Lord Greshh

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Lord Stoneheart

I slash at Sucal's neck, but he ducks out of the way at the last minute, and my lightsaber slashes across the bar, destroying several shelves and bottles. He retaliates almost instantly with an upwards strike that I am barely able to block. Using both the Force and my superior musculature, I push Sucal away several steps, advancing with a series of powerful slashes, hoping to drive him back further.

Jorg Sucal

I dodge when I can and deflect when I must. Stoneheart was large and brutish, but he could be fast when he wanted. My crossguard lightsaber did not have the maneuverability of other blades, and so I was forced to use many wide arcs and spins in order to keep up with my opponent.

Lord Stoneheart

I needed to keep Sucal on the defensive. If he ever had the chance to collect his power, it could easily turn the tides. That is why I press him with everything I have. With a powerful overhead blow, I am able to knock his blade aside and expose his midsection. My blade is not properly poised to strike, so I kick out with my leg. My boot catches him in the stomach, sending him stumbling backwards through the glass pane doors and onto the balcony. He is on the ground now, and I stake towards him to bring this fight to a quick end.

Jorg Sucal

Thinking quickly, I summon the Force around me to gather up broken shards of glass and hurl them at Stoneheart. I knew they wouldn't do much through his armor, but it slows him down enough for me to scramble to my feet and meet his next attack.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Mandalore the Risen

I stand amidst the chaos of battle, blasting Republic troopers left and right. "Come on, nar vod! We are almost to the Palace! Fight on!" I spin kick a trooper in the head, then shoot him before he can get back up. Behind me, legions of Mandalorians charge towards our goal. Victory was almost at hand. I could tell by the way the Republic soldiers fought that they were losing moral. Some of them had even surrendered in earlier skirmishes. Now, all that was left was to clean up those still standing against us."

Lydia Vizsla

In space above us, what remained of the Republic fleet continued to trade shots with the Mandalorian ships. It wasn't so much a battle anymore so much as a contest to see how long the other could hold out before losing shields or running out of ammo. I continued to command the Mando'ade fleet with the determination of a true warrior. Even if the ground battle was pretty much won, I would not call back my ships or demand the Republic admiralty surrender. Until Mand'alor gave me the order to stand down, I would fight to the last.

Then, suddenly, one of the radar techs turns to me and informs me of several ships approaching from hyperspace. Moments later, a small fleet of very fancy looking starships appears on our starboard side. The strange angular designs look more decorative than combat efficient. "Who in the stars are these guys? Hail them and demand they identify themselves!" But the comm officer has no need to do this, as the ships hail us first, and strangely accented voice comes through the speakers...

Armond Organa

"Attention, I am Armond Organa of the Royal Alderaanian Fleet. I speak directly to both the commanding officer of the Republic Defensive Fleet and the Mandalorian Attack Fleet. For the sake of all those trapped on the planet, caught in the middle of this pointless conflict, we ask that you both seize fire immediately. We would be happy to render medical aid to anyone who comes to us in good faith, and we plan to provide said aid to all civilians wounded in the fighting. I'm sure that we call all come to a diplomatic solution where no further lives are lost."

Lydia Viszla

I exchange a look with my closest advisers, confused by the sudden interference of these... fancy boy Alderaan nobles. After much consideration, that being less than twenty seconds, I turn to my weapons officer. "Open fire on the Alderaanian fleet. Let that be our answer to diplomacy."

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

MEANWHILE

Jorg Sucal

At Presidential Palace, I sit in high backed armchair in the living quarters adjoined to my office. In my hand, I clutch a glass of something bright green and fizzy. It tasted of death, but I drink it anyways. It was the only thing that made the thought of Jude less painful.

Despite my foggy mindedness, I can still sense the presence of another entering my chambers. “I had a feeling you would come for me eventually.”

Lord Stoneheart

I loom in the doorway of the apartment, staring silently at Sucal. The o it sound I make is the occasional electrical sound from my damaged helmet, custody of Jerus Je’and. I hold my inactive lightsaber in my hand.

Jorg Sucal

I close my eyes. “Leave me be. I have no interest in fighting any longer. My planet has railed against me, my skies have abandoned me, Lord Traya refuses to answer me... and my only son was taken from me.”

Lord Stoneheart

“Not taken from you.” I say at last. “You gave him away. His blood is on your hands.”

Jorg Sucal

I grit my teeth, clutching the arms of my chair hard. “You’re one to talk, murderer.” I glare daggers at Stoneheart, searching for some sign of reaction. Unfortunately, every expression he makes is hidden behind that lopsided mask. Finally, I rise from my chair, downing the last of my drink. “So what now? You think killing me will solve everything?”

Lord Stoneheart

“It’s a start.” I step into the room fully at last. I do not approach Sucal yet, as I know he is not as defenseless as he makes himself appear. “You are the source of the corruption. Once you are removed, it will be simple to treat the remaining symptoms.”

Jorg Sucal

“It’s too late.” I say, backing away towards the bar. “My influence runs too deep. Remember, I’ve been ‘dead’ before. Nothing changed, no matter how much Marek Folee tried to steer things back to the old ways. No matter how many of my followers Salazar Greshh tried to root out, he wasn’t able to predict his own demise.”

Lord Stoneheart

“So you think. But as you said yourself, you are out of allies. Nosboh, Naberrie, Malori, Hexxus. All of your greatest tools have either died or turned against you. And now look.” I point to the balcony outside. “Jedi, Sith, Mandalorians, and the angry citizens of Coruscant have all joined forces against you. When you fall, your spell will be broken, and the last of yo ur supporters will disappear, and you will become nothing more than a distasteful memory.” With that, I activate my lightsaber.

Jorg Sucal

I narrow my eyes at the dark figure with the crimson blade. My once controlled rage begins to boil up to the surface, burning away the fogginess and making my mind clear as sober. My fingers curl into claws. My left hand sparks with electricity, and as my right flexes, my cross guard lightsaber flies off my belt and lands in my palm. Switching the blade on, I stand on slightly wobbly legs, facing Stoneheart down. “We will see who is forgotten.”

Lord Stoneheart

Without another word, I rush across the chamber, swinging my blade in a wide arc to cross with Sucal’s.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

I sigh in relief. “I’m just glad it ended smoothly. We will, of course, have to tell Dad and Aunt Becca about these things. Peaceful or not, they should know we know have bio-mechanical downstairs neighbors.” I look at Vette. “Thanks for following my lead. I could sense you guys were a little less sure about all this then I was.”

Vette

“No problem. Like I was telling the guys here, it’s best to save shooting for a last resort. Even Salazar knew that.”

HJ Twilight

“I assume Gavin follows a similar motto. If I tell him about the droids, he isn’t going to try to stop them from leaving or anything?”

Vette

“He isn’t stupid. He knows that these things could tear us all apart if they really wanted.” I wave a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about it. He’s his father’s son. He knows not to walk into a fight he isn’t prepared to win.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

I shrug. “There are plenty of nasty things hiding in Coruscant’s underbelly nobody talks about. A few more shouldn’t be too much trouble, especially if they are smart enough to avoid the surface.” I look up at the Queen. “You have a deal. We will allow you and your hive to leave in peace, and we will keep your existence a secret form anybody who would wish to do you harm. I wish you luck in discovering your purpose in this world, and hope that should our paths ever cross again, it will be under better circumstances. Preferably with fewer dead bodies.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Vette

“I agree, it’s not a great idea. But I also don’t want to start a fight here if we don’t need to. One of the main things I learned from my time with Sal Greshh was that there are alternatives to fighting.”

Lomi

Having overheard, I lean into Harn. “Remember Greshh also invited known murderers into his home, then was surprised when they murdered him. I wouldn’t chalk him up as a great judge of character.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

I open my mouth to reply, but no words come. Only a long “Uhhhh.” I look from Hank to Vette and the others, and finally back to the Queen. “So, you don’t want to kill us all? You’re just protecting your nesting place? That’s... well, kinda disturbing, but also kinda good because it means we don’t HAVE to be enemies.”

Vette

“Yeah, they just wanna hide in the lower levels of the planet and breed exponentially. Can’t see any harm in that.”

HJ Twilight

I clear my throat. “Uh, what exactly are you? I’ve never seen droids or organic creatures like you before.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

I look around at all the tubing and wires hanging from the ceiling and covering the walls. The sound of liquids flushing through the pipes can occasionally be heard, and some areas even seem to pulse. “I think Sucal might have gone a little out of his depth on this one. This doesn’t resemble any alien technology I’ve ever seen. Not Rakata, Gree, or even Zeffo.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Vette

I raise my hands defensively. “Uhh... yeah. Sure thing. I’d love to bare witness to... whatever it is.”

Lomi

I nod a hastily agreement, but I don’t holster my weapon just yet. I don’t point it at any of the droids or make myself threatening, but I don’t holster it either. It’s in my hand, and there is very little the kid or the droid can say to make me put it away.

HJ Twilight

I, in contrast, deactivate my lightsaber and stuff my blaster back in it’s place on my hip. “Lead on, droid. Or whatever you would prefer to be called. Do you guys have names or... a collective term for yourselves? A pack or pride or... clowder?”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

“It’s HJ Twilight, actually, but close enough. Hank and I will accompany you to meet your alpha and queen.”

Vette

“You sure that’s a good idea, kid? These things could just be trying to lure you into a trap?”

HJ Twilight

“We’re already trapped. If they wanted us dead, they would have killed us.” I look at the droid that addressed us. “If we two go with you, will you allow our allies here to go free? If you plan to kill them, we will have no choice but to defend them.”