Star Wars: Jedi Odyssey II: Recovery

by SWEUFan2007

The One Sith are on the rise! Despite multiple victories by Edaan Palpatine and the Jedi Order, the galaxy continues to slide closer to the edge of the Dark Side. And with Edaan thrown into a coma, their allies will have to manage without him as the enemy tightens their grip. But help may come in the most unexpected of ways, if they can find their way back to the Light!

5. Chapter 4

Good afternoon, all of you! How are you doing on this warm day of Friday, April 9, 2021? I'm doing well, as I am close to finishing my Spring 2021 college courses, and then I only have three more classes to take before I graduate. And I finished the second chapter of my Jedi Odyssey: Epilogue a while ago and took a bit of a break to play some Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. I've finished two major arcs and got another 30 Gamerscore points from the game. Unfortunately, some of the achievements are locked from bugs, so I can't keep full track of the game's progress. Anyway, I've decided to get a head start on the next chapter of Jedi Odyssey II: Recovery before I have work to get back to on Monday and next Friday. That'll be a bit busy, but it'll be good to get paid again for good and honest work. And I still have a long way to go on my book on the US Constitution, and I'm loving it so far. Well, that's enough small talk on my time. I'd best get back to writing, as this chapter won't write itself. Maty God be with us all in these dark days.

Five Minutes Later

Within the Honoghr System

500 Kilometers From the Planet Honoghr

Aboard the Indomitable

All right, Jetti. We're here. Which means you need to hurry up and work some of your Force-induced miracles and stop us before we can destroy this planet. Thornton anxiously thought as he issued orders to prepare deployment of the defoliator bomb.

Not even a minute after the flotilla began to deploy its fighters, the Crusader-class Corvette's proximity alarms began blaring all across the bridge.

"Sir, we're detecting a large fleet emerging out of hyperspace at Point T-56." A sensor's officer reported to his CO.

"Is it the Jedi? Or the GA?" Thornton speculatively asked. He knew that General Farlander's fleet was minutes behind them, but the incoming fleet's trajectory had them coming in from a completely different angle.

"Neither, Sir. I can only ID a few of the ships. Their transponders are at least decades-old, but if these readings are any indication, then it looks like a scavenged fleet of Clone War-era or older vessels."

"Then who in the manda could that be?" A captain demanded as the unknown fleet reverted to realspace, surprising everyone, even the Mandalorian Protectors' agents aboard, with the antiquity and diversity of the fleet.

Honestly, this fleet resembled more of a traveling museum than an actual fighting force if its ramshackle appearance and varying color schemes were any indication!

Comprised of thirty Sphyrna-class Hammerhead Torpedo Corvettes, ten Neutron Star-class bulk cruisers, five DH-Omni Support Vessels, two dozen Jadthu-class landing ships, and two Lucrehulk Core Ships, each designed with a unique artistic design, Thornton wondered just who called them to aid the Jedi in their mission. But before he could give any orders, he recognized a very particular symbol on each vessel's flanks: A purple-haired and brown-skinned humanoid with green eyes, wrinkled faces, and armed with an AB-75 bo-rifle that belonged to the Lasan High Honor Guard.

The Lasan. But there's only a handful of people in the entire galaxy who should still know of them. Thornton realized, allowing a small smile to grace his helmeted face. Sabine, you crafty, old, kriffing genius trickster. You called in Orellios to fight alongside the Jedi.

"Sir…" The comm officer nervously reported. "The lead Core Ship, it's hailing us. They're identifying themselves as High General Garazeb Orellios, and they're demanding to speak with you immediately"

"Put it through; but keep the fleet on high alert." Thornton ordered both his XO and the comm officer, "If they attack first, we either try to break through, or retreat."

"Your father and Lord Wyyrlok were very clear on-" The XO faux-protested. Though she was one of his many co-conspirators in their efforts to destroy the Neo Death Watch, they had appearances to keep up for whatever remaining supporters existed in his fleet.

"In this case, I don't give a damn about my father or the cause." Thornton answered, allowing genuine anger and hate to enter his voice. "I'll not let any of you die in the name of a pointless vendetta."

Before any further discussions could be made, the holotransmission was connected, and Thornton was marveled at who was on the other end: A Lasan male with purple skin, purple hair, green eyes, and armor befitted a royal general from an ancient Old Republic monarchical world, with an AB-75 bo-rifle attached to his back.

This had to have been Garazeb Orellios, a veteran of the First Galactic Civil War and leader of the Lasan Remnant before their disappearance from the galactic community over four decades ago. He served as a covert-ops leader in the Rebellion after his original team he belonged to, the Spectres, were decimated by Darth Vader and dissolved by Rebel High Command. And he still served with honor and distinction for many years after their homeworld of Lasan was devastated by the Empire in the final years that led up to the Rebel Alliance's foundation.

But he eventually resigned after the First Corellian Insurrection to remove his people from the galaxy. Allegedly, they were going to find a new homeworld to colonize and try and restart their population, a long shot amongst a few hundred thousand refugees that survived the Empire's purges. But many of his oldest friends suspected they were going to try and find their long-lost ancestral homeworld of Lira San deep in Wild Space.

Of course, those rumors were never confirmed. At least, not until today for the defecting Mandalorian. Judging by the fleet appearing before them, Thornton would have to say that his mission in all regards was a resounding success.

Breaking the silence after a moment, Garazeb turned to face the Rhal heir and bluntly asked "You're the one in charge of this so-called fleet, I take it?"

"Funny. I could say the same thing to you, Mr. Orellios." Thornton cleverly retorted. Playing the part of a cautious fleet commander stalling for time, he warned him, "Whoever you are, I suggest you turn around now if you want to save your fleet from utter annihilation."

"You mean like how you and your so-called Mandalorians are going to destroy an entire world just like the old Empire did to mine decades ago? Not a chance. Your followers are an utter disgrace to the Mandalorians I once knew." Garazeb snarled, making Thornton wonder if the Lasan knew he was a double agent.

His hopes suddenly rose again when Garazeb offered, "But, in the spirit of compromise and in memory of some old friends of mine, I'd like to make you a deal. You call off your fleet and your planet-killing bombs, and then we can try to talk things out."

"Sir! There's another fleet exiting hyperspace right about four hundred kilometers behind us! It's a GA flotilla!" A Sensor's officer urgently warned Thornton.

Just in time to seal my defection. Thornton sighed before the tactical monitor revealed three MC80B Star Cruisers, four Corona-class frigates, three Republic-class cruisers, an Interdictor-class Star Destroyer, an Endurance-class fleet carrier, and one Nebula-class Star Destroyer reverting to realspace, with each ship bearing the insignia of the Galactic Alliance.

Clearly, the ex-Jedi commanding the fleet still had significant pull in the Galactic Alliance's command structure in order to muster such a strong force to bear so quickly.

Garazeb did not waste any time gloating to the double agent, "Seems the odds have shifted even further away from you."

Grateful his helmet could hide the wide and joyous smirk on his face, Thornton knew this was the moment of truth for his friends. Sternly ordering his command crew, "Have the fleet power down all nonessential systems immediately."

"Sir?" Barden, the ship's lead comms officer could hardly believe his ears. His friend had never surrendered before, and they had a critical mission to carry out for the Neo Death Watch. They could not allow everything they have worked for in the name of their movement to let it start falling apart now.

"Do it now!" Thornton barked back. "We won't be winning this fight, and I won't sacrifice any of my people for a suicidal cause like this."

"You've just saved a lot of lives, Commander. Guess all the good things I heard about you were true after all." Garazeb approvingly noted.

From that admission, everything suddenly became clear for Barden about his so-called friend. The mysterious transmissions he sent that only a handful noticed, his questionable speeches to his soldiers, and his disrespectful attitude towards his father, a great man who would lead the Neo Death Watch to greater glory and battle than ever before; Thornton was a traitor to the true Mandalorians. He was about to sell out his followers to the Jedi in exchange for karkingamnesty.

Resisting the urge to blast the man where he stood, he instead activated the comm system, and issued the order. Once that was done, he asked the Jedi mole, "How long?"

"I'm sorry?"

"How long have you been working for the Jedi and Fett? What did they offer you in return for betraying the Mando'ade?! The Thornton Rhal I knew might have had issues with his father, but he would never have betrayed his people for weak-willed aruetii!" His voice painfully rose in anger and betrayal with every breath he took.

"I'm no traitor, old friend." By the Manda, it felt so good to let it out after years of bottling up his disgust for his father's cause, he just could not stop at this point. "My father and his willing dupes are the ones who betrayed what makes a Mandalorian long ago by slaughtering innocent people for their deranged bloodlust. It's about time I do something about his madness, along with the Sith that have perpetuated it ever since our ancestors first allied with them."

"So, you ally yourself with the Jedi, after all the defeats they inflicted upon us? How is that any better?!"

"Better the devil we know than the devil we don't. Thornton sadly shook his head. "I know what you're trying to do, old friend, but it won't work. This fleet is not loyal to the Sith or my father, but-"

"Sir, the Resolute, Heart Render, and their detachments are breaking formation!" A sensors officer interrupted Thornton. "They aren't responding to any of our hails!"

So much for a bloodless victory. Thornton ruefully shook his head and angrily gritted his teeth before quickly ordering his crew, "Pursue them and have the fleet shoot to destroy. And warn the GA of this as well. We'll likely need their help to stop the renegades."

Turning to Garazeb, he recommended him, "I'd suggest that you position your fleet to cordon off the planet. You'll be our last line of defense if we can't get to them in time."

"But sir, we can't just kill our own. And some of the men might be fighting for control of-" The XO reminded him as the Lasan signed off to give his fleet new orders.

"Those ships carry the backup defoliator bombs." Thornton reminded her. "We can't err on the side of caution this time. If we don't want the entire Noghri planet on your conscience, then you'd all best carry out my orders right away."

"Seems that your fleet's loyalty isn't as absolute as you believe, Commander." Barden wickedly smirked. "You can kill me now, if you wish. At least the mission will carry on, with or without me."

"Oh, no. Barden, you're not getting off that easily." A strong and aging voice came from behind both men.

Thornton sighed as he turned to face the man who was his ticket to joining the right side: Medrit Vasur. He entered the room with a squad of Mandalorian Supercommandos as they aimed their blasters at the Neo Death Watch-loyalist. And the Mandarlorian blacksmith was smirking with no mirth as he continued the warning, "We'll let the true Mand'alordecide your fate. It'll be much more gruesome and humiliating than just killing you here and now."

"Did you have to make such a dramatic entrance?" Thornton ruefully asked.

"Don't you have your renegade followers to take down?" Medrit retorted.

Nodding, he ordered his men, "You heard the man. We have a planet to save, and renegade brothers to stop."

"Commander? If I may, there may be a way to stop the traitors without much bloodshed." A familiar voice advised the Rhal scion over the comm system.

"General Farlander. If you have a plan to stop my former men, then share it. Or better yet, tell me while we stop their mission." Thornton advised the GA general.

"It's a bit of a gamble, and it'll send your father over the edge, but it'll let all of your men live to fight another day." Keyan began.

Making my osik pile of a father go shabla would just make my day. Thornton sighed. "Keep going."

In Hyperspace

Aboard the Leigeus's Lament

35 Hours and Forty Minutes From the Red Twins System

"Everything is proceeding exactly as you predicted, Admiral Daala. The Jedi and Sith are going to bring themselves to the brink of destruction in this war, and the seeds will be sown for our retribution." The hooded individual spoke to Natasi.

"And all that remains is to ensure me and my followers meet our 'demise' at the Red Twins." Her spine shivered at the representative for the Olpaka Hegemony, for she knew the man all too well as an unsophisticated brute. But she had to put aside her disgust to ensure her people's survival. After all, this was the last stronghold she could utilize and rebuild her ranks for the final war.

"But what of the Jedi Palpatine and his followers? If they succeed in uniting the entire galaxy, against the One Sith, it could make our grand endgame all but impossible to achieve." Natasi reminded the shrouded man.

"Surely one Jedi Knight, even one with such a renowned bloodline, cannot achieve all of this with but a handful of crewmates, yes? Especially with his obsessive drive and prattling on about redemption for a Sith Lady."

"Do not underestimate him and his order. There is a stronger resolve in him than you can possibly imagine. And his allies are far stronger and more numerous than you believe. Remember, he summoned the Silentium to aid Fel's loyalists, and even I don't fully understand him and his friends."

She still vividly remembered her encounter with him five years ago, and the pure hate and righteous anger he directed at her when he discovered the experiments Stryker Melusar was conducting on her behalf. It even gave her terrible nightmares for many months before she realized he would not hunt her down and gut her like a common rabid animal.

Pushing those thoughts aside, she instead redirected the question, "Have your agents prepared the trap for my pursuers?"

"Everything is ready. All that is needed now are the witnesses to behold your final act of courage and defiance."

On Bastion

Within the Imperial Army Complex

Inside the Maximum-Security Prison

"How goes the interrogations?" General Armitage Jaegar, commander of the Imperial Five-Oh-First Legion, pressed the lead doctor and Imperial Intelligence commander as the three officers observed the high-priority prisoner recover from his brutal questioning/torture. "Have any of them cracked?"

Under normal circumstances, the general would not stoop to such brutal methods of acquiring information. But since the prisoner was Commander Gideon Hask, previous leader of Natasi Daala's elite commandos, and former leader of the renowned Inferno Squad before his high treason, he surely knew where Natasi Daala's final destination was. That knowledge could help capture her before she started yet another galactic war.

Unfortunately, since Gideon had been proven to be resistant to Jedi mind probes, they had to try many less savory alternatives in order to produce results before Daala slipped through their fingers for the last time.

"Some have, but they claim to not know where she's heading. But they do admit to having been on Aborah the day of your raid. If nothing else, we can have them testify to the experiments she had Melusar undergo there."

Aborah. That was an island whose name Armitage did not wish to hear about ever again. Not after the abominable experiments Daala ordered to occur there, and pure malice he saw from a younger Edaan Palpatine there, along with the terrible choice forced upon the Jedi Apprentice by compassion and bitter duty on that horrible day.

Five Years Ago

On Elona 34th, 54 ABY, 1900 Hours

On Muunilinst

Within the Western Sea

On the Island of Aborah

"Can you sense the Jedi close by, Edaan? We're cutting it a little close with Melusar's countdown." Armitage warned the Palpatine heir as the Jedi Apprentice scoured the databanks for any references to their quarry.

After searching through Stryker Melusar's covert lab and downloading what little amounts of precious data they could from the damaged computers, the Imperial strike teams were prepared to pull out before they and the island became yet another casualty of Daala's constant wars. It was only through Edaan's urging to stay and extract the two Jedi Knights, Jysella Horn and Tahiri Veila, that Daala held captive here that kept the task force behind.

Honestly, after what Tahiri did to Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon thirteen years ago on the Bloodfin on behalf of Darth Caedus, he would not have wanted to save her from torture. At least, that was before he got to know her and form a grudging respect, if not friendship with her during the many missions she did on Head of State Reige's behalf.

And he even held a bit of a kindred spirit in Edaan over Tahiri's redemption when many others were not given the chance to find their way back from the Dark Side. Even so, he sympathized with the trauma she went through ever since she was a mere fourteen years old and understood how she genuinely wanted to atone for her sins she committed in Caedus's name.

But he held the uncommon belief within the Order of how it was still hypocritical how the Jedi accepted her with little fuss when several initiates were expelled over far smaller misdemeanors. In fact, Armitage suspected that something deeper was driving him, something personal and that could very well have Edaan do something reckless, even for a Jedi.

Pushing his mind back to the task at hand, he sadly acknowledged how, after searching the labs and prisons through the last half hour after its support staff fled, the insertion team was ready to cut its losses and retreat before the lab self-destructed in thirty minutes.

"I found them." Edaan gravely answered. "They're being held in Med-Lab Five, under the intensive care facility. Guess Daala did a real number on them here."

"Then if we're going to save them, we'll have to move fast. I'll have a squad of medics ready to meet us at the extraction point." Armitage reminded him.

"I have the clearance codes to enter the facility. Let's move." Edaan pulled out a datacard before the two men and their squad of Imperial Marines hurried through the devastated facility. Ignoring the corpses, fires and explosions continuously scarring the facility, it took them about five minutes before they reached the chamber.

Immediately plugging in the datacard into a slot, Edaan grew increasingly anxious as the doors slowly opened.

Armitage, having spent enough time around the Jedi to know when the Force was at work, knowingly asked, "Are they that bad?"

"They're desperate and resigned to death. Whatever Daala did to them, it won't be easy to undo." Edaan nervously sighed.

"Well, they'll have the best care the Empire can provide." The colonel earnestly vowed as they entered the now-opened room. "It's the least we can do after whatever Daala and her followers did to them."

"Th-" Edaan's efforts at gratitude were halted when they came across a sight that had them bordering vomiting for realizing what depravities Daala and Melusar did to Jysella and Tahiri. That is, if that was even them lying before them on two medical tables.

Before the colonel and Jedi Apprentice, it would be more accurate for them to come face-to-face with two scattered slabs of flesh and bone, hooked up to dozens of wires and life-support tubes designed to keep them alive.

"By the Gods… this… what is… this is beyond anything I ever could've imagined." Edaan hoarsely whispered, rushing towards the table with strands of blonde hair creasing the sides. Tears glistening over his face, he brokenly asked, "Tahiri…" Turning to the other table, he identified her, "Jysella… how could Daala do this?"

"Quite easily, Jedi Palpatine, and I must say, it was long overdue." A strong and hateful voice said that both men recognized from her near-dozen tyrannical campaigns: Natasi Daala, ruler of many governments, leader of dozens of armadas, and virulent leader of anti-Jedi sympathy.

"Daala… You've lost your mind!" Armitage shouted to the rogue Imperial. "All this, death and inhumanity, it's a disgrace to Grand Admiral Pellaeon and his legacy for the Empire!"

"DON'T bring up Gilad, Jedi-lover!" Daala shouted before she reined in her anger. "That Jedi witch before you was the one who killed him in cold blood, all in the name of a childish want to see her long-dead love! This was nothing more than justice! And Jysella Horn killed many Galactic Alliance citizens in her rampage before I rightfully incarcerated her!"

"Justice… JUSTICE?! What part of any of this can even scream justice?! What is the endgame here?! What goal could you possibly have that could try and justify such atrocities?!"

"The endgame is the eradication of the Force and their precious orders. They've caused nothing but strife and death to the galaxy for eons! It's about karking time for someone to take a stand and put them in their proper place."

"When Doctor Melusar and I am done, the galaxy will remember us and our cause as the greatest to ever exist for ending this five-thousand-year religious infighting." Natasi vowed.

"Why don't you stop monologuing like a HoloNet supervillain, and just admit the truth?! You are no hero, Natasi Daala. You are nothing more than a rabid demoness that needs to be destroyed before your terrible madness can spread any further!" Edaan snarled, as he trembled from the rage he must have been struggling to contain.

"That's precious, coming from a descendant of a Sith emperor who wants to be a Jedi." Natasi vindictively smirked before Edaan swirled around, and even she was taken aback by the murderous expression on his face. From the tears spilling out of his eyes, his teeth gritting in rage, to his blazing orange eyes, he could have been a living incarnation of vengeance itself.

"We will not let your evil continue, Natasi Daala. One day soon, the galaxy will wake up to the depravities you commit here, and they will do far worse than simply bring you to justice. They will rewrite history to make everyone see just how twisted and evil you are, and your name will be a cautionary tale for all to keep them from stepping onto your wicked path. And the Jedi will finally be vindicated from all of your hatred and jealousy."

Before Daala could respond, Edaan reached out with his hand, and utterly crushed the holotransceiver before his eyes returned to their natural sky blue. But the tears did not stop flowing.

"Edaan…" Armitage sympathetically began. "We're not going to be able to save them in time. We have to go."

"Not yet. There's still one thing I have to do. I have to put an end to Tahiri and Jysella's suffering before the fires consume them."

"You mean you're going to kill them." Armitage breathed.

"Yes. They can't go on anymore, so they begged me to put them out of their misery. And I agreed to do it."

"You don't have to do that, Edaan." Armitage tried. He knew how sensitive and soulful Edaan was. Normally, he would dismiss anyone with such sentiments if they were in his force. But in the few weeks he had grown to know the Jedi Apprentice through their joint missions, he developed a great admiration for his strategic mind and ingenuity in trying to prevent excessive casualties and respected his immense value of the sanctity of all sentient life. And such a brutal murder, even a mercy killing to end one's suffering, would rip his soul apart.

He had to take on the burden for him. "Let me do it. I owe them-"

"No. They asked me through the Force, and I can help ease their suffering before they pass on. It's their last wish as Jedi." Edaan firmly decided.

"Besides, after all the grief I gave Tahiri over the years for her past sins, I owe her my personal apology. I just wish I had been nicer to her when I was younger."

Knowing that Edaan would see something through to the end whenever he decided on something, Armitage gently advised him, "Then you'd best make it a swift end. It'll take us about ten minutes to get back to the ships before we pull out."

"I will." Edaan promised. "You go and secure the dropships. I'll be just a few minutes."

Nodding, he allowed himself a final glance of sorrow and sympathy for the two dissected Jedi, and solemnly said, "May the Force be with you both."

Back in the Present

Within the Honoghr System

Aboard the Quasar Fire-class bulk cruiser Heart Render

480 Kilometers From Honoghr

"Captain, we're preparing all fighters to launch in order to cover the payload's deployment. Our last three squads will just need another ten minutes to finish prepping." A Neo Death Watch lieutenant warned the Heart Render's CO, Kotar Quinn.

"You have eight." Kotar sternly ordered her as the Lira San, Alliance, and traitorous Mandalorian fleets were quickly closing the distance from them and encircling them in an unbreakable vise.

No matter what, he had to make this mission succeed, even if it cost him and his crew their lives. The fate of the entire Mandalorian people and culture depended on victory now more than ever, when Boba Fett and his Jedi partners would leave them trapped in an endlessly humiliating cycle of being the galaxy's punching bag.

"Sir, we have one ship exiting Honoghr's atmosphere and heading straight for us. It's… well, this may change things." A sensor officer alerted him.

"Well, who is it?"

"It's the Millennium Falcon. They're making a beeline straight for us."

"Then ready Squadron Four and all available batteries to fire on them. And have all remaining forces continue on course to the target."

"Sir, we're getting a transmission from the Indomitable. The message says that Commander Rhal is wishing to negotiate your surrender."

"Wishing to-? Has his betrayal robbed him of all sense of duty?! Put him on! I've got some choice words to say to him."

Just Outside the Honoghr System

Deep in the void of space, a short hyperjump away from the Honoghr System, a blue storm of energy began to gather. Quickly swirling in an ever-increasing perpetual motion, it continued to increase both in power and speed before it opened up, revealing a wormhole that allowed twelve Jedi StealthX fighters to emerge.

Once the last fighter exited the Force Storm wormhole, Barratk'l, Jedi Council member and leader of the Honoghr task force, checked with her wing mates, "Is everyone all right?"

One by one, the eleven Jedi Knights sounded off their survival, and aside from a few chips in their StealthXs painting, they were no worse off for wear than when they enacted Yantahar Bwua'tu's hairbrained scheme.

From the quick warning Leia sent Barratk'l, the Neo Death Watch was about to destroy the Noghri's homeworld with a bioweapon. And drastic measures were needed to prevent such destruction. That was why they enacted a Force Storm, a highly dangerous and volatile Force power that allowed Force Users to create a wormhole and accelerate their journey by a full day.

Of course, several Knights, especially Vaala Razelle and Yaqeel Saav'etu, vehemently objected to Yantahar's plan. But with an entire planet and race at risk of extinction, Barratk'l knew that certain risks and compromises had to be made. She just hoped that the anger she held for the Neo Death Watch and their rivals would not boil over into the Jedi Meld.

The atrocities that Boba Fett's Mandalorians committed when they were enforcing Natasi Daala's demented vision of galactic order while destroying slave uprisings across the Outer Rim still made the Yuzzem's blood boil. Her own past traumas as a child when Palpatine's Empire enslaved countless species, including her own people, still affected her to this day.

This alliance with the Mandalorians made her fur ripple with fear and anger, but she knew that the war against the Sith and their proxies took top priority. And there were some Mandalorians that were rebelling against the Neo Death Watch for sound moral reasons. Perhaps there was a chance for this alliance after all. That is, if both sides did not try to kill each other first.

Pushing aside her conflicted emotions for the time being, Barratk'l firmly ordered her team, "All right. We can't waste any more time. Prep your fighters for an immediate microjump to Honoghr."

Five Minutes Later

Within the Honoghr System

460 Kilometers From Honoghr

Aboard the Heart Render

"That's your offer, Thornton? You really are a complete di'kut now, aren't you?" Kotar angrily shook after hearing his former friend's absurd offer.

This wretched Jedi sympathizer, in a pathetic attempt to save the true Mandalorians, was merely offering to let the HeartRender and Resolute depart the system with no losses. That is, provided they hand over the last four defoliator bombs they held over to the Galactic Alliance, and took a message to Thornton's father about their defection.

But even as the three enemy fleets tightened the noose around the six ships, the Mandalorians were determined to launch their starfighters. But they were running out of time before their defoliator bombs were intercepted and captured, for their enemies were closing the gap fast, while their fighter squadrons needed at least another two minutes to launch.

One thing was certain, Kotar needed to keep Thornton talking if he was to stall for a little more time.

"It's all you're going to get for what you're trying to do. Can't you see you're dooming your men for a bunch of religious fanatics?" Thornton implored his former friend.

"Oh, that's rich! Have you forgotten how the Jedi humiliated your father?! Killed your sister and locked away your mother for life, all just for doing their jobs and fighting for Mandalore?! How can you even imagine working with them?!"

"Don't try to delude yourself, Quinn. My parents were both aiding and abetting a tyrant through massacring slaves that were simply fighting for their freedom. And my sister aided two crime lords and would-be galactic emperors in their bid for an economic takeover."

"Far as I'm concerned, they got what they deserved, because everything they did was all for bloodlust, money, glory, and mayhem. I'm fighting for redemption and honor for not only my family, but all of our people. But if you can't see that, then you're dooming your crew to die for a lie and your own vanity. That's why I offer you this final chance. Surrender, or face utter annihilation."

"It won't work, Thornton. My crew's loyal to the cause far more than any one person. We won't betray everything we believe in for some pretty words and weak-willed sentiment."

"Then I suppose this is goodbye. For what it's worth, it was an honor to fight alongside you, old friend. Die well." Thornton sadly ended the communication.

Aboard the Millennium Falcon

"I think we have adequately gotten their attention now, Captain Solo!" Wynn sarcastically shouted as he blasted at a Pursuer-class enforcement ship from his light turbolaser turret emplacement.

One shot was fortunate enough to knock off the enemy ship's stabilizing brace, and force it into a tailspin, swinging wildly out of control and knocking it out of the battle. But there were still three Lancer-class pursuit craft and two M22-T Krayt gunships pursuing them. And even with Allana and two surprising additions of Wynn manning the turrets and his wife helping Threepio do damage assessment on the Falcon's systems, and Leia in her traditional role as the Falcon's copilot alongside Han, the odds were still heavily arrayed against them.

The five ships were proving to be a daunting enemy, with their superior numbers and versatile coordination doing a number on the Falcon, if the sparks flying from the century-plus old ship's control panels were a clear indication.

"Our shields have dropped to twenty-three percent, the sublight engines are running on backup power, and the hyperdrive's leaking power from the last big hit. We're shutting it down to prevent an overload." Desha warned the elder Solos.

"Good call. But all that's not gonna do us any good if we can't outlast the next five minutes." Han shouted over the intercom. Their efforts to try and slow down the Neo Death Watch forces was quickly looking like a one-way suicide mission.

But Leia and Allana seemed so assured that they would survive this, it gave Han some hope. Even if it was one of their ill-timed Jedi premonitions.

Leia quickly interjected, "Han, veer to port. We're about to get a few early reinforcements."

"I thought we were trying to hold-"

"Han! It's Barratk'l. Her team took a shortcut and they're about to go on the attack." Leia gravely answered, confusing Han when she should be relieved.

Han, knowing that this was not the time to probe, he acquiesced, "Then to port it is."

Moments later, after the Falcon veered away from the two transports, the sensors quickly detected when three of their pursuers were consumed in a baradium-laced explosion, and the remaining two called off the hunt to regroup.

"They made good time." Han marveled before he saw a horrific sight: The Heart Render was launching its entire fighter complement, and in the center were four YT-5100 Shriek-class bombers.

How in the Nine Corellian Hells did the Neo Death Watch get their hands on even one of those rare CEC craft? They were supposed to be produced and distributed exclusively for Corellian customers and the occasional clients from the Confederation.

They must be what the Neo Death Watch was using to deliver their bioweapon. Even though seeing those bombers being used by battle-crazed terrorists made Han's blood boil, finding out how they got the heavily armed and versatile ships would have to wait until Honoghr was secured.

"We need to warn Barratk'l and our fleets to stop the Shrieks before they breach the planet's atmosphere." Han warned Leia, before coming Desha and Threepio, "How much power can we spare for the engines?"

"If we redirect power from nonessential systems and reroute the remaining power from the shields to jumpstart the engines, we can make it. But it'll be close." Desha informed him.

"But Captain Solo, a massive power redistribution of that magnitude could short out the Falcon and render it inoperable for at least six months!" Threepio warned him.

"Losing the Falcon won't matter if we lose an entire planet!" Han surprised himself with how honest, serious, and genuine he sounded. Could his old age be making him lose sight of his precious home?

Shaking his worries aside, he ordered the droid, "Follow Desha's instructions to the letter, and don't question her or state the odds of success. We have to stop those planet-killers, no matter what happens to us or my ship."

For a brief moment, Leia stared at Han with a bright smile and sense of pride and love for his willingness to part with his beloved ship to save countless lives. She just hoped they would live through this battle, and that they wouldn't have to part with this mobile home, for she held many precious memories on this ancient CEC light freighter.

On the Planet Falleen

Within the Xoma Plains

Inside Resistance Safe House 145

Aboard the Rude Awakening

"You're telling me Master Skywalker took such reckless initiative, and none of you even tried to stop him?!" Kix reprimanded Akku, Robonino, and Artoo while K'Kruhk and the rest of the Jedi Masters dealt with Ben. With Vua and Atai backing up the Clone Trooper while Jarael rested from her long work of overseeing Adari and Edaan, they had a lot of astonishment and fury over their reckless act.

"Hey, we tried to talk him out of it, but he was dead set on doing this. He is really crazy about that Sith woman." Robonino pointed out to the Clone Trooper.

Kix, knowing he would not get anywhere with the Patrolian bounty hunter, turned to the Akku and Artoo, and reminded the both of them, "You're both supposed to be sound voices of reason in Edaan's crew, and you helped Ben do a stunt even his grandfather would never do."

"You really hold Anakin Skywalker in high regard, don't you, Lieutenant?" The veteran Mandalorian deflected the interrogation to the ex-medical officer.

"Don't try and change the subject, Seii. If Kitai and Gev manage to trace the signal, then the Sith will be all over us in a matter of hours! What were you thinking?!" Atai brought the conversation back on track.

"That Ben was gonna do this no matter what we said, and he had to finish what Edaan started. Besides, I had my own reasons for doing this." Akku acknowledged.

"And what, pray tell, reasons are those?"

"That this was my chance to fulfill a promise Edaan and I made to Mand'alor in bringing him back his granddaughter and great-grandkids."

Artoo whirled his head around and trilled an explanation of how Akku used this meeting as a chance to reach out to Mirta Gev, and Kix was amazed at the results of the meeting.

"You actually got through to her, and she and Wren are about to double-cross the Sith when they make it here?!" Vua astonishingly summed up, and when the Anzati Mandalorian simply smiled and nodded, he sighed in jest, "Are you sure you're not a Jedi?"

"Funny. But we still have to worry about Kitai, because from what Mirta told Akku, it could go either way with her." Robo reminded the three would-be interrogators.

"Well, as Edaan would say, it's all up to the Will of the Force now." Vua acknowledged, before curiously adding, "Or as he often puts it, up to the will of the Gods or Celestials. Funny how a Jedi is a pagan like most of my race."

In Edaan's Subconsciousness

Telona 32nd, 45 ABY

Within the Shedu Maad Jedi Temple

In the Jedi Temple's Gardens

Adari knew she was in the Jedi Temple's meditation gardens, and she could feel a terrible mixture of sorrow and anger permeating the lush foliage and small river run through the area. She instinctively knew that presence all too well from their time together and had a hunch that this next memory would not be pleasant.

Following the painful echoes, she saw Edaan, now a few inches taller from the last memory, even crouched up to his knees against a tree, and he was silently crying and clenching his fists in anger.

Wondering what Edaan could be hurting from, she was caught off-guard when Master Katarn quietly approached and gently called out to him, "Edaan? What's wrong?"

"What do you think, Master Katarn?" Edaan spitefully asked. "When I wanted to be a Jedi, I didn't think I'd be preparing for a karking war or becoming another drone for your army!"

Before Kyle could offer a counter argument, Edaan continued, "And your council is full of liars and hateful jerks! We all heard what they were going to do to Bhixen, and it's messed up. He's a teenager, and jerky attitude aside, you can't expel him like that! It's completely unfair!"

"My parents taught me that the Jedi Order is supposed to be a symbol of hope to the galaxy's people and seek and encourage the best into all of their enemies. Instead, you're all acting like a bunch of cruel military officers! In fact, you're not much better than Natasi Daala was as Chief of State, and she was a complete whack job!"

"And now, when Luke Skywalker and his family have turned into a bunch of old, bitter, and hypo…hipo…"

"Are you trying to say 'hypocritical', Edaan?" Kyle supplied the elusive word.

"Yeah, that one. They abandoned us in the middle of galactic chaos and expect us to do it all on our own. And don't even get me started on Ben. He's so obsessed with killing Vestara Khai and any Sith he sees when he should be-" Cutting himself off midway, Adari knew he developed his tactfulness later after Kyle took him on, but was unprepared for the first two words that came out of the future Grand Master's mouth,

"You're right, Edaan."

Based on Edaan's halted speech, he did not expect that answer, and that allowed Kyle to sit down beside the Initiate before he continued, "These are perilous times for everyone, no one can deny that. But that doesn't excuse our behavior to those we've wronged, or those that have strayed from the Light."

"And I know your family was killed because of Abeloth and the Lost Tribe, and I can't be sorry enough for that. The truth is, a huge part of the responsibility falls on us for allowing the Sith to take over Coruscant. Looking back, it's painfully obvious that we acted like idiots, and should have done better."

"But I think I know the root cause of your anger, and I mainly wanted to talk to you about that." Kyle then asked, "Why do you care so much about Vestara Khai in the first place? You are aware of all that she's done, yes?"

Looking for the trap behind the man's question, Edaan guardedly asked, "What makes you care so much about what I think?"

"Because, I once fell to the Dark Side, and I know that it can be very difficult to break its hold over oneself. And Tekli told me and Master Cilghal of your little… episode after you woke up from your coma, and Ben gave you a hard time about it."

"So?"

"So, I just want to talk. One friend and fellow Jedi to another. If you want, it won't leave the two of us."

Staring at the Jedi Master for a few moments, the spectral Edaan relented, and confessed to the memory of Kyle of his first encounter with Vestara, and the promise they made to work together to become great Jedi. And Adari felt her heart rip apart at the bare honesty and emotion that came from her future betrothed.

After Edaan finished his explanation, Kyle, still bearing a patient and caring expression, nodded. "Okay. I think I understand how you feel now. And I can tell that you really miss Vestara and want her back. The question now is this; what are you prepared to do so save her?"

Edaan, pure will and determination creasing his face, answered, "Whatever it takes. And I don't care if she hurts me over and over again. I'd rather hurt everywhere and still have hope than give up and be like Ben."

Staring at Edaan as if he was boring into this soul, Kyle smiled and answered, "Then I know what you need to do if you're going to have a fighting chance at saving her. I will take you as my Apprentice and teach you the ways of the Jedi Order and the Force."

"I believe that our Jedi Order is losing its way, and I want to help set it back on a just and moral path before it repeats the mistakes of the past Jedi Order."

"And you think I can help?" Edaan skeptically asked, "In case you forgot, Master, I'm nine years old."

"And you think that stopped Anakin from saving Naboo from the Trade Federation? You are not as alone in this galaxy as you may think, Edaan Palpatine." A sagely voice spoke up, surprising both Jedi and their Keshiri ally.

After Edaan stopped crying, he looked around and cautiously asked, "Who- who are you?"

"My name is Qui-Gon Jinn. I was the master of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and I am one of the six masters that have been called by your pain in order to help you train for what is to come." The specter answered, the ghostly form of a man in his early sixties with long greying brown hair and traditional Jedi robes.

"What do you mean?" Edaan asked, wondering just where Qui-Gon was going with this.

"What I mean, young Jedi, is that me and five other great masters of the Force have been tasked with helping you master your great powers, and to prepare you for when you go after Vestara Khai in order to redeem her." Qui-Gon simply answered, greatly shocking both Initiate and Jedi Master.

"What are you talking about?" Kyle intently asked. He knew that Edaan held great potential, but if the dead were taking an interest in him, he had to be sure his future apprentice was prepared if the wrong souls were to try and reach out to him.

"Ben has been broken by Vestara abandoning him, and he is full of vengeance in wanting to kill her. You alone in the galaxy still hold out hope in redeeming Vestara, as your pure heart has not yet been tainted by the darkness of the galaxy. Because of your noble heart, the Jedi and the bonds you will make in your journeys will help heal the hole in your heart and make you the man and leader that you are destined to be. And of course, you have a greater power and moral compass within you that will allow you to surpass and redeem your family's legacy." Another powerful male voice spoke, this one appearing to Edaan as a man who was covered in battle armor, had a lightsaber around his belt, and held a heavily damaged Mandalorian Crusaders helmet, revealing a face that betrayed many brutal facial surgeries.

Adari recognized this man as the legendary Jedi Master and Sith Lord Revan, hero and villain of many wars and conflicts, leader of dozens of organizations, and a key opponent of Vitiate's schemes from the Mandalorian Wars to the Sith entity's final demise at the onset of the Third Galactic War, she was amazed at the humility and resolve that graced the man's face.

"How do you know all of this?" Edaan terrifyingly said to the second ghost.

"Because Revan is a good judge of character, our young pupil." Said the voice of a gentle but firm woman that appeared next to Revan, who appeared with brown hair and ancient Mandalorian Wars-era combat armor placed over her Jedi robes.

Adari recognized her very clearly asMeetra Surik, hero of the Mandalorian Wars, and the woman who along with her crew of Force-sensitives, Droids, Mandalorians, and ex-Sith, ended the Sith Civil War and First Jedi Purge. She taught Edaan many useful techniques, and helped Edaan discover how, like the former exile, he could form powerful Force Bonds with others and give them strength at their lowest and allow him to empathize and reach out to them at a level most beings could only imagine.

The Keshiri wondered who would appear next in Edaan's memory before the ghost of a man with a tattoo of the letter "Xesh" on his head appeared next to Revan.

"It's good to finally meet you, Edaan Palpatine. My name is Tau. I was once a Force Hound for the Rakatan Infinite Empire before I defected during their Invasion of the Deep Core world of Tython.

"I will teach you much about the ancient history of the Jedi Order and its predecessor, the Je'daii Order."

"What kind of history?" Kyle cautiously inquired, but his voice could not help but betray a modicum of curiosity.

"Knowledge of how the Je'daii were able to live in balance and harmony in-between the Light and Dark Sides of the Force, and how they, along with a very special woman, were able to save me from the Dark Side." Tau wistfully smiled, a smile that Adari knew all too well from her own life. A woman had saved Tau from the Dark Side, and love had everything to do with it.

"Every piece of knowledge you learn will be crucial to your quest to save Vestara Khai, as well as the galaxy, from their own deepening darkness." The tattooed man who called himself "Tau" said. "If Edaan succeeds, the scales will tip towards the Light for many decades, until the armies of darkness can regroup."

"And Kreia and I will teach you of the perils of the Dark Side, Edaan, as well as many Force traditions and cultures that will broaden your conception of the Force." Said a voice that Kyle immediately recognized instantly as he came to in front of Edaan to protect him from the ghost of Darth Caedus, fallen Jedi Knight Jacen Solo.

As the most infamous and reviled Sith Lord of this generation, as well as the last follower of the Order of the Sith Lords before its last dissolution after his death at the Second Galactic Civil War's conclusion, Caedus was now seen by most as a cautionary tale for everyone to not trust a Jedi.

And the old hooded woman who stood beside him, Kreia, alternatively known as Darth Traya, was another can of worms all on her own. An exiled Gray Jedi and betrayed Sith Lord, she grew to despise the Force in all its forms and sought to forcibly sever the galaxy's connection to it for good, no matter how many countless lives were lost in the process. It was only through a final defeat and the imminent prospect of death at the hands of her final pupil, Meetra, that she found a measure of peace and redemption.

"What are you doing here, Caedus? Why are you here before Edaan?" Kyle held his unlit lightsaber tightly in his hand, still remembering how the fallen Solo nearly killed him a mere five years ago after he kidnapped Allana, his own daughter from Tenel Ka.

"I am here because young Edaan here subconsciously called out from beyond the grave for help. And I'm sure he will need all of it that he can get if he is going to train to save a born-and-raised Sith like her." Caedus honestly told them, a hint of a Solo grin creasing his face and mournful brown eyes.

"Why would you care about that? I thought you were only concerned about your daughter and her future?" Kyle recalled from Luke's briefing after he recovered from his attack on Abeloth in Beyond Shadows.

Seeing a hint of guilt on the fallen Chief of State's face, Kyle pressed, "What do you know that would make you think of someone other than Allana? Does it have something to do with the Throne of Balance?"

"Something that neither you nor Edaan must change if the galaxy is to survive the many evils that are will one day rise and return." Caedus enigmatically answered, confusing both Jedi and ex-Sith alike.

Five Minutes Later

Within the Honoghr System

In Orbit Above Honoghr

Aboard the YT-5100 Shriek-class Bomber Vizsla's Vengeance

Tera Vizsla, captain of the CEC bomber, knew that his crew's odds of survival were close to nil now. Where the Jedi and their allies came from, he couldn't even fathom. Their mole in the Order reported that their progress would not have them arriving until the end of tomorrow.

But with their untimely interference, and the betrayal of most of their fleet, had made this operation a virtual suicide mission. And if the readings from the Heart Render and Resolute were any indication, both ships would not last long against the combined GA, renegade Mandalorian, and Lasan navies, especially with many systems rapidly failing from the combined assault.

Of course, that was of little consequence to the three surviving Shriek-class bombers. They had their orders to finish, a payload to deliver, and an enemy planet to destroy. That was why they would finish their job before the enemy fleets could finish off the last of them. If only the Millennium Falcon and three Jedi StealthXs would just be obliterated already! As long as they were on his tail, they could destroy or disable the defoliator bombs and compromise the mission.

Before the Tera could form a counter strategy, one of his gunners shouted over the comms, "Captain, we've got a couple dozen enemy fighters coming at us from all angles!"

Sparing the sensors a brief glance, Tera ordered the gunner, "Get ahold of yourself, Nistro! We've only got three Jedi and the Falcon on our tail!"

Wait… the Jedi. Tera realized, deducing the mind trick the Jedi were playing on his apparently weak-minded compatriot. Before he could give his friend new orders, he heard and felt the ship shake from an explosion on its rear flank.

Damn their kriffing shadow bombs! Tera cursed as he saw the readout indicate that the engines had been destroyed in the last attack. The bomber quickly began a dive into the planet's atmosphere.

But before Tera knew it, he realized the Jedi's fatal error in their attack. They might have stopped them from escaping the system, but not from completing their mission.

"Inar, launch the bomb now, before the Jedi can finish us off!" Tera triumphantly shouted to his brother.

Well, I think this is a good place to end the chapter! What did you all think, as I spent four days on it, and was able to adapt a small portion of my original Jedi Odyssey saga into its end? I hope you all enjoy it, as I have a lot in my life to deal with in the next few weeks. I have some work to handle, including schoolwork, several major projects, my part-time job, and other matters, so I'll have to work on my projects a lot more on the computer. I apologize, but my schoolwork has to come first, especially as I have only a few more classes to take before I finally graduate college. So, how are you all doing on this fine and warm day of Monday, April 12, 2021? I'm doing well, as I had a 5-hour shift at work today, and I got a great book there for a big discount. And I had an appointment to attend in the afternoon, along with my class, so I was a bit busy. So, I'd better get this chapter to my friends for their look over. I hope you all have a blessed night, and I hope you all stay safe in these mad times. God be with us all, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

(Friday, April 16, 2021 Addendum) Hey, everyone. Hope you're all doing well on this warm night. I'm fine, if a little lightheaded from work and exhaustion. I had to revise a couple things in this chapter and add an amendment to it, so it took a couple days longer. And my friends have their own projects to worry about, so I can't rely on them to revise my works for a while. Which means I'll likely have to fly solo for a while. Well, at least thanks to them, I've improved a great deal from my first days. Well, with all the small talk out of the way, I'd better get to publishing Chapters 2-4. May God be with us all in these dark times.