Chapter Twelve

"Who have you brought before us, Prince Xizor?" Ramses demanded when the Falleen came with the newcomers. He already knew who the red and black Zabrak was but he didn't know who the rest were. "I think you already know who I am but allow me to introduce my new apprentice, Savage along with my allies Governor Pre Vizsla of Mandalore's nearby forest moon of Concordia. Beside him is his lieutenant Bo-Katan, both of them faithfully adhering to the rules of the group known as Death Watch," Maul answered.

"Whatever it is you want this time, you shall not have it without a fight!" Ramses warned. "I think I didn't have my way with your predecessor without much of a fight either. Am I to have expected less in seeking an alliance with an organization whose leaders' success came because of my blade?" Maul asked calmly. The entirety of the Council was stunned beyond words and while Maul sensed fear and dread going in the others, he only sensed deep rage within Ramses.

Good, he is one the edge of his abilities in rationale. Shall I push him over the edge or will he throw himself over? Maul asked himself mentally. "Even if our success came at your hand, for which we are all very thankful, let me make it clear that we will never enter an alliance with you. Not while I live and I am not called Ramses the Undying for nothing, you know," Ramses replied.

Excellent, he's already thrown himself over the edge of his rational thought. Now all that remains is to put him out of his misery Maul observed. "I believe my apprentice can remedy the problem with that sort of title for you, can you my brother?" Maul asked tauntingly. His apprentice is his brother, how is that possible? Ramses asked as Savage nodded and introduced his weapon.

Ramses himself was not surprised that it was a double-sided lightsaber Savage had though the sound of the blade ignitions were heavier than Maul's. I am not afraid, I am not afraid. My posture shall remain erect and I shall continue to stand in the face of this peril he told himself. Though he found himself fearing for his life more and more, he would not budge.

Especially when Savage pulled back as if to throw a discus at the old Fallen Head Councilman. Maul stood back and nodded at Pre Vizsla for some reason, the man in turn saying something to the woman in Mandalorian. She punched a code into her wrist gauntlet and he would've asked what was going on if Savage had not thrown his blade in Ramses' direction, a terrifying sight to behold for anyone. It was at that moment that the old man's entire life flashed before his eyes from memories of a youthful existence as a pimp to becoming the Head Councilman of Black Sun.

During this flashback, he realized that he had lived an old-fashioned criminal life, one that came with a package that demanded harder work out of a man than being a criminal now did. All he had gained in this existence, he had earned even if it was through the prostitutes he sold on a nightly basis. And as the blade spun across to make deadly contact with his neck, he smirked briefly and allowed himself to be fully decapitated in a single stroke. His last hope before the darkness of death pulled his soul to the Afterlife was that no one noticed the smirk he gave and wondered why he gave it in death.

Xizor looked on and had to admit that the brave stupidity of the Head Councilman, whose death had now given him absolute dominion over the rest of the buffoons. "Due to the death of Ramses the Undying, whose title was unbefitting by the way, I hereby declare this Council dissolved. You will all be in permanent retirement and any who choose to stay must either obey me as a General or die," Xizor declared, enthusiastic to finally say the words he had been waiting for years to say. He knew that the coming of the brothers meant something but he never guessed that it was something that would work entirely in his favor.

And as he turned to them, he not only thanked them but he also asked what he could do to repay them. "We will be needing all of the military resources we can get before we can begin conquest of the galaxy. Perhaps you can call upon Black Sun's resources and/or the resources of its affiliate organizations to aid our cause," Maul answered. "It is within my jurisdiction and I have something you might be interested in: not too far away from here is a droid foundry created by Kuat.

"Not only that but this one is the best of the best, spitting out one to three million droids a week depending on the number of orders and the quantity of each order. Combined with our biological allies, Death Watch, and any others you desire to recruit you would be nothing short of invincible," Xizor said. "Is there a way you can convince the Kuat foundry leader into letting us use it?" Maul inquired. "It's owner owes me a debt and before you arrived, I was on my way to take the factory by force of military arms," Xizor replied.

"Then go ahead and do that but make sure to send out a call to arms for all your other affiliate organizations before you leave. Notify me of the responses as soon as you get them and we will decide how to make our next move from there," Maul said. "There is something else: once we've finished our work with both the affiliates and the foundry, we'll need to see the Hutt Council. With the hyperspace lanes they command, we could be made even greater against the Republic and the CIS," Xizor suggested.

"We will worry about the Hutts soon enough but for now, let us focus on what we are each meant to do. You will stay and monitor the responses to your invitation while Savage and I take Death Watch and help your forces conquer the Foundry," Maul said. "Indeed I shall help you on that account," Xizor stated with a deep bow. After the conversation ended, Maul, Savage, Pre, and Bo all left Xizor to do his work and they made sure the others knew what they were doing next.

I will also need to get back with Admiral Thrawn to let him know of our success with recruiting Black Sun to the cause Maul reminded himself. "Brother, what is this Kuat foundry and how can it help us?" Savage asked. "Kuat is a company whose chain is based on the creation of droids as a military or security force. The droids we destroyed before heading to Florumm of their design and not exactly the greatest one they've ever created," Maul answered.

"Meaning we could create a better force once we took it over?" Savage inquired with a raised eyebrow. "Yes it does mean that we could do that, Savage," Maul replied calmly. "And can't we design these droids to wear Mandalorian armor made by the iron native to my home?" Vizsla asked. "The droids could be made with the iron yes but armor would have to be reserved for biological soldiers," Maul answered.

The droids would be too tough to require armor if we made them with the Mandalorian iron. So why grant an armor that would only make them more cumbersome and would be of the same material as themselves? Maul note mentally. "Then we'll need to spare a few of the engineers so I can teach them how to forge Mandalorian iron with the tools they have," Vizsla said. "Never fear because we will, of that you can be certain," Maul said with a nod.

"It will be sometime before I can arise from the trance of Battle Meditation but when I do, I'll be able to tell you if I was successful," Arden said to Thrawn. Thrawn nodded and said that he would await her return to the consciousness they knew to be the safest section of reality. Shortly after she went into Meditation, a communication came in that involved an officer requesting orders. It was in this instance that Thrawn suddenly had a plan thought entirely through in mere seconds.

He assumed this was part of the Battle Meditation since it had never happened to him before and gave out the necessary orders. "Intercept all the nearest squadrons of Yuuzhan Vong warriors and prevent them from reaching the civilian locations. Form a pincer around their forces whenever possible and gun them down from there. If you can't do that and you've saved your heaviest artillery, use it all and you'll see how they retreat quickly in the face of its power," Thrawn replied.

He repeated these orders to seventeen more officers and then sat back as the results rapidly came in. "Vergilius frontier reporting successful reclamation sir!" one officer said. "Very good and make sure you remain that way," Thrawn replied. Then he heard success from the Laertes, Papyrus, and Syracuse systems in near simultaneity with six other frontiers Thrawn had not even bothered to check. How in the universe is this possible? he asked himself.

He knew that Battle Meditation had the ability to motivate troops enough to at least slightly turn the tide of any battle but he never knew it could do this. Four more frontiers and systems reported success in driving back the Yuuzhan Vong and when they did, his mind was so boggled... He couldn't see how this was all possible because of Arden's abilities with Battle Meditation. Nor could he see how she could have failed in the Schism when she had this amazing and powerful ability on her side.

The final four frontiers and systems reported in with near-perfect victory and it was not long before he heard them say that they had even managed to take a few of the enemy's planets. Without knowledge of this ability, the Yuuzhan Vong will fear us and think we lured them into a trap. That belief should keep them at bay until I can add reinforcements to the frontiers that were nearly lost Thrawn thought to himself. It was then that he also remembered that Killik soldiers were at the twelve frontiers and systems closest to the Yuuzhan Vong territories.

They could still be used as a shield so that the Chiss Ascendancy lost fewer assets and destroyed both of its most major enemies. However, Thrawn wondered how much longer it would be before the insectoids noticed what the Chiss were doing and called an end to the truce. For all their appearances and the way they carried themselves, they were not blind or foolish about what goes on. It will only be a matter of time before they notice what we are attempting and despise it Thrawn warned himself.

And as if his thinking was too powerful for her, Arden arose from her trance and told him of her success. "So that explains how the frontiers and systems were recovered and we managed to take a few of their worlds as well," Thrawn stated. It wasn't a question but both of them knew that it could only be answered as a question rather than a statement. "Yes, with Battle Meditation, such military miracles are possible and with Battle Meld, the wielder can fight and grant this power," she said.

"So this is the power you're trying to teach your apprentice to harness? It truly is an incredible power to say the least of the praise that I could give its effects," he exclaimed. "When my apprentice is ready with it, I will send her to aid the brothers unless you have other use for us elsewhere," she said. "Not that I can think of at the moment but I will be sure to let you know if something comes up for me that requires your assistance," he replied.

"Then I return to the training until further notice on your part," she said just before walking out of Thrawn's communications chamber. He watched her as he left and for the first time, she noticed her physical appearance rather than the functions of her mind. Considering that, before her revival, she had been as decomposed as though she were dead, she was looking incredibly beautiful. It was enchanting, almost intoxicating to a man like him really and he wondered if he was giving in to youthful indulgences.

We Chiss are always prepared to fight and die for the Ascendancy but I suppose even with our training, there are still some things we can't help. Such as the desire to indulge our most animalistic of impulses from time to time but why do I feel this way for her? She is twenty-five millenniums too old for me and yet she appears to be only a few years old or younger than me he asked himself. And as if that weren't bad enough, she was powerful enough in the Force to sense his conflict if she really wanted to; that was something else that put him on edge about this little flicker.

Count Dooku was troubled by what was happening with criminal organizations across the Separatist worlds. So much so, in fact, that he didn't notice that similar syndicates on neutral worlds were also gathering for something big. As if that wasn't bad enough, he also heard rumors that the Republic was having similar problems with not only that but the disappearance of Kuat droid foundries. Though by no means comparable to the factories the CIS created, Dooku knew that the Kuat was the best the neutral worlds had.

If they were being used for something else, something that could jeopardize the existence his cause nearly as much as the Republic, he needed to act fast. But even consulting General Grievous for strategy tips could help him get anywhere any faster and with his Dark Jedi already dispersed... He was helpless as a young infant until whatever mysterious purpose for this union was revealed to him. "It's a treaty the likes of which, I have never seen," Sidious had said in agreement with him.

"This treaty in the darkness may yet come to affect us on a level that is almost as dangerous as the Republic. Why would criminal organizations begin rallying under one banner even if their hatred was just for us or just the Republic?" Dooku asked. "Perhaps they are tired of the continuation of the war and somehow perceive better profit opportunities if they destroyed us," Sidious answered. "If that is the case, then how would they be able to acquire someone with enough military competence to do the deed?" Dooku inquired.

"You would be amazed at how many military officials would join a third side or form their own if they could. We bear some of them in tow and I don't mean the droid officers or even Grievous for that matter," Sidious observed. Dooku gave him that point but then, he sensed a presence in the Force that he knew to be all too familiar to him. "What is it, my apprentice?" Sidious asked as his hologram gave off a little static.

"That creature, Savage Opress, he lives and he is much stronger than he has ever been before," Dooku said. Sidious said nothing but merely stared into empty space at the comment his apprentice made about the mutated Zabrak. Then at last, he stated the worst thing possible, "That means Maul is still alive and training his brother as well. Unless Savage has already completed his training and turned on him."

"I would highly doubt that milord though I mean no disrespect when I say that," Dooku replied. "Why is it that you say that, my apprentice?" Sidious asked. "When Savage turned on me alongside Asajj Ventress, he had not even touched the surface of the Dark Side. And while the monster was looking for his brother, he slowly became stronger and stronger.

"His strength could only have exploded like this because of training from Maul of which there would undoubtedly be months," Dooku answered. "Then when they reveal themselves, as they inevitably will, I will go to the world they reside in and see to their end personally," Sidious stated. "Is that wise milord, considering the risks to you if you do go?" Dooku asked surprised by that comment. "You are by no means strong enough to defeat your former apprentice at his current strength if he has also joined with your predecessor," Sidious hissed.

"Then perhaps I can do something militarily to stop them from becoming strong enough to threaten your plans?" Dooku suggested. "If they are amassing an army anywhere, I want the fleet you have on standby to be sent to crush it immediately. Am I understood?" Sidious immediately replied. Dooku nodded and with that, the hologram of Lord Sidious faded once again, leaving Dooku alone on Serenno except for his MagnaGuard droids.

Sidious was still processing what he and his apprentice had gone over when he received an incoming transmission from a contact he had not spoken with for years: Chiss Grand Admiral Thrawn. He answered it politely, making sure to hide the anger held at the possibility of his fallen disciple's survival of the skirmish at Florumm. "Admiral Thrawn, it has been an eternity since I have heard from you, what brings you back now?" Sidious asked. "Time is but the only river whose flow we can not defy, no matter our efforts but I have information for you," Thrawn asked.

"Information? I get plenty of that every day in my other persona a.k.a. Chancellor Palpatine," Sidious replied. "You know the names Darth Maul and Savage Opress, do you not?" Thrawn asked. The Sith Lord went pale under his hood with shock that Thrawn would know those two names.

"Yes, Maul was my former apprentice and Savage is his brother as well as his first apprentice in the ways of the Dark Side," he answered. "They have come to me recently and I have allowed them the resources to start recruiting criminal syndicates for a third side in your war," Thrawn said meticulously. Why in all the universe would you ever want to do that to me after all I've done for you!? Sidious thought but did not say. "And why would they come to you in the first place?" he asked aloud.

"They came to me quite by accident when I was exploring the history of my present homeworld. When they did, they were severely injured from a confrontation with Obi-Wan Kenobi. In exchange for help overcoming the perils surrounding the treasure I sought, I agreed to help them," Thrawn answered. "And why have you come to speak to me of this when you know they intend to destroy me?" Sidious inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Because I knew that inevitably, they would turn on me if they were successful in their conquests. And though I knew Kenobi defeated them, the Jedi Knight would never have the dishonorable ability to kill them as you would," Thrawn explained. Sidious liked this: Thrawn had helped out Maul but had done so in a manner that deliver them in Sidious' hands. "Have they proven to be a threat to your secrecy or for that matter, your life?" he asked.

"Not yet but I know Sith Lords well enough to know that these ones would think I was their mere pawn and try to dispose of me. So instead of allowing them the chance to act out on their beliefs, I have instead, allowed them to set themselves up for their deaths by your hand," Thrawn answered. "Excellent, most excellent indeed and is very much like what you would do," Sidious stated. "I thank you for that comment and I hope it goes well when they announce their location," Thrawn said, bowing.

After that, Thrawn disconnected and Sidious had to admit that he could actually take solace in what Thrawn just told him. Considering that without him, he wouldn't have been able to figure out what was going on, Sidious was impressed. He had suspected a hint of some higher power at work with the criminal organizations and while he had been right to suspect his former apprentice... Thrawn's involvement with them added a whole new twist to the game with the wild card that he had played.

Hephaestus couldn't believe the sight he was seeing with the military mobilizations before his eyes. Not only did Black Sun send their soldiers to try and take his factory but he also observed that they brought several thousand Mandalorian warriors. Hephaestus knew that his security guards might have been able to put up a fight against the Black Sun troops but with these new allies helping, it would be even worse for them. "Sir, they'll be here in a few minutes and they may be able to get through the door and wipe out the security force already there," said his second-in-command named Luis.

"Prepare fortifications anyway and let us all fight to the last man," Hephaestus replied. Luis nodded and went to obey Hephaestus' order, leaving the Rodian to panic if he wanted to. But for some strange reason... he didn't panic. Instead, he just simply-how to say it?- kept calm and professional.