Good evening, followers of the Star Wars Expanded Universe! How are you doing on this cool night of March 30, 2017? I am well, if not a little bit tired, but that can be expected when you mow your parents' entire lawn today, as well as go to community college and do some homework there today. Now then, Powerslammer, Master Skywalker 121; thank you both so much for the honest and thoughtful responses to the questions that I sent you, as they really lifted my spirits, as well as gave me further resolve to continue and conclude my stories. I will do my best to live up to the two of your expectations. Anyway, speaking of fanfictions, two of the best stories that I've ever read were updated in the last three days, and they are IV: Holocaust and The Witcher:My Heart Will Always Recognize You. I would highly recommend them to any fans of both Mass Effect and The Witcher, as they are both to die for. And, speaking of Mass Effect, how far along are you guys in Mass Effect: Andromeda, as I have almost finished Mission Three, and am ready to tackle the Aya vault? It's too bad that I can't bring my Xbox One console with me to Florida, otherwise, I would play it a lot while I was there, and I go there to visit my grandparents. Anyway, are you guys enjoying the final season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, because I've enjoyed what little I've seen so far, as it is very serious, dark, and gritty, which is how a lot of shows should be, if you want my opinion. Now, let's get started on the next chapter of Jedi Odyssey: Shadow War III: Tribulation, as it will be very enjoyable, I promise you that much. Oh, one more thing. The reason that I had Krayt suspect, and not know, that Edaan and Tau were spies for the Jedi was because I know that he is very perceptive and smart in terms of strategy and cunning, as shown in the Legacy comics when he perceived the Galactic Alliance Remnant, Empire-in-Exile, and New Jedi Order's defense of the Hidden Temple on Taivas, but not quite at the level of the original Grand Admiral Thrawn, who is in a league of his own.
(April 1, 2017, 6:02 PM, Addendum.) Hello, all of my friends and followers. Sorry to add what is likely the first addendum to this chapter, but I have some very exciting news that cannot wait. As of over twenty-six hours ago, Powerslammer's best story, Rajmael of Clan Lavellan, was updated with a huge chapter, and it is perfect. I tell you, you won't find a better Dragon Age: Inquisition, or any Dragon Age story, for that matter, fanfiction anywhere else across the entire internet. Oh, and, a couple of days ago, MandoCommander's latest story, Star Wars: Rebels: The Promised Day, was updated, and boy, this story has taken a very dark turn. I highly recommend each of these stories to all of you, as they are beyond excellent works.
The Next Day
Day 95 Since the Shadow Alliance's Formation
Six Days Until Operation: Endgame
0600 Hours
In the Citadel's Cell Blocks
Adari was despondent right now, as she could still scarcely believe that her beloved Edaan was now Sith trooper under Darth Krayt's control. It was for this reason that she could not sleep anymore, and began to silently weep in her shared cell with Vestara, who quickly took notice at this and tried to offer her words of comfort, but the Keshiri woman could not be reached through her grief.
After about ten minutes of watching her newfound friend shake in emotional distress, she sensed a very familiar presence in the Force grow steadily closer, and, knowing that Adari needed to know about this, she told her, "Adari, Edaan is coming to this cell, and he's alone."
Those ten words were enough to make Adari stop her violent shivers, and look at Vestara through her bloodshot eyes and brokenly say, "Why? He's one of them now. What business could he have with me?"
"I don't know. But we need to be ready for anything, as he could be coming to try and get information out of us, so you need to get your head out from your heart, and into the game, as the Edaan that you and I know is gone." Vestara sadly said before she gave Adari a fierce hug in order to motivate her.
As soon as she let go, Adari's trademark look of determination that she had when she set her mind to something had returned, and she grimly said, "You're right. If the Edaan that I love is gone, then the least that I can do is live long enough to avenge him. I know that that's not what he would have wanted, but vengeance is all that I've got left."
"That's the spirit, Adari Thayn Palpatine." Vestara said, not particularly fond of Adari using revenge to survive, as she knew how dangerous using such dark emotions was, but she knew that Adari would need every tool in her arsenal in order to survive the trials that inevitable lay ahead until Ben and the others had arrived to eradicate the Sith and their remaining followers. Moments later, the doors to the women's cell opened up, revealing a heavily armored Sith trooper that both women knew all too well from the gladiator match that took place less than twenty-four hours ago, and the two girls shivered a little upon seeing the twisted and tattooed face that once belonged to the gentle and kind Edaan Palpatine, as he had purposely taken off his mask, likely in an attempt to intimidate the two Force-sensitives.
Despite the fear that both Adari and Vestara no doubt felt, Edaan could also sense an indomitable will, fire, and defiance from the two women, which greatly pleased him, as he knew how strong the two of them could be if prodded in the right direction. He then nodded to the two prison guards that watched over their charges, and he then entered the room, with the door closed behind him, and he then quietly signaled for Chopper, who was in the main security room of Darth Krayt's citadel, to put the security for the cell into a loop, allowing him complete privacy as he began to speak to them, with concern lacing his voice as he said, "Are the two of you alright? I know that the Sith here are very savage, no offense, Vestara, and that they aren't very gentle or merciful with their prisoners, or anyone, for that matter."
"What's it to you, Sith scum?" Adari venomously seethed as she looked up at the mockery of her husband, who, for some strange reason, made her insides turn into mush with his false-concerned look in his black and blue eyes.
"Adari, don't worry. It's me, your husband, Edaan Palpatine." Edaan said in a reassuring tone, which nearly made Adari believe her words before the brutal reality set back in, and abhorrently she spat in Edaan's eye, which grossed him out as he said, "Ugh! I hate it when people do that. And that's happened to me many times before, unfortunately."
"Enough with the games, monster! Just torture us already, since that's got to be the only reason that you came to see us since Edaan's gone for good." Vestara brokenly said as she stared into the twisted mockery of her dear friend that saved her from drowning in her darkness and despair.
"Ves…" Edaan said as the reality of the situation set in before he realized how he could convince the two women that he was still Edaan. It was then that a very crazy and embarrassing idea hit him. He then turned back to Adari, and suddenly said, "Adari, do you want me to tell Vestara here of your secret spot?"
Adari's skin then turned a lighter shade of purple upon hearing those words uttered, and Vestara's attention was instantly piqued as she cautiously said, "Adari, what is the Sith trooper talking about?"
"Well, Ves, beneath Adari's back is a little spot that only I know about that, when rubbed, causes her to gasp and-" Edaan began to explain before he was cut off by Adari.
"Okay, Edaan, stop! I believe you. Just don't say anymore." Adari practically pleaded to her husband as she acknowledged that Edaan was telling the truth.
"Okay." Edaan nonchalantly said as he turned to face Vestara again and said, "And Vestara, do you want me to tell Adari about who we talked with when you entered my sub consciousness, and you finally reaccepted the Light Side of the Force into your soul?"
Vestara's eyes shot up in recognition of that knowledge, and, beginning to believe that Edaan was really still consciously alive. In order to confirm her rising hopes, she then said, "Alright. I think that the best way for Edaan to prove that he's still with us is for him to kiss Adari with all of the passion and love that he can muster. Are the two of you up for it?"
"Okay." Edaan and Adari simultaneously, and quite eagerly, said as the two of them warmly embraced each other, and their lips met in a fiery and passionate embrace that lasted for ten blissful seconds as the two of them reacquainted with each other their partner's tongues' taste. After the ten seconds ended, the two parted from their embrace, and Adari said, "I guess Tau kept his promise, and helped you survive the transformation into a cyborg."
"Yeah. We owe my newfound brother big time." Edaan admitted as he rubbed the back of his head in bashfulness.
"That we do, Edaan. That we do." Adari said before she turned the conversation to more serious matters and asked the following two questions, "What's the status of the invasion, and how are Tau and the others holding up?"
"Tau's been in contact with Ben, and there are just six days left until Operation: Endgame begins. He's recovered from the brutal beating that I gave him in order for the two of us to maintain our covers, and sends his regards. Everyone else is holding on, but according to Chopper Jaden and X2 are in huge trouble, because Krayt is creating another Iteration, this one of Jaden Korr, and is planning to send him to infiltrate the Jedi's ranks once they arrive so that he can report back critical information back to Krayt."
"Does Krayt still suspect that you and Tau are spying on him for the Shadow Alliance, as I heard from the guards that Krayt is taking precautions on the two of you, such as sending you to the front with the rest of the Sith troopers, as well as putting a control chip in Tau's brain in order to keep him from spilling any of Krayt's secrets?" Vestara asked, acting on her suspicions that began to form a few hours ago.
After Edaan sighed in weariness, he said, "I don't know. I thought that our performances during the brawl were perfect, but Krayt must have thought that they were too perfect, because we all know that he's not an idiot, and he's known for his precautions and safeguards."
"That he is, Edaan; that he is." Vestara said in concurrence, before she said, "So, how are we planning to escape the cells, as I'm sure that Krayt will have tightened security beyond belief for the remaining prisoners, especially the Force-sensitives among all of us?"
"Don't worry about that. Leave everything to Chopper, as he's got a plan." Edaan confidently said, much to the shock of the two women.
"Chopper?! You're saying that all of our hopes for escape lie in the hands of that selfish and ancient C1 astromech droid? Edaan, have you finally lost your mind?!" Adari said in disbelief to her husband.
"I know that the situation isn't ideal, but Chopper is a very resourceful droid, and he's loyal to Zeb and Sabine, who are loyal to us and our cause, so try and have a little faith in him. He might surprise you for the better." Edaan said in defense of his droid ally, much to the surprise of the two women that were residing in the cell that he was currently in.
"Well, let's hope so, because it looks like that we don't have much of a choice in the matter since Krayt's cracking down hard on us harder than the First Galactic Empire cracked down on Ahakista after they installed the Hub within the planet, and Ahakista's inhabitants revolted nearly a year after the Battle of Yavin." Edaan said while he referred to a very old and very irrelevant historical fact.
"Okay, you're definitely Edaan, all right." Vestara dryly said, her sense of humor returning after days of nearly wallowing in despair, earning an earnest smile from Edaan before his expression turned serious and he put back on his Sith trooper mask and said, "May the Force be with me." He then gave Adari another warm hug before he left the cell and left the two relieved women alone.
One Day Later
Day 96 Since the Shadow Alliance's Formation
Five Days Until Operation: Endgame
1200 Hours
In Tau's Chambers
"You want me to what?!" Tau disbelievingly said as he heard the proposal that his brother had just given to him.
"You heard me. I want you to teach me how to break through the Dark Side miasma in order to communicate with Ben. With that blasted control chip inside of your head, you can't give any more information to the Shadow Alliance, and if you even try to get that chip out, then your head will literally explode! We need to let them know so that they can have a surgeon standing by in order to get Nala Se' handiwork out of your mind."
"Edaan, do you realize just what it is that you ask of me? Breaking through the Dark Side's shroud of Korriban isn't something that you just learn overnight. And, even if you can learn this skill, there's no guarantee that you will be able to reach Ben through the Force. To make matters worse, there's a significant chance that Krayt, or one of his minions, for that matter, could detect your communication through the Force, as it takes a subtle use of the Force in order to avoid detection by the One Sith." Tau said in protest of Edaan's suggestion.
"Well, Tau, thanks to our five deceased masters, I tend to pick up new skills quite quickly. In addition, I imagine that Ben and I still share a powerful bond through the Force, even though we've been apart for over a year. Third, I now have a lot of anger inside of me due to Krayt's grave transgressions against innocent children, so I can use that in order to mask my efforts to reach Ben, just in case my efforts are too unconcealed for Krayt to pick up on." Edaan said as he countered each of Tau's arguments.
After trying, and failing, to come up with another argument in order to protest Edaan's mad proposal, Tau sighed in defeat and said, "Fine. You win, Edaan. But, we'll have to move fast, as we've only got about five days until all hell breaks loose."
Edaan then clasped his hands together as if he was sealing a deal, and then said, "Good. I'll be back in two hours after I've checked up on Chopper and his progress with his plan, and then we can then begin the training."
As soon as Edaan left the room, Tau despondently sighed, and quietly whhispered to himself, "Why in the name of the Force did I have to be a clone of Edaan Palpatine?"
Fourteen Hours Later
Day 97 Since the Shadow Alliance's Formation
Four Days Until Operation: Endgame
In the Mandalore System
In the City of Kyrimorut
In the SoroSuub Horizon-class Star Yacht, the Jade Shadow
Luke and Ben Skywalker were very exhausted, as they had just spent the bulk of the day aiding the Mandalorians' reconstruction efforts of their city of Kyrimorut. The two of them helped by using the Force to clear out many huge piles of debris, aiding the medics that were tending to wounded that were still being sheltered in makeshift camps inside and outside of the recovering city, and assisting with the construction of new buildings, such as a new command center for the Mandalorians and the Shadow Alliance, as well as apartments and restaurants for the residents of the city.
The two Jedi Masters were about to retire for the evening when they were just finishing up with answering a transmission from two married Jedi Council members, Kam and Tionne Solusar, as well as the two Mandalorians known as Jaing Skirata and Goran Beviin, as the four of them were tasked with leading a task force of Jedi Knights, Mandalorians, and Galactic Alliance soldiers and scholars in order to find an alleged Sith shrine that supposedly resided deep beneath the Jedi Temple on Courscant, and was largely responsible for the original Jedi Order's blindness to the threats of the Dark Side over the millennia. According to the report that the four people were delivering, the Sith shrine had indeed existed since the Great Hyperspace War, and housed many Sith artifacts, such as Holocrons, ancient superweapons, and a massive repository of tomes, scrolls, and books that were heavily tainted by the Dark Side's insidious grip.
"And you're positive that the artifacts that you've discovered within the Sith shrine are authentic?" Luke Skywalker gravely said as he rubbed his stubble of a beard in deep thought upon bearing the implications of what the four warriors were saying to him and his son.
"Completely, Master Skywalker." Jaing said in a faux-offended tone upon hearing the insinuation that his word could be doubted before he continued, saying, "Goran and Tionne have authenticated at least ten of the holocrons as real, and the two of them, as well as the Sith scholars that Chief Dorvan sent us, are trying to understand the Sith superweapons that they left behind without turning them on. Not to mention that we had to deal with six humongous Sith monoliths that guarded the Sith Shrine, so I'd have to say that this place has a HUGE amount of value for the ancient Sith."
"I'm sorry. I did not mean to doubt you, or your word, Jaing. I merely wanted to make sure that you might not have made a mistake, as the Sith have fooled all of the major galactic powers at least once in this five-thousand-year-plus war." Luke said as he raised his hands in a conciliatory manner.
"True enough, Skywalker, true enough. So, how do you want us to proceed with handling these dangerous artifacts, as I'm willing to bet that the One Sith will be on the hunt for these treasures, if they survive your invasion, that is?" Jaing said in agreement before he asked the grave question.
"I can't make this kind of decision alone. I'll have to take it up with the Jedi High Council, as dealing with such a massive amount of Sith artifacts shouldn't be decided with one person alone, not to mention that I'm no longer the Grand Master of the Jedi Order. But, I'm sure that the Shadow Alliance can't spare a few Star Destryers and freighters, given the importance of this find." Luke said.
"Fine. We'll just have to hold the fort down here until you assemble the rest of the Council. You might want to hurry, though, because I doubt that we've fought off the last of those Sith monoliths. "Kam Solusar frustratingly said upon hearing about the delay.
"In the meantime, that will give Goran and I more time to understand how these superweapons work, as there could be many other similar weapons buried within the catacombs of Korriban. I have to say, Goran is a very knowledgeable about the Sith and their history, which I didn't' expect from a mercenary, no offense, Goran. But, then again, maybe I shouldn't' be so surprised, as the Mandalorians likely know just as much about the Sith as we do, if not more." Tionne Solusar said in jovial spirits, as she was enjoying Goran's company due to his similar interest in discovering the truth in all kinds of things.
"Thank you, Master Solusar. And don't worry, no offense taken, as I've been called way worse things from my friends and family for my life choices." Goran cheerfully said before he continued, saying, "And I have to remember to thank Mand'alor for sending me beneath your temple, because I've actually had a very good time down here, what with killing a bunch of giant Sith abominations, as well as deciphering ancient artifacts in order to gain an edge against our enemies."
"Well, I'm glad that you're all having a good time down there, because we're about to embark on the biggest battle between the Jedi and Sith since our invasion of Kesh, and we didn't even have the support of so many galactic governments over four years ago, not to mention that we were still pariahs in the Galactic Alliance all of those years ago." Ben said, eager to get this conversation over with, as wanted to go to sleep since he had been feeling a nagging sensation in the back of his head for the past hour.
Before Luke could scold his son, a spectral image of a man enclosed in Sith armor appeared to the right of the two of them, and the two Jedi Masters were on their guard as they got up from their seats and ignited their lightsabers in two defensive positions.
The unknown Sith then raised his hands up in a surrendering gesture and said in a very familiar voice, "Whoa, whoa, easy there guys! It's me, the one and only Edaan Palpatine. I only look like this because I've been encased in this accursed Sith trooper armor for eight days straight, with it only being taken off when I had to recover with my battle with Tau."
Upon hearing the slightly cybernetic voice of the young Jedi Knight, as well as gauging the specter's Light-Side affiliation through the Force, the two Jedi Masters dropped their guard, and Luke said to Goran, Jaing, Kam, and Tionne, "All right, guys. I'm going to have to call you later. We have a guest that we need to speak to at once." Before anyone could ask what Luke what was talking about, Luke shut off the communicator, and, turning back to the astral projection of Edaan, Luke then said, "Edaan, how are you projecting an image of yourself? I thought that Tau was the only one that could break through the concentration of Dark Side energy of Korriban, and we haven't heard from him in a few days, so we assumed the worst about him and feared that he was dead."
"No, I'm afraid that he is in dire straits, you guys. Nala Se and several of the Sith's 'doctors' have placed an inhibitor chip inside of his mind that will kill him if he tries to divulge any of the One Sith's secrets to anyone, or if he tries to nullify it through the usage of the Force." Edaan gravely said, shocking the two Skywalkers. He then continued, saying, "Anyway, Tau taught me how to outmaneuver the One Sith's senses and communicate with you guys. But, back to the matter at hand, once the Shadow Alliance invades Korriban, you guys need to have the best neurosurgeons and medical droids standing ready for Tau, because we need to get that control chip out of him as soon as possible, because it's only a matter of time before something happens that causes his head to literally explode."
"Consider it done, Edaan." Ben said before he shifted his feet and nervously said, "How… how is Vestara doing? Have the Sith done anything to her?" This line of questioning earned an amused look from his father, and Ben then scowled at him in annoyance.
"Don't worry, Ben. She might be a little bruised, but otherwise, she's alright. Oh, and, judging from her nervousness, she's really eager to see you again." Edaan then said, causing Ben's cheeks to flush a bright color of crimson red.
"Getting back to the matter at hand, guys…" Luke said in an effort to get the meeting back on track, and then continued, saying, "Try and keep us appraised of any developments on your end, as any advantage that we can gain over the One Sith could be crucial in winning this shadow war."
"Of course, Master Skywalker. Oh, there is one more thing that I should tell you. Thanks to Chopper's efforts at reprogramming several dozen droids, I learned that another Iteration was created, this one of Jaden Korr, and plans to infiltrate the Shadow Alliance's ranks once you guys invade. However, Krayt is leaving the original Jaden and X2 alive so they can 'watch the Shadow Alliance's demise.' So, unless Jaden comes with either us or X2, assume that he's the Iteration, and hold him for interrogation. Understand?" Edaan said as his spectral image began to dissipate into nothingness.
"Understood, Edaan. Stay safe, and may the Force be with you." Luke said as Edaan's spiritual projection completely vanished, leaving the two surviving Skywalkers alone in the Jade Shadow to ponder the latest report from their strike team on Korriban.
"Well, it looks like that we have yet another piece of vital intelligence to deliver to High Command tomorrow morning, so we'd better get some much-needed sleep before the next briefing at 0900 hours tomorrow." Ben annoyingly said as he stretched his muscles from standing almost completely still for the last twenty minutes.
"Agreed, Ben. I shouldn't even be up this late. I'm getting too old for this, especially since I'm almost seventy-six years old." Luke said in concurrence as the two Jedi made their way to their respective cabins on the Jade Shadow in order to get a few hours of much-needed sleep before they returned to their respective duties.
And, that's a wrap on the latest chapter of Star Wars: Jedi Odyssey: Shadow War III: Tribulation! So, what did you guys think of this chapter? Oh, before you say anything, yes, I now realize that I've called Darth Wyyrlok's daughter two different names, Chantique and Sorzus, but from this point on, I'm making her name Sorzus. Anyway, I have to tell you that tomorrow, I am going down to Florida for a few days in order to visit my grandparents, so I might not be able to write the next chapter for at least a week. So, the prequel comic book series, Injustice 2, and the novel Star Wars: Thrawn are released next Tuesday, and boy, am I excited for these new pieces of entertainment to come out. Well, only four days left in the Star Wars universe until the Shadow Alliance invades Korriban, and, as the saying goes, all hell breaks loose. So, what are your expectations for the Siege of Korriban? Tell me what you expect in reviews and emails, and I will take your request into consideration as I prepare to write the final book in my Jedi Odyssey saga. Now, if only these stories could become official Expanded Universe novels. That would give me a heart attack of pure joy. Well, a man can dream. Anyway, it's time for me to go for today, which is April 5, 2017. May the Force be With You, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!