Hey, everyone! How are you all faring on this warm night of Friday, April 28, 2023? I'm well, if a bit sore and tired from work. But I'm getting by, and I've written a good chunk of this chapter, thanks to a good portion of a chapter from my old Shadow Wars stories that works perfectly with this piece, but with a few minor modifications. But I thank JSailer and Squasher for writing the original draft and giving me an excellent framework for this chapter. Hopefully, I'll get to publish this one, along with a few others, in a few days or so. Well, I'd best get back to writing. I want to get this done in a couple days so I can get started on another chapter. May the Force and Lord be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

Kelona 5th, 53 ABY

East Province, Mirai Slave Camps

The objective was straightforward. Get into the camp, grab the packages, and get out. According to Atai's informants in the Zygerrian government, this set of slave camps held half a dozen key prisoners, each having memorized several critical pieces of intelligence on the enemy's off-world allies and funders, and possible sympathizers and resources waiting to be grabbed by the right hands. Quickly impressed with several of the Jedi, he agreed with the ranking Knight that they earned their first field mission and a chance to get their feet wet early in this fight.

The problem wasn't that there was a company of troops, a possible Sith and their retinue, or that the base was also under inspection by the regime's rising star; it was that they knew that Atai and his band of guerillas were coming.

Preliminary reconnaissance complicated this; showing that while getting into the base wouldn't necessarily be a problem, getting close to where the targets were and getting them out was. The enemy had positioned many of the base's patrols around that area, and Edaan suspected the Sith would be close. That meant if they even got a whiff of their presence there, they'd lockdown the base.

The trick then was to either draw them away, or at least draw away most of the base's ground forces. One soldier had suggested the Jedi just showing themselves at the front and drawing them away, but that was immediately shot down. They didn't have the numbers or resources to keep a base's garrison occupied, contend with an Sith and grab the couriers while ensuring a safe evac.

So, another plan was put into play, and that had involved hijacking a routine supply vehicle on route to the base itself.

Edaan checked his watch, looking forward to Atai, who was riding shotgun.

"Better hope they don't have scanners at the front," the Jedi Apprentice warned. Akku shook his head.

"You do realize we're driving a military-grade truck, right? These bad boys have plenty of compartments to hide all sorts of contraband."

"I dunno, I just think the plan's got a lot of holes in it."

"It's my plan."

"Exactly," Edaan put on a nervous smile as they came up to the checkpoint, and the human returned to his hiding place. The pair at the front grumbled at him as he explained their business.

"You're late," the tired looking guard said, "We'll need to check the back. Get out and open it up. Stein, keep the other one company."

"Well, we are running late," Tops, one of Atai's best soldiers, mused as she climbed down from the cab, eyeing the man's rifle he held at the ready, "and what's with all security?"

"Rebels in the area. Possible Jedi, too. Had to get help from our benefactors in case they try anything." The other trooper walked around to the back, and he held his weapon ready, "open her up, slowly."

Tops hand felt for her combat knife. She knew this too had been accounted for, but it still made him uneasy as she opened the hatchway and pulled it open. The guard looked inside with a flashlight, and seemingly had no reaction. Tops popped his head into to see the Jedi and the rest of his team inside with their weapons drawn; Ventis extending his hand out.

"All good?" Tops asked. The guard nodded and signaled his buddy to let them through.

Tops sighed quietly, mentally asking aloud, He bought it, right?

Yes. Edaan's voice replied. To the enemy guard, all he saw was a truck full of boxes. Tired minds are easy to trick.

Noted. Tops looked up to see a three-coded flash in the distance. Knowing the sniper team there had their eyes on him, Tops just casually rubbed the back of his head. They'd get the message, and in about fifteen minutes would start picking off the wall guard and the search lights.

Tops climbed back into the cab, driving them into the outer castrate of the on-alert base. Everywhere men were moving around, so it made it easy for the truck's occupants to start slipping out one by one. Atai watched them go through his rear-view mirror, shaking his head at the sight.

"Your plan, remember?" Edaan reminded him. Atai waved him off and kept driving until they hit the depot towards the back of the camp. They stuck around for a few minutes to help unload a few things before they very smoothly slipped out and started walking away.

"So, where you think they'll have the brig?" Edaan asked.

"My people are nothing if not predictable. It'll probably be around the center of the base… or right in front of us," he pointed ahead to heavily reinforced but very squat looking building that seemed to have the most amount of ground troops very casually walking around it.

"That's a lot of guys. I don't see the Sith anywhere, or their goon squad."

"Probably inside, waiting to pick up something," the two of them quickly took cover behind another building as a patrol went by. When they were clear, he put his finger to his head and closed his eyes to focus.

"Um, what are you doing?" Atai asked. Edaan looked at him crossly.

"I'm trying to give us a few more things to worry about while looking for our quarry." Pausing, Edaan spoke directly into Atai's mind, 'Center of the camp, single story. Got no eyes on the warden, though.'

Atai checked his timepiece. By now, everybody should've gotten their way around the camp to start planting bombs. The one they'd set up a mile down the road was set to go off in another ten minutes.

Meanwhile

Marra shuffled slightly, her mind straining for a moment.

"Ma'am?" one of the Zygerrian guards asked, "Are they here?"

"I don't know. I'm having a bit of trouble sorting through the minds on base, but I felt something off."

"We can lockdown the facility now if you-"

"No," she curtly replied, "If they are in, it would be better for them to spring the trap first. Catch them that way. If we go into lockdown now, they could easily slip away."

The Keshiri Sith Saber saw the Zygerrian intelligence officer she'd threatened a day earlier look at his watch. She curled her lip at him, "Have somewhere to be?"

The man met her eyes coldly, "No, I just had an idea… unless you don't want me to share it." Marra sighed and nodded for him to continue, "Routine alert protocol states that drill lockdowns can be implemented every two hours since alert status is initiated. That'll be in another ten minutes."

Marra smiled softly, "You impress me, Commander. You might actually have a brain behind bravado."

"Not bad for a furry idiot, huh?"

The Zygerrian security leader grumbled at the last bit, almost sounding like a growl. "Get a room, you two. The tension so thick I could probably shoot it."

"I second that!" Another trooper replied.

"Oh, shut up." the agent growled at them before turning back to his superior, "Look, honored Sith, you do not know me. And again, with all due respect, get bent."

Marra smiled at him like a cat staring at mouse, "You're particularly bold to be speaking to an Sith like that, Agent. Perhaps I did misjudge you."

"Um, Sarge?" one of the Troopers asked, "Can I go outside for a smoke? It's getting kinda stuffy in here."

"I thought you were supposed to be 'stoic professionals?'" Marra asked sardonically.

"Not around you apparently," The commander grumbled as he went to go check the comm lines. Marra watched him go, never encountering an inferior before who'd dare address her so bluntly; regardless of the fact she could probably kill him with her brain if she wanted. In a way, the man intrigued her unlike any she'd met previously.

He was either incredibly brave, stupid or had a death wish, or all three. Either way, intriguing. She shook her head at the distraction, returning her mind to the task at hand.

I know you're out there, Jedi. Somewhere. Take refuge in your last hour of freedom, because you will soon enjoy my mistress's hospitality for the rest of your fleetingly short lives.

Meanwhile

Edaan felt the mental barb like a bolt through the air, and his mind hardened because of it. A subconscious part of him wanted to reply in kind, but then he felt Allana hand slipped into his and he turned to look at her reassuring face. Without word or impulse, her presence was enough to soothe him, and he was glad that his longtime friend was with him now.

Ahead of the two Jedi and Atai, Tops had blended far too well with the local Imperials at the barracks, boasting loudly, "Oh believe me, gentlemen, you have not seen a line like the kind fer Kynachi brew. Stuff so thick, it'll knock you on yer arse."

"Great! Show us the goods, then!"

"Oh, I've got 'em right here! Pass 'em around!"

Allana stifled a chuckle as the older woman's flask went from hand to hand and mouth to mouth, "Sometimes, I wonder if your girlfriend's fooling herself at how good she is at these cons, or if she regrets leaving the royal army to help you."

Atai shook his head, "Honestly? I doubt it. She'd probably hold the record for getting kicked out the fastest," he pointed a finger ahead to prove his point, "observe."

One by one, the reservists started falling over with Tops chuckling with much mirth, "I told you it was gonna knock you on yer arse! Hey, you guys-oh, they're all out. Alright, I'll take you all home in an hour. I'm gonna go visit the next building."

She pressed the flask into one of the soldier's hands and pulled another one out as he moved into the next barrack complex to do the same. Edaan sighed, "Is she going to drug this entire camp? How much of that stuff did he bring?"

"Probably a cellar's worth," Atai groaned, "the woman's like the master of condense packaging. Time?"

Allana checked her watch, "Five minutes."

Elsewhere...

It started to rain. Fern grumbled up at the sight, the cold perspiration soaking his clothes and forcing him to pull his cloak over. "And it had to be kriffing hail, too."

"Gripe later," Dani, his spotter, replied, peering down at the camp through her NVG scope, "mark target, five hundred yards, 2100."

"Marked," Fern adjusted the sight-range on his sniper scope and bringing the magnification on the man's head. The installed computers kept a tally on the market targets, establishing where they were and how far they were. Fern however preferred to have a spotter to feed him that him.

"550, elevation 2100, your 11."

"Marked," he said moving his scope up to the tower, pinging him as he continued his sweeping overwatch. He spotted Atai and two of his men moving around, then Tops and a few of the others very casually walking in and out of buildings. He also noticed a growing problem.

"This rain's putting everybody inside. Our boys are gonna have to go in, too, else they gonna start grabbin' attention."

"Seems like that's already happening. 3 o'clock, down 20. Got eyes on the lovebirds."

"I see 'em," through his scope, he saw Allana and Edaan being held up by a pair of troopers. Fern trained his weapon on them, watching them trying to wriggle their way out. A small grin passed by him when he noticed them waving their hands slightly, but the men didn't budge.

"Bad luck for you to figure out not all of our people are morons. Gimme the read."

Kaiden ran the altitude, possible humidity, and the wind coverage. Normally Fern wouldn't worry about all that, but he was using a suppressed heavy caliber slugthrower, and he would need to adjust for droppage. "What you think, pop 'em?"

"I'm a little tempted to let the wizards stew for a little bit," Dani replied, a vicious grin crossing her face, "but you're clear all around."

"Hold up, here comes the drunk captain."

Tops came into view then, throwing her arms around the two troopers.

"I'm making out something along the lines of 'hey, I'm manic depressed! Wanna get wasted with me?'"

Fern looked over at Dani, "You're kinda mean, you know that?"

"Benefits of being a spotter. I get to be mean from a mile out. Uh oh, we got company. Your 2 o'clock. 750 yards."

"Got it," he slipped off the safety and felt for the trigger. He watched as another patrol of troopers were walking right in on the scene of the Jedi manhandling their comrades. They drew their weapons, shouting something along the lines of 'Get down!' Fern was suddenly glad of the rain: it would keep the noise down.

"I'm taking the shot, watch the avenue," and with that, he felt the recoil and the ping of brash flying as the man below was sent flying across the street. Fern cycled the bolt, smiling coldly as he did. "Oi, Susie, you're next!"

The other man was caught in a bind, and Fern shot him in the back as tried to run. The impact of the round practically imbedded him into the muddy floor like he'd been skewered.

"What was that about being mean?" Dani asked.

"Eh, I was provoked. Now hopefully they can get the bodies-"

His words were cut short when the bases alarms suddenly rang out and every possible light was flicked back on. Confused men started running everywhere, leaving Dani to exclaim, "What the hell!? No way somebody saw that! No frickin' way!"

"I have no idea. Hit the bomb! They better be ready to move!"

Inside the camp

Too early, too early! Atai internally swore as he, Allana and Edaan booked it as far from the bodies as they could. It didn't take long for others to find them though and for shouts to start following them.

"No way we woke up the whole neighborhood that way!" Edaan cursed aloud as they swung down an alley, "The Sith must've known we were here already!"

They suddenly felt a thunder vibration through the ground, and they turned to see a massive explosion in the backdrop light up the night. Moments later, a subsequent series of detonations began tearing through the camp. The only problem was that the alert had happened before then, and the dead and unconscious troopers had already been called in.

Edaan could already feel the wrong kind of tension in the air. While the Zygrerians had been panicked a few minutes earlier, that was now replaced by a cold discipline that a clear mission provided. They were being hunted, and the base would only dedicate the necessary number to put out the fires.

"What do we do?" Allana asked, drawing her saber.

"The only thing we can," Atai replied calmly, "take it straight to their teeth."

The resistance leader and his two Jedi bodyguards took off at a run then with their weapons blazing, slicing through anyone who tried to get in their way. All around them, they started to hear blaster fire reports and spotlights suddenly going out, and Ventis knew the chances of them getting out of this alive were growing slimmer every second.

However, he would not leave his friends and the intelligence this base held in the hands of the Sith. No matter the cost.

"Aww, such an admirable declaration," a woman's mocking voice echoed, "such a shame it will amount to nothing but your deaths."

Edaan could feel them now, cursing that he should've earlier. Troopers in black armor emerged from the shadows with their weapons trained followed by more with energy shields ignited, and at the center was a violet-skinned woman, a Keshiri, armed to the teeth and ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

Eyes glistening at recognition of her quarry, the Sith woman noted, "I knew Atai would come for his friends and bring a few Jedi, but I didn't expect the Edaan Palpatine and Allana Djo Solo to come right into my trap. I believe Lady Khai will like to get her hands on the both of you."

"Vestara." Allana froze, her voice barley a whisper, but audible for Edaan and the Sith, the latter only smirked at the horror plastered over the young woman's face.

"So, you remember my mistress after her assassination attempt on you. I think she'd be glad to finish the job she started all those years ago on Coruscant."

"Shut up." Edaan abruptly snarled, his eyes flickering between blue and gold before he focused his rage, and warned, "Stay your hand, or I'll take your head off for that."

"And I think I'll take your tongue for that, boy," She extended her hand, and her bodyguards opened fire. The Jedi raised their blades and slipped into the tight formation of Shien, sending blaster bolts hurling back at their opponents' barrages at a time while covering Atai as he fell back.

However, the assailants, with the shields and superior firepower, quickly negated this, and soon the overwhelming assault began to overtax the defenses. Allana took a blow to the shoulder, then nearly hit her legs and Edaan stepped in front to try and protect her. He took a bolt to the blade badly to the point the blade rode backward and grazed his shoulder, leaving him open for a single blast to knock his lightsaber away.

That left both Jedi vulnerable, with all their muscles strained to the breaking point and when the barrage of blaster fire suddenly stopped, they felt as though he was going to crumble to pieces from the pain alone.

He looked up tiredly to see Marra parting the phalanx to gloat a mocking runs distance away. "I think I've made my point. Don't you agree, Jedi? Don't get me wrong, that was truly impressive. But even strong scions of the Force like you two have limits when so young and inexperienced."

"Sure, you got us in a trap, and I'm about ready to drop," Allana panted before standing up straight to point her saber at her with her one good arm, "But you still have no chance, Sith."

Marra smiled coyly at him. "Pray tell, how do I have no chance? You cannot possibly hope to kill us all while protecting your friends and client, hmm?"

"No, because you like to play with your food, just like Anji." Allana smirked.

In her arrogance, Marra had made a tactical blunder. Rather than remaining behind the phalanx line where the Jedi could be stunned down with impunity, she'd chosen to step in front of them. While it only took a few seconds for her to slip back, that was all the Jedi needed for their friends to carry out the rest of the plan.

Allana, calling through the Force for her pet nexu to attack, the full-grown predator pouncing from above, just as both Jedi launched a telekinetic wave at their adversaries, distracting them for Anji to land in the heart of the squad and rip them apart.

Marra, stunned at how horribly she had been outmaneuvered, prepared to eliminate the troublesome animal before her danger senses flared up again. Just after she felt the disturbance, a series of explosions wracked the area, throwing her men into complete disarray and leaving them vulnerable for several sniper blasts from unseen enemies.

Prepared to eliminate the nexu before capturing her quarry, Marra armed her wrist launcher with a poison dart of lethal properties. Before she could take aim, she found herself grappling with Edaan, who, despite his damaged shoulder, was still a lethal adversary with his Force-enhanced strength.

Holding Marra down with his telekinetic grip, Edaan growled out, "Tell me what you know of Vestara!"

Biting out a laugh, Marra sneered, "What? You wanna kill her too, just like that old Skywalker flame of hers? I thought you Jedi were supposed to be above revenge."

Eyes growing borderline murderous at the insult, Edaan was prepared to snap the Sith's neck before Allana called out, "We have the packages! We gotta go!"

Barely holding back his desire to rip the Kesh-born woman's head off, Edaan slammed a fist on her jaw, knocking her out and loosening a few of her teeth in the process. Wishing he could kill the Sith, he contented himself with humiliating her and leaving a living example for the enemy of their doomed war.

Getting off her and dismantling her gauntlet, searching her for any valuables and possible data chips, Edaan pocketed his findings and followed Allana back to the rendezvous point.

Evading or silencing any enemy agents unfortunate enough to intercede with their path, all Edaan could think about was how far Vestara Khai had fallen if she was willing to get involved with the slave trade, and whether he could truly save her from herself and her self-appointed road of perdition.

Kelona 10th, 53 ABY

Outpost Soa

Finally finding Allana tending to the Brezaks, Atai waited until the Hapan Chume'da finished handling their feed and working with their owners to approach her. Appraising the Jedi Apprentice, all covered in dirt and sweat, the resistance leader lightly noted, "I see you've fully recovered from your injuries."

"Jedi healing trances can do wonders." Allana shrugged. "Besides, I might be a little sore, but I'd rather be doing something useful instead of lying in a hospital bed when others need it more."

"You certainly aren't like most royalty I've ever met. Most princes and princesses I've met prefer palaces and sophistication to the simplicity and gritty lifestyle of the everyday people and war."

"Was that intended to be a compliment, or an insult?" Allana chuckled. "I can be all regal and serious when needed, but I find it best to keep my feet and mind planted firmly on the ground if only so I don't end up spoiled and lost in my ego."

Seeing the gaze from Atai, how his smile hid the concern and serious intent in his eyes, something was going to be different about this conversation. "What can I help you with?" Allana only asked.

"I want you to tell me about Edaan and his connection with Vestara Khai." Atai got right to the point. "I remember how intense and vicious he was when the Sith brought up her mistress's name, and I can tell this is a deeply personal matter. I need to know just what's going on with him, and if his history will impact this mission."

"And for that matter, I need to know if Vestara won't be an issue for you too." Atai pointed out. "After what she did to you and your family, I can understand how difficult it must be for you to possibly face her again."

All amusement and joy vanishing from Allana's face, and she suggested, "I don't know if it's my place to say. It's… a complicated issue, and it'll be best if you hear it straight from Edaan himself."

"I would, but he's been avoiding me since we returned from our last mission." Atai pointed out. "After he spoke with you for a half hour."

Glancing to the side, hesitating to break her friend's trust, Allana proposed, "I'll give you the details, but you'll have to talk with Edaan afterwards. I know where he is for the rest of the day, and you can get the rest of the story from him."

Nodding, Atai sat on a nearby boulder, beckoning for Allana to begin.

"It's not me you have to worry about when facing Vestara. If I have to fight her, I can do it without malice or anger. It's what Bazel and my friends would want. But Edaan, he doesn't want to fight her at all. He wants to save her."

Two Hours Later

"Jedi Palpatine, I need to have a word with you. Could you come with me to my office, please?" Atai told Edaan. Seeing the young man assisting the rest of his allies and fellow Jedi, Atai knew what he was about to do was the right decision.

Motioning for Edaan to follow him, Atai led the way to the old office building's conference room, where the rebel leader quickly began, "I want to talk to you about Vestara."

His guard up, Edaan reservedly asked, "What about her?"

"I know about your old bond with her, and your goal of redeeming her." Atai paused before admitting, "Allana told me the gist of your goals."

"And do you find issue with that?" Edaan carefully uttered out.

"Not really." Atai shook his head, elaborating, "I appreciate the Jedi way of redemption and applaud your earnest and honorable adherence to that creed. And I understand the personal goal of saving someone who put you on a noble path and healing old wounds of hate and bitterness."

"But I just want to make sure that your quest won't interfere with our overall mission here. I can't afford to jeopardize my efforts to free my homeworld without just cause. If you're too conflicted, I'll need to have you leave and let us handle the war."

Glancing to the side, Edaan earnestly admitted, "Part of me wants to go after Vestara with all I've got and knock a gallon's load of sense into her. Along with Ben, Luke, and everyone else who'd kill her in a heartbeat."

But a moment later, he acknowledged, "But the rest of me, I know that I'm not nearly strong enough to stand a chance against her. If I'm going to confront her, I need to be at my best, which means learning many skills and techniques that she's not likely to know."

Returning his gaze to Atai, Edaan promised, "I'm not going to go off on my own in a suicidal gambit to save Vestara or endanger everyone here just to satisfy a personal agenda, you don't have to worry about that. I'll follow all your orders and do what I can to help free this planet from its ancient curse. It's what my family- both the Jedi and mine of birth- would want me to do."

Appraising the Jedi Apprentice, a seventeen-year-old human man with a build most of his kind would do anything to get, Atai knew what was to come next. "Well then, what do you say we put your skills and convictions to the test? I have a meeting with several resistance cells from our fellow slave-dominated worlds in a few weeks, and I think you'll do well with this crowd."

"What do you mean by that?" Edaan asked. "I thought you had strong ties with all twenty insurgent leaders."

"Not all of them are as flexible as the rest might be." Atai clarified. "And I recall Kyle and Jaden saying you were a master of persuasion and a gifted orator, so if you want to take a step towards saving Vestara, help me convince these leaders to unite and bring us closer to freeing our worlds."

"We leave in three weeks. Until then, you're confined to this base and ordered to study up on the seven leaders we'll be meeting with. Consider it a test of how well you can follow orders and study up."

"Very well." Edaan acquiesced, before asking, "Just out of curiosity, have we managed to recover the intel from our guests?"

"We just cracked the encryption. And it'll be quite useful in our upcoming negotiations." Atai admitted. "You'll be given all essential information when the time is right."

Kelona 14th, 53 ABY

Capital City, Zygerrian Slavers Guild Headquarters

'Well, isn't this interesting.' De'ralla Invoa mused after finishing combing through the latest intelligence report from the outlying garrisons. According to the data from the recent raids across the East Province and surrounding areas, and the debriefing Marra Hikara gave her after reporting to her fellow Sith, the Jedi had sent several of their best fighters to work alongside the traitors.

Along with Allana Djo Solo, Atai had recruited Edaan Palpatine and about two dozen other elite Jedi in training the rebels into a cohesive fighting force. And with the six prisoners, each rumored to have strong ties with a different insurgent movement across the Outer Rim, rescued from their incarceration and their information now in the Jedi's hands, they were about to be that much more well-funded and connected.

But with plenty of diligent work, a few favors to call in from their former competitors, and asking for the Sith's help, she De'ralla now had a decent idea of what the enemy was planning. According to the Thalassans and other slaver societies spies, a few of the insurgent networks were remaining obstinate in being convinced to cooperate with their likeminded organizations, and a meeting was being held on an old Sith stronghold to try and form an official coalition.

Where the meeting was, De'ralla did not yet know. But given enough clues and time, she would have the definitive answer, and then she could work with Lady Kitai and their combined forces in nipping this growing problem in the bud before it grew out of control. And it would be quite the demoralizing blow to the Jedi and their lackeys if many of their prized pupils were destroyed or turned against them. Oh, the possibilities were almost endless to fantasize, but they could wait until the job was done.

Well, I think this is a good place to end the chapter. What do you think? It was a good use of recycling an old excerpt and helps move the story along while preparing for the next encounter between the Jedi, Sith, and their friends and allies. If you have constructive criticism, please let me know in a respectful manner. So, how are you all doing on this warm night of Saturday, April 29, 2023? I hope you're all hanging in there in these dark times, and I hope you're all staying strong. That's what I'm doing. Well, I'd best get this chapter stored away until I can publish it. I hope you all have a blessed night, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!