Good evening, everyone! How are you all doing on this cool night of Sunday, February 12, 2023? I'm well, as I have been relaxing a couple days after finishing the second interim chapter out of four for this story. I've started to reread Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Destiny's Way earlier today, and it's a great book. I hope to spend a few good days going through it, and then move onto other old Star Wars books to brush up on the material and take a break from the tumult of the real world. Oh, and I'm hanging out with my family a bit as the Super Bowl begins, and they're having a good time watching the game. Well, I'd best get this chapter underway, as I've already spent a bit of time outlining it, and now it's a measure of putting it all together in a week or so. At least, I hope, since I'll be working four 6-hour shifts this week. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

1200 Hours, Selona 20th, 59 ABY

Manaan, Within the Ruins of Ahto City

Down in the bowels of the Inner Rim world's only offworld residence, Manaan's sole link to the greater galaxy, Ferren Barr, a highly knowledgeable man and onetime Jedi and Sith, contemplated this meeting and its vast repercussions for all. Recalling from his studies with both Force of how their wars had brought little more than ruin and death to the Selkath over their sole export of kolto, Ferren knew the Alliance would be fortunate if he returned alive from this meeting. Other than medicinal liquid most considered a precursor to bacta, the planet's native defenders in the Force Adepts of the Order of Shasa were wary of all outsiders and were those whom the Alliance of Light had reached out to in joining the war against the One Sith.

Regardless of Ferren's guilt over enabling the One Sith and falling for their manipulations, or perhaps because of it, he still did not comprehend why the Jedi Council had chosen him to represent their coalition in recruiting the Selkath to this war. Studious learner of history and keen intellectual, nothing he did could erase his and his lover's stains on the galaxy. On the other hand, the Jedi had long espoused forgiveness and redemption for penitent souls, so perhaps this was a way for the Iktotchi to prove himself repentant for his sins by reaching these bitter beings.

Interrupting his thoughts, Ferren felt the familiar touch of darkness brush across his mind and stood his ground, knowing the Selkath were fast approaching him from both land and water. Prepared for an attack, and protected by his Jedi escort, the Force-Sensitive outcast recalled his old Jedi training and was ready to defend himself if the worst came to pass.

Learning from old Sith and Imperial records how Darth Vader and his master manipulated the Order of Shasa into butchering the garrison and all tourists a mere handful of months before the Battle of Endor, Ferren knew they would be adamant in maintaining neutrality in this conflict. How the Jedi expected him to convince them to abandon their stance after all their horrific fall from grace, he did not know. But in the name of the woman he dearly loved and all those he had ever wronged, he was prepared to do all he could for the greater good.

After a tense moment, staring at the pool of water before him that led to the Selkath's underwater cities and homes, Ferren was surprised at the speed at how their dozens of acolytes launched themselves out. Rapidly surrounding the Alliance ambassador on all sides, finned hands ready for any sudden moves if given cause with their blasters and vibroblades, the tallest Selkath, a pink-skinned elder with two vibroblades attached to his belt, motioned for his followers to stand down before greeting their guest.

"So, you are the one the Jedi sent to give us a chance at reclaiming our honor after decades of shame." The lead Selkath politely began in a guttural voice. "I am Qual, and I lead the Order of Shasa throughout the region of Manaan surrounding Ahto City."

Ferren, bowing his head in acknowledgement, respectfully greeted, "An honor to meet you, Qual. I am Ferren Barr, representative of the Jedi Order and the Alliance of Light." Glancing around, he politely admitted, "I was expecting a rather more… official location to carry out these types of negotiations."

Showing his teeth in a neutral smile, Qual responded, "Yes, but would most people want us here in such large numbers after our service to the Sith of Darth Sidious's time?"

"We have discussed this with your superiors and have prepared one of our sacred meeting grounds for you and your escorts." Qual looked around, staring precisely where each of the six Jedi concealed in watching over Ferren. Speaking loudly enough for the bodyguards, the Selkath advised, "This isn't exactly the best way to begin negotiations with my people, honored Jedi."

Having enough grace to appear sheepish, Ferren explained, "We didn't know what to expect after decades of no interactions with your people, so we decided to proceed with caution. And, they have orders to oversee my efforts, given my background with them."

Curiously eyeing the visitor, Qual noted, "Well, we will have plenty of time to discuss the full truth with you, your peers, and Ambassador A'Kla."

That was a surprise that nearly took the breath away from Ferren. Releqy A'Kla, the former minister of State for the Galactic Alliance and member of the revived Gray Cadre after being liberated from Admiral Daala's carbonite prison, was a renowned diplomat and humanitarian among the Caamasi, she was not the expected ally he had in this endeavor.

Pouncing upon the disclosure, Qual leaned in close to Ferren, and slowly whispered, "And along the way, we can discuss why we should allow a former Sith to defile our holy grounds after all your order wrought upon my people."

Oh, these negotiations were about to be far more interesting than Ferren ever expected.

1400 Hours

Coruscant, Level 5150

Dark Tide Motel

Laying low in plain sight from the Coruscant Security Force and Galactic Alliance military and intelligence units was not exactly a sound strategy for a leader of Fyor Rodan's caliber. Eluding the authorities exactly fifty levels from the planet's surface in one of the world's millions of seedy motels, the self-exiled politician knew the odds were being continually stacked against him and his confederates.

Since fleeing the Brasmin estate and receiving orders from Natasi Daala to remain on the planet to await reinforcements, it was all Fyor and his cohorts could do to avoid tripping up a single instance. Even with the Jedi Temple devastated and deserted, its supercomputers were still hard at work in monitoring all communications and working with GA Security in tracking down many of the Olpakans' allies and safe houses.

Every day had reports from his agents growing scarcer in number, and Fyor innately grasped how precarious the situation was for him, Solomon Brasmin, and the shrinking army Kar'sk Fey'la still commanded. Whatever help Admiral Daala had inbound, it had best be an army of professionals ready to wage war.

Seeing his holoprojector, currently broadcasting a daily HoloNews report on galactic economic as a calming measure, Fyor was terrified to see the solemn image of Kajin Bar Yimmon come into focus. At first, he thought the Chief of State had found his hideout and was giving him a chance to surrender. But then the Jedi puppet began to speak, and he was proven wrong.

"This is a message to all denizens of Coruscant. I wish to speak with you, not merely as leader of the Galactic Alliance, but as a fellow citizen of our government and servant of the people."

"Since this year began, we have faced much adversity from many servants of evil. Many members of the Galactic Senate, long reviled by many of its senators' obstinance and corruption, were unveiled as traitors of the highest level in service to the Sith. They sold out their constituents and betrayed their oaths, all for promises of power and wealth, tarnishing the name of all those that gave years of their lives towards safeguarding your liberties and rights."

"The Sith, who, in conjunction with their willing dupes and allies, devastated Coruscant by not only targeting the rest of the Senate, but attacked the news studio of the Perre Needmo Newshour, all to silence those who sought to uphold their oaths to you all."

Scowling in disgust at the thinly veiled attempt to remind the public of the war they were engulfed in because of their leaders' incompetence, Fyor droned out through the Chief of State's imploring of the citizenry to remain vigilant as the Sith regrouped into the Unknown Regions. It all reminded him too much of the New Republic's final election, when the Jedi and their smuggler friends rigged it to put Cal Omas into power, and how both the Jedi's pawns failed to capture the public's sentiments and employ true leadership.

But his interest piqued again as the Cerean began speaking of Daala and her actions, "…The followers of Natasi Daala, whose vindictiveness and tyranny have scarred many worlds and ruined countless lives in service to her vendetta against all Force Users. In addition to her many campaigns against the New Republic and abuses of power when she was Chief of State of this government, she conducted heinous experiments against innocent civilians and led two coups against the Galactic Empire to try and enact her tyranny."

"And after her last takeover campaign was halted, she orchestrated tens of thousands of bombings throughout hundreds of worlds before following their mad leader into exile into the fringes of the galaxy." Kajin stopped, a dramatic pause before he resumed, his voice tempered by a rising anger. "But not all her allies have yet to follow her lead."

'Here it comes.' Fyor tensed as the pictures of him and his two confederates were plastered over the broadcast. "Fyor Rodan, former New Republic Senator and leading member of the Confederation, along with Kar'sk Fey'la of the True Victory Party, and Solomon Brasmin, son of former Senator Fost Brasmin, have been sighted across Coruscant, in league with Daala in her campaign of chaos. They have been seeking to continue her malevolent war by sowing discord in our ranks and seeking criminals to bolster their ranks."

"Which is why, on behalf of the Galactic Alliance, I am now authorizing a bounty of ten million credits for the live capture of all three fugitives." Kajin promised, impressing Fyor at the bold public actions he was taking to apprehend his opponents.

Intently listening as Kajin detailed the instructions for any civilians or mercenaries alerting the authorities, Fyor knew the mission was all but botched now. Even if Grungeon Block was a mere twenty kilometers away and accessible from a section of old cityscape five levels above the motel, it would be a miracle if anyone of this motley team could make it off Coruscant.

"Quite a disturbing turn of events, wouldn't you say, Rodan?" A firm but elegant voice interrupted the holobroadcast, surprising Fyor before the projector shifted to the image of Raze.

Seeing the Aporthad cartel leader and fellow Knight of Olpaka appearing before him, Fyor gruffly acknowledged, "I take it you're the reinforcements Daala promised me, and you've taken care to mask your transmission."

Approvingly smiling, Raze added, "Yes, but I haven't come alone. The Admiral was able to have a few more of her old associates come and assist me. Those that once allied with the Jedi but now have seen the light and are firm allies of our shared goals."

"I have no time to speak in riddles." Fyor snapped. "Just give it to me straight. Who have you brought with you to rescue our next batch of recruits?"

"A few elements of the Ryn Network, along with several of my best hitman squads and assassins." Raze casually answered, shocking Fyor into silence, remembering how the unofficial network of informants and outcasts proved crucial in knitting parts of the galaxy back together at the height of the Yuuzhan Vong Invasion. He heard rumors that the group was resurgent, but he could hardly believe the same organization that once sided with the Jedi so fervently now conspired against them.

Raze, seeing Fyor's mind grasping the implications of this knowledge, quickly elaborated, "It seems many of today's informants do not share the same principles and sentiments as Droma and his generation. At this rate, they'll have complete control over the network after three decades, at the absolute most."

Refocusing his mind back to business at hand, Fyor acknowledged, "We'll take any advantage we can get. But first, we need to find a suitable meeting point and compare notes with everyone else. We won't have long before the planet is consumed in the hunt for us."

1600 Hours

Bastion, Imperial Capital

Royal Imperial Medical Center

He was still trapped in the same hellish nightmare. Arko Repawl and his retinue, unveiling themselves as Sith, attacking his bodyguards and son with such speed and force that they were quickly overwhelmed, and the lightning that felt as if it devoured his body from the inside out. Jagged Fel wanted nothing more than to escape the dream, enduring it for what felt like an eternity before he heard four voices, soft and desperate, calling out to him. One was all too familiar as his wife, Jaina, a voice that filled him with joy, but the other, it made his heart leap with relief and excitement at hearing all three of his children search for his mind.

Eyes opening to see a light he thought was as strong as a blazing sun, Jagged closed them tightly before they adjusted to the intensity of the medical ward. Taking in several deep breaths to calm his turmoiled mind, he knew he was safe from Repawl and his Sith assassins. But to his confusion, he found he could barely move any part of his body, and the few motions he made filled him with excruciating pain.

"Easy." Jaina's gentle voice filled her husband's ears. "Try not to move or speak too much. You're still recovering from your brush with death."

"Jaina…" Jagged painfully whispered, seeing the face of his beloved wife gently smile down from his right. "Jayce, where's Jayce?"

"I'm right here, Father." Jayce happily answered, allowing Jagged to turn his head just enough to see Jayce on his left, standing by his bed, but supporting himself with a wooden cane and carefully watched by his two siblings. "Everything's going to be okay."

Nodding just enough for the gesture to be noticed, Jagged asked Jaina, "How long was I out? What's happened since the Sith attacked us?"

Jaina, briefly considering how much to tell her husband, relented, "Six days. You've been unconscious for six days since the Sith went after you all. Unfortunately, you and Jayce are two of the only five survivors, and we lost a lot of good people to their surprise attack."

"As for what's happened, Repawl and his Sith have gone to ground, and we're scouring the entire planet for them. Colonel Wren and her people are proving invaluable in laying a trap for them when they try to escape." Jayce continued, bitterly adding, "But we lost Grand Moff Saretti, Admiral Versio, and a lot of other good people from the assault."

Rapidly evaluating the situation, Jagged vainly tried to rise again, but found himself bound by an invisible power.

Jayce, at least having the grace to appear apologetic, explained, "I'm sorry, Father, but you're still too weak to try and play hero or lead us. Right now, you need to rest and let the doctors help you recover your strength. We have two entire armies and fleets on the hunt for Repawl, and Armitage is working with law enforcement, the Jedi, and our allies in keeping the peace. They'll find them soon enough, and you'll soon be needed to lead the Empire through this difficult transition."

Seeing the regret in Jayce's eyes at the last remark, Jagged knew what his philosophical son was planning. And judging by the knowing glances in his wife and their two other children, they were also aware of his plans to leave the Empire behind. With Grand Moff Saretti dead and their plans for reform utterly crushed, Jayce would feel he had no other choice but to withdraw from the Fel family to avoid the same temptations that doomed his maternal uncle.

Knowing how now wasn't the right time to argue about duty with his son, Jagged minutely nodded before glancing at Jaina, "Don't let the Sith get away with this."

Tenderly kissing her husband's cheek, Jaina promised, "We won't. We've got plenty of good friends helping us out."

0300 Hours, Selona 21st, 59 ABY

Rakatan Archipelago, Tulpaa System

Just Outside the Black Yard Shipyards

Aboard the Deathless

Sparing one final gaze at the transmission of Csilla, enjoying the public evisceration of the Ascendancy's best defenders by their own parliament, Yiv reconfigured his command center's holocomm towards his masters.

Having spent the last seven days assisting Lady Irola in tending to the One Sith's 11 million recruits and repairing their own damaged warships, the Nikardun Dynasty's last high-ranking officer was eager to resume the campaign against the Chiss. After losing many of their forward operations bases to the blue skins and their collaborators, it was clear to the Nikardun general what was occurring.

Despite, or perhaps because of, the political infighting among the Ascendancy's political structures, the military was coordinating with the outside powers to train their disparate navies to work as one effective armada. And given the vast number of targets they had attacked over the last week, they obviously had a great deal of intelligence on the One Sith's fringe operations, allowing them to not only build up their strength, but scour the Chaos for information for the Sith and Rakata's refuges and shipyards.

Seeing the holoprojections of the leaders of the One Sith and their auxiliaries, Yiv bowed before the image of Darth Krayt, taller than all the other figures. Giving the Dread Lord the deference due to the human responsible for this grand alliance, Yiv knew he could not afford to let his doubts show towards any of his rivals. Sparing a glance at each of his fellow commanders, Yiv knew he would never be seeing many of them again when the Jedi and Sith were done with them, but he could not let discord spread among the One Sith or make himself a target for the Inquisitors.

Rising from his kneeling position, Yiv knew he would have to voice his concerns of the Jedi's offensive carefully. Letting the mechanical humanoid- 11-4D, he remembered- take the lead, the droid began, "Per Lord Krayt's orders, I have reviewed all data on our combat readiness and the enemy's strength. We do not hold the advantage against the Jedi and need more time to weaken our enemies before we can destroy the Chiss."

The Ssi-Ruuk commander, a giant, red-skinned saurian who's name Yiv could never pronounce, harshly interrupted, "Why are we wasting time with such pointless reports when we hold the clear advantage in this war?! We have surrounded the Ascendancy and thrown its civilization into chaos, and their allies are powerless to stop us from raiding any targets we may choose, so we should deliver the finishing blow now, before they have a chance to regroup."

"You only say that now, Avikpal, because none of your worlds have come under attack and your people have suffered the fewest losses in this war. But you forget how the 'powerless' Chiss and their cohorts are seizing or destroying our frontier outposts and convoys across half of Chaos." Darth Irola interrupted, beating Yiv to the punch before continuing, "And according to our intelligence reports and spies, the Jedi have been recruiting heavily across the galaxy to replenish their losses and counterattack, seeking out obscure Force school and private militias to alter their strategy."

"Which is exactly why we need to strike soon before the Alliance and its fellow powers can retaliate against us with more than petty strikes." Drikl Lecersen, rogue Moff and sole Sith-allied Imperial commander, passionately interjected, before allowing, "But that does not mean we can afford to underestimate the Jedi and their many allies. We need to ensure that whenever we do strike, they cannot unite the Chiss and repel our final assault. Then we ought to move on the Empire and other weakened powers to seize their resources to strengthen our industries of war."

Sereno, the lead Tof Admiral, curiously gazed at Yiv and quietly observed, "You've been unusually quiet, General."

"Simply a lot to consider." Yiv softly answered, seeing the Dread Lord exert his presence on everyone beneath him to silence them.

Gazing on everyone, Krayt eventually settled on the instigators, starting with Avikpal and Lecersen, "The both of you and your transparency disgust me. Your efforts to enrich yourselves and your followers without considering the overall effect on us all represent a selfishness and haste that cannot be allowed to fester."

"Yes, we have the numbers and strength to destroy the Ascendancy if we so choose. But do not forget, we require the infrastructures of the Chiss and the whole galaxy intact, to fortify the galaxy against the inevitable return of Abeloth. And the return of Zakuul and Silentium only show us how the galaxy is reacting and uniting against our coalition."

"Lord Krayt, what exactly are you suggesting?" Yiv cautiously asked.

Darth Haxar answered, as if the answer was obvious. "General, what our master wants us to do is to divide the enemy in all its facets, just as we have done with the Chiss. Only then can we launch our final offensive and conquer the galaxy."

"And just how do we divide the galaxy so swiftly, since the Jedi and their poster boy have done so much to undo all your order's efforts?" Sereno blithely rebuked the aged Sith Lady. "I doubt we have the time and energy to instill your agents throughout the galaxy all over again, and we now have to house 11 million refugees that we took under our care."

"Which is why we will train and use them to sabotage the Jedi's fellowship as the largest insurgency army in centuries." Irola interjected, preventing the onetime Jedi Youngling from trying to murder the Tof Admiral. "I know how to make the most out of disaffected civilians and undermine virtually any corrupt regime."

"We're all aware of your efforts in combating the Galactic Empire as Elscol Loro during and after your time with the New Republic." A Nagai commander calmly reminded Irola, approvingly adding, "And I can acknowledge that there is an ironic elegance in using the Chiss's own indentured citizens against them."

"What about the rest of our enemies?" An Ebruchi pirate lord thoughtfully pointed out. "If the Alliance and their fellow galactic powers are teaching their forces to work as a cohesive whole, then it wil be difficult to break those growing bonds of trust."

"An excellent point." Krayt acknowledged, before another hologram came forward, and an armored humanoid man came forward, but of a species Yiv didn't recognize. Behind the mysterious man's Sith-inspired helmet and armor, the Nikardun assumed it was one of the Sith's acolytes or experiments, but the being simply radiated power only rivaled by the One Sith overlord himself.

Krayt, as if anticipating the next being's question, presented the new Sith, "Allow me to formally introduce you all to Edaan Palpatine, the perfect means to destabilize the Jedi and their bonds of fidelity with all their followers."

Everyone, stunned silent from Krayt's bold proclamation, stared at the Jedi-turned-Sith as Krayt proudly continued, "Reconditioned and augmented by my best scientists and sorcerers, improved with lightsabers implanted in his bones, and fully devoted to the One Sith with intimate knowledge of his former confederates, our newest general will be instrumental in fully turning the tide of this war. And he is only the first of a legion of cybernetically improved Sith. They will soon be the vanguard of our new offensive."

Suddenly, Yiv was less pessimistic about the revival of the Nikardun Dynasty than ever before, and uncharacteristically hopeful of an inevitable victory.

0400 Hours

Tulpaa System Outskirts

Aboard the Repentance

Reviewing the data his scout ship intercepted from the Nikardun Battle Dreadnaught, Persk knew this information had to reach his people and Alliance High Command immediately. Having uncovered how a long-MIA New Republic-allied freedom fighter had joined up with Darth Krayt's bolstered forces and was preparing to lead them all in a full-scale invasion of Chiss space, it all nearly gave the Chiss Ascendancy scout captain a fatal stroke.

Knowing this vital intelligence needed to reach the right ears immediately, Persk prepared his ship for the first hyperspace jump of several towards the borders of the Nihil Retreat. Knowing how his people were unstable enough from their recent defeats and internal struggles, the Chiss captain knew whom he needed to deliver this intelligence to General Antilles and the Rogues' Gallery. A terrible gamble, Persk knew, worthy of a court-martial and dishonorable discharge if he was wrong, but it was the only one he had that did not tip the Sith off to the small advantage the Chiss and their allies currently held in this war.

Once the Rogues' Gallery learned what was at stake, they could then pass it along to the rest of their allies and what Ascendancy officials could be trusted with this classified knowledge. Not only was that band of war veterans closer to his position than the nearest Alliance or Chiss fleet, but since many of them were the most likely to have known this 'Elscol Loro' best, they might be able to devise a plan to counter hers. And given the outsiders' affinity for redeeming their own, they just might be able to convince her or some of her followers to defect.

Well, whatever happened to Irola, Persk only hoped it was not too late to make a difference for his people and all those under their care.

Well, I'd say this is a good place to end the chapter! What do you all think? Do you think I put too much in the 5th interim chapter, or I could have done things a bit differently? If you have constructive criticism to give, please let me know and I will do my best to implement it. So, how are you all doing on this cool day of Saturday, February 18, 2023? I'm well, if a bit worn out from the four days of work I had this week, and they were exhausting! And I finished Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Destiny's Way last night and will begin the first book of the Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy Trilogy soon. I need to brush up on Chiss culture and warfare for the second half of this story. Well, I guess that's everything for today. I'd best get this chapter ready for analysis, and then release it in a week or so. May the Lord be with us all in these troubling times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!