From The Ashes of Empire
Chapter 6
Alpha Sagitor Star System
Stygia (mountainous and barren world)
Saphena (tropical world)
Athena (temperate and capital world of the star system)
Hades (subterranean world)
Atlantia (ocean world)
Pharos (desert world)
Sagitor VII (barren rock)
Sagitor VIII (gas giant)
Sagitor VIV (gas giant)
Sagitor X (gas giant)
Sagitor XI (ice world)
Sagitor XII (barren icy rock)
The Ring of Sagitor (asteroid belt surrounding the entire system)
The Abyss (spatial anomaly beyond the asteroid belt)
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Chapter 6
Alpha Sagitor Star System
Darth Thoth looked on the as the Sith fleet finished off the remnants of the Republic defenders. Darth Treya had been right to order them here. It was a perfect system for the Sith to regroup their main force. It was also far enough away from the Core Worlds to be able to defend against all but the strongest of fleet attacks.
And with a manageable population of no more than a billion people spread between the colony worlds, it would make it all the easier to put down even the merest kind of armed resistance. Athena City held fifty percent of the Systems entire population, it was ideal for the Sith to take revenge for the destruction of their Star Forge. They would take this system as their own like they had so many before it.
The system was also the home of a dozen shipyards, and more than a thousand munitions and weapons factories, presenting them with the perfect opportunity to replenish their supplies before the Republic could mount a counter attack.
Darth Thoth had been entrusted with the task of overseeing the entire operation of conquest. Where Malak had been quick to destroy all in his wake, Thoth only destroyed what he had to. His intention was to turn the Republic’s own weapons and resources against them.
There also seemed wisdom in allowing the population the same freedoms until such time as it was no longer convenient to do so. While martial law would be necessary, he was prepared to give them at least some semblance of normality under Sith rule.
Among the fleet were ten thousand Mandalorian mercenaries, and a host of slaving, mining and smuggling vessels, brought to ensure the Sith were well equipped for all eventualities.
Admiral Jareth Karazenov stood behind the armour clad Sith Lord; the energy shielded Sith Lord standing well over seven feet in height. He was clad from head to toe in blood red phoenix battle armour and Sith dark masters robes. He was certainly a sight to behold, even towering over the four other Sith Lords who were present, all at the behest of Darth Treya.
Darth Lesheyna, Darth Athalas, Darth Scarrez, and Darth Agathon, Thoth looked over his fellow Sith Lords knowing none would hesitate to take his place should he fail in his task. They were undoubtedly already making judgements of his performance, thus far. The slightest hint of weakness on his part would bring a challenge from one of the four, Darth Agathon being the most vicious and outspoken of all the dark Jedi in the invasion fleet.
“We are approaching Athena City, Lord Thoth, they have surrendered unconditionally, the last of their ships are either destroyed or boarded and captured, our captains report that they have taken thirteen cruisers and several battleships in various stages of damage.”
“Excellent, Admiral. Then we shall arrange for the rulers of this world to be brought to the Hydra. Make certain they realise there is no choice in this matter and that there cooperation is welcome but not necessary. If they need a display of the Sith’s intent to take over this system then arrange to destroy one of the other colony worlds.”
“Yes, Lord Thoth. The Mandalorians are ready to disembark onto the Athena; shall the orders be given to do so?”
“Have them hunt down any resistance to the occupation. Dispatch assassins to hunt down any Jedi they may be present in the system. And have them brought to me if they can be captured alive.”
“As you wish, Lord Thoth.”
They watched through the forward view of the Hydra. The battleship entered the orbit of Athena, the world below at their mercy.
Troop carriers were dispatched to the planet in their hundreds, the Mandalorian mercenaries at their head, the idea being they would take the brunt of the damage should they encounter resistance.
Planetary Governor Melika Andora had given orders to the military to surrender. She had also given orders for all resistance to be quickly put down. Even here on the Outer Rim worlds they had heard of the devastation that was inflicted on Taris. She had decided that to save the colony worlds only unconditional surrender was likely to appease the Sith Lords.
The resistance comprised mainly armed civilians and Republic army deserters who could not bare to look on as the Sith were allowed free entry into their city. They soon found themselves caught in the open between their own armed forces and Mandalorian war droids dropping to the service, their own side gave them an ultimatum, surrender or die. When the Mandalorians hit them the battle lasted no more than an hour. The rebels surrendered in their thousands rather than face the brutality of the Mandalorians.
“The planet is taken, Lord Thoth.” Admiral Karazenov said with a hint of arrogance.
“I expect the planetary governor and the ruling council will be brought here to the Hydra, Admiral. I expect them within the hour.”
The other Sith Lords acknowledged their commander’s actions and left to prepare their detachments of dark Jedi and assassins for hunting down any signs of Jedi on the capital world. Their secondary task was to hunt down any force sensitives on every world in the system. The dark Jedi had suffered severe losses during the destruction of the Star Forge and needed to replace their losses.
“Shall we begin the process of taking the munitions and arms factories Lord Thoth? The shipyards are already in the process of being taken, none have been destroyed during the assault. It certainly bodes well for rebuilding our forces.”
“I expect our forces to show restraint aboard the shipyards, Admiral. They are the reason we chose this system, while not as valuable as the Star Forge, they are indeed a valuable resource. Ensure the factories are taken in much the same manner. And one the planet is confirmed as being secured, have the troop transports begin delivering the divisions to the planet surface.
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Dantooine, Jedi Academy
Nevara had had no choice other than to inform the surviving Jedi what her intentions where. They had agreed to help on the understanding that Nevara returned everything to Coruscant that was taken from the Academy.
The rest of the crew were also brought in to help as were some from the camp who were not so troubled by the superstitions of many in the camp. After all, if they weren’t safe with so many Jedi present, then there was little that could protect them.
Yuthura couldn’t help but think that this was foolish, but Nevara had been insistent and seemed to be holding something back from her. Nevara had seen the terror experienced by Bastila. It was obvious the woman was still deeply troubled by her time spent with Malak. She wanted this over as soon as possible. Her return to Coruscant was going to be one of mixed feelings, both regrets and the need to put right what she had left behind her.
Yuthura could guess the reason for Nevara’s distraction, it seemed Bastila was to be a part of their lives whether she liked it or not. The thought of killing her was not going to win Nevara for her. She had been quite foolish to think it would. She had decided that the only thing to do was confront Bastila, once they returned to Coruscant.
If it worked against her, at least she would finally know where she stood with the two of them and these games could be ended. One way or another she would end this.
“What in the hell is wrong with you, Nevara. Do you realise how much this stuff is worth? We’d be living like a Nar Shadaarian Hutt for the rest of our lives if we sold this stuff.” Blake reminded her as he emptied handfuls of priceless artefacts into a cloth bag.
“Stuff? Only you could reduce the history of the Jedi Order to stuff, Blake. And the thought of doing anything like a Hutt is somewhat disturbing. And be careful with those artefacts, Blake, they are indeed priceless.” Nevara replied, the look on her face was enough to keep Blake quiet. She wasn’t in the least bit amused that everything came down to credit value with Blake.
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Coruscant
The fleet was certainly an impressive sight; at its head was Sword of Coruscant, the newly commissioned battleship that was to act as Admiral Onasi’s flagship. The fleet consisted of hundreds of ships, there initial destination was to be Korriban. Once the system was cleansed of Sith and dark Jedi they were to jump immediately to the Outer Rim system of Alpha Sagitor and help in retaking the system, if anything remained. The Sith were not known for their mercy or their subtlety.
The Ebon Hawk had returned under the command of Canderous, the old crew now gathered, at least the crew that hadn’t been requested to accompany Carth.
Among the Jedi contingent aboard the Sword of Coruscant were Jolee Bindo, Bastila, Juhani, Belaya, Mission, Shaleena and Jennata, as well as the newly returned Shaden, a Jedi Mission had come to befriend during their time on Taris. There were others present throughout the fleet, but Carth had insisted on his old companions, with Jolee overseeing the entire Jedi fleet contingent. He would have preferred to have let Nevara take command had she been here with them, but he still held out help for the woman he had come to respect so much over the past year.
The Ebon Hawk would be travelling ahead of the fleet, being perhaps the fastest ship in the entire fleet thanks to the modifications that Janice and Marlena had made to the ship.
Carth sat in his office, waiting for the orders to depart for Korriban. The fact he had both Bastila and Milla aboard the ship was not going to be easy. Bastila was indispensable to the fleet, and Milla did not deserve to be transferred just to make it easier on himself and Bastila. At least he had other to take his mind off the present situation. He wished Nevara were here, they had argued almost the entire time they had been together, but he still missed the woman. Despite all his reservations, she had not returned to the Sith. It had given him some hope that not all people were going to betray him in some form or another.
The fact they had had a brief relationship was now not something he wished to dwell on. They were just too different for it to have gone anywhere; Nevara was far too easily distracted by others and never was one to believe in remaining with only one person. It wasn’t something he could ever accept, and that was why he would have to think hard about his own relationship with Bastila.
With the order given, the fleet was underway. For many among the fleet, Korriban was their chance for revenge. Many had lost friends and family during the war against the Sith. And now they were finally getting the chance to take the fight to the enemy.
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Korriban, Sith Academy
Darth Treya walked through the halls of the abandoned Sith academy. What could be taken had been. It had been obvious the Republic would mount an attack against the Sith stronghold once they were in a position to do so. She had heard so much of their new war hero. Of Bastila and the traitor Revan. But none could know of the depths to which the Sith had gone to entrench themselves throughout the galaxy of the true evil that lay beyond the Outer Rim worlds. She had seen such evil the likes of which Malak and Revan could have only dreamt of, and in time it would be unleashed on an unsuspecting galaxy.
Her Sith battle cruiser waited in orbit, the last to remain for the evacuation of those that hadn’t deserted or gone to ground somewhere on the planet. Soon the tables would be turned on the Republic and she would be the one to set those events in motion.
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