Chapter 14

(Abregado-rae, Abregado system)

"We are exiting hyperspace in thirty seconds milord." Captain Piett informed as Vader with arms crossed, marched to the forefront of the Exactor and gazed out its viewport to bare witness to what was to come.

"Order all forward vessels to mark all targets that are not using our radio frequencies. Admiral Teradoc reported that all Moff aligned ships will be transmitting a non-standard issue radio frequency. I want all fighter, interceptors, and bombers launched twenty seconds after reentry!" Vader commanded as Piett relayed the orders as they had mere seconds left.

With a sudden jerk of the ship Vader's 170 strong fleet detachment from the grand fleet entered into space near Abregado-rae. Before them lay a floating junkyard of dozens of ships, and anti-ship flak was flying throughout space as in the short distance from them and all around the world were Imperial class, and old Republic class ships firing at one another in a confusing and haphazard manner.

"Milord, all vessels report that we have confirmed locks on Moff vessels! They are transmitting under an old, but relatively still secure communication channel!" Piett informed as he hunched over a terminal and read off the information to Vader.

"Launch all fighters and bombers! I want all interdictors to power on their gravity wells immediately! Concentrate our corvettes to the front, and have all our battle-cruisers, and assault-frigates remain behind our prime battle lines to cover our main Stardestroyer units!" Vader ordered as if he hadn't heard Piett, but in reality he only ordered because of Piett's assurance that the enemy fleet was identified. The officers on deck were quick and efficient in relaying Vader's orders, and it was just they way Vader liked them.

Soon all the batteries on the Stardestroyer lines began firing no their selected targets in the distance, a few of which had now turned to engage Vader and his fleet. The frontline skirmishing vessels that lord Vader sent forward ahead of the main battle fleet, the cruisers and frigates were taking the brunt of the enemy turbolaser and missile fire. "Lord Vader, admiral Nolik is requesting to speak with you via holo-communication." Piett informed and with a curt nod Vader turned his attention to the decks' holoprojector. Within moments a visage of an all blue holo-image appeared of a younger man in Imperial garb and looking slightly disheveled.

"It is most pleasant to see you my lord Vader we were beginning to think that reinforcements were not going to-"

"Dispense with the chatter admiral!" Vader interjected forcefully. "If you are in need of tactical cooperation on my end merely state as such and we may proceed." The Sith lord declared in a more soft tone, as the dark lord did not feel it prudent to instill utter fear into what could possibly be an already unnerved man.

Nolik cleared his throat in apprehension but gave a curt nod before clasping his hands behind his back and took a more Imperial looking stance before Vader.

"Very well lord Vader." He responded with a near unnoticed breath. "The Moffs have us boxed in close to the atmosphere of Abregado-rae, and are slowly pushing our fleet into more drastic maneuvers closer to the world in; what I believe to be a bid to force our ships too close to the planets surface." Nolik said and Vader waved his hand for the man to continue on. "Um, well yes, the Moffs are outflanking us with their superior numbers and we have lost over half our original force. It would seem as if the Moffs have are far greater number of units and ships then we could have ever realized my lord, and so I humbly request immediate support for a spearhead breakout maneuver." Vader frowned behind his mask at the request.

"Unacceptable." Vader intoned as his ship rocked slightly as an enemy Stardestroyer fired in the Exactors' shields, though Vader paid it no mind.

"un-unacceptable…lord Vader?" Nolik repeated, stunned, and scared.

"I will not be aiding you in a foolish attempt to break a Moff encirclement if you cannot bring me a better plan than attack them from the front!" Vader explained crossing his arms.

"No, what you must do admiral is follow my lead and you may live to recount this experience one day." The admiral nodded furiously as Vader noted that his ship too began rocking and officers began yelling in the background to stabilize damaged positions.

"Now I will order a forty ship strong detachment of my fleet to spearhead through the Moffs right flank or your leftern flank. You will coordinate a push out of your right flank and create to breaches in the Moff lines." Vader commanded as he paced only slightly.

"Followed by the successful completion of this phase I will send an additional thirty ships to create a dual pocket around these Moffs trapped by our breaches. We will exterminate all ships inside our pockets and leave the Moffs reeling." Nolik looked like he was thinking it over but only took a moment to do so before nodding and agreeing to Vader's plan.

"Very well." Vader commented back. "Now order your remaining interceptors to take up guard positions along what is left of your fleet, all remaining fighters will continue to engage hostile forces. Move all your corvettes and especially your Tartan cruisers to the front. They are your first line of defense and if necessary sacrificial to the greater survival of you and your fleet. Maintain shields until my forces breach along your left. Once they breach begin breaching right. Do you understand admiral Nolik?"

"Perfectly clear, my lord Vader." With that affirmation Vader cut the connection and turned to Piett. "Captain, relay a command to admiral Ozzel at once. Inform him to take forty ships with under my commandment, and pursue the course of action I just relayed to Nolik. Furthermore contact vice-admiral Calin and order him to take command of the thirty ship strong detachment." Piett gave a curt nod.

"understood lord Vader, at once!" He responded, with exceptional ease and lack of incompetence, just how Vader liked it.

As the two fleets detached from Vader and the main force he came up with his own plans to deal with these Moffs. "Now, captain, I want an additional thirteen vessel strong breach to our dead center. Order five TIE fighter and six TIE bomber units to attack on the enemy's left, and have three Stardestroyers on our direct portside to continue launching covering fire. I want those bombers to knock out our enemies and create a breach to the left while we form up and move along the center!" Vader barked and Piett, as usual began relaying the orders, and soon the fleet began moving up the center as Moff forces that had disengaged Nolik and his fleet moved up to confront him head on.

"You may begin firing all turbolaser batteries at your leisure. All missile batteries fire at will!" Vader announced as he once more took to the front of the Exactor, crossed his arms and watched as a massive initial barrage of imperial firepower flew away from his fleet and began slamming into the oncoming Moff fleet of mostly outdate ships. 'Such outdated and outmoded vessels will never be able to hold your lines Vellam. You sorely disappoint me.' Vader thought in annoyance as his puppet obviously thought greater numbers equaled victory.

"My lord, communications have been breached and onboard intelligence is reporting the Moff leadership is based on that 'Secutor-class,' Stardestroyer." Piett informed as he pointed out a rare sight for Vader in the distance.

There was indeed a Secutor-class star destroyer that was hanging back behind four Victory-class ships. Vader had not expected to see one of the elder Stardestroyer variants put into use by Vellam so early only because the ship by comparison was far better and more powerful than the pitiful Venator-class Stardestroyers.

"Indeed. Then place an order to our forward Tartan cruisers to focus on that ship once we break the lines captain." Piett nodded and Vader was pleased to see his TIE units causing critical damage along several of the Venator's in their way.

Then he saw it, three Venator's suddenly blew their underbelly sections out, and based on designs Vader knew, their life-support systems had been destroyed. "There! Focus your fire on those ships, and order the fighters and bombers to make runs on their secondary lines at once!" The fleet wasted no time in following the Sith lords orders, and in no time the three vessels were bombarded with fire and blew up in varying manners of massive twisted chunks of metal. "Now order the Tartans through Captain." Not missing a beat a group of Tartans pushed through the breach and concentrated their firepower directly onto the Secutor Stardestroyer causing a hurried response by several Moff ships that were advancing on Vader's fleet. These ships advanced beyond the front Moff fleet in order to make a turn and reinforce the Secutor. It was a massive mistake.

"The secondary line has broken rank in attempt to aid the Secutor. Captain, I want all our Broadside cruisers to cover the line with missile fire at once. All Stardestroyers fire at will on those ships breaking ranks and turning!" Those orders were followed through with ease as a massive loyalist wave of fire rained upon the inept ships that had turned in attempt to aid the Secutor. Which itself was sustaining damage from the Tartan cruisers delivering speedy, but damaging attack runs along its sides.

"Lord Vader! Admirals Nolik, Ozzel, and Calin are reporting success along their breaches and have encircled the Moffs now!" Vader nodded in dark satisfaction.

"Order them all annihilated at once!" With a wave of his hand before him Vader declared.

"Destroy the ships that are turning. Order the tartans to maintain their attacks. I want bombers chasing all vessels breaking ranks. Pus the Moff fleet back, and I want a ground assessment of Abregado-rae in front of me within the hour captain Piett!" Vader barked in his usual manner and enjoyed seeing his officers snap to work on relaying commands.

For it was quite clear that the Moffs had lost above Abregado-rae.

(Coruscant, Darth Vader's Palace)

The three teens and their two droid companions had just landed at the palace not too long ago and since then had walked in relative silence as they made their way deeper into the palace walls. Viathan was feeling a strange amalgamation of trepidation towards the princess, enjoyment at being back on Coruscant, and fear, for he would need to be before his old master soon.

Leia was in a mood of intrigue, unease, and impatience to train and learn more in order t do something, but if she were honest she felt fairly out of her league right now, and lord Kun had in all honesty intimidated her though she had refused to show it. The looming prospect of seeing Bail again also set her into a nervous mood.

Starkiller on the other hand felt rather good. He had personally rounded up the senators lord Kun had pointed out from his list from director Vandron, and had watched in delight as they were forced to their knees, gagged, and the hope within them diluted. All the while Kun had not done anything he knew his master would have been opposed to, and was now fully in charge of his masters palace as a 'mission,' set by Kun himself. For him things seemed up.

Nonetheless they walked on as the two droids continued to fuss and argue, though everyone stopped trying to make them quiet for now. As they rounded a corner Starkiller came to a sudden stop and caused his cloak to wave. "This room here on my right can serve as your quarters princess. Whilst the one up ahead also on the right can be yours Viathan." The boy said as he turned, bowed stiffly and with a sudden and abrupt turn marched away from the four, rounded another corner, and disappeared.

"Well, he is not a one to speak mush is he?" Viathan commented more to himself than anyone else in a low tone as he lowered the hood of his own cloak as he grew more hot.

What surprised him was the snort Leia made to his statement. "What do you expect from a lapdog of Darth Vader?"

"You know that he is as his master is, an ally to our cause correct?" Viathan retorted to the princesses snide and venom filled comment. She merely shrugged in return.

"you said yourself to not trust people fully, and when it comes to that particular Sith lord, I think it better to place little trust in him as possible. He merely…..rubs me the wrong way." Viathan cocked an intrigued brow to that. To which she caught, and shook her head. "What?" She asked.

"Nothing. It's just that when someone says Darth Vader rubs them the wrong way I tend to believe or assume they have already me with lord Vader himself to come to a conclusion." Once more however, Leia snorted.

"Who needs to meet with the hound of the Emperor to know that he is plainly evil, and not a person that can be reasoned with! It's not like you can sit down and drink tea with the man either!" She retorted with the same amount of venom in her voice. Then suddenly her eyes widened in what liked a realization or surprise to Viathan. "Why in the name of the galaxy are you even defending him?"

Viathan cocked his head to the side in a passive manner. "I am not defending him per say milady. I have been privy to certain information, or knowledge pertaining to lord Vader's background, his history. Not all that he is can be seen in full black and white when it comes to him." Viathan said much to the princesses surprise whose face contorted in confusion.

"And before you ask, no I will not nor can divulge any information about what I know. For it would not only be a disservice to him, and mind you I do respect the Sith if nothing else, but furthermore," Viathan waved his hand about the hall, "You never know whom is listening in the palace of the lord in question himself." Viathan expected it, and Leia was still noticeably confused, but her confusion was well founded in his opinion.

She still gave him a critical look however, and showed that she was not willing to fully relent on the subject of lord Vader.

"Vader is a murderous lapdog, and always has been, probably always will be." She intoned, and without wanting to discuss the matter more Viathan bowed his head in relent. "It is your right to hold that position milady. I will hold my own as well." In response to that the princess rolled her eyes with a sudden smile appearing.

"Since when did the Empire allow people personal opinions my dear Imperial?"

"We allow anyone the right to hold whatever opinion they may please. It is only when such opinions become vocal that trouble arises. Especially if such opinions differ from the consensus." He replied with honesty but a slight air of humor also present.

"Very cute Viathan." She retorted, her voice laced with unabashed sarcasm followed by another roll of her eyes.

Not responding with anything other than a slight smile Viathan stretched out his hand toward the room to the right that Starkiller pointed out.

"Perhaps you would like to get accustomed to your temporary quarters, my princess. Though I say temporary, from what my master said I think you may be here a little longer than you may like." She nodded grimly to the idea, and turned, and quickly headed for the door.

Viathan followed closely behind as they entered the quite large but plain room. It was the usual grey that the Empire fancied in regard to décor. The carpet a dark crimson shade that in a way mixed in with the dull grey walls and ceiling. Along the walls were light fixtures, and a few bland paintings, that Viathan got the distinct impression lord Vader had nothing to do with them being there. The room itself came with a lounge area, a spacious room, a fresher, and a holonet receiver.

"Well the room is big, and I think comfortable. How about you?" he asked and she shrugged one shoulder, and was apparently not so impressed. "It is nice, I guess, but it is in lord Vaders palace." She once again reminded Viathan. Who sighed.

"It could be the day the Empire falls and the Republic magically returns to power, but you would still comment on the fact that we are indeed in lord Vaders palace. Correct?" She grinned. "Correct."

"You're hopeless on this matter I see." He replied with a shake of his head, but good-natured humor upon his voice.

A sudden successive beeping noise caught the pairs' attention and they turned to see R2 knocking into a seemingly stock and unimportant vase.

"Watch where you're going R2! We are in Darth Vaders palace after all!" 3PO chastised, causing R2 to wattle in place and let loose a quick bout of beeps.

"I did not push you into it! You are far clumsy enough without needing me to help you R2!" 3PO responded. Only causing Leia to send Viathan a sideways glance that showed both humor and annoyance.

"I think I'll leave you to settle in, milady. I will see to it that the things you brought along with you are transferred down here." he said as he began baking away towards the door. "I see you have your hands full with these two as well."

"No kidding." the princess quickly responded with a smile.

"If you require anything I shall be but a room away. Until then, relax, and await for my masters return. Until then I will bid you good evening, and a preemptive goodnight, princess."

"To you as well my imperial friend, and remember it's Leia." She reminded him, and immediately relief flooded him as she, for the first time since the senate building, chastised him for being so formal with her. 'I sign that she is not as worried about me again? Trust regained?' he questioned inwardly, but said nothing as he waved her once more before leaving the room. "The Force only knows why I care about what she thinks." He said aloud in but a whisper as he made his way up the hall towards his own room.

'Because you're weak, and easily played.' The voice once more reared its ugly foul voice within his head. Causing him to once more grind his teeth in anger. Viathan was not an idiot he knew this voice was not normal, but for so long it has plagued him, and for so long has it berated, belittled, and annoyed him. "Leave me be." he order through gritted teeth in a low voice.

'Leave you be?! I am you! You pitiful, unworthy, misinformed, misguided, contemptuous fool!' It yelled within his mind once more and seared through his brain, as it felt like someone took a torch to his head. "Shut up blast it all!" Viathan practically shouted in what were already very echo prone halls.

"May I ask who you are yelling at?" Came a familiar quiet voice, and Viathan turned on a heel to see Starkiller; still draped in his dark cloak, staring at him with a bent neck and a quizzical look upon his face.

"What" Viathan responded with at first.

"Who were you yelling at just now?" Starkiller repeated, crossing his arms.

"It was no one, nothing."

"Why don't I believe you?" Starkiller quickly interjected as Viathan tried to wave him off.

"You probably don't believe me because I am subservient to lord Kun as opposed to your master Vader." He quickly retorted, causing Starkiller to smirk.

"Possibly. However, my master has made it painfully clear that I am to treat lord Kun with a certain degree of respect, and along that thought process, I came to the conclusion I shall attempt to do the same for you."

"Then we are in agreement then." Viathan quickly responded, hoping to get off the subject of his outburst.

"On that subject though. I must say I have never heard of a lord Kun, or his apprentice until very recently." Starkiller announce, matter-of-fact like. "It has perplexed me as to why my master sees your master as so necessary in bringing about the downfall of the Emperor."

"Similarly, I have served the Emperor on many occasions, and before you try to kill me, my master knows this, and so too will your master. Along that same line of thought, I have never heard of lord Vaders apprentice myself." Viathan responded with equal coolness and no signs of fear evident. Crossing his arms in much the same way Starkiller did Viathan and the apprentice of Vader entered into a strange, silent, stare down with one another in a similar, arms-crossed position.

The Force, and by default, the dark side bristled between the two as they sized one another up. One the apprentice to Darth Vader, and the other to Exar Kun. They were probing the other as much as they were capable or willing to go without antagonizing the other. Intent was being probed, as was their standing within the force, which both were not surprised to feel was shrouded in the dark side. Neither really had any purpose for doing this, but the two boys both felt the need to do this. After all, if two Sith acolytes were going to have to work together in the near future, they might as well get the flexing done and over with now rather than later.

"How long do we intend on doing this?" Viathan suddenly asked.

"As long as you wish to go." Starkiller retorted with a smirk.

"Two apprentices, to, two different masters. It is quite obvious we are different, and it is quite clear we are working towards the aims and goals of our masters." Viathan declared more to himself. "perhaps, like our masters, we should come to an agreement to work towards our common goals first, before we become inherent enemies and rivals?" Starkiller made a 'hmm,' noise as he craned his neck in a thoughtful manner.

"A truce until the time where our masters come to a head?"

"Precisely." Viathan responded, uncrossing his arms.

"How can either of us be sure that the other wont, in a split second, turn on the other out of thin air?"

"We cant ever be completely sure. It is implausible as Sith for us to trust one another fully. It is far more logical that we come to a mutual agreement of cooperation while admitting to the fact that at some point in the future we will, no doubt, become rivals." Viathan pointed out and Starkiller nodded in agreement.

"A sound argument in my mind." Starkiller reasoned out loud, and Viathan bowed his head in silent agreement. "Then how about we get this…truce, out of the way here and now and not waste time committing ourselves to petty flexing in the near future?" Viathan asked as he extended his right arm to Starkiller, his hand outstretched for a shake.

The younger Sith acolyte was silent for a moment longer, seeming contemplating something further in his own head, before he bowed his head in agreement as well, and quickly took Viathans hand. "For mutual cooperation then."

"To the downfall of our mutual enemies."

"And then, to our ultimate confrontation." Starkiller added at the end and Viathan, a little surprised at such a bold statement bowed his head in agreement once more.

"I look forward to our future, and mutual endeavors, apprentice Starkiller."

"As do I, apprentice Viathan." The two Sith acolytes made an agreement that day, with both boys planning on keeping to it, for the time being of course.

After all the both of them had bigger, more dangerous enemies to worry about without needing to look over their own shoulders with each other.

Time would tell whether the two can keep to this agreement.

Authors Note: Hey all here's another chapter, and as usual I hope you enjoy and give me some feedback to give me incentive to write more and faster. (wink, wink) ;) So I am very self-conscious about my battle descriptions, and I would really appreciate thoughts of that section in particular. So with that said I hope you enjoy and review! :D