Good morning, everyone. How are you doing on this cool day of March 26, 2018? I'm doing well, as I finished my homework, I just had some nachos for lunch, and I will soon go to see "Paul: Apostle of Christ" with my mother, so I'll have an addendum for that movie later today. Sorry that I'm starting this chapter a day late, I had to make some modifications to Chapter 35, and it took a while to coordinate things with Squasher due to our respective responsibilities. But, I'm here now, and I'm ready to work. So, this chapter will have Tau meet up with the leaders of Berch Teller's rebel cell, and the Free Ryloth Movement in order to get to know the people that he's working with, plus there'll be some more cameos from Squasher's stories as well in the next couple of chapters, one of which will leave you guys shocked at who it is. After that, I think that I'll have some more renegade Imperials come into the fray, and some RWBY characters as well, which might take me a while to figure out how to best integrate them into my story. Oh, and the heroes will have a new plan to deal with the Yuuzhan Vong in this chapter, which came to us thanks to Squasher and I talking about one, and it will impress you guys, and hopefully stick with us all as lessons that we can learn from. Well, I'd better get started, as I have less than an hour before I go to the movies. May the Force and Iluvatar be with me.
(3:48 P.M. Addendum.) Good afternoon, everyone. As promised, here is an addendum that is about the purely moving movie "Paul: Apostle of Christ". It helped further open my eyes to the religious persecution that so many people across the world are enduring right now, just for professing and practicing a faith that might be different from theirs. But, rather than fill my heart with anger, it filled my heart with something deeper: love and pity, for it showed me what the Christians of first century Rome endured in "Nero's Circus", as the citizens called it then. It also gave me a glimpse into the suffering that people of so many faiths are experiencing in so many countries, just for being different. I am praying for the safety of everyone who lives in peace, and who loves others unconditionally, regardless of their beliefs, as that is what God and Jesus Christ would want for all of us. If you have a different set of beliefs, then that is okay, as I will still pray for you, as I have friends of different faiths, and we get along well. I also believe that you are good people, and we all deserve a second chance in one way or another. May the Lord Almighty be with us all in these difficult times. Oh, and two more things: First, edelweissmaia, thank you for listing me as a favorite author, and for following me and my works. I will do my best to live up to your expectations. Second thank you for the honest review of my story, EverandeverGreen. I am merely a humble servant of Squasher's vision in creating his saga, which greatly exceeds mine in honoring the Original Star Wars Expanded Universe. I only hope that I can do his vision justice. Fair warning, though, we have come up with some pretty radical ideas, and will include at least several other universes in the Star Wars galaxy, and me, Squasher, MandoCommander, and DhuryamDhuryam have decided on including. So, sit back, buckle up for an amazing ride, and enjoy.
Within the Free Ryloth Movement Camp
Hera Syndulla could not help but find the beauty and tranquility of the world of Lah'mu admirable, and lament over the destruction that it would face in the might of the Imperial war machine if it discovered this summit. She always loved traveling to new worlds and learning about the people within them, as they each had a good story to tell if one was willing to stop and listen. What she especially loved was flying, as she had inherited her mother's hope and her father's pragmatism, an especially powerful combination in such a young and driven woman who was so eager to drive the Empire from her home world of Ryloth, and end the slave trade within and without her planet.
She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she almost failed to notice Gobi Gile, one of Cham's oldest friends and confidants from before the Clone War, conversing with a young Jedi, a human man in full combat armor.
Gobi, noticing Hera, waved for her to come over, and she quickly did so. As soon as she was within hearing range, she heard Gobi say, "Tau, this is Hera Syndulla, Cham's own daughter." After chuckling for a moment, he continued, saying, "She's only fourteen years old, and she's already one hell of a pilot. She's even got big dreams for the future." He then turned to Hera, and said, "Hera, this is Tau Nyl. A Jedi Knight, and one of the people that organized this whole summit. He's also a big conversationalist."
"I just like to get to know the people that I'm going to be working with." Tau simply said as he smiled brightly at Hera, which, for some unknown reason, made her blush with embarrassment. He then chuckled at Hera's bashfulness, and then said, "Come on. Gobi here was going to take me to speak with your father, and I'd like to talk with you, if that's okay with you, that is."
"Why do you want to speak to my father? Isn't the summit about twenty days away?" Hera confusingly asked, which earned a nod from both Tau and Gobi.
"Tau just wants to compare notes with Cham in their methods of fighting the Empire, and to learn more about how, if Cham can see reason, join the greater fights against the Empire." Gobi reassuringly said, which calmed Hera down, despite the suspicion that there was more to the story than what Tau had told Gobi.
"All right. You mind if I come with you, as I've got nothing better to do than target practice on some old droids, and that quickly got old?" Hera asked, earning a nod from Tau.
"Sure. Afterwards, how about I show you my ship. It's a CEC YT-1300 freighter that has a lot of modifications to it in order to make it faster, stronger, and smarter than it was originally designed. And, you can meet my crew, and they'll give you some pointers on taking care of a ship, just in case you ever want to own one of your own." Tau enthusiastically said, which filled Hera up with glee at the prospect of being inside such a fast ship.
"I'm holding you to that, Tau." Hera said as a warning for the Jedi to uphold his end of the bargain.
Tau only chuckled as he said, "I would expect nothing less from such a brave young woman. Now, let's meet your father, shall we?"
With that, the two Twi'leks and one human walked to where Cham Syndulla could be found: helping his men with their unarmed combat training. As he and his second-most trusted lieutenant, the former slave–turned freedom fighter Twi'lek that was named Isval sparred in order to show their men how to handle Imperial Stormtroopers in the event that they lost their blasters, Tau noticed the former Clone Trooper Boil watching from a distance next to a teal-skinned Twi'lek teenage girl that was observing every detail with the utmost accuracy.
Tau immediately realized that this young girl must have been Numa, the now approximately twelve year-old girl that aided the GAR in the liberation of her village from the cruel Separatist occupation of Ryloth. He then smiled at the touching surrogate sibling moment as the many freedom fighters observed Cham take down Isval through striking her off-balance on her right ankle, pushing her to the ground, and pinning her there with strong hand on her neck.
Cham then smiled in victory, and said, "Good try, Isval. Your technique is getting better." He helped his comrade up, and said to everyone, "All right. You've all had an ample demonstration of unarmed combat, now let's see you practice it. I want you all to pair up into groups of two, and show us how far you've come. Boil, you and Numa can team up for this one. Don't hold back, any of you, as even the slightest hesitation could end in your death."
Once the twelve attendants, including the former 212th Clone Trooper, began sparring with each other, Cham and Isval then turned his attention to the three guests, and disapprovingly said to Hera, "Daughter. You should be practicing your blaster technique. What are you doing here?"
"Father, I've already practiced for the last two hours today, I need a break. Besides, Gobi and I brought a friend for you to talk with." Hera insisted, not wanting to lose any ground to her father.
"It's my fault, General Syndulla. I told her that she could check out my ship after I spoke with you, and I figured that she could use some pointers for her mechanical skills, as she shows promise." Tau said, before he introduced himself to Cham and Isval, bowing as he said to the two of them, "Tau Nyl, at your service."
"So, you are the Jedi that helped arrange this summit." Isval curiously said as she appraised the young human that stood before her. She then said, "Why do you think that we care for what happens outside of Ryloth, young man?"
"Funny, I assumed that you realized that fighting alone against the might of the Empire is assured suicide, and that, only by fighting together, we can stand a chance at winning this war." Tau nonchalantly said before he continued, saying, "If you didn't believe that, then why are you here, as Lah'mu is a very long distance from Ryloth, where the bulk of your movement is fighting against Moff Delian Mors and her lieutenants, including your own mole within her command, Colonel Belkor Dray?"
At the mention of their mole's name, Hera gasped in surprise at this discovery, while Cham, Isval, and Gobi raised their blasters at the Jedi Knight, while the former said, "How did you get that information? Are you an Imperial spy?"
Tau merely laughed at that accusation as if a hilarious joke had just been told. But, before he could respond, an elderly sage-like voice said, "No, General Syndulla. Young Tau here isn't a spy for the Empire. He is merely a man who, apparently, sometimes doesn't know when to avoid a sensitive topic." Everyone then turned to see a blind Veknoid and a white-haired woman appear, and each of them carried a lightsaber of some kind.
Tau merely smiled at joy at the surprise arrivals, and joyously said to them, "Master Zao, Dark Woman! You made it."
"Wouldn't miss this meeting for the galaxy, Tau." An'ya Kuro graciously said, as the four Twi'leks looked at the duo of Jedi with caution.
After a moment, Cham said, "Lower your blasters. I doubt that they'd work on him anyway."
Gobi quickly followed his leader's lead, while Isval hesitated for a moment before she followed suit. She then said, "So, I take it that Tau here is a genuine Jedi?"
"Indeed he is, madam." Zao politely said before he continued, saying, "He is from the future, which is why he knew of your leak in this Moff Mors's staff, so you can rest easy on that regard."
The four Twi'leks then each looked like they were about to faint from shock, and Tau exasperatingly said to Zao, "Did you really have to tell them that last part before the summit began, because I don't want to be bombarded with questions about my timeline before I can pass out the records to the leaders of each group?"
"Well, if you hadn't told them about this Dray character, then I wouldn't have had to. Let that be a lesson to you, young one, to keep your vast intellect in check for those who do not yet understand the Force and its mysteries." Zao said in a scolding manner, while Tau look embarrassed at this lecture, and the Dark Woman looked amused at the lesson that he had to learn the hard way.
"Yes, Master Zao." Tau said in acknowledgement of the older Jedi's point before he humbly said to the still-speechless Twi'leks, "Sorry for speaking of sensitive matters, guys. Sometimes I let my mind run wild when it ought to be kept in check, and I speak out of turn. I apologize for this, but I would appreciate it if you kept what Master Zao told you to yourselves, at least until the summit begins, as I don't want it to be known to everyone that I know the future. Is that okay?"
"S-sure, Tau." Hera numbly said, before she asked in her father's place, "Can you at least tell us if Ryloth's free, and if the slave trade is over on the world?"
At the end of Hera's question, Tau smiled as he said, "That, I can answer, young Hera. Your home world is indeed free from tyranny, and the slave trade of your people has largely been driven from your world, and is practiced in much reduced numbers across the galaxy than in today's age."
"Well, at least we got most of what we wanted." Hera said, amazed at the news that the slavery on Ryloth was mostly stopped.
"Clearly, we have a lot to talk about when it's time for the summit to begin." Gobi said, eager to move on beyond a topic that would make his head spin.
Cham reluctantly sighed in defeat, knowing that the Jedi, for now, held all of the cards, and relief that, if what Tau said was true, than the majority of his people were free from the Empire and their own wicked traditions. He then nodded his head in acceptance of the delay, and said, "Agreed."
Isval was the only one who did not like the delay of the facts, but, seeing that she was outvoted, she nodded in acceptance of the idea, but said, "Fine. But, any ideas that I don't like, then all bets are off."
"Fair enough." Tau said in acceptance of the idea, before he realized something that might result in a firefight, he then turned to face the Dark Woman and Zao, and said "Don't give them the soup, or Isval and Cham would likely think that you're trying to poison them."
As the Twi'leks looked on in confusion, Zao looked crestfallen at the order, while An'ya looked amused at the idea of the two angry Twi'leks regurgitating the Veknoid's homemade soup.
Tau then said, "Well, General Syndulla, you mind if I ask a couple of questions, and then take Hera with me to my ship so that my crew can help her learn some extra skills, such as learning how to be a combat medic, learning some other hand-to-hand combat arts, and extra blaster techniques?"
"Just as long as it's nothing too sensitive, Jedi Nyl." Cham warned in acquiescence.
"Why did you bring Numa along, as I didn't think that you'd bring a prepubescent girl to a big summit?" Tau curiously asked as he saw Boil giving Numa some combat pointers as she attempted to bring him down.
"I thought that it would be good for her to learn in a new environment, and learn how outsiders work." Cham honestly said, before he saw Numa tackle Boil on the ground, and humorously said, "I honestly didn't think that she'd see one of the Clone Troopers that helped her during the Clone War. Well, on our side, at least. Where is his squad mate, uh… what's his name… Waxer! That's it."
At the mention of Waxer's name, Tau became crestfallen, and Gobi solemnly said, "He's dead, isn't he?"
"I'm afraid so, Gobi. He died due to the treachery of that blasted dar'jetii known as PongKrell on Umbara, before a now-imprisoned Clone Trooper killed Krell before the Umbarans could try to bust him out." Tau explained, making everyone lower each of their heads for a moment of silence for the fallen Republic soldier.
Once the moment passed, Cham said, "We'd better ask Boil to tell Numa the news. He's closest to her, and he's the closest thing that she's got to left to family."
"I already know." Numa's young but accented said, surprising everyone with her calm demeanor in the face of such tragic news. She appeared next to Boil, and continued, saying, "Boil toke me of the news after I asked where Waxer was. He also told me of how Rex and Kix were by his side when he passed, and how the Five-Oh-First and Two-Hundred and Twelfth Legions took Krell down before the traitor could betray everything that he once held dear. I will miss him dearly, but I'll take some comfort in knowing that his killer was brought to justice."
Tau then smiled warmly at the young woman, and said in commendation of the girl's fortitude, "You're a brave girl. You'll make a fine soldier, and perhaps… something more."
He then began to wonder if the girl could be willing to convert to Iluvatar and the Valar. Before he could say anything, Cham asked, "Anyway, Tau, any more questions for us, or can we get on with training our troops?"
"Well, I wanted to know how you'd like to work with ex-Confederate soldiers, more specifically, Ralon Zalveniad and the Nimbus Commandos, as we'll have them coming to this summit." Tau nervously said, knowing the nasty history between the Twi'leks and Confederacy due to Wat Tambor's cruelty and greed.
"I trust that you have a good reason for telling us this, Tau." Cham menacingly said, while Isval looked ready to strangle the Jedi where he stood.
"Well, Admiral Zalvenaid is the highest-ranking officer that survived the Imperial cleanup operations after the Clone War, and he's a gentlemen of an Arkanian officer, not to mention a solid tactician and strategist. And, the surviving Nimbus Commandos are just kids right now that could use some good guidance, which we can provide. Plus, I'll ask Ralon to stay away from you for the summit, while the rest of the CIS forces will stay on their ships in case the Empire attacks. Is the acceptable, General?"
"Fine." Cham grudgingly said, knowing that the liberation of Ryloth came first over his own personal preferences, and seeing the wisdom of Tau's argument. However, he said in warning, "Just keep the Separatists away from my people. I can't promise that my people will show the same level of restraint that I have."
"Fair enough." Tau said, knowing that the animosity between the Twi'leks and Separatist forces still ran deep over the last four years. He then said, "Well, that's it for my questions, General. I suppose that we'll introduce Hera to my crew, and we can train her in various skills."
"Okay. Just bring her back to camp in four hours." Cham said, before his two lieutenants, along with Boil and Numa, headed back to check up on the progress of their trainees.
"Understood. I just have to make a quick stop at Berch Teller's group in order to check up on their progress of acclimatizing to the summit." Tau said in agreement, before he, Hera, Zao, and An'ya left to head to the ex-Imperial Intelligence agent's camp.
Twenty Minutes Later
In Berch Teller's Camp
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Tau Pa-" Berch began to say before he was cut off through the Dark Woman's shake of her head, which made him realize what he was about to give away to the young Hera, who would have likely tried to kill the young man after learning of his true lineage.
Before Hera could ask what that was all about, Tau smoothly lied, saying to the teenage Twi'lek, "He just mixed up one of my aliases with my real name. I have many names in order to stay ahead of the Empire's spy network."
Hera nodded in understanding, and she was then greeted by Berch, who said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Syndulla. I've heard good things about your father, and I have no doubt that you will one day surpass him in his legacy."
Hera blushed in embarrassment at the high praise that was directed at her, and Berch's compatriots, Artoz, Cala, Anora Fair, Hask Taff, and Salikk warmly smiled at the young girl's humility.
"So, how have you guys been settling in here? No problems due to the makeshift warship that you've got orbiting the planet?" Tau asked.
"None whatsoever, Tau. Truth be told, they're impressed that we managed to cobble together a Providence-Class Dreadnought out of smuggled parts." Artoz replied.
"Good. We can't afford any division before our summit begins, especially with what's at stake." Tau said, the obvious relief evident in his voice before he breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, who are your friends?" Hask curiously asked, wondering just who these two Jedi were.
"Oh, right! Introductions. The human is the Jedi Master who calls herself the Dark Woman, and the blind Veknoid is the Jedi Master Zao."
"The Dark Woman? I've heard of you." Berch said, the moniker ringing several bells within his mind, as he received several reports from the Jedi spy during the Clone War. He then respectfully said, "Your activities saved a lot of lives during the war."
"And your brave stand against Tarkin's Antar Atrocities is worthy of note as well, Teller." The Dark Woman commented in an equally respectful tone.
"So, what is your war record, Master Zao?" Artoz curiously asked, intrigued as to what the other Jedi could contribute to this summit.
"I have no war record, Mon Calamari Knight." Zao simply said, before he continued, saying, "I am but a leaf blown by the Will of the Force, and follow it over the dogma of the Jedi High Council."
"Okay… Then why are you here, as this is where we are going to decide how to go to war against the Empire?" Salikk asked, astounded that a pacifistic Jedi was here in what the Gotal bet would soon be a war zone.
"Because, patriot of the Republic and Gotal people, Tau asked me to come and help serve as a moral compass to him and his friends, and I felt a calling in the Force to come here." Zao politely said, before he continued, saying, "Do not mistake my loyalty to the Force for pacifism, young warrior, for I am willing to kill truly evil beings in order to defend the lives of others, if it is necessary.
"It's true. He helped end the Volfe Karkko Crisis on Kiffex fifteen years ago, and helped Jedi on many occasions, such as Master Tholme before the Siege of Saleucami, and Master K'Kruhk and the Younglings under his care a few months after the Empire rose. He's an ally that we sorely need in these trying times, and a good source of counsel." Tau said in defense of the Jedi Master, easing the minds of every non-Jedi present.
He then continued, suggesting, "Now then, since you and the Dark Woman are on such good terms, why you guys discuss your starfighter complement, and how you can best position your forces for the defense fleet above Lah'mu, as we don't want any unwelcome visitors to pop in and report our position to the Empire?"
"Sounds good to me, Tau. She can definitely pull her weight around here, and we could use the advice of such an atypical Jedi." Anora said in agreement, with the others voicing similar comments.
"Glad to hear it. Well, we'd better get going, as we have only a few hours to show Hera my ship and some new skills." Tau said as he left Berch's camp, and, with Zao and Hera in close pursuit, the made their way to the ship in about ten minutes.
When they arrived there, they came across several familiar faces to Tau: the Cathar Jedi Jasmine Yajk, Miraluka Jedi Ulra Jasmine Vizla, the Iridonian Jedi Du, and the Mandalorain Jak Vizla, conversing with Celebion, A'Sharad, Arden, Ahsoka, and Kes.
Tau, overjoyed at seeing four more of his friends from his battles on Arda, ran towards them, and, after taking a moment to catch his breath from the exertion, said to the four old friends, "I'm glad to see that you're all here."
"Likewise, Tau." Jak stoically said, despite the smile that he had on his face at seeing the Jedi that he considered to be a kindred spirit due to their stained lineage.
"I see that you have two friends with you." Ulra said before she bowed to Zao, and said, "I am glad to see you again, Master Zao."
"Ulra. It has been so long since I've seen you." Zao said as he warmly chuckled at one of his informal pupils during a former mission with her and her master outside of the Clone War.
The two friends then embraced each other in a strong hug, while Du politely asked Tau, "So, who's your new friend?"
Hera then politely said, "It's nice to meet you, Master Jedi. My name is Hera Syndulla, and I was promised by Tau to have a chance to learn some tricks for medicine, mechanics, and unarmed combat practice."
"Well, I can show you some old-fashioned Mandalorian brawling, and Tau's doctor, Jarael Chantique, is one hell of a medical teacher. As for the mechanic training, I'd ask Ventis Uriel for some pointers, as Arden here told us of how he helped get this bucket of bolts up and running at full capacity again. Oh, and don't bother with that 'Master Jedi' nonsense, as we're all just Jedi Knights. Just call us by our names. I'm Du, and this is Kes, Jasmine, Ulra, and the Mandalorian is Jak."
"Thanks for the inclusion, Du." Jak mock-annoyingly said.
Before he could continue, however, Tau, referring to the mud and blood stains on Du's face and armor, asked the Zabrak, "So, are you okay, as you look like you got in a fight with a gundark? And the gundark won."
"Ha, ha. Very funny, Tau." Du sardonically said before he explained his current appearance, saying, "I was grappling with several Dwarves in order to figure out how they can last for days on their feet on a battlefield."
"You do realize that grappling with a Dwarf, is not the best idea right Du? They have almost all the advantages against you: they have low centers of gravity, their legs are shorter you would have to get on your knees... I mean come on you saw what happened!" Kes exclaimed in exasperation at how Du ignored her warnings of not fighting against three dwarves at once.
"Hey, I can only improve if I practice." Du grinned, "Besides it's a challenge. I know all the intricacies of wrestling them, that's why I asked for a match."
Kes shook her head in amusement.
"Anyway…" Jak drawled out in order to get everyone's attention, and he then told Tau, "Tau, Viridian and Daniel want to speak to you, Celebion, and Ahsoka on the Second Chance immediately. The two of them said it was about a change in plans regarding our procurement of weapons for the cause."
Instantly catching on to what Jak was referring to, Tau kept a calm sabacc face as he nodded in appreciation to the Mandalorian, and said to Hera, "I'll just be a few minutes. In the meantime, you can get started with Jak on your combat training, and in a little while, I'll introduce you to the rest of my crew. How's that sound?"
"Sounds good to me." Hera enthusiastically said, which relieved Tau immensely, as he sensed no deception coming from her.
As Jak took Hera about fifty meters from the ship to begin her training, Tau said to the other Jedi, "Keep an eye on her, and do not let her onboard the ship until our conversation's done." Everyone nodded at the order, and the Jedi Knight, rebel spymaster, and Dúnedain Ranger made their way into the ship, where Viridian awaited them, with Daniel showing up in holographic form.
"Tau, I would like to speak with you. I don't think we should be using these weapons." Daniel began.
Before Tau could respond to the spontaneous decision on Daniel's part, Viridian sighed, and continued the train of thought, saying. "After many a debate, I am in agreement, I can't in good consciousness use those weapons either."
"On one hand I can completely understand the idea of having a weapon of mass destruction." Daniel began, "I'm not afraid of a reasonable power having them because they are not willing to use however what I do fear is the Emperor he's a maniac and is more than willing to use them." Daniel stated, "The way I see it, these weapons should only be used as a last resort, in the event we do end up using them... then we failed."
"So what is your plan?" Celebion asked, wondering where this miracle of an idea was going, due to his vehement disapproval over the Empire's superweapons being used by anyone.
Daniel looked over at Tau, "I did a great deal of research into the Yuuzhan Vong war in your historical records, from what I gather the Yuuzhan Vong civilization has yet to arrive correct?"
"Yes. That's correct, Daniel." Tau confirmed, before he continued, saying, "At most, there's maybe a small fleet's worth of ships, and several spies that are working to undermine the galaxy's political structure, and let me tell you, they are as deadly as a Sith Assassin."
He vividly remembered the tales about the most infamous spy that was among the Yuuzhan Vong, Nom Anor, from the gladiator that called himself Vua Rapuung told Edaan when he ran away from his family as a little child.
"So... they are still in the intergalactic void." Daniel said.
"What are you thinking Daniel?" Ahsoka asked.
"According to the records, there is only one way into and out of the galaxy due to the strange anomaly that surrounds us, or as we now know the shield that Iluvatar put around our galaxy. What I am thinking is to fortify the entrance, give it a gate house if you will, and stop the Vong in their tracks before they can even start the invasion." Daniel explained.
"But we can't keep them their forever. They'll all die out eventually, and I'm not going to let an entire species die, even one as messed up as the Vong. Besides, there'll be the recruits and converts that we'll have gained by that point." Tau argued, seeing the merits in that plan, but worried of the risks involved.
"You do realize they killed about 365 trillion people during their invasion, right?" Daniel asked with an eyebrow raised, "I don't want to kill them either but we're not look at Vem Carr and the Vong under his command, even... Zimur."
Viridian closed his eyes at the mention of that name as he remembered Vong commander's noble sacrifice during the campaign on Arda.
"Now that I think about it... there may be a way. The thing is, the Yuuzhan Vong do respect the agreements of their honor duels right?" Viridian asked.
"They destroyed Ithor despite Shedao Shai's word." Daniel told him, "However, if we have a champion to challenge their Supreme Overlord…" he began.
"Then we can defeat Shimmrra, expose Omini for the puppet master that he is, and convince the Yuuzhan Vong to coexist with us. That plan's crazy, but it's better than the alternatives in front of us. And, we can still prepare our armies and navies for war, just in case we fail, not to mention the present dangers of Sauron, Abeloth, and the Nephillim." Tau said, finishing the train of thought.
"Yeah... like I said gate house force them to parley with us then defeat Shimmrra, and Omini." Daniel said, "They want to come in, they will play by the rules."
"So... who wants to find Zonama Zekkot?" Viridian asked.
"I know where it will be within a handful of years. It'll be in the Klasse Ephemora System, orbiting the gas giant of Mobus. I can ask Obi-Wan to head there in…. say, five years, and try to negotiate an agreement with the sentient world." Tau said as he planned the best idea for bringing Zonama Sekot into the Shadow Alliance's ranks.
"If he is up to it." Viridian replied.
"Well, let's hope so, because, without Luke Skywalker and Jacen Solo, and unless we can redeem Vader ahead of schedule, Obi-Wan's the best hope that we've got of bringing the planet into the fold." Tau worriedly replied.
He then continued, saying, "Well, we can have Ferus watch over Luke and Amber until he returns. And, we might be able to convince Thrawn to come along with Master Kenobi, as he won't want to miss the chance to learn more about a seed world of the Vong."
Daniel felt an immediate sense of dread when he uttered his wife's name; he looked around for a moment to see if someone overheard, "Please try not to say those things to out loud." Daniel whispered, "I still think the woman who attacked her is with in Remnant's midst and I am... a little paranoid."
"Oh." Tau meekly said, before he nodded in understanding, and said, "Good idea. We'll keep their location between us until the traitor's found. Now all we have to do is figure out how to sell this idea to our more militant allies, as they won't want to risk everything on the supernatural and an honor duel."
"I still think the Gate house idea is the best way to go about this." Daniel said, "Think of it like a glorified check point with tons of ships and stations there to basically say, 'come and try it.' so in case they do try to break through if they did break through then they will be significantly weaker than they were in your timeline... at least that's the hope."
"I agree. I'm just saying that it'll be difficult to get everyone to agree to this plan." Tau replied, not wanting his caution to be misunderstood.
"I don't see how, I mean... maybe from a recourse point to blockade the only known gap in the hyperspace barrier it might not be feasible at this time, but still I don't see how they would disagree with it?" Daniel pointed out, "I got this idea from Ozpin and Ironwood no less, and Ironwood is one of the most prominent generals on Remnant."
"Well, then, we'd better move forward with our naval buildup, as we need something big to deliver if we're going to convince Syndulla and Gerrera on this plan." Tau said, praying to Iluvatar that the two stubborn Rontos would agree with their new plans for protecting the galaxy.
"How long until the forces of Remnant arrive, as time is of the essence, now more than ever." Tau worriedly asked Daniel.
"Two days, at the most. And Janus and the Carthean ships will be here within thirty-six hours, as they're battling a small force of the Knights of Olpaka in order to gain more information on the Nephilim, since they might have battled them before." Daniel responded, which earned a relieved sigh from Tau, Ahsoka, and Celebion.
"Good. We'll need to integrate them quickly into our forces if we're going to stand a chance against the Empire. Send me the dossier on them, and I'll inform our leaders to expect their arrival." Ahsoka said, which Viridian and Daniel nodded in agreement to.
"Already done. Here you go." Viridian said as he handed Ahsoka a datapad with all of the information on the Remnant and Carthean forces that would attend the summit.
"Thanks." Ahsoka said, amazed at how well-prepared the two Jedi were at her request, and said, "Well, I'd better get to reading, as I've got a lot to catch up on in the next day or two. I'll see you guys later." She then pecked Tau's cheek before she departed the ship, and everyone else then went to do their respective duties for the next few hours while Hera was in their care.
However, before Viridian could leave the Second Chance, Celebion stopped him, and said to him, "What made you change your mind on these superweapons, Viridian, as I recall that you argued pretty passionately for using them when the time came?"
Viridian, knowing that the Dúnedain Ranger wouldn't stop unless he received nothing but the pure truth, he sighed in defeat, and said, "The prospect of being a father changed me, old friend. Seeing Kes so joyous at being able to have our child, and seeing all of the kids on Remnant train for their war against the Grimm, made me realize that, even if we use these weapons with the utmost restraint, they would still cause devastation to countless families and innocents. I don't want that for anyone, not even the worst of my enemies, as their families don't deserve to suffer for the actions of the sinners. That is what changed my mind."
Celebion then nodded in approval and gratitude at his friend's growing wisdom, and said, "Don't worry, Viridian. We will defeat these evils that a threaten us, and we will do it without sacrificing who we are as people in order to do so."
"I know. The only questions are what will the cost be for success, and what will happen to the galaxy if we fail." Viridian said as the two friends walked out of the ship to see Jak grappling with Hera, and they both agreed to drop the conversation for another time, and just enjoy the peace that would soon give way to war.
Well, that ends the longest chapter that I've written in this story to date. And to think that it only took me a handful of days to write, as most of the last portion of it was written by me and Squasher over email a little while back. So, what did you think of the chapter? Did you like by blend of "Canon" and "Legends" material, as I enjoyed doing that very much? So, I suppose that I owe you an explanation or two: Yes, Tau and his friends were originally going to use the Empire's superweapons to defend the galaxy from the Yuuzhan Vong, rogue Celestials, Nephilim, Knights of Olpaka, and Empire itself. But, after Squasher and I gave the matter a great deal of thought, we decided that the route that I wrote about in this chapter was a better way to go, as it wasn't so close to using the Sith's own tactics against them. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter, as it may be the last one that I publish for a while, due to my increasing workload of school and my job, especially over the majority of public schools in my area being released for Spring Break next week, where I'll be working for four days from 3/30/18 to 4/6/18. I'll be busy with work, and two projects that I need to get started on soon, so my updates may not come as quickly as I'd like. I hope that you understand, and I will do my best to write as quickly and efficiently as I can. Well, I guess that that's it for today, which is March 27, 2018. May the Force and Iluvatar be with you, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!