Hey, everyone! How are you all doing on this warm but stormy day of Saturday, July 8, 2023? I'm well, if a bit frazzled from the hectic volunteering I did a couple hours ago today. Man, do those donors like to come in and drop loads of stuff off. It's good work, but frustrating to handle so many people in such a rapid succession, followed by rain coming by the end. In other news, I plan to publish the last two chapters in a few days, after I get them examined to check for any flaws in the writing or storytelling. And I plan to read a bit of The History of the Hobbit over the next few days, as I'm almost a third of the way through it, and I am relishing it so far. Hopefully I can finish it in a few weeks, and get started on some history books, just to reduce my reading load. Well, I'd best get started on writing this chapter, as it'll be quite a difficult task, but one I am ready to face with all my skill and conviction. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
Telona 13th, 59 ABY
Csilla System
Aboard the Rude Awakening
Blasting apart one of the final few Neo Death Watch fighters that remained in existence, Tau felt no joy from taking part in this slaughter. Knowing that these renegade Sith and their servants, all under Abeloth's enthrallment or enchanted by her false promises, it reminded him of how pointless this Jedi-Sith war was, and how they had a common enemy which threatened all they both cherished and envisioned for the galaxy. And reminded him that the Bringer of Chaos was nourishing herself on all the agony and fear of this conflict, coming to the edge of a full revival and resuming her terrible conquest, it made him desperately yearn for an end to this madness.
After the Abeloth-loyal fleet was caught unprepared by both the interdictors and the Alliance of Light's armadas, the last sixteen hours were proving to be a bloodbath for both sides, but not as high for the Jedi as Tau feared. With fifteen enemy warships disabled or destroyed, and the ex-Sith fleet encircled and slowly being worn down by attrition, it was only a matter of time before this force was destroyed, and a pact with the One Sith was enacted. And with the Alliance suffering two-thirds of these losses, it was hopeful that they emerged from this opening bout in a stronger position than before.
So why, then, was Tau so uneasy over this battle? Why did he believe that Abeloth was playing the galaxy yet again, and about to increase her strength and armies in ways and with plans only she could conceive? Could she be seeking to undermine the Alliance over many forces' discontent over the upcoming treaty with the One Sith and giving them an outlet over this perceived betrayal? Well, worrying over the atrocities and treacheries that demoness might be plotting wouldn't make a difference in the long run. Right now, there was a battle raging for the sake of Chiss civilization, and everyone needed to keep their minds fixed on the enemy that was in front of them, not unless any distracted minds cost any unnecessary lives.
Refocusing his efforts on hunting the next target, Tau, his natural senses and already-great command over the Force heightened to unprecedented proficiency, felt a dark murmur in the Force approaching this star system, this presence far more familiar to him than the depraved depths Abeloth's followers emitted. Sensing the Sith – Krayt's loyal disciples – sending a fleet here, it could only mean they were launching reprisals against their traitors and seeking to salvage a prospective alliance.
And among those commanders were three that Tau recognized with complete authenticity: Darth Wyyrlok, Lady Sorzus, and Edaan Palpatine, the three of which were aboard Ship and leading the charge. Edaan, his own brother in all but name, the man who killed Robonino and Jaden Korr, was coming, and his soul, his true essence, was beginning to reemerge. This both encouraged the Sith-created Iteration at the prospect of keeping his promise to Adari far ahead of schedule, but deeply frightened him if his target fully recovered himself within the next few days and launched a massacre within this crucial timeframe.
Even as Tyria fired two baradium missiles on a vulnerable Imperial Star Destroyer and Tof bulk cruiser, one for each from the Rude Awakening's cockpit, Tau called out to R9-G6, the astromech droid given to him by Ben and the Jedi Order to return R2-D2 to his affiliated family "Arnine, get me a line to Adari Palpatine on the Megador. Tell her I have urgent information for her that her husband might come back to her sooner than we ever thought possible. Then tell Alliance High Command that we need to prepare for possible reinforcements from the Sith."
The mere utterance of those last five words deeply sickened Tau, but he swallowed the disgust and threw himself back into the fray. He knew the Jedi and Sith would have to work together eventually, so it would be best to get the shock and repulsion out of his system as soon as possible. And what better way to work out his loathing than to blast away at a far greater evil's newest acolytes and pawns?
Nihil Retreat, On Rhand
Within Ro
Inside the Grand Cathedral
'Where could you still be hiding, Kung'urama'nuruodo?' Krayt silently wondered as he extended his Force awareness throughout the Rhandites most sacred building. Even with drawing upon the Son's reservoirs and his ancient knowledge and wisdom belonging to the Dark Side, he was unable to pinpoint the Grand Sorcerer's precise location. With a hundred members of his army helping Shara scour the citadel for clues to finding where the remaining Rhandites might be hiding, the remaining four hundred were searching the surrounding area for any possible leads One Sith might have overlooked.
Having cut a terrible swath through the enemy's capital city and obliterated anyone, civilian or sentinel, that dared interfere in the One Sith's vengeance, the Dread Lord was not about to be denied his just reward now. He was prepared to have his answers and vengeance on the fallen Chiss and his remaining disciples, drain every last nugget of knowledge they had on Abeloth's plans and secrets, and kill them all before his forces razed the planet's surface into ash and returning to the wider galactic war.
Even this far from his strongholds and trapped on such a powerful nexus of darkness, Krayt could sense the darkness of chaos and misery spreading throughout the Unknown Regions spreading like wildfire, and the veiled hands that were guiding it to its terrible completion. He knew that time was running out, and also realized how eliminating Kung'urama'nuruodo and his disciples would be a good step in ruining Abeloth's plans.
Thanks to the glimpses the Son's clairvoyance provided, he knew that many of his Sith and military followers had been beguiled by Abeloth's madness and switched loyalties and were conducting a futile assault on the Chiss Ascendancy's capital world. If he managed to return in time to make a difference, he would work to personally execute Haxar and Nox before they could inflict any lasting damage to the Grand Design.
But hurting the Bringer of Chaos through her servants would not be enough to destroy the Celestial spawn once and for all. No, if the One Sith hoped to survive and eventually triumph, they needed to make a pact with the Jedi and their Alliance of Light and combine their forces to form a last alliance against Abeloth. A desperate gambit, but the only option Krayt had left if his order was to have even a slim chance at salvaging some of their many plans.
"Lord Krayt! Shara found the way down to the temple's foundations!" Kreel called out to Krayt. Hurrying over to the repurposed Imperial squad's position, the Dread Lord took a moment to marvel at the impressive eldritch architecture that concealed a simple stone wall. He never would have guessed this held the secret entrance, but the dark whispers he heard murmuring throughout the sanctum were growing loudest here. And with their guide ready to open the path, the One Sith would soon be ready to find and eliminate the competition.
Suddenly, Kung'urama'nuruodo's presence could be felt across the entire cathedral, his mocking laugh was ominously echoing throughout all its halls, and Krayt challengingly called out, "Show yourself, you wretched little Womp Rat! Unless you and your followers are too scared to face us like true warriors!"
"Why would I do that when I have far more creative and fun means of disposing of you, A'Sharad Hett?" Kung'urama'nuruodo scoffed while using Krayt's birth name, just before the cathedral began shaking from its foundations, and the Sith leader immediately realized the Rhandite's cowardly plan. Did the Chiss warlord really think that simply collapsing the holy building would be enough to crush everyone? If so, he was more deranged than anyone thought.
Urging all his followers to converge on his location, Krayt, knowing the time for subtlety was over, used the Force to blow a ten-meter hole in the wall, opening the way for the strike force to rush to immediate safety. At least seventy of his followers and commandos made it out before the ceiling, dark altars, and support pillars crushed the twenty-eight unfortunate souls that were unable to make it down in time.
Sensing their vibrant souls be snuffed out in a bloodcurdling scream, their life force vanishing in an instant, Krayt took a moment of silence to acknowledge his lost followers, and then vowed to make Kung'urama'nuruodo pay extra for this treachery.
Just then, Krayt felt dozens of powerful and unnatural Force Signature permeate the entire catacombs, and everyone whipped out their weapons at the horrific screams that were quickly approaching. Hearing his comlink buzz, Krayt, seeing who contacted him, gruffly acknowledged, "This had better be good, Garo. We're about to have our hands full down here."
Letting out a relieved sigh, the Nikardun fleet commander gratefully answered back, "Thank the Force you're all right." Reassuming his professionalism, Garo explained, "Your outward teams reported the collapse, and our reconnaissance teams have picked up several unidentified transports preparing to take off about 50 klicks from Ro."
Knowing Kung'urama'nuruodo had outwitted Krayt this time, the human Sith Lord ordered Garo, "Track their progress and triangulate their outbound destination, but do not engage. Your primary focus needs to be in getting excavation crews down to Ro and dig us out immediately. We're rather undermanned and outgunned down here."
Closing the comlink, Krayt warned Shara, "For all our sakes, I hope you know the way out of here."
"I can navigate the labyrinth well enough. It's everything that protects the chambers beneath that should have you and your followers worried." Shara warned Krayt. "We all have quite a tumultuous week ahead of us below ground before we can return to your fleet."
Csilla System
Aboard the Cal Omas
Coordinating the epic battle from aboard the Galactic Alliance's latest marvel of a warship, Jan Ors, long serving commando and intelligence leader back from the early years of the Rebel Allinace, knew this opening skirmish was too easy for such worry from the Jedi. Even as the One Sith's defectors unleashed a blistering onslaught on the Alliance of Light's forces, operating with such ferocity and speed to drag out their eventual defeat and wreak havoc on the Jedi-aligned force's lines, their enemies held fast and responded with equal strength and coordination.
Equally strange to Jan was Tau Palpatine's grave warning of the One Sith sending a fleet of their own to eliminate their traitors and secure a Jedi-Sith alliance, but simply from the insanity of it such a mad idea. Sure, Abeloth was the greater evil and needed to be eradicated before she could return and try to dominate the galaxy, but there were many within both factions that resented the other, and that animosity could breed far more damage to them all than any great battle could inflict. And add them together with rescuing Zonama Sekot from the Knights of Olpaka, Abeloth, or the Sith's corruptive influence, and the Alliance of Light had a terrible powder keg on their hands.
Well, Jan and her people and fellow intelligence agencies would have to carefully observe each faction to ensure unity was protected. But in the meantime, she had to continue overseeing hers' and the Alliance's efforts to repel Abeloth's assault. Aboard the Cal Omas, the Alliance of Light's quadrumvirate of herself, Wedge Antilles, Kyp Durron, and Kivu'raw'nuru were overseeing this rout. Between the Alliance's primary armada protecting the Ascendancy's capital world and its backup force waiting to counter any surprises their enemies might try, there seemed to be no known point to this preliminary battle.
Was Abeloth probing both the Jedi and Sith's lines for weaknesses in preparing her own war strategy, or did she have an ulterior motive here? Well, Jan knew her many limits, and she shamefully realized that such a monstrosity's plans and overwhelming power transcended all her capabilities to fight. But that didn't mean she was entirely useless, or that she couldn't lay the groundwork for a retaliatory campaign and unleash sufficient reprisals on those that dared to side with the Bringer of Chaos.
Once this battle was over, Jan would work with many of her old friends and trusted subordinates, and far more new allies she could trust, to bring all factions up to speed on the changing war and ferret out any dissenters or rogue elements within their growing and powerful organization. With all the recruits they were gathering, it was only inevitable that some or many would try to take advantage of this war for their own selfish gain, or sabotage it for their true masters.
And Jan would need to make a special note to speak with Tau and the Sith defectors to best learn how to work with the One Sith, all while preparing for their inevitable grand act of treachery once Abeloth was finally destroyed. Hopefully, they would be able to save millions of lost souls from Darth Krayt's currently unknown endgame, for most of the Sith's forces were simply broken souls that were disgruntled with the current status quo and wanted to effect positive change for their disaffected people.
But all this was merely theoretical for Jan right now. What mattered most at the present was defeating this enemy armada and preparing for the awkward meetings that would soon follow. Still, that didn't mean the Alpha Blue general would not keep her eyes and ears open for any hints or whispers of darker plans, nor would she be arrogant enough to withhold her hunches or misgivings to herself. With the numerous Force organizations now allied with the Jedi, it would be best if she reached out to them all and sought each of their counsel on the supernatural. It never hurt to be over analytical with all that was transpiring.
Telona 14th, 59 ABY
Within the Rakatan Archipelago
Tulpaa System
Aboard the Deathless
Yiv completely grasped what was happening across all of Lord Krayt's domain, but he could not fully comprehend the travesty that was unfolding before him. Was the whole of creation firmly set against the One Sith's and their plan in the Grand Design, or was everything transpiring now just some absurd cosmic coincidence?
The Nikardun remnant leader, intercepting dozens of emergency calls from ships and outposts across every portion of Sith-held space, it was almost enough to overwhelm him. According to the reports, the Rhandites and several fleets of Ssi-Ruuk and other currently unidentified warships, were attacking holdings of the Rakata and their other Chaos-based allies and taking as many captives as their warships could hold.
Why, Yiv asked himself, did Wyyrlok have to take forty warships and so many of his remaining and capable Sith to Csilla now, when the One Sith's foundations of its growing empire were starting to collapse right from underneath everyone? How could everything they had worked for come undone now and so quickly and easily? Was their alliance truly such a fragile one, united in shared hatred of the Jedi and their allies that was fraying from other powers that beguiled many, or were their followers simply weak willed?
Well, Yiv was not going to let everything he had worked for unravel without giving these vile enemies a fight to remember. Already having reached out to Lord Krayt by bypassing the Olpakan jamming, the Nikardun swiftly began taking measures to prevent a regionwide insurrection. By increasing security across the Rakata's territory and recalling all nonessential fleets back to help defend the One Sith's most vital strongholds, he hoped to force the enemy into a pivotal confrontation on their terms.
Interrupting Yiv's preparations, however, was one of Darth See-Chok's acolytes, an Ithorian male whose name he could not recall. Assuming the fallen Jedi's student would not intrude without good cause, the general excused his commanders to meet with the Sith. "What's the situation?"
"My master has crucial news to deliver to you." The Ithorian humbly whispered, handing Yiv a datapad. "He instructed me to deliver this directly to you, and only you in our master's absence. He's uncovered a terrible conspiracy that could doom us all if left unchecked for much longer."
"All the information he's gathered is on this datapad, and he urged you to read through it immediately before warning Lord Wyyrlok and his task force. He also said not to act until we can gain the Jedi's help in quelling this danger." The Sith disciple bowed before excusing himself from Yiv's presence.
Confused at the sudden and odd warning from an aggressive and proactive Sith Lord like See-Chok, Yiv quickly scoured through the datapad's contents, growing increasingly perturbed and incensed at this betrayal before he crushed the device to protect this report's secrecy. Just how many of Lord Krayt's followers were self-serving traitors and duplicitous fanatics?!
If this information was true, and Yiv had little doubt that it was the genuine article, then he needed to start laying the groundwork for retaliation against this conspiracy. And he knew just who to reach out to in recruiting an army while trying to give See-Chok the help he needed in fully uncovering just how divided the Rakata truly were as the last remnant of their once-mighty empire. It was time to see how Darth Irola and her recruits were faring, and if they would be ready for a large-scale peacekeeping operation.
Not even a few moments later, the Nikardun Battle Dreadnaught's proximity alarms went off, and Yiv's tactical officers reported, "We have about multiple Rhandite signatures emerging from hyperspace, Sector E-9."
Cursing the enemy's terrible timing, Yiv rapidly ordered his bridge's crew, "Lock down the system, and launch all available ships to blunt the traitors' advance at once. We can't let them strike at our military installations or the Rakata's population centers. Then contact Lady Irola and have her force come to assist in our defense. I want them here yesterday!"
Seeing the three dozen warships of the enemy fleet bearing down upon them, Yiv saw not only twenty Rhandite vessels leading the formation, but seven Ebruchi frigates and nine Nagai warships, each of a varied design from their elegant and unique configurations.
But the enemy ships were not the greatest threat to the One Sith's installations, rather the enormous hyperspace-capable Space Grazers and other spacefaring predators that flew right beside them. With two dozen of those creatures prepared to unleash carnage on their enemies, Yiv anxiously gulped before ordering his officers, "Do me one more favor. Send a message to every outbound fleet and Sith commands right away. Have the transmission insist upon them all the urgency of recalling what ships and Lords and Ladies they can spare to our defense. Tell them time is a critical factor for us."
Six Hours Later
Aboard the Mandator
Seeing the Alliance of Light converging on the embattled traitors of the One Sith's ranks with all the fervor and ferocity of a ravenous pack of canyon Krayt Dragons, Lecersen saw how spectacularly the Jedi and their fellows were prepared for such an eventuality. Suspecting just who was the main mastermind of the strategy, he was profoundly grateful that he never had to engage a man of Grand Admiral Thrawn's capabilities and would in fact soon be working alongside him and all his new allies against the ultimate evil. That is, provided the attempted storming of the capital didn't sour enough moods and minds about the most demanding threat to the galaxy.
From his Turbulent-class Star Destroyer flagship, Lecersen honestly wondered why the One Sith loyalists needed to attend this battle and assist the Alliance of Light, at least from the way this one-sided massacre was progressing. Out of the eighty Abeloth-loyal vessels that tried to shatter the Chiss Ascendancy, only forty-six remained in the fight, and only twenty of those number remained entirely undamaged. And the Jedi were performing above all expectations against them, with the dozens of factions and armies they had recruited and united under their banner were suffering far lower losses than most of the Sith's commanders expected, only losing thirty warships and hundreds of fighter craft.
But Wyyrlok and Sorzus, they either wanted to help eradicate the deserters and establish a solid foundation of trust between both Jedi and Sith, or they suspected that Abeloth had many more tricks up her tentacles and needed to help the Jedi-led coalition survive her contingencies. An unconventional plan, but nothing could be left to chance with a creature as powerful and insightful as the Fallen Celestial spawn. Which is why they brought forty warships and twice as many escort ships along to help ensure this battle was won, and order was restored to the One Sith's ranks.
Swiftly hailing the Cal Omas, a Dac-inspired Super Star Destroyer that could cut open half the rogue fleet in a mere five hours, Lecersen was perturbed to see a well-respected Galactic Alliance Vice Admiral answer the call, since the officer who answered was a squid-faced Quarren in Kral Nevil. A notable star in the GA's Navy, and staunch pro-Jedi figure, a surprising stance after his son was killed by Darth Caedus's megalomania and power mongering, he was a worthy leader within such an unstable government, perhaps worthy of at least a position of Moff, if he were an Imperial citizen and human under the Empire of Gilad Pellaeon.
Even more surprising was the Jedi Master who joined Kral, a Wookiee with blood relations to the legendary Rebellion and New Republic hero Chewbacca, and had served the Jedi with distinction and honor in most matters since the six-year peace between the Empire and New Republic. Considered by many as a master mechanic, esteemed warrior and diplomat, and mentor for numerous young Jedi, Lowbacca was equally disgusted at having to meet with the human and would probably tear off all his limbs off if given the opportunity.
Hiding his repulsion of the aquatic man and fear of the Wookiee behind a well-honed face of military professionalism, the rogue Moff cordially greeted Kral and Lowbacca, "Vice Admiral, Master Jedi. I apologize for the sudden intrusion in this crucial battle, but the Lord Wyyrlok, General Yiv, and I felt it best to offer our assistance in eliminating our traitors."
Glaring at Lecersen, Kral hatefully seethed, "Under better circumstances, Drikl, we, and many others, would see you brought before Head of State Fel and Queen Mother Djo in chains before your unceremonious execution. Few of us would trust you if you were the last semi-competent commander in the galaxy." Breathing out his fury and regaining his composure, the Quarren military leader relented, "But, on behalf of the Alliance of Light and its Supreme Commander, Master Lowbacca and I have been tasked to act as liaisons with you and the One Sith for the duration of this battle."
"Very good." Lecersen nodded in agreement. "Then, getting right to the heart of business, where would you have us position ourselves in this battle?"
Growling out his demands for Lecersen, the Moff calmly replied, "A valid question. Lord Wyyrlok and the rest of his war council are preparing their contribution against Abeloth's forces. They're rather eager to do away with the traitors."
Hearing another question from the Wookiee, this one threw Lecersen completely off-guard, and he stumbled for an answer before delaying, "I-I don't know if I have the authority to discuss Edaan Palpatine at this time. But I'm sure that after we end this fight, then-"
Wyyrlok's hologram entered the conversation, and the cyborg did not appear pleased by what was transpiring. Throwing Kral and Lowbacca off-guard with his enhancements, the same technology etched into the Sith Regent's very core as Edaan, he demanded, "I wish to speak with Lady Khai and her Jedi lover, immediately."
"Pardon me, Sith?" Kral lowly uttered before Wyyrlok loudly interrupted,
"Don't try patronizing met, Vice Admiral. None of us have time for it. What has Vestara Khai said to our prized meditation sphere to make it desert our ranks and fly towards your lines now of all times?!"
Lowly growling at the threat, Wyyrlok, at least to Lecersen's eyes, did not believe the words Lowbacca said, and dismissed, "You expect me to believe that Ship, a vessel that has served the Sith for millennia, has not had any contact with Vestara or Jedi Skywalker in all this time? Then how could you possibly explain how your Jedi hero in Palpatine deserting our lines at this crucial juncture?"
"How should we know? You're the ones who remade him into your personal war machine, are you not?" Kral scathingly reminded the Sith.
"Has anyone tried contacting Ship or its commander on this matter?" Lecersen interjected, hoping to steer this meeting back on course. "Do we know if this is of its own doing, or if another power is controlling the vessel?"
Silence as the only answer, Lecersen saw a way out of this messy situation, and proposed, "If we are unable to contact Ship, then perhaps we can employ a couple of his old friends in calming fears and ascertaining the truth."
Turnign to Lowbacca and Kral, Lecersen advised them, "I'd suggest you reach out to Jedi Skywalker and Agent Khai immediately and have them reach out to Ship so they can determine just what is going on." Seeing Wyyrlok seethe, he added, "And you might want to make it quick if you expect our forces to help you protect the Chiss's capital world."
Aboard Ship
'We must hurry, Edaan.' Ship urged the original Palpatine heir, increasing speed to his thrusters as the vessel flew towards the Alliance of Light's forward position, all while tearing apart any rogue Sith fighters or frigates that tried to ambush or delay the two rogues' approach. 'I sense the Bringer of Chaos's acolytes fast approaching, and you cannot afford to fall into her clutches. You must make it to the Jedi's lines right away, or all will be lost.'
"I know!" Edaan yelled back. Opening a transmission to the Cal Omas, he recognized the Jedi Master who appeared before him, suspicion creased over his face as Kyp Durron stared at him, hope and anxiousness warring in his eyes in equal measure. Getting right to business, the Sith deserter bluntly stated, "I suggest you let me pass, Master Durron. I have an appointment to keep with Adari and Tau Palpatine, and I can't afford to wait anymore."
"You'll understand if I don't just bow before your demands after what you did to Jaden and your Patrolian teammate beneath Korriban." Kyp caustically rebutted. "We're in the middle of a critical battle right now, and-"
"I know they're the key to me remembering everything of whom I am, and we don't have time for any delays or caution." Edaan heatedly interrupted before calming down enough to elaborate. "Abeloth has a second fleet coming here, and it'll be far more powerful and lethal than her vanguard you're currently facing. Warn your commands and Wyyrlok's fleet before it's too late, but I will see the two Palpatines before the fight concludes. And, just for the record, neither I nor Ship will ever go back to the One Sith."
"Ship has been helping me recover portions of my mind, and I remember enough to know the Sith violated me in ways I can never forgive or forget. I need to see Tau and Adari, and Ship wants to see Vestara Khai and Ben Skywalker again. He's very anxious to reunite with those he holds strong feelings of friendship and camaraderie with."
Gaze softening a modicum of a degree, Kyp acknowledged, "That's exactly what Adari and Tau claimed, and Vestara and Ben can't sense any hostility or duplicity from Ship." He then allowed, "I'll arrange for you to dock aboard a rearguard frigate and have the Rude Awakening and Jade's Legacy meet you there, provided you give us all information you have on this supposed second fleet along the way. I doubt Wyyrlok and his Sith will be pleased on your betrayal. But then again, what do I care about their hurt feelings?"
Flashing a grateful smile, his mechanical components and his marred face making Edaan seem like a horrific monster from a child's cautionary tale that briefly frightened Kyp, the cyborg noted, "I don't care much either for them right now, and I'm sure my feelings will only worsen after I recall everything I knew of them. Tell your teams I'll be eagerly waiting for them aboard Ship. I doubt my unsupervised presence will be welcome aboard one of your allies' vessels right now."
"Exactly what I was just about to say." Kyp wholeheartedly agreed, before his hologram disappeared and was replaced by the incensed figure of Sorzus.
"What do you think you're doing, pulling a stunt like this now of all times?! How dare you desert us at this vital juncture?!" The Chagrian woman hatefully spat to Edaan.
"Oh, go jump into a nebula, you incorrigible harlot!" Edaan disgustingly rebuked, pouring more power into Ship so he could speed up as the altered human stormed towards Sorzus's image. "I know what you and your precious Dread Lord and scientists did to me, and I want no part in your madness any longer. Whatever I did, whoever I you tried to make me into when your people performed your atrocities on my flesh and spirit, I won't let it define and dictate my life's course any longer. Soon I'll be free of your abominable chains and chart my own path in the galaxy."
Viciously sneering, Edaan added, "And I'll be free of you and your constant lusting after me, and that alone will be worth the repercussions when my conditioning is fully undone. Now, if there's nothing else, I'd suggest preparing to attack Abeloth's second wave of forces before they can breach the Jedi's defenses."
"Goodbye, Lady Sorzus. You won't be missed by me. And if I ever see you again, I will not hesitate to strike you down, so try to stay away from me when the Jedi and Sith join forces." Edaan shut off the communication, just as Ship transmitted coordinates and landing codes into the defecting Sith general's mind. Well, he certainly was committed now, and the freedom he felt was so cathartic to behold.
Seeing just which frigate he would be landing in, he wondered if he ever stepped foot in a Sun Guard warship before now, and who awaited him aboard the medium-sized cruiser. Either way, it didn't really matter. If that was where the Jedi wished him to go, then that was where he would travel to and regain his lost sense of self. From there, he would rain death and destruction on all those that dared stand in his way while figuring out his true place in the galaxy.
Hyperspace, On Route to Csilla
Aboard the Janus-class Shuttle Annihilation
Tor Valum was able to sense everything that was transpiring across the Csilla System, and he knew the aftereffects of this battle would ripple across the galaxy for ages to come. Observing through the Force how the diversionary force was keeping the Jedi and Sith's attention fixed on the immediate danger, it blinded all but a few to the untold carnage about to unfold. And so much damage would be inflicted by many of the galaxy's greatest or most notorious fighters and leaders that everyone else had left to rot or fall in battle.
Thanks to Abeloth's careful recruitment drive amongst the disparate and abandoned of the Alliance of Light, One Sith, and Knights of Olpaka, the Bringer of Chaos's army was about to get a giant boost in manpower and reach. By rescuing many of Krayt's pawns from the carnage of Korriban, rescuing many of the Imperials' most notorious prisoners from their darkest dungeons, and corrupting what Jedi she could reach with her growing energies, she had steadily built up a strong foundation for her campaign of conquest.
When all the commanders made their survival or return known to the galaxy, all of Abeloth's enemies would be filled with tsunamis of utter terror and confusion, exactly what she would use to finally bring herself to the edge of full revitalization. Combined with the energies of the Coruscant Sith Shrine she and her Servants were prepared to siphon off, all that she would need to allow her a permanent return to the physical realm was a worthy vessel to house all her energies and potent spirit. But if Tor could not capture either Palpatine, well, there were countless other options for her to choose from with all the great and powerful Force Users all gathered in one region. All he had to do was deliver one to her before the battle concluded. An easy enough task. But which one to choose from was the big question to ask.
Well, with only twelve hours before the main force entered the battle, Tor would have to decide soon. Still, if all else failed, he could always take one of the Sith-turned-Servants as a temporary body for Abeloth to use until a worthier offering came along. In fact, perhaps it would be best if he took full advantage of one Sith Lord and his wide arrange of talents, but also his completely psychotic mind. He would have to see if Darth Zorra would be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to serve a greater power.
Well, I'd say this is a suitable place to end the chapter! What did you all think? Was it believable and enjoyable enough, or were there things you might've done differently? If you have constructive critiques, please let me know and I'll consider them going forward. So, how are you all doing on this warm evening of Tuesday, July 11, 2023? I'm well, if heartbroken and uplifted by the movie Sound of Freedom. I just saw it a few hours ago with my mother, and we were disgusted by the evil of child trafficking that's spread all over the globe, but heartened by those brave souls fighting against it to reunite kids with their families. I tell you, this scourge ought to be battled with the full might of the free world, not the insanity, hypocrisy, and immorality that's dominating the news waves and many leaders' actions and agendas. Sorry you all had to hear that, but I needed to vent accordingly after what I got a horrific glimpse into. Well, only five more chapters to go in the main story, and two more character interludes to complete before I can conclude this great piece. I'd best get this and chapter 19 to review before I publish them, as I want to finish this story on a strong note. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
