Good afternoon, everyone! How are you all holding up on this warm day of Saturday, October 7, 2023? I'm doing all right, as I volunteered a bit at my local thrift story today and relaxed a bit before I decided to start writing this Kesh Interlude chapter. But I'll have to divert some time to working on my other projects, so I won't be able to get this one out as quickly as I'd like. And I need to keep reading Supernatural Encounters as supplementary material for my stories, so I'll need to adjust my strategy accordingly. In other news, I'll be working every day this Monday through Wednesday at my part-time job, which'll take up a lot of my time as well. So, I hope you all stay safe and sane in these mad times, and I hope some of you decide to review my works, as I need the constructive criticism. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!

Kelona 3rd, 58 ABY

Wild Space, Kesh System

Aboard the Jade's Legacy

Ready to finally break through the Sith blockade protecting Kesh, Ben readied a pair of baradium missiles through a damaged trio of both Iskalloni and Zygerrian-commanded heavy cruisers and the Golan III Space Defense NovaGun station near the planet's equator. Backed up by half a squadron of Jedi StealthXs and their allies' elite fighter teams, he powered his ship's engines up to full throttle and flew towards the vulnerable defense formation.

After two days of engaging the Lost Tribe of the Sith's blockade over their capital world, with both opposed coalitions suffering heavy casualties, the toll of war was beginning to take its toll on everyone. Even with the Jedi growing perilously close to the final few lines of defense, their mortal enemies, backed by dozens of warships from many smaller criminal enterprises and rogue worlds, were not relenting under the pressure. And attempts to demoralize the Sith with more Force-based techniques, such as the rare art of Battle Meditation, or through precise strikes on key warships, were quickly negated by those proficient in the Dark Side and well-entrenched defenses and incredible coordination between their command ships.

Somewhere down on the planet below, someone who was once very close to Ben, whom he loved, and still did, with all his heart, was taunting him through her personal Sith meditation vessel. Vestara Khai, now reportedly calling herself Darth Kitai to symbolize her full devotion to the enigmatic One Sith and dedication to the Dark Side, was utilizing Ship to command her forces and wear the Jedi down through attrition. He had to find a way to break through the pall of darkness and snatch the first victory for the Jedi coalition against this enemy force.

Sensing the taunting voice of Ship call out to him, a voice without words, but whose emotions could easily be read, Ben decided to fight back with the Force also. Reaching out to the vessel which he discovered many years ago on Ziost, where he formed a unique bond with the construct that had endured to this day, he challenged the entity, 'You won't win this, Ship. You're all alone, surrounded by a galaxy hostile to your masters, and they will fall to the galaxy which has rallied against your kind.'

Hearing Ship's derisive laugh, the Sith-made creation shot back, 'Your false bravado will do you no good here, Jedi Skywalker. I sense your fear, your anger, your hate, all bubbling up to the surface. You know this war is unwinnable, yet you persist in carrying on this fight.'

'Perhaps I will fail.' Ben allowed, surprising Ship with the bold admission. 'But even if I fall, others will rise up to carry on the struggle. And they will not make the same mistakes as their predecessors.'

Banishing the connection with Ship, nearing the seven targets of his assault, Ben felt his personal vessel shake from the barrage now aimed towards him by the wounded capital ships' fighter escorts and nearby defense platform. The Jedi-led flotilla quickly took evasive action to avoid the firepower and led four simultaneous attacks on the nearby enemy formations to take what pressure off Ben they could.

But even with the enemy's ranks depleted, Ben could sense their reinforcements arriving to bolster their position, and knew he'd only get one shot before he was taken down. Preparing to take aim and fire, he found his comm system chiming, and at recognizing the frequency, he quickly answered, "This had better be good news, Captain Ithano!"

"Ask, and you shall receive, Master Skywalker." Edaan's gloating voice came through, surprising Ben with how jovial he seemed with the carnage raging around the system before he seriously warned, "Be ready to deliver your payload the second we give you the opening."

Seeing Sidon Ithano and Akku Seii II's private fleets taking the lead over Ben's ship, unleashing a payload of proton torpedoes and concussion missiles to cover his approach, he realized this was the opportunity he needed. Pouring all available power into the Jade Legacy's thrusters, he flew as close he safely could before he unleashed the two baradium missiles against the Golan III station.

Turning his ship around in reverse, Ben warned all nearby allied ships, "Payload away. Get the kriff away and be ready to move in once the dust settles." A few moments later, a spark could be seen emerging from the station, with an inferno quickly arising that devoured it and five ships in close vicinity to it and damaging another six that were further away.

The Jedi and their allies, seizing the opportunity while the shock was still fresh, advanced on all fronts, inflicting heavy damage on the Sith blockade and throwing it into havoc. Amid all this chaos, dozens of landing craft, corvettes, and escort capital ships began to descend into Kesh's atmosphere, bearing the first ground forces that would step foot on this Sith stronghold and begin liberating the planet.

'Get ready, Vestara Khai, Darth Kitai, or whatever you now call yourself.' Ben resolutely swore while providing cover fire for the first wave of aggressive emancipators penetrating the planet's biosphere. 'We're coming for you and your masters, and I'm not stopping until you answer for all you've done or find your way back to the light!'

Kelona 10th, 58 ABY

Kesh, Continent of Keshtah

In the Port Town of Eorm

'Man, Edaan and his friends weren't kidding when they said this war would be a long and treacherous slog. Kinda reminds me of a few of the Outer Rim Sieges.' Kix bitterly and nostalgically chuckled while trudging alongside Edaan, Allana, Sidon, and Akku through the remains of the dilapidated port that served as the Jedi Order's sole foothold on Kesh. After they and their allies managed to break through the Sith blockade and seize the moderate trading center that served the planet's three continents, everyone had been hard at work over the next six days securing the beachhead. And that was a task that all the would-be liberators were hard-pressed to accomplish.

Between the initial Lost Tribe defenders having dug in a hard defense that endured three days of a heavy siege before their lines were broken, the Sith leaving very little salvageable material for the Jedi to utilize, and the displaced civilians' blatant mistrust for the occupiers, everyone was teetering on the edge of pandemonium while the occupiers worked to consolidate their first gains. And everyone was watching carefully to see who would make the first mistake in this prolonged Jedi-led campaign, whether they were among the Jedi or their allies, the Sith and theirs', or the civilians or the purported anti-Sith resistance movement that the group was looking for information on.

Given the Lost Tribe's vast spy network and firm hold over most of the populace, the five-man group was taking all necessary precautions when meeting with the purported contact Robonino had uncovered. Edaan and Allana, knowing the Sith still had a few Sabers and trying to undermine the Jedi where they could, donned the more practical set of armor than the Jedi's conventional garb, wearing Mandalorian armor provided by Akku, and concealed their lightsabers to instead use spare blasters and viboswords Sidon gave them. And while Akku wore his trademark Mandalorian armor, forged in the warrior culture's beskar armor, and Sidon used his trademark red-painted Kaleesh mask to distinguish themselves, Kix used a more unconventional approach to differentiate himself. Wearing a modified version of the Katarn-class Clone Commando armor gifted to him by a wealthy Old Republic-era collector, painted black and red to honor a long-lost squad of Grand Army of the Republic Clone Commando squad who rebelled against the Empire to forge their own path, he carried himself with the professionalism and honor a soldier should possess.

This anonymity, however brief it was, gave the two longtime friends a chance to see the Sith-held planet with unblemished eyes. Most importantly, it allowed them to observe how the Lost Tribe treated their regular citizens versus the many records the Jedi held on how previous Sith Empires abused those they deemed lesser than others. While there was obvious discrimination and the typical arrogance laced within many Sith and their higher-ranked servants, their ambitions were tempered by their meritocratic society and the occasional recruitment of everyday civilians into better roles, allowing for advancement without the traditional betrayals involved.

And after they suffered terribly from the Jedi and Abeloth fourteen years ago, the Lost Tribe was apparently forced to undergo another reformation, this time valuing every citizen, Force-Sensitive or not, and training them to replenish their decimated ranks and prepare for this inevitable moment. Given how most of the higher ranked Sith were killed on Coruscant by the Jedi or by Abeloth when she destroyed the capital city of Tahv and its millions of citizens, no one was too surprised by this discovery, even if they all grieved at the death wrought by the Celestial abomination on Kesh's innocents. But when Vestara Khai arrived two years previously, along with her many offworld allies and backed by the few remaining experienced Sith still serving the Tribe, it was then that she was virtually unanimously anointed Grand Lady of the Sith and overhauled the planet's entire society.

These drastic changes, ranging from all but outlawing the blood feuds between Sith, uplifting many of the planet's enslaved denizens to be given a chance to earn their emancipation, and modernizing many of its archaic practices, it baffled virtually all, but helped consolidate Vestara's reign. And by recruiting thousands of rogue Mandalorians to help train the Lost Tribe in many modern combat arts and weaponry, it was clear that she was putting her many years in the galactic underworld to productive use.

But not all of Kesh's people blindly accepted these changes, and it was over the last eight years that these dissenters had coalesced into a more united movement, one that had given the Tribe much grief. Led by a Keshiri woman who called herself the "Shadow Reaper '', the Neshtovar had become a significant problem to the Sith, who had an extensive system of contacts and friends that helped her mostly elude her enemies' detection. Whether this rebel network could be willing to ally with the Jedi, well, that was what the group was attempting to uncover right now.

Nearing their rendezvous point, a local but large tavern that was spared the worst of the destruction, Akku and Kix subtly took point, with both Jedi in the middle and Sidon bringing up the rear. Seeing the Keshiri natives, Human immigrants, and the few other races belonging to the Jedi and their allies traversing the establishment, along with a presence inside that Edaan and Allana immediately recognized, they figured this must be the place.

Casually walking in, the quintet observed the simple décor of the diner, with a wide range of conversation underway by dozens of patrons of many origins, before finding their friend conversing with a middle-age Keshiri woman and human man, both wearing travelers' garb befitting either sailors or Uvak riders. Seeing the Patrolian mercenary conduct himself so modestly, without any fights underway or insults being hurled, it only underscored the seriousness of the meeting. Approaching the three wanderers, Kix lightly jibed, "I see you've been behaving yourself well, Robonino. That's a rarity for us all."

Chuckling at the crass greeting, Robonino was prepared to greet the Clone Trooper before he spotted Akku and his escorts and held his tongue. There would be plenty of time for insults later, once the introductions were out of the way and contact information was exchanged. Ushering his friends to sit, he introduced his two new friends, "This is Sara Elda and Horo Card. They're connected to our… potential partner and are amenable to deliver a message to her, provided the price is right."

"Then let's get right to business." Edaan resolved, surprising the duo.

"You let your subordinates talk like that?" Sara, the Keshiri woman, surprisingly asked Akku and Sidon.

"No, but they're your way to work with the Jedi." Akku simply explained, astonishing their contacts before elaborating. "This was simply a precaution against any unwanted prying eyes and ears."

Horo, regaining his composure first, asked the armored Edaan, "We can take the message to our patron. But if you really want to talk with her, then you'll need to give us proof of your affiliations and a way to contact you all if she agrees to meet you."

"We figured as much." Allana surmised. "How well versed are you two in high-profile Jedi?"

"Quite reasonably so." Sara answered, before Edaan and Allana briefly took off their helmets, allowing both Keshiri and human to realize exactly who they were dealing with. "Oh… We weren't expecting such young and prestigious individuals to discuss an alliance."

"Let's just say I have a personal stake in doing this." Edaan alluded as he and Allana put their helmets back on. "One I've been waiting a very long time for."

"Vengeance?" Horo guessed.

"No. Redemption of an old friend of his." Allana corrected. "And I'm along to help a dear friend out and provide backup for if and when it goes wrong."

"But that's beside the point." Sidon cut in. "What we need to know right now is if you can make contact with our ally, and how long it'll take to hear from her."

Sara, glancing at Horo before receiving a nod, answered, "We'll make the necessary arrangements and report back to you all within four days. But you need to understand, this… partnership won't be as easy to create as you assume. There are many within the cause who hate both day and night equally, and they have plenty of sway across the planet and the boss lady. Do you understand what I'm inferring?"

"Yes." Edaan solemnly answered, knowing the feeling all too well, just as Allana did from her forlorn emotional state. "We know that feeling better than you yet realize."

Seeing something in the two Jedi's postures, the duo began to believe this group might be able to convince the Neshtovar holdouts to join the greater anti-Sith movement. Nodding, Sara agreed, "Then let's enjoy tonight and have a good Kesh delicacy. We'll go to our clients tomorrow and relay your offer."

"Sounds good to me." Robonino eagerly agreed.

Kelona 12th, 58 ABY

Takara Mountains

Mountain Temple

Overseeing her followers' fierce deliberations, Darth Kitai found herself wondering how the previous Grand Lord of the Lost Tribe, Darish Vol, would have handled the borderline infighting between the Circle of Lords and their One Sith allies. Between those that advocated immediate retaliation against the Jedi for setting foot on their ancestral homeland, and the several prudent High Lords and their acolytes that saw the situation as it was and preferred wearing the Jedi down through attrition and cunning, it was a miracle the meetings hadn't yet devolved into outright war.

Finally losing her temper at the seven High Lords and their many lesser-ranked Lords and Sabers, Kitai, after sending a subtle warning to her aides and supporters, amplified her voice to high enough octaves to make everyone's ears bleed when she suddenly and deafeningly shouted, "SILENCE!"

Once she was certain everyone had been verbally chastened enough to listen, Kitai breathed out her frustrations, and coolly ordered them, "Are you all so blind and obsessed with being right that you cannot see what is right before us? The Jedi, our most ancient enemies, have arrived to eliminate us all, and instead of rallying together to repel this invasion, you fight each other over the correct course of action.

"Is this not what Darth Krayt and his seers foresaw when we formed our pact with the One Sith? Will you prove them right and doom us all, or can we agree to channel our ambitions and passions towards a common goal we all can agree upon?"

"What you say is true, Grand Lady Kitai." Jesko Umarn, a former advisor of Darish and one of the few Sith that Kitai wholeheartedly trusted, deferentially agreed, with three of his peers, Sammul Sharsha, Takaris Yur, and Ysadria Kaladris showing their support. "But many of the younger Sabers and Apprentices, they don't have your experience or foresight on these matters. And with the Jedi breathing right at our doorstep, they hunger for immediate action."

"Which is why we must find a way to convince our entire populace to take up arms against the Jedi and their minions." High Lord Year advocated. "We have been preparing for this eventuality since you took control of the Tribe two years ago and brought in all these outsiders to train our subjects to wield modern weaponry. Combined with the many allies we have acquired-"

"Even the Iskalloni, Neo Death Watch, Zygerrians, and our many criminal allies cannot last long against the Jedi and their professional armies, good as they are." Takaris firmly interrupted. "To defeat them, we must fight more with cunning and foresight, rather than with simply brute force. And that especially holds true with the rebels that are nipping at our heels."

"Which is exactly what Lady Kitai and I have been devising a plan for." Ysadria interjected. Earning a nod from Kitai to continue, she carried on. "As High Lord Yur stated, we need to use our minds and skill, not mere heart alone. Remember, there are still many elements throughout the galaxy that resent or distrust the Jedi, and we have many spies and allies that can keep us one step ahead of their plans."

"All we need to do is sap the galaxy of its resolve to fight us, and that will open up new avenues of opportunity to us and our partners." Ysadria paused, activating a hologram of the planet before zeroing in on a specific portion of the smaller continent of Keshtah, stopping at a series of lakes near the western edge of the island territory. "But before we do that, we need to knock a few troublesome nuisances off the playing field before the true war begins."

"My scouts have discovered that most of the rebels have taken refuge near the Ragnos Lakes, and our spies in their ranks revealed how some of its members are advocating for building ties with the Jedi." Kitai took over, ignoring the derisive and hateful curses coming out of several Lords and Sabers. "We've also confirmed that the Neshtovar's leader is among those gathered here, and that she is undecided on the matter."

"Where are you going with this?" A Saber cautiously questioned. "If we attack the traitors outright and they manage to escape, then it'll only give them more incentive to offer all they know to the Jedi and give them many new advantages over us."

"Yes, but if we can implicate the Jedi for murdering the Neshtovar, proving to the skeptics how they only wish the complete eradication of all who ever followed the Dark Side, it will whip the planet into a frenzy and allow us all we need to massacre the enemy." Kitai viciously smirked, causing many surprised murmurs from her disciples.

"We'll need at least seven days to ready ourselves, and secrecy is paramount for this plan to work. That means no one outside your trusted advisors can know of this attack until I deem that the time is right."

"Do you think so little of us and our discretion, Grand Lady?" A Lord offendedly challenged.

Sammul, taking over the meeting, commandingly countered, "No. But she recalls the Time of the Rot and the murders and destruction the fractured Tribe committed against itself after our origins were uncovered by a pack of drunk Sith." Everyone growing silent at the shameful blot in the Lost Tribe's history, remembering how a millennium of stagnation and machinations between the twenty opposed factions erupted into full-scale pandemonium at their ancestors' humble beginnings before Varner Hilts ushered in a time of restoration and conquest for them, no one wished to repeat that disaster.

Kitai, flashing a grim smile that underscored her commanding presence, advised everyone, "I would highly encourage everyone to avoid excessive drinking or other such luxuries for the war's duration. Our traditional backstabbing and hedonism will not save us here, and we cannot afford to let old vendettas or personal ambitions undermine our fight for survival."

"Yes, Grand Lady." All the assembled Sith agreed, though some were more discontent than others at the tight watch and anti-traditionalist command Kitai utilized over them. She would have to work especially hard in keeping the traditionalists and aggressive members of the Tribe in line, at least until they could gain a few good victories.

Kelona 15th, 58 ABY

Eorm, Jedi Headquarters

"You're certain you found them?" Kyle scrutinized his apprentice as Edaan and Allana finished packing the last of both their equipment to store aboard Sidon's personal ship.

"As certain as we can be, given the treacherous battlefield we've all found ourselves in." Edaan shrugged, earning him an annoyed punch on the shoulder by Allana for his elusive behavior.

"What Edaan is trying to say here, Grand Master, is that Akku, Sidon, and each of their agents did most of the deep investigative work here. We just sifted through the information and put the pieces together after meeting with his informant." Allana quickly clarified for Kyle. "But they all report the same information: this resistance movement, these Neshtovar, are regrouping at the Ragnos Lakes and are deliberating over their next course of action. This is our best and possibly only chance to reach out to them and solicit their help."

Wearily shaking his head, Kyle surmised, "You've all already reached out to them, I take it?"

"More like simply expressing a willingness to talk and say our piece, Master." Edaan nodded before handing him a piece of flimsi paper with exact geographic coordinates. "If you don't hear from either of us in the next three days, assume us captured or missing and do what you have to."

"Why doesn't this exactly fill us with confidence?" Octa Ramis, Allana's teacher and Jedi Council member, sarcastically spoke up. "How do you plan on getting that deep into the continent with just a handful of ships?"

"We'll go part of the way in the air and take speeder bikes for the other half. And if it turns out to be a trap, then we'll have to improvise and make our way back to you."

Seeing the resolute gazes in both Apprentices and remembering how both of their bloodlines were exceptionally stubborn, Octa sighed, "As a precaution, I insist you bring a few Knights or at least one Master with you."

"Do you already have a suitable candidate in mind?" Edaan skeptically inquired. Seeing the anxious glean in Kyle's eyes, he quickly grasped who Octa was suggesting, and protested, "Well, I'm not sure if Master Skywalker is the best suited to negotiate with these individuals, given his previous… dealings with the Lost Tribe."

"This won't be like he'll be going after Vestara, Edaan." Octa began. "And as for his vengeful fury for her, it's been calmed a great deal over recent years, replaced by a slim hope that he can still save her, in no small part due to your influence and example."

"If you want to engage in diplomatic entreaties with the Lost Tribe's deserters, you need to have the position of strength and a back door to escape, should these talks prove inconclusive. And Ben Skywalker is the best suited for the task." Kyle firmly stated. "This is nonnegotiable."

Glancing at Allana, who only gave a helpless shrug back, Edaan defeatedly sighed before agreeing, "He can come. But Akku, Sidon, and a few of their trusted friends and bodyguards will stay for the talks and keep an eye on Ben to keep him from doing anything too reckless."

Letting out a boisterous laugh, Kyle good-naturedly reminded his pupil, "As opposed to what you're about to try and undertake?" Growing serious, he warned both Jedi Apprentices, "Don't do anything too stupid, and may the Force be with you both."

"Same to you, Kyle." Edaan bowed before his master before he boarded the Meson Martinet and the ship prepared to take off towards the first rendezvous point.

Twelve Hours Later

Kelona 16th, 56 ABY

Ragnos Lakes Outskirts

Neshtovar Headquarters

"They're coming. They'll be here in just under thirty minutes." The sentry leader informed his leader, who acknowledged the warning with a nod and quickly worked to finish the burial rites for the last of the deceased or dying.

"How many?" She asked, dreading the worst even as she prayed for the Jedi her people contacted to keep their word.

"Three Jedi, two companies of their mercenaries, and they're keeping their ships as close to us as they can without risking the Tribe's detection." Pausing, the sentry added, "They've identified the Jedi as Master Ben Skywalker and Apprentices Allana Djo Solo and Edaan Palpatine."

Well, this was it. After six years of fighting the Lost Tribe and the offworld allies the current Grand Lady brought with her two years ago, the Neshtovar, named after the last resistance movement of over five thousand years ago, they were about to begin talks with the Jedi to fight their common foe. But she never thought they would send the most well-known and infamous of their order to such a classified meeting. It was all so surreal for Adari Thayn, that she had to shake herself before her fears took control.

Reminding herself of all that she lost because of the Tribe, how her fellow Keshiri had suffered at the hands of the Sith and how countless of their own had been indoctrinated by the Dark Side, and how Adari nearly fell into that same trap before she broke free, it nearly overwhelmed her. Suddenly, she didn't feel like the strong woman she had matured into, but the little girl who was a Sith Tyro and lost her family and all she loved due to Darish Vol and his incompetent Circle of Lords who underestimated the greatest enemy Kesh had ever faced.

Banishing the memories of those traumatic months to the deepest recesses of her mind, Adari reminded herself to focus on the present and prepare for this crucial summit. Although many of her fellow rebels still doubted the wisdom in allying with the Jedi, she recognized the necessity of finding allies of their own to counter the Lost Tribe and their new friends. After all, no one in the Neshtovar, nor anyone born on Kesh, wanted a repeat of the Jedi and Old Republic-led holocaust in the aftermath of the Great Hyperspace War occurring here.

Having studied what she could of the greater galaxy's history from what records she could scrounge up from countless sources, she knew that many homegrown rebels and freedom fighters often received aid from offworld sources and their powerful allies. And although most thought the Tribe a united front, if the Jedi and their allies could see that there were those that held doubts over Kesh's Sith masters, that some were prepared to strike against them, it could be just what the Neshtovar needed to save their home and loved ones.

Sensing the Jedi approach, their immensely powerful signatures in the Force all but cloaked to avoid discovery by the Sith, Adari completed the preparations for her fallen friends' funerals before she briefly debated whether to clean herself up for the guests. Deciding against it, she figured they ought to see what the Keshiri have suffered at the hands of offworlders, and the gravity of the decision being thrust upon them.

Well, I'd say this concludes the second chapter of this interlude story! What did you all think? Did you enjoy the surprise inclusions in Kix and Robonino? I thought it would work well since Edaan needs to test if his prospective team can work, and since I wanted to feature them more in my saga. And I plan to have plenty more surprises in store for the heroes and villains in this mini story, with twists and turns you won't see coming. But you'll have to wait a few weeks for the next interlude chapter, as I'll be working on three main story chapters before working on Ch. 3 of the Kesh story. Hope you all can wait that long.

Now, onto more serious matters. I'm assuming you've all heard of the war between Hamas and Israel breaking out over the last three days. Let me tell you, it's breaking my heart even further at how this world's sliding further into the Devil's grip, and how so many innocent people are losing their lives due to fanaticism and the evil pervading the world. It's easily rivaling my pain and anger for the turmoil consuming the United States, but I have a feeling one will surpass the other soon enough. But I- no, everyone on Earth, needs to pray to God for this madness to end and for peace and love to rule over the world, and pray hard and faithfully. And we need to serve as vessels for the Holy Spirit to build lasting communities of cooperation and fellowship. That's what I'll be doing until this insanity comes to an end. I hope you all heed these words, as I know we need to better do so to help ease this agonizing pain devouring so many.

Well, I suppose I'd best get this chapter published, as I'll have to go to bed soon for work tomorrow morning. I hope you all stay safe and sane in these mad times and pray hard to God for all your troubles. May the Lord be with us all in these Dark Times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!