Good evening, everyone! How are you doing on this warm night of Thursday, October 7, 2021? I'm doing well, as I did some shopping with my mother, got a good lunch with her, and have been reading a good bit of Star Wars: X-Wing: Rogue Squadron. Let me tell you, it's just as amazing as I remember. And, in other news, I encourage you all to check out the works of xxTheTruMan196 and HandofThrawn45, as both gentlemen have posted chapters for their latest works, with the former publishing his last chapter of his fifth Legacy of Jarik Shan story before his missionary trip begins in four days. And the latter is publishing his final Legacy's End story, and it is filling my heart with an immense mixture of sadness and joy to see that story inch ever closer towards completion. Oh, and I'll have to take a bit of a break from writing so I can focus on homework and a major school paper due in less than three weeks, once my reading material for the paper comes in. The necessary book should be arriving in a day or two.

In other news, I've heard quite a bit about some interesting news on the web through a friend of mine about a certain 1973 Supreme Court decision that's going to be contested soon. All I'm willing to say is that it's long overdue, and I pray for God's guidance and calming influence through this tumultuous time for so many. So, with all the small talk out of the way, let's get started with Chapter 4 of this page-turning story. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times and be sure to enjoy.

Coruscant

Within the Coco District

Aboard the Bishop

"It's time for you and your peers to make your big break for freedom." The Maladian Commander warned the soon-to-be-disgraced Senator Sauro. "We'll be launching our attacks after I conclude this transmission, and we can't afford to leave anything to chance with your escape."

"What's going on? Have we been compromised?" Jenna quickly asked.

"I don't know, but I'm willing to wager that we have been." The master assassin determinedly admitted. "Too many of my people have gone missing, and our mole in the Chief of State's staff is not responding. I'm thinking the GA and their allies turned the tables on our trap."

"Then you should abort your mission. There's no sense in the One Sith losing assassins as skilled as you." Jenna beseeched him, surprising herself with her concern for a man that should have been beneath her notice.

Perhaps she was beginning to see how, for the time being, surviving and remaining free would require her to be more than a survivor and power-hungry master manipulator, but a team player with the One Sith. Either way, she would not let the paltry-named Alliance of Light make an example of her.

"A surprising answer from you, Senator. But it is not needed. We are committed, and no matter what, we will fulfill our contracts. My people's reputations and future depend on it." He gave her a grim smile, as if to acknowledge her concern. "But all the same, good luck in your future endeavors. I doubt we will ever meet again." The commander saluted the GA turncoat before signing off.

Red Twins System, Chimaera

He could feel Corran Horn's distress, even as tightly controlled as it was, even while barreling his way through debris and fires to reach the Jedi Master. If the visions he received came to pass, the Corellian could very well meet his end from the Sith assassin's traps, unless he stepped in.

Throughout his time as a Jedi Initiate and Apprentice, he heard many times, through reprimands and quiet gossip, how his recklessness and pride would be his undoing and lead him straight into the Dark Side's vice-like grip. The Sith did get their snares in on his fellow Initiates Ferren and Verla after they were wrongly expelled on insane charges. He still could hardly believe that two of his dearest friends had fallen so low, even if he understood their anger and feelings of betrayal and abandonment.

But thanks to a few brave souls who dared not to give up, and instead encouraged the best in him, especially Master Horn and a kind, if rather angry and impulsive Edaan Palpatine, he found his way in the Order. And in the years since becoming a Jedi Knight, he was proving himself to be a steadfast fighter for the Light, and a faithful friend with the loyalty of a Wookiee in a life debt.

But now, now the time had come for him to repay said loyalty ten times over, no matter the cost to him in mind, body, or soul. With the YVH Droids being dismantled and reduced to a measly four, and the Chimaera forced to turn against the Alliance fleets, decisive action needed to be taken before any more allied ships and lives were lost.

Masters Horn and Skywalker would give him the scolding and discipline of a lifetime for his reckless stunt, but if it saved either Jedi, it would be worth it in the end.

After all, with all his blood relatives slaughtered or enslaved by Neo Death Watch raiders two years ago, the Jedi were the only family he had left. And the young Jedi Knight would not let any of them down now, no matter what grisly fate befell him. The galaxy, its countless people, and the Jedi mattered infinitely more to him than his own life, and he would demonstrate that in the fullest today, even if it cost him everything.

He only hoped he was not too late to save his Jedi brethren, or he would never be able to forgive himself.

In Hyperspace

Aboard the New Dawn

27 Hours and 34 Minutes from the Kwenn System

Edaan could hear the howling voices in his mind, begging him to bear witness the chaos that was consuming the galaxy. He could feel multiple shatterpoints beginning to converge from every corner of the galaxy, both known or unknown, and he knew that soon, a decisive battle would begin for the fate of the galaxy. But whether it would tip the galaxy towards light or plunge it into an endless dark abyss for all eternity, it was impossible to tell.

Each turning point and its potential ramifications tugged at the sweltering rage in his soul and would be all but impossible to resist for even the strongest of wills. But he would not give in, not with the fierce prayers he was giving to the creators of the universe, and especially not with his wife kneeling by him as she joined him in this homage. His spouse's loving and devoted presence and his religious faith kept him firmly planted in the Light, even as the dark Sith-induced infection roared throughout his physical and spiritual being.

He only wished that his teammates aboard the Rude Awakening were with him now, or the other way around, but they had their own battles to fight. And so did Vestara Khai, who was working with the Jedi and their allies on Falleen and had her own war to wage for her soul and a brighter future.

Even though Vestara had returned to the Light to atone for her past crimes, she could not afford another relapse with the Dark Side, which was why she was to avoid fighting until she could unlearn her dark tendencies. Hopefully, it would prevent another betrayal, as that was too steep a price for the galaxy to pay. Edaan honestly thought the galaxy would not be able to take another treacherous act from the repentant Sith Lady.

Still, it did not stop him from praying for everyone's safety as they prepared to take the fight against the One Sith and their cult on one of their most vital strongholds. But he knew how lethal his crew was, and they would become even stronger when they could truly come together as a team.

Darth Krayt and his entire order of Sith Lords would not know what was about to hit them, even with all of Edaan's memories in their grasp. His only regret was that he would not be able to help his friends in the physical sense.

Coruscant, Perre Needmo Newshour Studio

"Thirty seconds, people!" A cameraman alerted Perre and his five holographic guests.

Joining the Fels, Kyle, and Kajin would be an unexpected addition in the Caamaasi Releqy A'Kla, a one-time prominent leader in the Galactic Alliance Senate before her imprisonment in carbonite by Darth Caedus at the end of his dark rule. She had been kept in her illegal state of suspension for another eighteen years by Natasi Daala before the nonhuman politician was liberated during Daala's latest ill-fated Imperial coup.

And even more fortuitous was how, despite her weakened state, Releqy was still eager to be of service and a welcomed voice of reason for the mad times that gripped the galaxy and volunteered to be on the broadcast to help calm the pandemonium sweeping over Coruscant and many other worlds.

Since the network's broadcast was going to be plastered over every available network, thanks to GA Intelligence's hacking, it was hoped that the gamble would halt the riots and allow the viewers to realize how horribly they were being played by the Sith and their collaborators in the Galactic Senate.

That is, if their information was correct and kept Chief of State Yimmon and everyone in the Perre Needmo Newshour studio alive from the attack by a secretive and highly lethal organization of assassins.

Unfortunately for everyone involved, it was far too late to give into fear now. The galaxy needed to hear this message, and everyone involved in this broadcast knew the risks, but were prepared to face them if it meant upholding their oaths and principles.

Still, that did not stop Perre from asking his premiere guests, "Are you all ready for the fiercest and most deadly interview of your lives?"

Receiving determined nods from each interviewee, the Chevin nodded, "Then let us begin and hope for the best."

"Here we go! "The studio director shouted, catching everyone's attention before he finished counting down. "In Five, Four, Three, Two…"

"Good day, citizens of Coruscant and the galaxy. This is Perre Needmo, and I welcome all of you to this unique broadcast in this chaotic time for every world."

Gesturing to each figure, the elder reporter introduced them, "Joining me today in this exclusive broadcast will include Galactic Alliance Chief of State Kajin Bar Yimmon, Imperial Head of State Jagged Fel, Jedi Grand Master Kyle Katarn, Jedi Council Member and ambassador to the Galactic Empire Jaina Solo Fel, and Releqy A'Kla long-lost Galactic Alliance Senator for nearly two decades. Together, we hope to uncover the truth on the questions that are undoubtedly on everyone's minds including mine as well, about the Jedi and the future of the Galactic Empire."

"They have all agreed to answer every and any question I give them with their full honesty and integrity. But you may rest assured, I intend to hit these five individuals with the toughest questions in my arsenal, as you, the passionate and eager populace, always deserve nothing but the complete and unvarnished truth." Perre assured his unseen audience, hoping they were listening and not destroying all they thought they were trying to save.

Just Outside the Senate Building

"All sectors are reporting in, Commander. We've got at least two hundred hostiles storming their way here from every vector. Scans have ID'd them as Mandalorian Supercommandos." A Galactic Alliance marine alerted her superior officer.

"Then it looks like our superiors' intel was good." The commander, a member of the Void Jumpers, an elite division within the Alliance's marines, somberly acknowledged. But I almost wish it wasn't for what the Alliance and Chief of State Yimmon now have about to face.

With the Senate Building forced into an abrupt lockdown when word got out of an attempt by a group of Sith-backed assassins to murder the Chief of State and pin the blame on Boba Fett's Mandalorian Protectors, a heavy and hasty defense was established to protect him and everyone in the republic's heart of government.

Sure, the government's security forces, along with many elite military units had been bolstered by fifteen Jedi Knights and seventy Noghri hunters, allowing them to dispatch several advance enemy squads before the true battle began between the many galactic powers. But the odds were still stacked against the defenders, especially since the commander was informed of the enemy's full strategy, and their high odds of reaching their target.

Even with the Galactic Alliance's unofficial assets, courtesy of General Loran, the commander did not expect many of his people to survive beyond the next two hours. But if these losses could save the democratic republic and the institutions he swore to uphold, then it would be a terrible sacrifice worth paying a thousand times over.

"Captain, consider anyone who attempts to approach the perimeter as an enemy combatant. The moment any assailants are within firing range, order all your forces to shoot to kill. We can't afford to let anyone slip past us." The commander curtly ordered his subordinate, closing the line before he could hear a response.

So it begins again. He solemnly thought, remembering the last time he faced an overwhelming force when Abeloth and the Lost Tribe controlled Coruscant. He just hoped that this time, the outcome would not be as apocalyptic for the good guys.

Three Minutes Later

Red Twins System, Chimaera

Ochi felt two powerful Jedi about to arrive, and he could not delay any longer. Not if he was to complete his task and escape the Star Destroyer.

But that accursed Jedi was proving to be more than an even match for the Sith assassin, even with the Vahl's extra three decades of combat experience exceeding Corran Horn's. But even a Dark Sider as egocentric as Ochi had to admit that he was not the one to fight in at least half a dozen galactic wars to hone his wide array of skills.

No matter what maneuver he tried, Ochi was not quick or strong enough to land a single blow on the Jedi Master with his poison laced Force-enhanced daggers, and even lost another YVH droid to the Corellian's underhanded methods and strategic use of a few EMP charges to disable the mechanical assailant. The Jedi was playing for keeps this time. And without his custom-made cortosis armor shorting out his enemy's lightsaber whenever he tried to land a finishing blow, he might not have survived this long.

It was time for Ochi to use more drastic measures and take a page from a previous Sith Lord to kill this target. But first, he had to unbalance his opponent, and he had the perfect idea on how to do just that with a brilliant lie.

Allowing his mind to fill with his knowledge on the long-deceased Booster Terrik, he created a perfect false scenario of how he had fatally poisoned the ailing information broker, thereby depriving the Jedi of a longstanding ally and his keen mind. From there, it was a simple matter of allowing Corran a backdoor into his mind, and the Jedi lunged for the false opportunity.

Almost instantaneously, Corran saw the fake memories, and judging from his eyes narrowing in a feral rage, he had taken the bait. It became obvious to Ochi when Corran unleashed a mental attack on the Vahl. The sheer force of the telepathic bombardment nearly caused Ochi's mind to snap from the strain as he fell to his knees, just before he saw Corran move in to end the battle, his lightsaber raised to disarm, if not outright decapitate his enemy.

Gotcha. Ochi smiled beneath his mask, activating the concussion pulse generator he kept on his person, blowing the human several feet away before he fell onto the ground, coughing up blood and bile from the sonic waves that were wreaking havoc on his organs.

Shakily rising onto his feet, Ochi knew he would need a nice, long dip in a bacta tank after this contract was complete.

Aiming his wrist gauntlet at the downed Jedi Master, he disappointingly noted, "I almost didn't think you'd fall for that little lie I fabricated. Weren't you supposed to be a master detective or something like that?"

"But enough. Farewell, Jedi Horn." Ochi fired another poison dart, just as a furry shadow moved to take the attack and threw a green lightsaber at the assailant. Barely able to avoid being bisected from the attack, he was not so lucky as to avoid having his left arm cut off just below the elbow.

"ARGH!" Ochi screamed as he quickly held onto the new stump of an arm. He glanced to see who it was, and saw a Togorian male on his knees, one Ochi recognized as a Jedi Knight named Bhixen, even as foam and blood quickly spewed out of his mouth and eyes while the poison quickly worked its way into the Jedi's bloodstream.

Panting and gritting his teeth to fight back the horrendous agony, Ochi activated his comlink and spoke to his two still-functional YVH droids standing guard, "Kill the Jedi, then blow this ship up!"

Sprinting away from the failed mission while struggling to stay conscious, Ochi knew Luke Skywalker would be arriving any minute, and cloaked his Force presence before he was captured. While he ran towards his ship, the assassin bitterly lamented how this mission was not one for the history records.

Somehow, the Bhixen's lightsaber caught a weak spot on his armor, and sliced right through the vulnerable joint. Whether it was through sheer luck or the Force, he did not know, and he did not care. Either way, the Sith would not be pleased with this outcome.

Still, he sent a message that he could hold his own with a Jedi Council member and was on the verge of killing him before a foolhardy Jedi Knight got in his way. It should be enough to keep the Dread Lord's wrath away from him and his people. He might even get a prosthetic or cloned arm for his work if Lord Krayt was feeling generous.

Contacting his other two YVH droids that were wreaking havoc on the Chimaera, he ordered them, "Break off from your attacks and regroup at the ship. We're pulling out immediately."

A few dozen meters away, Luke arrived to see the horrific sight of two YVH droids about to gun down a wounded Corran and Bhixen. Not bothering to wonder why the Jedi Knight disobeyed orders, he quickly used the Force to ionize both droids' core processing systems before throwing the remains away. Not knowing the severity of Bhixen's wounds, he jumped down to tend to the fetal Corran and his injuries first.

"Is… Is Master Horn safe…?" Bhixen groaned out before he fell head first onto the ground.

"Bhixen!" Luke gasped, sensing the young man's life force fading fast as he hurried to his side.

Trying to pour Force energies into the Jedi Knight in an effort to try and delay his death, Luke heard the Togorian's voice echo in his head, "Don't worry about me, Master Skywalker. Help Master Horn. He's been pretty banged up by that hitman, and I don't have long for this galaxy. Whatever poison I got hit with is gonna kill me in less than a minute."

"What were you even doing here?" Luke despaired. "Why would you throw your life away so recklessly?"

"Because, I saw a vision of that assassin kill Master Horn, and I couldn't let it come to pass. He and his wisdom are needed now more than ever, and I had to repay him for the kindness he showed me years ago." Bhixen telepathically rasped, filling Luke with a terrible guilt for how he nearly expelled him for typical teenaged pride and arrogance fifteen years ago.

"I… I know you all can win this war. Just, make all this death and sacrifice, worth it…" Bhizen spasmed before he breathed his last, and his body fell limp in Luke's grip, who allowed a few tears to fall at the death before he remembered his duty to the living.

Pulling out his comlink, he contacted Vice Admiral Remal, controlling his anguish as he calmly stated, "I need a medical team to my position right away. Master Horn will need immediate medical attention, and Knight Bhixen's body will need transportation to Shedu Maad for cremation."

"Captain Wren and her team are right behind you, so they can take care of those tasks." Tors informed him. "But what of the assassin? Has the Sith agent been disposed of?"

"I doubt it. I'll track them down and capture them once Master Horn is safe. Whoever they were is badly wounded, so I don't think they'll get too far." Luke vowed, seeing the severed arm sitting a few feet away.

"Negative, Master Skywalker. I need you to return to the bridge right away. We have another, more immediate and pressing matter to attend to, and if the agent is as wounded as you claim, they should be easy enough to apprehend." Tors reluctantly ordered.

"What kind of problem?" Luke wearily asked.

"I suggest you hurry to the bridge to find out; You likely wouldn't believe me if I told you myself." Tors urged. "If Captain Ithano's report is accurate, we're about to have a lot more to worry about than the One Sith. and a fugitive Daala. Much more dire, and much deadlier."

Five Minutes Later

Falleen, Lajinda Outskirts

Aboard the Rude Awakening

"All five of us completely understand and acknowledge your concerns, Mister Needmo. But it is important for our viewers to remember how the Empire had just endured a bloody civil war by Natasi Daala and her former One Sith backers." Jagged patiently reminded the Chevin reporter.

So far, Perre had kept up his blunt but honest approach to his interviewees and kept up the attack on them with difficult questions in a narrow gambit to assuage the incensed galactic populace.

A shrewd tactic, one Vestara could ruefully appreciate, even as she gained a new respect for the profession of journalism, at least when undertaken by a principled being. But the five subjects would have to do much better to win over Coruscant, especially if the Maladians got to Kajin before he could reveal the twenty-five senators who collaborated with the One Sith.

"With the previous Head of State and most of Imperial High Command murdered or injured by Daala's preprogrammed moles in a terrorist attack, and the Sith still on the loose, we needed to give the Empire's remaining loyal soldiers and citizens a solid foundation to rally upon for this war."

"Of course, the ramifications and risks of such a drastic reorganization of the Empire would be all but immeasurable. Which is why all five of us, along with our best ambassadors, originally planned to outline a strong Imperial Constitution to protect its citizenry's rights and check the ruling government's powers." Kyle picked up that train of thought.

"And the Jedi Council would allow one of its leading members to rule an entire government? Have we not seen the immense risks of such a prospect when Jedi Knight Raynar Thul ruled over the Killiks during the Swarm War? Or what about when failed Jedi trainee Brakiss created the Second Imperium to wage war against the New Republic?" Perre patiently pointed out to both Kyle and Jaina, angering many of the Rude Awakening's crewmembers with the Jedi-sympathetic reporter's tough and controversial questions. It looked as if he was trying to rip open many old wounds and undo the whole point of this summit.

True, Raynar should never have led a hive mind of beings like the Killiks, but the Alderaanian Jedi Knight was deeply scarred by his traumatic entrance into the Unknown Regions at the height of the Yuuzhan Vong War. And he was manipulated by One Sith agents from Dathomir, Lomi Plo and Welk before they were killed, and Raynar was rehabilitated by the Jedi Order under Luke Skywalker's orders. But even so, they could not dispute the damage he had inflicted on the galaxy.

And Brakiss, one of the final agents of the Imperial Inquisitors under Emperor Palpatine's rule, had operated undercover in Luke's Yavin Four Praxeum as one of its first students for three years before he fled the Jedi in disgrace from failing to overcome his inner demons.

Over the following years, after a brief stint under fellow Dark Jedi Kueller and aiding him in causing the Almanian Crisis, he created a pall of terror over the New Republic in the interim years after the Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty. The Second Imperium nearly destroyed the Jedi Order, until he was stopped by the latter's second generation of Luke's Jedi Knights, especially the close-knit group of friends that included Jacen and Jaina Solo, and turncoat-Dark Jedi Zekk.

Both incidents gave the anti-Jedi factions within the New Republic and Galactic Alliance many stores of ammunition to use against the galactic peacekeepers and helped turn the populace against the Jedi when threatened by both the Yuuzhan Vong and One Sith, along with each of their legions of collaborators.

Fortunately, despite the anger each person felt, everyone knew Perre was employing his vast knowledge of the past as the only way to test the leaders and prove their sincerity towards their enemies. And, at least in their eyes, he was performing well in this unfavorable duty.

Fortunately, at least the veteran reporter did not sink to such dirty tactics as using Darth Caedus as the past reference, and Ben could appreciate that. Still, the Skywalker heir wondered how the five leaders would navigate this treacherous field while Coruscant suffered from once again becoming a battlefield.

Jaina's hologram ruefully smiled at the well-timed question, and countered, "And if I was willing to leave the Jedi Order and found another Force tradition so I could help stabilize the Empire? What would you say then?"

Holy kriff. Jaina actually kept her word this time around. Mirta amazingly marveled at the promise Jaina made when the two former friends last spoke, even as she closed her agape mouth and quietly motioned for her children to do the same. Even Perre was stunned into silence by the bold admission if his wide eyes and open snout were two obvious signs.

She wondered just what other surprises the interview would provide while the Rude Awakening waited for authorization to travel to Port Nowhere and hoped she would be able to witness every one of them. After all, if nothing else, it would be fun to see Jaina and her husband squirm a bit after all the grief they gave the Mandalorians through their influence within the Empire.

Sadly, Perre quickly recovered after a few moments, and turned his next series of questions towards Kyle and Kajin. It seemed that watching Jaina sweat would have to wait.

Fifteen Minutes Later

Coruscant, Senate District

Just Outside the Senate Building

"Hold the line, men! Force willing, we will push them back!" A Galactic Alliance Security captain shouted over the deafening cacophony of battle. The false Mandalorians, even though the assassins best operated under stealth, were still proving to be beyond a formidable challenge for the Alliance soldiers. Having only lost a measly ten fighters, at most, compared to the Alliance's rising casualties of a current fifty, the Maladians were truly living up to their reputation.

With the Maladians apparent masters of close quarters combat and countless tools of the assassin's trade, the Galactic Alliance was forced to cede control of much ground to keep the assailants away from their primary target and use long range weapons and every type of grenade in their disposal to divert their attention.

Still, Coruscant Security Force and Galactic Alliance Security were calling in reinforcements from all nearby sectors to reinforce the beleaguered defenders. It was only a matter of time before the attack was neutralized, even if they had to pile the Senate Building's entrance with countless corpses. The enemy would not get in the executive building no matter how many forces they brought with them.

But if that were true, then why did the captain suspect there were a few pieces of this puzzle that the Alliance did not have in their grasp? Either way, this battle and the fate of the free galaxy would be determined in the next couple of hours, and every soldier here would do their duty to the bitter end.

Inside the Senate Building

Well, the commander figured his fellow assassins would provide a good diversion. However, even he was utterly surprised at the sheer ferocity of their attack. They were truly throwing themselves into their diversionary roles as Mandalorian isolationists, and it filled him with a bittersweet joy to see them giving their all for this sacred assignment.

He knew that his fellow Maladian commanders would be jealous at his inevitable ultimate triumph, and he could only imagine the contorted looks of rage on their face as he brought the Galactic Alliance to its knees. If only he was able to see them for an extra bit of satisfaction from this mission.

With the bulk of his force keeping the enemy defenders focused on the exterior battle, it allowed his top fifty followers to sneak through by means of three classified entrances, courtesy of their blackmailed mole.

The Jedi and their pawns would not know what hit them, and it would not be long now before the Maladians would get back their notorious acclaim across the galaxy. And no one was going to stand in their way, even if he had to do the job himself.

After all, all he had to do to win was get close enough to Chief of State Yimmon and enact his ultimate endgame. It would be quite an explosive finish for the veteran killer, but he could live with the dark abyss of the aftermath if his people would achieve prosperity and fame in the coming new order.

He only hoped the subdivision that was attacking the Perre Needmo Newshour Studio was proceeding ahead of schedule. That infernal broadcast, if not stopped in a matter of minutes, might very well determine the course of this entire war.

But enough reflections. He had a mission to complete, and he would not achieve it by standing around. Tapping into the GAS comm signals from his pilfered equipment and uniform, while also adding his Maladian frequency to his transmissions, he covertly informed his followers to commence with Phase Two of Operation: Anarchical Beheadings.

Now, the real mission, his last great assassination, could truly begin. And he would enjoy every minute of it.

Within the Perre Needmo Newshour Studio, Level Two

And here everyone thought our redeployment would keep us out of all the action! Sammo Quid, a Rutian Twi'lek and a newly minted Jedi Knight, marveled as he struggled to keep a disguised Maladian from beheading him before he telekinetically blasted the humanoid off him.

At least thirty of the assassins had stormed the area, blasting away to keep the ill-prepared GAS forces and the five Jedi assigned to aid them off-balance and allow several of their people to enter the building housing the ongoing broadcast. Honestly, the only benefits to having this batch of GAS troops here were how their technology kept the floor housing Needmo's crew in a noise-cancelling bubble, keeping the already skittish crew unaware of the battle raging outside and beneath them, and their superior numbers to keep the enemy at bay.

Only Sammon, one of his fellow Jedi Knights, a young human woman named Tai Uzuma, and a dozen Noghri were able to intercept the six Maladians a handful of minutes and four levels below their intended targets.

Through utilizing creative tactics, employing every weapon in their arsenal, including Force-enhanced grappling, slashing at a vital vein, or electrocuting several of their enemies, the ragtag group of allies were able to corner the last two Maladians near a reception area.

Raising his lightsaber in a warning gesture, Sammon ordered the assailants, "You're beaten. Now, surrender, or else."

Ruefully chuckling, the left Maladian defiantly pulled out a detonator, and stated, "It's far too late for you, Jedi."

Pressing it faster than anyone could react, the two survivors rushed towards their enemies, firing several rounds at Sammon and Tai before they had the four of their arms severed by the two Jedi.

One of the Noghri, smelling something in the air through their keen sense of smell, warned his compatriots, "Something is foul in the air. It reeks of poison."

Tai then ferociously grabbed one assassin's throat, and fearfully shrieked at the masked woman, "What did you just do?!"

"Com-completed the mission and sh-shut up your loyal retinue of reporters." The older woman laughed through a growing cough, which was soon joined by everyone near her as they hacked up several cups' worth of bodily fluids and blood at an alarming rate.

Doubling over from the agony, coughing up blood and trying to scratch away the horrendous pain, Tai, Sammus, and all the Noghri knew that they had been irreversibly poisoned, and the two longtime friends knew that, unless the message had gotten out to the galaxy, they had utterly failed their first and final mission as Jedi Knights. And it would be a mistake that could cost the galaxy everything its peoples held precious.

Within The Chief of State's Office

"The files released to the public were correct, Mister Needmo." Kajin honestly answered Perre's hardball question. "I was completely aware of the impending Imperial reorganization, and I supported it."

Smiling with the gleam of a hunter about to spring a lethal trap on their prey, the Chief of State quickly added, "However, if it may please you, your viewers, and the Senate that is undoubtedly drafting a Vote of no Confidence against me, may I ask a question of my own, along with an admission I think everyone watching and listening will need to hear? I think you'll find it to be quite pertinent to how word of this arrangement was leaked."

"I believe you already asked a question, Chief of State Yimmon." Perre deeply chuckled. "But I see no harm in allowing you a few moments to speak. It certainly couldn't do any worse for your approval ratings."

Taking a deep breath while preparing to transmit a certain series of datacards to the besieged news station, Kajin began, "I am sure everyone is anxious to know just who presented your unprincipled rival in BAMR News with the information on the Senatorial arrests, yes?" At the allusion to Javis Tyrr, Kajin knew he had Perre's complete attention, and continued, "Well, I am more than willing to tell you exactly why I did so, thereby giving you the completely unvarnished truth."

Perre's interest was piqued, that much was certain. But whether it was staged or real did not matter to the governmental leader, not with the Maladians closing in on both of them with each of their respective facilities in full lockdown.

"As we speak, Mister Needmo, I am sending you, as well as to the entire Senate, a series of data cards that will corroborate the truth of what I am about to say. Galactic Alliance Intelligence has validated the truth of these reports, financial transactions, and reconstructed messages outside of our territories. I have been authorized to distribute them in a peaceful effort to quell the riots and allow us to direct our focus towards the Alliance's true enemy in this infernal war."

Taking a deep breath to prepare himself for any chaos that would come next, Kajin strongly confessed, "In regard to the twenty-one senatorial arrests made earlier today, they were all part of an effort to capture an entire ring of One Sith agents that had, for the past fifteen years, been undermining our efforts to protect the Galactic Alliance's people and institutions for their own self-serving gain."

"These… traitors," Kajin growled, wishing he could use far stronger and fouler language, "were meant to weaken the Galactic Alliance from within and keep us cut off from the Jedi and all their allies with their so-called Neutrality Act and many additional amendments to our Constitution. It was just like how Senator Viqi Shesh sold out the New Republic to the Yuuzhan Vong on their false promises of power and survival in their demented vision of galactic order."

"I and the Joint Chiefs only did what was necessary to remove this malignant tumor from our body of noble, if proud and oftentimes thick headed and prideful governmental body that is the Galactic Senate."

"Unfortunately, four of these Senators, U'Ta Divinian of Rosha, Jenna Sauro of Eeropha, Adrai Korn of Denon, and Zalk't of Thyferra, have, as of now, eluded our efforts to apprehend them, and they have stolen a vast database containing much of our government's infrastructure, strategies, and their network of contacts and favors for their Sith overlords."

"They have even hired an ancient order of assassins, the Maladians, to murder me on behalf of their true masters, while framing Boba Fett and his Mandalorian Protectors for their contract, thereby leaving them isolated and vulnerable against the Neo Death Watch extremists, a fringe group who is also in the One Sith's pocket." He shook his head at the dismay of this entire situation.

Seeing the hologram of Perre begin to sputter, Kajin knew his time was running out. He only wondered what took the Maladians so long to work their way to the generator room.

Those would-be assassins must have lost their touch a long time ago. Kajin wearily smirked. That, and it helped how his longtime friend came to him of the blackmailing attempts against her and the hostage situation against her family. It was fortunate the Noghri on loan to the Alliance were able to rescue Chief of Staff Tiin's family from their kidnappers, otherwise they might very well not have this chance.

"I… I see, Chief of State Yimmon. If... what you say is validated, then... your response was completely justified, and…" Perre numbly stated, his eyelids struggling to stay open while he tried to stifle a cough, just as a loud series of coughs and hacks could be heard throughout the studio as the camera shifted from the reporter to the ground, with blood pooling down in the hologram's vision.

"Mister Needmo? Perre? Are you alright?!" Kajin concernedly inquired to the reporter, mere moments before his built in holocomm station completely shut down, leaving him in the dark for several seconds before the building's backup generators automatically activated.

It's just one bad omen after another. Kajin warily lamented, fearing the worst for the crew of Perre's news network and all those he sent to protect them.

In Coruscant's Atmosphere

Aboard the Bishop

Lord Krayt will have all my people's heads for this! Jenna panicked at the implications of Chief of State Yimmon's broadcast. Those accursed and incompetent Maladians were supposed to have been done with this assignment long before the Jedi puppet of a Cerean gave his testimony. Instead, they completely failed at the primary task.

And to compound their terrible failure with their secondary mission, they repeated their mistake with the assassination of Old Republic Naboo senator Vidar Kim by daring to poison Perre's network on an open broadcast throughout the entire galaxy. It would either send a message of fear that would cow the freedom-loving idiots into submission, or, in the far likelier scenario, galvanize the galaxy to stop another similar act by taking the fight to its perpetrators.

With what Chief of State Yimmon provided to the Senate on her high treason, even a complete idiot would not disagree with the Cerean that the One Sith and every single one of their allies, never mind whatever sleeper agents Daala left behind, needed to be expunged from the galaxy. That especially included any kind of traitorous officers and all levels of ranking government officials.

And without any way to contact that failure of an assassin leader to amend his strategy, the Galactic Alliance, under the command of either Yimmon, his blackmailed Chief of Staff, or his Joint Chiefs, it did not matter at this point, would fully commit itself to this war.

She and her fellow traitorous senators needed a new strategy, and quickly, if they were to remain useful to Lord Krayt and avoid an unceremonious execution by the Dread Lord. Well, either that, or use their complementary resources to go into exile for the remainder of their almost certainly exceptionally short lives. Jenna was not particularly picky at this point with her ambitions all but derailed.

Horuset System, Korriban

Valley of the Dark Lords, Sith Catacombs

Darth Krayt's Citadel

Everyone in the ancient citadel, whether they were Sith, agent, slave, prisoner; Force-Sensitive or Force-blind, could feel the waves of boiling anger from Darth Krayt, the founding Dread Lord of the One Sith, wash all over them. And everyone who supported the onetime Jedi Master in his Grand Design shared in his blood curdling rage at the terrible turn of events that were unfolding on Coruscant.

The Tatooine-born Dread Lord should never have trusted those incompetent senators and their Maladian contacts with beheading the Galactic Alliance of leadership.

He wanted a surgical strike against the divided democracy while preserving its infrastructure and potential allies, but that had failed. No matter how this contract concluded, he and his followers would soon have to contend with an incensed galactic populace and their full military might.

He doubted even a large-scale terrorist attack on the Alliance's command center by utilizing the highly combustible mineral of Zinethium to devastate Coruscant would be enough to turn the Alliance away from a state of total war with the One Sith. And that indiscriminate act of terror, a leftover from the renegade Imperial warlord Ennix Devian and his ultranationalist "Restored Empire" faction, was something Krayt had no desire to utilize. He wanted order, not the kind of unrestrained chaos and fear that could accelerate Abeloth's inevitable revival.

But back to the matter at hand, now he and his people would be forced to wage an open war against the Jedi. Sadly, that was the last outcome he had sought, because for all the Sith's might and cunning, their victory was not yet assured, especially against a united galaxy and its proxies suffering numerous losses.

He and his top followers would have to accelerate preparations for their redoubts, where they could prepare for their period to regroup and reevaluate their strategy while replenishing their ranks. Their strongholds in the Unknown Regions and galactic fringes would be needed now more than ever, and their critical projects would have to be moved into Korriban's deepest catacombs to avoid discovery.

They would have to abandon their ancestral home for an untold number of years, perhaps even decades, but it would be worth it if it ensured his Sith Order's survival.

But still, Darth Krayt, once A'Sharad Hett, Jedi Master of the Old Republic, could not help but wonder how his plans had been compromised so thoroughly in a handful of weeks. It was all but unfathomable, but everything he feared was coming to pass while he contemplated this terrible turn of events.

He only hoped that his dream of a unified galaxy would not die with him. And speaking of a unified galaxy, he had to speak with Doctors Aphra and Nala Se on their progress with the Iteration. As soon as it was fully grown, perhaps it would be time for an unconventional field test.

Well, I think that this is a sufficient place to end the chapter! What did you all think, as I didn't expect to kill off Perre, his crew, and the three now-deceased Jedi within this chapter, but I also didn't want the heroes to get away without any losses? It would be too one-sided, even for me. And Kajin Bar Yimmon and the planet of Coruscant are not out of danger yet, while Darth Krayt is scheming away, so there's still plenty of suspense and twists to behold. So, how are you all doing on this warm afternoon of Tuesday, October 12, 2021? I'm well, if a bit nervous, as I will be starting on my reflection paper tomorrow night or Thursday morning, and I hope I can do a great job on it. And I'll be giving blood this weekend, so that'll be a good deed to take satisfaction in. Plus, I recently read my just-purchased book for the paper, which came in, and it was highly illuminating on my topic. Oh, and I think I'll have my third interlude chapter set for after the next chapter, or two, as it will be pertinent to the development of Edaan's character in a particular way. So, with all the small talk out of the way, I'd best get this chapter to my beta reader for his perusal and input. I hope you all have a blessed day, May God be with us all, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!