Good evening, everyone! How are you all doing on this warm night of Tuesday, April 28, 2020? I'm doing well, as I had my last class today for the Spring 2020 Semester at UNCC, and now I'm free for two or three weeks before my Summer Semester kicks off. Man, I can't believe it's been a month and a half since my work was shut down because of the accursed Coronavirus. I hope that work can be started up again soon, as I miss earning a decent and stready paycheck. On the plus side, which is small, considering the terrible circumstances, I've managed to do a lot of writing and reading, so there's that. And I've decided to play more of Assassin's Creed: Revelations for now, and already got 40 Gamerscore Points for completing Sequences 1 and 2 of Desmond's Journey. I look forward to playing more tomorrow. Well, I'd better get started on this chapter, as I've got a couple hours before I go to bed. Wish me luck, nad God protect us all in these trying times.
(Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Addendum.) Hey, everyone! How are you doing on this warm day? I'm doing well, as I did the treadmill for a couple miles before I got started on this chapter for today, and I've already written about a thousand words so far today. I also have some good news to report for my job. I'm gonna get a call tomorrow pertaining to my paycheck, as my theater got approved as part of NC's small business loan program, so I might get paid a bit soon. That's good news for me and the rest of my fellow theater employees. I just hope that the theater understands that I'll have to curtail my work hours a lot throughout mid-May and early-August, on account of my two summer courses probably having me work every weekday. Well, I'd better get back to writing, as I hope to get up to 3k words in the chapter today. Wish me luck.
(Thursday, April 30, 2020 Addendum.) Hey, everyone! How are you doing on this warm day? I'm doing well, as I got my call from work, and I'm hoping to come back by mid-June at the earliest. In the meantime, I'm gonna get paid a couple times to help me through this difficult financial time. And I've been reading more of Kushiel's Avatar, and I'm almost a third of the way done with it. It's a really big book. Afterwards, I'll read more small books for a while, and prepare to donate them. Maybe later I'll play some Assassin's Creed: Revelations. Well, I'd better get back to writing, as I've got a haircut in a few minutes, and then I'll have to charge my laptop a bit. Wish me luck. Oh, and the last two episodes of SWTCW will be released over the next four days, and I'm very excited and nervous about them. I just wish it got all its eight seasons instead of two shortened seasons, but Lucasfilm stopped it just to save money, and look where that got them. And I can't believe Ahsoka would willingly ally with Maul after all he'd done before she found out about Anakin's fate. That just abhors me to see what Filoni and the others would do to such a terrible character decision to Ahsoka, unless it was a clever ploy by the Togruta to learn more about Sidious's designs. I just hope xxTheTruMan196 will do it better than the show itself, because I once had such faith in Star Wars and the people who managed it, but now I see that it needs a major change in command structure. Well, I've rambled on enough. Time to take a break.
Two Hours Later
On Kamino
Within Tipoca City
Inside the Prime Minister's Office
"Then the Ruling Council has made their decision?" Lama asked with a faux sense of calm.
"We have, Prime Minister." The lead Kaminoan councilwoman answered. "We agree with your agent's assessment, and hereby authorize the implementation of Operation Reclamation."
LAma turned to the shrouded hologram, "How soon can the first batch of Clone Troopers be ready for deployment?"
"No more than two months. All that remains is finding the best market for our products."
"And you are certain that no one can trace this army back to us? If someone were to discover the origins of these troops-" A lesser councilman pressed.
"This is neither our Clone Trooper nor Anti-Trooper program from Jango Fett's genome, Councilman, but a mix of races from the deepest parts of the Rishi Maze. The truth will not be discovered, for there is no one outside of this council who could possibly know of these species and their genetic makeup."
"Enough. The decision has been made, and we are all in accord. For the greater good of our people and economy, we shall take matters into our own hands." Lama sternly said as he grimly thought, And may it not end what little hope our people have of reclaiming our prestige and flow of credits.
Two Hours Later, On Nelona 33rd
On Vermund, 0130 Hours
Within the Second Chance
Jedi master, a general… how'd I get to this point? Tau quietly Ahsoka thought through their Force Bond as they curled up against each other, coming down from their euphoric high.
"You've more than earned the promotions, dear." Ahsoka purred in his ear, "Honestly, it should've come earlier. Without you, none of what we've built would've been possible. Without you… I don't even want to imagine what my life would've been like."
Tau knew exactly what that life would've been like. In his world, her spirit revealed to Edaan that Vader had killed her on Korriban. That was a secret Tau was ashamed to tell Ahsoka when they first met on Alderaan.
"Me neither," he said, tenderly pecking her on the lips before he continued, "but I'm glad we found each other, Ahsoka."
His hand traced the folds of her stomach, "And we won't be alone for much longer."
"I know." Ahsoka tiredly smiled as her eyes darted to the holoclock. "We need to get some shut-eye, Tau. We ought to see Connor and Daniel off before their final trial, and then we've got a lot of paperwork to do." we've got a lot of burdens to work on a few hours afterwards." She advised him.
"Don't remind me," he groaned, "sometimes, I wish we were normal. Then we'd only have mundane things to worry about. Raising a family, putting meals on the table. Not saving the galaxy."
"You say that, but I think you'd go crazy for the monotony."
"Probably, but I wouldn't mind a little peace from things. Anything that doesn't put the fate of others on my shoulders."
There was something else to it and his wife quickly sensed it, "What's wrong?"
"I'm scared I'm gonna screw up, dear," he answered, not bothering to hide it, "that I'm not strong enough to handle what comes next; to live up to my brother's legacy. I know I don't have to, but it all feels like an up-hill fight. And with our family being pulled a million directions-"
She put a finger to his lips, "Listen to me. You are a good man. A brilliant, brave, honest, and stubborn man."
"Stubborn?" he protested, but her eyes told him to shut up.
"Yes, stubborn. That's why I fell in love with you. You refuse to give up on things, especially people. And that's the man I want to be the father of our children."
"I'm not sure about that," Tau whispered, his eyes haunted and tired, "I left my galaxy a mess to come here. A lot of people I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to."
He especially thought of Ben and Vestara Skywalker, their newborn son, Lon Gavar Skywalker, and all of Edaan's friends and remaining teammates.
"I know I'm being selfish, but I just wish I could've gotten closure before coming here and helped stop Sauron in my time before coming here."
"No, you're not selfish, Tau. They were your friends, your family. There isn't a day that goes by that I wish…" she fell silent.
"Dear?"
"Before all this, the last time I saw Anakin and Obi-Wan was when they went to Cato Neimoidia to capture Nute Gunray. When they tore apart the galaxy to hunt Grievous and find Sidious. Only for him to… you know the rest," she shook her head, "Every time I think of that day, I wish I knew what would come next."
Ahsoka's hand trembled, so Tau took it in his. "And save them from all this?"
"Not just them," she breathed, "I buried my men on a nameless planet. They tried to kill me, but they were mine. They deserved as much. But they didn't deserve what happened to them."
She turned to Tau, tears in her eyes, "I know what you feel, Tau. In a funny, weird way, we're the same. We both had our worlds turned upside down."
"We did," he nodded, caressing her cheeks, "and it's up to us to put it back together."
"Maybe one day we can go back to your old life. Me, you and the kids. See what Edaan made."
"One day," he smiled as he kissed her, "first, I have to figure out how to do that."
Eight Hours Later
Within the Uriel Estate's Kitchen
"Well, guys, today's your big day. Hope you're ready for it."
"We're hunting some bloody overstated dogs, bro." Connor grinned cockly. "It's Da you ought to be worried about. He's been a nervous wreck all morning."
"What can you expect from a worried father?" Tau reminded him while he and Ahsoka finished the last of their cereal. "Speaking of family, Daniel, who's going to take care of Lily while you're gone?"
"Kaiden, Satele, Celeste, and Elias all volunteered. She's bonded well with all of them, and Celeste can help her with her Force exercises while I'm away." Daniel answered.
"Good to hear. At least she'll be kept busy while you're training."
"So, what are you and Ahsoka gonna be doing for the New Republic today?" Elias inquired. "More press conferences and other activities in the limelight?"
"No, thank Eru for that," Tau muttered. "It's a whole lot of requisition forms and deal making. Commissioning new ships, starting up the Valenthyne Farfalla academies, and attending war meetings with High Command. We'll need to reach out to other rebel cells to extend our reach, and start whipping the Camaas protests into full-scale rebellions before the Empire puts them down hard."
"Maybe Saw, Kota, Berch, and Slayke can help with that." Ahsoka suggested. "They do have the most experience with forming a professional army out of volunteers and other rag-tag groups."
"Yeah. That could work well. And Shaak Ti could use Felucia as a training base for our recruits. She did help train the GAR back on Kamino."
"Ahem." Daniel coughed, "you ought to continue this conversation when you meet up with High Command. Most of us here aren't exactly cleared for knowing your operations."
"Yeah, I forgot," Tau nodded, "Eru be with you both on your trial. Just remember to stick together and watch each other's backs. Tuk'ata hounds are no easy prey."
"Says the guy whose brother managed to domesticate one as a pet." Comnor joked.
"Yeah, and even that wasn't easy," Tau rebuked him, "had to put a portion of his life energy into Butch to purify him, and it left him drained for a time. And you two won't have any weapons to defend yourselves except for your Hamon training."
"We'll manage." Daniel confidently reassured him. Suddenly, his holo-chronometer began to beep, and he sighed. "We gotta get going. Looks like our cousin Elisheva finally arrived, and she doesn't like to be kept waiting."
"Then good luck, and Eru be with you. Come on Tau. I want to get a few hours of meditation and relaxing before we get back to the grind." Ahsoka said as she and Tau departed for their ship.
"And I ought to look through a few more of my records before we start, at least so I can have our list prepared for the sector's shipyard contractors." Tau added, earning a slug from his wife, "Ow, what was that for?"
"What part of 'meditation and relaxing' did you not seem to get, dear?" Ahsoka warned him, before she chuckled and pecked his cheek. "Never change."
After the couple departed, Elias ruefully smiled, "Man, those two really have it bad for each other. But they are good together, so I'll give them that."
"Like you and Eltariel, even though you won't admit that, right?" Satele joked at her half-brother.
"Rather like you and your husband?" Elias retorted.
"Okay, let's not let this turn into an episode." Kaiden advised the two half-siblings, turning to Connor and Daniel,, "I hope you guys can get your loved ones back soon. If there's anything we can do to help-"
"Don't worry, Kaiden. With luck, and a little planning, Connor and I'll have our wives back soon enough, and Lily will finally have her mother back. Besides, you've got enough on your plate with you and your team committing yourselves to help Eltariel and Elias on their crusade." Daniel graciously declined before the two half-brothers headed out for their own mission.
Just before he exited the kitchen, Daniel bade them farewell, "May the Force be with you all."
Two Hours Later
On Varon Orbital Command
"Have you made any progress on the traitors, Mand'alor?" Kal asked Fenn Shysa, the ruler of the Mandalorians and their sector of space.
"Not as much as I'd like, but enough to put together a grim picture." Fenn dourly answered. "Most of the traitors escaped the sector with a large deposit of beskar and credits, but we captured Rook Kast and her squad. Thanks to her confession, we now know who they're working for, and have a good idea of where the rest are going."
"Maul." Rahm growled. "Why can't that kriffing Sith just die already?"
"He's a tenacious adversary. I know that from personal experience." Obi-Wan insightfully added, before asking Fenn, "Do you know where his followers are destined for?"
"All Lady Kryze and her interrogators were able to determine for certain was that they had a rendezvous point in the Unknown Regions to meet up with the rest of Maul's followers. They were specifically ordered to arrive near an area called the Nihil Retreat. But they didn't know anything else we could discern."
"The Nihil Retreat? Are you certain?" Anakin worriedly interrupted.
"I take it you know where that is, General Skywalker?" Kal rhetorically asked him.
"Only by knowledge from my time with Sidious. And its inhabitants no simple matter, Skirata." Anakin ruefully admitted. "It's the twelve stellar clusters that hide the Perann Nebula and houses the Sorcerers of Rhand. Cronal was a member before te left to join the Empire as a Prophet."
"Wait. Weren't the Sorcerers of Rhand sighted on Remnant three years ago by Daniel and his group?" Tholme recalled from NRI's intelligence reports. "Yes… They reported that several members of this cult were working for Salem, and were also believed to be followers of a nihilistic cult that embodied the ultimate destruction of the universe."
"So, you're guessing that Maul has allied with this Salem, and is summoning his followers to help them prepare for war against us?" Fenn summed up, before he spat out. "Just when I thought those dar'manda couldn't sink any lower."
"No disrespect intended, everyone, but are we certain that we can trust this theory?" Wullf cautioned. "I don't doubt that Maul is still alive and remains a potent threat to the galaxy, but for him to ally with this Salem seems rather counterproductive towards his desire for vengeance against the Emperor and General Kenobi."
"I disagree," Tholme countered, "Maul has been rather consistent in his behavior since his return. Whether it be in his crusade against Kenobi or Sidious, he always sought allies. His brother Savage, Mother Talzin of the Night Sisters, his Shadow Collective? He even offered an alliance with Ahsoka Tano on Mandalore years ago."
"You're suggesting this is the same? He wants to use Salem against the galaxy?"
"I don't see why not. By all the accounts and reports I've read, and fair share of legend, this Salem is a being of tremendous power. Perhaps even on a scale of that of Sauron. With his Collective broke, Talzin and Savage dead, and him wanted by the whole of the galaxy, Maul has nowhere left to go."
"Regardless of whether or not this is true, Master Yoda and our allies on Remnant need to be warned, and we need to divert a portion of our forces to assist them. They can't afford to go in alone against the Shadow Collective and Salem combined might." Mon advised Bail.
"Yes, but we need to do more. We should also send a force to the Nihil Retreat to try and preempt the enemy's designs by capturing or killing Maul. There's no sense in letting what remains of the Shadow Collective run amok so close to our territory." Wullf advised the rest of High Command.
"Agreed. But the question there is whom to send, if we can afford to spare anyone else?" Bail reminded the director. "We'd need an elite team of Jedi to lead this operation if we're to have a chance at taking Maul down, and the Order's stretched thin as it is with our recruitment efforts and operations."
"I'll go." Obi-Wan offered. "Tau and Ahsoka can handle the rest of the Teutonic Sector on their own, and I know how he thinks better than anyone else here. I'm the best chance we have at stopping him."
"Not alone, Obi-Wan. Maul's had years to improve his abilities, and he has a coalition to defend him." Rahm reminded him. "I'll prepare my fleet to join you on this attack. That is, if Chief Organa agrees."
"I do." Bail agreed. "Regardless if Maul is preparing to join the war on Remnant, we cannot allow another Sith Lord to run amok across the galaxy. That is why I'm authorizing Minister Bel Iblis and his fleet to join you on this mission. He will be in overall command while you deal with Maul. You will depart for the Nihil Retreat in three days. May the Force be with you all."
One Hour Later
On Coruscant/Imperial Center
Within the Imperial Palace
"You are certain of this, Nave." Sidious stated, hiding his mixed pride and seething rage.
"Completely. Maul has pledged his services to Salem and is summoning his entire Shadow Collective force to aide her campaign of destruction." Nave confirmed.
Nave craned his head curiously, "Should I find a way to dispose of him? In this new body, I'll have no trouble with-"
"No. We cannot afford for you to expose yourself just yet, my servant, for you are gathering much crucial information on the pitiful inhabitants of Remnant. And Maul allying with this Salem could lead to many interesting opportunities for us, if we were to bide our time accordingly. At the very least, he will open another front for the New Republic, and grant us another advantage against them. Until I say otherwise, aid Salem in her plans, and report back regularly." Sidious ordered the last surviving member of the Brotherhood of Darkness.
"As you wish, my master." Nave deferred to his lord before signing off, allowing Sidious to contemplate this turn of events.
"As you wish, my master." Nave deferred as he signed off, allowing Sidious to contemplate this turn of events. With a wicked smile, he uttered the name of his former apprentice.
"Maul. No matter how much I take from you, you just refuse to die. Perhaps your luck will hold, and you'll somehow crawl your way out of this… but I doubt it. Had circumstances been different, I would see Vader to deal with you, but there are greater threats than you and your employer, this so-called goddess."
He cackled, "I could send Nave, but I suspect him to betray me. How better than to ally with you? No, you'll prove the useful distraction for me, as you always have," he sighed and leaned back in his chair, "I must be careful now. Ironically, like the Jedi, my vision of the future is blinded. I must rely upon the methods of Chancellor Palpatine, not Darth Sidious."
He called forth his gilded lightsaber from its hiding place, feeling the smooth gold of the handle in his hand before he ignited the bloody blade with a wailful howl. "And like Palpatine, I must cultivate my allies not as disposable subordinates, but as partners… for now. I will deal with you one day, Maul, but for now be a good boy and kill the Jedi who come for you."
Thirty Minutes Later
On Vermund
Outside the Uriel Estate
"Maul and Salem, working together. And here I thought our day would go off on a better note." Tau groaned. "Why can't that horn-headed maniac just stay down?!"
"I've asked myself that question many times, Tau." Obi-Wan said.
"So have I. He's driven, I'll give him that." Ahsoka conquered, "I set him loose on a Venator just to cover my escape during Order 66. An entire ship full of Clones and that wasn't enough to kill him."
"You sure you, Rahm, and Minster Bel Iblis can handle the Shadow Collective on your own? I can-" Tau offered.
"I appreciate that, Tau, but you're needed here. Rahm and I should be enough to take on Maul on our own. Besides," He wryly smiled, "I think your wife would mind if you left so suddenly."
Seeing the mirthless smile on her face, Tau relented. "All right. Though I'd prefer Remnant over Chiss. At least the former, you know who your enemies are."
"Then may the Force be with you, Master Palpatine and Knight Tano Palpatine" Obi-Wan bade farewell to his friends before he departed for his shuttle.
"So, you want to tell Benjen that we've got another Sith Lord on the loose?" Tau rhetorically asked Ahsoka, who only smirked and rolled her eyes in amusement. He sighed in defeat, "All right. Me it is."
Meanwhile, Just Outisde the Oktos Nebula
In the Ganath System
Aboard the Gozanti-class Cruiser Ossus's Remembrance
"We're coming up on Ganath, Zao. And it looks like we've got a steamship coming in to escort us. ETA, one minute," Jedi Master An'ya Kuro, more commonly known as the "Dark Woman", informed the blind Veknoid Jedi Master.
After a moment, Zao said, "Might as well speak your mind, Kuro."
She sighed, "That obvious, huh?"
"In this case, yes. I know Empatojayos Brand is unusual."
"That is putting it lighting, Zao. He styled himself the king of these people's king. We Jedi are supposed to shun political power like that."
"That is hypocritical, Kuro. The Jedi held tremendous political power throughout the history of the Old Republic."
"We never governed anyone. That's the difference. We were deferred to for our wisdom and skill, not to give orders or legal mandates."
"There was a time where we did, under the Jedi Lords of the Dark Age. And ironically, us during the War. These people needed a leader to unite them. Brand was the best choice. Besides, in Tau's time, he traps the Emperor's spirit in the afterlife."
"For that, he has my respect," Kuro acknowledged, "but royalty of a primitive system? I will try to keep an open mind, but if I'm asked for my opinion, I will give it."
Suddenly, the comms cracked as a Ganathan female sternly spoke, "Attention, unidentified vessel, this is Captain Russo of the Robida Colossus. You are trespassing on sovereign Ganath Space. Identify yourself at once or be detained."
"This is Jedi Master Dark Woman, representative of the New Republic. My fellow Jedi, Master Zao and I request an audience with your king, Jedi Knight Empatojayos Brand."
"That is a bold claim, 'Dark Woman.' We rarely receive outsiders, and the King is-"
She was interrupted when the holographic form of the King himself appeared, floating in space in a cybernetic grav-harness. Only the face above the nose was left untouched by the armor, but Anya could clearly recognize the bright Force signature of a Jedi Knight.
Promptly, Captain Russo bowed, "King Brand! I did not expect you to-"
"Rise, Captain. There is no need for an officer on duty to bow. Now, these two and their crew are welcome to the royal palace, for they are friends to the people of Ganath and fellow Jedi," Empatojayos turned to An'ya, his eyes glowing brightly, "it is not often I am graced with the presence of such legend, Master Kuro. You will be safe from the Empire here while we discuss this 'New Republic' of yours."
"Thank you, Kni-King Brand."
Empatojayos chuckled, the sound binary in tone, "In your presence, Masters, I shall be simply Knight or Empatojayos."
"Thank you, sir," Master Zao said, "if you would be so kind as to direct us to the Royal palace?"
A set of coordinates appeared on the monitor, "This shall take you to the Palace with Captain Russo as your escort. She will not disappoint, as she is my most trusted officer. I shall greet you in person soon."
Meanwhile, On Vermund
In the Maharo Desert
"So, what are the rules of this trial again? Sorry for the repeat, I just want a final runover of the stakes before we run into the dragon's den." Connor nervously asked Elisheva while he and Daniel finished packing the last of their supplies into their nap sacks.
"You two have twenty-four hours to face off against a den of Tuk'ata hounds with only your Force powers and Hamon training in a small network of caverns approximately ten kilometers to the east."
"And you'll be monitoring things?"
She nodded, "But if you feel you cannot complete the task, then you shall activate the signal beacons in your sacks to notify us of your surrender."
"We won't fail this trial. Connor and I both have too much to live for to give up the fight."
"That's the spirit." Jonathan energetically said. "Good hunting, cuz! And be sure to stick it to those Sith abominations!"
"Just be sure to not say that in front of Tau. He's really attached to Butch." Connor semi-jokingly warned his cousin.
"I can't believe Tau actually managed to tame one of those disgusting beasts. And what kind of name is 'Butch' for a Tuk'ata hound, anyway?" Deonn annoyingly questioned.
"A reference from his brother's old records." Ventis numbly answered, his face barely controlling the warring feelings wrapped on it.
"All right, that's enough idle banter. We need to get in the air before the hounds come," Elisheva reminded her cousins. Before they could leave, Ventis pulled his sons into a hug.
"Good luck, may the Force be with you."
"Don't worry, Da," Connor cheekly grinned, "we're gonna slug the daylights out of those overgrown pups. Y'know what? We'll make capes and rugs out of them."
"I'm not sure they have fur, Connor," Daniel reminded him as they broke apart.
"And that's a problem? Oh, a cape is going to look wonderful."
"Just start walking, cape man, and don't forget to shield yourself from the worst of the heat." Daniel rebuked his older half-brother before they set off towards the Tuk'ata nest.
Three Hours Later
Within the Capital City
Within Teutonic Strategic Command
In Legatus Secutus Quinn's Office
"These designs you have provided are quite impressive, Master Palpatine." Quinn marveled as he perused the vast assembly of tanks, starfighters, and capital ships from Tau's timeline.
"I appreciate your taking the time to look over the designs, Legatus. As repugnant as war is, you can't deny it's great for corporations and destructive creativity." Tau remarked. "So, how many of the designs do you think are feasible for your sector's shipyards?"
"Please, call me Quinn. But, unfortunately, many designs like the Nebula-class Destroyers and Accclamator IIIs are simply too advanced for our shipyards' current capabilities. But with the precise schematics your brother's holocron provided, we should easily be able to construct smaller vessels like the Lancer-class frigates and CR-95 Vergilla-Class Corvettes."
"I see."
"As for the Incom and Slayn & Korpil vessels, we have many favors to call in from their facilities, and a few contacts in FreiTek that can help Incom create a hybrid Jedi Starfighter for both our orders. I know just the man to help design that fighter." He smirked with pride, "We managed to recruit Walex Blissex as a military advisor and starfighter designer for our Sector Defense Fleet."
Tua remembered the man had been both a brilliant engineer and a general of the Alliance and New Republic Navies. "How in the blazes did you pull that one off?"
"With a whole lot of chases and pursuit all across the Outer Rim for the good part of two years before we finally settled him here. At least he managed to perfect his design for the new and improved R-22 Spearhead fighter throughout the chase." Quinn explained.
"Then, with your permission, those A-Wings will serve both our forces well." Tau requested. "And, call me Tau. I'm not officially a Jedi Master yet, and I don't like being called a Master. Reminds me too much of my ancestor."
"Of course, I understand. Anyway, we'll dispatch two full wings of them to Varon when you return to your territory, and I'll even requisition Blissex to join your program."
"Thank you, but are you sure your sector can spare him with your rush towards war?"
"He's not our sector's only major designer, and he can do more good for our war effort out with your people for now. He likes to change his work environment every now and then, and he wants a challenge designing a new ship. That means your vessels should keep him busy for a while."
"We'll be sure to keep him busy and inspired." Tau amusingly promised. "And as for the other ship designs, I suppose we'll have to capture another major shipyard, which is no easy feat."
"Well, you already have the Dac and Mandalore shipyards, so that can help your efforts substantially. But I'd say that your best bets would be trying to capture the shipyards of Rendili, Corellia, Rothana, or Kuat. They'll have the capabilities and resources to jumpstart your program by a decade, and they can be well fortified against Imperial reprisals."
"That won't be easy, and it'll take time for us to create a plan and force strong enough to take one of those naval yards." Tau reminded the Security Councilman. "Still, I do agree with your assessment. I'll speak with High Command about this, and we'll figure something out."
Ninety Minutes Later
Onboard the Bellicose
In Hyperspace
Thirty Hours From The Tython System
"You truly found these resources? A mineral completely unknown to our databanks?" Bahl'al could not help but keep the excitement from his voice as he heard Sith Acolyte Malleus's report from the ancient Sith citadel on the world of Khar Delba.
"Indeed. Admiral Takel and his scientists have run every test conceivable on the element, my Lord. There's enough Isotope-5 in the vaults to power five fleets for ten years." Malleus proudly proclaimed. "And we've found cryptic clues pointing towards another Sith treasure on Ziost."
"Do these records indicate what this 'treasure' is?" Bahl'al pressed.
"Only something that could serve a Sith well in training new acolytes." Malleus answered. "Should I continue the pursuit, or do you want to have the honor yourself?"
"I will take a team to deal with this soon enough. For now, you are to return to Tython and continue training our acolytes. If you go there on your own initiative, it will only arouse suspicion by the Emperor. For the time being, I will keep it in my records until I can find the right opportunity to travel there, without anyone else finding out."
"I understand."
"In the meantime, I will inform the Emperor of your Isotope-5 discovery. It will be the perfect chance for us to produce a new fleet that can prove most vital in our fight against the Jedi."
Meanwhile, In the Nihil Retreat
Onboard the Kom'rk-class Fighter Nightbrother
"Everything is proceeding exactly as you have foreseen, Lady Salem." Maul gruffly nodded. "They have captured Kast and divulged our rendezvous point, and I sense Kenobi and his dogs moving against my fleet."
"Good," the Grimm Master said with deliberate slowness, "a chance to strike revenge against the man who maimed you and those he serves."
Maul unconsciously snorted and the pale, arachnid like woman craned her head curiously, "Does this offend you, Lord Maul?"
"It does," Maul said bluntly, "I humiliated Kenobi and murdered his lover in front of him. My revenge against him is complete. Here, he merely stands as an obstacle on my pursuit of power, and that is all he is."
"A curious answer, Maul."
"A pointless question, Salem."
Maul watched the strikingly beautiful and terrifying face of Salem twist into a cruel smile. "Not many have the courage to speak to me as you do, with such deliberate disdain and arrogance. Nor do you bow in my presence like the rest of these cretins."
"I'm not brave, Salem. I merely understand my role in this. You hired my services; you are my client. But you are not my master, you are not my queen, you are certainly not my goddess, and I bow to no one. Do we understand each other?"
There was an odd twinkle in those black eyes of hers as her smile turned predatory. Maul was not sure if it was amusement, relief… or arousal.
"I like you, Lord Maul," she said after a length, "I think I'm going to enjoy your company. Provided you survive this coming battle."
"I will," Maul said simply, "do you doubt me so soon?"
"No, just being realistic. From what Cinder has told me of your reputation, I look forward to your…" her eyes twinkled again, "safe return."
The comm broke, and Maul let out a breath. Beyond the strange sense of crawling unease akin to revulsion but not, Saxon made it worse. He could feel the smile in the masked warrior's voice as he said, "I've seen that look before, m'lord. I think she wants you to bed her."
"Don't be so crude, Saxon. Besides, I'm incapable of such… diversions."
The smile turned into a smirk, "Give Rook a few hours and I think she'll come up with something for you."
Maul glared at him, "Impossible, considering the New Republic has her captive."
"Never count her out, m'lord. I'll be sure to inform her of the commission."
Maul didn't bother answering, just telling him to leave. He took a weary sigh, collapsing into his chair.
"Brother," he said to the cabin, "I am surrounded by perverse barbarians and those who remind me too much of Sidious. But they are useful, Savage, and they are bringing me to our goals. Soon, I will have the strength to avenge our family and remake this galaxy as our own."
He clenched his fist, presenting it, "I promise this: no one will stop me. Not Kenobi, not Bahl'al, Vader or anyone else. Sidious will die, bleeding and broken before me, and I will make him beg. I will take his empire, and I will take this galaxy. For you, for Feral, for mother, and for me."
Well, I think this is a good place to end the chapter! What did you guys think of it, as it took me a good deal of time and effort to compose this piece? Did you enjoy the inclusion of Maul and his newfound allegiance to Salem from RWBY, and the New Republic catching on? What new abilities do you think Salem granted him, and how do you think Obi-Wan and Rahm will fare against him when they confront him? Oh, and what did you think of the inclusion of Isotope-5 in the story, as I have plans for that later on, along with a cryptic reference to a Sith treasure hidden on Ziost, as it comes from the Legacy Era of Legends Star Wars? And, finally, did you enjoy Tau's doubts about his worthiness to be Ahsoka's husband, and his regrets about leaving things unsettled in his time before coming here? I hope that it works well, and you'll continue to enjoy and review my story. So, how are you doing on this warm day of Friday, May 1, 2020? I'm doing okay, if sad from the latest episode of SWTCW for several reasons, reasons I'd rather not get into for personal reasons. But I will say that I will not be changing my story to SWTCW, as I am keeping true to my vision of Star Wars. And I have my class in a little over two weeks, so I'd better get back to revising my Jedi Odyssey stories, and reading more. Finally, I'd better get this chapter to Squasher and Jsailer for their review and revising. May God be with us all in these troubling times, nad Long Live the Expanded Universe!