Good evening, everyone! How are you all doing on this cool night of Monday, November 1, 2021? I'm doing well, but I'm a bit tired from work and school earlier today. But I can't believe this mad year is almost over, and I'm sure there's even more to come in the following years, but we must have faith in Jesus Christ, and that He will guide us through this turbulence. But enough philosophical and theological stuff for now. I hope you're all ready for another large chapter, as this one will help set the stage for new action, storylines, and will likely be the last one I write before I take a bit of a break. After all, I'll need time to read Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy III: Lesser Evil once it comes out in 15 days and I get it delivered to me, since it'll revolve around the Chiss and likely be used extensively into the rest of the Unknown Regions plotline. I might even employ it in my next saga if I like it that much. Too bad it's a Canon novel, because Timothy Zahn is a master of his craft, and I wish I could include it in the Expanded Universe! Well, at least I have fanfiction to keep me going. And I'll soon have Star Wars Insider: The Fiction Collection Volume 2 to add to my stash. That'll be a great gem to read and derive more information for my stories.

But first, I'll have to get through tomorrow, as it is the 10th anniversary of my maternal grandfather's death from a nasty brain tumor. Man, I really miss him, and I could really use his counsel now more than ever. But at least I know that he is in Heaven, along with my grandmother and countless other good souls that have passed on from this world. And I will have to finish The Nature of Middle-Earth tomorrow, so I can work on Star Wars: X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble shortly afterwards. Or maybe I'll get back to The New Jedi Order with Dark Tide II: Siege. It's so hard to choose.

Well, I'd best get on with the story! May God be with us all as my country and much of the world grapples with many difficulties and dark deeds that shame much of its legacy.

Coruscant

Within the Galactic Alliance Navy Command Complex

Inside Chief Loran's Office

"You've got your people quietly trailing Yimmon? They haven't been discovered yet?" Garik confirmed to Wedge Antilles, war hero and commander of countless pilots throughout his decades of service to freedom.

Nodding to the friend who convinced him and his wife, Iella Wessiri Antilles, to come out of their third retirement, the founder of both Rogue and Wraith Squadrons confirmed, "No, not that I doubt it'll make much of a difference with the Jedi aboard his ship. He's been so focused on quelling the fires of anarchy while simultaneously staying securely hidden from any leftover Maladians that he hasn't discovered our agents."

"Besides, I'm sure he'll be grateful to have our protection after the horror he just experienced." Wedge reminded the active general.

"True." Garik tightly smiled, eager for retribution against the Maladi System, all their karking assassins and their Sith patrons for leading a terrorist attack on the leaders of the Galactic Alliance. And he knew the surviving leaders of the wounded government, legislative or military, would not let this atrocity stand without the appropriate form of retribution.

For good or ill, these riots would soon end, for Coruscant would quickly be secured for its law-abiding citizenry, and those that continued their destructive rampages would be punished accordingly. While almost all the rioters ceased their work as unwitting pawns for the One Sith and surrendered to the onsite security forces, there were around seventy-five thousand terrorists still destroying everything in their rage-induced path.

If they did not cease their rebellion by the end of the time limit Kajin would set in his final broadcast, then the Joint Chiefs authorized lethal force to be used against the unwitting rebels. They had been given more than enough time to realize their mistakes, and the galaxy's mercy was all but exhausted against its fools. Even an idealist such as Kajin recognized this fact and gave the military the latitude it needed to solve this problem with good old-fashioned force.

And speaking of broadcasts, the Chief of State's hologram appeared, and he appeared more somber than Garik had ever seen the Cerean look.

Kajin began this broadcast with the truth: "If you have been keeping tabs on recent events, then you saw the explosion that consumed the Senate Building. For what little consolation it is worth, I survived the blast, thanks to my stalwart defenders spiriting me away before the attackers triggered their contingency."

"Allow me to clear up any confusion you might have. These so-called Mandalorian isolationists were in fact, Maladian assassins, hired by former Senator Jenna Sauro and her One Sith masters in a bid to assassinate me and throw the Galactic Alliance into disarray."

"I only survived thanks to the selfless efforts of my Chief of Staff, Sorsa Tiin, who risked everything to deliver the necessary intelligence to circumvent their attack. But my most trusted friend, just like almost every poor soul in and outside the building, has likely perished in the zinethium-triggered explosion."

"My friends have been decimated by the Sith and their traitorous cohorts, and the institutions and people I cherish are at risk of being destroyed for good." Kajin bitterly lamented, before he earnestly vowed, "But I say this, to our embattled citizenry: the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances and its leaders, ever your humble and diligent servants, will continue to defend you, your worlds, and the liberties the Sith seek to take away from you, and working with the rest of the galaxy, we will remain strong in resolve and might."

"And to those that still believe that I am a Jedi puppet, or that they and their allies are the true enemies of all you cherish, I offer you one final chance at redemption. Lashing out in anger and fear will do none of us any good, and only undo all the progress we have made in healing the scars of the past.

"But let me be clear: If you do not stand down in exactly one hour from now, then you will never walk free again. I have ordered the military to suppress your petty acts of defiance by any means necessary. We are in the middle of a galactic war, and sacrifices will have to be made by us all if we are to survive, let alone emerge victorious."

"I pray you make the right decision long before time runs out, but I will be prepared to do what is necessary if you prove to be beyond reason at this point. May the Force be with you all with whatever you decide." Kajin solemnly stated before signing off.

Well, that was simple and to the point, like a finely tuned weapon. But if Garik was being honest, the speech could have gone far worse. At least Kajin did not get too sentimental or preachy with his message.

However, before he could speak to Wedge, the twelve-inch-hologram of Kajin replaced the Corellian's, and the Chief of State ordered Garik, "I know you have a significant number of your hidden assets trailing me, General. Fortunately, I have a much better task suited for the rogues than playing babysitter for me."

"Have them track down the remaining seditionists' cells and gather what intel they can on them, including seeing if they're connected to the Sith or any of their agents. We can't risk sacrificing hundreds or thousands of soldiers when they'll be needed for the coming wars."

Well, that was an order the former Wraith Leader could follow wholeheartedly, after he kept a few agents in reserve for the Chief of State's protection. The time for niceties and self-serving diplomacy had come to an end, but at least Kajin saw that, and was no Natasi Daala. That petulant schutta of a tyrant was the kind of leader Garik had no desire to ever follow again, not since his naïve youth as a holonet actor and Imperial puppet.

Kajin quickly followed his orders with a question, "What of Commander Savar and his division? How are their preparations going for Mandalore?

"They're already proceeding at an accelerated pace for departure. At their current projections, they should be ready to move in no more than four hours."

"Excellent." Kajin gladly nodded. "Have the commander and his people depart the moment their ships are fully armed, fueled, and loaded. I would send them the Jedi assigned to protect me, but we need to be absolutely sure the Maladians don't have any more surprises prepared for us. And once the riots have been suppressed, it might do the Jedi's image good to have them aiding the most damaged sectors and their devastated populations and remind their youngest members of exactly what and whom they're fighting for."

Garik could find no fault with the idea, and would have voiced his approval, except he saw the holograms of Jagged, Releqy, and Kyle appear beside Kajin. Knowing his time to talk had passed, the commanding officer of Galactic Alliance Security quietly prepared himself for whatever consequences this broadcast would provide.

Silently wondering where Jaina was, Garik pushed those irrelevant thoughts aside for the time being. She was probably overseeing preparations for the Imperial military's rapid response task forces for the galaxy's Sith-involved hot spots. If she was ludicrous enough, she might even try to personally provide aid to the Mandalorians, a virtual suicide mission after her admission of helping to take over and rebuild the Galactic Empire after its brutal civil war.

Either way, he just hoped the four remaining figures could finish rallying the galaxy towards fighting their true enemies. Without a fully united front, the galaxy and its denizens would never truly recover from the infighting that had compromised the foundations of every civilization in existence.

Korriban, Sith Catacombs

Within Darth Krayt's Citadel

"How is the Iteration's growth progressing, Doctors?" Sorzus pressed both beings in charge of the rapidly accelerated growth of Edaan Palpatine's clone. Normally, she would have reached out with the Force to touch the clone's mind and see how it was handling all his progenitor's implanted memories. Unfortunately, with the ysalamiri in use to stabilize the clone's mind through its rapid growth development, using the Force was not an option at this point.

With the Kaminoan Master Cloner Nala Se and Jedi and Sith historian Korin Aphra overseeing the clone's development, the currently eleven-year-old Iteration was just under halfway towards complete development. And Nala Se was eager to provide positive results for her patrons, especially since the success of this project determined if her people would regain their lost prestige once the Sith regained control of the galaxy.

Unfortunately, Korin, in his typical academia enthusiastic fashion, cut off Nala with his report, "We're precisely on schedule, Lady Sorzus. The clone's development is about forty-eight percent through, and it will be ready for its assessment in exactly five days."

"Very good." Sorzus nodded. But she found herself unable to speak further when Korin went off on another of his academic prattles.

"I must say, this Rakatan 'Mindspear' your agents discovered is a true marvel of combining the Force and technology, well beyond the scope of almost any cerebral transference technology I have ever had the pleasure of working with, and the collection of Force Users' treasures you have accumulated is nothing short of an archeologist's paradise. If only there was time for me to properly examine each artifact, I could do wonders for your arsenal." Aphra looked at Nala hopefully.

"Unfortunately, you cannot, Doctor Aphra." Nala irritably cut off the enthusiastic human. "Lord Krayt has your protégés studying the technology, and they will soon be aiding in removing the bulk of the Dread Lord's facilities off world."

"Off world? But why?" Korin asked, very curious about this update. "Korriban is a natural fortress and maze wrapped up into one convenient planet, to say nothing of it being your Order's ancestral home. Why would you abandon it now?"

Ruefully shaking her head, Sorzus cut off a scathing reprisal by Nala and calmly advised Korin, "I would strongly advise you to start reading our intelligence reports instead of keeping your focus entirely on your research. You need to know how the Jedi know of our presence here, and unless we take drastic measures to ensure the One Sith's survival, then Lord Krayt's dream will be destroyed in our birth world."

"Your wife and daughter are more than able to keep themselves informed on galactic events, and they still heavily contribute to the Grand Design. As even the Jedi would say, balance in life is essential for any path one might take."

Thinking of his beloved wife, Lona Aphra, and their intrepid teenaged daughter, Chelli Lona Aphra, Korin felt a surge of pride and hope for them. They were his source of inspiration and hope for him, for having lost faith in the Jedi three decades ago, after they became agents of the Galactic Alliance's Reconstruction Authority once the Yuuzhan Vong War concluded.

Having seen his heroes repeat the original Jedi Order's idiocy after the example of the Ruusan Reformations by enslaving themselves to a galactic bureaucracy demoralized the one-time stalwart pro-Jedi scholar. And that disheartenment only increased after the Swarm War that nearly divided the Jedi and accelerated the rise of Darth Caedus from within its highest ranks.

Korin wanted to build a great future for his family, one free of fear, ignorance, and pointless sluggishness by the galaxy's denizens, and he only regained the drive to do so after meeting one of Darth Krayt's agents. His words and the Dread Lord's dream for the future affected the historian so much, it convinced him to take his family with him to Korriban and help fulfill his true destiny.

And when the Iteration was ready to undo the Jedi's recent string of successes, soon a new Galactic Empire would rise, and it would bring order from the chaos that had devoured so much of the galaxy. He only hoped he would be around long enough to see that dream finally come true, for he wanted to see the look on his daughter's face when she could finally explore the rest of the galaxy.

Honestly, Korriban was an archeological dream, and Korin could spend the rest of his life studying every tomb he encountered. But this desolate tomb of a world was no place for a young woman as adventurous and strong hearted as Chelli to spend her entire life on. And Lona, he could tell this world was slowly sapping away her formerly unbreakable spirit. The dark side was seeping into their bright spirits, a gradual process, but not irreversible.

He had to get them off this world, and soon. Hopefully, it would only be a few more months before total victory was ensured, and then he could get his family somewhere more vibrant in the galaxy. Oh, the sites he would take them to.

But he was getting ahead of himself. First, he had to help ensure this clone was ready for the daunting task Lord Krayt had in store for him. After all, kidnapping the original Edaan Palpatine and bringing him here would not be an easy task for even the most seasoned of the One Sith's warriors.

Bowing towards Sorzus, he respectfully complied, "I see your point, Lady Sorzus. I don't see how a few hours of rest and time with my family every now and then could hurt any of our projects. And besides, Doctor Se is a master at cloning, and can go without me for a little while."

"Insufferable idiot." Nala bitterly muttered the moment Korin was out of earshot, forcing Sorzus to stop before bidding the human historian to go on.

Returning to stand just in front of the Kaminoan, Sorzus growled, "I warn you one last time, Doctor Se, do not speak ill about any of our allies. Such infighting is part of what did in the remnants of Sidious's Galactic Empire after his first demise. And we will need to think and act as one in the months to come if we are to survive the Alliance of Light's hunt for all our redoubts, let alone help your people reclaim their former glory in the New Order."

"I understand. But I simply wonder if relying on a brainwashed Jedi historian is wise. If any of our enemies, or especially his family, figure out what Lord Krayt has done to him, they might figure out a way to undo the spell your people put Doctor Aphra under." Nala deferentially pointed out, before Sorzus gripped her throat through a silent grip.

"Be grateful that I disabled the sound on all of the lab's security cameras before coming in. I suspected you would bring this matter up once again, and I will not risk the good doctor's family discovering our manipulations on his disheartened mind and soul."

"Fortunately, you do not have to fret, since your concerns will not matter in the long run. Once Dr. Aphra completes his work, we shall dispose of him and the rest of his family. No loose ends must be allowed to flourish, and the three humans know too much of our operation to risk falling into enemy hands."

"However, if you breathe a word of this conversation to anyone, then our masters will ensure that your people never recover from their economic downfall. And that will be the least of your concerns after Lady Haxar is done destroying your brilliant mind." Sorzus angrily warned, releasing Nala from her hold.

"I understand completely, my Lady." Nala respectfully, but with a touch of fear lacing her voice, acknowledged.

"Good." Sorzus then paused, likely from a command by her father or Lord Krayt. Dismissing Nala, Sorzus ordered the elder Kaminoan, "I have dozens of other matters to tend to in the next two hours alone. Continue with your work and ensure all projects proceed on schedule; but appraise me of any unforeseen developments the moment they arise in your department. We don't want any setbacks on your research when we're about to need every advantage we can get to survive."

As soon as Sorzus departed the cloning facility, she telepathically answered her father's call, "I am here, Father."

"There has been a change of plans regarding the capture of Edaan Palpatine, for you will now be the one to lead this operation. Lord Krayt will explain everything to you, along with Lord Snoke in the strategic conference center. You are to meet them there right away." Wyyrlok commanded his daughter.

Hiding her confusion at the sudden orders, astonishment at the incredible responsibility she was being entrusted with, and concern over what brought about this sudden change in strategy, Sorzus loyally complied, "I will be there immediately."

"Good. We will have much to do if we are to prepare you for your infiltration to the Dathomir System by the end of next week." Wyyrlok warned before ending the telepathic summons.

Dathomir, the planet of the Witches and home to a strong Jedi presence? This was already shaping up to be an ominous assignment. It was fortunate that the One Sith had quite a few Nightsisters in their ranks and could give her strike force an edge against the Jedi.

And, by taking a page from Vestara Khai's manipulations of a Nightsister clan sixteen years ago, the Dark Siders could temporarily bolster their numbers and deal a strong blow against the Jedi's operations in that galactic region. And if such manipulations failed, there was always outright force.

Quelli Sector, Dathomir Orbit

Aboard the New Dawn

It took every ounce of Edaan's willpower not to push the engines to full throttle and barrel his way to the Outer Rim's second-most populous Jedi Academy on the ancient world of Dathomir, even as his body threatened to give out from fatigue from the wormhole he had created.

He could feel his beloved's life force stabilize before the ship's medical droid and its careful and precise administrations and remembered his teachings to effectively rein in his fears. He could vividly imagine exactly how Adari and Artoo would give him a terrible verbal lashing if he destroyed everyone aboard while trying to save the former's life, and that would be an undesirable outcome for all.

To add to his stress, he had to remember how, according to Kyle, the Jedi Order's traitor problem was more rampant than anyone could have anticipated. If he was to keep a step ahead of the One Sith and his pilfered memories, in their custody, then he had to stay at the top of his game and rely on more unorthodox methods.

And with a Jedi Praxeum bordering the Galactic Empire, and conveniently located on a world rich in Force users and traditions, along with countless natural defenses, Dathomir was the best place for the Palpatines to have their honeymoon/retreat. Of course, the poisonous animals and Dark Side-affiliated Nightsisters would keep them on their toes, but no plan was perfect.

Then again, going into a Jedi healing trance for a little while was the best course of action he could take at the moment, since it would take time, another hour or two, at the very most, for the Jedi to get a team to the Jedi praxeum's hidden spaceport. Artoo and Edaan may have sent a priority transmission to the planet mere minutes before the New Dawn traveled to the ten-planet system, but there was no guarantee they would be able to respond immediately. Communications with the planet were difficult, even at the best of times.

And the young Jedi Knight would be no good to anyone if he collapsed midway through piloting the spacefaring vessel down to the Force-rich world. Opening a wormhole through time and space could drain every bit of even the strongest Force User's strength, and Edaan was nowhere near the Jedi of legend so many of his fellows aspired to be like.

Comming Artoo, he alerted the astromech droid, "I need you to watch the cockpit, buddy. I'm putting the ship on autopilot for the final leg of our journey." Barely hearing Artoo's gloating raspberry, Edaan tiredly admitted, "Yes, I'm exhausted, and we'll need to wait a little while for Masters Ti and Streen to get a medical team to us. Since Adari's starting to be on the mend, I think I've earned the right to a little rest while she's examined."

Artoo concernedly whined, but Edaan reassured him, "Relax, buddy. I trust you. You've gotten the Skywalkers through much worse. But if anything goes wrong, you do whatever you must to get me out of my meditation. I won't let you face it alone."

Hearing Artoo warble in what he believed to be annoyance, Edaan tiredly chuckled, "That's not me being overbearing. That's me looking after you, who happens to be one of my best friends, and my dear wife who's still in quite bad shape." Setting the ship on autopilot, he allowed his exhaustion to consume him, and his heavy body all but collapsed, allowing him to enter a healing trance.

But before he fully lost consciousness, he uttered a silent prayer to the Celestials for whatever terrible wound in the Force that plunged his wife into a coma. Wherever it was that transpired, he instinctively knew that countless people had likely died, and that something big was going on, and hoped with all his heart that it was not the prelude of even direr things to come.

Csilla, Cssplar

Within the Convocate Hall

"You have made an impressive case for you and your people, Captain Faal." Coduyo'po'nekri, one of the two syndics representing the Coduyo Family in this summit, remarked while letting a trace of a smile cross his weathered face. "I see that your time as a leader has done well for your rhetoric."

Hearing Khedryn passionately speak on behalf of the denizens of those that bordered the Chiss Ascendnacy, defending their worth and potential while offering the Chiss people a chance to grow and expand on its own terms amazed the aging man. And his promise to help rescue its citizens in the One Sith's captivity further stirred something that had been long suppressed within the elder leader, hope for change in the stagnating power.

But while he knew that would not be easy, it was a goal he would fight for with every breath of life in his wizened body.

Hoping to convince others to see the worth in this self-proclaimed scoundrel, he amusingly remarked, "Once, I would not have expected as much from a man who surrounded himself with countless rogues such as himself. Though, I have been both glad and remorseful to be proven wrong many times before throughout my decades of service to the Ascendancy."

Growing somber, Coduyo'po'nekri bitterly continued, "When the Ssi-Ruuk were defeated by the separate campaigns of Grand Admiral Thrawn and the New Republic, followed by their failed campaign of revival by their P'w'eck slaves and the Galactic Alliance during the Yuuzhan Vong War, we assumed they were defeated for good, and posed no threat to the Ascendancy.

"And when the Vaagarai's homeworld of Vagar Praxut, along with its cluster of key industrial worlds in the Kharmort's Miasma Nebula, were discovered and invaded, and their military was broken and dissolved, we believed the danger from our long-standing enemies had finally ended."

He grew ever more somber as he continued. "But we grossly underestimated two enemies and their adaptable resolve to destroy us, for they allied with the Sith. And because of all these factors, now our citizenry, every one of our worlds, and countless civilizations outside our borders are paying the price for our combined hubris, rigid adherence to our ancient traditions, and family lines and intrigue too often pitting us against each other."

"If we are all being honest with ourselves, our situation is rather quite like the Galactic Alliance and its stagnation following its expulsion of the Jedi when they liberated Coruscant from the Lost Tribe of the Sith's occupation and its propaganda machine." Before any cries of disbelief or outrage could erupt, Coduyo'po'nekri continued.

"Yes, the Jedi Order made many mistakes throughout the eons, and will undoubtedly make countless more for as long as it exists in any incarnation. But they have learned from their failures and have sufficiently adapted to meet the needs of peoples outside of their eons-old obligations to a single government or an ancient cosmic power."

"And now, we need to take a similar approach if we hope to survive the revival of the Iskalloni, Tofs, Ebruchi, Sorcerers of Rhand, and Vagaarai, and protect those in danger from every one of them and their Sith patrons."

"Forgive me, but exactly how can we trust that once we open our borders to the outsiders, they will not take advantage of us? How can we be sure that our sovereignty over the Ascendancy will be upheld?" Erighal'ok'sumf, one of the two syndics representing the Erighal Great Family, skeptically questioned.

Unfortunately, to his shock, he saw precious few of his allies nodding in agreement, for it seemed the scavenger's words were gaining traction from many members of this once-prestigious body.

"I don't believe Coduyo'po'nekri was claiming as such in his imploring message." Arazi'ar'alani pointedly challenged. "And there is always the risk of interference by outside forces, or even those from within that fear change so greatly, they shut out any possibility of adapting. But we will be able to take control of such matters after our enemies and their dark plots have been crushed. Right now, our people's survival is what matters most. All other concerns are secondary."

Seeing that the mood of the chamber was growing apprehensive, Saganu tactfully suggested, "You have given us much to consider, honored representatives. Considering all that we have learnt, I believe we should take an hour-long recess to process these words before we reconvene to hear our guests' final piece."

Momentarily glaring at the charismatic Aristocra with a suspicious glint in his eyes, Ba'Kif reluctantly seconded the motion, "Very well. The summit shall reconvene in exactly one hour, and hope that the best course is laid for the Chiss Ascendancy."

Quietly typing on his personal questis data-link reader, the Chiss version of a datapad, he sent the message to Sev'eere'nuruodo, and was quietly relieved once he saw her gaze of mutual understanding and agreement.

It was time for them to take a gamble with the Alliance of Light and disclose to their chosen few the Ascendancy's best-kept secret regarding the controversial legacy of Mitth'raw'nuruodo and his exstensive usage of cloning in his service to the Empire.

A titanic gamble, but if the Syndicature did not see reason and fully commit itself to this joint cause, then the Defense Force and the Aristocracy would have to risk the unthinkable if they were to keep their civilization alive. And, ironically enough, Senior Captain Kivu'raw'nuru had long sought to meet the successors of those who defeated his greatest inspiration. So, when the Chiss stood at the precipice of destruction, now would be the best time for him to do so.

The supreme general just hoped Jan, Khedyrn, and perhaps Master Durron, could keep this kind of secret from their subordinates. He needed a handful of individuals he could trust with this responsibility, one from each of the divisions in the Alliance's factions to help coordinate this covert force. But if it failed or leaked out, the political firestorm it would unleash would be a force strong enough to tear the Ascendnacy apart from the seams.

Within the Gargon System

Aboard the Turbulent-class Star Destroyer Mandator

Drikl Lecerscen, a former prestigious Moff of the Galactic Empire, one-time co leader of a conspiracy to overthrow both the Empire and Galactic Alliance, and currently, and now an ally of the One Sith, was in his private cabin, listening intently to the report coming in from the latter's top-ranked agent in the Mandalorian Protectors.

According to the mole, Boba Fett was about to receive an influx of reinforcements from proactive and glory-hungry Hutt kajidic Parella Jiramma Baco, Galactic Alliance Security commander Thern Savar and a battalion of Security agents and elite Void Jumpers, and several Imperial strike forces that were being led by Jedi Council member and Imperial usurper Jaina Solo Fel.

Well, the Imperials were being held up, thanks to the BAMR tabloid bombshell on the Empire's reorganization, and that kept the Jedi coalition's forces from committing themselves to the Mandalorians' relief force through the latter's antagonism with all Force Users.

An unfortunate piece of news for the Alliance of Light, for the agent had just divulged to Drikl where this attack squadron was currently rendezvousing at, one sector away from the contested Mandalore Sector within the outskirts of the Demetras's Sector's Phindar System.

And with the Jedi Order's current Sword of the Jedi detached from just about any allies, now was the perfect time for the One Sith to take one of their most powerful adversaries off the dejarik board and severely damage the Alliance's offensive capabilities. It was a sentiment completely shared by Lord Wyyrlok and Belok Rhal, the Supreme Commander of the Mandalorian supremacists of the Neo Death Watch, which was why Drikl was preparing to personally lead the attack fleet against the would-be liberators.

Only the approval for launching the attack remained, and then the onslaught could begin. Then, perhaps Drikl could prove to the One Sith of his usefulness and help them rebuild once they retreated from every war front.

Despite the ex-Moff's power-hungry nature, even he knew better than to cross the Sith, and especially prove himself expendable to beings who could dispose of him with little more than an afterthought. And with Natasi Daala exiled from the known galaxy and his allegiance to Darth Krayt made public, there was no one left for him to find refuge with.

Unfortunately, the true struggle for his survival lay in his ability to stay useful to them with their campaigns turning against them because of the insufferable Jedi Palpatine and the alliance he laid the foundations for. The signs of the Sith going into exile once again were all around him, but he had no desire to go down with the rest of their disposable and clueless pawns, just like he would have been if he had continued to serve Daala.

The Sith would need leaders and proxies to help them rebuild their armies and allow them to stay one step ahead of their mortal adversaries, and Drikl had every intention of making the cut.

It was the only path he would accept for himself; he deserved better than to be discarded by the galaxy after all his years of plotting and clawing his way to the heights of power he held.

But first, there were a few loose ends he had to help the Sith tie up, ones that involved capturing or silencing two rogue high-ranking Imperials that served Daala's anti-Force crusade. From what little Drikl had learnt from Wyyrlok, someone was giving the madwoman's fleets of fugitives a secure haven and were likely backing the full scope of her research, and Lord Krayt had tasked the two with uncovering all they could on these unseen patrons.

At the very least, such efforts might give the Sith another key scientist for their research in all esoteric matters, and they could never have too many brilliant and demented minds on their forced payroll.

Fortunately, Drikl had just received a transmission from his Sith advisor and smiled at the set of orders he was given. In just under one standard week, he would be able to put aside his hypothetical assessments for the time being and focus on doing some actual damage to his enemies.

He just needed to wait for Lord Wyyrlok's arrival as a force to deal with the Alliance task force's Jedi. If the Sith used a wormhole to create a shortcut, then it would tip off Jaina's people and likely preempt their attack on the blockade while increasing solidarity between the Alliance's factions. That only left more conventional methods of travel.

Besides, no one wanted to risk destroying all of space and time through continuous usage of these small tears in the fabric of this plane of reality.

Contacting the Mandator's bridge, he ordered his XO, "Prepare all ships for departure to the rendezvous point. I want the fleet to launch before I return to the bridge."

Deep Space, Just Outside the Phindar System

Aboard the Chelandion-class Warship Varl's Archon

"Listen, you stubborn fools, I do not care for your pointless grudge against a leader and warrior of Master Solo Fel's stature. All of us are here to help you purge the Sith and their puppets from your sector, and right now, you cannot afford to turn away anyone's help. The Neo Death Watch and rogue Imperials are blockading your sector and squeezing the life out of your people, so we will have to act fast before they can complete their work." Parella Jiramma Baco, Hutt kajidic and leader of the Hutt Grand Council's Mandalore task force, gruffly stated to the assembled Mandalorian clan leaders.

Much to everyone's surprise, and Parella's amusement, the Hutt clan leader had not been like most members of his species and did not care for politics when they interfered with a mission. And the Mandalorian Protectors, still in an uproar over Jaina's difficult decision to help reorganize the Galactic Empire, was proving to be a greater obstacle for the stubborn warriors, especially the warrior clan leaders.

No one expected Jaina to appear with this force, not unless she arrived with a strong force to give the Protectors the strength to crush Lecerscen's blockade. But since Jagged, in his position as Head of State, had her open a wormhole to take a battalion of Imperial commandos a galactic sector bordering the Mandalorians', the first wave of Imperial aid was either a much-needed bit of relief, or a time bomb waiting to blow up in everyone's faces.

In the meantime, Jaina would help oversee the preparations for the remainder of the Empire's Mandalore task force, along with twenty of her best Jedi and their apprentices. While she wished she could help her husband deal with the political front in this war, they both agreed that her talents would better be suited on the battlefield, so she quietly slipped away during the chaos of the interrupted summit.

While the summit between the Jedi, Galactic Alliance, and Imperials tempered many of the warriors' disgust with the comprehension of the Empire's precarious position, it still left many uncertain of the merits of allying with a Jedi-dominated government. Those doubts only grew with the Maladians having launched a blatant attack on the capital world of Coruscant, and even a failed assassination attempt was enough to make many minds think twice of working with Force Users.

And the Hutt's blunt and unrepentant tongue threatened to destroy any chance of an alliance between the various factions, with only Boba Fett and Bardan Skirata's wise words of counsel on the need for a counterbalance against the Sith and Lecerscen's blockade keeping the meeting going.

But before Parella could utter another scathing remark to the prideful Mandalorians, a tanned human woman in an Imperial Special Forces uniform barged her way into the meeting, and she did not look very happy with the state of these negotiations.

"What do you want, you kriffing Imp chakaar?" Noroc Vevut spat.

"The name's Iden Versio, Sir. Commanding Officer of Inferno Squadron, and I'm here to knock some sense into you idiots and remind you all of exactly what it is you're fighting for." Iden stood her ground. "While you're all quarreling over politics and what-ifs, your families and friends are preparing to face oblivion at the hands of the Sith and their dupes. I would have thought such renowned warriors such as the Mandalorians would have their priorities sorted out when it comes to war."

"And just what do you know of our people?" Venku irritably challenged.

"I study all potential threats to the Empire in case we have to go up against them, and that includes your people and even the Jedi, with the both of you and your fallen members in the top five in my list of possible future enemies." Iden admitted with a ghost of a smile crossing her lips.

"Cute. But it doesn't change the fact that we've got our own set of problems and allying with the Jedi will only amplify them to the boiling point." Baltan reminded the female Imperial.

"You are going to have to work with us sooner or later. I'd suggest using the next eight days to bring your people into line, because the rest of the Imperials will be ready to attack Lecerscen's blockade by then." Jaina objectively pointed out.

"So, you still think of yourself as a Jedi? Even after all you said on that mad broadcast?" Sintas suspiciously asked.

"I won't be leaving the Order until this war's over." Jaina stated. "I can settle my affairs with them after we give the galaxy a bit of stability. It's the least I can do to help manage a peaceful transition for both the Jedi and Empire."

"But right now, we need to put our differences aside and stop doing exactly what the Sith want us to do. They've got us so wound up fighting each other that we can't see past our blasted tunnel vision and realize what we can do when we work together."

"I know that better than anyone, because I was like that for a long time." Jaina admitted. "All I could see was one battle after another throughout so many wars, and constantly losing friends or loved ones to all sorts of evils. It blinded me to the possibility of reaching out to people outside my comfort zone and forming new bonds."

"I had to lose countless of my friends and come to the Empire before I started to see things through another lens. Suddenly, there were people outside my circle of trust that needed help, and I saw things not through a skewered lens or judged them by the mad few, but through a clear lens."

"I learned not to judge the Empire's citizens through old history or its arrogant elite, but I got to know so many of them as individuals. And that helped ground me and help me see what the galaxy needed if it's to achieve a new era of true and lasting peace."

"And what's that? A giant outpour of Light from the Jedi and the Force? Or maybe more mysticism and another crusade against the unrighteous?" Ghes bitterly and slightly sarcastically asked.

"Nothing so drastic, Ghes." Jaina seriously answered while shaking her head. "We just need more everyday people standing up for what's right and looking beyond their own interests to put others first, whether they're loved ones or even complete strangers. That's why so many people are rallying towards the Alliance of Light, a cause a single Jedi Knight spearheaded. They all just want an end to the fighting and to protect those they care for, or at least honor their memory going forward."

"Bold words, but I wonder how much they're worth since they come from those who fight alongside Hutts and other rogues." Goran suspiciously pointed out. "Even if this particular Hutt is an athletic aberration amongst his people."

"It can't be any worse than working alongside mercenaries who are said to work for the highest bidder without any morals." Iden quipped, before reminding the clan leaders, "Maybe you should take a page from your sector's previous leader, and work for a higher cause, whether it's for your sector's prosperity and protection or the defeat of longtime enemies of yours."

"What do you know of Fenn Shysa, Versio?" Baltan growled at the careless mention of the last Mandalore before Boba took over as the ruler of the Mandalorians.

"Enough to know that he was a rare leader amongst leaders and knew how to change with the times to help his people stay relevant and afloat. It's time for you all to take a page from him." Iden calmly answered.

"These Sith started a civil war to take over your society, so it'd make sense for you to find allies of your own to neutralize their advantage. And if any of your people disapprove or doubt you, then you can either get them to fall in line or send a message to the dissenters that will make them see the price of mutiny." Parella concluded, surprising everyone with his diplomatic tongue after his previous brutal language.

Venku, surprising everyone, actually chuckled a bit at the remarks, "I see the three of you have spines of genuine beskar. A shame none of you are Mando'ade. You'd probably fit right in with all of our people."

"But what does that mean for the future of this alliance?" Iden pressed.

"It means, as insane as it sounds, that you're right in your crude assessment." Boba gruffly admitted. "We'll get our people in line for the Alliance of Light, but it'll take us a few days to get word to all of our battlefronts. And you'll have to uphold your end of the bargain and get us the breathing room we'll need to stay in the game, at least until you can send us enough force to deal with our nest of traitors."

"How long do you need to settle your affairs?" Jaina questioned. "If my people stay here for too long, they'll only be a giant target for the One Sith. And they'll need to conserve our fuel and energies for when we engage Lecerscen's blockade. No sense in blowing resources on small fish when we can go for the pack's head."

"Give us five days to get our people on board, and then you can come charging in like the kriffing heroes you desperately want to be." Goran amusingly acknowledged, before he asked Jaina, "And if you could, can you spare a message to Falleen and give Medrit my regards? Dinua and the kids really miss him."

Knowing how long it had been since the atypical Mandalorian family had been together since their people's civil war began, Jaina promised, "I'll take care of that once this meeting's over."

"Thank you. I appreciate the gesture." Goran gratefully acknowledged, before the Mandalorians closed their transmission and left Iden, Jaina, and Parella to their devices.

"And now, we wait?" Parella disappointedly asked. He craved a glorious hunt and having to delay his task for even one week could alter his entire strategy. Still, even he knew better than to take on an impossible battle on his own.

"And now, you wait." Jaina confirmed. "At least this way, you'll be able to hit Lecerscen and the Sith from two fronts when you guys and the Protectors assault the blockade."

"And we can still send out a few scouts to probe the blockade's strength. After all, there's no sense lounging around like a bunch of lazy Lurmen when there are so many wars raging." Iden insightfully pointed out.

Falleen, Lajinda Outskirts

Aboard the Mon Adapyne

Han Solo could hardly believe how deeply his family was wounded by tragedy and loss. He already lost his two sons, Anakin and Jacen, to war and betrayal, his best friend, Chewbacca when he sacrificed his life to save dozens aboard the Millennium Falconwhen Sernpidal was destroyed by the Yuuzhan Vong, and his sister-in-law Mara when Jacen killed her to complete his Sith ascension.

But the losses might soon add on, for Jaina was about to leave the Jedi behind for her Imperial throne and start her own Force order, and according to General Farlander, Luke was waging a fight for his life on the edge of known space from the toll those damned the Force wormholes and the toll they took on the Jedi.

And Allana, she played her whole family by siding with Edaan in his lunacy of "redeeming" Vestara Khai and helping him prepare his demented mission. He could not believe she would do so after Vestara nearly got her killed, and how the Sith schutta had killed and clawed her way to power after fleeing the repercussions of her actions.

How could everyone not see what Vestara truly was? Sure, the Sith smooka might be on the up-and-up for now, but it was only a matter of time until she betrayed everyone once again and got so many people burned in the process, and that was if they were lucky.

Fortunately, Han was not going to be fooled by her beguiling tricks or whatever pathetic excuses she or her Mandalorian partner might conjure up this time. And when the two of them revealed her true colors for the last time, they would have nothing to look forward to by the cold muzzle of a blaster against each of their cranial cavities.

But until then, he'd have to keep his guard up around everyone if he did not want them to catch onto his plans. That was why he was working hard on customizing the YT-5100 Shriek-class bomber Allana had procured for him. While it might be a horrible bribe, it would do the Solos well as a temporary substitution for the Falcon until it was repaired from their adventures on Honoghr. And it could help him deal with his mounting stress over the danger his daughter and brother-in-law were in across the galaxy.

But before he completed his modifications, he had to come up with a good name for the vessel. After all, just referring to it by its serial number was anathema to the old scoundrel. But he would wait until Leia was back from her mission, and he was ready to hear Allana's desperate plea to give the Sith woman another chance, since this would hopefully be a vessel they would be using as a family.

He might be holding a terrible grudge, but he fiercely loved his family, and would not deny them this rare moment of simple joy during this mad war.

Within the Port of Huor

Inside the Rude Awakening

"You'll take good care of our client's ship, right?" Atai diplomatically asked the port master as he provided the access codes for the Rude Awakening. The Zygerrian, while seeing the flawless logic in taking the rest of the journey to Port Nowhere in civilian craft, felt anxious at leaving Edaan's vessel out of the entire crew's trusted hands. "None of us can afford to lose his prized possession, or he and his wife may very well try to murder us."

"Relax, Ambassador Molec." The port master calmly interrupted. "We're on the same side. A certain exiled prince informed me of this arrangement with the Jedi and your secondary team, and paid me a hefty sum to keep your vessels in prime condition for your return."

"It's good to know the prince has many friends all across the planet." Akku stoically answered, slightly unnerving the elder Falleen with his trademark calm before reminding her, "I expect you to keep our friend's ship in pristine condition. Not a single scratch or bit of tinkering outside of the standard maintenance by your crew."

"Oh, relax. I'm a professional."

"Good. However, if you or any of your employees try to make a little extra bunch of credits with any harebrained schemes regarding us or this vessel, well… they might very well lose their minds." Akku's tendrils slightly poked out from his cheeks, and that instantly got the woman's attention and dread.

"R-right. I'll give them the message." She urgently spattered before taking Atai's datapad and bolting away.

After the woman fled, Ben, disguised behind his black dye and pilgrim garb, warily glared at Akku, "I thought you abstained from drinking a person's Soup."

"He does, but the dock master doesn't know that." Lona pointed out. "Now she'll be extra vigilant for any spies in her ranks over the next couple of weeks while we're gone."

"Still, that might have been a bit excessive. Too much fear could easily backfire in our faces." Atai warned.

"I'll be sure to take it under advisement." Akku chuckled. "We'd better get going. The mission leader will not be pleased if we make everyone late for our commercial flights."

"Never thought I'd hear a Mandalorian of your caliber and reputation say that." Ben chuckled as the last of the crew departed the pinnace infiltrator. Hopefully, the repartee between the mixed crew could continue to grow as they undertook their first reconnaissance mission.

Just Outside the Falleen Throne Capital City

Aboard the CEC Consular-class Cruiser Dark Beauty

"You all right, Lady Phasma?" Meeka, Farghul bounty hunter and agent of the One Sith, queried the Sith Lady as the corvette departed for Port Nowhere, snapping the human woman out of her treasonous thoughts.

"Fine." Phasma automatically replied. "Merely contemplating what kind of mercenaries King Redhan has for us. They had best be a tough bunch if they hope to stand up to some of the Alliance's elite."

"I heard they're a mixed bunch of rogue Noghri, Dashade, and Nikto from the Morgukai order. They'll be a tough bunch for Palpatine Jr.'s crew and our turncoats to deal with."

"I wish everyone had your kind of enthusiasm." Phasma ruefully admitted, even as she knew she needed to find a way to warn the Alliance of Light on this development. Why had she not been told of this sooner? "I'm sure it'd do wonders for our floundering morale."

"What's gotten you so depressed all of a sudden?" Meeka disbelievingly asked. "I thought you're a rock of iron for this army and a true leader, not one of those Jedi weaklings. You don't want the others seeing you so ashamed over a few misfortunes."

"Sure, we missed the Chief of State and didn't get Palpatine Jr. or Daala right now. But we still have the so-called 'Alliance of Light' stretched thin, and all our enemies will crack when placed under enough pressure. Then we'll reap the rewards of all our efforts and get what we deserve."

Reap the rewards and get what we deserve. Phasma lamented. How could Meeka be so eager to spread more chaos and misery throughout the galaxy, all to claim a supposed "Throne of Balance" Lord Krayt deemed essential to stopping Abeloth once and for all. Misery and death only beget more of the same, and it would lead the galaxy into absolute ruin unless it was nipped in the bud.

Even as such words solidified Phasma's dedication to leave the One Sith behind, it filled her with an even deeper regret over the imminent day she would betray all her friends and beloved brother for the Jedi. She knew she could never convince Meeka of the merits of leaving the Sith behind, not after all the trauma the old Jedi Order inflicted on her family, even if they were death stick dealers and criminal kingpins.

But even if she could not save a friend, she could at least save two of her fellow Sith from the darkness that was gripping their hearts. She owed Oculus and Sariss that much after learning of the lies that drove them straight into the One Sith's arms, and hoped the Jedi could help lead them back into the Light once they unveiled the truth to them.

They just needed to start their way back to their old home by following up on the clues Phasma left for both of them. Hopefully the next few days of surveillance and preparing their ambush against the Alliance would give them the time and incentive to do just that.

Dathomir, Allya Mountains

Within the Jedi Praxeum's Medical Wing

"We were lucky Artoo warned us of their condition, and we were able to get them into bacta tanks when we did." Solana Ti, Jedi Master of Dathomiri descent, breathed a sigh of relief to Kirana Ti, her aunt and one of the three founders of the Jedi Praxeum as they observed the two Palpatines float in one bacta tank each.

"Another hour or two left untreated, and Adari's heart would probably have given out from the stress of the Red Twin System's destruction. And don't even get me started on Jedi Palpatine's internal bleeding and organ damage from opening the wormhole. They'll need at least eighteen hours in their bacta tanks before they're able to wake up." Solana continued.

"Calm yourself, Solana. You're making quite a scene in front of your superiors." Tekli, a diminutive Chandra-Fan Jedi Master and one of the Order's lead healers, squeakily pointed out.

"Sorry. I'm just on edge from everything that's going on." Solana apologized.

"Aren't we all?" Kirana ruefully agreed. "But we all know that the worst is yet to come."

Glancing at Edaan, she additionally mused, "And Artoo warned me, Masters Streen, Damaya, and Tekli of Edaan's unique circumstances, and we'll need to prepare him for the new set of trials he'll be set to face once he is back on his feet and can begin his honeymoon with Adari."

"If he's the shatterpoint of the galaxy that you and so many on the Council believe, then he'll have to rise up to the challenge and win against these new demons. But then again, he has managed to overcome every other challenge that came before him, so we shouldn't expect anything less of him." Solana reflected.

"But this will be the ultimate test of his soul and resolve." Kirana reminded the youngest Jedi woman. "He'll need the support of all his loved ones to win this war for his spirit."

Everyone just hoped that Edaan would be able to win this fight. Otherwise, the consequences would not just devastate the Jedi and their allies, but the entire galaxy. The last thing anyone wanted was a new Darth Sidious running rampant across and spreading fear and misery throughout every world.

Batuu, Black Spire Outpost

Inside Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities

Fascinating. Dok-Ondar mused. According to the information he was picking up from the stray transmissions, at least two divisions of soldiers and ships were landing in the Batuu Resistance's probable headquarters after breaking through Dician's planetary blockade.

This could give him the perfect opportunity to help strike back against the Sith and their puppet cult for co-opting and devastating his network of informants, never mind his cripple his business and drain his collection of Force artifacts to fuel their senseless war.

But first, he had to determine if the Jedi would be willing to bargain with him and honor his commitment to honoring and studying both sides of the Force, as the Je'daii Order of the ancient Tython System one did.

That meant he had to figure out if Xasha Xizor was genuine in her desire to atone for her complicity in the One Sith's supposed Grand Design. The timing of her latest actions and behavior, and the Resistance's coordinated attacks on fifteen of the Sith's depots was too well-planned out to be labeled as simple coincidence.

But still, if she was doing Dician's dirty work and leading the Alliance of Light into a trap, then he had to be prepared to pull the united forces out of the snare before it destroyed what little beauty remained of this once-pristine world.

And he had to find a way to warn them of his suspicions of the Black Spire Ruins, and why Dician placed her headquarters deep within the ancient structure.

From what little he managed to decipher of the structures before the Sith moved in, it was an old Rakatan factory of some kind. Whether it was like the Star Forge, the droid-producing Foundry facility, or other various terraforming or xenoforming engines that could reshape life to whatever suited the users' needs, it did not matter, for even Dok-Ondar, in his boundless curiosity and research into the Force knew that every piece of Rakatan technology must be destroyed once the facility's purpose was understood.

Every bit of the extinct civilization's technology was too out of balance to be safely used by anyone and would only drag everyone it encountered into the Dark Side's eternal grip. He only hoped the Jedi could convince their greedier allies of this inevitability. One thing the galaxy never needed to experience again was another Rakatan entity threatening to enslave every mind and body to its whims like when Vitiate's Sith Empire rediscovered The Imprisoned One on Tatooine near the Cold War's end.

Three Hours Later

Csilla, Cssplar

Within the Defense Fleet Headquarters

"Well, I didn't think the Syndicate would vote three-to-one in our favor." Khedryn approvingly noted to Jan and Kyp as they awaited the arrival of Ba'Kif, Sev'eere'nuruodo, and their final representative that was kept mysterious for security reasons. "Usually, they take at least a week to make a decisive decision like this one. Guess they're in even dire straits than they're letting on."

"How would you know about that, Faal?" Jan noted. "You've got favors all the way out here?"

"I lived among Chiss for a few years after everyone was rescued from Outbound Flight's ruins, and one hears plenty of rumors and news from fringe elements on Fhost and other fringe worlds." Khredryn explained.

"I think the bigger question is why the three of us are all that's needed for a follow-up meeting." Kyp suspiciously piped up. "This seems too much like a conspiracy meeting to my liking."

"I would not go that far, Master Durron." A hologram of an elderly Chiss male, possibly in his mid-forties and in a Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet senior captain's uniform, appeared and abruptly appeared and apologized. "I ask your forgiveness for the sudden interruption, but time is of the essence for us all. You might have won the first victory on the battlefield of Chiss politics, but the real war is about to begin, and the three of you need to be briefed on certain matters within my home territory."

"But where are my manners? Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Kivu'raw'nuru, senior captain of the Chiss Ascendancy Expansionary Defense Fleet. But you can refer to me by my core name of Vurawn if it is easier for you." Kivu'raw'nuru politely introduced himself.

"It is an honor to meet you all: Alpha Blue chief and general of the Galactic Alliance, Jan Ors Katarn; Jedi Council Member and chief of the Order's Starfighter Corps, Kyp Durron; and smuggler and salvager chief and returning Jedi ally Khedryn Faal. I have heard many impressive things about you all from my patrons, and I look forward to working with you and your people in the months to come."

"As much as I appreciate your friendly nature and knowledge on us all, you have us all at a disadvantage." Jan respeectfully pointed out. "I take it your patrons are the ones responsible for the six white noise machines embedded throughout the room and have us meeting with Aristocra Sev'eere'nuruodo and Supreme General Ba'Kif."

"I'd be more surprised if those two aren't his patrons." Kyp added. "This whole thing seems too much like an off-the-books meeting from a spy holofilm."

"And everyone is sure you know much about those from your own maverick dealings during the Yuuzhan Vong War, Master Durron." Ba'Kif spoke while he and Sev'eere'nuruodo entered the room. "If you could take a seat, we have a great deal to discuss in order to give our forces the best chance we'll have against our mutual enemies."

"And we will not have much time before they make their move on the Chiss Ascendancy." He warned the off-worlders. "Senior Captain Kivu'raw'nuru and his agents have intelligence on the Sith's entire strategy, information that could determine the course of this war."

"And how did one captain and his crew do what your entire secret police could not?" Khedryn suspiciously questioned.

"That, Captain Faal, is the real reason we called you here." Sev'eere'nuruodo gravely answered. "We needed allies we can trust to work alongside the last living genetic relative of Mitth'raw'nuruodo."

The shock that emitted off the three humans was obvious to all the Chiss, and Kyp took the initiative to break the ice by dumbfoundedly saying, "Well, I think we'll need a lot more information here for this bombshell of an admission."

"And we will be more than happy to provide it, Master Durron." Vurawn agreed. "Now, let us get started."

Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple

Within the Grand Master's Office

"Thank you for delivering our wounded Jedi back to us." Kyle gratefully bowed to Sabine and Sidon. "They'll need plenty of rest and recuperation after everything you all went through. I just wish we could have anticipated the Sith and this new batch of players that entered the mix. It might've allowed us to save Vice Admiral Remal and the rest of our people."

"You can give your thanks to Master Skywalker and his followers' shabla wormhole once they properly recover." Sabine clarified. "Without that bunch of crazies, none of us would be here right now. We got lucky today."

"Yes." Kyle solemnly nodded. "What will you do now? There are plenty of war fronts out there, and we'll need every able-bodied and experienced fighter we can."

"As soon as our ships are repaired and all our crews get a couple days of rest, we'll head out to Falleen and Batuu. We need to take out Dician and her anarchical cult before they can do anymore damage to the galaxy." Sidon explained.

"A sensible strategy." Kyle agreed, before enigmatically requesting, "But perhaps both of you and a few of your elite teams can stick around for a few more days, and hopefully help the Jedi Order with a bit of a, how shall we say it, housekeeping issue in our staff."

"What exactly are you talking about?" Sidon skeptically questioned.

"He means the Jedi have a nest of traitors in their ranks and staff, and you two would be perfect for helping us wrangle them in." A young woman, dressed in mercenary armor of a design foreign to both Sidon and Sabine, answered as she spoke for the first time, surprising the two mercenaries.

"Did you have to say it so freely and nonchalantly, Grace?" Kyle sighed.

"Hey, it brought the point home for them, didn't it?" Grace shrugged.

"And just who are you to be involved in such clandestine matters?" Sabine raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"I'm the lead investigator of the Aquillian Republic's advance force sent to aid the Jedi Order in its war against the One Sith." Grace answered. "Anything else is classified for the time being."

"Then that's why you asked for us." Sabine knowingly accused Kyle, ignoring Grace for the moment. "With Masters Skywalker and Horn in intensive care, you're going to need us to help root out the traitors before they can sabotage any more of our plans."

"Exactly, and we don't have much time before we have to move against them." Kyle confirmed. "So, are you in, or out?"

"If the price is right." Sabine shrugged while being kind enough to grace the Jedi Grand Master an amused smile. "I gotta pay what's left of my battalion somehow throughout this mad war."

"I'll talk to a few crews and see if they're willing to stay and exchange information and tricks with your Jedi." Sidon added. "It'll be a decent cover for giving you more manpower in capturing your traitors and using them against the Sith."

"Thank you both." Kyle gratefully acknowledged. "We only have a few days, six at most, to finalize our plans before we arrest the traitors, and we'll need all the help we can get."

"Then we had better hope that your wounded Jedi can pull through." Sidon grimly reminded Kyle.

"And in the meantime, you can tell us what in blazes the Aquillian Republic is supposed to be." Sabine curiously eyed Grace.

Well, I think this would be a sufficient place to end the chapter. And like all the others, it was a diligent labor of love and determination, so I hope that you enjoy it. I think after this chapter is released, I'll start Part II of this story, as I'll divide it into three main sections and the epilogue. I ought to make my story more professional and more like a novel. Who knows, maybe one day I can make it an actual story. And as for the connection to Thrawn, well, I'm going to take a page from Timothy Zahn and use an idea he mentioned off-handedly in his Legends novel, Survivor's Quest and was featured much more prominently in The Hand of Thrawn Duology. I think most of you can guess what I'm talking about, but I'll make it clear later on.

So, how are you all doing on this cool day of Sunday, November 7, 2021? I'm doing well, if a bit sad since it'll be the 80thanniversary of the Date Which Will Live in Infamy a month from today. Man, what has happened to the world since that horrible war ended? It just seems like all the sacrifices we gave up in order to keep freedom alive throughout the world are being thrown away and disgraced. But then again, every generation goes through trials of suffering and change, so I suppose it's all a matter of perspective. (Doesn't mean I'm still untroubled or dissatisfied with the current state of things.) I don't know, I'm just rambling a bit to vent and ask some tough questions for everyone, especially myself. In other news, I'm going to reread more of Star Wars: The New Jedi Order:Dark Tide II: Siege in a little while, and it'll be a great read. And I'm almost done with my final college course, with under six weeks left, and one more major project standing between me and graduation. Well, I think that's enough talk on my part. I need to get this chapter stored away, since I'll have to wait at least a week until it's ready for publishing because I haven't gotten Chapter 7 done. I hope you all can wait a little while. May God be with us all in these difficult times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

(Sunday, November 14, 2021, Addendum.) Good afternoon, everyone. How are you doing on this cool weekend day? I'm doing good, as I'm almost ready to publish this chapter, but I just need to get the revised draft a final look over from my Beta Reader before it's fully ready. And I finished Star Wars: The New Jedi Order:Dark Tide II: Siege and have been reading through a good US history book for my final course and a potential topic for my final presentation. It's quite an enlightening and entertaining read. And I need to say that I'll be much slower with my updates for a while, given my commitment to planning out my next act, and my school and work commitments keeping me occupied for a while. Oh, and I'll be reading Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy III: Lesser Evil in four days or so once my copy comes in, so I'll need time to digest the material and see if I can use some of it in either of my sagas. Well, I suppose that is it for now. I hope that you have a blessed evening, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!