A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
Episode 0
The Sith Agenda
With all things, there is change and balance. The tyrannical rule of the Empire gave rise to opposition, rebellion and eventually destruction. Even in the time following the battle of Endor, the remnants of that organization fought on, seeking victory. But at last, peace was restored and a truce between the New Republic and Empire was forged. So at last, some dared to dream that their fight was over when the worst was yet to come...
Book I: The Edge of Night
Chapter I
In a distant corner of the galaxy, far from what had once been the Empire, the Super-class Star Destroyer Star Empire floated in the void, poised and ready. Captain Kyle Rashan stood in a position that allowed him a clear view of the bridge and the starry depths. Somewhere out there, he knew, the remnants of the Empire had forged an alliance with the offshoots of the Rebellion. Finally recognizing that any chance they had of victory had died years ago. Rashan remembered well the day they had received the news of Thrawn's demise. If he had been in command thirteen years ago, he would have turned this ship and its forces toward the Rebels and wiped them from the galaxy.
But he had not been in charge, and in the time since then he had come to understand why they had not taken that course of action. His lip twisted slightly as he recalled what had happened less than a year after the Grand Admiral's death. The rise and fall of the cloned Emperor had been the last gasp of a dying Empire, and no other concentrated effort had been made since then to attack the Rebellion. And in the meantime, Rashan and those with him had waited. A wait that was about to end, Kyle thought. From his side, Rashan saw the comm officer look up, scanning the bridge for him. The man rose, data pad in hand, and headed towards him. Kyle met him halfway, smoothly taking the proffered pad and scanning its contents.
"Is that all?" he said, his eyes focused on the pad. "Yes sir," the Lieutenant replied. Rashan glanced at his watch. "Keep me informed," he directed, "I have an appointment to keep." Turning to one side, Rashan headed for the turbolift and the true master of the Star Empire. The man who had once been mentor to Thrawn himself in matters of Imperial protocol, and as Kyle stepped from the corridor he stepped into a place he had visited every day now for the past twenty years. He did not pause to survey the art scattered around the room, a trait his superior had picked up from the brilliantly intuitive alien. He purposely headed for its lone occupant instead. A man who was expecting him; Grand Admiral Vhaldoq.
Wordlessly, Rashan handed the pad to D'ukal and his superior calmly perused the report. The list came to an end and Vhaldoq looked up. "How certain are we regarding the accuracy of this information?" the Grand Admiral said. "As certain as we can be without access to the records on Bastion or Coruscant," Rashan replied. Vhaldoq nodded and said, "So, what is the final count, Captain?" "Six, sir; but as far as we can tell only one is still intact. There are rumors of one being constructed, but we haven't been able to substantiate them." "And the one that we could use is currently under control of the Republic," D'ukal mused, "Too bad we can't get a more accurate picture. What about our other search?"
"Everything we have is in there," Kyle said, "We've had no further leads since I compiled the last report." The comm at Vhaldoq's side chirped for attention and he calmly activated it. "Vhaldoq here," he said. "Sir," the comm officer said, "We just received an update from our operatives in the Meridian Sector. They've picked up a trail that dates from the Clone Wars. There's a ship buried on the surface that corresponds to one reported to have been secretly concealed on Fornax." Vhaldoq nodded thoughtfully. Rashan remembered the incident in question, though D'ukal had not been literally present. The man who now sat beside him was actually a clone of the original, not much older than D'ukal had been when he had died twenty years ago.
"We may have found what we are looking for," Vhaldoq said, "Do you think our friend could have survived after all?" "It is possible," Rashan said, "The facility you later found on Fornax could preserve a man for a long time." "Set a course for this planet and take us into hyperspace at the first opportunity," D'ukal said. "How can you be certain he will join us?" Rashan asked. "I can't," Vhaldoq said, "I'm not even certain what we'll find there. I hope that my offer will be one he cannot refuse."
Around him, Kyle could feel the subtle changes in the way the ship vibrated as it prepared for lightspeed. A moment before they made the jump, another question came to his mind. "Suppose he does refuse?" he asked. Vhaldoq glanced at him, his face grim. "Then," he said softly, "We may have a problem." Then the Star Empire surpassed the speed of light and was gone.
For the first time in what seemed like forever, Luke Skywalker awoke without a trace of fear, worry or expectation. He glanced over at where his wife lay asleep, and knew that she was part of that. The time they'd spent together recently had helped to draw them closer, and settle some of his worries about marriage among Jedi. Deciding not to awaken her, Luke dressed and began fixing breakfast. Fifteen minutes later, he finished. He noted with some pride that his work wasn't burnt beyond recognition. He brewed two steaming cups of caf, and sat down to eat.
It wasn't exactly the most pleasant meal he had eaten, but as a Jedi it was easy to ignore that. Pouring himself a second cup of caf, Luke glanced over at where Mara slept and for the first time wondered what had awoken him. Certainly not any alarm, nor had he experienced a vision thru the Force. In short, he could think no reason why he was sitting here, wide awake, just after sunrise and on a day he had nothing else to do. He had promised himself some rest following their return to Coruscant, and so far he had been able to get it. I need a breath of fresh air, Luke thought, heading to the balcony. It would also give him a place to meditate on just why he was awake. It took him only a few moments to cross the room and open the door panel.
The door opened quickly and quietly, and he ascended the short distance to where he could view the planet-wide cityscape of Coruscant. In that moment, everything changed. Luke's eyes narrowed as he realized he was not alone on the balcony. A moment later, he stopped in his tracks as he realized who was there. A figure from his past, but one he hadn't seen since his father had died. His last words had shaped Skywalker's future, and in many ways he had tried to imitate him. Yoda.
