Star Wars Invasion: Episode IV, Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

   The moment the lift to the Lower City's door opened, Jaden immediately smelled a strong, vile stench coming from down the corridor. Beside him, Tal Natura pinched his nose.

   "By Ryloth's blazing sun!" the Twi'lek Jedi exclaimed. "Did something just die in here?"

   "I'm sure it's just the rakghouls," said Lexa Varr, whose antiox breath mask prevented her from sensing the smells. "And bear in mind that rakghouls don't have a proper place to dispose of their waste."

   Tal stared at her, his face fixed with disgust. "Are you saying that there might be...droppings in here?"

   "Well, I don't know what they feed on, so I don't know." The Kel Dor Jedi shrugged. "It's very likely though."

   Tal said nothing. However, as the team of Jedi began slowly walking down into the city, Jaden heard the Twi'lek make gagging sounds and him rushing to find a corner to dispense of his lunch's contents.

   As they continued to walk down the sewer-like corridors, Jaden suddenly felt a suspicious, uneasy feeling, as if they were being followed. The others seemed to feel it as well, for they began cautiously looking over their shoulders. Although none of them saw anything, the six Jedi unhooked their lightsaber hilts, just to be safe.

   After a few moments, having encountered nothing but harmless rodents and foul stenches, the female human Jedi Naia, who had not spoken much since their arrival on Taris, said, "I guess the rakghouls either don't know we're here or don't care."

   "Or they're just thinking of the best way to kill us," Jovan Drark muttered. "Wouldn't surprise me..."

   Just as the six Jedi turned around a corner, a shrill scream sounded through the room. Instead of plugging their ears- as much as they wanted to- the Jedi instead activated their lightsabers, prepared for anything that came their way.

   What they weren't prepared for, however, was what was coming from above.

   Before she could cry out, a pair of large arms came from out of the shadows of the ceiling's rafters and grabbed Naia by the shoulders, lifting her up into the darkness. The others noticed too little too late and as they began searching for her, calling out her name, a high-pitched voice rang through the corridor, speaking in a sing-song tone.

   "Six little Jedi, walking through the dungeons. One got taken by a rakghoul, and then there were five."

   Jaden tightened the grip on his lightsaber, scanning the corridor top-to-bottom for the source of the voice. 

   "Who's there?" he called out. "Show yourself!"

   The voice laughed, although this time it sounded a bit different. "Silly Jedi thinks his voice is great, that anyone will follow anything that comes from his trap. But all he's really doing is yap, yap, yap!"

   Tal scowled. "Now he's speaking in rhyme. I know this will sound extreme, but I can't wait to chop off his head."

   Suddenly, the Rutian Twi'lek screamed and when the others turned to help him, he was gone.

   "Five little Jedi, risking their lives," the first voice said. "One had his threat thrown back at him, and then there were four."

   "Silly Jedi thinks he can severe my head," the other voice said. "But he didn't say which one, so now he'll be put to bed!"

   "All right," Koria Tyrnak murmured. "I am officially creeped out..."

   "Jaden, tell me you have a plan," Lexa said quietly, her arms trembling slightly.

   Jaden noticed this and turned to face her, frowning in concern. "You're not scared, are you...?"

   She nodded slowly. "Master Gaaraddik wasn't my full-time master. I spent most of my time learning under Master Tionne. Master Gaaraddik simply took me under his wing to learn the lightsaber arts...but he left for Dantooine before I could finish my training."

   "So you're not ready." Jaden gave her an understanding nod. "If you wish to turn back now and leave Taris, you may do so. I won't be upset."

   Lexa shook her head. "No. Jedi never abandon their companions. I will-"

   Without warning, a plethora of thin tendrils came out of nowhere, wrapping around Lexa's arms and legs, as well as below her chest, and pulled her into the void.

   "Four little Jedi, throwing away their lives." The sing-song voice had taken on a colder undertone. "One spent too much time in the library, and then there were three."

   Now Jovan was the one looking fearful. "Jaden, I think we should get out of here."

   Jaden opened his mouth to agree, but was cut off by the other voice. "Silly Jedi is afraid and wants to leave. But guests who don't stay are my biggest pet peeve!"

   Suddenly, the floor beneath Jovan's feet vanished. The Rodian Jedi plunged into nothingness, while the floor returned and sealed him off.

   "Three little Jedi, their end drawing near. One was choked with fear, and then there were two."

   Koria readied herself in an action stance, her emerald lightsaber blade glowing like a fire, ready to strike or kill anything that attacked her.

   "I'm tired of playing these games!" she cried out. "If you hurt my friends, I'm going to kill you!"

   A mirthless laugh echoed throughout the corridor. "Silly Jedi thinks she can kill me, that I can actually die. But I cannot, so it is time for you to go. Fly, my pretty, fly!"

   With a cry, Koria was thrown off her feet by an invisible spring and the Zabrak Jedi Knight vanished into the shadows.

   "Two little Jedi, their fate at hand. One let her temper go, and then there was one."

   Jaden remained still, his lightsaber still on but lowered. Calmly, he said, "What have you done to them?"

   The voice laughed again. "Silly Jedi thinks I will answer him. Oh, how stupid and dim."

   Jaden felt a strong arm grab him from behind, causing his lightsaber to drop out of his hand. He tried to fight against its grip but could not find the energy. As the arm dragged him away, he heard the 'sing-song' voice speak one last time.

   "One little Jedi, his time almost done. He waited too long to make his move, and then there were none."

Star Wars Invasion: Episode IV, Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

   Moving faster than the blink of an eye, Kyle Katarn ran towards the pilot's seat, moving the Bothan's lifeless body out of the way and taking the controls. While Arek moved to do the same, Kyle attempted to divert thruster power to at least slow down the ship, only to find out that the entire engine itself was practically dead.

   Upon noticing this as well, Arek grimaced. "Guess whoever sabotaged the ship really wants us all dead."

   Kyle nodded with a frown. "Certainly seems that way."

   "Are you sure there aren't any escape pods left?" Natia asked, her voice on the verge of sounding fearful. "Or some other way to abandon ship?"

   Kyle shook his head. "Even if there was, we would fry up. And if out saboteurs disabled the engine, I'm sure they've made sure we wouldn't have any means for escape."

   The GA sergeant let out an exasperated sigh. "So, we're all going to die, right?"

   "Correction: I believe there is still hope for us yet."

   All eyes turned to HK-47, acting as if they had forgotten the droid was there. "Care to explain?" Arek asked, eying the droid skeptically. "Does your plan involve you killing us all?"

   "Answer: No, unfortunately, although I would very much enjoy that. You see, although my memory banks have been tinkered with multiple times, I vividly recall having my memory being transferred into the computer of an ancient Republic cruiser.

   "For more than twenty years did I remain connected to that ship. During the two, uneventful decades that followed, I managed to memorize the ship's entire structure, how it operated, and what to do in case everything the meatbag crew operated failed.

   "To this day, although I have never attempted it since, I believe I can access this ship's internal controls and take full control over it."

   "Well then, what are you waiting for?" the sergeant said. "Save our hides!"

   HK-47 moved past the others and stood before the pilot controls. Flexing out his hands, the droid's fingers disconnected and extended into tendrils, moving under the control panel and plugging themselves into the same ports as the thousands of wire that allowed him to control the ship. Suddenly, HK's optics went dim and for a split-second, Kyle though that something had deactivated the droid.

   He was soon proven wrong when HK's voice echoed through a speaker mounted on the ceiling. "Excited Statement: Ah, that's more like it. Now then, before I 'save your hides', let me take care of a few remaining Glorians that just arrived in the elevator."

   Outside the main deck's door, Kyle heard a series of anguished cries followed by a sickening crushing sound.

   "You just depressurized the room, didn't you?" Taana Di said quietly.

   "Solemn Statement: Yes, sadly. Not as gruesome a death as I was hoping for. But no matter..."

   Looking out the ship's viewport, Kyle and the others saw the flames of reentry thicken as the planet's surface neared closer, enough for them to see several cities dotted on the large continent they were facing. The freighter suddenly shuddered and Kyle assumed that HK had managed to reactivate the engines.

   Either that, or they had lost part of the ship.

   "Suggestion: I believe it would be best if you held onto something sturdy. We may be in for a rough landing."

*  *  *

   "It's beautiful, isn't it?" the young, fair-haired Corellian woman said to her partner. "I know I've been told that Kaal is one of the best vacation spots in the galaxy, but I never knew it was true!"

   Jaller nodded absently, staring out at the vast sea as it splashed across the rocks on the beach. They were pretty much the only ones there, save for a visiting Mon Calamari family spending time together and an Ithorian reading in the shade. Deciding that it was as good a time as any, he turned to the woman and took both of her hands in his own.

   "Hali, we've been friends for a while, and...well-" He paused, trying to think of the right words. "Well, to put it simply...I love you."

   For a moment, Hali stared at him wide-eyed. Then, with a smile, she said, "Funny. I was going to say the same thing."

   Before Jaller could respond, she pulled him in towards her, leaning for a kiss. However, before their lips could touch, the Ithorian suddenly let out a deafening, sonic-powered cry. As the Mon Calamari family ran for cover, the young couple looked up to see an enormous ship descend towards the sea, enveloped by flames.

   Jaller and Hali began to run but were unable to get far enough when the ship crashed at the edge of the beach, creating a large quake that sent the couple flying off their feet. Once the cloud of sand and dust had dissipated enough for them to see, Jaller got back up, coughing out pebbles of sand, and turned to the ship.

   A blue blade of energy pierced through the vessel's front viewport as it began to carve out a circular opening. As the thick slab of transparisteel fell to the sand, Jaller could see a tall, human male with fair skin and brown hair, some of which formed a beard around his face, behind the remaining screen. A blue lightsaber in hand, he was outfitted in a tan shirt, dark blue pants, and brown boots.

   Upon noticing Jaller and Hali, Kyle Katarn adopted a look of slight embarrassment. "Uh, I hope my insurance policy covers this...."    

Star Wars Invasion: Episode IV, Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

   "Jedi or not, there is no way that I'm letting you go down into the Lower City."

   Jaden Korr stared at the general, trying to subtly dissolve his resolute. But Hawk remained firm, his arms folded across his armored chest. The two men were standing within a small complex that served as the headquarters of Hawk and his company, located near the lift leading to the Tarisian Lower City. Standing at Hawk's side was the Mon Calamari captain Avreet, who served as both Hawk's advisor and the formal leader of the Hawk Company.

   Unlike most members of his species, Avreet had a rather short temper and held a feeling of disdain towards those who defied official orders or were not properly disciplined. This attitude reminded Jaden of Admiral Cha Niathal, a female member of Avreet's species who acted in a similar manner.

   "Besides," the green-skinned Mon Calamari said to Jaden, continuing Hawk's statement, "it is more than likely that Master Ven'sol failed in finding the source of the plague and is now either dead or one of these Rakghouls."

   "Although that may very well be true," Jaden said, "the possibility that he is still alive remains."

   "If he is, why has he not made any attempt to contact us or return to the surface?" Hawk asked skeptically. "It's been a week since he disappeared. Since he's a Jedi Master, I would think that he'd be back by now."

   "Not all Jedi are invincible," Jaden said. "You, of all people, should know that, general."

   Hawk bowed his head. "I know. I suppose I'm just making up excuses to convince you not to go down there. Even after almost a decade, I think I've still seen enough death."

   Jaden gave him a knowing smile. "I understand. But if we find the plague's source and get rid of it, we would be preventing even more deaths and bloodshed."

   Hawk nodded. "I agree."

   Captain Avreet stared at both of them incredulously. "General, you're not actually letting them go into the Lower City, are you?"

   Hawk glanced at him and smiled. "What do you think?"

   The Mon Calamari's eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms. "So you're just going to let this band of Jedi throw away their lives doing the same thing Ven'sol did?"

   "I hate to say it, but yes." Hawk turned back to Jaden. "Good luck down there, Jedi Korr."

   Jaden smiled. "Thanks, but there's no such thing as-"

   "Don't give me that space trash," Hawk said with a chuckle. "Just go and do your Jedi thing."

   Jaden nodded. "All right. May the Force be with you, general."

   "And with you."

   Jaden walked out of the military base and walked up to Tal and the other Jedi, who were waiting for him.

   "Well?" Tal Natura asked. "How did it go?"

   "Pack your bags," Jaden said. "We're going into the Lower City."

*  *  *

   Although Nal Hutta was a world naturally inhabited by criminals and thugs- and thus violence and noise were not uncommon- the denizens of Raaxus the Hutt's palace found their master's rage frightening enough to cower within their dim lit corners of the throne room.

   The only one who did not cower was the dark-haired woman standing before the Hutt, as well as her large and stocky Herglic companion. Given the somewhat smug expression on her face, it was likely that the woman was expecting this exact reaction from the Hutt.

   Fiery red eyes glaring at the news bringer, Raaxus Vosadii Avak bellowed, "Chuba settah ma killeers ara dedo?"

   At his side, a tan-colored protocol droid translated his furious statement. "The Supreme Raaxus wishes you to clarify if his assassin warriors are indeed dead."

   The woman nodded. "Yes. We found a Dashade and two Weequays dead in and outside a cafe on Sleheyron. Unless I am mistaken, you had three agents of those species based on Sleheyron."

   "Correcto." The Hutt's eyes narrowed, his face of fat strained with fury. "Boota kava chuba knowah dis?"

   "The Mighty Raaxus inquires how you came across this information," the droid translated.

   "I am a freelance informant for the Hutts," the woman replied. "I used to deliver information to Zordo Thokk until his...untimely demise on Tatooine two weeks ago. I have since been interested in helping the Hutts and their syndicate to be restored as a dominant faction in the galaxy...with you as its leader, of course."

   Raaxus' eyes widened briefly, as if amused by the statement of appraisal. But this expression soon vanished and was replaced by his original scathing glare. He began rumbling in Huttese, which the protocol droid translated.

   "The Great Raaxus is flattered by your goal. However, he must be certain that you are not secretly working for another member of the Hutt Council."

   The female human smiled without mirth. "I wouldn't gain much from working for any other Hutt, would I?"

   The Hutt's face curved itself into what appeared to be a smile. "Ree wella. Hag chuba knowah coo killee ma peepa?"

   "The Mighty Raaxus wishes to know who killed his agents," the droid said.

   "Well, luckily, two other agents working for the council survived the incident and told me that it was a Jedi who killed the three others."

   Raaxus' pudgy hands rolled up into fists as he shuddered with anger. "Coo was dis Jeedai?" he bellowed.

   The woman reached into her pocket and brought out a small, disk-shaped holoprojector. "One of the agents managed to snap a shot of him with his head-mounted holocam."

   She activated the projector and revealed the image of a human male in his late-thirties, dressed in a casual outfit standard of the New Jedi Order and wielding a lightsaber.

   Raaxus growled and let out a string of curses in Huttese. Once he was done, he said something which his protocol droid translated as, "The Supreme Raaxus demands that you find this Jedi and take a group of assassins hand-picked by him to kill the Jedi."

   The woman smiled and nodded. "It will be done, my lord."

Star Wars Invasion: Episode IV, Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

   It's days like these that make me wish I was still a simple mercenary.

   As Kyle Katarn fought through the hordes of Glorians swarming onto the ship's middle deck, his lightsaber clashing against metal swords resistant to it and slicing through armor, the Jedi Master began to wonder where they were all coming from. He highly doubt that they were coming from another ship, for it was impossible for one spacecraft to take another out of hyperspace. Which meant...

   "They've hijacked the ship!" he called over the sounds of blaster fire and clashing blades to his companions. "We should head for the escape pods!"

   "Does this ship even have any?" Arek cried back as he slammed the butt of his blaster rifle into a Glorian's skull, which only made them briefly disoriented. "Besides, odds are that they're all taken or the Glorians launched them all!"

   "Stang," Kyle muttered under his breath as he impaled a Glorian with his lightsaber blade, which strangely only injured but did not completely kill them. "We should head for the main deck then and try to retake the ship."

   Despite being surrounded by half a dozen Glorians, Natia Dorn managed to give the Jedi Master an incredulous look. "Are you mad? We'll get killed before we even reach the turbolift!"

   Kyle responded with a wide, almost cocky grin. "Hey, this is me you're with. Madness is the only thing that works for me."

   Turning on his heel, the Jedi battlemaster began charging towards the nearest turbolift, mowing down Glorians, blocking and evading their attacks. Natia and her master followed suit, with Arek and HK-47 providing cover fire. Once they had reached the turbolift and Kyle had pressed the control to open it, HK brought out a charged thermal detonator and hurled it at their enemies. With the Glorians briefly distracted, Kyle and the others rushed onto the lift. The moment the doors closed, the detonator's explosion rocked the ship.

   As the elevator began to ascend towards the upper deck, smooth, easy-listening jazz commonly heard from Bith musicians playing quietly, Arek looked at Kyle with a grim expression. "How much you want to bet on that there will be a lot more Glorians up there once the doors open?"

   Kyle smirked. "Jedi don't gamble. But I'm willing to say that you're probably right."

   "No," Taana Di suddenly said, prompting the others to stare at here. The Togruta Jedi Master had her eyes closed. "There are only five," she went on. "I believe they are guarding the entrance to the command deck."

   Arek stared at her incredulously. "How do you know that?"

   "Master Di has a greater control over Force sense than most Jedi," Natia explained. "While most of us only sense beings when danger is forthcoming, she can do so at almost anytime, anywhere, but it takes a lot of strain on her mind."

   Arek slowly nodded, as if not fully convinced. "All right then..."

   The turbolift slowed down to a stop and the four of them quickly drew out their weapons before the doors opened.

   "HK, do you have a sniper rifle that's effective?" Kyle asked the droid.

   "Answer: Of course, Master Jedi. I wouldn't be a proper assassin droid if I didn't." 

   Kyle smiled without mirth. "Good. Once I open the doors and if a Glorian is in range, knock em' out."

   HK's photoreceptors glowed with what looked like glee and anticipation. "Statement: It would be a great pleasure."

   As the droid readied his sniper rifle, Taana opened her eyes and affixed a stern glare on Kyle. "Most Jedi, if not all, would not encourage anyone- not even a droid- to kill others."

   Kyle returned the glare with a grin. "Well, I guess I'm not like most Jedi."

   The Jedi battlemaster then ignited his lightsaber and slapped the lift's control panel, opening the doors. HK-47 immediately raised his sniper rifle and was about to pull the trigger when Natia suddenly grabbed his arm.

   "Don's shoot!" she cried. "They're Alliance troopers! Look!"

   Kyle lowered his lightsaber slightly to see five armored Alliance troopers standing at the far end of the short hallway between the turbolift and the command deck. The lead trooper wore an insignia identifying them as a sergeant.

   "Master Katarn! What is going on?" the sergeant asked. "What was that explosion we heard down below?"

   "Oh, so you didn't see the hundred dozen Glorians swarming onto the middle deck?" Arek said sharply. "Guess we were delusional."

   "Watch your tongue, soldier," the sergeant snapped. "If we had seen whoever was invading the ship, we would've gone down to your lever instead of staying up here."

   Before Arek could retort, Kyle said to the sergeant, "Why did we come out of hyperspace? Are the pilots all right?"

   "That's the problem, sir," the trooper replied. "The door is locked and we weren't given the security clearance to-"

   "Step aside." Kyle moved past the five troopers and up to the door leading to the main command deck. Raising his lightsaber over his head, he plunged its blue blade into the thick metal and began carving out a large circle into it. Once he was done, he pulled his weapon out, letting the carved out plate fall to the floor on the opposite side of the door.

   Beckoning the others to follow, Kyle stepped through the opening and onto the main deck. There, at the pilot controls, their head laying on top of the control panel, was an unconscious Bothan male. In the seat next to him was a female human, her head tilted at an awkward angle. For a split second, Kyle wondered who or what had done this to them and if they were still alive.

   He quickly put aside those concerns aside however, for he looked up and saw the surface of a planet fill the viewport as flames surrounded it.

   The brieft moment of stunned silence that followed was broken by HK-47's dry voice. "Rhetorical Question: Why is it these things happen only when Jedi are involved?"

Star Wars Invasion: Episode IV, Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

   As the Z-95 Headhunter Far Wanderer jumped out of hyperspace, Jaden saw five other starfighters, mainly modified X-wings, join him as they headed for the city world of Taris.

   "I wonder how General Hawk and his men are faring against the Rakghouls," said the Zabrak Jedi Koria Tyrnak. "Has the Defense Force heard back from them yet?"

   "Not that I know of," Jaden replied. "Although Senator Rolo has recently reported that the 'extermination', as he likes to call it, is still underway."

   "So, if I get bitten by a Rakghoul, who do I blame?" asked Tal Natura, a male Rutian Twi'lek. "General Hawk's men for not doing their job good enough or Senator Rolo for not warning us?"

   "Let's hope that it never comes to that," Jaden muttered as he steered his Headhunter towards the planet below. Once they had passed through Taris' atmosphere, Jaden was relieved to see that the planet- or at least its Upper City- was still populated by sentient beings. After finding a spaceport with enough hangar-space for all six fighters, Jaden and his team of Jedi- which consisted of Tal, Koria, Lexa Varr, Jovan Drark, and Naia- landed their ships and climbed out of them, leaving their respective astromech droids stayed behind.

   Outside of the spaceport, the Tarisian Upper City bustled with activity, with beings of all sorts moving about. Everyone acted as if there was no Rakghoul incident going on, as if they didn't have a single worry in the galaxy.

   "To be honest, I was expecting people running around in terror," Tal muttered. "Don't ask me why..."

   "We should find Governor Al'rin," said the young female Kel Dor Lexa Varr. "Maybe he can tell us how the situation is going."

   Jaden nodded. "Good idea. Let's go."

   Just as the team of Jedi began exploring the ecumenopolitic world, a short, plump Sullustan ran up to them, waving his arms around frantically. Even as he pushed through the crowds, none of the pedestrians seemed to pay any attention to him.

   "Thank goodness you're here, Master Jedi!" the Sullustan said, stopping to catch his breath. "The Rakghouls are becoming a very serious threat. We've tried contacting the Defense Force, but our communications are down and-"

   Jaden placed a hand on the Sullustan's shoulder to calm him down. "Where is Governor Al'rin?"

   The alien stared at him for a moment, with his wide, black eyes, before saying, "His office is in the Western Central, right next to the apartment complex. If you want, I can take you there."

   "That would be nice," Jaden said. "Lead the way."

   The six Jedi followed the Sullustan through the city and soon arrived at the governor's office building, its entrance guarded by a trio of Duros guards. After the guards scanned the visitors for any trace of the Rakghoul plague, they allowed them to enter the building and the Sullustan then led the Jedi to the main office. 

   Once they had finally reached it, they found Governor Al'rin pacing back and forth in front of his desk, his maroon robes sweeping across the floor. Nearby stood two others: a female Zeltron with a datapad and a burly human male who might have been a bodyguard.

   "Face it, governor," the man was saying, his arms folded across his chest. "There's nothing we can do about this plague. General Hawk and his team have done everything they can. Either we evacuate the planet or we just watch everyone die."

   Al'rin ceased his pacing. Eyes closed, the Bith sighed heavily. "I know you're right, Nik. I just can't stand having to live the rest of my life knowing that I have failed Taris and-"

   Suddenly, the governor turned his head towards the doorway where Jaden and the others stood, as if just realizing it was open. 

   To the Sullustan, Al'rin said, "Elev, what is the meaning of this?"

   The Sullustan nervously cleared his throat. "These Jedi wish to speak with you, governor."

   Jaden stepped forward and bowed to the Bith. "Governor Al'rin, I have been told by an informant that an incident possibly involving a Jedi occurred here."

   Al'rin's large, pupil-less black eyes widened slightly. "Er, are you sure this information is...valid?"

   Jaden shook his head. "No, I am not, which is why I came here to speak with you. Was a Jedi sent here to help in dealing with the Rakghoul plague?"

   The governor seemed to hesitate. He glanced at the human man, who gave him a curt nod in response. Turning back to the Jedi, Al'rin sighed and said, "Yes. Jedi Master Dolar Ven'sol came here to Taris to assist General Hawk's team in stopping the plague."

   "What happened to him?"

   "He and three of Hawk's troopers went down into the Lower City, which the Rakghouls have since taken over, to find what Master Ven'sol thought was the cause of the plague." Al'rin bowed his head. "They never returned."

   "Did Master Ven'sol say what he though the source was?" Jaden asked.

   The Bith shook his head. "For whatever reason, he did not. I do not know why..."

   Jaden nodded. "Very well. Thank you for this information."

   As the Jedi turned to leave, the human known as Nik suddenly spoke. "Before you go, I would like to let you know that the Lower City is on full lockdown, so I wouldn't go down there if I were you."

   Jaden turned to face him and smiled. "Advice noted." And ignored, he mentally added.

   With that, Jaden thanked Al'rin, Elev, and his advisors for their time. As the Jedi began leaving the building, the Rodian Jedi Jovan Drark whispered to Jaden, "We're going to try to get into the Lower City, aren't we?"

   Jaden responded with a wide grin. "Of course we are."

Star Wars Invasion Short Story: Is There Something You Need Killed, Master?

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU NEED KILLED, MASTER?

Timeline: 3,957 BBY

   The sight of the dead Manadlorian Neo-Crusader's corpse pleased HK-47, the personal assassin droid of Darth Revan, Dark Lord of the Sith. If he had olfactory sensors like that of a meatbag's, he was sure he would enjoy the smoldering smell of his wound as well.

   What he didn't enjoy though, was the fact that he couldn't move. The Mandalorian had proven to be a challenge, and although HK-47 succeeding in killing him of course, the conflict had also damaged his motor systems.

   "Observation: What an embarrassing predicament I've fallen into," the assassin droid mused. He attempted to activate his internal comlink, so he could contact Darth Revan, but came to no avail.

   "Solemn Statement: I suppose all I can do now is lay here and wait for my systems to deactivate permanently." Still able to move his head's motor, HK-47 observed the rural scenery of Concordia.

   "Observation: A rather fitting place to die on," he muttered. "To die where I had my last kill."

   His photoreceptors began to flicker before dimming. "Declaration: All hail Lord Revan..."

*  *  *

   HK-47 awoke, for lack of a better term, to find himself in a rather lousy looking compound. Much to his surprise and excitement, he realized that he could still move his head. Much to his horror, his limbs were scattered across a table on the opposite side of the dimly-lit room he was in.

   "Exclamation: What kind of a monster would do such a thing to me?" HK-47 bellowed.

   "Pipe down, will ya'," a gruff voice snapped. HK-47 spun his head around to see a Mandalorian Neo-Crusader, clad in blue armor.

   "Query: And just who are you, meatbag?" asked the assassin droid.

   The Mandalorian grunted. "Name's Siro. I see that you killed that old man Kian. Always hated his guts anyway. I'm glad that I won't be seeing them ever again."

   HK-47's optics dimmed, the equivalent of an organic being narrowing its eyes. "Demanding Query: May I ask why my limbs are scattered on top of a table, 'Siro'?"

   "What does it look like?" Siro replied. "I'm fixing you."

   The Mandalorian brought out a hydrospanner and began tinkering with the disassembled limbs. HK-47 was rather bothered by the sight.

   "You know," Siro said casually, "I count myself lucky for coming across an assassin droid like you. You're just what I needed."

   "Query: How so, meatbag?"

   Siro seemed to ignore the term. "I was a commander during the wars," he said. "However, after my team failed at Sukil, Mandalore demoted me."

   "Query: What are these 'wars' you speak of? And who is this 'Mandalore'?"

   The Mandalorian seemed to give him a strange look through the slit visor of his helmet. "Did you get your memory wiped or something? Everyone knows about the Mandalorian Wars."

   "Retort: Apparently, I have not, meatbag."

   Siro grunted. "Whatever. Anyway, the Mandalore is the leader of the Mandalorians...or at least what's left of us. With Mandalore the Ultimate's death, one of our own has recently claimed the title." He tightened the grip on his hydrospanner. "And like the Ultimate, he's a filthy Taung. They've lost the touch they had four thousand years ago."

   "Calculating Observation: From the sound of your tone, it seems you want the title of Mandalore for yourself."

   Siro chuckled. "You've got it, droid."

   "And I'm going to presume you want me to kill the current holder of the title."

   The Mandalorian turned to look at him. "Now how did you know that?"

   If HK-47 had a mouth, he would've smiled. "It's all in my programming...master."

*  *  *

   As HK-47 recalled, the assassination attempt on the then-Mandalore was unsuccessful and HK-47 was reprogrammed and sent back to kill Siro. After being sold to Bochaba the Hutt, he was passed on to several more owners, including Senator Dollan, a Systech Corporation Officer, and finally the Ithorian Yuka Laka, who sold HK-47 back to his original and rightful master, Revan.

   HK-47 followed the former Sith Lord from Tatooine to worlds such as Kashyyyk and Manaan. After defeating Darth Malak however, Revan left for the Unknown Regions, never to return, leaving the assassin droid behind. Ever loyal to his master, HK-47 left Coruscant in order to find him, only to become disassembled once again. Months later, he was reassembled by the Jedi Exile Meetra Surk, albeit without his memories.

   Following the collapse of the Sith Triumvirate, HK-47 left again to search for Revan. Little did he know how long it would take...

--300 Years Later--

   The Foundry's cameras detected the presence of the Sith Empire's strike team. Four beings entered his chamber: the Sith Lord Darth Imperius; the Emperor's Wrath; Imperial Agent Cipher Nine; and the Grand Champion of the Great Hunt.

   HK-47 knew why they were here: to stop his master. A feeling of anticipation filled him as he activated the chamber's holoprojector so that he could speak with his 'guests'.

   I will enjoy killing every one of you, he thought gleefully. Once the hologram was ready, HK-47 walked up to speak via the larger-than-life replica of himself.

   "Greeting: I am HK-47, the Master's most faithful ally...."

FIN

Author's note: After introducing him in Legacy of the Knights: Episode III, I found HK-47 (from the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic) rather interesting and fun to write about. So I decided to make a short story about how he went from Darth Revan and not-evil-Revan, expanding on the backstory he gives to players in the game. Siro is technically a canon character; however, he is not named in any source materials, so I decided to give him one. Same goes for Senator Dollan.

In my original, written version of this story, I gave Bochaba's full name as Bochaba Jiramma Bezhin. But then I realized, most characters rarely refer to a Hutt by their full name. So I took that out.

So, yeah. Expect to see more of HK-47 in my stories!

Star Wars Invasion: Episode IV, Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

   "The Hutts, you say?" Jedi Master Xanus Baran muttered. The Grand Master of the Jedi Master scratched his chin. "Are you sure this information is valid?"

   "Right now, it's the only thing we have to go on," Jaden Korr replied, his holographic form shimmering before the four present members of the Jedi High Council. "Unfortunately, my informant was killed, which makes me think the info is indeed valid and someone does not want it in someone else's hands."

   "Do you have an idea on who the killer was working for?" asked Master Corran Horn.

   Jaden shook his head. "I doubt they were mere bounty hunters. I was forced to kill one of them and injure two others, so I could prevent causing a scene."

   "Ah, so there was more than one." Master Van-Sar-Nodan stroked his grey beard. "Quite interesting..."

   "And just how does killing or injuring someone in public not create a scene?" asked the Mirialan Jedi Nira Maren, her tone bitter.

   Jaden stared at the Jedi Master before shrugging. "I suppose Master Katarn's rather unorthodox teachings have rubbed off on me. I do wish I could've gotten one of them for questioning."

   Nira opened her mouth to retort but Master Baran raised a hand to silence her. "Good work, Jaden," the Grand Master said. "I hope you and the others can find more information when you arrive on Taris." 

   Jaden nodded. "So do I. Farewell, masters."

   Once his holographic image had faded away, Nira folded her arms across her chest. "I'm surprised he hasn't fallen to the dark side yet."

   "While I do agree that Jaden Korr's use of both light side and dark side abilities may seem questionable," Baran said, "I have enough faith in Katarn's student that he will keep himself in check."

   "I certainly hope you're right, Grand Master," Nira muttered as she turned to leave the room. "I certainly do..."

*  *  *

   "I still think we should've taken the Rogue Shadow instead," mumbled Arek Cobalt, pilot and soldier for the Galactic Alliance Defense Force and former member of the now disbanded Rancor Squad.

   Kyle Katarn looked up from his bowl of Bantha soup and smirked. "We could have, but the ship is still stuck with a Sith-slash-Imperial identification code. We'd probably get fired upon on sight."

   The two of them sat at a rather small booth within the large, AA-12 Coruscant freighter's middle deck, along with Jedi Master Taana Di, he apprentice Natia Dorn, and the assassin droid HK-47.

   Once they had completed their mission on Manaan, Kyle and his team had left to meet Anakin Solo and the others on Kashyyyk. However, the moment they arrived in the Kashyyyk system, said system, as well as its sun, was no where to be found. After reattempting the hyperspace jump a few times to make sure they had the coordinates correct, they had no choice but to return to the Defense Force's new main headquarters on Coruscant and report to the Triumvirate.

   During the two months that followed, Kyle did extensive research on what could have happened to the Kashyyyk system and where it could have gone, if it went anywhere at all. After coming up with nothing, he decided it was best to go to the ultimate source of intelligence and information in the galaxy: Talon Karrde. An infamous smuggler and information broker, Talon Karrde was a valuable ally during the last three years of the Galactic Civil War, specifically during the Dark Empire's initial attack on the New Republic.

   The only think Kyle needed to meet with Karrde was his current location...and a lot of credits. The first thing was the easy part. Kyle was on good terms with a smuggler affiliated with Karrde's organization and was given the broker's current location on Dalandae. Now all he needed was the money. Talon Karrde didn't exactly talk for a cheap price...

   "Why did we bring him along?" Natia suddenly asked, breaking Kyle away from his thoughts. The young, red-haired human girl was gesturing at HK-47. "Isn't he an assassin droid? What if he tries to kill us?"

   "If he wanted to kill us, he would have done so by now," Kyle replied. "Besides, he owes me for saving his life on Manaan."

   "Correction: I do not owe you anything, meatbag," HK-47 said. "Statement: While I am grateful of you repairing me, I only spare you because I realized that we shared the same enemy and objective."

   "So once all of these Glorians are dead, you're gonna start killing us?" Arek asked, eyebrows creased with skepticism.

   "Statement: Only if my master orders me to do so."

   "And who is your master?" asked Taana Di.

   "Answer: I am afraid that is not for you to know, Jedi."

   The Togruta Jedi Master simply sighed, shaking her head. Turning to Kyle, she asked, "What will we do if Talon Karrde doesn't have the information we need?"

   Kyle shook his head. "If Karrde doesn't have it, no one does. Han Solo once told me that no one can call a friend or family member without him knowing about it. His communications network is bigger than the HoloNet."

   "And what is the Galactic Alliance's stance on that?"

   Kyle shrugged. "Normally they would try to shut him down, but since he was a very reliable ally during the war against the Empire and the Sith, they've decided to let him keep his network as long as he used it for good intents and didn't put information in the wrong hands."

   "What if he's done so unwittingly?" Taana asked. "These Glorians are shape-shifters, after all. Anyone could be one of them."

   Kyle considered this as he observed the passengers of the Coruscant freighter. All around them was a various range of beings, consisting of humans, Twi'leks, Bothans, and several other species. If any of them was a Glorian in disguise, there was no way of knowing.

   Suddenly, the ship shook violently, causing his bowl of soup to fall over and pour hot broth onto his lap. Through the freighter's many viewports on the side, he could see the tunnel of hyperspace vanish as the ship came to an abrupt stop. Before he or any of the passengers could wonder what was happening, a cold, menacing voice spoke through the ship's intercomm.

   "Attention, passengers of the Scion of Tammuz. For the glory of the Glorian Empire, you must all die. Have a nice flight."

   At that moment, the roof of the second deck began to burn as beings clad in silver armor dropped out of circular openings they had quickly carved with torch-like blades and spears. Kyle, Taana, Natia, and Arek instantly got up from their seats. The three Jedi activated their lightsabers while Arek and HK-47 brandished their blaster rifles.

   Shortly before chaos ensued, the assassin droid decided to speak. "Amendment: To back up my previous statement, these Glorians are a lot more fun to kill than a mere meatbag."

Star Wars Invasion: Episode IV, Chapter One

STAR WARS: INVASION

EPISODE IV

WRATH OF THE GLORIANS

   It has been two weeks since Anakin Solo and his team left for the four planets infiltrated by the Glorian invaders. While they managed to liberate three of the secretly subjugated worlds, the fourth one, Kashyyyk, mysteriously vanished through a portal and disappeared off the galactic map. Since then, the Galactic Alliance and the Imperial Remnant have been working together to find Kashyyyk's whereabouts and to prepare themselves for a possible impending invasion.

   Meanwhile, Jedi Knight Jaden Korr is investigating the disappearances of several Jedi, looking to see if their fates are connected with these mysterious invaders....

   [This story takes place around 35 and 36 years after the events of A New Hope.]

CHAPTER ONE

   Sleheyron was not a planet that Jaden Korr was looking forward to visiting. With the smell of Tibanna gas fumes filling the air, as well as the despicable sight of slave traders, criminals, and the like, he doubt the planet was a high point for anyone's vacation. Unless they were a Hutt, of course, or owned the planet like the Hutts did, which was unlikely.

   The only reason he was on Sleheyron in the first place was because he had met a Rybet informant who claimed to have knowledge on where several Jedi were disappearing to. Jaden was unsure whether the claim had any merit, but he soon realized that it was the only lead he had and agreed to meet the Rybet on Sleheyron.

   As he sat within one of the very few cafes found on the planet, sipping from his mug of caf, Jaden noticed a burly Dashade sitting in a booth opposite of his, staring at him with a scathing glare. Somewhat unsettled by the alien's gaze, Jaden averted his eyes and looked in the direction of two conversing Weequays. Suddenly, both of them brought their conversation to a halt and turned to look at him, eyes narrowed. Not wishing to start a scene, Jaden simply pretended to be interested in his fingers.

   After about twenty minutes, he finally noticed the cafe's door open and saw his Rybet contact walk in. He waved the bipedal amphibian to his booth and the squat being quickly made his way to the table.

   "Sorry about the wait," the Rybet said as he squeezed his plump form into his seat. "I got held up by a trio of Skrilling thugs. I don't think I'll have enough credits to rent a ship, let alone find any planet other than this place to be on."

   Jaden waved a nonchalant hand. "Don't worry about it. If your information is valid, I'll give you enough credits to spend a month on Glee Anselm."

   The informant beamed. "Many thanks, Master Jedi." He extended a webbed hand. "Name's Ribb, by the way."

   "Jaden." The Jedi Knight shook the hand. "So, you said you knew where my fellow Jedi are disappearing to, right?"

   "Well, a good idea about it, at the very least," Ribb replied. "I was running an errand for the Hutts on Moonus Mandel when I overheard a pair of Veknoids talking about some incident on Taris."

   Jaden scratched his chin. "Well, Jedi Master Dolar Ven'sol was on a mission in the Outer Rim when he disappeared..."

   "And I hear there's this Rakghoul plague going on there, so that might be connected."

   Jaden nodded. "It might very well be. A good lead. Anything else?"

   "One other thing." The Rybet looked around cautiously, as did Jaden. The Dashade seemed to be gazing out of a window behind Jaden instead, while the Weequays had resumed their conversation. Ribb then leaned in closely, speaking quietly as if not wanting to be overheard. 

   "I think the Hutts might be behind it."

   "The Hutts?" Jaden asked, speaking softly as well. "What makes you say that?"

   "I've been to Nal Hutta recently and there's tons of posters asking for bounties on Jedi. Mainly ones who have been spotted near or even in Hutt Space."

   Jaden's eyes widened. "Bounties on Jedi? Since when have people been so bold to do that?"

   Ribb shrugged. "Probably not since the days of the Empire. No idea who exactly is posting them. Could be some renegade Sith who really wants revenge."

   "Even a Sith wouldn't go down that low." Jaden shook his head. "I should report this to the Jedi Council as soon as possible. Thank you for this information, Ribb."

   Just as the Rybet opened his mouth to reply, the Dashade sitting behind him rose up and brought out a heavy blaster rifle. Before Jaden could cry out a warning, the brute fired half a dozen plasma bolts through Ribb's head. The informant collapsed onto the table, a greenish-colored blood leaking from his wounds.

   At that moment, the two Weequays got up from their seats and aimed their blaster rifles at Jaden. Behind him, he sensed a male Nagai and a female human each unsheathe a pair of blades, readying themselves in a Jar'Kai opening stance.

   Jaden merely rose from his seat, silently observing his surroundings. Then, without warning, he grasped the edges of his table and, with all of his might and calling upon the Force, lifted it and threw it at the Dashade. With the brute briefly distracted, Jaden leaped over the late Ribb's seat, evading blaster fire from the Weequays, and landed directly behind the Dashade's seat. He then activated his lightsaber and lunged its emerald blade into the alien's back, piercing his heart and killing the brute.

   As he began deflecting shots from the Weequay pair, the Nagai warrior and his companion leaped over the booths just as Jaden had and lunged at him. The Jedi Knight crouched down and rolled just as they landed blade-first onto the floor. He then dashed for the Weequays' table and preformed sun djem on their blaster pistols, slicing off the barrels and rendering the weapons useless.

   Before the pair could react, Jaden unleashed a powerful blast of the Force that sent the two Weequays flying out of the cafe window and into the streets. Sensing the two warriors approaching him from behind through the Force, Jaden jumped through the now-transparisteel-less window and into the busy streets of Sleheyron, its moving crowds oblivious to the action going on. He then turned around to face the two warriors, raising his lightsaber in a defensive position.

   The Nagai was the first to attack, lunging at Jaden with both of his swords raised high. The moment their blades clashed, Jaden realized that the Nagai's weapons were made of cortosis. Not wishing to start a duel and really attract attention, he broke away from their fight, performing a backflip before dashing through the streets and blending in with the crowd.

   As he began heading for the hangar in which his ship was, he sensed that the Nagai and the woman were drawing closer. Passing by an alleyway, he made a small motion with the Force, knocking over a couple of garbage cans. This gave him the distraction he needed, for the two warriors unsheathed their blades again and ran into the alley, thinking it was him.

   Jaden decided not to waste any time and began walking faster- almost to a running pace- for his ship. As he did so, he brought out his comlink and contacted the other five Jedi that consisted of his team.

   "All right, guys. We're going to Taris."

Star Wars Invasion: Episode III, Chapter Thirteen and Epilogue

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

   All Anakin and the others could do was watch in awe as the large krayt dragon- which Anakin assumed was the shape-shifting creature they encountered earlier- wrestled with the cloaked being. To his shock, the latter suddenly began shape-shifting as well, morphing into a small rodent which scampered around the krayt dragon and climbed onto its back, digging its small but sharp fangs into its scaly skin.

   The dragon roared, more out of ire than pain, and it used its long tail to whisk the rodent away. As soon as it touched the ground, the rodent changed shape again, this time growing into a burly, four-armed gundark. It lunged at the dragon and grabbed its two cranial horns with its large, clawed hands.

   The gundark pulled on the horns and the krayt dragon let out an agonized scream. Before the gundark could yank harder, the dragon, without warning, turned into a reek, startling its adversary and causing it to fall off the thick-skinned bovine.

   With a bellowing cry, the reek turned and charged towards its victim. With an upward thrust of its head, the Ylesian creature sent the gundark flying up in the air. The four-armed creature took advantage of its brief moment of airborne-ness to morph into a flying creature of this and vanish into the darkness of the Shadowlands.

   "Coward!" the reek cried, its voice shaking the forest. "Come back and fight me, you coward!"

   Nothing but silence was the reply.

   Growling, the reek turned to Anakin and the others and said, "You should leave Kashyyyk if you want to live."

   "Why should we listen to you?" Jast exclaimed. "You tried to kill us! You killed Naar!"

   The reek snarled. "And I would have killed you all had I not realized who you were. Now go!"

   "What do you mean?" Anakin asked. "Did you know we would come here? Do you know we're searching for the-"

   His question was cut off by a loud, ear-shattering roar, followed by a tremendous earthquake. By the terror in the reek's eyes, Anakin doubted it was a natural earthquake.

   "No," the creature murmured. "They can't be starting it now, not unless..."

   Before Anakin or any of the others could inquire what the reek meant, the shape-shifting creature changed back into a krayt dragon, except in a larger scale and with wings.

   "Climb onto my back!" the creature shouted. "Now!"

   The group was hesitant at first, but a second earthquake convinced them otherwise. At once, the eight of them climbed onto the winged krayt dragon's large back, finding a protruding scale to grab onto. For a split second, Anakin thought about running to get the still motionless Levat and Avon, but the now endlessly shaking ground told that there was no time, and the Force was telling him that it was hopeless cause anyway.

   Just as the dragon unfurled its wings, Lysira shouted into its ear, "You're not thinking of breaking through the Wookiee cities above, are you?"

   "I am," the dragon growled.

   "But what about the residents? You might kill them!"

   "There's no one left to kill."

   With that, the krayt dragon leaned back, flapped its wings to gain momentum, and jumped. Like a missile, the dragon shot up straight for the forest's rooftop. Seeing the wooden platform cities approaching closer and closer, Anakin closed his eyes and braced himself as they broke through them, pieces of wroshyr flying everywhere and brushing against him and the others.

   Opening his eyes, Anakin could see what the changeling meant in his words. All of the Wookiee cities, including Kachirho, were completely deserted, with no sign of C-3PO, Jak Kasra, Captain Barakka, or the other Wookiees. In the distance he noticed, rising amidst the wroshyr trees, a large, claw-like object. The tips of its 'talons' began to spark and a wide, bluish beam of energy shot towards the sky, aiming for Kashyyyk's sun.

   "What in the worlds is that thing?" Sev Nep cried to the dragon.

   "Words can not explain," the krayt dragon replied. "All I can say is that it spells doom for the galaxy."

   As they all watched in awe and despair at the event, something dawned on Anakin. "This is just how Jacen described what happened at Korriban," he said quietly. "A beam of energy shot from the planet towards its sun...and then it all vanished."

   Jast gulped. "I don't like the sound of that. I think we should try to get off this planet."

   "There is no time," the krayt dragon said, with a hint of sadness in his voice. "By the time you get to your ship, if it's still intact, there would be no place to go to."

   "You mean we're going to die?" Lysira said, her voice no louder than a whisper. "Kashyyyk is going to...end?"

   "No," said the dragon. "It's going to be teleported."

   Before any of them could ask the creature to explain, a large, disk-like portal opened up in Kashyyyk's sky.

   "What is that?" Jast asked, filled with panic.

   Anakin saw what appeared to be a smirk cross the dragon's face. "Our ticket out of here."

   With a tremendous flap of its wings, the krayt dragon shot towards the portal with its passengers. As they neared the portal, sparkling with blue colored energy, Anakin and the others simply squeezed their eyes shut and prepared for the worst....

EPILOGUE

   "The Kashyyyk operation is a success, masters," the shimmering hologram of a Glorian general said to the Emperor and the Avatar. "It's a pity that the ones on Manaan, Tatooine, and Dantooine failed though, or else we'd be closer to the Reunification by now."

   "Indeed," the Emperor muttered. "Let us hope that the Invasion will compensate those failures. You are dismissed, general."

   With a nod and salute, the Glorian ended the connection. When the hologram vanished, complete darkness engulfed the room, save for the Emperor's glowing, lantern-like eyes. 

   Turning to the Glorian ruler, the Avatar said, "Has the Watcher approved of this move? To commence the Invasion?"

   "Do you think I would do something without his approval?" the Emperor snarled. "Yes, he has approved of it. General Starka is preparing his forces as we speak."

   The Avatar nodded. "How will we be handling the various galactic organizations? We have the Alliance, the Imperial Remnant, the Hutts, the Mandalorians..."

   The Emperor chuckled. "I'm sure we can goad the Hutts into allying with us, for now. The others do not stand a chance against us."

   "What about the Revanchist? Is he not a formidable opponent?"

   The Emperor let out a disdainful snort. "He may have been able to take out half a legion of ours, but not a dozen."

   The Glorian ruler leaned back in his seat. "And besides, if worst comes to worst, which I highly doubt it will, the Magnificence could always make his move and bring forth the Reunification on his own. And he will do so only at his time of choosing. And it will be a time of victory for us..."

   His scarlet eyes glowed with malice. "...And chaos for them." 

TO BE CONTINUED

Star Wars Invasion: Episode III, Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE

   "So Senator Moog Ulur is dead, the ruler of Christophsis is either MIA or dead as well, and some masked warrior is behind this all?" Director Belindi Kalenda sighed as she stood up from her desk. "I am sorry, captain, but this just to hard to believe."

   Wallen Nix bowed his head. "Trust me, ma'am, I'm a bit disbelieving myself. But both Lieutenant Xemer and I saw this...being throw Senator Ulur's body out of a building before he started killing everyone in the city."

   Director Kalenda fixed her face with concern. "No matter how believable it is, I will have to bring this to the Galactic Triumvirate's attention. If this being can take out more than a dozen Kerkoiden and Rodian guards so easily, I'm afraid to think of what else he is capable of."

   Wallen nodded in agreement. "Is there anything else you require of me, director?"

   Kalenda shook her head. "There is no need, captain. You are dismissed."

  Wallen nodded again before walking out of the Intelligence Director's office. In the hallway outside waited Xemer, who stood up from the bench he was sitting on.

   Answering the Kel Dor's unspoken question, Wallen said, "The director is going to tell the Triumvirate of what happened on Christophsis. Since we don't have much information other than what we encountered, we can't do anything about it at the moment."

   "Too bad," Xemer muttered. "I'm sure Admiral Sovv will want to at least tighten security."

   "After what happened to Senator Ulur, he would be mad not to do so," Wallen replied. "And speaking of Ulur, I think I'll pay Senator Versanus a visit..."

*  *  *

   The Echani senator's cold gaze made Wallen feel uneasy standing before him. When Versanus finally spoke, his voice chilled him to the bone.

   "Are you insinuating that I lied about my son's abduction?"

   Wallen shook his head. "No, senator. It's just that, with Senator Ulur's death, we have no way of knowing if he really did kidnap your son, which I'm beginning to doubt he did."

   The Echani's gaze did not waver. "Haven't you tried interrogating his aides?"

   "Before coming here, I spoke with Ulur's representative and successor, and she denied your accusations. However, she would have security thoroughly search Ulur's office and living residences on here and Rodia when they go to retrieve the designated belongings in his will."

   At first, Versanus did not speak, instead simply glaring at the detective. Finally, his voice filled with contempt, the chalk-skinned senator said, "Very well. I shall simply find a more competent detective. You may leave, captain."

   Wallen froze at the Echani's statement. His temper faltering, he almost opened his mouth to retort, but a voice in his head prevented him from doing so.

   "As you wish, senator," he said instead, doing his best to keep irritation out of his tone. "I hope you find someone who fulfills their duties to your satisfaction."

   With that, Wallen turned on his heels and strode out of the Echani senator's office without a second thought.

*  *  *

   Senator Versanus' gaze followed Captain Wallen as he walked out of the room and would linger at the doorway even as it closed.

   For a while, Versanus simply sat in silence, until he reached for a control panel under his desk and activated a small holoprojector on its surface. Soon, a miniature, shimmering replica of his master appeared.

   "Agent Deceiver," the Avatar of the Watcher said. "I do hope you have amended for your errors on Corellia."

   Versanus hesitated before saying," Somewhat, yes. I sent two GA detectives to Christophsis, as requested. Except..."

   The Avatar's gaze darkened at the senator's hesitation. "What is it?"

   "They returned alive."

   The Avatar crossed his arms. "I thought I wanted them dead."

   "Apparently, General Creno failed in fulfilling that duty," Versanus said bitterly. "Now the Alliance is fully aware of 'shape-shifting alien invaders.'"

   "A pity," the Avatar muttered. "So much for luring the Alliance with several unexplained 'disappearances.' The Emperor will not be pleased..."

   Versanus bowed his head. "I understand that. I hate to think of the punishment General Creno will receive."

   "Oh, Creno will not be the only one to be punished." A dark smile crossed the Avatar's face. "Although the Emperor was willing to give you a second chance to amend your previous failure, he will not grant you a third one."

   Versanus' eyes widened as he stared at the hologram. "What? But...I had little to do with this, other then directing the two investigators to Christophsis!"

   "That may be true," his master noted. "But when a mission or operation of ours fails, the Emperor finds it necessary to punish all of those involved, for it is obvious that, somewhere along the chain of command, someone failed in their designated task.

   "And the Emperor does not have the time to find the one responsible."

 

   Before Versanus could protest, he felt a sharp, cold blade dig into his back. As darkness began to engulf his vision, he faintly heard the Avatar's last words to him.

   "Two wrongs do not make a right, I am afraid. Luckily, you are expendable, so I hope your replacement will make up for your failures."

   Versanus did not say anything in return, instead simply allowing his killer to finish the job.

*  *  *

   The Watcher's liaison ended the connection with Versanus and turned to face the Emperor.

   "Agent Deceiver has been eliminated, master," the Avatar said. "Last time I checked, Agent Shadow is still hunting down the two Sith Lumiya and Jax, and Agent Umbra has already finished in his tasks."

   Hidden by the shadows of his lair, the Emperor nodded. "And what of the operation on Manaan and Kashyyyk?"

   The Avatar frowned. "Reports are coming in that the Manaan operation has failed. All that remains is Kashyyyk."

   His master let out a low growl. "If that is true, then we will be forced to abandon our original plan."

   The Avatar nodded solemnly. "Indeed..."

   "Very well. Inform all generals that the Harvesting has been aborted, and that they are free to commence...the Invasion."

Star Wars Invasion: Episode III, Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN

   For what felt like a very long time, but was no more than ten minutes, Anakin, Lysira, the six troopers, Jast, and Lumpawaroo stood solemnly over the rather crudely made burial site of Commander Zanjaar Naar. Anakin was hesitant at first to bury the brave Iktotchi in a place such as the Shadowlands, but it was the least they could do before continuing the mission.

   After the time of mourning had passed, Sev Nep, who had taken upon leadership of the team due to him being Naar's lieutenant, lifted up his head and broke the silence.

   "I suppose we might as well continue on our journey."

   "I'm not so sure about that," Jast said, eying the still-unconscious saber cat which lay nearby.  "I don't feel safe leaving that shape-shifting...thing behind."

   "We could try burying it too," the Duros stormtrooper Levat suggested.

   "But if it wakes up, it might morph into a form large enough to break out," Tesara noted. "I think Anakin should just use his lightsaber and give it a good chopping."

   Anakin shook his head. "A Jedi does not take a life like that, savage beast or not. And especially if it's defenseless as it is now."

   "Then I suppose we'll just have to leave it here," Kalvin muttered. "Hopefully we'll either be off this planet or at least very far away from it when it wakes up."

   "Agreed," Lysira said. "Let's go before it does."

   As Anakin and the others began moving deeper into the Shadowlands, he suddenly felt as if someone was watching or following them. But he quickly shrugged it off, figuring that it was simply another pack of katarns, or, hopefully, a harmless tach...

*  *  *

   Shadow walked slowly and carefully, doing his best not to be noticed by the group of ten. What are they doing here? he wondered. Have they come to ruin the operation here on Kashyyyk as well?

   Mere moments ago, Shadow had received a transmission from Starka's generals; that the operation on Manaan had been foiled. If the same was to happen to the Kashyyyk operation, the Glorian Empire would become further behind in its plan. He had to prevent that from happening.

   Distancing himself from the group, Shadow calculated his chances. The six troopers will certainly be no challenge, same with the smuggler and the human female. The Jedi might take a bit more time, but will be no more than an obstacle.

   However, the Wookiee was going to be a problem. Shadow wasn't as skilled a warrior like those in the army. Although he could take on a few Jedi Knights with no trouble, he was useless against a brutish being such as a Wookiee or a Houk.

   His hand reached towards his blade as he began considering his options. He could try killing the Wookiee first, so it didn't prove an obstacle in the others' deaths. Or, if he was fast enough, he could kill the others first and save the hardest one for last. Or he could simply warn the commander of the Kashyyk operation and have their warriors handle the intruders.

   Shadow disregarded the last one. If the results on Dantooine, Tatooine, and Manaan were any indication of these visitors' abilities, he did not want to take any chances.

   Having decided on which course of action he would take, Shadow unsheathed a dagger and made his move.

*  *  *

   "Watch out!"

   Anakin barely managed to move Lumpawaroo aside- which was little more than a half-foot- just as a small, sharp dagger narrowly flew past the Wookiee's head.

   Igniting his lightsaber, Anakin then turned to face whoever had thrown the weapon. For a brief second, he saw a being cloaked in black, but the next, he was laying on his back, seeing nothing but the large rooftop of trees above.

   As he struggled to get back to his feet, he heard Levat and his fellow stormtrooper Avon cry out as they fire their weapons at the mysterious stranger. Their battle cries were abruptly cut short and when Anakin finally managed to sit up, the pain fading away, both of the soldiers were on the ground, still and silent.

   Before he had a chance to worry for them, he looked to see the cloaked being facing off with Lumpawaroo, although it seemed like the former was merely evading the Wookiee's attacks. Nearby, Sev, Kalvin, Tesara, and Vex were firing at the stranger whenever he was in their range of fire, while Lysira tended to a wounded Jast.

   Reactivating his lightsaber, Anakin charged towards the cloaked warrior, his blue blade raised high over his head. Noticing him, the warrior broke away from his struggle with Lumpawaroo just as Anakin brought his weapon down. The warrior then brought out a long blade which seemed to be made of cortosis and lunged at Anakin. The young Jedi Knight barely managed to block the attack in time. As their blades locked, Anakin took the opportunity to look beneath the warrior's hood.

   The cloaked being wore a silver mask, with emerald eyes dimly showing through its visor. His appearance matched those of the Glorians Anakin and the others had encountered on Dantooine and Tatooine. 

   For a moment, realization and shock overcame him and the warrior took that to his advantage. Breaking off from their fight, the Glorian spun and kicked Anakin in the thigh, causing him to lose his balance and his lightsaber. The warrior then kicked him down to the ground and held his blade over his face.

   "You are an interference to the plan," the Glorian murmured coldly. "Therefore, you must be removed."

   Knowing that there was no way to escape, Anakin simply closed his eyes and braced himself for the killing blow.

*  *  *

   Just as Shadow brought his blade down, something large slammed into his body and he was sent flying through the air, landing roughly onto the ground while his blade vanished into the depths of the forest. After regathering his senses, Shadow stood up to see what- or who- had rammed into him.

   Standing before him, fangs bared like a set of blades, was a large krayt dragon.

   Behind his mask, Shadow scowled, speaking the creature's name as if it were a vulgar curse.

   "Animus."