ANIMUS
The lust for vengeance burned in his eyes. Treading through the Glorian army in his krayt dragon form, he felt a rare moment of elation. The sickening crunches and agonized screams that his victims let out were like music to his ears.
However, this only lasted for a moment, for these cries of suffering jostled a memory from the deepest realm of his mind....
-Years ago-
"Let me go!"
His screams fell upon deaf ears as the Glorian general examined his chosen test subject. "Are you certain that he will be able to survive the procedure?" he asked the chief scientist.
"Trust me," the hunchbacked Glorian replied, chuckling. "I have seen him in action before. He is quite a formidable warrior."
A wicked grin contorted the general's features. "Very well, then. You may proceed."
The chief scientist cackled as he brought out a syringe, which was filled with a purple liquid. As he prepared to impale his patient's arm with it, the latter could do nothing but steel himself for the world of pain he was due for...
-Present-
Firespray-class interceptors, accompanied by various other Mandalorian ships, moved through the battle which orbited Coruscant, firing rapidly at enemy fighters. In the lead of this entourage was Mand'alor's own personal ship, the Slave I. On either side of him were two more Firesprays, piloted by Goran Beviin and Atinar Cabur respectively, while nearly an entire squadron of Gladiator-class fighters followed them.
Boba Fett had to wonder if this was why the Alliance was still wary of them following the previous Battle of Coruscant. The Mandalorian Protectors were many and they had a wide collection of arsenal and vehicles at their disposal. He wondered if whoever succeeded him as Mand'alor would try to repeat the Mandalorian Wars which Mandalore the Ultimate had started over four thousand years ago.
He quickly decided to save such questions for later. Opening his comm-channel to Goran Beviin, he said, "There's a shuttle of Protectors coming up behind us. I want you to lead them down to the surface battle. The rest of us will cover you."
"Understood, Mand'alor," Goran said. "Par Manda'yaim!"
Even as Boba Fett lost sight of Goran's ship, he could still hear his lieutenant's battle cry ring in his ear. Par Manda'yaim. For Mandalore.
Because, truly, that was what everyone was fighting for, perhaps even the Glorians. They were fighting for home. For family. For love.
And for some people, power was the closest thing to love they could ever get.
* * *
Animus staggered in his steps. His heart began to beat rapidly as his previous desire for revenge was subsided by the pain he now felt throughout his entire body.
No, he thought. Not now...
The krayt dragon reared, almost forgetting that Anakin Solo was on his back.
"Animus!" Anakin called. "What's wrong?"
Before Animus could respond in either way, his scaly skin began to ripple. Presumably noticing this, Anakin leaped off of his back and landed beside him, watching as he shrunk from his beast form and into his default appearance as a Korun male.
As he then began to slip into unconsciousness, another memory arose from the back of his mind....
-Years ago-
"It is done."
The chief scientist stepped aside, allowing the general to observe his handiwork. Restrained to a medical table was what appeared to be an average Shi'ido, but both the general and the scientist knew better.
"The test subject is now able to increase his mass while shape-shifting without having to stay in that form for weeks or months." The scientist squirted a sanitizer onto his hands and began rubbing them together. "However, there is one setback...."
"Which is...?" the general asked.
The scientist sighed. "Over time- several decades, mind you- his health will begin to deteriorate, to the point where he can no longer shape-shift at all. He will then die shortly thereafter."
The general scratched his chin. "Not too much of a loss, then. By that time, you would have perfected the serum, correct?"
The scientist grinned. "Oh, I am certain of it, sir. In fact, I'm already working Test Subject Two."
"I think you should give them names," the general said, glancing at the patient. "'Test Subject One' does not strike fear in the hearts of one's enemies."
"Well, he's your weapon of destruction," the scientist said, almost flippantly. "You can name him."
The general grinned as he stared at his 'weapon'. "How about... Animus."
-Present-
"Animus? Animus!"
Anakin shook the Exile's motionless body. The man was still breathing, but not easily, and through the Force Anakin could feel his life slowly slipping away. In his moment of despair, Anakin had not realized that the Glorians were not taking the opportunity to strike at him. It was not until they began kneeling that he took notice.
Everyone on the battlefield followed the Glorians' gaze to see what was attracting their attention. As soon as they did, they instantly began to lose hope.
Orbiting Coruscant's sky was the Star Forge.
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