Good evening, everyone! How are you all doing on this cool night of Wednesday, March 3, 2021? I'm doing all right, as I have plenty of homework to keep me busy, but my part-time job is going to start slowing down for a while soon, so that'll be a little less pressure on me. I know I've been neglecting this story for a while, and I do apologize. But my Jedi Odyssey saga has been keeping my attention for a bit, and I just completed my first story two days ago. I highly encourage you all to check it out, as it is the first of a 6 or 9-book saga, and it'll be a remarkable piece by the end. And it'll set the stage for the next saga, one that will hopefully conclude the original Star Wars Expanded Universe in a better way than Lucasfilm could ever conceive of (inflated opinion, I know, but I just want to have high hopes).
On Lothal
Just Outside the Jedi Temple
Aboard the Outrider
"Why would Adegan and Vega do something so reckless?" Ephraim Bridger sighed to his wife after putting their son to sleep. "I'd have thought two Jedi would take smarter precautions after the years they spent on the run from the Empire."
"Says the man who's been transmitting anti-Imperial transmissions for all of those years." Jaing reminded the dissident before finishing calibrating the ship's anti-personnel defenses.
"He's also a sixteen-year-old with a knack for rebellion, just like any other teenager. I'm sure they've done crazier stuff and been through a lot since the Empire rose." Mirta soothed her husband while he glared daggers at the captain.
"Do you think they'll be all right?" Chelli looked up from her datapad to ask the obvious question.
"Don't worry, Chelli. They may be young, but they're tough and resourceful, just like you. They'll find a way through this." Micah reassured his daughter before a transmission began to come through the ship's communication systems.
Checking the signal, Micah quickly fumbled for his comlink, and he called Jaing and Eeth, "We've got a signal coming through the temple's portal. It's one of Vega's probes, and it's signaling a group of life forms coming through. No more than five, by the looks of it."
"Alert High Command right away." Jaing ordered the archeologist. "Master Koth and I'll check it out. If we don't come out or signal you in exactly twenty minutes, then consider us dead and get the hell out of here."
"We can't just leave you down there!" Chelli argued before a new signal started up in the Outrider's built-in holocomm, and a projection of a bruised and battered Twi'lek in singed Jedi robes appeared.
Surprisingly, to Micah and Eeth's trained eyes, they could not identify the era the woman's combat armor came from. They could only assume that she came through the portal, but what could have happened to leave her so fatigued. She looked like she'd just run a marathon… or from something dangerous.
"Judging from your appearance and the young girl by your lap, I assume that you are Micah Aphra, a historian of the New Republic team that we were told so much about." The woman panted.
"Who are you? How did you get this frequency?" Jaing suspiciously asked. Eeth was scanning the Jedi with a keen eye, knowing her from somewhere deep within his memories.
"How do you know about us?" Micah skeptically asked.
"Because young Vega Ryal told us all about you. But it seems I forgot my manners, didn't I? My name is Eldra Kaitis, and I am a Jedi Master of the Lothalian Brotherhood. And I come with vital counsel, an offer to help you free the Hawkes family from their imprisonment, and warnings for you and your government about the dangers you've unwittingly unleashed upon your reality."
That jolted Eeth's memories, and he felt a wave of nostalgia and sorrow wash over him as he saw what the young and promising Padawan could have become. If only criminals, Darth Maul and the Jedi Order leaving her for dead had not cut her life so tragically short.
"I assume you have many questions, and they will be answered in due time. Unfortunately, they will have to wait until we can liberate your allies from their stasis field and prepare the Lothal Sector for liberation by your government."
"And the longer we delay, the more time this Sith Empire will have to launch their own offensive to take this gateway. We will need all of your help to free the Hawkes', and then, and only then, can we discuss our sudden arrival."
"Wait!" Chelli quickly shouted, the fear and worry evident to all in her eyes. "Where are Vega and Adegan? Are they with you?"
"I'm afraid not. We were attacked by a terrible entity on the way to your reality, and he is trapped in another dimension. There is no telling what he is, or what he is going through right now."
"You just let them slip away beyond time and space?!" Jaing snapped.
"Not even close, Captain. They bought my team time to get away, and then they escaped the abomination by the skin of their teeth. I lost two Jedi to that thing just getting here."
"We'll worry about that later." Eeth sternly reminded the NRI captain. "Right now, we need to focus on what's right in front of us."
And hope we don't get burned by these new arrivals. Jaing quietly groaned.
On Coruscant/Imperial Center
Within the Imperial Palace
Inside the Imperial Throne Room
Sidious felt a great surge of Force Energy echo throughout the palace, but could not deduce what it was, or precisely where it originated from. Such a lack of knowledge infuriated him, and he wanted to know whether this could be an asset or threat.
All he could discern from the Force signatures was that it involved a bright surge in the Force and that it was within an ancient temple from an obscure world a long way from his seat of power. The only logical explanation could be that it was either in the Outer Rim or Unknown Regions. Either prospect was unappealing through the New Republic's advances. Thanks to them starting and continuing countless rebellions and protests across the entire galaxy, his fleet was stretched near the breaking point.
Deciding to investigate this disturbance personally, he extended his consciousness through the Dark Side to search the galaxy, starting with the Unknown Regions.
On Tython
Within the Sith Headquarters
Bahl'al suddenly felt a sharp pang of fear course through as a powerful disturbance was emitted from the Outer Rim World of Lothal. The only reason he knew of the disturbance's source was because he recognized the sudden vision he received of the plains of the world's northern hemisphere. That region likely where the Jedi Temple of legend existed, and what he had his agents searching for throughout the world.
Unfortunately, the vision also included Jedi Master Eeth Koth Ryal, and a group of Jedi in exotic armor stationed on the world, and three others that he could not recognize.
Obviously, the latter three represented a threat to the Empire, but to what extent he did not know. What he did know was that the Jedi now knew of the world's significance and would likely send a fleet to liberate the sector and guard the world. That was completely unacceptable in Bahl'al's eyes. The Sith Lord knew that, thanks to the small hints provided in Coruscant's Jedi Temple on the Ones from Mortis, the power within that temple could be the key to control over the entire galaxy.
Clearly, he had a duty to inform the Emperor and Vader about this disturbance, as it may very well prevent a catastrophe for the Empire. But he needed to make a few minor alterations to his explanation, if only to preserve his plans and life, of course.
He could not remake the Empire if he was dead, after all.
Twenty Minutes Later
On Tenupe
Within the Chiss Garrison
"Do not worry, General. The Leveler, Admonitor, Ca'das, and their task forces will be arriving to aid you within the hour." Thrawn promised Kres'ten'Tann, even though the transmission was fading in and out with the Grysk jamming still in effect. Were it not for Starscream breaking through the jamming for the Tenpue garrison, they would effectively be cut off from the rest of the Ascendancy.
"And you think that a dozen capital ships will be enough to stop two enemy fleets?" Kirak impatiently reminded the Chiss prodigy from his advance position among the Tenupe defenders. "The Moechor may be using ancient derelicts and poor brainwashed servants, but they can overwhelm us with time nad sheer numbers alone. And the Grysk-"
"It may not be the salvation you are counting on, Master Infil'a, but it can still prove crucial to you. If used efficiently, it will be enough to buy you sufficient time until the New Republic arrives." Thrawn reminded him.
"And speaking of, I was under the impression that Starscream was delaying their assault by pitting them against each other."
"He did just that until now. And it reduced their numbers by at least eighteen percent. But now the enemy knows who is attacking them, and they have settled on a mutual accord for the system. Their combined forces are breaching the atmosphere as we speak."
Red eyes glistening with a fierce gaze, Thrawn steeled his jaw, "They are working together, then."
"Exactly. As long as the Moechor respect the Grysk's claims to the system, then they'll give the survivors of this assault to them as their latest thralls. We cannot hold out for long against their combined assault, even with the reinforcements you are sending us. Quite frankly, Commodore, none of us are you in terms of warfare." Kirak bluntly explained.
"Then I will contact the New Republic immediately and have them send what they can to assist you until their main fleet arrives." Thrawn nodded before he concluded the transmission, allowing the defenders to focus on preparing their garrison for the fight to come.
"For all of our sakes, let's hope your people can arrive within the next twenty-four hours." Kres'ten'Tann sighed to the Jedi Master. "Good fortune to you on the battlefield."
In Orbit Above Tenupe
"And here I thought the slagging Grysk were never going to up their game against us!" Swindle silently cursed to his Cybertronian partner as he barreled through the just-blown-apart debris of a Grysk long-range heavy freighter, shaking off the pursuit of several Grysk and Moechor fighters.
Starscream, in his Sukhoi Su-35 jet form he had used for the last five thousand years since he departed his home galaxy, was running out of options for him and his friends. He had used up every trick he could to keep the two fleets from landing on Tenupe for the last five hours.
From hacking into Moechor systems to fool them into preemptively attacking the Grysk, to launching a four-ship guerilla war against the Chiss's mortal enemies, he would have made Thrust proud with his deceptive strategies. He had effectively destroyed a significant fraction off each faction's fleet before the real fight actually began.
But he never could have computed that the two enemies would join forces so quickly. Nor that the bulk of their ships would fly right past him to begin blockading the planet before preparing for a full-scale planetary invasion. And the raiders left behind two wings of Moechor thralls and elite Grysk hunters to keep him diverted from the main force.
He had to figure something out, and fast, or this could very well be his crew's last battle. And the turncoat Decepticon had plenty of fight left in him.
Twenty Minutes Later
On Tython
Within the Sith Headquarters
Finally, he was ready with his lies and half-truths for the Emperor. Ready to deceive his master and protect his growing plans, Bahl'al activated his personal holotransmitter, and keyed in both his master and Vader's frequency. Preparing to warn both of them about this critical danger, he did not have to wait long. And he sensed that neither Sith Lord was pleased by the impromptu call.
"I assume that you have felt the disturbance in the Force, Lord Bahl'al." The ruling Dark Lord seethed.
"Yes, my lord. But I may have figured out where the source of the disturbance is, and some idea of what it was."
"What did you learn?" Sidious curiously demanded.
Just as Bahl'al had gambled, Sidious took the bait, and now he had to reel him in to secure his position. "I received visions of the world less than an hour ago and recognized it from the reports on the extracts of Doonium and Lightsaber Crystals that we were using for the Death Star and Phalanx dreadnaughts. From there, I quickly accessed my fortress' copy of the Jedi Archives, and discovered rumors of a particular structure that was built onto the world at the height of the Old Republic."
"Which was?"
"That structure was a Jedi temple, and surviving archival records gave hints of affiliation to the Ones from Mortis." Bahl'al finished.
The silence that permeated the chamber was enough to drive a lesser man mad with fear, and Sidious commended his apprentice, "You did well to discover this, my pupil. Even better, to not hoard it for yourself in this crucial time."
"I exist only to serve you and the Empire, my lord." Bahl'al deferentially replied, before cautiously adding, "There is one more thing, my lord. My vision indicated that the Jedi have discovered the temple and are trying to decipher its secrets for its own usage."
Turning to face the Skywalker clone, Sidious ordered Vader, "I want you to rendezvous with the rest of your fleet before they arrive at the Lothal Sector. Have the Gauntlet and Inquisitor Rawk continue on to Tython with their guest. We must lock down and secure the world before the Jedi's fleet can arrive. Whatever secrets exist within this temple will be ours."
"It will be done, my lord. However, I am obligated to warn you that there is the possibility they have already dispatched a fleet to Lothal. And there is the Lothal Sector's direct proximity to the Mon Calamari Sector under their control." Vader cautioned his master.
"Then have the Lothal Sector's fleet link up with yours before arriving in the system. But that temple must be ours before they can unlock its potential." Sidious ordered. "I would send Bahl'al to aid you, but the Tython System and all of the projects under development there are just as crucial to the Empire's survival as this temple."
"Then I give Lord Vader the use of Admiral Coburn and his fleet. This matter is far too important to risk him going into battle without the proper firepower." Bahl'al proposed.
"That would be counterproductive, Bahl'al." Vader dismissed. "Your fleet is too far away to arrive in time to help. And it is needed to protect your ongoing projects within the Tython System. But I may have a compromise. If this temple is truly a sanctum for the Ones, then surely it would be more prudent to send the fleets of Vice Admirals Zaarin and Batch there as an advance force."
Ignoring the set of questionable glares directed at him, Vader explained, "The New Republic already knows of our plans there, and we cannot afford to let them follow us to Lothal. And when word of our retaliation inevitably leaks out to the public, it will serve us better to have us perceived as protecting an Imperial sector from invaders than starving a ruined world into submission. This could very well be more a prudent course of action in order to secure the key to our final victory against the Jedi. And at the very least, it will throw the New Republic off balance and keep their resources away from our strongholds."
"A very wise assessment, Lord Vader, one that I accept." Sidious acknowledged. "But I want Lord Bahl'al to contact Zaarin and Batch immediately on the change of plans as soon as I am done with him. I will not risk giving Quest any more information for his clients to use on us. "
"As you wish, my Master." Vader bowed before closing the holonet link.
Turned to face his fourth apprentice, he maliciously smiled at him while he admonished him, "Did you really think that you could hide this from me, my apprentice?"
"Master?" Bahl'al faux-innocently asked while he knew that his ruse had been exposed. But prioritizing the Empire and his survival above the Sith's power struggles, he played the part of the fool in order to learn just how Sidious discovered his plans.
"Do not mistake my appearance for incompetence, Bahl'al." Sidous growled out. "You can fool Vader, but not me. I knew of your interest in the world of Lothal, ever since you sent those scholars to the world to investigate potential signs of Jedi involvement. And now I know precisely why. You wanted the power of the temple for yourself."
"Not for myself, Master, but for the Empire. For all I knew, you or the Jedi would have hoarded the temple's power for your own power base while ignoring the cost it would inflict on our resources. And that was a risk I could not afford to take. I would have planned to use it to ensure the Sith's ultimate victory over the Jedi and their supporters and secure our dominance for all of time." Bahl'al earnestly stated.
"You are treading very close to admitting treason, Apprentice. Do not forget who the master is here." Sidious warned Bahl'al.
He then surprised him by chuckling and admitting, "Fortunately for you, you are too valuable to be killed for hoarding this secret for yourself. You have a drive to succeed and perfect the Empire that is matched only by my skill in the Dark Side. It is natural that you would want to supplant me. But it will not be as easy as you assumed."
"Then what would you have of me?"
"Carry on with your work for the Dark Side Elite program. I will be observing it very closely from here on out. And, do take more care of your plans, Lord Bahl'al. I would truly hate to dispose of a Sith Lord of your caliber." Sidious warned his apprentice.
"I understand, my master." Bahl'al honestly complied, vowing to take this lesson to heart and not make this level of mistake again. Otherwise, it could very well cost him his life, and the Empire would truly be lost.
Pushing his fear aside, he set to work contacting the Glory for the new orders. The Empire and the galaxy might very well depend on this information.
Ten Minutes Later
In Hyperspace
Aboard the Glory
Three Hours from the Honoghr System
"Sir, the fleet's final systems checks are in. Everything's running at full capacity, and everyone is running their last pre-combat drills before." The XO informed Demetrius.
"Good. Put me in contact with our fleet coordinators. I need to make sure they do not deviate from the plan." The vice admiral said, referring to Joruus C'Boath and Merili.
"Yes, Sir."
"Sir, we're receiving a priority transmission from Lord Bahl'al. The blockade is scrubbed. And we and Vice Admiral Batch have new orders to journey to the Lothal System with all due haste." A comms officer reported to him.
"Lothal? What could we have on that frontier world that requires such a strong response from Bahl'al?" Demetrius inquired as he walked over to the lieutenant.
"He reports that he has discovered a cluster of Jedi stationed on that world that are sabotaging the sector's operations there. And the Emperor shares his belief that an invasion force cannot be far behind them."
Certainly not expecting that answer, Demetrius slowly nodded as read the transmission as confirmation. It indeed had the signature of the Emperor and his Sovereign Protector.
Seeing that this mission could very well determine the entire fleet's future, he gravely ordered the destroyer's captain, "Have the fleet revert to realspace immediately, and get me a secure channel to Vice Admiral Batch. We have a change in plans."
Within the Varon System
Aboard Varon Orbital Command
"We understand. We'll deploy what forces we can to Tenupe at once. Vice Admiral Syn and his advance fleet should be ready to launch.'' Bail promised Thrawn.
"I am most grateful. They will need every advantage they can if they are to survive." Thrawn thanked the New Republic High Command before Oniye brusquely walked in, ignoring protocol and headed straight for Bail.
"My apologies for interrupting, but our people have just received an urgent message from our agent within the Rogue's Company. It's very time-sensitive and will impact several of our Outer Rim operations." The NRI captain hurriedly said, a fearful and analytical gleam in her eyes as she explained herself.
Raising an eyebrow at the captain's uncharacteristic franticness, Bail nodded, "If it is as crucial as you say, then we cannot afford to waste any time. Let me see it, then."
Taking the datapad from the NRI captain, he read its contents with increasing anxiety and speed. He quickly learned the full scope of the danger the Lothal campaign was in, along with the all-but-inevitable power struggle between Sith master and apprentice for the Empire.
"You are certain of this?" Bail hoarsely whispered.
"I am, Sir. The source provided us with a recording if you wish to share with High Command. I quadruple-checked it for any signs of tampering or alterations."
Bail had to grab the holoprjector in front of him to keep himself from collapsing to his knees in utter shock. The utter fear of the carnage that was soon to follow within the Lothal Sector, and perhaps the entire galaxy, nearly made the collected leader vomit.
"Chief Organa? What is the matter?" Thrawn asked his clandestine ally.
"Everything, I'm afraid." Bail needed to get on this right away before the Sith could reach the Lothal Sector, which meant Thrawn and the Chiss would have to take a backseat for the time being. "I'll order Syn and his fleet to move as fast as they can. But I'm afraid there is another issue that requires the New Republic's immediate attention."
Eyes betraying a curiosity that begged to know more, the Chiss commodore wisely decided to hold his tongue before advising, "Very well. But as an ally of the New Republic, I would recommend two things to you: to not allocate all your forces and attention to this singular crisis and rely on your allies to help you see the job done."
Taking a few breaths to steady himself, Bail nodded in gratitude before he ended the transmission, and telling Oniye, "Thank you for bringing this to our attention. You did well, Commander Namada. Dismissed."
Surprised at the sudden promotion, but professional enough to retain her composure, she saluted the Aldeaanian before she left the command center.
"Anyone want to tell us what in the manda is going on?" Kal incredulously questioned.
"The Empire is onto our Lothal liberation, and they know about the temple. They're sending Vader and their Honoghr blockade force to secure the sector as we speak." Bail simple answered.
That created a pall of utter terror over the room, and Ralon suggested, "Perhaps I should launch my Lothal force immediately."
"Not alone." Wullf shook his head. "General Skywalker and his fleet are still stationed in Honoghr, and the Teutonic Sector's fleets are still assisting in the evacuation. They could prove crucial to us in freeing Lothal from the Empire for good."
"Agreed. But what of the Second Chance? Do you think they could-?" Admiral Dylan Libel suggested.
"No." Bail immediately shot that proposal down. "They're still needed for the summit with the Chiss. Thrawn was right. We cannot afford to throw everything in one battle, and this summit is still crucial for the New Republic."
Turning to Ralon, he ordered, "Get your fleet ready within the next ten hours. I'll work on diverting what fleets we can and getting you the firepower to save Lothal. But if all else fails, we'll just have to hope that all works out for us."
Thirty Minutes Later
Aboard the Second Chance
Fifty-Three Hours and Ten Minutes From the Varon System
"All right. If things are as serious as you believe, then we'll change course directly for Tenpue." Tau understandably listened to the Chief of State and his curt orders on the Tenupe situation.
Resisting the urge to ask more questions on Bail's uncharacteristic franticness, Ahsoka instead offered, "If there are any changes that can use our help, you'll let us know, yes? If we can assist you in any way-"
"No. I trust you both. Just focus on helping the Chiss and negotiating an alliance with them afterwards for the time being. Then we'll consider taking you two off your probation." Bail answered before closing his transmission, leaving the two and their crew to contemplate their sudden change in plans.
Thirty Minutes Later
On Lothal
Within the Jedi Temple's Catacombs
"All right. Everything ready on your end?" Eldra told Eeth and Jaing as they, their teammates, and Eldra's three fellow surviving Jedi were prepared to activate the stone chamber's hidden deactivation sequence for its built-in stasis defense network.
The ten teammates quickly voiced their affirmation. with one hand each pressed on each of their respective stone panels, ready to save the three Hawkes and bring Lothal one step closer to being liberated from the Empire.
Even after the brief explanation of the World Between Worlds, the creature lurking within and how it killed two of Eldra's fellow Jedi, there were still countless questions the New Republic craved answers to. It certainly did not help how most of these questions came from an overly enthusiastic Micah, much to his daughter's embarrassment.
"Then let's hope you aren't pulling a fast one on us, Kratis." Jaing warned the Twi'lek, ignoring the glares directed at him by the rest of her fellow Lothalian Chapter Jedi.
"Funny, I could say the same thing about you, given your occupation." Eldra uttered.
"Why? Because I'm a clone that helped bring about the Jedi's downfall in my timeline?" Jaing scoffed, ready for a classic example of typical Jedi prejudice and their moralistic platitudes.
"Of course not. Your creation and upbringing are not your fault, and your brothers suffered terribly in both yours and Tau's timeline. Besides, I've met a few clones in my time, and most of them were decent beings." Eldra explained, much to Jaing's surprise. "No, it's your place in the New Republic as a Spook. They are notoriously deceptive and always planning five moves ahead of everyone in my reality."
Shrugging, Jaing admitted, "My place in my last squad didn't work out, and I wanted to do some good for my brothers and the galaxy."
"Fair enough. You seem like a decent person, other than your whole suspicious nature." Eldra admitted.
"I'm sorry to interrupt such a spirited discussion, Master Kratis, but we have much to do, and are rather short on time right now. Your bantering will have to wait for a while." Landry advised his fellow Jedi.
"Right." Eldra agreed before ordering everyone through her comlink, "Let's get these poor souls freed." She pressed his keystone and signaled for Chelli to activate hers.
One after another, the keystones were activated by the ten figures, even a fully mobile Teeseven, until the last keystone was pressed by Eeth. Once that was done, the stasis field that covered the three Hawkes instantly disappeared. The family immediately fell to the ground with gasps of shock, spasming and gasping at the shock of being freed from their ancient prison.
Immediately rushing to their side, Jaing and Ephraim quickly pulled out the Outrider's medical equipment to help stabilize their health. On the other hand, Eeth, Landry, and Eldra gently probed the minds of the three Force users to see if their minds were damaged from their long slumber.
After a brief mental probe, Eeth sighed in relief, "I think they're going to be all right. Their minds are still very strong."
After five minutes of waiting, Kira Marr Hawkes was the first to awaken, and she groggily groaned, "Ugh, finally! I was worried that no one would find us after who-knows how long we were trapped down here."
Turning her head to see her parents slowly return to consciousness, she quickly asked Eeth, "Who are you? What's your name, and what is your affiliation with the Force?"
Taken aback by the sudden barrage of questions, Eeth didn't protest when she shakily stood up. Micah took the initiative and carefully spoke up, "Don't you think you should be taking it easy? After all, you've been trapped in stasis for… well, a long time, judging by the design of your lightsabers."
"My parents always said I had a curious nature, and I do want to know if we've ended up in the hands of our enemies." Kira earnestly answered.
"You mean the Sith." Jaing knowingly said.
"Yeah. I take it that you guys are all Jedi, given that your eyes are normal, and you haven't killed any of us yet?" Kira deduced.
"You mean because of your parents. Your father is, after all, the Hero of Tython and Commander of the Eternal Alliance, and your mother is a Light Sith Lady." Eeth said. "And, to answer your question, several of us are Jedi, and we're all allies of the New Republic."
"The… the 'New Republic?'" Davin repeated as he and his wife were helped to their feet by Mira and Jaing. "I guess we've been imprisoned for more than a few decades, then."
Reaching out with the Force, he felt the Dark Side in full force throughout the galaxy, and Lana felt the fear from her husband.
Quickly taking the initiative, she asked anyone, "How long were we trapped underground?"
"What's the last major event that happened before you were trapped here?" Micah asked any of their three rescued Force-Sensitives.
All three of them knew that this was both a test of their cognitive abilities and a way to prepare them for however long they were entombed in stasis.
Knowing this, Lana honestly, if sadly, answered, "The declaration of the Great Peace of the Republic after the Sith Empire's final remnants was destroyed. Emperor Vowrawn and his Sith wouldn't surrender after the last genocide the Republic embarked on, and they fought to the bitter end."
Nodding his head in approval, Eeth said, "We'll have to examine your mental and physical faculties on the way back to our territory, but you seem all right. That's no small feat, considering that you've been trapped here for over thirty-six hundred years."
That remark left a terrible silence from the Hawkes family, and Davin hoarsely repeated, "Thirty-six centuries?!"
"I'm afraid so." Eldra regretfully confirmed. "When you were exploring this temple, you triggered one of its ancient defenses, and were held in stasis until we discovered and freed you."
"What about the Jedi that were supposed to have guarded this temple? Why didn't they free us when we were first trapped?" Kira demanded, horrified that all of her friends were nothing but ancient history now.
"I'm afraid we simply don't know. I suppose the Jedi of old in your reality forgot this temple but kept its defenses active to protect the secrets guarded within." Eldra sympathetically explained.
Just then, Teeseven started rolling towards his longtime friend and companion, who beeped and whistled with excitement at seeing his friends back.
"TeeSeven!" Davin and Kira joyously shouted at their friend being kept in well-functioning condition throughout the ages.
Lana, the most suspicious of the family while her husband and daughter ran to their old friend, glared at Eldra, "What's your angle here? Why keep this place such a secret? What's to hide here?"
"They were protecting the only portal that bridges to other realities and connects with all of time." Eeth honestly answered, causing the three Hawkes to gape at such an absurd claim.
Before they could utter a single retort, Landry came forward, and warned everyone, "We all ought to get above ground now and warn this reality's Jedi. I sense a terrible darkness approaching this world. It must be this galaxy's Sith Emperor and his disciples, and they're sending a fleet to secure this world."
"Emperor?" Lana repeated, before the Knight ignored her as he continued,
"I hope your ship is a strong and fast one, otherwise you'll never get off Lothal."
"Hold on! You guys are coming with us! You four can't face the Empire all by yourselves, let alone protect the portals!" Chelli protested.
"And we need to take your message to High Command. They need to know what's coming our way." Micah added.
"Don't worry about it. We can keep the temple hidden from them through the Force until you can liberate the sector. What's important now is that you get the Hawkes to a safe haven to fully recover. Besides, if you send a transmission to the New Republic from here, the Empire will almost certainly trace the signal to here."
Father and daughter would have argued further, but Eeth reluctantly stopped them. "No. He's right. We can't face Vader and the Imperial Navy ourselves, and we have to get the word out to your government. And staying here would only draw the Sith to this place even faster. At least this way, they can buy us all some time."
Grunting in relent, Jaing warned the Teutonic Knights, "You better survive and keep this temple safe, or we'll all live to regret it."
"We know. Now go. The longer you delay, the longer it will take you to reach your territory."
Taking a moment to glare at the four Lothalian Jedi, Lana vowed, "This isn't over. We'll want a full explanation when we escape this system."
"And you'll get them from Master Koth and Captain Jaing." Eldra promised before she handed the two team leaders a set of datapads, "Keep them safe, and get the data to the New Republic for the trials ahead."
While there were still unanswered questions, everyone knew that there would be a better time to answer them after they escaped the planet. They quickly left the temple to find their ship waiting on the surface.
"Thank you, for everything." Davin thanked the team, before reminding them, "You still owe us that explanation."
"We'll tell you after we enter hyperspace." Vega promised while he headed to his ship, and Ephraim went to check on his family while Jaing prepared the ship for takeoff.
"You guys all strapped in? This might be a bit of a bumpy ride." Jaing warned everyone from the cockpit.
"We're all ready." Ephraim nodded, while Mira held him tightly as they prepared to leave their homeworld indefinitely.
"Just promise us that we can come back someday." Mira pleaded.
"You have our word. Once we get out of the Lothal Sector, we'll send word to the New Republic and they'll send a fleet to liberate your sector. And we'll rally every force we can to save this world. What we've learned here will be too pivotal for anyone to ignore." Micah vowed.
Well, I think that this is a great place to end the chapter! Sorry for cutting off the Battle of Honoghr so suddenly, but I figured that there would be too many battles at once with Tenupe and Lothal about to kick into high gear. I hope you enjoyed the prelude to the fight for the Lothal Sector, and I have many plans for the story going forward. So, how are you all doing on this cool night of Sunday, March 7, 2021? I'm doing all right, as I worked on homework this morning, walked with my mother in the afternoon, and finished this chapter in the evening. I've also decided to work on redoing the epilogue for the original Jedi Odyssey saga to better flesh out Tau's time travels and introduce a certain ancient and terrible evil into the main Star Wars galaxy back in the Legacy Era. That means I'll have to put this story in the backseat for a while, and probably my Jedi Odyssey Rewrite as well. Oh, and I'm reading Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Allies, and I'll read Vortex and Conviction afterwards before reading a book on the US Constitution. Well, I'd better get this chapter to my friends for their analysis. May the Lord be with us all in these troubling times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!