Lord Greshh

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Gavin Greshh

I jump over the wall, then signal to my mother to activate the bombs. With a nod, Vette presses the detonation button and the charges explode, destroying not only the generator, but the Sith Hunter droid nearby. A moment later, the shield above us dissipates.

“We did it.” I say with relief, then my eyes turn to Temari and the body in her arms. “Thank you for retrieving him. He deserves a proper burial after this is over.” Not far away, Hayden has stalked off to be alone. Part of me wants to check on her, but I know better. I’d have to give her some time to process first.

Gathered around me are the few remaining Revolutionaries and the Mandalorians. We’d suffered many losses, but we had come out on top in the end. “Alright. The easy parts over. Now, the real fight begins.”

Mandalore the Risen

I watch as the shield dissolves into nothing. I knew Temari would come through in the end. Smiling triumphantly beneath my helmet, I signal to the legions of Mandalorians at my back, as well as the mobs of Revolutionaries who have gathered to aid us. “The shield is down! Follow me to victory!” I blast off with my jet back to thunderous cries of ‘For Mand’alor!’. My warriors fallow me into the sky, while the Revolution mobs take to the streets. Already, I could see Republic Troopers and the smaller variant of Sith Hunter droids mobilizing to defend the Senate District. This was sure to be a fight to remember.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Vette

“We’re going! Just one more...” I begin to hook up the wiring for the last bomb.

Hayden Twilight

My tearful eyes turn red as I gather all of my power. I reach out with the Force, and the Sith Hunter Temari is not riding lifts into the air. With another roar of hatred, I begin to squeeze both my hands together, and the droid starts crumbling into a ball. I then pull it down in front of the generator as a makeshift shield.

Gavin Greshh

It still surprised me how much raw power Hayden had, especially when properly fueled. That was one droid down. One more, plus a mess of drones to go.

Vette

“Almost... done!” I finish the wiring and the bombs glow green. “Everyone get clear!”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Jorg Sucal

While the Mandalorians battle the two Sith Hunter Droids, and the Rebels scramble between them to reach the generator, I turn my fury to Malori. Both hands raised, I blast full power lightning at her. But, in my anger, I’d forgotten her self modification, and the forks of energy pass right by her, hitting everything but the doctor. “Damn you! Damn you to the deepest pits of hell!!”

Carice Malori

I shake my head, sighing heavily. “Your attachments make you weak. No wonder the Mother of Wisdom has abandoned you.”

Jorg Sucal

“Kreia chose me! I am her heir!”

Carice Malori

“You were. But now you have lost control. Your enemies have allies themselves against you, and your defeat is imminent. I no longer wish to be a part of that.”

Jorg Sucal

“Then go! Flee like a coward before I kill you!”

Caricd Malori

“I plan to, and I am will be taking the Gendrys with me. There are greater mysteries of the Force for me explore elsewhere, and greater powers to serve than your pathetic dream.” I casually turn away and leave the office.

Jorg Sucal

I sink back to the floor, unable to muster the will to go after her. Let her run. See if I care. She was wrong anyway; I wasn’t defeated yet. I still had more Sith Hunters and the entire Republic army at my command. This day had only just begun.

Gavin Greshh

Hayden and I do our best to defend the saboteurs as they begin to plant their explosives to destroy the generator. The Sith Hunters continue to battle the Mandos, as well as fire in our direction, occasionally picking off one of the Revolutionaries. Though the warriors were trying to bring them down with robes, I could tell it wasn’t going well.

Vette

“Just a few more minutes!” I call as I indicate the next spot to plant a charge.

Gavin Greshh

As I bat away blaster fire from a few newly arrived drones, I notice something; as one of the Mandalorians zips by on his jet pack, the Sith Hunter pivots to shoot after him. As it does, one of it’s shots hits it’s droid partner in the shoulder. It seems they have no awareness of friendly fire. That... could be useful.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Gavin Greshh

I watch as the Mandalorians begin their attack. Temari has good instincts; she didn’t need me to give the order to know when the best time to strike was. I release Hayden and stand to my full height. “We charge for the generator. We end this now!” I leap over the wall, motioning for the Revolutionaries to follow.

Hayden Twilight

“I’m going to kill Sucal for this!!” I activate my lightsaber and finally jump the wall, screaming a war cry.

Jorg Sucal

I stagger to my feet and stare at the hologram displaying Jude’s body. For a few seconds, I stand silently, trembling with building emotion. Then, all at once, I release everything in a Force Scream of pain and anguish that echoed across the planet. “RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!”

MEANWHILE

Becca Twilight

I stand in Korre’s room, keeping guard while she sleeps. My hand rests on my right arm. I can feel pain there, but it isn’t my own. I look at Xan. “Jakito... I think he’s hurt.”

Xanthippe Naberrie

“Nothing to be done about him now. He knew what the risks where when he left to find Stoneheart. Only thing to do now is...” Suddenly, both of us are overcome with an ever strong disturbance in the Force; one that drives us both to our knees and screams in our ears. “Ahh! What is that?”

Korré

As the waves of Sucal’s energy roll over me, my eyes suddenly pop open and I am wide awake. Without thinking, I blurt, “Oh no...” and acting on instinct, I jump out of bed. As soon as feet touch the floor, my water breaks. “B...Becca!”

Becca Twilight

I look up in her direction. “Shit.” Both Xan and I climb to our feet and rush to aid Korré. I prayed this hotel had at least some basic medical equipment.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Jorg Sucal

I hesitate farther, seeing that Jude isn’t bluffing. He knew my weakness for him, that he was exploiting it to it’s fullest. I’d be proud of his cunning if it weren’t directed against me, and he weren’t in mortal danger. With a huff of anger, I make up my mind. “Fine! You win! Just STOP!!” I hate the weakness in my voice, but I can’t watch my own son kill himself. I reach to grab remote to disengage the Sith Hunter droids… only the remote is gone. Bewildered, I look to Malori, and see her clutching the device in her hands. “Give it to me.”

Carice Malori

“No.” I say simply. “You are being deceived.”

Jorg Sucal

“I don’t care! Give me the remote now!”

Carice Malori

“I will not allow you to make this mistake.” I hold the remote close. “This is for your own good, my lord.”

Jorg Sucal

Anger and panic rise up within me, and I step towards Malori. “How dare you!” I quickly turn to the holoprojector. “Get away, Jude! Now!” back to Malori, I try to surge at her to take the remote. It should have been easy; I was a full-grown man and see a slender built woman. Yet as I come at her, she plants a firm hand against my chest, and it feels like a solid wall is holding me back. “How is this… Stop! Stop this! Give me the remote! P-please!”

Carice Malori

I told my head. “Please? You beg? I thought you were above such weakness.” I easily shove him away, sending him crashing to the floor. “I will remedy that.”

Jude Sucal

The hologram of my father had disappeared after issuing one final command to retreat. Now only the drone flew over me, watching me with mechanical eyes. Behind me, I can hear the screams of Hayden. In front of me, I can hear the droids whirring as they adjust their weapon arms. For a moment, everything felt frozen in time, leaving me standing alone and exposed. I close my eyes and allow the Force to flow through me fully. It felt comfortable, like a warm blanket on a cold night. When the blaster cannon torn into me, I didn’t feel a thing.

Gavin Greshh

I have to practically throw myself on top of Hayden to stop her from jumping the wall. Her horrified screams are almost too much to bare.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Jorg Sucal

I watch Jude take another step. "Enough, Jude! The droids will kill you if you continue forward!"

Jude Sucal

I shrug. "Maybe." Takes another step, and I can see the droids getting ready to fire. "This is between the two of us, Father. Call off the droids and I will submit myself to you. I'll surrender willingly." I take my lightsaber off my belt and toss it aside.

Carice Malori

From off screen, I whisper to Sucal. "It is a trick, my lord. Do not trust him."

Jorg Sucal

I keep my face passive, by I can feel my hands trembling. Jude takes another step. "Return to the wall and I will send an armed team to collect you..."

Jude Sucal

"Not happening. Call off the droids or they'll shoot me." As I speak, they each take a step forward, locking onto my position.

Gavin Greshh

I continue to hold Hayden back, though she isn't struggling as much anymore. Into my earpiece, I say, "Get ready to move. I see what Jude's doing now. When Sucal calls off the droids, that is our window to attack."

Hayden Twilight

"It's too risky. Jude! Get back here NOW!!"

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Gavin Greshh

I tap my earpiece. “Have then hold position until I give the direct order. Not a moment before.” I look up at the hologram. “Give is a moment.”

Jorg Sucal

“Of course. I’ll allow you a moment to say your tearful goodbyes.” I fold my hands in front of me patiently.

Gavin Greshh

I shake my head. “There has to be a way around those droids. What was it Becca said? They’re easily fooled? They can’t process multiple orders at once, and they can’t improvise.” I tap my chin. “We need to trick them somehow...”

Jude Sucal

My eyes widen with realization, and I look up at Gavin. “I have an idea. Do you trust me?”

Gavin Greshh

“What? Uhh, yeah. I’m willing to hear any suggestions you might have.”

Jude Sucal

I nod. “Wait for my signal.” Without another word, I jump over the wall and run towards the generator.

Hayden Twilight

“Jude! What are you doing!?” I try to jump after him, by Gavin grabs me. “Let me go!”

Gavin Greshh

“Hayden, stay down!” I push her back behind the wall. “Jude! Get back here now! That’s an order!”

Jude Sucal

I ignore them, focusing on the droids guarding the generator. I notice the moment they pick me up in their sensors, turning to face me with their weapons up. Only then to a skid to a stop, my heart beating a mile a minute. This was a reckless and stupid idea, and part of me wanted to turn back, but it was too late. I look up at the hologram. “Father!”

Jorg Sucal

I look visibly surprised. “Jude?!” I forcibly straighten and try not hide my emotions. “What do you think you are doing? Don’t be foolish. Return to your revel friends.”

Jude Sucal

“No, Father.” I say, taking a reluctant step forward. “I’ve returned to face you.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Gain Greshh

“Alright. We need to take this slowly. That low wall over there is our last cover spot. If we can sneak to it, we might be able to duck behind it before anyone notices. From there, we’ll be exposed, but if we go one at a time, we might be able to cover each other...” As I speak, one of the drones flies over the courtyard and hovers, facing our direction. It’s photoreceptor glows blew, and it projects a large hologram down.

Jorg Sucal

My hologram smiles down towards the alleyway where the rebels are hiding. “Come on out. It is pointless to hide any longer. It’s alright. I just want to talk.”

Hayden Twilight

I sneer. “Yeah, I totally believe that.”

Gavin Greshh

“Doesn’t matter. He sees us. If we don’t come out, he’ll send more drones in after us, or worse.” I glance out towards the generator. “Walk slowly and calmly to the wall. If this becomes a fight, take cover. Mandos and Revolution lay down blaster fire while you, me, and Jude do our thing.”

Hayden Twilight

I nod. “Stay behind me, kid.” I push Jude behind me protectively. I glance at Temari. “Maybe have some of your guys hang back. If a fight does break out, maybe they can circle around and flank. Worse case, we’ll need someone to run back to base and tell them the plan if off.”

Gavin Greshh

“It won’t come to that! Now, come on!” The frustration at being so throughly cornered brings an edge to my voice. With a deep breath, I step out of the ally and walk towards the wall. Close behind me are Hayden and Vette, then Jude and the Revolution.

Jorg Sucal

“You have fought well. I admire the lengths you go through to accomplish your goals. Unfortunately, your plans end here.” At those words, there is a heavy clanking, and two Sith Hunter droids walk out from opposite sides of the courtyard, weapons ready. “Don’t worry. They are in defensive mode. They will only attack if you approach any further than that wall.”

Hayden Twilight

“Why such hesitation? Why not set them to kill us all now?”

Jorg Sucal

My eye twitches at seeing Hayden Twilight, one of if not my most hated enemy. “Because I am feeling generous at the moment. There is no need for further bloodshed. My victory is secure. Turn around and go home, and I will spare your lives.”

Gavin Greshh

“The Force still flows through us all, Sucal! As long as that is so, you are nowhere close to victory!”

Jorg Sucal

I am about to speak, but I feel a tap on my shoulder, and I step aside. My hologram is replaced by a tall, slender woman.

Carice Malori

“That will be rectified soon enough. The Tempest Eye is within reach. All we have to do now is reach out and take it.” I turn away from the holo projector and whisper to Sucal, “They are defiant to the end, my lord. They will not surrender. You know this.”

Jorg Sucal

“Then they will die.” I lift the remote controlling the droids to my mouth. “Hold position. Eliminate anyone who comes close to the generator.” I lock in the command and place the remote down. I then step up to the projector again. “So, what will it be? Surrender or death?”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Jude Sucal

“I’m this case, I think the same rule applies here. I may need to kill my father in order to stop all of the madness he plans.”

Hayden Twilight

“You won’t be alone in that, kid. We’re all gunning for Sucal. Who knows though; you might get the final blow in yourself. But if you feel you can’t go through with it, I’ll gladly end him myself.”

Jude Sucal

“I don’t WANT to kill him, but I feel like I must. I can sense that part of my destiny is to be instrumental in his fall.”

Gavin Greshh

I signal a halt once again as we come to the end of the ally. Beyond is a long stretch of open area, like a large courtyard. There are no more places to hide. Only a low metal wall and a few statues serve as possible cover. At the far end of the courtyard is a large thrumming generator, from which spews a cone of plasma that reaches high above to create the massive shield dome.

Vette

“There it is.” I whisper. “All the way across no man’s land.”

Gavin Greshh

I nod bitterly. “We’ll he exposed the whole way. Nowhere to hide or sneak by.”

Hayden Twilight

“Could we make a run for it? We might be able to hold off the drones while the slicers set the charges on the generator.”

Jude Sucal

“There are worse things then drones over there. There are Sith Hunters hidden all around, just waiting to get the alert signal. We’ll be dead before we reach the generator.” I close my eyes, reaching out with the Force. "He knows we're here."

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Hayden Twilight

“Other than the over all feeling of danger? Nothing too specific at the moment. I’ll yet ya know if that changes.”

Jude Sucal

“I sense my father. I haven’t been this close to him in... a very long time. It feels strange. Almost comforting to be so close... yet I know that isn’t right. I hate him, yet I am drawn to him.”