Chapter Twenty-One

"Why Lom Pyke was killed, I will never understand. What his last words were are even worse than the prospect of his death," Anakin said. "What were they?" Obi-Wan asked. Anakin was before the Council and making his final report as to the investigation of Ahsoka Tano.

He had already told them about how Embo had revealed the information during his attempt on Senator Amidala's life. The Council was also informed of how Anakin tracked down Ventress and persuaded her to tell him that Lom Pyke had hired her for the job. His report concluded thus far with how Anakin had tracked down Pyke and fought through his forces. "The droids he used had the stamp of Kuat but were encased in Mandalorian Iron except at the stomach, joints, and necks," he added.

When asked he knew, he stated that he had learned by attempting to cut down his first droid in normal fashion to no avail. The fact that the named weaknesses were there was a chance discovery that he made sure to note. It was also brought to light that they could be defeated with severe blunt force to such areas as the head and chest like with a human. Their blasters were not made of the Iron which probably meant that whoever provided the ore was not a mass-producer.

"What were Pyke's words before he died? Was there anything he said that stood out to you?" Windu asked after Anakin explained everything else. Anakin nodded and when Windu pressed him to reveal what he had said, Anakin hesitated in the knowledge of how this would impact Obi-Wan. "He talked of a third force rising to sweep away the Republic and the Separatists," he began.

Murmurs spread but Yoda hushed them immediately so that Anakin could continue without being disturbed. "He said that a Day of the Red Sun was approaching and that we were all going to die. What he said next, may come as a shock to you, to all of you," Anakin said, looking at Obi-Wan during the last comment. "Anakin, you're beginning to frighten me, what are you trying to imply?" Obi-wan inquired after seeing the look.

"He said, 'Hail the warrior of red and black, hail his brother'. Then he vowed that we were all going to die more violently than could have been possible before. He died after that and I swear to you that's all I have to say on the matter of his death," Anakin answered. The Council was dead silent, aghast at what they had just heard but Obi-Wan looked so much so that his skin paled four tones.

"It's just as I feared: Maul and Savage have returned. I told you all that they were not dead, that they didn't just disintegrate when their ship crashed on Florumm!" he shouted after some silence. Anakin gulped, knowing how personal this was for Obi-Wan and wishing the words had not been ordered by Pyke.

"Pyke said Maul was a third force rising to sweep us away and rule the galaxy. That means he and the Sith brothers were not alone in their operations. They probably have allies elsewhere who might be adding to their power whilst Pyke added to their wealth," Windu observed aloud. "Revealed himself again, Maul has; know where he will strike, we do not," Yoda admitted.

That means you're just going to sit and do nothing while he takes whatever planets he wants by force Anakin thought but didn't say. "Should the Chancellor be informed of these revelations?" he asked aloud. At first, Windu and Yoda looked at each other like neither was sure of that but then they turned back and nodded in response to the younger Jedi. "His reaction may give us a clue as to why he ordered the initial efforts to find Maul called off in the first place," Windu added.

Anakin bowed and made to leave, having nothing more to say on the matter than he had already been saying for the last hour or so. Obi-Wan sat back, rubbing his face with his hands and particularly his eyes since he felt like crying. This was the second time that Maul had slipped under the Jedi radar only to come back with a vengeance sometime later. What this also meant was that the death of Qui-Gon Jinn was twice thought avenged only to be twice disproved with the resilience of the Sith.

It also meant that when Adi Gallia was thought to be resting in peace, she was probably rolling in her grave, demanding that justice be done. Thousands of lives, taken by the Clone Wars which one could say came indirectly as a result of Maul's actions on Naboo twelve years before, did so as well. And it will someday be up to the Council to decide how they will answer for their actions during this affair with Darth Maul. Whether I like to admit it or not, the riots have acted to prove that the people expect a better job of us all Kenobi thought to himself.

Dooku could hardly believe the input that Lord Sidious had provided him from the last meeting of the Jedi. It explained the Kuat foundries falling into the hands of Black Sun as well as Black Sun's interest in them to begin with. As if that wasn't bad enough, it also served to explain why the Pyke Family had withdrawn their support of the Separatist cause shortly before the death of Lom. And finally, it explained why Death Watch, once a slumbering group of Mandalorians, was now restless and ready to move.

"What is to be done of the matter, milord?" Dooku asked. "For now, we must be patient. Though Mandalore is the leader of two-thousand neutral systems and I'd hate to lose it to them, there isn't much we can do for now. However, something can be done about the Kuat factories being in their hands rather than ours: send that fleet I had you reserve to Mustafar, we will start with the best one," Sidious answered.

"After that is taken care of in succession with the rest of the Kuat droid foundries, what then?" Dooku inquired. "When we have succeeded there, we will then wait for Maul and Savage to make their move and I will personally end their pitiful lives," Sidious replied. "With all due respect Master, I helped Savage become who he is. Perhaps we can both go to destroy them and I will take care of him while you destroy his brother?" Dooku suggested.

"If Maul has taught his brother well enough, Savage will be far too powerful for you. Plus unlike you, Savage lacks the control and the cunning that drives our cause. He is a relentless brute and his brother slightly better in that he possesses intelligence and literacy I gave him," Sidious replied. Dooku nodded, understanding that the real monstrosity was of Sidious' design gone awry and not his own.

"I will contact General Grievous and have him begin destroying the Kuat foundries immediately," he said aloud. Though I would if I could, there is much that I am needed for here on Serenno, the politics being the least of it he said to himself. "Good then for now, our business is concluded. I shall contact you again when I have discovered their location and struck them down," Sidious said before his hologram faded.

How the brothers survived their skirmish with Kenobi was beyond even Dooku's understanding. But it was how they had managed to contact Black Sun, the Pyke Family, and Death Watch with intent of an alliance was an even bigger mystery. Now, they had amassed more than enough to begin introducing themselves as a third faction of the Clone Wars. Not to mention, they could rally all peoples of the galaxy who felt naught but malcontent and hatred for the both CIS and Republic.

They would be the voice that systems caught in between and even the Neutral Delegation might have needed as far as military jurisdiction was concerned. If the neutral systems did learn about the brothers and their intent for destroying Republic and Separatist alike, would they join their insane cause? Many systems in that category bore a grudge against one or both of the great organizations and might be motivated by desire, something Maul knew he could tap on in abundance. Then he decided to distract himself from his thoughts by contacting Grievous and giving him the briefing.

Once the cyborg had registered all that Dooku had tasked him with, he went to go about it. Grievous had come in handy during the eradication of the Nightsister on Dathomir though he could do nothing about the escape of Mother Talzin from that massacre. Still he wondered: would Grievous have what it took to complete this task and remain out of the eyes of the Republic? And if he couldn't stay away from them during this, would they agree to a truce and allow him to continue while they did something else?

It would make sense as both governments were threatened by Maul's existence as well as that of his little conspiracy. But as Dooku suddenly observed, he didn't think Maul was able to think this up entirely on his own. He had to have help of some sort and help that allowed him to persuade these organizations to join him in a mutual cause. Something more powerful than Maul's conspiracy gives speed to its time of offense, something that sets its will against us Dooku thought silently.

Vizsla and Katan had to admit that the idea of consulting the Hutts now that they already had the Pykes and Black Sun assisting them was a little odd. Didn't they already have what they needed for the conquest of Mandalore or was Maul planning something bigger? He did mention forming an Underworld of sorts through Mandalore but why would he want to do that?

Both Mandalorians had their sights set only on reclaiming their homeworld and ruling it in the same manner as those who came before the Duchess. Why did Maul have sights on having them rule on a galactic scale when they would be perfectly content with having Mandalore? "Perhaps there's more to be gained by having the entire galaxy as the playing ground for training people. The more recruits we can get to the way of Mando'a the better, no?" Bo asked.

"That is a double-edged sword that has cost our ancestors dearly in the past few millenniums. While it does yield such benefits as a greater turnout of those practicing Mandalorian skills, it bit us hard too. Look at the Mandalore of Darth Revan's days for instance, look how that thinking turned out for him. We have ambitions but we have very humble ambitions and we don't wish to be involved in this war anymore than we need to be," he answered.

"I don't think Maul is going to give us much of a choice when we finally do reclaim Mandalore for ourselves. His sights are much too high for him to just simply end the alliance with the takeover of one planet when he could have millions," she warned. "When the day comes and Mandalore is ours, Maul and Savage's dead bodies will be piled alongside the Duchess and that'll end the matter," he replied. "You really think you can kill a master practitioner of the Sith ways and his apprentice just like that?" she inquired.

When he asked what that was supposed to mean she was blunt but polite in her explanation. "Dooku gave you the scar on your cheek before you could even touch him. He spared you because he thought you unworthy of an honorable death. What makes you think Maul will have the same sentiment when and if you two do fight for control of Mandalore?" she said in her explanation.

Vizsla had to admit she was right: for all his deceit and his wickedness, Dooku had manners and cunning whereas Maul was a little more raw. Though both men were very intelligent, Vizsla had a feeling that Dooku might have been far more useful for political dealings than Maul was. "It doesn't matter now, we'll be headed for Mandalore and worrying about that soon enough, I promise," he said. The pool in which they were having this conversation relaxed them, set their tensions at ease.

And while both could honestly say their eyes were on the prize, they couldn't help but wonder why they hadn't discovered the balance between ultimate goal and personal impulse sooner. It didn't matter now and when Bo swam over to sit next to the man she loved, he invited her in. "You think maybe we can get married after this is over, start a family and give rise to a new line?" she asked. "Believe me, your father had that in his agenda for years before the two of us actually met and I think his dream just might be fulfilled," he admitted with smile.

She laughed, knowing that for all his senility, her father certainly had a wisdom about him that was unique to old Mandalorian warriors. He joined her but then broke the laughter by kissing her on the nape of her neck and beginning a chain of romantic ecstasy all too familiar to them. She also kissed him on his shoulder, head, and rubbed her hand upside his back as he took her once more. Had either of the Sith brothers seen this, it wouldn't have served in their interest nor would they enjoy the view.

Xizor had returned to Mustafar, pleased to find his holdings nice and secured as he always loved them. "I assure you Prince, there has been no damage to your favorite facility since you left. Although I fear it may not remain that way for very much longer, quite frankly," the woman called Depa Billaba stated. "And what makes you say that?" he asked.

"By now, the Jedi will have picked up on the activities of the Black Sun, Pyke family, and Death Watch. They would have noticed an odd but mutual understanding developed between the three and will wonder whatever for. Assuming Lom Pyke's final words to Skywalker have not been too cryptic for those fools to interpret, that is," she said. Her black hood hid more than half of her face but the movement of her lips combined with her tone of voice was intimidating enough by itself.

"Ah yes, that is a reason to be concerned but may I ask if it's likely the Separatists have also noticed?" he asked. She nodded and stated that they had indeed noticed and it wasn't long before their response arrived here. "And diplomacy is hardly ever their style so we can assume a military mobilization against our well-being. Hardly a surprise to a man such as myself who has seen many different moves on the part of both Sith and Jedi alike to notice hardly a difference," he said.

"You know nothing of the substantial differences between the Jedi and the Sith. As my Mistress would have you understand, the Force isn't to be judged by Light and Dark. Such a prejudice might persuade one to believe that there can be one without the other, far from the truth," she replied. "I take it your Mistress is powerful in her ways and would not like being trifled with," he inquired.

Then he decided that he was curious just to know precisely who this Mistress of Depa's was. How could she know so much about the Force that Yoda would undoubtedly want her dead? It was then that he decided to use his species' natural ability to secrete seductive hormones to persuade her. "And what other things have your Mistress taught you, might I ask?" he asked, feigning desire to know.

"Enough to not be fooled by the secretion of hormones for the intended purpose of seducing me into revealing information!" she hissed as she grasped him in a Force Choke. How could this one resist? Even at her age, it would take her years to learn how in normal circumstances he thought. When she let him go, he was quick to catch his breath and to call off Guri from attempting to kill the fallen Jedi.

"I don't think you would have been a match for her anyway," he added. He knew this would disappoint Guri as she always appreciated a good fight. However, she understood that he still had use for her and wouldn't let her be destroyed just yet, least of all by Depa. "I have also been taught more than enough to be more than capable of leading your forces to victory when the Separatists do come," she added after he had caught his breath.

"Just exactly what were you to the Jedi before you fell to the Dark Side, if you don't mind me asking?" he asked. Though he had heard of Depa Billaba before, he didn't know anything about who she was. "I was once considered one of the wisest and most gifted in the Force by even the Jedi Council and Yoda himself. But that was before I was enlightened to my own insanity and brought to the true nature of the Force... before they betrayed me," she answered.

"Do you desire revenge and thus, aid Maul and Savage alongside your mistress?" he continued. "Though the brothers are part of it, they are hardly the full story. At the moment, I can tell you no more than that," she said before excusing herself. Her reason for doing so was that she was receiving an incoming transmission from her Mistress and would need privacy.

When she secured it, she answered the call and saw the hologram of her Mistress. "Is it time for me to leave and return to Irkalla for the completion of my training, Mistress?" she asked. "No, not yet but the time will come very soon when you will leave the facility forever. Thrawn's little extragalactic enemy has been attempting to burst through the defenses and now seeks entrance elsewhere," Arden answered.

"What can we do to assist him if his defenses do fall through?" Depa inquired. "They will not at this point due to my use of Battle Meditation. However, in order to intercept the Yuuzhan Vong at whatever point they intend to enter the galaxy, we will need to do recruiting of our own. Tell me, are you aware of the Ember of Vahla?" Arden replied to which Depa smiled and stated she was listening.

Maul and Savage had been supervising the preparations for the little trip to the Hutt clan for some time. Now, they called for Pre and Bo to have their soldiers to be ready for their travel to Nal Hutta and the Hutt Council within. "Do you think they will take kindly of our presence there? They're surrounded by bounty hunters and security guards more than willing to die for their share," Vizsla asked.

"Bounty hunters seldom have any code of honor that binds them to any one client for longer than necessary. The security guards will be the only real fight we may face there if the Hutts say no. Though bounty hunters will fight us, they will retreat when faced with defeat even if it means losing their next check," Maul answered. Savage continued to make sure all was ready but Bo's response was somewhat provocative of his wrath.

"Hardly any different from rogue Sith, like yourselves, I imagine?" she asked. Maul chuckled, glad to see that focused as she was on both her love and Mandalore, Bo was still no fool. She is not to be defined by the normal standards of women; maybe I'll have Savage spare her for his pleasure. He's been looking forward to indulging himself for a long while now, after all Maul said.

Aloud, however, he gave a completely different answer that he knew would not settle her down but would shut her up. "We do not work for credits, we possess honor like yourselves whenever it suits our designs. Yes we think mostly of ourselves and the satisfaction of our goals but may I ask how you are different on that account?" he stated. In a huff, she stood erect and looked out into the black void of space, the deep breath before the plunge to hyperspace.

Then they were off, the stars' transformation into beams that combined to form a three-sixty degree tunnel of light signifying it. While Savage and Bo sat down in the passenger seats in the back, Pre and Maul stared on ahead. "When I was a child, I never would have thought this sort of thing was possible," Pre stated. "Why?" Maul asked.

"Because we believed that the ability to move across light was reserved for the gods alone. Guess not all Mandalorian traditions need to be honored when we restore it to its glory," Pre answered. Hardly an uncommon thing in any society, Mandalorian or other Maul noted for future reference. "And you say you'll restore it to its full glories?" he asked aloud.

"Of course, we will restore through restoring its honor and dignity, not by the reinstatement of every last tradition invented," Pre replied. Maul laughed quietly, admiring this man's passion as well as his typical hypocrisies. Those will be dealt with soon enough he promised himself as the trip began. Then he sat back with his brother and decided to meditate on the matter, just to clear his head for now.