Well last chapter ended with a cliffhanger but we're going to resolve that here.

Also, random note, but I was watching an episode of Star Wars Rebels and a Force-sensitive youngling was named Ullara or something similar, I didn't actually know that because I never gave Rebels a fair chance before now. Anyway, it's a complete coincidence so if any Star Wars encyclopedians happen to be reading this and decide to hit me with an "akshually..." I didn't know.

Secrets of The Outer Rim.

Act I.

The Last Days of The Jedi Order.

Chapter II.

An Unexpected Ally.


My master kept her finger on the activation switch of her lightsaber, however, my silent pleas through the Force finally seemed to have an effect on her as I felt a flash of clarity emerge out of her cloud of suspicion. She was still prepared to strike at the red-skinned Nautolan with her black tattoos, but Master Avdune was a Jedi. She understood that if a Jedi strikes at a someone asking for help, even if that person seems to be an enemy of the Jedi Order, then the Jedi has broke her own code and defied her values. My master decided to resolve this diplomatically and I would give her thanks once we were alone again.

"Who are you and what do you need help with?" Ullara managed to return to an even and welcoming voice despite the fact that I could tell that my young master was unhappy with this Nautolan over her views on the Jedi Order. I understood where she was coming from, she was clearly a Force user, she had a lightsaber, and the colors and tattoos seemed to imply that she was a Dark Side user. All of this implied that this Nautolan was a Sith Lord, however, that didn't make sense. There were only two Sith in the galaxy - Count Dooku and his master. I found it hard to believe that this teenage alien woman was Count Dooku's master. I suppose she could be a Dark Jedi assassin like Asajj Ventress or Savage Opress, but if Count Dooku found an assassin, why would the very first mission be a suicide mission to Coruscant? And, if it was that, who is the target?

Perhaps the assassin is targeting the Jedi Council or the Chancellor and trying to get an audience with them, but Dooku knows better, a lone assassin is not going to get a sole audience with the Chancellor, an assassin with a retinue is not going to get all her guards and all her weapons into a meeting without an even greater security force in response to counter that. This mission, if it is a mission, no matter how you look at it, is a suicide mission. That only adds more evidence that this has to be genuine, as I scanned over her retinue, I sensed unease, I sensed doubt, and I sensed the retainers putting up walls as they realized I was reaching out. These people were just as suspicious about us as we were at them. They may look like Sith, but they are certainly not acting like what the Jedi have been led to believe that the Sith are. They are being civil and I think that it is only fair to be civil in return.

"My name is Phanza Attam, apprentice to Grand Duchess Voytana of Taaszon. My master represents eleven systems in the distant outer rim and the third largest military force in the galaxy. The pretender, Count Dooku, has challenged our authority and his droid armies are threatening to invade our outlying worlds. We come here for an alliance. Support us against the pretenders and their droid armies, help us defend our worlds, and we will join your war." Phanza proposed. I have never heard of Taaszon or any sort of Grand Duchy in the distant outer rim, certainly not one spanning multiple systems. I glanced over at my master but Ullara showed no sign of recognition either. Her suspicion flared up again and, to be honest, I was rather suspicious too, some of the things she said suggested that she represented a potential threat...and what did she mean when she called Dooku a pretender?

"We haven't heard of Taaszon or this Grand Duchy. What other systems do you control?" Master Avdune asked, she was digging for information, hoping to find a hint at what this faction was, what they controlled, and whether or not anything she said was legitimate. I was eager to learn more myself and I was glad that Ullara was searching for information rather than trying to stop this very unique retinue. I caught the armed protocol droid glancing at the clone troopers who were still aiming their blasters at this Force user and her companions. Somehow, the protocol droid managed to look belligerent, as if it wanted a fight. The Mandalorian was wearing a helmet masking her expression while the Zabrak and the human guards with their electrostaffs had serene expressions on their faces - but a deadly kind of serene. They were more than confident in their ability to protect their mistress.

"Taaszon is not on Republic maps, nor on separatist maps. We have kept ourselves secret for as long as possible, but, with the droids finding us, we have unveiled ourselves. We shall show you a map of the systems relevant to the separatist account. This does not include Taaszon itself." Phanza was only willing to reveal their outlying worlds to us, she was distrustful of us, however, given that my master was at very least considering attacking her with a lightsaber, I had to be honest, I didn't exactly blame Phanza. At the same time, given that Phanza was asking for help while trashing our Order, accusing our Republic of corruption, and being uncooperative with giving information, I didn't blame Master Avdune either. This seemed like it was going to turn into a conflict if I didn't do something, however, I didn't want to question my master's authority, especially considering that Phanza was openly ridiculing our Order and our way of life. I did not want to see these two women fight but I didn't know what I could do without questioning Ullara.

"Master...perhaps we should bring this to the Jedi Council." I whispered to her, doing what I could to avoid seeing these two women fight. My master nodded just barely, trying to make it so that I could see but that Phanza wouldn't see, however, I doubted that Attam missed either the whisper or the nod, she knew exactly what was going on and I wouldn't be surprised if she knew our motivations too.

"Phanza Attam...I will bring this before the Jedi Council, however, before I go, I must ask one question." Master Avdune got deadly serious for a moment and Phanza nodded with a confident smirk on her lips, the red-skinned Nautolan did not see any question phasing her "Are you a Sith?"

"Yes Jedi, a true Sith. The Grand Duchy represents the final fragment of The Sith Empire of old. We have stood in exile for three thousand years and now we must grovel before our ancient enemies to protect us from thieves who have appropriated our symbols. We are Sith, but we have nothing to do with Count Dooku or his master, in fact, they are our enemy. They are your enemy too and, as we all know, the enemy or your enemy is your friend. You and your Council remember that Master Avdune. Run along now...as for you, Padawan Vyvan, I look forward to seeing you more." My eyes opened wide and I was about to ask Phanza what she meant when Master Avdune ushered me away. At least we were going to the Jedi Temple, where we could help this mysterious woman. This woman who was a Sith but came here, to Coruscant itself, to ask us for help.


"A Sith came here for help? Master Windu asked incredulously, I knew that it was not the Jedi way to presume, but I could already tell that he was against this idea and, unfortunately for me, I felt that resonating from most of the Jedi Council. Master Avdune was putting up a legitimate case but she didn't even believe herself, she was fighting mainly for my sake - she knew that I was troubled and she knew that I did not want to fight against Phanza Attam. Ullara was doing this for me and I did appreciate it, but her heart wasn't in it, not for the right reasons anyway. I knew that I would be overstepping my boundaries once again but I felt that, if I didn't respond myself soon, I may have to see the Jedi Order condemn an innocent woman simply because she is a Sith. I understand that the Jedi and the Sith have been at war ever since the Sith were founded, but surely being a Sith in itself is not a crime?

"With all due respect Master Windu, she asked us for help and offered up an alliance. She claims to represent a series of systems unlisted on our charts." Master Avdune bounced back a little bit, mentioning help and the alliance could only help.

"How do we know if these uncharted systems even exist?" the Cerean Master Ki-Adi Mundi interjected. A flash of frustration came over me because the Council kept focusing on the wrong things but I quelled myself down - Master Yoda, who has been silently meditating this whole time, glanced at me, as if shooting a light warning, however, he left it at that. I am glad that it was Master Yoda who caught my emotional lapse rather than Master Windu, the latter, from what I've heard, is far stricter than Master Yoda, who I have first hand experience with dating back to when I was a youngling training in one of his classes. I was about ready to jump in and respond to the master with his distinctive head courtesy of two brains but Master Kenobi jumped in first.

"Our charts have been wrong before, Kamino had been missing." Obi-Wan Kenobi pointed out in holographic form - Master Kenobi was not here in person, he and Master Skywalker were preoccupied with events in the Outer Rim, much like Master Avdune and I had been - I was grateful for his input. Obi-Wan is perhaps the most qualified one here when it comes to the Sith, after all, he has faced against more of them than most of the Council and he has even briefly worked with the Dark Jedi Assassin Asajj Ventress when the two were dealing with common enemies.

"Kamino was a single planet, this is eleven systems." Mace Windu responded, he was our biggest enemy here, it seemed that he was the most belligerent against the Sith. I did not want to question a Jedi who has done as much for our Order as Master Windu, but I feel that his fixation on stopping the Sith borders on an obsession and it may even be driven by hatred. I fear even members of the Jedi Council may be falling into the clutches of the Dark Side thanks to this vile war. So many lives have been lost, so many lives will be lost before this war is over, and now, someone is asking for help, and just because she is a Sith we are seriously considering opening up another front and starting another war? Against an enemy we cannot even find because we don't know where Taaszon or any of their other systems are.

"Kamino's absence is different from uncharted space. There is something suspicious about the Kaminoans, they have demonstrated untrustworthy behavior and secrecy recently. I fear Kamino was deliberately hidden from us while these Sith are merely hiding out on the fringes of the galaxy." Master Shaak Ti weighed in her opinion, this was yet another tangent. I knew this is important and from what I know about Kamino's discovery by Master Kenobi, the situation has always been hazy, clarity was needed with Kamino, but right now, there is a Nautolan woman asking for our help in the face of a separatist invasion and I feel the fact that she is a Sith is irrelevant. It is the duty of the Jedi Order to help her and, only by doing so, can we ever hope to reconcile our differences and bring Phanza, as well as others, back to the Light Side of the Force. That could be it, that could be an angle that will get the Jedi Council to help Attam and her people.

"With all due respect Masters," I made my move and began talking in front of the Council, I knew that Master Avdune and even some of the Councilors were glaring at me but it's too late now, I've committed to this "There is a civilization of Force users out there that is not our enemy, not right now anyway, they even want an alliance. I feel like rejecting their alliance and leaving them to the separatists can only lead to two outcomes. One: the droid armies win and gain eleven new systems that we can't even find, or two: the Sith defeat the droid armies and suddenly we have two groups of Sith with a vendetta against us. You have always told me to trust in my instincts, and my instincts tell me that refusing to help will only lead to more pain and suffering. Please Masters, look past the fact that they are Sith and realize that there are people who need our help and, as Jedi, it is our duty to help them." I made my speech before turning my eyes down, gazing at the floor and meekly retreating to my spot next to Master Avdune, I did not dare anticipate their reactions.

I felt that something was about to flare up and that the Jedi Council Chamber was about to erupt into an argument but all of that vanished in a moment. I looked up to see Master Yoda had simply raised a hand and that had been enough to bring order to the room. Master Yoda has lived for centuries and his wisdom is legendary. His word carries weight even among his fellow Jedi Councilors.

"Right, Padawan Vyvan is. A cry for help, refuse, we cannot." Yoda managed to sway enough of the Council that, when they then went to a vote about it, the majority of Masters decided to help Phanza Attam. I was excited even if I tried to keep it muted but Master Yoda sensed it nonetheless and stood up, walking over to me "Over, this is not. A Republic matter, this is. Meet with the Chancellor, you must."

I thought getting this passed the Jed Council was going to be the hard part, but now, now we had to deal with a politician. Oh well, at least Chancellor Palpatine won't be as concerned with the Sith as the Jedi Council is.


"Phanza Attam." Master Avdune bowed slightly and I followed her lead. Master Yoda, Master Windu, Master Fisto, and Master Kolar were already on route to the Chancellor's office, they were willing to cooperate with these Sith, but they were not willing to trust them. I suppose that is the best that I can hope for, even if I believe that the Jedi should not be mistrustful "The Jedi Council has agreed to allow you to meet with Chancellor Palpatine to discuss this alliance. The Clones will stand down and we shall escort you there, but your retainers are to stay with your ship."

"I tire of these pointless restrictions Jedi - if we were going to kill you, we would have already. But we shall humor you." Phanza couldn't roll her eyes due to their alien nature, but I could practically feel the gesture just before she turned around, she faced the protocol droid, the Mandalorian, and finally her two guards, first the Zabrak and then the human "HK-107, Ceyla, Ruumshi, Avoine. Stay with the Ultimate. I will return shortly.

We grabbed Phanza by either arm and ushered her into an open top speeder, she seemed more bemused than anything else. That unsettled me, I do admit. Phanza clearly wielded an awesome power, she was entirely confident that she could kill both of us easily if she needed to. I wanted to chalk that all up to the usual Dark Side arrogance but, somehow, I was having trouble convincing myself that it was all so simple. We rode to the Senate building as Phanza Attam sat between us, perfectly calm and serene while Master Avdune and I were both worried and afraid. Fear is the path to the Dark Side while serenity is a staple of the Jedi Code, yet right now, it seems like things were flipped. Perhaps our fear of the Sith was undermining our very own ideology. I don't know if she sensed my doubts about the Jedi Order or what, but in the corner of my eye I could see Phanza Attam smirking and that only filled me with more fear. She seemed more interested in me than she was in my Master and that could only mean something terrible.

The speeder landed in front of the Senate building and we got the Nautolan Sith to her feet, guiding her inside while we were flanked by Senate guards - no one was sparing any chances when it came to a Sith, good intentions or not. The Senate guards surrounded us and led us directly to Palpatine's office, practically handing us over to the Jedi Councilors inside. Master Avdune and I bowed before the Chancellor, paying our respects to the elderly leader of the Republic, even if he had taken more power and served for longer than any Chancellor in history. I shook my own opinions off, this meeting was not about the Chancellor's increasingly dictatorial tendencies, this meeting was about the red-skinned Nautolan between us.

We watched her every move, ready to pounce as she rose both her arms, however, she was not raising them to attack. Phanza Attam lowered her hood, revealing more of her Lekku covered in those sharp, angular black tattoos. Kit Fisto seemingly disproved of this, I could see that in his normally jovial expression, however, the Jedi Master did not vocalize his distaste for his fellow Nautolan. Phanza's eyes opened wide before narrowing slightly as she looked at Chancellor Palpatine, seemingly taken aback, though none of us knew why. When I looked back, I could swear that Palpatine narrowed his eyes too, though only for a moment. I tried to see what she had seen or sense it but I could not see anything, it was all clouded by the Dark Side. I had to assume that it was because of Phanza Attam, after all, she was the only Dark Side user here, but I knew I didn't feel this earlier.

"Chancellor Palpatine, my name is Phanza Attam," the Sith introduced herself politely and bowed before our Chancellor, any hint of her initial reaction was gone and most people wouldn't have noticed a thing, but I know what I saw and the list of questions I have for Attam is only growing "I represent the Grand Duchy of Taaszon, a state beyond the outer rim ruled by my master, Grand Duchess Voytana. We control eleven populated systems and four worlds spread across two of our systems are in danger of a separatist assault. We have a capable military force, both on the ground and above, but Count Dooku has endless swarms of droids. I believe that his intention is to use our uncharted systems as a fall back point should contested worlds like your Felucia and Saleucami fall. Should our worlds fall, the separatists will be able to keep the war going and you wouldn't even know where they're attacking you from."

"Well Lady Attam, I am sorry to hear that the separatists are targeting you. These traitors to the Republic have terrorized the Galaxy for far too long." Chancellor Palpatine seemed sincere, but something was striking me as off "However, you must understand that you are Sith and the Senate will never vote to help the Sith. I know that you have nothing to do with Count Dooku, but there are thousands of Senators and I fear that not nearly enough of them will be able to make that distinction, especially since we do not even know where these battles would be taking place."

"Perhaps revealing your systems would help. All of them." Master Windu proposed, he tried to come off as being helpful, but somehow, I think that he was more concerned with finding where Phanza's Sith faction is than finding out where to send Republic forces to help. I fear that Mace Windu, despite the wishes of the majority of the Jedi Council, still wants to destroy Attam and her fellow Sith. I believe Phanza addressed them as the true Sith.

"I will reveal the four relevant systems only if it will get me the help I need." Phanza was being stubborn, she did not want the Republic knowing about all of Taaszon's systems, though, I did have one question - is she hiding the information from the Jedi Council or from the Chancellor? The Jedi Council has already decided to help her despite Master Windu and Master Mundi's opposition while the Chancellor is at least saying that he is sympathetic to her cause.

"I apologize, my Lady, but I do not think that being secretive is going to change the minds of the Senate." Palpatine argued, now getting more upset, something that even Master Yoda and Master Windu took note of, getting upset was not in the Chancellor's character. In fact, part of why the Jedi Council is weary of him is because the Chancellor acts like an impossibly nice, naive old man while seizing more power. Nevertheless, the Jedi Council is not weary enough to actually resist the Chancellor because we stand for the Republic - or we say we do anyway, as I have already made clear, I find that the priorities of the Jedi are very inconsistent and I feel that even the Jedi Council is divided over our purpose - and that unwillingness to resist is why we find ourselves here. Depending on the wheels of politics while leaving a potential enemy to be ravaged. Sure Taaszon is a Sith state, but, at least in this case, they are innocent. Even the Sith do not deserve to be consumed by the horrors of war, especially not by another, more dangerous faction of Sith.

"Really? Well what will change the minds of the Senate?" Phanza Attam asked, emphasizing Senate. Suddenly, I got the feeling that Chancellor Palpatine and our Sith Nautolan were having a very different conversation than the one we were hearing, a conversation that only the two of them would understand. I didn't like this, but I'm not sure whose secrecy was more settling, that of the woman who should be our enemy or the secrecy of the man who should be our ally and our leader. I was uncomfortable around the Chancellor, I believe that there is more to him that we realize and I believe that fact has chilling repercussions for the Republic and for what will happen to us when this war is finally over. I do not want the Clone Wars to end merely for the Jedi Order and the Chancellor to find themselves on opposite sides fighting for the fate of the Republic. The end of the Clone Wars is supposed to bring peace and prosperity back to the galaxy, I do not want to see war and suffering continue, but, between intrigues within the Republic and now the arrival of the Sith, who knows what will happen next?

"Reveal the four planets that the separatists seek to invade to me now and how many troops you have on those planets ready to fight. Give us something to work with and I promise you that the result will be better than if you ask us to blindly join an alliance and open up another front on a war that has already stretched the Grand Army of the Republic and our Jedi friends so thin." Chancellor Palpatine pleaded, now, despite my paranoia, I had to admit, his plea was reasonable. One of his duties as Chancellor is that he is nominally the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, therefore, as a military leader, it only makes sense that he understands the military capabilities of his potential allies. Phanza Attam narrowed her eyes even further but I could tel that she was legitimately contemplating this, after all, she didn't exactly have much choice. For a Sith to come to Coruscant, the situation must be pretty desperate.

"Fine." Phanza Attam agreed and the Chancellor activated a projection of the galaxy map, watching eagerly as Phanza Attam circled around the map, looking for the coordinates. She stopped in one spot, far beyond Republic space. She pulled out her own holoprojector and brought up a partial map. Just as she said, this added two systems to our map, containing four populated worlds: two planets in one system and, in the other, a planet and a moon "First, the Imperius system. The relevant worlds here are Imperius Prime, a planet of jungles, volcanoes, and cities, and Kallig, a gas giant with floating cities and mining stations. Then we move on to the New Ziost System. New Ziost is the most populated of these planets with large metropolises built in the valleys between the frigid mountains. Its largest moon, Acina, is covered with blood red dunes but rich settlements along the oases are too important to be lost. We have twelve Margraviate-class Super Dreadnoughts - along with support craft - to defend these systems, seven of them protecting New Ziost and Acina, three will protect Imperius Prime, leaving only two to protect Kallig. Our Super Dreadnoughts our equivalent to your Venator-class star destroyers."

Phanza Attam clearly knew more about us than we did about her, however, she was at least finally giving us answers. New Ziost was the most important world in these outlying systems and thus it was the most protected, Acina was safe as a result of that, however, in defending New Ziost and Acina properly, they have left Kallig and Imperius Prime vulnerable. It seems to be that our starships should concentrate on Kallig - the floating targets on the planet means that, if the separatists get through, they only have to occupy a few places rather than a whole surface - while our ground forces should concentrate on Imperius Prime, which has a surface to defend, one that sounds fairly similar to Felucia, where Master Avdune and I just served...

"Thank you for your honesty Lady Attam, as a show of trust, I will ensure we aid your world. I will push through an emergency resolution and use this opportunity to approve sending a clone battalion to support your efforts. This way, you won't have to worry about convincing the entire Senate to support your cause." The Chancellor announced, I suppose I should have been happy, we were going to help a potential friend who was in need, but the fact that the Chancellor was using this as an opportunity to grab more power was not good. I know that the Chancellor has giving his word to surrender these powers at the end of this war, but how can we trust him to give up any power if he constantly grabs more? I saw the Chancellor study these systems that Phanza added to his map very close as the Sith and my fellow Jedi left his office. Reluctantly, I turned away and joined them.

"Master Avdune," Mace Windu began addressing my master quietly as we made our way out of the Senate building "You and your Padawan discovered this Sith and have the most experience with her. I want you two and the 1204th Clone Battalion to lead the strike force we send to help the Grand Duchy. Repel the separatists and secure and alliance but do not trust her or any of the other Sith. I feel that there is more going on than she is telling is."

With that, our leave came to an end before it really began and we were off to fight a war once again, but now, at least we were doing what Jedi should be doing - defending a world from blatant aggression rather than besieging one like we had been on Felucia. The fact that these worlds belonged to the Sith should not change our duties. Phanza Attam and her faction do not have to be our enemies.


"Tell me Zaliza, when you think of these Sith, what do you feel?" Master Avdune asked me as we watched Phanza Attam enter her ship, the red-skinned tattooed Nautolan and her companions launched the Ultimate and the craft left Coruscant. On the speeder ride here Phanza was suddenly more explanatory about her forces, she explained that her ship, the Ultimate was a Ravager-class Sith Interceptor, these elite ships were given to the Grand Duchy's Sith as they emerged as independent operatives. This revealed a lot, first of all, it revealed that this faction of Sith, unlike the pretenders, as Phanza called them, did not follow the rule of two, second of all, it revealed that the Grand Duchy had very advanced starship building systems - something made pretty clear by the twelve Super Dreadnoughts as well. Phanza mentioned earlier that her faction was the third largest military in the galaxy, behind only the Republic and the separatists. This meant that her faction was more powerful than the Black Sun, the Hutt Cartel, even the Mandalorians. Perhaps they were not defenseless, but even in being the third biggest military in the galaxy that didn't mean they were anywhere near the level of the Republic or the separatists. An army of soldiers raised from the population of a relatively small number of fringe systems, no matter now militarized, does not equal armies of countless clones or battle droids. They may be ready for a fight, but this is not a fight that they have any hope of winning alone - they need our help.

"I feel compassion master, these are people who need our help. I am well aware that this Grand Duchy is descended from an Empire that waged war against the Republic for centuries eons ago, but now, they are in need of help and we must be there for them. I feel hopeful, hope that this alliance can lead to a dialogue that can bring peace between the Jedi and Sith once and for all, paving the way for reconciliation. And I sense that they are more brave than prideful. Phanza swallowed her pride and had the bravery to face down Jedi and clones alike to get the help she needed." I told Master Avdune, I was being entirely truthful, I trusted Phanza Attam and I trusted her Grand Duchy.

"I am proud of you, my Padawan. Today you have done more for the Jedi way than I have in a very long time. I believe there are somethings you can teach me just as I taught you." Master Avdune smiled at me, her hands on my shoulders. My master is not a perfect woman, perhaps the Clone Wars forced her into the role of training a Padawan before she was ready, but right now, I would not want any other master. Ullara may not see it, but I can only do what I think is right for the Jedi because of the lessons that I learned from her, from Master Yoda, and from all the other Jedi. I hope that this is the beginning of a new chapter, that, from here forward, Master Avdune and I will have a greater understanding of each other. I never want to be as conflicted as I was after Felucia again but, if I ever am, I wanted Master Avdune to be there for me, I want her to finally be able to give me the help I need as a Padawan growing up in such a turbulent time.


I was laying on my side, once again on my cot aboard the Sage, trying to sleep. I was filled with anticipation, curiosity, and dread - I wanted to finally see this Sith Grand Duchy hiding deep in the Outer Rim, I wanted to learn everything I could about it, but, I was scared that trying to learn and try to dig up information would only give me answers I didn't want. I was scared that I would peel away all that Phanza appears to be and find nothing but a hateful plot against the Jedi. I put my faith in Phanza, what if she was lying about the true Sith and all of this was just some plot by Count Dooku? Making up four worlds out of thin air was not necessarily beyond the Count, after all, we can at very least suspect him of deleting Kamino from the Jedi Archives and playing a role in the Battle of Naboo long before becoming the leader of the separatist alliance. Dooku is resourceful and he is intelligent, we can say that he is less ruthless than other Sith - though even then, I'd imagine most of that is the benefit of the doubt from Masters who knew Dooku as a Jedi - but time and time again our understanding of the Sith has been proven wrong. We assumed that they were extinct before Naboo happened and now, we've found that the ancient Sith never really died.

"The Chancellor is deceiving you." A voice rung in my head. My eyes flew open and practically ripped apart my room as I searched for a presence, I was panicking. This was not the Jedi way. I calmed myself down and reached out with the Force, no one was here, but a presence was commuting with me through the Force. I strained myself by trying to track it but I couldn't find a location, however, I could find a place. I saw a red-skinned Nautolan meditating at the foot of a lavish bed aboard a Ravager-class Sith Interceptor. Her black and purple robes tightly wound across her body. I was far too focused on keeping Master Avdune and Phanza from killing each other on Coruscant to really take note of this, but the Nautolan was captivating. I had to admit that I thought that, if I ever felt feelings for anyone, it would be a Zeltron boy around my age, probably another Jedi, instead, I could not deny my attraction to a female Nautolan Sith of all things. I shunned these feelings and pushed them away, Jedi are above attachments as, in our way of life, attachments can only lead to pain and suffering.

"You lie." I insisted and Phanza only laughed. I didn't entirely trust my own words, I knew that I had reasons to be suspicious with the Chancellor and I felt that the Jedi Council needs to take more care around him. I don't know if Chancellor Palpatine is a bad man, on one hand, I don't think he is, but, on the other, I don't see a good person pursuing power in the same way, but I think that we need to know more about him. A man is coming closer to bringing the Republic under autocratic rule than the Sith ever did and we are idly standing by. I do not think that this is right.

"No, you are the liar here. You are paranoid about your very own Chancellor and our allegiance to the Republic makes you scared to admit it. You must act Zaliza, strike down the Chancellor while there is still a Senate to protect." I gasped, Phanza Attam was trying to turn me over, that must be why her eyes rested on me when she first arrived on Coruscant. Phanza Attam has already pegged me as her future apprentice. I would not turn against the Jedi, I shall stand with the Jedi Order and the Republic regardless of my trust for Phanza. Trust that she is testing by trying to turn me over to the Dark Side.

"If that is true, then the Jedi Council will deal with it, not me. It is not my place." I retorted, my mind does not allow me to conclusively deny that Chancellor Palpatine is more than he appears to be, but that is not my place. The Jedi Council will decide whether or not the Chancellor is suspicious and they will act appropriately based on their decision. There is nothing to fear from an old politician, regardless of how power hungry, shrewd, and secretive he may be.

"Ah...but the Jedi Council is deceiving you too." Phanza Attam laughed like a harpy as she told me terrible lies about the people who should be my closest allies. I cannot believe that I am legitimately listening to a Sith spread lies and deceptions about my Chancellor and my Council, a council which includes Master Yoda, the man I trained under as a youngling.

"The Jedi Council is not deceiving anyone. You are spreading terrible lies to spread dissent. I plead for you to stop Lady Attam, please stop this. Continuing on this path will only turn the other Jedi against you. I have fought hard to get the Jedi to help you, harder than you know." It was true, I really did and I didn't want her to throw this all away because I wanted to believe that Phanza really was a good person in need of help that just so happened to be a Sith.

"You are perceptive. But know this - horrifying truths are far better at spreading dissent than unbelievable lies." With that final, ominous warning, Phanza Attam left my dreams, allowing me to peacefully rest...in theory. In truth, her words left me in thought and fear.


Wow, I had not been expecting to get two chapters done in time for sunday posting along with chapter twenty-three of The Legacy of The Romans. This has been a productive week for me between this, going through the later half of Rebels, and seeing Rise of Skywalker. I am fully in my Star Wars element and I hope that you are too.