Part 10

Jessica waited as the next meeting with the President of the Republic was about to begin. Again she could tell that a Jedi was standing next to them. She briefly wondered if he had felt her earlier when she had put down the rebellion against her rule.

The meetings so far had been a bit boring in her opinion. If her forces were stronger she would not even be doing this. But she needed time to prepare her forces to attack the Republic. So far she had word that recruitment was up and with the capture of several planets she began to have a base of power in the universe. She was sure that it would only be a matter of time.

Then there was the small Jedi that she had captured. There was definitely something about the way she had looked at her last time she had gone in to talk with her. Her thought were interrupted as Leia walked into the room with the Jedi that had not talked during their last encounter.

The meeting took a while to go though but once they were done Jessica was feeling that things had gone her way. Towards the end of the meeting was when the Jedi had spoken up for the first time.

"Are you aware of the Force," the man asked.

"Yes, we have even had encounters with Jedi in our past," Jessica said. "But there are still many mysteries in the universe."

"True, its just we don't have any records of you're empire," the man asked.

"The last encounter was a long time ago, I think you called them Sith when we encountered Force users," Jessica said wondering how that would effect the man.

"But you haven't had any contact in a while," he asked.

"Nope," Jessica said.

"That is good," the man said. "The Sith use the Force for their own reasons at the expense of others. It is not a teaching that should be used to govern people."

"I will keep that in mind," Jessica said while hiding an internal smile. He did not know that he was dealing with a Sith Lord. She briefly wondered what he would have though had he knew who she really was.

"Good, there is a powerful Sith Lord out there. After the last powerful Sith Lord, the Emperor, I'm not sure the universe is ready for that," the man told her.

"I will tell my people to keep an eye out," Jessica told them.

The two said their good-byes with an exchange of information. There was an offer to come to Coruscant to see the Republic at work and perhaps join the Republic. There was also a warning about the remnants of the Imperial Empire that was still out there.

"Tell the captain to head for the fleet," Jessica said when she boarded her ship.

"Yes ma'am," the young man said turning to carry out her orders.

Jessica turned and headed down the corridor to where her quarters were. She was feeling a bit tired and wanted to sleep a bit before the ship arrived back at the fleet for the next phase of her plan.

"How is everything going," Luke asked as his sister appeared on the communicator.

"We've met with the leader of the Rizonians and they are a bit strange," Leia replied. "Master Fie-Tel agrees with me that we should continue talks with this group. There is something there that I am not quite able to grasp though."

"What do you mean," Luke asked her.

"I just think that they know more than what they saying about this new Sith Lord," Leia said.

"Interesting," Luke said. "Is there anything that they said that makes you think so?"

"They have ships that date back to when Darth Raven and Malak had turned to the Dark said during the Mandalorian Wars," Leia said.

"The Mandalorian Wars, interesting," Luke said. "I know that the ship that destroyed the Republic cruiser was a ship of a design that dated back to that date."

"I know, that's why I'm cautious. Then there was the fact that I thought I felt some energy of the Force after the first meeting," Leia said.

"Be careful Leia," Luke said. "The Sith lord could be near much like how Palpatine was when he became Emperor."

"I know, that's what I was thinking. We didn't meet many of the other advisors though so it was hard to find out anything else," Leia said. "The Sith Lord could be part of this Rizonian group keeping the main government blind to what was going on until it was too late."

"Could be," Luke said. "I'll have my people keep an eye out."

"All right," Leia said as she ended the communications.

Luke was not sure he liked that idea that someone was working in the shadows like Palpatine did with the Republic. That had almost eliminated the Jedi except for a scattered few. This was something he would keep an eye on for sure.

"Is everything ready," the voice said.

"Yes," came the reply.

"All right, the she-demon is unaware of the plan," the voice said. "We will execute it when I return."

"As you wish," the other person replied.

Jessica woke to find herself in a strange place. The last thing she remembered was being on board the ship. Now here she was in some forest lying on the ground. She could hear a campfire going nearby but there was something else that startled her. She could feel someone lying on top of her. Slowly peeling away the blanket it revealed reddish-blonde hair which was the last thing she expected to see.

The movement woke the person up and Jessica was surprised to see the face of the small Jedi staring back at her. The next part shocked her even more.

"Morning Xena," she said giving her a quick kiss.

Before Jessica could figure out what was going on she found herself replying to the woman.

"Morning to you too Gabrielle," Jessica said even though she was not sure it was her.

"Its too early to get up," the woman called 'Gabrielle' said as she snuggled closer to her.

"You just need to start getting up earlier that's all," Xena laughed.

"Oh, you are going to get it for that warrior princess," Gabrielle said as her hands began to move.

"Oh no you don't bard," Xena said as a tickle fight broke out.

Jessica was not sure what was going on but finally decided to put a stop to it.

"What's going on here," she finally said making the other woman stop as well.

"I don't know," the blonde woman 'Gabrielle' said. "You look like someone I know, actually I should say captured me."

"Gaia," Jessica said.

"Rizon," Gaia said. "Where are we?"

"I don't know. What magic are you using," Jessica demanded.

"I don't know either," Gaia said. "But it is kinda nice here," she said looking around.

"Nice, you kidnapped me," Jessica said.

"No, it think this is for something else," Gaia said. "We're connected and this is a result of it."

"Ha," Jessica said.

"Okay, then you explain it," Gaia said walking up to Jessica. "Besides I like how you're dressed."

"Keep your hands to yourself," Jessica said grabbing the smaller woman's hands but was surprised at how strong the smaller woman was.

"I like this outfit," Gaia said with a smile looking very much like a predator at the moment and Jessica was the prey.

"You should talk shortie," Jessica said trying to turn the tables. "This outfit leaves almost nothing to the imagination," she said noting the short skirt, green bra thing that she was wearing.

"You like," Gaia said twirling a bit in her outfit to give Jessica the best look.

"Look, we should be thinking about how to get out of here," Jessica said trying to turn the conversation back on what she thought was an important point.

"Why, I like what we were talking about," Gaia said.

Jessica just growled at that thought. She was off balance here and something was going on. She was sure of it. Now all she had to do was figure out what it was and she could fight it.

"I think we should take advantage of the silence," Gaia said watching as Jessica pulled back. "You know, a girl could get a complex with the way you're treating me," Gaia said with a pout. "And here I thought that you were trying to seduce me."

Jessica's eyes narrowed at that. Now she was sure that a game was being played but she was not sure of the rules in this one. Sure she had wanted the small Jedi, but the way she was acting was really strange.

"We will definitely discuss this later," Jessica said.

"You bet we will," Gaia said. "Will you wear something like this as well," she said letting her eyes roam over the figure in front of her.

"Arrrghh," Jessica said walking off from the campsite wondering just where she had lost control.

Jessica woke up feeling disorientated from the dream that she had been having. She glanced down at what she was wearing and with a sigh realized it was what she had put on last night and not the leathers she had been dressed in. She would have to have a talk with this Jedi and see what type of spell the small woman had put on her.

Quickly dressing Jessica made her way out of her room and down the hallway towards the prisoner's room. The guards were still on duty and Jessica dismissed them. This was something between her and the Jedi.

The small Jedi was still where Jessica had left her. She walked right on over to where the Jedi was. She noticed that the Jedi was looking at her with a strange look in her eyes. It was not fear but almost like the dream she had earlier.

"What type of trickery have you done to me," Jessica asked the Jedi.

"Trickery, what are you talking about. You interrupted a great dream of mine," Gaia said remembering the dream. The woman in front of her had been dressed in leather and was looking real good.

"What were you doing in my dreams," Jessica asked taking a more direct approach. "And don't lie to me little girl!"

"Little," Gaia said narrowing her eyes. "You are infuriating," Gaia replied to her. "I have a great dream and you interrupt it by coming here to tell me about yours."

"Yes, because mine matters more than yours," Jessica said in a no nonsense tone.

"Speaks the person who has held me prisoner," Gaia replied. "Didn't know that I was that big of a threat to you."

"You are impossible, you know that right," Jessica said.

Gaia thought for a second at everything that had been going on. At first she was sure that this woman had been trying to seduce her. Then when she turned the tables and tried the seducing the other woman ran. Now she was in here demanding why she was in her dreams.

"This is getting confusing," Gaia said finally. "I don't know what you're talking about. I had a great dream where you were dressed quite nicely, you still had the attitude but you looked nice."

"I don't do leather," Jessica growled.

Gaia's eyes widened at that. "I didn't say anything about leather," she said. "How were you in my dream?"

"I wasn't, you were in mine," Jessica said.

"Impossible, I don't know how to do that. I'm not that strong, but you could be," Gaia said.

"Enough, I'll figure out how you did that later," Jessica said. "For now I have something to take care of."

"Are you sure now is the time," a voice said.

"Yes, she is thinking that her recent defeat of the uprising will make others back down. She will be at her weakest," the man said.

"All right," the voice said. "We'll do it."

"Good," the man said as the communications went dead. He got up and walked out of the room smiling to himself. This was going to be a good day after all. He would have an empire all to himself to rule.

"Tyi, what's the status," Jessica said pulling herself into full Darth Rizon mode.

"We will be arriving any minute now," Tyi replied.

"Good," Jessica replied wanting to get back to what she knew her destiny was going to be. "When we arrive head to the planet's surface to prepare my arrival on the planet."

"Yes my lord," Tyi replied wondering what else the woman had planned.

"Excellent," Jessica said. "Soon it will be time to hit the Republic itself. And they won't even know what hit them," she said with a laugh.

The flagship for Darth Rizon's fleet arrived at the planet. It did not take long before a shuttle departed the ship with Tyi on board. His mission was to be preparing for the arrival of Darth Rizon. He sat in the shuttle looking out at the ship. A small smile came to his lips as he thought about what was about to happen. He wondered if the Sith Empress had any idea as to what was about to happen.

He turned to his console and opened the panel. Activating the communicator he waited until the face came into view.

"What," the man asked.

"Its time," Tyi replied. "Open fire."

"With pleasure," the man replied.

Tyi turned to the view port to watch. He was sure that no one on board the ship would have a clue as to what was about to happen. The nearest ship turned slightly to the flagship. Without warning he watched as turbo lasers began firing on the ship. Without its shields up the ship would be a sitting target and would quickly be destroyed.

Jessica was feeling restless about something. She had found her way back to the room where the Jedi was. She walked into the room where the small blonde woman was still.

"Find anything out," Gaia asked.

"Not," Jessica started then stopped. Something was very wrong. She walked over to where the communicator was. "Captain, is everything all right up there," Rizon asked.

"Yes my lord, why," the captain asked wondering about this.

"Just a feeling, keep a sharp eye out for trouble," Jessica told him.

"Expecting trouble," Gaia said.

"Always," Jessica replied. She was about to say more when the ship suddenly lurched almost throwing her off her feet. "By the Force what is going on," she just about yelled out.

"My lord, we're being attack by the escorts," the captain replied.

"Traitors," Jessica replied as the ship shuddered again.

"Shield generators are damaged, we won't be able to bring up the shields and engines are also reporting damage," the captain said.

"Return fire if you can," Jessica said.

"Yes my lord," the captain said signing off.

Jessica turned in time as another hit rocked the ship. This one caused Gaia to fall. Jessica watched in horror as the small blonde struck the table then was just lying there. Before she knew what she was doing Jessica was beside the small blonde checking her for injuries. A cut above her eye was bleeding.

A groan from the ship indicated to her that the ship's hull was failing. With little regard to what was going on she picked up the small blonde and headed to the escape pods.

"Captain, the ship won't hold together, get to the escape pods," she said over the communicator.

The captain readily agreed with her and ordered the abandon ship call. She passed several crewmembers who were also on their way to the escape pods. She found the closest one and placed Gaia into it. The woman regained consciousness just as the door closed.

"What," Gaia said a bit disoriented by what was going on. She saw the blue eyes lock with hers as suddenly the escape pod launched.

Once in space she noticed that a battle was going on between two ships that looked very much alike. Now she was really confused at everything. The ship she had just been on was taking a lot of damage she noticed. She could see escape pods being launched all over the place when suddenly the ship seemed to roll a bit then exploded.

"NO," Gaia said placing her face almost right against the window. "No," she whispered again. She slumped back into the chair not sure what to do now. Her heart felt heavy and she was not sure what she wanted to do.

Luke sat watching as another shuttle landed on the pad near the Jedi academy. He had heard that there was a surprise waiting for him on board. He was not sure what that surprise would be. He knew that several recruits were on board but aside from that nothing else.

The door opened and the first of the recruits walked out of the shuttle. It was not until the last person walked out that he understood what the surprise was. Gaia walked out of the shuttle. He looked at her and noticed that she appeared different somehow.

"Gaia," Luke said as the woman walked over to where he was. "Thank the Force you survived, what happened," he asked her.

"I was captured by the new Sith Empress," Gaia said. "You don't have to worry about her anymore. She's dead."

Luke was about to ask for more details when Gaia walked off. Something had happened to the small Jedi that was for sure. He wondered if she had been forced to kill the Sith Empress. He looked at the data pad that he had in his hands.

"The latest report of the mysterious Sith group," Kyle said to him as he walked up to Luke.

"Anything good," Luke asked.

"Yeah, it seems like a new person is not as good as the previous person. A civil war has broken out," Kyle said. "They are making mistakes that they did not make in the beginning. We have a few spies in the network now. That and one of the senators stepped forward with information."

"Information," Luke asked wondering about this.

"It appears that the Rizonians were the Sith invaders," Fie-Tel said coming into the conversation. "The woman that we met with, Rizon was actually the Sith Empress herself."

"Yeah," Kyle said. "Apparently she blackmailed the senator into getting the Republic to meet with them. Once the Republic's attention was focused on finding a ghost group she would attack with ships from the Darth Raven's fleet from over four thousand years ago."

"So what are we doing now," Luke asked.

"Well, we're preparing our forces for the upcoming battle that is sure to happen," Kyle said. "Leia also asked if the Jedi would help in this. She thinks that Sith Force users will be part of the battle."

"If they are then we will help," Luke replied. "Now we have another problem, Gaia returned but won't say anything other than the Sith Empress is dead."

"Hmm, if the empress is dead then that would explain the sudden civil war that they are having," Fie-Tel said.

"Yes, let's hope that it continues until we are ready to strike back," Kyle said. "The Republic is gathering forces to strike back at the taken worlds."

"Alright then, Kyle I want you to form up a group of Jedi who will go with them just in case," Luke said.

"All right Luke," Kyle said as he walked away.

Luke turned his thoughts back to Gaia as he wondered what had happened. He would keep a close eye on her.

Gaia walked into her small quarters with a heavy heart. There was little that she really wanted to do anymore. The knowledge of Rizon's death seemed effect her greatly. It was almost as if she was no longer there. She wanted to just curl up and sleep for a long time.

Glancing around her she noticed the small box that was sitting there. She walked over to it and wondered about it. Her mother had given it to her but now she never wanted to see it again for some reason. She placed it in the drawer where it was out of sight. Her door chime sounded and she wondered who it was.

"Open," Gaia said only half surprised when Luke Skywalker walked into the room.

"Gaia," Luke said as he walked into the room. "I'm sensing a great disturbance from you. Are you all right?"

Gaia sat down frustrated by everything. The last thing she really wanted to do was talk about it.

"Its nothing really, Master Skywalker," Gaia replied to him.

"Does it involved the Sith empress' death," Luke said feeling a sudden surge in the Force coming from Gaia. He had found the answer before she even replied and wondered if Gaia had been forced to kill the woman.

"Yes," Gaia replied not looking at Luke. "But I would rather not talk about it."

"Talking about it might help you get past it," Luke said gently.

"I would just rather not talk about it that's all," Gaia said looking down at her hands.

"You really would feel better if you told someone," Luke said to her getting up. "Perhaps you will feel like talking later on then."

Gaia really did not say anything but just watched as Luke walked out of her room. With a sigh she settled back down into her bed not wanting to leave for along time.

Leia listened as her intelligence officer reported in on what had been happening on the edge of the Republic. So far there had not been any unusual occurrences. The group had just finished fighting but so far the group that had won had not done anything. She listened as the man told her about the takeover attempt by one of the higher ups in the Sith organization. She knew that was what would happen to the Sith.

"Does there appear to be any threat at the moment of attack by them," Leia asked.

"No madam," the man replied. "But we should continue to monitor the situation very closely."

"Very good, we'll keep the sixth fleet stationed there just in case," Leia said. "Is there anything else that is urgent about this?"

"No madam president," the man said.

"Good, then that's enough for today. Let me know if anything else comes up," Leia said.

The man got up and walked out of the room leaving Leia sitting there wondering about everything that he had told her. She hoped that they would be able to move on past what had happened. Something inside her told her that this current problem was not yet solved.

Tyi stood on the bridge of the ship that was his new flagship of his empire. So far everything had worked out according to his plans. The Sith lord never even knew what happened when he ordered the attack. Now all he was doing was consolidating his power. There were a few who dared to challenge him but now he had finally eliminated the last of those who he knew were against Darth Rizon.

"Captain Draco, I think it's time that we move on to demonstrate our power to those worlds who think they are now free," Tyi said to him.

"Good idea," Draco replied turning to his crew he shouted out the orders that would take them to the closest world that was under their control.

"What about the New Republic," one man said. "They will not be content to sit idly by watching us."

"I know," Tyi said. "I have a plan for them as well."

"Good, I would hate to think that we're doing all of this only to have it taken away by some peace loving freaks," Draco said.

"And we can expect the Jedi to also interfere as well when the New Republic does. They will be the targets of our Sith warriors," Tyi said. "With the Jedi gone the Republic will be weak and ready to fall."

"Are you suggesting what I think you are," Draco said not sure he wanted to know.

"Our next attack will be Yavin IV," Tyi said. "We'll kill two enemies with one strike."

"Two," Draco asked a bit confused.

"Yes, two," Tyi replied with a smile. "The Republic will be lost without their precious Jedi and in the fight against the Jedi the Sith should be weakened. In their weakened state they will be easy to control."

"Sounds like you have all this planned," Draco said.

"I've been planning this ever since I meet that Darth Rizon or whatever her real name was," Tyi said. "It was easy to play the weak fool around her."

"I just hope that she is dead," Draco said.

"Don't worry about her. She was on board that ship when it exploded," Tyi said. "And now she has no support which means no power either."

Draco was about to reply but decided not to. He was not sure about what Tyi had just said. If Darth Rizon had survived then she would be powerful enough to destroy even this fleet. He had read enough history to know that one Force wielding person could change the destiny of the universe. He hoped that Darth Rizon was dead like Tyi had said.

Luke walked though the compound wondering where Kyle had gone. The Jedi had been helping with the new recruits so he had walked over there. The trainer on the field had told Luke that Kyle had gone back to the academy to look for something but did not say what. Now Luke was headed back to the academy wondering if he had missed him on the way over to the training grounds.

"Master Skywalker," a voice said making him turn to see Master Fie-Tel walking towards him.

"Fie-Tel, what can I do for you," Luke replied.

"Well, I was wondering if you have seen Gaia lately," he asked Luke.

"No, cannot say that I have," Luke replied. He knew that the small Jedi was keeping to herself but had not heard anything else.

"I went by her quarters only to discover that she was not there," Fie-Tel said. "I thought that maybe she had finally snapped out of the mood she was in."

"Hmm, she was really depressed," Luke said thinking about Gaia. "I'll keep my eyes open for her."

"Thank you Master Skywalker," Fie-Tel replied before heading back off on his quest.

Luke continued on his way to see about Kyle. He finally found the man sitting down with several records around him.

"Find anything," Luke asked.

"No, not really," Kyle replied not looking up.

"So what are you looking for," Luke asked.

"I'm not sure," Kyle replied. "I've just had a feeling that something is going to happen."

"A calm before the storm," Luke asked.

"Something like that," Kyle replied. "I just think that we haven't heard the last from that group in the rim."

"But it does seem that the Sith lord that was leading them is no longer there," Luke said.

"Yeah, but the person who took over could be just as bad," Kyle said. "Remember Tavion collected her own group after we beat Desann."

"That's true," Luke said. "But there was no person in training with this Dark Lord. From what I've heard there were several training in the Sith arts but that usually spreads power though several people."

"Exactly, what if they are all working together," Kyle said.

"Well, that would be bad but it works against the Sith doctrine as well," Luke said.

"But a Sith doctrine can evolve," Kyle said.

Luke was about to say something else when the alarms went off. Both of them looked around to see what was going on. Luke then raced to the control room oft he academy to see what was causing the alert. Kyle meanwhile headed to the training compound to see what was going on out there.

End Part 10

Continued...