Lightside Sith 026

[Prepare for hyperspace departure. All hands, prepare for hyperspace departure.] A voice echoed throughout the Rectifier. 

Battlegroup Ringo consisting of three Venators, three Acclamators, two destroyers, and two frigates was on the way to Vinsoth. Comprised of clone troopers from the 118th, their mission was to halt Separatist supply lines, seize the strategic location of Vinsoth-a planet that sat on four hyperlane routes-and stage an area for the assault on Serenno. 

Meditating within her chamber was the blue eyed, blonde, shorthaired tomboy, Jedi Master Siri Tachi. Student to the High Councilor Adi Gallia, rival and ambiguous love interest to Obi-Wan, this ace pilot currently found it difficult not to furrow her brows. 

Across from her sat her Padawan, Ferus Olin. The young man had been touted as a stern, skilled duelist reminiscent of Windu, yet compassionate when it mattered, much like Shaak Ti. Tan, handsome, and with a streak of natural white hair, he appeared every bit the protagonist in some holodrama. He was the only one in the same age group who could match blades with Skywalker. 

Much to Siri's displeasure, said student was currently depressed, and ‘doom scrolling’ the Holonet instead of meditating like a proper Jedi. Many of his friends had died during the assault on Geonosis a month ago, and she feared he would leave the Order. 

“Ferus…thank you for coming with me to Vinsoth. I promise you, there is meaning in being a Jedi. Remember the stories I told you, of my adventures on Nar Shaddaa?” 

Ferus gloomily nodded. “A thousand times, Master. I recall how you infiltrated the pirate group, and freed the slaves by pretending to have a falling out with Master Gallia.” 

“And once more, the Force has presented us with an opportunity. The Chevin have joined the Separatists. Their defeat shall be our chance to free the billions of Chev. Does this not excite you?” Siri asked in a calm, yet somewhat excited tone. 

As someone who abhorred that barbaric practice, Siri had wished to go on crusades to put an end to it. But the issue was, many powerful people within the Senate conducted such activities. Sworn to uphold the Senate, the Jedi Order were bound by laws not to interfere. For decades, she had bided her time, and now that war had arrived, it was the perfect opportunity to live out her teenage dreams. 

“I think we're a little late for that.” Ferus said with a depressed sigh. 

“It is never too late to rescue those in need, Padawan.” Siri huffed in disapproval. 

“You misunderstand, Master. The Chev, they are already free.” Ferus claimed, then, manipulating his dataslate, showed her a video. 

An aerial drone was capturing footage in high definition, and rousing music was playing as if for some sporting event. To Siri's trained eye, this was clearly a propaganda video. Riding at the helm of a hoverskiff, was a handsome red alien man flanked by a massive armored man, and an evil looking woman. Mounted on the sides of the skiff were the corpses of the dictators of Vinsoth. 

“How obscene.” Siri remarked. 

“Just watch.” Ferus said, turning up the volume. 

Flying over one open field after another, wherever the skiff passed, the shock/explosive collars came undone. Staring blankly up at the skiff, the grey-skinned Chev were confused. A boar-man Chevin slave driver raised his whip, only for the red man to hold out a hand, freezing him in place. 

“People of Vinsoth! My name is Kaine Renstar, disciple of Count Dooku, a Pureblooded Sith, and representative of the Confederacy of Independent Star Systems. Under Republic law, you have been slaves for thousands of years! The Senate, and the Jedi who espouse freedom and democracy have proven themselves to be corrupt hypocrites of the highest order. 

Even now, a fleet comes with the intent of placing that collar ‘round your necks once more. I, Kaine Renstar have granted you your freedom. The CIS stands with you. But I am saddened to inform you that your reinforcements are a week away…therefore, I implore you, people of Vinsoth, stand with me. Stand together, hold your chins high, and never quail in fear of the whip, the lash, or the sharp bristles of these boars again! Stand with me to fight the Republic. Prove to the galaxy you have the spirit, the resolve to fight for your own freedom! Take up arms, and show this Chevin swine what you think of him!” Renstar said in an impassioned tone. 

The drone camera zoomed out, and then focused on thousands of Chev wielding agriculture tools, and a small handful of Chevin. 

“Stay back, slave!” One boar-man snarled, raising his axe. 

As the weapon was about to come down, a scythe came sweeping down, embedding itself into the Chevin's shoulder. Squeeling in pain, the beast backhanded the grey-skinned alien to the ground. Picking up a skinny youth, the Chevin was about to bite into her throat to make an example, yet this brief act was the catalyst. Suddenly, a hot rage poured through the Force, and influenced by their long dulled-now fiery-emotions, the thousands of Chev swarmed the guards. Torn limb from limb, the brutality of the scene left Siri feeling uncomfortable. 

Covered in blood, the grey-skinned Chev looked up to the skiff. 

“Those with the will to fight, make way for the cities. There, you shall be armed, and take part in the defense of Vinsoth. This is only the beginning, my friends! Your labor for grain shall soon usher in an era of prosperity. The struggle is temporary, the future for yourself, your children, and children's children lies before us. For Vinsoth, for the Confederacy!” Renstar raised a fist, and roared. 

“For Vinsoth, for the Confederacy!” The bloodied Chev roared back. 

The video then ended with a rousing song, and ended with a quote in white text attributed to Count Dooku: ‘Compassion without judgment becomes naivety. Judgment without compassion becomes tyranny. Wisdom lies between.’

“So you see, Master, our trip to Vinsoth is rather pointless now, isn't it?” Ferus sighed. 

“Doubtlessly, this is part of some darker scheme. Intelligence reports the CIS reinforcements are 20 to 36 hours away, yet Renstar lied, claiming they were a week away. I fear he plans on using the Chev as cannon fodder.” Siri said in a compassion filled tone, and looked out the window at the blue wormhole of hyperspace. They were due to depart any minute now. Lacking a concrete plan to deal with this mess, she racked her brain for ideas. 

Ferus frowned, and then shook his head. Yet she knew her student all too well. 

“Something on your mind, Ferus? If you have a plan, please share it.” 

“...it's risky, and incredibly dangerous, but what if we infiltrate Umalor, and apprehend Renstar?” 

“I see what you mean. However, this route would minimize innocent Chev deaths. Once that poisonous demagogue has been captured, we can explain the truth to them. Enlighten them to the fairness of democracy, of the Republic.” Siri said with a beaming smile. “You truly are a great thinker, Ferus. Do not allow personal attachments to crater your career. I foresee a seat on the High Council in your future should you remain on the path.” 

“...” Ferus remained silent, and bowed his head. 

The eighteen year old recalled the smiles, laughter, and good times with his friends. For his entire life, he had followed the rules, and believed in the Jedi Code with all his being. But this war had created cracks in his beliefs. Doubt festered like an open wound exposed to the swamps of Dagobah. Master Siri-and others-preached that he let go of the memories of his friends. That they fought for peace, justice, and the good of the galaxy. 

Listening to that speech, Ferus simply couldn't reconcile it with a Sith. Had everything he'd been taught growing up been a lie? 

[All hands, real space egress in 10 seconds. Repeat, real space egress is imminent.] The voice over the comms chirped. 

Bracing himself, Ferus felt the Rectifier lurch as it transitioned into real space. His breath hitched, as he felt the shields go up, and expected the Venator to immediately come under fire. Although Vinsoth was a primitive agri-world, intelligence had reported that it had several battle stations orbiting the planet. And yet, they sailed into the system without so much as a scratch. 

“General Tachi, ma'am, we're being hailed. It's the CIS garrison commander of Vinsoth, Kaine Renstar. He says he wants to talk.” The clone commander of the 118th said over the comms. 

Siri smoothed over her face, and took a deep breath to compose herself. “Patch him through, Commander.” 

Seconds later, a hologram of the Pureblood Sith appeared within the room. The handsome red skinned man glanced around, his eyes seeming to spend an extra second glancing at Ferus, before settling on Siri. 

“Master Tachi, welcome to the Vinsoth system.” Renstar said in a smooth Core accent. 

“Lord Renstar, by your words, you hardly seem surprised. Should I take it that your mole in the SIS leaked my arrival?” Siri asked, fishing for information. A subtle psychic probe was sent out through space, however, a rune on Renstar's gauntlet lit up, and her mind was rebuffed as if it had run into a wall. 

“Naughty, naughty, Master Tachi. I opened this dialogue in good faith, and you wish to read my thoughts?” Renstar tsked, and wagged a finger at her. 

Siri narrowed her eyes. “Enough games. You're clearly stalling. Hoping by delaying me here, you'll have more time to wait for reinforcements?” 

“Hardly. Why, my dear Siri-you don't mind if I call you Siri, right?-ahem, what I am interested in, is a deal.” Renstar said with an oily smile. 

“Speak.” Siri ground out, already growing tired of this dribble. Her Master was the renowned peace mediator, meanwhile, she was good at flying space ships, and cutting things down. She had volunteered for this assignment because fighting was what she was good at. 

“Against your pitifully sized battle group, my shield generators can hold out for several weeks. By now, you've doubtlessly seen my rousing freedom day speech, and know that a direct assault will result in hundreds of thousands of casualties.” Renstar explained with the kind of confidence like a man who held all the cards. 

“Coward. If all you did was call us to gloat, we're done here.” Siri said, moving to cancel the call. 

“Master, wait. If there's a chance to avoid slaughter, it is our duty as Jedi to hear him out, right?” Ferus whispered. 

Siri paused her hand, then glanced at the Sith. “I'm listening.” 

“My proposition is this: meet me on the open plains before the city of Umalor. There, I shall engage in one versus one combat with your student, Ferus Olin. Should I emerge victorious, you two shall depart this theater of war. Should you win, myself, and my companions shall likewise, depart Vinsoth.” 

“No dea-” Siri began, only for her Padawan to speak faster. 

“We will agree to those terms, but because we don't trust you, a squadron of LAAT gunships will escort us there. The mighty Sith so close to the guns of the city isn't scared of that much, right?” Ferus said, quick to taunt Renstar and get some concessions for the upcoming duel. 

Renstar inclined his head. “In one standard galactic hour, we shall have our duel. I look forward to meeting you two in person.” 

The call disconnected, and Siri looked at her student pensively. 

“To openly combat the Sith, this is what you always espoused, Master. Don't tell me we should still slink our way into the city, and assassinate him like common thugs?” Ferus asked in a critical tone. 

“There is nothing simple about the Sith. I merely worry about your safety.” She got out. 

“Don't hold onto such attachments, Master. I remember your teachings well.” Ferus said in a sarcastic tone. “I'd better go warm up. I'll see you in the hangar when it's time.” 

After saying that, Ferus was quick to depart from the chamber. 

Siri closed her eyes, and meditated on the Force. Her student would win, he was the equal of Skywalker…and if he didn't, no matter what, that Sith wouldn't be walking away alive. Especially not after what he did to Pablo. That was a promise.