The Empire Meets Equestria: Star Wars Esque

Everyone knows about the Galexy far far away but what about our own?

This is about the Marcisian Empire, that rules our Galaxy and the beings that belong to it.

Most characters and story are my own.

Some Star Wars Refrences owned by Disney

MLP owned by Lauren Faust/Hasbro

It was dark, but not silent . The sounds of the engines could be heard throughout most of the ship but more so in the aft. Making meditation difficult, but not impossible. The Dark Lord was disguised most of the time during this undercover operation, but still how he ended up here was puzzling. Levitating above the floor with legs crossed he floated with one of his trusted blood sabers in pieces floating in front of him, all held firmly into place by either his own power or the force (seeing as that was the name all of the practitioners started calling it.)

"I remember a time when it (The Force) had many names both the Jashari and the Zaharaj called it. Until, the Marcisian Empire took both organizations under it's wing. The Marcisian Empire of the Firaxian Galaxy, or the Milky Way Galaxy, different names, same Galaxy." Lord Visage said aloud.

During meditation he did that a lot, to him it was a way of connecting  to the past, through that connection it made it easier to see the future, which at this time was very clouded.

Visage sighed, and started rehearsing the code of the Imperial Shadow Knights as they were named by the Emperor.

"Peace is Fleeting so I thirst for knowledge,

Through knowledge I gain Power,

Through Power, I gain Wisdom,

Through Wisdom I become Enlightened

with Enlightenment I will become one with the Verse." (Universe shortened)

Opening his eyes Visage smiled "I still like the old way better. Sorry, Lord Nos."

There was a mirror facing him in his small compartment. For it was much too small to be a cabin the only things in it was a bed a dresser that was fixed to the bulkhead and a mirror that was mounted over the dresser.   Visage was staring at his own reflection in the mirror. Those eyes really are creepy, he thought to himself even thought they were his own. The white Sclera that had purple bloody veins leading to  darker purple blood shot looking irises that were abruptly overtaken by a gold inner iris that surrounded a deep, dark, pupil.  The Abyss black hair didn't help matter's either. At least his face has a softness to it, despite his affinity for the dark side. If the others on the ship had any idea that they had one of the thirteen members of the Shadow Council was on board there would be an uproar, so the contacts had to stay in, while out performing his duties.

Lead mechanic wasn't the worst job on an Terminian Freighter but still the accommodations left much to be desired. This tub is nothing like the Vengeance. Thinking about his own vessel. He actually missed his home, for that ship was indeed his second home besides the one back on Earth which at this time was a long ways away. At least this trip was going to be an easy one, simple supply run for the Terminian Conglomerate. The biggest privately owned business in the Galaxy.

Visage went back to meditation at least he had the peace part, but the drumming of the engines propelling them through hyperspace was rather annoying. Despite that one minor irritation he was meticulously piecing his blood saber back together again. This ritual was like breathing at this point, he has done it so many times over the Onns but it still helped him clear his mind. Thinking back on how he got this ridiculous assignment.

Maricisia Imperial capitol several cycles ago

The palace was white marble with a light blue carpet leading up to the throne. The white pillars and transpersteel windows that lined the white walls between each pair of pillars had different tints of blue leaving brilliant designs on the floors between each set of columns the designs became less blue and more white and more intricate as they lead up to the throne.

Visage was always overtaken by the pure beauty and size of it, no matter how many times he has visited the Marcisian Palace.  His walk was not a pleasant one though, he could feel the anticipation and concern coming off of Emperor Barran distracting Visage from the grandeur of the palace this visit. Stopping near the small flight of steps that lead up to the throne that had a pacing Emperor in front of it. Visage stood still and cold. The waves of fear, dread, concern and other mixed emotions emanating from his eminence were immense.

Barran like all Marcisians had pure white skin they were humanoid but they had glassy white eyes, tendrils for hair, and smaller tendrils under their chins used for eating, which could be retracted, unless they were very emotional, then they seem to come out on reflex and flail about. The other unusual feature is that they have no mouths but they do have something resembling lips so they might have had mouths in the distant past. Their noses aren't as pronounced as humans but they do have two nostrils.

Barran wasn't looking forward to this meeting at all. He hated being the bearer of bad news but there was a way to make Visage disappear at least until a solution to his current problem could be found. It took a while for Barran to see a very still and patiently waiting Dark Lord of his Shadow Knights, who was at this time waiting for his Emperor to collect his thoughts, and say whatever was on his mind. Rather then being prodded Barran simply went with the truth.

"Lord Visage I have been talking with the Shadow Council and we have decided to put you on an undercover mission for your wife and the Tarminain Conglomerate." Barran's tendrils squirmed a bit. But his glassy white eyes couldn't be read by the waiting dark lord. He needed to tell his astute young friend before he tried to read his mind, which powerful force users seem to do, but Visage wouldn't do that to his Emperor. He merely waited for him to speak.

With a sigh Emperor Barran slumped down onto his throne. His mouth tendril's stopped flopping about and retracted. He then put his elbows down onto the armrest's of the throne, crossed his fingers, and rested his chin into the finger cradle.  Looking at his Shadow Knight. Telling him what was happening was going to be hard, but it would be better for him to know the truth than keep him guessing. Barran hoping his thoughts wouldn't betray him first.

"Visage...no Arrom what I am about to tell you is secret." Barran waited for a reply.

Visage nodded in agreement knowing that what was going to be said must be big.

"Our neighbors in the Andramida Galaxy have laid claim to you. Myself, The Imperial Shadow Knights, and The Order of the White Hand have decided that we will not relinquish you." Barran let this info sink in before continuing.

Visage's eyes went wide. He had many questions. But his Emperor might have the answers so he just nodded, waiting patiently.

Barran continued. "Due to this claim and your endangered species status we decided that you should, disappear...for the time being. Therefore I....no...we, have decided to send you on an undercover mission. You will be given a new identity and if the Aclorian Empire asks where you have gone we will be able to honestly say, we don't know."

Barran looked at Arrom not just as his Knight but also his subject and charge. There wasn't really any better plan, the Aclorain Empire was nearly three times the size of their own. If they really wanted to they could track down Arrom, and force him to their Galaxy, to what en? Barran didn't want to know but he couldn't let them take the savior of his wife and child.

"Arrom I have talked with your family, and wives about this and we have all decided it was the best, and only course of action, until we convince the Aclorians that they have no claim. You need to vanish so they can't find you." Barron's heart sank and was about in tears after finishing. Visage knew how hard it was for his Emperor to tell him. He could feel his Emperor's sadness.

"Emperor Barron, do you know why they make, or have a claim on me?" Arrom asked his down looking Emperor.

Barron being brought back from his thoughts shook his head both to clear it and to respond.

"I am sorry but I do not, I could find out though..and then I might be able to.."

"Keep me here." Visage finished for him.

"I will do this undercover mission, you contact Emperor Acloria. See why they want me so badly. If they found out what I truly am then we might have a problem, but also a solution. You also tell them that I will not leave MY Galaxy unless they are attacked by those scum sucking Skath. Then maybe, and I mean, maybe I'll go help."

Barron looked at Arrom with pride his nearly non existent lips turned up into a smile. "Your master will be happy to hear this."

Visage just shrugged "Azalla's not my master anymore she's my wife, and she hasn't been my master in several Onns."

"Well she'll still be pleased you'll be working for her and her Conglomerate." Barron said flatly.

Arrom smirked. "Your the reason I married her and those others. MY  Emperor!"

"All joking aside." Barron simply shrugged. "I did what I felt I had to do. I said this before but I'll say it again. I will not allow an endangered species to go extinct while Marcisia stands. That decree that you were so angry about all those Onns ago. I need to know, how do you feel about it now?" Barron, curiously asked.

Visage wondered for a bit. "Well having nine wives would be tough on some but with all of us doing different things and being scattered across the Galaxy I really don't see many of them often. And...."

Barron really  wanting to know, his anticipation building. "Annnnd what? might I ask?" Barron didn't realize he was on the edge of his seat.

Rubbing his gloved hand through his black hair Visage gave a sigh "And I kinda miss them in my life....Yes, I know that your endangered species Act was necessary, and yes, I was furious at the time, but being around all of them for so long, they grew on me. I probably wouldn't be a Lord sitting on the Shadow Council if it weren't for Azalla or Arora and even Riza with her antics. Well, never mind." Visage trailed off. Realizing something.

Barron watched as Arrom's arm dropped and his eye's went wide. Barron thought he could see the gears in Arrom's head turning.

"Emperor Barron what if the Aclorians found out what I am, and also found out about the endangered species Act. What if that is the claim!" Visage said emphatically.

Barron felt as though he were hit in the face by a Gorf. If that were true then there is a solution. In the Act it states that no being form outside the Empire could make a marriage claim. Even if Arrom saved Aclorian lives they wouldn't be covered by the law.

"I bid you farewell my young friend..and may the Force be with you."  With that Barron dismissed Arrom with a wave, then hurriedly dismissed himself.

"May the Force guide us to our destiny." Visage said to his Emperor as he made a hasty exit smiling as he turned and set out for the Vengeance.

Walking past the white pillars the small blue gemstone set into the top of his glove started blinking. A miniature hologram of Lord Nos appeared. "So did you meet the Emperor Lord Visage?"

Still on his way out to the landing platforms Visage smiled and answered. "Yes, Lord Nos, I did and it seems I need to make myself scarce for a while."

The miniature Lord Nos also smiled. "Indeed my friend. Just stay out of trouble this time. I don't want a sequel of the Mendinus four incident."

Visage just rolled his eye's. "I didn't start that....incident."

Nos, smirked evilly. "No...but you did finish it, and Lord Visage you need to meet your Captain and crew on Tarthos for your new assignment. Don't bring the Vengeance with you take a marked transport. There is a hub station in the Clanos sector, your contact there will fill you in on the rest. Oh...and...May the Force be with you Lord Visage."

"May the Force guide us to our destinies Lord Nos." Visage replied, as the mini Lord Nos vanished back into the dimming blue gemstone. Getting back to the Vengeance walking up the ramp leading into his ship Visage realized something, he hated politics.

Visage came out of his meditation. Putting his blood saber back together, levitating it close to his hand, slowly warping his fingers around the black and silver cylinder, tightly gripping the hilt, feeling it's pulse as the Dark Purple blood gem inside gave it's power to the circuitry inside creating a dark purple blade of energy.

Visage quickly put the saber away storing it in the gem of his glove where he keeps many things hidden from prying eyes. Sub dimensional storage facilities for the win, he thought to himself as he put the uncomfortable contact's in his eyes. Just as there was a knock at the door. Opening the door with the press of a button there stood the chief engineer.

"I thought I would need to get a plasma cutter to get you out of there Sparky." Tilara said sarcastically.

Visage just kept calm ignoring her sarcasm he might be new to this crew but her Twillan (Look up Twilek if you want to know what a Twillan looks like) nature was something he was used to if only she knew he was married to one of the bosses.

"I need you to come with me. The Captain is having us jump to new coordinates. Said he could cut our time by three to four cycles."

Visage was kind of surprised by this. Cocking an eyebrow. "Oh...how so?"

"Cap, didn't say and that has us concerned." Tilara said, not even trying to hide her worry.

Visage thought back to his own hyperspace travels. "I don't remember any shortcuts like that in this sector." Realizing he had said that aloud, cursing himself for the mistake.

Tilara looked at Sparky quizzically. Her two Twills as they were called started stretching out towards his head. He was used to Azalla doing that but not this woman.

Tialra's Twills started to wrap around the back of Visage's head her Emerald eye's were narrowed as she started to pull him in. "I thought this was your first time out? Didn't you just graduate from the Imperial Space Center?" Her tone was rather threatening and had some venom to it.

Visage trying to get out of this mess without blowing his cover, kept calm trying hard not to use the force or any other powers at his disposal to dissuade Tilara in her choice of inquiry. "I read star-charts and maps, we have to know more than just how to keep a ship, well... ship shape." Visage meagerly replied trying to curb Tilara's inquisition.

He had apparently satisfied her because she halted her advance and withdrew her Twills, curling one around the back of her neck so that the two dropped to the left side of her head. Still, that was too close he thought. I'll need to watch what I say or his Imperial Majesty and the Counsel will lecture me on what undercover means.

Tilara started walking towards the bow of the ship beckoning her young charge to fallow. The corridors and hallways were all well lit. Visage, or Sparky as he was currently known as, seriously couldn't the Counsel given him a better undercover name thinking to himself. Visage rolled his eyes as he just noticed his Chief had tightened her hands into fists her dark blue skin had beads of sweat forming on it, and he could feel her anxiety, in fact he felt most of the crew was anxious, and some were not very happy.  What is going on, he wondered what is this secret route the captain knows about that he didn't, and why is the crew like this?

Fallowing Tialra he knew they were headed to the galley where they were meeting up apparently with the rest of the crew.

"THIS IS FOLLY!" he heard the old Gornok from several hallways down. As they reached the door way he saw the owner of the voice.

Imperial Major Carthen a Terran that was made up of all muscle that was an even match for his clout. Carthen was a veteran who helped in the D'rath Pirate/Slaver cleanup which Visage and his former master, now wife, helped lead.

"Calm down Major, I have talked with the captain and he said it isn't as dangerous as the Empire claims." The X.O B'tran a Marcisian with pure white skin, glassy white eye's and lengthy head tendrils said trying to calm down both Carthen and the other fifteen crew members. Although Visage could feel that even he was on edge. B'tran was forcing the tendrils' on his chin to remain retracted, the crew couldn't know, that even he, was distraught.

"So, our chief and Sparky finally show up. Have you heard what our beloved captain is planning?" Carthen spoke putting emphasis as well as criticism in his words.

Visage getting stares from the crew and especially from the X.O just simply shrugged. Tilara gave a half smile. "No we just got here why is everyone so uptight today?" Tilara asked. Visage knew she like most of the crew was a nervous wreak.

"Captain Halbert has made the decision to....gamble on a new route, we are going to make a jump skirting the Entaru Nebula." B'tran was cut off before he could finish.

"Is HE crazy!" One of the crew members shouted.

"By the Gods!" Another said.

"HE isn't serious! Is HE!?" Several said at once.

"It's SUICIDE!"Several more shouted.

The entire crew was thrown into a tailspin of anger and fear. Visage knew that the crew was right, not even the most powerful force users used that corridor. It was literately littered with micro black holes, dead planets, temporal rifts, and planets on the verge of dying. Super Novas were so common that the star-maps were useless, and the Empire gave a strict rule that star-ships were not to venture anywhere near it.

Visage now knew why he had trouble seeing the future. If captain Halbert goes through with this space jump they might not live to have one.

Just as things were about to get truly out of hand the Captain steps through the Galley door. "Imperials, I have an announcement." The room immediately quieted as Halbert spoke. With eye's burning with excitement and a smile on his bearded face the Terran male looked at his angry and concerned crew. "We are going to do the impossible." He paused looking again around the galley his crew now nervously waited, the tension was so high you could almost see the electricity in the air. "We are going to make a hyperspace jump on the fringe of the  Entaru Nebula." He heard gaps, angry and nervous whispering as he made the declaration.

Visage said what everyone thought. "Captain with all due respect, this is insane." Visage spoke flatly. Tilara glanced at him with a smile and a nod. The rest of the crew made similar gestures.

The captain was undeterred. Stroking his beard "I know your all worried and even scared, but we can do this....no, we will do this we are going to make galactic history!"

"Or die because of your folly, Captain." Visage sneered.

Halbert glared at Sparky. "Because this is your first time out, Sparky." Halbert said threateningly. "I will ignore your outburst, besides what does a mere mechanic know about hyperspace travel anyway..hmmm?"

Visage glared at his captain trying hard not to say what he had in his mind. More than you will ever know you crazy fool. unfortunately all he could do was grit his teeth, fold his arms, and lean against the galley wall.

After putting his insubordinate mechanic down, Halbert looked around at his audience. "Anyone else?" He paused a moment "Good, because as Sparky said, and I normally would agree with him, this would, be folly, however I have a secret weapon." Leaning out the doorway he motioned for someone to enter. It wasn't long before a very nervous looking Zebrak walked in. "This is our new helmsman we picked up on Tarthos but before this job he was in the Order of the White Hand."

There were gasps and more whispers coming from the crew.  Visage looked at the Zabrak incredulously. The rest of the crew seemed to be in awe.

"Well please introduce yourself." Halbert urged.

"Hello,the name is Decren I'm the new helmsman as you can see I'm a Zabrak, formerly of the Order." Decren spoke softly trying to ignore the stares of the crew. His brown eyes looking at the floor, head slightly bowed showing off his several horns, the back ones were mostly covered by messy black hair. He was fidgeting so much the crew thought it was because he was nervous, Visage knew better.

"Decren why don't you tell the crew what you told me last night." Captain Halbert was urging his pilot on.

"In the Order I was in charge of star-charts and maps I have studied them and I found a safe way through Entaru's nightmare." Decren said softly trying hard not to sound nervous, but  kept his eye's fixed on the floor or his feet.

"Really you were in the Order? Lets see some Force tricks then?" Visage said with an ice cold tone, he wasn't at all pleased. Lets see you get out of this liar. He thought.

"Ya, I've met a bunch of Force users durin the Pirate cleanup several Onns ago. You look like you might be a knight? or are you a Master." Major Carthen lit up wanting to see something levitate. "Oh! Can you do that...that." Carthen started snapping his fingers. "Trance?" Carthen said even more energetically. Visage smiled he couldn't believe Carthen remembered that.

"It's not a trance it's called Battle Meditation you big Glort!" Visage, smiled at Carthen distracted by his old friends comment. He now had everyone's attention again.

"That's it!" Carthen bellowed "But how do you know about Battle Meditation Sparky?"

All eyes were on the young mechanic including Decren who finally stopped looking at his feet.

Visage still leaning against the wall with arms folded  merely shrugged. "I have a lot of friends in the Imperial Shadow Knights and several more in the Order." He wasn't lying he did know a lot of beings in both groups. there were several Ooohs from the crew but Tilara thankfully turned the attention back to the shocked Zebrak.

"Oh! I heard that the Order uses Blood Sabers just like the Shadow Knights. Is that true Decren? Would you mind if I borrowed yours for awhile I'd love to take one apart." Tilara added with even more excitement.

Decren went wide eyed, hating the crew for again focusing on him, he meekly replied. "I....can't use the Force, anymore and The Order took everything, when they threw me out."The entire crew even the Captain paled at this. Decren just hoped everyone would stop pestering him so he could get back to the bridge.

"Threw you out, for what?" It was the Galley's Chef Rimalt who spoke up this time. The Terran man way back behind the food counter, wiping his hands on an already a dirty apron continued unabated. "I've been inside a lot of star-ships and I've never heard of the Order kicking anyone out. I know that Shadow Knights have been know to leave and go join the Order but they don't kick beings out do they Sparky?" The cook directing his question at the smaller Terran who was still leaning against the wall.

"You'd have to do something really serious, or seriously fraked, in order to get let go from either organization. From what my friends have told me, the Shadow Knights would execute you, and the White hand would set you before the Grand Counsel before you'd get frackin expelled." Visage shrugged. "So, Decren how did you loose your Force powers? Did the Shadow Counsel end up sealing them on the Order's behalf?"

Dacren once again lowered his eye's fidgeting even worse than before Captain Halbert put a hand on his shoulder. "He probably doesn't want to talk about it, nor does he have to just so long as he can get us to were we're going it doesn't matter."

Dacren looked up at his captain. "Thank you, and I don't." Dacren told his Captain and then crew. Halbert smiled as he looked out over his fifteen crew members. "Are you all ready to make HISTORY YOU IMPS!"

The chorus of voices was an overwhelming "FRAK YA!" only one voice in the crowd was silent. This does not bode well. Visage thought to himself.

The crew started returning to their duties. Visage said goodbyes to several crew mates including a giant of a Major who picked him up and hugged him before letting him get back to the engine room with Tilara.

Walking down the wide well lit corridors on his way back to his cell Visage passed a nervous looking Zabark. Visage's eyes narrowed as he caught up to Decren. "Your going to get us all killed." speaking low and cold Dacren jumped from hearing the voice next to him.

"Sparky what are you talking about?" Dacren replied still trying to pretend innocents.

"We both know you were never in the Order, and I don't know how you got those old smuggler routes but when we get into trouble, I'll have to be the one to get us out." Visage was threatening and to emphasis his displeasure he started force chocking the Zabrack.

Decren could feel invisible hands crushing his larynx and his lungs felt like a Devroian Beetle was stepping on them gasping for air his eyes went so wide that they looked like saucers. "Now if you'll excuse me....this conversation never happened is that clear?"

Decren could only nod in agreement.

"Good, I'm glad we have an understanding." Visage released Dacren from his grip as he fell in a heap on the floor having a coughing fit. Dacren's lungs still burned as Sparky disappeared behind one of the connecting corridors. When he could finally speak.

"I'm going to prove you all wrong you'll see the captain and me, we'll be famous! Mark my words Sparky. Mark, my words." Dacren whispered the last sentence. Getting up from off the floor while rubbing his neck with his left hand,  his right went into his pocket where he pulled out an old holo map with a route marked out with the coordinates that will make him famous. He smiled as he walked to the bridge, not even caring about the exchange with an undercover Shadow Knight. All it did was make him even more giddy. They send a Shadow Knight to threaten me because they know that I have the maps and they want them, well wait till we show up on Marcisia in less than a Mcronn. That'll show them. Decren smiled as he took his map to the bridge to plot the course.

It's been several Denonns since the the Ship entered the Entaru Nightmare. Visage disguised as Sparky was in the Engine Room staying occupied monitoring the consol in front of him he was flanked on either side by two droids. He ignored them and they ignored him it was just more of the usual.

"Sir? there seems to be an anomaly in engine three." The droid on his left said in a mechanical voice.

Sparky leaned over to see what was up. The monitor that the droid was watching had some strange readings. The core of engine three seemed to be fluctuating.

"AED-Two is there any power fluctuations in the other two Engines?" Sparky asked the other Droid in the trio. The droid punched several glowing buttons with his lengthy mechanical fingers. AED-Two also extended several wires plugging them into slots next to the monitors.

"Negative Sir all readings on the other two engines seem normal." AED-Two stated in that same mechanical monotone voice.

Puzzled Sparky again looked over at AED-One's Screen. "Why only engine three?" Sparky didn't expect a response from the droids but AED-1 spoke up "Perhaps, it's because engine three is a new model."

Sparky looked at his coworker quizzically. AED-One explained. "Engine three had to be replaced do to a failure. that was three Rionns ago."

Sparky asked the droid "What caused the failure?"

The droid just responded "Unknown."

"Great so they replace a failed engine with a new one, hoping that it plays nice with the ship and the other two, but didn't find out what caused the failure in the first place." Sparky stated.

"That is affirmative." Was the reply from both droids.

Sparky raised his hands in mock surrender. "What is with that? does the entire contracted fleet cut corners? Or only the Captain of this ship?"

"I'm sorry sir but I can't say I don't have enough data to give a definitive answer." AED-One stated.

Sparky rolled his eyes ignoring the droids remark looking at the console again. Why only one?At this point it was anyone's guess.

AED-Two looked at the mechanic. "Sir when the engine became inoperable, we had collided with an energy field. The engine had to be taken off line. The captain brought us into sub space in order to shut it down."

Sparky wasn't expecting an explanation but grateful to the droid nonetheless.

"Thanks, EAD-Two that helps." Visage then realized what the fluctuation meant. "Frak, Frak, Frak, EAD-One get the captain on the horn now."

"Done Sir." EAD-Two said pressing the comm button on the panel in front of him.

"This had better be important, Why are you calling?" Captain Halbert sounded annoyed.

"Do a wide scanner sweep maximum band!" Sparky, yelled at his captain.

"Why? What's going on down there?" Halbert was cut off by a shouting mechanic.

"JUST DO IT!!" Visage was livid. Looking at the energy flux spiking even more so than last time. "This does not bode well." He had said that to himself several cycles ago and now his worst fears were being realized.

On the bridge everyone heard a very disturbed mechanic yell at their captain. B'Tran the Marcisian X.O was already doing the sweep. His glassy eyes getting big. "Sparky was right, were all dead." Was all he could say before the ship was hit by a massive wave of pure energy.

A dying star had finally gone supernova the energy waves flowing into the space around it like a rock hitting water, but these waves were killers, and the small ship was now caught in the middle of them.

The ship was ripped out of hyperspace all of the crew inside were tossed around violently. Halbert yelled at B'Tran while trying to get back into his chair. "Cut all power to the engines get those shields up before we're hit again these waves usually come in threes!"

B'Tran's fingers were already flying doing just that, getting the shields up just in time for the ship to get hit by a second blast.

Decren was trying hard to keep the ship upright, angling the bow into the violent energy waves gritting his teeth, trying hard to concentrate on what he was doing, but in the back of his mind he was fearing what a certain enraged Shadow Knight was going to do to him if they survived the last waves. "Survive this first, wory about the Shadow Knight second." He said aloud, leaving both Halbert and B'Tran wondering what Decren was talking about what does a Shadow Knight have to do with this? But they would have to wait for an answer.

Back in the Engine room Visage was rubbing his head from where it had hit against the reinforced hull. "AED's damage report are the engines stable?"

"Engine two fractured but contained." AED-One said.

"Engine one is stable and operable." AED-Two replied after getting back to the console. He had been hardest hit but they were made to take a beating, made out of a mix of Mithril and Marcisian Steel. Tilara came running through the door just as the second wave hit all in the room bracing they were rocked but not nearly as badly as the first time.

"You boy's OK back here?" Tilara shouted over the groan of the ship while she leaned against the archway of the door to steady herself. Managing to get over to the two droids she looked at the damage the shockwaves had done.  Leaning against EAD-Two's chair she turned to her Mechanic "Are you alright?" Tilara asked concerned "I'll live." was all the reply she received. Sparky was still rubbing his head his back turned to her. "So what's the dam...." Tilara trailed off.

Sparky finished her thought and replied. "You mean damage. One engine of three is just fine we might be able to limp back if we survive, Captain's folly." Visage didn't even notice that one of his contacts fell out during his short flight and abrupt stop. Tilara still steadying herself  one AED-2Two's seat both of her hands started turning from the usual blue to white her grip becoming so vice like her fingers were starting to make dents in it. She was staring at Sparky or more appropriately that now revealed eye.

"My Lord? why are you here?" Visage not really registering the question at first looked at Tilara then at his face reflecting off AED-One's body.

"Frak! Well so much for that." he said pulling out the other irritating disk that still covered his left eye.

Visage blinked once just as the third wave hit the ship not caring about the whole undercover thing anymore "Sorry your Majesty I'm compromised...Nos isn't going to be pleased and how am I going to face those girls? Azalla might actually kill me this time." He used his own power to levitate so that the impact didn't affect him at all.

Tilara ignoring all else going on just stared at Sparky who had somehow changed into one of the most respected and feared beings in the Galaxy.

"Sir's we have a problem." Both sets of non droid eyes focused on AED-One "What now!?" Tilara and Visage said in unison.

"The containment field in engine three is failing and engine two's has ruptured." Was all the Droid replied ignoring the drama surrounding him.

"Jettison the two engines, use the override and get us away from them, as far, and as fast, as possible." Tilara concentrating on the job at hand answers would have to come latter.

"That's the problem, protocols cannot be implemented because the first blast warped the housing. The engines can't be jettisoned." AED-One said factually.

"Time?" Visage said.

"Sorry, Sir?" AED-One replied.

"How much time do we have before a catastrophic failure?" Visage said annoyed.

"I don't know with all information I'd say about a Reonn maybe less." AED-One again replied flatly.

"Tilara get to the bridge, tell the captain to give the evacuation order. I'll see what else I can do here." Visage looked at his Superior with a frown on his face.

"But." Tilara started. "No buts. I'll be fine you now know who I am so, go!" Visage watched Tilara start to leave and then abruptly turn around "You promise me you won't do anything reckless." Panic in her eyes. "Sorry, I wouldn't be who I am if I wasn't reckless." Visige smiled at the leaving woman. "But you tell Decren and Helburt that I'll be looking for them latter." Visage said wickedly.  Tilara couldn't help but chuckle as she sprinted out the door. Visage watched her leave Twills flowing behind her the door resealing itself at her departure. Tilara was on her way to have words with the captain.

Now that he was alone he turned to the two droids "O.k boys time to see if we can by our crew more time." Visage not expecting any more waves placed his feet back on the deck. Channeling lightning from his fingers. "I'll give the shields a jolt you tell me when to back off I don't what to overload the system making this situation even worse."

Both droids replied with a "Yes, sir."

With that Visage opened a latch walking into where the engines were having trouble. Three Large pillars of bright green energy hid behind several layers of shields in front of him one engine was good so the two offending ones were his priority. One of the reinforced transpersteel cylinders had a crack starting to form, but the shields were holding for now. Engine three was the problem child. it was leaking green mist from several ruptures in the cylinder and the shields were the only thing holding the burning cloud of gas in check.

"You first number three. Guys tell me when to stop." Visage let a loose a big blue and white  lightning storm from his fingers at the failing containment field. "Time to feed the beast."

The crew were all in escape pods and they were being jettisoned as fast and a safe as possible, the only ones left on the doomed vessel was Decren, Captain Halbert and a Dark Lord. Tilara and Carthen were in the escape pod waiting impatiently for the final three beings on board to arrive. They were watching the escape pod with the X.O and several other crew mates departed out into the vastness of space just as the pod engaged it's sublight drives the captain and Decren came through the hatch.

"I've sent out the distress signal and because we were thrown out of hyperspace and pushed by those energy waves we are at least close to normal space outside Entaru's Nightmare." Halbert exclaimed.

"By the Gods get us out of here!" Decren whined as he strapped himself in.

"We aren't leaving without Sparky!" Carthen spat back.

"He can use the escape pod near the engine room. Now, for Frak sake get us out of here before the engines rupture, and we're caught in the blast!" Halbert was both frightened and frantic.

"Admit it Cap your just ofraid of bein in the same pod as a Dark Lord, who told you that this trip o' yours was folly!" Carthen was livid and wanted to throttle both his Captain and the Drathian Slug of a Zebrack, next to him.

Tilara knowing that this conversation was going nowhere fast took matters into her own hands. Pressing the gem on her glove she brought her wrist near her mouth. "Lord? Are you there? Can you come in, please?"  Silence was the only reply, then finally after several moments.

"I hear you Telara and why are you still here? We've stopped the plasma leak for now but even the droids aren't sure how long the shields will hold. I'm going to go save the cargo, then use the escape pod back here." Sparky said as droid voices were heard in the back ground muttering something.

"Leave the cargo! your life is at stake! You have a duty to your Empire!" Tilara retorted into here commlink.

"I'm immortal." Tilara could almost see Sparky shrug as he said it. "Besides, the supplies are important and can save Imperial lives. So it's worth the risk. Now, please leave, I'll be fine." Visage was sounding annoyed.

"Good luck, and may the Gods watch over you." Tilara said shutting off the comm and taking a seat next to Carthen.

"Always did like them Shadow Knights." Carthen said punching several buttons and then pulling the lever to release them from the ship. Tilara nodded in agreement as they were rocketed away from the dying vessel that still had a single soul aboard.

Visage was literally flying down the corridors he had done what he could to stabilize the engines but the siren alarm was putting him on edge. This is cutting it close. He thought.

"AED-One I'm sorry but I couldn't take you with me." He spoke into his glowing comm that also served other purposes.

"It's alright sir, I am programed to be self sacrificing." AED-One replied. "You have twenty one Dironns sir before containment failure."

The glowing comm was also projecting a holographic keyboard and a micro version of the ship. He was talking to his droid, while unlocking several bulkheads, at the same time. Arriving at the cargo hold he punched several sequences into the keyboard, then put his left index finger onto the underside of the holo-ship.  A panel on the wall next to the cargo hold's main door slid open revealing a large lever that he immediately pulled.

"That's it AED-One the gravity is turned off and the cargo doors are opening." Visage informed his mechanical friend, as he watched the big containers float around inside the hold through  the transpersteel windows. The floor inside the cargo hold was slowly disappearing and the vastness of space was eager to receive the big containers. With the help of the force all of the life saving supplies were now floating peacefully in the black curtain of space.

Visage headed back towards the engine room to the escape pod that would take him to safety. Again Visage pressed his comm. "AED-One meet me at the escape pod and lock in those coordinates I don't want those containers to close to the ship when she blows."

"Yes, sir." was the mechanical response.

The doomed ship was going to make one last jump into hyperspace under the power of a single engine. It was just enough to get it away from the now stranded cargo.

Getting into the escape pod closely fallowed by the remaining Engineering droid Visage activated the ships Hyper Drive. Using his gem a mini ship appeared along with three charts. Pressing a button on the middle chart the one good engine roared to life. typing in random coordinates on the glowing keypad the ship took off as the stars outside looked like streaks of white as they passed. Pressing buttons on the pods console Visage and his droid friend were going to make a hasty retreat when they came out of hyperspace.

"And Trec, Desec, Ennc" Visage finished the countdown. Just as stars became dots again he pulled the release lever and the escape pod was away. Just as the engines on the ship went critical, explosions started cascading from the engines making their way to the bow. Debris and shrapnel, followed by a large shock wave rippled out hitting the small pod, jolting it forward as the two occupants inside where thrown forward from the shockwaves momentum. Visage's head made hard contact with the console in front of him and everything went black.