Hey, everyone! How are you all doing on this warm day of Tuesday, April 12, 2022? I'm doing well, as I published a big chapter of mine yesterday, and I need to let you know that this one might take a bit longer to write than my usual ones. I need to reevaluate my writing and clean up a few potential errors in my last couple of chapters. And I have my trip to St. Louis to start in four days, so I'll be busy hanging out with my relatives for most of that time and won't be able to write as much as I'd like. Plus, I have to work for two more days this week, so my time will be divided up a bit for almost the next two weeks. In other news, I have made it to Act 3 of my story, and we're closing in on the end in 10 to 15 chapters. At least, I hope so. Either way, I can't believe I'm close to breaking the halfway point in this saga, and I have so many more ideas to share with you all before this series is complete. Well, with all the small talk out of the way, I'd best get started on this chapter, since I only have a few days to write before my schedule gets unpredictable. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
0300 Hours, Kelona 2nd, 59 ABY
Within Chiss Space, On Cioral
Inside the House Miurani Estate
It had been two days since Saganu had been given the name the Miskara provided the Aristocra, and still, there were no leads on the Chiss individual suicidal enough to don Mitth'raw'nuruodo's birth name. Not even Rensalm's favors in House Miurani's rivals, and even the few agents he had been able to embed in the Empire of the Hand were going to be enough in dredging out the truth of this madness. All these failures were quickly driving Saganu absolutely insane with an unrelenting fury and dread.
This grand conspiracy, for that was the only term that could explain and justify the secrets that were festering within the Ascendancy's highest levels of power, that was using Thrawn's twisted legacy and blatant disregard for the Chiss's traditions and protocols to suit his glory hound ways, had to have a weak link. Someone must know something about this cabal, and they had to come clean to protect the Ascendancy from the threats assaulting it from within and outside its borders.
If only he could call upon his own agents placed on Vagar Praxut to investigate Mid Admiral Fooraki's operations, but the military had jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the Vagaari. Besides, Fooraki ensured that anyone who worked there was subjected to thorough background checks to ensure family loyalties would not interfere with this occupation.
To make matters worse, after this "Vurawn" and his partners in the absurd Alliance of Light arrived, Fooraki had shut down all nonessential communications within his forces, and begun reworking his entire command structure, throwing everything into chaos.
Well, if he did not have any agents stationed out there, he would have to find a few pliable officers and soldiers willing to do his dirty work. Much as he might wish otherwise, these underhanded machinations were a necessary evil in order to finally uncover the vast corruption embedded in the heart of his precious government and excise it before it led the Chiss down the path of ruin.
When all was said and done, let the Chiss and the lesser races and their pathetic governments vilify him all they want. But if it could restore the Ascendancy's noble pillars and stability that had slipped away from so much outside interference, then it would all be worth it in the end.
0600 Hours
Within the Kharmort's Miasma Nebula
On Vagar Praxut, Eskarrh
Within the Hikmet Restaurant
"Been a while since I've seen one of your kind here, and I'd remember a person dressed up as boldly as you. Whaddya want, stranger?" The Vagaari bartender jovially asked the gold-armored human sitting in front of her.
"Whatever the house special is for people like me, plus a hearty drink till I meet up with a frequent patron here." Soldier nonchalantly handed the bartender a ten-credit chit with a piece of paper wrapped around it.
Eyeing the chit with curiosity, she swiped it away and deftly pocketed the money before reading the message. Any friendly demeanor left in the woman was washed away by her ulterior business, and after handing the Paladin Captain a shot of liquor, she warningly addressed him, "And your buddy? The guy who came in with. Is he a friend of yours?" Gesturing for the roguishly dressed patron sampling a local favorite off-world meal, Soldier glanced at Khedryn, and nodded to the bartender.
"He's close enough, an old acquaintance who I owe a few favors and has a personal investment in my kind of work." Soldier explained. "But I'm not here to make chit chat with you. I'm here for your underboss, and he'll be interested in hearing what Khedryn Faal and his organization can offer his people in return for his unique services."
Eyes glistening with acknowledgement of the smuggler kingpin, the barkeep warned Soldier, "He's in Booth Ten. You know the drill with Haplif, Soldier boy, but keep Mr. Faal from mouthing off to him. Your friends' fleet has everyone across the planet about as tense as a powder keg right about now."
"As if the situation wasn't tense beforehand." Soldier irritably countered, briefly glaring at the bartender at the intentional name slip. Gruffly nodded in thanks before downing his drink in one gulp, savoring the slight buzz it gave his mind, and handing the woman a five-credit chit, quietly walked over to his partner for the rendezvous.
"Any last-minute tips you need to give me before we meet this contact of yours?" Khedryn nonchalantly pointed out after finishing the last of his breakfast and following the Aqulian officer towards their contact.
"Speak only when spoken to, don't ask him about his past, and don't try to eat anything on his plates." Solider offhandedly listed off, before remembering a crucial fact, "Oh, and he's an Agbui, so be respectful in your thoughts unless you want him to get offended."
"A telepath. Great." Khedryn groaned, his mind alert and fully on guard now at the impending meeting, and wary of what dangers he would momentarily walk right into.
Knowing how the Unknown Regions were becoming increasingly influenced by the Chiss while becoming more of a melting pot for the many mysterious communities, many once obscure races were finding their voice in an expanding regional community.
And with the Agbui, a typically secretive race who could read a person's thoughts and emotions through the slightest physical contact and were experts at analyzing others' culture and society through the smallest scraps of information, few secrets could be kept from their few migrants for very long.
"Not just an Agbui. He's only the most powerful information broker and most connected arms dealer of this region of Chaos. Don't even think of underestimating him." Soldier warned before knocking on the wood besides the curtain.
A moment later, the shroud opened to reveal five Agbui, beings with distinct dark red and off-white skin, two guarding the entrance and three others, two males and a female, engaged in a multi-course meal. The colors of each of their faces manifested in seemingly random patterns, having longer fingers than a human's, their heights ranging from 1.5 to 2 meters in height.
The tallest of the three sitting Agbui, with a height of about 2.3 meters, put down his utensils and wiped his hands before talking to Soldier with his mouth having lipless slits, and speaking in his native language that sounded scratchy to the two human observers.
"It's good to see you too, Haplif." Soldier politely returned the greeting in Basic for Khedryn's benefit. Motioning to the kingpin, he introduced him, "Allow me to present my associate, Khedryn Faal."
Eyes glowing in slight recognition, Haplif, speaking in a hoarse Basic, offhandedly recalled, "Ah. I believe I have heard of you, Mister Faal, from many of my rivals and friends throughout Wild Space. You and your retinue of smuggler and scavenger followers and clients have been the talk on many lips for quite some years for your sudden rise to power."
"I imagine it's the same for many people throughout a great deal of Chaos these days." Khedryn respectfully responded.
"Too true." Haplif amusingly nodded. "Why don't you two have a seat, and I can order you some edible food while we discuss the reason for this sudden call, never mind the Jedi sending a war fleet into the heart of a Chiss occupation?"
After the two men quickly took their seats, Haplif quickly, and rather smugly, summed up the situation, "Considering the Sith's ties with the Vagaari and countless other races that your blue friends have subjugated, it isn't much of a stretch to assume you want proof that they are collaborating so you can crush their smoldering sparks of resistance, before they start a blaze.
"The question I ask is this. Why should my people get involved in a Chiss internal struggle and greater galaxy religious feud? Even if the Sith rule the galaxy, surely the Agbui can adapt and prove useful to this new ruling power."
"Would you truly trust the Sith, knowing their lack of regard for anyone who interferes in their domination or eventually outlives their usefulness?" Soldier calmly countered. "Their legacy is one of manipulating and discarding everyone who isn't one of them, and even a race as intelligent and talented as yours can't last forever, all alone against the dark storm they'll unleash on us all."
"The Jedi, as sanctimonious as most of them might be, at least try to help the little guy and look out for their friends." Khedryn insightfully added.
"You should know better, Captain Faal." A female Agbui sarcastically stated. "You did lose a friend and former shipmate to the Jedi and Natasi Daala's horrific experiments five years ago."
Jaw clenching tightly in fury over the callous mention of Marr Idi-Shael, Khedryn slowly ground out, "Yes, I did. And I spent years mourning him and trying to drown my sorrows in the galaxy's underbelly.
"But that didn't ease the pain or save others from Daala twisted experiments and the Sith's indoctrination camps. That is why I returned to the Jedi's fold, and that is why I'm here now, to help save innocent children from suffering the same fate. And this is exactly what you ought to do if you want your children to have a future of their own."
"A most passionate speech, Captain Faal." The younger male Agbui sardonically noted. "But your efforts at a sales pitch must have fallen far from allying with these idealistic fools if you expect us to assist you based on emotions and sentiments alone.
"So, what do you really have to offer us that can be of benefit for our people?"
Soldier, seeing Khedryn about to murderously explode from Iopal's insensitive prodding, decided to forgo diplomacy now and warn Haplif, "It seems like you've already picked your side and are trying to line your pockets with more blood money. Then how about you take a message to the Miskara for us?"
Eyes narrowing at the clone, Haplif was prepared to deny such blatant favoritism before seeing Soldier take out his lightsaber and warn, "Tell him that the Aquilian Republic is ready to return to war, and this world the first target of our war of redemption."
"Big talk from a no-name power." Haplif's female companion barked out a laugh. "What, did the Chiss help your people return if you fought their battles for them?"
"No. I came to represent the people of Zakuul, and we're ready to make our mark on the galaxy after the disastrous campaigns and tyranny of Valkorion and his offspring's Eternal Empire." Soldier boldly admitted, nearly making the three Agbui faint from the sheer shock of the revelation alone.
"Give your client that message, then you'd better crawl out to whatever hole you have as a bunker. You won't get a second chance to escape the coming firestorm that will consume the Chaos." Soldier finished, smirking at the terror plastered on his former associates' faces before leading Khedryn out of the tapcafe.
Walking back to their rendezvous point, Khedryn bitterly pointed out, "And you wanted me to be respectful to Haplif. So much for that hope. I just don't want to face the others on our own when we deliver them all the bad news."
"On the contrary, it all went exactly as our genius ally planned." Soldier knowingly smirked, relishing the astonished look plastered all over the kingpin's face. "The message has been delivered, and now all we need to do is keep a watchful eye on the enclave for the next few days."
"And why wasn't I told of this supposed master plan?" Khedryn all but whined.
"In order for you to be yourself and set the stage for the warning." Soldier simply answered, before smirking, "I told you right now, didn't I? Now, time to prepare for Phase Two."
Let's just hope Fooraki's people and our allies will all be ready to mobilize once we get the intel we need. The clone Paladin quietly ruminated.
0900 Hours
Falleen, Port Nowhere
Within the Main Garrison
"Trouble, Master Jedi?" Haxim good-naturedly asked Leia while they both combed through the casualty reports of the last six battlefronts across a third of the planet, the rebel leader marveling at the utter collapse of morale among his father's faltering followers.
On just about every front, the fighting was dying down and the Alliance was aiding the ex-prince's forces with sifting through the rubble, capturing fleeing high-ranking officers in Redhan's diminishing armies, and providing immediate relief to all beleaguered civilians caught in the crossfires of this war.
Soon, the final secured enemy refuge, the capital city and where the source of the planet's corruption was holed up in, would be broken when the dredges of a royal family and their Sith rulers would be apprehended or killed, and Falleen would be finally liberated from its longstanding tyranny.
No more than a week remained before the Alliance and the Falleen transitory government launched their endgame on Redhan's palace and Haxim razed it to the ground. Then, the last symbol of the corrupt and rotting monarchy would go down and a new brighter future could begin for the Falleen people, one of peace, cooperation, and dignity.
But first, he had to make sure everyone was ready for the final battle, whether they were one of his soldiers or an off-world ally. The first person on the list of Haxim's little counseling sessions was his Jedi advisor, Alliance observer, and personal bodyguard sent to protect him against any would-be Sith or Royal Family assassins.
He would not normally try to pry into anyone's well-being, especially a woman of such renown and vigor as Leia Organa Solo. The Jedi surely had their own support system in place for helping its members cope with their own trauma and loss. No one wanted another rogue Jedi or Sith in the making to run amok.
Still, Haxim could see the signs of weariness and underlying fear plastered across Leia's eyes, and though he knew she had a great family and support system to help her, it could not hurt to offer help to her and the rest of the Jedi if need be. It was the least he could do for all their order had done in helping to set the stage for Falleen's liberation, and Haxim Axlan always was a man to pay all his debts in full.
"I'm fine, General." Leia off-handedly promised. "Just the stress of getting old and playing ambassador after all these years of blood, tears, and toil."
"I can understand that." Haxim sympathetically nodded. "And how about the rest of your Jedi. Are they holding up at least as well with this war?"
"This is what they trained for. And we both know this is the tip of the iceberg in this war. Things are only going to get worse for the galaxy from here on out." Leia patiently reminded Haxim.
"True. But, if they need another outlet for their anxiety, I know a few professionals who would at least be willing to hear them out and let them vent." Haxim kindly offered.
"You mean counselors." Leia surmised, smiling before acknowledging, "That's very kind of you. I will let the rest of the Jedi know that if they ever need an expert and fresh face to talk to. In fact, I am sure many soldiers and civilians out here could use such a service, especially the children kept in Sith captivity for so long. Force only knows what horrors they went through down there."
"Of course. I have already prepared a statement regarding such an idea to my council and prepared to allocate a great deal of funds and facilities to help them recover from their trauma." Haxim agreed, before boldly adding, "And if you ever want to talk to someone, the same offer is open to you as well."
"Thank you, General." Leia respectfully nodded, some of the tension leaving her face, but her eyes, those haunted eyes, remained the same. Whatever was truly hurting her, she wanted to handle it herself.
Very well. If Leia wanted to keep it private, then Haxim would respect it. But that did not mean he would do nothing to help a friend and ally. He would keep the door open for a talk whenever she wanted and extend the same offer to the rest of her family. Honestly, it was the least he could do for their work to continuously protect and liberate the galaxy from evil in all its forms.
1800 Hours
Within the Black Spire Ruins
Inside the Sith Command Center
Even after fifteen years of impersonating slavers, rogue generals, and even the occasional Sith that tried to inflict harm on the Galactic Alliance, Turman still marveled at how ridiculously idiotic his friends' enemies were when the Clawdite actor assumed the form and mannerisms of one of their valued officers.
Remembering how close Team Tau came to facing death in the heart of the Jerrard Mountains before their allies rescued them from the doomed mines, even as the Clawdite got separated from his friends and teammates already at the extraction point, the Wraith was still driven to get something out of this debacle.
So, like any desperate actor and commando would do, and with a planet's worth of luck, he ambushed a retreating squad with a few packets of Viull's scientific creations replicating the Yuuzhan Vong's immobilizing Blorash jelly. He then took on the physical appearance of the squad leader and made his way to the rendezvous point after literally burning away any potential loose ends in his dead captors.
But what he did not expect was that he took on one of the Sith overseer's best captains, or that his sheer improvisation of the late officer's personality was enough to pass the scrutiny of Ordo's guards and allow him access into the Sith command center.
Once he entered the ruins and made sure he had a moment to breathe and reassess his position, he knew he had to gather as much information as he could and deliver it to his friends. That meant he needed to put his impersonation skills to the test, along with every other unorthodox skill he had picked up along the way since the reestablishment of Wraith Squadron.
Turman, through shifting his form to keep his enemies guessing on potential saboteurs and traitors, he learnt much about Dician's final strategy. Uncovering the Sith's clever use of their capital ships to carry their cargo of Pre-Republic marauders, their departure in two days, with a diversion in play to cover their withdrawal, their scorched-earth endgame smacked of desperation and had to be stopped straight away.
This was the window of decisive opportunity the Alliance needed to take advantage of before it slipped away and displaced and ruined a planet's worth of lives. And thanks to the message he had provided to Xasha's sole remaining loyal retainer, after tracking him down and giving him a packet to hand off to Dok-Ondar, they would be prone to make their move by the end of tomorrow.
Now, while he still held the element of surprise, he needed to finish setting up his surprises for tomorrow, as well as discover where Dician and her acolytes were holding and interrogating Xasha Xizor. When the pandemonium of Batuu's final battle began, he would have to act fast if he was to save the repentant puppet and have her answer for her previous sins before and after she had her cult join the One Sith.
Besides, her inside knowledge of the Sith and how they twisted a person's desires to suit their dark ends would be a perfect testimony and cautionary tale of any noble citizen considering allying with the Dark Siders or any like-minded group of radicals after the One Sith were destroyed. It was finally time for the galaxy to wise up and outgrow its outlandish fears of the mysteries of the Force.
0600 Hours, Kelona 3rd, 59 ABY
Dathomir, Talzin Mountains
"Everything is ready, Dread Lord." Snoke reverently bowed before the Sith leader. "Our army is finished assembling and everyone is ready for this world's dark liberation."
"Good." Krayt nodded, warning right afterwards, "I trust that you and the Nightsisters have selected the best of Dathomir's apex predators to head the frontal assaults. To go up against Taron Malicos and capture our quarry, we will need to strike hard and fast before the element of surprise is lost."
"I only took the most lethal and able beasts for your strategy. They will be perfect for the diversionary assault, Master." Snoke promised.
"Do you believe the main army can be prepared to march by dawn tomorrow?" Krayt suddenly inquired.
Faltering for a moment, Snoke carefully obliged, "It will be difficult, but I believe it can be done. My auxiliaries are ready to move out on your command, and they will keep the main force covered until you are all ready to strike by dusk tomorrow."
"Do whatever you must to make it so, but I believe we need to accelerate our timetable." Krayt nodded. "I sense a growing grey murmur in the Force, one who's allegiances are unclear yet. But I suspect they could alter everything we've striven for with the Grand Design if we do not strike first. And without our spies in their order, there is no telling if the Jedi have called for reinforcements by now."
Growing silent for a moment, Krayt turned away before finishing, "I will have our seers back on Korriban searching for clarity, but our task here is still clear. We must move quickly and seize our quarry before the enemy can take all the momentum away from us here."
Too much was at stake for Krayt and his people to falter now, not with the future of the entire galaxy- nay, all of creation, likely at stake from this conflict.
What only a handful of his disciples knew was that there was a deeper reason for his seeming obsession over Edaan Palpatine. Though the Skywalkers were a great threat to the Grand Design, the Dread Lord's visions showed him how Palpatine heir had a pivotal role to play in the coming war against Abeloth.
He needed to know if Edaan was the one who would play the key part in uniting a fractured galaxy against the Bringer of Chaos, or if the Iteration he created would be the one to fill the progenitor's shoes. And to do that, he needed to capture or test Edaan to see if he had the strength and character needed to do what must be done.
But if the original Palpatine scion could not measure up or would not see the bigger picture, then he would use and discard him after he served his purpose. He would do this, no matter how much it pained Krayt to abuse such a promising and talented individual. Sacrifice was the hallmark of a true Sith and great leader and warrior, and Krayt was nothing if not all three of those things.
1000 Hours
Korriban, Darth Krayt's Citadel
"I truly wish I could show you the full extent of the Sith's libraries, young Iteration." Korin lamented as he led Tau outside the Sith Archives. "There are hundreds of wonders being taken away for safety that can keep a Sith disciple enthralled in their artifacts for ages if they are not aware of the dangers. But at least there are a few lesser holocrons here that can keep your active mind occupied."
"Actually, there is something I needed to ask you, Doctor Aphra, but it's a personal question." Tau carefully began. "What was it that convinced you the Sith were the best beings to rule the galaxy after years of keeping such a ridiculously pious faith in the Jedi?"
His easygoing eyes narrowing, Korin tensely asked, "Who told you that little rumor?"
"Your wife and daughter told me the basics, but I figured I'd hear it from you to gather the most information." Tau humbly prostrated himself, "I apologize if I'm overstepping my bounds, but I want to understand how a man who was once so enthralled by the Jedi, even as they fought threat after threat, that led you and your family to join the One Sith."
Appraising the curious clone with a guarded gaze, Korin purposefully countered, "Why do you want to learn so much about me? I wouldn't think you would be so interested in the life of such a lowly servant."
"Just because I'm a clone doesn't mean I can't take a little initiative every now and then or be a bit curious like my genetic source." Tau said, a hint of defensiveness entering his voice after rising to meet Korin's glare. "Besides, I want to understand what makes people truly tick on my own while I still have a little time to myself. And you should know this, but is seeking knowledge in and of itself so wrong?"
Seemingly satisfied, even as he felt a headache come about, Korin decided to humor the wavering clone, "You have my sincere apologies, young man. Your questions just reminded me a little of myself back in my idealistic youth, times I'd prefer not to go back to. But if going back to those days will help you understand why I serve the Sith, then I'll oblige you this one time.
"A few months after the Second Galactic Civil War, I was approached by a male Arkanian, Arko Repawl, who used to be a primary funder of my Jedi-Sith research. Like me, he was disgusted by the war that erupted because two rogue Jedi and two Shadow Academy fugitives stoked the fires of war between the Killiks and Chiss before nearly creating a bug-led galactic apocalypse, and the Jedi and Galactic Alliance's inept handling of the whole affair.
"I had trusted them with the safety and security of the galaxy after the Yuuzhan Vong War, and they squandered the hard-won peace everyone came together to survive the Vong's madness by playing politics and restricting the freedoms of the individual and worlds they lived on.
"It was a second Galactic Empire in the making, but this one with a Jedi Order at the pinnacle of power in the government they helped create. The ultimate betrayal of their principles and their predecessor's beliefs, only amplified to borderline depression after that petulant brat of Darth Caedus tried to take over the galaxy and leave it in ruins if it meant protecting his royal bitch of a daughter."
Korin stopped here to recompose himself, surprising Tau with the pain and heartache in his expression, even as the Iteration tried to glean deeper into his patron's mind. The older man did not lie about a single claim, as twisted as they were, but there was something unusual in his demeanor. It was almost as if a dark shroud was wrapped around the Aphra patriarch and was twisting his very being.
"What happened next?" Tau asked, a hint of anxiety growing in the pit of his stomach as a dreadful hypothesis began forming in his encyclopedic mind.
"It turns out that in the years after the Yuuzhan Vong invaded the galaxy, Arko went through a few changes of his own. He had become an acolyte of the One Sith and offered me the chance to remake the galaxy into a just society.
"As you might expect after researching the Sith so extensively and witnessing the legacy of one Sith empire, I was petrified at even being near a Sith Lord, ready to even jump out of my skin if it meant surviving that encounter. But Arko, now calling himself Darth Invidious, he instead spoke with such clarity, such passion, and hope for the future under Darth Krayt's wise leadership, that I could not help but be intrigued. As a result, I wanted to hear more, and Invidious was happy to oblige over the next few weeks."
And you were brainwashed into joining the One Sith, you idealistic fool. Just like Mandalore the Ultimate was brainwashed by Vitiate's emissary into attacking the Old Republic before Revan stopped his Neo-Crusaders. Tau deduced with a pall of horror over his mind.
This man was not a willing participant of the One Sith's schemes, but a poor victim by manipulation when he was at his lowest point in his devotion. While the cold and analytical part of Tau's mind could admire the planning into securing such an investment, his heart could not help but be disgusted by the depraved lengths the Sith went to in getting their assets onto their side.
Instead of trying to talk a heavy dose of sense into Korin, he played along, asking, "How did you convince your wife to join you here? I can't imagine such a vibrant spirit such as hers, and with a newly born daughter no less, agreeing to such a drastic change in… well, living arrangements."
"Let's just say I had to use some… underhanded means." Korin evasively admitted. "Means I wish I didn't have to use, even if they were all for the greater good."
Growing cheerful again, even as Tau disgustingly put together how he had Lona and Chelli kidnapped to keep his family together, Korin enthusiastically finished, "But it wasn't as bad as you might think. I got to meet countless colorful people and learn more about the Jedi-Sith history than I could ever get from the libraries of Obroa-skai. Lord Krayt has even allowed me a brief access to his most precious weapon, the one he found that will determine the fate of the galaxy once Abeloth inevitably returns."
The Mortis Dagger?! Tau nearly had a heart attack right then from shock, but he kept his emotions mostly in check. The only showing of emotion was his jaw clenching and hands fidgeting before breathing deeply to calm his raging mind and soul.
"And when we win this war and free the galaxy from the chains the Jedi and their lackeys have strewn among the galaxy, I just know my family will understand sooner than you and everyone else might think." Korin gladly continued.
'Hopefully by the time I'm done here, you'll be free from the chains the Sith have placed on your mind and those of countless others.' Tau earnestly vowed. But before he did anything, he needed to let Lona know of her husband's corrupted state of mind and learn all he could of the Sith's projects underway down here.
If they were willing to brainwash a historian and devastate a family to keep him out of the Jedi's hands, then what else were they capable of to the innocents the Dread Lord supposedly cared so deeply about? It was time for Tau to do a bit of digging into the full scope of his creators' so-called "Grand Design" and determine once and for all what path he should take with his life.
He might have helped the Aphras tip off Krayt's Dathomir ambush to the Jedi, but that was mostly due to his self-interest in wanting to avoid his personality in the event Edaan was captured. Tau was still coming to grips with his newfound freedom and wanted time to figure things out while preventing a genocidal planetary takeover in the process.
But now, he had a few days to think, and he was quickly coming to realize that he was currently on the wrong side of this war. Now, it was time for him to help as many as he could break the Sith's vile chains and get the one weapon of legend that was possible to obliterate Abeloth for good.
Krayt and his Sith would probably try to hoard the weapon to hold the galaxy hostage until they capitulated to his rule, and that was unacceptable, not with countless lives at stake and risking allowing the ultimate evil in all of creation to fully resurrect herself, all in the name of gaining temporary reign over countless worlds.
How ironic. Tau was starting to think like a Jedi. Perhaps he had more in common with his genetic source than he first believed and might enjoy a conversation or two with Edaan Palpatine, even as awkward as it might be. But first he had to survive long enough to enact such a meeting.
1100 Hours
Within Nala Se's Cloning Labs
The Kaminoan marveled at the prototype of her masterpiece creation, other than the Iterations she had developed for Lord Krayt. Smaller than a tiny lump of flesh, and as thin as a piece of flimsi, the control chip she had developed to keep SCAR Squadron 99 in line when serving the One Sith as their newest hit squad.
Gazing upon the seven men kept within stasis pods, each of them making up the unconventional Imperial Commando squad, she remembered every facet of their skill sets. These genetic mutations would be invaluable to the sabotage campaign the One Sith remnants would begin after the rest of their order withdrew to safer worlds for the next couple of decades.
After so many decades of being apart from them, she still remembered each of the names they chose for themselves, and their best abilities and proclivities with perfect clarity. Soon, she would greatly relish the sight of watching the seven clones of Task Force 99 fulfilling their primary programming once again.
Mic, the team's slicer, capable of breaking into and decrypting just about enemy computer system with even decades-old software and decryption programs he could scrounge up and personally upgrade, exactly like his predecessor of Clone Force 99, CT-9903, did during the Grand Army of the Republic commando squad operated behind enemy lines for the Clone War's duration.
Cav, the commando melee specialist, capable of attacking targets in close quarters combat with dozens of martial arts forms under his belt. Whether it was Teräs Käsi, Sholân Kha, Changa bushfighting, or Echani, there was no art he would not study if it meant getting another edge on his opponents and keeping his fellow soldiers alive throughout another battle.
Zuke, the muscle of Task Force 99, and a minor heavy weapons expert. He was often one to keep a mortar on his back and helped absorb the brunt of attacks or deliver the most damage to enemy fortifications, just as CT-9902 was prone to doing when the Bad Batch needed to forgo stealth.
Misty, the squad's chief sniper, had extra-sensory perception and was able to hit a target with perfect precision from distances rivaled only by few Jedi and even fewer marksmen. His sniper skills honed and refined after CT-9904's disappearance, he had downed many key rogue warlords and enemy units from a safe distance and saved countless Imperial lives.
Shrap, the squad's heavy weapons specialist, who often wielded a flamethrower and explosive charges to soften enemy fortresses and help Zuke make it through his wild charges with little more than minor paint scratches on armor. There was never a weapon that Shrap could not learn to operate quickly with his intimate knowledge of weapons of mass destruction.
Aero, as the squad's engineer, capable of repairing and hot-wiring vehicles for transport and commandeering starfighters for the Imperials' use when conventional transport was out of the question.
Lastly, the clone Stormtrooper, the one man who was able to effectively command such an otherwise uncontrollable band of misfits, Sergeant Kreel. Based on CT-9901's mutations that gave him enhanced senses, allowing him to feel electromagnetic frequencies from anywhere on a planet and act as his squad's living holomap, combined with his innate tactical mind and brilliant leadership, Kreel was unrivaled by all in the Imperial Army but Lord Vader and his elite Inquisitors.
In just a meager five days, Nala would insert the newly improved control chips into each of her clones. Then, they could prepare for their deployment into the Jedi-dominated galaxy.
Striking at random with no discernable pattern, with their perfect record of assassination and sabotage, the current powers would be undermined and filled with fear until Lord Krayt and the One Sith had enough time to infiltrate each government and give his followers their second chance at galactic dominance.
Lastly, and most importantly for Nala, during the chaos her creations would generate, she and her students could use their promised wealth and power to start rebuilding their people's prosperity and prestige in the galactic underworld. It might be a small step down from their GAR-era reputation, but it would be more than enough to keep the Kaminoans afloat and flush with credits and clients after so many decades of obscurity and destitution, and that was all that mattered for the elder master cloner.
1200 Hours
Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple
Within the Grand Master's Office
"You've certainly got plenty of guts, asking me and my crew for a favor like this." Grace sternly pointed out to Kyle and Jaden after the two Jedi laid out their request to the Paladin Lieutenant.
"We wouldn't be asking this of you if we believed you couldn't handle it, and if the situation wasn't this critical." Kyle calmly reminded her. "Our friends and allies are going to need all the help they can get, and you're in a prime position to deliver our reinforcements to this imminent battleground."
"And you think the rest of the galaxy will be as receptive as you all when the Jedi Council reveals how Zakuul is making a grand return to the galaxy, months ahead of our original schedule?" Grace contested. "Your detractors, even some among your order, will likely accuse you all of trying to make a power grab in the midst of a galactic war, never mind the Galactic Senate's already crippled body by a handful of Sith collaborators.
"Look, I'm not disagreeing with your course of action, but I felt it prudent to warn you of its all but inevitable fallout so you can prepare a good defense." Grace placatingly concluded.
"Thank you for your consideration." Kyle gratefully thanked the young woman, eyes growing sharp as a new idea came to the Jedi Grand Master.
"Now that I think about it, if you want to give us more than excellent advice, perhaps you can help draft a statement or message for us. This way, we can assuage many of the citizens' fears if you and a few more Aquilians explain the situation."
"And since the Silentium and Chiss know about the reformations Zakuul has undergone, perhaps they will be willing to give accurate information on the planet's reorganization." Jaden quickly caught on.
"What about Master Saa?" Grace reminded the two men. "If you admit how Edaan sent a Jedi Master from the Old Republic to help Zakuul prepare for war, then you'll open the door for a whole new army of critics and fearmongers."
"We can't plan for every scenario, much as many of us might wish differently. All we can do is respond accordingly and trust in the Force that a solution will arise." Jaden advised the young woman.
Pinching the brow of her nose, Grace pointed out, "Well, if you're going to put all your faith in a cosmic power, then my crew and I might as well work in the real world. We'll prepare to take your Jedi and friends to the coming war zone."
"Actually, there's one more thing." Jaden awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "Colonel Wren and her people are ready to move on their home sector, and we've received word that the Protectors and the rest of our allies are preparing to make a series of raids on Lecersen's blockade.
"If you can drop her people and a few other allies a sector or two away from the blockade, it would be much appreciated."
"Sure, use us as your mobile teleporting service while breaking the barriers of time and space." Grace bitterly chuckled. "I'll need a few Jedi to help with the wormhole."
"I know we have at least a dozen of our order's best who are on standby and can help you with this endeavor." Kyle agreed, pulling out his personal holocomm. "I'll bring them up to speed right away, and you'll be underway by dawn tomorrow."
1230 Hours
Batuu, Within the Morandi Forests
Aboard the Quarren Eye
Voort could not help but laugh, a harsh sound to hear for everyone attending this conference, at the absurdity of the decrypted message the Clawdite shapeshifter Turman Durra let drift into the hands of the assembled leadership through the Resistance's sole remaining contact in the Black Spire Outpost.
Being a former actor and longstanding member of Wraith Squadron, Turman had helped the unofficial team uncover the motivations and weaknesses of many enemies throughout the duration of his time with them. His work was almost always spot on and could fool even seasoned Sith with enough information and time to get into the minds of his subordinates.
But never, in all his years as a soldier and team leader, did he ever imagine the polymorphous man to take such extreme initiative and infiltrate the Black Spire Ruins by impersonating one of Ordo Temal's top lieutenants and working to pave the way to an Alliance victory before passing along crucial information to Dok-Ondar and ensuring it would work its way to his friends and their newest allies.
If he wasn't prepared to give his subordinate and friend the most grueling and humiliating punishment he could think of when they extracted him, or just put him on the front lines more often to teach him to go off on his own so recklessly, whichever suited his fancy better. After he gave Turman his new assignment, he would commend him for his ingenuity and personal growth.
Although, come to think of it, he should probably do the latter first before properly disciplining him, just to thank him for his work in saving many lives, civilian and allied, through his self-appointed mission, if only to preserve morale among the regular soldiers and his own squad.
"Voort, I fail to see what's so funny about this planetary apocalypse we're all facing." Cara impatiently pointed out. "Dician's holding the planet hostage with her bombs, each one carrying a 100-megaton yield, and she's about to make off with an army of lethal Esk-kha. And now, one of your own decided to enact a suicidal scheme without running it by any of us, but you decide to laugh at your friend's insanity?! Are you sure your old age isn't catching up with you, Piggy?"
"My mind is fine, Dune." Voort reassured everyone after he calmed himself down. "I'm just marveling at the opportunity Turman is giving us here. With the intel he's given us, we can make our move on Dician and her fleet by tomorrow morning. Then I can appropriately deal with my overzealous subordinate with a punishment he'll never forget."
"If she and the planet we're on are even still around by then." Azzim warned the Gamorrean. "We aren't exactly on a generous timetable here, and with Tonith's fleet defending their priority facilities, the numbers aren't exactly in our favor here."
"That's why we need to hit them hard and fast, before they have a chance to make their final move." Tiana advised everyone, pulling up a tactical hologram of the planet, plugging in Turman's pilfered information to pinpoint the fifty nuclear bombs scattered across the world's continents. "While our main force keeps the Sith pinned down, our strike teams can work on disarming every bomb we can. Turman gave us the schematics and codes to deactivate these bombs."
"I know of a few teams in mind that have a knack for hacking this kind of stuff." Din offered, starting a discussion with everyone offering resources and strategizing their new attack. When the next three hours concluded, they were ready to give orders to the rest of the troops, and then they would mobilize their fleet by early morning tomorrow.
The battle for Batuu was about to reach its climax, and it would be an explosive race to the finish.
1300 Hours
Dathomir, Jedi Praxeum
'All right. It's now or never.' Edaan anxiously muttered to himself for at least the tenth time as he sat in his private room, prepared for him by his wife and the Praxeum's staff. With a fridge stocked full of food and liquids, a refresher for his own private use, including a shower that used actual water, a comfortable bed to house his soon-to-be unconscious body, and the potion to start his trials, Edaan had everything he needed to begin his ultimate test of character.
Shakily holding the potion that Taron and the Witches of Dathomir concocted that would supposedly help the Jedi Knight battle his inner demons in a mere sixteen hours.
According to Kirana Ti and her students and best potions masters in the Witches and Jedi, this creation would drag Edaan into the deepest recesses of his subconscious mind and force him to endure at least five trying tribulations. Each ordeal was designed to test a certain aspect of his character, with each test more grueling htan the last. But if he could not complete them within a set time frame, or his vitals grew too erratic, then Taron and Adari would step in and pull him out.
Either way, after Edaan awoke, he would be able to get a good meal, plenty of liquids, and a briefing on his role in the coming war to determine this planet's future.
He was ready to face his darkest fears, but for the dear life of him, he just could not drink the liquid before him no matter how hard he tried. Whether it was from the dread of facing whatever trauma laid within his mind, or anxiety at facing the One Sith in less than thirty-six hours, some accursed phantom fear was holding him back.
"Can't go through with it, beloved? I thought you could go through with this soul-searching easily enough. After all, getting herself captured to see Vestara back on Kesh was a much more terrifying experience for you." A worried voice broke through Edaan's pall of fear. Nearly dropping the bowl upon hearing his wife's interruption, he gently put the liquid down to turn and face Adari.
"I'm really that pathetic, aren't I?" Edaan sheepishly admitted while Adari walked to sit by him.
"No." She seriously shook her head. "I get it. You're scared of facing what darkness is lurking in your heart, and whether you can conquer your fears or if you fall prey to temptation.
"But I need to tell you something, Edaan. Something I think you need a reminder of every day, just so it can stick in that thick head of yours. You are not perfect, and you do not need to be. You just need to remember that you can only do your best, and that is enough. It's certainly been enough for everyone who's lives you've touched and impacted so far in your twenty-three years alive."
"But-" Edaan tried, only to get a firm finger pressed against his lips, awkwardly silencing his reflections as he listened to what his love had to say.
"Nope, let me finish." Adari sternly kept him from talking before she continued her lecture, "You think you have to be the anchor of us all, carry all these burdens and responsibilities all on your own to atone for Sidious's crimes and redeem your family's name.
"But you need to be aware that because of you, others have been able to grow and mature into great fighters and follow your noble example. And they will help you carry this oppressive weight and help you when you mess up or start to slip onto your ancestor's path.
"And remember, as far as those who truly know and cherish you are concerned, you have already redeemed the Palpatine name, just as your family strove to do so throughout their lives. And the rest of the galaxy will soon acknowledge it as well. You just need to survive long enough to see your work come to full fruition.
"When your best won't be enough, or if you fall, remember that you've got me and countless friends there to pick you up and help you. You've done the same for us so many times, it's about krething time we returned the favor."
"Besides, don't you Jedi have a saying of how alone, one is strong, but together, you can be unstoppable? I think it's about time you take your order's own proverbs to heart." Adari earnestly reminded Edaan before kissing him, tasting the saltiness of his grateful tears, relishing the outpour of emotions coming from her husband before reluctantly ending the tender moment.
"Now, I think it's about time you start this inner battle, fight those dragons of yours head-on, and show them who's boss." Adari said in complete seriousness.
"You got that bit from Jaden and Kyle." Edaan earnestly laughed hearing at the old metaphor that his sibling student and master instilled into him throughout his apprenticeship.
Taking a deep breath, he held the bowl up to his lips and thanked Adari, "You never cease to amaze me, love. I'll see you soon."
Drinking the potion in a handful of gulps, Edaan started to feel a sense of vertigo come over him, his vision becoming blurry and his limbs growing increasingly heavy. Not even a few moments later, he fell flat onto his bed, and allowed the weariness rapidly spreading throughout his being to overtake him while letting his eyes shut tight.
Adari, after gingerly settling Edaan into his bed and preparing to inform Taron that everything was in motion, laid a final gentle and chaste kiss on her husband's cheek.
"Be strong, my love." Adari tenderly whispered before calling the hybrid Jedi Master and returning to continue aiding the war council. Before she departed, she spared Edaan one final longing glance, quietly offering him her hope and conviction through silent prayers on how he would win this inner war before helping the Jedi beat the Sith back to the dark abyss of whatever or whichever type of hell existed, exactly where they belonged.
Falleen, Lajinda
Within the Rude Awakening
"You've reached out to all their relatives?" Jarael quietly inquired to Ben and Kix regarding Xule and the rest of the liberated children and their potential brainwashing or conversion by Phobar and his fellow torturers.
With the Alliance carefully evaluating each initiate's story, Haxim's people contacting their supposed family members, and fact-checking their information to try and find any contradictions, and their Jedi allies reading the subjects for any hint of a newfound dark allegiance, the investigation was bearing little fruit and corroborating with the children's claims.
It would seem they would be allowed to reintegrate within normal society and potentially join the Jedi within a handful of months, especially if the Order established an embassy on this world to help stabilize the nascent regime.
But the possibility of infiltration, a hard-earned lesson after the galaxy's experiences with unwilling spies from the Yuuzhan Vong, Abeloth, and countless other threats, and the Jedi having just purged its ranks of every Sith agent they could so far find, it could not be ruled out so simply. That was why Ben and the Rude Awakening's crew were working together to determine the validity of such a theory.
"As many as Tyria and I could find over the last week, yes." Ben nodded. "They all confirm the children's stories, and the timelines fit."
"And I ran every cranial scan I could think of, including the kind of conditioning the GAR used on my brothers, but nothing came up." Kix apprehensively added. "Do you think we're jumping at phantoms here? Maybe these kids are clean from any programming or Sith sorcery."
"I want to believe that Kix, more than almost anything." Ben emphatically sighed, dashing the Clone Trooper's fragile hopes when he continued, "But we all know how most Sith will use any trick they can to win, and that includes manipulating and enslaving children to suit their ends.
"We have to be absolutely sure they're safe, for theirs and their family's good as much as everyone else's. Only then can they live their own lives, whether they're Jedi or whatever else they decide to become." Jarael insightfully added.
"Then why don't we just tell the kids what's going on?" Kix irritably pointed out. "We don't have to tell them everything, just explain we need to give them an examination by your healers to ensure Phobar didn't do any lasting damage to them. If nothing turns up, then we can release them just after we finish saving this world."
"We've been doing just that, but nothing's turned up. Not even in the Observatory's records." Ben patiently reminded the medic.
"But we have three able-bodied Sith defectors and the best slicers from across half the galaxy that can reconstruct the data. If they can't produce yout desired results, then no one can." Kix countered.
Placing a hand to his chin, Ben appeared to strongly consider the idea. "It's worth a shot. But for obvious security reasons, Phasma and the others will have to be under heavy watch the whole time."
"Then we'd better make the necessary arrangements immediately, before we're all called away to handle Malleus and the last pockets of Redhan's dominion." Jarael nodded.
"Scuttlebutt says we'll be launching our final attack in a couple days or so." Kix piped up, worriedly adding. "Haxim's out for blood, not that I blame him, mind you. But the last thing we should want is for him to turn out to be another fanatic like Krell."
Vividly remembering Pong Krell, a fallen Jedi Master and General from the Clone War, how the Besalisk was ousted as a Dark Acolyte agent in the weeks leading up to the Outer Rim Sieges, Kix felt feelings he had spent years trying to suppress and bury return to the surface.
While Krell was eventually killed by two Clone Trooper legions on the shadowy world of Umbara to prevent him from fully crossing over to Dooku's camp, Kix was exposed to the Jedi's fallibilities and found himself doubting much in his final months before his decades of imprisonment in stasis.
Forcibly shaking himself to banish those horrific memories from his mind, he looked at a concerned Ben and Jarael before he led the way out of the med bay, "Come on. We've got work to do if we're going to help those kids, and Ben here can pay his girlfriend another visit and offer her another of Bardan's healing sessions soon."
Within the City's Primary Infirmary Camp
Inside Vestara Khai's Subconsciousness
"I don't mean to be disrespectful, Kreia, but why are we going through a walk down all my memories?" Vestara cautiously asked the Force apparition as they walked through a chamber, one that showed each of Vestara's atrocious acts as a Sith in her thirty-two years of living.
"Because you need to come to terms with the sins of your past, in order to take control of your future and be with the one you love with all your heart." Kreia bluntly answered as they passed her remembrances of Telos IV. "Your guilt threatens to overwhelm you if you do not let go of the anguish you feel in your heart. That is exactly how Phobar and Ship want you to feel, for that train of thought will lead you back into the Dark Side and destroy you, once and for all."
"I suppose you have ample experience with that, since you tried to wipe out the Force and make us no better than the damned Vong." Vestara bitterly muttered, earning her a hard slap from the ghost, the force of the blow strong enough to leave a lasting mark as the living woman stared at Kreia with absolute shock, warring with the outrage at the spirit's act.
"I will not have you wallow in self-pity and doubt, not when there is so much more you could be doing to atone for your crimes and honor the trust and loyalty your lover and friends have placed in you. If I can overcome countless betrayals from the Jedi and Sith to take control of my own fate, even for a mad end, you can triumph over the darkness of your soul." Kreia harshly admonished her, before softening her gaze to continue,
"It was love, a pure, limitless, honest, and selfless love, that was able to allow Meetra to reach me and let me make peace with the Force just before I faced death, just as Edaan did so for you when almost the entire galaxy was set on killing you or sending you further down the dark path you were on. And now, it will be just that kind of compassion and an even deeper love which will fully save you as well.
"The acts you have done, the darkness imprinted on you, will always be a part of you, but they do not have to define and control you. Even if you feel the weight of your sins crushing your being, your spirit can still soar high and be able to live another day."
"How?" Vestara whimpered. "I don't know how to do that on my own. And this darkness, how do I even escape that after everyone I betrayed, used, and ruined or killed?"
"The same way countless others have fought their way back from darkness and despair; Let others in so they can help you, just as Allana, Ben, and your sister are fighting tooth and nail to help you awaken from the Sith's dark influence. They can help you save your soul, even when you have reached your lowest point." Kreia patiently pointed out, her incorporeal form beginning to fade away, much to Vestara's terror.
"Wait! Don't leave! I can't do this alone!" She desperately cried out.
"You are never alone, Vestara. You have the memory of all those who came into your life, and the unconditional love of those who live in the present." Kreia almost soothingly consoled her, before warning the living woman, "But the question you need to ask yourself now is this: will you allow others to help you lift the veil of darkness over your heart, or will you let this self-pity and self-loathing overtake you and allow yourself to forever wander in perdition?"
Fully vanishing, she quickly left Vestara with little time to contemplate her next move, before the dark apparitions would return, and the ultimate resolution she would soon make and determine the course of her life and countless lives beyond hers forever more.
Well, I think this is a good place to end this chapter. What did you all think, as it took me about a week to write, since I took a couple days off when I flew to St. Louis so I could visit family? I might write a couple interlude chapters after this one so I can better plan out the rest of my story, and so I can expand upon Edaan's backstory a bit more. I hope you're all excited for whatever I write next, as it will hopefully be unforgettable. So, how are you all doing on this cool St. Louis day of Tuesday, April 19, 2022? I'm doing well, if sad from the movie I saw today. It's a brilliant film starting Mark Wahlberg based on a true story, and it's amazing to see the man he played came to Christ and became a priest despite all the adversity he faced, and every challenge he overcame throughout his life and the unbreakable faith he gained. Man, does it inspire and sadden me at the same time, I know more people could use that kind of inspiration right about now. And I'm almost done with a great book on Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. Afterwards, I'll begin a book on the fall of the ancient Roman Republic, an undoubtedly riveting piece and valuable gem of a historical book. Well, with all the small talk out of the way, I'd best get this chapter published in a couple days. I'll look it over and check for any potential revisions before I put it out there for all to read. May God be with us all in these mad times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
