Good evening, everyone! What's going on with you on June 17, 2018? I'm still beat, but I'm willing to write at least a few hundred words in my first full chapter of Star Wars: Shadow Wars: Escalation. So, Tau and his crew are heading to recruit the Jensaarai for their war against the Empire, and that is the first of many Force Organizations that they'll convince to join their cause. Of course, the Empire will bolster its ranks as well, and the war between the two groups will only get worse before it ends. And, there are the forces of the Cult of Dark Ainur, Yuuzhan Vong, Abeloth, the Killiks, Nephilim, and the Knights of Olpaka to worry about, which will only cause chaos throughout the galaxy. So, when we last left our heroes, Tau and Ahsoka had just made love to each other, and were going to get chewed out by Celebion for their lovemaking before marriage. I can't wait to write the Dúnedain Ranger berate them for their hasty choice. Well, I'd better get started, as I've only got a couple of hours before I have to go to bed for tomorrow. May the Force and Iluvatar be with me.

Onboard the Second Chance

En Route to Susevfi

Thirty Minutes Before Entering the Suarbi System

14.75 BBY

As the Second Chance, the personal ship of Tau Palpatine, a Jedi sent from the future by the first Celestial, barreled through hyperspace in order to begin the second recruitment efforts of the Shadow Alliance, a coalition of surviving Jedi, Imperial Senators, and disparate rebel groups and planets, in order to combat the Galactic Empire and Tau's ancestor, Darth Sidious, publicly known as Emperor Palpatine, a stern reprimand was taking place within the CEC YT-1300 Light Freighter.

"I hope that you two enjoyed your little…escapade." Celebion sternly said to Ahsoka Tano and Tau Palpatine, the two new lovers who had ended their first lovemaking session about twenty minutes ago. The Togruta and Human had a look of shame that plastered on their faces from the Dúnedain Ranger's talking-to.

"We did, but…" Tau said before he looked at Ahsoka, and, finding his resolve, said, "Honestly, I wouldn't take it back for anything, even if I broke one of Iluvatar's commandments. Ahsoka gave me peace when I needed it, and I let go of my fears and inhibitions."

Celebion then pinched his nose in frustration over his friend's stubbornness, and, breathing out his frustrations so that he wouldn't lash out at the two lovers, calmly, but tensely, asked, "And how, just how, did Ahsoka grant you enough peace that made you two commit premarital sex?"

"She helped me realize that I didn't have to try to measure up to my brother and his legacy. I don't have to do things the same way that he did, and that I'm not Edaan. I don't have to hold myself up to a false perception of myself, and just be my own person." Tau honestly said.

This speech confused the older human before he remembered how Tau had, during his time on Arda, spoke of his brother with great fondness, and how he struggled to form his own identity from his genetic brother's implanted memories.

He then sighed in understanding, and sympathetically asked, "Tau, I understand that you're trying to learn more about yourself, but... do you honestly think that making love with Ahsoka before you two marry is the best way to go?"

"It's more than that, Celebion." Ahsoka said, speaking in defense of her lover before she stood up to say, "Tau has given me so much joy and peace in my life that I didn't know that I could feel after I left my Jedi Order, and has given me genuine hope for the galaxy. So, the least that I can give him is my heart, which I know that he reciprocated."

"That may be, but you guys can at least try to wait until you marry before you have sex again, as I don't want to have to break out my pommel?" Celebion said with an undercurrent of a threat, making Tau shiver at the prospect of facing the pommel that Celebion utilized when he kept his daughter, Niwen, and his son-in-law, Jane Mallory, from having premarital sex during their journey to Sauron's former stronghold of Dol Guldur.

"I… I'm afraid that I can't make that promise, old friend." Tau remorsefully said to Celebion, who only sighed in disappointment over his counsel being disregarded by his leader.

"Tau, if you two are willing to break one of Iluvatar's commandments, then what's to stop you from breaking more of them later on down the line?" Celebion passionately asked in an effort to reason with the two lovers.

Tau looked to the side in contemplation over the legitimate question that his friend had just posed, and, after a minute of soul-searching, said to Celebion, "We'll keep each other from going off of the deep end, old friend. The two of us know right from wrong, and can keep each other balanced until we decide when it's the right time to marry each other."

"If I may?" Ventis asked. The couple and Ranger nodded, and Ventis continued, saying, "Look, you both are adults and you will have to face to consequences of your actions. Aside from the typical risks of having some carnal relations, you will also face Celebions mighty pommel." He then grinned at Tau, "And I will put you through such a grueling wrestling match that you will be to damn exhausted to do it, and we will do this every single day till you learn to keep it in your pants."

Then he gained a mischievous expression and thoughtfully said, "Or we could try another idea."

"What exactly is that?" Celibion asked, his curiosity piqued at Venits's look in his eyes.

"We give them chastity belts that alert us anytime they try to take them off." Ventis said.

"W-where did you get that idea from?" Celebion asked, astonished, and a little disturbed, that Ventis thought of that on the spot, while the couple looked horrified at having their movements being watched every second of the day.

Ventis considered it for a moment, "It saved one of Gallius' victims and nearly got him killed."

"Did you have to bring him up?" Tau said, scared stiff that Ventis used his horrific past to threaten him and Ahsoka. He then looked at Ahsoka, who appeared to share his distaste over this whole ordeal, and relented.

Through their shared bond, both lovers agreed to wait to have sex again until they married, and then exasperatingly sighed in defeat. Tau then annoyingly said, "Fine, we'll refrain from making love again until we're married. Happy?"

"That we are." Celebion satisfactorily said to Ahsoka and Tau as he and Ventis stood up from their seats at the lounge, and the former happily said to the two lovers, "May Iluvatar protect you both in these difficult times."

"Thank you, Celebion." Tau said over Celebion not passing judgement over their escapade, and for willing to be there for them if they ever wanted to talk about anything. He then hugged his surrogate father, and the Dúnedain Ranger hugged him back in understanding of how afraid that Tau was over losing anyone close to him in the wars to come.

As Tau let go of Celebion, he awkwardly said to him, "Hey… Can we keep this little secret between the crew, as I don't want the rest of our friends to find out about our bout before we're ready to marry?"

Ventis then sadly smiled, and said, "I'm afraid that that's impossible, Tau. Naomi already knows about you two, and she'll likely tell the others soon enough. You'll be getting a lot of teasing between all of our friends, so you'd better get ready to endure it all until you marry. No, actually, it'll last long after you tie the knot. Sorry."

"Ah… We'll have it coming." Tau said as he dreaded Ruby Rose's inevitable gushing over his and Ahsoka's lovemaking, and the mocking from everyone else.

"That you will. That you will." Celebion said in agreement, before he looked at his timepiece, and said, "We should be coming out of hyperspace in about twenty-five minutes. I'd get your disguises ready for when we meet the Jensaarai, as, from the records that you have on them, they'll likely think that we're here to kill them instead of make peace and recruit them."

"True enough." Ahsoka said, walking to get her cloak in order to hide her identity from any Imperials that might be on the moon.

Tau then asked Arnine, who was watching the whole reprimand, "Arnine, can you please gather the records on the Jensaarai, and have them downloaded onto a datapad so that we can have the evidence that we need before we meet them, as I don't want to enter their turf unprepared." Arnine then dutifully went to perform his new task,

Tau then followed Ahsoka so that they could hide their lightsabers until they met the Jensaarai, and Celebion prepared to meet these misguided disciples of the Anzati Dark Jedi Nikkos Tyris.

Forty Minutes Later

Within the Suarbi System

Within the City Yumfla

As the crew of the Second Chance departed their ship in order to take in the sights of the seaport of Yumfla, Tau and Ahsoka reached out with the Force in order to see if the Jensaarai were at their old training facility, which was buried underneath much rubble after Nejaa Halcyon, Ylenic It'kla, and the mysterious Jedi known only as "Desertwind", killed Nikkos Tyris and his top two disciples.

Sensing no living souls there, and instead sensing the echoes of the Dark Side energies that Nikkos had unleashed after his death, they turned to face the rest of their shipmates.

Ahsoka then said, "We can't find our prospective allies at their old base. We'll have to widen the search if we're going to find them."

"I could send some of my probes out to their former facility to see if anyone is there, as your senses can be deceived." Nagme suggested underneath her neoglith masque which Tau nodded to in agreement, knowing that the Dark Side energies of the old building might be increasing the Jensaarai's ability to cloak themselves from the two lovers' reach.

"Let's split up into three groups in order to avoid attracting too much attention. Akku, you take Nagme and Jarael to the local garrison posed as bounty hunters, and see if you can pick up any leads from there. Ahsoka, you and Ventis go to the cantina to gather any underworld information. Celebion, you'll come with me to help us procure transportation in case we need it. We'll meet up at the Drunk Dancer cantina." Tau said as he gave everyone their assignments for their stay on the moon.

"All right." Ahsoka said, disappointed in not being able to join her lover on their mission, but understanding his reasoning in wanting to stay professional when they were on the job.

She then said to her surrogate family, "Stay safe, all of you."

Everyone nodded at their response, and split up to cover their assignments.

Three Hours Later

Within the Drunk Dancer

"Any luck?" Tau asked his crew as they sat down at their table in the cantina while their waiters went to get them their beverages.

"Afraid not. The Imperials here already believe that they hunted down all of the Jensaarai, and that there are no Force-Sensitives left on the planet." Akku said in disappointment.

"That doesn't mean that they're all gone. I heard that there was a group of vigilantes that wore strange armor while taking on small groups of criminals in the city." Ahsoka countered, remembering what she had heard from a couple of friendly spacers.

"Well, thanks to Celebion and my skills at negotiating, we managed to get enough landspeeders for all of us at two-thirds of the price. They'll come in handy when we need to leave the city." Tau said, earning looks of suspicion from everyone present, who already knew that Tau knew something that they didn't about their elusive quarry.

Celebion sighed in exasperation, and said, "You already know where they are, don't you, Tau?"

"Not for sure, old friend." Tau defensively said, before he continued, saying, "I remember how, before my time, Luke and one of his students discovered a secret refuge not too far from here where our friends were hidden at. They might be there, but I wouldn't put too much faith in it, as it was over two decades from now."

"Perhaps they are closer than you think, Jedi Tau Palpatine." Said a strong female voice that startled everyone as a middle-age human female with strong blue eyes appeared behind him, and Tau recognized her as the second Saarai-kaar, or "keeper of the truth", of the Jensaarai that Corran Horn and Luke Skywalker were able to convince to let go of her misplaced hatred for the Jedi Order.

As she stood across from the table, Tau read her through the Force, and sensed her deep anger mixed with curiosity and fear. He then knew that she was just here to talk, and, acting fast said in order to avoid suspicion from the other patrons, said a joyous tone, "Well, well, well. If it isn't Saarai, my old friend! Come, come. Have a drink with me and my crew, on the house!"

Astounded that this Jedi had known her rank, even though she had not revealed it to the Jedi, she realized that Emperor Palpatine's claims of him coming from the future must have been true, and reluctantly sat down. She then said, "So, you are from out of time, as the current Emperor claims. My disciples and I sensed your arrival in the system, and, from the strong presence in the Force between you three Jedi, I volunteered to learn just who you were in order to determine whether you were to be considered a friend of foe to my people. But, I wasn't sure if the vision we received was true if you and your crew would grace our home, or I would have brought some of my best students to back me up."

"Well, let me be the first to say that it is an honor to be graced by such a prestigious figure among your people, my lady." Tau courteously said, earning a chuckle from the older woman in response to Tau's attempts of banter.

"Well, well, a gentlemen as well as a Jedi. If you were about twenty years older, and weren't already taken by this fine Togruta, I might attempt to court you." The Saarai-kaar stated in a friendly tone, surprising everyone present with her attitude, as they recalled from the records that her first encounter with Corran and Luke was not a pleasant experience.

"Why don't you tell us why you took such an incredible risk by coming out here, where the Empire is at in full force?" Ahsoka said, a little miffed that her relationship with Tau was becoming the worst-kept secret in the galaxy.

The older human woman looked at Ahsoka, and calmly said, "Do not fear, Ahsoka Tano. My people know of the Jedi Order's betrayal of you during the final months of the Clone War, and we do not wish you and your crew any ill will."

"How did-" Ahsoka began to ask before she stopped herself in order to keep from any potential bounty hunters here from recognizing her from the Empire's wanted posters, and detachedly said, "You kept tabs on the galaxy from out here in order to know if the Jedi would come after you again, didn't you?"

"A smart one, you are. I can see why Tau here fancies you." The Saarai-kaar said in between chuckles in response to the couple's blushing over their embarrassment.

Nagme then said, "Forgive me, ma'am, but I thought that your people hated the Jedi for their attempts to destroy you all. Why risk yourself by coming out here to greet the leader of a Jedi-led organization?"

"Because my people received visions of the Force of the galaxy being covered in an eternal darkness, and we sensed that this crew would be the tipping point between light and dark for the galaxy." The Saarai-kaar honestly replied, before the waiters came with each of their drinks, and Akku quickly paid them for the quick service before they began to ingest their beverages.

"And that forced your hand, correct?" Ventis curiously said to the Jensaarai leader, who reluctantly nodded her head in acquiescence.

"Well, I won't look a gift horse in the mouth." Tau gratefully said as he drank some of his cup of hot chocolate, which confused the older human woman, who had never heard of a horse.

Celebion, catching her wonder at what Tau was referring to, said, "A horse is an animal that you ride on in my world in the Unknown Regions. You likely wouldn't have heard of it."

"Ah." The Saarai-kaar wondrously said as she sipped her alcohol, and smacked her lips in appreciation for her drink.

Thirty Minutes Later

After more idle conversation between the Second Chance's crew and their unexpected guest, the seven patrons left the Drunk Dancer, and split up in order for Akku, Jarael, Celebion, and Nagme to head the Second Chance in order to follow Tau, Ahsoka, Ventis, and Shara, which was the Saarai-kaar's name, who were heading directly to the Jensaarai's shelter, which was about ten kilometers away from the city of Yumfla.

As the landspeeder that held the four Force-Sensitives drove away from the city, Shara asked the couple, "So, how long have you two been together?"

"A couple of months. Why?" Ahsoka curiously asked Shara in order to gain a better understanding of their host for the next few days while they waited for Ylenic It'kla to arrive to the system.

"I'm just trying to understand why such a well-known Jedi would break his order's ban against attachment by falling in love with you." Shara honestly replied, not at all offended by Ahsoka's caution.

She then reassuringly said, "You have nothing to fear from me, as I will keep my disciples in line when you are in my home. As long as you do nothing to provoke them, of course. If that happens, I will have to force you to leave our home."

"We understand, Shara. It's just that, since we all oppose the Empire in our own ways, we can't afford to blindly trust anyone outside our own groups, or risk utter destruction." Ventis said in understanding.

"True enough, Ventis Uriel." Shara said in agreement before they arrived at the mountainous area where the three non-Jensaarai could sense the mostly-cloaked presences of their hosts.

Soon enough, the landspeeder stopped moving, and its four occupants exited the vessel in order to follow Shara into a hidden cave, where several armored Jensaarai awaited the return of their leader and guests, and stood at attention when she arrived.

"At ease." Shara said to her five disciples, and said, "These are our guests. Former Padawan Ahsoka Tano, Jedi Knight Tau Palpatine, and Jedi Apprentice Ventis Uriel. Tell everyone that they are to be treated with the utmost hospitality, and to be given every comfort that they might need."

The five guards simply nodded in response to their orders, and accompanied their leader into their stronghold.

Within the mountain, they saw Jensaarai using a smelter to create their custom cortosis armor, their recreational area with a small lake for swimming, a training room where several Jensaarai practiced their saber technique, and their living quarters for the duration of their stay here.

Shara then said to their three guests, "Feel free to make yourselves at home until the rest of your companions arrive. We'll be having dinner in two hours. You can dine with us if you wish."

"We are most grateful for your hospitality, Lady Shara." Tau said in gratitude for the generous accommodations being given to them. He then politely asked, "Do you mind if we come with you, and, while we're waiting for our friends, we can discuss the reason as to why we have come to seek you out?"

"Very well." Shara said in agreement, before she added, "But, let us wait until your friends arrive so that everyone can see that they have nothing to fear from them."

"A reasonable request. We agree to the terms." Tau said with a glance at his lover and apprentice to be wary for any tricks, as, while he trusted Shara to act in the best interests of her people, he did not trust some of their hosts to act out of misguided vengeance for the death of their first Saarai-kaar.

Ahsoka and Ventis showed a minute nod of comprehension and acknowledgement, and Ahsoka said, "Shara, do you mind if I spar with some of your followers? We could both stand to learn a few skills from each other."

"And, I could accompany her. I've picked up a few tricks during my travels across the galaxy, and by learning from Tau and his friends." Ventis suggested, earning a nod of approval from Shara.

With that, Ahsoka gave Tau a quick kiss of promise to return to his side as she retraced her footsteps to the training room, and Ventis followed after he nudged his Jedi master in a teasing way at how he had scored so lucky as to have Ahsoka as his girlfriend and lover.

With the two Force masters alone, Shara said, "You are very lucky to have such a devoted partner at your side, Tau."

"Heh. Don't I know it." Tau said, silently speaking a prayer to Iluvatar in thanks for his prophecy coming true when he had left the Undying Lands on Arda."

He quickly turned to face Shara, and said, "I apologize for intruding on your home, but we have much to discuss, and the matters of which I am going to speak to you are of the utmost importance."

Shara then adopted her trademark serious tone, and said, "I figured that the matters that you wished to talk to me about were grave. We'll talk as we walk, as I want to show the rest of my people that you are a friend of the Jensaarai."

As the two leaders began to walk, Tau bluntly asked, "Why are you so willing to trust a Jedi after your master was slain by three of them?"

"Because, I have received dreams of my master that revealed the darkness within his heart, and how he planned to wage a war of conquest alongside Count Dooku and the Confederacy of Independent Systems if the Jedi had not stopped him." Shara simply said, confusing the young clone before he wondered if his travels through time may have caused yet another positive chain of events to occur.

"When did these dreams take place, if I may ask?" Tau intently asked.

"Two years and two months ago, when I sensed a bright presence in the Force enter the galaxy on the other side of it. Was that you, Tau Palpatine?" Shara asked, earning a nod of confirmation from Tau.

"That, and my crew being sent back in time thanks to a Celestial in order to prevent many terrible wars from breaking out in my time, and to save countless lives in the process." Tau honestly responded.

"I see. Do you think that a Celestial gave me these dreams, then?" Shara curiously asked, wondering if the two events were connected.

"It is possible. A Celestial that I know by the name of Melian gave me and Ahsoka Force visions of the Emperor's plans to come, and I know that the bulk of the Celestials are benevolent beings, so it is not impossible to suspect their hand in this." Tau theoretically said.

As the two potential allies arrived at the entrance to the cave, they saw the Second Chance land, and Akku, Arnine, Jarael, Nagme, Celebion, and Butch exited the ship. The latter of which shocked Shara, and she nearly reached for her lightsaber before she was stopped by Tau, who gently placed his hand on hers in order to keep her from making a hasty choice.

"It's all right, Shara. That's a Tuk'ata hound. His name is Butch, and he is my loyal companion." Tau earnestly said to Shara, who looked on in amazement over Tau being able to tame a Sith hound.

"I… I can't believe it. How did you manage it?" Shara said, dumbfounded as Butch walked up to her, and sat and stared at her in curiosity.

"Actually, my brother managed it." Tau wistfully said as he patted Butch on the head, and he licked his hand in affection. "It's a long tale, one that I'll be happy to tell you all when we have dinner in two hours."

"Very well." Shara said as she led the way for her guests into her stronghold, where the Jensaarai would find their destiny forever altered from this point on.

Well, that ends the first chapter of my story. So, what did you guys think of it, especially the inclusion of the Jensaarai and their leader? Do you think that I made her character good, as I didn't want her to be antagonistic, given how the timeline has changed? Now, I know that it didn't have any action, but, don't worry, there'll be plenty of action in the chapters to come. For the time being, however, the Shadow Alliance will be focusing on building up its strength for the wars against its enemies over the next several months. Oh, and there will be at least a few chapters where Tau and Ahsoka will show their love for each other. But, don't worry, I won't overdo it, or make it too explicit, as I don't want it to dominate the story, or risk it getting taken off of . And, they will find their bond tested in several ways over the next few months. One more thing. Thanks to Squasher, I have been convinced that they should wait until they get married to make love again, as he was the one who wrote the little excerpt that had Ventis's horrific recommendation. Anyway, what did you guys do on this day of June 18, 2018? I went to Costco and got some lunch in the form of pizza and soda, and didn't have to work today, which gave me time to rest from my challenging day at work yesterday, and prepare for work tomorrow night. Oh, and I played more of Shadow of War: The Blade of Galadriel, and completed the quests at Núrn, and defeated the Lawless, earning me plenty of Gamerscore Points. Tomorrow or later on, I'll beat Gorgoroth and the three Nazgûl that are the final bosses of the expansion. Oh, one more thing. Thank you for the constructive criticism, 1. I understand that you may be disappointed, but I want my story to be written in the manner of the novels of the Original Expanded Universe. But, I hear what you're saying, and I'll adjust accordingly in my next story. Well, I guess that I'd better get this chapter posted soon. May the Force and Iluvatar be with me, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!