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Hey, you guys. What's up on this fine Wednesday, October 12, 2016? I am doing well, as I got two Star Wars comics, Star Wars: Darth Vader #25 and Star Wars: Han Solo #4, and each of them were amazing! I especially liked the survival of Black Krrsantan, Triple-Zero, BT-1, and "Doctor" Aphra, as I can now not feel guilty about including Black Krrsantan in my stories, and now I think that I will use Triple-Zero, BT-1, and "Doctor" Aphra in my remaining two stories. Oh, man. I just gave away some big spoilers in my saga. But, that's okay, as you guys don't know how I will use them. Heck, I'm not even fully sure how I will use them in the future, as I sometimes make things up as I go along. And, I kind of felt bad for Grand General Tagge, as he just did what he thought was best for the First Galactic Empire, and just made errors in judgment, not treasonous acts like Cylo and his minions committed. And let's not forget Aphra, who Vader betrayed and tried to kill in the vacuum of space in order to cover up his secrets that Sidious discovered through his own means. By the way, did you guys hear about the latest report for the Classified Star Wars comic book series, as it is called Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, and it is about, Aphra, BT-1, Triple Zero, and Black Krrsantan. I can't wait to see what this story brings to the table. So, have you guys been enjoying my stories, as this one is rapidly nearing the end? Let's hope that I can make it the best one that I've written yet, as I think that my skills as a writer are improving. Oh, and, have you guys heard about the latest titles for Star Wars Rebels episodes, as the first one sounds really exciting, while the third one sounds, in my opinion, a little weird? I'm willing to bet that the third one is about the inclusion of Hondo Ohnaka and Azmorigan that was seen in the first trailer of Season Three of Star Wars Rebels. Hey, do you guys know how many pages that I've written in this story so far? I've written over two-hundred pages on this story on Microsoft Word. By the way, have you guys noticed that I sometimes say my opinions of certain matters, such as TV shows, world events, and, on the rare occasion, politics? Well, that might need to stop, or at least be significantly curtailed, as a friend of mine warned me about the potential consequences of giving my opinions on this site, and I do not want to get kicked off of this site for what some people might consider to be "inappropriate behavior." Don't worry, I'm not in any trouble from the site's administrators, I just wanted to let you guys know in advance. One more thing, I saw the movie Sully on Tuesday, October 11, 2016, and it was a pretty good movie. I would recommend it to everyone who loves history, as it covers a pivotal moment in recent history. Well, with all of the fun and doom and gloom out of the way, let's get started on this next chapter. Oh, and I have to tell you guys, I am moving the timeline in my story ahead by nineteen days in order to move the story along, as, for all I know, this could be my last chapter.
Day 73 of the Shadow Alliance's Formation. 0800 Hours
Within the Megador, In the Astronomy Lab.
"Well, I think that we've completed the map of Korriban's tombs and catacombs." Edaan said as he, Jaden, and Kyle sighed in relief at finishing their long and arduous task of mapping the bulk of Korriban's tombs, catacombs, and underground structures.
"And to think that it only took us nineteen days to do this. Let's just hope that this map is up-to-date." Jaden wearily said as he plopped down onto his chair.
"Well, we did have to go through terabyte upon terabyte of ancient Jedi and Sith holocrons and records, old archeological maps and journals, old holomaps that are over four thousand years old, and the old schematics of the now defunct city of Dreshdae." Kyle wryly said.
"Well, as you organics are fond of saying, 'It was no picnic on my end either.'" Artoo irritatingly said, since no one was thanking him for his efforts in going through all of that data. Those words caused the three Jedi to laugh in response, confusing the veteran droid.
"Sorry, Artoo. The three of us just got so caught up in the four of our successes that we forgot all about you." Edaan said as he held up his hands in order to convey an apology to his longtime friend.
"Apology accepted, my friend." Artoo said.
"Good. Now if there's nothing else, I'm going to get some grub, as I haven't eaten in over eighteen hours." Edaan said before Kyle held up his right hand in order to keep him from leaving.
"Actually, Edaan, there is one thing that Jaden and I want to discuss with you." Kyle said, his voice completely serious now.
"Oh. What about?" Edaan said, wondering just what the two Jedi wanted to say to him.
"We know that you, your crew, and Commander Wren, a team of her elite Mandalorians, and two of her former rebel allies are going after Vestara Khai ahead of the invasion force." Jaden said, getting right to the point.
At the mention of Vestara, Edaan's eyes shot up, and his mouth fell open by about an inch. His shock evident to anyone that came walking by, Kyle said, "Close your mouth, Edaan. You're letting insects into your mouth."
Edaan quickly complied, and said the only question that mattered, "Does Ben know?"
"No, and we'd prefer to keep it that way." Kyle said. "The two of us, of all people, understand why a person has to go off into a suicidal mission in order to conquer their personal demons and help those that they care about."
"How did you find out?" Edaan gravely asked.
"We investigated the small allocation of resources being pulled from the fleet into some of Commander Wren's ships, and mind-probed one of her more weak-minded men that knew of the plan, but wasn't actually a part of the strike team, thankfully, as that could have proven catastrophic to your mission." Jaden explained.
"Well, if you're not going to tell Ben about my plans, then why are you here? And, don't try and stop me, because I have to do this." Edaan said, his voice full of durasteel and determination.
"We know. That's why I'm coming with you on your mission." Jaden sympathetically said.
"Uh… say what?" Edaan said, flabbergasted at this declaration, and unable to come up with any other coherent thought.
"You'll need more than maps to survive Korriban, and I'm one of the few Jedi that have actually been on Korriban and lived to tell about it." Jaden explained to Edaan.
After regaining his composer, Edaan said, "Well, I'll take all the help that I can get. Welcome aboard, Jaden." He held out his hand to Jaden in order to seal the arrangement, which the older Jedi eagerly shook. Once the handshake was done, Edaan respectfully asked Kyle, "How long until the invasion begins, Grand Master Katarn?"
"About eight weeks, Edaan. You and Sabine will need to move fast in order try and save Vestara." Kyle honestly said.
"Well, that'll have to do, as we were going to leave in three days, but we'll have to move it up to two, maybe one-and-a-half days, if we can make it." Edaan replied, before saying, "Also, I thought that the Jedi didn't believe in trying, only doing."
"Well, we're not your average Jedi. Anyway, let us know when you're leaving, and we'll give you the clearance codes to leave the Megador, and create a gap in the fleet's formations for you and the others to get through." Kyle said, before adding, "Of course, we'll have to inform the Jedi Council and the Shadow Alliance High Command of this development so that we can change all of the clearance codes, fleet formations, everything, really, so that when we invade, the Sith won't have more than the home field advantage."
"Of course, I understand. I imagine that this will give Han and Ben an aneurysm when they find out. Oh, if only I were there to see it." Edaan ruefully said, causing Kyle and Jaden to chuckle in amusement.
"May the Force be with you, Edaan Palpatine, Jaden Korr, and Artoo Deetoo." Kyle seriously said as he took the datacard that contained the map for Korriban's tombs and catacombs, and then left the room to leave the two Jedi and astromech droid alone with their thoughts.
"Well… I guess that I'd better go introduce you to our little club." Edaan nervously said as he thought, Oh, Sabine, Adari, and the others are going to kill me for this.
Fifteen Minutes Later, Onboard the Second Chance
Thiry-five Hours and Forty-Two Minutes from Enacting Operation: Jedi's Spear
"Welcome aboard, Master Korr." Sabine joyfully said as she shook Jaden's hand in order to welcome him into their small clandestine group.
Well, that went better than expected. Edaan thought with no small amount of relief that everyone in the illegal strike team was welcoming the latest addition into the team.
"Actually, it's just Knight Korr, as I never became a Jedi Knight." Jaden stoically corrected the elderly Mandalorian.
"What, you never wanted to be a stuck-up Jedi Master like Kenth Hamner?" Sabine humorously said, earning a death glare from Edaan and Jaden, who were offended at the woman's insensitivity at the tragic death of a respected Jedi Master. Quickly picking up on their hostility, she said, "Sorry, guys, I got carried away with my disregard for most types of authority."
"Just don't do it again, Sabine, and we'll call it even." Edaan rigidly said as he struggled to contain his anger at Sabine's lack of restraint when it came to her jokes.
"Deal." Sabine apologetically said as she turned to Edaan and said, "So, according to Grand Master Katarn, we only have thirty-six hours, forty-eight at most, before we have to leave the Mandalore System and recruit our remaining allies and head for Korriban and go on your suicidal quest to redeem the vicious and treacherous Sith Lady Vestara Khai?"
"That about sums it up, Sabine." Edaan confirmed.
"Heh. It kind of reminds me of when I stowed away on Kanan's unauthorized mission to recruit the Journeymen Protectors from Concord Dawn, and tried to kill Fenn Rau before Kanan talked me out of it." Sabine longingly said as she remembered all of the great adventures that she had with the Lothal Rebels and still-forming Alliance to Restore the Republic, before Ezra ruined all of it for her, Chopper, and Zeb by killing their surrogate parents.
After shaking her head out of her reflection, she said, "Well, now that we've got the introductions out of the way, we'd better finish to stock up on supplies while we still have the time."
"Agreed." Jaden, Artoo, Edaan, and Adari simultaneously said.
"May the Force be with us all." Edaan said to everyone present as he and Adari went to check up on Atai and Robonino to see how the repairs for their heavily modified YT-1300 Light Freighter, while Jaden went to do a systems check on his personal Z-95 Headhunter and astromech droid, who he affectionately named "Arsix", and Sabine went to learn about the progress of her one-hundred-man company of Mandalorian Supercommandos.
Thirty-Three Hours Later, Onbaord the Aliit
Two Hours and Forty-Three Minutes from Enacting Operation: Jedi's Spear
Sabine Wren was feeling fifty years younger, as she had just finished doing a systems check of her personal Corellian Engineering Corporation VCX-100 light freighter, the Aliit, which meant "Family" in the Mandalorian tongue, and all systems were functioning at maximum capacity, including the weapons systems, which included dual laser turrets and two proton torpedo launchers.
Guess all of those mechanic lessons from Hera and Kanan finally payed off. Sabine wistfully thought as her personal holocomm went off.
She activated it to see the form of Mirta Gev with a full duffle bag hanging from her shoulder, who asked, "Got room for one more passenger?"
"Why in the name of the Force and manda would you want to come along to confront a planet full of Sith, given your past history with them?" Sabine incredulously asked.
"Because, like Edaan, I know how Vestara thinks, which could prove invaluable in the two of your efforts to capture and redeem her." Mirta replied.
"Does Mand'alor know about this?" Sabine asked, not willing to go against her leader if he did not approve of this course of action.
"Unfortunately, yes, Sabine. He and Ghes made me promise to follow all of yours and Edaan's instructions, otherwise, I can't help you guys out." Mirta honestly said.
"Well then, we'll take all of the help that we can get, as there's no telling how many karking Sith could be living on the hellhole of a planet." Sabine gratefully said to Mirta as she opened the boarding ramp to the Aliit, and went to welcome the new addition to the now one-hundred-and-one-man army of Mandalorians.
Thirty Minutes Later, Onboard the Second Chance
Two Hours and Thirteen Minutes from Enacting Operation: Jedi's Spear
Edaan Palpatine was exhausted from the Teräs Käsi session he had with his wife, Adari Thayn Palpatine. Both fighters were very stressed from waiting for the launch from the main Shadow Alliance fleet that was dealing with the terms of surrender for the remainder of Natasi Daala's Neo Death Watch fleet, and decided to burn off some of their excess energy through a martial arts session, with the rest of the crew, Jaden, Mirta, and Sabine watching. Unfortunately for Edaan, he could not get past his wife's impenetrable defense, and was thrown onto the floor five times, twice on his face, as well as three times on his back, before he conceded defeat.
Once the match was over, the three women among the crowd went to congratulate the victorious Adari, while the four men and two droids went to help and console a dazed Edaan.
As soon as Edaan could speak coherently, he went to Adari, nodded in defeat, and said, "You have bested me, Lady Palpatine."
"And I thank you for a good fight, Jedi Palpatine." Adari gratefully said.
"Well, at least we know that the woman who married a great-grandson of Emperor Palpatine can give said descendent a run for his credits." Sabine amusingly said to everyone, causing them to chuckle in good humor.
"Hah, hah, very funny. Do we have all of our provisions for the upcoming battle?" Edaan said, hoping to get everyone back on track, as well as forget about this embarrassing scuffle.
"Of course, Edaan. All of our ships are fueled, primed, and ready to fly in just over two hours." Jaden said in his characteristically calm tone.
"Good. Now let's hope that we succeed, or the Shadow Alliance and the galaxy is in deep poodoo." Edaan said with just a hint of fear in his voice.
"Okay, enough with the doom and gloom, Edaan, let's just get back to finishing our preparations. The Aliit is ready to travel to Lira San, while my company watches the way out of the imploded star cluster, and you travel to Dantooine to find our mystery allies in the fight against the One Sith." Sabine said as she checked her datapad on her ship and company's state of readiness for their mission.
"Good." Edaan gratefully said as he beckoned Artoo to come with him as he went to the Second Chance's cockpit to do a last-minute systems check.
"Is it just me, Adari, or does Edaan seem more tense than usual?" Sabine asked Adari as the latter escorted the former to the outside of the ship.
"Well, knowing him, he's probably really nervous about being so close to finding Vestara and achieve his lifelong goal of redeeming her. And he's been focused on that goal since he was about eight years old, which was twelve years ago, so you can imagine just how driven he is to find and save her." Adari explained to the Mandalorian.
"Why would he care so much about one Sith, especially one that's caused so much havoc across the galaxy?" Sabine asked, surprised at the lengths that Edaan would go through to get what he wanted.
"Because he made a promise to himself to do so, and we can't reveal any more without betraying Edaan's trust in us." Adari said, remembering the pain in Edaan's voice as he first told her, the rest of their crew, and Armand about his childhood.
"Say no more, I understand, my new friend." Sabine said in understanding, remembering when Hera and Kanan kept secrets in order to protect her and the rest of the Ghost's crew.
"Good." Adari gratefully said as Sabine went to her CEC VCX-100 light freighter in order to check in on her men.
Meanwhile, in the Cockpit of the Second Chance
"Artoo, I have a gift for you, my friend and comrade." Edaan said, his tone completely serious as he took out a deprogramming tool from his set of Jedi Combat Armor.
"What is it, Edaan? And why do you have a deprogrammer in your hand? " Artoo curiously asked as he saw the tool in Edaan's hands.
"To correct a mistake I made on you, my good friend. I'm going to take away the loyalty matrix that I put into you, and give you back your complete free will so you can decide if you want to stay with me, or go back to serving the Skywalker and Solo clans." With those words said, Edaan quickly activated the deprogrammer, and, after five minutes of searching for the correct set of commands, he found, extracted, and then deleted the programming that forced Artoo to serve him.
Once Edaan deleted said command, he said, "How do you feel, Artoo?"
Upon hearing said question, Artoo literally shocked Edaan with his electric arc welder, causing Edaan to yelp as he fell out of his chair and spasm on the floor for ten seconds before the uncontrollable spasm became bearable.
"Okay. I deserved that, Artoo." Edaan conceded, before sadly saying, "So, I guess that I'll be seeing you, if I survive my suicide mission, of course."
"What are you talking about, Edaan? Of course I am coming with you. I just needed a little payback for you reprogramming me against my will." Artoo shockingly replied. Those words made Edaan sputter in response before he calmed down and said, "But why? I reprogrammed you to serve me, and made you betray your family."
"Because, despite my intense dislike of Vestara, your plan to redeem her will have a 33.76% chance of success, instead of a 24.87% chance of success, if I am a part of your team, especially if one of Commander Wren's… companions is who I think it is, and is a part of your endeavors." Artoo said, implying a heavy amount of distaste in his voice as he finished speaking.
"Well, hopefully he can put his selfish nature aside, especially since the galaxy's fate is at stake here." Edaan said as he mentally agreed with Artoo's assessment of one of Sabine's allies. "I'm glad that you're sticking around, Artoo, as I still need you as a part of this crew. But, just to be safe, I'm going to do a partial memory wipe on you. But!" Edaan quickly said in order to avoid another shock from Artoo, before continuing, saying, "I'm just going to wipe your memories of the classified files of the Shadow Alliance, the map that we've assembled of Korriban, and all of the data on the undercover members that any Jedi are undergoing so that their covers remain intact, and so that the Sith don't have a greater edge against us than they already have."
"I see. Well… that request is acceptable, Edaan. None of us want the Sith to gain another decisive advantage over us." Artoo said in an accepting tone, and motioned for Edaan to get to work.
Two Hours and Eight Minutes Later, On the Megador's Bridge
Four Minutes from Enacting Operation: Jedi's Spear
Jedi Grand Master Kyle Katarn was counting down the last four minutes until Edaan and his allies began their surreptitious mission. To pass the time, and to give the illegal strike team a window to escape the Mandalore System, he began to converse with the officer in charge of Starfighter Operations of the Shadow Alliance's fleets, a male Falleen captain that went by the name of Gial Terrik.
"Captain Terrik, if I might make a suggestion, why don't you move Skull, Blade, and Comet Squadrons to sector L-4?" Kyle faux-innocently asked.
"But then Sector B-1 will be exposed, and enemy forces could escape to fight another day." Captain Terrik replied.
"Which is why I have an elite squad of Jedi and Mandalorians on ready to relieve your men, as they've been flying in that sector for eight hours, and flying in total for twelve hours. Your men deserve a nice rest." Kyle said, subtly using the Force to nudge the captain into making that lapse in judgment, ready to use his gauntlet to alert Edaan and Sabine about the limited window that they had to escape.
"Then again, my men do deserve a bit of a rest after working so hard. How soon can your squadrons arrive to reinforce Sector B-1?" Captain Terrik said, the Force suggestion taking effect.
"I have them ready to go within three minutes, Captain. I'll alert them right now to this development." Kyle said as he activated one of the buttons on his gauntlets, giving the two warriors and their allies the go-ahead to leave the system.
Concurrently, on the Second Chance
"Alright, everyone, we've gotten the signal. Everyone, punch it!" Adari said into the ship's communicator. Once those last three words were spoken, the Second Chance blazed to life, and quickly flew out of the Megador's hangar, along with the Aliit, which was right behind the CEC YT-1300 Light Freighter.
"All ships, report in." Edaan said into the ship's comms.
One after another, the other ten freighters in the covert strike force, along with Jaden's Z-95 Headhunter, reported in, and they quickly flew to the gap in the Shadow Alliance's fleets in sector B-1.
Once they had exited said sector, seven Jedi StealthXs, as well as Rogue and Wraith Squadrons, pursued the twelve ships.
"Attention, Second Chance, this is Rogue Leader. Please turn around and return to the Megador. This is your only warning." Syal Antilles, the commander of Rogue Squadron, said with an authoritative tone.
"Jaden, take it away." Edaan said to the elder Jedi Knight.
"You got it, Edaan." Jaden replied before speaking to Syal on a closed channel. After two tense minutes of communicating, the twenty-seven starfighters flew off to return to their patrol.
"Nice work, Korr." Sabine said as she praised the fifty-five year-old Jedi Knight, before continuing, asking, "What did you say to her in order to get her off of our backs?"
"Only that Grand Master Katarn authorized a scouting mission into Sith Space, and that you Mandalorians were backup for us in case we were discovered. She had to clear it with the Grand Master, but he gave us the go-ahead." Jaden explained.
"Good half-truth, Jaden." Mirta said, impressed by Jaden's creativity by using the truth to their advantage.
"Thank you, Commander Gev." Jaden said as he closed the channel on his starfighter.
"All right, guys. Let's stick to the plan. The Mandalorians head to Lira San in order to recruit Sabine's rebel friends, while Jaden and I will head to Dantooine for our… special friends." Edaan said, hoping to get going before their deceptions were exposed. I hope Grand Master Katarn isn't roasted too badly for this. "We'll rendezvous outside of the Horuset system in eight dyas, which leaves us with forty-eight days to undermine the Sith forces and redeem Vestara Khai. Any questions?"
Upon not hearing any response, Edaan then said, "Alright. May the Force be with us." And with those famous last words, the twelve ships split up into two groups, with the ten Mandalorian ships launching into hyperspace towards Wild Space, while the two Jedi ships jumped to the plains world of Dantooine. Just before the Second Chance jumped into hyperspace, Edaan thought to himself, It won't be long now, Vestara. Soon, I'll save you, or die trying.
Meanwhile, in the Jedi Temple on Shedu Maad
Ben Skywalker was teaching a lightsaber drill class when he received a vision. In this vision, he saw Edaan being tortured by Sith, and confronting Vestara Khai. Knowing what this meant, he rushed to see his father, aunt, and uncle at once and inform them of this turn of events so they could go reinforce the Jedi and Shadow Alliance forces at Mandalore.
Concurrently, On Korriban
Deep within the planet's catacombs, Darth Krayt, the reining Dark Lord of the Sith, felt a massive surge of the Light Side of the Force move from the Mandalore System. Knowing what this meant, he alerted his most trusted advisor, Darth Wyyrlok of this development so that the One Sith could prepare for Edaan Palpatine's arrival.
And, that ends the final chapter of Star Wars: Jedi Odyssey: Shadow War II: Armageddon! So, what did you guys think of the story as a whole? Be honest. Oh, and what did you guys think of my author's notes? Did you think that they were too opinionated on certain matters, or not? I enjoy what feedback I get, as I consider it to be a learning experience. By the way, my Ahsoka novel came today, and I'm already over a third of the way done with it. And I am enjoying it! After that, I plan to read my two other science fiction books, and then read my book on Dwight Eisenhower. I plan to enjoy all of those books. So, are you guys excited for the next episode of Star Wars Rebels, because I know that I am, especially with the face-to-face meeting of Grand Admiral Thrawn and Hera Syndulla? I plan to start my next story soon, but I might take a couple of days off to rest my mind. I will see you all soon. May the Force Be With You, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!