Welcome back! I've been away for a long time, but I've had a clear vision for this story for a long time now, and I am determined on completing at least the first story, and then take it from there. For now, I'm re-editing and uploading the current chapters with minor changes, and will start releasing new chapters. Hope you all enjoy!
Prologue
"Um, hello? Is this-yes, there we go." Sitting in front of a glamorously adorned hexagonal box sat a young silver haired female. "It is the year 312 ABY. I am Jedi Historian Ismene Ytri recording this holocron for the future of the Jedi Order."
The young female ran her fingers through her silky hair. She let out a soft sigh and murmured, "Where to begin?" Ytri ran her fingers down the holocron her Jedi Master had given her. Ytri was being trained in the ways of the Jedi Historian, like her master. She had been given the holocron with the instruction to try and record something for the benefit of the Order. It was a vague order; almost suspicious, thought Ytri.
"Well, approximately three hundred and forty years ago, the Galactic Republic was dissolved by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and remade into the Galactic Empire." Ytri began, not entirely sure where she was heading with her thought. "The Empire was cruel to its people and as a result of its action, a large rebellion group called the Alliance to Restore the Republic was born. Under the leadership of Mon Mothma, Jan Dodonna, and Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker, the Rebel Alliance was able to throw off the chains of oppression that the Empire had created. After destroying two Death Star superweapons and killing the two Sith Lords, Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader, the Rebel Alliance founded the New Republic."
Ytri glanced at her chrono, wondering how long her master planned on having her record the histories. Ytri was restless to get back to her books. She much preferred to read them than write them. "After fifteen years of hardships, including defeating several warlords and men like Grand Admiral Thrawn and a resurrected Emperor, the New Republic and what became the Imperial Remnant signed a treaty that ended the conflict between the two powers. At the same time, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker began to form the foundation of the New Jedi Order. By 25 ABY, the New Order numbered nearly one hundred when the Yuuzhan Vong invasion began."
Ytri, now fully immersed in what she was doing, flipped through some flimsiplast records looking for some of her notes she had taken during one of her training session with her master.
"Most contemporary accounts, as well as accounts in the decades of reconstruction, cite the invasion as one of the most destructive events of the galaxy, only surpassed by the all-out battle of the Sith-Imperial War and subsequent Second Imperial Civil War. Using primary sources, including the past historian, Master Solusar, we can discern that the Jedi were woefully overwhelmed, not only by their lack in numbers, but by the Vong's existence outside of the Force. The Yuuzhan Vong War brought on several changes to the galaxy, notably the establishment of the Masters' Council in the Jedi Order and the reformation of the New Republic into the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances. Over the next decades, the Galactic Alliance grew in power, along with the Jedi Order. The Masters' Council became the Jedi High Council and Master Skywalker officially took the title of Grand Master. Although several skirmishes did break out, notably the extremely damaging Second Galactic Civil War and the Jedi Psychosis, the galaxy did extremely well."
Ytri picked scrolled through her datapad, looking for the info she need.
"However, as the Alliance prospered, so did the Empire. After his marriage to Skywalker-descendant Jaina Solo, Jagged Fel reclaimed the title of Emperor in 48 ABY and began the massive overhaul of his Empire. With the aid of his wife, Emperor Fel established the Imperial Knights, a group of force-users appointed to serve the emperor. While they were considered heretical by the order, they proved their commitment to the light side of the force many times under the strain of the Sith. Under the guidance of Fel and his successors, the Empire rose in prominence once again."
Ytri forgot what she was doing. It no longer felt like work. She was immersed in here studies, and speaking them aloud was no longer a challenge. The wonders of the galaxy's history subtly reminded her just why she chosen this path in the Jedi Order
"In 122 ABY, the Ossus project began as a way to repair world affected by the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. We now know that the project was sabotage by the Sith, but at the time, many citizens were outraged by the failure of the project and its impact. As many systems threatened to secede from the GA, the Empire took the opportunity to attack the Alliance and take back control. Although the emperor of the time, Roan Fel, was opposed to war, he went along with the war at the urging of the ruling Moffs. The Empire allied themselves with the One Sith, a Sith order that had then recently revealed themselves under Darth Krayt, a former Jedi in the days of the Old Republic. With their Sith allies, the Empire was able to not only conquer the Alliance, but initiate another Jedi Purge. Although not nearly as effective as Palpatine's purge, most surviving Jedi went into hiding while the Alliance Remnant was forced stop the fighting. However, the Empire was betrayed by the Sith and the Empire was split. After nearly a decade, the Alliance Remnant and Fel's Empire-in-Exile allied together and, with the aid of the Jedi from the Hidden Temple, toppled the Krayt's Empire. Also playing a large part in this was the former Jedi apprentice and pirate, Cade Skywalker. Skywalker defeated Darth Krayt, whom most Jedi agree was one of the most powerful Sith Lords, in the same class as Darth Bane, Revan, and Palpatine."
Ytri scratched her head as she looked at the next set of documents. The mess of information was difficult for the young Jedi to sort in order. Too many Empires and Sith to keep in track for the normal citizen, but not so for a Jedi Historian
"For a brief period, the Galactic Federation Triumvirate was formed as a coalition between the Jedi, the Alliance Remnant, and Fel's Empire. However, after three years, the Empire pulled out of Imperial Space and suddenly left the known galaxy. To this day we do not know where the Empire disappeared to or why. According to some sources, Empress Marasiah Fel had a meeting with Cade Skywalker on Bastion the night before the Empire left the galaxy. These same sources say that this meeting was also the reason for the disappearance of the Skywalker bloodline. At the same time as the Empire left the galaxy, Cade Skwalker, along with Solo relatives in the Hapes Consortium disappeared."
Ytri looked over her shoulder. She could have nearly sworn there was someone there. Slowly turning back to the holocron, she caught a small tribe of gokobs scurrying across a pair of looming trees. Forgetting the supposed onlooker, Ytri returned to her recording. What was there to say next? She could not shake the creeping suspicion of her master's intention in having Ytri make this recording.
"The Skywalkers have often been called the greatest of the Jedi. The name Luke Skywalker is whispered in the same reverent tones as such Jedi as Yoda and Nomi Sunrider. Yet, the Skywalker clan hasn't been heard from since their disappearance. Nor has the Empire. But we've prospered in that time. After the Empire left, the triumvirate was short a member, allowing for the reestablishment of the Galactic Alliance. Over the next one hundred and seventy-five years, the Alliance flourished. Although the Chiss and the Hapes Consortium, which had been under the GA before the Sith-Imperial War, did not rejoin the Alliance, many new systems came under the wing of the GA. Now the GA rivals the power of the Old Republic in its glory days. The Jedi, too, have become aides to the Alliance, returning the position the Order held in the Old Republic. And…"
Ytri got up and searched the room. She knew what she wanted to say, but it was not the kind of statement one says if they are being listened in on. After a cursory inspection of the room, Ytri sat back down in her chair and followed the instructions of her master.
"A Jedi is never unarmed," her master would say, "widen your perceptions; feel the Force flow through you."
Ytri breathed and could feel no immediate danger. She closed her notes and, in a near whisper, continued.
"The New Jedi Order is different from the Old Order, as well. The lifting of the restriction on marriage has allowed our growth to boom to nearly its size in the days before the Palpatine's Purge. But the families have also grown. Although most Jedi won't say it, the large and powerful families seem to have more control in the Order. I don't think most Jedi see it, but I've seen the histories. We weren't always like this. The Jedi used to be forces for good in the galaxy, but now I am not so sure. Many are demanding payment now. I have read the recordings of Master Skywalker in his final days. This isn't what he wanted. And I am not sure it's what I want either."
Ytri jumped in her seat. The gokobs scurried across a branch quickly. A small shiver ran up Ytri's spine that made her hairs on her neck stand up. But she continued.
"Master Avagadro has always said to look to the past for answers. There was no one she admires more than the Skywalkers. Even though the family is still the most revered in the Order, the teachings of Master Skywalker are seldom taught anymore. The statue of the Skywalkers in front of the Temple was removed a couple of months ago, supposedly for "repairs." No one seems to know where it is and Grand Master Katarn seems mum on the subject."
"Beneath the stability of our age, there seems to be growing unrest within the Jedi Order. There is something brewing in Force, and I don't think I'm the only one who senses it. Master Wori-Ky has received another vision through the Force. Dark times are coming, is all she will say. And worse still, Chief of State Trell has been assassinated an unknown force. The Jedi have been contacted by the GA to investigate. But I fear for the GA. After such a long period of peace, an act like this assassination could cause a stirring in the Senate that could very well destabilize the government, albeit for a short time.
Ytri was too on edge to continue. She closed her datapad and swept her documents and filed them away. Ready to leave the small chamber for her living quarters, Ytri picked up the holocron. She ran her finger through her silvery hair one more time and breathed into the holocron, "We could really use a Skywalker…"
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…
STAR WARS
Heritage Episode I
THE OLDEST ENEMY
It is a time of peace for the galaxy. For nearly one hundred
and seventy-five years, the GALACTIC FEDERATION
OF FREE ALLIANCES has maintained order.
With the disappearance of the Darth Krayt's One Sith,
the NEW JEDI ORDER has prospered.
However, recently the Jedi Knights, who have long
been known as the protectors of the
peace, have grown selfish. Many Knights are now
demanding payment for their actions and
retribution for their contribution to the citizens
of the galaxy.
Recent events have also shaken many. The Chief of
State of the Alliance was assassinated
by an unknown force.
En route to Borderion, several senators
have come to appoint Hirim Tam to the position
of Chief of State of the Galactic Alliance…
