Ken stood on one of the Jedi Temple's countless landing platforms, several hundred meters above the promenades of Coruscant. He looked up at the sky and watched as a shuttle was about to land. The shuttle that would eventually take them to their ship.

Behind him were Hysha, Shesprer, and his friends Keero and Vangsha. Further back, Vandar and Vrook were also waiting to see them off.

The big day had now come. Today he would leave. He didn't know if or when he would return, but it was clear to him that he would no longer be the same.

The shuttle touched down and out came several soldiers, as well as a tall, thin middle-aged man. Ken guessed from his uniform that this was Captain Conderb.

"Captain Conderb," he confirmed Ken's assumption with a slight bow. "Your shuttle is ready, Master Jedi."

Ken returned the bow. "Thank you Captain. Just wait a little longer."

"As you wish."

Ken turned around and walked through the others. Vandar said earlier that he had to tell him something else. He knelt in front of him to be halfway at eye level.

"When we found you, we quickly realized that you are one of the most gifted Force users of our time. That alone proves that the Force is with you. Trust her, let her show you the way and you will undoubtedly return successfully. Both in the fulfillment of the mission and in your development."

"Thank you, Master."

Now the Jedi Master also turned to Shesprer. "The same goes for you, young padawan. Listen to your master's advice, follow the Force and you will take great steps closer to your goal."

"I will, Master," Shesprer promised hopefully.

"I promise to take good care of them and give Ken all the help he needs," Hysha said in his raspy voice.

Finally Vandar went to Keero and Vangsha.

"You two were chosen because you have a special bond with Ken. You are his most trustworthy caregivers. Give him all the mental support he needs. As Jedi, as well as friends," he asked the two of them.

"We promise to help him wherever we can, Master," said Vangsha and the two bowed.

Ken had to smile. He now knew that he had the right people around him. Nothing could go wrong with them.

When he looked up he saw Kreia standing in the entrance, in her usual position, with her head down. What does she want here now? he thought to himself. Did she want to impart one of her philosophies to him again before he left, or did she feel complacent at seeing her former student already sent on a mission? He couldn't imagine in his dream that she felt something like pride for him.

Before she could even be tempted to go to him, he just gave her a contemptuous sideways glance and left it at that. She then briefly lifted her hood and he could see something like anticipation in her eyes. What does she want now? he asked himself again. Then he remembered that he never understood her anyway and got into the shuttle.

Sweat came out of him again. Apparently his displeasure had not yet disappeared. He then felt a slippery hand that could only belong to an Ongree grabing his shoulder.

"Hey, are you still nervous?" Keero asked him.

Ken didn't really know how to answer. He was more surprised that you could still see it so clearly.

"Relax a little," Vangsha's calm voice sounded next to him. "Remember, we will stick together and get through this whole thing together. Just like our little adventures before."

Ken looked at his face. It was slightly yellowish and under his chin were the typical tattoos of his species. The whole thing was rounded off with a golden short haircut. His face radiated hope itself. Ken took courage from her encouragement and wrapped his arms around their shoulders.

"Thank you guys. I can't tell you how glad I am that you're coming with me."

"If gentlemen would please buckle up," Conderb's militant voice came from behind them. "We have to take off. You'll still have enough time for your conversations once we're on our way."

"Of course. Sorry," Vangsha replied.

After everyone was strapped in, the shuttle took off immediately. After a twenty-minute flight through Coruscant's atmosphere, they docked with the Republic battleship Starscraper, a class of battleships from the Great Sith War, which was waiting for them in orbit. Only half an hour later, with a squadron of Aurek fighters in their hangar, they had jumped into hyperspace towards Belkadan.

…

Ornan's face immediately became wet as he stepped out of his shuttle. However, this was not due to the humidity that prevailed on Tel IV, but rather to his sweat, which was produced by the warm, tropical climate of the jungle planet.

A few years ago, when Ornan was appointed general, a secret base was built for him on the remote planet Tel IV, which was not even home to intelligent life.

However, he soon discovered that the flora and fauna of this jungle planet were even more astonishing.

Trees that rose up to fifty meters into the air and whose wood contained a high concentration of valuable minerals were just the tip of the iceberg.

The forests were full of bioluminescent mushrooms, which glowed in all colors at night and offered a unique sight. There were also gigantic ferns and nectar-producing orchids.

A food for the moonlight butterflies that emit glowing dust, which shone light blue and were equipped with a small chitin horn. The seemingly harmless, but highly poisonous, worm-like Sliideptra, which just hung on the tree all day waiting for their prey, were less beautiful to look at. However, the fauna was dominated by the Terizines. Two and a half meter tall lizards standing on two legs, with gigantic claws on their short hands, wrapped in orange feathers. What's even more surprising is that they were primarily herbivores.

This benefited the Mandalorians because they were easier to tame and could be used as mounts.

Ornan had always been an admirer of nature, which is why he enjoyed spending his time here. In order not to destroy the forest, he had his base built on a bare mountain.

This also made it even more impregnable than it already was.

Forty meters high, heavily armored and equipped with heavy guns, one could truly speak of a fortress. To mark it even more as his territory, he painted the walls in red and silver, just like his armor.

Ornan finally entered the landing platform on the fourth floor and Cald immediately rushed towards him.

"Did everything go smoothly?" he asked without saying hello.

"As I promised," his friend replied. "We started immediately and the whole process was a complete success. Our experiment is in progress."

Ornan was surprised that it had already happened. After all, only a standard week had passed since Cald was sent out. But all the better.

"Let's take a look at this," he said and the two set off for the laboratory.

A few minutes later they reached the turbo-lift, which took them to the top floor, where the heavily guarded laboratory was located.

When Ornan finally entered he could hardly believe his eyes. In front of him in the cage, around which were some Neo-Crusaders in blue armor, as well as some scientists in gray coats and a gray mask, was it.

It was small, but scary enough as it was. Behind the electric bars it growled and bared its pointed teeth. Its three meter long body was covered with green scales and its head was covered with four small horns. Four barbels hung from its elongated snout and it had six powerfully built legs. The beginnings of two wings were already sprouting on its back.

"Never has a monster been so beautiful," commented Ornan. "Once this is over, it will become our new symbol."

"The squad that was on Tatooine was almost completely destroyed while completing their mission," one of the researchers reported.

Ornan lowered his head in regret. "I understand," he said after a short silence. "For their honorable sacrifice to redeem the Mandalorians, they have certainly been accepted into the army of the afterlife. Thanks to them, we were now able to create our ultimate weapon."

The beast he created was nothing more than a cross between a Duinuogwuin and a Krayt Dragon. More or less. He had hired men to capture a small specimen of the dragon and bring it here. With the help of the stolen blood, his scientists were then able to create a serum that gave the krayt dragon many of the external characteristics and properties of a Duinuogwuin. The body structure, temperament and strength were the characteristics of the first one, but the wings and vacuum resistance came from the star dragon. Mandalore wouldn't have the slightest chance.

"You have done an excellent job," he flattered his researchers. "Keep doing exactly that. If there are any changes, let me know immediately."

"Very well," the researcher replied to Ornan's command.

Then he turned around and headed back outside with Cald. Just as he was crossing the threshold, a warrior came running, completely out of breath.

"Sir!" he shouted at him. Judging by the datapad in his hand, he seemed to have a report for him.

"Report," Ornan ordered him. "But slowly please."

The warrior took a moment to breathe before he began. "We just received a message from Mandalore. Our spy discovered that the Republic had gone to Belkadan to investigate. There are some Jedi involved in this too."

Ornan quickly felt sick to his stomach. If the Republic finds out what happened, they will start the war before Mandalore attacks. Then everything would be ruined and he could no longer do anything.

"We must destroy them," he decided. "Gather all nearby troops at Helska 7. Also send a Kandosii Dreadnaught. We'll surprise them as soon as they get there."

"Sir, shouldn't we..."

"You have your orders," Ornan said sharply. "I'll take care of the rest."

"Yes, sir," said the man and set off.

Ornan walked toward the turbolift.

"Are you sure it's a good idea?" Cald asked cautiously.

"Of course I will inform Mandalore about this. But we can't wait for his okay. If we want to catch them, we have to act quickly."

He got into the elevator and pressed the switch for the fourth floor.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Cald called after him.

"Don't I always?" Ornan said with a wink as the door closed.