On Coruscant Vader reports to Emperor Palpatine in person to inform him of Soelin's failure over Ryndori and the orders issued to his replacement, Admiral Mepone.
Enraged that this band of rebels are becoming increasingly troublesome he asks Vader if the planet in question could be aligned with the rebellion.
"Soelin didn't believe so, he stated that it's leaders were more than cooperative when they learned of their guests true intentions." Vader replies.
"I sense you are troubled my friend." Palpatine says.
"There is something else, Soelin claimed one of the Jedi was Padawan Kai."
"He must have been mistaken. However I do sense there is more going on than we know on Ryndori."
"Shall I assign a permanent garrison to the planet?" Vader asks.
"No, not at this time. It is beyond our borders so for now we must concentrate our efforts on the worlds under our rule. However we will keep our eyes on Ryndori." Palpatine says. "At such time if we learn they are allied with the rebellion we will exact our vengeance on them then. Now to more important business, the first of our new Imperial Class Star Destroyers will come out of production within the next year." Palpatine says displaying the holo of the much larger destroyer as well as designs for new fighters, weapons, uniforms, etc. "They will be the first in a long line of things to come to represent the might of the Empire! The second vessel out of production will be called the Exactor and will serve as your flagship."
"Thank you, my Master." Vader replies.
The next day after Soelin and his ships left Ryndori the Prime Minister makes contact with the Rebellion to thank them for their efforts to keep them disassociated in the Empire's eyes.
Standing alongside the Prime Minister are Representative Fogan and General Marin. As before Colonel Rieekan and Senator Taneel are present in the transmission, patched in from Chandrila; from the Utapau base alongside the image of Major Garan are Commander Kesaro, Consul Harke and the Brath Brothers.
At first it seemed that Ryndori's leader was going to withdraw their support since they were discovered so soon after meeting with Taneel. However as he continued to speak the Alliance members realized that the Prime Minister intended to honor his word for their allegiance.
"I will be honest when I first met Senator Taneel I thought you were just after the means and the money to fight your civil war on your own. However after you warned us of the Imperial presence nearby and seeing your pilots, your troops, your men and women of all different races lay down their lives for us . . . for our home. I am convinced now more than ever that your cause is just. We must band together to help each other and the galaxy from the tyranny of the Empire. Ryndori would be honored to join the Alliance."
"Prime Minister you have our condolences for those lost to Ryndori but we thank you for your pledge to the Alliance." Taneel says.
"I thank you Senator Taneel, we are honored to call you our friends as well as allies." The Prime Minister replies. "Major Garan, I would like to commend you on your efforts; your plan went off almost without a hitch."
"Almost Sir?" Garan says curiously.
The Prime Minister explains that while he understood and supported General Marin's order for their fighters to pose as Rebels to assist Fleet Commander Balek the only thing that worries him now is that Ryndori has nothing to defend her. The Sabre's cannot return to Ryndori, if the Empire found out everything would be undone and they would be right back to square one.
Garan informs him he has already spoken in great detail about that with Commander Kesaro and Lady Harke. And while they haven't quite figured out the details yet they plan to setup a watch post or roving patrols to keep eyes on Ryndori, more importantly on any Imperial activity within the sector.
However Garan is shocked when the Prime Minister advises him not to claiming if they are to appear disassociated with with the Rebellion there can be no rebel presence in the area.
"I hereby donate our T-55 fighters to the cause of the Alliance to Restore the Republic." says the Prime Minister. "Commander Kesaro, I'm assigning you into the capable hands of Colonel Rieekan and Major Garan. You will brief our pilots on the situation and inform them of our mission."
"Yes Sir." Kesaro says beaming with pride.
"Colonel Rieekan, I trust when the war permits you will allow our pilots to return home from time to time if they so wish." says the Prime Minister.
"You have my word." Rieekan replies.
"Very good, then I think we are done here for today."
"May the Force be with you and with Ryndori." adds Taneel.
Sometime after the meeting Balek is giving his full debrief to Garan personally. As he is dismissed back to the Pride Balek hesitates for a moment asking about the specific order to not overly target the Krayt's Tooth during the battle.
Garan explains the reason was two fold; the first being that Admiral Soelin retreated to the Havoc's Cry and that the death of such a high profile target was considered a win to the rebellion. Garan explains that the second reason was that they still have one undercover operative left in Soelin's battle group and they are serving aboard the Krayt's Tooth. He further explains that Rieekan didn't want to pull their last pair of eyes and ears out just yet and that the operative still has six months left before he rotates off the ship. Until then their man will keep a low profile and gather as much intel as possible.
In the days following the battle on Ryndori Zaniel Brath was reassigned to Major Garan, however at the request of Senator Taneel he was given a short leave of absence. He spent those days on Ryndori where his brother Zapheal took him to meet their mother, arriving on an unmarked two-man shuttle. Zaphael piloted a speeder to his mother's residence, once there he walked in and greeted her himself then stepped aside to reveal the nearly identical figure standing behind him. He introduced his mother to her long lost son and vice versa, she immediately took Zaniel in her arms and was brought to tears by the reunion. Zaniel spent the duration of his leave at his mother's home getting to know her and Zaphael as they traded stories about each others lives. Zaniel soon learned that he was indeed born on Ryndori, while duty would eventually call upon him to return to the Rebellion it was the most joyous occasion he could remember.
Meanwhile on Ryndori, although issuing instructions via holo-transmission from Utapau, the former Consul Lamara Harke had her family's estate liquidated and officially re-adopted her title of Lady. Her father was a wealthy noble of Ryndori in years past, lending his advice to the office of the Prime Minister many times; which was how Lamara gained her position in the consulate. Once the funds from her assets were transferred she donated a large portion to the rebellion and joined up.
She wasn't sure what she would be doing for the Alliance but she was happy to see Yaren, her trusted friend and bodyguard, and Cale Webt volunteer by her side requesting to be part of her team. Sgt. Allard was assigned to take her through an impromptu boot camp for a couple of weeks before she took on her first assignment.
While the early stages of the Rebel fleet had been battered during the fight, they were sent to Mon Calamari where they were repaired as well as re-complimented by more N-1's from Naboo. While on the oceanic planet Captain Balek learned that the Mon Cals had already begun construction on six capital warships as well as other smaller vessels. The secret was easily kept from the Empire's watchful eyes as the construction took place at one of the Mon Cal's underwater manufacturing sites and the planet was located near the outer rim. Balek reported this information to Garan, who was already aware, but was eager to see their completion.
When the Arawak returns to Utapau Gleim notices the sinkhole base is quite crowded with so many having arrived from the battle on Ryndori. At the Jedi's insistence she remains on the ship as Gleim flies into the base to find Garan.
"Gleim I'm quite busy, what do you need to show me?"
At the Toydarian's urging that it is an important matter Garan submits and discreetly follows him back to the Arawak. When he steps aboard he notices the young Togruta wearing a cloak with a lightsaber just barely showing on her hip.
"You were the other Jedi helping Padawan Kai." Garan says a little shocked that she didn't return to exile with Jori.
"Master Kai, she's a Knight now."
"I see, what can I do for you?"
"It's what I can do for you, I'm here to join up however I have one stipulation." Ahsoka says. "I must remain in hiding, only a select few can see my face or know who I really am."
"Then this is not the place for you." Garan says stroking his chin pondering the situation. ". . . . but there is someone I can put you in contact with."
After stepping back off the ship Garan arranges a transport to meet the young Jedi in the mid rim and take her safely to her destination. Gleim would have volunteered to take the Jedi all the way but he knew the Empire was aware of his ship and her role in the rebellion, besides there was another Jedi he needed to see.
The next day the Arawak docks with another rebel freighter somewhere in the mid rim. As Ashoka steps into the docking hatch she offers Gleim her thanks. The ship separates from the Arawak a moment later and shortly thereafter jumps into hyperspace headed for Alderaan.
Before returning to Utapau for his next assignment Gleim piloted the Arawak to the coordinates on Dantooine that Jori had given him. He set down the ship and asked Xafus and the droids to remain on onboard. He easily found the spot where the pyre had been burned, he took a moment and said his farewell to his fallen friend. After a few moments he boarded the Arawak never to return to Dantooine again.
Jori Kai would live in solitude on Naboo for almost a year but would be forced to abandon her new home in search for another. As soon as she learned of the Imperial occupation at Theed she escaped on the Hunter's Arrow, the ship that belonged to the Kel-Dor bounty hunter that attacked them.
After disposing of the bounty hunter's body and reprogramming his droid, Jori and Ahsoka had hid the ship at the bottom of the lake.
One day while working in the garden Jori noticed a lone Kaadu approaching the lake. When she looked closer she noticed the animal was not domesticated. Figuring it belonged to someone she rode the animal towards the nearest village many miles south of her homestead. The next day when she arrived she was unable to find anyone to claim ownership of the Kaadu. Sensing the Force was guiding her here for some reason she remained in the village for a few hours before heading back. As she perused the small marketplace she noticed a vendor with a small holonet receiver. She remained at a distance appearing to search a pile of Jogan fruit for the best one but kept her ear on the news reports coming from the holonet.
Once she heard the unconfirmed report stating that Queen Apailana has been harboring a small band of Jedi in Theed Jori immediately planned to travel there and greet the surviving Jedi, as well as pull them out of the public spotlight. However she turned the Kaadu back once she saw the massively large new Star Destroyer in the atmosphere dispatching strange looking new fighters and a legion of the 501st to the city!
Jori quickly returned to the lake retreat via the Kaadu and used the Force to summon the Hunter's Arrow from the bottom of the lake. Without Ahsoka there to help the feat nearly exhausted her, she collapsed on the ground and was forced to rest momentarily before she was ready to move again. She planted a mental suggestion in the Kaadu's mind to return to the village they visited yesterday, took what she could from the house, boarded the ship and made her escape from Naboo. Within hours she'd learned through the holonet, via the ship's receiver, that Queen Apailana had been assassinated and the Jedi revolt had been put down. With the Empire's occupation of Naboo she foresaw the dark side growing ever stronger. She would wander the galaxy for weeks looking for a safe place to remain in exile.
Thanks to everyone who has been following the story, would love more feedback so please review. FYI: I already have an outline written for the third and final book but will probably not start writing it until after the new year.