I am back. Turns out writing political scenes can be a different sort of challenging.
I am quite pleased with how this chapter turned out though, and I hope you enjoy it.
Now, time to respond to reviews.
Azai Jin: Glad you enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy this one too.
TW: I'm happy you thought my battle sequence was well written. Since it was my first one I wasn't confident in how well it flowed.
Mandalore the Survivor: Thanks for the constructive criticism, and the video links you provided. These will help inform my writing decisions going forward.
Guest1: Read on and find out.
THWA: Considering who leads the Eternal Alliance, ending the Sith is very much his goal, but not quite that simple with the Jedi.
Tomahawk5763: It's here.
Guest2: As this chapter will allude to, the events pertaining to the Eternal Alliance go up to the Nathema Conspiracy story. I'll elaborate on this more in the next chapter, but that one ship you're hinting at is no longer a part of the Alliance's arsenal.
speirr: Glad you like it so far. Hope you enjoy this one.
For future reference any 'reviews' I receive that just say 'more' or 'update' will not be responded to.
With that said, here's chapter 3.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or anything related to it. All rights go to the original creators. I'd also like to thank my Mum for not only Beta reading my work, but for providing helpful tips to help improve my writing.
Chapter 3: Aftermath
To call the past few months of the Clone Wars turbulent would be an understatement. Despite Anakin and Obi-wan succeeding in tracking down Jabba's son and securing the alliance of the Hutt Cartel and the use of their hyperspace lanes, the focus was now entirely on trying to unravel the mystery of the newly revealed third faction in the conflict, the Eternal Alliance.
After their victory on Christophsis, the massive fleet had mostly withdrawn from the system, leaving a small handful of ships to continue relief efforts and secure a forward position.
As for the rest of the fleet, it hadn't appeared in full force after their first campaign. The Alliance seemed content to split it into several smaller fleets and conduct guerrilla warfare with both Republic and Separatist forces. The ships would appear, wreak havoc, and then disappear. Both besieged factions were frustrated by the fact that their ships weren't as fast as their new enemies, and thus couldn't track them easily.
At first Republic intelligence had been ordered to keep all information pertaining to the Eternal Alliance from going public to prevent widespread panic. But as more sightings of 'an unknown fleet' were reported, the citizens of the Republic demanded answers. In the end, Chancellor Palpatine had to bow to public concern and ordered the release of all necessary information.
But that only led to more questions. Where had this new faction come from? Why did they decide to participate in the war without any declaration? Would the war continue for longer now that it had progressed into a three-way melee? Many individuals on both sides were now contemplating these thoughts and more as they tried to decide how best to deal with the problem.
Coruscant: Jedi Council Chamber
Obi-wan knew it was rare for all twelve members of the Jedi Council to be present these days. But the matter of the Eternal Alliance had proved dire enough that even the most far-flung masters had made the effort to return to Coruscant.
Right now, their concerns lay with where the Eternal Alliance had originated from and the presence of the militaristic group of Force-users: the Knights of Zakuul.
"I searched the archives," said Plo Koon, "but I couldn't find much. If the Order has ever encountered these 'Knights of Zakuul' before, we probably didn't have many dealings with them."
"I find that hard to believe," said Eeth Koth.
"Indeed." Kit Fisto ran a hand across his chin. "Given our approach to non-Jedi Force-users over the millennia, it seems unlikely that a group such as this would have escaped our notice."
Obi-wan nodded in agreement. After the apparent defeat of the Sith two thousand years ago, the Jedi had been wary of any society that studied the Force in ways that contradicted theirs. A group of Force-sensitives forming an army? That wouldn't have been something the Jedi would allow.
"I did find just one passage pertaining to them," said Plo. He stood from his seat, datapad in hand. "Zakuul, capital of the Eternal Empire. Its people guarded by the fleet; its throne protected by the Knights. All who challenge the Eternal Emperor shall know only defeat."
"That's certainly cryptic," said Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"The passage refers to an 'Eternal Empire' though," said Adi Gallia. "Not an Alliance?"
"Yes." Plo resumed his seat. "It is an old passage though. It dates to roughly three thousand years ago. Perhaps they reorganized their government over time?"
"Zakuul," said Obi-wan. "Is that a planet?"
"I think so," said Plo. "But when I tried to find the system, the archives came up empty."
"So," said Mace. "either this is a world we haven't discovered or…"
"It's one we did know of at one point," said Saesee Tiin. "Maybe the information has been erased from the archive memory?"
That line of thought gave Obi-wan pause. It was only recently that such a thing had occurred with the planet Kamino. A planet thought not to exist because its presence was missing from archive memory, only for it to be real and housing a secret clone army intended for the Republic.
"Perhaps we should look more into this before drawing conclusions," said Oppo Rancisis. "I do not believe we will discover the whereabouts of the Eternal Alliance so easily."
The council agreed that rushing to an answer was not the best plan. They would have to scour for what information they could. There was also the chance that Republic intelligence might uncover the mystery first.
"What of our clone troopers?" said Even Piell. "The battle on Christophsis proved that their training is ineffective against these Knights."
"The clone cadets on Kamino are now being taught how to fight against them," said Shaak Ti. "But as we don't have extensive information on them, the program is nothing more than a stopgap measure. Field troops are going to have to learn as and when they engage them."
Not the most promising of updates, but the Republic now knew the powers that the Knights of Zakuul wielded. They would be better prepared the next time they fought.
"Is there anything else anyone wishes to add?" said Mace.
After a moment of silence, Yoda said, "Then. Adjourn for the time being, let us. Come to us in time, answers will."
The twelve council members all left the chamber. When Obi-wan entered the main hall, he was greeted by his former Padawan.
"How did it go?" said Anakin.
"Hard to say. We couldn't come to any sort of concrete conclusion on anything."
"That bad?" Anakin scratched the back of his head.
"All we know is that the term 'Zakuul' may refer to a planet, and that the Eternal Alliance itself may have been an Empire at least three thousand years ago."
"Not what I would call useful information."
"It'll have to do for now." Obi-wan rubbed his brow. "There's just too much we don't know yet. I fear the end of this war has gotten further out of reach."
After contemplating his master's words, Anakin looked across the cityscape at the Senate building. "Do you think the Senate will come to a sound decision?"
"Depends," said Obi-wan. "Whether their overall choice is dictated by greed or the desire to end hostilities quickly."
Anakin heaved a sigh. "The usual then?"
Senate Building
Padmé Amidala, the Senator of Naboo, had always held a strong anti-war stance ever since the Trade Federation had invaded her home planet ten years ago. She was against the proposal of the Military Creation Act prior to the start of the Clone Wars, but events had spiralled out of control and the revelation of a secret clone army ready to fight for the Republic meant that the path to war had been set.
She and a group of other experienced and respected senators had been focusing on relief efforts and finding a diplomatic end to hostilities with the Separatists in hopes of ending the war quickly. Now, considering recent events, she felt just as anxious as she did back then. Seemingly powerless to truly make a difference.
The Senate was in a heated debate about how to tackle the issue of the Eternal Alliance. On one side there were those advocating for diplomacy, and on the other, those who believed that fighting back was the only option.
Currently the Chair had recognised Senator Bail Organa who had witnessed the first appearance of the Eternal Fleet himself, thus his insight was welcome on the issue. Having already spoken about the events on Christophsis, and how the Separatist blockade had been utterly broken by the massive Eternal Fleet, Padmé knew his goal was to now convince many of his colleagues of the folly of getting into an all-out skirmish with the Eternal Fleet.
"Fellow senators," said Bail, "the Eternal Alliance may have indeed struck out against our forces without issuing a declaration of war. However, I do believe diplomacy should be our primary course of action. Based on the fleet's point of emergence during the Christophsis campaign, it is likely we and the Separatists infringed upon the edge of their territory."
As much as Padmé wanted to believe that the Alliance had acted out of self-defence, none could know for sure without first speaking to a representative from the Alliance, a point that Mee Deechi of Umbara, one of the more pro-war senators was quick to bring up.
"Senator Organa, it is rather unbecoming of one such as yourself to grasp at the motivations of people who have not made any attempt at trying to be diplomatic. Their attacks have caused quite a bit of damage to our military assets. Assets that were paid for by Republic taxes. In my opinion this makes the Eternal Alliance an outright enemy of the Republic at worst or terrorists at best."
Many senators voiced their agreements. Their planets, specifically their constituents, were the ones 'footing the bill', so to speak, when it came to paying for the Grand Army's soldiers and military hardware.
Padmé clasped her hands together as if in prayer, hoping Bail would be able to sway the Senate's opinion. But a part of her knew that greed and now fear of a largely unknown enemy were going to make things difficult.
As expected, the debate carried on with neither side willing to budge on their stance, even with Bail citing the fact that the fleet had allowed him to leave the planet without incident.
Eventually Chancellor Palpatine spoke up. "It seems we will not reach an agreement in this session. I suppose we will have to carry on as we have been doing. However, Senator Organa, the Senate has at least acknowledged what you have had to say. If you and your colleagues can meet the Eternal Alliance and approach them diplomatically, then do so."
With that, the session was over. The Senators all filed out, ready to return to whatever business they had to attend.
Padmé quickly met up with Bail and another of their fellow Senators, Mon Mothma of Chandrila. The three discussed the deliberations and how they could possibly proceed.
"It could have been worse," said Mothma. "The Chancellor could have refused any diplomatic approaches altogether."
"I am aware of that," said Bail. "But it doesn't change the fact that ending the war has now become far more arduous."
"Should we try and make a concentrated effort to speak with a representative of the Alliance?" said Padmé.
"That would be best," said Bail. "It would also be beneficial if the Jedi could share any information that they've come across."
Padmé volunteered to contact the Jedi and see what they had on the Eternal Alliance. Of course, neither Organa nor Mothma suspected that she had another motive for contacting the Jedi.
Federal District Apartment
Padmé was going over some reports when Anakin Skywalker walked in. In her mind, the only good thing about the current situation was that many of the Jedi had been recalled from the front line, thus the two of them could enjoy some rare time together, before his re-deployment.
"So," said Anakin, "how did things go in the Senate?"
She made her way to the settee and, sighing, sat down. "Not well. The Chancellor has agreed to let a diplomatic solution be found with the Eternal Alliance but is not opposed to letting the fighting continue."
Anakin sat next to his wife. "So, the Senate made just as much progress as the Jedi then."
"There was nothing in the Temple that could help?" Padmé had hoped the Jedi could find something that would aid Bail Organa's efforts to reach out to the Alliance, but her husband had just shot those prospects down.
"No, all that was found was one passage that might be referencing their home world but…"
"It's not something we can reliably use."
The couple sat together, quietly, contemplating the future. Padmé turned slightly, wrapping her arms around Anakin, who returned her embrace.
"How did things turn out this way?" she said. "This war was already chaotic enough, and now we have this Alliance to worry about."
"I wish I knew," he said.
After a while Padmé spoke. "Are you departing soon?"
"Yeah. We were called back to try and solve this mystery, but that won't happen soon, so we'll be going back to the front lines before the Eternal Alliance manages to grind our offensive to a halt."
They spent the rest of their day together, with no other distraction, making the most of their too-brief time together.
Odessan: Alliance HQ
The Supreme Commander had been kept suitably busy the past few months. While most of his time had been spent approving, overseeing, and executing various operations around the Galaxy, the Eternal Fleet's range over the different battlefronts meant their forces could accomplish a lot in relatively short amounts of time.
So far, their campaigns had consisted of disrupting as many Republic or Separatist military endeavours as possible and delivering relief supplies where they could. The Alliance's spy network had kept the chain of command informed on public opinion on their actions. Predictably many of the Core Worlds had little, if any, praise for them. On the other hand, many mid to outer rim systems had expressed their gratitude for the assistance they received from the Alliance.
With support from these regions growing by the day, the Commander knew that they would need to stop with all these small skirmishes and achieve a decisive victory soon. But that was taking some time to plan. Perhaps a part of him was still naïve to think this, but he hoped to be able to wage a battle without getting civilians caught in the crossfire. A sentiment shared by his Director of Intelligence, Theron Shan.
"Commander, we're making steady progress on all fronts," said Theron. "But our enemies are adapting. They might not be able to keep up with the ships of the Eternal Fleet, but they are learning to defend themselves against them."
"That is to be expected," said the Commander, checking a datapad from an operative. "The element of surprise was only going to last for so long."
Theron nodded. "I just want to say thanks. For taking my suggestion into consideration."
The Commander rested a hand on Theron's shoulder. "I may not have any sympathy for the current state of the Senate, but your desire to do right by the people is something I have never taken fault with. Except, perhaps, when you went 'rogue' during the Nathema Conspiracy incident."
Theron glanced at him, deadpan. "You're never going to let me live that one down, are you?"
"Just like you're not going to let Lana forget Rishi, am I correct?"
Theron couldn't deny that.
"Back to business," said the Commander. "How goes the preparations for the Ryloth campaign?"
"You're dead set on that one?"
"Yes. That planet may well choose to join the Alliance if we step in before the Republic can liberate the planet."
"We'll continue to get things ready for the operation. In the meantime, it might be a good idea to take that leave you arranged. I'm sure your family would appreciate it."
The Commander chuckled. "You, telling me to take a break from my duties? I'd be more convinced if you would take that advice yourself."
Theron shrugged.
After checking off a few final things, the Commander took his leave. Theron had been right. He had been working non-stop. A small break would be a welcome change.
He arrived at the base's hanger, where a red ship the size of a small freighter was waiting. Despite its age, the Commander's Defender-class corvette had been maintained and extensively upgraded over the years.
As he approached the boarding ramp, an astromech droid rolled out and beeped happily at him. The droid did not look like most modern astromechs. Its two primary 'limbs' leaned forward rather than back, and its third wheel was connected to its chassis by a pair of axles. It had a saucer shaped 'head' rather than the modern dome, and a gold and silver colour scheme.
"Glad to see you're keeping busy as usual, T7. I'll be taking a break from duty for a while, since we've made good progress in this war so far."
T7 made a noise in response.
"Well, knowing my wife as well as I do, she'll claim I'm shouldering the fate of the galaxy again, if I don't step away once in a while."
The Commander and T7 made their way to the bridge of the ship and after a few minutes of prep work, the ship departed the Alliance base hanger and flew across the planet.
The planet Odessan had been left to a mostly natural state since it's discovery three thousand years ago. While the Alliance base had expanded considerably since then there was no overall civilian presence on the planet.
The only exception was a new facility built on the other side of the planet to ensure its operatives and trainees didn't clash with regular military operations.
The facility, the stronghold of the Knights of Zakuul, had been set up to allow the knights-in-training to learn about the Force in a more natural environment, compared to the mostly cityscape environment of Zakuul.
Once he'd landed, the Commander made his way to the open-air training arena; each knight he passed saluted him.
Exarch Darek was in the middle of a sparring match with a trainee. The Exarch had been assigned to such tasks after his blunder on Christophsis, but the Commander was confident that Darek would impart good wisdom to the trainees before being sent back out into the field.
However, the Commander's' attention was focused on the trainee facing Darek. A Zabrak female in her mid-teens, horns protruding from her mid-neck length ginger hair, her blue eyes fixed on her instructor as they traded blows with wooden staffs. She went for a thrust to his centre but overstepped.
Darek grabbed her staff, sidestepped, and pulled her forward. She fell. "Remember to always maintain your balance, young one. No matter how determined you are to seize victory, it will not matter if you rush things."
Her cheeks reddened as she got to her feet. "Yes, Exarch."
As the Commander smiled, he made eye contact with Darek who gave his student a final word of encouragement before dismissing her.
Turning, she saw the Commander, visibly brightened, and ran to greet him. She threw her arms around him, hugging him tight. "It's good to see you, Father."
"It is good to see you too, Maqee. I see the Exarch has been drilling you hard."
Maqee made a face. "I didn't know Exarchs were that much stricter than regular knights."
The Commander chuckled as they walked back to the hanger. "They do not get to that rank by being lenient. However, do keep in mind that Darek is instructing you and the other trainees as a punishment."
"How is training us a punishment?"
"Because it is a much more productive use of his skills than assigning him to droid maintenance."
Father and daughter looked to the owner of the voice, a female human, flanked by a pair of knights. Her face framed by ginger hair tied up in a small ponytail, she was dressed in a dark brown outfit, boots, and gloves.
Maqee ran to greet her. "Mother, are you joining us?"
"Yes, your father has managed to give himself a brief break from duty and so have I."
As Maqee voiced her happiness at the news, the Commander greeted his wife before she dismissed her escort.
"How are things with the knights, High Justice?" he said.
"All good. Zealous as ever, if not more so given the times but it's nothing I can't handle."
The Commander smiled. "There are few things that faze you now, Kira."
The family made their way to hanger where Maqee greeted T7. Once they'd boarded, the Commander set the ship on a course for their home world, Zakuul.
Zakuul
Although the capital planet of the Eternal Alliance had seen advancements like any other civilized planet in the galaxy, it looked unchanged since the Commander first set foot on it three thousand years ago. As their ship entered the planet's atmosphere, the Commander could tell something was bothering his daughter.
"Is there something on your mind, Maqee?"
She didn't answer straightaway, as if gathering her thoughts. "Remember when you told me about you and Mother being Jedi? Well, the knights were talking of the Jedi, but what they said sounded so different to what you'd told me."
"What do they say about the Jedi?" said Kira.
"They are weak, two-faced dogmatics who preach about wanting peace, but happily allow a war to happen. That because they do not follow the ways of the Force the way we do, they are doomed to fail."
The Commander ruminated on her words before he answered. "It is true that the Jedi, as they are now, are weaker than they were three thousand years ago. I would like to believe that they haven't strayed too far from their teachings. But I fear they have allowed themselves to be embedded in the politics of the Republic Senate."
"So, you don't want to see the Jedi wiped out? Even though they're our enemies?" said Maqee.
"No dear," said Kira. "If anything, we would like to see the Jedi make it through this and be better off for it."
They reached their home, a penthouse on the top-most floor of one of the city's spires. After landing in the hanger, the Commander continued to speak as they disembarked from the ship.
"Maqee, though we believe that following a more balanced view of the Force is a superior path than exclusively siding with the light or the dark, the knights themselves are dedicated to the Eternal Alliance. The Jedi, on the other hand, have been the guardians of peace and justice for the entire galaxy for over ten thousand years.
"Their order is much older than the knights, and they have endured many setbacks. I want to believe that they can remember these facts, that to allow themselves to be dictated by the Senate, betrays the foundations the order was based on. For they are necessary to keep the forces of evil, the Sith, at bay. I want to see them survive and become stronger as a result."
As the family entered their home, Maqee said. "So, the Jedi aren't corrupt, they're… misguided?"
"That's one way of looking at it," said Kira. "Keep dwelling on it, you may come to a conclusion of your own."
Maqee nodded before heading to her room, T7 following her.
"The knights must be getting overzealous for her to ask that question," said the Commander.
"Don't worry." Kira embraced her husband. "Between the two of us I'm sure she'll become quite the exemplary knight."
The Commander chuckled. "You did claim you'd make a good teacher."
"What can I say, I am just that good, and you know it." Kira leaned forward meeting her beloved in a kiss.
Serenno
Within his private residence, Count Dooku, leader of the C.I.S, sat at his desk, lost in thought. Recent developments had left him stunned. His master's carefully laid out plan required little outside interference, and he had worked tirelessly the past decade or so to remove as many of them as possible.
Now this 'Eternal Alliance' had come out of nowhere threatening the entire Sith plot. Dooku still had no idea as to his master's opinion on the matter, for the Dark Lord of the Sith was still conducting his own research.
Dooku's musing was interrupted by the beeping of his holo-communicator. He activated it then stood and knelt to the image of the hooded figure that appeared, Darth Sidious.
"How may I serve you, Master?"
"Lord Tyranus. Our plan to eradicate the Jedi is now in peril. This Eternal Alliance and their Knights pose a threat to all that I have envisioned."
"I have been searching for their point of origin, Master, but so far my endeavours have proved fruitless."
"I care not from where they came, only that they are getting involved in this war at all. Should they gain absolute victory over either the Republic or the Separatists, our Order's plan that has endured for two-millennia will have been for nothing."
"Then, I shall turn my attention to erasing the advantage they hold over us," Dooku said as he stood.
"How do you plan to accomplish this? Their fleet has proven to be far too evasive for your own forces."
"Our new super weapon is almost ready. We will be able to begin field testing soon. If all goes according to plan, it will prove very effective against the Eternal Fleet."
After a moment, Sidious smirked. "Good, good. Once these interlopers are dealt with, we will be able to bring the war back to its proper course. Do not fail me, my apprentice."
After the image of Sidious vanished, Dooku turned to gaze out of his window. Whatever the Eternal Alliance hoped to achieve, the Sith would see it end in failure.
The groundwork has been laid for a couple of big campaigns. I'm sure many of you know what's coming next, and it will feature the first SWTOR character to take a central role, rather than remain in the background.
Hope you enjoyed this, and look forward to more.
May the Force be with you. Always.