STAR WARS: INVASION
EPISODE X
JUDGMENT DAY
PROLOGUE: THE WATCHER
Among the natives of Sh'shuun, it was generally agreed that the galaxy beyond their world was better off without their participation. This did not stop some Shi'ido from traveling off-world, of course, but such beings were considered the exception rather than the rule.
Thus, when the old local hermit, whom they knew only as the Avatar, made his first appearance, encouraging his fellow Shi'ido to break free and leave their home, he was disregarded as a crazy heretic. However, when he became more persistent, Sarron Noole, leader of the Avatar's village, was summoned to intervene.
That was when it happened.
After speaking with the Avatar, Sarron announced to his people that he agreed with his views and that the Shi'ido should seize the opportunity to explore the galaxy and, perhaps, seize it. Since the Shi'ido were a more peaceful race, the people of Sarron's village called heresy on this and collectively exiled him and the Avatar to the predator-abundant jungles of Sh'shuun.
During their lives as outcasts, Sarron Noole and his partner soon made contact with like-minded individuals and eventually formed a cult. This cult then evolved into a movement and in short time, Sarron and his followers, who called themselves "Glorians", had taken control of Sh'shuun.
With the Glorian Empire rising to the fore, the Avatar decided that it was time to introduce Sarron, the self-declared emperor, to his master. Upon his meeting with the Watcher, an enigmatic entity who observed the galaxy's events from afar, Sarron felt as if he had been reborn.
From that day onward, Sarron Noole renamed himself "Necros" and took on the form of a humanoid skeleton, indicating his new-found desire to bring about the death of the galaxy only to rebuild it anew.
And that moment had finally come.
CHAPTER ONE: A CALL TO ARMS
Early on in the Glorian War, the Galactic Alliance had attempted several times to hire the Mandalorian Protectors. However, they had declined, saying that so far, the Glorians posed no threat to them, and were actually considering to join forces with the Glorians.
Standing before the Mand'alor himself, as well as his most trusted advisors, Jedi Master Cilghal hoped that she would be able to use her diplomatic skills from having served as a senator to convince the Mandalorians to reconsider their stance.
"Coruscant is in danger," she told those gathered before her. "The entire Core is in danger. If the Glorians seize the capital, they'll move on to other worlds, including Mandalore."
"Unless we pledge our loyalty to the Glorians," Atinar Cabur said with a sneer. "What do we owe the Alliance? We saved their skin from the Sith and what do we get in return? Nothing!"
Cilghal's eyes lowered in a frown. "The Alliance offered you a seat on the Triumvirate and yet you declined. Besides, what do you owe the Glorians?"
Before Cabur could retort, Boba Fett raised a hand to silence him. Despite approaching his seventies, the ex-bounty hunter still carried a strong, authoritative air that reminded others of their place.
"You do have a point, Master Cilghal," Fett said, his voice gruff, hardened by experience. "And while Atinar is correct about the Alliance still owing us...."
He spared a glance with his right-hand man, Goran Beviin, who gave him a nod.
"We are men and women of honor. If you require our assistance, and we have no reason to refute, then we shall answer your call."
Cilghal nodded, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Mand'alor."
"All in a good day's work." Fett brought his helmet out from under his arm and donned it. "Let's get to work, Mando'ade."
* * *
Raaxus Vosadii Avak, head of the Hutt Grand Council and the Hutt Cartel, admired the fleet of cruisers and fighters that dominated the sky of Nal Hutta. Beside him were his two most faithful advisors, Zargga Besadii and Vonadara Ramesh.
"Why are we bothering to aid the Alliance?" the latter growled. "What possible profit would we gain from taking part in their war?"
"If the Glorians get their way," Raaxus replied, "there won't be any profit to gain. The Jedi emissaries they have sent convinced me that the Glorians have no desire to be friendly with us."
Vondara sneered. "But what has the Alliance done for us? Why should we help them if they regard us as scum?"
Raaxus grinned. "We are scum, Vondara. That's the whole point."
* * *
IRD-A starfighters and Zeta 19 interceptors flew alongside a Dreadnaught-class heavy cruiser, with Marauder-class corvettes following in its wake. Standing on the bridge of the Dreadnaught, Captain Lan Olesa of Corporate Sector Authority stared at the fleet gathered to head for the Coruscant system. He paid only half attention to his Etti lieutenant, who was rambling off a list of orders given to him by the CSA's ExO via datapad.
"...Meet with the Hapan fleet at Randon, and then wait for the Hutts' arrival. After that, it's straight for the Core. Sound about right?"
"Hm?" Olesa shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Er, yes. That's right."
"Problem, sir?" the Etti asked.
"No, officer," Olesa hastily said. "Just... I never thought it would come to this."
"Come to what?"
The captain gestured at the fleet. "This. All of the galaxy's most major powers coming together to handle one large threat. Who would've thought it would take that to bring us to tolerate one another."
"Yes," the officer said with a faint smile. "The galaxy certainly does work in mysterious ways."
* * *
"Think we'll be able to get past the Glorians' blockade?" Noran Raun asked his fellow Jedi Master Corran Horn as all around them Jedi Knights climbed into their starfighters.
Clad in his trademark green jumpsuit, Corran flashed him a smile. "You're talking to a Corellian, Noran. I know we'll get through it. Twin Suns Squadron is to the Jedi Order what Rogue Squadron is to the Galactic Alliance."
Noran smiled. "It helps that your father-in-law is lending you his modified Star Destroyer."
"Oh, he's not lending it; Booster doesn't trust anyone with the Errant Venture. No, he's flying his baby into the fire himself. In fact, he's gotten Talon Karrde and his smugglers to help."
"Ah, even better." Noran patter Corran on the shoulder. "May the Force be with you, my friend."
"And with you."
With that, Corran donned his helmet and climbed into his X-wing starfighter. As he walked away, Noran began to wonder how the Glorians would react to a red-colored Star Destroyer....
* * *
"So, this is your weapon."
Emperor Necros of the Glorian Empire stood on the observation deck of the reconstructed Star Forge. Beside him stood his master, the Watcher, and the Watcher's right-hand, the Avatar. The voice which spoke to them was the Sith spirit named Valtheran, whom the Watcher's agents summoned to serve as the Star Forge's power source. With him controlling every little operation on the station, the Sith god would essentially become the Star Forge itself.
"'Weapon' is putting it loosely," the Watcher said. "Yes, we plan on using it on Coruscant's sun, but only if they ask for it."
"Yet this station creates ships, essentially weapons of their own design," Valtheran noted.
The Watcher grinned with the face of the man whom he possessed. "Is it the man or the weapon he wields that kills people."
"Point taken."
After the Sith god had spoken, there was a moment of silence. Suddenly, the entire room seemed to come to life and Necros could hear the station's factories at work.
"My," Valtheran then said. "This does rather fit me."
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