Hey, everyone! Surprised to hear from me so soon after I finished my 3rd Jedi Odyssey story, and I announced my hiatus? Well, I couldn't stay away for long, as I love writing about the Star Wars Legends universe far too much to leave for too long. Besides, I'm just writing the prologue chapters for now, so that will take a few weeks or so, just so I can get back into my routine. So, what's going on in this dreary and cloudy evening of Saturday, September 10, 2022? I'm well, as I've been reading some good books of all kinds and have written out my outlines for the remaining half of this series. Currently, I'm going back through Star Wars: Choices of One, and then I'll take a break from Star Wars to read a few history and current events books. I'm also getting input from a few friends on how to improve the plot, but I figured I'd get a rough draft underway. And boy, things are only going to get more intense, invigorating, and incredible as the story presses onward. Well, with all the small talk out of the way, I'd best get started on the first chapter of the prologue. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times, especially with midterm elections coming up in the United States, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

Star Wars: Jedi Odyssey IV: Shadow Hunts I: Alpha

Dramatis Personae and Prologue

0-0-0; Protocol/Interrogator Droid

11-4D; Medical/Assassin Droid

Adari Thayn Palpatine; Teras Kasi instructor; Jedi Agent (Keshiri Female)

Akku Sei II; Mandalorian captain (Anzati Male)
Allana Solo; Jedi Knight and Chume'da princess (Human Female)

Arazi'ar'alani; Chiss Ascendancy Syndic (Chiss Female)

Armand Vorn; Imperial Army Captain (Human Male)

Atai Molec; Ambassador (Zygerrian Male)
Azzim Anjilic Atirue; Hutt lord (Masculine Hutt)
Ba'Kif; Chiss Ascendancy, Expansionary Defense Fleet Supreme General (Chiss Male)

Bardan Skirata; former Jedi and Mandalorian Advisor

Belok Rhal; Neo Death Watch Supreme Commander (Human Male)
Ben Skywalker; Jedi Master (Human Male)
Boba Fett; Mand'alor (Cloned Human Male)

BT-1; Astromech/Assassin Droid
C-3PO; Protocol droid
CT-6116, "Kix"; Former GAR Medic, (Cloned Human Male)

Carasynthia "Cara" Dune Djarin; Mandalorian (Human Female)

Chelli Lona Aphra; Historian, former Sith Agent (Human Female)

Darth Irola; Sith Fleet Commander (Human Female)
Darth Malleus; Sith Marauder Leader (Human Male)
Darth Wyyrlok; Sith Regent (Chagrian Male)

Derek "Hobbie" Klivian; Pilot Instructor; Spokesman (Human Male)
Din Djarin; Mandalorian Clan Leader (Human Male)

Drikl Lecersen; Imperial deserter, One Sith Fleet Commander (Human Male)
Edaan Palpatine; Jedi Knight, Sith captive (Human Male)

Ephin Sarreti; Imperial Grand Moff (Human Male)

Ferren Barr; former Sith, Jedi agent (Iktotchi Male)

Fyor Rodan; Fugitive, Knights of Olpaka Agent (Human Male)
Grace; Aquilian Paladin Lieutenant (Human Female)
Han Solo; Space Captain; Military Advisor (Human Male)

Ingo Wavlud; One Sith Collaborator (Human Male)

Jagged Fel; Imperial Head of State (Human Male)
Jaina Solo Fel; Jedi Council Member (Human Female)

Jaing Skirata; Mandalorian Supercommando (Cloned Human Male)

Jan Ors; Alpha Blue General, Fleet Commander (Human Female)

Jarael Chantique; medic (Iskalloni Female)

Julius Gaia; Aquilian Republic High Admiral (Human Male)
K'Kruhk; Jedi Master (Whiphid Jedi Master)
Kajin Bar Yimmon; Galactic Alliance Chief of State (Cerean Male)

Khedryn Faal; Smuggler Kingpin (Human Male)

Kirney Slane; Rogues' Gallery Intelligence Director (Human Female)

Kivu'raw'nuru "Vurawn"; Empire of the Hand Supreme Commander (Cloned Chiss Male)

Korin Aphra, Historian, One Sith Collaborator (Human Male)

Kral Nevil; Galactic Alliance Vice Admiral (Quarren Male)

Kreel; Repurposed Imperial Commando (Cloned Human Male)

Kung'urama'nuruodo; former Jedi Padawan, Grand Sorcerer of Rhand (Chiss Male)
Kyle Katarn: Jedi Grand Master (Human Male)
Leia Organa Solo; Jedi Master (Human Female)
Luke Skywalker; Jedi Master (Human Male)

Maarek Stele; Retired Imperial Ace, Rogue's Gallery Instructor and Flight Leader (Human Male)
Mirax Terrik Horn; Information Broker (Human Female)
Mirta Gev; Mandalorian Protectors Commander (Human/Kiffar Hybrid Female)

Natasi Daala; Fugitive; Councilor of Knights of Olpaka (Human Female)

Ochi of Bestoon; One Sith agent/assassin (Vahla Male)
Phasma; ex-Sith; Alliance of Light and Jedi advisor (Human Female)
R2-D2; Astromech droid
Robonino; professional slicer/bounty hunter (Patrolian Slicer)
Sabine Wren; Mandalorian Protectors Colonel and Clan Leader (Human Female)
Saganu; Disgraced Chiss Ascendancy Aristocra (Chiss Male)
Sev'eere'nuruodo; Chiss Ascendancy Aristocra (Chiss Female)
Soldier; Aquilian Paladin Captain (Cloned Human Male)

Sorzus; Sith Lady (Chagrian Female)

Tau Palpatine; Sith-bred Iteration and Jedi Agent (Cloned Human Male)
Tyria Sarkin-Tainer; Jedi Master and Commando (Human Female)
Vestara Khai; Former Sith Lady, Jedi Intelligence Agent (Human Female)

Voort "Piggy" saBinring; Wraith Squadron leader (Gamorrean Male)
Vua Gorsat; refugee/gladiator (Yuuzhan Vong Extolled)

Wedge Antilles; Retired General, Rogues' Gallery Supreme Commander (Human Male)

Yiv; Nikardun Remnant Supreme Commander, One Sith Proxy (Nikardun Male)

0800 Hours, Kelona 21st, 59 ABY

Within the Hapes Consortium, Maad System

Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple

Within the Main Hangar

Hearing the familiar roar of over two dozen Mandalorian engines approaching the Jedi Order's headquarters, Kyle Katarn, Grand Master of the Jedi Order, took a moment to observe the wide variety of emotions running through those accompanying him on this momentous diplomatic greeting.

From most of the Mandalorians, there was a welcome relief and healthy dose of curiosity at who was coming to aid them in training the Alliance of Light's forces in the basics of their people's combat techniques and tactics. Sabine Wren and Jaing Skirata best captured those emotions, and their expressions, unconcealed by the helmets currently off their heads, expressly showcased them.

But there was also plenty of wariness and anxiousness from the defectors of the secessionist and Sith-allied Neo Death Watch movement. Thornton Rhal and Mirta Gev, each bearing a bloodline of impressive renown or infamy, depending on whom one asked, wondered who Boba Fett sent to assess the capabilities of their allies, and possibly render judgement on the two commanders and their fellow repentant souls.

From their fidgeting and tight throats, it was clear they wished to be virtually anywhere else right now. They were only kept from leaving by the small but important number of leaders here to greet the Mandalorian representatives, from Jedi, Galactic Alliance and Confederation's military, independent privateers there to greet them, and about fifty guards stationed there to prevent a potential diplomatic incident from breaking out.

But in Mirta's case, she was able to keep her composure by remembering how her two children, Parja and Bralo Gev Orade, were with her, and how, if the reports she received were accurate, then there would be someone aboard one of the approaching transports that mother and children very much wanted to see.

With the eight ships coming into view, one of them was instantly recognizable by most individuals for its role in defeating the Sith at Batuu and eliminating Dician and most of her demolished Sith Intelligence.

"Shab, that's the Razor Crest, isn't it, buir?" Bralo whispered in a rare use of mando'a slang, just loud enough for his sister and mother to hear.

"Yeah, it is. Now keep quiet!" Parja scolded her brother before the rest of the Mandalorian vessels began to come into focus as they made their final approach.

Seeing the Razor Crest, three Pursuer-class enforcement ships, and four Kom'rk-class transports finish their landing, everyone patiently observed the crews disembark, witnessing no more than three dozen Mandalorians emerge. And coming out from the Razor Crest was Din Djarin and his wife, Carasynthia Dune Djarin, the leaders of Clan Djarin and longstanding supporters of the Jedi due to their work from the early New Republic.

But the final three figures to come into view from one of the larger Kom'rk transports were leaders no one anticipated: Venku Skirata, Mandalorian nationalist and advocate of maintaining his people's independence from the rest of the galaxy; Bardan Skirata, a Jedi Knight before he resigned from the Order at the height of the Clone Wars to join up with Clan Skirata in aiding their illegal efforts to give the Clone Troopers a chance of normal lives outside the Grand Army of the Republic and subsequent Imperial Army; and Ghes Orade, Mirta's estranged husband, ardent supporter of the current ruling Mand'alor, and father of their two children.

If Boba Fett was sending all these well-respected and highly lethal warriors to act as his eyes and voice in the Alliance, then he had to be taking the threat the One Sith and their untold number of allies incredibly serious. Of course, when the leader of a culture of warriors and mercenaries tended been targeted by warmongers and their demented backers, they often took the danger quite seriously.

Taking the lead in this well-armed delegation, Venku and Din took a moment to glance at the gathering before them. Seeing the large crowd waiting them, Din nodded his head in a polite greeting to Kyle, while Ghes sarcastically muttered, "I see you all have nothing better to do than stand guard over a few dozen mercenaries. Aren't you supposed to be getting your people ready for war in hostile territory?"

"Yes, but our crews can perfectly manage on their own for a few hours. They're not children." Keyan Farlander, representative and general of the Galactic Alliance navy, curtly answered.

Not rising to the cultural jab, Venku glanced at Ghes with a withering look to stop any venomous counterattacks. Appraising the leaders, from Traest Kre'fey, a long serving admiral of the Confederation and New Republic, to Tenel Ka Djo, ruler of the Hapes Consortium, and Sidon Ithano, a privateer well-respected amongst most circles, the elder clan leader understood the Alliance of Light was attempting to take this pact with the Mandalorians serious enough to offer their best, while taking effective measures to protect them from any potential betrayal.

But turning his focus towards the Jedi, he asked a simple question, "Where's Jaing? I would think he'd be here for such a momentous occasion."

Seeing a Jedi woman with silver-brown hair tied back in a simple braid, Venku instantly recognized her as Leia Organa Solo, freedom fighter, politician, and Jedi Master of many decades, mother of would-be dictator Darth Caedus and Imperial empress Jaina Solo Fel, and granddaughter of a Hapan princess. She calmly answered, "He's on his way, but running a little late on account of his charge."

"You mean the Aphra girl?" Din clarified, recalling from Jaing's briefing how he and Chelli Lona Aphra, daughter of a reformed assassin and brainwashed Jedi historian, barely managed to escape Korriban with a treasure trove of information and key treasures, but at the cost of the girl's mother losing her life.

"Exactly. This is the second planet she remembers being on, and she wants to enjoy her well-earned freedom before going back into the dragon's den." Allana Djo Solo, Jedi Knight, heir to the Hapan throne and daughter of Jacen Solo before his corruption and death.

Observing how Han was standing close to her to act as a shield in case anyone attempted anything, Venku laughed at the retired smuggler and general's paranoia. No one who was chosen for this assignment was going to try and fulfill a blood oath right in the heart of foreign territory, especially with a common enemy threatening all they held dear.

"Then, you're serious." Bardan hoarsely spoke. "You intend to assault Korriban and rescue Edaan Palpatine."

"By the end of the month, but it's not just him we're after." Kyle clarified. "We have good information that has the Sith keeping a number of their prisoners stationed beneath the planet's surface. They all deserve freedom, and we're going to give it to them."

"And the hope that we can cripple the One Sith by taking out the bulk of their leadership in one fell swoop." Han added.

"A faint dream, but a worthy goal." Bardan nodded. "We can only hope it is not too late to rescue those we seek before they are lost to the Sith's darkness."

"Yea. Rescuing a comrade and victims of war is important." Venku acknowledged. "But what exactly do you need from us? From what I understand, you already have several of our wayward brethren's fleets under your personal command. I hope you don't expect the rest of our people to fight your war for you, or we have nothing further to discuss."

"I think you already know the answer to that, Master Skirata." Traest eyed the ex-Jedi. "We need the best soldiers we can if we're to stand a chance against the Sith, and you're all the best to train them in what they need to know to face warriors of their caliber."

Eyes gleaming dangerously, Ghes nodded, "You want us to train your people to fight like Mandalorians." Eyeing Mirta and Thornton, his gaze softening at seeing his old flame, he warily added, "Are the people you have not good enough?"

"You know that's not it, Ghes." Mirta spoke up, her voice not betraying any emotion as she walked up to him. "Much as I don't like most Jedi, we can't win this war on our own. Krayt and his Sith are too powerful to let old wounds keep us from fighting smart on this one." Her head bowing down in shame, she bitterly added, "I should know."

"Indeed, you should." Ghes bitterly agreed before acknowledging, "But you're right on all counts. That's exactly what Mand'alor was thinking, and why we're here in the first place."

Closing the distance between him and Mirta, with his prosthetic legs barely being heard over the stone floors, he wiped his tearful eyes before muttering, "Shab, it's good to see you again."

"Likewise. And when we're done here, I think there are two others who would like to see you in the flesh as well." Mirta turned to see her expectant children standing by her side, chuckling at their anxiousness to meet their father in person for the first time.

"Perhaps we should continue this conversation elsewhere, since we've all got more important places to be right now, and so we can see what we have to work with here before the war enters its next phase." Carasynthia calmly broke in.

"About time someone else thought that. Otherwise, we'll all be standing out here for manda-knows how long." One red armored Mandalorian piped up, earning a few chuckles from many.

0900 Hours, Kelona 25th, 59 ABY

Horuset System, Korriba Scar Asteroid Belt

Within the Sadow Asteroid-Superstructure

He did not know how long he had been unconscious this time, but the mutilation to his body and mind was more than he could take. Whatever Darth Krayt and the One Sith planned for him, Edaan Palpatine just wished they would just tell him, or at least stop the incessant and horrific torture.

That damned Chagrian woman and her twistedly brilliant mind, along with Darth Snoke and the clone of Edaan the Sith engineered to prepare for this eventuality and undermine the Alliance of Light, they were able to bypass virtually all his mental and spiritual barriers and physical limits. When each session was over, the aftermath left him a wallowing mess and filled with an unspeakable and uncontrollable fury, with him cursing, vowing eternal retribution and countless obscenities at his captors.

And even worse, the medical droid, the four-armed humanoid 11-4D, servant of the Sith since the death of Darth Tenebrous, his intimate knowledge of the Force and experiments on Force Users from serving under Darth Plagueis, he had injected the captive Jedi Knight with dozens of Sith poisons meant to amplify the darkness of his soul and remake him into a willing servant of Krayt's demented plans.

He felt his connection to the Light slipping away and was only able to maintain a fragile hold on his humanity by drawing on the memories of his loved ones. Remembering his childhood on Coruscant with his family before his induction into the Jedi Order and their deaths by Abeloth, to his friends and allies in the Order after vowing to save Vestara Khai from her own darkness, and his teammates among the Rude Awakening, especially his wife, the beautiful, strong, and anchor of his soul, Adari Thayn Palpatine.

Praying to the Celestials for deliverance from this domain of evil, he hoped his wishes would be answered soon, because he did not know how much longer he could last amongst the Sith's custody.

But even though he was trapped here, something inside the Jedi and future father refused to break, for it was almost as if another presence was here, giving him the strength to protect the core of his spirit from any infiltration and corruption. It was a silent voice, because even if he could not hear the individual who was sustaining him, he could feel their hope and determination bleed into him.

And whenever his thoughts drifted towards his wife and their unborn child, he tried to reach out to them through the Force, offering comfort and strength from halfway across the galaxy. He didn't know if they ever felt him, but he liked to imagine that they did. It gave him a small measure of comfort and strength to continue this losing battle.

0100 Hours, Kelona 28th, 59 ABY

Coruscant, Coco District

Inside the Jettster's Diner

When Pong Jettster first reopened his father's old diner after the Empire first lost control of Coruscant, he had played host to all sorts of unique and colorful characters in his establishment amidst the endless tumult of life on the capital world of endless cities. From unofficial Jedi delegations to covert Galactic Alliance Intelligence assets, freelance mercenaries, bounty hunters, and maverick politicians and civil leaders, he thought he had seen it all in his decades as an information broker and ally to the free powers of the galaxy.

And yet, he never expected giving Kajin Bar Yimmon, the Galactic Alliance's Chief of State, refuge in his private office and basement, where the Besalisk's informant contacts usually kept him appraised with current events across the known galaxy. This network often helped the GA's besieged authorities combat all manner of crime and corruption across the Core Worlds and helped the disaffected populace of those many worlds take a stand against many of their representatives who only stood for themselves and the shady groups that funded their campaigns.

But with the grand coalition between the GA and virtually all its rival powers in the Galactic Empire, Confederation, Chiss Ascendancy, and many independent governments and organizations ranging from the Hapes Consortium, Mandalorian Protectors, and Hutt Grand Council to the Jedi Order and their allied Force schools. This faction, tactfully calling itself the "Alliance of Light" to symbolize the Army of Light from over a millennia ago, was facing off against the One Sith's vast legions of proxy fleets and armies, virtually all favors and assets were being called to aid in the war effort, and Pong was no exception.

Additionally, with the One Sith's attempt to behead the larger galactic government over a month ago with their assassination and anarchy efforts across the planet, desperate times called for equally desperate and unconventional strategies for the GA to protect its surviving leaders and stay one step ahead of all their enemies, which was why Pong's restaurant was being used by the Galactic Alliance Security agency as a temporary safe house for Kajin, as the proprietor's pro-Jedi sympathies and well-established connections made him an ideal ally for the unstable and wounded government.

Observing the bustling traffic of his customers and undercover GAS agents dine on his specials and converse on a variety of topics, Pong could not ignore the ill feeling in his protruding gut and made a mental note to check with his guest and any information he was able or willing to share with him. In fact, it would best to reach out to the newcomers in Wedge Antilles's new organization of independent factions and veterans in the Rogue's Gallery and see what kind of dirt they had been able to dig up.

Considering the Jedi Order's efforts in their vacant temple to remove an ancient Sith source of power that had undermined their peacekeeping efforts for over five thousand years, and the enduring reminder of the One Sith's terror campaign on the free powers with the obliterated Senate Building and the destruction of a popular and well-received journalism network, both acts of war committed in the same day, it certainly could not hurt to keep a closer eye on recent affairs.

In fact, the fate of countless lives could very well hang in the balance, and Pong did not want to let his clientele down because he did not dig deep enough on his always-validated hunches. He already failed the planet once when Abeloth and the Lost Tribe pulled the hood over him when they took over Coruscant and flooded the holonet channels with their stooges in BAMR News fifteen years ago.

Since he had no inkling of this terrible conspiracy before the Jedi informed him and utilized his network to prepare for their liberation efforts soon afterwards, he was powerless to warn the populace or the proactive government officials and vowed to never let another apocalyptic catastrophe anywhere near the unnatural disasters Abeloth generated on the planet's innocent populace ever appear again.

His negligence cost him most of his loved ones then, and he promised to never drop his guard ever again. He couldn't bear to lose anyone else he cared about, including Edaan Palpatine, one of the Jedi Order's greatest champions and one of his best and longest-surviving friends. Speaking of Edaan, he prayed to whatever higher powers existed that the Jedi and their growing number of friends and allies were finishing to work on a plan to rescue him from Sith captivity on Korriban before their designs on him reached completion.

1200 Hours

Imperial Space, Sartinaynian system

Bastion Orbit

Aboard the Subpro Corporation WTK-85A Interstellar Transport Bestoon Legacy

Observing the steady flow of traffic coming in and out of the Imperial fortress world, assassin and One Sith agent Ochi grimaced at the thought of having to spend the next few weeks or months on this orderly center of Imperial power, even with its dismaying shift in government. Having spent the last week on reviewing reports from the already-onsite teammates of the Galactic Empire's massive restructuring of its higher echelons of power, Ochi knew the Jedi puppets in Jagged Fel and his supporters, in the process of remaking the Empire into a monarchy, would be on the lookout for any scent of Sith activity.

If Ochi had the final say, he would use this opportunity to eliminate Jagged and his key collaborators before they could finish consolidating their hold over the fragile government. Already weak from a brief and bloody civil war instigated by the traitor Natasi Daala, a few well-timed assassinations and related acts of sabotage would likely topple the wounded military power, leaving its disarrayed forces and civilians vulnerable when the Dread Lord's plan for the Unknown Regions reached completion.

Unfortunately for the professional Jedi hunter, in this instance, Lord Krayt had a different set of priorities, and wanted Ochi and his fellow spies to find a way to acquire information on Daala's disappearance from the known galaxy and ultimate strategy. When Daala was exposed as a traitor to the Grand Design because of her anti-Force experiments, and two of her top commanders and scientists was left to rot in the Empire's custody, her ultimate retreat, coupled a giant space battle involving the Alliance of Light, Sith, cyborg and hyperspace capable Oswaft and Space Grazers decimating both sides, and quickly culminated to the complete destruction of the Red Twins System to cover her escape trail, all major powers knew her remaining collaborators were the only lead in discovering and countering out her next move.

Hence, why the lone Vahla was deployed to Bastion to assist Lanvorak and his team in extracting the two prisoners, rogue Imperial Special Forces commander Gideon Hask and demented scientist and anti-Force advocate Stryker Melusar, in uncovering whatever essential intelligence the One Sith could use in finally destroying the madwoman and break her unknown number of still-active followers. A rather unfavorable task, but Ochi could see the merit in uncovering a rogue power's next course of action and would-be haven and would carry out his assignment with his usual efficiency and loyalty.

Still, if he could find a few subtle ways to undermine the "Fel Empire", as its first batch of detractors were already dubbing it, like assassinating a key High Moff or rising Imperial Navy star, capturing a few possible Sith disciples, or discovering and establishing ties with Imperials sympathetic to Lord Krayt's cause, he would find a way.

At least this time, he would not have to deal with traitors within the Sith's own ranks and be bedridden by a poison only a few individuals outside his people knew of. Although, he offhandedly wondered if the Sith were giving him this blue milk run as a pity mission, or as punishment for failing to stop Lona Aphra from enacting whatever sabotage and being thrusted to the brink of death. Whether or not his suspicions were proven true, he would prove all the doubters wrong and finish the job with complete success. His allegiance to this wandering people, the Dark Side itself, and One Sith's Grand Design demanded nothing else but total victory against all their enemies.

1400 Hours

Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple

Within the Medical Wing

Being confined to a bed for perhaps another month, Luke Skywalker simply considered himself fortunate to have been able to stay awake for more than four hours in a row today. After nearly dying from dozens of life-threatening tumors and a lightsaber to his stomach, the Jedi Master found himself more bedridden and exhausted than in decades. Such harrowing experiences even included after when amphistaff venom should have killed him during the climactic battle against the Yuuzhan Vong's Supreme Overlord on their occupied Coruscant.

But even with his body riddled with weakness, his mind was very much active, and through the Force, he was kept completely aware of what transpired in this sacred home of the Jedi. He felt the tens of thousands of souls wander its halls, as most of them trained vigorously before their impending deployment against the One Sith and their many thralls. With what Grand Master Katarn had informed him of, primarily the preparations for the assault on Korriban nearly having reached completion, and the redeployment of many fleets and Jedi to assist in scouring the Unknown Regions to stop the Sith's plans, Luke lamented how so many lives would be lost in the coming weeks and months, and he would be powerless to aid in saving even a handful of them thanks to his weak state.

Sensing the worried touches of his family and loved ones, even a disgruntled Han, who must have been told of his mental excursion by either wife or daughter, Luke withdrew his senses, and prepared for another long slumber.

While his mind drifted, he could not help but feel a terrific sense of accomplishment and contentment course through him. Having done more than most would consider possible for one being to accomplish, saving the galaxy from all manner of threats and restoring the Jedi and freedom across the galaxy, Luke knew that if this war claimed him, then he would die without regrets, simply proud of the legacy he was leaving behind. No matter how much his death would hurt his friends and family, he knew the next generations were finally ready to carry the torch of hope that he and countless others had fought so hard to preserve and revive.

And finally, after nearly twenty years of heartache and yearning, he would be reunited with his wife, Mara Jade Skywalker, and they would watch over their son and the generations that succeeded him as they continued the never-ending war against the armies of darkness.

0500 Hours, Kelona 29th, 59 ABY

Coruscant, Senate District

Jedi Temple Catacombs

Rubbing his eyes after awakening from a typical night of light sleep, Ingo Wavlud sighed before repeating his morning routine he maintained for decades even during his brief interlude from imprisonment for aiding the galaxy's rightful rulers in their mission to restore order to the countless chaos-ridden worlds out there.

Quickly consuming his breakfast rations before getting a five-minute sonic shower and donning a fresh new uniform, he gathered his notes and returned to his temporary jailors, even while knowing time was running out before the Jedi uncovered the entrance to their target. With the Jedi Order, Galactic Alliance soldiers and historians having scoured the temple's underground levels for nearly a month, even going deeper thanks to the Barabel Jedi's old nesting ground, they would soon discover the still-hidden door to the ancient Sith shrine that they desperately sought.

For the last five millennia, the Shrine in the Depths that was erected beneath a Force wellspring of energy at the height of the Great Hyperspace War had clouded the Jedi Order's perceptions and shrouded the many iterations of the Sith from their senses. Foolishly believing that such a power could so easily be capped, the Jedi had quickly grown complacent and arrogant in their power, leading to their eventual and inevitable downfall by Darth Bane's Sith Order under the leadership of the most powerful Sith in centuries, Darth Sidious.

But now, thanks to the carelessness of Darth Krayt when he divulged the truth to Jedi Knight and prodigy Edaan Palpatine to try and get his loyalty, the Jedi were finally making a lasting attempt to eradicate this well-entrenched remnant of Sith resilience and cunning to reestablish their foothold on this center of galactic power. And with the dozens of newly arriving Jedi and their allied Force Schools coordinating their efforts to expunge this locus of energy, Ingo could leave nothing to chance.

One way or another, he needed to get a message to Korriban before they lost such a vital advantage over the sanctimonious fools, which meant it was time to take a risk and reach out to a few of his old colleagues. Hopefully, they had been more careful than he was in keeping their allegiances hidden from their shared enemies before his efforts had been discovered.

0800 Hours

Corusca System, In Orbit of Hesperidium

Aboard the SoroSuub Corporation Luxury 5000 Yacht Unifying Legacy

'I see hardly anything's changed since my fleeing this insufferable cesspool of a star system. Same old poodoo of protocols, corruption, and apathy.' Fyor Rodan disgustingly mused after hearing the mindless bureaucrats up in traffic control keep his crew from landing on the Cosucsant luxury moon and meeting his new allies' first batch of contacts in their mission.

A longstanding public servant and veteran of politics, the human had long traversed the highest echelons of power in three galactic governments before his self-imposed exile from every portion of known space. Rising through the ranks to serve on the New Republic's revered Advisory Council just before the Yuuzhan Vong Invasion, he had soundly and underhandedly been beaten in the failing government's emergency elections after Borsk Fey'lya's suicidal last stand during the fall of Coruscant, losing to a puppet in Cal Omas and his Jedi handlers.

Nevertheless, he had remained loyal to the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances that Omas created until the war's end, when he retired to lead his homeworld of Commenor for over a decade before joining the nascent rebel movement in the Confederation after Omas and Jacen Solo's Galactic Alliance Guard overreached and started acting little better than Emperor Palpatine and his Sith lapdog in Vader.

Serving with distinction in the Second Galactic Civil War, he was still marred by his highly public anti-Jedi sympathies and his staunch support of Natasi Daala's efforts to bring them into line as the GA's Chief of State. His loyalty to this clandestine cause was so strong, he remained loyal to her after her deposal, and funded her with credits and forces willing to aid her in expunging the Force's insidious dominance over the galaxy.

He even followed her into exile when her final efforts to save everyone from the Jedi and Sith's endless wars was defeated, and she was driven into hiding deep in the Unknown Regions, where their final and ultimate redoubt lay in the Olpaka Hegemony. There, their mission would adapt, and their forces would bide their time until they were able to return to cleanse all life of the madness that the Force instilled in each being.

But there was one mission left for the old politician to carry out before he could join his supporters in their new banishment. According to information Daala implicitly trusted, there were three prisoners held here, in the heart of the GA's center of power, that would be needed for undermining the floundering democratic government's foundations and sowing the seeds of its ultimate undoing.

Why she wanted to rescue two disgraced GA generals in Stavin Thaal and Borath Maddeus, the former heads of the Galactic Alliance Army and Security, and Senator Haydnat Treen of Kuat, three of the only four surviving high-ranking members in the infamous Lecersen Conspiracy to merge both the GA and Empire into one humancentric government, Fyor could only speculate. Still, having been incarcerated by the renewed Wraith Squadron and Edaan Palpatine after their coup plans fell apart, the three prisoners would certainly be aching for revenge against all their enemies, and would swallow their dilapidated sense of superiority and adherence to High Human Culture in exchange for freedom and a second chance to lead again.

As a secondary motive for the Commenori fugitive, if he was able to covertly strike back against the Jedi's latest puppet of a leader and the Cerean's cronies, he and his agents would find a way to do so. The old proverb might convince most people that revenge is dish best served cold, sometimes, a little bit of heat helped move plans along. And Fyor Rodan had plenty of angry heat to bring against all his enemies for all the times they spited him.

1200 Hours, Kelona 30th, 59 ABY

Horuset System, Korriban

Deep Within the Sith Catacombs, Inside the One Sith's Citadel

Darth Krayt's Chambers

Peering into the endless void of the Force, the Dread Lord of the Sith, alongside his seers, scoured the galaxy for any trace of their target. But no matter how long or hard Darth Krayt extended his senses, the hyperspace-capable world of Zonama Sekot simply did not wish to be found by anyone, frustrating to no end the man who once called himself A'Sharad Hett.

Without locating and dominating the settled home of the Yuuzhan Vong remnants, he could not enact his final strategy to control the galaxy and prepare for Abeloth's return. And with the Jedi and their vassals preparing to mount their inevitable assault on Korriban in a futile effort to destroy the One Sith's leadership and key fighters before they fled, he needed to finish putting the last few pieces of his plan together in what precious little time remained before Korriban was emptied clean.

Most of Krayt's followers abhorred allowing Korriban to fall into enemy hands but were swiftly reminded how they could not hold the planet if attacked on all fronts by the entire galaxy. Much as pained them to admit it, the One Sith needed to withdraw and seek less obvious havens until the time was right to return, which meant securing their precious initiates, funds, and artifacts before time ran out. Those were tasks best suited to their secular allies in rogue GA senator Jenna Sauro and her network of underworld contacts, and the disgraced Moff Drikl Lecersen and his fleet of loyal Imperial deserters.

And yet, although everything was proceeding smoothly, there was one potential wrinkle in their inevitable fighting retreat that the Sith needed to solve before moving forward with their ultimate plan. Krayt had not sensed any signs of deception from the Iteration of Edaan Palpatine, and he was serving well in the transformation of their captive Jedi prodigy.

But the Dread Lord's instincts, well-honed from over a decade as a Jedi of the Old Republic and far more years as a Sith Lord, told him to be wary of the clone. There was something simply off about the clone that the late Nala Se's programming and enhancements did not cover, a subtle whisper in the Force that he could not identify.

Whether all this was paranoia, or a nagging suspicion that the Aphra women's betrayal was due to more than the incompetence of his acolytes, he needed to figure out the truth before any more damage could be done. Still, who else could he turn to? Most of his fellow Sith respected the clone for his execution of Lona Aphra, and the rest were quietly investigating the matter or were otherwise indisposed.

Well, if he could not figure out the truth, perhaps it was time to bring in a few unconventional soldiers to act as his eyes and ears in this instance. The repurposed Imperial Commando Squad Ninety-Nine needed a supplementary assignment to prepare for their redeployment and use in the coming siege, and what better way than to root out a potential traitor in the One Sith's ranks?

1900 Hours

Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple

Inside the Grand Master's Office

Finally attaining a respite from his overwhelmingly busy schedule, Kyle sat in his office to calm his frazzled mind from the torrent of reports and briefings laid before him. Observing the few pleasantries in his room, from holoimages of the many Jedi he personally trained to his tailored Jedi combat armor, encased in transparisteel until he had need of it again, and three bronzium statures of his best inspirations in becoming a Jedi, statues he personally forged.

Jan Ors, his wife that constantly kept him on alert and was the anchor of his soul; Morgan Katarn, his late father who instilled in him the key beliefs and principles that guided him amongst his storied career as an Imperial solider, New Republic Mercenary, and eventually a full-fledged Jedi; and Qu Rahn, a survivor of the Great Jedi Purge but victim of the Dark Jedi and Inquisitor Jerec's campaign to take over the Galactic Empire a year after its defeat over Endor, and whose spirt endured long enough to begin Kyle's Jedi training.

Breaking his nostalgic gaze to return to his work, Kyle noticed how a high-priority message had made its way to him, this one all the way from the desolate Horuset System and the seat of power for the One Sith. It seemed Tau had finally found a way to conventionally leak information to the Jedi, a great relief after having been forced to reach out to Kyle through the Force, a grave risk to the secrecy of the clone's changed allegiances.

Realizing that his only agent in the system had proven his sincerity and efficiency to the Jedi and Alliance of Light, he knew he had to reach out to Chiss Space and bring Jan into the small circle of those who knew of Tau's existence and work. If the orders Krayt just gave out to his fellow Sith and their servants in the Unknown Regions were accurate, then the Ascendancy and Alliance fleets finally had an edge against the still-hidden fleets that were paralyzing the coalition. And to further tip the odds in the coalition's favor, he knew just who to reach out to out in the Outer Rim and divert his fleet towards a new battlefront.

But to protect the knowledge of Tau from being intercepted, he could not afford to use normal channels to reach out to his wife and their allies' leadership. It was fortunate that Jan and he had developed a few private encryption codes that the Sith had been unable to crack, because the information he was about to let her in on could not afford to be leaked by anyone. Still, in the interest of maintaining their partnerships, he would trust General Ors's judgement and discretion on who she decided to relay this information to, since she was in the field, knew the political and military layout far better than the Grand Master, and knew who could be trusted with a secret of this magnitude.

1920 Hours

Horuset System, Korriba Scar Asteroid Belt

Within the Sadow Asteroid-Superstructure

Inside the asteroid's main barracks, Tau Palpatine, Sith-created clone and deep-cover Jedi agent, meditated to center his mind and steady his troubled soul over what he was enabling the Sith to do to Edaan Palpatine after sending a series of messages to Grand Master Katarn with his homemade commlink. But no matter what he did or told himself, he could not shake the guilt and self-loathing for letting his progenitor suffer so much at Sorzus and Snoke's hands, just as he kept repeating the murder of Lona Aphra in his mind and leaving Chelli without her one good parent.

Fighting back the sorrow and tears, knowing they would do him no good in the den of the enemy, he focused his self-destructive emotions into figuring out a way to save as many of the Sith's victims as he could before he started to mourn. If the man his secret mentor thought of as his brother could bear the pain of losing his family on Coruscant to Abeloth's madness for over a decade before letting go of his guilt, how could he do no less?

Feeling terrible echoes through the Force, he knew the Sith must have resumed their horrific work on Edaan. Getting up from his cross-legged position, he quickly donned his outer robes and placed on his Sith lightsaber on his belt before returning to his assignment.

As despicable as it was, Ahsoka Tano, a longtime dead Jedi Knight and Force Ghost, instructed him to keep a close eye on Edaan, for the energies infused in him by the Celestial-enhanced Togruta helped negate the worst effects of the Sith conditioning.

At least, that was what Ahsoka claimed when Edaan's torture began. Even so, given her work in Rebel Intelligence and her decades of leading covert operations for the GAR, the Jedi Order of her time, and the many anti-Imperial groups she led before her tragic death at Vader's hands on Korriban decades before, he could not help but believe she had an ulterior motive for giving such an order.

Well, there was no point in dwelling on his suspicions now. Even if he wasn't a turncoat and countless lives relied on his efforts, he owed this much to Edaan for giving the Sith the genes that led to his creation.

Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple

Aboard the Ronto-class Assault Pinnace Rude Awakening

Biting back a small gasp, Adari Thayn Palpatine felt a twinge in her heart, and instinctively knew her beloved husband was suffering yet again in Darth Krayt's merciless custody.

It had been nearly a month since the deal had been made to the Rude Awakening's crew by Grand Master Katarn, and she had kept busy in virtually all manner of practices. With helping train hundreds of the Alliance of Light's soldiers and Jedi in guerilla warfare and anti-Sith combat, preparing the Rude Awakening for its infiltration of Korriban by helping install new stealth technology and upgrading the ship's weapons and engines, and learning all she could from Vestara Khai and her fellow Sith defectors on Korriban and the Sith's underground citadels, the Keshiri only hoped her intense workload was not having an adverse effect on her unborn child.

Having unknowingly conceived a child with Edaan mere days before his capture by the One Sith on the Jedi's Outer Rim stronghold of Dathomir, she could feel the month-long life slowly growing inside her womb, a daughter that held the blood and genes of a human and Keshiri, a miraculous occurrence never having occurred before. Even as she regretted having to put the child in terrible risk by journeying to Korriban, she would not leave her soulmate to be remade into the leader of Darth Krayt's armies. After everything Edaan had done for her and her people at the end of the Lost Tribe's existence, she owed him no less.

The only factors that kept her from sneaking onto Korriban on her own was the promise that Kyle gave her in assembling a small army to free Edaan and the rest of Krayt's prisoners, and the secret guardian angel under deep cover behind enemy lines. Knowing how Edaan's clone, an Iteration that, thanks to Chelli Lona Aphra's clever efforts of cleansing him of his Sith programming and giving him free will, was keeping vigil over Edaan and preserving his mind and soul from the darkness surrounding him, it allowed her to carry on throughout each day since learning of her husband's terrible straits.

Those tiny slivers of hope were just enough to keep her sane and collected, even with her few bouts of morning sickness that snuck up on her in the middle of the night. Just five days remained before the Alliance was supposed to make their move to save Edaan, and she needed to be at her best when that moment came. If that meant getting a few medications and treatments to keep her ready for the mission, then she would do whatever was needed of her.

But before that day came, it was five minutes past dinner, and everyone else was undoubtedly starving after today's combat instructions, so there had been enough mental scrutiny on Adari's part. It was time for her to come back from her sanisteam and don a fresh set of clothes before enjoying a well-cooked meal and a fine night's rest. There would not be many more of those before the diverse crew returned to the virtually endless tumult of this gods-accursed war.

And there was another issue she had to deal with before the crew went back into the fray. According to Akku and Kyle, two of the Mandalorian instructors wanted to speak with her on a crucial matter in exactly two days' time, one that they claimed would determine the success of the upcoming invasion. Only guessing what whichever of the mercenaries had a piece of their minds to give, or whatever anti-Jedi swill they wanted to sell her, she neither knew nor cared. But since Kyle had personally asked her to attend the meeting, she would indulge them on his and Edaan'a behalf, even if she instinctively knew she would resent and quietly resist every second of it.

0600 Hours, Kelona 31st, 59 ABY

Deep Within the Unknown Regions

Within the Chiss Ascendancy

Csilla System, Aboard the Guardian-class Super Star Destroyer Cal Omas

Observing the brief glances several of the Mon Calamari warship's crew gave him before returning to their tasks, Ba'Kif, the second-highest ranking military officer of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet, made a note to commend the ship's commanding officer on their professionalism and sense of duty as his escort guided him throughout the colossal vessel. Sure, most Chiss officers held their soldiers to a higher standard than the known galaxy, but the Supreme General knew many of those same officers did not have high-ranking foreign dignitaries aboard their vessels with so many unknowns presented before them.

He did not know what Vice Admiral Nevil needed that required a personal meeting aboard his flagship, but he instinctively knew it was a critical matter that depended on secrecy and implicit trust in each other. Judging from the severe tone and wording of the message, the supposed intelligence coup the Alliance had stumbled upon that revealed where many of the One Sith's fleets of raiders and vassals had sequestered themselves for the time being. If this information could be validated, then it could be just the break the Ascendancy needed to mobilize and crush its would-be conquerors.

Upon being admitted into the command chambers, Ba'Kif was surprised to see the assembled leadership of the Alliance of Light and Empire of the Hand's fleets already awaiting him.

Amongst the Alliance's leaders was a diverse spread of individuals and veterans with centuries of combined experience between them all: Kral Nevil, vice admiral of the Galactic Alliance Defense Fleet; Mirax Terrik, information broker and owner of one of the few independently owned Imperial Star Destroyers; Khedryn Faal, a daredevil smuggler kingpin and explorer of the Chaos; Kyp Durron, maverick Jedi Master and leader of the Jedi Order's detachment out in this region of space; Kivu'raw'nuru, the final cloned leader of the Empire of the Hand's founder and arguably the greatest military mind in centuries; Wedge Antilles, founder of Rogue Squadron, hero of the New Republic and Galactic Alliance, and creator of the newly revealed Rogues' Gallery organization, and finally, Jan Ors, a leading officer of the Galactic Alliance's top-secret Alpha Blue division and leading intelligence director.

Judging by the way everyone was positioned, with seats arranged in the main conference center so Jan was at the center of the room and preparing the briefing table, it was clear that she was going to lead this unscheduled meeting.

Ba'Kif respectfully nodded towards the Alderaanian survivor. "General Ors." Walking to the last available seat, he gingerly sat down, feeling his bones and joints start ache from his age and old battle wounds.

"Well, we're all here, Jan. We might as well get on with this briefing." Kyp tactlessly pointed out.

"Yes. You're right." Jan agreed. Pulling up a holographic projection of the Unknown Regions, she homed in on a sector no one had expected, for it was countless light-years away from Chiss Space and any known presence of enemy activity.

Narrowing his eyes at the unveiling of such a long sealed-off Jedi world, Khedryn questioned, "All right. What did your spooks find out that brings Ilum into this war? I thought the planet was barred off by the Jedi for its crystals and ancient temples."

"It's not what I found out, but what one of Grand Master Katarn's agents uncovered." Jan began. "We've located a sizeable portion of the anti-Chiss coalition orbiting the planet and have learned that the One Sith are mining much of the planet's crust for lightsaber crystals." Zooming in on the planet, everyone saw the holoimages of dozens of Rakatan, Imperial, Nikardun, Nagai, and Ebruchi warships hovering in its atmosphere, followed by pictures of many enemy troops hauling off with large scores of Adegan crystals of all sizes, the most common type of crystals used in the construction of Jedi lightsabers.

"For what purpose? Are they searching for some old Jedi secrets, or is it all part of a new Sith superweapon?" Mirax studied the images.

"A better question, how did Grand Master Katarn and his agent come across this purported intelligence?" Kral skeptically eyed Jan. "I do not recall the Jedi having any spies inside Darth Krayt's power structure, nor in any of the information packets our Sith defectors have given us."

"That, Vice Admiral Nevil, is… a complicated matter." Jan evasively answered. "As for the purpose for this excavation effort, our agent has discovered that the Sith are planning to utilize the crystals for a series of cloaking devices aboard their fleets."

"A rather troubling analysis, if this is accurate." Ba'Kif mused. "I recall from the Ascendancy's older records how the Sith Empire of over thirty-six centuries ago attempted such a strategy before Darth Malgus's coup attempt derailed the plan."

"Indeed. A devastating tactic, had it been successful. But the question remains, just how did your spy manage to deliver this information from the Sith's data networks?" Vurawn interjected. "Is it another defector from Krayt's ranks?"

Hesitation clear over her face, Jan nodded, "Of sorts, yes."

"And just what exactly does that mean?" Wedge carefully pressed. "I'm going to assume you can't reveal the agent's identity at this time to protect their secrecy and safety, but can you at least trust this individual?"

"Grand Master Katarn trusts him, yes, and he gave me permission to divulge that information to you, if I so choose. Given the agent's work and background, I'm inclined to support my husband on this matter. But I still believe in verifying the information first before committing anything to such a major assault." Jan then eyed Ba'Kif. "After all, your people still have a few loose ends to tie up in the terms of enemy collaborators, if I remember correctly."

"Saganu's information has unveiled the entire Sith-backed network of informants, and we've captured all but a handful of the traitors, but not before cutting all of them off from all their assets and connections." Ba'Kif responded with more heat than he intended, before reluctantly acknowledging, "Still, it would be prudent to check this claim before turning our sights on Ilum, and that includes verifying the information this agent gave you and their credibility."

"I agree, which is why I have already prepared a half dozen scout ships to search the Ilum System for enemy activity." Jan nodded. "But the matter of the Sith turncoat is a difficult one to explain, one I believe you all have the right to know, given the high stakes of this war."

Pulling out a hold-out blaster pistol and slamming it on the desk, she warned everyone, "I need you all to understand this first. The agent's safety is paramount to our success against the One Sith, and he cannot be compromised by any of us. Which is why, I need to ensure my choice here does not destroy him, or it will condemn countless souls to death or worse."

"We're not going to tell anyone, or even commit this to writing if that's what you're worried about." Kyp nodded in grim seriousness. "Everyone here has kept some kind of classified information before, you know."

Seeing everyone nod or voice their agreement with Jan's terms, she breathed out her anxiousness before she prepared to admit the truth of Tau Palpatine to everyone present and hoped for the best for the aftermath.

0900 Hours

Within the Perann Nebula, Inside the Nihil Retreat

On the Planet Rhand, Within the Capital City Ro

Inside the Rhandites' Grand Cathedral

Kung'urama'nuruodo, Grand Sorcerer of the Rhandites and ruling overlord of the Nihil Retreat's twelve worlds, reached into the Force's endless and boundless currents to predict and counter the countless possibilities the near future held as he uttered a silent prayer to the Dark and knelt before the temple's ancient shrine. With the Alliance of Light and its numerous fleets preparing to try and "liberate" the worlds' long-enslaved inhabitants, the Sorcerers and their One Sith allies would need every advantage they could create to triumph and survive this war.

Regardless of the vast superiorities the dark coalition held against their enemies out here, since the Rhandites and their allies have long controlled this pocket of space and had millennia to hone their control over the Dark, the all-powerful and destructive power lesser minds called the "Force", they could hardly afford to grow overconfident in the incoming conflict. The Jedi and their followers had proven to be more resilient and cunning than the aged Chiss remembered from his adolescent years as a Chiss Padawan during the Twilight of the Republic.

And there was the glaring problem of the Empire of the Hand and its now-unveiled supreme commander. Having been shrouded from the Grand Sorcerer's vision for many years, he never expected the accursed Mitth'raw'nuruodo to have created a network of clones to safeguard his people and the Chaos from all manner of dangers and enemies. The final clone in the chain, Kivu'raw'nuru, was the most dangerous of them all with all the preceding clones' and progenitor's collected memories and experiences implanted into him, his willingness to fully cooperate with outsiders, all out in the open instead of covertly and learn what he could of the Force's esoteric ways. Such unforeseen complications could cost his people dearly, costs they could ill afford with their enemies about to breath down their necks.

Still, all these enemies only presented a temporary setback to their ultimate endgame. With the near-endless stream of allies Darth Krayt and his followers had procured across the Chaos for their immature crusade, they had enough bodies and ships to slow the Jedi down until the ultimate prize could be found.

Once Zonama Sekot, a living world originating in a long-exhausted galaxy that the Yuuzhan Vong came from, was finally tracked down, the One Sith and their half-baked plan of corrupting the sentient world could begin. Then, the world and its vast population of refugees and exiles would either join this war or die alongside those that stood against the Dark and its unbreakable tenets.

Also, when considering how dozens of the Chiss's most powerful and deadly enemies, including the Yikardun, Agbui, Vagaari, and Ebruchi; raiders from the satellite galaxy of Firefist composed of renegade Tof and Nagai, and the eons hidden Rakatan Archipelago and its flourishing remnants of their Infinite Empire had rallied under the One Sith's banner, no one in their right mind would fight against this gigantic tidal wave of force rising against the forces of a stagnant and unchanging order. But the Jedi and Chiss had never been good at surrendering to a situation's inevitability.

Taking a moment to glance at the architecture of this grisly version of a religious temple, with dozens of statues of terrifying creatures from ancient mythology, and glass windows of the most terrible and destructive periods of galactic history, Kung'urama'nuruodo took sick pride of the accomplishments of the people that gave him a home after Order Sixty-Six and the Empire destroyed his friends and comrades in Breakout Squad.

Remembering how the four rogue Clone Commandos and their small band of allies risked their lives to protect him from Imperial-funded hunters before they were obliterated by the endless waves of Stormtroopers, their Inquisitor masters, and under a dozen of elite Jedi-hunting mercenaries of their time, Kung'urama'nuruodo knew he should have died on that distant and unnamed world in Wild Space where everyone made their final stand. He certainly would have met his end there, were it not for a certain Sorcerer and Prophet of the Dark Side did not rescue and instruct him to seek his people out to learn the galaxy's sole primordial truth.

Pushing aside his recollections of Cronal and his long-buried past, the Grand Sorcerer rose to exit the dark cathedral and reached out to his acolytes to continue their war preparations. The time for sentimentality and other frivolous emotions could wait until after victory was delivered to them. Just as the decaying planet beneath him perfectly demonstrated, no matter how strong any force might be, it would eventually be destroyed by an even greater and omniscient power, and the time had come for the galaxy to recognize and acknowledge that truth.

On the other hand, if the Way of the Dark was not fulfilled by the alliance between Rhandites and Sith, then there was one fallback plan the Sorcerers had yet to utilize. Kung'urama'nuruodo knew the unseen individual or power concealing the growing strength of the returning Bringer of Chaos was immensely strong, but even they and their mistress could not conquer the galaxy on their own.

If the Sorcerers found the One Sith unable to uphold their end of the bargain or attempted to unfavorably alter their current arrangement, then the Grand Sorcerer would start funneling his support to a worthier leader, even if the being in question was a needy and self-obsessed witch such as Abeloth. The Dark's tenets had to be carried out, and the Chiss renegade no longer cared anymore who led the charge of spreading the truth. He had all but run out of patience with countless fools and pretenders and would do what must be done to fulfill his people's mission, no matter who interfered.

1900 Hours

Hyperspace, Chiss Space

Just Outside the Naporar System

Aboard the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer Lucky Striker

Wedge Antilles, leader of more campaigns and veteran of enough wars to fill a library with a surplus of information, could not help but grow anxious at the coming meeting between him and his new ally with the Chiss Ascendancy's Supreme Admiral, the highest-ranking officer of their military forces after learning the Csilla base was merely a decoy to protect the location of the Ascendnacy's true military headquarters.

Having been entrusted by Jan and Kyle with the truth of the Sith-bred clone of Edaan Palpatine, the self-named Tau Palpatine, who stayed behind enemy lines when given a chance to escape along with the two fugitives who gave the Jedi the fabled Dagger of Mortis, he now understood Jan's severity of a threat and the stakes a great deal better.

Even with this knowledge, however, war did not stop for anyone, which was why he, Lowbacca, and Vurawn had been dispatched with Syndic Arazi'ar'alani and Aristocra Sev'eere'nuruodo to convince the Defense Council to prepare for the possible attack on Ilum. While the Alliance had the ships to attack Ilum and deliver a heavy blow to the Sith's fleets, it would not be enough to end the threat to the Ascendancy and its many allied or subjugated territories.

If they wanted to take the next step in winning this war, they needed the full might of the Chiss on board for this operation, which meant getting access to their intelligence and firepower before this opportunity slipped away.

Even though the Alliance of Light and Chiss had nominally joined forces against the Sith, there was not very much trust and goodwill between much of each faction, especially in a culture as isolationist and rigid as the Chiss Ascendancy. That had been proven abundantly clear by the terse meeting between Wedge and the Rogues' Gallery leadership and the Syndicature, when Maarek decided that lambast the governing body for its stagnation and inability to protect its own people and institutions. It was then decided that the former Imperial ace would avoid the Chiss's civilian structures whenever possible.

Hopefully, there would be a better example set by the leadership of both organizations to inspire the lower-ranked officers, soldiers, and civilians. The galaxy would not get a second chance at uniting before the Sith made their next move and risked reigniting the desolation and depravities of the Yuuzhan Vong War.

As the Imperial Star Destroyer reverted to realspace, he observed the green planet in view for the bridge's crew, a welcome sight after the cold and merciless ice of the Chiss Ascendanc's capital world. And guarding the headquarters of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet were at least thirty of their needle-like versions of the Star Destroyer, and dozens of smaller support and patrol craft, with five destroyers and twice as many heavy cruisers approaching the Lucky Striker and the Steadfast.

The lead Chiss Star Destroyer quickly hailed both capital ships, and the voice startled Wedge when the captain said, "Unidentified Star Destroyer and Steadfast, this is Commodore Fel of the Dogma. Transmit clearance codes and state your business here."

'Commodore Fel? Could it be…?' Wedge's heart nearly stopped while he wondered if he was being greeted by one of his nephew's last two surviving siblings. But not hesitating in maintaining his priorities, he quickly ordered his comm officer to open a channel, and calmly answered the hailer, "Acknowledged, Dogma. This is the General Wedge Antilles of the Rogue's Gallery, accompanied by Master Lowbacca of the Jedi Order. We'll transmit our clearance codes right away."

If he expected a warmer greeting after the formal greetings, Wedge knew he would have to wait quite a while. But the woman opened a holotransmission, allowing Wedge to see the woman's face. Startled by how much the Ascendancy captain resembled her mother with her blonde hair, pale complexion, and dark blue eyes, but virtually matching her father in a stern and uncompromising military demeanor, Wynssa Fel coldly greeted her uncle, "You still haven't explained what you're doing out here, General Antilles. State your intentions or cease your approach."

"Commodore Fel, stand down." A wizened woman's voice came through the holocall, with Sev'eere'nuruodo entering the transmission. "They have authorization for being here by Supreme General Ba'Kif and the Aristocracy. We have an eyes-only message for the Supreme Admiral, and you're impeding our efforts to meet with him."

Gazing at the aristocra with an inscrutable gaze, Wynssa relented before humbly bowing her head, "Very well. Your clearance codes check out. I will guide you and the Steadfast as close as you are allowed before we head down to the surface in shuttles." Beating anyone to the obvious follow-up question, she added, "Anything larger is unpermitted for ships belonging to foreign powers."

'Well, there goes the easy part. Now the true battle begins.' Wedge ruminated before he nodded in acknowledgement.

Well, I think this is a fine place to stop for tonight! So, what did you all think of my first chapter of this story? Just in case I didn't say anything earlier, this is only the first chapter of the prologue. I'll have one or two more after this one before I start on the rest of the story. This is just to set things up for Act 1. In other news, how are you all doing on this warm night of Saturday, September 17, 2022? I'm well, if a bit tired from volunteering today, and I have a little yard work to do tomorrow. And I hope to finish Star Wars: Choices of One in a day or two, as I really need to get started on a few of my history and current events books. Well, I guess that's all I have to say for tonight. I hope you have a blessed night, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!