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Hi, my loyal fans. How are all of you doing on this depressing day, as I just found out that the country of Turkey is experiencing a military coup at this moment? And to think that my visit with my grandparents in Florida started out so well yesterday. I mean, I just earned $20 for doing yard work around their house. Forgive my crudeness, but, as Batman said in Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Three #1, "The world is going to hell." I mean, look at the state that so many countries are in, ranging from Russia, to France, The Middle East, Israel, and, the most personal to me, as I live here and am a firm patriot in my country's founding principles, the United States of America, which is under attack from within and without. Sorry for being so grim, but I just needed to get that off of my chest. And now, for some better revelations, well, at least in my eyes: I am going to collect the remainder of the Star Wars: Darth Vader comics, the Star Wars: Han Solo miniseries, and the main Star Wars series, as long as the latter doesn't conflict with the "Classic" Expanded universe, as I can fit the former and latter to begin about a year after the Battle of Yavin with a little tweaking, and fit the second one in-between the two. By the way, I saw some of the details from Star Wars: Celebration Europe regarding Ahsoka Tano, both the upcoming novel about her, and the character (and I can't wait to see what's in store for her next, as it is revealed that she will appear after season two of Star Wars: Rebels.), and season three of Star Wars Rebels (and I am gravely concerned about Ezra Bridger, as he has gotten darker from what little I can tell, as he is willing to kill stormtroopers now, which is something that he never did before). Anyway, with all of that out of the way, let's get started with the story, which I hope is more detail-oriented than my previous works, as a good friend pointed out, who I will not name in order to protect their privacy.

Day 51 of the Shadow Alliance's Formation 1215 Hours

Kyrimorut, Mandalore

Onboard the Second Chance

The forty-year-old Atai Molec was hard at work as he wiped the beads of sweat off of his forehead, making many adjustments to the heavily modified YT-1300 light freighter, the Second Chance, which included increasing power to the quad laser cannons, the engines, and the sensors. It was work that made Atai's mind slip back to the days of his youth, when he honed his skills as a mechanic while in service of the Jedi Order's secret allies in the Galactic Alliance, including the legendary, and unofficially active, Wraith Squadron, as they helped purge the government of any remaining Sith Lords from the Lost Tribe of the Sith, and corrupt senators and military officers that supported organizations and movements that proved detrimental to the Galactic Alliance's well-being, ranging from slavers, Xasha Xizor, and Galactic Exploitations Technologies ever since the Heroes of Yavin and their allies killed the Qreph brothers eleven years ago. Those years were second to only the time that he spent with Edaan Palpatine in helping him remove the Zygerrian Slavers' Guild from his homeworld, and restructuring his government from a monarchy into a republic that entered the Galactic Alliance as a strong and able member of its senate, moving the galaxy a little closer to true peace.

Too bad that so much blood has to be spilt in order for us to reach that peace. Atai grimly and sadly thought as Edaan quietly walked up to Atai. The only reason that he recognized Edaan is because of the distinctive sound, a clunk-clunk, which his Jedi combat armor that he now wore made. Turning around, he saw the young Jedi growing a beard, and said with an amused smile on his face, "What's with the new look?"

"Oh, I felt that I needed a new look in order to impress Adari, and a beard was the easiest thing to get in order to get that new look." Edaan cheerfully said before his eyes took on a serious gleam as he said in a completely grim tone, "There's only three days left before the war comes to a head. I'm going around to everyone in the crew in order to help them out. I already aided Jarael in helping Daala and Caedus's prisoners fully recover from hibernation sickness, s they're being briefed on the situation, I helped teach a Teräs Käsi class with Vua and Adari to a hundred of their best learners, gave Akku and Rayder Sei and their subordinates their orders for the upcoming invasion, as their skills in infiltration can be put to devastating effect, put Robonino in charge of Janek the White's bounty hunters, as he has more experience than them; Colovo, Durge, their forces, and Xasha's former followers have agreed to take a subordinate role under Azzim, and Nek Bwua'tu has familiarized himself into the role of leader of the Shadow Alliance's military."

"Well, with everything that you've accomplished today, can you provide me with set of light turbolasers in order to install on the Second Chance?" Atai jokingly told the young Jedi, earning a chuckle from him.

"Sorry, old friend, but all of the turbolasers need to stay onboard the capital ships. I was able to get us a rack of the latest proton torpedo shipment that came from Adumar for the Second Chance, though." Edaan said in a conciliatory tone.

After sighing with disappointment, Atai said, "Oh, well. I had to ask. Say, while we're on the topic on the reallocation of our forces, what have you done with the forces that came from Zygerria?"

"Actually, that's what I'm here to talk to you about. The rest of the war council wants your permission to spread your forces under the commands of each war councilor in order to promote camaraderie and solidarity in the grunts." Edaan said as a frown came upon his face, his tone now completely businesslike now.

After Atai pretended to mull over the matter for a moment as his head tilted from side to side, he nodded his head and said "Makes sense. If we're going to make this alliance work, the troops need to get along at least as well as their commanders do."

"So, that's a yes, then?" Edaan asked, knowing the answer, but asking out of courtesy for one of his closest friends.

"Yes. You have my approval to spread out my forces throughout the army."

"Good. There's going to be a final meeting with the leaders of the war council in two hours, and the Jedi Council and the Galactic Senate, Hapes Consortium, and Fel Empire's Moff Council are attending through the Holonet. I want everyone in my crew to be there, as I have some disturbing news to report." Edaan said in a tone that would brook no argument, which was unusual, as Edaan never forced anyone to do anything. Sure, the guy's used his charisma, influence, and subconscious use of the Force to convince people to see his side of things, but he always gave everyone the chance to leave if they wanted to. Atai thought as he recalled all of the times that Edaan's powers of persuasion to convince the vast majority of the members of the Zygerrian army and royal guard to defect to the Zygerria Anti-Slavery Movement when it was just two years old.

Realizing that this sudden order was out of character for the young Jedi, Edaan quickly said, "I'm sorry if I've unnerved you, old friend, but this news needs to be said in order for everyone to grasp how far that Daala and her commanders have descended into insanity and bloodlust." As he turned to leave, he turned around and said, "Oh, and if I were you, I'd take a sanisteam and put on your best clothes, because a lot of eyes are going to be on us."

After Atai heard those words, and looking down to see the multiple grease stains covering his outfit and body, he laughed out loud and shouted to Edaan as he walked out of the Second Chance, "Sure thing, boss!"

Edaan only chuckled at Atai's use of the nickname that only Robonino was supposed to call him as, knowing that he had almost two hours to kill before the final War Council, he began walking to the briefing room in the command tower in order to speak with the recovered admirals, senators, and the marines under their command.

Forty-Five Minutes Later,

In the Command Center's Briefing Room

Admirals Kir Vantai and Firmus Nantz, General Etahn A'baht, Commodore Turk Brand, the handful of fully recovered space marines loyal to them, as well as Senators Ponc Gavirsom, and Ta'laam Ranth, could hardly fathom what Releqy A'Kla had told them about what had occurred in the fifteen years since Darth Caedus had imprisoned them in carbonite for having the courage to take the freedoms of the Galactic Alliance back from him in a bloodless coup. Ever since they were trapped and hidden away, the Galactic Alliance had been under the control of the war criminal Natasi Daala for three years before being deposed by the Jedi Order for her erratic conduct, her apparent support of slavery, and her uncontrollable desire to either bring the Jedi under her control or destroy them, the galaxy had nearly descended into anarchy due to the incompetence of the majority of the Galactic Senate, and the Sith had been returning in legions in the forms of the Lost Tribe of the Sith, as well as a new hidden group that was led by a Sith Lord that went by the name of the "Dragon Lord." In addition, the Imperial Remnant had been reorganized into what was called the "Fel Empire", due to Jagged and Jaina Solo Fel becoming the Emperor and Empress of the reconstituted Empire, and a single Jedi Knight who was called Edaan Palpatine, the great-great-grandson of Emperor Palpatine, no less, had been able to create a "Shadow Alliance" that was comprised of much of the galactic underworld, which included the resources of three Black Sun vigos, eleven crime lords stationed at Ord Mantell, the Mandalorians that were under the command of their ruler, Boba Fett, and the followers of the deceased Falleen anarchist priest, Xasha Xizor; the Shadow Alliance also had the support of various planets and their forces, a group of five Jedi and their Order's intelligence groups, the Fel Empire and eleven of their recently formed Imperial Knights, a Hutt fleet under the command of the new and clever Hutt called Azzim Anjilic Atirue, the Confederation worlds of Bothawui, Corellia, Adumar, and Commenor, three Galactic Alliance fleets under the command of Admiral Gavin Darklighter, and the entire composed fleet was commanded by the Galactic Alliance's Supreme Commander, Nek Bwua'tu, who was subordinate to a war council that was comprised of Boba Fett, Corran Horn, Azzim Anjilic Atirue, Gavin Darklighter, Jaina Solo Fel, Traest Kre'frey, Trista Zel, Armand Vorn, the son of Natasi Daala, and Edaan Palpatine, which commanded the Shadow Alliance.

"This is a very troubling development." Etahn A'baht gravely said, his hand stroking his chin in deep thought.

"How large are the forces under the Shadow Alliance's command?" Firmus Nantz asked Releqy, getting right to business.

After typing on a datapad for thirty seconds, the Caamasi handed it to Firmus, who scanned over the list of assets, and as he glanced over the list, he grew impressed at the amount of forces that Edaan Palpatine had been able to assemble: Rodia sent three clans of its best warriors under the command of Galactic Alliance senator Janek the White, as well as twenty bounty hunters under Janek's personal payroll. Taris's governor, Leon Saresh, sent the Neo Hidden Beks and several of the planet's militias and gangs as well, which numbered at over six thousand people. Rhinnal sent ten of its best medics and their staff members in four MedStar-class frigates to serve under Edaan's personal medic, Jarael Chantique. Falleen sent one thousand of their best fighters to aid Edaan, while Prefsbelt sent three wings of prototype hyperspace-capable TIE fighters that were designated "Predators." Kuat and Rothana sent a combined fleet of five Galactic-class Battle Cruisers, Twenty Imperial II-class Star Destroyers, Fifty Lancer-class frigates, and two heavily armed Lucrehulk-class battleships that were loaded with advanced starfighters of various designs, while Dac sent a small but formidable fleet of ten MC90 Capitol Ship cruisors, and the Mon Calamari Vicount-Class Star Defender, the Nossor Ri, each ship contained its fair share of fighters, under the command of the capable Commodore Kral Nevil, who had over thirty years of combat experience under his belt. Anzat sent a team of elite Anzati assassins to aid Boba and Edaan, under the command of Rayder Sei. The Hapes Consortium sent a considerable fleet of ten Hapan Battle Dragons, twenty Nova-Class battle cruisers, ten Beta cruisors, and one wing of X-Wings, Miytil starfighters, and Miy'til assault bombers each. The Imperial Mission sent fifty Gozanti-class Cruisers that were full of foodstuffs, medical supplies, basic hardware, volunteers in noncombatant roles, and so forth. From Ord Mantell, Big Bunji, Havok, Lyshaa, Bib Fortuna, who had moved operations from Tatooine to Ord Mantell, Desaan, and six other crime lords had sent their forces, which numbered at over two thousand, to aid the Mandalorians to repel Daala's forces. The Fel Empire sent the Five- Hundred-and-First Legion, nicknamed "Vader's Fist" for its work for Darth Vader during the First Galactic Empire's reign, twelve Turbulent-class Star Destroyers, twenty Imperial II-Class Star Destroyers under the command of Grand Moff Ephin Sarreti, and ten Imperial Knights as Jaina Solo Fel's personal retinue. Zygerria sent half of its royal guard, as well as a third of its militia to aid its prime minister, Atai Molec, rid the galaxy of the Zygerria Slavers' Guild. A great number of Xasha Xizor's followers came in ships of various designs and sizes, such as Vainglorius-class cruisers, Consular-class Cruisers, Carrack-class Light Cruisers with external starfighter racks, Venerator-class Star Destroyers, and so on. The number of volunteers numbered in sixty thousand. Finally, the Hutt Grand Council sent twenty chelandion-class warships, twenty-five Hutt Batils and Tarradas each, and thirty Dreadnaught-class heavy cruisers that were modified to operate with a crew of only five thousand crewman. Boba Fett had a personal army of thirty-six thousand Mandalorians under his command, who had five wings of Bes'uliiks under his command, twenty Keledabe-class cruisers, one hundred Firespray Pursuit-class fighters, fifty MandalMotors Pursuer-class enforcement ships, one Venerator-class Star Destroyer, the Raptor, along with one Acclamator-class assault ship, five Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruisers, two Invincible-class Dreadnaught Heavy Cruisers, three Keldabe-Class battleships, four Assault Frigates class Mark II, the four Republic-class cruisers, and an Assassin-class Corvette. The Galactic Alliance official sent a fleet that was composed of, in addition to the Super Star Destroyer, the Megador, eight Galactic-class Battle Cruisers, ten Imperial II-class Star Destroyers, three Interdictor-class Cruisers, ten Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruisers, six Nebula-class Star Destroyers, five Star Galleon-class Frigates, and five MC90 Capitol Ship cruisers. In addition, two brigades of Void Jumpers, who were personally loyal to Bwua'tu, arrived to aid the ground forces. Corellia sent two of their massive Dreadnaughts, Bothawui sent ten Bothan Assault Cruisers, Adumar sent a massive weapons shipment to Mandalore, while Commemor sent a fleet of twenty Star Destroyers and thirty support ships of various designs, ranging from Star Galleons to Gallofree GR-75 Medium Transports, more colloquially called "Rebel Transports," that were loaded to the brim with weapons, foodstuffs, medical supplies, and electronic equipment that would improve the efficiency of all of Mandalore's equipment by at least twenty percent, according to comparisons of the technology that many of the Mandalorians were using, which was at least four years out of date.

Of course, a significant force would be coming within the next three days, and it would be under the command of Natasi Daala. The armada under her command, which was composed of the Maw Irregular Fleet that had significantly grown since its unveiling during the Second Galactic Civil War, forces sent from the Corporate Sector and Loronar Corporation, the forces under the former Moff Porack Vansyn, the remains of the Zygerrian Slaver's Guild, renegade Galactic Alliance forces under the command of Galactic Alliance Security Captain Oric Harfard, as well as the sector forces of senators U'Ta Divinian and Jenna Sauro, and eighteen other senators, would be difficult to defeat, even with the forces under the Shadow Alliance's command. That was why they were meeting in secret to determine what to do in order to help the people that had freed them.

Ta'laam was about to speak when the door slid open to reveal the form of a young man dressed in Jedi combat armor walking towards them.

"Ah, Knight Palpatine, I presume?" Ponc courteously said.

"That is correct, Senator Gavirsom." Edaan said, nodding as he spoke. "It is a pleasure to see all of you in robust health. I hope that Doctor Chantique was a good medic."

"Indeed, she was." Etahn said, before he continued, saying, "May I ask as to what you're doing here so early before the war council?"

"Funny. I could ask you the same question." Edaan humorously said before his grin disappeared. "I came to discuss a matter with the seven of you, and I'd prefer to keep it quiet before the meeting."

"What kind of matter?" Ponc asked, wondering just what the young Jedi was planning.

"I want to resurrect the Grey Cadre, and I want the seven of you to be it." Edaan suddenly said, causing the mouths of the seven politicians and military leaders, and the marines guarding them, to open agape.

"What do you need the Grey Cadre for? You already have an efficient command structure, and a more than competent military commander in Bwua'tu." Turk asked.

"Because you guys are brilliant leaders who have led your people through two of darkest period in the galaxy's recent history, and the galaxy still needs your expertise, now more than ever. Also, the Grey Cadre that I'm envisioning can operate independently, free form bureaucracy and protocol, in case it gets in the way of getting the job done."

"And just who would this reformed Gray Cadre report to?" Ta'laam skeptically said.

"The war council, so you don't have to worry about one person, in this case, most likely me, having a strong grip over you and your decision making process."

"But three of us aren't even military leaders!" Releqy exclaimed, shocked by Edaan's trust in these still weak military and political leaders after fifteen years imprisoned in carbonite.

"Ah, but each of you are legendary leaders from the Yuuzhan Vong War and First Galactic Civil War that still carry great respect throughout the galaxy. The war council will listen to you more than me, as I'm still regarded with suspicion by Jaina, Fett, and Trista." Edaan said. And what I'm going to say at the final council will earn me even fewer friends, but it needs to be said. He grimly thought as he continued to look at the seven people, awaiting the answer. "I need your answer within the next hour."

"Give us a few minutes to discuss this." Admiral Vantai said, before Edaan curtly nodded and left the room to give the seven people a chance to discuss this while their soldiers watched with undisguised interest as to what direction this discussion would take.

"Well, what do you think? Should we take the young Jedi up on his offer?" Turk said to everyone present.

"I think that we should take this proposal. This way, we won't supplant or hinder the command structure that Edaan and his allies have put into place, but rather be like Alpha Blue, helping the galaxy from the shadows." Etahn abruptly said, earning a nod of approval from each person as they understood the message that Edaan was trying to relay to the galaxy: Either we unite and fight as one against the dark side, or we die on our own.

After coming to an accord, they walked outside to see a sitting Edaan, who was meditating before he opened his eyes to see the seven people standing right in front of him, and said, "That was fast. So, I take it that you've all come to an agreement?"

"We have, Edaan. And we've agreed to reform the Grey Cadre under the Shadow Alliance's command. With the war council's permission, of course." Admiral Nantz replied in his characteristic grim tone.

"Excellent. Now, if there's nothing else, let's head to the briefing room.

1425 Hours, The Briefing Room

"Are you sure about this, Edaan?" Corran skeptically asked after he heard Edaan's proposal to resurrect the Grey Cadre.

"I am, Master Horn. Look at all the good that the original Grey Cadre did during the Dark Empire's rule. They came up with many brilliant strategies that helped to defeat the reborn Darth Sidious." Edaan said.

"But will they accept our decisions, as they have reason to mistrust my people, as well as the Mandalorians, Hutts, Black Sun, Imperials, and much of the Galactic Alliance due to their poor handling of many recent matters?" Trista Zel cautiously pointed out.

"These people are professionals, Trista. They can put aside their doubts and suspicions for the greater good." Gavin said, coming to the defense of his fellow officers and Senators that had proven to have better judgment than most of their contemporaries these days.

"Thank you, Admiral Darklighter, but we can speak for ourselves." Etahn, gruffly said, but not unkindly, causing Gavin to nod in understanding.

"We did not come to this decision likely. The seven of us want to do our part in defeating Daala and the Sith, and we have agreed that this is the best way to assist you in doing so without supplanting Supreme Commander Bwua'tu." Releqy gently said to the council.

"Well, we won't turn down an offer to help form such legendary people such as yourselves." Azzim graciously said.

"Thank you, Lord Azzim Anjilic Atirue. Your generosity does your people proud." Ponc gratefully replied.

"Oh, please. Just call me Azzim." The young Hutt calmly said.

A cough quickly caught everyone's attention, and everyone turned to face Armand Vorn, who looked slightly annoyed at the banter being exchanged. "Sorry to interrupt, but we have a war meeting to conduct, so what do you say that we get it underway?"

"Of course, Armand. Could you please put the Jedi Council, Moff Council, Queen Mother Tenel Ka, and the Galactic Senate on the encrypted Holonet channel? I have a few words that I'd like to say to them." Edaan said in a tone that seemed fit to discussing the weather than helping lead a war council.

Puzzled by this question, Armand acquiesced, and, after making sure that the call was triple-encrypted so that Daala couldn't crack it, established a link with each of the four organizations. As the Holonet console came to life, an image of each governing body of their groups. The Jedi Council included each of its nine present members, including Ben Skywalker, Han Solo, and Jedi Master Leia Organa Solo. The Moff Council included six Moffs that Edaan didn't recognize, half of them male, and the other half female. Queen Mother Tenel Ka was attended by her other cousin, Taryn Zel, the wife of Jedi Knight Zekk, a childhood friend of Jaina. Lastly, the Galactic Senate came into view, with its massive body difficult to see through such a small projection, but Chief of State Dorvan was visible in the center of the Senate Chamber.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, all of you. Now, I'm sure that you're all wondering what I'm doing contacting you with only three days left until the Invasion of Mandalore begins. Well, I will get right to the point. I have discovered, through analyzing Daala's stolen records with the help of one of my companions, Robonino, to be more precise, that she had inside help from each of your governments in stealing Force-sensitives from their homes in order to experiment on them. The lists that I'm sending to each of you determines who is guilty of treason, which can go up to very high levels of your governments." Edaan explained in a dark tone that threatened his wife, as he never talked like that, not even when he saw the atrocities that the Lost Tribe of the Sith committed during the Jedi's Invasion of Kesh.

After reading the list intently, Tenel Ka suddenly said, "Thank you, Jedi Palpatine. Many of these people on my list were already being watched for suspicious activity, but now I can arrest them on charges of betraying their citizens."

"You are most welcome, Queen Mother. Unfortunately, though, I still have one matter to bring up." Edaan said, before pulling out a datapad from the robes that covered his customized Jedi combat armor. "Do all of you recall the dozen Jedi that Daala had captured and experimented them all? Well, I found out their names from Mirta Gev, Armand Vorn, and Daala's confidential files. I'm now going to read off the list of the murdered Jedi: Bandy Gefer. Sothais Saar. Klin-Fa-Gi. Turi Altamik." Edaan's voice grew tenser as each name was listed off. "Finn Galfridian. Tahiri Veila. Jysella Horn. Kirana Ti. Ohali Soroc. Marr Idi-Shael!" By this point, Edaan was practically yelling the names, and everyone noticed a creaking noise as various pieces of equipment in the conference room began to be crushed by Edaan's subconscious use of the Force. "Tesar Sabatyne! And Tiu Zax! Jedi brothers and sisters, including the former Jedi Madurrin, ALL DEAD!"

"Edaan." Adari said, her voice laced with concern and fear, as the creaking technology was ripped from their locations and began circling around the room.

"Countless others! Experiment on. Slaughtered like lab rodents! Where were all of you as these people were taken from their homes and treated like animals?! The Jedi Council, too concerned with the 'big picture' to look after our own people, just like during the Mandalorian Wars and the Clone War! The Galactic Senate, which was, aside from a handful of brave individuals, too concerned with its pride and image to protect their own citizens! The Moff Council and Hapes Consortium's Duchas, too concerned with status and power plays to make a difference, leaving their leaders to do all of the true work!" The rage and disgust evident in his eyes, he then turned to face Ben Skywalker, who had an aghast look on his face at his former apprentice's outburst. "And YOU! Too preoccupied with hunting down and butchering the woman you love to help innocent people, all because she made the wrong choice so many years ago! You read my reports as to why she did what she did during her time with the Order, and you still let your hatred consume you!" Next, he turned to the Heroes of Yavin, his anger rising as he bellowed, "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THE GALAXY, NOT RETIRE AT A TIME WHEN WE NEEDED YOUR LEADERSHIP NOW MORE THAN EVER! WHERE DID YOU GO, LUKE?! INTO RETIREMENT ON TATOOINE! AND HAN AND LEIA, YOU WERE EVEN WORSE! GOING ABOUT THE GALAXY LIKE YOU WERE A NEWLYWED COUPLE INSTEAD OF HELPING TO FIX THE GALAXY'S MISTAKES!"

"EDAAN, THAT'S ENOUGH!" Adari screamed as she charged at Edaan in order to stop his outburst before someone was hurt.

But before she could connect, Edaan immobilized her with the Force, and his gaze only softened as he painfully said one last thing to the holograms. "You abandoned us all." With that said, remembering Qui-Gon Jinn's teachings, he breathed in the anger, and let it go in a deep exhale. He then released Adari form the hold he had on her, and gently lowered all of the technology he was controlling down onto the ground. Looking at each person in the war room with a look of guilt in his eyes, as he could see the fear on their faces, he whispered to his spouse, "I'm so sorry." He quickly fled the room, leaving his stunned wife behind.

Adari looked at Sintas Vel, who had a sympathetic look on her face as she gently said "Go." With that said, she went after her husband, calling out his name in an attempt to talk with him.

After everyone took five minutes to recover from Edaan's tirade, Luke Skywalker gently and hesitatingly said, "Chief Dorvan, Queen Mother Ka, Moff Council, could you please leave? We have to discuss… this new development." Understanding at once what Luke was referring to, each government shut off their connection to the Holonet, leaving only the Shadow Alliance's war council and the Jedi Council connected.

"That was, unexpected, to say the least." Azzim hesitatingly said.

"Indeed. None of us had no idea that Edaan had so much anger inside of him." Luke said as he looked down, slightly ashamed due to the words that the young Jedi threw at him and his sister, brother-in-law, and son.

"Well, it's not that surprising, considering all that he's been through." Akku suddenly said, causing everyone to look at him in confusion.

"What are you talking about, Akku?" Ben said, in a similar state of shock because of the anger that came out of his former apprentice.

"Don't you remember Meetra Surik?" Akku began, surprising everyone as they slowly nodded. After seeing everyone confirm this, he continued, saying, "Like her, Edaan has the ability- or gift, I should say- of connecting emotionally and through the Force with other people. He is able to bear the pain of all of his friends and loved ones without breaking down. Just imagine what bearing that pain for so long without any release might have done for someone, and realizing that Daala and her lackeys, no offense, Armand and Mirta had killed so many members of his second family." He quickly said, earning a shrug from the two deserters, before continuing, saying, "He must be going through so much pain right now, and the only one that can have a chance of reaching him is his wife."

"That's not true, Akku." Boba Fett suddenly said, surprising everyone and causing them to turn to him.

"What are you getting at, Fett?" Kyle Katarn asked, curious as to what the ruler of the Mandalorians was getting at.

"What I'm getting at, Grand Master Katarn, is that the seven members of Edaan's crew, Robonino, Vua, Jarael, Atai, Adari, R2-D2, and you, Akku, have spent so much time working together, that you can get through to Edaan and help him with his anger, because the last thing we need right now is for Edaan to doubt himself." Boba said, quickly adding that last part to keep people from thinking that he had gone soft from spending so much time around a Jedi, even one that he had grown to respect very much due to his willingness to help his people, despite him having an ulterior motive.

"Agreed. Boba Fett's argument is logical, which is surprising since he is not fond of the Jedi." Artoo suddenly said, making everyone remember that the astromech droid was here to record each meeting of the war council for future reference.

"Well, then, the seven of you should go to help Edaan, as I can imagine the pain that he's going through right now." Goran said, speaking for the first time during this war council, thinking of the friends and family that he lost due to this blasted civil war.

"I'll go too. Mirta can take over for me." Armand suddenly said, causing Mirta to nod in understanding as he went with the six remaining members of Edaan's crew to find the young Jedi and his wife.

Well, that was a bracing and surprising chapter. I have to acknowledge that Edaan screaming was inspired by Magneto's speech to Charles Xavier during the movie X-Men: Days of Future Past, as I found it moving, to say the least. By the way, I saw the announcements for Star Wars: Rebels: Season Three, and Star Wars: Thrawn online during Star Wars: Celebration Europe, and they have me hyped beyond belief to say the least, but it's a shame that I have to wait for each piece of entertainment. And, don't worry, I won't make Thrawn a grand admiral in my story if I include Star Wars: Rebels: Season Three. At best, I will mention Thrawn in passing as a veteran captain sent to deal with the early rebel cells. Oh, and I am very concerned about Ezra Bridger, as I fear that he might become Snoke after Rebels at the rate he is falling to the dark side. Oh, and every Jedi, including Madurrin, that I listed was a real Jedi in the Expanded Universe. I am sorry for all of the Tahiri lovers out there, but I felt that Daala couldn't let her go after she killed her longtime friend, Gilad Pellaeon, during the Second Galactic Civil War in the book Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Revelation, and would be consumed by revenge against her, as her remarks and vendetta against her were so obvious in Fate of the Jedi, despite all of the effort that Tahiri put into redeeming herself, both as a Jedi and a person. One more thing, in case you were wondering, I did copy and paste the ship and army listings for the Shadow Alliance from my last story, as it would have taken me a while to write the list of forces otherwise.

Well, with Star Wars news out of the way, let's get on to the real world. I heard that the coup in Turkey failed, which is bad, because now the president has the excuse that he needs to purge the military and government of his political enemies. And, in domestic news, I can't believe that Ted Cruz did not endorse Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee, as, while I have a few doubts about Trump myself, I feel that the Party, which I am affiliated with, in case you were wondering, needs to be unified under Trump in order to stand a chance against Hillary Clinton and her supporters, which I will not go into detail in order to offend anyone of differing political views from my own. Anyway, with politics out of the way, May the Force be With You, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!