“I certainly never expected to have an ally among their ranks. That’s for sure. Hopefully HJ can make some progress. I’ll see if I can convince Vette to come with Jakito and I to Alderaan so we can all work this out as a team.”

I nod, hearing Jerus calling for me. "Call when you set out. Just...make sure to change the codes for the lockdown before you leave. No offense, but if Lukas has returned to being Cipher Nine..."

"Oh, trust me. I never fully trusted Lukas even when he claimed to be SIS. I don't think even Luci trusted her brother. I'll make sure to change the codes twice over just to be safe. And... it's good to hear someone finally got through to Luci. They'll have to tell us the story when we get to Alderaan. See you soon." I end the communication, then return to where Jakito is talking to Imperious. They have moved off of the landing pad and into a small meeting room nearby. "Sorry about that. The rest of our team was updating us on their current mission. What did I miss here?"

"Attempting to figure out how best to help. Coruscant is the Mandalorian's glory, and my New Empire isn't ready for an engagement of that scale. Do you have any suggestions?"

"I have just learned about a mission that I believe might suit you perfectly. Mostly because... well, you've already done it once before. You recall the Battle of the Foundry, yes? If the stories are to be believed, you, along with Salazar Greshh, Cipher Nine and the Great Hunt Champion stormed the place early in the last war, and captured it for the Empire. Since then, it's fallen into Republic hands, and they have been using it to mass produce the specially designed Sith Hunter droids. If we are going to stop Sucal, we'll need that factory shut down."



"Hold on. No offense to our new allies, but do you really think it's a good idea to direct this fledgling empire towards a massive factory? What's to stop them from taking the Foundry for themselves? They've done it before."



"Not very much. HJ and Hank will be there, but otherwise there is nothing standing in the New Empire's way." I look at Imperious. "I know it will be difficult to pass up the opportunity, and I honestly would not blame you if you took it. But Sucal is the enemy here. In order for him to be stopped, there must be a balance in the Force. Equal light and equal dark. So please, prove yourself to be better than all the Sith Lords that came before you and don't betray us at the last minute."

"Last time we had nothing more than a light guard and the few droids the factory could get out in time to deal with. This time, it sounds like specially designed killing machines." I grin wickedly. "The New Empire will prevail. We will not take the Factory ourselves, at least until this business with Sucal is dealt with. However, perhaps Fixer 13 and Cipher Nine can turn it's production lines to help us instead. Is that agreeable?"

“I can agree to that. Those droids could prove very useful in our fight.” I think a moment. “Perhaps, as a way to signify our alliance, you should leave a representative of yours with us. We have crossed paths with Fixer 13 before in the past, and I trust her above all others among your empire.” I give Vette a quick look from across the room.

I give it a moment's thought and then nod. "Very well, Fixer 13 will remain with you. Cipher Nine should be able to handle the reprogramming. HJ is your nephew, correct?"

“Yes. He is former Republic SIS, so he is skilled with covert operations like this. He will have no problem shutting down the factory, or reprogramming the droids to work for us.”

"Then I will leave the task of reprogramming to him and Cipher Nine. I appreciate the alliance you've been willing to forge here. I will return to my fleet and begin preparations for the assault on the Foundry." Turning, I beckon Khem to join me back on the shuttle. Once on board and taking off, I open a channel to the Seething Shadow. "Cipher Nine, set course back to our base on Mankella. Once I return to the ship, we'll need to prepare for an offensive against a familiar location."

I watch the shuttle lift off and fly out of the atmosphere, and I breath a sigh of relief. Looking to Becca and ‘Fixer 13’, I say “That was weirdly intense. The way that Deshade was staring at me...” shutters.



“Imagine having to be locked in a ship with him for hours.” Flashes Jakito a smirk, then looks to a Becca. “Thanks for getting me off the hook. I was afraid I’d be stuck with those New Imperials forever.”



“So you aren’t one of them?”



“Of course not! I was barely even a regular Imperial. They were the ones that slapped a collar on my neck and called me property, if you forgot. And after Sal freed me... well, I guess I just followed along for his sake. But trust me, I don’t care about these New guys any more than the last Empire. Lukas was just helping me track my kids down on Onderon when he decided to go all patriotic and joined up with Imperious. When they asked who I was, he said I was his partner, Fixer 13.”



“And odd move on his part, but it sounds like he was at least trying to keep your true identity secret... though I’m not sure why. You’d think Salazar Greshh’s wife would hold some clout in the Imperial Remnant.” I take a step closer. “I’m happy to have rescued you from your new job... but that isn’t why I asked you to stay. We have news about your children...”

END OF SCENE

It was a normal day on Coruscant. Citizens of the surface level went about their lives as usual, the thought of danger never even crossing their minds. Because Coruscant was the heart of the Republic, and therefore the safest place one could possibly be. The Revolution was dead, the Sith were exterminated, and the Sith Hunter Rebels were scattered.

Then, one by one, dark vessels appeared in the clear blue sky above. The radiant sun was slowly blotted out by a fleet, no, an armada of clunky capital ships. Soon after, every radio frequency on the planet had been hijacked, and a horrible song was forcibly broadcast on every channel; men and woman screaming words in an unknown language, pounding drums and blowing horns.

In his office, Jorg Sucal looks out in shock as the Republic Defensive Fleet is dwarfed by the enemy. It is obvious that his forces can not prevent these invaders from landing ships on the surface before reinforcements arrive, so he orders the emergency shield generators activated.

Massive bubbles of energy form around the Senate Plaza, Presidential Palace, and other key locations across the planet. That would at least keep ships from landing there or dropping bombs. If they wanted to get to him, they would have to walk.

END OF SCENE

The three blades hissed through the air as Iwan and I clashed against each other numerous times, his lone acid green saber striking against my twin black. After several minutes, I hold up one hand to signal a stop and deactivate my twin sabers. "You've learned quickly in the few days we've been training and you seem to be a natural fit for the Shii-Cho style. I think you're as ready as you can be to aid in guarding Korre." I look over towards where Jude and Jerus were training, the former of the two having learned how to more readily directly engage an opponent without having to rely on subterfuge if he can't get it. "I think you both are."

I bow my head. "Thank you, Master Zar'kun." These days of training have been a true experience for me. I am, perhaps for the first time, truly happy. Zar'kun was a tough by fair master, and I could think of no one more skilled to guide me through my training.



I hesitate a moment before offering Jerus a quick bow. "Yes, thank you. Not only for improving my fighting ability, but... for helping me get over myself. I see now that my ego was clouding my mind. Stunting my growth, as it were."



"And Gaia knows you still have a lot more growing to do, little brother!" I shout playfully.



I wince. I'm still not used to being called that, but I suppress the urge to snap back, and instead force a smile. "Ha ha! Very funny!"

Smiling softly, I beckon the pair to follow me as Jerus goes about setting up a different training stage for himself. "You've both learned and grown in the last few days. I fear that we may again see Gendry in the coming days, and he will be coming for her when we do." As we reach the main hall, it's a flurry of activity as Koraline, Tren and his crew and Organa soldiers hustle about. "Under the Jedi Code, Jude, I wouldn't say what I'm about to say. But then, I've never been a great Jedi or Sith." I turn to the young man. "I know what he did to the Revolution and to Salazar. If he presents you with an opportunity to make him pay for it, I encourage you to take it. Call it revenge or justice, I don't care which."

I feel anger rise in me. "And what about me? He stole my face! Do you know how many times I've caught the Organas shooting me strange looks? The things they probably say behind my back? Not to mention what Korre must think of me." My voice breaks a little on that last part, and I narrow my eyes. "If he comes here looking for trouble, I'll kill him."



"You're barely trained. Gendry is a powerhouse. It'll take more than blind fury to defeat him."



"Then we take him together, but I want to be there. I want to make sure the last thing he sees is my face... and knowing that it is MINE. That I am a person, and he is a mad clone."

"Just be careful when you face him. Gendry is not just strong, he's clever and well known to use the dirtiest tactics he can to defeat someone." I look back at the hustle and bustle. "Regardless, it's time to get ready to leave on our individual missions. I trust you two can get Korre ready to leave?"

I nod determinedly. "You can count on us. We'll see her safely to Organa Palace, and make sure she and her baby are protected."



"I'll keep an eye on her. Don't worry. If anyone wants to get at her, they'll have to go through us."

Nodding, I leave the pair to their assignment while heading over to Koraline's ship, where she's talking to Tren. Waiting until the pair are done, I speak up. "How goes preparations, captain?"

I turn. "We're just about ready to go. The Organas were kind enough to supply us enough food rations to last us a good while in deep space. It took a bit of convincing, but Tren was able to convince some of his guys to lend us their fuel reserve tanks. The Redshifter is full, but you'll never know when we might need an emergency refill. Luci's helping load the back up tanks into the cargo hold." As I speak, Luci is using the Force to lift each tank into the cargo ramp. There are a few Killik fingerlings hovering around her, but she appears unaffected by their presence. Koraline continues. "Anything else we might need before we head off? Any word from Becca and Jakito back on Dantooine?"