Bracknell nodded his head at the holographic projection of Jean that hovered above the projector built into the flight command console. 
“Excellent work, my apprentice.  Everything will work according to plan.” the statement was firm and assured, rather than hopeful. He would ensure it himself personally,  and the reason why he would not be joining Soto on the ground assault. He would need a wider reach to put his battle meditation, learned from the Master himself, into action across their whole fighting force. “We will celebrate later.” He asserted. “But now I must go, I need to concentrate.” with one final affirmation, Jean’s holographic image flickered away, Bracknell settling into the seat behind him and focusing on the ebb and flow of energies around and below him. A smirk would colour his face as he sensed the four break the planet’s atmosphere.
So, they thought they could bring the fight to him, did they? Oh, he was looking forward to this. Noctis and Lash, two of the last who had evaded him so long, would be dead before the battle was over. Jungze would perish on the planet with the rest of their pathetic resistance and then he and Soto could sit back and reap the rewards of their success. If they could achieve it promptly enough, he might even consider leaving her alive…
___________________


The very ground seemed to rumble with the next impact, Vano hunkering down beside the remaining members of her squad as they took cover in the tree line. Peering ahead, the energy shields that protected the compound rippled as they absorbed the railgun fire. Inside, Jungze and Ailel had managed to hold off the majority of the approaching fleet though a handful of fighters and trooper carriers  had slipped through, dropping their forces in the forest while the fighters circled back on the compound with a vengeance. She had tried to manipulate the fighter’s engines, bring them down in the brief respite they had been given from fighting Alliance soldiers as Voldon’s unit dropped back to join them, but something seized hold of her as soon as she tried to reach for the jet mechanics and she found she had to withdraw again. 
“How are they still coming at us?!” gasped a wide-eyed recruit behind her. “We've killed SO many of them and it just doesn't seem to matter at all, ma'am!”
The Mirialan realised with an uncomfortable jolt that he was right. What the hell was going on with these people, it was like they weren't even people at all, but almost robotic. Seeing their comrades fall before them had nigh on no effect. She could think of only one solution.  
“Soto. We have to find Soto.” turning to look for the Battlemaster, she called. “Master Naylon!” 
________________


“How are we going to know which ship is Bracknell's?” Cheriss questioned as Abbeth steered them around the last mountain peak and out into the vast openness of space. 
“Easy.” Roan answered after a long enough pause that betrayed the effort it took him to determine it. “The comm channels, they've got outgoing transmissions to instruct their guys planetside, we find the one ship all the transmissions pass through before they go out and we find the flagship. He’ll be there, where he can keep an eye on everything from above.” 
“Right.” their pilot grunted, it took one circle of the opposing fleet for them to locate the flagship in question. Then it was a simple matter of them slipping past outgoing fighter squadrons to dock in the hangar long enough for their strike team to jump ship.


“Bracknell will be on the bridge.” Cheriss whispered as they crept through the hangar bay’s main doors and into the adjoining corridor, only to be greeted by a warning siren that blared throughout the ship as an elevator ‘swooshed’ to a halt on their floor, opening to allow a mixture of Imperial shock troopers and Republic commandos to filter in, rifles and vibroswords raised to attack positions. 
Raising both hands into the air, Roan bellowed out:
“We are here for Bracknell, and Bracknell alone! NONE of you have to die for him, drop your weapons NOW and surrender, and you may leave in peace when he is dead and this is all over.”
Most of them faltered and stopped in their tracks, hushed murmurs flitting from one individual to the next as they seemed to doubt the Sith Lord's words. 
“How many more of you are willing to die for that tyrant? There are comrades of yours below with our friends who can attest that we brought them no harm.” Cheriss promised them. “We are imploring you, drop your weapons. Or we WILL have to kill you to get to him.”
Drop them. Please. Aria begged the soldiers silently. Think of your families. An audible breath out left her lungs as safety switches clicked on once again and rifles and blades were set to the floor. 


The rest of the ship was once again eerily empty, the only other encounter they made was when a heavy blast door opened from the right-hand side as they navigated a long, winding corridor that snaked around towards the front of the vessel, the black-suited Ubese making a reappearance. Only this time it was not just one or two, but a contingent. Cheriss stepped forward, the energy fixture in her weapon crackling as she activated the lightwhip in her hand, the bright red column snapped above her head as she swung it in a wide arc to gain momentum, sparks cascading down onto their heads as it glanced off the ceiling.
“Keep going!” she called over her shoulder to the other three in their group. “Find Bracknell,  I'll deal with them!” 
For a fraction of a second, Cheriss met her father's gaze and something unspoken seemed to pass between them, like they were aware of something the duo were not, before the doors slammed abruptly shut behind the Dathomirian again.


“Find Bracknell.” Roan commanded, the two Tuk'ata at his heels letting out spine-chilling howls as they took off around the corner ahead of the remaining trio to find them the quickest route to their quarry.  
“VARIAN, YOU DAMNED COWARD!” Roan hollered out loud as they continued to follow the path of the corridor along,  knowing he would be listening. “IT'S OVER! STOP BARRICADING YOURSELF BEHIND THOSE WEAKER THAN YOU AND COME OUT AND FACE US LIKE A REAL SITH!”


“Yark! Yark!” The tomb beast’s signature ‘warning’ call sounded as they reappeared, another door sliding open out of sight around the bend, followed by footsteps, slow and purposeful, echoing towards them.....