Darkness on The Move
Within Kwymar sector
OPA Liberator (Flagship OPA Navy)
Providence-class carrier/destroyer
2920 AOK
Graff’s personal battlefleet was one of the most fearsome forces in the Outer Rim. This fleet outgunned nearly every Republic fleet in the Outer Rim in single match up. For this reason, wherever the fleet moved, the Republic watched very closely via a special cloak-ship dedicated for this mission. For the past few months, the fleet remained in orbit over Baklid VI as its Republic shadow watched.
However, a couple of months ago, the fleet powered up its engines and left the Devin system, with its shadow following closely. While the fleet was in transit, military analysts attempted to discover the destination of the fleet. It wasn’t long before Republic intelligence learned that the fleet linked up with a second group of warships. This caused a great deal of concerns throughout Republic Outer.
These concerns were well founded. Graff’s battlefleet normally consisted of six
Munificent-class star frigates, four
Lucrehulk-class battleships, and Graff’s personal flagship, the Liberator, a
Providence-class destroyer. But now, the fleet picked up another pair of Munificent-class star frigates and a pair of new ships. They were classified as
Subjugator-class heavy interdictor cruisers. These new OPA ships were built at the Pammant Docks in the Calamari Sector.
The fleet reentered Hyperspace, Republic commands across the Tingel Arm were alerted that Graff’s fleet was on the move. Only hours later was it learned that Graff’s fleet was on route for Telos. Telos was a world in conflict between Coruscant Jedi and Rogue factions. The Governor of Telos and the local Rogue Jedi Master had requested OPA intervention when a Jedi battlefleet arrived in system.
Watching live, the Chancellor and her most senior advisors observed these two new OPA warships in battle. This battle footage came from the Republic’s lone cloak-ship, as it watched the battle unfold. The Subjugator cruisers employed very powerful gravity wells to trap the eight Jedi warships in system. While the use of gravity wells was nothing new, what was special about these ships were the size of the fields that they could produce and the speeds that they were deployed. It was enough to give the Republic Navy reason to be alarmed. They quickly dispatched a fleet wide alert regarding these new warships.
Unable to flee, the Jedi were forced to turn and fight. The battle lasted for almost an hour and in the end, the Jedi were defeated. The last two remaining Jedi warships, were forced to surrender. Unlike the reputation of Olivan, Graff had started to allow the survivors of Jedi forces to surrender in good faith of being returned. He personally ensured their protection as they boarded civilian ships and returned to the Core Worlds in defeat. With the space battle over, Graff deployed his ground forces and ended the Jedi’s bid to control Telos.
Graff and his forces were welcomed on Telos as liberating heroes. After the battle, Graff bid his time on Telos wisely. He repaired his own ships and repaired four former Jedi warships (the two
Venator-class Star Destroyer and a pair
Arquitens-class light cruisers). Once the ships were hyperspace capable, he sent them along with two Munificents as escorts back to Baklid for further repairs. The question hovering around Republic Naval Command was where would Graff move his fleet to next.
On the Observation Deck of the Liberator, Graff and Frija hovered over a large holotable with a massive map of the entire Tingel Arm of the Galaxy. Around them, stood ten
IG-100 MagnaGuard droids, each carrying an electrostaff. Beyond the MagnaGuards were a large group of
BX-series droid commando. Unlike other OPA ships, the Liberator was fully manned by specially programmed Commando Droids.
“With the inclusion of Telos, we have Mirial all but surrounded,” Frijia said as she zoomed the map in on the space around Mirial.
Graff nodded, “the last Jedi world holding out.” He took control of the holotable, “however, reports indicate that trouble brews on Fray once more.”
From the back of the Observation Deck, Jenna walked in carrying a baby. “The situation has changed, I say we invade,” she said walking up to the table.
Graff and Frijia both looked and over towards Jenna. It was Graff that spoke, “we invade Fray, then we would trigger a war with the Jedi, possibly even the Republic. Once shots are fired, no one will win.”
Jenna walked up to the table and set her son on the table. His small hands passed through the holographic worlds as he giggled. “We have the ships, forces and support to challenge the Jedi. It’s time that we answer Jedi deception and aggression with our own show of force.” She looked in to Graff’s eyes, “the Jedi is a fading candle in the darkness. Its time to snuff out their light.”
Frijia took a step back from the table, “Graff, Jenna is right, our support in the Outer Rim grows daily. The Church of Heaven now had more followers than those who support the Jedi in the Outer Rim. It’s time that we send the Jedi a powerful message. It’s time that we take Mirial. And the key to that world’s fall,
is Fray.”
Graff slammed his open hand down on the table, “
I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OPEN WARFARE....” he paused as he noticed his loud words startled his son. “Listen, Mirial will be ours. This much is true,” he said then turned to Frijia. “Let the Jedi be the aggressor. Only if we are the victims of their aggression can our allies in the Senate keep war from the Outer Rim." he paused a moment before adding, "no, we move only in reaction to the Jedi’s action.” He saw that Frijia was about to say something but cut her off, “for now, we build our support, gather our strength and bide our time.”
A chime at the table caused the three darksiders to pause. Jenna activated the holotable and a bluish image of Trysta came to life. “Greetings, My Lord” she said with a short bow. Trysta had proven herself to be a resourceful commander and because of that, had been placed in command of one of Graff’s new Subjugators. “I have important news. Our mission to Naboo has failed.” Graff and Frijia both couldn’t contain the shock on their faces. Jenna on the other hand bore no surprise or emotion. Trysta continued, “The Resolute was responding to a distress call when she was fired upon by the Jedi at Meridian Station.”
Graff’s anger was hard to control, “how was that possible. They were not supposed to be anywhere near that area.”
Trysta waved her hand so that she would be allowed to continue, “I don’t know the full details yet. What I do know is that it was a huge misunderstanding. We did not provoke the attack.”
Frijia leaned forward, “and what of the Merci!” Frijia spoke of the hospital ship that they had secured services of from Naboo.
“Lost with all hands,” Trysta said as she dropped her head. She slowly rose her head, “but there are survivors. And the Republic is looking to let them come home.”
Graff smiled as he looked at Jenna, “you see, Jenna. Show some compassion and our enemies will do the same.”
Jenna’s lips frowned slightly, “compassion is for the weak” she said under her breath and filled with hatred for the people that would have murdered her son, like they did her first child.
Frijia ignored the comments around her as she spoke to Trysta, “I take it that your little spy is the source of this information?”
Trysta smiled, “yes, of course. He has truly proven to be a valuable asset to us. When he learned that there were younglings among the survivors, he ensured that they would be returned to us. They suggest the neutral world of Fray.”
Graff smiled, “Take the Arc Flash and…..”
Jenna rested her hand on Graff’s hand, “My Lord, if you would please. Your wisdom up to this point has proven to be flawless. Might I suggest, we carry a great deal of supplies aboard. We could offer to our friends on Fray. If we won’t invade Fray by force, then shall we invade with our good intentions?” She paused a moment, “I have learned, through the Force, that a Jedi relief mission to Fray had been attacked by pirates. Our supplies would arrive just in time.”
Frijia watched Jenna closely as her eyes narrowed. She knew all too well that Jenna’s dark path left no room for compassion or kindness. In fact, Frijia knew that Jenna only cared for two beings in the entire Galaxy. They were her son and Graff. This sudden change was a plot woven within the darkside. She knew that Jenna had something up her sleeve, but didn’t know what.
Graff often felt the draw of the darkside. It commanded him at times. He felt its power surging through him. In the distance and through it, he heard the steady pace of the drums of war pounding. But he also wanted to be different. He wanted to lead the OPA as a just and fair ruler. Not one bent on conquest and suffering. He wanted his leadership to be center on honor and nobility. Much like that of his grandfather and sister. There were times he was worried about Jenna and her devotion to his vision of the OPA, but then, like right now, she would surprise him.
He nodded as he smiled, “you are right.” He looked up to Trysta, “contact your spy and let him know that we will be there.” He filled his lungs with pride, “announce to the fleet that we will be providing humanitarian support to our friends on Fray.”
Trysta smiled and nodded, “as you wish My Lord.” Her image faded.
Graff tapped the controls and an image of a Droid Commando came in to being over the table. “Commander, inform the Governor of Telos that we request as many supplies that they can offer us. Tell him that our OPA brothers and sisters on Fray are in need. Once we have loaded up, set a course for Fray.”
“Roger Roger,” the Droid said then his image faded.
Graff turned and smiled, “I have to notified the OPA Parliament of the situation and our intentions.”
Frijia nodded, “I will continue to go over the maps. I want to be ready for anything that the Jedi might throw at us.”
Graff nodded and turned to Jenna, “Jenna?”
She shook her head, “I have meditation to do. I want to make sure that Trysta’s spy doesn’t led us in to a trap.”
Once more he nodded, “good idea.” Graff turned and walked away as five of the MagnaGuards turned and followed him.
As Graff walked away, Frijia flipped through the charts almost aimlessly. Once the doors closed behind him, she leaned forward, “Don’t lie to me, Jenna! What do you have up your sleeve?!”
Jenna smiled as her hands flew over the controls of the holotable. Her son watched and giggled, “Graff will be betrayed by someone he holds dear on Fray.” She spoke truthfully.
Frijia snapped back with shock, “Why would you not warn him that Fray is a trap!”
Jenna looked up through the image of maps with a sense of darkness across her face, “Graff’s survival is in the hands of the Lord of Darkness now. It is up to our Lord to decide his fate.” Her voice deepened, and almost commanding, “and you will speak this to no one.” Frijia didn't have any choice but to nod her compliance as an image of a T-Series Tactical Droid came alive on the table. “
Commander Kalani.”
The droid nodded, “My Dark Lady, how may I be assistance.”
Jenna smiled, “Commander, I am sending you coordinates of a Jedi relief convoy. There you will find a pair of light cruisers and several
Pelta-class frigates loaded with vital supplies bound for Fray. Commander I want that relief convoy to vanish without a trace. Your orders from Graff are to link up with any nearby units and strike the convoy. You are to ensure no survivors.”
The droid nodded, “I understand, My Dark Lady.”
Jenna broke the link and looked up at Frijia whom smiled back at her. Frijia’s smile continued to grow as she saw the plot coming in to place. “Creating a crisis so that Graff arrives just in time to be the hero once more,” she said folding her arms across her chest. “I thought I was the devious one.”
Jenna glanced at her son, “he will rule a unified Galaxy under the flag of the New Sith Order.”
Frijia, “so how will this play in to your plan. They will not dare attack Graff. So, your vision of Graff being betrayed must be wrong.”
“They will,” Jenna said softly as she reached over and picked up her son. She looked in to her son’s eyes as he reached up and touched her face. Her voice softened in tone as she spoke, “you leave that to me. Their loyalties to Graff will be proven and the Jedi will lose their most vital assets in the Outer Rim. Or they will be shown to be the traitors to his cause. Either way, Fray will trigger a war that will spread across the Outer Rim and consume that dying Republic. From the ashes of that war, the Sith will raise once more.”
Frijia’s smile vanished, “if Graff ever finds out that you were behind all these ‘crisis’s’ he will kill you.”
Jenna smiled and nodded, “I love Graff,” she said holding her son. “He has made all of this possible.” She switched her son to her other arm, “But you know the path we are on. The Lord of Darkness has commanded that my son, will inherit a unified Galaxy. And that Galaxy won’t be born until we burn this one to the ground.”
“As always,” Frijia said as she slightly lowered her head in respect, “I am a servant of the Darkness. My life, for the Lord of Darkness.”
Jenna smiled and looked at her son, “As am I, a servant of the Darkness. My life, for the Lord of Darkness.”
Chapter Three: The Brush Fire Wars
