AN: I've been waiting to post this chapter for a while too. Hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 43 - Enemy Secrets (Mawan Part IV)
"Taria, that is wonderful news," Kastor said, very happy for his younger friend, who was beaming at him through their holoprojector, sharing her news with him with Siri, Fay, Rhys, Asuna, and Ferus also projected.
"Indeed," Yoda said, looking at Fay with pride. "Done well, you have, my former Padawan. Truly an instrument of the Force, you have become."
"I owe my abilities to you, Master," Fay said with a bright smile. "It's taken me a couple centuries, but I'm finally understanding some of that crackpot wisdom you used to give me."
"Crackpot you say," Yoda said with his laugh, but his laugh faded and Kastor felt all the joy he'd been feeling depart as he could feel the dark ripples through the Force.
"Something terrible has happened," Siri muttered, looking at them in concern, and then glancing at her fellow Jedi there with her, all of whom were nodding.
"Yaddle," Yoda said softly, causing small gasps of shock and pain from the group, "has become one with the Force. Call you back, we will, when spoken to Obi-Wan we have."
Kastor glanced at Yoda with concern. While Kastor himself was friends with Yaddle, he knew his bond with the Master was nothing compared to Yoda's. The two little green masters had bonded for centuries over their shared love of teaching the younglings here at the Temple.
Yaddle's death would shake many in the Order. She was a staple at the Temple for all the younglings and apprentices, and even junior Padawans. She turned a blind eye to pranks, smuggled sweets into pockets, and despite being a Council member, was always available for anyone who needed some comfort and advice without feeling like a burden.
Obi-Wan reached out to them before they could reach out to him, explaining everything that had happened . . . everything Omega had done.
When Obi-Wan was done, pain filling his voice, Yoda spoke. "Her work, we must carry on. Prepare my transport for Mawan, I will. May the Force be with us."
The communication ended.
"I'm coming along," Kastor said, and Yoda nodded sadly. "Plus, we're getting some assistance. I'm sure the Senatorial security forces won't be in a hurry to reclaim Mawan with everything that's happened, but we can't let Yaddle's work be ruined. I'll have the Darasuum meet us there."
"Agreed," Yoda said sadly. "Take the Ebon Hawk we will. Fly fast, we must."
**The Will of the Force**
They hadn't slept since Coruscant, but there was no time for sleep.
With Yaddle's death, the fragile coalition she had formed threatened to fall apart. News of the bioweapon had spread, and the Mawans were close to panic. If Granta Omega had a weapon that devastating, who could say that he did not have another?
Within hours, the Senate went back on their pledge to send a security force and sent word that they would await further developments. They would not commit an army to an unstable situation.
Anakin dropped his head in his hands at this news. "Isn't the instability the point? That's why we need them!"
Obi-Wan sighed. "Yes, but if the security force is beaten by crimelords, the Senators are afraid it will look bad for them. Their image is more important than Mawan's security."
"What can we do?" Anakin asked.
"That's the simple part. Present them with an easy win," Obi-Wan answered. "The hard part is setting that up. Granta Omega has become our biggest problem."
"He would be happy to hear that," Anakin said bitterly.
They sat in a small office in the makeshift command center the Senate Provisional Committee had set up. Now that the power grid was functioning, they could monitor the streets through a system of security cams set up around the city. Many had been smashed, but some were still functioning, enough to give them a sense of what was going on. The streets were eerily quiet. Criminal activity had either retreated into buildings or gone underground. The sun was just rising, penetrating the gray with a blush of pink. Obi-Wan wished he felt as hopeful as the scene painted.
Euraana Fall entered, her face pale with fatigue and worry. "Feeana Tala is close to deserting the city and pulling her patrols. She doesn't think we can hold the city against an attack by Omega."
"That means the city will be left without security," Anakin said.
"Which means everyone will retreat belowground again, and we'll be back where we started," Euraana said, lowering herself into a chair. She bent forward to lean her forehead against her clasped hands. She closed her eyes. "I'm hoarse from talking and reasoning. I don't know what else to do. I've been in communication with the Senate representative. He refuses to reconsider the decision to pull back the Senate security force."
"I will speak with him," Obi-Wan said. "And I'll handle Feeana as well. Let's go, Anakin." It seemed a great effort to haul himself out of his chair. Obi-Wan felt the fatigue deep in his bones. "We'll grab some food on the way," he said to Anakin, and saw the boy's face brighten slightly.
They headed to the cafe on the second level. Once it had served the many Mawans who had flocked to the hall for music and lectures, and its extensive stoves and cooling units spoke of the array of foods that had once been offered. Now the shelves were bare. At least there was hot tea and a tray of muja muffins.
Anakin picked one up. "Stale," he said, disappointed. "Why do the bad guys get all the good food?"
Obi-Wan held up his tea. "That's what dunking is for. Another Jedi lesson for you."
Anakin tried to smile. It was the first light moment they had exchanged since Yaddle's death. But a moment later, Anakin's face darkened again.
'Something is very wrong,' Obi-Wan thought. It wasn't just the aftermath of Yaddle's death. Why was it that whenever he needed to talk to his Padawan, circumstances got in the way? There was always a mission to complete, and then, these days, as soon as they were done, there was somewhere else important to go, another crucial battle to fight.
Across the empty tables Obi-Wan spied Feeana Tala, slumped over a mug of tea. This was a bit of luck. He could approach her informally. Sometimes that was better when you were trying to hold on to a deal. It would be easier to ensure the Senate's support if he could be sure Feeana would not fold.
Feeana looked as tired as Euraana had. She waved Obi-Wan off as he approached. "Go away."
Obi-Wan sat down, summoning up a cheerful smile. He motioned Anakin to do the same. He dunked a piece of muffin into his tea. "Good morning to you, too."
"Don't bother with the pleasantries," Feeana said. "I know why you're here. You're going to tell me that my cooperation is essential in holding the city. You're going to say that as a Mawan I owe it to my home planet. You're going to say that if I take my gang and retreat belowground that eventually I'll be imprisoned." She stirred her tea moodily. "I know all those things. But I've got my soldiers out on the streets, and there's not enough of them to hold the city against Striker — or Omega, as I hear his name is. What am I supposed to do? Send them to their deaths?"
"I would not ask you to continue patrolling the city if I thought that," Obi-Wan said. "I am not willing to sacrifice so many lives to get what we need."
"But Decca and Omega — "
"We can handle Decca and Omega."
She placed her spoon down carefully. "So you say, and yet a Jedi Master evaporated into dust particles just a few hours ago."
"Yaddle died in order to protect your soldiers and the people of Mawan," Obi-Wan said sharply. "That should tell you how far the Jedi are willing to go."
There was a short silence. Feeana sipped her tea and made a face.
"It's cold," she said. Then slowly, she nodded. "All right," she continued quietly. "I'll remain."
With Feeana's cooperation and the promise of Yoda's arrival, Obi-Wan was able to convince the Senate to aid Mawan, though they still weren't willing to send the full army that Obi-Wan was hoping for. He found it difficult to keep his temper cool and speak reasonably. He wanted to shout at everyone that Yaddle had sacrificed herself for their peace and security, so the least they could do was follow through. He knew that grief was making him short-tempered. His heart was heavy, and he was angry, too, angry that Yaddle had to die.
These were emotions he could not carry with him, for they would drag him down. He had to absorb them and let them go. Yet he felt as though he was struggling against a rising tide.
Anakin said so little. He could not muster up the energy to address his Padawan's needs, either. And somewhere below, Granta Omega was biding his time, concocting his plan for revenge, and he would surely try to exploit Anakin's sadness for his own ends. Omega had already killed a member of the Jedi Council. That had been his great goal, and he had achieved it.
How could Obi-Wan get rid of his anger when he knew of Omega's satisfaction?
Obi-Wan felt the arrival of Yoda before he saw him . . . because not only was Yoda's presence felt, but he felt another comforting presence with him. He and Anakin hurried to the landing site as the Ebon Hawk touched down.
Kastor and Yoda disembarked, and Yoda's gaze immediately went to Anakin, while Kastor's went to Obi-Wan's.
"First, see it, I must," Yoda said to Anakin.
Anakin nodded. He knew immediately what Master Yoda was asking. Yoda wanted to see the place where Yaddle had died.
For long moments, Yoda stood underneath the spot where Yaddle's life had ended. He leaned his head back as if to taste the air. He closed his eyes as if to feel the presence that still lingered. Obi-Wan imagined that he was saying a private, final good-bye to the friend he'd had for so long.
Kastor meanwhile put a comforting hand on Anakin's shoulder, and he soothed the minor bond that existed between himself and Obi-Wan, providing Obi-Wan some of the peace he had been without since Yaddle's death.
At last Yoda turned. "Ready, I am," he said.
They headed back toward the command center. They found Swanny and Rorq waiting for them, sitting on the steps. They stood as the Jedi approached.
"Bad news," Swanny said. "Decca and Omega have settled their feud. They've formed an alliance."
"I was afraid of this," Obi-Wan said.
"It gets worse. Now Omega has access to Decca's fleet, and Decca has access to Omega's weapons. They are planning an assault on the city."
"We have no way to protect the city," Obi-Wan told Yoda. "All we have are security patrols."
"Not for long," Kastor said firmly.
"What do you mean?" Swanny said. "Unless the Senate is sending a full army, we're in trouble. Decca just got a big shipment of fuel from Omega, so his fleet is ready to go and fully armed."
"Aid is on the way," Kastor said, his eyes closed. "I'm expecting it to arrive at any moment now."
"That doesn't change the fact that Decca will be able to fuel up his fleet and he and Omega will crush us together," Swanny muttered.
"Keep the information about the alliance quiet for now," Obi-Wan said. "If Feeana gets wind of this — "
"Uh, I think it might be too late," Rorq said. He pointed to the distance, where Feeana was striding toward them, an angry look on her face.
"They have formed an alliance!" she exclaimed as she walked up.
"We know," Obi-Wan said.
"And you are just standing here?" she demanded.
"A suggestion, you have for us?" Yoda asked mildly.
She noticed him for the first time. "Who's this?"
"Jedi Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said. "One of our most esteemed Masters."
"Whatever," Feeana said. "Maybe he can tell me what I should do when Omega and Decca attack my troops with transports and missile tubes?"
"We'll take care of it," Kastor said suddenly, his eyes open with the ghost of a smile.
"And who are you?" Feaana demanded, in somewhat exasperation.
"Master Kastor Shan," Obi-Wan said. "Another esteemed Master."
"And how do you plan to take care of it?" Feeana growled out. "If you expect me to cooperate, I need more to go on."
"Your answer is outside," Kastor said, and he started making his way out of the command center, with the rest of them finally following, with a mixture of irritation and confusion, minus the Jedi. "There's your answer," Kastor said, looking up.
Obi-Wan glanced up seeing the large heavy frigate that Kastor's group used flying in orbit, with just short of a half dozen fighter-transports flying down towards the surface. He smiled, feeling a soothing presence that was always comforting, even in the worst times.
"The Senate agreed to send its army?" Feeana said in surprise.
"No," Kastor said as four of the five transports came low, flying slow, and Obi-Wan glanced at them to see their undersides opening.
Finally, scores of Mandalorian warriors dropped out of the four ships, jetpacks igniting, lowering all of them to the ground, and several started making their way towards them. The last ship came in low and then hovered, its bottom opening as well before fast ropes appeared and more Mandalorians and several others rappelled out of the ship, save for four familiar faces who simply dropped out of the transport and used the Force to make their landing light.
"Mandalorians," Feeana said in shock.
"The Jedi are committed to helping your world," Kastor said. "The Senate's Security Force might not be here, but we have called in our own allies to assist. This world will be free."
"I guess I have no choice," Feeana said, but it wasn't with her normal haughtiness or distraught tone. She was looking at the small army that had come to help stunned, but with a bit of hope filling her eyes.
"Choice, you always have," Yoda told her, "but the best one this is."
Feeana still looked stunned, before she finally just turned and strode away.
Obi-Wan felt one of his Force bonds open completely and he felt her pain and grief, but also he felt the comfort and love as his partner of heart and soul made her way over to their group, with her three other Jedi companions and four others from Kastor's group. He wasn't too surprised to see Fay among the four Jedi, and of course Ferus would be with his master, but the fourth Jedi was a surprise to Obi-Wan, even if it was a most welcome one.
"Taria, Fay, Siri, Ferus, it's good to see you all," Obi-Wan said, bowing slightly, his eyes resting on Siri's face a bit longer than the rest before he glanced at the other four, not knowing all of them, but recognizing two. "Njonne, Asuna. Always a pleasure."
"Long time it has been, my former Padawan," Yoda said, glancing at Fay who smiled warmly at the little green Jedi, even if her ageless and beautiful face was marred by grief.
"And yet you don't look a day older, Master," Fay said kindly.
"Hmpf," Yoda said, and Obi-Wan was surprised to see the first hint of humor through Yoda's grief. "Old I was back then. Still old I am now. Not that long has it been since last we met."
"Tell us how we can help," Siri said firmly.
"I've got an idea," Obi-Wan said, "but I'd appreciate all of your inputs. We need to neutralize Decca's fleet, rip his alliance with Omega apart, and then convince him to leave the planet. Omega's group is going to fight back, I'm sure, and I want it to be isolated when we engage. We also have to be prepared in case one or both of those fleets he has rush back here to help in his escape."
"We'll be ready, as long as we can neutralize Decca's fleet," Asuna said confidently, "or at least we can neutralize it before any of Omega's fleets possibly engage us. Fighting both of Omega's fleets and Decca's might be too much, but we're prepared to do what we need to do."
"Well, I guess we'll just say good-bye and good luck," Swanny said, beginning to head off. Obi-Wan caught him by his collar.
"Not so fast," he said. "You're going to be a key part of my plan."
**The Will of the Force**
Anakin was glad to go belowground. Being under the open sky where Yaddle had died had affected him. The sky had seemed to hang over him, pressing against his shoulder blades. Below in the tunnels, he felt safer.
Revenge was on his mind, and it frightened him. He hated Granta Omega, hated him with a burning rage that threatened to go out of control. He was grateful that Yoda had joined them. The presence of the great, perhaps the greatest, Jedi Master was as deep and huge as Anakin's rage. Surely it would keep his anger in check. He would look to his Master and Yoda for the control he needed. That control had only seemed to be more and more assured as Kastor, Siri, and Fay had appeared, though he didn't care for Ferus, and he only sort of knew Taria Damsin.
He knew that all of his fellow Jedi also felt anger and grief. He saw it in their eyes, felt it in the air around them, noted it in the way they moved and spoke. Even Fay seemed touched by grief and anger, a fact that surprised Anakin almost as much as Yoda's emotions. Yet they were not deflected from their mission. He had watched in awe as they exchanged information. Their shared glances told him that they had come up with the same plan, at the same time. Yoda was obviously grief-stricken, yet he and Kastor had traveled here to finish a job that Yaddle had begun, and had recruited more aid to ensure victory. It was clear that nothing was going to stop this mission from ending in success, not even their sorrow.
'I was so wrong,' Anakin thought suddenly.
On Andara, he had briefly imagined what it could be like to have no Master, no Council to answer to. But he needed the Council. He needed his Master. They showed him how far he had to go. Their inner calm was something he desperately wanted. He would learn, he promised himself. On every mission he was brought up short and shown what he needed to concentrate on. But he would learn.
Still, despite his amazement and desire to be like his fellow Jedi, he still felt like he was drowning . . . drowning in his guilt. Everything had changed for him now. Master Yaddle had died before his eyes, and it had marked him forever. He knew that as firmly as he knew his own name. As surely as he knew he would do anything now to be a Jedi Knight.
Obi-Wan and Kastor, in between planning their next steps, were both checking up on him, and it felt nice, though at first he'd wondered, 'Why now?' Why had Obi-Wan now decided to try and help his Padawan?
Then, Anakin realized it.
He'd certainly felt Obi-Wan's grief, and he knew that Obi-Wan had had a special bond with Yaddle, which explained why Obi-Wan hadn't been able to fully try and help Anakin . . . he was grieving and in pain himself, and thus was in no condition to help Anakin. That changed with the others' arrival . . . possibly with a specific person's arrival.
Despite how much he hated Omega, he couldn't help but think of Omega's words in regards to his Master and Siri. Anakin hadn't been enough to soothe Obi-Wan's grief, but Siri had. Was Omega right? Or was he only partially right? Obi-Wan seemed to be taking comfort from Kastor, Fay, and even the other Knight, Taria, who Anakin had only interacted with a few times, but who, he knew, was also an agemate of Obi-Wan and Siri's. Was this an attachment that Obi-Wan couldn't release, despite him wanting Anakin to release his own attachment to his mother? Or was this just the bond of the Jedi, something Anakin had not really found yet, even among his few friends like Tru and Darra.
Anakin didn't know the answer, but now was the time to focus back on the mission at hand. Anakin smiled a bit thinking of Qui-Gon's famous saying that many Jedi who had known the man still quoted: It was time to focus on the here and now.
"Okay, here we are," Swanny said, standing in front of a map of the wastewater transport system. "What do you have in mind? Are you going to flood the fuel depot?"
"We'd never get away with that," Obi-Wan said. "Too many people around. I had something else in mind." He pointed to the map. "Here's Decca's fuel depot. Where are the fuel storage tanks?"
Rorq pointed to a spot several levels above. "Here. The fuel is pumped into a big storage tank here, then into the individual tanks in the depot."
Obi-Wan turned to Swanny. "Is there anyplace where the wastewater pipes come close to the fueling pipes between storage and the depot?"
"Sure," Swanny said. "The pipes run this way and cross the wastewater pipes here."
He stabbed at a spot on the map.
"Where is that?" Obi-Wan asked. "Is it in Omega's or Decca's territory?"
"No, it's close to where the Mawan tent city was," Swanny said. He whistled. "I think I'm getting this."
"Is it possible?" Obi-Wan asked.
"We'd have to cut through the pipes and do some hydro-welding," Swanny said. "But that's like a walk in the park for us."
"It's almost too simple," Rorq marveled.
Yoda nodded. "The best plan, the simple one is," he said.
Anakin saw what Yoda and Obi-Wan had already figured out on the surface. Decca's fleet would fuel in the depot. But if they could replace the fuel with wastewater before it reached the depot, she would fill her transports with water instead of fuel. That would immobilize them completely. Even if they pumped out the tanks, it would take them days to dry out. Any water in the fuel would cause problems with the engines. It was beautifully simple.
"That will disable Decca's fleet," Siri said. "There's a good chance he'll blame that on Omega."
"Suspicion among thieves, one can count on always," Yoda agreed.
"Then, we should have a crew ready to tail whatever Decca releases after Omega," Siri said, "while another team brings down Decca's troops and possibly even the Hutt himself."
"The Darasuum can follow us from the sky and make sure it's prepared to block any attempts at escape," Taria said. "This is our chance to capture Omega and get answers."
"We'll need to know if they start refueling, though," Swanny said. "If we're working on the pipes at the same time, we could end up hip-deep in fuel."
"We'll keep an eye on the fueling depot," Obi-Wan said. "Anakin will be sure to protect you while you work." Obi-Wan spoke to Anakin. "As soon as Swanny and Rorq are done, join us at the fuel depot."
Anakin nodded. He was glad to have a task, even if it was only guarding Swanny and Rorq. Anakin was sure that this was going to work and they were going to bring Omega to justice . . . finally.
**The Will of the Force**
"Decca's crew has arrived. They're going to start fueling," Obi-Wan said into his comlink. "How close are they to finishing?"
Anakin answered back quickly. "Three minutes."
"Make it two," Obi-Wan responded, getting a snort from Taria and Siri.
It was he, Taria, Siri, Kastor, Fay, Yoda, Ferus, Asuna, and Njonne, who were waiting hidden near the entrance to the depot. It allowed them to observe and then most of them would break off to hunt for Omega while the rest remained to deal with Decca, along with nearly all the Mandalorian support.
"Since when are you the impatient one?" Taria asked with a grin. "Usually that's this one," she said, nodding towards Siri who gave a look of mock offense.
"Well, timing is important," Obi-Wan defended himself. "They're already releasing the hoses."
"Trust in the Force, you should," Yoda said, though they could see a ghost of a smile on the elder Jedi's face. The presence of so many Jedi was doing good for all of them in moving past their grief, the presence of friends and loved ones to help share their sorrow. Knowing they would succeed in honor of Yaddle was also pushing them all on.
"Further proof you two spend too much time together," Taria said primly, and Obi-Wan and Siri both sighed, before looking at each other and grinning ruefully as Taria, Fay, and Kastor chuckled.
"Looks like it's a go," Anakin's voice said through the comlink. "I'm on my way."
"Almost time," Taria said, and Obi-Wan focused on her.
"Taria, maybe you should sit this one out," Obi-Wan said. "You really shouldn't be exerting yourself so much."
Taria shook her head fondly.
"You and Siri just can't help yourselves, but we don't have to worry about that anymore, my old friend," Taria said, with a smile. "Fay healed me with Siri's help."
Obi-Wan's eyes widened in surprise and he glanced at Siri and Fay who nodded, and he smiled wide at his old friend.
"That's wonderful, Ria!" Obi-Wan said.
"It really is," Taria agreed. "Which also means that you and Siri can stop treating me like I'm made of broken glass!"
"Of course we're not going to stop," Siri said mildly. "You are made of broken glass . . . so, so delicate."
Obi-Wan grinned as Taria shot an amused glare at Siri.
"We'll see about that later, Tachi," Taria retorted. "Now, you both are stuck with me for the rest of your lives."
It wasn't long before Anakin came racing towards them, obviously eager to make sure he wasn't left behind.
"They've almost finished fueling," Obi-Wan said to his Padawan, who nodded.
Kastor's comlink beeped, and he answered it.
"Kas, we've got incoming contacts coming out of hyperspace," Des's voice briefed calmly. "Based on the numbers, I suspect Omega's two fleets are both coming to help him escape."
They all exchanged startled glances.
"The fleet will do what it can, but it's going to struggle up against those odds," Asuna said grimly. "Thankfully, the Lucrehulk has been destroyed, so we shouldn't have to worry about being overwhelmed by starfighters, but we're still outgunned, even if those Republic Cruisers aid us."
"I'll return to the fleet to give them an edge," Kastor said.
"We both will," Fay said, surprising Obi-Wan. "We should also recruit three Mandalorians to be gunners and your copilot on the Ebon Hawk."
"Fay, I'm returning to use Battle Meditation, not pilot the Hawk," Kastor said, and Fay gave him an amused look.
"I know," Fay said. "You're not the only one that can use Battle Meditation, however you are the better pilot."
Kastor laughed.
"Consider me properly chastised," he said with a grin. "Asuna, have three meet us at the Hawk. The fight here is yours and Taria's. I'm sure you'll find her up to the task."
"Of course I'm up to -" Taria said, almost offended, and Kastor grinned and winked at her before he and Fay both ran back in the direction Anakin had just come from.
"Don't worry, Jetii, we can get him back later," Asuna said, an amused tone coming from beneath her helmet.
"Oh, we will," Taria said firmly.
"Revenge, not the Jedi way, it is," Yoda warned before smiling, "yet, deserve it, Kastor does."
Anakin and Ferus stared at the diminutive Jedi in shock, and Obi-Wan felt even more of his grief get pushed back, knowing these sorts of joy and humor were exactly what Yaddle would have loved to have seen. He was really going to miss her.
Obi-Wan glanced back around the corner at Decca's men as he heard the pilots starting up the engines for their transports . . . all of which coughed, sputtered, and died.
"What is happening?" Decca roared in Huttese.
"We've been sabotaged!" one of the pilots said. "Engine checklight says the fuel tanks have a foreign substance in them."
"Granta has double-crossed me!" Decca bellowed.
"Right we were," Yoda murmured. "Suspicion among thieves, one can count on always."
Decca turned to the Kamarian by her side. "Send the seeker droid. We'll find that slimy monkey-lizard and take every weapon he has. We'll crush him!"
"Time I think to take the speeder," Yoda said.
"Time for the rest of our forces to get here and engage," Asuna said.
"Indeed," Obi-Wan agreed. "We need to get to Omega before he can escape. May the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan slipped into the pilot seat while Yoda hopped in behind. Siri slipped into the passenger seat and Anakin and Ferus both jumped into the back with Yoda, with Ferus being seated in the middle. Obi-Wan idled, and then as soon as the seeker droid appeared a moment later, and darted down the tunnel like a fast-moving bird, Obi-Wan gunned the motor, and they took off after it, easily keeping pace.
Soon, they would have Omega.
**The Will of the Force**
"Give me the rundown, Darasuum," Kastor said, while his copilot, Val Daruss, one of the Antarian Rangers, ran the system checks on their weapons and shields.
Fay had taken up the navigator's seat behind Kastor, and was already entering a meditative trance. In the gunner's positions were two eager Mandalorians, Tylo Dara and Orys Javik. Kastor had guided the Ebon Hawk up near the Darasuum which was moving towards Omega's reinforcements, with Reaper and Basilisk Squadrons in position to engage.
"It's definitely the rest of the Sith Cultist fleet . . . or at least the rest of the original one," Des's controlled voice responded through the comms. "We've got one Sabaoth destroyer that's taking up position as the flagship, flanked by a Commerce Guild Diamond frigate, a Techno Union Munificent frigate, two CR70 corvettes and one carracks light cruiser. It's currently deploying its squadron and they're moving to engage us. We detect four Sabaoth Defenders and eight Sabaoth fighters. Attacking the Republic Judicial cruisers is the Bulwark Mark I battlecruiser flanked by the Federation missile frigate, the Bakuran destroyer and the two remaining Geonosian corvettes. Right now, they're attacking the Judicial Forces, and if we don't engage soon, they'll be wiped out."
"The Sabaoth destroyer's anti-capital ship cannons are the biggest worry," Rhys's voice came through the comms. "They're the biggest threat to the Darasuum. Those Defenders are the biggest threat to our fighters and bombers."
"Understood, Reaper One," Kastor responded. "Reaper Squadron, your focus is those fighters and defenders. We need to clear a path for Basilisk Squadron to make it to those frigates and destroyers to take out those heavy cannons. I'll focus on the light cruisers and corvettes. Darasuum, focus your efforts on the Munificent, while trying to stay out of range of that destroyer. Try to hail the Republic cruisers and ask them to focus their efforts on the Bakuran destroyer."
"Copy that, Ebon Hawk," Des responded.
"Alright, love," Kastor said back to Fay. "I'll try not to get us killed."
He felt amusement flow through their bond as he felt the Force saturate the air.
"Steady, Reapers," Rhys's voice cut through the comms. "Here they come!"
"Tylo, Orys, focus your fire on those defenders until we break through the fighters," Kastor ordered, knowing those heavily armored starfighters were a large danger to all of his comrades
"Understood, boss," he got in response, and Kastor breathed in feeling the Force dancing in tune with his ship's movements, feeling Fay's guidance supporting their companions while negatively affecting their enemies.
Rhys's N-1 blasted apart one of the Defenders with a proton torpedo, while two of his wingmates destroyed the Defender's Sabaoth fighter escorts.
Kastor's focus though, was the Carracks light cruiser, though he was momentarily distracted when the Carracks launched all its escape pods.
**The Will of the Force**
Asuna grinned beneath her helmet as Decca's droids and henchmen scattered in the face of her Mandalorian assault team and their current Jedi assistant. Damsin was good . . . very good.
Damsin slashed through four droids, her face showing a sense of enjoyment in her actions, but considering she had had a terminal disease that, if Siri's actions were to judge, would shorten her lifespan considerably. Letting loose, knowing that it wouldn't cause her disease to hasten her death, must have been liberating.
Damsin had stayed near the front of the engagement the entire assault so far, shielding Mandalorians by deflecting fire, which Asuna appreciated the thought behind, even if she felt their armor would hold up just fine . . . not to mention that Decca's crew wasn't returning the most accurate fire back at them.
Asuna moved forward, staying on Damsin's left, using the Jedi's blade as a shield, allowing her to accurately target specific parts of Decca's crew when she saw a Weequay pop out from behind one of the transports, a shoulder mounted rocket launcher prepared to fire. Asuna quickly focused her efforts on the man, but just as she fired to end his life, he pulled the trigger, and the missile flew straight at her and Damsin.
Asuna knew there wasn't time to get out of the way and figured her only option was to drop down and hope the explosion wasn't enough to kill her when Damsin stunned her by seemingly using the force to redirect the missile back at Decca's crew, destroying another transport.
Moments like that were exactly why Asuna was glad she had decided to work with the Jedi.
To their right, Ania launched her jetpack missile which destroyed another one of the disabled transports that some of Decca's men had been taking cover behind, blasting them away.
"Stop! Stop!" Decca screamed.
"Hold your fire!" Asuna ordered, leveling her rifle at Decca, as around her, her forces focused on the surviving members of Decca's gang.
"Do you surrender?" Damsin asked. "We'd hate for this violence to continue."
"Yes, yes! We surrender!" Decca exclaimed.
"So, you understand that it is in your best interest to leave this planet?" Damsin clarified, and Decca nearly snarled, but finally nodded.
"Yes, yes," the slug said, and as he slithered away, Asuna heard him mutter, "I never would have gotten involved if I knew the Jedi would hire Mandalorians to fight with them."
Damsin grinned and turned to Asuna, who removed her helmet, returning the smile.
"That's two crimelords handled," the Jetii said.
"That was a good fight," Asuna said. "You can fight with us anytime, Damsin."
"Please, call me Taria," Taria responded, her smile widening, "and I might just take you up on that offer. An opportunity to work with and learn more about Mandalorians while having people to help me antagonize Kastor and possibly even Siri and Obi-Wan just sounds like too much fun."
"Oh, she'll fit in just fine," Ania said, moving over to them.
"Yes, she will," Asuna agreed before looking around at their crew. "Reconsolidate and get me a status update. Then, we're heading back to the surface to reinforce the security force while being prepared to reinforce the other team if needed."
**The Will of the Force**
Initially, it had looked like they were hopelessly outnumbered, with Omega's group having a whole troop of attack droids, along with a gang of soldiers, all armed with repeating blasters, not including the mortars and flechette launchers, but they had surprise on their side . . . and they had Yoda.
Omega's crew had reacted to them fairly well, but Obi-Wan felt the Force move, a giant wave which had propelled him, Siri, Ferus, and Anakin forward, allowing them to crash into the first wave of droids, all of which were swept aside, clattering to the floor in smoking heaps.
Whatever Yoda was doing wasn't as potent as Battle Meditation, but it had made it much easier for the rest of them to fight to their fullest potentials with the Force so saturated and easily graspable. It reminded him of his brief time fighting with Yaddle.
Droids were being cut down in droves, bolts being reflected at the gang of soldiers, and Yoda was lifting heavy durasteel containers with the Force to intercept or block rockets and mortar rounds.
Obi-Wan could see Anakin and Ferus both fighting more brilliantly than he'd ever seen, and Yoda was a maelstrom of destruction, but on par with and maybe even exceeding Yoda was Obi-Wan and Siri fully melded, like they rarely got to do in battle.
He'd even noticed Anakin and Ferus both glance at them in surprise with how their bond shown brightly in the Force as they worked in an almost unwatchable tandem to cut through droids, deflect bolts, and move ever forward towards Omega, who had ordered his men to hold the line before running towards the back of his base.
They'd just cleared the third line of droids, and a line of soldiers were already starting to retreat when he and Siri saw Omega disappearing through a hidden door in the recesses of the tunnel. He felt her acknowledgement and they jumped over Omega's forces.
Siri and Obi-Wan didn't bother to search for the release, but rather they both plunged their blades into the plastoid wall, and quickly together, they cut a hole through and then pushed through.
They found themselves in what was clearly an unfinished transit tunnel, with unblasted rock jutting out of the walls. Omega had clearly planned his exit through a large opening in the tunnel's ceiling, which revealed the sky.
A small, sleek silver cruiser was parked in a flat area ahead. Obi-Wan did not recognize the make, but it was clear to him that Omega would be able to fly aboveground and then blast out of Mawan airspace into the galaxy.
Alone, Obi-Wan and Siri would easily be able to jump on Omega's ship before he could lift off, but unfortunately there was an obstacle. Omega himself, was accessing the cockpit and climbing in, but crashed into the tunnel was an escape pod that must have jettisoned from one of Omega's ships in the sky . . . an escape pod that five beings were climbing out . . . five beings who radiated the dark side like only Dark Jedi and Sith Cultists did.
"Always have a second exit plan," Omega said as he stood inside the craft, the cockpit dome still raised. "My father taught me that."
"Black Knights," Siri muttered, looking at the symbol on the men's robes. "Sith Cultists."
Obi-Wan and Siri both eyed the five strangers wearily, as they fanned out, blocking their path to Omega's ship. At the same time, Obi-Wan was also puzzled. In his investigation of Omega's background, he had learned that Omega never knew his father.
"Surprised?" Omega said. He was almost drawling now, as if he had all the time in the world. "I had reasons to keep my father's identity a secret, but I think it's time I had the pleasure of telling you. I am the son of Xanatos of Telos."
Xanatos! Obi-Wan felt as though he had been struck, a feeling which was compounded with Siri's shock through their bond. The former Padawan of Qui-Gon's who had turned to the dark side. Qui-Gon's greatest enemy. Obi-Wan had seen the evil that Xanatos had done. Xanatos had even invaded the Temple and tried to kill Yoda.
"You killed my father," Omega said. "He was greater than his Master, and Qui-Gon couldn't bear it, so he killed him — with your help."
"He killed himself," Obi-Wan said. "He jumped into a toxic pool on Telos rather than be captured by Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon tried to save him."
"My father would never have killed himself!" Omega shouted.
"You have spent your life constructing your own brand of truth," Obi-Wan said, "but it is not the real truth."
The Sith cultists ignited five red lightsabers. Obi-Wan eyed them warily, wondering how skilled they may be. Certainly they shouldn't be at the level of the Sith he'd fought on Naboo, but to assume that was folly. Still, he was much better now than he'd been back then, and he had Siri with him . . . but five against two, even with their bond, was hardly good odds.
"My father protected me," Omega said. "He told me tales of the Jedi and the Temple and how they misunderstood the Force." A bitterness crept into his tone. "He had hoped that I would inherit his gift, but he knew when I was an infant that I would never be Force-sensitive."
Obi-Wan saw the opening. He saw the pain in Omega. If he could keep Omega talking, maybe he'd buy enough time for Anakin, Ferus, and Yoda to get there, and then they could fight the cultists and disable Omega's ship. "And he was disappointed," he said.
"He left me his company!" Omega burst out, as if he were bragging. As if his father had left him something better than love, better than approval. "He left me his fortune in Offworld."
Offworld was the corporation that Xanatos had formed, a mining operation that had used slaves and bribes and violence to build its wealth. Omega didn't create his wealth out of nothing. He had started with it.
Obi-Wan wanted to kick himself down the tunnel. He should have guessed! He should have known that beneath the jibes and insults there was something personal, something bitter, in the way Omega felt about him and the Jedi. He should have known! He had the clues — why else would Sano Sauro pluck the promising boy away and send him to school? Sauro was hardly a benefactor to the poor.
Sauro had known Xanatos well, and had operated, himself, on Telos. And then there was the mystery of the boy's origins — why else were the mother and son on Nierport Seven, a moon that was basically a refueling stop? They were hiding, of course. Xanatos had sent them there. And after he died, they didn't have the resources to leave.
Omega blamed Obi-Wan for his father's death. He was bitter that he did not inherit his father's gift. So he would chase the Force all over the galaxy. He would grow even wealthier than his father had been. He would prove to a man no longer living that he was worthy.
Now Obi-Wan even saw Xanatos in his son. The eyes with the metallic glint of blue durasteel. The thick black hair.
He had every clue, and he had missed it.
"You are just like your Master," Omega sneered. "My father told me about Qui-Gon, how he held him back. You do the same with Anakin. Control is what you seek, and you hide it behind Jedi lessons." He spat the word "Jedi" like a curse. "Yet, you can't even follow them yourself! Neither could Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon had a woman, and so do you, yet you expect Anakin to release his attachments! Why don't you let him be himself? Why don't you show him what real power he can have?"
Obi-Wan didn't have to turn. The Force hummed in the tunnel, and he knew Anakin and Ferus were behind him. Anakin had heard everything. However, they now had much better odds.
"It ends here, Omega," Obi-Wan said.
"It will never end until you are dead," Omega spat. "I'm sorry I won't get to watch you die, but these particular Black Knights hate Jedi and hate Yoda in particular. I couldn't deny them any longer. I'm sure they'll take great pleasure in killing you. It's even more of a shame that you won't see your precious Order destroyed by the Sith. I only have an inkling of their plans, and I know the Jedi can't hope to triumph. Not when the Sith all join together."
Obi-Wan felt an icy cold feeling fill his bones as Omega started up the engines to his ship and the five cultists rushed forward, bloodlust filling their beings.
"Kas, Omega's ship is taking to the sky," Obi-wan said quickly into his comms before he quickly stuffed his comlink away and readied himself for the fight.
Siri, Obi-Wan, Ferus, and Anakin rushed forward to meet the cultists blades with their own as Omega's ship lifted into the air. Obi-Wan considered jumping past the cultists to try and get Omega, but he didn't want to underestimate the skill of these five enemies.
Instead, he and Siri did their best to take the lead, with Obi-Wan blocking the first two strikes from the quickest two cultists, while Siri deflected a third blade and then kicked one of the cultists away, while Ferus and Anakin each matched the last two.
Obi-Wan and Siri quickly forced their fight against the three they challenged away from the Padawans, allowing them to give the Padawans room to maneuver without putting themselves at risk, while trying to force the other three to focus on them instead of anyone attempting to double up on either of the Padawans.
They were modestly skilled, but at the same time, their abilities were undeveloped compared to a Jedi, and against Jedi of Obi-Wan and Siri's caliber, not even factoring in their bond, and it was clear they were outmatched. Still, this was what Kastor feared . . . how dangerous beings like these would be if a Sith Lord started training them for combat against Jedi.
Siri and Obi-Wan each slashed, hacked, spun, and stabbed with coordinated efforts, keeping the three dark side warriors off balanced.
"You will not win, Jedi!" one snarled, and rushed at Siri, while another recklessly rushed at Obi-Wan, but with barely a thought, Siri and Obi-Wan evaded their attackers, trading places, rushing into the openings that both opponents left exposed in their haste to finish each Jedi off, and Siri ended Obi-Wan's rash opponent with a quick thrust into the side of the man's chest, into his heart, while Obi-Wan slashed diagonally, cutting the man that had gone for Siri deeply from his shoulder to his hip.
The remaining Black Knight rushed at them, desperately, but it wasn't long before Siri managed to land the killing blow with a stab through the man's chest after Obi-Wan created an opening by parrying the man's blade opposite of Siri.
They quickly turned to their apprentices seeing that both had the battle well in hand with Anakin finishing off his opponent, cutting through the man's chest horizontally as he sped past the shorter humanoid. Ferus was only a bit behind before he caught his opponent by surprise by vaulting over him and then stabbing backwards through the man's back and chest, causing him to drop to his mortal wound.
Yoda came walking in, looking a bit sorrowful at the Padawans for having to take lives, but he also grimaced at the Black Knights' bodies, likely not happy to see his old foes once again.
"Hopefully Kastor or the fleet manages to shoot Omega out of the sky," Obi-Wan said, suspecting that once again Omega would escape them.
**The Will of the Force**
"Alright, Judicial Two," Des's voice said through the comms. "Concentrate your fire on that Bulwark. We'll pincer this ship and tear it to pieces."
The battle was going well, despite the odds stacked against them in firepower. The enemy fighters had proven no match for Reaper Squadron, especially with Reaper Squadron enhanced by Fay's battle meditation while the Sabaoth squadron was being negatively affected.
From there, the path had been clear for the Ebon Hawk to make a run for and blast apart the Carracks Light Cruiser while the fighter and bomber squadron made a run for the command ship. Several of the bombers took out one of the corvette escorts, while the fighters focused their efforts on the others, mostly clearing away the anti-starfighter cannons, which allowed the bombers to start decimating the Sabaoth Destroyer. Simultaneously, the Darasuum, whose shields had been weathering an assault from the Commerce Guild frigate, the Techno Union frigate, and the support craft, was able to bring down the Commerce Guild frigate, the shields just managing to hold.
Obi-Wan's message came while half of the Bulwark's fleet was attempting to reinforce the Sabaoth fleet which was in the process of being decimated. Of the four Judicial Cruisers, two had been destroyed, and the remaining two had been holding on, but with Fay's battle enhancement, along with pulling the enemy strength, the two cruisers had rallied, maintaining a stalemate between them and the Bulwark after managing to destroy the Federation missile frigate.
"There goes one of the Geonosian corvettes!" Carson Teva said through the comms, and Kas aimed the Ebon Hawk straight in the direction of Omega's ship, but as he started gaining on the sleek silver ship, it made the jump to hyperspace . . . as did the remaining four ships: the Bulwark Mark I, the Techno Union frigate, the Bakuran destroyer and the last remaining Geonosian corvette.
"Shavit," Kas cursed, knowing Omega had escaped once again, even if the overall victory had been for the Order, the Mandalorians, the Republic, and the people of Mawan. It was hard to be too mad, but it was still disappointing.
Republic losses had been two of their four cruisers. Kastor's fleet had lost four Fang fighters and two N-2 bombers . . . losses they would mourn with their comrades soon, even with the overwhelming victory for their side.
"We'll get him next time, love," Fay said quietly behind him, and he nodded, already turning the Ebon Hawk back towards the Darasuum.
"Yes, we will," Kastor agreed. "We'll see him again, I'm sure of it. In the meantime, I've got some exploring to do, some questions to answer . . . and I would appreciate your help."
"You have it," Fay said firmly.
"Thank you . . . but first, let's remember our fallen friends and check on those still among us."
**The Will of the Force**
Anakin watched his Master and Siri both slumped slightly in defeat as Kastor communicated that Omega had gotten away again. There was a heaviness on both Obi-Wan and Siri, a weariness he hadn't seen before.
However, he could now plainly see the bond they shared, something else he had never seen before, but now something that was clear as day after their incredible display of power. Their bond was far more powerful than the one he had with his Master, and now he wondered just how right Omega was. It was so confusing.
He'd certainly seen a closeness to the two over the years, but at the same time, they bickered often, and rarely showed any real happiness at working with each other, at least none that he could see. He just didn't understand them, but he suspected there was more to it than he'd originally thought, but he also thought that just because there was more didn't mean that Obi-Wan and Siri were breaking the Code . . . if anything, their bond showed how powerful they could be and yet he'd never witnessed a display like that before, so to him, that implied they generally kept their bond closed.
Perhaps something with their past? Something they kept away to help them stay unattached? Maybe they just had a physical relationship, just like Palpatine had said, so long ago. He certainly knew they had a physical relationship . . . something they didn't really hide all that well . . . and they were close friends, but did they love each other? Perhaps they did love each other in their own way because he did think they had their own form of love that he had witnessed. He wasn't sure either knew how to really love though. He just didn't think they felt things the same way he did. It was why they cared about each other, loved each other even, but never showed anything more. The Jedi in them couldn't commit. Their love couldn't run that deep. Thus, their bond stayed normally shut.
Beyond his confusion with their bond, he also had a burning desire to know about Xanatos. He had heard of him. Every Jedi student had heard the story of the Temple invasion. Obi-Wan had told him a little of it. Now Anakin realized how much more there was to know.
"We will discuss this later, Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "We have a mission to complete."
Anakin nodded, realizing his thoughts must have crossed over for his Master to interpret . . . or his Master just knew him that well, something that was also a possibility, which admittedly warmed his soul.
"Omega has escaped, but control of the planet is now free to be turned back over to the Senate Security Forces and the people of Mawan," Obi-Wan said.
"Indeed," Yoda said softly. "A success, Yaddle's last mission was."
"So your vision was true," Obi-Wan said. "Yaddle met her death here. We just did not know how to interpret it."
Anakin nodded. A lump rose in his throat. Why did having the vision make him feel so responsible?
"And yet it was not true, as well," Obi-Wan said. "The vision was not about Shmi. It was about you. It was about the temptations in your life." He hesitated. "What did Omega tell you?"
Anakin hesitated and then said, "That the Jedi were holding me back. That I could free the slaves on Tatooine, free my mother. He said he would help me do it."
"That must have tempted you," Obi-Wan said.
Anakin said nothing. He could not admit it, but he could not lie. He was surprised to see a sympathetic and supportive look directed at him from Ferus.
"It is all right, Anakin. It is understandable that you would want to ease your mother's life, but being a Jedi means that your ties are to all beings. You are the only Jedi with such a strong, deep tie, and it makes it harder for you. Remember, a life of service is not only about giving up. It is about giving."
"I don't believe you're holding me back," Anakin said. "I hate him for saying it."
"Hate is not an answer," Obi-Wan said. "Understanding is." He sighed. "Xanatos could twist feelings in just that way. He was a dangerous being. Just as Omega is."
"Dangerous he is," Yoda agreed. "Perhaps, place a higher priority on his capture, we must."
Anakin nodded in agreement with his Master, Siri, and Ferus. Omega had used him, and because of him, Yaddle was dead. That was something he would never forget nor forgive.
Something in his face must have alerted Yoda, for suddenly his gray-blue gaze grew keen. "Know you do that Yaddle's death was not your fault," he said.
"I had the vision," Anakin burst out. "I should have known!"
"And Obi-Wan and myself?" Yoda asked sharply. "Told us of the vision you did, and yet know we did not. Blame us as well, do you?"
"Of course not," Anakin said. "But things in the vision started to come true when I was with Omega. I should never have asked Yaddle to meet with him. I should have refused. I should have tried to escape."
"When you look back, lose your place on the path, you do." Yoda's voice gentled. "Learn you will, Anakin, that stars move and stars fall, and nothing at all do they have to do with you. Speak to Kastor, you should. Experience with visions, he has. Experience with losses because of his visions, he also has."
Anakin marveled a bit, looking at Yoda, once again holding his walking stick, his lightsaber in his utility belt, and his robes swinging. It was the Yoda that Anakin knew best, the wise teacher. Now though, he'd gotten to see Yoda the powerful warrior, and something told him that he'd only seen one small corner of Yoda's power. It was truly something to strive for, especially when combined with the emotional control he'd witnessed. Yes, this was truly something to strive for.
"Let's get back topside," Siri said. "We can brief the Security Forces and ensure that the handover goes smoothly along with their relationship with Feeana. From there, we should get aboard the Darasuum. Kastor's ship will be a good place for us all to rest . . . to recover . . . and to remember our fallen comrades."
**The Will of the Force**
Kenobi and his whore, Tachi, would pay. Someday they will die. He would make sure of it. He would see it happen. They had proven stronger than he'd thought, far too strong for those weak, impatient Black Knights that had wanted to fight, but then again, that's why they had been expendable. They were fools.
While the loss of profits that he could have continued to make on Mawan was nothing to scoff at, the overall mission had succeeded. A vaunted Jedi High Council member was dead, and he'd seen what drew the other Jedi in. They had hurried to Kenobi's aid, they had hurried to get their revenge, even if they didn't see it that way. That's exactly what it had been. The hypocrites.
The only real loss was that he hadn't been able to convince Skywalker to join him. Skywalker had power. Skywalker could be useful, but kriffing Kenobi had too much of a hold on the boy. He feared the boy was unsalvageable, but maybe he could be used to at least harm the Jedi. Something to think about . . . something to bring up with his new masters.
Omega had many commitments these days. He had his normal business ventures, which gave him his great wealth to fund his personal projects that would lead to the destruction of the Jedi Order and his vengeance against Kenobi, but also his other large commitments, also with the intent of destroying the Jedi and reviving the Sith Empire, of which he had three.
One of those was the CIS. The Republic and the Jedi Order weren't yet fully aware of the Separatist movement, nor would they grasp that it was no mere movement, but they would eventually find out, and when they did learn, it would be too late for them to counter the galaxy's largest droid army . . . an army that would roll over the Republic and slaughter the Jedi Order.
Omega was a major stakeholder in the Confederacy, working with Dooku to fund hidden bases, find contacts, and create the plans that would ensure the death of the Republic and the rise of the Confederacy. Unlike many of the other major stakeholders, who only saw the profits to be gained, or were idealists who couldn't stand the corruption and hypocrisy of the Republic, Omega knew that the main architect of the Separatist movement was the Sith . . . the hidden Sith he had yet to meet.
Dooku worked for this Sith . . . knew him. Omega had not yet been given that honor, but he was determined to earn it. He did his duty for the CIS, but beyond that, he worked tirelessly to recover Sith artifacts to earn favor, and to kill Jedi whenever he could . . . and powerful Jedi at that. Omega considered this hidden Sith's agenda to be of the utmost importance to him, and whenever he could be of assistance, he would. The Sith hadn't carefully hidden and planned for a thousand years to strike carelessly. No, he knew they would crush the Jedi this time.
His last major commitment was his newest one, and that's where he was going now . . . to meet his newest Masters.
His ship pulled out of hyperspace, and he looked down upon the world Damea, where his masters were currently gathered, where they had been led by a holocron to find more of their brethren. Yes it was all coming together. He had not lied to the Jedi. He wanted them to feel fear in uncertainty while also fearing the truth - the Sith had truly returned, and not just one or two lone Sith hidden among them. No, far, far more.
What remained of his fleet settled in defensive positions around the planet, joining the fleet already in orbit, while Omega took the ship down to the surface, thinking on the new Sith Council that had formed. The Jedi might claim that the Force led them, and he knew that he didn't have the Force, but the Force clearly favored him and had led him to the four greatest discoveries of his life. The first had been on the planet Nyriaan.
Following some ancient reports and documents as well as copies of ancient transmission logs and military reports, all of which had been destroyed after he had his answers, had led him to the very reclusive world of Nyriaan, and while there, he found a Sith cult . . . a powerful Sith cult that worshiped two gods . . . two Sith Lords that had been alive since the days of Darth Revan, nearly four thousand years previous.
While the cultists revered their gods, they barely understood exactly what was keeping their Lords alive, but Omega had studied several Sith holocrons, and old texts, and he knew exactly what an oubliette was, and thus, with the cultists desire to have their gods walk among them once again, Omega had been able to access the two oubliettes, releasing the two Sith Lords: Darth Glovoc and Darth Voren.
Granted, that had almost led to his immediate death, but soon he'd been able to justify his reasoning for awakening them, to convince them to be commanders in the CIS and members of the new Sith Order that would form. Their cultists weren't nearly strong enough to mount an invasion of the Republic, but with the hundreds of other cults joining them, they stood a chance. With the CIS droid army, they would have no issues. From there, it had been a simple matter to convince the two Lords to gather their strength and prepare for war while Omega attempted to convince the one hidden Sith to reveal himself . . . to join the Council Omega was creating . . . to join this new Sith Empire.
His two new Lords had been helpful, with their ancient knowledge, in pointing him in the directions that Sith of their era and Sith of the eras after them had likely been focused on, and with the information he'd already gathered, he'd managed to locate a hidden cave on the resort world of Volik . . . where he found his next Master, Darth Nox, who had disappeared in search of Darth Nihilus's mythical mask, which had put the Lord into a coma, one that sustained his life for thousands of years by using the Mask to siphon off energy from the planet, just as Darth Nihilus had once drained the Force from living beings and worlds to sustain himself.
Once awoken, he'd been surprisingly cognizant of the comings and goings of the universe over the three and half thousand years since he'd disappeared, the Force granting him visions of time passing. He however, like his other two elder brethren, was hesitant to meet the hidden Sith that Omega desired to impress, but Omega knew it was just the way of the Sith. Part of them wanted to proceed in their war, regardless of Dooku and the other Sith's plans, but they couldn't deny that their actions risked bringing the Sith to ruin once again due to infighting, and thus Nox had agreed to also abstain until the full Council could be convened, and a new Lord of the Council or Lord of the Sith could be appointed.
The three Sith Lords' knowledge of Sith worlds had increased Omega's abilities to find Sith artifacts and had led to the discovery of other Sith cults and redoubts from which they could act from. Indeed, several of the cults they found had Force sensitives, mostly untrained, but easily moldable to become the perfect warriors. Their knowledge had led to the discovery of the Sith Meditation Sphere, and while it had escaped his grasp, Omega knew that it would eventually find its way to the Sith, whether the ones he was with, or others. It mattered very little which occurred. His forces had also been led to the almost forgotten world of Exegol . . . where they found the fourth member of the Council, another ancient Sith Lord: Darth Noctyss, who had found a manner of immortality on the planet, but a cursed one that weakened her powers and trapped her on the planet. The three other Sith had managed to cure her, allowing her to once again set foot off of the planet, at the cost of her immortality, something she apparently had been more than happy to lose.
Now though, they were here to finally find the carbonite Sith and his or her army, his fourth great discovery, that which he had been struggling with before his Lords masterfully ripped the information they desired from the old holocron. The holocron's knowledge had finally been plundered, and the secret of the tomb was soon to be revealed. The price he had paid to Jabba was about to prove to have been worth it.
Omega made his way into the caverns that had been created in the excavations. Damea was a barren world, one that had long since been forgotten, simply because it was unprofitable for any reason and had no attractions to draw lifeforms to it. It was the perfect place to hide a carbonite Sith army, since nobody would go looking for it where they were.
Omega took note of the various cultists and droids that were continuing the work, meanwhile the four Sith Lords were in the middle of various exercises. Nox, the assassin, was training the next generation of Sith assassins from the Force sensitive cultists and descendents of acolytes, who would strike at the Jedi and their assets from the shadows and work to counter the operations of those like Kastor Shan. The initiates had quickly learned the brutality and unforgiving nature of the Sith under Nox's direction, but those that had survived were starting to shape into powerful assassins. Nihilus's mask, which was now part of him, probably didn't help the initiates who could only fearfully try to understand the ancient Sith Lord without seeing his face to help them read him.
Noctyss was working with some of the few that were proficient in Sith alchemy and sorcery, training the next generation of Sith sorcerers that would bring death to Jedi across the galaxy and provide Force based support for the Sith armies in combat.
Voren was likewise working on the next generation of Sith marauders, drilling them in lightsaber combat, teaching them everything he had learned at the feet of Darth Revan, ensuring they would be a whirlwind of destruction to all their opponents.
Last was Glovoc, the tactician from Revan's Sith Empire and the Revanchists before that, who was looking over star charts, pouring over information on the numbers of troops they had, the ships they had, the resources, the locations of bases, and the list of allies.
Omega was proud of the army that was being created. Sure, the droids numbered in the millions, and would eventually be in the billions and then trillions if needed, but even the Sith cultists numbered roughly five hundred thousand strong, with nearly seven hundred being force sensitive. While some of them were quite weak, the dark side of the Force would give them strength. The Jedi were weak, and despite their numbers, would fall to the better trained and more powerful Sith acolytes and Lords when it was time. Everything his father had dreamed of would come to pass . . . the Jedi would fall and the Sith would rise.
"I felt it in the Force," Glovoc said, and Omega stifled a shiver, knowing the power of the man speaking to him. "You have succeeded in killing a very powerful Jedi."
"Yes, my lord," Omega said. "The Jedi Master Yaddle is dead."
"As are the five Black Knights that fought the Jedi while you ran," Nox remarked, making his way to them.
"They wished to fight the Jedi . . . they wished to get revenge on Yoda for their ancestors," Omega said.
"Indeed they did," Nox agreed. "They were fools, but still, it was a rather expensive escape plan, losing half your fleet and five prospective Sith warriors. More 'escape plans' like that and we'll lose the war before it even starts."
"Understood, my lord," Omega said swiftly. "It won't happen again. Next time, I will kill the Jedi or leave on my own merits."
"We'll see," Nox remarked, and Omega internally cursed not being able to see the man's face. "The Jedi rallied a larger force to counter your actions than I had believed they would."
"Yes, I warned you that the Mandalorians and Jedi had joined forces," Omega said.
"You did," Nox conceded. "Still, the Mandalorian systems get stronger by the day, and it is clear that at least some of them are working directly for the Jedi, despite the publicly simple agreement between the Order and the Mandalorian government. I suspect there is more to their alliance than we know."
"As far as I can gather, they work directly for the Jedi, Kastor Shan," Omega said.
"The blood of Revan runs strong," Glovoc remarked and Voren nodded, while Nox nodded slowly. "He was wise to make them allies before we could use them."
"He was a formidable opponent back during the Great Galactic War, and I can only assume he has grown more powerful. Yes, he will be a problem for us," Nox said thoughtfully. "If we can kill him, the Mandalorians may break from the Order."
"Like all Jedi, his compassion and his attachments are his weakness," Omega said eagerly. "We can target those he's closest to, the nomadic Jedi Fay, Kenobi, Tachi, and their Padawans."
"That is certainly what you want us to do," Nox remarked, rather coldly. "Perhaps you are right, but perhaps you are too close to the problem."
"Perhaps you are correct, my lord," Omega conceded hesitantly.
"The idea has merit though," Voren said. "It was Revan's attachments that gave him such strength. Going after those that this Shan cares for might crush him, or it might convert him. He could be a powerful ally."
"While I don't disagree that he could be a powerful ally," Nox said, "I know the idea is fruitless. Shan cannot be turned. I slaughtered his Padawan in front of him as well as several of his friends, and he still didn't give in to his rage. I almost killed his wife too. That was the closest I managed, and perhaps if I could have killed her, he would have fallen, but he'll have learned since then. After all, all he cared for are long gone. He'll have learned to accept loss better than most. No, turning him is not possible, nor is targeting those he cares for the best way to get to him."
"Then what do you propose?" Noctyss asked snidely, approaching their informal meeting. "It seems you know this Jedi well, but it also seems to me that you respect him. Perhaps you are too close to the problem."
Omega felt the temperature drop to frigid temperatures.
"Perhaps, Lady Noctyss," Nox said coldly, "but taking a strong opponent lightly is a good way to find defeat. I'm not sure that Shan has a weakness we can exploit. He, like many of us, has outlived all he once knew. He might be an opponent we simply have to defeat on the battlefield, with superior strategy, greater numbers, or superior skill."
"Powerful Jedi have always existed, and there have always been opponents that can only be defeated in a similar manner," Glovoc said. "He'll be dealt with in tim -"
"My lords! My lords! We've found it!" one of the diggers came running up. "We've found the tomb!"
The four Sith exchanged glances, and Omega watched their calculating gazes assess each other. Adding more Sith to their army was crucial for battling the thousands of Jedi in the Order, but Sith didn't like having those that could and would challenge them around.
Finally, Glovoc motioned for the worker to lead them, and the five of them followed, Omega making sure to stay a little behind, not showing himself to be the equal of his lords and lady.
They followed the worker through the dig site and tunnels until finally they reached a doorway that led into a great room, one that made Omega's eyes widen in shock, for the room was filled . . . filled with thousands upon thousands of carbonite bodies waiting to be unfrozen.
"Impressive," Noctyss murmured. "To inspire such loyalty as to convince this many to be carbon frozen."
"If it is this Darth Rivan," Glovoc said, his scowl betraying what he thought of the poor imitation of Darth Revan, "then his ability to make these battlelords might be the answer."
The four Sith and Omega made their way down the center pathway that split the columns of Sith warriors. Soldiers were well organized with the carbon bodies having been placed in military precise order. As they got near the front of the large formation, they noticed four carbon bodies at the front, and even the rows and columns in front of the rows they were passing were slightly different. Smaller, but clearly separate. Omega stepped closer to one of the bodies and saw that the body was not wearing the patented Sith battle armor that the rest of the troopers they had passed were.
"Acolytes," Voren muttered. "I suspect we're going to find the mastermind behind this is a seer. They had to have known that a great army would be needed . . . and it would be after the Sith had nearly gone extinct."
"Let's clear away this mystery then," Glovoc said, moving up to the four frozen bodies at the front.
He moved to the first body, on the far left, seeing a plate carved into the side of the carbon machine.
"Darth Siberius," Glovoc read the ancient Sith language. "Not someone I've heard of."
He moved onto the next one.
"Darth Rivan," Glovoc said with a sneer. "You were right, Omega. He is here. Now, who are the other two?"
"Darth Augis," Voren read on the furthest right body. "Another one I'm unfamiliar with."
"The last one . . . the last one can be very useful, though I have to wonder how he of all people ended up here. These others, or at least Rivan were well after his time," Nox said. "This is a good find. If the rumors were true, this man may hold the key to destroying Kastor Shan. This might be exactly what we need."
"Who is he?" Noctyss asked.
"Darth Malgus," Nox said.
"I thought he was captured by the Jedi," Glovoc said, thinking through the history that Omega had gathered for them.
"He was, but his death was never confirmed," Nox confirmed. "I have to wonder how he got here and whether the Jedi did this to him or whether he voluntarily did this. Questions upon questions this tomb yields."
"Omega, continue to handle the various projects and schemes you have going across the galaxy and continue to build our fleet," Voren said, eyeing their four new Sith brethren. "I suspect we'll be busy for the foreseeable future."