Second Chance/Part 9

Darth Saleej stood on his private bridge, bathed in the bloodlight, beholding the world below and the faint flashes of light at its horizon. "Progress?"

"A skirmish only, my lord," Darth Hokhtan admitted. "A few careless Republic cruisers on patrol. Helpful, but not decisive."

The Kaleesh reached out with the Force; he could faintly sense the deaths aboard the doomed vessels. It was invigorating, but not empowering as true victory would have been. "And below?"

"Lord Zedum's strategy was less than game-changing," the Human said aridly. "Vandak maimed a Knight and Alecto killed a Padawan, but those are the only reports we have. Latra's…'eater' was killed by Darakhan—he's here now too—and Sarnan was blown apart by a walker.  And adepts died anyway."

"Darakhan?" Saleej asked, turning his masked visage to Lord Rhutizh, who stood on his other side.

The Devaronian bowed his head in contrition. "We learned of it first today. I suspect no one who challenged him before survived."

"Darakhan and Kal-Di…and they say Elata Cazars is among them too." Saleej squeezed his sword hand into a fist, aching to test his blade against the Twi'lek master, to teach her what true mastery was.

Neither of his deputies spoke, and after a moment Saleej asked, "Time?"

"Growing short," Rhutizh responded. "Our spies on Coruscant report Senator Iltek has prevailed upon the Supreme Chancellor personally."

Another being in need of a Sith's lightsaber, Saleej thought, but Phnyong would have to keep for another day. "Lantillies remains as troublesome as ever. If Taanab hangs in the balance, I must return to shore up our gains there."

Turning to face them, he said, "Darth Hokhtan, Taanab must fall, one way or another. The time for cautious baiting is ended.  Overrun the Jedi lines and level the city of Pandath.  If we take the planet, its people will understand what awaits continued defiance.  And if we must withdraw, we leave the Jedi a corpse of a world to commemorate their 'victory'."

Hokhtan bowed his head. "It will be done, master."

"You two must remain here in command, but see to it that every other Sith Lord, Acolyte, and adept bears arms to the field," he added. "Lay waste to the Republic army, and drink deep of Jedi blood."