[19 BBY]

[Inner Sanctum, House of Wisdom, Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Task-force Cavalier, Docked Cloud City, In Orbit Bespin, Bespin System, Anoat Sector, Ivax Nebula, Greater Javin Region, Outer Rim Territories]

I let out a breath, sitting down into a meditation pose amidst the intricate runes and symbols that covered the floor, centering myself as the security procedures locked-down. It was hardly the wisest thing in the galaxy to study a Sith artefact, a holocron at that, with Jedi aboard my flagship, but it wasn't as if I ever had much time these days. In the end I had to do these things when I was at my strongest, when rested and prepared, and this Inner Sanctum was something of a Force Faraday Cage, and...this ship was mine, and I could conceal the Force presences within.

Bariss was down healing soldiers in Medical, Celeste Morne was on a mission to a system nearby with some of personal guard, and now Jedi Master Secura was training in the TIE with the Stormcrow's squadron as we dealt with Cloud City. So as poor timing went, this was my best option, as not only that but Asajj was away as well and Karis and Naa'leth training in their own Dark energy nearby. Perhaps ironically, there were more Jedi around me of late than before Order Sixty-Six had been issued; more often, and likely for some time into the future. With that in mind, and the dark times ahead, I carefully marshalled my emotions, controlled them, and reached out with the Force to the holocron before me.

"Who dares to awaken me from my slumber! Who now seeks our wisdom?"

"Greetings Honourable Gatekeeper" I replied in a controlled manner to the crimson gatekeeper that appeared, features very much of the Sith species, female, scowling and cold. An old holocron it seemed, from Kreia's time or before perhaps "I have awoken you, having taken this holocron and other treasures as spoils of battle when my forces, and my allies, defeated your previous owner, Count Dooku, known as Darth Tyrannus. Since he is now dead I doubt he shall object. Now, if you would kindly introduce yourself Honorable Gatekeeper?"

Yes I was being polite, but I reinforced my words with Power, gathering my strength around me in case of danger, senses watching for any attempts through the lines of defence I'd established. I'd always found it was best to be polite with unknown spirits, but Dark Side ones it was also best to have the 'carry a big stick' along with the 'speak softly' part. The Holocron of Darth Andeddu that Dooku seemed to favour was one particularly untrustworthy one I found, and the obsession with Immortality, through the Dark Side at that, was bad sign to begin with. This one...studied me a moment, noticing I had not yet given my Name, before that dead voice spoke again.

"This one is Arosh, of San'yena, sorceress and loyal servant of Naga Sadow, Dark Lord of the Sith, and the first you challenge to prove yourself worthy of our knowledge"

I hummed in thought a moment, controlling the swirling emotions, before replying with pulse back against the strength directed against me ever so subtly "Quite the pedigree indeed Arosh of San'yena, and I gather it has been many thousands of cycles since this holocron of yours was created? And I can assume that you are not that only entity contained within?"

"You would be correct..."

I nodded at the look, apparently awaiting a name "You may call me the Stormcrow, as that is what I have been named by friends as well as foes"

The not-hologram flickered, nodding more smoothly now whatever programming quirk this was had now been met "Others of the Sith have called themselves Darth in previous awakenings, or are you of the Jidai despite what we feel? This ritual-work is unknown to this one"

"The product of my homeworld's rituals and shamans, it is little surprise it is unknown to outsiders" I answered commandingly, becoming the Warlord, the High Shaman, in this life for a time. Best not let the spirit...quasi-spirit, whatever a holocron-spirit was, forget who was the one awakening it now. So I remained focused, hands-on knees, while speaking politely, respectfully, but broking no weakness with this thing. It was a poor idea to show such before a predator after all.

"But I will answer, I was once of the Temple, though no longer as I left once I had freed myself of them, nor am I of the Sith, though I have entered into a Reciprocal Mastership with one who would claim the title of Dark Lord. Not that I reject the teachings of the Sith Order out of hand, otherwise I would not have awoken you to seek your wisdom and power to grow my own knowledge and strength in the Force. So, what can you offer me to make studying your teachings worth my time?"

--

[19 BBY]

[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Task-force Cavalier, Docked Cloud City, In Orbit Bespin, Bespin System, Anoat Sector, Ivax Nebula, Greater Javin Region, Outer Rim Territories]

"What news Captain since I began my meditation and training routine?" I asked Gardan as I strode onto the bridge once again "Are we ready to depart?"

"Yes Captain-General, all trades have been completed and checked, tibanna gas is secured, and all starfigher exercises have been completed and all units docked. Tactical and sensor data of the engagement for your later perusal Sir" the ship's Captain replied, and I have a nod of thanks as he handed me a data-file "Scouts haven't reported any unusual activity in nearby systems, and we arranged to link up with remaining detachments at Isde Naha to continue along the Lipsec route, and them to Solem"

"Excellent Gardan, we're on schedule then, good work" I replied wearily, exhausted from the strain of earlier today, and then the sparring session while cut-off from the Force temporarily. That helped clear the head of any linger problems, though it had made the training somewhat painful and more draining that usual "How did you judge the exercises?"

Gardan nodded, standing hands behind his back while watching the bridge's activity like a hawk-bat "Very well in my estimation Captain-General, the Jedi's skills were easily on par with, or superior to, many of our pilots, and while the recruits on the auxiliary carriers weren't exactly stellar, they were competent and integrated well with the Vulture droid-fighters"

I glanced at the tablet as I entered the data, bringing up statics and replays of the engagements "And the Vultures?"

"Software tweaks and combat data updates increased performance about two to four percent over previous performance, add a further seven to nine percent increase when integrated with the Stormcrow's command and control and data analysis systems Sir"

"We should hope so Gardan, we paid enough for those systems to be better than top of the line" I chuckled back, seeing more detailed analysis appear before my eyes, along with a number of other issues I'd need to deal with before resting "Any word from Ventress?"

"Yes Sir, we received a report about an hour ago. It seems the Lortans were more aggressive than expected; an engagement took place near Dalisor after they failed to heed warnings to not raid traders into a system bordering their demanded territory. Generals Shadowsails and Ironhills have sent reinforcements as per the Black Protocols laid the operation brief"

I winced at that "War?"

"Yes Captain-General, war, though she was victorious in the engagement. Information is on the file I just supplied you"

"Well, it was something I'd worried could happen, and we are where we are..." I muttered using the controls to bring up the relevant sections "...I know it's not much of one, fleet sizes being what they are, but it couldn't have come at a worse time"

"Probably why their using their battle fleet now I imagine Sir"

"Yes, unfortunately you're likely right Gardan, which I'm going to have to let Ventress off the leash for this, facing religious fanatics as she is..." I replied, then shaking my head at his inquiring glance "...short of outright planetary bombardment and outright war-crimes that is. We have reputation to maintain after all, and getting too harsh of one can have its own negatives, and I'm attempting to break her of bad habits she acquired with the lock-step droid armies of droids while serving Count Dooku, not make them worse. You know how the ranks are as we expand?"

"Aye Sir, I do" Gardan answered nodding, then looking curious again "Will you wish to take personal command of the fight?"

I gave a tired snort "That why you discussed the training exercises first, hmm? No, not unless she screws up in a way I don't envision anyway. I hate to admit it, but we need more officers, and to deal with threats like this lot of lunatics could be now, rather than later when they've gotten more established. Unless you want me to delegate even more work to you do that is?"

"No Sir, I'd rather not have that" Gardan replied with a shake of his head. He was serving as Senior Captain to the task-force when I was busy away from the bridge, which was often enough, and that meant a rather significant amount of logistics and dealing with other problems. Running day to day operations on the city-ship was a huge task already after all, and it already brought the pay-grade that a 'promotion' to another ship really wasn't his ideal I'd found. I couldn't blame him, the higher we rose as a power, the more we had to do to maintain it.

"I thought that, and yes I've gotten your recommendations, and I'll see what we can hire to ease the burden. For now let's get this show on the hyperlane; signal the task-force to begin preparing final departure preparations..."

--

[19 BBY]

[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Task-force Cavalier, In Hyperspace, Lipsec Trade Route, In Transit to Solem System]

"Ugh I'm so tireedddddd" Bariss groaned as she dropped unto the bed beside me, eyes half closed already and looking ravishing despite all that I found "What kind of setting did you have those droids on"

"Murder mode the Temple would have called it..." I replied wrapping my arms around her as she curled up against me feeling just as tired myself "...I did warn you remember?"

"Yeahhhh...ugh, gonna get Ahsoka and throw her at them. Sure she'd have the energy for it" she muttered and I chuckled sleepily as she yawned.

"Well, Force healing, then training, before then doing sparring...well, you did well Bariss, all things considered"

She rolled over, head resting on my arm "Need to, want to improve...things were...I just want be better"

I kissed her, and she hummed a moment happily before I replied patting her butt "You will, we'll be at Solem and we'll talk to the others after a good night's rest. Oh, and Celeste has agreed to train with you...us...but mostly you, as long you're happy with that"

"Ask me when everything doesn't ache thanks to shock-staffs..."

"Fair enough..." I answered kissing her forehead as she yawned again, groaning softly "...try and get some rest then, we'll talk after we get some sleep and see what you'd be comfortable with learning and practicising. I've some books and archives you..."

Ssssnnnnnrrrrrrrrr

"...might be..." I chuckled as she dozed off and I yawned. Something for another day it seemed...

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