[20 BBY]

[Governor's Secure Bunker, Eriadu, Seswenna Sector]

Gideon Tarkin listened quietly as Senior General Geen continued his report on the current debacle on Ryloth to his brother Wilhuff. To no one's surprise the elderly General was clearly distressed by events of recent hours, a rare thing from the professional soldier. Then again, his forces had essentially fought a civil war amongst themselves, live on the holo-net at that, so the fallout for him was expected to be problematic to say the very least. Or perhaps not, what was to occur now was difficult to predict as the War had thrown out old sureties and opened the hyper-lane to new opportunities.

Only time and ability would tell now Gideon suspected as the holographic avatar winked out and only the inner circle of the Sector, his family and a few trusted advisors, remained. Unlike the good General they had possessed some degree of warning for what was to occur; and events could be manipulated to their benefit potentially or, at worst, allow them to consolidate power further into their hands. Even if that was merely by proxy or self-interest agents of course – it was a shame Father had not lived to see the opportunity that he had expected to open up. The ambition had seemed dead, but now even Wilhuff was seeing the potential for influence and power they could wield in a reformed Republic. So Gideon spoke first now they were alone.

"Now, that went as expected...beyond the sending near live footage of the battle unto the holo-net at least"

Wilhuff nodded faintly, fingers steepled together in front of him "Mercenaries...a means to instil fear in their enemies, show the quality of their services, and in this situation to deny the Jedi Order time to turn the public against them I would expect. No concern of ours how they save themselves from such retaliation, it is up to our agents to save themselves considering their actions as was made clear to them when this scenario was discussed prior to the defeat. We shall make very clear that the Jedi are not formally part of our command structure, and this dual command system they forced upon us was the underlying cause of the debacle"

Gideon sat forward in his chair adopting a similar pose to his brother with elbows on the table "It certainly does eliminate the last Jedi commanded formation within GAR-South. Do you foresee any opposition to our consolidating all remaining units under our banner?"

Wilhuff remain silent a moment before shaking his head "Politcal support within the Core will be unfavourable...but irrelevant for the time being. Our forces, or allied forces, control the majority of industry and warships within our operational area now, and reinforcement from the Core has been..."

"Minimal" Gideon finished for his brother and getting a nod before Wilhuff continued.

"Indeed. We have been left to our own resources, and recent defeats do not indicate a favourable change in that situation within the next year. Our previous political moves have proven less than beneficial to our interests, nor those of the Republic"

Gideon sighed "Yes, sadly the Chancellor has proven more talk than action, and as we have just seen, it is time for action not more talk"

Wilhuff shook his head "The connection remains useful, for now, but we must ensure to our own continued survival and ascendancy in the face of our current foes. We have been severely depleted in recent weeks with defeats over Naboo and Socorro, and now this mutual bloodletting over Ryloth, but if we can ensure the various Sector forces under our command can be mobilised to a full war footing those are not irreplaceable"

"And, well, our Generals Yanthis and Stormcrow's intentions to deal with the Clone Legions remaining within our territory?"

His brother frowned, then gave the faintest of shrugs "The reliability of the Clones is clearly debatable now they have shown loyalty to their Jedi Generals over loyalty to the Republic and ourselves. No, while I find this effort against slavery nonsensical, it clearly works here on Eriadu, it will allow a means to deal with a potential problem that could arise as we reform GAR-South into our desired structure. While I am loath to deal with certain groups it is more effective for the war effort now that..."

--

[20 BBY]

[Light Freighter Doza 02/N, Landed Spaceport, Tibrin, Cal System, Hadar Sector, Outer Rim]

"No, No, No, No, No" Stass Allie whispered to herself as she watched this truly terrible nightmare unfold on the screen before her eyes. She'd rushed back, almost running, to the ship as she'd caught sight of the events the holo-net of the bar she'd been in to investigate the possible presence of a Dark Acolyte. To her horror it appeared she had been searching in the wrong place, as she doubted Daron would boast of such...AS HIS SOLDIERS KILLED A JEDI MASTER AND HIS CLONE TROOPERS LIVE ON THE HOLO-NET.

It just...

It wasn't...

He wouldn't...

THINGS WERE GETTING BETTER! WHY NOW?

The Force roiled around her as the newscaster showed the raw footage, to the joy of the locals some part of her mind told her helpfully. Tibrin's native species, the Ishi Tib, strongly disliked the Republic, and the Jedi, as Dooku had been their supposed 'Liberator' from the Council's preferred ruler; and even if Daron was a Republic General they would cheer Master Krell's death, and the Republic tearing itself apart.

Oh, by the Force how could it be true?

What had happened in a mere few days to cause such?

'He reached out to me...but how did I not notice he was this desperate?' she demanded of herself as the image repeated again of a Jedi Master being slain by an armoured Mandalorian after two droids blocked his lightsabers. Oh, and her Padawan's cold, controlled, words of contempt as he stood before a Master of the Jedi Order, one showing signs of loss of control, without fear as he trusted in his droids and troops to keep him safe from such. Hours ago...no a day or more ago she knew watching in horrified fascination as her Padawan gave a brief speech, to roaring cheers of his soldiers as buildings burned around him and wounded soldiers cried out in pain...

'Stop' she instructed herself, calming her mind as she shed the filthy robes she had adopted for moving through the poor parts of this city before moving to her meditation matt and adopting a meditative pose.

'There is no Emotion, there is Peace'

Controlling her breathing helped, drawing strength from the touch of the Force as she released her emotions into it and sought guidance; even just a clear mind with which to think. Daron would be sure of his actions to have done something so radical, but battle-lines were being drawn and everything she knew of her former Padawan told her if the Council demanded things of him it was likely merely to escalate the situation.

'But the Council must investigate, and they will be direct in how they respond...' she thought, calm and serene, following the paths in her mind '...which would be a problem as Daron, at his best, distrusts the Council and now his concerns are proven in his mind. Ordering him to return to Coruscant will be met with distrust, suspicion...'

She resisted a grimace at the realisation. His speech was overly dramatic for him, an appeal to audacity most likely as the situation turned against him. Or at least in a situation that he perceived to be turning against him...her Padawan had a terrible habit of jumping to a conclusion and then committing to that course of action almost to the bitter end. Persuading the Council to take a softly-softly approach at this stage...would be difficult, but it was a battle that must be fought...

'Even it is likely too late' she estimated ending the calming meditation, aiming to call upon the other Masters of the Council in the faint hope a decision had not yet been made. It was the disadvantage of being out her in the Rim and hunting Dark Jedi that easy access to meetings was denied to her...

--

[20 BBY]

[Death Watch Headquarters, Moon of Concordia, Mandalore System, Mandalore Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

Pre Vizla watched the footage making its way through every bar and home on Mandalore. His third, or perhaps fourth, viewing of the coverage of the so-called Ryloth Crisis by the Republic; it was hard not too as it was rare these days to see a Mandalorian simply shoot a Jedi in the head live on the holo-net. One of the Chorn Clan, a General in the Republic along with her army of faux Mandalorians...

'No, that is untrue. The only fake Mandalorians are the ones ruling our home' he reminded himself smiling as the Jedi's head almost exploded with the heat and the other Republic General, in respectable heavy armour, strode over the body, raising his arms and giving a victory speech. The Stormcrow he'd heard of just like Braika Chorn; it hard to miss as Executive Security Solutions, now the Republic Aegis Guard, were aggressive recruiters of any Mandalorian desiring to stay true to their traditions, but not commit to a civil war upon Mandalore itself.

It was easy to see as the ranks of warriors surrounding their Generals on the holo-vid indicated their approval, armed and armoured as true warriors should, and crushing their foes in honourable battle. Even better it showed his people the myth of the Jedi was false, that being a Mandalorian wass just as strong in battle, superior even, in that it did not rely on strange magic to function. But there was anger there too, that they were not there, it was not them winning glory; but the likes of Fett and his Defenders for the Confederacy, Chorn and the Stormcrow for the Republic. He resisted a smile as he turned to his allies.

"An entertaining vid, one that could change things to our advantage"

The others around him nodded, enemies with mutual interest that now made them his allies; Black Sun, Peak Syndicate, and, of course, the two Sith. They had considered approaching the Hutts, threatening them, but such matters had proven unnecessary as the situation on Mandalore itself turned against the New Mandalorians. Oh it had hurt his Death Watch as well; as hundreds, then thousands, then tens of thousands, of fighters left the world to join either side's 'Mandalorian' faction to earn wealth and glory. But it had slowly, but surely, eroded Satine's faction support amongst the populace at large as her Neutral League was assaulted indirectly by both factions of the war.

The hooded and robed Zabrak nodded slowly "You will not need us to launch a coup to take power?"

Pre did give the faintest of smiles now. Predatory, hungry, in nature "The New Mandalorians fade, the Republic sanctions them, the Confederacy threatens them, and their allies cry for aid that cannot be given. No, your suggestion I believe has even greater merit now...we shall take power here democratically in the ways Satine claims as her choice of battlefield. Then we shall appear as saviours to her Non-Aligned League with..." he gestured at himself "...armies..."

At the Lom of the Peak Syndicate "...finances to save struggling industries..."

To Ziton Moj of the Black Sun as the chuckles began "...fleets to drive off pirates..."

At the brothers "...and those who know the truth of the Republic and Confederacy..."

He smiled deep and dark along with all the others present "Why, we shall be heroes and saviours now wont we?"

There would be no need to kill Satine and her faction. Instead they would humble them, make her aid them in the task of strengthen what she had tried to build...changing it to something that could actual survive and prosper in this Galaxy at war. Something greater than the dying Galactic Republic, than the degenerate mega-corp run Confederacy of Independent States; a new Mandalorian Empire in all but name, ruled by the Shadow Collective till it was worth his taking control openly. Battle and Glory would be his, then territory and power and wealth.

"Mishuk gotal'u meshuroke, pako kyore"

--

[20 BBY]

[Apartment near Rubyflame Spaceport, Planet Centares, Centares System, Maldrood Sector, Mid Rim]

Asajj Ventress hated hiding, even if it was in a comfortable apartment on a Mid Rim world and Mother Talzin would have struck her down if she and the others had returned immediately after their failure. Instead she had...sat here, filled with indecision, unsure of what to do. Anger at her failure, that Dooku yet lived, and at the galaxy in general for the injustices it seemed to stack upon her all her life.

Then more, along with amusement, as the armoured Not-Sith who had helped with her failed attempt...anger flared that he had been correct and she a fool for not seeing or proving him wrong...killed a Jedi Master. Because of course he was Not a Sith, and surely killing a Jedi Master Live on the Holo-Net was exactly what a Not-Sith would do?

That should be her there killing Jedi, leading armies...having crowds cheer her name in fear and adulation instead of hiding here in this apartment for a house-spouse. It rankled her that her Sisters were relaxing, that they found this place pleasant...but she had failed, and how could she rage at them after such weakness. No, she needed power, to stand over a slain Jedi, or more importantly HER TRAITOROUS FORMER MASTER and sneer down and tell them that were nothing. That would make the galaxy feel right again.

"Oh, the Jedi-Killing Republic General is back on the holo!" Naa'leth called over to her from where she sat drinking beer at the couch "...he's giving a speech or something"

Stalking over Asajj glared at her fellow Nightsister relaxing on the couch with her feet propped on the foot rest before her. On the circular holo-display, backed up by large screen, her one time sponsor stood on a balcony beside some identified as General Yanthis on his right, two others marked as General Chorn and General Syndulla on the left, and a vast crowd below. Twi'leks mostly it looked to her as the tiny holograms moved like ants before her as she sat down while continuing to glare as a familiar synthesised voice came over those of the idiot presenters as the small avatar waved a paper or data-pad in an armoured hand.

"...demanded I return to Corcusant for questioning! To stand trial perhaps for coming to the aid of my fellow soldiers, my comrades in arms and YOU, the People of Ryloth!

So I reject these Orders! The Jedi Order has no claim over me, nor over the free sentients of the Grand Army of the Republic! Over the Republic's Aegis Guard or Ailon Nova Guard! NO! WE SERVE BY THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE GALACTIC REPUBLIC! WE SERVE YOU! NOT AT THE BECK AND CALL OF THE TEMPLE FAR OF IN THE CORE!"

She ignored the theatrical hand waving and annoying roars and chants from the holographic crowd, along with the whining confusion of the blonde human presenter babbling on over it "No we reject such! I, WE, serve at the command of the Senate! We have come here at the express command of your noble Senator, the brave Twi'lek who but aside his personal disagreements, as General Syndulla here has done, in service of Ryloth! So I will return to the Core, away from Winning the War, only at the Call of the Senate by majority vote!"

Asajj couldn't help but snort at that absurd idea "Too long have the Cowards and the Traitors, the Pacifists and the Slavers, interfered in this war for the very heart and soul of our civilization. For our very freedom as you, brave suffering citizens of Ryloth, of the Outer Rim!, will be snatched away by their actions!

From delaying and opposing the proposals of our aging Chancellor as he strained under the efforts to prepare us for the war that has erupted!

The cowards on several Core worlds who refuse to aid us in our tasks but demand we defend them as they sit upon their rears sipping wine and laughing...,MAKING PROFIT...at our efforts! AT OUR SUFFERING!

At the Slavers who hover like vultures around us! Aye, even Slavers who pretend to come as our Saviours! For what are these Clones but Slaves forced to obey their Masters!"

More theatrical hand gestures "SO NO MORE! These brave Clone Troopers led by a traitorous Jedi will be Slaves no longer! This is Ryloth and there will be no more slaves here!"

More cheering, blah, blah, Twi'leks being Twi'leks "Though they be enemies of yesterday they were merely misguided! Misled by Slavers lies and treated as if there organic droids. No, those we are healing and caring for will now be freed, and offered service again under the banners of the Republic, but this time as free sentients, paid a wage that they deserve! Medical care! Pensions! All that the brave soldiers of the Republic deserve!

And I call upon you! Free beings of the Republic to rally to the Cause! Remember the Ideals the Republic was founded upon!

Find your passion! Do not let them strip away your freedoms or one day it will be you and your loved ones dragged away into slavery!

Remember Kuat! Remember Ryloth!

This peace you see around you is a Lie! Stand up for the Republic! Rise up and Fight!

Together we will not be defeated! Together the chains will be broken!

TOGETHER WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!"

Asajj blinked, took one of the bottles of beer into hand and downed it before turning to the others laying about around her "Get up, we are going to see Mother Talzin"

--

End of: Chapter 02: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Next: Chapter 03: Rage, Rage, Against The Dying Of The Light

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