Star Wars Invasion: Episode VII, Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

   Ever since Zargga the Hutt had ascended to the Hutt Council, the cantina he had owned on Nar Shaddaa began to rise in popularity and had become very busy, even on weekdays. Ownership of the cantina had since passed on from Zargga to his Lannik business partner, who was seldom ever seen, leaving it to two bartenders- a Yarkora and an Advozse- to oversee business.

   Like any place on Nar Shaddaa, Zargga's Cantina was a flourishing hive for smugglers, criminals, and other scum. Only now, its recent popularity made its customers feel as if they were 'special'.

   Stuck-up snobbish braggarts, was the only term Kadar found befitting of them.

   The white-armored bounty hunter was sitting in an isolated corner within the cantina, away from the crowded groups of gambling smugglers. Sitting nearby, watching him intently, were two other mercenaries. One of them, a Barabel, was staring menacingly at him with blood-red eyes, while the other, a Rodian, simply took quick and casual glances at him.

   Kadar feigned ignorance, instead pretending to be interested in the band performing in the cantina, 'Lapti Nek' blasting from their speakers. He knew why the Barabel and Rodian were here; to recruit him into the Snatchers. 

   For many years ever since he had made a name for himself as a bounty hunter, the mercenary group known as the Snatchers had tried to approach him. But he had always declined their offers. That didn't stop them from persisting though. Of course, hardly anything could....

   As he sat there watching the band, which was now desperate for a positive reaction from the bored-looking crowd, as the lead vocalist had just randomly tore his shirt off and the two Zabrak musicians were smashing their quetarras, Kadar began to wonder what approach the Snatchers would use this time.

   His answer soon came when the Rodian spoke, trying to act as casual as possible. "So, Kadar, how's life been treating you?"

   Kadar said nothing, instead watching the band's lead singer get into an argument with the Weequay at the drums.

   The Rodian cleared his throat. "Many people are impressed with your capture of that Nimbanel on Carratos. Important people."

   "Important in what regard?" Kadar asked, though he wasn't waiting for an answer. The argument had escalated into a brawl on stage.

   "Well, Raaxus the Hutt, for one, as well as a majority of the Hutt Council." The Rodian took a drink from his glass of wine. "I hear that Black Sun is also taking an interest in your accomplishments."

   Kadar scoffed. "Those losers are back together? They're worse than the plague."

   The music had almost completely ceased, save for the instrumental sounds emitting from the speakers, for the entire band had begun arguing. The audience was clearly enjoying it far more than the musical performance.

   "As I was saying," the Rodian murmured, "it's only a matter of time before they start approaching you with offers."

   "Just like you?"

   The Snatcher dodged the question. "Offers that will get you stuck, that you won't get much out of."

   "That's why I work only for the highest bidder."

   "So do the Snatchers. Trust me, you'll fit right in. You'll be among your own kind, among people who think like you."

   Without warning, Kadar stood from his seat and whipped out his blaster rifle. The Rodian and Barabel were about to do the same until they saw Kadar fire his weapon, watched the plasma bolt fly right past them...

   ...and through the head of the Weequay drummer.

   All eyes in the cantina turned to the white-armored bounty hunter as he casually walked up to the stage where the Weequay laid. Wordlessly, he lifted up the alien's corpse and then turned back to the Rodian.

   "That's just it," he said. "No one thinks like me."

   With that, the bounty hunter strode out of the cantina with the Weequay's dead body, leaving behind him a room of silence.

*  *  *

   Dax Goldam hated waiting. Especially when the event he was waiting for never occurred, which had happened several times to him in the past. Listening to the boring ticking of the chrono on the wall and the thrashing of the gagged security guard stuffed in the closet didn't help matters either.

   With nearly two hours having gone by, he was tempted to just call it quits. Just as he was about to, however, his assassin droid partner said, "Master, I have a visual."

   Dax jumped out of the reclining chair he was in. "Is it him?"

   "Affirmative, master," the droid said, pointing at the viewscreen which showed the bounty hunter Kadar heading for his ship, a dead Weequay in tow. "I doubt we'll be able to reach him in time."

   Dax grinned. "That's what the tracking beacon is for."

   He patted the droid on the shoulder. "Gather up the rest of the posse, 791. We're on the hunt."

STAR WARS: INVASION

EPISODE VII

TERRORS OF THE UNDERWORLD

   

   Timeline: 36 years after the events of A New Hope

*

   Author's note: I had originally written an prologue for this, but it ended up being irrelevant to the final story.

Star Wars Invasion: Episode VI, Chapter Eleven and Epilogue

CHAPTER ELEVEN

-Rhen Var-

   "This is suicide, Soos..."

   "I told you it would be, Kral."

   The X-wing fighters of Rogue Squadron narrowly moved through enemy lines, Glorian fighters hot on their tail. Through her comlink, Jaina heard R2-D2 squeal in terror as they just barely avoided a suicide fighter.

   Soos' plan, as crazy as it was, appeared to be working. By slipping through the Glorian fleet, they were getting the fighters to follow them and perform their suicidal maneuvers. By executing a few just-as-crazy moves, they would be able to reduce the Glorians' numbers and, hopefully, not get killed in the process.

   Easier said than done, Jaina thought as she watched an A-wing interceptor dive straight into a Glorian warship....

*  *  *

   In all his life, Admiral Chaar never thought he would witness a miracle.

   One moment, his ship was on the brink of destruction, hounded by Glorian attacks. The next, said fighters had went off to pursue Rogue Squadron while the Imperial Star Destroyer Harbinger came to Chaar's aid.

   "Hang in there, Jan Dodonna," said the Harbinger's Coruscanti-accented captain Trebor Horan. "We'll escort you to safety."

   Chaar sighed in relief. "Many thanks, captain."

   With that, the Vurk admiral collapsed into his command chair and, through tiered eyes, watched as the tide of the battle turned for the greater good.

*  *  *

   "This is Gold Leader to Major Rolav; the citadel is under Alliance control. All Glorian ground forces are retreating. I repeat, all Glorian ground forces are retreating."

   Sakul smiled as he reclined in his seat. "Good work, you guys. Now get back up there and help Admiral Chaar's forces."

   "You got it, major."

   As the comm channel went silent, Sakul gazed out at the harbor, where his and Ivan's troopers were rounding up the remaining Glorians, who were pleading and begging to be executed. Of course, they wouldn't be given the satisfaction; they didn't deserve it.

   "A job well done, I'd say," said Commander Ivan as he came up beside Sakul. He had removed his helmet, revealing a middle-aged face with a pointed goatee. 

   "I must say," he said, "we make a pretty good team."

   Sakul chuckled. "That we do, commander."

   He moved his gaze to the corpse of what appeared to be a Glorian general, judging by their more polished and silvery armor. It looked as if he or she had been bisected. Going by the lack of blood, it couldn't have been done with an ordinary blade.

   Sakul shrugged any further though on it off. Whoever did this to them was obviously long gone and were most likely working against the Glorians.

   Turning back to Ivan, he raised up a bottle of Corellian beverage and two small goblets. "Care for a drink?"

   Ivan laughed. "Don't mind if I do."

*  *  *

   It was finally over.

   Jaina relaxed her shoulders as she watched the Glorian fleet retreat into hyperspace. Their forces seemed to be moving in disarray as they did so, some of the remaining fighters crashing into each other as they scurried for their respective flagship's hangar bay.

   Once they had all fled, once Jaina was certain that they wouldn't return for an unexpected ambush, she said to her fellow Rogues, "All right, guys, let's return to the Jan Dodonna. We've won."

*  *  *

   "Wow," Sev Nep murmured as he slumped into a chair. The rest of the Alliance and Imperial forces were gathered around a table set up within a fortress in the Rhen Var Harbor. Anakin sat down next to him and Jast Kyjar as food and refreshments were passed around the table.

   "Wow," the Sullustan repeated. "I never thought I would...would...."

   "See a battle to the end?" Anakin asked as he bit into a biscuit.

   "Yeah, and win!" Sev accepted a bottle of water and quickly drained it down. "I guess all of that military training which I thought was pointless paid off."

   "Speaking of training," Jast said, "I oughta learn how to drive one of those hovertanks. Lumpy's good enough with the turret. I think we make a good team, don't you?"

   The Wookiee growled in response.

   Jast sighed. "I should also learn how to speak Wookiee."

   "I'm sure my dad could give you a few pointers," Anakin said. "Or maybe Lysira could-"

   He paused, his eyes scanning the room and the table. He saw Kalvin, Tesara, and Vex speaking with their fellow stormtroopers. Animus, back in his human form, was speaking with Lieutenant Eshka, while everyone else was talking and laughing.

   But there was still no sign of Lysira Naris.

   Anakin got up from his seat. Sev, Jast, and Lumpy stared at him in confusion.

   "Where are you going?" Sev asked.

   "I'll be right back," Anakin said hastily. "Just need some fresh air."

*  *  *

   Much to his surprise, it didn't take long for him to find Lysira. She was standing not far from the harbor, staring out at Rhen Var's setting sin. What surprised him even more was what she said to him when he finally reached her.

   "I'm leaving, Anakin."

   He stopped, staring at her in disbelief. "Why?"

   She turned to face him and he saw that she was dressed in the same outfit worn by the Revanchists on Dantooine and Tatooine.

   "I can't bear to live among you and your friends, knowing that I will be regarded with contempt for my use of the dark side." She returned her attention to the setting sun. "I'll be returning to my own kind...where I belong."

   "Lysira," Anakin said softly. "You don't have to do this."

   She smiled at him. "I do, Anakin. It's for the greater good."

   On a device wrapped on her wrist, she pressed a button. Suddenly, a small starfighter of an undetermined model broke through the clouds, gracefully landing before Lysira.

   As she began to climb into the ship, she looked at Anakin one last time, smiling sadly.

   "Don't worry," she said. "Our paths will cross again one day. I promise."

   Anakin simply stood where he remained and watched as her ship rose off the icy ground and blasted off into the sky, vanishing behind the gray clouds. 

EPILOGUE

-Mandalore-

   Atinar Cabur blinked, startled by what had just happened.

   The two Jedi were gone. How and why, he did not know.

   Nor do you care.

   He twitched at the voice in his head. Right, he thought. I don't care. They're Jedi; they probably escaped somehow. I'll catch them eventually.

   Without saying a word to any of the other Mandalorians, who were just as baffled as he had been, he strode out of his home, thinking about visiting the Oyu'baat cantina for a drink.

-Kuna's Tail system-

   As the desert world of Sarafur fell behind him, Shadow sat in contemplation at his ship's controls, staring at his collection of Sith artifacts, which he had built up over the years.

   Some of them had turned out to be forgeries. The Sith sword which the Snivvian con artist Remulus Horne got from Ord Radama, for example, was such a counterfeit. The glove of Darth Vader, also from the Snivvian, was likely a forgery as well; Lord Kaan had plenty of Sith amulets, and there was also an abundance of Mandalorian crushgaunts in the galaxy. Remulus could have easily found the two and claim it to be Lord Vader's glove.

   Shadow sighed. Did he really need all of these novelty items? With his mission finished, for the time being, he no longer needed these to track Lumiya.

   True, he had originally intended to destroy them after finding each and every last one of them. But he had then taken an interest in the Sith and their lore. But was it nothing more but a mere distraction?

   He did not wish to think any further on the subject. Gathering up his 'collection' and putting it back into his travel pouch, he headed for the ship's cargo hold. Soon, the ancient relics and artifacts of the long-lasting Lords of the Sith would be nothing but debris in space....

-Elsewhere-

   The storm was approaching. It had been doing so for quite some time. Only now, it was a matter of time before it struck.

   True, the Glorains had lost Rhen Var. But it was lesser, uninhabited world, and thus not essential to the Reunification. The loss at Rhen Var had done nothing to disrupt the reconstruction.

   And with Jaden Korr under his direction, he could not only watch the events of the galaxy unfold, but actually affect them as they did.

   The Watcher smiled to himself. The storm was indeed approaching. And the galaxy could do nothing to stop it.

TO BE CONTINUED....

Star Wars Invasion: Episode VI, Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

   Shadow froze. All around him, time seemed to do so as well, for Lumiya and her apprentice had suddenly stopped moving. Underneath his helmet, he felt beads of sweat tickle down his skin. Soon, his whole body was beginning to shiver. There were very few things that could prompt these feelings of fear from him.

   Very, very few.

   His heart began to beat heavily out of anticipation and suspense. What was he waiting for, he thought. Part of him wanted to take his blade and end his own life right then and there.

   Now that just wouldn't be acceptable, would it?

   Shadow tried to keep his voice steady, but his words still came out as a croak. "Hello, master..."

   My, it is rare to hear such terror in your voice, Agent Shadow. Are you, dare I say, aware of a mistake you've made?

   "Have I made one, master?"

   Not yet, but you might be about to. If I were to unfreeze this scene right now, would you be able to swiftly kill Lumiya and her apprentice?

   "I think so, master."

   You 'think' so? Has the confidence you've displayed to me for so long been merely a facade?

   Shadow did not know what to say. He hated himself for saying that, though he knew, deep down, that his master had subtly willed him to admit his self-doubt.

   I was willing to have given you a second chance after your failure on Dxun. Was I right in doing so?

   "Yes, master," Shadow said, his confidence rebuilding itself.

   Then prove it.

   The scene unfroze and Shadow narrowly dodged a swing from Lumiya's lightsaber. He dropped to the floor and rolled, coming up behind the two Sith. Carnor Jax leaped at him, crying out in rage. In midair, Shadow grabbed him by the leg and flipped him over his head, throwing him to the ground behind him.

   Lumiya then charged towards Shadow, and behind him, Carnor was doing the same. The agent simply remained erect where he was, unmoving. The moment the two Sith's blade were about to run through his stomach, he jumped.

   From above, Shadow watched gleefully as Lumiya's lightsaber pierced through Carnor Jax's chest. The shocked reactions from both of them made it even more entertaining. 

   Enraged, Lumiya extracted her blade from her apprentice's chest, letting his now-lifeless body collapse to the floor. As Shadow gracefully landed, she lunged at him, spinning her bladed wildly. 

   The moment she was within range, Shadow grabbed her by the arm, squeezing her wrist so that she lost her grip on her lightsaber. He caught the weapon as it fell and twirled it around so that it severed the arm he was holding.

   Crying out in pain, Lumiya staggered back and then fell to her knees. Shadow held the scarlet lightsaber blade at her neck.

   Very good, the Watcher said in his head. Quite impressive. Now, let her go.

   Shadow blinked. "Master?"

   You heard me. She is beaten and unarmed. She is no longer a dire threat. With her apprentice dead, her plans and schemes have been...postponed.

   Shadow silently sighed. "Very well."

   He deactivated the lightsaber, provoking a surprised look from Lumiya. Walking over to Carnor Jax's corpse, he picked up the fallen Sith's weapon and then headed for the crypt's exit.

   As soon as he reached the doorway, he heard Lumiya speak. "Aren't you going to explore this tomb? I thought you were intrigued by the Killik Sith Lord myth."

   Shadow let out a harsh laugh. "I never had an interest for such things. If I did..."

   He turned to face her, his green eyes glowing balefully. 

   "I would be in the same position as you are right now...perhaps in a more horrific state."

   With that, he strode out of the crypt, leaving behind Lumiya and whatever secrets or answers the tomb contained...if it ever had any at all.

*  *  *

   Why is it, Jaden Korr thought, that these strange things always happen to me?

   Just like on Taris: one moment, he and Starkiller were being ambushed by a bunch of Mandalorians. The next, Jaden had suddenly awoken in a dark room. This time, however, he was not alone.

   "Where the heck are we?" he heard Starkiller ask, though he could not see him.

   "Your guess is as good as mine," Jaden replied. "I must say though, this gives our Mandalorian conflict and 'anti-climatic' solution."

   "Well, I couldn't take any chances," a third voice said. At the same time, a gold light began to illuminate the room. Jaden shielded his eyes from the sudden brightness.

   "Who...who's there?" he asked.

   "I am," the voice said. "That is all you need know."

   "No, it's not," Starkiller growled. "Tell us why you brought us here!"

   "Actually, I only wanted Jaden Korr. But two of you is no problem."

   "You better start making sense soon," Jaden said. "To start off, who are you?"

   The voice laughed, sending chills down the Jedi's spine. Squinting, he could make out an indiscernible shape in the center of the gold light.

   "I am the Watcher."

Star Wars Invasion: Episode VI, Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

   The AT-AT moved slowly towards the Rhen Var Harbor, firing its heavy laser cannons at turrets and stationary weapons place throughout the harbor. At its feet, AAC-1 hovertanks and Saber-class fighter tanks rode into the enemy's territory, all weapons ablaze. 

   Troopers- of both Alliance and Imperial types- marched alongside the vehicles, firing their blaster rifles and rocket launchers as weapons establishments missed by the AT-AT. Meanwhile, airborne troopers equipped with jet packs bombarded enemy forces with mortar launchers and fully-charged thermal detonators.

   On the front lines, Anakin Solo deflected enemy fire with his lightsaber. At his side was Animus, who had taken on the form of some vicious feline creature, lunging and clawing at Glorians who dare to come too close. Nearby, Kalvin was assisting the munitions expert Ulen Valsar in directing the assault troopers; Sev, Tesara, and Vex were amongst their respective trooper teams; and Jast Kyjar and Lumpy were piloting a hovertank, though the former's piloting skills left a lot to be desired.

   All of this, yet no sign of Lysira.

   When they had left the base, Anakin thought he had seen her amongst everyone else, but now he had lost sight of her and could not feel her presence through the Force. Of course, she could have been masking her presence. But for what purpose?

   Anakin shook his head, clearing his thoughts. There wasn't any time to ponder, only to focus on the battle and hope to win it.

*  *  *

   In all his life, Vral Chaar never thought it would come to this.

   As bridge officers ran to-and-fro in panic, Chaar simply stared out the viewport, forlorn as flames started to surround it. This must have been what his ancestor had witnessed moments before his own demise, only without the feeling of despair welling up inside of him.

   The Vurk hung his head dejectedly. He had hoped to make his family proud. And now he was going to die in a blaze of anything but glory....

*  *  *

   "We've lost Rogue Eight!"

   Jaina Solo bit her lip as Jer Topaz's X-wing fighter went up in flames. Shadow Leader's plan had been a very complex and fool-proof one, which involved distracting the Glorians and diverting their firepower away from the Jan Dodonna.

   Clearly, the Glorians were not falling for it. Nearly half of Shadow Squadron had been destroyed almost immediately, their leader among the casualties, and Rogue Squadron were already beginning to get shot down like flies, with Topaz and Celcia Halis being the first.

   To Jaina, it was looking like the Battle of Rhen Var was going to end the same as Kaal and Agamar; with the Glorian Empire's victory. 

   Her solemn musing was interrupted by the crackling of her intercom. She braced herself for whatever piece of bad news was going to come through it.

   "I have an idea."

   Her brief feeling of relief was replaced by her surprised at who said those words. "Soos?"

   Out of all of the members of Rogue Squadron, Soos Marko was the most pessimistic, displaying grim and dismal utterances whenever hope seemed lost. Out of everyone, he was the last person Jaina expected to come up with an idea to achieve victory.

   "What's your plan?" she heard Kral Nevil ask.

   "You really want to know?" the Phuii pilot asked. "It's...kind of stupid-"

   "Just spit it out!" Shyra Jaaz snapped. "I've got a Glorian on my tail!"

   "All right, here it goes. But believe me, you're not going to like it..."

*  *  *

   General Dalax watched the AT-AT storm into the harbor, its turbolasers firing. Rockets from the AAC hovertanks flew in all possible directions, a good majority of them striking their targets and sending a number of Glorians flying off to their demises. 

   This just didn't make sense, Dalax thought. From what he could tell from his monitor, which showed the space battle over Rhen Var, things were going well for the Glorian Empire. But down here....

   It just didn't make sense. His entire army- both ground and space forces- were using the exact same complicated tactics and strategies. Even if the enemy did have an AT-AT or not, his forces should still have the upper hand.

   "It's such a pity to see such great minds fall to their arrogance."

   Dalax stiffened, his heart beating faster than it should have been. He had thought himself alone in the command room, all of his subordinates having left to carry out their orders throughout the harbor.

   Knowing that he would regret it, the general turned around to see a fairly young human woman standing before him. She was dressed in a black robe, with crimson armor worn over it. Her eyes, as dark as her hair, seemed to be as black as the void.

   Dalax tilted his head, his fear subsided by his wonder at the woman's vaguely familiar appearance. Cautiously, he said, "Who, may I ask, are you?"

   The woman smiled, though it was not a warming one. "If you have to ask, you needn't know."

   "Fair enough," Dalax muttered, eying her carefully. "Do you happen to know why my forces are...faltering."

   "Why do you assume that I do?"

   "Perhaps it's because of what you said, about 'great minds' falling to arrogance."

   She laughed mirthlessly. "Ah, yes. I'm sure you could tell that I was referring to you."

   Dalax blinked, momentarily confused. "I...I beg your pardon?"

   "Oh, please." She walked past him and up to the structure's doorway through which the ongoing battle could be seen. "You were so confident in your schemes and calculated chances that you failed to prepare yourself for this union between the Imperial Remnant and the Galactic Alliance."

   Dalax scoffed. "Their association means nothing. It would be no different if the Alliance had called in for reinforcements from Coruscant.

   "Ah, but you forget." The woman turned to face him and a ray of sunlight leaking from a crevice in the ceiling created a disturbing gleam in her eyes. "The Imperial Remnant was once an empire, not unlike your own. They still know how an empire works. They know what its people are like, how its military operates. And they know now how to exploit its faults, especially after witnessing the fall of two- technically three- different empires.

   "And, more often than not, arrogance is one of those faults."

   Dalax stared at her in bewilderment. "Where are you going with this?"

   She smiled. To him, it felt like an ice sickle was being stabbed through his heart. "I thought it was quite clear, general. You have lost this battle."

   He shook his head. "No, we shall prove victorious! Our ground forces may fall, but my fleet will cripple the enemy and see to the rest of them down here."

   The woman shook her head. "No, I don't think they will."

   Before Dalax could reply, he felt his throat tighten, putting pressure on his windpipe. As he gagged for air, he watched as the female raised a black hood over his head.

   "As I was saying, it's a pity." She reached into a pouch hanging around her waist and brought out what appeared to be a mask. "People like you have had so much potential, and yet you waste it when you become overconfident and arrogant."

   She donned the mask...and realization dawned on Dalax.

   The Revanchist, slayer of many Glorians, unveiled a lightsaber hilt from her robe and ignited its scarlet blade.

   "Before I kill you," she whispered, "take pride in the fact that you were at least able to witness a part of your invasion before your death."

   She raised the blade, poised to bisect him. "Some of your friends can't say the same."

   

Star Wars Invasion: Episode VI, Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

-Sarafur-

   "We can go on about this charade forever," Shadow said, "but the result will be the same."

   Lumiya dropped to the floor as the cloaked being flung a razor-like disk at her head. As it completed its course and started to head back for its master, she raised her lightsaber and sliced the weapon into two pieces.

   "I will still win."

   Much to her surprise, the disk's two halves rose up from the floor and began to spin around her head, buzzing like an angered nest of bees.

   "It's a pity that I destroyed your lightwhip on Dxun," Shadow said as he dodged a wild swing from Carnor Jax's lightsaber. "Otherwise, this would be no problem for you."

   "Who said it was?" Giving into the dark side, Lumiya called upon the Force and unleashed a blast of lightning, which instantly turned the disk halves to dust.

   Shadow let out a dark, mirthless laugh. "Impressive...for a Sith. I still wonder how your kind have managed to live on for so long."

   Glowering, Lumiya lunged at him, twirling her scarlet blade. The moment she was within a few feet away from him, he performed a backflip, flying over Carnor Jax, who had been attempting to attack him from behind. The two Sith stopped in their assault and turned to face Shadow, who was now standing at the entrance to the tomb's main chamber.

   "Before I kill you," he said, "I must satisfy my curiosity. Just what exactly compelled you to follow a Shistavanen legend about a Sith Lord who couldn't possibly have been able to exist?"

   "To see if the legend was true," Lumiya replied, watching the cloaked warrior warily.

   "Ah, and is it?"

   "Partly." She raised her lightsaber. "You won't live long enough to find out."

   Shadow's cackling laugh rang throughout the crypt. "That is where you're wrong."

   Simultaneously, the three combatants lunged at each other and the chamber was alive again with clashing blades.

-Mandalore-

   The Mandalorian landspeeder came to a stop before a fort-like structure located on Keldabe's outskirts. Jaden and Starkiller's guide, who had yet to identify himself, stepped out of the speed and signaled for the two of them to follow him.

   "I'll admit that it may not look like much," the Mandalorian said. "But I call it home."

   "Is there any point in this little trip?" Starkiller asked bitterly. "The fate of the galaxy is at stake and you expect us to take a tour of your house?"

   The Mandalorian grunted. "Trust me; you'll be glad you did."

   The two Jedi followed him into the structure. Inside, the rooms were rather simple in design, with only a few pieces of furniture and other necessities present. The Mandalorian continued across the room and came to a stop before the holographic bust of a man Jaden did not recognize.

   "Have you ever heard of the Mandalorian Excision?" the large man asked.

   "I believe so," Jaden said.

   The Mandalorian lifted the holoprojector's base up from its stand. "Then you have heard of Aran Cabur?"

   "I can't say I have."

   "Didn't think so." The Mandalorian stared at the holographic face and sighed. "He was our Mand'alor during those times. His clan were said to be the strongest of the clans, hence their name, Cabur, which is Mando'a for protector.

   "As Mand'alor, he defended our world from the Old Republic and the Jedi when they attacked. He kept on fighting even when all hope seemed lost. As such, after he fell, he was known forever more as Mandalore the Valiant."

   "So, what does this have to do with your lust for vengeance?" Starkiller asked.

   The Mandalorian turned to him, his dark eyes burning with fury. "Aran Cabur was not just a valiant warrior. He was not just Mandalore."

   He puffed out his chest. "He was my ancestor. And I am his last descendant, for my kin have fallen to an illness that has plagued our clan for centuries."

   He stepped forward, looming over Jaden and Starkiller. "I am Atinar Cabur, heir to the title of Mandalore. And I will have my revenge."

   Reflexively, the two Jedi ignited their lightsabers just as a dozen Mandalorian warriors lunged at them from the shadows....

*  *  *

   Tick tock. The clock was ticking. Time was running short.

   He had not anticipated the Mandalorian to pull this stunt. It was not his job to predict, only to watch, and wait. He was, however, confident that Jaden Korr would escape alive. He had to.

   Tick tock. The minutes were trickling down like droplets of rain.

   The conflict on Sarafur did not seem to be progressing well. While it was normal for Agent Shadow to toy with his targets, he did not usually let them live for so long.

   No matter, he thought. If either of these incidents came to the worst possible outcome, he could always interfere in the most subtlest way possible.

   Tick tock. The clock was ticking. Time was running short; his patience slowly wearing thin.... 

*

   Author's note: I'm thinking about going through my past stories and replacing the chapter breaks (*  *  *) with location names. 

Star Wars Invasion: Episode VI, Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

   "You better take good care of this baby," said Commander Ivan of the 501st Legion as he patted the leg of the AT-AT walker that Obtrexta Fleet had just transported to Rhen Var. "She's seen a lot of action over the years."

   "I never knew you guys personified these things," Major Sakul said. "Especially since they all look the same."

   The stormtrooper commander chuckled. "Well, Betsy here has gotten enough scars to be distinguished from the rest."

   Standing beside Sakul, Ulen Valsar let out a snort. "'Betsy?'"

   Ivan nodded. "A trooper from Commander Krotan's squad came up with it. It kind of just tolls off the tongue, doesn't it?"

   "As long as she can get the job done," Sakul said. Looking up towards Rhen Var's cloudy sky, he then added, "How's the battle up there going?"

   "No idea," Ivan said, looking in the same direction. "We mowed down enough of the blockade to get us here, but we have no idea how everyone is holding up. I hope they're doing fine."

   "We all do, commander," Sakul murmured. "We always do."

*  *  *

   "Rogue Six! You've got a Glory on your tail!"

   Jak Denon gritted his teeth as he banked his X-wing starfighter to the left, narrowly avoiding a Glorian starfighter that was moving at projectile-like speed. He then squeezed his firing controls, scoring a mark on the fighter's right thruster, which sent it spiraling out of control, resulting a fiery demise.

   One down, a thousand more to go, Jak thought as he piloted his X-wing towards the Jan Dodonna, which was being pounded by enemy fire. On his right, he saw his wingmate, Rogue Seven, fly up to him.

   "Sheesh, at least give me time to catch up with you," Seph Kisto said through his intercom. "You'd be toast without me."

   "I can't help it if these Glorians are so willing to die just to kill me," Jak snapped. "These guys are the craziest pilots I've ever seen!"

   "That sums up my view on Rebel pilots back in the day," muttered a gravelly voice as a flight of TIE Defenders flew up to Jak's left. "We always thought you were told to suicide yourselves."

   "Well, I can't comment on that," Jak replied. "What do you suppose we do about these Glories there?"

   There was a hint of slyness in the TIE pilot's voice as he said, "I have just the right tactic in mind. Form up, Shadow Squadron."

   As Jak watched the TIE Defenders fly off towards the Strident-class Star Defender, he heard his wingmate say, "What about us, Rogue Leader?"

   "Just follow their lead, guys," Jaina Solo said. "Just follow their lead."

*  *  *

   "Sir, our scanners are picking up enemy signatures."

   Sitting comfortably in his command chair, General Dalax stirred. He stared at the Glorian officer who had delivered this information, his green eyes blazing.

   "Do they have the Duinuogwuin with them?" he asked.

   "Negative, sir," the female officer replied. "Only a group of AAC-1 hovertanks, flanked by Alliance soldiers."

   This did nothing to relax Dalax. "Perhaps they are trying to fool us. Are you sure that is all the scanners are picking up?"

   "Not quite," said another officer. "I'm detecting Saber-class tanks, as well as AT-APs."

   Dalax got up from his seat. "I thought those vehicles were exclusive to the Imperial Remnant," he muttered.

   "Perhaps they have come to assist the Alliance?"

   The general moved past the two officers and headed out of the ancient fortress which served as his forces' headquarters, fuming as he went. As he stepped out into the harbor, he froze.

   Despite the falling snow, he could see it as clear as day. After years of studying the enemy's vehicles and arsenal, there was no mistaking its build and size.

   The enemy had an AT-AT. The Galactic Alliance and Imperial Remnant were working together.

   Good thing Versanus was gotten rid of, Dalax thought bitterly. He fouled everything up.

   To his subordinates, he bellowed, "Send out all of our forces! All of them! Every single one!" 

   His voice boomed throughout the harbor, sounding over the howling wind. His eyes burned with fury, his heart pounding with excitement. He would see the enemy fall today. He was sure of it.

   The Glorian Empire would conquer Rhen Var and move on out to Felucia and Draukyze. He was sure of it.

   The Reunification would succeed. He was sure of it.

*  *  *

   "We've lost our shields!" a deck officer cried from the Jan Dodonna's bridge. "We're taking heavy fire!"

   Admiral Chaar gritted his teeth as he gripped the front railing of the upper deck as the Star Defender shuddered from the Glorians' assault. To a Mon Calamari officer, he said, "Can we call up any more squadrons?"

   "Negative, sir," the officer replied. "Rogue and Shadow Squadrons are trying to fight off the Glorians, but to no avail. Black Squadron is all but wiped out, and Gray Squadron-"

   The officer yelped as his monitor went up in flames, a result of another suicide fighter.

   "Blast," Chaar muttered. He glanced at Captain Zennefra, who was gazing out the viewport, watching their fleet fall apart. 

   Quietly, he said, "We've lost our communications, haven't we?"

   The Elomin captain simply nodded.

   Chaar sighed. "Then I suppose this is our last battle."

Star Wars Invasion: Episode VI, Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

   "What do you mean your leader is not here?"

   The burly Mandalorian standing before Jaden and Starkiller crossed his large arms. "Do I have to spell it out for you? He left for Concord Dawn a few days ago. Didn't say why, though."

   The three men were standing outside the fort which served as the Mandalore's headquarters. On either side of the large Mandalorian were two other members of the nomadic warriors. Both were fully armored and had their EE-3 carbine rifles aimed at the two Jedi.

   "Right then," Jaden said. "So we'll go to Concord Dawn and-"

   "I wouldn't," the man said. "Mand'alor doesn't think kindly of...stalkers, for lack of a better term." He glanced at Starkiller's ruff-looking appearance. "And going by your appearances, he'd probably assume that you were bounty hunters."

   "Pot calling the kettle black," Jaden said with a smirk.

   Starkiller crossed his arms. "If Boba Fett's not here, then who's calling the shots?"

   "Goran Beviin, Mand'alor's lieutenant. You wouldn't want to speak with him either, though."

   "I believe we'll have to," Jaden said. "A war is threatening our galaxy, and we're going to need help from the Mandalorians."

   The burly man scowled. "And why should we help you? Our kind have been regarded with nothing but disdain for over four thousand years."

   Jaden nodded. "Yes, I am aware of that. But ever since you helped us at the Battle of Coruscant, we have looked at you with more respect. We have put the past behind us and-"

   "I haven't," the Mandalorian growled. "I can not speak for my fellow Mando'a, but I have refused to forget what the Jedi have done to my clan."

   Jaden blinked, bemused. "I...don't quite understand."

   "Of course you don't." The man signaled the other two Mandalorians to lower their weapons. He then said to the two Jedi, "I think it would be best if you followed me."

*  *  *

   Shadow narrowly dodged Carnor Jax's lightsaber blade as the Sith apprentice attempted to stab at him. He then swung his leg out to trip Carnor, but the latter anticipated the move and jumped over it, aiming a kick at Shadow's face. The Glorian agent dropped to the floor and rolled as Carnor's booted foot came down. 

   Before the apprentice could make another move, Shadow brought out a dagger and flung it at his back. Carnor Jax barely avoided it in time, the tip of its blade just brushing his side, leaving a bloodied scar in the black cloth he wore under his ebony armor.

   "Ah, I apologize for ruining your new outfit," Shadow said sardonically. "I take it that you adopted a new style after leaving Dxun."

   His dark eyes now glowing with the yellow blaze of the dark side, Carnor lunged at Shadow, his lightsaber pike raised high over his head. The Glorian agent casually stepped aside, causing the scarlet blade to plunge into the floor. Before the Sith apprentice could pull his weapon out, Shadow grabbed him by the collar of his tunic, which he wore underneath his armor.

   "I'm sorry," Shadow said, "but I did not come all the way here to this worthless planet just to play with you. Now, where is your master?"

   Carnor scowled at him. "Like I would tell you."

   Shadow tightened his grip. "I believe it would be in your best interest to do so."

   The apprentice's eyes burned with fury. "You might as well just kill me."

   "I could," Shadow said. "And I plan on doing just that. But first, where is your master?"

   "Standing before you."

   Shadow turned to see the Sith Lady known as Lumiya, standing casually before a doorway which no doubt led into the crypt's main chamber. Her green eyes stared at shadow with an icy glare.

   "I'm surprised that you managed to track us all the way here to Sarafur," the self-proclaimed Dark Lady of the Sith said. "I don't recall leaving any trail behind."

   "I find my way," Shadow said. "Now then, there are two ways we can do this. You can make this quick and easy and just let me kill you. Or we can delay the inevitable and waste our time fighting until someone dies."

   "In the latter case," Lumiya said, "what would be the 'inevitable' event?"

   Shadow shrugged. "I would like it to be your deaths, but that depends on how well you've improved since our encounter on Dxun."

   "You weren't much better."

   Shadow chuckled mirthlessly. "I simply underestimated you. So, what shall it be; my way or the easy way?"

   The snapping sound of a lightsaber activating was the response. Shadow grinned as he released Carnor Jax from his grip.

   "My way it is."

*  *  *

   The clock was ticking. The time was drawing near.

   Ever since he had put his plan into motion, he had been watching, searching for the one being in the galaxy who he could speak with, who could understand him, and who could serve as a connection between him and the rest of the galaxy.

   And he had finally found that being.

   All he had to do was watch, and wait for things to take their course.

   The Reunification was drawing near....