Good afternoon, everyone. How are you doing on the afternoon of February 9, 2018? I'm doing well, as always, as I did some homework and volunteering today, which frees me up for a few hours of writing, which I plan to use well. Listen, I have a request for you guys: Can you pray for my friend and fellow fanfiction DaWitcher, as he is in Afghanistan right now as a soldier for the United States forces that are stationed there, and I want to look out for a friend? Anyway, back to fanfiction. Can you believe that it has been two years and six days since I started writing fanfiction? I can't, and I've written over five hundred thousand words in that timeframe, even with a six-month break from writing. Man, how things have changed since those days. So, with Jaing and Spar gone, our heroes need to plan their next move with Clan Skirata, and then step up their recruitment efforts in gathering specialists and Jedi for the Shadow Alliance's growing ranks. And, I need to plan for Sidious and Vader's next moves, as they have a growing number of problems right from under them, not just in the form of the Shadow Alliance. Well, I'd better get started, as this chapter won't write itself, and I won't be able to write as much this weekend due to work. May the Force and Iluvatar be with me.
Two Hours Later
Within the Residence of Clan Skirata
As the crewmembers of the Second Chance entered Clan Skirata's home, Kal took notice of each individual: there were the six members that everyone already knew, Tau Palpatine, Ahsoka Tano, Akuu Seii II, Jarael Chantique, R9-G6, and Butch; Kal also saw Nagme Jamaane, the former Master Shaper for the Yuuzhan Vong before defecting to the Shadow Alliance, Rahm Kota, one of the few Jedi Generals who rejected using the Clone Troopers due to professional reasons, which, ironically, saved his life during Order Sixty-Six; A'Sharad Hett, an accomplished Jedi Master during the Clone War, as well as the son of legendary Jedi Knight and Sand People leader Sharad Hett; Celebion, a Dunedain Ranger from the Unknown Regions world of Arda, and a human woman and male.
As soon as the unknown human male, who appeared to be petrified at being in the same room as the Mandalorians, was recognized, the revelation nearly made Kal and his four fellow Cuy'val Dar members reach for their weapons in order to blast who they believed to be a vile criminal and Inquisitor into his basic microscopic particles. It was only due to Etain and Bardan, who looked at them in a way that urged restraint, at least until explanations were made on Tau and Gallies's part.
Tau, sensing the tension coming from the seven Mandalorians, sent out a telepathic urge for Celebion, Ventis, Butch, and Ahsoka to walk with him as he approached the two former Jedi and five former Cuy'val Dar with as much certainty and determination that he could muster, considering that he was protecting a former rapist, arms dealer, and Dark Jedi.
Mij then whispered, "You'd better have a damn good reason for teaming up with Gallies, one of the worst criminals in recent history, Tau, or we'll gut you both down."
"Like many of us here, Ventis was a victim and pawn of the Sith." Celebion said in defense of his friend as he spoke the man's true name, which Ventis greatly appreciated, as he could not blame these people for wanting him dead, not when he often wished that he was dead as well.
Realizing that this would not be the best place to talk about a notorious criminal's past, Rav Bralor said, "This way." The twelve allies then quietly went to the residence's hangar, where several ships of various designs and sizes rested in case the Mandalorian clan needed to make a quick escape from the Commenor System.
As soon as the twelve beings were in the middle of the hangar, Walon angrily told Celebion, "Well, we're away from any prying eyes, so start talking. What did you mean when you said that Gallies is a victim and pawn of the Sith?"
"Did you know these two people, Rugess Nome and Hego Damask II?" Celebion suddenly said, which confused the seven mercenaries, as they did not expect such a random question.
"The legendary Bith starship designer and Muun leader of the Intergalactic Banking Clan? Of course we knew of them before their deaths. What's the point of this line of questions?" Kal said, remembering his lessons from his adopted father, Munin Skirata, on some of the most non-Jedi influential figures in the galaxy.
"Then I'm guessing that you don't know that they were the last Dark Lords of the Sith before Sidious." Ahsoka said, which shocked them, as they did not expect that response in the slightest.
"Several decades ago," Tau sadly began, after getting a reluctant nod from Ventis to tell his story, "Ventis was taken from his family by Darth Tenebrous, the Bith, and his apprentice, Darth Plagueis, the Muun. In an effort to create a corrupted version of the Midi-Chlorians that could permanently sever a Jedi's connection to the Force, they performed… very heinous and intrusive experiments on him, eventually breaking his mind leaving him a shell of his former self. Tragically, that was only the beginning."
"What could be worse than being a test subject of the Sith's experiments?" Etain sadly said, now feeling a great deal of sympathy for the man who was clearly suffering as this story was told.
"How abou being turned into a loose cannon that served the Sith's agenda?" Celebion sarcastically asked before he continued the disturbing tale, saying, "Once the Sith learned that Ventis had a powerful connection to the Force, they reshaped his mind into a perversion of what it once was, and set him loose onto the galaxy in order to serve as a distraction for the Jedi while the Sith continued their supposed 'Grand Plan'. He then committed the crimes that he was known for, before he was locked away by Daniel Valo, and, through investigating a massive database of old records, and by interviewing Ventis's own brother, he learned of his father's fate, and he committed himself to helping him. Thanks to his own son, who owed him nothing after all that he put his mother, Naomi Valo, through, his mind was restored to what it was before the Sith made him into, and, despite the despair that permeates his mind, he is now the apprentice of Tau in the Jedi Arts in order to atone for Gallies's crimes. "
Once the Dunedain Ranger finished the glimpse into Ventis's tortured soul, everyone looked at the broken man with mixtures of pity and respect for what the man had to endure for so long, and for, despite the odds stacked agaisnt him, trying to make a better man out of himself after so many years of being mentally imprisoned.
As tears came freely from his eyes, Ventis quietly said, "I... I'm sorry for causing all of this trouble. I'll just go back to the ship so that I don't make a scene."
"Actually, Ventis, how about we give you some tea?" Kal awkwardly said, as, while he still had a great deal of anger towards the man, the rage was greatly diminished when he found out about the Apprentice's tragic past.
"I-I don't know about that." Ventis hesitatingly said as he looked at the man who called out Naomi's loyalty to the Jedi Code when he found out that she bore a child, and felt a mixture of fear and anger at the man who insulted his son. Fortunaately for both men, he also remembered how Kal, when he found out the circumstances behind Daniel's conception, greatly apologized for calling Naomi a hypocrite to her beliefs.
"Come on, Ventis. He's offering a chance to start over, and you won't get a better offer from a stubborn man like Kal Skirata." Tau encouragingly said, before he continued, saying, "We'll be with you every step of the way, as that's what friends are for. Celebion can even sing the 'Tale of Beren and Luthien', if you want."
Taking strength from the younger Jedi and his friends, Ventis said, "Very well. Just keep the insults on my son and his mother out of the conversation, and I'll be all right. And, Celebion, get ready to sing the tale."
"Deal." Kal said, and the seven Mandalorians led the five crewmembers of the Second Chance back to the main hall.
As they did so, however, Etain suddenly asked Ahsoka, "So, Ahsoka, how long have you and Tau been in a relationship?"
Since the question caught the Rebel Intelligence leader off-guard, she did not respond for a few seconds, and blushed a fierce shade of crimson as she incredulously asked, "How could you possibly know that?"
"I know a few things about falling in love, Ahsoka. Plus, I can sense a subtle connection between the two of you, and the fact that you're stealing as many glances as possible at him as you can." Etain proudly said, while the rest of the Mandalorians, and even Celebion, were laughing at Ahsoka's embarrassment at the situation.
After sighing at knowing that she couldn't lie after Etain's clever observation, the former Jedi Padawan embarrassingly said, "Three days. It's been three days since we started our relationship, and since we had our first kiss."
"Did you really need to tell them that last part, Ahsoka?" Tau said in exasperation as he rubbed his forehead at his girlfriend's blurting out of their first instance of lip contact.
"What? You mean to tell us that a descendent of Darth Sidious is self-conscious of having his first kiss with a beautiful woman?" Walon said in-between fits of laughter.
"No. I just prefer to not tell everyone about our relationship, seeing how, if someone told the wrong person, it could end up in Sidious and Vader's hands, and, given their connections to ecah of us, use them to bring us down." Tau explained, making Kal, Mij, Etain, and Bardan nod in sympathy and understanding, as everyone within Kal's clan knew, thanks to the ex-Stormtrooper Jaing, how Vader was really Anakin Skywalker after his fall to the Dark Side, and was Ahsoka's Jedi master during her time with the Order.
"Good point." Bardan said as he continued to speak, saying to Celebion, "So, what is this song that you're going to sing, Celebion? Is it anything like 'Fires of War', or is it more like 'The Greatest Adventure'?"
"It's a tale of how two star-crossed lovers faced great perils, and the wrath of the first Dark Lord of my world, the evil Valar called Morgoth, in order to find true love." Celebion answered as the eleven people and one Tuk'ata hound returned to the others, where they saw the various peoples conversing with each other in simple matters in order to get to know each other better.
Etain saw her six-year-old son, Kad Skirata, speaking with A'Sharad Hett, and, she felt a twinge of fear within her heart at the suspicion that he was trying to recruit him into the Jedi Order, which was her worst fear, as she wanted her son to grow up to be a free Mandalorian. Before she could say anything, however, she saw Darman with her son, and her fears alieviated significantly, as she knew that he would fight the entire galaxy, even Kal, if need be, in order to protect their son.
She then left the group in order to speak with the Jedi Master from Tatooine. But, before she could do so, he said, "Don't worry, Etain. I have no intention of taking your son. I just finished explaining that to your husband."
"Good, because he is off-limits." Etain sternly said as she tried to breathe in her fears, and exhale them as her deceased Jedi Master, Kast Fullier, taught her during her time as his Padawan. She then said, "So, what do you think of Tau Palpatine?"
After taking a moment to consider the question, A'Sharad said, "I think that he is an honorable man that is trying to take on a terrible burden of trying to save the entire galaxy. It is fortunate for all of us that he has the foresight to recruit good people to help him in his mission, or the pressure would more than likely warp him into another version of his ancestor."
"You make him sound like he's supposed to be the next Edaan Palpatine." Etain said in disbelief, as she could hardly believe that, after Darth Sidious's vile example, two Force-Sensitive Palpatines were trying to serve the Light Side of the Force in order to rebuild a dark galaxy.
"I do no know for sure, Etain. What I do know is that he is right in taking action against the Sith and these other dangers, because, if we do nothing, then that is no better than actively aiding the evils that are coming." A'Sharad responded. He then continued, saying, "That is why Tau has so many plans in place to help strengthen the galaxy for what is on the way, such as ressurecting the Mandalorian Knights from the Mandalorian Wars in order to help defend Mandalorian Space from the Yuuzhan Vong when they do invade."
After a moment of coming to grips with what Etain was told, suddenly several questions were answered, and she accusingly said, "You want me, Bardan, and Kad to be a part of this plan of Tau's don't you?"
"Only with your permission, Etain, as we don't intend to repeat Dorjander Kace's sins in trying to kidnap children for his order's ranks." Tau said as he approached the four warriors, sitting down next to Darman as he smiled at Kad, who eagerly returned the smile. He then said, "Look, we're not going to force you into anything, but, in my opinion, which comes from my brother's memories of fighting and leading a war-torn galaxy, people fight longer and harder for their homes and loved ones, and your clan, as well as most of your people, have both of that in abundance. Not to mention that this could serve to help the Mandalorians that are Force-Sensitive explore their gifts in a way that can help their people survive. And, this could help heal the rift between the Mandalorians and Jedi, and help all of us protect the galaxy from all of the menaces of the galaxy. Don't you think that the idea might be worth considering?"
Darman noncomittingly said, "Maybe, Tau. We'd need more time to consider the offer. And, not to put a damper in your plans, but, where would we even get teachers that would be willing to train Force-Sensitive Mandalorians?"
"I know a few people, and a Force-Sensitive Mandalorian, who might be able to assist you and Bardan when their missions in the Unknown Regions are over." Tau suggested, which immediately caught the wedded couple's attention. Tau, seeing that he had them right where he wanted them, continued, saying, "Rarok Cadera, a Mandalorian that's under the payroll of an anti-Imperial senator, is training in the ways of the Force with several of my friends in the Unknown Regions, and, once their missions there, they might be willing to help train the first generation of Mandalorian Knights. In additon, there are a few others who might be able to help you, such as Master Kota, Ahsoka, and Arden, who are experts in combat, and can help integrate Jedi combat styles into your people's fighitng styles and their use of technology."
"Does Buir know of thism idea of yours?" Darman asked, and received a nod of approval from Tau, and then incredulously said, "And he's on board with this crazy scheme of yours?"
"Eh… Right now, he's on the fence about it." Tau admitted before he saw Bardan calling for everyone to quiet down, and he motioned for the rest of his friends to keep quiet as Bardan began to speak.
Bardan then said, "Sorry to interrupt, but Celebion is going to give us a one-man presentation of a song from his home world of Arda. So, if you could quiet down, he can begin."
"Thank you, Bardan." Celebion gratefully said as he stood from his seat, and then said, "This song is over six thousand years old, and is about the story of the human outlaw Beren, and the Elven princess Lúthien Tinúviel, who found love in each other despite the obstacles that obstructed their path." He then began to sing in a melodic voice, singing,
"The leaves were long, the grass was green, There Beren came from mountains cold, Enchantment healed his weary feet He heard there oft the flying sound He sought her ever, wandering far When winter passed, she came again, Again she fled, but swift he came. As Beren looked into her eyes Long was the way that fate them bore,
The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,
And in the glade a light was seen
Of stars in shadow shimmering.
Tinúviel was dancing there
To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
And in her raiment glimmering.
And lost he wandered under leaves,
And where the Elven-river rolled
He walked alone and sorrowing.
He peered between the hemlock-leaves
And saw in wonder flowers of gold
Upon her mantle and her sleeves,
And her hair like shadow following.
That over hills were doomed to roam;
And forth he hastened, strong and fleet,
And grasped at moonbeams glistening.
Through woven woods in Elvenhome
She lightly fled on dancing feet,
And left him lonely still to roam
In the silent forest listening.
Of feet as light as linden-leaves,
Or music welling underground,
In hidden hollows quavering.
Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves,
And one by one with sighing sound
Whispering fell the beachen leaves
In the wintry woodland wavering.
Where leaves of years were thickly strewn,
By light of moon and ray of star
In frosty heavens shivering.
Her mantle glinted in the moon,
As on a hill-top high and far
She danced, and at her feet was strewn
A mist of silver quivering.
And her song released the sudden spring,
Like rising lark, and falling rain,
And melting water bubbling.
He saw the elven-flowers spring
About her feet, and healed again
He longed by her to dance and sing
Upon the grass untroubling.
Tinúviel! Tinúviel!
He called her by her elvish name;
And there she halted listening.
One moment stood she, and a spell
His voice laid on her: Beren came,
And doom fell on Tinúviel
That in his arms lay glistening.
Within the shadows of her hair,
The trembling starlight of the skies
He saw there mirrored shimmering.
Tinúviel the elven-fair,
Immortal maiden elven-wise,
About him cast her shadowy hair
And arms like silver glimmering.
O'er stony mountains cold and grey,
Through halls of ireon and darkling door,
And woods of nightshade morrowless.
The Sundering Seas between them lay,
And yet at last they met once more,
And long ago they passed away
In the forest singing sorrowless
Once Celebion ceased singing, he was faced with applause and clapping from every member of the Shadow Alliance, including the as-of-yet undecided Sull. The Dunedain Ranger then bowed in modest thanks of the praise that he was receiving.
"Well, that was an excellent song, Celebion. I hope that there are more of those, because I'll be staying for the long run of the Shadow Alliance." Sull said, which flabbergasted each and every person that was in this room, as they did not expect the answer from the rogue ARC Trooper in the slightest.
After a series of incoherent sputtering from Tau, Kal cut him off, saying, "Why the change of heart, Sull? I thought that you wanted to get to know Tau better before you committed."
"I'm not doing this for the Jedi, not even Tau and his friends, as pleasant they are. I'm doing this for you guys, and the rest of the Mandalorians, not to mention the rest of my brothers that are suffering thanks to the Sith's sick plans." Sull said in complete honesty, which Tau appreciated, as he nodded his understanding at Sull's position.
"All right. I think that now would be a good time to plan our next move, as we've got exactly six weeks unitl the summit at Lah'mu, and I we need to get as many Jedi and renegade Clone Troopers in our ranks before it happens." Tau proposed, and most of the people agreed, as they had spent more than enough time conversing among each other.
"You know where to find more Clone Troopers that defied Order Sixty-Six?" Walon said, not willing to believe that Tau knew where at least a few Clone Troopers defied Sidious's schemes.
"Yes, Walon. There's the two surviving members of Ion Team that willingly defied Order Sixty-Six on Murkhana before being imprisoned on Agon Nine; HOB-147, who saved a group of Jedi Younglings after the Empire was created; a clone trooper known as Able 1707, who was trapped on a desreted planet less than a year after the Clone War began, and joined the Rebel Alliance a few months after the Battle of Yavin; and Rex, Wolffe, and Gregor, for starters. And, once we get the proof that the Kaminoans implanted the regular Clone Troopers with control chips, we can rally countless Clone Stormtroopers into our ranks." Tau said, which made Walon uncomforatble, as the latter would not believe that Jango Fett would willingly put control chips into the clones that were supposed to preserve the Mandalorian traditions, despite his burning desire to get revenge on the Jedi for their decimation of his men nearly thirty years ago.
Privately, Tau agreed with Walon, as he knew that Jango, despite his flaws, was a man of honor, as evidenced by his friendships, his strong and nurturing bond with Boba, and his saving of Coruscant five years before the Clone War from Ashaar Khorda, the rogue general of the Annoo-dat Prime that tried to destroy the capital world through the usage of a Force artifact known as the Infant of Shaa.
"One step at a time, Tau." Akuu counseled to his friend, and the group then began to strategize their plans for the duration of the next six weeks, as well as prepare for Clan Skirata's departure form the Commenor System.
Two Days Later
Forty Days Until the Shadow Alliance Summit on Lah'mu
In Orbit Above Commenor
Onboard the Second Chance
As the Second Chance, as well as the several shuttles that comprised Clan Skirata's naval force, prepared to depart the Commonor System in order to complete their various missions in order to bolster the Shadow Alliance's ranks before the expected betrayal of Saw Gerrera, Tau and Akuu were in communication with Rahm and Kal, who were on the Aay'han, a Mon Calamari DeepWater-Class light freighter that helped Kal capture Ko Sai over five years previously, and were planning to rescue Able from being stranded on Lubang Minor before, with the aged codes provided to them by Colonel Yularen, breaking into Agon Nine in order to bust out Climber and Trace, as well as rescue and recruit as many Confederate prisoners as they could save from the hellish prison that held them.
On Tau's end, he and Bardan, who agreed to help Tau with his goal in rescuing a few Jedi, including the Dark Woman, K'Kruhk, and a Jedi Covenant Shadow known as Celeste Morne, from the Empire and the spirit of Karness Muur, respectively, were planning a rendezvous with Kal once their missions were complete. They also hoped to recruit Imperial Commander Teron and Captain Denimoor, Imperial naval commanders of the planet Arkinnea and the Venerator-class Star Destoyer Tenacious, respectively, along with as many of their forces as they could, when they went to recruit K'Kruhk and his group of Jedi Younglings.
"All right. We'll meet at Dantooine in two weeks, as there's a Whiplash base there that we can trust." Tau said to Kal, who nodded in approval at the Jedi's choice of a rendezvous point.
"Agreed. We'll be back with shiploads of recruits, and you'll be back with your Jedi and ex-Imperials. Good luck, Tau. You're gonna need it." Kal said as he ended his communication with Tau.
The ten ships of Clan Skirata's small fleet then entered hyperspace, and the Second Chacne then followed suit, heading to Cophrigin V in order to recruit An'ya Kuro, the birth name of the Dark Woman.
Well, that ends the 20th chapter of my seventh story. So, what did you guys think, as it sets the stage for more recruitment among our hereos in order to strengthen their ranks before the Lah'mu summit? I think that it went well. So, are you guys aware that I have now surpassed over ninety thousand words in this sotry in just over a month? I don't know about you, but that fills me with such joy and pride. And, it makes me even happier that I can honor the Expanded Universe in my own way through helping Squasher with his AU. So, I won't be able to write too much tomorrow, due to having to go to work early in the morning, which likely means that my next update will be on Tuesday. Well, "The Tale of Beren and Luthien" belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien, and this story will continue to have many, many, many inclusions of the EU, which I always enjoy. I guess that that's it for the night of February 10, 2018. May the Force and Iluvatar be with you all, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!