Episode X.- A Cold Peace

Peace! The Imperial Belt Accords agreed upon the Republic and the Trade Alliance have declared the former Imperial Belt a neutral zone, where the Republic and the Trade Alliance may not engage in warfare against each other. Anti-Midichlorian technology has been banned by both parties in an effort to recover areas where famine and destruction of technology was widespread. Coruscant has been recovered as an inhabitable planet. A new House of Sith Lords has arisen outside the Trade Alliance, which might push both parties back into war.

ACT I.- Death of the Leaders

"This is the saddest hour of our dearest Republic," Chancellor Gyné Amidala says. "Today we commemorate the passing of one our greatest, Chancellor Leia Organa, who once rebuilt the Republic on the face of the Empire, and then fought night and day to consolidate the union we now enjoy as a Republic." Everyone gives a thunderous applause, in the rebuilt hall of the Republic Senate, after years of recuperation of the once lost planet of Coruscant.

Unlike the Republic or the Trade Alliance, the Neutral Zone breathes instability. This means opportunity for those who are bold. A key planet of the Neutral Zone is Lyd. A mining planet under siege by the House of Maul. Lord Maul is leading this mission with an army of droids. But the opposition has a clear motif. "Kill the unholy!" a member of the army says. "Destroy the unworthy!"

An army of a few Sith apprentices is wreaking havoc amongst the droids. Cheap weapons don't mean great results. So, Lord Maul is ever impatient. And his drive for lust, for power, for blood, it gets way high into his head, and starts leading the attack. This is until a similar beast comes to his way.

"State your name," Lord Maul orders, while pointing with one end of his double-bladed lightsaber. The man in robes shows his lightsaber, with perhaps a strange feat: it shifts from red to black. "Anti-midichlorian technology…" Lord Maul says. "You are carrying a dangerous weapon in there." The bulky man in robes is just waiting for Lord Maul to strike. And so it happens. But it appears

"I will tell you my name once, then you'll be no more," the man in robe says. "I'm the true heir of the Sith. Unlike you, I'm a believer, and you will die. Kneel to the holy name of Lord Bane, the one who truly walks the Dark Side of the Force." Maul simply attacks. It's just way too much chit-chat for him. However, the dark lightsaber should be feared, as it cuts Maul's lightblade in half. And then Maul's physical form leaves this world.

The Sith Council is summoned upon the death of Lord Maul. A House needs a leader. The leader must be strong with the Force. The leader must have fallen to the Dark Side. There is one woman under Maul's protection. A woman without a family name. We shall name her Lady Rey.

ACT II.- Pacification Tactics

Of course, the events of Planet Lyd would have also become known to the Republic. In that light, Lady Rey Maul has called for a meeting with Chancellor Amidala. That meeting is being hosted now.

"A new Sith faction has arisen," Lady Rey says. "However, they are still not part of the Alliance. I have a bad feeling about this one."

"I… am aware," Chancellor Amidala says. "Have you come here to propose a joint attack?"

"That, Chancellor, is one of my fears," Lady Rey says. "Our peace is fragile, and I don't wish to undo Chancellor Organa's hard work. For now, we will watch, and await."

"You certainly don't look like a Sith," Chancellor Amidala says.

"Not all Sith crave for power," Lady Rey explains.

Upon the ending of the brief, yet peacekeeping exchange between the parties, Chancellor Amidala summons the Jedi Order and General Poe Dameron. From the Jedi Order come Master Luke Skywalker and Padawan Jaylen Rax.

"Planet Lyd of the Neutral Zone is becoming a liability against the peace between the Republic and the Trade Alliance," Chancellor Amidala says. "I have called you to hear your opinions in this issue."

"I would strike the place, Chancellor," Jaylen Rax says. "They have killed Lord Maul, and he is the one who fought for peace from the Dark Side perspective."

"He wasn't fighting for peace, Jaylen," Luke says. "There was a matter involving imbalances in the Force. Intervening now would certainly expose the Republic and the Jedi Order as warmongers. I do not recommend an intervention."

"But… we could spy the place if we resigned to the benefits of the Republic," Poe Dameron says.

"Would you be willing to run such a risk?" Chancellor Amidala asks.

"I would, and I believe Jaylen too," Poe says. "A two-man operation should suffice."

"I agree," Jaylen says.

"So, a decision has been taken," Gyné Amidala concludes.

In her peaceful house in Mustafar, Rey is enjoying tea with her family. Happy times and happy endings brought by the Dark Side of the Force. Her illusion is now fulfilled, as is her devotion to the Dark Side. And thus, she is seeing it, the future… Finn is coming for her, and Finn will probably die.

TAKE THE BLOOD AND THE FORCE OF THIS HERETIC, AND GIVE IT TO THE CHOSEN ONE!

Yes, that is Finn's future… a sacrifice ordered by Lord Bane. But she can't see any further. She can only wish for Bane's failure, just for the fun of it. For interrupting her tea with her beloved parents.

In the Royal Cemetery of Naboo, Finn tries to channel Anakin Skywalker's Force Ghost.

"I'd bet you don't come to visit Padmé," Anakin says.

"It's the Jedi Order, they will spur war again," Finn says. "I just don't know how to stop them."

"But Rey, she has trained for that," Anakin says. "The only issue is that she's fallen deep into the Dark Side. She has made her illusion into reality instead of breaking it and achieving balance."

"If she's our only hope, then I will find her," Finn says.

A rogue Finn steals a Naboo commercial vessel and jumps to the Trade Alliance, only that the jump is halted. How? What kind of technology can do that? A pair of warships surround him.

"Trade vessel," a man commands. "This is a toll station for Planet Lyd. Pay or be boarded."

"I don't have any money on me, Sir," Finn says.

I SENSE IT. HE IS STRONG WITH THE FORCE. ARREST HIM. HIS MIDICHLORIANS SHALL BE HARVESTED.

"Yes, Lord Bane," the man says.

And so, the Bane patrol uses a weapon to hack Finn's controls, and the ship lands before Bane. As soon as the lid is opened, Finn counters.

"A blue lightsaber…" Lord Bane says. "It will be a joy to defeat you, Jedi."

Lord Bane pulls out his black lightsaber.

"Anti-midichlorians?" Finn asks.

"You are more force sensitive than the Sith Lord who dared face me," Bane says.

And the clash easily begins with a cutting of Finn's lightblade.

"Impossible," Finn says. Bane smiles triumphantly, but before he can make any move, Finn is choked until he falls unconscious. Bane talks to the one behind him. "That was not necessary, Vader," Bane says. Then he lifts Finn's body on his shoulder. It is a Force Ghost in the image of Darth Vader who is speaking to him.

"If you kill him, you can't harvest him," Darth Vader says. "You must collect his midichlorians to sustain your invasion of Planet Lyd. Exagul is near you."

So, the harvest for the Chosen One, Lord Vader, begins. The Force in Finn is being taken away. And firmly, Finn resists. But it is just a matter of time for Finn to die. And Finn screams are interrupting Rey's family teas again. "It's enough!" Rey thinks. "I'm going to kill that Lord Bane!"

Fortune must be around Rey, as Jaylen and Poe enter into the Neutral Zone in the Millenium Falcon. Rey opens a broadcast channel.

"Agents of the Republic," a droid says. "Prepare to be boarded by Lady Rey Maul. Your resistance will be interpreted as a violation of the Imperial Belt Accords."

"Alright, we'll allow Rey in," Poe says.

Rey hugs Poe. But Jaylen Rax looks at her with disdain.

"Finn's being imprisoned at Lyd," Rey says. "I could have your assistance, but I need to turn the Jedi into the Dark Side."

Jaylen pulls out his lightsaber, but Rey seeks deep into Jaylen. A poor boy, yes. He wants status, yes. And he doesn't want to disappoint his Master Luke. What could be a higher disappointment? To start a war due to negligence or to turn into the Dark Side to secure yet another bit of peace? The doubts are turned into fear, and the fear allows Jaylen to drift to the Dark Side. And unlike Rey, who has been trained, yet hasn't chosen to go back into balance, Jaylen will be a better Sith than her.

"What do you want?" Jaylen asks.

"Replace me, and become part of the Trade Alliance," Rey says. "Become a member of the Sith Council. If you accept, from now on, you shall be known as Jaylen Maul."

"I accept, Master," Jaylen says.

"I won't be your master," Rey says. "You will simply take your place. Now, come to my ship. And Poe… wait for me."

The Sith Council is summoned for a motion for succession. Rey wishes no longer to be part of the Sith Council, and desires to nominate Jaylen Rax as her successor. A padawan from the legendary Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker, turned into the Dark Side.

THE MOTION IS MORE THAN INTERESTING.

LOOTING FROM THE VERY LUKE SKYWALKER, YOU ARE A TRUE SITH LADY REY.

WE SHALL ACCEPT LORD JAYLEN MAUL IN YOUR PLACE.

"It's done, pal," Rey says. "All I ask for is to keep our little secret quiet. No one from the council must know that the Republic attempted to spy on Planet Lyd."

"Agreed," Jaylen says.

And thus, a switch is performed, as Jaylen takes command of a Trade Alliance droid transporter, and Rey boards the Millenium Falcon.

"Let's go to Lyd," Rey says. "And try not to be detected."

"Easier said than done," Poe says. "But you better explain your move to me."

"Jedi are too Force sensitive," Rey says. "He would be detected on spot. I have enough training to hide my Force sensitivity."

ACT III.- Rescue operations

Then, the Millenium Falcon jumps, and the ship's so old that it has become untraceable for modern radars.

"You have become quite competent with this old piece of junk," Rey says.

"You are going to wake Han's spirit from its eternal rest," Poe jokes.

Planet Lyd doesn't have a proper breathable atmosphere. Rey senses it, a technology akin to Anti-midichlorians has contaminated the planet. So, it's space suits for them. The best way of infiltrating is to make them believe they aren't there in the first place.

WARNING! WARNING! FACILITY BREACHED!

The alarm sounds, yet, as everyone in the base, barring Lord Bane and his entourage, wears space suits, they are almost undetectable. And, with Finn's force sensitivity, Rey finds him in no time. But the Force being used by Finn shows him Rey's illusion, her time having family tea, is just actually tea-time with two dead corpses.

"Hurry up!" Rey says while crying. "We don't have much time." Rey turns the harvesting machine off, as it is powered with Anti-midichlorian technology. Finn escapes and hugs Poe. "Time to escape buddy," Poe says.

"A Force Ghost is aiding Bane," Finn says. "But I can't quite identify it."

"I'll delve into it," Rey says. "You two run before a violation to the Imperial Belt Accords is construed against the Republic."

And so, the once partners in war, now split once more again. And Rey allows her Force signature to occupy the whole facility, so Poe and Finn may escape.

"Someone is coming," Lord Bane says.

"I know this one," Vader says. "Be careful. She can prove to be dangerous."

And in a matter of time, Rey and Bane face each other.

"You have been interrupting my tea time," Rey says.

"Your presence is insulting to me," Lord Bane says. "I will not stand those who are unfaithful to the Force."

Rey pulls her grey lightsaber out. Bane does the same with his black one. They clash almost immediately, but Bane is surprised.

"I hope you got more than anti-midichlorians into your lightsaber," Rey says.

"I will not be mocked by a little girl," Lord Bane says. "I respond to the Force Ghost of the Chosen One. I respond to Lord Vader."

"No, you don't," Rey says. "You haven't faced your illusion yet, and you haven't even tried to balance the Force."

"But with his guidance I will," Lord Bane says. "I will balance the Force to the Dark Side! And everyone will believe in the Force."

Soon, Rey is surrounded by Bane's entourage, who shoot Rey to stun. And as all her efforts are directed towards holding Lord Bane, the shots make their effect.

"Imprison her," Bane orders. "And take her lightsaber. It must be studied."

Finn and Poe successfully escape from Planet Lyd, and manage to get to Republic territory. If it weren't for Finn though, they would still be stuck on that cursed planet. Anti-midichlorians had turned the Millenium Falcon into actual junk, but Finn dissipated them with the Force. Yet, another challenge awaits Finn and Poe.

WE ARE MILITARY FORCES FROM THE REPUBLIC. SURRENDER OR BE SHOT TO DEATH.