The Rebel Faction

It felt weeks ago, but in fact it was only a few days since Ithron's rapid departure from the planet Korriban. He had returned as rapidly as possible to the the Diktat on Correlia. His prize from the mission had been taken from him and summarily ignored by Lupercus, as he suspected it might be. The Sith Lord had explained that nothing of any worth remained on Korriban - the "mission" had simply been a test.

"One which, fortunately, you appear to have passed." Lupercus had said at the time, in a voice which gave no illusions about Ithron's fate had he not.

In the space of a few days, the two Sith had visited various Imperial installations, and ended up here, on a Star Destroyer - no lesser vessel than the Baron-Admiral Desaria's flagship itself. Even here, in this place that was no stranger to power, Ithron found his Master, and by extension himself, treated with enormous respect. The fear that he could feel in any Officer who dealt with the Sith had come as a surprise initially.

In his cabin, one that would perhaps usually be given to someone of Colonel rank, Ithron was thinking to himself. His thoughts were fixed on Xa Fel, on Vance and the others. He last seen them in a macabre vision before landing on Korriban. In the real world, the last time had been when Vance sent them on the mission to Korriban - before Ithron had met Lupercus.

The Brotherhood of Sith, he thought to himself. Are all of Vance's Brotherhood after me now? For betraying their high ideals?

None of the Apprentices from Xa Fel frightened Ithron. Even the Knights like Necros demanded only caution, but the thought of Vance coming after him with revenge on his mind....

At that moment the door slammed open.

My apprentice, can you sense the greatness that can be won here today?

Ithron inclined his head towards the Master, smiling inwardly at the intensity of emotion coming from him.

Something's put him in a good mood, he thought, his former musings forgotten.

"Perhaps I'd be able to sense it better, Master, if you tell me what we're actually going to be doing today?"

Humbled by the grand designs of the Sith Master and embarrassed by his insight into his injury, Ithron remained silent, entranced. Even after spending several days in close proximity to him, Ithron found the Sith Lord's personality overwhelming. Still, after an effort of will, he managed to speak.

"Hang on...." he cried. "You mean to say that we came here, seeking my destruction?! Well, what happens if this worthy foe manages to go beyond the brink and actually destroys me?"

In the calm gaze of Lupercus, he saw his answer.

"If they manage to destroy me, then I've failed....that's right, isn't it?" he said bitterly.

He fell silent.

If I don't get more powerful than I am, Vance and his cronies will destroy me when he catches me up - and he will. he mused.

He looked sidelong at Lupercus.

But fuck this....

"I'm with you, Master, as you doubtless knew I would be...

But be sure that I won't let myself be destroyed. I'm going to fight with every ounce of power in me before I let myself be taken to the brink of destruction, as you put it, by anyone..."

Not for the first time, or the last, the grin of his Master scared Ithron and reminded him just who he was dealing with. He had never yet seen Lupercus in combat, but he was sure that the opposing side would not be fun to be on.

"Their last Master? What of Leia? Vodo? Cole Donovin?" he exclaimed, quoting the names of the Masters he had seen or heard of during his time at the Academy. "Their padawans will pose no problem....unless some of the more experienced ones take a hand in the defence. Even then though, I can't see even them being that stupid...

You really expect some resistance? While we're in the Academy and the Temple, I take it the Imperials will be securing the planet. What about the Coalition? Can we expect a ground war, Master?"

Imperial V-class Star Destroyer Dominion

System Periphery, Naboo


The ships hung in space at the farthest reaches of human vision, the harbingers of destruction. More than that, the approaching squadron symbolized not just devastation or death, it was the armored fist of righteous justice come to cleanse Naboo of the infestation that had crawled upon it for so long.


Too long.


Grand Admiral-Baron Telan Desaria looked out over the system sprawling before him as his ships pushed on, scattering all before them. A dozen worlds orbited an older star that had only reached its zenith an eon before, bathing every planet in a warm embrace that boded very well for tourism. Without giving the system any thought beyond its beauty, Naboo was a calming, almost peaceful sight to the eyes.


Then one considers what is here, what has been here. The very people devoted to destroying order, the Lords of Chaos dwell here. Desaria felt his gloved hands twist into fists; he had spent his entire life pursuing order, trying to drive off every vestige of anarchy so the citizens of the galaxy, of the Empire, could live in prosperity. And now below him sat the Jedi in their lair, the guardians of anarchy itself. They had vowed to a man to serve the republic and its corrupt governmental structure, democracy; they had defended a crumbling house before the Clone Wars when senators made deals and decisions based solely on their own needs above the needs of those they were supposed to help. The very thought made the Grand Admiral sick.


" You stand ready to do your duty like an island in a maelstrom, Grand Admiral."


Desaria did not turn around; he could recognize the voice of Grand Inquisitor Ierin del Forza. He ignored the red-tuniced Viscount and concentrated on the task at hand. He had one Naval warship, his flagship, supported by seven Aurora-class Destroyers, each one flying the Inquisitoriate Banner, each one with Inquisitoriate crews and carrying Inquisitoriate troops. Though he loathed the Inquisitoriate, their ruthless methods would be needed today. Besides, they were created to fight the Jedi. Who better, aside from the Sith.


The Grand Admiral stood to his full height and strode deliberately across the catwalk to his chair. Sitting down as regally as any aristocrat could, he calmly commanded his formation to full alert. Fighters were scrambled and shields raised. The Empire had returned to Naboo, this not just to conquer....


...but to purify!

Dreams...

The Force ruled many aspects of life - indeed, its' hand was at work in more facets of the universe than even the wisest of the Jedi or Sith might suspect. As such, it was not unusual for the Force to manifest through dreams and visions while the mind slumbered. Sometimes it was two sensitives communicating, sometimes it was the dreamer reaching out in their sleep, and very rarely, it was sometimes the Force itself, passing down cryptic warnings to further its' will.

Such a vision came to one Katria of Naboo as she slept. Through the fog of the night, a piercing light filled her half-vision and caused her to jump up in bed. Startled, she looked around her dormintory for the cause of the disturbance.

Mistress Katria, who took care of the Theed Orphanage and Shelter, hadn't felt such a disturbance for quite some time. Not since she'd left the disbanded Jedi Order to found the orphanage, in fact. Feeling wary, she got out of bed and dressed herself in her old robes, even seeing fit to hook her old lightsaber on her belt.

"I felt it too," whispered a willowy voice. Turning, Katria saw the faint blue form of Barris, a Force ghost she had taken with her from the temple. "I don't think we're safe here anymore," she said. "That disturbance, it was of the dark side."

Katria didn't say anything, her expression grim as she picked up Barris's crystal from the nightstand and pocketed it. Slipping carefully down the halls to as to avoid waking the children, she made for the back door.

As she opened the door, six Naboo royal guards were waiting for her. For a moment she tensed, her hand straying over her lightsaber, but she recognized some of the men and the sorrow in their faces, so she allowed her guard to drop. "What's going on?" she murmured.

Ashen-faced, the sergeant of the group bowed a little. "Mistress Katria, Queen Carlotta sends word. The Empire is on their way. They have made no diplomatic overtures... it looks like-"

"I understand," said Katria, nodding. "Do we know if there are any Sith?"

"None we know of yet," murured the guard. "Though... no one's watching the temple any more. We don't know what's going on there."

Katria knew already what was going to happen. The Sith, like vultures, hoped to sack the temple for any scraps of artefact or knowledge that hadn't been taken by the Jedi during their departure. They hoped to find a few padawans to kill for sport and to spite their ancient enemy. Finally, they hoped to make the world theirs as a symbol of the dark side's resurgence.

They would almost certainly succeed. So far as she knew, she was the last full Jedi on the planet, with only the young force-sensitives under her care and a handful of the less-trained padawans remaining on the planet. She quickly realized the precariousness of her position.

The men seemed to know too. "The Queen has arranged for you and your wards to be taken to the palace in secret. We've got an escort waiting on the road beyond, we'll take backroads and send a few decoys in case anyone's watching."

Feeling relief that the Queen had chosen to protect them instead of barter their lives away, it was Katria's turn to bow. "Thank you, sergeant. Let me go wake the children, I'll return in a minute."


Queen Carlotta was not amused.

The young Queen of Naboo was intelligent and quick-witted, and had inherited a strong taste for intrigue and politics. Unfortunately, there was simply no negotiating with a Star Destroyer, especially not with the paltry forces under the command of the Naboo Security Force. In an effort to avoid confrontation, she'd already ordered them to stand down and avoid resistance. The Empire would simply roll over them if they did, and likely cause gratuitous death and destruction in the process.

There was still the matter of addressing the invaders that even now gathered at the edge of the system. So it was that the Queen and her advisors were gathered in the throne room in the early morning light, the Queen composing a diplomatic missive to be sent to the Imperial's commander at once.

"Most noble officer of the Empire," the Queen began. "Greetings, on behalf of the sovereign of Naboo.

"I can only wonder as to your purpose, arriving at the edge of our space with ships of war, and without explination. Alas, I fear I know the reason, which is why I write to you to ask for clemency. We have no quarrel with the Empire and have no means of resistance. We have committed no crimes against your nation and hope that this will be reflected in our treatment by you.

"In fact, the only thing that I could imagine would draw your eyes to Naboo and cause the Empire to attack without warning would be if your intent were to catch someone by surprise, corner them before they can escape. I promise you, even the Jedi whom you hunt are long gone from this place - there are no Masters of the Force left on Naboo, only a few children with little instruction and no power or influence.

"With this in mind I hope we can come to some sort of peaceful arrangement or agreement to avoid unnecessary violence or hardship. Sincerely, Queen Carlotta of the Naboo."

With the message finished, one of the Queen's handmaidens bowed and hurried to deliver it to the communications office. Turning to her advisors, Queen Carlotta frowned. "What of the last Jedi on Naboo? Have they been notified?"

"We think so," grumbled a craggy old minister, leaning over in his chair. "Of course, anyone powerful enough to interest the Empire knew they were coming before we told them, so they've already buggered off. There were a few padawans we still had tabs on - our files have been carefully burned, Queen. By the time the Empire arrives, there should be no trace of our association with the Jedi left."

"Good," the Queen said, her face turning grim. "I only hope the Empire will see it that way. It's of the upmost importance they find no Jedi left here, or else they will scour the planet looking for them. We may still have a chance at survival if they find nothing to interest them here."

"It was a blessing in disguise when old Dolash left," the Minister grunted. "If he'd still been here, the Empire and the Sith might repeat what happened when... well, you all know..."

A dark silence desceneded on the throne room. None dared imagine a repeat of that dark day even with Sith and Stormtroopers hanging above their heads.

Carlotta broke the silence. "See to it that the last Jedi is hidden or away by the time they arrive. If they find her..." The unspoken hung heavily in the air.