Darth Nox: The Master of the Force

Chapter 16: Echoes of Betrayal, Shadows of Power

As Nox and Lana left the command center, the weight of Theron's message hung between them, heavy and undeniable. Nox's mind raced with the implications of what they had learned: the Alliance, dismantled and absorbed into the Republic; Braxen Trant's betrayal, which was not just political but a personal slight against everything Nox had built. He had always known that there were risks involved in entrusting others with power in his absence, but the scale of Braxen's treachery was far more insidious than he had anticipated.

Lana walked beside him, her features stern but thoughtful. They had scoured nearly every part of the decayed Alliance base, and while some clues had emerged, many more questions still needed answers. The silent remnants of what they had once commanded surrounded them: a vast but crumbling empire, waiting for someone to restore it to glory.

As they walked back towards the clearing where thy landed the ships, the muted sounds of nature encroaching on the ruins of their former home, Lana was the first to speak, her voice calm yet measured.

"Theron did his best," she said, breaking the silence. "Under the circumstances, I think he did more than anyone else would have. To save what he did, while keeping it hidden from Braxen and the Republic... it's impressive."

Nox gave a faint nod, though his expression remained cold. "Yes, he acted as he should have. But it still wasn't enough, Lana. The Alliance is no more. Braxen took everything I built and gave it someone weak. It's unforgivable."

"I don't disagree," Lana replied, her tone careful. "But Braxen didn't just destroy the Alliance because he wanted to. The rift had already started to form, even before you vanished. There was tension between the Imperials and the Republic forces long before Valkorion's death."

Nox considered her words. He had sensed the discord even before he had gone to Lehon. The Alliance had been a fragile thing, a coalition of vastly different powers brought together by necessity, not by true unity. When Valkorion was still alive, his presence had kept much of the infighting in check. But after his defeat, those underlying fractures had become more apparent, and Nox had seen them growing day by day.

"The rift was inevitable," Nox admitted, his voice low. "The Alliance was never meant to last. It was a means to an end, a way to amass power and resources. Without a common enemy, it was bound to break apart."

"And Braxen exploited that," Lana said. "He took advantage of the Republic's growing influence within the Alliance. The Imperials were becoming outnumbered, and I saw it happening, slowly but surely. Some of the Republic forces never truly accepted us. They tolerated us because of necessity. Once the threat was gone, their true allegiances reemerged."

"Typical Jedi hypocrisy," Nox sneered. "They speak of peace and cooperation, but they cannot stand true power when they see it."

Lana nodded in agreement but remained pensive. "Still, Theron's efforts to save what he could—those ships, the droids, the resources he sent to Iokath—he knew we would need them. I just wonder what else he might have safeguarded."

"That is the real question," Nox said, his eyes narrowing as they approached the ships. "The ships and technology are valuable, but Theron was always one step ahead. What else did he manage to preserve without Braxen's knowledge? He must have known that we would need more than just a fleet if we are to rebuild."

Lana's brow furrowed as she considered the possibilities. "There's also SCORPIO," she said. "She's been on Iokath for three thousand years. If she's still there."

"If she's still loyal," Nox added darkly.

"True," Lana agreed, folding her arms as they stopped at the edge of the clearing. The ships stood where they had left them, the HK droids and Lana's crew working nearby, preparing for the next phase of their journey. "SCORPIO has always been unpredictable. Her loyalty was never certain, even when we were at the height of our power."

Nox turned to face her fully, his eyes sharp. "If SCORPIO has spent three millennia on Iokath, what might she have become? She could be a greater threat now than she ever was. But she also holds the key to much of what remains of the Alliance's technology. We cannot afford to ignore her."

Lana sighed softly, her expression conflicted. "And how will we know if the credits Theron siphoned away are still out there? Three thousand years is a long time. It's possible the accounts were discovered or erased by the Republic."

Nox shook his head. "Theron was meticulous. He wouldn't have left the credits somewhere they could be easily found. If he set up accounts under my name they'll still be hidden. It's just a matter of finding the right systems, the right codes to access them."

"You think Braxen never discovered them?" Lana asked, her tone skeptical.

"I'm certain of it," Nox replied confidently. "Braxen was too focused on consolidating his power within the Republic. He wouldn't have suspected Theron of such subterfuge. Besides, Theron was too clever to leave any obvious traces. And even then my name wasn't known to many after I became a Lord of the Dark Council even less after I was frozen in carbonite on Zakuul."

Lana nodded, though she still seemed wary. "We'll have to check once we reach Iokath. If SCORPIO is still there—and if she's still loyal—she might be able to help us locate the funds and any other assets Theron hid. But I'm concerned about what she might have done in all this time. SCORPIO was always driven by her own agenda, and three thousand years is more than enough time for her to evolve in ways we might not be able to predict."

Nox crossed his arms, staring into the distance as he contemplated their next steps. "If SCORPIO has gone rogue, we'll deal with her accordingly. But we need her knowledge, and we need whatever resources remain on Iokath. We'll take my Interceptor and leave the others here to make part of the base livable again. We may need this place as a staging ground in the future."

Lana raised an eyebrow. "You're planning on rebuilding the Alliance?"

"I'm planning on taking back what was stolen from me," Nox corrected, his voice cold and sharp. "If that means rebuilding the Alliance, then so be it. But it will not be the same as it was before. This time, I will ensure that no one—not Braxen, not the Republic, and certainly not the Jedi—can undermine my power."

Lana smiled faintly, a touch of her old fire returning. "You always did know how to inspire loyalty."

Nox smirked, but there was a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "Loyalty is useful, but fear in combination with it is even more effective. Those who opposed me last time did not understand what I am capable of. This time, they will not be given the chance to forget."

Lana turned toward the ships, her mind already working through the logistics. "I'll have Xalek and the others begin repairs on the base while we're gone. They should be able to make enough of it functional again to serve as a temporary outpost."

Nox nodded in approval. "Good. I want a secure location here, in case we need to return. Odessen may not hold the same power it once did, but it's still valuable strategically."

As they began walking toward the ships, the sound of their boots crunching on the overgrown path, Lana's voice softened slightly. "Do you think we'll find what we're looking for on Iokath? Or is it possible that even Theron's efforts weren't enough to save everything?"

Nox's expression hardened. "We will find what remains, and we will use it. Iokath is a treasure trove of technology, and SCORPIO knows it better than anyone. Whatever happened during the last three millennia, we will uncover it."

They reached the ships, and Nox paused before boarding his Interceptor. He turned to Lana, his gaze piercing. "We have much to reclaim, and many enemies to deal with. This dark presence, the Republic, and whatever else has risen in our absence. But make no mistake, Lana—we will succeed. We always do."

Lana smiled, a gleam of determination in her eyes. "I never doubted it."