They were currently in the Foundry's main room, from which HK was giving commands to his 'worthless minions' for thousands of years. And yes, he was built four thousand years ago. He saved pretty well for his age. He was constantly repairing himself, using the Foundry's resources. All the time Danny kept asking him numerous questions, being completely clueless to the droids' growing irritation (His static face couldn't show emotions, anyway)

Danny smiled fondly at the fleet floating in the vacuum of space. During the last month the Foundry built ten Harrowers, twenty five warships of Terminus-class, and eight Gage transports. All of the ships were filled not only with droid crew, but also filled to the maximum of their carrying capabilities with soldiers. The droids were copies of HK-47, but they were dark gray in color and had bright blue visors. Their tactical and logical capabilities were breakthrough, but HK could break them all with no effort, since, again, they were mere copies of him.

Returning to the matter of ships, this fleet wasn't enough for an open fight against all odds. But he could be a powerful asset, which could bring victory. Because no armor plating or powerful shields could protect from a guy who could teleport right inside, blow up generators with a flick of the hand, and escape from a downed ship. That was IF he will engage in an open fight. They will be able to jump wherever they wanted, while the yuths couldn't. Because, unlike them, Phantom's fleet also had astromechs among their crew.

Why one month? Because the empire would find out everything by then and undoubtedly will send the fleet, especially if the admiral will be persistent enough. Danny received a message a few days ago, the imperial probe arrived in the system. They had to hurry, because the second it becomes operational on the planet's orbit, the yuths will come. Danny wondered how big portal he could make. It needed to be a few miles in diameter, he never made it bigger than himself.

'But is this plan worth it?' Danny thought, putting a hand on his chin.

The chair was positioned rather pompously. If he turns around on his chair and with his back turned to the table, he would face a huge window.

Danny felt something nuzzle against his another hand. Phantom looked down and, seeing his little pet, smiled softly.

"Hey, Alva, missed me?"

The fluffy creature cooed and tapped with its hooked beak on his hand. Understanding the gesture, Danny put the bird on her favorite nesting place - namely his messy and soft hair. He didn't actually mind, everything she did was sleeping up there. She hadn't yet developed her razor sharp talons yet, so it didn't hurt her master. Flapping her small wings, Alva moved his snowy locks, making an improvised pillow, before curling in a ball and sitting down.

Danny smiled at that, before taking out a datapad without any target in mind. Play tetris maybe, wait, there wasn't any tetris. With a deadpan expression Danny tossed it away on a table. Suddenly his ghost sense went off, and it pointed right behind him. Danny winced slightly. He knew what this conversation will be about. Turning on his chair, Phantom saw the same mysterious ghost.

"Hello there," he smiled and let out an uneasy laugh.

"You forgot about my request, didn't you?"

Danny sighed. "Sorry pal, kinda forgot. Well, you are here know, what did you want to talk about?"

Then the ghost noticed something. "Is this a bird in your hair?"

"Yep. Alva, say hi."

The hawk chirped from her seat and put her hand under fluffy wing again. The ghost hummed.

'This boy seems quite talented. His bond with the bird is strong.' He thought.

"Dude, are you there?" Danny snapped his fingers in front of his face. The ghost snapped out of his thoughts and turned at him. "You spaced out for a moment."

"My apologies, I just thought about something."

"Don't worry about it. Wait, I don't like to talk like that. Have a seat."

The ghost sat in front of him. "There is something what interests me. Who taught you how to use the Force? You denied being a Sith, and I doubt that the Jedi would let someone so potentially dangerous wander around."

"I'm not dangerous," Danny grumbled, before remembering what he did with GIW. "On the other hand, yes, I am. Well, starting from the beginning, I found a few books on Tython, plus learned one thing here, another one there...Do you have any, by the way?"

"How am I supposed to hold them?"

Danny chuckled nervously, "Until my arrival on that planet I was largely unnoticed by the order. Did you feel the disturbance? It was me, I caused it by simply walking around."

"Hm, it has something to do with you being a ghost, hasn't it?"

"I think so. Since I have an ability to interact with physical plane, and yet one with the Force, it causes paradox, I guess. I'd like to research it when all of this is over."

"That's another thing. You said that you want to destroy the empire. Let's suggest it happens. What will happen then? Joining the Republic?"

"No," Danny got up from his chair. "I see it only as a small step towards greater achievements."

"You want to conquer the galaxy," the ghost shook his head. "Should have known."

"Do I look like a power hungry Sith? I don't think so. Because I'm not doing it for power, I am doing it for them. For those suffering all across our galaxy. This is my ideal. The powerful and invincible Empire under the rule of benevolent Emperor."

"You speak about benevolence. But what about the Republic? You expect it to surrender peacefully?"

"I don't want wars. Republic does not control everything, I'll just take what no one does and build everything from scratch. AND create armada in case the senators try something funny. Or simply to fight off pirates and other scum of the world. I just want to make the world better."

"And here comes the most common excuse," the ghost muttered. "Boy, things are not going to be that simple."

Danny looked at the endless void of space. "You think I don't know that?" He whispered, turning back to him. "Things never were simple for me," Phantom said louder. "I would have simply starved to death at the age of four if not for my now dead sister. Simply because my parents didn't give a shit about me. I got used to losses, and I don't want people out there to be like me!" He gestured out of the window. "You thought the same thing at the time, didn't you, Revan?"

"Took you long enough to figure out," Revan responded.

"I had suspicions since the beginning. Unless that was another HK-47, there was only one person he could call 'Master'."

Revan sighed deeply. "Yes, I shared your point of view, Phantom. But look where it got me. Being corrupted by the Emperor, memory wipe, three centuries of tortures, and that's only a few ones. I never even got the chance to see my son. All I ever saw is his holoimage."

"I'm sorry," Danny said sadly.

"Don't be."

"Look, Revan, the world has changed during your staying here. I don't need the Dark side to call the people under my banner, like Malak or Tenebrae did. You had a month to observe what my soldiers think about me. Have you ever saw them bow or kneel to me? I'll lead them to victory and then, if they won't want me as their leader after that, then I'll go without resistance. I could just go to their capital, kill the empress and usurp the throne. But I didn't. This people need to believe in something. They were slaves, tools for the richer people. They MUST believe in their strength. And I will help them unravel it."

Under his mask, Revan smiled slightly. He spoke like a true leader. And he sensed how the light inside of the ghost teen seemed to pulsate. He could understand why people followed the one who was much younger than them. Looking at Danny, Revan remembered himself from his younger days, when he lead the Republic towards the victory against Mandalorians. But still, such a darkness deep below the surface was concerning. He himself was a follower of balance, but falling to the Dark side was unpredictable.

Just as the thought crossed Revan's mind, Danny carefully took Alva from his head and put her in her improvised nest made of grass, giving the bird a gentle stroke. Yes, the main threat to the galaxy, no less.

"Daniel, I understand your intentions. They are most noble. But you must always remember about the thin line you can easily overstep."

"I see that. You are worried about me being corrupted? Believe me, it is not going to happen. I saw what the future will be like if I turn to the dark. I almost did, but I was given a second chance in life. I promised to my loved ones that I won't let them down, and I always keep my promises."

"That's the answer I hoped for."

"And what are you going to do? Tell me the secrets of the Force?"

"No, the Force tells me that you must go this path by yourself. Plus, you just got an apprentice, it will be rather strange if I teach you as well."

"I get it," Danny mumbled. "Oh, well. I'm immortal, why should I hurry right?" He laughed.

"Very well, I'll get going, then."

With that the Jedi Master and the Sith Lord disappeared, leaving the ghost teen alone.

-Later-

"No, no, no, don't put it there!" Danny shouted to the droid, who was carrying a box. "Blasters must be in another pile. These are for grenades."

The droid nodded and moved the box where needed. Phantom's attention was caught by another droid, when the transport almost drove him over.

"Hey, watch where you are going!" He exclaimed. "Ugh, you are putting blasters to grenades AGAIN! Listen once and for all, THIS pile is for GRENADES. THAT one for BLASTERS,"  he pointed towards the pile five steps away. "There are markings, read them, for Ancent's sake!"

'On rare occasions like this I want Box Ghost to be here.'

"Having fun?"

Phantom saw Revan standing near him, before Danny's face twisted in deadpan expression. "If you mean commanding stupid droids then yes, I have fun. Imperial droids are useless for anything except pressing on a trigger. I would have done something, but I'm a hereditary engineer, not a programmer."

"Hm, I hope you don't mind taking aboard another droid?"

Before Danny could ask what did he mean, they both heard familiar high voice.

"Query: You called me, Master?" HK came closer to them.

"Yes, HK, I have a request. I want you to depart with Phantom."

"Question: WHAT?!" The droid yelled.

Danny only blinked in surprise. "Uhm, what?" He then asked carefully.

Revan sighed. "HK, I appreciate your unwavering loyalty to me. But I can see that you are bored here. That's not what I created you for. Daniel, on the other hand, is fighting in a war. Surely you wouldn't want to miss the opportunity."

"Constatation: Yes, I haven't killed someone worthy enough for a long while."

"Stop, wait a minute," Danny interrupted. "You are offering me to take aboard someone who wishes my death?"

"Statement: A very long and painful death," HK added, obviously not pleased with his master's decision. Danny wasn't sure how to react to that.

"Well, this is easily fixed. HK, this boy is now your master."

Phantom's jaw hit the floor. And if the droid had one, he would have as well.

"Exclamation: You can't do that, master!"

'Should have known about that,' Revan thought. "HK, this isn't a punishment you think it is. This is a reward for your loyalty. I don't want to hold you back here and waste your potential."

"No one asked me," Danny grumbled.

"Mockery: You think MY opinion counted?! Defeated statement: I'll complete your command, Master."

"Thank you, my friend," Revan patted his metal shoulder with a smile. "Come visit once in a while."

"Statement: Of course, Master."

Danny chuckled quietly under his nose. This droid was really dedicated to his creator. Poor Frankenstein, his creation killed its creator, unlike HK. And honestly, Phantom could use such a skillful warrior. The ghost teen stepped forward.

"You can leave whenever you want," Danny offered, before smirking. "But you wouldn't want to miss killing a few squadrons of soldiers, would you?"

"Excited statement: Then what are we waiting for?" HK exclaimed. "I'll go pack my possessions."

With that the droid went to his armory.

"Should I be worried that he talks about murders like a kid on Christmas morning?" Danny asked sarcastically.

"I don't know what Christmas is, but you don't need to worry. You are now his Master, he physically can't harm you or go against your commands. But. I want you to treat him with respect he deserves." Revan said seriously.

Danny smiled. "Sure thing."

Revan looked at Phantom's ship on the distance. "You stole this dreadnought from your enemies, right?"

"Yes. I hoped to catch the owner, but it was a trap. The trap didn't work, but the ship is mine nevertheless."

"I see. Does it have a name?"

"Uhm, no, it is a prototype, and saying its code name is a bit weird. I have and idea, though. How about...Hyperion?"

"What?" Revan asked confused, making Danny facepalm.

"Flames, I keep forgetting that it isn't my homeworld. Well, the name comes from one of the ancient religions on my planet. Hyperion is a Titan, one of those who ruled before the Gods. He is a father of Helios - the God of sun, Selene, the Goddess of moon, and Eos, the goddess of dawn."

"Hm, so you named your ship after the father of stars?"

"That's not what I meant. The stars in Greek mythology have own legends. Sun is sun, stars are stars, they are different things there."

"Still, the name seems rather fitting."

"Hyperion it is, then."

-Later-

The fleet was taking the required position for hyperspace jump. Phantom came up with an idea of the effective command. He split the fleet in four parts, each was commanded by his duplicate or himself. Since they shared consciousness, then messages could be passed literally in a blink, without any chance of interceptions. It could turn the tide of battle, and every movement will be strictly organized and smooth, since every 'commander' knew what to do. However, it had cons, namely that everything relied on his and only his tactical thinking. However, it wasn't required for now.

"Sir, what are your orders?" The ensign asked.

The doors suddenly swung open and HK walked into the room.

"Statement: That room you put me in is quite empty."

"Just that? No greeting at all?" Danny said, faking his hurt feelings. "Well, decorate it as you please, it is still bigger than your quarters on Ebon Hawk."

"Statement: It is disturbing that you seem to know too much about me, and I don't have a way to kill you."

While the rebel soldiers looked confused, Phantom burst laughing. "Oh, well, you'll have plenty of time."

Danny hummed in thought, tapping on his chin. Before he could say something, the bridge communicator started to beep.

"Put through the image, for starters," Phantom said.

The call was from Valorrum, and Haseas' hologram appeared in front of the commander's seat.

"Hey, boss, we have bad news and even worse news. Which one do you want first?"

"Start from bad one," Phantom said without enthusiasm.

"Well...Scaball escaped into the jungle. Apparently we didn't count that he has allies. Luckily it was only him, others are still under guard."

"Scaball is irrelevant. Our deal with the admiral went straight under cat's tail. If you see him, shoot without warning. Don't send people into the forest, no need to waste our time on him. Just stay on guard as always. What is the second problem?"

"The beacon reached the destination. We have only about two hours till they arrive."

Sighing deeply, Danny lied back in the seat. Everyone waited for their leader's decision. Because there is no way...

"Prepare the planetary defences. Any means can be useful. Evacuate people underground. If not bombardment, then falling ships might destroy large parts of the city."

"Question: Why bother with those useless meatbags? If you waste your time for evacuation then there will be less to rally defences."

Everyone looked at HK. And while the ensign and Haseas glared at the droid, Danny's expression remained neutral. "Haseas, how many people we have, again?"

"Well, now we have about fifty thousand men and women."

"Order the civilians to go underground wherever they can. We can't do anything more, the planet is not prepared for this kind of situations at all."

"We have only one ion cannon, how are we supposed to defend ourselves?"

"Simple. We will be there."

Everyone blinked.

"Uh..."

Danny only grinned widely. "Be ready when we come."

With that the transmission was over. Phantom got up and walked to the illuminator, putting a hand on his chin.

"Statement: The fleet is not fast enough to reach the opposite end of the galaxy in such short time. In fact, no ship is capable of such a speed," HK noted.

"I wonder how big it can be," Danny murmured instead of answering.

He closed his eyes and raised his hand. Then it started to crack with green electricity. Everyone watched with marvel how a small dot appeared ahead, but then kept expanding, meter by meter. First it became as big and wide as starfighter, then as corvette. When it became the size of cruiser, Phantom broke the silence.

"Gage and Terminus ships, go inside!" He shouted.

If ghosts could sweat, his clean clothes would have been all wet. His face scrutinized in effort and he leaned on the railing for support. The ensign immediately contacted the other ships and they followed the command, flying through the portal. Phantom kept expanding the portal, and then the dreadnoughts followed. Finally, Hyperion was the last one to go on the other side. The second they exited the portal, Danny nearly collapsed as it closed behind them. The ensign helped her leader to shakily stand on his feet. 

"Bewildered statement: What just happened?!" HK asked.

Danny let out a dry chuckle after being situated on his chair. "I can tear down the fabric of space and shorten the time of travel to seconds. I never tried making it THAT big. I'm dried as lemon, however. Now, when we are back at our lovely planet, we can decide what to do next."

"You already have something in mind, don't you sir?"

Phantom grinned tiredly, tilting his head to his assistant. "You got that right."