A/N: And we're back! I apologize for not uploading, again, the operating system for my laptop was down and I had to take it over to Geek Squad and get it sorted out. For this chapter, I'm bringing in a few characters from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed PS2 edition, let's see if you can spot them. Let's not waste any more time, here we go!
(Coruscant)
The Senate was gathered within the Senate Chambers for an emergency election on who would take Palpatine's place as Chancellor of the Republic. Mas Amedda, despite his best efforts, tried to take Palpatine's place for the time being but was overruled by the Senate and members began to vote for those who they thought were better suited to lead the Republic out of the militaristic approach Palpatine had been running for. Ever since the sudden disappearance of Palpatine, the Senate had been planning on electing a new leader, all but ignoring Mas Amedda and Sly Moore who tried to keep the panicking senators calm and collective. Despite the need for a leader while the galaxy was gridlocked in a galactic-scale war, the Senate knew that whoever they elected as the new interim chancellor couldn't just be anybody, they would need a leader who sought to end the conflict that threatened to consume the entire galaxy and weed out corruption and injustice and help untold trillions who were suffering because of the Clone Wars.
Out of all the senators within the Republic Senate, three members received the highest votes: Bail Organa of Alderaan, Padmé Amidala of Naboo, and Nix Cerd of Scipio. Eventually, the election came to an end and Senator Amidala was elected Chancellor of the Galactic Republic in a ninety-nine point nine percent vote.
Many within the Senate were concerned that the esteemed senator from Naboo had been elected, a member of the InterGalactic Banking Clan would be the more logical choice as the one leading the Republic, especially since Senator Cerd was a member of the Banking Clan and Senate did know that they needed the Banking Clan to approve a new loan to the Kaminoans to purchase additional troops to replenish the Grand Army's numbers and so that the cloners on Kamino could build additional facilities and continue to further the Republic's army.
Regardless, Padmé was now Chancellor of the Republic, and she intended to end the war, not further escalate it.
As the session came to an end, Padmé was alongside her allies as they all walked together back to her office in the Senate Building. Once each of her allies were gathered, they were given drinks and once Padmé took her glass, she raised it. "I wanted to thank each and every one of you for your support and belief in me. As Chancellor of the Republic, I promise I will do everything in my power to end this war and bring the Republic back to what it once was," those gathered voiced their approval of Padmé's words and they drank.
"I can think of no one better suited to lead the Republic other than you, my friend," Bail Organa's words made Padmé smile, his support meant much to her.
"Agreed," Mon Mothma spoke up. "I believe you are precisely the leader to move the Republic away from war and back into peace and democracy."
"While I do wish the celebration of his election could last longer, I know that there's much to prepare for as I take on this new responsibility," Padmé was certainly no stranger to leading, after all, she was once queen of Naboo, but now her new role as Chancellor of the Republic would truly test her resolve in ways she couldn't possibly fathom.
Riyo Chuchio placed a hand on Padmé's shoulder and gave her a comforting smile. "We'll be by your side to aid you in any way we can, my friend. You need only ask," the senator from Pantora then grinned. "For now, enjoy the moment and relax."
"Indeed," Garm Bel Iblis agreed before noting movement at the door and speaking in a hushed tone. "Here comes the welcoming committee." Rival senators led by Senator Nix Cerd barged in, intent on souring the mood. Senator Garm stepped forward and spoke firmly. "I would advise you not to cause a scene, now is not the time or the place--"
"Oh, on the contrary, Senator Garm, this is precisely the time and place," looking in Padmé's direction, Senator Cerd narrowed his eyes at her. "The Republic cannot afford a pacifist leader, now while we are at war with an enemy who will not accept peace!"
Setting down her glass, Padmé spoke up. "Senator Cerd, while a member of the Banking Clan would've been a rather... interesting choice to become the leader of the Republic, this war has gone on long enough, and our people suffer due to funds being diverted towards the war effort and not for their well being," continuing her stern logic, the senator of Naboo, now Chancellor of the Republic glared at Senator Cerd. "I can see that many of your associates are either too ignorant or too proud to set aside your own desires for the sake of making the galaxy a better place."
"Is everything alright, Chancellor Amidala?"
Senate Guards entered the room, surrounding Senator Cerd and his associates. Looking to the guards, Padmé nodded. "Yes, Senator Cerd and his friends were just leaving," as the opposing senators left, the Muun from Scipio glared at Padmé, silently promising her that this wasn't over before taking his leave.
Not everyone would approve of how the Republic would operate under her leadership, this much Padmé knew, however, she was determined to weed out all corruption and duplicitousness within the Senate and return the Republic back to what it once was.
She was determined to bring peace to the galaxy and end the Clone Wars once and for all.
Ord Mantell)
The Scimitar emerged out of hyperspace and approached Ord Mantell, once they would touch down on the planet's surface, the brothers would take command of their forces and prepare to face Dooku and Grievous in battle once again. Mother Talzin had communicated with them while they were in hyperspace, telling them that she would dispatch help from Dathomir. She also informed them that her plans to make herself whole were well underway, with the help of her Frangawl Cult allies, preparations were underway to restore her body back to the physical realm as well as restore Feral to life through the practice of necromancy.
It would only be a matter of time before their family was restored and then they would rule together.
Whilst Sith training droids piloted the ship, Maul and Savage were sparring together, practicing close-quarter combat. Every chance he had, Maul would further Savage's training, he still had much to learn, as would Feral when he would be returned to life. Despite his brother's lack of training, Maul was impressed that Savage was able to kill Jedi with relative ease and hold his own for a time against Sidious when they defeated him on Mandalore. However, Maul was hellbent on completing his brother's training and unleashing him upon his enemies when the time came to rule his empire.
"My lords, we are approaching the city now,"
Heeding the droid's words, the brothers ceased their sparring session and prepared themselves for the task at hand. As Scimitar landed at one of Ord Mantell City's main docking bays, close to the Black Sun fortress, Maul and Savage disembarked from their ship, there they were greeted by their allies: Black Sun, the Pykes, and their Mandalorian loyalists.
"Lords Maul and Savage, welcome to Ord Mantell," Ziton Moj, now Headmaster of Black Sun, gestured to one of his many newly appointed Vigo's. "This is Vigo Xzomme Kril. His forces stationed here have pledged their support to us in the impending battle that will transpire here."
The Zabrak brothers followed their allies as they made their way into the city. Despite the countless citizens roaming throughout the city streets, Black Sun's influence on the planet was very noticeable; armed enforcers, as well as mercenaries, roamed the streets on foot or armored vehicles ranging from speeders to tanks, frigates and other ships bearing Black Sun's emblem would come and go to deliver supplies and raw goods across the galaxy and expand their influence, and those that wished to serve this powerful criminal syndicate would seek out the mercenaries or thugs roaming the streets so that they would be granted an opportunity to make a name for themselves in the galaxy.
Among these Black Sun mercenaries were Mandalorians, these, however, weren't former members of Death Watch, rather these were mercenaries making their way throughout the galaxy and offering their services as warriors to those who could pay a handsome price.
"These Mandalorians are led by Chop'aa Notimo, a mercenary who fought for Count Dooku earlier in the war, but after being used as blaster fodder, Chop'aa and his men withdrew from the Confederacy and offered their services to Black Sun, training new members to be effective in combat," Vigo Xzomme Kril noted Maul and Savage's curiosity, satisfying it.
"He has expressed interest in joining Crimson Dawn, my lord," Gar Saxon, commander of all Mandalorian forces loyal to Maul and Savage spoke up before continuing, "although Chop'aa's Mandalorian forces are small, they are very capable. Many of us who were part of Death Watch recalled a time when he and Pre Vizsla fought after a failed attempt to merge our collective forces together."
"I welcome all who wish to see the Jedi, Republic, and Confederacy crumble to dust," Maul looked over his shoulder before making an inquiry. "Prior to our arrival here, I requested that Dryden Vos come here and prove that he is a worthy ally. Has he arrived?"
"He waits for us in the tower, my lord," Fife, majordomo of the Pyke Syndicate spoke up, "he has arrived with a platoon of highly trained mercenaries in his employ as well as... a Gen'Dai bounty hunter leading them."
"Is that so? Let us away,"
Upon reaching the tower, Dryden Vos was seated at a nearby table, beverage in hand while speaking with one of his soldiers. Among them was Chop'aa himself, the Mandalorian mercenary was conversing with Dryden after he finished conversing with his soldier, the two had done business in the past and had a professional yet friendly relationship and were catching up after not doing business together in months. Turning to his Black Sun hosts, however, Dryden soon spotted Maul and Savage. Setting down his beverage, standing straight, and extending his arms, the near-human grinned at the two Nightbrothers.
"Lord Maul, it's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I am Dryden Vos, and I wish to pledge my services to you and Crimson Dawn,"
Maul eyed Dryden and then noted Chop'aa, the soldier he had been speaking with and a massive, heavily armored being that could only be the Gen'Dai bounty hunter that Fife had mentioned.
"Where are my manners?" Dryden gestured to the soldier. "This Aemon Gremm, captain of my security forces aboard my yacht, First Light," removing his sleek black and gilded helmet, Aemon was a male Hylobon with a scar across his snout which hints at a violent past. Turning to his Gen'Dai ally, Dryden smiled. "This is Durge. He has been alive for thousands of years, his prowess as a warrior and bounty hunter is not to be underestimated. He had served Count Dooku and the Confederacy earlier in the war, but he was discarded, and he nearly lost his life in an escape pod the Jedi had trapped him in and attempted to launch him into a nearby star. Durge, however, was able to escape the pod at the last moment, and he was left to drift into the vacuum of space. That is until I found him and brought him among my ranks." Dryden crossed his arms behind his back and then gave the two Nightbrothers an inquisitive look. "How may we be of service in your impending battle with Count Dooku and his Separatist Alliance?"
Maul turned to all his allies, all of them giving him their undivided attention. The Zabrak smiled and urged his allies to gather and they would discuss their plan to not only beat their enemies but also defeat them in open battle.
(Elsewhere in the galaxy)
A massive fleet of Separatist warships were currently in hyperspace, en route to Ord Mantell, the fleets were the combined fleets of both General Grievous and Count Dooku. The Count of Serenno was very displeased that his servant, Nix Cerd, who hadn't won the election to become the new Chancellor of the Republic, having a member of the Banking Clan who was secretly on the side of the Confederacy would've been most beneficial. But with Padmé Amidala now leader of the Republic, Dooku needed to shift his focus on dealing with his Sith rivals— Maul and Savage.
"Our spies report Mandalorian warships amassing on Ord Mantell..." coughing violently, General Grievous sat on his seat on the Invisible Hand's bridge before continuing. "...which only confirms that Black Sun is in league with Maul's syndicate."
"And it is there that he gathers his army, General," Dooku made his presence known as he stood by Grievous' side. "There can be no margin for error today, General, the enemy we face here is intent on ruling the galaxy, therefore robbing us of our plans and designs."
"Maul and his brother, while formidable adversaries have nothing but washed-up Mandalorians and criminal scum to stand up against us," wheezing before letting out a ghastly cough, Grievous caught his breath before tilting his head. "These fools will be crushed under our heels—"
"We will not underestimate our enemies, General!" Dooku's fierce rebuke caused Grievous to hold his tongue and tense at his master's heated glare. "These failed apprentices were able to defeat Darth Sidious, and with our shared lord's death, you and I both are in the gravest of danger if we do not stamp out this threat here and now. We will leave nothing to chance; we will slaughter Maul and Savage and all who serve them. Am I understood, General?"
"Yes, my lord," Grievous bowed his head in submission.
(Ord Mantell)
"Their attack will begin by air, ground forces will be committed only after they believe the battle is won,"
Maul pointed to key choke points throughout the city and continued. "We lure them into the choke points, here, use their numbers against them," turning to Chop'aa and Gar Saxon, Maul nodded. "Once we lure the enemy in, the Mandalorians will lead the Pyke's and Black Sun's mercenaries in a full-scale counterattack. While the droids are occupied with them, Durge, you will lead the mercenaries in Dryden Vos' employment and attack the enemy's rear on speeder bikes, destroying their troop carriers, and heavy artillery, and making their numbers count for nothing." He then turned to the holographic image of the Rodian pirate Drexl Roosh, who had a sizeable fleet that consisted of other Rodian pirates, mercenaries, and splicers. "While Savage and I capture General Grievous, you and your pirate fleet will ambush the enemy from the rear." Crossing his arms behind his back, Maul nodded with a sinister smile. "What we lack in numbers, we'll make up in superior ability and mastery of the terrain."
The meeting was soon interrupted when one of Maul's Mandalorian captains entered the room. After bowing their head to the dark warrior, they spoke. "Lord Maul, we have an incoming transport from Dathomir arriving," both Maul and Savage shared a look before dismissing the captain.
"Come brother," as Maul and Savage turned to the fortress landing platform, the dark lord looked over his shoulder. "Saxon. Kast. Bring the others up to speed on the rest of my plan." Both Mandalorians bowed their heads, obliging their lord's request while the two brothers left to confront the reinforcements their mother had sent to aid them.
Once outside, two dozen Mandalorians stood at attention as their lords waited for the Dathomiri shuttle to touch down on the landing pad. As the ramp descended, the brothers were greeted by Brother Viscus and the elite of the Nightbrothers, not only that, but there was a young girl with pale skin, wearing crimson robes, and covered in tattoos, her silver hair was done in an asymmetrical hairstyle, and her brown eyes appeared to be burning like scarlet coals thanks to the high noon sunlight.
"Lords Maul and Savage," Brother Viscus bowed his head before explaining himself. "Mother Talzin has dispatched us to aid you in your impending battle with Count Dooku and his droid army."
Savage looked at the young girl standing by Viscus and then stated what was obvious. "Is this the girl you spoke of that survived the massacre?" Viscus nodded in confirmation. Kneeling to the girl, Savage extended his robotic hand and inquired in a surprisingly soft, tender voice. "What is your name, little one?" The Nightsister stepped forward, placing one of her hands in the large metallic palm of Savage.
"I am called Merrin," she studied Savage's face before continuing. "I remember you. The one called Ventress had brought you before Mother Talzin and they performed their spell to turn you into what you are now."
Maul looked at his brother with both surprise and confusion. Of course, he knew the Nightsisters practiced such rituals to enhance a Nightbrother's physical body and awaken the Midi-chlorins within. Well aware that the ways of the Sith include lies and deception, Maul genuinely cared for Savage, he was his blood; not only that, but he had saved him from the hell he had suffered on Lotho Minor. The more Maul reminded himself of those facts, the more he realized that perhaps it was time for a new Sith Order, one that didn't involve the Rule of Two. Of course, the Rule of Two was perhaps the only true law within the Sith Order, however, Maul saw the Rule of Two for what it truly was— puppeteers using puppets for their power and then discarding them for their failures.
If he defeated Dooku and became the new Dark Lord of the Sith, with Savage and Feral by his side, there would be three.
A Sith Triumvirate.
Were it not for his brothers by his side, Maul would have cause for worry, naturally. However, Savage and Feral were his blood, and he intended to strengthen his bond with his brothers and train them until no Jedi was a match for them in both the ways of the Force and lightsaber combat. They would thrive together as a family and deliver the Sith into a new era of prosperity.
"Yes. I was used as nothing more than a tool of vengeance by that witch, Ventress," Savage growled softly, remembering how she slaughtered his friends and ultimately made him kill Feral in cold blood. "But I am no longer bound to her conditioning, I serve no one but myself, Mother Talzin, and my brother, Maul."
Merrin looked up at Maul, who silently watched the interaction before inquiring softly. "Why are you here with Brother Viscus and his Nightbrothers, sister?"
The young witch presented a small wax statue of Count Dooku to the brothers. "I am here to make the murderer, Dooku, suffer for unleashing his droid army and his armored lightsaber-wielding monster upon the Nightsisters," she hissed, "Mother Talzin commanded that I immobilize Dooku and give the brothers led by Viscus the best chance to detain the one who ordered the eradication of my coven and sisters."
Before Maul could voice his thoughts, he sensed the presence of their enemies. The clouds suddenly illuminated crimson and the first sign of turbo laser fire could be seen. As the city was being bombarded, Maul barked out to his Mandalorians. "They are upon us! Take your positions!" Turning to Viscus, the dark warrior gestured to the Black Sun command center. "There is no time for a briefing, Brother Viscus. Take your Nightbrothers and Merrin inside the command center, and wait there until Dooku reveals himself." Nodding, Viscus led his fellow Nightbrothers and Merrin inside the structure.
As droid carriers, gunships, and fighters breached the atmosphere and began their ground invasion, Maul and Savage raced to the hangar bays where Rook Kast and Bhai Suust along with her brother, Cato Suust awaited the brothers at The Nightbrother, a Kom'rk-class transport that was being loaded with Mandalorian warriors loyal to the two brothers. While Rook and Bhai flew the ship, Maul and Savage ordered their respective female loyalists to order the Mandalorian warships at their disposal to head to orbit and prepare to engage the Separatist fleet.
"Focus on the command ship, while the droid fleet's cannons are aimed at the planet," Maul said to Rook and Bhai before crossing his arms behind his back. "When we capture Grievous, the droid army will fall with him."
"Yes, Lord Maul,"
Cato Suust approached the two brothers, the man was almost as big as Savage himself, physically speaking. His helmet bore the same metallic horns Gar Saxon's bore, he bore a yellow visor which signified he was in command of the Mandalorian forces who serve Savage. His black and yellow painted armor bore metallic spikes along his heavy shoulder pauldrons and thigh plates. His weapons were a Mandalorian blaster carbine strapped to his left thigh and a heavy minigun.
"My lords, the enemy command ship will be the Providence class Dreadnaught. Odds are that's where General Grievous and Count Dooku are commanding the attack from."
"Yes, the droid general will be there, but..." closing his eyes, Savage growled softly before reopening them. "...I don't sense Dooku's presence in orbit, he's heading toward the command center."
"Viscus and Merrin will deal with Dooku, brother," Maul then spoke firmly. "Capturing Grievous and forcing him to shut down the droids is our only concern at the moment. We must move swiftly."
On the ground, the combined forces of Black Sun, Pykes, Mandalorians, and mercenaries under the employ of Dryden Vos were engaging the countless B1 and B2 being deployed into the field, along with other droid units— Droideka's, B2 Grapple droids, and Bx-series droid commandos. While the droids had numbers, Maul's forces had the advantage of knowing their environment, employing guerrilla warfare, diverting the droid's attention, and preventing them from steamrolling through their numbers. Even with the Black Sun's heavy artillery, the droids retaliated in full force, however, the Mandalorian forces led by both Chop'aa and Gar Saxon ignited the Black Sun and Pyke mercenaries to hold off the droids for as long as they could.
Mounted on his Basilisk war droid, Chop'aa mowed down rows of droids while two of his Mandalorians were on board, laying down cover fire with their blaster pistols as well as rocket launchers. Harboring a great distaste and resentment for the Separatists and specifically Count Dooku, Chop'aa was glad that he and his men could take part in delivering a humiliating defeat to the man who used him and his men as blaster fodder.
"Heads up, boss!"
Chop'aa looked over his shoulder to see three HMP droid gunships on their tail while trying to shoot them out of the sky. Expertly evading the enemy gunship fire and missiles, Chop'aa turned to the men on board his war droid. "A precise hit with rocket launchers should do the trick. Take them out!" Nodding, the Mandalorians on board loaded their launchers and steadied their aim while Chop'aa continued to evade enemy fire. Once they took their shot, Chop'aa laughed as two of the three gunships crashed down into droid lines. Noting a droid tank turning its cannon at him and his war droid, Chop'aa dove down just in time as the enemy tank's shell struck the last pursuing gunship down causing it to crash down into a ball of fire and destruction.
Gar Saxon, alongside his brother, Tiber Saxon led the Mandalorians loyal to the Zabrak brothers into battle while also boosting the morale of their criminal allies. However, despite their valiant efforts, the droid's numbers continued to replenish as more troop carriers descended and deployed more battle droids onto the field. With these reinforcements, the droids began to overwhelm the Crimson Dawn ground forces, forcing them to fall back to the next line of defense. As droid forces continued to push Crimson Dawn forces back, the Saxon brothers found cover alongside Black Sun's Headmaster and the Pyke's majordomo.
"Ugh! This isn't a counterattack, it's turning into a slaughter!" Ziton Moj, who was dawned in Black Sun armor barked out of the blaster fire and explosions.
"He's right!" Fife agreed as he peeked out of cover and shot down three B1 battle droids advancing on their position.
"Every droid we destroy means a dozen more take their place!" Ziton dared to peek from cover but quickly hid when incoming droid fire nearly took off of his head. "At this rate, we won't last much longer!"
"Rein it in, soldier. We don't question the strategy— we ensure its success," Gar Saxon grunted before continuing. "We just have to last long enough to—"
A B2 Grapple Droid suddenly smashed through the fallen debris they were using as covering and wrapped its large metallic arms around Fife. "Gah!" As the ferocious droid body slammed the Pyke's majordomo down, he cried out in agony. "Ah! Help me!" Both Saxon brothers moved to free Fife from the droid's iron grip while Ziton readied his heavy blaster pistol. Once Fife was free, the Black Sun's headmaster blasted the droid repeatedly in the head until it was destroyed.
Several blaster bolts struck Saxon and Tiber, their Beskar armor protecting them, but the force of the droid's fire knocked them down. "Ugh! Fall back!" Both brothers led the two criminal leaders to safety while protecting their rear from Commando Droids advancing on their position.
"Where is that kriffing Gen'Dai and the mercenaries he's leading?" Tiber snarled as he was fighting off a Commando Droid before gaining the upper hand and destroying the droid.
As if on cue, Durge and the mercenaries who served as part of Dryden Vos' private army swooped in on speeder bikes and began to rip through the droid lines and dismantled their troop carriers and heavy artillery, giving Crimson Dawn ground forces a brief respite. For Durge, he had used a similar tactic earlier in the war against the Republic on Muunilinst, until he was discarded by Count Dooku and was nearly killed by the Jedi. Now, he would unleash his wrath on those who wronged him, starting with the Separatists and their toy soldiers. While gunning down droids on his speeder one-handed, Durge gunned down the larger, fiercer droids with his massive blaster repeater. While Durge dealt with the droid infantry, the mercenaries under his command hurled thermal detonators and unleashed salvos of rocket launchers at droid tanks and troop carriers, thinning out the droid's numbers and giving Crimson Dawn the time they needed to regroup and continue holding the line.
Durge, despite being a bounty hunter, was doing this job for free. Because he hated Count Dooku as much as the Jedi and he wanted to be on the winning side of this battle. And with the forces Maul and Savage had at their disposal, Durge liked Crimson Dawn's chances of becoming a galactic power at some point. For now, he was hellbent on making the Separatists look like last-century news.
While the battle raged in the city, Count Dooku's Puncworra 116-class interstellar swoop landed on the outside landing pad leading to the Black Sun command center. The Count of Serenno disembarked from his ship, accompanied by six IG-100 MagnaGuards. Upon entering the command center, Dooku sensed that Maul and Savage had been there, however, he could sense another presence within.
"I can sense your presence, whoever you are," Dooku's MagnaGuards activated their electro-staffs and took up battle stances. "Show yourself." Dooku's surprise couldn't be understated as he saw Merrin emerge out of the shadows.
Bearing her teeth the young Nightsister stood tall and unafraid. "I am Merrin," brandishing the doll before the Count of Serenno, the young Nightsister drew a pin, "and I am here to see you suffer for ordering the extermination of my sisters." Driving the pin deep into the doll's belly, Dooku cried out in agony as he clutched his belly.
"Foolish child," panting heavily, Dooku laughed before taunting her, "you are not powerful enough to inflict the punishment you dream of inflicting on me and you certainly cannot defeat me alone."
Grinning at the writhing Sith Lord, Merrin met her victim's gaze. "What makes you think I am alone, Dooku?"
Suddenly, each of the MagnaGuard's accompanying Dooku was destroyed either from behind or from above. Nightbrothers soon surrounded the seasoned Sith Lord, their own electro staffs in hand as they pointed them at Dooku.
"Welcome to Ord Mantell, Count, Mother Talzin sends her regards," Brother Viscus emerged out of a corner with two brothers by his side. "Your attack on the Nightsisters was only a partial success. Aside from Merrin, only a handful of sisters yet live, your attempt to stamp out the sisters has failed. Now, we have come to exact retribution for the sisters your droids slaughtered."
Managing to rise, Dooku drew his lightsaber and took deep breaths as Merrin twisted the pin inside the doll's gut, which transferred pain to the Sith Lord himself. "Y-You... will find that task beyond your capabilities," looking in Merrin's direction, Dooku reached out for her, but Merrin's eyes began to steam with green mist as she fired a blast of magick at the Count, momentarily severing his connection to the Force.
"Brothers, see to it that the murderer pays for his crimes against the sisters of Dathomir!"
Viscus and his brothers lashed out, and despite his power being temporarily severed, Dooku's skills with a lightsaber would serve him well. The Nightbrothers, although they were warriors of the highest caliber, were no match for Dooku's makashi. As the Nightbrothers sought to overwhelm the Sith Lord with their numbers, Dooku danced away from their jabs and swings while moving like a man in his prime. Using his lightsaber to disarm one of his opponents, Dooku drove his blade through their chest before ducking underneath another Nightbrother's staff and then ruthlessly decapitating them.
Merrin used her magick to inflict further torment on Dooku, her left palm emanated green fire as she then lowered the doll's head into her hand. Satisfaction filled Merrin as she saw Dooku's face erupt with boils and he cried out in agony, clawing at his face as she wrapped her fiery hand around the doll's head. Using this moment to attack, the Nightbrothers all thrust their staffs into Dooku, electrifying him until he fell to a single knee.
"Enough!"
Dooku released a Force push, sending the brothers away and gaining a moment of respite. Glaring at Merrin, the Sith Lord reached for the doll with the Force, snatching it out of the Nightsister's grasp. "This will not save you or your slaves, little witch," after destroying the doll without taking its toll on himself, Dooku raised his lightsaber at the young girl. "You are a fool to challenge a Sith Lord. There are consequences for such lunacy."
"I don't fear you, murderer," Merrin snarled as both her hands brimmed with Nightsister magick and she then levitated off of the ground. "Do not be deceived, Dooku. I may be young, but I wield great power!" Unleashing fatal torrents of green Force lightning, an attack which surprised Dooku, but he was able to lift his lightsaber and deflect the lightning before it could strike him. Turning to the downed Nightbrothers, Merrin used one hand to empower them through magick. "Rise, sons of Dathomir! Rise, and fight by my side and overpower the murderer of the Nightsisters!" Back on their feet, Viscus and his Nightbrothers, now empowered by Merrin's magick lunged at Dooku, forcing him to shoot Force lightning at Merrin, but she summoned a protective bubble to stop the Sith's lightning from touching her.
Turning back to the Nightbrothers, Dooku was forced to lock blades with more than one opponent. Their power and strength were beating down on the Sith Lord like an anvil and despite Dooku's efforts to defend himself, he was being overwhelmed. With a grunt of effort, Dooku jumped over the mob of empowered Nightbrothers, decapitating one of them and then severing another one's arms clean off before shocking the rest of them with Force lightning, sending them all to the ground, writhing in agony.
"Enough of this!"
Brother Viscus, who was able to avoid the Sith's lightning, leaped into the air and locked blades with Dooku, intent on making him submit.
Back in space, General Grievous led the Separatist fleets to destroy the Mandalorian warships that were destroying their cannons, which would prevent them from bombarding the battlefield again. At the moment, Grievous wasn't concerned about the Mandalorians attacking the combined fleets of Count Dooku and his own, after all, his droid fighters would outnumber them one hundred to one, he only needed to give the orders.
Unfortunately, the droid general was tunnel-visioned and now solely focused on the Mandalorian threat attacking the fleet, and he was unaware of the threat encroaching on his rear.
The Invisible Hand suddenly rattled violently and Grievous could see several of his warships being destroyed. Roaring out in both outrage and shock, the droid general turned to his ST-series military strategic analysis and tactics droid, Tey-Zuka, Grievous then snarled. "What was that!? Report!" Another series of explosions rattled his ship, causing the droid general to crash into a nearby control panel.
"Uh, it looks like we're being attacked by... pirates?" One of the B1 battle droids said while looking over its shoulder.
"What!?"
"Affirmative, sir. We are under attack by Rodian pirates," Tey-Zuka affirmed the B1's statement.
Looking outside the bridge, Grievous was in a state of denial as well as shock that his and Dooku's fleets were being destroyed by Rodian pirates. The pirates had a sizeable fleet of battleships as well as support ships, and their fighters were aiding the Mandalorian warships.
"General! We're being boarded by a Mandalorian warship!" Another B1 reported.
Grievous could see a crimson and black painted Kom'rk-class transport docking at one of the airlocks. Snarling, the droid general turned to his MagnaGuards and had them follow him as he prepared to repel the Mandalorian boarding party. Unfortunately, Grievous was unprepared for the ferocity of his ship's boarding party. They were Mandalorians, yes, but leading them were both Maul and Savage as they cut down droids with ease as they reached the droid general just as he was about to exit the bridge.
"One warning— disconnect the droid's command signal or die," Maul unleashed a powerful Force Shockwave, reducing the droids within the bridge to become scrap, and Grievous was thrown onto the bridge's throne. Reaching for his lightsabers, Grievous stopped dead still when Savage used the Force to clutch his vital organs, causing the droid general to release a shaky breath. "Or do both— it matters not to me." Holding his lightsaber to Grievous' face, Maul bore his teeth at the Kaleesh cyborg. "Do it."
Intent on preserving his life, Grievous nodded and breathed a sigh of relief when Savage released his hold over his vital organs. Making his way to the bridge controls, Grievous deactivated the droid's command signal, forcing it into shutdown mode.
"Good," Maul then turned to Rook and Bhai. "Relieve him of his weapons." The two Mandalorians took away Grievous' lightsabers while Maul and Savage kept their blades at his throat. Once he was relieved of his trophies as well as other weaponry, Maul scoffed at the defenseless cyborg. "Pathetic. Without your cybernetic enhancements, what are you?"
"I am Grievous, and I will see to it that you die, scum!"
"An empty threat from a mutilated being," Maul then had his Mandalorians place Grievous in shackles. Once the droid general was bound, the leader of Crimson Dawn headed out of the bridge, but not before making Grievous a promise. "You will die for your participation in the massacre of the Nightsisters. But you will not be given a warrior's death, instead, you and Dooku will be executed for the entire galaxy to see."
Grievous roared in displeasure and tried to run, but Savage landed a ferocious blow to his head with his metallic hand, cracking the general's facial plate. As both the Zabrak brothers and their Mandalorian loyalists departed the Invisible Hand, it was time to capture Dooku and finish this battle, delivering a humiliating defeat to the Separatists and a triumphant victory for Crimson Dawn.
"You are formidable, Count— this will be a victory well-earned,"
Dooku, despite suffering a great deal thanks to Merrin's magicks was still holding his own against the last of the Nightbrothers as well as Brother Viscus. Bloodied, oozing, and exhausted, Dooku was finally able to seize Merrin with the Force and slam the girl against a nearby pillar, knocking her out. Now he could deal with the last of the Nightbrothers.
"I will destroy you, Brother Viscus. As I will destroy the little witch, Maul and his beast of a brother, and finally Talzin," after cutting down the last remaining brothers, Dooku lifted Viscus off of the ground and slammed him down onto the ground with the Force, looming over the Nightbrother leader, his lightsaber was mere inches from his face. "Your people will be nothing but a distant memory." Before Dooku could land the killing blow, he heard blasters charging behind him.
"That's far enough, Dooku,"
Looking over his shoulder, the seasoned Sith Lord found himself at gunpoint by Gar Saxon, Chop'aa, and the Mandalorians while the criminal mercenaries helped any surviving Nightbrothers to their feet, Viscus and Merrin being the two survivors at the moment, however, several Nightbrothers were still alive and well. Seething in anger, Dooku only assumed that the droids were forced into shut-down mode, it was the only reason Maul's rabble was still alive.
"Twitch, and you're a dead man," Saxon turned to his men and gave a nod. "Restrain him." Dooku was soon relieved of his lightsaber and then was placed in shackles. Contacting his sworn lords via holo, Saxon bowed his head once Maul and Savage appeared. "Lords, we have Dooku in custody."
"As we have the droid general. Excellent work, Saxon. Ensure Dooku is secure by the time we return to the surface."
"Yes, Lord Maul,"
Ending transmission, Saxon ordered his men to move Dooku into one of the cells within the fortress and keep him under wraps until the brothers returned to the surface.
Maul and Savage returned to the city with Grievous in their custody, he was cuffed and relieved of all his weaponry. Dooku was secured by both Saxon and Chop'aa, both men had blasters aimed at the seasoned Sith Lord's head as the two Zabrak brothers approached.
"Dooku. A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance in person," Maul's sarcastic tone was followed by a fierce snarl. "You and this walking trash compactor who commands your droid armies will soon answer for your crimes against Dathomir and the Nightsisters." Turning to his men, Maul nodded. "Escort them to our ship, we're taking them to Vizsla Keep 09." As the Mandalorians escorted Dooku and Grievous to Scimitar, Maul and Savage followed.
Within the city streets, however, a stout Transoshan female called Ciddarin Scaleback, or "Cid," by her friends, was an information broker and ran her operations within her cantina. She and her hired protection had witnessed the battle between Crimson Dawn and the Separatists, and the people were gathered to see two lightsaber-wielding Zabrak Nightbrothers towing Count Dooku and General Grievous off-world and reducing their droid forces into scrap metal.
While making her way back to her den, one of her hired guns spoke up. "Helluva of battle," they then tilted their head curiously as they witnessed Black Sun mercenaries removing all trace of those in league with the two Nightbrothers. "Strange. It's as if they're trying to get rid of evidence so the Jedi won't have reason to believe they're in league with those two lightsaber-wielding Nightbrothers."
"Well, good thing Black Sun doesn't suspect an old lady has some tricks up her sleeve," Cid snickered as she blinked, capturing both footage and pictures through camera lenses provided to her by one of her best technicians. "Once the Jedi Order receives this information, it's payday, boys. For now, we stay out of Black Sun's way. The last thing I need are those Falleen thugs shutting me down."
"Right,"
Contacting her Jedi allies, Cid was greeted by the holographic image of Quinlan Vos. "Ciddarin Scaleback, you old lizard," the Jedi Master crossed his arms and smirked. "Staying out of trouble?"
"This isn't a social call, Dreadlocks, I've got some information for your Jedi Order, it involves two lightsaber-wielding Zabraks who just captured Count Dooku and General Grievous!"
Standing straighter, Quinlan raised an eyebrow. "Tell me everything that you know,"
"Sure sure, you'll get your info, for a prince, of course,"
"Of course," sighing, Quinlan transferred the payment to the Trandoshian before narrowing his eyes at Cid. "Now, tell me what you know, Ciddarin."
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter because things will get interesting very soon! Keep an eye out for more updates and as always leave feedback and suggestions!