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.

69. Chapter 69

Chapter 69

(Concord Dawn)

Throughout the night the city of Cuyir burned. The endless forward march of the droids into the city down from the surrounding hills were added to by the constant firing of AAT's and artillery batteries or the falling bombs from droid bombers above. The explosions inside the city rumbled and echoed out into the valley. Almost every tall structure had hours ago fallen into ruin and massive thick clouds of smoke climbed into the sky. Turning the already dark night blacker and obscuring the stars themselves to those within Cuyir.

Still planted upon the hilltop among many droids still standing ready to move forward with tanks on either side and behind her stood Kellia. Her blue hood atop her head and robes flowing around her form, the woman stood with a small plate in her left hand and fingers of her right wrapped around the handle of a small teacup. Every so often she would sip the warmed liquid; known as spiced Chandrilan tea, down to soothe her throat and stomach as she glowered down upon this city of filth.

Kellia remained unmoving a she numbly registered the wail of circling Vulture droids humming through the air with near impunity overhead towards the city. About an hour ago the Mandalorian anti-air defenses had fallen utterly with stray odd shots loosing every so often in vain. Yet every time the Mandalorians tried to fire bombers would flood their position in moments. She sighed in a mixture of contentedness and brooding contemplation as her mind flashed with a million thoughts and plots that she alone knew and felt very keen on keeping to herself.

The comlink hanging from her belt began buzzing and Kellia sighed lightly. Beside her stood a short little serving droid and Kellia gingerly placed her cup and plate down on it as an OG-9 Homing Spider Droid behind her fired its secondary cannon and caused her robe to flutter violently through the air. Grasping and activating her comlink and idly adjusting her hood Kellia came to look down on the smaller hologram figure of Fourzee.

"Fourzee, how comes the objectives given to you?"

"I have completed phase one of your orders, mistress." The massive B3 battle droid announced.

"The cities of Auor'ad and Bel'bemkar have been pacified. All combatant forces are neutralized. Casualty rates for the cities are within an error margin of two percent. I have units rounding up the infirm and unfit for battle for phase two operations to commence. Shall I commit, mistress?"

"You shall, Fourzee. Have the cities liquidated and ensure you bring that error margin to less than one percent. Once you have completed phase two operations, send the recordings and all necessary information to my quarters aboard the Dreaded, and proceed to the township of 'Launyir.' See to its destruction." The B3 Ultra bowed stiffly.

"It will be done, mistress." Kellia nodded and ended the transmission as she heard the approach of footsteps beside her. The familiar gears whirring and turning alerted her as to who...or rather what was approaching.

"Egriege, I will assume you have something to report? Hopefully on the location of those you were tasked with finding within Cuyir." Kellia intoned numbly as she picked her cup and plate up and took another ginger sip of the still warm tea.

The EG droid dipped itself slightly in a hip level bow before addressing his mistress.

"I have located the position of the majority of the female Mandalorian forces held up within the city as tasked, mistress. They are, as presumed by your person, to be defending the location of the city's children and general youth." Egriege intoned robotically as he clasped his metal hands behind his back and flipped back his tattered bloodied stolen cloak.

Kellia sighed once more through her nose and sipped again watching as three distant droidekas rolled across the fields before the city.

"Very good. Where exactly are they located, General?"

"Commando Team Six located a sub-level under the local medical building which now lay in ruins from artillery fire. The level held a passageway leading deeper into the city. Upon following the passage team Six discovered a stairwell leading back up towards the surface. Without confronting any enemy forces it was discovered the building is the Cuyir spaceport. Intelligence has suggested there may be further passages leading to the port upon further investigation. However, what was telling were the life-signs readings. They are there, both female enemy combatants and children. Ranging from teenager designation to infant newborns." The droid explained in full robotically voiced detail and once more shifted a slight bow of its metal frame.

"Field intelligence has shown a steady buildup of enemy forces around the spaceport. It only makes sense that the women and children would hold up inside should the opportunity present itself for escape. Continuation of the culture I suppose. Not that it would've helped anyways." Kellia intoned darkly and numbly. "However, the men retreating to the position is strange. One would assume they would seek to pull us away from their young if not their equally as unfortunate women." Kellia paused and remained silent over a series of thunderous bombs exploding and rippling through the city. She didn't take a sip through this pause and instead kept her eyes fixed into the distance. Not looking into the city or necessarily anywhere beyond. Rather, her mind was far off this world and far from this battle as she mused this new quandary that rattled about her mind.

"There must be further passages as you say. I believe the purposes of all the tunnels are not yet known. Continue to push on the Mandalorians in their retreat." She turned slightly back towards Egriege beside her. "However, I task you with producing for them a facade of maintaining a line. Do not push them into a corner and make them desperate. We need time to survey and discover these other tunnels leading to and from the spaceport. Once you have, General, you will contact me and we shall formulate what happens next then." Kellia turned back and sneered silently once more towards the burning city among many others across this world.

"When midday comes tomorrow, Egriege, I will want all within that port liquidated, and this city laying in ruins. By tomorrow night I will be done with this world, and join the fleet. I look forward to seeing what progress has been made within the thousands of systems beyond Concord Dawn." Kellia finished and mused lowly. Egriege bowed stiffly and acknowledged her commands making its way away from her back towards the battle in the valley below.

Thus leaving Kellia to her tea and mad brooding silence as three more rows of URM droid forces were given command to advance forward towards Cuyir.

(Nar Shaddaa)

Night had passed and the morning flew by over the Corellian Sector of Nar Shaddaa and the Promenade, and countless more sectors of the tightly packed moon of Hutta. Midday fell across following another speeder-bombing and another day upon the 'Smuggler's-Moon.' Tension upon the moon had not been high since many decades ago and the olden wars of the Cartels vying for power as men who once gave way to another in the interest of good business now glared with open hostility towards the other. Men of all alien race and background walked openly through the streets with blaster rifles, carbines, and pistols at the ready; with informants abuzz across the moon relaying who was moving where with what and why to who all over again. As both Botassa and Varuunga waited for the other to drop the first real strike in a war that would drag all of Hutt space into internal conflict and into the greater galactic war beyond.

Skirmishes and power jockeying had taken place across the moon between the Hutt clans and bosses, but nothing yet had lit the volatile spark that plunged the underworld into full blown warfare. Even the bombing of a woman working for a lieutenant under Botassa the Hutt did not yet guarantee war. Indeed, the Hutts met down upon Hutta in a last ditch effort to form a truce and come to and understanding between all the Kajidics. From the inner most bosses of Coruscant and under Hutt rulers for those living lavishly in Hutt Space, to the outermost reaches of space such as Jabba the Hutt with representatives of Black Sun present and other powerful criminal empires. But, even as they talked, argued, and blamed one another for bombings, skimming of credits and alliances with outsiders a small squadron of air-speeders and shuttles rumbled smoothly through the skies of Nar Shaddaa towards the Promenade district and the lucrative casinos that lay there.

The daylight shone down and glistened across the spires and metal that lined all the surface of the moon as the vast streams of speeders, and shuttles swooped through the skies. Upon the streets and intertwining catwalks, beings of all manner and race or gender moved about their surface. Most moving to their own daily purposes, and many more begging and stealing or robbing for their living. All as a large H-2 Executive Shuttle warbled through the air and dipped down from all the rest of the air traffic followed by two Arrow-15 air-speeders in fast tow.

The shuttle landed with a side hatch lined up alongside an open landing port. The side hatch opened and a small landing pad extended out with a whir onto the metal of the flooring. Noticing this a, a more bushy bearded than usual Gotal with two prominent horns atop his head wearing casual and unusually camouflaged armor approached the landing pad as the hatch began to open for the shuttle.

"Hey! Get this heap outta here! You ain't got no business-" His flapping, no nose, face was shut quickly as a flurry of bolts ripped out from the opening hatch and tore into the Gotals body. With a huff and thud his body fell back over dead, and the shuttle's hatch fully opened showing two men kneeled with blaster carbines raised and one men standing with his own blaster rifle aimed down scopes.

"Out the shuttle! Get the boys in the speeders on our karking tail ASAP!" A man hollered as he jumped down off from the shuttle landing ramp onto the meta flooring with four men in tow. One Cathar male, two Nikto, one green and one orange in hue with assorted horns about their faces, and one Trandoshan. All of them wielded in their brutish and large alien hands massive blaster carbines of unknown make and model whilst their commander, Tol Gedden, wielded two blaster pistols. One of them a modified burst round LL-30 blaster pistol and the other being a powerful short burst GL-77 blaster pistol.

As the gangsters stepped out off of the shuttle landing ramp onto the Promenade landing the shuttle slowly peeled off from the landing and took back off into the skies letting the two speeders come in and unload three more men each. Three humans of varying looks and backgrounds, two Rattataki men with intense tattoos across their faces, and one Mirialan woman with her own tattoos littered across her nose and cheeks with a scar lined down from the top of her forehead to her chin along the right of her face.

The eleven gangsters began walking forwards towards a market leading into the heart of the Promenade. Hearing the blasters shots all the kiosks in the market began shuttering and allowing some customers inside the kiosk while other civilians walking around began filing out and off the streets into adjacent buildings around. None of them daring a sound in protest or horror at what seemed to be an average day on Nar Shaddaa.

As they moved forward and passed a small fountain; likely filled with imported swamp water from Hutta, a rustling caught their attention as a human man swung round a kiosk in front of them and opened fire. All of the gangsters ducked low and opened a spray of fire. The man screamed as he was torn into by a hail of dozens of bolts all of varying colors and fell silent into a thud against the metal.

"Karking poodoo!" One of the Rattataki hollered as he shook his hand violently back and forth through the air catching everyone's attention. "Bugger got me in the knuckles."

"Nothing a little bacta won't fix. Stow the pain and the talk! We got business with the Falleen." Tol seethed and continued forward with his crew directly behind him. Tol waved his right hand up with blaster still in it and motioned a circle in air. The gang spread out and formed a near half crescent behind Tol as he began hanging back to the center of the formation.

From the top of a second floor landing a scream in Huttese rung out as three Nikto sprung up and began firing down at them. The gang fanned out and dove behind closed up metal kiosks and benches set around the more affluent Promenade market square they found themselves.

"No unnecessary kills like I karking said! Anyone who's gotta a blaster and a death wish, give it to 'em! Now kill those sons of Hutts!" A blaster exchange began as Tol's men began firing up towards the Niktos who met them and fired burst and furious successive bolt rounds down towards them. The Promenade lit up with blues and greens and reds as the bolt flurried out upwards and downwards scorching metal and armor of unlucky gangsters who leaned out from cover a bit too much.

Tol fired the LL-30 burst rounds up and over his head and shoulder over the bench he crouched behind. The bolts flew up wildly and caused one Niktos to swerve his head right just as the Trandoshan fired a single precise shot and the Niktos head snapped back as he fell over dead. The other two began yelling something in Huttese, and still shooting they began hopping backwards away from the firing sights and away from the gang.

"Let 'em go! We'll catch up with them when we reach Dormi!"

Tol announced as all the men broke cover and charged forwards as they entered a roofed off area of the Promenade that led to another small market square with leading doorways to the bigger area bars and casinos. Tol angled his blaster forwards to the far end of the market where a flashy neon sign shone and buzzed declaring the entrance to the 'Hutta' casino. A fat overjoyed Hutt also adjoining the welcome sign lighting up in blinking patterns.

As they advanced through an open area full of seating around a statue of a golden being standing with arms raised to the skies around a vague globe a hail of bolts flew out as three men broke from some of the buildings taking up positions around the doorways. The two Niktos could be heard clanging along the upper catwalks around the rooftop as the bolts rang out and Tol's men jumped for new cover.

Tol's Trandoshan brute swung up from behind a knocked over heavy crate alongside a kiosk and fired a furious dozen or so rounds into one of the enemies. The Twi'lek almost seemed to yelp as most of those bolt tore into his face, head and lekku before he got one to the neck and fell back into a hard slumping crash backwards. Two others across from Tol and his men fired towards the scaly alien. The Trandoshan took one bolt to the left shoulder but barely moved and simply ducked again.

Tol jumped up and fired the GL-77 with one bolt into a nearby Human man running into the market with his head down. The heavy hit of the GL-77 bolt sent him flying into a kiosk with only a huff and crash as he fell dead. Tol unleashed a vast and endless swarm of bolts flying from his LL-30 into a doorway where two men stood hugging the wall to avoid being hit by blaster fire. The bolts shredded the curve of the door and scorched the metal of both it and the door beyond before two bolts hit the neck and exposed right shoulder of what looked to be a Devaronian. He fell over dead and Tol turned both blaster pistols on the door and walked quickly towards it. The man remaining in the doorway and hiding from him didn't even try breaking cover to get a shot off and Tol swerved himself out into full line of sight of the door and fired a renewed bout of bolt fire into what was seen to be another Twi'lek who cried out in sheer terror before Tol riddled his body with bolts.

Turning back Tol could see both his Nikto moving towards the Hutta casino fast and hunched over avoiding fire flashing above them. One of them caught a bolt to his left arm and head and slumped over into his friend who fell onto the ground with a huff and cry of disbelief and horror. The remaining Nikto cursed a flurry of Huttese screams and picked himself up firing wildly towards a Kiosk being used as cover for two of Dormi's men. Both of them turned towards the screams just as the bolts hit them and tore them both down as burn riddled corpses. Even as a stray bolt from the Hutta casino entrance flew into the back of the Nikto's head and sent him falling forwards dead alongside the other.

Tol approached the door and fired the GL-77 again and a massive bolt flew out and blew a Human man backwards dead with a gaping scorch wound in his stomach. The other began moving up towards him firing towards other buildings and shops and maybe hitting enemy gangsters as they went, maybe not. Either way they filtered in and so far no more of them got taken down. Tol motioned his head towards the casino door as the Mirialan woman appeared and she nodded and let her blaster carbine fall around her body by a strap and began fishing for an explosive for the now locked door.

Tol's men kept the other gangsters at bay firing from where they know kneeled, hugged the walls and generally took up position in front of the casino entrance. The bolts continued to flow outwards and back towards them and then began raining back down as Tol noticed the Niktos from before getting an angle down on he and his men from a new railing above. Taking one of the Rattataki's carbine without request Tol aimed down sights and fired three bolts up and hit on Nikto in the right eye and two more times in the forehead. He fell dead and the other ducked under the rail, though it provided little protected and left him overall exposed between the rail gaps.

So, Tol fire another couple of round into the obviously tactically inept alien gangster and his him in the right hip. He fell over out of Tol's sight with a wail of pain from his throat and Tol sneered before giving the carbine back. He turned and the Mirialan gave him a thumbs up and backed off the door just as the Cathar in Tol's crew took a quick shot at the knee of a Nautolan who fell back in a howl of pain and took him out of the fight. The firing calmed some as Dormi's men backed back off, and allowed for Tol to motion his men off the entrance.

"Blow it!" Tol ordered as he and his men rushed off the door. The woman nodded and snapped her thumb down on a detonator on hand. With a snap and crash an explosion sounded followed by cracking metal with all neighboring ship glasses rattling and some burst from the percussion. Dormi's men began breaking then. Tol noticed them running away as they were either racked by confusion and fear, or maybe some just saw a way out of the fight. Either way it worked for Tol who smirked and jumped back up into a run towards the entrance with his crew in tow.

The doorway leading into the casino was smashed open with metal frames bent in and burst with debris all about the floor with small fires crackling along a simple but lavishly designed rug that had led into the building. The nine remaining men of his crew burst on in with Tol blasters raised. People inside were screaming, and crying no one knowing what was going on as smoke filled what was a foyer into the main gambling halls. A raining alarm began flaring and whining into the air as the smoke hit the fire suppression system and slowly a cascading stream of water began falling onto them as they moved in and passed people who streamed out of the building. Tol figured then silently Dormi must have trapped them inside when they shut the casino up.

Either way they tripped over themselves and the debris to get passed Tol and his crew as they rounded towards a secondary set of doors leading to the gambling hall. The doors remained opened. Simple as they were and made with glass and finely ornamented and designed frames. All nine of the crew rushed towards the sections between the doorways and slammed against them with blasters in hand ready to fire. As they slammed into the walls a hail of blaster fire rung out from the hall into the foyer from the doorways. A mixture of blue, red and green bolts flew in as before as Dormi's men went wild firing into the doorways as patrons ran out. Tol watched two people get shot in the back multiple times yelping their last yelps as they were and fall dead to the floor. More people got hit as they broke for the doors and Tol wondered why they didn't just hide under tables or behind some of the game machines.

Nonetheless, he sneered and ducked low and angled both blaster around the doorway and fired in at random. His men also fell mostly into kneels and swung around firing into the hall while some remained standing like the Trandoshan who swung and moved into the doorway. They all fired in as they caught Dormi's security and crew taking up positions behind overturned tables and behind game machine boxes. Some of them stood on a central stage used usually for the house musical crew to get a slightly higher range on Tol's people.

As the crazy Trando moved in and snarled as he fired a wide spray on those stage standing men Tol and his crew shrugged and followed in after firing as they went. Tol fired his LL-30 and broke into a roll towards the nearest burnt out game machine where he took up new cover. One of the Rattataki fired openly and hit one of the enemy gangsters in the chest and dropped him as a stray bolt flew and caught his shoulder sending him twirling into a fall with a hiss. His pal ran over and kneeled and fired towards the enemy Trandoshan behind a decorative column further ahead of them. The Trando hissed and returned fire wildly from behind the pillar, and because of the free aim didn't see his fellow Trandoshan from Tol's side charging him under the hail of bolt fire.

The enemy lizard turned around the pillar as the Rattataki stopped firing and went slightly wide eyed as Tol's Trando slammed into him left shoulder first. The enemy fell back onto his back and snarled, but Tol's man slammed his right foot down onto his chest and aimed the carbine down on his face before unleashing a blaze of fire that caused the enemy Trando's head to shake from the impact force. Either way, when the firing stopped the enemy was dead and Tol's man fell into an immediate kneel as a bolt hit his right hip but gave him time to get into cover...behind the dead Trandoshan's body.

Tol swung around his cover and fire both blaster pistols towards some random Twi'lek running with a carbine in hand. The bolts missed several times and the Twi'lek ducked under fire, but Tol caught him in the legs three times with the LL-30 and fired one last shot from the GL-77 and snapped the Twi'lek's head back, killing him. The two Rattataki picked themselves up and regained ground and joined up besides the Cathar who was behind an overturned card game table. All three fired into the stage and hit two of the guards up there and dropped them as two other fired back scorching the table they were behind. Tol and the Trandoshan came from behind their covers on opposite ends of the hall and fired in towards the stage catching the last two up there off guard and ripped them to shreds.

Tol's three fellow Humans rushed right where the hall began to curve into a large circular build. Several of Dormi's guards came around the bend from behind the central stage in the hall and fired on the three hitting one in the hip and sending him falling as his two friend dove down and hit the floor. They fired under a set of tables around some patrons screaming and huddling together and hit the knee of one of the guards. He dropped and grabbed his leg in seething pain and the man who shot him kept on firing and hit his downed figure.

The Trandoshan jumped around the corner landing his scaly feet on top of another gambling table and fired into the men still firing and fighting. All of them shook and fell as they were riddled in scorching bolts. While Tol followed by the Rattataki and Cathar fired on two more of the guards running from them and riddled them with bolts as well killing and dropping them. One more guard far off against the wall shot towards them and nearly every one of Tl's crew shot back and threw him back against the wall into a slump dead as the shooting then finally stopped.

Tol wrinkled his nose in silent disgust and jumped onto the stage.

"Everyone out unless you gotta death wish! This is Hutt business!" Before even finishing those patrons who remained began jumping and running out from the hall tripping over dead gangsters and dead patrons caught mostly by Dormi's men...perhaps by some of Tol's and the ruined gaming machines and slots or tables of the once prestigious casino all of it covered in a sheen of water on top of it all.

Tol's men began chuckling as those wounded were tended to by one of the Rattataki who had some medical training. Tol jumped off the stage and rounded around it to see the executive door leading to the backroom. He motioned his men after him and after some bandages and painkillers were had they followed. Tol stood in front of the door and his crew took up positions on either side of it.

"Dormi! I've got a message for you and everyone who sucks on the slime left in Varuunga's wake! We can do this the bloody simple way or the easy quick way! Your karking choice!" Tol yelled receiving no reply. Tol sneered and brought both blasters up and nodded for the nearest man, a Human, to hit the doorpad to force the sliding metal door open.

He hit it and the door slid open easily Tol ducked expecting a bolt to fly at his head but none came. Tol nudged again for his men to go in, and both nearest men swung around into the room. They all filed in and Tol followed after. Inside there was a small lounge room. A bar to the right a small circular table with seats to the left and further ahead to the left a lounging couch that wrapped from one wall along to the next.

Behind the counter to the right a woman female with tied back blonde hair wearing a casino uniform stood fidgeting and shaking. At the table sat a very frightened looking Devaronian and Nikto with a dead Human man slumped against the table with the back of his head scorched and burnt with a hole digging into his brain. While on the lounge Dormi sat almost petting his blaster pistol in one hand and holding the trigger with the other as he stared blankly and almost madly towards Tol. On either side of him sat two petrified Twi'lek working girls Tol was sure were to be Dormi's play things had he not come.

"Coming on a bit strong there aren't we Dormi?" Told craned his neck to the dead man at the table as all his crew took up aim towards everyone in the room. "What's with the stiff here? He not pay his debts?"

"He wanted to run. I disagreed, and he continued to disagree a bit too much. I knew at the heart of all this madness you simply wished to talk Gedden." Tol nodded and shrugged.

"I suppose that's the usual outcome for people that don't get on their knees for you and your bosses every little whim." Dormi sighed and placed the blaster on the table causing Tol's men to flinch who aimed on him. Tol motioned them to calm and he didn't raise his own blasters.

"Varuunga wants to lead the entirety of Hutt space back up from the filth we find ourselves in. Bad jokes to be had across the galaxy. Not only the Hutts because of their stature and looks, but we who serve under them. Lest you live under us and know our power you assume us to be less than what we are, and what we could be!"
"So to do that the great visionary needs to make deals with the Moffs? Get us dragged into that little thing going on in the galaxy, oh what was it...oh right, the Civil War!" Tol howled back though Dormi seemed unimpressed. Tol in kind sighed and visibly motioned himself to calm down.

"Whether the Moffs win or lose we would have gained access to far reaching worlds and systems, expanded the very presence of the Hutts. Our interests would be unmatched perhaps even by whichever side wins this war."

"A dream of Empire long since passed into nothingness." Tol intoned. "The Hutt Empire had a little flicker in history and just because a young fat slug read stories of the good old days does not mean he will become Emperor upon Hutta. He's no better than you no better than me and in no way any better than Botassa! He's a criminal, we're all gangsters Dormi, and to think we're anything else is just ignorance and arrogance I gotta be honest." Tol sneered as Dormi took on the expression of someone deeply insulted.

"I do what I gotta do to make sure Varuunga's interests are handled. Be it my dream or his to be greater in station than what the whole of the galaxy assumes a Hutt or 'gangster,' capable of becoming. At the end of the day Tol I did what I had to do to make you come here now."

"Right...I suppose you expected me to blow down the doors kill your men and storm your casino. Not necessarily in that order, but you get my point." Dormi chuckled for the first time Tol had seen as a smirk came across his green scaly face.

"No I admit not in that way, but I did see you here. I did see you coming to either agree to terms sent to you through the proverbial grapevine. Yes I know word reached you beforehand. It was all planned as such." Tol sneered as he recalled the warning received the night before.

"Either that or you would plunge all of Hutt space into war right alongside the galaxy. Sadly you chose the latter when the former would be far more lucrative for the both of us."

"Dormi, you put a bomb in the speeder of one of my girls and blow her away when she ain't done nothing to anyone anywhere, and then you give me this holier than thou poodoo on Varuunga's vision?! Are you karking kidding me?! You kill one of my girls! You spit in my face after I ain't done nothing to you yet, not taking into account we may well have come to blows, but whatever that's history." Tol seethed. "I didn't come here to start a war, you and Varuunga did good on doing that by picking sides with the Moffs even as we got crazed Jedi with armies of droids butchering people in Hutt space here and now! I came here to do what any businessman of our caliber, or at least mine would do when you not only kill a girl making good credits for him, but kill a girl he might well have called a friend." Tol watched as Dormi's expression turned to one of incredulous humor.

"She was just a whore!" He laughed. Tol went silent and without another word raised both his blasters and fired them into Dormi who didn't have time to react. The Falleen's body flung back in his seat and was hit again and again with bolts that shook and rattled his corpse into the cushions causing the two girls beside him to yelp and cry in terror and horror while his men kept their blasters trained on everyone else.

Tol stopped firing as Dormi's body became riddled in smoking blackened burnt holes. His breathing was heavy and shaky as he radiated rage off of himself. He stepped forward and quickly spat upon the dead alien in front of him and turned on his heel.

"Kill those two, let everyone else here live to tell Varuunga who did what. He wanted it he got it. Now let's go!" Tol declared and walked out the room as the women stood in fear as the Rattataki and Trandoshan fired into the gangsters at the table and sent them falling over in their own states of death. They sent the Twi'lek and bar tending girl quick cold looks before all filed out the room and took on after Tol through the burnt and wet ruined remains of the casino out into the streets still empty of life. All of them knowing full well that they had just started a gang war bound to be unlike any in the last decade or more.

(Earlier, Naboo, Theed)

"It's him, blast hi-" That stormtrooper was suddenly thrown backwards along with five or six other stormtroopers all of them yelling through their masks as they were. A stream of stormtroopers on the opposite end began moving up along the sidewalks of what had been a street but hours ago. Now it was a junkyard filled with broken burnt out walkers and tanks with dead spread about.

Among them to the center of the street stood the imposing figure that is Darth Vader. His breathing a constant and crimson saber held at his side as his cloak and robes swayed around him. He lowered his left outstretched and gloved hand back to his side after sending those troopers careening through the air to their deaths and looked behind himself. The Palace of Theed lay behind him the top dome smoking upwards into the battle ridden and smoking skies littered with fighters, bombers and AA smoke trails. Vader had visions, memories best left forgotten force and burrow their way to the forefront of his mind, and he growled which caused his mask to unleash a horrifying mechanical sound. His hands balled into fists beneath his gloves and he turned back towards the street where his troops moved down the road towards newly taken Moff positions.

He began striding forward after his men as the sounds of bolts exchanging reached him. Extending his left hand out again he motioned it quickly back left and a fallen AT-ST walker with great suddenness began scratching loudly against the street and slammed into a building wall causing rubble to cascade around it. Vader kept on moving as the echos of the Force swirled out from him as he once more reveled in the freedom in which it flowed into and around him. The constraints of his metal arms and legs holding him back no more and the limitless power of the dark side at his very fingertips. It gave him a thrill for battle like the days of old and the days of the Clone Wars.

Stray bolts flew out towards Vader as new Moff troopers were seen to be moving up the street towards him and firing on his own troops. Vader easily curved his saber up in front of himself and blocked every incoming bolt with swift ease. Once more he extended out his left hand. Only this time to his left as he continuously stepped forwards menacingly. His saber swinging easily before himself as he did, Vader raised his hand up and curved his fingers inwards as another burnt out and destroyed AT-AA was picked easily off the ground by the Dark Lord. Swiping his crimson saber up from his left and sending another bolt flying away, Vader shoved his left arm outwards in front of himself. The AT-AA propelled by the unseen power of the Force flew into the air with great force behind it with small chunks of bits of it falling off of its shell. The Moff troopers began scrambling as the destroyed walker slammed down through their line. Hitting the street and two troopers on impact its momentum carried it into a small roll that fell onto and over four more troopers as they all screamed and ran from the crashing walker.

"Troopers advance!" The booming and thundering voice of Vader commanded louder than any of the troops ever heard before. Yet, it did not disturb or perturb these men. As ever they were of Vader's Fist, the 501st fighting stormtrooper legion. None made a sound none looked scared, they simply moved forward as commanded firing, and killing as they went. Vader continued his approach as the other Moff troops regained footing and took up hurriedly founded and desperate defensive positions behind rubble and fallen walkers or tanks. The troopers moving up with Vader fired back shooting down enemy trooper upon enemy trooper as they went. Easily the street began to clear of enemy forces with Vader following mostly in the wake of the 501st.

The battling kept going while in the distance Vader could see Imperial made troop transports landing more Moff traitors into the distance. AA guns fired up ripping into the skies sheering off wings and sending fire exploding outwards. The ships fell and crashed into and ripped into Theed. Odd feelings entered Vader's mind, and his rage boiled welling up within himself. The memories that refused to be abated in his mind called out to him and reminded him of her. Her love for Naboo and for its people and for this city. Her family which still resided here and those people being slaughtered by the Moffs for the Moffs own pleasure to attack not him, but his master, the Emperor!

Vader lashed out and sent out his hand once more and a massive percussion rippled through the Force. Rubble and debris, some troopers on both sides of the fight were thrown forwards slamming back into the ground or buildings around. Some troopers slammed into street lights, their backs twisting unnaturally around them some slammed their heads and bending their helmets inwards against stone walls or the odd flower pot. Walkers and tanks were picked up where they lay and rolled alongside the men down the street crushing and slamming troopers as they went. Glass from shops and light exploded and some lights bended away from him as the very ground around them all seemed to shake in the beginnings of a ground-quake.

Vader's men knew what hit them, but they simply got on their feet and continued firing. They were no strangers to the careless release of their Lord's power in the heat of battle. The Moff's troopers broke into runs. They got up to their feet and began screaming, hollering and crying orders to just run as they witnessed, and even felt the wrath of the Lord they once served but forever feared. The 501st troopers kept firing and brought several more of the Moff traitors down and burned into their backs dozens upon more dozens of scorching bolts. As more Moff troopers rounded a corner into the street and were hit by their own men running scared and oblivious to them or the world around them they too simply saw Vader and broke into runs screaming at each other to simply 'go,' and 'get outta here,' as Vader kept coolly stepping forwards.

"The street is clear, my Lord. Shall we pursue?" Vader paused finally as he heard the unit Commander call in likely from the forward of the street advance. Vader observed the street and only caught a few enemy troopers running along the main road a few blocks down from them. Yet, the Force whispered to him of an impending danger. The Sith Lord turned about himself as the feeling grew around and within him.

"Reform and take up defensive positions along this intersection crossroad. Do not under any circumstance allow the Moffs to move beyond this intersection towards the palace."

"As you command, my Lord." The Commander replied and began motioning his troops to the rear of the advance up to the street crossroads into a defensive positioning. Vader neared them slightly, but paused once more as the Force called out in a stronger warning than before. His instincts driving him, Vader raised his saber up and shifted his wrist out before turning around himself with saber raised ready to strike. As he turned in a full circle around himself with saber raised as if it were a blaster Vader felt the Force once more call out in warning. It wailed far more strongly than before and called for Vader to look upwards

Instead of looking up,however, Vader threw himself backwards with the Force almost seeming to fly into the skies as he did. As Vader landed he heard a thud and crack into the stone street where he had stood but a moment ago followed quickly by two more. Vader stood tall and silent with saber still in hand and noted two dark troopers of the projected phase one variants with a third dark trooper that appeared to be far more well rounded. It appeared more like an actual trooper with obvious bulky rounded armor plating lined across its frame and a helmet that bore two frowns upon it rather than the standard one of the actual stormtrooper corps. Finally, Vader noted it was a shade of gray rather than white or black, with the phase one's armor still appearing skeletal as they maintained shields upon their left arms and a vibroblade protruding from its right arm at the ready.

Vader noted them for a semi-quiet moment as some of his troops turned to see the dark troopers before their Lord. None said anything but did turn to one another unsure how to react, and too afraid to ask of their Lord if he required support. Vader requested none, for the Sith needed none. He raised his saber up from his side and placed both hands upon the hilt, angling it outwards and diagonal of himself at the ready. As Vader readied for this the bravest or perhaps, the most foolish Moff troopers began moving back down the street towards Vader's positions. Forcing his troops to turn back and begin firing back on the approaching traitors with renewed vigor.

The two phase one troopers brought up shields, and garbled out a binary command to one another to charge the Sith Lord. It almost made him chuckle at their basic droid stupidity, but Vader let them take the first steps to their own quick dooms. Both phase one's charged towards him with vibroblades, and their whole right arms raised up ready to stab in towards him with shields raised to neck height. Vader loosed his left hand for a second and released another percussion out that sent the trooper on his left flying backwards directly into the phase two trooper throwing both to the ground.

The second trooper charging to his right ran fast on him in the same position. Vader swept forwards to meet it and swung his right arm up under the exposed shoulder of the droid and severed the right arm. Vader immediately swung himself around right with precision and severed its head in a swift stroke. The droid took a few more steps forward before falling to its knees and slumping over to the ground. Vader did then chuckle as he turned back to the other dark troopers. The phase one jumped back to its feet and charged Vader again with wild abandon. The Sith Lord took small simple strides towards the charging droid. The trooper raised shield and charged with vibroblade raised ready to stab. Vader raised his left hand and grasped outwards towards the droid. It stopped in mid run and shook attempting to fight the unseen force wrapping around it.

Vader lifted the droid up into the air still shaking wildly and turned his hand into a fist and jerked the arm back towards his mask. The droid didn't bend or break but flew towards Vader. He raised out his saber in right hand and the droid flew directly into it impaling itself onto the crimson beam. Vader let it whir and shake until it stopped and slumped onto his saber. Its weight pulled it down and the saber tore through it until it came out through the trooper's right shoulder and the remains fell to the ground in a heap. The phase two trooper suddenly opened fire on Vader. The Sith Lord nearly had forgotten about it as it took aim on a knee and unleashed a furious swarm of bolts from an enhanced carbine.

Vader swiftly swung his saber fluidly across his body employing the Shien saber form core tenants with ease. He continued to approach the droid which then stood up fully and began backing away firing endlessly towards Vader. Every bolt simply couldn't hit him, couldn't get passed his saber defense, and Vader felt great pride overtake him as he easily dispatched the pitiful attempt on his life from not only this droid, but the others.

Seeking to end the charade at hand, Vader employed Force speed. A blackened blur incomprehensible to the eye of man and droid dashed towards the phase two trooper. Landing a hard and unusual booted kick into the droid's abdomen, the trooper was flung back hard and slammed into the street; sliding across it and hitting back first into the fallen over AT-AA from before. Standing now still, Vader swung his saber back over right shoulder and threw it outwards. The crimson beam sung through the air and swirled around through the trooper's neck severing the head like the phase one trooper from before. It returned to the hand of its master and Vader caught it with utter ease.

"More and more the Moffs employ these mechanized men. Very interesting." Vader mused aloud turning back towards the unleashed and renewed blaster fire exchange taking place down the road. A numbly recognized explosion occurred in the air above Vader and the wail of a falling fighter reached his ears crashing into the city below as he began walking back towards the lines of the 501st firing into the treasonous troopers. Vader readied himself for more simplistic troop engagement when the Force once more sounded out in warning and caused him to turn on instinct.

As he did coming from the shadows and the air from the rooftops of buildings around him on the street came into sight over a dozen phase one troopers and about ten to a dozen phase two troopers. All of them rounded and zeroed in on him and raised their own weapons towards him.

"Very interesting, indeed." The Dark Lord intoned raising his saber once more. A single idle thought wondering about the whereabouts of his son and apprentice entering into his mind, a very hint of worry into his being alongside it as he readied to engage these droids once more. All the while all of Theed partook in the wider battle with the tens of thousands of Moff troops landing planet side within the capital city.

(Gladiator-Class Stardestroyer Domitor, en route to Kuat)

Viathan adjusted the cuff upon his left wrist, or rather what was left of it, as he stood in the main hangar of the Domitor. Around him stormtroopers, and Imperial normal infantry divisions mounted their transports, and the finishing touches were made loading up walkers and tanks into their own larger transports. The lower deck hangar was readying all fighter and bomber squadrons as they neared their hyperspace exit point over Kuat. The rest of the fleet formed from units of his own and Leia's which itself was a force from Death Squadron who readied their own forces.

His crimson colored eyes glowed softly and dimly where he stood like a sore thumb amongst the white clad troopers. Perhaps an occasional black uniformed pilot would run passed him, or a gray uniformed officer even. However, Viathan wore his usual tunic and cloak with hood already atop his head and simple jeans and dark boots as well. His sabers at his waist and lack of expression upon his face. The sixteen year old would hardly be considered the active commander of all these men, yet here he stood seeming out of place in simple cloth amongst men of armor and blasters.

His mind was blank save for the impending thought of returning before his master in the flesh after months being away. Not since the aftermath of Coruscant had he laid his eyes upon Exar Kun that was not merely a holographic projection. A slight trepidation came through him as he imagined their meeting. Old worries and programmed feelings of anxiety swelled as ever he believed he'd failed his master without having even committed an act. His one desire, the one thing that made his heart quicken, was to have his master be pleased with him. The battles, and death, the carnage, all of it was secondary to him save for his Lord's need and will. He wished to show him all he could do and all he could accomplish since their parting.

"Deep thoughts without awareness, brother?" Viathan heard and registered Darssus's voice from his right. He also registered the sarcastic; or perhaps genuine Viathan could never be sure, clicking of his tongue as he 'tsked,' him. "Such idle musings could allow an assassin to easily come upon you and slit your throat! Now we can't have that now can we, O dearest brother?" Darssus chuckled wrapping his left arm around the back of Viathan's neck onto his left shoulder causing Viathan to flinch involuntarily. He stood beside Viathan on his right and sighed contentedly watching the men move into ships with the idle commands from the intercom sounding off in intervals.

"What a sight it is! To stand like a god amongst men knowing these people, these men do as you say not because they want to or should, but because they must! What is the Force but the natural projection of one's own power and right to rule?"He idly mused and Viathan gave him a sideways look before shrugging.

"You sound more like Lord Ruin when you say it like that. He unquestionably believes in the right to rule for the strong over the weak. Or perceived strong and weak perhaps. Either way you sound more like him than perhaps you would agree to."

"Oh I hadn't meant to imply I find him a lacking Lord. When we spoke on him last I merely wished for you to understand there are others far older, and far more powerful than one such as Darth Ruin to take knowledge from. The only nuisance is where they are kept. Dug deep into the vaults and hidden corners of Sidious's Empire. The musings of Darth Malgus could well suit you brother. Your strengths for combat and preference for it over the raw power of the Force is similar enough. I'd rather find the teachings and words of Darth Vitiate, the great Sith Emperor of old." Viathan furrowed his brow and again gave his brother a sideways glance.

"I've heard of him before. Not from you or my mas...the Emperor."

"Oh? And, from whom might this be?" Viathan recalled an old acquaintance and someone who he may well have called a friend, but he shoved those memories away for now. Knowing who and what he was, Viathan didn't wish to alert his brother to his being for now.

"A man I once met on Nar Shaddaa. He wished to tell me how much he knew on Sith lore of antiquity including a reference to Lord Vitiate. I hadn't the will nor time to listen to him, however." Viathan half lied and gave enough truth to where he believed his brother would not sense it. Darssus hummed and said no more, and Viathan silently breathed a sigh of relief.

"Nonetheless, do you remember your part brother?" Viathan asked breaking the momentary silence between them. Darssus nodded with that seemingly never ending smirk upon his face remaining planted.

"Of course, my dear brother, of course. You and the young princess will head down planet side and meet with Lord Kun and take on whatever assignments I'm sure he has. I will land inside the Drive Yards and make sure they do not fall either from enemy landing parties or ship attacks. I must say, I've never been to the Drive Yards. I hope they're as impressive in the flesh as everyone claims them to be." Darssus mused with a light laugh.

"You'd best reach your transport shuttle then brother. It looks like your contingent is all but ready." Viathan nudged towards a line of transports closing their doors and raising ramps. Darssus sighed halfheartedly again and nodded.

"Very well dearest brother. Be sure to comm me once you've settled in. And, be sure to destroy plenty of these droids. Rather a shame really that the galaxy has to contend with these things again. They should have been eradicated following the Clone Wars really." Viathan nodded and waved his brother goodbye as Darssus, robed and armored made for a waiting shuttle with escort troopers on board.

Viathan in kind turned on his heel left and stomped towards another transport shuttle down the length of the hangar. A company of troops in file and with blasters at the ready jogged lightly passed him towards a transport all their own and the ring of readiness alarms rung out as they neared Kuat further. He neared the shuttle ramp and climbed aboard silently. Inside of the shuttle stood Zar whom Viathan gave a curt greeting nod to, and who did so in kind, and another young Massassi warrior Viathan had yet to learn the name of. He had brought only a few Massassi to act as honor guard more than anything else. Alongside those two, however, Viathan also found Leia standing and waiting for him seemingly.

She chose to wear her simplistic white short-sleeved shirt with matching jeans and boots with a dark cloak around her and hood up. It oddly meshed together in Viathan's eyes as he gave her a once over look and took up a standing place beside her. Viathan still glanced once more at the flowing black robes around her and dark hood overhead hiding all the white underneath and couldn't help but feel the wardrobe outwardly showed the contradictions of Leia herself.

"Like what you see?" Viathan was snapped out of it as Leia spoke. She hadn't moved but he could imagine a smirk along her face. He cleared his throat and turned forward just as the ramp began closing.

"Apologies. I was merely admiring the contradiction of black robes against white clothing."

"Of course you were Vale. Of course you were. You have my thanks though. I like the white clothing compared to the all black getup you, my father, my brother and just about everybody else likes to wear in this empire. Well except for the troopers and guards I suppose. I always wondered actually what royal guards were like underneath all those robes and armor bits." She mused aloud seemingly allowing her thoughts to carry her attention.

"I've met many talked to some. They're not very pleasant when younger. Perhaps you could call them too zealous. The older royal guards usually have perspective on their lives. Even if it revolves around stiff, uncompromising devotion to the Imperial Throne. In that way they and I are similar in nature. At least we were." Viathan added.

"Hmm, I suppose I can see that. Yet, what matters is what you feel now. So, don't make me repeat my 'don't get yourself killed today,' speech okay?"

"Yes, yes alright I know." Viathan sighed with Leia; obviously pleased with herself, letting a few chuckles escape from her. The shuttle rumbled to life and Viathan could hear the pilot behind him and Leia checking off the pre-takeoff operations alongside his copilot. Then, as the shuttle grew quiet save for the breathing of Viathan, Leia and the two grumbling Massassi, they could all make out the ship intercom tick down the seconds to hyperspace exit. When the ship overall shuttered and exited hyperspace an immediate rumble hit the ship.

Viathan activated his ear comm unit and immediately the sounds of those Imperials still in the thick of a battle that had been going on for days hit him loud and in mixed frantic pitches. Viathan heard the shuttle and transport pilots be given commands to break from the hangar as the fighter and bomber units were loosed from the hangar bays right alongside them. An Admiral came in over the comm immediately beginning to bark rushed orders for the newly come support with a hoarse and obviously beleaguered voice. Viathan and Leia had both given explicit orders for the local Admiral in command, Borgul Hyun, to be given all command power once they exited hyperspace. Thus Viathan was pleased when his orders were immediately responded to and acknowledged by his forces and Leia's.

"Beginning takeoff, sir." The pilot announced.

"Understood." Viathan and Leia both grabbed onto support straps hung from the ceiling of the shuttle while the Massassi chose to lean more on the walls than anything else. The shuttle rumbled to life and in a matter of seconds it exploded out from the hangar of the Domitor. Which at that very moment was being bombarded by turbolaser fire from a distant Mon-Calamari starcruiser.

Four TIE interceptors surrounded the shuttle as flak and laser fire flew passed and next to them all. The shuttle banked down with the interceptors both leading and following and made for the world below. The shuttle rumbled and shook as the lasers and missiles left percussion's echoing the shuttle into deep powerful shutters.

As the shuttle neared the Drive Yards the massive defensive cannons fired into the distance much as they had been for days now sending massive percussion's into the shuttle and nearly throwing Leia into Viathan. Yet, they went on without any issue and Darssus's shuttle also made it to the nearest Drive Yard landing dock along the massive artificial orbital ring of the world.

Two of the interceptors trailing the shuttle peeled off and began chasing off three enemy Vulture droids as they rumbled from above firing their red laser cannons down atop and around the shuttle. Viathan made out the pilot cursing as he banked left and avoided a cannon burst that rumbled where he had just been flying. Viathan steadied himself and released a steadying breath as the shuttle shook more violently as it entered Kuat's atmosphere. The two remaining TIE interceptors kept alongside them as their shuttle descended as one among hundreds that had broken through immediately towards the planet's surface. Seemingly having caught the URM fleet in orbit completely off guard. Though how that could be left Viathan mutely and silently wondering.

"We've been directed to a landing zone outside of the capital, sir! By request of Lord Kun I am to relay that you meet with a planet side escort who will direct you to him!" The copilot then called back to Viathan.

"Acknowledged! What hour is it outside?!" Viathan asked realizing he had not checked the local hours of Kuat.

"Dawn broke three hours ago sir!"
"Copy!" Viathan called over the thudding of the shuttle as the unmistakable percussion of anti-air fire blasted alongside the shuttle as it rocked back in forth in banking maneuvers. Viathan steadied himself as did Leia and the Massassi as the shuttle suddenly banked into a nose diving position. The screams of the escort TIE interceptors sounding even into the belly of the shuttle as they exploded passed and beyond it to intercept incoming Tri-fighters.

"Not that I'm against flying, but this is a bit much!" Leia cried and Viathan silently concurred as he felt his footing nearly come out from under him into the direction of the dive. Then with a great heave of the controls the pilot jerked back and the shuttle snapped nose upwards again throwing all four passengers around slightly even as Lei and Viathan grasped tightly at their support straps and the two Massassi fell to the floor.

"Apologies Commander! Heavy enemy activity in the air!"

"Understood, just get us landed!" Viathan called back while Leia sent him a sideways look and expression as a silent understanding was cast between them. That the pilot perhaps was good, but maybe also slightly insane.

Nonetheless, they neared the Imperial camp beyond the outskirts of Kuatac City. Bolts and explosions still being exchanged between the two armies as they neared with the land between the armies piled with destroyed droids than the day before.

The Lambda landed the usual shuttering landing of the shuttle with what Viathan swore were blaster shots skimming the outer hull already on initial landing. Nonetheless, the shuttle opened up and ramp descended down as Zar and his fellow Massassi warrior picked themselves off the floor shaking off slight hits to their heads. They picked up their lanvarok spears and marched down the ramp ahead of Viathan and Leia.

"I have to admit, they do take their jobs seriously for brutes."

"One woman's brute is another man's elite warrior." Leia smirked as she followed Viathan down the ramp. They both immediately were bombarded with artillery fire incoming and outgoing as looming AT-AT behemoths just ahead some meters fired into the distant URM army and caused the very ground to shake beneath them. Troopers of all garb and corps ran forwards and backwards yelling orders as Viathan felt that sense of 'normalcy,' flood into him as he returned to a battlefield! He didn't wish for Leia to get that so soon after their candid talk, but as he glanced her way he caught her looking at him, and he sighed.

"I keep forgetting about the kriffing bond."
"Yeah me too, but now more and more I can pick up your feelings and thoughts. More and more maybe it's a good thing I can. Considering you just love to throw yourself away every other day. Sometimes I swear I feel like I'm one of those girls in the holovids who go for the damaged boy just because they wanna fix them up and save them because they think that's love or something!" Viathan turned her way with brow firmly cocked and Leia's face flushed as it became her turn to awkwardly clear her throat.

"Okay that came out wrong, but come on! You need to live for more than just-" Overhead three Vulture droids pelted a TIE fighter into a fiery explosion that wailed and crashed into the no-mans-land between the armies with a visible fireball erupting forth from its wreckage.

"More than that!"

"As I said Leia, this is my normal for the time being. I promise for today at least that I won't throw myself into a situation where I could die! Now before the war is over can we get to my master and have our objectives given to us?! Pretty please, milady?!" Viathan sarcastically begged, though with a hint of exhaustion about his voice. Leia chuckled awkwardly and nodded motioning him to lead her on.

"Glad to see everyone's having a good old time!" They both paused as Zar and the other Massassi came up behind them. Viathan glanced to his left where he found Mara Jade coming towards them with several bandages across her ribs and legs that looked rather nasty. Her green eyes shone out with her red hair tied back and flowing down her young frame. She still looked as she ever did with Viathan, displeased.

"Jade, glad to see you haven't ended up pierced upon a Magnaguard's electrostaff yet. Force forbid you make me happy." Leia mused that it at least was an 'attempt,' at a quip though unnecessarily dark and spiteful as it was.

"Valek, Valek how charming it is to see you again! To think you were this close to being minced bantha meat on Epica to Moff Trachta! A shame really that he had to drop the ball on that one. No offense to you princess, or these fine Massassi warriors here of course." Mara raised her hand up pinching her fingers together as if needing to be sure Viathan understood how close he had been to dying on Epica. The boy's nostrils flared and he felt the dark side swirl around him. His right hand nearly went for his saber, but he felt Leia's presence subtly tugging at his mind and forcing a little bit of calm into their shared connection. It more startled him than actual calmed him. Nonetheless, he sighed deeply and clasped his hands behind his back whilst sending a silent thanks to Leia.

"I'm going to assume you're acting as escort for our Lord. If you haven't anymore mind to delay me and the princess here then I would appreciate you beginning to lead on as instructed, Jade." Mara smiled a wholly unconvincing, and intentionally so, smile and waved her arms out towards the camp. She, nonetheless took off ahead of them and began marching briskly away towards where Viathan assumed his master would be, and the four of them followed after her.

The thought entering his mind if only for a moment to slip one of his crimson blades into her turned back as they did so.

---

The Lambda shuttle came to a halt within the docking bay and the ramp descended revealing Darssus standing alone with hands clasped behind his back and slim smile upon his face. The docking bay, and very well all of the Drive Yards rattled around them as Darssus descended down from the ramp. Awaiting him at the bottom stood two officers of the Empire and two from the Drive Yards security branch, and one official type. Darssus perceived him easily to be some corporate toad sent by Kuat of Kuat himself.

Once at the bottom of the ramp, Darssus took a single glance back towards the ray shields to see outside the immense space battle underway. Bits of capital ships and cruisers floating about freely with thousands of fighters openly engaging one another. Green laser fire being matched by red. CIS designed droid ships now under URM control engaging head to head with Imperial warships while Mon-Calamari vessels hung further into the distance acting undoubtedly as command ships with decent enough engaging firepower all their own.

"How exhilarating! If the battle above the planet is such as this I cannot imagine what it must be on the ground." He announced laughingly. The five men shifted uncomfortably where they stood and waited for him to acknowledge and notice them. Darssus did finally turn towards them after watching the battle for a moment longer and sighed contentedly.

"With that out of the way whom have I to blame for this dreadful situation?" The men all shared looks before one of them; one of the Imperials, spoke first.

"Whatever do you mean, sir?"

"What I mean, is this travesty!" He motioned his right hand upwards and around himself. The men looked around the docking bay and found nothing out of place. Save for security personnel running about and pilot landing for quick repairs or ship swaps. Some fighter and bomber husks were pushed to the side of the bay, but nothing appeared out of place to them.

"The combined density of all five of you adds to my anger." Darssus pronounced through a slowly dimming smile upon his face. "I am not as dense in military affairs as some may seem. Of course my apparel often leads many to assume as an inquisitor of the Imperial Throne I know little of tactics and military situations as they appear in the present. Yet, I am a quick study and quick learner." He raised his hand as one of the Imperials attempted to speak and silenced him.

"This relates to the situation at hand because I was assigned the task of assuring this stations security is tightened up. Considering reports are now streaming in of droid landing parties across a massive research and development ship design and building ring that spans around an entire planet! Now whom have I to blame for such a travesty as this?! To allow for a vital piece of galactic power and Imperial pride as the Drive Yards to be landed upon and invaded is all but tantamount to allowing armed mercenaries raid the very sleeping quarters of the Emperor himself!" Darssus paced forward towards the small group who began pouring out fear as the inquisitor verbally lambasted them with a smile. As he silently looked them each over the first troop transports began arriving into the docking bay and likely other docking bays along the key sectors of the Drive Yards.

"M...my, my, my Lord-"

"I am not a Lord, you fool! I am an inquisitor, address me as 'sir,' for now." Darssus glared upon the corporate toad who dared to speak.

"Ye, ye, yes, sir! P...please understand the attack came so suddenly that we had hardly any time to mount up forces for defense."

"Yet, they were here. So, what was it that prevented you from rallying the men allotted to you while Imperial reinforcements were en route to defending the docking bays and locking down critical positions? I will presume nothing at all." Darssus commented nearing the man and leaning into his face menacingly even if he was far younger than him.

"So, I will take your sorry excuse as you volunteering yourself for blame." The man went wide eyed and attempted to speak, but began choking instead. He grabbed and clawed at his neck as Darssus stared at the other four petrified men, and didn't even raise his hand to visibly choke through the Force as some did simply out of preference. The corporate toad lifted up into the air and gasped which turned to gurgling as his eyes bulged and face turned blue before a sudden snap sounded and his head was jerked violently to the right and he fell limp and dead to the flooring beneath their boots.

"Now, take me to the local command center and give me full updates on the current security situation of the Yards. Anything less than the truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth no matter how grim or bleak or unpleasant it may be will result in your fates being no better than this pitiful excuse's." The troopers inside the transports began disembarking and lining up for eventual orders to come their way with some fanning out with orders already given to them before landing.

"Yes, sir! Right this way!" One of the Imperial officers offered motioning both hands towards a door on the far end of the docking bay. The other three briskly stepped ahead of Darssus and he followed after with his smile still thinly upon face and eyes glinting in glowering yellow of the dark side. He would've chuckled too had he not thought it too...'much' for the men who remained.

(Kuat, Earlier)

"What's the situation in the sector overall?" Exar asked as his thoughts lingered and wavered from one place to another.

"With the amount of forces you took to shore up Kuat's defenses the Moffs have pressed their slight numerical advantage. I have Moff fleets attacking Neona, Pelagon, and harassing the Shapani Bypass route near Tallaan. I have units attempting to quash their advance but it may be impossible to stop them from landing troops back onto Pelagon and New Shella." Arden reported. Kun sighed and rubbed his forehead through the irritation as the blue hologram stood silently watching him.

"What exactly happened with New Shella?"

"Moff forces sent a fleet with more of those troopers armored in black variants of the regular stormtrooper uniforms. The fleet they came with decimated the local defense force of two stardestroyer's and four Tartan-class cruisers. The troops along with an abnormal amount of alien auxiliary units boarded one of the stardestroyer's, the Dragoon, and seem to have taken the ship over before they and their fleet retreated into hyperspace. We have nothing but local units on the ground to defend against a possible Moff counteroffensive. I have nothing to send without a fleet to escort." She crossed her arms while speaking matter-of-factly.

"I will request reinforcements from the Deep-Core reserves. Otherwise attempt to maintain defensive posture in the sector. Do not send units to engage the Moffs only engage attacking forces. We have to await aid while I handle Kuat."

"Understood. So, what's troubling you then?" She asked seemingly from nowhere.

"What makes you think anything is 'troubling,' me, madam Lyn?" Exar asked whilst making himself seem as expressionless as possible.

"Don't think I'm as dense as most of the Imperial toads who run about the Empire Kun. I've seen enough of you to see when something is off. In fact, I'd say this is the first time I've seen your mind wholly somewhere else. And that 'somewhere,' isn't pleasant."

Exar sighed lowly and nodded in acquiesce to Arden's observations.

"I am troubled by the state of my latest apprentice. I sent him on a simple mission to eliminate the ground Commander of the URM droid forces. A Noorian woman who he had little trouble dealing with, however, he returned beaten and bloodied and near death even if I could call it that.

"If he defeated this woman so easily how is it that he is in such critical condition?" She asked quizzically as Kun began pacing around the holoterminal whilst her hologram followed on its own.

"Apparently the real ground Commander arrived and proved a far tougher challenge. His or its name sent such fear into my officers when they heard it. It's unlike anything I feel about them unless Vader's name is brought up. A Colonel whom has proven useful to me here informed me that this General Grievous, was a well known Commander of these very same droid armies during the war that occurred before my coming. The Clone Wars as I know them to be called. I believe I read on this before when I returned, yet I have never come upon a 'General grievous,' in my readings." Arden held a somewhat shocked expression when Exar looked up and toward her from his pacing.

"Grievous? I know the name and the face. Actually I know the whole story, but I was sure...I thought him dead."

"Well what's your take on him then?" Kun immediately asked.

"From what I know from my own self interested studies of the Clone Wars he was a cyborg machination created from the near dead carcass of a Kaleesh warlord."

"Kaleesh?" Exar repeated with furrowed brow.

"Oh, I suppose they were not well known in your time as well. A reptilian race from their home on Kalee within the regions of Wild-Space. A warrior oriented culture with a penchant for combat and war. Particularly against a neighboring insect species who've made several invasions of their homeworld. Either way it's besides the point." She waved off placing a thoughtful hand to her chin.

"This General Grievous was public enemy number one in the galaxy during the last war. He was a Jedi killer with no Force affinity but a cybernetic body that more than made up for that. Knowledge on him and the Clone Wars were suppressed by the Empire to disassociate the general public from the Jedi and the Galactic Republic of old.

'From what I have seen on the restricted holos I managed to get my hands on he can turn his seemingly two arms into four. Each of them can independently wield a lightsaber, and he's got nasty clawed feet, boney fingers and a bad temper. He killed plenty of Jedi including masters of the Order; and even some on the Jedi Council itself."

Exar listened intently and without emotion showing across his features. Yet, his thoughts once more proved wild and imaginative as he mused upon such a beast on the loose. Let alone that Raydonn managed to survive such a killer if in fact he was returned to the galaxy. Indeed, Kun thought if Raydonn could survive an encounter with this Jedi killer then perhaps he was to be more commended than he had thought him deserving of.

"Can you send to me what intelligence there is on this creature? If he is returned then he's under the control of that madwoman Nelrain. And, thus we may have a much bigger problem than before."

"I'll send what I have on me. Trust me even you wouldn't be allowed easy access to his existence. Palpatine has a real disdain for old knowledge on the Clone Wars, for whatever reason. Even as he commanded me to read up on history, including suppressed history, he denied me an even suitable amount of access to what happened in that war. Considering it's the worst one ever that's plagued this galaxy unless this one gets any worse, I don't see what he fears on the matter." Kun nodded in numbed agreement as he only half listened to Lyn slightly ramble on the matter.

"Very good Lyn. As I have instructed maintain a defensive posture and watch yourself. I cannot afford to lose you with everything else going on."

"Oh how precious, my Lord cares so deeply for me." She jabbed causing Kun to smile but nonetheless shake his head.

"Of course milady. Though if you want me to be honest I care more about your body remaining intact than your tongue." Lyn smirked in return and took on a sultry tone.

"Trust me my Lord, what I can achieve with both is beyond you." With that she cut the connection and Kun was left gawking quietly where her figure had just been.

He turned shaking his head and sighing. Just then his comlink began chirping off at his side. He swiftly snatched it up and activated it.

"What is it?"

"My Lord Kun, I am terribly sorry to trouble you, however, I must update you on the condition of my patient." The robotic and calm voice of a 2-1B medical droid unit responded.

"Has his condition worsened?" The Dark Lord asked with an unusual subtle hint of concern in his voice. Though the droid wouldn't and didn't hear the difference at all.

"No, my Lord. In fact he has woken up and exited the bacta tank. He refuses to reenter so that we may fully maintain his stable condition"

This caused the Sith Lord to sigh and shake his head yet again.

"His back has been mostly healed save for some scarring due to the bacta treatments, my Lord. However, he's only been in the tank for a few hours, and though his recovery rate exceeds normal Human expectations the amount of blood he lost requires further rest. Optimally inside of the bacta tank, however, he refuses to listen."

"Tell him I will be there shortly." Kun responded as he heard the droid begin chastising Raydonn over the comm. It appeared that now he had yet another unruly apprentice to deal with and join his seemingly ever growing cadre of acolytes.

By the time he arrived after a short walk from the mobile communications unit to the medical unit he found Raydonn Force-choking the droid. Raydonn looked terrible to say the least he was sitting up leaning against the duracrete wall on the medbed his hair wet with moisture from the bacta treatment his face drawn and pale looking utterly spent. He wore a dark black robe which came about loosely around his form revealing a fully bandaged chest and standard black military pants. His body and hair looked partially damp but he was taking a towel to his face as he almost seemed to ignore the droid as he then ran the towel over his hair with his free left hand.

"I believe the medical staff would appreciate it if you released the droid." Kun chuckled somewhat amused as his shoulders loosened and he realized he had released some tension he had not been aware of that he had been holding within.

Raydonn released the droid with a glare of finality aimed at it.

"Try to touch me with that syringe again and I'll send so many volts of electricity through you your joints will fuse together!"
"You lost just over two liters of blood. The Human body-"
"I know, blast it, I know!" Raydonn cut the droid off as it seemed confused and turned and scurried over towards a medical table a little away by the bacta tank and began sifting through some instruments as Kun marched in.

"On top of everything else going on in this half crazed war torn galaxy I have an errant apprentice who refuses medical treatment. Actually...now that I think of it I have multiple apprentices who refuse treatment when they need it! What is the issue now, Raydonn?" Raydonn's shoulders slouched somewhat as he turned his face towards Kun's voice; his haunted eyes studying him and he sighed through his nose before turning back to lean his head against the wall, idly looking towards the opposite wall passed Kun and folding his arms to mimic his pose as Kun crossed his arms in mild exasperation.

"This droid wants to give me a blood transfusion. You should know as well as I do that, that would hamper my connection to the Force. Plus it's probably blasted clone blood anyways." The droid turned back towards them with a medical datapad in hand.

"It would lessen any chances of a possible fainting attack later on, my Lord Kun. With the amount of blood loss from his injuries he may be weakened. His muscle tissue has healed and the flesh has been mended by the bacta tank and mild stitching. However, we hadn't any release to administer-" Kun raised a quieting hand.

"I understand, but the transfusion won't be necessary. You have my, and his thanks even if he refuses to say it. Proceed to other patients." The droid silently nodded its mechanical head and turned back towards the table and went about sifting through its tools once more.

"Thank you." Raydonn bit out through gritted teeth as he turned his head weakly towards Kun.

"No need. You went through quite the ordeal. And I must say this bacta is quite the miracle liquid. All we had in my time was kolto." Exar mused as he idly placed his hand upon Raydonn's old bacta tank.

"Has Grievous been seen yet? How long was I out anyways?"

To your first question, no he has not been seen. At least he who you describe has not. To your second question, through the night. It's morning now." The Dark Lord turned back towards Raydonn as he force called a medical datapad into his hands skimming idly through Raydonn's medical examination.

"What do you mean 'he who I described?' I fought Grievous! I know who I fought, and he nearly...well he could have killed me." Raydonn declared with a somewhat embarrassed tone about him. That and what Exar perceived to be fear through the Force. A great deal of it in fact.

"I have no doubt that you fought he who you believe was this Grievous figure. The pilot of the Nemesis gunship corroborates your ordeal. However, I know little on this 'Grievous' and he has not been spotted since as I said. The fact remains that for the large part this General Grievous was considered deceased, so it is only natural that time must be given to gather more intelligence to further verify his return.

'What's most important at this juncture is for you to rest and recover from your duel. As the droid said you lost plenty of blood, and received your share of wounds. The bacta closed the wounds it would appear," Kun said as he scrolled down the datapad some more. "However, the blood loss certainly makes you unfit for battle." Exar stated with finality as Raydonn held a slightly irritated look about him.

Exar continued skimming the datapad, "Twenty three?" Kun asked mildly surprised and Raydonn felt it through the force mingled with a flicker of silent admiration even, if he could call it that.

Raydonn shrugged though the movement caused a jarring pain to arch through his back and muscles and he bit back a wince as he responded in what he hoped was an even voice. "Is that so surprising? Do I look older perhaps?"

"Not at all," Kun waved his question away as if it were of little importance yet he could sense through the force that it was not so and that Kun was frowning inwardly. Raydonn could feel a mild interest permeate the air about and around him. "I heard that the Jedi initiates were all massacred during the coming of Darth Vader. How is it you survived?"

Raydonn sighed looking away from Kun's piercing gaze as his fist clenched involuntarily at the mention of his past. "It's complicated…suffice to say I was not in the actual temple by that time, in fact I was not to be a Jedi at all. I'd rather not talk about it if it's all the same to you master." Raydonn sent Kun a glare and his force presence made it clear that he refused to delve deeper into the matter.

Before Kun could say more his comlink again began chirping at his side once more.

"Yes?" He answered tersely and quite annoyed that his present discussion was to be interrupted only to hear Mara on the line.

"The reinforcements from Valek and Leia Vader have arrived, master. Thought I'd let you know. Also we have extra activity taking place on the droid side of the playing field. The officer boys wanna know your orders for them and the fresh meat."

"Why are you relaying this, Jade?"

"Because I'm here and waiting on something to do myself. In fact we've all been sitting around playing pot-shot with the droids all night!" She cried forcing Kun to move his comlink away from himself because of the pitch.

"Fair enough calm down, my young apprentice." Kun all but chuckled. "I will relay new ground operations after reinforcements have landed as well as Viathan and young Lady Vader."

"Alright well-"

"And I will have you escort them here to me in the medical ward with Raydonn." Kun added with a broad smirk upon his face. Mara remained silent a moment longer as Kun sensed her irritation and anger broil afar.

"Alright...master." She seethed and cut their transmission leaving Kun to chuckle once again.

"Well I guess you've got a job for me." Raydonn spoke as he rose somewhat unsteadily from the med bed, showing quite clearly that despite his bravado he was quite exhausted and worn out. "So go ahead and lay it on me." Kun watched the man rub his forehead and face and try to force away the undoubted fog that swirled around his mind.

"Did you not hear me before? You're unfit for battle." Kun remarked and immediately he felt Raydonn's agitation flow through the Force.

"Yes I heard, and I feel fine. So, do us both a favor, 'master,' and give me something to do. I'm not going to sit here and 'get better,' when I've been through worse and have done just the same. After all I went to work right after you got done inflicting your subpar tortures on me. Now where did they put my armor..." The man trailed off looking around the room as his eyes caught his armor on one of the several shelves off to the sides. Exar frowned slightly, but really felt he couldn't hold his attempted torture's against the man. And...he had a point.

"Very well. If that's how you want it. However, it comes with the condition that you retreat and seek medical treatment if you begin feeling in any way less than optimal. I require living, breathing acolytes, not dead restless ones who cannot follow instruction to rest when it's needed."

"Oh my, is that care I hear? How un-Sithly of you master." Exar snorted as Raydonn smirked.

"Whatever you want to call it, Raydonn." Kun trailed off and forced Raydonn to turn suspiciously toward him. "I will be sending another apprentice with you." Exar smirked broadly curving his lips into a wide grin.

"Oh come on!" Raydonn bit out in frustration as the door to the medical ward hissed open.

"We're here. So is Lady Vader, and the other one. Call me if you need me!" Mara came in with the two others alongside her, and immediately turned waving herself off as she did so out from the medical ward. Exar shook his head with a smile as all three of the other apprentices watched Mara blatantly, and more blatantly than others, disregard her master. Viathan turned back towards Kun and removed his hood before falling to a knee and lowering his head on instinct and in reverence to his master. The young Lady of House Vader simply stood awkwardly before bowing slightly at her waist towards Kun with a completely blank and slightly puzzled look about her wondering as to whether she should say something in terms of greetings.

"Master." Viathan simply intoned.

"Rise Viathan please." Kun motioned and the boy did as asked clasping his hands behind his back and becoming rigid in place.

"I await instruction, my master. My ground forces are yours to command. Orbital units are currently engaging the enemy and are at the disposal of Admiral Hyun." Exar nodded while Raydonn seemed to almost sway and sat back onto the medical bed tightening his folded arms across his form.

"I can see that. It's good you've arrived now. The URM is undoubtedly planning on pressing their attack soon. We've both had a nightly reprieve from direct engagement. Whoever is commanding the ground units must have needed time to alter their plans or await reinforcements." Exar gave Raydonn a sideways glance at the mentioning of the ground commander.

"I feel your arrival with quicken the pace in which the enemy presses the attack once again. Lucky your force should shore up our numbers disadvantage."

"Of course, master. I eagerly await what commands you give me."

Raydonn cleared his throat and caught everyone's attention.

"Don't forget me."

Leia numbly registered Raydonn before speaking.

"Right...well you still have my people mixed in with yours. Detachments of my father's 501st legion, my lord Kun. Use them as you will, and I'll provide whatever assistance I can."

"Of course, and you have my thanks, milady Vader. It's been quite a while since we've last seen one another. Since Coruscant in the aftermath of the battle I believe." Leia nodded. Raydonn rose as Kun spoke making towards the built in shelf within which was stacked his armor and lightsaber.

"That's about right. Though we didn't really talk much if I remember right. Either way, whatever you need I'll help with." Exar bowed thankfully before once more his comlink sounded and a visible sneering frown overwhelmed his features.

"Yes!" He growled into his comlink. Obviously everyone could see he'd grown annoyed with the little device. Or more aptly, everyone calling him on it.

"Um yes, my Lord this is Colonel Nidrini. There's been a situation in Kuatac that requires the immediate attention of your Lordly person." Kun relaxed some and regained his composure even as Viathan could almost see the agitation that fueled his power swirling about his dark master. Once more sending reverence into the boy. While both Leia and Raydonn saw a man who maybe needed more rest than he let on from the battle at hand.

"Very well, you may proceed, Colonel."

"Thank you, my Lord." He chimed back. "Despite renewed aerial engagement with the enemy via the reinforcements provided the enemy has begun landing new ground transports onto the surface. They have broken through our defenses and landed behind our forward advance near the capital city. Local defenders report none droid enemy forces garbed in black unfamiliar armor designs are assaulting the outlying defenses and request reinforcements as soon as possible. Shall I redirect some of our reinforcements?"

With a slight tone of worry filtering through the Colonel's voice he spoke the news to Exar who rubbed his own chin inquisitively. He passed a glance over the three Sith apprentices standing before him as he did, and Viathan was the first to step forwards at the ready. Obviously he sensed his master's thoughts through their ever present and recently empowered bond in the Force.

"Send me master. I will deal with these rebels no matter what race or make they are!"

"Sounds like the ones who guarded that Noorian I faced actually." Raydonn pointed out as he took off and folded his robe tossing it onto the shelf he and slipped onto himself a black standard military grade undershirt and started fitting his battered armor pieces onto himself. Despite the holes, scratches, and stains riddled upon them. Viathan turned towards the man with a slight glare in his eyes. He already knew who this man was he needed no explanation, but already he didn't like him.

"What?" Kun asked turning towards Raydonn. "What ones? You never mentioned any 'ones.'"

"Well yeah I sort of passed out and was sent to a bacta tank for a few hours. Sorry I didn't mentally debrief you." Raydonn retorted and snapped on an elbow guard. "Anyways, they are living breathing people in this sort of apocalyptic looking silver-ish gear that seems to call to a skeleton at least in the face. Also, I can see why you'd call their armor black but that's just the material beneath the gray garb.

'I'm thinking Nelrain needed to at the very least pretend she hasn't simply revitalized the Confederacy and threw in these new troops to fit the role. That and the Mon-Cal ships in orbit probably speak to that theory. Though with Grievous running around and about that's hardly necessary." Viathan glared more harshly at the man before what he said registered with him.

"Grievous?! Wait, what do you mean by Grievous?!" Viathan turned as it was Leia who beat him to the question that gnawed at him.

"Raydonn, as you heard my Lord and master greet, this is Leia Vader. Once-"

"I know who she is. Nice to meet you." He greeted cutting off Viathan with a quick terse bow of his head. She returned a quick wave in kind with neither feeling too keen on formalities.

"Yes well, as to what he means by Grievous, Raydonn says a figure from recent history known as General grievous has returned under the URM command. The pilot sent to evacuate him from the battle that placed him in this ward claims to have seen the figure. I have no real knowledge my own to base this off of, but I am willing to believe him. After all what reason has he to lie?" Kun gave a piercing look Raydonn's way, but the man simply rolled his eyes. He knew full and well Kun didn't even believe he seemed believable with that glare. He could sense the truth on him anyways.

"Perhaps not, or perhaps this 'Noorian,' as you say proved too much for you and you're a great storyteller. Maybe failing a mission is okay by your standards so long as you provide a thrilling story. However, it is a lie nonetheless. We all know Grievous is dead, and has been for fifteen years!" Viathan seethed with piercing glare, and glowing crimson eyes. Leia cast him a surprised look while Kun folded his arms. He mused with a smirk that he had never thought of that one, but then again he could sense the truth in Raydonn's words. Though Raydonn himself stopped placing his armor on and looked at Viathan with a sideways and questioning stare.

"Right. I lost to an alien who was a somewhat subpar lightsaber wielding URM ground Commander. So, I said to myself, 'Raydonn how will you explain this mess up to Exar Kun?' So I said, 'I got it! I'll say that General Grievous rose from the dead and out of nowhere attacked and tore me up!' When the reality is that he did get the better of me, which I can admit to and no I didn't lose to a no name mercenary on Nelrain's payroll. However, they did it they got Grievous up and running. Best to accept it now kid, or you'll be the next one he catches off guard." Raydonn chided and finished clasping another elbow guard and knee guard while Viathan visibly flared in contempt, but remained silent.

"Always nice to see everyone getting along." Exar declared with a chuckle.

"Indeed." Leia added.

"Whether he is back or not all of you should remain on the lookout for any suspicious activity. If you see the Noorian or this creature everyone but myself seems familiar with, call it in. I do not wish to lose an apprentice yet in this war, and frankly I wouldn't want to be me if your father learned of your passing under my supervision." Kun said looking to Leia who only seemed mildly amused.

"So, as it stands and with introductions had, I will relay new ground commands to the rest of the ground units we have. I will personally take one of my ground divisions back into Kuatac and head off this new rebel force. You and I will have to chat later, my apprentice." He added looking to Viathan who smiled thinly as if receiving a great gift by merely hearing his master's words.

"In the meantime you will take a commanding role in the forward push against the droid forces. You will head up the center while Kira and Mara maintain the flanks. They will have been made aware of this standing by the time I am on my way. Milady, I require another to take up rearguard defensive position should it come under attack by any rebel forces who push their way in or if they manage to land forces as we advance into their lines."

"What you really mean is, 'I'm playing it safe so Vader doesn't kill me.'"

"Precisely." Exar admitted with a coy smirk.

"Fine, will do, my Lord." Leia folded her arms while taking on an annoyed expression.

"As for you, Raydonn," Kun turned back to the man as he finished fitting his chest plate and connecting it to the damaged back plate. "Don't think I've forgotten what I said. You'll still be going with one of your fellow apprentices. I think in this case I have the perfect fit! So, let's complete the set. You'll work alongside Viathan!"

"What?!" Viathan shot in an abnormal outburst for himself. Raydonn also looked forlorn with the idea, but said nothing.

"I don't need-"

"It's not because you need anything, Viathan." Kun sharply cut him off. The tone of his voice made Viathan quiet immediately and he lowered his gaze from his master.

"Raydonn's encounter with Grievous, whether you believe it to have happened or not, has left him in need of...supervision." Kun sent a pointed look towards Raydonn now who glared but remained silent.

"If he wishes to thrust himself once more into battle then I will not deny him this chance to redeem himself of his failure. Consider it as such at least, Raydonn. Or else, you'll owe me another assassination. Also, no lip unless, as I said, you wish to take the second option on the table."

"I'm just fine with the arrangement. After all, I'm not playing babysitter this time. That's a step up for me really." Raydonn responded as he idly snatched up his resting lightsaber from where it had been lain beneath his clothing and armor.

Exar nodded, pleased with himself for his decision. He could also sense the anger ripple off of Viathan, and smiled thinly. The boy's connection to that inner darkness had grown stronger in the months they'd been apart. He could feel it swell with his anger, and frustrations, and for Kun that was but another sign of the impending power his prime apprentice would one day wield. All of that at his command.

"Very good. Now all of you get into positions. I will have what's needed for you sent while I make for Kuatac City. Primary coordinator for all of us will be Colonel Nidrini. Contact him if you find yourself in need of any support. Let's get this show underway quickly, so as to catch the rebels; at least those on the droid side of things, caught off guard." Viathan bowed.

"Yes master." Seeming almost dejected the boy turned on his heel and made out the ward and into the open of the Imperial base. Kun smirked mutely as Raydonn gave him a lazier bow and followed after Viathan.

"You have a certain way with your apprentices. I'll say that much, Kun."

"Oh, and what makes you say that?" Exar asked as he neared Leia towards the exit.

"Well you play games with them. You force them into irritable situations that allow them to feed off it and use it in the battlefield. So, in that way they grow stronger in the dark side, maybe. Otherwise you just make them irritated for what seems like the fun of it. Perhaps it's a sign of pettiness or bad directing as a Sith Lord, and Master."

"My," Kun retorted. "You are a bold one milady. Do tell, what makes you think you have the right to say such things to me and get away with it?" Kun asked seeming no more agitated than before though he folded his arms and gave Leia a slight sideways glare. The young fourteen year old smirked and crossed her own arms.

"Well, if you so much as touch a hair on my head my father would rain a fire upon you such as you've never experienced. Plus, I think 'Viathan,' may not show you as much reverence if you felt it necessary to hurt or do worse to she who has become his best if not only friend." She moved towards the exit not caring to give Kun a second look. For his part he was stunned by her bold words and easygoing tone.

"Little advice, while you seem like you might have some genuine care for these people who follow you blindly to battle and death; admittedly for their own gains, you might wanna consider showing them some more than a little." She stood at the door and turned back to Kun before leaving.

"You Sith really have a way about you. Kill this, hate that, fear this, and hey come back and do it for me again. You have the chance of doing what Vale honestly thinks you'll do. Build a new order from the old and make it better, and grander with a different vision. If that's so, how about vocalizing your care for their basic needs and lives other than an awkward 'hey you're doing okay,' pat on the back. You have at least one apprentice who looks up to you with such reverence if you asked him to blow his own brains out he'd do it.

'Your others? Well I can't say much, but the new guy there looks and feels like he has some potential as a good apprentice, maybe even ally. I think if you and my father stopped this petty power-play with one another and with your own apprentices; though this is more your problem than his, you'd find not just apprentices who will or could grow stronger and stronger under you. But, allies who'd fight and die alongside you not because you order them to, but because they'd want to. That applies to the men under you and my father as well...just a suggestion. Otherwise good luck...you know with the killing and all that!" Leia waved as she turned and made out the door. Leaving Kun stunned and gawking into the now empty spot where she had stood.

"I thought I had been doing that." Kun mused to himself and silently made out the ward to prepare a force to move back into Kuatac. The words of Vader's daughter annoyingly nipping at his heels as he did.

(Naboo, Theed)

"Come on keep moving."

"I am moving! I'd like to see you run after having your ribs nearly smashed in by a droid like that!" Luke complained as he nursed his wounds and followed hurriedly after Starkiller. The other boy himself was bounding over fallen rubble through the streets with what seemed to be no care in the galaxy. Starkiller ducked low as they both of them passed a turn towards a new street. A series of bolts flew over his head as the stormtroopers of both sides of the battle exchanged random fire against one another. Luke seethed out in pain as he followed his instinct as well ducking low and dodged the bolts flying about.

"You wouldn't believe what I've run with Luke. Now come on! We gotta get off this street!" In the distance ahead of them a centurion-class tank fired in their direction. The projectile bolt sent out a percussion that shuddered the buildings around them and blew out glass. Both apprentices jumped and fell to the ground as it flew over them into the distance. Against what enemy and which side, neither of them knew as chaos unfolded in the capital city.

"That was close." Luke intoned picking his head off the ground while dust fell from his now disheveled blonde hair. Starkiller gave him a sideways glance before rolling his eyes and picking himself fully back up while grabbing Luke by the shoulder and pulling him up alongside him. Luke groaned as he was pulled unceremoniously after his companion through the dimmed night street ridden with battle and the sounds of war. They moved alongside a row of buildings to their left along a rubble laden sidewalk stone path. A TIE bomber flew overhead screaming as it went before exploding by some unseen fire be it from anti-air or enemy fighters neither saw.

"Oh I have a bad-"

A building alongside them exploded outwards as the bomber careened down into it. Both teens were thrown out towards the street as heat consumed their bodies and stone rubble pelted them. Thick flames climbed up into the sky from the torn building. Luke lay on his back and his face contorted into a vision of renewed shooting pain while Starkiller coughed as rubble dust fell around them. The street ahead became filled with stormtroopers and they aimed down sights towards the fallen teens. Starkiller noticed them before looked over his right shoulder to see the other end of the street filled with more troopers firing wildly towards the opposite end. Just as another tank round flew screaming through the air over their heads and Starkiller gasped ducking down as the green bolt hurdled into the end of the street in front of him. The explosion rocked out and Luke rolled onto his stomach with a gasp. The end of the street ahead of them became lit with a new fiery explosion and stormtroopers screamed as they were thrown about whist their comrades kept firing blindly.

"Maybe we ought to get off this street!" Luke called over the escalating violence around them.

"You think?!" Starkiller hollered back before only slightly pushing himself up off the ground littered with dust and rubble. The boy motioned his head towards their right and Luke turned to see another street that seemed empty of the chaos unraveling. He nodded hurriedly and both Sith teens jumped to stands and dashed into a collective run as bolts whirled overhead, behind and in front of their forms.

As the youths entered the street they mutely heard another exchange of tank or walker fire behind them that littered the spots they had been on. Overhead TIE's screamed and what sounded like a bombing run rocked the next few streets up from their position.

"Over there!" Starkiller pointed out a relatively untouched stone building with an ornate dome atop its main structure lined with columns with assorted flowers and vines. Luke nodded blindly and followed his comrades directions as the street behind them continued to rock out in the chaos of battle.

Both bounded in through an open doorway, slamming their boots down on finely kept marble floors. The echoes of their footfalls echoing out whilst outside the booms and random calls of direction and orders afar from men fighting muffled their ways into the building. Both teens, nonetheless, came to stops panting and gasping for some well needed air. Starkiller leaned himself against a column piece and idly stared up to the ceiling while Luke brought his hands to his knees and hunched over as he began to cough from the dust he inhaled.

"Call me what you will...but I think...we need to consider...an extraction." Luke said through coughs that racked his body. Starkiller gave a groan as he inhaled and exhaled deeply where he leaned.

"My master would not be pleased with that."

"Your 'master,' is also my father. He'll deal with it." Luke retorted rather tersely and harshly causing Starkiller to look his way with a furrowed expression.

"I'll never understand how you and your sister can so easily cast aside fear of your father. No matter that fact he is still Darth Vader, and to be fair I have known him longer than either of you. I know how his anger looks and...feels." He unwillingly grimaced with his intone. Luke inhaled and coughed a couple more times before turning back to his fellow Sith.

"I get that, and well I can't say I know what you mean, and really I know I don't wanna. But, he took some risks and utilized lots of resources to get me and he did what he had to, to get my sister. He wouldn't do anything that would compromise us, and I don't know if he can even hurt us. He seems disinclined to, and I don't know why. You have to admit since we've been back he's...different. Right?" Starkiller nodded whilst idly staring at the wall across from him.

"Anyways..." Luke trailed awkwardly sensing Starkiller's discomfort. "Like I said, I think we should give a call for an extraction." Starkiller was quiet as Luke sensed him mulling it over. Idly, Luke turned about himself to look at his surroundings in this oddly large but empty recalled the entrance was very appealing and semi-ornate, but that was pretty true of most of Theed. The inside was much the same though, and maybe even more so. Columns lined ornately the large antechamber that led to several halls going in differing directions. The columns themselves were wrapped in green vines with assorted flowers about them that Luke almost felt were meant to signify something. Luke also spotted a fountain placed to the center of the antechamber. Its waters weren't running likely because of damage to the water systems of the city. It too was covered in fine foliage that he could imagine was soothing to those who came upon it. And finally, he noticed all the walls lined in stained glass, though some was cracked undoubtedly from percussion's and explosive waves from the battle. They showed odd visions that were both unusual and familiar to him. One stained glass mural seemed to show an image he did recognize. A vast plain filled with battle droids and Trade Federation AAT's and MTT's. Opposite of them another vast army of what he knew to be Gungans.

"The Battle of the Great Grass Plains. This has to be some sort of museum or memorial to it." Luke idly intoned causing Starkiller to stir from his own thoughts.

"Looks like a memorial more than museum. Otherwise we'd have seen-" A massive explosion outside rocked both of them and rattled the building. Causing dust to fall from the ceiling and the glass to shutter around them in violent vibrations. Starkiller dashed towards the entrance and leaned around another pillar to look out. In the distance the night sky was illuminated bright by a massive fire blazing in the distance some ways back from where he and Luke had been running from. Several TIE bomber squadrons zipped through the skies overhead forcing Starkiller to wonder what they'd dropped if anything to cause the massive blaze.

"Okay, maybe a pickup wouldn't be so bad." Starkiller called back and made his way back in just as Luke moved alongside to look out at the destruction. Starkiller grasped his comlink and began marching loudly deeper into the building. Luke watched the fires grow brighter with small explosions lighting across the cityscape and adding to the already intense light. Before he followed after Starkiller just as another series of bombs rocked and shook the building.

"Where are you going?"

"If I'm going to call for someone to come pick us up I'm gonna do it away from the bombs and fires." Starkiller intoned matter-of-factly and motioned Luke after him even as he already followed. As they went deeper and Starkiller began keying in communication codes Luke was drawn to the new murals on either side of the narrow hall they now walked going deeper into this memorial site. The light of the stars and the triple moons shone down through the murals and cast glows and mirrored images along the marble stone where he walked. They were now added to by the intense orange of fires in the distance as well setting the tone from eery and reflective to dark and foreboding even. Though Luke did not fully understand the importance of this place, or at least not yet fully.

Starkiller came to a stop once they entered a new room formed into a wide circle with two connecting hallways leading off diagonal from the corridor they had entered from on either side. The veteran apprentice to Darth Vader cursed under his breath, but still audibly to Luke, as his comlink failed to form a connection through the chaos outside. Luke ignored him, however, as he felt himself drawn to the murals lining the room that circled around a central stone slab that bore words he had yet to see or read upon it.

Upon the first mural he paused and stared up towards. There sat a woman in an ornate red robe with what seemed to be a far more pale complexion than natural. It didn't take him long to realize it had to be makeup, though heavy. Her hair or what he thought was her hair was in just as ornate state as her robes as it formed what he could best describe as an arch around her head from one ear to the other. A crown that bore into the hair on either side and swirled up around the arch of hair while rising up like spikes was along her head with a central piece wrapping back around the center of her head with a single red jewel prominently displayed forward along her forehead. She sat along what Luke guessed to be the thrown with her hands outstretched in lordly manner along the rests of the chair as her eyes stared downwards upon him and all who came through here. Luke guessed it was to make even this woman's image appear to be looking down onto the Naboo people. She looked both austere and regal to Luke. Though the mural he felt didn't portray her in to the fullest of course, he felt it was interesting, nonetheless. Though he had no idea who she yet was.

"Karking signals are being blocked! I don't know whether it's because of battle interference or if the Moffs are running jamming equipment either planet-side or from orbit!"

"Well keep trying. If you can't get a hold of anyone then we'll have to...hoof it back." Luke trailed off moving to the next mural and continuing to feel drawn to look at them. Starkiller snarled a groan but nodded returning to keying in Imperial codes he knew.

The next mural showed another variant of the Battle of the Grassy Plains. This one showed Gungans in retreat with what Luke guessed to be fires around them as droids moved all around them. AAT's fired and droideka's rolled in perpetuity through the mural. While Luke looked into the rightmost upper corner of the artistry he saw small little marks he thought represented little explosions high into the air above the battle. Indeed as Luke looked it over he saw a Gungan warrior seemingly pointing up into that area of the mural, so Luke knew it must hold some significance. He moved on slowly circling the second to last picture of the hall he came in from. It was on the opposite side of the hall leading to another room before the center most glass window which itself was stained glass showing some glowing jewel Luke was sure was important in Naboo tradition, history or culture.

Nonetheless, this third picture showed what Luke knew to be the central street leading to the palace of Theed. Along its sidewalks were lined hundreds of men and women seemingly sheering as confetti of some nature fell like rain droplets around and above them. Moving down the street were lines of Gungan warriors and beasts while at the steps of the palace stood several figures in greater detail and contrast to all others. A rather large Gungan with that stone again that was more clearly pictured in the window alongside this mural. To the left of the Gungan stood what Luke assumed was the same woman. Though her outfit was far more bright and radiant with a frill behind her head while her heavy makeup was still prominent, and a likely artistically designed glow came off from her as well as the globe in the hands of the Gungan. Though what drew Luke's attention was that along the right of the Gungan stood a figure that seemed oddly familiar to him. An older man in blue who seemed regally standing and smiling.

He then for a moment realized he could look for a placard of some kind beneath these paintings. Even as the room was immensely dark save those lights bursting from the outside inwards with all electricity suffering in the city. He wanted to slap himself for not looking for one earlier and felt even dumber when he found one.

"Victory Celebration over the Trade Federation, and resistance to the earliest manifestation of Separatist Aggression. Here stands Boss Rugor Nass of the Gungan High Council. Standing with him is Her Royal Majesty and savior of the Naboo's freedom and democracy Queen Padmé Amidala, at fourteen galactic standard years of age. As well stands the then newly elected Supreme Chancellor Palpatine-" Luke announced with shock and a gasp.

"You didn't know that?" Starkiller intoned while quickly pressing a key along his comlink over and over catching Luke's attention.

"Um...no not really." Starkiller shook his head with a most subtle of smirks along his face.

"Well this is his homeworld. I swear I and your father, my master, have repeated this several times by now. Why else do you think we're so adamantlydefending this nothing of a backwater? As far as I'm concerned this whole planet could be wiped off the face of the galaxy and nothing of importance would be lost. But, since we've gotta protect the ego of the Emperor, here we stand."

"Right..." Luke intoned in response, and turned back towards the mural, and Starkiller kept at his comlink and cursed again more loudly than before. Luke kept reading the placard and noted that all it said otherwise was it, 'recognized the bravery and aid given to the continued freedom of the Naboo by those both of and other than from Naboo.' That caused his brow to furrow as he gazed back up at the mural. He noted two further Gungans to the far right with no defining features save that they were more normal looking slender Gungans in not so regal attire. And to the left of this Queen Amidala, stood bunches of people not given name or recognition. Though there were two spots that were odd to him. He was by no means an artist, but he swore an area right next to the young queen looked oddly empty. As if someone should have been standing there. While there was a spot next to that on the other side of a woman in the background that seemed oddly different than the rest of the mural. Like it had been changed after it had been set in place along the building. Though what caught his eye then to the further left was an R2 droid unit. He doubted it, but he smiled slightly imagining that his sisters little astromech...wherever he was, was the very same one on the mural.

Luke continued on circling the room passed the central glass mural with the glowing orb to the mural on the opposite side. This one showed masses of droids landing from what looked like a Lucrehulk control ship onto the planet in several scenes along the same mural. One of them again displayed the queen prominently. This time, however, she held blaster in hand and was firing it with men in brown or yellow clothing and armor. He carried on to the next mural. This one showed her again. This time she seemed less regal. No longer did she hold any makeup upon her face. Though Luke realized then the one before also lacked such. Her hair now was simply pulled back and her face clear of all makeup and now seemed more fair though radiant by artistic design.

"This memorial sure likes this queen Amidala."

"Probably because I think this is her memorial. Not one solely commemorating the Trade Federation invasion." Starkiller added mutely as he played with the comlink a little more intently.

"Oh, so she's dead?" Luke asked sounding and indeed feeling slightly...well sad at that fact. He couldn't place exactly why. He supposed looking at her image and accomplishments accomplished at such a young age no less made him slightly awed. Though even that didn't fit it for him as to why he honestly felt saddened at what now appeared an obvious truth.

"Yeah, I suppose you don't know that much galactic history. You know, Tatooine and all." Starkiller chuckled weakly, as he still fiddled with the comlink and attempted to gain an outbound signal.

"Yeah, yeah." Luke scoffed. "I guess it makes sense. This place does seem a bit melancholy. But, they sure did seem to love her. I mean this is just one room!" Starkiller nodded absentmindedly.

"Yeah she died right when the Empire was formed. Went from young beloved queen of Naboo, who might I added gave Palpatine his entryway into the Chancellor's seat, but then became senator of the Chommell sector itself. The Trade Federation invaded she escaped, came back and along with the local Gungans took back the planet. Though what the history books wont tell you because of Imperial censor, is that she did it with the aid of some Jedi."

"Really?" Luke asked with a tone of excitement. "What were their names?"

"Don't know." Starkiller shrugged. "I get more info than most, but not everything. Maybe ask your father some time. You know, when the skies aren't filled with falling bombs." He added sarcastically and Luke rolled his blue eyes in kind.

He idly then rounded towards the center of the room where a stone slab stood with an engraving upon it he had ignored before. The stone itself was; like the columns spread through this memorial, covered in vines intricately and finely crafted with swirling designs. Pinkish, red and yellow flowers were spread about and indeed Luke noted that the ceiling was also line in foliage that was hung with a very distinct sense of nature in mind.

"The Naboo seem very prone to nature."

"Yeah." Starkiller intoned, once more absentmindedly. Luke read the engraving then aloud. Though mostly to himself.

"We honor here the accomplishments of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Padmé Amidala, during the crisis that engulfed our world when the Trade Federation invaded. Here the seeds of Separatism were planted that would lead to a greater war. Though from this war would be born from the ashes of a weak republic, a Grand Empire." Luke furrowed his brow and felt his lips curl into a sideways expression. That didn't sound much like the goal of the woman he'd been reading about for the last ten or so minutes. Though he couldn't be sure, he had a strong...'feeling,' about it. Nonetheless, he read on.

"Lost on the eve of our Glorious Empire's birth to murderous intent by unknown assailants likely in opposition to the Empire's rise, we give thanks to her now through memory and memorial. She and her unborn will be, and are, dearly missed." Luke hummed questioningly.

"Unborn?"

"From what I know she was uh...pregnant when she was killed. Well no one really knows. Most reports say she was strangled but there was no evidence." Luke nodded.

"That's sad. Wonder what her husband must think."

"She didn't have one." Luke turned to Starkiller whose eyes were averted to his comlink. "From what I hear no one knows who the father of her kid was. She wasn't the most social and open about who she did what with and where. Though really, who needs to know such things?" Starkiller asked matter-of-factly which Luke had to begrudgingly agree with. Though something gnawed at Luke, and made him wonder what happened to her, and who killed her? If someone killed her...it confused him.

"You know we could have walked several mile-" Starkiller was cut off mid through his irritated remark as the comlink beeped out with a call connection and caused Starkiller to curse loudly in victory which caused Luke to both snicker and roll his eyes again.

"Apprentice, I assume you have something of importance to report?" The distinct sound of Vader's voice intoned immediately as the connection formed. Starkiller took on his usual deadpan expression and pensive voice as he addressed the Sith Lord.

"Yes master, I and Luke are pinned on a small street off of a main road that goes towards the city center. Both sides of the battle are tearing one another apart and it was suggested that we perhaps seek a means to extract to your location. Rather than push through the streets." Starkiller announced seeming uncomfortable and slightly eying Luke who merely looked to the comlink. As if willing his father to take the request with ease towards his apprentice. Indeed Vader was silent for a moment and filled the air with a heavy silence save for his suit's audible intakes and outtakes of breath.

"That is no longer possible. The dynamic of the situation and overall battle has changed. New enemy forces have neutralized local air units." Starkiller and Luke shared a look of mixed confusion.

"Father, what do you mean?" Luke asked with his tone turning dark and even worried.

"We are no longer dealing solely with Moff forces on Naboo. Our forces along with the Moff forces have been engaged by rebel forces." Vader intoned in his casual baritone. Yet, Luke could sense a lingering seething anger boiling just beneath within his father. This as the boys shared a look and a terrible realization overcame them as to what Vader's words meant.

(Naboo Orbit, Moments Ago, Stardestroyer Lamentor)

Grand Moff Kaine stood with hands clasped alongside Admiral Griff aboard the bridge of his Imperial-II command vessel. Below them via the bridge viewport stood hanging in the great black void of space, Naboo. Around them was waged a full display of civil war. As stardestroyers of haphazard array and class engaged one another, TIE fighters and bombers fought one another, and all other manner of Imperial designed warships took part in the engagement above the great home of the Emperor himself. Admiral Griff stood with his back to Kaine as he leaned over the side leading into an officer pit. He took a report on the Moff armada's left flank advancing deep into the Imperial lines while Kaine stood facing the bridge entrance awaiting a guest of honor.

Indeed Ardus had received word of his arrival on ship just fifteen minutes prior and knew him to be nearing the doorway. The guest had arrived via hyperspace not but an hour ago with but a lone stardestroyer as his mode of travel. Kaine smiled to himself as he recalled the utter totality in which his comrade had brutalized vast unimportant worlds in the sector. He hoped today would bare similar fruits since Kaine knew for a fact that Darth Vader himself was upon Naboo. His death would have no greater mark on his reputation and memory save but for the death of the Emperor himself by his hands or whims! Such thoughts made him silently giddy with anticipation, but he shoved those deep down within himself as the bridge door slide open revealing his guest.

"Moff Trachta, how pleased I am that you could join us on such short notice! I hope I haven't interrupted anything of vital importance to the Alliance's efforts?" The respirator wearing and sickly pale man entered into the room with a stormtrooper on either side to his back. The men of the bridge hurriedly turned and saluted the Moff who didn't bother responding in kind or acknowledge them. Instead the Moff, with goggle covered eyes and a slight puff of his respirator sounding out, neared Ardus with a pace one could almost consider predatory.

"Disturbed the Alliance's efforts? Not at all, Grand Moff Kaine." He uttered with what almost sounded like sarcasm. "You have, however, disturbed my own. Your task to invade this sector gave me numerous opportunities to test certain uses of our more 'exotic' weapons." Trachta intoned eying the troopers as he neared Ardus. The Grand Moff shooed them off silently and they did as ordered with bowed heads. Kaine motioned towards the bridge viewport as a slight rumble rustled the grand stardestroyer. Admiral Griff gave a terse nod to both Moffs and continued his conversation with the tactical relay officers.

Both men stood before the viewport then and Ardus silently watched the battle once again. In the distance ahead a virtual wall of Lancer-class frigates, Victory-II class frigates and Tartan-patrol cruisers turned on their collective broadsides fired into the distance and staved off Imperial capital class ships from attacking the Lamentor directly. He smirked quite broadly once more as he gave Trachta a sideways glance. His fellow Moff simply looked out, but Kaine could not decipher mood through the numerous pieces of technology riddled across the man's face.

"Tell me, what do you think of my battle here, Moff Trachta?" The other Moff turned to Kaine in silence for a moment before speaking.

"It is interesting. Indeed that you would put into place so many assets to terrorize one unimportant system. Save, but for the injury possibly given to the Emperor's ego. Yet, I cannot help but feel an ulterior motive lay hidden behind this facade of sheered metal, dead bodies, and turbolaser fire." Trachta mused intelligently and instinctively. Kaine merely hummed.

"I wonder why that may be."

"Save your unsubtle snark and sarcasm Kaine. I have no use for it. Nor have I any need to know why you seek to bring Naboo underfoot." Trachta snapped with ease and lack of any real tone that would give Kaine clue as to his actual mood. Ardus chuckled softly and nodded.

"Very good, my good Moff. Very good indeed. Though I'm sure you wonder why I ordered you here. Of course, your fine company is merely an added bonus." Trachta said nothing but crossed his arms over his chest and across his finely kept Moff uniform.

"The reports have come to me of the success of your latest modifications made to your pathogen. The test phase on Epica already proved deadly to Imperial forces am I correct?" Trachta nodded.

"Indeed you are. The Photesson gas is proving far more organically destructive in its newest phases. I am sure you know that already based on the total annihilation of Talka-III, Thezia and so forth. My research division is nearing a stage in which the potency of the gas is such that we need only one bomb placed tactically on a planet to spread via the atmosphere and natural air currents of any given world. As it stands now we need multiple. It is difficult I might add." Trachta carried on while Kaine subtly knowingly smirked.

"The ruling council seem disinclined to send further support my way. Despite the bravado and hollow words of support given my way they cling desperately to some outmoded notion that they can retain the popular support of their civilian populations. It is a foolish and long dead possibility! They simply refuse to accept so, especially with Vellam in command." Trachta ranted momentarily having seemed to have lost control of his thoughts and mouth but for a moment. To this Kaine widened his smirk.

"Ah, it is a travesty. Despite the nature of this war the Moffs among the council seem; in the majority at least, concerned with pettiness. Acquiring credits, greed and corruption still rule their minds and hearts, but they seem to believe that every one of them can be in time an Emperor in their own right. They haven't accepted that the populace of the galaxy have lost faith and never gave much credibility to our Alliance. So such 'barbarous' tactics as you employ Trachta are to be used when needed but publicly decried. So, is the unspoken rule by word of mouth.

'Needn't you worry, however, the Alliance will be taking good care of you! I hear that our contacts within the burgeoning new order among the Hutts have reported an ample opportunity to acquire access to technology, and resources usually unseen and untouched even by Imperial hands. Such clandestine activities undertaken in the name of the Alliance's health and eventual victory could see some of its resources appropriated to your good works, Moff Trachta." Kaine offered with a leading tone. Which in turn caused Trachta to turn towards the viewport and silently muse for a moment.

"I suspect there is an 'if,' buried within your previous statement, Kaine."

"Indeed there is." Ardus confirmed happily. "As it currently stands you have full control over your department and research. Save for Vellam or the Moff Council via majority vote can take this from you. That's all good and fine of course. It frees you up from any nasty unnecessary red-tape. However, it causes me some modicum of grief. Seeing as I am currently in need of one such weapon as you have at your disposal." Trachta turned to Kaine again just as a squadron of TIE fighters flew by the viewport with interceptors hot on their trail and cascading a green glow across both Moff's as they did.

"Now, before you speak on the matters of the importance of your work and all the excuses I portend you spouting that would deny me but one of your machinations; consider for a moment who I am, and how advantageous it would be for one such as yourself to make allies and maybe even friends with. As it stands the Moff council is decaying at a rapid pace. Any Moff who hasn't bought themselves a seat in Vellam's court can see the current paradigm will not last forever. Indeed I hold great sway with most of the Moffs as they recognize my vision for the future of the Moff Alliance and the road map I've given to eventual if bloody victory for the Moff cause.

'The issue at hand is not them. They can be made to see reason. It's that the man in charge himself, our dear Grand Moff Vellam, lacks vision and the foresight to abstain himself from matters of import that may...disturb him. This battle on Naboo is far more important than merely bruising Palpatine's ego, Trachta! It is only the first of many yet to come signs of impending victory on that road map I created. Yet, to hasten this I need your weapon. Not enough to annihilate a whole world, but one that would drown all of Theed and beyond in a haze of death. One that may well trap Lord Vader himself in the deadly miasma!" Kaine offered in hushed but grandiose tones. All the while Trachta watched with endlessly indiscernible and stoic body language.

"And, to put this more clearly, I have those Moffs upon the council, or enough at least on my side. Even if Vellam is not. Their combined support would more than secure for me the necessary votes needed to say allot grants of resources and manpower to further your research. After all, in my design there is room for plenty. No Moff need be left trailing after others, so long as they know how to play their cards correctly. I have judged your work to be exquisite Trachta. To see your vision come to full fruition alongside mine in glorious rising triumph of the Moff Alliance, would be awe inspiring! Truly a tale to be told for many more eras to come in our vast galaxy." Kaine expressed with weighted gravitas even as the ship rumbled and moaned out around them from stray enemy fire slamming into it. Though, as ever, Trachta remained pensive and stoic outwardly as his mind contemplated all of Kaine's words. Yet, Trachta was no fool. Though he had yet to decipher if Kaine underneath the grandiosity was. It gave him the slightest of inwards chuckles as he decided then to see if he was or not. To let the 'cards,' as Kaine said, fall, and he along with them.

"You need only one? Then that can be accommodated rather easily, Kaine. However, let it be stressed now before you think otherwise, this is not a gift, but an investment. I will provide one of my bombs to you. It has an air-coverage of fifty square miles, and is of smaller yield than my latest model, but should fit your purposes."

"Excellent!" Kaine replied as Trachta raised a quieting hand to continue.

"Remember this conversation though Kaine. For, I will not trouble myself to remind you of it. Just as you can be a worthwhile ally to have, I can be a tremendous enemy to make. Should you come to the conclusion you made no guarantees or promises upon this bridge to me, or should you be remiss in recalling them know I will not move against you, nor the Moff Council immediately. Though you can be assured all broken promises will in time, be paid for. Be it by the fulfilling of promises made, or by way of blood."

"I believe you're threatening me Moff Trachta. A Grand Moff and Supreme Commander of the Alliance's military forces."

"Indeed I am. If you cannot handle such then I suggest you make alliances with those who crumble at your sight and titles. Rather than find them meaningless." Trachta matter-of-factly declared. Kaine's expression was that of mild anger and of threat. Yet it broke easily into a smile and he bowed his head.

"Very good Moff Trachta. We are in agreement." He extended his hand, and the gloved one of Trachta grasped it in return.

"The stardestroyer I arrived upon, the Implicator, carries aboard in storage several of my weapons. I will relay command to have the one I've invested upon you transported to your ship. From there you may see to its use as you see fit. I will depart from this battle as soon as delivery is complete. I have no use nor need to see this battle through to whatever conclusion it's destined for."

"Come now, Moff Trachta. Surely you'd want to see the day in which Naboo was blanketed in your gas! Or, more correctly a portion of it was. A portion that may in fact have Darth Vader himself about. Wouldn't it be a great accomplishment and testimony to you to see your weapon perhaps be the one that ends him?" Before Trachta could respond Admiral Griff came forwards interrupting the Moffs.

"Forgive me your eminence's, but I must interject." He looked squarely upon Ardus. "Grand Moff Kaine, we've detected unknown hyperspace reentry pings on the system outskirts. Reentry will be any second now."

"Imperial?" Kaine responded. His voice finally betraying a small hint of concern. Trachta remained silent though mildly interested.

"Our scouts have seen no ships entering the system. We haven't any clue who or what they may be. I suggest we prepare for the worst case-"

"Unknown hyperspace reentry!" The scanners command officer announced as he read over fast incoming data on his com-scan return terminal. Kaine and Griff marched hurriedly to the terminal while Trachta clasped his hands behind his back and turned to look out the viewport. His mechanical eyes, hidden behind what could best be described as goggles looked into the chaos of naval warfare above Naboo and scanned the full 'horizon.' He spotted them even before it was announced.

"Moff Kaine, scanners detect one Lucrehulk-class battleship with over three dozen droid capital ships, destroyers, and cruisers!"

"Droid fighter and bombers have entered the rightmost defensive flank, and are attacking the Tamer!" Two officers manning separate consoles announced hurriedly though with enough decorum as demanded of them.

"It would appear my timetable has been hastened, Moff Kaine." Trachta announced without even turning to look at him. Ardus frowned in irritation as he could almost sense the unwarranted smugness in his fellow Moff's voice.

"I shall not remain here whilst the three sides of this war unleash upon one another." he did turn just as a swarm of Vulture droids zoomed passed the viewport firing on TIE interceptors in retreat.

"The cargo you've requested will be sent. I suggest you see to its absolute security in transit." He began moving down the hall of the bridge to the door leading out. His guards silently rejoined him at his sides as he did.

"Now if you'll excuse me I shall return to my ship." he paused and glanced over his shoulder to Kaine who stood mildly glaring with Griff hurriedly looking at scanner readouts. "I suggest you remember the arrangement." He intoned darkly and returned to exiting the command bridge just as the ship rattled violently.

"What was that?!" Kaine growled.

"Hyena-class bombers followed by Sabaoth-class destroyers and several Munificents have begun firing into our defensive ring. I am redeploying three of our Imperial-II's from the left flank to the right to cut them off from fully reaching us. Redirect squadrons three-four-three and eighty-two-two off the Imperial forward vessels and get these bombers off our ship!" Griff sternly commanded. One of his officers acknowledged and began relaying commands as Kaine watched several of his ships turn from the Imperial enemy to the far right of his viewport. His frown turned into a scornful but silent grimace as he approached the viewport to gaze upon a sight wholly new to him in this war.

All three factions brought together above one world. He mused but for a moment if they would do so on the planet as well, as he awaited Trachta's doomsday toy.

(Lucrehulk-class Battleship, 'Gunray's-Absolution,' over Naboo)

"All transports are ready to deploy, captain."

"Good, very good. Yes, deploy them on planet at once! Concentrate on the capital of Theed as planned, and eliminate all hostile organic forces." The Neimoidian captain commanded with a thickly accented basic speech to his many console manning droids. The droid he commanded to didn't respond but merely began relaying commands to the dozens of C-9979 landing craft within the immeasurably enormous arms of the Lucrehulk. Where within were contained not only tens of thousands of droid forces, but dozens of walkers and tanks. All ready to land upon Naboo just as they had so many years prior, and to once more take Theed, and the world. And this time it would be far more forcefully than time now passed.

So, the shuttles departed, hundreds of Vulture droids and Tri-fighters flanking Hyena bombers swarmed forth in their wing formations. The shuttles making with escort for the planet below, and the rest into the now debris riddle orbital battle zone between Moff and Imperial forces. While behind them moved forward the Providence's the Recusant's, the Munificent's and Sabaoth's.

(Kuat)

Several dozen MAAT's lifted up off the ground and warbled through the explosion filled skies of Kuat. Beneath them followed after them dozens of tanks and several units of walkers moving slower than them but towards the same direction. Before them stood the city of Kuatac, and behind them the mass droid armies seeking to advance upon it. Yet, the city already smoked and burned from stray artillery fire or attacks from the skies overhead from droid or rebel bombing runs. Now smoke arose greater than before within the city from the limits beyond sight of those who advanced back upon the city. As the city came under ground attack by none droid rebels in foreboding blackened armor unknown to the grand majority of Imperial forces.

As the MAAT's followed on the ground by Centurion-class tanks or AT-ST's moved back and turned from the droid enemy before them to Kuatac, one MAAT waited on the ground. Marching towards it came the Sith Lord and planetary Commander of the Imperial forces. Following in Exar's wake came Viathan flanked by his two Massassi guards. While aboard the shuttle awaiting Kun were several stormtroopers checking their blasters and readying to defend Kuatac from the rebel scum assaulting it.

"Master, I do not question your commands. I wish only that you did not saddle me with this new apprentice of yours. He seems...arrogant."

"Ah yes, and none of my other apprentices have portrayed themselves with such personality traits? Surely you've met dearest Offee!" Kun chuckled as he turned to look upon Viathan feet from the MAAT.

"Raydonn is, as are all my learners eccentric in his own way. Though maybe the word should be 'unique,' rather than anything else. No matter what you think of him or choose to call him he has proven competent. His encounter with this Grievous character be it Grievous or not shows that he survived an encounter with someone or something extremely difficult to defeat. Not unlike you a few times apprentice." Kun offered much to the boy's annoyance.

"So, do as I have ordered, and attempt to get along with Raydonn. Once we have the URM contained on the planet and above it, we can spend some more quality time training. That, and I look forward to hearing about all your misadventures while we've been separated. This time in person. Now go, meet with your troops, but I would suggest you two remain with the rearguard." Kun pointed to the Massassi who were at immediate attention upon receiving his.

"I've no doubt the Massassi can handle their own when confronted with mere droids. However, this direct engagement with this large a force may prove unwise to send them against."

"As you command, my master." Viathan bowed and the Massassi followed suit as he turned and jumped aboard the MAAT alongside his troopers. The dropship whirled to life and began slowly lifting up into the air.

"May the Force serve you well apprentice!" Kun tipped his head to the boy just as it began flying back towards Kuatac alongside other dropships or gunships. Viathan said nothing and turned towards the forward units with Massassi in tow.

The Imperial forces left behind were marshaling as the morning had evaporated into day. The star loomed high and bright overhead beating down onto this side of Kuat. TIE fighters howled into the sky as did the warbling of Vulture droids as they continuously exchanged fire with one another. Bombers of both sides had for some time now refrained from attacking the other, but Viathan felt that would soon enough change.

Down the long line of Imperial forces twelve divisions came to the front with tanks of Centurion and Saber classes in front of them ready to lead the charge. While between division breaks waited AT-ST walkers with several brigades of TIE maulers and PX-10 compact assault vehicles. To the rear of the forward positions remained on standby over five dozen MAAT's to act as gunship support along with four of these new Nemesis-class gunships Viathan had laid his eyes upon. He knew full well one had been used to extract Raydonn before the MAAT units had been shipped in from orbit along with Viathan's did look forward to seeing their use in action as well.

He neared the command platform where officers sat at terminals and consoles relaying commands or receiving them continuously from all sectors of the planet. There awaited the rest of his fellow apprentice's and Commanders of this battle for Kuat. Offee stood with hood above her head and seeming almost to be napping with a contented smile along her pale green features. The man, Raydonn, stood arms crossed and looking into the distant droid lines as the clanking machine men reacted to the Imperial movements by readying their own lines. Leia on the other hand was just off the platform standing by the ramp up onto it and looking frustrated as she shook her head. While in front of her stood her two Noghri guards, with one of them talking to her with his back to Viathan. So, Viathan approached her, as he numbly registered Jade's presence along the platform as well. She looked anxious and gave him a cold glare visible from where he now walker. Though he paid his old rival no mind, or at least he tried.

"Why the long face milady?" Viathan greeted and interrupted the Noghri he recognized as Kohr.

"These two despite my wishes decided not only to come along for this battle, but come down after me."

"Time and again mistress, you seek to slip from our eyesight. Time and again we warn you of the dangers of doing such. Time and again we will follow you to fulfill our duties to your father and defend you. Even to the death." Kohr responded immediately while the other Noghri, Cahrir, nodded enthusiastically.

"Yet, I've been in multiple battles without either of you hanging over me. Care to explain that?"

"Have you? Or, have you merely not seen us?" Kohr offered with a cock to the side of his greyish alien face. Leia looked deadpan towards him and Cahrir before rolling her eyes and sighing.

"Why am I surprised by that?! I should know that by now!" She accosted herself. This left Viathan almost smirking, but he thought it better not to. Though his two Massassi looked at the aliens with a mixture of intrigue and scrutiny. Especially because of their smaller statures.

"Their presence can't be of any detriment to you or our campaign. Surely there's no problem?" Viathan asked, to which Leia rolled her eyes.

"Completely not the point! I think the both of you are great guards and protectors, but sometimes I would like to think I can do something without you looming near to me. No having you not near or around while my father is replacing you doesn't count. Not to mention I know you also report to him my doings." The Noghri looked to one another then back to her.

"How?"

"Well...to tell you the truth I didn't. Now I do though." She shook her head though Viathan could sense she wanted to smirk at the gullibility her guards sometimes showed. As once again the Noghri shared a look. This time it was one of incredulity.

"Alright," Leia raised both hands and motioned herself more than anything or anyone to calm. "Look I know you're probably both going to be with me for a long time. Just when I ask you to do something like lay off then please try. Maybe if I don't tell you I'm going somewhere it's because I don't want you following. Maybe I'd like to do something without it getting right back to dear old dad!" The Massassi now looked to one another in their own state of incredulity at the sight of the young Sith having to deal with these aliens.

"We shall see if we can...oblige you mistress. Yet, now as we stand upon the world with you we wish not to be removed from you. Your security is our priority. We owe it to your father as servants to his will." Cahrir added with a bow of his head. The full weight of his belief in those words fully felt through the Force. Indeed their loyalty and belief in their own words was just as powerful and heartfelt to Viathan as one made from any Massassi to Kun.

"We'll have to work on this. For a while I guess. Might as well deal with it while you're here." Leia intoned in exasperation. "Anyways, these two aside, you need anything before you take the plunge into battle?"

"Not much. Only that I leave these two with you. Kun does not believe the front is for them this day." The Massassi said nothing but both Leia and Viathan could sense a twinge of jealousy radiate off of them.

"Oh goody! More bodyguards. Though I guess I'd be the semi-babysitter in this case." Leia remarked and Viathan gave her a slight sympathetic shrug. "Right, well they're free to hang around. Maybe they and my two Noghri friends here can teach one another some pointers." Her sarcasm was met with intrigue on both sides. Much to Viathan's unspoken humor.

"My thanks. I don't think we'll have any need to call up your rearguard units. Though if we do I'm glad it's you leading them and not any of my fellow apprentices."

"Paranoid maybe?"

"Safe, my dearest princess. Safe." Viathan assured her.

"Hey! We gonna do this or what Valek?!" Viathan snarled as he turned to Mara yelling at him from the platform.

"You'd better go. They look a bit antsy up there." Leia smirked and Viathan rolled his crimson eyes.

"Right. You two stick with the Princess here. Do anything and everything she says until I or Lord Kun say otherwise." Leia said nothing but Viathan sensed some agitation at her title being used. Nonetheless, he bowed his head to her one last time and turned to the platform as the troops down the Imperial lines seemed to collectively move forward slightly in preparation. The looming AT-AT base guard units fired protectively for them into the distant droid lines, but still the rebels didn't advance in response.

Viathan gave them one last look and caught Zar awkwardly staring between the Noghri along with his fellow warrior. Whilst the two smaller aliens stared up at them in silence. Leia stood with her back to them and waved him off before crossing her arms.

"The prodigal son arrives! Took your sweet karking time I'd say. What, Kun's orders to difficult for you Gizka brains?!"

"Charmed as ever, Jade. I was sad to see the war hadn't yet claimed your life. The galaxy would be far better off without your presence in it. After all your crimson coarse hair makes you a prime target."

"Ouch!" Kira giggled though Viathan didn't think his retort warranted such. Mara growled quite openly and looked like a Nexu ready to pounce when Raydonn turned towards them with both an austere and incredulous look in his eyes sighing almost silently under his breath as he did so.

"I'm going to guess we've all gathered here to exchange insults? I mean I thought this was a little pre-battle meet to sort out any questions remaining. But, by all means keep going at it. Not like there's a war to win." Mara sneered and crossed her arms as she and Viathan shared a glare of history and hatred.

"Whatever." She intoned and kept the glare until Viathan broke it by turning to the older man.

"And you?" Raydonn asked looking to Viathan. The boy said nothing. His eyes glowing but a hint more as the dark side pulled in around and into him.

"Right. Well let's get this started." Raydonn turned back and moved towards the center of the command platform. There awaiting them stood an officer with hands clasped behind his rigidly upright back. Beside him awaited a holo-terminal with a display of the armies on both sides and the 'no-mans-land' between them.

Mara followed after with a growl and glare to Viathan who paid her no mind. While Kira hummed and followed after, but stopped next to Viathan's left. Viathan in kind cast her a sideways glare. His crimson eyes meeting her blue ones as he did.

"I don't trust the new guy."

"Oh, you not trusting someone? Forgive me Offee if I am not impressed or concerned." Viathan dismissively retorted. Though that elicited an eye roll and further giggle from the half-breed.

"You misunderstand me, but that's okay almost everyone does." She snickered.

"I don't trust you in the way you shouldn't trust me. In that at any given moment we would be willing to kill the other in a moment of our choosing to further our place, power and position. Yet, even I would trust you to get a job or task set down by our master done. As I would imagine or hope you'd trust me to attempt to do. Given time and learning experience one of us may come to replace our master, as is the Sith way. So, do me a favor and don't act surprised by my saying so." She preemptively silenced him.

"Consider then that this one has failed on multiple occasions, and I myself have had the dishonor of trailing after and alongside him. I sense the conflict that surrounds him, be it for the side he chooses or the fear he harbors for thoughts and visions of his past that I don't know of. Yet, tell me, would it not be helpful to him and whatever power he may work for, say like the Emperor, to appear incompetent?

'To take tasks given to him by Kun and fail not only works to continuing a threat posed to us and our Lord by the enemies he fails to bring down. It also serves to make Kun seem weak and himself incompetent in the eyes of potential allies, and become fodder for the Emperor to use in his disfavor. Think not of my inclinations for the man Viathan. Think rather for the safety and health of our cause, our future, your future. And that of our Lord Kun." She intoned with a deep air of foreboding in her tone. Her eyes did not betray any lie or scheme to Viathan and her presence in the Force was all but indiscernible to him. Yet, he found her words that reeked of strategy to contain in them a possible truth. One that made him shudder with rage. She motioned her head sideways and moved forward. A shrug that silently bid Viathan to think on it as he would.

"Hey! Now what's the hold up over there?!" Mara yelled back as Kira approached and said nothing, smiling as she did. Viathan soon followed without a word and came to stand opposite of Raydonn and the girls. He stood closer to the Imperial officer who waited for them to gather around before speaking.

"Greetings, some of you know me by name, but I shall repeat it for those who do not." The officer began. "I am Colonel Nidrini, acting information and tactical analysis liaison for my lord Kun whilst we are upon Kuat. In that light, I have been assigned to act in the same manner accordingly for all four of you in the coming assault." He motioned his hand towards the monitor.

"Here I have prepared this holo-terminal with a readout of the current battlefield layout for the two armies as far as our probes and agents in the field can show. We've lost satellite analysis of the planet some hours ago and the Drive Yards are not presently capable of committing to any scans for us while they handle an incursion on the station itself." Nidrini explained as he tapped the holo-display and the map zeroed in on the forward Imperial lines and the thousands of stormtroopers waiting to advance with their respective armor support.

"The forward thrust as directed by Lord Kun will be commanded dually by both Commander's Raydonn and Viathan. Of the twelve divisions allotted for the assault each of you will head up command of four." He motioned his fingers over the terminal along the eight divisions. The map displayed his finger strokes showing the general forward advance of the four divisions given to both Raydonn and Viathan to command. Two further divisions remained for the time stationary on either side of the eight advancing little holographic divisions.

"These four remaining divisions altogether will act as flank defense or support if absolutely necessary Two on either side, with each at the command of either Commander Jade and Offee. Unlike the direct forward advance, Lord Kun has instructed a diagonal approach. The right along the center will position themselves with a slant back towards the base like a wedge. The same should be repeated with the left flank. In this way any droid forces seeking to move around and cut off the main force to the rear will face opposition down a line of troops with support from walkers and tanks with additional long range artillery support from command base."

Again, Nidrini moved his fingers along the terminal and it reacted to him. The two divisions on the flanks of the main force moved forward. Slowly they began twisting their lines forward and back in a wedge shape much like an arrowhead or the shape of an Imperial-class stardestroyer. Then he slid the holographic map and it went over the larger droid force awaiting them.

"Now we believe that the inaction on the part of the rebel droid army has been in part due to their commander's; whomever they may be, not expecting as stiff an opposition as we committed to. The losses inflicted on the droid armies are believed to have exceeded twenty thousand units. However, we estimate about two hundred thousand remain directly against us. While across the world there are several million at least.

'This attack will likely catch the droid commander's off guard. They know they hold superior forces over us. They would not expect a forward assault by us. Especially as they begin a diversionary attack on Kuatac. Lord Kun believes that the forward units can pierce through the front and commit to encircling actions that will funnel the droids then caught behind advancing Imperial troops between them and the flanking divisions. Thus annihilating the fighting capabilities of the rebel droid army."

His little holographic display ran through a very rough simulation of the attack. The eight advancing divisions went into the droid front and began slowly pushing inwards creating a bulge. The two four divisions then began pushing right and left respectively and cutting off huge pockets of droids from their rear lines. The still stationary divisions to be under the control of Kira and Mara began firing into the exposed droids along with Raydonn and Viathan's forces. The display showed the droids cut off, optimistically melting away into nothing leaving Raydonn and Viathan's forces to continue to push inwards against the droids.

"Yeah? If everything is so well planned out and easy why is it we got a whole army on standby to the rear?" Mara pointed over her shoulder to the far rear of the army where the detachment of the 501st legion prepped for any call to action. Nidrini followed her and cleared his throat awkwardly before speaking.

"Well, I was perhaps being optimistic. However, these plans are sent down via Lord Kun, with some reconfigurations made by me and the others here attending at the command platform. I can assure you all the need to call in the additional reinforcements is in the one to near zero percentile! These are just droids after all, and we have the advantage of technology and leadership." The inner pomp and arrogance of the Colonel leaked to the surface. All that was missing, in Viathan's opinion, was him raising his nose to the air in comical snobbish fashion. Sadly Nidrini contained himself.

"Right, well excuse me if I don't base all our future battlefield exploits on 'optimism,' Colonel. These droids may be less than adequate individual soldiers, but they held back the Republic for three and some odd years. They've been tearing both us and the Moffs apart in the Outer-Rim. So, a little caution on our part may be prudent." Raydonn added rubbing his right hand across his brow. Viathan watched him do so and narrowed his eyes. He felt it showed weakness, but one he recognized. He was tired.

"Understood, sir." Nidrini affirmed, though Viathan could sense a hint of what he thought was dismissal in his voice, nonetheless.

"As such, the rearguard will act as reinforcements should any of you require it. You will also have a healthy supply of air support, both high altitude and close air support. Long range artillery units will maintain a softening barrage to their own rearguard units while these stationary AT-AT's will provide what assistance they can. However, their placement is necessary to the continued protection of the base from any enemy operations against it."

"Aww!" Kira mock whined. "I love watching these behemoths blast droids, or traitors out of existence!" She grinned baring her teeth prominently like a beast. Raydonn sighed folding his arms across his chest and Mara rolled her eyes. Viathan did nothing but kept looking to the holographic display.

"Right." Nidrini commented with a slight shuffle of his footing. "With that all out of the way I believe we can begin forward advancing operations. The forward units will be these tanks to the front of the main force. Walkers will remain alongside the mobile infantry units and provide support and cover for them as they make it on foot. We haven't the air power to spare to transport many by shuttle or gunship. So, Lord Kun has refrained them from any such loading and injecting actions. Only support as I stated before." Kira yawned loudly and placed her left hand to her mouth as her blue eyes danced in mirth.

"Fine, fine can we get on with it?! If I'm gonna be placed to the back with Jade here like a fragile little princess we may as well get it over with! At the least I'll have a good vantage point to watch the fireworks." She giggled turning and almost seeming to skip from the platform. Again Jade rolled her eyes.

"Not that I like it, but the little witch has a point. We may as well get started. Wouldn't want to hold you boys up from your war games." Mara scoffed and gave a dagger-like glare Viathan's way. He met her gaze with equal, and shared, hatred before she followed in Offee's wake and made off the platform towards her detachment.

"Very good...I suppose they will each take what detachment they will. Shouldn't be a problem for the commanders." Nidrini intoned with a slight hint of concern in his tone.

"Commander Viathan, if you would be so kind as to take the left half of the eight division strong forward forces. That leaves the right command to you, sir." He looked to Raydonn who nodded silently. In kind, the ex-inquisitor nodded and lightly sighed.

"Goody. Best we be off eh?" He looked to Viathan. The boy stared numbly and silently before turning and following the girls off platform. Raydonn motioned his arms up and let them fall back to his sides with an audible slap of fabric and armor.

"Why is it that I can never have a normal conversation with any of these kids?!" He muttered following Viathan as Nidrini returned to his holo-terminal.

Viathan began stomping his way over beaten and tattered grass towards the forward of his divisional line. He passed rows of stormtroopers and garrisoned Imperial troops in their own uniforms readying into their columns. Their walkers hovered between them staring forward and waiting while the tanks that had not yet, rolled forward to the front.

"Hey! Wait a minute!" He heard and paused. Raydonn approached him from behind and the young Sith forced himself not to growl in frustration.

"Now, whatever your issue with me is aside, I want to know you got the idea on what we're doing today." Raydonn began and came to a pause before Viathan. He hovered slightly above him in his height and so looked down onto him. Viathan did not, however, meet his gaze. He chose to stare seemingly nowhere with his hood again atop his head covering most of his expression.

"I've fought in many battles Raydonn." He intoned the name lacking any discernible emotion. "Alderaan as a rebel opening salvo, within the many pits of darkness and death that litter the Tapani sector, Coruscant, Epica and more. I've lived through each and aided in victory for most." He did turn to look up into the older man's dark blue eyes.

"I know war. Do not belittle me." Raydonn raised his hands in placation motion.

"Whoa, no belittlement here. Just want to confirm you know the plan. I don't need to be out there and commit to this straightforward obvious Imperial military brain-child of a tactic, and see you going off doing something totally different. Leaving me isolated, and surrounded by clanking droids! Whether you or any of the other pleasant dark siders out here would like that idea or not." Raydonn intoned sarcastically. Viathan, however, did finally roll those crimson eyes of his and turned his back on the man.

"We have a task to complete, Raydonn. I suggest you get to your forward tanks and aid me in the assault! I know my place and my purpose. I can only hope you know yours." He called back and moved on. Raydonn rubbed the back of his neck as discomfort numbly radiated throughout his still bruised and battered body. He sighed before moving to his right towards his troops and his tanks. He could only hope; just as the boy did, that the girls, Viathan, Kun, and everyone else knew what they were doing.

Though, as he hopped atop a TX-130T fighter tank with men sitting along it with blasters at the ready and a trooper manning its top beam weapon he felt a looming unease. Be it from the Force or his gut. It made him anxious.

(Concord Dawn)

Alpha rained down the bolts from his vantage point. He stood atop one of the few remaining tall buildings inside of Cuyir. Alongside him stood three Mandalorians in full armor to his right, and two more to his left. One of whom boldly wore a Republic trooper's armor just as Alpha wore his old ARC trooper armor. All of them fired down into the battered and beaten in streets of the city under command of and alongside Alpha.

The street was littered with dead Mandalorians of all age and rank. The droids marched forwards over them. Their walkers pounding their dead bodies into a horrific mush for all to see while the infantry fired seemingly into random buildings and moved into the streets beyond. This street led to the only spaceport within the city, and it was imperative that they held the droids off as long as possible. In fact all the battered, beaten and smoking buildings throughout the city, and this street in particular, held Mandalorians in them. Firing from busted and broken windows and viewports. From rooftops and even to the very edge of the streets and upon sidewalks. Some...many of them not having anymore than one extra ammunition cartridge for their blasters. All the while, their depots still burned hot and bright around the city from the raids undertaken by the blasted commandos under Nelrain's control.

"Eastern street corner! B3 Ultra on the move!" One Mando' called pointing and aimed down sights firing at the hulking machine that moved slowly alongside its fellow droid units. A fellow Mandalorian snapped his sniper to ready position and took aim along the roof railing. He aimed into the central 'eye,' of the droid and fired. The B3 jerked back but shook off the hit. It advanced again up the street towards a building where four worn Mandalorian farmers, turned soldiers fired from behind a simple duracrete slab as their only cover.

"Bring it down, trooper!" Alpha hollered as he took aim and fired triple-burst rounds from his blaster rifle into one B1 after another. Only for them to keep coming. Nonetheless, his sniper fired again and the droid slumped right into a large chunk of debris from a bombed out building. Yet, it got back up once more. The trooper cursed and took aim again, but the B3 reached the troopers cover and raised its right arm. Where unleashed came a burst of fire that consumed them and their cover. When it finally stopped the troopers were down their screaming wildly until they fell over as their bodies succumbed to the flames.

"Haar'chak!" The sniper Mando' cursed as he watched the scene unfold through his scope.

"Don't gawk! Bring it down, now!" Alpha yelled and sprayed a distantly rolling droideka until his bolts hit it and caused it to swerve uncontrollably into a building wall and smash itself to bits. While his sniper shook his helmeted head and aimed down sights once more. The B3 Ultra moved forward again as several other Mando's fired at it from the second floor of the same building their friends just got torched before. He loosed two quick shots of the sniper. The bolts zipped through the air and slammed one into its central eye and the other into its exposed right leg joint connecting to the body. The leg snapped off and the droid fell face first to the ground in a heap of sparks.

"B3 down!"

"Great, now shut up and keep shooting!" His comrade called back launching a grenade down into the streets as three B2's moved with a column of B1's to their back. It landed ahead of the supers and exploded releasing an ionized arc of electricity across the ground that shook the B1's until they smoked and fell over. Two of the three supers followed suit, but the third remained standing.

Its bulky frame turned to look at him and raised its wrist mounted blaster upwards and fired. The Mandalorian cursed and ducked behind the roof rail as the bolts pelted and singed it. His comrade on the sniper cursed right after him and fired a hasty shot the super's way and once more snapped one of its limbs off. This time it was its left and currently none-firing arm.

"You missed one, idiot!"

"I know that!" The first trooper yelled and snatched the sniper from his fellow Mandalorian. He jumped back up and fired three bolts the super's way. Two missed and a third smashed into its head sending it falling. Not before one of its blaster bolts flew upwards and crashed into the trooper's right shoulder sending him falling back with a cry and seethe.

"You trying to get dead?!" His friend asked rushing over and snatching his sniper back.

"Ah!" He seethed again. "No just doing my job." He sarcastically shot back and nursed his singed armor and the torn bits below that led to his burnt flesh. His comrade returned to the railing and shot another round down to who knew what. His fallen Mandalorian comrade pulling his bacta out for quick application.

Alpha ignored his men and fired another fast round of bolts into a series of droids firing into a building across the street where another small battered platoon hunkered down in. he brought down one, two, three and then four droids before his blaster snapped open displaying his used and emptied plasma cartridge. He silently cursed and ducked. Within seconds grasping another cartridge and snapping it into the blaster he was up again firing burst rounds into the endless tides.

"Just gotta give them time..." Alpha intoned aloud, but mostly to himself. Time to get the little force they had left out of the spaceport, out of Cuyir and maybe even off Concord Dawn. He thought it a miracle the droid's hadn't yet found their tunnel system. Even as a nasty three legged beastly Tri-droid stomped its way into view along the street he counted himself, and those within the city lucky. They would have a story to tell, some of them would survive. Even if he consigned himself to death in their evacuation, so be it! They took him in when he had no one, so the least he'd do was give them his all, including his life, to keep those who could carry on their memory, and one day return for vengeance, alive.

Then, the spaceport began exploding...

---

Egriege raised his metal droid right hand up in a fist. Those droids behind him stopped and didn't move anymore. He stood within a dark tunnel that led underground to and from the spaceport. Unlike the others he had discovered, and mapped with his probes and BX commando units this one led not to another sector of the city, but to a deep underground bunker. Several sub-levels below they had found it. A massive hangar that not only had been several miles away from Cuyir, but contained a fully operational if decrepit Venator-class stardestroyer.

Guarding it had been several dozen Mandalorian clansman, and the BX commandos made quick work of them. All before they could warn those awaiting a likely signal to head their way. As a droid doing his mistresses work Egriege did not understand why they had not evacuated yet. In this way he had not cared either. Caring was a sentient emotion not known to him. Yet, in time it would make sense...they were waiting for the URM fleet to depart the system so they could evacuate safely without having to face the armada now circling their planet. The hope being that the tunnels lay undiscovered. This hope now would be their death.

Egriege had taken with him a detachment of his mistress's army above and led them back into the tunnel to the very entrance to the spaceport from below. Where the Mandalorians had left guards who lay dead now with their throats slit by commando units by some time ago now. Every such tunnel into and out of the city were filled with droids. All but the one he stood within had droids ready to mow down those who sought to flee, and push them back into the spaceport. While Egriege would lead, along with his companion Fourzee; whom had sincebeen recalled from his successfully completed tasks elsewhere, an assault on those within. Thus completing his mistress's wishes, and putting an end to Cuyir, Concord Dawn, and the Mandalorian's claim to this world.

Behind the blackened murderous droid, with torn bloodied cloak, stood hundreds of droids. Only their gears and joints sounded out in echoes through the massive and long hall that led to the one escape route for those within the spaceport. B1's mostly, B2's leading each column, Fourzee as one B3 Ultra, four Magnaguards on either side of Egriege, two 'A-DSD' advanced dwarf spider droids that will hold position, a commando team of BX droids hidden in the shadows, and several droideka's ready to roll forward and destroy. All they needed was the sign from their General unit who now raised his fist silently and unmoving. He too waited for his command.

His comlink rung and with free left hand, and without moving his right he answered it. His red photoreceptors beheld Kellia's smaller visage. The woman was still cowled and pensive seeming. As she looked to Egriege.

"Is everything prepared, General?"

"Yes, mistress. All entrances and exit are contained. Those above are in position to destroy those who may seek escape via ground level. I am ready." It intoned self referentially. Kellia nodded.

"Proceed then. Not a one left alive, Egriege."

"As you command, mistress." Kellia ended the transmission and Egriege pocketed his comm. His fist turned vertical, and his fingers became extended outwards. He lowered it and outstretched towards the doorway, and the call rung out. As then did the explosive on the door, and all others under the spaceport.

Finally the alarms rung out and those Mandalorians inside; mostly armed females, and children, were jostled wherever they stood. One explosion ripped up through the street the tunnel was below and collapsed it down into the tunnel. Both crushing some droids who detonated it, and cutting off any ability for Mandalorians to escape through it.

Egriege said nothing and the droids marched forward with blasters raised. Fourzee moved first and Egriege followed after seeming unfazed by anything and everything around he and his small army. Just as the blasting started and Egriege began mounting steps leading up from the tunnel sub-level he passed by three dead Mandalorians with dozens of blaster burns littering their bodies.

Droids were already falling left and right and lay in scrap heaps about. Fourzee crushed his smaller fallen droid units under metallic boot and climbed the stairs. Raising right arm Fourzee unleashed an intensive wave of flame that washed over one Mandalorian who was plastered behind a corner that droids were forced to pass going upwards. The Mandalorian screamed and Egriege felt a low hum in his audio-receptors. It was an odd sensation, but one that was almost...pleasurable, or so he would imagine.

The droid General advanced up the steps alongside the initial wave of droid troops. The B1's fell one after the other but kept moving. Ahead stood three B2's firing into a large open processing room. Along several catwalks female Mandalorians, of several notable species fired down upon them while they yelled in their language at one another to move the children to here...and there.

Egriege raised his right hand again, and his kinetic palm attachment powered up, and with crack it blew outwards towards the catwalk. Metal beams snapped and it fell in on itself towards the ground. Those on it yelled or cried in shock or disbelief. One woman fell sliding off the catwalk, hitting her head against a slanted beam and going back first to the ground where she began gasping for air. Though Egriege could only hear this over the explosions and shooting due to his audio-receptors amazing quality.

"To the right. Follow them." Fourzee suddenly, in deep baritone ordered. Egriege turned to see the BX commandos; dashing faster than some could perceive, after Mandalorians running into a hall to Egriege's right. One of them turned back while running and fired several times hitting one commando who dived into a roll and came to a kneeling stop and fired back. Three bolts hit her in the chest neck and head, dropping her.

Another explosion rang out as the artillery units on the topside rained down softening sorties atop the spaceport. Having now been ordered by Kellia to let loose on the building. Fourzee stomped on forward, taking three bolts to the chest. The B3 Ultra's two smaller arms extended up towards the mangled catwalk where one Mando woman remained fully standing. The two arms fired violently and in a blinding blitz, while two B2's aided and fired on her. Pelting, covering and consuming her with searing bolts.

A squad of Mandalorians came running in from their left and their bolts flew outwards dropping at least a dozen haphazardly moving battle droid units. Two of them activated jetpacks mounted to their backs and fired their carbines from their air. Egriege made ready to fire his kinetic weapon again. However, the building shook again as an artillery sortie caved in several panels along the roof. One fell in, having been cleaved and made jagged and fell into the shoulder through the Mandalorian woman's armor. She cried and screamed in pain as she lost control of her jetpack and went careening to the far end of the room. The other one shot at Egriege, but from the tunnel entrance came rolling in several droideka's. Egriege imagined they had been given support up the steps, though the droid knew not how.

Nonetheless, they rolled in and unfurled; one getting blown away by another Mandalorian atop the catwalk opposite the destroyed one, while the other two that came in unfurled and activated their shields. One fired on the hovering Mandalorian and the second turned spraying the catwalk. Fourzee turned and unleashed scorching plasma from his left arm on the other women on the ground. They began screaming as their flesh was seared and armor cooked onto their bodies.

Egriege turned, seemingly without warning or reason, and made after the commandos who had chased the Mandalorians into the hall. Within the hall Egriege found scorch marks lining the walls, and two dead Mandalorians. He passed them by, his metal foot kicking one involuntarily out of his way. The distant sounds of firing blasters led him to where this battle was now underway. As he pushed nearer he found only one fallen commando with a vibrosword sticking into its chest. Although atop the droid lay a dead woman riddled with bolts to her back and likely her front with hand clasped to sword hilt. Egriege found the scene aesthetically 'pleasing' and carried on.

He came to a sharp right turn and down a set of stairs where the halls were covered in grenade burns and more blaster marks. Along with another dead Mandalorian, a man this time with a commando knife jutting out from his neck where blood still pooled profusely. And, at the bottom of the stairs there was a final turn right back inwards towards the building, but away from the tunnel sub-level.

There he found the commandos firing towards a group of Mandalorians. They were all women and they were blocking a doorway, and they were five of them in total. One of the BX commandos tossed a flashing grenade and ducked behind a wall curve along with his other commandos, numbering four in totality. The Mandalorians scattered but when the grenade flashed out and unleashed a piercing wail they fell to the ground holding their helmets and screaming as it assaulted their simplistic organic membranes.

Egriege took this initiate and his metal feet slammed into the flooring beneath leaving cracks. His cloak whirled behind him as he snapped up two crimson sabers plucked from the dead inquisitors who had attempted to hunt him. He swung both outwards from himself and took the heads of two Mandalorians as he came to the end of the hall.

He swung his left leg right and kicked a Mandalorian reaching painfully towards her blaster pistol on her belt. Her helmeted head swung left and Egriege loomed over her and stabbed both blades down through her chest. He swung back with both sabers at his right and slashed across another Mandalorian attempting to stand. The final Mando backed against the door raised her carbine while hunched over from the grenades effects. However, she became riddled with bolts and slammed back against the door and fell dead into a sitting position.

Egriege stood with sabers still at the ready and waited for the commandos to come up behind him. He faced the door and perceived it to be a strong and sturdy make.

"Plant explosives." The commandos did as tasked without question. All as the upper levels rumbled from the fighting going on up there.

"Explosive charges prepped." The commando lead informed and Egriege turned without a word and they followed back down the hall. Egriege gave the Commander a go ahead and it detonated the charges. The doorway shot debris hurling down the hall but mostly into the room beyond.

Egriege marched back down crushing debris underfoot as the commandos followed their General. Within the room, Egriege could see food packages and ammo crates. However, his photoreceptors caught sight of them.

Huddling in the far right corner were at least a dozen children. He estimated from ages three to thirteen give or take. They were huddled though the eldest, a girl held a blaster carbine towards him shakily with tears rolling down her mortal cheeks. She was dirty blonde in hair color, and light in eye color. Little facts that did not interest the droid, but he wished to, nonetheless, recall their visages. All of their visages for when he recalled this later.

With a hurl of power and speed, Egriege threw himself up into the air and closed the distance between he and the children. He slammed his feet down before the girl who shot in her fear and shock. They were blocked by his sabers, and he slashed in a quick near imperceptible arch and sliced the barrel off the blaster. The girl gasped and looked horrified. Egriege found it quaint, for he even as a droid had not imagined Mandalorian children to be as timid as this one.

Egriege rammed both sabers up into her stomach and lifted her off the ground before yanking them back violently and let her gasping, and limp body fall back to the ground. The other screamed and cried as the near demonic seeming droid loomed before them in dark color, red glowing 'eyes,' and flowing, bloodied cloak torn like a phantom's.

The commandos neared behind him, and Egriege said nothing as he deactivated his sabers. Clasping them back to his hip, the droid General let his arms fall limply to his sides and in silence he stared at the foul little organic creatures before them. A young boy was crying loudly as an older one stared hatefully at Egriege and held him to his chest. Obviously a kinship stood between them, be it familial or by the mere fact that they were of the same peoples.

"Kill them." Egriege commanded, and the commandos raised their blasters without question, without any concept of mercy, without any concept of remorse, without any concept of worth for life. The kids, apparently knew those words and for an instant they screamed. In the next they were silent as the room became a strobe room of lights blaring from the blasters of the BX commandos.

And in the end the children lay dead with that of their elders, and their fellow children littered in packs throughout the spaceport. Some tried to run, some older some younger, and they were waylaid by the endless droid tide that fell upon the building. Both from within and without all were cut down. Man, women, and children. Cuyir was finished, and from afar Kellia Nelrainfelt nothing. She merely huffed a single light sneering sigh and turned from this city towards a shuttle waiting for her. She was done with Cuyir, and Concord Dawn. Those that remained would be dealt with in time.

As desired, midday fell upon a blood drenched Cuyir and world altogether. And, it was finished. There were more worlds within the sector to decimate, more Mandalorians to slaughter but more importantly, more clones to exterminate. As the hate of Kellia Nelrain was given form, and had only just begun.

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Authors Note: Well this update didn't take too long now this time. See, I can do better? :)

But I digress, as per usual, please either point out or disregard any and all grammar errors happened upon. My many thanks once again go to my fellow Fanficiton writer, author, and overall good friend time2read, for being a good friend as stated and helping me get my ideas out or refined, and for being my beta! My thanks also go to TheGunmaster for previously helping me work through ideas and concepts as well! My deepest thanks to my readers. Though you are not as many as some of my other stories and not many of you review you guys make it all worthwhile, nonetheless! I appreciate you guys who have stuck with me this long and these many years after this story began. We now enter into the over a million words phase of this story and we have much left to go in my own little made up saga. :)

Again, my thanks, and hopefully you all enjoy and review! Until the next time.