[IC] A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

I walk in just as Korre says that and chuckle. "It's not horrible to say things like that about someone you care about. You should hear our family on family nights, especially playing sabacc." I take a seat across from the pair and look between them. "That aside, we need to distract Sucal somehow. Until dad has a free moment to hide Korre, it won't take the bastard long to track her down."

[Lord Greshh]

Korré

I touch the small scar on my throat. "If only Ryder hand't... I mean, if only the necklace hadn't been destroyed. Chancellor Sucal thought we were dead up until then." Frowns. "He'll be coming for me and my son again soon."

HJ Twilight

"Don't worry. Grandpa's gonna make sure your safe, and we're all here too!" I turn to Jerus. "But you're right. We need a distraction. If Sucal can see where the baby is at all times, then we need something that will make him turn his head long enough for Korré to slip back into hiding. It'll have to be something big though..." I rub my hands together and wrack my brain. After a few moments, it hits me. "Ava!"

Korré

"Your Mandalorian friend?"

HJ Twilight

"Yeah! She's been harassing Republic bases along the Outer Rim for a while. Been purposely drawing the bulk of the navy away so we could operate in peace. But now we need her to hit something bigger. Much, much bigger." I give Jerus a grim look. "This is crazy, but what if she hit Coruscant. Took all the clans and just hit the capital with everything she's got. She could literally pin Sucal down in his own office, giving us the time we need to get Korré safe and formulate a real plan to stop him."

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

"While that would certainly be a large target..." I wrack my brain for a better idea, something that wasn't going to be putting Ava or her people at such a risk, but the more I think about it, the less I see. "And unfortunately, I can't think of a better idea. But make it clear that getting captured is not on the table, and dying less so. I want all of us together at the end of this mess."

[Lord Greshh]

HJ Twilight

"Trust me, Jerus. I want Ava to come out of this alive more than anyone. I'll make sure she understands that honor and glory aren't the goal here. She's smart enough to know not to get herself killed over a pointless battle... I hope." I stand. "I'll see if I can reach her from my ship, which still needs a name, by the way. Gotta work on that."

Korré

"You carry your Rancor around it that ship, right? So, how about something like... the Rancor's Den?"

HJ Twilight

"Hmm... " I bob my head from side to side, considering the name. "Simple. Straight to the point. I like it."

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

"And with that decided, now we wait on dad..."

Zar'kun Je'and

Meanwhile, in the communications room, contacting Organa Castle had been relatively simple, as he and Lord Organa had installed what was essentially a direct line to it when the base was being built. Now, he just waited for an answer.

[Lord Greshh]

Armond Organa

After a long pause, Lord Armond Organa answers. “Zar’kun Je’and. I did not expect you to return to Alderaan after all these years. I’ve heard reports that you and your allies are criminals now. Do you think that hiding behind Organa hospitality will make you untouchable by the Republic? I know first had how little Sucal cares for our customs. We are still rebuilding after he bombed our castle. If he finds out you are here, do you think he will hesitate to try it again, especially now that we are no longer citizens of the Republic?”

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

I frown at the mention that we were now criminals, though that would explain why that fleet of Republic ships tried so hard to stop us. "There are resources within this base that will help us in our fight against Darth Trayus, the man you know as Jorg Sucal. We will do what we can to prevent Alderaan from falling under attack as a result of our returning to our base."

[Lord Greshh]

Armond Organa

My eyes widen in surprise. “Wait, Jorg Sucal is called Darth Trayus? So then... that means he’s a Sith Lord?” Pauses for a few moments to process this news, then balls a fist and slams the holo projector. “That treacherous bastard! I knew something was wrong even before he started attacking his own people. How he threw the Twilights under the bus for the actions of the Revolution, I didn’t believe it for a moment. But by the moonless sky, I never would have imagined he was a Sith! Especially considering he’s spent most of his career trying to exterminate them. Does anyone else know about this?”

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

I shake my head. "No, not that many would believe me at this point. He serves the Sith Ghost of the late Darth Traya, or Kreia as the Jedi Exile Meetra Surik knew her. Lord Organa, while I appreciate that you believe me, I must ask you keep the information close. You can never be too sure who won't turn on you."

[Lord Greshh]

Armond Organa

“You are right, of course. Not everyone on Alderaan agreed with my proposal to leave the Republic. The Queen only agreed because she too feared the Chancellor was becoming a tyrant. And believe me, she’s fought her share of tyrants in her time. House Thul and House Ulgo are still paying reparations for their actions during the war. They claim to have reformed, but I suspect that if given the opportunity, they would not hesitate to sell the throne out to Sucal if they believed it would get them a better deal.”

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

"I trust Thul the least out of the two, at least Ulgo's intentions were noble, even if his means were not. Regardless, I would ask if you could spare the time to come here and join us in a briefing. The Kiliks remember the locations of several Rakatan weapons and we will require aid in securing all of them, if you can spare it."

[Lord Greshh]

Armond Organa

I make a concerned face. "You're working with the Killiks? Those insects have been steadily encroaching on Organa land for years, despite our many efforts to dive them off. I must confess, I do not much like the idea of trusting them, even if they claim to have valuable information. But, if you believe that is the best course of action, I will not argue. I shall be at this briefing you mentioned. If I can help in any way to bring Sucal to justice, I will gladly do so."

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

I shake my head. "I was unaware that they've been advancing on Organa holdings, though this deal is less working with and more doing what has to be done. I appreciate you taking the time, Lord Organa. I'll see you in a bit."

[Lord Greshh]

Armond Organa

"I look forward to it." With a nod goodbye, I end the holo transmission. With everything I have just learned still swirling around in my brain, I sit down at my desk and look out the window at the sprawling mountain range. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for; to finally prove Jorg Sucal was plotting something behind the Senate's back. If I could have only found this out before Alderaan left the Republic... but perhaps it isn't too late to make things right.

END OF SCENE

[Lord Greshh]

HJ Twilight

I sit in my ship, now re-branded the Rancor's Den, and type in the holo frequency for Ava Cadera. It does not take long for the signal to reach it's destination, which surprises me. Usually it took at least a minute for a long distance call like this. "Ava? You read me?"

Ava Cadera

I sit in an old Mandalorian bunker, recently reclaimed after centuries of abandonment. I have my holo projector on the table, buzzing from HJ's call. With a quick poke of my finger, I answer, and a miniature image of HJ Twilight appears. "Well, look who it is. I'm gone for only a few days and you're already miss me?"

HJ Twilight

"No... Well, I mean yes, but that isn't why I called. Sucal sent Republic forces to attack us shortly after you left. He REALLY wants Korre, and isn't playing around anymore. We had to flee Dantooine, and we're now hiding out on Alderaan."

Ava Cadera

"You're on ALderaan? I'm on Onderon, just a few systems over! Or rather I'm NEXT to Onderon, on it's moon, Dxun. Clan Ordo had an old base here a few hundred years ago. We're using it as a staging ground to plan raids along the Parlemain Trade Route."

HJ Twilight

"Oh, wow. That explains why the transmission is so clear. But uhh... speaking of raids, that's kinda what I wanted to talk to you about. Like I was laying, Sucal is hot on our tail. Unless we can magic up a new necklace or something to hide Korre, he'll keep coming after us. We need something to keep him occupied until we figure something out."

Ava Cadera

Leans forward, more interested in the new direction of the conversation. "Ah, and you were hoping the Mandalorians can provide the means to keep him occupied? You know, we haven't been sitting on our hands. We've been smashing outposts all across the Outer Rim, raiding supply ships, and over all causing all sorts of trouble. Yet all Sucal cares about is that girl and her baby! It's a bit insulting, to be honest."

HJ Twilight

"That's why you gotta make him care. I have a plan, but it's a bit nuts. You have to rally all the clans to converge on Coruscant and... basically stage an invasion. Draw all of the Republic military back to defend the capital, and that will give us a chance to operate safely under Sucal's nose."

Ava Cadera

Stares at HJ's tiny hologram for a few moments. "You want me to what? Attack Coruscant?! The heart of the Republic? That's suicidal! You know how many defenses that place has on the ground alone, let alone all the ships docked there, and all the other ships scattered across the galaxy that will come running as soon as we even try to get close enough to attack?" Slowly breaks into a wide smile. "I love it! A head to head clash against the Republic, everything I have against everything they have! It will be battle song about for ages to come!"

HJ Twilight

Chuckles, not sure if she is joking or not. "I like the confidence, but remember this is just a distraction. Do NOT get yourself killed over this, alright? If the tide turns bad, retreat. Forget honor and glory, just get the hell out if you see things aren't going well."

Ava Cadera

I make an annoyed face. "I know how to conduct warfare, HJ. I was born for it." Leans back in my chair. "I'll call the Clan Chiefs together for a War Council. We'll figure out a strategy that will both keep our guys alive, while also drawing the battle out for as long as possible so you can your team can get done what you need to get done. And if the plan changes, you know how to reach me."

HJ Twilight

Smiles big. "Thanks, Cyar'ika. I really appreciate this. I'll see you when this is all over and I'll... I'll think of something to make this all worth it."

Ava Cadera

"You'd better. After everything I've done for you..." I mutter to myself as I reach to end the call, but then I catch myself. "Oh, wait! Before I go, I should tell you... we found something very interesting here on Dxun. Have you ever heard of Freedon Nadd?"

HJ Twilight

"Uhh, yeah. I think my grandfather's mentioned him. Wasn't he one of the ancient Sith Lords?"

Ava Cadera

"And an ancient King of Onderon. The royal bloodline is directly descended from him. His tomb is here on the moon. Some of the Ordo scouts were checking it out a few weeks back and they came across something. You might want to have a look." I pick up the holo projector and carry it over to the other side of the bunker, where an old fashioned iron cage sits. Inside are two emaciated figures, lying weakly against the bars. They are Twi'leks, their red skin so pale, it looks almost pink. Kneeling down, I rattle the cage, causing the two Twi'leks to jolt awake. "Hey! Prisoners! Look who I have here on the holo!"

Cosen Greshh

I look at the hologram through blurry eyes. "Ehh... HJ?"

END OF SCENE

[Zarkun]

Arri'ahab

It had been sometime since I'd bidden the Twilights and Je'ands and set out for the galaxy at large. With Shoratha avenged and that wretched lizard dead, I had dedicated time to retaming Draggo's giant lizard, who rested comfortably in the hangar of a freighter I had..."liberated" from one of the now deceased pig's mercenary's and we were now on Nar Shaddaa. I had been perusing the Holonet when Sucal had outed the two families as traitors to the Republic and the occupation of Dantooine, where the compound was, was first discussed by holonet newscasters. And so in an effort to give the Twilights and Je'ands still pinned on the planet, assuming there were any still there, I had gone where most former Imperial forces; the Smuggler's Moon.

Those who hadn't been incarcerated or killed in the final battle between the two galactic super powers had resorted largely to mercenary work, though they still held members of the Sith Order in high regard, a fact I sought to use to my adavantage as most of those forces now stood before me, with more coming. My bronze lightsaber glowed brightly in my right hand. "The Empire may be finished, but we have been in hiding for far too long! We have a chance to make the Republic suffer as we have! Will you join me?!"

The gathering was silent for several moments before a cybernetically enhanced soldier stood up and started leaving. "Sod off, ya wookie crazy. We lost, it's time to-" His sentence is cut short as he finds himself yanked towards me, my lightsaber sprouting from his chest.

"I have no room for treasonous cowards, so thank you for being the example." Tossing him aside, I look over the crowd as several Sith had managed to contact; juggernauts, assassins, sorcerers and sorceress', and mauraders. "Is there still doubt we can do this?" One assassin, a Togruta, stepped forwards and next to me, her saberstaff igniting to reveal a black-cored red saber. Several soldiers gasped in recognition, but only one spoke.

"L-lord Imperious?! You live?!"

Darth Imperious

Smirking, I wave my hand over the crowd. "I not only live, I burn with a desire to make this Jorg Sucal pay for thinking he can wipe us out and furthermore, for driving us into hiding in the first place!" The silent masses suddenly burst into cheers. "We will build a new Empire and this time, we will not be driven into the shadows! Victory or death!" I grin as the crowd chants it back at me and I turn to Arri'ahad, who has taken a knee before me. "I always found the late Imperials mistreatment of your race, and non-humans or Purebloods in general. You will become my apprentice and a lord." I pass my lightsaber over each of his shoulders. "Rise, Lord Fraxus, Right Hand of Imperious."

The Wookie rises and I can feel the dark energy coming off him, causing my grin to grow into a smile. "I have already told my fleet to meet us in the Onderon system. The shuttles I brought can make that jump alone."

Lord Fraxus

"Of course, my master. I will give the order to begin moving out at once." Standing and turning, I deactivate my lightsaber as I walk into the crowd to begin passing along the word. It felt good to have a purpose again.

[Lord Greshh]

MEANWHILE ON DANTOOINE

Theron Shan

My eyes slowly flutter open, and a bright overhead light blinds me for a moment. It takes several seconds for my memory to catch up with me, and I realize I am in a hospital on the Dantooine mainland. There is an IV of kolto in my arm. I must have been unconscious for at least a day. Maybe more. I try to sit up, but a shooting pain goes through my abdomen, and I fall back with a groan of pain. Out in the hall, I can hear people talking. One of them is an older woman, and the other is a man speaking through a helmet microphone. I lean over to look out the open door into the hallway, and I can see a nurse (the woman) standing with her hands on her hips. She is speaking to a Republic Trooper in full armor.

Nurse: "You can't just barge in here! This is a hospital!"

Trooper: "We have reason to suspect there are fugitives hiding among your patients, ma'am. We're conducting a search of the wards. Please stand aside.

Nurse: "Fugitives? There is nobody here aside from wounded men and women! If there were fugitives here, I'd know about it!"

Trooper: "Don't interfere, ma'am. We're only doing our duty to the Republic."

Nurse: "And my duty is to protect my patients!"

Trooper: "....Very well, ma'am." He takes the end of his gun and smacks her in the head, knocking her out. "Turn this place upside down! I want those rebels found!"

I roll over, hissing with pain as I pull the kolto drip out of my arm and slide off the bed. I am weak on my feet, but I manage to swiftly sneak across the room and duck behind a cabinet. With a blink, I activate my neural implant over my eye and pull up the built in comm. "Charlie, you read me?" I whisper.

Charlamagne

I am a few levels above, in the maternity ward. I pull out my commlink when Theron buzzes. "Yeah, boss. I read you. The Pubs are swarming all over this place. It's a miracle it took them this long to get here. Glad you're finally on your feet again. We need to get the hell out of here before they find us."

Theron Shan

"Syn. Is she there too? First priority is to get here out." I try to stay quiet while also conveying the urgency of the situation. I can see out in the hall the troopers heading my way.

Charlamagne

"Right, well, that isn't going to be so easy anymore. You see... She isn't alone anymore. Know what I mean? That uhh... extra height she's been carrying?"

Theron Shan

"In Basic, Charlie. Please!"

Charlamagne

"She had the kid. They did an emergency C-section last night. Ryder must have hurt her worse than we thought. Syn's resting in her room, but the baby is in the ICU. So..."

Theron Shan

"Son of a bitch. Just... hold on. I'll be there soon."

[Lord Greshh]

Synclair Je'and

I am resting in my room, eating a liquid lunch and overall trying to recover when I hear footsteps running outside my room. I look up in alarm as Charlamagne bursts into the room. "Charlie?! What's wrong?"

Charlamagne

Breaths heavily. "Sucal sent his goons after us. They're storming the hospital. We need to get out of here now!" I rush over to her bedside. "Can you walk?"

Synclair Je'and

"I can barely stand!" I feel a panic rising in me, but I try to keep it controlled. "Where is Rosalie? We need to get Rosalie!"

Charlamagne

"She's down the hall. Don't worry about her, though. The Pubs are after us adults, not a newborn baby. She'll be fine where she is."

Synclair Je'and

Glares at him. "I think we both know Sucal isn't above threatening babies! Now, go and get her! Don't worry about me!" I push aside my tray and begin trying to push myself up. "There isn't time. Just go! Get my daughter to safety!"

Charlamagne

Hesitates for a moment, then turns and sprints out of the room. I can hear troopers starting to break through the stairwell doors to enter the ward. I have to hurry. As I run, I talk into the comm. "I'm grabbing the kid. How's it going down there, boss?"

Theron Shan

Combat rolls behind a gurney, feeling a sharp pain in my stomach as I do so. Stupid move. I grit my teeth in pain as I whisper to Charlie. "On my way up. They haven't spotted me yet, but if you keep talking to me, they're bound to overhear." I continue my slow creep towards the stairs.

Charlamagne

"Alright. Just checking. I'll see you outside." Turns off comm and heads to the ICU.

Synclair Je'and

I continue to struggle, finding it nearly impossible to rise. There is a hover chair not far away, but I can't reach. I can feel my stitching beginning to tear the more I fight to get up. With a yelp of pain, I slip and fall off of the bed and onto the floor. Again, I can hear footsteps outside. These ones sound heavier and more metallic; Republic Trooper. Weakly, I try to crawl towards the hover chair across the room, but I'm not making much progress. I am less than half way there when the door wings open and an armed trooper bursts it. He stares down at me, and I up at him. For several seconds, he doesn't move, but then suddenly he falls forward and crumbles to the floor. A tiny sabre dart sticks into the gap between his shoulder plate and his helmet. Behind him stands Theron Shan with his wrist launcher extended. "Theron!"

Theron Shan

"Glad the docs forgot to confiscate this one. Took all my blasters and knives though." I go to Syn and pull her to her up, throwing her arm around my shoulder. "We're out of time. Charlamagne has Rosalie. He'll meet us downstairs..."

Charlamagne

Meanwhile, I am running as fast as I can down the stairs, a blaster in one hand and a (thankfully) sleeping baby in the other. I have a speeder bike part out front. It'll be tough driving while holding a kid, but I've done worse. As I reach the bottom floor, I burst through the emergency exit doors... right into a squad of Troopers. They all turn in surprise, not even thinking to raise their guns. I shrug comically and smile. "Oops! Wrong floor!" Then I blast the closes one and dive for the door. The baby is awake now. "Shhh! I gotcha! I won't let any of these big back bucket heads hurt ya!"

[Lord Greshh]

Theron Shan

Syn and I can hear blaster fire from the bottom of the stairwell. We hesitate for a moment, considering finding a different path. But, then again, the way we came is probably also swarming with troopers, so we might as well risk it. I lift Syn into a fireman's carry and begin my descent down the steps. "We need to get back to the compound. It's the safest place."

Synclair Je'and

"Where are the others? Jerus would just sit back and let the Republic swarm us. Neither would Becca or Jakito. Unless... You don't think they've been captured, do you?"

Theron Shan

"No, of course not! They're probably in a heap of trouble themselves! But you know them. They'll make it out in the end. They always do, and so will we!" I continue down the steps, trying to go as fast as I can without risking falling and hurting Syn. It is then I suddenly notice the shooting has stopped, and now all we can hear is a baby crying. "That's them! Charlamagne and Rosalie are right below us!" I pick up the pace a bit, but not too much. "Charlie! Hey, Charlie, we're on our way! Get the speeder going!" There is no response on either the comm or from below. As we get closer, we find out why.

Charlamagne

I lay against the staircase, by back to the emergency exit. All of the troopers are dead, scattered around me. Syn's baby is cradled against my chest, screaming her head off. I wheeze, a trickle of blood running from the corner of my mouth. My back is covered in so many blaster wounds, it looks like a Well Done Nerf Burger. As Theron and Syn come down the stairs, I smile up at them with stained teeth. "Ah...There you guys are."

Theron Shan

Syn gasps in shock and alarm, but I keep a straight face. Carefully, I place Syn down on the stair, then go to take Rosalie from Charlie's arms. "Good work, agent Charlamagne."

Charlamagne

"Thanks, boss. I... aim to please." I try to laugh, but just end up coughing. "I better get a freaking medal for this. A... a big one. Like... HUGE." My strength fading, I lay down against the staircase. "And... tell HJ..... Ah, screw it. Never mind." Chuckles lightly to self. My smile begins to slip from my face, and the light leaves me eyes. At least I die a hero or whatever.

Theron Shan

I look down at Charlie's body, feeling a great sense of remorse for my fallen agent. There isn't much time to grieve though, as I can hear troopers on the levels above us. With Rosalie in the crook of my arm, I offer a hand to Synclair. "Come on! We need to go!" She takes my hand and I pull her close, helping lead her out the emergency exit and to the speeder bike. Thankfully, the troopers hadn't had a chance to sabotage it yet. "Here. Get on. Just swing your leg over like... THAT, yes, good. Now take the baby." With Syn safely on the bike, I hand her her daughter. "The bike has a built in GPS autopilot. I have the compound locked in the memory. Just press HOME and it will fly you there."

Synchair Je'and

I hold Rosalie close, trying to comfort her despite the situation. I look up at Theron, confused. "Why are you telling this? Aren't you coming?"

Theron Shan

"I'm gonna buy you time. I'll keep them distracted so you can make a break for it." I grab one of the fallen trooper's blaster carbines and cock it. "Now get going! I'll meet you all back at the compound soon! I promise!" I turn towards the doors just in time for the troopers to come spilling out. I open fire on them, ducking to the side as they fire back at me. "GO!!"

Synclair Je'and

I slam my hand into the HOME button and hold on tight as the speeder rockets off towards the compound. Over my shoulder, I can see Theron barely holding off the troopers as he runs the opposite direction. I pray that he wasn't lying when he said he'd meet back up with us. We'd already lost Charlie. I couldn't bare to have Theron die for me too.

I turn my face forward, cradling Rosalie close to my chest. We weren't out of this mess just yet...

END OF SCENE

[Lord Greshh]

ON ALDERAAN

Jude Sucal

I am outside the base, training with Iwan. I hold my crimson bladed lightsaber in both hands in a standard Ataru defense form. "Now, come at me! Strike at my weak points!"

Iwan Starsnow

I stand awkwardly in no particular stance, looking quite amateurish. Thankfully Zar'kun had a stockpile of old lightsabers in the base armory. The one I currently carry is acid green, and the hilt is a shiny obsidian color. I take a few steps towards Jude, lifting the blade awkwardly over my head. "Alright, brother. Here I come!" Runs at Jude.

Jude Sucal

"Don't announce your moves!" Easily blocks his extremely predictable attack. "And don't call me brother! We share a father, and that is about it!" Deflects more of his strikes, then quickly bats his blade away, sending it flying out of his hand. "Now, pick it up!"

Iwan Starsnow

Scowls, then goes to retrieve the lightsaber. "Not only am I your brother, I'm your OLDER brother. So... you know. How about some respect?"

Jude Sucal

"I'll respect you the day you stop getting your ass handed to you by a kid. You have to EARN the right to be my brother. Hayden Twilight is more of a sibling to me, and we share zero blood. You? You have some work to do. Now, assume ready position AGAIN!" I move back to Ataru defense, but out of the corner of my eye, I see movement in the tall grass. I raise a hand to pause the sparring match, Looking out towards the grasses. Something small, about the size of a child, is moving towards the base. A moment later, my eyes widen as a huge bipedal insect marches out of the grasses. "Woah! What the hell is that thing!?" I jump back a step, holding my lightsaber towards it as a warning.

Iwan Starsnow

"That's a Killik." I say with recognition. "Mothe...Doctor Malori used to keep a few at her lab on Myrkr. Part of menagerie of experiments. Used to really freak me out. But that is it doing here?"

Jude Sucal

"No idea. Must have something to do with that Chiss girl, Luci." As I speak, the Killik walks right up to me and stops, staring at me with big black eyes. I lower my weapon only slightly. "What do you want? We don't have food or anything for you!" The Killik just tilts it head, clicking its mandibles and waving its antennae.

Oroboro Messenger

"Brrrrub brub brub bruuubrb?" It pauses, looking between Jude and Iwan. When neither of them respond to it's question, it repeats, "Brrrrub brub brub bruuubrb?"

Jude Sucal

"Uhh...yeah. We don't have any food."