Hey, everyone! How are you all doing on this warm Florida night of Wednesday, December 7, 2022? I'm well, as I got to see my siblings just a little while ago, which was a special treat before I go see my grandparents tomorrow. I also partnered back up with my first Beta Reader, NuttyBuddy792, and he'll look at my Ch. 6 draft in a few days or so, and I'll have it published. Oh, and I have plowed through a good chunk of The Way of Kings, and I should be done with it by tomorrow evening. After that, it's either J.R.R. Tolkien's latest post-mortem book, or a book on Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò's powerful testimony that shook the world and Catholic Church, but I'll read them both soon enough. Well, I'd best get to writing. I hope you all have a blessed evening, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

0800 Hours, Selona 13th, 59 ABY

Korriban, Sith Catacombs

Within the Alliance Camp

"Krayt's got his citadel locked tighter than the Maw, at least before Centerpoint Station was destroyed." Jaina dourly began the briefing, having a holographic diagram of the One Sith's giant fortress visible for all to observe. "Not only does it have its large complement of Sith and the planet's natural defenders, but it's loaded to the brim with top-of-the-line security systems and at least five backup generators to power all its facilities."

With the ancient citadel meant to resemble the original Sith Empire's most holy fortress on Ziost before its downfall, its stony exterior, built into the landscape while being defended by dozens of Sith war beasts and mechanical fortifications, it appeared that it would be impossible to approach the facility without being discovered.

"That analogy means there isn't an obvious way into the fortress, but there must be a few secret passageways or backdoors that only a Sith would know about." Ben soundly observed.

Vestara nodding, she pointed to four locations on the map: with one located near the main cave network leading towards the citadel, with the rest left out in the open for all the Sith to observe across the giant landscape, "There are a few secret entrances that can get us inside, one of which is close to us and we can enter, but even then, it would be a difficult battle to bypass its fortifications and guards."

"But if we all take that entrance, then the Sith would know something's up." Tau pointed out. "Plenty of us would likely need to stay behind and keep the enemy's attention on our diversionary force."

"That makes the most sense." Phasma agreed. "And with my brother leading the outer guard, I think it's best if I go with whoever leads the frontal attack. He'll be gunning for me, and I can hold my own against this army."

"Then we'd better divide up into our teams and prepare to carry out this two-pronged attack soon." Soldier advised. "The longer we stay down in these depths, the more of our people will continue to die above this world."

"If it's all right with you all, I'd like to go with the diversionary team." Robonino suggested. "I have a few new explosives to try out, and we're going to have plenty of fun out there."

Akku and Tyria, sharing a glance, sighed before the Jedi Master warned, "Very well. But you'll be under the command of Inferno Squad for the duration of the attack. Don't do anything to endanger them."

"Please, Madam Jedi. You wound me." Robonino dramatically sighed.

"Only if she misses with her lightsaber or blasters." Akku chuckled.

0840 Hours

Korriban, Sith Catacombs

Within Darth Krayt's Citadel

"Everything is finally ready for our trap?" Zorra impatiently asked Kreel once again. "I can feel the Jedi growing beginning to move out, and they'll be here soon."

"For the fourth time, honored Lord, all the preparations are complete." Kreel wearily assuaged the Sith Lord's concerns. "Our teams triple-checked everything, and we spared no expense or cut no corners in our inspection and defensive positions, both for a frontal approach and a rearguard infiltration. Now, I suggest you prepare yourself for your battle with your wayward sister before we'll have to go. You won't have that long of a chance to settle the score with her."

"Settling the score with Phasma is the least of my reasons for being down here." Zorra defensively glowered. "Just make sure your men are all in position and can hold their own out there. Thin their numbers as much as you can but leave what Jedi and their cronies alive as you can."

"I'm fully aware of all of Lord Krayt's orders, as is everyone else under my command. Rest assured; we all are on top of this. Just finish your end of the plan and get us our reinforcements." Kreel curtly ended the holocall, leaving Zorra to silently fume at the clone's audacity while completing his programming.

Reaching out through the Force to penetrate the carbonite prisons that held the two hundred Esh-Kha, Zorra finally found their simple and feeble minds, and began to whisper the Dread Lord's orders inside their consciousness. If he so wished, he could have completely taken over their brains and made them unquestionably loyal to the One Sith, ensuring no disloyalty if the Jedi brought some of their own Esh-Kha into the fray.

But Lord Krayt, in a questionable move, decided against taking such a preventative measure, not wanting to risk damaging the intelligence or natural abilities of these commandos. And Zorra could not disobey the Dread Lord's decrees without risking his own death, no matter how much he wished to destroy Phasma and her cohorts on his own.

Still, provided he was given the chance to personally right the betrayal his sister wrought on the Sith and the remaining survivors of Parnassos, he would suffer this embarrassing task. And all his preparations were nearly complete. Now, all that remained was to finish awakening the One Sith's latest servants, and then the fun and a bit of well-deserved retribution could at last begin.

0900 Hours

Hyperspace, On Route to the Horuset System

Aboard the Megador

"Jittery, are we, General Farlander?" Etahn gently teased Keyan while the human commanding officer read through a constant stream of reports throughout the fleet at an inhumanly rapid pace.

"What gave it away?" Keyan rhetorically asked. "The rapid eye movement, me sweating blaster bolts, or the soft panting?"

"Your posture and attitude as well." Etahn honestly answered. "From what I remember of your command style, you were always hands on and attentive, but you are not acting like yourself since you were granted this command."

"I am sure I know the reason for your anxiety, but it would be best if you admitted it before the battle begins." Etahn finished, followed by an awkward silence until Keyan relented.

"You know what it is." Keyan sighed. "After what happened at Falleen, coupled with being granted one of the most powerful dreadnoughts in the entire galaxy in the aftermath, am I truly the best officer to lead a fleet as massive as this? Am I best at winning the battle and keeping my men alive, or have I just lost my touch?"

"Those are indeed difficult and important questions to ask." Etahn carefully acknowledged, before emphatically continuing, "But all the leaders in the Alliance of Light chose you to lead this armada among countless officers in his navy. Surely that is a gesture of trust by the most powerful heads of state in the galaxy. They would not decide on you if they did not believe you didn't have what it took to command such a force."

"Trust your instincts and training, both from the military and your time as a Jedi. And trust the people you surround yourself with. All of them will guide you when you start to doubt your abilities and your beliefs."

Contemplating his words, Keyan prepared to thank the Dornean general's words before catching something in Etahn's wording, and suspiciously recalled, "Wait. You said not to doubt 'my beliefs.' Who told you I was doubting myself in that way? Was it one of the Jedi?"

"Not quite. The message came from an old friend and former subordinate of yours." Etahn pulled out a datapad with a message encoded on its screen, and Keyan was astonished to immediately recognize the signature at the bottom. "It seems your previous XO is quite worried about your well-being and wants to ensure you are assisted in facing your demons out here."

Reading through the letter with a silent gratitude, Keyan felt himself growing misty-eyed at the kindness and insight Kara, a recently promoted commander in the Galactic Alliance navy, and let the tears fly once he finished reviewing the message's contents:

General Farlander, I only hope this message finds you in time.

Madam Ambassador Dorvan told me that you were granted command of the Megador and overall command of the Galactic Alliance task force inbound for Korriban. I can only imagine how deeply such a command is eating away at you, and how strongly you must be doubting yourself right now for being trusted with so much by the Alliance of Ligh.t

But in the five years I had the privilege of having served under you, I learnt more about leadership, loyalty, and strategy than I ever did in the academy, and not simply for its anti-Jedi tendencies and political maneuvering that had creeped into much of the GA's echelons of power. No, I learnt it from your fearlessness in battle, your devotion to your men, and your innovation of conventional strategies that allowed us to survive many battles most would call unwinnable. And that is something that the academy cannot teach you, it is a quality that one is born with, which you have in abundance.

And yet, I know the deaths you experienced over the last fifteen years, how they have taken a toll on your well-being. How the Senate and most of our populace turned their backs on their servants and guardians, and responsibilities, all to follow a wave of politics that is already dying out because of a few brave souls. How Daala, in her irrational hatred of those that endlessly and tirelessly protect us, killed your first officer in her wretched experiments and you were powerless to protect her.

This feeling of guilt, your helplessness, it has left a hole in you that has yet to be filled, and it will eat you alive unless you face it now. And you must let go of the darkness devouring you, for Madurrin's death was not your fault. You did everything you could to save her from Daala's raiders, and when you found her, you helped her find peace in her final moments.

I beseech you, let that drive, that hope, that compassion, lead you to your salvation, and help save as many others as possible that you can reach in the process. It will be that same energy and belief that will save the galaxy from all that seeks to destroy or enslave it. Know that all your loyal friends and soldiers will be with you always, in spirit if not in body. Now, go forth, and show the galaxy what those that protect the GA can do.

Kind and Confident Regards,

Kara Farkus. Commander of the Galactic Alliance Defense Fleet.

Wiping the tears from his eyes, thanking the Force for such a stout-hearted friend and ally in the Arkanian Offshoot, Keyan gratefully told Etahn, "Thank you, old friend. This is just what I needed to hear."

"Good. Now, I believe you should get a few hours of rest while there's still time. We only have twelve hours before entering the battle, and the Galactic Alliance will need its CO at his best to face the Sith. I can finish the preparations up here before all chaos breaks loose for us."

"A wise proposal, which I graciously accept." Keyan agreed before failing to stifle a strong yawn. Apparently, his body felt the same as his mind, and it would be best to follow the advice before it proved fatal.

0930 Hours

Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple

Within the Council Chambers

"These suggestions of yours, they are all quite radical proposals, Master Skywalker." Cilghal concernedly observed with Luke. Having concluded the Council meeting with the available members ten minutes ago, and the remaining councilors adjourning to resume their duties, that left the Mon Calamari and her former pupil to speak with the Skywalker patriarch and try to understand his reasoning for his many ideas.

Repurposing Luke's information network that he constructed, an idea that had helped save many lives and done as much to rebuild the galaxy's trust in the Jedi as Edaan and his fellow young Jedi's efforts, to work as a conduit for Alliance mercy and military efforts into unfriendly territories, that was an idea Cilghal could wholeheartedly support. It would essentially be a successor to the Great River project he devised for the Yuuzhan Vong War to save fugitive Jedi and refugees from the invaders and their Peace Brigade collaborators and be an intelligent way to direct their fight against the Sith and their many servants. And with the Chiss under siege by the enemy's legions and armadas, while the Rhandites' territory was yet to be explored, they would need every advantage in defeating those dangers before the war grew out of control.

But the remaining ideas Luke had proposed, those most of the Council gave their consent to, had unsettled Cilghal to a degree she had not experienced since the fall of Jacen and his atrocities and betrayals while leading the Galactic Alliance Guard and taking over the government, and Kenth Hamner's sheer desperation to avoid a fight with Chief of State Daala by making an underhanded deal with Nek Bwua'tu without the consent or even knowledge of the Council.

Utilizing a select group of Esh-Kha to counter the Sith's own commandos before awakening the rest of their species, it was a dangerous idea that reminded her too much of the Old Republic's use of the Clone Troopers as a slave army. If the commandos refused to support the Alliance of Light in battling their brethren, what actions would they take in trying to enlist their support? Too many unknowns still existed in this mysterious army of ancient marauders, and to use them now drew too close to the enemy tactics for Cilghal's liking.

Then there was the proposal to recruit outlying Force groups and mercenary armies that ostensibly wanted nothing to do with the Jedi, like the Zeison Sha living on the Outer Rim world of Yanibar; the fractured and diminished remnants of the Order of Shasa of Manaan that fell to the Dark Side due to Darth Vader's manipulations; the Sun Guard, a Thrysian mercenary company whose original iteration was subverted by the Banite Sith before reforging itself to defend Thrysus and restore the group's traditions, reputation, and honor before the Sith corrupted the entire order; and the Disciples of Twilight from the moon of Dyspeth protected its inhabitants but rejected serving in politics or military service; all to join the fight against the Sith or rebuild the galaxy to prepare for Abeloth's eventual return to this plane of existence.

While Cilghal agreed with the concept of unifying the galaxy against such an apocalyptic evil and would like to find new or old allies, even make amends with many old foes, against the coming darkness, it seemed all but impossible for such a grand alliance of Force sects and rogue mercenaries to come to reality after centuries of mistrust and animosity. Unless Luke had not yet divulged all his secrets to the Council, then she could not comprehend how such an idea could work.

The only other positive that partially assuaged Cilghal's concerns of the Order's current path was how Kyle had sent a message to her on how his plan for the Imperials' truth serum in the Jedi Temple of Coruscant was all part of a bluff to draw out the Sith spies on the capital world. A grave risk, but one the Alliance would hopefully be well-prepared for when the battle inevitably came, thanks to the Dorvans' inbound reinforcements.

Luke, likely reading Cilghal's doubts through the Force or worried eyes and fidgeting, if his compassionate and concerned gaze was a clear sign, kindly responded, "You're not the only one with those doubts, Cilghal. I've had them many times myself while considering these proposals."

"But if we don't even attempt to implement new ideas, we'll inevitably lose this war, or the next one that will one day come. The Sith have adapted just as they did when Darth Bane's order arose, and we need to do the same to prevent such a catastrophe."

"I understand the idea based on its schematics, Luke, better than you know." Cilghal calmly conceded. "Experimental medical practices are typically reviled or doubted until they're validated, so it's no surprise to me that we need to consider new ideas and tactics to win a war."

"But what concerns me is the fear that the principles that our order, and the governments we work with, may be slipping away from us in these difficult times and the tough decisions of war." Cilghal carefully continued, a hint of worry creeping into her tone. "If we don't stand firm against corruption or compromise in times of crisis, then how can we expect to do the same when we are at peace?"

"Those are all valid points, ones all individuals should strongly consider." Luke acknowledged. "It is a question that I've asked myself many times. But that doubt, I believe, is one of the reasons we are better than the Sith. Because we look for a better path, not simply easier, and if we make a compromise, we ask ourselves if we can live with it or bear it and keep on fighting for as long as we can to protect the people and things we cherish."

"It may be difficult and heart-breaking at times to make these choices, but we must do this, because no one else can or will." Luke looked down, possibly contemplating what to say next, before deciding, "When in doubt, trust in the Force, yourself, your teachings, and those close to you. They will steer you right when everything else fails."

Breathing deeply, carefully considering what was just said, Cilghal bobbed her head in a nod, "Thank you, Luke. It may not be what I wanted to hear, but I'm sure that it's what I needed to hear right now."

"Just be sure to meditate on this and talk with others instead of brooding and fearing the worst." Luke generously advised. "Oftentimes we give rise to our worst enemies through inaction or wrongly judging others. I don't want you to face that burden as so many other Jedi and leaders have."

0945 Hours

Sunrise, Ara'lani Mountains

Deep Within the Che'ri Mines

Inside the Command Center

"Normally, I'd be adverse from accepting aid from a group as mismatched as yours, and especially doubt your writ from the Supreme General, Saganu, and their new allies." The Chiss garrison leader jadedly told Sharr and Myri, having heard their mad explanation and offer and seeing their entire squad, "But we're so desperate, outnumbered, and boxed in on all sides, I can't afford to turn away anyone willing to help us now."

"Your honesty and candor are both appreciated at this perilous time, Senior Captain Jossk. But what we need to figure out how to survive the next few days, otherwise the Sith's new army will slaughter everyone who stands against them and gain untold wealth and power." The Wraiths' second-in-command graciously spoke on Voort's behalf while the rest of the Gamorrean's squad aided the Chiss in distributing weapons and relief supplies among their defenders and the four thousand refugees of this mine that refused to take up arms alongside their fellow displaced refugees.

Thanks to the ruling syndic's rampant corruption and blatant abuses of power before she fled her crimes, the Ascendancy's position was all but doomed. Only a few scattered strongholds in the southern hemisphere's mountains, along with the planet's central command in the northwestern hemisphere, remained secure, but for how long remained unclear. Against the twenty million refugees provoked into taking up arms for the Sith and their vassals, with only about half a million of their number refusing to aid in this mad insurrection, Yiv and the Sith could throw their new thralls against the outnumbered defenders and let simple attrition do all their work for them while keeping well over half their new allies alive.

But making the most of impossible odds and turning certain defeat into victory, that was the Wraiths' specialties. And according to their readings from their ship's sensors and what transmissions they could intercept, there were a few rogue instigators sitting on the sidelines while whipping the displaced citizens into a frenzy, enemy agents that were high and recent on the Ascendancy's most-wanted list. With the Alliance of Light and fellow powers working to command the skies, this discovery, and the implementation in Sharr's plan, would all be vital to trying to keep the bloodshed down.

Of course, this strategy could only work if the rest of the free galaxy knew of the plan and could help calm the fires of hatred blazing across this world. Which was why Voort was heavy at work inside the Quarren Eye, finishing his calculations and preparing a message for the Alliance's commanders stationed across the system. Without his diligent work, all would be lost for Sunrise, and quite possibly the rest of the Chiss Ascendancy.

1000 Hours

Coruscant, Jedi Temple

Within the Temple's Catacombs

Quietly glancing at Kyle and Zekk while the two Jedi Masters took the lead in coordinating their fellow Force users in bypassing the Shrine in the Depths' external defenses, Ingo quietly wished he was able to kill the enemy army before they trespassed in such a holy sight. But he knew the time was not right, not with the Jedi and their suckers watching him and trying to uncover evidence of the Sith's infiltration of virtually every level of the Alliance of Light.

If need be, the sixteen agents implanted to subvert this assignment would immolate themselves inside the sacred site before its secrets were deciphered and powers undone by the Jedi, and Ingo would gladly follow their example if given even a single, fleeting opportunity. Once the ancient Sith temple was unlocked, there was no guarantee the door could ever be closed after five millennia of being sealed, leaving it forever vulnerable to enemy attacks and subversion. But that was a risk they had to take if it meant uncovering ancient knowledge and long-lost Sith rituals for Lord Krayt and bringing down the Jedi Temple, thereby preventing anyone from accessing the site ever again.

Seeing a Iktotchi GAS guard approaching Ingo, one he recognized well, since Nossor Tiin was the one who first alerted him to his fellow Sith agents assisting him in his goals, the historian tidied up his workspace before the collaborator whispered to him, "You're in danger."

Eyeing Nossor with bemusement at the odd warning, Ingo pointed out, "I'm stuck in an inescapable temple with Jedi and their lap dogs watching our every move while we prepare to storm an ancient Force wellspring. Of course, there's going to be danger in this job."

"The Alliance has nearly perfected the creation of a new truth serum, one that has a one-hundred-percent success rate." Nossor telepathically warned. "They're going to test it on you tomorrow afternoon to try and ferret your friends out."

"The time to act fast approaches. We need to be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for the Grand Design if all other options fail." Out loud, Nossor told Ingo, "I hear the Jedi and their friends are close in barging their way into the Sith shrine. Seems like you're about to have your work cut out for you."

Playing along to disprove the Alliance's suspicions, Ingo calmly shrugged, "I look forward to the challenge. It'll be good to do something at least a little meaningful after all these years stuck in inactivity and learn more about a unique society as the Sith Empire of old before Naga Sadow's folly."

Hearing a bronzium door begin to rumble, one which could likely be heard from every level of the Jedi Temple for the echoes reverberating under its deepest foundations, Ingo grew anxious at seeing the door begin to move a few inches upward. This small gap allowed their members to deploy the first dozen of many miniature probes into the Sith structure, a startling development for every Sith and their allies assigned to this capital world.

At this rate, it would not be long now before the Jedi gained entrance, and that meant time was almost up for the Sith on Coruscant. No matter what happened or who reigned victorious over the next couple of days, the Temple's core would soon be drenched in a city's worth of blood. Hopefully, it would be the Jedi's blood splattered all over the Temple's corridors.

1030 Hours

Sunrise System Outskirts

Aboard the Corellian Engine Corporation Action VI Transport Wild Karrde

"Prepare for a microjump towards the planet." Shada D'ukal Karrde, a long-resigned Mistryl Shadow Guard and former second-in-command of her late husband Talon Karrde's Smuggler Alliance before taking the reins of leadership of the organization, ordered her navigations officer. Giving her officer a single data card, she ordered her, "Plug in this exact set of nav-coordinates into the ship's computer, and then descend into Sunrise's southern hemisphere. That will be where the fighting is going to be the heaviest, and where our aid will be most needed. Our relief force will make the jump in the next five minutes."

Having been informed by General Antilles of the significance of giving Wraith Squadron and the diminished Chiss defenders and their loyal miners a strong foothold on their falling world, or a way off Sunrise if the battle proved to be unwinnable for them on the ground, she held the bulk of her fleet back until the right opportunity to slip past the enemy blockade arose.

And with General Yiv and his allies having suffered heavy casualties and losing ground by the Alliance of Light, Aquilian Republic, and Empire of the Hand's ambush, now was the time to make their move and fulfill their part of the plan while keeping the Wraiths alive. Knowing their record and knack for surviving the worst odds, she had faith they would make the most of this opportunity and save a few more lives.

But while the naval situation was turning against the Sith, Shada knew the ground battle was a far direr matter. With all but a few bands of beleaguered immigrants pledging their loyalty to the One Sith and obliterating the Chiss Ascendancy, the smuggler kingpin could not imagine a way to save the planet without annihilating the rebellious population, a probability she would never take part in, not after her homeworld of Emberlene was devastated by a rogue armada after three years of conquering and plundering its neighboring worlds to enrich themselves and carve out a miniature empire of their own.

Uncovering the truth after faithfully serving the Eleven Elders for decades, who deceived the entire population with lies of the Empire bombarding their home, it helped Shada see how blind she had been to her people's faults and what needed to be done to atone and rebuild their civilization.

In the years following the conclusion of the First Galactic Civil War, while working with Talon in rebuilding the galaxy after every war that followed, she had reached out to many disaffected and impoverished Mistryl and helped them restore their fortunes while helping to reform their civilization, but without avenging the loss of all their ill-gotten gains. And after four decades of progress of revitalizing Emberlene, she was pleased with the trust Jori Car'das and Talon Karrde placed in her when the former opened her eyes to the truth, and the latter for giving her all she needed to help her people reconstruct themselves with true honor.

Refocusing her mind back to the present, Shada received a burst transmission from the center of Chiss Space and wondered who was trying to reach her in the middle of such a pitched battle. Reading through its contents before deleting the message, the smuggler chief realized there might be a way to stop this insurrection without resorting to a planetary scourge, a miracle if she ever saw one. She needed to get in touch with the Crimson Corsair and Wraith Squadron right away to coordinate this titanic gamble.

1200 Hours

Bastion, Imperial Capital

Within the Imperial Dungeons

Inside the Interrogation Center

"'The Knights of Olpaka?'" Firmus quietly repeated to himself, struggling to dredge up any possible memories of such an organization and potential ties to Daala, but coming up with nothing, ignoring the whimpering pleas of Gideon and Stryker to put them out of their misery. Turning to his advisor, he silently glanced at Armand Vorn and the vast potential the only child of the notorious rogue warlord represented for the galaxy, who could only reluctantly shake his head as an answer.

As a former citizen of the Galactic Alliance before his bolting to Imperial Space and eventual coercion into serving her deranged anti-Force conspiracy, all while undermining her self-appointed mission and protecting his wife and daughter from her wicked influence, he was in a unique position of comprehending Daala's lunacy and many of her refuges and contingencies should her ill-fated Imperial civil war turn against her.

But according to Armand, she had never shared with him her ultimate fallback plan or any mention of this possible fringe group, which meant only one avenue of uncovering the truth, which was growing more urgent with every passing hour. With Head of State Fel and Chief of State Yimmon pressing the need to uncover every one of Daala's spies and resources, it might be time to take a personal approach to this manhunt.

Although his efforts had given the free powers a significant advantage against Daala's infrastructure of insurgents, allowing the various governments and worlds the ability to start tracking and eventually wiping out many cells and their leadership in hiding across hundreds of worlds, it was not enough for the gaunt veteran.

No, for the atrocities she had committed throughout her long life, Natasi Daala needed to be captured, tried before the galaxy, and finally be made an example for all others who would seek to emulate her path. But first, the galaxy needed to find her, and that was like trying to find a risk-free way through a black hole. All the two spies knew of their mistress's location was how she, in her many years as a fugitive from justice, had reached out to a rogue power somewhere in the Unknown Regions, a power that shared her loathing for Force Users and could potentially thrust the galaxy into another war, one fought not merely through technology or people but through beliefs and ideologies as well.

Pulling out his comlink, he ordered his subordinates, "Enough. Give both men a sedative and a thorough evaluation, and then report to me on all our findings. We've put them through enough punishment for today."

"Well, that's certainly a first, coming from you." Armand surprisingly noted.

"I'm a harsh man, not a barbarian. I know my limits, Captain." Firmus briefly cracked a rare smile. "But I don't think we're going to get any more information out of those two, at least for a few days. What we need to do now is compare notes and postulate where in the Unknown Regions or Wild Space this Olpaka Hegemony might be."

"We have a few good leads on where to start, though. The Red Twins System, which Daala obliterated in her zeal to escape from her pursuers. Either that system could have led us right to her new hideaway, or it was a stop on the road, but it gives us a general range of where to look."

"True." Armand acknowledged. "But there's also Fyor Rodan and his collaborators on Coruscant. They deserted their posts when Daala called on them and disappeared without a trace for weeks before popping up in the GA's central world. Whatever they're trying to acquire or achieve, it must be critical for their mission to resurface and risk capture."

"Excellent." Firmus commended his Imperial ally and subordinate. "But either way, we need to keep our people on these avenues and ensure we leave no stone unturned in this hunt. One way or another, someone like Daala won't stay idle for long. She'll unleash a counterattack when all our guard's most down, and that's what we need to anticipate and thwart, which means considering all possibilities in opposing her."

'That's exactly what worries me about all this.' Armand anxiously acknowledged.

1300 Hours

Korriban, Sith Catacombs

Just Outside Krayt's Citadel

'Well, we wanted to get the Sith's attention, but I didn't expect it to be this easy!' Tau reflected while battering away one Sith marauder and bisecting another by the torso that foolishly tried to sneak a killing blow against the clone, before Butch used the momentary distraction to set his jaw into the other Sith's thigh, biting and severing one of the woman's arteries and causing gushes of blood to surge out. The agonizing scream that followed allowed Tau to behead the attacker before the unlikely duo to seek out their next set of prey.

Having spent the last ninety minutes with the diversionary force in attacking the Dark Citadel, pushing precariously close to breaching their outer defenses with only three fatalities of their own while killing at least fifty Sith and many more of their surviving Mandalorians and droid guardians, everyone was on edge. With Tau, Jaina, Inferno Squad, Robonino, Jaden, Phasma, Mirta, fifteen other Jedi and fifty Alliance of Light soldiers, keeping the Sith's attention focused on them and not on the remaining Alliance members working to infiltrate Krayt's citadel, only a complete fool wouldn't be expecting an ambush any moment now.

And Tau Palpatine, with his artificially grown attunement to the Dark side, along with his strategic mind and intuition, he was no fool. He felt the flickering life forms about to emerge from the catacombs and inside the citadel and had a good guess as to what was coming. Along with Snoke and his army of Sith beasts, SCAR Squadron 99 and at least a hundred Sith coming from all sides, there was an unfamiliar enemy emerging, almost one hundred other enemy signatures moving quickly.

'I wonder who the Sith duped into doing their dirty work now? One of their "allies" in the Unknown Regions, or something else altogether?" Tau quickly considered before his connection to the Force allowed him to swerve out of the way of a sniper rifle blast, one he recognized right away from the attack's sound and velocity.

"Misty." Tau sighed, feeling the revived Imperial Commando's hatred at seeing the traitor, and anger at his shot missing and losing the element of surprise. But before he could counterattack or warn his friends of the enhanced sniper's danger, a rumbling noise could be heard from beneath the ground.

To Tau's surprise and horror, he saw seven bunker doors come up from underneath, and a species he only recognized from ancient records and Edaan's lessons from the ghosts of Revan and the Hero of Tyrhon. The Eshk-Kha, a species with a superiority complex and barbarity that would easily surpass most modern day Sith and nearly eradicated the Rakata in a war of annihilation, were hurrying out and were fighting alongside Krayt's followers. Garbed in their ancient armor, and equipped with the latest in modern weaponry, he immediately knew this frontline battle was about to become far more intense and brutal.

Tau knew the Sith had extracted a few thousand of the Esh-Kha remnant that were trapped in Batuu's ancient vaults, but he never anticipated seeing them so early in this war, and certainly not on Korriban. With countless possibilities running rampant through his mind, he could not determine why the One Sith would divulge such a powerful hand to their enemies when they already had so many advantages over the Alliance.

Either they were overconfident in their abilities and numbers, so this was only the beginning of what the Jedi would be facing going forward, or they were afraid of a prolonged war and wanted to destroy their enemies quickly before they lost too many of their own to this fight. If this fragment of the Esh-Kha population, preserved only for the sole purpose of fighting Abeloth if the need arose, would side with the Sith so easily, then it was even more imperative to finish this fight across the system while keeping the remaining Esh-Kha in the Jedi's custody from joining the fight.

Sensing a familiar ally coming up from behind him, Tau reluctantly addressed Phasma from behind while shielding himself from any blows with his lightsaber. "Guess I should've seen this coming."

"Forget about it, Tau. Pointing fingers won't solve anything now." Phasma dismissed his apology, deflecting the alien commandos' blasts and Sith attacks alongside the Iteration. "I can feel my brother's mind twist on the Esh-Kha. They're not in their right minds right now, but we'll still have to put them out of their misery before they can kill any of our friends."

'Why can't anything ever be simple with these Sith?!' Tau griped before barely glimpsing a shadow stalking Phasma. Seeing the figure ready to strike, he leapt to intercept the blow, blocking Zorra's ambush a mere handful of centimeters before it could pierce Phasma's chest from behind her. And the second she saw the attacker; she joined the attack against her wayward brother.

Glaring at the interloper with a hateful intensity few others could match, Zorra telepathically commanded the foot soldiers and fellow Sith, 'Stay out of this fight! I will deal with the Palpatine clone, his traitorous beast of a pet, and my harlot of a sister. Take care of the other intruders."

'Well, this fight just got a whole lot more interesting.' Tau lamented before the two traitors nodded a silent affirmation to work together before facing off against Zorra, with the clone's loyal canine friend barking in assistance.

1400 Hours

Korriban Orbit

Aboard Ship

At last, everything was moving perfectly into position for the One Sith. The Jedi and their paltry alliance were being drawn ever so deeper into this nebula of a quagmire than his greatest expectations, and Krayt was nearly ready to spring his trap on them all and wreak untold devastation on so many of his enemies at once.

From his spies still embedded inside the Alliance of Light's many factions, their armada was a mere five hours from descending upon them from Dathomir, and his allies and servants were prepared to decimate them the moment they arrived. And their ground forces were about to penetrate his now-expendable citadel and were suffering heavy casualties from his new vanguard in the Esh-Kha and repurposed Imperial commandos.

Finally, everything was working in accordance with the Grand Design. Not even the Alliance's second inbound fleet of reinforcements from Shedu Maad would be enough to turn the tide of this fight and prevent a Sith-orchestrated slaughter. At best, it would only give them a few hours or a couple days before they fell before the tsunami of Sith war fleets he would unleash on them, and then his followers could prepare for the next phase of their plan.

All that remained now before the Sith could leave this doomed world behind was to finish the preparations on their newest general, and then there would no longer be illusions of a Jedi victory. Then, all that would be left was to locate Zonama Sekot and finally ensure the Sith's eternal dominance over the galaxy. There, the One SIth would become invincible and would at last be ready to spread over the galaxy like a plague over an unsuspecting planet.

Finally, he understood the anxiety he felt a month earlier when the war with the Jedi was beginning to come out into the open. He and his armies were ready to wage war on the Jedi, but not if they allowed the Jedi to direct the course of the conflict and spread them out across the galaxy's battlefields, each one of their choosing. And if he and his agents ruined the galaxy while trying to save it, then all their efforts would only serve Abeloth and continue to fuel the fires of war.

Knowing full well that he and his followers would have virtually every advantage in the Unknown Regions, a territory where many of their allies called home and held virtually untapped potential, he knew that was where this war would be won. Within the western portion of the galaxy, the fate of every being and world would be decided, and once Korriban was left behind for more verdant and untouched wonders and treasures to be exploited. Now, it was now only a matter of time before all for the Grand Design fell into place, and Krayt looked forward to his vindication after years of hiding and operating in the shadows while the Jedi led the galaxy to ruin.

1600 Hours

Deep Within the Unknown Regions

Inside the Perann Nebula

Within the Nihil Retreat's Outskirts

Aboard the Enterprise

Feeling a sense of brief wonder the Jedi Master had not experienced in decades, a level not felt since his escape from the spice mines of Kessel and into the Maw Cluster alongside Han Solo and Chewbacca, Kyp took a moment to bask in the fact that he might be among the first individuals outside the One Sith and Rhandites to enter a previously unexplored star cluster, even one as hostile as the Nihli Retreat given its current rulers and partners.

Wondering how many years or centuries it was since someone had entered this layer of the Perann Nebula and its dozen star clusters hidden inside, observing the majestic view of the sights before him, it was nearly enough to make him stop his mission, no matter how much he remembered just who called this region home. A kaleidoscope of colors appearing from all angles, with countless cosmic wonders sprayed before him, it was almost impossible to believe this region of the galaxy was home to one of the most dangerous, and nihilistic Force orders to ever exist, even with the shroud of the Dark Side trying to devour him and all those under his command. Oh, how he wished he could take a starfighter and immerse himself in this majesty to relive the days of his carefree youth, before the Empire and Sith took everything from him.

Quickly snapping out of his wonder, he reminded himself he was not here on a simple joyride. As the ranking leader of this scouting force, supposed to be leading this ship and a small flotilla on a reconnaissance run of the Nihil Retreat and laying the groundwork for its eventual liberation from the Rhandites and their Sith partners. Now was not the time to get lost in old memories or aspirations.

Wanting to get this mission done as quickly as it was feasible to protect his subordinates, Kyp quickly ordered the ship's comm officers, "Check in with all teams. Make sure everyone made it through the paths intact."

Hearing from one officer after another on how all nine other scouting flotillas emerged relatively unscathed, Kyp slowly and cautiously opened himself up to the Force, trying to observe barely a fraction of the vast nebula he was inside and uncovering any natural defenses it might contain.

After taking the next thirty minutes in viewing the expanse and carefully evaluating every detail Kyp observed in the direct vicinity of the Enterprise, he ceased extending his Force sense, and took careful notes on all he witnessed and sensed. Knowing he didn't even see a hundredth of the Nihil Retreat, he was prepared to contact the other scout commanders before sensing a faint whisper in the Force and seeing a tiny glimmer of light, too faint to be natural.

Eyes narrowing, he ordered the bridge officers, "Have the fleet go to Yellow Alert status, and start deploying our packages right away. I think we're being watched."

Knowing full well of their Jedi Master's well-honed instincts and decades of field experience from each of their past service in each of their militaries and years of serving in war, the Rogues' Gallery officers carried out their tasks with such precision and speed that most fleet ensigns and lieutenants could only yearn to possess.

But not even their diligence and skill were enough to assuage Kyp's concerns, not in a territory as unknown and hostile as this. If the Rhandites unleashed any number of surprises or ambushes on the fleet, he would let none of them die because he didn't prepare enough.

1700 Hours

Bastion, Imperial Capital

Within the Civilian District

Inside the Kanos Hotel

"My Lord, I do not wish to appear or sound insubordinate, but why are we waiting so long to plan our attack against the Imperials and their Jedi?" Lenang emotionally implored Invidious. "If we do not act soon, then the Alliance will have all they need from their prisoners, and the Empire will be able to consolidate its power and rebuild itself."

"I'm afraid the Jedi and Jagged Fel are far ahead on this one." Ochi anxiously amended. "Our computer programs have pulled all essential data from the Imperials' server, and they already have what they need from Hask and Melusar. It's full of many rather disturbing revelations."

"Let me see." Invidious asked. Taking the datapad from Ochi, he read through its contents with a deep analysis, and, if his expressions were genuine, he was quite surprised by many factors. "Well, this is proving to be far easier than I could ever have anticipated. But I ought to give the Jedi the proper credit for their resourcefulness and innovation in getting the information so ingeniously. Now we can move forward with our plan."

"I beg your pardon, Master?" Ochi asked, perplexed at how well Invidious was taking the information he just received, and the dangerous advantage the Jedi and Alliance had just acquired.

Handing the datapad back to the Vahla assassin, the Arkanian nodded, "I believe it's time for Ochi and me to pay a visit to Head of State Fel and his entourage."

"What exactly are you suggesting, my Lord?" Lenang asked, confused at Invidious's meaning.

"I have a scheduled appointment tomorrow morning with Jagged Fel and many of his key supporters and allies, under another alias of mine. But given the circumstances, I feel it would be best to ask if we can speed the preparations along by a few hours. Wouldn't you agree?" Invidious elaborated to both agents before specifically turning to the Pantoran. "While my honored attaché and my staff work with me on scouting out the layout of his headquarters and the location of key targets, you will be carrying out a task that will be equally vital to our mission and allowing Lord Krayt's vision to come to pass."

1730 Hours

Deep Within the Unknown Regions

Just Outside the Perann Nebula

Aboard the Errant Venture

"Generals, Commander, we've just intercepted a distress signal coming from the Enterprise!" A comm officer hurriedly walked over to Wedge, Maarek, and Jan to deliver them the message inside the red-painted Star Destroyer's command center.

"Put it through." Wedge stoically ordered, wondering what danger the longstanding Jedi troublemaker got himself into this time.

Remembering all the harm Kyp caused the galaxy after his escape from slavery on Kessel and all the lives he destroyed and his suicidal rage for sixteen years afterwards, the Rogues' Gallery's leader worried for his loyal officers, even after Kyp's rehabilitation from his longstanding psychological wounds at the height of the Yuuzhan Vong War. Knowing how the maverick Jedi Master had a habit of getting into more misfortune than most souls, he only hoped age had substantially tempered his recklessness. But then again, with how Kyp and his fleet were venturing into unknown territory ruled by nihilistic clairvoyants, he doubted anyone could lead an expedition without detection or misfortune.

Quickly opening a comm line to the Enterprise, both generals were astonished when they observed Kyp's wild gaze and realized that whatever he was trying to warn them of, it was of desperation and terror.

"I don't know how long we've got." The Jedi Master quietly breathed out. "We're safe for now, but that could change any minute. The Rhandites, they knew we were coming, and set loose a pack of summa-verminoth to attack us. They're hunting all our ships, one at a time. We need immediate aid before we're all destroyed."

Letting out a stifled gasp, he anxiously warned, "They're closing in on us. I need to sign off. Please, hurry."

Among all the predators out there, hearing of the summa-verminoth was among the last he would have ever thought of. Knowing of the enormous space-faring predators that roamed the forgotten regions of the galaxy, resembling massive devilsquids from the deepest depths of Dac's oceans, all three commanders could barely begin to comprehend how a flock of them came to reside in the Nihil Retreat. But they all knew that Kyp, for all his faults, was an honest man, and if he claimed this mad crisis was occurring, then it truly was a genuine disaster in the making.

Sharing a knowing look with Jan, the woman excused herself to quietly alert the Alliance of Light's High Command while Maarek advised Wedge, "Let me take my flotilla ahead and try and take some of the pressure off Durron's until his remaining people can pull out. We can get there faster if we leave now."

Knowing better than to counter the proposal, not with time against their allies and officers trapped behind enemy lines, Wedge simply agreed, "Just play it smart. I'll have Jan and her people form the rear guard, and my fleet will be right behind yours."

"No." Maarek refused. "We can't risk the entire blockade now, not until we can figure out a way to take the Retreat. What we need now are Force users, and a whole army of them if we hope to counter the Rhandites' foresight and keep their Sorcerers off-balance. I don't care where they come from, but we'll need every Force-sensitive we can find."

"You and I both know that utilizing the Force to the fullest is the only shot at us achieving victory out here." Maarek forebodingly concluded, his voice filled with a level of grimness that Wedge had never seen before in the reformed Dark Sider before he walked to the bridge's turbolift. It shook the aged Corellian to his core, and he knew that somehow, this war would be unlike any he ever fought in before, with devastation and ferocity that could very well rival the Yuuzhan Vong's invasion of the galaxy.

He only hoped that this war could be won out here before it was allowed to spread into the far reaches of known space. If these horrors made their way out to the countless worlds the Alliance of Light called home, he shuddered to think of the immeasurable horrors and countless deaths that were sure to follow.

1740 Hours

Horuset System,Deep Within the Ashes of Korr Debris Belt

Aboard the Razor Crest

"Remind me, why are we taking a detour from the hunt to search for one of Bard'ika's old 'hunches', Buir?" Mereel Skirata impatiently asked his father. "The fight's out there, and I don't want to spend another karking second stuck in this scavenger hunt any longer than necessary."

"We're here because we need to be sure the Sith aren't about to spring a trap on us and eradicate everyone getting in their way. Now keep silent until I say otherwise." Venku irritably cut off the questions, regretting the harshness in his voice but needed the silence to concentrate.

Since even Venku, with a rudimentary command of the Force and decent lightsaber training from Bardan decades ago, could sense a looming and overwhelming darkness surrounding the clan leader, he knew this decision to break from locating the remaining Sith stations was the right move. Knowing how the system's two debris belts could hide at least half of the entire Imperial Starfleet of Sidious's time and still have room to spare, and how the Razor Crest had lost contact with a squad of scouts while searching for Sadow Station, this diversion could save the Alliance at least a week's worth of searching and accelerate their efforts while preventing an annihilation on their behalf.

But first, they needed to find this supposed threat while surviving where Theta Squad failed and warn the rest of the Alliance if their lead panned out. And since Din just brought his ship to a halt and was shutting down all nonessential systems, Venku knew Bardan's old Jedi training was useful yet again.

Waiting for what felt like an eternity, the ship's systems were swiftly restored, while Din ordered Venku, "Transmit this data to Mand'alor right away, but only through our subspace through in our personal comm channel. We've just run into a giant hive of enemy amassment, and they're about to launch and destroy everyone in their way."

Receiving a single image from Din's helmet, Venku paled beneath his armor, seeing the massive fleet of capital ships, nearly two hundred warships of dozens of designs, nearly complete in their armament and aimed directly at the Alliance of Light's combined force, and softly cursed the Sith for outmaneuvering everyone so cannily before sending the message to Boba Fett.

Hopefully, manda or Force willing, Venku wasn't too picky at this point, someone would come up with a miracle to make sure the Alliance survived this catastrophe, but the old skeptic was not optimistic about everyone's chances.

Well, I'd say this is a good place to end the chapter. I'm glad I got this one finished in about a week, so that's good for me. Soon we should be done with Act 1, then get started on the interlude chapter before moving on to Act 2 of this story. Man, time is flying by fast. So, how are you all doing on this cool night of Wednesday, December 14, 2022? I'm well, aside from being a bit tired from work and my doctor's appointment today. But now, I ought to get this chapter ready for publishing in a few days or so, as I want to get it out before Christmas break, as things are probably quite hectic right now for NuttyBuddy792. Well, I'd best get this chapter safely stored away for later. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!