Star Wars: The Sith Resurrection Part IV: Alliances Divided

[JediMaster12]

"They will mobilize even in p0laces least expected. It is the way of things," Andros replied. He sensed Komad's discomfiture in his thoughts. He was not one to pry but base emotions were like water flowing through a river. He couldn't ignore it. He then said, "Old relationships may be there but shadows can come between them."

[Alkonium]

"Yes, but he is not the man I once knew. The Roan I knew would never betray the Republic, not unless his life was in danger." Komad told Andros, remembering that he had actually first met Roan while saving him from a gang of thieves in the lower levels of Coruscant. They probably might have killed him if he hadn't arrived when he did. "But since we don't know everything, maybe he hasn't changed."

[JediMaster12]

"The mind hides many things but the emotions are harder to keep hidden," Andros replied and said nothing more. Few understood that rare talent that began with Kirabaros and even the Jedi thought it improbable.

Greea knew what he was talkng about and covered him by saying, "We may not know but there are ways of knowing. However I suggest we find a way to maintain our case to to the Senate while Jun-la mobilizes the unit."

 

When the transmission ended, Jun-la dropped the mask that she had put on for her father and glared at the captain. She said, "And how do you propose that you mobilize the fleet you served with?"

Matton gave Jun-la an amused look but it quickly disappeared. She was being serious as she had been the entire time. He just sought to push her buttons and so far not a single explosion. A tough nut to crack, he decided. He replied, "I presume you have a ship?"

"Yes."

"Then we will have to hurry. We are all scattered as was agreed and it will take some time. Lead the way."

[Alkonium]

"It is out of our hands now. We can only hope my little speech persuaded enough Senators to vote in favour of the Recommission Act." Komas commented. Roan's counterpoint certainly worked to some degree, but would enough Senators not believe it?

 

Roan was faced with a moral dilemma. If he refused to help these people, he, his husband, and their two adopted children would be killed, but the Republic would be safe, and if he helped them, he and his family would live, but the Relublic would fall. Also, if he refused, there was no way of knowing they could not simply replace him and continue their plans, but if he continued to help them, he could not trust them to let him live longer than they needed him. He started to wish he had never agreed to help these people.

[JediMaster12]

"It should not stop at just speeches," Greea replied, "It may be out of our hands where the vote is concerned but we can still make a case."

 

Tyrannus sensed the troubled mind of the senator lackey the moment he entered the room. A reason why he always made sure that men he chose would not second guess themselves. He stayed in the shadowy corner where he was hiding and taunted, "You made a choice Senator.Much like a business transaction. Something to be kept."

[Alkonium]

"I agree, but we can not influence the vote any further." Komad replied. "We must not interfere directly with the Senate." Although he disliked the bureaucrats who ran the Senate, caring more for advancing their own political agendas than the needs of the people they represented, he acknowledged their importance to the Republic.

 

"You know I'm just the middleman between you and another group with similar goals." Roan replied. "I'm only following orders." He never liked dealing with Tyrannus. He was a fool, too preoccupied with upholding ancient customs and revenge to see directly in front of him. At least his employers kept with the times, and Tyrannus wasn't much older than them.

[JediMaster12]

"Your thoughts betray you Senator," Tyrannus warned. "I am old yes but no fool. I know you think I don't see what is in front of me. To be honest the Republic is a stagnant beast. Always was. The Empire was no different." Tyrannus stepped out into the light to look at the senator. He bore a scar on his face from Starlighter. Others covered his body but wee hidden underneath the dark attire he was wearing. "You think I hold onto tradition," he then whipped out his hand and grabbed the senator's throat, "Know this: there are things in this galaxy that are older than you may know. To not show respect brings wrath that makes mine seem like a pop detonator." He released the senator. "Your other masters I know well and you would be wrong to falter now."

 

Andros nodded at Komad in agreement. He would not tell Komad. Some things were best to be found out if only to make sure no half truths come out. He said, "Jun-la will gather the unit that served under me and Captain Matton Rand. Best to keep options and available doors open, no?"

[Alkonium]

"Yes, and since the Senate has no jurisdiction over planetary armies, it's perfectly legal." Komad replied. He knew that Avalon was at the greatest risk, and that losing that system would allow the Rashikians to take the rest of the Republic.

 

"I suppose you're right, but remember the agreement: If any harm comes to my husband or my children, the deal's off." Roan told Tyrannus. First they threaten the people he care about most, then they expect him to work for them. The nerve of some people.

[JediMaster12]

"My sister will see to planetary defenses since the bulk will come from Belos," Andros replied. "Legal or not Avalon will uphold that what has been made. Some even held from the grave." He thought of his mother. She held even the most difficult of promises like the last one she made to his father. He remembered them both clearly now after having undone the last of her binding and understood why.

 

"You will do as you are told Senator. You are in a position unsuitable to give orders since you cast this web you are trapped in now," Tyrannus replied.

 

"How do you even understand that noise?"

"Serving with them and giving them respect."

"Yeah and you can trust them to break in the head."

"More trustworthy than a scoundrel."

Tulre checked a sigh as he left the cockpit. It had been the same thing ever since they left Rakata Prime to call out The Unit. His sister and the captain had been at each other finding ways to insult and bait each other. It was amusing since his sister was always so damn calm but annoying in that it seemed nonstop.

Jun-la wondered for the umpteenth time why they had to travel with this scoundrel who liked to bait people and insult the droid that had been her grandmother's, not that she told him that. True he was one who respected her father but that didn't mean he did her. For some reason she wanted it and it bothered her that she cared.

After the last exchange, they fell silent while she adjusted their heading to Atzlan, the water world. She said, "We can expect to arrive in two days."

"Fine by me," and Matton proceeded to place his boots on the cosole to lean back and sleep.

Impossible.

[Alkonium]

"Very well. I will see about having Jedi sent to Avalon to aid you. Myself included, after the vote at least. I doubt Avalon's forces alone will be enough to hold back the Rashikians. Since their defeat at Tython, they will have gathered a much larger army to invade with." Komad replied. If the Rashikian army was as large as the intelligence reports made it out to be, the Republic could not stand a chance without an army of its own.

[JediMaster12]

Andros thought about it for a moment. First he had to pay a visit but also to teach. He said, "No. I go but only take one...your sister." He held his hands in a prayer like pose but seemed almost lost in thought.

[Alkonium]

"Fine then, you son of a Kath Hound." Roan muttered under his breath. He would have informed the Jedi about Tyrannus and his other Masters, but he feared that it would be the death of him if the Jedi did not act soon enough.

 

"Very well. When the army is ready you will have its full support. May the Force be with you." Komad replied, getting on the speeder back to the Temple with Greea.

[JediMaster12]

"Careful what you say Senator. You never know who might be listening," Tyrannus said as he headed to the verandah.

 

Andros nodded as they headed back to the temple. He would have to inform Alkéa of his intentions.

[Alkonium]

Roan didn't even care anymore. Tyrannus could take this plan of his and shove it where the stars don't shine. As soon as he could, he would inform both Tyrannus and his other Masters that the deal was off.

[JediMaster12]

I wouldn't try that if I were you, Tyrannus sent through his mind, They are not as forgiving as I am.

 

Andros found Alkea and informed her of where they were going. He stopped to let Alkea say good bye to her brother.

Alkea noticed the look on her brother's face and said, "Brother, trust Master Starlighter. It will be fine."

[Alkonium]

Do you think that little trick is supposed to scare me? An old boyfriend of mine was a Jedi. He used to do that sort of stuff a lot. That doesn't even surpise me. Roan thought, knowing Tyrannus would hear it.

 

"I hope so, but there is no way of knowing how large this threat is." Komad replied.

[JediMaster12]

"I am not concerned about you thoughts on me. You should be concerned about what they think," Tyrannus verbalized.

 

"If anything Brother, the Avalonians will know. They have safeguarded the Republic even when they withdrew from the Empire."

[Alkonium]

(In case you're wondering, Roan actually is homosexual, not bisexual. Also, I was planning on outing Komad in Part III by making Mortis male, but the rest of the story being the same. I decided against it because I thought it might be too controversial, but I stopped caring about how controversial something might be since then.)

"I suppose you're right. I'll see you later." Komad replied, stepping onto the speeder and returning to the Temple.

 

Roan arrived at his apartment, where his husband, a man named Kal Vodis, and his two children, Roan III and Thesia, were waiting. "Are you alright, Roan?" Kal asked, noticing the distressed look on his husband's face. "No dear, there's a lot we need to talk about." Roan replied, and told him everything about the secret deal he had made. After hearing all of it, Kal calmly replied. "I'm not exactly pleased that you kept this a secret from me, but I agree that you should tell them the deal's off." "You know what they would do not only to me, but to all four of us, if I did that." Roan told him. "Countless more could die if you don't." Kal replied. "Alright, but I want you and the kids to leave for Bastion as soon as you can. It'll at least give you some time." Roan said.

[JediMaster12]

Alkéa watched her brother leave before turning to look at Andros. He gave a slight nod to indicate that he understood her feelings. He said, "Don't worry about Komad. Almalexia will see to his part in events to come."

"How do you know that?"

"Trust the Force." Andros led the way onto a stock freighter of Avalonian design. He headed straight for the cockpit and began to start the engines. On the console, there appeared the image of an Avalonian woman. She said, "Nice to see you still want to fly."

"Important mission Rani and I know you are the one to get the job done."

"Nice to see you still think highly of me."

Andros smiled, ignoring the look on Alkéa's face. He replied, "Does Gisan have access for Almalexia?"

"Affirmative Master Jedi. All systems are go." Rani looked at Alkéa and said, "I see you brought company."

"This is Alkéa, Jedi Knight. She'll be accompanying me to Avalon."

"Alright then well all systems are go."

Andros took the ship on a good liftoff and made way for space.

 

((Introducing a new technolohy that the Avalonians use.))

[Alkonium]

Later that night, Roan heard a noise and got out of bed to investigate. It turned out to be one of his "employers", waiting in the next room. "I told you what would happen if you stopped working for us." He told Roan, his figure hidden by the shadows. "And I told you, the deal's off." Roan replied. "Do you think you're saving the Republic by leaving us? You sealed its fate when you agreed to help us. Our plan was to use your influence in the Senate to push the Republic to civil war, and then conquer what remains, but considering what you've done so far, you just might be more use to us dead." He responded, and activated a red lightsaber, stabbing Roan through the heart with it. This however, woke Kal, who managed to see the blood-red glow of the lightsaber before Roan's killer escaped in a parked speeder. "Roan!" he yelled out, tears forming in his eyes.

 

The next morning, Komad was watching the HoloNet when he saw Greea enter the kitchen. "Bad news, honey. Roan's dead. Murdered last night. To make it worse, evidence shows that it was a lightsaber that killed him."

[JediMaster12]

"Oh my," Greea replied, "Could this be that suspicion you had about Roan and the Senate?" She sympathized with Komad but somehow she got the feeling that there was more than what Komad was willing to reveal. "Could it be that he got involved with something more than he could handle?"

 

"Listen sweetheart, I know you don't like me but you're gonna have to trust me," Matton was saying.

"Oh I trust you," Jun-la rattled off, sarcasm thivkly tinging her voice, "After all who would know scoundrels better than one himself?"

"You haven't had enough scoundrels in your life."

"Met plenty."

Tulre shook his head. Ever since they landed on NarShadda his sister and their companion had been at it nonstop. Matton said that this was where they would find most of their companions and learn about the others. Jun-la had accepted this but once they set off the ship, they did nothing but exchange insults. He had never seen his sister get this bent out of shape before over a scoundrel. She had met her fair share and she accepted it with tolerance. This was different. He sent to his sister, You planning on doing this the entire trip?

I finish what I start.

Tulre rolled his eys.

Matton liked the challenge. The Jedi he served under was more reserved. You could never tell what he was thinking. You did get uncomfortable under that green gaze. The girl was different. He didn't know why but it was amusing. He was thinking of something to rattle her cage when they came to a door. Standing outside was a guard. He asked, "Is this open to the general public or can we go in?"

[Alkonium]

"I think so. He did mention being coerced into publicly opposing the Military Restoration Act. And since his husband mentioned a red glow, which is most likely from the lightsaber used to kill him, that would rule out any Jedi. And Tyrannus wouldn't assassinate anyone himself, I know that from personal experience." Komad replied. "I'm certainly curious as to who he was working for now." Kalla then entered the room, and noticed a change in her father's mood. "Are you alright, Dad?" She asked. "No, an old boyfriend of mine was found dead this morning." Komad told his daughter. "The one you saw in the Senate yesterday?" Kalla inquired. "Yes." Komad replied.

[JediMaster12]

(hey, feel like taking on the part of a guard/den of theives kind of thing?)

 

Alkéa said nothing more as she watched Master Starlighter and the holoimage interact. Still her curiousity got the better of her and she asked, "Master Starlighter, what exactly is that?"

Andros looked at Alkéa and back at Rani. He then explained, "Rani is an artificial intelligence construct. She has control of the ship so to speak. My people started developing this technology in hopes to present a new means to the Republic. Rani is one of the first. Gisan is on another ship."

"So she controls the ship's systems?"

"Handy if someone is incapacititated." Andros cast a glance at Alkéa. Seeing the confused look on her face, he added, "Rani's cpu is a learning computer. She has the abilitiy to interface with any system and study it."

Rani then spoke up, "Reaching the halfway mark in hyperspace. Making calculations for reentry."

 

Almalexia felt broken but she couldn't let her sorrow overtake her. Though her husband was dead, more was at stake. Bushida taught one to put aside their feelings for the greater good. One thing the Jedi and Bushida masters could agree on. By virtue she was a warrior, a Handmaiden who had sworn to uphold the will of the Force. That she would do. She was still princess of Atzlan and had command over her warriors. She would meet them at the rally point so as to defend the Republic.

 

The sun of Coruscant was nothing like the sun of home. Here there was desperation, the struggle to survive and it was choking the light out. Home there was room to breathe. It was puzzling how such a place could possess such a craving. He shook his feelings aside. He had a mission to complete. His mother would have his hide if she knew what he was planning but at least his brother would watch out for her.

He found the place and tapped on the door, his hand on the hilt of his katana. He then sent verbally, "Master Jedi Komad?"

[Alkonium]

(What sort of thing?)

"Do I know you?" Komad asked the young man at the door. Though he had never met him before, there was something oddly familiar about him. Kalla, however remembered seeing him before leaving Tython. "Dad, that's Hethra's son." She pointed out. Though she was there when Hethra died, there was no for her to know what he was going through. "What's going on?" She added.

[JediMaster12]

((Be one of the soldiers that Matton and Jun-la recruit. He's been hanging around NarShaddaa the last decade something like that))

 

He looked at the girl staring at him. He had seen her before but had never paid attention to her. He wasn't intending to now but manners dictated that he acknowledge her. He replied, "Nothing immediate but I must speak with your father."