"Korriban!?" Jadek shot back. He was shocked. Korriban was once the home world of the Sith and Jedi were banned from going there and for good reason because the whole planet was filled with dark energy. "Why Korriban?".

"During the final war on Korriban the Jedi destroyed the Sith but their academy still stood tall. It was full of Sith knowledge and Sith teachings. It was poison. So the Republic unleashed an orbital bombardment and destroyed the academy along with the construction yards on Korriban, The space port was also reduced to rubble. However one of Queen Ania Solo's spies inside the Empires Chosen has relayed information to her that the Chosen have discovered the whereabouts of an ancient Sith artefact inside the ruins of the academy on Korriban and they are on their way now to retrieve it." Explained Master Booda. "We are not sure what this artefact is or if it even exists but we cannot risk it falling into the hands of our enemies if it does exist".

"Your mission is to travel to Korriban and report back on any activity. We need you to head into the academy and find out what this artefact is and destroy it at all costs." said Hira. "You are to leave at first light. We have a small stealth fighter ready in the hanger on docking bay B. I have arranged with the quartermaster there to provide you with any additional supplies that you might need. Now go and get some rest."

"Yes Master Hira" replied Jadek. He had a lot of questions that he wanted to ask but he knew better than to question the will of the Grand Master as it was like questioning the will of the force itself. "I shall report back on reaching Korriban". Jadek bowed his head and raised his hood. As he turned and began walking out of the chamber Master Hira called him. "Jadek. This is a very important mission but also Korriban is a very dangerous place. Come back alive".

"Understood" he replied calmly and he continued out the door into the main hall. Jadek took one more look around before heading home. The whole way home all he could think about was the mission and how surreal it all felt. So many questions whirling around in his mind but he couldn't answer any of them. It wasn't like him. When he arrived home he threw down his robe and lay on his bed. "Could there really be an artefact? what kind of artefact was it? What did the Empires chosen want with it?" All these questions where circling in his head and he couldn't answer any of them. One thing he knew for certain was that if the enemy got their hands on a Sith artefact they would use it against the Jedi and attempt to overthrow the republic. The Galaxy would once again descend into chaos. He tried to sleep but his thoughts were keeping him awake. "I'm going to a forbidden planet, dangerous to the Jedi, to look for a powerful ancient artefact that may or may not exist" he thought to himself. The more he thought about it the more uneasy he felt. But eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, he drifted into a sleep where he had a little peace from trying to decipher a labyrinth of thoughts inside his head.

*****************

"General, we are approaching Korriban" said Captain Tole.

"Excellent" replied General Corvus as he reached for the communications console onboard the Hammerhead. "All ships, this is General Corvus from the Hammerhead. We are approaching Korriban airspace. Prepare to drop out of hyperspace on 3...2...1...". On His count the Chosen fleet dropped out of Hyperspace just above Korriban. There were five ships on this mission. Two attack cruisers, two transport ships carrying troops, interceptor class star fighters, droids and walkers. And then there was the Hammerhead, the pride of the Empires Chosen. It's construction was overseen by General Corvus. It was based on the design of an old Imperial Star Destroyer with a few of his own adaptions. When Corvus was young his parents were killed when the New Republic destroyed an Empires Chosen shipyard. He went on to join the Chosen with the sole aim of taking revenge on the Republic. His anger drove him. he excelled through their ranks and by the time he was captain he had helped the Chosen grow into a considerable force and had begun raiding Republic outposts and setting up garrisons on planets all over the Galaxy. His many successes in driving back the Republic earned him the rank of General.

"Captain Tole, send a small recon group to co-ordinates 17072" ordered Corvus.

"Yes General" acknowledged Tole as he left the command bridge to relay the generals orders. Soon afterwards from the bridge of the Hammerhead General Corvus seen the small scout ship leave one of the transport cruisers and head down to Korriban. He sat back in his command chair patiently waiting. "General. All clear. you may commence landing at my co-ordinates" relayed the head of the scout team.

"Excellent" replied Corvus. "Captain, commence landing operations. I want you to go down with the first garrison. I want you to oversee the excavation operation from Korriban itself." Instructed Corvus.

"Yes General." Tole accessed the on board communications console. "Docking bays one and two, send down the walkers. Docking bay 3, send down the construction droids and the excavators. Docking bays four to eight commence troop departure. General, i shall send my report upon beginning the excavation." Captain Tole left the command bridge and made for his personal shuttle.

"Bridge crew, i will be in my quarters. Please alert me when Captain Tole makes contact" ordered Corvus. He made for his quarters and sat at his desk. "Soon i will have the ultimate power. I will be unstoppable." He laughed to himself as he poured himself a drink and sat back in his chair.