The Galactic Exodus Chronicles Part 2 :The Galactic Civil War

by Lord Exar Kun

Now with the rebels dealt a mighty blow, and the renegade Moffs about to strike, the galaxy finds itself moving closer and closer to full blown war! The Galactic Civil War is about to be unleashed upon an unsuspecting galaxy, and this is not the war you remember in the least. Follow Exar Kun, Darth Vader, Leia, the Emperor, and everyone else through this next chapter of the GEC.

54. Chapter 54

Chapter 54

(Coruscant, Imperial Palace)

"So, lord Vader. Let me meet your apprentices." The old man beckoned, and Vader sneered beneath his mask. Times like these made him appreciate the claustrophobic thing. He turned from where he had stood watching Kun's apprentice brutalize a clone. His master sat upon his black throne. Two crimson guards to either side of him. They were silent and unmoving as ever.

"As you wish, my master." Vader motioned his apprentices to face the Emperor and they did, though they made no signs of moving up the stairs toward the Emperor and where he sat.

"I present to you my children." Vader made a very slight motion with his hands for them to step slightly forward. Starkiller standing off a bit with his arms crossed and eyes averted from the galactic emperor.

"Luke and Leia. They are without question my children."

"Indeed? I believed the child of Skywalker to have died with its mother. To be twins, that is indeed a surprise." The reminder of his wife's death sent a cool rage tingling up his spine, as darkness nipped at his mind, and a thought of running his crimson saber through the old fool crossed him. The twins both narrowed their eyes, sharing a similar dislike toward such an openly mocking statement. Leia more so than Luke showed her anger, but like a politician it was a flash before she closed her eyes took in a breath and put on an apathetic mask. Luke was less successful but calmer than his sister, and Vader found his blue eyes to merely look at his master with very cool disgust. It made him smirk as he thought of the Emperor's reaction to this blatant show of distaste toward the 'most powerful man in the galaxy.'

Sidious seemed to look them both over, and frowned as they made no move nor any sound to greet him.

"I see that they look to be in good health lord Vader. A welcome surprise. One must always remember how you treat things that you hold dear to yourself after all." He mocked once more smirking as he did. Yellow eyes challenging Vader, and Vader indeed felt his age grow but he suppressed it with all his might.

"Come now, I wish to meet with them. Tell me your names yourselves. Let us 'break the ice,' as the term is I believe." Luke rose to the occasion.

"Luke Skywalker. I prefer that as my last name, but out of respect for my father I accept being called Luke Vader. Your majesty." Luke announced. His voice calm and diplomatic for one so young. Leia and Vader both looked at him impressed, and the Emperor cocked his head to the side.

"Skywalker hmm? You were the one found upon Tatooine were you not?" Luke nodded.

"That world seems to always find relevance in the galaxy. Odd don't you think lord Vader?"
"Yes master." Sidious chuckled, as Vader remained terse and stiff.

"Tell me boy. Whom raised you upon that worthless world?" Luke shuffled. The manner in which the question slithered from Palpatine's mouth had him thinking of his aunt and uncle, and whatever this creature may think of them.

"My aunt and uncle raised me. The Lars' family. They left with those URM people and droids when my father came for me, so I don't know where they are." Luke was quick to point out and held a defiant glare in his eyes now. The Emperor nodding at the statement. Luke silently hoped he felt annoyed at not being able to find his uncle and aunt. Despite what his father may have wanted he still loved them, and wanted them to be safe, no matter whee they were now.

The Emperor feigned a sad sigh. "Perhaps it is for the best that they are lost o us. I'm sure your father would like nothing more than to personally destroy them. Would you not, my friend?" He smiled, and Vader merely nodded, after a moment of doing nothing but seeing the old man didn't cease looking at him for an answer. Luke ignored his father's response. Though he did think it would be good to talk to him later. Instead he merely glared deeper at the Emperor. The old man turned his attention to Leia now. She noted it and held her chin high. Both showing an air of disdain and seeming self superiority. It made the Emperor grin back.

"Ah, young Leia Organa. Oh, forgive me, Leia Vader now is it? Tell me how is it to know the man who told you was your father was nothing more than a liar? An ally sacrificing treasonous worm with no loyalties?" Leia bristled but calmed herself and closed her eyes for a few minutes.

"Bail Organa may not be my father, your majesty, but he is still the man who raised me-"
"So you still hold feelings for a man who betrayed both the Empire and rebels cells all across the galaxy? How quaint." He cackled and Leia felt her chest burn in anger.

"Ah, but let us not dwell on that traitor to the Empire. He will be brought to Imperial justice soon. I am aware he has despite being what he is come under the protection of the URM? When that body falls to the Empire we shall weed him and his allies out from their roots. Their leadership will be put on very public trial and display." He enjoyed every word that flowed forth from his mouth and made the twins feel more uncomfortable than perhaps they ever had before.

"Tell me. Do either of you have an opinion yet of ow the war goes? Don't be shy, tell me. I am most interested to hear your thoughts." The sudden question caught both a little off guard, but Luke chanced to answer.

"I think it's going okay. I'm uh...no expert or anything, but from what the HoloNet likes to say it seems generally favorable for the Empire."

"Ah, but what if the HoloNet is not the greatest bastion for clear and correct information?" Palpatine retorted, and Luke was mildly surprised to hear him admit the HoloNet, or most of it at least was under state censor, and powerfully so.

"Well...that could be true I guess. So I could go based off what I hear from on board my father's ship. Things seem slow but good. I guess." Luke trailed off and desperately wanted to look to his father for confirmation he was saying the right things, but knew he couldn't. The Emperor nodded, keeping his sickening grin upon his face.

"Very good, and you milady?" He asked and Leia kept back and hidden a rolling of her eyes.

"This war is highly unnecessary, but I suppose if you want me to make bets on who would win I would say the Empire will likely. An educated guess is all it is though."

"Unnecessary? How is that young princess?" Vader felt himself tense as idea flashed through his mind at what his daughter might say. If she would unwittingly give away information on his betrayal and involvement in this war.

"This war is unnecessary for one thing, because the actions taken at Dubrava served not as a message to the rebels that they were defeated. Instead all it did was embolden and radicalize them into a war where they now have droids from the last war reactivating and going around massacring people. The Moffs are arrogant poorly thought out political figures who have little purpose other than to reap the rewards of being given their positions. Manors, wealth and their choice of luxuries. It only makes sense to me that they would now seek to make themselves each a mini king. This war is unnecessary, because it could have been easily prevented." Leia seething but coolly replied, and Vader behind his mask held a horrified face at the outburst his daughter unleashed against his master. The Emperor looked at her blankly for a moment. Seemingly processing what she said, and showing a stoney face devoid of his feelings. Luke also looked a tad ill, and off to the side Starkiller smirked a tad at his master's daughter's boldness.

Finally, sitting back into his throne the emperor smirked and huffed a laugh.

"Your daughter holds the idealistic flare of your wife, lord Vader. I am impressed. A pity you did not replace your father as representative of your system. You would have made for interesting debates among the senate." Vader felt his whole body lose tension and even his anger drain as the Emperor found Leia's tirade amusing rather than insulting.

"You would do well, however, princess to remember no matter who may rise against us, and how they do it we shall defeat them. There are weapons being put in place and plans put into action to end this war swiftly. All you need do is have a little more...faith." The Emperor cackled to himself and Leia wrinkled her nose in further disdain and folded her arms in obvious defiance plus disbelief of the statement.

"I assume then, lord Vader, that you have been training these two in the ways of the Force and the Sith?"
"Yes master." He nodded approvingly.

"Good. I will expect them to be combat effective soon then. After all their little action on Bogden seemed to work in your favor did it not lord Vader?" Proof word had reached the old man from spies among his staff was not unusual to Vader but no less infuriating.

"Indeed master, but I do not think they are rea-"
"You will make them ready lord Vader." A boney finger was pointed at Vader by the Emperor who snapped and cut him off his voice suddenly drained of humor and turning cold and demanding. A tonal shift so dramatic a quick it could have caused someone whiplash.

"I will not waste these assets as weapons and apprentices in the dark side aboard your ships and held in your palaces safely tucked away from valuable experiences on the fronts of this war. After all, they both of them seem so quick to want this war to end why should they not work along side others actively fighting in this war to end it?" It seemed almost like a slap in the face for what the children had replied to the Emperor questioning that Luke felt a bit shaken, and even frightened he might have said something to get his father into trouble with the Emperor. It only caused Leia to seethe in silence even more.

"You will make good use of them, as you will the other two apprentices you have taken upon yourself without my consent. Did you think I did not know of them lord Vader?" He cackled in a manner telling of his belittling feeling for his apprentice, and his contempt for Vader's attempt to hide information from him.

"Young Starkiller, as you have been designated. Come forth." He ordered and Starkiller jerked his head toward the Emperor and looked mildly shocked. Looking to his own master he found Vader giving him a slight nod. He moved up close to the twins and bowed his head.

"You have been serving your master for quite some years now have you?"
"I have."
"Done anything that would be seen as treasonous? Anything that may not look so good as you being a servant of the Empire and your master? Or perhaps, anything telling of how little your master feels loyalty to the Empire and his Emperor?" His heart skipped a beat, as Starkiller felt his memories flash with visions of the Moffs he slaughtered to give the other Moffs incentive to break away from the Empire and begin this war. He swallowed and shook his head slowly. Knowing if he overdid it he would give far more away.

"Really? That is good then. I wouldn't want to think lord Vader's careless disregard for my approval on matters such as taking apprentices would corrupt his vision of loyalty and service to me." He rose from his seat, seeming menacing just in rising. His stance seeming far taller and stronger than he looked as he began to descend the steps and all three teens moved away but Vader stood like a stone monolith as he approached, his two guards not far behind.

"The other one, lord Vader, the one I know to be in my palace. The wounded one. She too is a good apprentice?" He asked Vader coming to a stop before him. Shorter but seemed to be not at all imposed and Vader nodded.

"Then you will make good use of these apprentices of yours. Were I unconvinced by lord Kun to be done with lord Banes rule of two I would have seen you punished and apprentices put to death. However, for now you have my pardon. See to it you don't waste it lord Vader, and remember I'm always watching." Sidious reminded with a cold glare of his yellow eyes and began to move toward a set of doors and away from Vader and his apprentices.

"Oh, and lord Vader." Vader turned as the Emperor called to him from behind.

"Don't be late tomorrow. My patience with you thins by the day."

"Yes, my master." Vader bowed at the hip and the Palpatine quickly made out of the room, to do whatever else he may have had to do or wanted. It was silent for a few moments as the room was made vacant of all others save for Vader and his clique. Then, Vader relaxed and sighed.

"Well that was fun." Luke spoke first sensing his fathers relief.

"Oh yeah, a real good old time Luke. I'm sorry to see him go. He after all didn't mock us and father enough." Leia snapped back, Luke held his hands up.

"It was a joke Leia." She huffed and kept her silence.

"You both passed your first meeting with him, and for that I am impressed."
"Really? I thought we may have said something to get him...angry." Vader shook at Luke's reply.

"No, he merely wanted to test you both. He was impressed by you both in different ways. He was also aggravated, put off even, by your seeming lack of hatred for me."
"Oh...we didn't really put on a good act did way?" Luke asked as if he finally remembered he was supposed to act as if his father was a blight upon him. Vader crossed his arms.

"It is too late for regrets. Needless to say, he now feels you both are too close to me. He will seek to make that otherwise. You both must remain vigilant while we are in the palace. He has ears everywhere."
"Like in here?" Vader felt like a chuckle might escape him, but he shrugged.

"It matters little now. You both will act accordingly and as we planned from here on out." The three of them nodded.

"Starkiller." The boy perked up at his name call. "Return to my palace, and sweep the rooms I have chosen for any listening or recording devices. Do not return until you are absolutely certain you have found and destroyed them all. Use your droid if you must and the astromech droid as well. R2-D2." Starkiller bowed.

"Yes master. I'll get to it at once." Vader nodded and he practically broke into a jog out of the room, which Vader only now remembered was still full of corpses and battle scars. Taking a side to side glance of the scene he found it odd the Emperor left these rotting bodies lying about.

"Perhaps it is best we leave this room. The stench will get unbearable son, and I suspect the cleaning crew will arrive shortly." Luke nodded, and Leia seemingly also just remembered the carnage, her nose wrinkling in disgust again and nodded vehemently with her fathers idea.

"Come, I want to see if director Isard did as ordered and placed Shira in the medical wing adequately." Luke perked up immediately upon that offer and smiled at the prospect and joined his fathers side. Leia merely going along with them, as they all three quickly left the room, and made for the palace medical wing upon this level.

(Medical Wing)

Once more did he find himself atop a medical examination bed. His eyes downward as he stared numbly at his hands. Within each of them a lightsaber hilt. His own, the second one lost long ago on Tatooine, and in the other his clones. A simple hilt as the other abominations had. Yet oddly similar to the design of his own saber. It was smooth, with a slightly bigger base around the blade emitter. The grip needed to hold this thing was oddly tight. It was far too smooth and in the heat of battle when sweat fell down one, and along the hand it would make it easy to lose hold of. Nonetheless, Viathan felt as though he could not part with it. He felt connected to this simple crimson saber. Likely dozens more being made for the Emperor's abominations.

Flashes of memories things he to not be his flashed through his head. Creation of Force clone was something not discussed. For unknown reasons the practice made the clones crazy, insane and oddly capable of seeing those memories of their progenitor. Now though Viathan found himself awkwardly seeing glimpses of his clones thoughts. The visceral fear, and inability to comprehend what was going on. A blinding light of creation, a room surrounded by droids and his father standing looking at him a sickly smile upon his face. Memories implanted, flash memories. How to duel how to fight and who to listen to and never disregard them.

Terror as he came face to face with himself, with Viathan. Fear as Viathan fell upon him with power and strength unknown to him. Sadness as he saw his memories, Viathan's memories. Beatings, torture, and other...things Viathan did not need to dwell on. Then relief, as all pain faded and all sadness was washed from him. No more fear and no more struggling, as he looked at Viathan and felt his body die unknown to him how.

It made Viathan sick. How easily and fast he wished to kill his clone, and now that he had time to reflect and think. He found himself once more reminded how little use he had in this galaxy. Despite his master, despite what uses he claimed he had, Viathan knew the truth. He was nothing but a pawn. A very different pawn, but one actively being sought to replicate. A creation for servitude, and killing. A boy who licked the boot of his master, and took every beating and every scornful, spiteful, hate filled word thrown at him. 'There is no passion, solely obsession.' He echoed Ruin's creed. It gave him some measure of comfort as he clipped his saber onto his belt, and then his clones. For it was now his saber. A reminder, of his usefulness in the eyes of those he served. That of a clone.

The medical droid, a 2-1B surgical unit and its FX series assistant unit were looking over more damnable charts. All about him. He could glance over and make out several sectors of his body the droid highlighted. His ribs were as ever a source of contention for any medical personnel looking him over. His several electrical burns were also highlighted and his metal hand as well, though he didn't see any issue with it himself. Then he remembered the blood that now stained and had dried on it when he used these bestial appendages to tear flesh. The droids probably wanted to make sure it wasn't his, or something pouring from his arm.

"I figured you would have come here." Numbly Viathan registered Kalev's voice as the man entered the room. He knew the man would follow him, but had hoped for more silence in this wing. Besides he there was only one other patient. A girl who seemed to be doped up, or in a coma based on the fact he sensed very little mental activity coming from her, but a lot of pain. However, he looked at his father. A glare coming from his crimson colored eyes.

"Ah, you're angry. That's fair. I perhaps can see where one may find annoyance in fighting one's clone. Not even knowing such a thing exists, but I assure you I was ordered to do it. The Emperor wanted a show and wanted to see if the original product was as good as the knockoff. I proved him, the 'pricier' package was worth far more did I not?"

Kalev was sickeningly calm and jovial in his speech. Viathan felt his metal hand curl into a fist.

"Father, if you so desire me to call you that for whatever worth it has in your head, you will listen to me now, and remain silent." Viathan opened turning his head to look at the man who froze and looked down at the boy he knew to be his son. A confused and perhaps mildly insulted gleam in his green eyes. He nodded to signal Viathan to go on. The droids worked on in the background still attending to their work.

"I want to make one thing as painfully clear to you, father, as I can. I am Viathan. You may call me Valek because as my progenitor that is your right. There is but one of me. No matter how many of your scientifically created abominations you make, and no matter how intelligent you may make them, and how much better you become with these future war fodder I shall make this demand of you. You are to never make another clone of me again. For if you do, my last act before the Emperor kills me will be murdering you, and your abomination. I will see you writhe before me and I will tear you limb from limb. Until the light in your eyes fades. If there is to be a killer used by his masters to do their bidding then their shall be but one of that thing, and I am that thing."

Kalev stood shocked for a moment. His hands clasped behind his back and a widened pair of eyes being the only tell that he was indeed unprepared for what his son said. The droids didn't seem to care too much about the conversation, and Viathan held his glare with his fathers eyes and showed no sign of joking, and no sign of backing down. He did not fear him in the slightest. Only felt disgust. Kalev cleared his throat and shrugged his shoulders. Not fear, but something along the lines of baffled understanding went through him.

"Very well Valek. I did not think you would be so adamant about it. However, I will respect your wishes. The clone was not of any use anyways. As were all the first several batches of this new eugenics program. All of them useless, even in the cylinders I could see they wee beneath me and my perfection." Kalev paced a bit and moved away from perhaps what was one of the few uncomfortable conversations he's ever had.

"I have had far too many failures. You are my perfect example Valek. Perfect symmetry. Eyes exactly same height and length, arms and legs, everything! I made the perfectly formed, and evolved being." Viathan sighed and shook his head.

"Evolved being?"

"Why, yes! The Force, it is the next stage of sentient human evolution. All those who cannot use these powers gifted by natural selection are doomed to be dominated by those who can. We Karthasians lack the ability to use the Force yet all of our people have midi-chlorian levels above average. I haven't yet figured out why this came to be, but I know with you I have undone this genetic curse upon our people." He turned from pacing to look at his son, still beaming.

"We will one day free and utilize the vast reserves of our people. The glory of our people, and your name, my name shall be spread across the stars. The galaxy shall never forget the name Zalliste, and all that was done to our people shall be met upon them doubly as great."

"Our people? I have glimpsed them. What is a Tusian?" Kalev stopped pacing and looked at Viathan confusedly. His eyes narrowing, and then a huff of spiteful contempt escaped his lips. Turning to the droids Kalev looked them up and down for a moment before turning back to Viathan. Seeming more paranoid than before.

"I am...shocked my son that you know the term. It is a wonderful thing for me to hear it." Kalev laughed and Viathan stifled a sigh. "A Tusian is what in our tongue we call 'Lebesh-nacht,' it translates to roughly to lesser human. We Karthasians uphold a strict ideal passed down from generation to next what makes a human, human. We of curse the most superior of the human races, but we allow all others to thrive, but the Tusian, that dirty blooded and foully incarnated race born of fire itself shall be brought down by we Karthasians and you my son." Viathan found the righteous indignation telling that he was indeed related to Zhange Zalliste. His father seeming to like to rant his way into a speech. Perhaps his whole family, but he liked to.

"What makes a Tusian a Tusian father? I know what we see them, or rather what you and our people see them as but what defines a Tusian? Why do you hate them?" Kalev laughed. A laugh that was of someone who figured this knowledge was already first hand.

"A Tusian is a dark skinned, bright eyed, lesser human. Their foul mannerisms, and terrible culture make them undesirable. They are all of them the same. Dark, blue eyed, self righteous culture killers. They have yet to destroy or commit cultural genocide upon Karthasian, but they've been trying. Your ancestor, Zhange, sought to wipe this menace from our beautiful homeworld of Corat. The world is a gem of the outer wilds of this galaxy. Their filth must be destroyed."

"So our people are raving racists whom would still rather kill fellow humans of different culture and skin tone than aliens?" Kalev opened his mouth to reply, but shut it again quickly. His green eyes jumping from left to right as he no doubt thought of a reply.

"Well we do despise aliens. However, aliens are not the main concern of our people. Their are other of their foul peoples on our world. Native and otherwise, but all in good time will they be dealt with just the same. The Tusian race must be destroyed and made humble for they are a blight upon the face of not just Corat but on all of humanity!" Viathan shook his head and once more sighed.

"You will see in time Valek. Trust me, you will." Kalev assured. Viathan one more stifled a sigh.

'I very much doubt that father.' Viathan returned to silence. His father awkwardly meandering about the room. Silence and tension filling the room. Kalev finally went to the droids and looked over Viathan's charts. His brow furrowed upon seeing all the wounds.

"How did you receive electrical burns?"

"I did it to myself. Not to self mutilate. It was necessary, and I did it willingly." Kalev seemed unconvinced but nodded.

"Is he in good health droid?"

"He is in adequate health. All wounds will heal naturally. Applying bacta will hasten the process more." The surgical droid replied, seemingly recognizing Kalev as a doctor. Or so Viathan thought. 'Maybe it's just answering who knows.' He thought.

"Very good. You both may return to your other duties. This patient is mine." The droid dumbly nodded, well as best as droids could, and made off to do whatever they were to do. Making Viathan believe they did in fact know Kalev was a doctor. A scientist mostly, but Viathan didn't discount Kalev had many skills.

"Tell me Valek. How is war?" Viathan looked up at the question. His father still looking at his charts along a wall computer. Viathan shrugged.

"War is simple. It's death, chaos, and survival. Kill or be killed, but that's a simplified and grandiose statement all at once. In the battles I fight in I feel a visceral and very loud pounding in my head. The blood pumps and fear grips you. You grow tired from lack of sleep and begin to allow your mind to race across every thought and idea you've ever had. You think of things you would have never thought of before. Then you fall into pure battle mentality. I see my enemies die, and blow up, I see them use civilians as fodder, as I throw my men into the mix. Thousands die I can sense it, smell it, see it, taste, hear, and feel it. Six senses do I know war by. Six senses can I experience death, and know it for what it is. Yet, without war I would be doing nothing but the same. Killing. Assassinating, infiltrating for death and chaos. It's not war though. War is living, battle is the visceral realization of life. All that is wasted in life and all unattained in life. Battles I fight in make me forget for a moment just what I am. I am used for battle and war. So I feel alive in war. Perhaps I am far more living up to my purpose in life than I thought."

Kalev listened to the whole speech and nodded along with Viathan. It almost annoyed Viathan that he did not have some comeback or reply. Even as he basically noted his only purpose in life was to kill and fight battles. Then again Kalev probably agreed so Viathan kept his thoughts within and his mouth shut. Kalev walked over to a set of table lining the wall, and grabbed something. Viathan did not look to see. Numbly noting that his fathers steps were returning toward him.

"Here, this bacta should help. I would hope you do not put yourself in harms way intentionally to receive anymore wounds. Based on what I've seen and your fame you are in plenty of battles as it is. Your...our healing abilities as Karthasians are superior, but even you need time to heal." Viathan remained numb even as his father readied the bacta treatment. Only moving his clothing to help let his father rub the cold gel like liquid upon his body.

"Father." Kalev looked at Viathan. "Your mind. It is impossible for me to read. Is it so for other Force sensitives?" The man chuckled with pride.

"I have found that the Emperor likes to keep me around because, though he could kill me with a snap of his fingers, I entertain him in that he cannot read my thoughts. Judge my actions and predict my movements as he can others. Yet I do not nor can use the Force. My secret as to how I defeat the intrusion of my mind is my own, but to directly answer your question, no he cannot read my thoughts." He continued to chuckle when done with his exposition.

"So if I were to tell you things I would not want my master to know you would have absolute faith he could not read our thoughts?"
"Of course. Why? Do you have such subjects?" Viathan nodded once. Kalev smirked as he continued to apply bacta. "Care to share these thoughts then my son?"

"When the time is right. The most to be said is that your eugenics program could be put to better use." Kalev ceased applying bacta, and eyed his son. Obviously Viathan now had his attention.

"If you have protocols designed to make these people loyal to a certain man. Refine it. Hold it off, you're having 'issues,' writing such mental protocols." Kalev looked to his son. They eyed one another, and the meaning behind his words were transferred all through Viathan's eyes. Kalev watched his son, and upon his face grew slowly a broad smirk, and turning to a toothy smile he shrugged and laughed.

"You and I, my son, will make the galaxy our play thing." He chuckled, and finished applying the bacta.

"You know, you're right. I am having issues writing protocols into my coding that makes these slaves absolutely loyal to one person." Viathan bowed his head, and Kalev nodded.

"Now if you'll excuse me. I have work that needs doing. Come see me in the lab if you must. Otherwise I shall see you tomorrow for this gaudy political function the Emperor wants to throw." Viathan nodded, and silently bid his father goodbye, as Kalev made for the door.

The door opened as his father left and he heard him beg the pardon of someone else, and Viathan heard the unmistakable intake and outtake of breath from Vader's mask. A groan passed his lips, and he dropped his head. The echo of boot falls nearing and entering into the medical wing forced Viathan to pray for one of the few times in his life. Pray to the Fore that he looked like he was meditat-

"Viathan?" 'Kriff.' His eyes, which in honesty felt heavy and tired opened and he turned his head up. His crimson eyes came to look at the brown of the princesses directly. Her head slightly tilted in a questioning manner. Her father standing behind her like a titanic statue. His arms crossed, and the disturbing feeling of his eyes being upon him. Viathan noted the young boy, whom he assumed for a while now to be Vader's other child was by his sister. His blue eyes meeting his friendly enough. Although they jumped to the red headed figure on the bed over next to his. A distinct feeling of compassion and friendship for the girl was easily sensed by Viathan.

"Greetings, princess." Viathan, ever formal greeted. His voice returned to his usual monotone. His eyes portraying far better than his voice the weakness he felt and how tired he was. He was quick to rise up and bow at the hip, though it hurt him to do so toward lord Vader.

"Hail to you, lord Vader." Viathan was also quick to send a secondary smaller bow toward the boy who fumbled to reciprocate the action. Vader merely sending back a slight bow himself.

"I was about to leave. I humbly beg the pardon of you all." Viathan was quick to send yet another respectful if obviously hastened bow toward the group before him as he made to hobble toward the exit.

"Viathan is it not?" The deep baritone of Vader asked, and Viathan froze. Turning and nodding, but being sure to maintain a look of apathy upon his features. The dark lord nodded as his mask continued to echo his breathing throughout the room.

"It is not often I shall, but for this one time it may be for the better for everyone." The Sith made little sense to Viathan as he stood and seemed to ramble. Even his children glanced at him with their own mixed facial expressions of confusion. Vader seemed to merely stare at Viathan for a moment, and think. It bothered and disturbed the teen.

"For the continued cooperation between myself and your...lord Kun, I find myself in the difficult position of feeling I must announce my feelings of...regret for what occurred on Tatooine." Vader's words becoming clear to him Viathan chanced to look Vader more in the eyes, or at least as much as he could guess with the mask.

"It was not my intention to leave you stranded on that barren world. I know enough of it to know that not a single living creature should be forced to endure upon its surface. Your lord Kun was rather upset with what occurred, and I must repeat, I did not intend for what occurred to occur. For that you have my sympathies." Viathan knew it was his backwards way if apologizing. It was after all Darth Vader himself, and he was expressing something other than apathy, disgust or anger.

Viathan bowed, and clasped his hands behind his back. Once more averting his gaze and looking off to the ground in a sideways manner. Allowing his eyes to look anywhere bu at those before him.

"I assure you, my lord Vader, it is of little consequence. My ordeal after being left on Tatooine only made me...stronger. Gave me perspective that I needed. Gave me focus, and made me stronger." Viathan did not know, but his words struck Vader with an odd sense of gloomy nostalgia. For he had heard those words in a different yet eerily similar context before. Only last time it was from an old man speaking to a shocked and confused Jedi.

"My lord Kun will have by now long forgotten any sense of anger he may have felt at my momentary loss, but in the end my life has purpose in battle and war for the greatness of the Empire. I am now here and active. Therefore there was no harm done, and no harm meant. To presume as such on your part, my lord Vader, is a foolish thing. It is indeed, I who should rather be apologizing for my inability to fend off and kill that Jedi upon the sands of Tatooine. Nonetheless, I shall move past, and have moved on from what happened upon that world, and have come out the better, and the stronger for it. I assure you of that, my lord Vader." Vader watched the boy. Kun's apprentice being a sort of untrustworthy but oddly interesting specimen in his eyes. The rant was very apologetic and submissive. The tone being that above a whisper but not by much, and his eyes averted. His presence in the Force merely broadcasting loudly his pain and nothing else. Making him nearly impossible to read unless the Sith lord sought to attack his mind. Vader only found it right, or the correct response rather to bow his head, and acknowledge what the Sith in training had said, rather than accept any formal apology. Lest Kun hear of it and go into one of his rages.

"My lord." Viathan bowed once again, and took it as a sign to leave. Turning with almost a snap of his boots across the floor he strode quicker than before toward the exit. He felt eyes watching him, and that only made his desire to leave even greater.

---

"Well that was good." Leia hotly spoke up as the door closed behind Viathan's retreating figure. His head low and shoulders obviously tense. She turned and looked at her father who stared back down at her.

"What does that mean?"

"What you call an apology sounds more like someone twisting your arm. I mean can you maybe once in your life say, 'I was wrong, and I apologize.' Or is that really that hard to say, father?" Vader recoiled his head back some. A clear sign of indignation and Luke groaned audibly and slapped his hand to his face. He hated when they did this.

"The nature Leia of any apology is wholly for the person making the apology. I need him to go to his lord Kun and report my statement. That way we can move past all this foolish awkwardness over my lapse of memory upon Tatooine regarding that boy."
"The 'boy,' is a friend. Like it or not he kinda opened me up to the idea of the Force and using the Empire how I want to use it for the greater good. Count your blessings there father. Otherwise I may be the big bad rebel putting a thorn in your side."
"You forget your place Leia." Vader pointed out, his voice rising slightly and a finger being pointed toward her. It only served to maker her cross her arms, point her chin up and stand in clear and total defiance of his authority.

"Boy I think the palace is impressive. Don't you Leia? Because I do, and I think we should see how Shira's doing! Come on let's go, she's right over here even!" Luke rambled, and feebly sought to change the subject on a chance. However, the locking of defiant stances between father and daughter did not wane. Luke could only feebly and awkwardly laugh as he rubbed the back of his head, and ran a hand along his short blonde hair. Tension being thick in the air, he could practically cut it with his saber.

"I think I'm gonna go talk to him. Make a legitimate apology and save your little 'working relationship,' with Exar Kun, father. If you don't want me to do it. Well...too bad." She angrily spat, and turned making for the door herself. Vader visibly tensed his hands into balled fists at the sheer lack of respect and obedience in this thirteen year old! Closing his eyes and taking several breaths, he forced himself to calm.

"Do as you will Leia. However, do not think you will not suffer the consequences of your disobedience. I am after all-"
"My father, yeah I know already!" A growl passed his lips as she exited the door, and an audible huff of defiance and haughty pride almost pulsed off of her through the Force. Vader forced himself to calm...he would not hurt her...though he really, really wanted to.

"Try to calm down father. She's a bit...temperamental, but her hearts in the right place. I think so..anyways." Luke nervously stated. Vader could only shake his head. Turning away from the door as he did to look at the lying figure of his fourth apprentice.

"Your sister, is far too much similar to the defiance of both myself and your mother! It will get her into trouble I swear to the Force it will! She will then understand why I act and do as I do."
"Just give her some air. I think being cooped up here in this big ole' palace might have her feeling a bit moody. I mean she was a princess after all."

"She still is." Vader intoned and Luke cocked his head, nodding lopsidedly that his father made a point.

"She will learn. As will you someday my son."

"Learn what?"

"That the galaxy, and no one, but your absolute family by blood can be trusted. She retains far too much of Organa's trusting nature and philosophical belief in the good of others. She must become more obedient, strict and distrustful to survive." Luke frowned. Finding the idea very depressing but he kept silent. To him Leia was Leia. A bit haughty, loud, a tad obnoxious, but...she was his sister. A smile formed then on his face. For he loved her, and that's what mattered.

With that in mind father and son silently turned to and looked over their fallen comrade as she lay in her medical bed. Dosed up, in pain, and silent.

---

"Viathan!" The voice called, and he knew whom it belonged to. Cursing in silence he stopped his damnable slow hobble through the halls of the palace, and slowly turned. Racing to meet him was the princess. Wearing all white...of course she was. Her hair held back into a style he thought common of her, two loops of hair with a central bun in the back of her head. She had at her side a noticeably curved saber, and he momentarily found his gaze drawn to the fantastically designed weapon, before returning his full attention to her face.

"I'm sorry about..my father. He is quite uh...difficult to get to say anything. Besides he didn't even really apologize. More or less he kinda just said, 'yeah it happened.'" Viathan bowed his head.

"I need no sorry nor any form of apology from anyone for that incident. It was my lack of ability and strength to stop Nelrain that cost me my usefulness in the eyes of those I call allies. It shall not be done again." Her brow furrowed. Her brown eyes having a sudden flash of anger through them.

"Usefulness? No one said you weren't useful, and that's not even the point. We all forgot about you sure, but we're all just human. The events on the planet were crazy you have to remember! I mean finding Luke, the battle, Obi-Wan Kenobi still being around, my fath...I mean Bail Organa." She explained, and Viathan nodded understandingly.

"I'm not excusing anything. I'm only trying to say things were hectic, and I know if he could get past that ego of his and not be so wrapped up in being big bad lord Vader, my father would actually apologize. You know?" Viathan glanced at her and nodded.

"Of course milady. I understand in full." It was a tactful reply. His hands once more behind his back, ever looking like an imperial, and his native Coruscanti accent coming through. It caused Leia to tip her head in confusion.

"That's it? No...anything? Just 'I understand?'" Viathan shrugged.

"I hold no feelings on this matter anymore. I serve my lord as best I can, and soon will make myself be unforgotten for all time. It is what you do that gets you remembered. It is action that will define and immortalize you. Your father, his men, Starkiller, and even you forgetting all about me on Tatooine is nothing but a symptom of my lack of power. My lack of skill and my need to improve. I shall make myself unforgettable." She cocked her head once again and her features contorted into a frown. She crossed her arms.

"Okay well whatever you may mean by that all I hear is that you're still mad about it. Whether you wanna admit it or not. That's of course your prerogative, and your right even, but to mask it behind some notion that people forgot about you on a desert planet because you were useless is a really distorted view of the whole thing." It was his turn to frown. Only his frown held a hint of raw anger upon it. His crimson eyes finally met her brown.

"What you seem to see as a very simple lapse of memory I see as a symptom of myself being played out in the wider universe. I was before Tatooine still clinging to old notions and ideals. After it I found out some things about myself, and about power, and how to better myself as a Sith. How to make myself unforgettable. Already do they speak of me like some child prodigy a star on the HoloNet. Surely a lot of it is forced by propaganda but a fraction is legitimate intrigue with me. That is and was achieved by me." Leia visibly took a moment to process what she just heard. Her eyes looking upward at the high ceiling of the hall and darting back and forth, before she finally gave him yet another furrowed brow look.

"You think killing, fighting and dying on a battlefield in yet another galaxy wide war will immortalize you? Do you even listen to the poodoo coming out of your mouth?" The language caught him off guard and forced him to now send her a cocked brow look, and she rolled her eyes.

"Again I get you're mad. I would be too! Just don't stand here and tell me getting yourself killed, and filing yourself with...what I feel coming off you is somehow a reaction to rectify an accident that happened on Tatooine a few months ago. Something bigger, a way, WAY, bigger issue is producing your little phase here. I don't need to know what it is, but I am your friend Viathan. You can talk to me if-"
"I have no friends. I serve my lord and master, and fight alongside men who will easily and willingly die for the Emperor and for their lord." He retorted taking a stiffer stance and his voice becoming more icy.

"I do not need to be spoke to as if I am some petulant child in need of a stern talking and time out. I am Viathan, and I don't need to allow this conversation to continue, princess." her mouth opened and her eyes went slightly buggy at the outburst as Viathan turned and began to stomp away. The pain of his heavier and anger fueled footfalls only driving him to walk faster.

Shaking herself from her stupor and feeling a welling of anger, and mild hurt go through her Leia stomped after him.

"Viathan!" He didn't turn, she growled. "Hey I'm talking to you, you karking boneheaded Rancor!" Again he did not turn, and only frowned as he kept ignoring her and stomping off. She only felt a rush of anger fly up her spine.

"Valek Zalliste, I'm talking to you!" He stopped, and felt his mind rear.

'What did she just call me?'

"What did you just call me?" He echoed his own thoughts and turned on the storming girl who was now closing the distance. Her face red hot with anger, and the broadcast of indignation through the Force spread forth from her loudly. Her arms were at her side as she neared, but her right flew up and she brought a single finger up and prodded...rather roughly into his chest. The human contact disturbing him aside, he merely looked tat her in stunned shock.

"I called you by your name. Yeah I heard it! Several times in fact. You want me to remember you well there you have it Valek.'" She drew out his name and he found himself recoiling at her outburst.

"I don't like having words or thoughts, actions or anything else you can think up in that hard head of yours put into my mouth, head or anything! Got that?! When I say I apologize I mean it. When I say something at all I mean it! Be it an opinion or what have you. So my dear Valek Zalliste, since I have to use your whole name to get your karking attention, and maybe unblock some of the poodoo in your ears and head, let's get that straight hmm? I am sorry about Tatooine, and you can or cannot accept that, that's up to you. We had no intention of leaving you there. And, whatever this," She more or less pointed at him and his dress, figure and brooding stance, "whatever this is, it may have been added to by Tatooine, but I know it was not the main reason it happened. So you can either be a big boy, and yeah I said it, big boy, and talk to me as a friend, or you can kriff off to brood in a dark corner somewhere. Choice is yours." She was taking in faster breaths, almost panting in her torrent of verbal assaulting upon him, and Viathan could only stare wide eyed at the younger girl, this Alderaanian princess talk to him in such a manner. A manner that made him feel brimming with rage, but also...stupid.

They stared for a moment or two. Both defiant and unwilling to budge. Though she was shorter than he by some inches she held her chin up high, and dared him to retort. He knew she likely had something witty to yell back in a snap of a finger if he did so himself. Viathan really did hate arguing with this girl. She had too much of a fighting spirit in her. Unlike most pampered youths of her designation. It annoyed him to no end.

"You have a lot of nerve calling me by that name."
"Yeah well I'm not one to listen to someone order me around or throw words in my mouth. Plus I think I don't like your Sith name anymore. At first I didn't know your real name, and now I do. Actually I have known, but since you've gotten on my bad side I think I'll stick to calling you Valek...Valek." He let out a very subtle throaty growl but maintained their stare down.

"Being around your father all this time has certainly not humbled you any."

"Afraid of a girl who can back talk you and hold her own Valek? I hadn't realized you were such a sexist. You must have been raised well by your fellow Imperials. More so than I thought originally."
"If I recall our first meeting had you yelling at me for being in your gardens in Aldera palace. Rather tedious, childish and whiny for such a seemingly 'mature' thirteen year old." They jabbed at one another never breaking their stands. The hall was totally vacant save for the two of them, and had it been otherwise it would have been a comical sight to come across indeed.

"What do you expect from a girl when her home is unlawfully occupied by an apathetic drone who thinks less of everybody and everything except for their master, and that master along with his host of Imperial troopers and big red alien warriors?"

"A little decorum maybe, or some forced pleasantries." Viathan shot back and she frowned angrily in return.

There they stood. Returning to awkward silence. Full of anger and indignation. Two teenagers, as ever letting their emotions get the better of them. It was rare though that these halls of darkness took in such sights. However, Viathan found himself waning. His tired body and mind once more weight heavy upon him. It made his eye lids force themselves down upon him, and his muscles felt like they each weighed as much as a stardestroyer. His crimson eyes held her brown for a moment longer before he finally broke their stare down. He allowed sigh to release, and he hung his head. Rubbing his neck with his metal hand and feeling a headache forming he relented against this opponent. A rarity for him.

"Look I don't want to fight you princess, but if you hadn't noticed I just had a very bad day. I'm tired, and obviously moody, though I shall not take on all the blame." She eyed him for a moment, perhaps attempting to find any tells of lying or faking, but she would and did find nothing. She too softened her features, and nodded.

"I didn't want to fight either. Guess I let my anger get the best of me. Must run in the family." She rolled her eyes.

"You perhaps had...a right to be annoyed with my behavior. I shall admit milady, I am not in the best of moods as it were. Being reminded of how I felt upon that desert planet upon realizing I was abandoned not just by your father, but by all the Empire in that moment made me realize in the eyes of many I am indeed easily cast aside. I haven't been exactly the same person since we last spoke...what was it? Several weeks ago now, months?" Leia nodded and Viathan sighed again.

Viathan forced himself to very faintly smile. "Are you sure you're not a politician or lawyer? You can sure bark, and I don't want to see what your bite is like either." She cracked a very small smile her own in return as he attempted to finally alleviate the mood.

"Well I was around Bail for most of my life. Father being Darth Vader is only icing on the proverbial cake I suppose." She shrugged, and Viathan nodded.

"So..." She trailed after a few moments of returns awkward silence. Viathan attempting to stop himself from shuffling his feet upon the floor.

"Why did you change your name, unofficial as it may be, to Viathan?"

"I believe you may have asked me about my name some time ago my princess." He kept his formal speech as he answered her.

"Valek Zalliste, which you so happily spat in my face," she nervously smiled, and he shook his head in humor, "It reminds me of what I was. What I was born to be. Something I am finding myself once again dealing with. A slave to others and very much disposable." She once more began to look at him with what seemed to be pity in her eyes, and forced him to avert his own eyes.

"And Viathan? Where'd that come from?"

"The Sith, once and very long ago they launched an invasion of the galaxy in the Great Hyperspace war. In the end the Empire would be crippled and collapse. They had beasts, beasts of war and servitude. They called them Leviathans. I merely emulate and in a very perhaps mentally unhealthy way can appreciate and relate to these beasts of old. Therefore I am not a leviathan, I am merely Viathan. To be honest I have since seen ancient peoples from all across the galaxy have vague beasts of legends and lore described and roughly translated into 'leviathan.' A beast of terrible strength, size and envy. Though I do not openly seek out all legends."

"You're not disposable. Not as much as you would like to think. I mean look at what you're doing on the front lines of the war for the Empire? Sure I'm not saying I want to see you jump into a thermal detonator crate, but morale, as far as I have seen has taken a small bump. I think you're sadly good at war like you think, but how do you think Neona may have gone without you on the front with the troops as I've heard?" Viathan shrugged, and kept his eyes averted. His mind wandering to that hell hole of the Tapani sector.

"Let's continue this conversation on the go, eh? The walls have ears." Viathan motioned to the walls with a jerk of his head, and Leia surveyed them for a moment before nodding once and following beside Viathan.

"If my use is in war and if it is by war I lose my sense of worthlessness then it is in war and battle that I shall remain, milady. The war, I see not ending anytime soon. If that is the fact of the matter I shall fight on until it ends. From there I dare not even guess where my life will lead me. Without battle I do not know what I will do."
"Live?" She suggested though it was formatted as a question as she glanced sideways at him. He huffed a laugh clear he found the notion unrealistic.

"I'm being serious! What is stopping you...or anyone in this whole stupid system from living lives? Normal, sentient lives where your every action and move isn't based on the whim of greater than life men and their ambitions?"

"You have been among the Imperials too much and too long my princess." She sarcastically laughed.

"Tell me about it. The Moffs may be gone, but the Empire is in no dire need of more egocentric and bloated men. All of them the same to the other. Blind cronyism and ambition to attain as much power and prestige as possible. This war is the great outlet for them all to take their chance. But that's a whole other topic." He chuckled ever so lightly as he continued to hobble down this random hall they found themselves. The star of Coruscant pouring light in through the line of viewports was once more setting and casting a deeper orange tint across their portion of the world. It was a moment where Viathan could once more appreciate the serenity he felt in these moments on Coruscant.

"Well this wont do."
"And what's that milady?" She smiled, almost devilishly, and caused Viathan to raise a brow filled with as much concern as it was intrigue.

"Well you don't like Valek, and if it irks you that much I suppose, now that I've broken through that thick head of yours for a moment, I can lay off reminding you of that name, and your past with it. Though I promise you we will work on that."

"Didn't realize I hired you doctor Vader." She scoffed at that, but waved him off.

"As I was saying before you rudely interrupted. I refuse to call you Viathan anymore. I have come to realize the Darth title is something that those who have it use to try and erase their past and who they are, what they were, and in reality what they still are."
"One day you may have one."

"Perhaps, but if I do, it will be my choice, and it will be formal. I will revolutionize how that title will be used. One of my many reforms I have planned." Viathan felt humor bubble up within his chest as he could imagine this girl barely even a teenager was indeed already allowing many ideas on how to shape this galaxy run through her head.

"So I have to find something I can see myself calling you. A nickname!"

"Oh joy. Allow me to hold my breath in anticipation." She shushed him as she began thinking, or seemingly did so. Viathan shook his head at the ridiculousness of this. That and how weird this day had been for him.

"Hmm..." She hummed, and Viathan cast her another glance.

"Ooh! I have it. I shall call you Vale!"

"Vale?"

"Yeah, Vale. Simple, but take the last bit off your name, and your name suddenly becomes another word entirely. Plus it kinda fits you, my oh so mysterious and brooding Imperial." Viathan thought it over. Let the idea and sound play out in his mind. He didn't know if he would like to be called something people where over their heads or mouths in some cultures as his name, but then again it was a very generally sound similar to veil. For Leia though? He supposed...

"Very well. If you insist on disregarding my name, and kindly cease calling me by my birth name I suppose your crude nickname will suffice. So help me if others begin calling me that I shall hold you personally responsible, milady."

"Leia." He looked at her, brow furrowed.

"What?"
"We agreed my friend. You would try your best to call me Leia. Milady and, 'my princess,' is too formal. Besides I'm not a princess anymore. Never was your princess either." She sighed. Likely at the memory of Alderaan.

"To be fair and get into the technicalities of the Empire you are in fact still a princess. Y definition being the daughter to lord Vader, the unspoken and generally accepted heir to Palpatine's throne you are a princess by the next generation. You are still of royal blood. Besides," he cast her another of his faint smiles. "You carry yourself like a princess. If I didn't know any better, and even though I still do you don't help your case, I would think you a full princess. The cream of the crop though."

She smiled, but allowed a laugh to escape from her.

"Thanks I guess. You sir have all the wonderful makings of, hmm, I would say a warlord? Prim and proper Imperial warlord, but a warlord. A little refinement and smoothing of the rough edges you could be a politician yourself." he snorted at that.

"Me? I would sooner hang myself then consider myself a politician. The cronies, and toadies of the political realm make me sick. The galaxy needs order and based on what I've seen even with this war, it must be imposed. A single will, and planned out future. A true corporate state. Connected at all levels and ruled from the top down effectively."

"Oh you Imperials and your love of dictatorship. Veiled in terminology like Empire, Kingdom, or even republic, Federation and People's Republic." She sighed. Though it did have a tone of half humor to it.

"Well you seem to be content in making this empire into what you would like mil...I mean Leia." They had paced themselves unconsciously down the hall which connected directly to an adjacent balcony overlooking the grand outstretch of Coruscant and Imperial city. They both made to the ledge and similarly unconsciously came to a stop. Viathan leaning against the stone railing.

"I have come to terms with what I must do to make changes for the better. Sometimes the best intentions must be mingled with the worst of people and acts. Say what you will about Bail, but he did teach me how to play this little game people call politics. I will use every skill he taught and every advantage my actual father has to shape this Empire into a force of good. If there must be some big shot on a high placed throne then I'll accept that too. So long as it isn't the bag of bones himself." She added with a nudge of his shoulder with her own and he found a chuckle, more audible then usual escaping him. She joined in and they laughed for a good minute or two as the high winds of Coruscant blew and the endless traffic went about its business beyond.

"So I guess if that how you must look at it to accept it then it is not my place to dissuade you from such an outlook. Me? This 'warlord,' shall do what I can and see to it that this machine that is the armed forces of the Empire are put to the most optimal use possible. I will win this war, and spread the arms and power of the Empire once more into the darkest corners of known space and even beyond."

"The politician-princess and the warlord then! Partners in crime. Among our various other partners that is." She giggled and Viathan rolled his eyes as he stretched his back while leaning on the railing. The aches and pains flaring at random.

"Sure, I'd buy a ticket to see that HoloFilm. Though I don't know if I'm intelligent to keep up with the politician in that film. She seems like a more politically mature woman trapped in a teens body. Far more mature in mindset than all the Moffs combined with the politicians we currently have in power combined."

"Why thank you milord." She theatrically curtsied and Viathan bowed his head in their mock display.

"You're most welcome. Now do tell me, where did you get that saber?" he nodded his head toward her belt and she unclasped the curved weapon. Its fine form catching his eye as it seemed slick, but even from afar light in weight. She smirked and held it out in her hand with her palm open, and in a scene reminiscent to how he opened her to the idea of the Force, she made the hilt float into the air before the both of them. He had to admit. She was seemingly learning a lot faster then he expected. Sensing her power was still just as easy. A blinding beacon, but now it was no longer as raw as it was when he first sensed it. Now it was contained, or at least mostly so. It was focused. He was impressed, and couldn't wait to see just how powerful the daughter of Vader could and in his mind would, become.

"Cool trick. Take you long to learn how to do that?" She scoffed and brought it close to his face. He inspected the saber before quickly snatching it from the air. She didn't protest but did seem oddly humored by her own ability to make her saber levitate.

Nonetheless he inspected the curved saber. It was lighter than his. It had a good handle to it, and felt far more ergonomic in his hand. Its guard, seeming more like a spike, easily capable of stabbing through someones flesh was also elegantly crafted and protruding forth from the emitter of the saber. Activating the beam he was mildly surprised to see the crimson color of the weapon come forth.

"I sense something on this saber. Its former master perhaps."

"It belonged to someone of importance in history. You can piece the rest together" It was an oddly playful and vague response but Viathan didn't mind. He did however feel as though he oddly knew who had wielded this weapon. It only slightly irked him as he thought hard to try and recall a Sith who used a curved saber, but for the life of him he was drawing a blank. Not only that but he was guessing a Sith owned this saber based on the color alone.

"It's on the tip of my tongue as it were. Whoever owned it certainly does not leave a very inviting echo in their wake. It's an elegant hilt and weapon altogether. Based on what you've said it was not created by you. So, did your father give it to you? Or you found it perhaps?"

"Father. He gave me that when I told him I would want to learn Makashi. The style suits me." She smirked and crossed her arms. Viathan nodding in agreement at the observation. Figured to him a royal would use the most precise and elegant of the seven styles.

"It fits. Perhaps one day we can test just how much better you have become. I do hope it's leagues above our first little sparring match."

"Well considering I had no prior training then give me a break."

"This once maybe." He sent her saber back to her and made sure to deactivate it. It levitated back to her and she clasped it to her belt.

"Here we are once more."

"Where's that?" Viathan pointed his chin outward toward the cityscape.

"On a high balcony here on Coruscant. As I said before this world is my home. I'm more at peace here then most. The same is probably true for you but only with Alderaan."A distant look crossed her eyes but she nodded along anyways.

"Once more we find ourselves prattling on in conversation about this and that. Meandering our ways through ideas, events, musings and what we see happening. What we hope to happen. Not but a while ago I couldn't want anything more than to get away from you. Out not of disgust or dislike for you, Leia. But out of my hurt feelings as childish as that may be and my baggage. Yet now I am only reminded that in my whole life I have only ever been able to, and still only can call you my friend. What that says about me I think is greatly pathetic. Yet, I wouldn't trade it away now that I'm here and reminded of it," He smirked halfheartedly. "I' reminded that this thing called 'conversation,' actually is quite...pleasant. Doubly more so when it's you." She laughed and shrugged at the same time.

"Well that's quite the compliment my dear Vale."

"Force, you're honestly going to stick with that, aren't you?" She nodded once and maintained her smirk. Which only caused Viathan to groan once again.

"Well...despite this new name you have for me. I concede to...missing your company milady. Yes I know what I just called you it's a habit I'll have to wean off of."

"You're forgiven this once." She smiled, eliciting a small smirk from him.

"I do believe it comes down to the fact you are a breath of fresh air. Not to pump you and your ego up too much mind you, but I find your ideas and outlook, refreshing. Even if I only agree with about maybe half of what you say, it is interesting to hear. Makes for interesting little conversations." She smiled.

"I live to please milord."

"Very funny." She shrugged.

"I try." Another laugh was shared, though more of a low chuckle for Viathan. The pain and weariness of the day once more hitting him as it seemed to do in waves. He sighed deeply and bent his head down, in an attempt to stretch his neck and pain within it away. It only took the edge off.

"Long day?" Viathan nodded and ran his hand on the back of his neck and his face contorted to one of pain, but he quickly shoved it aside.

"Fighting a bunch of people with lightsabers on your own, one being a clone will do that to you..." She trailed off. The displeasure was clear in her voice as it lowered and their earlier mirth began to fade.

"You must understand I did not return to my home planet to partake in a battle where I was told to kill or be killed. Were it not for you arriving when you did I would have slaughtered my clone with ease."
"Why didn't you? How'd I change anything?" The question caused Viathan a momentary pause.

'Why did that stop me? Embarrassment? Or was it her scrutinizing look?' He didn't know the exact reason why. Her look in that moment, one that showed her disgust at his actions had made him take pause. The haze of need to destroy this thing that looked like him faded, and what she saw him doing, how she would interpret what he was doing mattered.

"I can't say. I don't know why myself. Perhaps it is because even in that moment I realized what I know now. Now that the fog of anger, and the weariness of the day allows me to think, I believe I knew how you would look upon me and my actions. You would see what I am, though it is not hard to see when I am not killing or fighting."
"What's that?" He smiled. It was sour, and filled with contempt. It was a sarcastic smile, but he smiled nonetheless. It was funny in a way.

"A monster. Born, bred, and used to kill. I destroy and kill as ordered. I have no ambition and no drive to be anything else. All of that was taken from me years ago. Beaten into me was a concept of predestined course. I was beaten, tortured, and used to the desires of other men. It, even though I can nail down my own psychological issues, is what I believe makes me feel little when I kill my enemies. It helps me to disassociate myself from the fading of a life not my own or that of who I serve. Without that person that leader, I have nothing to live for. Like with battle in a way. Only greater so."

He turned to face her directly and she was once again looking at him in pity.

"I feared that you would look at me as I am. Everyone but you see's me as useful to them in a way. For killing, serving, and for war. Even my master, whom I hold above the rest. You along can look at me as you do. As a friend, as a living being. Even as you do now with pity. That, I find myself appreciating. I find it, even though I don't like pity, something new. Something almost desired. I know, I must sound like a whiny teen." He laughed lowly and without actual humor.

"It's cliché to say, but it makes you sound human. That's worth something."

"How so?" He asked seeming to find such a concept as his own humanity disgusting.

"It means despite everything they...did to you, you turned out to retain something that echoes humanity and free will. Whether you can see it in yourself or not. What I see is someone who has," she cocked her head to the side, "issues, but, someone who despite being raised to kill and murder can at times do good. You didn't have to keep your word on Alderaan with those prisoners. Even if it was for my benefit you didn't have to let them live and kill them. You could have wasted the lives of your men at random and see them as tools, but I've seen your battle death ratios, and have heard a thing or two I maybe shouldn't have. You don't needlessly waste. I can appreciate that. Even if war s waste in and of itself."

"Ever the idealist, my princess." He smiles, she returns it. A moment of silence. Slightly awkward, but one pregnant with thought between the two.

"Well...thank you for that, Leia. It means something coming from you. What it means? I haven't a clue, but I thank you for it no less."
"No problem, Vale." She winks and he rolls his eyes. He didn't know it, but she did, and knew not to say anything. His eyes were brown once again. That alone was worth it to her.

"Well...this warlord is off to bed I think. Rarely do I sleep. Neona being the battle where sleep came to me via a loss of blood and a few days in the medical tent."
"Lovely." Viathan huffed. The battle was one he was not soon to forget. Though he knew far more awaited him.

"I do hope we shall see one another again tomorrow at that bloody reception the Emperor has awaiting everyone. Right?"
"Yeah. Me, my twin, who you ought to officially greet." She warned and he bowed, both in humor. "Father too. He'll be there." She sighed, once again crossing her arms. "In all his dark and towering, brooding glory. He'll be there."

"An intimidating man he is. However, he seems different. In the short few and far between occasions I have met him there have been few times I have been terrified but he pulled it off each time. Now though? He seems more at ease, and allows me to be more at ease. You and your brother must be doing something. Whatever it is, I and I'm sure every officer in the Imperial armed forces thank you for it." A laugh was once again elicited from her, a smile broadening across her face. So much so that Viathan cocked a brow. He didn't think it was THAT funny himself. Nonetheless her laughter finally forced a small chuckle from him again.

"I'm sure." She finally paused and took a moment to think, suddenly shaking her head.

"Force...that's really funny in a morbid way."
"When you are part of the Galactic Empire Leia, two things you must learn. One, learn to find humor in the most morbid and small of things. Otherwise you will most definitely go insane."
"The second?"
"Never, ever, unless absolutely karking necessary, talk to Darth Vader."

"Ah, makes sense when you put it like that." Another few moments of laughter and chuckles came. When it was over Viathan sighed and rubbed his sore neck once more.

"Well. Procrastination aside, I really must be going. I suppose I will see you and your family tomorrow. I also assume you are returning to your fathers palace. I must remain here with my master, and lord Kun." Leia nodded. Thoughtfully remembering why Viathan called Exar his lord and not his master.

"I'll see you then, Vale." She quickly slapped a pat upon his left shoulder. He looked at the spot she had for a moment. His body involuntarily tensed, but he nonetheless forced a thankful and pleasant smile onto his face for her at the usually kindly action. He bowed his head respectively and turned to leave the balcony long since occupied by the two.

"Oh I almost forgot Vale. One more thing." He turned and she came up near to him again. "Mind putting a good word in for my father with your lord Kun? After the Tatooine thing those two have been slightly tense on things. I get the feeling Exar is a bit more annoyed than he puts off, and my father is far to stubborn to ever fully say his apologies to you, and thus fully regain Kun's tru-" He held up a silencing finger to his mouth. She quickly snapped her mouth shut. He nudged toward the palace, indicating someone could be listening and Leia quickly caught on. Nodding her understanding.

"Tell me my friend does this still work?" Leia went wide eyed. Hearing Viatahn's voice within her head was always jarring, but it was especially clear here and now.

"Ugh...yeah it does...why can we do this again?" Viathan visibly shrugged.

"I think it has to do with the fact I helped you open yourself up to the Force. It's a useful trick, especially when we want to talk openly. I really must train you to hide your deeper thoughts though. Connections such as these allow for memory sharing and things of that nature." She visibly went red with embarrassment and he waved her off.

"You needn't worry. I won't nor have I ever dug around in your head. I am blocking my thoughts myself."

"Very unfair." She retorted aloud. Something Viathan though would seem insane if seen by a passerby.

"Ask your father to teach you to block your memory and deeper thoughts in this type of situation then, princess. Or I could but I doubt we shall ever have such free time. Nonetheless, my master, Exar I mean, will be told lord Vader has made his most heartfelt apology to me expressly stated. No worries." He smiled visibly, and she nodded thankfully in kind. Reciprocating her he clasped her shoulder in a friendly gesture, and slid it down and off making his way off the balcony.

"Be sure to make your way back to your father milady." He announced whilst still walking away.

"Wouldn't want you to get 'lost,' in this palace." He warned and she knew what he really meant. Though it did force a grimace onto her face as she jogged up to him, and nodded. Viathan knew she could likely handle herself, and if not no one would dare touch lord Vader's daughter. Nonetheless though, he 'conveniently,' had to walk by the medical wing he had come from, and escort her to her family. A last smile was sent by her, and a last bow from him before they broke paths.

She made it back to her father and Luke. Both beside Shira who still lay unconscious and in pain. Leia sending her father a loo of victory, which irked the dark lord who merely acknowledge her return.

Viathan on the other hand had to ask about his rooming. Realizing he wasn't told where it was to be. Once he found it however, he fell onto the bed, and like after the ordeal on the stardestroyer and his arcane ritual of alchemy, he allowed his mind to fall into darkness of sleep. It was one filled with no nightmares. He knew not why, but he would not complain. Not this night.

(Sluis Sector, Dagobah System, Dagobah)

Having made his way off Sluis-Van, oddly enough surrounded by and patrolled by, and overrun with droids and CIS warships, Obi-Wan found himself on the swamp world of Dagobah. The surrealism of seeing droids as being things working for the 'greater good,' having passed by now, he looked down to the swampy, and by that wet, dreary, hot, and foliage laden landscape beneath his boots and grimaced.

"Force...did master Yoda have to pick this world?" He shook his head, and took a tentative step forward and away from his re-purposed 11-S space yacht; given to him by the URM official on Sluis-Van, and felt his boot sink directly into the patchy earth below.

"Blast!" He cursed and yanked his leg from the wet patch. His boot covered in murky water and his cloak only becoming sticky and wet the longer he remained, the Jedi master felt a very odd sensation of annoyance crawl along his spine.

Taking in a breath and releasing all anger into the Force Obi-Wan dragged himself forward. He could sense the Jedi master he sought nearby. It was weakened, but he knew it was only because this world was covered in life of all kinds. He couldn't even sense master Yoda from space, but on the surface it became at least somewhat clearer. It was like Coruscant in a way.

The echoes of beasts and splashing of the waters had him feeling a bit uneasy, but he could sense the creatures were all going about their instinctive routines, and posed no threats to him, so he did all he could to ignore what could be for others unnerving sounds all around him.

It took about ten minutes, maybe even fifteen, and he found himself still surrounded by massive trees and murky waters as he carefully navigated what appeared to be some actual ground that formed a narrow walkway. He felt so covered in sweat and wet in this small amount of time that he mumbled a curse under his breath and the aged Jedi master pulled his brown cloak off. Each little move and touch of the fabric of his tunic and cloak moved and wiped sweat all along his back and drove him momentarily insane with discomfort.

When he got the cloak off and thew it over his arm he sighed. Once again releasing his annoyance into the Force with a closing of his eyes.

"Think I would, being in battles, and in war, teach it would to adapt to sweat and heat, master Obi-Wan." Obi-Wan opened his eyes with speed he didn't know eyelids had. He turned to his left, and standing upon a tree root extended up and digging back into the water and soil was the small master Yoda. In his little cloak, looking up at him with an aged and kindly smile, while leaning on his gimer stick.

"Master Yoda." Obi-Wan greeted, retuning the smile and bowing at the hip. Yoda tapped his stick onto the tree beneath him.

"Good to see you, it is. Think I do, not here for a friendly meeting, you are. Hmm?" Obi-Wan nodded and his smile faded.

"Yes master. Believe me I'm happy to see you once again, but the galaxy is not as we left it. It's in a worse situation I think than ever before."
"Think, everyone does, their time is the worst. Arrogant, even foolish, such statements are Obi-Wan."

"Yes master." Obi-Wan hid a smile. It felt oddly nice to be reprimanded by Yoda. 'Force...I have been on Tatooine too long.' He thought. Having an older Jedi master teach you to watch what you say after decades of receiving the same treatment, after years of isolation surely meant he needed more sentient contact.

"Note I do, left your position as guardian of young Luke Skywalker, I have. Distressing this fact is. Part of your reason for being here, it is?" He asked, and Obi-Wan nodded somberly. Yoda bowed his head. His ears moving downward in clear distress.

"Come then, you must. Explain to me what has happened you will." The small Jedi master made his way, groaning and grunting as he did off the tree root, and onto the ground where he slowly hobbled his way back through some trees. Obi-Wan following in his wake silently.

It was not long before they made their way to a small hut. Obi-Wan put it easily together it was where the ancient Jedi master now lived, but grimaced at the thought of squeezing his way in. Yoda opened the door, and once again tapping his gimer stick ordered his guest in. Obi-Wan obliged, and managed to sit himself, scrunched up into a far corner away from a small bed. That was where Yoda took his seat and let out a groan of comfort. Obi-Wan shook his head some, a small smile coming again. He has gotten old indeed.

"Tell me, you can now Obi-Wan, what is happening." He stated more than asked and Obi-Wan sighed deeply. Never did he think this conversation would come. He had known it was a possibility, but he never thought it would actually happen.

"The galaxy is at war master. Three factions have risen. One of course is the Empire, the second are the Moff Alliance. All the Moffs, as far as I can gather, broke away from the Empire under the leadership of one Moff, a Nox Vellam, and have started a civil war. Taking huge swaths of the galaxy, larger than the Separatists ever did with them." Yoda nodded, seemingly unfazed.

"The third?"

"A bit of an oddity to me, but I do understand how it was created." Obi-Wan prefaced.

"A meeting of rebels from all across the galaxy was called by senator Organa to take place upon the world of Dubrava. I would have found it odd myself, but many arrived. Thousands, delegates and soldiers. It was far too loud and risky, but perhaps that was the intended outcome. For the Empire had set a trap, and Bail aided them. It was to protect Leia, but he didn't think the Empire would broadcast and launch the attack before the senate and whole galaxy to watch." Yoda nodded, prompting him to go on and still seemed unfazed, but Obi-Wan knew the master usually reserved his input after he was told the whole story.

"They've become radicalized. The remaining rebels I mean master. I understand their anger, but they have come under the leadership of several prominent leaders from angered worlds, and those who despise Imperial rule. Something I'm not against, but they have not the money nor the weapons and manpower. So they have taken a route I never could have imagined. They've reactivated the droid armies of the CIS to their new banner. The URM. Their military leader is Kellia Nelrain as well." To this Yoda finally furrowed his green brow, as a grumble escaped him.

"Nelrain? Thought lost we did. Following the battle at Jabiim. Suspected we did, taken and tortured by the separatists, by Dooku we did. The body, not found it was. Alive then, she is?" Obi-Wan assured, and the Jedi master merely grumbled lowly again. Obi-Wan allowed a silence to hang for a moment before he took it as a sign to continue.

"They have droids marching across the Outer-Rim, and killing Moff and Imperial troops en mass. If they manage to get more units and ships I think they could win master, but-"
"Worried, you are, about Nelrain?"

"Not just that master. Something else hangs heavy over me, and I have not yet even gotten to it." Yoda chuckled very lowly and almost seeming without humor.

"Lost you and senator Organa have, the Skywalker children. Has the, Vader does." he stated and Obi-Wan nodded, though his face portrayed clearly his confusion.

"Yes master, but how-"
"Known you long enough, I have Obi-Wan. Judged I did, what hung heavy on you, based on your words, your story, it was." Obi-Wan joined Yoda in smiling, as sad and heavy as it was, he smiled.

"It was a terrible thing. To fight Vader again. What was worse, was him, master. He was healed! Fully, or if not he looked incredibly worked over somehow. However, I felt him, his power and his rage. He was healed, and I don't yet know how. It doesn't matter. I could not stop him. Luke in fact gave himself to Vader to stop him from hurting me or his aunt and uncle." Obi-Wan shook his head. His eyes seeming to gaze off and far away.

"They both are under him now master. They'll both be trained as Sith, and whether he wants to believe it or not they will become monsters in his and the Emperor's image. They will see and wage this war. I have failed Luke. No, both of them master, I failed." His voice was low and somber and his face was void of mirth and happiness.

"Great changes, gone through, the galaxy has. Failed them, Obi-Wan, you did not." Yoda assured, whilst tapping his gimer stick to the huts floor below.

"Lost Leia to Vader, senator Organa has as well? How this happened, I'd like to know." Obi-Wan nodded, and repositioned himself where he sat.

"I don't know everything. I had little time to speak with Bail, but he was not in the best of moods, or mental states. He told me a story I would not otherwise believe had I not seen the evidence myself to prove him to be telling the truth. He said that a Sith lord name Exar Kun came to Alderaan following leads he obtained from rebels he had caught and probably killed. While on Alderaan, he came to learn of who Leia was related to. He also used Organa to bring the rebels together on Dubrava." Obi-Wan cocked his head to the side.

"He thought he could get word out to the rebels to warn them. However, he didn't count on the attack at Dubrava happening when he did. I know, it seemed naïve, but he was only trying to protect Leia. Not only that but Exar Kun? That Sith has been dead for thousands of years master."

"A sentiment, turned against him, it was. Love for his daughter, used as a weapon it was. Terrible the loss of so many, it is. Distressing, all of this news is." Yoda bowed his head, eyes closed, and seemingly ignored the subject of Kun. Obi-Wan nodded along with the sentiment. Not knowing if Yoda was lamenting or thinking in his pose, he remained silent nonetheless. A grumble finally came from the small Jedi.

"Come then, why have you, master Obi-Wan?"

"The plan has failed master. Whether blame should be cast on myself, senator Organa, or anyone else is moot. The fact is the galaxy is in terrible danger, and I think the best thing we can do is become active once more." Yoda lifted his diminutive his head, his eyes falling to look Obi-Wan in the face.

"Suggest you do, we return to the galaxy?" He shook his head incredulously. "Master Obi-Wan, our time, it is not. Too old, we are. In exile we have been. Hardly warriors anymore, we are." It was a shock to Obi-Wan to hear master Yoda sound in a way defeatist. It was certainly more so than ever before. He involuntarily felt his eyes widen at Yoda's words even.

"Master, if we don't do anything I fear what Nelrain is doing will lead to more death and chaos than ever before. You haven't been there to see, to sense what is wrong with her, and this rebellion."

"Explain yourself, will you, Obi-Wan." Obi-Wan nodded.

"Nelrain has a grudge. A chip on her shoulder. She has a funnel, a drive and is willing to use and kill as she sees fit. Sometimes, I have noticed her to be more concerned in defeating and destroying what she can perceive as the Emperors creations. She, honestly sometimes acts more like a Sith than a Jedi. If we sit back and let her continue down this path of annihilation more will be lost than gained."

"An assumption this is, Obi-Wan. Leading an entire military force, she is. Lost, young Nelrain could be. Gone, the order, it's teachings, and teachers, are. Hold her to standards, no longer enforced, we cannot. Wage war in the manner they see fit, the rebels will." Obi-Wan sighed. Yoda was starting to sound more defeatist than senator Organa, and that was saying something.

"Suggest, so you, Obi-Wan, rebuild the Order, we should?"

"No...well maybe. I don't know master, but something. AT the least we should be trying to get those two away from Vader. If we can get them away and somewhere secret and safe and we train them to become the Jedi we hope then we have a chance at defeating the Emperor, at defeating Vader." Yoda groaned again. His eyes closing in thought as he leaned down into his gimer stick again.

"Convinced you are, that this is the best course of action? Not so sure, I am. If returned, Exar Kun has as you say, then a great turn of events, this brings."
"How so?"

"Two Sith lords, in service to the Emperor there are now. Diverging from the Rule of Two, they have. More Sith there shall be, more room for infighting there is. Joined this new group the twins have. A dangerous situation this all is." Obi-Wan agreed. He ran a hand across his bearded face as he just realized what Yoda had. There were indeed more than two Sith now! How had he not seen that?!

"What do you think should be done then master?" Yoda chuckled lowly.

"Come to me for advisement, do you still Obi-Wan?" Obi-Wan smiled some at that and bowed his head. Yoda allowing a small smile to form on his features as well.

"Think I do, master Obi-Wan, join you I will. Return with you to the galaxy at large, I shall." Obi-Wan furrowed his brow.

"Forgive me master but I thought-"
"Said I would not join you, I did not. Think, I do, the Force at work, it is. Shrouded the future is. Too long, on Dagobah, I've been. See for myself, I will, this URM, as you call it. Meet with Nelrain, I shall." Obi-Wan felt a renewed and broader smile come across his face.

"To your ship we will go." Obi-Wan nodded, and both Jedi masters, taking very few of Yoda's things with them made for the ship. It was a pleasantly silent thing, as both boarded the yacht. As they lifted off the world, master Yoda looked down upon what had been his home for thirteen years. The Force was full of darkness and pain as they left its surface. It hit him like a great wave of dread. Not like when order 66 was given, but still so full of death and pain. The feeling alone almost made the tired old Jedi wish to return to his comfortable little hut in the swamp away from the weariness and pain, the death and evils of the galaxy.

"Been away, far too long I have. Filled with such darkness and shrouded, the Force is." He laments as he sits in the copilot seat next to Obi-Wan. The fellow Jedi master nods, a sad smile forming along his features.

"The galaxy has suffered much since the rise of Vader and the Emperor. Hopefully we can do something master. At this point I would rather do something than nothing. Even if it means my life." Yoda nods.

"Hope, I do, keep that sentiment, you will. For hope in our achievement of anything, I have little. Too old, we are master Obi-Wan. Too tired, I am. Do what I can, I will." Obi-Wan gave a final nod. For it was the best he could hope for from master Yoda. The best he could hope for in this galaxy ruined by war and the dark side. As they made their way back to Sluis-Van. Not knowing what was to be unfolding elsewhere in the galaxy.

(Procopia, Tapani Sector)

"You guys sure do like your stale white halls." As thought provoking and obviously stated man as he was, Han Solo pointed out. Minko stood ahead of him, his hands clasped behind his back, his imperial, now Moff as well, suit once more perfectly flattened out across his body. The Wookiee companion of his, Chewbacca, stood next to him, and seemed to groan at the Corellian.

"What?! It's the same damn thing everywhere in the Empire, Chewie! White walls, white ceilings, white floors, maybe black if you're looking for variety, and the lighting? Oh man it could blind a man." The Wookiee groaned again, seemingly speaking for himself and Minko as they stood waiting for a meeting with 'the old man,' as captain Solo rather enjoyed calling Coldor Morlin.

"After the time we spent together on that rust bucket of a shuttle we were forced to buy on Nar Shaddaa I would think you at least somewhat pleased to be among and in a civilized facility and people, captain."

"Hey! Civilization is cool and all, but trust me Rallos you ain't live till you're knee deep in the backwater worlds of the Outer-Rim fighting off who knows what with nothing but a blaster at your hip a Wookiee at your side, and a 'rust bucket,' waiting to fly ya to safety. That's living!" Minko rolled his eyes, and allowed a sigh passed his lips.

"Your view of a good time is quite interesting. To say the absolute least captain Solo. I suggest you perhaps allow yourself to understand what real civilization is, however. That is what we are fighting for here."
Han laughed. "Yeah sure, okay kid, tell yourself that. Whatever makes you sleep a little better at night as people get blasted away all around you."

"And if wasting away brain cells down the glass of the dirtiest and foulest alcoholic beverages in the galaxy is what lets you drown your worries away and help you sleep at night, then by all means continue to do so, captain. To each their own coping mechanism." Hand huffed a laugh and Chewie chortled some. Solo slapping his furry arm and the Wookiee growled back. Han throwing his hands up in surrender. Rallos only shook his head at these two and their playfulness.

General Morlin's adjutant, an officer by the name of Kerr approached them. Seeming a bit flustered, but in these days, who wasn't?

"Forgive the delay, er, sirs." He opened with after noting Chewbacca. "The general is in a meeting with Moff Kaine that should be ending at any moment now. There seems to be development in the Mid-Rim we had not been fully appraised of until recently."

"Complications Kerr?" Rallos asked, and Kerr glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone was too close.

"Moff Kaine has launched a new operations against the empire at their Mid-Rim sector of Chommell. Resources en mass are being re-purposed for this front and the navy battles taking place along the front has already seen at least tens of thousands of men dead on both sides." Minko nodded somberly. Captain Solo almost comically leaned in to hear what was being said.

"Was this authorized by the council?"

"It didn't need to be. It was a 'judgment call,' on the part of our supreme commander. Kaine has been throwing his weight as military leader around as of late, and we've been getting the short end of the stick. We do have a plan to get some more resources sent our way, but I cannot risk saying much more I'm afraid."

"Understood Kerr, thank you." Kerr bowed and made off to attend to other duties seemingly. Leaving the three to wait in what appeared to be an office waiting room. The door leading to general Morlin's room being before them and of course closed.

"Wild shot in the dark, but I'm gonna guess this Kaine guy ain't the most popular round here." Minko huffed.

"You have no idea, captain." He left it at that, but luckily so as the doors opened not but two minutes later.

Walking out first was a tall man, his hair brushed back wit graying edges. He was tall and held an air of superiority about him. That was Ardus Kaine. Beside him was an equally aged man, with almost all gray hair, and eyes, but he was slightly shorter, and seemed more tired.

"I do not see what the problem is Morlin. I honestly do not. This second front will add to our power base in the Mid-Rim. We can secure the whole region, and embarrass the Emperor."
"We have yet to push Zaarin out of the Roche sector and has beaten us back at every turn, Moff Kaine! He took a bunch of insects, the Verpine, who hated the Empire and liberated the from our attack upon them which not only cost us their possible support but now has turned them into raving patriots for an Empire that would sooner blast and sell them away! They are constructing, repairing, building, deconstructing and reconstructing, again ships by the dozens for Zaarin to use in our front in Roche! Why in the ever loving name of the galaxy we are creating a second Mid-Rim front does boggle my mind!"

Both men were paused just outside the doors of Morlin's office. Kaine seemingly making way to leave as Morlin kept pressing him. Kaine looked easily enough annoyed with his face turning stoney and his eyes weary with the conversation.

"Morlin...honestly as a general I respect you, but you lack vision, and honestly think a little too much on these matters. Chommell will be but the beginning. The tip of a very large iceberg of gains we shall make against the Empire. When we leave a trail of death and fire across Naboo and take the home of Palpatine himself we shall have showed the galaxy at large he has not the power nor the ability to stop us. No matter how your managing of Tapani may look."
"My managing of Tapani?!" Morlin repeated in indignation. Kaine waving off the clear anger in his voice.

"You've done the best as you could of course general, but you're not the only man working to win this war. There are plenty at work across the galaxy and some making as little or better gains as you have in the last several months. The righteous indignation you feel at every move I make is unfounded. I am trying to wage a war against a Goliath that has been knocked to its knees. We must work to sever its head, or at the least bash in its knees if we hope to attain total and eventual victory."

Morlin shook his head. "You don't beat an enemy by endlessly throwing punches at him. Sure the punches are attacks, but that does not mean your attacks are of any effect. Indeed punches can be thrown that have no effect and only seek to tire the one who attacks."

"Once more you think too much Morlin." Kaine retorted and chuckled. Clearly thinking little of Morlin as he took a few more paces away from the office doors, Morlin in his wake, and neared Minko, Solo and Chewbacca.

"By years end general the Moff Alliance, will have a new weapon employed in this war. At the very least it shall be ready for practice use. When these weapons are employed and tested to be useful I assure you the droids of the rebels and the troopers of the Empire shall flee before us upon the battlefield. We shall have victory in no time, I assure you."
"Care to enlighten me as to these 'weapons,' of yours?" Kaine almost mockingly laughed.

"Afraid not dear general. That information is for but a very enclosed circle of those involved, and you are not on that particular list. In no time you shall know, and when that happens you shall have your fair share and use of these toys." Morlin paused to look Kaine sternly in the eyes.

"I don't think, Moff Kaine, I was the only one privy to 'special,' documents when I was part of the Empire's inner circles. I don't think, or at least I hope, I'm not the first to remind you of the fact we are not the only ones building secret weapons in the dark corners of this galaxy. The rebels likely have ideas in their heads, while...well I don't need to say anything more on the Empire other than the fact they have several underway. If even one of those things are completed, then this war is fruitless."

"How very dreary of you general. No I needn't be reminded but proactive work is underway to see we achieve our weapons completion and employment before then, and that we have the clear advantage." Kaine took a few more paces for the exit and took note of Chewbacca and looked the Wookiee up and down, before a sneer formed lopsidedly along his face. However, he seemed to ignore the alien.

"We, and by we I mean men who have led battles, fought in them and seen them up close for what they are, Morlin. Do you not think we are the superior choices for leaders in this galaxy? We who know war and battle. Grand Moff Vellam, while I appreciate his vision and ability to bring the Moff Alliance into existence, I cannot say he is the right choice for actual leadership. What this galaxy needs are strong leaders. Do you not agree?" Morlin shrugged.

"I think this galaxy needs leadership not wholly bent on domination of everything beneath the stars. The Emperor is a man of possessions. This galaxy is his possession in his eyes. If another demagogue takes control. Then nothing would have been achieved other than replacing one madman with another. Or worse, a psychopath." Kaine chuckled very stiffly.

"Ah indeed Morlin. You have quite the droll if bleak vision of the future. The Alliance will turn out for the better and make this galaxy a better place, a Moff place. I think that is a wholly better outcome for us all."
"As you say, Moff Kaine." Morlin conceded.

"I do. Now, I must make for the new front base of operations. I expect to be walking on the burnt grassy surface of Naboo by years end. It's fast approaching after all! Now you do as you do with this little front of yours, and of course do your best. But I assure you anything lost shall be easily retaken in no time." Morlin nodded and Ardus held an arrogant smirk across his face as he left and bid his final goodbye to the general who came to stand before the three guests of his. For a few moments he ignored them and merely watched, stone faced, the door where Kaine exited. When probably five or six minutes passed of dreadfully heavy silence, the general allowed an obvious sneer to cross his features.

"Open a new front while the ones you currently have are falling like dominoes across the board! What kind of military genius ignores basic logic of tactical analysis? Never a one I have met!" Coldor snarled, before heaving a great frustrated sigh and turning to his guests. His eyes seeming heavy and tired as ever.

"Forgive me display. It is good to see you returned to us officer Rallos, and I see you were successful in finding our wayward officer." Minko bowed his head, and beamed in satisfied pride.

"It is good to see you're still in one piece captain Solo."

"It's by pure luck I assure you general. Looks like things are kinda karked up for ya." Morlin huffed a laugh at the blatant use of improper dialogue. He honestly lacked the will to correct Solo, even if Rallos looked horrified.

"Yes captain. My war is not going as well as I had hoped it would. This galaxy is quick to turn idealists into defeatist, and I fear I have been one for too long. The fight and fire to fight that drove me years ago seems to fade by the hour. Yet still I have made the bed I now occupy. I shall lay in it as it were." He lamented, and then took note of Chewbacca.

"Well I don't recognize you. Or...are you the one captain Solo saved from being...skinned as it were?" Chewbacca groaned, and it sounded low and sad. Morlin nodded.

"I understand. I cannot say I am innocent for what has befallen Kashyyyk several times over the course of the Imperial domination of the galaxy, but I shall nonetheless apologize for what your people have endured."

Chewbacca moaned sadly and Han patted the Wookiee on the arm comfortingly. Morlin nodded to himself as he seemed to remember scenes he had witnessed.

"Well...I'm more than sure you're wondering why you're here captain."
"I kinda know why, but I gotta say Morlin I think you got the wrong guy for the job. I'm no special forces type guy. In fact I'm ore in the 'transportation,' of important 'goods,' for the Hutts lately." Morlin cocked a brow.

"How's that working for you?"

"Eh, can't really complain so long as you get the packages where they need to be on time." Morlin again huffed out a laugh, and left it at that.

"Hopefully I can convince you to take on some work more becoming of a pilot and officer who has great talent and skills. Pirating and smuggling or 'transportation,' as you call it," the general made air-quotes, "is wholly a waste of some skill. Wouldn't you agree Rallos?" Morlin asked taking a seat on a sofa that was in an open area of this waiting room, and Rallos nodded.

"A total waste indeed general sir." Chewbacca growled to Han.

"Hey, fuzzball, I didn't see you complaining about the work when you were getting a few thousand credits a job!" Chewie growled and smacked Solo on the back of the head.

"Hey!" he pointed a finger in the Wookiee's face. "Watch the paw there buddy." Chewie chortled some more, and both Minko and Morlin shook their heads at the display.

"Come, all of you, join me." They did and all came to sit on the sofa opposite of him. Behind him was a large glass pane that showed the greenery of Procopia. As Imperial class vessels flew to and fro across the skies.

"Captain Solo, I wanted you brought here, to be part of something big, and something new not because you are a super-soldier. Not because you have great skill and great powers and not because of your intelligence-"

"Gee thanks." Morlin ignored his retort, even as Chewie chortled another laugh.

"I did it because in you I saw a man who has morals. A code of honor all your own that I feel is more becoming and more fitting for soldiers and officers of a professional military force. I am in need of a force comprised of good men, and women if need be, but call me old school as that seems odd but I'll accept it." Morlin assured and Han shrugged, seemingly understanding the reasoning.

"It will be something I am willing to give you leeway on, as long as these people meet up with some standards of course, but I think if we pull this off right, and go against conventional reasoning and wisdom of the Moffs I must work for, then we can show that this form of warfare can work. That the Empire can be defeated by true, honest and good fighting men and women of course."
"What's wrong with the troopers?" Morlin scoffed at the question from Solo.

"Come now Solo. You have worked for the Empire long enough to see how they drone on like moths to the flame. They kill and die without reason or care. They are poor shots and equally poor examples of good men, or men at all. Too many are clones and too many have flash memories imprinted in them to make them recall how to aim and shoot alone, take orders, but even then they sometimes fail to comprehend procedure and command. Tactical efficiency is terrible!" He shook his head.

"No...no I want to show the Moffs that actual people, people who feel who think and who can fight on their toes without an officer holding their hand through the battle. What this new division needs is a leader in which I trust. What I have seen in you I desire for an army, and through you and in tandem with me, we can see it done. What now matters, what this all falls down to, is what you decide, captain Solo."

The Corellian whistled, and leaned back into his seat. Chewbacca was in fact far more mild mannered.

"You sure do know how to pick em general. It's kinda sad really that I'm the one that's gotta tell ya this but I'm not your guy."
"A man who prefers self deprecation to taking a compliment? I have seen your kind before. You mask what is humility with this deprecating attitude for yourself. I can respect it, I have seen it in others, but it is why I want you for the job." Morlin retorted and Han shrugged the statement off.

"Well, what is your companions name?"

"Uh, Chewbacca. I call him Chewie." The Wookiee grunted in agreement.

"Very well. Chewbacca, I wouldn't suppose you would feel inclined to help me in my cause and with your friend if I say that the liberation of those whom I have wronged and adding them to our cause is a very forward and higher up priority?" Chewbacca flew into a flurry of groans and growls and Morlin didn't understand a lick of it. Though captain Solo seemed to be trying to calm the Wookiee down.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa buddy! Hey come on now I..." Chewie few back into growls, and Han again waved his arms in protest.

"Hey! Buddy I'm not against it I just don't-" Chewbacca growled. "That's not fair!" Morlin and Minko shared a look. The general smiled at the whole thing. Rallos shook his head again.

"Okay! Okay calm down fur-ball! Yeesh!" Han brought his hands up in surrender.

"You know, old man, you really play dirty. Riling up a Wookiee is never a good idea! You know...you should try a hand at sabacc. You got the dirty mindset for it."
"Sorry captain I prefer a wholesome game of dejarik when the mood sits with me. Card games are too...high stake for this, 'old man.'" They shared smirks and Han leaned in and folded his hands together as he seemed to be in thought...a sight Minko found original.

"Ya'know, I gotta say, being threatened by a Wookiee to have my arm ripped off aside, I kinda do like the idea of sticking it to the old man. Not you of course! I mean the Emperor. I mean I was a damn good pilot, tossed away like stale meat when I suddenly didn't wanna skin a Wookiee. Although maybe helping out ain't so bad, ya'know?" Morlin nodded.

"Alright...well I guess I'm game. I ain't gotta clue in the whole universe what I'm doin' but I'm game general. Just get me started."

"Oh that will be the easy part my friend." The generals mood seemed to brighten for the first time in weeks, which brought a smile to Minko's face.

"For now we must deal with what is going on as it is. We have a little plan in store for Neona. An...old friend of mine has made that world his own, and has been giving me a rancor sized headache for the last several weeks. However, that's not really your concern. The plan is sound, and will stick an annoying stick up the backside of Kaine hopefully." Morlin rose to a stand prompting the other three to do so.

"It's also been about two days since I've slept and I need a power nap. So with little ceremony I hereby welcome you commander Solo, and Chewbacca to the Moff Alliance. Though if that name does not suit you please feel free to think of something to get you two through the day."

"Wow, not even a ceremony. What are the odds?" Chewbacca seemingly scolded the Corellian.

"Come on Chewie I was joking. I swear you're gonna be the one to get me killed. Not by a blaster I think, just likely give me an aneurism over all your bellyaching." The Wookiee snorted a few chuckles, and Han rolled his eyes. Morlin shook the captain turned commanders hand and the Wookiee's who took a strong friendly and seemingly enthusiastic grip and Morlin cringed at the power the alien had but forced a smile.

"Well I see you'll be a very welcome asset Chewbacca. Now Rallos. Find them rooms, and anything else they may need within reason."
"Yes general sir." Morlin nodded, as he felt his eyelids grow heavier.

"And that gentlemen brings a close to my ability to stay awake any longer. I shall see you the next time I'm fully awake commander, and from there we can begin what I see as a wonderful business relationship for a better tomorrow." Solo chuckled, and Morlin bid all three goodbye, and quickly made for and exited the door.

"Okay." Han slapped his hands together and rubbed them like a greedy Hutt. "Where can I get my hands on a minibar?" Minko cocked a brow.

"Commander...we have very strict drinking policies here in the Moff Alliance."

"Oh great, it's a dry base Chewie." The Wookiee groaned.

"Come now, let's get you two settled in." They followed Rallos as he son found them rooms, suggested Solo shower and be as cleanly as his Wookiee companion, and made his way to his own bed.

He would never know that commander Solo found his way to a local cantina, and drank his celebrating the night away.

(Coruscant, Imperial Palace)

"It was inevitable I'm afraid. There was nothing I could possibly do to prevent it. The bright side of it all is that you're alive. Is it not?" Exar and Viathan were walking along an open landing pad of the many the palace had extended out from the main building. The winds whipping their faces, and the buzzing of ships in the distance reaching their ears as the midday sky of Coruscant just began to burn brightly. Viathan had awoken feeling stronger, healthier, and more well rested than in the entirety if the last two weeks combined. His master, who he had not seen since the prior day, seemed to be in decent spirits, but also to be anxious. In thought. He figured it was being too close to the Emperor that made him so.

"I am aware master. The battle itself was not the most trying I've ever gone through, but it did cause me some bruises and scratches. Nothing I can't heal from easily."
"His willingness to set you into a deadly situation against many more foes merely to test my training ability is distressing. Too many ties and based on what you have said has he made it clear he has grown suspicious. Not just of my ability to teach but of me and perhaps lord Vader as well. As much as I have tried he has come to suspect me I think. I can live with that, I told him as much, but perhaps he now feels he can openly test me!" His master seethed as he paced back and forth. His one hand running along his chin and the other wrapped around his chest. Viathan stood closer to the bridge between the ramp and landing pad and watched his master. His eyes going back and forth following his movements.

"To be fair, master, he must suspect you have discovered and killed Jade. At least he would think you killed her. Perhaps he may suspect otherwise, but add that to Kira Offee and her loss, and I think he may hold animosity toward you. My gaining or lack of new skills by your hands may have proven that either you have taught me nothing and therefore have killed two of his acolytes, and wasted my time, and his, or you have indeed taught and focused on me and still took out those two. Only one of these options garner in use for him. I convinced him and honestly so that under you I have become stronger." Exar stopped, releasing a sigh as he did, and shrugged.

"Perhaps. It makes sense I'll give you that my apprentice. However, he will in no time come to learn of the treason of these two acolytes of his. Offee has all but conquered Mrlsst on her own, and will have the Emperor's spies reporting back in no time. While Jade will have her uses soon when the war really calls for me to unleash her into the battlefields. What will happen then shall decide the manner in which he and I meet and speak with one another. Your loyalty will once again be called into question. You will have to play up your part as naturally as you can if I am to keep someone close to him while we are here on Coruscant."

"Sending me somewhere else other than Tapani, master, may help to convince him." Exar paused and cocked his head questioningly.

"Explain?"

"If I 'push,' the subject, as I am known for being a bit demanding to please my lord and master the Emperor, you shall be forced to send me off to wage war beyond your reach in the sector. Give me an armada, let me wage war beyond your arms reach master, and let me take initiative in the Emperor's name and glory and he will be pleased." His gray eyes showed his to be thoughtful. He crossed his arms and hummed in deeper thought.

"It could play into his ego. It's over bloated already as it is. To have you publicly wage war on your own, whilst receiving 'instruction,' from me could help to convince him you think yourself above me and now seek victory in his honor alone." He nodded.

"It would be a tad tricky, but I think it could work. Your training I feel would be the only issue."

"We may yet have time and ability to meet and train master. I do not mean to seem as though I do not wish to learn. I seek only to aid you in keeping me as a useful agent in your plans master." Exar chuckled.

"Needn't you worry. You have provided me an idea I had not yet thought of. We may indeed employ this, but for now we must see where the day and events lead us. Tapani goes well even. The taking of Mrlsst, Neona and advances made by madam Lyn on New Shella has seen that whole sector all but collapse. Your old friend and instructor seems to have lost his edge." The Sith laughed. Viathan cocked his head to the side.

"I'm not entirely sure. His current tactical choices are not providing much positive output for him. Well...no that's not true. His actions, and those at Bogden also, do not reflect his usual actions in war. I know him as a general only convinced of attack only after defense is secured. Recently he's shown desperation to attack and relieve pressure on other fronts. A waste of life and resources with no gains."

"He may be commander of Tapani. However, word has been received by ISB that a Moff is making orders there as well and interfering with Morlin. Moff Ardus Kaine. He seems to have a very attack first, type tactical thought. I look forward to seeing what he does next. Well...besides what he has done already. I also suspect he may be acting elsewhere in the galaxy." Viathan nodded. He didn't recognize this Moff. Though when you've met one you sorta met them all in his opinion.

"Well. I think that's enough worrying for now. It's rather unbecoming don't you think of a dark lord of the Sith to be so worried over pettiness?"

"Fear is an ally is it not master? Anxiety though? That is a worthless." Exar chuckled once again.

"That I will agree with. Now, apprentice, you will be somewhat of a showpiece as I stated prior to our arrival. Yesterday was not what I expected but what can you do now?" Viathan shrugged.

"You will meet with any fool and any crony politician the Emperor forces upon you and play the part you're good at. Subservient Imperial loyalist. Play up your glory for the Emperor in your battles, and make yourself open to their pathetic questions. They may try to act as if they know war, but rest assured they know nothing. See them as nothing. Speak to them as if they were nothing. Yet, keep it pleasant. Any rudeness will reach back to the Emperor, unless of course a jab at the Emperor is made subtly. What I mean is, be the good crony of the Emperor. Remember, I am just your instructor and superior in Tapani."
"Yes master." Viathan bowed his head. The dark lord seemed pleased. Though he did furrow his brow as he looked down on his apprentice.

"Are you well?"

"Master?" Viathan mirrored the furrowed look of confusion.

"You seem different. You're not enthralled in the dark side. In fact it's quite visible. Your eyes are their normal color." Viathan furrowed his brow even deeper. The thought seeming strange to him. Especially since he didn't know how or why it was the case.

"I had not noticed master. I shall correct this at once."
"See that you do so. Without the dark side to aid in masking your thoughts and emotions through the Force, I do not think you would have the sufficient pure skill within the Force to do so."
Yes master." Viathan simply agreed. Though he did think he had enough pure ability to do so. It was easy to center one into the dark side. In fact all he did was close his eyes and focus on his memories. Visions of pain and torture, the war, anything really. The familiar spikes of rage crawling up his spine and sending chills through him erupted. Within moments he found his center, and opened his eyes. The usual and 'normal,' crimson of his eyes returned and he found himself indeed feeling..normal as it were. His master smirked and inclined his head happily.

"Much better. Now come. We best arrive to this thing early." Viathan followed and agreed silently with the sentiment. It would be no time before they reached the reception room where he fought those abominations. It was no surprise to see all the corpses gone, and the damages made by sabers all gone replaced fixed, whatever may have happened the room was made clean and clear for the guests. Some of which, much to his disdain, had already arrived, and were chatting it up amongst one another and the Emperor. Already the cloaked old man was mingling with his underlings and cronies. A quick scan of the room both with his eyes and with the Force he found that Vader and his children had not yet arrived.

"I suggest you go to the Emperor. Make yourself more known. I am sure he already has someone he wants you to meet." Viathan nodded and made his way toward the old man. Surrounded by politicians and other upper echelon members of Imperial society. As well as two looming red guards. Exar remained where he stood and crossed his arms. Watching his apprentice make toward the Emperor, and soon he caught the eyes of a set of senators. All of them garbed in ridiculously overly bombastic clothing. Glitter laden dresses that hung low along their shoulders or not at all, just the right amount of obvious cleavage exposure. Of course there was the men, looking overly broad shouldered and tall. Stiff even. They were obviously either extending themselves high or had lifts in their shoes.

Nonetheless he looked at a set of three of those politicians in their gaudy garbs. They were there when he...set these political bloodsuckers in line. They caught notice of his stare. He bowed his head toward them, a smirk playing across his features. They all noticed him and quickly bowed, no, lowered their heads at his presence. The fear that came off of them was potent, and sent a new grin across his features. He quickly shook his head, as he knew word of his being here would spread among these fools, and the memory of certain politicians being torn limb from limb would be at the front of their minds.

"That should spice things up a bit." he intoned and rested his back into a pillar as he watched the cronyism unfold, and his apprentice be utterly out of his comfort zone.

(Spadja Sector, Outer-Rim territories, Stenos)

"All I'm saying is we get to do all the frontal dirty work whilst you let the boss lady, the high and mighty Jedi that she is act like she's the karking galactic messiah! Where's the recognition?" Jodo sighed from behind his mask. He and Boom-Boom, his aptly named demolitions expert were inspecting a large open region from an elevated turbolift platform.

"Braden," Jodo addressed the Weequay by his actual name. "Nelrain is in charge whether ya like it or not. Not much I can do bout' it. She hired me for this job, and as for your uh, recognition, that comes in the form of the HoloNet press we get. That and the glory of beating Imps and Moffs. IN fact I think there was a news report on the Imperial side labeling us, Maverick squad I mean, as a bunch of bloodthirsty animals. Running around the Outer-Rim, pillaging, burning and raping as we please."

"So you say any press is good press? I don't need my folks at home thinking I'm some alien stereo type and raping nobody!" Jodo shook his head.

"I don't think you'll ever be really happy with the outcome of it all Braden. When we are leading the front lines and attacking the Emperor's palace itself you me and the rest of the team, believe you, me, we will have our moment to shine."

"I wanna statue built in all my honor...with big rockets, and mines, grenade belts, and a big ole' heavy repeater at my side!" Jodo chuckled.

"You gotta dream my friend."

The lift came to a stop as the two inspected a large quantity of their battle droids. They had landed on this world with at least three-hundred thousand units. Most of course were B1 units. They were leaving with half that amount. The natives of Stenos, the Stenax, proved to be merciless beasts. Not only did they look demonic, with their bat-like wings, scaly exteriors, spears and horns even, but they fought like hellish warriors bent on murder and destruction. It made Jodo happy for the first time in a while he was commanding droids. At least droids didn't care, feel, run in fear, or cower against the Stenax.

A division worth of B1 battle droids held at blaster point several dozen Stenax. These warriors were bound and on their knees, their wings wrapped in metal wire, and droidekas also stood guard in front of them ready to mow them down if they got out of line.

"These guys sure like to break these droids! I mean who knew these guys could cause so much damage with just spears, claws, wings and a mean attitude."
"Never underestimate barbarians Braden. I have nothing against aliens I'm sure you know, but that don't mean there ain't no barbaric races out in the deep, dark corners of the galaxy. The Stenax I hear even liked to kill their Imperial overlords for sport from time to time. Something about an idol or god named Vol or something like that." The lift lowered the two down and a walking platform descended. His carbine in his hands, Jodo came off the ramp with Boom-Boom behind him. Himself carrying an even bigger carbine. A yellow-striped commanding B1 battle droid, not carrying a blaster, walked toward Jodo and saluted in its programmed fashion.

"Commander. These Stenax were captured attacking the security platoon in the gorge thirteen miles northeast of this position. Per your orders, stun blasters brought them down, but they were committing a guerrilla attack on the patrol. Forty-two B1 and five B2's were lost in the battle." It informed in robotic quickness and its standard emotionless tone.

"Stenax casualties?"

"Three hundred forty nine pacified organics."

"I thought your blasters were put to stun as were my orders?" The B1 cocked its coned head. Almost confused seeming.

"Stenax attack was confirmed to be above normal standards as deemed by your commands. The enemy would likely have wiped out the patrol at an eighty-five percent probability. Probability of our victory in the battle upon switching to lethal blaster settings brought our victory percentile to ninety-three percent. This is an acceptable margin of native organic loss." Boom-Boom whistled. Receiving both an over the shoulder glance from Jodo and a seemingly still confused head jerk from the commander droid.

"Gotta love statistics captain." Jodo rolled his eyes from behind his mask and returned his attention to the B1 commander.

"I guess if there was no possibility of stopping them then it had to be done." The droid seemed to process the captains words.

"There was no error in processing of probability. There was no stopping the native attack in victory without lethal force being employed."

"I get it, I get it. Now...what to do about these prisoners." Jodo hung his carbine over his shoulder along the strap it was connected to and crossed his arms as he looked down on these big brutes. They all looked at him with deep anger in their eyes. Begging for their restraints to be gone so they could rip into him limb from limb. Were he a lesser man he might have flinched. Yet still, Jodo Kast did not flinch.

"Per protocols dictated by higher command of the URM military command, captain Kast, these prisoners have made themselves partisan forces. Therefore no convention exists for imprisoning them." The droid informed. The notion it implied oddly made Kast feel uneasy.

"What then becomes of partisan forces, commander unit?"

"Native or otherwise forces of a conquered subject world are to be summarily executed via firing squad of blasters. Resources shall not be wasted on imprisoning local forces." Jodo looked back to Braden. The Weequay shrugged, though his features portrayed a mirror of Jodo's own face. Uneasiness, and annoyance with such an order.

"Well, I don't think such an order is wholly necessary. Surely we can hand these Stenax natives over to their people for judgment."
"Negative." The droid bluntly replied. Jodo felt a sneer cross his face.

"Negative?"

"Affirmative. Protocols cannot be overwritten by field commander lower than general rank. Secondly, all native Stenax forces have shown clear opposition to occupation of their world. Stenos has been by convention of war annexed by the URM. Therefore all unwillingness and disregard to comply with dictates and commands shall be dealt with as partisan activity."

"Well we can't kill all the bloody Stenax! There's millions of them, and a sizable immigrant population too." Jodo pointed out. His voice through his mask obviously raised some.

"Affirmative. Protocols dictate then that partisan population be moved to camps for over watch from rightfully occupying forces. Rightfully occupying forces are designated as URM forces."

"You said they should not have resources wasted on them by imprisonment."

"Imprisonment and deportation to war camps are two distinction as conventions handed down through protocols by URM high command commander." Jodo felt a headache suddenly throb.

Placing a gloved hand to his helmet he sighed once more.

"Okay. So we can't imprison them all, and we can't kill them all, so we'll deport and encamp them all?" Wont that waste resources?"

"Local population is acting as partisan group. Therefore it is only...'fair,' that local populations feed their fellow interned population. Should local population not interned by URM forces be unable to feed interned population, URM protocols dictate no resources of the URM war machine are to be diverted for feeding interned forces."

"Great! So we let them all starve to death if their neighbors don't like them for a few days?"
"Roger, roger." Jodo snarled from behind his mask.

"Who came up with these karking protocols?"

"All URM protocols flow down from the head of the newly assembled war ministry and high command. Therefore the Supreme Commander has full rights to protocol creation and implementation."

"So Nelrain? Damn that woman and her apparent need to make me look like the galaxy's biggest ass!" Boom-Boom chuckled from where he stood. Though Jodo didn't get why as mere moments ago the Weequay was moaning and whining about how Nelrain treated them all.

"Alright, alright look here unit." Jodo held a hand up and motioned toward the droid who seemed once more confused at the gestures the organic captain was throwing at him.

"Intern the Stenax, but I want an order sent out to the local population centers. Appeal to the human and Bith, they are the two biggest immigrant factions here on Stenos. Inform them that due to a URM order from their new legally occupying forces they must contribute one-fourth of their food stores to the interned Stenax. Meanwhile we will, and by we, I mean the UR, will set the camps up, patrol and keep the Stenax at bay until we figure out a way to appease them and allow them back into civilized society. Is that clear to you?" The droid was silent and processed.

"Roger, roger." It replied and Jodo nodded happily.

"Good. Well...you got your orders, get to it." The droid once more stiffly saluted and made to relay the order and to likely prepare the dictate for the local population.

"Well that went over well eh?"

"Shut it Braden. I didn't see you helping." The Weequay threw his hands up.

"What was I supposed to say?!" Jodo prepared a retort when he glimpsed Shadow nearing both he and Boom-Boom. She looked intimidating as ever. Her sniper was carried over her shoulder on a strap much like his own. She could never be parted from the thing.

Nonetheless she approached and saluted Kast, who did so back. The motion still new and odd to him.

"Captain. I've come with some good news and bad news. Which would you prefer to hear?" Jodo shared a glance with Boom-Boom who shrugged.

"Uh..good news."

"Very well. These came as gifts for you and the whole team from Nelrain herself. She said we may need them." She pointed over her shoulder with a thumb and Jodo looked over to see what she arrived it.

"Wow." He intoned and neared the ship. It was a starfighter. A central cockpit area, with two wings jutting out. Both wings had a laser canon on them, but these things looked more built for speed than for anything.

"What class?"
"Rogue-class starfighter. Apparently the CIS used these for Magnaguards and other pilots. When self piloting droid starfighters were not desired I suppose. They can be heavily modified, and we all get one of our own." Boom-Boom whistled again as he laid his greedy hands along the ship and seemed to be enraptured with the fighter. Jodo was pleased with the gift. It almost made up for Kellia being a royal pain in his backside. Then of course he remembered that there was bad news too.

"The bad news, Vila?" He also fell into using her actual name. The woman shrugged her head lopsidedly.

"Well Gearhead and Sly are both part of that advance fleet moving for the Tandankin system if you remember."

"Yeah...I sent them on that job if you remember Vila."

"Well if ya let me finish Jodo I'll let you in on the actual bad news." Jodo surrender and motioned for her to proceed.

"Thank you. The fleet they took was several dozen strong, but there has been a major setback. A Grand Moff who joined the Moff Alliance by the name of Nigel Nivers seems to make the world of Tandankin his own when he's not with the other members of the Moff boys club. When he got word of our feet he somehow scooped together a counterattack force of his own. At least a hundred Imperial class warships. He's mobilized the ground population into a vast militia army, urging them to remember the fear the CIS drove into them in the Clone Wars. Sly and Gearhead both landed on the planet, but the droid forces have been pushed into a pocket on the planet and the navy assets are dwindling by the hour."

Jodo nodded.

"That is indeed bad news. Alrighty then ladies and gents. Pack up the droids who ain't staying and lets round up some reserve ships. We're headed for Tandankin. If these Moffs wanna play when they got problems elsewhere in the galaxy then we'll play. Oh and uh take me to my fighter too when we get back on the ships. I wanna tinker around with my new toy. Compliments the boss Jedi." Shadow nodded, and Boom-Boom let loose a deep laugh as the team and most of the droids made back for the fleet. Down on the planet though, the droid still left behind and numbering still into the tens of thousands rounded up every last Stenax. Those who did not come quietly were shot on spot and killed. Left to be cleaned by other civilians on the planet. The Stenax would be thrown into the droid camps, they so efficiently and quickly put together. All symbols of their idol Vol were destroyed, and their wings were clipped.

The URM laid low another people, but won another world. Only one of these facts mattered in the slightest to Kellia when time came for her to learn of this worlds addition to the URM.

(Coruscant, Imperial Palace)

Viathan felt his eyes fall to slits of annoyance. The longer he stood here waiting and listening and greeting plus meeting these buffoon senators, the more he felt like reaching out and throttling them all! The pompous swine kept coming through the karking doorway. Wearing their revealing and tight outfits for the women, and their frame building and broadening suits. The regal acts were easily outweighed by the absurdity of their manner, stances and conduct. The women flaunted, and sickeningly for Viathan toward the Emperor, but not just that but for any man. He found himself always conveniently greeting another senator when such acts were taken by the women. His master, well his old master, the Emperor, seemed to find the acts amusing. As one would find an ant who tried to impress you amusing.

However, for all their flaunting and foolishness, the women were nothing compared to the men. Their puffed out chests, comb-overs, slicked back hair, ridiculous stiff upper-lip accents, and of course flaunting of their portfolios. Their supposed achievements, and where they were schooled. What dynasty they hail from and whose family blood they carried in their veins.

Vanity indeed! Viathan wanted to smack the lot of them, and then send a piercing bout of lightning into these barking and raving fools. These politicians; if one must really call them as such, could not even guard their most basic of thoughts. Viathan found himself groaning and shaking with annoyance quickly turning to anger as images of fellow senators undressed flashed in his mind as lewd thoughts from both genders flew through the room. Lust for power and the thoughts of how to impress and toy with, to fool colleagues, and even the Emperor were broadcast by this pack of fools so loudly Viathan swore they were saying to the face of their target what they really thought.

Nonetheless, he stood next to the Emperor. Throwing up his mental shields and using the darkness that surrounded him to hopefully aid his master in blotting Sidious' sensing of a certain red head likely to be near and actively watching. The old man was near to the entrance to the room. Meeting, and greeting the politicians and other upper echelon morons that came through. As ever, Viathan would bow and greet, and have to listen and respond to another as they invoked bombastic patriotic speeches about his endeavors in the field of battle.

"Welcome senator Sibiro. Tell me how are things in the senate for you?" A man entered, he was portly and unsightly. Hanging on his arms were not one but two women, far out of what would usually be this mans league. Both of them wearing disgustingly large quantities of makeup, and giggling and flaunting themselves at every intone made by this Sibiro, and the Emperor. It made Viathan sick.

"...of course I know nothing in the senate compares to the war!" Viathan caught te tail end of this conversation, and felt the inevitable coming once again.

"ironic you should mention the war Sibiro, I think I need not remind you of his deeds for the Empire, but I have here with me young commander Viathan. Come boy meet senator Sibiro." Sidious ordered, and Viathan stepped forward. His arms were crossed but he politely and in full propriety bowed at the waist. One arm over his chest and the second behind his back as he did so.

"A pleasure to meet with another fine senator of the Imperial senate." Viathan greeted in barely a whisper. The man bowed, though it was halfhearted and seemingly more difficult for the quite portly man.

"The pleasure is all mine I'm sure! You exploits have proceeded you here young man! I must say my home sector is enthralled with your story. Indeed the whole galaxy finds the budding heroes of the Empire interesting and exciting even! The one who commands you in the field, Exar Kun, he too has gained notoriety." he pointed out. Viathan sensed the briefest flare of anger from the Emperor, but it was crushed, and the old man maintained a slimy smile.

"You flatter me sir. I am merely the willing and able servant of the emperor's will. The Moffs need to be taught a lesson they shall not forget in Tapani. Despite whatever they think they can accomplish elsewhere. All glory is to be given to the Emperor." Viathan quietly, but with a forced smile upon his face reminded the man and he chuckled.

'Well for an overweight, and mildly unsightly man, you're not terrible.' Viathan thought as the thoughts of the man flashed like the others. They were more focused on his desire to not be around some senators in the gathering, and what he was going to eat for dinner later, but it was a rather welcome change...as sad as it may be.

"Oh! You're the boy from all the HoloNet broadcasts!" One of the two girls realized...just now. Viathan noted her, and inspected her. A dark brunette, with long hair. Blue eyes, slender build, overly exposed cleavage, and a very narrow but attractive face. She was maybe twenty, and that was nothing new for these old politicians really...some went younger...far younger.

"You just realized that?" The second girl, a blonde, short hair, green eyes, and equally exposed breasts, with a more full face, with high cheekbones, replied, giggling as she did so. Viathan chanced a glimpse at the Emperor, who looked at the two women with a face Viathan read to show a mix of contempt and humor, if that were possible.

"Indeed. I am commander Viathan. I have been on the front against the Moff traitors in the Tapani sector under command of lord Kun. I suppose I have been featured in many HoloNet broadcasts." They both giggled, and Viathan forced a disgusted sneer as thoughts crossed their minds on his 'cuteness.'

'Cuteness. By the Force I am surrounded by idiots and one track minds. What I wouldn't give for the stench of burning metal and blood stained clothing. Anything but the droning thoughts of sexual charged women and men, and all manner of other foolishness.'

"Ah, I best be off! No doubt my guests are causing a fuss and ever to my shame before you, your majesty!" Sibiro laughed, and the emperor nodded, but maintained a slimy smile on his wrinkled and layered face. The two girls still on his arms as he made for the main gathering of men and women, Viathan let out a shallow sigh.

"Such attention by women. Does it not interest you, my boy?" The old man asked cocking his hooded head to Viathan. The boy swallowed. Being under his piercing and burning yellow gaze always put him off center. He however simply shrugged.

"It is not something I take interest to master. Such unnecessary distractions from my duties, and my very life are petty. To be 'normal,' and become a slave to baser instincts such as sexual attraction is beneath we Sith. Even for the sheer passion of such acts it is beneath we who are truly above the rest." The emperor hummed. Seemingly intrigued.

"Ah, but what of simple indulgence? We Sith are fully capable and deserving to take and do as we wish. Why do you deny yourself such use of your power and position?" Viathan felt sickness bubble in his very core, and his chest constricted. His old master, his Emperor, knew what these types of questions made him feel. It was probably amusing to him, but also a leading question. He wanted Viathan to spit out his fear of such things due to the tortures of the past. He wouldn't!

"I shall never deny a fellow Sith the right to indulge in whatever sexual practices they desire. The deviance of it all is beneath me. I am not declaring I am above my fellow Sith or you master, but the galaxy is in the end ruled by basic instinct. I seek to elevate myself above basic though compulsion, and to bring glory to myself and you master. To lessen myself with such petty acts such as hunting for a new 'conquest,' is to lessen your glory in my eyes." Viathan smirked and hummed a laugh, which the Emperor seemed surprised to see.

"Besides. The women, any woman of the galaxy can clearly see I am beneath their usual tastes and the common ideal on what makes a being attractive. Superficial attraction is what the galaxy is dominated by. Perhaps that is for the better, but nonetheless it is fleeting, useless, and beneath me. Beneath us all master."

Seemingly finding the teen's reasoning sufficient, Sidious nodded at the least understanding what his servant said. Though he knew some of the deeper more...dark reasons why the boy felt as he did. Darkened places of his mind where memories of abuse, and use of the boy plagues him, and instilled in his young mind a sickness and disgust with the physical body of any other sentient but himself. The most fleeting of touch made him sick. The most passive of suggestion and attraction of another made him want to weep. It was of course for the better, in Palpatine's mind.

'A broken being, a broken slave, makes for the best use.' He though with humor tickling his mind, as more senators came and were looked over by the royal guards for any potential weapons. Several from the Outer-Rim. Fools whose systems were now under URM or Moff control who still spouted how they 'really.' represented the will of their miserable people.

"A litter of fools they are all Viathan, my boy." Viathan crossed his arms and looked up to his hunched over lord. A sickening and seemingly far away smirk of devious thoughts and musings no doubt, over his face. "All of these little insects who throw themselves before me, speak sweetly and kindly to me in all the political correctness they can muster, and they don't even comprehend that they are all of them lower than the lowest blade of grass upon any given world. At least a blade of grass is an unfeeling organism that more or less aids in the growth of life. These prattling, and dubious worms, wiggle and writhe in the dirt. Thinking one day they shall strike deeper and lower in time until they touch gold and elevate themselves to greater status than they shall ever be allowed. Ironic, most of them were senators under the republic, and now they are the same as they were under the Empire. My Empire, and they still hold thoughts within their minds that somewhere and somehow they will rise. Rise to a level they cannot even begin to comprehend. To my level!" He cackled loudly. The neighboring crowds glancing to see why, but they could not, nor did they seek to understand. Viathan did, and in a way he agreed with his mast...the Emperor.

"They are all of them miserable people indeed master." Viathan spoke aloud his agreement, as the Emperor mutely greeted another senator and had this one, a Twi'lek, on his way in seconds.

"They all pine and grovel. Not knowing their egregious lack of intelligence is not compensated for by their wealth, place in society or masks of politeness and propriety."

"Ha!" He laughed aloud once more and nodded. "Certainly few of them have any form of intelligence. Any vision passed the bridge of their own noses! They cannot even fathom true power, and true insight. They can't know the power I wield in my hands. They can't even realize that everything they think amounts to power; credits, approval ratings, an army, and navy, they are nothing! Nothing to the power, no, the TRUE power of the dark side." He grinned broadly.

"We, you and I, lords Kun and Vader. We are a select few. Even the others. The Hands, Inquisitors, and other lowly users of the Force at the minimum of what power is, do not understand. We do. Some day you will have power beyond that of what you can imagine my boy. You will, however, always be in service to me, but I see great potential. Great promise as well. Your indulgences and power will assure you of legacy, and power. The name of Viathan shall be known across the stars sooner and greater than you think. Then, will you understand boy, what little power is, the power of those beneath us at least is. True power lay in the Force. Know and remember this well my boy. Power is the Force, everything else is beneath it." Viathan nodded. Oddly enough it was a conversation he felt as though he actually agreed with his Emperor. It was something, a musing and philosophical stance he agreed with. It felt odd, but Viathan found himself, very much agreeing with the words of Darth Sidious.

"Ah, now here comes a senator I do have a very miniscule amount of interest in. Especially concerning the developments in the Mid-Rim." The Emperor nudged his head toward the entrance, Viathan followed his gaze, and found a younger than most senator entering the room. She was human, brown hair, brown eyes, or at least he though so from afar. A slender frame, and a face of conventional beauty. A pointed chine, and prominent, but not too much so, cheek bones, that perhaps made her in a manner more naturally beautiful than other women of the court Viathan had seen come through. Her hair was shorter than some, but not too short and kept back in a simpler bun. What he appreciated, oddly enough, was a more modest dress. It was gold colored sure, but it didn't flagrantly show her breasts so openly. The dress wrapped around her neck and came down like a V connected to the main portion. It hung down low and covered her flesh modestly. Though beyond simple observations Viathan couldn't see how she was more interesting to his lord.

She approached the Emperor and held on her face, what Viathan, and likely Sidious caught to be a truly well craft, but forced smile. She came before him and Sidious and curtsied. Ever proper seeming.

"Ah, young senator Naberrie. It brings a smile to my face to see you attend this little gathering of mine. Considering of course, what your sector is undergoing." Viathan felt his eyes widen.

'Of course, the senator of the Chommell sector.' He realized, feeling like he wanted to smack himself. The twenty year old woman was one of the more younger senators to become a senator at all. Related to the once queen and then senator of Naboo, Padmé Amidala herself, made her more of a star in the senate. Her aunt being far too famous a figure to not know who she was. Some suspected she became senator not on her own skills, but more or less via late nepotism. After all the Galactic Emperor was of the Naboo, and knew Amidala well as Supreme Chancellor before taking a throne. Viathan however felt, or rather sensed legitimate intelligence in her. Perhaps there was one worth senator in the galaxy?

"I would seek to miss your gathering your majesty. I for one must impress upon you and the court that the situation in my home sector cannot be maintained. This blatant invasion of more Imperial territory by the wayward Moffs is devastating. Governor Panaka wishes to see several Imperial armies sent in to quash this attack. Diplomacy I fear and know to be true is by far gone already."

"Of course, and I wouldn't want to leave the sector I hail from to such a fate as Moff dominance." The emperor slithered, and Viathan sensed very subtle feelings of disgust radiate from the girl, but mingled with fear. That would grant her safety from the Emperor's wrath alone.

"There will be a better time to discuss this, I believe milady Naberrie." The Emperor preemptively silenced her, and she nodded, though a spike of annoyance and anger came from her.

"I have here someone to introduce you to." He glanced once again to Viathan who bowed. "Surely you know of commander Viathan. The spirit of what it means to be a loyal son of the Empire. Fighting for weeks, months even now in the Tapani sector, and has led to several victories within it." Senator Naberrie bowed for Viathan, and he did so again in kind.

"An honor to meet you milady. I have heard you are quite a vocal member of your profession. A welcome difference I find this to be." She cocked her head, but seemed to take the compliment. Though it was an odd one to hear from an Imperial lackey.

"The pleasure is mine I'm sure, commander. I've heard of your exploits. Many within the senatorial halls love to talk of the fronts of the war, and Tapani is close to the forefronts of their minds."

"Tapani is close. It is not hard to see why that front is close to their minds. I don't wish to take away from the other fronts scattered across the galaxy. Roche, Allied-Tion, the battles waged by the invading droids in other realms of the Outer-Rim. They all matter greatly of course." Viathan expressed, and she nodded in agreement.

The Emperor watched the interaction silently before he turned and took note of several other party attendants arriving.

"My boy, take the senator here, and regale her with your experiences on the battlefield, and the might of the Imperial armed forces. I have other guests I wish to attend to. Alone. Forgive me my dear." She bowed submissively. Viathan did so as well but he glanced to see the newcomers. His eyes narrowed at the sight. Several men who were adorned in dark clothing, and gave of resonance in the dark side. However, he motioned for the senator to join him in meandering away from the Emperor. They walked away from him, Viathan casting a final lasting glance over his shoulder as the arrivals bowed to the dark lord.

"Tell me commander, is the Empire in a good place as the Emperor would have us think?" He quickly glanced back to her to his left. They were nearly level in height, which Viathan found slightly amusing, but he had been told before he was slightly taller than normal. As for her question he shrugged. Even if it was more bold than common for a senator to question the Imperial armed forces, Viathan saw no reason to lie.

"In terms of our current borders; by that I mean the worlds and systems we control, we may actually be the underdogs, but we have a stronger cohesion, and stronger force. Our forces are under better leadership, not without flaws of course, but with the loss of all our dear Moff 'commanders,' we have seen a drastic rise in military efficiency. That I can assure you of milady Naberrie." The senator glanced to Viathan, seemingly unsure if he was making a joke. He caught it and quickly allowed the slightest smirk to cross his features. The lady then allowed a small smirk all her own to shine.

"Ah. I see then. Perhaps our position is not as bad as my mind made me believe." She laughed some, and the two came to stand close to a pillar along the wall of the room. Near to them was an elaborately set table lined in cloth and atop it an assortment of fine foods and drinks. These amenities actually being consumed.

"I don't know a lot mind you. Where I am concerned I must leave my strategic concerns in Tapani. However, I have since heard rumors of what is going on in Chommell. Needless to say, the Emperor has shown great anger, and concern for his home sector. The Empire will not lightly allow the sector, and Naboo to fall without the greatest of fights." She sighed.

"It's an appreciated sentiment. This war concerns me greatly. The Moffs, while, as we've established are poor commanders of battle," he allowed a single laugh to escape him. "They have shown boldness. That accounts for something. Not only that though, the use of droids already defeated once before during the Clone Wars by that woman from the URM troubles me. What we are allowed to know in the senate points everything in the direction that she can and has committed terrible atrocities across the Outer-Rim."

"Either one of them will commit atrocities milady Naberrie. Both the Moffs and the URM would willingly commit genocide to sen a message to the Emperor. Hence this attack on your sector. There will be with no question a liquidation of all sentient life on Naboo should the Moffs reach and expel Imperial forces now defending." She grimaced at that declaration.

"Trust me in this milady, your sector will not befall such a terrible fate. The Emperor has the entire military staff here for what can only be described as an obvious meeting to discuss how the situation should be handled. Lords Vader and Kun as well."

"Lord Kun is here?" Her voice carried a sound of fear, mixed with horror. An echo in the Force signaled this feeling as well, and Viathan glanced her way once more. Her eyes seeming to be far away, remembering something. He nonetheless slowly nodded.

"Oh..."
"Something wrong milady?" She quickly shook her head, but there was no hiding how flustered she actually was.

"You fear lord Kun." He pointed out, and she shot a terrified glance his way. "It is not something that will garner you any sort of punishment milady Naberrie. It is merely an observation on my part. I serve under him in Tapani after all."

"Oh, well that...is interesting." Viathan rolled his eyes.

"Milady, whatever lord Kun did to create such fear in you it is not my business. I will say this however. Should this matter revolve around those in the senate whom the Empire considered a threat to peace and security, he did what was only demanded of him by the Emperor. Whatever these actions may be, I shall not excuse the fear he instilled and his acts. Only say that my lord and master, the Emperor committed himself to the actions taken by others. I would recommend you look past the actions of a single lord and see the true instigator of the acts you seem to abhor." She once more looked at him confusedly, and eyed him, looking for a sign. Possibly because he just told her to blame the Emperor over lord Kun for something. Especially since Viathan just called the Emperor, his 'lord and master.'

"Commander, I don't think I quite understand-"
"Perhaps it's best you don't. Infer what you will milady Naberrie." he spoke calmly and coolly as he kept his gaze with hers. A smile was playing at the corners of his mouth as he knowingly spoke what could easily be viewed as subversive ideas to a senator of the Galactic senate. Yet in senator Naberrie, Viathan found someone he felt did not fit the mold as you average fool of a senator. Why should he not allow her to see what he saw, and know how he felt? To know in him, she should not fear reproach for her actual beliefs. He sensed to she began to understand him. With that thought he found her momentarily allowing a final, and knowing smile to cross her face.

"Is it so easy though? To blame one for another and their actions commander? When a soldier fires a blaster bolt into an enemy combatant, does the blame fall upon the commander, his general, and then their supreme commander? Or is the blame to be more seriously placed upon the one who fired the bolt?"

"Depends." He was quick to reply. "Was that man who fired inclined to fire because he wanted to? Or was he under the inclination to fire because he was in service to men who ordered him to shoot. The failure milady to understand the dilemma of a soldier in the heat of a battle, and under the command of men they look to for guidance is what leads some to believe every soldier is a moral master of his own fate."

"Do I sense a philosopher within you, commander?" She asked a hint of a laugh in her voice and a smile once more upon her face. Though a hint of discomfort still present hidden beneath.

"I do not think of myself as a philosopher milady Naberrie. I just think one must lay blame where it is deserved. The soldier blame is his for firing surely, but where did this notion to fire come from? That is the question I would hold above anything else."

"I see." She laughed and they fell int comfortable silence for a moment.

"Vale!" Viathan snapped his head up and toward his right. Smiling and waving to him, loudly calling his name and drawing attention, was Leia. She was wearing another white outfit. A simple white dress that was very careful to not be revealing. Something he was sure Vader had final call in. The bottom of it flowing just above her shoes, but he couldn't make them out. Beside her was her brother. The blonde boy was toying with his seemingly tight collar on a tight fitting dark suit. It was almost like a vest but merely had a central seam running down the center of his chest. Adjoining the shirt was long dark jeans, and dark boots. Simple, but the boy looked quite proper and unlike many of the male senators, actually decent looking. Behind them was Darth Vader himself, though the dark lord was seemingly bowing and talking with the Emperor who Viathan could not see where the force users from before had gone.

"Friends of yours, commander?" Viathan shrugged.

"The twin children of Darth Vader. I know the princess personally, the son not so much." The senators eyes went a bit wider, and Viathan figured she had not seen Vader or knew who these two were, as they approached.

"Oh...I had not recognized them."

"She is quite pleasant milady. He I am sure is similar." Viathan offered, and she nodded.

"Glad to see you got here before I did. If you weren't I would be forced to talk with all these cronies and feign politeness for my fathers sake."

"You're lucky he let you even go over here Leia." Luke pointed out and Leia cast him an annoyed glare.

"I don't see you, and didn't see you particularly happy to have to come here either Luke."

"Hey I was just happy to be going somewhere other than father palace. Not that this palace is much better, but last time we were here we didn't go anywhere at all!" He whined. The two not realizing Viathan and senator Naberrie watched the display with varying humor rising in each.

"It is good to see you here as well...Leia." he caught himself. "May I introduce milady, senator Naberrie of the Chommell sector, and Naboo." She smiled, and both of the twins greeted her. Leia took the initiative to extend her hand, and the senator met it kindly.

"Please, such long titles only seek to annoy and baffle some people. Cal me Pooja. I don't mind informality as much as some of my colleagues." Leia made to say something, but Luke cut in.

"I'm Luke! Luke Vader as most wanna call me! A pleasure to meet ya." He sounded happy and caused Viathan to raise a curious brow. He took her hand and shook it a bit more strongly than Leia had, and Pooja laughed at his seeming natural excitement.

"A pleasure to meet the both of you. I was meeting with the commander here, and we were chatting about the war. As if there was anything else to be talked about."

"Yeah, well what can you do when everyone only cares about killing, attacking and beating everyone else into submission? Everyone else has to suffer for the delinquencies of others." Viathan wanted but stopped himself from rolling his eyes at Leia's comment. Pooja however cocked her head.

"I share the sentiment milady. It is rare these days in the Empire, and doubly so in the senate to find anyone against the war." She momentarily eyed Viathan warily. "Especially when the point has been made clear some will silence open opposition to such expression of feelings." Viathan didn't make a move nor any signs he heard her. Though he knew his master must have done something to make her and her fellow politicians remain silent.

"I thought very politician in the Empire had their head in the clouds. Or stuffed up the Emperors-"
"Alrighty then, milady I think we get the idea." Viathan cut Leia off who seemed perplexed as to why, but he wasn't stupid to her playing dumb either. Pooja however giggled, and Luke smirked as well.

"So, Naboo huh? I've heard of it, but don't know what it's like. Care to explain?" Luke asked. The senator was more than willing to comply and went into detail of the greenery. The serene appeal of the oceans and water. The planet core, and Theed. A bit into the battle of Naboo, and her aunt, but didn't dare touch upon the subject of the young boy who helped save the world. Talking about a Jedi was never something she intended to do.

She went on with Luke, who seemed enthralled and mesmerized by the picture of Naboo forming in his head, and Viathan turned his attention back toward the Emperor. He was standing among several figures. One was lord Vader. Imposing and arms crossed as he stood towering above the old man, and mutely turned his helmeted head to look toward the other people surrounding the Emperor. Viathan supposed that they were talking. About wheat he didn't know, but almost wished he did. Almost.

However, what was more interesting was his master, Exar, was also there and standing among the other two Sith lords of the galaxy. His brow furrowed and his arms also crossed. The Emperor wasn't talking, or at least Viathan didn't think so. His master's posture was not relaxed. Indeed he seemed agitated. Not as though he was in danger, but something was being said to him he didn't like that much was sure.

Among the lords was Armand Isard and Crueya Vandron. Both of the directors of the two competing ministries rarely came together, and if they were now, that made Viathan feel wholly uneasy. It looked as though Isard was talking and his face seemed flushed, and through the Force, though it was muted among all the senators present, Viathan could sense a sickening feeling of fear streaming off Armand Isard.

'What makes you fear more than usual director?' Viathan asked to himself. Sure the Emperor made everyone uncomfortable, but this was more so than usual. The notion again made his own gut tighten as a feeling of dread loomed that Viathan could not ignore. This feeling, so much more powerful than he dared to expect it to be soon had him noting his mouth grew dry and his adrenaline spiked.

'Something is not right here...at all.' His instincts were yelling at him to grab his saber hilts and make for his master, but he barely restrained himself even as his body begged him to do something.

"You okay?" He turned, Leia was looking at him concernedly. He nodded, and forced a small smile onto his face.

"It's nothing. Just seeing those five talk to each other makes me uneasy." She glanced over his shoulder and nodded understandingly.

"It's never a fun thing to see men like that talk among each other, and you can't tell about what. Transparency is a joke after all."

"That's not exactly what I meant." She cocked her head to the side.

"What then?" Viathan nudged toward Armand, while Luke and senator Naberrie went on about Naboo.

"Look at Armand, the one in the red suit. If you cannot see it, then feel it. With the Force. He feels uneasy, full of fear, and I have seen that man before, he rarely gives off such signals so openly. Something is agitating him more than usual. I'd like to know what." She took a moment to see what Viathan was talking about and after a moment she nodded slowly.

"I can feel it. I guess the only way you'd know is to go listen in." Viathan laughed sarcastically.

"That's a laugh. You try eavesdropping a conversation between Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, and Exar Kun. Add in the icing on the proverbial cake with both directors Isard and Vandron and you have an executable crime on your head thrice over." She smirked, and Viathan figured she enjoyed seeing him get a bit flustered.

"You're enjoying me babble aren't you milady Vader?" She feigned a frown, before beaming a grin.

"Maybe, but I wont tell you. You'll have to guess."

"Shouldn't be too hard. You're all but gushing over my keen sense of not getting myself prematurely beheaded." She laughed at that, and he rolled his eyes.

"Luke!" The boy turned to Leia. A frown and questioning look about his features.

"You gonna make the poor lady talk all night about her home planet?"

"What? I'm interested is all! So far besides Tatooine, I've been to Coruscant, Bogden, and...no..no that's about it. So excuuuuuuuse me Leia if I'm a bit starved for something new." He whined, and Leia placed hers hands to her hips, which Viathan and apparently lady Naberrie found comical. Several nearby politicians turned to see where the sound of a teens voice whining was coming from, but were quick to ignore it, upon seeing the Vader twins.

"It's alright really. I enjoy talking about Naboo, and Chommell in general. Though no one can really go to every system in Chommell. Far too many planets, and systems, and stars with nothing but gas giants and balls of rock spinning around them." Leia nodded, and Luke seemed immediately interested again.

"Well how about we talk about my brother's favorite subject then? Politics!" Leia offered and Luke groaned. Especially as Pooja laughed but she and Leia began indulging one another in talks on policy, and the workings of the Imperial senate.

"I believe they have found common ground."

"I'll say." Luke replied and Viathan clasped his hands behind his back. A random flash of soreness went through him, but he didn't openly react.

"I think we didn't have much of a proper introduction yesterday. For what you saw may have been for the most part unpleasant."

"Ah, Leia says you're fine. If she misjudges someone then well; consider it like this I am really done for." Viathan got a chuckle from that as Luke returned a grin.

"That was a nasty scuffle you got into yesterday. Not that it's my business but why did you kill them?"

"It was them or me. Such is the way the Emperor prefers to watch his matches." Viathan replied, maintaining a level and cool voice. Luke replied with a grimace, but nodded.

"I see you have two saber hilts. I only have one saber, and it's really dull. Just one simple red saber I didn't even make."

"I have heard of Bogden. Despite it's staleness and lack of personal connection that weapon is a real life saver is it not?" Luke shrugged in agreement. "You sure can use it, and that's what matters. Your sister and you seem to have an uncanny ability to learn and grow in power and skill at rates that make me look terrible by comparison. I am sure you'll one day make a saber all your own that fits more in line with your character and personal preferences."

"Thanks...I think." Luke smiled. "I think I'd prefer a different color though...like green!" Viathan glanced to him, and shrugged. "I suppose everyone is entitled to whatever color they prefer. Green, blue, yellow, purple, and most other colors have a strong connection to the Jedi in my mind. Though with none of them being around...at least in the scale as they were in the time of the Republic, one can use whichever color they want."

"I just like green. I also like black clothes. Suppose that makes me a bit on both sides if we're gonna base who's a Sith and Jedi on clothing and saber colors." He laughed and Viathan allowed a chuckle as well. He had a point on that.

"Well I for one-"

"Viathan!" Viathan was interrupted and turned, along with Luke to see his master approach. Behind him was Darth Vader.

"Yes...my lord Kun?" He made sure to greet him correctly. Vader's presence forced both Pooja and Leia to turn to face him as every senator nearby did so as well. Though they were brimming with fear.

"We have a situation developing, and I'll need your help in taking care of it."
"Luke, Leia, you two will come with me at once, as well." Viathan felt his brow once again deeply furrow.

"What type of-"

Suddenly an explosion rocked the palace, and sent the gathered guests into a frenzy of cries and wails, as Viathan turned toward a nearby window. Outside a building erupted in the daylight of Coruscant. He walked closer and looked to as an intense feeling of awe and horror encased him. Dozens, which led to hundreds of anti-aircraft cannons rising from positions across the metal and buildings, the spires and everywhere over Coruscant and a sudden and dazzling crack of them firing into the air filled the air.

"That's our situation." Kun answered and pointed to the skies above. Viathan followed and he felt his eyes go wider than ever before.

For a scene from the Clone wars was unfolding. Thousands of ships, CIS models, and undoubtedly of the URM were falling to the world. The crack and whir of blaster fire mingled with cannon fire exploded, and a sudden stream of TIE's flew by the palace into the skies.

A crowd of senators neared the windows and looked out at the scene. It didn't get past Viathan many of them were here the last time this happened as well.

"This looks familiar indeed." Was all Vader said, and Viathan could only nod. He had not been old enough to see the last battle of Coruscant, but he felt the sentiment, but then he also felt a welling inside him. A great rage as these droids fell upon Coruscant once more.

Turning to his master he stood rigidly. "Where am I needed my lord?"

For if these droids thought they could burn his home this time and he would not do everything within his power to stop them. Then he would teach the and their Jedi witch of a leader a hard lesson indeed!

(Providence-class destroyer, Hollow-Soul)

Droids were loaded and their carriers were being shuffled onto landing craft. Vulture droids were taking off and launching into the void of space. Firing as they left their ships. The world was covered from above by thousands of URM warships. The Imps had a decent several hundred warships above the world. Lord Vader's fleet and the Home Fleet of Coruscant. It didn't matter though. The space above this world for the second time in less than two decades was under the attack, and under the very warships of the droids.

Kellia stood on the floor of the docking bay. As the landing craft lifted off, and Tri-fighters guarded and escorted them out. Several ships were being loaded with her special troops. Passing her by were the BX models, reactivated and silently boarded a LAAT shuttle near to her. Magnaguards stood behind her and awaited her move as all the other models that would join her in her attack on the central HoloNet broadcast center.

The sound of a lumbering and heavy metal clank caught her attention. She turned to see her new battle droid general. B3-4Z. The Massive B3-Ultra battle droid.

"B3-4Z, you are fully ready now? All additions made to you should make you doubly more effective as a fighter, and a leader.." She pointed out, more than asked.

"I am ready for any given commands and to take all actions, madam supreme commander." She nodded and smirked.

"Good, we've been waiting for you Fourzee." She motioned toward her shuttle. Her robes pulled around her, and she threw her hood onto her head, covering her. She boarded the ship and stood mingled and jammed between several droids. All of them silent and still. B3-4Z was too big, and would join them via a second shuttle.

For her part Kellia awaited the moment for when the shuttle would lift. For when it did, and she fell to Coruscant, she would make for the Emperor a mess and a hell on his capital he would not forget for his miserable life.

Thus the shuttle lifted, and the battle for Coruscant began.

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Authors Note: I am really tired, and really shouldn't have typed this chapter up, or at least the last third of it tonight, but i wanted to frankly get it out of the way for the battle of Coruscant. So as ever please either forgive or point out any and all grammatical errors, as they are VERY likely this time. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter, as always, and don't worry next chapter is the real kickoff to the very core of this story. ;) Nonetheless read, enjoy, help me fix obvious and dumb errors. Till next time!