Shogun of Sorrow
It was easy to hide in the dark corners of space.
To find a system removed from major hyperlanes and lacking anything of real value.
Anoat was such a system. It was from Anoat that Darth Nefaron would have his war.
But not yet. Not until the shadow was ready to fall across all the galaxy.
This was the primary reason that the Corpse Lord had accepted an invitation from an old ally, from the days when Nefaron began to integrate himself into the broader Sith community and seek out influential allies in the name of furthering his goals. While the methodology had changed, the end goal remained the same. Nefaron now had two Apprentices, a system of his own to command, and a gathering of vast hordes that even as he pondered prepared for a final war to bring the galaxy under the grip of terror. Where Darth Malum had once been his prime adversary, the Dark Lord now found himself a member of the Tsis'Kaar and a close advisor of its master. He knew Darth Malum did not trust him, but Nefaron spoke to the darkest parts of Malum's soul and told him of the great victories he could have if only he were willing to unleash the full horror of the Dark Side. While he was not ready to do so personally, Nefaron provided an excellent outlet to express those dark instincts.
But there was no loyalty. Nefaron was using Malum as Malum used him. Through Malum, Nefaron had a de facto seat on the Dark Council, the only body that could truly destroy his power and influence. While Malum lived and continued to rule, the Lord of Terror would grow his armies and his armada.
This brought the issue of this old ally to the forefront, however. Xeykard, the monstrous Barabel who had aided him in scouring several worlds, had returned and sought an audience. Apparently, Nefaron had slipped, allowing detailed plans for his growing forces to be known outside of the tight circle that had formed around the Corpse Lord. Xeykard could have gone to the Dark Council or one of the rival warlords and put an end to the Corpse Lord's schemes, but instead, he came to Anoat to speak once more with Nefaron. Were it any other being, Nefaron would have had him taken on arrival and brought to his laboratory to become the next horrid creature that terrorizes the galaxy. But a warrior of such skill and power was not to be cast aside, especially when Nefaron may just win his loyalty and service for future plans.
The Dark Lord looked out from his tower, his eyes fixed on the vast fortress complex sprawling out before him. He watched as detachments of his Corpse Legion marched from the gates and toward the vast pits and complexes that had sprung up to support the growing war machine. Great pits spewed black smoke that only choked the atmosphere further, the product of vast forges and mining efforts. This was but one part of the great operation that the Corpse Lord was carrying out, for hidden in the asteroid belts of the Anoat system were the new dockyards that had been given to Nefaron by his new ally in the Droid Warmarshal Helix. They produced terrible new vessels, vessels that would be needed for the coming war.
Xeykard could lead those legions. He could command those vessels.
Or he could be ground into dust by them.
"Master, we are detecting an unknown vessel entering the Anoat system."
The voice of Nefaron's droid's seneschal, DD-421, brought the Dark Lord back into his own body. "Ah, then my guest will arrive shortly. Prepare a detachment to meet him in the main hangar. Escort him to the audience chamber; I shall attend to him there."
"Yes, Master."
Oh yes, Nefaron would sit on his throne and greet his old friend. It would be from that throne that Nefaron pronounced judgment, for Xeykard must make his choice. He could join Nefaron's alliance and ensure the end of all hope in the galaxy, or he could be destroyed as yet another reactionary who wished to maintain the corrupt order.
