(Normal pov)

An Imperial Star Destroyer dropped out of hyperspace and entered the Shili system, home world of the Togrutan people. Within the Star Destroyer was an Imperial poacher by the name of Gonn Gobpeti but he prefers a nickname thats stuck with him— "Grisly."

Gonn is a slender figure and is lithe and lean in physic and has a shock of white hair due to him being in his mid sixties, he has light blue eyes and a sharp chin. Instead of dressed like the other Imperial officers, he has a sleek black coat over his body that bore the Imperial ranking badge on the front of coat, he wears a dark brown shirt as well as dark brown leather pants and sleek black boots.

"Sir, how do you intend to round up the Togrutans? You know they'll not come willingly." An Imperial officer stated, Gonn turned to his fellow officer and smirked. "Of that I have no doubt. But rest assured, I have a plan." The Imperial poacher made his way for the bridge exit, only to be met by a pack of red skinned, orange eyed and black scaled Trandoshans who all wore sleek black armor and armed with razor sharp hook swords, sidearm blasters and net guns. One of the Trandoshans, the alpha of this pack who was blind in his left eye and ghastly scar going down that same eye hissed out. "Waiting on you Grisly." Gonn smirked at his reptilian ally and patted his bicep. "I am here. Come." The Imperial poacher and the pack of Trandoshians that call themselves Deathgrippers followed their fellow hunter down to the hangar.

Once entering an Imperial shuttle down to Shili's planet surface, a squadron of TIE fighters escorted the poacher and his Deathgrippers to ensure that their transport was secured, not only that, but several troop transports followed the poachers shuttle and fighter escort. As soon as the Imperial air crafts broke through the atmosphere, an elegant and beautiful city came into view and the Imperials made their way towards the nearest port for their shuttle and gunships to land, the TIE fighters soon broke off from Gonn's shuttle as soon as it landed and doubled back to the Star Destroyer entering the atmosphere.

The shuttle ramp opened and Gonn was greeted to the sight of a handful of Togrutans who were all dressed in elegant clothing, no doubt these individuals were the hierarchy of Shili. The Togrutans tensed at the sight of Gonn's Trandoshan Deathgrippers and one of Togrutans stepped up and greeted their guests. "Welcome to Shili friends. How may we help the Empire this day?" Gonn gave that Togruta a predatory smirk and clicked his tongue before speaking. "I have been ordered by Emperor Palpatine to... gather you and your people to Zygerria to become slaves." The Togrutan leadership gasped in horror and the one who greeted Gonn then pleaded. "S-Slaves?! Why?!! We've done nothing to the Empire and the galaxy!" Gonn then shushed the Togruta and asked. "What is your name friend?" The Togruta licked his lips and stammered out. "Talihd. Governor Talihd." Nodding in acknowledgment, Gonn clarified as to why Talihd and his people are to become slaves. "Well you see governor, no doubt you and your people have heard of this... rebellion thats caused the Empire nothing but trouble and embarrassment?"

"Yes. We've heard." Talihd said, Gonn then smirked and continued. "It appears that one of these rebels is a Togrutan female by the name of Ahsoka Tano. She was once a Jedi during the Old Republic--"

"Ahsoka?! M-My daughter lives?!"

Gonn rose an eyebrow in both confusion and curiosity, looking past Talihd, the Imperial poacher laid eyes on a beautiful Togrutan female that looked to be in her late fifties. She had long lekku, orange skin and white markings on her delicate skin, green eyes and she wore a silver linen dress that hugged her curves. "You. What did you just say?" Gonn asked the Togrutan woman, one of the Trandoshan Deathgrippers snarled out and advanced towards the woman and dragged her to Gonn, causing the Togrutan female to shriek in fear and then she whimpered as Gonn leaned right into her face and seethed out. "What. Did. You. Just. Say?" The female swallowed her fear and stammered out. "Ahsoka. That is my daughter." Gonn pursed his lips and nodded but not before chuckling darkly. "It appears we have... leverage." He said to the Deathgripper alpha, causing the Trandoshan to snicker.

Turning around, Gonn laid eyes on several squads of Stormtroopers approaching him, he then gestured one of the trooper captains to come closer. "Round up the citizens. All of them." The captain nodded in acknowledgment and barked orders for his men get to it and also calling in for aid from the Star Destroyer. As Imperial forces raided the Togrutan city, Gonn turned back to Ahsoka's mother and grinned wickedly at her. "You and I are not done talking my dear." Turning to the alpha of his Deathgrippers, he nodded at him and gestured to the middle aged Togrutan woman. "Take her aboard the shuttle." Nodding his head, the alpha grabbed hold of Ahsoka's terrified mother and watched in horror as Imperial forces desecrated her home and were talking innocent people to suffer a fate far worse than death.

"Little Soka, come home. Please." Ahsoka's mother murmured to herself, knowing fully well that her daughter is Force sensitive and was taken away by the Jedi a lifetime ago, but she could only now hope that her daughter was alive and well and that she'd return to Shili as soon as possible.

(Ahsoka's pov)

I was in my chambers on Mandalore and engaged in my daily meditation sessions and before I could conclude my session, I could hear... my mothers horrified screams and cries of terror and then, I heard her voice in my mind.

"Little Soka, come home. Please."

Her voice sounded very desperate, and whatever was happening to her? It was happening right now. Standing up, I race through the palace to find Horus and tell him that we need to go to Shili at the earliest opportunity. I found him on his throne while speaking to Senator Organa via hologram. "Senator, have your labors brought you any fruit?" Horus asked, Organa nodded and spoke.

::Indeed. I have recruited two senators to our cause— Mon Mothma and Garm Bel Iblis. They say if you're willing to lead us? Then they'll be more than ready to join our alliance::

Horus nods his head. "I would be honored to lead this rebellion. Tell our allies that they need to prepare their rebel cells to be ready for combat. I can sense that Palpatine is building a super weapon of unimaginable power. One that is able to destroy entire planets with a single blow." I gasped in horror at this news and turned back to Bail's hologram to see him cock his head in confusion and shaking his head.

::The Emperor has not disclosed information to the Senate about building such a weapon::

"Of course not. This is a weapon that can be turned against any planet, at any time for any reason and I have a bad feeling that once the weapon is complete? He'll turn it on Mandalore first." Pinching the bridge of his nose, Horus sighed out. "But in order to prove that Palpatine is constructing such a weapon of destruction, we need proof. If I can provide proof of this weapons existence, do you think you can use this proof to dethrone Palpatine from power?"

::Its a long shot, but I'll do what I can if you can provide proof of this... super weapon::

"Of course. I'll keep in touch Bail." Horus said with a bow of his head, Bail too bowed his head before his hologram fazed out, I then approached Horus and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Horus?" Looking up into my eyes, he gives me a smile that causing butterflies to swarm in my belly. "Hey you, whats going on?" He asked, licking my lips, I then speak. "I had finished my daily meditation session and then... I heard my mothers voice through the Force." Cocking his head in confusion, Horus asked. "Was she... in trouble?"

"Yes. Her tone was desperate. I think she's in trouble." I then kneel before my lover and give him a pleading look. "Can we take a small force to my home planet of Shili to investigate what happened? Please?" Rising from his throne, Horus gave me a smile and nodded. "Of course, I'll gather our teams and we'll be at Shili in no time." I smiled at Horus and pecked his lips. "You're the best." I sighed out, Horus shrugged but smirked. "I try to be." I then race back to my quarters and strap on my Togrutan demon armor and clip both my lightsabers on my hips, I then hear a knock on my door, turning around, I lay eyes on Ashara Hofferson.

"Hello Ashara." I greeted with a nod, she smiles lightly at me and then crosses her arms across her chest and speaks. "So... I wanted to talk to you about Horus." I freeze before turning back to the blond haired Mandalorian woman. "What about him?" I ask, Ashara sighs lightly before clarifying. "He told me about how he has feelings for both of us. But I just want to let you know that I don't feel threatened or intimidated by you." Cocking my head slightly, I'm surprised by that, because a part of me always thought that Ashara wouldn't enjoy Horus being with the both of us. "Really?" I ask, Ahsara nods in confirmation. "Yeah. I mean, you were there for him through most his time away from Mandalore, I know his traits as a man are no doubt why you're so attracted to him. He's kind, compassionate, cares about others, he's a great warrior and he's handsome."

I chuckle lightly at her words and nod in agreement. "He truly is something else." Licking my lips, I then look into Ashara's eyes and promise her. "I want you to know that I won't do anything to hurt him. I love him." I say firmly, my words cause Ashara to nod. "Good. Because I love him too. And right now? With the burdens of leadership and so many peoples lives and well fare resting on his shoulders? Horus needs all the support he can get. And... I'm hoping you can help me be that support." She then extends an arm out for me, I take her arm and we firmly grasp forearms and I nod at her. "I will." Once more Ashara nods at me. "Good." Retracting her arm, she then gestures outside. "We're on our way to the Flightmare to prepare to Shili. You ready." Inhaling sharply and then exhaling slowly, I look into my companions eyes and nod firmly.

"I am."

(Imperial Super Star Destroyer— The Executor)

Darth Vader had just finished punishing Barriss Offee as well as Fourth Sister and the Sixth Brother after their failure on Raxus Prime, the three Inquisitors were nearly strangled to death and Vader relived them of limbs and appendages. After punishing the three Inquisitors most severely and brutally, an Imperial officer approached the Sith Lord. "Lord Vader." The half man half machine dark lord turned to the officer. "What is it?" He boomed out, the officer bowed his head and spoke. "The Emperor commands you to contact him." Never one to leave his master waiting, Vader nodded and brushed past the officer and made his way to his meditation chambers.

Once inside his chambers, the Sith Lord then contacted his master and once Sidious's figure appeared, Vader took a knee and bowed his head. "What is thy bidding, my master?" Vader asked, Sidious then spoke his desires.

::Long have Sith Empires been built upon the backs of slaves. To continue this ancient tradition, we will require... millions::

Vader visibly tensed at the mention of slavery, it brought back memories of when he was a boy and that he and his mother were slaves to the Hutts and other scum infested on Tatooine. Sidious noticed his apprentice tense and could sense Vader's anger rising, causing the Sith master to hum and apologize.

::Forgive me Lord Vader, I do remember that the topic of slavery is... personal for you. But this is a Sith tradition that we must carry on::

Raising his head to look into his masters eyes, Vader nodded in understanding. "I understand master." Sidious smiled wickedly and continues.

::I have tasked an Imperial poacher named Gonn to capture the Togrutan people of Shili and take them to Zygeria. Once there, the Togrutan people and every slave on that planet will serve the Sith and aid the Empire in the construction of the Death Star::

"What of the Geonosians?" Vader asked, Sidious merely waved aside his apprentices words and answered him.

::Those bugs have served their purpose. I have already ordered Tarkin and all Imperial forces on Geonosis to commence a genocide of the Geonosian race with poisonous gas. We must ensure this weapon remains a secret from the rest of the galaxy, the threat of the Geonosians revealing this weapons existence is too great::

"Understood my lord." Vader said with a bow of his head, he then asked once more. "Am I correct in my assumptions that you want me to ensure that our Zygerian allies receive the offering of Shilian Togrutans?"

::Correct. Once the Togrutas arrive on Zygeria, the battle station will be transported there as well and all slaves on the planet will aid Imperial construction teams to finish its completion. I already have special forces retrieving the kyber crystal we need to power the super laser. Go now Lord Vader, ensure that this battle station is complete and if Horus Haddock and his forces attempt to thwart our plans? Make them suffer and bring Horus to me::

"As you wish master." Vader said, Sidious's holographic image fazed out and Vader then rose to his feet and took a seat in his meditation throne and contacted his ships admiral. "Admiral Monk. Prepare to make the jump to hyperspace. Our destination is Zygeria."

::Right away Lord Vader::

That being said, Vader removed his helmet and sighed heavily focused his breathing without the aid of his respirators and began his meditation as his Super Star Destroyer made the jump to hyperspace.

(Horus's pov)

As Flightmare exits hyperspace, Shili came into view and I turned to Ahsoka. "Can you sense your mother?" I asked her, Ahsoka's eyes were closed, but she answered. "No. I can't sense anyone down there." Opening her eyes, she turns to me and has worry etched on her face. "What if they're dead?" I then pull Ahsoka into my arms and coo. "We'll go down there and find out, okay?" Nodding into my neck, Ahsoka murmurs out an 'okay' and we head for the hangar. It was just me, Ahsoka, Ashara and the rest of my Mandalorian warriors, Maul and Cori were preparing Crimson Dawn forces to stand by and prepare for our orders if we were in need of them.

Once approaching the hangar, I laid eyes on Ashara sharpening a long knife and accompanied by the Mando's my age— Ty and Rain Thorston, my cousin Stef Jorgenson, Fredadan Ingerman and Hall Slephil. Ashara turned to me and Ahsoka and approached us. "All set?" She asked, I nodded at her and smiled. "Yep. Our primary objective is to ensure the citizens of Shili are still down there. We don't know if there's hostile presence waiting for us, so better safe than sorry." I then turn to my super commandos. "Theron!" Said man removed his helmet and ran a hand through his ebony hair and stood at attention. "Mandalore?" I approached Theron and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You and your woman Lira will take six Basilisk war droids with us, as well as six dozen speeder bikes. We're gonna need to cover some ground if the Togrutans are still down there."

"As you wish Mandalore." Theron said as he went to his woman and lover, Lira Fiotara, her nick name is Light Fury. Both Theron and Lira are the heads of my super commandos and some of the best soldiers I have, they'll be able to cover plenty of ground while my group focuses on finding the Togrutans.

Assuming they're still on the planet.

Loading our supplies and resources on gunships, we exit Flightmare's hangar and descend down to Shili's atmosphere, turning to Fredadan, I speak up. "Fredadan! What can you tell us about Shili, for those of us who haven't been here?" The bulky Ingerman raised his arm and activated his wrist computer and pulled up information on the Togrutan's home planet. "Well, its a world that certainly requires strength to live in. The planet is covered with turu-grass, scrublands as well as canopy forests. Shili is also the homeward of native beasts called the Akul, several tribes of Togrutans had to work together to ensure their species survival over the predatory animals." I nod in confirmation and then ask. "Where exactly is our destination?" Fredadan skimmed though more information about Shili until he answered. "We're heading directly for the capital city of Corvala, its Shili's most prominent city."

"I sure do hope we get to encounter something dangerous down there! I hope get a new scar or two." Ty said, Rain grinned at her brothers words and chimed in. "Same! Oh! I hope we encounter a Akul, and I'm hoping for some mauling, like on my shoulder or lower back." Ashara snickered and joined in. "Yeah, its only fun if you get a scar out of it."

"Yeah no kidding. Pain, love it." I said sarcastically, causing Ahsoka to giggle lightly at my sarcasm, turning to her, I cock my head and ask her a question. "What was your mother like? If you don't mind me asking." I quickly added, Ahsoka smiled and answered. "She was everything you could ever ask for in a mother; kind, loving, protective, strong and there when you needed her. When Master Plo took me to become a Jedi, I haven't seen or spoken to my mother since. She was part of the Shilian leadership, as was my father." Sighing heavily, Ahsoka shakes her head and murmurs. "I wonder what my mother is like now."

"I'm sure she's just as loving and caring as she was back then Ahsoka." Ashara said reassuringly, causing Ahsoka to smile and nod in thanks at my generals words. The pilot of our gunship informs us that we're touching down on the capital city, once the doors open, Ahsoka and I leaped out of the gunship and land on the ground with grace, while the rest of my group used their jetpacks to land safely on the ground. Looking up in the sky, I can see handfuls of Mando's using their jetpacks and beginning their search for the missing colonists in the air.

Using the Force, I try to feel any presence, but I feel absolutely nothing. "I fear we're too late. I can't sense anyone down here." I say with regret, Ahsoka sighs and turns to me. "I regretfully agree. What ever happened here—"

"Mandalore! We found someone!!"

Not needing to be told twice, Ahsoka and I made our way towards Ty and Rain, who were crouching besides a little Togrutan girl, who appeared to be five years old. Reaching inside a pouch strapped to his thigh, Ty pulled out a ration bar and presented it to the little girl. "Here, you must be hungry." The girl took the ration bar from Ty and began munching on it, while Ahsoka kneeled before the girl and placed a gentle hand on her little shoulder. "Hi, my name is Ahsoka. Whats your name?" The little girl swallows the bites of food in her mouth and answers. "Shosan." Smiling at the little girl, Ahsoka caresses Shosan's lekku and continues to question her. "Do you know what happened here? Where everyone is?"

Shosan looked down and whimpered out. "Taken." Was all she said, Ty and Rain shared a look and I felt a hand on my shoulder, turning around, I lay eyes on Ashara who then crosses her arms across her chest. "She tell us anything yet?" I shake my head and gesture to Ahsoka. "She's telling Ahsoka what happened." Shosan then continued. "My father was taken by beings in white armor... everyone in the city was."

"Stormtroopers. Why would the Empire abduct the people of Shili?" Ahsoka asked, Shosan then sniffled and it looked like she was going to cry, but Ahsoka shushed her gently and pulled the little girl into a hug, which she immediately returned. "Its okay Shosan. You're safe now, tell me why the Empire took away your father and our people, so that I can get them back." Shosan wiped away a tear that slid down her cheek and answered. "I... I over heard the beings in white that our people were to be transferred to... somewhere called Zygerria."

Ahsoka gasped in horror and for good reason, Zygerria is home to slavers and one of the most powerful slaving business in the galaxy. They once had a massive slaving empire that lasted for quite some time, that was until the Jedi ended their reign and liberated those the Zygerian slavers had abducted.

"So, the Togrutans are to become slaves of Zygerria. Thats cruel." Rain said, Ty hummed in agreement but then wondered out loud. "There's a reason the Empire abducted all these people. We know that they're being taken to Zygerria, but for what purpose? The Zygerrians already have an abundance of Togrutan, Twi'lek and other poor life forms who are suffering the darkness of slavery. We need to find out what exactly the citizens of Shili are to do as slaves."

Humming in agreement, Ahsoka then lifted Shosan into her arms and turned to me. "I think its time we pay Zygeria a visit." I hum in agreement to contact the Flightmares captain. "Viscus. We've received intel that the Togrutans of Shili are being transported to Zygeria to become slaves. We'll need to go there at the soonest opportunity."

::At once Mandalore, we await your return::

I then order all Mandalorian forces to pull back and return to the Flightmare, once entering our gunship, I gaze at Shosan and approach the little girl that's secure in Ahsoka's gently hold. "Shosan, I need you tell me if there was... anything else you saw, besides the beings in white. Were there any other life forms amongst the white beings?" The little girl thought back and then her eyes widened and she nodded furiously. "Yes, there was... an older man there and accompanied by... red skinned, orange eyed and black scaled lizards." My eyes widened in realization as to who Shosan was talking about. "Gonn." I snarl out, Ashara cocks her head at me. "Is he an Imperial?" She asks, I looked into my general and lovers ocean blue eyes and nodded in confirmation. "Gonn is poacher who hunts the galaxy's most rare and endangered animals to the brink of extinction with the help of a pack of Trandoshan hunters who call themselves Deathgrippers."

"And now this sleemo has aided the Empire in delivering my people into slavery." Ahsoka growled out, I turn to her and nod. "Gonn isn't someone you want to underestimate. He may be old, but he's an excellent hunter and highly intelligent, we'll need to proceed with caution once we arrive at Zygerria." Ahsoka nods and cradles a now drowsy Shosan into her chest and caresses the little girls lekku.

(Normal pov— Zygerria, home of the slave empire)

King Sono Molec of Zygerria was seated on his throne and had just concluded business with Trandoshan slavers who were selling a rich stock of very strong and powerful Wookie warriors that will be turned into useful slaves. Once of the Zygerrian kings advisors approached and whispered into Molec's ear, the king turned to his advisor and nodded. "Assemble a squad at the space port. I'll meet him there." The advisor bowed his head and departed, fixing his elegant robes, Molec stood up from his throne and made his way outside his palace to lay eyes on an Imperial Star Destroyer descending down to the space port.

Having his personal guards transport him on a speeder, Molec gazed upon his empire with pride, when news of the Jedi Orders purge reached Zygerria, the people rejoiced at the Jedi's destruction, they had destroyed their slave empire during the days of the Old Republic and now with a galaxy without Jedi? Zygerria would rise up and would once more be a dominant power in the Outer Rim.

Once the Star Destroyer landed at the space port, Molec ordered his guards to land the speeder down at the port as well, acknowledging their kings command, the guards steered the speeder to where the Star Destroyer had landed and watched as a massive the Imperial forces began reeling in shackled Togruta's. Molec then laid eyes on a human male and was accompanied by a pack of red skinned, orange eyed and black scaled Trandoshans. "King Molec I presume?" The human male asked, Molec nodded in confirmation. "Correct. You are the one they call... Grisly, yes?" Gonn smirked and bowed his head. "I'm touched that my infamy as a poacher have reached your empire King Molec." The Zygerrian king shrugged before answering. "Yes. Your skills as a poacher are quite impressive, especially for a man of your age."

"Indeed." Gonn said in agreement as the two men then laid eyes on Stormtroopers escorting the citizens of Shili over to Molec's own men. "I have orders from Emperor Palpatine to ensure that these Togrutans as well as all slaves on Zygerria are prepared for hard labor. The Empire is sending a super weapon that is under construction to orbit Zygerria and once it is complete? The Emperor had ordered me to reward you greatly for you slaves contribution to the completion of this super weapon." Molec gave a smile and nodded in understanding. "As long as the Empire and Zygerria are friends and allies? We will be quite a dominate force." He said while clenching a hand into a firm fist, Gonn smirked and nodded at Molec's words.

"Indeed."