out of the way. I should have sent you off when I had the chance." He knew it would have been harder to get a Rancor on a shuttle though.
Both women snorted, but before they could do anything, alarms started going off. A sensor officer looked over, terror written on her face. "Lieutenant, a fleet has just dropped out of hyperspace. It's…it's the Ravager."
Dol looked onto the sensor display and his blood froze in his veins. The rumors of the death ship were true. The vessel, the flagship of the Lord of Hunger, Darth Nihilus, was an eerie, gutted ghost ship, left abandoned by the Republic over the wasted world of Malachor V. Massive holes from lasers and torpedo hits covered its durasteel hide – a ship that would be impossible to crew or drive under normal circumstances.
But this was not normal. The Ravager was held together by the power of the dark side alone. Dol's voice choked in his throat for a moment and he could see the fear on the faces of his men. He looked back to order Rilia and Lyn to return to their quarters, but they were already gone. No doubt the ghost ship had frightened them off. He forced himself to speak. "A…all batteries open fire. Launch torpedoes in a rolling volley."
The station shook. The Sith were firing as well. "Shields holding," someone said. Gods, where was Admiral Onasi and the rest of the fleet? If it was one thing that Dol would die doing it would be preventing a repeat of the devastation of Telos and the death of Carth's beloved. He watched a Sith cruiser wink out in a flash of light and gave an air punch to show his satisfaction. Maybe they could hold out.
The station shook again and sparks burst from the overhead lights. "Shields Four and Six are down. Assault shuttles are disembarking from the Ravager." Fear was beginning to take hold now and he could see several officers cowering, preparing for the worst. Defeat was in their eyes.
"All torpedoes, target the shuttles!" he ordered.
Great swaths were cut through the swarm of tiny ships, but on they came and settled on the hull of the station. "The Sith have landed," another voice cried.
"Prepare to repel! Action stations, action stations!"
The image of Dustil Onasi appeared on the intercom. "Dol they're all over us! I need reinforcements now!" Dol saw flashes of light in the background and Dustil turned and fired. There was a scream and the screen went black.
"Dustil! Dustil!" A dark pit formed in Dol's gut. It was all coming apart. He gripped his blaster rifle tightly and settled behind a console. They would be coming soon. Blaster fire could be heard in the distance now, growing closer. He hoped Rilia had made it to safety. Someone was yelling, shouting obscenities. Dol took aim at the door as it flew open.
"Shut the door, Dol, shut the door!" It was Dustil, pumping shots back as he fled. The young man dove onto the floor, sliding into the room as the door slammed shut.
Dol sighed with relief, but it was short lived. The door blew open, sending debris inward. Behind barricades, Dol held his blaster rifle up, firing without aim, spraying a corridor with particle beams. Beside him, lay Dustil Onasi with a handful of grenades.
"Dol, I'm not going down without a fight," Dustil said, hurling a plasma grenade. "I still have a score to settle with the Sith." Grenn could see it in his eyes that he meant it.
The grenade detonated with a flash and shockwave, casting Sith troops into the air like so many toy soldiers, but a Dark Jedi somersaulted through the flames to land on the barricade. He twirled his red lightsaber about and cut through a TSF trooper. The Sith then pointed at Dol and Dustil.
"Darth Nihilus will crash this worthless station into your wasteland planet. Prepare for your doom."