Before 'The Sith Wars: Book One: Invasion of the Mandalores'--NEW Chapter Updated May 9th, 2008

The 'Star Wars: The Sith Wars' Book series takes place approximately 1,000 years before the events of 'Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace'.















Star Wars: The Sith Wars: Book One: Invasion of the Mandalores



Chapter One





The angular shuttle emerged from hyperspace a short distance away from the night side of the lifeless, brown planetoid and swooped towards it like a hawkbat on the hunt. Red exhaust shot out of its dual engines in two comet-like tails that slowly faded into the darkness of space behind it. Nebula clouds of swirling blues and whites hung dim and still nearby; their eerie glow adding to the empty feel in this uncivilized sector of the galaxy. No one would have expected anything of significance to be happening out here in the middle of nowhere. Which was exactly what those that were there were counting on.

Admiral Ondi, Chief Commandant of the Vishovi Coalition's military forces, stood precise and rigid at the large view port in his personal chambers with hands clasped firm behind his back. His red uniform, with its golden shoulder tassels and black trim, was without crease and fit snugly on his tall, thin frame. Its gold buttons glimmered, the black, calf-high boots gleamed with a deep shine, and the dazzling display of metals on his breast drew automatic attention to themselves. His black hair, graying at the temples, was cut exactly to Vishovi military regulations and not a strand lay out of place. His thin, well-trimmed mustache was against military code, but being Commandant he was afforded some...liberties.

Admiral Ondi appeared the exact definition of a Vishovi military leader, and he acted with equal shrewdness.

His hook-nosed and thin-lipped face was intense as narrowed eyes inspected the moon-sized asteroid suspended in space outside the viewport. Pockets of light could be seen in clustered bursts across its surface, giving the impression of large cities populating the rock. But the concentrations of light weren't cities. They were vast ore mining camps.

Millions of slaves toiled down in the mines of the asteroid wearing low-atmosphere, low-gravity suits. These slaves lead perilous lives because the giant mining machines they worked alongside held no regard for their safety, and they often rolled or dug right over the slaves if they got in their path.

Several of Ondi's enemies were down there on the asteroid. He often thought about their plight with great satisfaction and a contemptuous sneer. They had learned the awful price of daring to get in his way, and would forever know that it was he that had bested them.

His attention drifted from the planetoid's surface to the large cluster of ore-refinery freighters suspended in space above it. These ships were rough in appearance without any hull plating or other outward cosmetics and looked like nothing more than criss-crossing, skeletal framings of pipes and beams. These ships had been built as inexpensively and quickly as possible, so they lacked hyperdrive engines and had only minimal life-support systems for their small crews. Functionality was their main purpose, not comfort.

Hundreds of shuttles ferried back and forth from the surface of the asteroid carrying cargo holds filled with the raw ore. They dumped the ore into cargo bays on the refineries, then returned to the surface for another load in a never-ending cycle.

As his shuttle sped over the asteroid's north pole and towards the dayside of the planetoid Ondi inspected yet another long train of cargo shuttles just below him. These shuttles picked up the massive sheets of durasteel made in the refineries and transported them back to the dayside of the asteroid; where they would be put to a very good use.

A twinge of pleasure tugged at Ondi's upper lip as he watched the endless machinations outside the viewport, and he stroked his thin mustache with a long finger.

"Your surveyors did/>

Congratulations, Master Titus!
Dreams of conquest and power.
Business & greed.
It appears that Ondi is controlled by the Sith and does not realize it???

Thank you! Congratulations on the launch of your new novel!


* Just who are you anyway?

I hope it's as good as your Rots-novel
but anyhow, I'll be enjoying reading this!

very interesting JW, A nice little start.

It begins at last! Man that was really interesting, I like the Sith Lord in this, chilling. Anyways, congratulations on getting this up!

Good work!

JW Titus you are the man.

Sweet deal. I loved it.

Finally at last. One of the best holiday presents.




Thank you JW.

JH_505

Very interesting and intricate start. I really enjoyed your descriptions and the detail of your plot. Glad to see you here.

Merry Christmas all ands have a happy New Year.

I will see you all sometime soon (whenever I have time).

Bye,
Jedi_Hunter_505

nice job JW-Titus, excellent work as always

Worth Waiting FOR! AWSOME Post JW!

Brilliant as always, Lord Titus. Looking forwards to post # 2. Yoo da man.

P346

Ooooooooo, very cool! Happy holidays JW.

brilliant absolutley brillient and im on page 1 yay yay

Excellent!!

Can't wait for it to continue.

Excellent JW I cant wait for more.
merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.

WooHoo....

First Page.

Great work as always.

I cant wait to "See" more

Chris Bell

Jaw Drops.

I guess something can rival the ROTS fan novel after 6 months. JW you struck again and I love it. It's good to intro Shi'Dow within the first chapter. The incorportation of the Gran was pretty good as well, since they are a favorite of mine.

-Moleman

We shall watch your career with great interest.

Happy Holidays to you too master JW. that was a wonderful gift on such a cold and dark night. P

Wow awsome. I can't wait to see the Jedi though.

Lovely.

JW,

Congrats on finaly getting Sith Wars going. I will have to actually sit down and read the post tomorrow as I am at work and don't have time to enjoy it right now. Thanks for all your hard work, you are the man!

I got my Christmas wish and Santa hasn't even come yet!

Merry Christmas to all, especially JW!

JW:

That was a GREAT start to what I am sure will be an AWESOME series (maybe even a TV show)...

Thanks for the WONDERFUL Christmas present!!!


NOTE: Everyone please remember the reason for the season...