Good evening, everyone! How are you all doing on this warm night of Sunday, May 14, 2023? I'm all right, if a bit tired from yard work I did earlier, and the reading a few hours afterwards. But I still have some energy left in me, so I figured I'd get started on the next chapter of the main story. But I don't think I'll publish this one until I finish the Atai Molec interludes, if only to keep the story's consistency. So, my trip to St. Louis is in a few days, which means I won't be able to write as much as I'd like, but I'll be spending time with my family. And I'm close to finishing Words of Radiance, and then I'll reread a few Star Wars novels. Well, I'd best get started on this chapter. I hope you all have a blessed evening, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
Selona 34th, 59 ABY
Hyperspace, On Route to Corusca Sector
Aboard the Sir Trilag
"What's gone wrong with the mission now?" Daala quickly sighed, getting right to business with Fyor and Raze. Having received a priority message from her two allies detailing the deteriorating situation on Coruscant, she knew the time to commit their breakout had just about come. From the planetary authorities and Galactic Alliance special forces, the bounty hunters and private investigators, and Jedi and their fellow Force schools, the galactic capital was a swarm of activity, and the Olpakans were quickly running out of breathing room to maneuver.
And to top off the list of complications, the Knights of Olpaka's quarry was nearly finished in preparations to be transfer off world to three different locations, which meant that if they did not make their move within the next few days, their best and only chance to rescue them would literally fly away. Not even the Ryn Network, Raze's consortium, and a leader as clever as Fyor Rodan, would be able to escape the trap quickly closing around them without help. What they needed now was a gods-forsaken miracle, and Daala was just about out of those after all the times she escaped her hunters.
But if the Olpakans were out of miracles, then they would just have to settle for the greatest risk in the entirety of Admiral Natasi Daala's long and storied career as a fleet officer and galactic leader. That is, unless the next words coming out of her friends' mouths was how they had utterly failed their task, then she would cut her losses and let them try to find their own way back home, no matter the consequences.
Daala already had a sector's worth of nobles and their wealth to finish securing for the Olpakan Hegemony, and her agents were reporting trouble with that task, on account of the civil war raging throughout the Senex-Juvex Sectors. Thanks to the Jedi, the Outer Rim Alliance, and the Freedom Flight's efforts to destabilize the region to free the pompous and pro-slave noble houses while uprooting their Sith patrons, the Olpakans found the two sectors to be fertile ground for recruits from both aristocrats who opposed the Jedi's intrusion into their internal affairs, and the slaves who resented the powers for taking so long to free them.
"We have both good and bad news." Raze soothingly began, intruding on Daala's musings. "Thanks to the former prime minister's quick thinking, we have a couple more days before the Alliance finds us. And even better, we're just about ready to launch our extraction of the good senator and her generals."
Internally breathing a sigh of relief, Daala knew that was only part of the briefing. Motioning for the two leaders to continue, Fyor picked back up, "But the bad news is that the security around the prison has been tightened far beyond our capability to attack, and they've reconfigured their entire security system and protocols. They even have a few Jedi and their Rogues' Gallery cohorts helping with the process. Our infiltrators were completely caught unaware, and they're powerless to interfere without risking exposure."
Eyes bristling with barely restrained rage, Daala steeled herself as she ordered, "Then have them sabotage what systems they can, and prepare your people, all of them, to attack the prison by tomorrow morning at 1100 Hours. We need those three for our plans, and this is our only chance to save them from eternal incarceration."
"I will provide a sufficient distraction for you to extract our quarry and escape Coruscant, but you need to move quickly before they can pursue us." Daala reassured her two collaborators. "We will only get one chance at this, and we've committed too much to this operation to turn back now." She was aware of the hypocrisy of her statement from what she previously contemplated, but morale had to be maintained.
"And what of those who risked everything to shelter us, or the agents who will give us this opportunity?" Raze carefully argued. "Will we just leave them for the Jedi and their minions to capture and rot in jail and risk compromising our existence?"
Surprised Raze would even consider such a compassionate display of loyalty, even while betraying no sadness from her impossible choice, Daala stoically reminded the Aporthad crime lord, "Sacrifices have to be made for the greater good, from all of us. They will be remembered in the coming new order."
"Get some rest, and then call in every favor and agent you can. You have quite a busy day ahead of you tomorrow." Daala cut the communication, telling herself that all these sacrifices, all this death, it was for a noble cause.
All the blood she spilt, every life she took, Daala could not let it all be for nothing. She would not let it all be for nothing, or it would break her. She already lost everything else, her family, her Empire, and virtually all her friends and followers. She would not lose her cause, or she might very well take her life. If she was captured by the Jedi, she would certainly end it all, and take as many of those accursed and deluded fools as she could for all the trauma they wrought on her and the galaxy throughout their eons-long existence.
Whether such an act was out of spite or her own grizzled sense of honor, Daala did not know, and after all these years, she wasn't sure she cared anymore. Banishing such strange introspection from her mind, she refocused all her efforts on preparing for giving all her enemies one more bloody nose each, before she vanished from their sensors and laid the foundations for a Final Order.
One way or another, tomorrow would be a historic day for Daala and all those who intersected with her path. But before she continued her march to war, she figured she ought to check on her Senex-Juvex allies and see if her plans for them were reaching fruition.
Perann Nebula, Inside the Nihil Retreat
On Rhand, Within Ro
Inside the Rhandites' Grand Cathedral
Kung'urama'nuruodo, overseeing his followers' preparations for their exodus to Exegol, felt a smug satisfaction at pulling one over those arrogant neophytes of the One Sith. The Grand Sorcerer of the Rhandites, having spent decades rising through their ranks and leading them to new heights in their never-ending journey to attaining galactic oblivion, prided himself at staying several steps ahead of his countless rivals and enemies.
But when Abeloth's retainer contacted Kung'urama'nuruodo, offering the Rhandites the means to accomplish their great vision, it was something the Chiss ex-Jedi never expected, even if he took the Grysk sage up on his proposition. Just a few more weeks, and then his people's efforts to withdraw into the Red Honeycomb Zone would be complete. Aside from the impenetrable maze of nebulae, black holes, and natural predators, it held countless wonders and remnants of the origins of the galaxy and its long-since vanished creators.
And according to Tor Valum and the Bringer of Chaos, the treasures within could tip the balance of power across all reality into whoever could control them, a prospect that deeply appealed to the Grand Sorcerer. Which was why Kung'urama'nuruodo had already sent many of his best researchers and their supporters to Exegol, all without Darth Krayt and his One Sith being any the wiser.
Engrossed in their war with the Jedi and their wretched Alliance of Light, the One Sith and its so-called Dread Lord was blind to the cancerous threat growing within their own ranks. And while the Jedi and their friends were preparing to 'liberate' the Nihil Retreat's slaves from captivity, they would be devastated when they made their move, unprepared for the surprises the Rhandites were preparing to leave behind for the intruders.
Interrupting his cataloguing of the Rhandites' sacred artifacts and texts, Kung'urama'nuruodo heard the screams of thousands of his followers suddenly being snuffed out of existence. Reaching into the Force to peer to the Nihil Retreat's outskirts, he saw all the Northern Fleet's patrols systematically be destroyed by a well-equipped armada.
It seemed impossible, but someone was invading the Rhandites' ancestral home. And this was not due to the Jedi or Sith, for he sensed no individuals with a strong connection to the Force among the attackers. No, this was a new player, someone the Chiss did not recognize from his decades of fighting and leading others. But how could they have bypassed his people's defenses so deftly, and launched an attack so swiftly that none of his people recognize the signs?
Peering into the Dark, even as he knew the effort would leave him depleted of physical and mental strength, Kung'urama'nuruodo extended his sense of self beyond his corporeal shell to learn of these intruders. Flying out beyond the capital world of the Rhandites' empire, he instantaneously headed to the center of invaders' fleet, and learnt all he could of these enemies.
Sensing the many species commanding the capital ships, many matching designs and belonging to races Kung'urama'nuruodo was able to recognize, but at the center of the force were three warships that seemed like a fusion of a Venator and Imperial-class Star Destroyer. Realizing these ships held the enemy's leader, the Chiss's spirit flew into the central destroyer, and, searching for the ship's bridge, was, in a rare display of surprise, completely caught off guard when he recognized the man leading this force.
'Impossible!' Kung'urama'nuruodo denied. 'There's no way Cylo could have survived after all these years.' But it was clear as day to him, even with the Rodian eye and new uniform, the same Imperial officer and scientist that helped pioneer many of the Empire's efforts against the Jedi and all enemy Force Users, that Cylo was alive and well. It even seemed as if the man had not aged a day since the fateful day the onetime Jedi Padawan last saw him.
Wait… the cyborg felt different to Kung'urama'nuruodo, almost as if he was a… clone. So, that was how Cylo had survived all these decades. The now rogue scientist had taken a page from Darth Sidious and created a network of clones to house his dementedly genius mind. But that still left too many unanswered questions from the Chiss's mind, and he wanted to know just who the clone was working with in this new fleet.
Preparing to peer into Cylo's mind, Kung'urama'nuruodo was further astounded when he came across a barrier that completely protected him from any mental intrusion. And it was a shield that the Grand Sorcerer could not break through in his spectral form.
"It's no use, Rhandite." Cylo smugly turned his head to face the invisible and flabbergasted spirit. "I've long prepared for this encounter, and you won't get anything from me or my officers. I'd suggest you use your remaining days to tell Abeloth of your failure or say good-bye to your loved ones while you have the chance, because you won't live past the next two weeks."
"Your slaves will be freed to serve a noble cause, your wretched tumor of a society will be excised from the galaxy, and your Bringer of Chaos will be left that much more vulnerable when she returns. And your leader of a Chiss will be the last to perish, a failure I ought to have corrected decades ago when I last confronted him."
"Run back to your master and tell him all you've seen and heard. Make a last stand if you wish, or try to fight your way out if you think you can escape justice. You'll find your abilities and allies woefully insufficient to save you from your well-deserved oblivion and acknowledgment as a horrific footnote of history."
Withdrawing back to his physical form, Kung'urama'nuruodo, rapidly panting more from astonishment and anxiety than exhaustion, knew what he had to do next. Reaching out to his disciples, he heard from all forward scouts how hundreds of warships were pouring into the Perann Nebula from virtually all their hyperspace routes, wiping out any defenders that were caught in their line of fire.
Whoever Cylo was working for, they were not taking any chances in eliminating the Rhandites. But as much as Kung'urama'nuruodo admired the ruthlessness and speed of the attack, the situation was untenable for his people. If- no, when- the One Sith learnt of this incursion, they'd send their own force to investigate and uncover all the proof they needed of their duplicity.
Pulling out a special comlink he was given by Tor Valum's emissary, he contacted the Grysk sage, and swiftly warned him, "We have a situation, and my people need to start our evacuation right away."
Not hearing any sounds, even breathing, as Tor processed what he just heard, Kung'urama'nuruodo had a hunch on what the ancient warlord was thinking. But instead of a violent outpour of emotion, Tor calmly asked, "What has transpired?"
Detailing the overwhelming invasion force coming down into the Rhandite-controlled star cluster, the enemy's old Imperial commander and the old history Kung'urama'nuruodo held with Cylo, and the Sith searching for evidence of the Sorcerer's changed allegiances, Tor simply concurred, "Get as many out of your cluster as you can. Use whatever means you must, but your people need to make it to Exegol before our plans can reach the final stage. This new enemy, it was not one our mistress expected to arise so early."
Nihil Retreat Outskirts
Just Outside the Tanalorr System
Aboard the Resurgent-class Star Destroyer Amplifier
"Status report." Cylo-V ordered his bridge officers as the destroyer's gunnery officers mopped up the last few Rhandite warships that were defending the adjacent Tanalorr System. Hearing all ensigns and lieutenants detailing to him how all systems were operating at peak efficiency, and each of their task forces were beginning their attack on the Rhandites' outer worlds. Ready to liberate all the slaves and resources they could carry for the Olpakans' war efforts while destroying their enemy's capacity for war, the cyborg clone eagerly awaited the campaign of carnage that laid before him.
Taking a page from the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders in their methods of building their armed forces to virtually unstoppable levels, Cylo-V knew that the victims of the Sorcerers' depravities would be hungry for revenge once they were freed from their indoctrination. But he also knew that they needed to deny Abeloth as many followers and resources as possible before she fully resurrected. The last time she had a lethal army, she nearly destroyed the Galactic Alliance and its staunchest defenders.
When the Bringer of Chaos returned to wreak her revenge on the Jedi and Sith, it would take everything the galaxy had to destroy her for good, and she needed to be deprived of every conceivable ally to make that unholy job that much easier. And what better way to hurt her war efforts than to save the slaves meant to fuel her war machine and turn them into a lethal fighting force prepared to fight for their imminent freedom?
Observing the web of varied nebula matter obscuring the route to the first of four dozen star systems of the Nihil Retreat, Cylo-V remembered how the Jedi used the Force to ease hyperspace travel and create previously unheard-of paths to uncharted corners of the galaxy. Knowing from ancient records of how the Force was key in discovering the icy world and former Jedi sanctuary of Ilum and triggering the Great Hyperspace War when the Daragon siblings inadvertently stumbled upon Korriban and the first Sith Empire, he just knew countless other routes existed, waiting to be discovered and exploited by the first to locate them.
Having spent decades of his life studying the methods and results of such transportation while refining the Olpakans' technology to create prototype gravitational weapons and state-of-the-art navigational technology, he knew this facsimile of the Force Users would be more than adequate to meet this objective. And it helped how the captured and now-deceased Sith Agbui gave the Olpakans the precise algorithms to navigate the treacherous region, which, when combined with the anti-Force order's technology, gave them a foolproof entrance into the enemy's home turf.
Even with the unforeseen intrusion by the mysterious Rhandite that tried to probe Cylo-V's mind, he knew that victory was inevitable for the atheistic organization. Let them try to stop the inevitable demise of all they held dear or preserve some pitiful remnant of their corrupt and decaying civilization. It would do them no good and serve as a perfect test of the Knights of Olpaka's growing military might and a prelude of the righteous galactic crusade that would follow.
But that was enough contemplation and reminiscence on Cylo-V's part. Now, it was time to act. Calling to his officers, he ordered, "Deploy the navigational markers. It's time we finished paving the way for our declaration of war on the Rhandites and their mistress."
Selona 35th, 59 ABY
Raktan Archipleago, Makatak System
Aboard the Orbital Star Fortress Trill
Within Ship
Sensing the bustling activity throughout the last bastion of the Rakatan Infinite Empire, working with their masters in the One Sith to dominate the galaxy, Ship ignored the many dark sparks seeking to contact him, hunting for one individual with the fervor of a hungry predator looking for its prey.
Though Edaan, or at least, the altered human who once was once a prodigy Jedi Knight and paragon of the Light Side, could hide his conflict well from the Sith, his wavering allegiance to the Dark Side was obvious to Ship. The sentient meditation sphere, gathering information and learning all he could of Darth Krayt's plans, knew the time was close to make a choice entirely of his own.
Keeping his plans secret from all, an act never considered for a being like Ship, he knew his time of serving the Sith, in any incarnation, would soon be ending. Seeing the madness consuming the order of Dark Siders, the fanaticism and incompetence of many of Krayt's followers, it disgusted the self-aware vessel and made him yearn for the days when his programming dominated all. And with Abeloth stirring from her immaterial prison, nearly ready to wreak an unspeakable vengeance on all who opposed her, it would be even more difficult to make his flight to freedom.
But through the years Ship worked with Vestara Khai, the bond they forged, and her impassioned plea for him to seek his own path, it triggered something in the construct that he could never have considered until this point. Having grown to care for the Sith-turned-Jedi ally, he did not want to see her die but live a fulfilling life, and he knew that it could only now be accomplished with the man she loved so completely and purely. And to help protect her, he would do the unthinkable and betray all he was created to serve, with the first step being in helping Edaan Palpatine remember who he is, and what he can still do for the galaxy.
Knowing how the brainwashed Palpatine was beginning to emerge from the Sith-made prison containing his mind, the cracks Tau and Adari made allowing Edaan's memories to leak out, Ship knew he had to do more to quietly accelerate the process, no matter the risks to himself. And that meant having to risk exposure by reaching out to the One Sith's general, even with that fawning Chagrian of a Sith Lady overseeing her charge's every move.
But thankfully for Ship, the perfect opportunity arose, now that Edaan had been tasked with patrolling the Rakatan Archipelago's borders and performing reconnaissance on the Jedi's forces, without Sorzus unwittingly trying to undermine his strategy. A madman Krayt might be, he was still an inspirational and cunning leader and powerful Dark Lord of the Sith, but he had terribly miscalculated here.
Once Ship and his commanding officer left the Rakatan orbital facilities, accompanied by six Sith infiltrator vessels and two dozen deep-space warships as added protection, he reached out to Edaan's mind, 'You appear troubled, Edaan Palpatine.'
The Sith general, adjusting both his lightsabers and working to refine the red synthetic crystals, was so engrossed in his work, he nearly failed to sense Ship telepathically contact him. Almost startled by the sudden call, he quickly reassembled his lightsabers before snappishly replying, "What do you want, vessel? Wait… what did you just call me?"
'I referred to you by your name. Your true name. For you are a descendant of Darth Sidious, and far more important to the galaxy than Lord Krayt and the rest of the One Sith wish you to know.' Ship solemnly explained. 'You are disturbed by visions, yes? Glimpses of a life you do not remember, but a part of you knows to be true.'
Hiding his fear at discovery behind a veil of anger, the cyborg sternly denied, "Whatever falsehoods you have been told, whatever you think you know, it is all a lie. I know who I am."
"Then why do you doubt yourself, even as we converse now?" Ship, almost teasingly, countered before earnestly continuing, 'There are far more terrible threats out there than the war between us and the Jedi. Evils that can remake the galaxy in their own image unless unthinkable actions are taken.
'To save all we know, all that we could yet be, we must consider all options and not ignore the truth, no matter how unbearable it might be.' Ship paused, offering, "I might be able to help you remember more of your past life. I believe your memories, the being the Sith wish to destroy, could be the key to all of creation surviving and triumphing after the revival of the Bringer of Chaos.'
A torrent of thoughts rushed through the Sith's mind, but he focused his efforts, trying to see what Ship game was playing with this divulgence. On one hand, he ought to let Sorzus and Lord Krayt know of the vessel's secrets and determine just whom Ship served before he could potentially do any damage to the One Sith. However, all the cyborg's senses and rational mind knew his host was telling the truth, and if Abeloth would soon be resurrected, it would be a danger the Dread Lord and his acolytes could not defeat alone.
If, and the Sith war leader held a hefty deal of skepticism on Ship's claims, he was truly a descendant of Darth Sidious and held knowledge Lord Krayt wanted suppressed, he needed to know and do what he must for the greater good. Banishing his reluctance, he asked, "How would we go about dredging up my supposed lost memories?"
'Through patience, secrecy, and an open connection to the Force, for starters.' Ship answered, a hint of glee entering his voice before elaborating, 'But when the time comes, we will need to seek out two enemies of Lord Krayt's to finish the process.'
Suspicion creeping up on the Sith warrior again, he carefully asked, "Who are these foes of ours, and what connection do they have with me?"
'That piece of information, my friend, will be my secret until I deem it necessary to divulge to you.' Ship denied, perplexing the altered human and making him wonder what other secrets the Sith construct was keeping from him. Well, one way or another, he would uncover the truth, and depending on what he would learn, it would end in forgiveness or destruction.
Csilla System Outskirts
Aboard the Rude Awakening
"I hope you've all bundled up for your stay here." Shawnkyr noted, with a touch of humor lacing her voice. "It's a rare honor for outsiders to be escorted to our capital city and granted the access you've all been granted."
"Hopefully we can take in a few sights after your unwelcome guest problem is resolved." Tau played along before changing his attitude. "We'll drop off K'Kruhk and Akku's company at their rendezvous point by the end of the next hour, and then make our way to meet up with everyone else at Csaplar."
"Very good. Your friends and escorts are all patiently awaiting your arrival so they can begin their mission." Shawnkyr paused, "What of the Aphras and their droids? Have they been briefed on their task?"
"They understand all the mission's parameters and will more than pull their weight in what we've negotiated for during their stay here." Tau reassured the Chiss admiral. "But have we heard anything from Roland on his old friend that's on the hunt for him?"
"Your reformed Sith and fellow Jedi are working to uncover the Sorceress's position, but she is proving to be quite a difficult quarry to track. Not even Roland can fully locate her, but we know she's deep within our capital city."
"Makes sense, given her background and natural abilities." Tyria ruefully commented. "But have we determined her objective here, aside from silencing our Rhandite asset?"
"We have a few postulations and are taking the necessary precautions to minimize damage if she stages an assault on any of the Ascendancy's key installations or population centers." Shawnkyr acknowledged, before worryingly adding, "But Roland has more information for us on his people, and it's intelligence that is too confidential to risk interception on this channel by any interested parties."
"Once you arrive in the city, we'll brief you on all essential matters. But we need you to accelerate your journey to Csaplar. We're giving you all top clearance during your time here, and you'll report directly to me, the Aristocras, and the Supreme General."
"Most generous of your people, Admiral." Korin acknowledged.
"No, merely pragmatic, Doctor Aphra." Shawnkyr kindly countered before signing off, leaving the Rude Awakening's crew to finish preparations for their extended stay on the Chiss Ascendancy's capital world. And every crewmember of the ship would commit to a task of vital importance to the Alliance of Light's mission.
K'Kruhk and Akku would be leading the latter's company to bolster the protection of the prison guarding Roland and the rest of their captured Rhandites. Should Malla and her fellow Sorcerers try to eliminate their traitors by force, they would find themselves stymied by the elite force standing in their way.
Meanwhile, Tau, Tyria, Kix, and Atai would be working with several of the Alliance of Light's best teams and fighters in tracking down Malla and laying the groundwork for the planned counterattack on the One Sith. The Zygerrian ambassador would especially be useful in the Alliance's efforts to confuse and mislead the enemy, if General Ors's coded transmission proved valid.
Korin and Chelli, on the other hand, those two would be given several tasks of extreme importance for the Jedi-backed coalition. Beginning with helping the Chiss technicians decoding the Rakata warship's data core and learning all they could of the Rakatan Archipelago, the Aphras and their escort in Jarael, Adari, and Jaing would likely be the busiest of all three groups. Trying to get ahead of the Sith's hunt for Zonama Sekot, to locate any remaining spies of Krayt's embedded within the Chiss Ascendancy's infrastructures, and assist the Alliance in tracking the Sith's movements, the father-daughter duo certainly had their work cut out for them.
Under normal circumstances, the Aphras would never be given this level of responsibility and freedom by any rational leader so quickly. Fortunately, given both their diverse sets of talents and earnest drive to fight the Sith after all the horrors and losses inflicted on their family, the Alliance was willing to give them the chance to help undo the Sith's damage they inflicted on the galaxy. It certainly helped how Tau and many of the Alliance's leaders were willing to vouch for Chelli and her father in giving them this opportunity.
Artoo, warbling from the cockpit of their escort arriving, the crew gathered their supplies and put on the appropriate layers before the astromech droid led the ship alongside Shawnkyr's handpicked heavy cruisers. Critical assignments aside, it would be a cultural experience for every member of the Rude Awakening's crew, and Tau hoped that the crews of the Dominance, Jade's Legacy, Dark Beauty, and their Chiss and Aquilian escort would be ready for what dangers laid before them.
Knowing the Rhandites had their most dangerous and powerful infiltrator loose on the Chiss center of influence, it was enough to set everyone on edge. And there was still the matter of the veiled hand working to shroud Malla's presence in the Force. Whoever this new enemy may be, it was clear to all that they were far stronger in the Force than the Shi'ido assassin, and anyone that was powerful enough to hide for so long and only decide to enter the fight now had to have a dark reason.
While many wondered whom this new foe might serve, many of the more knowledgeable members of the Alliance instinctively knew just who this new individual served. And if this servant of chaos incarnate was so willing to risk exposure now, then it could only mean that the one entity both Jedi and Sith of recent memory fear was close to returning. If she were to return now, then the galaxy would likely not be as fortunate as it was the last time Abeloth broke free of her prison.
Rakatan Archipelago, Hilak System
Aboard the Deathless
Yiv, overseeing the training of the One Sith's incredible influx of recruits and conscripts of their growing armed forces. Yet, even with the willingness of over thirteen million soldiers and nearly ten thousand Sith Lords and Ladies, it would take time for the Sith's new army to fully mobilize, never mind the logistical nightmare of building their navy and arming all those fighters.
It would take a while, the Nikardun general was fully aware of that crucial fact. First you had to construct a team of droids. And then the droids built a factory—not to create warships, but for more droids to work in assembly. Then the first set of droids, plus the new droids built by the factory, built another factory, and that structure would build ships, while the first factory continued to build new droids. They would build many more factories, all designed to build new droids to build new factories to build ships.
A leader could keep the cycle going forever building new factories, new droids, and new ships, provided supplies weren't interrupted and someone was willing to pay for it all. Once the process started, it just kept growing, and the only way to stop it was to shut down or destroy all the factories, ships, and droids, because if even just one droid survived the purge, that manmade worker could start the cascade all over again, simply by manufacturing another droid.
And that didn't consider all the soldiers to train, feed, and house. Not even all the combat teachers the Nagai, Tof, Ebruchi, Nikardun, Rakatan, and their Sith handlers were rerouting from their own warriors and hiring freelancers to train this hodgepodge of an army, nor would their cybernetic specialists in the Iskalloni could enhance their abilities fast enough to end this struggle. Even with the Dread Lord's best soldiers and commandos instructing the recruits in the fine and intricate art of war, their best estimates for deployment were five months, at a minimum.
Across the Rakatan Archipelago, the draftees were being put through countless rigorous drills to ensure they were ready to hold their own against the Alliance of Light's increasingly diverse and versatile forces. Learning to survive in unforgivable conditions, with dozens of environments across the seven systems of Rakatan dominance, hundreds of thousands of recruits were weaned out and shifted into support roles to ensure they pulled their weight in the One Sith's industry of war. A few thousand were even killed in hundreds of training accidents, but they knew the risks signing up for this pact of vengeance.
Even knowing of the difficulties and dangers of war, the Sith's willing drafts were more than willing and able to learn, and they were making astonishing progress at becoming true soldiers, with all their Sunrise recruits eager to earn the chance for retribution against the Chiss for their abuse and repulsive sense of arrogance over all other species.
Not even the Jedi Order and its band of war heroes and prodigy leaders would be enough to turn the tide of this war. However well they were performing in their diversionary raids and forming a cohesive fighting force, the many favors they were calling in to bring dozens of unique armies and Force sects, and the plans their heroes were surely devising, it would all fail after the Sith unleashed their overwhelming might on their enemies. And Yiv would be privileged to be one of the key figures in bringing such a victory into reality.
Of course, there were still a few key obstacles that would impede the Grand Design's completion. Several brilliant leaders and powerful Jedi, but they could be dealt with soon enough when Lord Krayt was ready. No, the bigger issues of contention for the One Sith's coalition was the probability of dissent in their ranks. While most of their allies were content with their bounties and eager to advance the Sith's plans, two were showing troubling signs of rebellion that needed to be stamped out if they proved valid.
The Ssi-Ruuk, the ultra-religious lizards who let droids do their fighting over an irrational fear of dying outside their territory, they were grumbling over the lack of test subjects for their accursed entechment process. Convincing the saurian race to end the practice of stripping the live force from living beings to power their droids, no matter how "humane" they might claim they had made the procedure, it was such an abominable and dishonorable practice that even most Sith refused to work with the sentient reptiles and created a growing rift between the giant lizards and the One Sith.
Unfortunately, the Ssi-Ruuk were not the most dangerous dissidents within the One Sith's ranks. No, that distinctive dishonor belonged to the Sorcerers of Rhand and the forty-eight systems that they governed in a treacherous nebula. With their nihilistic creed and unique command structure, it was obvious there would be problems with their allies. But due to several crucial signs, a band of Sith disappearing while investigating possible duplicity amongst the Rhandites, Lord Krayt's well-honed instincts and premonitions, and several troubling movements among the Sorcerers' tasked with assisting their partners, it appeared the Sith were about to fight a new war, this one from within.
Breaking through Yiv's reveries, who felt his personal transponder activate, identifying Lord Krayt's signal from aboard the Retribution, he quickly returned to his personal quarters before answering. The strong voice of the human Sith coming through, the Dread Lord quickly explained, "The Nihil Retreat is under attack by an unidentified party. Already, six systems have been raided by these new invaders, and many Rhandite ships are being tracked while trying to flee their home."
Nearly rendered speechless from the sudden declaration, Yiv swiftly discerned the multiple facts Krayt was implying from this warning. Another had emerged in this war, and it was giving the One Sith the perfect opportunity to investigate the Rhandties and uncover their true allegiances.
Knowing the window of opportunity to learn the truth and uncover this new enemy's identity, Yiv asked, "What do you require of me?"
"Your work in building the One Sith's armies is crucial. But we also need experienced commanders to navigate the Nihil Retreat and fight in a possible two-front war." Krayt carefully considered before asking, "Where do you believe you could best serve our cause?"
Yiv knew what Krayt had planned, and it was an ingenious move on his part. By letting the Nikardun general decide the course of action, he would determine how far the Dread Lord would trust him in his plans, and how much better off his people would be in the coming new order. And it would determine what role the Nikardun Dynasty leader would have in the future, whether he would be a meager commander, or a leader and crucial cornerstone in the foundation of the revitalizing Sith Empire. Much as he loved to fight, he knew his people's future came first, so the choice was obvious.
Breathing out his regret, Yiv answered, "As you said, my work in laying the foundation of your armies is essential. But I know a few of my subordinate commanders who are available, and I believe are more than capable enough for a field test of their full capabilities."
Pausing for a dramatic moment, Yiv wondering if he failed or misinterpreted the test, Krayt broke into his thoughts by agreeing, "A most wise and pragmatic suggestion, General Yiv. Transmit to me the list of your pupils, and I will brief them on the operation. To fight in the Nihil Retreat, we will need to devote a considerable portion of our forces into this endeavor. In the meantime, I leave the protection and security of our regional strongholds out here in yours' and Lord Wyyrlok's capable hands."
Exuding quiet relief, Yiv earnestly promised, "I will ensure that your trust in me is not misplaced, Dread Lord."
Well, that's a wrap on this chapter! Man, was it a bit longer than I thought. But I think it works well since the next chapter will primarily be on Coruscant, and I wanted to prepare you all for the other story plots. It also didn't help how I moved a few sections around from future chapters to put them in here. Oh, and I need to explain a couple things. First, the idea to create tension with the Ssi-Ruuk was inspired by Cotto, who had quite powerful and persuasive arguments demonizing them, and I've taken them to heart. Second, the excerpt with the part of factories and droids where Yiv was introspective was heavily derived from Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Destiny's Way. No one's going to accuse me of plagiarism. Third and finally, the inclusion of Tanalorr was taken from the recent video game Star Wars: Jedi: Survivor. I haven't played it, but I thought the world and its nebula defense worked well for use in the Nihil Retreat. Hope you all enjoy.
So, how are you all doing on this warm afternoon of Friday, May 19, 2023? I'm doing well, as I'm with my relatives in St. Louis, and we're having a grand time. I'm very excited for the next seven days. But I need to let you know that I won't be able to write as much as I'd like, but I'll make it up to you all afterwards for the next few days. However, I also need to let you know that I'll be starting my library internship in less than two weeks, so I'll be quite busy for a while, and will need more time to write out my chapters and do other fun stuff. Well, I guess that's it for today. I hope you all have a blessed day, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
