AN: As always thanks for all the support, and I hope you all continue to enjoy the story. Special thanks to FractionalSith, Tracyn, and Dragomi125 for their help in beta reading the story and fixing my mistakes.
MaySail199 - Thanks! Your frequent and kind reviews always make my day. I'm happy to see you enjoyed the battles and were able to visualize them based on how I wrote them. I know they were quite chaotic. I sometimes write in quiet surroudings, if I'm writing a bit before bed, but otherwise I generally have some music or a movie or tv show on. Sometimes it's just something I'm watching, and other times I'll throw on something from various SW shows/movies to get some inspiration or to confirm details that I'm not completely sure I have right.
Chapter 62 - The Valley of the Dark Lords
The Jedi, Mandalorians, and Antarian Rangers moved through the path warily, knowing they were in prime territory to be ambushed, but also knowing the cliffs on both sides were dotted with caves that the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, could have ducked inside, so they knew they had to be watchful to ensure they didn't move past their foe.
The Jedi all tensed as the Dark Side seemed to rise and suddenly they were all dodging boulders crashing down from the cliffs. Some of them leaped to safety while others used the Force to shield themselves and their allies.
"Let me guess," Koba muttered darkly. "That was no accident."
"No," Kastor agreed slowly, "but I don't sense or see Sidious nearby either . . . he must be more powerful with the Force than even I thought, if he's manipulating boulders of that size from further ahead."
"Anything on your scanners?" Soara asked Koba, who shook his head.
"Nothing."
"Let's move," Obi-Wan said. "We now have a sign he came this way."
"And he's trying to thin the herd," Anakin muttered darkly.
They moved along the path, passing tunnels, and Kastor eyed a few warily but also a few with a hint of nostalgia that the rest of them couldn't understand. Finally though they made it to the mouth of the Valley of the Dark Lords, and their steps slowed as they looked out upon it.
They all felt the Dark Side come at them almost in a concentrated wave of power, almost like a physical presence against their chest. It made sense though. This was where the Lords of the Sith had built their tombs and monuments for a reason, and they had built them to amplify the Dark Side even further.
They seemed to be alone in the middle of a harsh landscape, and even the rocks and weather seemed to be warning them to stay away, with the sand sucking at their footsteps and the wind blowing them backwards. The air tasted rank and spoiled.
"I don't see that kriffing bastard anywhere," Kastor muttered. "Depending on how far ahead though . . . a little bit of Force enhanced running and some Force illusions . . . well we wouldn't see him."
Howls ripped through the air, and the Padawans tensed while the Knights all grimaced.
"What is that?" Tru asked nervously.
"Tuk'ata," Kastor answered grimly. "Sidious must have sent them."
"Tuk'ata?" Ferus asked.
"Sith Hounds," Siri answered solemnly.
"Creatures with rows of teeth, razor-sharp claws, and a spiny back and tail," Obi-Wan said. "Very fast."
"A Jedi managed to tame two," Kastor mentioned, in a conversational tone that didn't really belong with the situation. "Those two hounds on Vaklin scared the kriffing hell out of me . . . but they're friendly enough."
"Wouldn't we have heard about that?" Darra asked incredulously.
"It was centuries ago," Ry-Gaul said shortly. "They can live for centuries and just keep growing."
"Well that's not terrifying at all," Anakin murmured.
"Claws, teeth, spiny back, giant, and long-lived . . ." Darra summed up. "My favorite type of creature."
"Well, get ready to greet them," Kastor said, drawing his shoto blade and one of the Sith blades he'd taken, the red and white light contrasting ominously.
The rest of the Jedi quickly drew their blades and the Mandalorians and Rangers readied their blasters as the shadows formed into beasts that slowly rose, stretching their long necks and sniffing the air.
They reared up, their cries echoing through the valley and seeming to split the clouds open. There were an even dozen, with blood-tinged saliva dripping from their teeth. With a flex of their powerful legs, they leaped down from the ledges they had appeared on and made the drop to the Valley floor with ease.
"Alright, boys and girls, let 'em have it," Koba ordered with relish.
The Mandalorians and Rangers unloaded and three of the creatures screamed in pain while the rest roared in rage and moved forward at lightning speed. The Jedi all moved forward to intercept the creatures, as two of the creatures fell.
Master and Padawan teams fought together, each team focusing on two tuk'ata while Kastor and the fire team dealt with the remaining two. Anakin jumped towards the lead tuk'ata, intending to fell the best, when its claws swiped through the air. Anakin managed to cut at the beast's claw, intercepting the blow, but the force still threw Anakin back, even as the beast howled in pain and anger.
His master came in from the side, using Anakin's slight impatience to score a gruesome blow into the creature's neck, causing a slight gurgle before the creature slumped down. Obi-Wan quickly spun around, intercepting a blow from their second opponent, and Anakin used the distraction to jump onto the creature's back, and he buried his lightsaber into the middle of the creature's head, hearing only the sizzle and smelling the smoke before the creature fell dead.
Anakin glanced around, seeing that Kastor was a whirlwind of spinning blades, leaving non-fatal, but damaging strikes on his two tuk'ata, which were canalizing the creatures into focusing on him, and hindering their mobility, allowing for Koba and his people to start unloading careful aimed shots which quickly dropped both beasts.
Tru and Ry-Gaul were dancing about each other, striking at their opponents whenever each creature would jump forward to attack one of them. A tuk'ata would go for Tru, but it was Ry-Gaul who would push forward and land a strike, and vice-versa.
Soara and Darra had their opponents well in hand, their flowing and speedy teamwork having put the two tuk'ata on their hindlegs and unable to properly counter once wounded.
Siri and Ferus were performing much like Obi-Wan and Siri had back in the academy with Ferus setting up Siri for a critical strike, and then she was taking the brunt of the counterattack so that Ferus had an opening. The strategy had already killed one of their tuk'ata and the last one was badly injured and soon to be finished off by a volley of shots from Koba.
Anakin joined his master as they went and helped Ry-Gaul and Tru finish off their two tuk'ata, and soon all around them were only the sounds of dying tuk'ata, with the vast majority being dead.
"That wasn't too bad," Anakin remarked.
"That was a small pack, and they were rather young," Kastor said warningly. "Do not underestimate tuk'ata. Like vornskrs, they were basically made to hunt down Jedi."
Anakin nodded, chastised.
The Jedi moved firmly into the valley noting the mausoleums and tombs on the side of the valley. Hewn from slabs of the mountain, polished by slaves, and then battered by the elements over hundreds of years, they were enormous, high and wide, with columns and turrets. Mammoth statues, similar to those they'd seen in the landing hangar, posed like guards outside the tombs. On the cliff summits, ancient statues of horrible creatures perched, appearing ready to strike. It was a valley designed to strike fear into every heart.
They quickly made their way to where the Ebon Hawk, all three Gauntlets, and Sidious's confiscated cruiser had landed. The surviving and still fit for duty members of all three platoons had formed a perimeter, though the platoon that had gone to help the Ebon Hawk was at near full strength.
"Nearly every one of these thrice-cursed tombs has readings of life within," Njonne briefed without preamble as they approached. "We found Omega's speeder, near the tombs closest to where you came in from, but of course that could have just been a plant."
"We already seized the speeder and it's been stored in that cruiser we acquired," Ranger Nonor Delste added.
"Did you see a cloaked figure come by?" Obi-Wan asked.
Delste shook his head negatively.
"Any ships or speeders?"
"None," Delste said, and the Jedi frowned.
"Sidious is here," Kastor said softly. "I'm sure of it. We're not the only ones that can move unseen."
"We'll have to search every tomb," Soara said.
"Oh, good," Darra breathed under her breath.
"So, which tomb do we start with?" Anakin asked grimly.
"We should probably start with the ones closest to where Omega and Zan Arbor parked," Obi-Wan said. "While it is possible Omega left the speeder there as a plant, I suspect that he wanted the speeder closer to wherever he and Zan Arbor would be going to help with the speed of their movement."
"I agree," Siri said. "This place is dangerous for us, but for them as well. The Sith might be at home here, but Omega doesn't have the Force. He'll want to tread carefully, even if he resents that truth. Zan Arbor too."
"We don't have time for any half measures," Kastor said, shaking his head. "Everyone, concentrate . . . focus with the Force and reach out . . . trust in the Force, and it will lead us to our quarry. Even on a world like Korriban."
They all did as directed, tuning into the Force, letting the light surge in their small little pocket on the desolate world. They melded their senses and reached out, before they all felt Obi-Wan make a weak connection to Omega, almost like a drop on a radar or sonar. They all focused their efforts on him as the focal point, and Obi-Wan reached out and pointed at a tomb, the third one in line from the Academy entrance to the Valley.
"The tomb of Naga Sadow," Kastor said with distaste. "Be very careful, and watch where you move. That tomb is littered with traps, among other things."
The rest of the Jedi nodded and started to head that way when the whispers started picking up – low, guttural, and insistent.
"They are waking," Ry-Gaul murmured.
"They know we're here," Siri agreed softly.
The dead Sith Lords, slumbering inside the huge stone mausoleums, had felt the Jedi's presence. The dark energy poured out of the tombs. Anakin could taste it all, anger and cruelty and pain.
Kastor signaled, and another dozen Mandalorians and Antarian Rangers joined their party moving towards the tomb, with the rest maintaining the perimeter and readying the ships for a speedy departure.
They entered the dark tomb, and the air smelled of decay. Everywhere they looked were decaying tombs, bodies wrapped in shrouds, and crumbling walls. They moved slowly down the winding path, their lightsabers providing enough light to see the pictographs on the walls, which described massacres and other deeds of the ancient Sith.
Join us darkness conquer dominance glory . . .
Anakin saw one of the shrouds rise. The layers of gray, shredding rags fell away. He gasped in shock. It was his mother, Shmi.
"Annie," she called. "Annie."
"Mother." The word was wrenched out of his throat, pure longing pulling it forth.
He had longed to see her, had dreamed of it. The Jedi kept her from him. The Jedi were the ones . . .
"Anakin!" called Obi-Wan sharply. "Focus! It's a vision! Don't let it have power!"
Anakin swallowed, and he felt Kastor's presence force the vision away, leaving a shroud back in the crypt. He gazed around embarrassed, and found pity and support.
"Focus on the here and now," Obi-Wan spoke softly, and Anakin took a breath.
The Dark Side surged and visions started appearing for all of them, Jedi, Mandalorian and Antarian Ranger alike. Sith Lords rose and walked toward them, their mouths gaping, their hands grasping, and then disintegrated onto them with foul smells and tastes.
"Ignore them," Kastsor said with a scowl. "They have no power. Just ghosts too cowardly to find peace . . . too flawed to admit they chose poorly in life."
The Jedi and their comrades walked on, through the corpse visions, through the whispers, through the taunts.
You are blind and you are fools and you understand nothing . . .
The Dark Side of the Force was like a thick curtain Anakin couldn't draw aside. It got in his mouth and eyes and felt as though it could slow his hands, stop his legs.
The Dark Side was pushed back in a surge of energy from Kastor, with Obi-Wan, Siri, Ry-Gaul, and Soara melding to enhance Kastor's efforts. Anakin breathed a little easier and kept moving on. They had to reach the end.
Visions continued to dance along . . . Sith ghosts . . . illusions of creatures leaping from the walls which made Tru flinch, Ferus shuffle back into a defensive stance, and Darra take a swing that passed through the creatures harmlessly.
Obi-Wan held up a hand. "Stop. Energy trap."
Anakin could see nothing, and he saw his confusion reflected on the other Padawan's faces.
"I don't see anything," Ferus said.
"Nothing on the scanners either," Ranger Coria Daruss said with a frown.
"The Force can cloud even sensors," Soara said.
"Padawans, look away, then look back and use the Force," Siri instructed.
The four looked away, and then looked back, and Anakin caught it. The faintest shimmer of purple in the air. It appeared and disappeared. You could miss it if you blinked.
"I see it . . ." Darra whispered, sounding both horrified and impressed.
"There will be more," Obi-Wan warned. "Stay close to your Masters."
"And everyone else, pick a Jedi pair to stay close to," Koba ordered.
They moved forward, avoiding the trap.
The chuckle split the fetid air.
"I would expect no less of you, Obi-Wan."
The voice came out of nowhere. Mocking. Granta Omega.
*The Will of the Force*
"Our shields won't hold much longer!" One of Captain Lohmata's staff exclaimed.
"As you can see, we're at our breaking point," Kylah Lohmata said much more calmly.
"Understood," Asuna said thoughtfully. "Captain, I think you should abandon ship. Put all remaining power to the shields and the escape pod systems. The shields should buy your people enough time to evacuate."
"Would you evacuate your vessel?" Lohmata asked with a cool tone and a raised eyebrow.
"If it allows me to fight another day and eventually avenge my vessel, then yes," Asuna answered firmly. "This battle isn't over. Don't quit on me now, Lohmata."
Lohmata's lips twitched towards a wan smile and she nodded slightly.
"We will do as you advise. Prepare your vessels for our pods."
Asuna looked over at Des, who nodded and already started making the necessary orders. The communication cut off, with Lohmata starting to make her own orders, and Asuna turned back to the battlefield.
The left flank was the most fluid to change, with the potential for victory and loss shifting with every passing moment. There was only one Mandalorian cruiser still in combat, the other one slowly drifting away, small explosions still ripping through it. It was only a matter of time before it was completely ripped apart. One of the Crusader corvettes had also been destroyed, leaving just one escort craft to try and destroy the waves of fighters and bombers. The remaining Mandalorian Cruiser and the lone Diamond frigate were both weathering assaults from the Bakura destroyer, which was the lone surviving large craft on the Sith side. Their last DP20 gunship had been destroyed around the same time that the Crusader corvette was.
Almost half of the Sith fighters were concentrated on the left flank, with the Task Force having three half strength squadrons to try and contend . . . a majority of the remaining allied fighters, mostly Fang-fighters with a smattering of Republic Cloakshapes. Thankfully the Sith had lost their Federation bombers on that flank, even if they had taken down the Mandalorian cruiser and Crusader corvette with them.
"We need that right flank to collapse so that cruiser, frigate, and corvette can push through to destroy the Sith rear, and envelop the center," Asuna murmured. "Have those three fighter squadrons cover Basilisk, Charlie, and Delta squadrons. Order those three bomber squadrons to make a run on that Bakuran destroyer."
Asuna turned to the right flank, which was basically in a stalemate. The Sith had their one surviving Bulwark battlecruiser and a full squadron of Scarab fighters. The Task Force was down to only two A-6 Interceptors surviving, the Centax-class heavy frigate which was still exchanging a fierce barrage with the Bulwak, and one Consular corvette, which was trying to work with the Interceptors to remove the remaining Scarabs.
At this point, Asuna would be content if they were just able to sustain the skirmish, and prevent the Bulwark or those starfighters from reinforcing either of the other lines of effort.
"They're gunning for the escape pods!" Rhys's voice came through the comms. "All Reapers, target those Vultures and protect those pods. While they're not gunning for us, we can bring down their numbers."
Asuna turned to focus on the problem area of the battle space – the center engagement area. As she was looking at Rhys's seven pilots trying to whittle down 30 enemy Vulture droids, Lohmata's Invincible-class dreadnaught started exploding.
Asuna grimaced.
The Darasuum, the Mandalorian Keldabe battlecruiser, one Hornet carrier, one Crusader corvette, and two DP20 gunships were all that now stood against the enemy Invincible-class dreadnaught, their Sith Interdictor, and two Wavecrest-class frigates. Asuna couldn't even really celebrate the destruction of the enemy Bayonet light cruisers and their CR70 corvette, since the dreadnought they lost had been much more valuable.
"Al'verde, the bombers are making their run!"
Asuna turned her attention to where Basilisk was coming in from below the Bakuran destroyer, while the PTB bombers went from above to strike at the bridge.
One of the Fang-fighter squadrons (Mudhorn) had already been decimated while covering Basilisk's attack run, but they had managed to wipe out the last of the Vulture droids with their efforts, and the remaining Fang fighters (Sabre) and the Cloakshapes, supported by the Crusader corvette, were working to decimate the large number of Scarabs, who were slow, outdated, and outmatched in comparison, despite their superior numbers.
The Mandalorian cruiser and the Diamond frigate were pushing forward aggressively, adding their efforts to decimate the fighters, knowing this was the end of the Bakuran destroyer.
"The enemy's right flank has collapsed!" The confirmation came in from Vana as the Bakuran destroyer started to explode.
"Have that cruiser and that frigate push into the rear, supported by the bombers," Asuna ordered. "Have the fighters and that corvette focus their efforts on decimating those Scarabs. I want them gone. Then they can reinforce our position."
"Al'verde! We lost Alpha Squadron!"
Asuna swore, glancing back at the right flank, seeing that Alpha Squadron had indeed been decimated, with seven enemy Scarabs still remaining.
"The right flank will do what it can," Asuna said. "We need to either decimate their center or hold out long enough to retreat. We can't afford to help them. Stay on course for all orders."
She glanced back to the Sith rear, feeling grim justice to see the enemy supply ship and their remaining carrier barely holding on against the assault, with their end drawing near as the bombers approached . . . Asuna's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Order Vana to cede control of her squadron to her second in command. Have her move to reinforce the right flank. Seven measly Scarabs will hardly be a challenge. Then she can redivert to take command again."
Asuna smiled darkly watching the enemy carrier and supply ship go up in flames, with the Sith unable to do anything since their fighters had been spread so thin and were entirely in Task Force airspace, having swarmed.
"Contacts coming out of hyperspace!"
Asuna turned her focus to where three large capital ships and five escort frigates were coming out of hyperspace. She looked at them and realized that they were three Sabaoth-class destroyers along with five Sabaoth-class frigates.
"The command ship's callsign is the Reaver."
"Toth," Des spat the name almost like a curse word.
"The Republic certainly isn't footing the bill nor would they tolerate Cavik Toth," Asuna agreed. "Tell Kas to hurry his ass up . . . I think we just ran out of time."
*The Will of the Force*
Slowly, Omega walked out from behind a tomb, just meters ahead. He tapped a finger on his utility belt. "Did you really think you could avoid a few traps and catch me?"
"Get back here, you fool," Zan Arbor hissed, appearing behind him out of the darkness. "Why must you always talk to him?" In her blue shimmersilk, she looked as well-kept as ever, her blond hair piled in a profusion of neat braids on her head.
"Because I'm enjoying myself," Omega said. His handsome face creased in a wide smile. He appeared utterly at home in the terrible tomb.
Koba was among the Ranger-Mando group to level their blasters at the pair, and Zan Arbor's eyes narrowed, while Omega didn't even react. If Obi-Wan looked closely, he could almost see madness in Omega's eyes.
"Surrender, or we'll shoot, hut'uun," Koba ordered with a steely tone. "I'm done chasing you around the galaxy. Dead or alive, you're coming with us."
"Well, well, the creature can speak," Omega said, looking dismissively at the large and intimidating Mandalorian.
Koba completely ignores the insult. His subordinates don't, their fingers on the triggers of their weapons, itching to squeeze.
"Granta, let's go," Zan Arbor said, eyeing the Mandalorians warily. "He'll take care of the Jedi — he promised us that. He's about to give us everything we worked for. Resources. Secrets of the galaxy. Wealth. An army of our own, Granta!"
"I have an army!" Omega spat back. "He's already provided me with one!" Omega turned back to the Jedi and their allies. "He has given me his power! I'm invincible now, you see. I fight with the power of the Sith behind me. And that means I can watch you die, Obi-Wan. You, your pathetic wife, your apprentice, the other inconsequential Jedi, and all these nameless mercenaries. I can't wait! Do you want to follow me back there, or are you too afraid to finally meet your defeat?"
"You are not a Sith!" Zan Arbor exclaimed in exasperation.
"Sidious has shared nothing with you," Kastor said. "It's all a lie."
"Really?" Omega said mockingly, and then they came from behind him – Korriban zombies, revived, likely by Darth Sidious. They were careening with an odd, horrifying, lurching gait, with a terrible scream echoing from their mouths and the stench of rotting flesh arriving before them.
Omega raised his KYD-21 blaster and fired at Obi-Wan who deflected shots, as the Mandalorians and Antarian Rangers started firing at the zombies, who started coming from multiple directions, waving blasters and firing widely. The Jedi all stood their ground to meet the first wave of zombies, knowing they were stronger than the living, even if they were little more than a sorcerer's trick from long ago. They were gruesome, but merely an obstacle, nothing more.
Then darkness came alive again: ghostly Sith Lords, mighty in their armor, terrifying with their decaying, bloodied faces. They appeared along with other visions that rushed the Jedi only to disappear in a shower of splintered shadow when they struck or were struck.
It was sheer pandemonium, and Obi-Wan almost missed it when his Padawan fell. Obi-Wan turned back, seeing Anakin looking in horror, once again, at the dead and haunted vision of Shmi Skywalker. Obi-Wan used the Force to banish the vision as his Padawan moved to stand up shakily, showing he would overcome the vision, but not in enough time for Obi-Wan's liking.
All around, Obi-Wan could feel Jedi starting to lose their focus, the Dark Side working to distract and disorient them, corrupt them, or kill them.
"There!" Anakin exclaimed, and Obi-Wan turned to see Omega, Zan Arbor, and Sidious making their way out towards the exit to the tomb, somehow managing to get behind them all. Obi-Wan could only assume they knew some other path.
Anakin and Darra leapt forward to intercept.
"No!" Obi-Wan and Soara called out, but it was too late as the Sith turned and purple Force lightning flew from his hands striking both Padawans who screamed in pain.
Kastor rushed forward recklessly, taking a blaster shot to his shoulder and a scratch to his side from a zombie, but he managed to put himself in front of the lightning, taking it away from the Padawans, who both dropped the ground twitching. Kastor let out a groan of pain as he raised his hand gathering the Force and started blocking the Force lightning.
The Sith turned to leave with Zan Arbor, canceling the lightning, and Kastor slumped to the floor. Omega was laughing wildly, taking aim and firing precise shots down at Obi-Wan and his allies. Obi-Wan watched a Mandalorian take a shot in the side, where his armor wasn't protecting and he dropped.
A retaliatory shot flew past Omega and hit Zan Arbor in the back and she gasped, and the Sith paused for a moment. Obi-Wan turned to see Ranger Arlon Kale having pulled the trigger, and he turned back to see the Sith move on effortlessly as Zan Arbor fell to the ground, her arms weakly raised, asking for the help she would not receive.
Obi-Wan focused on Omega, who had gathered some zombie thralls, and was blocking the exit and the path to the Sith. He moved forward, blocking the shots coming his way, while the other Jedi helped to shield the downed Padawans and the Rangers and Mandalorians from the zombies that were getting too close.
He blocked the shots from Omega and the zombies, using enhanced speed to keep up with the volleys coming from Omega's blaster while assisted by the less accurate zombies.
Control rule supremacy greatness . . . Power rules by results . . .
Obi-Wan ignored the voices, pushing forward, but then the Sith visions went for the kill shot . . . and he appeared.
Obi-Wan continued to move forward when suddenly Qui-Gon appeared in front of him, blocking his path, a gaping wound in his chest from where Darth Maul had mortally struck him.
"You were always so afraid of disappointing me," Qui-Gon said. "And you have."
Obi-Wan paused in his forward movements, his momentum halted, but then he took a breath, thinking of how far he had come, and he continued forward, hearing Qui-Gon's real voice . . . warm and kind.
'You have everything you need, my Padawan.'
He continued to deflect shots, walking steadily past the hissing and snarling Sith Lords, and Omega's thralls ran for him, and he switched from his defensive Form III to Form V and used strength to swiftly cut through his opponents.
"I thought you had the Sith's help, Granta?" Obi-Wan said, shouting over the blaster fire. "Yet, I find you alone."
"I am to be a Sith! He has not abandoned me!"
"I'm afraid he did," Obi-Wan said solemnly, and he deflected a shot back that Omega wasn't able to dodge, and blew through his chest, and his eyes widened in shock and horror as he fell back from the power of the blast.
Obi-Wan moved forward, seeing his foe gasping, but his teeth in a gruesome smile. He looked satisfied. "I know . . . who he is . . . you will wish . . . you did."
Obi-Wan moved forward to try and take the information from the dying man's mind when he noticed Omega's hands loosening around a detonator. Obi-Wan used the Force to swiftly throw himself back as the detonator went off, and Obi-Wan was only able to partially shield himself as he was thrown into the tomb's walls and he crashed to the floor.
Obi-Wan groaned as he shakily made his way to his feet, seeing the rest of his allies and fellow Jedi fighting hard to move to him, a few carrying the casualties they had taken.
"Everyone out! Move!" Kastor ordered, and they all fought tooth and nail to leave the tomb, and just as they were reaching the exit, the zombies seemed to lose their power and pull away.
"Sidious is gone," Obi-Wan said, huffing, and Kastor nodded.
"We might be able to catch him if –"
"Kas, it's Asuna. We're out of time. A new player just dropped out of hyperspace. Cavik Toth's merc group, Sabaoth Squadron, is here and they're not on anyone's side. You need to get back to the fleet now or we'll all be destroyed!"
Obi-Wan watched his mentor and friend's face twist in disappointment and pain before acceptance took over and he nodded.
"Get the wounded to the ships," Kastor ordered. "We need to get out of here! We live to fight another day . . . and so does Sidious."
*The Will of the Force*
"The Ebon Hawk and the other transports will be back in two minutes."
"Two minutes is a long time," Asuna muttered, as she eyed Sabaoth Squadron's forces.
"Lieutenant, keep all power on your shields and engines," Kylah Lohmata ordered to her surviving ships. "We need to regroup and prepare for the jump."
Cavik Toth's squadron had come to send a message . . . a message to both the Sith and the Republic. That message had started with the right flank being destroyed . . . for both fleets. The Centax heavy frigate and its Consular corvette escort had been decimated along with the Sith Bulwark and the remaining Scarabs.
Then it had mostly left the Sith alone, instead choosing to target Asuna's enveloping units, destroying the last Diamond frigate, and forcing the rest of the fleet to scatter and have to push back to the right to use the Sith fleet as a sort of shield.
"Keep moving," Asuna muttered, glancing at their approaching comrades, who had enemy fighters working to intercept, while she also glanced at the statuses of her remaining ships.
The seconds ticked by and finally she looked to see the Ebon Hawk, the three Kom'rks, and the confiscated cruiser all making it through the hail of turbolaser fire being exchanged between the Sith, Toth, and the Republic Task Force.
"Alright, get us out of here," Asuna said, grimacing as one of the Crusader corvettes engines blew and then the ship went with it.
She could only sigh in relief that the battle was over as the remainder of the fleet made the jump to safety . . . and she hoped the battle had been worth all the loss.
*The Will of the Force*
Glovoc stared at the opposing fleet in his viewscreen calmly and calculatingly.
The Jedi, Republic, and Mandalorian forces had departed hours ago now. That battle had been more costly than he'd hoped, but the losses had been anticipated. The Jedi had competent fleet commanders, and someone strong in the Force and skilled in the art of battle meditation. The Republic and Mandalorians had shown greater cooperability than he'd expected, and the droid starfighters had performed suboptimally to Glovoc's expectations. They were better than the droids from back in Glovoc's era, that was true, but they still did not match up against skilled pilots. Having strength in numbers was hardly a tactical advantage if your forces were ill equipped to handle more skilled opponents.
The Sith Lord took note of his remaining forces. His own Dying Sun was unharmed. He still had the one Invincible-class dreadnought, both Wavecrest-class frigates, and roughly fifty droid starfighters: a mixture of Scarabs and Vulture droids.
They were outnumbered when compared to the three enemy destroyers and their five frigates, but scans suggested that their fighter complement was small, perhaps only three squadrons in total, and Glovoc's two capital ships had enough firepower to keep up with the three enemy destroyers. If he took a page from the previous battle and had his four ships target the enemy frigates, they could turn the battle in their favor, especially with battle meditation.
However, as soon as the Republic Task Force had left the system, the new fleet had ceased hostilities, allowing Glovoc to regather his forces to mount a defense as needed. Then the communication had come . . . one he'd expected to happen, but had hoped to prevent.
"Master, Darth Malgus's ships are coming out of hyperspace."
Glovoc nodded. "Understood, Lord Voren."
He glanced at the display seeing one Harrower-class dreadnought appearing in the system along with two Sith Interdictor destroyers, two Hapan Battle Dragons, and four Hapan Beta cruisers.
This was the start of their true fleet, which would grow and eventually conquer the galaxy. It did not rely on the "generosity" and "aid" of Granta Omega and his partners, nor did it rely on greedy corporations that had ties to the Republic or the new Confederacy. It was small, and Glovoc had hoped to not bring it into play so soon, but they'd all been prepared for this. Darth Sidious had survived, that much he was sure of due to the Force . . . and now it was time to combine the two Sith groups' plans . . . or at least as much as Sith could.
Glovoc held no delusions. He suspected Sidious would do his best to destroy them all should he get the chance, but he also knew that nearly every one of his allies in the Empire would do the same, if they could conquer the galaxy and remove the Jedi at the same time.
From what little they'd gleaned, both from Omega's theories, meditating in the Force for answers, and their own contacts that they had cultivated, the New Sith Empire was confident that the Banite Sith were largely, if not wholly responsible, for the so-called Confederacy of Independent Systems. With the Confederacy being set against the Republic and the Jedi, it was natural for the Empire to form an alliance with them. However, with their Empire just now rising, they could not risk putting themselves in debt to the Confederacy too much, thus giving too much power and opportunity to Sidious and his pawns.
Their Empire had the benefit of being mostly planets that had remained outside of the Republic's influence, and thus had no real loyalty. However, many of them were also undeveloped.
While the Sith worked to correct this deficiency, their enemies grew stronger. Omega, of course, had been more than happy to point them in the direction of his Confederate allies, to help create deals for purchases of ships and droids, but Glovoc and his fellow members of the Dark Council knew they needed an untapped source that didn't belong to these Banite Sith. They needed allies who could stand alone against most forces, but could be forced to kneel to the Sith. Allies who would bow to the Sith out of fear, but also out of a willingness to serve in order to gain power, wealth, and prestige.
There were few such allies to choose from.
Of course entities like the Hutts or many of the other large criminal syndicates were options for allies, even if fear and treachery would be a large part of their alliance. There were well-developed planets and systems in the Outer Rim that weren't strong enough to oppose the Republic on their own, but could be gathered together under the rule of the Sith, but it wasn't perfect. They needed something . . . more.
Then the Force answered them.
The Force had led them to the Hapes Consortium. The Hapans had been isolationist and very secluded for thousands of years after the Jedi Order had crushed their pirate ancestors, and a matriarchal society had been established. They'd then isolated themselves from the greater galaxy and started colonizing and conquering the other nearby secluded systems in the Hapes Cluster. Over time, they'd crushed those who tried to break away and establish their own governments or who seeked to return to trade with the greater galaxy.
The Sith Empire had sent agents in and ascertained that the Hapans had large armadas and armies. They had a well-developed and successful economic society, and they had large production yards and training academies capable of sustaining a war, especially with what the Sith hoped to be able to produce from their own worlds.
That didn't include the CIS and other potential allies. The expansionist dictatorial society was just what they needed when they also were able to compare the Hapes Cluster's technology and realized that they were nearly 700 years behind in technological developments.
The large armadas could be a boon against the Republic, but the technological gap would eventually spell doom for them . . . unless the Sith intervened.
So they did.
They pulled their resources and showed force, and made the Great Mother cower, surrounded by her dead guards and supporters, and then they promised power, giving the Hapans access to modern technology. They also gave them old Sith Empire ship designs that they'd recovered, and had their own engineers work with the Hapans to modify and adjust the older designs to modern improvements.
Glovoc's own Dying Sun was one example. The Sith Interdictors were larger than they had been during their first creation, with larger hangars and more armaments. The Harrower dreadnought was likewise improved. Even now, Hapan shipyards were working to modernize the Hapan armada while building the new Sith armada.
Still, they were weak. They had to focus on defensive fleets for their territory, and they had little to fight a war yet. It had been risky betting much on this assault on Korriban, but the opportunity had been too great to ignore. A chance to reclaim the last Sith holy world from the jaws of the Jedi was politically of great value.
The military defeat alone would help be a show of strength that would cause new recruits to flock to them . . . and of course it had been a chance to test Sidious. If they were successful, the Banite Sith would have been dealt a devastating loss and the Sith Empire could consider them of little consequence, them not having the strength to be of value.
Now though . . . Sidious had survived and passed the test.
"Our ship is waiting, Master."
"Then let us join our brethren on the surface," Glovoc said, and he followed Voren down to the hangar where a squad of troopers and four Marauders were awaiting them.
It was a quiet flight to the surface, none daring to interrupt his thoughts, and finally they landed just outside of the old Sith academy. Glovoc led his apprentice and former friend, and their contingent into the Academy, finding the others already waiting.
Rivan, Malgus and his apprentice Augis, Nox, Noctyss, and Siberus were gathered in the large room, looking at a tomb and statue that had been planted over the path to the old sacrificial chamber. Around the chamber were small groups of troopers and Sith acolytes. Glovoc glanced at the statue, seeing a strong Sith warrior clad in armor.
"The founder of my line." A cold voice rang out through the darkness. "The great Darth Bane. The one hailed as the Sith'ari."
Glovoc was among those who turned towards where two figures moved out from behind a set of pillars. Mercenaries, among them the rumored Sun Guard, Sith cultists, and other robed warriors soon followed, fanning out. Glovoc ignored the underlings, focusing on the two who were radiating power.
The leader was hooded and wearing dark Sith robes, his face mostly hidden. Certainly not the first Sith to want to hide his identity, but that he did so here was telling, in Glovoc's opinion. It meant that even among Sith who were still unfamiliar with the modern galaxy, there was a chance they would recognize him.
Useful for later, perhaps . . .
The second man was openly showing his face. He was an older man that had an aristocratic air about him. His hair was all white, trimmed short, with a well maintained beard. He walked with the grace of a dancer, standing just a few paces back in the position of an apprentice. Glovoc had no difficulty recognizing Count Dooku, the leader of the Separatist movement.
"You are foolish to come here so openly, Lord Sidious," Siberus said coldly.
"Am I?" Sidious responded with amusement.
Glovoc heard clicking, and he frowned, feeling the Force flowing as suddenly something dropped down onto two of the acolytes near the entrance they had walked in. Glovoc kept his focus on Sidious and Dooku, as did Rivan, Nox, and Malgus, but Voren, Noctyss, and Siberus turned around, their lightsabers igniting.
Glovoc used the Force and his peripherals to observe some pale metal monstrosity ignite the lightsabers of the two fallen Acolytes and swiftly engage the four Marauders that rushed to dispatch the assailant.
Glovoc could feel some life coming from the attacker, so he could only judge the monster to be some sort of cyborg. The mask shape niggled in the back of his mind . . . A Kaleesh?
The cyborg attacked with ferocity and speed, cutting down two of its Sith opponents swiftly before its leg came up, grabbed one of the remaining Marauder's head crushing it and then it stomped the man's head into ground. It laughed malevolently before the monster's arms spun and it moved forward overwhelming that last Marauder who barely had time to scream in fury and fear before he was cut in half.
All around, the remaining Sith Acolytes, Assassins, and Marauders drew their lightsabers, warily regarding the monstrosity as well as the other robed figures. Troopers had their weapons aimed deliberately at specific targets.
Malgus held up a hand, silently ordering their underlings to stand down.
"Further death and conflict will be pointless," Malgus said, crossing his arms, looking unconcerned.
"I agree," Dooku said curtly. "There is no need for conflict between factions of the Sith . . . at least not now. At this time, our goals are aligned."
"The destruction of the Jedi Order and the Republic," Nox stated. He clasps his hands behind his back as he stared at the hooded Banite Sith, ignoring the Kaleesh cyborg and the fallen former Jedi count. "You wish for us to be equal partners, but why should we entertain this idea? Treachery is the way of the Sith. We would be fools to be too closely aligned to your goals."
"The Jedi are too many," Sidious said blithely. "We must work together if we wish to prevent our destruction and match their numbers on the field of battle."
"Even with our aid, we can't hope to match the Jedi Order's sheer numbers," Rivan said. "Your droid armies and our growing forces can overwhelm the Republic's forces and even the Jedi, but what then? For now, the Jedi help keep you in check."
"The modern Jedi are more cunning and devious than you realize," Dooku said smoothly. "Even now they work to grow their forces to match you and eventually us. They must be destroyed, and we must align under our plan to do so."
"Then what assurances can you give us to remove the imbalance of power?" Glovoc asked calmly.
Sidious's smile could be seen, even if the rest of his face was hidden.
"I can tell you where you may find a Sith civilization with warriors eager to join your cause . . . Just as I can help your Empire grow strong enough to oppose the Republic on your own. And that is but the least of that which can be provided to you."
Malgus stared coolly. "We are listening."
"One of Granta Omega's desperate ploys bore fruit," Dooku informed succinctly. "We tracked a Sith Meditation Sphere that he lost. It managed to find an uncharted world called Kesh, where a lost tribe of Sith have apparently settled. Survivors of Lord Remulus Dreypa's band of Sith."
The gathered New Sith share a quick glance. This was new information where they were concerned. They were aware of Sith holdouts like Tund, but Kesh was a new development. An interesting card, for the Banite Sith to play. Assuming these Sith on Kesh truly were removed from the wider galaxy, then they truly were more likely to join the Sith Empire rather than the Banite Sith . . . this would make them stronger indeed, so why did the Banite offer this to them?
Malgus spoke up again, "How do you intend for us to proceed, should we agree on a partnership?"
"We would make it official. An open alliance between the New Sith Empire and the Confederacy of Independent Systems," Sidious stated. "Your forces will help the Separatist movement grow strong, and you will lead the armies when it is time for war. You are, naturally, better suited for military command than the Order of Bane. Though our Confederacy is not without its own commanders that will fall under you."
"Our war machines will enhance yours, as yours will aid ours, and together we will destroy the Jedi Order," Dooku said. "The Republic will fall and the Sith will once again rule the galaxy."
"Only then will we find who the true Lord of the Sith is," Sidious proclaimed.
Glovoc glanced at his fellow Sith, and they all knew that this was their first step onto the Banite Sith's playing board. Yes, they would play Sidious's games, and maintain the pretense of civility.
For now.
It was time to see just how devious the Banite Sith were . . . and whether their plans could be turned for the betterment of the New Sith Empire.