Star Wars: The Sith Resurrection Part III: Last Stand of the Republic

[JediMaster12]

"Well your sister did put him in charge of a troop under her within the fleet. Perhaps you should inquire?" Greea asked. "You suspect too much."

 

"Little One," Andros began, "that alliance as you call it was made over four millenia ago when our greatest warrior Kirabaros united the broken tribes of our world and brought us to the Republic."

"You mean when the Jedi Revan crashed there and that whole business about the Blood King?" Alkéa asked fascinated. For a long time she had assumed that it was his mother that brought Avalon to the Republic as a friend and not just another member of a Galatic Senate.

"Yes." Andros took a sip of tea. "Still there is truth in what you say. As Avalonians, we pledged an oath for the Republic but not the Empire which was why we broke away only to help in the Rebellion. Since it is an honor bound oath, we will uphold it."

Alkéa sensed the reluctance to go to war once again. She heard the stories that Andros Starlighter was a peacemaker, a negotiator who would rather compromise than fight. She didn't know that was a quality from his father for that reluctance was overshadowed by the desire to defend what is his.

Seeing her looking at him, Andros guessed correctly what she was thinking and said, "I dislike the killing but there are times when there are things worth fighting for. I think we should contact your master and let him know that an old friend will be returning."

"How about three Father," and the twins came from behind the door they were listening.

[Alkonium]

"You're right, I'll go talk to her." Komad replied, and left the room. He soon came across Alkéa talking to Master Starlighter. "I'm not interrupting anything am I?" He immediately asked, trying not to be rude.

[steven]

"True, but I haven't seen Reyvan since Hethra and my father left." Komad commented, already assuming the worst.

"Niner, is the weapon ready?" Hethra asked on the comm.

"Yes, Master Iazoki." Niner replied.

"Good. You've done your part, now we can do ours." Alkonium commented.

 

"Before we fire the weapon, they're is another target we're going to have to worry," Jack said as the door near the group opened, revealing him. "Unless we want the Death Star following us, we're going to need to take out the Death Stars hyperdrive, which is huge, let me tell you."

[Alkonium]

"Easier said than done. There's only enough charge in the weapon for a single shot, and because it relies on energy from the Dark Side, we can't exactly recharge it. How much damage could we do if we targeted the Death Star directly?" Hethra replied. "If we can weaken it enough for an attack on the inside, that might be enough."

[steven]

"The weapon doesn't work like that," Jack explained "It fires an energy blast, when it interacts with something, it changes it's mass for three seconds, do that to an ordinary object and it will vibrate for a short moment, a sun however is different, it's core compacts and small chemical changes begin to take place which should cause a blackhole however because the weapon also cause the object to change back into it's original shape, the chemical reactions get bigger and the core can't take the strain and goes BOOM!"

[JediMaster12]

Master Starlighter looked at the half Twi'lek who walked in past his children. He recognized pain an suffering clearly, a gift from his ancestor and one that tended to torment him though he didn't show it. Looking at the room and having already made up his mind to help once again, he replied in a friendly voice, "None at all young Komad. Come and sit for we all have things to discuss," and motioned for him to sit on one of the cushions on the floor. The twins followed suit having been summoned by their father. They would speak to their sibling later.

 

Alkéa was surprised that her brother managed to find them quickly and asked, "Why are you here brother?"

[Alkonium]

"Then what would we to to disable the Death Star's hyperdrive in the first place?" Hethra asked.

"I'm looking for Reyvan, and I figured you would know where he is." Komad told his sister.

[JediMaster12]

"He commands a squad within the fleet that has been entrusted to the little one's care," came the answer from Master Starlighter. How he knew was only a small inkling of the power he was rumored to have posessed. He continued looking at the speechless faces, "He is at the dock, waiting for the little one. I suspect he has something to say to her." He smiled a friendly smile.

[Alkonium]

"Thank you, Master. There's something else though. As you know. Chief of State Tabula Rasa was killed by a Dark Jedi Assassin, who then killed himself. I happen to know for a fact that someone sent him, and I also know Darth Mortis well enough to say that she's not subtle enough to send an assassin, which only leaves one person, and I think you know him better than my sister." Komad said to Starlighter.

[JediMaster12]

"If you mean Tyrannus, then I know him well. As for the assassin, he sent him to give a message to the Chief of State not to murder. I believe the assassin is taking orders from someone else," Andros gazed at the young Twi'lek. He sensed the need to seek out the one behind it. Though it voiced no name, it spoke of revenge. He then added, "Tyrannus is not his name. It is but a name he chose for himself when trying to find his place amongst the new order."

[Alkonium]

"By the 'New Order' do you mean the Sith Triumvirate which was dissolved four years ago, I take it? Who else could it be? The only known Sith Lord is Darth Mortis, and she's too blunt to consider sending an assassin." Komad replied. "It is also possible, that the Assassin acted of his accord, and was merely disobeying Tyrannus."

[JediMaster12]

"No I mean the Jedi Order young Komad," Andros replied. He sensed that Komad was watching for betrayal with every step and he was disheartened taht was so for it could potentially shatter him in the end. The little one however shut herself off almost completely for there was a glimpse of hope that she could feel again. He knew that Komad would demand explanation and rather than wait for it, he continued on, "Tyrannus is not his name but he is lost. He doesn't believe in light or dark but sees the shades of grey. Much like any Avalonian. We know that the Jedi strive to achieve an emotionless state but we ourselves cannot. We maintain a connection to the Force that is similar to that of the Miraluka."

[Alkonium]

"We would have found something in the Archives about him, unless he managed to erase his name from the Archives. How would he do that though? I know another man named Tyranus managed to do something like that a decade before the Clone Wars." Komad commented. "I know what you're thinking about me. You think I'm lusting for revenge, and that it will destroy me, but you are wrong. Yes, there is a darker side to me that was not there before, but you do not know why."

[JediMaster12]

"You presume too much young one," Andros allowed. He was not easily intimidated anymore, well he never was. Most people thought him to be a pushover, even his own father at first but that changed when he let his true colors show. "Perhaps the reason you have a darker side involves a bit of guilt and of course Malek's attempt to dispell you of the illusions of the light side."

Jun-la and Tulre by this time had managed to make their way in the room and took their accustomed seats next to Alkéa. While curious about the children of Alkonium, they were polite enough not to say anything. Instead they sat and stared but it seemed as if they were sharing a private joke between them. The Twilek has pain yet he is reluctant to share, Jun-la sent to her brother, aware that she was intentionally making it so that Komad could hear them.

If you ask me, he is afraid. Not that you can blame him. He thinks he is losing his sister because she won't tell him that she spoke to Malek during her exile on Dagobah, Tulre sent back, imitating his sister.

She won't even tell him that she's in love again. He's so blind that it had to take his wife to tell him, she sent.

Trust issues if you ask me.

Andros was aware of what his children were doing yet made no attempt to stop them. He had learned long ago that there is only so much a person can accept from him. It often took others to tell the same thing to get the point across. It used to be that way with Luke when he protested against a few things when they were building the Order again. He kept this in mind as he continued his conversation, "As to the one you refer to before the Clone wars, he was a traitor. Did you know that he wanted to wed my mother? Of course she saw right through him and refused flat out, claiming her loyalty to the Jedi."

[Alkonium]

You know I can hear every word of your little "discussion", right? Komad said telepathically to the twins. "Mortis didn't want to turn me to the Dark Side, she wanted me to suffer. If you knew her before she was a Sith, you'd know why."

[JediMaster12]

Of we know that. Jun-la gazed at him with a knowing look, You didn't want to listen to Father so we decided to say the same thing again.

It won't work, Tulre entered in, glancing at his twin sister, Like I said. He has trust issues. Worse than Aapa after that battle during the Clone Wars. There was no shame emanating from the twins with their mental tirade.

 

Andros for his part was rather amused at teh twins. They were more like his mother with her quick wit and sarcasm with her peers and elders. He was puzzled by this Darth Mortis but he didn't allow it to become obvious. Instead he replied softly, "I'm sorry. I thought we were discussing Malek, otherwise known as Tyrannus."

 

I tell you he has trust issues, Tulre persisted.

[Alkonium]

"As much as I don't like him, Tyrannus has never harmed me directly. Darth Mortis on the other hand, has. A lot. You don't know who she is, do you?" Komad responded.

[JediMaster12]

"I see much but this Darth Mortis is but a mystery to me," Andros finally admitted. He was wondering whether or not Hethra would approve of his manner towards two potentially powerful Jedi. "I have sensed an unusual trembling within the Force. It is like a breeze that comes before the storm. It is held at bay for now..."

 

"But when unleashed, it will be like releasing the straif cat from its cage," came the voice from the shadows.

 

Andros turned and smiled at the corner. He then said, "I wondered when you would arrive Malek. Apparently not soon enough." He watched as Malek stepped forth from the shadows.

 

I hope the Jedi doesn't harm Malek. It's hard for outsiders to understand our ways, Jun-la carried on her mental conversation, making sure that Komad heard.

[Alkonium]

"Mortis is the Dark Lady of the Sith. She's the one rebuilding the Death Star. I know this because I was held captive there for six months." Komad told Starlighter. He then turned to Malek. "I know you sent the Assassin who killed Rasa, but I also know that he disobeyed your orders by killing her."

[JediMaster12]

"An error on my part Jedi," Malek replied, "Chief Rasa had to see that the Republic was infiltrated and she refused to. The assassin was to go and threaten. Apparently he had been taking orders elsewhere."

 

Alkea had been listening to the conversation with a polite expression. She wondered if Komad was going to lash out at Tyrannus and for her part in conversing with him. She sent to her brother, unaware that Andros was shamelessly listening, Brother. He is not what you see him as. I saw that as much when I was in exile.

 

Malek, not listening or unaware voiced aloud, "I see however that my presence is a means for tension. Perhaps it would be better if I refrained from coming when he is present?"

 

"No. The Little One and the Jedi must understand though I still am not familiar with this one that imprisoned Komad," Andros replied.

[Alkonium]

"My opinion of you has changed greatly since we last met, Tyrannus. Since I learned firsthand what suffering is, I no longer see you as an enemy." Komad told Malek, to the shock of virtually everyone in the room. "What you have done is nothing compared to Darth Mortis. Sorry I distrusted you in the past."

"Looks like Gamma Squad made it to the Security Control Room; this service hatch leading to the bridge has just been unlocked." Alkonium said to Hethra. "Good, that should speed things up."

[JediMaster12]

"Perhaps we should discuss this more. I believe tea is in order and we can decide on the course of action to take if I am to take up the call of arms again," Andros replied gently. Protocol must be observed and tea must be served to all guests.

 

Jun-la knew this and scurried to grab the tea tray, stopping only to put two more cups on the tray before bringing it back. She sent loudly through the Force, It's a good thing he kept his temper in check.

I still think he has trust issues sister.

[Alkonium]

"Very well. Who else could the Assassin have been taking orders from? Mortis would have sent a fleet of Sith Star Destroyers and bombarded the Senate District. I personally now think that he might have simply chosen to act without orders and kill Rasa." Komad suggested.

[JediMaster12]

"Possibly," Malek allowed while handing Komad a cup of Avalonian tea. It was well known for curing the ailments of the spirit. "Then again it may be someone who is watching every move we make."

 

Regaining her voice, Alkéa voiced, "Perhaps it could be an Avalonian. If I remember correctly, Master Ashira-Li Starlighter was often the target of various dissident peoples, including Avalonians. Some had a personal vendetta."

 

"She was always the target to try and turn to the darkside," Andros voiced in his softened voice, "Because of the power she wielded, the Emperor did not want her destroyed. That was why she survived Order 66."

 

"Then it could be that it is starting up again. They intend to flush you out," Malek voiced. He then turned to Komad, "What do you think?"

[Alkonium]

"It wouldn't surprise me. The Sith have tried to turn me to the Dark Side before. Even though it was not her goal, Mortis nearly succeeded at that. I know Mortis well. Even as a Jedi, she wasn't exactly known for her subtlety, if you know what I mean. As far as I know, Darth Mortis is the last remaining Sith Lord in the Risen Sith Empire, and noone else would have known who the Assassin was. Another thing is, his last words were 'That secret dies with me, halfbreed', implying that noone else knew that you sent him." Komad pointed out.