I pace on the bridge of my flagship, watching as starfighters from both sides buzz around each other. My capital ships were pressing in closer and closer to the Republic defensive line, unleashing full spreads of proton torpedoes and laser cannons. The Republic was holding out better than I’d expected, but that only made the fight more exciting. I’d have hated it if my Mandalorians had crushed them easily.

I turn to the crew panels. “I want ground assault forces prepped and ready. When I give the signal, they are to deploy Basilisk War Droids to secure us a landing zone.” The tech to my left gives me acknowledgment, then relays the order to the warriors waiting below decks. Another tech sends the same orders to the rest of the fleet.

On my right, a comm officer informs me that I have an incoming transmission on my personal channel. “Very well. I’ll take it in my ready room.” I nod to my second in command, Lydi Vizsla. “You have the bridge, Commander.” I stomp off to my ready room just off the bridge, then active the private holo communication. “What is it, HJ? I’m very busy at the moment.”



“Oh, hey there, Ava. Sorry to bug you, but we have a new plan for taking Coruscant. Once you guys have given the Republic a good scare, and the people start to fear you might actually win, Alderaan is going to send it’s navy to come and chase you off.”



My eyes widen. “What!? What are you talking about? What is the meaning of this?”



I am taken aback by how emotional her response was “It’s uhh... supposed to look all heroic and get the senate to rally behind them. That way we can more easily unseat Sucal. They aren’t really going to beat you, Ava. It’s just pretend.”



“Just pretend? All just a big act, huh?” I press a button and transfer HJ to an external security camera feed so that he can see the battle over Coruscant. “See that? You think that’s just pretend? All of this is just a game? Do you know how many Republic pilots my men have killed today alone? How many of my brothers and sisters the Republic has blown apart?” I pull him back to my camera. “This isn’t a game! This is War! I thought you knew the difference!”



My face falls. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I didn’t think about that. I just though... House Organa has been a big help to us here. They came up with this plan, and Zar’kun thought it would really turn the senate to our cause. But, if you don’t want to do it...”



I sigh. “It doesn’t matter what I think. The rest of the clans aren’t going to go for it. They want this fight. If I tell them to give up and go home when we are about to win... it’ll be like pulling a hungry dog away from a fresh meat. It doesn’t matter how loyal the dog usually is, when it’s blood is up and it’s instincts kick in, getting in their way is to risk getting bitten.” I take a moment to let that sink in for both of us before I conclude. “Let then have their fill of battle here. Once they have gotten it all out of their system, I’ll consider allowing these Alderaan Nobles take a run at us. We won’t retreat easily though. They need to give us a good fight. If they are going to beat us, they need to prove worthy.”



“Like Revan, right? You are happy to lose, so long as it’s at the hands of someone truly skilled enough.”



“Exactly. Tell the Organas or whoever to send their best. I refuse to back down to some pampered prince whose never held a weapon before in his life.”



I chuckle. “I promise, I won’t dishonor you with an unworthy opponent. I’ll try to get back in touch with you when we are ready to ‘save the day’. Just... don’t launch any ground forces, okay? It’ll be a lot easier for Alderaan if it’s just a space battle.”



“I’ll keep that in mind. We’ll talk later, my love.” I end the call, then walk back into the bridge. “Launch all ground forces immediately.”

END OF SCENE

While the battle over Coruscant, and all of the Republic ships are distracting, I pilot a shuttle towards Coruscant’s paradise moon, Hesperdium. In the small holding area behind me lays Gavin Greshh, still greatly injured and barely awake.

As I fly, I can feel a prickling on the back of my neck. I can’t use the Force - not anymore - but this certainly feels like a very similar sensation. A reflexively scratch at it with my gloves fingers, and feel goose pimples and my hairs standing on end. Then, in the back of my mind, I hear a familiar voice:



“Mercy.”



I jump in surprise, looking around for the source of the voice. That was... my father’s voice. Hunter’s father. But how... why was he talking to me now?



“Mercy. When the time comes.... show mercy.”



I want to jump out of my seat, but I’m about to hit atmosphere, so that wasn’t a good idea. “Fath... ah, I mean Mister Twilight? Uhhh.... hello?” I wait a few seconds in silence, but there is no further voices. Feeling a little on edge, I try to focus on my mission once more.

I fly down over the ocean and touch down near a secluded beach house. Exiting the shuttle with Gavin on a hover gurney, I slowly make my way towards the house. A flood of memories come rushing back to me, of a previous life I once led at this house. Back when I was a weak boy with a debilitating disease, rather than the strong Mandalorian Warrior I am now.

Just outside the house, I see a pair of gravestones. I know what they say, and I try to avert my eyes, but I am too late. The first reads:

‘Hunter Orgus Twilight. 16 ATC - 32 ATC’

And the second one, to my surprise and horror, reads:

‘Ryder Jas Twilight. 11 BTC - 32 ATC’

I fall to my knees in front of the stone, overcome with emotion that I can not contain, no matter how hard I try.



I walk out of my house, having heard the shuttle land. I pause when I hear someone violently weeping, and I run around the corner to find Kamari Ordo at the grave site of Hunter and Ryder. I cross my arms and give a sympathy look. “You really miss him, don’t you?”



I look up, trying very hard to look strong. I haven’t seen my mother in a long time, and I was desperately to give her a hug. But I’m not her son anymore. This wasn’t how a Mandalorian was supposed to act. “Yes... I miss Hunter very much. And Ryder.... how did he die?”



“The stress finally got to him. He’d been suffering from his conflict with Vitiate for so long, he couldn’t take it anymore.” I pause, watching Kam wipe the tears away from his eyes. “But he’s not gone. He’s one with the Force... finally at peace.”



“I failed him.” I say quietly. “I... I mean, I should have done a better job.... keeping his son alive, I mean. I should have listened to him and.... and been honest with him before...”



“He knows, Hunter.”



“Wh... what?” I look surprised. “What did you call me?”



I walk over and put a hand on his arm. “I’m not stupid. You think I don’t know my own son? You can’t hide from me, no matter how hard you try.”



I lower my head “I’m sorry, Mom. For everything.”



“Well, you do have a lot of explaining to do. Namely how the hell you body switched with Kam, and why you thought it was a good idea to fake your own death... but that can all wait until after we’ve dealt with Sucal. Right now, I’m just glad your alive.” I look towards the gurney were Gavin is resting. “I agreed to help bring Gavin back to full strength. We need to act fast.”



“We couldn’t find anything wrong with him. I don’t know how you expect to make him better.” As if queue, a woman with braided gray hair and a kind face steps. She wears faded Jedi Robes, and a lightsaber staff hangs from her belt.


“I can help with that.”

END OF SCENE

All around us, the sounds of battle could be heard as our Basilisk War Droids made landfall and unloaded both their payloads and their Mandalorian cargo on the Republic. However, I was escorting the Gressh twin Cosen further into the city's depths, searching to find the remnants of the True Revolution. "So, how did your father manage to get on Coruscant without being seen? I imagine the Sith weren't popular when he first arrived." While I didn't much care for the girl, simply listening to the sounds of the battle I was missing out on were maddening, so until we were farther down, I decided to distract myself by learning about Manda'lor's rival in love.

I am reluctant at first to talk to my captors, but after a few moments, I decide it couldn’t hurt to at least explain my father’s past actions. It wasn’t like it mattered anymore anyways. “He was smart, and clever about it. He made friends in the Republic ranks. Favors he called in with men he saved during the war, or bribes he made to just the right people. And when he came here, he didn’t let anyone see him form what he truly was.” We sneak towards an elevator that will take us to the lower levels. “He knew this former Imperial Intelligence agent. Some master of disguise. But she was more like... some sort of costume designer slash make-up artist. She used to do these incredible make-up jobs where she would make my father look Human, or Twi’lek, or Zabrak. The sort of look a normal person wouldn’t think twice about if the saw them on the street.”

I shake my head. "Subterfuge from one of the most renowned Sith Warriors in the history of the Sith Empire? Consider me surprised. Subtlety wasn't something I thought he knew." I hear the sound of heavily booted feet coming towards us and I beckon Cosen into cover, letting the Republic Troops pass us before glancing out. "So, what brought him here? Why not some place like Nar Shadaa, where I hear Sith convened at least once a week for a few years. Would have given him a stronger power base than these down trodden workers."

I pull away and turn to glare at Temari. "He didn't want a power base! He wanted to save the Galaxy AGAIN!" I know shouting at the person who could literally kill me with the press of a button was unwise, but I did it anyways. "He knew Jorg Sucal was plotting something long before anyone else did, but the Jedi Council had grown into self centered zealots who refused to even listen to what he had to say! He gathered the down trodden because they were the only ones who could see things for what they truly were!" I take a breath and force myself to calm. "I have nothing more to say to you about my father... you would never understand." I nod my head to the side. "My contact isn't far. We should keep moving."

As we draw closer to where her contact was, I take cover in a position where I can see the meeting place. "Remember, you're to convince them that we are here to help and that by helping us, they help themselves. And don't forget," I hold up the controller for her shock collar, "one wrong move and you'll be reunited with your father."

“Whatever you say.” I take a quick look around to make sure the coast is clear, then I sneak across the street into a run down apartment complex. Making sure Tamari is behind me, I knock on the door. A few seconds later, the door opens a crack and a Gotal sticks his head out.



“Whatchu want?”



“I fly the scarlet and obsidian flag of Revolution.” I whisper.



“The Rrrevolution is dead.” He begins to close the door once again.



I hold the door open and say “Not as long as the people hold the truth in their hearts, and the small voices are joined to create loud words.”



Sighs, then opens the door to let them in. “It is good to see you alive. Wwwhen I heard about what happen...” he looks up at Temari. “And Wwwwho is this?”



“She is my... ally.” I flash Temari a look. “We are working together to bring an end to Sucal once and for all. But her people need our help.”



Huffs and waves a dismissive hand. “Caaaan’t do anything. Wwwe are not fighters. We set traps, planted bombs, but weeee never did no fighting. That was the mercenaries, aaaand they are all on Gendry’s side now, and Gendry is on Sucal’s side.” He walls down the hall. “I called the others, but veeeery few of them came. Hope is llllost.”

"Hope is only lost if you lack the spine to fight for it." I shake my head before leaning in and speaking so only Cosen can hear me. "Will you be able to convince them to help or not?"

I wait until Billie is out of ear shot before I hiss back “I told Ava - Mand’alor - that the Revolution wouldn’t come running to help her. I don’t even k ow if they’ll help me. My father and brother was always a better leader than me, but they aren’t here, are they?” I look Temari in the eye. “And what if they say no? I’ve gathered them here, but if they decide your crusade isn’t worth it, what are you gonna do? Kill me for trying my best?”

"So long as the evidence is there that you've tried your best, we'll return to the battle and figure out from there. Our warriors can handle this Republic rabble either way."

That... wasn't the response I was expecting. "Hmm. You aren't as unreasonable as I thought." I turn and walk down the hall to the main room. Seated awkwardly on chairs and sofas are half a dozen people, all looking like they don't want to be there.



Lazily motions to the six gathered in his living room. "Theeeese are all that is left of the Revolution's leeeadership. Everyone else is either dead or unwiiiiiling to come."



I look at each of the gathered people. These were my father's lieutenants, each one representing a different cell of the Revolution. Perhaps if I convinced them to join me, the rest of their cells would follow. It couldn't just be the six of them.... could it?

I step forward. "Thank you all for coming..."



An ugly man with a construction uniform on stands up. "Just so we're clear, we aren't jumping at the chance to get ourselves killed. Billie told us the daughter of Sal Greshh wanted to talk, and out of respect for our old leader, we came to hear you out. But after everything that's happened, I hope you aren't about to suggest what I think you're about to suggest."



"She is. She wants us to riiiiise up and fight the Republic... again." All six attendees man sounds of annoyance and disinterest. They start shouting all at once, their voices all mixing together in a way that is hard to understand, but the overall idea is clear; they don't want any part of it.



I try to shout over them. "I understand you're reluctance, but you won't be alone! The Mandalorians are here to finally stop Jorg Sucal! They just need your help!"



A woman in a torn jacket narrows her eyes. "What do they want us for? To distract the soldiers so they can have a clear run at the capital building? We aren't stupid! Even Greshh wasn't that bold!"

An older man glares at Temari. "And why would we want Mandalorian help anyways? They're no better than Sucal and the fat cat politicians in the senate! They don't care about us!"

I maintain my silence as Cosen and the former leaders of the Revolution argue, but when the old man glares at me and dares to make an attack on the honor of my people, faster than any of them can follow, my blaster pistol flies free of it's holster and fires, the bolt skimming the top of the old man's head. "'No better' than the worthless politicians you all call your leaders? No better than the man who shattered the mind of my Clan Chief's son in an effort to deny him a warrior's death?!" I take a step forwards. "We are the Mando'ade, battle is our life and war our favorite pastime yes, but you will find no one in a Mandalorian Clan in a position like those of your politicians who does not work alongside the rest of the clan."

I shake my head. "If this is the best your former Revolution can offer, Cosen Gressh, than perhaps Manda'lor's hopes were a waste of time."

There is a long silence that follows Temari's display. Finally, I come up with something to break the tension. "Look... I know things have gotten bad. Worse even than they were before. But we can't just hide down here and accept defeat. We need to fight for what we believe in. What my father believed in!"



The woman speaks again. "Your father used us! Before he came along, we only do protests and public demonstrations, then he came and turned us into a terrorist group! He was a good man, and I believe he believed his goals were just, but we caused way more harm than good!"

A Rodian with a missing antenna speaks up. "We are hunted now. There is no place for us anymore. The traitor Gendry gave away all of our meeting spots, and the Republic chases us night and day."

An Ugnuaght sequels something about his tribe being rounded up and imprisoned for their involvement in the Revolution.

The construction worker speaks again. "It ain't just common troopers anymore either. Sucal has put together special squads of elite soldiers to drive us out of hiding. He's got this new enforcer, a Rattataki named High Justice Draxxal." He shutters. "They've nicknamed him Gendry Two."



I look around. "That is exactly why we need to fight! If they are hunting you anyways, than you might as well give them a good hunt! Fight back and show them you aren't going to go quietly into the darkness! When my father was still around, you all agreed that drastic action needed to be taken in order to make your voices heard! He might be gone now, but I'm still here, and Gavin is too! And Hayden Twilight is alive, and so is Jude Sucal! The Chancellor's own son is still fighting because he knows that to go home and accept defeat would be a greater tragedy than dying in the streets!"



The old man: "The Chancellor's boy is still fighting? I heard he'd given up. I saw holonet video of him home with his father."

An alien covered in so much cheap cybernetics that it is hard to tell what exactly it is: "My channels have all broadcast conflicting reports on that. I heard he was on Naboo with senator Naberrie, then on Alderaan..."

The woman: "I heard Hayden Twilight was killed. Varho Ogg smashed her skull in!"

The Rodian: "No, she killed him on Alaris Prime, along with Draggo the Black!"

The woman: "Hayden was a twig! Draggo would have snapped her in half with one claw!"

The Ugnaught confirms he also heard Draggo was dead.



I raise my hands. "I don't know anything about that! My brother and I were injured on Dxun shortly after my father was fatally wounded. We missed a lot. The Mandalorians have not had time to update me on the details, but I too have heard rumors. I do not believe Hayden is dead. I would have sensed that. And as for Jude, I heard that he was under some hide control that forced him to obey his father. He would never willingly submit. He knows what kind of monster Jorg Sucal is."



He steps forward at last, having taken much of what has been said into consideration. "Enough speeeeeculation. What do the Maaaandalorians want us to do?"



"Rise up. Start riots in the streets. Let those big wigs in the senate know that the people of Coruscant will not be silent. That they would rather welcome Mandalorian rule than suffer another day under the tyranny of men like Sucal." I look at Temari. "Was that basically it?"

I nod. "And if the chance presents itself, deny the troopers their opportunity to arm themselves and turn those weapons against them. While you do that, Cosen and I will find this 'high Justice' Draxxal and show him what it means to be hunted." I hold out my hand, palm up, towards the leaders of the Revolution. "Will you fight?"

The construction worker: "And once the fighting is done? If we help the Mandalorians, can they promise that OUR demands will be met?"

the woman: "We've been fighting for our rights for years. First through peaceful protest, then demonstration, then through terrorism. None of these have worked. What makes you think anarchy will be the answer?"



"Because my rising up, you are showing that you are not gone, and that the rich can not simply forget about you! You are showing that you are still angry, and that you refuse to stay hidden away under layers of duracrete and steel. And maybe when the fight is over, you won't be any better off than you were before, but I know the Mandalorians, despite all their flaws, are people of their word. They respect people who stand and fight for their convictions. If you do stand with us, take up arms against the corrupt leaders of the Republic one last time, then I know Mand'alor won't forget about you."



They all exchange glaces, some whispering to each other. Billie moves to join in the huddled discussion, and after a minute, the seven separate. "We agrrrrree that you make a strong point. Let us conveeeeeene with the rest of our cells. We will meeeeeet you in the Hidden Place when the time is rrrrrright."



I nod my head, not sure if I should be excited or disappointed. "Okay. That's better than a straight no, I guess. The Hidden Place, it is." I look at Temari. "Looks like we have another ways to go. Probably a good idea we don't stay in one place too long. If there are patrols about searching for Revolution meeting spots, we'll need to keep moving if we don't want to be found out too soon."

I nod. "You know the way, Cosen, so lead it."

I lead Temari outside. “We will have to travel though the works. The Hidden Place... it refers to the ruins of the Jedi Temple. We used to meet in the sub levels. It will be the fitting spot to stage our new Revolution from.” The two of us head down the street, keeping an eye out for patrols.



I watch Cosen Greshh and her Mandalorian companion as they sneak down the street. In the apartment nearby, the 7 Revolution compatriots still linger, preparing to return to their individual groups. My fist clenches in barely contained anger.

Traitors.

END OF SCENE

I sit in my office in Presidential Palace, looking through the massive window at the Coruscant cityscape. The shield over the Senate District is still holding, but everything around it is in chaos. I can see the smoke even from here.



“Chancellor, are you even listening to me?” I sit on the other side of the chancellor’s desk, a panicked look on my face. “I said the Eastern District has completely fallen! The Mandalorians have set up a command hub out of the old durasteel mill, and they’ve cleared a landing zone for their drop ships!”



I do not turn around. “Our reinforcements will arrive soon. They will deal with these brutes.”



“Planetary security is holding, but it will only be a matter of time before they are overwhelmed. If you would just deploy the Sith Hunter droids...”



“I will not! They are the last line of defense if the Mandalorians pass through the ray shields!”



“And whole you sit here, protected by droids and shields, Coruscant burns!”



I turn and signal my guards. “Get the Senator our of my sight! This meeting is over!” I put my elbows up on my desk and bury my face into my hands.



I step out behind Sucal and drape my arms around his shoulders. “Calm yourself, my lord. This is but a minor setback in our plan.” I lean down to look in his face. “Does the Mother Of Wisdom have any words?”



“She is silent, as usual.” I grind my teeth in frustration. “This has gotten far out of hand. I should have killed that HJ brat on Ilum when I had the chance.”



“You could not have known he would mate the Mand’alor. That mistake can still be rectified though.”



“I’ve worked too hard to allow my plans to be undone by... Mandalorians.” I say the last word contemptuously.



“At least we know that the Vessel yet lives. Xanthippe Naberrie’s deception was clever, but short lived. Can you sense where the girl has gone?”



I shake my head. “She’s disappeared again. Last time I sensed her was on....” I pause, then straighten up in my chair. “Where is Darth Hexxus? I need him.”



“Terrorizing a village in Salucami. Quite far away to render help any time soon. In the meantime, why not make use of my latest creation?”



Oh yes, I think to myself. Draxxal. What Malori affectionately calls ‘Gendry 2.0’, and improved version of her previous clone attempts, hopefully with less side effect of insanity. “Send him into the field. Let him carve a path through these Mandalorians, and root out any resistance from the underground.”



“He will not fail you, my lord.” I cross to the front of the desk so that I can look directly at Sucal. “Once we have the vessel, nothing else will matter. The Tempest Eye is almost ours. Let Coruscant burn.”



I shake my head. “No... one other thing matters; my son. I want him found and brought back to me.”



“Jude has chosen his path, my lord. He is a rebel...”



“He is MY SON!!” I pound the desk. “He is young and foolish, but he is still mine, and he will obey his father in the end.” I sit back in my chair. “He is on Alderaan... with the Vessel. She is hidden from me, but I can sense Jude with ease... and I will have them both before this is over.”

END OF SCENE

The Redshifter drops out of hyperspace at the edge of the Maw. The front viewport is completely blacked out, with not a star showing in space. “Alright everyone. It’s gonna be a bit slow going from here. All nonessentials please stick to the main hold and bunks. Everyone with a job, get to it.” I turn to Luci in the copilot seat. “We’re gonna take it nice and easy. The engines are strong enough not to get us swept into a hole, but if we fly directly into one, ain’t much I can do.” I look over my shoulder at the navigator. “Watch that screen closely! I don’t want us getting lost here.” The ship flies into the dark splotch that is the Maw, heading blindly into the unknown.

END OF SCENE