(1 Hour later)
(Space, Phantom, Cockpit)
(3rd Person PoV)
Mace looked down at Tython as the Phantom came out of Hyperspace, sending a few feelers out in the force he reveled in the nexus of the force for a few seconds, marveling at the connection the force had to the planet. Like all nexus's in the force it was a sight to see.
Vette was guiding the ship into orbit as Ashara looked down at the sensor readings, they were looking for a specific landing point. Ashara spoke up as she searched for the specific landmass. "Ahh it's good to be back. It's been a long time." Mace turned to her for a second before looking back down.
"I forgot you didn't get to take part in the assault." She frowned for a second pressing a few buttons to triangulate their position. "Yeah, I was dealing with a different group of Revanites at the time..." She pouted his way before continuing to look over the readings.
"Not like I would have got to get a crack at that stuck up Master, Oric Traless. Only the main strike force with you and Ayillh actually got to do anything fun. I would have loved to get a crack at a high council member."
Mace let out a small laugh, remembering the Nautolan Master that had tried to stop their advance into the grand council room, it was an interesting battle to say the least. Dwelling on the thought for a short while Mace once again focusing back on the planet, stopping to feel it the planet.
With a few huge land masses and verdant oceans, the planet was mostly jungle terrain and mountains creating a world teaming with life. With it also being a force nexus there were species of plant a fauna not found anywhere else in the galaxy as well as animals.
Mace was powerful enough to feel the massive life signature that the force radiated out from orbit as he delved deeper and deeper into the planet, he was only broken from his trance as Ashara read out the planet readings.
"I've located the temple. Sensors don't detect any major power source or readings meaning the defenses should be down." Pressing another button she pulled up a small area readout. "Life form readings say the main temples is practically infested with Flesh Raiders. Urgh. I sort of hoped they would die out after all these years, or at least the Jedi would wipe them out, bloody animals."
As she stopped to look over the readings Mace's thoughts flashed back to the grotesque pale and red aliens that sprung to the temples defense when the empire invaded. They may have been felled easily by his blade, but their numbers were what set them apart. Without the orbital bombardments it would have taken a lot longer to take the temple down, not to mention its plethora of defense droids and turrets.
It was a good thing that there was no power readings coming from the temple. It would save them a lot of time and trouble taking over the structure, though they would have to find a new power source and resources to fix up the place. Obviously the Jedi had left a long time ago.
That only left the Flesh Raiders and personally he didn't want to deal with them again. "Are there many?" Ashara grimaced as she looked at the readings. "The readings show multiple colonies or tribes littered around the area, not to mention the whole planet. I haven't gone too far out but I already see a few thousand."
Mace felt a headache come on as he thought of their numbers, it was possible that after 3 millennia the creatures had grown higher sentient thought and society and would not attack them on sight, maybe even by culling them until they fear the very sight of a sith could work in their favor.
That would be the best scenario, but Mace had a sinking feeling that they would be the same dumb animals that rushed head long into their enemies and didn't stop coming. Putting fear into them wasn't enough, it would be better to eliminate them.
But it would take too much time. Mace had nor the time or want to do something so trivial. 'We will have to expand our forces at some point. Better to let them deal with such tasks.' As Mace mulled over the possibilities Ashara spoke up once more in slight surprise as she looked at her readings.
"I'm also getting readings of a small colony of Twi'leks." "Mmm?" Now that did take his interest and it also grabbed Vette's. Finally looking away from her own consol and the planet below she turned to her co pilot.
"Twi'leks, here?" Ashara sat back for a second in thought putting her hand on her chin. It took her a few seconds before she had an answer. "When I was still a padawan and before I left for Taris there used to be a Twi'lek village that the Jedi would help and provided for. They would do miscellaneous task around the temple for protection. I didn't ever see them myself though."
"What and the Jedi just up and abandoned them when they left? Well what was I expecting of Jedi anyways?" Vette seemed to actually mull her question over for a second before answering it herself. She had seen the dark side of the Jedi before, they all had, it was no surprise that they would do such an act.
Mace took all the new information in as an idea sprung forth in his mind. "How many signatures?" Ashara, took a second to understand the question, before looking at the readings again for confirmation. "Just a few hundred, not even a thousand. There's not too far from the temple and sandwiched between 3 Flesh raider camps. It's a surprise they're even alive to be honest."
Mace let out a small chuckle as the new plan solidified in his mind. 'That would work.' "Vette prepare to land right in front of the temple, it seems we have some insects to exterminate. Ashara tell everyone to get ready, this shouldn't take too long."
"Aye Aye wrath!" Mace rolled his eyes at Vette as he moved to leave. "I'll get you back for that later." Vette cocked her eyebrow for a second before giving a lavish bow. "Yes Milord" Giving a small chuckle at her antics Mace just stopped at the lip of the exit as he thought of something.
Turning back to Ashara, his lips quirked, in a small teasing smile. "Though don't worry if you can't find Ayillh, she's a bit too tired for this little excursion. She'll join us later." Ashara and Vette both took one look at the amused glimmer in his eyes before they both burst out laughing. Following his orders as they chuckled to themselves.
******************
(Typhon, Jedi temple)
(Mace PoV)
The ship touched down and I could already feel the extra presences start to surround the ship. I had seen the remains of the Jedi temple as we finally came to touch down in this small valley and that's what it was, remains.
Though the landscape had looked broken and battered when I had assaulted it last time, it looked desolate now, obviously the flesh raiders didn't care much for decorum. The desecration on the inside would be a sigh to see.
Without the defenses or any power for that matter, in the temple, it was possible to actually land in one of the still open landing bays the temple held, but I had decided it would be better to get this over with fast. By landing just off the main entrance, in front of the steps, I would draw them likes Tauntauns to the slaughter.
*Psh* The decompressing of the ramp snapped me from my thoughts as it slowly went down. Everyone but Ayillh was geared up behind me, nothing too specialized or heavy, they posed no real threat.
*Clunk *Clunk* It was with heavy steps that I finally stepped foot on Tython again, I closed my eyes as I felt the lingering light side of the force that still clung to the planet... no it was inherently linked to it. Something to corrupt in the future? I wasn't totally convinced. It was a known fact that nexus's in the force, especially planets were molded by the force.
To completely turn it to the dark side would turn the planet into a barren and harsh land scape, making it lose natural resources, trees, mountains, even animals. No such a corruption would be foolish. But I would still have to get rid of the light side; it would be an unwanted presence.
I let myself get lost for a second in the force as I felt the ground beneath me before finally opening my eyes to get a proper look at the temple. Most of the windows that could be seen were cracked and knocked out, the old training areas overgrown with weeds and foliage.
The steps leading to the temple were cracked and half buried by dirt and any trees that once gave the temple some majesty and serenity were gone. Littered around the ship, the beasts, Flesh Raiders stood weapons drawn.
Looking down at their wooden weapons I couldn't help but feel disdain, at least they weren't outright attacking, but they were tense. I could see that anything could set them off at any moment. It was possible only our presence in the force that stopped the animals from rushing forwards to attack, a bestial instinct.
There were a few red and green raiders littered about, along with the normal pale looking abominations. Their teeth gleamed into feral grins as they stared at us in hunger. They weren't called Flesh raiders for nothing.
I scanned them, briefly, to see if any actually had an iota of power, something that could give a soldier a run for his money, but they were little more than bugs in the force, almost rejected by it from what I could see.
Why the Jedi never killed them? I would say I don't know, but their pragmatic belief in everything in the force being sacred might have deluded them into thinking that they would at some point change, evolve into something more, but no... they were beasts.
*Snap Hiss* The others had finally gotten behind me, the sound of lightsabers igniting scarring a few of the weaker minded ones. I saw them flinch at the sound, already feeling Jaesa and Xalek's blood lust rise behind me.
Vaylin was at my side, like myself, we were not going to fight the riff raff out here. Our presence may have caused them to hesitate, but it wasn't going to last long, it was in that small window that, *Boom*, a small rocket traveled from behind me and exploded killing a small cluster off to my left.
I could just hear Vette's smothered laughter as I looked back and saw Blizz with a rocket launcher perched on his shoulder. I was pretty sure we didn't have one of those on the ship when we arrived, but I pushed the thought to the back of my mind, you never knew what Blizz would suddenly pull out of nowhere.
Blizz turned to me as I looked over and started to shake in excitement. "Blizz, Boom Boom!" Those words seemed to finally galvanize the beasts into action. Rushing forwards with reckless abandon they swarmed our position, already a hundred from sight alone. "Slaughter all of them. If they try to run…let them go. Let them spread fear before we come for them." Vette had already drawn her blaster before my words and was picking off anyone far away, while Blizz was taking pot shots at any large group.
Xalek, and Jaesa started to move out, spreading death and destruction as their lightsabers flew by. That just left me, Vaylin, Ashara and Nadia to move forwards. "Hahaha" I could hear Jaesa's laughter as I went.
I took my time as I slowly walked forwards; anything that remotely got close was taken care of by one of my Apprentices. It didn't take long for us to finally reach the entrance. Ashara was right, they were an infestation.
Reaching the main atrium with its two stair cases, winding to the top, I spotted numerous more raiders getting ready for battle. They squeaked and growled in their basic communication as they rushed forwards, roars of beasts trying to fight back.
I didn't bother with them for a second as I looked at the giant Holocron statue that used to stand in the middle of the atrium. It used to float in the air, a representation of the strength of the Jedi, their accomplishment in the force, a constant reminder.
Now it lay uselessly on the ground, cracks caused by its fall... their fall... the abandonment of the Jedi.
In seconds the first group of Raiders was dealt with as I made my way up. "Nadia, Ashara, Clear the lower floors." "Yes Master" "Master" Both moved of without a question, the sounds of their battle resounding into the temples depths. I could feel their emotions fluctuate as they moved into what was once their home. I had only one destination in mind, the main reason I had picked such a place as our base of operation.
Vaylin shot me a look for a second and a few words went unsaid as the next group of beasts rushed forwards. Without saying a word she splayed her arms forth, lightning obliterating those in front. Though the lightning killed them, they still had enough time to scream in agony, a prolonged torture. I could tell she was like my wife in that fashion.
It was almost like the greeting of an old friend, the harsh sounds of agony that greeted me. Some got thrown off the stairs, letting gravity do the work, others broken necks, some had the honor of getting a crushed body as Vaylin made her way forwards, reeking havoc.
It was always interesting to see her use of the force, how Valkorion had taught her to tap into her anger. Her abilities were strong, I wanted... no needed to see how far she could go. I finally stopped before the council chamber doors. There were more raiders coming in from behind, but Vaylin was dealing with them.
I looked at where the doors used to be, now lying uselessly to the side, time having taken its tole, though the markings around the door suggest that the raiders had helped the process along. Waking into the room, I felt a smile come to my lips as I stepped into the old, Jedi high Council room.
There was, as suspected, only one Flesh raider in the room, the Chieftain, sitting on what used to be the Grand master's chair. Bigger than all the others and stronger, it red skin and tattoos stood out as its way of denoting dominance. Standing up its bulbous eyes gazed at me in fear and aggression its weapon was actually something I was familiar with, an old Jedi practice saber.
The fact the weapon was working after so long showed it's durability over time, though I was still surprised it survived. This Raider seemed to be a bit smarter than the others, though it wanted to rush forwards to attack, I could feel its caution. Gripping the blade strapped to its back, it slowly got into a badly performer Ataru stance.
I almost laughed at its pathetic sight as I walked forwards. Readying its blade, I let the creature run forwards to attack. Vaylin wanted to step forwards already back at my side, the other raiders already afraid to come close to such raw power and destruction.
I held up my hand to stop her, I wanted it to get close. As the Chief finally got within range it slashed with all its might. I could just see the small thrill of battle in its eyes, the assured victory the beast thought it had as I didn't move to stop it.
My smile only grew wider as I watched that thrill...that hope, crumble and diminish. The blade stopped before it could even touch my armour, it was with only the tiniest amount of force that I stopped the blade and slowly lifted the creature.
The Chief's eyes of hope turned to despair as I lifted it from the ground. Pulling it just that little bit closer I stared into its now terror filled eyes and drunk in his helplessness as I slowly began to squeeze. Like my wife I also occasionally liked to prolong a beings suffering.
I felt my emotions run wild, finally being let loose, even if only briefly, the dark side trying to establish a grip over me as I reveled in it. But I controlled its power, I was my own master, I would take what I wanted.
I threw what remained of the creature out the door as I walked forwards, my mind settling and goal clear. I didn't want to get any blood stains inside the council chambers. I would have to deal with the mess later, cleaning up all the bodies that were sure to be littered after our massacre, though if my plan worked out I would soon have people to do that for me.
I would have to send Vette for good measure, but who to go with her?...Jaesa has been pretty antsy lately...She will be able to blow off some steam.
My mind made up I finally stopped before the grand master's chair, the same one that Satele Shan sat in before she retired, the one other Jedi masters had coveted over the years... now mine. I felt the force bristle in anger for but a moment as I finally took my place at the head of the room.
The other seats around me once reserved for Jedi masters, now only to be used for my new empire's council. Vaylin took a seat to my left, shooting me another look, a small smile on her lips as well. She closed her eyes as she once more strengthened her connection to the force while I looked around the room one more time, enjoying the feeling, before also closing my eyes.
It would take the rest a while to clear out the rabble. This was the first step in a long journey, maybe not the most important, but one of the most satisfying.
The moment when I took claim of the Jedi Home world.