Good morning, all of you Star Wars Expanded Universe disciples! How are you on this fine day of July 6, 2017? I am well, as I will get a graphic novel through the mail tomorrow, which is The Witcher: Volume 3: Curse of Crows, and I am very excited to read it, as I always enjoy the twists and turns that the series brings to the table. So, what are you all going to do on this fine day, as I'm going to relax, work on homework as my online summer class comes to an end, and work on my fanfiction, the latter, of course, was obvious? Anyway, when we last left our heroes and villains, the final battles were beginning, and the fate of the galaxy was once again hanging in the balance between the Jedi and Sith (What else was new here?). I can't wait to write the final battle between the Shadow Alliance and the One Sith, as it will be the most ambitious project that I have ever attempted in my short fanfiction career. I hope that I can measure up to all of your high expectations, especially since I'm about to surpass one hundred thousand words in this story in the three months since I've started this story. Anyway, I am still praying for Powerslammer, as I consider him to be a good friend, two of the reasons that I feel that way are because he was the one that convinced me to write this tribute to the Expanded Universe, and because he's been a good source of counsel for me. Anyway, I'd better get to writing, as I only have five days until my trip to Missouri, and I won't have as much time to write as I'd like, if I have any time. May the Force be with us all in these troubled times.
(3:12 PM Addendum.) Hey, guys. I came to tell you that I just found out that I had made a big mistake in my story, as I placed Seelah Verge in both the divisions of the task force. I guess that Powerslammer was right in saying that I have included too many characters in this story. Oh, well. Live and learn, I guess. So, I have decided to leave Seelah with the division that is dealing with Wyyrlok, as that is where I had the most mentions of her. Well, back to writing.
(7:09 PM Addendum.) Hello, everyone. How are you doing on this fine evening? I am well, as I've finished Star Wars: Rebel Rising. Oh, and, before I forget, thank you, Henrik3232, for listing me as one of their favorite authors. I never thought that I would get a fan from Denmark, but, hey, that shows what I know. If you read this, then please tell me what you like about my stories. Well, back to writing.
(July 7, 2017 Addendum.) Good afternoon, everyone. How are you doing on this warm day? I am doing great, as I got The Witcher: Volume 3: Curse of Crows through the mail today, and I can't wait to read the whole graphic novel, as I enjoy the dark and gritty universe of The Witcher. Oh. And, I plan to finish some homework today, so that all that is left is my final exam that I will do within the next couple of days so that I am free from homework for at least a month. One more thing, I plan to introduce a surprise element to my upcoming chapters, which is derived from Star Wars Rebels: "Twilight of the Apprentice", and will be a twist that no one will see coming, as it is a plot twist that I came up with last night, as it just felt right in my story. Well, I'd better get back to writing, as this story isn't going to write itself.
One Hour Later
0820 Hours
4.66 Hours Until Darth Krayt's Rituals Commence
Within The Citadel's Bunker
Darth Wyyrlok was beginning to believe that he and his sixty remaining Sith might survive the massive scourge that was the Shadow Alliance, as well as Darth Krayt's wrath, as they were holding their own against their enemies' onslaught, having killed ninety members of the Shadow Alliance's task force in the past hour, while losing only forty Sith, and none of the Sith Sorcerers, to their numerically superior foes. In addition, several prominent members of the Shadow Alliance, such as Ghes Orade, Jaden Korr, Zeb, Corran Horn, Seelah Verge, and Sintas Vel, were ordered to head to the spaceport in order to assist Vestara's beleaguered division. He was currently dueling against Kyle Katarn, the Jedi Order's current Grand Master, along with the Jedi Master Ben Skywalker, and was managing to fend off their combined assault through a combination of strong tactics and adaptability.
"Give it up, Wyyrlok! Your running out of men to help you, and it's only a matter of time before we find a weakness in your defenses." Ben ardently said, hoping that the Chagrian would accept defeat, as he was tired of killing people, even those that professed allegiance to the Dark Side.
"Never! I swore allegiance to Darth Krayt after he saved my life, and I will never betray him to save my own skin! So, you can take your offer and die like the vermin that you are." Wyyrlok vehemently replied as he lunged forward, striking at Ben, even as Kyle managed to jump above Wyyrlok and sever the top of his two cranial horns, which caused him a severe amount of pain as he stumbled back from the searing pain that permeated his skull.
"You were saying?" Kyle said as he quickly blocked a Togruta's clumsy strike, and then cut down said Sith Lord. He then turned his attention to Wyyrlok, and then compassionately said, "Look, Wrrylok, I admire your loyalty to Krayt, I truly do. But he doesn't deserve it, as, along with orchestrating untold suffering and chaos across the galaxy, he experimented on children to turn them into brainwashed super soldiers. Even you must see that that is immoral. What would you have done if your daughter was one of Krayt's victims?"
Wyyrlok's calm demeanor then snapped at Kyle's noble, but vain, attempt to reach him, and, through the power of the Dark Side of the Force, he unleashed a powerful blast of Force energy at Kyle and Ben, which trapped them both in a Force Illusion.
The two men then began to experience powerful visions of the Force, showing them their past failures, ranging from Kyle seeing his father's severed head on a pike, to Ben holding his mother's poisoned body, to Kyle losing the love of his life, Jan Ors, to a member of the Lost Tribe of the Sith during a mercy mission to the planet Ryloth, and Ben seeing Vestara fall deeper and deeper into darkness, as he was helpless to save her.
They then fell to their knees in despair, and Wyyrlok sneered at the two of them as he passionately said, "Look at the two of you: so weak, pathetic, pitiful, and self-loathing for your past failures. It's disgusting. And you two have the gall to call yourselves 'Jedi Masters' when you haven't even mastered your own emotions, or can't even save your loved ones from the Dark Side. Do you see now why I serve Darth Krayt? Under his rule, we Sith have transcended such fears, and have ascended to a new height of power, where we are free from weakness, and channel everything into our goals. That is why we will win this war, and that is why, once we deal with Edaan's wretched Shadow Alliance, will rule the galaxy, and bring order to the chaos that you made us unleash!"
Upon mentioning Edaan's name, Ben began to fight his Force-induced nightmare, and Wyyrlok, taking notice of this, slapped him down, sadistically saying, "I think that I will let you live, Ben Skywalker. Well, at least long enough to see me kill everyone that you still hold close to your heart, starting with your slut, Vestara, and your former apprentice, Edaan."
Upon hearing those words, Ben became enraged, and tried to throw a punch at the Shadow Hand, but all he found contact with was air, as the Chagrian turned out to be a hallucination. He then found himself back in reality, as Wyyrlok was engaged with a furious Jaina and AG-37, and was forced to drop the illusion in order to focus all of his energies on preserving his own life in this increasingly difficult battle against both the Fel Empire's empress and the resurrected, and highly lethal, C-3PO.
As AG-37 and Jaina kept Wyyrlok's attention occupied on them, and not on Ben and Kyle, the two Jedi then began to gather their strength, and, once they were back on their feet, and killed two arrogant Keshiri Sith that had the misfortune of trying to kill them while they were weakened, they rejoined the battle against the Chagrian Sith Lord.
Wyyrlok found himself in a losing battle, as, in addition to having to face four of the most elite fighters that the Jedi Order had to offer, the tide of the battle had turned against him and his remaining followers, which had been reduced to a measly thirty-eight followers against three hundred and fifty emboldened Shadow Alliance members, which pressed the attack against the weakened Sith force.
May Sorzus forgive me for my failures, for I fear for her survival, because I don't think that I can hold out for the next few hours. Wyyrlok fearfully thought as he felt several lightsaber cuts permeated his legs and face.
Thirty Minutes Later
0855 Hours
4.08 Hours Until Darth Krayt's Rituals Commence
Within The Citadel's Spaceport
Vestara Khai was not in a good mood, as she, along with Dinua Jeban, Mirta Gev, Sabine Wren Trista Zel, Voort sa Binring, the rest of Wraith Squadron, Adari Thayn Palpatine, and the three hundred remaining Shadow Alliance members were barely able to hold off the slowly advancing One Sith forces, who numbered at twenty-seven hundred.
She was killing Dark Sider after Dark Sider, but, no matter how many that she destroyed, two more always took their place. To make it worse, she was beginning to get worn out from exhaustion, which meant that it was a matter of time before she made a mistake, and even a single mistake could get her killed. She was determined to not let that happen, as she finally figured out what she wanted to fight for, and, thanks to Edaan's persistence, she finally won back Ben's heart after years of separation, and she was firm to not waste this opportunity of redemption.
Her determination pushed her on, even as she killed two Kanzer Exiles with her skillful use of Force Lightning, and used a parang as a boomerang that she stole from Krayt's armory to decapitate a distracted Nightbrother before she called it back to her.
Well, no one said that this would be easy. Vestara said as she continued to fight.
Voort sa Binring lacked the physical strength of a typical Gamorrean, but what he lacked for in strength, he more than made up for in tactical and strategic ability. That was why he was able to direct his squad with a precision that could rival Grand Admiral Thrawn's strategic and tactical skills. They were decimating a significant portion of Krayt's reinforcements, which included two Nightsisters, twelve members of Mecrosa Order, twenty Kanzer Exiles, five Sorcerers of Rhand, eight members of the Blackguard, and twenty Black Knights. He only hoped that their luck would hold out for a little longer, until this war was over, and Wraith Squadron could move on to a more routine and less dangerous mission.
The three female Mandalorians, Dinua Jeban, Mirta Gev, Sabine Wren, as well as Hapes Consortium bodyguard and fleet commander Trista Zel, were holding their own against twenty Sith and their minions. Dinua and Mirta were simultaneously using all of their weapons in their arsenal to blast, burn, and poison five Neo Death Watch Mandalorians and two Black Knights. As for Sabine, she was using her Darksaber to battle two Sith and a Sorcerer of Rhand, and, with her decades of honing her skills with her nearly eleven-hundred-year-old lightsaber. Finally, Trista was using her Hapan commando training, in conjunction with the blaster that she was using, to decimate the remaining corporate and slaver forces under Sorzus's command.
At the rate that the battle within the spaceport was going, it would take at least three hours until Sorzus's followers would destroy the Shadow Alliance's division. Vestara knew that what they needed was a game-changer in order to tip the scales in this battle.
It was then that she felt a familiar presence in the Force approach her, and, as she turned to face the direction that her new ally was coming from, she saw several Sith and Czerka Corporation forces being ripped to shreds by a giant Tuk'ata hound that could only be Butch. Butch then ran to Vestara and leapt over the redeemed Sith Lady, and bit off the head of a Rodian Sith that was about to attack Vestara, which filled her heart with relief that Edaan sent her help in the form of a friend that would always stand by her.
As soon as Butch swallowed the Rodian's head, Vestara, in a tone that befitted a parent complimenting their child, said, "Good boy, Butch! I'll be sure to give you a big, juicy treat once we get off of your home world. You'd like that, wouldn't you, boy?"
Butch then barked in joy at what Vestara told him, and then licked Vestara affectionately, which made her laugh in embarrassment before she turned serious and said, "A-all right, boy, that's enough. We've got a lot of Sith and their minions to kill, and not much time left, so, let's get to work." Butch then nodded in understanding, and they immediately began to work on killing more Kanzer Exiles and Blackguard that had the misfortune of trying to kill the two of them. The Shadow Alliance's fortunes when Ghes Orade, Jaden Korr, Zeb, Corran Horn, Seelah Verge, and Sintas Vel, and twenty additional Shadow Alliance members from each portion of the coalition arrived to reinforce Vestara's position, and they slowly began to re-claim a portion of the ground that they had lost.
Thirty Minutes Later
0935 Hours
3.42 Hours Until Darth Krayt's Rituals Commence
Just Outside Darth Krayt's Citadel
"You're running out of time, Edaan. I can sense my Sorcerers gathering more and more Force energy for the rituals, and my followers are still holding their positions. In less than three hours, your paltry Shadow Alliance will lose this war, and my Sith order will spread across the galaxy like a virus until we infect the whole galaxy." Krayt viciously said as he continued to attack the two Palpatines with an equal ferocity that Edaan and Tau managed to match, despite the searing pain that began to course throughout his entire being from the slowly growing Yuuzhan Vong coral seeds that the Yuuzhan Vong thirty-two years ago. '
Tau was quick to sense Krayt's pain, but, not knowing the source of the Dread Lord's pain, mockingly said, "What? Don't tell me that the great Darth Krayt is exhausted already? I would have thought that the leader of the One Sith had more stamina than that."
"Pain? What are you…?" Edaan curiously said before he sensed Krayt's great deal of suffering, and, remembering that the Yuuzhan Vong, with the Sith Acolyte Vergere a part of the heinous torture that was inflicted on A'Sharad Hett during the final stages of his transformation into Darth Krayt, then said, "Let me guess, those Coral Seeds that the Vong implanted in you are still growing, and you can't stop it?"
"I'll find a way to stop it, Jedi. In the meantime, I still have enough strength to destroy the two of you." Krayt viciously said to Edaan, which made Edaan realize that the former Jedi was trying to intimidate the two Jedi into surrendering.
"It's not too late, Krayt." Edaan said in an all but pleaded in a final, but knowing it would be all but futile, gambit to save A'Sharad Hett from his own darkness. "The Jedi can help heal your body from the coral seeds if you just surrender. You can still return to the man that you used to be!"
"That man died a long time ago, Edaan! All that is left for me is my plans to save this galaxy from itself, and there is no way that I can lose this fight. I've fought against countless enemies as a Jedi, built the One Sith out of nothing but sheer willpower, and play the pivotal role in destroying Abeloth! There is no way that a single Jedi Master and his infant brother can stop me and my plans!" Krayt vehemently replied, and the strength of conviction in the Dread Lord of the Sith's voice made Edaan realize that the legendary Jedi Master A'Sharad Hett was truly gone, and all that was left was nothing but a desire to destroy the galaxy that broke and twisted him into Darth Krayt.
"Very well, Krayt. If death is what you want, then death is what I will give to you. May the Force take pity on you, for I will have none left to give after all of the crimes that you have committed." Edaan solemnly said as he unleashed a burst of Force Lightning on Krayt in order to test an experiment. Upon contact with the Lightning, Krayt's skin began to be covered in even more Coral Seeds, which made Krayt's movements more sluggish, and proved Edaan's hypothesis that additional Force energies would accelerate the growth of the Coral Seeds within Krayt.
Krayt then used the Force to pull several chunks of stone out of the walls of the catacombs, and flung them at the two Jedi that used their lightsabers to cut the boulders apart. They then gave chase to the Tatooine native, who was leading them into the catacombs that led to the tomb of Tulak Hord, as well as the Temple of Sorzus Syn.
Ten Minutes Later
0945 Hours
3.25 Hours Until Darth Krayt's Rituals Commence
Within the Vicount-Class Star Defender, The Nossor Ri
Galactic Alliance commodore Kral Nevil was focused with a laser-like intensity on the ongoing battle. He knew that the Shadow Alliance was running out of time until Darth Krayt's rituals commenced, and, despite destroying about half of the One Sith's naval capabilities, which amounted to six Imperial II-class Star Destroyers, four Lucrehulk-class battleships, six Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruisers, four Venerator-class Star Destroyers, one Turbulent-class Star Destroyer, six MC80a Star Cruiser, and seven Chelandion-class warships.
On the other hand, the Shadow Alliance had lost at least forty percent of its naval capabilities, which was in the form of three Galactic-class Battle Carriers, fifteen Imperial II-class Star Destroyers, five Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruisers, three Nebula-class Star Destroyer, four MC90 Capitol Ship cruisers, twelve Lancer-class frigates, four Hapan Battle Dragons, two Nova-Class battle cruisers, three Turbulent-class Star Destroyers, five chelandion-class warships, seven Hutt Batils and Tarradas each, eight Dreadnaught-class heavy cruisers that were modified by the Hutts to operate with a crew of only five thousand crewman, one Venerator-class Star Destroyer, one Invincible-class Dreadnaught Heavy Cruiser, two Republic-class cruisers, four Assassin-class Corvettes, two Bothan Assault Carriers, a third of the entire fleet of Commenorian support ships, half a wing of hyperspace-capable fighters that were designated "Predator-class fighters", three wings of bes'uliiks, four Firespray-class interceptors, twelve MandalMotors Pursuer-class enforcement ships, five Keldabe-Class Battleships, ten Crusader-class corvettes, two wings of Mando-Verpine Assault Fighters, a wing of StarViper-class attack platforms, and five wings of Vyrhawk fighter bombers, one Strike-class Medium Cruisers that belonged to the corrupt Loronar Corporation, two rare Imperial I-Class Star Destroyers, two wings of TIE/LN Starfighters that had heavy armaments that included proton torpedo launchers and heavy laser cannons attached to them, two Victory-class Star Destroyers, two wings of Kom'rk-class fighters/transports, three Assault Frigates class Mark II, a Republic Star Destroyer, and three Chiss Star Destroyers.
The lack of time on the Shadow Alliance's part was why he had called an emergency meeting with the Shadow Alliance's top naval minds, which included the Grey Cadre, Gavin Darklighter, Aristocra Formbi, Azzim Anjilic Atirue, Traest Kre'frey, and Saba Sabatyne.
"You all know why we've assembled." Kral grimly said as the Quarren commodore continued to speak, saying, "We only have three hours and fifteen minutes until the One Sith's rituals commence, and we haven't heard from the task force that went beneath the catacombs for too long. Master Sabatyne, can you sense the task force, if they're still alive?"
"Yes, Commodore Nevil. Most of the Shadow Alliance is still alive, and thiz one can tell that they are engaged in heavy fighting, so they must be at, or close to, their objectivez. And, I can sense Edaan and Tau Palpatine battling a very powerful Dark Side presenze that is on the move, so they muzt be engaging Darth Krayt as we speak." Said the Barabel Jedi Master, who had fully recovered from the injuries that she had received while on Korriban, and had helped rout out the remaining Sith agents within the Super Star Destroyer.
"Well, that's good and all, but we need to prepare for the worst in case the task force doesn't succeed in eliminating Krayt and his remaining followers." Formbi said in dismissal of Saba's explanations.
"Well, what do you propose, Aristocra Formbi? We need all cards on the table right now, because we've only got one hundred and ninety-four minutes left until our fleets are decimated, and the One Sith escape into the galaxy." Traest said from onboard his flagship, the Bothan Assault Carrier known as the Ralroost.
"We evacuate our troops on the surface of Korriban, and initiate a Base Delta Zero bombardment into the Valley of the Dark Lords and the catacombs beneath the tombs, which will decimate the One Sith and trap the remaining Sith beneath the surface, where they'll die out after a careful vigilance." Formbi stoically said, which left most of the assembled leaders aghast at the Chiss leader's callousness.
"Are you out of your karking mind, Aristocra?!" Azzim vehemently said before he continued, saying, "We can't just abandon our allies for a quick victory! Edaan and the others are still alive down there and fighting strong, and as long as they're still kicking, I'm willing to bet that they'll come out on top."
"This isn't the time for sentimentality, Lord Atirue. We need to be pragmatic, and that means that we bombard the area once we reach the final hour in the countdown." Formbi said in argument of his plan.
"It isn't sentimentality, Aristocra. It's faith in my friend and comrade, as he's united the galaxy against the One Sith and their minions, and, time and time again, he's won against impossible odds. I will not abandon him now, not after all that he's done for us." Azzim ardently said to the Chiss leader.
"Might I suggest a compromise, then?" Galactic Alliance senator Ponc Gavirsom said in a conciliatory manner as he spoke up for the first time in this meeting.
"What is it, Senator?" Kral said, eager to put this absurd matter behind them, and focus on fighting their real enemies instead of each other.
"We give the task force time up until the last thirty minutes of the countdown, and, if we haven't heard from them by then, then we initate the Base Delta Zero initiative within the Valley of the Dark Lords." Ponc said in a completely serious tone, which made Azzim even angrier at the Calibop's agreement with the plan.
However, before the Hutt Lord could argue against this trip into madness, Releqy sympathetically said, "I am sorry, Lord Azzim, but it is the best that you are going to get, as Aristocra Formbi's right: We're running out of time before the Sith enact their endgame. At least you'll have more time for your friend to come through for us."
Looking around for support, only to find that everyone else was in support of this plan, Azzim said, "Gah! Fine. But, when Edaan and the others succeed in their mission, I'll be there to say 'I told you so.'"
"Let's hope that you're right, Lord Azzim." Etahn said in his trademark grim tone as each Holonet transmitter shut down, leaving a despondent Kral all alone.
Why don't I ever get the easy jobs? Kral sadly thought as he prepared to order his fleet to prepare for an orbital bombardment.
Well, that ends my latest chapter of Star Wars: Jedi Odyssey: Shadow War IV: Omega. The clock's ticking, and, like in many great movies and stories, the military leaders, well, most of them, don't have enough faith in Edaan, and are going to launch their own plans in trying to take down the One Sith. I can tell that this won't end well. But for who, we'll just have to wait and see. So, what did you guys think of this chapter, as I put a lot of effort into writing it in the last two days. Can you believe that I wrote this chapter in just two measly days, because I sure can't? Oh, before I forget, as of now, I have surpassed one hundred thousand words in this story on the day of July 7, 2017, and it hasn't been even three months since I started this story. One more thing that I should mention. I am considering taking a break from fanfiction writing when I go to Missouri for my vacation. What do you guys think of that? Anyway, have a good night. May the Force Be With You, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!