An enigma watched the massassi pour into the transport ships, ever loyal and brave, only thinking of their current objective of conquest. Nearly a million of the fierce beasts were going on this crusade which would solidy the gains of the fledgling sith empire, expanding its domain and resources. At the base of the landing ramp of the ISD II Immortal , a tall man, adorned in the armor of Naga Sadow, stood impassively, surveying the preparations. The armor was given to him by his grandfather, the Dark lord Maim, the source of all known darkness. His grandson, the new Dark lord of the Sith, Sedriss Sadow, pondered the move he was now about to make.

Only days before, the Triumvirate member Malice Draclau had betrayed the Dark Circle, opting to seek the life of a lone rogue. Smiling wickedly, the dark lord was envisioning the pain that would soon engulf the weakening demon, for the man was aging, desperate for authority and jealous of the gains the younger sith had made. In the end, Malice would beg for his life but only then, at the last moments of his life, would he know the error he had made. Shaking his head remorsefully, he knew in his heart that his onetime friend was now a pariah.The entire galaxy now knew the sith master was a traitor, a being of low quality and a burden to any who supported him.

His mind shifted to his new objective, leaving the memory of Malice in the past, turning his mind to Onderon and its primary moon, Dxun.

His lengthy study of the holocron had revealed that Onderon lay in a three-planet system of the same name. The once sacred planet circled a typical yellow sun, while four moons with widely-varying orbits, loomed on its periphery. The closest moon, Dxun, was home to numerous bloodthirsty creatures who periodically were able to migrate to the surface of Onderon, due to an annual period in which the two worlds' atmospheres intersected.

In response, the human inhabitants of Onderon gradually evolved defenses against the beasts, culminating in the enormous walled city of Iziz. Over 4,400 years ago the Dark Jedi Freedon Nadd brought the power of the Sith to Onderon, shunning those who opposed him, casting them out into the wilderness where as time past, they learned to tame the beasts of Dxun.

Four thousand years ago, after the evil Queen Amanda of Iziz was defeated by the Jedi, the inhabitants of Onderon built a Mandalorian iron tomb on Dxun to house the remains of their fallen Queen and the Dark Jedi Freedon Nadd. The fallen Jedi Exar Kun later visited the tomb, where the spirit of Nadd helped him discover hidden Sith scrolls, which offered him great power, enticing him further to the darkness he sought.

Snapping from his reverie, Sedriss pulsed with knowledge and beamed with plans and quests. This mission was the next stage of lifting the former empire from its grave. His mid went black as he felt the mans presence behind him. Without turning, Sedriss spoke to the myterious priest Diete Somir III.

It is time Father....we shall bring Onderon and Dxun under our control, bringing the former empire closer to reunification and glory. Our members our loyal, solidified in their beliefs by the betrayal of Malice Draclau, a sith who shall soon learn the price for his lack of vision and power.

While he awaited for his father to reply, Sedriss looked at the man who had just walked before him, bowing slightly, ready to fulfill his destiny at any cost.

Ahh..Lord Chaos....it is time old friend. Your loyalty will nnoit be forgotten but first, I must show you more of your former masters treachery.

....................................................................................

Fleet

Imperial II-class Star Destroyer - Immortal
36 TIE Defenders, 72 TIE Raptors *Commander Lord Chaos*

Imperial-class Star Destroyer - Cortosis Fist
72 TIE Raptors

Defender-class Star Destroyer - Holy Armor
30 TIE Defenders, 30 TIE Raptors

Defender-class Star Destroyer - Death's Glory
30 TIE Defenders, 30 TIE Raptors

Defender-class Star Destroyer - Damnation
30 TIE Defenders, 30 TIE Raptors

Victory-class Star Destroyer - Crimson Flame
12 TIE Phantoms, 24 TIE Raptors

Victory-class Star Destroyer - Agony's Child
12 TIE Phantoms, 24 TIE Raptors

Victory-class Star Destroyer - Domination
12 TIE Defenders, 24 TIE Raptors

Aegis Star Carrier - Bleak Future
100 TIE Raptors

Aegis Star Carrier - Agonizer
100 TIE Raptors

Interdictor Cruiser - Sufficator
12 TIE Defedners, 24 TIE Raptors

Strike Cruiser - Lordship
10 TIE Defenders, 28 TIE Raptors

Strike Cruiser - Dark Demise
10 TIE Defenders, 28 TIE Raptors

Strike Cruiser - Feral Beast
10 TIE Defenders, 28 TIE Raptors

Strike Cruiser - Black Knight
10 TIE Defenders, 28 TIE Raptors

MAx looked up at Sedriss.

"Dark Lord, what is it that you wish me to do?"

Indeed Lord Chaos, you have been loyal, ever willing to please your former master Malice Draclau. Now the day has come where you are greater than him. He has chosen oblivion and death, while you my old friend deserve power and prestige. Even when you outranked me, you did not become irritated at my ascending to Dark lord of the sith, instead, you served me well.

For this loyalty, I am making you head of the Council of Darkness, a position that will enable you to mold the disciples under or control. Your old master tainted our sith members, jealous of our power, ever determined to undermine us. Now Lord Chaos, I want you to take the disciples and the fleet to Onderon and its moon, Dxun.

If possible, take the planet intact, threatening force but not using it unless a last resort. As for the moon, it is sacred so be wary, for dark spirits dwell there, whic could destroy you. This mission is vital to the growth of the Dark Circle. After you return, you will hunt down your old master and kill him, erasing his useless presence from the universe.

Listening on from the shadows behind Lord Sedriss, Jude felt both pride and respect. As the Dark Lord's Disciple, Jude often got to follow and observe, absorbing everything from the Evil Lord that he could. Stepping forward enough for the light to show all but the upper half of his face, Jude decided to make a step in the right direction... in the direction of the Power that he would someday command.

"My Lord... if it would suit you, I should like to join Lord Chaos on his mission. I realize that my knowledge of the Force is still lacking, but I have other... resources, that could be of use."

Jude spoke with a sullen tone. His voice was relatively deep by nature, and when he projected his words, they carried his own strength. He wished to prove his usefulness to his master, and this seemed to be the best opportunity.

Max looked at Sedriss as he spoke, listening to every thinghe had to say.

"I will not fail you Dark Lord."

He turned to leave but stopped when he heard Jude speak. He looked at Sedriss.

"This would be a great test for your deciple, not just for strength and ability but for loyalty as well."

History had been a bit confused... What seemed like several lifetimes earlier, a device of sorts was created. In appearance, the device was small, metallic, and pyramid shaped... covered with odd engravings and small, jeweled patterns. The confusion entered with the Race that had created it... Once believed to be the Cthol race, researchers quickly found the parallels between the Cthol and the Kathol people. With limited knowledge of the Cthol, they quickly concluded that the Kathol was in fact the Cthol who had been believed to have created the mystical artifact.

What was this artifact? Well, this... Codex, was many things. You see, the Kathol had been very interested in sciences and especially with the Force. This curiosity combined with a series of events and ideas, led to the creation of the Codex. When activated, this powerful tool sent out a ripple through the Force... a ripple that originally attracted the Dark Jedi Halbert to seek it out. Once activated by a trained Jedi, the Codex glows and hums. Among its many uses, the artifact could be used to locate disturbances in the Force... However attractive that seemed, it was also the Codex's ability to enhance one's power to draw upon the Force. This power was the very same reason that Halbert nearly destroyed the Kathol race in order to steal the Codex. Unsuccessful, Halbret was given the choice of death, or suspended animation. The trail is lost...

History has become blank. The Codex was gone, until it was once again used by a young Jedi Knight named Pann. Little was known beyond that, and history ran blank again.

Months of searching through the restored library on Ossus had ended at the edge of a cliff. There was no where else to go. Then enters Ganner Rhysode. Kale quickly learned that the Jedi Knight had been involved in a mission to gain the Codex. In secret meeting, Kale gained knowledge of its location, and began planning the mission.

The Kashyyyk System

Sitting in the cockpit of his modified YT-2400, the Overlord, Kale was stirred from his sleep by the alarm, letting him know that they were minutes from exiting Hyperspace. Pulling his feet down from the co-pilot seat, the Jedi stretched his arms out, releasing a much needed yawn. Years of flying taught Kale that someone always needed to stay in the cockpit, just in case.

Running his hands over the controls, checking his instruments and preparing himself for the transfer from passenger to pilot, Kale's mind wandered back to the last month. He and Bannor had been the first group to leave Ossus. Being Pointman on the mission, he had tediously planned out each step that the members of Group One would take. In an attempt to keep the secrecy, he had told Rhianna and Odon that the Codex was on Onderon... Though he hated to lie, it was vital to the mission. Beta and Gamma teams would be arriving there about the same time Kale would be heading to the real home of the Codex. With the number of Sith in the Galaxy, it was vital to keep the Coin flipping in the air.

The trip from Tynna had been less than uneventful, which was good, for Kale knew that the next few days would be quite the opposite. He had been able to do some practicing with Bannor, his padawan who was just a mission away from Knighthood. Over the past months, Bannor and Kale had developed a strong friendship, and he was glad that Bannor would accompany him on this vital mission. Kale had received word only months earlier that the Sith wanted the Codex, and so Odon had assigned the Jedi, who was on the brink of becoming a full Jedi Master, the job of locating the Codex and bringing it under the protection of the Praxeum.

Lost in thought, Kale jerked forward as the ship dropped out of hyperspace. Shaking his head, he quickly checked the scanners. They were far enough away from Kashyyyk to avoid being noticed... which was the ultimate plan. He wondered how the others would react to he and Bannor not showing up... but that wasn't important. They would manage without him.

Glancing over to his R7 Droid, Kale grinned. If Kale had a credit for all the times that droid had saved his life, he would have been able to retire long ago. "Got it?" Kale asked Spinner, checking to see the coordinates loaded into the navicomp. With an affirmative series of beeps, Kale pushed the Hyperspace throttle forward, letting himself be pushed back into his seat, and watching the tiny stars seemingly stretch into bright lines.

Just hours away now, Kale could almost see the finish line. He only hoped that it would be that easy.

In Space somewhere near the Gahgrin System

Luis sat in the cockpit of the Starwinder, he switched the autopilot on and stood up. He stretched and cracked his knuckles and his neck in one movement, he had been on manual pilot for the last 4 hours without a break. The Knight looked downward, his lucky brown pack was leaning against the wall near the pilots seat, kneeling, he opened it. Inside, it was jam packed with detonator charges. He smiled and closed it tight again, it wouldn't be long now. He had been given instructions to keep his team in the dark about their destination and mission, except to tell them to expect trouble.

He gently moved the pack further into the corner and walked quickly into the seating area in the rear of the ship where his team was gathered. He glanced at each as he entered. Dirk. Hanix. Omoi. A good bunch, worthy of the colour blue, he was confident they would perform well. He smiled, the atmosphere was tense, nobody except himself knew where they were going and why. Trying to break the ice, Luis spoke:

"I hope you are all ready for this?"

He asked with a hint of mystery, shifting position to lean on the doorframe in a casual manner.

Space. Gahgrin System.

Kenshin stared blankly outward from the cockpit of the Storm Shadow at the countless dots of light that flicked passed them. Though his expression was serene, his mind was not; he kept on simulating the mission in his head. It was probably just a bad habit, to plan everything to death, but he didn't like acting to much on sudden impulse.

Breaking suddenly from his reverie, the Jedi Knight turned slightly to steal a glance at the other two occupants of the craft. Alana and Anaran. Padawans, Kenshin thought, but then even padawans shouldn't be underestimated.

Even knowing this however, did not ease the grave sense of responsibility he held over them. He felt that he should inform them of the situation they were heading into, but the orders given clashed against his judgement.

"I know we're here to blow things up, but beyond that, try not to do anything rash."

He spoke quietly with a slight chuckle in his voice and gave them an apologetic look as he couldn't say much more.

Hanix stands behind his fellow Jedi Knight, Luis. They both trained under the same Master, Luis had become a Jedi Knight before he had. Hanix was glad that Luis was the one in control of blue, for Hanix was Military Executor and it was always a good thing for him to see those that were under him take control. Hanix was here to improve his skill as a Jedi Knight. He had just had all of his responsibilities taken away from him. He was no longer a part of the Council and could no longer teach padawans. The Jedi Knight walked up to Luis and began to speak,"It's good to finally work with you again, Luis. I am glad to see that the Council finds you capable of holding a leadership role of such importance."

Hanix stood there, looking at Luis. He had certainly grown since the last time that they had worked together. The Jedi Knight just stood there waiting for his friend to respond to him.

He feels responsible(sp) Alana thought. She could feel it. She really wished he would relax, to many around her felt 'responsible' for her and it made her feel like she was being constantly babysat. She smiled slightly, aparently the Knight didn't know her past of computer slicing, security bypassing, and theifing to get what she needed. Unfortunately she had also always been a magnet for trouble she had a hard time getting out of.

"Easy engouh," she replied. "From the ground or from the air?"

Ground would be easiest... atleast in my opinion... she thought to herself