Chapter Six
Several days had passed since the funeral of Master Adi Gallia and thus, Obi-Wan felt the massive shift in the Force. The Council was meeting about it when he came in and he decided to give his input on what he thought it was. "Perhaps Maul and his brother are still alive though you all think them dead," he suggested. "Do you think they are dead, Master Kenobi?" Plo Koon asked.
"No, the Sith are persistent and will not permit death so long as there is still a chance to survive. Look at how Maul survived being cut in half shortly after gutting Master Qui-Gon on Naboo," Obi-wan answered. "The brothers this could be but more ancient I feel this is," Master Yoda stated. "More... ancient, Master Yoda?" Obi-wan asked.
"A dark shadow from eons passed, returned it has to come upon us again. In grave danger, I fear we may be if with Maul and Savage, this shadow decides to ally itself," Yoda answered. "Where could this shadow have come from and what makes it dangerous?" Master Kit Fisto asked. "A Jedi this shadow once was, driven into mad despair by the power of the Dark Side," Yoda replied.
"Could it be someone who was once put into trance by one of us only to be awakened now?" Mace Windu asked. "Not by us was this shadow sealed away but by a long-dead warrior of the Order. Who the source of the shadow is, I know not nor know I who sealed it away only to die long ago," Yoda said, looking sternly at them all. "I say we scour the galaxy with what we have available and track down this shadow even if we have to expand into the Unknown Regions," Ki-Adi Mundi suggested.
"Admirable and understandable action that is but foolhardy and rash it also is," Yoda told him. Ki-Adi said nothing after that nor did any of the Council members as they took a moment to think. Yoda had said this someone was a dark shadow "from eons passed" but who could it be? Was it a survivor of the days of Lord Vitiate or the man himself returned for conquest?
Could it be someone Yoda had fought in his youth and thought dead of his wounds afterwards? Or could it be someone from an even older and more forgotten time than either one of those? Could it be someone from all the way back to the First Schism in the Jedi Order? Though the rest of the galaxy took those as myth due to their age, the Jedi Order knew better.
After all, the First Great Schism saw the beginnings of the modern-day Sith enemy they faced thanks to the dominion of the survivors over the Sith species. Though the species was no more, most of their principals lived on in the present enemy of the Jedi Order who threatened to destroy them. "Master Yoda, surely there is something we can do to find out who is emanating this shadow?" Obi-Wan asked. Now that the silence was broken, Yoda nodded and suggested that they all go through the archives and find out who the Dark Side users were that either disappeared or were sealed away.
That eliminated more than half of the number of Sith Lords and fallen Jedi recorded throughout the history of the Order immediately. Now all that remained was to find ones such as Lord Vitiate, Exar Kun's spirit, and even leader of the Great Schisms. Their search was not to end until they found a possible suspect for who was casting this shadow upon the galaxy. For in every moment wasted doing otherwise, the shadow only grew in width and power across the stars of the galaxy.
Over the course of the feast, Maul and Thrawn took the lead in discussions as Savage and Arden slipped silently into the conversational background. "My men are presently in the process of creating a list of organizations with armies and wealth that you should visit when you decide to leave. Without the help of who they list, your chances of having a stake in the outcome of the Clone Wars shall diminish," Thrawn said. "I presume your men will direct me to peoples who have hatred for both the Republic and the Separatists so as to encourage the independence of a third side?" Maul asked.
"Yes, those ones will most prominently aid you in your campaign for revenge against Kenobi and Lord Sidious. We are also taking the liberty of suggesting a few places that can be taken by force of arms," Thrawn answered. "Such as if you don't mind me asking?" Maul inquired. "The Kuat factory whose main profit lies in making droids capable of armed action.
"Apart from the droids made by the leaders of the Separatists, I have never seen the equal of these ones. There are few independent droid foundries that compare to the Trade Federation and the Techno Union Army. However, I assure you that when you see this one you will know that it is amongst those few without deep examination," Thrawn explained. Maul sat back, pleased with the work that his newfound ally had gone to the trouble of conducting for him.
"You will also need to connect yourself with the 'rabble' of the galaxy on both sides of the conflict. One such organization that is considered rabble is the Mandalorian clan known as Death Watch. Once an ally of Count Dooku, Death Watch was betrayed by him when the Jedi uncovered a scheme to turn Mandalorian opinion in favor of the terrorists and complete their takeover," he added. "And I presume you would know where to find them if you suggest them and others to me?" Maul asked.
"Yes: Death Watch can be found on the Mandalorian moon of Concordia, a recent retake since they had once been forced out of their by Duchess Satine Kryze. I warn you though, their current base lies deep within the forests of the moon and they will not let you see their leader without a fight," Thrawn said as he nodded. "Savage and I are both used to that and will not hesitate to kill any who attack us if it means an audience with the leader of Death Watch," Maul stated rather proudly. "Then you are set to begin your path with them before moving on to others who can aid you," Thrawn said.
Arden watched as all of this took place and had to admit that she was taken aback by the amount of scum in the galaxy that all of this implied there being. In the days before the Schism, criminals seldom showed up for fear of the power of the Jedi. For in those forgotten days, it was not uncommon for Jedi to punish crime by executing the perpetrators if they were found and/or caught in the act. But Maul had made it clear that the Jedi had grown much softer than that in her absence, which baffled her.
Amongst the changes that the Jedi have not made to their ways according to Maul, how criminals are dealt with is not amongst them. I must say that I am impressed that the Jedi remain stern but are much more lax on crime than I remember she thought to herself. Savage sat and ate intently as he listened to what his brother and Thrawn were discussing as to a higher course of action. Conversation about how the Jedi would fall, such as this, would entertain him for years to come if he had years ahead.
It had been more than a week since he last ate and he had to admit that though he was interested, he was finding it difficult to listen to his brother with food before him. Even Sith needed nutrition every now and then and Savage did well to heed that as he shoved tons of rancor meat and salad into his mouth. Though he was polite to know simply ram it down his throat and clean after himself when he stopped for a refreshing drink of wine, he still found himself very gluttonous. Arden was even worse: twenty-five thousand years had helped her to desire half the total feast laid before them all.
As Maul took occasional bites, swallowed, and continued conversation, neither he nor Thrawn could help but notice this. "Your brother and Arden might possibly make a good married couple just based on how they eat in our society," Thrawn joked. "Not a chance of that happening: Savage knows better than to engage in anything that pries his focus away from our goal like that," Maul replied. An absence of a sense of humor is always more likely to lead to a person's downfall Thrawn said in a silent warning fashion.
"When will your ship be ready for takeoff?" Maul asked finally. "Whenever you and your brother are ready to leave for Concordia. You have only to say the word and you will soon be on your way," Thrawn answered. It was at that moment that Savage briefly looked up from his food, as did Arden, to see what Maul would say next.
"Your hospitality has been much appreciated, Admiral Thrawn. Savage and I will leave in the morning so as to catch the Mandalorians at night, thus surprising them," Maul replied. While Thrawn thought it over with a sigh and had to admit that Maul was right about that. If they managed to get into Concordia during the night, Death Watch's sentries would be less likely to see them land in the forests.
"I wish you all the best in your successful recruitment of the Governor Vizsla's Death Watch warriors. If I know one thing about the technology of the Mandalorian terrorist group, it's that they don't have infrared advanced enough to see forms in the distance," Thrawn stated. "Then we'll land on the fringes of their territory and hope we build momentum before they're onto us," Maul replied. Thrawn rose from his table as did they all and at first, hesitated to speak before he made his next statement.
"It has been an honor to serve and assist you as well as your brother, Lord Maul. I can only hope that our paths will one day cross once more," he said with a deep bow. Wiping his face and throwing the napkin down onto the table, Creon guided him out of the chamber. Then the younger officer returned for the rest of them and the brothers were shown to the quarters they were provided. Arden Lyn, however, was in no mood for sleeping since she had already slept for twenty-five millennia.
Governor Pre Vizsla of Concordia had to admit that reclaiming the moon of Concordia was simpler than he thought it would be. He and his soldiers attacked in the darkness of night with the aid of stealthy ambush of Bo-Katan's female branch, killing dozens of soldiers defending their base. Vizsla himself had hacked down more than his fair share of these weaklings with his darksaber. It's black core with its white glow was the last thing many of these soldiers saw before death's cold grip took them.
Now, as he looked at the carnage that Death Watch and the Night Owl allies had created together, he was pleased. "We did not lose that many men in the retaking of Concordia but they have proven there is still weakness in Death Watch," Bo stated to Vizsla. "Weakness is always punished by death and those who perished in the retaking of Concordia paid the price of their weakness," he replied. "How long do you think it will be before the Duchess Satine suspects something is wrong?" she asked.
"As long as it takes for that Jedi scum Kenobi to return and bend her over before his mighty shaft again. How I wonder why they have such passionate feelings for each other, even now," he answered. "Perhaps it's best not to find out why they do or how they came by it. For now, let us focus on overthrowing her regime and seeing to the restoration of the old ways," she suggested.
"Yes Bo, we still have our wounded to attend to though it isn't much and a dream to fulfill for all true Mandalorians. A dream your father started before he was killed by Jango Fett Bo thought but didn't say. Pre hated the idea of remembering how the infamous Mandalorian bounty hunter had defeated his father and nearly single-handedly destroyed Death Watch with that act. The silence that ensued as Pre and Bo took in the scent of their victory was long and slow, so as to savor the smell.
Then Bo broke the silence by stating that Mandalore would not fall as easily as Concordia and asked if he had a plan. "We will first wait and see if we can gather allies that hate the Republic like we do then we move to take the planet by force," he answered with a nod. If we find no allies with whom we can face down the Duchess and her armies, it would be suicide Bo thought. Does she mistrust my leadership or is she simply asking to make sure I am still sane? Vizsla asked himself.
Even with the thoughts they had racing through their minds, the two Mandalorians stood together and watched as their warriors settled into their old home once more. Vizsla was glad to see that his men were so bloodthirsty they would eat their own guts and ask for seconds on order to do it. Bo saw an army whose bloodthirst could be too easily misguided and mishandled if placed in the wrong hands. But both saw the makings of the vanguard of the assault on Mandalore where the faithful would overthrow Satine and restore Mandalore to the warrior tribes it once had been.
Having no need of sleep, Arden decided to explore the Palace in which Thrawn resided here on Irkalla. It was during this time that she recognized some of the paintings on the walls of the building. One in particular showed Xendor in all his pride, standing over a pile of dead Jedi bodies. In one hand, his sword was held high with blood staining its normally light-orange.
The other bore a flag that contained the standard of his family, the very mark of Arden painting the original strokes. Glad to see that my sword isn't the only thing that's survived the times she thought with a smile to herself. Then she noticed how even now, after so many years, Xendor's face looked so realistic in this portrait that it seemed as though she painted it just yesterday. She knew better than to do it even in this moment but Arden couldn't resist placing a hand on the face of Xendor.
In that moment, she was given visions from her memories of the day she painted that which was a proud day of victory in the claiming of Irkalla. And in those great moments of the First Schism, her eyes could not help but excrete tears of happiness at the memories. Unfortunately, they also produced tears of what was gone now and their power was barely capable of making her sob. The day Xendor asked for her hand, the first traditional proposal in the galaxy's history, had been one of the finest days of her life.
She loved the man to death and had once feared that he would never ask for her. Their wedding had been the first wedding of the millions that followed after and was probably the happiest. But after the wedding was when everything went downhill and even being taken to Xendor's bed did nothing to comfort Arden. Then it happened: the Jedi made her the first widow by killing Xendor and casting her into the trance that was only broken a couple weeks ago thanks to Thrawn.
The memories of watching him die flooded back in and revived her anger to past the boiling point. So much so that she turned around and obliterated a stone pillar behind her with a single punch of her first on its base. As if to make things worse for her, the vision of that woman from before reappeared and instead of relieving her, it left her with a splitting headache. It was after she relied on the power of the Dark Side to heal her mind of this ravaging that she heard familiar footsteps in the dark.
She turned in the direction of the sound to see that it was Admiral Thrawn approaching, now dressed in a silky nightgown. "Having trouble finding rest of any kind, I presume?" he inquired. "Twenty-five thousand years have passed since the spell was cast upon me. Much has passed since that first Schism between my allies and the Jedi," Arden stated.
"I imagine it all seems overwhelming to you, milady," he agreed. "Not as much as what has become of the memory of all that I loved; we thought we would be the creators of history... instead we are but whispers or passive notes in the pages of myth," she replied. "All things fade before the wind of time. Is that not the will of the Force?" he asked.
She nodded and told him that the Will of the Force also compelled those meant to be a part of the future. "As it compels me to believe that that we may have an ally trapped in the Jedi Temple," she added. "Is this ally a wielder of the Dark Side themselves?" he inquired. "Though newly christened as such, yes she is," she replied with a nod.
"You yearn to free her from her trap, don't you?" he asked after a moment. The way she looked at him when he said that was answer enough. Smiling, he said, "Then do what you can and get her freed and brought here until we can assign her a part in the alliance. Maul and his brother will need all the help we can give them."
Thanking him, she decided that she would see if she could use the Talisman's power to locate this woman before plucking her away from the Jedi. It was as she was planning this out that she suddenly developed a question. "You are not Force-attuned and yet you are wise in the ways of it, how is that so?" she asked. "The wielders of darkness and light are each their own cultures; to understand or comprehend the ideals of a culture is to know how to beat them in any war," he answered satisfactorily.
Though a rising star in the ranks of Black Sun, Xizor was displeased with the immobility of the Council that lead the syndicate. For years since the horrific raid of Darth Maul, the rest of the organization had been in complete and utter disarray. However, Xizor's faction had managed to remained relatively unified and even now pressed their advantage to take over Black Sun. Despite that, the Council still could call enough resources to undo the Falleen in a heartbeat if they so desired.
What to do, what to do, what to do about those pesky Councilmen who do nothing but sit and debate. With each minute they waste in mindless babble, millions of opportunities for great profit end he thought to himself. Luckily for Black Sun though, Xizor was more than willing to exploit these opportunities himself and even had his droid warrior Guri see to the payments when he couldn't. It was on the backs of him and his servants that Black Sun still survived and now he was calling debts to the Councilmen.
Most paid handsomely though it left them broke and forced to rely on other members who were also in debt to him. At the moment, he possessed more than eighty percent of all the wealth that Black Sun still had and had considered several threats to gain even greater power. One time, he had even threaten to give up the entirety of what he had to the Hutt clans of Nal Hutta who would gladly take it. In return for making sure this did not happen, the Council had to come to some decision about the future of Black Sun and pay their debts in nine months.
Now nine months were almost up and he had already sent Guri up to give them notification that their money was due to be used to pay him back. "It's business your fellowship, there are always tradeoffs. In this case, the tradeoff is your life if you do not pay your debts to Prince Xizor," he had her tell any who complained about it being unfair. But there was just one who did: the old Head Councilmen often known to all Black Sun as Ramses the Undying.
The day will come when you will die Ramses and then I will inherit all you have to give. Including your title which I will then use to dissolve the Council and make your fellow members my emissaries to the Republic and the Separatists he vowed in his head. However, he was finding that even with his powerful cyborg Guri, he could not collect the head of Ramses if he wanted to. Perhaps the answer was ahead and not lying solely in the droid who proved reliable on many a moon though she did still have her own faults.
What he would if he could find a rogue Dark Jedi or even a loose Sith cannon to channel at the Council. Since Darth Maul had recently re-emerged, despite being sliced in half twelve years ago, Xizor had been hoping to somehow get a hold of the dark warrior. After all, Maul single-handedly infiltrated Black Sun, wiped out all who showed support to the preceding leader, and killed him in one fell swoop. It was Maul who also brought an end to the life of the rogue Nightsister Mighella, a powerful witch hailing from Dathomir.
And he was willing to offer anything for Maul to come to Mustafar and lay waste to the Council with his brother's aid. Even if it meant an alliance with the Sith warriors upon completion of the task.