Galactic Domination Chapter 5: Rebellion Rising

GALACTIC DOMINATION

{ Chapter 5: Rebellion Rising }

162 ABY, approximately six months before the Darksider invasion on Grand Master Bathors New Je’daii order.

Location: Ryo district, Planet Shikaakwa, Tython System, The Deep Core

{{ Prologue : Pirate Cass Gemini, Captain of the galaxy’s best espionage starship “The Midnight Runner” and her crew have now reluctantly found themselves in the employ of the Darksider Regimes Lord Falkors own personal fleet.

Their first mission, to contact the Darksider Master of Shadows at a back alley tavern in the slums of Planet Shikaakwas Ryo District. From there they are to launch a raid on the New Je’daii orders’ recently discovered Temple of unknown origins on the nearby planet of Ska Gora.

After gaining access to the Flame Tyga Tavern in Ryo, the dark woman was indeed waiting for Cass and her Nautolan first mate Anmetei M’lo. Her charismatic pilot Redman Reed on the other hand was forced to join a Cloddogran doorwoman upstairs for drinks as payment for their entry into the tavern after closing hours. Below, in a corner booth of the Flame Tygah Tavern the Darth, a lightly framed Sarkhai woman shrouded all in black clothing, quickly introduced herself as Darth Caecus and outlined her plan to get access to Ska Gora undetected.

A plan that instead of using the Midnight Runners unique capabilities, involved stealing a Je’daii starship to sneak through outer planetary security. Using a fake Sith artefact sale as bait, Darth Caecus had lured a young female Je’daii Ranger named Sigrid Ironstrike who had been patrolling on Shikaakwa for several days to the tavern that very night.

Sigrid did as expected and followed the rumour but before she could interfere in the mocked exchange of Sith artefact ownership, the Ranger then sees the pilot Redman Reed looking very worse for wear descending the steps leading to the rooms above.

Bound to investigation by the Je’daii Ranger code, Sigrid leaves her stakeout and leaps into the room above. There, the young woman finds the bodies of both the greyskinned door woman and what looks like Redman Reed both brutally murdered and naked.

Sigrid quickly leaves the murder room only to find the dark woman and all three of the Midnight Runners crew had already left the Tavern. However, through her Je’daii training Sigrid picks up on Captain Gemini’s unique life signature and follows it to the long since abandoned Ryo Fortress’s main courtyard. There, she confronts the Midnight Runner crew resulting in a firefight. It was then, from the shadows Darth Caecus springs her trap and poisons Sigrid before facing her in lightsaber combat, maiming the Ranger and taking her ship's access security codes before leaving the Je’daii for dead.

Captain Gemini, against Darth Caecus’s instructions, stays behind momentarily and mercifully ends Sigrid's life with the Sith blade before hiding the body and then returning to the group and their mission.

Our Story Continues……. ))

~~\*~~

“Hurry up Capn’ we gotta go. I know there ain't law around here at night but no way that was unnoticed.” said Anmetei M’lo with rushed concern in his voice as Cass quickly approached them from behind. The hound that they had heard earlier was still barking incessantly and they seemed to be heading directly towards it as they marched through the foggy slum district streets towards the regions only Starport.

“And what the hell happened to you back there Reed? You love sick or somethin’? When I give you an order I expect you to follow it. Especially when it's all our tails on the line! Understand?” reprimanded the Midnight Runners first mate, turning his harsh gaze to the human pilot who now looked to be cured of whatever had hindered his cognitive abilities earlier, and was suddenly walking normally next to the white skinned Anmetei M’lo.

“If you could shoot straight, you wouldn't need ME to cover your huge white tail in the first place! What's the point of having those two massive hand cannons when you can't even hit a single stationary target?!” Snapped back Redman quite uncharacteristically, which only fueled Anmetei M’lo’s anger. Not only was he ignored after giving an order during a gunfight, but now he was being disrespected by the subordinate in front of their captain.

The two argued as they neared the house where it seemed the large barking hound lived, their voices were low but their words were getting heated. The animal was up on its hind legs, its front two paws resting on the four foot fence that boarded its owners property and its snarling red face was visible over the weather worn wood palings. Its dark eyes stared directly at the group as they walked on the other side of the street and its mouth was foaming and lips curled up with anger. Darth Caecus, as she had done since leaving the courtyard, set the pace and kept at least twenty steps in front of Cass, Reed and Anmetei M’lo as they travelled on foot during the night. She appeared to be communicating with someone in a tone too low for the others to hear via a wrist mounted personal communication device. Cass wondered if she was reporting back to Lord Falkor about the status of their mission so far.

”So, you were happy just to let the Captain and I go it alone? Where is your loyalty Reed? To your Captain? Or to your pockets?” The first mate growled, insinuating that the Pilot was only here for a payday and did not care about the Midnight Runners crew or its Captain. Not enough to get involved when it came to blasters at any rate. Which was harsh, as all of the original members had given up much and been close to hell and back together over their shared journey.

“Stop it both of you! We can discuss this later.. It's done. We got the codes, now let's just get the hell out of here.” demanded Cass, even more coldly than she originally intended. “I pushed the Je'daii under a bunch of red thorn weeds.. she shouldn't be found for a while. However this bickering does nothing but draw unwanted attention to us.” The Captain added, her tone low and threatening. Dark Lady Kevala’s Sith blade still held tight in her hand as she walked. The blade of the alchemized weapon was wet with Sigrid Ironstrikes blood and the longer she held it, the more Cass felt an anger growing inside of her. A subtle darkness that pressed incessantly against her will. “And won’t someone just shut that kriffing dog up” she growled.

“QUIET YOU DAMN MUTT!!” Echoed an invisible yet clearly male voice from a nearby unknown house, followed directly by the sound of something shattering on the ground. Whatever it was, it sounded small, light and made of glass. A beverage bottle most likely. A sound which did nothing except only to further agitate the hound who continued to bark aggressively into the street towards the passers by.

Redman suddenly stopped and turned, pulling his silenced blaster pistol and without even looking at its target he pulled the trigger. \*Ptshoo!\* Less than a millisecond later there was a pained yelp from across the street, then a limp sounding thud that was soon followed only by silence. No more barking. No more growling. No more hound.

“Don’t EVER question my loyalty.” spat Redman, holstering his weapon and abruptly walking away from Cass and Anmetei M’lo, who had both suddenly stopped dead in their tracks. Astonished at what had just happened. Not twenty minutes ago Redman could barely walk let alone fight, and now this!? A one handed no-look bullseye from easily fifteen metres away.

“Well that was dramatic,” said Anmetei M’lo flatly to his Captain. Both of them standing side by side watching their ships pilot rush to catch up to Darth Caecus, who had now slowed pace and seemed to be finished communicating to whomever it was that she had been talking to. “Somethings not right. Reeds’ been acting real strange ever since we left the tavern.. and there is no way he could make that shot, not even on his best day.” said Cass, speaking almost at a whisper. Her purple cybernetic eyes focused on the back of her friend and crewmate of nearly six years as he briskly walked away from them.

“You got that right Capn’. You and I both know Reads’ alot’a things, but a coward and a marksman he ain’t. I never seen him talk back like that after a dressing down either, and I don't remember him gettin’ hurt but he had blood on his shirt n all. Mabey that door woman attacked him? Or he attacked her?? At any rate, I say we leave him on the Runner with the others. Don’t want him doing anything stupid that might get any of us killed.” Suggested the large Nautolan, lifting his large right hand to his forehead and briefly rubbing his temples with his index finger and thumb. .

“You're probably right. I’ll call ahead and warn Mr.Clayborn to keep an eye on him. Let us know if he starts acting funny. Then once we get to the port, we’ll split up. You and I will go with Caecus alone. Once this is all done, we’ll decide what to do with Reed.” She said looking again over to the fence where the hound had been just moments ago.

Anmetei didn’t respond, but Cass knew he had heard her and had understood. “Common, let’s get outta here.” She said, then strode off after the others.

~\*~

10 hours later…. Location: Ranger Sigrid Ironstrikes Je’daii Cloudchaser starship ‘Anvil 6’, Deep space, above the Planet Ska Gora, Tython System, The Deep Core.

“Time to wake up… you hear me? Wake up Mr M’lo... we’re close.” Said Captain Cass Gemini as she shook her sound asleep first mate by his two large, rounded shoulders.

“Urrghh.. Ok, ok.. I'm.. I'm up…I’m up.” said Anmetei M’lo slowly opening his eyes, rolling to his side and shaking off the grogginess from the small sized canvas cot at the rear of Anvil 6. Cass felt bad for waking him, since they first departed for Shikaakwa two days ago he hadn't gotten even so much as a nap. Neither of them had. “Where are we?” Anmetei asked as he sat up and yawned, his mind still hazy from the far too short a sleep. “We’re entering Ska Goras’ outer perimeter.” replied Cass looking back down the narrow hall of the small Je’daii ship and seeing Darth Caecus’s back. The black robed woman was still sitting in the pilot's seat only ten metres away, just as she had been for the entire length of their eight hour journey.

“Right.. yeah…of course… ” The Nautolan said groggily, rubbing the crust out of his eyes with the lowest part of his sleeve. “The Runner is behind us, keeping out of sight.” replied Cass, handing her first mate a canteen of water, her voice lowered to an electronic whisper. Suddenly, her wrist mounted communicator beeped once, indicating a personal incoming message. Cass turned to hide it from both her first mate and to keep out of the line of sight of Darth Caedus. \*beep\* she pressed the receive button and up sprung her communication officer's face under his typical grey cap and round goggles.

“Cap’n, Cal here. Been keeping an eye on Reed as asked. He's been quiet, barely said a word to any of us since coming on board. Seems he just wanted to shower then he slept for several hours.. His retina and fingerprint security checks both cleared no problems.. He's still in his quarters. Oh.. that blood you mentioned on his shirt.. I managed to get a sample before the droids had it laundered like you said... Turns out, it's his.. Strange thing though….. Looked over the security footage from the ships shower lockers.. I didn't see a wound..”

Cass didn't reply immediately, instead just trying to let the information sink in.. How did Reed have his own blood on his shirt without getting wounded?... He didn't have access let alone time for a bacta pack. Those took days to seal an open wound, weeks to be healed to the level like nothing had even happened... It didn't add up, but the ship's security safeguards were fool proof she knew that for a fact. And despite his odd behaviour, deep down she always had to believe she could trust him. Perhaps she was just being overly paranoid.. Having a Sith breathing down your neck for twelve hours straight would do that she supposed..

“Ok… just keep an eye on him. Perhaps all he needs is a good rest. We all do.. We're close to the planet so I want radio silence until I contact you for a pickup ok.” she whispered into the communicator.

“Roger that. Good lockout there Cap’n. Cal out.” \*click\*

Cass lowered her hand and turned to her large first mate who was found picking at something underneath his fingernails. Before either could speak, the constant low hum of the Je’daii starships twin ion engines were quickly interrupted by a familiar scratching, raspy, white noise of static over an exceptionally poor quality communications signal.

“Better get up here… Commander.. we're being hailed.” shouted Darth Caecus almost sarcastically from over her shoulder. “Wait here” Cass said, her visible facial features conveying a frown and leaving the canteen with her trusted first mate before walking over to the cockpit, where she found the dark lady twirling the Sith blade Cass had returned to her in her fingers. Several fresh, small but still clearly visible cuts on the Darths fingers dripped small beads of blood down her right hand.

\*static\* “This is Ska Gora ground control, on behalf of Grand Master Bathors New Je’daii Order, I request that you identify yourself.” \*static\*

Caecus looked to Cass expectantly. “Well… What are you waiting for?” the Dark Lady asked. “Me!?” replied Cass, surprised by the request. “You're not expecting me to have to do absolutely everything now are you? I know I don't sound anything like that pathetic dead Je’daii woman you stayed back to comfort.” explained the Sith Shadow Master. “But you….. You could easily pass for a droid.” added Caecus smirking, the words very obviously intended as a clear insult to the Captain, likely in retribution for disobeying her instruction to leave Sigrid to the rats. “So… Droid Gemini.. Your Masters audience awaits.” the Darth said, leaning back in her seat and briefly pointing to the communications microphone with Kevalas Sith blade before sheathing the bloodied Sith weapon in the side of her boot. Caecus then slid a small bit of flimsy with the starship's Je’daii codes written in her own blood across the cockpits dashboard for Cass to see.

\*static\* “I repeat, this is Ska Gora Je’daii ground control to unidentified cloudchaser, identify yourself.” \*static\* instructed ground control a second time through the cockpits comms.

Silently seething by the demeaning request, Cass reluctantly leant down and slowly pressed the console's communications momentary switch, activating the two way communication with ground control. “Greetings ground control.” she said in her already electronic sounding voices’ best interpretation of a protocol droid.

“This is the Je’daii cloud chaser Anvil 6, serial number S-9401332” Cass held her breath as she waited for the reply from ground control, a response which seemed to take an eternity.

\*static\* “ship signature confirmed droid. Please tell your master, Ranger Ironstrike, that we’ll need her to confirm her clearance code personally before I can clear you for landing.”

Cass swallowed hard, not sure how to respond. “Tell them you are here to give support to that bastard child of the Grandmaster.” said Caecus quietly and covering the microphone with her hand. “They won't believe that.. Not if Terrogate is coming himself” Cass responded.

\*static\* “hello? Anvil 6.. Do you copy?”

“Tell them that it was their whore leader Bathor who sent you.. And that her moronic pet feline isn't to know. It's her baby boy down there…. Trust me.” said Caecus. Cass glimpsed upwards before responding, the Sith woman was smiling.. An evil, unhinged smile that scared Cass more than anything. Two droplets of clear slavia started to collect and pool on each corner of the woman's mouth and her eyes had taken on an intense stare like a starving predator eyeing its first prey in weeks.

“I…ok…” stammered Cass, raising her hand in an effort to show some kind of strength and at the same time silently shoo Caecus’s hand away from the microphone.

“Forgive me master controller, my Master is currently preoccupied. She has authorised me to give her clearance code of 886… and the phrase “There are such depths”. She also has requested me to inform you that Grand Master Bathor herself has sent us to deliver a care package to her son on his mission in the Eastern Forest. My Master has also requested that you not inform his master, Temple Master Terrogate, of our arrival or assistance.” Cass held her breath once again.. Hoping that she did well enough and that the Dark Lady's plan had worked. After a small pause the same voice bounced back..

\*static\* Clearance accepted. However I will need to know why Ranger Ironstrike is not telling us this information herself, and why the Grand Master would like your arrival kept secret.”

Cass thought for a second before deciding on a response, sighing as she leaned back over the microphone to deliver her calculated droid-like response.

“Master Ironstrike says that the Grand Master cares for her son, but also his journey. She also has commanded me to inform you and also apologise as she is dealing with an unusually heavy female Je’daii’s monthly trial. However, she also said she would be happy to take this communication via personal hologram if you wish to know more details.” Cass depressed the button and clenched her remaining teeth. Hoping that her bluff would work.

\*static\* “Please tell your master that won't be necessary. You're clear to land Anvil 6.” \*click\* The message echoed over the cockpit speakers and Cass breathed a sigh of relief.

“Well done droid.. It seems you have your uses beyond just being bait.” said Caecus smugly. Cass didn't respond, her rebreather's cooling filter was whirring quickly in order to cool down after its owner had been forced to over extend its limited capacity. Instead, Cass only looked down to the piece of paper covered in bloody numbers in front of her and felt a shiver run up her spine. She had a feeling her plan of cutting ranks and disappearing after this one job was done was getting less likely by the moment. “Best buckle up Commander.” the Master of Shadows said from beside her as the Darth gripped the starship's controls and dipped the yolk towards the green jungle Planet. “...we will be landing soon.”

~\*~

Approx three hours later…. Location: The outskirts of Kraau valley, Eastern Forest Region, Ska Gora, Tython System, The Deep Core.

“I haven't seen a jungle this dense since me and the crew took that job on Dxun.” complained Anmetei M’lo as he swung his machete through a thick tangle of vines before brushing the remains aside with his free hand in order to pass by. “Common now Mr. M’lo…. Where's your sense of adventure?” said Cass sarcastically from several metres behind him, clicking off her compass for the tenth time in the last hour alone. It would be so very easy to get lost in here she thought to herself, and Cass wasn't taking any chances. The pair and their Sith associate Darth Caecus had been slowly trudging through Ska Goras’ Eastern Forest for hours now on their way to the Je'daii’s recently discovered location. However the planet's thick native flora was providing quite the challenge to navigate.

“Adventure?” Anmetei scoffed, “Need I remind you, after Dxun I was nabbed and transported to the Hallion death camp for two years.”

“Yes, but that's where you met me.” Cass added with a tone of amusement in her voice. Anmetei turned and smiled at his Captain as a result of her comment “Oh sure…how could I forget..? Best day of my life by ten parsecs..” he replied with a wink before turning back to hacking into more of the forest.

“STOP!” suddenly screeched Darth Caecus who was slashing her own path with her crimson lightsaber just ten metres left of Anmetei M’lo and until now had been mostly out of eyesight. Both the second mate and his Captain immediately halted in their tracks from the warning.

“The ground…” she eventually continued to say as she emerged from a patch of thick, short palms and walked towards Anmetei M’lo. She stopped just a few feet before him and then kneeled, pointing to a small imperfection in the jungle floor not a few metres ahead of them. It was a minor crack at best Cass thought as she focused her gaze to the ground. Barely even single galactic credit in width. Her cybernetic eyes ran the cracks line and followed it off into the distance until it disappeared into the thick trees left of their position. The crack in the jungle floor was actually, she hated admitting, becoming gradually larger as it ran along suggesting it could be the way to their target area and the mysterious door..

“The break in the earth.. We are getting close.” said Darth Caecus, as if reading both Cass and Anmetei’s thoughts. “We must be careful from here on out and move quickly, and more silently...” she added, commanding caution to the Midnight Runner leaders before standing and following the ground fracture off into the jungle and towards the new Je’daii discovery.

~\*~

// Meanwhile, aboard the Midnight Runner, high in orbit over the planet Ska Gora. //

“Report..” said a shrill cracking voice over the small holo communication pucks inbuilt speaker. A small, blue, static lined holo projection stood suspended in mid air above the round black disk and was obviously the owner of the one making the demand. A large dark hood was drawn over the individual's face, covering its features in shadow and making it impossible to make out the person's identity.

“Lord Dogmaar.” replied Redman Reed. Alone in his quarters, the pilot knelt in front of the projected image and bowed his head obediently.

“The mission goes to plan M’lord. I have taken the place of the pilot as instructed and Darth Caecus has landed with the Captain and her first mate on their way to the Je’daii discovery.” he reported with his head still bowed.

“So, you have command of the vessel? And your former Master? She does not suspect your treachery?” Lord Dogmaar responded inquiringly.

“Yes M’lord, I have command of the vessel and its crew still live.” said the imposter. “However, I did need to get creative to ensure I could pass the system security checks. I just detest changing into human males….they stink.. and I can never get the hands quite right.. That's saying nothing of the extra skeletal and muscle growth that is required every time I do... It is extremely taxing M’lord.. even for a fully mature Shi’ido.”

The person that was now clearly only sporting Redman Reed’s identity raised his head and looked over at the severed index finger that sat on the desk just a few metres away, before returning his attention to the projected image of the Dark Lord.

“Darth Caecus suspects nothing. As far as she knows, I am following her own orders of acquiring the Midnight Runner for herself to assist her own plans of ascension within the Darkshield. In fact, she praised me for suggesting that I take the pilot's place among the crew. She is convinced of my complete loyalty both to her and to the Darksider regime.”

“Excellent Darth Ruil, you have done well. And fear not my new apprentice, for once we bring the Je’daii to their knees we will use the Stargate located in the depths of Tythons Old City to bring the one true Emperor back from the void...” The dark Lord raised his head slightly, revealing a wicked smile of yellow teeth and cracked lips as he spoke the last sentence.

“Lord Dreadwar will destroy the pretender Halcyon and his whore, along with their entire sacrilegious order with little more than a thought before finally reclaiming his rightful Dark throne. And then Darth Ruil… we, along with his most loyal and dedicated servants after all these years will be rewarded beyond our wildest imaginations. Such is the endless power of the rightful and immortal God Emperor.”

Darth Ruil bowed her head and raised her balled fist to her chest at the grand declaration of Darth Dogmaar. “It will indeed be a glorious day my Lord, and one long overdue..”

“Oh.. And one more thing...” said the Dark Lord as if only just remembering a vital component of information.

“Yes My Lord?” said Darth Ruil.

“Your question earlier.. The one regarding alchemy of flesh and the power to control machines.” continued the Dark Lord quite casually. Darth Ruil did not respond, she only looked to the projection in anticipation. This was to be her future, a powerful and triumphant future that her technically still current Master Darth Caecus could never give her. A small detail that she was planning to correct as soon as possible once she had retrieved whatever it was that Lord Falkor wanted from that Je’daii recently uncovered site.

“I have spoken to Darth Griechen..” the Dark Lord said then paused, as if purposefully trying to build a level of intensity with his timing. “....We believe we know where you may be able to find this knowledge. Together, we will seek it out and watch as our enemy's tremble in fear at our combined strength.”

Darth Ruil smiled brightly in response “Thank you M’lord. Through the grace of your training we shall restore the might of the Sith Empire under Lord Dreadwars eternal reign.”

Darth Dogmaar smiled again under his drawn hood. “We shall speak of this again after your mission is complete. Now go my apprentice, and do not fail me.”