Hey, everyone! How are you all doing on this warm afternoon of Monday, April 24, 2023? I'm well, if a bit rusty from the month and a half I spent outlining the rest of the Jedi Odyssey Rewrite saga. I was tired of winging it as I wrote, and realized I needed to streamline my process to better improve my writing, and iron out any flaws in my story. And I've been rather despondent from the world and country, and all the madness gripping my country. Let me tell you, state capital riots, governments breaking up families and indoctrinating children in ridiculous ideas, it's all pure evil, among the rest of the insanity gripping this plane of existence. But you don't want to read about that. You want to read my story and all it beholds. And I'll start with the 4th character interlude, this one of Atai Molec. But I'll work to make the chapters smaller from here on out to make it more like a novel and make it easier to follow. Of course, that means I'll have to take a bit longer writing, but it'll be worth it. Well, with all the small out of the way, I'd better get back to writing. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
Helona 12th, 53 ABY
Zygerria, Drukarg Highlands
Aboard the CEC YV-865 Aurore-class Freighter Liberty
Preparing to launch their final attack on the last enemy bastion of Zygerria's eons-old rot of slavery and its complicit monarchial government, the diverse coalition of unlikely allies were ready to finally end this war and bring the first of twenty corrupt worlds into the light of freedom and liberty. Jedi, resistance fighters, privateers, sympathetic government troops and many more allies, they were all united in excising the cancerous rot of slavery from the galaxy and damage its Sith allies, regardless of the political consequences from small-minded fools that held the forces of good back.
And at the forefront of this last push, working alongside Atai Molec, the leader of the Zygerria Liberation Front, were two of the Jedi Order's best apprentices: Allana Djo Solo and Edaan Palpatine. Two rising lights in the galaxy, each heir to a great and terrible bloodline, depending on who's perspective one heeded, they had proven crucial in creating the second incarnation of the Outer Rim Alliance and laying the groundwork for eradicating one of the galaxy's last notorious holdouts of the foul practice of slavery.
But before the final battle began, Edaan, listening intently to the wide array of leaders and commandos going over the attack strategy one last time, prepared himself for the inevitable carnage that was sure to follow. Not even Allana, her soothing presence and regal composure, could fully quell the doubts that worked to gnaw away at his resolve.
But interrupting his dreadful ruminations, Edaan sensed an eager presence come before him, and he sighed, knowing just who was trying to bring him out of his dark reflections. Sighing, he turned his head down to see the diminutive Robonino walk right up to him, and asked the aquatic mercenary, "Something I can help you with, Robo?"
"Actually, I was hoping I could help you, boss." Robonino calmly answered, an unusual turn from his usually jovial self. "Akku and Allana are worried about you and asked me to give you a bit of a pep-talk before we reach the drop zone."
"You should be proud of yourself, Edaan. Over these last six months, you and your friends helped twenty disparate resistance networks unite into a force capable of bringing each of their worlds out of the Dark Ages and free countless souls from the bondage of slavery. That's no small feat."
Quieting his voice, Robonino softly added, "And you got a few new friends to help you when you start your personal quest. That's something to be happy over, or at least satisfied."
Smiling despite himself, Edaan reminded Robonino, "I was hardly alone in this fight. And knowing Vestara and her faction in the Lost Tribe are so deeply involved in the galactic slave trade, it breaks my heart even more, even if it further strengthens my resolve to save her."
Breathing out his fears, his anger, and all that weighed his spirit down, Edaan promised, "But you don't have to worry about me right now. I know what's at stake for this planet, its victims, and all our allies, and I don't intend to let any of them down. I've killed too many enemies and helped our new coalition build too much to let all our efforts go to waste, never mind let my friends do all the fighting at this crucial juncture."
"Well, at least you have the right set of priorities, sort of." Robonino ruefully chuckled, before reminding Edaan, "Still, if you ever want to talk, the offer remains open for anytime."
"I'll remember to keep that in mind if I change my mind." Edaan good-naturedly promised before noticing the time on the ship's digital clock. By now, the main flotillas were ready to launch their first attacks, and the Liberty would be right in the thick of the fighting. "It's almost time. I'll see you again on the other side."
Feeling the ship accelerate towards the planet's final stronghold of slavery, Edaan steeled himself for the carnage that was upon everyone, even as his mind flashed back to when this mission first began, and every major facet of what brought everyone to this point.
Six Months Earlier
Welona 35th, 52 ABY
Jedi Temple, Shedu Maad
Operations Planning Center
Assembled alongside a group of fifteen Jedi, a wide mix of Apprentices and Knights from six different species, Edaan anxiously waited for his master to give them the briefing for this bizarre meeting. Even though he knew what Kyle Katarn, the Grand Master of the Jedi Order, called each of these highly skilled and capable fighters for, he wasn't one to give away crucial details when it wasn't necessary.
Ignoring the quiet whispers and rumor-sharing among his fellow Jedi, Edaan recalled everything he knew about Zygerria and its disgusting adherence to the practice of slavery. For millennia, the Outer Rim world had raided other planets, captured countless innocent souls, and profited off the repulsive slave trade while constructing a terrible empire built on the bones of all those they despoiled.
It was only when the Jedi and Old Republic had first defeated the Zygerrians centuries before, that they were driven into shameful exile, until the Clone War and the return of the Sith had catapulted them back to their ill-gotten prosperity and notoriety. Of course, with the fall of Sidious's Empire and the return of freedom across the galaxy, the slaver society was shunted to obscurity, especially with more recent groups like Freedom Flight and the reborn Jedi Order taking strong measures to stamp out the slave trade across the distant corners of the galactic fringes.
But over the last several years, the distant Outer Rim planet, along with its remaining rivals in the abominable practice, were experiencing a quiet resurgence through unseen backers and unholy alliances with equally despicable individuals and groups. Combined with the chaos having swept across the galaxy and the apathy of the major galactic powers against most external matters, the enemies of freedom were emboldened and empowered to resume their immoral trades with a vengeance.
All conversation halted when everyone sensed Kyle entering the room, his wizened face, greying hair, and grave eyes conveying the seriousness of the imminent briefing. Approaching the center of the chamber, typing a series of commands into the main console, the Grand Master began the briefing. "I assume most of you know why you're here. But for those that were pulled onto this mission at the last moment, I'll give you the sitrep. This will be a long-term and off-the-books mission deep in enemy territory. More specifically, the planet of Zygerria and assisting a local resistance network in overthrowing the slave-run society."
The moment Kyle finished speaking, an uproar broke out from most of the Jedi. Disbelief, apprehension, eagerness, emotions were flaring high amongst them. It was only after Jaden raised his hands and unleashed a brief volley of lightning upwards to silence everyone.
"Thank you, Jaden." Kyle coolly thanked his old friend and former student, not phased in the slightest from the display of raw and flamboyant power. Resuming the briefing, he continued, "Now, to be frank, this was not a mission you were for chosen lightly. It will test many of you to your limits and beyond, and some of you might not make it back."
"And just so there is no confusion amongst your purpose out there, you are not going to be gallivanting about as if you were on a crusade or on a mission like those from a child's holofilm. You are to work alongside the natives who are fighting to abolish the slave trade and remake their society, teaching them the best ways to fight and reclaim their freedom."
"This will largely be a covert operation. You will help train the fighters to help them win their war to their best ability while gathering intelligence on Zygerria's operations to determine if the Order as a whole, and our allies will need to officially involve ourselves in their struggle."
"We already have another three dozen Jedi in the region, assisting likeminded fighters across twenty worlds with a similar plight, working to unite them all into a cohesive fighting force." Jaden added. "Needless for me to remind you all, it'll be a difficult endeavor, but one that we know that everyone here is capable of accomplishing."
"You set out in three weeks. We'll need that long to get your covers in place and establish a secure route to Zygerria."
"Good luck, and use your remaining time wisely to prepare before you all begin your mission. May the Force be with you all."
Elona 13th, 53 ABY
Zygerria, Capital City
Royal Palace
"What do you want from me, Invidious?" De'Nal Scintel, the king of the slave trader hub of Zygerria, brusquely addressed the shrouded Sith Lord. Having been interrupted from his extravagant feast by Lord Krayt's representative and his cryptic clairvoyant messages, it left the corrupt and arrogant monarch in a fouler mood than usual, which was saying a lot of the immature leader. "You know I'm typically unavailable at this hour after the exhaustive efforts of governing my people."
"I would advise you to watch your words more carefully, Your Highness. Many of my fellow Sith are not as charitable or patient as me." Invidious cautioned the dull-witted Sith pawn, taking off his hood before resuming his briefing, "Our intelligence agents embedded in your staff have picked up unusual traffic throughout the outlying territories of your world, regions that are suspected to have sympathies to your traitors and their off-world clients."
Irritably raising an eyebrow over such routine information, De'Nal scoffed, "You disturbed me during my favorite meal, simply to give me information over the rabble and their cowardly puppeteers?"
"There is more, much more, that should concern you." Invidious continued without losing any traction. "We've also picked up many transmissions leading off-world, messages traced beyond your region of space, and connected with many worlds and leaders that share your views on slavery but are plagued by seditionists that plague their rule."
Now that piece of information caught De'Nal attention, and he warily eyed the Arkanian, "What kind of transmissions?"
"I'll be sending it to you and your advisors once I conclude this call. But it seems our activities are catching some unwanted attention."
"Jedi?" De'Nal warily guessed. If they were catching on to this operation, then he needed to be prepared for the worst, and ready his people for a possible siege of their center of operations.
"Possibly." Invidious allowed. "But I would rather avoid that kind of speculation this early until we have acquired a bit more information. Nevertheless, I would strongly counsel you to tighten your security and root out this growing unrest before it explodes into a full-on insurrection."
Grunting in reluctance, De'Nal agreed, "I'll speak with my admirals on this. I think they made me aware of a commander who is perfect for investigating this corruption and excising it." Recalling how one of his rising stars in his army and navy, a young commander he believed was named De'ralla Invoa, had been a vocal critic of the monarchy's half-hearted efforts to destroy the rebel cells fermenting in the outlying territories, he believed this would be a perfect chance for a trial by fire.
"Very good." Invidious nodded. "I'll leave the rest in your people's capable hands. Don't disappoint the Dread Lord. He is not as forgiving as failure as I am."
"One of these days…" De'Nal left that thought unfinished, both out of fear and vivid imagination. Honestly, he was getting tired of being underestimated by the Sith and his own subjects. Soon enough, he would prove to them all that he was more than a spoiled and pampered brat that couldn't do anything on his own. One day, very soon, he would show them all how he could live up to his people's great and feared heritage, eventually waging war against all their ancient enemies just as they did centuries ago. He just needed a chance to prove himself.
Elona 25th, 53 ABY
South Province, Zygerria Liberation Front Outpost Soa
"Welcome, all of you honored guests." Atai humbly greeted the fifteen Jedi after debarking their shuttles. "We are grateful for your presence and what you will do for us in this noble cause."
After waiting about a month for their reinforcements, having to arrange for the necessary transportation, disguises, and agents required to bring them here, the leader of the Zygerrian Liberation Front was eager to put them to work and help him teach his disheveled followers a few things about fighting and winning a war. And working in the planet's jungles and facing its feral wildlife would be a perfect place to test everyone's abilities and prepare them for guerilla warfare.
But before they could turn this righteous fight around, Atai needed to know just who he was working with. And he intended to assess everyone to determine where they could best serve the burgeoning resistance network.
"I will warn you now, these next several months will not be pretty." Atai dispensed with the pleasantries, adopting a cold gaze while his eyes analyzed the disparate group. "You all will be helping teach those around you not only how to conduct a war, but to survive and lead this world once we overthrow its current form of government. And many of my supporters and backers don't think well of the Jedi Order as a whole, so you'll have to deal with a strong current of anti-Jedi sentiment for quite a while."
"Which is why, for the next few days, we're going to take it easy on you and assess your strengths and weaknesses, to see where we can make the most use of your unique talents, and work to make you all better Jedi for serving the peace after you are finished here."
"Get situated away in the huts, and then report back here in thirty minutes." Atai stopped upon seeing a particular human teenage man standing beside his fellow Jedi, drinking in every word and detail of this impromptu introduction.
This young man, the resistance leader knew too well from the countless HoloNet stations making a drama over Edaan Palpatine and his shocking and blazing debut into the galaxy three years ago. Having already known the last descendant of Darth Sidious was a part of the Jedi Order and slowly rising through its ranks, it rankled Atai more than he ever thought possible. The last thing anyone needed was a Sith Lord of his caliber being created from within the Jedi's own ranks. Why they allowed him to hone his Force Sensitivity and risk the debut of another Palpatine Sith confounded him.
Under ordinary circumstances, Atai would hardly consider working with a relative of the most genocidal and spiteful Sith Lord of recent history. But Grand Master Kyle Katarn, a man with impeccable judgement and honor, took the young Palpatine under his wing and personally taught him as his apprentice, and vouched for his character and potential when he first suggested putting Edaan here.
So, for the sake of the mission, Atai and his people would swallow their doubts and trust his friend's counsel, but he would be sure to push Edaan to and past his absolute limits, not only to help him hone his skills, but to glimpse into the boy's true self and determine if he could trust him.
No matter how this righteous fight ended, Atai knew these next few months would be the most interesting of his life. He only hoped it concluded in a victory for the downtrodden and oppressed slaves and their sympathizers.
Well, this is a good place to end the first of dix interlude chapters for Atai Molec. I know, it's exponentially shorter than the others, but I'm going to do it this way going forward so I can get back into my groove, and so I can better manage my stories. I hope this is acceptable, as I'll release these interim chapters three at a time, just so I have time to review and revise my works. So, how are you all doing on this warm day of Tuesday, April 25, 2023? I'm all right, if confounded and appalled by many current events, but determined to make a difference and carry on the struggle for the soul of the United States. And, in equally depressing news, today's the 9th anniversary of the cancelation of the Expanded Universe. Man, does that make my heart ache and blood boil badly! Oh, and I'll have to work the next three days, so my writing might be a little slower than I like. I hope you all understand. Have a blessed afternoon, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
