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.

72. Chapter 72

Chapter 72

(Allied Tion Cluster, Outer-Rim Territories, Voss System)

A thousand streaks of flame danced across the sky. They fell to distant places, hundreds of small roars and from the far distance of the ground from which the Admiral stood you could hear hundreds of small roars of debris as they burned their way through and into the atmosphere of these pieces were those of smaller chunks of metal and machinery or glass that burnt and ceased to be from their fall. While many other larger still chunks of debris made it to the surface burning and crashing as they smashed into the planet below, some large enough to explode and sheer the ground beneath. They sparkled and twinkled as a beautiful sight to Thrawn's deeply crimson eyes which looked up at the display and were even more accented by the fires around and about him.

He stood upon a heightened mound, like a hill set near to the one true civilized settlement of this backwater world. His white uniform contrasted somewhat to the orange tinge of the grass and similarly tinged skies of Voss as the daylight faded. He took in another content breath of air as the blue skinned Chiss rolled his shoulders. A smile graced his face as he watched the light show and awaited word from his Captain and from Parck on how things looked after his victory, their victory. In fact, he gave a slightest of chuckles as he heard the crunching of grass near behind him.

"I was just musing on how much longer it would take for you to arrive, Captain." Thrawn greeted turning to his side as Captain Pellaeon approached escorted by two standard Stormtroopers. Pellaeon came to a stop snapped his feet together and saluted the Admiral before speaking.

"Yes of course, Admiral. I have received word from the men manning the probes in atmosphere. The projectiles are many. Tens of thousands of them, but none are projected to hit the population centers if we maintain the planetary shielding of course."

"Excellent. And what of the large pieces of debris?" Thrawn asked with memories of massive pieces of capital ships and frigates freely floating in the great vacuum of space, fires erupting out of them and into the void fed by forces within to maintain the flames.

"Most are projected to float away from the planet, and we already have salvage crews moving in to assess those pieces of wreckage. We've also brought some salvage vessels in to help push them further away and help speed along the salvage process, sir. However, there are three large pieces, two of them being engines from the Firebrand, that are now drifting towards the planet at a speed which we will be incapable of intervening at. The third is the entire forward section, or bow of a Providence-class destroyer. Luckily enough all three are projected to crash into the southern oceans and any impact waves will effect none of the cultivated or settled regions, and the waters will recede." Thrawn nodded and returned to looking up at the many falling pieces above which created his own little light show. Pellaeon took it upon himself to approach and come stand alongside his superior. Himself clasping his hands behind his back much as Thrawn was now doing. Indeed as was the norm of every Imperial.

"Magnificent sight. Isn't it, Captain?" Thrawn asked without glancing Pellaeon's way. Pellaeon nodded.

"Indeed, sir. Signs of a magnificent victory against the rebel scum that maraud the galaxy to be sure." Thrawn chuckled.

"Even a giant as tall as a Coruscanti skyscraper, can be felled by a single mighty stroke made by the smallest of ants given the right tool and the right mind. Though let us not give them too much credit now. Formidable yes, but we are not yet the underdogs in this war, Captain."

"Of course, sir." Pellaeon wholly agreed with another nod of his head.

"We will need some time to make repairs of course, sir." Pellaeon went on, dispelling the calm of watching the sights above.

"The fleet was badly damaged in the engagement even with the hypervelocity cannons. Not to mention the loss of both the Firebrand and Agitator."

"Both of which were manned by skeleton droid crews and both of which would have needed months of repairs to be up to combat standards." Thrawn countered with no hint of annoyance in his cool voice.

"I am aware of my fleet's situation, Captain. Parck's fleet will be sent for repairs in orbit over Rhen Var. It's isolated enough and out of the way. Without any error on the part of the men or our Commanders we should be free to commit to repairs."

"Do you mean to send for reinforcements from the Core, sir?" Thrawn without word picked through a pocket along his left and held out to Pellaeon a small communications chip.

"The request has already been signed for Captain. Send this and we will have reinforcements within a few days time." The Captain took the chip and nodded, a slight smirk along his face as he mused that he should have guessed the Admiral would have had such a request already planned and done.

"I will send it at once, sir. Though, may I ask where the campaign goes from here, sir?" Thrawn gave a faint hum as he continued watching the light show.

"The rebels still have a grip on a vast section of Allied Tion. With the loss of General Narthun they will send a new Commander. However, with this new convocation of rebel leaders I sense a hint of a tossup in the political regime of the rebel forces. It may take some time for a leader of Narthun's standing and rank to arrive. In that interval it will be our task to take advantage of any chaos that may come." Thrawn explained. The entire time Pellaeon felt compelled to nod, both in understanding and agreement of his superior officer's assessment.

"Before year's end it will be our task to take and secure both the Cadinth Run and Desevran Trace trade route sub-sectors. Our primary target now will be retaking Jaminere, the capital of the entire sector from the URM rebel forces. To do this we will commit to forming a stranglehold around them. We have Voss, we will need Argai along the Indrexu Route, and Dravione along the aforementioned Desevran Trace. It will be only a matter of time before we push the rebels out and secure any Moff holdouts as well once Jaminere falls, and its manufacturing capabilities our once more the Empire's."

"With such a sound plan I cannot see how we should lose, sir." Thrawn again chuckled.

"Optimism, it will serve you well so long as it does not morph into blind optimism of course, Captain." Pellaeon smiled.

"It shall not, Admiral sir."

"Admiral Thrawn!" Both men turned back around as another officer, one of Pellaeon's adjutants, a one officer named Raligs. Came jogging towards them. He came to a stop slightly breathless and saluted both.

"Speak, Officer Raligs." Thrawn offered, though Pellaeon wanted to admonish the man for his lack of propriety in calling out his superior.

"Thank you, Admiral sir. A report from Colonel Mortet from the east." He offered a datapad that Thrawn took and gave an idle glance towards.

"They've found General Narthun's escape pod, and the General as well. Or, I should say his corpse." Raligs corrected himself taking a steadying breath. Thrawn in kind glanced more curiously at the datapad that showed the location of the escape pod.

"Dead? How unceremonious or grand. Tell me, how did the brute meet his end?" Even though Thrawn was sure there was a report on the pad he wanted to hear it spoken to him aloud.

"According to the on site assessment it appears the death was by decompression of his escape pod while reentering the atmosphere. Though as to what degree and intensity the medic could not say."

"So, the fiend died suddenly and with no pain?" Pellaeon asked as Thrawn skimmed some of the datapad's report.

"Most decompression deaths involve little or no realization of the event even taking place, sir. So, no I doubt that he was aware before it happened or felt any pain."

"A pity." Pellaeon said simply as he recalled the many atrocities done against fellow Imperials across the sector by the Feeorin monster.

"His pod, has there been any clue to what caused the failure?"

"None yet, Admiral sir. However, it was badly torn and shredded along the top while the engines are mostly intact. His body is...quite badly burned as well though once again decompression is the perceived killer as his posture is not one of someone in agony from being burned." Thrawn nodded.

"Very well. Have him brought aboard the Chimaera and commit to an autopsy at once for my official report to Anaxes. Then clean him up and have his body made ready for transport." Thrawn ordered shutting the datapad off and handing it to his Captain.

"At once, sir. Um, but transport to where?" Raligs questioned.

"He will be sent back to Odryn, to his people's world."

"What?" Pellaeon interjected bringing both men to glance at him.

"Apologies sir, what I mean is that he caused the Empire such disgrace and humiliation and committed more than his share of atrocities."

"And, Captain?" Thrawn asked so calm and without emotion Pellaeon needed a minute to find his voice again.

"And," He finally began again. "Would it not be more fitting that the Empire keep the body, and cast it with the rest of the rebel scum. Simply incinerate the body as an unknown without acclaim or marker?" Thrawn hummed thoughtfully, as if musing over his Captain's idea.

"To accomplish an act of postmortem revenge would be fitting to aid in boosting the moral of our men and feeding their already heightened sense of victory. Perhaps. However, I chose to play the game slightly differently than how someone like Narthun would. Were it he instead I who is deciding what to do with my fallen foe's body undoubtedly I would be put upon a spear and marched through the streets of the nearest conquered world with Imperial civilians still upon it. Obviously your idea is more tame, Captain." Pellaeon listened on, feeling only slightly unsure where this was leading to.

"You're dismissed to your orders Raligs." Thrawn ordered clasping his hands behind his back as he paced closer towards Pellaeon. Raligs snapped his boots, saluted, and moved off to do as ordered.

"Let us be frank, Captain. I am a Chiss, I am an alien. The Galactic Empire has little tolerance for aliens of any type even if they serve an integral purpose and use to the continuation and empowerment of the Empire itself. I know this, you know this, and most certainly the rebel leadership of this URM know this, and they have been exploiting it masterfully. It is time that we begin our own campaign, and if the ministries and politicians back on Coruscant and Anaxes refuse to take action it is we military men that must begin the work of changing the minds of the galaxy's alien populace. No matter how we may truly feel about any singular species and race or to 'alien' beings from us as a whole." Pellaeon nodded slowly. His own mind failing to find a true flaw in the Admiral's logic.

"Take it as this, Captain." Thrawn began again as he began pacing away with Pellaeon following alongside him.

"There may be a species of aliens out there and they know of and have been subject to the Empire for many years now. They know of its intolerance and unspoken and spoken hatred of them. Here come the URM, or whatever they may call themselves, and they offer them a chance to get free or get revenge, yet this species of alien is not warlike. They do not enjoy fighting, but for sheer need for survival for the fear of the Empire's coming and possible extermination of their peoples they join the rebellion and add millions of workers and soldiers to their cause." Thrawn paused turning to Pellaeon again.

"What then if they hear that the Empire has softened? That through the actions of key military personnel and perhaps overtures from the politicians in time, they see the Empire has come to see reason, or at least remove itself from the rampant overt need to destroy and segregate alien populations from the galaxy as a whole? Then perhaps their will to fight is so lessened by such news that they deny the rebels safe haven and their alliance. Should then the rebels seek their aid to the point of anger and instead attack this alien species then the Empire will have assuredly gained the full allegiance of this species or at the least a common ally against a common foe. Or the rebels simply leave them be and thus gain nothing and we lose nothing."

"So, we begin this rapprochement with aliens by not desecrating the body of a savage who fought for our enemy, Admiral?" Pellaeon reasoned, and Thrawn nodded.

"It may seem trivial, Captain. But do not let this moment pass you by. There are people watching, listening intently unseen and unspoken. They will hear of this and wonder if in fact the Empire is as dastardly as they have been led to believe by the rebels. If it can be respectable with the fallen savage, then what can it be with the as of yet peaceful alien races?" Thrawn began moving again leaving Pellaeon to think what the Admiral said over his head a moment before he moved to join alongside him again.

"I suppose it is worth a shot, Admiral. I only hope the men see it your way as well." Thrawn smirked.

"To be rid of Narthun alone has raised their moral, Captain. Seeing an entire enemy fleet decimated, and an enemy leading General dead at the hands of a lowly alien Admiral forced upon them may have swayed some already. Though time shall tell if this finely crafted display shall stand as an inspiration, or a forgotten foray into absurdity. We shall see indeed." Pellaeon was somewhat sure the Admiral had used another one of his art analogies just now and he felt his brow furrow at the often odd way his Chiss Admiral spoke.

"All outsiders must leave!" Pellaeon was shaken from his musings at the oddly distorted voice. He turned left as had Thrawn, his hands still clasped behind his back as he watched a line of Stormtroopers block off an alien from coming any nearer to them. Pellaeon shook his head at the display.

"Apologies Admiral. The natives are an unwelcoming lot." Thrawn nodded.

"Yes, the Voss. I have read up on them via the Imperial records. They have been quite the obscure and isolationist species for many centuries. Though, the no contact initiative put in place by the Empire is quite interesting." Thrawn intoned as he moved towards the troopers and alien man. Pellaeon followed after with a confused look on his face.

"Troopers." Thrawn spoke causing the men to glance his way. Their Commander swung around and saluted him.

"Forgive the commotion, Admiral sir. This native's been hollering his way up and down our patrols and looks like he's set his eyes on you, so it seems."

"All outsiders must leave Voss at once!"

"Quiet down you!" The Commander retorted at the multicolored alien. Thrawn gave him a good look up and down. Noting the differing shades of blue that lined this Voss's face in a distinct pattern with a white shaded lining near his eyes. Eyes that shone orange in their off putting compact nature. Though Thrawn was sure his own glowing crimson eyes gave his own men varying degrees of disconcert.

"Come now Commander, we need not be so terse with the native peoples. After all we are but momentary guests here. Even if the world is but one of billions within the Galactic Empire." Thrawn approached the line of troopers and faced the strange alien. He noted the blue shading once more and took special note of the single yellowish white mark that circled his eyes, ran down around his mouth and then joined the swirls of blue down from the head towards his neck. The Voss was clothed in a long white robe tinged and lined with golden threads that fell down across his body in simplistic patterns and stripes. Indeed Thrawn felt that the peoples fashion had hardly changed in several centuries, let alone their mannerism and culture. There was something to be respected in that he felt.

"Tell me Voss, why should we leave your world so quickly? We've only just arrived and it is to ensure none of the debris falling atop your heads gets into the wrong hands. Namely yours or the other beastly natives whom your people so loathe. As a matter of fact the navy that now rains down atop your heads would have brought an army of droids to crush your people underfoot." The alien man didn't flinch or seem impressed one bit by any of Thrawn's words.

"The Mystics saw all. Your presence changed nothing, it was always meant to be. Now all outsiders must leave, you are not wanted here." Thrawn cocked a curious brow and straightened himself where he stood.

"If your 'Mystics' as you call them foretold everything then why must we leave? Surely they would know if we would leave or if we would not leave at all. Your demands are rather selfish are they not?" Still the Voss was unshaken.

"The visions have not yet been made clear. The interpreters debate their meaning until they realize their purpose." Thrawn cocked his head to the side.

"The 'interpreters?' So, you mean to infer that the Mystics are not alone in deciding what a vision means. In fact you speak of them as though you know them personally, Voss." The Voss seemed to shrug slightly, or shuffle where he stood.

"I too am a Mystic. I have seen the visions to come, and I know their purpose. You outsiders bring death and calamity where you go. Voss does not need or want you here!" Thrawn smiled at that and waved his troopers down and passed by them as they loosened up in blocking the Voss off from their Admiral. All the while Captain Pellaeon watched inquisitively from behind.

"Ah so you alone among your kind know of the purpose of these...'visions' as you call them? That is interesting. Tell me, since the 'interpreters' are still debating the meaning of these visions does that mean you are out here without their knowledge or their agreement?" The Voss narrowed his glowing eyes towards Thrawn only slightly at the Admiral's prodding.

"I know the meaning of the vision, the others do not yet know. They will in time. All outsiders need to go, and take the death you bring with you! Voss has no need nor any want for your influence, or your protection, I have seen what it entails, and it is death, only death!" Thrawn sighed some, clasping his hands more firmly behind his back yet again.

"You do not concede that you act alone in this? That is intriguing, because I have not been bothered or shouted down upon by any other Voss save for yourself." Thrawn rolled his shoulders in an all too clearly superior manner.

"If these 'visions' are an absolute, and you are one of these Mystics whom alone can realize their meaning, please tell me what you saw." The Admiral requested, and the Voss who Thrawn could now see was unsure and slightly put off by the Chiss, shifted where he stood. As Thrawn studied the Voss' features he could see the man was young, and it was no far leap to assume he was indeed a Mystic, but perhaps not one with many years behind him as one.

"The visions are not to be interpreted by those who are not Mystics. Least of all you or any other outsider of Voss! Only the Mystics have seen, only we can interpret and understand."

"Then if I am indeed incapable of understanding a vision visualizing one as told to me will mean nothing surely?" The Voss cocked his head to the side, his eyes watching Thrawn and the rest of the outsiders in silence before he spoke up again.

"The visions are not for those who cannot see, nor for those who cannot interpret and understand. Those who hear of them will not know their meaning and purpose. Yet, know there is nothing to be harmed nor to be gained from speaking to you of what was seen." Thrawn nodded.

"Very good, so do regale me with what you saw." The Admiral prodded as his men carried on watching the Voss, and his Captain watched the exchange in totality.

"There is a vast never ending ocean with many fallen leaves set atop its waters. The water is black and murky both vile and sick and poisoned where the clear waters are choked below, disallowed from the surface. The leaves are stained and dying as far as the eye can see and as far and vast as the ocean itself. Set among the ocean leaves there is presented one that is not yet poisoned by the black waters it rests about.

'But then a great fire erupts in the distant ocean and upon the dark waters it burns and spreads unabashed, uncontrolled and with no force capable of stopping it. It burns fast and hot and consumes many leaves whole and some are left in charred ruins that drift and fade into nothingness, while some are consumed and never seen again. The only pure leaf is wrapped by the flames and untouched by the fires but licked by the flames. Until finally they extend towards it and singe the body of the leaf and begin to burn it." Thrawn was truly intrigued by the 'vision' the Voss had. Perhaps it was different for these people, or perhaps this man simply had a clearer than usual vision, but Thrawn felt sure himself what it all meant. And though he could concur with the Voss to the vision's meaning, he would not be party to the alien's disdain for the Empire or outsiders as a whole.

"Well, I must say your vision does sound very...overwhelming."

"You've heard the vision, but you do not know its purpose! I know its purpose, I know the warning that is sent, and you and all your kind all outsiders must leave Voss and never return at once!" Thrawn smiled and shook his head.

"I'm afraid I cannot do that," Thrawn immediately held his right hand up to silence the Voss who was about to explode into another tirade.

"I cannot do that until my people are through gathering the debris that makes it to the surface of your planet. When that operation is complete I can...accommodate your wishes, Voss." The Voss cocked his head to the side.

"You would leave Voss after gathering the falling debris?"

"Well there is little need for the Empire to station men on a world they inherently rule that holds little tactical worth." The Voss remained silent for a moment, his eyes betraying the fact he was thinking on what Thrawn said.

"Very well, that will work, outsider. But all must leave Voss, and leave it untouched by your flames and death." The Voss declared casting Thrawn an accusatory point of his finger. To which the Chiss chuckled and bowed his head.

"Yes Voss, all in time." Thrawn turned his back to the alien, whose name he didn't even bother taking, and he pushed beyond his troopers and nearly made it back to Pellaeon's side when he paused and glanced back at the Voss.

"Tell me Voss, did you see any other odd visions?" The alien shuffled where he stood once more and seemed uncomfortable with saying anything. However, with the promise of all outsiders leaving the Voss really had little reason to not speak. After all, he had done it once before already.

"My visions are not yours to know, outsider." Thrawn shrugged, and turned away from the Voss again.

"However," And then he paused with a cocked and curious brow.

"I will speak of the lone image set about my vision." Thrawn turned with his interest fully piqued once more.

"The flames showed many forms and figures like shadows dancing within the fire itself. Yet as the fires began to die, and all was left rotting and dead among the blackened sea that had boiled and all but burned away there remained a single burning fire. Set within it was a helmet of armor. Black and domineering with an eternal frown and large unblinking eyes that pierced through those who looked into them. The helmet burned and all near it turned to ash, and then it itself went up in flames." Thrawn remained silent as his crimson eyes darted in thought unknown to all around him. But the Admiral could glance at his troopers and see the helmeted men exchange glances with one another as their minds carried them to similar places to himself.

"Have a pleasant day, Voss." Thrawn tersely bid farewell with a similarly stiff bow and turned away marching back swiftly towards Pellaeon.

"These Mystics must have a very simplistic life." Pellaeon began.

"These 'visions' are not nearly as cryptic as they make them out to be. Whether these 'visions' are anything but the rambling incoherent imaginations of an underdeveloped species to-"

"Captain." Thrawn cut Pellaeon off, and in response he stood quickly at attention.

"Yes Admiral?"

"You can clearly come to a conclusion on what this Voss saw can you not?"

"A sea full of floating leaves consumed by fire. A galaxy full of worlds drowned in the fires of war. That is what I deduced, sir. The burning helmet...well I shall not speak as to what I think." Thrawn nodded.

"As will these men. I would not put too much stock in the 'rambling incoherent imaginations of an underdeveloped species,' Captain but best we not allow these men to bring down the moral of the rest and spread vile rumors on our esteemed Supreme Commander. Whatever the case may be." Pellaeon nodded slowly as he noted the creased and serious look upon Thrawn's face as he spoke.

"See to it that these men are each made to...forget what they heard from the Voss. As for the Voss himself make sure he gets far away and stays away from our men. Each order is to your discretion to do as must be done, Captain."

"I fully understand, Admiral." Pellaeon answered smoothly and without batting an eye. Thrawn gave a curt nod and moved past his Captain. Pellaeon remained where he stood and eyed the troopers and the Voss who now began walking away from them all. A plan forming in his mind already on just how to carry out his Admiral's wishes.

(Imperial II-class Stardestroyer Nullify, Tapani Sector, Lamuir IV Orbit)

"And the raiding parties? Have any further attacks taken place?" Arden asked leaning into the holotable her and Grand Admiral Grant looked over. The holographic display showed the Tapani sector and the borders between the Galactic Empire and the Moff Alliance forces. Grant, as immaculately dressed as ever in his admiral's uniform pressed several keys along the console from where he stood opposite Lyn and zoomed in on the world of Pelagon.

"The only other Moff Alliance raid to have taken place following those against New Shella, and those here in the Lamuir system was here, at Pelagon." Lyn looked at the holographic display and nodded as Grant continued.

"The world is still in serious need of repairs along their platforms. As I'm sure you're aware the battle for the world ruined many of them. As such our infrastructure there, or that which we could use from the Moff traitors has been severely limited or altogether compromised. The Moff raid consisted mostly of frigates and gunships from what the reports say, ma'am. No serious losses were taken, although we lost five Tartan cruisers and several mobile defense platforms in orbit over Pelagon."

"Then they're still testing the waters." Lyn intoned with a hard glare. "They will know soon enough the bulk of our forces have been routed elsewhere, and the attack will commence." Grant nodded gloomily and paced before the table with his hands returned behind his back.

"I've sent a request to Anaxes and high command for further reinforcements from the Core reserve. Thus far they have not replied, but I would assume a prompt response will be received any moment now." He spoke with far less conviction than his words would have one assume. Lyn frowned, her natural golden eyes hardening as she smashed her fingers into the holotable returning the projection to that of the wider vastness of the Tapani sector.

"What we need now is intelligence to prepare for the coming counterattack. Without Kun and his main force within Tapani and no reinforcements...as of yet," She intoned darkly and with even less conviction than Grant.

"We will not maintain our momentum. In fact I would say our momentum is gone and it falls into the Moffs hands to make the next move and decide the course of the campaign here. At least for a time yet to come. We need reports, Admiral. On enemy force concentrations inside Tapani or nearby outlying sectors." Grant wordlessly snapped some more keys on the table and the map zoomed onto the prized Procopia, heart of Tapani and base of Moff operations, as far as they were aware.

"We have some reports though none are very conclusive and I would hazard to say, reliable."

"Proceed nonetheless, Admiral." Arden commanded and Grant nodded.

"Our agents that have managed beyond the galactic borders between ourselves and the traitors have reported large enemy buildup on Procopia. However, following the recent build up of Moff forces here in Tapani that we've seen transferred out to the Chommell sector I do not trust this force to be intended for Tapani itself."

"We should consider it all the same. We have little news on the activities of Tapani Moff lead, General Morlin. We cannot know what the man is planning if we haven't any idea where he even is."

"That and his new shadow force, the black armored shadow troopers and alien legions make things oddly suspicious."

"How so?" Lyn asked without moving her eyes from Procopia.

"Our intelligence officers should be able to notice high concentrations of alien fighters on a Moff world. They may be traitorous swine but they are of Moff stock and hardly suffer the presence of many aliens."

"Well we cannot hope to find them or Morlin, for the time being at least. Have the officers continue searching him and this shadow force out. Hopefully we will be able to ascertain whom its Commander is. The General could hardly be expected to manage this unit all himself." Grant nodded his understanding.

"I will make it a priority request that our people in Moff space discover who is doing what with General Morlin."

"Good. Now, what else do we know about within Moff Tapani? Any further force concentrations?" Again Grant wordlessly snapped his fingers along the keys of the table and the map moved away from Procopia to another world Arden couldn't name just by looking at it.

"This backwater is Caloria in the furthest reach of Tapani from our current zone of control. It lies within the Reena Province under control of the noble House Reena. It is a minor trade world running along the Caloria Run, obviously the run received its namesake from the world. However, despite its seeming lack of worth we have received a single report from one of our agents who was passing along the trade route." Lyn nodded as Grant went on from there.

"He made a simple report some time ago detailing an unusual concentration of Imperial model warships in the system."

"How unusual are we talking, Admiral?" Grant shrugged slightly.

"Several Imperial-class stardestroyers of both variations, a dozen cruisers and maybe half a dozen others. Either battlecruisers or frigates the agent reported. Though to be fair he could not state exactly what the makeup of the force was since the Moffs would not be keen on telling him anything."

"Of course." Arden nodded as she continued to eye the hologram of Caloria.

"With what we have and with the raids we've had to suffer I can only presume they are looking to hit us hard and suddenly. But the real question is if it will be a single assault on one world, or a larger campaign across multiple of ouracquired systems." Grant nodded as he followed along with what she said.

"What I think we need is to-" The table's holocomm system began ringing loudly catching both of their attentions. Arden gave a slight sneer as she slammed her finger down on the answer key. Within seconds the galaxy map and worlds vanished, being instead replaced by the ship's communications officer named Iveel. Whom today looked very flustered and continuously shuffled his feet as his form appeared.

"What is it Lieutenant?" Arden briskly asked with her eyes narrowed.

"Forgive me, Lady Lyn, but I have a call waiting for you personally from Coruscant."

"I can give whoever is calling a call back. I am in the middle of important planning for-"

"It's from the Imperial Palace, milady." The Lieutenant cut her off, and Arden silenced herself as her whole body went unintentionally stiff. Her golden eyes grew wide and she forced herself to breathe calmly as every sense of hers warned her begged her not to ask who was calling even though she knew the answer. Admiral Grant for his part went stiff as well as if the Emperor himself had entered the room and he was waiting to salute and bow before his Imperial master.

"And who is calling, exactly?" She asked in more level and controlled a tone of voice.

"It is the Emperor himself, Lady Lyn. He...requests you speak with him in private. For which I have prepared a personal terminal for you in the adjoining room. It has adequate encryption, and the room is well off on its own for your use, my lady." The man spoke shakily and Arden could understand why. All men feared Vader and the smart ones feared the Emperor as well, however, those who spent any such time with the Emperor or speaking with him would become...unnerved given time. Obviously the Lieutenant was one of those who had become unnerved while Grant merely appeared put on guard and stiff as the esteemed military man he let himself on to be. Though, as Lyn narrowed her eyes his way she sensed a lingering unease from within him. She supposed that made sense, considering the time the Grand Admiral's spent with the Emperor on average.

"Very well," Arden began pushing herself away from the holotable. She cleared her throat and rolled her shoulders as she prepared herself for the coming confrontation. As she held no such delusions in her mind that it would be anything but such.

"I will take the call in the other room." She pointed questioningly to the room in question and the Lieutenant nodded in affirmation.

"We will have to pick this up later, Admiral."

"Of course, my lady." Grant bowed his head and snapped a few keys along the console shutting down the map functions and readouts.

"You may return to your duties, Lieutenant." The young officer nodded enthusiastically and wordlessly ended the communication between the bridge and the room Arden and Octavian occupied. As wordlessly as the Lieutenant had ended the comm channel Arden then moved right along the room towards a simple door leading to the adjoining room and holocomm in question.

It was another simple conference like room. However there was only a single circular table with a larger personal holocomm unit built into the center of the table to project an image upwards across the whole of the table. Around the table were set four seats, likely for the very important to speak in conference with either one or several entities beyond the ship. Why it was separate yet adjacent to the previous room Arden didn't know, and didn't much care. Long ago having realized the Imperial-class warships held many seemingly redundant rooms for use.

Arden entered the room fully, and found it dimly lit, but all too familiarly sterile as the rest of the ship was. She heard the door close behind her and she swept one of the seats aside to give herself room to stand before the coming holoprojection. She tensed her mechanical right hand and arm and hardened herself both in body and mind but a further bit more, before she loosed a calming breath of air and snapped her fingers along the console. The holotable sprung to life and a light emitted itself upwards along the table until a few seconds passed and the light formed the image she had expected. Emperor Palpatine sat upon his throne, both armswere laid out across either armrest of the throne in a manner both seeming lazy and powerful. His cloak and cowl was pulled over his head as usual but his grotesque and rippled old face was still plainly visible to Arden. Who also took note of how his eyes shimmered in an unnatural manner that even a holoprojection could not hide. What worried her most, however, was the fact that the old man held upon his face a signature disarmingly kind seeming smile upon his face. And Arden knew from experience that such a look was never a good thing from Darth Sidious.

"Greetings, your Majesty." Arden honored him and bowed herself at the hip even as her face lacked any such respect.

"How may I be of use to your royal Majesty?" The Emperor chuckled softly and motioned his right hand as if to cease Arden's honoring of his Imperial self.

"Do come now, Lady Lyn. We needn't be so formal with one another. After all we've been through so much, and I'd like to think we know one another better than to play these foolish games of false pleasantries. Don't you agree?" Arden cautiously observed the Emperor for a moment and the old man simply continued smirking awaiting her reply, and in the end she saw no reason to disagree with him.

"Very well. No, your Highness I don't think false pleasantries will get either of us anywhere."

"Ah wonderful then we are of the same mind for once. Though I had not believed such possible considering with whom your loyalties now lay with, Lady Lyn. Tell me, what is it like moving from one master with supreme authority and power to one subservient to him?" Arden again felt herself harden and grow tense from the clear somewhat sarcastic jab sent her way. She focused as hard as she could, didn't want and would not allow her mind to wander, nor her anxiety show. All of that and more, the old man fed off of and used against those he saw fit at a moments notice.

"It is like a release, my Lord." Palpatine cocked his head curiously but said nothing prompting her to go on.

"Whereas before I sat within the confines of whatever cage my master saw fit to throw me in to do his dirty work at his every whim and then left to stagnate I am free. Free to wage war as I had so very long ago, to stretch my senses in the Force and utilize the lightsaber I myself have crafted, and move on from my desire to wield an actual blade. The battles I've waged, and the time I've spent have been more empowering than all my years in your service, your Highness." Sidious hummed as though he understood and nodded much in the same way.

"I see. Perhaps in some ways I am indeed to blame for your errant fall to the allure of Lord Kun. Though if I were you Lyn I would sooner look to building my own base of power rather than fall under the command of one such as Exar Kun. He is an ambitious one, and he like so many Sith before him has set his sights on prizes far greater than his station. We needn't be coy you know he means to eventually challenge me, and Lord Vader for control of the galaxy, perhaps they conspire together or against one another?" Arden sensed the Emperor asking and probing away, a tingling sensation nipped at her mind and she braced herself from the subtle but invasive attempt by the Emperor to gauge her reactions.

"I wouldn't have any knowledge on Lord Vader's plans, your Majesty. Nor do I care to intercede myself in the politics of your order." Sidious smirked beneath his cowl.

"You choose your words wisely madam Lyn. Though I must always question your stance." Arden gave no hint to her feelings or emotions. Her face remained placid as her golden eyes intently looked upon the Emperor's face. Every action, every smile, and sneer or glower and grin meant something. So, she needed to and would watch.

"How do you mean, your Highness?"

"We've had this conversation before I believe, madam Lyn. Your ancient betrayal of the Jedi, rejection of the Order, and your joining forces with Xendor and his Legions of Lettow. By no means Sith, but by no means light. To deny interest or intent concerning Sith matters is wholly unbelievable, and unlikely. Especially when the matter of your ancient lover rests solely in the hands of those who rule this Empire. And that, my lady, are the Sith." Arden cocked her head to the side and gave the slightest of shrugs in response.

"The use of Sith and in consequence their abilities does not make me one. Nor does it interest me to play into your political games. In the end you all fight for the same thing. A throne, a title and bragging rights. If I can gain what I want...what I need along the way and all by doing what I am good at and I don't conflict in any Sith interests then I see little wrong in doing what I must."

"An opportunist if ever there were one then, my lady?" Arden again somewhat shrugged.

"If that's the word you chose to use as my label then I will not argue with you, my lord." Sidious continued to smirk and nodded his head as the two entered a momentary but heavy silence.

"I do not presume to expect anything, your Majesty. However, I would think you to have called with more intent than simply my work and with whom I work with within your Empire."

"That I have, my lady." Sidious began and leaned back into his throne further and seemed to relax. Whether this was meant to also relax Arden some she did not know, but it didn't work either way.

"Do not misunderstand my intentions, madam Lyn. I was surprised in your choice of loyalties. Exar Kun is persuasive I will not deny that, and for a Sith he has potential. However, potential and persuasion is not what will bring your lover back to life. Only true power over the Force, and particularly the dark side can accomplish that. It wounds me to see such little faith was placed in my promise to return him to this plain of existence." Arden narrowed her eyes, and felt the slightest tinge of anger spike in her.

"But, allow me to finish, my lady." Sidious continued raising his hand as his smirk widened further towards a cocky grin.

"You see, while you've been avoiding your loyalties and allying yourself with less than proven powers I have been searching for a way to return to my side those who've abandoned me in this conflict. The list is quite disturbingly long especially when the Moff Alliance is brought into the conversation." Arden eased herself and released a heavy sigh through her nose.

"I have betrayed no one. My loyalties are and have always been to myself. To whoever meets my end goals, I will work with or even for them." The Emperor hummed as though he were interested in her statement, but Arden doubted he actually was.

"Ah excellent, then what I have prepared for you should do more than enough to earn your services back for myself. You see, madam Lyn, while you were off playing second hand to Lord Kun I was fulfilling my part promised to you" Arden's brow furrowed as her narrowed glare upon Sidious turned more to a confused and questioning gaze.

"What do you mean?" Sidious chuckled a low sickly chuckle. One that spoke more of his self believed greatness than any words he could muster as he snapped his boney fingers across the keypad upon his throne. Within seconds his hologram shrunk away from Arden as a new appeared before her. When it did her eyes widened and her heart skipped a beat as she audibly sucked in a breath.

"That...that's his-"

"Yes milady Lyn, we've found Xendor's sword."

"How? Where?!" Her cool and calm facade broke as she loudly demanded and the Emperor chuckled as he snapped the image of the sword away allowing his own holoprojection to once more take central prominence along the table projector.

"For thousands of years it was always key and special for the Sith or the Jedi to find the ancient burial places, the tombs and crypts of the fallen on both sides. Always seeking knowledge to learn or to hide from the galaxy in the case of the Jedi. Yet, it is interesting for me that so few have given interest in the recovery of the ancient battlefields and their secrets from one of the most ancient of conflicts of the light and dark sides of the Force. In that way, lady Lyn, Columus has hardly been touched in the thousands of years since the battle there so very long ago." Arden felt herself shaking, anger and some strange nostalgia tinged in happiness and elation shook her. The Force whipped around her and she felt her hands curled into fists as they too shook as memories thousands of years old flooded her mind. All threatening to spill over and allow bitter and angry tears to fall from her golden eyes.

"It could very well be a fake." She boldly and through near grit teeth seethed in response.

"It's been over 24,000 years since it has even been seen. Yet now you find it?! No one has had the mind nor the will to search the world in all that time?!" Her manner was all but lost, every finishing word a cry and filled in anger as old emotions swirled inside making the Force a torrent of power and rage around her. Something she could see made Sidious extremely happy but that she could no longer find it within her to care.

"Well my dear, why don't you answer that question yourself? Did you travel to Columus and seek out the old fields of battle? Look yourself and see what thousands of years had stripped away of the wounds or left as markers of what had come before?" Burning fire rose to her face as Arden felt a creeping mix of shame and embarrassment. Her flustered state would not go unnoticed as the old man continued smirking as he felt sufficiently triumphant.

"I had not given it any thought. It has been far too long." She spoke more softly and restrained as the embarrassment and anger took hold of her. In response and as expected Sidious chuckled his croaking usual chuckle and seemed to wave off her excuse.

"Then you see, my dear you have suffered from the same lack of interest as the galaxy before us. Though today the people are kept mostly in the dark on the history of both the Jedi and the Sith. It is better that way to dissuade any interest in them among the masses. However, it would be foolish then to assume anyone would know let alone have interest in the ancient battle of the First Great Schism.

'So to put it simply, lady Lyn, yes my teams of researchers found what no one had been looking for. And I can assure you it is no forgery. I can sense the ancient marker left upon the blade. When it was brought to me it was as if sensing an entire life's story in an instant and all that were slain by the weapon. Besides, you seemed more than convinced to its authenticity just by a mere hologram." Arden felt her jaw tightening from anger and she tried to calm herself as best she could. He was mocking her. Through his finding of the sword, through going to Columus and doing what she had not he was mocking her. He had won a battle she had not even known was being fought, and for that she felt burning rage boil inside. Even as her heart beat faster than ever before at the mere thought of that sword. As it meant and could mean so much more than simple metal and memory.

"You found his sword then. That alone is an accomplishment, my lord. However, I still fail to see why this warrants calling me via holo. To mock me perhaps, but otherwise I see no purpose." Palpatine chuckled and waved Arden's comments off.

"If you had been listening to me at all these last few moments you may have been able to discern my calls purpose. You wounded me when you joined Kun, lady Lyn. On a personal level I felt betrayed by someone who owed me a service for which I had intentions of repaying, as now evidenced." Arden felt her nostrils flare in anger, but still kept check of her tongue.

"On a wider scale you angered me. Joining with Kun was not as terrible or unforgivable as what the Moffs have done. However, it does still carry the hint of betrayal to empower a force that in many respects works against me. You owe no one loyalty you say yet when one like me or Kun offers you the chance to reunite with an ancient dead man whom you care deeply for I would think that carries at least the implication of trust and a hint of commitment. For this reason I had my people find dear Xendor's sword. With it comes many new opportunities. And as I have inferred during this very same call, perhaps these new opportunities will win me not only your services, but your loyalty." Arden listened intently and she could sense the old man brimming with cool calm control. His sense of power over her all but complete as he dangled Xendor's sword under her nose. She crossed her arms, and with a sour expression glared at his hologram.

"What do you mean, exactly?" The Emperor folded his hands over his lap and lounged back into his throne comfortably as his slithering voice began again with his ever present smirk of content victory plastered along his wrinkled wretched face.

"I am offering you a chance to redeem yourself, lady Lyn. I have since sent the sword of Xendor to Dromund Kaas. There the Prophets of the Dark Side reside, as you may well be aware of." Arden nodded, recalling the name of the world, and those odd ones who resided there. The short little one, their leader always was pleasant when spoken to. Even though Arden sensed more to him.

"I know of your prophets and the planet they call home."

"Ah excellent." Sidious croaked.

"Then you would like to know that I have tasked the prophets with the singular purpose of reviving your dear Xendor." Arden felt her breaths becoming heavier as they heaved from her chest in a mix of anger sudden onset anticipation. Her left hand clutched her robotic right arm as she both wanted to scream in rage and howl in agonizing relief! The very thought of him, of Xendor standing before her again made her heart race. However, her mind would not let her feel happy, or consider the Emperor's words a victory. She closed her eyes and released a calming breath. Well it was meant to be calming, but did little in actuality.

"What do you want from me, your Highness?" He first smiled as a reply. An ugly toothy grin that carried on for a moment in heavy silence.

"You need only travel to Dromund Kaas. Meet with Supreme Prophet Kadann. He has told me beyond having the sword and the faintest hint of Xendor's essence he would do well to have an anchor. Something that would help call forth and bind Xendor back from the void of the Force." Finally, through a fog of racing thoughts and anxiety a stray thought filtered through to the forefront of her mind and Arden cocked her head inquisitively to the side.

"Was it not you who was supposed to resurrect him? I had never thought those prophets would have the power to revive one to life. And as you say, one as ancient as...as Xendor." The Emperor waved her off once more.

"I always promised I would bring him back to you, lady Lyn. The means and the tools used for such a complicated ritual are all present at the Dark Temple the prophets reside within upon that ancient world. Dromund Kaas is tainted in darkness that goes as deep as Korriban's taint. The power there gives strength to those who wield the dark side, and Kadann may not seem it, but he is quite powerful. I cannot leave Coruscant, not yet anyways, and so I have kicked the task down to him as it were, my lady." Arden gave a feeble attempt at sensing his emotions and intent through the Force. As ever, however, a black wall utterly dark and mired in the dark side of the Force met her senses. Even as she guarded herself as best she could from his endless mental probes and prods with his own immense power, he was a stationary bastion within the Force. Undoubtedly and unquestionably powerful, and frightening to behold within the frame of the Force itself. Thus she was again uneasy even as the anticipation of seeing Xendor again, the gnawing idea of hope scratched at her mind.

"All I need to do is go to Dromund Kaas? Leave the front, leave Kun and his forces and what? Help them anchor his spirit to this world again, and then of course serve you in totality once more?"

"Ah it would appear you fully understand now, my lady Lyn. If you decide to go you will see my promise fulfilled, and you will be assuredly reunited with Xendor. Then you will serve my needs." Something about the way he said that unsettled Arden, but she could not place why. Though she shook it off as nearly every word that spat from his maw unsettled her.

"This all sounds...good and well enough, your Highness." Arden began and caused Palpatine to chuckle.

"But..." He trailed off.

"But," She mimicked.

"What assurances do I have that this isn't a trap? As you've made clear through this whole conversation I angered you. You perceived me as a traitor to work with Exar Kun. Yet, you offer this...most welcome gift to me without any vengeance?"

"Is that so hard to believe?"

"From a man such as you, yes." He merely beamed at her reply.

"Well then you will simply have to see for yourself. It may be a trap. An elaborate ruse created simply for my needs in eliminating one wholly inconsequential woman who has little effect on my place in the wider universe. Or, it may be the fulfillment of a bargain I myself offered in order to gain the trust and loyalty of someone who I could find uses for. Though if you mean to infer that I find you a big enough threat as to design such an elaborate ruse to kill you then perhaps you overestimate yourself, lady Lyn. Or at the least overestimate my view of your skills and use." Perhaps she would have felt offended were the situation different. As it was though Arden merely nodded. Not showing what she felt or thought one way or the other. Simply nodded.

"So my lady, you have two options. The first, you remain where you are and remain ignorant as to my designs and the outcome of my offer. The other, you go and see for yourself if your lover is returned to you. See if you should reconsider where your services lay in this galaxy and this war. Or if indeed it is one intricate death trap designed solely to kill you. Either way I lose nothing, and maybe you gain or lose all. It's up to you." A series of beeps sounded out and Arden turned her eyes to the holoterminal.

"I've just sent the coordinates for the Temple on Dromund Kaas. Go as you will. Though if you take too long perhaps Kadann and his kind may find their skills better suited on other projects. They are usually left to their own feeble causes and concerns." He nearly spat on them he was so utterly dismissive of them in that moment.

"The choice is yours, Arden Lyn." He spoke softly and with calculated feigned sincerity...at least she thought it was. Her body bristled as her mind still raced and every nerve and muscle was tense. Her anger had yet to abate and neither had her shock and wonder. She could only bow her head, her short raven hair flowing around her pale face as she did so.

"Now I leave you to whatever menial task Lord Kun has left for you within Tapani. Hopefully, in time, you will see that a far greater future awaits you. With any luck it is before the greatest opportunity for it passes you by."

"I shall...consider, your Highness." He smirked proudly, and far too triumphantly before his cowled head tipped ever so slightly forward and in an instant the hologram dissipated wholly. Arden remained standing silently for a few moments longer. Her golden eyes staring towards the distant floor beyond the holotable. Her breathing level for a time, before it rose higher and grew heavier. Her seemingly vacant stare became a hardened glare and her hands tightened to fists. Her right hand began to whine as the gears crushed themselves together. Ancient memories pounded through her mind and the Force howled around her.

A sudden and animal like growl escaped past her sneering lips as she stomped towards the table. Her left hand smashed itself across the keys there and within seconds a small portable disk ejected itself from the table holding a copy of the Emperor's coordinates. Without another thought she turned on her heels and stomped out from the room with the Force bristling around her with every step taken. Within the adjoining room Admiral grant remained looking over some datapad idly. His eyes turned towards her as he noted her entrance.

"Lady Lyn, I imagine-"

"I am leaving." She tersely cut the Admiral off and made for the doorway out from the room. Grant was stunned I silence for a moment before he sputtered out his reply.

"Wh...what? But what of the front? You are in command of it while Lord Kun is on Kuat."

"Then I leave you in command, Admiral. I'm sure you can handle whatever the Moffs throw your way." Arden as tersely as before informed as she stomped down the vacant hallway the room led into. Grant followed after her still shocked at her sudden retreat.

"Yes of course, but...but where are you leaving to?" Arden didn't stop as she turned left leading to another hall where to the very end lay an elevator to the lower decks and hangars.

"A world you need not know of. This is from the Emperor himself, Admiral. Thus for me and him to know alone where I head off to. Now, take command of Tapani in my stead, and await my return. With any luck it will be soon." With that Grant came to a stop sensing the finality in her tone. She stomped off and within seconds reached and entered the elevator leaving the Admiral alone and all too confused and stunned by her all the same. His right hand rubbed the back of his neck as he sighed and slowly turned away. He didn't really know what to do or where to begin, if he were being honest with himself. Nonetheless, he would return to the room he and Lyn had occupied before, as she soon enough took her Sith Infiltrator from the hangar bay of the stardestroyer and blasted off into hyperspace. Her destination unknown to all the imperials she left in her wake.

(Coruscant, Imperial palace)

"Cronal, so good to see you once more my friend." The Emperor greeted as the shadowy figure entered the grand throne room and was allowed to near the throne itself. The man wore his shimmering black clothes that, along with his own masking powers within the Force, allowed ones eyes to see only a shadowy mass of glinting glittering stars and no real discernible features. Though Palpatine could easily see beyond the man's trickery he suspected Cronal didn't really try hiding himself when he came before him.

"I am humbled as ever to be within your presence, your royal Highness." He bowed deeply coming before the throne as Sidious lowered it to the floor below.

"I have just finished my scheduled call with madam Lyn."

"Was it as productive as you hoped for, your Excellency?"

"Very productive." Palpatine smiled and motioned his hand to the left towards one of the great balconies overlooking the grandeur of Coruscant. Cronal tipped his head and fell into pace with the Emperor as they move passed the crimson royal guards towards the veranda.

"Have you completed the task I assigned you?"

"Yes, your Highness. Neither of them will know what hit them until it's too late. Though I doubt either will die." Palpatine waved his hand.

"That is not so much the point. What matters is that they realize with whom they trifle with. And, if one of them were to by their own foolishness die then it would make my position all the more easier to deal with."

"Then I hope for their deaths, my Lord." Cronal again bowed his head and Palpatine cackled.

"Indeed. Though I must say, your plan for Lord Kun is rather...unorthodox. Even for myself I must say."

"For an unorthodox man, I and Antinnis felt an unorthodox plot fit all the more, my Lord. He was the easier one to plan for." Palpatine hummed as both men reached the veranda.

"Lyn moves for Dromund Kaas, Vader fights upon Naboo, and Kun wages war upon Kuat. I think," Palpatine continued smirking broadly. "Today will be quite interesting for all my enemies." He cackled gleefully as Cronal watched his Lord do so and noted how invigorated he became when he schemed. Catching a glimpse of that mind that had led him from Chancellor to Emperor always intrigued him.

As such, both men remained upon the veranda as Coruscant moved all around them and the galaxy beyond that.

(Kuat, Kuatac City)

Exar narrowed his eyes as he glared down the street before him. It was lined with broken down and blown out speeders, and there were a series of many potholes blown into existence by Imperial or rebel heavy batteries or artillery. Better still there were dozens of buildings and spires lining the street occupied by these black armored organic rebel forces. Their bolts were flying through the air pelting the ground with missiles slamming after them as Imperial forces slogged forwards. Their main advance line being behind four Century-class tanks and three bogged down AT-TE's of the troop transport variation. Of which two of the walkers were destroyed and burnt beyond a crisp but still acted as suitable cover for those troops who remained.

"How many do we estimate, Colonel?" Exar inquired as he raised a pair of macrobinoculars to his eyes from around his neck to peer further ahead down the same street. The Colonel beside him, a Lieutenant-Colonel named Aru Portifax was designated Commander of all Imperial forces within Kuatac city itself. Exar hadn't assigned him the post but the command had fallen to him due to his rank all the same.

"Our intelligence has garnered that the rebels have an entire regiment within this city subsection. Civilians are still an issue, however, this sector of the city is...how shall I say it,"

"Less economically important?" Exar answered with no obvious inflection in his voice. Aru shrugged his head to the side finding Kun's choice agreeable.

"Yes my Lord, the populace here had two bunker units. Of which one was only half full and the other blown apart by a concentrated bombing campaign against the city. The bunker likely wasn't the target, but the Imperial policing station to the east here." The Colonel pointed his hand out east and Exar followed it to see a somewhat distant region of Kuatac beaten in and smoldering. It was small but quite noticeable.

"Most likely was."

"It will complicate things to advance through the sector if we've got civilians to worry about. I recommend total elimination of all forces within and accept any and all collateral damage with abandon."

"That will accomplish the deaths of all enemies, as well as embolden local rebel sympathizers. Even if we kick the rebels off planet we don't need to foster an internal rebellion here on Kuat, Colonel. Am I understood?" The man dipped his head in understanding.

"Yes, my Lord. How then would you recommend we proceed?"

Exar remained silent and turned the macrobinoculars to the distant and barely visible main battlefield where his apprentices were. He could barely see beyond many spires of the city but he could see massive thick black smoke stacks rising as tens of thousands of little lights flew and lit the open plain before his gray eyes. His scowl deepened as he sighed and turned his attention fully back on the problem at hand before himself and the men under his control.

"We will have to commit to a building by building sweep of this street. The rebels are using it as a staging point. Though I doubt they have any hope of reinforcements this whole region is helping to bog us down here in Kuatac. I have sent what little I could back to aid our main army, and without that small extra amount of support what we have here is what we'll have to deal with, Colonel."

"Yes, my Lord." Aru acknowledged still waiting to hear the plan. The plan he hoped his Lord had made up already.

"I will lead the charge into the street past our defense lines. I will require separate but equal in strength and size squads of no more than twenty men each. The first team will attack the right flank via the alleyway. Our heavy antipersonnel units will breach holes in the first obstructive building, and that goes for the left flank as well. I will take the center."

"Down the street itself?!" Exar smirked and nodded.

"I will be able to handle it. Not only that I will make more than ample distraction for these men. Surely my face has been stapled across the galaxy by now. Along with Lord Vader and the Emperor himself I am probably among the most wanted by rebel forces. Not to mention the scores of their kind I've already put to the lightsaber today." The Colonel still seemed unsure but nodded his understanding all the same.

"I will lead an equally small in scale squad of men forwards through the street. We will be aided in our advance by covering fire from those antipersonnel troops we leave under your direct control here at the staging point. We will mark significant positions in need of immediate destruction for what tanks we have available to concentrate fire upon. What positions I can clear out I shall. And in this entire process we will be wary of any and all civilians, understood?"

"Understood, my Lord." Aru reaffirmed.

"Very good then. Assemble the squads Colonel, and inform me when they're ready."

"Yes, my Lord." Aru jumped up from where he and Kun were set and ran forwards towards the main Imperial position. Exar swept his cloak aside and clasped at his lightsaber to inspect it. He smiled as he noted no sign of damage, or not even a scratch upon it. So many memories, so many deaths caused by his weapon. It brought a tingle of memory, both triumph and...sadness? His eyes narrowed. Why would he feel that? His face turned back to a frown and he couldn't pinpoint why. Then anger came and the Dark Lord remained silent in his confusion as memories passed by his mind's eye. A swinging mirage of blue as his saber flew through the air of a great chamber, and a wooden stick met its every slash and slam. Until two massive black eyes looked into his mixed with wisdom, determination and deep sadness.

"Master Vod-" Some beeping caught his attention and Exar shook himself from his sudden onset of memories which were harshly and immediately forgotten. A small cam-droid came before Exar beeping and whirring as its lens stared at him and Kun could make out the camera adjusting on his face. He raised a curious brow before a voice sounded out behind him.

"Zeetee!" Exar turned to see a very plain seeming Imperial wearing officer's armor running his way. His hand was clutched to the top of his head to keep his helmet in place but he held no weapon, nor had one even on him. Exar narrowed his eyes as he swore he recognized him.

"Apologies, my Lord Kun! My little droid honestly knows no boundaries!" He laughed as his droid companion beeped rapidly and came around to hover at his right shoulder still facing Exar.

"Right, and whom may you be?"

"Oh we haven't yet had the chance to meet. Though I have seen you from afar, my Lord. I am Randull Marcs. Myself and my friend here Zeetee have been shadowing young Commander Viathan for the Propaganda Ministry. With his detachment coming to Kuat so have I! It's an honor to meet you, my Lord!" The man bowed himself at the hip and his droid beeped before it made an odd lowering of itself in mimicry of its master.

"Right, I recall hearing of you from Viathan." Exar nodded in reply.

"Why are you here?" Immediately Exar figured the man was more than ecstatic to not be held in the developing stranglehold over at the main field of battle.

"The Ministry has ordered me to get good shots of you in action, my Lord. After your excellent propaganda stunt at the Senate Rotunda quite some time ago now the galaxy has rarely gotten a chance to see you. The Empire will need its heroes in this war, and my task is to make you one through great angles, a little video tinkering and Zeetee here." Zeetee beeped happily and Exar again nodded. From what Viathan had told him the man was quite squeamish. He was surprised he was a war correspondent. Either way he was hardly worth his time, but Exar did see the uses in having his face plastered on the wide reaching Imperial stations on the HoloNet.

"So, you're to join me now then I presume?"

"That's correct, my Lord. But do not worry, I and Zeetee will remain wholly out of your way as you carry out your business. We're here to observe and record not interfere or get in the way of military matters." Exar noted the man was sweating and seemed already on shaky feet. He was surprised that battle got to this man as much as it did, but he supposed the man had to be good at his job. He had seen Viathan on the Imperial news reports and the images did help accentuate the strong and able warrior in service to and for the glory of the Galactic Empire.

"Very well then Marcs. Be sure to steer clear of the heavy fighting that is to come. For in a few moments we assault that road." Exar pointed down the road and Randull gazed at it before he swallowed quite openly in stress.

"Ye...yes, my Lord. Ready when you are." He bowed and turned to Zeetee and began fiddling with a piece of machinery on the side of the droid. Exar turned back to the road fully just as the Lieutenant-Colonel came running back towards him.

"My Lord the squads are nearly ready. Squads Aurek and Besh shall hit the side buildings as instructed. While squad Cresh shall be yours to command."

"Excellent. Let's get on with this then." Exar stomped past the Lieutenant-Colonel and silently behind the two men Randull followed with his little droid in tow. Kun activated his blue saber as he approached the troops behind their pieces of armored cover. Three distinct groups of them were scrambled together as they helped load extra explosives and ammo cartridges onto their fellow troopers backs as they made ready for this sudden operation. Frankly none of them cared, they wanted to get moving and not be left as sitting ducks in the middle of a death street anyways.

"You troopers are about to embark on an operation we'd usually assign to more commando trained specialist units!" Kun began as all the troops slammed their feet at attention.

"However, I expect you men to do their jobs, and I expect you to do them twice as hard and twice as much as even they would today. This whole street is lined with enemy forces in all the adjacent buildings. You will puncture through them and sweep through killing all rebels you come across and destroy their ability to fight against us any longer! I will lead Cresh squad forwards down the street and draw the enemy fire. Cresh your job is to watch my back, shoot all enemy forces gunning for me whom I cannot immediately handle and draw their attention away from both teams Aurek and Besh! Support fire from our tanks is limited to enemy hard points and entrenched blaster or cannon positions in the buildings. We have little to no air support and equal amounts of artillery support! It's up to us, men, and we do this right or we fail. In which case the rebels maintain control of an entire subsection of Kuatac and spit in the face of the Empire at least until reinforcements arrive hopefully in due time. Or, we wait for them to hunker down and we lose across the planet and above it and wait for them to spread out like a cancer from this street across all of Kuatac hunting us down like rabid ack dogs!" Exar went on as he readied himself to pounce with the Force aiding him. The men all stood invigorated and frightened at the same time by their Lord's words and they clung tightly to their blasters even as the heavy support packs they wore on their backs wore down on them and the screams and blasts of war rattled their ears and bodies.

"So we do what we must men! We do this for the Empire, and for the end of this war! It will not end here and now, but with every fallen rebel be they man or droid we move towards the eventualand inevitable future where once more the Imperial flag is raised upon every world in this, our galaxy! Fight for that future, and fight with me for it! Give it everything you have as shall I and we will see Kuat return to glory, and the Empire sing of this victory for all time!" The men hailed in unison and Kun gave them a confident smirk as he turned to the Colonel who gave him a bow of his head.

"You have command of the rest, Colonel. Be sure to watch for any marked targets as I said."

"Of course, my Lord. May your victory be swift." He saluted and Exar merely chuckled as he moved forwards, planting his right foot down on a piece of the now fallen AT-TE from which he would leap from in just a moment.

"Teams Aurek, Besh go!" Both squad leaders acknowledged and they ran from either side of the Imperial defensive line towards the nearest street alley.

"Cresh on me!" Kun lunged up with the Force and his saber humming as he fell on the other side of the fallen walker. Bodies lay strewn around him twisted mangled and limbs missing as blood pooled in various places along the road from various sources. Imperial rebel or civilians, all lined along with the fallen speeders and weapons of war. The pungent smell of death and burnt metal stung his senses but Kun ignored them and called on the dark side to give him strength as he sensed the first bolt headed his way.

He swept his saber up right and immediately bolts went flying from him as he dove forwards with great speed aided by the Force as he heard his men howling with anticipation after him. Their own blasters loosing as they came around their cover. The rebels were drawn with ease on Kun and a swarm of bolts fell his way as they all gunned for the Sith lord. His second saber beam activated and he spun it as he came to a sudden stop and he swung his body in a circle where he stood blocking and repelling these bolts from himself. Some flew back slamming into several of their originators while most simple scarred and burned the sides of the buildings around the street.

Kun's men ran to find intermittent cover lining the street where they took position and found where the bolts came from and concentrated their fire on those positions. Several men were dropped immediately as pelting blistering bolts thrashed several troops along balconies or firing from blown open holes from the buildings. As Exar swung his saber and himself around the bolts he threw men down from their positions screaming or already dead as their armored bodies crashed to the ground or atop already broken and singed speeders. Some men began screaming orders, indiscernible to the Imperials on the ground or even Kun but the rebels re-targeted. Their blasters and bodies swung and they opened fired on the Imperials as the Imperials dashed to cover further up the street, while the back troops stationed still behind the armor line covered their advance.

Exar came to a sudden stop, a smirk having crawled along his features as his last swing of his saber thrashed a bolt back that slammed into another rebels head throwing him backwards dead on impact. Kun swung back left, his left hand moved up and a sudden unseen blast of energy exploded out crashing into a building in the same direction sending stray metal bits and stone exploding from an open blown hole where rebels were stationed. They howled out as the blast hit, sending some flying back into the building or falling to the distant ground below with a crash.

All the while Exar threw himself into a far leap towards a building to his right. His saber was swung spinning over his head as he moved towards another occupied balcony. The men on it screamed in sudden freight and hysteria as they fired at Kun but he came falling down with a slash that blocked bolts and cleaved two men in half. He deactivated one half of his saber and swung the active half up right cleaving a man across the chest creatinga burning gash as he did so. The room Kun looked into had several troops aiming at him and in the split second before they did he noted massive stocks of plasma cartridges and antipersonnel missiles and turret pieces behind them.

His saber swung before him pushing aside a swarm of bolts headed his way and he directed them to the nearest stockpile. It merely singed the containers and Kun frowned as the men inside dared to approach and release an uncoordinated furious barrage of bolts his way. Exar moved to the side allowing the bolts to pass, and in another instant he moved back unleashing another wave of energy from the Force throwing the men back and slamming them into their stockpiles before the Sith lord unleashed an immediate sudden flash of lightning that hit the stock. Kun swung and jumped down from the terrace just as a massive explosion rocked the building ripping two adjoining floors out as a fireball threw itself outwards and rained debris down onto the street below as Kun sensed many lives become instantly snuffed out in the Force.

Exar fell to the ground in a kneel as a swarm of more bolts followed his entire descent downwards and now pelted all about and around him as he jumped into a run back into the street. He made a slight jump into the air and unleashed a full formed dark side blast through the Force forwards that ripped through another set of balconies sending screaming men falling. His men advanced and covered him as they could, firing on the men Kun was not concentrated on, and many fell before they could position themselves to meet his men and their incoming stream of bolts. All the while two explosions went generally unnoticed as teams Aurek and Besh entered into the first building on their side of the road and began their task of killing any armored man inside that building.

So concentrated had the rebels become that they would barely notice their fellow rebels screaming, returning fire and blasting away at enemy intruders until it was too late. Those who lined the terraces and balconies along the building would turn in hysteria fueled by the sudden ferocity of the battle intensifying at Kun's coming to see Imperial stormtroopers firing at them. Wild abandon of crimson bolts would slam into them and tear them apart before they slumped down dead. Though not every building would be totally cleared. Some of them were spires that lined the road, and for them only those levels that could directly affect the street below needed be cleared.

The engagement began all the same. Exar twisted himself easily allowing his Niman to fall into an easy display of Shien form mastery and every bolt headed his way was useless and thrown aside as he ran up the street catching the attention of every adrenaline over stimulated rebel as he did. It took a few moments of blocking and running and leaping before the Force cried out in warning and the Dark Lord swept himself to his left dodging the first antipersonnel rocket that crashed into an already smoldering speeder throwing its carcass into the air nearly back down onto Kun.

The man was set atop a lower building with five men around him all kneeling shooting at Kun and his men. The rocket troop held the massive cannon on his shoulder before unleashing another that rocked his body where he knelt. Exar dove forward, his cloak whipping at the motion and violent singed winds of the battlefield as the rocket flew towards him. He swept his left hand back and wildly forwards and in midair the rocket sudden threw itself back towards the group of rebels who all dove aside as it went past their heads exploding against the wall of a building behind them.

"On your feet!" One man howled just as a crash of feet against metal was heard and caught their attention. They turned to see Exar standing tall and triumphant before he even made his move with brilliant blue blade in hand.

"No need to men. You'll be lying dead either way. May as well not put any undo effort into getting back up." They didn't reply as one of them hurriedly raised his carbine and fired on Kun who turned left parrying two bolts that crashed into and killed a trooper beside the shooting man. Exar aggressively swung his left hand up and the blaster, and the others of the various troopers were thrown into the air and tossed far beyond their reach down into the city.

"I would think you troopers would learn by now." Kun raised his left hand once more twisting it to where his fingers faced skywards and the men all began to gag and wretch as they were brought up into the air clutching at their throats to an unseen power grasping them.

"Blasters won't be what kills me. Not here, not today, not ever!" He snapped his fingers into a fist and a sickening crack sounded and all of their necks broken in an instant. Without care or concern or the idea of mercy on his mind as the dark side swelled in him Exar turned and threw the bodies through the air. They slammed hard and pelted various other balconies and buildings falling around their still living comrades. Some howled in horror and others in vengeful disgust as they all fell down to the road in crashes adding their corpses to the already sizable population about Kuatac.

Exar leapt down once more and dashed back to the center as bolts headed his way and he easily blocked while team Cresh advanced killing as they went. As rebel bolts flew back and brought down two of their own, the Imperials could not and therefore did not afford the luxury of calling for medics even if the fallen were still alive. They moved ahead firing and killing as they did allowing their fellow Imperials in teams Aurek and Besh to do what needed be done even if it was taking longer than they wanted, leaving room for rebels to their rear firing on their advance.

That was Colonel Portifax's job to handle. As Cresh squad advanced leaving active rebels behind themselves they ordered covering assaults from the static Imperial lines and marked them for the Colonel.

"All tanks open fire on these coordinates now!" He commanded over the shared comm and the tanks moved their main guns and in a blistering release that would surely deafen those unprotected their cannon bolts howled out thrashing the buildings and killing those men hounding Cresh as they advanced. The scars of their attacks leaving deep gashes on those buildings. Another trooper in Cresh felt four bolts tear into his back and he cried as another ten ripped him apart and he fell over dead. Cresh spun as best they could and fired on the originating point as a rebel turret position had been set up. Behind the gun sat three rebels who directed and fired on them pelting the men who scrambled to cover as the gun was wholly unleashed.

A sudden hum was heard through the air that warbled over and over as the rebels fired on the squad below. A light only caught one of the rebel's attention a few seconds before the twin blue blades tore through him and removed his head from his shoulders and his fellows were bisected by the twin sabers of Kun. He stood alone then without his saber in hands as more bolts came towards him and even as he let his mind guide his blade he could see more bolts heading right for him from two opposite balconies on either side of the street.

He took both hands and in a violent jerk of both of them he crushed them into fists and forced them down towards the ground before he pushed himself backwards with his feet and a light push of the Force. Both balconies cracked and snapped as the unseen power of the Force grasped and crushed them and the men all were thrown about as the ground beneath them gave way. The balconies gave way and all were thrown to the ground as more rubble fell upon them crushing and killing those who did not die from the impact against the ground below.

Exar came to an uneasy stop and stood as his saber swung around to his right and came in towards him. He reached his hand out and caught it with little effort and blocked another bolt headed for his face and sent it back into the face of its originator who slumped backwards into the room he fired from. It was but another hole in the side of the building he occupied that led into what looked like an apartment. It now housed nothing but a rebel corpse. Releasing a single breath Kun lowered his saber and stood for a moment allowing his eyes to close and let the Force keep him aware of everything around himself. His squadron advanced around him their appreciation felt in the force more than audibly stated as they fired on those buildings ahead. Another explosion rocked the street to Kun's left signaling another building breach by what was available of Besh squad.

Another release of tank fire thundered over his head and slammed into the same building Besh was moving into and collapsed a section of the roof down along the ground as team Cresh concentrated fire there.

"Marvelous work, my Lord!" Kun turned left and around to see Marcs approach as the droid hovered over towards Kun always pointing itself at his face.

"Commander Viathan always spoke on your ability with utmost awe and respect. To that I can only attest to as well." He complimented as he clasped his hands behind his back and neared Kun with a smile upon his face.

"Your compliments are appreciated Marcs. However, perhaps you're a little," Kun stopped and thrust his saber up without turning sending a bolt flying away from them.

"Close to the combat?" Randull shrugged his head to the side in an agreeing manner.

"That is true. I was never one for combat. The torn, burnt, mutilated and strewn bodies always gets to me. Though with everything I suppose by now it shouldn't. Zeetee has always made a good companion, and when I've lost my nerve he's always had fun filming even the most brutal and visceral act of murder and destruction. For that comfort I am thankful, my little friend." The droid beeped and Kun felt his brow furrow. The man sounded like he was sending off to a dying friend.

"Tell me Randull what got you to do this profession?" Exar asked as a rising curiosity nipped at his mind as he again effortlessly cast his saber up blocking an incoming bolt while his men seemed to take control of the battle without him even for these few moments.

"Oh it was a sense of loyalty to the Empire, my Lord. The story is mundane as mundane comes really. When I was a boy my home on Coruscant was hit by the droid invasion there during the last months of the Clone Wars. I was a teen more than a boy though I should say. Fourteen to be exact. My family was killed by a crashing Vulture droid shot down by a Jedi...I devoted myself to the Republic and quickly the Galactic Empire. I would and will do anything asked of me to see its mission complete and glory epitomized. I do what I do to repay what was done for me. The Empire took me in, trained me, fed me and clothed me where the Republic likely would have cast me as an orphan of war and the Confederacy would have enslaved and subjugated me. I have been asked to do many things to serve my Empire, and this day is no different." Exar felt a slight rise in the Force and he cocked his head curiously.

"Marcs what is-"

"To be honest, my Lord I always liked Commander Viathan." He cut Kun off and unclasped his hands and let them fall to his side.

"I hope you understand that I don't hate you either. You've shown yourself to at least serve the needs of the Empire even if not the will of those who lead it always. But, who am I? Just a nobody who works at the propaganda ministry." the Force hummed in tension but a howl of warning cried out and Kun swung left as a series of bolts nearly caught him. He sent them back easily and they pelted their originators and the building they occupied.

"Your forthrightness is welcome Marcs, however, maybe now is not the best time to chat." Exar turned to see the man holding up his left hand in a fist.

"I hope Viathan will understand why I had to do what I did. I am saddened I never got the chance to help him spy on that alien girl like he wanted me to. But, that is the nature of chaos. You cannot control circumstances all the time, and mine is as it needs to be. I am sorry Zeetee, my friend." The droid beeped sadly and that same sensation crept in the Force and Kun opened his mouth to say something just as Randull released his left hand and inside of it lay what appearing to be a felt his eyes widen in horror as the Force finally howled in warning. He threw his left hand up just as Zeetee exploded in a fireball and intense heat consumed Kun just as the man himself in a massive percussion exploded. His body was absolutely torn apart, flesh and cloth flying in every direction as the unseen bombs lining his body rippled in a single thrashing bomb that tore a hole in the street, and the incendiary explosives inside the droid set flame to everything around where its little frame had been hovering but seconds ago.

All of team Cresh swung around as the fireball lit the street and was followed by thick smoke filled with debris particles and sent chunks of metal and debris flying around them as glass in the immediate vicinity shattered and rained downwards.

"Lord Kun!" One trooper called suddenly, and all the team began running back towards the position as bolts flew after them.

"What the kriff just happened?! Cresh, what's going on?!" Lieutenant-Colonel Portifax howled over the comms as his position could clearly see the explosion's aftermath from where they were. All the while, unseen to those in the smoke and debris aftermath Kun's body was thrown through the air. His clothing torn and shredded exposing his burnt chest and his right leg missing the forwards facing cloth and showing his equally burnt flesh there as what was left of that clothing piece hung in burnt shredded pieces. He slammed into a far building along the left of the Imperial advance and broke through one of the already shattering glass windows facing the street. His body hit a metal table denting it as he rolled off of it to the ground where he proceeded to roll over and over along the ground until come to a stop against the back wall with a final slamming thud that nearly dented it.

He came to a stop face down, saber off still barely clutched in his right hand. His whole body smoked as intense heat radiated all across his form. His cloak was all but completely burnt away and his long hair was singed. A sudden cough, violent and pained erupted from him from where he lay and debris particles were ejected from him. He wretched hard and pulled his arms closer in as the pain hit him and he howled into the floor and force unheard to any and everyone possibly near. His body felt utterly beaten and battered, his back screamed with every movement from his slams and rolls. Everything burned, everything hurt and his mind was a blank slate of nothing but pain.

A gruff grumble of pain loosed past his grit and seething teeth as his hands pressed shakily against the cold floor. Every little movement of flesh and turn of bone made his stomach twist from the pain. Then he quickly fell back down with another howl of pain muffled by the floor. His breaths were fast and labored at the same time his eyes shut in pain until he coughed some more expelling more debris particles from his lungs.

"Exar Kun." He shook his head and through his coughing fit he turned his head upwards. His breathing was still labored in pain and through squinting eyes he saw a shimmering, but seemingly distant shadow standing before him. It looked down at him, though Kun wasn't sure how he knew that, but the voice...like before it was familiar.

"Master?" A crunching to his right caught his attention. He jerked his head all too fast and all too painfully as he saw them.

Rebel troopers were moving down a seemingly old staircase with blasters aimed down as they came. Exar felt a sneer cross his face as he looked back and saw nothing standing before him. A low growl pushed from his throat and he used the pain, every ounce of it to feed himself, to feed the dark side.

"Over there! It's him, get-" The man was silenced as Kun pushed himself up on his right hand alone. His left hand curling beneath his rising body as once more every man that was nearing from that staircase went stiff and began to rise into the air. Their cries of pain were loosed as their bodies were constricted by an unseen power, and for those who resisted they would hear a sickening crack as their bones were snapped followed by their own howls of deafening and all consuming pain.

"My...patience...has...worn out!" Exar's voice was deep and filled with a rippling growl with every syllable as the dark side whipped around him fueled and empowered by his own pain and writhing rage. Exar snapped his hand closed into a fist and the men all in unison, all four of them crunched horridly forwards as their spines all snapped among other various bones throughout their bodies. He swung his left hand and arm out and the men flew from the building smashing and crashing against rubble, burnt out speeder and the open road splattering across the battlefield. Many in Cresh team turned at the crashing and clamoring sounds in time to see the figure of Exar Kun, his clothes torn and ripped his flesh ravaged and burnt and hair singed with eyes ablaze in fury, exit from the building. His walk heavy and pained as he exited he stopped as bolts continued to fly across the field of battle. He brought his right hand up and inspected his saber to see it scorched along the outer casing. He sneered and snapped his finger across the activation switch igniting one of the brilliant blue beams and found his weapon more than capable of death.

"Continue the advance!" He howled in command. The troopers of Cresh team gave one another looks that even with their helmets on each understood to be a mix of astonishment and no small sense of awe. Before they turned back and returned fire on their many enemies along the street. Teams Aurek and Besh both entered into another building while Colonel Portifax's tanks began to finally advance down the street and open a covering barrage on the buildings further down the street.

Kun had only lived because he had sensed the coming attack a second or two before that man unleashed it. The Force had saved his life if not kept him pain free. His eyes narrowed into a harsh glare as he turned towards the street where the rebels continued their hail of deadly bolts. Someone had made the man commit to a suicide bombing, and Exar knew there were few people who could have made that order. And either way, his blood boiled in rage.

"He's unconscious but alive, sir."

"Well that's good I suppose." Viathan answered as the armored field medic looked over the limp body of Raydonn. He popped open a field medical kit full of syringes, medical tape and bandages and he silently plucked one of the syringes form the kit.

"This will stabilize him, however, I can't figure out why-" A massive explosion rocked the area as a nearby AT-ST had its head smashed in by a precise Hailfire missile. Viathan raised his right arm covering his face as the walker collapsed in a smoking heap only a few yards away causing troopers to scatter in the open.

"He lost a lot of blood in the last battle!Now keep him stable!"

"Yes sir!" The man replied as he injected Raydonn with whatever his cocktail was.

"Where is the field medical station?!" Viathan howled his question as he raised and blocked a set of blaster bolts sending them back into the mindless droid hordes and dropping two B1's at once.

"We have no field medical station, sir! We hadn't expected to be cut off! Not only by land but also via air, we can't airlift anyone out of this hot zone!"

"Kriff." Viathan spat as he looked and saw the droids still slowly push against his army. They outnumbered them, they all but surrounded them and held air dominance, yet they continued to slowly advance. He knew now that their plan was encirclement and it was working, but their forward advance still crawled at a Hutt's pace against his lines. It was honestly as if they didn't want to overwhelm his forces, but Viathan cast such an idea aside and snapped his fingers at his ear comm unit and kneeled down as the bolts sprayed in all directions amongst the chaos.

"Offee, Jade, status reports!"

"The kriff have you been?!" Jade howled as Viathan made out utter chaos on her end.

"Busy with our master's most recent addition to the group! Forget it though what's your end looking like?!" Another three missiles flew over Viathan leaving smokey trails in their wake as they exploded into a set of Century-class tanks advancing to support the forward lines. Two were destroyed but four continued rolling forwards with scorched metal plating spread liberally across each of them.

"My whole line is getting pushed back! I got some reinforcements from your division but they ain't worth much, Zalliste! Now either come up with a plan or get off the comm I need to- wha!" Viathan heard her cry out, but before he could ask if she were okay a series of indiscernible curses soon loosed from her lips over the comm. Though his eyes did glare some at the use of his last name.

"Offee, what about-"

"Oh no need to worry about me, 'Zalliste.'" She giggled and Viathan felt his glare form into a sneer.

"I can handle this whole army of droids beating down on me and my men all alone if need be. Although if a stray bolt happens to-" As with Jade she was silenced and Viathan heard an explosion rock out. He snapped his head towards her troop positions to see a squadron of Hyena-class bombers zooming overhead leaving a massive stack of black smoke on the ground after them.

"Offee are you-" A series of hard gasping coughs cut him off over the comm and the hum and swing of a lightsaber followed along with screaming men.

"I'm fine...though a plan would be nice. Considering you think yourself the master strategist either spit one out or shut up!" Viathan growled but ceased contact for the moment. His mind returned to old memories, Morlin and himself standing before a holotable projecting a battle being played out.

"We're surrounded. Pulling in completely...is suicide." He whispered to himself as he tried to think of a more full thought out plan. His mind reeled in a sudden snap of memory.

"Dammit you two! What type of forces are hitting you?! I need to know which flank strike is weaker if we're hoping to survive!" He called over the comm and gave each of them a few seconds. The rumble of AT-ST's stomping along the ground nearby rattled him, especially as at least three AT-ST's began wildly spraying over his head and those troops near him in a vast wide arch that shattered and tore through dozens of droids on the other side of the battlefield.

"Well I can't see the whole damn field of fire now can I?!" Kira began.

"I've got four AAT squads maybe, possibly less, multiple battalions of B1's and advanced B2's covering them! No air cover on their advance, but sizable artillery push on my forces! I've also got-" She again cried out as something nearly hit her, but once more Viathan heard Jade flow into curses seamlessly as her saber hummed quickly on her end through his comm.

"Multiple support units of both spider and crab droids! They aren't moving much just sitting and hammering!" Mara finished.

"Kira, I need what you got! I don't care if it's only what you can see any little bit karking helps!" He heard her sigh before she spoke.

"Alright, alright keep your tunic on! I see multiple divisions approaching along the front supported by multiple spider walkers and AAT's along most of the whole line. And karking droideka's everywhere!" She cursed as Viathan heard her seethe and sweep her saber out and slash at something unseen.

"Good, then Kira your front is the one they're trying to push harder on. That means I will reinforce your line Jade!"

"Oh no you shouldn't I feel so special!" Mara replied with clear sarcasm. Viathan ignored her.

"Kira I'll be sending you all of Raydonn's reinforcements while I make a push with my units on Jade's lines. With luck we'll puncture a hole through the droid advance and allow us a gateway out from this mess."

"Whatever you say, Zalliste." She responded seemingly without care. Viathan snapped off his comm channel to his two fellow apprentices and opened up an open channel to the general forces.

"Attention all Imperial forces, this is Commander Viathan. I won't lie to you, the rebel droid forces have begun to encircle our position. In order to rectify this attempt to destroy us I have these orders for you to commit to. As of this moment Commander Raydonn is out of commission and I am assuming control of all central Imperial advance forces. All forces under command of either Commander Offee or Jade, maintain your orders. All support units previously under command of Commander Raydonn you are to officially engage enemy forces along Commander Offee's positions! All units under my command you are to move to engage all enemy forces assaulting Commander Jade's positions! Forces advancing on Offee defensive stance, forces under me aggressive advance, now move!" Viathan commanded and within a few moments he heard mass of movements behind him and calls over the comm channels as the ground Commanders began ordering their units to either position given to them.

"Alright," Viathan turned as the medic began applying bacta to several of Raydonn's old wounds. Some of them having slightly torn back open seeping blood as they did.

"Can we move him to a secure post?"

"There's none really here, sir! The only secure position we could take him is a PX-4 mobile Command Base stationed to the-" Another boom erupted sending both the medic and Viathan down to the ground as a small shock wave erupted from the droid side of the field. Overhead zoomed by two MAAT's that were circling back away as AA guns on the droid side burst after them sending flak through the skies and chasing the gunships.

"Commander Viathan this is gunship squadron 893 at your command. We've been redirected from Kuatac to support you as best we can. However, enemy AA resistance is heavy and we have officially lost air dominance in this sector. How shall we proceed?" The man asked over Viathan's comm unit as he watched the gunships fly through the air back towards the Command Center near Kuatac.

"Fire missions will be called when needed. Maintain safe distance away from the battle otherwise, and try to keep clear of enemy air power. Viathan out." He silenced the comm and returned his attention once more to Raydonn where he kneeled near the medic.

"We either need to get him to that command unit or back on his feet. This position may become untenable as we attempt to hold the line along Commander Jade's flank. Can you get him moving again?!" Viathan asked in a yell as another barrage of cannon fire from something unseen pelted both ways over his head.

"I wouldn't recommend waking him, sir!" He called over the rampant and rampaging fire.

"If he's already lost a lot of blood, and he's losing more he could be on the fast track to exsanguination! I recommend getting him to the command unit at once!" Viathan nodded and gave a moments thought as he looked towards the droids and noted hundreds upon more hundreds of B1's taking aim and firing blindly over his position. He looked to the right and saw more of the same plus distant armored units. Then he looked left and saw one nearby OG-9 Homing spider droid standing and firing on distant AT-ST positions down the Imperial center. That's when he nodded and snapped his attention back to the medic.

"I'll make an opening. You get him to the command unit and tend to his wounds more properly. Inform me if his situation changes, clear?!" Again he had to call over the suddenness and loudness of battle.

"Clear, sir!" The man replied readily. He closed his kit and snapped it to his back before he expertly got Raydonn's limp body over his shoulder and readied himself still in a kneel to carry the man by himself to the command unit. Viathan made sure to snap his sabers to his belt and drew on the Force. The field was littered with dead and dying and thus the dark side was strong here in this moment. He let it fill and surround him before he enacted Ruin's old trick he learned. Without a movement, but just a thought time seemed to stop, but Viathan knew it wasn't. Relatively he only had a moment to act before it would all come smashing back against him. He gave a moment's thought of using the long dead Dark Lord's power of 'Deadly Sight,' but he decided against it in the end. He raised his left hand, the metal creaking and twisting into a fist as he reached out and grasped out at the spider droid. Then he raised his right hand and followed the same action. Time came slamming back at full pace and Viathan howled as he heaved both arms back right and in a sudden metal crack that thundered out the whole spider droid whined and slammed against the ground. From there it was dragged along the ground spitting up dirt and metal shards as it crushed and crashed and smashed droid after droid along the forward droid line. Every inch it ground against the soil and dug up the dirt bits of the spider droid were torn apart but the main orb of the droid remained mostly intact as it slammed into droid after droid while the Imperials endlessly fired on those droids behind the forward line. Artillery pieces slammed and bashed more as walkers and tanks crashed into their own tanks and walkers. And as Viathan finally let his arms go somewhat limp and the droid crushed several B2's underneath he immediately gathered the Force once more into his hands.

Another feral howl escaped from his lips and he thrashed his arms up and forwards against the droid army. In a blue flash and explosion great tendrils of lightning pulsed and singed through the air before crashing into one droid and shooting off into another over and over from ten tendrils until they snaked into dozens moving from droid to droid. Burning and short circuiting them as it carried on. The Imperials near Viathan all came to a stop, not in unison but with a moment given or two they stopped shooting. Their eyes awed and dazzled at the display of power from the teen boy. Only one stray medic pushed by them running with a heavy pace back into the thick of the Imperial lines towards a distant and hopefully still operational PX-4 base unit.

Viathan's crimson eyes grew bright and bore down on the droids as the dark side cried out in glee. The lightning tore through untold hundreds of droids until he finally collapsed. A huff escaped from his lungs and Viathan fell to his knees, his hands slamming to brace himself against the charred dirt below. His body shook in pain and he began coughing as he cast an equally pained glance to his left hand. Sparks shook and rattled his metal hand and the shocks traveled up his arm and racked his whole body.

"That was a bad idea!" He seethed loudly as his body was racked both by the tremendous burst of lightning and deep draw in the Force. He didn't like using as much energy, and atop his pained spasms he felt shaky and weak from the attack. But he pulled himself up into a kneel and snapped at his ear comm unit again.

"Forwards units continue to hold your lines and fire!" He commanded to dislodge the men he knew were awed at his display of power. Within seconds everyone opened fire once more as the tanks and walkers to the front of this hellish battlefield maintained their barrages and attacks. For his part Viathan coughed and his body continued to shake from the overuse of power and use from his metal hand but he picked himself up and slammed his right foot first followed by his left until he made into a shaky run towards Mara's position to the army's right flank. He snatched one saber into his left hand, and through the shakes he blocked every bolt that happened to fly his way as he moved across the vast fields of battle over broken down machinery dead bodies and fallen droids.

As he ran and picked up speed aided by the Force he passed by and moved behind three AT-ST's as they pushed forwards blasting away at a single OG-9 spider droid. As he passed them by fully he caught the spider droid firing its main weapon into the head of one of the walkers before it was itself blown apart by the Imperial walkers. The one it hit had a gaping wound in its head and it fell over with its operator more than likely dead. A squad of fifteen Imperial troops had taken use of a dirt mound thrown up by some sort of bomb or artillery use. Charred soil was everywhere and there were dozens of droids littered around it, but the Stormtroopers lay prone against it aiming and firing their blasters over the mound towards the droid lines. Which showed masses of B1's slowly advancing with multiple B2 support units firing on the Imperials. As Viathan passed by, idly blocking incoming bolts as he did, three of the troopers were shot multiple times in their helmets and fell limp while their comrades continued fighting and brought down double and triple every man they lost upon the droids.

His breath was heavy but he kept moving. As he did three droidekas flashed by piercing into Imperial lines. He came to a sudden stop and swung towards them as two droidekas unfurled and the third moved even deeper, but was suddenly blown to bits by a dug in Imperial repeater and its gunner. Viathan charged at one of the droids as it turned and opened fire on three unsuspecting troopers who fell to the ground crying in pain. His saber swung out right slashing the droid in half only after it had done its damage. The second droid, however, had enough time to activate its shield and whipped around at him and fired wildly. He threw himself into a roll away as the droid's bolts singed an already blown out AAT and the dead around it. Throwing his right hand forwards a powerful burst was released through the force that sent the droid hurdling backwards and its shielded form smashed itself against a still active Imperial TIE Mauler where its shield faded from the massive impact. As it attempted to push itself back the hum of a lightsaber met its audio receptors before the saber sliced through the droid where it lay and returned to is owner.

Viathan turned and immediately broke back into a run towards Mara's forces the shaking in his muscles only just beginning to calm as he did. He ducked and twisted his body nearly every second as he let the Force guide him and warn him of every stray bolt of debris bit that was flying around him easily capable of killing him. He threw himself up into a leap and he fell atop an advancing AT-MP. The cousin to the AT-ST had extending metal frames the engineers called 'arms' each filled to the brim with missile batteries. It advanced with two AT-ST's that fired rapidly along the ground, and as Viathan jumped off the top of the AT-MP it unleashed all eight of its missiles. They flew out wildly crashing into multiple preset targets of AAT's and Viathan saw at least one crab droid that was blown to scrap as well. He landed just as the rebels launched a massive missile counter barrage. Trails of Hailfire-class droid batteries slammed across and around walkers and several tank lines to their rear sending Viathan into a staggered run, but forwards he went all the same.

Four Century-class tanks rolled forwards and each fired in succession of one another and their bolts crashed into three separate dwarf spider droids as the fourth ripped apart at least a platoon size of droids sending metal debris pelting and lodging into the ground and other droids. And like before, as Viathan swerved around the tanks the droids responded. Two AAT's and two Persuader-class tanks rolled forward through the fog of smoke and dust shot up by the Imperial tanks. They opened immediate fire blowing one of the Century's away. The other three returned fire concentrating on the AAT's and blowing both away. The Persuader's blew another Century away and they in kind finished off the last Persuader. Just as three crab droids came stomping forwards. Viathan had to ignore whatever came next though and only caught the action from before as he continued dashing away. He distinctly heard Hyena bombers zoom overhead and he let the Force guide him and he dashed quickly inwards towards the Imperial lines just as a slew of proton bombs that ripped across several meters of the Imperial forward lines crushed multiple tanks and killing dozens of men caught in their dug in positions. From that hit came running dozens of B1 battle droids. More than Viathan expected to advance through the general slog the rest of the army seemed to be maintaining.

Again he growled as he had to keep moving and he threw his right hand out towards them as he moved on and the Force tossed dozens of them back smashing them against one another. He moved on glimpsing a company of Stormtroopers running ahead firing into the newly made gap and dropping those droids left standing. It gave him a little bit of comfort knowing they were at least attempting to hold their forward lines. Either way he kept moving. His saber slashing out seemingly at random blocking those stray bolts headed his way and himself ducking under and around those others as before. He threw himself into one of the hardest runs of his life, and he could sense as time passed and ground did the same underneath him, that he approached Mara's position. Overhead the whir of a stray MAAT caught his ears, and so did the howl of a missile as it exploded up and smashed into it. The fiery exploded wreck fell towards the ground and Viathan came to another sudden stop as the Force cried out in his mind. He dove towards the droid lines as it fell and exploded several feet from where he had stood, and he felt his body thrown in spite of his attempted dodge. He heard several troopers cry out as they were also caught in the blast and tossed while the wreck rolled across the ground skirting along the very front of the Imperial lines.

With a mighty huff he fell to the ground and felt his body roll much like the burning gunship. He came to a thudding stop facing upwards and with a grimace clear on his face. Then he cried out in another great heaving huff of pain as the air was torn from his lungs, a fully armored trooper came crashing down atop him clearly dead with a piece of metal, probably from the gunship, lodged and jutting out from his back.

"Oh, that's good." Viathan intoned as another bitter and painful cough loosed from his lips as the heavy fully armored man lay atop him horizontal to his own form. Before he could move a thud caught his attention and he froze. His body went rigid and the Force tingled in the back of his mind in warning. He angled his head to the right slowly just as a large shadow began to cast itself over him and the dead trooper atop him. A massive metal leg slammed down into the soil digging into the dirt followed by another that slammed into the ground beyond Viathan allowing the shadow to fully encompass and cover him.

"Now that's a big crab droid." He intoned to himself as the droid ignored him. He figured it had something to do with the dead body currently atop him and beginning to seep blood down onto him as well. He twisted his head to look down his chest as he was nearly vertical with the division between the two armies. He heard it and the Force had again clued him in as he noted the droids were beginning to suddenly push, and hard. B1's were charging forward and supporting this charge were dozens of walkers and Viathan could see this giant version of the crab droid was not alone.

"General push along the whole forward line! Any Commander please respond!" A nameless trooper called over the comm as a flurry of other voices sounded out in a chaotic chorus of much the same as renewed chaos overcame the Imperials. Viathan sneered and slowly began to push the body off of himself as he noted the sudden great wave of droid footfalls all around the crab droid still over him. The very same droid fired strong cannon blasts into the Imperial lines, the first of which tore through one TIE Mauler and sent men reeling.

"This is Commander Viathan, all forward units you may begin tactical retreat patterns. Secondary and third lines provide what cover you can, any artillery piece, tank unit or walker, get a move on! Viathan out." He commanded in a low but strong seethe over a wide band to the whole army. He pushed the dead trooper off of himself and he grasped at his inactive saber still within his left hand and rolled onto his stomach and pushed up into a kneel as the crab droid fired another strong cannon blast into the distant Imperial lines.

"Come on you bastard." He intoned lowly as he shimmied in a kneel towards the side of the crab droid and out from underneath its shadow. The crab droid turned to its right as a massive push by hundreds of droids swarmed forwards. The crab droid fired another massive blast and it slammed into a dug in Imperial position sending four troopers flying up howling in their death throes.

Viathan came out and activated his saber swinging in a wide arch from left to right cleaving at least six B1's down before he leapt upwards using his slashing momentum right and his body twisted as he flew up and quickly fell back down atop the crab droid. The machine seemed to notice just as he tossed his saber into his right hand and slammed his left hand down with his piercing clawed metallic hand into the armor of the droid. He twisted his fingers and clamped them just as the massive droid swung its frame to get him off and he felt himself thrown and lose his footing. Only his left hand keeping him atop the droid as his body was tossed left and then right. He grimaced at every swing but kept himself mostly atop the droid walker. It thrashed once more, and he poured the Force into his left hand and with a mighty heave and accompanying howl he tore his hand back towards him and ripped off a massive chunk of metal armor plating that he tossed away.

Quickly he slashed his saber down into the exposed interior of the droid and the thing thrashed once more, and this time nearly threw him off. Viathan, however, pulled back and the force of the droid's thrashing helped him yank back the saber still lodged in its back. A series of bolts came flying his way and he was quick to follow the Force's warning and he threw himself up into a high jump. Looking down before his inevitable fall he called his saber back to him and began his descent.

Falling with a thud in front of the beastly machine it zeroed in on him as its small soldier friends kept firing on it. He deactivated his saber quickly and using the Force he reached out and grasped the gash in the droid. He brought his hands and curled them near one another, and with another scream he yanked his hands apart with great force. The machine shook and the metal began to whine just as its weapon began priming to fire on him. But, in a split second it was torn in half and the massive chunks cried as metal snapped and reverberated in Viathan's ears. Both pieces slamming into and crushing dozens of droids as they flew apart from one another.

Without another thought he dashed right once more and snatched both sabers into his hands this time. Both of them flinging wildly around him blocking the sudden burst of massive droid fire. All down the line droids were advancing rapidly. Firing and running as they did, mostly B1's but every kind was moving and pushing hard. His brow furrowed as the adrenaline pounded. He could only imagine one thing had happened. The encirclement was complete enough to begin the strangle.

"Jade! I'm near your position! We need to push hard and form a spearhead!" He huffed in a howl as missiles, dozens of them, flew in both directions and slammed one after another shaking him to his core and throwing shrapnel, dead and dirt everywhere.

"Tell me something I don't kriffing know!" She howled in return, but as she did Viathan slammed his boots down as a saber hummed in the air before him. It flew into and slashed off the barrel off one of the cannons of a nearby stomping Tri-droid just as it fired. The blast uncontrolled ripped the head open and the smoking droid collapsed atop several B2's dashing ahead firing their wrist blasters.

His breaths were labored and strained as sweat pooled on his brow and fell on him like a waterfall. He couldn't recall running so hard in the recent past...save for maybe once on Epica. But, he cast those memories away and watched as the saber sun in the air just as a small blur of red and black flew into the air, snatched it and landed gracefully before him through the thick black smog in the air.

"So nice of you to join gizka fodder." In an instant flash memories of her harassing him, using a gizka as her go to mockery of him and his powers sent a shiver of wrath coursing through his blood. Again, he cast it aside and buried it deep in an attempt to ignore her.

"We need a good point to push through!" He began just as a series of tank blasts hailed overhead into the droid lines. He swept his saber out left and both cleaved against running, seemingly mindlessly so, droids. Five B1's fell over and Mara threw her left hand out thrashing several dozen more at the least.

"We've got the manpower to push against them on any point, but no clear sign where that would be most useful!" She began and slashed her saber down left just as a droideka attempted to roll past her, and cleaved it in half. Viathan threw both humming sabers out and they swung in the air and tore through untold scores of droids who simple sent in more after them all shooting insanely. To the rear of the apprentices at least forty troopers ran forwards. Most standard Imperial Stormtroopers with blaster rifles that sprayed as wildly as the droids were and clipped more than their fair share. Three men came in with them their bodies bulked in armor and each holding a heavy repeater which they loosed and the spraying cannons ripped into every droid around them. Several B2's melted away under the assault along with dozens of further B1's.

"We have basically nobody in the air to help us, and what armor we got I'm not going to throw into a suicide run!" Mara began again as Viathan snatched both saber hilts in his hands. Again Epica played in his mind as he remembered losing nearly all his men on the plains attempting a similar breakout from the forests. He frowned but nodded.

"I think we-" He was cut off as four Nemesis-class gunships tore overhead at low altitude. His tattered clothing rippled at their low swing to the ground as each opened up tremendous fire on the droids loosing cannon fire and multiple missile batteries.

"If anyone is hearing me over this kriffing channel respond!"

"Leia?" Viathan replied to himself in a tone so low Mara didn't hear. She was busy looking at the gunships tearing off in separate directions as the heavy droid anti-air walkers unleashed hell into the skies again.

"Leia is that you?" Viathan began more loudly as he ducked on instinct by the Force.

"It is, and before you say or ask anything I and my detachment are heading your way. Before the command post was hit by the droids the Intel got in on the droids and what they were doing. The post is...well a bit worse for wear, but my father's unit of the 501st is still operational and under my command. So, I'm adding them to the fight before you get boxed in...worse than you are now I'd say."

"Well at least someone is thinking competently around here." Mara added her thoughts over the comm and Viathan again felt a frown form across his face.

"I'll more than accept your help, Leia. But we've got a bit of a problem."

"That being?"

"Well, how are you getting here?" There was a moment's pause.

"I'm being forced to ship in what I have with what little gunship transports we have. So, they're going to have to make a few runs back and forth."

"A few?" Viathan repeated questionably.

"Okay a few more than a few! But, it's all I got unless you want them to walk from the city!" She snapped and Viathan grimaced from the sudden shrillness in her voice.

"Okay, okay, that's not my issue. What is, is the-" As if on cue a fireball erupted in the air as one of the Nemesis gunships began spinning towards the ground with one of its engines blown off by the anti-air. It crashed hard along an advancing droid line, though it didn't dissuade the others advancing.

"Figure it out with your friend will ya?!" Mara commanded as she dashed back towards the droid lines with her saber at the ready. The troopers formed up firing with wild abandon while droids attempted to puncture through and formed nice hills of their fallen and broken as cover.

"The droids have had anti-air since the kriffing battle has started! Whatever air superiority we could have had with my fleet and my Master's has been lost ever since the sabotage crippled the combined fleet! The droids have been picking off whatever scraps are left by their own fighters or their AA!"

"Well not much I can do about that now is there?" She shot back causing Viathan to pause as he racked his brain for an idea.

"No, but I need whatever you can bring along Mara jade's front! The right flank! If you can push in on the droids from the outside, and I spearhead from inside their little encirclement we can punch a hole large enough to open the lines again."

"All sounds great, but what about my gunships?" Viathan ignored a blast that exploded the ground near him and sent dirt pelting down atop his head. His crimson eyes stared in silence at nothing as his mind continued to race. And then, it hit him.

"Leia, hold your ships back, land any forward troops you can a safe distance away from which they can advance and provide...whatever relief they can to my and Jade's forces."

"Yeah I can do that, but what about the rest?"

"I have an idea." he declared as his eyes turned towards the smokey skies of Kuat and beyond.

The rattle of the facility shook the two guards stationed at the door. One of many aboard the Drive Yards and among the many thousands it seemed trivial and unnecessary to guard. After all there were thousands along the many halls and corridors of the great space yard. Their blasters in hand and white armor covering their bodies. They stood waiting and watching as the silence permeated the hall around them, and the station periodically shook from the raging space battle outside.

"So uh...you hear about Outpost Cresh-90?" The trooper to the right of the door asked. The trooper on the left turned his head towards his comrade.

"Nope, never even heard of it. What is it? An outpost on Kuat?"

"Nah, just a backwater in the Outer-Rim. I think it's on a world called Beheboth? I don't remember really, but it's not really important." The first trooper replied causing the second to nod and turn his helmet back to face ahead from the door.

"Well what happened to it?" He asked as both stared forwards once more and felt the station rattle from some force unseen.

"Well I heard from Captain Holbok that the outpost came under attack by a band of pirates looking to cash in on the war."

"No stang? Well I guess no one can get a break nowadays." Both troopers nodded.

"But that's not even the worst of it."

"Really?" The second trooper asked as the first turned his way some.

"Really. So, get this, the pirates hit and left but the outpost commander lost five guys when a pirate shot at a fuel dump delivery. Blew the five troopers away and made a nice new doorway in the side of the outpost for the rest of the garrison."

"Kriff." The second trooper intoned as he listened.

"So, the Commander needs some men to fill the gap caused by the five dead troops. He hasn't got many and asking for reinforcements against pirates during a war seems rather unlikely to happen. So, Holbok says he made his janitors dress up as Stormtroopers and fill the void made by the dead troops."

"Janitors?!" The first trooper started to chuckle at the second's disbelief.

"Yeah janitors."

"Isn't that dangerous?" The second asked causing the first to turn to him questioningly.

"How would that be dangerous?"

"Well, I mean, they aren't used to combat! What if one of them loses his mind and goes AWOL and tries killing the whole squad?"

"Well that's both unlikely and improbable."

"I mean it could happen." The second replied as the first chuckled again.

"Well it won't. Turns out janitors make horrible soldiers and they were massacred by another pirate raid just five days later. On their first run at that."

"Ah." The second intoned more calmly as he shuffled where he stood.

"But can you imagine? A janitor turned trooper killing his whole squad after the horror of battle?"

"Any squad that gets killed by a janitor turned trooper deserves it frankly."

"So do idle troopers." Both troops jumped at the new voice and looked to their right to see a boy, probably a teenager really, standing near them whom they recognized.

"Sir, forgive us we were just-"

"Talking about trivial matters during a battle? Needn't you inform me trooper after all, I was there." He smirked and caused both men to feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Tell me, why are you two hands guarding this door? This deck is mostly clear of droids yet you are not engaged with their invading forces on other levels."

"Ye...yes sir, we were stationed by Captain Holbok of the 45th detachment to guard this room. Its a supply depot." His comrade turned and snapped in a security code opening the door. Darssus clasped his hands behind his back and shuffled around to the front of the door and watched it slide open. Inside were stacks of containers and crates filled with ammo for the men.

"The Captain said they might be needed...should a retreat be necessary from the upper deck. Where most of the fighting is, sir."

"I am aware. I just came from there." Darssus replied coolly though his seemingly serene smirk never faded from his face.

"Hmm it seems a waste to keep men guarding a mere door when so many others die actually fighting." He sighed and sensed both troopers be put even further on edge.

"I suppose there's no helping it, however." He seemed to relent. "Guard your silly little door then men. I suppose you serve a purpose in doing so." He turned away from them, his clothing whipping around him as he did. Both men cast one another confused glances through their helmets and thanked whatever power there may be he was leaving. In the run of the battle for the Drive Yards they had heard of this one's...lack of tolerance for those men he deemed 'incompetent.'

For his part Darssus lowly hummed to himself as he entered a nearby turbolift. He pressed a single key on the keypad. He looked down the hall at the two troopers and watched the door begin to close on the turbolift. And as they did a massive explosion erupted out from the hall as enemy fire from outside ripped into the level, and both troopers were sent screaming out into the vacuum along with most of their precious room. The lift closed in time and Darssus chuckled to himself.

"The Force really does have a sense of humor." He hummed in dark mirth as the lift began to move up a level. Even as the lift whined from significant damage and some blaring alarm began humming over the comms unit he merely stood stoically and smiling.

"Karking comms system...hello?! Is anyone reading me...damn station?" Darssus felt his brow furrow as he recognized the, albeit, garbled and battle drowned voice.

"Brother, is that you?" Darssus responded touching his fingers to his ear comlink.

"...comms bad...need..." Darssus then heard the transmission strain as his brother attempted such a distant communication. He hummed in a curious manner just as the turbolift opened and an explosion ripped apart a piece of the hallway it led into. He casually snatched up his saber at his belt. Honestly one of a few he owned, and this one was simple in design. A real tool more than an eloquent extension of his person. He activated one of the two beams along the dual bladed tool and he slashed it before himself blocking an incoming, but probably stray bolt.

Inside the hall were many dead workers and troopers. The whole level still unsecured along this subsection of the entire Drive Yards facility. A fire burned to his right and there were dozens of troopers lying dead along the entire length of that same hall. Three troopers kneeled behind several heavy crates to his right down the hall and fired in sprays down the hallway where two B2's stood firing blindly back at them in heavy bursts with a single droideka between them firing away at anything else that moved.

Darssus sniffed the rancid air filled with burnt metal and rotting corpses and dashed forwards at a tremendous speed. Within a few seconds he came to stand by those troopers and raised his left hand where a tremendous burst of power ripped through the hall and into the distant droids. One of the B2s was flung onto its back and the other stumbled while the droideka skirted along the floor.

"I require a comlink. One with a far more powerful signal." Darssus began calmly glancing at the troopers who stared up at him in a mixture of awe and fear from where they kneeled.

"Uh...uh yes, sir!" The nearest trooper stuttered as bolts skirted just over his head. He stumbled as his friend kneeled lower before firing over the cover in a rapid burst. Darssus turned an angry glare the droids way as they returned to firing at them all. In a flash of speed he twirled his saber before himself activating the second blade as he did. He threw himself forwards, dodging and blocking the bolts as he did. His body flew right, his boots skirting along the wall seeming to gracefully run along it as he thrashed his saber downwards with a small leap forwards. The Force charged in sparks of electricity singing and burning the air as he tore down and the charge raced across the floor as he split one B2 in half using the Force to aid his strength. The pulse shook and startled both of the other droids. He smirked as he reached out and grasped the other B2. He snapped his hand closed and the droid crunched together loudly and violently, seeming to rattle bones as it did.

He twirled his saber up right, having deactivated one side of the blade and blocked a series of bolts heading his way. His left hand flew out again and the droideka was thrown with immense pressure and violence back several feet through the hall. It landed so hard its shield immediately broke and the metal frame of the droid crashed into a thousand pieces against the wall. His saber hummed through the fires and the sudden silence, even as the distant halls were filled with intense blaster exchanges. He calmly pushed some of his hair aside to his left and turned back to the troopers smirking ever so subtly.

"As I was saying, I require a stronger comlink!" He called as he began to pace back towards the troopers who stood unsteadily from their previous position of cover.

"Yes, sir...there is a holoterminal with wide band comm access in this room...here." The trooper who had done all the talking before informed turning to a simple door in the hall. It was sparking and continuously trying to open.

"It's a meeting room for local operators for projects being worked on in this subsection, sir."

"Tell me, were you fighting those droids for it? Or, were you simply left here to fight and die for a miserable and insignificant hallway?" Darssus inquired with no discernible inflection in his voice.

"We...well this hallway was to be secured as an entry point...for reinforcements."

"From the turbolift you arrived in, sir." The second trooper added shakily.

"Have they arrived?" Darssus asked, again seeming calm as ever.

"No sir...not yet anyways."

"A pity." Darssus hummed and turned to the door. He flicked his left hand to his right and the door flew to the right crashing into the inner walls of the room itself. He stepped forward with a hum of satisfaction and left the troopers stunned and standing where they were. A nearby explosion caught their attention and had them jump as blaster fire became easier to hear.

Darssus found the room dark and several panels along the ceiling hanging and light fixtures sparking. The battle waging inside and outside obviously had taken and continued to take its toll. He moved ahead to a terminal he saw place against the wall opposite a now off center table. He passed it, and activated the terminal to see it slowly connect. The whir of power and hum of circuits nearby catching his attention as he understood how precarious the integrity of the room's systems were. His fingers danced across the channel keys, and the terminal began beeping as it formed an active connection to the channel.

"This is Darssus broadcasting on a wide band holoterminal station. Can you read me brother?" An odd static like sound filtered through but it was not truly static, it sounded more like a strained whine than anything else. Until suddenly a loud cacophony of blasters and explosions ripped through from the terminal and attacked Darssus's senses causing him to grimace ever so slightly.

"Yes! I read you Darssus! I am in need of your assistance!" The voice of his brother filtered through loud and screaming over the haze of battle. A smile pulled across his face as he heard his voice.

"Good to finally hear from you brother. I had not thought-"

"No time for pleasantries!" Viathan cut in a bit harshly. Darssus cocked his head inquisitively.

"I and my mas...Imperial forces have been caught in an encirclement! The droids are pulling the noose tighter now! If I don't get some air power soon I won't be able to breach and form a lifeline to the reinforcements being brought up courtesy the 501st!" Immediately Darssus' expression soured and a concerned grumble escaped from him.

"What idiot formed the battle plans?! I will rip them apart and spread their entrails-"

"Focus please!" Viathan called just as something exploded on his end, and Darssus swore he heard what sounded like a girls voice cursing.

"Of course, brother. What can I do for you?"

"Our air power is all but nullified! The sabotage, or whatever you want to call it that occurred must have done more damage than I thought! The skies are full of nothing but droid fighters and bombers!"

"Actually a relief force arrived in orbit not too long ago. Sorry you had to hear it now." Darssus replied and waited as a momentary pause met his ears. Then a heavy sigh.

"I should've figured, but I can't think on that just now! I need some support, and currently with no actual air support you have the only set of cannons that can reach Kuat and cause some damage still!" Darssus paused before he hummed in understanding and interest.

"You mean the defense cannons on the Drive Yards, don't you?"

"Yes!" Viathan called as something else exploded in the background as a shrill man's scream howled out and Darssus heard his brother block some incoming bolts and go silent for several moments. An explosion ripped out behind himself and Darssus turned sideways to see the hall light up with fire. The two troopers in the hall dove away from the explosion. One into the room and the other back towards the turbolift. A sucking of air and decompression sounded out followed by the emergency alarm blare and robotic voice informing everyone of emergency ray shielding over the unseen breach.

"The defense cannons on the Drive Yards can in theory blast a hole in the hull of a capital ship!" Viathan began again.

"The planetary shield on Kuat is strong but the Drive Yards are already in high orbit! Possibly close enough to cause some damage, even if minor here on the ground! I need you to prime and fire a cannon on these sets of coordinates I'm sending...now!" Darssus heard the terminal ring as it received data. He quickly had it sent to a data disk and ejected it from the terminal, and pocketed it.

"I shall do my best brother. Though it may prove...complicated getting one of those cannons activated. Let alone free of enemy interference." He mumbled somewhat to himself.

"I hold complete confidence in you, now please hurry!" Viathan responded just as something big exploded in the comm. It made Darssus grimace at the images that poured into his head, but he ignored them for now. He let his anger and fear boil inside and feed the Force that howled around him in kind. The transmission cut and Darssus turned on his heels. His saber was reactivated in a flash and he extended his left hand before yanking it back while curling his fingers together. The two troopers came screaming into the room, the Force having pulled them in. They fell before him as the unmistakable clang of droids was heard echoing in the halls.

"I am in need of the nearest defense cannon. One that can swivel in any which direction I may require of it." He smirked.

"I assume one of you knows where one such as that may be?" The two men shared another look, before one of them nodded.

"I know of the nearest cannon."

"Excellent!" Was all Darssus said, as that was all he needed to hear.

"Alright, all we need to do is hold out for a while longer!" Viathan called to Mara who was nearby and cutting down with a slash right, another B2 super.

"Goody, I love waiting!" She hissed as she blocked another bolt, and barely ducked another.

"You better have a good plan for this, Zalliste! Or I'll kill you before they kill me!" Viathan ignored her, and hid his crimson eyes rolling as he placed his fingers to his ear comm unit.

"Leia, I have some air power coming to smash both the AA emplacements and punch a hole in the enemy lines. Some heavy firepower is gonna rain down on top of the droids in just a bit all we need to do is-" Viathan stopped a sudden searing pain crashed into him, and he howled in pain. Mara nearby heard the shriek and threw herself into a spin at the sound.

"Vale?! What's going on over there?!" Leia demanded over the comm system, but Viathan couldn't answer. He howled on in pain as his whole body felt as if it were on fire. The Force howled outwards from him and an unseen pulse threw itself in all directions sending a shocking pulse through man and machine as the Force was released without control. Mara felt her eyes widen as she was sent stumbling back, and she immediately dove to the ground as the droids kept firing from their positions. The first line of droids were also sent falling back as the Force pulse over them.

Viathan continued to scream as he fell onto his back his hands curling into tight fists raised in the air. His eyes were shut tight and his left arm began to whine from the force he was putting into it while his right hand nearly began to bleed from how hard his fingers dug into his palm. His legs and body writhed and he screamed again, the men around him turning and glancing in shock and awe from their young Commander seemingly losing his mind there on the battlefield, without much in regards to outward wounds shown across his body.

"Kriffing hell Zalliste! What's going on with you?!" Mara demanded as she came to a skidding stop and fell into a kneel beside her old hated rival. She forced his hands down, having deactivated her saber. The troopers nearby simply pulled in around and kept up the fire on the droids even as some lucky ones pushed beyond their lines. She fought against his strength and pushed his hands down to his chest as he continued writhing his screams dying down but pained grunts and half screams still erupting from him. She looked everywhere for a wound, but saw nothing as she did, and her brow furrowed in confusion.

"I don't see anything. What's wrong, what are you screaming about?!" She demanded leaning in to get her voice beyond his screams and the battle.

"Fire! I feel like...I'm on fire!" Mara was again the vision of confused as she jumped where she kneeled as an artillery round slammed nearby and sent a plume of black smoke that immediately sent a stench into the air. Another Century-class tank now joined many others in a broken heap.

"Master...the master." Viathan croaked through pained grit teeth.

"What?"

"Lord...Kun, I think...I know it's him. He's...in pain." He clarified at last. Mara's eyes jumped a bit, and confusedly roamed about. The crease of her furrowed brow deepened.

"I don't feel..." She stopped and looked into the far distance towards Kuatac. A grumbled sigh released itself from her as she glanced back down to the heaving, but slowly calming boy.

"Great." Was all she could say in response.

"How is he?" The medic asked another. The booms happening all around them joined by screaming gunships and chasing fighters above all but deafening them. Next to them was the PX-4 command base. Its forward wheels had apparently been blown off by a stray artillery blast, but the unit was still operational with local ground commanders stationed inside coordinating Commander Viathan's orders.

"He's stable. Gave his old wounds new bandages, and applied bacta where I could. He should be fine, but a more stable medical facility would do him some good." The other medic declared as he looked over another soldier who was knocked out. A series of burns lined his exposed chest and his left arm was gone, with bandages covering the stub where it had been. The whole area was covered in soldiers. Many moaning and screaming, the stench of blood giving everyone a bad taste in their mouths. Some of the more mutilated ones were being tended to. What medics were available and away form the front were doing what they could, but mobile medical droids were doing most of the work.

"Hopefully the battle goes better soon, otherwise we're all krif-" Suddenly Raydonn shot up from his mat with a deep heave of breath and immediately began coughing violently.

"Whoa!" The medic cried jumping over towards him and placing a steadying hand on his shoulder.

"Well..." Raydonn coughed again. "That certainly hurt." A squadron of Vulture droids hummed overhead and jostled him, and he glanced up at them. Only then he shook himself and coughed some more as he tried leaning onto his side.

"Hold on sir, you're in no condition to get up!" The medic tried to admonish but Raydonn raised his right hand to silence him.

"I get the feeling I've been moved away from the front." He pushed himself into a slight roll, placing his hands against the ground where he shakily forced himself up into a stand. He gave a casting glance at the carnage around him and grimaced as he sniffed the wretched air, and forced his mind out of its unconscious stupor. Though he wasn't sure it wasn't the blood loss making him dizzy.

"Yes sir, Commander Viathan brought you in. You've lost more blood, and you're in no condition to be getting up. Let alone fighting!"

"Do I look like I'm fighting?" Raydonn shot back.

"Uh...no, sir."

"Exactly. That comes only after I find my lightsaber, and armor." He slightly chuckled through another dizzy spell.

"But sir-" Raydonn raised his hand again.

"For normal soldiers you have the power to pull rank on them. For stubborn ones I suppose that makes sense. However, I am Commander Raydonn, and I answer to Lord Kun directly. So, not to be rude, but I will decide what I can and cannot do. Even if it you know, kills me." The medic sighed through his helmet and Raydonn gave a thin smile in kind.

Though, as he looked for his armor and saber his mind thought back to the sudden pain that had awoken him. In fact he could still a tingle of it, like more a pressure in his mind then real. Though his body did hurt. But, that was probably more to do with the actual wounds more than...whatever that had been.

However, he ignored all of that for the time being. He looked into the distance, glancing in all directions and saw the intense battles being waged across the plains of Kuat. His mind played over the state of battle as last he remembered and he sighed as he gave a slight stretch to his aching muscles.

"Best get to it then." Was all that need be said.

(Colonies, Tapani Sector, Procopia System, Procopia)

"That agent of yours has stirred up a mynocks nest, Commander." Morlin declared without turning his back. Behind him the doorway into his strategy room closed as Han walked in with Chewbacca in tow.

"Well not really agent as much as future second in command, but yeah I can imagine." Han replied coming up alongside the General. The older man was skimming his eyes across a holoterminal displaying Tapani and the Imperial controlled border worlds. He had a serious glint in his eyes.

"What's got you looking so intense?" Han asked folding his arms across his chest.

"The council gave me a quick call. Apparently Grand Moff Resuun called for a special meeting of the High Moff Council some time ago in response to the Emperor's speech." Morlin pushed a key on the holoterminal and the map shifted and showed New Shella for a moment.

"He do something to bother you?" Chewie grumbled next to Han.

"Well yeah it's expected but I think asking doesn't hurt fuzzball." Han replied to whatever his companion had said.

"Not so much me, but the council is getting more anxious than usual. Kaine's assault at Naboo has drawn many Imperial resources away from their general push. Add to that the madness at Kuat which our own Danek Vanom is certainly partially to blame for in that regard. As well as the rebel summit at Mon Calamari and the council is anxious to make use of this seeming opening along Imperial lines. As such we are expected to do something."

"Something?" Han repeated to which Morlin nodded and pushed away from the table.

"Yes, something Commander. Grand Moff Resuun claims to have received intelligence that the ground operation on Kuat is not going well. Rebel droid forces have surrounded the Imperials, and Lord Kun has been engaged away from the main fight outside the capital city." Han cocked his head to the side.

"Uh, 'intelligence?' What does that mean? We even got people on Kuat?" Morlin turned towards him and sighed subtly.

"I cannot speak to what resources every Grand Moff has at their personal disposal. What I do know is that his 'intelligence' is good enough for the others on the council to become actionable Intel. Actionable in that we personally are to take action."

"Ah, perfect." Chewie again grumbled softly behind Han who cast him a glance.

"No it's not that I don't wanna work Chewie. I just wanted time to better get a handle on things."

"How do you mean?" Morlin was the one to ask.

"Oh well...I mean..." Han rubbed the back of his neck.

"Alright, Ghost Division right. I'm committed to it and all. More than I thought I'd be committed to anything vaguely military after Kashyyyk. But, after the last few engagements I've sent them on, I am convinced they still need some training. The recruits are optimistic to get back at the Empire. Though they have reservations about the URM." Morlin nodded and understood.

"But blind enthusiasm isn't going to save them. We lost nearly sixty percent of all Ghost Division. I think we got a keeper, if a bit of an odd one, in Vanom, but no one else is really ready for the style of combat we expect of them. If we wanna really show those old toads on the council that alien soldiers are worth a damn alongside, you know, organic soldiers in general then I think I need to seriously revitalize the whole division, General." Morlin hummed thoughtfully.

"It seems you have this all thought out already, Commander." Han chuckled slightly nervously.

"Yeah well it's kinda what I came here to say, sir."

"Ah, I see." Morlin nodded again.

"Ghost Division is important. As you have said to the idea of getting more aliens involved in the Moff Alliance military as well as just keeping organic forces in this fight. If Kaine had his way we'd be basically the URM with an Imperial cosmetic flare. To that...possible future I shudder." Morlin did not state the things Kaine had said to him many days ago. It would only stir up another mynocks nest he didn't want to handle currently.

"Nonetheless, I will not need Ghost actionable for this coming operation, Commander. However, as I said Vanom helped stir the pot. I sent in my report just a short while ago, and the council sadly met just as they undoubtedly all began reading it. It has them enthused, and they want Vanom congratulated. Some even suggested he take your position."

"Whoa now, let's not get ahead of ourselves." Han began as Chewie chuckled in his Wookiee fashion thus catching an annoyed glance by Han.

"Please Commander, you needn't worry. The Division is still under my control as given by Vellam. But, the council wants the Empire to face some more heat. Because of Vanom's subterfuge and the massive engagements at both Kuat and Naboo we are to attack along the border worlds in Tapani." Morlin snapped a key and the hologram fizzled out and back in to show New Shella, Pelagon, Neona and most unsightly, Mrlsst along with Hellios up the trade route from Mrlsst.

"Okay, an attack or a straight counter invasion?" Morlin shrugged looking just about as incredulous as Han sounded.

"We are to take advantage of the more than distracted Imperials. Not only that, but Moff Resuun demands we hit at least two of the border worlds. For this I have been thinking on the two I should commit forces to." Morlin turned back towards the hologram fully with a heavy look in his eyes. Well heavy and serious as well as infinitely tired.

"Hmm, gotcha." Han began and joined Morlin and leaned himself into the table in thought of his own while Chewie idly began tinkering with a blaster he had picked up from...somewhere. Han couldn't really remember where.

"Our raid fleets have reports thin Imperial naval defenses. This is probably because of Kun's departure for Kuat. However, their ground forces are still a mystery to me. There appears to be no real Moff 'intelligence' in that regard." Morlin said and snorted lowly and Han chuckled darkly and nodded.

"Yeah those Moffs sure do like causing more headaches than actually helping. Well us anyways. They more than love Kaine." Morlin grumbled but nodded.

"Indeed they do. So in spite of their outrageous demands we have to do what we can. To show we have purpose, and use. In light of lacking actionable ground data, and Ghost Division, I think our best bet is here." He snapped his fingers along the keypad again and New Shella came forwards.

"New Shella huh? Why her?" Han asked.

"The planet was lost a long while back now. The Imperials are undoubtedly secured in its defenses. Though Mrlsst is tempting through Hellios we would be cut off via that world and allow the Imperials wide berth to strike at us from Hellios and the other fallen Freeworlds systems. New Shella...yes I think that will be the system."

"Hmm, well alright then I guess it's settled. What do you need me to do?" Han asked again crossing his arms. Morlin turned but Chewie grumbled and growled with a following snicker. Han's brow furrowed and he turned towards the Wookiee.

"Now listen here fuzzball I am more than capable of blasting your furry hide back to Kashyyyk! And if you don't remember I've led men before...not like you know super recently, but recently enough! And do you know how much you smell?!" Morlin cocked a curious brow but Chewie seemed to wave Han off still laughing at the man's annoyance. It did elicit a small smile from his aged lips. Though, as Han went into what Morlin assumed to be a more affectionate tangent against his laughing Wookiee friend he cast another weary glance at the hologram of New Shella. Morlin's frown returned and far too many things flashed in his mind at what was to come.

(Mandalore Sector, Unknown, Providence-Class Destroyer Unburdened)

The doorway into Kellia's personal office slid open and Kast walked in. He paused and slowly began pulling his helmet off. As he did he glanced from side to side about the room. His helmet came fully off and his face contorted into a look of a mix of confusion, and awe frankly. It was a mess, but not a normal kind of one. Datapads littered the floor some twisted mangled and broken, one was sparking. Scratches and dents lined the walls and one of the far room lamps was also twisted and shimmering on and off in its shattered state.

He looked her way as she stood nearly directly opposite of him with her back turned to him. She was speaking to an armored man via holo whom Kast recognized. He approached, though he made his footfalls as silent as possible. She was always on edge and Jodo was more than used to it. But, based on the state of her office he knew better than to test his luck...at least for now.

"Keep up the good work Dase. I will expect a full report in a couple weeks. Until then try to stay out of trouble."

"Will do Nelrain. Though I hope you don't do anything...well rash frankly with the gathering on Mon Calamari." Kellia glanced over her shoulder as Kast approached. She nodded her greeting.

"I wouldn't do anything 'rash' per say Vorum. But this congress can expect nothing from me, or you until they realize what they're doing."

"Uh, fomenting democratic ideals?" Dase offered and Kellia scowled.

"Undermining the war effort."

"Ah, well good luck with that Kellia. Try not to get killed yourself eh." He offered with a smile and more sincerity then Kast thought anyone possible. At least when it came to Kellia.

"Until next time, Vorum." She bowed and turned away. He nodded and glanced towards Jodo.

"Kast."

"Vorum." Both men simply greeted and gave farewell as the holocall cut and Dase's image faded away.

"Good to see you back, Jodo." She began and motioned him towards the nearby desk. She totally ignored the fallen datapads and other items scattered around the floor and she walked to the other end of the desk. She pulled her chair up and motioned him to take the one opposite her. He watched her for a moment before he glanced at the fallen chair resting on the floor. He didn't mention the various dents he saw along it, and he picked it up and set it down before he took the seat himself.

"Yeah, me and the rest of the commandos just got here a little bit ago. Everyone is dead tired so I had the droids set them up personal bunks. Hope that's not a problem." She leaned back and shook her head with a shrug.

"I don't see how it would be, Kast. They deserve a break, you all do I suppose." She offered though her voice was more monotone than sincere.

"Yeah uh," Kast began warily as her eyes seemed distant. He narrowed his own as he gave them a second glance. He swore he had seen them...glowing. But his vision got dizzy, and he visibly rubbed his eyes. He simply figured he was tired and forgot about it.

"So, what's the deal with this congress on Mon Cal?" He asked and Kellia showed a truly contemptible frown upon her face.

"A gathering of old men and women who cling to the Old Republic. They think the URM needs reformation and we haven't even won the damn war yet! They're the worst kind of idealists. Ones who let idealism stand in the way of victory." She seethed and Kast shrugged only slightly in agreement.

"But, they're not my problem. If they want to reform the URM, change its point heck its very name then let them. I simply can't find it in me to give a damn anymore. While they play politics and place the coming shackles on my armies and navies I will attend to matters here. With time I can quash the Mandalorians, ensure the galaxy that their kind will never again be a problem. And deal with those disgusting clone vets as well. Then, this congress and whatever, whomever they name their leader as can watch as my..." She trailed off and Jodo leaned in. His curiosity piqued at her sudden silence.

"As your what?" He asked, but she remained silent. Her eyes darted around, and Jodo assumed it was in thought. But, for an instant he thought he noted a look of confusion. Her brow narrowed and she looked almost pained.

"Nothing." She replied finally looking him in the eyes.

"Nothing, Kast. I'm just a tired fallen Jedi. Ignore me when possible." She sighed placing her right hand over her face. Kast was surprised. He had never heard her say something like that before. Nor as tiredly a she sounded as she furiously rubbed her forehead with a clear mixture of frustration and weariness in her every move.

"Anyways, you and your squad." She sucked in a breath and seemed to will the weariness away as she stretched her hands across the desk.

"I am ordering you all to take some 'shore leave' as it were. No fighting, no battles, you can leave the fleet if you want. Though, I think finding any place untouched by the war would be difficult."

"Really? Mandatory rest? When did I get that package?" He snorted and Kellia seemed to ignore his tone.

"I've worked you and your commandos for months now. And the returns on my orders have been good. We've reached the Mandalore Sector, and we're nearer to the Mid-Rim along multiple fronts of the galaxy. However, I think the recent battle on Concord dawn was...troubling."

"That's putting it lightly." He grumbled as he recalled the words of the Mandalorians he fought. And the questions that burned in his mind, on just what the droids had been doing. Though a deeper part of him felt he already knew the answer. He just wasn't willing to admit it to himself yet.

"All the same I am ordering you to take three weeks off with your squad. You are all free to do as you wish, though I have ordered all droid units to not respond to any commands you give. Save arbitrary ones."

"A little bit serious on the whole shore leave thing I see." He replied, finding the idea of being locked out from ordering the droids altogether a tad...odd.

"Well I am a serious woman, Kast." He gave the faintest chuckle and had to agree there.

"What about the campaign? Planning on any further invasions?"

"Always, Kast. However, these will not be yours to concern yourself with. It would appear we...underestimated the Mandalorian resolve some." He raised a curious brow.

"Define underestimated." She sighed and folded her hands together in her lap.

"It would appear that this sector was one of the few the Empire allowed a measure of local autonomy greater than your average sector. However, with the war and the Moffs unofficially having control of the sector they cared even less about oversight. Because of that the Mandalorians have been busy, and in particular, MandalMotors." Jodo leaned back into his chair.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning the Mandalorians have been building a fleet. One ugly one at that. If you ever see a Mandalorian ship you'll know what I mean." Jodo again found a small snicker passing his lips as he nodded.

"You don't need to tell me, Nelrain. I've seen their ships, and they look like floating boxes in space, but they pack a mean punch, and their armor is no joke. So, I am inclined to believe you in the whole underestimated department." She gave a slight nod.

"They have been retrofitting old ships, and I mean ancient. But they are putting up something of a resistance. As to how they're managing to man all these ships I am not sure. Either droids or they are using every last man they can. Hopefully the latter." She intoned darkly.

"Until we've cleared up their fleets currently marauding our own we will not be committing to any massive invasions such as the prize. Mandalore itself of course." Kast nodded, an odd sense of relief entering him as he even now still hoped to be the one to lead the assault on Mandalore. The prospect of being the man who brought them down still filled him with vigor. Though, he did feel it...lesser so than it had been before.

"Right," Kast sighed and began to rise from his seat.

"Well I'll leave you to it. I won't argue too hard on mandatory time off, and my crew would probably lynch me if I did." Kellia simply nodded.

"If you need me give me a call on my holo frequency."

"Of course. Enjoy your time off, Kast." She motioned him a simple farewell and he made out from her office.

Her eyes narrowed once more in her loneliness. An odd feeling still rippled through her body like a dim vibration that grew fainter with every moment. It was something she had never experienced before, yet it had felt familiar somehow.

"Force I'm losing it." She intoned, and again furiously massaged her own brow as she forced herself into a tired stand.

She walked herself over her mess and pushed herself to a separate holoterminal. She snapped a single key on the terminal and watched as a hologram of Mandalore appeared. The heart of the whole sector, and the place where all Mandalorians and their sickening cloned comrades called home. Kellia cast aside her odd feelings, her thoughts on Kast, and the Force, and once more let her ravenous hatred of all things even slightly related to the Empire and its Emperor seethe inside her.

She couldn't help but imagine the fires that would soon enough engulf the world, and its people.

(Unknown)

"You're not dead boy. You can rise." His eyes opened, and Viathan was immediately shaken into a sense of awareness. He pushed himself off of the floor into a sit and glanced around himself. He had to do so several times, as he found himself gaping at the surroundings.

"What in the Force?!" He cried and felt a howling echo of his words enter his head. It pierced him and his hands clasped over his skull in pain. His surroundings were utterly blank. A clean white slate that went on endlessly. He felt suddenly so very alone, but then he remembered the voice. And he groaned.

"Is it my curse? That every time I face hardship in a battle I am plagued by dead men?"

"Curse? No I wouldn't think it a curse. This is in fact your blessing, your birthright, Valek Zalliste." He frowned at the name, but said nothing as that familiar dark figure seemed to morph before him. The great black cowl hiding all features, and the void of his face only showing the deadened lights where its eyes should have been. All as he remembered.

"Why are you bothering me? Where am I even?" He asked as the ringing in his head stopped.

"Where we are is the simpler answer." The being began, his voice as deep and baritone as ever.

"Your connection to your master is far more powerful than I think either of you even suspected. Though both of you have maintained tight controls on your bonded output to one another, I believe he lost control of that bond with you." Viathan's eyes snapped wide and he jumped to a shaky stand.

"Master! He was-"

"Yes, he suffered wounds, but he will live, as will you. In spite of yourself I would say in fact." Viathan glared at the being.

"What are you talking about? Where am I?! And where is my Master?!" He nearly howled but again the echo made his head hurt, and the being raised its right hand to calm him.

"Your connection to your master, his pain became yours and in that sudden blinding pain it appears you put yourself into what I can best describe as a coma. It should be temporary, I believe." The being spoke and Viathan paused, his brow furrowing deeply. He again looked around himself and felt nothing but confusion.

"What? Then...where am I?"

"I have taken it upon myself to enter your mind, boy. I have wiped away all the clutter in here for the time being. I thought that, since you are currently unconscious on an open field of battle with little more than blaster toting fools and a red haired girl defending you, I could use this time to finally speak with you." Viathan felt...or thought he felt his nostrils flare in aggravation as anger rippled into his being.

"You entered my mind?! You mean we're currently in my head?!"

"Essentially. It is no hard thing to do, when one has the Force, boy." More rage spiked through him, but Viathan attempted to contain it. The great empty void shook as his anger grew, and only when it rumbled did he take notice.

"My life is...one series of oddity to the next." He intoned in a relenting fashion. His eyes closed, or he felt them to at least, and he sighed as he released some of his rage. Though his body still shook with anticipation as he wished to seek out his master. To ensure he was in fact safe.

"What the kriff do you want then, ghost? What is so important you had to literally invade my mind while I'm in a weakened state? What's so special that you couldn't spout off about it while I was awake?" Viathan mocked, placing arms over chest. He simply accepted that he was doing these actions in his mind, if not in reality.

"You are a stubborn one, and it is because of that I find many good qualities in you." It began.

"However, do not play stupid with me. We both know you do what you can to shut me out. To ignore me and marginalize my words. I am not so powerful as to maintain my presence indefinitely, and your constant refusal to engage me in conversation has left me waiting for the perfect time. Fate, or the Force has given me that moment, in the way of your little coma. A feat you are alone to blame I might add."

"How am I to blame?!" Viathan growled.

"Neither you nor your master properly trained yourselves in the way of Force bonds. It is a feature of many master and apprentice relationships. It would seem you both are...deficient in managing this bond. Perhaps neither of you are truly comfortable with such a bond, and neither have considered it fully." Viathan didn't say anything, but felt his annoyance coming back. The damn thing made sense...kind of.

"Well then, how about you let me go and I return to the battle! The longer I'm...here the longer I am open to being killed by a stray bolt or artillery blast."

"I am not the one holding you here. I am merely making use of the fact that you are here. As I said, your body was thrown into such pain that your mind placed you into this comatose state. I feel once the bond is sufficiently quieted of the echoes of your Master's pain, your mind will return to consciousness."

"You feel?" The being raised its hands in a shrugging manner.

"I am old, not all knowing, boy." Viathan frowned at that but said nothing as another sigh erupted from his being.

"What do you want then, ghost? I am not in the mood to hear some great tale of your old exploits nor do I care what they are. I have a karking war to fight and win." The being seemed to laugh as a rumble escaped from its unseen maw.

"Alas, all I bring you is a tale. However, it is one I hope you will listen to. The Zalliste name is old, and it carries on some worlds great meaning and power. I have seen your father speak of this to you." Viathan felt his frown deepen even further. Kalev entered his mind, and he shuddered. His...father honestly was one of the few beings in the galaxy he could say...unnerved him.

"I...remember. I recall the planet's name. Corat, and my 'people' the Karthasians. I know he wants me to play his games, as have many beings in my life. He wants me to be his perfect legacy and go there and do whatever it is he wanted of me. But, like I said, I have a galactic war to win!" He snapped and the being bowed its cowled head.

"Then listen, and perhaps one day you may make use of my tale."

"What tale?" Viathan questioned in mounting irritation. The being waved his hand, and the great void rumbled and shook. Viathan felt wobbly and tried steadying himself as the white void began to twist and turn and form new pictures all around him.

"The tale of the first Zalliste. Along with who, and what he was before even that." A blinding flash encased Viathan and he blocked his eyes.

He opened them with a frustrated growl. His brow furrowed as he looked about himself and now saw. A lush and vibrant surroundings. He paused as he swore he could feel a cool breeze pass over him, as the caw of some strange animal met his ears. It didn't sound pained or aggravated at his presence. It merely seemed...alive in the wild. He gazed up at the new skyline to see an orange horizon. Twin suns like those over Tatooine hung in the distance but shone a warmth down on him and not an unbearable heat. He felt oddly calm, and he didn't know if that was fully a good thing yet.

"Ossus, ancient home to the Jedi." Viathan whirled left just as the being stepped forwards next to him. He saw its cowled head looking upwards towards the distance stars, and Viathan could sense a familiarity coming from it.

"This was my home, the first home I ever knew." It pointed its right arm outwards into the distance past a series of blooming and lush trees.

"There, the original Jedi Praxeum." Viathan turned where it pointed and indeed saw a massive ziggurat temple structure in the distance. Around it rose more lush trees that swayed peacefully in the winds. Green fields of grass lay along the ground from where he stood towards the temple. And Viathan swore he could sense a faint tremor in the Force. An ancient light and calm that both enticed and frightened him.

"Ossus? I've heard of it from my mas...I mean the Emperor. It was made vacant of life thousands of years ago." The being turned towards him and seemed to shrug at the fact.

"It matters not. It was not my home in the end." Viathan eyed the being for a moment. The barest hint of sadness crept from him, before being quickly shut out and silenced. He also began to realize more and more who 'he' was as his tale began.

Another flash erupted across his vision and both of them seemed to be in an instant transported before the great stairs leading up the ziggurat to an archway. Viathan looked around himself as he stood before the stairs. The temple was immense, and almost rivaled the Temple of Coruscant. Along the stairway he saw many hooded and robed figures. Their clothing was like the Jedi he had seen before, including Kellia. However, their robes were more loose. They hung low from their arms, and their hoods were deeper and covered much of their faces. Their robes were altogether bulky even if loosely hanging, and many men and women walked about in hushed tones Viathan could not make out, their arms folded together hidden beneath the cloth.

"For several hundred years the Jedi Order immersed itself in the ways of the Force. They knew of two aspects to it. Ashla or the light side of the Force and the Bogan."

"The dark side." Viathan finished, as he remembered and the being nodded.

"Yes, the dark side. All knowledge of the Force had been gathered here in our great Praxeum." He swept his hand towards the many stairs and Viathan looked up them once more. The possibilities, and the knowledge contained within beginning to entice him more and more. Though he knew it was only a vision.

The vision shifted again and they found themselves in a stone room. Lights hung on the walls and many men and women stood along the outer edges. In the center two beings sparred with traditional blades. The blades hummed with unnatural strength as the Force gave them qualities no normal blade had.

"We taught ourselves and we learned under our elders. To know the Force was to know Ashla alone. The Bogan was to be ignored, and better yet forgotten. It was a heresy, a dark aberration in the otherwise pure light of the Force. But, that would prove to be a fatal lie." Viathan eyed him before turning to the two dueling.

One of them was an unassuming man. No more than twenty standard years or so. The other man though he seemed different. He struck blows hard, swift and with precision. His hair was short, and his body well toned for combat. A determined fire was within his eyes, and he held himself regally even as he swept his blade down, curving it and throwing his opponent backwards. He bore a smile along his face, and immediately Viathan felt this man had the makings of a leader.

"We were not blind, and we knew of our history. The Force Wars of Tython were not forgotten to us, but they were legend." The vision changed and now both of them found themselves in a large row of tomes and scripts and books. Old things made of flimsy rather than holorecords. Men and women, and children were gathered along tables or sitting in a corner reading and meditating. One man, the unassuming one from the duel sat cross legged with his eyes closed. He floated several inches off the floor as two books danced around him also floating in the air.

This unassuming man, Viathan gave him another look. He was slim, not as well toned or powerful seeming as the other man from before. His hair was black and freely unkempt atop his head. It seemed to spike off in several directions, but he seemed to not care, whoever this man was. His eyes were tightly shut as he concentrated, and even as nothing but a memory Viathan felt him struggle to maintain himself in a pose he was sure he could do with ease.

"Even still, the masters of the Order were not ones to suffer any dissenting beliefs." The vision changed and before Viathan could react he found himself in the middle of a great crowd. Jedi were all around him, and they were all facing towards the Praxeum stairway. They were looking at a man standing atop one of the higher stairs. He was cloaked with a silver robe that hung loftily from atop his shoulders. A sword hung at his belt and he held a powerful gaze and stance. It was then Viathan recognized him as the other man, the powerful one from the duel. However, he glanced to this man's right and his eyes widened.

"Arden Lyn!"

"Yes, I had seen she still lives in your time. By what manner I do not know, but I am sure the story is interesting all the same." Viathan felt a sudden rush of excitement fill him, as he realized what history he was being allowed to see.

"Then, that man he must be-"

"Xendor." The being finished. "The progenitor of much change. For the order and the galaxy." Then, as the being ceased speaking and remained staring ahead as the crowd of Jedi did, Viathan heard him. He heard Xendor speak.

"Hear me brothers and sisters in the Force!" His voice was as regal and powerful as his stance. Viathan had to admit he did not know much of the man, but he knew enough to know how important he was. He didn't know if he was in fact of royalty but the way he carried himself, the power in his voice and the way it carried itself across the crowd was enthralling.

"The masters on the council will have us believe that the Force is but a single aspect! A thing defined by light, a thing only of light! We are told to ignore the darker impulses, to not give mind to the dark that creeps in the night and the atrocities that hang in the air across worlds ravaged by war and death! If the Force is only of the Ashla, and the Bogan is a perversion then by whose will was darkness made?! The Force, brothers and sisters, is not so simple a thing! It is not one aspect, it is all aspects! To deny us the right to understand and to learn, to deny us the ability to become stronger and shrewder in an ever changing galaxy we must seek out all knowledge!" His voice boomed and his arms were raised. Viathan glanced left and right. Men and women were whispering. Some glared openly at Xendor and Arden who stood by him had serene and...well content smile upon her face as she glowed at Xendor's display.

Others though, others in the crowd looked intrigued. They glanced at their fellow uneasy or angered Jedi and cast them confused looks. Furrowed brows and angered scowls crossed them. Viathan could only imagine they could not understand why their fellow Jedi were so disgruntled by Xendor's words.

As Xendor raised his right hand in a gesture meant to capture the crowd's full attention again Viathan glanced to his right just ahead of himself to see the other man. The frailer one from the duel with Xendor was watching Xendor and Arden. His brown eyes looked weepy. As if he was frightened by the crowd and Xendor's words. He looked to his own left and right, fear clear in him. Viathan got the distinct impression crowds intimidated this man, as did Xendor.

"I come to you now my fellow good Jedi after having met with the council! These men and women of learned knowledge these elders who we trust to lead us to teach us and command us! I have gone before them and requested in humility but clear vision their blessing to found a school where the Bogan need not be feared but understood! For I do not fear the dark, I do not fear the Bogan brothers and sisters! To fear the dark, and to not understand it is to fail and fall to its thrall. But to control it, to command it and to temper it with the calming light we will understand not just the Bogan but we shall see more of what Ashla truly is!" Many Jedi in the crowd began to openly jeer.

"You seek to lead us down a dark path Xendor!"

"Bogan worshiper! You'd lead us to another Force War!" With both open mockeries other voices loudly agreed while others began hushing them, angrily attempting to silence those who sought to silence Xendor.

"I seek no war fellow Jedi!" Xendor began and Arden stepped closer to him. A protective move as Viathan read it. Her golden eyes swept out across the crowd and she glared at many faces he was sure she knew. Perhaps personally or in passing.

"I was not the one who spat in the face of the masters! I bent my knee and humbly requested the chance to understand the Force greater than we currently do, but the masters refuse! They refuse wisdom, they refuse to listen to hear and to learn! They shut down the desire for us to learn, they stifle growth and understanding to maintain the dogmatic belief that the Force is light alone! I bring them but a chance to understand, to return to the ancient ways of seeking understanding upon both aspects of the Force and they call me as some of you do! Heretic, Boganite, a seeker of death and conquest! I seek no conquest, I want no war! Fellow Jedi I seek only knowledge! Who shuts out the search for knowledge but those who fear what those who seek it may learn! They fear what can be learned because I know the truth, fellow Jedi! Understanding both Bogan and Ashla will set us free, it is the truth of the Force!"

Xendor exposed with a mighty raising of his arms into the air. He had a glint of conviction in his eyes as they swept across the crowd. Many Jedi in that crowd cheered him on, even beyond the jeers. They drowned them out, and sought to let their voices be heard. Their reasons, Viathan didn't know. Though, he could only imagine some of them had little warm feelings for the Jedi council Xendor spoke of.

Speaking of whom, Viathan glanced past Xendor up the stairway. Several figures had appeared and were coming down the stairs. They were robed simply as the other Jedi, but they bore stern looks. Some bore glares down on Xendor and Arden while some looked down on him with...pity? Viathan thought it was pity anyways.

Then the vision began to shake. Viathan felt a sudden surge of desire shoot through him. He didn't want to leave! He was watching something few people even knew happened in legend! All frustration and anger towards the dark being had since vanished in the face of such history, and he was indeed awed. Still, he could not stop it. However, as the vision began to morph and the crowd faded Viathan looked once more to the weak man in the crowd. His eyes were now turned away looking towards the council masters.

One of them, a woman with golden blonde hair, and striking piercing blue eyes was staring down at him. She was looking to the weak man, and Viathan could see her gaze shook him, and he shrunk away even as he could feel Xendor's words move him. He sensed unspoken bonds then and there, and he knew then as the vision swept away towards something else, that she was the weaker man's master.

"The words of one man were enough to rattle the foundations of the Jedi Order. They had gone untested for centuries, and Xendor had sent them reeling in ways the masters had not thought possible. Even as Xendor was forced from Ossus his words touched those who were no longer content with the narrow vision of the Force as simply light. The call of Lettow became too strong for many and they followed their new Master there. Even those who were not yet committed to joining this new school of thought traveled there to see the first new temple under construction. For even the Jedi dared not fight this new order so openly. Not yet anyways. Not until they saw their numbers swell and become legion." The being declared and the vision changed to show a new temple.

There was a great open field of green grass. A series of hills in the distance on all sides and a single valley where this temple lay. It was under construction though, and incomplete. Viewable scaffolding and the sparks of ancient construction droids were visible as they went to work on a massive new ziggurat. Many Jedi, or that was what Viathan still saw them as at least, stood by this temple. They used the Force together to lift great stones into place in memory or perhaps in reverence to the temple of Ossus.

He turned right and saw several shuttles on the outer bounds of the plains. Around and beneath them stood many more hooded figures. They stood off and away from the many men and women who forged this new temple. Some of them Viathan could tell based on their stances were apprehensive about being there. Others, the ones who stood more forwards seemed more receptive about what they saw. That's when he finally saw Xendor standing before these people. Arden nowhere to be seen this time.

"They are another group. People, Jedi from across known space who have come to hear Xendor's words. To see if his offer on the Bogan holds any interest. Some are there against there Master's wishes. Some have come with their Master. Not all will join, and perhaps it was foolish to allow them to see and leave." The being stated as Viathan watched Xendor from afar give another speech. Perhaps more tame, he could not tell, but he felt that he was convincing others to join even now.

"Some were here without their Master? Or in spite of them?" Viathan suddenly asked glancing the being's way. The dark figure tilted its head in a relenting sort of fashion.

"Some Master's do not understand what it means to want to learn more than what they can offer. Some see their students as extensions of themselves and cannot fathom them seeking power they themselves find abhorrent. And some Master's think so little of their student's that they cannot imagine them seeking power beyond what they offer not because they find it abhorrent but because they think their student a fool, incompetent and seek to dominate them as a burden rather than a sacred charge." Viathan furrowed his brow, as he sensed the faintest tinge of resentment and anger from the being. He figured that last statement was more...well personal.

"The other man, the one who had been dueling Xendor. Is he here with this group of Jedi?" Viathan asked pointedly. The being pointed an equally near pitch black finger towards the newcomer group towards the furthest edge of the Jedi group. Among the many who stood guardedly and uncertain about being on this world and near Xendor one man stood with his hood drawn deeply over his head. He looked like a frightened child sneaking an unsure look at something or someone he found scary from behind his father's leg as he clutched one of the shuttles landing legs.

"His name?" Viathan asked before again turning more pointedly towards the being.

"I mean, your name?" The being almost seemed to chuckle, though it came out more as a stifled snorting sound.

"Apsoth Mathariss." Viathan tilted his head.

"Not Zalliste?" The being did openly chuckle this time as the vision began to shake and change again around them.

"As I told you, I wish to show you the first Zalliste. Including who, and what he was before then. Now, watch and observe." Viathan nodded and freely allowed the vision to fly past him and warp until a new image formed around him.

"There was a time, when the Republic was all too young. Alongside the Jedi Order they began to grow in mind and purpose. However, the Jedi retreated from the Core and Tython had become like the Force Wars a memory and little better than a legend in its own right. The Jedi Order had retreated to Ossus and the Outer Rim to free itself of the binds of politics that the Republic bred. In the centuries since those who played politics upon the world of Coruscant all but forgot the Jedi Order even as it worked in secret to safeguard its outer borders. The Hutts and warlike Tion were kept broken, divided and far from the Core with the work by the Jedi. So, it was these ignorant politicians that Xendor sought to seek out, and ask for support." Viathan watched as the image changed to a great hall.

Ancient stonework kept in pristine condition, and an unfamiliar great hall with many podiums lined the edges where many people stood looking out and downwards upon the floor. Where he looked to see Xendor standing with his hands clasped before himself. Two people stood behind him on either side. One Viathan could see beneath the cowl was Arden Lyn, and the other an unknown man. Tall and strong like Xendor, but with a wary eye watching the men and women within their high podiums.

Set in one podium that was alone and ahead of Xendor stood a single man. He was robed in a fine cloth of mixed gold and blue and he held a steely cool look in his eyes as he peered down upon Xendor and his companions. He was flanked by two men in armor with each baring a single spear that seemed honorary but Viathan imagined they were all too real.

"General Xendor, your statements before this chamber have been noted and discussed with great care and concern." The man began, his voice echoed by some manner of unseen microphones. However, Viathan even then could sense the dull monotone of someone wholly unconcerned.

"It is with that in mind we regret to inform you that the Senate of the Galactic Republic has seen fit not to support your claims of aggression from the Jedi order." Viathan watched Xendor glower around the hall while Arden openly looked ready to attack as she mumbled something unheard angrily to the other companion by Xendor.

"They were all but forgotten," Apsoth began again.

"But when they came back, the Republic remembered, and were humbled by their words. The Jedi came promising peace and the sweet words of protection. Old memories of an ancient alien foe helped foment an alliance Xendor and the legions could never hope to have with this so called 'Republic.'" Apsoth pointed his hand to the right and Viathan looked again. Along one of the podiums he saw them. Distantly set aside and placed in the shadows of other senators and representatives stood other Jedi. Masters or knights who glared down upon Xendor and his companions.

But Viathan saw them. The blonde woman with an abrasive glare standing with her hands folded beneath her robes and clasped to one another. By her meekly stood the weak man, stood Apsoth. He peered at Xendor and Arden from behind his Master with the typical look of awe and barely contained admiration. His Master was ahead of him along with several others, and Viathan vaguely recalled their faces, some human some alien, from the Praxeum. All of them were Mastersand likely from the High Council itself.

"It would be here, in these moments that the fate of the legions was signed. The Jedi Order, would suffer no rival, and in the Republic they laid the foundations for the coming galactic order. Itself suffering no rival." The room was silent and chilly. The atmosphere tingling with moodiness and heaviness. Xendor turned his head upwards towards the finely clothed man Viathan figured to be the Supreme Chancellor, and he began to speak.

"I come before this senate hoping for the safety and protection offered by its government. Only now to see that another power has beaten my words." Xendor's voice was obviously accusatory and some of the senators began whispering discontentedly and disgruntled by his manner and tone.

"My legions, my people, we seek only to learn! To study in peace what we desire! To comprehend more fully the nature of the Force! We are time and again met by condemnation be they with outright disgust or the sweetened words of a politicians mind and manner!" He spat and many senators began lowly booing and hissing him as he berated them all. Arden swept around herself, her hand flinching to the sword at her waist.

"General Xendor, you accuse this body of inaction. More still you accuse it of siding with another power before your argument has even been considered. It has been, but the Galactic Republic can find no basis, nor any relevant evidence to the mind and intent of the Jedi Order. The accusations you lay against us are the only unfounded ones." The Chancellor admonished and many senators began loudly agreeing and jeering at Xendor.

"I warn you now!" he began loudly, the Force placing power into his words then and the chamber audibly rumbled and sent many senators reeling in shock at the might and power of his words. While Viathan saw the Jedi move forwards, a mixed look of awe and fear on their combined faces. He also saw Apsoth smirking at the display of power as his Master sneered at Xendor.

"The Jedi Order has proven itself no longer willing to learn! It is an order that by its words will gift this Republic 'protection' and 'peace.' In time it will seek power, and in time you will come to depend on them for your own! You shall reap the rewards of siding with one aspect of the Force! You deny wisdom just as they do, and you refuse to listen as they do! Knowledge is to thus be contained and restricted and so shall the power be channeled into those who seek it above all others! No matter will and intent the outcome shall be clear! A generation, two or fifty from now your republic will suffer the consequence of the Jedi's folly, this I promise you!" The senators again began whispering in their anger towards Xendor, but they were far more subdued this time.

"A threat, General Xendor, a veiled one, but a threat all the same. They will not serve you any purpose here." The Chancellor began as monotone and uncaring sounding as before. He motioned his left hand and from the edges of the chamber some men moved forwards forming a square around Xendor, Lyn and the other companion.

"This body has suffered your presence long enough I think. It is time for you to leave. We hope that your words of peace from your order are in fact respected by you and your followers. The Galactic Republic will not be bullied." Viathan sensed the loosely veiled threat from the Chancellor and Xendor snorted lowly.

"Keep your Republic and keep your Jedi, Chancellor. The Force is all that matters, and in choosing political expediency and allying with dogma you have sealed your fate. My legions will do as they must to survive. Keep your own dogs." He swept his left hand out and the guards moving in around them were all hurled backwards slamming into the walls.

"On their own leashes." He turned on a heel, his silver cloak whirling around him. Both Arden and the other followed in kind, but both gave disgusted glares to the chamber. More guards looked ready to come forth, but the Chancellor motioned for them to halt. The other guards now rising up from where they were thrown looked dazed, but Viathan saw none of them seriously injured.

He gave another glance towards Apsoth and saw him looking downwards as his Master spoke to another master. She held that same disgusted look on her face and Viathan could only imagine she was disgustedly remarking upon Xendor as the other master nodded in robotic agreement. Apsoth, only for an instant, as the vision once more began to shake, cast her a glance. For only an instant his eyes narrowed, and his lips curled downwards in an angry disgusted frown. In that instant Viathan saw him make his choice.

"History is often defined by heroes." Apsoth began, his booming and ethereal voice cutting through as the vision warped and changed rapidly around Viathan and he once more.

"What defines a hero often depends on the listener of the tale or the chronicler of history. Even though the heroes are remembered they are not the sole reason why they are such. Only by their leadership, and the great games of dejarik each plays are they truly immortalized. The games they play have no pieces save for the men and women who follow them, and it is our love of our heroes that makes us loyal. It is what defines our place in history, and how far we are willing to go for their approval. To prove all others the rightness and righteousness of their manner, and their belief. Until it ceases being theirs or ours and becomes everyone's." The vision morphed and once more Viathan found himself back on Ossus. A large gathering of Jedi was on a higher level of the great Praxeum ziggurat. Opposite them stood many other Jedi, and based on their age and manner he figured them to be a collection of Masters. They stood forwards and seemed almost abrasive and threatening.

"Xendor only wishes us to learn! We will not stand by while you decide unilaterally to break him and his followers! They were our brothers and our sisters! Now you intend us to hate them! Where does hate fit into our creed?!" One younger woman howled at the opposing Masters while others around her cheered her on.

"None of you realize what he offers!" A harsh woman responded, and Viathan turned to see her again, Apsoth's Master. Her hood was back and off her head and her eyes blazed with barely contained anger. As to how she was a Jedi Master Viathan couldn't imagine, but the more he saw the more he began to see the manner and actions of this Jedi Order were far different than that of the one that had fallen only a few years ago. Even if they were in fact the same.

"You are all children in the Force! Barely past knowing how to lift a blade and face an enemy in battle! You command a rock to fly in the air, you perceive the stroke of an enemy's blade, and you can gleam the surface thought of a half drunken fool, and you all perceive that gives you knowledge on the Force?! Children, all of you, and worse children who have imaginings of greatness beyond their means or power!" She icily declared and the other Masters around her even seemed surprised at her tone. The younger Jedi were less impressed.

"We know enough to see that the Council is making ready to go to war!" Another young Jedi spoke up, this one an orange colored male Twi'lek.

"Since when has declaring war been the Jedi way?!" He demanded and many of his fellow Jedi began cheering him on and howling that the Masters and other Jedi answered them.

"No war has yet been declared!" Viathan turned as a strong voiced man stepped next to Apsoth's Master. At his waist twin katanas were holstered and he carried himself with a powerful swagger.

"But your dear Xendor has already fashioned himself 'General.' What need does a peaceful order have with a General before war is declared?! As he makes for war, so shall the Jedi Order! You have been blinded and misguided by the words of a madman playing the religious scholar!"

"Enter then, Master Awdrysta Pina." Viathan glanced left to see Apsoth's spirit move next to him and look the way of the large man beside his old Master.

"Who?" Viathan asked, and again his spirit rumbled in a chuckle.

"He is the Order's Grand Master, and ultimately the one to bring down Xendor. A man of battle, and of wisdom, but like his order, he is content with that which he knows. He is not one to take lightly." Even as he spoke Viathan saw him, this Pina soften his manner slightly as a sigh escaped his great frame.

"We seek to protect you all. Those brothers and sisters who do not follow your way of thought, do you condemn them as well? Because they follow us and our will? Will you take up swords against them? Will you kill them and us for your General?" He demanded and some of the students were silenced but others stared glowered even in defiance of his words of reason.

"Unlike many I have seen what the High Council is willing to do to see Xendor, Lyn and the others isolated." A quieter voice began from the students. They turned and pushed themselves aside as this newcomer approached.

"I have seen the Republic turned into an extension of the High Council's will! I have heard the anger and the venom that is spoken towards Xendor! I have heard the wrath many of you hold for Sethul Asaiage, Tun Bohoi and all the others who have gone with him to Lettow! I have seen Lettow and it is no threat to you!" The voice rose and the originator appeared. Viathan saw Apsoth come forward with a frail look of passionate anger about his face. He tried to avoid his Master's shocked gaze and instead he somehow managed to look towards Pina and the others around them.

"Apsoth!" The woman began. He ignored her and swallowed in clear timidity.

"I have been told for too long that I am not ready for this and for that! The Order defines what can and cannot be true or learned based on age and time of day or the rotation of the damn moon! But Xendor offers us a single simple idea. There are no limits on the Force! All limits only exist because those of us among the living create them! You fear that truth, and I won't allow you to lie to me or anyone else anymore! I'm done waiting, and I'm done being held back! If you want to wage war then do so, but I will not stand with you, and your Order! Not for you Master Pina, and not for you mother!" Viathan felt himself reel slightly as the memory of Apsoth finally glared his Master's way...or he supposed he should say his mother's way. She in kind looked horrified, her eyes wide, and her mouth ajar as she obviously tried to say something but failed.

"Mother?" Viathan repeated turning to the dark new visage of his ancient ancestor.

"All men have their heroes, and all progeny grow to hate their progenitor. For life is defined in an eternal struggle between progenitor and their progeny. Where one always seeks the approval of the other, and in kind the other seeks to dominate the one. Until at last there is nothing left of the rivalry but deep hatred and scars. In the end," the blue orbs that made of his eyes turned to Viathan.

"All children seek the deaths of their parents. It is the only true path to freedom." Viathan felt his brow furrow again. He didn't know if he agreed with that, not fully at least. No, no he wasn't sure he agreed with it at all the more he thought on it.

"You do not believe me?" Apsoth's spirit began.

"No I don't think so. I don't seek to kill my father. And I don't know my mother."

"You do not seek Kalev Zalliste's death because he is not your father." The vision seemed slowed to the point as Apsoth went on.

"Your father, while certainly not a good one in any respect is not the one whose blood you carry in your veins. It is the one who seeks to raise and mold you into an image they find fitting. The same can be said of a mother, but as you said, you do not know yours. No, your father, is a cruel man. But no matter how much you'll try to hide from his shadow, until your very death you will remember him. You will see him as a father, and recall the approval you sought but never could gain. And only with the coming of a stand in were you able to free yourself of his mastery." Viathan curled his hands into fists and he glowered toward his ancient forefather.

"You know a lot for someone who I've only recently began speaking with." Apsoth turned back to the scene being played.

"As I said, I've been watching you for a while now, Valek. You are my chosen. Now bear witness." He motioned forwards and everything returned to a relatively normal speed.

"You...ignorant child!" His mother began, her voice trembling in anger and the continued shock of her son's sudden backbone.

"Wha...what do you think you're doing?! You'd condemn yourself?! You'd kill yourself for him?!" She howled and Viathan watched Pina place his arm out to block her from moving forwards. She looked ready to lunge Apsoth's way and the Jedi held his timid ground. Especially as others came up besides him casting angered glares of their own.

"I'm...I'm t...taking the initiative you never thought I could mother! You...you always have looked down on me, and thought s...s...so little of me! Well now what?! Am I too weak now?! We all have pur...purpose with Xendor, and he offers only t...truth!" Viathan noted the stutter as he addressed his mother. But, more importantly the others near Apsoth howled in agreement.

"Apsoth!" She simply cried out. Viathan found it odd. He imagined, or thought he could see her lacking in words to say. She looked shaken while Apsoth looked steely. In fact he gave a look Viathan thought all too reminiscent of his mother's.

"Either way I am leaving on a shuttle! I...I no longer wish to stay on Ossus! Will you kill us, Master Pina?! You say there's no war, but will you kill us who choose by our own will to leave?! If so, then let this Order burn in the memory of our spilt blood!" Another chorus erupted as the Jedi in favor of Xendor rallied to the sudden strength even if shaky words of Apsoth.

Master Pina eyed the gathering. His right hand rested on one of the hilts of his sheathed katanas. The air was filled with the chorus of agitating defectors and the steely silence of those loyal to the Order. As Apsoth glared down his mother shook her head lowly at her son.

"No." Pina sighed heavily through his nose and his hand fell from the hilt. He folded his hands beneath his robes with one another and he stepped backwards giving the defectors a wide berth. But many Jedi around him looked at him in mixed looks of shock, anger, and dismay. Apsoth's mother alone glaring at her son.

"Master Pina!" A nameless master called but he raised his right hand to silence them before folding it beneath his robes again.

"I will not be the first to spill blood. Though I will not pretend it won't come. If you wish to leave and join your General I shall not stop you. Nor will I permit any who still submit their loyalty to the Order to do so in its name, or mine." He bowed his head, though his brow betrayed his dark mood.

"Go now in peace, followers of Xendor. For I sense it will be the last time that word is heard between our two orders with any weight." The Master walked backwards further and though his followers continued their angered glares and uncertain wariness they followed their Grand Master and stepped away. Only leaving Apsoth's mother who remained shaking, her right hand clutched into a trembling fist. The Jedi who had now been given freedom to leave and had their shackles loosed began towards the steps. Their eyes hard and their resolve harder as they moved down the steps of the great Praxeum. Their loyalties now elsewhere in spirit with their bodies to join them there soon. They moved away in droves, and many Jedi scattered about watching the turmoil from afar joined them and an exodus of followers now moved to leave Ossus and join those who had gone before them. To Lettow and to the new order and its General, their General.

Mingled in the crowd Viathan saw Apsoth march with his fellow Jedi. He was cushioned and protected by flanking fellow deserters of the Order. He did not look back. He figured his forefather didn't have it in him to look back and resist. He did though; Viathan gazed at Apsoth's mother and saw her blue eyes boring into the back of her son's head. A shimmer of building tears growing in them as she watched him leave as Master Pina and others joined alongside her. The Grand Master placed a comforting hand to her shoulder, and Viathan wondered if his ancestor had seen it. Surely he had seen it now, but he said nothing, and once more the vision began to shake and change.

"What was her name?" Viathan asked as the images rumbled and swam past him. Apsoth's dark visage glanced his way and cocked his head curiously.

"It's been so long since I considered it. It was Veshaya, yes that was what it was." He intoned and the vision morphed into the new memory.

"Nonetheless," Apsoth began again shaking off his mother's name.

"I have seen your order, the creed you follow. It is a quaint ideal, these Sith follow. They fight for power and their need to dominate and rule. To their full history I know little, but from what I have seen of your allies and masters they have fundamental need to rule, and they fight and kill for it. These are...understandable drives for battle and conflict. We had another reason to fight. The legions cared little for power that would lead us to dominate the galaxy. All we sought was knowledge, and for that defiance of ignorance we were persecuted, and the scent of brooding war marched upon Lettow from afar. What we fought for, what we would come to wage war for, was survival."

Viathan saw the new temple. He could only imagine the vision was some time ahead of the last one from Lettow. This temple was nearly complete and it was nearly as large as the Praxeum on Ossus. There were, however, several features around it the Praxeum had not incorporated. Defense towers though ancient were clearly recognizable. Many shuttles were scattered around the valley where some metal plating had been laid for simple docking zones beyond the temple. There were two massive statues on either side of the temple stairway. Both were of hooded men who stood silent and forever guarding. To the right stood one of these statues and his hands were placed like a bowl before him where within glowed a brilliant white light that shimmered like a star fading in and out of existence. While on the left the statue was in the same position but in his cupped hands was a swirling black mass that rumbled as it thrummed. Both aspects of the Force given form even if just for aesthetic display.

"The final rally, and the final display before the war would begin. In spite of our rhetoric the weeks of waiting had made us all anxious. We feared the Jedi, those who we once called brothers and sisters as well as teachers and masters. They would come for us, and they were building their forces allying with the right powers and making strong their war leadership. So it was, that Xendor counseled by Arden Lyn made the decision to launch the great preemptive strike. You cannot fathom how far my heart fell when it would amount to little more than the declaration of war."

The vision pushed forwards and dragged both beings to the opposite side of the temple. On the other side many thousands of Force adepts stood with their hoods drawn back revealing themselves. Human and all manner of alien, some Viathan recognized others he did not. Most were standing facing the rear of the new Praxeum. Many were scattered about the plains some seated along the hills and watching from afar as they used the Force to aid their hearing if need be. Though that was more a feeling Viathan had than actually knew. He figured all these sensations were echoes of his forefather's feelings during these scenes of history. But upon the platform Viathan saw Xendor once more. He bore armor along his body, a silver tunic covering armored plating beneath. A sword at his waist and his cloak falling down from around his shoulders shimmering in the fading light of Lettow's waning day.

"Brothers and sisters of the new way, I have called this convocation of our many members for the revelation we all have known in our hearts but many have wished not to speak aloud!" He began and cast his arms out to signal all to give him their attention. All went silent save for shuffling feet and distant silent whispers.

"We have in the time since I left the old order grown much! Our temple is great and our knowledge flourishing! Many have come to seek knowledge, and we have already begun to understand the Bogan to a greater extent than ever before beneath the boots of the High Council! We have not forsaken Ashla, but instead come to understand it more, and to appreciate its greater purpose in the Force and the wider universe! Because of this our numbers continue to swell, our knowledge continues to manifest and grow, and we have none to thank and none to bend our knees to but ourselves! It was us together who sought out the knowledge, and in this we should not be ashamed but proud for our accomplishments!" A great cheer erupted along with clapping as the many gathered legions agreed with their General's words. Viathan scanned the many rows, his eyes growing dizzy with all the faces he saw as he sought out one. But he felt the Force, or maybe Apsoth himself guiding him. He looked to the forward most row of men and women looking up in awe and wonder towards their invigorated General. There he saw him. A slightly older Apsoth his timidity having seemingly waned his eyes holding a new fire unseen before. Still he gazed up at Xendor with a great hunger to listen to and absorb every word that came from the man's mouth. He certainly seemed older, and stronger, though not physically, but it appeared more inwardly.

"The revelation we all know," He began raising his right hand outwards to silence the clamoring masses.

"Is one as old as our Order! The Jedi who we saw as brothers and sisters in the Force have allied themselves to all powers who would seek to confine us, and to drive us into oblivion! They have not made war on us, but I tell you brothers and sisters the time approaches when Lettow will be assailed by our old masters, friends, colleagues, our old family! We have felt it in our hearts since we chose the path of knowledge, so it is that I come before you, my legions, my brothers and sisters to ask of you the impossible and the undesired." He lowered his head as his hands gripped the podium he used and the masses were silent. The air thick with tension as all eyes trained on Xendor.

"The Republic has cast us aside as they politic and absorb worlds from the Core to the Colonies. The powers of the Outer Rim are not worth allying with, for to do so would see us abandon our moral placement in the universe. We shall not be allied to Hutts, pirates, criminals and the tyrants born of Tion and beyond. So we are alone, we legions of men and women, seekers of knowledge in the Force. Never have I claimed my way to be the singular truth in the Force, and never shall I allow this order to define itself as the singular righteous master of the Force, never will I accept the ideal that our mission and way is the universal truth of the Force, but we are not given freedom to exist as we are. But if we are to survive and flourish even more than we are and if we are to see a greater future where the all binding Force is not a dogma defined by stagnant and singular zealous beliefs we must fight! So it is my brothers and my sisters I call to you now, and I make the call. The call then is for war, war against the Jedi and if need be all those who ally with them!" He cried and his voice boomed with the strength of the Force backing him. The mass of followers were on edge, but none of them cried out in agreement or protest.

"I have not made for war, I have not desired war, but when war is brought to our doorstep and we are choked of growth and of simple existence do they expect us to lay down and die?! Are we to sacrifice ourselves as a cause of believers that the Force is greater than one thing to history?! Who then will challenge the views of the Masters of the old order?! What will come of their disdain and confinement but for more dogma! They breed contempt and they desire all the glory and all the power for they alone know their path and belief is just! Let us live in peace and we will leave you in peace! Let us learn as we desire and become knowledgeable on the Bogan and Ashla and you discover the deep mysteries of the light! You fear the dark and in that way it has hold of you, and in that way you are the true nonbelievers! For it is not our faith that is so frail that to have it tested means our self righteous hate, it is yours!" Then came an uproarious cry and the legions gave themselves in that moment to their General. Viathan saw Apsoth not cheering, but his smiling face, and eyes alight in wonder and commitment told him everything he needed to know of his ancestor's thoughts in this moment.

"I cannot promise you that we will be victorious should we wage this war, but I can say I will fight it until peace can be achieved! When we can practice and learn and teach in peace of the Jedi and allow them in kind to do as they will! When the Republic steps forward and promises to defend the practice and freedom of all those who seek to understand the Force and not just those who promise them some manner of power! I seek to fight this war not because I want to but because I feel we need to! Please, brothers and sisters of Lettow, legionnaires, join me in this single and by all hope the only call for war!" He snatched with great force his sheathed blade and lifted it high into the air. The finely made blade shone in the light of Lettow's star. All the legionnaires cried out in agreement and they too grasped their blades and brandished them upwards and all answered the call of Lettow, the new call, the call of war. Viathan saw Apsoth brandishing his own blade a look of total infatuation in his face. The idea of war, and spilled blood having no visible deterring effect on the man.

"So, you were part of the First great Schism." Viathan stated.

"First? I suppose that shouldn't surprise me. Considering how narrow-minded the Jedi were it is no revelation to me that there would be others. More who would come and break away from their dogma and strict control. Perhaps one could wonder what the galaxy would have looked like had Xendor and his legions been successful?" Viathan turned to face the dark visage again.

"The what ifs and possibilities of history are fun, but they are in the end a waste. What's done is done, and I'm sure I don't need to tell you that."

"No, you do not." Apsoth replied and the image began to sweep away once more.

"I have always wondered though. I will continue to do so I think, for there is little else to do when one is a wondering thing of thought denying the call of the Void's embrace. When you are but a wandering thing of thought, boy, then tell me what else there is to do, but wonder." Viathan did not reply. His retorts having been sufficiently silenced in the face of his forefather's reprimand.

"I shall not bother you with the visions of every battle that would come to be played out across known space. Just know it was not the Jedi who drew first blood. But, when you seek to suffocate and choke the life from a being or an ideal itself you have made the first move. In this way, they signaled the beginning of the war and are to blame for its inception." The visions flew by and Viathan saw them in scattered flashes.

The Praxeum at Ossus surrounded by fire. The clang of thousands of metal blades slamming and the screams and howls of men and women locked in bitter combat. He saw it like he was flying over it as the observer he was. Ships howled down towards the surface of the ancient Jedi world and then he was flung downwards where he was thrashed through the field of battle. One Jedi slashed his sword right and in so great a speed and mastery of form he was amazed. The legionnaire parried swung under and slashed around gutting the man who fell over screaming as hordes of more sword bearers dashed ahead. A great thundering echoed as the very skies were energized by the clash of powers on the surface. Dark and light slammed against one another as boulders flew crashing and crushing men and women to death. Bolts of uncontrolled lightning torrents screamed across the fields of battle as Viathan watched one man reach out and slam his hand closed. A boulder cracked into thousands of small pieces and he threw them forwards. Dozens of Jedi blocked the tidal wave with the Force but others were suddenly gouged into and shredded as rocks pummeled and tore their flesh and organs.

"When hateful enemies who only have seen their enemy from afar kill each other it is violent. Yet, when family goes to war against itself the brutality can be, so much greater." Apsoth claimed and Viathan wasn't sure he knew what he meant. Though if he had to think on it, civil war, true civil wars between peoples of the same kind and kin, they did tend to be rather...unpleasant. Though he figured all war was so. Though he was himself part of what was called a Galactic Civil War.

"Ossus would burn but the Praxeum left intact. The blood was drawn and we drew it, but we did not simply stop there. Xendor sent us out across the Republic to hunt down those Jedi who led from the High Council. Those of them who wanted us dead and destroyed, and that meant going into the Republic where they now embedded themselves. So war would come to the Republic worlds. Coruscant, Brentaal IV, Corulag, and Chandrilla to name a few." Visions swept by of nameless battles, more men stabbing and thrashing one another. Great pulses of power exploding from one woman's hands that tore a man's flesh and killed him whilst another man all but flew through the air stabbing down into her neck and impaling her.

More armies slammed into one another on what Viathan vaguely could tell was Chandrilla. Ancient Republic troops, many sporting pikes and swords themselves charging with the Jedi as the legionnaires flung them aside with such ease as to be laughable. Coruscant, ancient but ever a sprawling center of life was erupting in the screams of panicked citizens. They ran in all directions as legionnaires fell upon the world. He saw a woman fall from an ancient shuttle her left hand slamming against the ground and her wild ebony hair thrashing about her head. Her golden eyes glared up at three Jedi who circled around her. Arden Lyn even then looked fearsome to him as Viathan watched her glower at the three.

She lunged forwards, her right hand having already been on her hilt. It swung out and slashed across one Jedi but he staggered back in shock. She slashed back left expertly and gashed a massive wound along another Jedi's chest and he fell over screaming in pain as she swung back right throwing her left hand out and a massive torrent of energy pulsated form the Force throwing the other two back several meters.

"Impressive."

"Lyn always was." Apsoth concurred as the vision swung away and morphed once more. Then it led to a world Viathan was not familiar with. There he saw Xendor. He stood tall brandishing his sword and holding it in expert form, though he didn't really recognize any form he was familiar with on display. Both hands grasped to his hilt and the blade held parallel to his body. His cloak was gone and he sported a single shoulder pad on his right shoulder to defend his main arm. He had robes draped over armor beneath as before, and his arms and hands were covered in a mix of black and silver gloves and cloth.

"Surrender Xendor!" A husky male voice demanded. Viathan saw a nameless but massively built Jedi followed by two others. A man and a woman, and all three brandished a single sword of their own.

"Master Guthwon, I do not seek to destroy you. Surrender now, and I will relent."

"An impossibility, Bogan follower." The Jedi Master retorted icily as he pointed the tip of his blade towards Xendor.

"You have made the Jedi Order unclean with your heresy! For generations to come the name Xendor will be whispered in the dark corners of our temples! In their shadowy discussions will be bred intrigue, and you will have wrought unimaginable darkness! Unless I end this here and now, and your legions fall into nothing more than legend." Xendor remained steady.

"If that is what you chose to believe then so be it, Jedi." He replied curtly and sharply. The General readied himself as he adjusted his stance. This Master Guthwon charged him and slashed in such precision and speed that Viathan began to feel the barest hint of embarrassment. Both he and Xendor fell into swings, parries and slashes or defensive feints that made him feel self conscious. Something he knew he hardly ever felt, and in that happening he frowned.

"Xendor was well renowned in the Order. Not just for his mind but for his skills with the blade. He was in almost every respect a prodigy." Apsoth intoned just as the other two Jedi charged in and added their blades to the master's attacks.

"Almost every aspect?"

"The only thing he seemed to fail at in the eyes of the council was that he was in the end not a Jedi." Apsoth almost chuckled as he explained. Viathan turned his attention back as Xendor swept his sword low to his right parrying one student and throwing his sword into Master Guthwon's blade pushing him back. The General ducked swinging himself then left and in a fell swoop he cut his blade clear across the neck of the second Jedi student who fell back gurgling as his wound began to profusely spill blood.

"I have wondered if it were not a foolish endeavor to so blatantly attack the Jedi." Apsoth began as the fight went on.

"What?" Viathan questioned.

"I have never regretted becoming one of his followers. A legionnaire of Lettow. However, in the time since I have always wondered what may have become of the Jedi Order and the galaxy, had he remained a prodigy of the Jedi. Ascended with time to the position of Master or perhaps Grand Master. He could have changed them from the inside. Or, perhaps these are merely the musings of a dead man." Apsoth intoned and Viathan hummed interestedly. The idea had merit. Though it was still pointless in his mind to wonder on the merits of the nonexistent possibilities lost to time.

Xendor swept low twisting his feet and his body under the arm of the Master. He jumped to a stand throwing a heavy kick out that sent the other student flying back roughly against a wall of rock. Immediately he swung around and fell into a quick flurry of offensive slashes that aimed at the flanks of Guthwon. He and this Master almost seemed to fall into a dance. More a dance than he had ever experienced in any of his duels, be they lethal or not.

"Why are we watching this?" Viathan finally asked turning towards Apsoth with a curious brow.

"Xendor would kill a Master of the High Council this day. And, it was here, with Xendor, that I drew first blood." Viathan turned back as the dance continued for a time. Xendor expertly blocked each and every flurry and parry and powered swing or slash Guthwon threw his way. Finally the hulking brute of a man swung his blade around over his head and slashed down. Xendor caught it slid his sword around it and in a lighting fast release and catch of his own sword's hilt he thrust it backwards into the Master's back. A pained and surprised look came across his face and he dropped his blade in a heavy clang.

"Farewell, Master Guthwon." Xendor pulled his blade back and allowed the man to fall to his knees, and then onto his face as blood began to pool beneath him.

Viathan turned his head right. He caught the barest hint of movement, as Xendor stood with his back to that side. He wiped his blade along a cloth he had kept hidden within his robes. The other student had slowly risen to his feet. His sword gripped in his hands a determined look came into his eyes and his face became steely.

A sudden howl and lunge loosed from an unseen maw, and Xendor swung around, his hand still clasped to his blade against the cloth. Only instead of the student, he and Viathan saw as the young man, Apsoth had come from behind a set of rocks. His blade was firmly embedded into the ribs of the student from his back and he too showed a pained expression in his face with widened eyes that quickly began to turn blank.

Apsoth, his younger self, was heaving as his sword remained deep in the student's back. This one, the man of the two began to go limp while still speared upon the sword of the legionnaire.

"Apsoth?" Xendor spoke, and Apsoth swung his head towards the man. His own eyes wide, his pupils dilated and his body shaking.

"Calm...calm." The General ordered motioning his hand.

"He...he was going to kill you! I...I stopped him." He intoned as he trembled from the exhilaration of his first kill. He clasped his left hand suddenly over his mouth, and young Apsoth seemed ready to vomit.

"From one kill, would come many more. I would slay over a hundred of my old brothers and sisters before the war was over. This man opened my eyes, to the suddenness of death, and the unpredictability of a battle. My fate was from here to fight, and to kill, and from this sacrifice of my naivety I would earn the respect of honor of my hero." Xendor approached and began to calm Apsoth as the blade was pulled from the dead man, and his body fell to the floor limp like his fellow Jedi. Unheard words were spoken, and the vision began to change again.

"The schism was a grand event. What was considered the 'civilized' galaxy had come to see war. The Republic threw itself into the arms of the Jedi and sealed their fates to be irrevocably tied with theirs. The galaxy had discovered what terrible battles could be waged when armies of Force adepts challenged one another. When their measly soldiers and warriors tried to join the fray they witnessed carnage. Yet, the Legions were not invincible." Apsoth intoned as lashing scenes of the legions falling back, the Jedi leading victories with republic troops at their backs. Battles where the legionnaires fell in droves even as the Jedi fell in equal numbers.

"No matter how weak one man could prove against a legionnaire or a Jedi, a thousand weak men against a single legionnaire would mean his doom. The Republic sealed our fate, for they took Xendor's decisive actions against the Jedi as an act of war upon them. Perhaps one could say the fault of Xendor was his overly ambitious hope to curtail the hatred of the Jedi so quickly. In doing so he incurred wrath and outage from the wholly uninformed gibbering masses within the Galactic Republic. They thus hated us before even knowing us." The vision flashed to more scenes of carnage and warfare. Sword taken up against sword, the Force being used in thunderous displays of power, and republic warships, ancient and hardly threatening by the modern era's standards, all the same joining the Jedi in their campaign, their crusade of extermination.

"The Legions would fall. All of us would die, and Xendor would also fall. Though we were not there, his last legionnaires, we welcomed Arden Lyn back to Lettow. Her manner was different, her fire faded, and her wounds obvious. Master Pina had slain Xendor upon Columus. We all feared for our lives and we all lamented his loss. Only Pina among them all had the power and the skill to topple our General, our leader and for a lot of us the day our General and our hero died, we all died. If not outwardly and by our flesh, certainly in spirit." The images flashed of more death and destruction, and what Viathan assumed was Columus played out. Thousands of Jedi and their dark counterparts fought in masses of swords and furious uses of the Force that Viathan had never seen before. Two true armies of Force adepts slaughtered one another and among them Xendor fought hard against the Grand Master himself.

He only saw bits and pieces, flashes of the duel, but each move was harsh. Every strike made to be critical and Xendor fought tooth and nail against the Jedi Master. He did not relent though, Pina's face was the vision of calm even as he fought for his life. Even as Xendor seemed to match him, each blow like a bantha falling down upon him, Pina merely parried and stepped back defensively. Viathan for a moment imagined Xendor could win, how couldn't he?! But then, he saw how. Pina flashed into his vision once more, and he parried another strike at his right and swung around Xendor. In a quick sudden movement the Grand Master unsheathed his second katana. Two blades clanged together and Pina slashed them out, spinning them expertly. The twin bladed assault came, and Xendor looked visibly pained as Pina fell into a dance of speed and motion that Viathan felt near impossible to follow. But, as before the vision began to fade, and he did not see how General Xendor fell. Only that he knew he did fall.

"Those of us who remained fell back from all the worlds we fought upon. The Republic chased us from Coruscant, Chandrilla and all the rest. Led by their newly made Jedi Generals we were cast back from every holding and world. Chased and beaten, bloodied and limping as our combined resolve faded in the dimming realities of Xendor's absence. He was our leader, our General and the tip of our spear. Now we were blunted, and held no strength to stab back into the greater galaxy. We fell back to Lettow, to our great temple, and we waited for the Jedi and the Republic to come for us. The final death stroke as none of us held the foolish ideal that we would outlast this galaxy's hatred for us. A doomed enterprise from the beginning, or so we thought in our despair as we cursed the Force and the Jedi, and eventually ourselves.

'Lyn could not lead us. Not as Xendor had at least. Her spirit had been cracked if not broken. The vigor for the fight and true belief in its righteousness, so different than Xendor's conviction, was now lacking. She stomped through the temple and had us horde our books our tomes of recently learned knowledge both within the Bogan and of Ashla. We buried them in the dirt as we would be buried in the dirt. For we knew the Jedi would come, and they would burn not only our flesh but our knowledge and erase with as great a passion as they could our mere memory." A scene of many legionnaires moving books and rolled scrolls and some ancient...what looked like datapad variants were being hauled to some pit dug into the mud and soil. They were placing them down into the pit, scores of books and knowledge they had developed or possibly stolen from the Jedi.

Looking over the many legionnaires were other legionnaires whose collective expressions relayed their dismay. Among them Viathan found his ancestor. Apsoth stood with drooping eyes and forlorn sour look upon his face. He wasn't looking into the pit, but at the ground, as though some particular blade of grass gave him great interest. His spirit was, as he had said himself, broken. He harbored the look of a man who had seen a great many things he had not expected. A vacant and distant stare in his eyes as images unseen to the world played over in his mind. All the while his hero and leader, possibly even fellow student was dead and all those images seemed so very...pointless.

"The war would then come to Lettow, and we would all meet our doom there." The scene flashed and thousands of legionnaires scattered around the valleys and hills. All of them drawing their blades, throwing back hoods or disrobing their cloaks altogether. All holding mixed expressions. Some of anger and resolve to fight, and probably to die. Others looking even then defeated and consigned to their fates already. They looked up as hundreds of small ships descended into the atmosphere. Jedi and Republic transports. Thundering smokey bolts erupted into the skies from ancient anti-air guns, and the battle began. Viathan watched Apsoth run into one of the valleys yanking his sword out and holding it ready as his fellow legionnaires ran around him. He glanced around himself at the eruption of chaos, and he held a look all his own of pained confusion. He was lost, defeated already perhaps, but lost in mind and spirit and with nowhere to go. He looked like a child and without saying anything Viathan thought that perhaps he had been.

"Here on the fields of Lettow, across the surface of the planet we would engage all our old brothers and sisters our masters and even some apprentices. The great rift in our family, the family of the Force wielders was coming to its great final cataclysmic blow. Many microcosms of this played out. Many Jedi had family in the Order and many left to join the legions. Great rifts and emotional bursts of anger and betrayal rippled across Lettow as the battle grew more savage with every hour as the Jedi inched with their Republic lackeys closer to our young temple." The vision morphed once more and young Apsoth struck his sword down cleaving the chest open of a female Jedi Twi'lek who fell with a heave of pain. His breathing was somewhat raged and his hair matted to himself in sweat. He was surrounded by bodies, both of the legionnaires and the knights of the Order.

"In the end I would face the one who would laud herself in her claim to being my life giver. Here as Lettow died and Xendor's dreams died around me I would at last see my freedom. By way of my blade I would see it."

Apsoth paused as he motioned right. His eyes glanced back left and Viathan could see in the distance, Master Veshaya standing with her own sword brandished. A severe and determined look in her eyes as she silently glowered at her son.

"So, you did in fact kill your mother." Viathan stated more than asked.

"At least you got to do what you desired." Apsoth's spirit chuckled darkly. It sounded humorless somehow. As though laughing in spite of himself. So, Viathan turned to him with a questioning brow.

"I did not kill her that day. As much as I may have wanted to. I failed, and in fact, she killed me, for a moment at least." The vision flashed and Viathan felt something akin to whiplash as the scene twisted to show both Apsoth and his mother in a furious duel already in motion. A snarl on his face and furious grunts and growls escaping his lips as he swung at his mother. She kept a cool and steely sneer along her features and blocked each and every blow sent her way. She gave way stepping back as he thrashed himself against her as a rabid beast.

"I had always expected to kill her. To step out from under her shadow as she sought to dominate me. In the clash between progeny and progenitor, as I said, they seek to dominate you and mold you into their own vision or you break free and in some way destroy them. To be free I had to kill her, and I wanted to so terribly." Apsoth intoned as the fight carried on. His younger self slashing down and twisting around throwing a massive slash at his mother's stomach, but she sprung back. He thrust his left hand out and unleashed a furious bout of unseen power that ripped across the ground throwing fallen bodies and weapons, rocks and uprooting grass and plants as she stood her ground against the assault. She held her sword diagonal of herself as she preserved through the assault, her blue eyes glaring from behind the blade at her son. An emotion was within them beyond the anger that Viathan noted with a quizzical tilt of his own head. But, he could not place what emotion really.

"You've mentioned your mother and I can see her for myself. What about your father?" Viathan asked with another glance Apsoth's way. Only the dark spirit seemed to merely shrug.

"She never mentioned him, and when asked she would not reveal his nature nor his being to me. For that reason I resented her. For only two possibilities can be fathomed from such a denial of my ancestry. She felt either I did not deserve to know my father for whatever her reason. Or she wished me not to know him because she regretted their union for again, whatever her reason. Either way I needed to strike her down. Her domination and her view of me as weak were always evident. I was either unworthy of her respect or a disappointment to her. Or perhaps she merely saw too much of whatever man I shared my blood with and for that reason she sought to beat me down in his place. It doesn't matter much anymore I think. She is dead, and I yet retain consciousness, and my hopes and my dreams are still viable. Her memory is mine alone, and history cares nothing for the witch." Viathan could feel and hear the sudden and deeply rooted resentment rise from his forefather. He said nothing as he sensed it wasn't his place to speak on the matter with him. Instead, he turned back to the scene at hand.

Veshaya remained where she stood, and with a small push of her sword still held diagonally an unseen power of her own cut through the wave being unleashed by her son. Viathan could see explosions raging in the distant, small figures in the background danced and thrashed about as the battle was not confined to these two wielders of the Force. Neither mother or son said anything save for the harsh breath and growls of pain or tired muscles as they met one another in battle. Viathan felt both could read and sense what the other felt about them. Words were more hassle then they were worth.

She whirled through the air with a mighty leap. She fell down slashing and Apsoth blocked, but she allowed herself to fall into a roll. She swept back up with another slash upwards and Apsoth pushed himself back as she fell into a flurry of overpowering sweeps and feints that the younger Apsoth fought to block. He fell back now this time and she kept pushing never losing her composure as she attacked again and again with such speed and power. Viathan looked left as his ancestor fell back against his mother's assault and noticed several dead bodies along the ground. He furrowed his brow as he looked back to...well he supposed his other ancient ancestor. Her eyes were dead set and icy as she kept pushing Apsoth back. Viathan could see her intent was to use those bodies. All her attacks, no matter how strong or precise were nothing but distractions. While Apsoth's eyes danced and darted all around looking at his mother's assault trying to find an opening and trying to predict her movements. He didn't care about his surroundings whatsoever.

It didn't take long until he kept moving back and back, his mother slashing right and left cleaving at his defenses without true care for breaking past them. Until at last he watched the young Apsoth push the heel of his right foot into a fallen Jedi's body. It slipped against his blood stained armor and with wide eyes and a heavy grunt he fell backwards. His body tripped over the corpse and bent his back across it. He cried in horror as his mother swung her blade overhead and stabbed down at him. He only barely managed to roll himself away as she punctured the dead man beneath Apsoth.

He jumped back into a stand shakily but Veshaya released her sword and spun herself to her right. Her left hand snatched her blade where it had been left jutting up from the dead man and she carried it in a backwards grip much like Viathan had seen Starkiller do with the Shien form. She slashed from Apsoth's right and he blocked, but she allowed her momentum to carry her past her son's left after slashing at him and in a furious motion she threw her sword up, her right hand caught its hilt and she stabbed it back to her left and the meta pierced her son's flesh.

The young man's face went pale and his eyes bulged in pain as a sickly cough erupted from his mouth. He dropped his sword and a gurgled whine loosed itself from his mouth as he fell to his knees. She allowed him to do so, and let her blade slip from his body coated in his blood. And when it was free the wound on both sides of his abdomen began to profusely spill blood. He clutched the gaping wound beneath his left breast where the wound was in vain attempt to stop the blood even as it poured and pooled down his back.

Viathan watched his mother sigh and with heavy footfalls pace around her son's left as he clutched his wound with pained shut eyes. Viathan watched as tears began to fall from them and a heaving intake of breath could be heard entering his lungs as he seemed ready to weep. His eyes burned as they opened and he glared at his mother even as the hot liquid loosed from his tear ducts.

"I...I hate y...you." He gurgled out as he began to cough blood. From where it came and where she had wounded him Viathan of course could not say, but he found the scene overall...well oddly empathetic. At least to himself.

"I..." She began but did not finish. Her gaze softening for a moment as she looked down upon her apparently dying son. He wretched and groaned in pain as he continued grasping at his wound. Her eyes closed and she tilted her head away from Apsoth.

"I know you do." She completed and turned her back towards him. Apsoth fell forwards his forehead resting against the dirt below before he then fell to his side writhing in pain with blood pouring freely.

"It was not my intent for you to." She began to walk away, her voice seeming cool and under control.

"Rest now, my son, and may the Force accept you. In spite of your...corruption." She paced away wiping her sword free of her own son's blood as he continued to groan in pain. His tears still streaming as the rage and helplessness set in. His right hand formed a fist and he began pounding the dirt next to him again fueled by his wrath and hate. More sputtering and gagging loosed from his lips followed by a final pathetic half groan and whine as he curled into a ball and went nearly limp. Only clutching his wound as the legions died around him, and Lettow was washed 'clean' by the Jedi.

"You said she killed you for a 'moment.' What do you mean?" Viathan asked not pressing the issue of his ancestor's mother. He did not see prudence in speaking of his personal struggles with Veshaya. To a degree he even respected her, and the hard choice she had to commit to see her own mission complete. Though he did see why Apsoth may have been driven to loath her in kind.

"The Legions of Lettow were formed for freedom to study the Force. However, the major tenant and guiding point of forming the Order was to actually explore the Bogan. To understand and wield the Dark Side. In learning what I could, and becoming stronger, I found that anger and rage along with a slew of emotions all but outlawed to feel by the Jedi could make me stronger. My hatred and my rage fueled alongside the pain I felt in this moment kept me alive. I had not known it then, but as I lay there a feeble broken thing thinking and obsessing on nothing but my hatred for my mother and her damnable order the Force filled my body. As darkness took my vision and my body went limp I had not sensed my flesh forcing itself back together. It was the most primal use of the dark side I channeled all my rage and my hatred, I simply refused to go. Not in that moment, not in that time, and not by that woman. I would awaken, and I would find myself force exhausted and alone, alive upon a world littered in death." Apsoth answered and the vision again began to shift and change around them.

When it returned around them Viathan saw Apsoth walking. His face drained of color and hair matted and dirty with sweat and dirt. His eyes were glossy and unfocused as he clutched his hand to a tree. Around him lay many dead from both sides, but he was alone. Only the breeze passing across him and casting the stench of death across the field. Apsoth's younger self turned and looked into the distance. There the distant light of roaring fires cast itself into the skies. Plumes of smoke entered the skies making the orange glow mingle with a shadowy gray that spread outwards over the far fields of Lettow. He sighed deeply and clutched at his abdomen as pain pierced through his fogged mind. He turned away again and began once more pacing through the distant fields and small woods around him, and away from the battles still raging.

"I awoke and my mind was a muddled mess. I knew anger and loss, but I sensed defeat looming in the air mingled with the stench of decay and rot. I only wanted to run the. To hide from the Jedi, to forget ever being a legionnaire and hoping to attain power beyond my petty abilities. I wished to rot in some forgotten shadowy corner of the galaxy and be lost to history and time. But, I wished to do one thing before I even dared to attempt an escape."

"That being?" Viathan asked as the vision showed Apsoth fall to his knees near a large patch of recently upturned and twisted dirt.

"I wished to preserve what knowledge we had garnered in our short existence. I would not let the Jedi burn our teachings along with our memory. They would not destroy the legacy of Xendor and his followers. So long as one legionnaire lived, and he preserved their teachings and their discoveries then perhaps it had all been worth something. Though it could not be seen in that moment." The young Apsoth sniffled as he coughed in pain. The cold air of the settling night hitting him as he weakly lifted his arms spreading them outwards left to right as he used the Force to push and pull aside mounds of dirt and mud. Several bodies were nearby, but none particularly set by the mounds of dirt. The legions had done well to keep them away from the hidden secrets, and kill those left behind. Even if it also cost them their own lives.

Apsoth grunted as he pushed his right hand out and moved another massive mound of dirt to the side. He huffed from the minor exertion and sucked in a seethe through his teeth as his hands again found his abdomen. When he opened his eyes again he let a small content hum free as he raised his right hand again and used the Force to pull several books and ancient tomes and data cards from the dirt. All of them wrapped in a protective but temporary material. Left in the ground for too long and everything would have surely rotted away.

He reached out and grasped at the assorted books and tomes. He continued to cough off and on as he slowly glanced off to his side. He reached his hand out and yanked through the air a Jedi's set of robes tossed along the open ground. Apsoth tied its sleeves shut and bundled it up into a hastily made sack and proceeded to toss everything within this pit into it.

"How did you escape Lettow?" Viathan asked as young Apsoth continued packing his 'satchel.'

"I did not leave immediately. I remained on Lettow for several days. Nearly three weeks by the standard measure of time. I survived off ration packs I scavenged from dead legionnaires and some Jedi. Though they rarely carried food. Those Republic forces I found also carried rations that I took for myself."

The vision flashed and the still beaten and bruised Apsoth sat alone beneath a lone tree upon some random field. He snacked hungrily on some brown brick that Viathan assumed was a ration pack. His eyes darted left and right at a near constant pace. He was jumpy, and in fact the very definition of jumpy in Viathan's eyes.

The occasional warbling of ships sounded out and he would jump and shrink away beneath the tree to hide himself. He would pull his bag of knowledge close to him and cling to the shadow of the tree as his eyes watched the skies like a scared and cornered beast. Only when it passed over and into the distance, and a healthy amount of silence did he relax and ease back into a lean against the tree. His body then the vision of defeat and weariness.

"I could sense and sometimes I thought I could hear the Jedi destroy Xendor's Praxeum. I chanced to go nearer to the old site one evening. I robed myself in another dead Jedi's robes just in case I was spotted. In the distance the fires that had raged near the temple grounds during the last battle were long dead. Now new fires rose into the air casting a foreboding orange glow across the entire distant skyline. In my loneliness I let my resentment fester, and I watched everything I had decided to believe in burn to the Jedi order and Galactic Republic from afar."

Viathan saw the vision play out as before. Like before an orange glow permeated the distant skies. Smoke billowed upwards and choked the skies of Lettow and Viathan could nearly envision a great burning of books and tomes. The annihilation of a young order. It was...odd to watch. Odder still to know how significant a thing it was in hindsight.

"In time I saw the scourging end and Lettow was at last once more silent. Dead littered the soil across the world, and I noted Jedi scouring to find their dead. Leaving the legionnaires where they fell. Sometimes they buried them in mass graves and then set the pits alight with fire. The Praxeum was gone, stone by stone ripped apart and its contents also burned. They looked through every nook of the world for the knowledge hidden and I have no doubt they found much and burned it along with us and our school. Needless to say my rage burned as I watched it all happen from afar, as the coward would." Apsoth intoned with clear disgust and the vision morphed to show a ship leaving orbit from within the ship itself.

"This is Republic transport Reign-03. A simple thing with little capability but the transport of men and goods. It would become my home for a time." Apsoth continued as Viathan watched young Apsoth robed as a Jedi stand behind the pilot of the ship with his hands clasped together beneath stolen Jedi robes.

"The Jedi were so sure of themselves. So sure they had committed their slaughter in full that they allowed republic troops onto Lettow to begin shipping them off planet. To bring them back to Ossus in droves along with anything of particular value they stole from the legions. They did not take much from what I could gather. Especially as word reached me of Grand Master Pina's death against Arden Lyn on some other world. To know she killed him, the Grand Master as a final blow against the Jedi gave me great comfort in the darkness of my own thoughts. But his death reinvigorated the belief that the legions held nothing of value for them, and so they destroyed all they could. Save for what paltry knowledge we had discovered of Ashla in our time." Apsoth's younger self turned his head towards the pilot and his hands fell to his sides.

"Nonetheless, these men were weak minded fools. Easily bendable to the will of any being who could scratch the surface of the Force. So, I made him believe he had no Jedi to carry back to Ossus and that I was a VIP in need of transport. He obliged and carried us up to orbit. Where I then commandeered his vessel." Young Apsoth unsheathed his sword and the man made no move to stop him, nor even look behind at the sound. His mind was thoroughly under the young ex-legionnaire's control. With a single thrust the sword was stabbed down into the man's neck through his body and came out at his hip.

A sickening gurgle escaped him as he fell back in his seat blood spewing form his mouth. Young Apsoth growled and a hateful sneer passed across his face as he twisted the blade inside the man before forcibly grabbing his shoulder and throwing him from the cockpit seat to the floor, pulling his sword from him as he did.

"I had considered merely snapping his neck with the Force, or maybe ordering him to put himself out the airlock. But the anger in me had taken control." Apsoth went on.

"I remembered how the Republic turned its back on the Legions of Lettow. How they sought to make an alliance with a power willing to keep themselves strong rather than stand in defense of a young order without want for violence or war save for that forced upon it by the hate of the Jedi. So, I let my wrath be felt as I stabbed my sword down into this man, and twisted my blade. And for the first time I took great pleasure in the death I caused as his blood coated and stained the metal floor beneath us and I took his seat." Indeed young Apsoth took the dying man's seat as he released his hold on his mind, and Viathan watched the sanity return to the man. He began screaming but it came out as a writhing gurgle as he feebly tried to stamp his hand over the gushing wounds. His dying sounds filled the room and the young fallen Jedi paid him no mind as he leaned over the hyperspace console. It was entirely foreign in design from what Viathan was used to, but there were some features he recognized. Namely the grid coordinates input.

"I had no desire to live upon a Republic world. The thought of it made me sick and I had no doubt I would begin murdering my way across any such world given time. The Jedi worlds, Ossus, Deneba and the sort held no value to me either. Nor could I imagine living beneath those disgusting slugs, the Hutts or the Tionese." Young Apsoth closed his eyes and his hand twitched as it went over the coordinates pad and remained there for several moments.

"So, I surrendered myself to the Force. As so many travelers had before me I left my fate to the chaos of random chance. I let myself wait until coordinates came to me, and I firmly hold that the Force is what led me. Finally one by one the positions came to me, and my hand fell to the pad." He entered in a set of coordinates into the ships navicomputer and the ship turned as it prepared to jump into a blind hyperspace jump to unknown coordinates. The man behind him went silent as his blood loss consumed him, and in a flash of light the ship made the jump.

Once more the vision changed and turned until the ship's forward viewport came into view. Apsoth hung his head low with eyes closed as he sat in meditation. The body was nowhere to be seen, but Viathan didn't feel like asking where he went or what his forefather had done with it. The metal floor was still stained with where the blood had fallen but the body was gone.

"It was this day I found the world that would shape my future. The future of all my descendants, and of course, you. Here is where my chosen people were and where they remain waiting for their Zalliste to return. This is Corat." The ship jumped out from hyperspace and Viathan had to admit he was instantly taken aback. As Apsoth opened his eyes he too leaned back in his seat from the shock. The world was otherwise truly unimpressive. Blue seas and vast oceans and water and many lands of green where grass and trees were to be sure, and brown nothingness where the deserts and waste were. What was truly astounding about this world was nothing about what seemed to be on it, but rather the world itself. It was beyond massive, larger than any terrestrial world Viathan had yet to see. In fact it could match any gas giant Viathan had seen before. To know it could support life, that it did support life, and held so much land and water alone astounded him.

"Such a massive world. Few worlds of such size and ability to support life exist in the galaxy. Of this I am sure. All the same, it is my world. Where our people wait for you even still, boy." Apsoth intoned as his younger self began taking control of the ship to move towards the planet.

Only as the ship moved towards the magnificent specimen of a world Viathan watched the space outside the ship go dark. His brow furrowed and he took a cautionary 'step' backwards as he noted a shadow seemingly descend on the vision. Apsoth's younger self was consumed by it and the ship's interior began fading as it too went dark and everything began going dark around him.

"What..." He trailed off as distant sounds seemed to enter his hearing. Faint thrumming and echoes of small explosions.

"Is...is this part of your story?"

"No, you're merely waking up, boy." Apsoth answered as Viathan could almost feel himself being dragged back into consciousness.

"As I said, I was not holding you here. Your mind and body have recovered from the shock through your bond to your master." His forefather went on.

"As much as you hold my words in little regard boy, I shall finish my tale for you another time. At least then you will understand where you come from. Or, where part of you comes from." Viathan felt himself being hurdled as if flying from his state of unconsciousness to consciousness. One of the oddest sensations he had ever experienced.

"I...when I have time...I will listen. I promise." Viathan answered. His position having...softened some since seeing his forefather's origin. Though he did not say as much nor truly relay it as much in his words. He sensed his sentiment all the same be understood by Apsoth who was now unseen to him.

"Very well. You still have a war to wage. May it be better for you than mine had been for me. Now, wake up, Valek."

With a sudden start his body lurched upwards as Viathan ingested a great breath of air. Only to immediately wretch where he lay as the rancid taste and smell of burning metal and scorched soil met him and set him off into a violent coughing and gagging fit. He began sitting upwards as the familiar sounds rung in his ear and set every sense off balance as the shaking booming and screaming of a battlefield howled and pounded against his senses.

"Commander stay down!" The obvious voice of a trooper commanded as Viathan felt a strong gloved hand push his left shoulder down and keep him pinned as a screeching blast sounded and flew overhead. The blast slammed into a rearguard SPMA artillery piece and Viathan heard dozens of men scream as they were tossed and mutilated. He finally forced his hazy eyes open and noted the fog that clouded his mind and the dull throb that pulsated across his body.

"Karking hell Zalliste!" He winced at the sound as the red headed Jade slammed her feet down and fell into a kneel beside him with her magenta saber active in hand and a cross look upon her face.

"Next time you wanna take a dirt nap in the middle of a war zone and leave us all fighting to maintain your own karking plans do us all a favor and put the bolt to your head and finish the job!" She seethed and Viathan frowned up at her. His mind still flashed with the overload of memories and visions played out for him and he grasped at his forehead in clear pain. He wasn't sure if it was the memories or the bond between he and his master that made him feel ready to vomit. That or the smells.

"Charming as ever Jade." Viathan coughed and glanced around as he noted the carnage.

On all sides he could see massive droid assaults all down the lines. Walls of walkers and tanks tried holding them back as men took up positions around them or in dug outs. Most of them created by shelling of some sort. The droids fell in waves upon them and far too many pushed past the walls and fired into the rear lines or committed smaller encirclements. Their tanks and walkers advanced at dazzling pace and fired openly and freely destroying all Imperial opposition with concentrated effort as Vultures and Hyenas whirred in the skies above.

"We're in a bind Zalliste! Now get your head in gear and get this plan of yours rolling or keel over already!" Viathan took a second through his half sneer to note the serious gaze Mara gave him. Narrowed eyes and dilated pupils as her breaths came out ragged and heavy. She was afraid, and as he sighed he knew he could not blame her.

So, he smashed his hand over his ear comm unit. It beeped in activation as the troopers guarding his position all jumped into sudden action. All going rigid as they aimed their blasters down at a line of B2s heading and shooting their way. Jade cursed under her breath and spun around blocking most of the bolts.

"Darssus! I need that damn cannon fire now! If you can hear this, understand that the situation is," A series of at least a dozen Hailfire missiles flew overhead and slammed in a successive and thundering set of blasts behind Viathan and crew sending all of them forward from the shock wave. He gagged and coughed some more as dirt and smoldering pieces of both men and machines flew around him.

"Situation is untenable! I repeat, untenable! If you don't get me that damn air support I and every Imperial outside of Kuatac are dead!" He howled into his comm as Jade groaned and pushed herself up with her shaky arms while her saber hummed beneath her. The B2s from before advanced through the fog of dirt and churning smoke. Their clanking legs sounded as they marched past fallen men and howling troopers struck by shrapnel or burnt by other bolts. They aimed their wrist blasters downwards as they moved ahead firing bursts of bolts into men. They shrieked before going silent as their bodies thrashed about the floor as they were torn apart by the advancing B2s. One of them moved ahead and turned its hulking frame towards Jade who shook her head sending her red mane out wildly around her down turned face.

"Jade!" Viathan threw himself forwards and he slammed his left arm around the back of her neck and pulled her back to the ground. Only barely using the Force to thrash her saber from her hand and sending it spinning along the ground. The B2 fired a burst round and the shots only barely missed her back and pelted the dirt around them both.

"That...hurt Zalliste." She seethed picking her head up and casting him another sneering glance.

"I'll accept more of your rancor on top of the normal disdain." She rolled her eyes as she looked ahead along with Viathan as the B2 zoomed in on them as did the others.

"Well this is..." Mara sighed. "What else should I have expected?" She groaned as all B2s began aiming their way.

"I'll take the right, you the left." Viathan offered and Mara sighed again.

"Apol...on...acti...momentary...deman...danger...be safe." Viathan heard over his comm and his eyes bulged.

"Apologies Jade."

"What?" She questioned glancing towards him as he slammed her head down once more causing her to groan outwardly. As the distinct sound of heavy laser fire shells falling to the ground hummed through the skies.

"They'll be there shortly brother." Darssus replied into his comm only barely catching his brother's words. He snapped his comm off for a moment and snapped his left hand closed crushing another B2 battle droid into a broken and sheered metal wreck. The room he stood in hosted a massive viewport that led out to one of the many defensive heavy turbolaser cannons along the Drive Yards. Around them, as his saber hummed menacingly, lay dozens of burnt and beaten droid units. Dead men, mostly Drive Yard workers and some troopers littered the ground along with them but the smell of sickening sweet rot in the air told Darssus they had died some time ago.

"You two," The inquisitor beckoned aloud to the two hapless troopers who had been dragged through several halls to the command room with him. They snapped to attention holding their blasters unsteadily whilst still in his presence as they had finished watching him rip a room full of droids apart.

"Yes sir?!" One of them snapped his boots.

"Take command of the defense cannon bring it online and enter these coordinates." He held the data desk between his middle and forefinger for whomever between the two was bravest.

"Fire at maximum firepower and do not relent. Overload the cannon if need be and don't mind any collateral in your way." One of the men inched nearer to him. The trooper tentatively reached out and grasped the disk from Darssus who let it go from his fingers without protest or movement save the drop of his hand.

"Uh, sir?" The second trooper began as the first ran to the control console and began ringing the gun online and to manual input.

"Speak freely." Darssus replied moving closer to the viewport as several wings of Vultures chased after a TIE interceptor wing. In the distance a rebel Recusant was cracked in three distinct bits and breaking apart as massive flames burned outwards from the ship and faded as they whipped into the void of space.

"Firing the cannons at maximum firepower would burn it out! It would likely overload and blast a hole in the side of the Drive Yards." Darssus waved him off.

"I am not concerned with one defensive cannon along an orbital station that wraps around an entire planet. Nor should we be too concerned trooper. The whole base is under heavy droid assault. The repair cost will be astronomical, but one more broken canon will hardly burn through the deep pockets of the Imperial treasury." The trooper, Darssus sensed, still wished to protest. Instead though he merely cleared his throat and bowed his helmeted head.

"Yes sir."

"Coordinates have been entered, sir." The first trooper announced as Darssus watched the massive gun outside the viewport seemingly come to life and swivel itself into position.

"It will follow its designated path until...well until it overloads."

"Excellent!" Darssus smirked and grabbed his comm again.

"Apologies on the wait, brother. Momentary hiccup demanded my attention. Though as you said the danger will most certainly be close." The gun blasted its first rounds and the percussion's shook the room as it fired in a blitz that ripped from the dual cannoned weapon. The two troopers tumbled back from the shock as the station compensated for the sudden rattling.

"Be safe." He finished as the cannon moved itself following the preset coordinate path. The distant debris was slammed into by the cannon and it sent massive metal chunks erupting in flame before it cast them aside and flew down towards the planet's surface. The light of the cannons fire shone in Darssus' eyes and he grinned as he watched the display. His thoughts turning to his brother as he imagined the carnage below.

---

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay guys. It's a long one and I've been a bit busy with real life stuff, but the writing must go on no? Once again if any grammtical errors are found please let me know or try your best to ignore them. I will fix them if pointed out of course. Thank you to everyone, like the small number of you I know read this still from its inception even if it's more a glancing read. It helps make this insane universe feel worth writing. Until the next one guys!