User:Darth Dracon

Darth Dracon

Draco Lazarus was born on the planet Sati Prime, along the border of the Outer Rim. Satians age much slower than humans do. This allows the Satians an incredibly long lifespan. From what we have gathered, the average lifespan of a Satian is that of just over three hundred years. This allows Satians to age one year physically for every four years of passing time. This allows a Satian of one hundred twenty years to appear physically no older than thirty. Sati Prime is the largest and most populated planet of the Galridan Sati system, comprising twelve planets, four of which are habitable.

Information about Draco’s youth is limited, but it is believed that he was born around 4100 BBY and that he served in the Republic military during the Sith War. Some information indicates that at age 90 in 4010 BBY, he left Sati Prime aboard a spice freighter headed back into the Republic interior. He paid for his voyage by volunteering as a crewmember. Because the ship had limited hyper-drive capabilities, it took five years to reach Coruscant (age 27.5). When he arrived, Draco sought work as a laborer in the shipyards of the Republic Navy. In an unconfirmed report, he aided a small group of Republic Naval officers investigating a series of crimes on stolen equipment on the docks. For his contribution in the investigation, a senior officer recommended Draco for the Republic Naval Academy.

Despite being chronologically older than all his classmates and most of his instructors, Draco’s remarkable physiology allowed him to compete physically with those nearly a century younger than he. Draco graduated from the Academy with top honors and entered the Republic Marine Corps in about 4000 BBY, at the age of 100 years. He served as commanding officer of a special Marine Recon unit assigned to a Jedi Task Force to fight in the Battle of Empress Teta and later against the Mandalorians that sided with Exar Kun, a rouge Jedi Knight that had become a self-proclaimed Sith Lord.

Battle of Basilisk

Draco served as a First Lieutenant at the Battle of Basilisk. The following are details of that battle:

The details surrounding the Battle of Basilisk are obscure at best, but what is known is that the world of Basilisk was invaded by the Mandalorians during their campaign of expansion. In response to this, the Republic sent a relief force, under the command of Jedi Master Sidrona Diath, to the aid of the Basiliskans. However, even with the support of the Republic forces, the Basiliskans found their lines being overrun by the more numerous Mandalorians. Realizing that they were going to lose the battle, the Basiliskans decided to poison their own planet so that the conquerors would not be able to use the world. Before long, the planet of Basilisk fell to the Mandalorians who, because the planet's surface was virtually destroyed, decided to abandon the world and continue their campaign of aggression. Nonetheless, the Mandalorians were able to acquire a sizable number of war droids which the technologically-minded Basiliskans had created, and would use them in future battles; the Mandalorians also captured a large number of the reptile-like Basiliskans, and through centuries of warfare they degenerated into the Lagartoz War Dragons. The battle proved to the Republic the danger posed by the Mandalorians and their aggressive tactics. It also saw the death of Sidrona Diath during the fighting.

Draco’s recon team was tasked with locating the Mandalorian base camp for the coming ground war. Draco took and advanced team of six Marines and was successful in locating the camp, infiltrating the compound and acquiring vital information on the Mandalorian troop movements. A firefight ensued during the mission that left two Marines wounded and left Draco with a long thin scar down the right side of his face caused by a frag grenade thrown by a Mandalorian sentry. In the all out battle, Draco’s recon team was very successful in neutralizing ammo depots and sabotaging various weapons platforms that the Mandalorians intended to use against the Republic Forces. However, this would not be enough to secure a victory of the Republic. For his actions, Draco was awarded a Battle Star for heroism, the Basilisk Campaign Badge and was promoted to Captain.

Battle of Koros Major

After the defeat of the Republic and Jedi Forces at Basilisk, the leaders of both decided what aide to send to Koros Major, the last planet in the Tetan System that was resisting the Krath coup. At the head of this fleet were the Jedi Knights Nomi Sunrider and Ulic Qel-Droma. Under the leadership of the Jedi, the battle fleet departed Republic space and made its way to the Empress Teta system. When the joint fleet emerged from hyperspace, it found that its destination, Koros Major, was under attack by a large Krath invasion fleet. It seemed that the battle was all but over.

While the Jedi and Republic fleet engaged the Krath, Draco’s recon team was tasked with infiltrating the flagship of the Krath, locating the engine room and sabotaging the reactors and its offensive and defensive weapons systems allowing the Republic fleet to destroy the leaders of the Krath Invasion force. All went according to plan as they reached the ship and made their way to the engine room when they were identified by Krath security forces. A long firefight ensued that left three of Draco’s Marines dead and three more wounded. The remaining Marines pushed through the wall of Krath resistance, made their way to the control panels, and were able to lower the shields of the ship long enough for the Republic ships to damage it with a barrage of canon fire.

Making their way back to the hanger bay, Draco’s surviving team was surrounded by two dozen Krath soldiers, barrels aimed at the recon team. Draco felt a great surge of anger well up inside him and as he looked up at the commander of the Krath soldiers, he wished that he had a grenade that he could lob. No sooner had he thought this than the soldiers surrounding them all were pushed back and across the hanger bay deck by some unknown force, as if a concussion grenade had gone off. Draco wasted no time in wondering what had occurred as he secured his men on the stolen Krath shuttle and blasted their way through the hanger doors.

The shuttle made it safely back to the Republic command ship Reliance I. After several days of debriefing, Draco was awarded another Battle Star, two Republic Citations of Bravery, a Purple Cluster for injuries sustained while in combat, the Koros Major Campaign award, two Silver Moons, the Republic Navy Cross and a Senatorial Medal of Honor. He was promoted to Major and appointed as chief instructor of the Reconnaissance and Special Warfare school at the Naval Academy on Coruscant.

While there, Draco was befriended by a Jedi Knight named Soria Del who could feel the faint whisper of the Force within Draco. Draco recounted the story of how he was able to get his recon team off the Krath command ship during the Battle of Koros Major. Soria Del told Draco that he was Force sensitive and might be trained as a Jedi, especially with the numbers of the Jedi Order being dwindled after the attack on Ossus, starting the Second Battle of Empress Teta. Draco politely declined his invitation to be presented before the Jedi Council at Coruscant’s Temple. Draco insisted that he could better serve the Republic on the frontlines with the Marine Corps.

During the months leading up to the Second Battle of Empress Teta, Draco sharpened his military skills while training new groups of officers looking to join the elite ranks of the Marine Recon teams. Draco had almost full autonomy in selecting those applicants that not only physically and mentally were capable of the rigors of recon, but also those that shared his views on the Krath and the war. Draco was able to hand select his next recon team when he would again be deployed back to the fleet.

Draco had handpicked his personal command of ten of the most highly trained and elite Recon Marines that the Corps had ever seen. During the time surrounding the Dark Reaper Campaign, the little-known Battle of Ko Vari took place. However, the only detail that is known about this battle is that it apparently involved the forces of the Republic and/or Jedi who fought the Krath within the region known as Hutt Space. Other than the participants, which history is even unsure of, no information has surfaced regarding this skirmish. It is believed that Draco and his recon team fought in this battle. It is also believed that Draco’s entire team was killed during this campaign. Draco received a second Senatorial Medal of Honor and a Golden Sun. For reasons unknown, Draco requested reassignment to the Republic Flagship for the remainder of the battle. Draco handpicked another group of Marines to train as Recon Marines.

They served in the following battles:

''Battle of Foerost First Battle of Coruscant Second Battle of Coruscant''

Draco would leave the battlefield after seven years of operational activity. He was promoted in 3995 BBY from Major to his final rank of Full Colonel, having been awarded numerous honors to warrant skipping the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Draco was also the only person in Mil-Com history to move up the chain of command with such speed. What would normally take a person twenty-five to thirty years to accomplish, Draco achieved in only seven. Draco remained an instructor for another decade after the Great Sith War, directing the School for Reconnaissance and Special Warfare (3995 – 3985 BBY).

For his exemplary commitment to the Republic and his impeccable record, Colonel Draco Lazarus had been awarded the following honors during his service:

''Senatorial Medal of Honor (total of two, one for Battle of Koros Major and Battle of Ko Vari*) Senatorial Medal of Courage Senatorial Medal of Valo Battle Stars (total of four) Silver Moons (for valor, total of five), Gold Sun (honor at Battle of Ko Vari*) Republic Navy Cross (total of two) Marine Corps. Fidelity Badge Marine Corps. Master Instructors Badge with gold cluster Marine Corps. Special Warfare Medal Campaign Badges for Battle of Foerost, First and Second Battles of Coruscant The Chancellor’s Award for Freedom The Republic Star (for exemplary military service) The Marine Recon Command Medal of Merit The Golden Order of Jorth (for rescuing a Senator from Alderaan) Jedi Order Citation of Aide for rescuing three Jedi wounded in the Second Battle of Empress Teta.''

(*=Classified Campaigns)

Draco was approached by the Jedi Council during the Great Hunt to learn how best the Jedi might employ stealth, tracking and unarmed combat in seeking out the remaining Sith and destroying creatures as the tentareks. This training, coupled with the lifelong Jedi training ought to have great results, though the Jedi Council.

The Mandalorian War part I:

In early 3976 BBY, the Mandalorians returned and had started to conquer worlds on the edges of Republic space in the Outer Rim. Early Republic intelligence reports indicated that the Mandalorians might be trying to secure stronghold worlds to launch a full invasion of the Republic. The Republic Military Command (Mil-Com) convinced the Supreme Chancellor to allow them to send an advanced recon team to gather additional intelligence on the Mandalorian’s movements. The Admiralty was convinced that the mission would involve infiltrating the Mandalorian lines and gather intelligence for a long period. In addition, the team would be cut off from the Republic and therefore from any form of back up. If the team were caught, they were effectively on their own. The chances of returning from this mission were very low and the Admiralty knew it. They finally decided that there was only one man that could assemble an elite recon team and perform the mission within acceptable parameters. The Supreme Chancellor and the Admiral of the Republic Fleet called for Draco Lazarus.

Draco was initially hesitant to take on a mission to the Outer Rim again. He insisted that he was retired from the active military and that he would offer his assistance only as a senior advisor. He tried to convince the Admiralty that the current director of Reconnaissance was qualified to carry out the mission, a man that Draco had trained personally. Nevertheless, the Chancellor convinced Draco that the Republic needed his service once again. Draco reluctantly agreed and was reinstated at his former rank of colonel.

Draco handpicked four young, tough and highly decorated Marines for four months in advanced recon and infantry training. Draco taught the team to rely on each other as the parameters of this particular mission would call for their complete separation of any and all Republic aide. In the event that the team was caught, separated or killed, the surviving members swore that they would attempt one rescue mission to save the others. If unsuccessful, the team would have to leave those fallen members behind, a plan that was against the very code of the Recon Marines of never leaving a fallen comrade behind. Draco drove home the fact that this mission was not sanctioned through Mil-Com, but was a ‘black’ operation.

The events of that mission were classified by Republic Mil-Com and the mission was deemed a matter of Galactic Security. No records exist to this day of the mission. We only have an incomplete record of the High Admiral that was witness to the meeting between Mil-Com, the Chancellor and Draco.

It would seem that the mission lasted longer than Mil-Com had calculated. For eight long years, Draco and his recon team observed the Mandalorians, recording troop movements, armaments, they treatment of those conquered and captured, the Mandalorian political machine and other invaluable intelligence. Mil-Com had by this time believed that Draco and his team died at the hands of the Mandalorians. However, Draco and his entire team returned, unharmed, much to the surprise of the Admiralty in 3968 BBY. It took weeks to debrief the team and the information was indeed deemed invaluable to the security of the Republic. While meeting with Mil-Com, Draco advised an offensive assault on the Mandalorians to ensure that they could no longer present a viable threat to the Republic and its security. Unfortunately, the Senate thought otherwise and decided that as long as the Mandalorians stayed on the Outer Rim, no action should be taken. For his service on this dangerous mission, Draco was awarded the Senatorial Medals of Courage and Valor.

Frustrated with Mil-Com, the Chancellor and the Senate, Draco sought out his old friend Soria Del, now a Jedi Master, on Coruscant. For reasons unexplained, Soria Del took Draco on as his Padawan learner. Despite Draco’s age of 132 Galactic Standard Years, he did not physically appear older than 33 years of age. As one of, if not definitely the oldest Padawan ever to be accepted for training, Draco’s military skills served him well during the physically punishing rigors of Jedi training. Soria persuaded Draco to become a Jedi Guardian, as his martial skills were not only far beyond impressive, but his attitude and demeanor were equally suited to the tasks of a Guardian. Draco’s tutelage of the Force under Soria Del focused on his ability to touch the Force, focus it, amplify it and use it to augment his already well-trained abilities.

Tales of Draco’s military service during the Sith War became legendary at the Jedi Temple. Many young Padawans and Jedi Knights were eager to hear him recount tales of his actions during the war and of the Jedi that he had once served with. Even the Jedi Masters would invite him into Council to speak of his experiences during the war and his knowledge of the Sith as it was under Exar Kun and Ulic Qel-Droma. Draco was given permission by the Jedi Council to instruct Jedi Knights and Masters in the ancient and exotic martial art Teräs Käsi, supplementing their Jedi training. Even though not a full Jedi, Draco became the Jedi Temple’s Unarmed Combat Master, a position that had been created for Draco.

Data tapes from the time record that Draco was a fast learner, becoming a superb adept of several of the old lightsaber combat forms in a mere matter of months. It was speculated that Draco was a an expert of Shii-Cho, Makashi, Shien, Soresu, Ataru and Niman within the first three years of his undertaking Jedi training. It is recorded that Master Kavar once stated that Draco preferred Ataru for its acrobatic and highly mobile maneuvers that complimented his aggressive military training and that he had also mastered Niman, aiming to wear out his opponents. Master Vosh noted that despite Draco’s rough exterior and training as a Republic soldier, Draco had an inner peace that radiated throughout.

Draco apprenticed under Soria Del for only five years before being allowed to take the Jedi Trails, the first ever to do so in such a short time span. In one of the most spectacular performances ever witnessed by the Jedi Council, Draco finished each trial perfectly. It could be said that obtaining Knighthood was a relatively simple task for Draco. Yet he humbly acknowledged the instruction of his master, Soria Del for his training in the Force, the instruction of Master Kavar for his training in the lightsaber forms and of the Fellian Jedi Master F’lorpta Gknuh for helping Draco refine his martial abilities through the Force. Draco’s first assignment as a Jedi Knight was to join a Republic relief effort near the Outer Rim worlds that had been severely ravaged by the Mandalorians. Again, it would seem, fate destined Draco to return to the pit of war.

Draco became discontent with the Jedi Council’s complacency towards the suffering of the victims of the Mandalorian Wars around 3962 BBY. Draco was not alone in his sentiments as another disenfranchised Jedi Knight by the name of Revan was actively voicing his opinions and concerns of the Jedi’s hesitation to engage the Mandalorians. Where Revan came from or his real name was not known. It had been said that Revan might have been born in the Outer Rim. Draco might have felt a small connection to Revan, if it were true.

Revan was spearheading Jedi involvement in the overt Mandalorian invasion into the Republic proper. While the Council would advise caution and a ‘wait and see approach’ to the crisis, these actions and ideologies were foreign to Draco whose mentality was more in line with Revan’s and the Republic’s at the time.

Draco arranged a meeting with Revan, who at the time was being called the Revanchist Leader by the media. The results of that meeting are unknown, but soon after, Draco would join Revan’s cause and would side with him against the Mandalorian threat. Draco would come to be known as the Revanchist Combat Instructor, training many Jedi and republic soldiers both in exotic and advanced forms of unarmed combat.

While the Council did not fully disavow Draco’s actions, they did voice their disappointment in Draco for not adhering to the Jedi Code. In the only communicate on record between Draco and the Jedi Council, Draco states his point of view of the crisis:

Great Masters of the Jedi Council:

It is with sincerest wishes that you will see that Jedi involvement in this war is not only required, but necessary. As a former Republic soldier, I can tell you without a doubt that the Republic will suffer heavy losses engaging the Mandalorians. As a Jedi, I can also tell you without a doubt that defending the Republic will take more than what the Republic military can muster against the Mandalorians.

They are superbly trained warriors and aggressive soldiers. I must tell you that I am disheartened to see that the current Council is so hesitant in making a decision to aide the Republic. I know that Jedi are peace keepers and can not fight wars for the Republic, but I have been witness to past Jedi Councils that recognized the severity of situations as they arose and in unity, the Jedi stood to defend the freedom and ideals of the Republic during very dark times. I served with many Jedi in the past during the Sith War including Nomi Sunrider and Master Sidrona Diath. I have witnessed their selfless sacrifices and hold all Jedi to their example. Those of you that are not old enough to have participated in the Sith War will not remember the words of Master Dello Fornellis during the First Battle of Coruscant:

“My fellow Jedi and Soldiers of the Republic; the time has come when history calls upon us all to push back the darkness of evil and allow those that are capable, to write a bright future. When in the absence of light, darkness shall gain strength and consume wholly all that it encompasses. The enemy is near. Many of us are scared of the outcome. However, if we do not give all that we are, then we have failed.

We fail the Republic, those people that depend on us to fight for they cannot. We fail the Senate, whose ideals of liberty and democracy have stood for countless millennia. We fail the Jedi Order by not standing our ground against the Sith, the sworn enemy of the Jedi, those that would see us destroyed.

As the Sith approach, I can feel the uneasy emotions of you all, rushing around each of you, in anticipation and excited fear. Do not fear death for it is the natural end of life. Do not mourn those that become one with the Force, for they have become more powerful than any of us. Do not forget your fallen comrades nor the sacrifices they made so that we may stand here today, prepared. And do not doubt your strength, your abilities or your inner peace.

We cannot afford ourselves doubt. Doubt leads to fear and fear to the dark side. My brothers-in-arms, we must stand fast and never let the darkness permeate through the shining veil of the light. We must set the precedent by which future generations that hear the call of liberty, crying for its defense will answer without hesitation. We can neither allow the enemy to gain ground on our hallowed soil nor allow them to retreat to such. If each of us finds the courage to stand, then together we cannot be defeated.

Long Live the Republic!

Apparently, Draco’s charismatic plea fell upon deaf ears concerning the Jedi and Draco fully committed himself to the Revanchist and followed him to war.

The Mandalorian War part II:

Draco had his previous military rank of colonel reinstated by the Republic when the Revanchist forces joined with those of the Republic. Though not a Jedi General, Revan allowed Draco command of his own capital ship and his own personnel out of respect, including a mixed hybrid team of elite Marine Recon soldiers and Jedi Knights, trained in the most special warfare tactics that Draco had developed during his time as director of the Special Warfare School.

Revan was a brilliant military strategist but realized that Draco had much more experience than any Jedi Knight or soldier serving in this campaign. Draco’s knowledge of the Mandalorians proved beyond invaluable in several battles. Draco would come to be one of Revan’s closest advisors on how best to utilize Republic forces to enhance Jedi assaults. Over the course of the next two years, Draco and Revan would come to intense arguments over how best to engage the Mandalorians. Draco would achieve mastery of the Force to the level of Jedi Master, but was never granted so by the Jedi Council.

After the Battle of Serocco that left an entire Republic fleet decimated and thousands of soldiers and civilians dead, Draco confronted Revan about his strategy and wisdom in allowing the Admiralty to make the command decision to stay despite the advanced intelligence gathered by Draco’s own recon teams. Draco was appalled at Revan’s answer, his lack of emotion and his seemingly willingness to sacrifice lives in order to gain certain advantages in battle. It was then that Draco decided that Revan had become no better than the politicians that were corrupting the Senate, Republic Mil-Com that sent young soldiers on suicide missions or the Jedi that were so complacent about the war.

Draco resigned his military commission, command of his ship, his troops and his Knighthood in the Jedi Order. He sent his cyan bladed lightsaber to Master Kavar with this recorded message:

''Master Kavar:

Though it will please you and the Jedi Council to know that I have resigned my former military rank and command, it is with a heavy heart that I must also inform you that I hereby resign my commission as a Jedi Knight.

I have lived one hundred and forty years. I have served the Republic faithfully and have been honored more times than I can count. I served in the Sith War that saw the Sith and Mandalorians nearly destroy the Republic. Now, the Mandalorians have returned and are waging war against us once again.

I must tell you and the Council of my…disenfranchisement with the Jedi. During the Sith War, I served with some of the most profound Jedi I have ever known. It was their example that made the Jedi honorable. It was by their example that led me to discover the Force within me and become a Jedi, not out of boredom after my military career or out of curiosity, but out of respect for those Jedi that made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of liberty, honor and hope. I became a Jedi to carry on their legacy. I see now that their legacy has been forgotten not only by the Republic, but also by the Jedi Order itself.

My decision to join Revan was not one borne out of defiance against the Jedi Code. On the contrary, I believe my actions were in keeping with the spirit of those Jedi that I had served with. I am more than willing to lay my own life down if it results in the liberty of one victim of this horrible war. However, I do not see that quality in the Jedi any longer. It seems that the Council is impotent to act against the Mandalorian threat or unwilling to lift a finger by advising patience and caution. With all do respect to the Council, master, patience is exactly what the Mandalorians are expecting out of us. They see the Jedi as weak, unworthy adversaries. That was until many Jedi faced exceptionally trained Mandalorians in open combat. The fact that Revan has joined the war effort has thrown a visible wrench into the conquest plans of the Mandalorians. Mandalore himself respects Revan above all others.

However, I am not at this time endorsing Revan or his plans. It has become apparent to me that Revan has grown cold over the last few years and he is willing to make strategic sacrifices to gain tactical advantages, something that my experience has taught me is an unwise gambit. I have also therefore left Revan’s cause because of this. It is perhaps time that I move on and explore the galaxy while the galaxy remains free. I have only known war these last fifty years and I have grown weary of losing those that have served with me to death. I have grown tired of seeing old friends pass on, such as Nomi Sunrider, the recon teams formerly under my command, and my former master, Soria Del. I know the Force will guide me wherever I go, but I yearn for a small measure of peace that I feel I have earned.

I hope that you can convince the Council to get off of their collective seats and act to defend and protect the Republic. If it falls, all hope falls. I hope that the Council will understand my reasons and why I made the choices I did. I doubt that I will return to Coruscant anytime soon, so I entrust you with my lightsaber. I had recovered it from an unknown Jedi fifty years ago after the Battle of Basilisk. Its design is a call back to the elegance of lightsaber construction of the time, yet it proves it is still a most powerful tool.

Tell Vrook that he might be an old grumpy man, but I am older, still. So long, my friend. May the Force be with you.''

Draco disappeared from all Republic records for the next fifty years. Where he went is unknown.

After Wars:

In 3908 BBY, a series of minor skirmishes along the Middle Core drew the attention of the Jedi Order. Civil unrest on mining and industrial worlds broke out into pocket battles causing numerous casualties to the local populations. The Republic sent envoys and diplomats to the governments of these worlds to negotiate cease-fires while accords could be agreed to. This led to the deaths of many prominent Senators and an almost complete cessation of trading through the routes between the Middle Core and Coruscant. It seemed that the Jedi were to be called in to quell the fighting when a mysterious figure from the past reappeared.

The newly elected Supreme Chancellor Helbron Delvritin was contacted by Draco Lazarus. Draco offered a solution to end the embargos and the fighting. Reluctantly, he agreed to meet with Draco, albeit with a contingent of Mil-Com Admirals and two representative of the Jedi Council. When asked about his knowledge of the nature of the fighting, Draco replied that he had spent the last five years in the Mid Core and had witnessed the atrocities of the Republic in dealing fairly with the mining and industrial workers that had revolted and were demanding accords.

When asked to prove who he was by High Admiral Kentin Vros, Draco offered no explanations except for a cryptic message: “If you doubt my sincerity in this matter, then you will suffer the fate of those doomed valiant that fought in the Battle of Ko Vari.” With this, Draco exited the Chancellor’s office. After a few seconds of pause, the delegation erupted into claims of lies and disbelief of Draco.

Then one of the two Jedi Masters spoke, addressed the Chancellor and the High Admiral. He asked if any one in the room had ever heard of the Battle of Ko Vari. None had. The Jedi Master urged the Chancellor to access the military archives and look for any references to Ko Vari. Humoring the Jedi Master, Delvritin complied. It took the computer several minutes to reference the search parameters and finally a file was found. Much to the surprise of the Chancellor and the Admiralty, the file was sealed with “Alpha-Alpha-Beta-Two-One-Zero Top Security Clearance Necessary, Republic Mil-Com Senior Command Eyes Only”. This struck the Admiralty as extremely odd as this file nearly eighty years old, but sealed with Republic Mil-Com’s highest security code. It took the summoning of the entire fifteen commanders of Republic Mil-Com to be present to open the old security file. Details of the battle were extremely vague, only a few names were listed as participants directly involved. Draco Lazarus’ name was near the top of the list.

The fact that Draco Lazarus’ name had appeared in one of the most highly guarded security files of the Republic raised a slew of questions. High Admiral Lotharin, the most senior officer of Mil-Com requested archive access to military records. After a few minutes of compiling, Draco’s service record appeared on the viewing screen for all to see. Of all the participants, only the Jedi Masters could keep their jaws from hitting the floor as the computer read out Draco’s service record:

''Subject: Colonel Lazarus, Draco, Republic Marine Corps., Retired File History: 234896709812635 Service Record: Born on Outer Rim world of Sati Prime. Graduated with top honors from Republic Naval Academy. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in Republic Marine Corps. Highly intelligent. Motivated. Ambidextrous: able to write, fire weapons, use bladed weapons and pilot with both hands. Reconnaissance training: Master level hand-to-hand combatant. Expert in stealth tactics, tracking, evasion, infiltration, extraction, intelligence, counter-intelligence. Master of Teräs Käsi, Kai-Hak-Tua Hand-To-Hand Combat and Republic Marine Corps. Martial Arts. Expert level: heavy weapons, light weapons and bladed weapons. Qualified pilot of shuttlecraft, medium range transport, land speeders, and Republic Assault Vehicle nicknamed “Bantha”. Seven years active duty in various field operations with elite advanced recon teams including several high level classified operations. Special Instructor at Naval School of Reconnaissance and Special Warfare. Director of Naval School of Reconnaissance and Special Warfare. Meteoric rise in promotions.

List of engagements subject known to have participated in:

Battle of Basilisk Battle of Koros Major First battle of Empress Teta Second Battle of Empress Teta Battle of Ko Vari * Highly Classified, for Mil-Com Senior Command Eyes Only* Battle of Foerost First Battle of Coruscant Second Battle of Coruscant Mandalorian Wars

List of Honors and Awards:

Senatorial Medal of Honor Senatorial Medal of Courage (Mandalorian Recon Mission) Senatorial Medal of Valor (Mandalorian Recon Mission) Battle Stars (4) Silver Moons (5), Gold Sun (One) Purple Cluster (2) Republic Navy Cross (2) Marine Corps. Special Warfare Medal The Chancellor’s Award for Freedom The Republic Inter-Service Medal (Sith War) The Republic Liberation Award (Empress Teta Battles) The Republic Distinguished Service Medal The Republic Citation of Bravery (2) The Marine Corps. Recon Command Medal of Merit The Golden Order of Jorth (for rescuing a Senator of Alderaan) Jedi Order Citation of Aide (for rescuing three Jedi wounded in the Second Battle of Empress Teta.)

Expert Marksman Badge Marine Corps. Expert Combatant Badge Aviator Flight Wings Mobile Armored Assault Vehicle Commander’s Badge Marine Corps. Fidelity Badge Marine Corps. Master Instructor’s Badge with Two Gold Clusters Marine Corps. Director of the Reconnaissance and Special Warfare School Badge Republic Navy Meritorious Service Badge

Campaign Badges for: Battle of Basilisk (also promoted to Captain) Battle of Koros Major (promoted to Major and made chief instructor of the Reconnaissance and Special Warfare School) First Battle of Empress Teta Second Battle of Empress Teta Battle of Ko Vari * Highly Classified, for Mil-Com Senior Command Eyes Only Battle of Foerost First Battle of Coruscant Second Battle of Coruscant (double promoted to Colonel and made Director of the Reconnaissance and Special Warfare School)

Subject Draco Lazarus retired from active military. Accepted into the Jedi Order. Attained rank of Jedi Knight. Followed Revanchist leader to war with Republic against the Mandalorians. Left war effort two years into fighting. All records of subject Draco Lazarus cease at this time

Personal Commentary of High Admiral Konar Liv-Tilar:

“Colonel Lazarus is the epitome of the Republic Marine: hard, strong, highly intelligent, highly motivated, resilient, resourceful, loyal and a fierce warrior. His service in the Sith War against the Krath and Exar Kun exemplify his commitment to the safety and security of the Republic. Several Jedi Masters that had served with Colonel Lazarus often noted the balance between his abilities as a warrior and the calm that he elegantly exudes during times of peace and war. Colonel Lazarus is among the most highly decorated officers of the Republic and the most sought after instructor and advisor in this man’s military. His counsel to the Chancellor, Mil-Com and the Jedi High Council have never been excluded from consideration.

It was I, along with the Supreme Chancellor, that convinced Colonel Lazarus to come out of retirement and take on an extremely important mission for the Republic. The Mandalorians were besieging worlds along the Outer Rim territories and Mil-Com needed intelligence on their activities. The Colonel agreed to hand pick and train an elite group of Marines to operate in this theater for an extended period of time, without support. It was thought that he and his team were captured or killed during the mission. Imagine our surprise when after eight long years, Colonel Lazarus and his team returned to Coruscant aboard a mining frigate.

The intelligence gathered by the Colonel’s team proved invaluable. Shortly after the Senate decided not to take any actions, Colonel Lazarus retired from active duty again and was accepted into the Jedi Order.

I was able to attend his test of the Jedi Trials and was not surprised, unlike some Jedi, that Draco passed the trials perfectly. His Knighthood was a loss for the Republic Marines, but a measure of peace for me personally, to know that Draco would still be actively protecting the Republic and her ideals.

After joining the Revanchist against the Mandalorians, I lost contact with Draco. He left the war effort and the Jedi Order at the same time and I was told that he left Republic. Where the extraordinary man known as Draco Lazarus went to and when he might return, we might never know. I hope that he does not stay away for too long, as the Republic will always need his help. I only hope that I will see him again in my lifetime, for he is a Satian, and his life span is nearly triple that of my own. I will miss Draco. He was an excellent soldier, a great Jedi and my friend. May the Force be with him, where ever he ventures.”

Last mentions of whereabouts indicate sightings on Manaan and Dantooine. Last known age : 140 years. Believed to be deceased.

End of file.''

Draco had returned to his home star system, Galidran Sati. He was home on Sati Prime when he felt a great disturbance in the Force that led him to Karnasis, the last planet in the twelve-planet system, thought uninhabitable. There he discovered the ruins of an ancient Sith Temple built seven thousand years prior by an unknown group of Sith Lords. He discovered a trove of Sith Holocrons which he studied with great fervor. He discovered new truths about the Force and about the political climate of the Republic, much that he agreed had not changed from the recorded history that he studied.

When he returned to Republic space after fifty years, Draco had already delved deep into the dark side, emerging as the new Dark Lord of the Sith. Now he would right the wrongs that the Jedi Order and the Republic could not.