Hey, everyone! How are you all doing on this warm but somber day of Friday, December 31, 2021? I'm doing well, if sad that another year has passed me by. And it still feels like this year has just started. But I guess that time's just going to fly by for me, especially since I've graduated from college about two weeks ago. And I'll have to find a full-time job soon, so I'll soon have even less time left for myself. But that's just how life throws twists and turns on all of us, I suppose. Oh, and I've been playing a bit of Greedfall, and have gotten past the Coin Guard coup without killing Kurt, as well as tied up a bunch of companion and side quests. That game's very fun, and I encourage you all to try it out. But in more somber news, I heard about the Colorado wildfires that are devastating the state, and it is a tragedy for millions of people affected by this disaster. I only hope the relief will come quickly and God will stretch out His hands to protect those suffering there, and across the entire globe. There are so many countries and countless people that need His help right now. Well, I'd better get started on this chapter, as I want to get a good chunk done before I will eventually need to charge my laptop. I hope you all have a blessed New Year, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
Phindar System's Outskirts
Aboard the Nantz
"We have a signal from Rogue Leader. Her transponder is emanating from the Horuset System in the Esstran Sector." The comm officer reported to Thern.
Korriban. That was not a world that Thern wanted to hear. If Syal and her squadron were trapped in the heart of the enemy's domain, then they would not last long. They had to make all due haste if they were to rescue them in time.
But if they departed for the Horuset System now, they would be unable to make the rendezvous for their planned attack on the Mandalore Sector's blockade. He knew the Mandalorian Protectors were running critically low on supplies and manpower, and if they fell now, then the Alliance would lose one of their strongest allies against the Sith, and the enemy would have their Neo Death Watch attack dogs to set loose on the rest of the galaxy.
Although, given the fleet's decimation through the One Sith and Lecersen's assault, another commander would consider it more prudent to attack later, when they could rebuild and replenish their numbers.
But Thern knew how there was no time left for indecision and half-hearted measures. It was long past time to be bold and fight without fear before all was lost for the free galaxy.
Still, there was one way to rescue Rogue Squadron and the Imperials above Korriban while delivering critical aid to Boba Fett's people. They would rely on the Jedi and their crazy Force wormholes, but it was the only option they had left. He just hoped Fett and his people would understand the delay and be able to tolerate and work alongside Parella and Admiral Yage's forces until the Alliance's full might could aid them.
Ordering his XO, "I need to speak to Admiral Yage and Parella immediately. Tell them we need to alter our strategy for aiding Mandalore right away."
Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple
Within the Jedi Archives
"Do you feel all that power, Grace?" Luzien taunted the swaying Paladin Lieutenant while she collapsed onto a knee, her two phantoms dissipated, and she dropped her lightsaber, allowing Luzien to safely limp himself towards her. Sporting several gashes and lightsaber burns all over his body from Grace's fluid form, while Grace now held a few bruises and perhaps a cracked rib or two from his assault, it was initially unclear who could win this battle.
Unfortunately, with what had transpired barely a few minutes ago in the temple's Holocron Vault, that outcome was looking ever more certain. While she and the rest of the Jedi Order suffered from the aftereffects of the Kam-Iteration's unfortunate demise, he reveled in the dark miasma that empowered him. "The Jedi Order's founder is lying at death's door, and soon the rest of his followers will join him in complete oblivion."
"And you are about to be among that number!" He eagerly declared, raising his lightsaber as he was ready to deliver the killing blow against this once-dangerous enemy. Unlike some of his more brutish fellow lords and ladies of the One Sith, Luzien believed that a worthy opponent such as Grace should be finished off in person as a marker of respect.
However, truth be told, Luzien did want to see every bit of life leave Grace's eyes as she perished before he made his escape and the devastation that would consume Shedu Maad. The girl would be the first of countless victims that he would claim for the One Sith. Besides, she owed him for the wounds he now carried. After so many years of playing the role of a perfect Jedi Apprentice, he looked forward to being a Lord of the One Sith again.
But before he could finish Grace off, his red lightsaber was intercepted by a yellow-bladed lightsaber. Turning his head to see a fully aware Jaden Korr standing before him, he was about to utter a few curses before Jaden angrily gritted out, "Don't hurt my friends."
Knowing of Jaden's affinity for the Dark Side, Luzien figured that Jaden must not have been hit too hard from the infectious dark energies that consumed Master Skywalker. Briefly realizing how Grand Master Katarn could withstand the dark energies as well, he prepared to try and deal with Jaden before escaping. With the new power coursing through him, he hoped to be able to deal with the veteran Jedi Knight before all was lost for this world.
However, Luzien always made sure to cover all his bases in every plan he made. If he could not escape this doomed world, at least he could make sure the Alliance of Light did not discover and disable the Sith's series of bombs or try to minimize the casualties from the imminent explosion. All he had to do was silence Grace before she could utter even a single hint or warning.
"Are you worried about all of your schemes failing, Luzien?" Grace's strong and mocking voice suddenly interrupted the Pantoran's planning.
Realizing what a fool he had been, he found his footing fall out from underneath him as a searing pain came from where both his legs below his kneecaps used to be. This was followed by Jaden taking advantage of his vulnerability to slice off his left arm and take his lightsaber into his right hand, allowing him to hold one lightsaber in each hand, ready to behead the Sith if he tried any other offensive measures.
Drawing on the hate he felt for the Jedi, Grace, and himself for wounding him so dearly, Luzien was able to fight through the pain and quietly gripped the Zakuulian's heart in his mind. If he was going to die here, at least he would take the girl and ensure this entire structure was destroyed with him.
It may not have been the ending he so desired, but at least it would be an end he chose for himself, something the self-sacrificing Jedi would never let their followers do.
Wait. Something else was not right here. There was another presence in his mind, and it was searching for the knowledge on the Nergon-14 explosives and how to disarm them. The cursed girl was pushing him out and stealing what she wanted to know!
This should be impossible! His strength should not be fading this quickly and he should easily be able to repel the girl's efforts! She was an adherent of the Light and should not have the strength to resist both his and the Iteration's combined energies. Not even an agent of Zakuul could-
Oh, of course! The ancient Knights of Zakuul utilized both sides of the Force in ways the Jedi and Sith had never conceived of and were able to attain a near-perfect balance in the Force both within themselves and on their homeworld.
Clearly, Grace must have undergone the same kind of training, and was sufficiently defended against the dark tsunami that was now coursing throughout the temple. She was only faking the worst injuries so Luzien would lower his guard.
Before Luzien could register anything else, Grace placed her lightsaber pommel directly next to his cheek, and ruthlessly threatened the Sith, "This is your only chance. Either you tell us how to disarm your series of bombs now, or I start by ripping a piece of your flesh off for every single lie you tell. Either way, we'll get the answers we need to stop your final gambit."
Jaden, wisely keeping silent while observing as Luzien chuckled, even as he dreaded each following word the Sith uttered, "I couldn't disarm the bombs even if I wanted to. It was designed to be a weapon of last resort, and now it'll do its job."
Taking the moment to gloat, he boasted, "You'd best say your final goodbyes now since you've got less than two hours before your precious temple and the surrounding region is rendered uninhabitable. And with the Jedi Order crippled, your so-called Alliance will fall apart faster than one of your precious Initiates when put under enough pressure."
"Then we need to disarm the bombs before they're able to detonate." Jaden figured.
"Wrong. You move even one of them out of proximity to the Temple, and the whole network of them will detonate and take you all out. Either way, you all lose." Luzien corrected.
Having enough of Luzien's madness, Grace hit him over the head with her lightsaber pommel, earning a surprised glance from Jaden before explaining, "We don't have time to waste on his yammering. And he was getting on my nerves."
"Then I hope your people can help us disarm a bunch of Nergon-14 bombs." Jaden grimly pointed out.
"We have a few tried and true methods, and I'm sure many of your people can do the rest." Grace smiled, betraying an intelligence and ruthlessness that contradicted her remorseful eyes. "But just in case, you and the Queen Mother ought to sound the general evacuation for this world. With the stakes this high, there's no sense in leaving anything to chance this time around."
Horuset System, Ashes of Korr Debris Belt
Phobos Station, Isolation Wards
Kersk had to fight the bile threatening to erupt from his stomach just to stay upright from whatever dark power was bombarding the station and system. Whatever was going on, it was strong enough to affect the first few dozen of the Sith's soon-to-be liberated captives and his accompanying Jedi simultaneously.
He supposed his and Cardinal's efforts in eliminating the Ysalamiri ironically backfired on the coalition's rescue efforts. Even as they had decimated the eight dozen guards and five Sith that operated this station while their men took control of the command bridge to turn its defenses against their creators, they found that rescuing four hundred kids would be a far more difficult task than one had anticipated. At least they had the station's entire database and could identify the children, not to mention allow them to track down the remaining facilities hidden throughout the galaxy.
Well, he could hardly afford to worry about all these variables now, for it would only serve the Sith for him to give into weakness and indecision at this vital juncture. He had a task to complete while Jaina and the Imperial fleet were still able to fight, and he would see it carried out to its bitter end.
Turning to Cardinal, he advised him, "I think we're going to need a couple dozen more transports to get all these kids to safety, and a lot of medical crews."
"I'll call the Bloodfin and Dominator and see what they can spare us." Cardinal concurred. "You just focus on getting these kids to follow you out of this hellhole."
"Who are you? You aren't like the others." A young and haggard Chiss girl's voice interrupted the team leaders' strategizing as she slowly walked out of her cell. Daring to hope, the young girl asked, "You're here to rescue all of us, aren't you? I can sense it in your emotions."
Lowering his lightsaber, but not deactivating it, Kersk gently nodded, "We are. Who are you? What is your name?"
"My name is Mitth'ali'astov, but you can call me Thalias for simplicity's sake." Thalias politely introduced herself before gazing intently at Kersk and Cardinal, "Are you both really a Jedi and Imperial? I was told both of your people often worked together in recent years, but I've never seen either of your numbers up close."
"We are." Cardinal confirmed, holstering his blaster while Kersk closed his lightsaber, before the human sympathetically asked, "What happened to you out here? What did the Sith do to you?"
"They hurt us all in terrible ways, trying to make us like them." Thalias shivered before changing topics, "Can you really get us out of here and away from these brutes?
"We will, and we'll make them pay for what you all had to go through." Kersk toothily smirked, earning a small and fearful wince from Thalias before he abruptly closed his mouth.
Cardinal firmly, but not unkindly, cutting Thalias off, "I apologize for ending your questionnaire short, but we need to get moving and get you and the other kids out of this prison. Can you convince them to trust us and help escort them to our ships, Thalias?"
Eyeing the two for a moment, using the Force to gaze into their souls, Thalias could sense their open and sincere desire to help her fellow prisoners, their anger over the ordeals they endured, and their hope for getting them away from these Sith.
These two could be trusted, and she would do her part to get her people back to the Chiss Ascendancy, and everyone else back to their families. No child of the Chiss could do anything less, not even an ostracized citizen such as herself over her abilities. It was what her parents would have wanted of her before they were killed.
Nodding her agreement, she warned them, "It won't be easy. The Sith kept us isolated from each other when we weren't training, and even with my near-perfect memory, I won't be able to recognize everyone or persuade them of your sincerity."
"Then we'll just have to take as many as we can." Cardinal sighed, knowing the Jedi would not like that answer, but his brutal and simple pragmatism won out over his sympathy for the children's plight. Fortunately, Kersk gave no argument. Not a verbal one, at least, but he was sure that if they could not rescue them all, there would be many harsh words in store for the Imperial afterwards.
Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple
Underneath the Temple's Main Garden
"You're absolutely certain this will work, Corran?" Sabine doubted the Jedi Council member's plan for the umpteenth time as they descended into the dark caverns of the Temple's dark pocket. "I think we'd be better off finishing to evacuate the Temple and what we can of the region's population before that karking bomb detonates. We've only got less than ninety minutes before they all detonate."
"We'll never evacuate everyone in time. Either way, the casualties will be astronomically high unless the bomb is disabled here and now. And since you are a master of explosives, you can help all of us figure out if her friends' mad gambit can actually work." Corran countered.
"Yeah, but my experiences with Nergon-14 are a bit rusty, unfortunately." Sabine ruefully clarified.
"Then now's as good a time as any to relearn." Roscu, the core name of a Chiss secret police agent who had long since studied the science behind modern galactic explosives, pointed out. As a leading Chiss technician and second-in-command of the Ascendancy's Jedi task force, he, along with Grace and her team, would help guide the Jedi through and help them emerge from this crisis in one piece.
Coming right up to the bomb/transmitter, Roscu rhetorically asked, "I'm guessing that's one of the Sith's homemade bombs?"
"Don't act so smug, Captain. This is just the easy part." Corran sternly reminded Roscu before the Chiss and Grace began examining the bomb.
Examining the doomsday device, Grace remembered her lessons on old Imperial weaponry from Zakuul and knew that this bomb was the key to tracking down the rest of the bombs before time ran out. And she had just the means to do so, though she knew the risk such a gamble would entail.
Turning to Corran and Sabine, she told them, "We have to shut down every redundant power source in and around the Temple. Generators, the Archives, all nonessential facilities, comlinks, prosthetics, even lights. That's gotta be how these bombs are concealing itself from our scans. If enough systems are disabled, then we should be able to track down the bombs and save at least most of your temple."
"If we shut down the medical wards, many will die. There's plenty of wounded in there." Sabine gravely pointed out, before sadly reminding Corran, "But it's our only option left, so we have to risk it. Otherwise, we can kiss this Temple goodbye."
"I know." Corran morosely agreed. He just hoped the healers and doctors would be able to manage without some of their essential equipment, or Luke and the most wounded in their care would be in even greater danger.
Pulling out his comlink, he ordered the command center, "We need to shut down all nonessential systems in and around the temple within the next ten minutes!" Hearing the expected warnings, he pressed on, "I know what it'll do, but it's the only way to save the temple. I'll explain everything later, but you need to follow my instructions immediately, to the letter. We have no time for arguments."
Closing the device shut and deactivating it, with Sabine deactivating her armor's systems after warning her followers to follow suit, Corran warned the two Unknown Regions denizens, "For the sake of the galaxy, this crazy gambit had better work."
Horuset System, Ashes of Korr Debris Belt
Within the Bloodfin
"We're getting the first wave of transports now." Cardinal's miniature hologram reported to the Turbulent Destroyer's captain. "We'll have the first two hundred captives loaded up and ready to escape in the next fifteen minutes, and the rest will be following in another twenty."
"Good. You'll lead the first wave of transports to Imperial Space as soon as they're cleared. Then Master Saav'etu will command the second wave. We can't take any chances with letting these children fall back into the Sith's clutches." The captain ordered Cardinal.
"What about all of you?" Cardinal questioned.
"We'll find our way out. Just get those kids out of harm's way." The captain confidently ordered, not betraying any fear that cast a pall over the entire ship. With the Jedi all but knocked out of the fight and Sith reinforcements cutting a bloody swath through the Imperials' ranks, it would be a miracle if they lasted more than another two hours against the overwhelming forces. Although, with the Sith capital ships decimating his and the Dominator's forward positions, he doubted they would even be able to last that long.
But if he was going to go out here, then he would do what he could to take out as many of those karking Sith and their followers as he could. For the Empire and all the innocent lives the Sith had ruined, they would all soon be avenged tenfold.
Korriban, Lower Catacombs
Darth Krayt's Citadel
Within the Lower Levels
Ochi knew he was closing in on his prey, for he could feel the palpable fear in the air. Of course, it certainly helped how he was able to track the stolen Mandalorian armor through several miniature homing beacons. He was so enraptured in delivering the traitor to Lord Krayt that he almost did not feel the warnings in the Force, turning just before a vibro-dagger could graze his side.
"So, you're the one that dares to defy the Dread Lord's will." Ochi taunted the assailant. "What did you try to do in your act of treachery?"
"You'll never live long enough to figure it out or tell anyone whatever you've learned." A masculine droid's voice came through the helmet's speakers before they launched themselves at Ochi.
Grappling with every bit of strength the Sith assassin held, he was quickly able to establish a chokehold on the armored traitor, squeezing the air out of them before he prepared to take off their helmet and reveal their identity. But before he could do so, he felt another warning in the Force, and jumped out of the way to avoid a stun blast that came from behind him.
Turning to see a woman encased in Maladian armor, he wondered just who these two traitors were, and if there were others in league with the two assailants. But even though he wanted to eliminate the two enemies on his own, the safety of the One Sith's most critical operations hung in the balance. That meant a few precautions were needed to ensure victory.
Activating his helmet's built-in comm system, he sent a coded transmission to the Sith Inquisitors, and gave them his position and access to his audible receivers. If the traitors divulged anything to Ochi while in their hubris, then the rest of the Sith would know it as well and could prepare the necessary countermeasures.
Even if they did not admit anything to him, all he had to do was keep them occupied until reinforcements arrived to capture the two dissidents. Ten minutes, that was the most he would need to incapacitate them both and expose them to root out any potential collaborators.
This was going to be a fun bit of time.
In Orbit Above the Moon of Adas
Jaina was lucky enough to quickly regain her bearings when flying against the leader and founder of the One Sith. He flew with the speed and ferocity of an alpha predator, but with the experience and wisdom of a veteran ace of dozens, perhaps even hundreds of campaigns. It was all she could to keep up with him and keep her off her friends.
Unfortunately, now even the timely aid of Rogue Squadron and the dozen or so other hitchhikers caught in Lecersen's task force would not be enough to tip the scales in her favor. In fact, they seemed to be falling further away from her and the Alliance with the enemy reinforcements closing their fatal snare on them.
And the news continued to grow worse, hearing the Regime Breaker's and Bloodfin call for help amidst Lecersen and the Sith's assault. It would not be long before they were destroyed, and there was not a thing Jaina could do about either ship. All she could do was order the evacuation of all nonessential personnel from both destroyers and hope for their escape.
Her troubles did not end there, for Krayt in his sleek fighter resembling an A-Wing interceptor, but with the armaments of a B-Wing, was aiming five missiles at the two Rogue pilots adrift in space. A cowardly tactic to divert her focus, but a sadly effective one.
However, if what she was feeling was true, then she might not be alone in this fight for much longer, and that could be enough to tip the scales back in her favor and get her people to safety. Even if she was at full fighting strength, she doubted she could take on Darth Krayt all on her own, for he was in a class of his own far above the late Darth Caedus. She knew that only the combined might of the Alliance of Light would give them a fighting chance of ridding the galaxy of his evil. She just hoped she would be around long enough to see that day come.
Aboard the Mandator
"We have them." Lecersen victoriously grinned as he witnessed the Regime Breaker crack apart from the onslaught of his mixed force. With similar results coming through regarding the Bloodfin, only four Destroyers would soon remain before the One Sith finished the main battle. Then the Sith armada could focus all their might on eliminating the few Jedi and starfighters that were still running amok throughout the system.
Soon, Jaina Solo Fel and the rest of her fleet would fall to the One Sith, and by eliminating such a powerful Jedi Master and wounding the Galactic Empire, he would secure his position with them before they could withdraw into the Unknown Regions. From there, they would rebuild their ranks and infiltrate the galaxy from the inside out until they were ready to strike back. It was not how Lecersen wanted to spend his final decades, but it was far better than facing prison or an execution squad.
But at least Wyyrlok was not on the bridge to catch his reluctant musings, being on the backup bridge to coordinate the fleet through the art of Battle Meditation. The last thing Lecersen wanted was to be investigated for any hint of disloyalty by the fanatical Sith Inquisitors.
However, he found himself interrupted by Wyyrlok's voice coming through the intercom, "We are about to have a great deal of company, Lecersen. Hostiles, composed of several Jedi and the Galactic Alliance."
Seeing the Galactic Alliance task force emerge from hyperspace just above the Sith force, Lecersen cursed their unfortunate timing. But he quickly saw the fleet's configuration of four Nebula-class Destroyers, a Galactic-class Battle Cruiser, two MC90 Capital Ships, and eighteen support ships, and the ex-Moff instantly recognized the ships from their last skirmish in the Phindar System. The battle scars on many of the newcomers would be easy for even the most ignorant officer to remember.
So, being thrashed around once was not enough, they had to come back for Round Two and march right to their doom. A shame the Imperials and Hutts were not there to complete this victory. They must have gone ahead to try and break through the Mandalore blockade on their own. He would have to send a message to Belok Rhal and the Neo Death Watch to warn them, unless Wyyrlok had already done so.
Well, it hardly mattered to him at this point. This momentary distraction would only slow the One Sith down a few more hours and stretch the Jedi's allies a little thinner. All in all, it would be a good day.
Korriban, Darth Krayt's Citadel
Lower Levels
Chelli knew that Ochi was a force to be reckoned with, even as she blasted away at the Vahl assassin, desperate to keep him away from her mother, who struggled to recover from the concussion grenade that nearly knocked her out cold. And her droids reported how the Sith Inquisitors had bypassed the hijacked security system they reprogrammed. Time was almost up.
But she still had a few tricks in her arsenal to use against the Sith agent, and they were ones no one could trace back to either woman. And it was time to use the most dangerous of them before the Sith arrived in the next four minutes.
But first, she had to get past the man's karking armor. How fortunate it was, then, that she had recruited her only three friends to help her with that endeavor. She just hoped Triple Zero, Beetee, and Prowl could do their job before time ran out.
Pressing two buttons on her gauntlet, she prepared for the fireworks to start, even as she pulled out a Sith dagger to ready herself for the finishing blow.
Ochi, on the other hand, wondered what had kept his Sith masters occupied for so long. He could sense that they were finally on the move, but that many of them were wounded or killed. Did the traitors do more damage than he previously anticipated?
Before he could make his move to end this fight, he heard a humming, and glanced to see a very familiar Arakyd seeker droid rush to defend the two assailants. That is, if a heavily offensive modified droid with repeating blasters, serrated blades, and a grenade launcher could be called a seeker droid. This droid had long been the property of the One Sith since its unfortunate capture near the beginning of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, along with a particular demented Dark Jedi that now commanded the Sith Inquisitors under Krayt's direct authority.
It was a sheer miracle that Chelli was able to reconstruct Prowl's original memories of serving the Galfridian family, mainly Finn Galfridian when he came of age and enrolled in the Yavin Jedi Praxeum to fight the invaders and rescue his family. That gave the two Aphra women their first vital ally in procuring essential supplies and planning their escape.
And with Prowl ready to fight back against those that had long enslaved him, he was itching to get plenty of vengeance, and fired his repeating blasters at the assassin, forcing him to abandon his hunt for Lona to evade every blast, each attack moving him further from his prey. But that was when Chelli took her chances and directed her trump card at the Vahl.
Activating a sonic pulse, she aimed it right at Ochi, and fired. The sonic blast disrupted not only his focus but ruptured several of his vital organs and caused him to fall onto his knees from the overwhelming pain. About to vomit up a load of liquids, he ripped off his helmet and released a cup's worth of mixed blood and bile, allowing Chelli to rush in and graze both of Ochi's cheeks with the dagger, even as he tried to slice at her throat, but only grazed her voice box.
Ochi could barely feel the grazing over all the pain he felt in his abdomen, and as the numbness started spreading over his entire body, he knew what it meant, for he recognized this poison all too well from his people. The malichor was a rare plant whose contents could thrust even the strongest Force User into a coma and shut down their mind. Unfortunately for him, he had been dosed with an incredibly high level of it, as he felt his mind slipping away an instant after being scratched twice. Whoever attacked him must not have wanted to take any chances at him compromising their secrecy.
Collapsing onto the ground, barely able to keep his eyes open, he saw the Maladian pull the Mandalorian up and carry her over her shoulder, and Prowl rushed up to saw, "I will divert Nox and the others. You two best get back before the Doctor figures out that you're both missing."
"Quiet, Prowl." The Maladian chastised him, her voice box damaged enough for Ochi to recognize the young woman. And he vowed that, one way or another, he would make the Aphra family pay for their treason the moment he awoke from his coma.
Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple
Underneath the Meditation Gardens
"All right. The entire temple has finished shutting down all non-vital systems, and we're detecting eleven more Nergon-14 signatures in the vicinity." Corran informed Grace and Roscu as they worked to disarm the explosive core. "It'll take about forty minutes for our teams to disarm them all, and that'll leave you just over half an hour left to disarm this little pain. Can you get it done in time?"
"Yes, but you might want to finish pulling out your remaining wounded from the temple, just in case." Grace advised the Jedi Master. "Oh, and you'd best get the last of your fighters and civilians to safer havens so they can help you kick the Sith in their-"
"We're working on it, Grace." Sabine quickly cut her off. "We're getting as many as we can, but there's still three hundred critically wounded patients that can't be moved. Besides, I'm not going to leave you to do this on your own. I know a few demolition tricks myself that might be able to help."
"Then let's stop all yammering away and get back to work." Roscu impatiently begged the three humans. Honestly, these people talked far too much for the Chiss's liking.
Horuset System, Just Outside Phobos Station
Aboard the Sentinel-class Shuttle Imperium
Kesrk could feel the collective anguish of the fifty-six children, including Thalias, that were stranded aboard the Rogue's Gauntlet as he flew the Imperium away from the disabled corvette. If he turned around to try and rescue them, he would only be endangering the hundred and forty-four children still able to be saved. As much as the decision would break his heart, he had to harden his resolve and leave them behind for the greater good.
But as he ordered all remaining ships to jump to hyperspace, he made a vow to return and rescue every child that was still captive to the Sith's terrible designs all across the galaxy. A Jedi and good man such as him could do nothing less, and those kids deserved better than to be turned into evil killing machines.
Communicating a final pulse of regret to Thalias, but his resolve to come back and save them, he was shocked to feel her sad acceptance of it all. This girl's resolve was stronger than Kersk ever thought possible for one so young. Such determination and inner strength gave him hope she would serve as a leader for the stranded children and that they would see each other again soon, and when that time came, he hoped she would be willing to join the Jedi, or at least start a school for the Force Sensitives of the Chiss Ascendancy.
Above the Moon of Adas
Krayt fed off the fear and anger from the Alliance of Light's forces, further empowering him to continue to assault Jaina's psyche as he eliminated his fifth X-Wing and knew that he would soon be able to finish the would-be empress. He doubted even a Jedi as powerful as Master Solo Fel could stand to lose two Jedi and three Rogues after psychically suffering her uncle's wounds.
Even the unforeseen arrival of the Galactic Alliance flotilla could stop him from completing his hunt. True, the enemy had adapted its tactics to avoid the Metal-Crystal Phase Shifters and spread out Lecersen's fleet, but it was a pitiful stalling tactic at best.
Blasting away at Jaina's StealthX, he was satisfied when he blew off two of its stabilizer wings, and knew this hunt was all but over. However, he was astonished when a XJ7 X-wing intercepted the attack, sensing nothing but pure determination from Rogue Leader before the starfighter exploded.
He may have sensed the squadron leader's survival by ejecting just in time, it changed nothing except getting him a new prisoner and valuable reservoir of knowledge on the Galactic Alliance's military. All Commander Antilles did was buy Jaina a few more moments before the Jedi Council Member would be finished for good.
But before he could deliver the finishing blow, he instinctively swerved out of the way to see a Turbulent Destroyer barrel its way towards him as it launched its entire starfighter complement. Sensors identifying it as the Dominator, he silently cursed at the delay before he launched his concussion missiles at the TIE Fighters, destroying at least five before the rest swarmed over the Dread Lord.
He supposed he would have to wait longer before finally dealing with the Sword of the Jedi and Rogue Leader.
Aboard the Bloodfin
"The rescue crews have recovered all of our escape pods, and they're on their way to Sector Command." The XO solemnly reported to the captain before saluting him, "It's been an honor to serve with you, old friend."
"The feeling is mutual." The captain saluted back as the few remaining bridge crew followed suit, moments before the Bloodfin's bridge was engulfed in a fiery inferno of an explosion.
Aboard the Nantz
"We have the Rogues and Imperials aboard and all accounted for, and all EVA pilots have been recovered and are being taken to intensive care." Thern breathed a sigh of relief at the comm officer's call before ordering navigation,
"Preparing to enter hyperspace. It's time we got the hell out of Sith Space for now."
Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple
Underneath the Meditation Gardens
Twenty-five minutes. That was all that remained for the entire Jedi Temple if the central Nergon-14 bomb was not disarmed in time. Apparently, every bomb crew had discovered how this particular explosive was the central transmitter for the eleven others, and they could only be deactivated if the first one fell first.
But this bomb was more sophisticated than anything the makeshift team had ever worked with before; it was even built to counter any manipulation through the Force and if even one wrong wire was cut, then it would trigger the rest. To sum it up, they were running out of options. Even Sabine was stumped.
Grace was the first to say something in what felt like an eternity instead of thirty minutes, sighing, "Let me handle this."
"You think you can disarm the bomb all by yourself?" Roscu dismissively guessed. "How? Using the Force and lightsabers aren't an option here."
"Not to disarm it, but if I can use psychometry to read its history, then we might have a chance." Grace clarified.
Sabine, looking like she was ready to throttle the younger woman, growled out, "If you think it could work, then why didn't you tell us that thirty minutes ago?!"
"I didn't think we'd get to this point!" Grace raised her arms in a defensive gesture.
Corran, eager to avoid a fight, told Grace, "You've got five minutes. Otherwise, we're pulling out."
Working fast, Grace gently read the echoes through the bomb's construction and embedding, hoping she did not mess this up.
Within the Medical Wing
Working to close the gaping wound in Luke's stomach while preparing his bacta tank, Cilghal breathed a heavy sigh of relief when Corran just announced the disarming of the entire Nergon-14 network and the knowledge that the Temple was safe from the Sith for a while longer. With only fifteen minutes left, it was a Force-ordained miracle that Grace was able to decipher the combination in time.
Now, if only the two-hundred-and-seventy-eight critically wounded patients could hold out a little longer until the Temple's full medical capabilities came back online. They had already lost twenty-two patients, six of them Jedi, from the lack of proper care, and they could not afford to lose any more.
And there was another matter that could cut the Jedi with an even deeper wound; A dark energy surrounded Master Skywalker, almost as if it was trying to keep him locked in continuous unconsciousness while it tried to infect him.
Still, it was far too early for the Mon Calamari to make any definitive conclusions. But at this point and after decades of using the Force to heal countless people, it would be crazy to dismiss any possibility right away.
Within the Main Hangar
Kyle and Tenel, after observing the incarceration of the last Sith agents aboard Alliance and Hapan shuttles, somberly looked on amongst the devastation surrounding them in the Jedi's once secure stronghold.
Seeing several dozen lacerated ships strewn about, along with at least fifty bodies being carried out for proper burials, wounding both leaders' spirits at seeing the shared fruits of their labors having come under direct attack. All they had to show for it was about eighteen Sith spies and lords in their custody, a hollow trade in comparison to the casualty reports coming in, especially from the carnage the Kam-Iteration wrought in his brief rampage.
Over two hundred Temple staff members, seven hundred members of the Alliance of Light, thirty-six Jedi, and potentially Master Luke Skywalker being killed from the Sith attack, a staggering loss from facing off against thirty Sith agents in a confined setting.
The costs of war were never pretty, and both knew that this was merely the prelude for countless similar losses that would be needed to eradicate this galactic Sith threat. But they knew that these losses had to be endured, if only for the faint hope the Alliance could give the galaxy the respite from war it long deserved.
Falleen, Within the Xoma Plains
Aboard the YT-5100 Shriek-class Bomber Phoenix Whirlwind
Approximately Three Hours from Port Nowhere
For the last few days, Han almost felt at home while working on the newly named bomber. The ship might still have a few too many perfections in the controls and engines, and it flies too smoothly for his liking, but it was just about the same as the Millennium Falcon in its interior, thanks to Allana's favors and connections. All in all, he had to admit it was a decent ship, and would be able to suit his needs until the Falcon was fully repaired.
But Han's granddaughter was anything but well. For the last two hours, Allana looked as if she was having a heart attack, the way she was keeled over and retching on her medical bed. And there was no way she could not be sick now, not when she was at the pinnacle of health a few hours earlier, so that had to mean the Force was messing up everyone's lives again. Honestly, there were times when he wished the cosmic power did not pick his family as chosen for destiny and all that madness.
And it was not just her that was in sudden agony. Every Jedi and Force Sensitive in the strike force had suffered from a mysterious seizure that befell them, so the attack would inevitably be delayed. Hopefully Leia would be able to shed some light on this if she was in condition to do so. He was just about ready to call and break radio silence on Port Nowhere. If it wasn't for Allana's disabled state, Han would have reached out to his wife when Allana's stroke began.
But a handful of moments later, both Leia and Tesar both contacted Han, and both looked as if they had been stabbed in the stomach.
"What's gone wrong, Leia? Whatever you feel, Allana and every other Jedi on the planet can sense it too." Han gently asked. If the entire Jedi Order was suffering, then something truly terrible had just transpired. He only hoped that whatever it was, Luke, Jaina, Ben, the rest of the Jedi, even that goody-two-shoes Edaan, were all faring better.
Deeply breathing out the pain, Leia hoarsely told her husband, "Luke's been… he's badly hurt. The Sith, they attacked Shedu Maad."
A million questions blared through Han's mind, but the first one that came to mind slipped past his lips in a quiet voice, "How bad is it?"
"'Bad' does not even begin to describe our situation, Captain Solo." Tesar gravely began. "This one tried to reach out to Master Horn not twenty minutes ago after the vertigo passed, but he was… preoccupied. Grand Master Katarn reported that the Order had dozens of Sith spies in its ranks, and they devastated the Temple before the Alliance helped us hunt them down and cleanse our ranks. They were even working to disarm a dozen Nergon-14 bombs implanted throughout the Temple's infrastructure. But Master Skywalker might not make it from a wound earned when he delivered the finishing blow on a clone of Kam Solusar."
Barely able to register the rest of the information, Han could not believe Luke Skywalker could die; he would not believe it. The Tatooine farm boy had survived legions of Sith Lords, Imperial warlords, Yuuzhan Vong, and Celestial refuse, so a simple clone would never get the best of the greatest Jedi Master in centuries, and Han's best friend and brother-in-law.
"There's more." Leia nearly retched before reassuring Han. "Jaina was in a dogfight with Darth Krayt above Korriban and barely made it out alive. The shockwave from Luke's wounds threw her off balance and let Krayt get the best of her."
Jaina was hurt? Above Korriban?! What was that reckless idiot doing there all by herself?! She was supposed to be heading to help the Mandalorians, not going off playing lone scout in the Sith's ultimate and strongest domain!
Han clenched his hands so tightly, blood might come seeping out as he slowly asked, "What was she doing there?!"
"She was helping to rescue four hundred Force Sensitive children from Sith captivity after getting an anonymous tip." Leia helplessly sighed, "We're just lucky she was smart enough to bring support on this endeavor."
"She might earn a few new scars out of the ordeal, but she'll be back on her feet after a few days of good, hard rest. We both know she's too stubborn and too much of a fighter to stay out of the fight for too long."
Han nodded before warning her, "Well, I hope you both have a Plan B. We can't send the Jedi in now in their current condition, and the ground teams will be decimated without a good air support."
"Generals Haxim and Farlander agree, especially since they have reports of Royal Family and the majority of the Zygerrians fleet on course the port. That is why they are dispatching three battalions and all available ships to take the storehouses." Tesar explained.
"And actually, there is a way to help Allana recover quicker, because we're going to need all the help we can get once the battle to liberate Falleen truly begins. Master K'Kruhk was kind enough to tell all the Jedi about it before he signed off." Leia added.
"What… What is it?" Allana wearily asked, slowly raising her head to listen to her grandmother and dear Barabel friend, causing Han to gently try to push her back down to try and rest, only to be met by fierce defiance in her gaze.
"You have to push through the pain and take it into yourself." Leia answered. "Take it in and face it head on with your own light. The Sith are counting on us to run from Luke's wounds and act out of fear and hesitance. If we can embrace that pain and make it our own, then you won't be down for too much longer. You'll be back to your old self in a couple hours, max."
"And how does old tusk-face know that?" Han scathingly asked, wary of the Whiphid and the advice that reminded him too much of the Fosh Sith that corrupted Jacen.
"He's faced terrible ordeals and lost countless loved ones over the course of a century while watching his Jedi Order and dozens of other organizations all fall, and he had his own brushes with the Dark Side in his youth." Leia sternly answered. "We can trust him."
"I trust you, Grandma." Allana promised before turning to Han, imploring him, "Trust us, Grandpa. I can do this."
Seeing his granddaughter be so wise, so confident in the advice she was given made Han feel a little more useless in this fight.
No matter what he did, he could not protect or save anyone he cared about when they needed help the most. He failed Chewbacca by dishonoring his sacrifice; he failed Anakin when he blamed him for Chewbacca's death; and he failed Jacen when he put his homeworld's independence and assassinating his corrupt cousin over saving his last son's soul. And now his only remaining family was left gravely wounded, and all he could do was watch as they risked slipping away for good. If he lost them now, he would have nothing left to go on for, and might very well give up on everything here and there.
Falleen, Port Nowhere
Azure Hotel
Come on, Ben. You can beat this. You've faced much worse than this. Vestara silently prayed while pouring her energies into her boyfriend, trying to help him recover from the psychic wounds he felt his father suffer. Mouth open agape and eyes fluttering shut every few seconds, Ben had been thrusted into a powerful coma that his girlfriend had not yet been able to break. Even she was starting to feel the strain from both her efforts and the dark Force echoes' shockwaves, with her efforts showing little improvement for her beloved.
It certainly did not help how she had knocked out and tied up the five Morgukai assailants who broke into their apartment to try and kill them. She would have preferred permanently disposing of them, but she knew it would be an easy slide back into the Dark Side and losing Ben and Edaan, never mind give the Sith the perfect excuse to storm the hotel and eliminate the both of them. Besides, she swore to do better, and such change always began with the smallest of choices.
Unfortunately, she knew time was running out before the Sith sent another batch of assassins to finish their brethren's job. If they had not done so already, since the chance to eliminate several key Jedi and Alliance fighters was too good for their mortal enemies to pass up.
Her comlink started to chime, but she did not have the patience for any new orders with her dear Ben in danger. Pulling it out with her free hand, she prepared to snap at whoever was intruding before Jarael's authoritative voice came through, "Bring Ben outside the hotel right away and make sure you don't leave any vital materials behind. I have a few medicines that can help speed along his recovery, and Master K'Kruhk can fully awaken him. But he'll need your help and we all need to move before the Sith's assassins close in on us."
Shara's voice came through too, and she added, "We'll explain everything as soon as we're out of harm's way. Just trust us, Vestara. We've got effective transportation for both of you."
Trust. Now that was a hard commodity for Vestara to come by. Her dark upbringing and years of being a Sith Lady/galactic fugitive had not endeared her to many individuals or nurtured more virtuous qualities in her. Even with her defection back to the Jedi, she did not know if she could trust so many people. But with Ben's health and safety on the line and her inability to help him, she knew she had little other choice but to try.
"All right. I'll be down there in three minutes." She promised, silently adding, "And hope that you've all got a plan to get us out of this mess."
Within the Main Garrison
Just Outside Ship
"They're all on the move." Malleus opened his eyes, sensing the failure of his assassins and briefly regretted not dispatching them himself. "Lock down the entire port and have our frontier friends arrive by daybreak. We're going to need their reinforcements by then."
"And just how are we supposed to hold an entire city with a few dozen mercenaries, three of your Sith, and a couple hundred corrupt guards until your raiders arrive?" Soonpaa disagreed.
"We should have just gone after the Jedi when they were down from their Force mojo." Meeka angrily snarled. "At least Phasma took the initiative alongside Sing in dealing with Skywalker and Khai after sensing how your first team failed."
"What did you just say?" Malleus softly demanded.
"You heard me." Meeka defiantly stated. "While you were off meditating and all that poodoo, Phasma took matters into their own hands once they figured out your idiotic plan and requested more reinforcements to back us up."
"Who did they send for?" Malleus said, his voice regaining volume as he tried to figure out Phasma's endgame here.
"Redhan's Royal Guard and every available force in the sector. We're going to need every advantage we can get if the Jedi and their allies arrive in force." The farghul answered.
This was not good. If Phasma had sent for King Redhan's entire elite force and a third of the Royal Family's navy behind his back, then it was obvious that she was planning to make her treasonous move while sabotaging a vital Sith stronghold for the Jedi in one fell swoop.
It was obvious that she learnt her lessons on subterfuge and betrayal from Dician all too well and combined them with her putrid sense of honor. She might even try to eliminate him and continue her acts of sabotage within the One Sith for the Jedi if she was feeling audacious enough.
He had to act fast to contain the situation before all was lost for this front. But he would need backup to stop her. "Where are Apprentices Oculus and Sariss?!"
"I've got them." Soonpaa reported. "Tracking software has them right outside Warehouse Two, along with two squadrons of Noghri and Morgukai. Guess they didn't want to wait for the action to start either."
So, they were in on it as well. The rot of betrayal was spreading faster through the ranks than he ever imagined. It had to stop here, no matter the cost to himself, and that meant they all had to die. The future of the entire One Sith might very well depend on it.
Some might call it paranoia; others would call it overzealousness. Malleus simply viewed the galaxy as a canvas for the Dark Side, and if one was not working to help the Sith mold it, then they were doomed to death.
Rising from his chair, he telepathically ordered Ship, "Be ready to move on my order. It's time we hunted down some traitors and their Jedi patrons."
"Then I suggest we act quickly, Lord Malleus. The Alliance of Light and their native allies are on the move, and they are prepared to bring war to you all." Ship responded, fueling Malleus's conviction that the three Sith had betrayed him and Lord Krayt.
Outside the Azure Hotel
Abord the Rude Awakening
"We're all just lucky that Master Solo Fel and the Order's mechanics were smart enough to install a remote piloting system in every vessel in their fleet, and that Tyria had us activate it before she began her suicide mission." Robonino sighed as K'Kruhk tended to a still-comatose Ben. "I just hope she's in better condition than Ben here."
"No need to state the obvious to us, Robo." Atai lightly smacked the Patrolian's finned head.
Staring at Master K'Kruhk, Vestara cautiously asked, "How are you still so strong after feeling what Master Skywalker suffered? Whatever caused that dark echo was strong enough to give me vertigo and knock Ben out cold."
"I've lived a long time, Vestara Khai, and I've dealt with more pain than most beings could ever dare to dream of. This was a minor flesh wound compared to the worst wounds I've endured." K'Kruhk cryptically said.
"This wound in the Force seemed to affect those most strongly who had a connection to Luke Skywalker and walked strongly in the Light. Fortunately, it left me and Shara largely unaffected and gave us the advantage of warning the rest of the crew and getting the ship ready. But I fear for Tyria and Leia's well-being."
"So, who are we going for first?" Vestara asked the obvious to everyone, even as she worried for her oldest surviving friend who was currently working with Tyria.
"Don't worry, we're heading for Captain Seii and the others. Leia's got Bralo, Parja, Vua, and Jarael tending to her before they rendezvous with us."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Vestara prepared to thank everyone before several alarms started blaring. "What's going on now?!"
"We've got a bogey closing in on us. Make that about ten of them, and one of them is the Dark Beauty." Lona shouted up from the cockpit as the ship vibrated from taking off.
Reaching out with the Force, she sensed the signatures of Phasma and Aurra Sing right behind her, and she knew eluding both women would not be easy. The Sith Lady would need to put on a convincing act to keep her cover intact, especially to fool a veteran and always suspicious hunter of Sing's caliber.
For the sake of all those she cared for, she would do everything she could to aid the Rude Awakening's crew survive this battle.
Longingly gazing at Ben for a moment, she quickly broke it to ask K'Kruhk, "Where do you need me?"
Injecting Ben with a stimulant, he answered, "Since we're short on manpower right now, man the guns alongside Robo. Follow his instructions to the letter. I'll be in the cockpit helping Lona pilot the ship."
Offering her one more glance, he sympathetically promised, "Ben will be all right soon enough. The serum I injected him with will help him fight off the worst injuries, but the rest will be up to him. Right now, I need you to focus on the task at hand and channel your energies into more productive causes than worrying."
Silently nodding while promising to give the Whiphid a brutal reckoning if he was wrong, Vestara hurried to the nearest gun emplacement. If the Sith wanted to hunt the crew down, then she would make them work harder than ever for their dark goals.
Within the Main Cargo Facilities
On the Outskirts of Warehouse
Without Kix's stimulants having given her an extra boost of adrenaline, and a few pain suppressants, Tyria would not likely have been stay on her feet this long after sensing Master Skywalker's rapid slide towards death. Even reducing her use of the Force to the bare minimum did not help matters, for the oppressive energies of the Dark Side continued to permeate the warehouse standing before her.
Did the Sith lay a trap for her and anyone else bold or foolish enough to get inside? But if that was the case, then would it not be smarter to hide their presence from any prying eyes? There must be something else at work here, and Tyria had a hunch it could make the difference between life and death.
Either way, this mission was getting to be too dangerous, and she needed to finish her intelligence gathering and get her people out before it was too late. Even if she could not get absolute proof of the illegal Royal Family storehouses in Port Nowhere, their mere existence could make many officers question their allegiance and create indecision in the enemy's ranks. And with additional support, they could later storm the facility and get the absolute proof they needed for any skeptics.
She may not have desired this outcome, but with likely every Jedi heavily reeling from the Sith's machinations, the task before them currently seemed all but impossible. And she would not risk her people to a gambit that had little to no chance of success.
Just then, her commlink came online, and she heard a familiar voice darkly call out to her, "Long time no see, Master Sarkin-Tainer. You certainly look like you've certainly seen better days."
Turning her head upwards to see a human and Iktotchi standing at the top of the balcony above them, she felt her stomach drop at having to face off against the two Sith that once called themselves Ferren Barr and Verla Kaer.
With her compatriots aiming their blasters at the two Sith, Tyria shakily ignited her lightsaber. If the two turncoats were planning to double-cross the Jedi, now was the most opportune time to do so. Leaping down from their high vantage point, the two Sith effortlessly batted away every blast.
"Do we really have to do this the hard way?" Sariss sarcastically joked. "Why don't you just come with us and save us all the trouble of working to take you alive?"
"Us?" Mirta repeated, suddenly realizing the five Alliance fighters were not facing just two Sith. As if on cue, two dozen Noghri and Morgukai emerged from the shadows, each armed with cortosis weaponry and the most advanced long-range rifles or blasters to reinforce their masters and surround the five enemies.
Sariss smirked, "Yeah, you weren't the only ones who thought to bring some backup." Glancing at Tyria's trembling limbs, she added, "But I don't think you can run away in your Jedi's current condition, let alone fight us all off. And on that note, I suggest you take us at your word before Malleus and his crew show up."
Well, this was bad. The enemy had them surrounded and outgunned. But every Alliance fighter knew they had one advantage over the Sith: the weapon of pure, unvarnished truth, and that could mean the difference in escaping this trap.
If the Sith wanted to play a game of deception, then they would counter with a few tricks of their own.
Dathomir, Allya Mountains
Within the Jedi Praxeum's Medical Wing
"I see you two aren't ones for sitting idle for too long, or for letting your enemies get the edge on you." Taron impressively stated after he heard Edaan and Adari's proposal. Learning the two Palpatines wanted to learn all that they could in their efforts to improve their combat skills and teamwork by studying under him and the Dathomirians while on their retreat here, Taron thought it would be the greatest honor of his life.
Solona, on the other hand, was not as convinced. "Do you two fully grasp what you are asking of us? You haven't even fully recovered from your past efforts, and this training will push you to and beyond all your limits. Never mind how Edaan still has to purge himself of the darkness Krayt put into you."
"We can make it work." Adari shrugged. "I promised to help my husband conquer the darkness in his heart, and I still intend to do just that. But since Master Skywalker is now in critical condition, we're all going to need to be at the top of our game if we're to even stand a chance at stopping Krayt's plans. And that means learning a whole new arsenal of skills and continuing to adapt to the situation at hand."
"That may be, but we cannot have both of you traveling around our world at this time. We've received reports of many settlements coming under attack by all manner of predators, and we suspect the Sith have arrived and are trying to draw us into a trap. I will be going soon to help investigate these assaults." Solana warned them.
To the two Masters' credit, Taron continued, "But that does not mean we will leave you with nothing. We have a few instructors to call on, and I will train both of you in our people's most advanced forms of martial arts while we will be protecting our Praxeum."
"Training starts tomorrow morning at 0600. So, I suggest you get plenty of rest while you still can, because it will be unlike any you have ever experienced in your short lives." He warned the couple.
"We'll be ready." Edaan promised. "You haven't seen what Adari can do when she's put to the test." That last remark earned a warm and amused chuckle from the purple-skinned woman.
"I'll be sure to take lots of notes." Taron joked before excusing himself, leaving Solona with the couple.
"Is there something we can help you with, Master Ti?" Adari inquired.
"It's, it's nothing." Solona tried, before warning the couple, "You'd both best be ready for the next few days. Taron was never one to pull his punches, and the training could very well break you both."
"How bad is it?" Edaan said.
"It's a lot like Dagobah's dark cave, but much more physically rigorous and taxing." Solona answered. "May the Force be with you both. I fear you'll need it and more to come out of it in one piece."
Exiting the room, Solona left the two to allow them to contemplate their new training regimen while she prepared for her investigation. Whether she would admit it or not, she worried over the young couple and feared the maverick Dathomirian would push them too hard. But the Praxeum's masters had all approved, so it was out of her hands now.
Well, I think this is a good place to end the chapter. A whole lot got done, and in so little time. Man, I am on a roll! I hope you all enjoyed the warp-up of Korriban and Shedu Maad arcs. Now the Falleen arc can take center stage for a bit, alongside Batuu and Chiss Space, and the Dathomir side plot. So, how are you all doing on this cold day of Tuesday, January 4, 2022? I'm well, aside from being a bit tired from work today. I had a good six-hour shift earlier, and I still have the three same shifts over the next three days, so I'll be worn out by the end. At least my paycheck will be large. Oh, and I finished Star Wars: Insider Fiction Collection: Volume 2, and I'm working on a book on St. Thomas Aquinas now. Afterwards, I'll do On Writing and Worldbuilding: Volume 2 and that'll be fun. Well, I'd best get this chapter ready for review in a week or so. I don't want to give my friends too much on their plate at once. I hope you all stay safe and warm, as I heard about the Virginia snowstorms that wreaked havoc across the state yesterday, and I hope no one died from the intense weather. May God be with us all in these troubling times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!