Darth Haagen - Heir to the Sith: Prologue

“Admiral Dodonna, we’ve hit their main orbital stabilizers!”

Outside the viewing windows of the Hammerhead-class Republic warship, cataclysmic battle raged on.

Months ago, war had been declared by Darth Revan and Darth Malak on the Republic and the Jedi. Previously known as the Revanchist and Alek Squinquargesimus, they had once been the heroes of the galaxy.

Now they were brutal, conquering Sith.

The new Sith Empire had committed deeds that were even worse than what the Mandalorians had done. The Jedi Temple on Coruscant had been attacked, Taris had been completely destroyed, and the Jedi Enclave of Dantooine now lay in ruins…

Hours ago, the Republic Fleet had been sent to destroy the Star Forge, an ancient, massive space station which spawned starships for use by the Sith. With the Star Forge supplying the Sith with unlimited forces, there was no hope for the Republic.

A Jedi named Bastila Shan had been the Republic’s only hope during the war, due to her Battle Meditation, an ability which could both inspire her allies and make her enemies lose the will to fight. She’d been part of the strike team that had captured Darth Revan.

And then there was news that Bastila had joined the Sith. The Sith had seemed invincible.

Until now.

Relief filled Admiral Forn Dodonna. The war was finally over. The galaxy would be at peace.

“Everyone pull back,” she ordered the Republic starfighters over a comlink. “I don’t want to lose any ships when that space station goes down!”

She turned to Vandar, a diminutive Jedi Master who stood beside her on the bridge. He did not seem to share Dodonna’s overjoyed feelings on the climatic victory, however.

“We did it, Vandar,” she said to him. “The Sith are routed, and the Star Forge destroyed!”

“But at what cost, Admiral?” he said, his eyes narrowing. Where is the Ebon Hawk and her crew? In this war, hundreds of Jedi have died and betrayed the Republic. It will take years for the Republic to rebuild...and when it does, it shall be easily conquerable by the Sith.”

“The Sith are gone, Master Vandar. What little remains of their empire will be destroyed.”

“Gone?” He shook his head sadly. “No, Admiral. The Sith are never truly gone.”

He walked away slowly towards the exit to the bridge, and Dodonna pondered his words. The Sith were gone, and the Republic had achieved victory today –

But the Sith always returned.