Good afternoon, everyone! How are you all doing on this cool day of Saturday, December 17, 2022? Let me be honest, I'm beat after 6 straight days of work, and I have another four shifts to come next week starting this Monday. But I'm still raring to go in creating this story, so I'm gonna press on ahead. Hopefully, I'll be able to publish the last two chapters of this story soon, but I can't promise anything at this point, given my friends' busy schedule. In other news, I've been reading The Fall ofNúmenor, and it's a phenomenal work. I'll be done with it in a few days, but then I'll take a break from fiction to focus on real-world books. And Christmas is fast approaching, so I'll be busy with the holidays and work, so this chapter will likely take longer to write than others. Well, with all the small talk out of the way, I'd best get started on this chapter. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
1745 Hours, Selona 13th, 59 ABY
Korriban, Sith Catacombs
Within Darth Krayt's Citadel
"Everything is in place for your great plan, Dread Lord." See-Chok addressed Krayt. "All essential personnel and equipment are secured away within our fleet, and the Jedi have made their way into the fortress. We will be ready to leave within the hour, and the enemy is none the wiser."
"Well done." Krayt commended the One Sith's combat instructor. "What of Doctor Aphra? Have you looked into the matter as I ordered?"
"I am afraid it's exactly as you feared." See-Chok answered, carefully hiding his glee at the chance to finally rid himself of the rampant annoyance that was Korin Aphra. "Tau left an irreversible imprint on Korin's mind before knocking him unconscious, likely a way to bypass and break the conditioning we placed on him. What do you wish to do with him?"
Genuinely appearing forlorn at the decision, Krayt, to his disciple's surprise, hesitated before ordering, "Leave him for the Jedi to try and save. We have all his work and an abundance of researchers willing and ready to fill his impressive shoes, and where we are going, we cannot afford any further traitors, actual or potential. I truly wish I did not have to do this, but we cannot allow ourselves to succumb to sentiment at this crucial juncture."
"But be sure that his mind will be wiped clean of all essential details of his time with us by the time the Jedi are able to awaken him."
"Everything will be done just as you have decreed, Dread Lord." See-Chok bowed before rising to carry out his master's edicts. At least the One Sith would soon be free of Korin's incessant babbling and make the best and most efficient use of his years of studies and contributions to the Grand Design. No matter how much Krayt and a few other Sith valued his talents and experience, virtually everyone else hated the man's demented enthusiasm and blinding naivety on the Sith's holy fight and duty. It would be refreshing to again work with people who could work with the seriousness and comprehension of the situation's gravity that a reputed scholar of Sith lore ought to hold.
1755 Hours
Hyperspace, On Route to the Horuset System
Aboard the Megador
Reading through the data Fett's people managed to glean from discovering the Sith's hidden armada and share with Alliance Command, Keyan and his advisors hurried to transmit a new set of orders to all Alliance of Light commands before they walked head-first into a decapitating ambush. With just about five minutes left until the fleet flew right into the deathtrap, everyone on Megador's command staff needed to finish planning a way to use this information to pull a victory out of near-certain defeat.
Scouring through the astronavigation data provided by Han Solo and his old smuggler contacts, the Super Star Destroyer's navigations officers gave out a set of new coordinates to give a more suitable rendezvous point for all officers. With this information, the fleet would now pull out of hyperspace just after the Sith tried to pull off their massacre, behind the enemy's navy if the Mandalorians' information was accurate.
But this intelligence would not be enough to give the Alliance the decisive edge against the Sith's superior numbers. At best, the diverse coalition would be able to eliminate a large fraction of their force before the fight's momentum turned against them. And even with the Megador, the Dornean's best naval commander and personal fleet at the Alliance's disposal, and dozens of each faction's best warships and commanders leading the charge, victory was still far from certain for taking Korriban, never mind liberating their well-protected foundries and strongholds residing in the Unknown Regions.
Interrupting the frantic preparations, Leia urgently spoke up, "We have a priority transmission coming straight from Zakuul. Grand Counselor Thexan Reaf wishes to speak with us about the coming battle and claims to have a way to salvage it."
"Put it through." Keyan quickly ordered. If the Aquilians were interrupting their plans now, it had better be to give them a way out of this quagmire.
Seeing the wizened and stately figure of Thexan appear, dressed in ceremonial garbs of Zakuulian armor for a long-standing officer of the Aquilians' Paladin-Knights, Han quickly got right to the point, "I take it you have a way for us to win this fight."
"Not me, General Solo." Thexan gracefully clarified before beginning to elaborate, "An old friend of Edaan and Grand Master Katarn from the former's travels, and many admirers and pupils of hers. They'll all give you a fighting chance at surviving beyond the next few days and carrying the day."
"Look, no disrespect intended, but we don't have time for any cryptic warnings." Han coldly interrupted before seeing the scolding look from Leia, and calmly amended, "Could you please give it to us straight?"
Gazing upon Han with a grandfather's kindness and respect for the long serving ally of the Jedi and free peoples, Thexan relented, "One of the Jedi of order's last iteration is leading the fleet, and she and her students will give you the edge you need to hopefully win this fight. They've all been preparing for a battle like this for the last five years, and Master Saa is one of the Republic's best generals."
1805 Hours
Horuset System, Korriban Orbit
Aboard Ship
Observing his armada emerge amidst the asteroid belts, each warship filled with no less than a dozen of his loyal Sith, Krayt couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation at the carnage about to unfold against the Alliance of Light. Composed of the diminished ranks of the Lost Tribe, to the numerous allies the One Sith had made from the fringes of galactic society and the Unknown Regions, the one hundred and ninety-five ships were ready to finally make a statement that their time to rule the galaxy was nigh.
Not even the Alliance's impressive reinforcements of about eighty-five warships from Dathomir, or the Megador, the last Super Star Destroyer of its kind still flying, were enough to usurp the Sith's advantage in this engagement. All it did was bring plenty of additional timber for the flames of war roaring across the galaxy and accelerate the Sith's triumph.
The only odd wrinkle of this great victory was how the Alliance fleet arrived just short of the intended ambush point. Could the Jedi and their friends have learned of the plan and taken a few precautions? Well, either way, it wouldn't matter for long once this system was swept clean of all the Sith's opposition.
Ready to lead his followers to battle against the Jedi and their floundering fleets, Krayt called out to his fellow Sith through the Force, 'Engage the Jedi. Destroy anyone who gets in your way and shield our wounded leaving Korriban. Then prepare to follow us to the rendezvous point.'
'Lord Krayt, there is a new force preparing to arrive, one that I do not recognize as belonging to the Jedi.' Ship interrupted the Dread Lord's commands. 'But I can sense they are quite numerous, and many of them are strong in the Light Side.' After another moment, Ship continued, 'Now I know who is coming. It is the armies of Zakuul.'
Reaching out to sense the approaching enemies, Krayt recognized the unique signature that the Aquilian Republic and its Force Users gave off. Was he so distracted by the Alliance and guarding his secrets that he lost his foresight? And how did Zakuul's fleets travel so close to Korriban without anyone sensing their proximity? Well, their retreat from Dathomir must have been a diversion to try and distract the Sith from their replacements, or they found a lead Krayt could not see.
Either way, if the numbers he sensed from the inbound fleet were accurate, then the Sith needed to wrap this battle up soon and regroup in friendlier territories before they suffered any further extensive losses.
But before he could give additional orders, there was a luminous surge of Force energy emerging from the dark side of the fifth of Korriban's seven moons. And at the center of the enemy armada was a signature he felt and knew was somehow familiar to him.
Swiftly digging through the depths of his memory, stretching back nearly a century after his formal induction into the Jedi Order of his time, he struggled to remember every Jedi and their unique presence in the Force before his memories of the inbound enemy clicked. Sensing the Jedi Master's utilization of Battle Meditation to better coordinate the Aquilians and enhance their morale, he knew just who was leading this armada, and was astonished to know she had survived the Great Jedi Purge and been hiding on Zakuul for an untold number of years.
Having a nearly eidetic memory allowed him to remember every Force signature, but he was astonished to feel just how powerful T'Ra Saa had become, or if she always had that strength but never fully utilized it. But recalling how she, with her centuries of experience and leadership from her training countless Jedi Younglings, and personally knew Krayt when he was a fellow Jedi Master of the Old Republic's twilight years, A'Sharad Hett, that represented a terrible conundrum for the Dread Lord.
If T'Ra could discern Krayt's original identity and give that information to the Jedi and their final alliance, it could be the start of a new and concerted effort to bring the Sith Lord down. And that represented a problem he could not allow to transpire. That left him with few options in effectively combating this ensemble of enemies, but he would not deviate from the plan and risk letting all his people here die. He would simply lose too much if all his followers and armies here fell in battle.
1810 Hours
Korriban, Sith Catacombs
Right outside Darth Krayt's citadel, the battle raging outside was pure madness and a massacre on both sides. Corpses, both of animals and people, littered the landscape and unleashed an unbearable odor of demise and decay the natural darkness of this planet fed off.
With the One Sith empowered by this dark tide of death, they were able to gain a terrible advantage over their mortal foes. Led by Darth Zorra, his brainwashed Esh-Kha servants, and Scar Squadron 99, the Sith were able to establish a firm defensive cordon to keep the Alliance of Light's forces from further entering their stronghold and start to overwhelm the would-be intruders. Barred from penetrating the stronghold and deprived of any other options, the Jedi and their friends carried on the fight with all their valor and skill, no matter how far they taxed the limits of all their physical and mental reserves.
Out in the open, the slaughter went on in earnest, with the Alliance suffering heavy casualties from their unfamiliarity with the Esh-Kha's viciousness and their long-lost strategies and skills, and the Sith further pressing their advantage.
But a few stubborn pockets of resistance kept the flame of hope alive for the Alliance, and while these Jedi and their friends survived, hope endured for the besieged fellowship.
In Jaina Solo Fel and Mirta Gev, the two friends, having battled each other many times over the years, now fought in seamless synchronicity, with one working to defend the other as both women felled one Sith and their servants, whether beasts or sentients, after another and leaving many large pile of enemy carcasses behind them.
In Grace Tirall and her Aquilian Paladins, the group maintained an impeccable offensive and served as a diversionary force to allow besieged Alliance forces to retreat and regroup. With their military discipline combined with the Force and used in ways not seen since Emperor Arcann and the Knights of Zakuul terrorized the galaxy, they caught many Sith unprepared and easy to dispose of. Without the Sith's sheer numbers and strategic positioning, the Paladins would likely have run out of targets long ago.
With Inferno Squad, the veteran Imperial team took advantage of the Sith underestimating them to eliminate the first few that tried to score an easy kill while engaging Krayt's own batch of Imperial commandos that tried to conduct their work in the shadows. In the battle of wits, equipment, and skill, both sides were evenly matched, with neither refusing to fail in their oaths in the line of duty. It seemed the only way one team would claim victory was if someone made even the teeniest of mistakes.
Jaden Korr and Robonino, an unlikely duo of long-serving Jedi Knight and well-respected mercenary, the area was consumed by dozens of experimental explosives and Force projectiles, keeping the Sith at bay and unable to mount an effective attack on the two rogues. With the Patrolian's highly lethal and prototype grenades, ranging from rare poisons and acids, along with his usage of other weapons like sonic blasters and disruptor pistols, coupled with Jaden's balanced and well-honed command of both the Light and Dark Sides of the Force, countless limbs and chunks of flesh and bone flew across the giant chambers.
But with Tau and Phasma, their battle was a microcosm of the larger fight waging beyond them. Against the overwhelming and fanatical might of Zorra, both allies found their strength and skills pushed to the breaking point. Recalling from Phasma's own telling of how she had managed to hold her own and injure both Edaan and the late Seba Sabatyne within the Parazen Mountains of Falleen, he knew her brother, considered the reformed woman's better in every aspect as a leader, warrior, and Sith Lord, would be a far more overwhelming enemy to face.
And so far, the man who once called himself Keldo was surpassing all possible expectations. Barely sporting any injuries from facing his two enemies, Zorra was easily able to evade or block all but the swiftest and hardest strikes by both reformed Dark Siders, with his own strength nearly enough to surpass their combined efforts with ease.
And yet, something was nagging at the edges of Tau's mind, even as he used a burst of Force Lightning to intercept another that was on course for a downed Phasma. Ever since this fight began, Zorra seemed to be toying with his opponents, dragging this fight on, and withholding a substantial portion of his abilities from all prying eyes. But why would he do this when he sought revenge against his sister for leaving him and the few survivors of their ruined homeworld, and Tau for sabotaging the One Sith, both betraying their onetime masters for the Jedi?
There was still a missing piece to this puzzle that Tau needed to find before this battle ended, because by then, he had a growing sense of dread that this would be the tomb to a far more diverse bunch than the countless ancient Sith Lords and be victims to the many scavengers that called Korriban home. And he did not want to be a meal for a simple predator.
1820 Hours
Inside Darth Krayt's Citadel
Within the Sith Archives
Struggling to rise to his two feet, Korin found his vision blurred, almost by a drug that impeded his motor functions. Barely able to hear the faint sounds of battle echoing throughout the citadel, he nearly dropped his backpack full of personal datapads before he realized where he was.
'The archives? How did I get here? The last thing I remember was inside my cabin, searching for Chelli's computer viruses.' Korin recalled, barely able to see the vacant shelves and study areas that were once vibrant with activity. As a matter of fact, he seemed to have lost much of the last five years from his memories. It was as if the recollections were just plucked out of his mind and left empty space, and the hole kept expanding.
Slowly pulling out his comlink, he tried to contact one of his Sith overseers for assistance and clarity, but only found static on his end before the device burst into flaming cinders, singing his hand, and causing him to fall onto the ground.
Barely able to stay awake through the pain and drugs, he thought he was hallucinating when he saw the familiar shapes of 0-0-0 and Chelli hurrying towards him. Before he lost consciousness, he realized the citadel was breached, and he was horrified to realize he was set to fall right into the hands of his sworn enemies, abandoned to those he dedicated nearly two decades of his life towards.
1845 Hours
Deep Within the Unknown Regions
Inside the Perann Nebula
Within the Nihil Retreat's Outskirts
Aboard the Venator-class Star Destroyer Hunter
Having heard from Master Durron's transmission of the peril his people were in, it did nothing to prepare Maarek for the pandemonium that erupted some time ago. Seeing a dozen gargantuan summa-verminoth, among the galaxy's most elusive and dangerous spacefaring predators, it filled every crewmember's heart with terror at the prospect of facing off against even one of those monstrosities. But something was unusual about these creatures, it was almost as if a higher intelligence was coordinating them all, guiding the twelve monstrosities towards seeking atypical prey and guarding the Rhandites' territory.
While his people worked to contact Kyp and whatever remained of his fleet, the Rogues' Gallery wing commander utilized his longstanding and well-honed connection to the Dark Side to try and track the source of this unseen disturbance. If the Sorcerers of Rhand were controlling these creatures, then it was even more reason to sever that control and set them free, thereby likely removing a key defense of the Nihil Retreat. And if he could capture the instigators behind this first layer of protection, then all the greater boon for the Alliance of Light and its allies.
But interrupting his concentration was a call from the Reaper's XO, warning him, "Apologies, sir, but we've found the Enterprise and the remains of their fleet. Master Durron wishes to speak with you immediately."
"Put him on screen." Maarek ordered.
Moments later, the gray-haired Jedi Master came into focus, and Kyp got right down to business, anxiously saying, "Glad you could make it to all the fun."
"The pleasure's all mine." Maarek began. "How many of your people are left?"
"At least a third of my fleet's wiped out, and the Sorcerer's giant pets have the rest of us scattered and unable to retreat." Kyp began. "I can sense the Sorcerers controlling these creatures and can give you their exact position, but we don't have the firepower to go after them."
The beginnings of a plan quickly taking shape in the onetime Emperor's Hand, Maarek said, "I'll take my chances and deal with them. Get as many of your people you can to our position, and ready the rest to escape once they have their chance. My fleet will cover your withdrawal and give the summa-verminoths plenty of itches they can't scratch."
"Then good luck. You'll need all the help you can get." Kyp exhaustively commented.
"Oh, we'll need help all right." Maarek began. "Your help. My commanders can rally your men and keep them alive, but we'll need your help to capture the enemy and their information intact."
Dramatically sighing, Kyp lamented, "It never ends."
'Unfortunately, no. No matter how much we wish otherwise.' Maarek quietly agreed with a man he once would have wholeheartedly considered an enemy.
1900 Hours
Hyperspace, On Route to the Sunrise System
Aboard the Conquest
"Status on General Yiv's fleet?" Irola asked her XO.
"From the transmissions his officers have given us and our spy programs in all his fleets, they're all taking a hammering in space from the combined assault of the enemies' ambush. They're giving as good a hammering as they're getting, but they're just stretched too thin and are being outmaneuvered every way possible. It's only a matter of time before their lines crack completely."
"What of his ground forces?"
"They're faring far better, and only a few Chiss strongholds remain free, with his new agents swiftly establishing strong defensive perimeters across the planet."
"And it'll all be for naught if the Jedi and their friends can calm the insurrection with their honeyed words." Malleus scathingly added, before chuckling, "But it'll be worth it to sense the fear in them all when we finish Yiv's task and make off with yet another great victory and a few hundred thousand new followers. A shame we have to lose a ship as good as yours, though."
"Save the celebrations for after we accomplish our objectives, Malleus." Irola firmly reminded her fellow Sith and war leader, choking down her disgust for what she was about to do. Facing and destroying enemies in battle was one thing, but the orders she had been given, they surpassed any atrocities the One Sith had committed, and they were worthy of only the most reprehensible monsters.
If she survived past this war, Irola knew she could never escape the ghosts of her atrocities, and she was no longer sure if she could last past victory. She wasn't even sure if she could live with the guilt that long.
1940 Hours
Korriban, Sith Catacombs
One Sith Citadel
Within the Central Database
"What do you mean, you can't access the citadel's mainframe?!" Ben angrily demanded BT-1.
Angrily twaddling back, the killer astromech droid nearly whipped out a blaster on the Jedi Master before Vestara interjected, "It's not just him, Ben. The entire Sith network's been wiped clean, none of us can get anything out of it, let alone use it. Looks like they were five steps ahead of us on this one."
"Can we find any traces of records, anything that can help us? Chelli's viruses-" Grace tried.
"Are completely purged out." Ferren groaned. "I don't know what they did or when they acted, but they didn't want anyone to know what this system hid."
"I think we've been herded right into a trap." Soldier surmised. "The lack of Sith, their entire systems wiped clean, the ease we infiltrated their citadel, Doctor Aphra being drugged and left behind, this can't be all by chance or coincidence."
"But why would they unless…" Ghes quickly caught on. "This isn't a fortress anymore. It's a tomb, for all of us."
Quickly clicking on his helmet's comm signal, he contacted Mirta and tried to warn, "The Sith emptied this place clean. We need to pull out now, before-"
"A little late for that!" Mirta curtly interrupted. "We've got dozens of Sith and their creatures coming in after us from all corners, and now we've got no way out!"
Hearing at least a dozen rumbling coming from the citadel's lower levels, Ghes recognized the sound all too well as explosions.
"Oh, I don't like this." Grace anxiously whispered, but no one argued otherwise.
1945 Hours
Just Outside Krayt's Citadel
'Where in the Chaos did they all come from?!' Tau rued at sensing the hordes of Sith and their war beasts about to pour in from every single tunnel leading out of the catacombs. With all the citadel's entrances sealed off by well-placed explosions and cave-ins, and a fresh army of Sith coming to reinforce their decimated comrades, this battle was quickly turning away from the Alliance of Light.
How could Tau and all his allies have been outmaneuvered so cannily by the Sith, when their approach to this war has been clumsy and zealous from the start? What made them change their strategies since then?
Deducing Tau's reaction from the horror in his eyes, Zorra eagerly pressed the attack on him, nearly blowing him off his feet from the sheer strength of the blows before the clone could regain his balance for the fifth time since this duel began. And the assault only continued, with Tau barely able to keep up with the skittish attacks and prevent a fatal blow.
Panting from fear and exhaustion, both Tau and Phasma knew time was short to stop him and rescue their comrades. Having been unable to gain the advantage over the Sith war leader since this battle began, with his extensive command of the Force and decades of surviving in conditions few sentients could endure, his skills making him an even match Phasma and Tau combined.
Of course, all their efforts would soon be for nothing if the Alliance and their teams died down here, whether from sheer numbers or starvation, and the free powers lost many of their best fighters and leaders in the process. Something had to be done, and right away, before all those that fought for good died down here.
'The Force, Tau. Let it flow through you, just as it has for countless souls that came before yours.' A mysterious voice, sagely and deep, echoed through Tau's mind, confusing him before he realized just who was speaking to him, and felt a new sense of strength reverberate through him.
Right after the woman's voice finished reverberating through his mind, he heard a rumbling come from the caverns' walls, the shaking's strength increasing with such speed and volume that everyone stopped fighting, making Tau realize no one had foreseen or planned for this development.
Moments later, the ground surrounding the citadel burst open as seven drills drove onto the scene, of a design no one recognized. But Tau remembered the markings of the Aquilian Republic and felt the familiar touch of another of Edaan's old friends and contacts reaching out to everyone.
Now, Tau knew, this battle had truly just begun, and it was going to be far more equal and deadlier than anyone could believe. He only hoped the others could hold out in Krayt's trap until those entombed in the citadel could find a way out.
2000 Hours
Horuset System, Near Korriban Orbit
Aboard the Pentacore-class Frigate Penitence
Inside the Meditation Chambers
Silently gazing out into space, aware of every facet of the battle unfolding before her, T'Ra Saa, Jedi Master of many centuries and High General of the Aquilian Republic, reached out to guide the war to the outcome she sought from the chaos in this system. Having learnt Battle Meditation, the rare art of influencing the minds and hearts of friend and foe alike, from the those who studied the Force on the long-hidden world of Zakuul, she and her disciples, empowered their own and all those that stood with the Jedi and their noble alliance, while working to subvert the wills of the Sith and their thralls.
Scattered across the Aquilian fleet, the twenty-five Paladin-seers endeavored to counter the Sith's own efforts to control the battle, working with much success in restoring the Alliance's resolve and emboldening them. But there was another battle raging within T'Ra's sharp mind, one that she needed to complete to repay the debt she owed Edaan Palpatine.
Having been convinced by the Palpatine scion and then-Jedi Apprentice to travel to Zakuul and prepare the world and its allies to join the war against the Sith and aid him in redeeming Vestara Khai when she was firmly in the Dark Side's grip, she found something she did not expect to recover after her only love died decades ago, a renewed sense of duty.
When Tholme, her lover and fellow Jedi Master of the Old Republic, passed away while in hiding from the Empire and Darth Sidious's legions of followers, she retreated into herself, meditating for decades as a tree, hidden from all as part of her abilities as a Neti, she lost virtually all but loyalty to the Force. Trapped in her memories, T'Ra would occasionally awaken to learn more of the galaxy from her hosts in the Seii family, but she vowed to never interfere in others' affairs again, not after the Clone War and the Jedi Order's indirect role in allowing Sidious to rise to power.
But when she learnt from Akku Seii II, a Mandalorian captain and friend of the Jedi, that the last living descendant of Sidious had joined the Jedi Order of Luke Skywalker's creation and was becoming one of its greatest and strongest champions, she felt a sensation she had not felt in generations: hope. Regrettably, the losses she suffered and betrayals she endured had left her mark, and she needed to be sure this as truly a sign from the Force and not a deception.
Wanting to meet with him and gauge his intentions, she was enraptured by his story; how he had lost his family to Abeloth's rampage on Coruscant, his unyielding drive to save the woman who inspired him to become a Jedi in the first place, and his gathering of friends and allies to aid him in his mission, and how he was finding his way in the maddening galaxy it had always been. Amazed at his empathy and compassion for all, his keen intellect, indomitable spirit, and impressive ability, T'Ra felt a need to help him, an urge that could only be described as the Will of the Force.
Which was why, when Edaan asked her to travel to Zakuul, a world with a history as bloody as the entire galaxy itself, and now a reborn planet as the center of a growing republic and bastion of stability in the chaotic Unknown Regions, she set out right away. And what she found surpassed all hopes and expectations: A world amid a cultural and military renaissance, with a society where everyone contributed of their own free will to make their part of the galaxy a better place for all free beings, while sustaining a Force school that blended military discipline and scholarly pursuit, it was a man made wonder of the galaxy and an inspiration for all.
But now, serving as the new leading High General for the Aquilian Republic's Third Expeditionary Fleet and their Joint Chiefs of Staff, she was leading the fight against the One Sith and all that aligned with them, while aiding the Jedi in rescuing one of their own and many children, all tragically caught in the Sith's grasp.
And now, after many hours of searching and aided by the Alliance's earlier efforts, she had finally located all that had been shrouded from her sight. Deep within the Korriba Scar asteroid belt, she determined exactly where Edaan was being held, and her heart both leapt and plummeted at what she sensed. Along with the thirteen other facilities the Alliance scouts had so far found, she knew they had to perform their rescue now, before this opportunity slipped away from them, and countless children became cybernetic servants of a terrible evil.
Using her vocal cords for the first time since entering the Horuset System, she spoke with perfect clarity to the ranking admiral, "Establish a secure line of contact to all Alliance of Light command ships. It is time we outmaneuver the Sith and rescue all those we can that are still in their captivity. And have the remainder of our advance teams accelerate their efforts in reaching our brother and sisters in the Force down in the planet's tombs."
2030 Hours
Sunrise, Southern Hemisphere
Aboard the Meson Martinet
Just a simple fifteen kilometers from the Che'ri Mines, Sidon knew neither his nor Shada's fleets would not be getting any closer to the Wraiths and their unlikely allies, not with the planetary riot and its Sith backers completely barring the way any further. Especially not with the armies bearing down on the mountains and the dozens of Sith ships and fortifications protecting their unwitting and expendable pawns.
And according to their scouts across the planet, virtually every other Chiss-held stronghold was under terrible siege, close to breaking from the innumerable pressure bearing down on all. If the privateers couldn't break through the enemy lines and deliver relief, then they would have to adjust their plan accordingly.
Activating the ship's comm relay, Sidon adjusted his frequency to try and break through the enemy jamming, and after a few brief moments, the fuzzy image of Voort appeared, alongside a Chiss officer wearing a Senior Captain's uniform of the Ascendancy.
Barely able to hear him through the static, Sidon was able to comprehend from the Wraiths' leader, "We have a secure connection with Csilla, but we don't have too much longer until our lines are overrun, or the signal goes out altogether. If we're going to make our appeal, then we'd better do it soon."
"And we'd better be ready to initiate our fallback plan if the worst comes to pass." Sidon warned. "We can't let the Sith get hold of the Nyix mines, and we especially can't afford to lose you all."
"We know. And we've already come up with a contingency that will deny the enemy their prize while minimizing civilian casualties." The Chiss captain simply elaborated, confusing the Dephidian captain before the military officer finished, "Just make sure to protect our escape route if we need our failsafe."
2040 Hours
Coruscant
Senate District, Jedi Temple
Within the Temple's Catacombs
Struggling to finish opening the first line of defense for the Sith shrine, Kyle felt his innards twist at having to draw upon the Dark Side and its addictive power. Remembering how close he came to fully succumbing to its power decades ago on Dromund Kaas before being saved by his former student in Luke's future wife, he knew how dangerous its cancerous hold could swiftly consume even the best of Jedi.
But this risk was necessary if it meant expunging a five-thousand-year stain on Coruscant and the Jedi's history, and Kyle was prepared to face the dangers to protect all those he loved. His only regret was that he had to rope so many Jedi and their friends into this battle of souls. Sparing a brief glance to his fellow Jedi and associates in the Blackguard and Jensaarai to see how well they were faring, he was relieved and anxious to see how they were in the same predicament as him, indicating that they despised this task just as he did and were still fighting to stay in the Light.
After what felt like an eternity, the door completely opened, and every Force user dropped to their knees, sheer exhaustion causing them to collapse to their knees and nearly vomit their last meals and a few gulps' worth of fluids. Retching for at least ten minutes, even with the medics on standby working to stabilize their patients, Kyle slowly guzzled down a quart of water after his stomach finally settled.
Staring at the door to the Shrine of the Depths, he felt its dark whispers call out to him, and it terrified him to its core. If the Alliance of Light's members went in now, then everyone would be in grave peril in every manner from the horrific energies emanating out from the Sith temple. But they needed to get started on examining the shrine and its ancient writings and figure out a way to fully neutralize its power. Sending droids to get preliminary scans was a good start at figuring it out, but this operation needed a more organic touch in completing this mission.
Turning to Tionne, who was tending to a pale and shivering Zekk while coordinating the establishment of the first watch of the shrine, Kyle hoarsely groaned out, "Tionne…"
Hearing the Grand Master's single word, she nodded her understanding through the Force, and pulled out her comlink to give the next set of orders to Kirney and Taryn.
Now that their target was exposed to flesh-and-blood infiltration and the Jedi were vulnerable, the Sith's spies would undoubtedly make their move soon, and everyone needed to ready to counter their attack when it came. Only the Jedi's most trusted allies would know of their plan, and such secrecy would be crucial in defeating the Sith's collaborators and whatever acolytes they hid away in here.
2150 Hours
Bastion, Capital City
Within the Imperial Headquarters
Inside the Head of State's Office
"Colonel Wren. This is quite an honor to hear from you." Jagged graciously greeted Sabine after receiving her message. "I would have assumed you'd go with your people and family to deal with Korriban. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"
"It's one of business, I'm afraid." Sabine reluctantly stated before her figure was replaced by a holoimage of the Ghost, with her voice being heard over the projection, "Just in case you weren't aware before now, my personal ship was taken from me by Krayt and his goons back on Dathomir a month ago, and I plan to get it back and kill every single Sith that defiled my baby. And now, I'm afraid I'll need your help to fulfill that vow."
The hologram changed again, showing a list of coordinates ending with the planet Bastion, with Sabine continuing, "I've been tracking the Ghost since it disappeared from Korriban, and thanks to a few favors of mine, legitimate ones, mind you, I was able to track it to this system where it sets down on your capital world. From there, the trail goes cold, but I was hopeful if a few of your people could help me track it down."
Studying the data, Jagged inquired, "Do you have any idea who is manning the Ghost, or any possible false transponder codes they're using? Have you been able to determine what their objective is here?"
"I can provide the list of transponder codes I have for it, but there's no telling if the Sith are using one of their own. As for the other two questions, I can't be certain of anything right now. For all we know, they could be gunning for you or your top people, looking to take over the Empire from the ground up, them trying to track down Daala for her betrayal of their master, or an infinite number of possibilities."
"So, you have no clue, then." Jagged wearily sighed, and not simply from sheer exhaustion. "I'll get some of my top sifters down from Intelligence and a few Jedi to look into this. I'll need all your data to help us narrow down the search."
"Got it. I'll send the rest of the package right away." Sabine nodded. "Thank you for trusting me with such a task."
"Don't get too carried away, Colonel. I need to do my part and ensure the Sith are obliterated for what they did to the Empire and countless innocents all over the galaxy. This is me simply doing my duty and leaving no stone unturned in this war." Jagged factually pointed out. "Now, much as I appreciate your cautionary notice, I really must be going. I have many war meetings and a distinguished diplomat to attend to tomorrow, and I'd rather get a few hours of rest before any more time slips away."
"Good luck with that, Head of State." Sabine cordially smiled before ending the abrupt holocall. After this unexpected worry, that left him with about seven hours of sleep, and two hours of last-minute preparations before his meeting with Arko Repawl and his staff, and he was not looking forward to such an unusual conference in the middle of a ferocious war and with his wife in the heart of enemy territory.
2230 Hours
Inside the Perann Nebula
Within the Nihil Retreat's Outskirts
Aboard the Oblivion-class Corvette Vengeance
Roland, High Sorcerer of the Rhandites, was enjoying his work. Rarely being able to utilize the summa-verminoths to destroy anyone dumb enough to intrude on the Sorcerers' domain, he was originally content to take his time and allow the predators to play with their newest batch of prey. It was so rare that their sentinels had the opportunity to feast to such satisfaction, they deserved a little fun and a good meal.
He had to admit, the Jedi and their surviving friends were certainly putting up a decent fight, and even managed to wound one of the summa-verminoth enough to force her to leave the fight. And their engines were just fast enough to evade the worst of their attacks, so this would likely take at least another few hours. Even if the Jedi had managed to extract the exact location of the Retribution in the Nihil Retreat, attacking them would be impossible with their guards.
At least, all that was before the latest trespassers arrived, and they unleashed a swarm of fighters to distract and overwhelm the defenders. This clever diversion allowed a wing of fighters and several enemy gunships and boarding craft to launch an ambush on the then-unsuspecting Sorcerers, their sheer speed able to let them knock out the Retribution's main generators with two Force-guided proton torpedoes. Even a couple Jedi from the original battle managed to maneuver their way into this attack. Whoever was leading this batch was a clever one, which meant they needed to be eliminated right away before they could take the ship and any prisoners.
The Rhandites' slaves took their positions, ready to give their lives for their masters as a necessary diversion as the boarding doors were slowly cut open by two lightsabers. Even from his concealed ambush position, Roland could tell exactly who was paving the way for this attack and would relish the chance to take on such legendary Force acolytes like Kyp Durron and Maarek Stele face to face if the unlikely duo survived this trap.
2240 Hours
Bastion, Capital City
Within the Civilian District
Inside the Kanos Hotel
"It seems your spy programs within the Imps have borne fruit once again, you two." Invidious addressed Lenang and Ochi. "Our meeting with Jagged Fel and his top advisors will be at 0800 Hours today."
"Good." Lenang noted. "Gives us the chance to get this assignment over with and move onto the front lines. I'm ready to wash my hands clean of the Empire for a long time."
"Don't underestimate the targets and their guardians." Ochi cautioned, specifically addressing Invidious with the next words, "And don't forget what we need to do out here."
Closing his ancient Sith tome, Invidious, calmly gazing towards the Vahla, asked, "Do you have any doubts of my strategy? I promise you, I will welcome your dissent now if it allows us to maintain our unified front for the mission that lies right before us."
"It is not dissent, my Lord, but rather, caution." Ochi clarified. "I don't understand your strategy, and doubt is unacceptable for any servant of the Dark Side. And while I'm fully aware you have a plan to deal with Jagged Fel's supporters and would-be successors, and I support that strategy, what worries me is letting the Jedi and their supporters get the head start on hunting down Natasi Daala and her new allies."
"If they can deal with Daala and her refuge in this 'Olpaka Hegemony' before they can regroup, then it will only further endear the Jedi to the galactic populace. Mind you, I don't care anymore on who eliminates the schutta if she's finally silenced, but Lord Krayt's orders-"
"Our orders have changed." Invidious somberly cut in. "We need to hurry in completing our mission and regroup with him in the Unknown Regions. From there, we will scour the region and locate Daala while putting the final pieces of the Grand Design into place, using the Jedi's information to gain the advantage in this hunt and destroying her before she can further impede our master's plans."
"The war is moving faster than any of us anticipated, and we need to adjust accordingly." The Arkanian Sith concluded. "It will no longer be determined who controls the most territory at the end, but through whoever has the stronger coalition. And through our esoteric allies and hidden fortresses, we will triumph."
Ochi, still harboring many doubts, reluctantly relented, knowing asking any other questions would risk crippling his standing in the One Sith and leave him with few friends. "Then I will trust in our master and work to carry out his decrees with all my ability."
'And I'll speak with him about preparing a new strategy if this war turns against us.' Ochi silently reflected. Believing that leaving the Fel family to forge a Jedi dynasty in the Empire and devoting all their resources towards winning the war in the Unknown Regions was too much of a risk, the assassin needed to ensure the Grand Design survived in the unlikely event the Jedi defeated the One Sith in the coming months. His people's future and the Dark Side itself might very much depend on such a contingency plan.
2300 Hours
Csilla, Cssplar
Within the Expansionary Defense Fleet Garrison
Inside Supreme General Ba'Kif's Office
"Thank you all for meeting with me on such short notice." Ba'Kif cordially began, sizing up five Aristocras of the Chiss Ascendancy's Ruling Families, and preparing himself for the venomous accusations and threats about to be flung at him once he unveiled his allies' plans to defeat the Sith and stabilize the government's fractious hold over the Chiss. "I know we have little time, with the enemy pressing on our borders and subverting us from all angles, so I'll get right to the point of this conference."
Knowing he had the support of two of the five remaining leaders in this measure, it took much of the crushing doubt off his heart. Aristocras Prard'ras'kleoni and Sev'eere'nuruodo, long known for their proactive approach, well-honed instincts, both in military and political matters, and were more flexible in working with outsiders in the most extreme situations.
Aristocra Nil'Duru and Chaf'ern'bintano, on the other hand, were more neutral than their two elder compatriots, and often heard both sides of an argument before making their vote in any critical matter. Ba'Kif wanted to believe they would side with him in this decision. But there the final Aristocra in the Ruling families was left to consider in implementing his last-ditch strategy.
Shah'adram'illithyr, she would be the most stubborn of the three undecided leaders to convince. A notable political orator and ardent defender of all the Ascendancy's traditions, protocol, and customs, nearly to the same level as Saganu before his ousting for collaborating with the enemy, convincing her would be the most difficult part of this meeting. If she refused to see reason and convinced Nil'Duru and Chaf'ern'bintano to follow her lead, then it would leave Ba'Kif with only darker options to utilize.
Should Ba'Kif be unable to get a united front from all five of the Aristocras, then Saganu and the Wraiths' plan in bringing the Patriarchs and Syndicature into line would be all but impossible and certainly doom the Ascendancy, unless he took desperate measures and destroyed his career and future with the Chiss. But if following Mitth'raw'nuruodo's example meant saving all he cherished from certain annihilation, then he could only pray that his people would finally be smart enough to learn from their mistakes and humble themselves going forward.
Turning to his trusted aide, Ba'Kif ordered, "Put him on."
Seeing the projection of Saganu, garbed in a simple military uniform and unsupervised, Chaf'ern'bintano hatefully glared, "What are you doing out of prison?"
"Good to see you too, Fernbi." Saganu amusingly noted, swiftly sobering up quickly to explain, "The Supreme General and his coconspirators were generous enough to give me a chance to save my house and atone for my betrayals by eliminating the Sith's agents through our home worlds."
Rising from her seat, Shah'adram'illithyr scathingly berated the Chiss's second-highest-ranking officer, "I always knew you were reckless, Ba'Kif, but trusting him with uprooting enemy collaborators? You might as well have signed our death warrants."
"They will be signed if you all do not listen and agree to what we have to say." Ba'Kif coldly countered, an anger and menace in his voice that none of the Aristocras had ever heard from him before. "I asked for his help, because Saganu was an unwilling pawn of the Sith and Rhandites' esoteric powers, and nearly killed himself to be free of their control. Consider this his parole and chance to save his house from eternal disgrace."
"But back to the true threat, it has come to Ja'fosk, Saganu, and my attention that Sunrise, before it came under siege by the Sith and their supporters, was the site of such rampant corruption and greed so, if we do not try to treat this plague with a concerted effort immediately, it bred the conditions necessary to not only cost us our norther strongholds in the area, but completely wipe out the public's trust in its governing bodies."
"Apparently, the Xodlak's senior syndic decided to use the planet's refugees as cheap labor in mining the mountains for Nyix to rebuild her family's fortunes, construct a secret fleet, and take back a place in the Ruling Families. The Sith simply took advantage of the civilians' misery and resentment of us to trigger a planetwide insurrection."
"Then where is Syndic Xodlak'li'eara now, so she and her house can answer for her crimes?" Nil'Duru slowly ground out, his red eyes glowing with such intensity, as if they were brighter from the disgust from such a vile accusation.
"The three of us have already spread the word of her abuses through all of her houses' levels of power, but it seems Aklie has disappeared, along with her family's entire ill-gotten fleet." Ba'Kif answered. "But that is only the latest of abuses and power-mongering schemes undertaken by virtually all members of this once-august government."
"I believe that the Chiss people, in our obsessively isolationist policies, constant manipulating and jockeying for each family and individual to gain power over everyone else, has pushed us to the edge of utter annihilation. And this will be our only chance to turn back before we are all either slaves of the Sith or to our own ambitions. It's time for us to decide what we each value most, our personal prestige, power, and wealth, or the oaths we all took when we took office and set the ultimate example for everyone else."
"Now, here's what we're all going to do in resolving this crisis…" Ba'kif ominously continued, quickly laying out the details of his conspirators' overall plan and prepared to silence any who might go against him.
0010 Hours, Selona 14th, 59 ABY
Korriba Scar Asteroid Belt
Aboard the Sadow Asteroid-Superstructure
Within the Command Center
Sorzus did now know how the Jedi and their minions found them when they had cut themselves off from all forms of communication or detection, but Lord Krayt's orders had just communicated to 11-4D were clear. This facility, and every other that were still free from the Alliance's forces, had to be evacuated before all was lost, and that meant taking dangerous actions to move their plans forward, no matter the risks each gamble entailed. And with their accursed forces quickly closing in on the space station, battling their way through Krayt's guards no matter the cost in lives, the time to flee had at last come.
Preparing to awaken Edaan from his slumber, knowing it was a titanic risk since his conditioning and implants were still untested, it made Sorzus wish she had taken Wantos's advice and installed a control chip inside the Sith general's cranial cavity. Observing the Sith's prized possession with all his newest improvements, with the scars of his implants of the six lightsabers built into his bones, the sub-dermal armor pads, and the supercomputer implanted in his brain, Sorzus only hoped the former Jedi's first nature and personality was fully expunged from his system.
If any vestige of his original identity remained, then releasing him from his many restraints and setting him loose in the middle of this space station would sign everyone's death warrants. But terrible dangers aside, drastic actions needed to be taken right away, just before the Jedi could retrieve all their lost children and their prized Knight and surely deal a crippling blow to the Sith's future ranks and overall plans.
Glancing at 11-4D, who silently nodded as he was prepared to evaluate Edaan when he awoke, Sorzus pulled out a comlink and ordered Wantos and his staff, "I'm ready. Awaken Palpatine."
Alarms blaring throughout the room, each of Edaan's restraints, from the adrenaline-suppressing IVs being removed, to his beskar shackles unlocked, and dozens of other limiters deactivating, the Palpatine scion nearly fell right face first onto the floor before catching himself, staying on one knee for a few moments, breathing in deeply before firmly rising to his two feet.
Edaan, opening his eyes for the first time in weeks, they were no longer the sky blue of his birth, but a bright yellow. Eyes stopping right at Sorzus, the Chagrian momentarily thought she would be the first victim of his unholy rampage.
But 11-4D, maintaining a professional demeanor honed after over a century of service to Sith, he calmly addressed Edaan, "Do you know who you are, General? Are you aware of what you are meant to be?"
"Yes, honored servant of Lord Krayt." Edaan robotically answered, his voice digitally enhanced and echoing as if he was host to a demonic entity. "I was designed to be the herald of our Dread Lord. The general of his greatest armies and vanguard of the One Sith's ascendancy to power."
Calming down, Sorzus, maintaining an aura of confidence and control, confidently added, "Then you know of me and how you came to be this way."
Turning to Sorzus, he calmly nodded, "Yes, Lady Sorzus. You are the daughter of Lord Wyyrlok, who is the right-hand of Lord Krayt, and are also the one who made me who I am today by purging me of all my weaknesses and my former identity, whatever it may have been."
'A good start.' Sorzus considered. 'But we need to conduct many more tests before all my doubts are assuaged.' Out loud, she said, "Then perhaps, after we escape this doomed station and link up with Lord Krayt's armadas, we can deliver an irrevocable message to our enemies."
"I think I would enjoy that very much, my Lady." Edaan eagerly agreed, sending a thrill through Sorzus's spine. These were going to be the best few days in the young Sith Lady's life. Of that, she had no doubts.
0015 Hours
Dathomir, Deep Within the Singing Mountains
Just Outside the Refugee Camps
Aboard the Phoenix Whirlwind
Gasping for air after awakening from what could only be described as a hellish nightmare, Adari struggled to hold back a terrified cry already threatening to break through. While she had a soothing sleep for the last three hours, the final hour had been filled with dread and ominous tidings in the Force for the Keshiri Palpatine, making rest all but impossible for her before her worst fears came to life.
Followed by dark echoes coming from far beyond Dathomir, screams of death and misery growing in volume, there was a terrible surge of Dark Side energy, the individual it emanated from was one that Adari recognized all too well, and it filled her entire being with complete panic. Recognizing the tainted signature of Edaan all too well and fighting the urge to retch from whatever heinous experiments the Sith conducted on him, she knew he was about to be unleashed on the unsuspecting Alliance of Light. And she was stuck out here, several sectors away while her teammates and friends were fighting for their lives to save the one who brought them all together.
Now regretting her previous decision to stay behind with the rear guard, she knew she had to go to Korriban, alone, if necessary, to try and save Edaan from the darkness that now dominated him. But first, she had to let Allana know of this change, if only so the human Jedi would find a way to get her there ahead of schedule and without any fuss.
Rising from the bed and quickly donning her combat garb, she was surprised to see Allana and her crew already outside, speaking with the Dathomirian clan leaders and Alliance representatives, the conversation appearing highly serious.
Walking outside, Allana quickly greeted Adari, "You felt that disturbance too, then?"
"I think at least everyone in this galactic quadrant could feel that dark eruption of power." Adari nodded before getting right back to the matter at hand. "I need to get to Korriban right away, before Edaan is lost to the Sith forever."
"You mean, we need to get going." Allana clarified. "I know you're a key component in saving your husband, and I'm not letting you go alone. I already spoke with all the essential people, and they've just cleared our departure. We'll be setting out in just fifteen minutes."
Breathing out a deep sigh of relief, Adari bowed before the Chume'da and assembled leadership, "Thank you, all of you. I'll find a way to repay you someday for leaving like this, I promise."
"There is no debt to repay us, my friend, for we all understand how you feel and what you must do." The Bright Sun clan representative kindly interjected. "Go, save your love from eternal darkness and build a strong family together. That will be your ultimate legacy to this world."
Unable to fight the tears, Adari hugged the elder man, and wholeheartedly vowed, "When this war is over, I'll make sure Edaan and I fully repay our debt to your people before we and our daughter settle on Kesh. I swear it."
Well, I think this is a good place to end the chapter! What did you all think, as it took me about eight days to write this piece, and I made some revisions along the way that I hope improved the story overall? So, how are you all doing on this frigid Christmas night of 2022? I'm okay, if a little worried due to family stress and arguments, but I'll find a way to power through, and I'll put my trust in God that everything will be set right. Oh, and I finished The Fall ofNúmenor, with my focus now looking at a riveting book by Alan Greenspan and Adrian Wooldridge on the history of United States Capitalism, and I've enjoyed the first 108 pages so far. Hopefully, I can enjoy the rest and learn a bit from the overall work. Oh, and I have to work for four days this coming week, four 8-hour shifts in total, so I'll be exhausted by the end of Friday, and I won't be able to write as much as I'd like. But, speaking of writing, Free Man Writer published the next two chapters of Avengers: Infinite Wars over the last six days, and let me tell you, all Star Wars fans, even if you aren't particularly fond of the MCU, you've got to check out the story. His co-written work is just that remarkable and ingenious. Well, I suppose that's everything I want to say tonight. I hope you all have a blessed night, surrounded by friends, family, and a deep appreciation for the good still in this world by the grace of God Almighty. May the Lord be with us all in these troubling times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
(Wednesday, January 4, 2023, Addendum.) Hey, everyone. How are you all doing on this warm night? I have to admit, I'm doing well, if a bit tired from the down end of a sugar rush, but I'll cope. I'm sorry that it took so long to publish this chapter, I was looking for another Beta Reader to help analyze it and spot ways to improve the work. And I've found one in a writer named Cotto. He's a swell guy and shares many of my beliefs and convictions, so we'll get along well. And since NuttyBuddy792 is probably busy with his new job, I don't think he'll be able to help me too much while he acclimates to the new environment and schedule. Oh, and I've finished my book on the history of United States Capitalism earlier today, and now I'll focus on a couple Star Wars novels, just so I can better figure out how to write combat scenes on the ground and in space, while managing my plot a bit better. Well, I'd best get this chapter posted in a little bit, as I have work tomorrow in just over 13 hours, and I'll need plenty of rest beforehand after taking a week off. May the Lord be With us all in these Dark Times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
