Good afternoon, everyone! How are you all doing on this warm day of Saturday, May 16, 2020? I'm doing well, as I sold several items to a local 2nd and Charles store for a decent sum and bought three books and a DVD set for a cheap deal. Sorry I didn't write yesterday, but I wanted to take today off, and I also played a lot of Assassin's Creed: Revelations last night and am getting close to finishing the game. I look forward to completing it soon and starting on Assassin's Creed III: Remastered Edition. At least I managed to publish Ch. 27, and that was a good one. I look forward to writing this chapter over the next few days, but I need to let you know that I'm gonna be busy with school for the next couple of months, followed by work in about a month or so, so I won't be able to write as much as I'd like. Well, I'd better get started on this chapter, as I don't have all day. Wish me luck, and God be with us all in these trying times.
(Sunday, May 17, 2020 Addendum) Hey, everyone! How are you doing on this warm day? I'm doing well, as I have begun reading Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Revelation, and I deeply miss the old ways, no matter how flawed they became at the end. And I've written about a thousand words so far today, and I'll write more as time goes on. But I'd better move fast, because my laptop's running low on power, and I need to charge it for tomorrow since class starts back up for me. Man, it's gonna be weird going back to school in the summer, since I didn't do that in the past three years ago since I attended community college. Well, time to get back to writing. Wish me luck, and God be with us all as the world struggles to recover from the Coronavirus.
Meanwhile, On Vermund
In the Maharo Desert
In the Tuk'ata Nest
"Guess those overgrown Sith dogs have a bit of fight in them after all!" Connor breathed while breaking the last Sith hound's neck, the sharp crack echoing throughout the caverns.
"Well, so much for stealth." Daniel groaned, "Fifteen down, now thirty-four to go."
"Twenty-five," Connor corrected, pointing down in the descending tunnels, "and they're coming right for us."
Their footfalls, howling and thrashing booming from the depths soon confirmed Connor's prediction. The color from Daniel's face drained at that.
"The rest are probably staying in the back. Good fricking grief."
"No big deal, bro. I was looking forward to a real fight soon anyways." Connor smirked as the amber eyeshine of the Tuk'ata Hounds rounded the flat top.
Meanwhile, On Coruscant/Imperial Center
Aboard the Inquisitor
"You are certain of this." Trachta bluntly asked Jova Tarkin, the very man who mentored his great-nephew Wilhuff Tarkin.
"Of course I am, Trachta. I would never lie about two of my relatives plotting treason against the Empire and all that Wilhuff fought for, and I even triple checked the data for accuracy." Jova ruefully shook his head.
"Gideon and his treacherous wife Juno are planning to defect to the New Republic and take as much intelligence they can to ensure their safe transfer. The question to ask now is what you are going to do with this knowledge."
"I will not execute them, if that's what you're inferring, Mr. Tarkin." deadpanned. "That would only further divide the military and encourage further desertions, and we will not use such brutal and clumsy tactics anymore. The Emperor and Lord Bahl'al would never stand for it."
"Then you would have to try them, and that would only expose the Empire's vulnerability even further to the galaxy. You'll look like fools."
"No. We have recently constructed a reeducation facility that can handle dissidents of the Tarkins' caliber and help remold them into icons of Imperial loyalty and service. We will not dispose of a valued soldier and leader without giving our all in trying to bring them back around to our way of thinking."
Jova seemed to actively consider the words, and Trachta assured him, "But worry not, Mr. Tarkin. One way or another, Imperial order will be maintained, and we will do everything we can to save your sector. We owe it to the sacrifices all of your fellow Seswenna soldiers gave us in our hours of need."
"For that, I thank you, Grand Moff Trachta."
"In the meantime, I will dispatch Commander Fox and a platoon of troopers to your family's temporary residence for their capture and questioning. We cannot let the risk of even a single potential spy among them slip through our grasp."
One Hour Later
On Honoghr
Within the Village of Nystao
"The elders will finish assembling in one hour, Lord Skywalker." Rakh informed Anakin while he observed the clones interact with various adolescent Noghri hunters, swapping war stories while the older Noghri translated.
"Good. Did your people manage to secure one of the decontamination droids?"
"Yes. They made sure not to damage any of its inner systems." Rakh hesitated, a look of worry on her face. "You seek our people to ally with the New Republic, yes?"
"Only of your own free will. We will respect your decision either way, for none of us would seek to drag you into a war if you may feel otherwise. My purpose here is to undo the Empire's sins, and free you from unjust servitude."
"Many of our brethren still out amongst the stars tell us that the Empire is like a wounded beast, and that it has been the cause of untold suffering for countless worlds. They also say that Lord Vader is still a willing servant of the Empire, and I do not know how these revelations of yours will go over with many of our younger warriors. They will seek terrible retribution if their treachery is as great as you claim. That is why I hope you can calm and focus their feelings into wise action."
"I understand, and I will do everything I can to prevent such an outcome. I know better than most what dire consequences can result from rash actions." Anakin sympathized before comming Rex, "Have the men let the apprentices get back to their training. We have a summit to attend soon enough."
"Yes, Sir."
As the two leaders began to walk to the Grand Dukha, Rakh stated, "You are still a good leader and a great mean, even though you carry a great weight on your shoulders."
"It's because I'm back where I belong, and I have so many people to fight for besides myself. I even have my kids to look after now, and I can't let them down. Not again."
"And what of their mother? Surely your mate would be an integral part of their lives." Rakh innocently asked Anakin, who only looked aside in shame.
"She's… gone. She died from a broken heart when I became Vader, and I only just came back to help care for our kids."
"I-I did not realize. Forgive me, Lord Skywalker."
"No, there is nothing for you to apologize for. The fault was mine, for I failed her in life. But I made myself promise that I won't fail her in death. Now, I believe we have a world and species to save from servitude."
Meanwhile, On Ganath
Within the Ganath Royal Palace
"These are truly serious claims you bring before us, your highness." Raman, a Ganathan prince stated after Empatojayos and his Jedi escort finished addressing the royal court, comprised of exactly one hundred various viscounts, princes, high admirals, and high generals.
To An'ya's eyes, trained at observance and espionage from a young age, knew that while the majority of the Ganathan court believed their king's words, there were others that did not. These seemed to rally around the elderly High General Traiy, who rose to ask, "What evidence do you have to support your claims besides your fellow outsiders?"
Empatojaoys glanced at An'ya, who nodded before pulling out several datapads, and addressed the court, "These data files contain all the nonconfidential information that we have on the Empire and the other enemies that endanger the galaxy. And we are preparing a meeting with New Republic High Command to answer your questions regarding the unique situation."
"How long must we wait for your leaders to address us? If we are to make a decision on whether or not we support this war, we must be accurately informed." Viscount Dumar inquired.
"No more than eight hours." Zao answered. "We will answer any questions you have in the meantime, and Master Kuro has intelligence reports that can satisfy much of what you may wish to know."
Meanwhile, On Jedha
Within the City of NiJedha
Within the Steela's Remembrance
The agent curtly acknowledged the coded transmission sent by Agent Isard, and he quickly closed the comlink before he was accidentally discovered.
The Anomid would have preferred to kill Gerrera and Ohnaka before stealing the information from the ship's computers, but both he and Ysanne knew that his position in the Partisans was too valuable to lose all for one leader and a handful of Jedi.
When he was finished with his deep-cover mission, he'd have all he'd need to bring down the New Republic cell and as much of their wretched government as he could. Then, he could finally resume his hunt for the last three surviving members of the Sälãi Käsi, the Nautolan's destroyed offshoot of the Teräs Käsi religious order.
He heard footfalls and he turned to find Staven, Saw's second in command, coming into his room. "Hey, Edge! Gerrera needs you monitoring comms traffic. It's about time for us to make our exit, and it's your turn to get the boring assignment anyway."
Grunting in acknowledgement, Edge rose from his bed to start his new task, eager for the day when he would be free of these insipid fools.
Thirty Minutes Later
On Shu-Torun
Within the Ancestral Retreat
"Do you understand the opportunity you've been given, my precious daughter?" Akara, queen of Shu-Torun, asked her youngest child. "This is the chance you've been waiting for to leave and gain the knowledge, people, and influence you'll need to return and change this world for the better."
"Yes, mother. I promise, one day I'll come back and make you proud." Trios vowed while struggling to fight back the tears at leaving the only relative that treated her as more than just a political pawn.
"You already have, Trios," she smiled sadly, kissing her forehead, "you not only see what Shu-Torun for what it truly is, but what it can be again, back when our ancestors first colonized this world. Just remember, even in the darkest of pits you might face, trust in the Force and seek the light."
"Yes, Mama." Trios cried while hugging her one more time before she finished packing the last of her belongings, and tenderly placed her final gift from her mother in one of the suitcases: her Church of the Force necklace.
It was the only item from her relics that she had been able to preserve from when her husband destroyed her religious items and proclaimed that all religion outside of the official religion was prohibited. It was her most closely guarded possession, and she would never leave it behind.
Twenty Minutes Later
On Vermund
Within the Maharo Desert
Aboard the Daybreaker
"You should be proud of your boys, Uncle. They've already decimated the nest's guard, and based on the devastation they've unleashed, there can't be more than ten Tuk'ata left alive." Elisheva reminded Ventis.
"I'll be even prouder when they're back on the ship, safe and sound." Ventis reminded her. "And don't forget how there's still the Tuk'ata queen and her final eight defenders, and they're much more dangerous than the rank and file hounds they've faced so far."
"Have a little faith in them, Great-Uncle Ventis. They were trained by the best, and they have the natural talent to survive. They'll survive and bring back a cape marvelous to see."
Ten Kilometers Eastward
In the Tuk'ata Nest
"That's the last of this batch." Connor satisfyingly breathed after crushing the final Tuk'ata hound's head beneath his boot, "I'm up to eighteen now. So many to choose for a good cape."
"Don't get carried away, Connor. We've still got nine more hounds to kill, and the toughest part is yet to come." Daniel warned his overeager brother. "And I've currently killed twenty of the beasts, so I'm just a little bit ahead of our wager."
"Heh. Well, the hunt's not over yet. I will beat your number." Connor resolved.
"Let's just take a five-minute break before we go after her. I don't know about you, but I'm getting a bit famished from all this carnage." Daniel stopped Connor before he pulled out a couple ration bars from his sack, and slowly consumed them to enjoy the calm before the storm in their hunt.
"Fine by me. I could use a little bite myself." Connor acquiesced. Pulling out one of his own bars before chomping down on it.
"So, where are you really going after we finish our training?" Daniel suddenly asked Connor, making the hybrid freeze for a moment before he resumed eating his snack.
"You do know that Da and cousin Elisheva have a bunch of probes listening in on us, right?"
"Not for the next few minutes since I'm using the Force to disable the audio transmitter on the probes. Now, what's troubling you."
"I think you already know the answer to that, bro." Connor seriously answered, dreading the answer from his half-brother.
"You're going to the Empire to try and save your family." Daniel deduced.
"Tau told you." Connor darkly muttered.
"No, it was just one of two hunches I had. The other was that you were going after the Chaos Cult by yourself."
"How the hell did you come to that conclusion?"
"Because I would do the same. And there's the fact you let Sariss go during the Phaeda mission. I can't prove you did, but I know, and I know you wouldn't have done it unless you wanted her to pass on a message."
"Yeah," Connor nodded, "my services for leaving our lost siblings alone. Besides, I still have a score to settle with her."
"Connor, you know this is stupid, right? These guys will try to turn you."
"I know. Tau was about ready to kill me when I told him, which I get. His family and all that, too. But this is the only way forward. We're too busy fighting other things, and the powers that be haven't taken the bastards seriously enough. Bahl'al seems to be the exception."
"Yeah," Daniel nodded sadly, "I'd do the same for my wife if given the opportunity. I imagine that this is a big reason why you're taking these Hamon lessons so seriously. You want to prepare yourself for when you come face to face with the Dark Side."
"Got it in one. No wonder you're a lead member in the investigation of this conspiracy on Remnant." Connor chuckled. "Don't tell anyone what I'm going to do."
"I won't. But you need to promise me two things in return. Come back alive, and don't lose your soul in the process."
Connor was about to say something when he stopped himself. "Was gonna say try, but I won't. I promise instead that I will do what I must to get my family back, and keep myself from straying."
"Good. Come on, we'd better get moving." Daniel said as he took another sip of water from his half-emptied canteen before he rose from the rock he was sitting on.
"Yeah. Those Sith war dogs aren't gonna skin themselves." Connor agreed before remembering, "Wait. Shouldn't you turn back on the droids' audio transmitters. We don't want-"
Daniel silenced him by giving him a thumbs-up, and adding, "Whatever problems the droids had, Elisheva and her sons must have figured and sorted them out. Now we gotta finish the job and eliminate the last of these beasts before you can have your blasted cape."
Five Minutes Later
On Honoghr
In the Village of Nystao
In the Grand Dukha
"The Dynasts have all convened, and are waiting for you to address them, Lord Skywalker. They're eager to hear you speak before them again after so long." Rakh told Anakin.
"Too bad I don't have any good news to share them." Anakin lamented.
"Respectfully, my lord, you could not be more wrong. This news will be the key to save our world and our children from eternal slavery. We will continue to serve you and protect your children, only now with honesty and honr. All you must do is speak as such."
"She's right, General. Just treat it as another battlefield to win. And you won't be alone in this fight, old friend." Rex reassured him.
"Thanks, both of you." Anakin gratefully thanked them before he walked towards the elders. As soon as he took off his helmet, they bowed in reverence towards their master. To their credit, if there was horror at his still recovering face, they didn't show it.
"Rise, all of you. There is no need to stand on ceremony with my any longer." Anakin told the thirteen elders before placing his helmet back on. "I have come to divulge with you a horrific truth regarding the Emperor's treatment of your people."
"As you remember, when I came to your world to recruit your vast talents for the Empire, I came with many goods and foods to help save your people from starvation and the disaster our war placed on your world. The Empire helped rebuild a part of your world's environment, especially the Kholm-grass that grew here since time immemorial."
"But before I defected to the New Republic, I learnt a horrible truth about this ecological restoration. The Emperor had no intention of allowing your skills to slip away from eternal servitude and concocted a terrible plan to continually keep you in his thrall."
Motioning for, the clones bringing pilfered Decon III units from the village's fields before he continued, "The Kholm-grass that the Imperials supposedly replanted all across all of your world was a man-made creation, and its true purpose was to further ruin your world, thereby keeping your people in eternal servitude."
"This cannot be! Surely this is a mistake, Lord Vader!" A Dynast denied, unable to believe the words that were coming from his lord and master.
"I'm afraid it is. And I can prove it. When I learnt of this treachery, I had studied how this deceit was happening in order to try and undo it. Maitrakh Rakh was kind enough to help my honored guard secure a reclamation droid to prove my claims."
Anakin opened the droid's chassis to pull out the liquid solution and held it for all the Dynasts to observe.
"This is the so-called antidote to the virus that ravaged your world, but it is truly a poison! When applied to the false Kholm-grass, it reveals its true nature." Accepting the sample of artificial grass from Rakh, he poured a single drop onto the flora, and it disintegrated in a handful of seconds.
As the room stood in foreboding silence, Anakin felt the horror, despair, and rage emanate from the thirteen clan leaders, and prepared himself for the inevitable vows of retribution that they would make against Sidious and the Empire for the heinous treachery against them.
"Lord Vader." An elder Dynast boldly broke the silence by asking, "How would you want us to proceed? We stand at a terrible disadvantage from the Empire's lies and devastation, and we have many of our offspring operating in the greater galaxy. If we were to openly declare war against them and join your 'New Republic', how would we defend ourselves and what little we have left?"
"The New Republic has prepared for this probability and is sending teams to help begin the restoration of your world to its former glory. We have a fusion of living and mechanical technology suited to helping your world flourish again. It will only take a matter of months to revitalize Honoghr."
"Lord Vader," a Dynast began uncertainty, "how can we trust this 'New Republic?' As you said yourself, you did not know of the Empire's treachery until it was too late. How can you be so certain the same will not happen again?"
"Because I will ensure they keep their word personally, even if it means I must remain on Honghr itself until the restoration is complete."
"But what of the Empire? They will not stand for this!"
"They can do nothing to you," Anakin answered, "for the New Republic has bloodied them over the past several months, including executing Governor Tarkin himself. They are not in a position to take revenge against you."
Anakin watched their expressions carefully, and the shock and confusion meant the Empire had kept them in the dark about recent developments or had been told they were merely Rebel lies. A great deal of murmuring ensued, Anakin sensing much of what he suspected.
"We will also be leaving a military force here to ensure your safety," he continued, "and your sons amongst the stars will be granted amnesty within the new government. I doubt the Empire would allow them to continue serving freely once they hear of what has happened here."
"We must recall them!" someone shouted, "Send out the great signal and bring our sons home at once! If it would please you of course, Lord Vader."
Anakin sighed and replied, "It would, but I no longer bear the title of Lord Vader. My name, my real name, is Anakin Skywalker, and I request you refer to me as such."
The assembled leaders stared at him strangely, but they bowed regardless. "As you wish, Lord Skywalker. With your permission, we shall send word to our Maitrakhs immediately to request their return."
"You have it."
One of the Dynast suddenly had an idea, "Our sons are in a prime position to strike at the Empire where they are. Should we not also send instructions to cause as much damage as they return home?"
"That would be incredibly dangerous," Anakin replied, "but I am not here to command you. If it is what you wish, I will not stop you."
The next several minutes were spent in subdued argument before a compromise was reached. "We shall recall them, but we will grant them permission to strike out at targets of immediate opportunity if they are present and they are capable of doing so."
"So shall it be," Anakin sighed, hoping he hadn't signed the Noghri Commandos' death warrants.
"There is one more matter we must speak of, honored Dynasts." Rakh interrupted, surprising Anakin, "Lord Skywalker will not admit this, but he has two children of his own, a little boy and a girl, that we must help protect."
Anakin was about to protest when a Dynast called, "Then we must send an escort back with Lord Skywalker to help protect his children. We cannot allow them to come to harm from the Empire or other enemies he may have."
"That is not necessary."
"Nonsense, your offspring must be protected by the best our people can offer! We shall form an honor guard of twenty of our best warriors to accompany you back to your territory."
"At least wait until the rest of my comrades can arrive to begin healing your world. They'll be here in just over three days, and it will take time to organize such a team, never mind gathering an army of hunters for the New Republic."
"We can do that while we wait," a Dynast answered, "there is no reason to delay the inevitable. We shall send out a summons to our clans at once and gather one hundred warriors from each clan in order to help you and the New Republic in your hour of need."
"Can your people afford to lose so many of your hunters without risking exposure by the Empire, Maitrakh?" Rex asked Rakh.
"Each clan holds five hundred warriors, and they are easy to be mistaken as another by outsiders. We can fool the Empire for a long time before they are ever the wiser." Rakh explained.
"Still, I'd like to take more precautionary measures in case the Empire, or anyone other unfriendly force, decides to travel here," Anakin replied, "with your permission, I'd like to help resettle a portion of your people onto worlds within the New Republic's territories in the Unknown Regions. There are many vibrant worlds that would be more than welcoming for your people and vast skill sets, and it would help give your land more time to heal from its scars."
"How many would you like to take with you, my lord?"
"As many or as few as you believe are necessary, without betraying your people's safety."
"Then we shall begin informing our people of the coming exodus, for we shall slowly send two clans' worth of our people to your worlds in order to help you. That will eventually number over a million of our people. If the Empire comes to our world and wipes us out, then we shall ensure that our people and culture endures on other planets."
"That will take time, and the New Republic likely will not have the ships to take so many of your people in such a quick manner." Rex warned them.
"Which is why we shall be patient and send as many people as we can with you until the task is done. If there is one thing our people have, it's an abundance of patience." Rakh calmly answered.
"I… I understand." Anakin reluctantly complied, for he did not wish to endanger the Noghri any further. He knew though that they would continue to serve until they fulfilled their oath… and there was no telling when they decided when that happened.
He only hoped that his efforts did not completely doom the Noghri people to poverty or extinction when the Empire inevitably found out of their shift in loyalties.
One Hour Later
On Vermund
Within the Second Chance
"Well, I can't believe we've got a meeting with a Jedi king in two hours. We're really moving up in the world." Tau teased his wife as they finished working on the ship's computer systems. "Looks like the light turbolasers are drawing too much power from the reserves, and it's creating the internal feedback loop. But I can't wrap my head around the solution for this problem."
"Neither can I. But Arnine said that he detected some loose circuitry and wiring, and he's working on it right now. Maybe it's just a simple fix."
"Let's hope so." Tau agreed, pausing to confide in Ahsoka, "And I hope we don't regret bringing Trios and Daala to Varon."
"Tau…" Ahsoka groaned.
"I know. They're just kids and haven't done anything evil to anyone yet, but the danger is still there. I'm going to keep an eye on them until I'm satisfied."
"Good. But remember to try and keep an open mind. That's key for any Jedi and leader." Ahsoka reminded her husband. She then proudly told him, "Anakin managed to reach the Noghri and convinced them to defect. They're preparing to send a force to help us, and to stand watch over Luke and Leia. All the reverence they're still giving him is really getting on his nerves."
Chuckling, Tau admitted, "Well, consider it a test of his patience and endurance. Besides, if Leia could endure it for over three decades, he can take it for a few days at a time."
Meanwhile, In the Maharo Desert
In the Tuk'ata Nest
"We've arrived at the heart of evil." Daniel gravely stated as he stared down the Tuk'ata queen and her eight guards.
"Don't be so dramatic, bro. They're overgrown dogs." Connor dismissively said before he eagerly cracked his knuckles. "Now, let's bust some heads."
Thirty Minutes Later
Onboard the Outrider
Forty-Five Hours From the Lothal System
"Then everything's prepared on your end, gentlemen?" Jaing asked Admiral Raddus and Governor Azadi on their diversionary plan for the Lothal operation, with Eeth sitting next to him as an observer.
"Don't insult my competence, Captain. My fleet's ready to do their part, and as long as Governor Azadi's intel pans out, we'll get the slaves and shipment secured. Just focus on your part of the mission." The Mon Calamari admiral declared.
"And you don't have to worry about my end, both of you. All my safe houses and contacts are ready for your team's arrival, and we'll get the job done." Ryder defended his people.
"Excellent. We'll be arriving just outside the system in under two days, so that gives you three days to finalize everything. Good luck to you both, gentlemen." Jaing closed the holocomm before he turned to observe Vega and Chelli observe Micah honing his slicing skills through an old kids' game that Vega and Adegan encrypted.
"Well, looks like Vega was right about you, Dr. Aphra. You do have some skills we can use besides your knowledge of Jedi history." Jaing admitted in a rare display of praise.
"Thank you, Captain." Micah absent-mindedly acknowledged before he finished decrypting the files Vega sent him and sighed in relief. "Well, who knew those old skills from my… less than stellar past would come in handy."
"I can't believe you robbed banks, Dad!" Chelli exclaimed, "That's just… I can't even imagine. How did you get from being a criminal to a scholar before you met Mom?"
"A Jedi named Qui-Gon Jinn showed me mercy when I was nearly caught in a job and encouraged me to find a better path in my life. That's how I became so obsessed with them and their culture. But I took it too far until now."
"You knew Qui-Gon?" Vega disbelievingly asked. "I was told how he always had a knack for seeing the best in people, even those most Jedi would seek to ignore."
"Yes, that he did." Eeth agreed, "used to drive the Council crazy sometimes."
"All right, that's enough reminiscing right now. We've got a couple more hours of training to do before dinner, and I want all of us to be at our best when we make it to Lothal." Jaing ordered the crew.
"Excuse me, Jaing, but who died and made you sole leader?" Adegan, the Shard encased in Vega's droid armor, rhetorically asked.
"Don't even start with him, Jaing. It's not worth it." Vega warned the captain, before ordering his Shard companion, "Come on. We should do a final maintenance check of all our equipment, especially the probes, just in case there's any final bugs to work out before we really need them."
Ten Minutes Later
On Vermund
In the Maharo Desert
In the Tuk'ata Nest
"What's your count so far, Bro?!" Connor shouted just after he flooded his twenty-fourth Tuk'ata with Hamon energy through an enhanced kick to the stomach, ripping the vile beast in two.
"I'm on twenty-three!" Daniel answered before he finished off the last of the Tuk'ata guard, and shouted, "Make that twenty-four!"
"Ha! Then there's one left, and I'm gonna get it!" Connor warned his half-brother before he nimbly dodged the Tuk'ata queen's ambush. She quickly shifted into the darkness, and Connor, after failing to sense her presence, quickly added, "Careful! She's hiding in the shadows and can cloak her presence in the Force!"
"I know!" Daniel replied. "Back to back. We can't let her pick us off from our blind spots."
Doing as his brother ordered, the two half-brothers prepared themselves for when the most lethal of the Sith hounds made her final attack.
Well, I think that this is a good place to end the chapter. Sorry it wasn't action packed, but it has plenty of plot advancement for the future arc in my story, and I'm a little stressed out right now from my first summer course starting up this morning. So, if all goes according to plan, Honoghr will join the New Republic, and will send a large portion of its people to help the New Republic over an uncertain period of time, and the Shu-Torun and Ganath plots are advancing. Hopefully the Honoghr part will survive the revisions. In other news, how are you all doing on this warm day of Monday, May 18, 2020? I'm doing well, if a bit frazzled from school starting back up for me. It's gonna be a tough one, as I'll have a class to handle over each half of the summer, and I'll have to work on my class almost every day of the week. And there's no telling when my work will start back up, so that'll be even more stress for me. But at least I'll be kept busy and will be making some money again soon from an honest job instead of from the checks from the loan my business got. Well, I'd better get this chapter to Squasher and JSailer for their look over. May God be with us all in these troubling times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!