Chapter Eight:

Planning Operation: Kaida

Dathomir, Outer Rim.

800 hours after D-Prouse Raid.

18 BBY.

In Mother Talzin's former domain.

Maul sat with his loyal agents, and several Crimson Dawn soldiers stood guard within the room, and outside the door. The former Sith Lord was ready to initiate his next attack against the Empire, and create chaos that would disrupt the false peace that Darth Sidious sought to establish across the post-Clone War galaxy.

Up to this point, Maul had ensured that his former master didn't know he was behind many of the incidents that had been taking place across Imperial territory, but he knew the Force could never mask anything forever.

Even then, he would continue to strike out, until the time came to strike a crippling blow to the Galactic Empire. Maul knew how powerful Sidious was, and, after his last encounter with him, the Zabrak knew it was unwise to directly challenge his former teacher. Meanwhile, Maul was thinking of a plan to lure the Emperor's new apprentice into a trap.

However, now wasn't the time to confront Skywalker, or, more correctly, Darth Vader. The cunning phantom apprentice had many plans, and taking out Vader was not a high priority compared to the latest plan that Maul was primed to set in motion.

"Today, we begin the planning stages of our next attack..." Maul told his followers, "...Operation: Kaida. And the target, the Imperial financing sector on Chandrilla."

A hologram of Chandrilla's city appeared, with the financial sector as the focus, and Imperial banners adorned the buildings. The Crimson Dawn agents leaned over the table, looking at the hologram, just before the image of an Imperial-1 Star Destroyer made an appearance along with another.

"What is the plan, Lord Maul?" A tan Zabrak asked.

Maul smiled in a sinister fashion. "In coordination with a group of Separatist remnant units that I managed to make contact with..." He declared, "...a group of you will take the two ships in the 911th Imperial fleet, and commandeer them, steering the vessels directly into the heart of the district! Destroy that area, and the Empire's financial assets will be crippled."

"Wait!" A Twi'Lek raised a hand, "The Empire will have more ships and fighters in that sector, and, chances are, the Imperials will have heavy artillery ready on the planet's surface. Once word gets to any security forces or Imperial soldiers stationed on Chandrilla that two hijacked Destroyers are heading for the city, they will open fire."

"I have planted agents in the Imperial ranks that will ensure the chances of the ships being shot down are minimal." Maul intoned firmly.

"The financial sector may also be shielded." An agent warned warily.

"We have made preparations..." A guard said, "Former Separatist war veterans, who have joined Crimson Dawn, have infiltrated Chandrillan security as well as the Imperial numbers, and will act swiftly on Maul's orders. They will strike before suspicions rise."

"Civilians will be killed in the attack." Hu'Quey commented.

"A small price to be paid for the eventual destruction of the Empire, and the demise of Darth Sidious..." Maul said with a sneer, "And with Sidious and his regime removed from power, we will exploit the vacuum. Today, we begin Operation: Kaida. Head to the Imperial Dockyards in the Bi'nloden System, connect with the others, and take a pair of shuttles."

"Disguise yourselves as Imperials." A Pike instructed, "The Separatists we contacted will do the same, and the Battle Droids they are using will be bearing the Imperial insignia too. Once you've boarded, take out every last Trooper, and Officer."

Crimson Dawn operatives pumped their fists, ready to begin. There would be no survivors, and Maul stifled the urge to laugh, knowing that all would be according to plan...