**Skipray Blastboat Knight-5

On Patrol

Deep Space**

A crew of five made long haul patrol routes more enjoyable than alone in a fighter. The space was cramped, but the luxury of having a head aboard had a way of relaxing the nerves. It had been several weeks since the successful defense of the Cocytus system. There was no doubt that the Navy was at home and licking their wounds, but the thrashing they had laid upon the invading forces kept morale high. The crew had volunteered for a second patrol run in the hopes that they could get a second taste of blood. The Skipray pilots rarely saw the action that the Empire’s Defenders did, they relished this opportunity.

“Been quiet, eh Cap?” Remarked Lieutenant Kor Verza, as he took another bite of the dehydrated nutrition bar.

“Get your feet off the instrument panel. Act like a damn professional for once.” The Captain spat back.

“We ain’t seen nothing in near a week, Cap. They’re gone and ain’t coming back.”

“They’re out there. You don’t send a battlegroup that large into a system without meaning no harm. Check the scans again, Jan.” The captain said, looking back over his shoulder to the sensor operator.

Flight Officer Jan Gunstar flipped several toggles, beginning another set of routine sensor sweeps. It took the computer a matter of seconds to identify a new batch of useful data. He quickly analyzed the figures that the sensors fed him. They felt like they were chasing ghosts, all they ever found was faint hyperdrive trails. This was something different.

“Cap, HSI has got something. Hot trails. Processing them now.” He said, flipping another set of switches. “Here we go. Got something!” he exclaimed.

The alerts filled the Captain’s display a second later. Shock rolled over his face as he read the message. He knew the enemy would return, but not with force like this. He fumbled over the controls for a moment, trying to setting the small ship to full alert. The cabin lights went from the cold fluorescent white to an eeire glowing red. The Hyperwave Signal Interceptor’s data was verified by Residual Ion Detector. The fleet that previously occupied this space had left an imprint of massive proportions.

“Jan, Send this data to the FleetCom immediately. Can you pinpoint their trajectory?” he said, gripping the controls tight.

“Just a second, Cap. Transmitting to Fleet. Calculating potential escape vectors…Sir…They’re headed to Cocytus.” The novice officer said.

**Bridge

NSD Excidium II

Deep Space
**

He stifled a cough as his eyes scanned the hull of the pocket Star Destroyer. The vessel was pocked with laser burns from stem to stern. When the enemy came to the Cocytus system, they did not expect such fierce resistance. They had sent a sizable fleet, but with keen tactics and a fair amount of luck the Empire had cut them to ribbons. When the enemy turned coat and fled, every ounce of his being told him to follow and exterminate the enemy. His compatriots didn’t agree; they wanted to play it safe.

That didn’t stop the Sith from doing what he pleased. He had brokered a deal with the Quaestor. He encouraged Xen to divide the fleet and give him control of the pursuit group. He did, but there was a catch. His Aedile and a group loyal to the Emperor came along.They kept a watchful eye on the Warlord. They were wise not to trust him. The Excidium had been joined by the Daring, Dauntless, Dominion, Repulse, Relentless and the Escort Carrier Monarch. They had assembled enough power to mop the fleeing enemy fleet.

Xan, Aedile of House Scholae Palatinae, relayed orders from the Emperor but more importantly his presence prevented the Warlord from turning the fleet on the Empire. He stepped up to Thran’s side, along with his entourage.

“Anything new, Thran?” Xan inquired.

“I’ve sent out two additional flights. We’re hot on their tails. It’s just a matter of locating their resupply point. The enemy will regroup and prepare another attack, I’m sure of it…” The Bakuran replied.

“Good. The cure has made its way through our ranks. Xen says that they’re working on ending the last of the unrest back home. Is there anything else I should know?” the Aedile asked.

“Yes…Ensign, can you bring me that analysis…” Thran said, turning to one of the Junior Officers that loitered on the flight deck.

The grey uniformed officer brought a datapad to Thran. His heals clicked together and he raised a salute. The ritual of salute was not something that he was used to, but the dumb smile and wide eyes across the Ensign’s face was nothing new. He’d seen the same amorous looks across the Galaxy and they were always paired with sweaty palms. Occasus took the datapad and showed it to the Aedile.

“Knight-5 came across something big while out on patrol. It looks like the enemy has called in reinforcements and something is not right about it. There shouldn’t be power signatures that large. Something is not right.” He said.

“What do you make of it?” Xan asked.

“It’s headed for the Cocytus System… I don’t know what it is, but there is no way we can repel a force of that size. We don’t have many friends left…But we sure could use one right about now.” Thran said, obviously nervous.

“You’ve got that right. The Brotherhood Fleet should be headed for the Cocytus system.” Xan remarked, hoping that would change Thran’s mood. It didn’t.

“I’m not so sure of that. We’ll have to seek other options. Tell Xen to start shopping around for an ally. We should head back to ” Occasus replied.

**Temple of Sorrow

Sepros

Orian System
**

The enemy fleet that had beleaguered the Orian system had incurred enough damage to be driven off, but not without cost. The Heirs to the Empire had taken a battering at the hands of Zoraan’s forces. Like the rest of the Brotherhood, they had been marked for extermination. The fires had barely been extinguished from the treacherous attack of House Plagueis and House Scholae Palatinae when the Plague took hold. Perhaps they would have been better prepared for the plague if it had not been for Palpatine’s followers. But, The Orian system had the luxury of proximity to Antei. When the Brotherhood sent out its fleet to meet the enemy, the Orian system was the first stop. The system was cleared and the Clan was left to heal its wounds. Yet, even as the 8th Fleet stood in orbit above Sepros, they sought revenge.

The tension in the room hung in the air like a thick fog. Bolts of furious words echoed of the cold stone walls. The Sons of Sadow had been locked in heated discussion for some time.Among the faces that called for blood was the primary vector for the cure to the Horizon plague. Only weeks before, he had met with the heads of Scholae Palatinae infecting them with his manufactured cure, but as he stared the in the faces his heart was filled with hate. Macron’s voice carried through the chamber. None among them opposed.

“And we will bathe in their blood…their sweet tasty blood.” He said with a maniacal laugh. “We should strike now, while they are weak. There is no doubt they took a hit from Zoraan’s forces also. If we hit them now, they will fall.” Added Manji.

He was met with agreement and uproarious applause. All agreed; the House of Palpatine would pay for their treachery. Near the back of the room, the Consul and Proconsul sat quietly. They knew that the Clan was not prepared for another war, but they also knew that the misdeeds of House Scholae Palatinae could not go unpunished.

“Atra, ready the fleet. This discussion was over before it even began.” Locke whispered. “Excellent.” The Proconsul replied; he was just as eager to bring Scholae Palatinae to justice as the rest of the room.

Locke stood up and addressed the room. Atra slipped out of the room to assemble the Dlarit navy. He glanced over the heart of Naga Sadow, the old guard, with pride. They had met the challenge the enemy put upon them with ferocity and their fury had not died with the last of the enemy. He cleared his throat and spoke.

“Friends, There is no doubt that Scholae Palatinae must pay. But, we cannot do anything about it until the Brotherhood fleet has left. The Grandmaster will not allow open war at a time like this. We must act with caution. We cannot afford missteps and poor planning. We’ve faced enough already.” He said, praying that he could calm them. “Macron, what can you tell us about their status?” he added.

The madman was rambling off to himself when Locke addressed him. “Their fleet was beat up. Their cities were rife with unrest. The pretty one wanted to give chase and they listened. They’ll be undefended.” He said.

“It is settled then. We will hit them hard and Scholae Palatinae will fall, at our hands. While Atra readies our fleet, we will send an advance unit to scout the Cocytus System and prepare for our attack. Prepare yourself, we leave within the hour.” Locke said.

**Bridge

ISD-II Warspite

Cocytus System
**

“I understand.” Xen’mordin said calmly as he took the information to heart.

“Thran seems very concerned about the data. I don’t know much about it, but there is no way that this can be good news. I think we should trust what he is saying, Xen.” Chirped the holographic projection of the Aedile.

“Don’t be naïve, Xan. And don’t you dare confuse his concern with the safety of Judecca with allegiance. The only allegiance that man bears is to himself. He would just as soon see us dead as he would Clan Arcona. It could be another one of his tricks. But, with that in mind…This is not something he would lie about. If there weren’t something wrong, he would have gone back to filming his movies. Keep your eyes open. Report when you have more.” Xen replied.

The fuzzy blue image faded away as Xan bowed. The space around Judecca had grown calm in the last few days and paired with this new knowledge, the Quaestor was concerned. He rubbed his temples nervously, praying that he could divine a solution to all the Empire’s current troubles. The House of Palpatine had burned their bridges with House Plagueis and made a new enemy with Clan Naga Sadow, he could call all he wanted but no one would answer the Empire’s needs.

A mindless fleshy drone of an officer stepped up to the Emperor. He gave the traditional Imperial salute and clicked his heals together. The man presented Xen’mordin with a datapad. His eyes glanced over the message. The fleet had lost contact with the Palace and several other key installations. Something had gone wrong.

“What is the meaning of this?” he asked.

“Mi’lord…We believe that an Enemy force has captured the Palace. It was a small group. They were Dark Jedi, Sire. We must mobilize troops at once.” The officer said.

Just as Xen opened his mouth to issue the orders, sixteen vessels manifested in the once empty space. They all bore the trademarked symbol of the Dlarit Corporation. The vessels turned and took aim on the small, fractured, and unprepared Imperial Fleet. The Empire’s actions in the Orian system, months before, had offended the Sons of Sadow. Now, while they were weak, they sought revenge for the disrespect they had been shown.

Chasing Horizons Begins!

Hey guys,

Our post-Horizons feud with Scholae Palatinae has officially begun! We have a mini-site that lists the fiction, as well as the events for this feud. You can find it below. Also, I'd like to thank Thran for the awesome fiction! That really took a huge load off our shoulders, thanks man!

Chase the Horizon

Now, have fun!