Sith Civil War: Chapter VIII - Death of Nero

Marix sat in his room, sweating. He had felt a great loss in the Force. As if an entire crew had been destroyed. Rising, he took slow, calculated steps towards his personal refresher. Five minutes later, he looked completely rejuvenated, but inside, he was not so sure. Getting dressed into his GA’s uniform, he sat down at his comp station and began outlining new battle plans to ease his mind.

The captain, on time, raised Marix, and followed him to the bridge. Marix took his seat and cleared his mind. The loss of his comrades had touched him. While he was a Sith and many took that as a sign of ruthlessness, he treated those who served with him with respect, and did not disrespect them or disregard them unless it was necessary. Opening his eyes, he watched as the captain turned to him and nodded.

Marix rose and bellowed out, “Revert from Hyperspace”. At once, the stars surrounding the ship shrunk back to normal length, and like most other times, the klaxons sounded. In the immediate space around him were an Imperial-Class Star Destroyer and 3 supporting frigates.

“Turn those damned things off, we already knew there were enemies! Get the fighters ready. Helm, execute battle plan Delta-5 on my mark, weapons free on my second mark.” Turning to the CommStation, he asked for a line to the biggest ship. At once the picture of a man dressed in what appeared to be ceremonial whites appeared on the screen.

“I am Admiral Stang of the Galactic Republic Military. State your business.”

“You are not in a position to make demands, my fake officer.”

The pudgy Tatooine native sputtered and turned red. Never in his entire career had he been insulted or humiliated like that.

“I, as invested in me by the true power in this galaxy, am an Admiral of the Galactic Republic, now state your business or face my wrath. You do not wish to choose the second option, for you at outnumbered gravely. Now, you have 10 seconds! 10…9…”

Marix turned away from the screen. While he would have liked to banter and completely crush the faux admiral, he had more important things to be doing. Seating himself in his command chair, he clearly stated, “3…2…1…Mark…”

Immediately, the Destiny’s Law sped forward and made evasive movements. Snaking around space trying to avoid missile locks, the pilot guided it as if it were a fighter and not a capital ship. Delta-5, was a plan created by Marix, and its guiding principle was to completely confuse the enemy. By avoiding conventional tactics, he could catch the enemy off balance and get the needed opening to even out the odds.

Marix opened himself to the Force, and began the arduous journey down the path known as Battle Meditation. Stretching out, he felt all the life-forms around him, and let the Force guide him. Connecting to his commanders and captains, he spoke again, “3…2…1…Mark…” At once, the heavy batteries opened fire upon targets predetermined by the battle plan.

As the man slashed downward with his saber Adenn turned to the left., letting the blade crash into the floor. At the same time as this happened Adenn's right hand came down, cutting the man's hands off, and his left came around, cutting the man's legs off. "I'm not done with you yet." He said as he sat on the floor and entered a meditative state. As his eyes closed he felt threw the force, soon finding the controls. Tarna, I would appreciate it if you moved.

He then started to press buttons and pull on the controls with all the force power that he had in him. And eventually was able to right the ship. He soon opened his eyes, breathing rather heavily. "Tarna..I..." He then passed out, from exhaustion.

-

Barad-Dur felt dozens of the Jedi and Sith die. He knew that they couldn't possibly all be killed by the fire, but, it was just as well. There were few if any. He at once type in the coordinates for Bespin, and the Super Star Destroyer lurched as the ship shot into hyperspace. He turned to Gar'tua and pointed to the weapon controls.

"I need you to take control of the weapons and tractor beams," Barad-Dur said, "We are going to rain fire on Bespin once we know where Tarna and Adenn are at."

Gra'tua nodded as he moved to control panel, typing quickly to arm the systems."I have it under control, just pilot and tell me when to fire. He said calmly as he looked Barad-dur in the eyes. The coldness of the Inquisitor was sent through the young masters body.

"Right," he said, turning towards the only remaining command chair. He walked up to it, and pushed a button, and out popped a lightsaber that was hidden in the armchair. He looked at it, and smiled, "A Jedis' weapon. Now, ours."

He turned to Gra'tua, and opened his mouth in suprise as both Jedi that he had knocked out were sneaking up on Gra'tua lightsabers turned on, but he had not heard the blades turn on. Must have silencers installed.

"Gra'tua, behind you!" Barad-Dur shouted, turning on his own blades, but more then content of letting the Inquisitor handle them

Gra'tua turned, feeling the irriation in the force as well as hearing Barad-dur afterward. As he turned he pulled his blade from his belt, igniting it with the familiar cracking his as sent his left hand foward throwing the two back."Darth Barad-dur, I'm going to barrow your saber for a moment." He said in his usual cold tone as he pulled the saber from the hand of Barad-dur with the force. As the hilt of the familiar saber came to his palm he started twords the two, anger building his power as he stepped.

The two sent force pushes in his direction, sending him back a few yards into the nearest wall. As Gra'tua hit the wall, the sabers were dissengadged, falling the floor. As the High Inquisitor rose quickly he watched as the two came upon him quickly.

He sent a force lightning onto both of them with one hand as he called a saber to his free hand, igniting it as he stepped foward. As the two crippled to their knees, he stopped the lightning, calling the other saber to the now free hand igniting it before spinning into the middle of the two, removing their heads before clipping his saber to his belt, throwing the other to Barad-dur.

As the two soulless bodies fell to the ground Gra'tua returned to the control panel. "Thank you Barad-dur, I must have blanked out, those two would have been gone along time ago if I had not," He said apologizing for his absent mindedness as he placed his hand upon the controls.

Tarna leant down and made sure Adenn was alive. Once he felt a pulse, he turned back on Nero. He walked over to the false Sith, now moaning at his lost limbs. "What happened to you?" Tarna asked sadly. "You were once a great Sith. You had a great career in the Inquisitorius.  It was said you were destined to be the greatest Grand Inquisitor the Empire ever saw."

Nero looked up at him with sad eyes. "It's too late now, Jaq." Tarna said angrily. "Tell us where Klar is and I may be able to get you a desk job somewhere." Tarna knew that this was impossible; attemptive murder of an Order Head and an Order Officer surely meant death, not to mention the treason.

Klar sighed, "In the navicomputer - the password for the secret logs is Stardust. In there, Klar's platform base on Bespin will be located." Tarna sat at the station and located the coordinates. "Be careful." Nero said. "The place has an invisibility field and a vast array of turrets. If you show up in the Madman with my codes, you should be fine."

Tarna eyed Nero carefully, "Why the change of heart?" Nero chuckled, "Tarna, I know you're just going to kill me - might as well go with some dignity." The Shadow Protector sighed, "I guess I'll see you on the next side." With that, he walked over and stood above the false Sith. He lit his lightsaber over Nero's chest.

"Jaq Nero, may you rest in peace." He plunged the blade into Nero's heart, killing him instantly. A small cloud of steam rose in the air as a single tear hit the shining yellow blade.