IC: Haydnat Treen
Aboard the Death Star Prototype, Coruscant orbit

The woman signed off from her latest round of snarling with the Corellian Prime Minister. "Odious witch," Treen snarled to herself.

The others were gathered at an impromptu party within the hangar of the Death Star, the finest food and drink that the Indigo Tower to transport in orbit before the shields were raised. Carise of Arkanis, Lecersen of Imperial space, Bramsin of Coruscant - several of the officials present at the meeting a few hours ago. Some had returned home to prepare their worlds - the Senex Lords, the representatives of the Eriaduan Quintad, and the Governors of the Anoat, Wornal and Lambda Sector, for example.

The shields were being attacked by the Eternal Fleet, and then, the GEMINI ships froze.

"Ah," Treen said. "It is time!" She knew that was the cue; that the droid minds that controlled the armada were receiving instructions. She had been warned by Darth Trayus that there would be a period of adjustment, in which the fleet would stall and hold position and the momentum of their great Empire would shudder. The exhausted guns of the surviving orbital platforms would fall silent, the shields still up but only just. The defenders of Coruscant would have a moment to regroup and rearm, loading missile tubes with what little ordanance they had left.

It would be her job to keep the cause going.

She gestured to the protocol droid, and this time she addressed the galaxy and the capital.

"People of Coruscant," her tone was clipped. "You have seen the daft protestations of the Corellian Prime Minister on behalf of the reticent Chancellor. The galaxy falls to chaos, even as the planet is besieged. A second great bombardment by the Eternal Fleet, desperate to free the galaxy from the lie of democracy. The New Empire rises, and I would demonstrate the power that we wield."

"One reactor ignition, sirs."

As she spoke, the Death Star fired.

The single use of power meant that the fire was not destructive enough to destroy the planet - merely to blow apart the shields. The screen was shattered by the blast, and the planet was exposed at last.

"Coruscant is now free, and if the Chancellor will not relinquish her hold of the populace - her hostages, then the Eternal Emperor will have no choice but to destroy the planet. The New Republic must die, and the galaxy be freed!" Treen snarled. "It is a failure. The Clone Wars and this crisis, it is the Republic that birthed it!"

Treen settled back.

"I give the former Chancellor ten minutes to acquiesce power."

Maybe this would rile Feyna from hiding.

---
Chancellor's Office

Del saluted the Chancellor, eager to get to physical solutions.

Jyn spoke up. "I'm happy to help with the patrol. Paired teams?"

"Shall I accompany you, Ms Erso?" Shevu said.

"Jyn, for the love of the Force, call me that." He expected that Del and Nola would want to pair up.

There was an expression of concern. "There are a few anomalies within the Senate Tower - prowling humans, none of which I know," said Winter. She glanced at the Chancellor, smiled slightly. "I checked all the cameras while I was being patched up by the med-droid, you know what I'm like." The pale woman produced two datapads. "This is what little details I have; they're trying to stay out of sight..."

The HoloNet showed what Treen said, and did, and indeed, that the Eternal Fleet was silent. Then, the world rocked, as the Death Star fired - and the shields collapsed.

Jyn seethed. "Oh you have got to deal with her, Feyna. Show her who is boss."

She took a 'pad from Winter. "I'll take the east wing." She nodded to Del, and Nola. "You can the west wing?"

Kre'frey didn't respond.

TAG: @JediMasterAnne x 2
---
In orbit

The cloaked ship settled in low-orbit.

The Eternal Throne connected Darth Skelm to the Eternal Fleet.

There were hundreds of ships in orbit, hundreds of entities - all sharing one will.

The GEMINI hive mind.

There was another, however... another mind which hung in this separate place - a carnivorous, dark one.

It was not as cunning, or base, of manipulative as his, one would say.

For a time, the three of them were in the same space.

GEMINI, Skelm and Bernael.

They were here.

The droid intellect turned her head. "A Throne has been found... two?"

They would each come to terms with much.

The two darksiders would detect that Eternal technology across other worlds in the cosmos. There was an exhausted reserve on Mandalore, and also on Metellos; weapons that had been used to consume the latter world, even unknowingly, by Bernael. Other worlds had the technology, ones the Acolytes of the Beyond had visited on behalf of Darth Zorn. Including Coruscant.

As Aryan's eyes closed and he was summoned to his higher calling, Trayus headed to the cockpit.

He leaned across the back of a chair. "So, Arek Graul..." He drawled. "You're not supposed to be here."

The broken sceptre rumbled in the teens pocket. "Ah yes," Trayus gestured, and it floated free. "It's detecting a portal, reverberating in the depths of Coruscant. The Eternal technology down there, it includes such a thing. It could be used to consume this world... to channel the Force into the man who calls it to - to make them strong... or, if so willed by someone who shares the blood of an Eternal Emperor... it could be used however one wishes; rewired, in-fact."

Trayus chuckled. "Don't you share some blood with an Eternal Emperor now?" He placed the fragment into Arek's hands. "The escape pods are below, I should say." He looked at the shields as they were pierced by the Death Star's superlaser, watching from the cockpit. "Well, well. The finale approaches... your father's allies include the most murderous in the galaxy... I wonder what they would do with technology like that?"

The Sith checked an imaginary chrono. "Oh look at that, I need to check on his Imperial Highness."

The Black-Coat swept from the room, producing a comm. "Well, Ike?" His words faded as he walked off.

TAG: @HanSolo29 (Arek single, Aryan combo with @darthbernael and the GM)
---
Odessen

The connection between Bernael and the Eternal Throne caused an evolution.

The old Anzati would be aware of it, of course, because the changes were so obvious.

Lana and Theron continued the preparations, and even though he was engaged, they narrated.

"The design was one that Arcann had made, and we of course had the specifications -"

"- from when we blew it up," Theron added.

It rose up, and the area within the base was revealed to be the bridge.

Bernael had a new toy; a reward for his arduous journey.



The base concealed an Eternal flagship.

It rose up, shredding the world that had entombed it for over a millennium.

TAG: @darthbernael
---
IC: High Lord Darish Vol
Keshtah, Kesh

The planet was a small one, but it was one occupied by the Sith for a very long time.

It was the dark side's fortune that looked down on High Lord Darish Vol when a star fell from the sky.

There were no comms on Kesh, just messengers, flying by Uvak - local reptiles that could fly the members of the Tribe from city to city.

The Omen, the Derriphan-class battleship which had crash landed on-world five thousand years ago, it remained in it's cradle at the top of a mountain, signalling the galaxy, not knowing that it was impossible through the unique magnetic field that existed on Kesh.

But in this district of Keshtah, he held power, and so it was he who would act, before the Grand Lord instructed otherwise. Of course, he would bring his loyal Lords - Sarasu Taalon and Sashal, both Keshiri natives. Taalon would demand elevation, as would Sashal, but the latter was a simple woman. The Sabers in his retinue... Ysadria Kaladris, Sammul Sharsha, Jesko Umarn, Olaris Rhea... yes, of course. These seven would be rise with him.

The seven Uvak took off - flying towards their destiny.

---
Keshtah, Jungle Highlands

Their yacht was scrambled, crippled by whatever they had hit upon.

Beaumont growled. "Well now we know why Kesh was so isolated," he said to Qwi. He had explained, as they struggled - around swearing - that Naga Sadow was the Dark Lord of the Sith from five millennia ago. He had started the Great Hyperspace War, bringing the Sith back into the light after nearly two millennia in seclusion, and destroying their most successful Empire. If these Sith had crash-landed here so long ago, then it had been five millennia they had been here.

But the ship was simply not responding.

"We're in trouble, Qwi."

He pulled up the sensor readings of their descent. There were many, many settlements. Sith ones. There was a whole society in-existence.

They hit the trees -

TAG: @Jerjerrod-Lennox (combo)

TAG: @darthbernael, @TheSilentInfluence, @darthhelinith (Jedi team combo continues)

TAG: @TheSilentInfluence, @Jerjerrod-Lennox, @galactic-vagabond422 (Bilbringi combo continues)

 

IC: Arek Graul
Cloaked Vessel, Coruscant

Arek remained pensive, his hands clenched tightly around the broken staff, as Trayus vacated the room. He was rightfully wary of the Black Coat’s intentions, particularly after he had assisted his father with his cunning scheme to conquer the galaxy. And yet, there was something about the man’s words that had stopped him, drawing his thoughts inward to search for answers.

That’s when he felt the power of the scepter pulsing against his fingers, resonating with the Force to convey him the truth. It was the same scepter that had carried him across the void to this new timeline – a true product of the ancients, and he knew that it could not lie.

Trayus had offered him a way out. Not only would it solve his current predicament with his father, but he could escape from this doomed existence and start anew. That had been his objective from the beginning, even before he had allowed himself to become distracted by his grandfather. This was an opportunity to set things right.

Of course, it also wouldn’t hurt to foil his father’s plans in the process. The Black Coat was right to assume that his father would want to utilize the Eternal technology hidden on Coruscant’s surface for his own means. If Arek could reach it first and ‘recalibrate’ it to serve as a portal instead of a weapon, he could save the galaxy from experiencing another tragedy. It was the least he could do before he departed.

Nevertheless, that did not stop the guilt from closing in on him. He could not dismiss the people he would be leaving behind to potentially perish in this alternate chronology – people like the Chancellor, Nola, and their supporters, who had all struggled to retain the peace.

And yet, was there anything he could really do to prevent such an inevitability? Arek had to remind himself that this was a parallel timeline. He could only presume that Feyna and the others existed somewhere else – much as he did – and were living a normal, happy life.

At least, that was the hope that spurred him onward.

But even then, there were certain matters he could not leave up to mere chance. For one, his grandmother had suffered through enough heartache. He could not bear to leave her behind to witness her son spiraling ever deeper into the throes of madness. It would literally kill her.

That thought lingered as Arek pursed his lips and retrieved the datapad from his jacket pocket. He then began to hastily type out a message to Four-Dee:

I will be forwarding you a set of coordinates shortly. Meet me there as soon as you can. I’ve found a way out.

He hesitated before typing out another, an encrypted one that would be delivered half a galaxy away. Despite never meeting his long-lost sister, he felt compelled to reach out to her and ensure that she had an egress. He recalled overhearing a report that placed her in Bakura’s custody, and so he would use them as an intermediary. Hopefully, they would have the foresight to forward the package directly to her upon receiving it.

After he sent both messages on their way, Arek rose from his chair at the monitoring station and quietly scampered toward the bowels of the ship, careful not to attract any unwanted attention. When he reached his destination, his fingers caressed the handle of the scepter one last time, entrusting it for guidance, before he slipped into one of the empty escape pods.

In short order, he jettisoned the pod and watched with bated breath as he hurtled toward the planet below.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

OOC: Combo with @Sinrebirth

IC Bernael
Eternal Flagship, Odessen orbit

Even as a portion of Bernael’s consciousness was enmeshed with the meld of the Thrones and the GEMINI fleet another portion was still conscious of what was occurring around his physical body. He’d been concerned when he saw that the Throne was in a static, somewhat ruined base on a planet, in this case deep in the Empire of the Hand territory. But with this development he now had a mobile command base, unanchored to any locale.

His eyes opened, looking toward the holograms, ”Any other surprises you have in store for me?” then thought for a moment, ”Send a command to the Fury that was parked by the base, have it settle in the hangar of this craft, it can be useful in the future.”

"Set a course for an unallied territory for now, while I plan. Oh...and does this vessel have a name?" he asked.

“Welllllll,” Theron said, glancing at Lana. “I’m not sure we’re ready to tell you everything, but sure, we’ll send some Skytroopers to collect your ship. Classic design, after all.”

“Vaylin didn’t care about ship names, so no,” Lana replied. “But as to what my colleague references... I must ask; what are your intentions? The Eternal Alliance, when it had the power, kept the peace. In this demilitarised galaxy, even a third of the Eternal Fleet would become a hyperpower in its own right - not unassailable, but with the strength to win almost any battle with the armed powers in their current state.”

“Are you gonna be an Alliance Commander or an Eternal Emperor, basically,” finished Theron.

“There is that choice, yes,” Lana said.

Bernael chuckled, ”We did just meet, yes, so time it will take for you to reveal all that you choose to.”

Another chuckle and he eyed the two holograms, ”I have a counter question, the quality of your service and what you reveal, assist in, does that differ whether I choose to be the commander or emperor?”

"Not per se, no," Lana replied.

"Though we both have our preferences, as you'd expect," Theron added.

She glanced at him. "But we don't allow them to interfere with our service. When we served the Outlander as Commander of the Alliance, we did not care for either of our respective factions - Empire or Republic."

Theron folded his arms. "Not that either of them were particularly impressive at the time, morally or otherwise. We stuck with them when they did pick a side, of course."

"So an unqualified no, for now," Lana said. Her eyes were piercing, even in hologram form; Sith eyes.

A slow, lazy smile crossed Bernael’s face as he watched them both. He was sure what each of their choices would be but the fact that they would still work with and assist him regardless of choice, not hold back because of it, was a good sign.

”I am certain that you both, with the tech around here, can sense the orientation of a being. And I am pleased that regardless of my choice you both will be working with and for me. I see my role and it is that of Emperor. Therefore that is my choice.” he stated in a calm, even tone.

He was drawn to Lana but he’d heard many were over the years and she was a hologram, not living so there was no need to appreciate more than her form, intelligence, and ability. Shan was one that was more of a loose cannon to him but he was sure that the ‘man’ would work quite well for him.

A thought occurred, ”A portion of the fleet is headed to Corellia, Hapes, and Kuat. I know there is Eternal tech on those planets, can it be woken from here, to assist when the GEMINI fleet arrives to deal with those opposed to my plans?”

Theron shook his head. “No Eternal tech on those worlds; they weren’t loyal to the Old Ones, nor captured by Vitiate before he was deposed or killed. That’s the requirements you have to fulfil to find them.”

“And even then, the GEMINI droids have specific subroutines built into them warning them off Corellia,” Lana said. “We didn’t have the opportunity to discover why. The Eternal Emperor himself would have to travel to Corellia.”

She gestured a few holograms to appear. “If you intend to be an Emperor... should we begin programs to recreate the Star Fortresses, or a factory for more Skytroopers?” The former were stations designed to hold whole worlds hostage, and the latter were the droids that served as infantry.

“We’ll need to deploy at least some of the fleet to secure the necessary resource worlds and old Separatist facilities...” Theron lit up the southern quadrant with yellow dots for targets - Nkllon, Bespin, Endor, as the former, and Mustafar, Akiva and Zaadja for the latter.

The fleet was one thing, but they knew that propagation was key to future successes.

Bernael snorted, "Just because I choose to be an Emperor does not mean I wouldn't accept when you know I have missed something or had it wrong." One talon tapped on the end of the throne.

And then he snorted again, ”You two are not able to read minds are you? Ensuring production of those resources, and others, such as the starfighters and assault droids, needs to begin. Zakuul at first, as well as uninhabited, relatively unknown systems. Once the resource worlds are subdued we will expand the production facilities so that, no matter the world it can be interdicted by the Star Fortresses and cohorts of Skytroopers.”

He thought for a few moments, ”If the GEMINI will travel to Corellia then we interdict travel to it from the closest the GEMINI will approach it until such time as I can travel there. Any craft travelling to there will be warned off and if they continue to approach, destroyed. Any craft exiting, including shipments to any but us, and those deep scanned, will likewise be destroyed.”

His eyes scanned the galactic map, ”A portion of the fleet is being sent to both Hapes and Kuat. Those worlds will be reduced until they submit to Eternal rule. The remainder of the fleet will be used to bring the resource worlds into the Empire, several to begin with and more as the production ramps up.”

Lana tapped her holographic chin. “I would abandon Zakuul, actually. It has no resources that will benefit the cause, unless you intend to use it as a forward base...”

“... and what about Odessen?” Theron queried. “I’ve no suggestion that Thrawn knows about it... but he might dig into Zakuul’s whereabouts...?”

It took a few moments to think about both worlds and what Lana and Theron had said. His smile remained in place, ’It is so pleasant to have highly intelligent counselors.’ he thought.

”I agree with you both, Zakuul would work as a forward base and Thrawn would go after that world quickly once the Fleet begins to make its presence felt. Odessen, on the other hand, is a resource rich world and mostly lost to myth. A better choice to build up the initial production facilities. So we do so.” he finished.

“We did assist three separate galactic governments, one of which ruled the entire galaxy,” Lana said drily.

“For a year or two,” Theron amended with a smile.

“I don’t think there is a sentient Machine God hiding in the midst of a superweapon that can destroy the fleet...”

“This time, anyway,” he jibed.

“Yes,” Lana said, even more curtly, and turned to Bernael. “Speaking of, have you ever heard of Starkiller Base?”

He hadn’t, of course.

Bernael chuckled, he was right, they bickered like a couple who’ve known each other for a very long time.

At the mention of the base his head cocked to the side, thinking. ”No I have not heard of that Base before.”

The mention of the Machine God that thwarted efforts before made him chuckle again, but then a serious expression crossed his face, ”I do not know if you’ve been made aware but I am, basically, the Dark Side walking. Which implies and, yes, does mean there is one who is the Light Side walking. I believe he could be the biggest threat to the plans, in the long run.”

“Eh, I’ll take you word for that,” Theron said. “Thrawn’s been building an aptly named superweapon which drains suns to power a hyperspace weapon. It’s not finished, but it’s going to cause a headache when it is.”

“Though we appreciate Force superweapons like Anakin Skywalker or Darth Zorn are problems,” Lana replied, “we’re concerned by this development for long term order and control.” She hesitated. “That is what you seek, is it not?”

“It is, yes. Such a weapon can be devastating when a foe controls it. So the question becomes whether it is better to manipulate him into an ally status or to have the weapon destroyed.” he mused. Thrawn was not one easily manipulated but it could be possible that his extreme focus on the Vong and ensuring that all was ready for them could be used as a lever against him. Bernael mentioned as much to the two AI’s to add to the data they might have, to assist in their decisions and thoughts on the matter.

”As to the avatar of the Light, I have faced him, and he is nowhere close to where he needs to be to face me, even with a fleet behind him. The two Force superweapons you mentioned are off the board now, they destroyed each other so the number of those with Force ability that could stand against us is extremely low.” He continued, thinking about the other Force presence he’d felt on Exegol, and how many possible Jedi that may remain.

“We’ll leave it to you and Sistros to decide strategy and diplomacy,” Lana said shortly. “We’ll just supply you with options.”

“And we don’t have nearly enough data on the Yuuzhan Vong to say anything about a counter to them. There was an academic aside that the dead language of Janguine was relevant, but we’d have to take that world and it’s far away from any of our centres of control,” Theron showed its location in the northern Outer Rim.

“Much like the Change, there is a slow appreciation of knowledge of the Yuuzhan Vong coming to the forefront, but the overwhelming majority of the galaxy doesn’t know anything about them. I imagine your contacts with the Ascendancy in the past gave you some knowledge, while in the Unknowns, but the Twilight Void has been picked clean by the Chiss...” It wasn’t common knowledge that the Chiss had known of the Yuuzhan Vong for some fifty years, a task force having crossed paths with some of their scouts. It was this encounter what Thrawn was basing his concerns and preparedness on.

“But we have no plan, otherwise,” Theron finished for Lana.

Lana nodded. “Our recommendation would be for Janguine to be secretly secured. It’s a primitive world after all; no New Republic or Imperial Remnant presence whatsoever. A research team should be drafted and deployed too, which may be expensive but well paid archaeologists will provide more data than enslaved ones.”

“Yeah,” Theron said, clearly appalled by her analysis. “That. But I want to know, Mister Emperor,” he smiled in that cocky manner he was known for. “Where are we going? We’ve a nifty flagship all setup for you. Where shall we go?”

Indeed, they’d risen into orbit, his personal ship brought aboard by the Skytroopers sent to collect it. Bernael’s portions of the fleet were deploying en masse to the southern quadrant, and had plenty to do but also plenty of targets. Kuat, Hapes, Corellia - each had his Eternal Empire battlecruisers en route.

Bernael sighed as more of his attention turned to matters here. Gazing at Lana, ”For that we will need to secure an archaeological team. So that will be a subroutine for you two, to find one for us, along with starting up the production facilities of Odessen.”

He leaned back against the back of the Throne, talon tapping again in thought. ”You stated that the Emperor must be present at Corellia, so if we have fleet elements headed there it means so must I. Therefore, set course for Corellia.”

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @HanSolo29

 

OOC: Combo with @Sinrebirth and @HanSolo29 (Double post approved by GM)

IC Bernael, Skelm, and GEMINI
In the meld of the Eternal Thrones

Even as his body adjusted to the changes that were occurring on and soon above Odessen, Bernael floated in the meld that sitting upon the Throne had brought about. He could feel the fleet, feel the tech buried on or near various worlds, feel the droids as they realized that there was a being that sat upon the Throne and that they were now under a being’s control once more. And then there was the other presence as it entered the meld.

It felt focused, growing in its dark power, manipulative, driven. Even in this form, the soul called to his, his recognizing it. He reached out, "It is Nevet, I can sense the familiarity of you, Sistros, and the depths you wish to reach, together we may rewrite this entire galaxy…"

When there wasn’t an immediate response, he chuckled, "Have you not fully awoken, my soul’s brother? What do you call yourself now?" he asked as his presence flowed around the other darkness, getting its measure, learning all he could of it before it spoke.

Silence reigned as Aryan tried to regain his faculties. His exposure to the meld, and the subsequent transition, had been more taxing on his body than he had anticipated. There was so much energy, so much knowledge; he was only just beginning to understand the power of such profound insight.

He could feel the fleet as it swirled and coalesced with his consciousness, as well as the thrum of the ancient technology that called to him like a beacon from several worlds scattered across the galaxy…

And yet, it was that strange, nebulous presence that took precedence in his mind.

It was the same one he had sensed earlier, but its adherence to the meld made it more vivid...more distinct; he had a more defined picture of what he was dealing with. The darkness was palpable, and it possessed a raw, predatory nature that was almost feral.

But that’s not what Aryan had found the most endearing. Despite the inherent danger of this creature, it had spoken to him in a voice that exuded confidence and strength, uttering a name that had called to his very soul.

Sistros; the tenant of the Holocron.

How had this presence – this Nevet – come to know that name? And why refer to him as such? Only one other had dared to call him that recently…

Aryan clenched his jaw and considered the implications, pondering…wondering...

Bernael touched the GEMINI droids, "No more random destruction, refuse all communication with the New Republic and the female Chancellor you were previously in contact with. Deploy elements to every world associated with those who had been in the conference with you and her, reduce their shields and fleets to the minimum," he ordered.

GEMINI simply tilted her chin to his orders and regarded the other present here. "Do you intend to disperse our forces so?" She sneered. "Your Grand Moff is composing a ‘surrender or die’ message to the Organa woman."

It was the droid’s lilting voice that ultimately roused Aryan from his reverie. While he was still adjusting to his new existence, he had gleaned enough information to adequately assess and answer GEMINI’s inquiry.

"And she will have all of the necessary resources to succeed," he rumbled in a deep baritone, his eyes still closed as he communed through the meld. "Even if only half of the Fleet remains behind to defend Coruscant – which is only one example, that is more than sufficient to achieve our goals. As it stands, I cannot allow Corellia, Hapes, and Kuat to escape punishment for their treachery."

Aryan canted his head and sampled the mysterious presence once more, surprised that he actually found himself agreeing with Nevet’s assessment. "We will move ahead with the orders as presented."

He then turned his attention inward, intent on communicating fully with the newcomer. He was still wary after he professed knowledge of Sistros, but this latest development put him more at ease. It was as if they were on the same wavelength; as if they could perceive each other’s thoughts and emotions. Was that possible? Or was it a mere illusion, a consequence of the Eternal meld?

Either way, Aryan decided to finally indulge him, if only to learn more. "I am Skelm," he stated evenly, a wry smirk appearing on his lips. "But the wider galaxy will acknowledge me as Emperor Graul." He inclined his chin, pondering. "How is it that you know about Sistros? Where did you discover him?"

Bernael was silent, letting the other presence bring itself fully into the meld and answer the question from the GEMINI, to see whether they would be allies or not in this endeavor. He allowed a pleased feeling to flow from him as Sistros responded, agreed with his decision. His essence, thought touched the droids once more, ”You have received your orders, initiate them.” a glance at Sistros as it were, ”Given the capabilities of the Fleet, I’d say 25 per each of those three worlds would be more than enough to reduce them to slag if we choose, and still have several hundred to attack/defend Coruscant.”

He turned his attention to Sistros, or as he called himself now, Skelm. The essence of a sigh drifted through the bond, ”Then you have not fully woken yet. Your shell, your physical form is Skelm, is this Graul, but your soul...it is far far older.”

“You ask how I know Sistros...my soul is just as old as yours.” he continued, wondering if telling Skelm would wake Sistros too early but it was time that he return fully. ”Sistros and Nevet are, for lack of a better way to define it, two halves of the same soul. That is how I know you, know who you are at the deepest. We were at the ‘beginning’ of this and are now at the ‘end’ of it.”

There was a filter of memory as Skelm and Bernael shared access to the GEMINI hive mind. They had been created by a species that worshipped the Old Ones, ancient demonic entities that had created them, the Sith, the Rakata and other monstrous factions. During the Twilight Wars thirty-five thousand years ago, their makers had created the Six Machine Gods in the image of the Old Ones, much as many species had done so; the Immortal Gods of the Sith, for example. They had their variations, but it was often a pair of Gods with a family of four, including twins.

They worshiped the True Way; survival of the fittest.

According, the sentient GEMINI droids had turned against their flesh and blood creators and erased them, only to fall into civil war themselves. The fact however that, much like the Old Ones themselves, there was an earlier deity, and while it was Yun-Yuuzhan or the Father of Shadows for the other Old allies, for the GEMINI it was Zildrog, who placed all the Machine Gods and the Eternal Fleet into a slumber until the Great Sith Wars of three and a half millennia ago, during which the seven Machine Gods and two-thirds of the Eternal Fleet were destroyed.

Of course that would cause a bubble of a question within - the tie between them and Sistros Nevet. Indeed, that traced itself back to the beginning of the Twilight Wars, when the Light was lost in a squabble between competing lights - the Protectors, named for the Sages of Dwartii. For them, the Twilight Wars began first, and Sistros, Yanjon, Braata, and Faya, the only surviving names of those who began the Wars... or for who the Wars began. But Nevet was a secret Sage of Dwartii, renowned for his shadowy existence, making the unholy number of six with Dwartii, who was said to have no face and six names...

Which led to the question of the seventh Sage, the so-called red flame traitor, but the GEMINI knew nothing of this, nor what the Light was, nor the ultimate epitaph of the Sages.

But Dwartii himself was said to be running an experiment in a concept known as the Dyad, a mythical power which was said to have defeated the most ancient darkness, and so Nevet became the second part of Sistros, and other halves were heretical projects for the future - a future ruined by the Twilight Wars - the ultimate foundation of the fundamental conflict between Light and Dark.

These thoughts curdled within Aryan, and indeed within Bernael. They were at present mere concepts, afloat, above, not directly entwined with them.

Until the family name of Sistros was revealed; Graal. Over the ten millennia of the Twilight Wars, the name was corrupted into it’s modern iteration - to that of Graul, a family which settled down on a world that would become called Nubia.

As for Bernael, he didn’t need that elucidation, merely the delicious interconnectivity of it all. Indeed, the double-trinity of Gods, the duality of it all, the mystical Dyad, the Rule of Two revealed as a mere echo of the original idea - he would appreciate more than ever why the worshippers of the True Way ironically named their droids after the twin persona - GEMINI.

It all led back to the Sages of Dwartii...

To the Black-Coat with six names.

The onrush of information was difficult to fully comprehend, which contributed to Skelm’s initial skepticism. Between Nevet’s attempts to rationalize his beliefs and the seemingly aimless track of the data itself, he failed to see the tangible line that traced him back to the mysterious Sistros. It was all rather arbitrary...

Until the power of the Eternal disclosed Sistros’ family name.

Graal.

Graul.

It was his family.

Skelm exhaled slowly and pressed a hand to his chest, almost as if he could touch the spirit within – the fundamental essence of his existence. He was Sistros and Sistros was a part of him. He realized that he could no longer escape that simple truth; the Eternal did not lie. It resonated from the very depths of his being.

And yet, hadn’t he always known to some extent?

He recalled how his father’s blind obsession with the occult had always controlled him. It had consumed most of Aryan’s childhood, often leading to neglect or punishment for things that were beyond his control. He had not understood it at the time; he had only been a helpless victim of the man’s compulsive behavior. But now he could vividly identify some of the names and theories that his old man had routinely reflected upon – Dwartii, Nouane, the Twilight Wars, and the final epitaph of the Sages…Yanjon, Faya, Braata, and Sistros.

Norin had known the truth, but he had purposely withheld that information from him.

"He lied to me," Skelm uttered under his breath, his words reaching across the meld to his soul brother. "My father...he knew all along who I was and what I was capable of, but he squelched that potential before it could fully materialize. He denied me my right...my destiny."

The Emperor clenched his fist, the Force crackling around his fingertips. He wished that he could reach across to whatever hell his father now resided in to punish him once again for his insolence, but that time had passed. He knew that he had to move on and embrace his new future.

"However, you acknowledged the truth and showed me the path to enlightenment," Skelm carried on after a prolonged pause, his tone confirming his conviction. "You were able to recognize who I truly was. For that, I owe you my gratitude, Nevet."

An odd sense of calm washed over him, slowly dissolving into clarity and acceptance. He allowed Nevet to sense this change through their bond, inviting him to share in the fervor of this moment.

Sistros lived.

Bernael, Nevet, remained silent, listening, absorbing what the GEMINI was putting out through the bond. Most, almost all, he knew, some he had lived, and only a small fraction was new. He let the information soak in as he felt Sistros, Skelm, work through what he’d been introduced to. He felt the turning point, the point where it revealed that his family had been the original Sistros’s family, they were related, which also explained why Sistros’s soul passed down to him.

He sent a nod of acknowledgement through the bond to Sistros, ”Welcome back, Sistros, and I am pleased to see you fully awake again. Let the galaxy tremble as we move.”

As he let his self, his being, open through the bond to his ‘brother’ he turned his attention to the GEMINI. Humor seeped through the bond, ”Let us begin at the beginning. First, the worship of the Machine Gods, based upon, emulating the Old Ones.” He chuckled, ”My father was an Old One; he left a seed of himself inside me. But after he recognized the need to join with me he attempted to overwhelm my soul, my essence, and failed so I subsumed him into me.”

He thought about what else had been revealed, ”Second, you yourselves may not even realize it but the ‘twins’ you all are modeled upon are now the two that sit upon the Thrones. Lastly, all that has occurred, for you and your siblings, as well as the degenerate idea,” he almost growled at the thought that he’d assisted in creating the concept of, ”of the Rule of Two is based upon the dyad the Master of Masters created when he brought forth Sistros and myself.”

A dark smile drifted through the bond, ”All in all, what that all adds up to, whether you like it or not, those Masters of the GEMINI that are those who should be the only ones to truly control you now do so. So hesitancy in your actions is unwarranted.”

He turned back to Sistros, ”That was how I recognized you, brother, we may as well be two halves of one soul. There is much I can show you, teach you. But I can feel we are in good mettle, you focusing on the local, the immediate and I the broad strokes of our plan for the galaxy, assisting one another.”

The GEMINI droids had never been controlled by a pair at once, and so their systems adapted and processed the fact. The two would realize that they each commanded half of the Eternal Fleet, and they were equal in that respect. The GEMINI separated themselves into two hive-minds, and there was a moment of chaos as the droids acclimatized and came to accept it.

The fleet at Coruscant was placed to follow their orders, but were suddenly sundered, confused, as a number of their brothers and sisters were erased when the Death Star prototype detonated, sundering them. The hive-mind had already separated though, and did not, as they would have done ordinarily, regrouped. Instead, serendipity had it that Bernael's half of the fleet took most of the damage, costing him five dozen battlecruisers. Their equality had lasted mere moments, but Graul would also know from their shadow bond that Bernael had a flagship...

... and that Graul had lost several political supporters aboard that Death Star.

Bernael would also know that Graul had a son from another timeline present, and a missing daughter being held by Gaeriel Captison, his lover, or perhaps ex-lover. He would know of the death of his wife and real son fourteen years ago on Ach-To, of how the reigning Dark Lord had manipulated him to be a figurehead Emperor back then, before his exile, and he would know that Aryan had been abused by his father as a young man - his late father, that Graul had killed a couple hours ago.

Graul would also know that Bernael spoke the truth, that he and his species were created by the aforementioned Old Ones, indeed, one of the Architects and progenitor of most of them, the God of Death. He had inherited that seed, plotted with the Yevetha, frolicked with Abeloth, and discovered and lost a First Order fleet in the Maw. Too he had an other, a lightsider counterpart named Renn...

These were shadow thoughts, because they were not of one mind, after all.

Skelm continued to assimilate the knowledge presented to him through the Eternal’s bond, lapping it up as if to satisfy an insatiable hunger. Now that he knew the truth about his true self as Sistros, he was eager to learn and familiarize himself with all of the facets of their history, including the connection to his soul brother, Nevet.

He discovered that his proper name was Bernael, an ancient in his own right, who had conceived himself of the Old Ones and wrangled with such entities as the Yevetha and Abeloth. He was a formidable force, destructive and powerful. Aryan did not hesitate to approve of the Anzat’s proposed alliance – twin leaders working in tandem to restore order to the galaxy. It was the perfect––

His thoughts trailed off as the Force converged in a wave of fear and panic, the surge building to a strong crescendo before suddenly becoming silent. That’s when the cold embrace of death extended out to encompass him in its dark shroud, denoting a mass loss of life. He would’ve typically pulled on this for strength, but then he recognized the source of the disturbance.

The Death Star had detonated.

Rage flashed across his mind’s eye, turning the meld a deep red. While Skelm did not feel a particularly strong connection to any of the individuals who had perished aboard the space station, including Senator Treen, he knew that it would surely cripple their efforts. They had lost valuable resources, and the Chancellor would pay dearly for her actions. Who else could have committed such a heinous act?

How fitting that the Republic had fired the first shots to start the war anew.

Inclining his chin, Aryan spoke directly to GEMINI. "Engage," he declared firmly, his eyes opening to stare out at the space around Coruscant. "Target and destroy all New Republic assets, starting with anything designated as ‘high-profile’ and scaling our way down. That includes any buildings, personnel, and other various operations on the surface. They decided the parameters of this war when they lobbed the opening volley."

A thin smile appeared over his lips. "And if any wish to surrender, inform them that they are to bow down and beg for my mercy."

Bernael felt the deaths through the bond, only mourning the loss of food, the creatures themselves were of little matter save as fuel for Skelm to ignite his anger. That he wholeheartedly approved of. A sense of approval surged through the bond when Sistros gave his orders to the GEMINI droids.

He let a sense of the flagship be imaged in the bond, ”We have a base of operations, Skelm, and production facilities will begin operation again very soon. I have my fleet elements headed toward the major worlds already mentioned but it appears that one of us must be present at Corellia to enact the protocols there so I will travel there.”

He sent a close up view of the space in the sector around Corellia, ”Once you have pacified Coruscant, including getting the Eternal tech in operation, we can rendezvous at Rydonni Prime, one stop short of Corellia on the hyper route.”

To the GEMINI hive mind, ”The flagship will be joining operations at Corellia, given the strictures placed by Vitiate.”

He remained present in the bond, but turned more of his focus to the operations around his physical shell after his last comments.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @HanSolo29

 

OOC: Triple post approved by GM, combo with @darthhelinith, @TheSilentInfluence, and @Sinrebirth

IC Renn, Vhardia, and Leia
First Order shuttle, departing Starkiller Base

"This is Shara Dameron. All Jedi, regroup at Bilbringi for refueling and rearming before we advance on Coruscant."

Renn listened to Shara’s message and was about to respond when a second message was received, one a lot less friendly than the first.

"You may leave, Jedi, but carry back to your Chancellor - if she survives - that the Unknown Regions are now the sole province of the Empire of the Hand. If any Jedi or New Republic enter our territory, we shall declare war upon you."

Thrawn’s message was succinct and direct, and something that would have to be passed along. He turned to Vhardia, ”Do you wish to respond to either, Shara’s message is for the Jedi and as you’re the senior actual Jedi here it’s probably best if you do. If you want I can set course for Bilbringi while you do so.”

Vhardia sighed. She couldn't help but think a better Jedi would have been able to to talk Thrawn out of his manic scheme.

"There's no point in responding to Thrawn, he'd made his decision." She looked at Leia, slightly awed. "The crystals talked to you?"

She turned away and frowned.

"But regroup at Bilbringi? 'Advance' on Coruscant? That sounds like military action. I thought the decision was made the Jedi wouldn't be doing stuff like that anymore."

BB-8 tootled, providing an update about the situation at Coruscant. A fleet of droid battlecruisers was holding the planet hostage, screening a Death Star prototype. There was a brief playback of an argument between ‘Grand Moff Treen’, the Kuati Senator who had been trading barbs with Corellia Prime Minister Saxan on behalf of the Chancellor. Treen was announcing that the Bakura Senator was now the Eternal Emperor of the New Empire. Then, footage of the cruisers attacking Coruscant, bombarding the shields and the stations and defenses.

This was what Shara was rallying the Jedi to stop.

"Yes, it talked to me. It doesn't like having anyone in this place, Master." Leia explained. "It feels threatened." She paused. "Do we have to go and fight now Master? My mother-" She paused as she reached out with the force. "-is going to be there. Do you think we could help?"

Renn could not just hear but sense the reluctance in Vhardia. He knew what she was responsible for now and, even if she didn’t speak it he agreed, a battlefield wasn’t the place for a young person, this young. But what or where could they go now was the question. He could feel the nervous anticipation in Leia, the seemingly reckless immortality of youth. Not that the child didn’t know she could die but it wasn’t something the young really concerned themselves with.

He glanced at Vhardia, in a low tone, ”The Jedi could use our help but I’m concerned they are headed into a battle that will decimate the Order. And we both have reasons to make sure that none of us fall there.”

Vhardia nodded at Renn's words but didn't take her eyes off Leia. Renn's concerns aligned with her own; she couldn't justify taking a six-year-old into a warzone. However, she also couldn't let a billion people die. Thrawn's plans of mass planetricide had been delayed but it made little difference if Coruscant fell in flames. She put a hand on the padawan's shoulder. "Leia, when you chose to become a Jedi, you made a commitment to the living force, which includes forgoing attachments. You serve everyone in the galaxy now, not just your family." It was a correction made gently. "We'll go to Bilbringi and find out what the council have planned but that doesn't mean we're joining them on Coruscant."

Doesn't mean you are going to Coruscant. She thought in her head.

Leia nodded, but she felt guilty that she was leaving her family behind. "Okay, I guess I can trust you about this Master." She reached up and took her hand, giving her a tired look. "But I don't want to miss out on the action. I bet my cousin Tor is going to fight." She argued gently. although she knew deep down it wasn't a very strong one.

An amused look crossed Vhardia's face, for a moment her eyes danced with humour as she squeezed the girl's hand.

"And how old is Tor?" She smiled softly. "You may have a lightsaber now, but you don't know how to use it."

She looked at the hilt on Leia's belt, which was so large on her it reached over half way to her knee. "First step, we need to put your new crystal in that hilt. Unless... Renn you don't have a smaller hilt, do you?"

Renn had been listening, a small smile on his face, as Vhardia and her Padawan conversed. He agreed with the Jedi, the battle wasn’t really a place for the young girl. She may think she was ready, especially if what he could feel in her emotions related to how and where she was raised were true, but that didn’t mean she understood the reality of it.

He began setting the course for Bilbringi and was about to contact Shara when Vhardia asked him about hilts. Finishing setting the course, he pushed back the pilot’s couch and began rummaging through the various pouches on his belt, ”Hmmm, nope not that one..mmmm this one’s still a little too big...ah perhaps this one.” he muttered as he searched.

What he brought out was half the length of the one currently almost dragging down the side of the Padawan. It was slightly curved which reduced its overall length as well. ”I don’t know if you know how to use a curved grip saber but this one is a lot smaller than the one you have now, and I would hold that one for you, safe, until you are big enough to use it.”

A simple twist and unlock and he popped the kyber crystal that currently sat inside out, placing it back in the pouch before holding out the saber hilt.

Vhardia's eyebrows rose as Renn sorted through more and more lightsaber hilts- she'd never seen so many in her life on one person. She'd known he had several but... She quickly returned her face to a neutral position and took the lightsaber hilt he offered and turned it over in her hands. It was beautifully crafted, above and beyond the simple practice hilts of the temple- whoever had made it had clearly loved it. She couldn't help but wonder where he'd got it, and the others too.

"Okay options, options are good." She turned to Leia again.

"You have your crystal, so you have a choice to make about which hilt to use." She pointed to the hilt on Leia's belt.

"Firstly, you could use Master Katarn's hilt, though it'll be harder to train with because its so large, you will eventually grow into it."

"Second, you could use this hilt. It is the right size and you'll find it easier to use, though you may grow out of it eventually."

"Thirdly, you could use both hilts to make a new hilt. But that'll take time, possibly several days. It's more of a longer-term option which we can't do while travelling like this. If you do want to do that, I recommend you use the short hilt for a while so we can do some training in the meantime."

"She's twelve." Leia answered with a frown. She looked thoughtful though, as her Master and Renn began to talk about her lightsaber, about what kind of hilt she could use and the different variations. I think I would like to combine them. Then maybe it would feel like Master Katarn is still with me.

She looked between Master Vhardia and Renn. "I guess I can stay and train. But I want to combine the lightsabers. I would feel better about it, Masters, if I did that." She knew it would take some time and she was willing to wait.

Renn smiled as Vhardia and Leia spoke, listening but ensuring they were on their way. They approached the hyper limit and he paused their departure for a moment, turning back to Vhardia, ”Want me to call Shara first or you do so? We do need to warn her that we’re coming in in a Hand shuttle or we might have some less than friendly company when we land.”

Turning to Leia, ”Good choice, Leia. But for now you should train with the smaller hilt, until we get where there are tools to combine the sabers. I’m pretty handy at such so I can guide you, if Vhardia doesn’t mind. But we don’t have those tools here so better to wait until then.”

Leia nodded in understanding. "Yes Master. Thank you. I promise I'll work hard." She looked eager to get started, even if she was only training with a smaller hilt. I wonder what mom would think of all of this.

As Renn watched, Vhardia proceeded to guide Leia through the steps of putting her crystal in the smaller hilt, using Katarn's hilt as a guide.

It was not as difficult as she had anticipated; either Leia's patience, Vhardia's experience as a teacher or the force itself (perhaps even a combination of the three) willed them on. Despite the smooth process, it still required intense concentration from both instructor and pupil, and Vhardia found herself greatful of the chance to focus on something other than the dark clouds that surrounded Coruscant and all their futures.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @TheSilentInfluence, @darthhelinith

 

IC: BB-8
Bilbringi system, Inner Rim

The Otana arrived in Bilbringi in record time, as the souped up YT-2000 freighter was capable of.

The shipyards were busy, but mainly at the edge of the system - a massive deployment of Hapan Battle Dragons and Mon Calamari Star Cruisers supported by Nova-class and Beta-class escorts, and Nebulon frigates and Corellian Corvettes and Gunships. The armada was led by the Kendall, and Prince Isolder opened the comms to everyone, not even noticing the arrival of Renn, Vhardia and Leia. With a tootle, BB-8 chimed in and connected them

"- forces of the Alliance; this is the moment. The New Empire has taken Coruscant hostage, and is scattering their fleet to attack our systems. Our Chancellor has struck the first blow of the Second Galactic Civil War, and now we must step in to save her. I know you're tired; we've just fought the Battle of Exegol and defeated the greatest threat to the galaxy we have ever seen. But now, the galaxy needs us one more time. We've been betrayed by Aryan Graul and the other Senators today; when we should be celebrating, we have to fight one more battle."

He took an audible breath.

"The Jedi and the Rogues have launched ahead of us - we have to save Coruscant retrieve the Chancellor, and defeat Aryan Graul. The Mandalorians are taking the lead with General Solo and Shara Dameron and Tycho Celchu. We go knowing they will have already began to fight, and the war has already began. We shall win it, so our children don't have to live through the tyranny of an Emperor like we did."

"May the Force be with us."

At that, the armada launched into hyperspace.

En route to Coruscant.

BB-8 booped at them - to follow? They had the fuel, after all.

There were other updates; the politics of the galaxy had completely changed while they were in the Unknown Regions.

The southern quadrant of the New Republic had declared for the 'New Empire'; Senator Graul of Bakura was now calling himself Emperor Darth Skelm; the Sith threat at Exegol had been destroyed; the Hutts, Bothans and the Imperial Remnant had secured their borders; the Tapani Lords and Corporate Sector were wavering; droid battlecruisers belonging to the Eternal Fleet, commanded by Zorn previously and seemingly by Skelm now, were scattering to assault the galaxy; the Death Star prototype had just been destroyed by explosives triggered by a remote in the Chancellor's personal hands, killing several traitorous Senators and starting a war.

Seventy Jedi were on their way to the Core right now, and an armada with them.

The galaxy had, basically, gone mad.

Of course, Renn would sense the shadow of his latter half behind this... somewhere, somehow.

He was darker now.

TAG: @TheSilentInfluence, @darthhelinith, @darthbernael
---
IC: General Kre'frey
Battle of Coruscant

Even as slightly less than half of Eternal Fleet departed and dispersed across the galaxy, the rest opened fire on the planet, seemingly in response to the destruction of the Death Star prototype. The armada was heading towards the planet, ignoring the disabled Golan stations and targeting the largest buildings, including the Senate Tower and Jedi Temple.

But Coruscant revealed it had teeth left.

Planetary weapons were concealed among the skyscrapers, weapons which had been out-of-range of Thrawn's forces a few days before, and they didn't have such issues now, with turbolasers and ion cannons open fire. The Golan's awoke, dozens of seemingly crippled stations revealed to have been taking the break in the GEMINI droids' attack to frantically tinker and regroup.

The Eternal Fleet was caught in crossfires it was out of position for -

Then a wave of X-wings appeared from hyperspace and began running torpedoes among the droid formation, even as the Millennium Falcon, of which Han and Lumpy were aboard, and the Stinger, a Conquerer-class assault ship that had been offered to the Alliance for use, now flown by Madelyn, Tor and the other Mandalorians. Isolder had stayed behind with the fleet to command it, leaving Han in-charge of the first phase of the combat. Tycho had Rogue Wing, and Shara Dameron had the seventy Jedi pilots, and they immediately set upon the Eternal Fleet with their typical aplomb and skill.

---
Senate Tower

General Kre'frey opened a channel to Feyna below. "Reporting in, Chancellor. Sorry for the deceit, ma'am."

Winter grinned. "Sounds like you've been busy."

"I can't say how long we can hold out though," Kre'frey said, grimacing in-time with an Eternal Fleet battlecruiser causing the Senate Tower to rock -

Indeed, the moment that Nola yanked Del back from the edge, Jyn and Shevu arrived and joined her, pulling him clear even as the roof of the Senate Tower blew in, causing a cacophony of the roars from Yuuzhan Vong warriors. Their level was crumbling, driving them to flee back towards the Chancellor's Office or fall, though they may have to find their own way off Coruscant if the situation continued to fall apart -

The Bothan looped in Han Solo. "Please tell me you're hear to get the Chancellor out, General." Though he didn't say it, Kre'frey was conscious his position was exposed - he could very easily be traced and targeted and destroyed. Lumpy was busy roaring at how insane this was, space was impossibly busy - along with freighters and personal ships fleeing into orbit that hadn't managed to escape before. Civilians were being shot up as much as the defenders as much as the Eternal Fleet battlecruisers.

Feyna wasn't going to have a chance to speak of the Yuuzhan Vong, it seemed.

TAG: @JediMasterAnne, @Jerjerrod-Lennox (combos?)
---
Stinger

Mirdala was piloting the Stinger, weaving between ships that were attempting to shoot down Jedi X-wings as they did a miracle a moment - again. He grimaced. "This is insane, Madelyn. Tor, call Fett, would you?"

The coordinates said that Skelm was in the Works factory district, hiding in an abandoned warehouse. Fett had put his neck on the line to inform them, and was there. There was a glancing blow and the console exploded over Mirdala, causing the man to wince and fall out his chair as he patted out fire, leaving Madelyn to take the reins of the ship as they passed down into low orbit -

TAG: @TheSilentInfluence, @galactic-vagabond422
---
Stealth Equipped Ship

For his part, aboard the stealth-equipped yacht that now held the Eternal Throne, Trayus whistled as Coruscant collapsed into utter anarchy. "Well this is going pretty well, wouldn't you say." There were a lot of variables for Skelm to take into account, and he would have to judge how soon they would take before accidental fire caught them as well.

Trayus folded his arms. "We do have to go after Jalynn, of course, and the Eternal Fleet can handle this."

There was a rustle at the edge of the fleet, and dozens of Hapan and New Republic ships poured in-system and began firing immediately. Some of them had clear signs of battle scarring but it didn't stop them from hurling their strength at them.

The GEMINI droids notified Skelm that they had a 50% chance of victory on the basis of the current deployment, but anticipated an imminent victory notwithstanding.

Of course, if Feyna died... or he died... or something untoward happened...

It was a terrific battle.

There was a beep, and Trayus turned to consult the wall data. "Ah. Arek appears to have abandoned ship... in one of my stealth equipped escape pods..." He cringed with some exaggeration. "Seems he didn't have the stomach for what had to be done."

He swung his black-hood back to Skelm. "Your Majesty?"

TAG: @HanSolo29
---
Coruscant Depths

Arek didn't know he had stealth countermeasures aboard his pod, but it explained why he emerged from a cloaked ship and fell into the depths without being noticed - or fired upon, as the skies began to rain with green turbolasers - and red countered from the building-tops and deep chasms between residential blocks.

He could feel in his blood that he was closing upon the Eternal technology in the depths, and indeed in the Force as well. It was like a parallel sensitivity to the skills he had, developing slowly but separately. Eternalsense, perhaps. He was, in theory, heading under the Jedi Temple. He went down hundreds of hundreds of levels, beneath the Temple on the surface, the secret beacon beneath it, the Sith Temple hidden beneath that (both of which were concealed in the lower levels), and where there was almost no light, and merely strange creatures that fed on the goo-rebreathers that supplied Coruscant with oxygen, was a dully lit arch of sorts, within a metal dome which receded as he approached.

He had small jets to steer the escape pod, though no hyperdrive, because it wasn't that high-tech. The yacht it had come from was supposed to be the escape craft, not the pod itself, after all. His pod chimed, and confirmed that there was another ship coming down too, with no life-signs. Presumably this was the doctor-droid and his grandmother, albeit she was unconscious so not detectable.

TAG: @HanSolo29 (combo)
---
IC: Lana and Theron
Corellia system, aboard the Eternal Flagship

The warship arrived, joining an arriving amount of battlecruisers.

Bernael had reports of cruisers deploying to Nkllon, Endor, Bespin, Mustafar, Xagobah and Akiva successfully, with a single cruiser on it's way to Janguine, which was a bit further away. The Eternal fleet deployment at Kuat was engaging the local forces, which included Imperial-style warships and cruisers. In the Hapes Cluster, the fleet was getting bogged down trying to navigate the Transistory Mists and minefields that had been lain, taking casualties and not even firing on a single Hapan.

At Corellia, there was an oppressive worry from the GEMINI droids, with the many warnings of their superiors to steer clear. They spoke of Centerpoint Station being an incredible weapon of power, but didn't know how. They merely knew that their technology wasn't equivalent to that of the Celestials own... they had been warned to stay away from any of the five planets in the system. The Eternal Fleet was hesitant, listening to warnings from thirty-five millennia ago... ones that had not historical reasoning at this stage, nor any reason that Lana or Theron could discover. The Force however did worry at Bernael.

They did however have the update from Coruscant; about hitherto unknown planetary defences, the resurrection of the Golan stations that had been formerly disabled, and the arrival of the Allied fleet. Darth Skelm was imperilled, though to what extent one could not clearly say. Neither Lana or Theron were happy with events.

"We're lucky the Hutts and Imperial Remnant pulled out from the Allied Fleet, or we'd be in-trouble," Lana said, concerned.

"He'd be in trouble," Theron pointed out.

"We need Skelm's political contacts to form the bedrock of the New Empire. The allegiance of Anoat, the Senex Lords, the Sesswenna, the other sectors..." Lana highlighted the systems that had seceded. "Without them we'll have a lot more trouble securing territory."

"So we don't want him to die?"

GEMINI supplied the answer. Because they had a shared genome, if one of them died, then the other would be locked out of the Eternal Fleet and whoever had killed Skelm - or Bernael - would become the new Eternal Emperor. That would, of course, be a catastrophe. But because they'd both ascended to the Throne by the same manner, they were reliant upon each other.

So he definitely didn't want him to die.

Here, three Strident-class Star Defenders held position above Corellia, accompanied by various cruisers, frigates and corvettes of local design. That meant they were all hardy ships, as well as problematic. It would not be a simple battle, even in the traditional sense. They would win, yes, but it would be costly and at present they didn't have an instantaneous ability to recover from losses.

Lana paused. "Are we trying to do too much at once?"

"You would say that, you're a conservative Sith," Theron quipped. "Skelm can win it, I'm sure. He's ruthless, and that always works out well."

"Maybe," Lana says. "I wonder how much we should secure from our co-operative allies, if they become enemies."

"You mean Bakura?" Theron wondered aloud.

"Not just Bakura, of course," she turned her eyes to Bernael. The fleet was poised, but it would require a degree of willpower from Bernael to override their concerns. The GEMINI droids were sentient, even if bound to the Eternal Throne.

TAG: @darthbernael
---
IC: Gavar Khai
Wyldar, Keshtah

The two of them made it to the nearest town by nightfall, and Beaumont and her had to accept robes to hide within. As they neared the lights, they had been passed by various people, in carts, or just heading in from the fields. Most of them were purple skinned Keshiri, with a few humans that were usually in-charge. No lightsabers were evident, which suggested these were non-Force users, but Beaumont was sure not to touch Qwi in-case they used the Force and drew attention.

But they had a larger problem, obviously.

They stole up beside a brick-building as the rain fell down, and as Beaumont looked back he could see half a dozen or more of those flying reptiles, carrying crimson lightsaber wielding Sith in the distance, clearly searching the forest. Beaumont turned aside, and whispered to Qwi. "Nobody has blue skin... nobody at all. Everyone is human or Keshiri."

Beaumont pursed his lips. "This is positively medieval, but the presence of lightsabers... that's the only technology I've seen..." He was right in that respect. "That doesn't bode well for us repairing Pascale's ship..." It would always be his ship to Beaumont. His gaze was far-off, deep in-thought, so he missed the Omwati's reaction to the use of his name.

He did however put his bag down and reached into it, pulling out the Black-Coat that Rax had. "I kept this... if it hides you from the Force... shouldn't we make you wear it, just in-case?"

TAG: @Jerjerrod-Lennox (combo)

 

IC Renn
Bilbringi system, Inner Rim

"- forces of the Alliance; this is the moment. The New Empire has taken Coruscant hostage, and is scattering their fleet to attack our systems. Our Chancellor has struck the first blow of the Second Galactic Civil War, and now we must step in to save her. I know you're tired; we've just fought the Battle of Exegol and defeated the greatest threat to the galaxy we have ever seen. But now, the galaxy needs us one more time. We've been betrayed by Aryan Graul and the other Senators today; when we should be celebrating, we have to fight one more battle."

"The Jedi and the Rogues have launched ahead of us - we have to save Coruscant, retrieve the Chancellor, and defeat Aryan Graul. The Mandalorians are taking the lead with General Solo and Shara Dameron and Tycho Celchu. We go knowing they will have already begun to fight, and the war has already begun. We shall win it, so our children don't have to live through the tyranny of an Emperor like we did."

"May the Force be with us."

The comm echoed with those words as the freighter entered the Bilbringi system. Renn looked out of the viewscreen of the bridge, taking in the crowded space. Hapan Battle Dragons and Mon Calamari Star Cruisers supported by Nova-class and Beta-class escorts, and Nebulon frigates and Corellian Corvettes and Gunships, all led by a craft flying the pennant of the Kendall. He turned to Vhardia, ”I’d guess that’s Prince Isolder that was speaking.” he muttered, offhandedly.

The fleet jumped to hyper, it seemed, to Coruscant. He didn’t sense the Jedi in the fleet, which seemed to tell him that they must have gone ahead. ”This just gets better and better.” he muttered again. ”This new galaxy I’ve found myself in is in complete chaos.”

That thought brought another and his brows furrowed, his Twin had to be behind this, somehow. He could feel the Anzati, feel him out there. But, scarily enough, his Twin was even stronger than he had been when they had run into him in the Maw. That terrified him, he knew he was still coming into the power and abilities that the Light was granting him and he hadn’t even been close the first time.

He shuddered and closed his eyes, he and the Light were one and the same but at the same time they were still somewhat separate, as the Light would not force him into a full bond as the Dark had done to his Twin. ’I do not know what to do here. I’m afraid the Jedi are falling into a trap, and taking their allies with them. I cannot make a decision for Vhardia or Leia but I can’t let them get hurt either.’

’If you are willing, child, it is time that we further the bond. I know you, have learned all of you, in the time since we joined. You need to take the fullness of me into you to be able to survive, let alone protect them, and without that you will never be able to face him.’ was his response.

Renn pondered the words, but knew he needed what was being offered if he was to do what was needed. ’I agree.’ And then his body bowed, the dark green of his hide brightening for a few moments, light flaring from his eyes, the golden yellow of them becoming almost white. He contorted, not in agony, but from the sheer power flowing through him. He felt refreshed, rejuvenated, down to the microscopic level, as though he’d stood in direct sunlight all day. Slowly he unfolded, straightening, creaks sounding as he stood as much as he could, in the small space of the bridge.

”Oh, wow!” he exclaimed. He could still feel the presence of his Twin and knew that with this new bond his Twin would sense the increase in his own. He shuttered the power, knowing it would only draw the moths to the flame, as it were. He sighed, thinking through the options that they had. With this they could help the Jedi he was sure were doomed or they could set out on a new path.

Moving to the back of the bridge, keeping away from the switches and buttons, he slid to his knees, to sit, to be more on eye level with the other two. ”Vhardia, I’m really not sure going to Coruscant now is a good idea, I think it’s going to be a massacre. And there is no ship being held back that could take Leia and keep her safe. It’s a trap, my curious little one, and my Twin is behind it.”

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @TheSilentInfluence, @darthhelinith

 

OOC: A combo with @Sinrebirth

IC Bernael
Corellia system, aboard the Eternal Flagship

Bernael studied Corellia in the display, the system, the ships, the feeling he was getting in the Force. All of it added up to an interesting dilemma. He chuckled softly, ”So I have to keep Sistros alive or all I have left is this ship, or possibly even not that?” he asked, a touch of annoyance in his voice.

Looking at Lana then Theron, ”He has his portion of the Fleet but if he loses them before we can produce more then it does us no good. Send him a message recommending that he continue his assault of Coruscant until he forces all the enemy craft to commit to the defense and then have his Fleet jump to join him.”

He gazed into another display, thinking. ”Hmmm, have the Hapes units pull back from the mists, take up blockade positions on every hyper route in and out of the Consortium, to fire on any ship that approaches from either direction. They will need a better, more direct action taken against them, soon.”

“Have those cruisers that have taken station with our erstwhile allies comm their governments, to have a representative come on board on cruiser to discuss the future. For those that are on the fence, they will be convinced that we are the better option, or they will be brought into line.” he continued.

Turning his gaze to look out of the viewscreen, he could almost feel the reluctance of the GEMINI to approach Corellia. ”The fleet has a ‘soul’ of sorts, independent and wanting to survive. Which is admirable. Keep the cruisers here at the edge of the system, closing the jump points. If the Corellian ships approach, they are to be hailed and warned the system is now closed, while still out of range. Once in range there is no quarter, they will be destroyed. If we lose more than one cruiser we will pull back to the next system on each hyper route, continuing the interdiction.”

He smiled, unpleasantly, ”Now, perhaps we should go make sure our new co-Emperor keeps his heart beating, before it ruins every plan.”

Lana and Theron transmitted orders. The Kuati were fighting back, and the Hapans allowed the Eternal Fleet to withdraw.

Bernael was essentially tying up multiple enemies without dedicating to losing their ships, which was a useful delaying tactic for an uncoordinated enemy. The Corellian Strident-class Star Defenders were three kilometers long, but there was a very limited amount of them, and extremely modern - whereas the Eternal Fleet were ancient but highly advanced tech, but not nearly as large ships, but also a lot more.

It was a delicate tactical balance.

The GEMINI droids did as instructed, and held position. There was a large asteroid cluster at the distant edge of the system, with a high metal content. They had no cartographical data on the same, and found it odd that there was an asteroid cluster uncharted on a world that had been civilized for a hundred thousand years.

"I don't like that," said Theron.

"Me either," Lana said.

"They'll cross our paths in less than an hour," Theron confirmed.

Bernael studied the data as the asteroid cluster came closer, over a couple minutes. He thought about what he knew of the system and the ratio of metals in the readout made him highly suspicious. If the Corellians were willing to have these three brand new, powerful craft out and prepared for his assault what did that mean for what potentially be hidden in the cluster.

He expanded the view of the system and then scaled up to the sector. Tracing a finger along the lines that ran through Corellia, he made his decision. ”While we set out to ensure the co-Emperor is secured, have the fleet element here secure and blockade, as I previously described as a Plan B, the following hyper routes, the Corellian Run, the Corellian Trade Spine, and the Talus Secta. There are several smaller ones but, quite often they are rife with pirates, so find a way to contact them and pay them off to refuse passage for goods and ships in and out of Corellia.”

“Have the Fleet here engage in that pullback immediately, so that by the time the asteroids reach this spot they will be well away.” He read the report on the other two systems. ”Any spare craft that the Fleet element has at Hapes, after the blockade is begun have transferred to the Kuat campaign. Scorch the system from the outer facilities all to way down to the planet, destroy their infrastructure and ship building capability.”

He could see the deployments of the Eternal Fleet and was sure, if Sistros was as smart as he was sure his brother was, that Sistros had or would be departing Coruscant very shortly. Which meant, ’What was that that I got from him in the bond, ahhh…’ he thought.

Turning his gaze back to Lana and Theron, ”Get the ships deployed as ordered. Take the flagship down the Corellian Trade Spine, immediate destination is Yag’Dhul, following destination determined by where Sistros will head when he departs Coruscant.”

The Corellian fleet advanced slowly, pacing the speed of the asteroids, and indeed they revealed that the two would reach the Eternal Fleet at the same time, selling that there was a trap at the pincer.

Lana and Theron communicated the orders, and the GEMINI droids followed instructions, withdrawing and splitting in three to be able to deploy to the jump-points as directed. The Hapan forces acknowledged theirs too, but indicated they would need to break free of the gravity-well mine-field that they had been working free. They would rendezvous at Kuat as soon as possible, where a decent brawl was kicking off.

The flagship headed to the system edge and deployed to Yag'Dhul. Lana had her arms folded, and Theron looked at her. "What?"

"If Sistros departs Coruscant, he needs to be convinced to retreat from Coruscant - he's not a tactician..."

".... nor is Nevet here a politician, your point?"

"Precisely," Lana said. "We may have erred in separating." She looked at Bernael.

Bernael chuckled as his talons tapped the arm of the Throne, ”Chances had to be taken and they were. Plans oft times do not survive contact with the enemy. One must adapt and reform plans as the battle progresses. All truisms and are such for a reason. But we are rectifying that error now.”

He pointed at the display, showing the galactic situation, ”I assume that, even if his craft is stealthed, you can still keep track of the Throne. And my instincts tell me he will head back to Bakura.”

Reaching into the bond between himself and Sistros, ”Brother it is time, activate a repeater to simulate your presence at Coruscant, I recommend ordering your forces to withdraw after the minimum safe losses to draw every craft and Jedi possible to Coruscant. As they depart they should focus on the Jedi in parting shots. I have moved to Yag’Dhul and can meet you there or at Bakura, where you are more than welcome to join me on the Fleet flagship.”

With the message, he sent an image of the ship so that Sistros was not shocked when he came across the ship or it appeared near him.



Lana nodded, showing an image of the Corellian system. "Look what emerged from the Kiris asteroids." She pointed.

A massive egg-shaped Corellian Dreadnaught appeared, flanked by escort frigates. The Eternal Fleet assets they had withdrawn, as instructed, splitting in three. "Well, that's a problem," Theron said. The Dreadnaught opened fire, and his eyes seemed to light up at the data. "Threat level is equivalent to double that of a modern Imperial-class." He whistled.

"At least it's only one."

Two more appeared from the asteroid cluster, duly escorted.

"Theron, did you have to tempt fate like that?"

The three elements of the Eternal Fleet were thus to be met by a Dreadnaught each, ditto the local fleet elements. A Star Defender sidled up to a Dreadnaught each, meaning each third of the Corellian fleet was decidedly powerful. Ignoring her, Theron tapped again. "They're fleet-killers. Designed to enter a capital ship formation and blow it apart from the inside."

"Nasty." Lana looked at Bernael. "Looks like your instincts were right-on."

Bernael smiled softly at the comment from Lana. He hadn’t been sure exactly what lurked in the asteroids but given what he’d seen of the metals involved it had to be something the Corellians were trying to hide and he’d been proven correct. He thought through what he knew of Eternal Fleet tactics.

”If those monsters are designed for close work then my plan is our best plan for Corellia at the moment. If I recall our current deployment there are at least 8 GEMINI at each hyper point. With our tactics and how the Fleet can fire at increased ranges and power when working in squadrons, that gives 2 squadrons per hyper point. If the GEMINI craft have deployable mines, lay in mindfields in a sphere around the hyper point before the Corellians are in range.”

He thought further, working through what could be done, ”Use the range and power of our craft to keep the Corellian formations outside of their weapons range. If they manage to penetrate that distance, they will have to deal with mines first while our craft jump to the next point on the route, mining that exit, right on the emergence points, before resuming interdiction operations.”

"We don't have mines," Lana said, worriedly.

Theron smiled. "No, but we have Skytroopers - if we just spread them out like a minefield..."

"Then the Corellians will have to stop anyway," Lana reasoned. "Smart." She cut her gaze to Bernael. "Agreeable?"

Eight GEMINI to each point was likely going to be a difficult match for a Dreadnaught, Star Defender and support ships. They didn't have enough, but this was a surprisingly difficult nut to crack. But it couldn't head to Coruscant to help, at least not for now.

But with the damage that Aryan's half was taking...

The Empire of the Hand, the Imperial Remnant, as well as whatever assets the Hutts, Bothans and Corporate Sector had - they weren't dedicated to this fight. They had updated reports that the Hapans had snuck behind the Eternal Fleet and laid the minefield again, so the fleet was having to fight its way out of the Transitory Mists. That meant the Kuat engagement could in theory go either way, before Bernael's reinforcements arrived.

Theron and Lana were staring at the board. Theron was unworried, but Lana was concerned. But, she was the more conservative of them. "Skelm needs to get himself out of there, and we need to avoid dedicating anymore assets to his folly."

"Yeah but it's not our call," Theron said with a shrug.

It took Bernael less than a second to consider what Theron had suggested, ”Agreed, with no mines, the deployment of the Skytroopers will be a good alternative. Which also means that those production facilities need to increase operations as soon as possible. As to our blockade here, ensure minimal damage to our cruisers before pulling back, I’d prefer not to lose any but this is war.”

He considered what they had said about Skelm, about getting his co-Emperor out of Coruscant. A smile crossed his face, touching his temple, ”I have already sent him a message about that and suggested where to meet us, here or another location. We will consolidate our forces once more.”

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @HanSolo29

 

IC: Emperor Graul/Skelm
Stealth-Equipped Ship, Above Coruscant

Skelm sat with one hand pressed to his chin, his posture reflecting his brooding presence as he stoically watched Coruscant burn beneath the might of the Eternal Fleet.

After the obstinate Chancellor had foolishly – and violently – rejected his terms of surrender, he had delivered a definitive blow that had allowed the burgeoning Empire to impose a firm hand upon the remnants of the Republic. The former capital had quickly bowed under the onslaught, and in all likelihood, he should’ve been elated at what they had accomplished so far; it had been no easy feat.

And yet, the Emperor wasn’t satisfied.

Other variables had begun to emerge across the board that could potentially impede their progress, and according to the risk assessment, there was a cause for concern.

For one, the Golan platforms had come back online to provide marginal, if effective, cover for the enemy. As a result, red bursts of energy lanced out to pummel the hulls of the nearest Eternal cruisers with renewed force.

To compound the situation further, the ragtag group of Alliance vessels that had survived the battle at Exegol had finally arrived. They swiftly mobilized and opened fire as they joined the fray.

And lastly, in the midst of the chaos, Skelm also received a daunting report that highlighted a fifty-percent chance of success under the current deployment. He certainly didn’t approve of those odds, and he could clearly see how their prior achievements had been relatively small in the grand scheme of things.

As Aryan pondered these latest developments, Trayus entered the chamber and folded his arms over his chest. "We do have to go after Jalynn, of course, and the Eternal Fleet can handle this," he suggested calmly, almost as if the man had heard his personal ruminations.

The Emperor lowered his hand back to his side and inclined his chin, his eyes narrowed curiously. "She is a priority, yes," he agreed in a somber cadence, a hint of reluctance evident in his tone. However, it was all a ruse to conceal his true emotions. He knew that he could not openly profess his desperate desire to engage with his daughter and to confront Gaerial about her reasons for abducting her.

Then again, if Trayus had perceived his inner turmoil, perhaps he already knew the truth. And in that case, his recommendation had served as both a source of relief and a driving force for his motivation. He could embrace it.

Skelm issued a heavy sigh and nodded in acceptance. "Set course for Bakura. We will depart as soon as I relay my orders to the Fleet."

"Ahh," Trayus exhaled softly, becoming distracted as his finger tapped against a nearby computer console. "Arek appears to have abandoned ship... in one of my stealth-equipped escape pods. Seems he didn't have the stomach for what had to be done."

The shift in momentum stopped Aryan short, his jaw clenching in what he realized was a feeble attempt to contain his mounting anger. But this destructive force wasn’t aimed solely at his son’s apparent deception, but rather at himself. It was borne of his own frustrations and misgivings, an innate fear that preyed upon his vulnerabilities. He lamented his inability to feel and to provide a stable environment for Arek, and this inevitably led to regret.

He had not felt the pod separating from the ship, nor had he detected any negative sentiments from his son. There had only been the boy’s silence, but nothing more that could’ve foretold his actions.

Arek had concealed his intentions from him, and that only drove the vibroblade deeper. As his father, he should’ve pulled him aside and spoken to him sooner, to set him on the right path––

He had failed him.

No…

The boy had betrayed him!

The Force crackled about his fingertips as Skelm clenched his hand into a fist and slammed it into the throne. He was no longer cognizant of the overall battle plan or where he had positioned his assets on the field. The only thing that mattered was enacting revenge on his son.

His rage was so great that he didn’t even bother to commune privately with the Eternal Fleet. He merely shouted his instructions for all to hear.

"My son is a coward and a traitor! FIND him!" he roared above the din, spittle expelling from his mouth. "Trace his trajectory, and when you obtain a clear shot, blow his pod out of the sky!"

There was a twinge of remorse, a small reminder that he was still human, but he quickly squashed it. This wasn’t truly his son. Arek had died fourteen years ago, and the one who had appeared before him today was an imposter, a doppelganger from another place and time. Even the implications involving the Change could be further studied with the help of the Holocrons and the Black Coat himself. There was no need to spare Arek’s life. That was enough to justify the decision in his mind.

And yet, he was restless. Was it appropriate for him to expend all of his energy on a single target? On a boy who, by all accounts, would have no real impact on the outcome of this war?

As if to echo these thoughts, a resonant voice reached out across the meld to converse with him. It was calm and authoritative, and he recognized it instantly as Nevet:

"Brother it is time, activate a repeater to simulate your presence at Coruscant…"

His blood brother went on to illustrate his plan for a complete withdrawal from the engagement zone around the capital. It was a simple proposal that offered some much-needed clarity, and Skelm was grateful for the respite. He feared that he may have lost himself to his own machinations had he continued to pursue his journey of self-indulgence. Nevet’s words provided a different perspective that helped him to regain sight of their goal.

"Thank you, my friend," he sent back through their bond, the fixation on his son beginning to wane as he reclaimed his hold on reality. He would allow him to flee for now. "I am already preparing for my departure, and I will take your suggestions under advisement. You may rendezvous with me at Bakura; I have some business to attend to back home."

As he began to turn away, an image flashed within his mind’s eye, depicting a formidable vessel that would serve as their flagship. No doubt it was another advanced notification from his brother – a small preview of what they had to look forward to. A wry grin spread over Skelm’s features at the possibilities.

"Inform the fleet that they are to pull back and increase the intervals between each subgroup to account for those Golan platforms," the Emperor conveyed to GEMINI after a short pause, effectively rescinding his previous order to incinerate Arek. "That will help to mitigate the damage by making it more difficult for them to target our units. If we can also situate ourselves on the opposite side of the Alliance fleet, we may catch them in the crossfire.

"From there, you are to maintain position and conduct a continuous scan of the area. Once we draw in the remainder of their forces, which will assuredly include the Jedi contingent, or we reach the threshold of acceptable losses – whichever occurs first – you are to disengage from the battle and initiate a full retreat from the system. You are then to proceed to Bakura and await instructions."

Satisfied with his directive, Skelm proceeded to activate the aforementioned repeater, an automatic beacon that was capable of emulating his presence. It will continue to transmit his signal long after he had withdrawn from the battle.

When he completed this task, only one thing remained.

Offering a curt nod to Lord Trayus, Skelm reclined back against the throne and watched beyond the viewport as the stars stretched into the familiar kaleidoscope of hyperspace.

TAG: @Sinrebirth; @darthbernael

 

IC: Madelyn Linnett
En-route

Madelyn knew deep down she was doing the right thing. It was almost like the force was calling her back to who she used to be. She felt the tension eve before they arrived, and was quick to take over for Miralda before they hit the surface. Tor had gone to call Fett, and although she had never met him personally, Madelyn could sense how much Tor thought of him. Madelyn sighed a little, and then started to steer them carefully down to he surface. It was intense but Madelyn had confidence that she could steer this ship down there without much trouble.

She hoped.

Tag: @Sinrebirth @galactic-vagabond422

IC: Leia Skirata-Linnett
Bilbringi

Leia looked at Vhardia. "This is really bad, isn't it Master?"

She looked and felt the conflict. It was confusing to her, and she tried to pinpoint where everything was coming from at once. There are a lot of Jedi fighting. But do we have to go and fight now too? I don't want to get hurt or hurt anyone else. Leia thought, and she walked up to her Master to hold her hand again. "I don't want to hurt anyone." Leia frowned. "There are a lot of people down there."

Tag: @Sinrebirth @darthhelinith

 

IC: Lord Trayus
Bakura, Outer Rim

The Black-Coat gave the update to the Eternal flagship, and Theron and Lana had it jump to Bakura to meet them.

The flagship arrived at roughly the same time as Skelm, of course, because the smaller ship could travel faster, but was coming from further. Yag'Dhul was considerably closer than Coruscant, though they each had hyperlanes. When they arrived, they were greeted by the Bakuran defences - three Bakura-class Star Destroyers and a light cruiser. They launched X, A, B and Y-wings, because purchasing such things was easy enough.

A beacon lit the way for Skelm, of course, to the capital, to the Captison Estate. There was a message from the Gaeriel, across their private channel. The GEMINI droids dutifully bypassed it to Bernael, as well.

I just want to talk, Aryan. That's all. Jalynn is safe, I promise. The Bakuran Senate wanted to speak to you as soon as we're done, so I won't keep you.

"Pulling on those heart-strings, isn't she?" Trayus said to Skelm as they headed towards the surface. "I presume we're going for her first, as requested?" The fighter craft were arranged in an honour guard. There were other ships arriving, from other parts of the New Empire, to pledge their loyalty, or to start intriguing early, who knew.

"Cute," said Lana, lightly, on the bridge of the flagship, as Gaeriel's words floated in the air.

"Not to put too fine a point on it, but the politics isn't much of a concern for me." Theron tapped the displays. "The Coruscant fleet has been ordered to kill Aryan's son, and also to retreat when it's taken a degree of damage. So it'll be intact, but we've a lot of not ideal situations here."

"I'll say," Lana added, providing the update from their brief jump. "The Corellian forces are still retreating, of course, but our Hapan forces are still caught up in the minefields. They'll not reach Kuat anytime soon." The Kuati were ill-placed to defend world and the yards and fight back, so they had free reign there in theory - until the Coruscanti or Corellian forces intervened. It was also far from their center of power.

"Well we've got reports from the Tarkins that they're struggling to put down the Sluissi and Sullustans. They've made a request for help," Theron replied.

"Meanwhile Moff Larkin has requested assistance securing Druckenwell and Arkanis," said Lana with a shrug. "He's insistent we take territory on the Corellian Run."

"I think we should just take Yag'Dhul and block two hyperlanes," Theron bit back.

"I agree," Lana responded heatedly.

"But we can't do everything!" They both basically shouted at each other. Nor had they, according to the GEMINI droids, told Bernael the most intriguing piece of news of all of this.

The Captison Estate, down below, was as beautiful and idyllic as it always had been. Black-Coat was laconic in his chair as they headed down. "I mean, you're gonna have to decide if you're going to be the benevolent Emperor Graul right now, or the malevolent Darth Skelm."

There was Gaeriel, and his daughter standing behind her, on the landing pad.

"Let me help you with that," Black-Coat said, and dropped the ramp as soon as they hit the deck. "All yours, your Majesty!"

TAG: @HanSolo29 (one combo), @darthbernael (one combo)
---
IC: GEMINI
Battle of Coruscant, Core Worlds

It wasn't going as anticipated. They had three orders from their Throne.

One, move to interpose the enemy fleet between them and the planet.

Two, retreat when they suffered sufficient losses, as defined.

Three, kill Arek Graul.

The enemy fleet divided the moment they successfully moved to position the majority of their forces, and so the Eternal Fleet was caught in a cross-fire. The handful of cruisers left in orbit were destroyed with aplomb, though one did report it had successfully entered the depths of Coruscant in pursuit of the child with part of their Emperor's blood.

Not enough to command them, of course, and watered down with the blood of his mother, and missing the blood of the Outlander.

But now they were completely out of position to keep the pursuit of Arek Graul, and to interpose themselves. They were moving out of range of the Coruscant-based ground weapons, but the withdrawal had cost them ships. Similarly, they were now in a bowl of fire, with the Hapans on one side, the New Republic the opposite flank, and the last Golans hammering their center - and taking more casualties.

They missed the Millennium Falcon as it departed, and completely missed the ship of Tor and Madelyn and the other Mandalorians heading to the surface on their misguided Kill Skelm mission - the fire out, the ship calmed, but now piloted by a Jedi. The allied fleets were pacing their withdrawal, even as the Jedi harassed the enemy, even as the Eternal Fleet hit its threshold for withdrawal.

Unable to fulfil all objectives, the GEMINI hive mind did what it thought would achieve all goals, as clearly the first and second were interwoven.

Under several worlds was Eternal tech, designed to enable a Force user of sufficient power to create an artificial Void in the Force, which would drain the life, sound and colour from the planet, and redirect it into said user. Zorn had done it at Mandalore; Bernael had, inadvertently, done so at Metellos. The creator of this technology, Vitiate, had first done it using other Sith as sacrifices on Nathema, and then again on Ziost. The Force users death would return the energy to the world, which was why Mandalore was recovering. Vitiate, during his attempt to conquer the galaxy, had spread these weapons across it - to Coruscant, to Nouane, to Metellos, to Drommund Kaas, to Korriban, to Ziost, to Alderaan. With them, he could feast periodically, rejuvenating his immortality.

And so.

GEMINI simply reached out to the facility beneath Coruscant - as recently attended to by the One Sith, in their 'terror attacks' which were really just insertions to worlds to get to the Eternal tech beneath the surface - and switched it on. They dutifully updated the Twin Emperors.

In an hour or so, Coruscant would be consumed, though the energy would enter no Force user, as there was none in orbit connected to the Thrones.

The New Republic and Hapan fleet withdrew; the Jedi shortly thereafter.

But the Eternal Fleet had taken it's damage, and it, too, withdrew, jumping to Bakura.

That left a handful of Heroes on-world.

Arek, of course, in the very depths and bowels of Coruscant.

But also Tor, Madelyn and the team, heading to the Works, distant from the main engagement.

Boba Fett stood inside the factory as they arrived.

He had his blaster, and his armour, and he was ready.

He rolled his shoulders, and as their ship headed around the greater battle, he dipped his head -

And the rocket slammed into the ship -

They were going down.

Boba Fett had shot them down.

TAG: @TheSilentInfluence, @galactic-vagabond422 (combo with GM), @HanSolo29 (continue your combo separately), @darthbernael (GEMINI update)
---
IC: Aidel Saxan
Corellian system, Core Worlds

They arrived in ones and twos, and then the entire New Republic and Hapan fleet - battered, burned, bruised - arrived, with it's Jedi escort, taking Lumpy's secret routes - Wookiee and smuggler secrets. The Millennium Falcon and it's two X-wing escorts arrived first, of course. The Eternal Fleet that was pacing the system retreated, withdrawing away from the danger - they were ill-placed to fight reinforcements, not without the Kuati and Hapan contingents.

The Corellian defenders held position at the other jump points, and Del found himself looking at them from the gunwells. He pointed at the egg-shaped dreadnaughts. "Never seen those before."

Winter chimed up as well. "They're not ships they declared."

A Wookiee bray of concern. Comm channels opened up, addressed to the Falcon, and then, when it arrived, looped in the Kendall and Prince Isolder. Lumpy was sure that Del and Nola could see too, and be seen.

It was Aidel Saxan, the Corellian Prime Minister, and -

"Han my boy!" A voice that sounded just like his, and a face that looked like his, but older -



"Chancellor," Saxan said gravely. "I don't believe you've been introduced to Thrackan Sal-Solo." She gestured to Han. "I believe they're cousins, of some kind." Her voice was a bit clipped. "Sal-Solo here happened to have been preparing an illegal assault fleet in the Kiris asteroids -"

"Simply to ensure Corellian's protection, and it's a good thing I did!" Thrackan said, loudly. "My planning ahead saved Corellia!"

Saxan grit her teeth and she turned back to Feyna. "I've designated Centerpoint Station as your impromptu Senate offices, if agreeable - there's about a million Coruscanti there." She searched with her eyes across the group. "And I've a commission for one Nola Deidder from the Nubian Council - they've named you as the new Senator following the death of Norin Graul."

Del looked at her hologram, surprised. "Congratulations, Nola!"

Sal-Solo was merely grinning at Han.

TAG: @Jerjerrod-Lennox, @JediMasterAnne (combo)
---
IC: BB-8
Bilbringi system, Inner Rim

The reports from the Core became less clear, as relays were knocked out by fighting, by opportunists, or just abandoned.

As BB-8 made a noise of consternation as he lost touch with Coruscant and Kuat, both under attack by the Eternal Fleet battlecruisers. Corellia appeared to be holding it's own, and there were reports of Hapans bogging down the armada. The New Empire was entrenching itself, securing territory in the south and leaving chaos throughout the Outer Rim.

The three of them were right - a massacre was afoot, but when, or where, that was the question.

They did have the good news about Mandalore though - it had been restored, at very least. But that was the only completely good news of the new war - there was no word about her mother, though the rest of Leia's family was said to have gone home. They had some comm calls, though, at least - Vhardia had one from Kyp, on the Yavin moon, for one, back on the Jedi Academy, requesting she check-in. Renn would be looking through the data for his worse half, so to speak. but there were no Anzati reports - just a mysterious flagship that had been present at Corellia, noted in the galactic news because it was such a deviation from the Eternal Fleet battlecruisers that were now everywhere.

A comlink chime - this time, it was Leia's.

It was Kyle Katarn.

TAG: @darthbernael, @TheSilentInfluence, @darthhelinith
---
IC: Beaumont Kin
Kesh, morning, Wild Space

Qwi would wake to the feel of Beaumont's fingertips on her shoulder, caressing her awake.

He had food in his hands, a kind of fruit. "Morning beautiful."

"I woke early, thought I'd take advantage of the day to pawn off the Sith bauble." He grinned. "I told the Keshiri pawn shop owner that I dug it up, must have found where a Sith Lord was buried."

"Apparently it's going to be something called Testament Day soon, and he asked me if I'm going to head to Tahv for it, like most of the humans," Beaumont explained. "He offered me a copy of the chronicles of the Hilts Restoration." He held out a handwritten scroll.

"There's a lot of history here, and he told me that their High Lord will be heading to the capital soon, too - Tahv, that is." Beaumont paused, he was getting excited again. He kissed her. "Sorry, you've just woke. I'm about to dive into five thousand years of their history - that of the so-called Lost Tribe of the Sith."

He grinned, happy he had a name for them now.

TAG: @Jerjerrod-Lennox (combo)
---
IC: Owen
Mandalore, MandalMotors briefing room, Outer Rim

He hadn't been wrong; the clan heads called Ka'rta to her in the next few days.

They were all here - Clan Awaud, Clan Eldar, what was left of Clan Kryze, Clan Rook, Clan Kast, Clan Saxon, the remnants of Clan Vizsla, and Clan Mudhorn.

Ka'rta knew of the head of Clan Kast, of course, she'd been working with her since the attack on Entralla. Rook Kast nodded.

Owen was there, of course providing support, though he leaned in the corner so as not to separate attention.

The clans were raucous - loud, arguing, squabbling, as ever. They hadn't changed in centuries, and wouldn't ever, it was likely. They'd been in this room with her and Madelyn many times over the last fourteen years, back when Ka'rta was the Hand. But everyone knew how Ka'rta had led the former Death Watch to attack Entralla, and pave the way to Exegol and Zorn's death - which had restored Mandalore!

Meanwhile, Madelyn had led the Mandalorians as refugees, to defend Kashyyyk - and now had gone to fight the auretiise battles.

The clans wanted a new Mandalore.

They wanted someone who would stand up to the New Empire and the New Republic.

That wasn't Madelyn - not for them.

She was, as everyone had worried fourteen years ago - too Jedi.

Owen cleared his throat, and the clans calmed down - Rook punched one of them to stop yammering, as well.

TAG: @galactic-vagabond422

 

OOC: Combo with @Sinrebirth

IC Bernael
Bakura, Outer Rim

Bernael had elected to stay aboard the flagship for now. Sistros/Skelm was the politician of the two and he more their general or dark force of nature. Therefore he was taking and collating all the reports coming in. The GEMINI one was intriguing and meant that very shortly the former capitol would be a barren wasteland.

He snorted at the sender of the report from Skelm’s yacht. A short thought went out to ‘Traya’, ’Going by that name again are we? Does he yet know you are another of the originals?’

He listened to the bickering between Lana and Theron, a small smile on his face as he did, but they were right, to a degree. ”Before I give orders, you both do know there is another source of information that I have at my disposal. Well several, but one also tied to this position, so what have you left out of your briefing so far?”

The two of them looked at each other. "We weren't sure whether to bring it to your attention," Lana demurred.

Theron, however, called up a video. "The Eriaduans sent out smaller forces to monitor the outer worlds of what they had intended to claim - the Greater Seswenna. When they came to the Suarbi system, Outland Security was met by these..."

The images showed a multi-coloured display of weapons as armored warriors drove the Eriaduan forces away from a population center. "We wanted to send a probe to ascertain what was going on before we raised an alarm," Lana added.

Bernael’s eyes shot to the map, then back to Lana and Theron, a smile forming on his face. ”Suarbi system you say, the planet these images were taken on, it would not perhaps be the planet of Susevfi, would it?” he said, almost teasingly.

”You said, Theron, that the Tarkins were requesting aid.. Well, aid in this situation is one that I, yes myself, would be best prepared to render. Inform the Tarkins to have the Outland Security forces to regroup around their landers and only respond if attacked. There is something there that would be quite useful to us, to me.”

The skin around his eyes tightened as a broad smile crossed his face, ”We have ships, we have Skytroopers and will have more, Star Fortresses as well. But we are missing a component. And you just found it.”

Theron confirmed, and Lana wondered as to Bernael's words. "You think you can turn these... Force users?" She pointed at the display. "Red, blue, green, yellow, white - they're not like Jedi or Sith, not that armour."

"But I can divert the flagship if you wish, of course..." her voice was pitched, concerned that this wasn't as important as Bernael thought, but of course she would yield the point.

Bernael shook his head. ”I cannot be in every place at once, not yet anyway,” he only half quipped. ”If we have a probe with a holo unit that can broadcast, then I can ‘be there’ to meet with them. Scan the frequencies of the local channels there and find their freq. Use it to contact them and tell them I have something related to the destruction of the Jedi to discuss with them. Tell them someone who remembers Nikkos Tyris wishes to speak with them.”

He sat back, the scene unfolding below being monitored. Even though he was not present he was not going to let anything happen to his co-Emperor, and this new development would be one that would intrigue Sistros. Thinking for a minute, ”At Kuat, destroy their infrastructure until they sue for peace, then force them into a complete surrender, destroying more of their infrastructure until they accept being a subsidiary system of the Empire. With Hapes, clear the minefields utilizing the multitargetting functions of the GEMINI craft, leave them no defensive field to interdict again.”

Thinking about Corellia a smile came, ”Continue our interdiction of the Corellian jump points, keeping those big beasts at a distance, but I agree, Yag’Dhul would be a perfect blocking position. There are a few worlds between it and Corellian but also a thriving pirate community on that route that can be paid off. So have the blocking force on the Corellian Trade Spine ‘fall back’ to Yag’Dhul and bring it into our possession.”

Theron issued orders to the Kuati and Corellian deployments, while Lana setup the holo unit. "There," she said.

The hologram swirled into existence, showing the Outland troops exchanging fire as they retreated from an approaching enemy. Their animalistic armour and multi-coloured lightsabers were in stark contrast, but the route was littered with dozens of dead, even a few upturned AT-ST walkers. It didn't look good, to say the least.

At the front of the line was a woman with a golden blade, weaving a defensive shield that caught everything hurled at her.

"Speak, someone who remembers," her words were cultured, cold.

Bernael’s eyes focused on the holo pickup, ”I am Nevet, once known as Bernael, the Shadow. Nikkos and I knew each other. We respected the path each had taken and I supported his decision to create the Jensaarai. When he found the scroll of Larad Noon it was a good day for the galaxy. His loss was felt keenly, the Jedi must pay for what they did.” he said calmly in his flat tone.

”Should we work together, I will assist your Order to become stronger, to challenge the Jedi across the galactic stage, and end their threat. You see that the Eriaduans already stand down; they too, warriors they are, have chosen to follow the path I have set forth.” he continued. He paused, giving the representative of the Jensaarai a chance to respond.

The woman lifted her chin. "I am the Saarai-Kaar. I lead the Jensaarai," she said, using more Sith words. "We stand against the Jedi Order, murderers that they are. We have hid from the old Jedi, and we hide from the New Jedi. They are cowards, and we defend our own."

She gestured to the world. "This place is ours. We wish to be left alone. You cannot give us what you claim to offer. No-one can; the Jedi are a plague upon the galaxy."

Bernael chuckled, a flat sound, ”Well met Saarai-Kar, I lead the Empire, reborn from the dust of my predecessor, the Outlander. Now that you have been found, you will not have peace from them. And a plague? Their Grandmaster was as a child when I faced him, when I opened the lock of the Maw. The fact they will come for you I wish to avoid, which is why I called off the forces attacking and contacted you. You deserve better than that, deserve a chance to end the plague as you called them.”

She paused. “Is that so?”

“What guarantees can you give my community?” The Saarai-Kaar stepped forward towards the hologram. “The Jedi need to be erased, but not at the expense of our secrecy.”

The woman eyed the troopers.

Bernael nodded, understanding in his expression. Turning, he focused on Lana and Theron, leaving the channel open and deliberately doing so in view of the Saarai-Kaar. ”Inform the Tarkins that Susevfi is now a personal fiefdom of mine in my role as Eternal Emperor. There are other worlds that could use their attention but this one is mine. Instruct them to have the Outland Security forces be returned to their craft and depart.”

He turned his black gaze to the woman in the holo pickup, ”I am a being as Nikkos was, of my original stock, so you know I can and would keep that for eons. Your world will be safe. And, except between us, any reference to Susevfi will be scrubbed so that it remains hidden, as much as possible.”

A smile touched the corner of his lips, ”As to facing them, you are skilled and I can add to the repertoire of skills, to face them on better than equal footing.”

The Saarai-Kaar pointed at the Eriaduan troops. “I agree to your terms, but I don’t trust these tools of your regime.”

“They need to be apart of our deal. I cannot keep the knowledge of our existence from you... clearly you know much, as an Anzati like our founder, and have much to teach us.”

“But I cannot trust the minds of soldiers.” Her lightsaber ignited, as if seeking permission.

Bernael’s smile was predatory. He turned his gaze to Lana and Theron, ”Instruct the Tarkins that their force on that world was lost and that we will recoup the expenses of them. To win the war occasionally forces must be sacrificed to ensure the victory.”

He turned back to the Saarai-Kaar, ”Cleanse their presence from your world. Our deal is between the Jensaarai and I, and will remain ours, outside of interference from any other.”

Lana looked at Theron, and he shrugged. She pouted slightly, but nodded, turning to make the call.

For her part, the Saarai-Kaar bowed deeply. "Then we are in accord."

The Outland officers opened fire, and in-spite of their numbers, in spite of their droids, in spite of their artillery, they died, with none of the Jensaarai killed as a result of it. In mere minutes, the entire force was spent.

There were eight of them, plenty to start. Not enough to face the Jedi directly - yet.

The violence done, the Saarai-Kaar turned to the Anzati, his hologram still evident.

"Tell us where you wish for us to meet you."

Bernael glanced at Lana and Theron; they still had a morality of sorts but at the same time followed what the Emperor said. He was aware of the duality of that nature.

He turned his gaze back to the pickup, watching the slaughter of the Outland forces. He counted the numbers, refraining from a sigh at the fact there were but eight. He had time and would work with them to recruit those that would join their ranks, these here commanding the newcomers.

A nod at the Saarai-Kaar, ”Bakura. You will meet me at Bakura, and do not have to meet with others. I will ensure that you are precleared and you need only come to the flagship, it is hard to miss. I will be aboard when you arrive. And await your arrival.” He finished with a nod and then cut the channel.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @HanSolo29

 

OOC: Combo with @darthhelinith, @TheSilentInfluence, and @Sinrebirth

Vhardia, Leia, Renn
Bilbringi Orbit

The updates through BB-8 were like listening to a collision in slow-motion and Vhardia was in half a mind to just put the droid in low-power mode for a while, as the news flowing in threatened to elevate her heart rate every time.

She squeezed Leia's hand, finding she was thankful for the little girl's presence.

"We're not going to go to Coruscant to hurt anyone, I can promise you that." She told the padawan. She ran a hand through her own hair, getting it tangled in the bunches again and pulling out brown strands in the process.

"Maybe we can find somewhere to lie low and-"

Her com chiming interrupted her, as she let go of Leia's hand to answer it. She heard Leia's com chime too but ignored it, assuming it was a family call.

"Kyp, glad to hear you're still alive, what's going on?"

“Just wanted to find out where Ilum went,” the teen said half jokingly. “We sent a probe to check up on you when we didn’t hear, and it’s missing.” Kyp sounded a bit concerned. “I’m still the only Jedi on Yavin - Shara has led the rest of the Order to Exegol - and now to Coruscant.”

He sounded a bit worried, because he was. Everything was in flux. A week ago, the New Republic had the galaxy in peace. Now there was no peace, and the Jedi were soldiers again.

Renn sighed, listening to the conversation. He rubbed his face, he hadn’t expected or known that things were this desperate when the Light had chosen him but he’d gone from crisis to crisis and every time it seemed to be deepening. What was extremely worrying was that he could feel his ‘Twin’ out there but couldn’t pin down where and if that one did not expend his power then it made finding him even more difficult.

He looked up from the data he was sifting through, ”The Empire of the Hand has perverted Ilum, turned it into a superweapon. That is what took us so long there. But, I think, Leia managed to put it out of commission for a while. Although all that territory has been claimed by that polity and threatened to shoot first if any New Republic or Jedi craft appear in their space.”

Kyp looked concerned. "That's Thrawn's faction, then? The name of it?"

"If they've stripped all the Kyber from Ilum then the superweapon will be very potent..." Kyp looked down, eyes in thought. "Does the New Republic know yet?"

Vhardia sighed.

"No. We got to Bilbringi too late to rendezvous. But Thrawn seems obsessed with preparing for this Vong threat, which, to be honest, if he thinks he needs that sort of firepower, he needs a huge fleet to back it up and I imagine his preparations will be keeping him busy, at least for the medium term. Right now I'm more worried about whether there's going to be a Republic left for him to butt heads with in two days' time."

She fiddled with her hair, carelessly.

"Although if there isn't, it raises the moral issue of telling whoever is in charge about Thrawn, and I'd be tempted to leave it and let them find out for themselves." She gave a hollow laugh. "My bad attempt at a joke."

Master Katarn!

Leia looked incredibly happy that he was alive, and moved closer to Master Vhardia to listen. She didn't speak up while they were speaking, but found she was more impatient than normal.

"Master Katarn! You're alive." Leia told him happily. She grinned, and then turned to Master Vhardia. "You know Master, I wouldn't feel too bad for Mister Thrawn if he wants to destroy a lot of people. I think you should warn them so they can be prepared just in case." She shifted on her feet. "Maybe they can stop it somehow?"

Renn smiled at the excitement burning from Leia. He glanced over at Vhardia and then back at the comm, ”If you know who to get the message to, please forward it to them. Warn them that they would need a large task force to approach or attack the superweapon they have created, but with what happened when we left it may not be working as well as they hope. Leia was a gem, from what Vhardia said, the Kyber reacted to her and the world crystal took matters into it’s own hands.”

"They jumped to hyperspace before we left though." Vhardia added in. "The force only knows where Ilum is now."

She gave Leia an odd look. Jedi Masters didn't come back from the dead... did they?

Kyp nodded. "I'll let the Chancellor's Office know, but we won't know where to look for a while - not until things calm down in Known Space." He paused. "Master Renn, you mentioned your darker half a few times, and I'm wondering if he's involved with all this mess. Aryan Graul is a politician, not a dark side strategist..."

He caught Vhardia's strange look at Leia, looked at her.

Katarn replied to her. "Where are you, my Padawan? I had to repair a ship, this weird Sith design, which wasn't easy as it wants to talk to me." He looked nonplussed. "Creepy, really."

The Force rustled, but it was unclear with what. This wasn't danger... it was something... suppressed.

Leia looked confused. "I'm with Master Vhardia. She's my Master too." She hesitated, like something was off. "I don't understand how you survived."

Renn paused, something was off, at the other end of the call. There were a couple points that did not make much sense. He held up his hand for a moment, reaching over to the comm panel, muting it without the figure on the other end noticing his movement.

He turned his gaze to the other two, opening his mind to the both, at least to a degree, ’Ok, what is going on? He’s asking some very leading questions and I need to know, with your reaction Leia, who is it that everyone sees in that call.’

"It was a mess, I can tell you that," Kyle said, drily. "There was this sphere, it picked me up while I was floating in space. Looks like an eye, but with veined wings. Weird stuff. But I'm alive, at least. The Maw is gone though - the black holes ate themselves. Pretty impressive, really."

He looked to the others. "Am I being tested for something? What's wrong?"

"I'm going to head to Yavin 4, I think. Seems the best place for a rendezvous. Kyp's still there, right?"

Vhardia moved so the figure in the call couldn't read her lips and looked back at Renn.

"I don't like this. I see Master Katarn but... " She paused and looked at Leia. "I think we need to get back to Yavin 4 as soon as possible."

She looked at BB-8. "Prepare the hyperdrive."

Leia frowned. Something was wrong with him. She couldn't place it, and looked at Master Vhardia. "I think so too Master. Something feels very off about everything."

’I agree, we need to beat whoever, if that’s Kyle or not, that is to Yavin 4.’ Renn thought to Vhardia and Leia.

Turning the audio back on. ”We’ve been gone, so no idea if he’s there or not. Well see you soon.” he replied via the comm before cutting the circuit.

Once the holo faded, he turned to Vhardia, ”We need to be as ready as possible, something very strange is going on and there’s my Twin out there with his fingers muddling everything.”

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @TheSilentInfluence, @darthhelinith

 

IC: Kyp Durron
Yavin 4, praxeum

The ship that entered orbit was unlike any that Kyp had ever seen.

It was like a great eye, with webbed vanes and golden-skin.

Hull, he reminded himself - it wasn't alive.

Was it?



It didn't make a lot of sense to him, because it didn't match the profile of the Eternal Fleet battlecruisers now roving the galaxy, nor did it appear to be an Imperial design - Sith or otherwise. But it wasn't normal, not at all.

He reached out with the Force, and the young man sensed something even more surprising.

Master Katarn!

He signaled them to land, and rushed down the steps of the Great Temple to meet it on the pad.

---
Shortly thereafter

The Otana decanted from hyperspace and BB-8 hailed the Jedi Academy; hailed Kyp.

No answer.

He tried again, but found nothing.

Concerned, the droid tweetled his worries to Leia, Vhardia and Renn...

In the Force, there was a dark miasma to things.

On sensors, there was nothing but the old Massassi Temples, ancient and stone and looming.

Nothing else.

No sign of Kyp, nor Katarn...

TAG: @darthhelinith, @darthbernael, @TheSilentInfluence (combo)
---
IC: Beaumont Kin
On the way to Tahv - the City of Glass

The wanderings of Beaumont and Qwi took them towards the twinkling City.

It was a further distance than they realized, but there were no further encounters with the Sith. Indeed, a dozen, two, of the flying creatures the locals called uvak flew overhead, but the Keshiri and humans that were heading into the City kept their heads down. With snippets of overheard conversation, the pair would be able to put together that the humans were not Force-users, and travel by uvak was reserved for the Sith, be they Lords or Sabers - their equivalent to Jedi Knights.

Many of the Keshiri spoke of the Sith to their children as they walked, regaling them with tales. One night, as the wandering retinue of strangers set up a makeshift camp where nobody knew anyone, but still contributed anyway to the fire, a Keshiri woman sat up and told the story of the Tribe to the children while the other adults played cards made from the scraps of animal flesh. There were others holding themselves back from the crowd, but as much as Beaumont wanted to move on, it was dark, and he was tired.

The woman began to speak.

"Five thousand and fourteen years ago, the Protectors and the Destructors fought in the sky, as they are destined to do. During the great battle, the Protectors fell to Kesh, treated by our primitive ancestors as Gods from up high. But they were not Gods, though these Sith accepted the worship of the Keshiri, and took much from us. Over time, the Sith came to realize that the gifts of the Keshiri were many, and the Keshiri learned much of the galaxy and civilization from the Sith. What began as a relationship of master and servant became more nuanced, until, under the wise Grand Lord Hilts, both species were elevated to equality, and only ones strength in the Force mattered to the Tribe."

The children were in awe.

"It was only in the Time of Rot that the Tribe of Sith discovered themselves to be Lost, that they had not landed here by choice, but crashed!"

There was a gasp.

"They had escaped the Red Lord, Naga Sadow, who saw them as nothing more than slaves!"

Another gasp.

"But in their tragedy, they discovered their truth, here, on Kesh. Their destiny. It was the first Grand Lord, Korsin, who saw that Kesh was where he and his human crew could remake the Sith anew. Whereas the humans of the Tapani House Nidantha had been enslaved when they discovered the Sith, here, on Kesh, the humans could reclaim their fate!"

She gasped.

"The Sith are our Protectors, and they have slain many Destructors in their time on Kesh. Those let by the Red Sith, Ravilan, or the traitor, Seelah. They saved our cousins in distant Alanciar from the depredations of the rogue High Lords, and defeated the monster Dreypa. For nearly three millennia now, we have known peace, and order. The Grand Lord, supported by the seven High Lords, leading the thirteen Lords as the Circle, they have kept that for all of Kesh."

The children devolved into questions and then arguments about whether Lord Sarasu Taalon would become a High Lord or not. Apparently he was Keshiri, and they hoped he would be the first Keshiri Grand Lord! He was one of the local Lords, serving under High Lord Darish Vol, who was expected to become the next Grand Lord...

Beaumont frowned, and whispered. "Dreypa?"

He looked at Qwi. All in all, he wasn't sure. Yes, that Sith had been brutal, but these men and women, they seemed contented, happy even, with the rule of the Tribe."

"I don't understand." He sounded genuinely confused.

TAG: @Jerjerrod-Lennox
---
IC: The Saarai-Kaar
Bakura

The Jensaarai travelled aboard an old Sheathipede-class shuttle, a Separatist ship from their leader's days as servants of Count Dooku, before the Jedi came and killed many of them. The Saarai-Kaar was a younger woman then, some thirty-five years ago, but she had guided the Jensaarai since. Now, they stood poised to rejoin the galactic community and end the hated Jedi Order.

They had slaughtered the intruders on their world, and while that was appreciated, it made the Saarai-Kaar wonder what true value was placed on their lives. They were useful, yes, but they were Force users; of course they were. But one Anzati was not like the other, as she well knew. Consulting the Holocron of Volfe Karkko one last time, she regarded the Sith sorceror, dead for half a century, one more time. Her master, Nikkos Tyris, had taught her with this, and though it had a crack running through it, the item still worked, for the most part.

The Anzati knew the first Sith, did you know?

His words were emblazoned on her mind.

The first Sith?

As the shuttle arrived, Lana signaled it to dock with the flagship, as Theron ensured the Eternal Fleet was deployed to secure Sluis Van, Sullust, Druckenwell and Yag'Dhul. The Kuati shipyards were damaged - heavily so, and the forces there was looking for orders as they advanced. More ships had not yet arrived from Hapes, but even with them they were no match for the Allied fleet amassed at Corellia, though the Yag'Dhul force made a nice backstop. Between the forces at Kuat, Hapes and Yag'Dhul a full quarter of the Eternal Fleet was deployed, with the other quarter holding the entire south. The Hapan force had finally broken down the minefield, and was checking in for updated orders.

All they could say otherwise, was that the Corellian fleet would be ill-placed to both defend Corellia and attack Kuat or Yag'Dhul, but that the Tapani Lords were still wavering between neutrality or allegiance to the Republic or Empire. "Oh, and the Janguine cruiser arrived and discovered an entirely primitive setup. Skytroopers are ready to be deployed to the ruins and natural formations across the planet. As far as we can tell, our insertion is undetected by the Imperial Remnant or New Republic."

All in all, things were going well, even as Skelm's half of the Eternal Fleet arrived, albeit battered and bruised and in quite a state. The small Bakuran task force prowled as if an uncertain, smaller fish, among a much larger school of predators.

But of course, Bernael had a meeting to attend as well.

TAG: @darthbernael, and @HanSolo29 (continue your combo)
---
IC: Winter
Centerpoint Station, main area

The ancient station of Centerpoint was, genuinely, dated back one hundred thousand years, and it's ties to the galaxy were as mysterious as it's function.

Historians could tell you precisely one thing about it; that it had always been laying between the fourth and fifth planets of the system - Talus and Tralus, since the records of Corellia began. Experts in the way planets were made could tell you that the habitable worlds here had not been created in-system, and most of them had been seemingly transported in-system. It was a hotly contested question as to whether humans originated here or on Coruscant, similarly. Economists could tell you many tale of how the position of the world meant it was essential to galactic governance, and considered how Corellia was doing to be the indicator for the galaxy - financially and politically, keeping in mind that Corellia had seceded from the Old Republic no less than nineteen times.

Winter recounted all of this to Feyna and Nola, and indeed Del, while HoloNet crews made quick work of their 'look', as unobtrusively as possible.

The woman also forwarded Feyna - surreptitiously - the data from the Maw, which showed a miniature version of the station had been evident inside the Maw Cluster, and had tightened the black-holes together to crush all that were inside - including, the data suggested, Darth Ananke, who had been discovered to have been present at an even deeper part of the Maw than Drayson, Qwi, Beaumont and Jyn had headed, or Katarn, Ood Bnar, Vhardia, Leia and Renn.

If true, the woman who had ordered the burning down of Coruscant was gone, which was welcome news.

Otherwise, Del stared at the woman in awe - and so did Tycho, promoted to General by the Senate in wake of the death of Admiral Raddus.

The data was pretty clear; half the Senators were staying loyal, with question marks around whether the Tapani Sector would side with them or Aryan. The Hutts, Bothans and Corporate Sector were acting independently, and of course the Moff Council was still in-session on Bastion. The Eternal Fleet was holding at Yag'Dhul outside of the south, still attacking Kuat, and was bogged down in a minefield at the edge of Hapan Space, with three-quarters of the surviving Eternal warships believed to be in the south.

The Senate, however had not confirmed what it's initial business would be. That was being kept from them, even from -

Isolder swept into the room, clearing out the HoloNet crew and politely requesting Nola and Del step out. Winter ended up nodded and talking to Tycho a room over, even as Del squeezed Nola's hand and led her to a different one. The bossy Zeltron in charge of the crew made sure to tell them that they had fifteen minutes, though she bustled out of the room when Tycho unclipped his holster. With a salute, he nodded to Winter and followed his fellow Alderaanian out - they'd met at a few functions over the years, but nothing as stressful as this!

As for Feyna and Isolder, and indeed, Nola and Del, they each were having their first moment in what felt like forever alone with their respective partners.

The Hapan Prince squeezed Feyna tight, loving her and cherishing that they had both survived. He kissed her passionately, and sniggered. "So we elope now, right?"

As for Del, he shook his head. He and Nola hadn't been made privy to the Maw data, but there was plenty to deal with otherwise - and still the Yuuzhan Vong were not even on the itinerary. "So... Senator, how do you feel taking the seat that once belonged to Emperor Aryan Graul?" He grinned.

TAG: @JediMasterAnne x 2 (combos)
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IC: Lumpawaroo
Millennium Falcon, refueled, and heading out

The Falcon still looked like it was crispy, but at least it had some fuel and a rack of concussion missiles. The techs had even managed to top up their blaster gas, even while swiftly applying maintenance to Shara Dameron's X-wing, as she was due to head back to Coruscant with them. Lumpy busied himself mopping up blood, and helping the medics take Shevu away, after the Chancellor had been escorted away.

Before they could get going though, Han's comlink chimed, now he was finally grounded and out of battle static.

He had a message from Jabba, promising to reinstate his bounty, of course, and then from Sal-Solo, emphasizing how much he was looking forward to working together in the future. There wasn't anything from Xaverri, which was by and a large a good sign as she was far off on Dagobah, after all - safely hidden away by the same method that had concealed Anakin Skywalker for fourteen years.

But the chime was not just for the messages, but also a communique being opened by the Corellian Prime Minister, Aidal Saxan.

Lumpy rumbled an 'uh-oh' and then looked to Han.

TAG: @Jerjerrod-Lennox (combo)

TAG: @TheSilentInfluence, @galacticvagabond422 (combo continue on Coruscant)

TAG: @HanSolo29 (continue combo on Coruscant)