ORD MANTELL
Talon darted into the alleyway nearest to her, lightsaber still activated. She made sure that nobody was following her, least of all the Jedi, before leaping towards the wall of the building nearest to her.
Talon then bounced off of the building's marble wall, springing across the alley towards the one opposite.
The Twi'lek apprentice continued her leap from wall to wall until she reached the rooftops, where she was standing close to the aerial battle between the New Republic Interceptors and the Coalition fighters.
Talon reached for the comlink on the belt of her black robe and switched it on.
"I'm approaching the capital building. Get the shock grenades ready."
"Copy," Nihl said from his Infiltrator. With the Shadowguard in his copilot seat, Nihl piloted his vessel upwards, disengaging from the Millennium Falcon rather than firing on the still-struggling Leia.
Leia managed to climb onto the hull of the Falcon, where Chewbacca was waiting for her. The Wookiee used his hairy arms to support Leia as he helped her climb down the top hatch.
Back in the cockpit, Han studied the Infiltrator as it flew towards the rooftops ahead.
"Where's he going?" the general wondered aloud.
By this time, Talon managed to hop onto the rooftop of the domed Capitol building of Ord Mantell City.
Leia quickly rejoined her husband in the cockpit of the Falcon while Threepio stayed in the passenger hold, fiddling with the pieces of the holochess table.
"Follow him!" Leia shouted as Han sped up after the Sith vehicle.
Nihl gave the controls of his vessel to the Shadowguard and lifted a large, cubed shock grenade, at the same time using the Force to open a secret hatch to his Infiltrator.
"I got a bad feeling about this," Leia said.
Nihl pitched the grenade out of the hatch, towards the building into which Talon was standing.
The grenade struck the rooftop, sending a large electrical wave throughout the levels of the Capitol.
Inside the building, workers and officials screamed as the rooms went silent.
Mayor Brackett's voice sounded on the radio: "General Solo, we..." before going totally silent, followed by static.
"They cut the power," Han remarked. Talon took a last look at the Falcon, winking slyly before jumping into the hole left by Nihl's grenade.
"General Solo, behind you!" Sam's voice shouted from the Blue Harvest.
Han took evasive action as Nihl came up behind the Falcon, flanked by two Black Sun Elite Vipers.
"Cover me!" he shouted as he and Leia turned the ship onto its side, speeding over the narrow alleyway between two buildings.
Sam and McCallum opened fire on the Vipers, managing to strike one in the top wing.
Screams could be heard from inside the Capitol as Talon plowed her way through.
"Look!" McCallum pointed as dignitaries and government workers came pouring out of the metropolitan building, met by volleys of fire as they hit the sidewalk.
"All Republic units, follow me," Han said as the Falcon emerged from the alleyway and returned right-side-up, "We need to regroup and make a better plan before more of us get killed."
Dams of water flowed throughout Ord Mantell's plains toward the walled-in capital city. The streams of water protected by the dam pathways were visible from the red-and-pink clouds above. The dams were connecting the irrigation system of the city to a complex network of tunnels where water came in and out.
The remaining Interceptors followed the Falcon and Blue Harvest from the smoldering walls of the city Civilians cowered as Coalition mercenaries began to prowl the streets.
"We need the Jedi," an old woman whispered fearfully as the armored guerrillas marched.
Several hundred miles from the capital city, Han, Leia and the Falcon crew finally landed to meet with the rest of Rogue Squadron.
As the men and women assembled in the circle formed by their docked vessels, Leia activated a portable holoprojector to display a holographic blueprint of Ord Mantell City. It wasn't of the best quality, but it would have to do without Artoo around.
"The Coalition has managed to capture the main infrastructure of the city," Han said, "They've had dozens of mercenaries hiding in the crevices and alleyways all this time."
"I don't understand how they got so many men so quickly," the female pilot named Trix Azer commented, "They're still a small operation."
"Many more are dissenting against the Republic now," Leia replied, "After seeing what the Coalition was capable of on Taris, they inspired others to fight against us, others who prefer the lawlessness of the underworld."
"We've got too small of a crew to secure a quick victory," Sam added, "Chief Fey'lya's already got the navy we have spread across the Core Worlds."
"Lando's dealing with a crisis on Ryloth," Han added.
"We can't let the Coalition have this one," Trix said.
"Guerrilla fighters alone are no problem," Leia said, gazing at the horizon towards the smoke in the distance, "But they're being led by dangerous people, people with powers that we're not prepared to fight."
Suddenly, a new craft appeared in the atmosphere of Ord Mantell overlooking the exiled Republic fighters, one that was unfamiliar to most, but one that Han and Leia knew well.
Chewbacca gave an excited roar as Leia said, "Look."
Han gazed up at Ben's StealthX as it descended towards the group to join them.
As Ben Solo landed his green and silver vehicle, Han and Leia rushed to greet him. The young Jedi Knight climbed out of the cockpit to be embraced tightly by both his parents.
"Ben!" Leia exclaimed, "what are you doing here?"
"You're looking worse for wear, kid," Han teased.
"The Pykes have left Nar Shaddaa and my job was done," Ben replied, "I'll leave it to the Republic to sort out the rest. I thought I'd pay you all a visit."
Han and Leia led their son back to where the others were gathered.
"Hey," Ben said to everyone, receiving hearty greetings in return.
"We could use your help about now," Sam remarked.
Ben smiled modestly as Han said, "I've got a lot of confidence in my boy here, but we're dealing with something none of us have seen before. Not for a long while, at least."
Leia exchanged a glance with her husband and understood that like her, he didn't want to put their son in unnecessary danger, Jedi or not. Still, they all had jobs to do.
"We need a new plan of attack," Leia said, indicating the holographic blueprint, "The Coalition troops are going to be manning the walls of the city, so we'd need to somehow attack from the middle."
"Attacking from inside the perimeter?" Sam asked, "How're we going to pull that off?"
"We could find a way to use the irrigation channels," Ben pointed out, "If we could sneak all of the men into the city, we could divide them and reconquer the city piece by piece."
Leia's holoprojector began to hum as the image of the capital city flickered and was replaced by the hologram of Grand Vizier Cal Omas.
"Vizier Omas, to what to we owe the pleasure?" Leia asked. Her tone carried a mix of diplomatic earnestness and annoyed contempt.
"Senator Solo, I am recalling you to Coruscant for the important Senate vote regarding the role of the Jedi in the war with the Coalition," Omas stated, "Can we expect your presence in the arena."
Han spoke up in defense of his wife. "With respect, Cal, we're in the middle of a battle objective here."
"I understand, General," Omas replied, nonetheless scowling, "But without the active participation of the Jedi in our military, we cannot hope to conquer the Coalition. It would be a disservice for the Order to refuse."
Ben stepped forward. "Master Skywalker has made his stance on the matter clear, Grand Vizier," he said.
"Who is this young man?" Omas asked contemptuously.
"That's my son!" Han barked.
"Nonetheless, Senator, you and your brother will be expected in the Senate. The Chief will hold you both accountable otherwise."
With that, Omas's hologram faded into the gloomy air.
"Honey, I'll be okay here, really," Han said, "You go do your job in the Royal snoozehall."
Leia briefly smiled before turning serious again. "Han, my place is in the field, with you."
"We'll have to figure out something fast," Han replied, feeling hopeless despite his words.
OSSUS
Inside the Council chamber, Luke was accompanied by Masters Tionne, Nodlad, Sebatyne, and Hamner as he spoke to both Han and Leia via hologram.
"The Chief already has it in for the Jedi as it is," Leia said, "If we're not there on Coruscant, he might pursue aggressive action against us."
"The Jedi are well hidden from any threat, whether from friend or foe," Luke assured his sister.
"But he has strong influence over public opinion," Leia replied, "Who knows what Fey'lya could make the public believe about the Jedi?"
"Listen, kid, nobody hates this more than I do," Han said, unable to keep the pleading from his voice, "But we're trying to keep the Senate off all our backs. And these new Coalition leaders, whoever they are."
"I know where they come from," Luke said grimly, "And I know that the Jedi can't avoid them forever."
"Ord Mantell needs the Jedi, Luke," Leia said, "they need you."
Luke nodded in agreement, understanding the true meaning of Leia's words.
It had come full circle, Luke realized, from Leia asking old Ben Kenobi for help to both Han and Leia asking Luke, now a Jedi Master, go rescue them from their plight. As a Jedi, it was Luke's role to keep peace in the galaxy.
There was a chamber within the sixth level of the Jedi Academy that contained a vast, lush garden with all of the best vegetation that Ossus had to offer. The flowers were plentiful with different colors, shapes and sizes, while a small waterfall flowed into the pond on the Garden Level.
Clearing her mind of her internal plagues, Kira sat on the grass deep in meditation.
At least she appeared to be meditating. In fact, her mind was lightyears away, faces coming upon her visage.
She saw her parents, flying in the heat of battle. Her brother Ben, wielding his lightsaber and ready for action.
She now saw the young pilot Sam Fel, who she'd first become acquainted with on Nal Hutta during her attempt to help her parents fight off the Coalition.
Kira opened her eyes as she sensed a shimmering presence behind her.
"He is a good looking pilot, isn't he?" asked a familiar voice.
Kira blushed in embarrassment as she turned to find the ghost of her grandfather, Anakin Skywalker.
"How do you know what I'm thinking?" she asked sheepishly.
"Even if we weren't so bonded, I'd still know that look in your eye. You always get it when you see him," Anakin teased.
"All right, is that all?" Kira asked, nonetheless smiling at her grandfather.
"Okay, I won't talk anymore about it," Anakin promised, still grinning mischievously, "But I remember falling in love myself, and I remember pining for what I couldn't have."
"Ive got other things on my mind too," Kira said defensively.
"I know," Anakin replied, growing more solemn.
"In a lot of ways, I still feel like the same little girl I was on Corellia," Kira explained, "I'm still being kept away from the fighting, while my parents and Ben are in the battlefield every day."
"Being a Jedi isn't about fighting, Kira," Anakin reminded her, "But I know just how you feel. I know it won't be long before Luke feels you are ready."
"Why don't you tell him?" Kira asked in a shamefully puerile manner.
"I'm afraid that's not my place," Anakin said with a sad smile, "But patience will always reward you in the end."
"You always seem to have the answers, Grandpa," Kira said, having long since moved to informal terms of address for her grandfather.
"I don't think I ever have the answers," Anakin replied, "I only seek to provide guidance and comfort when you need."
"I feel like I always do," Kira muttered sadly.
She sensed a new presence coming, as Anakin's ghost faded into the dusk.
Kira bowed as her uncle entered the Garden Room.
"You don't have to bow, Kira," Luke said, prompting her to rise.
"Right, no one else around," Kira replied.
"Listen, Kira, this is important," Luke said, "Tonight, we are leaving for a mission. This is a very time sensitive assignment, and it should not be taken lightly."
Kira had begun to grin in a way that would have humiliated her had she seen it, but she suppressed it at the last second. If Luke caught her over-enthusiasm, he kept his reaction well concealed.
"Where are we going, Uncle Luke?"
"We're going to Ord Mantell to help your parents and Rogue Squadron," Luke replied, "We need to end the conflict there as soon as possible. Your mother and I are both expected at the Senate on Coruscant."
"And we leave tonight?" Kira asked, already kicking herself for how giddy she was sounding.
"You'll be happy to know that Tionne and Tahiri are coming with us," Luke replied, "So you won't be totally alone."
"When do we leave?" Kira asked, almost jumping into the air.
"As soon as you're ready," Luke replied. Knowing how ecstatic his niece was, he allowed himself to smile and wink at her.
"I'll be ready right away!" Kira declared, starting to run out of the Garden Level to her quarters.
Luke chuckled despite his worries.
"Seeing her happy makes it all worth the while," he said, apparently to nobody in particular.
The spirit of his father, Anakin, responded.
"Her innocence is a gift. You should enjoy it while it lasts."
Luke nodded, turning grim once again as the future began to trouble his thoughts.
"One of the most important things I learned from Master Yoda was to focus on the present," Anakin said, "and I think this is a good time to remind you of that."
"Did he tell you that too?" Luke asked, "Does he say that to all his Jedi?"
The main hangar of the Jedi Academy was located on the third level, the opening pointed towards the clearing between the many groves of canopy trees.
Few ships were docked besides the Jedi StealthXs, besides a single trooper carrier.
Kira waited by her assigned StealthX, a blue and silver vehicle, while Luke entered the hangar accompanied by Tionne, Tahiri, and his astromech droid Artoo Deetoo.
"Your fighter ready?" Luke asked.
"All ready to launch," Kira replied. Her eyes met Tahiri's, and the other girl returned her grin.
"This is it!" Tahiri whispered with excitement.
"Once we arrive on Ord Mantell, we'll rendezvous with Han and Leia and the others, and plan our next move of attack," Luke said, "This won't be an easy mission."
"Are the two of you ready for the task?" Tionne asked the two girls.
"More than ready," Kira replied.
"Then we'd best get going," Luke said, "Artoo here will transmit the trajectory to your StealthXs and show you where to follow me to."
"May the force be with you both," Tionne said, following Luke and Artoo to where their StealthXs were.
Tahiri grabbed her friend with excitement.
"I told you your chance would come, and you've got it now!" she said.
"I know!" Kira replied, before turning serious. "I just hope I don't blow it."
"You won't," Tahiri promised.
"I don't want to let them down," Kira said, looking out of the hangar into the horizon over the forest.
A few minutes later, the four Jedi were seated in the cockpit of their fighters, with Artoo Deetoo rested in the droid socket of Luke's StealthX.
"Ready to launch on my mark?" Luke asked.
Kira took a deep breath as she pulled the throttle of her ship, lifting off after Luke and the others. She wasn't at all worried about flying, between her practice with the StealthX at the Academy and her long years in the cockpit of her dad's Millennium Falcon.
It was everything else about the mission that was bothering her. She tried to push the feelings of doubt out of her mind as she piloted the StealthX out of the hangar mouth.
However, every kilometer that her ship flew over the treetops made her feel like she was flying further into the inferno.
ORD MANTELL
Darth Talon waited one the wide, shallow staircase leading from the front entrance of the Capitol into the subway system below as Nihl approached from his Interceptor.
"Our forces have secured the corners of the city, and I've sent probe droids after the Falcon."
"The Republic will come back soon," Talon replied, "And now, I think it is time we summoned the Dark Master."
"The Dark Master does not like to be disturbed," Nihl countered, "He never takes kindly to being interrupted."
"Do not presume to know him better than I," Talon snapped at her fellow apprentice, "I have been his oldest and most trusted apprentice, and I know that he will want to come here. Especially with Skywalker's sister."
Talon and Nihl entered the barren building, its communication system still intact.
Bodies were scattered on the floor, as well as discarded blasters. Computers were left open and the Holonet was still active.
Talon approached the main projector and began to patch a signal to a distant planet.
HAD ABADDON
The remote world of Had Abaddon was located in the Mid Rim, just between the Byss and Vjun systems. Its atmosphere largely consisted of dark clouds, and it had a surface full of green and purple acid lakes.
A small castle was built on top of a mountain range overlooking the acidic lake, with two pointy towers touching the clouds.
Four Shadowtroopers stood guard at the drawbridge over the acid moat, two armed with saberpikes and the other armed with electorscythes.
In the upper tower, two TC-SC droids emerged from the innermost chamber.
Armed with deadly staffs, the two droids began to morph appearances, until one resembled the late Darth Maul, and the other resembled the ancient Revan.
The sound of a lightsaber igniting sounded above, and a third figure leapt down from the balcony below.
He was a large and muscular man, but his skin was very pale. He had wavy reddish-brown hair and sunken eyes. Skyler, the Dark Master of the Coalition, waved his red lightsaber blade as he prepares to take down the two droids.
The Maul simulation attacked first, approaching with a kick while striking with his blade at the same time.
Skyler's reflexes allowed him to dodge both strikes, landing on his hand and kicking at the Maul droid.
The droid brought its weapon down to strike Skyler in the face, but the dark warrior raised his hand and sent it flying into its companion.
Skyler rose to his feet as both the Maul and Revan droids recovered, and as they circled around him, he once again slammed the now-damaged Maul droid into Revan's weapon, causing electrical shocks to run through the droid. It turned back to its default form as it crumpled onto the metal floor, Maul's features disappearing.
The Revan droid pointed a gloved finger at a secret panel, which then opened. Reprogrammed IG assassin droids came marching out, armed with blaster rifles.
Skyler faced heavy doses of laserfire as he contended to the masked Revan droid. He blocked every blow from Revan's staff as the towering assassin droids opened fire.
With a quick motion, Skyler pushed Revan back with all of his night and whirled his red blade like a fan in a circle, accurately returning fire to all of the droids.
Revan was quick to strike back, but Skyler kept his staff at bay with his blade, while reaching to grab him by the neck.
The droid struggled as the Dark Master squeezed, until he relinquished his hold.
Before the Revan simulation could reprise his offensive, Skyler let out a yell and leapt at him, leading with his boot. The droid flew back against the wall, landing in a smoldering heap.
Skyler then used the Force to close the panel, crushing the last droid that tried to escape it.
Satisfied with his training, he switched off his saber and clipped it to his belt.
The Dark Master then strode back to his throne room and sat down, where two more Shadowguards were perched.
A shiny red object was seated on the arm next to him. Skyler closed his eyes and placed his hand on the Sith Holocron.
Reaching out and tapping into his inner feelings, the Dark Master willed himself to dig deep and roughly into the knowledge and power stored within.
A gravelly voice from within the Holocron said, "The Sith were doomed to fail, but the dark side remains vigilant. A new army of dark warriors will lead the crusade against the Jedi, and plunge the Force into chaos."
Skyler liked the sound of chaos. He smiled, knowing that he was seizing his destiny as leader of the new Sith movement. He was only twenty-five, but commanded proper respect from both his young students in the dark side and the mobsters who he commanded as leader of the Freedom Coalition. They were worthless, the whole lot of them, useful tools against the degenerate New Republic.
"The future of the galaxy is mine," he said aloud, "I am the master of the dark side.
As Skyler reveled in his power, the Holocron began to glow brightly.
Confused, Skyler rose from his throne and activated his lightsaber suspiciously.
A new figure appeared at the entrance to his throne room, a more advanced PROXY droid.
"What are you?" Skyler demanded. He was familiar with such droids, they were programmed to take the appearances of living or dead beings, and even relay words, actions, and thoughts from them.
The PROXY droid began to experience waves of light across its body until it transformed into the image of another ancient Sith Lord, one long dead and forgotten.
"My line of Sith ended with the Chosen One prophecy, but you, as the heir to Lord Sidious, must continue as the Avenger, Ultor."
"Ultor," Skyler repeated aloud, "Ultor." He liked the sound of that, far more than the name he had been called by Luke Skywalker and his pathetic band of Jedi since his childhood. Whether his birth parents or Master Skywalker himself had given him the name of Skyler, he neither knew nor cared.
He would embrace the role of avenger, and ensure that the shadow of the dark side was cast across the galaxy once more.
The PROXY droid changed from the mysterious Sith into a new being, one Skyler recognized as his messenger, an old Falleen.
"Master, you have a communication from Talon on Ord Mantell. It is of great urgence."
"Tell Talon that her Master, Lord Ultor, will speak with her."
