Nebula Class Star Destroyer Excidium II

Main observation deck

 It had been months since Phoenix had been able to calm himself and properly draw upon the Dark Side. Recent times had called for a heavy hand with his followers and the others around the Dark Brotherhood. It was something the Emperor had reveled in, but had drained him physically and emotionally. He sat in his makeshift throne in the observation deck, staring out at the expanse of stars surrounding his homeworld of Judecca. Pride swelled within the Consul at the many accomplishments he had overseen in his year since ousting Braecen and retaking the throne of the Royal Clan for the Palpatine Family.

He was about to drop into a deep meditative state when the comm unit on his throne began buzzing incessantly. He was tempted to let his anger flow through him, through the comm. unit and around the throat of whoever was daring to bother him, but his sense prevailed and he simply hit the announce button.

“Speak.” The Emperor graveled.

“Emperor, we have an urgent communiqué from Jusadih.” The communications officer reported. “Consul Kaeth wishes to speak to you directly.”

“Tell him to call his lackey. I could do without some drama from Plagueis at this point.” Phoenix replied.

“I offered that option to the Consul, sir. He said that Lucien is insufficient for this discussion and that is of the utmost importance. He said that it is sensitive in nature and for your ears alone.”

Taking a deep sigh and standing to full height, the Firrerreon attempted to push his annoyance away from his mind and answered the call.

“You didn’t bother me this much when I was your ProConsul. What is it that you need?” The Emperor growled. “Don’t tell me that you need to ‘borrow’ more of my people to help your Clan get out of the caves and into civilized society. I simply won’t allow my Clan to be cannibalized any longer!”

A calm voice responded. “Emperor, you and I have been friends for quite some time. It is this friendship that I call upon. Plagueis is in great need of your Clan’s assistance. I have reports coming in from all over the system via my Special Ops troops that the Vong are planning to invade the system at any moment. Some outposts have even claimed to have come into contact. Fellow Consul, I fear my troops and ships are at a major disadvantage on their own against the tenacious Yuuzhan Vong. We respectfully ask for your assistance, in whatever capacity you are able.”

There was nothing but silence over the line for several moments as Phoenix pondered his options. He could mobilize the Fleet and Legions and send them in to help or he could simply ignore the request and perhaps rid the Brotherhood of one of the rival Clans who could challenge the future dominance of Scholae. The Consul was torn between friendship and power. On the one hand, if he helped, he could gain a long term ally in Plagueis, which recently had shown promise. On the other, if he let the Vong invade and destroy Plagueis, his vote on the Dark Council would count that much more. Plus, being rid of the former false Emperor of Scholae would do more for his standing within the Palpatine Family than any other prosperous endeavor he could undertake.

A few minutes had passed with silence before Braecen spoke up. “Emperor d’Tana, are you still there?”

“I am Consul. We will provide assistance in whatever capacity we can. Expect to hear from my Grand Marshal shortly with a battle plan.”

“Understood. Plagueis thanks you for your generosity.”

Lucien was inspecting troop mobility when the call came in from his Consul. The Grand Marshal stepped into a doorway to retrieve the message and had to hold back several chuckles. He had long foreseen this confluence of events happening, and this was validation. Nothing would taste sweeter than coming to the rescue of his estranged former Clan and the head of his family.

Lucien immediately put out a communication to the CSP War Council, informing them that there was to be an emergency session as soon as possible in the Situation Room aboard the NSD Excidium II. All War Council members were to attend, no exceptions. The Grand Marshal left the troop inspections to his aide and made way to the hangar bay, where, if Korroth had properly been informed, his shuttle would be waiting.

The hangar bay was buzzing with rumors as the Grand Marshal boarded the Lambda Class Shuttle he had set aside for his personal and Clan use. More often than not, when the leader of the Clan’s military headed off world, it signaled the beginning of something major. The human was known not to care for the coldness of Space, and in fact preferred to stay on terra firma as much as possible. So, to see the Exarch leaving Judecca, with no flight plan filed, gave the grunts and mechanics gathered in the hangar cause to be pensive.

The gangplank that jutted from the stern of the shuttle was already in the down position and Korroth, Lucien’s newest Apprentice, stood at the top, waiting for his Master to arrive.

“Shuttle is prepped for flight, Master. I have informed Admiral Sommetra of our impending arrival and she is expecting us.” Korroth stated matter of factly.

“Very good. Inform the tower that we are ready to depart and set a course for the Excidium. I will be in the back section. Inform me when we have arrived.” Lucien replied, heading into the aft section of the shuttle.

 

 

Imperial Star Destroyer Mark II Eye of the Abyss II

Central Control Room

 The demeanor aboard the Flagship of Arcona was solemn. The Clan had recently abandoned their adopted homeworlds, currently overrun by the Yuuzhan Vong. The sheer numbers of the invaders was simply too much to overcome, sending the Clan into veritable exile aboard their capital starships.

Those milling about were only slightly motivated to complete their tasks. A heavy weight seemed to be squarely on everyone’s shoulders. They were nomads without a home, wanderers of the galaxy with massive firepower at their disposal. Those in power had been searching for suitable living arrangements since their departure from Dajorra. None had been found that would suit the purposes of the secretive Clan that would also afford them proximity to the rest of the Brotherhood.

Over two months had passed, with all eyes on the galactic map. Several times a day, a new person would come up to the map, suggesting a new system. Probes and landing units were deployed to several systems, none of which were inhabitable or conducive to harboring an entire Clan of Dark Jedi.

At the end of one of these scouting missions, a scout trooper approached Commander Jaal and Captain Sulaco and informed them that they had run out of options. There were simply no more viable systems within range of the Brotherhood that they could successfully invade and occupy. It seemed to the command staff of Arcona that their hopes of a new homeworld were lost for the foreseeable future.

During this conversation, the lights aboard the Abyss went nearly dark and the auxiliary lights changed from bright white to subdued blues and reds. Immediately, all hands went to their stations, eager to look busy in case the Consul decided to check up on them. No sooner had the entire control room assumed their positions than Master Doto entered. The Zabrak quickly surveyed the room, ensuring that everyone was performing their duties to par and made his way to Sulaco and Jaal.

“Report.” He said, gruffly.

“Consul, we have determined that, given the parameters, there are no further options available to us. We have determined, that given the extent of the Vong invasion, that there are no habitable planets that will serve our ne……..”

The Captain was cutoff by a shrill announcement. “Captain! Incoming transmission from operatives on Judecca!”

“Roger. Patch it through over here.” Sulaco responded.

“Captain Sulaco, Agent 14 reporting in. I have reports that the military of Scholae is mobilizing and preparing to depart the Cocytus System within 24 hours. I have managed to insert myself into the Praetorian Regiment. I have been given orders to assemble in the main hangar bay in 3 hours to receive orders from our Commander, Impetus Palpatine. It seems that the Emperor here is eager to mobilize the fleet, but no one knows for what yet. I will report back when I have more information.”

The Consul did not wait to have the information relayed to him by his Captain. He immediately turned to the navigation officer.

“Nav Officer, set course for Nimban. Make haste.”

 

 

NSD Excidium II

Situation Room

 The Grand Marshal had barely sat in the large chair at the head of the elongated table before his assembled War Council walked through the door. They each acknowledged Lucien before seating themselves at the pre-apportioned seats. When they were all seated, Lucien stood before them and began to speak.

“Members of the War Council, I have news. After many weeks or reorganization, we are now prepared to use the military that we have created. It seems that the distinguished Consul of Plagueis has asked for Scholae’s assistance in dealing with a Vong incursion. We are to mobilize the fleet and all active ground troops and report immediately to the staging area above Judecca.”

High Marshal Thran Occassus quickly stood and assumed the floor. “So the new military might of Scholae is going to go and help out the treacherous swine that fled for Jusadih? I think not. The TIE Corps will not participate. I will not have my pilots sent out to certain death because Braecen can’t control his own star system.”

“Thran, we are under orders of the Emperor to make haste to assist Plagueis. Darth knows I am not too happy about this. I left Plagueis for dead years ago and now I am to go and help them out of a jam that they should never have been in? This chaps my hide just as much as yours, I assure you. However, we are loyal to our Emperor and what Phoenix says goes. You know that better than just about anyone in this room.” Lucien retorted.

As if on cue, Phoenix entered the Situation Room and cackled. “Did I hear that you don’t want to risk your precious TIEs for this cause Marshal? I’m hoping I didn’t, otherwise I may have to replace you…….with Cethgus. Would that be more to your liking?”

“Not at all Phoenix. I merely iterated to the Grand Marshal that we could better use our resources in a different manner, like building up forces to take down Taldryan. Why should we go to help the pretender Emperor?”

“Short answer? Cause I said so. Long answer? Cause I said so. Just get to it. I want a full readiness report in 3 hours. Understood?”

“Eat my ass.” Thran said, barely under his breath. He knew that others had heard him when Lucien looked in his direction and let a small grin cross his mouth. “Understood, Phoenix.” The undermining tone in Thran’s voice was not lost on the Consul. He simply chose to ignore it. Thran had been jockeying for power within the Clan for months now, and while his time would come, it would come on Phoenix’s terms, and not a minute sooner. As soon as Phoenix had exited the room, he began his rant anew.

“This is complete space garbage. Phoenix has his head so far up Sarin’s ass that he wouldn’t know a fart from an earthquake. I reiterate my unwillingness to send my troops into battle and will fight you tooth and nail if forced to. I feel no loyalty to an Emperor that I do not approve of. If you guys want to try and fire me and replace me with that scatter brain Cethgus, I dare to you try. My fury will come down on you like you have never seen. My patience has come to an end with you two and if forced, I will fight back. The only thing keeping Phoenix out of a durasteel box in the middle of space is the Dark Council and his ‘friends.’”

Lucien quickly regained the floor by announcing, “Commanders, you are to mobilize your troops and present readiness reports to me within 2 hours. Everyone but Thran is dismissed.”

 

 

Staging area above Judecca

3 hours later

 Emperor d’Tana stood regally on the command bridge of the Excidium, peering out of the observation window. His mighty fleet was assembling, shuttles coming and going with precision planning. He had to hand it to the Grand Marshal and his War Council. When told to jump, they most often did.

The one thing that he did not see was the TIE Corps assembling and stationing themselves on the Capital Starships. Turning to Lucien, who stood obediently at his side, he raised an eyebrow and nodded his head in the direction of the other Capital Ships. The Grand Marshal simply nodded his head in acknowledgement and turned on his heel to contact Thran. His disobedience would almost certainly garner the wrath of the Emperor if it was allowed to continue.

Within minutes, the ProConsul returned to his Consul’s side. A few moments later, TIEs began boarding the Imperial Star Destroyers Warspite and Indomitable. Phoenix allowed a small grin to pass over his lips, something decidedly out of character for the normally staid Consul. He once again turned his attention to his Grand Marshal.

“Oversee the completion of the mobilization. Once it has completed, contact me for further instruction.”

“Understood Emperor. I swear it shall be done.” Lucien had barely finished his sentence when Phoenix turned on one heel and exited the bridge for parts unknown.

 

 

Jusadih System

Bunker deep within Kapsina

 These were the times when Braecen felt alone. His Clan and system were under imminent attack from a foreboding enemy and he was without counsel on the subject save his Quaestors. His ProConsul had fled upon hearing the news, not at all eager to face the Vong once again so soon after the recent defeat. The Prefect of Darkness pensively paced about the smallish room that had been hastily built to house the VIPs of Plagueis during the last Vong invasion.

The outlook was bleak. He had faith that Lucien would bring his armies to assist his family member and long time friend, but he still had cause to be wary, as Phoenix would not hesitate to turn on him and attempt to bring Plagueis to its knees. All the Consul could do now was to wait and see. This option was the one that he had preferred not to take, as he had relinquished control to the more powerful Scholae. They would inevitably ask for something substantial in return for their “generosity” and Braecen was unsure that he was willing to pay that price.

He contemplated sending a clandestine message to his family, a good portion of which still resided within Scholae’s walls, to see if the Emperor was making good on his promise. In the end, he dismissed these thoughts as panic and forced himself to remember that the two that would come and help his Clan were forever tied to him in one fashion or another. They would be loyal, at least until it no longer served them. Braecen simply had to have faith that his confidant and brother Lucien would see past anything that Phoenix or Thran could tell him and ensure that an entire Clan of the Brotherhood would not be wiped completely off the map.

Yes, have faith in your right hand. He shall prevail against all foes. We shall be vindicated.

 

 

ISD Eye of the Abyss II

Command Bridge

 “Captain, we have reached Nimban. Orders?”

“Stand fast and await further orders from Consul Doto.”

“Roger that sir. All engines full stop.”

 

 

NSD Excidium II

Command Bridge

 “All units, this is the Grand Marshal. SitRep required.”

The communication line instantly buzzed.

“High Admiral Timbal reporting Fleet all ready.”

“High General Ric Korbain reporting Marines all ready.”

“Field Marshal Angelo Dante reporting Legions all ready.”

“High Marshal Thran Occassus reporting TIE Corps all ready, I suppose.”

“Roger that. All units reported as ready. Stand fast and await instructions from Line Commanders.”

Rather than announce the readiness of the military over the comm system, Lucien instead planted the image of a battle ready military in the mind of his Consul. He knew that Phoenix would pick up on it immediately.

Moments later, the Consul reappeared on the Command Bridge. He walked straight to the front view window and turned to face the command staff of the Excidium II.

“Open a channel to the Clan.” The Firrerreon waited until he heard the audible click and then began his address.

“Brothers and Sisters of the Royal Clan. Most of you are wondering why I have mobilized the military. We have received reports of incoming Vong attacks on the Jusadih system. We are mobilizing and assisting at the behest of Braecen Kaeth. Regardless of your feelings about him, this was my decision and mine alone. We will go and we will fight. Better yet, we will show Plagueis just how to run the Vong off your planets. I ask for your steadfastness, your battle readiness, and most of all, your undivided attention to the task at hand. This will be no means an easy battle. It will be hard fought and the casualties will most likely be high. We must do this, if not for ourselves, then for the rest of the galaxy to show them that the Vong can in fact be defeated. Today, we show the sector what it means when you mess with the Dark Brotherhood and the might of Scholae! To arms!”

After finishing and ensuring that the communication line had been broken, he turned to Lucien. “Think that was inspiring enough?”

“Could not have said it better myself.”

“Issue the order then.”

Lucien looked to the Nav Officer, who had his gaze fixed on the Grand Marshal. “Nav Officer, set your course for Jusadih. Inform me when we are 15 parsecs from our destination.”

 

15 Parsecs from Jusadih

“Grand Marshal, we have arrived at the prestaging arena. Awaiting further orders.”

“Roger that. Take the flee………………………”

“Marshal! Long range scanners reveal a void in space near the Nimban system. Instructions?”

Son of a bitch! Lucien thought. How did they know?

Instantly, he paged Phoenix and relayed the message. The Consul responded in kind with Lucien.

“Take the Fleet to intercept. I will not allow the Vong to get behind us and attack us on two fronts. Relay the message to Consul Kaeth.”

“Understood Emperor. Changing route now.”