Episode 21 – Forces of Corruption: Part 2
Taris in flames! As a gesture of unspeakable cruelty, criminal kingpin and gangster Tyber Zann has begun a bombardment of the surface of the planet Taris in an effort to motivate Dr. Jerine Roa into creating a device that will grant him immortality while also punishing his slave, Ex-Jedi Padawan Hisari Bow with the destruction of her homeworld! However help has now arrived as Jedi Master X2, along with Jedi Knights Kento Marek and Jaina Solo, and an entire force of Republic starfighters converge upon Zann's fleet in orbit over the burning world of Taris!
Taris Orbit…
It was chaos as Republic fighters and bombers clashed with Zann's Fleet. The Makin, Ailyn Vel's starship led a squadron of Republic Y-Wings and B-Wings towards the Circle of Influence.
"Hoth Wing, ready ion cannons and torpedoes! Atin Squadron, target their flagship shield generators!" Ailyn ordered.
"Negative, Makin! Zone's too hot! Pull up! They've got gunships blockading the flagship!" Jaina ordered as they saw some aging Crusader Gunships in Consortium yellow moving to block the hangar bays of the Circle of Influence.
"Copy that! Hoth Wing, switch to secondary targets! Commence your bombing runs on those Aggressors!" Ailyn ordered.
"Endor wing, spread out! Let's see if we can lend Hoth Wing a hand!" Jaina ordered.
"Yavin wing, stick close to those transports! Don't give these nerf-herders an inch!" X3 ordered as squadrons of droid starfighters along with various mercenary fighters, all in Consortium Yellow started flying towards them.
"What are these things, chief?! They look like droids!" Party Girl remarked.
"Vulture Droids! I've seen them before! Watch yourselves, their missiles are likely packing buzz droids! They'll rip you apart if you're not careful!" X3 warned as the Makin flew past with a squadron of Y-Wings close behind. They were flying towards one of the Aggressors, firing ion cannons at its shields.
"Gold Squadron, get clear, I've got a present for them! Wren, prime a seismic charge!" Ailyn yelled into the back.
"Already set!" Sabine replied.
"Hang on!" Ailyn yelled, bringing the Makin in to fly between the large barrels of Aggressor's two main guns, releasing a seismic charge as it flew past, the bomb slamming into the barrel of the ion cannon, exploding on impact with the large blue sphere before compressing down and releasing the blue shockwave, the shockwave cutting through the ion cannon. The cannon began breaking apart, almost completely breaking off from the main vessel.
…
From the bridge of the Circle of Influence, Kalani saw the damage being done to the Aggressor.
"They are attempting to disable the Aggressors' main cannons to allow their capital ships a chance to get in close with less risk. Redirect Crusader Gunships four, seven, and ten to provide covering fire." Kalani ordered.
"Roger-roger." One of the droids replied. A hologram of Tyber Zann then appeared.
"General Kalani, report." Zann ordered.
"Republic forces are targeting our Aggressor Destroyers. Given their attack patterns they are attempting to disable them to allow their capital ships to enter firing range. Their probability of success is one-thousand to one, rounding up." Kalani reported. Zann looked contemplative for a moment before looking at Kalani again with a grim expression.
"Do not allow them to destroy or disable our Aggressors. Execute Protocol: 44. Authorization: Empire-2." Zann ordered as Kalani gave a nod.
"Authorization: Approved. Executing Protocol: 44." Kalani replied, the hologram of Zann disappearing as Kalani turned towards one of the battle droids.
"Contact our agent within the Sith Empire. Inform him that Protocol 44 has been authorized and activated." Kalani ordered.
"Roger-roger." The droid replied.
In Zann's Throne Room…
Baron Eclipse was watching the hologram tactical footage of the battle raging in the space around them. Zann, still using his holo-droid, was still seated on his throne while 8T88 sat in his chair, analyzing the battle. Hisari and Sanzia were still chained to Zann's throne, while Maul, Silri, and Lumiya watched the battle.
"I find it most curious that the Republic would come after us with such force so quickly. I could understand wanting to attack us for Taris, but to have assembled a force this size so quickly…they must consider me more of a threat than I initially realized." Zann commented. However, Maul wasn't as convinced.
"Oh if only it were that simple." Maul commented, earning an annoyed glare from the crime lord.
"Please, elaborate for us, Maul." Zann said as Maul put his hands behind his back.
"During the raid on the Jedi Frigate, I encountered…a powerful Jedi. The Force was very strong with him and his determination to prevent our capture of the young doctor was…most formidable." Maul commented, visibly curious about the Jedi in question. Lumiya scowled at this.
"I know who it is. His name is Kento Marek, and he is the Son of Starkiller." Lumiya said as Tamrien turned towards her.
"Marek? My sister's bastard child? I might've known. Like father, like son. He is the reason for this attack." Tamrien said with a scowl. 8T88 then rose to his feet.
"Ah, so there is the connection. My information indicated some kind of schism between you and the rest of your family, wife and daughter included, Baron Eclipse." 88 said. They then heard a chuckling coming from near Zann's throne. They turned and saw Hisari, her head bowed and shoulders shaking as her laughter got louder.
"How funny that a droid figured it out first, besting all of you!" Hisari laughed.
"What do you mean?" Sanzia asked.
"Marek! Kento Marek! Did you know that he led a small team of Mandalorians to Malachor just to break out one person out of a Sith Prison and rescued everyone else for the fun of it? You want to know how I know? I was there. I saw him. I know him. His loyalty to those he calls his friends is boundless. And that other girl? That's Ferroda Grey, the daughter of Jedi Master X2. She and Kento dated briefly and as far as I know they're still good friends." Hisari said, descending into a menacing chuckle, the others looking at her with mixed emotions. Hisari then collected herself for a moment and continued.
"There's a joke that floated around the Jedi Temple years ago, still does as far as I know. If you ever wanted to experience the full power of the Force, just piss off a Marek, either one of them and then kiss your keister goodbye." Hisari said as she rose to her feet, whirled around towards Zann, pointing at him.
"And you just kidnapped two people Kento Marek really, and I mean real~ly, cares about!" Hisari declared as Zann glared at her. Sanzia was quietly glancing back and forth between her sister and Zann. Suddenly both sisters collapsed, clutching their throats as Zann electrified their collars, both of them screaming in agony. After what seemed like an eternity, Zann finally stopped, smoke rising from their collars as they caught their breath, twitching on the ground in agony.
"Eighty-eight." Zann said, the information broker looking up at him.
"See to it that these two are put in the brig. I will deal with them later. Once I am in my new body, there are certain features I mean to test." Zann said as the sisters glared at him in anger.
"As you wish." 8T88 said, motioning towards the sisters, a pair of Defilers approaching and pulling them up onto their feet, unhooking them from the throne and forcing them out the door, 8T88 following close behind.
"Maul." Zann said as Maul looked at him.
"What is thy bidding?" Maul asked.
"I have learned that there is a disturbing tendency for the Jedi to defy the odds. I suspect that Marek will find his way onto this ship. When he does, you and your apprentices must make sure he does not come near the Doctor until after the transfer is complete." Zann said as Maul scowled.
"You say that as if we will let him live long enough to even reach you." Lumiya said as Zann glared at her.
"Your record does not support your bravado, 'Darth' Lumiya. Was it not a Marek who disgraced you at Malachor? Was it not a Marek who forced you to flee in the Karthakk System? Was it not a Marek's who singlehandedly bested you and three other Sith Lords on Mustafar? I don't anticipate your luck will have changed much. I will be legitimately surprised if it does." Zann said as Lumiya snarled in anger, reaching for her lightwhip with a growl but Maul raised his hand, blocking her.
"Save your anger, my apprentice. You will need it for when we confront the Jedi." Maul said before they started for the door. Zann then looked towards Tamrien.
"Inform Doctor Roa that she has run out of time. She must prepare for the procedure immediately." Zann said as Tamrien bowed.
"I will make sure the preparations are made." Tamrien said, walking towards the door as Zann scowled out the viewports, watching the battle taking place outside.
"I haven't come this far to be denied what I desire." Zann said before the holo-droid deactivated.
…
Back in space, the Republic Fighters were facing intense opposition from the Consortium Forces. As per Kalani's orders, three Crusader Gunships had moved in to reinforce the Aggressors, their laser cannon batteries fending off the Republic's efforts to bomb the destroyers.
"Those gunships are tearing us apart!" Quad Guns remarked.
"We've got to get through them somehow!" Trapper said as she navigated her B-Wing after a pair of droid starfighters.
"What can we do?! Their point-defense systems can shoot down our torpedoes mid-flight!" Cut-Up remarked. From the cockpit of the Mynock, X2 looked at one of the Gunships with a studious gaze.
"Come at them from behind. They have a blind spot at the rear! Yavin Wing, Hoth Wing, you need to do a pincer maneuver! Attack from the front and back simultaneously! And if you're attacking from the rear, hit those engines with everything you've got!" X2 ordered.
"Copy that, Grey Master! Alright you heard the man! Grey-3, Grey-4 form up and set shields to double front! Grey-5, Grey-6, and Grey-8, take the rear! Bomb 'em to bits!" X3 said.
"Makin, let's draw their fire! Form up and follow us!" Jaina said as the Mynock and the Makin formed up, flying near each other.
"We're on your tail, Mynock!" Ailyn replied as they headed for the Crusader guarding the damaged Aggressor. The Crusader focused its weapons on the approaching two ships, unleashing a barrage of laser cannon fire. The Mynock and Makin quickly pulled out just as X3, Shaggy, and Cut-Up began their approach, opening fire at the front while Party Girl, Porky, and Trapper attacked from the rear. Porky and Trapper adding their ion cannons to the barrage while unleashing a barrage of proton torpedoes. The end result was the port engine on the gunship exploding, causing the gunship to start veering sharply off course.
"Nice shot, Grey Squadron!" X2 complimented.
"Get clear! That gunship's going out of control! Its reactor core is overloading!" X3 ordered.
"Hoth Wing, get into position and bomb that thing to dar'yaim!" Ailyn ordered.
"Copy that Hoth Actual!" one of the pilots replied, two K-Wings flying towards the Aggressor as the Crusader listed away, finally exploding. The K-Wings suddenly unleashed a spread of proton torpedoes, the torpedoes smashing into the space between the large gun barrels, explosions starting to rip through the destroyer.
"A chain reaction's started in the ship's reactor core! That must be the weak spot!" the K-Wing pilot reported.
"Acknowledged! Makin to Hoth Wing, concentrate torpedo and missile fire on those gunships, overwhelm the point-defense systems! They can't stop a Zakkeg Spread!" Ailyn ordered just as the Aggressor exploded.
"Leave that to us, Hoth Actual! Switching to Flechette missile launchers." The K-Wing pilot replied as the K-Wings flew around towards a second Crusader. Once they were within range, they unleashed a massive volley of small missiles that went screaming towards the gunship. The point-defense laser was able to destroy only a few before the missiles smashed into the gunship's hull, peppering it with small explosions that broke it in half. Ailyn saw this and shook her head, looking around at her ship.
"I think I bought the wrong class of ship." She muttered as she brought the Makin around, firing a round of concussion missiles into the gap between the gun barrels, damaging but not destroying them.
"YAHOO!" Jaina cheered as the Mynock swooped in, firing off another round of concussion missiles, this round finishing off the Destroyer, explosions starting to rip apart the ships.
"Good shot, Grey-Leader!" X3 commented as the Mynock and Makin started to come around towards the third Aggressor.
"Hoth Wing, rinse and repeat on that last gunship!" Jaina ordered.
"Negative! Negative! They're moving the gunships into position to protect the last destroyer!" one of the pilots reported.
"A Crusader Line, very deadly to starfighters. It helped drive the Empire off Mandalore." Venku remarked.
"How do we get rid of the Destroyer then?" Bresha asked.
"You leave it to the professionals, ma'am!" another voice said, one that Kento recognized.
"I know that voice!" He exclaimed. Suddenly about a dozen or so Corellian Corvettes and Gunships dropped out of hyperspace, all with black markings on the hull and the Republic Starbird emblazoned across the hulls in silver while squadrons of brand new T-70 X-Wings in black with silver markings and starbirds made fast hit and run attacks on the gunships before they could turn their guns on them. The corvettes and gunships then proceeded to barrage the crusaders with fire, the Aggressor slowly starting to turn towards the larger targets.
"Eclipse Squadron, standing by, General X2! Compliments of High Command!" Commander Solan Eclipse reported from the cockpit of his T-70, Kento grinned as he hit the comlink.
"Uncle Solan, have I ever told you that you're my favorite Uncle?!" Kento asked.
"Many times, Kento! We can catch up later! We've got my niece to rescue first! Eclipse-1, that Aggressor's all yours, Poe!" Solan ordered as a black T-70 with orange markings led four more towards the now defenseless Aggressor just as it began to line up its first shot.
"You got it, Chief! Alright guys, hit the target dead center, as many runs as you can get!" Lieutenant Poe Dameron replied as they opened fire on the Destroyer, hitting it in the weak spot between the barrels, the weak spot exploding just as the Aggressor was about to fire its ion blast.
"Direct hit! Get clear!" Poe ordered as the Aggressor was ripped apart from the inside.
"Hey Grey Leader, when do we get to upgrade?!" Cut-Up asked with a grin as he saw the T-70s.
"Only when you can tell your exhaust port from a hole in the wall, Grey-4!" Dameron remarked.
"Cut the chatter! It's not over yet! Jakku Group the coast is clear! You are clear to engage! Hoth Wing set up for your attack run on the Circle of Influence! Endor Wing, prepare for boarding!" Jaina ordered.
"Copy that, Endor Actual!" Ailyn replied just as the Falon Grey, the Liberty, the Skirata Keldabe Battlecruiser and their escorts dropped out of hyperspace, engaging the rest of Zann's fleet.
Meanwhile inside the Circle of Influence…
Jerine and Ferroda were just finishing the final assembly of a strange device mounted to the ceiling of a room separate from the lab they had been working on. This room had Zann's floating husk of a body lying in his oubliette. Lying on a stretcher nearby was the freshly retrieved clone of Zann, just enough equipment hooked up to it to keep its body alive by force. Ferroda was installing the last of the equipment while Jerine was giving Zann a quick scan with a medical scanner. Her father and 8T88 were standing by near them, observing silently while Zann's holodroid stood at the foot of the oubliette, glaring at his withered form. A squad of Consortium Defilers stood guard within the room. Jerine was looking at the datapad in her hand as it received the data from the scanner.
"I think we're ready to proceed. Although, I have but one concern. Your body is so frail, so weak, I fear you will not survive the procedure." Jerine said but Zann gave a dismissive wave.
"This body is meant to die, Doctor. It is yours and the Jedi's job to make sure that my mind is what is preserved and transferred to my new one." Zann said before the ship shook beneath them, the lights flickering slightly.
"Report!" Zann yelled, turning towards 8T88 who sat nearby at a console, plugged into it via his data arm.
"The Republic have managed to destroy our Aggressors and have begun hitting the ship with ion charges. The ship's powergrid is fluctuating." 88 reported.
"Then activate the backup generators. We prepared for this kind of an emergency, didn't we?" Zann asked, clearly annoyed by the Republic's efforts. 88 turned his attention to the console for a moment. They then heard the sound of large engines winding up in a neighboring room, a series of power generators powering on to keep the lab equipment running.
"Generators are active and ready. All systems are ready for the procedure. By my estimates, it will take roughly thirty minutes for the procedure to complete." 8T88 said as Jerine gave a reluctant nod.
"I have it closer to about twenty-six minutes but I agree." Jerine said as Zann took one last look at his withered old body.
"Begin the procedure, Doctor. But remember, if I die, so too does everyone on Corulag." Zann said before the holo-droid deactivated its projectors, reverting to its normal form. Jerine took a breath, looking to Ferroda who gave a reluctant nod.
"Stand-by." Jerine said as she opened the oubliette, reaching up and grabbing the end of a machine that hung from the larger device, lowering the machine into place over Zann's chest, attaching it while Ferroda did the same with Zann's cloned body, attaching the other end of the device to the clone's chest. Jerine then removed the device on Zann's head that allowed him to interface with the ship's computer and the holo-droid.
"Ferroda, I think we will need you for this part." Jerine said as she and Ferroda switched places. Baron Eclipse then raised a comlink to his face.
"Cage the lizards." Tamrien ordered, the Defilers immediately raising their blasters towards Ferroda and Jerine to make sure they didn't try anything. Ferroda then felt the Force rushing through her again, sensing the Ysalamiri had been either caged or killed and their Force negation fields being disabled. Jerine then looked to 88.
"Start the machine." Jerine said as she backed away from the machine, Ferroda standing near Zann's withered body. The machine above them started with a hum which started to get louder.
"It's begun." Jerine said, taking a deep breath. Privately she hoped it failed but also feared for her homeworld if it did indeed fail.
…
Meanwhile in the flagship's hangar, the Mynock and several U-Wing and Krayt Gunships came rocketing inside, touching down and releasing numerous Republic and Mandalorian soldiers. From the Mynock emerged Kento, X2, Jaina, Bresha, Venku, Tresk, and the twins, the soldiers and X2 with their blasters raised and firing at the approaching mercenaries and battle droids in Zann's employ. Mandalorian Supercommandos were airborne, zooming through the hangar on their jetpacks, firing at their enemies.
"You feel that?! The Anti-Force bubbles popped!" X2 commented, deflecting blaster shots with his lightsaber while firing at the battle droids with his blaster. He was wearing his Phase-II clone trooper armor, complete with helmet. Bresha was close behind him, "sniping" the enemy with her scoped blaster pistol.
"I can't sense Ferroda still! But in this chaos, it's not surprising!" Jaina commented as Boma Company formed a defensive perimeter around the Mynock's boarding ramp using several empty cargo crates from the Mynock's main hold.
"X2! We'll hold the line! You go find Ferroda!" Bresha said as X2 looked towards her.
"Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum." X2 said softly, causing Bresha to look towards him for a moment, X2 able to sense her smiling back at him.
"K'oyacyi." She replied just as softly before X2 gave a nod, turning and running deeper into the hangar while Kento and Jaina followed after him.
…
Meanwhile in another part of the ship, a squad of four Defilers were escorting the Bow Sisters to the detention level when Hisari felt the Force flowing around her, causing her to slow her pace a little. She was then shoved forward by one of the Defilers.
"Keep moving, slave." The Defiler ordered but Hisari glared at him over her shoulder. She suddenly leapt up in a backflip, landing behind him and catching him in a makeshift garrote with the binders on her wrists, choking him while pressing her left knee into his back. One of the other Defilers tried to slip around to blast her but Sanzia tackled him into the wall. The two Defilers in front turned their blasters towards Sanzia but she quickly rolled to the side, the Defilers accidently shooting their comrade. Before they could shoot again, one of them was shot in the back, alarming Sanzia and the other Defiler. Hisari snapped the neck of the one she had been strangling and dropped him just in time for the other to be shot by a blaster bolt that flew past the sisters. They looked to see Embo, Herian, Aurra, Bossk, and Kazor approaching from opposite directions.
"So is this a rescue or an execution?" Sanzia asked as Herian raised her blasters towards them.
"Hold still, I don't want to miss." Herian said as Sanzia and Hisari both stood very still, bracing themselves for death. They heard her blasters fire but was surprised when they felt a very hot sensation graze their necks, their collars being shot off from their necks. They looked in surprise as Aurra elbowed past them.
"You owe us now." Aurra said as she produced Hisari's lightsaber in its sheath. Embo handed Sanzia her electrostaff as well.
"Wait, you're helping us?" Hisari asked, surprised.
"We're bounty hunters and mercenaries, not mass murderers." Herian said, Embo giving a firm nod.
"Sssssspeak for yourssssssselvessss. I'm just doing thissssssssss for the money." Bossk hissed.
"Regardless, we aren't interested in going down with Zann for a genocide charge." Aurra said as Hisari cut hers and Sanzia's binders from their wrists.
"He's insane and without honor. You want to kill someone to make an example of them, you kill someone they love dearly. You don't wipeout an entire planet just to make a statement." Kazor said as Embo threw a duffle bag to the sisters' feet. Saying something in his language.
"I guess we owe you then." Hisari said as she opened the duffle bag, pulling out her clothes, the sisters quickly getting out of their slave gear.
"Yeah, you do. Going against Zann is dangerous, but…well, we got a better offer." Aurra said.
"Yeah, someone is offering us a lot of credits to make sure you two escape Zann's clutches." Bane said as the sisters looked at each other before looking at her.
"Who hired you?" Hisari asked.
"Not sure. They didn't give us a name. But the credit transfers were made by a group called 'Knights of Ren.' Sound familiar?" Aurra asked but the sisters both shook their heads, Sanzia picking up one of the Defiler's blasters.
"The Knights of Ren? It almost sounds Jedi, but I've never heard of anyone named Ren." Hisari said as Aurra shrugged.
"It doesn't matter. What does matter though is that we get the two of you off this ship, or else we don't get paid. Now come on! Let's go." Aurra said as the Bow Sisters, now fully dressed and out of their slave gear, stood ready.
"Not yet! We need to get Dr. Roa and Ferroda out of here first! I'm not leaving without them." Hisari said but suddenly found the business ends of the Bounty Hunters' blasters aimed towards her.
"The Jedi are already onboard and are making their way towards her. They can deal with her. We just saved your afterburners and we're making sure you get on your ship and get out of here, now come on!" Aurra said but Hisari glared at her.
"Hold on, name your price?" Sanzia interrupted, confusing the Bounty Hunters.
"What are you talking about?" Herian asked as Sanzia crossed her arms over her chest, a coy grin on her face.
"Doctor Roa. I'm sure you all did your research on her, right? She's the heiress to one of the wealthiest families on Corulag, not to mention the niece of the Grand General of the entire Republic Military. Rescuing her and the Jedi could make us all very wealthy. So, it's a two for one package. You get us out for an extraordinarily high bounty, and you get the Doctor out for almost the same price." Sanzia explained as the Bounty Hunters looked at each other. Embo then stepped forward with a nod and an affirmative declaration in his native tongue.
"Credits are credits. I'm in." Kazor said. Herian ran her hand across the brim of her hat with a grin.
"Same with me." Herian said as Bossk stepped forward, cocking his rifle while Aurra twirled her blaster pistol.
"You have a plan?" she asked with a smile.
…
At the same time, the Jedi were making their way towards the back of the hangar, heading to where the hangar ring met up with the neck towards the core ship. They were running through corridors to the side of the hangar, bypassing most of the battledroids and mercenaries.
"I sense we're getting close! Be on your-…" X2 said before all three of them slid to a stop. Before them was a large door that opened, revealing Maul, Silri, and Lumiya standing before them, all glaring at them. No words were spoken as the Dark Jedi ignited their weapons, Maul with his double-blades, Silri and Lumiya with their lightwhips. The three Jedi dropped instinctively into fighting stances, Kento igniting X3's green lightsaber as well. X2 holstered his blaster and pulled a shoto lightsaber from his belt, passing it to Jaina.
"You'll need this." He said, Jaina taking it and igniting its blue shoto blade. Maul snarled, twirling his double-blade before the two sides charged, their weapons clashing. Jaina started leading Silri towards the hangar, Kento forcing Lumiya into an adjacent hallway while X2 and Maul exchanged blows. The two then leapt away from each other, X2 surprising Maul by drawing his blaster, firing at the Sith Assassin, but Maul deflected a shot back. X2 quickly deflected this bolt into the wall, holstering his blaster in the process.
"So, you're Darth Maul. I've heard about you." X2 said as Maul looked at him suspiciously.
"I sense a sort of familiarity to you, Jedi. Something strange." Maul said as X2 kept his lightsaber ready. Finally, Maul's eyes widened briefly before narrowing in anger.
"Ah, I see it now. You are the father of the Jedi we captured from the frigate. That is why you have come." Maul said, sensing X2's worry for Ferroda through the Force, his face being unreadable due to his Phase-II helmet.
"I am Jedi Master X2, and be it in life or through becoming one with the Force, my daughter and I are leaving this ship together." X2 said as Maul sneered.
"I haven't any interest in you, Jedi. You are merely an obstacle in my path to my true objective. Step aside." Maul said as X2 looked at him curiously.
"You mean Kenobi's heir? Lord Skywalker warned us that you knew about it. If that is your objective, you know I cannot let you continue." X2 said as Maul snarled and raised his lightsaber.
"You can try, Jedi, but my vengeance has been withheld for far too long!" Maul yelled before leaping at X2, the two becoming engaged in a vicious duel. Nearby, Kento was busy ducking Lumiya's cracks of the lightwhip as their fight spilled into a turbolift shaft, the turbolift being nothing more than an open flat platform meant for cargo and freight. Kento hurled a nearby toolbox at the lift controls, causing the lift to start moving, carrying Jedi and Sith upward.
"So it looks like we get to complete what we started on the frigate, Marek. I-!" Lumiya said before suddenly having to raise her lightwhip in defense as Kento came barreling in, blocking with the shoto blade, the lightwhip coiling around the smaller blade as Kento came around with a swing towards her head, causing Lumiya to quickly leap back, ducking Marek's attack. She uncoiled the lightwhip from his blade, cracking it out to her side.
"I sense anger within you, Marek. You must really care for that cousin of yours." Lumiya taunted with a smirk, although internally she'd been caught off guard by just how ferocious his attack had been. Kento said nothing, glaring at her as the turbolift reached the highest level it could go, opening into a wide corridor with a cargo track overhead meant to carry Droid Starfighters to their storage racks in the hangar. Lumiya smirked as she noticed Kento's back was to the hangar and reared back both hands before thrusting them forward, unleashing a powerful wave of kinetic energy towards Kento, sending boxes and cargo containers behind him flying but Kento maintained his footing, standing against her Force Push. He then started to walk slowly towards her, a hand raised in front of him, creating a cone of force energy around him to counter her own push. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she saw him approaching, a look of determination in his eyes. She said nothing before deactivating her lightwhip and using it to grapple onto the overhead track, swinging around to stand behind Kento, quickly leaping away from him before he could come back around to attack.
"It seems Vader has trained you well, Marek." Lumiya said before suddenly feeling her clothes start to flutter, what felt like a strong wind picking up towards her, pushing her away.
"You have no idea." Kento said in a low tone, deactivating both lightsabers and raising both hands, sending a powerful torrent of Force energy towards her. She didn't have a chance to dig in her metallic cleats and got launched some distance towards the hangar, falling over the edge but managing to grab on with one of her clawed hands, losing her lightwhip in the process to the hangar deck below where Silri and Jaina were fighting. Lumiya managed to leap to a nearby catwalk that ran over the starfighter racks, pulling herself up and igniting a single red lightsaber, raising it defensively as Kento approached, dragging both lightsaber blades across the ground, the Force surging around him and shoving anything loose away from him and out of his path. As their duel continued, Jaina and Silri were battling near the laser gated entryway protecting the ship's main reactor.
"You're quite agile for a Jedi whelp. I sense the Force is strong with you." Silri commented as Jaina twirled her lightsaber.
"I am Jaina Solo, I am the Sword of the Jedi, and the Force is with me." She said as Silri scoffed.
"Sword of the Jedi. How amusing." She said, cracking her lightwhip towards Jaina but Jaina deftly raised the shoto blade in time to get the lightwhip coiled around it. Jaina then pulled hard on her shoto, pulling the lightwhip from Silri's hand, stunning the Nightsister, especially as she cut the hilt in half, damaging the lightwhip beyond repair. Silri was now defenseless as Jaina reared back her lightsaber, hurling it at Silri, the lightsaber sawing through the air. Silri quickly dove for cover before the lightsaber could strike her, the saber returning to Jaina's hand. Silri looked up and saw Lumiya's lightwhip dangling from the leg of an inoperable vulture droid. Silri reached out her hand as Jaina approached her, pulling on the lightwhip's handle, the lightwhip flew towards her hand. Jaina saw it too late as Silri caught it and cracked the inactive whip at her, the whip hitting her in the face, causing Jaina to stagger back with a cry of pain. Silri grinned as Jaina collapsed onto the floor. Up on the catwalks above them, Kento heard Jaina's cry.
"JAINA!" Kento exclaimed, forcing Lumiya back and looking down. Jaina was using the sleeve of her Jedi robes to put pressure over her right eye, pulling her sleeve back to reveal a bad cut down the outside edge of her right eye. Her eye was fine but was clinched shut from the blood running from her wound. She glared at Silri who chuckled menacingly.
"So much for the Sword of the Jedi." Silri said as Jaina closed her other eye, raising her hands in a meditative pose as Silri reared back with intent to strike. Suddenly she heard a loud cracking sound and looked up in time to see a massive piece of machinery get ripped off the wall behind Jaina and thrown towards the Nightsister. Silri quickly leapt back and took a crack at the airborne machine, slicing it in half but when she did she saw Jaina leaping at her with both sabers active, her eyes shut as she came around to attack, their weapons clashing once again.
…
Back in the labs, Zann was awake. His withered form was screaming as his life force was forcibly removed from his body by the machine, a smoky and pulsing yellow energy being pulled into the machine on the roof, swirling around inside a large transparasteel tank before being forced into the empty body on the opposite table. Ferroda was struggling to keep his life force alive as it traveled up the pipe.
"How much longer, Eighty-eight?" Tamrien asked as 8T88 checked the controls.
"Difficult to say. But we are nearly finished." 8T88 replied.
"Good, as soon as he awakens we'll need to-." Tamrien said before they heard blaster fire coming from outside of the lab doors.
"The Jedi are already here? That's impossible, even for my sister's bastard!" Tamrien said, backing away from the door just as 88 closed the blast doors, the Defilers taking up position to guard the door.
"This will hold them." 8T88 said as the sounds of blaster fire suddenly stopped.
"What happened?" Jerine asked, worried by the silence.
"Wait for it." Ferroda said. They waited for a moment before suddenly the door started to glow from something hot on the other side. The door being melted away by an orange bladed lightsaber, entire sheets of molten metal falling from the door before the blade was pulled back. Suddenly the orange molten metal exploded, sending a shower of superheated metal into the room. A pair of blaster shots rang out, scoring direct headshots on two of the Defilers. The surviving Defilers raised their weapons but one was headbutted in the chest by Embo with his helmet. The other Defiler was speared through the neck by Sanzia's electrostaff. Tamrien and 8T88 quickly stepped back, raising their hands in surrender as Kazor and Herian kept them held against the wall, Bossk standing guard outside. Hisari and Sanzia then stepped into the room followed by Aurra.
"Doctor Roa, Master Ferroda!" Hisari called, the two approaching.
"Padawan Bow! You escaped!" Ferroda said as Hisari smiled at them.
"I might not be a Jedi, but I'm not about to forsake my friends." Hisari said as Aurra tossed Ferroda a lightsaber. It was Ferroda's lightsaber, confiscated upon her capture.
"What the hell is going on in here?" Sanzia asked, looking around at the machine.
"No time to explain, let's get out of here." Jerine said, picking up one of the Defiler's blasters. Sanzia looked up at the machine, the machine now seemingly inactive. She looked at Zann's body in the oubliette and raised her blaster towards him with a snarl of anger.
"What are you doing?" Ferroda asked.
"Zann just destroyed my homeworld. The least he can do is join all the billions he just slaughtered." She said, taking aim.
"This is for Taris." Sanzia said before firing, shooting Zann through the chest. Sanzia then turned and started for the door, a scowl on her face.
"Well…I suppose that concludes our business…permanently." 88 commented before suddenly getting his head shot off at the neck by Herian.
"I've always hated that droid." She mumbled as Tamrien looked at the droid's collapsed form next to him. He then heard the sound of a blaster rifle cocking and looked to see Jerine holding him at blaster point.
"You won't shoot your own flesh and blood, Jerine. I am your father." Tamrien said but Jerine snarled.
"I don't understand you. I never have. You used to adore the Emperor but now you side with a crime boss? Why?!" she asked but Tamrien remained silent, looking down at her with a soft but piercing gaze. Suddenly he was shot in the chest by Kazor, Jerine turning to glare at him.
"Figured there might be credits involved if I killed him." Kazor said, shouldering his rifle. Ferroda then grabbed Jerine by the wrist.
"Come, we must hurry. I sense a disturbance in the Force. Something is coming." She said before they took off running down the halls. The lab was quiet for a moment before the soft patting of bare feet could be heard approaching Baron Eclipse and 8T88.
"Get up." A voice said from nearby. Tamrien let out a grunt as he sat up, opening his jacket to reveal a metal chest plate beneath his shirt, the plate having stopped the blast from killing him. 88's optics flickered as his body rose to its feet, picking up his head. They both looked up to see the nearly naked form of a young man with long silver hair in only a pair of grey shorts, the man staring down at them. Tamrien then bowed to him gracefully.
"Lord Zann, welcome back." Tamrien said as the young man looked at his hand, marveling at his new body.
"What happened in my absence?" Zann asked, noticing the carnage.
"We were betrayed. The bounty hunters freed your slaves and turned on us. They have taken Doctor Roa and the Jedi." 88 reported.
"Your old body was murdered by Sanzia Bow." Tamrien said as Zann stepped over towards a nearby footlocker, opening it up to reveal his usual clothes and his Rawk-chopped special.
"It is of no difference to me. Download the schematics and inform Kalani to execute phase two of protocol 44." Zann ordered as he began to dress.
"At once, my lord." Tamrien said, stepping over towards a console.
…
Meanwhile in space, the battle was still raging as the Republic and Mandalorian forces engaged the dwindling Consortium forces. Cut Up was rounding the burning hulk of one of Zann's Interceptor IV Cruisers, attempting to escape a pair of Vulture Droids.
"I've got two vultures on my tail! I can't shake 'em!" Cut Up remarked.
"Maintain course, I've got ya!" Poe said as he came in guns blazing, shooting down both vultures in a single volley.
"Nice shot, Eclipse-One!" Cut Up remarked. At the same time, X3 saw a pair of Hyena Droid Starbombers heading towards one of Grey Squadron's Nebula Star Destroyers.
"Head's up, Greys! We've got bombers inbound for one of our Nebulas! Form up and-WHOA!" X3 yelped in alarm as a massive blue ion bolt struck the port hull of the Nebula followed by a large swirling ball of red plasma energy, the ball slamming into the Nebula, destroying the ship in a single shot.
"Haar'chak! Where did that come from?!" Ailyn asked. X3 was looking around before he noticed a shadow appear over his fighter. He looked up and saw something that made his eyes widen.
"Oh Force, no!" he muttered in shock as a large black colored Aggressor Star Destroyer with the decal of a white Krayt Dragon adorning its hull appeared out of nowhere.
"What is that thing, chief?!" Party Girl asked.
"It's the Merciless! It's Darth Fenrir's flagship! The Sith are here!" X3 replied as two Sith Destroyers dropped out of hyperspace, flanking the Merciless and deploying squadrons of Sith Fighters.
"Liberty this is Yavin Leader!" X3 said into the comlink. On the bridge of the Liberty, Kasan Moor was at the holotable.
"All Republic ships, prepare to retreat!" Kasan ordered.
"We can't abandon Endor Wing while they're still on that ship, Admiral!" X3 said as Kasan shook her head, staring straight at the hologram of the Merciless.
"We have no choice, Yavin Leader. Our cruisers cannot repel firepower of that magnitude!" Kasan argued. In the cockpit of his T-70, Solan looked at the Merciless.
"Give us a chance to kick its teeth in, Kasan! Eclipse Squadron, form up! We're going in!" Solan said as he and the fighters of Eclipse Squadron rocketed towards the Merciless.
"Yavin Wing, let's give them some covering fire!" X3 ordered.
"Hoth Wing, that goes for us too! Ke nu'jurkadir sha Mando'ade!" Ailyn commented as the Republic's starfighters started to converge on the Merciless.
"Fire at will!" Solan said as Eclipse Squadron started bombing the Merciless with Proton Torpedoes, aiming for the gap between the Merciless's large barrels. Unfortunately, the gap had been reinforced by rows of crisscrossing metal girders that lined the area between the barrels, the torpedoes impacting too far away from the weak spot itself to be of any use.
"Direct hit!" Poe reported.
"But no damage!" Porky added.
"We've got bigger problems! Incoming fighters!" Whisker reported as Sith TIE Fighters started to approach.
"Hoth Wing, hit that destroyer with everything you've got! As many runs as it takes!" Solan ordered. On the bridge of the Merciless, Darth Fenrir stood with his hands behind his back and a dark smile on his face. One of his officers then approached.
"Lord Fenrir, we have engaged the Republic Forces as ordered, but we didn't receive any orders to enter this system. We are technically behind enemy lines, milord." The officer reported.
"That's correct. We didn't receive orders. I did." Fenrir said as the officer furrowed his brow in confusion.
"Milord?" he asked, Fenrir smiling at him darkly. Suddenly Fenrir drew one of his large serrated blades ran the officer through the stomach, alarming the crew. He then pressed a button on his belt, causing several Butcher Droids to enter the bridge, storming through it and beginning to kill the crew. In the chaos, Fenrir calmly walked over to a console and entered a few commands, bringing up a hologram of General Kalani.
"Ah, Agent Fenrir. Your arrival is most opportune. Lord Zann has been reborn and is currently on his way to his shuttle." Kalani reported.
"We will be ready to receive him, General. I would advise joining him at the first opportunity." Fenrir said before closing the transmission. He then turned and started entering new commands into the console. Outside, one of the Sith Destroyers broke formation on Fenrir's order and started to cut across towards the Liberty, intending to try and drive a wedge between the Republic Forces and Zann's remaining forces. Fenrir smiled darkly at the ship before entering a few commands into the console. The Makin was forming up with a couple of Y-Wings for another attack run on the Merciless when they picked up an energy spike.
"Head's up! She's about to fire! Clear the line of fire!" Ailyn ordered, coming around in time to see the Merciless fire its ion cannon. But instead of hitting any Republic targets, it hit the Sith Destroyer instead, disabling it before firing the large plasma ball at it and destroying it.
"What the-?! They just destroyed one of their own ships!" X3 exclaimed.
"What's going on?! Are they on our side?!" Trapper asked.
"Doubtful! Press the attack! We must prevent them from firing again, regardless of who they hit!" Solan ordered. On the bridge of the Liberty, Kasan was staring at the Merciless in confusion through the port viewports when one of her officers saw something on their sensors.
"Admiral! We've got multiple ships dropping out of hyperspace in sector twenty-seven!" the officer reported, Kasan turning to look out the viewports on the starboard side, looking just in time to see a massive fleet of old Imperial Star Destroyers in familiar shades of dark blue drop out of Hyperspace, squadrons of Republic Starfighters dropping out with them.
"I don't believe it." She muttered as she saw the entire 501st Fleet beginning to engage the enemy forces.
"Alright Black Squadron, pick your targets and fire at will!" Jacen Solo ordered from the cockpit of a black XJ3 Type X-Wing with blue markings.
"We're on your tail, Black Leader." A 501st TIE Interceptor Pilot reported as four TIE Interceptors formed up on Jacen's fighter. Meanwhile the Tatooine Avenger opened fire on the Merciless with its long range turbolasers. On the bridge of the Avenger, Commander Delta, in full uniform, approached the front of the bridge where a hologram of Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker stood observing the battle, his presence being projected via R4-K5.
"Milord, we've confirmed that the signal is indeed coming from the old Separatist Battleship. But we're unable to establish a connection." Delta reported.
"Prepare a boarding party." Anakin ordered.
"Yes milord." Delta replied, turning and heading back towards the holotable.
…
Onboard the Circle of Influence, X2 and Maul's fight had spilled into a corridor leading towards the laboratories. The two suddenly moved to opposite sides of the hall, Maul looking up into the air in alarm.
"Skywalker is here? But why is he-…" Maul said before his eyes widened. He immediately turned and started to run away from X2 but a blaster shot from X2's blaster hit a spot on the roof ahead of him, tripping a ray shield generator that blocked Maul's path. Maul slid to a stop, turning to snarl at X2.
"You're not getting away that easily, Maul." X2 said as Maul spun his lightsaber.
"So be it, Jedi!" Maul hissed before the two clashed. Down an adjacent hallway, Hisari, Jerine, Ferroda, Sanzia, and the bounty hunters ran past but Hisari and Ferroda slid to a stop, sensing Maul and X2's presence.
"Father?" Ferroda whispered, turning to see her father dueling Maul. The Bounty Hunters and Jerine turned and joined them.
"Oh great, it's that freak." Sanzia commented.
"Is that a Jedi fighting him?" Jerine asked as Ferroda gave a nod.
"My father, Jedi Master X2. He-…Hisari!" Ferroda exclaimed as Hisari bolted towards them, her lightsabers active.
"I'm not running! Not this time!" Hisari whispered. Maul saw her approach and sneered, throwing a nearby supply crate into the ceiling, tripping the ray shield just as Hisari leapt through. This led to a chain reaction in the ray shields, causing them to start activating and deactivating almost at random. Maul took advantage of this and kicked X2 into an adjacent hallway just before a ray shield activated, trapping Maul and Hisari within a ray shielded cage. Sanzia and Ferroda hurried towards the ray shield as Maul and Hisari started to circle one another.
"You have outlived your usefulness, young one." Maul said as Hisari took a cleansing breath.
"I do not fear you, Maul. Not anymore." She said. Maul said nothing before starting to attack her, the ex-Assassin and ex-Padawan exchanging quick blows. Ferroda and Sanzia were trying to bring down the ray shield as Hisari and Maul fought, but Maul easily outmatched the younger ex-Padawan. Sanzia could see her sister struggling and began to fear what she saw as an almost certainty. Suddenly, that certainty became a reality as Maul delivered a vicious blow, knocking Hisari's lightsaber away before spinning around and running his lightsaber through her stomach.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" Sanzia screamed as Hisari, a stunned expression on her face, collapsed onto her knees, her lightsaber falling to the ground inactive, before she fell onto her side. Maul sneered at her body before turning towards the hallway leading towards the lab, raising his hand and attempting to lower the ray shielding. Before he could though, he felt something in the Force, a tremor. He turned and saw Hisari's lightsaber was moving slightly, twitching. It suddenly was launched into the air, flying into Sanzia's waiting hand as the ray shield between her and Maul dropped. Sanzia now stood with her sister's lightsaber and her electrostaff in her hands, a look of pure anger on her face. With an angry yell, Sanzia charged forward, Maul quickly raising his lightsaber as Sanzia unleashed a flurry of vicious attacks, her ferocity catching Maul off guard. Ferroda rushed to Hisari's side while X2 was helpless but to watch from the other side of the ray shield. The ray shield separating them from the path to the labs suddenly collapsed, Sanzia forcing Maul through to the other side.
Tears were streaming down Sanzia's cheeks as she bared her teeth in fury, knocking Maul onto his back before she started wailing on his lightsaber. She was letting out grunts of anguish as she attacked, finally knocking Maul's lightsaber away but he quickly kicked her in the stomach, knocking her back but this got him a slash across his right leg for his trouble, damaging his cybernetic leg, causing him to growl in pain. He then launched Sanzia backwards with a Force Push, slamming her into the wall. Maul quickly scrambled to his feet, limping away. Sanzia recovered and raised her electrostaff, rearing it back and then throwing it like a javelin. Maul sensed it too late and turned just in time for the the electrostaff pierce his right side, causing him to stagger backwards, clutching his side as he pulled the staff free and then threw it into the ceiling, damaging the ray shield generator and activating it, separating them as he limped on towards the labs. Sanzia watched him leave with a snarl before deactivating Hisari's lightsaber and turning towards her wounded sister.
"Hisari? Hisari speak to me!" Sanzia said as she hurried to her sister's side, kneeling down next to her. Hisari's breathing was shallow as she looked up at her sister.
"Sanzia…" she said with a light smile.
"I'm here. Hold on, we'll get you help. I'm not losing you again." Sanzia said as Ferroda concentrated, struggling to keep Hisari alive but even X2 could tell that it was a failing effort. Hisari smiled at her sister.
"I always knew the Force was strong with you." Hisari whispered, Sanzia realizing that she was dying.
"No, please, don't. I can't lose you again! Please, stay with me sister. I need you." Sanzia said, trying to place Hisari's lightsaber in her hands. Hisari instead pushed her lightsaber towards her sister's chest.
"This…weapon is my life. Use it, Sanzia…use it, for good. I…will always…be with you." Hisari said before closing her eyes and allowing her head to fall back, her last breath escaping as she became One with the Force. Sanzia looked at her sister's body as grief and sadness took hold, weeping softly with her head against Hisari's chest. She didn't notice as X2, Embo, and Herian quietly removed their hats and helmets in respect. The ray shield between X2 and the others then collapsed, X2 stepping out to join them, placing a hand on Sanzia's shoulder.
"Come. We must leave this place before it is too late." He said softly and comfortingly. Sanzia looked up, tears still in her eyes, picking up Hisari's body in her arms, her lightsaber clipped to her belt. With a deep breath, Sanzia gave a nod as they started to run through the halls, rushing towards the hangar.
…
At the same time, a TZ-15 Shuttle with Zann's white Krayt logo on the hull launched from the Circle of Influence, using electronic countermeasures and sensor bafflers to prevent detection as it flew towards the Merciless. The Merciless was already turning away from the battle, moving out of range of the Republic and 501st forces, leaving the sole remaining Sith Destroyer behind. The shuttle was able to slip right past the various fighters and cruisers as it came in to dock with the Merciless. On the bridge of the Merciless, Fenrir stood expectantly with a pleased smile on his face. The doors to the bridge then opened, allowing the reborn Tyber Zann, accompanied by Baron Eclipse, 8T88, and General Kalani to enter, Fenrir bowing as they entered.
"Welcome back aboard the Merciless, my old friend." Fenrir said as Zann smiled warmly upon seeing him.
"It's been a long time, Urai. You've done well." Zann remarked as Urai chuckled.
"I've already entered the coordinates for the rendezvous point. We are ready to make the jump to lightspeed on your order." Urai said as Zann stepped towards the front of the bridge, noticing the scattered bodies of the dead Sith Personnel.
"By all means. It will be good to get back to business." Zann said as he straightened his jacket, watching as the Merciless jumped to lightspeed.
…
Back on the Circle of Influence, the duels between Jaina and Kento versus Silri and Lumiya, respectively, were still going on. Lumiya and Kento had both come down onto the main hangar floor. As they fought, Silri paused, sensing something elsewhere in the ship.
"Lord Maul is in danger. Hurry, we must go to him!" Silri said, quickly turning and starting to flee. Lumiya growled in frustration but turned and ran anyway, unable to contend with Kento and Jaina's skills.
"You're not going anywhere!" Kento yelled, attempting to chase after them.
"Kento!" he heard Jerine's voice yell. He froze and looked to see Jerine, X2, Ferroda, and Sanzia with Hisari's body come rushing out into the hangar, the bounty hunters rushing past them towards their own ships.
"Kento, come on, let's get out of here!" Jaina said, now able to open her right eye again. They quickly ran to catch up with them, all of them running towards the Mynock. Sanzia however ran for the Halo. Soon the Mynock, Halo, the Republic Gunships and bounty hunter craft were fleeing the Circle of Influence but elsewhere in the ship, in the labs, a squad of 501st Stormtroopers were stood at the scanning equipment with a device plugged in, watching as a loading bar slowly filled. Finally, it finished, the device ejecting a data card.
"We've got it! Go! Go!" one of the troopers said, pulling the card from the device.
"Fall back to the transports! Hurry!" the squad leader ordered, the troopers hurrying into the hallway, making their way to an airlock where a boarding vessel sat docked. Suddenly one of the troopers let out a pained scream, the others turning to see the trooper run through from behind by Maul's double-bladed lightsaber. Maul saw the data card and his eyes widened in realization at what they had.
"No!" he roared as he limped after them, deflecting blaster bolts and cutting them down as he approached. The trooper with the data card quickly hurried towards the airlock where several 501sts were waiting, firing at the approaching Maul but the Sith Lord was determined to retrieve the card from them. The trooper quickly jumped onto the transport.
"LAUNCH!" he yelled, the airlock slamming shut just before Maul could reach them. Maul could do nothing but watch as the boarding vessel, a modified Tartan Patrol Cruiser, pulled away from the Circle of Influence, Maul snarling in anger. He then limped his way back to the lab, arriving just as Lumiya and Silri arrived.
"Master, we sensed trouble, what's going on?" Silri asked but Maul said nothing, entering the lab and was quietly relieved to find the data was still on the original scanning device. He quickly pulled up the data which displayed a hologram of a single individual, someone which made Maul's eyes widen in surprise.
"At last…the heir of Kenobi." He said softly before downloading the data onto another data card and pocketing it. He then proceeded to smash up the device with his lightsaber, starting to limp his way out of the lab.
"Come my apprentices, our work with Zann is not yet over, but my revenge…is nearly upon us." He said as they made their way towards the hangar.
Later on Coruscant…
The Jedi Grand Temple was still undergoing restoration. Its four smaller towers were still incomplete while it's large central spire was fully restored. There was still scaffolding surrounding one of its corners but Jedi starships were already touching down, the Jedi Order now fully beginning to move back into their ancestral home. The Mynock, the Halo, Jacen's X-Wing, an old Lambda shuttle in 501st Markings, the Makin, Solan Eclipse's X-Wing, and X3's X-Wing began to touch down at the temple, the rest of Grey Group, Liberty Group, and Eclipse Squadron remaining near Taris as the Republic impounded the Circle of Influence and relief ships searched for survivors of Zann's massacre. The rest of the Bounty Hunters had gone their own directions after escaping the Circle of Influence.
Luke, Galen, Juno, and PROXY, were quickly hurrying to the landing area to greet them. Kento, Jaina, X2 disembarked the Mynock with Jerine and Ferroda. Bresha, Venku, and the rest of the Mandalorians and Boma Company held back, X2 had his arm around his daughter's shoulder.
"I see congratulations are in order for yet another successful rescue mission, Kento." Luke said as the Jedi bowed to the Grand Master.
"It wasn't entirely successful though. The destruction of Taris, Maul's escape, and the loss of Padawan Bow made this a costly victory." X2 said as they looked towards the Halo where Masters T'ra Saa, Maris Brood, and a squad of Temple Guards approached, Saa and Brood comforting the grieving Sanzia as the guards respectfully placed Hisari's body, shrouded in a white cloth, onto a stretcher to be taken to the medical wards in preparation for her funeral.
"She died a true Jedi. We will give her a proper memorial service." Galen said, Luke giving a solemn nod of agreement.
"If I may, uncle, I'd like to pay for any funerary and legal expenses her sister may face for her actions in my abduction. She's lost her homeworld and sole remaining family member. She doesn't need to suffer any more than she already is." Jerine said as Galen gave a nod.
"I'll see if I can arrange a Chancellery Pardon for Sanzia in light of her actions. And don't worry about the funeral. We'll take care of that as well." Galen said as Ailyn approached.
"Not to cast aspersions but what guarantee do we have that the Hisari that died this time was the real one? The Sith have cloned her before." Ailyn said with her helmet under her arm.
"It was her. I could feel it. It was…different than last time." Ferroda said with a sad expression, X3, Jacen, and Tahiri approaching from their ships and the Lambda shuttle.
"Which brings up the subject of Zann. You say he was the one after you, Jeri?" Galen asked as Jerine gave a grim nod.
"He had help. My father was helping him. I still don't know what he would stand to gain from all of this." Jerine said as Galen and Luke exchanged worried looks.
"And you say he's discovered how to replicate Emperor Palpatine's ability to transfer his Force Spirit into a new body, only this time using a variation of Ssi-ruvi entechment technology?" Luke asked as Jerine and Ferroda both gave grim nods.
"Yes, uncle. And I am sorry to confess that I was complicit. He threatened to do the same to Corulag as he did to Taris. I had no choice." Jerine said as Galen turned to PROXY.
"Send a message to Admiral Ackbar to have a fleet standing by near Corulag. If anything happens, I want to be alerted as soon as possible." Galen ordered, PROXY quickly turning and hurrying into the temple. Luke then stepped towards Jerine.
"We may have to place you within protective custody for the time being, Jerine. Your father and Zann may come after you again and given your work on the project, we cannot afford to lose you." Luke said as Jerine gave an apprehensive nod.
"I understand. I already have a place in mind that I can go that no one, not even Kento, would think to look for me." Jerine said. Luke giving a nod.
"Very well. We'll make this a Jedi Issue. No record of it will appear in military record. Council's eyes only." Luke said as Kento arched an eyebrow.
"Family excepted?" Kento asked but Galen shook his head.
"No, son, not even you can know. I'm even recusing myself from this decision. Juno, Solan, I'm afraid that means you too. What you can do though is inform Jerine's mother and step-father that she's safe in Jedi custody." Galen said as Juno and Solan both moved to flank Jerine.
"We'll leave for Corulag as soon as possible." Solan said as they led Jerine off into the temple, Clapper following after them. X2, Ferroda, and X3 quietly fell back towards the Mynock while Jacen approached. Tahiri had gone off to follow after Sanzia.
"Kento in the meantime you're needed back on the front lines. With the recent losses, we need everyone we can to help. Forty-six systems have instituted a draft of their populations, and many more are expected to join us so we will have no shortage of manpower." Galen said as Kento gave a nod.
"It will be good to rejoin my men." Kento said as Ailyn looked at him.
"Still need a top-kick?" Ailyn asked as Kento smirked towards her.
"We might have to give you a pay cut." He said but Ailyn shrugged.
"Given the circumstances, I think I can survive with less pay. By the way, Kad said he's donating the Crusader gunships to your fleet to make up for your losses. Solo's squadron is getting the Keldabe on loan until they can replace the destroyer they lost." Ailyn said as Jaina gave an appreciative nod. She had small bacta patches over her eye.
"Remind me to thank Mr. Skirata for his generosity." Jaina said as Luke turned towards Jacen with a curious expression.
"Which reminds me, I understand my father personally ordered the entire 501st Fleet to Taris. Can you explain why?" Luke asked but Jacen shrugged and shook his head.
"I wish I could, Masters. But unfortunately, grandfather has been very quiet. He did say to pass on a message to you. He said and I quote, 'I have found her.' I'm afraid I don't know what that means." Jacen said as Luke and Galen exchanged looks.
"Her? Mmm, that is intriguing." Luke said softly, earning curious looks from Kento, Jacen, and Jaina.
"What does this mean, Masters?" Jaina asked.
"That is a Council matter for the time being. If it pans out, we'll reveal all to the Order. We just need you to have faith in our decision. It's not a big matter but it's of some sentimental importance to a few of us within the Order." Luke said, the three nodding.
"In the meantime, I believe we can close the case on that potential security breach we thought we had. Turns out it was mere coincidence that Zann was after Jerine at the same time we had her working on a top secret project. Which means we don't have much need for the Werda Tsad or your services anymore, Ms. Vel." Galen said as Ailyn shrugged.
"They served their purpose and besides, Scruff would lose his head in the heat of battle without me." Ailyn said, shooting Kento a wink with a smile.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Vel." Kento said with a dry chuckle.
"So then, Jacen, Jaina, Kento, let us formally welcome you to your new home. We have rooms assigned for each of you. Speak to the Temple Guards. They'll help you find your rooms." Luke said, bowing to them before turning and heading back inside, Galen following after him.
"I'm gonna go start transferring some of my leftover gear from your ship, Marek. No reason to leave it there now that I've got my own ship." Ailyn said as Kento gave a nod, Ailyn walking away, leaving the trio of friends to themselves.
"So you want to tell me whose face I need to break for messing up yours, sis?" Jacen asked Jaina who rolled her eyes.
"It's just a scratch. I'm lucky that this is the worst it got. Taking an inactive lightwhip to the face could've ended a whole lot worse." Jaina said as Kento crossed his arms over his chest.
"It was Silri, that Nightsister schutta." Kento said as Jacen gave a snort of contempt.
"I'll find her. I've been anxious to test out my new lightsaber." Jacen said, activating his lightsaber.
"Nice design. Looks a bit unstable though." Kento remarked.
"Considering its wielder, I think unstable is rather fitting." Jaina said with a coy smile towards her twin. Jacen gave her a wry smile back.
"Ha-ha, it is to laugh." He replied sarcastically, deactivating his lightsaber.
"Come on boys, let's go stake out our quarters. I hope ours are close to each other's, Kento." Jaina said as Kento looked around the temple.
"Doubtful. Besides I was kinda thinking about just living out of the Mynock. I don't plan on spending too much time here if I can help it. I'm not exactly fond of big cities." Kento said as Jaina chuckled.
"You come from a jungle planet, Kento. Being surrounded by the living Force is all you've ever known." Jaina said as Kento gave a nod.
"You know me too well. I'll catch up with you all later. I need to see to my men." Kento said, the Solo twins both nodding and silently heading on into the temple.
Meanwhile on the Sith Capital World…
Darth Akul sat upon her throne, looking up at a hologram of the galaxy, smiling darkly at the noticeably larger patches of red indicating the Sith's recent expansions. Commander 24 then approached her, dropping to one knee.
"Milady, most of the Hands have arrived." 24 reported as Akul looked at him curiously.
"Most?" she asked.
"Lord Fenrir is not responding to summons…we lost contact with his fleet. We believe he made an unscheduled trip to Taris for unknown purposes. We're still gathering intel on the situation." 24 said as Akul scowled.
"I sense…betrayal. I believe Lord Fenrir has finally made his true loyalties known. I always suspected we were but a means to an end…question what was his end?" Akul said as her apprentices, Stalker, Anjo, Sheelal, and Talzin filed into the throne room along with N-K Necrosis, Admiral Daala, and Kel Vizsla. Akul then looked at them, smiling at them from upon her throne.
"Congratulations are in order to each of you. Operation Blind Side was a complete success. The Republic has lost more ground than they have gained. We have already received reports that several Republic systems are considering secession from the Republic or are submitting non-aggression pacts be made with us. We have put fear into the heart of the Republic." Akul said with a smile.
"Congratulations are in order for you as well, then Admiral Daala." Stalker said but Daala shook her head.
"No. I was but the Operation's executioner. Not it's grand architect." Daala said.
"Ah so this was his plan after all. It had his familiar touch to it." Stalker said, Daala looking at him confused.
"His plan? To whom do you refer, Lord Stalker?" Daala asked.
"He is referring to me." A man's voice said from the shadows. Daala froze in shock at the sound of the voice, turning to see a man in a white Sith Imperial Officer's Uniform, bearing the rank insignias equivalent to that of Grand Admiral, approach them. He had blue skin, red eyes, and greying black hair. He approached and bowed to the Empress.
"You-…you're alive?!" Daala stammered, stunned to see the legendary Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn alive and well before her.
"When the Empress contacted me prior to the Battle of Bilbringi, I knew it was time for me to disappear from the galactic eye for a while. The Emperor had informed me of her existence long ago and wanted to make sure she had a keen tactician in her service should he fail. The Empress in turn assisted with faking my death. Reports of my demise were greatly exaggerated, Lord Stalker." Thrawn explained in his chillingly calm demeanor.
"How did you manage to outwit the Starkiller? His tactical skill is what helped him outwit the Empire during the Rebellion." Sheelal commented.
"I have spent the past twenty years studying General Marek's tactics and strategies, studying him, his past, history, family life, every minutia of his very being. Knowing my enemy, I was able to devise a plan to deceive him. Although he does not value his reputation for success, his image amongst the Republic has been forever tarnished. To preside over one of the most devastating military defeats in his career, most discouraging to the people. They will now begin to question his leadership, his ability to inspire confidence. This loss, will only be the first of many." Thrawn explained as Akul descended the steps from her throne.
"And we must make sure he continues to lose. I am appointing Grand Admiral Thrawn as the supreme leader of the Imperial Military, effective immediately. He will answer to me directly." Akul stated as Daala blinked in surprise.
"M-My lady, I thought you were the one who created the plan to deceive Starkiller! I was only doing as ordered! Have I not been loyal to the Empire?" Daala asked as Thrawn adjusted the cuffs of his uniform.
"And your rate of success, while in itself is impressive and not to be idly dismissed, has left much to be desired, Admiral Daala. By my estimates, the Republic would've defeated us within a matter of months. Considering you only became an Admiral through your…relationship with the late Grand Moff Tarkin, it should come as no surprise that your tactical prowess is so lacking." Thrawn said as Daala grimaced.
"How did you-…" she stammered as Thrawn merely motioned behind her. Daala looked over her shoulder to see Commander Hux approaching, giving her a cold glare as he moved to stand next to Thrawn, Akul smiling at her darkly. Daala was stunned at the betrayal by her subordinate.
"You have done well in your assignment, General Hux." Akul stated as Hux bowed to the Empress.
"My life for the Empire, milady." Hux replied as Daala sneered angrily at him.
"So I am to be demoted and stuck in some low position?" Daala asked but Thrawn merely shook his head.
"Not at all, Admiral Daala. Your expertise may not be suited for the position of Grand Admiral, but they will be best suited to a new position. One similar to your assignment prior to your tenure as Admiral of the Empire's fleets. Special Projects?" Thrawn asked as Daala looked quietly surprised.
"Special Projects? What sort of projects?" she asked softly. She was starting to realize that she wasn't being demoted at all but merely tasked with an assignment of greater importance. Akul smiled and produced a small datapad from within her robes, handing the pad to Daala. Daala quietly looked the pad over. Unknown to her, Darth Talzin could see over her shoulder and could clearly see what was displayed on the screen, what she saw causing her eyes to quietly widen in alarm and fear. Daala herself was quietly taken aback at the task given to her.
"It is already at fifty percent completion, Admiral Daala. It is not yet operational, but that is what you are being brought on to make sure of." Thrawn said as Daala bowed to the Empress.
"It will be done, Milady." Daala said.
Back on Coruscant…
Night had fallen and near the base of the central tower, a funeral pyre burned, cremating the body of Padawan Hisari Bow. The service had ended and Sanzia was already making her way back to her ship, alone, a grieving look on her face.
"Ms. Bow." A voice said. Sanzia stopped, looking over her shoulder to see Maris Brood approaching.
"I'm sorry for your loss. Hisari's death saddens all of us." Maris said as Sanzia quietly pulled Hisari's lightsaber from its sheath.
"We'd only been partners for only a couple of months. I…I wanted us to be together. I'd always felt guilty about leaving her on Taris when she was younger. I swore I'd find a way to reunite with her. Now she's…" Sanzia said, choking up in her grief. Maris gave her a pitying look.
"Do you know what the Force is, Sanzia?" Maris asked as Sanzia looked up.
"She explained it once. Some kind of energy field, right?" she asked.
"It is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, binds the galaxy together." Maris said as Sanzia nodded.
"Yeah, those were her exact words." Sanzia said as Maris gave a nod.
"It is believed that when one dies, their Life Force, the energy that gives them life and their very being, returns to the Force itself. It is known as becoming One with the Force. So in essence, Hisari is now part of the Force, and as such, is forever with you. The Force is strong with you, Sanzia. You can feel it, can't you?" Maris asked as Sanzia flashed back to the battle on the Circle of Influence when she was able to pull Hisari's lightsaber to her hand almost by magic.
"I can. But what are you saying? Are you saying I could become a Jedi like her?" Sanzia asked.
"Only if you feel it is right." Maris said as Sanzia sighed heavily.
"I don't think the Jedi are for me. I…I need some time to think it over." Sanzia said as Maris gave her a nod.
"Of course. But there's something else you should know." Maris said, earning Sanzia's attention.
"What?"
"When Hisari was rescued from a Sith Prison last year, she requested an audience with the Council. She requested that a Will be made in her name, bequeathing all of her possessions, albeit few in number, to her sole remaining relative. You." Maris said as Sanzia looked at her curiously.
"What?" Sanzia asked as Maris produced a wooden box, opening it and revealing only two objects. A long braid of brown hair with a broken horn tied to the end of it, and a blue hardcover book with the symbol of the Old Jedi Order on the cover in silver.
"This was her Padawan Braid. The Council decided to unanimously confer upon her the posthumous rank Jedi Knight. Had she been alive, this braid would've been severed ritualistically." Maris said as Sanzia took the braid, running it through her hand, quietly remembering her sister. Maris then picked up the book.
"This book is a copy of the Jedi Path. It is a sort of…beginner's guide to the Force and the Jedi Order. Every Padawan gets one when they're inducted into the Order. It's not some kind of holy text but merely a reference guide. In the old Jedi Order, it became customary for Jedi Masters to pass their copies down to their First Padawans upon accepting them as their Apprentice. Hisari's Master was killed during the attack on Yavin at the beginning of the war, and with no one else to bequeath it to, she willed it to you in the hopes that you might learn to hone your skill with the Force." Maris said as Sanzia took the book, looking it over.
"I…I don't know if I can. I don't know anything about the Force or the Jedi or the Sith." Sanzia said as Maris gave an understanding nod.
"I know. Maybe this book will help you find your way." Maris said as Sanzia sighed and nodded.
"Maybe so. I should probably go now. I…I don't really feel comfortable here and I've still got a bounty on my head. That pardon hasn't come through yet if it ever will. But the credits the Doctor paid me for the rescue is burning a hole in my pocket." Sanzia said as Maris gave her a nod.
"I understand. But know that if you are ever in need of a port in the storm, know that you are always welcome here amongst the Jedi." Maris said, bowing to her. Sanzia didn't return the bow, not fully understanding the gesture. She was about to turn away when she paused.
"Oh, one more thing. Have you heard of a group called the Knights of Ren?" Sanzia asked but Maris furrowed her brow, shaking her head.
"It recalls nothing to my mind. What've you heard of it?" Maris asked.
"Nothing except, whoever they are, they paid the bounty hunters to rescue me and Hisari from Zann's clutches. I don't know anything more." Sanzia said as Maris gave a nod.
"If I hear anything, I'll be sure to let you know." Maris said as Sanzia gave a nod.
"Thanks." Sanzia replied. She then turned and boarded the Halo, starting the ship's engines and taking off into the night sky. Maris watched with a sad smile.
"May the Force be with you, Sanzia Bow." She said softly before feeling the winds briefly pick up around her.
"I am." She heard a voice whisper on the winds. Maris smiled as she recognized the voice.
"I know you are, Hisari. May you rest peacefully within the Force." Maris replied softly.
…
Not too far off from the Temple, at a nearby spaceport, Major Tresk, Sugi, and Sumi were walking Corporal Mead to an interplanetary freighter bound for Onderon, the twins both with a hand on the back handles of his hover chair. Rayon's duffle bag of personal effects was on his lap while his footlocker was being towed behind him on a repulsor pad attached to his chair.
"Don't forget to write us. The Company will be expecting regular reports of civilian life from you." Tresk instructed as Rayon chuckled.
"I know that drill, Major. I'll try to write as often as I can." Rayon said.
"And we'll try and record something special for your birthday." "A little Twi'lek delight perhaps?" the twins suggested.
"Isn't it illegal to transmit that kind of stuff?" Rayon asked, blushing a little.
"No, but it can be morally questionable." Tresk replied.
"If you blush that easily from the mere suggestion, Corporal, then take a fool's advice and don't visit Zeltros for anything. The sights there are enough to make even the most chaste of Jedi Masters need a cold shower." Kento said as he suddenly emerged from amongst the crowd. The twins and Major Tresk immediately saluted.
"General! I wasn't expecting to see you again, sir." Rayon said but Kento chuckled.
"I've seen off each and every one of the original Boma Company members that've left us. I'm not about to stop now. I actually had a little going away present for you." Kento said, reaching into his robes and pulling out a copy of the Jedi Path, handing it to Rayon.
"This book was given to me by my Master. It's a copy of a book every Jedi is given upon induction into the Jedi Order. You may not ever become a Jedi personally, but this will give you greater insight into the order itself." Kento said as Rayon smiled, tucking the book between his right leg and right armrest. He then sat up straight and saluted.
"It's been an honor serving with you sir." Rayon said as Kento returned the salute.
"The honor has been mine, Corporal." Kento said.
Meanwhile on Vjun
The 501st Fleet had arrived in force from Taris. Jacen and Tahiri were still on Coruscant but the rest of the fleet had gathered over the planet. A shuttle launched from the Tatooine Avenger, flying towards Bast Castle on the surface. The shuttle flew directly towards the landing area on the tower, touching down amidst the acid rainfall of the planet but the atmospheric shields over the castle protected the passengers as Commander Delta, General Veers, and Captain Phasma disembarked, escorting R4-K5 into Skywalker's private chambers. The damage from Maul's earlier attack was nearly completely repaired. They entered into the chambers where they saw Anakin seated in his meditation chamber, his back to them as he examined what appeared to be some kind of holo-graphic chart of some kind.
Phasma was able to make out the chart briefly. It had a hologram of Anakin's helmet at the top, branching down to a holographic still of Jacen Solo. It then branched down again beneath Jacen to a holographic still of Tahiri. It then branched out from Jacen to three other individuals. One was Xavier "X3" Grey, another was Hisari Bow but her hologram was colored red and the caption "deceased" next to her image. The other was of her sister, Sanzia Bow. Anakin immediately deactivated the chart as he sensed their approach, his seat spinning him around to face them.
"Lord Skywalker, we have it. The culmination of Project: Legacy." Delta reported as he removed his helmet, holding up the data card from the Circle of Influence. He then stepped forward and held it out for Anakin to take. Anakin did so, looking at it with apprehension. He then turned his seat back to face the back wall, plugging in the data card. The hexagonal view screen on the wall flickered to life, displaying the data from Jerine's DNA comparison on Kenobi's bloodline. The image displayed on the screen made Veers and Delta look at it in quiet surprise. Phasma was surprised too but her expressions were hidden beneath her mask.
"So…we meet again, at last, my Master." Anakin said as he looked at the image of Kenobi's Heir…
…his biological daughter…
…Talzin Ventress.
End Episode 21.
Tune in next week for the thrilling Season 2 Season Finale.
This episode formally brings Grand Admiral Thrawn and Poe Dameron into Shadow Wars canon.
And yes, Jaina does now officially have an Anakin Skywalker scar on her face.