Chapter 23 Challengers (Part 1)

Dxun, Onderon System…981 ARR…

Jungle warfare was harsh and brutal business.

The smells, the weather, the local plants and animals all affected progress and made the fighting slow and dangerous to all.

Dukes Ge'hark and Sarek were leading their forces against the last of the outsider Mandalorian factions, known on this world as Ash'ad. Formed largely of outsiders and dissatisfied members of their culture they had come to this world to hunt the many dangerous predators on its jungle covered surface. From here they frequently raiding other worlds before disappearing back into the jungle to hide.

While some had returned home when the call was put out like the Hidden Chain on Ruhnuk, a loose coalition of Mandalorians who felt their world should only work towards its own betterment and saw this was the chance they had been dearly hoping for with Heteer Kol as their new Field Marshal. They had agreed to serve the new Mandalore and its people while others like Clan Varad from the Tamarian Sector had to be convinced although they too had agreed to return and stand with the rest of their people.

Some however had refused, either not wanting to give up their freedom or conform to the code like Clan Beroya who had some links to the fallen House Awaud and wouldn't serve House Ordo for their part in their downfall. Or like these Ash'ad who had become a real thorn in their side and had to be dealt with.

Ash'ad was the last though, at least the last they knew about. It was gruesome work but thankfully as they finally penetrated the tomb that the loose collection of rebels was using as a base, they would end the last public group outside of Mandalore and more importantly these groups would never be used against them.

- x -

Military Command Centre, Coruscant…

Haron was sitting at the long table as he and the rest of the senior military personnel discussed the progress of the war and the disposition of their forces.

Ahsoka was at Haron's right hand taking notes as directed, calling up information as required. She was quietly doing her job, showing her greater maturity as once she would have just burst out if she heard something she didn't like. Like for example high casualties on some campaigns and little sympathy for them. In this room they had to be ruthless in their practicality.

Something Tarkin excelled at, and he would have been here if he hadn't just gone with a rather severe case of food poisoning.

Haron had no idea how that could have happened, he thought with a private smirk. It got him out of the way for a while and more to the point meant he had a little private revenge. He had been looking at Tarkin's Doctrine, a recent private document that the man was pushing to be the key concept of the 'Republic's Military' going forward. It pushed for a policy of fear and to be big on both numbers and size of military vehicles, namely the freshly introduced Imperial-Class Star Destroyer. Two which had just been ordered as dreadnaughts for the fleet.

Tarkin had never won a battle in his life without overwhelming superiority, he was far more of a ruthless political animal than leader and Haron could already see just where he was going and more importantly how this military he wanted to build could be beaten.

So Haron was going to let him live, build his idealised military because it had some very big flaws and easily exploitable weaknesses.

That would serve him well in the war to come.

As the meeting finished and he got up to leave Haron remembered Ijaa, Ge'hark and Sarek were coming to meet with him today to discuss their recent campaign to remove the rogue Mandalorian factions and how that had gone, not to mention how their various projects were going.

- x -

Chancellor's Office, Senate Building…

"So, you see my concern." Palpatine said to Kal Skirata who was sitting opposite him in golden coloured Mandalorian armour. "The clones will struggle to find themselves a home if the feeling of the Republic's people is against them and the current Mandalore is I feel not doing enough to help them. They are of course the children of a Mandalorian and therefore are Mandalorian themselves."

Kal nodded with a cold frown on his face as he considered the Chancellor's words and agreed with them. His boys as he thought the clones to be had no real home beyond Kamino and they would never be treated well there he thought with a scowl. Not to mention the way they were used as cannon fodder angered him no end and the way the stuck up so called 'Mandalorians' rejected them as not real people only made him feel even more hatred towards them and Haron Ordo who despite commanding the clones for years had done nothing to help them.

If he were Mandalore, Kal thought he would have. He would have ensured the clones had a home in their space and if the rest of the people argued then they could meet the end of a blaster Kal thought.

The Republic and the Jedi didn't deserve their service, had no right to force them into slavery and his own people should know what a real warrior was before they judged his boys.

If he were Mandalore.

Those words stuck in his head, he could challenge Ordo for leadership and in his own mind had a much better chance of winning. He knew Ordo was strong and skilled, a highly capability tactician and strategist who had probably saved many of the clones' lives during the war with his leadership which Kal was glad of at least but from what Palpatine had told him or rather hinted Ordo was not as skilled in a physical one-on-one fight without using his gadgets like when he had fought Jedi in the past. Kal on the other hand had been training the clones for over ten years and so had been practising his fighting skills the whole time not to mention had nearly over forty years more experience than he did.

As a fellow Mandalorian Ordo couldn't refuse the challenge. If an outsider challenged one of their people, they could refuse without losing face but declining the challenge of one of their own people was cowardice and as a fight for the leadership…well Ordo just couldn't refuse.

He nodded and left the Chancellor's Office, to prepare himself for a fight to the death with Ordo. He didn't see the sinister smile on Palpatine's face or understand that the Sith Lord had no intention of fighting fair. Ordo would lose this fight; he would make sure of it he thought with glee. Skirata had been far too passionate about helping the clones that he sure as his family, it made him far too easy to manipulate.

- x -

Three Days Later…

Haron stood on the landing platform as the shuttles came down, carrying Dukes Ijaa, Ge'hark and Sarek to meet with him. He was surrounded by his own warriors forming an honour guard while the other three dukes would bring their own. Ahsoka would have been with him but she was spending the day with Anakin and his Jedi to continue her force training which he thought was probably prudent. There is always something new to learn.

The sight of no less than three large dropships, each carrying a duke each and their respective guards appeared. They touched down and the landing ramps deployed, allowing each duke and around twenty warriors each to disembark and all gave a bow to their Mandalore as did their dukes which Haron accepted.

"Welcome to Coruscant gentlemen." Haron said politely and they then followed him to the apartment at 500 Republica in air taxis. Upon arrival and the usual sweep for surveillance devices they explained to him what they had been up too.

"All the rebel groups we could find have been either brought back home or eliminated." Ge'hark said as they sat on the sofas. Haron nodded.

"Good, I have no doubt some more might appear later but we can worry about that another time. Well done Duke Ge'hark, Duke Sarek your services to Mandalore are greatly appreciated." Haron told them which was gratefully accepted. "How is the shipyard at Mandalore progressing?" Haron asked eager to know given the project's importance.

"Well underway." Duke Ijaa said with a serious look on his face. "The basic framework in now in place. Units are slowly being attached and are expanding outward. Four more years and it will be complete." Ijaa finished sounding actually impressed and wondered just how they were managing to come up with all the parts and material so fast but that was a secret Haron wasn't going to share with any one, certainly not when they were on this planet, he thought almost certain they were being spied on somehow and therefore stuck to speaking about things that were hardly a secret or not easily hidden.

"And the dreadnaughts?" Haron asked, wondering about the disposition of their fleet.

"The last of them has now finished their refit and is ready for service. Our fleet has never been stronger." Duke Sarek told him, thinking the ships were at least a solid design once the various errors were fixed.

"Your man Neville is handling some of the prototypes for testing soon." Ijaa said, not sure about Neville but he served Ordo and kept to the Mandalorian way so it was accepted.

Haron nodded, a communication beeping alerted him to someone making a holo call and knowing it might be important he accepted it. He was surprised to see Kal Skirata appear before him, one of those that trained the Clone Army.

"Haron Ordo. I challenge you for the position of Mandalore." The man said in his gruff voice.

That surprised everyone, Kal Skirata had been a non-player in Mandalorian affairs ever since he was allowed to join them since he came from the Core World Kuat originally. He had been training the Clone Army but had no real contact with any actual Mandalorian faction. His own support was largely in the Cuy'val who trained the clones, the Mandalorian mercenaries hired by Jango Fett to teach them.

None of which came from influential families.

Haron blinked for a moment as did the dukes who were both surprised and angered by this nobody from Kuat whose status as a Mandalorian could be disputed who dared to think he had the right to lead them. Nevertheless, Haron answered.

"I will accept you challenge, tomorrow on the Military Training Room inside the Military Headquarters Building. No armour, no weapons…just hand to hand." Haron said with a mounting suspicion about this. "Who put you up to this Skirata? You know how these fights end." Haron asked him needing to confirm his suspicion.

"I arrived at this myself…when you refuse to accept the boys from Kamino as Mandalorian! It doesn't matter what people think, I will give them a home the moment I kill you and take your position." Kal said with anger which only made Haron realise his suspicion was correct. Kal didn't even wait for a response he just ended the call.

Ijaa, Ge'hark and Sarek all looked ready to explode at what had just happened. While it was the right of a Mandalorian to challenge the leader only when they had just cause and this was no just cause. Not to mention the risk of death would deter many anyway. Haron was more accepting of the clones than most but the majority of his people, the dukes in front of him included didn't see the clones as real people and little more than droids.

It wasn't right, but there was no way his people would ever accept the clones as Mandalorians.

The dukes immediately started cursing Kal Skirata while Haron grimaced at the civil war that would ensue if he tried to insert the clones into their society. Kal didn't have even remotely the kind of political capital to rule their people or the support from inside or out to stay there.

"Someone is pulling Skirata's strings." Haron said to them loudly and firmly enough to get them to stop ranting and listen. "Someone who knows his views and that of our people, someone who thinks I and our people being united poses a threat and wants to use Skirata as a puppet leader. Trying to settle the clones would bring such chaos our people would be much easier to conquer."

"It's time I reveal to you the real reason I am here." Haron said wanting to get his point across before too many questions were asked. Once he was sure he had their attention he spoke again.

"Over the last few years, I came to realise that the Sith have been manipulating the Republic and the Separatists. This war is merely a cover to gain the dark lord greater power and to weaken or destroy his enemies. Among which we stand." Haron said and they were he was glad to see listening to him. "I believe that the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Sidious as I believe he is called is actually controlling the Republic and now is trying to use Skirata to undermine us. A month or so ago someone tried to kill me with three dark Jedi assassins. Now this is his plan b." Haron said quietly.

"Skirata doesn't stand a chance against you." Ge'hark said with disbelief, knowing how well Haron fought and with his greater stamina and reflexes not to mention he had far more practical experience against high level opponents than Skirata and being twenty plus years his junior.

"He cannot imagine he will win." Sarek said with the same dismissive attitude but Ijaa realised just where this might be going.

"Not if someone has made him think he will and is taking steps to ensure he wins." Ijaa said darkly as he realised that Haron was likely right, and this was just an attempt by the Sith to install a puppet on Mandalore as they had done several times in the past. "It seems the Sith are back to their old tricks." Ijaa said with disgust.

"So, we are to be on the lookout for any possible cheating." Haron said, not worried about the fight even though it was to the death. He was more worried about what Palpatine would do to ensure he didn't survive it.

"And if he does, Skirata will pay dearly for this treason against our people." Sarek said with a dark anger bubbling away that was returned by the others including Haron. Kal could have gone many different ways with his desire to help the clones and Haron would have likely supported them. But to try it this way and start a civil war? Weaken their people so they would be easily conquered by an outside force which he clearly didn't care what damage it did. There was only one way this ended, Haron thought darkly.

In death.

- x -

Military Command Headquarters, Coruscant…Next Day…

Haron arrived with Ahsoka and the dukes not to mention their warriors on time and ready. Haron handed his armour and weapons to Ahsoka who was looking rather unsettled by all this.

"Can't this be settled peacefully?" Ahsoka asked him with a worried look on her face and the dukes who were not amused by her lack of understanding snapped at her.

"Not when the challenge is issued and accepted. If you are going to be with us for any period of time girl you would do well to respect our culture." Sarek told her sternly and Ahsoka just uneasily looked away, not sure she wanted to see this but Haron whispered to her in reassurance.

"These kinds of duels are only allowed under strict conditions and only when there is no other option. Since the consequences are so dire few would even dare try. Just keep an eye out, if I am right about the Sith being behind this then there will be some kind of cheating to help Kal Skirata." He warned her, she looked surprised at the mention of the Sith being involved but then nodded, he hoped that she with the force might see something that the others wouldn't.

Kal Skirata appeared accompanied by what looked like about forty or so members of the Cuy'val, the mercenary force assembled by Jango Fett to train the Clone Army and many of whom were Mandalorian or claimed to be. Many looked on with worry, seeing Haron who was standing there in his pants and boots but nothing else. His torso was strong and well-muscled and while Kal who was seemingly unconcerned was also well-muscled, he was many years older.

The two men didn't was time with words and stepped forward till they were face to face with each other, Kal scowled at Haron who remained calm and collected, readying himself and waiting for Kal to make the first move.

Kal didn't wait long, he launched out with a powerful haymaker that Haron easily evaded and countered with a body shot. Kal proved himself tough though and weathered the hit but Haron then delivered another to his shoulder.

Kal jumped backwards, seemingly caught off guard that this wasn't going to be as easy as he had thought but didn't waste time with regret as this fight could not be abandoned and then attacked again.

The two men exchanged blows with each other but prove they both capable of fighting offensively and defensively, blocking each other's jabs and kicks in a fast paced and energetic fight. But the pace began to tell on Kal the longer it went on as eventually Haron started breaking through his defence again and again, jabbing at his joints and neck. Kal struggled but now Haron was finding his momentum and started gaining the upper hand.

Unknown to most of the group a small group of camouflaged microdroids were creeping along the walls and aimed what looked like tiny lasers or dart launchers at Haron who managed to land a hard kick to Kal and sent him flying back a little. The Cuy'val were looking very nervous now as their leader was on the back foot and as quickly as he managed to get to his feet it wasn't fast enough as Haron closed in on him.

Then Ahsoka sensed danger and thrust out her hand to see a dozen or so small darts hovering in mid-air only a few inches or so from Haron's back. Everyone stopped, even the two fighters to look at this and then Ijaa realised where those tiny darts had come from and threw an ion grenade in the air, the blue blast erupted out and tiny microdroids started falling from the walls and ceiling.

"BETRAYAL!" He called out, infuriated and the Cuy'val all looked terrified as the rather imperious and enraged duke rounded on them. "SHOOT THEM ALL!"

The warriors the dukes had brought including Haron's own didn't hesitate to obey the order and had their blasters in hand before the Cuy'val had a chance to even react and then they fired.

Many of the Cuy'val did wear Mandalorian armour but most of it not particularly pure so it didn't hold up well against their blasters, cutting the mercenaries down on the spot. Ahsoka looked on in horror at the massacre that was happening right before her eyes while Haron wanting this to end grabbed Kal and without a single moment's hesitation, snapped his neck with a single hard twist.

A sickening crack echoed through the room and Haron at least did Kal the curtesy of closing his eyes before walking over to Ahsoka who was staring at the dead bodies with shock. He put a hand on her shoulder and managed to get her attention. He looked into her scared eyes and told her.

"It is harsh and brutal. But in any culture actions speak louder than words and discipline amongst Mandalorians is strictly enforced. Breaking our code has severe consequences and worse I feel that Kal was merely a pawn of a much more dangerous mind, trying to weaken my people so they could be conquered." Haron told her and she slowly nodded as she seemed to understand.

"The Sith." She said and he nodded.

"Those who gain power are afraid to lose it and while he is powerful now, I am convinced he is intending to go higher. The Jedi and my people could potentially overthrow him especially if we were allied. This is what I think he fears so he will try to destroy both groups to make himself feel more secure." Haron told her, while extremely rare the Mandalorians and the Jedi had managed to work together against a common threat in the past and many times had been very successful. They both were very capable but also their ideological differences didn't help easy relations which the Sith exploited to their own benefit many times.

Ahsoka looked very troubled at this but nodded as she got what he was saying. He only hoped she did as the time might come when they needed to work together and he was starting to fear that time was coming soon.

- x -

Later that night on the docks of Coruscant two cloaked figures met, one carrying a small infant in a small bundle.

"We can't stay here on Coruscant." The woman said. She had ginger hair with brown streaks and light green eyes with flakes of amber in them but what was really striking was the lightsaber she had at her waist. "Not with Kal gone." She said referring to her father-in-law.

"I know Etain." Darman Skirata said with a worried look around. He was a clone but a member of the exclusive Clone Commandoes and adopted son of Kal Skirata. More to the point he was Etain's husband and the father of their child Venku who was nestled in her arms.

They had been very worried about his plans to challenge Haron Ordo for the leadership of Mandalore and had stayed away to make sure their son was safe. That had possibly saved their lives as Kal had been framed for cheating and all their allies gunned down or now sworn to Ordo. Despite what was said they knew Kal would never cheat and reasoned that he had been set up but if it was Ordo which Etain doubted then it was safest not to stick their heads up.

However, they now had no resources to get off world or allies to call on, not any that could help them anyway. Getting off world sounded like the best move but they had no means of doing so and were considering stealing what they needed when a droid came up to them with a small bag. It handed the bag to Darman who scanned it carefully, thinking it was a trap but it showed no sign of explosives or anything like that or anything alive. So, he carefully took the bag and opened it, blinking in shock as there was enough credits to buy himself, Etain and their son passage to the Outer Rim and still leave them with enough to get started when they arrived at wherever they were going.

Allowing Etain to see for herself she was as surprised as he was but did see a note had been placed with the money. Carefully picking it up she read it.

While I take no pleasure in what happened to Kal Skirata, he was just a pawn of the Sith even though he didn't know it. The Sith are the ones who set him up to cheat and in respect for his valour I give you the money you require for you, your wife and your son to go somewhere and live free. Keep it low key and out of the way so you don't attract attention. Dark Times are coming and secrecy will be your greatest ally.

Darman and Etain both shared a look while Venku babbled, not sure what his parents were doing but wanting their attention back on him. Etain accommodated him while Darman decided to risk it as the credits seemed genuine and would get them to a much safer place than they were now.

He could only assume it was one of their former allies that had sent the credits but he didn't really care as it would make sure he and his family were safely out of immediate danger and free. So, he found them the first ship to the Outer Rim he could find and booked passage, thanking their lucky stars and vowing to keep far away from trouble in the future.

- x -

The Chancellor's Office, the Senate Building…

Palpatine was fuming at another of his plans being foiled! Ordo would just not die! Worse many of the surviving Cuy'val had been quick to swear their allegiance to Ordo so there was little chance of installing another puppet right now.

He honestly was wondering if he was going to have to kill the bastard himself when he decided that maybe, just maybe there was another way to get the man just where he wanted him. The one thing that a Mandalorian prized above all else... family.

Unfortunately, the man's family rarely ever left their protected compound and getting an agent in had been proving next to impossible. But Anakin had revealed something during one of their talks, the man had a bastard sister, one that didn't stay on Reijar and wandered the galaxy.

Vysa, he remembered, yes that was what she was called. The girl was a bounty hunter and had a strong dislike of the Commerce Guild, frequently stealing from them.

This presented an opportunity to get rid of him and his sister at the same time with the same swoop that he would use to bring down most of his enemies.

Palpatine would need to engineer this but it might stand the best chance of killing him rather than Palpatine actually running him through with a lightsaber or unleashing all his frustration on him with force lightning.

Leviathan, Lucrehulk-class Warship, Mandalorian Space…

The flagship of House N'Val, a captured ship from the Separatists was now the meeting place for Duke N'Val, Neville who was representing House Ordo and a number of other senior space commanders from the other houses. They were here to discuss the future disposition of their fleet.

"Sector fleets have been established under local leaders but all can be gathered in event of an emergency." Duke N'Val said from the head of the table, Neville then took over as he had to give some important reports.

"The new vessels that make up the fleet have all been tested, all passed quite easily and will begin full production now that the shipyards and industrial facilities have been expanded and upgraded with the new equipment." Neville said not mentioning that a lot of the improvements that would speed up and improve efficiency came from Iokath, similar to those installed at their own hidden factory.

"Production of Skytroopers and worker droids is now in full swing and we have incorporated the Destroyer Droid Mark 2 into our forces. Starfighter and Corvette production is running at full speed." One of the captains of House Yusagi said calmly.

Who would have thought one day I would be talking about building a fleet of spaceships? Neville thought to himself with amusement. Once he had been a stuttering wizard from Earth, now he was a general in an intergalactic army he thought with some mocking.

- x -

Mandalorian Base, Iokath…

Deera and Zara from the building they had commandeered to act as a more secure HQ for their operations on Iokath were looking at some of the sights from their window. The two were still enjoying themselves very much personally and professionally and had grown to like coming here.

It still impressed them after years of coming here, the sheer scale of the city world here and all the time they were making new discoveries. The amount of technology here was incredible and the scientists were excited by each new discovery.

Including Professor Mors who had just joined them here for the first time and now was detailing some of the things he'd devised from their own studies of Iokath technology and his own work.

"So, thanks to the more efficient energy transfer and generators equipment we have developed from studying the Iokath's impressive technology I have finished a practical design for as I call it the Aggressor-class Destroyer." Mors told them and called up a highly detailed hologram of the strange looking ship he had come up with after studying the CIS weapon systems.

"It will be around fifteen hundred metres long, most of its length taken up by the large barrel section while the generators will be housed in the rear section with the living compartments and engines. It will have four primary sublight engines along with four smaller sublight engines, two on either side to help with turning. Shields of course along with three turbolaser batteries for defence." Mors said proudly.

"Fifteen hundred metres!" Zara said with disbelief, Deera nodded in agreement as that made the ship longer than a Venator-class star destroyer and it was nowhere as well armed. There was no hanger and no secondary or anti-starfighter weapons. The cramped conditions would make it very uncomfortable for the crew with the heavy armour and amount of space given to machinery. If the primary weapon was ever taken out or smaller warships came upon it then the ship was near helpless and with the materials required to construct such a vessel it was going to be very expensive to build and maintain.

"Obviously it is unsuited to being a capital ship and will need a support fleet to protect it but the point is this would make the ship deadly to larger enemy ships and even space stations. Not to mention it is possible to turn the gun to act as orbital artillery to support ground campaigns." Mors said with a proud smile.

Deera thought carefully about this as she looked at the design and weighed up the benefits against the negatives. It had some potential and could be really useful in some situations she thought and made a decision.

"A limited production run might be a good idea. Now what about the Keldabe-class?" She asked, moving the conversation onto the other potential capital ship.

"Oh, that is proving incredibly promising." Mors said turning his attention towards the other ship he had been working on, the hologram changing to the more Mandalorian looking vessel.

"At sixteen hundred metres long, it is bigger than the Aggressor but has the advantage of stronger shields, more weapons and a small hanger bay which allows it to carry about thirty-six fighters and accompanying shuttles." Mors said as he outlined the design and then noted the changes they had made. "With the upgrades of Iokath technology its power generators and distribution systems are far more efficient and allow more energy to the shields, engines and weapons. We even managed to fit forward and rear mounted mass driver cannons and some these new drone weapons we found here. The interface to control them is proving tricky but we should be able to smooth out any bugs soon enough." Mors said, loving the problems so he could fix them. A challenge worth his time was something he relished.

Deera nodded, glad of the delay as it was likely they wouldn't be able to put any of them into production till the new major shipyard at Mandalore was ready. All their current shipyards were currently busy with production of other warships mostly the smaller ones with the largest ones building the new Aden and Mirskto class ships as fast as they could. They would not be able to build the Keldabe or the Aggressor for a while yet.

But she thought with a considering look in her eyes, that would enable them to upgrade the established designs with Iokath technology too, the Null ships would likely benefit greatly with the improvements for energy transfer alone.

Mors meanwhile was nodding, excited to get back to the technology here, the nanite medical pods they had just discovered in what they assumed was a hospital that used nanites to reconstruct lost organic tissue with excess material from the body and were capable of building highly advanced and efficient synthetic versions if that wasn't possible. He was eagerly waiting to get a look at them!

Wendi, Mandalorian Space…

In her 'throne room' as some might call it Eliza Kane was smirking as she showed Duke Takan, one of the more interesting fellows that she had just what her engineers had come up with.

"The Gondwana." She said proudly with a smirk as they studied the hologram of the ship she and her engineers had created. "Twelve hundred metres long with limited defensive weaponry but its true punch lies in the vast number of automated drones it carries. Anywhere in the number of around two thousand or so depending on loadout." She told him with a smirk of satisfaction. "Production on the prototype is now underway."

"Excellent, it will be interesting to see what our enemies think when faced with such a unique weapon." Duke Takan said with a grim smile, knowing this would be a powerful piece of their arsenal. However, he himself was making a contribution to their future growth. "Logistics will need a new vessel with time. While the Lucrehulks will serve that admirably they serve a dual military role as a carrier and warship. Not to mention eventually they will wear out and need to be replaced, so my people have been coming up with a new ship to fill that role." He said, calling up a hologram of a rather angular looking vessel but had the same general bulky look as other Mandalorian designs.

"Project Spirit of Fire as my engineers have been calling it." Takan said with pride.

Eliza took a moment to study the rough design they had so far which lacked weapon systems or most of the key details. It had promise, not just as logistics vessel for civilian and military purposes but also to act as a support vessel for military fleets.

"It has…potential." She admitted with a slight smirk.

Arkannix, Mid Rim…

Aayla Secura was once again in the thick of the fighting alongside her clone soldiers, Bly the ever-loyal commander at her side as they pushed the advance on the enemy base.

Aayla was only half paying attention though as she advanced on the base, she knew she should be giving it her full attention and felt guilty for not doing that but she was still reeling from the teachings of Master Tuwan and just what he wanted from his students.

She had never heard of such things under a Jedi Master let alone one as powerful as Tuwan but it seemed he wanted them to come to understand themselves and their own flaws so they could use all facets of their nature and be more comfortable with who they were as people.

In her case, that was to come to terms with all her fears and doubts of not being good enough to be a Jedi. And especially her fall to the dark side early in her Jedi career and before that all the years she had been a slave of her uncle who had drugged and wiped her memories.

Since he had guided her in his meditation sessions, Aayla had started recovering more of her memories of that time in her life and some of the things she had done…or been forced to do. They made her sick and she had shattered into glass. Openly sobbing on the floor of the temple as the emotions that came with those memories overwhelmed her.

She had expected for Master Tuwan to scold her for losing her composure, to reprimand her for breaking down with all the misery, trauma and fear that came with those memories but he had actually sat there with her and given her a hug! He had listened patiently to her telling him everything once she was comfortable enough to do so. He had given her reassurance that what was said would go no further than the two of them and she actually believed him!

He had taken to taken walks with her in the Room of a Thousand Fountains and listening to her thoughts and worries so they would no longer trouble her but didn't give her the answers, instead guiding her to find them on her own.

He was a master unlike she had ever met before, even Master Tholme didn't do these things and it was such a strange thing…to have someone tell you that you had to face your demons rather than suppress them.

Aayla had been running from her demons for so long, most of her life in fact. After so long it was hard for her to turn around and stand her ground without giving in to the urge to run. But according to Master Tuwan if she was going to finally heal from what had happened or at least learn to live with it, then she had to do it.

She wasn't sure if she could do it, accept what had happened and the parts of herself that she had locked away so long ago but according to Master Tuwan she would never reach her full potential until she did.

What did that even mean for her? She wondered as she bisected another droid with ease. In her youth she had been quite arrogant and far more flamboyant, wearing robes of the most ridiculous colours but after her return to the Order she had toned down much of that and been much humbler. Still despite still being a little rebellious in terms of her dress sense, thinking of the leather outfit she was wearing that was far more 'daring' that most Jedi would ever dream of wearing…she missed the brighter colours she thought with a pang but didn't feel right wearing them.

Reaching the command centre of the Separatist base though she was met with a sight that terrified her and knocked her out of her musings. Standing in the middle of the room with his red lightsaber lit was Sora Bulq, easily the most dangerous of all Dooku's Acolytes and the number of dead clones around him made his skill seem apparent.

Aayla was completely caught off guard, why had Republic Intelligence missed the fact that he was here? She asked herself wondering just what she was supposed to do now?

Sora Bulq before his defection to Dooku had been one of the most powerful lightsaber duellists in the Jedi Order, he had helped Mace Windu create and perfect Vaapad. He had fought and killed several Jedi over the course of the war including nearly killing her own master Tholme but here she was face to face with him alone. Well almost alone she thought as Bly and his men came up behind her. She raised her saber feeling very underprepared and stood her ground as he sneered at her.

"The eye candy of the Jedi Order…they send you to confront me?" He scoffed at her, his words cutting deep into her as so many times she was viewed only for her physical beauty and nothing more. As a Twi'lek this was hardly unique to her but it grated on her and undermined her confidence to only be seen for her race and her sex.

"At least I am not a traitor to the Order." Aayla said, trying to rally her courage and taking her ready position while Bly pointed his blaster at the rogue Jedi.

"Traitor? You have no idea just what is really happening in this war do you, silly little girl?" Sora said to her with mocking scorn. "Just as well you will not live to see the end but what other use does the Order have for a used-up whore like you than dying for its rotting carcass?" He said with sinister satisfaction as his words hit home and stabbed deep into her confidence.

His words only made her remember the things her uncle had made her do after wiping her mind which filled her with revulsion, her belief in herself was so weak at that point that she honestly didn't know if she was more than that. Bly however saved her by firing at the ex-Jedi in anger.

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH YOU FOUL BASTARD!" He said, his outrage at what he had said to his general and friend and the Clone Commander along with his men let their anger out by shooting.

Sora Bulq however was more than ready for it and he moved his lightsaber expertly and deflected the bolts with ease before blasting them all back with a force wave. They all were forced backwards but unlike the clones Aayla managed to draw on the force to right herself and land crouched.

However, she saw Sora leap with his saber raised to bring down at Bly and without thinking she moved to block the strike.

Their red and blue blades met in a shower of sparks as she strained to hold him back and he seemed almost amused by this. Smirking he told her.

"So, you put your pathetic skills against mine? By the Force the Jedi must be getting desperate. Well whore, if you want to die then I will be happy to arrange it for you." Sora said with a menacing grin.

He broke the lock and lunged at her with a blitz of rapid slashes and lunges. Aayla was hard pressed even with her considerable skill in Form 5 and 4 Djem So and Ataru, two of the better fighting forms in lightsaber combat struggling against the vicious barrage of attacks that Bulq was giving her. Form 7, Juyo she now realised rather than Vaapad as he had lost the discipline for that it seemed which was good for her but only so much as it was still a highly dangerous form.

It was making her sweat as he continued to batter away at her defences, the effort telling as she did her best to stay calm and in control of herself.

"Is this the best you can do?" Sora asked with derision. "I suppose it's only fitting given you were taught by that fool Tholme. The man is so foolish that he hardly ever developed his skills and as for Vos…. maybe there was hope for that one but he is too much of a useless moron to be of much use to anyone." Sora said with a mocking smirk.

Then something snapped inside Aayla, something that broke her emotional control and let her anger and fury that she had been holding back out, swallowing up her doubts and spitting them out. Insult me all you want she thought with fury but never ever insult the two Jedi Masters in the Order that she respected the most. She thought with fury, letting go of her worry about falling to the dark side again as she was made braver by her disgust of this man.

So, what if she had been hurt? She thought, her anger making her think differently. What if she had been made to do those things? What if she had fallen to the dark side for a time because she hadn't the memory to know better?

None of those things were her fault! She thought with things seeming clearer. She had been trained well by Master Vos and Master Tholme, both of whom were legendary Jedi whereas this traitor would be nothing more than a footnote in Jedi history. Soon to be forgotten about among much greater legends in their age.

Skywalker, Kenobi, Vos, Tholme, Windu and more.

She didn't care if she was ever going to be among them, Aayla thought with fury bringing her strength and focus as her narrowed her attention on Sora Bulq. She started becoming more ferocious with her cleaves and counter attacks not to mention more daring with her acrobatic ducks and rolls, even leaping away to unleash some force pushes his way.

Bulq seemed to notice the change in her and was she could feel becoming more concerned. He seemed to be talking to her, no doubt to try and play more mind games with her but Aayla was no longer listening. She didn't care anymore what he thought she was so angry with him and let all her emotions free for the first time and it was so liberating, not be holding herself back again more.

But she also could feel something else too, like the horizon was shifting before her very eyes and the force which had always seemed so placid and calm to her before came alive. It surged more like a sea being whipped up by a storm and with the increase of power that resulted, her body becoming faster as the force increased her speed and her strength to much greater levels than ever and Bulq suddenly seemed to be having trouble, now forced onto the defensive.

That made Aayla smirk now as she saw the bastard had lost his smugness but she wasn't done yet. As her power in the force grew, she could feel so much around her, the currents of air in the room, the energy running through the people and machines around them…even the molecules in the air around them.

She felt them around Bulq and concentrated hard on them, making them vibrate.

Bulq cried out as his robes suddenly caught fire and he tried to distance himself as he tried his best to get them off but Aayla immediately took advantage of the distraction and with a single seemingly effortless stroke of her lightsaber sliced his head clean from his shoulders.

The Weequay's head fell to the floor, followed by his body with his now inactive lightsaber making a clang as it hit the floor. Aayla stood above him with her saber still lit and breathing rapidly as she took in the sight before her.

The clones who had managed to recover including Bly looked at her with awe, some having never seen a lightsaber duel before in their lives. They didn't know just who this Dark Jedi had been but knew their general had just kicked his ass.

They started cheering as Aayla smiled a little, not able to believe she had just taken down Sora Bulq on her own. She honestly had never felt more alive before this moment, feeling so in tune with the force and more to the point the heavy weight that she had been carrying with her all these years seemed to have lifted at least somewhat. She could still feel those things inside her but now it was muted as joy and exhilaration ran through her.

It was like the sun had come up and warmed her, the force was with her in a way that it hadn't been in years and making her feel like anything was possible. She hadn't honestly felt like this in so long it was like waking up from a long dream. She smiled gently as she realised this was what Master Tuwan had been trying to teach her, what Masters Tholme and Vos had wanted her to do.

Let go of the past, accept it. What had happened back then was bad she thought sadly but it was in the past and now she had to accept it so she could learn from it and look to the future.

To not hold herself back out of fear of making the same mistakes or the same things happening again. She had to have faith in herself that she had learned enough to make sure they didn't happen again.

That was incredibly liberating, soothing to her troubled soul and more so she was still dealing with her own surprise at discovering her latent skill at pyrokinesis. Looking at her hand she was shocked to discover this rare skill which was an advanced subskill of telekinesis. It was an amazing feeling to be able to sense molecules like that. She never managed to gain that level of sensitivity before.

She made a point to thank the masters back at the Temple, she owned it to all of them. She thought, they had believed in her and made her take this chance. It was the least she could do.

Military Headquarters Building, Coruscant…

Haron was reading through the multitude of reports that piled up on his desk every hour from every front in the war. Picking them up and speed reading them he could see that thankfully most of the fronts were going well with only a few setbacks in some areas but mostly because those were just campaigns pushed by politicians to push up their approval ratings and he gave those little attention and only sent those that were ill-suited to more important positions.

He sighed, dearly wanting to get this over with and get back to things that benefited his people but so far, he was still stuck here.

The only good thing was that he had managed to get home in time for the birth of his fourth child, another daughter that had his hair and eyes but her mother's face. They had decided to name her Li'anne in a combination of both their Earth mothers' names. She was a bright and happy child and he smiled just thinking about her. Gods he wished he could be back home with them rather than keeping an eye on the Sith and preparing for the future.

It was somewhat paying off though as they had managed to make a great deal of money from the military contracts to companies like Incom and the fees for consulting and more importantly they had established a strong intelligence network throughout the Republic using the war as a cover. He had a good feeling for how the future 'Imperial Military' would turn out and his people's territory was seemingly secure while their fleet and army were being developed nicely.

Speaking of intelligence though Haron noticed something coming in, a report that was being sent only to certain figures in the Republic namely the Chancellor himself. He however had installed a program that let him see the messages sent without being detected. The report that had just arrived referred to an 'incident' of the highest security and needing immediate action.

Haron read the report and saw to his surprise that one of the clones had turned on a Jedi and killed her seemingly at random, that was shocking in itself due to how loyal they were but more so that apparently when he had been taken back to Kamino it had been discovered the reason was a faulty chip in his brain. One of the other clones, a captain named Fives that was part of Anakin's legion had removed his own chip which he now claimed was part of some kind of conspiracy and the other clone's chip had been triggered early by a malfunction.

A malfunction triggered the clone to kill a Jedi…early. Haron thought with a feeling of suspicion mounting as he read more and realised just how the Sith were going to turn the clones against the Jedi. Despite what they were taught and conditioned for many clones had become close with their Jedi Generals and many would likely question any order to betray them. Enough that many Jedi would likely survive especially if the clones were loyal enough to warn or even fight for them.

But these chips…they were the key Haron thought with excitement as at last they had managed to discover a key part of the plot by Palpatine to take over the galaxy. First step would be to remove the Jedi as they were one of the few things that might be able to stop him and if they could disarm this particular plan before it even started…maybe the war he feared might not happen either.

Haron noted that Fives had apparently been ordered to Coruscant for additional tests and would likely be here very soon. Knowing that it was likely he would disappear before anyone got any real answers out him Haron sent out an urgent order to his network, to find the ship Fives was on and raid it using skilled freelance mercenaries with no affiliation but above all else Fives was to be unharmed and brought to him alive. Putting a high number of credits on this as this could be the most important investment he ever made.

- x -

Transport Ship, Enroute to Coruscant…Ten Hours Later…

Fives had quickly realised he was a prisoner the moment Master Shaak Ti had brought him on the ship, his brothers watched his every move and Shaak Ti was in the next room.

He honestly was now more convinced than ever that this was a conspiracy and now they were going to try and shut him up. Tup' chip hadn't 'malfunctioned' in its use, the only error had been when it was supposed to activate. Those chips were never meant to stop aggressive behaviour as many of his brothers had indulged in that from the beginning of the war till the end.

No Fives thought to himself with growing fear over what this meant. Those chips were meant to rob them of their free will, make them kill and Tup had gone straight for the Jedi when his chip had triggered so Fives could guess just who they were meant to betray.

He had to reach General Skywalker and Commander Rex Fives thought desperately, they would listen and understand the danger to not just his brothers being turned into nothing but puppets but to the Jedi as well. And to the Republic should it succeed.

Fives was hoping for a chance to escape but had no chance to do so as he was bound quite well to the bench he sat on and had tried to get the bindings off but they held firm. Something that in moments would be very important to his survival.

Before any of them knew what was going on as they dropped out of hyperspace to recalculate their course there was a deafening clang on the outer hull. That made all of them jump but as they did so the entire outer hull was torn open by massive droid arms!

His brothers, already on their feet and with nothing to grab on to had no chance and were ripped off the deck plating and thrown into space screaming. The bindings that held Fives to the bench however anchored him in place and prevented him from suffering the same fate.

But that was only the start of his troubles as all the air was blasted out of the compartment along with his brothers and as he didn't have a helmet, he had no air supply. Fives drew on any training he had for these situations but virtually everything in that training he had told him he was going to die in about two minutes. However, a bunch of people in space suits came in just as the troopers blasted away and with him unable to struggle attached a mask to his face with an air supply. Fives was able to breathe again but soon passed out as a sedative was mixed in with the air supply. Those in suits soon cut him free of the bench and used jetpacks to move away with their large droid to a waiting ship nearby before the Jedi or any of the ship's crew could get close enough to stop them.

The moment the party and their prize were aboard the ship took off at high speed and jumped to lightspeed while the transport reeled from the sudden and brutal attack.