Chapter 3
"The Yuuzhan what?" Bo-Katan asked with a confused look.
"Yuuzhan Vong is what they are called, miss Katan. They are a race of aliens from outside the galaxy," Magus repiled, speaking slowly so everyone could understand
This information was quite surprising for those present, as they had never imagined that life could exist outside the boundaries of Outer Rim.
"These aliens come from another galaxy. Long ago, their home world was attacked by two droid armies which lead them to fight back by creating organic technology, much like the ambistaffs which you saw," Temporal said next as she showed them images of the Vong's history and one of their warriors.
"So their weapons and ships are alive, not built like ours?" Padme realized with a look of curiosity and puzzlement.
"Yes, they consider anything mechanical to be evil. What's worse is the Vong believe that killing their enemies and making them suffer great pain will bring them closer to their gods," Magus responded. He then showed an image of a group of Vong worshiping a statue of that looked sacred to them.
"Can these aliens be killed like other lifeforms?" Starkiller asked next.
"Like those in the mortal world, the Vong can be killed, but fighting them is dangerous. Even for Jedi," answered Magus.
"What do you mean by that?" Ahsoka responded.
"Because," Magus replied, "The Yuuzhan Vong can not be sensed through the Force." An image appeared in which a Jedi of Luke's order was unable to sense the aliens in a ship's corridor, where they hid waiting to attack.
The Force users in the room were shocked by this. Even those who weren't Jedi wondered how this could be; all things moved through the Force. But then again, these aliens were from outside the galaxy.
"With their vast numbers, the Vong are attacking planets from the outer rim to the core systems. The New Republic, Jedi Order, Imperial Remnant and other governments will all fight back. But the force of the enemy will push them back to the brink of extinction," explained Temporal.
As the group watched battle scenes play out across the screen, they looked on in horror as they saw Yuuzhan Vong battleships destroy not only entire fleets of warships, but entire planets as well.
"This is the reason we brought you all here. We believe that you can help turn the tide of this war and save the galaxy," Magus said in a serious tone.
"You want us to go up against those aliens, by ourselves?" Bo repiled, feeling a little scared.
"No, you will not be alone. The heroes of the New Republic and Jedi Order will be there, fighting together," Temporal repiled, reassuring the Mandalorian.
"Does that include Thrawn as well?" Rex asked, pointing over to his medical tank.
"Yes it does. He has a part to play in this."
"Why him? What makes an Imperial Grand Admiral so important?" Kota asked.
"It's because Thrawn is the only one among you who has combat experience against the Yuuzhan Vong," replied Magus. "His people have fought against them in the Unknown Regions for decades, long before he joined the Empire."
"So that means he will be needed for strategic purposes in planning attacks on the enemy," Juno stated, as she now understood why he was here.
The two beings made the screen disappear then walked towards the group.
"We understand that some of you might feel uneasy about taking part in this mission, so we shall allow to time to think it over. If you choose to help in the battle against the Vong, please exit this room through the door on the left. If you choose not to help defeat the Vong, please exit through the door on the right. You will be returned to where we found you, with no memory of this encounter," the man said as he created doorways at the end of the room, then vanished with Temporal.
Once alone, everyone thought about what they were being asked to do; it seemed to be a life or death mission for most. The idea of fighting against a new enemy that was devastating the galaxy seemed daunting. After 20 minutes of quiet contemplation, Chewbacca broke the silence by speaking first.
"He say's that he is going to help Han, Leia, Luke and their family, as he has never let them down before and is not about to start now," Ahsoka translated.
A few were not surprised by this. They had heard how he knew and fought alongside Senator Amidala's family. It made Padme happy to know how much Chewbacca cared about them.
"I'm going too," Padme announced. "This is my chance to be with my children and to meet the rest of my family."
"But, Senator-" Ahsoka said, but was interrupted .
"Call me Padme, please... I'm no longer a senator of the Republic. That part of my life is over and now is the time for a new one to begin," she responded. "There are questions I need answered, and it's possible that Luke and Leia might know them, so don't try to stop me."
Ahsoka was taken aback by this, but then offered her friend a smile as she spoke. "I wasn't planning to stop you. In fact, I was going to say the same thing. Plus there's no way I can let you two have all the fun."
Both were glad to hear that she was coming with them. The young woman then turned to her companions.
"So Captain Rex, up for another mission to save the galaxy?" she asked the clone solider, who thought carefully about his response to her.
"In all the years that we've known each other, you think I would say no?" he answered as he got up and offered her a salute, which she accepted.
"A good solider follows his commander, or in this case an friend. Besides, this old clone still has some fight left in him," he added heroically.
"What about you, Bo?" Ahsoka asked, looking over at the Mandalorian woman who had been quiet.
"Well, I've been thinking about this, and if I were my old self my reply would be no way, as my duty is to Mandalore and my people," Bo said, then paused.
Everyone waited for her to continue.
"But if my people have survived into this time, they may need my help against these aliens. And not doing anything would bring dishonor to my clan and myself," she finished.
Once she was done, the others turned to the last three people in the room. Starkiller had been in deep thought as was Kota, Juno said they she would need a few moments with Starkiller.
Getting up, she grabbed his hand as they walked over to a corner of the room. the others talked among themselves while Kota was left by himself.
"I know what you're thinking about," she said in a low voice.
"And what would that be?" replied Starkiller.
"How you never got the chance to end Vader's life yourself, but he's gone now which means he can never hurt us again."
"Well that is true, but there is something else," he responded. "It's that...well um...ugh." Starkiller struggled to find the right words.
"What is it?" Juno prompted.
"Juno, you'rer the most important person in my life. I can't imagine it without you, and a part of me hoped that one day we might be able to find someplace for us to live together, in peace." His answer made her blush.
"But now we're being asked to go into another war against an enemy that even the Jedi have trouble defeating, so what help could I offer in this fight?" Starkiller added.
"What you have to offer is courage, which is what helped you escape Kamino, rescue Kota on Cato Neimoida, fight against those Terror Troopers and save me from Vader," she responded.
"And I have that too, we all do, which is what will help us win, so don't think negatively ever or else we have already lost before beginning," Juno added.
Starkiller thought carefully as he took in her words of wisdom, then responded by giving her a kiss, much to her surprise at first but Juno accepted it for a brief time.
Once they were done and their decision made, the two rejoined the others in the group. "We've talked it over, and we're in," Juno announced, which pleased the others..
"That just leaves you, General," Starkiller said to his old friend.
"In my life, I saw the collapse of one Jedi Order, and I'm not about to watch it happen again to the next one," he said before getting up. "Besides, I would like to meet this Jedi Master who restored what taken from us," the blind Jedi repiled, offering a grin.
"Then it sound's like we;re all going," Ahsoka said as she stood up along with the others.
The group walked together toward the door on the left. It opened by itself, revealing a bright light. One by one, each member stepped through, taking the the first step of their new journey. Once they were all through, the door closed and the room behind them vanished.