Hey, everyone! How are you all doing on this warm night of Saturday, November 20, 2021? I'm doing well, as it's my sister's birthday today, and it's a big milestone for her. I can't believe she'll soon be off to college and living her own life. Man, things are getting scary, in more ways than one. So, I took a little break from writing to focus on my final project for college, and I've gotten a head start on it, which gives me a little time to regroup and start Act 2 of my story. But first, I think I'll mix things up and set up an interim chapter to set the stage for Act 2. Oh, and I've begun to read Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy III: Lesser Evil earlier today, and it's a good read so far. I can't wait to read more later tomorrow. In other news, things are getting even more hectic across the country and the rest of the world, and I believe that we need God in our lives more than ever. But if you feel differently about this, then I ask you to stay respectful with me, as I have strived to be that way with others, even if I may not always succeed with that task. So, with all that out of the way, I figured I'd get started on my next chapter of this wonderful story. May God be with us all in these chaotic times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
(Monday, November 22, 2021, Addendum.) Hey, everyone! How are you doing on this warm night? I'm doing well, as I've written about 4.5k words in this chapter and wanted to let you know that I'm currently watching a movie titled The Last Full Measure. I'm confident it will be a powerful piece in many ways, so many of which we could use right about now in so many of my fellow countrymen. Also, I will likely need a few more days with this interim chapter, as I will be busy with homework and other matters. At least I'm close to halfway, at least two-fifths, done with the first draft. And I've read through a huge chunk of Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy III: Lesser Evil, almost half of the book over the last three days. It's a great piece, and I think I can use some of it for my works, or at least use it as a bit of a framework in my next saga. Now, I'd better take a break and charge my laptop in a little while for schoolwork tomorrow. I hope you all have a blessed night and stay safe and sane in these mad times.
Four Days Later
0900 Hours, Elona 24th, 59 ABY
Dathomir, Jedi Praxeum
Edaan heard his heartbeat pounding throughout his skull, and instinctively reached with his prosthetic right hand to grip his forehead. But when he tried to move his limbs, he found himself wincing in pain as he felt a prodding needle move inside him and turned to see an IV tube providing nourishment to his body, along with several medical scans monitoring his life signs.
Well, that's not a good sign. Edaan winced as he lowered his arm, right as he remembered his exhaustion from opening a wormhole to Dathomir to get Adari the necessary medical help she needed from a star system's destruction. Moving his head a little more to the left to see Adari resting peacefully, he calmed himself down with a Jedi breathing exercise.
Resisting the urge to reach out with the Force to feel the state of the galaxy, confident how the Sith were hunting for him and any way to harm the Jedi and their friends and allies, he wondered exactly how long he had been unconscious and in the medical wing.
Hearing Artoo whistle his excitement to his right at the door's entrance, Edaan gratefully smiled, "It's good to see you too, buddy. Do you think you could please get the healers and let them know I'm back in the land of the living? I'm sure Adari won't be far behind me in waking up."
"I'm already up, luv." Adari's sweet voice tiredly entered the conversation. "I've been resting for the last five hours after Master Tekli and her apprentice examined us."
"Tekli?" Edaan repeated, before warmly smiling at his wife. "At least our honeymoon and retreat will have a few more familiar and friendly faces."
"That won't be for at least another two days of rest and recuperation for both of you, young Palpatines." An elderly human woman sternly told the couple, one dressed in old Dathomir robes and skins, having a lightsaber attached to her belt, and a thick walking stick that doubled as a secondary offensive weapon.
"Master Ti." Edaan respectfully nodded towards the Jedi Council Member, one of Luke Skywalker's original students, and one of the three founders of this world's Jedi Praxeum. "I'm sorry if my arrival threw you for a loop, but I was told Shedu Maad had a, how shall we say, a bit of a pest problem and overcrowding. Besides, I had to get Adari somewhere secure and safe for healing, and your praxeum was the best fit."
"It's understandable, Edaan." Kirana kindly answered. "We know about your discoveries and the Sith spies in our ranks, and we are taking measures to deal with them."
"And you're okay just talking about this in your facility's medical wing?" Adari skeptically raised an eyebrow. "Don't you people have recorders and surveillance cameras throughout the praxeum for security? And aren't you worried about your own possible spies and Nightsister acolytes trying to get in?"
"We've been dealing with the Nightsisters for a long time, Adari. We know their tricks and can counter their schemes most effectively." Kirana assured her. "As for the Sith, Artoo provided us with a list of names, and we arrested the five traitors not two hours ago, along with the rest of the Order's outposts. Grand Master Katarn and Master Skywalker are preparing to deal with the thirty remainder spies on Shedu Maad within the next twelve hours, before they realize their covers are blown."
"I see you've been busy as ever, Master Ti." Edaan chuckled, knowing how productive Kirana liked to be, even in her old age.
"Yes. But it will be good to resign from the Jedi Council soon and take more of a teacher's position within the Order for however many years I have left." Kirana admitted, quite a bombshell for her three guests.
"Hold on, just who will take your position in the Order?" Edaan pointed out. "And what about Master Streen? Does he know about this decision?"
"He was the one who suggested it three weeks ago, and I agreed with him. It's long past time for us to pass the torch to the next generations. Masters Solona and Malicos will be taking over the academy, as well as our Council positions. They are more than qualified for the responsibilities that will soon be thrusted on them." Kirana answered.
As far as Edaan could tell, Solona Ti was an excellent choice as a Council appointee. Being Kirana's niece, a master starfighter ace, and an excellent teacher, she would help maintain the Order's proactive stance and instill its core values on all the Praxeum's students.
But Taron Malicos, a Human-Zabrak hybrid Jedi Master, the last disciple of Augwynne Djo before her ritual murder by the Yuuzhan Vong, was a different matter altogether. Given his aggressive and headstrong nature and wariness of those outside his small circle of trust, Edaan wondered why he was chosen for becoming a leader of the Jedi.
True, he was a brilliant tactician, charismatic leader, and combat instructor, but Edaan always sensed an inner darkness inside of him. Though Edaan had no room to talk he admitted, especially when he remembered studying how Master Durron was, and arguably still is, like a reflection of Taron
"Do they know of the responsibilities about to be thrusted upon them?" Adari questioned, breaking Edaan's train of thought.
"They do, along with Grand Master Katarn and the rest of the Council, through a secure channel that the Sith will not be able to crack anytime soon. All we have to do now is finalize our preparations and find a way to minimize the panic our retirement will cause the Order." Kirana allowed with an amused smile gracing her face.
"How are they taking the news?" Edaan cautiously asked, not to give away any of his reservations towards Taron. Well-founded doubts or not, he did not wish to divide the Jedi on such a critical matter or call out a trusted friend and teacher for a choice that was hers to make.
"They are nervous, which is to be perfectly expected for both of them." Kirana began. "But they both have a deep inner strength and light within them that will get them through this war and help the Order and the galaxy rebuild from all the trauma it has been through."
"They will have their fair share of detractors and obstacles in the coming months, but we all have faith in them. Besides, Master Malicos has come a long way since you last spoke with him, Edaan. The darkness that once lurked deep within his heart has largely been expelled through his efforts to help the people of Dathomir and the Quelli Sector." Kirana assured the youthful Jedi Knight.
Bowing his head, Edaan gratefully answered, "I am relieved to hear it. Perhaps he can give me a few pointers when I start to work on conquering the darkness in my own heart."
"And I'll be sure to take notes for my husband, just in case he forgets with his obsessive memory." Adari quipped.
"I'll be sure to give him the message." Kirana warmly laughed at the couple's bickering.
Still, even as she prepared to depart and give the healers the space to examine the two newlyweds, she made a note to reexamine the praxeum's defenses and reach out to her contacts in the planet's Jedi-aligned tribes. In her meditations following yesterday morning, she felt a kind of dark shadow, one far more insidious than any Nightsister she battled, skirt the edges of her mind, and had a strong hunch her homeworld recently received a few unwelcome guests.
If the Sith or some other evil force had infiltrated Dathomir, then the Jedi and their friends would not be caught unaware like when Vestara Khai and the Lost Tribe came to their world.
Coruscant, Galactic Alliance Navy Command Complex
Within the Chief of Naval Operations' Office
"We have Tyrr and his BAMR cohorts in custody and are preparing to move them to the prison convoys until we can put the lot of them and the terrorists on trial." Garik informed Nek and the rest of the Joint Chiefs.
After Chief of State Yimmon's broadcast divulging the reporter's association with the One Sith and complicity with instigating the riots that ruined much of the capital world's cityscape, Javis and his crew went underground and kept GA Security on a wild mynock chase for three days. It was only due to a loyal citizen tipped them off and allowed the enemy collaborator's group to be apprehended before they could flee the planet.
They, along with nearly three-quarters of the twenty thousand rioters that refused to lay down arms after Yimmon's window of opportunity to surrender closed, would be transferred off world to the rebuilt penal colony of Oovo IV.
"And you're certain that we can hold them there, considering we still don't know how many people we can trust within our ranks." Nek reminded the Galactic Alliance Intelligence's Chief. While he still thought the Alliance's mobile prison system would work better to keep them contained, at least the Sith agent's poisonous influence would be removed from the civilian populace for their date with the courtroom.
"We'll just have to take that chance, considering how we rebuilt Oovo IV to house the majority of the worst criminals that the Alliance is fortunate enough to capture." Garik respectfully countered. "The correctional authorities have also prepared multiple prison convoys for the remaining terrorists once we capture all fifty-five-hundred of them."
"Excellent. As for the damage to the planet, we have Master Hellin and his surviving Jedi aiding Chief of State Yimmon and our rapid response teams, with our humanitarian efforts being headquartered at the Jedi Temple for the time being." Nek added.
"And the Jedi and public are okay with this? That building's been cordoned off for fifteen years, and its only inhabitants since then are the routine maintenance droids." Garik pointed out.
"Chief of State Yimmon authorized the move, and the Jedi on the ground agreed with it. Grand Master Katarn has enough on his plate without having to micromanage every one of his followers. As for the public, they don't care where the supplies come from at this point, as long as they can live a bit longer and keep their freedoms." Gavin Darklighter pointed out, before adding,
"Besides, If the Jedi are going to come back to Coruscant once this war's over, the public needs to know that they'll be working alongside them and not stay holed up in their original headquarters like before."
"That's if the request the Jedi made regarding Ingo Wavlud helping them investigate this supposed underground Sith shrine doesn't backfire beneath them." Garik rebutted. "If what Voren Na'al and the Historical Council told us is true, then the Temple is a far more dangerous place than anyone ever imagined, and we don't want a Sith sympathizer poking around down there."
"That's a risk we're going to have to take if the Jedi are to remove another part of the ancient Sith's legacy." Nek sighed. Keeping this meeting going, he added, "Commander Savar's force is about to rendezvous with the Alliance of Light's Mandalore task. Once Fett's Protectors complete their preparations for the attack by the day's end, everything will be ready to deal a strong blow to Lecersen and his Sith-backed blockade."
"As for Batuu and Falleen, we have agents closely monitoring every aspect of each situation and are working to reallocate forces for every front in this war. The only benefit from Daala and her followers escaping our pursuit is that we can spare a few additional reserve forces to each of the battlefields."
"And Head of State Fel and his Jedi are finally ready to deploy a force to help clean up their rogue Moffs' mess. They're going to be backed up by a fleet's worth of Silentium and Empire of the Hand."
"Excellent. And what of the Chiss Ascendancy? Have we heard any word from Vice Admiral Nevil and his allies?" The Galactic Alliance's Chief of Army Operations, Judder Page, asked no one in particular.
After Stavin Thaal, Judder's corrupt predecessor, was arrested for his participation in the Lecersen Conspiracy, the Army fell under the old commando's jurisdiction. Admired by all for his incorruptibility but reviled by many for his unwavering faith and admiration in the Jedi Order, he had purged many corrupt and self-serving subordinates from the Army's ranks and done much to restore the public's faith in the Alliance's military.
"Communications with the region are slow, at best. But we received word two hours ago that the Aristocracy and Syndicature have formally agreed to an alliance, and they are preparing to help fortify the Ascendancy's outlying worlds while covertly investigating the suspected collaborators on the first six of many Chiss-allied worlds. They too, will soon be receiving aid from portions of the Silentium and Empire of the Hand." The Chief of Starfighter Command, Pash Cracken, informed his longtime friend and fellow successor to another high-ranking member of the Lecersen Conspiracy.
Following his late father's example since he and his entire flight defected from the Galactic Empire, Pash had steadily risen through the ranks of the Rebel Alliance and its successive governments, even doing a stint in Rogue Squadron during the New Republic's early years. He had been a quiet supporter of the Jedi for years, feeding them intelligence on potential Sith bolt holes when the Galactic Alliance's Senate severed all ties with them, contrasting with Judder's vocal criticism of the politicians' short-sighted spitefullness and paranoia hampering the military's effectiveness.
"Very good. Chief of State Yimmon will be relieved to know of these fortunate tidings." Nek nodded. He just hoped the Alliance and their allies could use this newfound momentum to fully turn the tide of this war. The galaxy had seen enough violence and oppression to last several lifetimes over the last eight decades, but that was not the only reason he wanted to end this fighting.
He still recalled with perfect clarity how Abeloth nearly destroyed Coruscant when she took over the Galactic Alliance and would have taken the entire galaxy down with her before she was stopped by both the Jedi and One Sith.
With the chaos gripping just about every world because of the intensity of the Jedi-Sith war, it would make perfect sense for Abeloth to use the darkness to fuel her rebirth. And because of this fear, he was desperate to prevent her return until the Jedi were able to retrieve the Mortis Dagger; the one weapon that could supposedly destroy her for good.
But until the opportunity to rid the galaxy of her presented itself, he would carry out his duty and protect the Galactic Alliance and all its citizens and worlds until his very last breath.
Sartinaynian System
Aboard the Victory III-class Star Destroyer Guardian
Everything was in place. The fleet was fully assembled, and the entire Five-Oh-First Legion was ready to remind the galaxy how the Empire could use its power for the good of all, especially when in conjunction with the Jedi and the rest of the galaxy.
A full force of twelve newly minted Star Destroyers, six Victory III's on loan from the Empire of the Hand, and dozens of support vessels and a convoy of supplies was ready to help their advance force break the Sith-Imperial blockade, with Jaina and her handpicked teams of Jedi leading the charge. And that did not account for the two dozen Silentium that would jam the enemy's communications and keep the enemy in disarray to minimize the Alliance of Light's casualties.
Honestly, Jaina could not be prouder of the liberating force ready to aid the Mandalorian Protectors in resolving their civil war and capturing or destroying any Sith they discovered in the region. Even as she took in the new command vessel and its sleek design, additional turbolaser and missile emplacements, and less vulnerable and more compact command bridge, she prepared herself for the challenges that would soon engulf her life.
Even as her heart grieved for her inevitable separation from the Jedi Order and establishing a Force dynasty, she knew that doing so was the only option left for saving the Empire from succumbing to anarchy. And if it fell, countless lives would be lost, and an entire region would be fertile ground for countless opportunists and self-serving tyrants.
No one desired that outcome, which was why the vast majority of the Empire's citizens were accepting, if rather grudgingly, of the reforms underway by the survivors of Imperial High Command.
Either way, when Abeloth and the next big threat reared their ugly heads after the Sith were destroyed, they would find themselves aghast when the galaxy would stand united against them. And that would be a lasting testament to the legacy Edaan Palpatine was creating when he began his crazy mission of redemption of a single Sith Lady.
The young Jedi Knight's determination and boundless light were able to unite countless disparate groups together and bring out the best in countless souls, instead of them wallowing in self-pity and darkness, or their delusions of grandeur or self-righteousness. That was a gift the galaxy sorely needed after decades of betrayals and jaded cynicism, and Jaina was determined to do her part to ensure that gift did not meet a premature end at anyone's hands.
"Master Solo-Fel?" The fleet commander requested, interrupting the Jedi Master's reflections as she turned to address Admiral Desmond Yage.
One of Empire's most experienced admirals and a longtime reformer, and the first to allow non-humans to supplement the Empire's ranks, Desmond was arguably the best choice to lead the Imperial expedition into Mandalorian Space. "All of our forces are at optimal readiness. We can depart at your command."
"Admiral, there's no need to defer to me on this point." Jaina shook her head. "I am merely your Mandalorian and anti-Sith advisor on this mission. Commanding this fleet is your task, just as Commander Cardinal will be overseeing the groundside part of this operation."
"Yes, but considering the changes underway because of you and your husband, I wonder how much the Empire will be altered from Head of State Riege's dream?" Desmond quietly asked.
Remembering how Desmond was a Reige loyalist over Jagged during the Empire's first election, Jaina quickly grasped what the admiral was implying. "Open a line to the fleet, Admiral. I think we should give our troops a good rousing speech before we set out."
Suspicious of the Jedi Master's orders, but ever a dutiful officer and a little curious with her supposed message, Desmond silently complied. Moments later, he nodded, and Jaina walked up to the center of the bridge to address the fleet,
"To the Five-Oh-First Legion and all fleet officers of our Mandalore task force, allow me to thank you for staying loyal to the Empire through these tumultuous few weeks. You are the best of the Empire's soldiers, not only for your skill and loyalty, but for your honor and conviction that can put many of your rivals to shame."
"I am well aware that many of you have divided loyalties and mixed feelings over the sudden changes that are sweeping over the Empire, and Head of State Fel and I are immeasurably grateful for your noble and well-intentioned concerns. It will be people like you, along with the institutions that you swore to uphold and protect, not the monarchy that will soon established, which will be the primary pillars of the Empire's stability, security, and prosperity once we help the Jedi and the rest of the galaxy destroy the One Sith and their proxies."
"Everyone in Imperial High Command is counting on you to not falter in the face of the dark forces that seek to subvert and destroy all that we hold dear. We need you to remind the galaxy of the strength the Empire holds, and how we have rebuilt it from the ashes of Daala's adherence to the twisted legacy of Darth Sidious's so-called New Order. We need you to stand fast from every threat that endangers us, and work with those that are genuine in their desire to assist us and show them just how well we can now cooperate with others, just as Grand Admiral Pellaeon desired for the Empire before he was murdered."
"I have faith in all of you that we can accomplish all of these and exceed anyone's expectations. Good luck, and May the Force be with us all." Jaina concluded before disconnecting the signal.
Turning to face Admiral Yage, she respectfully proposed, "I know we don't always agree, Admiral, but I hope my husband and I can prove to you of our intentions, and that we can work together to build a better future for all the Empire's citizens. All I ask is that you try to keep an open mind as we prove to the galaxy that the Empire's not out of this fight yet."
Allowing a small smile to grace his chiseled face, Desmond agreed, "After the motivational speech you gave, I can at least agree to that. Besides, I am still a loyal Imperial and will not abandon its soldiers when there are multiple crises across the galaxy."
Allowing a little humor to creep into his voice, he added, "And at least this way, I can still push back against the worst ideas proposed by your Imperial court."
Smirking back, Jaina tactfully reminded the admiral, "Don't you have a fleet to deploy?"
"Of course, Master Jedi." Desmond complied, but this time without the caution that previously held him back, a newfound respect growing for the Jedi Master evident in his gaze.
But before he could give the order, an ensign emerging from the Guardian's strategic center walked right towards them with a data cylinder, quietly interrupting them, "Apologies, Admiral, Master Fel, but I just received a Priority Omega transmission from Head of State Fel on the surface. It was directed as eyes-only for you two, so I brought it straight here."
"Thank you, Ensign Irol. We'll take it from here." Desmond, grateful for his mother's teachings on remembering his subordinates to build a strong working relationship with them, politely dismissed the ensign before he and Jaina uploaded the cylinder's contents to their datapads.
Quickly devouring the information, Jaina wearily shook her head as she lamented, "And here I thought Fett and his fixers vetted all his top advisors well enough to avoid any Sith agents."
"Funny, but I assume we ought to redeploy our force to intercept Lecersen's fleet before it can employ its ambush." Desmond suggested. "Your convenient Force shortcut could-"
"It would scare off the Sith and leave all of the Jedi exhausted and in no shape to engage the blockade." Jaina interrupted. "But there might be a way to get us in the same galactic neighborhood while doing a little early reconnaissance on the Sith's central base of operations."
Desmond's Eyes narrowed at the implications of the suggestion, "A few probes at the system's outskirts could give us a bit of intel on the Sith's proxies and let us know about some of their comings and goings, invaluable for our inevitable invasion of the world. But of course, you are aware how it could easily backfire on us if the Sith send a force to attack all of us."
"Well, like I said, this is your operation, so this is your decision." Jaina innocently reminded the admiral. "I'm just an advisor, so I should warn you that we have several squads of commandos already deployed as the vanguard of our efforts, so you likely won't have much time to decide before they fall under attack from our traitors."
"If it weren't for the fact that we both just learnt this information, I might assume that you planned everything to meet this exact situation." Desmond ruefully mused, before quickly relenting,
"I'll divide the armada into two forces, and you and half your Jedi can lead the second division to the Horuset System's outskirts to enact your spontaneous scheme once we reach a suitable jump-off point. We'll need to keep up appearances for our citizenry, at least for the sake of our morale and to avoid tipping our hand off to the Sith just for a little longer."
"Thank you, Admiral." Jaina bowed her head in gratitude.
"Don't lower your head so easily, Master Jedi. If word got out, all of our enemies might start to think you're some kind of pushover."
"Many have underestimated me before. Few have lived to regret it" Jaina viciously smirked before they returned their focus to commanding the fleet that flew before them, ready to launch themselves onto the battlefields enveloping the galaxy.
Falleen, Port Nowhere
Aboard the Dark Beauty
Phasma hoped that her message to the Empire had been heeded, even as she quietly listened in for Redhan's mercenaries report on the preparations on the ambush for the Alliance of Light's teams. Sensing Vestara Khai and her cohorts, even as faintly as she could through their efforts to conceal themselves, she knew the time was nigh to deal with them.
But right now, her mind was on other, more long-term matters.
Learning of that gutless ex-Moff, Lecersen, along with Wyyrlok were collaborating with one of Belok Rhal's spies to ambush an enemy fleet was easy enough but getting it to Jagged Fel while disguised as one of Fett's Mandalorians was a different challenge altogether.
It was a miracle that when inspecting Redhan's storehouses, she came across many sets of stolen Mandalorian armor, and used it to disguise herself before making sure the report was delivered to Fett's right-hand man, and possibly his only friend, Goran Beviin.
Over the last three days, she had been quietly embedding her personal agents into every facet of the Sith's operations, all the while using each of their reports to feed the Jedi information to accelerate their war efforts and leaving clues for Oculus and Sariss to begin their own redemption. She just hoped the Jedi would accept their help when the time came, for they would need every advantage they could get against the dark alliance arrayed against them.
With Malleus clumsily spying on her through her own hunters, such efforts were borderline suicide, but she had to see this self-appointed mission through to its end. But just in case Sing or any of her other co-opted agents came too close to figure out the truth, Phasma had a few tricks up her robes for such an inevitability. Hopefully, she would not have to use them on Meeka or any of her friends, but she was prepared to do what must be done in order to rid the galaxy of this evil.
Even as she knew how it was only a matter of time before she was discovered by Krayt's spies, or even worse, her own brother and his seers, she knew she had to do as much damage as possible to the One Sith and their agents before she had to fully sever her ties to her people. She just hoped that she would be able to live long enough to see the fruits of her labor when the galaxy got its respite from war.
Hopefully this time, when all was said and done, the galactic populace would not squander this rare opportunity for peace. After all, there was not much tinder left to spark yet another roaring flame of a galactic war that would claim even more worlds and countless more lives.
One Hour Later
Within the Centurion Tavern
"You look like you could use a friend, miss. Or at least a drinking companion" An Iktotchi male spoke to Vestara as she was nursing her single alcoholic beverage while quietly observing a squad of Morgukai guzzling down their pints and meals in revelry.
"Never hurts to have a few friends in your corner." Vestara politely allowed the man to sit beside her at the bar as the bartender gave him an ale.
"Amen to that. My girlfriend and I could use a few of those right about now. We made a lot of bad life decisions after getting burned by our old mentors, and now we're stuck on this cesspool of a world and regretting our later choices in life." The man bitterly shook his head, ignoring the suspicion in Vestara's voice as she listened.
Something in his voice was very familiar to Vestara, as if it sewn together an old memory, and quickly suspected she was face to face with one of her former compatriots in disguise. Playing the part of a naïve cantina goer, she concernedly asked her compatriot, "If you're so ashamed of your past, why don't you do something to change your future? Maybe your old mentors would take you back if they knew how you want to turn yourself around."
"Funny you should say that, Lady Khai, because that's precisely why I need to talk with you." The Sith nodded, reaching into his robe while advising the glaring human, "Try to relax, Ves. If I wanted to capture or kill you, I would have brought Sariss and the rest of our people, not to mention keeping those Morgukai sober to deal with you."
"What do you want, Oculus?" Vestara warily asked, ready to bolt if he tried anything she perceived as aggressive. "I won't come back to the Sith. I'd rather die before that happened."
"I know." Oculus softly agreed as he pulled out a small data card. Handing it to her, he continued, "And I'm not here to capture you, but rather give you a fighting chance at your mission to uncover the king's corruption and liberate this world."
"How could I possibly believe that, or the others after the massacre you and Krayt carried out on Mirta's people?" Vestara distrustfully reminded her guest.
"Consider this the start of mine and Verla's atonement to the Jedi after we fell so far, just like you after all you did before Edaan got through to you." Oculus shrugged.
"My love and I were both deceived by our current patrons, their agents, and their cursed Iteration that's still on the Jedi Council, but we nearly threw our futures and lives away before someone helped us see the truth."
"And just who was this supposed individual? Another of your people with a late conscience?" Vestara pressed, with her doubts all but washing away with the information he was providing her.
"Someone who's honor exceeds that of the both of us combined, even after the wounds she quite recently inflicted on the man who steered you back on the right path in life." Oculus answered, confusing Vestara at the vague reference before she caught on.
Guzzling down the alcoholic drink before offering the bartender a few credit chits, he graciously told the attractive Falleen woman, "Keep the change. You need it more than me."
Seeing her nod in gratitude, Oculus turned back towards Vestara, and advised the former Sith, "I would get that information to your teams. And get your boyfriend of a Jedi and a few other teams ready to extract you once you get what you need. Good luck, because you'll need all the help you can get once Malleus and his cohorts spring their trap on you all tomorrow."
Suppressing the urge to correct Oculus on her relationship with Ben, let alone press for more information, Vestara quietly observed the faltering Sith leave the tavern. Quickly pocketing the data card, she added a few credit chits to Oculus's pile, and thanked the bartender for the drink before she too left the cantina.
Whether or not she could trust Oculus and his potential confederates, her friends and teammates had to know that the One Sith had prepared a trap for them. It could mean the difference between life and death for her and everyone she was working with, never mind help or hinder the Alliance's efforts to liberate this world.
Even so that did not mean she did not have to take the scenic route, if it meant throwing off any potential observers and leading the enemy back to their hideout. It might get her a bit of a verbal lashing, but the intel she would provide might mitigate the worst of her punishment. It certainly would not be any dumber than something she and Ben would have done back in their adolescent years.
She could not help but smile at the memories with Ben during the hunt for Abeloth. Both good and bad, they all held a special and irreplaceable place in her heart, and no matter what happened, she would never let her go, for they helped push her forward in life whether she was allied with the Jedi or Sith.
And now, thanks to a stubborn Jedi Knight with a lineage and Force Sensitivity that would put most modern-day Sith to shame, she had been given a last chance to atone for her dark past, and, if all went well, fully rebuild her bonds with her first and only love. This time, she would not let this opportunity slip past her, no matter what trials or pain she would inevitably be forced to endure throughout this war. And when all this was over, she would find a way to be with Ben and help her people on Kesh. She loved them far too much to leave them again.
Besides, it was the least she could do for all the pain she brought upon the galaxy's innocent civilians. If only she could remember everything about her time serving the One Sith, then her fifteen years working for them could be of great benefit to the Alliance of Light, even if those memories brought even more trauma and old ghosts back to haunt her.
Still, her great instincts, keen mind, and battle skills were as sharp as ever, so she still had a great deal to contribute to the Jedi. And she intended to keep it that way, just in case anyone with a justified grudge against her would rashly conspire to end her life. Unfortunately, that long list especially included a certain semi-retired smuggler and many of his friends in the Jedi Order.
She might have cut all ties with the Sith for good this time, but with the stakes this high and enemies everywhere, a bit of the dark religion's caution and natural suspicion likely would not hurt anything. At least she hoped.
One Hour Later
Batuu, Black Spire Ruins
Inside the Sith Command Center
"Excellent work, Xasha. Your relationship with that insufferable Ithorian is providing more than artifacts for our cause." Dician approvingly commended her Falleen subordinate on discovering the leaders of each Jedi-sympathetic detachment that broke through her blockade.
"Thank you, my Lady." Xasha humbly acknowledged, excusing herself so Dician could properly plan her new strategy.
The Sith Lady knew how information is power, and by taking the first step to learning about her newest batch of enemies, it would be that much easier to use their weaknesses against them, perhaps even make a portion of them fall to the divisions of their little alliance.
However, she knew such a task would not be easy, since the enemy commanders were a tricky bunch, being a group of veteran leaders and brilliant minds, even with their sympathies with the wretched Jedi as Antarian Rangers, unconventional Galactic Alliance assets, and smugglers. But they each held a loathing for the Hutts and their countless greedy and amoral activities, so perhaps she could use that to her advantage, even against a young, if clever and pragmatic, Hutt Kajidic of the Atirue family that was supposedly friendly with a few renowned Jedi like Edaan Palpatine.
Still, she had to be careful, subtle, and especially patient with this new strategy. One wrong move could instead unite everyone on this world together against the Dread Lord and his Grand Design, especially since she still had to investigate her followers for any potential traitors. With the stakes being continuously raised against the Dark siders, even a single, miniscule misstep might very well doom the One Sith for good, that is, unless the appropriate measures and contingencies were taken immediately.
Until she learnt more of the traitors and their network, no one could be trusted outside her handpicked acolytes, especially not her puppet of a cult leader. If she knew who the traitors were and who might be protecting them, or if Xasha herself was the mole, then the danger to her plans was beyond her darkest imaginings. She would have to work efficiently and perfect enough to discern the truth before matters completely spiraled out of control.
But there was something else troubling her, something with equally disturbing ramifications. Across every Jedi facility in the Outer Rim, her agents had not reported in for their scheduled transmission. And the Shedu Maad academy had not been able to get ahold of them, while security was tightening across the entire star system from the Hapans and the influx of wounded. Had the Jedi uncovered her network and been tearing it down?
Regardless, even a blind Nek could see how it was time for her remaining people to flee before they could be discovered and disposed of by the enemy. And since the Jedi likely figured out the secret to their transmissions without their Iteration's special transmitter, that meant relaying a message to the Sith's best empathetic agent in the Jedi Order through the Force.
At the very least, if they could not escape, the thirty-eight Sith agents could still cripple the Jedi by decimating their numbers and eliminating much of its leadership and veterans.
One Hour Later
Falleen, Just Outside the Port of Lajinda
Aboard the Mon Adapyne
"You really expect us to believe this, Khai? Three more Sith are willing to defect to us, just like you? How dumb do you think we are?" Han scathingly asked, ignoring the glares aimed at him from his wife, Keyan, Tyria, Ben, and Mirta.
"You can believe whatever you wish, General Solo, because I've heard much worse." Vestara calmly shrugged her shoulders, her eyes and body language betraying no emotion or reaction at the thinly veiled insult. "But consider how they divulged how their superior was about to launch an ambush against us, how Oculus and Sariss revealed the circumstances surrounding the Sith-perpetrated deception that led them into their clutches, and that Phasma confirmed what we now know of Master Solusar's situation, never mind the Sith-Imperial ambush on one of the Alliance fleets ready to aid Mandalore. What could she have to gain from providing us such vital intelligence?"
"Not to mention whatever other intel they are and will provide us going forward, if their claims turn out to be accurate." Mirta reminded the group while allowing a small concession. "Even if they are being honest with us, Malleus and Dician could be trying to use them as bait to draw us out to eliminate us and weaken our alliance."
Keyan, appraising all options through his indiscernible gaze, nodded before he addressed the two Jedi women, "Leia, Tyria, as you are in the field leading this operation, I will defer to your judgements on this matter. Do you believe we should act on this intelligence, or pull out before the Sith spring their trap on you all?"
"We came here to help liberate Falleen from their Sith puppeteers, and that's what we have to do, no matter the risks to us." Leia said. "However, that does not mean we cannot take the necessary precautions in case the three Sith prove to be deceiving us, nor conducting a test to prove the veracity of their claims."
"I assume you have a plan, then?" Keyan deduced. "Will you require reinforcements to complete the mission?"
"Master Sebatyne and a few of his teammates, and Commander Rhal and his best men should be more than sufficient for our strategy." Tyria confidently answered. "We can't afford to stretch our forces too thin, not with the battlefields erupting all across the planet."
"Consider it done. And I can spare at least half a dozen squadrons of fighters for all of you if your escape proves to be too hairy." Keyan offered.
"We'll keep that in mind, General." Ben gratefully nodded, before the signal began to break up. "Kriff, they're tracing our signal. We gotta sign off for now."
After the Port Nowhere teams signed off, Keyan lowly advised Han, "I suggest you reign in your tongue, Han. Not everyone is as patient as I am with free-thinking and loose-lipped individuals, especially those with a self-destructive grudge against an ally."
"Now, if you will excuse me, I have a lot of work to do for our planetary campaign to succeed." The Agamar-born human dismissed the Corellian.
Two Hours Later
Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple
Aboard the Heskel's Folly
"I have my most trusted crews and security agents prepared to patrol the Temple within the hour, Grand Master." Tenel Ka Djo, Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium, resigned Jedi Knight, and mother of current Jedi Knight Allana Solo, informed Kyle. "It was fortunate you warned us of the influx of allied wounded that have been pouring into your facilities, or we would not have the perfect reason to bolster your security."
"And it was equally fortuitous that you delayed your operations until you received sufficient and effective reinforcements." Irizi'in'daro, the ranking Chiss officer and Senior Captain of the Ascendancy's secret police, pointed out. "With the comm signals and security access you provided, my subordinates are monitoring your traitor's every move and keeping their duplicity from going beyond this star system. And I have a team of the Ascendancy's best agents ready to assist your arrests."
"All of this, coupled with our able-bodied Mandalorians, smugglers, and your most trusted Jedi prepared to help you clean house, is pretty impressive and covers all our bases." Grace amazingly noted. "It's really amazing how a galactic crisis can bring such disparate groups together."
"Yes. If only all crises could bring out the best in everyone." Kyle wistfully agreed.
After four days of monitoring the Sith spies and quietly recalling several various Jedi from their assignments in the surrounding sectors, everything was just about in place to arrest every single one the One Sith's infiltrators and their most valuable clone.
All that remained was the final isolation efforts to cut off the bulk of the spies from each other. If even a handful of them, especially from their seven Apprentice spies, managed to band together, it could lead to a high body count among the Alliance of Light.
And that did not include Knight Korr's efforts to cut off the Kam Solusar clone from any of his Sith handlers and trigger his deep-seated programming. With seven newly promoted Jedi Masters ready to spring to Jaden's aid if the clone's deep-rooted programming was triggered, Kyle hoped that everything would work out for the best. If they could capture the clone and successfully interrogate him, then they could learn much of the One Sith's entire network of operations and their full capabilities.
And there was still the matter of the Sith shrine embedded below the Coruscant Jedi Temple. Sure, the Galactic Alliance had greenlighted Professor Wavlud's temporary release from incarceration and parole in the Jedi Order's custody for their off-the books mission to neutralize the shrine, but there were still many preparations to make before the task could truly begin. After all, the Order still had to assemble their hand picked team, bring them up to speed, and get them to Coruscant, all after the Jedi Order purged the spies from its ranks.
But one battle at a time. Right now, Kyle had to be ready to lead the arrests, and if one single agent escaped their clutches, then it could spell disaster for the Alliance of Light.
Just three measly hours remained before all hell broke loose in the Temple, and the Jedi Order was rocked to its core with the explosive bombshell about to explode beneath everyone's feet.
Batuu, Morandi Forests
"I'm glad all of our paths have finally crossed, and that all of our peoples are getting along." Din Djarin gratefully spoke to each leader of the Alliance's detachment. "With all of you here, we finally have a fighting chance to free this world from the Sith's control and uncover the truth of their operations here."
"Then it would be safe to assume there's more value to this world than its obscurity as the perfect headquarters for countless illegal Sith enterprises, yes?" Azzim confidently pointed out.
"Guess you're smarter than the average Hutt." Carasynthia Dune Djarin, "Cara" to her friends, amusingly added, before getting serious, "There are Rakatan ruins near Black Spire Outpost that Dician is using as her headquarters. One of our contacts in the town figured out the old facility was created at the height of the Infinite Empire's reign, and that there's a vault containing an unknown artifact somewhere inside."
"And how does all of this figure into our plans?" Jesmin Tainer, Antarian Ranger and member of Wraith Squadron, pointed out. "None of us here are archeologists, and we came here to help liberate Batuu and crush a Sith-allied cult."
"That doesn't mean it can't hold potential value for us and the Jedi." Tiana pointed out. "At the very least, it's another resource we can keep out of the Sith's clutches."
"An issue for another time. Right now, we need to focus on the next phase of this war. Dician won't take the losses her blockade suffered without insult, and her remaining followers are still on the hunt for us. Now that we have the strength, it's time we took the fight to her followers." One of Clan Djarin's Mandalorians objected.
"Patience, Graf." Din counseled his longtime friend. "First, all of us need to become a cohesive fighting force, and that means hitting the cult's soft spots first and building trust and experience for the men. Then we can worry about directly engaging the Sith. Hopefully by then, we can get another batch of reinforcements and a few Jedi to support us. We'll need every advantage we can get before this karking war can finally end."
"I'm sure we can handle this without those Jetti." Graf quietly grumbled. He never held much love for Jedi, for he always viewed them as soothsayers, self-righteous, and arrogant galactic policemen that needed to be taken down a few pegs.
Even though he knew, deep down, that the Jedi were crucial for winning these many Sith-backed wars, that truth did not mean he had to relish or approve of this inevitable alliance.
Fortunately, Cara insightfully noticed Graf's irritated state, and made a note to talk with him before the meeting was over. They did not want any divisions or fractures in this coalition before it even had a chance to truly take off, let alone destroy every facet of the One Sith's infrastructure and their followers.
Deep Within the Unknown Regions
At the Borders of the Chiss Ascendancy
Aboard the Nightdragon man-of-war Vigilance
For almost three decades, Kivu'raw'nuru had followed his genetic source's goal in defending the Chiss Ascendancy from all threats, both internal and external, just as his two predecessors had done before him and the original Mitth'raw'nuruodo's untimely demise. And with the original progenitor's memories and skills successfully retained within the clone, along with the cumulative experiences of the two now-deceased clones, Vurawn could be considered the culmination of his progenitor's legacy.
By derailing conquests by dozens of potential enemies through preemptive strikes to eliminate future threats to the Ascendancy, working to expand the Chiss's sphere of influence across the Unknown Regions by encouraging beleaguered or impoverished worlds to seek out their aid, and influencing certain events and individuals to steer them towards a more enlightened and pragmatic path, Vurawn was truly the ultimate epitome of a hidden patriot.
Even so, that did not prevent him from observing and learning from the valor of others, especially those precious few among the known galaxy, derogatorily called by some of his people as "Lesser Space." Whether they were administrators, political or military leaders, or even Jedi or everyday civilians, it mattered not to him; for only an ignorant fool would refrain from using valuable knowledge or learning from another's experiences, even if it came from an unorthodox source.
True, he may be violating the Ascendancy's long-standing stance against preemptive strikes and unspoken xenophobia, but the ever-shifting tides of chaos and war by their enemies and their new masters demanded the appropriate amount of flexibility and allies.
That was why Vurawn, along with his one hundred and fifty co conspirators in the Ascendancy's ranks, and the three newest additions within the greater galaxy, were following Grand Admiral Thrawn's example when he created the Empire of the Hand to tame the Unknown Regions. But this time, the endeavor would be done with a far more secretive, open minded, and politically savvy approach than the natural-born Chiss would have done.
For all his brilliance on warfare, Mitth'raw'nuruodo sadly knew precious little when it came to the battlefield of politics, a contributing factor in what led his political foes in the Ascendancy exile him, even after obliterating a coalition of the Chiss's most ancient and dangerous enemies bent on destroying their entire civilization.
That was why he and his three preceding clones had studied everything they could get their hands on regarding politics to avoid their progenitor's misfortunes in both the Ascendancy and Galactic Empire.
But right now, he needed to put his focus on the present and not in others' memories. With the Jedi, Galactic Alliance, Silentium, and Empire of the Hand arriving in force to help the Chiss contend with the One Sith and their proxies from Chaos, his network of contacts and allies would be needed now more than ever in this endless war of protecting his people.
One Hour Later
Korriban, Sith Catacombs
Within the One Sith's Citadel, Inside Darth Krayt's Private Meditation Chambers
Darth Krayt could sense how everything was proceeding exactly according to the Grand Design's vision. The Jedi and their allies would bleed themselves dry trying to eradicate his followers and their strongholds, leaving them weakened enough to allow the One Sith to retreat and rebuild their forces from the galaxy's crevices. Even losing their network of agents and converts on Shedu Maad would be a small price to pay for their masters' survival, especially when there would be decades to embed new agents in the Order's ranks once they were out of their reach.
But before the Sith could leave the birthplace of their religion behind, they still needed a few key components to fully implement their strategy, the most important of which was the capture of Edaan Palpatine, a task he had entrusted to Lady Sorzus and Lord Snoke. He could sense his servants working diligently to accomplish this task and had faith that they would not fail him as many others had.
Soon, in a handful of weeks at most, the Jedi Knight would be theirs, and he could be molded to become the vanguard of the One's Sith's armies when they reigned supreme over the galaxy. And all those that opposed them would fall in the decades to come, no matter who they were. And the Iteration that was one day away from completing its accelerated growth from Edaan's cells would serve as a suitable replacement for the doomed Kam Solusar clone, after he was given a few upgrades and augmentations in the Sith's quest to create the ultimate acolyte.
However, there was another, far more pressing matter that captured the Dread Lord's full attention: the Chiss Ascendancy and the Unknown Regions. The Jedi might have a foothold there now, but they could not afford to discover the real reason the Sith had such an interest in the region.
It certainly did not help that Natasi Daala disappeared into the largely untraversed region with the remnants of her armies and subordinates, with Force-knew whoever her patrons were that despised the Force at least as much as she did. No one wanted another Star Cabal organization of puppeteers, or Yuuzhan Vong invasion to devastate the galaxy. While that was a separate issue altogether, it was still one he would have to devote valuable time and resources to uncover the truth of this mystery.
Somewhere, deep in the Unknown Regions' darkest abyss, a familiar foe was preparing to be resurrected from the death and fear devouring the galaxy, one that Krayt could not allow to return before the Sith and the galaxy were ready to face her again. And using the Chiss's enemies to keep the Jedi distracted was a dangerous gamble, but a necessary one if the Sith could find the Bringer of Chaos's hidden stronghold in time.
The world only appeared to Krayt in his deepest dreams and whispered its name of Exegol, but he instinctively knew that the Celestial monster's acolytes were building armies and weapons capable of overpowering anything that stood in their way, just as the reborn Darth Sidious did with his Dark Empire. If these unseen enemies were not stopped preemptively, then in a matter of decades, perhaps even years if they were that ahead of the game, no one could stand against her and her plans to lead the galaxy to ruin.
When he and his acolytes found her exact location, they would unleash their full might on Abeloth and whatever followers might flock to her banner and kill her with the one weapon that could fully destroy her dark essence.
Holding the hilt of the mythical Mortis Dagger in his hands, Krayt remembered killing the one Quest Knight lucky enough to find the Mortis Monolith after they worked together to retrieve the weapon from its ancient tomb ten years ago. The Jedi was clever and knowledgeable enough to discern his original identity as Old Republic Jedi Master A'Sharad Hett but agreed with him on how finding the weapon was more important than their five-thousand-year-old quarrel. And since both the Light and the Dark Sides of the Force were needed to solve the mysteries of the Monolith, they had no choice but to work together. That was why Krayt was planning to keep a few of the Jedi alive to help him and the One Sith when they ruled the galaxy and would be the ones to finally eradicate Abeloth's insidious influence once she fully returned.
While Krayt truly regretted killing such a promising student of the Force after their cooperation ended, the Jedi Master was too principled and devoted to even consider betraying his order, and so he had to be eliminated before he could escape and unveil the One Sith's concealing shadows. The secrets he uncovered could never reach the Jedi's ears. It would bring the galaxy's divided factions upon him like moths to a flame, and he could not risk his order's destruction when all of creation was at risk.
Banishing such wistful regrets and fears from his mind, he felt a tremor in the Force, as if a powerful shift would soon echo throughout the galaxy. Whether it would be beneficial or detrimental to the Grand Design remained to be seen, but he had to be prepared for any possible scenario. The fate of the galaxy might very well hinge on whatever happened next, and Krayt was determined to see his people come out on top and bring the galaxy the order and peace it deserved.
Well, I think this whopper of a chapter is good enough to be labeled complete! I can't believe it took me so long to complete this 9.1k piece, but I had to balance my time accordingly with work, school, and family, as Thanksgiving was just yesterday, after all. While I can't guarantee that everything I'll introduce in this chapter, let alone story, will be explained in this saga, I can promise that it will lead to phenomenal and game-changing revelations in the next saga. I'm a bit spontaneous like that with my writing. All I ask is that you try to keep an open mind and bear with me as I figure it out as I go along.
So, how are you all doing on this cool day of Friday, November 26, 2021? I'm doing well, if a bit sad that the year's almost over, and scared since I've nearly graduated from college. Just a few more weeks, and I'll have my bachelor's degree in history. Man, that will be a heart pounding experience for me. And I am over 60% done with Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy III: Lesser Evil, and plan to read more of it over the next few days, especially after I volunteer at my local help center tomorrow. Or, I might read a lot more after I finish this chapter, I'm that spontaneous and have a lot of time on my hands. Anyways, after that book is done, who knows what I'll read, but I know whatever I choose will be an illuminating piece. Well, I suppose that is enough for tonight. I'd best get this chapter to my Beta Reader for his analysis, and get it published sometime soon. May God be with us all in these difficult times for many, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
