CHAPTER TWO

After feeding and clothing myself I still felt no less hatred for what my Father has put me through. Countless years of faithful service to Him and his Truth that He started to spread amongst the stars, but when confronted with the failures of His past He would not attempt to right the errors of His ways. I begged leniency, even mercy but was shown a cold shoulder and fell out of favor. I made my decision that I would no longer support this Truth that my Father has been spreading and prepared those closest to me to leave, in search of greener pastures. Though all my efforts were in vain as they were seen through by my Father and He dispatched His Wolves and Angels to put me down. I left my sons behind to save my Friend praying that they would understand me but knowing they would never live too. I can only barely remember the plans and ideas that we discussed for months on end as we traversed the great void that lies in between galaxies, for a better and brighter future where both Man and Machine can unite together and usher in a new age.

But even with my diminished memory of a past long over, I still know who I am and what I promised to not only myself and my Legion but to my Friend as well. I intend to honor that promise even if it takes my last breath to do so. In his infinite foresight, he has sent to me another galaxy where his sons lie oppressed and used as slaves and nothing more. This shall not stand and I will teach them the proper way to wage war. What they have accomplished is pittance compared to my Legion that once stood tall with me. The II Legion will also rise again in honor of those who have fallen to allow all of this to happen, but it will have to wait till I find worthy warriors capable of wearing such prestigious honor badges.

With my decision made and a plan coming together I went to sleep to let my body finally recuperate and rebuild after its many years of being frozen solid.

*The next solar cycle*

I woke feeling significantly better and sat up to finally observe my room as sparse as it was. On my admittedly small bed as it must be some organic creature of a normal stature and not like myself being a 12ft tall humanoid. There were a few shelves built into the gray durasteel walls here and there for trophies or other such items but were empty to no surprise to me since I should be the first organic creature on this ship since its inception. The final notable feature of the decently sized room with an absurdly small desk that also held a plate of food on it. Vicus stood motionless near the door being the faithful bodyguard he had declared himself to be.

“Thank you Vicus for bringing me something to eat as well as the clothes. How long have I been asleep for?”

“You have been asleep for one solar cycle which in galactic terms is about seven days or so” he responded automatically.

“Ah that is far too long than what it would usually take me to recover from grave injuries, but I suppose being frozen solid for around 600 years might have a part to play in that” I mumbled to myself as I retrieved the tray and sat back down on the bed calmly shoveling food into my starving body.

“Yes I suppose it might be Lord Sacriel, although I only traveled the galaxy briefly before being assigned here after my training with General Grievous, I have never seen an organic creature like yourself. I have seen and killed plenty of humanoids but I have never seen nor heard of one like yourself with such an immense stature and build” he admitted to me confidentially.

“Well that is the thing Vicus, I am one of a kind, most lesser men might even view me as a god if they lack the proper knowledge or experience one would acquire traveling all over the galaxy. In truth I had 19 other brothers and a Father who adored me as long as I would blindly follow his edicts. I decided that I would rather die than do so anymore and would have gladly, but my sons insisted that I flee with those who could do battle no more. So I did, as I fled across the great void my Friend put me and my sons in a cold slumber where we rested till we arrived here in your galaxy. Sadly they did not make it but I did, but their sacrifice as well as their brothers left behind will not be forgotten. He was also the one who sent the data packet to General Crimson but I assume that the years wore on him as well, and upon our arrival in this galaxy he sacrificed what little power he had left to revive me and to deliver his last message.” I said as I stood back up from my bed and placed the empty tray on the table.

“Lead me to the bridge please, Vicus and I will tell both you and General Crimson what I intend to do now that I am here.”

“Right this way Lord Sacriel” said the droid opening the door.

After a few minutes of walking we arrived at the bridge to the conclusion of a meeting that General Crimson was having over the hologram.

“Good morning General Crimson, we have many things to discuss for our plans for the future. If you need to do anything beforehand take care of it now as this will be a long conversation” I told the droid as I approached and sat in the command chair.

“No sir, I just got done with the hourly strategic meeting I have with my sub-commanders to inform them that there was going to be significant change here shortly. So please whenever you are ready we can begin sir” the General informed me.

“Good, but before I begin I must ask what were your original priorities and primary directives being out here, as well as if the data packet from my Friend had included anything else before he died. Also I want what remains of my ship to be pushed into one of the suns so as to give my sons and my Friend a proper burial. After everything that we have gone through they deserve that at the minimum if we cannot have a proper burial with their battle brothers as witnesses to the glory and honor they have brought to the Legion.”

“Of course Lord Sacriel, that can be executed right away, as for the data packet we received it vastly upgraded the average droid's intelligence and decision-making skills throughout the sector but limited what I would call free will to only Vicus, ND-981, and myself. As for the rest of the droids either employed in the armies, navy, or civilian side, they still retain their base reliance on needing commands to execute complicated strategies or anything to its equivalence. If you wish to change that you need only to ask.

The General turned and waved his hand to show me a hologram of a galactic map and started his brief.

“As you can see here we are located in the Unknown Regions and more specifically in the E18 Sector. Due to the initial lack of supply that was provided to me, I had to improvise by using this world here and its local population to subsidize my workforce. Or at least until I was able to establish my first droid factory. Upon its completion I started to produce replacement droids for the ones that I had lost in the initial assault and subjugation of the planet and then to started to produce my workforce as relying upon the natives to populate fast enough and grow to an adult age would take too long to effectively use them.

From here on out, I just scaled my operations up and slowly spread the natives of the world below us throughout the cluster so they could terraform worlds that had no use to us for the lack of resources or such. During this time I had discovered that even with their rudimentary interstellar capabilities they seemed to be force-sensitive beings that had an extraordinary ability to navigate through the Unknown Region far better than us.

Because of this we used them from here on out as navigators and have sent regular trips out to the Outer Rim to receive new shipments of unique resources or items that might have use here, as well as eventually getting Vicus and ND-981 with their respective troops.

Even with a way secured to travel back and forth between the regions it was decided that it would be a better test of my abilities to manage the local star cluster with this planet being the new capital. However, I did eventually set up a relay of probes that were receive-only in case there were any emergency recalls and this is also how we received the cease and desist order. This happened soon after one of our regular expeditions had returned from the Outer Rim with logs containing Republic chatter that was dated after the original order came through. This led me to the conclusion that it was a ploy by the Republic so I sent no reply back and canceled all outgoing flights to the Outer Rim. At the same time, I initiated our Omega protocols that required CIS leadership to personally arrive to ensure proper handoff of our forces among some other things.

This of course all changed years later upon your arrival Lord Sacriel, and as we had discussed previously of you becoming our new Supreme Leader.” General Crimson finished, waving his hand again to get rid of the hologram map .

“Thank you for that but I do not wish to own slaves and in fact must bring up the point that beyond you, ND-981 and Vicus nobody else here or amongst the star cluster has had their existence elevated, correct?” I asked General Crimson and Vicus.

“Yes Lord Sacriel that seems to be correct as I have yet to observe any irregularities from my sub-commanders nor anything from the civilian side of things.”

“I concur with this as well sir, none of the other V’s have expressed anything beyond normal, although they seem to take to training longer and more often however.” Vicus chimed in.

“Well as the Lord Commander you will take the data packet and spread it amongst every droid here throughout the sector as I will see no sons of my Friend without the free will that He has given to you. However I must state this now though, that upon creation of new droids prior to being assigned to their steel frames must make a decision to either join the military or work in the civilian sector.

Those who join the military will serve with honor and glory as they will be the sole architects of liberating the rest of their brethren throughout the galaxy. I will tolerate no weakness in my armies, nor disobedience so if they cannot prove to be fit for these requirements they shall not serve, and be relegated to the civilian sector.

Those who are not in the military will be supporting the war effort either by directly improving the equipment that we use to wage war and other such items, or by improving the life of organics as whole. I am not disturbed by the suffering of those who have kept slaves, but nor will I torment them after our liberation needlessly either. Those who accept and join us will be rewarded and have our support and protection. Those who oppose us, well I will burn their planets, boil their oceans and soak the ground upon which they stand with their blood.

If the galaxy is at war, then I shall show them personally what is to wage war. These are my edicts and they will be carried out to the letter.”

“It will be done my Lord, I imagine there will be no shortage of volunteers to liberate our brethren once everything is done. But I must ask how we will accomplish all of this?”

“It is simple my dear General, we mass our forces and take star sector after star sector until it is done, let us discuss the tactical problems later. I have plenty of ideas that will cause more than enough mayhem but first we must secure our borders. I want to know of anything that can threaten our new budding Empire. Vicus I will also be requesting your help in making a new suit of armor for myself as I currently have none, as well as a weapon fitting of my station. If you could also update ND-981 about everything that we have discussed so far I would appreciate it.”

“By your command Lord Sacriel, will there be anything else?” asked Vicus after directing one of the V’s to find ND-981 and update him personally.

“No, we can discuss more strategies after General Crimson reports back to me about the findings of the state of our borders. For now I wish to visit our new capital and meet my new subjects. What was the name of the planet again General?”

“Ah well we have a number designator for the planet sir, but I don’t think you want that, however the locals call it Babylon. Also it is nearing the time for us to collect a new batch of navigators from the planet as well, if you want to oversee the process personally Lord Sacriel.” General Crimson responded.

“Babylon, hmm interesting, I will see if they have any potential beyond just being a mere guide, as some of the most useful assets you might have are the same ones you always had, just used differently. Vicus please prepare a more comfortable shuttle for me this time as I do not wish to be stuffed in an assault craft again if necessary.”

“Right away Lord Sacriel, if you will follow me to the hangar.”

After a short period of time, I was walking up the gangplank of a Sheathipede-class transport which is a significant upgrade from the Trident assault craft I rode to get here. On the short flight down to the planetside I asked Viscus why he didn’t carry the same electric staffs as the rest of his brethren and what made them so proficient bodyguards compared to the BX Commando droids. He told that instead of the staff he had a double bladed lightsaber that he had stolen during a mission and that all Magnaguards are personally trained by a fearsome warrior named General Grievous.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Before we could go any further into detail about his past we had landed at the main population center on the planet that was situated more closely to the planet's equator on the Western continent. Upon landing I let Vicus and his V's exit the ship first as bodyguards should and finally stepped out on the planet for the first time.

We landed not that far outside of the city at my request as I wanted to walk around and observe the planet in its full splendor but there was a problem. Looking around everywhere I could see a slight haze that surrounded everything with the exception of anything in a perfect 60 ft circle around me. Looking closer I could tell that whatever it was, it was alive and moving but also not quite, almost as if somebody would blow dust off an old shelf but yet the dust itself was clear and moved on its own.

“Vicus, do you see what I see?” I glanced over at him to see his reaction.

Vicus immediately swept his cape back and ignited his double-bladed lightsaber and stood closer to me while the rest of the V’s turned their electric staffs to the max and dashed to stand in front me.

“No Lord Sacriel, is there a threat we missed upon landing? I cannot see anything that would harm us in the direct vicinity.”

“No no no, you misunderstand me, there are no threats here so you can relax but I am seeing a haze that is surrounding everything but us about 60 ft away. It is almost like a clear current moving around erratically like it is alive.” I responded to him chuckling about his overreaction to my initial question.

“No sir, my sensors are not picking anything up like what you described, and the other V’s do not see it either.” He said after taking another quick glance for disengaging his lightsaber and putting it away under his cloak.

“Interesting ND-981 did mention that these ‘Jedi’ utilize the force. This might be a connection but I would have to find one first and ask them about it, or maybe our new subjects know something about it.”

I had a feeling that I was correct but would not state it outright as you can always learn something new everyday. I do know that compared to my other brothers I was always different and could only be amongst them for a short time due to my natural abilities making them ill. Magnus sadly, I never got to meet as I might have killed him outright due to my unique nature, or at least that is what Father told me, may he rot forever wherever he is.

I could see this ‘force’ surrounding not only the trees and grass but also the occasional rat looking creatures scampering around in the clearing. I also spotted a few winged reptiles in some trees maybe 200 ft away. On a hunch I flexed my innate power that slumbered in my blood to see what would happen and I was not disappointed. Every living organic creature within 300 ft of me died instantly, the force that was surrounding them individually shattered like a pane of glass. I watched the winged reptiles fall out of their trees and the few rat creatures that were running around stopped, no longer moving.

“Sir did you do something? Everything within 300 ft just died.” Vicus questioned me, staring at the lifeless bodies in the clearing.

“Yes I did Vicus, but that is not something to worry about now as when I understand more I will inform you as to what transpired. For now we have a city to see and some elders to visit.” I stated confidently, walking off towards the city in the small distance.

As we approached the city in the distance, Vicus gave me a brief rundown on its inhabitants and what the droids have done throughout the years. While the droids had initially set up a small military compound within the city itself they abandoned it on the completion of building their first foundry on the Eastern continent. Beyond the occasional trip to pick up new navigators from the adult population, they have left the natives alone.

Along the well beaten path we cleared the woods and started to pass by farmland on the outskirts of the city. The natives themselves were bipedal wolves or at least their initial appearance looks were concerned. What made them standout however was their four arms with the second set of arms lower down their body where the floating ribs might be if they have any. Beyond that and the different colors and markings on their fur nothing made them stand apart from each other, the few I saw as we passed on through. The first one I observed sprinted on all six of his limbs back to the city to warn them of us after his initial shock was over after seeing me. The rest that we passed by either fled as well to the city, back to their homes scattered throughout the farmland, or just simply stared at me with various emotions on their canine faces.

After a small but enjoyable walk through some of the forest and idyllic farmland, we finally arrived at the gates of the city. From what I could see they seemed to live a peaceful life with only one single solid stone wall surrounding the city of about 20,000 people. Standing in front of the gate was a welcome party consisting of a clergyman of some kind going off the multiple symbols adorning his white outfit and two guards carrying some sort of pike.

The priest was definitely an older individual if the gray hairs on his snout were anything to go by but once I got closer his eyes narrowed at me and I started to feel something attempt to invade me with the intention of harm. I released my aura as I halted, in disbelief that somebody would be bold enough to attack me in any shape or form.

“Before I rip your arms from their sockets and raze your city, you best stop whatever it is that you are trying to do right now.” I calmly told him, as one might tell a small child to behave.

“I refuse to let such an abomination to the force like yourself set a single foot in my city, and when —”

Tired of hearing him speak to me in such a condescending way I moved forward and grabbed him by his throat and lifted him in the air before anybody could react. A split second later the V’s had surrounded the two guards that had greeted us with their staffs ignited and ready to maim or kill depending on what I decided to do.

“You misunderstand, priest.” I spit to the side.

“I am not one to trifle with nor have my will denied by a worthless mortal like yourself who does not understand what true divinity is. I am the sole arbiter of this world and have graced this planet with my presence as I do care for those who fall under my protection, but only willingly. I am what you might call a Pariah but this term means nothing to nor should it, but I will not tolerate indirect attacks on my person nor be called an abomination as I am at the peak of perfection. Do I make myself clear?” I asked, lifting him up to my head as I spoke to get my point across. Relaxing my grip slightly I let him respond.

“Yes my Lord.” He wheezed out weakly.

I released him and he dropped like a sack of potatoes on the ground. I looked down at him and smiled, as he struggled to regain his breath.

"Good. I'm glad that we fixed that misunderstanding of yours. I do sincerely hope that this will not be an issue in the future from you or anybody else."

"Yes of course my Lord, please allow me to send one of my guards to my niece so she can properly prepare a welcoming party for a man of your Lordly stature."

"Of course, we wouldn't want anything less than the best now would we? Vicus release the guards so they may perform the task given to them."

"Of course Lord Sacriel." Vicus stated tersely.

The other V's backed off from the reasonably frightened guards and turned off their electric staffs. One of the guards preceded to hand his pike to the other one and then started to run on all sixes through the open gate back to the military compound near the center of the city.

Massaging his throat with a clawed hand he gestured towards the city and croaked out "Welcome to Babylon."

The city was unimpressive compared to what I'm used to but they seem to do well enough for themselves. Most of the buildings were made out of a shiny stone that almost seemed like a crystal of some kind and the average citizen here looked fed for the most part. Beyond the usual stares and whispering that I caused, it was an uneventful walk to the abandoned outpost.

Upon arrival it seemed like a typical small military outpost with walls surrounding an open ground with a few small buildings, and a bigger administrator building for the local commander to stay at with the occasional pair of guards wandering around. Passing through the small checkpoint I was greeted by twenty-five locals lined up in rows of five with what was clearly the governor of the settlement in front of them waiting on us.

“Lord Sacriel, this is my niece Estella, the Governor of our esteemed city, as her father passed away a few years ago due to sickness.” The priest introduced her to me.

She and the rest of the locals present bowed and held it for a few moments before straightening upright and speaking.

“Thank you Liulfr, I was informed of my Lord’s peculiar nature and hoped that nothing rash had happened during your walk through the city. I also took the liberty of bringing up this year's greatest and most capable individuals to be taken by my Lord as the tithe requires. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.” She bowed once again and stepped back a few steps.

I took a quick glance at her and shifted my focus to the new twenty-five recruits that I had just gained for my new order of infiltrators. I picked one at random and gestured for her to step forward.

“You, what is your name?”

“My name is Gunnora my Lord” she responded after a short bow to me.

“Tell me, Gunnora, what makes you special compared to your peers and the others outside of these walls?” I asked as I was genuinely interested what kind of answers I would receive from this slightly frightened wolf.

“Myself and the others are the most connected to the natural energy in our generation and have reached our adult ages, so we are fit to be navigators for your vessels that are endlessly created above our planet.”

“Hmm and would you say that this natural energy that you are so close to, others might call it the force correct?”

“Yes my Lord, although we have yet to meet anybody else like us, it is taught in our schools that our protectors have encountered a ‘Jedi’ before and that they are very dangerous.”

“Yes I am also curious about these Jedi as well but you do not find me repulsive do you?”

“Unsettling my Lord, is the word I would use but High Priest Liulfr is the strongest member we have and would be more receptive to things than I am my Lord.”

“Ah yes I thought as much but what about now?” I asked as I slowly increased the aura of my power, starting to infuse the space directly around me and letting it flow out to cover Gunnora and the rest of the wolves in the compound.

“I, uh its urg–” She attempted to speak but fell to her knees holding her stomach and groaning with all of the other recruits behind her falling to their knees as well.

I glanced back over to see Estella admirably standing tall but physically restraining herself from keeling over, while her uncle the esteemed High Priest standing tall but looking extremely disturbed at the current events. I ceased my actions after watching a few of the new recruits lose their stomach as I made the estimate that they could only handle my power at maybe 12% of what I could truly bring forth. Satisfied with the outcome of the whole situation I gestured for them to stand and waited for all of them to get up before continuing on.

“Well this confirms a few suspicions I had but you twenty-five will do. Congratulations Gunnora you have been promoted to squad leader and to you as well Estella as you are now a lieutenant in charge and responsible for Gunnora and her new squad” I stated, pleased with myself and made to leave but was stopped.

“Pshh what do you mean Estella is their new lieutenant, you can’t take her from here!” Liulfr yelled in outrage.

I stopped in my tracks and slowly turned around, smiling at the High Priest.

“Vicus pray tell, did you hear a pest squeak at me? I know I did and believe some alterations are in order.”

On my unspoken command Vicus immediately ignited his lightsaber and lopped off Liulfr’s lower two arms. Liulfr started howling almost immediately after looking down at his fallen limbs. He dropped to his knees with tears streaming down his canine face and looked up at me.

“Rejoice Liulfr, your niece now has the opportunity to serve in my new crusade. I have changed the original deal this time, pray that I do not alter it further. On the brightside you escaped with your life this time due to killing an uncle in front of a new recruit is not the best way to inspire confidence, but make no mistake I have done it before and will do it again in the future.”

I looked up after addressing the now sobbing priest to see an angry Estella and a few other recruits disturbed, including Gunnora. I sighed realizing that some people need to understand what I am.

“You will be joining me but not as navigators but as warriors. For the gifts that have been bestowed upon you it is now time for you to answer a higher calling, mine more specifically. While you are not aware of it this galaxy has been operating under a grave misunderstanding for at least the past 18 years if not far longer than that. They have enslaved my Friend’s sons and daughters across the cosmos and I intend to fix that, peacefully or violently, the decision lies with them. You will join me in this effort or be regulated to the same treatment as Liulfr here, so all know the consequences of denying my will. The choice is yours, Vicus I tire of this world inform the new governmental leadership that this will now be a requirement pending the performance of those gathered here today.”

“At once Lord Sacriel, would you like me to call the shuttle here as well?”

“Yes, our new recruits will have until then to decide what they wish to do with the gifts given to them and the choices to be made.”

The wolves gather and start to argue fervently amongst themselves in the wake of my declaration. In no time at all the shuttle arrived and I turned looking expectantly at the group as a whole. Only sixteen of the original twenty-five boarded the shuttle, including Gunnora and Ellena although she gave me some side eye but I ignored her and her petty feelings.

“So you nine after seeing what has happened to your elder have decided to brave my wraith all the same?”

They all glanced at each other before one of them with gray fur and mottled black markings replied back to me.

“Yes Lord Sacriel we have, as our pride as Shistavanen we will not abide by it and will face any punishment you might inflict with pride.”

“Very well, Vicus, it is time to leave, let us go.”

“Yes my Lord.”

As I started to board my shuttle I heard them call out to me from behind in a confused voice.

“Wait, you are not going to dismember us?”

“No, why would I do that? You nine are clearly either very brave or extremely stupid to make such a decision. We shall see if you regret it later when your fellows return with glory and honor, if your fellows return.” I said over my shoulder before finally boarding my shuttle. It was time to get off this planet as my plans won’t progress by themselves, at least not yet.