Chapter 26 The Imperial Era Begins (Part 1)

981 ARR…

All over the galaxy, people were unsettled.

The sudden and unexpected end of the Clone Wars and the change from the Republic to the Empire had shaken many, the former Separatists most of all. Their reality was so far from their hopes and dreams when they started or joined the movement and they had after the death of Count Dooku been hoping for a peace treaty with the Republic but now feared that the Empire would rather conquer them first.

Their territory was now falling apart into different factions as they argued among themselves with no real leader left to unify them. None wanted to join the Empire although some small planets did out of fear of feeling its wrath.

While some factions of the CIS holdouts began to talk with each other in hopes of ensuring their mutual survival, the Jedi who had survived Order 66 found themselves in a harsh new reality of their own with no friends of allies to call on in many cases largely due to their own social isolation from the galaxy prior to this. A few had managed to find places to hide but many were struggling with what they were supposed to do and how to follow the will of the Force when every day seemed to bring new challenges to their survival.

- x -

Ral'Kya, the edge of the Unknown Regions…

A planet on the edge of known space it had only been discovered two years prior to the Clone Wars, a cold mountainous but habitable planet it had once been home to the Korna, the native species who had built enormous temples four thousand years ago which still covered the landscape but had died out under mysterious circumstances. Five hundred years before the Clone Wars a lost colony ship had crashed there and now a colony of near humans inhabited the planet.

While the war had delayed proper investigation into the planet the Jedi Council had dispatched a Jedi Knight and a company of clones to investigate the strange force aura of the planet and to see if the Separatists had set up a base on the planet.

Avelyn Yelisin, a fresh-faced Jedi Knight had been leading the force. Knighted at only seventeen due to the need for more knights she had little experience at Jedi duties or command. She had been excited at her first assignment, eager to prove herself and have the kind of adventures that she had only read or heard about but now she was being chased through the mountain passes of Ral'Kya by her own clones. The winding passages were narrow and difficult to climb without special gear which had hindered the clones while she could do it by drawing on the force.

It was the only thing that had saved her life.

But the clones on this world were tenacious and not willing to give up pursuing her till they had completed their orders. They had chased her across miles of the mountain range, rarely giving her a moment to rest. To try and shake them she had even had to venture into the colder areas which thankfully as an offshoot of the Arkanian species which was adapted to cold environments so she coped with it well and thanks to the force she could keep going…but not forever.

Exhausted by over a month and a half of constant pursuit she tucked herself into a narrow break in the rock in the hopes the clones would miss her as they passed, she could already hear the hum of the gunships as they flew overhead. Her fear was spiking despite all she did to force it down and she trembled but it had nothing to do with the cold.

The sound of the gunships landing left her feeling full of despair, she was so tired her eye lids felt like they had starships attached to them. She just wanted to go to sleep, let herself slip away and maybe when she woke, she'd either be one with the force or things would be better she thought with exhausted resignation.

So, she stayed in her hiding hole, not sure what she was hoping for. Either they'd find her and this could all end or they'd miss her and she could get away from them. Either was fine with her at the moment she thought and waited to see what her fate would be.

She could hear the boots of the clones as they approached her, feeling more and more like this was the end. This was where she would end, on a cold mountain top having never achieved anything in her entire life. Never having been the hero she'd always wanted to be like Anakin Skywalker or Obi-Wan Kenobi, never having travelled the galaxy or seen the amazing sights she had wanted to see. She would never get to study under Master Tuwan like she wanted too.

For a split second, she was resigned to her fate but then she felt indignation filling her up inside. Why?! She thought with a sudden rage, why did she have to die on this cold mountain top with no idea why or what had befallen the other Jedi. Could she be the last Jedi there was? She asked herself since she'd been unable to contact anyone in the brief moments when she'd been able to try.

Was she willing to let the Jedi Order die out? Here on this miserable mountain without a fight?

No, she thought as resolve returned to her bones and her hand gripped itself tightly around her saberstaff, its weight comforting in her hand as she got to her feet and looked outside. She saw the clones nearby and reached out with the force, drawing on it with all her resolve and fresh found determination that she would not die here, on this mountain.

The rocks slowly began to rumble as she shook them loose and began rolling down the mountain. The Clones, thinking it was an earthquake but as rocks bigger than a tank fell, they were running for cover, trying to avoid being thrown off the mountain or crushed by the falling rocks.

Avelyn was feeling tired from all the effort she was putting into this but she kept on going, sending the clones either running or crushed by the rocks. She fell to her knees as her vision darkened, her body no longer able support her and she saw a pair of clones that had managed to avoid her quake run towards her, she tried to stay conscious to stop them but her will was not able to overcome the exhaustion of her body.

Honestly, she thought she was done but then both the clones were stopped by the force and lifted off the ground, as she passed out, she saw a figure appear in front of them and ignite a lightsaber with a silver blade and cut the two clones in two. Avelyn wanted to know who that was but had no time to think about it before falling into unconsciousness.

Reijar, Ordo System…

Haron Ordo was just enjoying his time at home for the first time in ages.

The familiar sights of Reijar were a much-needed respite from the outer galaxy and worries they had about the new Empire. He would be meeting with the other house leaders to discuss their position in regards to that soon but for now, his first priority was to finally spend some proper time with his children.

"So, me and your aunt Deera stand against these two enormous warriors. No weapons or armour and no force powers." Haron said to his children, telling them a story from the days of the civil war while he played with them. Hearing their laughter was almost enough to bring him to tears, he had been so afraid they wouldn't know who he was anymore after being gone for so long but they all knew him straight away. He grabbed a hold of Markus, Astoria and Corridan, pulling them into a big hug while Li'anna slept nearby. He swung them around much to their delight and fell on the bed with them still in his arms. He held them close and just enjoyed the feeling of having his children in his arms.

Eventually when they fell asleep, he put them carefully to bed and smiled as they slept, wishing them sweet dreams before he left to check on the others. Seeing Neville and Hannah doing the same with their two sons honestly made him wonder if they had the same feelings he did when they had to go far from their sons.

"Hey." He said to them with a smile which they returned.

"Hey. Glad to be home?" Hannah asked him and Haron smiled as he told them.

"Oh yeah, never been better." Haron said with complete honesty. "How are your boys?" He asked since he had little contact with his surrogate nephews.

"Very well. Frank is taking being a big brother very seriously. Keeps trying to protect and teach Alexander." Neville said with amused pride.

Haron could see the immense pride the pair had in their children and bid them farewell as he went to see Deera only to stop when he sensed the feelings coming from her. Smirking he decided to leave his sister and her wife to their own devices. Instead, he went to see Ara who was now taking a rare opportunity to have a night off, something she would be able to do more now since he was here to relieve her of at least some of the strain.

He found her sitting in their living room, her feet up on the sofa with a glass of wine in her hand, smiling he sat down behind her and started massaging her shoulders. She groaned with pleasure as he carefully relaxed her muscles.

"You hoping to get lucky tonight?" Ara asked him with a slight grin on her face. Haron just kept on smiling.

"I would never be so bold." Haron told her with a smirk. "I just want to treat a lady to a good night of relaxation."

"You are insufferable." Ara said with a smile, humour in her eyes but enjoying the feelings he was creating. "I hope you didn't have too much trouble with the children. They can be handful." She said with a tired sigh.

"They were never a handful at all. A testament to you." Haron said as he gently let her rest against him. "I am just glad to be here with you again."

"And we are glad to have you back. Seeing you eased a lot of their worries." Ara said with relief. She had been worried given that had happened on Coruscant but knew the real challenges lay ahead. Haron knew that too and renewed his efforts with his skilled hands reducing her to jelly.

- x -

Luna was smiling broadly as Haron had brought her back such a nice gift, two new students! Both with a basic understanding of the force and lightsaber combat already. This made her training them a lot easier. They needed more instructors! She thought with glee, given they had only her, four graduates and two former Jedi.

"Now, the force is not just the dark and light that you Jedi have always believed it to be." She said as she addressed Trilla Suduri and Cal Kestis who listened to her with unease. "Finding balance in yourself is the best way to hear and feel the force within you."

"Balance? How can we find balance when we have been abandoned by all we knew?" Trilla said with a fearful look in her eyes. Her issues were fairly easy to divine, she felt abandoned by her former master and from what she had managed to learn she hadn't been a very attentive one anyway. Not even noticing her being on another ship or teaching much it seemed.

"How do you think?" Luna asked, her eyes moving between Trilla and Cal. They both looked at each other and then away, not sure what to say.

"The first step, is that you have to accept that your feelings are a part of you and that you have a right to feel as you do. Abandoned or grief stricken." Luna told them both, knowing that Cal felt full of grief for his lost master and felt guilt at his death however misplaced that guilt might be. It was natural feeling to go with what had happened but it needed to be faced so he like Trilla could overcome their inner demons and become stronger and healthier as young people.

"How do you do that?" Cal asked her with a trembling lip. His own guilt at Master Tapal's death still raw.

"By accepting, as hard as it is that there was nothing you could have done." Luna said with emphasis on him. "That it is life, the chaos of the universe and we must embrace the changes it brings. Under me you will learn just how much more you are capable of and who you really are under the skin. It may take some time, but you will learn." Luna told them with a smile. She was planning on bringing in a therapist for the pair as well to help them find their own ways past their trauma. It was one thing to know that it wasn't your fault, quite another to accept it.

Luna however was also intrigued by the bond that seemed to have formed between them, not necessarily a romantic one but a strong bond of trust and dependence. They would be there for each other through hell and high water or whatever else the galaxy threw at them. That brightened things considerably Luna thought to herself and started leading them through meditation exercises till they were more in tune with the force and ready to go to the next level.

- x -

The following morning, they had a visitor.

A Kom'rk-class transport landed in the field and out of it, to their great surprise Ursa Wren appeared with the now toddler Sabine and a baby boy in her arms. Ara smiled at the little Sabine who she hadn't seen in a while now and the girl smiled back even if Ursa looked pretty annoyed at that given what had happened before. The boy was sleeping and Ara who knew he was called Tristan, her nephew who was only just turning a year old.

"Welcome to Reijar." Haron at her side said with a stern look on his face. Ursa whatever the issues she still had with her sister was respectful of her brother-in-law though and bowed in the presence.

"Mandalore, may I present my two children. Sabine and Tristan Wren." Ursa said politely and Haron smiled.

"Greetings Countess Wren. I appreciate you may not consider me your brother-in-law yet but know that you and your children are quite welcome in my home." Haron said with welcoming look. "I want my children to know their cousins, now shall we go inside?" Haron said, Ursa bowed again, somewhat taken aback by how welcoming he was. Nevertheless, they all went in and sat down in the living room of their home. Markus, Astoria, Corridan and Li'anna all were there too along with plenty of toys to amuse them. The Ordo children all smiled at the sight of their parents and Haron knelt down to tell them just who had come for a visit.

"Now, I want you to meet someone. Kids, this is your aunt Ursa. She's your mummy's sister like your Aunts Deera and Vysa are mine." Haron told them with a smile and they all looked at the severe woman who wasn't sure just what to say as the children all looked at her with smiles on their faces. "And those are your cousins, Sabine and Tristan. Say hello." He said to them and they all looked up and did as their father bid, eager to meet these new children and their aunt.

"Hello." Markus, Astoria and Corridan said, Li'anne was yet to start speaking but she gurgled happily which made them all laugh and Ursa somewhat reluctantly put her two children down and Sabine crawled over to her cousins who immediately offered her their toys which made all the adults smile while Tristan was more comfortable in her arms.

They all sat down and watched as the children played just enjoying the scene while they could.

Ral'Kya, the edge of the Unknown Regions…

Avelyn when she woke up had a pounding headache and her hand slowly went to her head.

"You used way too much power for a body so starved. Lucky you didn't bury yourself alive. Who let you out unsupervised with so little experience?" An old rasping voice said sounding annoyed.

Avelyn was feeling very much like a bad student who was being lectured by a teacher, finally her vision returned and she saw that she was in a cave, wrapped up in a blanket next to a fire. The warmth was very much appreciated but the smell of food nearby and the sight of a pot filled with a broth of some kind was making her stomach rumbled. She wanted to go straight for it but saw a cloaked figure sitting opposite her stirring the broth. Underneath the hood she saw a much older human woman with many lines on her face.

"Girl! Stop staring! It's rude." The old woman rebuked her and Avelyn immediately looked away feeling very self-conscious. The woman then poured a ladle full of the broth into a bowl and handed it to her with a stern order. "Drink it slowly or you'll make yourself sick."

Avelyn nodded and did as she was told, sipping it slowly from the bowl and the rich invigorating taste was enough to almost made her groan in satisfaction, it had been so long since she had properly eaten. She turned to the mystery woman and nodded.

"Thank you. You saved my life." Avelyn said with genuine gratitude, the old woman just lazily waved a hand.

"Think nothing of it girl, just be grateful I was meditating nearby although I don't appreciate the interruption." She said with an irritated look in her eye. "What is your name?"

"Avelyn Yelisin. Jedi Knight." Avelyn said and the woman just scoffed.

"Oh my. The order put you in the field before you ready. Typical." The old woman said with a bitter look in her eye. "Yoda, the old fool…he should know better."

"Hey." Avelyn said with indignation at her insult towards the great master who had trained nearly the entire order at one point. "Who are you anyway?"

"Vima-Da-Boda. I don't expect you to know that name but girl I have a need for you so be grateful." Vima said and Avelyn was struck dumb as she did know that name. It was more of an urban legend than an actual person but she heard of her, most of the Jedi Order had at some point or another. A descendant of the great Jedi Nomi and Vima Sunrider, a Jedi Master in her own right that had broken the tenants of the Order and had a secret daughter who had herself been trained by the Order only to leave when frustrated by the pace of her training. That same daughter who had become a wife to a warlord and then fed to rancors before her mother could reach her. How Vima had used the dark side to slay her daughter's killer before slipping away.

That was over a hundred and seventy years ago! Avelyn thought with astonishment. She was supposed to be purely human but somehow, she was still alive! She had popped up several times over the centuries, helping out Jedi who were in trouble and then disappearing again. There had been some Jedi who had spent years looking for her and never found even a trace.

Avelyn suddenly felt very small when compared to the woman that was sitting across from her. She had such a long life, living through events Avelyn had only heard of in history classes, presumably delving deeply into the force. What could Avelyn say to that experience. She might live that long but who knows and certainly wouldn't live the same kind of life she had.

"You need my help? What could I do that would be useful to you Master?" Avelyn said with respectful deference. Vima just shook her head.

"Vima is not your master girl! Do not call me as such." Vima told her sternly and Avelyn was suitably chastised. "I will help you get off this planet so I can be left in peace but I need you to take something to Ossus for me."

"What…Vima?" Avelyn asked, feeling uncomfortable at calling the legendary master by her first name, so informal it was almost unheard of.

Vima didn't answer, instead she produced a small box with and opened it, inside were three ancient looking cube-like holocrons although they lacked corners and glowed with a pale white-green light.

"Found them here, seems Darth Desolous left them on this planet. Apparently, the Ancient Jedi had contact with the Korna, helped them build their temples only to disappear at the same time they did. I've been looking into it and found these hidden here by Desolous although how he found the planet, I have no idea." Vima explained to Avelyn who was amazed at the three ancient-looking holocrons. "The Jedi have been looking for these since Desolous stole them three and a half thousand years ago. What we have here child, is the Noetikons."

The Noetikons! Avelyn thought with shock, knowing their legend as well as any other Jedi. The Council had actually left a standing order that if a Jedi found any potential lead to their location, they were to pursue it immediately regardless of what mission they were on. The incredible importance made her feel weak at the knees, three of the most important sources of lore held by the Jedi Order were now right in front of her and she was being asked to transport them. That was when the location finally registered in Avelyn's mind.

"Ossus!?" She said with complete shock. Vima just shook her head and sighed.

"Definitely needs more experience." Vima said with a slight shake of her head.

Reijar, Ordo System…

Despite having been to Reijar before and her family, both sides coming from here, Vysa was still uncertain of having to be here for any real period of time but now the outside universe was looking a hell of a lot more unfriendly these days. It was safer to be here for now at least.

A Dark Jedi had been sent to kill her; someone really wanted her dead which unsettled her a great deal. The idea that they might try again honestly terrified her and she needed to be ready she thought to herself with determination.

That meant she would finally have to start to train in using the force properly, something that could take years and would mean staying here on Reijar for the long term.

That…didn't sound as bad as she had imagined it would.

She had not had a single place to stay for longer than a month in a long time, not since her childhood home had been sold and she had taken off to find her own fortune in the galaxy. Being tied down had felt like a curse before but now, the idea of having somewhere safe where she was wanted…where she was loved honestly sounded incredibly tempting.

She wasn't sure though, her mind uneasy at being in one place for a big amount of time for too long. Being here would let her learn new abilities that would make sure she would never be so helpless again but still, time would wear down her walls and let the rest of her family in.

Her nieces and nephews would soon be calling her 'Aunt Vysa'.

Oh hell, Vysa thought with unease. Domestic…her?!

She shuddered, not sure just what to think but at the same time she was…drawn to being a part of a real family again. To have her siblings and all her other relatives around her.

Was that so bad? She asked herself with a yearning inside to not be alone anymore.

- x -

Deera and Zara were both lying in bed with a satisfied looks on their faces, enjoying themselves while they could. The main reason for their prolonged time in bed was that they were making the most of their time of it being just the two of them.

They had decided to have a baby!

While normally they would need to resort to adoption or a sperm donor for this but thanks to improvements in science that wasn't necessary anymore. They could now take your partner's DNA even if you were the same sex and convert it to fertilise another woman's ova. It was expensive and it was just good they had the money for it but it would mean they could have a child that was truly theirs.

It would take some time to arrange but they were both excited, hoping dearly for it to work.

- x -

Din was working hard in the training area to refine his skills, many of the people here whispered that although the Clone Wars had come to an unexpected end another war was coming and the new Galactic Empire would eventually turn its eyes on them. He had not been able to fight in the last war but he would not be left behind this time he resolved to himself.

He was currently working hard to prove he was ready to go into the field. At fifteen he was now considered old enough to serve properly but only if he proved himself worthy in the battle circle and on the shooting range. He was proud to have some of the best scores with his blasters and proficiency with the vambraces and now he was showing the other warriors how much he had learned about hand-to-hand combat.

One of the more experienced men came at him but with all the practice he had been doing Din easily sidestepped the attack and delivered a brutal kick to his leg which sent him down hard on the ground. Another lunged from his right but Din used his momentum to swing him around into the one he had just downed and then punched another in the gut, using all the force he could muster.

A clapping sound could be heard and they all looked over to see the Mandalore standing there, applauding their performance and smiling broadly.

"Well done to you all. You all show a great deal of promise that will be refined in the fire of the battles to come." Haron said with a pride in his people's warriors. "Since you will be part of the honour guard to Mandalore to attend the wedding of Duke Kryze and his new bride I suggest you get some rest before resuming practice tomorrow." Haron told them, they all left with a smiles and jokes between them. The camaraderie between them clear but when Din went to go with them Haron stopped him.

"You have come a long way the last couple of years. I am just ashamed I wasn't here to see it." Haron said with genuine regret. "But you have grown into a good warrior, one that is ready to face the galaxy." Haron said with pride in all that Din had accomplished.

"Thank you Mandalore. Your faith in me…" Din said but Haron interrupted.

"Is not as important as your faith in yourself. I have faith in you but you have learned to trust your own wits and your own skills. That is what makes you a man." Haron said with a smile and put a hand on his shoulder. "And while I would prefer you like my own children will never have to fight at all, the galaxy is not so kind. To that end, I think it's time you had something I have been holding on too for you." Haron told him and started walking back towards the main building, specifically the Hall of Armour with Din at his side who was growing more and more excited by the moment, hoping dearly this meant what he thought it meant.

Soon they found the locker they wanted and Haron opened it with his security, he'd been holding onto this for years till Din was finally ready to take it as his own. The heavy-duty locks disengaged and slowly it swung open, revealing a full set of Mandalorian Armour with vambraces and a jetpack. It was completely pure beskar and had no paint, leaving it a silver colour except for the black visor.

Din stared at it with complete admiration and Haron smiled, knowing how much this meant to him.

"We have upgraded the Heads-Up Display, the jetpack and gadgets to the latest standard. The body suit is the same special one standard for our warriors now that is both tear resistant and strong against blaster fire. All it needs now is someone to wear it." Haron said with a smile as the young man looked at the special suit that belonged to his family, he had earnt this and it was time to give him control of his own legacy.

He was proud of Din, Haron thought with complete honesty and while he wasn't keen on him being anywhere near a battlefield, he was doing his best to ensure he had the best chance of survival.

YT-1300 Light Freighter Open Sky, Injopan, Kessel Sector…

Anakin was considering growing a beard.

It might make disguising himself easier he thought with annoyance.

His recent fame during the Clone Wars was proving something of a curse now as it made him easily recognisable and he was having to resort to some very bad disguises to avoid being noticed. It had so far prevented them from settling on any planet since he and Padme too were far too easily recognised and until they found somewhere that they were able blend in, they had decided to keep on the move. Obi-Wan, Rex, Fives and Ahsoka who themselves were quite recognisable had separated to try and draw them away while finding a safe place for the younglings they'd rescued. Obi-Wan claimed to know such a place from an old friend of his but it was best Anakin knew little about that.

He had enough worries of his own, he thought and for now had decided to keep them on the move till a safe place could be found. So, he had 'acquired' this ship Open Sky in a pazaak game which Anakin would never admit to using the force to win. It was an older design but a reliable and capable one and for now was the home of the Skywalkers.

Padme was doing her best but it was hard on her he thought with sadness. One moment you are a respected senator and then you are a fugitive and, on the run from the Empire, at the same time you are now a new mother to twins. She had sent a message to her family on Naboo and to Bail Organa to let them know she was alright but couldn't risk more than that.

But she was a fighter Anakin thought with a smile, doing her best to adapt to the situation and for the children. It was just them now, well him, Padme, the twins, C-3PO, R2 and Allara on the ship now. They were quite a little family he thought with surprise, he had dreamt of being with his wife more but this was hardly how he had pictured it. Moving around the galaxy in an old freighter, never stopping in one place too long.

But at the same time, he had never been happier, he was at last free of many of the burdens he had carried for so many years. He could at last be with Padme and their children without having to worry about the Jedi.

"Don't tell me to be quiet you incessant talking scrap pile." Anakin heard 3PO say to R2 which brought a smile to his face with their usual bickering. Allara's annoyed sigh was enough to nearly make him laugh but still he was struggling a little with becoming a father. The weight of responsibility was honestly terrifying especially with the Empire after them. He was not blind to the fact that Palpatine would want either Luke or Leia as his new apprentice, something that made him almost shake with rage at his precious twins being anywhere near that vicious creature.

Anakin felt a headache coming as he directed the ship in to land, the force was still out of balance now more than ever with so few Jedi to hold it in check not to mention the Empire and all its actions across the galaxy. He wished he could do more; knew he should do more but at the same time he had Padme and the children to worry about.

Landing he needed to arrange to refuel and reprovision the ship, Obi-Wan had thankfully managed to find the credits somewhere that would keep them going for a while but they would need to find another place to set down roots soon or failing that another source of credits. As much as he enjoyed flying, he didn't want to have to raise his children on a ship.

- x -

With Allara at her side, Padme who had dyed her hair blonde much to Anakin's dismay and put some temporary black markings like tattoos on her face to disguise herself, so had Allara was paying the docking fee so they could get the supplies they needed. Both now dressed in simple overalls which were non-descript enough to hopefully not draw attention. It also allowed them to carry their weapons, her blaster pistol was fine on her belt but Allara had her lightsaber concealed up her sleeve just in case they needed it. She was dearly hoping they didn't though, Padme thought with worry knowing the sort of attention that could bring them. She would have to make her and Anakin carried blasters soon, at least that would help their cover.

Oh, how the galaxy had changed. She thought with dismay, already the signs of oppression and ruthlessness were peeking out behind the façade that Palpatine had so carefully crafted, she could hardly believe herself that such evil had been in front of her all that time and she had never even caught a whiff of it.

That only made her worries for their present situation even more dire.

She sighed as she walked through the spaceport to get their supplies, Allara close at her side having taken the role of bodyguard to heart. She followed Padme every time she left the ship if Anakin wasn't with her. Her eyes alert for any sign of trouble, she was actually touched by the girl's protectiveness even if it wasn't necessary. She could handle herself. R2 who was trundling along at their side was similarly alert to trouble.

However, then Allara noticed something in the force, something that neither Padme or R2 had. An alien, obviously badly injured from a species that none of them was familiar with ahead of them crouching in an alcove ahead, tucking himself in deeper as the clone troopers walked past them. Once the sight of them had been a comfort and a blessing but now it was something to be feared, for Allara more than her as they would try and kill her if she was ever exposed as a Jedi. So, they got out of their way and kept their heads down, however seeing the injured alien they immediately felt sympathy especially when they realised that he was so weak he couldn't stand on his own. He seemed to growl at them the moment he saw them before relaxing when he realised that they didn't mean him any harm. He had rather vicious looking teeth and grey skin and while not tall, he was very muscular.

Leaving him here was not something Padme was willing to do, she just couldn't turn a blind eye to his suffering and she carefully offered him her arm. Allara was alarmed by this and hissed.

"We aren't supposed to be here! Remember? We don't know who he is."

"He needs our help, and you of all people should be willing to help. Being a…" She started to say before Allara put a hand over her mouth to stop her saying what she had been about to say. They couldn't reveal themselves now and Padme only realised herself what a mistake she had been about to make. Looking sheepish she just helped the somewhat reluctant alien to his feet and with Allara's help carried him back to the ship.

- x -

Anakin hadn't been happy when they had come back with the alien although at least he knew his species.

"He's a Noghri." Anakin said with some concern. "They're extremely strong fighters and resilient. Excellent hunters and assassins, their world was devastated by a crashed Separatist ship during the war and they have been struggling ever since."

"And the Republic did nothing to help?" Allara asked with concern, Padme was busy tending to his wounds and explained.

"Lost in a sea of other devastated worlds. A bill was being drafted to help them and other worlds after the war but that's not going to happen now." Padme said sadly, whatever decency there had been in the senate vanishing almost overnight.

"And all the while my world suffers." The Noghri said in a rasping voice. "It is still poisoned and now the Empire comes to subjugate my people!"

Anakin nodded, knowing the devastation was largely from a chemical and radiation spill and the last thing the Noghri needed was an Imperial Occupation as well. But then Anakin remembered something, a project that had been mentioned to him by one of the Jedi at the Temple. Equipment that would aid in the cleaning up of such disaster that was being stored for widespread use.

Equipment that could save the Noghri, if they could get their hands on it. But that meant stealing it! Anakin thought with worry, the sort of thing that could get them noticed. He was torn, not sure what to do and called Padme and Allara over to talk while their 'guest' recovered.

"A while ago, I learned that there is a bunch of technology that could help the Noghri start to recover and resist the Empire…but we would need to steal it." Anakin said with some worry at how they would react to his idea.

Padme and Allara both looked surprised, astonished given their situation that he would suggest such a thing. It was huge risk but Padme was surprisingly all for it.

"We'd need to be careful not to be recognised but…it's the right thing to do."

Allara however had rather different views.

"Master! This is exactly the kind of thing the Empire will notice. What about the twins? What happens to them if you get caught or we all do?" She asked him with concern.

Anakin was brought up a bit short by that, he knew this was an incredible risk but despite that he couldn't just stand by and let these people suffer. He thought for a moment before he came up with an idea.

"They're looking for Anakin Skywalker. So, if I wear a disguise, then it doesn't give me away." Anakin said, then before either Padme or Allara could say anything he turned to the Noghri who was listening to them intently and told him. "I think I know how to save your world. But I can't do it alone, we will need a team of about ten or so and a bigger ship maybe a couple. I think I know some people I can call on but will you trust me to help your people?" He asked the Noghri who looked at him strangely.

"Why would you do that? Risk your life for us?" He asked him and Anakin told him.

"Because it is the right thing to do. I need no reward for this or even thanks but saving your people is all the reward I need. Will you trust me?" Anakin asked again and the Noghri regarded him for a moment before nodding and saying.

"Save my people."

Anakin nodded with a smile, knowing he had a few calls to make. Might take a while but he knew just who he wanted at his side during this mission.

Cid's Parlour, Ord Mantell…

"You're sure they're here?" Fives asked as he and Rex sat in the seedy bar, cloaks hiding them as well as possible. Rex nodded and told him.

"All the sources I could find told me they're working here now. Shouldn't take long to find out." Rex said as he sipped his drink, an alien approached them and immediately seeing trouble Rex and Fives prepared themselves for a fight.

Two trained clones, experienced clones at that were far too good to be taken down by a simple bar fight. Within a few short moments they had all their attackers down on the floor. Three members of the Bad Batch as they were known soon ran into the room and a female Trandoshan. Fives immediately perking up as he saw a friend that he had thought lost years ago.

"What's going on in here?" The female Trandoshan asked with confusion and Rex lowered his cloak. The apparent leader of the Bad Batch recognised him immediately.

"Rex! Fives!" Echo said with a smile on his face as his two brothers he had feared dead were alive.

"Captain." Hunter said with a respectful nod and Fives walked towards Echo and his smile disappeared off his face for a moment as his face fell.

"What's wrong?" Echo asked his oldest friend and brother in arms. Fives guiltily looked up.

"I shouldn't have left you there. I should have made sure you were alive." Fives said, guilt over what had happened to Echo at the hands of the Separatist eating away at him but Echo put his remaining organic hand on Fives shoulder and told him.

"There was no time and no way you could have known. I am fine, whatever happened I am fine." Echo told him. Fives was uncertain as he looked up at him but Echo's smile made him smile too, before giving each other a brotherly hug.

- x -

Bracca, Two Days Later…

It had been a hard day; Wrecker's chip activating had almost destroyed them but thankfully they were now all chip free and no-one had been badly hurt so they took it for the rare win they needed.

Rex was wondering if he should extend an invitation to the squad to join the early rebellion that was forming against the Empire but before he could Tech detected an incoming transmission.

"It seems an encrypted transmission coming in on a channel you marked as high priority." Tech stated and seeing which channel the transmission was coming in on Rex smiled and spoke.

"Stick around, you'll like who's on the other side." Rex said with a smirk before opening the link. A hologram of Anakin Skywalker appeared before.

"General Skywalker!" Echo exclaimed seeing his former commanding officer but Anakin just shook his head.

"Not a general anymore Echo but I am glad that you and the squad are alright. I was just expecting Rex and Fives but thankfully I may have a job for you all. Not sure if you can make any credits off this but you're help would be appreciated." Anakin said, Hunter intrigued asked him.

"What did you have in mind?"

"A little heist of some experimental technology." Anakin told him with a smirk. "But first we're going to need a bigger ship."

Jedi Grand Library, Ossus…

The day on Ossus started early, not a problem for the Jedi as they were used to early starts and long days.

Now hundreds of Jedi including many younglings called this planet home and would do for the foreseeable future. They were still bunking down in the ships they had come in for the moment as more of the ruined city of Knossa was rebuild for them and the Ysanna to inhabit.

Master Yoda was one of the first to rise, not surprising given the importance of his position and the force aura of this planet, even if it was struggling to recover was strong and invigorating. He smiled despite the recent horror that had struck the galaxy many of the Order were here or in places like it and safe from the emperor's eyes. As walked into the Great Library Building, he looked around and nodded to the Jedi that were working already on the restoration of the great temple. Other Jedi were working on the city buildings which was much simpler and hopefully would mean the Order could re-establish itself here.

The Ysanna had been most welcoming Yoda thought with a smile, they were glad to have them here as they did their best to help restore the planet to its former beauty and help them in any way they could. He had yet to meet with their leaders but it was a good sign for the future Yoda thought. Some of the Jedi had even started teaching the Ysanna to use their own force sensitivity, a fact that unsettled some of the Jedi given many of them were older than the Jedi Order would accept under the Ruusan Reformation but look what following that had gotten them. Allowing themselves to be basically told how they could and would act under the Republic.

The Order betrayed and devastated, a Sith in command of the Republic now the Empire and the galaxy under the boot of the Sith.

Yoda was starting to wonder if the Jedi hadn't made an enormous mistake in tying themselves to the Republic. That while it gave the Jedi Order the ability to enforce law and order on the galaxy it had slowly corrupted them and made them little more than puppets to the Senate. How much evil had they left untouched because the Senate which itself was rotten to the core had allowed it? He had been meditating on this in the Eye of Ashlanae, a large pyramid shaped ancient temple built on top of a powerful force vergence here in the centre of the city which had been why the city and the Grand Library had been built here. The strong presence of the force had made him realise many of the Order's failings were self-inflicted too, as much as following the Senate despite knowing its corruption they had become rigid and arrogant.

Something that he knew must change.

Today he was speaking to someone that had become his chief advisor in this, Master Tuwan who had been in much demand as more Jedi wanted to seek his wisdom and learn his unique skills. He was now teaching more of the Order than ever and the Ysanna too, Yoda had actually considered standing down as Grand Master so the Neti Jedi Master could take his place but the ancient Jedi had actually refused to sit on the still non-existent Jedi Council let alone lead the Order.

Maybe that was a good thing Yoda thought as he walked through the still damaged areas of the Great Library. That way he could be freer to explore the force and to do with it what he felt was right as he was free of the burdens that came with such positions.

"Greetings my friend." Tuwan said as he saw Yoda approach, smiling broadly which Yoda returned and told him.

"Hope you are well, I do. With all your new students." Yoda said and Tuwan nodded.

"I enjoy teaching, what better way is there to learn than by teaching." Tuwan said with a wise expression. "Besides there is much work for us all to do if we are to make this planet a worthwhile home for the Jedi Order again."

"Indeed." Yoda said and fell into step with Tuwan as they explored the still ruined areas of the Grand Library. Ahead of them they saw an enormous tree that had apparently grown within the ruined temple, the pair of experienced Masters sensed it was incredibly powerful in the force and that immediately caught their attention, but what happened next shocked them both.

"My old master! I had never thought to see the day." An ancient croaky sounding voice said out of nowhere which surprised them both but then Tuwan, familiar of course with the life cycle of his species realised just who the tree in front of him was.

"My old apprentice. Ood, I had feared you dead." Tuwan said with a warm smile.

"As I did you. Your disappearance was a blow to the Order at a difficult time but we endured." Ood Bnar said before remarking. "So many Jedi have come to Ossus now! Fewer than the old days but so many more. I had sensed your presence but none of you came close to me. It is…a relief to see the Order has survived the latest threat to its existence and I just hope it learns from its mistakes this time." Ood Bnar said with a tired voice. He had been able from his constant state of meditation to see the force and through it the rest of the galaxy. He had learned so much after nearly four thousand years in this state but also, he had seen the Jedi and their slow and steady or rapid depending on the period decline.

"Do that, we shall." Yoda said feeling very much like an apprentice again as he was now faced with a Jedi who was far older and more experienced than he would ever be. "Paid the price for our hubris we have, the galaxy will for some time yet. But learn and recover, we will." Yoda said with fresh determination, the sheer presence Ood Bnar created in the force was almost strengthening him. Making him feel…uplifted like the situation was not as bleak as he feared it too be. Yoda had honestly never felt anything like it and he smiled with the effect this planet had on the Jedi.

Tython might have been where the Order had begun, but it was on Ossus that they had truly found themselves. Here was the place that they would find themselves again Yoda thought with a smile, he would do his best to learn as well, look deep into the lost archives and teachings here to discover just what secrets they held and expand his own knowledge of the force.

"An important piece, approaches." Ood Bnar said suddenly and a droning filled the sky as a small one-person starfighter descended from the sky to land near the landed ships. Everyone suddenly grew tense, wondering if their safe haven was about to be breached and if the Imperial Fleet was going to come here to finish them all off. Leaving Ood Bnar Tuwan and Yoda made as fast a time as possible to the landing sight were Celeste Morne and Rachi Sitra were already there with their lightsabers in hand as were most of the Order, expecting they would soon be fighting for their lives.

Those who knew starships recognised the ship as a Cutlass-9 patrol fighter, a long-range fighter designed to operate for long periods on its own. Not a standard Republic design although the Jedi Order had used them in the past, when a single young woman emerged with a lightsaber at her hip it sent a wave of relief through the crowd. She was Arkanian or at least partly judging by her extremely pale skin and white hair. Master Yoda recognised her as one of the generation of knights he had the honour of knighting during the Clone Wars.

"Knight Yelisin. Relieved I am, that safe you are." Yoda smiled, feeling her emotions quite clearly and knowing her own relief and feeling that at last she was safe was genuine.

"Master Yoda! I honestly didn't know if she'd given me the right co-ordinates. But Ossus!" Avelyn said with excitement at being here, where the Jedi had so much history and the sight of so many other Jedi honestly was making her feel so much relief that the burden of being the last Jedi would not be hers.

"Who is she?" Celeste Morne asked, worried that their safety had been compromised but Avelyn told them.

"The Jedi that saved me! Vima-Da-Boda." Avelyn said with awe in her voice. "Although how she knew about this place, I can't say. But got me a ship and told me how to get here."

"Vima-Da-Boda." Yoda said with surprise, he would have thought her long dead by now given how short human lifespans were but that being said he knew not to underestimate the force. She had always had a strong connection to it and who knows what she had been doing all these years, what she might have learned or come into contact with. She was perhaps a highly skilled Jedi Master although how she had known about this place he couldn't answer.

"She sent me here, to give you these." She said as she climbed fully out of the cockpit with a small box in her hands and once, she had climbed down from her borrowed ship she opened the box where all the Jedi could see.

Rachi Sitra had the biggest reaction, a gasp that seemed almost exaggerated in how much shock it contained.

"The Noetikons!" She said, recognising them from the pictures they kept in the archive, rushing forward before anyone could stop her and taking one of them in her hands, holding it like it was the most fragile glass or crystal. "We've been looking for these things for over three thousand years! And we even have a terminal for them!" She said with obvious excitement.

"The real ones?" Master Sabla-Mandibu asked as she came forward to examine them. Yoda meanwhile while considering that his notion that the Order needed to learn and wondered if this was a greater blessing than he had ever considered possible. These three holocrons were massive archive of knowledge and experiences from some of the Jedi Order's greatest masters. Interactive so they could teach those that used them and with the terminal they'd discovered they could even be convened as a council to consult with.

The Jedi would not just refine and improve their skills here, Yoda decided with a smile. They would learn new ones; he was going to make learning force forging compulsory learning for all Jedi from this point on. It was an important step he knew from personal experience in seeing past what you thought was possible and that was something the Jedi needed to realise or at least remember…the Force was limitless and while they themselves weren't they had far more to learn than they had already learned and that anything was possible.

Jedi Temple, Auratera…

The bright sunshine of Auratera was warm and the Jedi who now called this planet home were enjoying the warm and pleasant weather. Work on the new Temple had accelerated since they had arrived, they didn't want to be stuck living out of their ships permanently so they had to build a proper home for their order here on the planet.

While Jocasta Nu was busy getting the new archive here organised, Tholme who sat in the middle of the ruined old Jedi Temple to meditate was considering his concept for a Jedi Underground.

Many Jedi who had survived Order 66 were now cut off from their aid not least of which were his two former apprentices Quinlan and Aayla, he doubted they were monitoring channels that were well known to the Republic or Empire as it was now, he thought with disdain. He could almost admire the Sith for how perfect their plan had been, evolved over a thousand years they had completely fooled all of them, Tholme thought with dismay.

The Jedi and the Republic had been completely fooled and it now looked like the entire galaxy was in for some very dark years. Maybe more than he had left Tholme considered without much worry, he had long ago accepted his own mortality and come to terms with his eventual demise by whatever way it came.

Being with T'ra Saa again was at least something he could look forward to Tholme thought with some joy, he had missed her in the years she had been away and spending his twilight years with her would be a good retirement.

Tholme reluctantly turned his attention back to the Jedi Underground, an organisation to find not only Jedi who were lost in the galaxy and get them to safety, but also look for any force sensitive children that might be out there in the galaxy. Fortunately for the latter task was made somewhat easier by the crystal brought by Jocasta which contained the list of force sensitive children the Jedi maintained.

He considered bringing them here but that he realised put the Jedi here in danger which went for all the other secret temples built by T'ra Saa and the others across the galaxy. K'kruhk had suggested that maybe setting up another location for the outsiders might work or at least look for some where to go.

As he spoke Jocasta was looking through the records for a suitable location for their new hiding place while he was working on the ins and outs of how this network of his would run, fortunately he had quite a few contacts around the galaxy so he should be able to get something up and running soon. Not only would they need people to listen for any hint of a Jedi but also safehouses and transport links too. It was going to be a big effort to get it up and running but it would well be worth it to get their lost brethren to safety.

Any who operated out in the galaxy would need he realised to learn the skills he had learned from the Anzati assassins early in his career, to hide themselves in the force completely and feign death if they needed too. There was also a planet that he knew well, one with plenty of places a Jedi could hide. It was a major planet and along a major hyperspace lane with many ships entering and leaving all the time.

A perfect place he thought as he scratched his chin in thought, perfect to hide.

Senate Building, Coruscant…

Palpatine sat in his newly restored office and pondered on his situation so far in the galaxy.

Despite his failure to bring Anakin to the dark side and many Jedi escaping the trap he had carefully laid, the best estimate Imperial Intelligence had managed to get concerning the Jedi was anywhere from a third to half the order might have survived Order 66. That number angered him greatly as even one Jedi left alive meant the possibility of resistance remained.

Unconsciously though, his real fear festered away. As long as any Jedi remained alive the chance of his defeat remained. Of being overthrown and losing his power, his greatest fear which was ironic given it was him who had taught Anakin that lesson. He was at least to his mind the most successful Sith Lord in history and he was not going to give that up for anything. It had been a hard rise to power and now it would be a struggle to stay in power.

Senators who were judging and plotting, admirals and generals who were too ambitious for their own good. Governors who would surely want more power within their own domains and then extend their reach.

His enemies had not diminished, he thought, no instead they had multiplied and now surrounded him.

So, he must always be on his guard.

He had Vader, he could be sure of his loyalty since the cybernetic implants and conditioning would make sure of that but Vader was a brute and while the implants increased his strength and rage that in turn made him unsuitable to manage more delicate missions although he would be a good tool for keeping his servants and potential enemies in check. A little Sith Alchemy increased his dark side powers considerably if it did shorten his life expectancy but, in that case, he could always activate another.

So…he would need different servants for those tasks, beings who he could be sure of their obedience. His Dark Disciples…maybe in time one would emerge as a possible apprentice he considered but then shook his head as he had chosen those that while powerful and skilled, but would never possibly be a true threat to him.

Six, he thought with a nod of approval there would be six Disciples at one time and no more. They would be placed in competition with each other for his favour and he would openly favour one or the other to keep them at odds with each other. He would not call them lords as they would never be real Sith even if they would learn basic techniques. Each one would carry a title 'Corrector' officially, a title from the old days when the completely self-centred Lord Daiman had ruled but while Sidious had great disdain for the arrogance narcissist fool this idea of having them go in to 'correct' problems was a suitable name for them.

He had his six Dark Disciples/Correctors already Sidious thought with a sinister smile.

Valin Draco, a former Jedi Knight who had seen the Order plainly for its hypocrisy and failings and joined the Empire willing after embracing the dark side.

Sarcev Quest, a wasted opportunity for the Jedi who had cast him into the Agricultural Corps without realising his full potential, Sidious was not so blind.

Azrakel, a subject of his previous experiments which had created a superb wielder of the dark side who was a brutal weapon in his hands.

Regera Girawan, a former noble woman from the planet Kruskan who had discovered a Sith holocron and been drawn in by its power. She had managed to kill Jedi who had discovered her and outwitted them many times. Capturing her had been difficult but now she was in his hands he had 'convinced' her to serve him in hopes of increasing her own power and living the luxurious lifestyle she was accustomed too.

Jerec, another former Jedi who had the sense to realise just which side was the winning side and an expert on Jedi Lore and techniques. A Miraluka and powerful wielder of the force he would be a useful tool.

Taron Malicos, also a former Jedi but one that had been captured since Order 66 had been issued. He was powerful but easily manipulated by the dark side and had fallen swiftly when he had been subjected to the right kind of 'persuasion' Sidious thought with a vicious smirk.

They would be the ones he entrusted with more delicate assignments but to hunt Jedi he would need a different type of servant. An Inquisitor he thought and already he had a number of useful pawns for this task including the former Head Temple Guard for the Jedi Temple and a number of Dooku's failed Dark Acolytes.

But still he would need more, extensions of his will to do tasks that the others could not, assassins and spies to move secretly and eliminate his enemies and for this too he had managed to acquire some useful servants, one in particular that he saw great promise in. He had deleted her old identity and while she was but a baby now, she had incredible promise. He was willing to wait for her to grow up and be trained. He had even chosen a new name for her…Mara Jade. She and others like her would be his 'hands' he thought with amusement. He would keep them separate and unaware of each other to build a bond of being his 'most trusted' he thought with amusement to help keep them loyal to him.

Yes, he thought with satisfaction, overcoming his fears for now. His plans were falling into place and he would eventually find a worthy apprentice to work as his enforcer and replace Vader, maybe Skywalker's own child he thought a dark look in his eyes, loving the idea of destroying the fool Anakin with his own spawn.

Tantive IV, Unknown Location…

A brand new CR90 corvette was hanging in space as Ahsoka Tano docked her small ship with it. She disembarked and saw the man she had come to see and who was risking a great deal by doing so.

"Senator Organa." She said with a respectful nod. He returned it.

"It is good to see you Ahsoka. Good to see anyone willing to fight these days." He said with a frown given how tight a grip the Empire already had on the galaxy.

"You claimed you had a mission for me Senator?" Ahsoka asked him, aware of the great risk of opposing the emperor but that was a chance she was willing to take and so it seemed was the Senator.

"I need a free agent, someone who can go to the places where the Empire is showing its true face and help people learn to fight. To establish their own rebel cells. We will only defeat the Empire if enough people unite as one from across the galaxy and so we need to give people not only the information but the skills they need to fight back." Bail Organa explained to her.

"You are an experienced warrior and you know warfare, but with a strong moral core and resourceful too. You know the truth of what we are fighting against and know what is at stake. Will you help us?" He asked her plainly.

Ahsoka was surprised and worried about what he was asking, knowing how dangerous it was but more importantly that he was right. To defeat Palpatine and his empire, they were going to need a large and organised resistance movement. One that spanned the whole of the galaxy if possible and that was going to be a huge undertaking, something that could take years to achieve if they ever did.

But it was a cause worth fighting for she thought with determination and knew she would need to be extremely careful about her identity if she was going to risk it. So, she made her decision and told him her answer.

"I agree, but if I am going to do this. Then from this point on, call me Fulcrum." Ahsoka said choosing her codename. She knew this was the sort of mission that could take years to complete but it was worth it in the end. And needed to be done if they were to ever defeat the Sith.

Kaldera Prime, Kalderan Sector…

The Kalderan Commune had been peaceful for centuries, even during the last war with the Sith they had remained isolationist and not really involved themselves in the war but had joined the Republic to ensure good trade for their people. Their territory sat on some useful hyperspace lanes and they had a fairly good resource base.

But with the escalation of the Clone Wars, they like the Than Hegemony felt that they needed to distance themselves from the Republic and the Separatists and had left the Republic to that effect. Ever since they had been quiet and ignored by the wider galaxy. They had hoped that the Republic, now the Empire would ignore them too.

But they had refusal to join it, even after showing they had no weapons or ships capable of waging war against the Imperial Military and could only enforce law and order within their own territory. This would later become known as the 'Kalderan Folly' to the rest of the galaxy.

Their territory was too useful to the Empire for it to just be ignored.

The first signs of trouble came in the early morning, reports from colonies and outposts on the edges of the Commune's territory indicated a large number of Imperial Ships moving towards them. At first it was thought or rather hoped that they were just on some sort of military exercises and they would just pass them by.

But instead, those outer colonies and outposts had been the first to fall, seventeen in a matter of hours. Some never had the chance to send a distress call before their communications were either jammed or destroyed. Any vessels they did manage to rise in their own defence were swept aside with brutal efficiency.

From the bridge of the newly commissioned and renamed Imperial-class Star Destroyer Executrix, now Moff Wilhuff Tarkin stood watching his invasion take place. He technically was still an Admiral in the Imperial Fleet but he wore his Moff title more now as with time it would pave the way to greater influence and success. He had ambitions that went much further than being the governor of one sector and have a seat at Imperial High Command…no he wanted much more than that and this was how he was going to get it.

Falsified evidence showing the Kalderan Commune was supporting the Separatist holdouts and preparing to attack Imperial Worlds gave him all the proof he needed to justify this invasion and they would 'find' more evidence one way or another when it was complete. He had plans for this sector and when he was done it would see him gain a great deal of influence in the Empire.

Captain Bili Vist at his side was looking out of the viewing window at the planet below and told him with a cold look in his eye.

"The local government is offering a full and unconditional surrender. Orders?"

Tarkin turned to look at his Attaché and didn't even blink before telling him.

"Begin the landings, I want at least a quarter of the population exterminated. Be as brutal as possible to ensure they fear and obey the Empire." Tarkin ordered and Vist with a sinister smile nodded and told him.

"At once sir."

- x -

Gunships and landers exited the Star Destroyers, both Imperial and Venator classes and began their descent down towards the planet. The clones on board had been chosen for this invasion specifically because they followed orders and would not question what they were about to do. If Tarkin had his way the clones would soon be replaced with actual human recruits rather than retain the aging clone army. Not that the clones that were part of the landing force knew that.

As an extra incentive Darth Vader as he was known had been sent by Emperor Palpatine himself to lead the ground invasion and to help spread the terror that they were about to create that would not only make these creatures as Tarkin thought of them submit in fear and terror but would make sure no other world chose to defy the Empire.

The Kalderans, now completely terrified with no idea just why this was happening trembled. The central government was paralysed with indecision. Some were ordering their police units to stand down and not to aggravate the Imperial forces while others were ordering them to attack and try to defend their world. No-one seemed to know just who was in charge anymore and orders kept changing every few moments, some units obeyed the order to try and defend the city while others stood down and all co-ordination between different units broke apart.

V-wings and Y-wing bombers flew ahead of the landing craft and immediately began strafing the city streets and buildings, not picking any target in particular just shooting at whatever building that was within their crosshairs without any thought to what it might be just as they were ordered too.

Bombs, missiles and lasers tore into those buildings, few of which were able to stay standing with such punishment, sending them collapsing down to the ground crushing those both inside or around them as they fell. The people screamed in terror; they had no idea just what was happening but the situation was only made worse as the landing craft came down to the surface.

Troopers came running out of their gunships while landers put down tanks and artillery which immediately opened fire on the local population without any consideration or mercy and at the heart of it, leading the clones into battle was the terrifying form of Darth Vader who swung his red bladed lightsaber into any Kalderan that came within his reach, it didn't matter if they were female, male or child he killed them indiscriminately. Pulling rubble down on some or strangling them in full public view, advancing deeper and deeper into the city.

- x -

Aboard the Executrix, Tarkin read the reports that were coming in with satisfaction. The local government had been disbanded and all its members liquidated, the population had been devastated to a much more manageable level which would never dare challenge the Empire.

The evidence of their 'plot' to attack the Empire had been placed and recorded while all evidence of the rather indiscriminate attack had been suppressed. All in all, quite a successful operation Tarkin thought with quiet satisfaction and no feelings of pity or guilt at all.

But his work was not completed yet, no he intended to force the entire population into the Empire's service, they would build and maintain their ships while strip mining their own worlds for resources to fuel the Imperial Fleet's expansion. Their space would serve as a major distribution point for future operations in other sectors.

The Kaldera Shipyard would be built, operated and maintained by slave labour. Cheap and with appropriate punishments they would be kept in line. Tarkin was now privately smirking to himself in satisfaction at his achievement and now saw the road to advancement stretching out ahead of him.