Chapter 39 – Ploy of the Chancellor

D290/10 ABY

She and Mace had been assigned a mission by her former master. They were currently identifying the many nests of the xenomorphs. She was in the ship, tense and frustrated. The two of them had their first major argument ever since meeting each other. What was supposed to be a joyous occasion had soured so badly. Talia had finally admitted to Mace that she was pregnant (4 months); her species generally had an 18-month pregnancy. Mace while not thrilled about being kept in the dark, had already known, gave her a quick kiss and insisted she remain on the ship. Which is why the argument happened, finally she had relented and agreed to stay on the ship. While on the ground Mace was accompanied by Ava and Jesse who awkwardly exchanged glances.

They hadn't heard the argument but knew something was off, as Talia insisted on contacting them for updates instead of Mace. 'Honestly, the two of the most mature people I know are acting like children. Talk about ironic', Ava thought to herself.

They were currently in the outer region of Hindi – a massive portion of Asgardia, by now the group had calculated a staggering of 100 nests in different parts of Asgardia itself. Fortunately these nests were in the outer rims of the galaxy. They had also discovered a few ruins of Zeffo. Who had apparently travelled throughout the nine realms and left behind breadcrumbs of their trail. Odin had allowed them to settle in Asgardia, but the people had died out due to natural causes.

"How can there be so much?", Ava asked.

"These creatures can hide in the force, and their heat signature is extremely low. Unless and until they are disturbed, they won't attack, and the locals have no reason venturing out this far as Yggdrasil's protection gets weaker the closer you get to the edge of the realms", Mace answered.

"Also, the now dead residents of this area had once rebelled against Asgard for all wrong reasons. They wanted to rule and, in the end, internal strife and civil war decimated the population. My own people were affected by this, and I am one of the few survivors", Talia answered.

"I've got the readings we need. Let's move on to the next target", Jesse spoke. He was most creeped out by this place.


After reaching Eurazania all of the wolves had been detained. This was because they were still aggressive and were lashing out everyone. Fenrir in his hurry to deal with Tarre had forgotten to give the command – to calm down. As such until the wolves – strongest members of the Canidae – calmed down, they were locked up.

Inside a special cell made for Gods, were the two brothers – Skoll and Hati. They were the ones most effected by the aggression and had been going in and out of consciousness ever since their incarceration. Right now both brothers woke up groaning and this time they were free from the lingering effects of Varcolac's power. As they woke up, they heard a calming voice, "You two have had quite a misadventure."

Turning towards the source of the voice, they saw Lord Hanuman also called 'The Mischievous Monkey Sage' and 'Bajrang Bali' sitting in front of them.

"So, boys…pray tell what happened?"


Back on Asgard, Fenrir and Gabriel the first had recovered. A few hours after the battle of New Coruscant had ended, Erin had transformed back. Fenrir was currently speaking with Satine about starting a training regime for their daughter.

Inside Allfather Thor's personal healing chamber was Tarre Vizsla. He had yet to wake, his heart had been recovered and after a quick surgery it was restored. Sitting by his bed was Ahsoka, her head on the bed. She had fallen asleep there. Thor had done what he could to stabilize the maelstrom in Tarre's mind, but now it was up to Tarre … whether he would wake or not.

The Allfather entered the room, which prompted Ahsoka to wake. "What are you still doing here?", he asked.

"I…I want to be present when he wakes up."

"I don't mean to tell you how to be a mother, but you have two children, two very confused and scared children. When Tarre wakes, you will be the first to know. For now go home and be with them."

"But what if he wakes up and I am not here?", Ahsoka asked afraid.

"This is an order, put your personal feelings aside. You have been trained to do so", Thor spoke in a cold authoritative tone.

Ahsoka was taken aback by Thor's tone, but she realized that he was right and reluctantly stood up and went to her home on Asgard. Reaching home, she saw Gabriel and Skyla nodding off on the dining table with Ezra keeping them company.

"How is he?", he asked.

"Still unconscious, but he is improving."

Gabriel woken up by this turned to look at his mother. He could hear Ahsoka's thoughts, so he knew that she wasn't being entirely truthful. Ahsoka looked at him and was once again reminded that Gabriel had Tarre's eyes.

"Is dad really alright?", he asked.

"Yes, I promise he is."

"Then why hasn't he come home?"

"Your father needs more time to recover. His injuries have healed, but King Thor is simply making sure that he is completely alright", Ahsoka said. This was true…to an extent. During this time, both Ezra and Gabriel could sense Ahsoka's emotions, so they knew that Tarre's condition was more severe. Gabriel could no longer hear his mother's thoughts as she had shielded her mind. If he wanted, he could have concentrated harder to hear her thoughts, but she would find out and would definitely scold him.

"Can we go and see dad?", Skyla awoke and quickly asked Ahsoka.

"Not right now.", Ahsoka said and hugged her daughter.

"I'll go now. Master Loki wanted a quick word", Ezra said. Ahsoka thanked him for looking after the kids and he made his exit.


Inside the healing chamber of the Allfather, Thor sat by his champion's bed. With his power he sensed the turmoil of Tarre's mind.

Thor saw the mindscape of Tarre. He was standing in a blood red field, where the grass was sharper than blades, and the trees had spikes instead of branches. In Tarre's hand was his darksabre, a weapon he hadn't used for over 4,000 years. In front of Tarre was another Tarre, but this one was bloody and unconscious.

Tarre felt Thor's presence and turned towards him. He had his eyes and his original arm. There was no scar around his neck.

"Are you really here Thor?", Tarre asked uncertainly.

"Yes. The wall in your mind was broken by Amora. It shattered your mind.", Thor answered, "I have done what I could to bring you back, but the rest of the path is yours to walk."

"I thank you for your help. I now understand why you never wanted me to scratch the wall. For the last…god knows how many days, I have been forced to fight ones who look like me and defeat them. Why is that?"

"It is because your mind is trying to put itself back together. You represent the dominant part of your personality and the defeated ones are the less dominant parts. By defeating them, you assimilate them. As such you must locate all major parts of your personality and assimilate them…including the part that represents your time in Hel."

"What if I can't…what if I am defeated?"

"Then you will change at a fundamental level, and your family may lose the man they know and love. I know you are the dominant part of the original Tarre Vizsla, and as such I will ensure your victories."


The Senate was destroyed, New Coruscant would take a few months before it could become habitable again. The Chancellor's face was a perfect mask, hiding his greed…his rage, and his utter lack of humanity. He had made himself look like a perfect successor for Mon Mothma, such that even his close aids could not see his true nature. He was a Palpatine supporter, during the days of the Clone Wars and this hadn't changed. His allegiances changed with the wind, and the deal he had made with Amora the Enchantress was now broken.

It was because of him, that the base under the New Republic Senate was established, and if everything went according to plan…he could have the power of a god and would rule the Galaxy of Midgard for millennia.

Sitting in his temporary office, the Chancellor had just finished the meeting with the representative of the Trade Federation. He had been to secure their funds along with that of the Banking Clan. Amora was M.I.A but he had been contacted by her superior who remained anonymous and promised him more power if he could wage war on Eurazania and help kidnap its citizens.

The Chancellor internally smiled, considering the attack on New Coruscant could be spun in a way that favoured him. In the upcoming Senate meeting, he would use this fact to remake the New Republic Fleet in order to attack Eurazania. For this very reason he had secured the support of the Trade Federation and the Banking Clan. Through them he would influence the decision of other worlds, and they would start invading the worlds in Eurazanian space. He had all this information thanks to Palpatine and Thrawn, who during the Empire's era kept a detailed account of the Eurazanian space territory.

He would start another war which may even lead to the destruction of the New Republic, but his delusions kept him ignorant of this fact. For there was a reason why even Palpatine did not want to invade that quadrant of Midgard.