Star Wars – Dark Trooper Campaign: A Heart to Conquer
Epilogue: Heralds of the Apocalypse
General Shore looked up from his desk with a sorrowful expression on his face as the survivors of the failed mission to retrieve the “Heart of the Eclipse” entered his office.
“Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen”, he sighed while turning to face them. “I know that you come with bad news and I also know that you did your best. We were naïve to think that the Empire would let an ancient defensive system get in their way of acquiring the most important artifact that will enable the destruction of all that we built up in these past times.”
“Sir, we…”, one of the returning team members started, but the general shook his head.
“You have done all you could and the Republic will forever stand in your debt, but you couldn’t have prevented it!”
“What will happen now, sir?” Doctor Shi Ravak asked. The blonde hair of the dark skinned Zabrak archaeologist was ruffled so one could hardly see the row of little horns peek out that were distinctive for her species.
“We have a lead, Doctor. We will strike as soon as we’re ready”, came a voice from the back of the room as another figure stepped forward. The young woman wore tight fitted, sturdy clothing the way seasoned space travelers liked to dress, boots and a weapons belt with two heavy blaster pistols and another pouch containing a certain cylindrical object. Her most striking features however were her blue hair, the blue tattoos on her face running from her eyes down her cheeks and the large silvery flesh tunnels in her earlobes.
“May I introduce, in case you didn’t have the pleasure yet?” General Shore said. “Captain Trance Killian, one of the few people in the galaxy who has faced more than one Sith in battle and even defeated him. She just brought us the latest intel on enemy plans.”
“Are they preparing their ritual?” Doctor Ravak wanted to know.
General Shore exchanged a meaningful glance with Trance Killian.
“See for yourself”, the general sighed and activated the playback function of the holoprojector for the second time. It showed an unsteady picture like someone shot an amateur movie with just a small handycam.
“We placed a double-agent within the ranks of the Sith”, Trance Killian explained. “This is what he transmitted a few hours ago.”
From between the gathered Sith acolytes and lords a broad podium could be seen on which the hooded figure of Master Cyrus stood together with four other Sith lords: a Kaleesh wearing their traditional skull mask, a female Zabrak with red skin and black tattoos on her face, a haggard human and a Falleen with shimmering green skin.
“Today is a glorious day!” Master Cyrus began his speech and his rough voice seemed to cut through the air like a knife. “Thanks to the efforts and the great sacrifice of Darth Scythe we now have the final piece in our possession that we need for our ascension-ritual of the Dark Side. As soon as this ritual is complete, we will become unstoppable and the Republic will fall to our unending assault.”
The crowd began to cheer, and even louder as Master Cyrus announced: “The galaxy will be rightfully ours!”
He waited for the cheers to ebb before he continued: “I have scrutinized all of you during the past months, felt your potential, and every single one of you should have a place up here with me, since you all exceeded my expectations.”
A slight murmur arose in the crowd.
“Alas, the ritual demands exactly four individuals who bring the utmost concentration and devotion with them in order to ensure the success of this ritual that will benefit us all. Thus I have chosen these four Sith-Lords in front of you who will give their best to ensure a powerful and successful future for all of us.”
The murmur grew louder.