Ancient Sith and other monsters [1/2]

Part 1

Guest quarters

Mandalorian Embassy

Coruscant

"It's been a long time since I had the opportunity to kick back, relax and watch such an entertainment." I sighed and took a long pull from an iced bottle of Corellian Ale.

I had crashed on a comfortable couch in the living room of a small apartment meant for visiting Clan Leaders if they hadn't made other arrangements for their trip to Coruscant or government officials here on official business. The place was tastefully decorated – there was no clash between modern leather furniture, high tech communication gear and stands proudly displaying ancient weapons and armor. Holographic recreations of painting depicting moments of Mandalorian glory could be seen on most walls, making me feel nostalgic.

A monitor taking up most of the wall across the room displayed the news, which were frankly hilarious. A cute red head human woman was on, narrating a video of a protest near the Senate. I could clearly see beings from at least two dozen different species shouting questions and generally being rowdy. They were faced by a solid block of Coruscant Security guards, clad in heavy anti-riot gear. The first two ranks had shields and shock-batons, with those behind them armed with various crowd control devices – nets, foam grenades, low powered sonic blasters meant to only stun…

"This is merely the closest protest to the Senate building, which explains the extraordinary heavy presence of security force." The anchor – Halcyon explained. "By last count there were at least two hundred protests on Coruscant alone, many of which turned into full blown riots."

The image changed and I could see a riled up crowd throwing itself against a cordon of riot-troopers. They slammed into a locked shield wall then began to fall as shock-batons moved into a well drilled unison and slammed at the first line of the rioters. Electricity arched and bodies crumbled. Foam grenades arched above the heads of the shield bearers and detonated among the crowd. The fast expanding and almost instantly hardening substance stopped the forward momentum of the rioters, allowing the security agents to knock out the most eager or foolish of them and push the crowd back.

"What does the protesters want, Victoria?" An old Rodian asked.

"An explanation, Borsk. Most of the peaceful ones appear to be ordinary citizens concerned by what's been happening in the Senate in the past week. The removal of general Veil from his post in command of all Republic Field forces came in mere hours before our intelligence services revealed a report citing what naval construction the Separatists will complete and have available to use against us before the end of next month."

"That news certainly had me concerned, Victoria." The Rodian nodded sagely.

All those protests caught me off guard. While at least some were out there in support of Sylvaris and the Jedi, most people wanted me back in charge of the military so I could keep those dastardly Separatists out in the Outer Rim, where they couldn't cause trouble for the good people in the Core Worlds. No one put things in exactly those words, yet the Republic as a whole was far too calm as long as the fighting was mostly contained beyond the Inner Rim.

Attitude like that was a symptom of the problems that persuaded a huge percentage of the Outer Rim to support the Confederacy's bid for succession even if it meant war. The problem wasn't a new one – during the war between the Sith Empire and the Republic, the Coruscant did write off the outer territories after they either fell in our hands or were beyond the Old Republic's ability to properly supply and reinforce. Nowadays, those same worlds were much more developed and densely populated and they had more than enough of being considered second class citizens by many people and more importantly institution in the Republic.

"…Kenobi assumed the post vacated by general Veil. While our military analysts were pleased with that turn of events and despite the fact that it calmed down some of the people out there protesting, that decision remains controversial." The Rodian said. "Certain Senators, led by Liira Sylvaris opposed that choice and made a motion for general Kenobi to be immediately removed from the post. The Cathar Senator cited as a reason the fact that the former Jedi is a close personal friend of Mandalore and a Mandalorian himself. During an emergency session earlier today, she said that general Kenobi might act as little more than the voice of Mandalore and it would be unclear if he could keep the Republic's interests at heart. She repeated the accusations leveled by Jedi Masters Tiin and Piell against their former colleague..."

I had it on the best authority that the circus in the Senate hadn't really abated. Since he got his new job, Obi-Wan spent one morning and two afternoons answering questions about the Republic's readiness to meet and crush the expected Separatists offensive. When despite his best efforts Kenobi let it slip that it wasn't going to be possible to held on all territory we were supposed to be protecting, not before the Venators were ready, only made things worse.

When our contingency plans got ready and we presented a carefully edited version to the Committee overseeing the military, all hell was going to get lose. I was hoping to be away from Coruscant for the fallout. It was high time I tracked Zash and saw what bind she got herself in – more than a few vague but ominous dreams I had in the last few days pointed in that direction.

"We'll get back to the upheaval both here on Coruscant and across the Core in our evening program. Now, we're back to the trial that has the whole Republic watching with baited breath." Victoria beamed at the camera.

Officially, as a witness for the prosecution and Anakin's commanding officer at the time of his kriff up, I had nothing to do with the trial until I was summoned – which was scheduled for tomorrow. Unofficially, the reporters were useful for once and made sure I knew exactly what was happening. Just in case I had called a favor with my colleagues in Intelligence and they were feeding me reports on how the things were going with the tribunal – five generals and navy captains who were stuck on Coruscant for the time being and thus could be bothered to be tapped as a Jury.

At least the navy had it for Anakin for sure, which was troublesome. I would have to give quite the good speech in order to convince them that Skywalker's life would be better spent out on the battlefield instead rotting in jail or getting shot.

The picture changed again and this time I was seeing a court room. A camera caught Anakin's priceless expression as the full charges were read aloud. He looked half-stunned. The prosecution was throwing almost everything at him sans treason and cowardice in the face of the enemy.

The screen zoomed out to show the whole court room. It wasn't particularly impressive. In front was the Judge's stand with a nearby podium for witnesses. To the right sat the Jury – all looking properly grim in their parade uniforms. Then there were tow rows of benches for the prosecution, accused and defense, along with any interested parties that had the right to observe.

I saw Palpy's hand in making the trial public. Doing so achieved multiple goals for him. It obviously further isolated Anakin, making him into a pariah and thus an easier target for turning. I was sure Sidious wouldn't miss the opportunity to further tarnish the Jedi Order in the perception of the public and last and not the least, the trial was meant as a distraction from the circus happening in the Senate – and those were just the most obvious reason even if the last didn't pan out as well as the Chancellor might have hoped. I knew Palpy was busier than ever this last week.

The camera zoomed onto a figure that stood behind Anakin - it was Padme flanked by a GAR security detail. Officially that was to keep her safe from further Separatist assassination attempts. Unofficially, it was a bid from me to change the public perception of Amidala. I didn't need her seen as the noble pacifist the everyone knew. Instead I wanted her to be considered a woman changed by her experiences and driven into a firm support of the war by a monstrous enemy.

Palpy wasn't the only one who could pay PR firms after all…

I saluted the screen when Rex was called on the stand. The video skipped forward to the interesting part.

"Commander Rex, you've been serving under general Skywalker since the first weeks of the war. What can you tell us about your experience as his subordinate?" The Prosecutor asked.

Rex stood at parade rest and I was sure he struggled not to glare at Anakin.

"General Skywalker… He was different, sir. He got the job done, no matter the odds we faced." Rex paused. "He earned our loyalty. We trusted him and would have followed him into the Nine Corellian hells if he asked." The Clone's tone was emotionless, almost dead.

"Trusted him..." The Prosecutor repeated. "Do you trust him now?"

"No, sir." Rex stated flatly.

"Why not?"

"He destroyed that trust along with most of the 501st Legion on Geonosis, sir. It's a good soldier's duty to die if necessary. Its the duty of a good commander to spent the lives of his subordinates wisely. If they have to die, it should be because that's the best way to achieve the objective. The best way to win." Rex paused and his voice was chock full with pain and anger. "What general Skywalker," the Commander practically spat the name, "did was waste our lives. Almost a full dozen good ships. Thirty thousand soldiers. All gone. Not to win a battle, or gain a vital objective. Not to save civilians or our brothers in arms from dying." This time Rex looked at Anakin and glared. "We had to die because he didn't think. Because general Skywalker had to walk into an obvious trap. We had to die for nothing. Sir."

"I see. Commander, please lead us through the sequence of events that led to your crash landing on Geonosis..."

That was something I was painfully familiar with. I was one of the first people to receive a report on how Anakin managed to get a part of my fleet to go and commit a very expensive if ultimately somewhat useful suicide. He simply told them that he was following orders and they trusted him - a reasonably competent Jedi – not to get them killed unless it was for a very good reason.

=RK=

Part 2

Courtroom 3A

Republic Judge Advocate building

Coruscant

Next day found me standing on the witness stand, ready to answer questions after I swore to tell the truth and confirmed that I was aware of the consequences if I lied my ass off. It was time to see if my shenanigans with the Intel folks were going to pay out and salvage something from the Skywalker fiasco.

I went through the obvious questions more or less on autopilot – summarizing my interactions with Anakin and the events that led to Geonosis in my own words. I did my best to make Skywalker look better adjusted and a less of a lose canon that he really was to set up the stage for answering some questions that were carefully suggested to the defense.

"I have no more questions, your honor." The Prosecutor gave me a satisfied nod.

"The Defense can ask its questions." The Judge announced.

"General Veil, in your opinion as General Skywalker's former commanding officer, why do you believe he undertook his action above Geonosis?"

"In hindsight, Anakin's decision, his desperation, while unacceptable, is at least understandable. Unfortunately, at the time I was unaware of the full extent of his situation." I paused, giving the illusion I was gathering my thoughts, while using the Force to divine what would be the best way to answer. While not a fool proof way to do things, doing so was giving me a not insignificant advantage. "Otherwise, thing might have turned out differently." I sighed in regret.

"What was that situation exactly?" The Defender perked up.

"I know that given my complicate relationship with members of the Jedi Council, my words must be taken with a grain of salt." I made sure I looked apologetic. "It was shortly before the first battle of Geonosis and the star of the war, that Anakin's mother back on Tatooine was kidnapped by Sand People. I'm sure you'll wonder how that tragic event has any relevance on general Skywalker's actions above Geonosis?" I smiled sadly.

"That's correct, general." The judge stated. "However, I'll allow this line of questioning for now."

"Thank you, your honor." I inclined my head towards the judge. "Thanks to this abilities as a Jedi, Anakin was aware that something had happened to his mother even if he hadn't been in contact with her ever since he became a part of the Jedi Order. He took his concerns to an available Jedi Master he trusted and asked for help. For permission to go to Tatooine and save his mother. A reasonable course of action, wouldn't you say?" My smile got sadder still.

"Certainly more reasonable than his actions above Geonosis." The Prosecutor quipped, earning himself a pointed look from the Judge. "Sorry, your honor. That was out of turn."

"Yes, genera. Quite reasonable. I take it what happened next helps to explain why my client was less than reasonable during his second visit to Geonosis."

Less than reasonable… It took some effort of will not to laugh. That's certainly an understated way to put it.

"Anakin's request was denied. He was told that he should simply let go of his attachments. That his mother dying would be a good thing even if not in those precise words." I paused for effect. "I don't think that many of you would be surprised to learn that Anakin ignored that advise and did indeed go to Tatooine to find his mother."

"That shows a pattern of insubordination and disregarding orders. By doing so, he endangered Senator Amidala and it was his job to protect her at the time." The Prosecutor objected.

"Did he?" The Defender countered. "The good Senator was in no danger on Tatooine. It could be argued that she was safer there because that world was probably the last place the Confederate assassins after her would have looked. The Senator was only in danger when she decided to go with my client to Geonosis to help his Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi who was in captivity at the time."

"I'm not sure if you're trying to help the defended or damning him with faint praise." The judge looked at me. "Is there a point to this story? While I can see some parallels it doesn't really help the accused."

"I'm almost done, your honor. While what I'm telling you certainly won't clear general Skywalker from all charges, I hope it might prove a mitigating circumstance to be taken under advisement when his sentence is decided." I said smoothly.

"I'll allow it. As a trained Force user yourself, you certainly have a better insight in the defendant's thought process than we do." The judge said.

"Thank you. What happened is Anakin finding his mother in a terrible condition – she had been tortured to the brink of death." I looked sadly at Skywalker. "She died in his arms moments after they reunited. Why that's important? Senator Amidala, Anakin Skywalker's wife was placed in not a dissimilar position. She was in pain he could feel even through the distance of space and both the Jedi and GAR officers advised against an attempt to secure a suspected antidote that was supposed to be held at a fortified location on Geonosis. My and the other officer's reasoning was that the information about the cure was deliberately leaked to us and was nothing more than a trap and a way to bring general Skywalker closer to falling to the Dark Side. While I hope that the Jedi had similar concerns, now that I know their track record with people close to Anakin, I'm not so sure." I said in a low voice. "Knowing what had happened to his mother, I would have certainly approached the situation from a different angle. Explained my reasoning better."

"How so?" The Defender asked.

"In hindsight I can see how Anakin believed that history was repeating itself. How a woman he loved dearly, the wife who was his primary reason to fight so hard and valiantly for the Republic, was discarded and left to suffer and die. How none of us cared about her fate and simply expected him to swallow another loss and do nothing even if it was in his power to try." I shook my head. "While his past doesn't absolve general Skywalker of responsibility for his actions, I firmly believe that what happened can't be laid squarely on his shoulders. I know that the facts of the case are clear. That Anakin simply can't be cleared of the charges – doing so would mean spitting at the grave and sacrifices of every man and woman who had ever fought for the Republic. Yet, if I may be so bold, might I make a suggestion to the jury about the judgment they're about to render at the end of this trial?"

"Given your service to the Republic and your role as general Skywalker's commanding officer at the time of the events in question, I have no trouble granting such a request, general Veil."

"Thank you, your honor. I believe it's clear to everyone that actions have consequences. That is something especially important for maintaining discipline and avoiding various disasters in a military organization like the Republic armed forces. Yet, there are different ways to make that lesson stick. To give justice to the people who died above Geonosis. In my professional opinion, while a prison term or worse might be well deserved given general Skywalker's actions, such a sentence would be less than ideal given our circumstance. As we're all painfully aware, we're at war. One that is going to get uglier and even more vicious before the situation improves. Because of that, my professional recommendation is that you consider an alternative sentence for general Skywalker." I paused.

The judge had to silence the observers who were getting louder and louder as my tale unfolded.

"Please explain your reasoning, general." The judge ordered once order was restored.

"Right now, I don't trust general Skywalker with command. Perhaps I won't trust him in a position of authority ever again." I stated sadly. "However, that doesn't change a simple fact – he is a handy with that lightsaber of his and his abilities with the Force can be a powerful power multiplier. I suggest the following: whatever sentence general Skywalker receives to be replaced with a mandatory service in the army as a common soldier so his abilities could be put to use saving Republic lives. He owes both the army, navy and the Republic itself more than thirty thousand lives. Give him the opportunity to save at least that many of our soldiers. If he breaks any regulation without an excellent reason, if he goes rogue again or do something else out of bounds, then his original sentence will go back into effect, no matter if it is a life sentence or death penalty. Give the man an opportunity to redeem himself, that's all I ask of you."

The resulting uproar forced the judge to have the observers removed by military police.

Hopefully my speech was going to keep Anakin's head away from the chopping block and out of Palpy's hands. Otherwise, I would have to dispose of Skywalker in a short order to avoid further complications. On the bright side, even if the jury turned out unreasonable, I still might retain Padme's political support. Well, as long as I don't have to put down her husband.

=RK=

Part 3

Captain's quarters

Cruiser "Remembrance"

En route to Tython

Hyperspace

Arranging to make myself scarce for a week or two, was harder than anticipated. It took citing my duties as Mandalore, talking with Horus about covering for me and a few twenty hour days wile I helped Obi-Wan and company with crafting some contingency plans. Even more deception was required so I could slip from both Republic and Jedi surveillance, including half of my Mandalorian guards running interference. Yet, in the scheme was more or less successful and I found myself on board of the first Silencer equipped ship since the Great War ended.

Bo and the most trustworthy of the security detail she created for me came too – I had the nagging feeling that their help would be needed at our destination. Once we landed, the cruiser went into hyperspace before we had a chance to disembark our shuttle.

"Captain Trek, it's good to see you in again." I greeted the man who ran my clandestine operations.

"The same to you, sir. Ma'am. We had a close call on Mandalore." Trek grimaced. From what he reported, it was a sheer luck that his transport survived after finding itself between Grievous' fleet and the defending forces. The Clone saluted and sent a lieutenant to show my Mandalorians to the barracks and mess hall.

"I'm glad to inform you that the Remembrance is fully operational." Trek announced. His voice brimmed with pride over a job well done. "Please follow me to my quarters where we can talk freely."

"Lead the way, captain. Anything I need to know since our last chat?" I asked.

"We tested the weapon in an asteroid field while awaiting your arrival, general. While there are some trouble with the targeting software, the Silencer performed satisfactory." The captain said.

"Splendid work, Trek. Give my regard to your people. You all outdid yourselves." I praised him. In my experience, a properly measured use of the carrot and stick method worked best for motivating people. Going full retard and murdering your minions for no good reason just to encourage a tiny bit of increased productivity tended to be less than efficient in the long term, at least when you had competent people running things.

Soon enough we reached our destination and Trek invited us in. His quarters were a bit bigger than the rooms where the rest of the ship's officers made their home away from home, but beyond a few knick-knacks he had picked while running errands for me all across the galaxy, the place was no different from that on other Venators, well if you didn't count the elaborate caf machine in the corner. Speaking about cruisers, making sure I got my hands of a handful of them to modify with experimental tech was a pain and half in the ass. Hopefully the Silencer would perform as well as I expected, because otherwise I would be having a lot of issues with my friends in Intelligence who arranged for the ships in the first place.

"Please make yourselves comfortable. Can I offer you something? Caf, tea perhaps?" Trek asked.

"Caf will be all right for me. Bo?" I asked my wife.

"I'll take a cup too. So are you going to tell us where are we going?" My wife asked. "There's proper information security and then there's your latest shenanigans."

"Just a moment."

"Couldn't risk the Jedi hearing about it." I apologized. "We're going to be saving my former Master."

"As in the Sith Lord who trained you?" Bo frowned at me. "Who's supposed to be dead, if I'm not mistaken."

"Technically she's been kinda immortal for a few hundred years before I met her."

"Ah. Because that makes everything better." My wife groaned.

I had the sneaking suspicion I wouldn't be getting lucky tonight.

"Complicated for certain." I quipped.

"We'll be rescuing her because?" Bo asked and glared at me.

"A very good question. I believe she has answer we might need. Besides, I kinda owe her one." I frowned. "I think. While Zash tried to possess my body – something that didn't really work for her thanks to my buddy Khem, she was very useful after that misunderstanding. Zash did help me rebuild my body and retain my sanity after I kriffed up like a champion in pursuit for power.

"We're going where exactly?" Bo sighed. "This I going to be bothersome, I just know it." She muttered quietly.

"Tython – it was where the Jedi of old ran to after the Empire burned down their Temple during the Sack of Coruscant. According to some histories I've read, its was the seat of the Je'daii, the precursors of both the Jedi and the Sith."

"I hope you'll be able to get us there, sir." Trek added his two credits. "From what I could find, the system has been unreachable ever since the hyperlanes leading there collapsed a long time ago."

"Once you get us to the coordinates I sent you, I should be able to plot us a safe course." I said. With Zash acting as a beacon through the Force and decent star charts, it should be doable.

Trek simply nodded and offered us our cups. Damn, I got to get myself one of those machines – the Caf was excellent.

"With the pleasantries out of the way, I would like a status report, captain." I ordered.

"As you wish, sir. Military, infrastructure or special projects first?" Trek asked.

"Special."

"The operation on Yavin proceeds apace. We've got the basic colony up and running and our new guests have settled in nicely."

That was one project that I would have to find some help with – unless something changed radically and likely for the worse, it didn't look like that I would have time to properly train the nucleus of my planned New Sith. Plus, I really didn't look forward to teaching kids the basics. Perhaps once the war was done and Aria and Jaybo's training was complete I could delegate…. Still that was one long term project and the few kids I managed to retrieve while everyone was after the future Jedi younglings were still babes in arms so to speak.

"Good. Status on your archeological digs?" I wasn't sure if I should find this amusing or sad – digging up bunkers I personally created for rainy day was time consuming effort often requiring a lot of searching around even with my instructions. At some places the geography had changed significantly in three and half thousand years. Not to mention that more than a few places had actually self-destructed after someone tried to loot them. The same was true for the low key Imperial caches that I could recall.

Still, the fact that Trek's men were able to retrieve the chips that made the Silencer possible more than made up for the time and resources invested in this operation. That would be true even if we didn't recover anything else useful, which wasn't the case. After all, I didn't conjure the schematics for the Basilik droids and other goodies for my Mandalorians from thin air.

"We simply lack the necessary resources to seek Force Sensitives for future training. The few we've located was more due to luck than anything else. We encountered them while browsing the black markets for Jedi or Sith artifacts. I have a list of what we've recovered." Trek grimaced. "Unfortunately, we simply are unable to confirm if the artifacts are genuine. Some do feel weird on close inspection but if its the Force or something else." The Clone shrugged.

"I'll be inspecting them once I have the time. Hopefully that endeavor hasn't been a complete waste of time and money." Even after taking over a portion of Coruscant's underworld and placing a few of my agents and folks from Intelligence in charge – to look for CIS saboteurs and spies trying to infiltrate us that way of course, not to mention the taking over that two-bit pirate's treasure and all his blackmail information, I still found myself with less liquid assets that I liked.

"Industry?" I inquired.

"We've located two suitable systems so far. As far as we can determined, they're unknown to the galaxy at large. One is actually quite close to the jump off point where we're heading and its location in the Deep Core is better. The other is in the unknown regions. As you specified, the systems do have dense natural asteroid fields, complete with a lot of useful resources and the stellar geography is such that access to them is limited to just a few useful approaches. However, until we have the necessary resources, anything but establishing outposts would be unfeasible."

"Send me the complete data on the locations. I think we'll share the one in the Core with the Republic. A secret shipyard system could come in handy if the war drags out and it would be quite useful if something goes wrong in the future." I thought aloud.

"Will do, sir. Next – the shipyard we've leased for our cover as PMC are working at schedule so far, though there are some concerns about the chips. In order to produce them at the necessary quality, we need a certain rare crystal. My people are experimenting with substitutes – some modern chips for example have better characteristics, but they tell me the architecture is different and if we're to use them, the Silencer would need a moderate redesign."

"Which would require resources and time we currently don't have. Just get me as many Silencer equipped ships as humanly possible before the Confederacy strikes. I hope that after the dust settles I'll have more assets to work with." Either that or I'll be executing my go to hell plans.

Bo, who had been quite bored during the reports so far, perked up. "You've been talking about that Silencer a lot. What exactly is it?" My wife asked.

"Care to do the honors, captain?" I asked Trek.

"It will be pleasure, sir." The Clone stood up and went to the desk in the back of the compartment. He activated the terminal and called played a video for my wife.

"This my dear, is what my people were working towards since I became a general." I smiled in satisfaction.

Bo whistled when she saw a recording of the Silencer's latest test firing. "We could have used it at Mandalore."

"Unfortunately, the prototype was still a couple of weeks from being ready, Ma'am." Trek explained.

"A pity." Bo sighed. "On the other hand, now it will be a nasty surprise for the Confederacy."

"I'm counting on it." My smile became feral.

"How many of those toys do you have?" Bo asked.

"That's would be telling my dear. It's a surprise." I teased.

=RK=

Part 4

Officer quarters

cruiser "Remembrance"

En route to Tython

Hyperspace

"Tell me about this Zash of yours." Bo asked. My wife was cuddled next to me in a rather distracting manner on the small bed in the quarters we were staying for the duration of the trip.

"My former masters… She's complicated. Zash was one of the sanest Sith Lords I knew, one of the most dangerous too. It was under her guidance I became powerful and cunning enough to face against Dark Council members and not only survive but kill them." I said. Was that longing for a past long gone I could hear in my voice?

"I didn't take you for the melancholic sort, love." Bo shifted and rested her head on my chest so she could look me in the eyes. "I shouldn't be surprised, though. People don't really think about where you came from, do they? Don't know or don't care that everything you fought for, everything you achieved had been dust for the longest time."

"True, dear. There were moments when I wondered what the hell am I doing here? I've been going through the motions, plotting, seeking power, because that's what Sith do. Yet, I had no real purpose. No reason to fight, beyond enjoying the act itself." I smiled fondly. "You and the Mandalorian people gave me a purpose."

Made my life much more complicated too.

"I'm glad to be of service. How much trouble is Zash going to be?" Bo asked.

"It depends. Unless she's changed significantly, Zash would be more interested in continuing her research more than anything. Though not unlike myself, she'll likely seek enough power and a position secure enough to ensure that no one would kriff with her without thinking long and hard. How she'll go about it, that's going to be complicated. If the Jedi overreact as I expect them to do, things are going to get ugly."

"I don't know. If she offers her services to the Republic, like you did, she might do all right." Bo looked thoughtful. "You're Mandalore. Why don't you offer her a job? Finance her research or something and offer her a quiet place to play with her toys in exchange of aiding us."

"If Zash agrees, that would be a delicious irony. I used to be her errand boy for years – even if I was well paid and offered some vital training in better understanding and using the Force in exchange." I beamed at my wife. "That's a splendid idea, my love." I leaned forward and caught her lips in a kiss.

We didn't get much sleep that night.

=RK=

Outer system

Tython

It took us five days, two of which I spent concentrating through the Force over a nav computer to create a course that wouldn't see us end in a star, black hole or smeared through half the galactic core. By the time I finished, my head was about to explode and I was down for our final leg of the journey while recovering in bed. Yet, it worked. When we exited hyperspace I could feel we were in the right place even before our sensors could give us a clear image of the system.

"Captain, I want the place saturated with sensor probes. Get recon flights out and keep in constant contact with them. There's only one inhabitable planet in the system – take us there but do your best to mask our approach for as long as possible. I want constant nav updates for an emergency jump out of system if we run into something we can't handle. There's something or someone familiar and disturbing in the region" I ordered.

"On it, sir." The Captain went on to issue his own set of orders.

"Bo?" I asked.

"We're ready, Mandalore. Command us." My wife answered formally. She was wearing the same armor she fought me in and was armed to the teeth – just like my Mandalorian security detail.

"We're ready to go too, general." Lieutenant Oleg – the commander of the Clone platoon that would provide me with more punch and tactical options announced.

It was unfortunate, but my spec ops ships simply didn't have enough personnel for anything resembling full ground compliment. The troopers assigned to my handful of cruisers could barely cover internal security, much less fight a proper ground campaigns. That was the price paid for reasonable amount of secrecy.

"Is our objective here as expected, sir? Trek asked me.

"She's here. I can sense her presence." I said and closed my eyes. I concentrated on the Force and used it to expand my awareness far beyond the ship I was on. Tython felt wild, untamed. I could feel both sides of the Force clashing on the planet's surface and causing an upheaval. This world was truly unique in the galaxy.

I stilled my wandering mind and concentrated on the familiar presence of my former master. Even with Tython in the background or perhaps because of it, I could easily divine her presence. Huh. Zash was in orbit. Either on station or ship. The familiar and disturbing presence grew sharper. It was quite close to Zash. I shifted my awareness and pushed.

The image of a woman's face – one framed by graying red hair – flashed through my mind. She was much older than I remembered, but there was no mistaking the woman. Kira Carsen.

My concentration slipped as I felt overwhelming fury. Where that woman went, her accursed husband wouldn't be far behind. I snarled and the Dark Side rose around me in glee.

Jedi Master Jerrod Perrion – the man who killed the Emperor. The same bastard who argued for the assassination of my first wife and helped persuade his friends in Republic Special Operations to green light the operation.

The one kriffing Jedi I couldn't get before finding myself in the future.

I laughed. His precious wife was somehow here, close to Zash.

"Captain, flank speed. I want concentrated sensor sweeps over the planet. There's either a ship or space station over the south pole. I want you to plot a hyperspace jump right on top of it. Disable its weapons and clear us a way for landing. Kill anything that gets in range until we come back." I hissed my orders.

The people on the bridge were giving me uneasy glances – even people blind to the Force could sense the rage I emanated and feel the temperature falling rapidly while the Dark Side raged around me.

I didn't care. My vengeance was finally at hand.

"Delkatar, what the kriff?!" My wife exclaimed.

I turned to look her in the eyes and she flinched. That gave me pause. I examined Bo, then grit my teeth and took control of my emotions.

"I don't know how the kriff is possible, but one of the people responsible for the murder of my first wife is in here, close to our objective." I took a deep breath. "The primary mission stays the same – recover Zash. However, I'm expanding it. I want the computer core of that ship, base, whatever sliced in and as much information taken. I'll be dealing with any rogue Jedi who try to stop us."

Bo looked at me for a long moment, then nodded. "We'll talk about it later. Your orders will be executed, Mandalore."

=RK=

Part 5

Republic station "Pillar of the Fallen"

High orbit above Tython

Kira Carsen was observing her apprentice dueling against two younger Padawans in the training hall, when she felt a disturbance in the Force. That by itself wasn't a notable event. They were above Tython after all and the planet below them was becoming a death world wracked by Force storms.

No, it was a sudden surge of anger and a hint of a presence she had felt before, that made the Jedi stop and take notice. Kira closed her eyes and concentrated. The world around her became distant when she let the Force flow through her. The Jedi Master gasped. All she could feel was fury, directed at her own person. The Dark Side was practically boiled and what felt like a tidal wave made of its very substance was approaching.

Kira fell to her knees and struggled to breathe. The sheer presence she felt was simply suffocating.

"Master!" The Padawans had ceased their training and rand up to her.

"I'm all right, Denii." Kira gave a wan smile to her pupil, then her features became serious. "Prepare yourselves. A great darkness is coming." The Jedi Master grabbed the offered hand of her Padawan and arose to her feet. She used the Force to activate her comm and contact the station's commander. "Captain Harris, we're about to have uninvited visitors. Battle stations. All Jedi and security personnel, prepare to repel boarders. Send a distress signal. We'll probably need help." Kira ordered.

"What are your orders, Master?" Denii asked.

The Jedi Master looked her Padawan in the eyes. The Zabrak girl was so sure that Kira knew what to do and could do no wrong. She smiled fondly at her student.

"Be careful. I'm almost positive that there are Sith coming. Go augment the defense forces. I'll grab my armor and meet you in the hangar."

"Sith?! Here and now?" Denii exclaimed. Her green eyes widened comically.

"That's what I sense. Don't play heroes, that goes for you all. I'll engage the Sith." Kira ordered firmly.

"As you wish, Master!" The teenagers agreed without a hint of protest.

"Good. Let's go!" Kira nodded and sprinted towards the door. Moments later she was heading down the outer ring of the mushroom shaped station, which was the most direct way to her quarters. She was passing around a row of windows showing countless twinkling stars and a small part of Tython's south pole, when a tremor through the Force made her look up.

Nothing happened for a heartbeat, then at least a kilometer long cruiser exited hyperspace dangerously close to the station. That presence, the Sith, they were on that ship. Kira stumbled when she sensed it properly.

"Vael!" The Jedi Master hissed. Any thought about getting into her armor was forgotten. The warship's canons rotated and aimed at the station.

Sirens screamed and the hallway was illuminated by blinking red lights. Then the cruiser opened fire and blue Ion bolts slammed into the station before its shields could come online. The Jedi Master was pretty sure that they were our of commission now.

The deck below Kira shuddered and she grabbed the wall to keep herself on her feet. The ship outside shifted vector to interpose its armored belly between the Pillar's guns and its hangars, then it began disgorging squadrons of fighter and bombers followed by landing craft.

Kira swore and sprinted towards the hangar.

=RK=

Hangar Bay C

Republic station "Pillar of the Fallen"

High orbit above Tython

Denii Strum met a squad of soldiers on her way to the hangars and joined them in sprinting that way. The young Zabrak was both excited and frightened by the prospect of engaging in a real combat for the first time. She had been just assigned to Master Carsen when their task force encountered and anomaly in hyperspace and ended in this strange and terrible future. From what Denii learned, there was still a Republic, which controlled most of known space… Yet that state had precious little in common with the Republic she and everyone in the fleet had sworn to protect.

All it took was a cursory scan on the holonet to see it. This Republic was a corrupt, barely working mess. It was the corpse of a dead beast was taking its last inefficient breath. That made the Remnant's course pretty simple – they covertly joined the forming Confederacy of Independent Systems and prepared to tear down the abomination using the name of their proud nation.

Well, the Jedi Knights and the military did so. For the support personnel and the Padawans, the last few years were quite boring – just training and making sure that the fleet was not only properly supplied and repaired but upgraded with modern technology too.

The Padawan led the soldiers into the hangar and looked around. There were a handful of shuttles and fighters – nothing that would be really useful unless they had to flee, which was impossible. With Master Carsen on board, the Sith would be dispatched in a short order, Denii just knew it. Her teacher was one of the most powerful and experienced Jedi in the whole Jedi Order – a handful of Sith, especially the weak impostors of this era, would pose no challenge. The Padawan was sure of it!

"Take cover and set up the heavy weapons!" The Jedi ordered. She glanced at the troopers and smiled. They were already doing so. The two heavy weapon specialist were headed towards a row of heavy durasteel crates, with the rest spreading out to cover the rest of the hangar.

"Denii, I'm at hangar A. It's quiet so far." Padawan Milo Kris, a fellow Zabrak, reported.

"I'm on my way to B." Trin Jord announced a moment later. He was the youngest of the trio – a fourteen years old human with a fierce temperament and a wild shoulder length brown hair that tried to match his disposition.

"Defense teams, be advised: enemy landing craft are inbound. The defense grid is crippled and our shield is down. Prepare to repel boarders. The QRF is committed. You have to buy our security personnel enough time to arm and armor themselves!" Captain Harris announced.

"This is Padawan Strum. I hear you loud and clear, sir. We'll keep them busy for as long as possible!" The words were barely out of Denii's mouth, when the Force warned her of immediate danger. "Take cover!" The Jedi shouted and threw herself behind a stack of crates, before then used her powers to create a telekinetic shield around herself.

It wasn't a moment too soon. Something hit the hangar doors and turned them into half molten shrapnel that scythed through the compartment. Large pieces crippled the fighters, but only dented the bulkier and armored shuttles. A large object tore its way through what remained of the doors, then slammed into the side of one of the transport. The sound of shearing and grinding metal made the Padawan wince.

Denii jumped on her feet and looked at the devastation. Her timely warning had saved the soldiers – she could feel that only one was wounded, but the rest were all right. The hangar looked like a war zone, which she guessed it was now. The Padawan drew her lightsaber and looked at the ship that forced its way in. It's rear ramp opened with a screech and two spheres flew out. They detonated a moment later, obscuring the assault shuttle within fast expanding clouds of smoke.

The Padawan didn't need eyes to see the intruders. They were sprinting out of the ship and spreading out in a search for cover. Unfortunately, whatever was in that smoke was good enough to prevent the soldier's visors from piercing it. They opened blind fire, which Denii knew wouldn't hit a thing unless by sheer luck.

This couldn't be allowed to stand. She gave out a war cry and charged the enemy. The Padawan deflected two blaster bolts that flew too close for comfort, before using the Force to grab a nearby enemy and throw him at the ceiling with bone crushing force. Then Denii jumped through the smoke and landed in front of another intruder and impaled him on her blade.

It quickly became obvious that the concealment worked both ways. She was able to dispatch six soldiers, before the rest were aware she was among them.

"Kriff! A Jedi! They've got a Jedi!" A trooper clad in what Denii knew to be this era's Republic standard armor shouted. He tried to shoot her, but she simply sent his shots back at him. They burned through his shield and armor alike, killing the man.

"We're on it. Just keep their soldiers off our backs!" A deep voice boomed.

Denii glanced at where the sound came from and thank to the Force, she could make out three men and a woman advancing towards her. They had sheathed their blasters and instead pulled out vibroblades.

The Padawan frowned at that. She tried to crush the one she though was the leader, yet his armor resisted her efforts. She pushed harder and the man slowed his approach. He grunted and struggled against her telekinetic hold. Denii was about to channel even more energy in her telekinesis, however a sense of imminent danger made her jump back. The two mounted flamethrowers wielded by the other men came to life and came too close to engulfing the Padawan in liquid fire.

The flames pushed the smoke away and Denii saw who she was facing. The general design of the armor was recognizable even if it had evolved in the last few thousand years.

The four Mandalorians the Padawan faced gave out war cries of their own and charged her.

Denii cursed and dasher right, when an enemy trooper tried to shoot her in the back, which gave the quartet just enough time to reach her. She parried a slash, ducked under a thrust and had to retreat when another torrent of liquid fire was unleashed upon her. This time she wasn't nearly fast enough and the cape of her armored robes was caught by the flames. She briefly glanced at the soldiers she led here, but they were busy trading shots with the rest of the intruders.

=RK=

Hangar Bay B

Republic station "Pillar of the Fallen"

High orbit above Tython

Trin Jord was the odd one out among the Padawans being trained on the station. For example, he was the only one who didn't come with them from the past and that was a concept he still struggled with even when saw proof about it. More importantly, the human youth shouldn't have been able to train to be a Jedi. He didn't have the Force until a couple of years ago when he met Master Jerrod and was given an offer he couldn't possibly refuse.

Trin was a trader's son from a sparsely populated world in the Outer Rim. Life as a kid had been good, up until his father's ship had been seized by a Republic patrol for contraband – which wasn't really true. His dad and his clients simply refused to pay the back breaking tariffs that the Senate had leveled over their home sector. His father lost his ship and things went downhill for the Jord family.

A couple of very tough years followed those events and the only light in the tunnel were some people from the Confederacy who wanted to hire his dad's service. That's how he first met Master Jerrod – while he helped his dad on a transport course for the Jedi. A malfunction in the hyperdrive that made them limp at sublight for a week before being rescued, gave Trin an opportunity to talk with Master Jerrod. He still didn't know why the Jedi made him the offer – perhaps it was because the hatred he held towards the Republic and everything it did to the colonies. Perhaps it was because of his childhood dream to be a Jedi.

In the end, Trin didn't really care. The Jedi Master made the offer, he accepted and a month later he was through a place called the Valley of the Jedi. An amazing place that awoke the Force in Trin.

Even now, two years later, the Padawan couldn't really put into words what exactly happened. All he knew for sure was that at one moment he was just ordinary old Trin, then it felt like he had been a blind and deaf cripple who could suddenly see the world for the first time.

Sensing the Force, feeling it flow through him, being trained how to harness it… After all that, Trin was Master Jerrod's man through and through. That's why the very thought that someone dared attack this place – a station under his Master's protection, infuriated the young Padawan. He was determined to prove that he was worthy of the gifts Jerrod had given him.

All thoughts of glorious success were thrown out of Trin's head when something crashed into the station and he struggled to remain on his feet. The Padawan could hear explosions coming from the nearby hangars and he still hadn't reached the one he was supposed to protect.

"Follow me!" Trin shouted and ran faster. A louder crash sounded from just around the corner and the following tremor did throw him off his feet. The Padawan cursed. He was too late!

Trin got up and sprinted into the hangar and paid no attention to the soldiers behind him. When he turned the corner, he faced devastation. The fighters parked into the hangar were all destroyed. The only relatively intact ship was a large shuttle, which appeared to had blasted its way in. Its ramp was down and armored men and women were disembarking.

The Padawan grabbed his lightsaber and activated it. He was going to stop those people!

Trin charged the intruders, then abruptly stopped when his feet refused to move forward. He was staring at the armored figure that was leading the assault. The Padawan recoiled at the sticky cloud of fury and loathing surrounding that man. It was like the Dark Side itself was manifesting and destroying Trin's courage.

The young human clutched his saber in both hands and held it in front of the approaching monster as if it could ward off the darkness.

Trin felt cold. He knew that this was his death approaching and it terrified him. It also made him angry. That emotion was enough to awake his frozen courage. The Padawan snarled and charged the man. A lightsaber appeared in the monster's hand and activated mid-swing. It battered Trin's blade with contemptuous ease and before the Padawan could react, the crimson saber burned through his chest armor and seared his lungs.

It wasn't fair! He finally had everything he ever dreamed of, the Padawan thought.

Trin looked down at the blade impaling his chest and frowned. Wasn't this supposed to hurt?

The lightsaber pulled out and suddenly Trin was on the ground looking up at a headless corpse. His vision grew dark and darkness claimed him.

=RK=

Part 6

Hangar Bay B

Republic station "Pillar of the Fallen"

High orbit above Tython

"No! Trin!" A female voice shouted.

I could feel the woman's anguish and it was like fine glass of brandy.

"A friend of yours, Kira?" I taunted while examining her.

Carsen wore a set of robes similar to those once upon a time favored by Satele Shan. The Jedi Mater looked older, more tired than I remembered. For a moment I wondered how long she had been in this age, then dismissed the thought. I would figure it out eventually.

The Jedi was followed into the hangar by five power armored soldiers. Their outfit was familiar – it was the same overall design like the samples recovered from the unknown that engaged one of my units on Naboo during the search for the younglings. That explained much. I've been wondering for some time how the timeline could go to hell so fast. It was now obvious I had help in that regard.

"Vael!" Carsen spat my name as if it was the vilest of curses.

"At your service my dear. My, my what a curious company you have. Terrorism, warcrimes, you've been busy." I nodded at the soldiers behind her. The irony was delicious. How the mighty had fallen – their exploits were almost worthy of Sith.

"That's rich coming from a monster like you!" The Jedi snapped.

"I'll deal with my old aquintance. You know your orders. Keep safe, Bo." I nodded at my wife and raised my hands. The Old Republic troopers were lifted in the air under my will despite their Force resistant armor, then I hurled them at the back of the hangar with enough force to make sure they wouldn't be an issue ever again.

Kira pulled out her favored double bladed lightsaber and ignited its emerald blades.

"You shall not pass!" The Jedi Master hissed.

"You know, I've been here for a whole year now. Ever since I found myself in the future, I've had to hold back or risk freaking the natives enough that they would go after me as a too great a threat." I gave her a chilling smile. "I've had resigned myself that my vengeance would remain unfullfilled. "Yet, here we are. Where is that worthless husband of yours, Kira?" I asked and charged her.

I could no longer keep my fury at bay. Nor did I want to. The Dark Side draped itself over me like a lover and I let myself go.

Our blades met and I used a telekinetic push to throw her out of the way. The Jedi countered expertly and the only effect my attack had was buffering her robes with a bit of displaced air. Kira glared venomously at me. The debris all around us rose in the air under her control and she sent them all my way.

I laughed and froze them within a stasis field, then pushed back the Jedi Master and released a torrent of Sith Lighting at her. She caught it on her blade, yet the attack staggered her for a moment. I took advantage of that and jumped on the offensive and pushed her yet farther away from the exit. Bo and my guards sprinted out and went in search of their objectives.

"I've been looking up to this moment for years, Kira." I hissed at the Jedi Master. The Force jumped to obey my will. A cloud of dark miasma formed around me and flew at the Carsen.

The Jedi jumped out of the way and staggered when I pressed against her mental shields. She shook her had and glared after fending my attempt to drive her insane. The Jedi Master retaliated by forming a ball of pulsing energy around her left hand and throwing it my way. I shielded myself with the Force and it was my turn to stagger when the sphere detonated and tried to disintegrate me.

My defense held and I laughed in joy. I didn't even know how much I missed facing a worthy opponent. I'll almost regret gutting the bitch.

Carsen threw a bunch of debris my way to conceal her next attack - an attempt to catch me into a stasis field. I simply drew on the Dark Side and blasted away the projectiles before collapsing her technique.

"My turn!" I exclaimed joyfully and released an omnidirectional telekinetic pulse. Kira released one in turn, but my attack was just a distraction to by me couple of seconds.

The Dark Side sang around me as I drank deeply from her poisoned well. The power flowing through me lifted my body off the ground while I channeled that energy into a lighting storm I unleashed at the Jedi Master. This wasn't an attack that could be countered by something as simple as a lightsaber blade.

Tendrils of purple lighting slashed from both the deck and ceiling. They picked up pieces of shattered metal as a mere side effect and turned half the hangar into a web of dancing energy.

Carsen fell on her knees and raised her lightsaber in a horizontal position using it as a focus to create a spherical shield around her body. Lighting struck it again and again. The woman screamed when her defense flickered and pseudo electricity arched all over her body. Yet, the shield held until my attack was spent.

Kira was on her knees, panting with wisps of smoke rising from her robes. I landed lightly on my feet and took a deep breath. The attack took more of me than it should have, though I was very far from spent.

"Is that all you've got, Sith?" The Jedi Master spat and got up.

"I haven't started yet, Jedi." I snapped at her and sent a jolt of lighting her way. Kira danced away from my attack, then tried to lift me in the air. I released a pulse of raw Force energy and shattered her grip before it could properly form before retaliating in kind by trying to choke her.

The Jedi Master gasped, but managed to break my hold almost immediately. She snarled at me. I felt her attempt to crush my mind. Kira's attack clawed at my mental shields and gave me a mild headache, before I could shake it off. I retaliated in kind and leveled the power of the Dark Side against her mind. Carsen fell on her knees and screamed as I battered her mental defenses. I could see her crying bloody tears, before she roared and drew deeply from the Dark Side.

That gave her strength enough to survive my onslaught with her sanity more or less intact. Kira got up and glared at me with with her yellow eyes.

I cackled. So much for the Jedi's vaunted restraint. I waved her to come at me. I wanted to tear her apart with my own hands.

Kira closed her eyes for a moment. She was enveloped by an energy field made by the Force, which practically made her glow thanks to my connection with our power. I did the same, using the Dark Side and an armor made of living shadows manifested over me. The Force invigorated me, it made me faster, stronger than humanly possible. I was sure Kira was doing the same.

We stared at each other for a long moment. I grinned and charged.

=RK=

Hangar Bay C

Republic station "Pillar of the Fallen"

High orbit above Tython

Denii felt desperation raise its ugly head. The four Mandalorians were acting like a well oiled machine. The moment she got any kind of advantage against one of their number, the rest redoubled their efforts and pushed her back. The troopers were pinned down by enemy fire and could offer her no help either.

The Padawan almost got herself killed when she felt Trin die and stumbled. It was sheer dumb luck or perhaps the Force throwing her a bone – that's the only way Strum could explain why she was still alive. Instead of gutting her, the Mandalorian she was facing at that moment didn't expect her mistake and missed her gut by a hair.

She had to roll away from the woman, who tried to torch her, only to stumble next to one of the men. A desperation fueled telekinetic push shoved his blade away before it could split her skull open. Denii parried another slash then barely dodged a thrust only to find herself in the way of an armored boot that caught her in the ribs and sent her tumbling on the deck. Her armor blunted the kick enough to keep her ribs from cracking but she would still feel it in the morning.

Provided she was still alive to feel anything – a prospect that was looking less and less likely by the minute.

Denii rolled over the debris littered floor away from a flamethrower blast and got on her feet in time to meet the next attack.

Then the Force smiled upon her. A security squad dashed into the hangar and immediately opened fire. They caught one of the Mandalorians attacking the Padawan off guard and their concentrated fire burned through his shields and armor before he could react. The others wasted no time and rolled away towards the closest cover.

"No, you don't!" Denii snarled. She levitated a piece of a fighter wing and slammed it into one of the men. The Mandalorian was sent skidding over the deck, right in the open where the troopers blasted him apart.

The Padawan was about to repeat that trick when she felt Milo die too. The shock staggered her and she reacted too late when one of the enemies sent a burst in her side. Her deflector and armor took the brunt of the attack, however the last shot had enough energy to burn through. Denii screamed like a damned soul when molten alloy fused itself to her ribs.

It was only thanks to the adrenaline flooding her veins and the Force enhancing her body that she was able to remain conscious and crawl away to the friendly position. Denni crashed behind a stack of metal crates next to the heavy weapon specialists and whimpered.

One of the soldiers slapped a med pack on her neck and flooded her bloodstream with stimulants. The jolt made the Padawan shudder and cleared her mind. She closed her eyes and used the Force to sooth her wound. While she wasn't good enough to heal her injury in a short order, Denii still knew enough to numb it and make sure she wouldn't hurt herself even more while moving.

"This is Captain Harris. We lost Hangar A. Jedi Master Carsen is engaging a Sith in B and needs immediate assistance. Be advised we have at least half a platoon worth of enemy troops lose in the station. Security teams converge on the hangars, engineering and command center."

Denii glanced over the crates. Security had the enemy here contained.

"I'm going to help my Master. Keep them bottled in until reinforcements arrive!" The Padawan shouted and stumbled towards the exit.

=RK=

Hangar Bay B

Republic station "Pillar of the Fallen"

High orbit above Tython

Kira felt at least couple of decades younger. The Force sang to the Jedi Master as it flowed through her body. The world around her was sharper, clearer. Her injuries were soothed and she felt powerful beyond measure.

The Jedi Master inhaled slowly and stared at Vael. The maniac was enjoying this! A sense of determination filled her. That Sith had caused too much suffering and death to be allowed to win. He was here, in front of her and Kira was going to be damned before she let him get away.

A heartbeat later, they both exploded in motion. A Jedi and a Sith met in the center of the hangar. They were surrounded by wrecked ships, glowing debris and a corona of metal hanging within a stasis field. Somehow that little taste of hell felt appropriate for the stage of their battle.

Kira spun around, becoming a whirlwind of death. Her blade was alive in her hands, eager to bite into her old nemesis. The damned Sith was laughing and meeting her hit for hit. Their sabers met with such a force that each hit emitted blinding flashed of light, yet the combatants were not bothered by the light show.

The Jedi Master deflected a slash aimed to literally disarm her, then spun in place by using the Force to tremendously increase her speed. Her blade flashed and battered aside Vael's saber, then she finished her spin by kicking the man in the head with enough force to give an ordinary human a concussion. The Sith simply shook his head and laughed.

He was upon her a moment later. Kira let everything but the battle fade from her mind. There was only the Sith in front of her and defeating him. Strike, parry, riposte, deflect, dodge, rinse and repeat. The Jedi Master was lost in her bladework and trusted the Force to warn her about any nasty surprises. She needed something more. An opening. A chance.

Kira let dived deeper and deeper in the Force. She knew that the Force was with her. It was stronger than the Dark Side, that was a well known fact. Yet, she couldn't find an opening. Vael made no mistakes. The Jedi Master snarled in frustration. She needed more power! She had to win and end the madman here and now!

Kira needed power. She was growing angry and frustrated… and the Dark Side answered her call. The Jedi Master felt a surge of power. Her strikes rained faster, hit harder. Vael was pushed back a step then another. Kira smiled at the Sith. Surely this was it! She was going to win now!

The bastard laughed in glee. He placed his feet firmly on the deck and refused to take a single step back. His own speed increased to mach her. His attacks gained additional power.

The deck below them trembled each time their blades met. Kira snarled and grasped for yet more power. She could feel Vael doing the same and her desperation to win increased. Each strike sent shock-waves through the hanger. The frozen debris were freed and a moment later flew away with enough velocity to dent the thick bulkheads. The deck itself protested under the abuse and rang like a gong.

Yet, it wasn't enough! Kira roared in defiance. She felt the Force answering her call and flooding her with even more of its essence. The Jedi Master felt her body tremble and struggle to contain the energy, yet it was worth it! She had never felt such power before!

Kira glared at the Sith and simply willed him to die. Vael shook as the Force itself pressed upon him in an attempt to squash him like a bug. He roared in joy and tried to do the same to her. They were both enveloped by enough Force energy to become visible to even the blind. The Jedi Master screamed because of the strain she was under, screamed her fury and determination for the whole galaxy to hear. She wrestled the Force surrounding her and trust it at Vael like a battering ram.

That should have been it. She just knew it. Yet, the Sith did the same and Kira had to struggle to contain the energy gathering between them. The two lances of pure Force condensed into a sphere which soon became blinding. Kira's eyes widened and she jumped back in a Force assisted leap. The Jedi Master did her best to shield herself, because she knew what was coming. The area where their attacks met distabilized and all that energy detonated like a bomb.

Kira was caught in mid-air and knew that was it. She couldn't muster enough power fast enough to cushon her impact.

Yet, the bone shattering crash into a bulkhead didn't materialize. Kira opened her eyes in confusion, then smiled in gratitude. Denii stood at the entrance. She looked worse to wear, but the Padawan had somehow not only prevented her from slamming into the wall but shielded herself too.

The much younger woman sprinted to her Master's side and helped her up.

"You did it, Master!" Denii exclaimed in jubilation.

"Did she?" A hated voice mocked.

Kira's eyes widened and she looked up. Vael stood just a few meters away from the detonation. The deck in front of him was simply gone – a large chunk of it was disintegrated and the hole showed the ruin of the level below the hangar.

While the Sith's armor appeared to be battered and the shadows that surrounded him like a second skin were gone, the man appeared unharmed.

The Jedi Master took a stock of her situation. She gave everything she had, yet the Sith was undetered. Kira grabbed her Padawan's shoulder and pulled herself up.

"Denii listen to me carefully. Get out of here and call evacuation. Find a shuttle and leave the system. Find Jerrod. This station is lost. I'll buy you as long as I can."

"Master! We can't take him!" Denii exclaimed in horror. "I can't leave you."

"We need to walk separate paths now, Padawan. Where I'm headed you should not follow for a long, long time." Kira smiled at the teen. "Denii, you still have your life in front of you. Don't waste it here."

"Master…"

"Such a touching moment." Vael chuckled darkly. "Go girl, while I'm in a good mood. Go to Jerrod and tell the bastard I'll be waiting for him. Run now and tell him that his precious little wife died screaming."

Denii gripped her lightsaber harder and glared at the Sith.

"Don't listen to him, Denii. Don't let him provoke you. Do this for me, my friend. Go." Kira squeezed her Padawan's shoulder.

"Master, I…" Denii trailed off. There were tears in her eyes. "I'll go. Here..." The Padawan offered her lightsaber. Kira smiled fondly at her pupil and mouthed: "Go."

The Jedi Master returned her attention to the Sith, who was circling around the hole in the deck. She ignited Denii's lightsaber and raised it in Soresu stance.

"You want me, you bastard? Come and get me!" Kira shouted.

"It will be my pleasure." Vael snarled and charged.

Kira drew as much of the Force as her battered body could handle. She was still faster and stronger than any human had a right to be. Would have put most cyborgs to shame.

Vael was faster. Stronger. Even with the Force, the Jedi Master had trouble following his blade. Only instinct born of decades on the battlefield let her survive the next few seconds. She only managed it by constantly falling back.

It wasn't enough. The Sith's blood colored blade bit into her left arm, making her gasp in pain. Kira moved to deflect the next strike, which was a feint. The crimson saber moved faster than her tired eyes could follow and sliced her left shoulder, making that arm useless.

"No! NOT LIKE THIS!" Kira snapped. She simply refused to die like that – exhausted and cold, with an enemy who she was unable to at least cripple. Her emotions and pain gave ample fuel to the Dark Side, which eagerly answered her plea. Yet, the simple sad truth was that even with that power boost, her body was giving out.

Kira went in a last ditch desperate offensive. She met Vael strike for strike. Allowed herself to hope she could take him down with her.

Then it was all over. Just like that. One moment Kira was attacking, then she stumbled back and stared dumbly at the stump where her right hand used to be.

"And so it ends. Vengeance is mine." Vael declared.

Kira looked at the Sith and saw a torrent of purple lighting. Her nervous system lit on fire. The sheer viciousness of the attack pulled her off her feet and all she knew was agony. She felt her skin blacken, her organs slowly fry, yet there was no blessed oblivion.

Only more pain than the human nervous system should be able to process.

=RK=

Hangar Bay B

Republic station "Pillar of the Fallen"

High orbit above Tython

Denii got out and called the station's commander. She knew that captain Harris had been watching events unfold. He was aware what was happening.

"This is Captain Harris. All hands, head to the nearest shuttle or escape pod. I repeat, all hands, head to the nearest shuttle of escape pod. Security personnel are to slow down the enemy and evacuate last."

The Padawan entered the hangar she tried to defend earlier and fell to her knees. She could feel her Master screaming in agony. She could sense an echo of Kira's pain and that was enough to dazzle her.

"Master..." Denii whispered. She looked back the way she came.

That… that monster was torturing her Master to death. All Denii wanted was to go back and help Kira even if she knew it was pointless. If a Jedi Master fell to the Sith, what chance she, a Padawan, had?

Denii shook in helplessness and shame. To think that she believed the Sith of this age were easy to handle. How foolish…

A blaster bold flew past the Padawan's head and served to concentrate her mind. She looked around. The enemy were contained, yet that wasn't enough. The only thing Denii could do was to save the soldiers in here.

She got up and snarled at the Sith's minions. They all had to die for following such a monster! Denii screamed in pain and fury then charged at the enemy. She didn't need a lightsaber. She had the Force.

The Padawan felt like she was freezing – probably thanks to shock and ignored the sensation. She raised a hand and an enemy soldier was lifted in the air, then crushed like a can. Denii threw another one against the wreck of a fighter and that man never moved again. Another was pulled in the sights of the Republic troopers only to reduced to slag and cooked meat.

"Push them back! Kill them!" Denii furiously snapped. Her men obeyed and followed her into the fray. Only the remaining Mandalorian proved an obstacle for the furious assault. Denii glared at them, then picked the wreck of a fighter with her mind and threw it at them.

The Padawan looked around and gasped for breath. She was sure at least a few of the bastards were still alive, but she didn't have time for them. "We're taking their ship and getting away.

After the firefight, the enemy shuttle was ironically the one most intact. "Go!" Denii pointed at their way out.

=RK=

Secure storage

Republic station "Pillar of the Fallen"

High orbit above Tython

Deep in the bowels of the Old Republic space station rested an ancient corpse protected by a stasis field. The coffin was made through alchemy to hold its occupant contained. Only the wild shifts in the currents of the Force caused by the storms on the planet bellow allowed the occupant of that body to manifest for short periods of time.

She did so right then and there. The shimmering Force Ghost of a short red haired woman stood in front of the stasis pod that was her prison and smiled. Finally, after all those years, she was going to be free.

"Warning! Self destruct sequence has been initiated. All personnel abandon ship. I repeat..."

"You better hurry apprentice, or I'll be haunting you to the grave and beyond." Darth Zash pouted.