Good evening, everyone! How are you all doing on this warm night of Monday, September 18, 2023? I'm all right, if a bit depressed since my library internship is ending very soon, and how other things are going on that I can't talk about right now. I know it's all part of God's plan, I just hope I can recognize the opportunity that comes my way when it is upon me. So, I finished my book on the Second Vatican Council last night, and it was an enlightening read. Very somber but necessary for me to go through. And now I can resume my focus on Joseph Bongiorno's Supernatural Encounters. It's a great read, and I can't wait to go through it at a steady pace. But in other news, I'm ready to get started on the first interlude chapter for my Kesh mini story. I hope you are all ready for how the Jedi finally liberate Kesh and dismantle the Lost Tribe of the Sith while learning how Edaan Palpatine and Adari Thayn fall in love, because I've been wanting to share this story for a long time. Well, I'd best get started on the chapter. It should take me around three or four days to write, as it won't be an especially long one. May the Lord be with us all in these dark and troubling times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

Elona 3rd, 58 ABY

Outer Rim Territories

Seswenna Sector, Near Eriadu

Aboard the Carrack-class Light Cruiser Winged Dagger

'How did this simple and routine raid go so wrong?' Sith Saber Iolo Luzo continually asked himself the same question as the Lost Tribe strike force found itself systematically dismantled by his pursuers.

Prepared to capture a convoy of dozens of rare minerals and gases used to construct warships and create another mobile fuel depot for Kesh and the One Sith, the war band and its malleable pirate vassals found itself ambushed by a large fleet from the Confederation's sectorial authorities, backed up by maybe thirty Jedi commandos and many more well-known of the latter's allied privateers. Unable to jump away with the gravity well projectors the Confederation laid throughout the area, Iolo knew his people's only hope to survive was in finding a weak spot in the enemy's formation and break through before the trap snared shut.

But the Jedi and their friends moved quicker in blunting the maneuver, striking the engines and many other key systems of all four Sith-occupied light warships before the Confederation moved in to mop up the pirate-owned vessels. Within two hours, all but three of the cowardly raider captains surrendered, with the rest quickly detonated and taking several of their enemies with them per their code to prevent capture. Iroel and his fellow Sith would have followed suit, were it not for the enemy being one step ahead and disabled virtually all systems on the flagships.

Well, if the Jedi wanted each of these vessels in one piece and their crew captive for interrogation, they were about to be sorely disappointed. Always ready for a fight, Iolo, his fellow Sith, and all their hired guns and servants prepared for enemy boarders, resolved to take as many of the enemy down along with them. Against the Jedi and their fellow do-gooders, they knew not to underestimate them.

Unfortunately, the Jedi did not underestimate the Sith either, instead going for overkill with the squad of Yuuzhan Vong Hunter battle droids and company of Mandalorian commandos accompanying ten of their best warriors in storming the Winged Dagger. As professional and well-experienced as the Lost Tribe band was, their lines were quickly and inevitably broken by the superior numbers and firepower.

One after another, the Lost Tribe Sith and their mercenaries were defeated and immobilized, with twelve of the twenty Sabers initial surviving the fight as captives and Iolo being among the last five to remain able to fight. Knowing they couldn't match such power, the Sith synchronically raised their lightsabers to commit suicide, only to find their efforts stymied by a single Jedi's superior command of the Force putting them all in a stasis field.

Barely able to turn his head towards the man keeping the Sith Sabers frozen, Iolo recognized the lead Jedi, and shivered in horror at realizing how Kyp Durron was about to lead the interrogations of all the Jedi Order's latest batch of prisoners.

Shot with a dart of unknown contents by the Mandalorians, Iolo found himself quickly losing consciousness, barely able to stand as the lead mercenary calmly stated, "I believe that completes our latest contract, Master Jedi. A pleasure for once again doing business with your estimable order, and I hope you find what you need from this batch of Sith."

"You and your company did excellent work, Captain Seii." Kyp approvingly noted. "As promised, I'll have the rest of your intel and supplies ready for your people by tomorrow morning. But we may have another job for you over the next few weeks, if we can finally finish pinpointing Kesh's location."

'Unbelievable.' Iolo grimaced before he lost all awareness of himself. 'Beaten by an alliance of Jedi and an army of their knowing and willing dupes.'

Elona 12th, 58 ABY

Shedu Maad, Jedi Temple
Operations Planning Center

Working to contain his anticipation as each of the representatives made their way into the Temple's center of operations, Kyle Katarn, Grand Master of the Jedi Order, desperately hoped this emergency summit worked, a sentiment the rest of the Council shared. As the chosen Jedi Knights and Masters worked to protect the chamber from any prying eyes, he took stock of the ambassadors who heeded the summons.

Since the Jedi Order's current base of operations resided in the Hapes Consortium, the independent government's ruling monarch, Tenel Ka Djo, a former Jedi Knight, was making a personal appearance. Knowing what this meeting would discuss, she was prepared to offer her people's support in this military endeavor and convince any holdouts of the merits of supporting this operation.

With the bonds between the Jedi and Galactic Alliance almost fully mended, the democratic government was willing to send two of its best civil servants to meet with them: the husband-and-wife ambassador duo of Wynn and Desha Dorvan. And their military counterparts were Rear Admiral Kara and Commodore Kral Nevil of the GA Navy, along with General Jan Ors of Galactic Alliance Security. Each of them staunchly pro-Jedi and lauded for their strong and undisputed loyalty to the principles of the GA and its citizens, they were among the growing number that Chief of State Kajin Bar Yimmon trusted implicitly to do what was right instead of merely following the popular sentiment.

Among the Galactic Empire's retinue was Jagged Fel and General Armitage Jaeger. Working as Head of State Vitor Reige's ambassadors for the Jedi, the previous Imperial leader and commander of the Five-Oh-First Legion respectively served as the civilian and military representatives of the GA's rival democracy. And with Jagged married to the Jedi's youngest Council member in Jaina Solo Fel, he was among the most sympathetic to the Order's plight and likely already knew of this new operation.

And with six of the galaxy's best independent privateers and organizations, including the mercenary fleets of Sidon Ithano and Akku Seii II, along with representatives from the Jedi offshoot society of the Jensaarai, everyone was accounted for.

Kyle cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention and allowed him to begin, "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. We're all very busy and I imagine you're all wondering why I asked you here, so I'll get straight to it. We need your assistance in liberating Kesh from the Lost Tribe's dominion."

The chamber growing completely hushed at the disclosure, Jagged broke the silence, "So, we finally found the elusive headquarters of the Lost Tribe."

"How, in the name of the gods, did you pull that off?!" Kara astonishingly pressed. "We haven't been able to find that world after turning the galaxy upside down three times over throughout the last fourteen years!"

"Through process of elimination and bits and pieces we've picked up from capturing Sith war bands and their databases across the galaxy." Tionne Solusar, Jedi Council member and lead historian of the Order, began while activating the chambers' main holoprojector and presenting an image of a maroon-colored world surrounded by dozens, perhaps hundreds of warships surrounding it. "We've been actively working with our contacts to put together a complete picture of the Sith's intelligence network, slowly but surely gathering more intelligence on the Lost Tribe and its new coalition. And they've become more dangerous as they've allied with many of our supposedly other beaten enemies."

"What are you talking about?" Wynn skeptically asked. "Who's mad enough to join forces with the Sith after all the pain they've inflicted on the galaxy?"

"Aside from the other Sith Order we've had far more trouble in tracking down, they've allied with the Iskalloni, Zygerrians, Raze's criminal syndicate, and a dozen other Dark Side orders that have come out of hiding to fight us." Kyle answered.

"The number of enemies doesn't matter." Armitage resolved. "What does matter now is how long we take to mobilize in eliminating this growing threat before they get the chance to flee and scatter."

"Just like that?" Kyp Durron amusingly questioned with a chuckle and a relieved smile. "You're all willing to accompany us in crushing the Lost Tribe for good, even if the GA hasn't repealed its insane neutrality act?"

"It won't be as simple as you suggest, we all realize that." Kral steely acknowledged. "Invading a planet full of Sith and their lackies will be a massive undertaking and carries as many opportunities as it does risks. But this is our best chance to remove this troublesome thorn in our side and deal a crushing and decisive blow against many of our enemies while hopefully forcing the hand of the rest."

"And you can leave the legal repercussions of our decisions to those that have studied and enacted law, Master Durron." Desha humorously retorted. "I have a feeling that sentiments are changing throughout the Alliance, and we can convince most that our actions were just."

"Getting back to the matter at hand…" Kyle brought everyone's attention to the meeting before continuing, "There's much we need to do, and much more we still need to discuss and clarify while rallying our armies, so I must advise everyone that we get to work immediately."

Elona 16th, 58 ABY

Grand Master's Chambers

"You sent for me, Master?" Edaan respectfully greeted Kyle in his quarters. Briefly gazing at the various trinkets and mementos of the Jedi Grand Master throughout his long and complex life, stopping at the picture of him embracing his wife, long serving freedom fighter and intelligence leader Jan Ors, a sense of longing gripping him with an intensity never felt before. Quickly getting the new feeling under control, he saw his teacher amusingly smile back, making him feel ashamed of losing his focus so easily, especially if the rumors he heard were true regarding the Jedi Council's latest batch of meetings.

"Come. Sit." Kyle beckoned Edaan, offering him a chair and a cup of tea accompanied with several light snacks. "I know the last few months have been arduous, and I wanted to catch up with my apprentice a bit before we talk of your next long-term mission."

Quickly accepting the request, Edaan sat across from his master and sampled several biscuits and other refreshments. After a few slow minutes of eating, Kyle asked, "How is Allana these days?"

"Fine." Edaan cautiously answered. "She's been good, been helping Anji ween some of her cubs for adoption and mentoring a bit for the Initiates. Seems she's taken a knack for teaching."

"Something you seem to be doing quite well at also." Kyle agreed before changing topics, "And you've been spending a lot of time with her outside of work and training. Which makes me wonder if-"

"Oh, no! No." Edaan quickly cut in, flustered by the insinuation. "I mean- she's incredible and all, and I love her like a twin sister, but we're not close like that."

"Ah. But does she know that?" Kyle cautioned. "I know how she looks at you, and I don't want to put you in a mission with her if your teamwork falls apart in the heat of battle."

Edaan caught something off there, and his anticipation spiked, "It's true, then? We've found Kesh."

Eyeing his willful pupil, Kyle gravely nodded, "Yes. And I'm putting you and Allana together in one of our forward strike teams, which is why I want to make sure you two won't let hormones or your personal stakes interfere with what needs to be done."

Not speaking for a minute to gather his thoughts, Edaan privately rejoiced at the opportunity he was given. Finally, after fourteen years of being with the Jedi and helping knit a broken galaxy back together, the chance he was waiting for had finally come to fulfill the promise he made in saving Vestara Khai. Though he knew the task he set upon himself would be monumental, with pressure most could never endure, saving the woman who inspired him to become a Jedi in the first place was paramount to all he strove for. No matter who would dare stand in his way, nothing would stop him from redeeming her, and woe to any who interfered.

"Edaan." Kyle broke into his student's thoughts, somberly handing him a datapad and continuing, "I know what you're thinking, but there's plenty you need to know before you get lost in your hopes."

Cautiously reading through the device's contents, Edaan's heart sunk at the reports the Jedi had accumulated, and he felt his throat go dry as he hoarsely asked, "You trust this intelligence?"

"It's all true." Kyle acknowledged. "Vestara's now the undisputed Grand Lady of the Lost Tribe of the Sith, and she's made Kesh a bastion for a galactic region's worth of our most high-profile enemies. But there may be hope for us to prevent the annihilation of the planet's citizenry and innocents."

"These anti-Sith rebels that we've been hearing whispers about for the past six months?" Edaan skeptically recalled, before he realized the rest of Kyle's orders. "You want me and Allana to find and embed ourselves with them."

"Not on your own, but that's the general idea." Kyle clarified before reminding Edaan, "You know it'll be next to impossible to save her. There's little hope she remembers you, and even if she still loves Ben, there's little hope he can reach her now."

"I know." Edaan sadly acknowledged before he firmly added, "But I'm still going to try, because I won't know unless I give it my all. And don't give me Master Yoda's teachings of 'do or do not, there is no try'. All of history's greatest achievements are won by men and women who were simply willing to try."

"I'm not going to dispute that, Edaan." Kyle cracked a small smirk. "But I owed it to you to warn you of the stakes from what's coming." Finishing his cup of tea, the Grand Master informed Edaan, "We set out for Kesh in three days, so I'd suggest you use your last bit of rest wisely."

"I will, Kyle." Edaan acknowledged before bowing at Kyle, "Thank you for all you've done for me."

Before he could leave the chambers, Kyle interrupted, "I almost forgot. There's one more thing we need to discuss. It involves you and many of the Order's best and most experienced apprentices."

A new surge of excitement ready to course through him, Edaan breathed out his anticipation to composedly ask, "Is this related to the invasion of Kesh?"

"We both know what I'm speaking of, Edaan." Kyle wryly answered. "I'm talking about whether or not you and all the twenty-nine other prodigies of the Order are ready to take up the rank and responsibilities of Jedi Knights. And the coming fight with the Lost Tribe will decide if you all can stand on your own. This mission will be your trial by fire."

"Then we'll just have to make sure none of us will let the Order or the galaxy down." Edaan promised.

"It's about so much more than that." Kyle sternly chided Edaan. "It's about whether or not you all will let yourselves down and stay true to the light within your souls. Everyone here has complete faith in you all, but we need to be sure you have faith in yourselves as well in the most extreme of circumstances."

"I understand." Edaan genuinely answered. "I'll be sure to prove it to everyone, especially myself, that I can do what's right on the front lines of war."

"I know you will." Kyle agreed, this time allowing Edaan to exit the chambers, praying to whatever powers existed that his hopes would be validated over the next several months.

Elona 18th, 58 ABY

Wild Space, Kesh

New Tahv, Sith Citadel

"And you're certain of this information?" The Grand Lady of the Lost Tribe challengingly asked her liaison with the One Sith. Knowing that the last seven of her war parties had failed in their exploits due to betrayal was bad enough, but also now aware of the Jedi capturing three of them and interrogating them in their precious Hapan fortress world was a gigantic disaster waiting to erupt.

"Beyond any doubt." Darth Invidious, a rising star in the One Sith's Intelligence division, forlornly answered. "Our spies in the Jedi confirmed this not thirty hours ago, and I did some digging with our Imperial assets. Your home is about to become a whole lot more crowded in two or three weeks."

Inwardly paling at the fears she once thought implausible, Darth Kitai hoarsely acknowledged Invidious's warnings, "Thank you for letting me know right away. I'll be ready to make the Jedi regret ever coming near my people."

"I know, Vestara." Invidious agreed, ignoring the heated glare at using Kitai's old name before suggesting, "But if you'll take one piece of advice from a friend, you may be able to use this opportunity to rid yourself of a few growing nuisances that are impeding your rule over your world."

Seeing what Invidious was inferring, Kitai wholeheartedly agreed, "An excellent proposal. I'll get right on that once I inform my subordinates." Disconnecting the holocomm with the Arkanian Sith Lord, she fell back into her chair and allowed herself to dread whatever came next for her people and their home.

Finally, after five millennia of isolation and security from the galaxy, Kesh was about to come under siege by the Jedi and their allied armies. And when they came, Kitai had little doubt of the genocide that they would wreak for its allegiance to the Sith and the fifteen years of harm they wrought on the galaxy.

How ironic, the idle conversation that Kitai once held with her only love was about to come true. And remembering that moment from a lifetime ago and a different identity, it filled her with unabashed pain that had not diminished with the passage of time and devotion to the Dark Side. Just thinking of the Jedi that she wholeheartedly loved and the battles they would soon wage, it tore at her tattered heart a little more. And the dreams she was having, the recent nightmares she had that were speedily intensifying, they filled her with a fear she had not felt in many years.

'Lady Kitai, what is it that troubles you?' Ship well-intentionally intruded on Kitai's ruminations. Hearing the Sith creation that could think for himself, it filled her with annoyance, but mostly a warmth that took away her fears at her greatest confidant looking out for her.

Ruefully smiling at her mechanical friend's concern, she knew better than to keep secrets from him, and admitted, "The Jedi know where Kesh is, and they'll be coming here in force in a matter of weeks."

'Ah.' Ship understood. 'Do not be worried about the Jedi, my friend. You and your followers have done much to rebuild the Lost Tribe after its decimation, and you will do well against them. But I sense that is not all that disturbs you. Your soul suffers dearly from old wounds.'

Knowing she couldn't hide anything from the vessel of darkness, Kitai enigmatically admitted, "Yes. The wounds of a broken heart."

'So, you speak of Jedi Ben Skywalker.' Ship knowingly clarified. 'You fear that this might be your last confrontation with him, and what it will mean for your commitment to the One Sith and the Dark Side.'

Silent for a moment, Kitai elaborated, "There's more to it than that. The nightmares I've had, I fear they tell of Kesh's death, and the return of one we both dread infinitely more than the Jedi."

Remembering how the visions started with the Lost Tribe's original capital city of Tahv being destroyed by Abeloth, the devastation of several warring worlds between the Jedi and Sith, and a tsunami of power eclipsing virtually all Sith and Jedi from a world she did not recognize, Kitai knew what it all meant. Even if she didn't want to admit it, she remained a practical woman and visionary Sith, speaking out loud. "And if Abeloth is regaining her power, we know what that means for the galaxy, and what we will have to do to stop her, for good this time."

'Be careful of these thoughts, Lady Kitai.' Ship cautioned her. 'Most of the One Sith will not accept your visions as truth now, not with your people amassing their power and bent on waging war on the Jedi. For now, I would advise you to focus on readying your people to survive and repel the Jedi's onslaught.'

'Channel all your emotions, experience, and wisdom into this, for this invasion will be a certain crucible of fire and death that will test us all and alter the course of this war, perhaps the entire galaxy as well.' Ship counseled his longtime friend before he left her to her own devices.

Sighing at how pathetic and helpless she felt, Kitai knew Ship was correct. Her lingering love for Ben and fear of the inevitable battle were secondary compared to ensuring her people's survival and preparing them for whatever came next in serving Lord Krayt. When the Jedi arrived to try and uproot the ancient culture, they would find plenty of surprises in store for them. Hopefully she could take Invidious's advice and use it to remove a troublesome nuisance from her side before it grew in power and danger.

And if the need for allying with the Jedi was needed in stopping Abeloth's resurrection and next rampage, well, then Kitai and her followers would do their part in that endeavor. Though the armies of light had been mortal enemies of the Sith since the dawn of its order, that feud was secondary compared to the threat the fallen Celestial spawn represented. And honestly, the prospect of working alongside Ben again sent a sharp thrill of exhilaration through her very being, and a hope she hadn't felt since leaving him. Though she couldn't determine how, she knew that soon, they would be together again, a hope that she would make possible no matter what she had to sacrifice.

Well, I think this is a suitable place to end the chapter! What did you all think, as I wanted this one to be short and a good prelude to the Invasion of Kesh while connecting it to my current storyline? I hope you all enjoyed it, because I'll be focusing on the main story for a bit before I go back to the flashback series. So, how are you all doing on this warm night of Wednesday, September 20, 2023? I'm okay, if a little depressed from my internship ending in a few days. But hopefully I'll have something else around the corner soon, so there's that. And I plan to read a bit of my Supernatural Encounters book over the next few days, so I'll take a small break from writing to refresh my mind. Well, I'd best get this chapter squared away for now before I publish it in a day or two. I hope you all have a blessed evening, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!