Hey, everyone! How are you all doing on this warm afternoon of Friday, February 24, 2023? I'm well, as I've broken up my three complete interim chapters of Jedi Odyssey IV into six smaller and more manageable ones. I think I'll publish them in a little bit after giving them a final look over. Hopefully after tomorrow and my exhausting day at work, I can get back to writing on my normal schedule. Anyway, I won't keep you any longer. Have a blessed day, and PLEASE leave a constructive review on my works. I could use them.

Oh, before I forget, all time listings are done under Galactic Standard Time, as listed in Wookieepedia in the Legends section. Now, enjoy.

0800 Hours, Selona 21st, 59 ABY

Olpaka Hegemony, Carthea System

Aboard the Orbital Asteroid Superstructure Kolovish

Cylo-V, former Imperial scientist of the old Galactic Empire, and avowed foe of the Force and all its servants, silently marveled at the resilience of Haplif and his fellow captive Agbui. Over the last two days, the team of researchers in the Knights of Olpaka had tortured the Sith with dozens of methods, but none would divulge any information, even after two of their members' bodies had failed them.

Trying to uncover more of the One Sith's strategy, all in seeking new ways to undermine the Dark Siders without compromising the Olpakan Hegemony and its own plans, the heavily modified human ruefully sighed while observing the vitals for another Sith vanish. It seemed Cylo-V's methods were too much for the captives to handle. Barely giving the prisoners just enough time to recover from one interrogation method after another, the Sith were subjected to all manner of physical torture while preserving their sharp minds.

The Olpakans instinctively knew their guests would give them a crucial edge in increasing its advantage if they would break. Deprived of the Force by several ysalamiri, kept in isolation to prevent any Sith from assisting their confederates, and their ship being thoroughly examined for any extra bits of intelligence, it was only a matter of time before someone caved.

Already, Cylo-V had an educated guess as to what these Sith were up to in this part of the Chaos, but even a brilliant mind as he did not expect to have the entire picture so easily. While the One Sith had gained a new army from the refugees of Sunrise with a bit of clever subterfuge, the frenzy of which the recruits fought the Chiss could only be engineered by prodding from the Force. But why the Agbui did not retreat after their job was done, that was what the scientist was seeking answers about.

Unfortunately, time was running out for Cylo-V and his guests. He needed a way to break through these stubborn fools' resistance, before Natasi Daala and the Olpakan Grand Council decided these Sith would better serve as research for the admiral's anti-Force experiments.

Receiving a comm signal from the command center, he stiffened upon recognizing this ping's tone. One of the Sith had just cracked and was ready to talk. And from the cell block, it seemed Haplif was the one who gave in first.

How appropriate that the leader would break first and doom his followers to certain doom.

1200 Hours

Chiss Space-Nihil Retreat Border

Aboard the Lucky Striker

"General, we have a priority signal coming in from outside the system. It's of a Chiss signature." A comm officer informed Wedge, who was so engrossed in the impromptu meeting with his fellow leaders of their ragtag coalition that he barely acknowledged the warning. And the rest of the assembled leadership was equally distraught. Not only was Elscol a one time friend and valued ally of the New Republic, but she knew all their tactics and was a brutal and brilliant leader.

Tycho Celchu, understanding his best friend's distracted state upon realizing how one of their old friends might have joined the One Sith, excused himself to address the unexpected call. After the retired general was out of earshot, Voort sympathetically stated to the remaining leaders, "I understand this must come as a shock to you all. But I've extensively reviewed the tactics used by the Sith at Sunrise, and they all match many of Elscol's before her disappearance."

Winter Celchu, the first to recover from the surprise, asked Voort, "Have you shared this information with anyone?"

"No. We wanted to verify it first, and we didn't want to sow any fear in case we might be wrong." Voort denied. "But either way, something has to be done to prepare us for whatever comes next. If Miss Loro has betrayed us, then her unpredictable nature and inspirational leadership will make for a dangerous combination for us."

"We know." Iella Wessiri Antilles, the Rogues' Gallery's Intelligence director calmly acknowledged, glancing at her husband, worried at how devastated Wedge was from hearing this revelation.

Jan Ors, silently observing the meeting while reading through the intelligence reports the Alliance of Light provided her, cut in by acknowledging, "It would be best if we alert our allies about this possibility, but only a select few members of the leadership. If word got out prematurely that we might have old ties to one of the Sith, it might undermine the strategy we're developing to counter the enemy's advance."

Wedge, appearing to push aside the ramifications of what he learnt, knowingly assumed, "Classified?" Knowing the plan Jan and Vurawn were working on to draw the Sith into a trap, the Rogues' Gallery Supreme Commander knew he had to put up a façade to maintain the necessary secrecy for such an operation. And he knew that the revelation would be crucial for panning out the full strategy.

Receiving a silent nod, Wedge bitterly marveled, "Here's to the days when war and evil were simpler, and we knew our friends and allies better. Or at least, we thought we knew them well."

"It was never so simple, Wedge." Winter sympathetically reflected. "We were just younger and far more idealistic, and war can change any vibrant and passionate soul."

"Well, whatever we were or are now, we have to finish this fight." Wedge reluctantly resolved. "If that means we have to take on and destroy one of our fallen friends to save countless lives, then that's how it has to be."

"An admirable and sensible attitude." Voort agreed before Tycho's hologram came through.

"It looks like we might have hit the jackpot on enemy intelligence." The retired Galactic Alliance general began. "I'll bring the captain and his ship aboard, and we'll bring him aboard for a proper debriefing."

"What is this officer claiming?" Winter edgily asked, not wanting an unknown factor aboard the Star
Destroyer.

"Exact coordinates of the One Sith's Rakatan strongholds, one of their shipyards, and their long-term strategy to fight the Chiss Ascendancy." Tycho quickly listed off, stunning everyone into silence. "The captain sent me a detailed set of coordinates and schematics and was able to intercept a key Sith meeting from the Nikardun Dynasty's flagship."

Wedge, having dealt with many such offers before in his long and storied career, unilaterally agreed, "Bring him aboard and make sure the ship isn't carrying any surprises. Then have the Lucky Striker jump to hyperspace towards friendlier territory, just to be safe."

Knowing Elscol, if she had joined the One Sith, would be able to predict and rebuff many of the Rogues' Gallery's strategies, Wedge realized he needed to finally reach out to his sister and brother-in-law to acquire the former Imperial Ace's help. It was time for Soontir Fel to be reacquainted with his old friends and instruct all their soldiers in the fine art of combat. Hopefully, he learnt plenty of new tactics from his time serving under Grand Admiral Thrawn and the Empire of the Hand that he was willing to share.

1400 Hours

Csilla, 50 Kilometers East of Csaplar

Maximum Penitentiary Facility, Cell Block 134

With countless blistering blizzards battering the mountainside where the Chiss Ascendancy contained the most dangerous and valuable of their prisoners, many in-depth and brutal interrogations were underway. And these questions and the results from the enemy combatants could very well determine the fate of the Ascendancy and all its worlds, peoples, and allies.

Having received custody of the Rhandites' High Sorcerer and his many subordinates, the Chiss, with assistance from the Jedi and Aquilians, had been hard at extracting every morsel of intelligence the sorcerer and his slaves had to offer on the Perann Nebula's defenses. Sure, they had custody of Roland's Oblivion-class Corvette and its databases, plus Kyp Durron's report from what he gleaned from the summa-verminoth predators once under the Rhandites' control, but it was only the beginning of this intelligence coup. The knowledge provided by the slaves, once they were promised that they would be treated fairly as prisoners of war, were proving to be great educators on the Rhandites' power structures and society.

And deep inside the bowels of this facility, Roland was undergoing the most brutal and mind wrenching interrogation out of all his subjects. Thanks to the Aquilians and their knowledge of the Rhandites' psychological profiles and philosophy, the Ascendancy and its secret police was able to refine its methods of extracting information from the High Sorcerer.

Instead of simply torturing the sorcerer into submission, the Aquilians and Jedi were pouring countless images into Roland's mind, showing him the natural cycle of the universe and all beings. And the Chiss patiently waited in the wings, ready to ask their questions once Roland saw the fundamental truths of the universe.

Roland was hanging on the precipice of greater understanding, caught between death and life, for he thought was an eternity. He was at the end of his life and at the beginning of a new one, simultaneously drowning in agony and filled with bliss, and he began to see that this was the essential nature of the Force, not the narrow concept of the Dark that the Rhandites worshiped. The Force was life, and life was growth, and nothing grew without facing change.

And that change was destruction. That was why the dark side had existed since before all known time. Life bore death, death nourished life, destruction came before rejuvenation. And pain came before healing. The Dark Side was as necessary to the way of life as the Light was. Without it, every lush world out there would stagnate, all wicked empires would rule forever, and no change would come to all things.

Roland saw all that and more, saw that conflict was as necessary to progress as was harmony, that suffering was as essential to wisdom as was joy. Perhaps, he contemplated, there was no pure good, no absolute evil, just as the Unifying Force once espoused before the Jedi abandoned it in favor of their original Light-Dark dogma. There was only life, only change and growth, suffering and joy … death and rebirth. It was as beautiful as it was tragic.

There was only the Force, and it filled Roland with a contentment he never knew could exist. True, evil existed, and it needed to be fought with all possible strength and light, but that didn't mean change itself was something to be feared. How people reacted and responded to it, that was what distinguished them from the forces of good and evil.

Pulled out of this reverie, Roland took many deep breaths, desperate to consider what he had just realized. All he once believed of life, the galaxy itself was a lie, and his followers were doomed to follow the Grand Sorcerer and his dark mistress to oblivion or eternal slavery. And he could no longer take part in such insanity, not with the truth open to him for the first time in his long life.

Knowing a peace and contentment he never felt before in service to the Dark, he knew he had to share this truth with all Rhandites, no matter what resistance he would encounter along the way. But he could not do that while imprisoned in this ice ball of a prison, which meant he had to become a traitor to all he once believed in and risk every world and person he cherished to save them from inevitable annihilation.

Hearing the chamber's two-way window slide open, Roland recognized the faces of Kyp Durron, the Aquilian Republic's Paladin-Inquisitors and Chiss secret police leading the interrogation. But, unable to tap the Force with the drugs coursing through his bloodstream, the former High Sorcerer hazily sighed, "I am ready to talk, and I have much to say."

The lead Chiss interrogator, pulling out a questis before stoically acknowledging to Kyp, "It seems your compassionate approach proved more beneficial than I first believed. Excellent work."

"Save the compliments for after we verify all his intelligence." Kyp reminded the Chiss colonel. Knowing full well how Roland's repentance was genuine, but not willing to lower his guard if the Sorcerers anticipated this scenario and were planning countermeasures of their own, the Jedi Master knew the time for celebration was well off.

1800 Hours

Olpaka Hegemony, Olpaka System

Aboard the Resurgent-class Star Destroyer Sir Trilag

Intently listening to Cylo-V give his report, the only hint of emotion on Natasi Daala's face was the hateful glare of her eyes, berating herself for underestimating the One Sith and their treacheries and depravities. Her only consolation was how, after Haplif and his accomplices divulged the full details of their mission, the scientist disposed of them and gave their remains to the geneticists for their own research.

Was it not enough for the Dark Siders to build a monstrous coalition of the galaxy's worst powers, but now they sought to rope Zonama Sekot and its Yuuzhan Vong population into this mad war? Remembering how the invaders ravaged the galaxy before being pardoned by the Jedi and their dupes, Natasi knew that decision would one day come back to harm everyone. And by using her stolen Force weapons to entice the refugees into joining their side to give them a newfound Force Sensitivity, that made this apocalyptic crisis her responsibility.

But Zonama Sekot and its population was not the only issue that befell the Olpaka Hegemony and its Knights. According to the late Agbui, they uncovered proof of one of Darth Krayt's allies preparing to double-cross them and defect to Abeloth's growing armies somewhere in the Unknown Regions, only known as a world called Exegol in the Remnicore System. If the Celestial monstrosity returned to life now, then she would find a galaxy divided and easy for her to manipulate.

Much as it pained Daala to admit it, the Olapkans needed to put their plans for conquest on hold and help the Jedi deal with the Sith and its legions. But before she worked to convince the rest of the Grand Council of her plan in the works, she needed to prepare to extract Fyor Rodan's people and their targets.

If the Knights of Olpaka hoped to enact their own plans for the galaxy, they needed to ensure there was a galaxy left to save, and they needed the best leaders possible to help. And Daala had a few ideas on how to turn this escalating disaster to the Olpakans' advantage.

0200 Hours, Selona 22nd, 59 ABY

Manaan, 15 Kilometers Eastward of Ahto City

20 Kilometers Underwater, Hrakert Rift

Sacred Meeting Grounds

Donned in a deep-space suit, modified to withstand the immense underwater pressure of the depths, Ferren, Releqy, and their Jedi escort had been escorted to one of the Selkath's many ancient ruins. Underwater structures, some of the last remnants of the Rakata Infinite Empire's occupation and enslavement of the ocean world and aquatic species, it was considered a neutral point for all clans and individual Selkath to settle all manner of grievances.

But equally important, the Hrakert Rift served as the resting place of the firaxen shark, considered by the Selkath as the progenitor of their sentient race and producer of the planet's kolto supply. To attack anyone here was considered sacrilege and punishable by instant death. And it was here that the Alliance of Light would learn if the Order of Shasa would formally join with them in fighting the One Sith, only underscoring the gravity of the summit and the stakes for the inhabitants of Manaan.

For the last two days, many leaders of the Selkath Force school debated, occasionally allowing their offworld ambassadors to speak and clarify the finer points of this potential alliance. Releqy had done well in stating their case and how the Order of Shasa would not be deployed as front-line fighters, but as healers for the wounded and ambassadors for the hundreds of worlds in the Unknown Regions.

Ferren, to the elders' relief, spoke honestly of his past allegiance to the One Sith, and the depths of manipulation and depravations they would use to accomplish their goals. And throughout the last thirty-five hours, the Iktotchi had conversed with many younger adepts and their teachers and debated with them on Jedi teachings of self-discipline and defensive techniques, with many seeking to learn more of these instructions.

But now, the deliberations were winding down, and the closing arguments were being given by supporters and detractors of the Alliance of Light's proposal. Qual, leading the proceedings, called the outsiders to step forward to the center of the underwater chambers.

Once Ferren, Releqy, and the six Jedi were brought forward, with the redeemed Sith fearing a mass attack by the Selkath Force Users, Qual calmly addressed them. "The Order of Shasa has discussed your proposal and considered all sides of the matter very carefully."

"For millennia, our order has remained neutral from galactic affairs, only allying with the Jedi when our world was threatened by the Sith and their armies. But even then, we were only concerned with ourselves, not the countless aquatic worlds suffering from their depravations. When a few brave and open minded individuals tried to convince us to work with the galaxy, we shunned and ruined them until they conformed and abandoned their principles."

"And when the Empire of Darth Sidious's time subverted our predecessors to serve their wicked cause nearly six decades ago, we allowed ourselves to fall victim to the same darkness that nearly consumed our ancestors. We served a terrible evil and inflicted untold pain on so many worlds. But now, thanks to the Jedi and their friends, we have been given a chance to atone for our sins and help heal this broken galaxy."

"All those in favor of allying with the Alliance of Light?" Qual, followed by well over three-fourths of the assembly of three hundred Selkath, raised their right hands and shouted, "AYE!"

"Those opposed?" With only fifty Selkath raising their left hands, and many of them leveling disgusted glares at the foreign ambassadors, Qual concluded, "The ayes have it."

Turning towards the dignitaries, Qual spoke, "We will gather our people, and our forward scouts will convene at Ahto City to coordinate deployment. I would advise you to inform the city's authorities of our impending arrival the moment you return to prevent any mass confusion and potential reprisals."

"A most wise suggestion." Releqy wholeheartedly agreed.

1200 Hours

Bastion, Imperial Capital

Above the Lower District

Aboard the Orinda's Bloom

"You're not getting away this time!" Sabine muttered to the console as she locked onto the Ghost and took aim with the corvette's ion cannons. Having tracked down the VCX-100 freighter after covertly evacuating the Imperial's main base of operations, the Mandalorian had learnt from forward scouts of the appearance of her stolen ship on a direct approach to the capital city. Knowing this could only mean the Sith were still in the city, and they would only get one chance to cut off their escape route and capture them.

But first, Sabine had to break inside and take back the Ghost, and that was proving to be a greater hassle than pacifying a baby Rancor. Whoever commanded the aged vessel knew full well what they were doing, able to use the ship's defensive systems to keep any aerial intruders from landing on it while employing many daring maneuvers to avoid any larger pursuers.

Quickly growing fed up with constant setbacks, Sabine decided now was the time to employ a few unorthodox stratagems and some of her custom weapons. Having previously worked out a plan with Mirta, Armitage, and Jaina, she prepared another volley of ion bombs, these strong enough to knock out a light cruiser. But before she fired, the Ghost broke hard left to avoid a shadow bomb deployed by Jaina in her personal TIE Defender, just as the Mandalorian colonel had planned.

Now locked onto the commandeered ship, Sabine fired away with impunity, and scored several direct hits on the Ghost's engines and stern. The surge of electrical energy overloaded many of the old rebel's ship's systems and caused it to start falling towards the surface. Fortunately for the civilians in their district, the ship was quickly caught in the tractor beams of a nearby Star Destroyer and the Orinda Bloom, keeping it from colliding into the city below.

Rising from her seat now that her part in manning the Raider II-class Corvette was over, Sabine quickly moved to the armory to fully don her Mandalorian armor and weaponry. Ready to face any Sith standing in her way and accompanied by Mirta and six of her most trusted soldiers, the eight warriors hurried to the loading bay to await Inferno Squad's ship fly close enough to the Ghost and allow a quick drop off before resuming the hunt for the fugitive Sith.

Feeling the ship start hovering in the air and the boarding ramp start opening, Sabine felt a current of grim anticipation fly through her. It was time to dish out a healthy dose of payback against those that threatened her people and home.

Activating their jetpacks and flying towards the modified Corellian freighter, Mirta warned everyone through their helmet comms, "Follow Colonel Wren's lead on this, and stick to the plan. These Sith could be anywhere on that old museum piece."

Ignoring the barb, Sabine took the lead in the formation in leading the team towards the Ghost. Everyone quickly landed on the ship's top, with the old warrior led the way, opening the emergency hatch and climbing onto the ship.

But when the last Mandalorian Supercommando made it inside the vessel and closed the hatch, Mirta received a communication, quickly informing Sabine, "We might have a problem. No life signs reported aboard your ship."

"You know that doesn't mean osik with Sith and Jedi." Sabine reminded her former enemy, keeping her blaster pistols aimed in front of her, deploying the miniature probe droid given to her by Inferno Squad to aid their hunt while the ship was dragged aboard the patrolling Star Destroyer. Methodically searching every section in groups of two, the eight Mandalorians reconvened in the main hall after seven minutes.

"Nothing. No Sith, and of their hired guns, or even droids." Mirta disappointingly told Sabine. "They must have used your ship to split all our focus."

"Then scan the ship for any surprises, and then we'll restart everything and get back in the fight." Sabine ordered everyone before her comlink buzzed. Quickly accepting the call after recognizing the comm signature, the colonel bitterly acknowledged, "We've been conned, Jaina. The Sith aren't here at all."

"We know." The Jedi Master acknowledged. "The Sith took several speeders to break for the wilds."

Swearing under her breath, Sabine bitterly acknowledged, "We'll need a few of your Defenders to help catch up with the Sith. That, or let us send a few of our Bes'uliiks down to blast them to oblivion."

"I'll have Armitage make the arrangements for option two." Jaina promised, doubting any Imperial admiral would so easily part with their most prized fighters.

1400 Hours

Naporar, Expansionary Defense Fleet Headquarters

"Are you certain we're taking the right path on this?" Saganu carefully asked Ja'fosk as the Supreme Admiral and his aides finished establishing their setup inside the latter's private study.

"If you are having second thoughts about this arrangement, it's far too late to back out now." Ja'fosk seriously noted. "The Sith will be on our doorstep in a matter of weeks with fresh armies and fleets, so we need to take the initiative now before all is lost. And according to General Antilles and the captain who took the initiative in reaching him first, we're dealing with a Sith Lady who knows how to create devastating chaos for all manner of empires from her many decades as an insurgent leader. Never mind all the information our Rhandite captive is providing us, and if it can be verified."

"If the One Sith can adapt and draw in allies from such disparate groups, then we need to do the same to level the playing field. We'll worry about the repercussions later, but our people's survival has to come first."

'If we even manage to last that long.' Ja'fosk silently added. Knowing how Ba'kif and all the cabal's highest-ranked allies were under intense scrutiny for their secret reform efforts, it fell to the rest of their like minded confederates to fight on until the legislature could see the situation for what it is, not through an ancient traditionalist lens.

With the Chiss Defense Fleet's leader having arranged for a select number of his most-trusted subordinates to deliver his offer to several of the Chiss's vassal states, and they were all reporting the territory leaders' willingness to explore the proposal, his boldest plan was in motion now.

Knowing Vurawn was originally correct in the Chiss needing to be proactive in protecting themselves, but his approach forced them to become an empire and open the door for unprecedented corruption and power plays, it was long past time to refine the strategy towards taming the Chaos. And giving much of the power back to the disparate states that now paid homage to the Chiss while laying the foundation for strong alliances was the first big step towards a lasting peace and stability for the Ascendancy.

While there were indeed many threats and evils out there that would enjoy destroying the Chiss, ranging from the Ssi-Ruuk, mainstream Tofs, Sorcerers of Rhand, and most Vagaari and Nikardun, there were far more peaceful societies that could one day stand as valued allies for the Ascendancy. The Garwian Unity, Lioaoin Regime, Paccian Governance, Vak Combine, peaceful Tof and Nagai fringe colonies, and dozens of other like-minded powers and species deserved better than to be subjugated out of fear and pride. And there were a few mavericks among the Nikardun and Vagaari that were willing to adjust their brutal culture, those that the Chiss could work with.

If the Silentium and Yuuzhan Vong could find ways to coexist and learn from other societies despite their bloody histories, it was long past time for the mainstream Chiss to do the same. The Empire of the Hand had long allowed others to serve in their armed forces and contribute as equals to the Vurwan, but now it was time for the Ascendancy to follow their lead before time ran out.

Hearing a series of pings go off from the communications setup, Ja'fosk swallowed his fear before ordering his aides, "Ensure we are not disturbed until I say otherwise and maintain our transmission strength, no matter what transpires or who calls upon us."

Loyally filing out of the Supreme Admiral's private library, all but three aides departed, with the rest staying behind to transcribe the proceedings for Parliament and the Syndicature. No one was going to accuse Ja'fosk of grabbing power for himself, and these recordings would show he acted only in the best interests of the Ascendancy, no matter the shadiness of its legality.

Glancing at Saganu, Ja'fosk advised him, "Take a seat and grab yourself plenty of food and beverages. I'm not an official diplomat, but I expect these negotiations to be quite long and the most trying you've ever committed to."

Seeing the holoprojectors of the four dozen representatives quickly activate, Saganu seated himself just before the ambassadors could clearly be seen. Ja'fosk, taking the lead in the meeting, "Good day, honored ambassadors. I imagine you all are curious about the inquiries my people made towards your leadership."

"What's this all about, Ja'fosk?" The lead Tof woman bluntly demanded. "If you think you can play with us by offering us independence after your government occupied-"

"Why don't you let the Supreme Admiral state his case before you start issuing accusations?" A male Nagai interrupted. "Many of us have spoken with Ja'fosk many times over the years, and he has always treated us with dignity and respect. I doubt he would make an offer of this magnitude if it weren't valid."

Recognizing Saganu, the ambassador of the Vak Combine suspiciously added, "While I am willing to negotiate on the finer points of this arrangement, I must protest the attendance of a traitor of the former Aristocra's caliber in his collaboration with the One Sith and Rhandites. Are they not among your greatest enemies in the Chaos?"

Shamefully bowing his head at the reminder of his high treason, Saganu was surprised when Ja'fosk spoke on his behalf, "Saganu was, shall we say, compromised by the Grand Sorcerer of the Rhandites, and was not in his right mind before he was able to break free of the Force-induced mechanisms they used to control him."

"And whether you can trust him, know that we've thoroughly vetted him and even had the Jedi ensure he was not being controlled by any of our enemies. He has been highly cooperative with us thus far and has helped us identify and incarcerate many of the Sith's spies within the Ascendancy. If nothing else, I am willing to trust him and vouch for him before any court of law, should the need arise."

"Bold words." The ambassador of the Paccian Governance acknowledged. "But perhaps Saganu can speak for himself throughout these talks, and we can discuss whether we will fully assist the Ascendancy. That is, provided you uphold all terms of this arrangement and return to us our self-governance and grant our people the full rights and responsibilities as member worlds of your government."

"I will do my best to prove my sincerity." Saganu promised, before acknowledging, "But I must confess, I would have thought many of you would not be more amicable to this offer and would prefer isolation over formally aligning with the Ascendancy. We haven't always been good neighbors or good protectors of the Chaos, so to speak."

"Many of our people do indeed feel the same way as you, Saganu." The Garwian Unity diplomat relented with a sigh. "But many more do know how the Sith, just as the Nikardun, Grysk, Yuuzhan Vong, Killiks, and Vagaari once did, plan to dominate all of the galaxy. And since we have been under your sphere of influence for many years, that makes us potential threats to their rule. Which means, before the Sith try to subvert our systems like they have the Ascendancy, now is the time to exact the best possible conditions from our present occupiers and regain our autonomy."

"Then let us get started. As enlightening as it is to hear off all your strength of character and noble approaches to leadership, we should all focus on the matter at hand before time runs out." Ja'fosk calmly urged everyone, with the ambassadors nodding or quietly voicing their agreement.

1600 Hours

Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple

Medical Wards

Walking with purpose into the Jedi headquarters' medical ward, Bardan Skirata felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him at seeing dozens of Jedi and medics work on their patients. Remembering his affinity for healing and how he often used his abilities to aid the recovery of Jedi and Clone Troopers before he joined the Mandalorians, he was content in how many young Jedi found a similar duty to the living.

But regrettably, not all those within this sanctum were fated to be saved. Jaden Korr, a Jedi Bardan had long chosen to respect for his unconventional approach to life and the Force and respect for all beings, he only had a few days left of living before passing on into the Force. Hard as Cilghal and the Jedi's healers tried, they could not undo the damage done to his body and could only delay his demise. Not even his talents were enough to reverse the natural flow of life in this instance.

While death was all too familiar for the ex-Jedi, Bardan regretted how the solitary Jedi's departure would hurt so many. But at least there was one family he could help over the next few days, one long ago tainted by the One Sith's manipulations, and now had a chance for some measure of healing. If Korin Aphra could be saved from his Sith-induced coma, then there may be hope for him and his daughter.

Taking a shaky breath before entering the operating room, Bardan was astonished to see not only Phasma, Jaing, and Chelli and her two droids tending to Korin, but Tau Palpatine and Allana Djo Solo. Letting a touch of surprise and humor enter his voice, the healer noted, "I wasn't expecting Doctor Aphra to be this popular with the Alliance."

"Don't bring any of your politics or classical cynicism into this, Bardan." Tau tiredly noted. "None of us want to hear it right now."

Phasma, throwing Tau a quick warning glare, nodded at Bardan, "Thank you for taking the time to assist us, Master Bardan."

"Just 'Bardan,' please." Bardan politely corrected. "I haven't been a master of anything in a long time."

"Can you help us or not?" Chelli anxiously asked. "I heard from plenty of people that you're a prodigy at healing, and my dad needs a miracle aright now."

"I can, but I won't be the one to heal him." Bardan simply began. "My healing abilities, they aren't nearly as strong as they once were, and the effort requires reserves of energy that I no longer possess." Glancing around, he guessed, "That's why you all are here, yes? In the hopes that by pooling your energies into me, we can save Doctor Aphra from the Sith's grip?"

"Not quite." Allana answered. "We were just hoping you could guide us in the effort and teach us what you know." Pausing, she tentatively continued, "I've killed many people in my life, but I want to do more to save lives instead of taking them."

"And I'm here to help a friend and atone for my role in all of this." Tau added. "I helped put Korin in this situation, and I'd be a terrible man if I didn't try to clean up my mess."

Nodding in approval of both youngsters' sense of duty, Bardan acknowledged, "Then let's get started."

Just a notice, I drew upon inspiration from Troy Denning's atrocity of a novel of Crucible for the interlude Roland had, as it was accurate for the Sorcerer of Rhand to have his revelation and turnaround. I just hope I did it well enough, or don't get flak for using a semi-decent idea, even if it was horribly executed.