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Phase 30: Realignment

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Interlude: Media Madness 1

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"Good Morning, Galaxy! I'm Sylvia Halcyon, and this is the Galaxy at War! I am happy to announce that Operation Star Hammer is about to complete successfully. What's more, our sources in the military confirm the liberation of Corellia itself is ongoing at a good pace, and the rest of the Corellian system will soon follow!" - GNN's The Galaxy at War

"You've heard that drivel, haven't you, my friends? Here's what the Government isn't telling you! Corellia has been a bloodbath, the kind hardly seen in this war! I have sources, and they tell me things! The GAR isn't planning any major ground operations beyond the Corellian system for the next two to four months, if not longer! Further, the GAR will is already redirecting all available ground forces towards Corellia! That by itself should be telling you things!" - The Voice – popular source of alternative news on the Holonet

"It's been years, and winning the war is still a pipe dream! All the prices keep going up! More and more jobs are now gone, with those left having ridiculous requirements! How are we supposed to survive now?" - from an interview with middle-class protesters in front of Coruscant's Ministry of Economy.

"The Confederate Senate is to vote on a new education bill! The destruction caused by the war leads to the need for engineers of all stripes being at an all-time high. New training and education centers to open on at least a hundred worlds financed by the Confederate Council!" - Shadowfeed news broadcast

"Tragedy strikes as Sith-led armada ravages loyal Confederate worlds!" - Shadowfeed news broadcast

"Betrayal at Randon! The local government surrendered without firing a shot! That opens the way for the sinister Sith Operation Star Hammer to rape countless freedom-loving worlds! Confederate Council promises retribution!" - Shadowfeed news broadcast

"Admiral Trench successfully evades a Sith trap! Hundreds of Core Worlds are still under Confederate control, giving the Republic a choice! The GAR has to either cease offensive operations and liberate them or prove itself as nothing more than a puppet for the interests of murderous Sith and Mandalorians!" - Shadowfeed news broadcast

"Fondor is a key Confederate world, and it will not fall!" - Admiral Trench's pledge upon splitting his fleet during his retreat from the Core.

"Count Dooku still at large! Months after the Jedi Uprising, Government sources confirm stunning rumors! Shortly before their Grand Offensive, the Confederacy's new leadership did surrender Count Dooku in Jedi custody to face a trial as a war criminal. Yet, instead of bringing him to the proper authorities so he can face his day in court, the Jedi chose to rise against the elected and lawful government of the Republic! An increasing number of rumors indicate those behind the war were a cabal of fallen Jedi at the heart of the now defunct Jedi Council of Coruscant." - controversial news first spread by the Voice – a popular source of alternative news on the Holonet

"We can't comment on the particulars of an ongoing investigation." - Republic response to the Voice's allegations

"Count Dooku conspiracy has a grain of truth? Confidential sources within the Republic government confirm they believe the CIS did leave Count Dooku into Jedi custody sometime before their Grand Offensive!" - GNN Morning News

"Investigators working for the Confederate Council confirm that the Sith, Count Dooku in particular were behind many of the war crimes allegedly committed by Confederate units early in the war. Some of the crimes reported by Republic media did indeed happen! Who is really to blame?" - Shadowfeeed broadcast

"More breaking news from the CC's investigation into the actions of the traitor Count Dooku! The Republic and Jedi created General Grievous during the Huk War when they backed the warmongering slavers in said conflict. Then the Sith turned him into a rabid weapon and unleashed him upon the galaxy!" - Shadowfeed broadcast

"In a controversial address in front of the Senate, Senator Organa vows that the Senate will investigate Confederate allegations about the Huk War!" - GNN Night News

"Keep our Republic Secure by Yosyro Modol gained even more popularity today! It happens among controversy stirred by a leaked report on the Raid on Coruscant that saw both the Senate Building and Jedi Temple besieged. Protocol and cleaner droids compromised by Separatist agents are credited with crippling GAR HQ at the start of the raid by deploying explosives and biological weapons, notably the Blue Shadow." - GNN's The Galaxy at War

"Byno Doubton creates a stunning sequel to his famous Unite poster! We are in this together, is a short film featuring hundreds of volunteers from dozens of species, filmed from the moment they volunteered to serve in the GAR and protect the Republic, to their commissioning among the first new volunteer regiments and divisions heading out to liberate the Core!" - GNN's The Galaxy at War

"Increased calls to deport non-humans off Coruscant and many other Core worlds, because they could not be trusted, by various organization members, threatens a rift within COMPOR! Many of the organization's leaders stood up united today to condemn racism in all its forms, and pledge their belief that only united, the Republic could prosper and weather the storm." - GNN Morning News

"Rampant racism grips Coruscant! COMPOR members removed their masks and demanded the expulsion of non-humans from many Core Worlds! That is another sign of the Republic sinking deeper into corruption under the destructive influence of their Mandalorian and Sith leaders!" - Shadowfeed broadcast

"COMPOR's SA group held a controversial rally in front of the Jedi Temple itself! Crueya Vandron opened the rally with strong condemnation of racism. He delivered a scalding speech aimed at former COMPOR members, expelled from the organization due to their uncompromising Humanocentric views. As if that wasn't interesting enough of a start, former Jedi Aayla Secura, was a special speaker. In her first public appearance after Republic authorities cleared her of any suspicion concerning knowledge or participation in the Jedi Rebellion. General Secura appeared in full parade uniform and with a military security detail, confirming the GAR reinstated her rank. She spoke of the need for unity in these dangerous and confusing times. General Secura that hinted the Republic government is hard at work in creating a new organization that would be able to see to the training and oversight of Force Sensitive individuals…" - GNN Morning News

"The Republic admits it openly! They're about to replace the Jedi Order with a Sith Order! That is a piece of further evidence that the Republic has fallen, and now we fight nothing less than an oppressive Sith-led, Mandalorian regime!" - Shadowfeed broadcast

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Part 3

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CIC

Republic cruiser Victoria

Chardaan system

The calm chatter of the crew was a stark contrast with what I could perceive through the Force. It was shimmering in turmoil. Light and Darkness clashed like the waves of an angry sea. I could almost taste the promise of conflict, bloodshed, and all the other good things that fed the Dark Side.

There was a dark promise of death and suffering on the horizon. I was experiencing a taste of the things to come.

I could feel Ahsoka dance on the edge of a blade. She stood in twilight, while the two sides of the Force struggled for supremacy. The light of hope shone upon Corellia. The promise of guaranteed bloodshed tainted it forever.

Shortly after transitioning to this system and dispatching scouts, it happened. Ahsoka's dance reached a crescendo. I felt an echo of her pain and anguish.

She slipped off the blade's edge and willingly drank of the Dark Side's poisoned chalice. Then there was only her rage reverberating through the Force as if trying to make its mark upon the universe.

Then, Obi-Wan was there, his presence feeling like a soothing blanket. It covered the raw emotions coming from Ahsoka.

"What was that, Master?" Aria eventually demanded.

"A promise of things to come, Apprentice. The war is about to become bloodier. We might need all the help and allies to weather the coming storm, whatever it is."

I turned my attention back to the present. There was no trace of Trench's fleet. He either took another way to Separatist territory or an unknown reason pulled back to Fondor. After the Bothan treachery, the Separatist enclave stretching from Allanteen to Mon Gazza had multiple more or less secure routes to Hutt Space. From there, they could safely reach the other major enemy holdings. If Trench headed that way, he would have taken the hyper-lane towards Rhommamool.

In that was the case, he was already safe in friendly territory.

However, that was not an assumption I could afford to make. The bastard might be playing it safe and betting on preserving as much of his mobile forces for a decisive campaign later in the war. Or he could be bearing down towards the Mid-Rim Alliance with overwhelming numbers.

For me, the choice was obvious – I had to head towards Naboo, and later Eriadu, or risk losing precious allies I would need to retake Mandalore.

Meanwhile, there were a few issues to deal with in this system.

"We've got a confirmation, General. The Chardaan Shipyards are largely intact. Our scouts detected a significant Separatist presence there." Victoria reported.

The image in the main holo-tank changed, showing an array of red symbols. Light yards specializing in building small craft, and light transports stood out besides serrated ranks of various smaller cargo ships and four Lucrehulk freighters.

Sensor feeds from our scouts showed a handful of Munificent frigates. They were maintaining a loose blockade around Chardaan. It took me a few moments to recall that before the enemy's Grand Offensive, this was the staging ground of the 16th Sector Army, and corresponding naval assets. Before retreating deep into the Core, that formation was supposed to leave behind a lot of material to the local loyalists. Some volunteers to aid in training as well.

"My compliments to Admiral Trent. She's to take appropriate detachments of capital ships and escorts, to secure Chardaan's orbitals and contact any friendlies still alive down there. She has permission to utilize limited orbital bombardment if there are appropriate Separatist targets on the ground."

Admiral Trent did an adequate job of keeping our rear areas clear during Star Hammer. That was especially true considering she I set to fail given the forces under her command. She did join my long shot in chasing Trench, commanding the bulk of lighter SDF ships still with us.

"The rest of us will continue towards Pax and break through to Malastare, then head towards either Eriadu or Naboo, depending on the circumstances."

From Malastare, we would be in communication range of the Holonet fragments controlled by the Mid-Rim Alliance. That would allow us to properly evaluate our options for going forward.

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Calfa 5
Calfa System
Hapes Consortium

The sun finally set, plunging the desert into a cool twilight. Stars glimmered in small patches of the sky, almost drowned by the glow of the Twilight Mists.

Master Yaddle could feel the younglings stir. They would be soon ready for the night's chores, and more training. It was a deceptively calm and normal routine.

The Force's keening dirge betrayed their current situation for what it was. They were exiles, hiding from the galaxy at large. The galaxy itself bled, ravaged by the flames of war. Good people broke under the strain, and more importantly, the poisonous influence of the Sith.

Yaddle could sense how another light winked out. Instead of being extinguished, it plunged into darkness, shattering under impossible pressures and demands.

The fallen Order failed young Ahsoka, just like it failed countless others. It failed the whole galaxy.

Yet, it first failed the Jedi and everything it stood for.

The approach of a familiar presence brought Master Yaddle out of her musings. Cin Drallig's presence felt almost fragile in the Force, something that hadn't changed since the events at the Jedi Temple. He led the group of Jedi who went to take control of the security control center from the Clones. And at that moment, like so many others, he let his fear, and the veil of the Dark Side lead him astray. Cin returned with hands covered in blood. That was something that they should have avoided.

He was another tarnished Jedi Knight, one among too many others.

The prematurely aged human sat on the rocky outcrop beside Yaddle. For a few minutes, they stood there in compassionate silence. It would have been great if they could find solace in the Force. Sadly, with the raging ascendance of the Dark Side, the hiding Jedi lacked even that little comfort.

"Have you found a better way?" Cin eventually asked. His voice was rough, like the sand in the nearby dunes. "I can train them to be better warriors, but that's far from enough. It might as well be useless. The Sith didn't need to raise their blades to break us."

"They evolved and changed. We didn't." Yaddle could freely admit that much, and more. "We've discussed this before, my friend."

"And we're yet to find out a new way," Cin grumbled.

"Perhaps it is not for us to find a new way. We, well, I'm old. Steeped in my ways."

"I'm no spring chicken either." Drallig hummed.

"We fought our war and mishandled it in an inimitable fashion. I fear that our younglings will fight the next war, no matter what we do. I'm not sure if we're the right people to lead the way. Perhaps, we should offer nothing more than guidance. The Jedi, the Order, we need to change and evolve. The future belongs to the younglings. I'm sad to say, that they will have to fight for it."

"Because we failed them."

"Our actions and inaction, they tainted us. For there to be a future, the younglings need a clean sheet, free from the baggage we represent." Yaddle thought aloud.

"What are you saying, Master Yaddle?" Cin asked.

"I'm just an old woman rambling in the night." Yaddle smiled sadly. "We can guide, we can train, but the younglings will have to rise free from the taint we represent to the rest of the galaxy. We lost the right to lead, for it was our blindness and mistakes that plunged the whole galaxy into Darkness."

"We're running out of time. The Force…" Drallig trailed off.

"We ran out of time back on Coruscant. Those of us still out there, they can do whatever good they can. The rest of us, have a solemn duty. We need to help raise the younglings into a new breed of Jedi. They will be the ones who will either bring light back to the galaxy or see it plunge into darkness forever. We have our role and will have to play it to the hilt, my friend. Our war is over. We lost, and the Republic fell because of us. We can mourn it, and everyone who died, and is yet to die in the Sith's wars. As we are, we can't bring it back."

"I see." Cin's presence in the Force stilled, almost vanishing as he looked inwards. For a moment, it appeared that he was about to collapse under the weight of accepting their self-inflicting fate. "There's a new dawn coming, after each sunset, isn't there?" Drallig eventually muttered.

While his presence was not quite serene, it was slowly getting there.

"We'll usher it forth. Together."