The hall leads into a large chamber, in which stands a very large, very ancient looking machine. There are several human sized tubes surrounding it that look like stasis pods, and in the center is a terminal that displays the hologram of a Rakata. The hologram is the one speaking, “This will be the one. I can feel it; the greatest of all my children. The work of centuries!”



I pace around the holo projector. “All of our previous creations were but stepping stones to this moment. Today, we achieve greatness.”

I blanch at the sight of who the doctor turned out to be, but don't hesitate to draw my blasters and drop my cloak, the weapons level. "Carice Malori. You know, you actually managed to avoid myself and my sister-in-law on Serreco. I was impressed."

The hologram turns. "Doctor? Who is this?"



I turn. "Jerus Je'and. One of the many possible interlopers I told you about." I look past him. "And with him are Salazar Greshh and his pet Twi'lek. Welcome, all of you."



I step out and activate my lightsaber. "Oh yeah. I remember this one from my Imperial days. No surprise she fell in with Sucal."



I shake my head. "No no. Not anymore. I've severed ties with that incompetent fool. I serve only science now, and the advancement of life in the Galaxy." I smile. "Care to see my latest work?"

"Oh no, I think I'm good. What are you doing on Belsavis? And what's Kreia's interest in the Rakatan artifacts?"

I roll my eyes. "Didn't I just tell you I don't care about Sucal or his plans anymore? Kreia... I respect, but she does not command my actions. My work is more... complimentary to her than truly aligned." I indicate the hologram. "This is the Mother Machine. She and I have been working very closely lately on our latest experiment. You are aware, no doubt, of my work involving the Naboo children?"



"How you severed them from the Force and turned them into mindless husks? Yes, even as Stoneheart, I found your work appalling."



"It didn't turn out the way i wanted, I agree. But, I've learned from trial and error, and I believe I know what went wrong. I tried to take life that already existed and twisted it to fit my desired outcome. But it seems that, once exposed to the Force, people tend to react... harshly to being disconnected from it. So, the only logical step would be to start from scratch; create a test subject that has never, and will never experienced the Force."



I point my blasters at her. "And what would be the point of that? You think creating miserable creatures is better than turning normal people into them?"



"They wouldn't be miserable because they would never know the difference. Consider this; Kreia desires the Death of the Force. When that happens, it will not be as simple as all Jedi and Sith suddenly losing their power. Life itself is interwoven with the Force, so severing one's connection so suddenly may be such a shock to the system that it just... causes the masses to drop dead. In that case, Kreia's great plan makes her no better than the Sith Emperor, or perhaps worsse because at least HE had an end goal. He would have allowed the Force to reseed life in the universe, and he would rule over it all as a God. But, if the Force were to be destroyed, Kreia's spirit would cease to exit. Trillions would potentially die, and without the Force, how could life possibly return to the withered galaxy?" I place a hand on my chest. "That's where I come in. With the held of Mother here, I have created a being that is resistant to the Force, and therefore will survive the galactic obliteration Kreia's plan could cause. I think of it like this; severing the universe from the Force would be like creating a sound so powerful, it obliterated the eardrums of everyone who listened to it, deafening them in the most painful way. However, those born congenially deaf would be spared, and live on to become the new forebear of a brighter future!"

"You didn't remotely listen to my question, did you? And besides that, you're making an awfully bold claim she's going to win."

"Come now. She's had centuries to plan. Even if she fails this time or the next time, eventually she will succeed. You can't destroy a ghost, so you will never be truly rid of her."



"We can be rid of you though." I raise my weapon. "Let's just end this already!"



A couple of the pods begin to hiss and leak steam. "Ah! My latest creations are ready at last! I have combined the DNA of several powerful beings I have encountered over the years. I am anxious to see the results."

"Oh that can't be good..." Prepping a rocket in my wrist launcher, I look at Malori. "You know, we're not here for you, really. And as for Kreia's ghost, well, she can be disrupted and she can be contained."

"Like Vitiate was disrupted and contained?" I smile smugly as the pods open.



What step out are beings that seem to be a cross between several different races. They are distinctly female, and look very much like Malori, only they have montrals like a Togruta, as well as long coarse hair and facial markings like a Zabrak. Also, much like Malori, they have no Force signature. "They are beautiful! My finest creations to date! I think I will call them... Malorians, in honor of you, Doctor!"



"I wouldn't go naming them just yet. I don't they'll be around for much longer."



"You would kill them? They aren't hostile." I indicate the Malorians, who aside form looking a bit confused, are otherwise completely calm. They wonder around little, exploring the strange new world they've woken up to. "They have no interest in fighting. I doubt they even know how. Killing them would be killing innocent beings." I maintain my smug expression.

"Innocent's always been a relative term, Malori. You should be intimately familiar with that."

"True... but still, you said yourself you aren't here for me. I'm not planning on acting against you either. I've stepped out of this war. So, perhaps I take my experiments and the Rakata artifacts and leave? You don't mind, do you? These pieces of old technology were just sitting around. Nobody else was doing anything, so I decided to take them for my collection. It's nothing interesting, I promise. I can even give you a tour of my ship to prove it, if you like." I look up at the Mother Machine. "Oh! Also, she's coming too. We make a great team."

"So then none of this is for Kreia? Not even that Mandalorian Wars era ship in orbit?"

I sigh. "Oh, yes. Forgot about that. That ship WAS a gift from Kreia. Back when I believed in Sucal. The mission here was initially to collect artifacts for his cause, it's true. But, after I realized Sucal was too weak to succeed, I took the ship for my own. I'm VERY persuasive that way. The crew always served me regardless of my allegiance."

"Persuasive...Uh huh..." I appraise what I'm looking at. Malori wasn't any real threat as she was, nor were her...I shudder mentally as I think 'Malorians', making a mental note to shoot the first one I saw after this. "And if you're just gonna take all those relics...I want to know what's in them first." I wasn't a fool after all. "And I need to know where you would drop those relics off at."

“They are most ancient carvings. Historical accounts from the height of the Infinite Empire. Also, a few odd pieces of technology, such as those teleporters. I’m interested to see if such techniques can be replicated for Galaxy wide use. As for where I am taking them.... well, I’d rather not say. I have no doubt you’ll follow me there, and then I will never have a moments peace again. I’d rather not have you Sith Hunters breathing down my neck for the rest of my life.”

"Uh huh, like we're really that concerned. We already know that your Void touched monstrosities can die to a blaster bolt. I'm inclined to believe that should your Malorians prove an issue, we'll solve it the old fashioned way anyways." I turn to Salazar and Vette. "We don't gain anything by killing her or her new creations. We have what we came for...Oh! One more question." I turn back to the crazed doctor. "Where did those carvings go? What was the drop off point?"

"You mean where did those carvings go before I cut ties with Sucal? The Malachor system at first, then later my lab on Myrkr. Now that I'm relocating, they are aboard my ship in orbit. Once I find a new lab, they will go there."



I am reluctant to put away my weapon. "I can't sense anything from her, so I can't tell if she's lying or not. I don't trust it."



I whisper. "Jerus did put a tracker on her last shuttle. If things go poorly, we can track her down later."

"The Malachor system...Alright, that's all we really needed. We'll leave you be, Malori, but don't think I'll forget about you so easily." I turn and beckon the pair to follow me and once we're out, sigh. "OK, good news, we got what we need. Bad news, they yanked the teleporter, so getting back is going to be a hike."

"Oh, that's just great." I look at Salazar. "You might need to carry me. You know I can only walk so long before my feet get tired."



I sigh. "Yes, dear."

END OF SCENE

In the days following the battle on Coruscant, the Senate Building has been allowed to be reclaimed by the Republic. After some deliberation, the Senate has convened to vote on Jorg Sucal's replacement as Supreme Chancellor. A dark skinned man in a sand colored tunic floats to address the rest of the assembly, as well as those watching via holo. "I, Entus of Onderon, on behalf of the entire Republic senate, am proud to announce the results of our emergency polls."



I sit in one of the pods, watching with my arms crossed. I wasn't officially the Senator of Naboo anymore, but do to my high status back home, the current senator was more than willing to allow me to sit with him. I look up at Entus with a determined gleam in my eye. My heart was racing, and I couldn't help but fidget a little in my seat. "Come on... Come on..." I whisper.



"By near unanimous decision, it is my pleasure to announce that Senator Armond Organa has been elected as the new Supreme Chancellor of the Republic!"



I breath a sigh of relief, than stand along with the rest of the senate and offer a polite round of applause for Senator... or rather CHANCELLOR Organa.