Episode 20 – Forces of Corruption: Part 1
Revenge of the Sith! The Sith Empire has launched a massive and devastating offensive, pushing into the Republic's Mid-Rim Systems and forcing the Jedi Order to evacuate the Jedi Temple on Ossus! Meanwhile, galactic criminal kingpin, the infamous Tyber Zann, has orchestrated the abduction of Doctor Jerine Roa and is forcing her to work on a project intended to grant him Immortality! Determined to rescue both her and the captive Jedi Healer and Gray Paladin Ferroda Grey, Jedi Knight Kento Marek meets with the Republic Leadership to determine the next course of action!
At Rally Point Mundi…
The Redemption and its escorts were limping along as Grey Group dropped out of Hyperspace in the system, the Mynock having already detached from the Redemption and headed for the Falon Grey. Inside the Falon Grey's hangar, Jaina stood with an apprehensive and worried look as the freighter touched down. The boarding ramp lowered to allow Kento to disembark, followed closely by R4-M9, Clapper, Major Tresk, the twins, Rayon in a repulsor chair, and what few members of Boma Company had remained on the Mynock from the evacuation of Kathos.
"Kento, has there been any ne-." "You son of a-!" X3 yelled as he ran in and punched Kento across the face. Kento glared at him before launching him clear across the hangar with the force. Xavier tumbled across the deck, hitting the side of Trapper's B-Wing and landing on one knee, a snarl on his face. Kento unclipped his lightsaber from his belt while X3 drew his blaster but Jaina quickly leapt in with her lightsaber active.
"Enough! Stand down! Both of you!" Jaina yelled, Kento and Xavier glaring at each other. Another person leapt in next to Jaina, a green lightsaber active.
"That was an order." Jedi Master X2 commanded. Kento and X3 glared at each other for a moment before both stood down.
"Listen, emotions are running hot right now and you both have every reason to be upset. But you shouldn't be taking your anger out on each other!" Jaina said as X2 turned to Kento.
"And as a Jedi you shouldn't be acting on your anger at all, Marek." X2 said as Kento approached.
"My apologies, Master. I was acting in self-defense." Kento said, Tresk and the twins sticking closer to him almost out of protectiveness.
"There is a fine line between self-defense and acting in anger. And don't assume you're the only one who has reason to be angry." X2 said, his tone sober but his expressions and feelings in the Force belied his true feelings of worry and anger. However, these emotions were kept in check due to his training.
"I wasn't, Master. Ferroda is my friend and I wish to rescue her as well as Jerine." Kento said as Xavier approached, holding his left shoulder.
"What I want to know is how those pirates found your cousin so easily." Xavier said as Kento pulled a small black device from a pouch on his belt.
"This was found hidden under C1-4PR's sensor dish. It's a short-range homing beacon attuned to a single frequency. It became dislodged when Clapper got thrown against a wall. It's only set to activate when within range of a receiver on the same frequency." Kento said as X2 exhaled loudly.
"That would be Captain Gault's doing. Director Shan of Republic Intelligence just informed me. She confronted him after she received word of Dr. Roa's abduction. He admits planting the tracker on the droid during the initial attack as a precaution in case they hadn't succeeded." X2 said.
"Then what's the plan? How do we find where Zann's taken my sister?" Xavier asked.
"That's just it. Zann's last known whereabouts are unknown. His palace on Vjun has been empty for months. There's no telling which systems he could be hiding on. Being so heavily involved in the galactic underworld, his list of known bases was never truly comprehensive. He could be anywhere." X2 said as Kento glanced towards the Mynock.
"I think I might know someone who can help us track him down." Kento said as he headed for the Mynock.
In an unknown region of space…
Jerine was sat at a workbench, sifting through several datapads inside of a lab onboard Zann's flagship, the Lucrehulk Battleship, the Circle of Influence. She and Ferroda were locked inside the lab. The lab had a forcefield roof with a room above housing a small Ysalamiri cage and two Zann Consortium Defilers standing guard. An adjoining room held a freshly cloned body of a younger Tyber Zann, floating lifeless in a bacta tank. Ferroda was sat in a meditative pose on the floor. Jerine was still sifting through datapads when the door opened, allowing the elegantly dressed man to enter. Jerine regarded him coldly.
"Do you have what you need, Jerine?" the man asked but Jerine didn't look up.
"I'll let you know once I've made sense of this information. It's incredible. I recognize some of the research data. Some of it was written by my mentor, Doctor Sionver Boll, I recognize her writings. But some of it is dated within the past year, and yet she's been dead for over four years." Jerine said as the man gave a nod.
"That's right. Zann arranged her abduction, staged her death in that accident on the moons of Iego. She only died last year when she committed suicide. Released a poisonous gas into the lab to kill herself. She thought she had destroyed her notes but the datapads are on a one-way link to the ship's datacore and regularly backs up the data." The man said as Jerine, in anguish, swept a bunch of empty beakers and lab equipment onto the floor.
"Doctor Boll was my mentor! Do you get some kind of sick and twisted joy from seeing the people I care about suffer and die?!" Jerine asked but the man coldly glanced at the meditative Ferroda before glancing back at Jerine.
"Doctor Boll was selected because, at the time, she was the Galaxy's foremost Genetics Expert. She spent the last three years studying and deciphering the information acquired from the vaults and devising some means of making it applicable using modern science." The man said, confusing Jerine.
"Vaults? What vaults?" she asked.
"Why, Emperor Palpatine's Vaults, of course. It's not a very well-known fact, but in the months following the Emperor's death after the Battle of Endor, Tyber Zann led a mission to raid the Emperor's Vaults on Coruscant. When he did, he plundered the vault of so many of its valuables, including datapads and copies of information, including information regarding Palpatine's research into immortality." The man explained.
"Then these are Palpatine's notes?" Jerine asked, picking up a red hardcovered book with noticeable Sith markings.
"Palpatine's and his own Master's notes." The man replied as Jerine looked curious.
"Who was Palpatine's Master?" Ferroda asked finally. Her eyes were still closed and she was still in her meditative pose.
"That, I do not know. Perhaps asking Palpatine's former pupil, Maul, would illuminate matters." The man replied, turning to leave. The man walked quietly out the door, the door slamming shut and locking as soon as he exited. Ferroda finally opened her eyes, rising to her feet.
"Who is that man? You seem to know him." Ferroda said as Jerine scowled angrily towards the door.
"I know him. I know him all too well. He is Baron Tamrien Eclipse. He's my father."
Meanwhile at Rally Point Mundi…
The Jedi ships had already made the jump to lightspeed, continuing on towards Coruscant while Grey Group sat in formation in space. On the bridge of the Falon Grey, Kento, Jaina, and X2 stood at the holotable as a hologram of Galen stood opposite them. Xavier was stood off to the side, leaning back against the corner walls near the turbolift.
"Your request for reinforcements has been granted, Kento. Liberty Group is presently on route with the rest of your Boma Company. Were you able to get through to your contact?" Galen asked as Kento shrugged.
"Not yet. I couldn't raise her but I left a message with the coordinates for Rally Point Mundi, just in case." Kento said as X2 gave a nod.
"With Ossus evacuated and Master Saa having moved Mundi Group on towards Coruscant, I gave Kento permission to use the coordinates. I…also contacted a friend of mine for some assistance." X2 said as Galen gave an understanding nod. Xavier however seemed suspicious of this comment but remained silent.
"Just be careful. The nature of Jerine's research is still highly classified. But what's interesting is, that given the circumstances it's possible that this has resolved one problem of ours. It would appear that there was no leak in our intelligence after all. It would seem that Zann was after Jerine for completely different reasons than to acquire information on her project. At least that is what my instincts are telling me." Galen said as Admiral Toba approached.
"Sirs, we are detecting several ships dropping out of hyperspace!" Toba reported.
"Liberty Group?" Kento asked.
"No sir!" Toba replied as they hurried towards the front of the bridge. They looked out the viewports in time to see a modified Pursuer Class Enforcement Ship drop out of hyperspace followed closely by five Crusader Gunships and a Keldabe Battleship.
"It's the Mandalorians." X2 commented, surprised.
"The lead vessel, the Makin, is requesting docking clearance." Toba reported.
"Granted!" Kento replied, hurrying to the turbolift.
…
Down in the Hangar Bay, Kento and the others arrived just in time for the Makin to set down, the boarding hatch opening and allowing Ailyn and the Werda Tsad to disembark. Mesh'la Skirata had replaced the traitorous Bralor on the team.
"Scruff, got your message." Ailyn said as she and Kento firmly shook hands.
"Ailyn, I'm glad you're here. I wasn't expecting you to bring a fleet though." Kento said as Ailyn removed her helmet, tucking it under one arm.
"Zann is no friend to Mandalore. The Consortium twice crossed our people, of course back then our wings were clipped by the Empire. To us, this is long overdue payback. Personally, I still owe you for Malachor. I'm settling my debt with this. The ships are Skirata's anyway." Ailyn said, Venku giving a nod of agreement as X2 cleared his throat.
"We were hoping you might have some insight as to where to find Zann." X2 said as Vel gave a nod.
"I've put out feelers to some of my old contacts. Some of them told me to get borked when I mentioned Zann. He's got the underworld spooked. But there's one contact I haven't heard back from. If need be I'll travel to Florrum and get it from him in person." Ailyn said as Jaina blinked in surprise.
"Florrum? Wait, you mean Hondo Ohnaka?" Jaina asked, earning a curious eyebrow from Ailyn.
"You've met the old pirate?" she asked.
"We had a bit of an encounter on Endor recently. He owes me a favor." Jaina replied as Ailyn smirked.
"Perhaps we best give him a call. After you, Solo." Vel said, motioning towards the turbolift, Jaina leading her and Kento to the turbolift. Bresha Skirata then approached X2, removing her helmet.
"I got your message the same time Vel did. How are you holding up?" Bresha asked, placing a comforting hand on X2's arm.
"I'm worried. Ferroda's my oldest and my only daughter. The fact I cannot sense her makes me very uneasy. I am comforted by perhaps the fools hope that Zann has been known to use Ysalamiri as a counter to Force Users. I'm hoping she is simply within one's field." X2 said as Venku stepped forward, removing his helmet and tucking it under his arm.
"We'll get her back, alor Grey. Or at least make the chakaars pay for crossing you." Venku said as X2 gave a humble bow to him.
"Revenge is not the Jedi way, alor Skirata. But the sentiment is more than appreciated." X2 said as Bresha looked around.
"Where's that Padawan of yours? Isn't she supposed to be joined at your hip or something?" Bresha asked.
"She's currently with the rest of the Jedi Fleet. Since we evacuated Ossus, we've needed as many people as we could spare. Ronderu wanted to be here but her place was with her fellow Jedi. Oh, uh, this is my son, Xavier." X2 introduced, motioning towards X3 who stood nearby with his arms crossed over his chest and watching with suspicion. Bresha and Venku both gave him courteous nods.
"So you're Xavier. We've never formally met but we fought side-by-side at Sivvi, the Thule Moon during the Thule Campaign." Bresha said, approaching the young pilot.
"I remember." He replied simply, looking her over suspiciously before looking at his father and then walking away towards the exit. Bresha seemed confused by the interaction, looking towards X2.
"Rather sociable one." Bresha commented dryly as X2 took an apprehensive breath.
"I've…not had the opportunity to tell him." X2 replied. Bresha nodded understandingly.
"I think that opportunity is now. I'll keep my distance until then." Bresha said as X2 gave her an appreciative nod before walking after X3. Bresha then glanced briefly towards Venku.
"Vode you've been quiet about this so far. As head of House Skirata and my brother you must have some input on the matter." Bresha said as Venku shrugged.
"He's a good man, good Jedi, good soldier. A bit old, perhaps, but aside from that, I hold no objections." Venku said as Bresha smiled.
"Good. Guess that means I won't have to pay Vel for the hit." Bresha joked, Venku chuckling as he headed for the Makin.
"That's a fight I'd pay to see." Venku muttered.
…
Xavier's quarters were relatively undecorated. It was a simple room with a single bunk, refresher, footlocker, and workbench with spare parts for Xavier's hand. There were also a few extra parts for what appeared to be a blaster. There was also a pair of Party Girl's underwear sitting on the footlocker, accidently left behind after a night of romance. Xavier was sat at the workbench, his back to the door as he placed his old lightsaber on the bench, doing some tweaking to some of its internal circuitry. The door then opened, X2 standing in the doorway. Xavier coldly looked at him over his shoulder, saying nothing. X2 took a breath before walking inside, closing the door behind him with the Force.
"So…who is she?" Xavier asked, his words almost like daggers, as he worked on the lightsaber.
"Her name is Bresha Skirata. Clan and House Skirata. We've…been seeing each other ever since the Thule Campaign. Maintaining contact…it's serious, Xavier. I've just not really had the chance to tell you or your sister until now." X2 said but Xavier didn't look up.
"It's infidelity then." Xavier replied. X2 pursed his lips, almost pained by his son's reaction.
"Xavier…it's been five years since Shara was taken from us. It's time to move on." X2 said as Xavier paused.
"Move on, huh? Move on and pretend she never existed?" Xavier asked but X2 furrowed his brow disapprovingly at him.
"Don't you dare." He said softly as Xavier spun towards him, rising to his feet.
"And what happens if we lose Ferroda too, huh?! Are you gonna adopt that Mando girl with the rainbow hair to replace her too?" Xavier spat before getting backhanded across the face, getting sent spinning to the floor. Xavier looking up in surprise to see his father shaking his hand out.
"That's enough! I will never, ever love a woman as much as I loved your mother! She is irreplaceable! So is your sister! You don't understand, son. You've never had a woman you've truly loved like I did your mother. The love you felt for Shara was that of a son for his mother. But you don't realize just how dangerous such an attachment is! You were confronted by a glimpse of it at Cato Neimoidia. It stood before you as an example of what can befall those who grow too attached to those they love. As Jedi we are trained to guard ourselves against such things." X2 said, Xavier trying to figure out what he was referring to. For a brief moment, he heard the familiar breathing sound echoing through the Force that made a chill run down his spine. X2 then stepped back, falling with his back against the wall, a look of emotional anguish on his face.
"Look, I'm sorry I waited so long. I have failed you, my son. As a father and as your Master. The fact that they named me a Master and placed me on the Council will never truly absolve me of this. Were Ferroda to have married someone, and her husband have died, would you want her to move on, find someone else to love?" X2 asked as Xavier took a deep breath.
"Of course." He replied softly.
"And if it were the reverse? Would you want her widower to move on eventually?" X2 asked as Xavier looked away, unsure of his answer.
"I suppose so." He replied.
"Then…let nature take its course. The Force may have a different destiny in mind for us all. But until that point, I must follow my heart and my instincts." X2 said as he stood up off the wall, helping Xavier to his feet, dusting him off.
"For the past five years, you've been struggling to find your place in the Galaxy. I am convinced that the Jedi Order is not your destiny. Perhaps maybe this mission will enlighten you and help you to find your path. But know, that no matter where our destinies lead us, that I will always be your father, and I will never stop loving you, my son." X2 said, placing his hands on Xavier's shoulders for a moment before pulling him into an embrace.
Meanwhile on the Circle of Influence
Jerine and Ferroda were both looking through the datapads, sifting through the data.
"This seems impossible." Jerine commented, Ferroda looking at her curiously.
"In what way?" she asked.
"This information, it's written so clearly. Theoretically it's possible, and even technologically it's doable with the Ssi-ruvi entechment technology. It's just difficult to fathom that the Emperor was able to accomplish this without technology." Jerine said as Ferroda looked at the datapad in her hand.
"This information sounds like it is a reference to the process the Emperor used on Byss during his efforts to revive the Empire. He used clones of himself and transferred his ethereal form from his dying body to a new cloned body. I can see where we have our difficulty. Zann is not a Force Sensitive and his spirit cannot be transferred so easily. I fail to see then, if we have the Ssi-ruvi's entechment technology, why I am here." Ferroda said as Jerine gave a nod.
"Their technology is precisely why you are here, Jedi." A voice said from the doorway. They turned and saw Maul walking in. Jerine happened a glance up through the Force Field ceiling to see Zann's Defilers leaving their posts as Lumiya and Silri took their places. Maul proceeded to walk inside, placing a familiar metal case on the lab table.
"Who are you exactly?" Jerine asked as Ferroda scowled.
"He is Darth Maul. The Emperor's first Apprentice. His strange survival has been the talk of the Order." Ferroda said as Maul placed his hands behind his back.
"Formerly Darth, now just Maul. The knowledge you possess was built upon the research performed by my Master's Master. Darth Plageuis the Wise. He was obsessed with immortality." Maul explained.
"The name eludes me." Ferroda stated blankly. Maul gave a light shrug.
"You've never heard the tragedy of Darth Plagueis The Wise? I thought not. It is not a story the Jedi would tell you. It is doubtful that they would even know it." Maul said as Jerine pondered.
"This might prove illuminating. Continue." Jerine said as Maul cleared his throat.
"It is a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, the Master of Darth Sideous, my Master, so powerful and so wise he could use the Force to influence the midichlorians to create…life." Maul said as Jerine pondered.
"The midichlorians, yes I am familiar with them." Jerine said.
"He had such a knowledge of the Dark Side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying. The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural." Maul explained but Ferroda glared at him.
"Because they are. The Dark Side cannot create, only destroy. The Dark Side consumes life, not creates it." Ferroda said as Maul rolled his eyes.
"So young and naïve, so Jedi. You don't know the power of the Dark Side, young one. As for Lord Plagueis, he became so powerful, the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which eventually, of course, he did. Supposedly he taught my Master everything he knew, then my Master killed him in his sleep. Ironic. He could save others from death, but not himself." Maul explained as Ferroda returned her attention to the datapads.
"Yet another allegorical tale reminding the listener of the treacherous ways of the Sith. Power begets corruption and betrayal." Ferroda said as Maul glowered at her.
"I care nothing for your Jedi preaching of peace and pacifism, especially not from a meager healer. My interest lies in you, Doctor." Maul said as Jerine looked at him worriedly.
"Why? Do you seek immortality as well?" Jerine asked but Maul merely smiled at her.
"Of course, but at present, I am more interested in this." Maul said, sliding the case on the table towards her.
"The case given to me on the Redemption. Of what interest would it be to you?" Jerine asked.
"I merely wish for you to do as requested of you. A simple genetic matchup should be of no difficulty for you." Maul said as Jerine sighed, opening the case and pulling out one of the cylinders.
"It's not a difficult task but time consuming. Once the sequences are identified which takes little time, it's a matter of letting the computer run a search for the most likely candidates. However, I would need access to a terminal linked up to the Republic and Old Imperial Databases. This Code Cylinder will grant me access but such access is irrelevant without the connection which I somehow doubt Zann will permit me." Jerine said as she placed the cylinder into a machine on one of the lab counters.
"I will get you access." Maul said tersely, something which Ferroda noticed.
"Very well. Get me access, and I'll do as requested. Although I wonder why this interests you." Jerine said as Maul glanced away.
"It is of no concern to you, Doctor." Maul said as Ferroda looked up.
"Then whose sample is Jerine using?" Ferroda asked as Maul looked her way.
"A Jedi I believe you are familiar with. Obi Wan Kenobi." Maul replied.
"Obi Wan Kenobi is dead, and has been for nearly thirty years. I believe it was Lord Skywalker who killed him during his years as Darth Vader." Ferroda said as Maul turned towards the door.
"Then there should be no reason to hesitate with those scans." Maul said Jerine sighed heavily, plugging in the code cylinder.
"Very well." She muttered as Maul as he headed for the door. They didn't notice the code cylinder start flashing with a small red light on the top of it. Unbeknownst to them all, the entire conversation had been overheard by a certain young Zabrak who snuck away quickly, her presence masked due to the Ysalamiri's force-negation bubble.
Hisari hurried down to the hangar bay where hers and her sister's ship, the Halo, sat docked. She looked around cautiously as she walked towards the ship. The only person she saw of note was Aurra Sing as she cleaned one of her rifles, her back to Hisari. Hisari continued on, reaching into a pouch on her belt and pulling out an old code cylinder, one she had been given as a Padawan by her Master. She made her way onto the Halo, finding it empty. A note taped to one of the consoles read "At the bar. – S." Hisari was quietly relieved there was no one there and quickly sat down in the pilot's seat, plugging the cylinder into a slot on the console. She then began to enter a comm code but received a message back reading…
"Error: Receiving Transmitter Not Responding." Which usually meant that the transmitter at the other end wasn't working. The code had been for the transmitter at the Jedi Temple on Ossus but the transmitter's not responding was an ill sign. Hisari grimaced at the message, sitting back before another idea came to mind. She quickly opened Sanzia's list of stored comm codes. She began looking through the list before finally finding a name that she recognized.
"It's worth a shot." She muttered, opening a channel. Outside in the hangar, Aurra was still cleaning her rifle when the antenna on her implant suddenly raised, causing her to pause, putting her fingers to her ear, listening in curiously for a moment. Her eyes then narrowed and she looked towards the Halo. She then drew her blaster, walking towards the ship. As she got closer, she heard Hisari speaking into the console.
"-message must reach the Jedi. It's urgent that Zann be stopped. I can't guarantee that-." Hisari said before hearing the clicking of Aurra's blaster behind her head. Hisari was seated in the pilot's chair.
"And what do you think you're doing, Jedi?" She heard Aurra Sing ask from behind. Hisari froze. The Ysalamiri's force bubble was still blinding her and she had been unable to sense her approach.
"Just looking up some information, that's all. Looking for work." Hisari said, turning towards her while placing her hand on the console, deliberately tapping the button to close the channel in the process but Sing noticed and a coy smirk appeared on her face.
"Looks to me like you just sold us all out to your Jedi friends. Guess I get to make some credits off your head after all." Aurra said as Hisari glared at her.
"I don't fear you." She said but Aurra chuckled in response.
"It's not me you should fear, kid." Aurra said. Hisari's scowl deepened before she suddenly leapt up and rammed her head into Aurra's stomach, her horns piercing Aurra's skin, injuring her. When she did, Sing's blaster went off, striking the Halo's communications console, destroying it. Hisari quickly dodged to one side, drawing her lightsaber and igniting it just as Aurra recovered, holding her stomach as she started to fire her repeating blaster pistol. Hisari deflected her shots for a moment before leaping clear, Aurra chasing after her into the hangar. Sanzia, along with Herian and Embo were just entering the hangar from the ship's cantina when they saw Aurra attacking Hisari. Sanzia immediately raised her blaster with a snarl.
"Get away from her you schutta!" Sanzia yelled, firing at Aurra who was forced to evade. Herian and Embo kept their distance as the Bow Sisters went after Aurra. Kazor then approached the other two.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Dunno. Sing's attacking the Bows." Bane replied.
"Want to wager on who wins?" Kazor asked as security alarms started going off in the hangar. Suddenly five Mark II Destroyer Droids rolled past, forming a circle around the three combatants and deploying.
"Cease hostilities!" Kalani's voice echoed over the hangar PA system, the sisters and Aurra all standing down.
"The Jedi brat just sent a transmission with our coordinates to someone!" Aurra yelled, pointing at Hisari accusingly.
"Have you got a screw loose, Sing? My sister's not that stupid!" Sanzia argued.
"Unfortunately, Ms. Bow, Sing is correct." Zann's voice said nearby. They all turned and saw Tyber Zann's Holo-Droid approaching in Zann's form, flanked by a squad of Defilers and accompanied by 8T88.
"What?" Sanzia said as Zann glared at Hisari who stood with her lightsaber raised defensively.
"Kalani detected an unauthorized long-range transmission was sent from this hangar. We were unable to determine who its intended recipient was but we were able to intercept it. It was a short message giving the partial coordinates of our position." Zann said as all eyes fell upon Hisari who stood defiantly. Maul and his Apprentices as well as Bossk had arrived by now.
"You're a monster, Zann. Insane. I want no part of your insanity." Hisari said as Zann made the motion of grasping the collar of his jacket, straightening it but keeping his hands there. (A/N: It's the Bane pose from the Dark Knight Rises)
"You needed only to wait until my goal had been achieved. Once I was of flesh and blood again, your contracts would have been fulfilled. You would have been free to go. I honor my contracts as anyone here will tell you. But now, you have breached this contract, Ms. Bow, and the penalty for breaking a contract with me is…most unpleasant." Zann said as Hisari looked around, sensing no escape and no hope of survival. She deactivated her lightsaber and dropped to her knees, raising her hands to the sides with the palms up in a meditative pose, closing her eyes.
"So be it. Do your worst." She said as Sanzia quickly leapt in between her and Zann.
"Wait, hold on, you're going to kill her because she sent a transmission? Why would the Jedi trust her? She abandoned them, we raided the home of one of their leaders! I think those bridges are burned, wouldn't you?" Sanzia asked but Zann was unmoved.
"It is a risk I am not prepared to take at this juncture. Step aside, Ms. Bow, or join your sister in her fate." Zann said as Sanzia looked at Hisari who looked up at her, an expression of peace.
"It's okay, Sanzia. I am willing to accept my fate." Hisari said. Sanzia's eyes were watering, a tear running down her face before she grimaced in anger, dropping her blaster and drawing her electrostaff, extending the ends and holding it out defensively.
"Not this time. I abandoned you on Taris, and Grandmother paid the price in your place. This time, I will take your place." Sanzia said as Hisari looked at her, surprised and touched simultaneously.
"Touching. But I am not going to kill either one of you, yet." Zann said as the sisters looked at him surprised.
"What?" Sanzia asked as Zann motioned towards them. The Defilers suddenly fired a blue bolt of electrical energy at them both, causing both to writhe in agony, Sanzia dropping to her feet whilst also dropping her electrostaff. The Defilers quickly moved in and slapped binders on their wrists before forcing them back to their feet.
"Make no mistake, death will be your final reward for your treason. But only once you have begun to beg for it. You will find that the suffering you experience before your death is finally granted, will be unlike any you will ever experience again." Zann said as a pair of IT-0 interrogation droids started to approach, both with metal arms slung down beneath them, a strange metal clamp of some kind. Sanzia recognized the clamp while Hisari didn't.
"Wait! What?!" Sanzia exclaimed as the Defilers grabbed them both by their hair, pulling their heads back, the droids attaching the clamps around their throats.
"What is this?" Hisari asked as Zann smiled darkly.
"They're Shock Collars. You've both become my two newest slaves." Zann said before turning away.
"Bring them to my throne room. Make sure that they are properly…attired." Zann ordered as the Defilers dragged the siblings off, much to the grim delight or gross indifference of the onlookers.
"What shall we do about their vessel?" 8T88 asked.
"Tear it apart until you find out who it was they sent a message to. Tell Kalani to ready the Aggressor Star Destroyers. I believe Doctor Roa needs a little…encouragement." Zann said before the holo-droid reverted to normal.
"Charming." 8T88 remarked dryly.
Over Florrum…
The combined fleet of Republic and Mandalorian ships dropped out of hyperspace, the Mynock at the lead and starting to head towards the surface. Ohnaka's small fleet of pirate ships sat waiting, the Florrum Firaxa, not moving. On the Mynock, Kento sat in the copilot's seat while Jaina took the helm. Ailyn, X2, and Xavier all stood behind them, watching Florrum getting closer and closer. The rest of the Werda Tsad and a contingent of Boma Company were onboard along with Clapper and R4-M9. A hologram of Admiral Moor then appeared over the console.
"The pirates appear to have been pacified. We're keeping out weapons trained on them and our fighter squadrons are ready to launch on a moment's notice. It seems they're not looking for trouble with the Republic." Moor said as Kento gave a nod.
"Good. I would hate to have to leave a garrison here when this is over." Kento commented, Hondo's palace appearing in the distance. Moor then closed the transmission.
"So we're pinning our hopes on a pirate and gangster to reveal the whereabouts of Tyber Zann's fleet?" X2 asked.
"He's our best shot right now at finding a lead. I just hope he has something to give us." Kento said as they started to touch down within the walls of Hondo's Palace, Hondo and an entourage of pirates starting to approach the ship. The boarding ramp then lowered, Jaina, Kento, X2, X3, Ailyn, Boma Company and the Werda Tsad disembarking. R4 and Clapper were left on the ship, R4 plugged into the communications terminal.
"Hello, hello and welcome to Florrum! General Solo, Vel, my friends, what brings two lovely ladies and an entire Republic and Mandalorian fleet to my humble abode?" Hondo asked with a smile.
"You've been ducking my calls, Hondo. I've been trying to reach you for a while now. We need information and Solo here claims that you owe her a favor. So, we're cashing it in." Ailyn said as Hondo opened his arms welcomingly.
"Information once again. Normally I would charge some kind of a fee, but seeing as how this is repaying my debt to Ms. Solo after our encounter on Endor, I am inclined to cooperate." Hondo said as Jaina cleared her throat.
"Good then you can tell us where we can find Tyber Zann and his fleet." Jaina said, Hondo backpedaling almost instantly.
"Tyber Zann?! Nope! Cannot help you! Thank you for stopping by! I'll be g-…" he said, turning to leave but suddenly froze, putting his hands to his throat, choking on something. Jaina noticed this and turned to see Xavier with his left hand raised in a pinching motion.
"I find your lack of cooperation, disturbing." Xavier commented in a low tone. Hondo's men immediately turned their weapons on them but Boma Company and the Mandalorians raised their weapons in response.
"Enough of this! Xavier, release him!" Jaina ordered, Xavier lowering his hand.
"As you wish." He replied, Hondo coughing as air filled his lungs again. Hondo then rose to his feet, dusting himself off and turning back towards them.
"Hondo, it is imperative that we find out where Zann is located. He's holding two very important people prisoner. We just need the location of the fleet where he might be keeping them." Jaina said as Hondo gave her a somber expression.
"Even if I knew his location, which I don't, you wouldn't be able to get close enough. Zann's fleet includes three of those Aggressor Destroyers, you know the ships with the big guns on them? They're the new mark II models even. Your fleet would be ripped apart." Hondo said. Onboard the Mynock though, R4 was looking out the viewport when the communications console suddenly came to life, R4 turning his attention to the console as an intercepted transmission came in. R4 beeped curiously before recognizing the transmission had been sent in encrypted Jedi Code. He quickly downloaded the transmission before unplugging from the console and hurrying towards the boarding ramp as fast as his locomotors could carry him.
"You're talking to some of the best fighter pilots in the Republic. We'll find a way past Zann's defenses. All we need is his location." X2 said but Hondo remained adamant.
"I want to help you, Jedi. But once again, I tell you, I do not know." Hondo said as one of his men approached, whispering in his ear. Hondo listening closely before arching a confused eyebrow. At the same time the Jedi all adopted a suspicious look.
"I sense something, a disturbance in the Force." Jaina said as R4 came rushing out of the Mynock, beeping excitedly.
"Whoa-whoa calm down, R4! What's the matter?" Kento asked as R4 activated his holoprojector, displaying a still hologram of a familiar Zabrak ex-Padawan in a hunched position while seated.
"Padawan Bow?" Kento asked curiously. Ailyn arched a curious eyebrow.
"Wasn't she the Padawan we thought got killed by the Sith Lord on Kalee?" Jaina asked.
"Yeah and then Scruff and the Skiratas busted both her and me out of Malachor." Ailyn added.
"You know the girl, do you?" Hondo asked, taking notice.
"She's an ex-Jedi. She abandoned the Order last year after encountering her sister on Saleucami." X2 said as Hondo rubbed his chin.
"She resembles a friend of mine from my days on Nar Shaddah. Sanzia Bow. Excellent pilot. Made the occasional delivery here for the reconstruction of my palace. So, this is her sister? I can see the resemblance." Hondo said as Kento looked at the droid.
"R4, what's this about? Why are you showing us this?" Kento asked. R4 beeped excitedly, bouncing from side to side on his struts.
"You intercepted a transmission for Hondo?" Kento asked.
"A message for me? Why I am flattered…I think. It just so happens that we just received the message. But since you have it as well, let us listen to it together, yes?" Hondo asked, stepping towards the droid. R4 then began to play the message. Hisari's hologram began to animate.
"I don't have much time so this needs to be quick. Captain Ohnaka, you've been a friend to my sister in the past. I need your assistance. You will find a set of coordinates enclosed within this transmission. These coordinates lead straight to the private fleet of the crime lord Tyber Zann. Included is a rough account of the fleet's strength. He has taken two women, a Jedi Healer and a Doctor as his prisoners. I'm not sure what he's forcing them to do but this message must reach the Jedi. It's urgent that Zann be stopped. I can't guarantee that-."
"And what do you think you're doing, Jedi?" Aurra Sing asked as she appeared in the hologram, holding Hisari with a blaster to the back of her head. Hisari spun towards her in alarm.
"Just looking up some information, that's all. Looking fo-." At this the transmission ended, the hologram freezing as R4 beeped something in response.
"Well, it would seem that I am no longer relevant. Guess that just saves me from having to contact you." Hondo said as Kento knelt down to R4's level.
"You have those coordinates?" Kento asked as R4 beeped affirmatively.
"I guess we didn't need you after all, Hondo." Jaina said as Ailyn glared towards the old pirate.
"No, but we do still need his silence." Ailyn said as Hondo looked at her in alarm.
"This is not my fight. I shall neither help you, nor hinder you." Hondo said as Venku looked towards a large transmitter dish near the palace.
"Just to be sure though." Venku said, putting a hand to his helmet, saying something in Mandalorian. They then heard the scream of starfighter engines in the air overhead. They looked and saw a pair of Mandalorian starfighters come flying in low, firing off a pair of concussion missiles that leveled the transmitter dish, knocking out Hondo's communications array. Hondo and his men glared at them.
"Were the circumstances different, my friends, I would not be so charitable about that. But I am in a generous mood. Solo, our debt is settled. Now unless you have other business to discuss with me, please leave." Hondo said, turning to leave. Kento then turned to R4.
"R4, transmit those coordinates to the fleet. Tell her we'll meet on the Falon Grey as soon as we can get there. We've got a strategy to discuss." Kento said as R4 beeped affirmatively and rolled back into the Mynock.
"Padawan Bow may very well have sacrificed her life to get us this information. If we succeed in stopping Zann, we'll need to make sure to honor her appropriately." X2 said as Jaina gave a nod.
"Agreed." Jaina said but Ailyn shook her head skeptically.
"If what I've heard of Zann is true, he's not one for a quick and painless death. No, she's likely to be tortured and given a long slow death." Ailyn said as they looked at each other.
"So the number of hostages we need to rescue just went up from two to three." Kento said as X2 gave a nod.
"We best report this to the council." X2 said as they started to board the Mynock.
Later on the Falon Grey…
The briefing room on the Falon Grey was abuzz with conversation as the squadron leaders of Liberty Group, the Mandalorian Squadron Leaders, Grey Group's squadron leaders, the entirety of Grey Squadron, the Werda Tsad, and the original members of Boma Company, sans Rayon, sat waiting for their leaders. Finally, Kento, Jaina, X2, Admirals Moor and Toba, Ailyn, and Venku entered, the soldiers all rising to their feet.
"At ease, take your seats people we need to get through this and fast." Kento said as the soldiers sat back down.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this mission is of vital importance to the Republic. We are not sure what Tyber Zann's motives for capturing Doctor Roa or my daughter Ferroda is, but the information Doctor Roa possesses is information the Republic desperately needs secured. This is information we cannot allow to get back to the Sith Empire. That said, General Solo, the floor is yours." X2 said as Jaina took the stage.
"Thanks to the valiant efforts of a former Jedi, we've learned that Tyber Zann's fleet is located near the Farbati Nebula near Taris. According to the information this Jedi was able to get us, Zann's fleet would be able to repel a capital class assault, thanks in no small part to these…" Jaina said, a hologram of an Aggressor Star Destroyer appearing.
"Some of you may not have seen these before, most of you probably haven't. This is an Aggressor Class Star Destroyer. They're weapons of mass destruction. They possess a large ion cannon and a massive plasma cannon on their forward bow. The mark II model shown here also include a pair of tractor beam emitters in the wings. They're meant for snagging smaller and more agile targets like corvettes so as to hit them with their main guns." Venku explained.
"Zann has three of them protecting his fleet. As such, any capital class assault would be suicide. To that end, we will be launching a coordinated fighter attack. We'll be divided into four groups for this attack. Yavin, Hoth, Endor, and Jakku Wing. Captain Xavier 'X3' Grey will be leading Yavin Wing. Yavin Wing will be tasked with protecting Hoth Wing, led by Ailyn Vel in her ship, the Makin. Hoth Wing's task will be to knock out the ion and plasma cannons on the Aggressors. Once those cannons are down, Jakku Wing, consisting of the rest of our fleet and under the command of Admiral Kasan Moor, will jump into the system to engage Zann's forces, giving Yavin and Hoth Wings some much needed relief. Meanwhile, Endor Wing under the command of Jedi Master X2, will lead a boarding party to Tyber Zann's flagship, the Circle of Influence in an effort to rescue Dr. Roa. Hoth Wing will need to use their ion charges to disable the Circle of Influence's shields first to allow for boarding. There is an extreme possibility that Zann will have a larger force under his command waiting to back him up so we need to be prepared for that possibility." Jaina explained as a tactical map of the strategy played out on the screens behind her.
"Any questions?" X2 asked.
"Actually I have some additional information." Ailyn said as she took the stage, Jaina stepping back for her.
"Endor Group is likely to face steep resistance inside the Circle of Influence. Some recent missions undertaken by myself and an elite team of Mandalorian Supercommandos, the Werda Tsad, uncovered evidence that indicates that Tyber Zann has been stocking up on an army of battle droids. These droids were being manufactured from a factory on Hypori which we shut down and destroyed. They were led by a droid known as Kalani, an old CIS Super-Tactical Droid." Ailyn said as Kento took the stage, standing next to her.
"Also, we can confirm that there will be Dark Jedi involved. We were able to confirm the presence of three ex-communicated Sith Lords in Zann's employ during the attack on the Redemption that resulted in Dr. Roa's abduction. If you encounter them, fall back and allow either myself, Master X2, or General Solo to deal with them." Kento explained. There was a silence amongst the audience but a number of them were nodding in understanding. The general atmosphere was that of determination and anger directed at their enemies.
"Alright, that's it. Report to your stations, and May the Force be with us." X2 said as they started to disperse. Kento was starting towards the door when…
"Hey, Marek!" X3 called, causing Kento to pause, putting a hand on his lightsaber just in case. He turned towards the approaching X3.
"What?" Kento asked, as X3 held out a metal cylinder to him. It was X3's old lightsaber.
"Take it. You might need it." X3 said, confusing Kento.
"Your lightsaber? What's this about?" Kento asked. X3 took a breath.
"Two of those Force Wielders prefer light-whips, right? I adjusted my old lightsaber to a shoto length. It will help in case you run into either of them." X3 said as Kento cautiously took the lightsaber.
"You realize what this means, right? Entrusting your lightsaber to me?" Kento asked but X3 shrugged.
"The lightsaber is the weapon of the Jedi. It should be carried by one." X3 said as Kento gave a sad but understanding frown towards him.
"So you truly have given up on the Order." Kento said softly.
"The path of the Jedi is not my Destiny, Kento, and I know for a fact the Dark Side isn't the path for me either. I think perhaps it lies somewhere in the middle." Xavier said as Kento placed a hand on his shoulder, a look of respect in his eyes.
"I will get your sister back, Xavier. I promise." Kento said as Xavier put his hand on Kento's arm.
"And if you can't keep that promise, promise you make Zann pay." Xavier said, Kento removing his hand, the two shaking hands firmly.
"On my life." Kento replied, clipping Xavier's lightsaber to his belt.
"May the Force be with us." Xavier said.
"May the Force be with us." Kento replied, the two letting go and heading in opposite directions. Kento made his way to the hangar where the Mynock sat. Boma Company, the Werda Tsad, and a contingent of Mandalorian Supercommandos were already boarding, Jaina and X2 already boarding the ship while Major Tresk and the twins did a headcount as they boarded. Kento was approaching the ship when…
"General!" Kento stopped and turned to see Rayon hovering up towards him, dressed in full uniform, his blaster rifle on his lap, the left leg of his uniform trousers tied up in a knot at the stump.
"What do you think you're doing, Mead? You were medically discharged. Go home." Kento said as Rayon came to a stop near him.
"With all due respect sir, my papers haven't come in yet. So, until then I'm still under your command, and the last orders you gave me were to protect Dr. Roa with my very life. I intend to carry out those orders, sir." Rayon said as Kento crossed his arms over his chest with a frustrated but proud smile.
"I'm touched by your dedication, Mead, but you're not fit for duty, not with only one leg." Kento said as Rayon looked towards the Mynock.
"That thing has turrets doesn't it? Stick me at the turret controls." Rayon said as Kento smirked with a chuckle.
"Alright then, Corporal. Report to your post." Kento said as Rayon sat up straight and saluted.
"Sir, yes sir." Rayon said as they headed for the Mynock together.
Back on the Circle of Influence…
Tyber Zann, in his holo-droid form, was seated in the "throne room" of his flagship. His Throne Room was originally a large meeting hall that came standard on the old Lucrehulk battleships meant for trade conferences. It also doubled as an observation deck in its day. Under Zann however, the throne room had Zann seated in a throne that was a faithful near-recreation of the Emperor's Throne from the Second Death Star only without the overhang over the head. There was a bar being tended to by a bartender droid, a full Bith Band playing in the corner, providing music to Zann's various patrons. 8T88 sat in a large chair nearby, a pair of scantily clad Twi'lek dancers from his Lekku Bar over Jedeh sitting at his sides, giving the information broker an appearance of status and power. Baron Eclipse stood looking out the viewports, while another of 8T88's Twi'lek dancers stood next to him, her arm around his, practically draped over him.
Herian, Embo, Bossk, and Montross were at a table together, Montross examining one of his blasters for wear and tear while Herian and Bossk sat drinking, Embo merely sitting with his arms crossed over his chest with a relaxed expression. Herian took a swig of her drink, looking into the cup with annoyance.
"Hey, my drink is empty! Bring me another!" Herian said with a dark grin. Bossk licked his lips with evil anticipation. Sure enough the reason for their anticipation came in the form of Sanzia Bow, clad in only a metal silver and brown bikini with blue cloth down the front and back and a pair of simple leather boots. She was carrying a tray of drinks, slamming one of the drinks down on the table.
"Can I get you anything else?" she asked tersely.
"How about a little danccccccccccce?" Bossk asked, sniggering in dark amusment.
"How about we find out if Trandoshans can regenerate their testicles?" Sanzia muttered.
"Ssssssssssssssssorry, didn't hear that." Bossk replied with a toothy grin.
"Ah forget about it, Bossk. Hey, bring me a Sullustian Freeze." Herian said, Montross nodding in agreement.
"Make that two and…some time alone later if your boss allows it." Montross said, running a hand up the side of Sanzia's bare thigh, causing her to snarl and wince as she resisted the urge to attack him. This caused Bossk and Bane to both laugh in dark amusement. Embo quietly shook his head at the three. Sanzia forced herself away from the four at the table, walking through the crowd of mercenaries towards the bar. She then felt a light shock from her collar. Nothing more than a static discharge but it was a means of signaling her. She cringed and turned towards Zann's throne, approaching it where he sat with Hisari sat on some cushions at his feet. Hisari was similarly dressed only her metal bikini was bronze and silver with a green cloth. Her collar had a chain running from it to a hook on the arm of Zann's throne. Hisari was lying across the cushions on her right side, a look of misery on her face. Sanzia bowed to her new "master."
"What do you want no-augh!" Sanzia grunted as Zann delivered a painful shock to her collar, a dark glare on his face.
"Where is your respect, slave?" Zann asked as Sanzia sighed in frustration.
"How may I serve you…Master?" she forced herself to say as Zann smirked towards her.
"Have a seat next to your sister, Ms. Bow. The show will be starting soon." Zann said as a Consortium Defiler approached and attached a chain to Sanzia's collar, the other end of the chain running to Zann's throne. Sanzia sighed and sat down in defeat next to her sister at Zann's feet.
"Hey." Hisari greeted softly.
"Hi." Sanzia greeted back.
"I'm sorry I got you into this." Hisari said softly. Sanzia shook her head.
"No, don't be. I was the laser-brain who agreed to work with 88 and got us on the payroll. We should've cut and run like you suggested." Sanzia said as Hisari sighed.
"Still…" she said before Zann gave a clap of his hands. The band immediately stopped playing, the patrons all turning and looking towards Zann who remained seated in his throne.
"Bring in our guests, please." Zann ordered. The door to the throne room then opened, allowing Jerine and Ferroda, both in binders to be led inside by Maul and his Apprentices. Aurra entering from another door, having just been released from the med bay. Jerine and Ferroda were led to stand before Zann. Ferroda noticed Hisari and was surprised.
"Padawan Bow?" she asked softly. Hisari looked away in embarrassment.
"Doctor Roa, Ms. Grey. I am pleased to hear that the two of you have been making such promising progress in accomplishing the task I have given you. I thought you might enjoy a reward for your efforts." Zann said, one of 8T88's Twi'leks approaching with a tray of two drinks but neither women took their drinks.
"We would rather not be rewarded, not by the likes of you." Jerine said defiantly. Zann didn't seem particularly fazed by this.
"I don't think you fully grasp just how serious I am, Doctor. You don't expect me to follow through with my threat to blast Corulag into slag, do you?" Zann asked as a look of mild panic appeared on Jerine's face.
"We've been doing as requested. Emperor Palpatine and Doctor Boll's previous work gave a near complete blueprint. All that remains is to adapt the Ssi-ruuvi entechment technology for our purposes, which we were doing when you had us brought here. We're practically finished. We have made no effort to resist." Jerine said as Zann gave a conceding nod.
"And I applaud you for your dedication and devotion to the task set before you. But I still think a demonstration is called for, to prove to you how serious I am about this matter." Zann said, pressing a button on his throne, causing the viewports to suddenly turn black, revealing that the viewports had actually been covered the whole time by the blast shields and had full-color holo-screens being projected onto them. Before them was a planet with an urban sprawl. Between them and the planet though were Zann's three Aggressor Mark II Star Destroyers, all pointed towards the planet.
"Do you know this planet? It was destroyed once nearly four millennia ago by an ancient Sith Lord. The Republic rebuilt it. It pays to know your galactic history, Doctor. It has a nasty habit of repeating itself." Zann commented as Maul, Lumiya, Silri, Hisari, Sanzia, Aurra, and Ferroda all suddenly felt the Force around them again, the Ysalamiri bubbles strangely disappearing.
"You've caged your lizards." Maul commented as Zann glanced his way.
"I know." Zann said as Jerine looked at the planet curiously.
"That's not Corulag." She said as Hisari gasped.
"No, it's Taris! That's-…that's my homeworld!" Hisari said as Sanzia's eyes widened. The sisters, Jerine and Ferroda both turned towards Zann who was glaring angrily at his two slaves.
"W-What are you going to do?" Hisari asked. Zann merely leaned back, pressing another button on his throne. A hologram of General Kalani then appeared.
"General, is the fleet in position?" Zann asked.
"The fleet is in position. We are ready to commence with the operation." Kalani reported.
"Very good. You may commence with the operation. Fire at will." Zann ordered, Jerine, Ferroda, and especially the Bow Sisters all turning towards him in shock and horror.
"What?! No…no, NO!" Hisari cried as she turned back, watching with horror as the Aggressors opened fire, firing massive ion blasts into the planet followed by huge spiraling balls of plasma. At the same time, the Circle of Influence's turbolaser batteries opened fire on the surface. Ferroda suddenly gasped with pain, dropping to one knee as she felt the sudden deaths of the millions on the surface, placing her hand to her chest in agony. Sanzia had her hand to her stomach, breathing heavily, similarly pained. Maul, Lumiya, and Silri all stood watching with emotionless stares, numb and apathetic to the suffering below. Aurra merely winced. But Hisari, despite sensing the deaths of millions, was on her hands and knees facing towards the window.
"No…no." she cried softly, Jerine watching in horror as she watched a planet full of innocent lives being set ablaze before her eyes. Hisari then looked back at Zann, a look of agony on her face.
"Please! Stop this! Please!" she pleaded. Zann glared at her before grabbing her chain, pulling her up close to him, sitting forward so that their faces were only inches apart.
"I told you that I would make you feel pain and suffering unlike anything you would ever experience in this or any lifetime before I grant you your death." Zann said as Hisari's eyes widened in shock and horror, realizing that he had chosen Taris because of her actions and that billions of people were now dying because of her. Zann then released her, throwing her down onto the cushions. Zann then pressed a button on his throne, the blast-shields dropping back into place.
"I think you now understand how far I am willing to go to get what I want, Doctor. And I think you all now understand just how heavy the price is for disloyalty." Zann said as the table of bounty hunters all rose to their feet.
"Hey, this wasn't part of the deal!" Bane said.
"Getting branded as accomplicesssss to genocccccccide issssssn't what we bargained for." Bossk added, Embo voicing his agreement. Montross gave a nod of agreement.
"You are all free to leave. Your contracts are up anyway. Do what you will." Zann said, giving a dismissive wave. The bounty hunters looked at each other and then started for the door, Aurra walking after them. Before she left, she happened a glance over her shoulder towards the two slaves and then pressed on.
"Take the Doctor and Ms. Grey back to the lab. I think they now have impetus to continue their work." Zann said, the Defilers moving to escort the shocked pair back to their lab, the two leaving in silence. Most of the mercenaries left as well, leaving only Zann, his slaves, Baron Eclipse, Maul, Lumiya, Silri, 8T88 and his dancers behind.
"Brutal, yet effective I believe." 88 said as Zann sat back in his seat.
"I've always thought so." Zann said as the Force Sensitives felt the negation-bubbles reappearing.
"Do you honestly believe that they will produce results?" Tamrien asked.
"They will or they will die. I've already given orders to General Kalani that should their efforts fail and I am killed in the process, that he is to burn all of Corulag to the ground." Zann said just as a button on his throne buzzed.
"Yes?" he asked, a hologram of Kalani reappearing.
"Sir, we have a situation. Multiple ships dropping out of hyperspace near the nebula. They are headed this way. It appears to be several squadrons of Republic starfighters, bombers, and light transports." Kalani reported.
"The Republic? That's impossible. The nearest fleet should be lightyears from he-…" Zann said before he paused with a look of realization on his face, his eyes shifting towards Hisari who looked up in realization of her own. She spun around towards him in surprise, tears still staining her cheeks as she glared at him in anger and defiance.
…
In the space near Taris, approaching the Consortium fleet was the Mynock leading Endor Group, the Makin leading Hoth Group, and Xavier Grey in his XJ3 X-Wing leading Yavin Group, while Jakku Group sat just outside the system. The fighter squadrons numbered well over one hundred including a squadron of K-Wings launched from the Falon Grey.
"Spirits of Alderaan, what have they done?!" Cut Up remarked.
"Cut the chatter, Grey-4, all wings report in! Grey Squadron standing by!" X3 reported.
"Aden Squadron, standing by." "Grey Blue Squadron, standing by." "Liberty Gold Squadron, standing by." "Liberty Blue Squadron, standing by." "Taung Squadron, standing by." "Grey Gold Squadron, standing by." "Liberty Green Squadron, standing by." "Liberty Red Squadron, standing by." "Malachor Squadron, standing by." "Grey Red Squadron, standing by."
"Hoth Wing Actual, all wings are reporting in." Ailyn said from the controls of the Makin, Hokan Ordo riding shotgun while Sabine sat at the controls of one of the turrets.
"Endor Wing Actual, all wings reporting in!" Jaina said from the helm of the Mynock while Kento rode shotgun, X2 sitting in the navigator's position, Bresha standing just over his shoulder while Venku took the communications position.
"Lock S-Foils in attack position." Kento ordered from his seat.
"Alright everyone this is it; May the Force be with us!" Jaina said as the fighters charged headlong into battle.
End Episode 20.
Next up, the Battle of Taris begins.
Will the Republic stop Zann from succeeding in his nefarious schemes? Find out in the next episode!