THE STAR FORGE
"Where are you taking us, Trek?"
The Jawa did not respond as he led Zerev and the other Exiles through the Underworld of Coruscant. As soon as the Forge Seeker had landed, Trek had suddenly began acting strange, murmuring in Jawaese and chanting something in an archaic language even Zerev did not recognize.
Here in Coruscant's lowest levels, beings who had devoted their lives to crime lurked in shadows, showing little care towards the loud noises coming from above. Several sets of eyes watched the group of five as they moved further down into the Underworld.
Sitting atop Dah's shoulder, Durus was clearly nervous. "A lot of people here look like they want to eat me."
"I do believe it would be considered illegal for them to do so in most sectors," Auxilius said.
"Ah, but this is the Underworld," Zerev said. "The very word 'legal' doesn't even exist."
Trek soon brought the group to a halt. The six Exiles now stood on a ledge from which starships could enter and exit Coruscant's Underworld via a seemingly bottomless, vertical ventilation shaft. Zerev was not exactly sure why one would wish to enter in the first place, unless they had no choice.
"What's going on here, Trek?" he asked the Jawa. "Why have you taken us here?"
"Ikee ashuna haza muzee," Trek said in Jawaese, making Zerev wish that he had spent more time on studying alien languages.
Before he could inquire further, the Jawa stretched out his arms and began to chant, the same one which he had been speaking ever since they had left the ship.
"Korah matah, korah rahtamah, yoodah, korah syadho...."
"Great, he's lost it," Durus muttered. "All in favor of pushing him off the ledge?"
"Shut up," Zerev snapped. "He's got to have a reason for doing this."
He was promptly proven correct when a faint voice began repeating Trek's words. Considering it was deeper than his voice, the Exiles knew it was no mere echo.
Durus gulped, puffing out his bulbous chin. "I take back what I said."
* * *
"How do you propose we adapt to our situation?"
Standing on the bridge of his flagship, accompanied by holograms of other Alliance admirals, Admiral Sien Sovv rubbed his forehead. As if things weren't bad enough already, he thought, they just had to throw in a blaster space station....
"Admiral Chaar, Admiral Bwua'tu, have all the cruisers under your command attack the station," Sovv finally said. "The rest of you, continue to handle the Glorian fleet. They're still our primary concern."
Acknowledging their orders, the admirals' holographic forms began to fizzle out... save for one.
Sovv sighed. "You have your orders, Bwua'tu. Please carry them out."
"I'm afraid I cannot, sir," the Bothan admiral said. "I have been analyzing this battle again and again... and I believe your tactics simply aren't working."
Sovv glared at him. "What would you suggest we do instead? Surrender?"
"No," Bwua'tu said. "I have a better strategy which I propose we use-"
"Except we don't have time to go over it, nor have the resources to risk it," Sovv snapped. "With all due respect, admiral, I don't think your strategy will do us any better."
The Bothan narrowed his eyes. "With all due respect, admiral, I think the same to you."
With that, Bwua'tu's hologram vanished as well, leaving the Supreme Commander to mull in silent contemplation.
* * *
"Magnificent, isn't it?"
Shadow stared in disbelief at the pronged sphere that now orbited Coruscant's sky. "But the original Star Forge had no means of transportation," he said. "How did-?"
"Consider this an improvement," Umbra said with a grin. "It's over, Shadow. We're done. The Reunification shall finally begin."
Shadow moved his gaze away from the Star Forge to stare at Umbra. "You say that the Star Forge is intended to drain Coruscant's solar energy."
"Correct," Umbra replied.
"Will it then go on to drain other stars?"
"Of course. Did you not understand what I said? The entire galaxy must die in order to be reborn."
Umbra spread his arms out to the sky. "Every last star shall be extinguished. Ever last celestial body shall break apart. Every last living thing shall perish... to be born anew."
Those words had finally confirmed to Shadow what he had suspected long ago, since the final stage of the plan was initiated. The Watcher, his master, the entity whom he feared and respected the most, had lost his mind.
Turning to Umbra, a faint smile on his face, he said, "This truly is a marvelous moment, isn't it? To die for such an extraordinary cause."
Umbra nodded. "It certainly is."
"Makes you want to get it over with, doesn't it?"
Umbra blinked, giving his fellow agent a baffled look. "What are you getting on about-"
He was cut off by the cold sensation of a sharp blade plunging into his back. Shadow leaned towards him and whispered into his ear.
"Let me know what it's like when I get there."
He then pulled his blade out and pushed his former comrade off of the opera house.
* * *
It had finally begun.
A wicked smile crossed the skeletal visage that was Necros' face. After decades of planning, the Magnificence's grand plan had finally reached its culmination. Throughout the observation deck, he heard Valtheran's voice rumble.
"So, this is the bright center of the galaxy which I have so long reviled."
The station began to tremble as it slowly rotated itself to aim its lower prongs at the distant sun which Coruscant orbited.
"Prepare to watch it burn."
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