Lord Greshh

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

I shudder. “Making killer droids is one thing. Implanting living animals with cybernetics against their will is another. Makes me sick.”

Gavin Greshh

“It is a horrible thought. I understand you have an affinity for beasts. You connect with them very easily in the Force, as Cosen tells me.”

HJ Twilight

“You could say that.” I think fondly of Huntress rearing in the holding pen below me.

Gavin Greshh

“Perhaps that is why fate has brought you here at this moment. A skilled mechanic and a master of beasts. Seeing as how these creatures fall into both categories, you may be specially qualified to assist us.”

HJ Twilight

“Well, we don’t know for sure these things are part organic. That’s just Hank’s theory. But we can definitely look into it for you.”

Gavin Greshh

“Excellent. The removal of these droids will allow us a much more secure position. Call us if you need any assistance. Kamari Ordo has most of her hunters close at hand to help protect us, but I’m sure she can spare a man or two to aid in such an important mission as yours.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

“Oh well. At least you tried, buddy.” I pat Hank on the metal shoulder. “Let’s see if Gavin can give us some information.” I key up his holo signal next.

Gavin Greshh

A few of the Revolution reinforcements had arrived at the tower. I was doing my best to get them organized. “I need an astromech droid. Can someone find me one?” My communicator pings, and I answer. “HJ? What’s going on? I’ve kinda got my hands full right now.”

HJ Twilight

“We’re here to help. Me and Hank, that is. We just landed at the tower. If you need help clearing out those cat droids or you need us for anything else, we are ready to do our part.”

Gavin Greshh

“The cat droids are an issue, but we seem to be holding them off fine for now. Haven’t destroyed any yet, though. Whenever they get too weak, they run off, only to come back later fully repaired. We should probably route the last of them out at some point, but we don’t have the manpower to commit to hunting them all down. Our current tactic is to avoid them as best we can.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Cosen Greshh

“Now that you mention it, the Republic does have a few new toys they’ve cracked out special for us. Hayden says there are these feline Sith Hunter droids. Supposed to be pretty dangerous.”

HJ Twilight

“How is Hayden, by the way?” I grace at Hank. “Sorry to get off track. I just... well, you know.”

Cosen Greshh

“I know. She’s... okay. This battle is really getting to her. We need to end this soon before she does something drastic.”

HJ Twilight

I smirk. “Well, lucky for you all, I just got here. We’ll have this battle wrapped up in no time.” The ship flies down to the senate tower landing pad. “Get better soon. See ya after we win the war.” I end the call and begin keying in the landing sequence. “Hank, do a scan of the area. See if you can pick up any signs of those feline droids Cosen mentioned. I should also get in contact with Gavin to let him know we are coming.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

"Right. Let me see..." I scroll through my list of contacts before choosing Cosen. "Good thing I never deleted my ex's number." I punch in the keys on the ship's holo console.

Cosen Greshh

I am still sitting in the medical bay when I feel the buzzing from my holo communicator. I take it out and activate it, causing HJ's upper body and head to appear. "HJ? Was'nt expecting to see you."

HJ Twilight

"Hey, Cosen! How's it going?" I frown when I notice the bandages. In the background, I can also hear screaming. "You okay? I'm not interrupting a fight, am I?"

Cosen Greshh

"No no, you aren't. You missed the fight, actually. It's all... a very long story." Not far from me is Hayden, who is talking to her father. "A lot of us are banged up pretty bad, actually. You coming with reinforcements?"

HJ Twilight

"Nah, just me, Hank and Huntress. Alderaan might be joining us soon, but they're supposed to wait until the battle is pretty much over. Its all part of some big plan. In the meantime, we're here to help as best we can. Any idea where we should set down?"

Cosen Greshh

I can't help but wince at the volume of his voice, and the brightness of the hologram is starting to give me a migraine. "I'm out of commission for the moment, but word is my brother is hold up at the Senate Tower. Hayden says he's rallying Revolution forces there. He'd probably appreciate your assistance." I pause a moment. "Does uhh... does Ava know you're here?"

HJ Twilight

I scratch my head. "Not entirely. Word will probably get back to her, but you were the first person I called. I figured she'd be too busy to bother anyways. Last time I interrupted her mid battle, she nearly chewed my head off."

Cosen Greshh

"That's what you get for dating a Mando, HJ. Didn't I warn you?"

HJ Twilight

"Yeah, you probably did, but you know me. I never learn. And judging by the girls I've dated, a Sith then a Mandalorian, guess I just have a way of attracting the problematic types."

Cosen Greshh

"Accurate."

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

The Rancor's Den exits hyperspace over war torn Coruscant. In space over the planet, the Republic fleet continues to hold out against the much larger Mandalorian fleet. Either they had superior shields and firepower or Ava was purposely holding something back. I imagined the ground battle was likely just as chaotic, and after transmitting the proper codes and given permission to land, I could soon find out.

I turn to Hank, who is seated next to me. "Here we are. Better late than never. I was afraid we'd miss the whole battle, but it looks like things are still pretty hot. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Becca Twilight

"You're right. It's gonna take all of us." I ponder a moment, trying to think of something quickly. "Stoneheart has a massive head start. It may already be too late to stop him. But even if that's true, he may at the very least help to exert some of Sucal's energy. If we can catch him before he's had time to breath, we might be able to deplete him enough to capture him and sever his connection to Darth Traya. Then he'll just be a mortal man with no Force abilities." I bite my lip. "Oh, I wish we were better prepared. I'm afraid that even you and Stoneheart's combined strength won't be enough. You'll need Jakito and I, and Zar'kun as well to finish off Sucal. The kids... I'd rather they stay as far away from this as possible." I tap my foot on the stair anxiously. "Ah, nothing to be done about it now. Get over their as quickly as possible. I'll come up with a plan and meet you there. Just... don't get yourself killed. By Sucal OR Stoneheart."

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Becca Twilight

“Okay. Hayden will probably end up joining you at the senate tower later. She seemed pretty insistent on rejoining the fight, though maybe Jakito’s injuries will slow her roll a bit.” I continue up the stairs. “While I’m at the medical center, I should see how Xan is doing with Korre. It can’t be easy to deliver a baby in the middle of a battle.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Becca Twilight

I chuckle lightly. “Yeah, I imagine getting Hayden into a spa would be like getting a cat into a bathtub. But hey, maybe if Syn and I work together, we can convince her a girls day out wouldn’t be too bad.” I frown slightly. “It might also help her get more in touch with her more peaceful side. I know she’s rejected the Sith, but I still sense a lot of darkness in her.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Hayden Twilight

I scoff. "I wish him luck then. That place is the most heavily guarded on the planet. The Mandalorians are having a hell of a time trying to even get close to the palace. He's he expect to get inside?"

Becca Twilight

"Think tactically. If most of the security around the palace is focused on the Mandalorians, they won't notice one assassin slipping in. Especially one as quiet as Stoneheart."

Hayden Twilight

"Well then, either he kills Sucal for us and saves us the trouble or he gets himself killed and gives us one less problem to deal with later." Hoisting Jude over my shoulder again, I start towards the stairs. "I'm going to see how Dads doing, and also find a place to lay Jude down until the battle is over." I don't wait for a response before going.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Hayden Twilight

I can't help but gasp in surprise. "Oh no. Is Dad okay? Where is he?"

Becca Twilight

"In the makeshift medbay, along with Cosen and Korre. He's alright, though he's not going to be fighting for a little while. And he'll have a mechanical arm to match my leg. And Cosen will be alright too, so you can let Gavin know. But Stoneheart got away, and... well, we have no idea where he's run of to."

MEANWHILE

Lord Stoneheart

I stand atop one of the many high rise buildings of the Senate District. Down below, the soldiers and war machines of the Republic battle against the legions of Mandalorian warriors and their Revolution allies. All of this was the result of years, maybe even decades of building tension. A forest fire stoked by the many hands, my own included. Now, the blaze threatened to consume all Coruscant.

Even then, this was all just the prologue. For I know the war will not be won through the clashing of armies. Victory will not come from the deaths of thousands; only the death of one. That is what I am here for. While the masses weakened themselves slashing and jabbing at the body of the beast, I would strike at it's head.

With the pass-codes I'd looted from Draxxal clutched in my gloved hand, I look out across the rapidly darkening skyline towards my next destination: Presidential Palace.