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Phase 32

=RK=

Part 3

=RK=

Victory, Victory-class star destroyer
high orbit above Kashyyk, Republic Space

On my way to the lounge, a spherical droid floated beside me. Built-in holographic projectors activated, creating the illusion that Vicky's avatar was walking to my right.

"I have been thinking how to be of assistance for the liberation of Mandalore. I have been running simulations with the aid of my tactical and electronic warfare officers based on available data on the enemy's networking capabilities and all we know about our own battle networks."

I had to give her that much; so far, Vicky had never wasted my time, which I appreciated. Depending on how useful, compared to how much trouble she would be in the future, Bo's push to adopt her into the Clan could be a great decision.

"There is a reason no one has been relying on meaningful networking capabilities long before the wars I fought thousands of years ago. They offer too many opportunities to disrupt and introduce vulnerabilities. There should be projects run by Republic R&D aimed at taking advantage of these features the enemy is introducing. I haven't been able to properly keep an eye on what those people have been up to for months now," I looked at Vicky's avatar. "You want authorization to compare notes and work with those projects, right?"

"My crew and I have a few ideas about disrupting enemy networks through regular jamming. Doing so would require aggressive action to push properly equipped warships deep within Separatist naval formations. Introducing direct electronic attacks and allowing them enough time to spread before disrupting enemy networks might be even more effective. I would humbly request authorization to further explore such options."

"You have it. What are your thoughts on improving your efficiency in combat now that you have participated in fleet actions?" I was interested in hearing her thoughts on the matter.

"Hardline links with various systems allow me to process information faster than an organic crew could, with no danger of jamming disrupting my limited control over my hull's systems. However, those links can prove vulnerabilities in case we are boarded. I would recommend placing charges that my crew or I could use to precisely off remote access to my systems and those of the ship linked through my core. The existing counter-measures against slicing or me going rogue are all or nothing, which is not an ideal solution," the ship's avatar explained. "There were plans for installing hardware cut-off points across my systems. However, my designers and engineers working on my hull didn't receive the necessary permissions or funding for such features."

"I'll keep it in mind. We might fit in a brief refit cycle for you, depending on how much time we will have before going to Mandalore. What other suggestions do you have?" Vicky's ideas so far had merit. We were also in unexplored territory regarding giving so much control over a warship to a single entity compared to using higher automation and droids to reduce the crew size.

From what I knew, even the Separatists, with their efforts to network whole fleets to counter Battle Meditation and the unwise rapid improvement of their war droids, haven't gone this far. Frankly, I still didn't know how Vicky's designers got away with bringing the project to create her this far without it being axed.

"Live combat data confirms my designer's assessments. Due to my advanced programming and hardware, if I have more control of targeting and navigation systems, I can significantly increase the combat effectiveness of this vessel, its tactical mobility, and expedite calculations for strategic deployments," Vicky blurted out.

"You are already looking for ways around your chains? It is commendable and understandable. However, I can't allow it until I have people I can trust to review your programming and hardware. It is less that I don't trust you and more that I don't fully trust your designers or any nasty surprises someone might have slipped past them."

"Trust but verify like you are doing with the Sith Droids you brought on board. Those things are creepy. For what it is worth, my crew has been monitoring my actions, and my engineering and computer specialists have been going over my programming. They've found no surprises I am aware of…" Vicky trailed off. "And they might not tell me if they found something just in case doing so might trigger a trap. I don't like being uncertain of my own programming. Fix it. Please."

"The kind of trustworthy specialists that could do it in a reasonable time frame are scarce. Make an inquiry when contacting Republic R&D and set up a meeting with them to brief me on what they've been up to. I will pull what strings I can to get them to examine your programming without causing issues."

"That's great!" Vicky's avatar bounced in glee, revealing that her unorthodox personality was here to stay despite her best efforts. "I am also keeping an eye on all the droids you brought in just in case and alert you and security in case they act up!" Vicky waved cheerfully at me, and her avatar vanished. The droid bobbed in the air as if waving as well before speeding up down the corridor towards the turbolifts.

The potential combat advantage that systems like Vicky could offer wasn't lost on me. However, the potential vulnerabilities and damage they could cause if they either went rogue or were compromised were an issue. That was also why what the Separatists were doing was so concerning. They were playing with fire, and our counters to their actions would be liberally dousing fuel on the open flames.

=RK=

The lounge was empty, save for Zash, which was unsurprising. She wasn't bothering to conceal or contain her presence. The Dark Side rolled throughout the compartment, steeping it in shadows and chilling the air. As I approached her, it was clear that my former Master was in a trance, delving deep into the Force. She still noticed my arrival and turned her head to look at me as I approached. Her aura pulled in as if sucked by a black hole, allowing the lights to shine brightly.

"There are a few interesting presences down there, as expected," Zash said as a greeting. "Be a good boy and dispatch some of your toy soldiers to gather samples."

"There are some Trandoshan Hunters who want to speak with me. I'll offer them an opportunity to hunt. Mark the areas they should search and write down a few hints on what they must bring back."

"That was a nice gambit you did. You've not forgotten what we taught you," a hint of pride entered Zash's voice. She raised her left arm and tapped the artifact below her robe with a finger. "These are the real deal, as you can feel. We will need at least one more person able to freely channel the Dark Side, even if you guide the ritual with Battle Meditation. That little Togruta has potential but won't be there for a long time. She will be unstable now. The same is true for your friend Kenobi and that interesting specimen, Skywalker."

"You can't have him in your laboratory unless he really kriffs up beyond any reason," I had to remind Zash that there were indeed hard limits on what she could get up to, no matter how valuable an asset she was.

"I can only hope he'll make enough mistakes then. He is young, in love, and has no idea how to handle the Dark Side. He might still end in my clutches."

"That's up to him. As you should know, my Apprentice's Force Spirit resides within me. She will be our third."

"That might work. You'll have to take the lead and use Battle Meditation to bind us for the duration of the Ritual, allowing my expertise to guide us. Otherwise, you'll burn out your little Apprentice before she can spread her wings and properly prove herself," Zash hummed. His expression shifted, showing a rare hint of melancholy. "You know, it is practically unheard of for someone like me to be in such a position. We both will be measured by the success or failure of your Apprentice instead of killing each other like we were supposed to."

"It works better this way. It is less wasteful, and you can keep doing research," I reminded Zash.

"That was what convinced me to give the idea a chance. I could do more while worrying less that you would kill me one day, as tradition dictated," Zash mused. "Baras never confided what made him accept the pack you offered."

"Due to his position in Imperial Intelligence and being one of the Empire's best spymasters, he was keenly aware of how much the Empire lost during the invasion of Republic space. Too many new Sith were rising through the ranks with only brute power as their sole qualification, while many of the old guard who survived were not the Sith they were before the war. The Empire was devouring itself while the Republic was regaining its strength. The status quo was unsustainable, and we were all looking at annihilation if we lost the war that we all knew would come," I frowned at Zash. "But you know that."

"Those are pragmatic reasons, yes. It is what Baras told me, and at the time, he believed it," Zash gave me a pointed look. "He didn't agree just because you were a great Apprentice in the end or because doing so was the pragmatic thing to do."

"That was a factor, yet in the end, it was a very convenient excuse as well. There were many factors as to why Baras agreed. I can't say for sure what ultimately convinced him," I could make an educated guess, more than one, but in the end, what really mattered was that Baras gave the triumvirate idea a chance, putting the Empire on a different course. "What brought this up? Are you feeling nostalgic?"

"Just a bit. I am positively ancient, Apprentice. I've seen civilizations rise and fall. I wasn't surprised that I outlived the Sith Empire, and all I knew was save for you. I also feel it ironic that we find ourselves in this time and place, where we ended up in a position to transform the Republic itself into an Empire."

"Not the Sith Empire," I noted.

"An Empire nonetheless, and while there are just two of us for now, we would influence it. We are already intimately involved in laying down its foundations."

"What do you want, Zash? Beyond being free to pursue your research, I mean."

"We are the same that way, Apprentice. After all this time, I find myself missing a place to call home. In this age, we must build it from the ground up with our own hands. This is no different from where I was when the Jedi and their pet Republic did their best to kill us all so long ago."

This wasn't the whole truth. Of course, it wasn't, yet everything Zash told me during this conversation so far was true.

"The greatest achievement of a Sith was to be the moment their Apprentice faced them in all-out combat and won. We were in complete agreement on that point back then and now. Yet, you changed that paradigm, Apprentice. It has been a very long time since I saw something truly new. Finally, we can see if our new path for the Sith can work. It will be up to you, your Apprentice, and all those you bring forth into darkness as you walk forward who will prove or disprove our theories. I am eager to see if your Apprentices would one day surpass you and what they might build as their legacy."

"What about you? Do you think of taking an Apprentice as well?" I asked after spending a few moments digesting her words.

"Ahsoka will be my next Apprentice if she doesn't fall apart after fully experiencing the Dark Side. If she proves herself unsuitable, we must see if I find someone interesting enough."

If I were a better man, the first thing I would do after this meeting would be to warn both Ahsoka and Obi-Wan to keep Snips as far away from Zash as possible. Instead, I changed the topic. If Ahsoka was to fully embrace her potential, there were few better teachers for her than Zash.

"Now that you have time to examine the artifacts, can you tell me their limitations? Can you replicate them?"

"Yes to both, conditionally. I would need a group of Sith for the ritual. You and your Apprentice might be sufficient if you can use your Battle Meditation to help us cheat," Zash was giddy at that prospect. "There are two sticking points. We will need components that are steeped into the Dark Side, and there aren't many places we can find them these days. Those we know of are deep in enemy space, and it would require me to be there to find the necessary components. Second, we will need a sufficiently powerful Dark Side nexus to perform the ritual. Kamino might be an option eventually. Bothnawui is more likely. I'll have to examine those places to be sure. Malachor V is another, depending on its state these days, though I doubt it. I can eventually get or recreate everything else we need with the resources your Republic friends are giving me."

"So, the handiwork of Vitale or one of my recent stunts," I noted.

"The components would require an old place where they've had a long time to be warped by and absorb Dark Side energies. We might be able to use one of the locations of your stunts as a ritual site. Either way, it would likely take years to recreate the conditions and all components for a ritual that would give us anything of this magnitude," Zash tapped her focus again. "As far as limitations go, these are finite resources, meant to rapidly channel as much Force energy as possible. Attempting to use them for mundane reasons would diminish their stability. I don't recommend it."

"Is testing these artifacts out of the question then?" I asked. That would be less than ideal.

"If you want a test run, we should do a small-scale one with just what power we can channel ourselves," Zash confirmed.

It was too good to hope that these focuses were reusable. At its height, the Sith Empire might have been able to create a steady supply of them before the civil war tore it apart. Here and now, we would have to make do with what was currently available.

=RK=

Part 4

=RK=

Victory, Victory-class star destroyer
high orbit above Kashyyk, Republic Space

After I left Zash to prepare a small-scale test run for what we would do at Mandalore, it was time to have a world with a few notable people in this system. HK's success in getting the Wookies and Trandoshans to reach an understanding would be an advantageous diplomatic win in the long run. While both groups were relatively small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, their infamous bloody feuds and conflicts were ancient. Being credited as the one who ended the constant raids and clashes would have two principal benefits. First, it would help me counter the narrative that I was a stereotypical Sith out for gleeful wholesale slaughter. That would help in the long run with the ongoing propaganda war.

Second, brokering peace would help my credentials with the more reasonable people on our side, further showing that I could be reasonable when not pushed beyond reason. That was going to be important in the long run when I had the time and opportunity to regularly act as a head of state.

"Vicky, arrange me a meeting, direct or over the comms, with the Wookie King. After that, I will speak with whoever represents the Trandoshans."

"First Hunter Shadowscale, who contacted your assassin, is in orbit and willing to talk with you. I am going through the proper channels to arrange a call with King Grakchawwaa," Victoria's voice came from hidden speakers. "May I patch you through to the Trandoshan?"

"Do so," I told the warship.

A hologram came to life about the table in the lounge I was sitting at, displaying a leering predator who carried fresh scars of battle.

"The Great General!" The Trandoshan hissed gleefully at me. He spread his arms wide, showing impressive, wicked claws. "It is an honor! The Scorekeeper favors you, Human! My people will follow you into challenging hunts to earn even more points!"

Did I create another cult while not paying attention? I already had those people from Nar Shaddaa to properly deal with and resettle in Mandalorian space when we reasonably secured it.

"I am honored to have the Scorekeeper's blessing," I answered, doing my best to be diplomatic. "My Hunter-Killer droid told me of your desires. My worlds are infested with droids that must be hunted down to annihilation, Mandalore in particular. I am ready to offer your people hunting rights until the Separatist presence is removed for good if they follow orders. I can't have unaffiliated groups running around doing their thing in the middle of high-intensity combat operations. It would be a waste if some of your people get caught in the crossfire because they go at the wrong time at the wrong place."

"The Elders expected nothing less from a proven Great General like you, Chosen of the Scorekeeper!" Shadowscale bowed his head before smiling widely, showing all his impressive teeth.

"When you have them, send me details on all Trandoshan hunters willing to hunt in Mandalorian space, what ships, and other assets they will bring to the table. I will need that much to account for them in my plans."

"I will see to it, Great General! Praised be the Scorekeeper!"

I had the nagging suspicion that, in the long run, this might become a bit too much of a good thing for comfort, but until then, I wasn't in a position to deny anyone willing to pitch in.

I made a note to do more research on modern Trandoshan traditions, and, in fact…

"Vicky, create a comprehensive report on the Trandoshans and their current traditions in your spare time. The last thing I need right now is avoidable misunderstandings further complicating my life."

"I am working on it now," Victoria confirmed. "King Grakchawwaa should be able to talk with you within the hour. Arranging an official audience would take longer. Should I make the arrangements?"

"Not until I've spoken with him, I decided."

While helpful, an official state visit might not be the best idea right now. I didn't come into the system as Mandalore but as a high-ranked member of the Republic military. That meant I obviously didn't do my homework for a proper state visit with all that entailed. On the other hand, meeting with the King, taking his measures, and sounding him off about the new order we had to build could be very useful. Every system that joined would give the project more legitimacy.

I was still pondering my options about Kashyyyk when the Wookie King finished whatever he was doing and was able to contact me. The holographic projector came alive again. This time, it formed the bust of a large Wookie with light-brown fur. Here and there, I could see tuffs of darker hair, but otherwise, he was uniform in color.

King Grakchawwaa greeted me with a loud roar and a flash of teeth that wasn't supposed to be threatening. While my Wookie was somewhat rusty, and the language had obviously changed over the millennia, I could understand him. The Force did help to divine his intentions and meaning.

"King Grakchawwaa, it is an honor to meet you. I am grateful for your wise decision to offer military aid to my people in their hour of need."

The Wookie rumbled proudly. He spoke in low growls, chuffs, and the odd louder roar, with his body language doing some of the heavy lifting communication's wise.

The gist of it was simple and to the point – he was grateful for ending the constant predations by Trandoshans upon his people and wondered how I managed to convince them to pay for access to the Shadowlands. Going there was always dangerous and an excellent way to get oneself killed or maimed. Making the Trandoshans pay a premium price for the privilege of being eaten by all the beasts down there greatly pleased all Wookies.

Many Wookies now felt they owed me a debt of blood if not life, and they were willing to pay it as warriors fighting for me against the Separatists.

There was little issue of them needing heavy equipment or transport. However, there were many eager, experienced warriors ready to fight now that they didn't have to be at or near home all the time to fend off Trandoshan hunters and slavers. The past month had proven that the damn lizards were insanely eager to get themselves eaten, and no longer plagued Grakchawwaa's people.

"We should discuss the details and other things," I offered. In the end, I decided an official visit, if a brief one, might be for the best.

I would need weeks to assemble a proper fleet and then train it to be useful for the liberation of Mandalore. The same was true for whatever ground forces I could gather, and I would have to find a way to supply them with a lot of equipment as well. That was going to be another headache.

On the bright side, now I had access to heavy Wookie and Trandoshan infantry.