Star Wars Endgame: Episode V, Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

    Both of the Chief of State's eyes were focused on the hologram playing before her. A miniature replica of Grand Moff Rolan Verradun, the leader of the Imperial Remnant, appeared solemn about the speech he was giving. Via Eerin was not sure if this expression was genuine or merely an act.

    "I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't absolutely necessary," Verradun was saying. "But for reasons I cannot explain, you have left us with no choice."

    He then began to list the Remnant's demands: more territory-- which had already been an issue-- stronger military forces, stronger jurisdiction on certain sectors... all in exchange for the hostages they had taken.

    "You have one week to comply with our demands," Verradun said, finishing his speech. "If you fail to do so... then you might not like your reaction."

    With an apologetic look, the Grand Moff vanished from view, leaving the Chief of State alone with even more weight pressing down on her shoulders.

*  *  *

    "You won't get away with this," Natia said angrily to Scorpius as the Imperial Knight led her, Jaden, and Taana to their cells, while Captain Zelmer handled Senator Y'arn and her guards.

    Scorpius smirked. "We already have. The Alliance won't dare risk waging war against us. Be thankful that your stay won't be long."

    With that, he ushered them into a small cell and closed the blast door, sealing them off from the rest of the Imperial Citadel. Natia kicked at the door before sitting dejectedly on the floor.

    "Be mindful of your feelings," Taana warned her apprentice, who huffed in response. Frowning, the Togruta Jedi Master crouched down next to her to be at eye-level. "This isn't like you, Natia. You are usually calmer than this."

    Natia sighed. "I'm just tired of the galaxy always being on the edge of war. First the Sith, then the Glorians... this is all leading to another disastrous conflict."

    "You're not alone in thinking that," Jaden said, scanning the room for a way to escape. There was nothing but a single bed, an enclosed toilet, and the door. Their lightsabers had been confiscated, so there was nothing to use to carve out an exit.

    Suddenly, a voice spoke in his mind. He recognized it as one of the clones he had encountered on the frozen moon, specifically that of the bald woman.

    We are yours to command. Summon us.

    "No," he hissed aloud. "Get out of my head."

    Taana looked up at him. "Who are you talking to?"

    "Those clones I told you about," he said. "They have some telepathic link with me, it seems."

    "What are they saying to you?"

    "They want me to summon them. Even if I could, how would they get here? Admiral Borgas said they were on Prefsbelt Four."

    "He could have been lying," Natia suggested.

    "Maybe," Jaden said as he sat down against the wall. "But the less I have to do with these clones, the better. Let's just wait for things to take their course."

*  *  *

    You certainly have a way with words.

    Varon smiled to himself as he climbed out of the Sith Meditation Sphere, having returned to Ziost from Kesh. The Lost Tribe of Sith had agreed to ally themselves with him. Now it was time to see if the other pieces were in place.

    With Taral and Sao behind him, Varon entered his hideout and approached a wide holotable. He entered a hailing code and in moments, ten holographic figures were present.

    "Where is Prodd?" he asked.

    "Dead," said Karis.

    "A pity. Malvra, report."

    "We have captured Kadar," said a female Zeltron. "We are in the process of reprogramming him to perform his task."

    "Excellent. Scorpius?"

    "The senator and Jedi have been taken hostage and the Imperial Remnant's demands have been sent."

    "Very good. Zashra?"

    "The Chief of State is dispatching the Defense Force to Bastion to retrieve the hostages. It is yet unknown if she will comply with the demands, however."

    "Karis?"

    "Black Sun has been eliminated."

    Varon smiled. "Success all around then. The pieces are in place. It is time to execute Phase One."

    The holograms vanished and Varon sent in another command into the holotable, this one as a broadcast heard by all of his agents.

    Command word: Execution.

*  *  *

    Grand Moff Verradun's guilt morphed into anger as he ended the transmission to Coruscant. He spun around to face the other Moffs, who had forced him to do this.

    "This is treason," he snarled. "We should be thankful enough that we have any territory at all. This... this is pushing things too far!"

    Moff Teron smiled mirthlessly. "It is what's necessary, Verradun. Surely you must see that."

    Verradun shook his head. "No, I don't see. What you're asking for is another war with the Alliance!"

    "No, merely a better faction," said Moff Lecersen. "If the Alliance complies with our demands, there won't be any war."

    Verradun's face grew tight with anger. "Traitors!" he bellowed. "All of you! I won't stand for this!"

    "You won't be standing at all for much longer." With those cryptic words, Moff Sorik gave a gestured with his hand.

    A snap. A hiss. Something hot went into Verradun's back. The room spun around him. As he fell to the ground, he caught a glimpse of a shimmering lightsaber blade before falling into darkness forever.

*  *  *

    The Maw is a realm where nothing can exist. A cluster of black holes, no one ventures here with the intention of returning to wherever they had come from; the only thing that awaited them was death... and Mother.

    She waits with the patience of a hundred millennia. The day of her reemergence was forthcoming. Everyone who would have posed a threat to her-- the Ones, Waru, Valtheran and his ilk-- had been eliminated. At last, her time had come.

    For too long had she been alone in the void. But she would soon have her family again. And those who stood in her way would feel her wrath.

    Until then, she would wait.

    The endgame had only just begun.

TO BE CONTINUED

Star Wars Endgame: Episode V, Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

    "What?" Ves stared at Kadar as if he had just morphed into a ronto. "N-no... you can't... you can't be my father."

    "Surely you recognize him as such," Tral said with a smirk.

    Ves shook her head. "I... I thought you died with Mom...."

    Kadar sighed as he placed his helmet back on. "A part of me did. Black Sun turned me into this... this machine. I have weapons popping out of my arms and stomach, I can't survive without my helmet for more than twenty minutes... I'm not the loving father you once knew. I'm... I'm just a killing machine."

    Tral chuckled as he patted him on the back. "But you are still my brother... Ziar."

    Kadar spun to seize Tral by the collar of his uniform. The other Mandalorians raised their blasters but Tral signaled them to hold their fire.

    "That name," Kadar growled, "has not meant anything to me for twenty-seven years. Do not dare use it again."

    Tral laughed and Kadar nearly strangled him for it. "Come now, brother. You shouldn't be afraid of your heritage."

    "It's been corrupted for over a century," Kadar snarled as he released his brother. "The only thing people can think of when they hear the name Vizsla is the Death Watch and the treason they committed against the Mandalorians."

    "That is true," Tral said as he straightened his uniform. "So would turn down a chance to redeem it?"

    Before Kadar could answer, the Renegade's Mirialan captain came storming down the ramp behind Ves and Wiskin.

    "My stars, are you gonna leave or what?" Kyla exclaimed. She then froze when her eyes fell upon Tral. "You."

    Tral smiled. "Me. How's it going, Ky?"

    "Better, ever since I left you. And call me 'Ky' again and your Mando pals will have to go all around the planet to put you back together."

    Tral clutched his chest in mock pain. "You wound me, Kyla. I thought we had something."

    Kyla snorted. "Oh, sure, up until the moment I caught you kissing that Twi'lek woman."

    "Well, her brother had just died--"

    "Some 'family reunion' this is," Ves muttered, folding her arms as she kicked up dust. "Can we just leave already?"

    "No one is going anywhere yet."

    Everyone turned to see a red-skinned Zeltron woman appearing behind the Mandalorian riders, her black robes swaying across the sand. She made a bee-line for Kadar, who brought out his blaster.

    "Look, lady, if you're here to flirt with me like the rest of your kind is known for--"

    "None of the sort," the Zeltron said coldly and Kadar suddenly felt his body seize up. "We need you for the plan. You're coming with us."

    Unable to move, Kadar glanced at Tral. "What's... going on here?"

    His brother shrugged. "I was hoping this wouldn't be necessary, vod. But you leave me no choice."

    With that, he fired a stun bolt at Kadar, knocking the infamous bounty hunter out cold. While he and his fellow Mandalorians carried him onto one of their steeds, the Zeltron turned her heartless gaze on to Kyla's crew.

    "You would be wise to leave and never return."

    "No need to tell us twice," Kyla muttered as she, Ves, and Wiskin hurried aboard, closing the ramp behind them.

*  *  *

    Wasteland worlds such as the volcanic planet of Mustafar was an ideal location for a group such as Black Sun. Ignored by the major galactic governments, it drew Black Sun's attention because it was a good place to dispose of unwanted evidence.

    It was this here on Mustafar that all of the Vigos and their Underlord would gather and scheme. Anyone who was present that posed a threat to those plans would be dealt with accordingly.

    Scur Bodalla entered the meeting chambers of the Black Sun fortress and took a seat at the long, narrow table. His advisor droid, Z-9D7, stood at his side.

    "How nice of you to join us, Besh," the Falleen Underlord said, utilizing the Aurebesh-based codenames given to the Vigos. "We almost started without you."

    "You know how he is, Underlord," said Isk, a nasally-voiced Muun. "All of his wealth has gotten to him-- mentally and physically."

    Bodalla scowled at him. "Shut your mouth, Isk. I have enough money to buy it off you."

    "Settle down, gentlemen," the Underlord said curtly. "Besh, how did things on the Wheel?"

    "Kadar is still alive," Bodalla grunted. 

    The Falleen frowned. "Then he is still a threat to us. I expected better results, Besh."

    "He obviously did not pick good enough bounty hunters," said a Houk Vigo. "I bet I have better contacts."

    "I'm sure you do, Herf," said a Bothan. "I suggest we create our own warrior to eliminate Kadar. In fact, did we not create Kadar ourselves?"

    The Underlord nodded. "That we did, Esk. I suppose we could find a scientist as great as Mal Banvor or--"

    "There is no need," said a robotic voice. "The greatest scientist of all is right here in this room."

    All eyes turned to Z-9D7. Isk leaned forward with a creased brow. "Are you saying you're that scientist?"

    "Yes. I am Mal Banvor."

    A Tunroth Vigo-- Sidor Visora of the Lok Revenants-- let out a harsh laugh. "If I recall, Banvor was a Skakoan, not a droid."

    "You obviously are unaware of the advantages of a 9D7-class advisor droid. They have a large enough cranium to store a human brain... or a Skakoan one."

    "Well then," the Underlord said, "it's nice of you to join us."

    "For me, yes." Z-9D7's emerald visor narrowed. "Not so for you, Prince Xalren."

    The Falleen blinked. "What do you mean?"

    "Black Sun has grown rather powerful. However, they have no place in the plan and are thus an obstacle that requires elimination."

    Herf sneered. "You're just a droid with no weapons. How can you--"

    "I should mention that this droid no longer houses my brain; I am instead broadcasting to you from off-world. A bomb has been placed within Z-9D7 to destroy this fortress and everyone in it. It's been a pleasure working with you, Prince Xalren... and Vondara Ramesh sends his regards."

    Before the Underlord and his Vigos could react, the bomb went off and all of Black Sun joined the scrap that littered the lava of Mustafar.

Star Wars Endgame: Episode V, Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

    "I hope our visit is not an inconvenience, admiral."

    "Not at all, sir," Admiral Vin Borgas said as he allowed Moff Sorik and Senator Y'arn's party into his office. "How may I be of service?"

    "Senator Y'arn and her Jedi accomplices seek for clarification on your encounter with the Sith dreadnaught in the Unknown Regions," the Chiss said. "Please, enlighten them."

    With that, the Moff left, leaving the others alone with Borgas. The admiral cleared his throat as he sat down at his desk.

    "So, what exactly do you need clarification on?"

    "How exactly did you come upon the Sith ship and destroy it?" Jaden asked.

    Borgas glanced at the closed doorway, which Sorik had just left though. At the same time, Jaden scanned with the Force and could not detect the Moff eavesdropping from outside. He nodded for the admiral to continue.

    "We were venturing to the frozen moon of that system because of reports of an Imperial research base," Borgas said. "Since it was said to have been run by the late Grand Admiral Thrawn, formerly of the Chiss Ascendancy, the task was left to Moff Sorik's fleet, since he himself is a Chiss.

    "When we arrived in the system, we found the Sith dreadnaught. I sent my troopers to capture the captain before destroying the ship. I interrogated the captain myself, but when he threatened to attack me, I was forced to execute him." He finished with a smirk. "Is that enough clarification for you?"

    Jaden sensed that there was something the admiral wasn't telling him, but he decided not to press the matter further. "What did you do on the frozen moon after that?" he asked instead.

    Borgas again glanced at the door before saying, "I sent my men down to the moon and they encountered seven clones. When these mad clones proved too much for them to handle, I sent down the Imperial Knights."

    "Imperial Knights?" Taana Di asked.

    Borgas smiled. "Yes. The Alliance already have the Jedi as their Force-wielding protectors. We needed our own."

    Jaden raised an eyebrow. "So those two red-armored warriors...."

    "Were Imperial Knights, yes. Anyway, we managed to detain the clones and have placed them at a prison facility on Prefsbelt Four. Meanwhile, we melted down the dreadnaught to use for parts. Does that clear up everything?"

    "Yes," Y'arn said, although Jaden could tell that she, like him, was not entirely convinced by the admiral's story. "Thank you, Admiral Borgas. We shall be on our way."

    "I very much doubt that."

    It had not been Borgas who had spoken. The senator and Jedi turned to see a thin-haired man, clad in the red armor of an Imperial Knight. He was flanked by five stormtroopers, while Moff Sorik loomed behind them.

    Borgas shot up from his seat. "Master Scorpius, what is the meaning of this?"

    The Imperial Knight smirked. "You talk too much, admiral. Some things are better left unsaid."

    "But... Moff Sorik told me--"

    "I allowed you to tell them of our endeavors in the Unknown Regions," the Chiss Moff said coldly, "so that we would have an excuse for not letting them go: they know too much."

    "That's a really stupid plan," Natia Dorn muttered as she activated her lightsaber.

    "I beg to differ," Sorik said with the hint of a smile. "With you as our hostages, the Alliance will have to succumb to our demands."

    "I will not tolerate this treason," Y'arn protested. "The Imperial Remnant is still under the control of the Galactic Alliance; you cannot do this!"

    "Again, I beg your pardon," Sorik said while the Imperial Knight disarmed the senator's guards and the Jedi with a gesture of his hand. "The rules have changed, senator. The Remnant won't be with the Alliance for much longer."

    As the stormtroopers moved in to cuff Jaden and the others, the Chiss' grin broadened. "In fact... I don't think it'll be a remnant for much longer."

*  *  *

    Darish Vol, Grand Lord of the Lost Tribe, had to be at least a century old. Stooped with age, he looked like a bird-of-prey, from his beak-like nose to his clawed hands. While his body was fragile and his face gaunt, his sharp, yellow eyes pierced everyone they fell upon. For those features alone, Varon knew that this was a man not to be underestimated.

    As he was brought before the Circle of Lords in the capitol building of Tahv, Varon took a mental note of the positions of the Sith Lords and guards around him in case, for whatever reason, he and Taral needed to make a quick escape. He also noted that the Circle of Lords did not give Taral the same bow of respect as Olaris Rhea's students had.

    When Darish Vol finally spoke to Varon, his voice came out as a croak. "You claim to be of a Sith Order from off-world." 

    "Yes," Varon said. "I am of the Sith Order of Sedriss. What planet I hail from, I am not comfortable in divulging."

    "It is fortunate then," said a lavender-skinned man, "that we do not care for your discomfort. Tell us."

    Varon glared at him before saying, "Dromund Kaas, primarily, but we are scattered out on other worlds such as Jaguada, Rhelg... even non-Sith worlds."

    "Intriguing," Darish said. "So explain to us, why have you come here?"

    Varon quickly explained to them his discovery of Lignan ore, leaving out specific details such as the Harbinger, and telling them how he had met Taral. When he was finished, a mirthless smile crossed the Grand Lord's gaunt face.

    "I'm afraid you won't be getting those Lignan crystals," he said. "We have already used them to power our lightsabers."

    "Is that right?" Varon said. "Well, that's hardly a setback, for I now have a new initiative on coming here, with you all present."

    "And what would that be?" asked Olaris Rhea.

    "I propose an alliance between our two Sith Orders," Varon said. "Already I have a plan underway to restore the Sith's influence on the galaxy. An army of ancient soldiers are at my command... but I will need experienced Sith Lords to lead them."

    "Does your own Sith Order not have such lords?" asked a dark-skinned man.

    "Most of my Sith compatriots are busy with other matters," Varon said. "I would greatly appreciate someone to fill in for them."

    Darish crossed his arms. "And what do we get out of it?"

    "Galactic domination."

    The Grand Lord raised a gray eyebrow and the gathered Sith Lords exchanged glances. Finally, Darish Vol said, "We would like to speak with the Dark Lord of your order to further negotiate an alliance."

    Varon saw his opportunity and seized it.

    "You are speaking with him," he said. "I am the Dark Lord of the Sith."

Star Wars Endgame: Episode V, Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

    Kadar sat at the holotable in the Renegade's main hold. Across from him sat the burly Cathar Wiskin, who stared at him unblinking with hard brown eyes. To his left sat Ves, the young girl in bright violet Mandalorian armor, still wearing her helmet in a futile attempt to look intimidating.

    If he still had a sense of humor, Kadar would have laughed at this pathetic attempt to scare him. But doing so would probably earn him a blaster shot to the head.

    Breaking the awkward silence, Ves said, "So, you're a Mandalorian."

    "Used to be," Kadar corrected. "It's a long story that I do not wish to regale you with."

    "Just as well," Wiskin snorted. "We're here to keep an eye on you, not fraternize with."

    "Whoa, calm down, big kitty," Ves said jokingly. "I just asked a simple question. Doesn't mean I want to be buddies with him. Besides, he's a murderer."

    "A murderer of Vigos," Kadar said pointedly. "Was it murder I committed, or justice?"

    "You didn't have to kill them. Could have just turned them in."

    Kadar snorted. "What good would that do? They'd probably find some legal loophole-- or hire some thug-- to bail themselves out. What I did to them was the only sure way to end their villainy."

    "But don't you feel the slightest bit of remorse?"

    Kadar considered the question for a moment, his stomach twisting into knots as he did. "Some," he finally murmured.

    "What did they even do to you anyway?" Ves asked.

    He sighed. "They killed my wife."

    Wiskin shifted slightly, sympathy briefly flickering over his feline face. "You too, huh?"

    Kadar looked at him. "Beg your pardon?"

    The Cathar cleared his throat. "I had a mate once, not long ago. Her name was Nyyra. We had been very close, even when we were young."

    "How did she die?" Ves asked.

    "Got stung by a venom bug. Bacta did nothing to save her." Wiskin sighed, looking wistful. "All I have to remember her by is our song."

    "Wow," Ves murmured. "I'm sorry to hear that."

    Wiskin snorted. "Your sympathy would be more believable if you didn't wear that stupid helmet."

    "Okay, okay," Ves muttered. She removed her helmet and Kadar froze. What he saw was a near-perfect replication of Corda's face, albeit younger and with black hair. Her eyes were brown instead of green, but they still carried the same fire he had always seen in Corda's eyes.

    He quickly looked away before she could catch his gaze. He could not believe it; sitting right before him was his own flesh and blood-- the daughter he had not seen in ten years. A swarm of questions flooded his mind: would she remember him? Why wasn't she with Orde and Tessa? What was she doing with petty mercenaries?

    He did not dare speak of this to her, dreading her reaction if he were to reveal himself-- the slayer of Vigos-- as her father. Instead, he resolved to return to Mandalore and find Orde and Tessa. Perhaps then, he would finally get answers.

*  *  *

    "This the place he wanted to be dropped off at?" Kyla asked Keera as the Renegade came out of hyperspace before a desert world.

    The Farghul nodded. "Yes. Concord Dawn, an agricultural world in--"

    "Keera, I don't care," Kyla snapped. "Just tell him we've arrived."

    As Keera left the cockpit in a huff, Bedo swiveled in his seat at the comm-board. "I'm picking up a weird signal."

    "Are we being hailed?" Ace asked.

    "I don't think so, it's just... weird." Bedo turned back to the board, his blue trunk crinkling. "And now it's gone."

    Ace sighed. "Why have I got a bad feeling about this?"

*  *  *

    Yellow eyes stared towards the dusty sky of Concord Dawn. The glint of a rusty Corellian freighter appeared, preparing to land at a local spaceport.

    "He is here," the owner of those eyes hissed.

    The man sitting across from her smirked. "It's about time." He raised a comlink to his mouth. "Alor, he is here. We are ready."

    "Good," came the reply. "Proceed with the plan."

    The man's grin vanished as he slid his helmet on. To his accomplice, he said, "Let's go."

*  *  *

    Kadar stood on the threshold of the Renegade's lowered boarding ramp, looking out towards the desert plains of Concord Dawn. Behind him stood Ves and Wiskin, waiting for him to do something rash.

    "What are you waiting for?" Wiskin growled. "Get your rear off our ship so we can go."

    Kadar did not answer, instead looking towards the horizon. In the distance, he could make out armored warriors riding long-headed creatures, heading straight towards them.

    "Welcoming party?" Ves asked.

    "Not the good sort," Kadar muttered. "Change of plans; take me as far away from here as possi--"

    "Ke'pare!" a voice called out. "We come in peace, vod."

    Kadar froze, the voice striking a familiar chord to him.

    The riders fully came into view and were brought to a halt by their leader, a male in customized dark blue and gold Mandalorian armor. He dismounted from his steed and removed his helmet, revealing the smiling visage of a dark-haired man.

    Ves let out a gasp. "Uncle Tral?"

    He nodded to her. "Vessin, your parents have been worried sick about you."

    "They're not my parents," Ves said tersely. "I was nine years old when they adopted me; I wasn't that dumb to know what was going on."

    Tral chuckled. "I would hope not. You have your mother's brains... and your father's wit." He winked discreetly at Kadar, who did not acknowledge it.

    "What is it you want, Tral?" the bounty hunter finally asked.

    "To give a hero his welcome," Tral said. "We've all heard about your feats, Kadar, even Mand'alor! For avenging your wife-- our kin. And, also because...." He glanced at Ves and then at Kadar. "I believe a family reunion was long overdue."

    "What?" Ves exclaimed. "How is Kadar related to us, uncle?"

    Tral grinned at Kadar. "Tell her, vod."

    Kadar sighed and turned to face Ves. He then reached up and gingerly removed his helmet, which he had not done in over ten years. 

    His brown eyes met hers as he quietly said, "I am your father."

Star Wars Endgame: Episode V, Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

    The turbolift completed its ascension through the Imperial Citadel and the Senator's party stepped out into the main conference chamber. The eight Moffs and their leader, Grand Moff Rolan Verradun, were seated facing forward at a long table, which was placed on a high pedestal. Jaden refrained from rolling his eyes; to this day, Imperials continued to carry an air of superiority with them.

    Once Senator Y'arn's party had been brought to a stop by Captain Zelmer and his men, Verradun smiled and leaned forward in his seat. "To whom do we owe this visit?"

    "I am Senator Keala Y'arn," the Bith diplomat said. "I am here on behalf of the Galactic Alliance to address a concern of ours."

    "My unjust arrest, perhaps?" Moff Lecersen said pointedly.

    "That was a mere misunderstanding on our part," Y'arn said, a bit too hastily for Jaden's liking. "But it's not that. About a week ago, an ancient Sith dreadnaught appeared in the Unknown Regions. Do you have any knowledge on that?"

    Several of the Moffs glanced at a Chiss member of theirs. During the Glorian War, the isolated Chiss Ascendancy took part in the conflict and became well acquainted with the Imperial Remnant. Jaden assumed that one of their member was appointed to the Moff Council either to monitor the Unknown Regions for the Imperials, or the Imperials themselves for the Ascendancy.

    The Chiss' glowing red eyes met Y'arn's black ones as he said, "Yes, my fleet came across it while running an errand for the Chiss Ascendancy. They immediately destroyed it to prevent it from leading to another conflict with Sith."

    "It is rather convenient, isn't it?" Jaden asked. "They happened to be at the right place at the right time in an uncharted system."

    The Chiss gave him a cold look. "Convenient, yes, but coincidental. Are you trying to insinuate something, Master Jedi?"

    "Not at all. Just seeking clarification on the matter."

    "And yet you came all this way to Bastion, with two other Jedi, a senator, and four Alliance guards, all for 'clarification.'" The bald human Moff sitting to Verradun's left sounded wryly amused. "Curious."

    "Let us not jump to any conclusions, Moff Teron," Verradun said sternly. "After our horrific war against the Glorians, their concern is justified."

    He turned to the Chiss Moff. "Sorik, why don't you take them to meet with Admiral Borgas, the commander of your fleet? I'm sure they'll get their clarification from him."

    Moff Sorik seemed reluctant about this prospect, but a barely-noticeable nod from Lecersen prompted him to rise from his seat.

    "Follow me," the Chiss said coldly as he walked past Y'arn group to the turbolift. After a brief moment of hesitation, they followed.

*  *  *

    The feelings of shock and surprise rippled across the Sith Master, rousing her from her meditation. Quickly rising to her feet, Olaris Rhea moved swiftly out of her quarters and down the main corridor.  All of the halls were empty, though she could sense the students were outside.

    She stepped out of the Sith Temple and found several of the students on their knees, bowing as if in prayer. Her own apprentice, Vestara Khai, was one of the few not in such a position. Olaris stormed up to her.

    "What is the meaning of this?" Olaris demanded.

    Vestara looked up at her with wide eyes. "Taral is here."

    Olaris' heart skipped a beat. "The Protector?"

    She turned to follow the bowed students' gaze and sure enough, a golden sphere was beginning to emerge over the edge of the mountains, gleaming like a second sun. It hovered over the gathered Sith for a moment before touching ground. A hatch in its southern hemisphere opened and a young man, clad in the robes of a Sith, climbed out.

    "Greetings, fellow Sith," he said. "I am Varon Krul. I come in peace."

    She regarded him skeptically. "I am Lady Olaris Rhea, Sith Master and member of the Circle of Lords. I do not recognize you as a member of the tribe."

    Varon Krul smirked. "Perhaps because I am not one. I hail from... a different Sith order, from another world."

    Olaris took in a sharp intake of breath while her students broke into murmurs. "Outsiders are... unheard of here."

    "Then it pleases me to be the first," Varon said. "Who is your Dark Lord?"

    "Dark Lord?" The Sith Master shook her head. "That title means nothing here. We follow the Grand Lord, Darish Vol."

    Varon smiled. "Of course. May I speak with the Grand Lord?"

    Olaris scrutinized him, searching for a hint of deception. When she found none, she hesitantly said, "Yes, but only if you don't object to being escorted by several Sith Sabers."

    "Not at all. Please, proceed."

*  *  *

    So far, so good, Varon thought as Olaris Rhea and a cache of Sith warriors led him and Taral away from the temple and down the mountains. I am grateful to have you at my side, Taral.

    A true Sith is never grateful, the sentient sphere responded telepathically. Regardless, I do not require your gratitude. Both of us shall benefit from this.

    Varon raised an eyebrow, even though he did not face the sphere. What's in it for you?

    Despite my isolation on Ziost, I understand the gist of what has transpired since Lord Naga Sadow's fall. Ever since the empire of Darth Sidious collapsed, the Sith have lost their glory. Darth Vorath's attempts to reclaim it failed; this is our opportunity to succeed.

    Varon slowly nodded. Indeed it is. In fact, this is the opportunity I have been waiting for, which my masters have refused to claim.

    Your masters are not true Sith then. They are fools.

    That they are. Varon smiled to himself. That they are.

Star Wars Endgame: Episode V, Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

    Six tables were set out in the Wheel's main office. At five of them were each of the bounty hunter teams that had set out to capture (or kill) Kadar. At the sixth was Kadar himself, shod in all-white modified Mandalorian armor. At the back of the room stood the Corellian crime lord Scur Bodalla, who had allegedly hired the five teams.

    Standing before them all, Master-Com felt like a teacher addressing a group of seven-year old students in detention. Had galactic civilization truly downgraded to this level? Or did all beings on the fringe act this immature? Either way, he was disappoint with them.

    "So," he said in his typically neutral tone, "correct me if I have the facts wrong here: Kadar here is responsible for the deaths of all nine Vigos of Black Sun. Out of revenge, new Vigo Scur Bodalla hires five different groups of bounty hunters to hunt for Kadar on my station and either capture or kill him. Is that correct?"

    There were no angry outbursts or protests, so Master-Com took that as a yes.

    "Now then, I must ask: did you take into consideration the innocent lives you could have harmed during your little game?"

    The bounty hunter known as Remar-- a balding human male-- snorted loudly. "Give me a break, tin can. Some of the people here are no better than us. Why do you care what happens to them?"

    Master-Com stared at him coldly-- an easy feat, considering he was a droid. "This station is my responsibility. Thus, those who dwell in it are my responsibility. If any harm comes to them or this station, it is my duty to protect them."

    "We're sorry," said a female Mirialan named Kyla Kishanti. "At least, my crew and I are. We hard about the bounty and needed the credits. We didn't intend to harm anyone-- heck, we were just going to capture Kadar and turn him in, not kill him."

    Master-Com scanned the Mirialan and her crew. According to his databank, they were regular visitors to the Wheel and had hardly ever caused trouble. They were merely smugglers who took up mercenary jobs from time to time. He would let them off easily.

    "Apology accepted." To the rest of the bounty hunters, he said, "Since I'm not going to get similar honesty from you, I must ask you all to leave the Wheel and never return. If you attempt to do so, my security personnel will recognize you and apprehend you. Any objections... you will have to keep to yourself. Good day."

    With those words, the bounty hunters were led out of the office. Scur Bodalla lingered long enough to flash a sneer at Master-Com before leaving as well. Once they were all gone, the droid administrator shook his head.

    Organics. Who could understand them?

*  *  *

    "So we didn't get rich," Bedo said as he and the others returned to the Renegade. "But look on the bright side; at least we're still alive! All of those Vigos can't say the same."

    Wiskin looked at Kyla skeptically. "What was your beef with Kadar? All of those other bounty hunters seemed to have a personal grudge against him, but you didn't... did you?"

    Kyla shook her head. "I was just in it for the fame, I suppose. To be the ones to capture the famous Slayer of Vigos. That would have been something."

    "Don't look now," Keera purred, "but that 'Slayer' is right behind us."

    The crew moved into action: Kyla and Ace unsheathed their blaster pistols, Ves her dual ones, Keera brandished her vibro-ax, Wiskin bore his claws, and Bedo cowered behind them.

    Standing before them non-threateningly and unfazed, Kadar said, "I'm not here for a fight. I'm here for your help."

    Kyla snorted. "Why would you come to us for help when we had just tried to capture you?"

    "That's just it; you were the only ones not trying to kill me. If I leave here in my own ship, then Vondara and the rest will pursue me. I want you to 'capture' me, so to say, and smuggle me to someplace else, where they can't find me."

    "You're not scared of them, are you?" Ves taunted. "Is the great Kadar afraid of silly bounty hunters?"

    Kadar tilted his head towards her, and even with her Mandalorian helmet concealing her features, Kyla could tell Ves was fearful herself of the bounty hunter.

    "Watch your tongue, child," the White Knight hissed. "It's not out of fear that I'm doing this, but simply because I'm tired of running around the galaxy searching for someone who's probably already dead. My body is not going to last me forever; I need to give it and myself a rest."

    Kyla continued to look skeptical. "Give me one good reason why I should let you on my ship."

    "Here." Kadar handed her a credi-chip, which she cautiously took. "Seven hundred thousand credits. It's all I've got."

    Kyla looked from the chip to the bounty hunter, waiting for a catch. When he did not give her one, she said, "All right. But I'm only letting you into the lounge room, with Wiskin watching you. If you try to move from that spot or pull out a weapon of any sort...."

    Promptly, the Cathar cracked his knuckles.

    Kadar nodded curtly. "Message received."

*  *  *

    "A shame he got away."

    "Indeed," Scur Bodalla huffed as he seated himself in the main hold of his personal yacht, which was beginning to depart from the Wheel. "Kadar continues to evade us while we continue to fall before him."

    "Do not fret," said his accomplice. "What we need is an edge. We need someone who can match him in skill."

    Bodalla snorted. "Where do you suppose we'd find someone like that? He's one of a kind."

    "He used to be a Mandalorian, correct? Perhaps if we find another one of his kin...."

    "But they wouldn't be a cyborg like he is. They'd be inferior."

    His accomplice chuckled. "You forget who you're talking to, Bodalla. I'm the one who made Kadar what he is today."

    The Vigo sneered. "Given your current condition, that's not very reassuring."

    "Have faith, Bodalla. I am nothing if not infallible."

Star Wars Endgame: Episode V, Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

    "A diplomatic mission to Bastion, you say?" Chief of State Via Eerin leaned forward in her seat and folded her webbed hands over each other. "What for?"

    Jaden Korr shifted his feet before recounting to her about the Sith dreadnaught. "We believe the Imperial Remnant is behind the ship's destruction," he said as he finished up. "Another Jedi and I each brought a piece of the ship to two different psychometrists and they both confirmed it."

    "I see. And why is this of concern to you?"

    "It just strikes me as... odd that the Imperials just so happened to come across a solitary Sith ship way out in the Unknown Regions."

    "True," Via murmured. "However, the Remnant is slowly expanding their territory towards that region of space. They have already made an alliance with the Chiss Ascendancy."

    "Nevertheless, I would like to get some clarification on the incident."

    The Mon Calamari was silent for a moment before saying, "Very well. I shall ask Senator Y'arn to accompany you to Bastion... but on one condition."

    "Yes?"

    "Keep things civil. The last thing we need is another war."

    Jaden smirked. "On that we can agree on."

*  *  *

    As the Sith Meditation Space went through space, lacking a hyperdrive to reach its destination quicker, Varon Krul passed the time by meditating within its chamber. He dwelt on subjects such as where the sphere was taking him, what fate befell the Omen and its crew, and how the sphere had achieved sentience.

    Before he had went into meditation, he searched the sphere's logs and found that its last owner before himself had been a female Sith Lord named Riidik Kressh. Going by her name, Varon presumed that she was a relative of the self-proclaimed Dark Lord Ludo Kressh. However, the datalogs said nothing about the ship's sentience. Deciding that he did not want to bring up the matter with the sphere itself, he remained silent.

    Minutes turned into hours and Varon did not become aware that they had reached their destination until a voice entered his head.

    We are here.

    Awaking from his meditation, Varon rose and climbed out of a hatch through the ship's lower hemisphere. With Sao right behind him, the Sith apprentice dropped down onto the barren land and looked up ahead. In the distance was a temple made of stone, situated on top of a mountain.

    "The Omen is there?" Varon asked doubtfully.

    Yes, the Meditation Sphere said. It is within the temple, heavily guarded by Sith.

    "Sith?" Varon repeated. "How many dwell on this world?"

    An entire society. They call themselves the Lost Tribe of Sith. They were formed here on Kesh over five thousand years ago after the Omen crashed and her crew made contact with the natives.

    "How do you know so much about them?"

    I made contact with them many decades ago. They saw me as a god and bestowed me the name of "Taral," which means "protector" in the Sith language.

    Varon mused over this. An entire tribe of Sith. With their "god" at his side, he could easily sway them to his side.

    With a sly smirk, he said, "Take me to them."

*  *  *

    As the CR90 corvette transporting the diplomatic team to Bastion went through hyperspace, Jaden sat down in the ship's conference chamber. Across from him were Senator Keala Y'arn, Jedi Master Taana Di, and her apprentice Natia Dorn.

    While Keala viewed notes on a datapad and Natia daydreamed, Taana focused her gaze on Jaden. The Jedi Knight shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

    "Is there something wrong, Master?" he asked.

    "Yes," Taana said. "You calling me 'Master.'" Why haven't you become one yourself, Jaden? Why have you yet to take an apprentice?"

    Jaden shrugged. "Honestly, I'm just not sure I'd be that good teaching. And before you say it, yes, I know that's not true. Even so, I don't have the confidence to become a Master."

    "Just out of curiosity," Senator Keala asked, "I have to ask: must all Jedi become Masters?"

    "It's not a rule," Taana said. "But it's typically expected."

    Jaden smiled. "I don't mind being atypical."

    Taana glanced at him, mild disapproval twinkling in her eyes, but the Togruta Jedi Master said nothing.

    An hour passed before an Alliance officer entered the room. "We have reached Bastion," he told the group of four. "We are landing now."

    "Did Captain Yusan have any trouble with flight control?"

    "No, actually. He said that they sounded... almost cheerful."

    Jaden frowned. "That is not a good sign. We should proceed with caution."

    "Agreed," Keala said as she rose from her seat. "Let us see what kind of welcoming they have in store for us."

    Once the corvette had touched down, the boarding ramp lowered to allow the Bith senator, her three Jedi accomplices, and four armed guards to exit the ship. Awaiting them was a young Imperial officer, flanked by seven stormtroopers and two hooded beings clad in red armor.

    "Welcome, Senator Y'arn," the officer said with a respectful nod. "I am Captain Zelmer. My men and I shall escort you to Imperial Headquarters. The Moffs are eager to speak with you."

    Jaden did not like the sound of that. He knew the Moffs to be a bunch of irritable old men filled with greed and ambition. If it weren't for Grand Moff Verradun keeping them in line, they'd be declaring war on the Alliance without a second thought.

    Keala clearly looked suspicious as well, though she kept her tone even as she said, "Thank you, captain. We would gladly appreciate it."

    As they followed the Imperials through Bastion's capital city of Ravelin, Jaden kept a careful eye on the two red-armored beings. Underneath their hoods, he could tell that they were humans-- one male, the other female. He could sense that they were strong with the Force, but whether they were light sided or dark... he could not tell.

    This was definitely a situation where caution was vital.

Star Wars Endgame: Episode V, Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

    "Checking out already?" the Anacondan receptionist hissed. "You said you'd be staying for a few days, not just one."

    "I'll still pay for all three," Kadar muttered as he slid a pile of credi-chips through the window separating them. "Just as long as you mind your own business."

    The serpent slithered his tongue at him but accepted the credits. Not long after, Kadar was exiting the hotel and heading for the Wheel's docks. It didn't take long for him to realize he was being followed.

    That snake should be glad I paid him at all, he thought. Otherwise, I'd be dead meat before my stay was through.

    He glanced cursory over his shoulder. It was a burly Barabel that followed him, wielding a razor-sharp dagger.

    Can't blast him; too many witnesses. His left arm twitched. But I can still shoot something at him.

    Turning in to an empty, narrow hallway, Kadar let out a loud yawn-- something uncharacteristic of him, which surely threw the Barabel off. He then twisted, pretending to stretch, only to fire a sedative dart from his arm. The Barabel promptly crumpled to the ground.

    He reached an intersection and turned to the right. Standing at the end of the hall, armed with a sniper rifle, was a Ubese. 

    "Viper, isn't it?" Kadar called down to her. "I remember you from Lianna."

    "Likewise," Viper said coldly. She raised the scope of the rifle to her helmet's visor. "Now stay still; I'm going to kill you."

    Before she could pull the trigger, a large being with brown fur collided into her. The Wookiee then seized the Ubese by the throat and slammed her into the wall, knocking the former Snatcher unconscious. He then set his blazing eyes on Kadar, who was already running down the opposite corridor.

*  *  *

    "Sharbrook says he's after him," Remar said to Fefar. "They should be emerging out this door. Be ready."

    The Nosaurian nodded as he pressed himself against the wall near the doorway. While Remar readied his blaster, Fefar waited for the passers-by to disperse before morphing into a massive Herglic. Upon hearing footsteps growing closer and closer, he moved to block the doorway...

    ...And was met with a giant full of fur.

    "E chu ta!" Remar cursed as Sharbrook and Fefar staggered away from each other. "I thought you said you had him!"

    Sharbrook snarled at him, mixing in a few obscenities with his response. When the Wookiee was through with his diatribe, Remar's brow wrinkled in confusion.

    "He vanished through the floor?" he said, bemused. "My stars, how many tricks does this guy have?"

    "Perhaps he walked upon a trap door," Fefar suggested, returning to his Nosaurian form. "No idea who would have time to install one in that specific a location."

    Remar scratched his chin. "Unless it had already been there in the first place...."

*  *  *

    Kadar swam through a sea of wires. He had no idea what exactly this place was or why he had fallen into it through the floor, but he knew that he had to get out; no doubt it was some sort of trap.

    The booming laughter of a Hutt proved him correct.

    "Rule number one of being a hunter, Kadar," a gruff voice rumbled in Huttese. "Always be aware of your surroundings."

    "You know how this station works?" Kadar asked.

    "Of course! As a crime lord, I've always held an interest in the Wheel, and one of its former administrators was an accomplice of mine. Needless to say, I've learned a thing or two about it from him."

    "A crime lord who's a bounty hunter," Kadar said. "And a Hutt, at that. That's a new one on me."

    The Hutt chortled. "Indeed. Now then, let me increase the electrical current and--"

    Kadar activated his jetpack. Flames ignited from the thrusters and licked the wires' exposed ends. He jumped out of them just as the entire chamber caught fire. The ex-Mandalorian then shot towards an opaque piece of transparisteel and crashed through it. Standing there was a Hutt in armor, along with two thugs.

    The Hutt sneered-- an expression that somehow made his ugly face even more disgusting-- and he brandished his vibro-ax. "An impressive escape, but you are still no match for the voracious hunter, the ruthless warrior, Vondara Ramesh!"

    "I'll take your word for it," Kadar said dryly. "I'm in no mood for a fight, Vondara. I just want to get to my ship."

    "Was'sa matter?" one of the thugs jeered. "You bein' a coward?"

    "No," a booming voice-- not a Hutt's this time-- said. "He's being smart."

    All heads turned to see a bipedal droid approaching them, flanked by two security officers. Coated in silver armor plating, red photoreceptors glowed from within two black "eye holes." Despite the droid's otherwise unemotional face, Kadar could have sworn those optics betrayed a sense of sapience that most droids did not possess.

    Vondara's initial confusion turned into ire as he rolled his pudgy hands into fists. "Do you expect me to be intimidated by you, droid?"

    "In a way, yes. I am Master-Com. I run this station, which is as much a part of me as I am of it. I see and hear everything, but I pay the most attention to ruckuses... such as the one you fiends have been causing."

    Kadar cleared his throat. "Er, excuse me, Master-Com, but... I had no intention whatsoever of being part of this. These bounty hunters have been using me as... sport, I guess."

    "I am aware of that," Master-Com replied. "However, I will need to bring you all into custody so that I can get the full story."

    Vondara inched towards the droid, a glower plastered on his face. "You are playing with fire here, you excrement of metal. I am a Hutt; it is never wise to cross us."

    "I, and only I, run this station," Master-Com said calmly. "You have no authority here. And as I understand, you haven't been a crime lord like most Hutts for nearly three years. Please, come with me."

    As Kadar and the other bounty hunters grudgingly followed the droid, the former had to admit that he respected the droid somewhat. Very few beings-- organic or not-- could speak to a Hutt the way Master-Com just did. That took guts, which was one thing Kadar knew the droid didn't have.

Star Wars Endgame: Episode V, Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

    Boots splashed against puddles of rain as Toah Jarsan went through the deserted streets of Deraln, capital city of Deralia. After the Imperial-Sith War and the encounter with his father on Dromund Kaas, Toah had decided to live the rest of his life here, away from most of galactic society. However, after a talk with Jaden Korr, he had decided to return and assist in ending the Glorian War.

    Nowadays, he rarely visited Deralia, instead wandering around the galaxy, exploring new worlds and helping those in need whom the Galactic Alliance refused to. What brought him back here now was a meeting with a fellow Wanderer.

    Entering an alleyway, Toah looked over his shoulder to make sure he wasn't being followed. He then looked up towards the rafters of a building and said, "Hello, Shadow."

    Dropping down from the rafters was a humanoid figure clad in all black, the hood of his cloak obscuring his face.

    "Jarsan," Shadow said in greeting. "What exactly prompts this meeting?"

    "You're an expert on the Sith, aren't you?" Toah asked.

    Shadow shrugged. "'Expert' may be too strong a term, but yes. Why?"

    "About a week ago, I was in the Unknown Regions with a fellow Jedi when this ancient Sith dreadnaught appeared. It was carrying a Jedi Knight who, apparently, hails from the time of the Great Hyperspace War, over five millennia ago."

    "How is that possible?" Shadow murmured in disbelief.

    "Apparently the Sith dreadnaught went to lightspeed with a damaged hyperdrive. It had been stuck in hyperspace for this time until it finally dropped out. Anyway, after the Jedi Relin Druur told us his tale, we went back to the with Rogue Squadron and a few Jedi Knights to confront the ship's still-alive Sith captain."

    "And?"

    "We found nothing but debris." Toah then held up a charred piece of durasteel. "However, I was able to recover a part of the ship. Think you can use your psychometry to figure out who or what destroyed the dreadnaught?"

    Shadow took the shard and examined it before saying, "I'm not infallible, Jarsan. It can sometimes be difficult zeroing in on a specific event."

    Toah nodded. "Just do your best. That's all I ask."

    Shadow nodded and fell silent, becoming stock still. After a few minutes, he looked up at Toah, green eyes glowing beneath his hood.

    "I saw stormtroopers swarming in from the hangar. The captain-- a Kaleesh-- was apprehended. Then, a Super Star Destroyer fired upon the dreadnaught, destroying it."

    Toah frowned. "So it was the Imperial Remnant's doing. Wonder how they knew about the dreadnaught...."

    "No idea," Shadow said as he returned the steel fragment to him. "That's up to you to figure out. I don't want any part in whatever conflicts may arise between your two governments."

    Toah smirked. "In that case, I wish you good luck."

*  *  *

    "Why we here again? This place bad."

    The Veknoid's complaints fell on deaf ears as Varon Krul meditated within the Sith citadel. The howling of wind could be heard beyond the stone walls, and the sound of hail echoed through the ceiling.

    Sao was correct in that they had been here on Ziost not too long ago. It was here that Varon found records left behind by the ancient Sith Lord Naga Sadow. In them was the mention of the Harbinger, which carried the Lignan crystals he sought for his plans. A vision from the Force told him where and when the dreadnaught would be appearing after a five thousand year-long journey and eventually got what he desired.

    However, the same records from Sadow mentioned a second ship, also carrying Lignan crystals, but not by name. After learning of the name Omen from the Harbinger's late captain, Varon had then returned to Ziost to find any mention of the Omen. After nearly a week of scouring, he had found nothing.

    Thus, he meditated. Perhaps the Force would grant him another vision, just like it had for the Harbinger. Until then, he would wait patiently... even if it meant enduring Sao's insistent complaints.

    "Much darkness here," the Veknoid murmured. "Not good place to be. Shadows watch you. Why--"

    "Quiet," Varon hissed, suddenly snapping awake. "I sense something."

    "The darkness?" Sao asked.

    "We are not alone," the Sith apprentice said quietly. "Someone-- or something-- is here."

    Rising to his feet, Varon moved towards a nearby window and peered through it. Something was moving amongst the frozen mountains; something gold that gleamed in the few dim rays of sunlight that escaped the clouded sky. Then, it emerged.

    It was a large, golden sphere, an eye-like viewport in its center. On either side were two prongs with wings attached to them. It hovered several feet in the air and was slowly making its way towards the citadel.

    A Sith Meditation Sphere. Yet another forgotten relic of the Old Sith Empire. How it had survived all these years-- and apparently moving on its own accord without a pilot-- was beyond Varon's understanding.

    "Stay here," he said to Sao as he slid the window open before jumping out and up onto the rooftop. As the Sith Meditation Sphere came to a stop a few feet away from him, a raspy voice echoed in his mind.

    You are Sith.

    "Indeed," Varon said aloud. "You are a Sith Meditation Sphere, a relic that has been forgotten since the fall of Naga Sadow. How is that possible?"

    The dark side of the Force works in ways beyond anyone's understanding. All that matters is that I am here to serve you.

    "Serve me?"

    I know what it is you seek. I do not know its exact, current location... but I can help you find it.

    Varon raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? In that case, I would gladly appreciate your assistance. I must admit, though, I've never heard of a sentient Meditation Sphere."

    And I've never heard of a Sith who appreciated anything.

    The Sith apprentice smirked. "I suppose the dark side does indeed work in mysterious ways."

Star Wars Endgame: Episode V, Chapter One

Yes, back to this. Finally.

STAR WARS: ENDGAME

Episode V: The Gathering Force

CHAPTER ONE

    The YT-1930 transport, rusted with age, dropped out of hyperspace and began to head towards the wheel-shaped space station known as, fittingly enough, the Wheel. Located within a planet-less star system, the casino/hotel had been operating for over a century and had gone through a variety of owners.

    But the station's history wasn't what lured the Renegade to it. No, it was the offer of a million credits that did it.

    As she and her co-pilot prepared to dock the ship at one of the hundred piers sprouting from the Wheel's center, Kyla Kishanti looked wistfully out the viewport.

    "Imagine it, Ace," she murmured. "A million credits. Just think of all the things we could get with that kinda money: a better ship, a resort on Lianna...."

    "A vocabulator for Shriek," the Bothan co-pilot added. "An audio headset for Ves. A new hydrospanner for Wiskin."

    "Exactly! There'll be less complaining around here. I won't be threatening people with the airlock anymore."

    Ace snorted. "Until Shriek starts making wise-cracks."

    "Nothing a memory wipe wouldn't fix. But then things wouldn't be the same, would it?" Kyla huffed. "Blast. I told myself I would never start a family, and yet here I am with one as a crew."

    Ace smiled. "Not your fault. We just get along really well."

    Kyla smiled back. For five years now had she been captaining the Renegade and running her smuggling operations. While it had started with just her and Ace, they began to pick up others along the way and had since formed a crew that operated much like a family. A multi-species, sometimes dysfunctional family, but a family nonetheless.

    The ship finally docked and both captain and co-pilot got out of their seats. They exited the cockpit and found the rest of the crew lounging in the main hold.

    "We've arrived," Kyla told them. "Shriek, you watch the ship."

    "I thought it was my turn," a female Farghul said with mock indignation.

    Kyla glared at her. "I don't want to come back here and find my ship missing, Keera."

    The feline humanoid grinned, baring her teeth. "All the more reason for you to get a new one."

    "But I like this one," said Ves, a young human female clad in pieces of Mandalorian armor. "It's been my home for like... like...."

    "A year," growled Wiskin as he closed and locked a tools compartment.

    Bedo, an Ortolan with wide black eyes, looked at Ves curiously. "Don't you think your parents are missing you?"

    Ves shrugged. "Probably, but I'm not going back to them for a long time. They'd probably just chain me to something so I wouldn't run off again."

    "Who could blame them?" Wiskin muttered.

    "Okay guys, enough chatter," Kyla said, lowering the boarding ramp. "Let's get rich."

*  *  *

    The Amethyst Casino, counterpart to the Crimson Casino, had a very fitting name. It was a casino, yes, and its walls were very purple. In fact, everything was purple: the tables, the chairs, the counter, even the drink dispensers. It really hurt Remar's eyesight.

    "Good thing I didn't buy a drink", he muttered. "Otherwise, my eyes wouldn't be all that's hurting."

    In the seat across from him was a male Nosaurian-- whose species was naturally colorblind--grinning at him. Remar knew better about his companion, who was in fact a shape-shifter, but was nonetheless irritated by the smugness.

    "I can't help but pity you humans," said Fefar Flashblade. "Pity and laugh at you."

    "Shut up," Remar snapped. He looked at the crowds around them, searching for a certain face. "When's Bodalla gonna get here?"

    "He hired you too?"

    Remar turned to see a young, scruffy-looking man with dirty blond hair. he eyed the newcomer skeptically as he took a seat at his and Fefar's table.

    "And you would be?" Remar asked.

    "Dax Goldam," the man said, grinning lopsidedly. "Heard about the bounty on Kadar. Finally a chance to get him back."

    Fefar raised an eyebrow. "Out for revenge, are you? What did he do to you?"

    "Ever heard of a man named Jaxx Goldam?" Dax asked.

    Both Remar and Fefar shook their heads.

    "He was my father," the young man went on. "Did some work for Black Sun, mainly with a scientist named Mal Banvor. One day, he stole some formulas from Banvor and started brewing things to take out Czethros and later Prince Xalren.

    "Then, some nine years ago, Black Sun sent Kadar and a Sakiyan to kill him. Kadar failed in his attempt, but the Sakiyan-- Baron Salvan Tai, if you've heard of him-- succeeded."

    "I see," Remar said, glancing cursory at Fefar and seeing the nervousness in the Nosaurian's eyes. "So you have a vendetta against two people."

    Dax nodded. "Yup. Salvan's already gotten away from me; I won't let Kadar do the same."

    Fefar cleared his throat. "You do know that Bodalla's with Black Sun, right?"

    "Indeed I am," said a gravelly voice.

    All three men turned to see a larger one approaching their table. With him was a 501-Z police droid (no doubt reprogrammed to serve as a bodyguard), a Mirialan woman, a Hutt in armor, and a female Ubese.

    "It appears all of our contestants are here," said the large man, Scur Bodalla. He affixed his lofty, expensive fur coat before squeezing himself into a chair. "I do believe introductions are in order, if you please."

    "Remar Almor."

    "Fefar Flashblade."

    "Kyla Kishanti," said the Mirialan.

    "Dax Goldam."

    "Vondara Ramesh," rumbled the Hutt.

    "Viper," hissed the Ubese.

    Bodalla chuckled. "Excellent! Now then, we all know the target, of course: Kadar, the White Knight, slayer of Vigos. Whoever captures and bring him in-- dead or alive, whichever you prefer-- shall be rewarded with a million credits. Sounds simple enough, yes?"

    "Except for one thing," Viper said. "We don't know where he is."

    "I beg to differ," Bodalla chortled. "That's why I summoned you all here: Kadar is right here, on this station."

    The bounty hunters stared at him in surprise. The crime lord grinned.

    "Let the hunt begin."