Hey, everyone! How are you all doing on this cool night of Tuesday, November 29, 2022? I'm doing okay, but I have a second doctor's appointment tomorrow after my last one yesterday, so it'll be a bit stressful for me the next couple of days. And I have a bit of work to do in my part-time job this week, so it'll be a hassle. But, in other news, I just published my Kix interlude instead of my Robonino one. I know the move doesn't make much sense right now, but I have plans for the Patrolian bounty hunter, and they'll impact the story far deeper than right now. I'll just have to get to that point in the story first, which won't be for quite a while. Ah well, that's the mysteries and fun of storytelling. As for the Kix interlude, I figured out a way to make it work into the main story over the next few chapters. Now, since I have my doctor's appointment in less than twelve hours, I'd best get started on the chapter. First, I'll craft the framework for it tonight, then I'll hopefully start to work on its main substance tomorrow. May the Lord be with us all in these turbulent times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
2200 Hours, Selona 12th, 59 ABY
Sunrise System
Aboard the Quarren Eye
"Well, does anyone think Saganu set us up here?!" Myri bellowed from her weapon's station, obliterating several Tof and Nagai fighters daring enough to attack the Wraiths while making a beeline straight for the planet before them.
"Doubtful, with his own people keeping such a close eye on him with a blaster aimed at his skull!" Jesmin shouted back while deploying proximity mines to keep the Nikardun and their blockade frigates from pursuing them any closer to Sunrise.
"Stow the chatter, ladies, and work on keeping this swarm of enemies off our backs!" Voort commanded before a sharp blow hit the ship's bow, causing the ship to rattle before the Gamorrean warned everyone, "I'm taking us in towards one of the planet's mountain mines in the southern hemisphere. The Chiss have a network of strongholds across the planet, so it'll take a little time for Yiv and his fleets to launch a full-scale invasion."
'Here's hoping we can even last that long.' Myri anxiously rued. Knowing how most of the Wraiths' operations had begun with such a terrible start, the longtime gambler and infiltrator realized the signs of a setup when she saw one. But the leak had to have come from someone highly placed inside either the Ascendancy or the Alliance of Light, since they were the only scenarios that made sense.
Either way, the situation hardly boded well for the unorthodox squadron, but all the Wraiths knew what they were risking when they journeyed here. Now, they had to make the most of the situation and did what they did best, provided they made it past this battle and could begin their investigations.
2210 Hours
Horuset System, Near Korriban's Orbit
Aboard Ship
Sensing the dozens of enemy warships revert to realspace to reinforce the Alliance of Light's faltering position, composed of Hutts, Galactic Alliance, and Mandalorians, Krayt was surprised the Jedi were not arriving in force now and using their vassals to do their fighting. Honestly, he would have thought they would work to commit more of their order to trying to eliminate much of the Sith's leadership, but it wouldn't matter, because the numbers were nearly high enough to suit his needs.
Either way, the time was almost ready for him and his followers to leave Korriban and continue their war across all of the galaxy. Once the Jedi and their allies were sufficiently distracted and wounded from his newest allies, the One Sith could focus their attention on rebuilding their ranks and preparing to assume control over the galaxy.
But before he could do that, he needed to ensure his remaining followers, wounded and able alike, escaped his citadel before the Alliance could storm it. That meant he had to raise the stakes against the Jedi-led association by calling in a few more reserves from deep space. It was time for the Rakata to unleash their fury and sate their hunger on the same species they once enslaved eons ago.
And as for Phasma, Kitai, and the rest of the intruders and traitors desecrating his sanctum, he had a brutal surprise in store for them. After countless millennia of imprisonment, it was time for the Esh-Kha to make their great return to the galaxy, only this time as servants of the Sith and guided by SCAR Squadron 99 and a few select Sith to ensure no surprises damaged the plan this time. A hundred or so of their number, commanded by the revived Imperial commandos, would be sufficient to deal with the Jedi and their friends.
2300 Hours
Shedu Maad Jedi Temple
Within the Temple's Medical Wing
In Luke Skywalker's Cabin
"I do not believe your proposal would be best for your health at the present time, Master Skywalker." Tekli, the diminutive Jedi Master, warned Luke. After the rodent like Chadra-Fan came to speak with him, she was astonished to hear all the first Grand Master admitted to her.
Knowing that Luke and his family had built an unofficial intelligence network in his retirement to assist the Jedi and rebuild the fraying bonds between the galaxy's powers and inhabitants, such a revelation explained a great deal of the unforeseen support the Order had against its political and religious enemies. Equally surprising was how he shared this creation of his with Edaan and his personal mission to save Vestara Khai while attempting to track the One Sith and their countless agents and servants. Clearly, Luke must have truly trusted Edaan with the younger man's goals if the elder Jedi changed his earlier stance on the notorious Sith Lady and her prospects of redemption after all the trauma and harm she had wrought on him and his family over the years.
But hearing that Luke wished to assist the Jedi and Alliance of Light as an advisor and coordinator of its diverse intelligence agencies, it was a dangerous suggestion for him in his weakened state. On the other hand, she knew how driven and intelligent Master Skywalker was, and he must have some idea of how dire the situation was for the free powers against the One Sith.
Still, before she made her decision, she needed confirmation from Luke's own lips on her conditions. Under no circumstances would she risk a patient's health to win a war, even if their death could save countless other lives in the process.
"Why would you wish to risk your mental well-being when you are still recovering from your extensive injuries? Do you not have faith in those you trained to carry on the fight? Or is there more you wish to tell me?"
"We both know how precarious the situation is for our forces on Korriban" Luke began. "We have countless innocents trapped in the Sith's captivity, and they must be freed before Krayt can use them as tools in his conquest. And do not forget how the Chiss are under siege, since the Rhandites and the Ascendancy's many enemies have joined forces with the Sith to wreak revenge against their shared foe."
"And there is still the matter of the Rakata and their hidden worlds. If they are returning in force and are allied with Krayt's armies, then they will need to be stopped here and now, before they sweep across the galaxy."
"And are you suggesting you have a strategy in mind to counter each of these threats?" Tekli inquired.
"I have a few ideas that might be able to assist us in our efforts." Luke clarified. "But we'll need to speak to the correct people with my presence, and that will take time. I can do much of the essential work from a secure cabin and with a few aides, if you believe I'm capable enough for it."
Silent for a minute, Tekli eventually warned, "Very well. I will take your request to the rest of the Council. But know this, should they agree with your assessment, I will have Josat and my staff watch over you and keep a constant vigil on your condition in my absence. If he finds even a single anomaly in your body or mind, then it is back to this medical ward with you, no questions asked."
"Very well." Luke acquiesced. "I hope your appeal can succeed, for all our sakes."
But before the Council decided his fate, he knew what he needed to do to help the Jedi start to take control of this war. He only hoped his overseers would agree with his request without alerting Tekli or Cilghal.
0100 Hours, Selona 13th, 59 ABY
Coruscant, Industrial District
Within Grungeon Block
Inside Galactic Alliance Security Prison Mothma
Within the Maximum-Security Wing
Jolting awake after suffering from a typical nightmare, the prisoner groggily rose to her feet and used her cell's refresher to wash her face and steady her nerves. Haydnat Treen, the disgraced and treasonous Kuati senator of the Galactic Alliance, continually played over the events that led to her arrest and yearned for a chance at vengeance against those that uncovered her duplicity and got her incarcerated in the facility of whatever world held her.
Having been imprisoned in this top-secret GAS facility for seven years after her leading role in the so-called Lecersen Conspiracy, even after she originated it after allying with the Moff and constructing the plan that nearly delivered the Galactic Alliance and Empire into the cabal's waiting arms, before those plans were ruined by ill fortunes and the interference of the Lost Tribe of the Sith.
After the plan fell apart, and the remaining members were either killed off or captured, but Haydnat had eluded the authorities for eight years, planning to live her final years in retirement on her homeworld of Kuat.
But the few authorities that still dared to move against her, in their audacity and antiquated sense of justice, somehow managed to rope the Jedi into their vendetta, especially the rising star of a pupil in Edaan Palpatine.
And he, in his incessant drive to prove himself and redeem the Jedi's idiocy, had somehow managed to uncover the truth where everyone else failed, leaving her without any avenues of escape or refuge, and letting the law finally catch up with her.
After a brief trial, if it could even be called that with how one-sided it was and the incontrovertible evidence provided, she was shunted off to an off-the-books facility to live out the rest of her days. All she was told by her judge about the facility was how two of her fellow high-ranking allies in the plot had been incarcerated here, and it was all but impregnable and unknown from the rest of the galaxy. And with the list of possible candidates small from her purges and her former friends' efforts in going to ground, she had a strong hunch that Generals Stavin Thaal and Borath Maddeus were being kept incarcerated in two other cells somewhere inside this prison.
Somehow, within her spirit, she knew someone would eventually find them, and seek her out for her talents. Though her time had waned her body, her mind was still as sharp as ever, and would take the first opportunity to escape if given a viable chance. If she could take her two now-unknown allies with her, then all the better, because she would need help in eluding the galaxy's authorities and seek retribution against those that wronged her.
All she needed to do was continue to wait, and the chance would eventually be presented. And when it came, she would seize the moment and get all that she rightfully deserved.
0200 Hours
Korriban, Sith Catacombs
Within Krayt's Citadel
Awakening from the sharp pain his body was experiencing, Wyyrlok gasped, struggling to take in oxygen while he worked to recall where he was. Remembering how the Edaan-Iteration literally stabbed him in the back, he briefly speculated if he had been captured by the Jedi and their followers, but if that were the case, they would have undoubtedly imprisoned him in a chamber full of Force-nullifying Ysalamiri and probed his mind for information on the Sith.
Vainly trying to rise to his own two feet, he felt cold metal bindings restraining his body. It was only then that an Iskalloni woman came into the Chagrian's field of vision, firmly ordering, "Do not try to move your body, Lord Wyyrlok. We are working as quickly as we can to rebuild the nerves in your spine, but it is an arduous process, and any movement or delays will impede your recovery."
"Where… where am I?" He gasped out, licking his cracked lips before spying a holoclock next to him. If he was reading its numbers correctly, it had only been seven hours and ten minutes since sustaining his brutal and crippling injuries.
"Within the Dark Citadel. Your surviving followers brought you here, and Lord Krayt told us to do what we can for you all before we need to evacuate the planet." The doctor explained. "He believes that we may leave before the day ends, and you will be taken to safer worlds to complete your full recovery."
"But… I failed him." Wyyrlok gasped out. tears glistening in his eyes at the disaster he oversaw.
"That may be, but our Dread Lord knows you are loyal beyond reproach, and he has many uses in mind for you that can help you redeem yourself. For now, rest and prepare for your chance at retribution." The medic calmly assured him before injecting a sedative into his bloodstream, allowing her to continue her work in rebuilding Wyyrlok to make him the ideal Sith Lord again before failure stained his body and soul.
0300 Hours
Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple
Inside the Medbay
"Have you finished your end of the arrangement?" Firmus irritably demanded. Having waited six days for the Jedi's analysis of the prototype serum the Imperials' top scientists created, the long-imprisoned admiral was gladly ready to be done with the delays and begin his interrogation.
"We have. The serum has been perfected, and I am transmitting the formula for recreating it." Cilghal gravely nodded, her tone conveying all the disapproval she could carry at what he and the Empire planned to do with this concoction.
To the Mon Calamari healer, using such a strong truth serum in conjunction with several other medical fluids and the Force to compel Natasi Daala's two top followers in their custody, traitorous Imperial commando Gideon Hask and genocidal scientist and staunch anti-Force advocate Stryker Melusar, to confess their knowledge of their patron's contingency plans and fallback point, was both a violation of the Jedi Code and basic ethics. And the damage this untested prototype could do to each of their nervous systems was still undetermined, which could very well kill them in virtually any number of ways.
But personal misgivings and terrible risk to the prisoners aside, the elder Jedi Master still understood how crucial it was to figure out where Admiral Daala and her army of rogues had disappeared to in the Unknown Regions, and the immeasurable harm she would cause if left unchecked. The danger to two subordinate war criminals was insignificant when compared to the danger Daala represented.
Almost as if Admiral Nantz could sense Cilghal's doubts, he promised, gently as a man as grim as him could, "We'll be careful with the application of this formula, and if anything goes wrong, I will be the one to take responsibility for the damage. I won't let our allies suffer for my brutality or impatience."
"Let us hope it does not come to that." Cilghal professionally mentioned, before graciously adding, "I have faith you will be judicious and precise with its usage. And Daala cannot be allowed to remain free any longer after her latest atrocities. She must answer for all her crimes."
"On that, we can agree." Firmus allowed a small twitch of his lips to cross his face before he signed off, leaving the Jedi Order's eldest and ablest healer in its ranks to grapple with the heavy and endless ramifications of what she just unleashed. If that medical formula fell into the wrong hands, or was misused by anyone, then its untold potential could damage or destroy countless lives.
Just as troubling for Cilghal was how Grand Master Katarn and the Alliance of Light and Rogues' Gallery's leaders had, upon learning about the development of the Imperial tool, had requested a copy of the refined formula to application in uprooting suspected Sith spies and sympathizers embedded inside the Coruscant temple operation. While it was disturbing how the One Sith's collaborators were still hidden away inside the Galactic Alliance, it was equally troubling at the lengths some Jedi were willing to go in uprooting the corruption.
If even a few Jedi were willing to use medical practices so easily in ways that violated a person's will, then she worried for the future of the Order if such a mindset took hold among any more of them. Such an "ends justify the means" mentality was used once by its members in the first six years after the Yuuzhan Vong War, and it cost them two of their brightest and fiercest members over the years when they each fell to darkness and killed countless innocents in their respective conflicts.
When this was all over, she was going to have a very long conversation with Kyle and the rest of the Jedi Council, and eloquently and firmly lay out why the Order could not allow their actions today to become policy after this war's conclusion. No matter what it cost her, she would not let such disasters reoccur ever again. No one wanted to have a repeat of the tragedies of Alema Rar and Darth Caedus.
Perhaps she ought to consult with Master Skywalker and seek his counsel on how to proceed. Yes, she might just do that, immediately after the meeting with the Council her former pupil had requested of every available member in precisely five hours.
0330 Hours
Dathomir, Deep Within the Singing Mountains
Just Outside the Refugee Camps
Aboard the Phoenix Whirlwind
"I see." Allana graciously nodded over the comm headset. "Thank you for informing me of this, Admiral, General. You'll have my answer before the next hour's over." Taking off the device, she apologetically explained to an exhausted and half-awake Adari, "Looks like our stay here might be cut short. The Sith are bringing in some new reserves to the fight, and elements of our fleet are starting to be called to Korriban."
"And are we going with the first wave?" Adari asked, her mind fully alert now.
"That's up to us." Allana answered. "According to Kre'fey and Farlander, they gave us the option of staying behind with the rear guard for at least five more days before we join them in the second wave." Pausing, she added, "I'm betting they want to be sure we're both at our best for when we enter the fray, given your bond with Edaan and my charge over you. Once we enter, you know there won't be any retreat."
"I know." Adari acknowledged. Hoping her beloved would understand, she prepared for the burden to weigh over her soul as she answered, "Tell the commanders we'll wait to go with the reserves."
"Are you sure?" Allana warily asked. "You know a lot could change by the time we get called in to fight."
"Like you said, there's no point in going when we're not fully prepared or have the best information." Adari shrugged. "The refugees here still need help and us leaving would put them in greater danger while being a disgrace to all we stand for."
"Besides, until we know precisely where Edaan is being held, there isn't any point in me risking my daughter to the danger of the Horuset System." Adari finished, impressing Allana with her level-headedness and calculating mind.
Sensing Adari's firm resolve, Allana relented, "All right. If you're sure, then I'll let the commanders know. Hopefully by then, they'll have found and saved Edaan from whatever he's undergoing, and you can finish the job."
"Don't fill me with any other worries, please. I don't know how much more of this madness I can take." Adari wearily warned before she returned to her cabin to get a few more hours of sleep. If she was going to help the people of Dathomir recover for at least a few more days, then she might as well get what extra rest she can before reentering the quandary of battle.
0400 Hours
Sunrise System
Aboard the Deathless
"Everything is proceeding exactly as our masters foresaw." Yiv eagerly said at hearing the reports coming in from his subordinates and allies. As every commander reported success, he fully believed the near disaster of Copero would not repeat itself here.
With the Chiss being decimated on every front across the system, virtually all the immigrants that called the system's sole world home working to overthrow their corrupt oppressors by the hundreds of thousands, and Sunrise's numerous Nyix mines about to be left vulnerable to exploitation, this was looking to be another great victory for the Nikardun Remnant and their Sith partners. And although Wraith Squadron evaded his initial attempt to destroy them, their ship was sufficiently damaged enough to prevent another jump to hyperspace, and was forced to journey to Sunrise, where they would meet their end before the battle was over.
Not only would the Chiss lose a vital resource world to their opponents and the Alliance lose a crucial asset, but thanks to the Ascendancy representative's corruption and cruelty, the Sith would gain the allegiance of the world's entire population to rebuild their armies and sweep over the galaxy. And if any Alliance fleets had the audacity to try and take back this world, then they would be obliterated by the blockade fleet Yiv would leave behind to guard this crucial stronghold. With Sunrise's fall, the Ascendancy would be left vulnerable to further strikes along its northern quadrant, its conquered worlds left vulnerable to liberation and establishing formal ties with the One Sith, the start of a new Sith empire, one greater and more powerful than any that came before it.
"General, we have multiple unknown signatures exiting hyperspace just outside Sunrise's orbit." An intendant warned Yiv. "Make that over one hundred, and they're all transmitting Alliance signatures."
'Impossible!' Yiv thought. How could the Chiss and their allies assemble such a large force to respond so quickly after Copero's crippling?! Storming over to the side, he grabbed the questis from the aide and pulled up a visual of the emerging armada. All but eight of the warships were no larger than one of his blockade frigates, but they were of designs Yiv wouldn't have recognized were it not for his tutelage by the Sith. And from the insignias on every ship's hull, it was obvious they belonged to two pro-Jedi privateers and smuggler chiefs of the greater galaxy, while the eight larger ships belonging to the Mandalorian Protectors, all of which were sent here to try to save the Chiss garrison here from annihilation.
Seeing from the images of the fleet's configuration, it was obvious they were about to try and smash right through the Sith blockade. But before he could order a convergence on these interlopers, the proximity alarms went off again, and he saw what was arriving to interfere with their attack this time on two additional fronts.
Along with ten Chiss Star Destroyers and their escort Clawcraft fighters, the Aquilian Republic had deployed a new fleet of fifty warships to assist their friends. Suddenly, Yiv realized just how badly he overplayed his hand, how deep of a trap he had just led most of his followers and many allies into, and who orchestrated this ambush, silently uttering a curse against Vurawn and his peers and compatriots.
Four Hours Earlier
2345 Hours, Selona 12th, 59 ABY
Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple
Aboard the Meson Martinet
"Are you certain that Grand Master Katarn is making the right call here, Master Ramis?" Quiggold cautiously asked Octa on Sidon's behalf, who was silent at the redeployment orders given to his fleet. "Korriban is the headquarters of the One Sith, and if we kill Krayt and his top followers now, then we can take a giant step in ending this war."
"This war is bigger than Krayt, and we all know that." Sidon reminded his skeptical first mate, before addressing the Jedi Council member, "What exactly are you wanting us to do out in the Unknown Regions? That isn't our usual area of expertise."
"Quite perceptive, just as Edaan mentioned after first working with you." Octa noted, before relenting, "We need your help in another matter, one that will make better use of talents than a few extra ships' guns in a bitter stalemate above Korriban."
"As I'm sure you were told, the Rakata have been revealed to have survived all these millennia, and we need to know where their remnant has stayed hidden, and how dangerous this faction truly is."
Comprehension dawning across the crew, Sidon concluded, "You want my fleet to help the Alliance and Chiss scout out the uncharted regions of space in tracking down the Rakata's main base of operations."
"That is what we're all hoping for." Octa confirmed. "As capable as you are in combat, using your knack for uncovering ancient secrets and long-term operations is a better use of your talents in this case."
"But you do realize that we only have a few dozen ships under our command, and only a handful of our contacts have experience in that portion of space?" Reveth pointedly reminded Octa. "How much of a difference do you think we can make in finding a handful of worlds in such a giant, treacherous, and uncharted section of space?"
"When put together with the resourcefulness and improvisation of Khedryn Faal, the ingenuity of a clone of Grand Admiral Thrawn, and the combined power of both their fleets, then you'd be surprised at what one can accomplish." Octa proudly stated, before adding, "Of course, that is the long-term goal for this deployment. There are many immediate benefits to you being out there."
"To mention one of those potential gains of such a strategy, we'll all need your help in repelling an enemy assault on a vital resource world and center of immigration controlled by the Chiss Ascendancy. We'll take you there via wormhole, but we need your decision now."
Staring at the Jedi Master with an inscrutable gaze hidden by his Kaleesh mask, Sidon stoically stated, "We accept. Should we set out on our own, or do you have a few others to call upon?"
"We'll see who we can spare, but we can't afford to redirect too many people at this time." Octa warned. "It'll likely have to be volunteers for the moment."
"That'll be just fine by us." Reeg shrugged. "We do like a challenge."
Back in the Present
0430 Hours, Selona 13th, 59 ABY
Naporar, Within the Expansionary Defense Fleet's Headquarters
"It seems both your contacts and Vurawn's instincts were quite precise on this matter, Saganu." Ja'fosk approvingly noted as both Chiss observed the battle underway inside the Ascendancy's frontier mining world from inside the Supreme Admiral's office.
While the Nikardun and their Sith-backed cohorts currently held the upper hand across most of the system, overwhelming the initial defenders' capabilities and sending dozens of, perhaps even one hundred, troop transports down to the planet's mines and refugee camps, everything seemed lost for the Chiss and the few supporters they had on the strategically valuable world. Even Wraith Squadron was forced to go to ground to survive and find refuge inside one of the few mines still in the Ascendancy's control.
Fortunately, the arrival of the Jedi-backed Privateer Sidon Ithano's fleet, Shada D'ukal Karrde and her revitalized and restructured Smuggler's Alliance, and eight Mandalorian warships under the command of Ezra Wren, helped change all that by letting everyone maintain a foothold near the Chiss-held world's orbit. And with the Empire of the Hand having laid a dozen of their Star Destroyers and a wing of Chiss Clawcraft just outside the system before springing their ambush alongside Zakuul's latest fleet, the battle was now projected to turn into a slow victory for the Alliance, at least in space. Hopefully, the tide could turn before any enemy reinforcements arrived.
On the system's sole planetary body, though, matters were deteriorating rather quickly for the Chiss. According to the few contacts that remained loyal to Saganu, and the fallen aristocra's extensive notes, the refugees had suffered for ten years from their Chiss overseers and left little good sympathies for the rest of the Ascendancy. Many were even siding with the Sith armies in leading a bloody uprising against the garrisons and any civilians not joining up with them.
Corroborated by the few defenders still holding out in the mines under their control, Xodlak'li'eara, the ruling syndic of the Xodlak Great Family was the epitome of Chiss arrogance and fanatical loyalty to the Forty Great Families. Seeing the immense value of Sunrise's virtually untapped Nyix deposits and vast distance from the Ruling Families, she had pressed many of the displaced citizens of conquered worlds into service of mining the deposits to build a private fleet for her family to force their way into becoming a Ruling Family again.
According to the last senior officer of the garrison, Aklie covered up any evidence of her duplicity through payoffs, blackmail, and silencing anyone who attempted to expose her illicit and immoral operation or even improve the working conditions of the indentured and unwilling miners. And it was clear from the officer how, once she saw the armada bearing down before her, she took her private shuttle, loaded with her elite guard and a large portion of her ill-gotten wealth, towards one of her personal strongholds, likely to cover her tracks and avoid any repercussions for all her crimes.
Well, the rotten Syndic would soon find her hopes completely dashed. With Saganu and Ja'fosk quietly spreading the word of Aklie's corruption to all high-ranking members of the Xodlak Family's power structure, the disgraced official would soon find herself without any friends in the Ascendancy. This would be a good first step in undoing the corruption plaguing the Chiss and rebuilding the frayed trust in its vaunted and ancient institutions with its disaffected people.
Much as he wanted to deny it, Saganu was beginning to truly understand what Ja'fosk and his confederates were trying to convince him of in saying how the Ascendancy had stagnated and needed to change if it hoped to survive going forward. Because of their virulent adherence to tradition and conventional methods and strategies, the Chiss's enemies had gained unparalleled success in pushing them all to the edge of annihilation. Without brave and selfless individuals like Mitth'raw'nuruodo and his supporters holding back the rising tide of chaos, their enemies would have overrun Csilla many times over.
If the Ascendancy hoped to survive, even past this war, many changes would need to be made, and countless reforms would have to be made to its structures of power to prevent such a disaster from ever occurring again. Somehow, Saganu had a gnawing feeling he would not make many friends from his percolating and bold ideas, and might not even survive past the war, but it would be a small price to pay to protect all he loved and cherished.
0500 Hours
Bastion, Imperial Capital
Within the Civilian District
Inside the Makati Spaceport
"Welcome to Bastion, Master Arko." Ochi formally bowed before the Arkanian Sith Lord standing before him. Darth Invidious, in his nobleman disguise as a reformer in his people's society and interim director of Sith Intelligence after Dician's catastrophic and fatal failures at Batuu, silently evaluated the Vahla assassin.
"Oh, just get up, attaché." Invidious impatiently ordered. "You're making a scene, and I can't stand sycophants or needless groveling from any of my aides or assistants."
"As you wish, Lord Repawl." Ochi respectfully acknowledged, before handing his superior a data crystal, and explaining, "Your revised itinerary. Our friends have moved up their appointment by a substantial degree, so we'll have to move quickly if we hope to make the new time."
"Ah." Invidious noted, not displaying any outward signs of emotion or a Force spike of irritation, improving Ochi's opinion of him by a few notches. "And what of the gathering itself? Will all our competitors be there to greet us?"
"With a few extra additions." Ochi glanced back towards the Sith's yacht, a faint speck now before inquiring, "Will your crew be joining us, or do you have your own parameters for them in the meeting?"
"My staff will join me when their expertise is needed. They know their responsibilities and will carry them out with expert precision and efficiency." Invidious defended before asking, "Could we please go without talk of business for an hour? I would like to enjoy the sights before our work truly begins and we have no time for personal pleasure."
Truly an enigma for Ochi to observe. He had a feeling he would enjoy the Arkanian's company, but dearly hoped the mission could succeed before Admiral Nantz and his masters acquired the information both Jedi and Sith sought on their mutual rival.
0530 Hours
Coruscant, Coco District
Inside Jettster's Diner
Underneath the Main Establishment
"It seems Edaan and his friends continue to aid the Galactic Alliance even if they are nearly halfway across the galaxy." Kajin gratefully acknowledged after hearing the knowledge his host brought him along with the warm meal the two newfound friends were enjoying during the morning lull.
"Yeah, that kid sure has a way to bring out the best in just about everyone he meets." Pong gladly agreed. "And Doctor Chantique's friends and contacts in the medical industry, aside from their obvious benefits, will be invaluable in narrowing the hunt for Rodan and Fey'lya."
"Don't forget about the Veterans Affairs clinics Kix set up across the planet and was starting to sponsor throughout the Alliance. Hopefully, their network of contacts and friends will help counter whatever traitors or insurgency Daala wants to embed in our ranks." Kajin added.
Having received word from hundreds of well renowned doctors belonging to dozens of medical fields across the Galactic Alliance, each giving their quiet support to the Jedi and pledging to assist the beleaguered government in rebuilding its battered institutions, it was a move the Jedi-backed galactic coalition could well use to save many lives on each battlefront. All he needed was to call in those favors when the medical infrastructure could fully commit its focus to this war, and the Sith would find themselves at a distinct disadvantage.
And with the last-living Clone Trooper medic starting a Senate-sponsored program a year ago, providing financial and psychological help for damaged veterans of the armed forces in rebuilding their lives after completing their tours of duty, the favors and goodwill these noble souls were creating would be invaluable in keeping pandemonium from taking hold. Of course, such measures would also help in preventing the Sith from returning to power while keeping many families and individuals whole after suffering from the horrors of war. While Kajin wished he could focus purely on altruistic matters, he did not have the luxury and had to balance it with pragmatism his political position demanded of him.
"So, how go your efforts to help the refugees from Batuu, Falleen, and the children liberated from the Sith's incarceration?" Pong conversationally asked the Cerean. "Do you need any help with those poor and imprisoned souls finding their way in this new reality?"
Growing wary at the unusual choice of words, Kajin neutrally answered, "We're making progress. But some of the displaced are proving to be more challenging than others."
Nodding, the overweight Besalisk shrugged his shoulders before offering, "Well, you ever need help getting those kids back to their families, and any other lost souls you come across, I'd be more than happy to give you access to my extensive network of contacts and favors."
Wondering just how much Pong knew of the discovery the Alliance of Light found on Batuu, Kajin amiably said, "I would be grateful for such a proposal and whatever help you could give us."
0600 Hours
Bastion, Imperial Capital
Within the Imperial Dungeons
Inside the Interrogation Center
"What now, Admiral Nantz?" Stryker Melusar mockingly asked the observing Firmus while he was being strapped and locked into an interrogation chair. "Another weak-willed series of questions on behalf of your batch of masters'? Or are you finally going to grow a spine and do your own dirty work after years of being a Jedi puppet?"
"I think you and your conspirator and fellow mass murderer will be terribly surprised by what I have in store for you, Melusar." Firmus neutrally stated as the final set of preparations for his procedure were put into place for the procedure. With four Jedi and a dozen Imperial medics and their accompanying droids ready to oversee and control the direction this interrogation would take, and the exact same setup created for Gideon and his questioning in another cell, it wouldn't be long now before the two Daala loyalists would admit everything they knew of their mistress' hidden redoubts and her infrastructure of war.
With the truth serum weakening the traitors' mental faculties, they would be far more susceptible to the Jedi's mind probes, and the intelligence they were after would soon belong to the Alliance of Light, with Daala to be captured and at last brought to justice not long after.
All that remained was for Head of State Fel to give him the official go-ahead, and the Imperial-manufactured and Jedi-refined medication to be applied, where Firmus could really enjoy himself in this assignment. Much as the more weak-willed soldiers and leaders throughout all of history might wish otherwise, sometimes it took a more barbaric approach to dealing with extremists and their cohorts.
0630 Hours
Korriban, Sith Catacombs
"Chelli, can we talk?" Tau nervously asked his friend. Observing the final few kilometers before the One Sith's Citadel, the Alliance of Light was taking a brief respite to recover from their long and arduous trek down in the planet's depths.
"What about? Are you going to try and apologize for doing what you had to in protecting your cover?" Chelli acidly guessed while walking back to the main camp.
"No." Tau shook his head. "Nothing I ever do will be enough to atone for killing your mother. And I can never say how sorry I am for committing the deed." Hesitating, he put a hand on Chelli's shoulder to stop her in her tracks, and pressed on, "But, there is still a chance you can save your father."
Pausing, Chelli turned to face the clone, and suspiciously asked, "What are you talking about? Did you do something?"
"Yes. I set the stage for Korin's liberation from his brainwashing." Tau began, earning a soft gasp from Chelli before he carried on. "Before I set out here, I input a key of sorts that, when used, will free him from the Sith's control. And you're going to be the one to save him, because I'm going to teach you the code needed to unlock Doctor Aphra's true self."
"But I must warn you now, when he is freed, the aftermath won't be pretty." Tau cautioned. "Once he realizes just how he was manipulated, how he helped the Sith commit gods-know how many atrocities, the death of his wife, and everything else he was involved in, it'll break him in practically every way."
"He'll need you to help him recover, and that means you'll have to step up and be strong, for both of your sakes." Tau prepared to excuse himself before Chelli caught his arm.
"Tau, thank you." The young woman gratefully whimpered, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you for giving me hope in saving someone I love."
"Of course." Tau gently patted her hand before generously suggesting, "Try to get a little more rest before the final stretch. We're going to need every bit of strength to survive the coming fight. I can keep watch a while longer."
Observing Tau and how he calmed Chelli while helping her find her inner strength, Akku and Kix, having finished preparing their equipment and supplies for the mission ahead, quietly marveled at how similar he was to Edaan, but so different as well.
Like Edaan, Tau had a generally kind nature and worked to find the best in others, refusing to let those he cared for lose themselves to darkness. He was also a brilliant swordsman and had a keen mind and masterful command of the Force, yet he was so humble with all his abilities.
On the other hand, Edaan often doubted himself and worried about his inner darkness taking control one day, while Tau had no such reservations. The Sith-made Iteration knew exactly where he stood in the galaxy and in the Force, and he had no intention of betraying those that chose to believe in him, regardless of his origins or bloodline. Hopefully, when the two Palpatines met on better terms this time, they both could learn from the other and become the leaders and fighters the galaxy needed of them.
Also, hopefully Inferno Squad and Master Solo Fel would return soon with their report on scouting the fortress's outer defenses. There was no telling what other surprises Krayt had embedded when Chelli and the rest of the defectors made their break for freedom, and everyone needed to be prepared for the worst before they entered this den of evil.
Meanwhile, halfway across the campsite, Shara found herself tossing and turning on her mat, and awoke with a startling gasp after hearing a fierce scream tear through her mind. Panting for breath while wiping away the sweat beading down her face, she tried to reach for her canteen of water before seeing Vestara, Grace, and Lona quietly sitting by her.
"What are you all doing here?" Shara confusedly asked. "Lona, Vestara, I thought you both loathed each other."
"Vestara and Grace told me they both felt a disturbance around you, and we came to check up on you." Lona worriedly answered. "You heard a bloodcurdling scream inside your head, didn't you?"
"Yes." Shara admitted, seeing no point in lying. "I think it was Edaan. I could hear his soul crying out for help. The Sith, they're doing exactly what Tau told us, and they're making horrifying process. We're running out of time."
"We know. Everyone strong with the Force felt it, and you're no exception." Grace sorrowfully nodded. "We'll be setting off for Krayt's fortress in exactly two hours, and we're going to hit the enemy hard and fast before they can react. Hopefully we can wipe out a good chunk of their command staff before we withdraw."
"The final briefing will be in ninety minutes, after Jaina and her teammates come back from their scouting run." Vestara added, confidently reassuring her, "We're going to get through this, and Edaan will be back with us soon."
'I hope you're right.' Shara reflected, somehow knowing the fight to save Edaan and the galaxy would be exponentially harder than everyone was letting on.
0700 Hours
Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Within the Grand Master's Office
"Are you really going to do this?" Kirney warily asked Kyle after hearing of the Imperial-crafted truth serum and its potency. "This isn't exactly a simple interrogation or mind probe by anyone on our side. If we miscalculate in the dosage or overestimate Wavlud's capacity for pain-"
"I am aware of all the risks their new tool entails. Which is why, after the Dorvans and all our old friends arrive within the next thirty-six hours, we'll execute my real plan." Kyle interrupted. "I won't risk a life for an untested serum, even if the lives primarily hanging in the balance from its use are Sith agents. The results are too unpredictable and could sow unneeded discord within the Order and the rest of the Alliance."
"While I can understand the Imperials doing this to help uncover Daala's refuge and stabilize the Empire, we have the luxury of being more judicious and careful in our methods and strategies."
"Then why…" Zekk confusedly inquired before the strategy dawned on him and knowingly smirked. "It's bait to draw out and eliminate the Sith traitors in one fell stroke."
Seeing the approving nod from her husband's superior, Taryn, with no small amount of surprise, noted, "You have a more deceptive and scheming side to you than I thought, Master Katarn. It's almost Hapan in the level of quality."
"Thank you. I got those skills from my wife and many of her kindred spirits, our old mercenary work for the Rebellion, and my later undercover work for the Jedi." Kyle played along. "Now, we need to prepare a few viable rumors of the Imperials' new tool for everyone here. If we want to force the Sith to preemptively show their hand, we're going to need to show them quite a powerful bluff."
Interrupting the two men's breakfast, one of the GAS agents on loan to the Jedi entered the office, and she quickly saluted the Jedi Grand Master, "Apologies, Master Jedi, ladies. But we have a transmission coming in that I believe might warrant your immediate intervention."
Pulling out a holocomm, the woman set the device down before excusing herself.
Activating the comm device, everyone was astonished by seeing Luke appear before them, fully awake and sitting at a desk, dressed in light Jedi robes.
"Good morning, everyone. I hope I'm not interrupting anything vital right now." Luke joyfully greeted.
"Luke?!" Kyle exclaimed out, before slowly sputtering out, "How and when did you get out of the medical ward? What in the galaxy are you up to right now?!"
"I needed to speak with you, all of you, before my fatigue caught up with me." Luke began. "But rest assured, I'm not far from the infirmary and am being watched over carefully by the rest of my overseers. I only wanted to offer you my assistance from the sidelines."
"No disrespect intended, Master Skywalker, but you should be resting right now." Zekk implored him. "After all the wounds you suffered, you've more than earned your recovery and respite from war."
"I don't intend to rejoin the fight right now, but I can still help the war in subtler ways." Luke countered. "I have contacts that can help us, and I know how and where we can get help to bolster our ranks."
"What kind of help?" Kirney cautiously asked.
"A few outlying Force sects, a few mercenary armies, and perhaps a small number of the Esh-Kha the Alliance recovered from the Rakatan vaults on Batuu." Luke began, surprising everyone yet again at the casualness of what he was suggesting.
Having recovered just over 392,000 carbonite slabs of imprisoned Esh-Kah, an ancient pre-Republic species that nearly destroyed the Rakatan Infinite Empire before the survivors were imprisoned in two series of vaults across the Outer Rim on Batuu and Belsavis, the galaxy had struggled to find a world capable of allowing them to begin a colony. Not only lay the terrible logistical burden of helping the survivors rebuild, but many recalled how the race nearly swept over the galaxy again during the Second Galactic War of over thirty-six centuries ago on the Old Republic's secret penal colony on Belsavis.
If this were a normal band of Esh-Kha, which viewed all other life forms as a disease and killed anyone they came across, then the choice to keep them imprisoned would be simple. But this army, possibly a predecessor to the splinter group of peaceful and cooperative Esh-Kha under Hallow Voice that aided the Jedi Order's third Bar'sen'thor in fighting the Sith Empire of the Emperor Vitiate's own creation by joining the Rift Alliance, it was a far more difficult matter to solve from what they had learned of this subset of the near-extinct race.
But what no one could comprehend was why Luke was proposing to thaw them out now, when Abeloth had no hand in the current war plaguing the galaxy. According to the few records recovered from the Batuu vault, the army entombed in the planet's tombs was a force assembled by a rogue Rakatan Predor near the Infinite Empire's height of power and entombed solely to prepare for the possibility of Abeloth eventually being released and had instructions to obey any force capable and willing to opposing her.
Echoing those thoughts, Kirney asked Luke, "Why would you use the Esh-Kha now against the Sith, when it could bleed them dry and render them extinct, if they even agree to help us? Shouldn't we save their strength for when we go up against Abeloth again after she returns?"
"Not when about eight thousand of their number are under Krayt's control and can be used to devastating effect if they're deceived into helping him." Luke pointed out. "We can't let them fall under the Sith's sway, but to save them from their deceptions will almost certainly require taking great risks of our own."
"Well, we can't make this decision on our own, nor should we." Kyle brought the matter to a close. "We'll need to discuss the matter with Chief of State Yimmon and the rest of the Alliance of Light."
"That is all I can ask of you all." Luke tiredly understood. "Until then, I'd best get some rest before I completely exhaust myself."
Ending the transmission, Kyle sighed before grimly reminding Zekk, "It's almost time. That shrine isn't going to open itself, and we need to hurry so we can help our friends win this war."
"I was hoping you'd forget about the shrine." Zekk bitterly griped before rising from his chair to head down to the Temple's catacombs, preparing himself for whatever dangers lurked beneath the Jedi's former home.
0715 Hours
Deep Within the Unknown Regions
Just Outside the Perann Nebula
Aboard the Errant Venture
"I'm guessing that you and Khedryn have found something worthwhile amidst all this debris?" Wedge asked his wife's hologram. Having been ordered to assist the Chiss and Empire of the Hand in guarding the system, conducting salvage runs and ascertaining the full damage to its shipyards, and searching for any survivors of the Nikardun surgical strike, the Antilles' elders poured their efforts into uncovering something to have the Alliance benefit from this disaster.
And knowing their younger daughter was neck-deep in danger with Wraith Squadron while the Sunrise System and its vast resources and immigrant population were falling into enemy hands, Wedge and Iella sent what portions of their fleet they could spare to ensure their friends' survival. But all their efforts would be for nothing if the Alliance of Light could not gain control of this war and break the Sith's fleets. Something had to change, and hopefully the data they were extracting from the devastated Nikardun, Rhandites, and Rakata ships would be a good first step towards victory.
"Maybe." Iella cautiously warned. "We finally managed to extract all the data cores from the Rakata gunship and all the intact Nikardun destroyers, but they're heavily encrypted. It looks like whatever data they were trying to destroy when their ships fell to us, they must have missed a copy in their haste."
"It's a critical find, but we'll need time to decode each of the packets' contents." Khedryn pessimistically added. "At least three weeks' worth."
"I thought breaking into ships' computer systems and deciphering foreign codes and languages were specialties of your corporation." Maarek pointedly recalled.
"Hey, you try working with tech not seen in eons and mixed in with modern equipment. Do that, then you can get back to me on that." Khedryn snappishly countered.
"All right, enough." Wedge cut in. "We need solutions to these guerilla attacks, not infighting amongst ourselves. Which means it's time we start reacting to these strikes and start thinking like the Rogues we are if we hope to plan our counterattack."
"A noble sentiment, but how exactly do we do that against enemies we've never dealt with before?" Khedryn pessimistically asked.
"We learn all we can of the enemy, adapt fast, and hit the Sith and their thralls back even faster and harder than they can counter." Iella vaguely answered.
0745 Hours
Coruscant, Great Western Sea
Within the Brasmin Estate
"Are you sure that's the facility we're looking for?" Fyor suspiciously inquired to Solomon after reviewing the data from his agents' efforts. "The Industrial District-"
"I know the many dangers of that area, and it isn't the most obvious site, especially after the Maladians decimated the Senate from a facility in the same sector, but such factors are precisely what makes it such a genius maneuver by the GAS before that once-august body was crippled." Solomon interrupted. "It's far off enough from any mainstream traffic to avoid suspicion, but close enough to the military's base of operations for Dorvan, Yimmon, and their Joint Chiefs to invest in the area and maintain a classified presence in the sector."
"And our agents did pick up encrypted transmissions from the Grungeon Block regarding a fresh supply of 'new long-term guests' and a platoon of GAS agents. I'd wager my family's entire fortune on this being the secret prison holding our two generals and ex-Senator."
"Quite a bold bet of yours, Mister Brasmin, especially since it'd be foolish for the GAS to put all three prisoners in one location." Kar'sk amusingly acknowledged, before seriously warning, "But before we commit our network to the area, we need to be absolutely sure this guess of yours is accurate. We'll only get one shot at this before we have to withdraw, and time's running out for us."
"What do you mean?" Solomon warily pressed.
"Only rumors and suspicions from several of our outposts, but they've reported unusual activity outside half our sympathizers' residences and places of business." Kar'sk explained. "They've managed to identify many of the watchers, and they're all medics of their staffers that are way too high class to be hanging around our typical joints."
"Either way, we need to speed this along before we're tracked back to here." Fyor resolved. "I'd advise you to put some of your people into investigating this potential lead and be sure to have them move with all possible speed."
"An excellent idea." Solomon concurred. "I'll put my ten best analysts on the job immediately."
"Good." Fyor nodded, hesitating before adding, "I'd also recommend preparing to evacuate Coruscant and come with us to the final refuge to avoid persecution. Once your efforts are uncovered, the Galactic Alliance and all their allies will pour their energies into uncovering anyone suspected of collaborating with us, and we can't afford to leave any incriminating loose ends behind."
Eyeing the disgraced politician with a keen eye, perhaps suspecting the underlying warning in what might happen should he refuse, Solomon relented with a heavy sigh, "I'll start the preparations by the end of the week. Better to be safe than sorry in our line of work."
Well, I think this is a good place to end the chapter! What did you all think, as there's a lot going on, but I hope it all makes sense and can be kept track of easily enough? And I hope you all have plenty of constructive criticism to give, because I sure could use some. So, how are you all doing on this cool night of Monday, December 5, 2022? I'm doing well, as I had a good meeting regarding full-time work, and I have a few possibilities regarding an internship that could lead to full-time employment. And I've been reading a bit of The Way of Kings, and I plan to finish it within a week or two. Oh, and I need to let you know that I'll be going to Florida on Wednesday for a few days to visit family. Which means I won't be able to write much this week, but I will have this chapter up in a few days. Well, I suppose that's all I have to say for tonight. I hope you all have a blessed night. May the Lord be with us all in these troubling times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
(Monday, December 19, 2022, Addendum.) Hey, everyone. How are you all doing two weeks later? I'm well, as I finished The Way of Kings a long time ago, and have been reading J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fall of Númenor, and it's a remarkable book. I highly recommend it to all LOTR Fans. And, just a notice, I am working again with NuttyBuddy792 with him beta reading my chapters, so it's good to have a good friend and reliable mind helping me improve my stories. Well, I'd best get this chapter published, as I have two more to release within a couple of weeks or so after this one. Have a blessed night, everyone, and Merry almost-Christmas, and the other holidays, of course!
