CHAPTER TWELVE
As he watched the battle of Mon Cala rage around him, Admiral Wedge Antilles saw that their efforts were futile. Left and right, Republic starfighters went down in flames. Gavin and the rest of Rogue Squadron evaded enemy fighters as a Victory II-class Star Destroyer eliminated the last of Green Squadron.
Wedge's hands clenched around the railings on the Defender II's bridge. It appeared that Valorum was wrong; even without the Galaxy Gun, the Empire still held the upper hand. He could not bear it for much longer. He took out his comlink and contacted the remaining fighters.
"Rogues, this is Admiral Antilles! Return to the Defender II immediately!"
"We're retreating?" asked the Bith pilot Vac J'bath. "But we can't give up!"
"I'm afraid we'll have to, Rogue Three," Gavin replied. "We've already lost Green Squadron, along with a few Rogues, not to mention all the cruisers. We have to fall back..."
The other X-wing fighters complied as they headed back for the Defender II and the remaining cruisers, having no other option but to leave Mon Cala to the Empire's wrath...
* * *
Finis Valorum watched from beneath his cybernetic helmet the holographic representations of the battles at Kashyyyk and Mon Cala. The homeworld of the Mon Calamari was succumbing to the Sith's forces, while Bel Iblis' fleet at Kashyyyk was gaining the upper hand.
Just as he had planned.
Valorum turned off the hologram and rose from his seat, gazing out his office's window to view Coruscant's night-time skyline. Everything was preceding well. Soon, without Mon Cala, the Republic would lose the Mon Calamari shipyards, and thus production on many of their star cruisers, leaving them outnumbered by the Empire.
Then, once the Sith had conquered Coruscant, the Republic would be replaced by a new Sith Empire and, as Darth Vorath had promised, Valorum would be given public rule over the galaxy.
The door to his office opened, interrupting him from his musings. He turned to see Vice Chair Borsk Fey'lya enter the room, wearing an expression of pride and satisfaction on his horse-like face.
"I have good news, Chancellor," the Bothan said. "Captain Solo has just returned from the Mandalore system. The Mandalorians have agreed to assist us in the war."
Valorum smiled beneath his mask. "Excellent! With their help, we may finally win this war!"
Borsk nodded, smiling slightly himself. "And then, you shall be hailed as a hero throughout the galaxy, just like your ancestor was a thousand years ago."
Valorum chuckled. Everything was proceeding as planned.
* * *
Vorath could only stare at the faint outline of Trayus' spirit. He could not believe what he was hearing. Was his master telling the truth? Was the key to immortality only achievable by killing the entire galaxy?
No, Vorath said to himself, I can not-will not believe it.
Trayus laughed, as if reading his former apprentice's thoughts. "Ah, but you must! After all, was it not your plan to rule the galaxy as an immortal demigod, just as numerous Dark Lords had attempted before you?"
Vorath glowered at the spirit. "Somewhat, yes. I never related my entire plan to you, for, despite being dead, I could not trust you."
"Understandable," Trayus replied. "Care explaining it to me now?"
"I might as well, considering you would just haunt me if I don't." Vorath began to pace across the chamber. "When I first learned of the Sith gods from Ajunta Pall's holocron, I wondered if it would be possible to become something like them. Then, after learning of Valtheran's armor and staff, I realized it was possible.
"I spent many years searching for the staff and armor, with hardly any success. Then, I found a holocron and writings belonging to Exar Kun, who at one point mentioned the Tedryn Holocron, which, after further research, I discovered contained the Prophecy of the Apocalypse."
"Ah, yes," Trayus muttered. "I've heard of that prophecy. Its predictions is not unlike my plan, which is wiping out the galaxy."
"Yes, but your plan is of literal, absolute destruction," Vorath said. "I took the prophecy's meaning to be more...metaphorical. My plan is to eliminate the Republic and the Jedi...and then, when the time is right, the Sith as well."
He sensed his master's shock while he continued. "Then, I will rebuild both orders into one that follows neither sides of the Force, nor any factions. Only me."
Suddenly, the whole room was enlightened, not by the torches, but by the spirit of Darth Trayus himself. "You fool!" the ancient Sith shrieked. "That is your plan?! To united both Jedi and Sith in order to serve you, and you alone?! How do you plan on making them loyal?!"
"How is your plan any better?" Vorath asked. "How is ruling a dead galaxy better?"
"Don't you see?" Trayus snarled. "With the use of Sith sorcery, I can create an army of undead! How else did you think Lord Vitus achieved the knowledge of the zombie virus that Darth Drear would later create? With an army of loyal, undead slaves, I shall become the galaxy's ultimate ruler!"
Vorath's scarlet eyes narrowed. "Not if I can help it."
The Dark Lord of the Sith raised the staff of Valtheran and aimed it towards the Sith spirit, its tip glowing with white energy. Darth Trayus remained silent as a beam on energy blasted from the staff and engulfed the entire chamber with light.
EPILOGUE/PREVIEW FOR EP.VI
A million voices crying out in terror....
The Senate Building crumbling....
Thousands of Jedi Knights falling....
The Son of the Suns on his knees....
Coruscant in flames....
This is the end.
This is the final battle.
TO BE CONTINUED....
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