<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> That blasted sunlight!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Billion credit enterprises spanning the entire globe, and his office couldn't afford dammed automatic ray-dampening windows.

Couldn't afford, or needlessly lacked?

The later, surely.


Daemon Hyfe paced to an ungainly wall panel by the large windows spanning across the right side of the room, and slapped it hastily.

The glare immediately decreased, and the entire room dimmed slightly.


The Grand Admiral grumbled as he returned to his enormous desk. Just why was his desk so dammed big? He certainly hadn't requested it that way. Utterly ridiculous, he thought.

He slipped a stack of three data cards into his breast pocket and clicked off the multi-purpose console adorning the desk.

It wasn't until just now that he realized the pointlessness of having adjusted the window dampening.


After inspecting his uniform, Admiral Hyfe made his way out the door.


Upon passing through the small foyer, a young woman immediately jumped up and began to pursue the Admiral.


Without turning, Hyfe minutely picked up his pace.


"Sir! Admiral!"


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Almost…<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"Grand Admiral, sir!"


The grimace on Hyfe's face was forcefully diminished just before he turned around to acknowledge the woman pleading for his attention.

He greeted the petite woman with a somewhat genuine smile. "Hello, Tina."

"Good afternoon, Admiral Hyfe," the assistant replied cheerily. "Moff Harshaw called once more, sir. And I got that information you wanted on the new Venerator. Specs, equipment test results, prototype buildings logs, design notes… it’s all on here, sir." She explained as she handed him a data chip. Hyfe pocketed it.

Tina was a short woman, brunette, with the typical brown eyes that come with that. And curves in all the right places. The Admiral noticed that her attire was hardly regulation, but he thought only for a moment of calling her on it.

"Thank you, Tina," Hyfe replied sincerely. A little too sincerely for his stubborn mood. "Is there anything else?" he added harshly.

The young woman smiled dumbly. "No, sir. Zigs informed me that your shuttle is ready, if you will proceed to platform B 8-19."

The Admiral nodded and started to head towards the end of the vestibule once more.

"Good bye, sir!"


Hyfe contemplated offering a response, but simply rounded the corner instead.



*****


The drop chute took Hyfe down to level 16, and he stepped off cautiously, letting the feeling of gravity grab hold of him again for half a second before heading for a hallway, if you want to call it that, with a blue sign reading "launch pads" hanging above it.

He soon came to an open-air automatic 6 person shuttle bus. Being the only person in the vicinity, the shuttle immediately sped off once Hyfe had taken a seat and announced his desired destination, hovering over its invisible track at 25 kph.

When the small craft slowed to a stop roughly 30 seconds later, Hyfe got up and stepped off. The shuttle sped off backwards to the end, or beginning, of the long passageway.

He walked to the large doorway before him, which hissed open as he approached.

Sunlight shone in his eyes once again as he stepped outside, and he cursed silently.

A large shadow smeared across the walkway on which Hyfe found himself, and allowed him to see the Lambda-Class Imperial Shuttle perched on a landing pad not but 25 meters away.

The door hissed and banged shut behind him.

He shielded his eyes with his right hand as the shadow of the huge transport continued by, bringing the sun back to bear on him.

Upon reaching the shuttle, he noticed the two stormtroopers standing at attention at the foot of the boarding ramp. Hyfe continued past them, giving them just a glance, and the troopers immediately hurried up the ramp behind him. The ramp promptly started to rise, and it eventually hissed shut.

The pilot began with the usual pleasantries and information about the flight, but Hyfe shut him up.


Once the shuttle was in the air, Admiral Hyfe contacted Captain Davin Essian via the ship-board passenger comlink. Several seconds later, a holographic image of the Captain's face blurred to life before him.

"Greetings, Admiral," Essian said at once. "We've been eagerly awaiting word from you."

Hyfe nodded insipidly. "I'll be returning at last, Captain. How is the fleet?"

"Need you ask, Admiral? Pristine as usual, sir. But your men grow fat and hungry for action," Essian said with a smile.

The holographic image crackled.

"Are they drilling?" Hyfe asked apprehensively.

"Of course, sir! And scores are up an average of 4%."

The shuttle shook mildly as they began to break atmosphere.

"Good," the Admiral said plainly. "My shuttle will arrive in 3 hours."

"We'll be waiting, sir." The Captain paused. "May I inquire if we will be venturing to Xa Fel, sir?"

The Grand Admiral eyed him carefully. "No, Captain. It is not our place."

Captain Essian clearly didn't understand. The holograph crackled again. "Aye, sir." Essian replied, none-the-less. "Safe journey, Admiral."

Hyfe nodded once more, and cut the transmission.


Out the view port, the Admiral could see the thin remnant of Muunilist's atmosphere suddenly drop away as the shuttle broke into the vacuum of space. The shuttle banked slightly, and as the Admiral glanced out the opposite viewport, he could see massive space stations and part of the enormous mine field protecting the planet. The Lamda shuttle eased into an out-bound traffic lane, slowing drastically from their fast ascent through the planets atmosphere.

And then the massive fleet came into view. The first legion of Sentinel Fleet Division II – Kaine's Division. The 256th.

And the Admiral remembered… Muunilist. So long ago…

Had it really been that long?

The Grand Admiral had a great respect for General Simon Kaine. Everyone in the Empire knew this. The man was a genius leading his troops into battle. And then he was plopped at the head of a massive fleet, probably against his will, the Admiral thought, and yet still he led his forces to victory.

But how would his diplomatic skills hold up? As the highest-ranking member of The New Order traveling to Xa Fel to meet with the Sith of TNSO, Kaine had a heavy responsibility. He was again being dropped into unfamiliar turf. And yet the Admiral had absolutely no doubts.

The shuttle swung to the port, bringing the mighty <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Galactus<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> into view for a brief moment as the Lambda headed for a pair of nav buoys. What a beautiful ship…


Soon that fleet would be leaving Moneyland and heading into the heart of the Sith territory.


The negotiations between TNO and The Naboo Sith Order had occupied the majority of the Admirals time over the past few weeks. This was certainly one of the most important decisions ever made by The New Order.

Much would be gained from this… unification, as General Kaine had put it.


It was some time ago that Admiral Hyfe had approached The Naboo Sith Order with his proposal of a closer bond between the two factions. And the ease at which the Sith had agreed, and to the grand extent, surprised the Grand Admiral.

Both parties had much to gain from this arrangement, indeed.

And if these talks went well… it would be final.


The time was fast approaching.


Fortune smiled upon them.


And the Empire smiled back.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> May the galaxy quake and tremble before our power<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, Hyfe thought.

Malice was speechless for a moment as he took in everything within this gigantic place. Truth be told he to had not been inside a ESD bridge, but the thought of any command bridge being this big amazed him. He studied every single screen for a few minutes each. Marveling at the size of TNSO's fleet. He had help with constructing some of these titans, but had never seen just how man there were all together.


Hearing Lord Poreons comment about the sith made him both mad and disappointed. Sith were a breed meant to fear, and if there were no fear then there can be no sith. They being the predominant sith group alive would have to change that. And Malice would make sure that would happen, he would strike a new kind of fear into the hearts of everyone within the galaxy. He will give a new meaning as to why sith should be feared.


Malice glanced over at Lord Snack and saw he had th same thoughts as well, the sith knight bowed his head in respect just as Snack had bowed. Hearing his question Malice decided he would pick a place, but took a few minutes to think.


*If i may lord Snack, personally i would feel more comfortable if this were to continue at TNSO's palace. Or since we are already here, in this ship, why not have the talks here. There is certainly enough room for many guests, asi can only imagine with such an important occasion that many will come and say their peace*


Malice quieted down abit, thinking more and more about the siuation. Malice then smiled, he knew the perfect place.


*Nay mi'lords,forget my second suggestion. I vote we have it here, on Xa Fel. I can sense through the force that many are coming here already. We are here, the ships are here. So it is only fitting that the talks commence right here, in the honorable home of the sith*

Stars shrunk suddenly back to stillness, and aboard the Lambda Shuttle, Grand Admiral Hyfe slowly became aware once more.

He must have dozed off somewhere during the 3 hour trip.


Belkadan loomed before them now, its Gencore Mk. I shield generator activated for reasons that eluded the Admiral, but more importantly… so too did the entire 1st Legion of Sentinel Division I. And with that… the Eclipse-Class Super Star Destroyer <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Ebony Vigilance<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->.

The miniscule shuttle was bathed in ion exhaust as it swept wide around the first Battle Group of Sentinel Fleet I-I, and dropped in behind the massive Eclipse. A black craft of gargantuan proportions, the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Ebony Vigilance<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> was the flag ship of the entire New Order. And it was under the Grand Admiral's command.

The blue ion emissions of the Eclipse's enormous thrust engines glowed brightly as the Lambda shuttle dropped in from behind, letting the massive shadow of the Empire's flag ship cast over them, now flanked by 2 TIE Fighters that had dropped in behind shortly after their emergence from hyperspace. The shuttle continued for several minutes beneath the city-sized space ship until the foreward officers launch bay came into view. The shuttle made a slow wide spiral to come in line with the conservatively sized hangar bay.

At last the shuttle was captured in a pocket of air as the bay shield came back to life with a slight shimmer of green static. The sublight engines switched off, only to be replaced by the whine of the shuttles repulsorlift engines as it began to lower to the shuttle bay floor.

Below, the Grand Admiral could see a welcoming party awaiting his arrival.




<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Bridge of the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Ebony Vigilance<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


"Grand Admiral on deck!"

Daemon Hyfe found himself facing dozens and dozens of officers standing at attention by their posts.

"WELCOME HOME, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> SIR<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->!" the entire bridge crew shouted in unison.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> How quaint…<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> the Grand Admiral thought to himself… but inwardly, he was indeed quite pleased. His mood had improved drastically upon first seeing his mighty fleet again.

How allowed for a grim smile and addressed the bridge… something he very rarely did.

"It's good to be home, boys. Thank you." He took a very fast glance around, and then: "At ease."

The crewers remained at attention for another heartbeat, and then quickly returned to their duties.

"Very nice, Captain," The Admiral intoned with a hint of sarcasm as Essian approached from the right.

"I thought you'd like it, Admiral," the Captain said merrily, his pink lips curling up in a goofy smile beneath his closely trimmed beard. "It is indeed good to have you back, sir. A fleet without its Admiral is like a bunch of nerfs without their herder."

The Admiral gazed at him dissonantly for a moment. "Interesting choice of words, Captain Essian," he remarked, but then a smile escaped his lips at the realization that the man had been trying to make a joke.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Very funny…<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The Captain briefed him on all fleet matters recent New Order matters as usual as Admiral Hyfe made his way to his command chair and took a seat.

"… and I've received word that all persons participating in the discussions with The Naboo Sith Order are now well on their way to Xa Fel, sir."

The Grand Admiral closed his eyes, and leaned back in his seat. "Wonderful."

The Captain took this sudden passiveness as a sign of dismissal, nodded, and returned to his post.


Grand Admiral Hyfe let another smile creep onto his hawk-like face. A good mood, indeed.


Soon the New Orders representatives would be arriving at Xa Fel, and the meeting would begin.

One of the most important meetings in the history of The Naboo Sith Order and The New Order.

One of the most important meetings in the galaxy.

A Week and One-Half Later

“I’m Shannon Tilly,” a fragile looking woman said into a microphone as her words and image were broadcasted throughout the galaxy, “Reporting for the Galactic NewsCorp. I’m standing inside the Naboo Sith Order’s Elder Council chambers. The place is literally swarming with people. The crowd here is expecting something on this closing day of ceremonies that will culminate an eleven day delegation between the Empire and the Order.”

It was the final day of talks between the New Order and the Naboo Sith Order; and on this final day, the sacred conference chambers of the Council of Elders had been opened up to anyone who could find room in the general audience chamber immediately in front of the meeting tables. Nearly twelve thousand people crammed into the Council of Elders’ conference chambers, and millions more watched the proceedings over a live simulcast on the HoloNet.

“Energy inside this massive chamber is enough to surge every circuit breaker in the galaxy. The mood has been like this all week, and both the Imperial leaders and the Sith leaders have been using this energy to bring the talks to an early end.”

“If you haven’t been tuning in to the Galactic NewsCorp broadcast of the talks this past week and a half, my correspondent will fill you in. Mike.”

“Thank you Shannon,” a Kuati male said as his image replaced Shannon’s. “I’m Mike Shesh, reporting for the Galactic NewsCorp from a Mobile Command Craft, the MACC, in orbit above the Xa Fel. It is just one of many Order ships and Empire ships orbiting the capital world.”

“As mentioned earlier, today will be the final day for talks between the Empire and the Order. Today is expected to be pretty much a promotional day of speeches, photo-ops, signatures and handshakes. The real work behind the new collective, the Galactic Empire, has taken place under closed doors; but press releases have provided us with extensive information.”

“To recap, delegations during the first week concerned the most pressing issue: division of command over planets, protection, construction and fleets…. Wait a second. The first of the Sith Order delegates is arriving now. We return to Shannon at the Conference Chambers.”

The image shifted back to Shannon, “Thank you Mike. Down the emerald carpet comes the entire command hierarchy of the Order. First comes the Council of Elders, followed by the Knights, the Disciples and finally the Admirals. They are making a full circle of the chamber, shaking every individual’s hand. What a display of respect and honor to the citizens!”

“As they wrap up their handshaking, I might add this took nearly thirty minutes, the leaders of the Order take their seats and await the Empire’s delegates.”

"Admiral Kaine? Admiral?"


Simon swiveled around in his chair to accept the incoming communications from his Office Aide on Muunilist.

"It's 'General', as you well know Linda." he replied, acknowledging the signal.


"Tell that to Moff Handler, Sir." she retorted as she told him of the transmission. "Apparently the Moff has been trying several sources to reach you. It was regarding the Sith, Sir."

Kaine sat back in his Command Chair thinking quickly. <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> No doubt, with the blackout on the operation, there would be no end to questions and very few answers.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"Thank you, Linda. We will handle that from here."

"Very good Admiral," The corners of Kaine's lips curved slightly upward at the title. "Good Hunting, and Good Luck."


"To us all, Galactus out."


The General turned to the Comm Officer who had terminated the transmission and ordered him to raise the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Victory<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->.


The General's overall Second in Command of the 256th, secured the transmission as he came on.

"Captain Chandler. There is going to be a slight deviation in our flight plan. More specifically, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> your<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> flight plan."

"How much of a time delay?" the Captain asked, knowing where they were headed.

"A few hours at best. I want you to head to Imperial Center and persuade Moff Handler to accompany you."


"Shall I not take 'No' for an answer?" Chandler asked, wondering just how much persuasion he should use.

"No.no..nothing like that. That man is our best diplomat and this action is his field of battle more than mine. If I am going to achieve the singular goal of Unification, then I need the best by my side."

"This could turn sour real quick, yes?"

"It could...there is potential for great harm.. just as great as the potential benefits. I need to avoid those pitfalls and Handler can point them out. Once he's aboard, meet us at the edge of the Xa Fel system."

"We'll be there sir."


"That is all, Captain.."




***


The trip was long which did nothing to ease the General's apprehension. He'd spent the better part of the trip locked away reading up on the Sith.

He left no rumor unturned, left to supposition behind, and tried to read between the lines of even documented facts to get a better understanding of the Sith psyche.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Darkside...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The classic conflict of light vs. dark.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> With members outright claiming to be bastions of evil, what sort of effect would this have on the planetary populations controlled by the Sith?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


One would have to imagine that after a while, Imperial procedures, law, and living would take root in their society but ..<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> how deep does this Sith control extend?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He knew the Empire's early dealings with the Sith after Bastion gained ascendancy after the fall of Coruscant, were great successes...largely due to the efforts of the men and women of that age..


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Moff Handler being one of the few left remaining.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The Moff, though, retired from active politics still held quite a bit of respect and power...<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> especially for one whose office was civilian in nature..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> He was the mediator between the Fleet, then run by Grand Admiral Zell, and the Regent, Darth Exceron.


The Regent!


He too was a Sith wasn't he?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Kaine tried hard to remember as the facts surrounding the Empire's enigmatic Regent were scarce.




"General?" came a voice interrupting his thoughts.


"Yes, Captain Varrel?"


"We've entered the Xa Fel system and I think you'd better see this.."


"On my way, Captain."



**


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Captain was correct. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it myself..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The largest vessel Kaine had ever seen was silhouetted against the sphere of Xa Fel.


"Have they spotted us yet?"


"Doesn't look like it, Sir."


"Then we hold here until the Victory arrives."


"Sir? A transmission...it's from Captain Chandler."


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Chandler with Handler..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> Kaine thought off-handedly.


The holographic projection started to take shape into Captain Chandler when he was unceremoniously shoved aside and an older man appeared and rasped out, "Have they seen you yet?"


Kaine was taken aback. "I am at a disadvantage Mr..?"


"Yes! You are, Admiral! HAve they seen you!"


"No.."


"Charge your weapons NOW!" the old man nearly shouted.


"Do it!" Kaine reacted instantly as the weapon ports of the fleet began to glow red.


"Sir," a scanning officer started, "They may pick us up now!"


"Moff Handler, I presume?" Kaine turned to the holographic projection. "May I ask what this is all about?"


"Admiral, I just saved you 6 weeks of work of trying to defend your worth to the Sith and explain why this 'unification' benefits them."

"I was under the impression Moff, that they want this as bad as the Empire?"

"Yes, you would be under that impression. And I am under the impression that the Empire someday wishes to rule the entire galaxy... but, my dear Admiral, tell me.. tell <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> them<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, why <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> today<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->? What we want is often covered over with what is practical."


"You could have signaled earlier.."


"Yes, Admiral, I could have if your Captain had not been so paranoid about this blackout restrictions on information. It took me several hours to get what I wanted out of him though now that I know, the blackout makes sense."

The older man leaned forward, his eyes sharp as ever and Kaine moved to match his gesture.

"I thank you for your assistance Moff Handler and appreciate you continued cooperation."


The Moff's eyes narrowed slightly but there was a hint of humor around them. Something that wasn't normally ascribed to the Moff.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> What else don't we know about Moff Handler? It would probably fill volumes.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"Admiral, I am just a simple man on an extended cruise and nothing more than a civilian."


Kaine had to smile at the Moff.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The man is shrewd.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"No Sir." Kaine started and the humor fell from the Moff's face. "You are the SOB that is going to save my bacon with these Sith and give the Empire renewed vigor and strength..."


"While respecting the Sith.." the Moff added.


"..while respecting these Sith." Kaine continued and the Moff chuckled lightly.


"You'll do General. You'll do."

"My I speak with my Captain."

"Of course, Admiral, of course.. Carry on." and the older man disapeared and Captain Chandler came back on.


"Some day you'll ask me for a favor..." he started and Kaine chuckled.

"That man is to be protected at all costs Captain."

"Yes sir." as the Moff's voice came over as he was asking a targeting officer about system upgrades.


"The man is intently interested in military technology and improvements..." The Captain started.



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Aron Astrin.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Kaine remembered the name in a footnote but thought not to investigate.


Chandler was continuing, "In any event, we should be on station there in two hours."


"Very well Captain.."


The transmission ended and Kaine stole a glance at the massive ship of the Sith that the scanners had identified.


"..these are going to be an interesting few weeks." he murmured.

The Paltus sat in above Ralltiir, moving away at top cruising speed. Admiral Lei Lebron was in a conferance room, with himself in there only. Around a table, where seven other faces, each a line commander. In the Shroud hierarchy, it went a division, of fifty ships, which held five lines, of ten ships, each holding two packs of five ships. There were also clusters, of 25 ships.

All of them, not in a traditional Imperial uniform as the Shrouds were kept cooler than most other starships to help mask heat signatures. They were all fairly young commanders, non older than forty as the Shroud units were a fairly new style of warfare.

"We're going to Xa Fel?" said commander Niet Lor, his voice was very nasal. Nearly annoying, luckily his ability to lead was good enough to keep him getting promoted.

"Yes. No more questions please, we are late as it is. I'm transmitting your orders though as we speak, please read them in the nice long trip." Lei spurted out.

Obviously, one of the commanders, Ek Dorer, was pissed about not getting his forty-eight hour leave as he cursed rather loudly just before the holo-conferance ended. This brought Lebron into a smile upon his face, happy to know his men are still alive.

"The line is ready to move out sir," said Commander Greg Roche, who was standing in the doorway.

"Good, make it so. I want to be in Xa Fel before the end of the month." Lebron commanded.

"Yes sir." With that, Roche exited the small conferance room and went to give out his orders. Lei heard his booming voice through the opened door. Moments later, he felt the ship lurch forward and into hyperspace. The hard part was over with, now to sit back, relax and enjoy the trip.

~~~~

Some time had passed since the Shrouds had left dock at Ralltiir. Lei Lebron had been reviewing tactics for all sorts of situations. Sometimes he would make them up as he went along since this was a brand new division and protocal had yet to be written up.

The Admiral stuck a peice of nerf meat into his mouth as he was reading. Seasoned lightly in some sort of marinaide. Very good, Lei thought as he took another bite from the slab of meat. The lights in his study dimmed a bit and he felt the ship come out of hyperspace.

"Uhh...Sir. You wanted me to infor--" Spoke the man on the otherside, Commander Roche.

"I noticed Greg." Lei said in a dry angry tone.

"Sir?" Commander Roche had more to say.

"Yes?"

"We've formed up around Admiral Kaines fleet sir. In Alpha-Noob formation."

"Excellent." Lebron smiled, remembering that A-N was splitting the force up into quarters, one to the left; one to the right; one above and one below. The command group, usually above and the unit leaders line flanked around the flag ship, five on each side.

"One more thing sir." Roche said a kind of uncertainy was in his voice.

"Yes?"

"Some leauteniant from the Admiral's ship says you are to report to the surface with Admiral Kaine, and be ready to present a speech." Lei cursed profusely.