Transformers Regenerated: Lost Light VI, Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN

--Caminus--

    "Is this everyone?"

    Shockfleet shook her head as she closed the cell door on the unconscious Rodimus, Drift, and Rapid Run. "No, sir. The psychiatrists are still unaccounted for, as is the other medic. Windrazor and Eagle Eye are searching the Citadel for them."

    Afterburner grunted, hands behinds his back. "They'd better make it quick. We've only got ten minutes. Has the rest of the Citadel been evacuated?"

    "Yes, every Camien -- save for those in the Grand Hall -- have been vacated."

    "Very good. That just leaves the Autobot ship in orbit."

    "Skyscorch told me he would deal with them. I don't know what he meant by that, though...."

    "Doesn't matter. I trust him to handle the situation succinctly." Afterburner started to turn towards the doorway. "I'll go get the ship prepared. Wait here for Eagle Eye and Windrazor to--"

    "How could you?"

    The general stopped dead in his tracks. Standing in the doorway was a white and blue mech, his fists clenched.

    "Overcast," Afterburner said coolly. "You're still here? I thought you left with everyone else."

    "How could you?" Overcast repeated, stepping into the room. "How could you side with those monsters?"

    "The Decepticons are hardly any more monstrous than the Autobots," Afterburner replied. "Our friend Pharma is proof enough of that."

    "He is the exception, not the rule. And even then, how do you justify killing your own kind?"

    "If there was an easier way to be rid of these Autobots, I would have done that. As it stands, the ends justify the means. If killing a handful of our fellow Camiens is the only way to take out these Autobots, then so be it."

    "But why?" Overcast asked. "Why are you killing them to begin with?"

    "They are an impediment to the plan. In fact, they've already foiled a part of that plan. I couldn't risk having them do more damage."

    "What plan? What are you going on about?"

    "I'm sorry, Overcast, but I've already told you too much." Afterburner then deployed a gun from his hand and aimed it at Overcast's head. "You just can't learn to keep out of matters that don't concern you."

    "Please," Overcast said quietly, backing away. "Don't do this."

    "Believe me, I don't want to. But I have my orders."

    Afterburner then pulled the trigger of the gun and shot the other Camien straight through the head. The bullet made contact with Overcast's brain module and the mech fell to the floor.

    After putting his gun away, Afterburner checked his chronometer. "Well, that took up a good few minutes. Have Windrazor or Eagle Eye reported yet?"

    Shockfleet checked. "No, sir."

    Afterburner was silent for a moment, contemplating. Then, he said, "Tell them to break off the search."

    "Are you sure?"

    "The Citadel is in full lockdown, so they couldn't have gotten out. I'm sure they'll join their comrades in death when we bring it down. Yes, call them in."

    The female Camien did as told before following her fellow Decepticon out the door. "How did you know the Autobots needed to be killed?"

    "Pharma told me they had foiled Gigatron's operation at Garrus-16 when he brought me Fortress Maximus. I passed this along to Tarantulas, and he gave me the order to eliminate them."

    "Ah." Shockfleet looked over her shoulder back at the cells. "A shame though, that Rapid Run must join them."

    Afterburner sighed. "Yes, but like Overcast, she was a witness. As with Velocity and Roadmaster, I am simply not comfortable in keeping her alive with the knowledge she now has."

    "I understand. So how long before detonation?"

    "After we leave? A minute and thirteen seconds."

--T-minus seventy seconds--

    "Okay, they're gone. Let's go."

    Rung frowned as he followed Froid down the hallway. "I don't think that's going to be enough time..."

    "The Grand Hall isn't far from here. We should be fine."

    "Yes, but... look at us. We aren't exactly load-bearers. How are we going to carry bots as big as Roadmaster in that short amount of time?"

    "When they get back, Ratchet and Sunder will help us with that."

    "Speaking of which," Rung muttered as he and Froid reached the prison room. "You gave Sunder your Primal Beads when you left him to deal with those Decepticons. How exactly are they--"

    "Clock is ticking, Rung," Froid said as he opened the cell holding Skids, Windblade, and Minimus Ambus. "We can talk about it later. I'll take Windblade and the little one. You take Skids."

--T-minus sixty seconds--

   "Sunder? Are you quite done yet?" The Autobot trapped in Pharma's body turned around the corner to see Sunder crouched over something. "We've only got a minute left. We should go help Froid and Rung."

    Sunder turned around and met the medic's gaze with empty black sockets. 

    "Um... can you get by okay without your optics?"

    The larger mech nodded.

    "Okay, good. Let's go."

    Ratchet then turned and walked back down the hall with Sunder close behind, unaware of the two strange spheres the Tetrahex Ripper had been looking at.

--T-minus fifty seconds--

    Nightbeat would never say he was elated when the door opened and saw Rung with Skids, but he was certainly a bit ecstatic. However, that feeling left when he realized Skids was unconscious.

    "Rung! What's going on?" he called over to the therapist as he handed Skids to Chromedome. "Where have you--"

    "Can't talk now," Rung replied, already turning to leave just as Froid arrived with Windblade and Minimus Ambus. "Just stay exactly where you are. Do not leave this room."

    "Or else what?" Whirl asked.

    "Or else you'll die," Froid said bluntly.

--T-minus forty seconds--

    "Ah. I almost forgot."

    Shockfleet looked at Afterburner as their shuttle left the Citadel's hangar. "Forgot what?"

    "We never did hold a proper ceremony for Thunderclash. In fact, his body's still there in the morgue."

    Shockfleet scoffed. "What does it matter? He's just an Autobot."

    "Yes, but he was one of their best. I never did like him much, but even I think he deserves a proper remembrance." Looking out the viewport at the retreating Citadel, Afterburner started his impromptu speech. "Here lies Thunderclash, the greatest Autobot who ever died...."

--T-minus thirty seconds--

    Rung and Froid had been leaving with Rodimus, Drift, and Rapid Run when Ratchet and Sunder finally rejoined them.

    "All that's left are Velocity, Roadmaster, and the gray femme," Froid told them. "That should be everyone."

    "What about Skyfall?" Rung asked.

    "You tell me if you want to bring a Decepticon along," Froid retorted before leaving with Drift and Rapid Run.

    Rung glanced at Rathcet, who said, "We might as well bring him along. I'm willing to bet there's more to him than--"

    "Meets the eye," Rung finished. "Yes. I suppose that goes for a lot of us."

--T-minus twenty seconds--

    In his slumber, Fortress Maximus dreamt of Garrus-9.

    He dreamt of all the screaming, of all the dying, of all the despair. At Garrus-9, there was no such thing as hope. It was the same at Garrus-16, as it was at...

    Shimanzi.

    In his slumber, Cerebros dreamt of Shimanzi.

--T-minus ten seconds--

   "And... that's everyone," Ratchet said, dropping Skyfall to the floor as the door closed behind him. He then looked up to see many faces he recognized all glaring death at him. That's when he remembered whose body he was stuck in.

    "Oh. Sla--"

--T-minus zero--

    Afterburner took no pleasure from watching the Citadel of Flame collapse. It had been his home for many millennia and he hated to leave it to its doom.

    But he knew better things awaited him. The Citadel would be rebuilt, along with the rest of Caminus, as well as Cybertron, Velocitron, Eukaris....

    The Transformer race was destined for great things. That, Afterburner had been assured of ever since he joined Tarantulas' operations. It was going to be remade into something new, something better. The Golden Age as it was now was simply a white lie fabricated by Optimus Prime. This -- along everything else Tarantulas was doing -- would make that lie a truth.

    But as with everything, in order to rebuild something, you had to break it down.

    Like the Citadel, the Transformers had to fall.

TO BE CONTINUED

Star Wars: War Among the Stars

REPUBLISHED 3/21/2017 Updated with new content. Still working on it.
Roughly two or three nine years ago, I made a Star Wars comic series called War Among the Stars, which took place in an alternate universe set after Dark Horse Comic's Dark Empire series. Here are a bunch of summaries for these old, old, old comics.

THE STORY
Episode I: The Galactic Civil War

#1: The War Goes On

  At the planet of Urbisa IV, the Galactic Empire, under the leadership of Grand Admiral Thrawn, arrives to secure control over the planet. The New Republic Defense Force fights back and a battle ensues. During the battle, a mysterious person known as Toah Jarsen appears, but is presence is not enough to prevent the Imperial forces from defeating the Republic. Meanwhile, jumping out of hyperspace comes a mysterious Sith Lord who plans to replace Darth Sidious as the Dark Lord.

#2: Battle over Muunilinst

  After the Republic's loss at Urbisa IV, Admiral Ackbar, General Lando Calrissian, and their forces travel to the Muunilinst system, where they face the Imperial fleet of General Korus, commander of the Twilight. During the ensuing battle, Korus is ordered by his rival Imperial Admiral Terero to attack the planet Muunilinst. Noticing this, Lando and Gold Squadron attempt to stop Korus' fleet but are captured by the Twilight. Meanwhile, the Jedi Knight Noah and Republic Commander Dorian evade Imperial stormtroopers. While Dorian manages to escape, Noah is captured by the stormtroopers. Shortly after, Korus' forces manage to conquer Muunilinst. Elsewhere, the mysterious Dark Lord sends out the Sith Lord Koragg.

#3: Interrogation 

  As the battle for Muunilinst goes on, Admiral Terero's fleet arrives to aid General Korus while Commander Dorian rallies the Republic troopers. On Muunilinst, Korus interrogates Noah Calyndan, but does not get any interesting information out of him. As the battle carries from space to ground, Toah Jarsen arrives and frees Noah from his prison, but the two are soon cornered by Korus and his men. Meanwhile, the Republic is forced to retreat from Muunilinst and Dorian returns to Admiral Ackbar's flagship, where they discuss on a strategy to free Lando and Gold Squadron.

#4: Battle of Dantooine

  Elsewhere in space, a mysterious warship approaches the Jedi-affiliated world of Dantooine. The warship's crew is revealed to be made up of Kaleesh warriors and the alien conquerors attack Dantooine, bringing down Republic starfighters and troopers. The Kaleesh's leader, a mysterious Force-sensitive warrior known as General Necrosis, arrives and engages in a lightsaber duel with Jedi Knight Zayne Carran. Necrosis quickly ends the duel and orders his flagship to fire upon the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine, destroying it and the Jedi and troopers within. Later, on Kalee, Necrosis reports to the Kaleesh emperor Regeis Kal'e, who promotes Necrosis to Supreme Commander for his victory. Emperor Kal'e then order Necrosis to carry out the next attack on the galaxy.

#5: Twilight's Last Gleaming

  The Sith Lord Koragg arrives on Kalee to assassinate Emperor Kal'e. After killing all of Kal'e's guards, Koragg gives the Kaleesh emperor a choice: to die, or to surrender his empire to Koragg's master. Meanwhile, in the Muunilinst system, Ackbar sends Raptor Squadron to sneak on board the Twilight and rescue Lando's team. After finding Gold Squadron and freeing them, a chase/fight ensues between them and Korus' men. Toah and Noah soon free themselves and help Raptor Squadron escape. Just as they are leaving, one of Raptor Squadron's pilots, Rad, discovers a ticking bomb attached to his fighter. He then turns his fighter back and flies back towards the Twilight, ramming into the bridge just as the bomb goes off, destroying the Star Destroyer and killing Rad and General Korus. With the battle won and Muunilinst saved, Ackbar's fleet returns to Coruscant. Back on Kalee, Emperor Kal'e agrees to join the Sith....

#6: Crime Lords of Coruscant
  In the underworld of Coruscant, the bounty hunter called X and his gang are hired by Garra the Hutt to track down and kill Kan, leader of the anti-criminal organization White Star. At Republic Headquarters, General Crix Madine and Commander Dorian receive a message from Dantooine, which has been attacked by the Empire (as if the Kaleesh weren't enough). Dorian gathers up his team and they head off for Dantooine. Back in the underworld, X's gang finds and kills Kan. In the Dantooine system, Admiral Terero witnesses the arrival of Grand Moff Nihan, while on Kalee, Lord Koragg orders the Kaleesh to gather their fleet.

#7: Second Battle of Dantooine
   The Republic, Empire, and Kaleesh fight in a three-way battle on Dantooine. On Kalee, the Sith Lord Sharik arrives and speaks with Emperor Kal'e. Back at Dantooine, as Imperial reinforcements led by Moff Nihan arrive, the Kaleesh unleash a secret weapon...

#8: The Beast of the Sith
   The Sith beast attacks Dantooine and the Republic troopers fight it off. The beast is soon defeated-though not killed-by Raptor Squadron, and Admiral Terero's fleet destroys the Kaleesh flagship, the Invincible Hand. While all three factions leave Dantooine, Lord Koragg speaks with his master, who gives him a target to find: Toah Jarsen.

#9-11: The Tale of Toah Jarsen
   Part I: Toah Jarsen is sent by the Jedi Council to investigate mysterious activities in Coruscant's underworld. As soon as he arrives at a cantina, the bounty hunter X attacks him. Toah defeats X and flees from the underworld, returning to the Jedi Temple. On Byss, Grand Admiral Thrawn promotes Terero to Supreme Commander of the Imperial forces. Back on Coruscant, General Wallen briefs his troopers on an Imperial presence on the planet Animus. Along with Jedi Master Virlux, Toah, and Senator Jeorge, the troopers head out and head for Animus. However, as soon as they leave, Toah abandons the others and heads for the planet on his own. Once on Animus, Toah is brought before King Espaa Valorum, who orders for Toah's execution.
   Part II: Toah flees from Valorum's palace and is confronted by a group of Sith warriors, who soon capture him. In space over Animus, the Empire's forces defeat the Republic, forcing them to retreat.
   Part III: Toah awakens on a mysterious planet, where the mysterious Dark Lord tests him by unleashing a number of Sith on him. Later on, a Republic team led by Captain Niro arrive and save Toah. Afterwards, the Jedi Knight decides to go into exile so he could do some soul searching and purge himself of the dark side taint the Sith left in him.

#12-13: The Battle of Coruscant
   The Empire launches a surprise attack on Coruscant. The Republic is quickly defeated and it is forced to surrender Coruscant to the Empire, now under Sith control. The Republic then retreats to Dantooine, waiting for the right moment to fight back.

Episode II: Rise of the Crimson Empire

#14-15: The Crimson Lord

   Part I: We open on Yinchorr years before the Battle of Endor, where men train at the Imperial Guard Academy. After many grueling trials, which are overseen by the Emperor himself, two trainees-- Carnor Jax and Kir Kanos-- graduate to become Royal Guards. Flash-forward to after the Battle of Endor and we see Carnor Jax being taken into the wing of the Dark Lady Lumiya.

   Back to the present, the New Republic and Jedi Order are hiding out on Dantooine, having been driven into exile after the Empire retook Coruscant. In the middle of the night, Luke Skywalker is attacked by some crazy hooded guy, who then commits suicide. Okaaaay....

   Part II: On Dantooine, Luke contacts the spirits of Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Anakin, who are of absolutely no help at all. On a Star Destroyer orbiting Byss, Grand Admiral Thrawn is confronted by Carnor Jax, who kills the Chiss and takes over the Empire. Back on Dantooine, an Imperial fleet arrives and attack the New Republic. After a wicked space battle, the Imperials are forced back to Coruscant, where Carnor Jax delivers his first speech as Galactic Emperor.

#16: Secrets of Arden-Gaia

   On Dantooine, Luke Skywalker and a couple of Jedi are exploring the Crystal Caves when they are confronted by mysterious figures... who then vanish after a brief duel. Meanwhile, at Rhen Var, Imperial forces are deployed to attack a New Republic base, which is soon taken over. Back on Dantooine, Luke finds a Star Map (?) which details the history of a planet called Arden-Gaia as well as its history with the Jedi Order.

#17: Outcasts

   Jedi-in-exile Toah Jarsen arrives at the planet Onderon, where he meets with King Kira II, as well as Purge survivor Empatojayos Brand. Meanwhile, on Coruscant, Admiral Argen and Commander Ivan report to Emperor Carnor Jax. Argen is exectued for his failed attack on Dantooine. On Onderon's moon Dxun, Brand takes Toah to the tomb of Freedon Nadd, where he deals with eerie ghosts and voices and whatnot. Eventually, he retrieves the holocron of Freedon Nadd and he and Brand go to see Vima-Da-Boda, another Jedi survivor. Back on Onderon, Kir Kanos enters the King's palace, requesting a place within Kira's royal guard. However, Onderon is suddenly attacked by the forces of the Kaleesh Empire...

#18: Battle of Onderon

   The Kaleesh Empire unleashes its forces on Onderon. After a tumultous battle, the Iziz Palace is destroyed by the Kaleesh flagship, with Toah still in it. Empatojayos Brand scours the wreckage but Toah is no where to be found. Meanwhile, Toah awakens in an unspecified location and is greeted by a pair of giant purple eyes.

#19: The Creature Within

   Necrosis' forces return to Kalee, where the Supreme Commander reports to Emperor Kal'ee. Once the Emperor's back is turned however, Necrosis stabs him in the back and takes the throne for himself, before turning on the Sith Koragg and Sharik. Meanwhile, Admiral Terero goes against Emperor Jax's wishes and launches an attack on Urbisa IV, where the New Republic had relocated. Elsewhere, Toah confronts the mysterious purple eyes being, who turns out to be Bogan and brainwashes him to the dark side. He then awakens on Onderon and attacks Brand and Vima. However, before a confrontation can take place, a large object appears in the sky...

   On Coruscant, Carnor Jax unveils the Death Destroyer, a new superweapon designed after the Death Star. Moments before firing upon Onderon, Brand knocks Toah out and escapes the planet along with King Kira just as the space station decimates Onderon....

#20-22: Crimson Heart

   Part I: As the Battle of Urbisa IV rages on, Empatojayos Brand and Vima arrive on Utapau and deliver Toah to Master Lar Le'Ung's care. On Kalee, Koragg and Sharik convince Necrosis to maintain an alliance, on the condition that he finds a Sith holocron for them. On Urbisa IV, the battle comes to an abrupt end when Carnor Jax scares Admiral Terero into returning to Coruscant. Back on Kalee, Necrosis and the Sith head to the Tomb of Darth Abolax, a Sith Lord of Bane's Order. Necrosis enters the tomb and is met with the spirit of Abolax himself. On Coruscant, Carnor Jax is prevented from executing Admiral Terero by the arrival of Kir Kanos. Meanwhile, in the planet's lower levels, Mara Jade and the Iktotchi Kyngos head out to find Luke Skywalker.

   Part II: On Utapau, Lar Le'Ung's apprentice, Par Je'mak, goes rogue and attacks his master and Brand. On Kalee, Necrosis emerges from Darth Abolax's tomb, possessed by the ancient Sith's spirit. Koragg and Sharik attempt to bring Abolax to their side but he rebukes their offer and assumes control of the Kaleesh Empire. On Corusant, Carnor Jax and Kir Kanos duel. Yay. On Urbisa IV, while New Republic forces are sent to retrieve Rhen Var survivors from a Super Star Destroyer, Luke Skywalker is confronted by Mara Jade and Kyngos. Back on Utapau, Je'mak flees. Then Le'Ung commits harakiri. What fun! 

   Part III: While battle breaks out on Cerea, Carnor Jax is mortally wounded by Kir Kanos. Stumbling back to his chambers, he is greeted by his former master Lumiya, who throws him back to Kanos and is killed by his former comrade. On Urbisa IV, Mara and Kyngos are defeated by Luke and flee.  Back on Cerea, Grand Moff Caescus abandons his forces just as the Death Destroyer arrives and fires on the planet. The New Republic narrowly escape and are soon joined by Toah, Brand, and Vima. Everything seems to be hunky-dory (well, except for Cerea)! Until Toah's eyes glow red.

#23: Dark Past

   With the death of Carnor Jax, the Empire is left divided, with Burr Nolyds leading Jax's followers and Jonn Calyds leading an independent faction. On Desolus Minor, Commander Hawk and his trooper infiltrate an Imperial base. On Urbisa IV, Toah meets with Luke and is possessed by Xendor and the Dark Lord.... for all of three seconds, until the spirits are forced out of his body. On Coruscant, the New Republic storm the Imperial Palace and arrest Burr Nolyds. Afterwards, a peace treaty is signed between Chief of State Mon Mothma and Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, ending the Galactic Civil War. Coruscant is returned to the New Republic while the Empire is reformed into the Imperial Remnant. With this major setback, the Sith begin to rethink their plans, swearing to have their revenge.

Episode III: The Yuuzhan Vong War

#24-25: Invasion

   Part I: It has been x years since the end of the Galactic Civil War, with the galaxy at peace. On Tatooine, Kyp Durron, Corran Horn, and Kam Solusar are... hanging around, I guess, when Kyp is confronted by a lightsaber-wielding Tusken. Corran and Kam come to his rescue and the Tusken Sith eventually flees at the behest of a Jawa. Meanwhile, on Mygeeto, a New Republic base is suddenly attacked by mysterious alien warriors known as the Yuuzhan Vong. Meanwhile, after hearing of their fellow Jedi's encounter, Toah Jarsen, Kyle Katarn, and Jaden Korr travel to Korriban to find out how the Sith have returned. Upon arrival however, they are confronted by mysterious purple-eyed warriors. Back on Mygeeto, the Yuuzhan Vong overwhelm the Republic and take over the planet...

   Part II: Following their victory at Mygeeto, the Yuuzhan Vong launch an attack on Dantooine and quickly overwhelm the New Republic forces. Back on Korriban, Toah and co are joined in their fight by a Zabrak Sith named Zejo, who convinces them to let him help in fighting the Purple Eyes. Zejo then leads them to the tomb of King Adas and awaken the ancient Sith's corpse. Then Bogan shows up and... I have no idea what happens, but apparently there's suddenly an Orange Ball of Power and Zejo is drawn to it. Then we end with the Yuuzhan Vong arriving at Korriban.

#26: Battle of Serenno

   With his hands on the Orange Ball of Power, Zejo turns on the Jedi. On Serenno, the Yuuzhan Vong do battle with the New Republic (again). Back on Korriban, Zejo and the Jedi's duel is intervened by an Arnold Schwarzenegger-looking dude, known as the Jedi Killer. After overwhelming Jedi and Sith alike, the Jedi Killer orders the Yuuzhan Vong to fire on Adas' tomb. Toah and the other manage to escape only to be confronted by the Yuuzhan Vong outside. Back on Serenno, after summarily defeating the New Republic, the Yuuzhan Vong pull back, leaving the surviving soldiers and Jedi stranded there. Jacen Solo is then called by a mysterious voice, which turns out to belong to a very large fire being... 

#27-29: Shroud of the Past

   Part I: On Korriban, Toah and the Jedi are saved from the Yuuzhan Vong by NR Commandos. The Yuuzhan Vong then retreat from Korriban, as does Zejo, who still has the Orange Ball. On Tatooine, Koragg and Sharik come across a droid who is definitely not WALL-E, who leads them to the palace of Obesus the Hutt. The two Sith inform the dark side-wielding Hutt that the time to act is now. Back on Serenno, the NR and Jedi mope around while the Yuuzhan Vong execute Count Tavus. On Coruscant, Toah returns only to be attacked by bounty hunters led by X. Among the bounty hunters is Kyngos, whom Toah recognizes as the murderer of his parents. Toah gives into his anger and kills Kyngos before heading to the Lower Levels, where he confronts Garra the Hutt. Toah is then knocked out however and awakens in an alleyway with a woman named Cera and her partner Raj, who are leading a rebellion against a group of rogue droids.

   Part II: On Coruscant, Cera and Raj's rebellion fight rogue droids. Back on Tatooine, Obesus and the Sith attack the New Republic forces. Back at Serenno, the battle above the planet rages on. Reinforcement are sent planetside to retrieve the Solo family only to be attacked by the Sith Recage. Jacen duels Recage but are interrupted by the fire being from earlier. Back on Coruscant, Toah drives the rogue droids away by giving into his anger once more. He, Raj, and C are then joined by the mysterious Dark Lord....

   Part III: Standing before Toah, Cera, and Raj, the Dark Lord introduces himself as Darth Nimtra and reveals that he is Toah's long lost brother Enroh. He explains that, following Order 66, he fell in league with a group of Dark Jedi led by Lord Zenja. He eventually overthrew Zenja and declared himself Dark Lord of the Sith. With this revelation, he and Toah begin to duel. Back on Serenno, the fire being -- who turns out to be an ancient Sith named Darth Demenax -- goes on a backstory rant of his own. He then destroys Recage before attacking the Solos. Although they are able to get off the planet, they are soon confronted by the Yuuzhan Vong. Back on Tatooine, the Sith wipe out the NR forces. Back on Coruscant, Darth Nimtra and Toah continue to duel, until Toah surrenders himself to the dark side and unleashes his power in one big explosion. Toah, Cera, and Raj are nowhere to be found afterward while a heavily scarred Nimtra limps away from the scene....

#30: Uprising

   Toah awakens in the care of a mysterious being named Lucinus, the last of the Alia, on a dead world called Eaven Pax. Back at Serenno, reinforcement from the New Republic arrive, forcing the Yuuzhan Vong to retreat. Back on Coruscant, Darth Nimtra regroups with Koragg, Sharik, and the other Sith. Not long after, the Yuuzhan Vong invade the galactic capital. Back on Eaven Pax, Lucinus leads Toah to the Alian Temple and hands him the silver-bladed lightsaber of Eronus, founder of the Alian. Elsewhere, Cera awakens on the planet Torax and is greeted by THX-1138-45, a super-computer, and finds Raj being totured by the native Toraxians. Meanwhile, Toah meditates and realizes that Cera is his sister and vows to find her before Nimtra can get to her. Finally, we return to Coruscant, where the Yuuzhan Vong have seized the capital, only to be confronted by Darth Nimtra and his Sith forces....

#31-32: Strike of the Sith
   Part I: Using "borrowed" Imperial ships, Darth Nimtra's Sith attack Coruscant and swiftly defeat the Yuuzhan Vong. The New Republic eventually join in the battle. On Torax, Cera fights her way through the Toraxians' lab to free Raj. She is soon joined by the Jedi Killer from a few issues back, who reveals himself to be YVH-1 droid and duels Cera. On Eaven Pax, while Toah is haunted by Bogan, he and Lucinus are confronted by the latter's brother Cinerac. Just as Bogan and Cinerac begin to overwhelm Toah, Bogan's brother Entui interferes.
   Part II: On Coruscant, Luke Skywalker duels with Darth Nimtra. Meanwhile, Darth Abolax arrives at Gorlam Prime and is greeted by the Great King Gorlas IV. Abolax then transfers his spirit from Necrosis to Gorlas. Back on Torax, Cera continues to duel YVH-1. Meanwhile, Bogan and Entui fight over Toah, who... somehow ends up on Torax. He joins his sister in her fight with YVH-1. Back on Coruscant, the tide is turned by NR Spacetroopers bombarding the Imperial ships. Nimtra orders a retreat but not before preparing a lightning blast for Luke.... Back on Torax, Raj breaks free and kills YVH-1. And... that's the end. Huh.
   ...I mean, don't worry about showing what happened to the Yuuzhan Vong or anything. Not like they were the titular villains of this arc.

Episode IV: The Atha Prime Crisis

#33-34: Prime Clone

   Prologue: In a flashback, Darth Sidious speaks with Atha Lettum, offering him to create a clone army for his future empire. When Atha refuses, Sidious unleashes Darth Maul on him. Flashforward to a few months before the Clone Wars, where Count Dooku speaks with Atha with another offer. Atha delivers the same refusal.

   Part I: In the present day, a clone by the name of Lando Kadar is hanging around on Nar Shaddaa, being all cool and edgy. On Torax, Toah and the gang prepare to leave, only for (sigh) Bogan to possess Toah (again! seriously this is getting old!). On Coruscant, Corran Horn and Kyp Durron are spying on an abandoned facility. On Korriban, as the Sith (who apparently were defeated even though it sure didn't look like they were loosing last time argh) lick their wounds, Darth Nimtra unveils their wild card: Lord Varonus of the Lettow Empire. Back on Nar Shaddaa, Kadar returns to Atha Lettum, who introduces him to Boba Fett.

   Part II: On Coruscant, Cal Omas is elected Chief of State. Yay! On Korriban, the Sith get ready to do evil stuff. Boo! On Torax, Cera fights her possessed brother, who eventually flees. In the Anur system, Moff Caescus meets with Lord Tron, who is searching for the Anur Crystals. At Kamino, Boba Fett and Lando Kadar meet oh sorry I mean kill Taun We because you know that was neccessary. On Gorlam Prime, Darth Abolax sends Ja'far to find the Benzuli Expanse, vowing to beat Nimtra at his game. He then ditches Gorlas' body and possesses... WALL-E. Because that makes sense. Back on Coruscant, a mysterious figure breaks into the NR Command Center and fights Luke Skywalker. Meanwhile, Kadar and Fett return to Atha and provide him with the final thing he needs to create a Jedi clone.

#35-37: Trinity of Empire

#38: Dark Forces Rising

#39: Shattered Hope

#40: Dark Heart of Anur

CHARACTERS

New Republic

Chiefs of State
   Mon Mothma (female Human, Chandrila)
   Cal Omas (male Human, Alderaan)
Senate
   Jeorge (male Human)
Defense Force

   Gial Ackbar (male Mon Calamari, Dac)
   Ben Astar (male Human)
   Talc Astar (male Human)

   Lando Calrissian (male Human, Socorro)
   Coric (male)

   Dorian (male Human)
   Durlin (male Human)
   Fil
   Fixer (male)
   Furtim (male Human)

   Hawk (male)-- died on Desolus Minor

   Jak (male)-- died on Dantooine, 25 ABY

   Katana
   Crix Madine (male Human, Corellia)
   Mical (male Human)
   Nik (male)
   Niro (male)
   Carlist Rieekan (male Human, Alderaan)
   Rolav (male Human)
   Sharpshot (male)
   Han Solo (male Human, Corellia)
   Thorpe (male)-- died on Coruscant, 25 ABY
   Han Thorpe (male Human)
   Tomas (male Human)
   Wallen (male Human)
   Raptor Squadron
      Buzz (male alien)-- Raptor Four

      Jaz (male Human)-- Raptor Six

      Rad (male Human)-- Raptor Nine; died over Muunilinst
   Rogue Squadron
      Wedge Antilles (male Human, Corellia)
      Tycho Celchu (male Human, Alderaan)
      Gavin Darklighter (male Human, Tatooine)

New Jedi Order

Grand Masters

   Luke Skywalker (male Human, Tatooine)

Members
   Empatojayos Brand (male humanoid)

   Noah Calynden (male Human)

   Zayne Carran (male Human)
   Cyklan (male Abyssin)
   Devronn (male Devaronian)
   Kyp Durron (male Human, Deyer)

   Egetes (male Human)
   Corran Horn (male Human, Corellia)

   Toah Jarsen (male Human, Virlin III)
   Kanaj (male Zabrak)-- died on Tatooine, 25 ABY
   Kyle Katarn (male Human, Sulon)
   Jaden Korr (male Kel Dor)
   Lar Le'Ung (male Pau'an)-- died on Utapau

   Nens-Coro (male Human)
   Qua (Chadra-Fan)
   Anakin Solo (male Human, Coruscant)
   Jacen Solo (male Human, Coruscant)
   Jaina Solo (female Human, Coruscant)
   Leia Organa Solo (female Human, Alderaan)
   Kam Solusar (male Human)
   Vima-Da-Boda (female Human)

   Virlux (male Human)
Ghosts
   Entui Bendu (male Human, Arden-Gaia)
   Obi-Wan Kenobi (male Human, Stewjon)
   Anakin Skywalker (male Human, Tatooine)
   Yoda (male alien)

Galactic Empire / Imperial Remnant

Rulers
   Thrawn (male Chiss, Csilla)
   Carnor Jax (male Human)
   Burr Nolyds (male Human)-- Loyaltist faction
   Jonn Calyds (male Human)-- Independent faction
   Gilad Pellaeon (male Human, Corellia)
Moffs
   Caescus (male Human)
   Nihan (male Human)
Royal Guards
   Burr Danid (male Human)
   Alum Frost (male Human)
   Kir Kanos (male Human)
   Ved Kennede (male Human)
   Lemmet Tauk (male Human)
Military
   Argen (male Human)-- died on Coruscant
   Canran (male Human)
   Ivan (male Human)
   Kirus (male Human)
   Korus (male Human)
   Lean (male Human)-- died on Cerea
   Nix (male Human)
   Shadow (male)-- died on Desolus Minor

   Terero (male Human)
   Umbra (male)
   Viscus (male)

   Zel
   Stormtropers: TK-552, TK-726, TK-809, TK-810, TS-194, TS-195

Sith / Dark Jedi

Nimtra's Sith

   Darth Nimtra (male)-- Dark Lord
   Par Je'mak (male Pau'an)

   Jjlnr (male Massassi)

   Koragg (male Human)
   Korusca (male Zabrak hybrid)-- deceased
   Nakak
   Obesus (masculine Hutt)
   Radidron 

   Recage (male Zabrak)-- died on Serenno, 25 ABY

   Sharik (male Human, Taris)
   Tensi (male Taung)-- AKA Mandalore the Dreadful

   Tonza (male Kaleesh)
   Tron (male)
   Varonus (male Human, Lettow)
   Zejo (male Zabrak)
   Zenja (male Human)-- deceased
Lumiya's Sith
   Lumiya (female Human, Coruscant)
   Flint (male Human, Belderone)
Order of the Sith Lords
   Darth Abolax (male Kaleesh)
   Darth Maul (male Zabrak, Dathomir)
   Darth Sidious (male Human, Naboo)-- AKA Palpatine
   Darth Tyranus (male Human, Serenno)-- AKA Dooku
Others
   Adas (male Sith, Korriban)
   Bogan (male)
   Darth Demenax (male Human, Taspir III)-- AKA Tasen Denon
   Jark Kenu (male Rodian)-- deceased
   Freedon Nadd (male Human, Onderon)
   Xendor (male Human)

Fringe

White Star

   Kan (male Human)-- died on Coruscant

Other

   Ela (female Human)
   Boba Fett (male Human clone, Kamino)

   Garra (masculine Hutt, Coruscant)

   Hako (male Rodian)
   Mara Jade (female Human)
   Lando Kadar (male Human clone)
   Kyngos (male Iktotchi)-- died on Coruscant, 25 ABY

   Lacert (male Trandoshan)

   Nadon (male Ithorian)

   X (male Human)

Others

Kaleesh Empire

   Regeis Kal'e (male Kaleesh)-- Emperor

   Necrosis (male Kaleesh)-- Supreme Commander
   Do'lar (male Kaleesh)

   KL-01

   KL-1H

   KS-03/06
Yuuzhan Vong Empire
   Shimrra Jamaane (male)-- Supreme Overlord
   Onimi (male)-- Supreme Overlord
   Czulkang (male)-- Warmaster
   Da'gara (male)
   Kla'los (male)
   YVH-1

Animus native
   Espaa Valorum (male Human)-- King of Animus
   Akira Valorum (male Human)-- Prince of Animus
Coruscant native
   Cera Jarsen (female Human, Virlin III)
   Raj (male Human)
   Jak Solen (male Human)
Eaven Pax native
   Cinerac (male)
   Lucinus (male)-- Alian
Gorlam Prime native
   Gorlas IV (male Gorlamian)-- Great King
Kamino native
   Taun We (female Kaminoan)-- died on Kamino, 25 ABY
Onderon native
   Kira II (male Human)
Serenno native
   Tavus (male Human)
Torax native
   THX-1138-45
Other

   H6-549 (holographic droid)
   Atha Lettum (male Human)

Transformers Regenerated: Lost Light VI, Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

--Caminus--

    "Here we are," Ultra Magnus announced as he and Skids drove up to the heavily locked door to the Mistress of Flame's chamber. "You ready?"

    "Yeah," Skids muttered, transforming to robot mode along with Magnus. Looking at the door, studying its intricate, almost ornate-looking lock system, he then said, "Are you sure we'll be able to bring this door down? I'm not doubting our firepower or anything but... this looks stronger than any door in the Iacon Vaults."

    "Any door can come off its hinges," Magnus said, priming the rocket launchers on his shoulders. "Now then, on the count of three. One...."

    Skids deployed his weapons: arm cannons, shoulder cannons, missile launchers....

    "Two...."

    It crossed Skids' mind that they could have perhaps knocked first. But, knowing Magnus, that had already been attempted.

    "...Three!"

    As one, the two Autobots unloaded their weaponry, assaulting the door with their firepower. The combine strength of Magnus' rockets and Skids' missiles were only enough to heavily dent the door, but not bring it down. After telling Skids to stop, Magnus reached around his back and brought out a rocket-powered hammer.

    Skids stared at the weapon slack-jawed. "Since when did you have that?"

    "Since Que made it for me," Magnus replied. "Now stand back."

    Once Skids had done so, Ultra Magnus raised his hammer and, turning on its small rockets, swung it at the door. The barrier was instantly reduced to pieces and the two Autobots rushed into the darkened chamber.

    Right away, they found the Mistress of Flame. The gold and red-plated leader of Caminus was suspended in midair by several strands of cables, hoisting her up from underneath her arms. Her optics were dimmed, but her muted groans indicated she was still conscious. 

    As Skids and Magnus rushed over to her, the former suddenly heard a groan coming from nearby. He looked over to see a battered Windblade struggling to her feet, her armor badly covered in scratches and blast marks. 

    While Magnus handled the Mistress of Flame, Skids moved over to Windblade to help her up, letting her use him as support.

    "As you all right?" he asked her. "What happened here?"

    "I--" Windblade started to speak until her optics went wide, staring at something over Skids' shoulder. "Behind you...."

    Skids turned around to see Ratchet standing there, a grim look on his face. "Doc? What are you doing here?"

    Ratchet did not respond. Instead, without taking his optics off Skids, he aimed a small remote at Ultra Magnus and pressed it. Whatever it did, it caused the pieces of his armor to fall off of the inner robot within and the now-bear Minimus Ambus fell to the floor.

    Skids and Windblade watched this all in disbelief. As Ratchet put away the remote, Skids said, "What... what's going on, Ratchet? Why are you doing this?"

    Ratchet answered by doing something Skids knew he never did: he grinned. "I'm sorry," the Autobot medic said. "Ratchet isn't available right now. Please forward all of your messages for him to Pharma; he shall handle them--"

    Skids silenced him with a shot to the face, courtesy of his arm cannon. He felt a pang of guilt for doing it, given it was still Ratchet physically, but the last thing he needed right now was having to deal with a lunatic like Pharma again.

    Getting back to his feet, Minimus Ambus brushed himself off before sighing. "Well, that was an unexpected turn of events. Help me get my armor back on so I can--"

    The smaller Autobot never finished his sentence, for a blue bolt of energy stuck him straight in the chest, knocking him out. Before either of them could react, Skids and Windblade were also hit and sent falling into stasis lock.

*  *  *

    The timer read zero. By all accounts, Nightbeat should not have been seeing it. He should have been dead.

    But he wasn't. Nor was anyone else in the room. Even Airwave, the mech who had the bomb built into him, was still alive, staring bewilderingly at the device. To no one's great surprise, it was Whirl who broke the long silence.

    "If this is the Afterspark, it sucks. It looks no different than life. Very unoriginal. Primus should strive to be more creative."

    "Don't worry, I'm pretty sure this is still life," Nightbeat said, staring at Airwave. "I will say, I find it incredibly amusing that you can't even detonate a bomb wired up to yourself. That's... amazingly pathetic."

    "I... I forgot to prime it," Airwave murmured. "I guess... in all the confusion, I--"

    "Yeah, yeah. Why don't you save it for the judge," Nightbeat interjected. "You guys do have a judicial system, don't you? And a prison? Because that's where you'll be going."

    "No." Airwave shook his head. "It's not. I'm going to the Pit."

    Before Nightbeat could reply, he was suddenly pulled away by Chromedome just as Airwave's body started to spark and burst into flames. Everyone watched in horror as the fire consumed the Camien, melting away his armorplating until all was left was his exostructure.

    For the longest time, all in the room simply stared at the burning corpse left behind. Finally, it was Firestar who broke the silence.

    "Okay, people, show's over. Let's... let's just try to collect ourselves and... figure out what we're going to do."

   "Well, I dunno about you guys, but I'm walking out of here," Swerve said, already moving away from his bar. "I'm sorry, but I can't stand to stay in this room any longer than necessary."

    "Don't bother; the door's locked," Riptide said. "I already tried it when... I thought we were all gonna get blown up." The Hydrobot glanced meekly at all of the disapproving looks aimed at him. "Sorry."

    "Well, that's just great," Swerve said, throwing up his arms. "We're locked in here with no lights, no music... how about phone? Has anyone tried calling up Rodimus or whatshisface?"

    "No such luck," Nautica said. "I can't get Rodimus or Overcast or anyone on my comm."

    "And we can't blast our way out because you loser Camiens don't like guns," Whirl said. "If you want, I can bash the door with my head. Or I could do it in helicopter mode. Could take a few days though."

    "Um, hello?" Getaway raised his hand. "Master escape artist, standing right here. Anyone want to ask me?"

    "Okay then, Mr. Master Escape Artist," Nightbeat said, stepping up to Getaway and propping his elbow on his shoulder. "Any ideas on how to escape?"

    "Nope." Getaway shook his head. "I mean, not yet. So far I don't see anything particularly useful. Unless that engex is explosive or something. But otherwise, no, I've got nothing."

    Nightbeat frowned. "Then why even...?"

    "I just wanted to confirm that we were completely out of options before anyone said we were completely out of options."

    Nightbeat revved in frustration as he walked away from Getaway. "Great. Does anyone else have any--"

    "Hello?" Everyone turned to face the door, beyond which the voice was coming from. "Is anyone in here?"

    "Yes, Afterburner," Firestar called back. "We're here. We're fine... for the most part."

    There was a brief pause. "I see. Is Airwave with you?"

    "Uh, no, sir. He's... he tried to blow us up with a bomb, but forgot to prime it. Then he... set himself on fire."

    Another pause. "I see. So everyone else is okay?"

    "As far as I know, yes."

    "I see."

    Silence again. Everyone exchanged concerned looks. Clearing her vocalizer, Firestar said, "Sir? Are you... are you going to let us out? The door's been locked, so...."

    "I know. I'm the one who locked it."

    Firestar blinked. Several bots gasped. Others merely frowned.

    Afterburner went on. "Look, it's nothing personal. I'm just doing this because... I want what's best for our race."

    "Afterburner," Firestar murmured. "What's going on?"

    "Look, everything's going to be all right. You just... just stay here. Everything's going to be okay."

    "Afterburner, wait!" Firestar cried. "Afterburner!"

    No response came. The Camien had already left.

    And everyone had been left to die.

Transformers Regenerated: Lost Light VI, Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

--Caminus--

    By the time Skids, along with Rapid Run and Ariel, had gotten to the Citadel, he could already tell something was wrong.

    Camiens were rushing to and fro, panicked looks on their faces. One was giving out orders, pointing in different directions. Up ahead, he could see Rodimus and Ultra Magnus speaking with another and drove straight towards them, the other two right behind him.

    "What's going on?" Skids asked as he transformed. "Rapid Run made it sound urgent when you called her."

    "It is," Rodimus said grimly. "Pharma is here."

    Skids' optics went wide. "Pharma? Here? How?"

    "No time to explain," Ultra Magnus said. "We've already got bots searching high and low for him. Right now, we've got an even bigger problem."

    "Of course we do," Skids muttered. "What is it?"

    "The Mistress of Flame is trapped inside her chamber," said the black and gold Camien Rodimus had been speaking with. "No one can get a hold of her or her Torchbearers, and the door to her chamber is heavily secured."

    "Windblade is with her too," Rodimus said, "and I can't get her comm frequency either."

    "So what do you need me to do?" Skids asked.

    "You're going to help Magnus bring the door down. Hopefully between his largeness and your many guns, it'll be enough to get yourselves in."

    Skids frowned, particularly at the Camien. "Do you guys seriously not have emergency access codes or anything."

    "If anyone does, it would be one of the Torchbearers or a Cityspeaker. I don't know of anyone who does, though."

    "Well, there's no time to worry about that," Ultra Magnus said, just before converting into his truck mode. "Let's go, Skids."

    "Right. Be right with you." Skids looked over to Rapid Run and Ariel. "You two stay safe, yeah?"

    "Don't worry about us," Rapid Run said cheerily. "We'll be fine." Ariel nodded in agreement.

    Smiling at them, Skids then turned and transformed, driving after Magnus.

*  *  *

    "What the actual living frag is going on?" Getaway said as he and the others in the Grand Hall turned their headlights on to see in the sudden darkness.

    "You kiss your caretaker with that mouth?" the Camien known as Starfield snapped at him. "The power probably just went out. No need to worry."

    While he was far from worried, Nightbeat still felt there was something amidst. Something felt off, not right. 

    While everyone else mused amongst themselves, Nightbeat went on the hunt, even bringing out his magnification device to study everything: the floor, the walls, the engex dystillery, Swerve's bar, Swerve himself. He could tell everyone was staring at him, judging by the embarrassed groans from Nautica.

    "He's with you, isn't he?" another Camien asked her.

    "I don't even know him, Proxima."

    Nightbeat went on with his investigation for some time, eventually making his way to Airwave and his music station. The red and white Camien watched the detective oddly as he thoroughly studied each speaker and piece of equipment. He then wheeled around and stared at Airwave sternly.

    "What is all this hooked up to?" the detective asked.

    "The main grid," Airwave answered.

    "And the lights?"

    "Same." His optics narrowed skeptically. "Why? What are you trying to say?"

    "The music stopped playing before the lights went out," Nightbeat said. "If they're both connected to the grid, wouldn't they have gone down simultaneously?"

    Airwave stared at him blankly, his mouth struggling to form a response.

    Nightbeat increased the brightness of his headlights, causing the Camien to flinch. "They would, wouldn't they? So either the song you have been playing just happened to be finishing when the lights went, or there's something else going on here."

    Airwave held his gaze for a pressing moment. Then, in a low, even tone, he said, "I'm sorry. I didn't want to do this. I really didn't want to do this."

    "Do what?"

    "Look, it's nothing personal, okay? I have no qualms with anyone in this room. In fact, I'm friends with most of them. But... he told me if I didn't do this, he would... he would...."

    "You're not making much sense, pal. Mind dropping the cryptic vagueness and just get to the point?"

    "Right, of course." Airwave raised his hands to his chestplate and pulled back the panels. "I figure it's about time anyway."

    Nightbeat yelled out in surprise. He immediately reached for his gun... only to remember it had been confiscated earlier.

    The timer on the bomb read five seconds. With no other option at his disposal -- and absolutely no intention to die -- Nightbeat lunged at the Camien.

*  *  *

    "Froid? Froid!"

    Rung pushed his way past moving Camiens as he struggled to keep up with the other psychiatrist, whose long legs were carrying him faster than Rung's ever could. If it hadn't been for the crowd, Rung probably would have used the scooter that made up his backpack to catch up to him.

    Luckily, upon turning a corner into an empty hallway, Froid slowed his enough for Rung to get to him. The other psychologist paid him no heed however, instead at each numbered door they passed through the hall.

    "What are you doing?" Rung asked him. "What's so important for you to look for when everyone is--"

    "I'm looking for my patient," Froid said.

    "Your patient? You said he was--"

    "Fine, yes. Before everything went down the scrapper." Froid eventually stopped before a door labeled 'Sanitation Station'. He moved to open it until Rung grabbed his arm.

    "What are you doing here?" the bespectacled mech asked. "This is a janitorial closet."

    "Very perceptive," Froid said dryly. "I suppose those lenses do serve a purpose."

    Rung furrowed his eyebrows. "You said your patient was interacting with Camiens."

    "I said I had given him allowance to do so. As far as I know, he's locked himself up in this closet for the past thirteen hours." Froid then pressed the access panel near the door, causing it to slide open. Rung gasped at the sight which greeted him.

    A large mech in black and red huddled at the very back of the closet, hugging his legs close to his spiky chest. A large radar dish adorned his forehead, while his face was hidden behind his crossed arms. The mech did not so much as lift his head as Froid approached him.

    "Sunder? Are you okay? Don't worry, it's me...."

    "Froid," Rung murmured. "That's... you know that's...."

    "I am fully aware of who he is," Froid replied. "Sunder. The Tetrahex Ripper. The Death Walker. His reputation is far from obscure."

    "I know, but...." Rung had difficulty in finding words. "He's your patient?"

    "Whose psyche did you think I was examining when I left for Garrus-6? I had a part in Sunder's capture and was intrigued by his... condition that I volunteered to be his psychiatrist when he was taken to Garrus-6. When he and I were the only survivors, we became somewhat... dependent on each other. He needed someone to look after him, and I... well, it never hurts to keep in practice."

    Rung frowned in disapproval at his former colleague. "Froid, you of all people should know that close practitioner/patient relationships are considered as malpractice by High Command."

    "Oh yes, I am aware of that," Froid said, meeting Rung's gaze. "I suppose you can say we have that little kind of misdeed in common."

    Rung glared at him. "What are you...?"

    "Please don't tell me I'm the only one who remembers the Fateful Archetype...."

    Rung clenched his fists. "That was different...."

    "Was it, Rung? Was it? Please, do enlighten me."

    The orange mech continued to glower at his ex-cohort before finally looking away, making an exasperated noise. "Forget it. That conversation is neither here nor there. We'll talk about it later."

    "We shall see." Turning back to Sunder, Froid said, "Sorry about that. Listen, I need you to--"

    "Rung, is that you?"

    Both psychologists fell silent and looked at each other, a knowing, dreadful look in their optics. Steeling himself, Rung then turned around to see a winged mech in white, red, and blue standing before him.

    "Rung?" Pharma said. "I would like to have a word with you."

Star Wars Destiny Chronicles: Imperial Warlords -- Warlord Zsinj / Empire Reborn

Okay, I'm ditching the "Files" narrative as some of the details I want to include probably wouldn't be known by some Alliance officer.

IMPERIAL WARLORDS, PART II

The Empire of Warlord Zsinj

   The son of a Fondorian mechanic, the man simply named Zsinj decided to follow in the footsteps of his mother and became an officer in the Imperial Navy. Quickly rising through the ranks, Zsinj was named the first Warlord of the Empire after leading a successful campaign against his mother, who had become a pirate and worked against the Empire. He was also made Grand Moff of the Quelii Oversector and used his power to quarantine the planet Dathomir.

   After the Battle of Endor, Zsinj struck out on his own and built his own domain in the Quelii Oversector. The New Republic left Zsinj's domain alone for the first few years of its existence, instead focusing on greater threats such as the loyalist Empire still under the Imperial Ruling Council as well as other, more dangerous warlords. In time however, Zsinj's ambitions simply grew along with his empire, as those who had once followed Sate Pestage and Ysanne Isard were now falling under his banner. In 7 ABY, Zsinj made his first strikes against the New Republic, attacking major fortress worlds such as New Alderaan.

   In response to these attacks, the New Republic organized a fleet commanded by General Han Solo to hunt down Zsinj. With the help of Rogue and Wraith Squadrons, the Solo Fleet was able to counter Zsinj's tactics with innovative maneuvers. After narrowly escaping several engagements with Solo's forces, Zsinj eventually retreated to his hidden base on Dathomir, only to fall into conflict with the Hapan Royal Fleet.

   By 8 ABY, Solo was increasing all efforts to find Zsinj, not only out of personal vendetta but also as a result of the disappearance of Solo's son Ben. Han suspected Zsinj to be the one behind his son's vanishing and was determined now more than ever to find the warlord. After learning of Zsinj's location on Dathomir, Solo traveled to the planet and performed a strafing run on the Iron Fist, Zsinj's flagship. He then deployed concussion missiles onto the Star Destroyer's bridge, destroying the ship and killing the warlord.

   Following the death of their leader, Zsinj's forces remained active for a time, albeit without direction. Some folded in with the Dark Empire that was fledgling in secret, while others fell in with other operating warlords. Zsinj's chief rival, Treuten Teradoc, was able to claim most of his fleet and declared himself High Admiral of the Mid Rim.

Lord Hethrir and the Empire Reborn

   A native of the planet Firrerre, Hethrir was taken into the Empire and handpicked by Darth Vader for training as a Dark Jedi. Excelling his master's expectations, he was given the title of Procurator of Justice and put in charge of the Empire's criminal justice system. When the Empire fell, Lord Hethrir was already prepared for the event and led his followers into hiding. 

   From Crseih Station, Hethrir began building his army. Benefiting from the slave trade by supplying the thousands of prisoners he had kept on the station, Hethrir was able to buy armament from the gangster Reelo Baruk. Several Imperials fell under Hethrir's sway, including Admiral Galak Fyyar, who helped him outfit a fleet. Alliances with others warlords, such as Admiral Blitzer Harrsk, were also sought to help consolidate their presence in the galaxy.

   In 12 ABY, Hethrir recruited the fallen Jedi Desann to his cause, making the Chistori his right-hand man and giving him the task of building an army of Dark Jedi to combat Luke Skywalker's restored Jedi Order. Meanwhile, across the galaxy the Empire Reborn set up installations and facilities under the New Republic's nose. At some point, the Sith of Darth Vorath became aware of the Reborn's activities but decided to leave them be, so long as they did not interfere with their own plans.

   After a series of encounters with two New Republic commandos -- Kyle Katarn and Jan Ors -- Desann was able to procure the location of the Valley of the Jedi and took his Dark Jedi to Ruusan, where they used the Valley to bolster their powers, becoming the Reborn. Meanwhile, after learning of the Empire Reborn's existence from Katarn, the New Republic set out to investigate their activities, neutralizing their connections to Reelo Baruk.

   Despite this, Lord Hethrir decided it was time to make his first move against the Republic by launching an attack on the Jedi Praxeum. By destroying the Jedi, Hethrir hoped to use it as platform to bring his empire to prominence. With Desann and Admiral Fyyar at the head, the Reborn forces were sent to Yavin 4.

   Unfortunately for Hethrir, the attack did not go as planned. Having infiltrated the Reborn's flagship before it launched from Cairn Installation, Kyle Katarn was able to alert the New Republic to the Star Destroyer's location, and Admiral Fyyar was destroyed with his flagship before it could make it to Yavin. Katarn then headed for the Jedi Praxeum, which Desann and his Dark Jedi were already attacking. With Katarn's help, the Jedi were able to defeat Desann and his army.

   After this major setback, Lord Hethrir retreated from the public eye, burying himself in his study to conjure up a new plan of action. Two years after the failed attack on Yavin, Hethrir was contacted by a Dark Jedi named Tavion Axmis. Axmis had been an apprentice of Desann's who had given the location of the Reborn's flagship to Kyle Katarn and fled to escape punishment from her master. Hethrir was about execute Axmis for her treason until she showed him an artifact she had purchased from a merchant on Commenor: the Scepter of Marka Ragnos, an ancient Dark Lord of the Sith. 

   Seeing a new window of opportunity opening before his eyes, Hethrir tasked Axmis with finding the Tomb of Marka Ragnos and resurrecting the ancient Sith in the hopes that it would give the Empire Reborn the leverage it needed against the Jedi and the New Republic. Unbeknownst to Hethrir, Axmis had already been planning on doing just that and had only informed him at the behest of one of Darth Vorath's Sith. Despite providing Axmis with additional resources, she was soon defeated by the Jedi Jaden Korr, who also destroyed the Scepter of Ragnos, entrapping the ancient Dark Lord within his tomb forever. Shaken by this second setback, Hethrir was still not ready to admit defeat. 

   Setting his eyes on children to kidnap and indoctrinate into his empire, he soon discovered that Senator Leia Organa Solo would be visiting a nearby system, accompanied by her three children. Knowing that the grandchildren of Darth Vader were sure to be strong in the Force, Hethrir was about to send his spies to retrieve them... only to be stopped by Darth Vorath.

   Although Vorath had allowed Hethrir to build his empire without incident, he had only done so because it provided the New Republic with a large enough distraction while he built his own empire. Now that the Empire Reborn had lost most of its army, Vorath no longer saw it as something worth keeping; and he especially could not allow Hethrir to kidnap the Solo children, as he was also aware of the power they held. Rather than simply kill Hethrir however, as that would attract too much suspicion, Vorath instead broke the Procurator's mind, driving him mad. The Sith then left Crseih Station while Hethrir's madness prompted his followers to disband, not wishing to follow a crazy emperor as well as lacking the desire to press onward in his steed.

   Following this, Hethrir was not heard from again until fourteen years later, when he was found on Belderone by Toah Jarsan's clone. Having received professional help for his madness, Hethrir was sane enough to tell the clone Toah of a secret he had kept from the entire Empire Reborn: the existence of Waru, the mastermind behind the Glorian Empire. Waru had been pulled from his universe by the intense disturbances in the Force Hethrir had caused with his torturing of prisoners and had served as a living conscious for Hethrir. 

   After learning all of this, the clone Toah went on to form a Dark Jedi Order to one day fight against the Glorians. Meanwhile, Hethrir lived the rest of his years on Belderone, eventually passing away in 31 ABY. 

Star Wars Destiny Chronicles: Imperial Warlords -- Pestage / Isard / Rax

   This series of bios are written to tie in the Canon and Legends aftermaths of the Empire into my fan universe. 

IMPERIAL WARLORDS, PART I

GAI File IW-001 (Major Kals Vaddus, 27 ABY)

   With the recent (and hopefully last) fall of the Empire, it has fallen onto me to lead the mission in keeping track of all the loose ends we have on the Empire. Many Imperials have risen over the past two decades, all vying for control of the Emperor's scraps. While most of them have been either eliminated or put into custody, rumors are starting to spread of some of these warlords still being active. Despite the best efforts of the Imperial Remnant to put these fears to rest, the Galactic Alliance has tasked me in uncovering what I can of all major figures within the Empire so that we can follow any and all possible threads and vanquish the threat of the Empire once and for all.

   Each of these files shall detail three of the Empire's most fearsome warlords, documenting their history, their rise to power, and their current status (if it is known). This is all compiled from an assortment of documents, files, and hearsay from Alliance and Imperial members alike.

Sate Pestage

   Much of Sate Pestage's past remains shrouded in mystery. What little is known is that he was born in the city of Dalpona on the Outer Rim world of Ciutric IV. Ever since Palpatine's election as Senator of Naboo, Pestage had served as the future Emperor's right-hand man, becoming one of his chief advisers when he was elected Supreme Chancellor. 

   When the Empire came into power, Pestage was named Grand Vizier and oversaw the many bureaus, ministries, and other offices of the Galactic Empire. In many ways, he was the figurative ruler of the Empire, as Palpatine had gradually withdrawn from the public eye, ruling the Empire through Pestage.

   After the Battle of Endor, which saw to the Emperor's demise, control of the Empire naturally went to the Grand Vizier, the next highest rank after the Emperor. Rather than seek revenge against the victorious Rebel Alliance, Emperor Pestage instead went on the defensive, fortifying Coruscant and the other Core Worlds.

   Unbeknownst to Pestage, those he thought were his closest allies were secretly working against him. Behind his back, Director Ysanne Isard of Imperial Intelligence was conspiring to take the throne for herself. She manipulated Pestage into making moves against the New Republic that only proved to weaken his hold on the Empire, sowing a lack of confidence among the members of the Ruling Court.

   Between Isard's manipulations and the growing armies of the various Imperial warlords that had risen across the galaxy, Pestage was forced to turn to the New Republic for help. Meeting with Leia Organa in secret, the beleaguered Emperor offered to leave Coruscant defenseless for the New Republic to retake it in exchange for sanctuary. While Organa agreed to take him on for the deal, she was unable to secure support from the Provisional Council, as many suspected it was a trap.

   Upon returning to Coruscant, Pestage was put on trial for treason, as Isard had found out about his dealings with the New Republic. After the Tribunal found him guilty, Pestage managed to escape arrest and fled to his homeworld of Ciutric IV. However, shortly after arriving, he was placed under custody by Governor Brothic, who had heard of the warrant placed on the dethroned Emperor's head.

   With Pestage gone, the Empire's hold on Coruscant became more and more slippery. Various sectors broke out into riots. While the Ruling Court struggled to maintain order, they sent Admiral Delak Krennel to retrieve Pestage. Isard secretly made a deal with the admiral, promising to make him Emperor if he found Pestage and brought him to her. At the same time, the New Republic sent their forces to rescue Pestage from Ciutric, hoping that it would provide the message that they would not treat their enemies the way the Empire did.

   While the Republic succeeded in freeing Pestage, they were prevented from leaving Ciutric IV by the arrival of Admiral Krennel's forces. After weighing his options, Pestage decided to betray the New Republic and sent their battle plans to Admiral Krennel. The New Republic were still victorious against the Imperial forces and able to get off Ciutric. However, it wasn't until after they were away that they realized Pestage had ran off from them.

    What befell Pestage after this is anyone's guess. Shortly after the incursion at Ciutric, it was reported that Admiral Krennel had murdered every last member of Pestage's family, leading the New Republic to presume that he had killed Sate Pestage as well. However, in 10 ABY, rumors of a clone Pestage living on Byss surfaced, leading some to belief that the Pestage on Ciutric had also been a clone. So far nothing further has been uncovered, and as far as even the Imperial Remannt is concerned, Pestage is as good as dead.

Ysanne Isard

   Ysanne Isard was born into a family of wealth and influence on Coruscant approximately eight years before the outbreak of the Clone Wars. She idolized her father Armand, who served as Director of Imperial Intelligence for most of the Empire's reign. As his daughter quickly became one of Intelligence's top field agents, Armand began to fear Ysanne would one day usurp him and attempted to have her eliminated by sending her on a suicide mission. Ysanne failed the mission however but was able to get back at her father by uncovering evidence that he was plotting to overthrow the Emperor. In short time, Armand Isard was executed and Ysanne was made Director of Imperial Intelligence.

   After the Battle of Endor, Isard served as an adviser to interim Emperor Sate Pestage, although she desired the throne for herself. Conspiring with the Ruling Council, she was able to manipulate Pestage into losing his power, leading to him making a deal with the New Republic. When Pestage fled from arrest, the Council sent Admiral Delak Krennel to retrieve the former Grand Vizier. While the Empire was preoccupied with Pestage's retrieval, Isard tracked down the ruling members of the Imperial Court and assassinated all but one of them, General Paltr Carvin, whom she had imprisoned on her flagship, the Lusankya. With this done, as well as with Pestage's supposed death at Krennel's hand, Isard was Empress in all but name.

   Her reign was short lived however. By the time she had assumed power, a vast majority of the Imperial fleet had fallen under the commands of various other warlords across the galaxy, chief among them Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax. Knowing that it was only a matter of time before the New Republic retook Coruscant, Isard attempted to create a virus that would reneder Coruscant a sick world. However, this project was sabotaged by Rax's spies and Isard fled from Coruscant when the New Republic attacked.

    Fleeing to Thyferra, Isard named herself a warlord and supported a political coup on the planet. In 7 ABY, Rogue Squadron made battle against Isard's forces and were able to take Thyferra and the Lusankya. While Isard was at first presumed to have been killed in the process, she was actually able to escape and go into hiding. She resurfaced two years later and provided the New Republic with the locations of the Lusankya prisoners, hoping to distract them long enough for her to steal the Lusankya back and join the Dark Empire in the Deep Core. However, her plans were cut short when she was killed by NR Intelligence agent Iella Wessiri. 

Gallius Rax

   Very little exists on Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax's background. He first appeared on the Imperial Navy roster in 15 BBY, holding the rank of commander. His reports were said to be marked "Eyes Only" for Colonel Wullf Yularen and bypassed those of even the most venerated of fleet officers. He was awarded several medals during his service, including the highly prestigious Hero of the Empire and Emperor's Will medals. By the time of the Battle of Endor, he had attained the rank of Fleet Admiral.

   Set on building a new empire, Admiral Rax began weeding out those whose loyalties he knew were in question. Posing as "the Operator", he fed the New Republic with intelligence on vulnerable Imperial routes and galactic leaders likely to secede from the Empire. He then orchestrated an emergency summit at Akiva, leading the New Republic there to attack them. All of the members of the summit were killed save for Admiral Rae Sloane, whom Rax had promoted to Grand Admiral and made her the public face of his Empire.

   Unbeknownst to all who served him, Rax was secretly following a contingency plan allegedly given to him by the Emperor: if Palpatine were to fall, Rax was to make sure the Empire fell with him, as punishment for failing to protect him. This all came to fruition at Jakku, where Rax pitted them against the New Republic's forces, knowing that they would fail.

   The Battle of Jakku was a long and tumultuous conflict for both sides, which Rax oversaw from his base, the Observatory. Halfway into the battle, participating admirals on both sides received a message from a mysterious contact*, who told them of Rax's deception. As a result, both admirals ordered their ships to fire upon the Observatory, killing Rax. The surviving Imperial forces then fled from Jakku, eventually joining forces with Grand Admiral Thrawn.

   With the Battle of Jakku won, along with their earlier victory at Coruscant, the New Republic declared the Galactic Civil War to be over, although conflicts with pocket Imperial domains would still occur for the next five years until the emergence of the Dark Empire.

   *Many Intel agents, as well as the admirals in question, have suspected that this contact was one of Darth Vorath's Sith, as Vorath would have undoubtedly seen Rax's plan as a major blow to his own plans. 

Star Wars Eye of Kaas: Miserable Woe, Part III

MISERABLE WOE, PART III

--Tatooine--

    The sandcrawler rocked as it continued its journey through the sands of Tatooine. Night had long since fallen on the Dune Sea, the three moons glowing like opulent pearls in the starlit sky.

    Within the moving vehicle, Talsai Van stood in the sandcrawler's cockpit. Already he had his ditched his Togruta disguise in favor of his much preferred Sakiyan one, with it adopting his old alias Salvan Tai. He no longer felt comfortable in using the name Merlok -- indeed, it had been eighteen years since he had last identified by it, having quickly gotten used to being called Salvan Tai by others.

    Eighteen years. A lot had happened to him in those years. What had started out as a fairly simply reconnaissance mission had turned into... well, this. He had gone by so many faces, so many names, lived so many lives... he was shocked that he wasn't already suffering an identity crisis.

    Then again, eighteen years meant little to a long-lived Shi'ido such as himself. If he had been at this for a century or more... who knew where he would be now?

    Sitting in front of him at the controls of the sandcrawler, the Jawa known as Trek hummed a little tune to himself as he piloted the vehicle. Salvan recognized it as the Hymn of the Dioskuros, a piece he recalled from his childhood.

    "How do you know that piece?" he asked the Jawa.

    Trek raised his yellow eyes at him. "Is a Jawa not allowed to have musical tastes?"

    "You're no Jawa. I don't know what you are, but I know of no Jawa who knows my real name."

    Trek sighed to himself as he returned his gaze to the endless trails of sand. "Well, believe it or not, I am a Jawa. Wasn't always one, granted, but that's what I am now."

    "What were you before?" Salvan asked.

    "An Ewok." Trek paused for long enough to make Salvan think he was being serious, only to then say, "No, but seriously, I was what you are now. A Shi'ido. Or, more specifically, a Glorian."

    "You're an Exile then," Salvan murmured. "You were kissed by a Syren."

    "Yes," Trek replied, bitterness in his voice. "All because Starka was an idiot and I knew it, so I went against his orders. I won Agamar for the Glorian Empire, but I guess that doesn't matter when Starka's got his trousers in a twist. Victories only matter when General Perfect is happy. Otherwise, you might as well have just lost."

    "Yeah, I never really liked him," Salvan grunted. "Heck, that's part of why I resigned as a general and became an agent instead. Although he was no angel, Eclipse was the lesser of two evils compared to Starka."

    "How long have you been an agent?"

    "By the time the war ended it had been thirteen years, although by that point I was all but forgotten about. I guess Eclipse didn't deem me 'worthy' enough of helping with the whole Valtheran thing."

    "Seems like we both got the short end of the stick in our jobs," Trek said. "Perhaps it was destiny that we were meant to be together."

    Salvan glared at him. "Don't get your hopes up, pal. I have no interest whatsoever in a partnership. I just want to get off this forsaken ball of sand."

    "And just where is it you intend to go from here?" Trek asked, raising an eye at him. "You've already been abandoned by your crew, and something tells me that 'Baron Salvan Tai' is no longer a popular name anymore."

    The Sakiyan frowned, casting his silver eyes to the floor. "I'll, uh... I'll think of something. I'm sure there's something out there...."

    "Well, I could always use an extra hand in selling the droids. I used to have a crew, but they all fell into a sarlacc pit." Trek thought for a moment. "And I don't think they did it on accident...."

    Salvan sniffed. "Trading droids is beneath a retired general such as myself."

    Trek shot him a dirty look. "Yeah? How do you think I feel? At least you have a choice!"

    Salvan glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

    The Jawa swore in his tongue as he slapped the dashboard of his vehicle. "Oh, for the love of--! Have you ever met a Jawa that's not a scavenger or trader?"

    "I've never met any Jawas at all, besides you."

    "Well, let me tell you something, pal. You will never -- and I mean never -- see a Jawa who's a senator, or a fighter pilot, or a soldier, or a teacher, or even a Jedi -- and those guys will take anyone in! And it's not like we can't do those things -- we're more than capable enough. But everyone in the galaxy looks down on Jawas as disgusting, pickpocketing rodents that barely registers as sapient. They never even think to give us a chance. Heck, I was even declined a job offer at a junk shop in Mos Shutta, and that was run by a Squib! They're thieves extraordinaire!"

    Trek took in a breath, having finished his rant. Salvan stared at him silently, unsure of what to say (or whether he should speak at all). After a moment, the Sakiyan finally decided to speak.

    "Do you meet a lot of Jawas who feel that way? Or are you alone in that regard?"

    Trek did not answer right away, continuing to focus on the destination ahead. When he finally spoke, his tone was unexpectedly quiet.

    "I'm not exactly popular in the Jawa community."

    "Why?"

    "Because of everything I've just told you. They think I'm a nutjob for wanting more in life; for wanting to, you know, live a life. Plus the fact that Jawaese isn't exactly my first language... I use a translating vocoder to speak Basic, because of the vocal limitations my kind have, but without it, I'm just as unintelligible to Jawas as I am to non-Jawas."

    "So you don't actually care that Jawas are shunned by others," Salvan said. "You just resent the fact that you're stuck as one for the rest of your life."

    Trek glared at him again. "Very perceptive, Merlok. No wonder Emperor Necros decided to make you one of his spies."

    A tense, awkward silence fell over the two, the only sound being the low rumble of the sandcrawler. Salvan had no idea how long it would be before they reached Anchorhead, but he was looking forward to it more and more with each passing moment.

*  *  *

    Junix's Joint was never open past midnight.

    Never. No exceptions.

    Of course, it hadn't always been this way. Ten years ago, when the cantina was owned by the upbeat Ubdurian Drashen, Junix's Joint was open 24/7, with the nocturnal Chirok N'stri operating the place during the night shift. 

    However, after N'stri passed away seven years later, Drashen found it difficult to find a suitable replacement and ended up selling the place to a Kedorzhan named Taod Dront. The taciturn rodent had no desire running a business at night and did away with the old schedule, instead closing as soon as the twin suns had started to set.

    To reiterate, Junix's Joint was never open at night. No exceptions.

    Unless Malvis was in town.

    No one could ever really grasp what it was about Malvis that made everyone so afraid of him. To date, no one had any idea of what he looked like, or even what species he was. The popular theory of him being a Hutt had recently been debunked when the Hutt Cartel backed out of moving operations to Ord Talavos when rumor got around that Malvis was already operating there.

    Other theories were bounced around, with little to no basis. Some believed him to be an ex-Vigo of Black Sun, while others assumed him to be an alias of the elusive crime boss Mujambo.

    Regardless of which was true, it could not be denied that Malvis was a very influential being, so when word got round that the crime lord was looking to Junix's Joint for a location to make business, Taod Dront did the wise thing and allowed to do what he pleased.

    What he did not know was that it wasn't actually Malvis whom he was dealing with, but rather simply a member of his circle going by his name. This was a commonly known practice of his cabal, as for many years different people had reportedly met with Malvis, only for the species-- or even gender-- of one to be completely different than the other.

    The 'Malvis' in this case was a serpentine Sluissi known as Vasim Alazar. Like most of his kind, Vasim was a technological genius and was accompanied by his droid Omni. Another thing about Junix's Joint was that droids were never allowed, but Taod Dront wisely kept his mouth shut about it.

    By the time Valrisa and Typha arrived at Junix's Joint, Vasim was already on his third glass of therin ale, seated in a secluded booth towards the back of the cantina. Omni stood guard and, upon seeing the two women enter, alerted his master of their arrival.

    "Ah! Valrisa, Typha." Vasim raised his glass in their direction. "Glad to see you've made it. Please, sit down. I've already gotten you drinks."

    The pair made their way over to the booth, sliding in to sit across from Vasim. Typha eagerly went for her drink while Valrisa simply stared at the Sluissi, keeping her mask on. Vasim met her gaze and his face turned serious.

    "Do you have it?"

    "Yes."

    "Is it authentic?"

    "Yes."

    He breathed out a sigh of relief. "Good. Now we just wait."

    "Did they say when they'd show up?"

    "Before sunrise was all I was told." Vasim shrugged as he leaned back in his seat. "We very well could be waiting a while."

    Typha frowned at this. "Aw. I'm already bored."

    "Patience rewards, my friend. Once the deal is done, we will all be rich beyond imagination." The Sluissi grinned, a gleam in his black eyes. "That, Malvis promises you."