10

Good afternoon, everyone. How are you doing on the cloudy day of June 27, 2018? I'm doing well, as I still have at least five hours left in my day before I head to bed, and prepare for a pizza party at work tomorrow for lunch. I'll get to meet the new manager at my movie theater, and find out how the new schedule will affect my working hours. In the meantime, I've begun to play Middle-Earth: Shadow of War: The Desolation of Mordor, and I'm enjoying the DLC so far. I haven't died once, and I've already completed a good portion of the game by completing the first main quest, capturing two outposts, and finding two artifacts for Torwin. As a result, I've already gained 40 Gamerscore points today. Wait, I just realized that, after this excerpt is done, I'll have surpassed twenty-five thousand words in this story, and it's only been ten days since I've started writing this story. I am so proud of myself for writing this much in such a short amount of time. I just hope that the quality of my writing is good, or I won't be pleased with myself. Well, I'd better get started on the next chapter, as it'll have some big surprises in store for our heroes and villains, as they need to regroup after getting their fair share of wounds in, some more than others. May the Force and Iluvatar be with me.

(June 28, 2018 Addendum.) Hey, guys. How are you doing on this hot day? I'm doing well, as I went to work for a pizza party, and to find out if the new rules there would complicate my availability with them there. It turns out, I won't have to leave work after all, as my hours won't be that bad after all, except for this Friday, as I'll be working until midnight, which will leave me very tired afterwards, so I'll have to go to bed right when I get home. So, I apologize to all of you for making you worry over nothing. Well, on with the story.

Two Hours Later

Within the Second Chance

"How are they holding up, Jarael?" Tau worriedly asked his personal doctor on the status of Jaing, Shasa, and Luke, while he was mentally running all over the walls of the ship over hearing from the Hutt doctors on Ahsoka's status onboard one of the Golden Opportunity's bacta tanks.

"Well, Luke is with Obi-Wan, Ventis, and Nagme in order to keep him calm after seeing his guardians murdered before his eyes, Jaing is up and walking again, and is briefing the Hutts on his presence there, and Shasa's wounds have been treated, and just needs a few hours of bed rest before she can return to her father again." Jarael professionally said, before she warmly said to Tau, "Don't worry, Tau. Ahsoka's recovering quickly in her bacta tank, and should be up and moving again in about four hours ahead of schedule."

Tau then breathed out his relief, and said in gratitude, "Oh, praise Iluvatar." He then heard his comlink beep, and activated it, revealing the cool voice of Akku, who said, "Tau, the Hutts are ready for your return. They're waiting for you in Jabba's throne room, and have vital information that they need to share with you, in person."

"Thank you, Akku. I'll be there in five minutes." Tau responded as he turned to head out of the ramp, with Celebion joining him as he exited the ship.

"Ventis and Master Kenobi couldn't come with us, I'm afraid." Celebion said, before he explained why Tau's fellow Jedi weren't coming, saying, "Obi-Wan is the only person that can keep Luke calm, and Ventis didn't want the Hutts to risk recognizing him as Gallies, so he's going to stay behind and help out on the ship. He even said that he'll tell Obi-Wan his past in so that they can work together in future missions."

"Really?!" Tau disbelievingly said, surprised that Ventis would talk to someone so openly about his past sins.

"Yeah. I suppose that we've been quite a good influence on him." Celeboin proudly said to Tau, who nodded in agreement as the two men left the exact replica of the Millennium Falcon, and returned to the recent battleground that was the palace of the clinically brain-dead Jabba the Hutt.

As the two men entered the palace through the blown doors, they saw several Mandalorians and Hutt Guards working together to extract any vital equipment and valuables, such as the computers of the building, the chests full of credits that Jabba kept from his tributes and profits, and the surviving servants and surrendered guards of Jabba's staff. The two men eventually navigated their way through the maze of activity into the throne room, where Bo-Katan, Jaing, Vedo and Azzim Anjiliac Atirue, Decca Besadii Diori, Akku Seii II, and the holograms of the leader of the Desilijic kajidic, Jiliac Desilijic Tiron, and Popara Anjiliac Diresto; the leader of the Anjiliac kajidic, were discussing the events that had transpired within the appropriated B'omarr Monks residence.

[These "Dark Elves" are a menace to us, and must be extinguished from the galaxy at once!] Jiliac hatefully spat out, eager for revenge against these upstarts who dared to destroy his favorite nephew's mind, and leave his grandnephew an orphan.

[That will be easier said than done, Jiliac.] Popara cautiously said to the hundred-year younger Hutt Lord, before he continued, saying, [These Moroglag-Hai are lethal killers who are highly trained in the Force, and could rival the best of the Jedi Order in their prime. And, it seems that they are gathering allies in the criminal underworld for use as their proxies. We'll need our own allies if we are to bring them to justice for their attack on us.]

"That's why it would be in everyone's best interest for you to ally with Tau and our Shadow Alliance, honored Jiliac." Celebion proposed, earning consternated glares from every Hutt, who shrank under their intense stares.

"Honored Hutts, please forgive my associate. He is relatively new to how you esteemed beings negotiate and do business with outsiders." Tau humbly said to the five Hutts, before he continued, saying, "However, he does have a legitimate point. We possess a great deal of knowledge on the assailants who dared to strike against such a well-connected Hutt, and are building our resources for war against them, as well as all of our enemies that are trying to exterminate us."

"Excuse me, honored Hutts, but my men have just found the former majordomo of Jabba's palace, Bib Fortuna, and are having him brought up to us for questioning. Force willing, he'll give us the answers that we need." Bo-Katan politely said.

[Good. Hopefully, he'll cooperate with us, or we'll be forced to use more extreme measures.] Decca threateningly implied.

After three minutes of waiting, the white-skinned Twi'lek was escorted into the throne room, and fearfully said, "Are they all gone?"

"Yes, Bib. They're all gone." Tau sympathetically said, before he turned serious, and continued to speak, saying, "Now, we need to know why they devastated Jabba's mind, as this is an attack against all of Hutt Space. Jaing, here, has already told us that he overheard their deal with Jabba to use his forces as proxies for their attacks on our forces, and was going to relay that information to his former squad mates before the Archon discovered him, and, after incapacitating him, gave him to Jabba as a spy." All of that was true, but left out how Jaing was planning to eventually kill Jabba for his evil practices, as he was not going to sacrifice a man that he respected for a few points with semi-respectable crime lords.

"Yes, that is all true." Bib confirmed, before he fearfully said, "But, what he didn't know was that Jabba was planning to sell out both the Moroglag-Hai and your Shadow Alliance to the Empire in order to maximize the profits for his own coffers. The Archon discovered this through his connection to the Force, and began to destroy Jabba's mind. Before I fled, Maleketi boasted on how he tried to negotiate a deal with Gorga, but was rebuffed, and his mind was destroyed as well by these Dark Elves."

[WHAT?! Those motherless monsters destroyed Gorga's mind too?] Jiliac exclaimed in outrage over losing two of his relatives to these lab-bred abominations, and furiously said, [Well, since it's clear that Tau's organization is the only one in a position to do anything about these threats, then it's clear that we need to form a partnership with his Shadow Alliance.]

[Hold on, now. You expect us to ally with Jedi, after all that they've done to us? Not to mention that they're high-profile enemies with the Empire. If we ally with them, then we can expect to see Imperial fleets devastate all of Hutt Space!] Decca spitefully said, earning hateful glares from everyone present.

"Sounds to me like you're more concerned about your profit-mongering operations being at risk, such as your so-called "Exaltation" slave labor project at Ylesia." Tau disgustingly said to the Besadii Hutt, remembering how Han Solo and Bria Tharen played crucial role in undermining the slave operations there over the last ten years before the Battle of Yavin, and eventually taking it out altogether a few weeks before the Destruction of the first Death Star.

[What the- How did- Who told you-?] Decca sputtered out as she failed to recall how Tau had come from the future, and knew about many of the Hutts' illicit operations over the next several decades.

[Enough, Decca. Have you forgotten that Tau and several of his associates came from the future, and no doubt played a role in undermining many of our operations in his time? And, besides, this isn't a conversation that we should have through a Holonet communication.] Popara calmly said, referring especially to Tau and Decca over the Besadii's vile practices, before he continued, saying to the Shadow Alliance members, [For your part in driving back the Morgolag-Hai from our territory, and saving Rotta from them, you will have fifty thousand credits transferred to each of your accounts. Use them well. In addition, you have earned the right to speak directly before the Hutt Grand Council on Nal Hutta in order to plead your case.]

"We humbly accept the offer, Popara Anjiliac Diresto." Tau gratefully said before he thought of Ahsoka, and, after discovering a terrific realization, said to the oldest Hutt, "Revered Popara, would it be all right if my associates and I arrive at Nal Hutta in a week's time, as we wish to ensure that our comrades are recovered from this tiring battle, and we need to prepare for the audience with your peers?"

[Perfectly understandable, Jedi Palpatine.] Popara sympathetically said to the Jedi Knight, before he looked to Jiliac, who nodded in agreement, and the former then said, [We shall formally meet in one week's time on Nal Hutta. May the Ancestors watch over you all until then.] With the meeting concluded, and the arrangement made for the rendezvous with the Hutt Grand Council in seven days, the holograms of both Jiliac and Popara vanished, leaving their subordinates and allies to prepare to depart the system.

As the three Hutts began to slither to their shuttle, Tau managed to catch up to Vedo, and politely asked, "Honored Vedo, would it be all right if I had a word with Azzim for a few minutes, as I have a friend that could use his expertise?"

Vedo, puzzled by the request, but in debt to the Jedi Knight for helping the Hutt clans in their complication, nodded his head in acquiescence, and said, [You have ten minutes, and then we leave this death trap of a palace for our ship. You'll get your friend back after she completes her bacta therapy in orbit above Tatooine.]

"Thank you, Vedo." Tau gratefully said before he turned to Azzim, in order to have a private conversation with him. As Vedo watched intently to the two men over the next few minutes, he heard Tau whisper to his nephew, and Azzim'e eyes bulged wide open before Tau placed his finger over his mouth in order for him to make him agree to keep quiet. Azzim then made an agreement with the young Jedi as they shook hands, and Azzim returned to his uncle as the two Hutts made their way to the Golden Opportunity.

[What was that all about, nephew?] Vedo curiously asked Azzim as they, along with Decca, entered the personal Hutt yacht, and the shuttle began to ascend into space.

[Oh, just something very old-fashioned, uncle.] Azzim cryptically said as he had a wide smile on his face, before he continued, saying, [Young Tau asked me to procure two items for him, and he offered ten thousand credits for me to deliver them to him before young Tano is placed in his care.]

Vedo, confused as to what Azzim was insinuating, decided to simply drop the matter so that they could attend to more pressing issues until they could leave the Tatooine System.

Meanwhile, On Coruscant/Imperial Center

Within the Imperial Palace

Darth Sidious, in his public guise as Emperor Sheev Palpatine of the Galactic Empire, was preparing to address the rabble that was the public about the defeat of the Imperial Navy and Army on Lah'mu from the Shadow Alliance.

A mere eight hours before the announcement was to begin, he received several visions through the Force, the bulk of them centering around Tatooine, a devastated moisture farm, and Jabba the Hutt's palace on the desert world. Though the vision included his Jedi descendant, Tau Palpatine, and several Hutts, including a comatose Jabba, a wounded Ahsoka Tano, what truly shocked him was the vision including Obi-Wan Kenobi with a young boy with blond hair and blue eyes. Around the young boy, the Dark Side of the Force whispered the following name to the Dark Lord of the Sith: Skywalker.

As soon as the visions stopped, he snapped to attention, and was contacted by his apprentice through the Holonet.

"My master, I received a vision from the Dark Side of the Force, and I know where Obi-Wan Kenobi is: in Jabba the Hutt's palace on Tatooine. What's more, I now know that Anakin Skywalker's wife gave birth to a son, and will soon be transported off world. I… request permission to investigate the planet for any clues for the Shadow Alliance's operations there." Vader reluctantly said, his master sensing the disgust at having to grovel for a request like a lowly subordinate instead of announcing his intentions like a Sith Lord.

Sidious, knowing that Vader would disobey him if he said no, and, finding a way to keep his apprentice in line until he could find a way to regain his favor, said in approval, "Very well, Lord Vader. You may go to Anakin Skywalker's former home to learn what the enemy was doing there. But, I will send Grand Moff Trachta and a company of Five-Oh-First Stormtoopers under Commander Bow in order to take command of the investigation. You will obey their instructions to the letter, or you will be forced to return to your peacekeeping efforts in the Core Worlds. Am I clear?"

"I will obey, my master." Vader said, but Sidious could sense the reluctance in his voice, which Sidious knew would sharpen his hatred for the Jedi and their growing alliance, and give him the strength to rise through the ranks again.

However, just as Sidious was about to close the Holonet channel, Vader asked, "What if the Hutts decide to join the Shadow Alliance, Master. They possess considerable resources and influence across the galaxy, and, even if we manage to demonize them for their alliance with such reprobates, they can open many doors for Tau and his allies."

"Then we will find a way to make an example of them for their treason, as my Empire will brook no sedition, from anyone at all." Sidious darkly responded, and ended the transmission.

Six Hours Later

Within the Tatooine System

Onboard the Second Chance

"So, the remaining Morgolag-Hai will no doubt tell Sauron of Luke's heritage, and the Cult of the Dark Ainur will be on the hunt for him too, now." Tau finished his explanation to the holograms of Yoda, Daniel, and Viridian, with Obi-Wan and Celebion attending the meeting as well in order to provide their own input, and Butch was there to support his master.

"Disturbing news, this is." Yoda said gravely, "A normal life experienced, I hoped the boy would have."

Viridian sighed and sat back, "Maybe we can find someone who would be willing to adopt him?" The former Jedi Grand Master looked at the young Jedi Knight, who elaborated his proposal by saying, "I mean, Luke in Tau's timeline became what he became because in part thanks to Owen and Beru's parentage. We can't nor should we put him through training. If we do it, it should be treated like a martial arts discipline. But, at the end of the day, he should have that normal life and be given that strong work ethic he learned from his aunt and uncle that made him so great in the other timeline."

"Agree I do. But with who, the boy's family irreplaceable they are. Be the same, it will not." The aged grand master pointed out.

"What about Jane and Niwen? After all, Jane has experience with adopted kids, and he and Niwen can help Luke learn a strong work ethic and good morals." Tau suggested.

Viridian considered it for a moment, "I will ask him if they are willing, though to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if my parents volunteered. After all, they adopted eighteen kids."

"There is one issue with that. There is no way in Chaos I am going to put Luke in close proximity with a person who may have stolen my wife's power." Daniel objected, "In fact, I would suggest that he stay off of Remnant and Arda. After all, we don't want Sauron's forces near the boy, or the lady that controls the Grimm for that matter."

"That is a good point." Celebion agreed, before he had an idea, and proposed, "What about Varon?"

Viridian perked up at that, "Dad did purchase some property on the planet, and there are quite a few Ardan colonists colonizing the world, it's the safest planet in our control, especially since your crew took care of that Dark Jedi and his cult when you came out here Daniel."

Daniel considered it for a moment, "It is the safest bet for the moment." he turned to the group, "What do you all think?"

"Well, it sounds like it will keep Luke safe for at least a few more years, and he'd hopefully find some peace after losing his aunt and uncle. I think that this is the best move for Luke." Tau said in concurrence, before he voiced his concern, saying, "Of course, Obi-Wan would likely need to keep an eye on Luke, just in case someone tried to kidnap him again."

"What is Varon like exactly?" Obi-Wan asked the group.

"The planet isn't a whole desert for one." Viridian quipped.

"It's actually pretty nice with multiple environments and all around a nice place to be." Daniel said, "Great people too, if a little eccentric."

"Well, it'll be a better home than Tatooine." Obi-Wan pleasantly said before he cautiously said, "Wait. You said that they're 'a little eccentric.' How eccentric are we talking?"

"Well what I mean is that, the Dramon tend to have an appreciation shall we say of the body, they see it as a manifestation of the spirit, so it may seem like they have no cultural inhibitions if you get what I mean." Daniel explained, "And the Urcs have a natural relationship with the Dark Side of the force not unlike the Horun Kal, or the ancient Sith Species, and as such tend to have a strong martial tradition. They may come across like savages, but they are friends, and, provided you prove yourself to them, they will respect you."

"Well, as long as the female Dramon don't try to proposition me, and the Urcs don't try to kill or turn me to the Dark Side, we should be able to get along fine." Obi-Wan carefully said, not able to turn down the offer, but voicing his concerns in a respectful manner.

"Don't worry. There are Humans, Dwarves, Hobbits, and Elves from Arda that are colonizing the world. And besides, Dramon's are massive bordering on nine feet tall, reptilian humanoid winged species. There is nothing to worry about." Daniel reassuringly said. "That, and they also won't try anything without your consent anyway. To do so is punishable by death in their culture as they see it as an offence to your spirit. And the Urcs won't try to kill you, they'll just pick a fight with you, and they will continue to do so till you prove yourself. But they won't kill you, if you're worried about that."

After Obi-Wan nodded in consent to the plan, Tau clapped his hands together in a satisfactory manner over Luke's safety being ensured for a while longer.

Tau then said, "Then it seems that we're all in agreement, as Luke will be safe there with your parents, and protected by the native species and colonists on the world."

"Agreed." Viridian said before he sensed Tau's anxiety, and, guessing what it was about, said to his friend, "How's Ahsoka doing?"

"Why don't you ask her yourself, Viridian?" Ahsoka playfully said as she walked into the main hall with Jarael, Jaing, and Nagme, who were there to escort her until she could be given a complete evaluation from the Second Chance's onboard doctor.

Tau turned around in sheer joy to see his lover, and nearly choked on the many scars that permeated her body, several of them on her face and montrals.

Tau then nearly cried at how much pain that Ahsoka had endured, and walked up and gently kissed her with all of the love that he had, which she reciprocated, and, once they separated, Tau said, "Are you okay, Ahsoka?"

"Tau, don't worry about me. Most of these scars will fade in a few weeks. Besides, I wouldn't trade them for more time to spend with you." Ahsoka lovingly said as she let go of her boyfriend, and turned to face Celebion and the Jedi that were assembled, and said, "What's happened in my absence?"

"We were just preparing to move Luke and Obi-Wan to one of our safe worlds in the Unknown Regions." Daniel said, before he turned to Tau, and, sensing his unease with the Force that was directed at Ahsoka, said, "Tau, why don't you take Ahsoka back to your cabin so that she can get some rest, as you went through a terrible ordeal?"

Tau then nodded at Daniel in gratitude for giving him the chance to talk to his love in private, and escorted Ahsoka to their cabin, where she sat down on their shared mattress as she prepared to enter a healing session to heal the lingering pain from her wounds.

He then turned to Ahsoka, and began to say to his lover, "Ahsoka, I have treasured every moment that we have been together, as you've given me a peace that I didn't know that I could have after I was sent back in time. You make me feel alive in ways that I didn't think that I deserved, and give me joy that I have someone to share my feelings with. When you were shot by all of that lighting by the Dark Priestess, it filled me up with such fear and anger, that I could have lost myself to the darkness within me then and there if it weren't for my brother's teachings. It was shortly afterwards that I knew what I had to do, as I don't know what if that happened again."

"Tau… are- are you breaking up with me?" Ahsoka heartbrokenly asked, fearing the worst from the man that she adored.

"Breaking up with-? NO! NO, no, no, no, Ahsoka, that's not what I'm saying at all!" Tau quickly said, sending waves of love and reassurance through the Force, as he took Ahsoka's hands in his.

"What I meant was, that I didn't want to risk losing you again unless we…. you know, tied the knot." Tau nervously said.

Ahsoka then looked at Tau with wide eyes as her heart began to beat uncontrollably over what she suspected was coming next.

"Tau? Are… are you saying what I think you're saying?" Ahsoka whispered as her hopes soared in her heart, and Tau got on one knee, and pulled out a small case, opening it to see two gold rings, one with a violet gemstone, and the second one had a white gemstone in it, both of which she recognized as two slightly worn lightsaber crystals.

"Ahsoka Tano?" Tau lovingly said to the woman that he loved with all of his heart, and asked, "Would you do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the galaxy, and spend the rest of my life with me in marriage?"

As Ahsoka looked into Tau's soul to ensure that this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision, she sensed nothing but pure certainty, and, as she got back up on her feet, and pulled Tau up to his feet, she lovingly said, "Does this answer your question, my future husband?" At the end of the sentence, before Tau could react, she pulled him into a fierce kiss full of love and promise, which he eagerly reciprocated as he slipped Ahsoka's betrothal ring onto her right ring finger, and Ahsoka placed Tau's betrothal ring onto his left ring finger.

The engaged couple then separated, and Tau amusingly said, "So… was that a yes, or a no?"

Ahsoka, in-between fits of laughter, said "Of course I'll marry you, you big di'kut."

As Tau took Ahsoka out into the main hall, where everyone was waiting for the outcome of their talk, he held onto Ahsoka as he whirled her around in the ship, he exuberantly said, "By Iluvatar, Ahsoka Tano is going to marry me! I'm going to be her HUSBAND!"

"And I'm going to be your wife!" Ahsoka lovingly returned, before she merrily said, "Now, put me down! We've got a year's worth of preparations to make in just a few short months, as I want to marry you as soon as possible."

"What, you want to go at each other again as soon as possible?" Celebion teasingly said as everyone aside, from a shocked Ob-Wan and Yoda, laughed at the Dúnedain Ranger's joke and his implication.

"Mind if I stick around long enough with you guys for the wedding?" Jaing unexpectedly asked, before everyone turned to look at the former Stormtrooper as if he had turned into a scantily clad female Twi'lek dancer, as he had little respect for most Jedi.

Before anyone could question Jaing's shocking question, he explained himself, saying, "Look, you guys saved my life from Sauron's forces, helped keep my cover alive by saying that I was just a bounty hunter, and by helping me get fifty thousand credits for free. Plus, the Morgolag-Hai destroyed my ship. So, basically, I owe you guys, and I always pay off my debts. If you've got any good missions after you get the Hutts' on your side, then I'm under your command until all debts are paid."

"Well, how could we say no to such a good fighter agreeing to help out the cause?" Ahsoka energetically said as she walked up to Jaing, and said, "You're on, Jaing. We've got a bunch of missions lined up afterwards, and you'd do well for plenty of them." She then extended her hand, and said, "Welcome to the crew of the Second Chance, Jaing."

Jaing then shook Ahsoka's hand in gratitude, and said, "Thank you, Jedi Tano."

"Actually, she's not a Jedi, Jaing, she still has bitter feelings about the Jedi for their ill treatment of her." Tau began to explain, only to see Ahsoka looking unconvinced about Tau's statement, and gaped at her as he hesitantly asked his fiancé, "Ahsoka, are you considering joining our Jedi Order?"

"I think that I am, Tau." Ahsoka neutrally said before she was kissed fiercely by Tau, who, after letting go of her, exuberantly, "This is the greatest day of my life!"

Realizing that they were on a timetable to meet with the Hutts, Tau activated his comlink, and said, "Akku, chart a course for Nal Hutta alongside Vedo and Decca."

"Roger that, you lucky dog." Akku said, revealing that he eavesdropped in on the conversation, but Tau was too happy to be angry at his longtime friend, and the Second Chance made the jump to hyperspace.

Well, that ends another plot-moving and romantic chapter. So much happened in this chapter, and I'm experiencing so many emotions, that it's impossible for me to put them into words. So, how are you doing on June 29, 2018? I'm exhausted, and I still have to go to work in less than twenty minutes. This shift will probably be a long one, as I'm likely working until midnight. Well, wish me luck, as I don't want the theater to be too busy due to my exhaustion from volunteering in the heat. May the Force and Iluvatar be with us all, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

(June 30, 2018 Addendum.) Hey, guys. Sorry for adding another addendum to this chapter, but I wasn't able to post this chapter until today in order to iron out some errors, and because I worked until midnight last night, so I was extremely tired. I was lucky to have gotten nine hours of sleep today. So, I'm not sure if I'll write today, as I want to rest before I have to go to work later before 5:00 pm. On the bright side, it's only five hours this time, so I'll get home around 10:30 tonight, so I'll have some time to write if I decide to before I go to bed. Well, I'd better get this chapter ready or publishing. May the Force and Iluvatar be with us all, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!